Who in the world is Sarah Palin? For a man who has staunchly criticized the experience of Barack Obama, McCain's selection of a small potatoes governor with only two years in office is truly bizarre.
I only know what little I've heard on the news or read here and there. But from what I gather, the former pageant queen has an 80 percent approval rating in her home state of Alaska. But as an attractive Alaska native, it's not hard to see why. Her husband, who is part Eskimo, is an oil-worker and a statewide snowmobile champ. She was runner-up in the 1984 Miss Alaska pageant and is an accomplished angler. How much more “Mr. & Mrs. Alaska” could they possibly be?
But will her appeal translate nationwide? I'm doubtful.
In choosing Joe Biden as his running mate, Obama undoubtedly hoped to dispel concerns about his political inexperience, particularly in foreign affairs. In choosing Palin as his running mate, McCain is obviously trying to bring some youth to his campaign. At 44, Palin is even a few years younger than Obama. But certainly, there are young, female faces within the Republican Party with more clout and experience. Right?
Obviously McCain had to bring something historic to his campaign. As the first African American to earn the party nomination, Obama will have a notable impact on U.S. history even if he loses. It has been said from the very beginning that McCain would need a female veep to counter the historic significance of Obama's candidacy.
But to select a relative unknown suggests that when it comes to capable women in the Republican Party, pickin's are slim. I could rattle off the names of 50 male politicians right now, but when it comes to notable female politicians, I could give you three names (not including Palin). In fact, if you really want to get your hands dirty, try naming 10 politicians who aren't white. Mind you, the word “politician” makes for a pretty broad list and it's still hard to do.
If nothing else, perhaps this election year will inspire women and ethnic minorities to get involved.
Because if gender and age are valid criteria for public office, checkout girls from the GOP might be more qualified than a few of our token leaders.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
But will her appeal translate nationwide? I'm doubtful.
In choosing Joe Biden as his running mate, Obama undoubtedly hoped to dispel concerns about his political inexperience, particularly in foreign affairs. In choosing Palin as his running mate, McCain is obviously trying to bring some youth to his campaign. At 44, Palin is even a few years younger than Obama. But certainly, there are young, female faces within the Republican Party with more clout and experience. Right?
Obviously McCain had to bring something historic to his campaign. As the first African American to earn the party nomination, Obama will have a notable impact on U.S. history even if he loses. It has been said from the very beginning that McCain would need a female veep to counter the historic significance of Obama's candidacy.
But to select a relative unknown suggests that when it comes to capable women in the Republican Party, pickin's are slim. I could rattle off the names of 50 male politicians right now, but when it comes to notable female politicians, I could give you three names (not including Palin). In fact, if you really want to get your hands dirty, try naming 10 politicians who aren't white. Mind you, the word “politician” makes for a pretty broad list and it's still hard to do.
If nothing else, perhaps this election year will inspire women and ethnic minorities to get involved.
Because if gender and age are valid criteria for public office, checkout girls from the GOP might be more qualified than a few of our token leaders.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are 10 comment(s)
karl again... wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:46 PM:
What a SICK cookie!
AND!!--her own daughter's pregnancy at SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD proves that Palin's Pro-Abstinence-Only and "No-Sex-Education Funding" stances proves EXACTLY What can be expected for more of America's teen's if this loon gets into office!
THIS WOMAN HAS NO BUSINESS BEING A CANDIDATE FOR OFFICE!!!!
Maybe as leader of the nearest "Jesus Camp"?! "
bornotb wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:51 PM:
Just one question. Do the men in the white jackets know you're on the computer? "
former resident of auburn wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:51 PM:
Yes, you do have your opinion and I have mine. All I know is I would much rather have Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the White House, than John McCain and Sarah Palin.
Obama and Biden have at least had some experience in Congress. McCain has been in Congress, too, and is known for his stubborness and short temper. Sarah Palin has NO experience, either in foreign policy or in Washington, DC, where the Real Political action is at, not way over in Alaska where the moose run when they see her coming.LOL
brew1234:
You are a highly intelligent and educated person, who obviously 'gets it' like me and Carole! :) "
bornotb wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:52 AM:
I didn't mean to throw in so many facts. "
brew1234 wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:29 PM:
bornotb wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:54 PM:
Are you kidding me?!!!
Oh, is this the same Sen. Olympia Snowe who voted to acquit President Clinton?!
If you want to really stretch and find some dirt on Mrs. Palin go ahead. I think Sen. Obama has more bones in his closet than Petsmart. Let’s not forget 'weather-underground' Bill Ayers, Rev. (I hate America) Jeremiah Wright and oh Tony Rezko. Oh that’s right, you never hear any more of that from the 'convenient liberal media'.
As far as Mrs. Palin's ability to make decisions. At least she has executive experience!
As far as change, what change is Sen. Biden bringing to the table? He's been in the beltway for over 30 years! Ironically, it sounds like more of the same! Should've gone with Hillary!! =) "
former resident of auburn wrote on Sep 1, 2008 3:18 PM:
Ms. Palin has her share of questionable political troubles:
1) She was all for the 'bridge to nowhere' when she was campaigning for votes during the Alaskan governor's race in 2006, then did a 'flip-flop' after she won the election.
2) She is supposedly 'knowledgable' in foreign policy because Russia is a few hundred miles from Alaska (this is from the 'expertise' of Cindy McCain)but she has no political foreign policy experience.
3) Troopergate (too long to write about the whole story here, look it up)
4) Babygate (again, too long to write about the whole thing here, look it up)
5) Questionable practices in the Alaskan Creamery Board (look it up, too)
These may not sound like much, but when you add them with the fact that she's been governor of Alaska less than 2 years, it makes you wonder how she could EVER be president if something should (God forbid) happen to Sen. McCain.
I don't think McCain really took a good look at her record when he chose her and he did not fully vet her. If he wanted a good female candidate he should have chosen Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson or Sen. Olympia Snowe. He made a big mistake with choosing Ms. Palin and that's why he will not be elected president this November. "
bornotb wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:18 PM:
I'm glad to see that you were able to unlock your fingers from around the tree long enough to write this article.
Are you kidding me about Mrs. Palin?!
She has more executive experience than YOUR Presidential candidate!! Yes, there are more women that have more experience than her, but she has the morals, character and judgment that are important. Did I mention that she has taken on people in her own party to fight pork barrel projects?! Compare that to 'I’ve never met a large budget that I didn't like Biden'.
It's amazing that Sen. Obama's resume is so light (oh, I forgot he was a community organizer?) that I'm shocked it doesn't float into the air. How can you talk about her foreign affair experience, when Sen. Obama's is the convenient recent trip that he made. *By the way, she had already visited Kuwait.
Also your party is supposed to be so politically correct. I can’t imagine the reaction if someone in the Republican Party would have mentioned how a Democrat candidates motherly duties would pull her away from her VP duties? Man, we have come a long way baby?!!! Unbelievable!! "
brew1234 wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:55 PM:
quest wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:45 PM:
Sarah Palin is an intelligent , in your face tough governor, who is willing to bring people together as well as laying down the law. She has come up through the governmental ranks working her self up through all the naysayers like yourself!
If Palin was a man we wouldn't be having this conversation. "