National Journal’s PollTrack queried 76 Washington Beltway insiders about what they think of John McCain’s choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for his vice presidential running mate. Most thought the pick was just McCain expressing his usual mavericktude, his maverickosity, as it were.

Q. How does John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin affect your assessment of his judgment?

Much more respect for his judgment 22 percent
A little more respect for his judgment 24 percent
A little less respect for his judgment 13 percent
Much less respect for his judgment 12 percent
No change in my assessment 29 percent

Much more respect
“The choice showed guts, energized a still-suspect base, and shows once again his independent streak.”

“Guts for choosing a woman who’s not part of the establishment; guts for choosing someone who will attract more attention than he.”

“He is putting his issue agenda of shaking up Washington ahead of conventional politics.”

A little more respect
“Shows he’s not politically tone-deaf by acknowledging Republicans need diversity on the ticket.”

“McCain knows he’s behind and is willing to take a calculated risk.”

“It seems to be a remarkable political move, but I cannot make a final call on this until all revelations are finished: The vetting question is problematic regarding judgment.”

A little less respect
“The guy who made his career by not being political made a completely political choice.”

“I understand the politics behind the decision. And I understand that it lets John McCain be a maverick and a reformer again. But he can’t really believe that she’s ready to be president.”

“Gov. Palin may make right-wing conservatives happy, but there were many other potential candidates for vice president who could boast the same credentials and also be prepared on day one for the job of president if necessary.”

A lot less respect

“Good political decision, breathtakingly bad governance decision. We are at war. Is Palin the best-prepared person to take charge for McCain if America is attacked?”

“McCain has become just another pol willing to do whatever it takes.”

“This was already a disaster. And now we’ve added ‘comfortable deceiving the grassroots of his own party.’ ”

No change in assessment
“John McCain was always going to pick whomever he wanted. And that’s exactly what he did.”

“This isn’t about his presidential judgment. It’s about his political judgment.”

“The fact that he decided to offer Gov. Palin the job while knowing so little about her reaffirms for me his being a ‘gut,’ rather than ‘head,’ politician. And that ain’t all good.”

“This is McCain. He doesn’t care about beliefs, values, issues, or ideologies. He just wants to pick someone who reminds him of himself.”