People watch tightrope walkers because they might fall and splatter on the ground, and when they reach the end of the line safely, there is a great release of tension.
So it is with tonight’s prime-time acceptance speech by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, picked by Republican presidential candidate John McCain to be his running mate.
One of the most anticipated political speeches in memory will begin to answer whether McCain’s gamble on the unknown chief executive of a sparsely populated and remote state was wise.
Palin, 44, was chosen in part for her demographic pedigree - working mother of five; evangelical Christian, NRA member, hunter – but also for her toughness. “She’s a chick with a Y chromosome,” a prominent GOP strategist said. Palin was bitterly opposed by her party’s leaders when she ran for governor, mostly on the theme that they were slime balls. McCain, it is said, was reminded of his own maverick side when he met Palin and, not incidentally, wanted to revive that image after spending the last eight years kissing up to the GOP establishment to win the nomination.
She takes the stage tonight amid a series of embarrassing revelations and questions about her background. Yesterday, the McCain campaign had to produce voter-registration documents in an attempt to prove that Palin was not, as reported by some outlets, a member of the separatist Alaskan Independence Party. It also appears that she flip-flopped on the infamous $400 million “Bridge to Nowhere.” Palin takes credit for opposing that pork now, but supported the project when she ran for governor.
And then, of course, the news that Palin’s 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, was pregnant. She and her husband had to release that news bulletin because liberal bloggers had widely speculated that her infant son, Trig, was really her grandson. Bristol is marrying the teen father and keeping the baby, her family said.
Stay tuned.
So it is with tonight’s prime-time acceptance speech by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, picked by Republican presidential candidate John McCain to be his running mate.
One of the most anticipated political speeches in memory will begin to answer whether McCain’s gamble on the unknown chief executive of a sparsely populated and remote state was wise.
Palin, 44, was chosen in part for her demographic pedigree - working mother of five; evangelical Christian, NRA member, hunter – but also for her toughness. “She’s a chick with a Y chromosome,” a prominent GOP strategist said. Palin was bitterly opposed by her party’s leaders when she ran for governor, mostly on the theme that they were slime balls. McCain, it is said, was reminded of his own maverick side when he met Palin and, not incidentally, wanted to revive that image after spending the last eight years kissing up to the GOP establishment to win the nomination.
She takes the stage tonight amid a series of embarrassing revelations and questions about her background. Yesterday, the McCain campaign had to produce voter-registration documents in an attempt to prove that Palin was not, as reported by some outlets, a member of the separatist Alaskan Independence Party. It also appears that she flip-flopped on the infamous $400 million “Bridge to Nowhere.” Palin takes credit for opposing that pork now, but supported the project when she ran for governor.
And then, of course, the news that Palin’s 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, was pregnant. She and her husband had to release that news bulletin because liberal bloggers had widely speculated that her infant son, Trig, was really her grandson. Bristol is marrying the teen father and keeping the baby, her family said.
Stay tuned.
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Posted by Thomas Fitzgerald @ 5:25 AM
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20 comments
Great, maybe in four years the Republicans can run Sally Field and Florence Henderson, they have the same amount of experience but at least they were on tv.
It's amazing how much we've read about Palin's supposed "issues" at philly.com, yet very little about Biden's history of plagarism and racism. I'll assume for now that this is a hometown thing since Biden's from Delaware as the Inquirer and Daily News cannot possibly be biased politically.
Yes, sure, Biden has served this country for 36 years yet you lowlifes are going to question him against some hockey mom with absolutely no experience outside of governor for just 2 years and mayor of a backwards town? And let's not forget 2nd place beauty queen of Wasilla, that carrys with it some extremely valuable experience. You really are out of your mind. I wonder how many drugs someone has to take to warp their mind as much as you Republicans have done.
One other thing, stop whining. If you don't like the Inquirer then don't read it, I'm sure you can find some fascist right-wing publications somewhere.
The Wawa near my house is bigger than Wasilla City Hall. C'mon people, McSame made a reckless and risky pick with Palin and she's in over her head.
I don't get the point of this article. Obama is a pretty big gamble as well. The liberal media and the democrats are too blinded by ideology to see the truth. Most of Obama's experience comes from running a Presidential campaign. Palin has actually served as a Governor, and please spare me the population of Alaska quotes...Bill Clinton served as Governor of Arkansas, and Arkansas has a state population that is roughly the size of Philadelphia PA and surrounding suburbs.
Alaska has a population of 600K, while Arkansas has a population of 2.8 million. Let's talk about experienced. Harvard Law School to teaching law to community organizer to State House to State Senate to President OR beauty queen to tv reporter to mayor of town of 700 people to governor for only 2 years to 600K people. Only idiots would vote for Palin, but I know they are a lot of you out there.
It should be noted that the Republican's number 2 has more executive experience than the Democrat's number 1. So why is Palin's experience level an issue to the Dems? People in glass houses...
longshanks, Plagarism and racism will get you FIRED from your workplace. Check any code of legal compliance. That is why it is relevant. Biden has served 36 years without a minute of experience leading people. You obviously have no idea what a governor does vs. a senator in terms of management. Biden would be far more credible to me if he served even briefly as governor of Delaware.
I love these comments where after you make a point, people say, "then go read something else!" You notice these intellectually bankrupt arguments are just blanket emotional responses (like calling someone racist or sexist) without any real rebuttal. I take from these messages that the poster obviously agrees that the two papers are biased and can offer no substantive response other than name calling.
The selection of Sarah Palin was a politcal gimmick.
Comment removed.
What are the age of consent in Alaska. Couldn't Bristol's boyfiend Levi be charged with statutory rape?
I think Levi did the Bristol stomp! And yes, it is rape, I agree with Gibba Mang.
hairball, you win the award for zero of the day. I guess if you count running the state of Alaska for just about two years with a budget smaller than Obama's campaign 'executive experience'? But I guess the point you miss is that she has no real federal government experience. In fact she only got a passport in 2007. You're obviously stupid enough to go along with the rest of the Republican fruitcakes that think a beauty queen (2nd place btw) tv reporter, and mayor of 7000 people is qualified to be in the White House. That shows how ignorant and uneducated you really are. You get a soundbit about how she has 'more executive experience than Obama' and you can't say anything else. It shows how little you have going on in your tiny brain. I love how conservatives are supposed to have high morals and values yet they have the sharpest tongues and the most hateful messages. It really shows how classless you are.
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About Inquirer political writers
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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