John McCain surprised everyone by picking a little know Governor from Alaska, Sarah Palin. In the last few days, I've considered the positives and negatives of this pick. Here they are.
The postivies are pretty obvious. Palin is a "true conservative". She wants to cut taxes, cut spending, she's pro-life (even in cases of rape and insest), pro-gun, and apparently a maverick in the political juggernaunt of the state of Alaska. It would appear that the base of the party couldn't be happier with the pick.
The negatives are just as obvious. She is very inexperienced when it comes to public office, only serving 20 months as governor of Alaska. This also throws out the most effective argument the Republicans had on Obama: experience. If she was picked to pick off the Clinton supporters, I don't see how that is even possible. The comparisons end at both of them being women and I would like to think Clinton supporters don't support Hillary because she's a woman. Add to the fact that McCain only met her once, it's clears this the selection was for political purposes.
The pick speaks a lot of what the McCain campaign thought they had to do to win. It's a very risky pick with a huge potential return for them. But McCain's argument that Obama picks political gain over country is a complete joke right now. The man is 72 years old and in the past had cancer, so he picks someone who is so grossly inexperienced to be president? He also only met her one time. One time. (Btw not to compare the two, but Obama has the same amount of experience as a former President: Abraham Lincoln).
Rewind to when Obama was pondering his running mate. Remember the name Tim Kaine? Governor of Virginia since 2006? How often did you hear that he was too inexperienced to be VP and also callng the ticket potentially the most inexperienced ticket ever? I see a double standard here.
I can understand why Republicans are excited, especially Conservatives. Her social conservative stances, especially being pro-life, was exactly what they needed to hear to vote for McCain. But this whole "it's not about experience, it's about change" shift in the debate from Republicans is driving me a bit nutty. For a year now they have slammed Obama for his experience. It's only now they jump on the change bandwagon? Nice.
My only hope for this election is not people are voting for someone because of their race or their gender. The pick between Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin is so clear and at the very least, history will be made regardless of who wins, which will be very good for America.
