Talk about rolling the dice. In picking Sarah Palin to be his would-be veep, John McCain is making a breathtaking gamble.
The political calculation is obvious. The intent is to appeal to women, including those who are disgruntled that Hillary Rodham Clinton is not on the Democratic ticket, either in the first or second slot; polls taken before the Democratic convention showed that Obama had nailed down the support of little more than half of Clinton primary voters. The idea is to shake up the race, to cause those voters and others to take a second look at the Republican ticket. Palin also had solid conservative credentials -- anti-abortion, pro-gun -- that should make the conservative base happy. She's an attractive figure and a polished communicator.
But to my mind, the best case the Republicans had going against Barack Obama was the allegation that he is not ready to be president, not after less than four years in the U.S. Senate. Picking Palin, who has been governor of a low-population state for only 20 months, undercuts that argument big-time. How she'll do in her debate with Joe Biden is another question.
Presidential candidates always say that the main qualification for a running mate is that he or she needs to be someone who could take over as chief executive should something happen to the president. That seems particularly relevant today, on McCain's 72nd birthday. It's hard to argue that the 44-year-old former mayor of
On Thursday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a finalist in the Republican veep derby, held a news conference in
In the press release announcing the choice, the McCain campaign says: "Gov. Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president." It also notes as governor she has been head of
One thing this selection will do once and for all is to destroy the idea that a vice president's home state has any relevance whatsoever. After eights of a veep from
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And McCain hammers in the final nail in the coffin. Good Job Johnny, Obama and Biden send their thanks. What a dope.— BillyPenn
Comment removed.- This is great! McSame picks an anti-women woman, gun-nut, creationist with less experience than Dan Quale. And she's from the horribly corrupt Alaskan Republican machine. Dear God, this country cannot afford someone who is in the dark for half a minute let alone someone who is in the dark for half a year, to be a heart beat away from the Presidency. Game over. It's Obama's to lose, now.— Vote Dem In 08
- The left wingers at the Inquirer don't like the pick.. Do we need any more confirmation that this is a good pick for McCain and the GOP?— peytontb99
- Picking Palin for McCain was a smaller gamble than for Obama not to pick Clinton...But then again, the far left has always been arrogant...— Conshy04
- What's the gamble?That Biden will revert to his former habit and tell her:"You're no Geraldine Ferraro"?— bigeastbeast
- Great this will have all the DEMS bashing women and the proObama antiHILLARY folks will be happy to do so. again.— dan19148
- i thought the dems were pro-woman?— dan19148
- She just spoke in front of a crowd that was twice the size of the town she was mayor of. But hey, Palin is the governor of an oil-rich state making her a perfect fit for a Republican party that is tied so closely to Big Oil.— djsaitta
- Does anyone know who she is? I've never even heard of her.— Justmy2cents
- Comment removed.
- Justmy2cents - NO - all of the people commenting above you have no idea, didn't stop them from acting like they have any idea what they are talking about— danF
- I think he has fried his eggs at this point because he was giving criticism since Obama has little or no experience but now he selects someone in the same boat. Politics always was a fun game to watch.— dcomputer
- Comment removed.
- I love hearing all the anti-Palin talk from people that just heard about her this morning. Before we all start hating I suggest listening to her and watching her for the next few weeks before making judgements. We've all read the same wikipedia page on her--that doesn't show us her true character. McCain may have made a great decision provided that she is qualified. That will be apparent soon. She certainly does represent a new type of politician and that could be very exciting. She is pro-life, but that doesn't make her a woman hater, so don't be ignorant. Oh and people didn't vote for Geralidine Ferraro because Mondale's name was also on the ticket.— kyleman2k
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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