Reporters have pounced on the negligible résumé of John McCain's VP pick, Alaskan Sarah Palin. Unfortunately few picked up on the fact that it is even more meager than it initially appears.

The only elective office she has ever held, other than her 20 months as Governor, is the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. While many have referenced Wasilla's tiny size--it would more properly be classified a village rather than a town in any of the 45 more populous state--few have noted that the Mayor's office is largely a ceremonial position, similar to that of the Queen of England. The City Council is the real authority in Wasilla and, reading the Wasilla Municipal Code, it is apparent that the mayor is there to do their bidding.

Here are the first three (and presumably most important) duties of the mayor as listed in the Code:

1. Preside at council meetings. The mayor may take
part in the discussion of matters before the council, but may not vote,
except that the mayor may vote in the case of a tie;
2. Act as ceremonial head of the city;
3. Sign documents on behalf of the city;

Among the other duties of the mayor, as listed in the Code, are to "carry out the directives of the city council " and to "perform other duties required by law or by the council". By this and other language the Code makes clear where the authority for running the city lies in Wasilla, and it is not in the mayor's office.

The mayor's office is an ideal job for a Wasilla resident whose main or even only qualifacation is that she is well known such as a former high school basketball star or a former beauty queen.

It ought to concern citizens that if John McCain pulls a William Henry Harrison, that by this time next year we could have a President whose only valid experience is 20 months governing fewer people than the mayor of Austin, Texas.

(And don't even get me started on the judgement of a woman who would name one of her children after Roy Roger's horse.)