I still think the election is Obama's to lose, and I still don't think VP choices matter very much. But I think it's a solid choice. If McCain had picked another old white guy, the experience issue would be offset by the ticket looking like yesterday's news. He can legitimately claim enough experience for both of them, and offer an all-maverick ticket for voters tired of the Bush administration but not up for Carter redux. ( :-) What can I say: a Democratic newcomer on the liberal side of the party, with strong religious convictions, on the heels of a deeply unpopular Republican presidency in a time of rising inflation and an oil shock?) He can shore up his bona fides with religious conservatives and poach a few disgruntled Clinton supporters on the margin. And she's demonstrated an ability to take on older, more established political figures and win.

Is she enough to win the turnout battle with an Obama-energized Democratic Party for a Bush-weary electorate? Probably not. But I don't think there's a vice presidential candidate in the country who could do that. (Certainly not Romney. Huckabee would bring out the base at the expense of swing voters.) Ultimately, I think this is a good choice, whether or not it's good enough.