Sarah Palin ‘Surprise’ to CNN as McCain’s Veep
Not the ‘best political team on television.’
In one of the most obvious political tactics to date, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain has chosen Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate.
Riding the momentum and coattails of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s historic run for the Democratic presidential nomination, McCain’s choice of a popular governor and business-minded sportsman is sure to create some excitement for the McCain campaign, annoy Hillary Clinton, and cause many to blink their eyes and say, “Sarah who?”
If you were worried about Senator Obama being ready for the executive branch, you’ve really got to wonder about Governor Palin. But Palin certainly helps the McCain ticket.
As the first woman and youngest governor of Alaska, she climbed her way up as a political outsider. She’s pro-life, believes in making all abortions in the United States illegal, anti-gay, pro-creationism in schools, denies evolution, opposes birth control pills and condoms even for married couples, a lifetime NRA member, and an advocate for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
She also owns three homes (totaling 13 for the GOP ticket) and has a large enough family to take on Joe Biden’s numerous family members in case this election descends into a brawl. Her children are named Bristol, Piper, Track, Willow, and Trig (seriously).
As a woman, she brings change to the Republican ticket, an attempt to compete with Obama’s historic nomination. And you can’t get more ‘outside’ of Washington than Alaska. Well, that’s not quite true: The total distance from Washington, DC to Anchorage, Alaska is 3,369 miles. Whereas the distance from Washington, DC to Honolulu is 4835 miles. So being from Hawaii, Obama is actually more of a Washington outsider than Palin (at least in distance).
With the McCain campaign hinting at this choice with ads appealing directly to Hillary Clinton supporters, now McCain can openly play the ‘you’re not denying history if you don’t vote for Obama’ card. Aside from Palin’s disturbing stances on important issues, the main challenge for the GOP ticket will be her quick yet comfortable introduction to the American voters.
With many still growing accustomed to Obama, will America accept another newcomer this close to the election? One being just a heartbeat away from the Oval Office? In any case, look forward to Obama’s attempt to mitigate Palin by announcing women he’ll choose for his cabinet.
But the real surprise to McCain’s vice presidential pick is how the self-titled ‘Best political team on television’ could not see this one coming. No tea leaves, tossed bones, haruspicy or a crystal ball was needed to understand the political necessity of this pick. McCain didn’t have much of a choice. It’s high risk and high reward, and it was imperative for McCain to choose a high reward candidate.
As a humble blogger, I suggested Palin in my top four veeps for McCain on the radio program BlogBunker (Listen HERE) a day before the announcement. If I can choose ‘em, the Best Political Team on Television should be able to.
Here’s how CNN titled their piece:
The ‘best political team’ was surprised by one of the only picks able to buoy McCain’s lethargic campaign? Sorry boys, I’m sticking to MSNBC.
Kudos to McCain for his necessary gamble, and congratulations to Republicans for joining the women-are-people-too-club, but if McCain thought Obama wasn’t experienced enough to combat terrorism… Palin?–self described ‘hockey mom’–Seriously? Sarah Palin is no Barack Obama, and certainly no Joe Biden.
CNN wasn’t the only one taken by surprise. The Anchorage Daily News reports that Alaskan State Senate President Lyda Green said she thought it was a joke:
“She’s not prepared to be governor. How can she be prepared to be vice president or president?” said Green, a Republican from Palin’s hometown of Wasilla. “Look at what she’s done to this state. What would she do to the nation?”
And oh, by the way, she’s under investigation for abuse of power as governor, so she certainly fits neatly with the Republican mold.
Speaking on the 2/24/08 airing of CSPAN’s Road to the White House, Palin was asked what it does to her state to have several representatives of Alaska under investigation: She said it could be a good thing.
Speaking with CNBC’s Larry Kudlow in July, Palin remarks were revealing: “I tell ya, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me: What is it exactly that the V.P. does every day?”
So for today, happy birthday John McCain, and happy wedding anniversary Sarah Palin. Enjoy it while you can.
Images: uberdesi.com/…/uploads/
See also:
Sarah Palin Crosses Decapitation Threshold
Stumble it!
This VP selection is nothing more than another GIMMICK. McCoo-coo made this pick because he wanted to blunt the spectacular speech and show. But he’s truly showing his lack of real judgment. Why would he pick someone who is under INVESTIGATION for ETHICS VIOLATION. And unlike the repugni-cans, SHE DON’T GET A PASS for violating the law because there are processes WE ALL must go through to protect and uphold the rights of our families.
