Sure a spouse or dude may be involved with government. However, this is really off the map especially taken in context with the degree of cronyism reported in the Palin governorship. The relationship becomes far less professional and far less doing what's best for the state of Alaska- let alone the USA. If the dude is used in this type of role, he should (just like Mrs. Palin) be vetted in the next 50 days before the election. The media is not only doing a poor job of vetting Mrs Palin's qualifications for VP, but is "not present" at vetting the Dude. And since both Mrs. Palin and the Dude may have been involved in some vindictive firing of an employee and other questionable behavior, this may need a looksee. That both Mr. McCain and Mrs Palin are not giving interviews to well-respected journalists, our democratic process is a joke.

Let's vett Mrs Palin. Let's vett the "Dude".

Yes, I understand Joan Walsh is mad and disappointed.

I just don't agree with her and many of the people who are over-reacting to President-elect Obama's decision.

I am a liberal and have always been. To me, to get more and more evangelicals to listen to President-elect Obama is a good thing. He is beginning to get more support and has had some support among the young. These are small but very meaningful steps that have a huge impact in our country. The passion of hate and intolerance needs to calm down so that dialog can occur. This is an open hand for participation. People can work together even though they don't agree on everything. It is not a move to validate anti-gay intolerance or policy. The methods that the evangelical right and right-wing Republicans use are full of negative emotions and intolerance against particular groups and rallying on wedge issues. To change our method of participation is a very positive thing. To deflate any of that negative non-thinking passion with some of the people is a good thing. We have a big nation and we need participative democracy with our neighbors, counties, states, and country. President-elect Obama will be- as he said- the president of these people, too.