Like most Americans, when I learned that Senator John McCain's choice for Vice President would be Sarah Palin, my initial response was, "Who?" Then I read her biography and was stunned. Stunned that I was now excited about this election again. Stunned that John McCain did not select some lukewarm, pseudo-conservative, Washington insider or Northeast Governor. He selected a true movement conservative with stellar pro-life credentials. I believe that the selection of Governor Palin will be what puts McCain over the top in November. Here's why.
Palin Energizes the Conservative Base
Like many conservatives, I was not very excited about this election. I was OK with McCain, and I would vote for him, but I had my reservations. Furthermore, I was not very excited about the reported front-runners for his vice presidential selection. I lived in the Northeast for thirty eight years. The thought of Mitt Romney as vice president was depressing. I have serious doubts about any politician who can win an election in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts. While I planned to vote for McCain in November, I know that there were many conservatives who were planning to stay home or write in their favorite candidate. Their numbers may not have been huge, but the narrow margins in the last two presidential elections suggest that their numbers could have been decisive. Conservatives are now back in the mix and they're fired up. When conservatives vote. Conservatives win.
Palin Will Attract Undecided Women
Governor Palin will not bring hard core Hillary Clinton supporters to the Republican side, but there are plenty of undecided women who, when they get to know Sarah Palin, the professional, the woman, and the mom, they will like what they see. Mrs. Palin is someone many women can relate to. Yes, Hillary Clinton is also a mom, but not one that many women can relate to. She has hard edges and is the kind of feminist who wants women to be like men, where Sarah Palin is the kind of feminist who believes that femininity is not incompatible with professional success in the roles traditionally held by men. That is a subtle distinction that many women will relate to.
Palin is Not an Insider
Governor Palin is the only person in this election who is not a Washington insider. Democrats like to highlight President Bush's poor favorability ratings, but the ratings for the Democrat Congress are even worse. This was one of the most do-nothing Congresses in a generation and Americans are not pleased. Combined with McCain's maverick reputation, Palin the outsider solidifies the real ticket for change.
Energized conservatives and gains with women is a winning combination and I applaud Senator McCain for making this bold choice.
0 comments:
Post a Comment