Agree mostly with this Benen piece. I guess the pick of Palin brings a different weight to what I wrote yesterday. Obama is more than “a first” and it’s because of that that his candidacy is so meaningful. I don’t know how many people agree with me, but I think I can make a very strong case about it.

This seems a pretty transparent ploy to get women, and it’s precisely because she isn’t the first name on the ticket that it feels that way. It really seems like she was chosen because of her gender based on the timing here. Am I off on this?

As I wrote on Twitter, I think her personal story is interesting and she’s a compelling candidate. But considering she hasn’t thought about running for this office, does she have the serious consideration of national economic issues and foreign policy issues that are key right now?

Oh, and what about the fact that she’s under an ethics investigation in Alaska?