The modern Republican doesn't care about the state of the world beyond his or her own death. This is clear across the board: No concern about putting the country deep into debt; no concern about ecological collapse; no concern about the peak oil crisis. Okay we know that. But look how well it frames McCain's Palin pick:

Palin is manifestly unqualified and unprepared to be commander in chief. Her penchant for denial of reality (e.g. "intelligent design," suing to keep the polar bear off the endangered species list, lying about her orders to fire her brother-in-law) can only lead to national tragedy if she's ever in that chair. But for McCain, as a Republican, there's no problem. In the event of Palin assuming the presidency, Mr. McCain will be dead.

What could more clearly show that his concern for America's future extends no farther than his concern for himself?