A New Take on McCain’s VP Pick

I'm no fan of hers but it's better than a inexperienced president.

So picking the guy who called you young and inexperienced and "not ready" for office is so much wiser?

It is a party pick. He may not have dated her or spent time getting to know her mother, but she does have a strong track record on conservative ideals, is from a region where we want to drill, and is not only a pro-lifer in politics but in life.

I think she is refreshing in that she not only does what she says and lives what she professes, but also is willing to take on stupidity and corruption head first.

Lastly, WTF does her 17 year old pregnant daughter have to do with anything?

Family != Political Leverage.

Brad,

She has the correct position on all of those things you mentioned!

Great VP choice.

I have been 50/50 on the McCain/Obama race but for some reason I think Palin is a pretty good choice. Not great, but pretty good.

I don't think McCain/Palin's previous relationship (or lack there of) matters too much. They obviously have a lot in common, both well-liked by the Republican base. Being a woman, she will no doubt win some women votes. Being an attractive women will win both men and women votes. A bit superficial but that's the way political races go. Just because she gets votes for being attractive shouldn't take away from her actual credentials (whatever those may be).

To answer some of Brad's points:
I think the ANWR drilling is a huge plus for her because she actually represents Alaska. She would have more knowledge and more vested in the ANWR, so coming out in favor of drilling there means more than a politician in the mainland. Sure, drilling would boost their economy so she would likely benefit that way, but if that is what the state wants...

The same-sex marriage stuff has always seemed dumb to me, but if that's what the Republican base wants, that's what they get. I feel bad for gays right now that the majority of Americans haven't warmed up to the idea by now. Maybe next election.

Global warming IS still debated so there won't be too much against her for saying it is not man-made. Her wikipedia article did say she was still investing money into looking into global warming:
"Palin has followed through on plans to create a new sub-cabinet group of advisers to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Alaska." so she gets points for that regardless of her personal beliefs.

And the other two issues are too minor for American political debates.

She is not going to win over and die-hard Obama fans, but she may win over a lot of swing voters and border-line Obama supports. Especially women, pro-lifers and centrists.

Why not "it was SO GENIUS, it could only be stupid!"?

McCain wouldn't have even said her name if there was no guarantee that she would accept his offer of the Vice Presidency. So, I'm confident some discussion with her was involved prior to the statement.

Second, her inexperience in the VP seat underscores Obama's inexperience in the Executive Seat, to the point where the Democrats would be better off with Biden sparring against McCain.

Lastly, if it was a matter of not knowing who he was picking, and doing it for political gains only, he would have said Rice.

You don't have to trust me, just look at the facts. The momentum of the Democratic convention was dealt a blow by the mere timing of the GOP VP nomination. By one factor alone; timing. Complicate that with the expert choice, and by the underlying positioning of a junior to McCain's veteran status, opposite to the Biden/Obama dynamic, and it seems less and less "stupid".

But, enjoy these notions. Obama is being found out as a great speaker of little substance.

-=T=-

In addition to the pro-life thing, she has lots of vulnerability in a debate. Here is another possible talking point. In only a few days, she has a term associated with her platform on energy...

"Within hours of Senator John McCain picking Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, the talking heads of CNBC had coined a new term: "Palinomics." In a nutshell, the doctrine stands for expanding the search for domestic oil and gas as a solution to the energy crisis."

I think that everyone else believes that it is time to start looking elsewhere for sources of energy, she says KEEP DRILLING!!! Is she from Texas?

There is also controversy going on about a possible misuse of power in trying to get someone fired. That is still under investigation, I think.

Also, "Palin opposes same-sex marriage and supported a non-binding referendum for a constitutional amendment to deny benefits to same-sex couples." -- Wikipedia

She is a member of Feminists For Life, a pro-life feminist group.

She does not believe global warming is man made.

She doesn't think that polar bears are endangered.

She supports aerial hunting of wolves (yes, from a helicopter or other vantage point). This one seems ridiculous. If anything screams "let's blow some cash!", it is chartering a helicopter flight to find and shoot wolves for trophy.

Anyway, these are a few reasons that I am interested in John McCain's VP selection. She sounds like a disaster. Sorry to ramble.