Palin pick sorely missing from debate

As I listened to John McCain sounding more or less presidential in tonight's debate, I wondered how on earth this guy, who proclaims his devotion to this country, could have chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate?

Why didn't someone among the panel of undecided voters call him his choice. Ask him how he squares the value he places on his own depth of experience with his politically driven but dangerous choice of the grossly inexperienced. cartoonish Palin.

And why didn't Obama invoke the name of Joe Biden as a tacit reminder of McCain's recklessness?

In this campaign, the wildly different choices of vice presidential candidates should be made exhibit A in any debate. The contrast says volumes about who has a "firm hand on the tiller, " as McCain put it, and who has the wisdom to do what is best for this country.