Something else Richard,

McCain picked his XO, Obama’s machine picked his.

Anyone out there think Palin was picked by the Republican machine to ‘buck up’ and support McCain. Anyone…

McCain’s pick was decisive.

Anyone out there (other than, regretfully, Senator Obama) think Obama picked his XO. With the notice coming at 3am it should be obvious to all that Obama could not make the decision. Maybe he didn’t have 100% of the information he thought he needed. Maybe there were so many options, so many variable. Finally, the Democratic machine picked for him. They picked the consensus pick. One they hoped could guide the CO, provide stability, impart experience. An XO that is older, more stable, and more experienced than the promising talent.

Properly, a CO should be guiding, stabilizing, and organizing the XO to eventually take command.

McCain has picked XOs before.
He has just picked his XO

They aren’t picked for him.