Friday, August 29, 2008

It's a woman, baby!

Wow, in a surprise move McCain has picked a woman to be his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska. I've been thinking about what this might possibly mean and came up with this:
  • McCain thinks Clinton supporters didn't so much like Clinton as the idea of a woman running
  • McCain is trying to show his pseudo-progressive side
  • McCain is hoping his choice will steal some of Obama's thunder (it won't but he'll hope it will)
  • McCain is betting the introduction of a relatively young woman to the ticket will counter the "he's too old" attacks
  • McCain is trying to prove that his race and choice also has historical significance
By all accounts, Ms. Palin seems like a nice conservative, a self-proclaimed "average soccer mom," and this announcement will probably end up giving McCain a much-needed boost. But if Palin truly feels that playing second fiddle is the same as conducting the orchestra, she's sorely mistaken. I like Obama campaign's response: "Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency."

5 comments:

Amber said...

A 72-year-old's heartbeat at that! I find it an odd move from a group that is so obsessed with Obama's experience, or perceived lack thereof.

Anne said...

Didn't naming a woman as a running mate mean political suicide for Walter Mondale once? Granted, different times and this election is historical on several fronts. To me, it's just one more example of McCain speaking out against one thing and then, doing what he professes to abhor. In this case, the supposed lack of experience for the job. Hell. He's older than dirt and his health isn't stellar. He criticizes Obama for being green but would willingly turn over the reigns to an even less experienced politician?

Me thinks it's a great day to be a Democrat!!!!

Dr. A said...

...and member of the NRA, and super pro-life (has a 1 year old with Downs), and is a hockey mom. But at the very least we're getting a non-white male in office....

B. E. Busby said...

Speaking of the "kiss of death" syndrome -- here, have another:

http://tinyurl.com/5zhd7z

Who's next, Larry "wide-stance" Craig?

B. E. Busby said...

This in from Business Week, never exactly a radical outfit, but provides relatively non-judgmental commentary on the preidential choices:

http://tinyurl.com/5zng79