Appalling Palin...
First, let me begin by saying that political discussions pair as well with cigars as a good drink. Heck, I think Washington would get more done if they went back to the time-honored tradition of the smoke-filled room. I'm reminded of Republican President Reagan, who during the day would duke it out with Democratic Speaker Tip O'Neill. Later, after hours, Reagan used to invite Tip to the White House and start mixing the drinks, then the real business got done.
And now, let's light up a big one, pour a strong one, and talk about Sarah Palin.
First, the conversation has to begin with the obvious: McCain had plenty of solid candidates from which to pick a running mate. Huckabee, Romney, Pawlenty, Hutchinson (if he was serious about choosing a conservative woman), the list of GOP VP picks was rich and diverse. Each was experienced and most would have balanced the McCain ticket in unique ways - Huckabee for example, would have been welcomed by evangelicals and given his huge likeability, been a huge plus on the campaign trail (heck, the guy even pardoned Keith Richards for a 1975 weapons possession charge). Romney, McCain's bitter rival during the primary season, would have given the Senator a much needed boost in the economic credibility department - and maybe even delivered Michigan, a swing state in tough times.
Gov. Palin, on the other hand, has very little to offer the McCain campaign. Women - meaning the millions of active Hillary supporters who have yet to commit to Barack Obama and whom McCain has openly attempted to court - won't come to the GOP because of Palin's position on the ticket. They aren't going to vote for a woman merely because she's a woman - especially one who doesn't share their views on choice, health care, or equal pay. The real fear among Democrats isn't that women will suddenly find McCain's softer side appealing, it's that they'll remain bitter about Hillary and stay home, not voting at all.
Then there's this business about experience. One point John McCain has laboriously attempted to get across since the end of the primaries is that Barack Obama isn't ready to lead on Day One. To some extent, that strategy has worked - say hello to Joe "I've Been Around The Beltway" Biden. This consistent message of experience, tempered somewhat by the Democrats, is now entirely undercut by Palin, who's resume is as thin as a Belgian crepe. Foreign policy? This is a woman who until recently didn't even own a passport. Ex-Mayor? I'm not one to knock the political experience of being mayor, but let's be honest, Wasilla isn't exactly New York City...or even Anchorage. Governor? Palin's been in office less than two years. And when the presidential candidate is 72 years old and with a history of cancer, experience matters. It's just that simple. And, when push comes to shove, Obama has more of it.
One thing she has experience at is bringing home the bacon to Alaska. Sarah Palin isn't nearly the fiscal conservative Americans thinks we'll be getting. The Governor who said she killed the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere" actually supported it as a candidate - and the congressional earmark that would have payed for it with our tax dollars.
Let's be clear - this choice was all about politics. Choosing Sarah Palin wasn't about a safer, stronger America and it wasn't about shoring up a fallen economy. John McCain made a selfish, calculated attempt to appease evangelicals and women in the hopes of being President. Had he actually thought as a president, he would have met with Palin more than twice, and he would have taken into consideration his age and medical history when choosing a running mate.
Sarah Palin might well be a popular governor and a good mom. But as a Vice Presidential candidate she's a joke, plain and simple. The so-called "Straight Talk Express" has gone off the rails for good.
And now, let's light up a big one, pour a strong one, and talk about Sarah Palin.
First, the conversation has to begin with the obvious: McCain had plenty of solid candidates from which to pick a running mate. Huckabee, Romney, Pawlenty, Hutchinson (if he was serious about choosing a conservative woman), the list of GOP VP picks was rich and diverse. Each was experienced and most would have balanced the McCain ticket in unique ways - Huckabee for example, would have been welcomed by evangelicals and given his huge likeability, been a huge plus on the campaign trail (heck, the guy even pardoned Keith Richards for a 1975 weapons possession charge). Romney, McCain's bitter rival during the primary season, would have given the Senator a much needed boost in the economic credibility department - and maybe even delivered Michigan, a swing state in tough times.
Gov. Palin, on the other hand, has very little to offer the McCain campaign. Women - meaning the millions of active Hillary supporters who have yet to commit to Barack Obama and whom McCain has openly attempted to court - won't come to the GOP because of Palin's position on the ticket. They aren't going to vote for a woman merely because she's a woman - especially one who doesn't share their views on choice, health care, or equal pay. The real fear among Democrats isn't that women will suddenly find McCain's softer side appealing, it's that they'll remain bitter about Hillary and stay home, not voting at all.
Then there's this business about experience. One point John McCain has laboriously attempted to get across since the end of the primaries is that Barack Obama isn't ready to lead on Day One. To some extent, that strategy has worked - say hello to Joe "I've Been Around The Beltway" Biden. This consistent message of experience, tempered somewhat by the Democrats, is now entirely undercut by Palin, who's resume is as thin as a Belgian crepe. Foreign policy? This is a woman who until recently didn't even own a passport. Ex-Mayor? I'm not one to knock the political experience of being mayor, but let's be honest, Wasilla isn't exactly New York City...or even Anchorage. Governor? Palin's been in office less than two years. And when the presidential candidate is 72 years old and with a history of cancer, experience matters. It's just that simple. And, when push comes to shove, Obama has more of it.
One thing she has experience at is bringing home the bacon to Alaska. Sarah Palin isn't nearly the fiscal conservative Americans thinks we'll be getting. The Governor who said she killed the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere" actually supported it as a candidate - and the congressional earmark that would have payed for it with our tax dollars.