The democratic party will rip her to shreds if Obama allow it. Mccain is telling the American people: IT’S OKAY TO VIOLATE YOUR OATH OF OFFICE IF YOU FEEL THE NEED TO DO SO. That’s the wrong message to send to the American people after the last eight years of Bush/Cheney violations of our CIVIL LIBERTIES.
I am not moved by the vp pick for McCain. As I looked at the crowd I could not help but notice that it did not represent all of America. Where is the divesity. If I was undecided the looks of the crowd would discourage me . How would I be certain that you have my concerns at heart. Don’t insult my intelligence, just because McCain choose a women does not buy my vote. I want my concerns and issues addressed not to mention she was very vague in the issues.
Sad, that his first executive decision is one where he put politics ahead of country.
Truly its only strategy because without the base of the right wing of the party he
cant win…its just pathetic that he made this choice.
When writing this I really couldn’t think of anyone better for him to choose. Which in itself is kinda sad.
It’s alot better pick than Mitt Romney….There would’ve no doubt in mind then that Obama was a choice I had to make. However, She sounds a bit ‘black and white’ to me, no in between’s for her. That character can only lack human compassion. While I think it’s great that she is Anti-abortion…but, Anti-gay???? How can you tell someone who may have been created with more of the opposite gene in them, and tell them that they are not accepted in this world. Oh, please!
To AB, If the speech was spectacular, that is what would be being talked about but it wasn’t so it isn’t even being mentioned other then in passing.
“processes WE ALL must go through to protect and uphold the rights of our families.”
rights like ripping babies from the womb and throwing them in the incinerator? you better hope God has more compassion for sinners than you do for babies, but you probably don’t even believe in God.
“The democratic party will rip her to shreds if Obama allow it. ”
You wait and see who gets ripped to shreds if they have the guts to attack her to
her face, you don’t know this women………………. but you will!
“Mccain is telling the American people: IT’S OKAY TO VIOLATE YOUR OATH OF OFFICE IF YOU FEEL THE NEED TO DO SO.”
Exactly when was she convicted and of what, kinda jumpin the gun aren’t ya there pard?
“That’s the wrong message to send to the American people after the last eight years of Bush/Cheney violations of our CIVIL LIBERTIES.”
What civil liberties were violated, oh you must mean that phone tap on known terrorist
thing…..
What in the world are you whinning sissy libs talkin about on the phone that you are
so afraid someone might hear?
To Elane Outley
“I am not moved by the vp pick for McCain. As I looked at the crowd I could not help but notice that it did not represent all of America. Where is the divesity. If I was undecided the looks of the crowd would discourage me .”
What you saw was the people who wanted to go to the McCain appearance in Dayton
Ohio. What would you have them do, salt the crowd into an unrealistic mix of ethnicity, thats what you libs do… with absolutely no success . http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11168.html
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/18/report-muslim-women-in-headscarves-banned-from-obama-photo-op/
It’s called real life, not staged showmanship.
“I want my concerns and issues addressed not to mention she was very vague in the issues.”
Just goes to show you people see what they want to see, she was as concise and straight forward as can be, what was she vague about, please be specific….
To Karen…
“Sad, that his first executive decision is one where he put politics ahead of country.”
his first executive decision, do you even know how the election process works, are
you sure you have the sense to make a decision if you don’t even know that he hasn’t been elected yet, Obamites are so intelligent, wow!
“Truly its only strategy because without the base of the right wing of the party he
cant win…its just pathetic that he made this choice.”
A republican can’t win without the support of his base, another true revolation, can you pick lottery numbers too? you are a true einstein and that earth shattering statement proves it, thank you queen of the obvious.
It is a great choice of a strong woman that scares the hell out of liberal women and men alike, so funny to watch you libs freakin out, scarey isn’t it, that someone can be so sure of themselves, straight forward, and right, as in correct. Don’t worry, your lives will be better because of this woman.
Well TL (BTW, isn’t “TL” some kinda lightbulb?), after eight very sorry years of someone who was “so sure of himself” in the White House, do you really recommend another one such character around that place?
I grant you, though, she’s pretty in a “Yearning for Zion - compound” kind of way…..