Sarah Palin: A Smart Move… Or Not?
In case you haven’t heard by now, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has been chosen as John McCain’s running mate for the presidency. Palin has had more than one success during her short term (so far) as governor:
• Exposing ethical violations among Alaskan Republican leaders
• Canceling pork projects, including the ‘bridge to no where’
• Maintaining a 60% approval rating – she’s a “true conservative”
• Coining the term ‘VPILF’
A good choice then?
Maybe. As one anonymous Digg commentator put it:
“[T]his is a brilliant move by McCain:
1. She would be the only candidate with executive experience (McCain, Biden, Obama only have legislative experience)
2. Appeals to conservatives
3. Will channel the women vote, and Hillary supporters’ in particular
4. Charismatic, smart, principled, dedicated, American all the way
5. Younger than Obama
6. Wow factor: will definitely embellish the ticket ;)”
Or maybe not?
However, Palin carries some serious baggage. As one anonymous Redditor put it:
“In one move McCain took experience off the table, fired a shoot at his racist/misogynist supporters, doubled down on Big Oil, and made corruption an even bigger issue. It may well be game over.”
To explain: Palin has very little experience – a criticism McCain has applied to Obama. Palin is close to Big Oil just by being governor of Alaska, and as well by trying to block polar bears from receiving protection under the Endangered Species Act. And as to the comment that she makes ‘corruption an even bigger issue’ – Palin has painted herself as huge on hunting down corruption, while at the same time she herself is under investigation.
So…
What do you guys think?
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Sarah Palin is thankful that the Constitution is a history leaflet that would allow a bit more authority given to the vice president, if that vice president so chose to exert it, in working with the Senate and making sure that we are supportive of every throb of the spectacular machinery, of the president’s policies, and of making sure, too, that our president understands what our strengths are.
Picking Palin was a bad idea. It took the experience issue off the table, which may have been McCain’s strongest advantage.