McCain-Palin 2008

I'd been thinking Romney and hoping for Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas senator). I'd seen Sarah Palin's name bounced around a few times, but not much recently. I didn't know much about her before today, but I have to say that the more I know, the more excited I am about the ticket. She's solidly socially and fiscally conservative, which balances McCain's more moderate stances (though he is strongly pro-life, as is she). She's a reformer and opponent of pork barrel spending (which McCain has to love, and I know I do). She's young and attractive (runner-up to Miss Alaska several years ago). She's a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, an avid hunter, worked hard for a living (commercial fishing), and her son enlisted in the Army and is preparing to fight in Iraq. The Obama campaign has the audacity to impugn her experience. First, that's ludacris coming from Barack "Freshman Senator" Huessein "Most of That Time Spent Campaigning for President" Obama. Second, McCain is running for President. Yes, she's a heartbeat away, but we expect her to learn and become more experienced with every passing day. Also, when Obama was first getting elected to the state senate, she'd been in elected office for 5 years. She may not have the same time in an office of a McCain or Biden, but she trumps Obama. Third, what experience she does have comes as an executive - mayor, then governor. She was commander-in-chief of the Alaska National Guard. While not the Navy SEALS, it's more than Obama can say. While her foreign policy experience doesn't come from "living overseas," she's worked with the Canadian government on an oil and gas pipeline (it's more than you've done).

I think my favorite thing about Gov. Palin is that she seems very authentic. She was a hunter before she was running for office. She saw problems in her state and ran for office to fix them. When a corrupt establishment (of her own party) got in the way, she defeated the incumbent (Republican) governor and took out the trash. The most telling example of her truth to her beliefs is the commitment to have her youngest child (now four months old) who she knew would be born with Down syndrome. Many people, even those leaning pro-life, would have ended the pregnancy. The thought had to cross her mind; you can't be human and not think about it. She had the child. She had a choice, and she chose life. I don't take a hard-and-fast position on abortion. I think it's wrong, but I admit there is a moral element to my belief. Until we, as a nation, can come to a general consensus, I have a hard time imposing my moral standards on the rest of the country (at least until I take over the world). I do, however, have the utmost respect for a person who takes a position and stands by it, even when it's difficult to do, especially when it's diffcult to do.

I haven't even mentioned directly that she's a she. That has to make Hillary furious. Hillary was never going to be the first woman nominated as VP (that's one good thing Geraldine Ferraro did), but Palin has a very good shot at being the first female president. My preferred scenario for that is for McCain to serve, and Palin to get the nomination when he steps aside (after a term or two).

I feared a McCain-Lieberman ticket. I foresaw McCain-Romney. I hoped for McCain-Hutchison. I love the McCain-Palin ticket. I think Lieberman gets a Cabinet spot; I think Romney gets one (as both should), but I love the choice of Sarah Palin. Order me up a mooseburger, I've got some politickin' to do! More tomorrow.