McCain's VP pick shockingly irresponsible: NYT editorial

New York, Sept.14 : In what can be described as its most hardest hitting criticism of Republican presidential nominee ohn McCain, the New York Times has said in an editorial that his decision to select Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, is "shockingly irresponsible".

"If he seriously thought this first-term governor, with less than two years in office, was qualified to be president, it raises profound questions about his judgment. If the choice was, as we suspect, a tactical move, then it was shockingly irresponsible," the editorial says of McCain.

Describing Palin's first televised interview as visibly scripted and lacking in awareness, the NYT suggests that the Republicans want to "win the White House not on ideas, but by denigrating experience, judgment and qualifications."

Expressing concern and alarm over the Republicans inability to pause and reflect on the decisions that they are taking in the run-up to the November 4 polls, the editorial says Palin's selection as running mate "shows a contempt for voters and raises frightening questions about how Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin plan to run this country."

Commenting on her recent remarks and views on issues of national import, the NYT says that these views make it "clear why Americans should worry about Ms. Palin's thin rsum and lack of experience."

Citing her befuddlement over the Bush Doctrine as an outstanding example of political ignorance, the paper says it reflects a "sense that thoughtfulness, knowledge and experience are handicaps for a president in a world populated by Al Qaeda terrorists, a rising China, epidemics of AIDS, poverty and fratricidal war in the developing world and deep economic distress at home."

It concludes by saying that the United States "has suffered through eight years of an ill-prepared and unblinkingly obstinate president. One who didn't pause to think before he started a disastrous war of choice in Iraq. One who blithely looked the other way as the Taliban and Al Qaeda regrouped in Afghanistan. One who obstinately cut taxes and undercut all efforts at regulation, unleashing today's profound economic crisis. In a dangerous world, Americans need a president who knows that real strength requires serious thought and preparation."

ANI