The problem with John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate is not -- or not mainly -- about her qualities, or even her qualifications; the problem is what it reveals about McCain himself: that he and his advisorsare not bothered by self-contradiction, that the only logic that governs his campaign rhetoric is the logic of political advantage. Experience is all-important, except when it isn't. Identity politics is bad, unless it's good. Country first, oncehe's elected.For the first and last word on this subject, see Michael Kinsley's Slate column here.

Matthew Boudway is senior editor of Commonweal.

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