I've seen a few Democratic strategists and Obama supporters on the news shows this morning, and they're having a tough time framing Palin or even discussing her. They don't want to blast the pick and seem sexist, they don't want to praise the historical nature of it, and most importantly - they don't know her! They need some talking points to quickly and easily frame Palin.
- Don't make it about Palin, make it about McCain: Mention as often as possible the fact that McCain had only met Palin once before selecting her. Whether or not Palin will end up being a good VP nominee, it was a completely reckless and irresponsible move. Don't be afraid to use the word gimmick. We want people to think it's a gimmick. If it wasn't a gimmick, wouldn't he have met with her numerous times to be sure that she was the right choice? Use the words risky, reckless, irresponsible.
- If the Republicans want to talk about experience: Obama started his Presidential campaign while Sarah Palin was still the mayor of a town of 9,000 people. She is currently the governor of a state with a smaller population that Baltimore. If something should happen to John McCain, she could very possibly - and soon - be the President of the United States. She is not ready for that.
- If asked about foreign policy: Obama has met with the heads of state of countries in the Middle East and Europe. He's met with our commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan. He's traveled with Sen. Lugar to secure loose nuclear weapons in Russia. We all know his policies regarding the Middle East, Russia, Venezuela, etc. Mention that not only do we know nothing of Gov. Palin's foreign policy experience, we don't know her thoughts on foreign policy, and neither does she - in a recent interview, she said she hadn't given Iraq much thought.
- When asked about what Palin brings to the table: She brings the ideas of a far-right, rabid anti-choice, extremely conservative candidate to the table. She believes that global warming is not man-made. She believes that creationism should be taught in schools. Her plan for education is that everyone be homeschooled. Her interests are the interests of the oil and gas industry, just like Dick Cheney before her. Why are all Republican vice presidential candidates in the pocket of big oil? Isn't that strange? Hammer home the fact that Sarah Palin will not appeal to moderates. More importantly, her extreme far-right views are probably going to turn a lot of moderates off.
- If given time to speak: The most important point to drive home is the fact that in his most important decision of the campaign, John McCain chose someone he did not know, with less than two years of experience managing the country's least populous state, to stand a heartbeat away from the presidency. It is simply the most irresponsible and reckless decision a candidate for president has ever made. The race is on to define Sarah Palin, and in the next few weeks that will happen, but this decision completely solidifies voters' greatest concerns about McCain - that he is not prudent, not responsible, he is careless in his decisions, and lacks the judgment and decision-making skills to be President. Of all the people he could have selected, John McCain thinks Sarah Palin is most ready to step in to be President and Commander in Chief should something happen to him. The American people are going to have a really tough time swallowing that.