He Had Three Extra Months To Get Going

I sometimes question John McCain's drive to be President.  Sometimes it seems he doesn't have his heart in the race.

Remember what I said back in July?  I'm no pundit and even I figured out McCain's problem.  He's too slow.

While Senator Obama and Senator Clinton raced to the finish line of the primary season, John McCain had three extra months to raise funds, refine his strategy, and begin vetting running mates.  He had April, May, and June.  And what happened?  He wanted Joe Lieberman or Tom Ridge to be his running mate.  But one or more members of his campaign steered him to Sarah Palin in August.

Now for the bombshell:  McCain aides have admitted to the Washington Post that while Palin spent hours on her paperwork (tax returns, VP questionnaire), the actual 3-hour in-person interview with the McCain campaign did not occur until Wednessday August 27th - the day before Senator McCain asked her to be his running mate.

Dan Baltz, "Aides Say Team Interviewed Palin Late in the Process" (Registration required):

Here is Maddow, Matthews, O'Donnell, Buchanan, and Robinson and when the story broke.


UPDATE From the 'Wow, Just Wow' Department:
 Laura McGann of the Washington Independent decided to give the Wasilla town hall a call yesterday.  It turns out...wait, I'll let McGann's own words explain:

I told her I appreciated her help, since I’m sure she’s been bombarded with requests these last few weeks. The clerk’s office keeps all City Council meeting agendas, minutes, legislation, ordinances, etc. She chuckled. Then she told me that I’m the first person who has asked her office for anything.