San Jose Mercury News Calls Palin 'Clearly Unqualified'

The San Jose Mercury News, in an editorial today, called Sarah Palin "clearly unqualified" to become vice-president. The reason? Lack of experience. Suddenly  liberal members of the media, such as Campbell Brown, until now not the least bit worried about Barack Obama's lack of experience are concerned about this issue. So how to explain away Obama's own lack of experience? Simple. The Mercury News has broadened the definition of experience to include the experience of running for higher office. You read that right. Barack Obama is now qualified to run for president because he has the "experience" of campaigning for nomination. We'll get to that new definition of experience but first let us visit the lead in of this editorial which sounded a bit peeved that John McCain's Palin pick stole the thunder from the Democrat convention (emphasis mine):

Twelve hours after Democrats ended their national convention in Denver with fireworks and a stirring ovation for presidential nominee Barack Obama, Republican John McCain stole back the spotlight and some of their thunder. But his wild-card choice of the unknown and untested Sarah Palin as his vice president will backfire if voters see through it.

What the Mercury News means is if the voters become as liberally "enlightened" as they are and reject Sarah Palin. Now we come to the Mercury News' newfound concern over experience:

Picking an obscure first-term small-state governor was bold, and it may prove to be shrewd. But for the sake of the country should McCain win, it was unwise.

The decision was quintessential McCain. Hemmed in by Washington wags who warned him not to choose the vice president he liked — Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman — and urged him to choose one he didn't — primary nemesis Mitt Romney — McCain defied them with an anti-establishment conservative from outside their orbit.

The solidly anti-abortion mother of five may please the social conservatives who had doubts about McCain. And Palin made it clear that she will go right after women voters still loyal to Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton, even though she lacks Clinton's depth and knowledge, and disagrees with her on nearly everything. As an activist who took on her state's corrupt Republican old guard, she reinvigorates McCain's maverick image, which he has largely repressed over the past year.

But her selection mocks a primary argument for McCain's candidacy, that foreign threats demand a seasoned, serious commander in chief. In potentially putting her in a position to become president at a moment's notice, it brings attention to his health and his age. It calls his judgment into question. Palin may have small-town spunk and kitchen-table common sense, but she's patently unqualified for the office.

"Unqualified" in the liberal opinion of the Mercury News. And now we come to their money quote to explain away Barack Obama's lack of the experience they are suddenly so concerned about:

Republicans will argue that Palin is no less experienced than Obama. That's ridiculous. In the Senate, in organizing a stunningly successful national campaign and through 18 months of hard campaigning for the nomination, Obama proved to be as capable, articulate and knowledgeable as anyone in Congress — and certainly the equal of McCain.

Folks, if you ever need a laugh, then print out the above quote, laminate it, and place it in your wallet to pull out and read when you need an easy chuckle. Palin's experience, in the not so humble opinion of the Mercury News, as governor of a state doesn't really count but merely campaigning for office on the part of the Lightworker can be chaulked up as important experience. I guess Ralph Nader and Harold Staasen were highly qualified because of their vast experience running for office. Oh, and let us not forget Lyndon LaRouche too.

The editorial concludes with a paean to their "experienced" messiah who can do no wrong:

On Thursday, Obama laid out a contrasting vision that appeals to Americans' optimism and desire for approaches to health care, energy and the economy that differ sharply from the current course. Speaking to a captivated audience and a united party in his acceptance speech, Obama forcefully answered those who have dismissed him as all eloquence and no substance.

The Republican convention is set to open on Monday, with a new supporting cast and a twist in the plot. But Denver will be a tough act to follow.