A Hail Mary to Sarah
McCain answered one of the great theological questions with his pick of Sarah Palin: Can a Baptist throw a "Hail Mary" to an Evangelical? Yes is the clear answer.
He gave up, as Rob pointed out, the 3 AM phone call attack ad, as well as the age and experience to be Commander-in-Chief on day one argument. What he got was a person who would help to shore up the right-wing base that neither loves nor trusts McCain. They also hope that she will bleed some of the female vote from the Democrats.
It is fair, if awkward to admit, that there is identity politics on the Democratic side. Some women who might not have been either personal or ideological fans of Hillary voted for her because she was a woman, and they wanted to be part of making history. It is also fair to observe that there was a reason that many pundits felt secure that the African-American vote would go to Hillary in recognition of all she and Bill had done over the years.
In the beginning, few thought that Sen. Obama would long be a factor. After Iowa, however, everything changed, and American Blacks realized that there was a literally an African American with a legitimate chance. Surely, we must admit some voted for him out of sense of pride, history and solidarity.
Well, Obama will pretty clearly keep the Black vote by an overwhelming majority. The question is not about real Democratic women who supported Hillary. They will not, with rare exception, vote for a McCain Supreme Court. But independents and conservative women who wanted Hillary for reasons more historic than ideological will come to McCain and Palin. Will their numbers be enough? I don't know, but I do not believe so.
Given the wars, the economy, the general sense of "malaise" the Republicans should not have a chance. Given that McCain has no single segment of the Republican Party that is passionately for him, he needed to do something. He did. He threw a Hail Mary.
I am one of those women who supported and voted for Hillary Clinton and I would never even consider voting for John McCain no matter who he chose as a running mate. It is complete nonsense that Hillary's supports are universally unhappy. After seeing Barack Obama speak last night, I am solidly in his corner.
The selection of Palin for VP feels like a desperate move my a desperate candidate. McCain put his own political ambition ahead of doing the right thing for the country. Honestly, is this the most qualified Republican to step in to the Oval Office if needed? Or was she selected to boost the sagging ratings of an over-the-hill politician?
McCain and Palin. The best political movie of this century. Better that the political move from last century orchestrated by Jessie Jackson when Jackson went to Siria to free the american pilot hold prisoner by the Sirians. Before Jackson, a group of religious leaders - Protestans Methodists, Jews and others - went to Siria to plead for the cause of the American pilot and they came back to the USA empty handed. Jackson went to Siria and voilá, miracle of all miracles, J.J. came back home with his guy! Palin, the Governor from Alaska may not have too much knowledge of foreign policies, but, does Obama?
SARAH PALEN- VICE-PRESIDENTIAL AGENDA
1. Appoint Supreme Court Judges to overturn ROE v. WADE.
2. Eliminate "Pro-Choice".
3. Terminate Stem Cell Research.
4. Force educators to teach "Creationism" in science classes.
5. Advocate PAT BUCHANON agenda supporting Middle East Arabs over Israel...ending criminal prosecution of NAZI war criminals.
6. Sponsor Christian Right “Book of Revelations” wish for death of world's 12 million Jews, except for 144,000, saved at the last minute by accepting JESUS.
I do not see former Hillary backers embracing this woman for longer than it takes them to discover this agenda.