If this story is true, I’d say it’s very good news for the Republican ticket.
I had some sentimental, Minnesotan investment in Pawlenty’s shot, but frankly nobody except his own family is all that enthusiastic about the guy.
I’ve said for some time that if McCain could see his way clear to choosing a woman for his running mate, he could pretty much cruise home. Palin will attract both conservative Republicans and Hillary Democrats.
Political genius, I say. I shall allow myself the unaccustomed luxury of a short moment of optimism now.
It’s true, and I thought about posting something myself. Last year, Fred Barnes called her a star.
I wonder if her strength on energy policy and personal character (from what I understand) were the greatest factors in choosing her. She seems excellent. If she carries herself well, she’ll help McCain win, and maybe … maybe she will be the nation’s first female president.
I was thinking the very same thing.
If I’d known McCain was this shrewd, I’d have been in his camp two or three elections ago.
Political genius, yes. Not just in the pick which could not possibly have been better, but in the timing which has completely taken the wind out of Obama’s post-convention sails.
However, I can’t see the Hillary Dems crossing over to vote for McCain for the sake of Palin. They are two far to the left of her gun-slingin’, pro-life, ANWAR-drilling policies. The only reason I can see them crossing over is to defeat Obama so Hillary can run again in 2012. If McCain is a one-term president like many suspect, that could set up a potentially interesting race between Sarah and Hillary. I’m guessing Palin/Jindal in 2012.
I like the sound of Palin/Jindal.
Others elsewhere have been raving about her inexperience, particularly in foreign affairs. Let’s keep in mind two things:
1. She is the vice-president, not the president. McCain has the experience in foreign affairs. True, she is a heartbeat away from the presidency and McCain is 72. But I think he will last at least long enough for her to get up to speed on foreign policy.
2. Inexperienced?!? ALL the executive experience on BOTH tickets is held by Sarah Palin. Who are the inexperienced ones here?
Greg–
She still doesn’t have the type of “experience” that McCain seems to have and which Obama lacks–serious, hard-nosed experience working party politics at the national level to get what needs to be done done. That’s the reason people trust him with economic policy, and consider him more grounded than Obama for dealing with our recession.
That’s the thing that makes me think McCain just sacrificed one of his most potent advantages–because lets face it, the VP SHOULD be a viable presidential candidate, and really that’s his or her prime role.
All–
My main problem with Palin is that, because she came out of the blue, she SEEMS to have been chosen simply because she is a woman. (Feel free to prove me wrong.) Call me an idealist, but that just irks a bit.
I don’t know that I qualify to react to your comment, CR, because she doesn’t come out of the blue for me. I’ve known about her for a year, not that she could be picked as a VP, but that she was the respected governor of Alaska. From what I know of her character and policies, I believe she is a strong choice for him. The fact she’s an attractive woman and surprise name just makes it more exciting at the moment.
Take the Louisiana governor, for example. Perhaps McCain talked to him about candidating for VP. From what little I know of him, he would have been great too, but perhaps he refused. Others who may have been more willing were not as desirable. I don’t know. I just don’t think Palin was chosen simply b/c she was a woman. That’s just a part that makes it more exciting.
I need to order my bumper stickers.