I would not have thought it possible, but McCain and his advisers have made the perfect vice presidential selection in Sarah Palin. It is an ingenious, even thrilling choice, and one that is all the more remarkable in that it was completely unexpected. All the other candidates, such as Romney and Pawlenty, were boring and came with serious drawbacks. Obama has certainly added excitement to the Democratic ticket; now, with his choice of Palin, McCain has done the same for the Republicans.
Compare Obama's unimaginative selection of Joe Biden--another Washington D.C. blowhard--with McCain's choice. I suppose Biden is supposed to win over lower-middle-class white voters by the fact that he is a backslapping good old boy who likes to watch football games and eat chili dogs. What Biden offers is a proven record of mediocrity, and perhaps he can appeal to mediocre people on the basis of a shared absence of accomplisment.
I'm not saying that Palin has accomplished much either. What she has is potential. The Obama camp has already released its first commercial attacking Palin. But how ridiculous does Obama sound in faulting her for lack of experience? Palin is serving her first term as governor, but then Obama is serving his first term as senator. Palin has no foreign policy experience and has only been to Iraq once; Obama's level of foreign policy experience is exactly the same. It's worth noting, in this context, that Obama, unlike Palin, is at the top of the ticket. Palin will at least have a chance to learn on the job; Obama wants to step right into the Oval Office. So every time the Democrats use the experience charge against Palin, they remind the American people of Obama's greatest weakness.
Here's why Palin is such a good choice. She seems like an incredibly wholesome person who doesn't so much talk about family values as embody them. This is the best kind of social conservative: one whose life is an exemplar of the kind of American dream that we can all admire. In attacking her, I think her critics like Paul Begala and James Carville sound like total jerks. I'd like to see more of those carping attack dogs on TV: they can only help Palin.
With her support for a muscular foreign policy and guns and oil drilling, Palin is an across-the-board conservative, which will reinforce McCain's credentials with the right-wing base of the party. Not that those guys had anyone else to vote for, but the choice of Palin will increase the enthusiasm of GOP activists in working hard for a McCain victory. Second, unlike Bush, McCain has chosen a deputy who can be a future leader of the Republican Party. Palin is also young and thus helps to neutralize Obama's youthful advantage. As a woman, Palin will not so much win over the disenchanted Hillary supporters as pick up Hillary's argument to independent voters that it's about time America had a strong woman in its top echelons of political office. For every Obama supporter who can claim an historic first for the Democrats, Palin enthusiasts can make an equal historic claim for the Republicans.
The media will continue to lionize Obama-Biden and attack McCain-Palin. It's only a short time before we start hearing that Palin is the "wrong kind of woman." (Would anyone dare argue that Obama is the "wrong kind of black man"?) Still, the American people have gotten pretty good at seeing through the media charade. A whole summer of media genuflections hasn't produced a substantial Democratic lead. For months, McCain and Obama have remained virtually tied. Now, with Palin, the Republicans have their first chance to pull ahead.
Reader Comments ( Page 6 of 22)
76. Richelle & Somber: nothing more than a cursory google search points out a number of women elected and/or appointed to senior Republican party positions in only the last 8 or 10 years. Not because they are women; but because they are the best available for that job.
1998
Republican women chair a record seven House subcommittees and three Senate subcommittees. Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM) becomes the first female veteran and the first Air Force Academy graduate elected to the House of Representatives. Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R-WA) becomes the first woman to seek a House senior leadership post when she runs for Majority Leader. As vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, Rep. Tillie Fowler (R-FL) is the highest-ranking woman in the U.S. House and the first Floridian to hold a position in the elected Republican majority leadership.
2000
Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R-WA) assumes a prominent position when she is named deputy permanent co-chairman of the Republican National Convention.
Judy Martz is the first woman elected governor of Montana, while Melissa Hart (R-PA), Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) are the first Republican women elected to the U.S. House from their respective states.
As vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH) is the highest-ranking woman in the U.S. House. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) is vice chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.
2001
President George W. Bush appoints several women to key positions in his administration, including Condoleezza Rice, the first female National Security Adviser; Gale Norton, the first female Interior Secretary; and, Ann Veneman, the first female Agriculture Secretary.
2002
Congresswoman Deborah Pryce of Ohio is elected chairman of the House Republican Conference, making her the highest-ranking Republican woman ever to serve in the majority party in Congress.
Jennette Bradley is elected lieutenant governor of Ohio, thereby becoming the first African-American Republican woman in the nation to serve in that office.
2004
President George W. Bush appoints Dr. Condoleezza Rice to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, making her the first African-American woman nominated to that position.
Becky Skillman becomes the first woman elected lieutenant governor of Indiana, while Betty Ireland is the first woman elected to serve in West Virginia's executive branch of government. Sarah Steelman is the first Republican woman elected state treasurer in Missouri.
2006
Michele Bachmann is the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Minnesota. Sarah Palin is the first woman elected governor of Alaska.
fanman at 12:15PM on Sep 1st 2008
77. Dinesh,
I agree with you completely on Sarah Palin, she is a BRILLIANT choice by John McCain! This makes both tickets into history making choices that appeal to voters of both parties. Now EVERYBODY can be excited about making history with their vote, and we can get back to the issues, instead of the historical landmarks.
Compare this to Barack Obama (B.O.) and his lame choice for Vice-President. It is a joke to hear Democrats complain about inexperience in Palin. There's the pot calling the kettle inexperienced!
Sarah Palin has also, in her short time in politics, bested negative elements entrenched in her own party, in Alaska state politics. Sarah Palin has ousted corruption, not just talked about. Talk about somebody who stands for change, in the RIGHT direction -- that's Palin!
