Yes, you read that right. You are all missing the point. It DOESN'T matter what we think of this choice. It doesn't matter what the pundits think of this choice. It is about reaching those undecided conservative voters, the republican voters who voted for Hillary, disenfranchised Hillary voters, and the quietly oppositional "subservient" conservative woman who will vote for this woman in the privacy of the voting booth.
Here's what I've been listening to:
After watching the speech on C-span it is interesting to listen to the callers giving a response.
Of course there is the usual Obama supporters questioning the whole idea, challenging her experience and conservative views.
Now, here's the telling part. The McCain supporters who call in with these observations:
Courage: she chooses to have a Downes Syndrome child rather than abort. more than a few callers expressed this "admiration". And it really speaks to their hot topic issue. It allows is tied into McCains courage as evidenced by his POW status.
Experience: as a govenor she has that elusive executive experience that both Obama and Biden are missing.
Hillary supporters: more than a few callers expressed that they were republicans who had supported Hillary and now will vote for McCain because of this choice.
These are strategic issues that need to be addressed on the level of these voters points of view, not ours.
We know she is no Hillary Clinton and about her conservative views and that it is beyond evident that that Palin's nomination is about getting hillary's disenfrancised supporters.
first the dig from McCain in the lead up speech, Palin is some on who will "stand up" and not be told to "sit down".
Now, Palin has just reference Hillary's achievements, her "18 million cracks in the glass ceiling" and how the republicans will now "shatter" that glass ceiling.
I've know many of these women. They are great achievers, savvy leaders with PTA and sports organization as their beginnings, but they have the wacky right wing beliefs and agendas. And believe me they have NO idea how the average women gets through the day, NO idea how average Americans live. And EVERYTHING, job loss, no health insurance, children not succeeding in schools are YOUR fault. And if you'd just knock it off and work hard (like me (Palin) you'd change your life.
She will speak to the conservative base that has her lifestyle, experiences, and beliefs.
Making fun of her and the choice might make us feel better. However, it is a strategic move that is a stellar move in the conservative world and we'd better get to the phones very prepared to challenge it.
There seems to be some misconception that I support these arguments. Proving to me why these thoughts are wrong won't make a bit of difference, I already agree with you! But we can't be complacent because we think its crazy. There are people buying it!
UpdatePerino just read Bush's response and its obvious they see this ticket as bringing some sort of change to Washington. Their version anyway.