A co-worker of mine believed quite strongly that Sen. McCain was intentionally throwing the race to get back at the RNC because they forced Gov. Palin on him.
While I don't agree with his entire argument, I do believe that Sen. McCain held back to protect his Senate and other relationships, while never really knowing what Palin's role would be.
And even if nobody forced Gov. Palin on him, I'm sure he felt that circumstances forced her upon him when he'd rather have had someone like Joe Lieberman, Lindsay Graham, et al.
I do not particularly like or trust McCain's cohort in the media Bill Kristol.... however, he was smiling like the cat that got the prized canary right after McCain announced her selection. And proceeded to say that he had recommended/suggested her months earlier.
On the opposite end was Krauthammer aghast at such a nominal selection and not the least bit impressed.
I do not see how the RNC could have forced anything upon McCain as he became the RNC once he landed the nomination. I think he wanted to demonstrate his long heralded 'maverick' stature, knowing full well he was not going to have the conservatives interested in his candidacy.
I also think as is being demonstrated by this note taking, that if elected he could force her out of the way were she to get in the way with things like 'drill - baby - drill. Among other things.
I also think that trashing her as common white trash is his way of feeding his small tiny media base. I think he thought he was owed the power and position of Presidency and this new comer nobody was not a real threat to him winning.
I also think this 'financial' meltdown was hurried into action by some specific democrats because of polling data after the Palin pick. I do not think McCain ever considered the possibility his good buddies in Congress would aid and abet such a massive undertaking. Chuckie Schumer threw out the first curve ball and it went down hill from there.