The Republicans’ ecstasy at the adoption of Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate makes one wonder if they’re sane. But what’s even more weird is her taste in family names: the picture on the front of the IHT lists ‘Track’, ‘Willow’, ‘Trig’, ‘Levi’ and ‘Bristol’. And of course there’s husband Todd, the self-styled “First Dude”, BP employee and champion snowmobiler.

Wonder if she’s related to our own Michael Palin?