Let's be clear - this choice was all about politics. Choosing Sarah Palin wasn't about a safer, stronger America and it wasn't about shoring up a fallen economy. John McCain made a selfish, calculated attempt to appease evangelicals and women in the hopes of being President. Had he actually thought as a president, he would have met with Palin more than twice, and he would have taken into consideration his age and medical history when choosing a running mate.
Sarah Palin might well be a popular governor and a good mom. But as a Vice Presidential candidate she's a joke, plain and simple. The so-called "Straight Talk Express" has gone off the rails for good.
11 Comments
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Comment by Eric The Flippin Amazing on September 2, 2008 at 3:26pm - While it is still up for some debate - I think saying "women won't vote for Palin simply because she's a woman" is about as false as saying "a black person won't vote for Obama simply because he's black" .............. when in reality, I'd be willing to bet both are truer than we WANT to admit.
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Comment by Dylan Austin on September 2, 2008 at 8:59pm - Ditto!
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Comment by mmk on September 4, 2008 at 11:11am -
Don't change your opinion or views over one speech.
unless ~
you can make a decision from one speech, like John Mc Cain made with one visit with Ms. Palin
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Comment by Derek the Cigar Addict on September 4, 2008 at 11:20am -
I aggree with MMK and Eric. There are some women who will vote for Giv. Palin simply because she's a woman and I know black people who voting for Obama because he is black. The difference is that other notable blacks have made a bid for the White House but they were not qualified and thier politics were one sided. Obama is a well rounded candidate that brings more than "being black" to the table. I still can't see what Gov. Palin brings.
MMK thanks for keeping this going in a much more relaxed and stable atmosphere and thanks D for starting the original thread.
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Comment by Saint Jimbob of the Apokalypse on September 4, 2008 at 11:39am - I bet we'll find out that she's more pragmatic than dogmatic. Take the "Bridge to Nowhere Flip-Flop" as an example. She campaigned on it, saying it was valuable, but once becoming governor, she found higher priority items to spend the federal money on. Yes, it's a reversal, but it's also a reversal after seeing more facts and assigning different priorities. I wish we'd see more people willing to reverse a stand in light of better facts (ahem, Mr. Bush). And then, executives don't have the luxury of just voting 'Present' during situations that demand a yes or no answer.
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Comment by Scott Truesdale on September 4, 2008 at 11:49am
- I haven't changed my opinion of her as a potential leader - I have changed my opinion of her as a political threat.
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Comment by Damon aka: DVet on September 8, 2008 at 5:19pm - What she brings to the tickets is she's the only one with any executive experience which in and of itself is very sad. Obama/McCain and Biden have no leadership or executive background at all. Still not voting for either ticket. Bob Barr looks like the only candidate that still believes the government is too big and sticks its nose in too much and people deserve a leg up, not a hand out. I've never voted third party but he's definately more in tune with what this country needs than Larry, Curly, Mo and Shemp. The thought that either one of these tickets could be in power is truly sad. There isn't enough substance on either ticket to lead monks in a silent prayer let alone the greatest nation in the world.
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Comment by Smokestack Lightning on September 9, 2008 at 1:04pm - nevermind the politics.... she's freakin hot!
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Comment by Doctor Cigaro on September 9, 2008 at 2:43pm -
I agree that a voter will cast their vote for someone based on something as little as their color or gender. Hell, people vote based on who's better looking! It's easier than paying attention to what they really have to offer. Black president? Colin Powell [man, I wish he had ran, he would have gotten my vote, and I'd say he was a heck of a lot more qualified than "community organizer" Obama]. I actually like Palin. I wouldn't vote for her as president at this point but that's not what she's running for. She's running for VP. The VP supports the president. It should be the more experienced person in the top slot; not the other way around.
I like Biden. If he was the presidential candidate and Obama was the VP, I might consider giving them my vote. Obama hasn't brought anything to the table that's noteworthy. Higher taxes for everyone... that's noteworthy. And talk about changing your mind? He has flip-flopped, or worse yet, not voted one way or another, on so many issues it's ridiculous. He changes his mind as much as I change my socks [and that's fairly often :) ].
Palin brings small town idealogy and doesn't come from the "Washington machine" which I find very refreshing. No experience? She has a great deal more executive experience than Barrack Hussein Obama who has authored two memoirs but no bills or legislation that amounted to anything in his entire time in the senate. Palin has created wealth for her state, trimmed down "fat" government, and has a number of positive projects going on in Alaska that will greatly benefit the state. She also tends to not bow down to the big boys at the federal level. Can you imagine what could be done with that kind of thinking at the White House?!?
Also, when it comes down to it, I BELIEVE Palin and McCain when they speak about helping our country. I don't believe Obama. I think Obama cares more about his career than he does the country. I'll cast my vote with the man that has spent his entire adult life in service to his country and the little lady that could from small town USA.
Also, I'd vote Palin in as President before Hillary any day, as I think Hillary is the anti-christ! ;)
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Palin's credentials are overrated at best, and let me ask - what it is about "community organizing" that makes conservatives laugh, anyway? Isn't this a prime example of what happens when people turn away from looking to government as a solution to their problems...and instead look to each other.
As for "small town ideology" would that include sticking taxpayers for her family's travel? Or not taking a single question from reporters since her nomination as VP? And how about this: during her
6 years as Mayor of Wasilla, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. Also, during those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by 38%. More tellingly, she only opposed Ted Stevens (yes, the indicted one) Bridge to Nowhere AFTER it became clear it was unwise to do so.
This is not change. Nor is this kind of thinking helping America. And, to a great extent, when the Republican Presidential nominee is 72 years old and had three bouts with cancer, it is fair and correct to consider her ability to be President.
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