Palin: A Brilliant Pick, Indeed
August 30, 2008 – 10:39 amSarah Palin, while an unlikely pick, is really shaking things up. And while Stephen Nichols, my colleague at Static News, is adopting recent democratic talking points in his statement that her candidacy could be disastrous, I couldn’t disagree more. America is built upon ingenuity. Our nation has often been led by individuals without extensive experience — individuals who promise a new “hope” or “change” — a “new kind of politics.” This is exactly what the Democratic party saw in Barack Obama. His fresh perspective led to his nomination for the Democratic ticket, despite his lack of overall experience.
Now, Stephen mentioned two reasons for Sarah Palin’s candidacy: 1) She’s a woman and 2) She’s young. Both reasons are definitely a factor (more the forme
r than the latter), but her selection goes way beyond those demographics. Sarah Palin is a maverick in her own regard. She has fought corruption in Alaska and as governor — she has worked to cap out of control government spending. In many ways, her positives are reflective of McCain’s (they have both fought for reform). Now, let’s take on some of Stephen’s assumptions:
First, what about McCain’s military service and Palin’s other accomplishments outside of her role as governor? Twenty-six years is hardly a fair assessment. Furthermore, the Obama-Biden ticket possess experience collectively, but most of that experience is bottom heavy. Americans are uncomfortable with Obama’s ability to lead on a number of issues (specifically, national security), so Obama went out to find someone who is capable in his areas of deficiency. Allow me to present Biden’s own words when he was debating Obama in the primaries:
And then there are Hillary Clinton’s words about Obama:
These comments clearly show ideas that contradict the love and support that Biden and Clinton are throwing behind Obama today. It’s really sad to see individuals depart so forcefully from the truth — and all for political purposes. Stephen continues:
Again, what Stephen doesn’t mention in his above statements are Sarah Palin’s other modes of experience prior to becoming governor; she has practical and mayoral experience as well. Furthermore, a president Obama should never “require” advice from Biden. He should, however, seek it when it is needed. Unfortunately, Obama’s lack of experience makes “require” a painful reality. The problem with this entire comparison of Palin and Obama is the fact that they actually have similar levels of experience. The difference? Sarah Palin is a VP nominee and not the presidential nominee. And to answer the question presented in the latter: Palin can offer experience as much as Obama can. She can provide insight on energy, the economy, etc. Acting as though Obama is more experienced borders on the absurd.
Also, let’s note that no president relies entirely on his vice-president. A team of experts and cabinet members provide oversight and guidance. Furthermore, the vice-president is typically little more than a figurehead with limited tasks as it is. If McCain died — God forbid — Palin would be fine. The Democrats aren’t worried about this being a disaster for the American people; they’re worried about 1) Not making history first by placing an African American or a woman in the White House and 2) Losing the election now that the McCain camp has solidified its dream team.
Sarah Palin is an American success story. A hockey mom turned politician, her life showcases how a typical American can rise up to become a great leader. Palin was surely the right decision.
15 Responses to “Palin: A Brilliant Pick, Indeed”
What can I add to this, Billy?
It’s clear that you, Lindsey Graham, Joe Lieberman and the rest of the right-wing fanatics live in an alternate universe, light-years removed from reality.
First, let’s establish that McCain’s military service — as honorable as it was — in no way qualifies him to be president.
And help me out, here. When McCain claims, “I know how to win wars,” just which wars did he win? That page is missing from my history book.
Citing Clinton’s and Biden’s criticisms of Obama is a ridiculous and intellecually irrelevant argument.
Those statements were made during the Primary season, when all three were fighting for the party’s nomination. They were EXPECTED to cast doubt on Obama’s qualifications. That’s what rivals do!
The selction of Palin was nothing less than a cave-in by McCain to the evangelical right and a flagrant attempt to pander to women. So the 72-year-old candidate for president has nominated a cipher as his running mate…someone who could well have to become Commander in Chief during the next four years!And this from the candidate who boasts that he “always puts country first.”
Country first, my ass.
Are you really going to sleep well at night knowing that Palin is just the proverbial heartbeat away from the Oval Office?
McCain’s decision to choose her is an insult to women, to all Americans, and a damning indictment of his judgment.
She’s not fit to be President. And with this decision, McCain has made it clear that he’s not either.
By steve levine on Aug 31, 2008
Billy,
Do you think Palin would have been picked if Hillary got the nomination?
By Joshua Rosenstock on Aug 31, 2008
Joshua:
I do think Palin might have been the pick, even if Hillary nabbed the ticket. Palin has been on the short list since the beginning, so the notion that she was a panic pick is a bit absurd. Still, there’s no knowing what McCain might have decided to do if the situation were different.
The GOP needs young superstars, so her rise really isn’t as surprising as some propose.
