Those were the words used by the vetting committee employed by John McCain to describe Sarah Palin as a potential pick as Vice President.

For a fascinating account of how it all came about, take a look at this recent article in the Washington Post which lifts the curtain on the events inside the McCain campaign during the election. The article is adapted from a book called “The Battle for America 2008: The Story of an Extraordinary Election” and really is a must read:

“A black car pulled up next to the stairs of a Learjet parked at the executive terminal at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Inside was Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, driven by her husband, Todd. It was shortly before 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, and Palin had just finished an appearance in town. She told Todd goodbye and, along with aide Kris Perry, boarded the plane quickly, lest anyone notice her leaving. In minutes she was airborne. All arrangements had been handled in strict confidence.

Twenty minutes into the flight, she was handed a phone-book-sized packet of materials by Davis White, John McCain’s director of advance, who had slipped into Alaska late Monday night to oversee the secret journey. The packet contained her reading for the long flight south: McCain’s speeches, a schedule and other background on the campaign. White explained two possible outcomes. They would fly to Boeing Field in Seattle to refuel, and then on to Flagstaff, Ariz. She would meet with McCain on Thursday morning. If all went well, she would become his vice presidential running mate and not see Alaska for many days. If not, she faced a quick trip home and a return to relative obscurity.

What happened next is the extraordinary tale of how a campaign desperate to shake up the race took a huge gamble that would dog McCain until Election Day.”

Read the whole article here. If anyone is looking for an early Christmas present for TheEye (or perhaps for co-conspirator David Vance) then please consider this book!