With props to Alanis Morrisette, isn't it ironic (don't you think) that a party constantly screaming about merit-based, objective, and unbiased advancement in life, turns around and gives its Vice-Presidential candidacy to the most unqualified candidate in history? Why would they do that?
It can't be because of her experience. She has served as a Governor for less than two years in one of the smallest states in the union. It's can't be because of her name recognition. It can't be because of her ability to swing her home state into the fold. There’s no need for that since Alaska hasn't voted for a Democratic Presidential nominee since LBJ. It can't be because of her legislative achievements since she's never been a lawmaker. And surely, it can't be because of her work outside of government. She was a TV broadcaster for a few years. So then, what are thinking Americans left to believe? Why did John McCain pick her?
Is there any doubt that Sarah Palin was handed the nomination solely because of her anatomy?
Why else would the Republican Party want to hand the second most powerful job in the world (arguably) over to a person with a thinner resume than Dan Quayle?
Now, contrast this pander-fest with the Democrats. You know, the party that’s supposed to be in favor of handouts. The party that’s criticized for caring more about a person's color or sex than their character or qualifications. Remember them?
Did they hand their nomination over to a woman or to another minority? Hell no! Barack Obama fought his ass off in the most highly contested primary in the history of the United States. He wasn't handed anything. And, for that matter, neither was Hillary Clinton. She had to fight for her 18 million primary votes.
Just look at who they had to beat in their own primary to get to their own personal slugfest. They had to beat a former Vice-Presidential candidate, a sitting governor that has been a high-ranking Federal official, and two well-respected, long term Senators. Talk about earning it the hard way!
Did Obama then take the easy way out by selecting Hillary Clinton to be his running mate? She could bring millions of women and blue-collar voters into the fold. No, he selected the person he thought most qualified to be Vice President. Hmm. Imagine that. Selecting a person based upon qualifications and not based upon politics. I think I’ve heard that broken promise somewhere before. Unfortunately, when it came time to deliver upon it, all we got was Brownie.
By now, it’s so blasé to rip Republicans and their constant hypocrisy. Gay pedophilia sex scandals, compassionate Conservatism smacked upside the head by Katrina, preacing small government while "saving" Terri Schiavo with Federal laws. You know what I mean. On issue after important issue, the rubber never meets the road with the Republicans. We’re used to it.
But this latest snowjob may top them all. A 44-year old one (half) term Governor with no legislative experience. No business experience. No foreign policy experience. No practical domestic experience. And we are going to be lead to believe that she’s the most qualified candidate for the job?
Now, I know we may not like a lot of Republicans. But, at the very least I’m willing to admit that they do have some qualified candidates. Mitt Romney’s business credentials. Tom Ridge’s executive experience. And any number of sitting Senators that have proved to be at least competent. Why were they all passed over for Sara Palin?
Once again, is there any doubt that Sarah Palin was handed the nomination solely because of her anatomy?