By Billy Hallowell on Sep 1, 2008
Steve:
Can you explain why Barack Obama is fit to be president? Please. Humor me. The reality of an Obama White House is much scarier than the possibility that Palin might have to assume the presidency…much scarier, indeed.
By Billy Hallowell on Sep 1, 2008
Both parties need new blood, which is why I have consistently advocated for term limits. But, do not repeat for months that your opponent is not qualified to be president based on lack of experience and than select a running mate with even less experience.
Besides, in presidential campaigns since 1960, Americans rarely vote for the candidate with more experience so it might be wise for McCain to stop beating that drum. I think his pick of Palin suggests that he will.
By Joshua Rosenstock on Sep 2, 2008
Not only was McCain’s decision not well thought, the current social history which is beginning to evolve from Palin’s family places the entire ticket at risk. Palin would do well to withdraw and spend more time rehabilitating her own family values. I certainly do not see this family as deserving to be a ‘hearbeat’ from the presidency.
By DAD on Sep 2, 2008
The selection of a running mate is the most important decision a candidate can make. It appears that McCain made this one after just ONE meeting with Palin.
On this test of judgment, McCain has failed.
As for Palin and her “family values,”…I won’t pass judgment her 17-year-old daughter.
But Palin herself has shown remarkably poor judgment.
She has a four-month old child with Down syndrome, and a pregnant, unmarried 17-year-old daughter.
This is a family in need of a mother, if not a family in crisis. By accepting the nomination, Palin put her family second.
I can’t imagine that the Evangelicals will find that an admirable decision.
By steve levine on Sep 2, 2008
Don’t forget that Evangelicals preach no sex before marriage and abstinence-only sex education.
They were also pretty concerned about Bill Clinton’s private life but seem to see Sarah Palin’s as off limits.
Do what they say, not what they do.
By Joshua Rosenstock on Sep 2, 2008
I agree with Steve.
By Vince Williams on Sep 5, 2008
Take one step back on this potential road to ruin. “Yo!” Hello McFly!!!!!! Your mother is the governor of your state!! Your girl friend’s mother is the governor of your state!!!!
Hockey mom has a hockey puck of a daughter and daughter has a hockey stick of a boyfriend.
He should have found a different way to ’score’!
Steve wants to disenfranchise a segment of the population as being unworthy, and McCain has selected a member of same to be his running mate.
Mindboggling to say the least.
By DAD on Sep 5, 2008
Governor Palin’s use of the term “hockey mom” to create the impression that hers is just and ordinary middle-class family is, at best, a stretch.
Add up the cost of skates (a new pair about every six months for growing feet!), uniforms, ice time, transportation to games, and you have a VERY EXPENSIVE activity that would strain the budget of many middle-income families.
Basketball, baseball and soccer would more likely be the affordable sports for those families.
Unless, of course, Governor Palin is able to buy skates, uniforms and ice time on EBay.
By steve levine on Sep 6, 2008
This line of reasoning always makes me laugh. Republicans (especially the very rich and out of touch) want to appear just like everyday Americans so they can relate better to their base, but does the average conservative really want someone like him or her negotiating important deals with the heads of state of other nations?
Shouldn’t issues of such important be left to individuals with expertise (dare I say, an elite)? Haven’t we learned the past eight years the lesson that it might not be such a great idea to elect someone you want to have a drink with as opposed to who would be a better government executive?
By Joshua Rosenstock on Sep 6, 2008
By George, I think you’ve got it, Josh!
Of course we’d be better off having exceptional people (ok,the elite)running our government and negotiating with other nations.
And who better to identify and elect those exceptional people than an equally select group of American voters?
By steve levine on Sep 6, 2008
It also wouldn’t hurt if the mainstream media wasn’t bought and sold by both major parties and acted as an unfiltered pipeline of both sides’ propaganda directly to the voters.
Does anyone trust News Corp., CBS, CNN, NBC, Disney, etc. to report political news fairly and without bias?
John McCain promised campaign finance reform but only succeeded in exacerbating the problem.
By Joshua Rosenstock on Sep 6, 2008
Now we are exempting the mainstream media from the ranks of select American voters. Before all this stratification is ended, it is likely the National Egalitarian Americans of Levine party will be in control. Thats ‘NEAL’ pronounced ‘kneel’.
What color shirts will they choose. Sky blue??Where and when the rally? Certainly not the Washington Monument, the Lincoln, Jefferson Memorials, or the steps of the Capitol Building. Not May 1st, July 4th, July 14th. Perhaps Dubai in season. The new watering hole for the elite.
When do we begin the roundups and the transports of the unworthy to the wilderness of Montana for resettlement into ‘appropriate’ communities?
Sound vaguely familiar?
Seems that the conversation on this website has strayed too far from the madding crowd to claim any legitimacy in its goals for election reform for the benefit of the masses.
By DAD on Sep 6, 2008