I listened to Governor Palin as she accepted her new role and I couldn't help but be impressed, to tell the truth. Actually, other than her rabid anti-abortion views (abortion is unacceptable even in the case of rape or incest), gun positions, and beauty pageant background, she kind of reminded me of myself, only a bit more folksy. She was a basketball player and athlete in high school and majored in Journalism in college and she's not afraid of speaking her mind, even in front of a crowd.
But once the glow faded a bit, and I reconsidered, I have to say that while I'm sure she will do her best and may surpass expectations, there is no way she's prepared to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Even her own Alaska newspapers recognize and acknowledge this fact. So why did McCain pick her, and what does this selection say about him and this race? Politico has an incisive take on the possible reasons, and they say a lot more about John McCain than Sarah Palin. Read here.
For a presidential candidate who claims he puts the country first to go ahead and take such a chance with our country's future (should he be elected) is truly disingenuous.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I probably should resist responding to a political blog that I do not read very often, but I found it interesting that you were first impressed when you heard Gov. Palin speak, but then wondered why Governor McCain would make such a risky choice.
Maybe somebody can convince me that Obama's experience is more impressive than Palin's - I don't think they can. Maybe somebody can explain to me how "experience" has been the chief political asset of our greatest presidents - I think it is a tough sell.
Neither Obama nor Palin have the resume-type experience in the foreign or domestic arena that would "qualify" them for the Presidency. However, they both resonate with people because of their inate leadership skills and real life experiences. Obama can speak authentically about issues faced by the less advantaged in society because he has lived it, not because he has significant experience in managing it. Governor Palin can talk authentically on the struggles faced by families in today's world, because she has lived it, not because she studied it at Harvard.
In the end, people vote for the people they like (issues are just about always secondary). Both Obama and Palin are likeable people and conect with people because of who they are, not necessarily because of what they have done.
With respect to Governor Palin she brings a lot of things to the table that the establishment does not like. She was not trained at an Ivy League School, she has not travelled the world, she does not have the credentials that the elites believe is necessary to be a leader. In other words, she is a lot like most of us and she will be a political force. You can be impressed with somebody (as I am with Barak)and not vote for them. But that doesn't mean you have to march lock step with the left and conclude that she is merely a political ploy, not ready to be Vice President.
Even Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy, when caught on a hot mike speaking freely, made it clear they thought this was a bad pick.
I agree with you that experience is not the be-all and end-all of requirements for a U.S. President (and, thus, for a Vice President). Certainly, both Palin and Obama have demonstrated that they can work things out legislatively and can run things...she, a state government, and he, a very successful and large campaign organization.
I also agree that both "resonate with people because of their innate leadership skills and real life experiences." Until last night I might have agreed that both are likeable, but last night the "Barracuda" came out and I, personally, did not like what I saw and heard. A little too vicious for my taste.
What happened to the civil discourse McCain had called for in the beginning, even promised? It's the same old Rovian attack machine back at it, and I'm disappointed.
Now I think I understand why McCain picked her. She's a kindred spirit, full of sarcasm and a "my way or the highway" attitude. They may make a great tag team, but it's not what I'm looking for in a President. I'm looking for someone with an even temperament, someone who will really deliberate over the issues. Now, that doesn't require an Ivy League education, or world travel...it simply requires a mindset geared to an interest in what other people think.
Whatever you think, Kyle, I don't march in lock step. Remember, I voted for McCain in the 2000 Primary. This is simply a different man, and I can't support him personally or his stand on many of the issues.
A bad pick? Look at the polls. Peggy Noonan can be thoughtful, but so far she is wrong with respect to Palin. I am not quite sure what civil discourse means, but it is not what puts one in office. Let me go out on a limb and predict that civility will go out the window on both sides as soon as one or the other side feels the heat.
Vice Presidential candidates have historically played the role of attack dog so the Presidential candidates can appear to be above the frey. Palin is doing her job and it appears to have taken a bite out of Obama. By contrast, nobody really appears to care about what Biden says (possibly the worst vice presidential pick since Dan Quayle as he has provided no bounce or any thing of substance so far to the equation - was he chosen because Walter Mondale is unavailable?)so it would appear tha Palin is doing her job better than he is.
I guess, in this election, one has to determine which is more offensive: Republican sarcasm or Democratic condescension.
While I usually don't agree with her, Camille Paglia's piece on Palin in Salon is more insightful than anything Peggy Noonan has written on the subject. It is worth a read.
Post a Comment