Even John McCain's best-pals aren't sure Sarah Palin's got the chops to be our nation's vice-president:

A former Republican Secretary of State and one of John McCain's most prominent supporters offered a stunningly frank and remarkably bleak assessment of Sarah Palin's capacity to handle the presidency should such a scenario arise.

Lawrence Eagleburger, who served as Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush and whose endorsement is often trumpeted by McCain, said on Thursday that the Alaska governor is not only unprepared to take over the job on a moment's notice but, even after some time in office, would only amount to an "adequate" commander in chief.

"And I devoutly hope that [she] would never be tested," he added for good measure — referring both to Palin's policy dexterity and the idea of McCain not making it through his time in office.

Eagleburger went on to suggest that Palin's readiness may be expanded should she and McCain win next Tuesday, although even that backtrack lacks enthusiasm, "Give her some time in the office and I think the answer would be, she will be [pause] adequate. I can't say that she would be a genius in the job." Duh.