![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
I don't feel particularly involved in the U.S. Presidential race. Neither McCain nor Obama speak to me as candidates. Personally, I don't think Obama has the political experience necessary to be President and McCain...well, I just think McCain is crazy.
The Vice-Presidential nomination of Biden was interesting for Obama, as now he has someone with decades of D.C. political experience to shore up his lack in that area. But McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has surprised me.
I live in Alaska.
I've met Sarah Palin.
Most people in the state approve of her governorship.
I'm . . . ambivalent.
Palin doesn't have any D.C. political experience. Before her term as governor (only two years in by the way) her only other leadership role was as mayor of Wasilla. So fine, she's younger than McCain and she's a woman. Plus, her husband is half-Yu'piq Eskimo, and she's the mother of a Down Syndrome child.
Her office is also under investigation for her dismissal of the head of Alaska's public safety commission because he refused to fire Palin's ex-brother-in-law. And, well, there's the fact that she's made no bones about working in Juneau for the sake of the Matanuska Valley. It's become pretty much common knowledge that if you aren't from the Valley, the governor isn't going to bother with you. That's brought her a lot of criticism from the small towns and villages around the state.
And the cynic in me is wondering how far in advance she knew she would be getting the V.P. nomination? Prior to her push for legislation that gives every Alaskan a $1200 check to combat the high cost of gas? I bet that'll cause a stir among the masses if it becomes common knowledge.
Honestly, I think Palin is a gamble for McCain and one that might work or might blow up in his face. He's effectively nuetered his own campaign's ability to criticize the Democrats for their lack of political experience. On the other hand, Palin's presence might draw women voters to McCain.
It's pretty much anyone's race at this point.
The Vice-Presidential nomination of Biden was interesting for Obama, as now he has someone with decades of D.C. political experience to shore up his lack in that area. But McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has surprised me.
I live in Alaska.
I've met Sarah Palin.
Most people in the state approve of her governorship.
I'm . . . ambivalent.
Palin doesn't have any D.C. political experience. Before her term as governor (only two years in by the way) her only other leadership role was as mayor of Wasilla. So fine, she's younger than McCain and she's a woman. Plus, her husband is half-Yu'piq Eskimo, and she's the mother of a Down Syndrome child.
Her office is also under investigation for her dismissal of the head of Alaska's public safety commission because he refused to fire Palin's ex-brother-in-law. And, well, there's the fact that she's made no bones about working in Juneau for the sake of the Matanuska Valley. It's become pretty much common knowledge that if you aren't from the Valley, the governor isn't going to bother with you. That's brought her a lot of criticism from the small towns and villages around the state.
And the cynic in me is wondering how far in advance she knew she would be getting the V.P. nomination? Prior to her push for legislation that gives every Alaskan a $1200 check to combat the high cost of gas? I bet that'll cause a stir among the masses if it becomes common knowledge.
Honestly, I think Palin is a gamble for McCain and one that might work or might blow up in his face. He's effectively nuetered his own campaign's ability to criticize the Democrats for their lack of political experience. On the other hand, Palin's presence might draw women voters to McCain.
It's pretty much anyone's race at this point.
