[ Bjorn and Shawn welcome guest blogger "Enonymous," a very educated
conservative female living in a hyper liberal city in the USA. Remaining
clandestine helps her avoid being "keyed" academically by lefty tolerance
zealots for daring to exercise her open mind. ]
August 29, 2008. Ever since Senator John McCain, 72, has introduced Governor Sarah Palin, 44, as “the best running mate that can help shake up Washington” political pundits have speculated on just what that means for this election. Sarah Palin is Alaska’s first female governor and the youngest person to hold the job. She definitely brings a breath of fresh air to the Republican ticket, but some concerns about her question just how qualified she is to take on such a job especially with a potential President who could, well, die. From CNN to iReport, Palin has caused very strong reactions ranging from “brilliant” to “irresponsible.”
Some believe that McCain must concede his argument about Obama’s not being experienced enough to handle the job now that Palin is on the ticket. Other detractors contend that McCain can’t honestly argue that she is the only qualified person for the job. That being said, many Republicans find Senator Joe Lieberman and Tom Ridge a bit too liberal, and Mitt Romney, well, McCain had exposed his flip-flop tendencies during the debates. But, then, there is Dr. Condoleezza Rice (the first female, first minority, and youngest Provost of Stanford University in 1993) a woman that many had hoped would be on McCain’s short list — but there again is the weight of political baggage.
Some question Senator McCain’s motives. To that, I say, (1) so what that he was motivated to choose a woman who might attract women voters who were voting for Hilary because of gender; (2) so what that McCain chose someone who doesn’t have decades of experience when America has seen that decades of experience don’t always result in the “right” decisions being made; and (3) so what that Governor Palin is has little or no hands-on foreign policy experience. She is obviously sharp and conservative on domestic and energy issues. And since many Americans want to talk about domestic issues, oil, and ethics, let them talk to the governor. And, let’s be honest (and superficial) for a moment — McCain could use a well-spoken, attractive female face, with an outside the beltway, younger perspective, who will intrigue and possibly woo voters.
It should be obvious what makes Sarah Palin suddenly more news worthy than Obama’s choosing Biden. She is the unassuming 44 year young governor of Alaska, a hockey mom of five, a pro-life advocate who gave birth to a son she knew would have Down Syndrome. Her eldest son is about to be deployed to Iraq. She is a supporter of the Second Amendment, against so-called “gay marriage,” the chair woman of Alaska’s Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, passionate about energy policy, supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, grew up hunting and fishing, was a state champion high school basketball player (which attracted the nickname “Sarah Barracuda”), a lifetime member of the NRA, a staunch believer in ethics, not afraid to take on the establishment. Additionally, although she isn’t as qualified as Senator Clinton or even Dr. Rice, such an unexpected choice doesn’t necessarily mean that McCain has committed political suicide as some suggest.
To be fair, it has been less than three hours since Senator McCain’s announcementn. Some Republicans are on a high, while many Democrats find it a disgraceful and desperate move. We’ll see. I am absolutely intrigued by the choice because I have been waiting for someone like Palin who will passionately go head to head with liberals on domestic and social issues. She brings the hope of really fresh fire not just because she’s comparatively young or because she happens to be attractive with great hair, but also because, by all appearances, she lives up to her conservative beliefs.
Regardless, the McCain/Palin team has an extremely tough race ahead with much to prove. And I’m sure I’m not the only one looking forward to the vice presidential debate in October. But for adding such exciting possibilities to this U.S. Presidential race, I say, thanks Senator McCain for such a risky move.
– Enonymous
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