Is McCain's Palin Pick Designed To Put 2A Into Election Discussions, Debates?

Clearly, with the pick of Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, GOP standard-bearer Sen. John McCain wants to reach out to women voters, as well as to core conservatives who have been put off by his mushy stands on gun control, campaign finance reform and other issues.

But some are suggesting that while Palin props up his wishy washy history on the firearms issue, by bringing her into the race it puts anti-self defense extremists on the defensive. Gov. Palin is an articulate defender of the Second Amendment, a life member of the National Rifle Association, a hunter and lover of moose stew.

Could she be a way for republicans to push the basic human right of self defense and other citizen safety issues related to firearms? An area that McCain himself and the democrats really don't want to talk about, unless they are demonizing competition rifles (so-called "assault weapons").

Newsweek magazine takes a hard look at this issue.