Well this ought to be interesting. I just read two articles talking about McCain's vice-presidential pick: Sarah Palin. She seems like a solid person, but what will make it an interesting choice is the fact that she might be susceptible to some of the same criticisms that the Repulicans have been using against Obama. For instance, this commentary (from a Democrat strategist) says she does not have the kind of experience necessary for potentially being the president and chief. But what I find amusing, is that she was mayor for six years and governor for two years. How is that any less experienced than a certain first term senator?
She is also being attacked as being "gimmicky" but that attack will probably wane as time draws closer to election day and people get used her. Overall she seems to be a good pick for filling in McCain's weak points, namely his age, being seen as not conservative enough, not appealing to women voters, being too closely associated with Bush, and not having a headline making campaign. She also has the plusses of being a mom with a son in the army, a mom with a child with Down Syndrome, having a high approval rating in her home state, being viewed as highly ethical, her husband is 1/8 Yupik, and actually reducing her state's budget and reliance on national funding. Items that could cut either way are that she is a lifetime member of the NRA, supports drilling in Alaska, has a bachelor's degree but not a higher degree, hasn't written an autobiography. My guess is that Democrats will also try to attack her because her husband works for BP, there is some debate on the reasons she had in firing someone, she vetoed legislation that would have barred the state from granting benefits to partners of gay state employees, even though she says she is pro-marriage.
She is also being attacked as being "gimmicky" but that attack will probably wane as time draws closer to election day and people get used her. Overall she seems to be a good pick for filling in McCain's weak points, namely his age, being seen as not conservative enough, not appealing to women voters, being too closely associated with Bush, and not having a headline making campaign. She also has the plusses of being a mom with a son in the army, a mom with a child with Down Syndrome, having a high approval rating in her home state, being viewed as highly ethical, her husband is 1/8 Yupik, and actually reducing her state's budget and reliance on national funding. Items that could cut either way are that she is a lifetime member of the NRA, supports drilling in Alaska, has a bachelor's degree but not a higher degree, hasn't written an autobiography. My guess is that Democrats will also try to attack her because her husband works for BP, there is some debate on the reasons she had in firing someone, she vetoed legislation that would have barred the state from granting benefits to partners of gay state employees, even though she says she is pro-marriage.
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