Country First: McCain Takes Giant Dump on His Own Campaign Slogan

The theme of the John McCain's campaign and this year's GOP convention is "Putting Country First." Says McCain's 2008 Communications Director Jill Hazelbaker:

"Our convention will showcase a cross-section of leaders who will highlight John McCain’s long commitment to putting our country first -- before self-interest or politics."

McCain has made "Country First" his refrain, endlessly accusing his opponent, Barack Obama, of putting his campaign before the interests of the nation.

But today, McCain made a surprising announcement. After months of mulling the VP question over in his head ("Forget the campaign: who would be best for the country? Think, John, think!! Who has the qualifications to lead this great nation? Who? Who?"), John McCain came up with an answer: Sarah Palin, a woman who until 20 months ago had nothing more impressive on her resume than small town mayor. A woman whose current position is "Governor of 4 People, a Shitload of Snow, and Some Oil." A woman who scoffed last month that she couldn't answer whether she would consider the becoming McCain's running mate "until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day? I'm used to being very productive."

This is the person John McCain chose, and he made the decision after speaking to her about the position just once by telephone last Sunday and once in-person the day before the announcement. This is putting country first.

McCain has made clear that he is going after Hillary's disgruntled supporters, running the ridiculous "Passed Over" ad, in which he accuses Obama of not choosing the new darling of the Republican party, Hillary Clinton, for his running mate because she hurt his feelings. (And I'm sure, since the Republicans are only defending Hillary out of the goodness of their hearts, they still would have been talking about her in such glowing terms if she had been the one to get the party's nomination.) Clearly, with all of the other candidates from which to choose, Palin was selected for her perceived ability to bring in the Hillary die-hards.

McCain's introduction of Governor Palin today was telling. "She's exactly who I need," he said, before remembering his campaign slogan and wisely sprinkling some patriotic rhetoric on the statement: "She's exactly who this country needs to help me fight the same old Washington politics of 'Me first and country second. "

But this is politics. Let's not be naive or disingenuous. Every VP pick is a strategic decision, so to question John McCain's motives in choosing Palin as his running mate would be ridiculous ... if he hadn't spent his entire campaign thus far characterizing each step Obama has made as strategic and narcissistic. McCain's campaign slogan is the implication-laden "Country First" and yet he has put strategy -- pandering to Hillary fans -- above the wellbeing of the nation. Way to keep it classy, John.