member for 32 weeks 1 day
Last night I watched Barack Obama give his acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States, and despite not being a huge Obama fan, I was truly proud to be in this time and moment of American history in the making. Every generation has its defining moments (for better or worse) and lately it seems we've seen too much of the worse. I am so glad, for once I will have something to tell future generations that I was proud of being a part of this era.
Even John McCain gave words of congratulations to Barack for being a milestone marker for our country, as if to put off "politics" for but a moment to bask in the glory of the "Dreams" we have accomplished as a nation.
But today is a new day, and without skipping a beat, we are back to "politicking" as usual, and John McCain, as some political analysts have predicted, has pulled the wild card of the millennium, effectively shocking the shit out of many Americans. McCain announced his pick for Vice President today...44 year old Alaska governor SARAH Palin. Yes, a woman. I've never heard of this woman. I know nothing about her, but I'll bet over the next couple of days I will get to know every inch of her. This woman is in for the scrutiny of her life.
This move reminds me of the smack talk that used to go on when I'd play spades with my uncles. I would think that I had the best play. I'd confidently lay a card on the table, and then my uncle would always cut it with a higher card or trump my high card with a spade. Not only that, he'd make sure to stand up, and with all his might whip the card onto the table and say something obnoxious like, HA, you like that don't you!!! Look at that! You see what that card is??? Tell me what you see there! I HATED playing with him.
I hate to say it, but Obama got trumped, big time, and not simply because McCain picked a woman. I think it is much deeper than that. I think this move portrays McCain as one who is willing to listen, learn, and act, characteristics not often attributed to old farts like McCain, and he knows it.
Last night Obama said something so profound. He said, "I believe McCain is sincere, but he just doesn't get it." The 80,000 people in the audience roared in agreement, and I too agreed, because that is the perception many Americans have of McCain...that he doesn't get what the average American goes through, and that he doesn't get what it is that we want or need.
Well if actions really do speak louder than words, McCain with his pick for VP is saying, "Oh, I get it bitches, I get it loud and clear." Strategically speaking, his choice is absolutely brilliant-no doubt about it. I can't really comment much more on it because like I said, I've never heard of Sarah Palin. My best friend described her as an NRA, pro-life, soccer mom which I admit is slightly frightening (no offense soccer moms) but I am planning on doing a little homework to learn more about her.
No matter who she is or what she stands for, I'd NEVER in a million years vote for a war monger like McCain no matter how good he is at playing the game-in case anyone was wondering.
Oh I can't wait to see how this unfolds.
Comments
Login or register to post a commentSavvy McCain? I don't think so
I think 72-year-old, multiple-heart-attack-having McCain made a choice that is about as reckless as anyone could imagine. Which pretty much just shows that McCain is willing to put the United States at risk if it leads to his own political gain.
I mean seriously, is Sarah Palin, who has been governor for one year or so and has current ethnical investigations into her activities and behavior, ready to be U.S. president?? SCARY.
It was a bold move, I'll say
It was a bold move, I'll say that much. I agree, it's probably more along the lines of reckless.
I don't know anything about any investigations, but now I'll be keeping my eyes open. Thanks!
I should add...
...that I don't think experience is the only thing worth looking at in judging a presidential candidate. I don't think it would serve either Republicans or Democrats well to get sidetracked in a debate that disproportionately considered experience and ignored other important stuff. I just thought one of the surprising things about McCain's selection is that, after his campaign positioned Obama's level of experience in the forefront of their criticism, he picked a running mate who is clearly just as (some would say more) vulnerable to that criticism. Sarah Palin was a city councilwoman in Wasilla, Alaska, for four or five years, then was mayor of Wasilla for a bit. Wasilla's population in the last Census was about 5,500 people. For the last couple years, Palin has been governor of Alaska.
The investigation is into Palin's treatment of another Alaska official. The allegation is that she fired the official because he wouldn't fire her sister's ex-husband, a state trooper. But, you never know, there could be good reason for her wanting him fired. Or not. Guess at some point we might find out!
I completely agree with you.
I completely agree with you. I now get gag reflexes every time I hear the words "experience" "change" and "hope" because they are nothing more than shallow soundbites that both major parties are abusing.
My whole issue with McCain choosing her was puzzling to me for the very reasons you pointed out. My dad heard a political analyst say that "Palin is heartbeat away from being the president of the United states." McCain can't possibly believe that she is presidential material. And he can't possibly think that she has more "experience" than Obama, which seems to discredit everything he has criticized about Obama.
I am not so concerned with some of the concerns people are expressing over who she deals with or her treatment of other Alaskan officials. Every candidate on the ticket has some kind of shadiness like that.