Harriet Palin

Watching Sarah Palin introduce herself to the world, all I could think about was Harriet Miers.
That same, eye-goggling effrontery of George Bush announcing to everyone that his White House counsel was the "best he could find for the job," the job, of course, being the nation's highest court. And more so, that same infuriating insinuation that choosing a woman necessitates a compromise in caliber - "sorry, folks, but we needed a lady, so we'll just have to make some sacrifices on the qualifications."

Palin is just so utterly unready for prime time. Inexperience is one thing, but the giddy demeanor and deeply unseriousness posture towards the challenges of the vice presidency (especially the role as second in command to an elderly cancer survivor) turns her into a punch line. She "promised her husband a surprise on their anniversary"? She never saw herself in public service, since she was always "just a hockey mom"? Part of me wishes Barack had picked Hillary Clinton after all - I would pay good money to watch HRC dismantle this twinkie in the debates.

Oh, and Sarah? It's pronounced nuCLEE-er.