The WaPo’s Chris Cilliizza explains the logic behind the Sarah Palin pick:
DENVER — John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate is a stunning surprise almost certain to recalibrate the race heading into the fall election.
The McCain campaign had make little secret of the fact that they wanted to pick a woman as the Arizona senator’s running mate, believing that the rift caused by the protracted primary between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton gave them an opportunity to pick up scads of disgruntled women.
(…)
The Palin pick gives McCain a counterweight to the historical nature of the Democratic ticket, which features the first African American nominee of either party. Palin is the first woman to serve as the Republican vice presidential pick; Democrats crossed that Rubicon in 1984 when Geraldine Ferraro was Minnesota Sen. Walter Mondale’s running mate in an election where the Democratic ticket was swamped by President Ronald Reagan.
(…)
In choosing Palin, McCain also doubles down on the maverick argument; Palin is the face of reform in the Republican party nationally and is clearly not of Washington — a key element of her biography given how negative voter sentiment toward the nation’s capital is currently.
If it works out the way that the campaign surely hopes that it will, this will be seen as political genius.
If it doesn’t, and the risks that it won’t are manifest as I note here and here, then it very well could cost McCain the election.
My personal opinion ?
Well, I think there’s a lot about Palin to like in terms of her admittedly scanty record in Alaska and she’s a better choice than some of the people McCain could have picked, but she’s just the Vice-Presidential candidate and her presence on the ticket does nothing to alleviate my doubts about John McCain.
August 29th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Once Moms across the country get to know Palin a bit better… this race is over.
This gives the Hillary supporters a clear path as well.
Here is a fine example: http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=26089
August 29th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
It’s just as easy to say, if not entirely accurately then at least as a viable political soundbite, “McCain has insulted the intelligence of every disgruntled female Clinton supporter…”
Remember, to a progressivist woman the only thing worse than a pro-life male politician is a pro-life female politician.
P.S. “Sarah Palin: Loves oil, hates polar bears.” Etc.
P.P.S. While you’re remembering that John McCain is 72, remember also that John Paul Stevens is 88 and Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 75.” Have a nice day…