My Morning Wooten

Welcome to delusionland.

The only question now is the spread, the over/under...Vice presidential candidates rarely affect election outcomes. The selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will...On the Friday it is announced, the sun is gloriously bright in Atlanta, appropriate to the mood of the Republican Party. In one morning, it becomes entirely clear: John McCain can be elected president of the United States. He can win and in the process make history.

Back in the real world the Palin pick is falling apart faster than cheap socks in a tumble dryer.

Let's sample some other, less 14-year-old boy in love, opinions.

Not so liberal Andrew Sullivan.

Yes, we knew McCain had an ego. We never quite appreciated how vast it was. Yes, Obama is inexperienced in foreign policy. But at least he has thought seriously about it. Do you really believe that Sarah Palin understands the distinctions between Shia and Sunni, has an opinion about the future of Pakistan, has a view of how to exploit rifts within Tehran's leadership, knows about the tricky task of securing loose nuclear weapons?

Marc Ambinder

A few are cautiously optimistic that it'll turn out OK, but most of the strategists and consultants I've spoken to, e-mailed with, or read/watched are struggling with it. They expect her to have a good week... and then to crash and burn when she hits the campaign trail as scrutiny catches up with her.

Safely not a liberal Pat Buchanan

I think this is the biggest political gamble, just about, in all of American history

And finally David freaking Frum

The longer I think about it, the less well this selection sits with me. And I increasingly doubt that it will prove good politics. The Palin choice looks cynical. The wires are showing.

But it is a sun shiney day in Wootenland. Maybe he thinks that warm wetness on his leg is just a brief shower.