I was thrilled to hear that John McCain has chosen a bold, out-of-the-box pick for his Vice Presidential running mate in Michael Palin. Michael has brought years of experience to the screen, both large and small, as one of a cast of comedians in Monty Python and the Flying Circus, but also taking the helm and proving his readiness to lead with many wonderful, worldly documentaries for the BBC. . .
. . . Oh, wait. Sarah Palin? Who the fuck is that?
Oh, I see. Does it strike anyone as just slightly sexist that McCain chose as enticement to the disaffected Clinton voting block a scandal-plagued beauty queen with no experience and a strong pro-life agenda? I mean, is the fact that she’s got tits supposed to be the only thing that matters to the flighty chick crowd? I guess this was McCain’s way of saying, “keep up the good work, Toots.”
It has been many times said over this election season that vice presidential picks rarely bring much to the ticket. But with Geraldine Ferraro and George McGovern’s Thomas Eagleton, history’s dustbin is filled with those whose veep picks have ruined their chances. The next three months will judge whether history will be adding another footnote to its lengthy list.
Some of the old Reagan Democrats who supported Hillary may be swayed by this lady.
Generally, the Reagan Dems were never going to go for Obama in the first place. I actually don’t think they were ever in play. And its hard to say exactly who the Clinton Democrats really are, politically or demographically. We can only postulate, since there’s not a lot of polling data there.
But if we take it as a given that pro-life voters are almost certainly not going to support Hillary – which, I think, is a safe bet – then the pro-life candidate doesn’t bring much to the party.
And one of the arguments I heard over and over and over and over and over again from the Clinton supporters was her age and experience. She appeals to the blue-collar worker’s ethic whereas Obama tends to attract those more comfortable with executive speak. Here again, bringing a neophite to the ho-down isn’t gonna get people out on the dance floor.
I actually am coming around to the opinion that this really had nothing to do with Clinton supporters: Palin is there to energize the base, who will suffer any indignity – even George Bush – if they think they can overturn Roe.
From MSNBC (and MoveOn.org):
How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.