Is it just me?

I think its just you. I'm not sure how anyone can think she is the most qualified candidate. And she is definitely in now way hot. Not ugly, but that doesn't make her hot. I fail to see how Romney would not have been a better choice. I think McCain at this point picked her because he has to try something, because the status quo isn't going to win him an election at this point.

Sarah Palin has absolutely no experience on the national or international levels, and there is no way she would have been nominated if she was a guy. This was McCain's Hail Mary play for Hillary supporters, and it was fumbled. It's all downhill from here for the GOP, I predict.

I don't know how much her appearance influenced the decision, but I think he picked her because she's a woman.

Hes just grasping at any straw..he'll never win.

Most qualified is hard to define. Biden has over 30 years of political experience including foreign relations. Despite that, He received a piddly 9000 something votes in his run for the presidency. Instead people decided a man with 2 years of experience as a US senator and almost zero foreign relations experience was the most qualified among the democrat contenders. If McCain was to pick one who could be called "Most Qualified", I suppose he'd have to tap George H.W. Bush or former president Carter. Both of those men have been presidents so clearly they are the most qualified if that's what you're looking for. I believe McCain chose her for the same reasons most candidates choose their running mates, to shore up real or perceived weaknesses, and to get more votes. The weaknesses she's expected to shore up include executive experience, women voters, youth, ability and desire for change, and frankly I think her appearance is an asset, and possibly a detriment at the same time. There are plenty women who think Obama is attractive and drool over him including Scarlett Johanssen. He even has his own "Obama Girl". Nobody wants to look at McCain and while that may be superficial, it really does affect voters. Look at what it did for Bill Clinton when he was up against Bob Dole and George H.W. Bush. Women were swooning over him as well and it led to two terms in office.

Like someone else here said, I believe it depends on what you think qualified means. I highly doubt she was chosen because she's "hot" though. I know many people are freaking out that she doesn't have piles of experience... but then... the democrat party just chose a guy with probably the least amount of experience running for president in history. Sarah Palin was selected to run as Vice President... sort of like an understudy. I would not expect a vice president to have as much experience as I would expect a president to. Also, I believe it was a smart move on McCain's part. She has a family, she's fairly young, and it doesn't make him look like a woman hating jerk (like Obama had been portraying him for how many months now). Don't get me wrong, I am not a hard core republican. I'm actually a democrat, but I don't support Obama at all. I was a Hillary supporter but can not bare the thought of Obama being president after listening to his speeches. My vote was either going to go to McCain or to an independent if I did not like McCain's running mate... but I think McCain got my vote!