McCain-Palin 2008

John McCain finally revealed his vice-presidential candidate: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Here is the announcement per NBC News:




Talk about an earthquake from Alaska. And from that earthquake a huge tsunami which overtook news coverage from coast to coast. Considering the anticipation of McCain's announcement this morning, Obama's speech was reduced to the second or third lead in most morning shows. While most people were expecting former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, and even Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman. Well, everyone was wrong with the selection of Palin. She had a quick and interesting beginning first as councilwomen and then mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. In 2002 she unsuccessfully ran for Lt. Governor. In 2006, she defeat long time Alaskan political figure Frank Murkowski on her way to the governor's mansion. Now within two years of her election, she is on the verge of nomination as the first woman on a Republican national ticket. Her record fighting against corruption and the Republican establishment of Alaska has propelled her reputation as a maverick which is probably why McCain chose her.

Granted, McCain pulled one heck of a number on the press and the country. While Palin's 'maverick' image will be absorbed by McCain, the truth is McCain wants Clinton's voters especially women. However, I find it a bit crass to base Palin's selection for the purpose of pandering. When we consider women are supportive of abortion rights and gun control, it may be difficult to promote an anti-abortion and NRA-lifelong member to women. What makes McCain's pick even more insulting is his argument of experience. Obama has more experience in government compared to Palin. How can McCain accuse Obama of a lack of experience (especially international affairs) when Palin has almost no experience what-so-ever! Palin governs the largest state in the Union (land-wise), but Alaska's population is around 683,000 roughly the size of a congressional district. McCain's experience argument is now moot. While Biden can serve as a surrogate for Obama in international affairs (i.e. Biden went to Georgia the same week he was selected as Obama's running mate), Palin has no such experience to show. Palin was a choice based on opportunism. So much for bold leadership on behave of McCain.
With regards to the vice-presidential, Biden must be cautious in the debates in order to avoid accusations of belittlement. Watch in the coming months as Republican women's groups will pounce on Democratic attacks as sexist and per usual...elitist.
You can bet on one thing, as I've already seen on many websites, McCain sure knows how to pick the beauty queens!