Sarah Palin: Worst Political Blunder or Best One-Two Punch?

Written: 09/10/2008
Publication: Edinboro University's Spectator
Publish Date: October 1, 2008

Just as the world seems to be falling into a routine and Americans grow more predictable than ever before, the blinding light of change encompasses us! However this is not just any change, but rather the kind wrapped in a bow and stamped with political seal of approval. Who started all this talk of change anyway I ask? Perhaps it began years ago when Americans began to realize that the neo-conservative big wigs in Washington where no longer listening to their cries. Or maybe it started when Al Gore made a pathetic attempt to inform the public about global warming, while squeezing out some sympathy for his failed white house jaunt. Perhaps the “change” mentality came from one of these other reasons: American’s uncertainty about the war in Iraq, the shaky economy, the failing housing market, or maybe it was just the Chupacabra…

Whatever the reason, change is occurring all around us. In fact, the United States is in a constant state of volatile change. Though many of America’s youth will vehemently argue this notion, it is true. Simply look at the current presidential candidates and their running mates. Announcing his run for the presidency back in February 2007, senator Barack Obama, became the first black man to win the democratic nomination for president. If not historic enough, a political first was borne of the Republican camp with the assignment of governor Sarah Palin as Senator John McCain’s running mate. Shocking many conservatives and liberals alike, Palin’s nomination seemed almost surreal.

To fully understand why governor Sarah Palin had been chosen as John McCain’s running mate, one must look at the circumstance to which the governor was hurled into the presidential limelight. Forgoing the normal absent-minded statements that have cluttered the news channels and opinion pages alike; statements such as “she has no experience” and “she is a bible-thumper,” let us attempt to analyze the motive behind her nomination.

So what is the real problem with vice presidential pick Governor Palin? As traditional American political logic dictates, a vice president must fulfill two tasks. First, they must not create turbulence and second, they must be vetted. So far Sarah Palin (or “barracuda” as she is more affectionately know) has come into this race with guns blazing. She has badgered Barack Obama’s track record and stirred up debate among the conservative base. Some may say her exuberance has been a good thing, creating a new excitement within the party. I disagree.

With the exception of vice presidential hit men like Richard Nixon; the vice president should not “rock the boat.” Sarah Palin seems to be vainly lashing out against the democrats in order to show some sort of dominance or strength. The only thing that has grown out of her argumentative nature is a separation between herself and pro-Hillary voting Americans which she may had wanted to gain. At least “tricky dick” was quiet about his dirty work.

The second criterion for a vice presidential candidate, logically, is to be vetted. Governor Palin has had very little national media coverage prior to McCain’s “great revelation” that she would be his running mate. This can have dire implications for any politician seeking a seat in the white house. Simply put, the media have not exploited her yet and her “dirty laundry” has not been aired to the public. Also, by simply throwing in a candidate that no one has ever heard before, many citizens will think she was selected more for her gender than her actual intelligence.

Will the choice of Sarah Palin go down as the worst political blunder in history or the best one-two punch to the Democratic Party? Only time will tell. Nevertheless, certain questions must be asked of the Republican Party. Was Sarah Palin picked as the vice presidential running mate simply to “shock and aw” the public? Or is she really the “great reformer” we are being promised will change Washington? Whatever the answer, Sarah Palin defies traditional politics. However in this age of rapid change, politics in 2008 defy most “normal” conventions.

Respectfully,
Mr. Madison