McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin is inexcusable

In effect, an American president is Britain's commander-in-chief, almost as much as he is America's Commander-in-Chief. If he gets the West into a war, it is our boys who die, too. The same goes for the economy. A president's decision can make or break us, as well as them. This has long been marginally the case. But now it is crying-out-loudly the case.

From which it follows that some attention should be paid to Britain's views, along with those of all America's free world allies, when it comes to choosing an American president.

The old idea that this would constitute foreign interference in America's domestic affairs is utterly out of date. In the 21st century, their domestic affairs are also our affairs. If America expects us to follow their lead, the least they can do is to allow us to have some say in whom they choose as leader.

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That is why septuagenarian John McCain's - whose health is dicey - choice for his vice-presidential running mate is so utterly inexcusable. For the reckless risk in appointing someone whom he had only met once before is not only America's risk, but ours as well.

Did he consult the allies? Of course not. For even with the little knowledge that was available to him he must have known all too well that her qualities and talents were strictly for local consumption, and almost provocatively off-putting for the rest of the free world.

Clearly, we don't count. Like Caligula, he could make a horse his running mate, and we, the free world, are expected to grin and bear it.

Senator McCain has blundered. Choosing a right-wing wildcard as his running mate may be a smart move to get into the White House, but it won't help him to lead the free world, should he ever get there.