Whoever wrote CNN’s headline “McCain taps Alaska Gov. Palin as vice president pick” has a dirty sense of humor that I applaud.
Governor Palin has been in office for two years, a degree in Communications/Journalism (so I’m betting she’s great at PR handling), and has a decently pretty face for 44.
Pregnancy rumors and bothersome ex-brother-in-laws aside, the discussion should be over how she’s going to influence the McCain campaign going forward.
All things considered, I’m going to say quite well. At least, I don’t see her doing any harm.
A quick analysis has to address the obvious reason she was chosen: to seduce women voters over to the Republican camp. You know, all those Clintonites who were spurned by the Obama mob. I can see her influence having various effects: She could represent a kinder, younger, more energetic alternative to Clinton, something women may find appealing, or she’ll be considered ditsy and inexperienced. That sounds bad, but it’s not as though McCain had those supporters to begin with, so it’s kinda a nothing to lose shot.
The alternative, picking a man, really wouldn’t have covered any fresh ground for McCain: he’s already old and experienced, yet more moderate than many Republicans and he didn’t need to hardcore support he fought for in the primaries anymore. They certainly aren’t leaving for Obama.
In essence, Palin might be the perfect compliment to McCain: young, vibrant, probably better at PR, attracts a completely separate demographic, but shares values with the candidate and party. Is she the best thing for the country? Probably not, as vibrance doesn’t solely mean you’re ready to step into the Presidency. Her political views will soon be revealed and her ability to convert from the Democratic party could die off well before the election. But for a running mate, I don’t think McCain could ask for more.
**UPDATE** To those who believe this is a “desperate plea for love” from McCain, to you I say: Well, yeah, but he has to, the guy is a tad dopey and not all that compelling except the to World War 2 crowd. I expected someone, well, likable to be his Vice President.
**UPDATE 2** Additionally, for a couple of people who feel she was a “random” pick, I told quite a few people beforehand that it was going to be a Governor we hadn’t heard of and weren’t going to be able to predict. None of the obvious candidates fit the bill of what the McCain camp needed.
Tags: candidate, election, john mccain, president, sarah palin, vice president
Well, I understand the choice from an electability perspective, but I don’t like the idea of her being President. You can’t have an Alaskan politician that isn’t influenced heavily by Big Oil. I’m no environmentalist, but I still support other sources of energy more than oil. Plus, she’s young and vibrant. I have no idea why someone would want anyone with a hint of idealism anywhere near the Oval Office.
“McCain Taps Female”. Talk about making McCain exciting.
I think that he picked a great running mate… he knew he needed to pick a girl. I honestly don’t know enough about her yet but if he had any thought of winning he definitely needed a woman, a family girl.
I agree with the fact that she will definitely give his campaign a major boost by countering the old, rich, white guy. Choosing her was brilliant for a couple of reasons:
-It will get more women voters.
-it attracts a lot of the hardcore republicans because of how conservative she is that were turned off by McCain’s more moderate views.
- There is really no way for Obama to attack her besides just disagreeing on her policies. All of her weaknesses are his as well.
- Just choosing her completely puts Obama and anything he does/has done recently completely out of focus for the next week or two.
Really as you noted I don’t think that McCain could have asked for a better running mate. She’s everything he’s not and balances him out wonderfully.
However, this is not a desperate move in any way shape or form, as that implies he was all but done in this election. McCain and Obama have been neck and neck in the gallop polls since the beginning of August. (Seen here: http://www.gallup.com/poll/election2008.aspx) The recent spike for Obama is his nomination acceptance, which will most assuredly be canceled out by McCain and he will probably pass Obama again. So it’s not a move out of desperation, it’s a brilliant political move that will shake this election to the core.
Also, food for thought, this is a video of Obama giving a speech when his teleprompter goes out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDJSVPAx8xc&feature=related
I can’t wait until the debates
You’re absolutely right about McCain not having anything to lose with this pick. And honestly she can only help his campaign. But i would definately have to give props to whoever came up with the wording for the headline. Im sure that the fellas at CNN all had a good laugh.
Respectfully, I don’t think the fact that he pulled a woman for VP is truly that remarkable. Maybe it’s just me, though. I think it should boil down to competence, not gender/race like everyone keeps saying. Just a musing, not really looking for discussion at present.
She really is everything he needs. He’s able to pull those women voters that wanted Clinton to be the nominee. He’s able to pull more social conservative voters with her views. He’s able to counter Obama by having an opponent of the old Washington ways and against partisan politics. She’s legitimate in every way too and doesn’t only help counter but helps stabilize his base.
It is a bit risky though. She isn’t a big name outside of Alaska and her political record isn’t the best. McCain also doesn’t know her too greatly on a personal level. It’s going to be interesting how her scandal does play out though and I can see that playing a huge role in the coming weeks.
Overall it’s a very interesting choice and it’ll be fun to see how it plays out.
Lets also look at her politics in general. As we examined in my political science class today, Palin is very right-wing on many of the key issues, which is a real safety net for the hard-line conservatives who see McCain as soft.
Also, kudos to Logan for sort of calling it. (I recall at some point you saying that McCain would pick a no name governor.)
I know I’d tap that.
I’m sure this choice will help McCain’s run. However, I do not think that it will create as much variance as predicted. She is so strongly pro life and anti-abortion that Hilary voters that have a brain (unfortunately not too many) will have to lay down their resentment and vote Obama. It’s bold of her to be so open on such a controversial subject.. especially for Hilary supporters. I find this choice to be risky. She’s so extreme right.. it just might be too far.
Whatever happens in November is going to be interesting!
I agree that whoever was clever enough to engineer the CNN headline has a great sense of humor.
However I think it is somewhat ironic? that McCain harps on Obama’s lack of experience then chooses a running mate who not all that long ago was simply a City Council Member of some unheard of Alaskian city.
The fact that she is a female may be appealing to some, but I think that too many of Clinton’s female followers would shy away from Palin’s staunch anti-abortion stances and overall extremely conservative social politics.
And honestly, I have to wonder how many desks shes found herself underneth, on her knees. And I don’t think she dropped her pen… What other politican has sky rocketed from City Council Member to VP candidate in 12 years.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/01/palin.daughter/index.html
Anti-contraceptives lol
I can’t even begin to express my joy over this VP pick. It shows how out of touch with reality McCain really is.
Honestly, what Hillary supporter would ever, EVER be drawn to someone who is anti-abortion and so highly conservative? And don’t even try to tell me that two years as governor in a state with a population of roughly, oh, half the size of Franklin County where the citizens receive checks from Alaska’s gushing oil is comparable to two years in the senate.
Normally VP wouldn’t be such a big deal, but let’s be honest here. It’s sort of a possibility that McCain could die in office, he’s so old. Sarah Palin as president? I am VERY uncomfortable with that, as anyone should be.
She isn’t in this for the nation, she’s in it for her own personal gain. Her husband is tied with big oil, and an Alaskan hockey mom who would love nothing more than to overturn Roe v Wade and teach creationism in our schools is not change, no matter how you look at it.
Good strategy for McCain. Bad future for this country if he wins. I would have a medical team a few steps behind McCain everyday because if his health fails and he dies, Palin’s experience as a journalist, entrepreneur, and 2 year governor will not suffice to calm my nerves.