B.O. really is a TRAITOR, first against his own country, (friend and disciple to kooks who bad mouth the USA), and now against his own party, against all the Hillary supporters, in my opinion. To choose Biden, such an old-school politician, for VP, instead of Hillary Clinton who almost got the nomination herself, is a B.O. slap in the face to ALL of Hillary's supporters.
In a previous blog, Dinesh, you mentioned that 98% of blacks are polling to vote for B.O. I hope that 98% of Women vote for the ticket that has a woman on it, McCain/Palin!
Now THERE is REAL change you can have HOPE for, a conservative, female voted into the historically highest ranking position in US history.
I also like Palin because she is not a PHONY Christian, claiming Christianity while redefining it away from Bible teachings to suit liberal vices of choice, such as abortion and homosexual activists. No Christian votes for a politician promoting abortion and sexual perversions as "rights" to be championed at the expense of silencing Bible teachings. I think that Democrats are phony Christians, trying to redefine right from wrong and lying about what the Bible teaches.
Just say no to B.O. Vote McCain/Palin! [c:
Rev 3:16 at 12:36PM on Sep 1st 2008
78. "Here's why Palin is such a good choice. She seems like an incredibly wholesome person who doesn't so much talk about family values as embody them. This is the best kind of social conservative: one whose life is an exemplar of the kind of American dream that we can all admire."
These family values that are so strong... Are you including the 17 unwed daughter?
You are a wind bag DD. You, like many others in today's society are under the impression that it's OK to say anything as long as it's sell. Your conclusion on may issue are wrong, you brag so much about your debating skills although every debate you have been in you got crushed and you beleive that being a best selling author makes you a talented writer.
Keep in mind that the most popular judge in this country is judge Judy. The most popular cook is Rachael Ray and one of the top singers is Britney Spears. Popularity and talent don't always go together. You can put yourself with these three people.
jparaudajr at 12:52PM on Sep 1st 2008
79. Clif a vote for Obamanation and your fate is doomed. America needs a hand up, not a hand out. The republicans will lend a hand to help us up. The demwits want to give a hand out and tax us more.
Man_in_Wilderness at 12:45PM on Sep 1st 2008
80. fanman,
you missed the point completely. i'm not suprised.
Richelle at 12:47PM on Sep 1st 2008
81. The rumors about Palin's 17 year old daughter's pregnancy have now been confirmed as true by CNN and Fox. Time for Palin to step down as GOP VP selection.
Dave at 12:49PM on Sep 1st 2008
82. Not because they are women; but because they are the best available for that job.
xx
so you're saying the church lady is the best you have to offer? A part time mayor of a village and the governor of a state with fewer people than Tulsa? I think Obama's 13th state senatorial district may have been bigger. His acceptance speech arena audience was 16 times larger than the church lady's village, and the German audience outnumbered her gubernatorial 'landslide' by 190% - 60,000 people more than her victory margin.
So that's the best you have to offer? And now this coverup of her daughter's pregnancy, claiming that it was hers? If that's true, what walk is she walking, and what scuttle is she scuttling?
You wanted them, you got 'em.
Clif Kuplen at 12:51PM on Sep 1st 2008
83. Sarah Palin does bring some leadership to the table. Being the governor of a state gives more executive experience than a senator. I hope and pray that JM will serve his full term, but if not I think SP will be a good president.
Man_in_Wilderness at 12:52PM on Sep 1st 2008
84. Dave post 76 - You liberals are so hypocritical. I am sure she is the first 17 year old mother? As if your parents really controlled your every move?
Man_in_Wilderness at 12:55PM on Sep 1st 2008
85. 75. Clif a vote for Obamanation and your fate is doomed. America needs a hand up, not a hand out. The republicans will lend a hand to help us up. The demwits (sic) want to give a hand out and tax us more.
Man_in_Wilderness at 12:45PM on Sep 1st 2008
xxx
you got a hand up yer ass, and there's a church lady attached to it, apparently. Is your name Earl?
learn to spell dimwit if you're going to be one.
maybe you should try hockey puck, too. Gassett has the rose bushes but you can lay out in the yard with the other turds if you've a 'mind' to....
Clif Kuplen at 12:55PM on Sep 1st 2008
86. "The republicans will lend a hand to help us up"
MIW,
Are you retarded?
When has that ever happened? Ever? Can you tell me?
Site examples of this. After all, you should be able to considering Republicans have had the Presidency for 20 out of 28 years.
Please, I'm listening.
Botts at 12:56PM on Sep 1st 2008
87. Palin holds an 80% approval rate right now. How's your governor doing????
Jlp at 12:54PM on Sep 1st 2008
xx
nope, 67%. Keep up.
Clif Kuplen at 12:56PM on Sep 1st 2008
88. MIW,
You're missing the point. The 17 year old is the one who had the Baby, not Palin.
But you are the gullible fool who jumps on board with someone you have never heard of.
Typical Republican.
Botts at 12:58PM on Sep 1st 2008
89. Clif post 77 - are you saying a IL state senator actually has executive control over a district? Your empty suit does not have any leadership experience. (period) He can only say and do what his puppet masters tell him to. Tries to imitate JFK, MLK, and can't put 2 sentences together without a teleprompter.... please!!!
Man_in_Wilderness at 12:59PM on Sep 1st 2008
90. Botts is she pregnant or the baby is already born? Maybe I did miss that.
Man_in_Wilderness at 1:00PM on Sep 1st 2008