McCain's gamble on Palin

Apresidential candidate waging a tough campaign decides to shake up the contest by choosing an obscure female politician as his running mate, hoping that the historic choice will provide an advantage against the other party's all-male ticket. That's a description of Walter F. Mondale's ill-fated choice of Rep. Geraldine A. Ferraro in 1984, but it also sums up John McCain's selection Friday of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

August 30, 2008