"She's exactly who I need. She's exactly who this country needs to help me fight the same old Washington politics of 'Me first and country second,' " McCain declared as the pair stood together for the first time at a boisterous rally in Ohio just days before the opening of the party's national convention.
Palin, the first Republican woman on a presidential ticket, promised: "I'm going to take our campaign to every part of our country and our message of reform to every voter of every background in every political party, or no party at all."
In the increasingly intensive presidential campaign, McCain made his selection six days after his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, named Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, as his No. 2 on the ticket. The contrast between the two announcements was remarkable — Obama, 47, picked a 65-year-old running mate with long experience in government and a man whom he said was qualified to be president. The timing of McCain's selection appeared designed to limit any political gain Obama derives from his own convention, which ended Thursday night with his nominating acceptance speech before an estimated 84,000 in Invesco Field in Colorado. Public opinion polls show a close race between Obama and McCain, and with scarcely two months remaining until the election, neither contender can allow the other to jump out to a big post-convention lead. On his 72nd birthday, McCain chose Palin, a woman younger than two of the Arizonan's seven children and a person who until recently was the mayor of small-town Wasilla, Alaska and has been governor less than two years. He settled on her six months after first meeting the governor and following only one phone call between them last Sunday and a single face-to-face meeting Thursday, according to a timeline provided by his campaign.
The Obama campaign immediately questioned whether she would be prepared to step in and be president if necessary. President Bush complimented McCain for "an exciting decision." Palin's name had not been on the short list of people heavily reported upon by the news media in recent days, and McCain's decision was a well-kept secret until just a couple hours before Friday's rally. McCain's campaign said that Palin and a top aide met with senior McCain advisers in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Wednesday night. The next morning, the campaign said McCain formally invited Palin to join the ticket on the deck of McCain's home near Sedona, Ariz., and later Thursday the governor flew to Middletown, Ohio, with staff to await Friday's event in Dayton. Describing the process that led to her selection, Palin told reporters she'd received word that she was McCain's choice on Thursday and had met privately with him that day to discuss it.
With his pick, McCain passed over more prominent contenders like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, as well as others such as former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, whose support for abortion rights might have sparked unrest at the convention that opens Monday in St. Paul, Minn. A self-styled hockey mom and political reformer, Palin became governor after ousting a state chief executive of her own party in a primary. Palin has a long history of run-ins with the Alaska GOP hierarchy, giving her genuine maverick status and reformer credentials that could complement McCain's image. [End of report]
It was an interesting choice indeed. I dont think anyone had expected it, I certainly didnt. Actually to be honest with you, I have never heard of her name before and from what I have heard, she herself is not really a big name in the American political scene. She's only a first-term Alaska Governor afterall. I thought he would pick someone who have been linked with the post for a long time like Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty, but he has decided to go with a relatively unknown candidate. I think that this kind of choice can either make or break your entire campaign. Now, lets look at what she is good at. Well, to start with, she is younger than Obama, who is 47, and being a woman, she may appeal to some disappointed Hillary Clinton backers. I believe most of them are upset that she wasnt picked for the VP role and even though she has said that she is endorsing Obama for the President, many of them are still reluctant to vote for Obama. Her supporters are also desperate to break the glass ceiling for women and Palin might give them that choice. Palin also opposes abortion rights and supports gun ownership, two core Republican issues. She also has no ties to George W. Bush, an advantage as McCain seeks to distance himself from the unpopular president. Now that is the general feelings of the American people about President Bush, but as far as I am concerned, he is the biggest asset for John McCain and it would be a waste if he didnt use that.
Let's take a look at the negative side that she might bring to McCain's campaign. I have said earlier that she is younger than Obama, and this mean that the question of inexperience comes into play as well. Many people on the Republican side has argued that Obama is inexperienced to be the President but I think the same argument could be said about Palin as well. She like Obama, is still considered young and therefore, they had not much experience to begin with. However, having picked Palin, it takes the whole experience issue off the table. But whether she is ready to take over the role of the President if necessary, that remains to be seen. And like I have said earlier, she is relatively not a well known figure by most American, so that could be a disadvantage for McCain. Now, I know that some of you would argue that Obama was also not well known when he began his bid for presidency, but unlike Palin, the long campaign he had with Hillary Clinton has help him a lot in making his presence felt and in helping the American people to know more about him. Palin meanwhile has to do that in a matter of a few months, the election will be in November, so she is now going to have to perform at a very high level to persuade the media and the public that she is truly ready to be a heartbeat away.
So both choice for the VP have been picked, now is where the real fight can begin. But before that of course there is the Republican National Convention which will begin next week but it might be postponed or even suspended due to the current Hurricane Gustav that is affecting Minneapolis, the state that will be hosting the Convention. I think if that happens, it would be very disappointed to hear because I am really looking forward to President Bush's speech. Dont get me wrong now, Im still supporting Obama but at the same time, Im a fan of President Bush as well though Im not supporting McCain. Im done for now. Have a great weekend.
*The report was taken from Bloomberg.com
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