Friday, August 29, 2008

Since you asked: my take on Sarah Palin

Hank the Tank says:

Waiting with baited breath for your take on John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin for VP. I've already put mine up on my blog.

You know, the guy has actually won back my vote. Hey Russell, you've got quite the brainpower, come on over to the Good Side of the Force (pardon the Star Wars jingo).
Cost you less to fill up your tank as well.

So fine, here's what I think...

Eh. She's not terrible. I never heard of her but that doesn't necessarily matter. Picking a woman was a good move. It may pick up a little of the disaffected Hillary vote, but probably not as much as you think, since Hillary has been so effective in throwing her support behind Obama. Her speech and Bill's at the convention were both pretty impressive.

On the other hand, this choice signals that he's pretty much abandoning the line of attack that Obama is weak because he's "inexperienced." In Palin, you have a one term governor of one of the smallest states (population-wise). Daily Kos is humorously referring to her as "Sarah Quayle Palin." Plus, she's a creationist, and you know how much I love THAT. ;)

Nevertheless, I think countering McCain's "old white guy" persona with a young woman is a good call, and it kind of takes some of the "historic moment" exclusivity out of Barack Obama's hands, by providing Republicans a chance to vote for the first woman veep. And considering some of the much worse choices I HOPED he might make, this seems to be dodging a bullet. I was picturing Giuliani (one of the most universally hated political figures of our time) or perhaps Lieberman (Hey, let's alienate both Democrats AND Republicans!!). So all in all, this was probably one of the least bad choices he could have made.

But I will say this: I am dying to see the VP debate between Biden and Palin. That's going to be way fun.

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:57 PM

    Actually, Ferraro was the first woman veep anyone had the chance to vote ofr.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yeah, but she didn't win. So if Palin wins then she'd still be the first woman to actually take the office.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous7:30 PM

    How in this day and age can you have a chance to be the second in command of the world's most powerful country if you don't understand basic science? It makes me weep bitter tears.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous12:30 AM

    .
    Well layed out. Even more Hillary supporters will go for McCain now. Obama is no longer a near certainty. Heaven forbid something happens to McCain, but I believe Palin would rise to the occasion. She has the right attitude. Everyone knows Obama is NOT ready for POTUS, Palin is only for the VP. Look at Dan Quayle.

    YEY SARAH PALIN! YEY John McCain! Great pick! The 1st woman for the GOP VP? SCORE!

    She's conservative! SCORE! She's a Governor! SCORE! She's pro-drilling! She's a hunter! SCORE! She played hockey in school! SCORE! She's pro-life! And she respects women! SCORE! She fights corruption! SCORE! She's high-energy! SCORE! She's tough! SCORE! She's got 5 kids! SCORE! Her son is going to Iraq in the Armed Forces! SCORE! She's married to a Blue-collar professional! SCORE! She's smart! SCORE! She's young! SCORE!

    And she's a Hotty to boot! SCORE! The Left is going to go nuts! SCORE!
    .
    absurd thought -
    God of the Universe says
    never elect a woman

    who's a conservative
    she's just a gender traitor

    .
    absurd thought -
    God of the Universe says
    just HOPE to pay more taxes

    DREAM about high fuel prices
    CHANGE PROGRESS to move backwards

    .
    All real freedom starts with freedom of speech. Without freedom of speech, there can be no real freedom.
    .
    Philosophy of Liberty Cartoon
    .
    Help Halt Terrorism Today!
    .
    USpace

    :)
    .

    ReplyDelete
  5. Really, I think it speaks more to the desperation of the Republican party than anything else this year, that my comment of "probably one of the least bad choices he could have made" was latched onto as some major, crushing victory for Republicans. While I respect the decision to go with a woman, I don't see this as some major terrifying coup. I guess it remains to be seen whether Republicans vote for a candidate because "she's a hotty."

    ReplyDelete