I really do, I feel sorry for Tucker Bounds. Tucker and I actually went to high school together — not friends, just friendly. His mother was my history teacher, one of my favorite teachers ever. As we like to say in West Tennessee, his family is good people. 

Why do I feel sorry for Tucker Bounds? Well, Tucker is John McCain’s spokesperson, and I started feeling sorry for him over the weekend when he was getting pounded with questions about Sarah Palin, the vice presidential pick. Particularly, a CNN commentator was asking him about her experience and whether she really is qualified to step into the job of president from Day One, if need be.

True to his job, Tucker toted the official line. He said that, unlike Barack Obama, she had served in the executive branch of government. When asked if she was ready to command the troops, Tucker cited the fact that she’s commander of the Alaska National Guard — more command experience than either Obama or Joe Biden.

The Alaska National Guard, as opposed to, say, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (That one makes me do a double take every time I read it.) 

By choosing the glaringly inexperienced Palin, McCain has put his staff in the unenviable position of having to defend her. And it seems with Palin, there is something at every turn — experience, family matters, a controversial firing …

When Biden was announced as Barack’s selection for VP, there was the occasional line that he was too much of a Washington insider, but for the most part, it was seen as a good pick, someone who’d bring real strength to the ticket.

And the Palin selection started out looking brilliant — a woman on the ticket as a counterplay to Obama’s history-making nomination. But then, all the shit started flying.

Now, most people, especially the women I know, are questioning McCain’s first “presidential” decision.

Me — I just feel Tucker’s pain. He’s having to spend all his time basically saying, “No, really, she IS a good pick, she DOES have experience. She’s commander-in-chief of the Alaska National Guard, for God’s sake! 

I’m serious: Tucker is a smart guy. I’m sure he sees this pick the way most Americans do, but he is also good at his job and will say what NEEDS to be said. It’s just too bad John McCain put him in such a crappy position. 

That’s why I feel sorry for Tucker Bounds.

UPDATE: Immediately after posting this, I called my mother and read it to her. She knew the Bounds family as well. I wanted to make sure I was not taking a swipe at Tucker, because that is the last thing on my mind. Her words,

Oh, I know. I watched it this weekend too and I just thought, bless his heart, he is doing the best he can. I just feel sorry for him.

Like any good southern “Momma,” she is always thinking of others.