The Red Brick Times

McCain picking Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for V.P. Amazing. He (or I suppose I should say "they", Rove must have a hand in this somewhere) certainly didn't base this choice on her experience and qualifications, so then why? Is it, as I've read several times now, a "Hail Mary pass" for an otherwise doomed campain? I don't think so. The Republican machine is too good for that. She certainly makes their base as happy as clams (teach Creationism in public schools, drill ANWAR, outlaw abortions even in cases of rape or incest), something McCain has had trouble with from the start. Will this appeal to women voters, especially the disappionted Hillary crowd? I dunno. You wouldn't think so as Palin is Hillary's exact opposite politically but.....

What's your take?
Posted 7:34 AM by whatley (3) comments

       Comments:

How is "conservatism" distributed across social issues these days? Palin has her share of modern-day family concerns (husband's old DUI record, unmarried teen daughter's pregnancy, five children, the youngest 4-months old with Down's Syndrom). That seems to place her more closely aligned with so-called "normal" middle-class people who continue to struggle through life's challenges. Traditional Republican conservatism espouses the nuclear family, the church, and "my country, right or wrong". Are there enough voters who identify with Palin to swing the election to the Republicans, or will the media harp so sharply that it leaves negative associations? To his credit, Obama stated that Palin's daughter is "off limits" as a campaign attack issue. Palin's other concern, the State investigation into her ethical role in the firing of her former brother-in-law, remains as a potential sinker. I think it will be all about whether voters allow people with "normal" problems to take office, or continue to expect angelic perfection in their elected leaders.

# posted by  Andy : September 02, 2008 6:30 AM
 
The Republican speeches last night were downright scary. They threw away vast segments of the population with reckless abandon. I paraphrase: "We value ideas and values over the Democratic Process." "Free ourselves from over- regulation and the tyranny of government unions." "A nation of families with both parents in the home." "Never back away from a conflict." "Refuse to give in to Islamic terrorism." "Get back to the policies of Reagan thirty years ago."

Sarah Palin was energetic, smooth, relaxed and spoke with good cadence and connected with the audience. She just didn't say much, sticking to generalities and party planks, showing no specifics or details.

"Random" shots of the audience highlighted speech segments, showing wildly applauding women when women were the topic and aging, overweight veterans wearing their VFW caps and battle ribbons when McCain's military heroism was being lauded. There were plenty of big red-white and blue hats and waving signs and delegates jumping to their feet clapping. But it was really about a bunch of people who were there as a reward for working really hard for no money or for delivering huge blocks of influence. Not a working meeting or an important event, but a strokey feely goodtime where people could feel like they got something nice while paying for their own hotel rooms. Kind of like a political Cedar Point.

There is really nothing technical on which to choose to vote, for either party. It seems to boil down to which political Hollywood you dream of: Stepford (Republicans) where patterned behavior is the norm, or OZ (Democrats) where people of all sizes, shapes and colors unite to celebrate the defeat of the wicked witch and the little dog is the real hero.

# posted by  Andy : September 04, 2008 6:25 AM
 
Sarah Palin is a distraction. The Republicans are intellectually and morally bankrupt. When Rudy Giuliani(pro-choice, lived with gays between 2nd& 3rd marriages, march in gay pride parade in drag) thinks Obama is too cosmopolitan we have drifted into the surreal. Obama has good detailed policy and program papers posted on his website, read them there is a world of difference between the two parties. Think of Sarah Palin possibly appointing two or three Supreme Court Justices and your hand will go to the correct lever on its own.

But you have to be in the voting booth.

# posted by  A. O. : September 06, 2008 12:09 AM
 
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