Expertinent is a regular Stumper column featuring interviews with experts on the news of the day. Graham, to the right of McCain (AP Photo / Stephen Savoia) ST. PAUL, Minn.--Very few people know John McCain as well as Lindsey Graham. An old friend and confidant, the South Carolina senator has spent more time on the trail with the Republican nominee this cycle--from Southern barbecue joints to Midwestern mill towns--than any other politician (and even some McCain staffers). Earlier this afternoon, Graham graciously agreed to give panel of NEWSWEEK reporters and editors an exclusive look inside McCain's hush-hush vice presidential selection process. As has been reported, Graham lobbied McCain hard in the final hours to choose their mutual friend, Sen. Joe Lieberman, whom he believed would be a "transforming pick." But in the end, McCain tapped Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin instead--surprising even Graham, who found out "for sure" only last Friday, the day of the announcement. For me, the most fascinating part of the conversation came when Graham delved into Palin's positives, framing her first and foremost as "the right persona for what [McCain] want[s] to do" and "a compelling story" rather than someone who's ready to occupy the Oval Office at a moment's notice--effectively admitting, in other words, that she's a campaign pick rather than a governing pick. Indeed, Graham believes that the recent flurry of negative news about Palin--her ...
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Expertinent is a regular Stumper column featuring interviews with experts on the news of the day. Graham, to the right of McCain (AP Photo / Stephen Savoia) ST. PAUL, Minn.--Very few people know John McCain as well as Lindsey Graham. An old friend and confidant, the South Carolina senator has spent more time on the trail with the Republican nominee this cycle--from Southern barbecue joints to Midwestern mill towns--than any other politician (and even some McCain staffers). Earlier this afternoon, Graham graciously agreed to give panel of NEWSWEEK reporters and editors an exclusive look inside McCain's hush-hush vice presidential selection process. As has been reported, Graham lobbied McCain hard in the final hours to choose their mutual friend, Sen. Joe Lieberman, whom he believed would be a "transforming pick." But in the end, McCain tapped Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin instead--surprising even Graham, who found out "for sure" only last Friday, the day of the announcement. For me, the most fascinating part of the conversation came when Graham delved into Palin's positives, framing her first and foremost as "the right persona for what [McCain] want[s] to do" and "a compelling story" rather than someone who's ready to occupy the Oval Office at a moment's notice--effectively admitting, in other words, that she's a campaign pick rather than a governing pick. Indeed, Graham believes that the recent flurry of negative news about Palin--her ...