John McCain showed incredibly bad judgment in putting someone on his ticket with absolutely no foreign policy or national security experience, and just a year and a half removed from being a small town mayor. Even intellectually honest conservatives agree it is a terrible choice:
David Frum: Here's I fear the worst harm that may be done by this selection. The McCain campaign's slogan is "country first." It's a good slogan, and it aptly describes John McCain, one of the most self-sacrificing, gallant, and honorable men ever to seek the presidency. But question: If it were your decision, and you were putting your country first, would you put an untested small-town mayor a heartbeat away from the presidency?"
Charles Krauthammer: "The McCain campaign is reveling in the fact that Palin is a game changer. But why a game changer when you’ve been gaining? To gratuitously undercut the remarkably successful 'Is he ready to lead' line of attack seems near suicidal."