I refrained from writing thoughts about Sarah Palin immediately following her speech at the Republican National Convention the other night. I didn’t want to offer up anything too quickly because I was afraid I’d be caught up in the moment. So, with a full day in between, I think I’ll be more objective.
Weeks ago, I said to my wife, “If McCain is smart, he will select a woman as his running mate.” At the time, I was hoping it might be Condoleeza Rice. For me, Rice would be an excellent choice, but I understand why this was probably not possible. She doesn’t seem to want it, and she would have been a political lightening rod with Democrats. Still, she is a formidable and capable woman, and if you consider the racial and gender issues, then how could you beat a black woman?
Back to Palin. When it was announced that Sarah Palin was the choice for vice-president, I honestly didn’t know what to think. I don’t know her, never heard her speak before, and still don’t know all I would like to know about her. That said, I have formed some early opinions about her.
First, I’m impressed with her record. Democrats might want to downplay the fact that she was mayor of a small town in Alaska, but I think Palin nailed the left leaning party of the donkey image by comparing mayor with community organizer. I thought it was a zinger of a comment to say that being mayor of a small town is similar to being a community organizer, except you have actual responsibilities. Yes, I know she didn’t write the speech, but she had to deliver the speech, and you can bet that line came straight out of her own mind and heart, even if she had help with the words.
I’m impressed with the fact that she has evidently stood up to the “good old boy” network of politicians and brought about actual reform and change. This is huge in a political season where “change” is the magic word. I’ve heard “change” from the Obama side, but still can’t figure out exactly what they intend to change. Palin already has targeted ethics, pork-barrel politics, energy and taxes. The reason this is important from the McCain/Palin side is that because both have demonstrated both a willingness and ability to take on their own party, the potential for real “change” seems to be on their side, not the Obama side.
I’m impressed with the fact that Palin is a family-oriented woman. She’s a wife and mother, a PTA mother, a hockey-mom, a mother of a special needs child, and the mother of a pregnant-out-of-wedlock teenager. That last one doesn’t necessarily mean something positive until you look at how she handles it. Speaking from the vantage point of a father who once had a pregnant-out-of-wedlock teenager, I think I can tell you that a parent can do as much as possible, provide all the right input, teaching, discipline, etc., and still have a daughter (or a son, for that matter) who manages to present you with a grandchild when you least expect it. The big question for me is how does she handle it, and it starts with continued love and support for that child, maintaining your own standards and views of teenage pregnancy, and refusing to allow other people to force you to hang your head and hide your problems. I’m amazed at the liberal press who have focused on the pregnant, unmarried teenager. Not that it’s good or right, but it’s a human problem that is very much part of our times, even among “respectable” and “good” families. I wish it were not so, but it is, and what Sarah Palin, or any other parent, does with the problem once they have it is the real issue.
I was impressed with Palin’s speech. Here is a woman who is relatively unknown outside Alaska, she’s never been in that venue, never in that spotlight, never under that scrutiny, never with the stakes as high, and never with the hopes of so many people vested in her. To step out on the stage and deliver a speech with as much poise, clarity, power, sharpness, and confidence was an amazing feat. A person of little substance or character could not do that, in my opinion. The manner in which she was able to step up to the plate and deliver says a lot about what she’s made of, and what she is capable of doing.
I’m impressed with the fact that she evidently possess a great deal of confidence and guts. She hasn’t been scared off by a hostile press or by a formidable opposing party. She doesn’t seem to be fazed by those who already wield power. She seems to be her own woman, and I like that. If she is elected, she will need these qualities to survive and succeed.
I think Democrats ought to be concerned. One commentator opined following Palin’s speech that a star had been born. Well, if that is true, we might think about what this means. Let’s suppose McCain/Palin are elected. McCain is most likely a one-term president. He’s 72 years old. Granted, his mother is in her latter 90’s and going strong, and McCain may surprise me, but if he does, just add four years to what I’m about to say. Palin, as vice-president, becomes a prime candidate for President in the next four years. If she does well as vice-president, she will be formidable. She is likeable, and for a politician, that goes a long way, so if you add political success to likability, Palin may have an impact for the next twelve years (16, if McCain goes two terms). Do you have any idea what kind of impact that would be? Can you imagine how Palin might affect politics if she is in office that long, and turns out to be the reformer she presents herself to be? Have you thought about the Supreme Court appointments that will be made in the next 12 years? Democrats have good reason to fear this woman, and you can bet they will do whatever they need to do, to see that she never sees the White House, unless it’s as a visitor and tourist.
You might assume by now that I like Sarah Palin. You’d be right. I like her much better than the Democratic alternatives. I’ve heard Democrats make much the same political promises and demands since the 1960s. I know Obama talks about change, but most of what he talks about sounds like things I’ve heard for years. His pick of Joe Biden as running mate actually looks like more of the same, despite the fact Obama says that about McCain. McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin says much more about the possibility of substantive change in a positive direction.
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September 6, 2008 at 1:03 am
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