The maverick, John McCain, defied popular sentiment when he picked first term Alaska Governor Sarah Louise Heath Palin to be the first female Republican vice presidential candidate. Amid the pomp of the Democratic Convention, straight talk McCain was able to regain public interest with this unexpected selection. Shocking political pundits, Palin will be investigated by a nation unfamiliar with her.
Palin’s Positives
McCain’s vice presidential choice brings powerful conservative values to the ticket. The youth and femininity of the Alaska governor may aid McCain and the Republican Party in the general election.
- Conservative – receiving approval from the conservative base, she will strengthen McCain’s operation. Columnist Fred Barnes reported in August 30th’s Wall Street Journal, “…she'll add what has been the chief missing ingredient of the McCain campaign….the base of the Republican Party.”
- Age – 28 years younger than McCain, Palin is the youngest and first woman governor in Alaskan history. A star basketball player and former beauty queen she brings youth and vitality to the republican ticket.
- Women – during her introduction speech, Palin implied female voters can still break the glass ceiling. In an effort to capture Hillary Clinton females, Palin brings motherhood and children into the campaign.
- Experience – the youngest of all candidates in the 2008 presidential election is also the only candidate with managerial experience. Although her time is minimal, none of the other candidates have any executive history.
- Integrity – Alaska is a state known for corruption. Whether it was the famous Bridge to Nowhere or Ted Stevens’ federal indictment, advocates argue Palin is irreproachable. In 2004 she resigned as head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Commission in protest over alleged ethical violations by a republican commission member.
Negatives
The downsides of Palin’s contributions are reflected in many of her positives. Increasing scrutiny over her political positions and possible future litigation may present a huge liability for the McCain-Palin ticket.
- Media – Palin is unknown and therefore, a media object. Barnes wrote, “Mrs. Palin now must clear a daunting hurdle…the media…Since the press is unfamiliar with her, she will be treated as a target for aggressive scrutiny.”
- Age – Palin revitalizes the questions of age and health. Her youth reminds voters that John McCain would be the oldest President in American history. It rekindles worrisome memories of McCain’s bouts with temple skin cancer and lymphatic malignant melanoma.
- Women – whether she can persuade women voters is questionable. Conservative Fred Barnes admitted, “Mrs. Palin is no feminist.” Opposing women on abortion, guns, education and the environment, Palin’s not the typical Middle American woman. Diane Francis, National Post editor and Ryerson University professor, wrote in August 29th’s Huffington Post, “McCain's choice is insulting to women....he [can not] differentiate between…an accomplished lawyer…second-term U.S. Senator and a political career that spans nearly 40 years,” and “…a small-town gal without credentials….”
- Experience – the republicans have touted the inexperience of 47 year old Barack Obama. However, with the selection of Palin, Democrats are questioning McCain’s choice and her international expertise. Francis continued, “McCain's choice of …Vice President displays near-reckless judgment….[Palin] will be one heartbeat away from the U.S. presidency.”
- Integrity – Michelle Cottle of The New Republic asked on August 29th, “Republicans have been heavily touting Sarah Palin's reformist credentials…But how hard did she really fight…Not very, it seems.” Palin's special counsel, John Katz, wrote in the Juneau Empire on 3/18/08, that governor “Palin [is] not abandoning earmarks….[but] earmarks have received…unwanted attention.”
- Liability - Currently under a state ethics investigation for undue influence, allegations have arisen that Palin fired the public safety director because he refused to dismiss Palin's former brother-in-law. Dubbed "Trooper-gate" the investigation will continue throughout the campaign and could pose a political problem.
Conclusion
The first law of VP selection is; “do no harm.” Geraldine Ferraro was Walter Mondale’s albatross while Dan Quayle was Bush 41’s political joke. Governor Palin was certainly an unexpected choice and history will examine her affect. However, amid media scrutiny and political criticism she must debate seasoned democrat Joe Biden while remaining liability free for John McCain.
Fred Barnes put it best, “A rule of thumb in politics is that you win more votes by energizing your base… He's weaker with conservatives….Now he has a running mate who can take up the slack.”
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