posted September 4, 2008
Last night, Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin delivered an amazing speech at the GOP Convention. In the past few days leading up to her big night, many pundits have questioned whether or not she could perform under the pressure. Today, no one doubts her ability to handle the spotlight.
The most common attack used against the first female governor of Alaska centers around her experience. Today, I had a thought: Imagine this was August 2016. Sarah Palin has served two impressive terms as governor, spearheaded America's endeavor for energy independence, emerged as a major voice of the conservative movement, and the GOP nominee has just selected her to be his running mate. Would the Democrats have any real ammo to use against her? What if, in addition to everything she already has- tenacity, integrity, sound judgment, grace, wit, and charisma, she had "extensive experience?" What if, Sarah Palin's current record of reform and accomplishment continued through two terms as governor and those eight years as governor rendered any questioning of her "experience" absurd? The Democrats might as well be fish in a barrel.
Now, I actually find it ironic her experience is being questioned as she is the only politician on either ticket with executive experience, but Obama/Biden, and the liberal media have to hit her with something or this election could be over.
I think Sarah Palin is exactly who John McCain needs on his ticket, and I don't doubt her powerful spirit and ability to lead starting on day one. I'm glad she is the GOP nominee for VP, and Sen. McCain has my full support. I simply wonder how her candidacy would have played out if her introduction to America had been several years down the road. How much more potent would her candidacy have been? Of course, we will never know the answer to that question, but even if a 2012 or 2016 introduction would have damaged her critics' ability to attack her, it may not matter. She may still become unstoppable. I certainly hope so.
Jeremiah Cook
* * *
Quite simply, we will all be one heartbeat away from having a U.S. President known only by citizens of a state ranked 47th in population. Democrat or Republican, no one can realistically argue that McCain's VP choice was careless, self-serving and is an insult to the American people. I would personally like to see Palin debate Hillary Clinton, just for fun.
Palin's nomination and the theatrics that have been broadcast so far truly remind me of a Lifetime Channel movie, it's surreal. Surely, someone in Hollywood has already begun scripting and casting for this one. I'd vote Sandra Bullock to play Palin's part. Better yet, why don't we all just write in Bullock for VP at this point.
I think most intelligent Americans should see McCain's choice clearly by now. A female Republican VP with under two years experience as governor of one of our smallest states? It's an insult to women because he is using her gender and physical charm and appeal (and yes, intelligence to a degree although that's the part that probably scares them the most) in an attempt to capture small-town mentality and feminists disgruntled about Obama's poor decision not to lock in the Democratic ticket by utilizing Hillary's loyal voters.
I'm sure the good ole GOP boys are laughing knowing that non-politically in-tuned women may be wooed by Sarah Palin's condescending banter that is nothing more than Bush-esque, promising to begin a political renaissance by independently straightening out the boys in Washington, which not even the most influential woman in the country could feasibly accomplish.
Wake-up ladies and take those rose-colored glasses off that were passed out before Palin's charming GOP showcase. Take a step back, listen to the facts which will surface, dissect the issues that are important to you and your family in a troubled economy, and save the feminist admiration for a rainy day while watching a good Lifetime Channel movie. And hey, Hollywood, I want a royalty if Bullock is cast, ok?
Lucy Bach
bachtress@aol.com
* * *
Mr. Cook's hypothetical world is well and good. It sounds wonderful and I wish I could live there.
I wish I lived in a world where the American public had a chance to learn about Gov. Sarah Palin. I wish I lived in a world where a hypothetical "two-term governor" had a reputation to judge. I wish I lived in a world where websites and news stories could provide some insight into how she would govern if necessary. I wish I lived in a world where her qualifications were apparent for independent voters to gauge.
But I do not live in that world. I live in a world where her Wikipedia page was scrubbed with campaign talking points 12 hours before McCain's announcement last Friday. I live in a world where she has only granted *one* interview to People Magazine. I live in a world where campaign surrogates consistently dodge questions about her. I live in a world where a political unknown has not been vetted by the media or the public.
My predicament is very different than the one portrayed by Mr. Cook. I don't question her "experience." I just don't know who Gov. Palin is or where she stands on the critical policy questions of the day. And it's not from a lack of trying to learn about her.
Wednesday, Gov. Palin delivered a great speech to the floor of the RNC convention. This was her first major address to the American public. That speech said little about her candidacy. The bulk of the address was written by Matthew Scully a week before she was chosen for the ticket.
The same day Gov. Palin effectively delivered an ad hominem attack speech against the Democratic ticket, Steve Schmidt stated, "the campaign will no longer respond to questions about the vetting of Palin" despite obvious gaps in the existing narrative. (For the record, I know more about Steve Schmidt than I do the vice-presidential candidate of a major party.)
I'm sure Gov. Palin's a great person. I'm sure she has good intentions. I'm sure she loves puppies, fiscal responsibility and freedom. Who doesn't? Is she qualified to govern the entire nation in the event of tragedy? I have no idea, and neither does anyone else.
David Morton
Chattanooga
david@safeguy.net
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |
