Palin to be McCain's Number Two

John McCain has announced Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska to be his running mate. The first-term governor only met McCain in March.

On the front, this may seem to be bad for the Dems', as Palin's youth (she's 44) and inexperience contrasts with McCain's old, grumpy message. However, sources for the Washington Post indicated that hard-core conservatives aren't happy -- especially Romney, who had been the expected choice.

the Palin pick left bruised feelings among the short-list contenders who were not picked -- and infuriated some Republican officials who privately said McCain had gone out on a limb, unnecessarily, without laying the groundwork for such an unknown. Two senior Republican officials close to Romney and Pawlenty said they had both been rudely strung along and now "feel manipulated."

Obviously trying to pickup younger voters and women, McCain's strategy may backfire where he needs it most -- the GOP base. The world can only hope.