I just read this article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us...gewanted=print
I guess the NYT is not in favor of Palin, but now she is a VP nominee which brings me to my question:

It seems that the role of VP is at the discretion of the presidential candidate (at least in theory).
I assume there are ways for any president to abdicate (or whatever it is called).

With McCain being as old as he is: wouldn't this leave the door wide open for abuse?
1) Party heads decide who is going to be next prez.
2) they force whichever candiate wins the primaries to accept that person as vp
3) If the candidate wins (50/50) he is forced to step back for health reasons or whatever, and an unelected VP sits on the throne.