Sarah Palin's Vice Presidential stock has been consistently rising as of late. In fact, in the latest Intrade she is ranked #4. However, in my discussions with friends regarding her viability as Vice President, two concerns have been paramount. One, is she ready to be President....and two, does she have enough name recognition?I've quickly jotted down some thoughts on both. While I don't cover every angle as to the whys and why nots of Sarah Palin, this does touch on some of the major concerns.
1) Can she be POTUS?
It's a tough question. Would I feel comfortable with her taking over on inauguration day? No. But, there are very few candidates that one can really feel comfortable answering 'yes' to that question. A couple Governors...perhaps a couple Senators.
Speaking for Palin specifically, while she has served as Governor and accomplished quite a bit, particularly on ethics reform and energy, she admittedly will be a 'learn on the job' Vice President, but hey, that's part of the reason for having the gig in the first place.
What must be acknowledged is that 'Can she be POTUS' not be the only question asked when determining who should be VP. Obviously, it's immensely important, but it isn't the end all, be all.
2) She's relatively unknown.
Yep. Definitely true. But, politically speaking, you make your pick based on who won't hurt you. She definitely won't. She's a likeable conservative and while she may be unknown when she's announced, she won't be unknown on announcement day +1. In fact, her anonymity could actually be a blessing. Imagine all the 'Get to Know Sarah Palin' articles and stories there would be all over the MSM. Politically speaking, she seems to be very gifted and appeals far beyond her conservative base as the recent 80% approval rating confirms.
My concern about her is that I have yet to hear her speak much on foreign policy/WoT, but that can't be blamed on her...she simply hasn't had an opportunity to share those feelings with the MSM. If anyone has some background on this, I'd be very interested to read it.
Alaska Gov Palin's gonna and GOTTA be McCain's pick. Insofar as foreign policy experience, of any Governor, her state is separate from the lower 48 by a foreign country with which she closely works, Canada -- on energy, environmental and transportation issues. Her state borders Russia as well. She's been to Iraq (without fanfare unlike Obama), even has a son in the Army there. And, perhaps most importantly for foreign policy she's strongly advocates the defense and foreign policy aspects of having strong domestic energy production, an issue on which she is the epicenter. And beyond these things, just take the following quiz:
ReplyDeleteQ&A
1. Which McCain Veep pick is SIMULTANEOUSLY the safest AND boldest?
ANSWER: Sarah Palin
2. How can McCain SIMULTANEOUSLY attract both Hillary AND Bob Barr voters?
ANSWER: Sarah Palin
* * *
And there’s this from the Conservative Voice:
“Desperately seeking Sarah
July 26, 2008
By Stephan Andrew Brodhead
Desperately seeking Sarah
Americans need a little Palin Power
Sarah Palin the current Governor of Alaska is John McCain’s ultimate choice for VP. I do believe a woman is next in line for the presidency. All Conservatives like her. She is popular in Alaska. Hillary supporters would relish her. She would solidify a 12 or possibly 16 year Republican executive.
John McCain’s boring campaign is wearing thin. I need a little Palin Power to get me interested again. They would say ‘but she is only a half term Governor!’ And your point is?”
meh. I'd still like to hear her comments on the WoT, an issue of high importance to me and many Americans. Once again, I'm not faulting her for me not hearing her take, I simply haven't had a chance to read/watch anything she may have previously said about it.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your Q&A, that's ridiculously subjective so I wouldn't recommend using that in the future as a way to convert people into Palin supporters.
As for the last blurb you posted, I don't do identity politics.
I like Palin for VP because she seems to be the best at communicating her conservative ideals, has done good things in a short time as Governor and has moral authority moreso than anyone else on energy.