McCain: Palin’s judgment better than Obama’s

Sarah Palin has repeatedly shown better judgment than Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Sunday in a spirited defense of his running mate’s experience.

McCain said his surprise pick has taken on her own party and stressed that she has executive experience as Alaska’s governor. He made the comments during an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox.

{mosads}“What this brings is a spirit of reform and change that’s vital in our country right now,” said McCain who added that his campaign raised $4 million in the day after Palin joined the ticket. “I wish we’d picked her a month ago,” he said.

He also described Palin as his “soul mate.”

Palin has been described as a risky pick that could bring McCain huge rewards. The first woman to be on a GOP presidential ticket, Palin has served as Alaska’s governor for less than two years and previously was mayor of a town with a population under 10,000.

But she has excited social conservatives with her anti-abortion rights record, and could pick up women who supported Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and want to elect a woman as vice president.

McCain has made Sen. Obama’s (Ill.) experience an issue in the campaign, but some believe the decision to pick Palin as running mate to the 72-year-old McCain could undercut that argument.

On Fox, McCain stressed that Palin’s judgment is superior to Obama’s, not her experience. He said Palin has the right judgment is seeing Iraq as a potential threat and not a minor problem, and that unlike Obama she understands the surge of troops in Iraq last year has been effective.

“He’s had all the wrong judgments,” McCain said of Obama.

Palin has had little experience on the national stage, prompting questions about her readiness. But McCain scoffed at those noting that she has not appeared on “Meet the Press,” the Sunday morning talk show.

To his friends who say she hasn’t made the rounds of talk shows or achieved other rites of passage inside the beltway, “I say thank God,” McCain said.

He also said that Palin as governor has had “enormous responsibilities” and that unlike Obama she has had executive experience. He also said Obama “has never taken on the heads of his own party,” while Palin has shown an independent streak.

Palin criticized the so-called “bridge to nowhere” that would have used federal funds to construct a bridge to a part of Alaska with a tiny population. The project was supported by senior members of her state’s congressional delegation, including indicted GOP Sen. Ted Stevens.

McCain said his age was an issue in the primary, and that he was sure it would continue to be discussed. He said he’d have to respond by showing his experience, vigor and good judgment.

Amid reports that President Bush will not attend the GOP convention, McCain also said his party might have to make changes to its convention or even look at postponing it because of Hurricane Gustav, which is threatening New Orleans.

“We don’t want to appear in any way festive,” said McCain, who added it wouldn’t be appropriate to be partying while the hurricane threatens a city devastated just three years ago by Hurricane Katrina.