Colin Powell appears to have come to the conclusion that selecting Sarah Palin as his running mate for a job where she has to be available to take on the job of president from day one, if need be, McCain has shown a lack of judgement that outbalances the fact that he has had more years as a legislator than Obama.

It's a perfectly reasonable position even if you disagree with it, Doug.

And the suggestion that gratitude for promotion in one's career should influence a public servant in this kind of situation seems rather a shocking one. When you select someone for a job that should never be seen as a kind of bribe that buys their support in the future.