Palin Vetted Just Before Being Chosen

Sarah Palin did not meet with John McCain’s top veep-vetter until the day before the Republican nominee announced his pick, the Washington Post reports. Despite the apparent haste, McCain’s camp assured the public that the Alaska governor’s past had been thoroughly examined. But it wasn’t until that last meeting that Palin revealed the pregnancy of her 17-year-old daughter.

“We made a political determination,” a top McCain aide said, “that the American people would not object to a female candidate with a 17-year-old daughter who was pregnant. We believed that parents all over America would understand that life happens.” Like all other VP finalists, Palin filled out a lengthy questionnaire that touched on personal topics such as substance abuse. (More John McCain stories.)