I am in need of reassurance that I am not the only Hillary Clinton supporting, feminist Democrat who is appalled with both McCain’s pick and the one-sided way it’s being covered on some news carriers. I watch from Europe on CNN International, and any criticism of McCain’s Vice Presidential choice is accused of being fueled either by dismissive partisanship or by sexism.

First off, Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton. Having followed Clinton for decades, having proudly watched her strong campaigns (especially to reform America’s Health Care system), her challenges overcome, and the achievements which have transformed her from an atypical First Lady to New York Senator to once-Presidential hopeful, I admire Clinton for her experience and her perseverance. In 2007 in New York, I had the chance to meet Clinton at a DC 37 union event, and I was moved by the passion and grace with which she spoke.

When I initially heard the unexpected news that Sarah Palin is McCain’s running mate, two thoughts went through my head. First, my calculations were right that he would attempt to undermine Obama’s edge by choosing a female running mate. Second, who in the world is Sarah Palin?

In my opinion, she looked the part until she delivered her rather mediocre introductory speech. Instead of starting off with an anticipated presidential essence, Palin spoke more about her husband Todd and her unexpected journey as a once hockey mom to now Republican Vice Presidential candidate. She began by joking that she promised Todd a birthday present, and that she sure did deliver, and McCain seemed to stand by laughing awkwardly. She listed her respectable accomplishments, many of which reflect Americans’ current needs, but it was as if she was interviewing for a job. I sat holding my breath, waiting for a moving speech that could change the course of the Republican campaign, and I almost felt embarrassed for McCain and his downright brashness at having met this Alaska Governor once before choosing her to co-lead America.

Then I had to ask, who does McCain think us Clinton loyalists are? That we will overlook the quality of a candidate and be appeased with any female running mate, whom we all know McCain chose only as an election curve ball against the Democrats? A candidate, nonetheless, who is starchly pro-life, anti-gay marriage, and a proud member of the National Rifle Association. I feel that the conservative, religiously-driven policies that Palin supports hurt rather than help women’s rights in America. Yes, I am proud by how far women leadership has come this year, but it seems that McCain and his desperate party think U.S. women are blind!

Then the next and most fundamental point came to the forefront: How dare John McCain gamble with our future, as Americans, in such an uncertain and problematic time in our history. Few agree that Sarah Palin was the most suitable candidate on McCain’s list to be next Vice President. A one-time Governor of the state of Alaska, heading a whopping population of 683,478, seems hardly ready to take on the dilemmas our country faces in the present day.

If she had McCain’s quickly deteriorating and yet long-term respectability, Clinton’s history of determined achievements, Biden’s foreign policy expertise, or Obama’s heartbreaking charisma, I would think the Republicans have a chance at winning in November. Bottom line, this election is dangerously pivotal, and I only seek reassurance that I’m not the only one out there who feels the way I do.