August 22, 2008
Juneau, Alaska. - Alsaskan Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican Presidential Nominee, has made what critics say is a wise and safe choice for her running mate. After a long, hard fought primary battle of being up against seasoned, nationally recognized Republicans such as Mitt Romney and Rudy Guiliani, Gov. Palin toughed it out and her reform message resonated with the majority of Republicans across the country. While she had to deal constantly with the issue of sexism both from within her own party and the media, she managed to convince voters that we are now in a "post-gender" world.
There were many in the Republican Party who were still hesitant about her ability to win the the White House, but with Gov. Palin's recent choice of John McCain as a running mate, she has shored up the remaining parts of her base who were not 100% on her side to this point. With McCain, Palin brings years of foreign policy experience to the ticket and the choice of McCain also reinforces her "reform" campaign theme. Her biggest shortfall, according to many seasoned Republicans and Democrats alike were her youth and lack of experience. However, her massage of reform trumped those concerns as she earned her way to the nomination. And choosing John McCain has essentially shut down the experience argument the Democrats were sure to use against her.
The Democrats were somewhat stunned by her choice of McCain. Given his age and history of cancer, it seems like a risky choice. However, many pundits argue (off the record, of course) that the number two spot really isn't relevant. If she uses McCain to shore up her base, it really doesn't matter much if he passes on in her first term, he is easily replaced. As long as Gov. Palin remains healthy and strong, she could easily be a two-term President and still have another career after that.
It is now a wait and see game as to whether or not Palin's VP choice will be viewed as a brilliant move. But the general consensus at this stage of the game is that the Palin/McCain ticket will be formidable in an election year that should be a cake walk for the Democrats.