You vote for the top of the ticket. But this emphasizes who John McCain is and his tempermant and why I will vote Obama/Biden Nov. 4th. McCain just took experience off the table and made this an issues election: I am confident that Barack Obama will win an issues based election and that HRCs voters will vote their hearts and minds and that will be democratic.
At the end of the day that is what made Sen. Obama's speech last night so powerful: the top of the ticket made the case for the democratic party and attacked the republican nominee and did it respectfully but full of bite and facts.
The selection of Gov. Palin doesn't change that fact and actually HELPS put the experience question off the table. It seems to me that this means Sen. McCain is likely going to try to sound like a democrat having comforted the base; but that won't fly. Because his record will be standing in the way.
Top ten reasons why I'm reassured today below.
(1) Gov. Palin doesn't have the experience or judgement to be President of the United States.
She stands for George Bush and John McCain's neo-conservative fantasies and at the end of the day these are proven failures. She has not spent the time considering and debating and fighting for these issues so she has not the experience to be president. So there is no judgement or experience to dig us out of the hole that we are in right now.
I would also hope it gets pointed out what this pick says about John McCain: Joe Biden is a man known in the capitals of the world. Barack Obama was welcomed in the capitals of the world and has had his judgements and policies ratified by events on the ground over the last two years. This is a serious momment in our history and John McCain chose a first time governor of the fourth largest state who has last lead as mayor of a small town 1/27th of Sen. Obama's senate district as a state senator.
Wow.
That is a powerful meme.
She just can't bone up in two months and expect to lead a heartbeat from the presidency.
(2) Gov. Palin stands agaisnt what I as a democratic woman hold dear: Roe v. Wade.
Most women are confused about Sen. McCain's stance; this gives NARAL and Emily's list a chance to educate them. Cut the ad: Sarah Palin is against Roe v. Wade, just like John McCain. Do we want to go back to coat hanger abortions?
(3) Gov. Palin supports George Bush and John McCain's economic policies and those are a disaster for this country.
This is simple and can not be discounted. This election is about big issues and ideas; not personalities. Sen. Obama made this point yesterday and I would hope that it gets echoed. The Republicans have screwed up. Eight years is enough.
(4) Sarah Palin is a hard core conservative republican. She is NOTHING like Hillary Clinton. God bless her, it is an honor that women have made it in this country that they are prime considerations for the tickets of major parties. But the repulican ideals have been practiced for eight years; we can't take four more years of the same.
(5) John McCain is old and embraces failed policies, he has brought on to his ticket a talented woman who embraces these failed policies with no knowledge of the world stage. This is dangerous for our country and a chance we can not take.
(6) Desperation: when his back is to the wall Sen. McCain does not play from a place of strength politcally. This worries me considering the high stakes involved in international diplomacy: he doesn't have the tempermant to be president and the wild messaging and failures of the McCain campaign demonstrate this clearly.
(7) Economy
We need a true plan for growth; not more Repulican platidudes.
(8) Women
Women do not vote their ovaries; they vote their hearts and mind. It is anathema to any voter who wants true change in this country to pull the lever for the Republican ticket and failed Republican policies that have defined the downward spiral this country has been in the last eight years.
(9) Focus On The Middle Class
Rather than try to provide true appeal to the middle class and women struggling alone or with their families: Sen. McCain chooes a running mate hopping that divisions can be created for victory.
Democrats offer true hope and change and concrete proposals for the people of this country; John McCain offers more of the same. This has been crystalized today. He can talk of fighting for the workers; but he's stood against them in every way and picking and orthodox Republican crystalizes this.
(10) Celeberity & Experience
That is gone after today. The McCain campaign spent millions to destroy Obama and have gone to reset the playbook. That is not a position of strength.
Ladies and Gentleman this is a momment to embrace: historically let's congratulate Gov. Palin. But recognize: this is an affirmation that the issues are on our side. And to keep and woo HRC voters we need to make the issues front and center. I have no doubt HRC will also work to do this as will President Clinton, Sen. Obama, and Sen. Biden. But we as a community must recognize: people voted for HRC and democrats because they are sick of Republican policies. That was what made Sen. Obama's nomination speech so inspiring: this is the chance to do this the democratic way.
So the best way to portray Gov Palin is as what she is: a solid rock ribbed George Bush Republican with no foriegn policy experience.
We've seen that movie the last eight years.
No soul is going to punch that ticket again come November.
Let's put that message out their, register, cash in, and make that happen.