I think he was trying to salvage his presidential campaign. In one bold move he raised his standings in most of the recent polls. I had never heard of her before her nomination for VP was disclosed. Now she's all over the place. It wasn't the dumbest move he could have made. Well except the personal issues that he may not have been made aware of.

Stunt casting. A man with all of Sarah Palin's "qualifications" would never have been chosen. It could be argued that he chose a woman to show he is favorable to woman's issues (he's not) or as an appeal to the disenfranchised who would have voted for Hillary (even though they are polar opposites). Ultimately he chose Palin as a publicity stunt to negate the bounce the Dems normally get at the end of their convention (which is why he announced the day after the convention)and to manipulate the electorate away from the important issues of the election and onto the novelty of a female running mate. The manipulation continues through all the feigned indignation displayed (lipstick on a pig? Please?) every time anyone questions the choice or her qualifications. The next bought will come at the VP debate where if Biden treats her like any other candidate he will be a bully, if he is polite he will be painted weak, and should she do well it will be painted as an all out victory. Even the entertainment aspect of the media is being manipulated. Every candidate has been fodder for SNL since it began, but the portrayal of Palin made headlines...

*shakes head* Politics hurt me now....

He is trying to pull female votes. He thinks women are dumb and sexists!

18 Million Hillary Clinton voters wanted a woman unlike Obama McCain gave them what they wanted.