Friday, August 29, 2008

First Thoughts About Palin as McCain's VP

Yes, she's a conservative...good
Yes, she is pro-life...good
Yes, she is a woman...good
Yes, she is well-spoken and spunky...good.

But beyond that who is she? A maverick? A governor for a couple of years?

She is, to most of us, a great unknown. And there is not enough time for the public to get to know her well enough in the next two months for her to be an asset to the ticket. Will she be effective in her new responsibilities? Is she equipped to assume the presidency when the President dies in office? She will likely add some female and conservative boost to the ballot. Yes, she is likely to do these things for the ticket. But does she help create the best ticket for this nation? Is her level of experience what we need at this point in our history? She is too green for the job in spite of whatever talents she has.

In fact, my first impression is that McCain missed the mark by putting "getting elected" above securing the best candidate. But then, this is politics - the art of argument and compromise. As McCain sees it, if he doesn't do everything to get elected, there is nothing on the other side.

One of two things will happen. The electorate will agree that she does not add sufficient credibility to the ticket, and McCain will not be elected. Or, McCains' primary reason for selecting Palin - to get himself elected - will work, and the American people will have a Vice President ill-equipped for the task.

Time will tell. I hope I'm wrong.

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