John McCain picks Alaska Governer Sarah Palin as VP.

[The Germanator]

Originally Posted by Professor S

Germ, that is an interesting question that she'll have to answer in interviews I'm sure. Her pick intrigues me, but I am very skeptical or her ability to perform in that position. There is no question about the fact that she is politically advantageous, though.

1) The Obama camp can't question her experience, because they are the no experience necessary ticket. If they argue that Palin is not experienced enough, they can simply answer "I know! Thank God she's not running for President!" If Obama or Biden attack experience, they attack themselves. The press can push Pain's inexperience, and they will, but the camapign can't without casuing a serious gaffe and McCain's group know this. And the more the press mentions Palin's inexperience, the more they inadvertently will raise awareness of Obama's and see it as a negative.

2) She is the ultimate outsider, non-beltway, salt-of-the-earth candidate. You can't say someone is elitist when they regularly eat Mooseburgers and their husband is a firefighter.

3) Evangelical through and through. Hello bible belt, and she'll make many Godly folks much more confident in choosing McCain.

4) Policy-wise, she's Ronald Reagan with a vagina. Her pick energizes the conservative base and with bring many of the bloggers and radio hosts strongly behind the ticket, even with her lack of experience.

5) She has a vagina. Many women who are disaffected by the whole Democratic primary might consider voting for McCain because of the chance for a woman to be elected to national office. Plus, its a media blitz. Anyone talking about Obama's speech anymore? NOPE. One part of the mission is accomplished.

Now these points make her a decent candidate in that she helps the ticket, but thats also a big problem with American politics... its all about helping the ticket and not nominating the right people.

I like Palin. I think she is a hell of a Governor and truly acts on what she thinks is right, and not what is "in the people's best interests". I love her speaking style too; straight forward and humorous, often pointing out the obvious which is rare in today's politics. I think she could have been an excellent candiate, and in only a few years, but not now. To be honest there is NOTHING in her record that justifies her pick to national office and breath away from the most powerful position in the world.

Honestly, you can't criticize Obama for his inexperience, and not criticize palin's choice to accept this nomination. She's not ready. Not yet.

You know, I pretty much agree with all of this (surprise, surprise) and I kind of understand what the GOP was trying to do with this pick, but your last point is hard to ignore considering the circumstances. Normally the VP choice isn't the biggest deal, but John McCain would be the oldest president ever if he was elected. Considering the life expectancy of a US male is 76 years old, coupled with the fact that McCain has had cancer, I would not be surprised that people would be terrified of voting for the McCain/Palin ticket knowing the probability of her actually rising up to Commander in Chief is much more likely this time around.

Also, I'll agree that Obama/Biden would be foolish to attack the experience factor. They can still hit the "3rd Bush term" pretty hard, knowing that Palin is even more conservative than McCain. What seems strange though, is that the McCain camp also just took away one of their biggest weapons. They can't really attack Obama on experience any more either, can they? It just seems that the GOP took away one of the better strengths in terms of going after Obama.

And yes, she may have a vagina, but she's also anti-choice, anti-gay, pro-creationism, approves of taking polar bears off the endangered list, etc. Hillary Clinton supporters aren't that dumb. I suppose she might energize Republican women, but I'd be surprised if lots of women jumped shipped and voted against things Clinton and Democrats believe in simply because of the va-jay-jay factor.

That said, she's definitely a politician. She had her first good flip-flop today when talking about the Bridge to Nowhere. Two years ago she had this to say, "

5. Would you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges?

"Yes. I would like to see Alaska's infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now--while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist."

Which is pretty much the opposite of what she said today. Oh well, that's politics...

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by The Germanator

You know, I pretty much agree with all of this (surprise, surprise) and I kind of understand what the GOP was trying to do with this pick, but your last point is hard to ignore considering the circumstances. Normally the VP choice isn't the biggest deal, but John McCain would be the oldest president ever if he was elected. Considering the life expectancy of a US male is 76 years old, coupled with the fact that McCain has had cancer, I would not be surprised that people would be terrified of voting for the McCain/Palin ticket knowing the probability of her actually rising up to Commander in Chief is much more likely this time around.

That is a huge concern of mine as well. Not enough for me to vote for a Marxist, but I wish he would have chosen Jindal or Lieberman.

Also, I'll agree that Obama/Biden would be foolish to attack the experience factor. They can still hit the "3rd Bush term" pretty hard, knowing that Palin is even more conservative than McCain. What seems strange though, is that the McCain camp also just took away one of their biggest weapons. They can't really attack Obama on experience any more either, can they? It just seems that the GOP took away one of the better strengths in terms of going after Obama.

To be honest, they've been going after the celebrity thing more than experience. Also, I think the experience attack is still in play (not as effetive, though) because of the differences between VP and Pres. VP is seen more a a President in Training position, historically. But I agree, it does hurt the argument.

And yes, she may have a vagina, but she's also anti-choice, anti-gay, pro-creationism, approves of taking polar bears off the endangered list, etc. Hillary Clinton supporters aren't that dumb. I suppose she might energize Republican women, but I'd be surprised if lots of women jumped shipped and voted against things Clinton and Democrats believe in simply because of the va-jay-jay factor.

I didn't say they would vote for her, but she might increase some crossover. I don't think crossover will be huge, but in an election that will be close, it will be interesting considering it gives extra excuses for a spite vote against Obama.

And by the way, I agree with ehr stance on Polar Bears. Their numbers don't meet any of the criteria for the endangered species list and their numbers have been increasing for decades. Their addition is political, and nothing more.

That said, she's definitely a politician. She had her first good flip-flop today when talking about the Bridge to Nowhere. Two years ago she had this to say, "

5. Would you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges?

"Yes. I would like to see Alaska's infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now--while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist."

Which is pretty much the opposite of what she said today. Oh well, that's politics...

Well, thats true and false. She came out against the bridge well before her speech today, and she has been a huge reformer in her state, which I think was inspired by her bridge revelation after that statement and first hand view of the waste. It does make an awkward soundbyte though, I agree.