McCain chooses Palin

Hot mama.

Senator John McCain pulled a doozy today, choosing Alaska governor Sarah Palin to be his Vice Presidential nominee. She was elected in 2006 and currently has the highest approval rating (80%) of any governor in the United States. Before her governorship, Palin was mayor of her hometown, Wasilla (population: next to nothing). She has been known as an aggressive reformer, passing through large ethics bills and going after corruption, even within her own party.

Palin is also a staunch conservative. She is against abortion rights and gay marriage, and in opposition to McCain’s position, supports drilling for oil in the Alaskan Wildlife Reserve. She’s an NRA member and her favorite meal is moose stew. Get the picture?

Palin’s parents both worked in the local elementary school. She attended the University of Idaho (what pedigree…) and majored in journalism. Her husband Todd, who she met in high school, is a production operator on the north slope for BP. They have five children, named Bristol, Piper, Track, Willow, and Trig. Track joined the army a year ago and is being deployed on September 11th. Their youngest son, Trig, was born this year and has been diagnosed with Downs Syndrome.

What do you guys think of this choice? It seems extremely risky but could potentially be a game-changer for the McCain camp. He effectively wiped out media coverage of Obama’s breathtaking convention speech last night, and played a card that many in the media admitted they did not forsee. It seems as if many of the all-important swing voters, especially “security moms,” married women, and former Clintonites, could identify with Palin’s story and background. Despite her non-alliance with many issues of specific importance to women, the historic nature of her candidacy may draw many Hillary fans to the red side. Palin’s conservative credentials will undoubtedly reassure many in the conservative base who were concerned about McCain’s centrist leanings. Most importantly, Palin could readjust the media coverage spotlight back onto the Republicans after the protracted Democratic primary dominated the news for the past 8 months.

On the other hand, Palin could prove disastrous (see Geraldine Ferraro and Dan Quayle for evidence). She is extremely inexperienced, making Obama look like Ted Kennedy. Two year ago she was mayor of bum-fuck nowhere having to contend with the great problems of the world like which roads should be paved. Could this woman seriously be president if McCain kicked the bucket — which is more than a passing concern at his age of 72 (happy b-day, big guy). And what the hell does Palin know about national security or the wars abroad? I can’t imagine her holding a candle to Joe Biden in a debate. Lets be honest, she’s going to get eaten alive.

At the same time, it would be unwise of Team Obama to underestimate Palin. She has proven as Governor that she does not shy away from big wigs or old-line establishment. She seems unfazed by power. She also strongly reinforces McCain’s maverick image, and plays into the idea that a McCain presidency would shake up Washington

It all comes down to Palin’s performance. Her speech today in Dayton, Ohio was gracious and folksy, if not a little under-prepared and awkward. If she can compete as a debater and reach those swing voters, McCain could have just made a complete game-changer. If she sinks under the pressure, his candidacy could sink as fast as Nancy Pelosi’s face when the Botox wears off. Only time will tell.