Governor Sarah Palin was successfully able to rejuvinate the Republican party with enthusiasm and excitement. Up until her selection, McCain had by many accounts, ran a slow campaign that failed to present a message that could successfully materialize with the American publican, and more importantly, his own base. Enter Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin can be described as "anti-Hillary." She is the conservative, right-wing translation of Hillary Clinton. She is pro-gun, pro-life, pro-Iraq war, and holds tight to traditional conservative principles in economics and government oversight. She is charming, attractive, and captivating. In oratory, she out-shines Sen. McCain. Whether you agree with her or not, Gov. Palin can hold an audience.
Thus far, the media has focused on meaningless distractions like Palin's daughter's pregnancy, her "sex appeal," and her witty snipes at the Democrats. I don't think that Palin's daughter is a large issue. These things happen, and it is up for the family to deal with family issues. However, I do want to point out two obseravtions. (1) Governor Palin was against providing funds for sex education programs in Alaska's school system and she is against abortions in all cases accept when the mother's life is in danger. There is apparent contradiction here. You want to eliminate a woman's right to choice as well as create barriers to programs that could potenially curb the need for abortions. I don't know how much I understand the rhetoric. In my opinion, the pro-life platform is political pandering. It is a manipulation of the people's good will and common sense. John McCain has expressly said that he woul appoint strict constructionist judges who would in turn overturn Roe v. Wade (I saw and heard it myself). Listen, at the end of the day, Roe v. Wade will not be overturned. Why? Because we all know who is having abortions in this country. Minorities tend to have the babies, regardless of the circumstance and whether or not they are in a position to properly care for a child. In addition, there is a question of affording the abortion. I went to private school and I know how it works. We knew what was going on when someone would all of a sudden disappear to go have a pregancy "taken cared of." Even if he appoint strict constructionists Justices, the Legislature would fix any attempts to absolutely abolish abortion. But strict constructionsit justices do create other problems. I will save that rant for another post.
(2) My second observation speaks to us as a nation. I wonder what would the media and public have to say if Michelle Obama had an underage daughter who was pregnant with a baby whose father was some thug, street-tuff with an absurb Myspace page which he used to display his ignorance. There is an undeniable double standard. If this was the case there would be a discussion of the Obamas' parenting skills and whether or not that spoke to their qualifications to be the First Family.
Gov. Palin has provided a much needed jolt to the Republican party, but there are so many unanswered questions. And perhaps that was the point. Perhaps when we talk about Palin or lipsticks on pigs, we are distracted from discussing the things that really matter. The truth is, there are two people running for President. This fight is Obama v. McCain. In the end, it may be more of a negative when your running mate begins to garner more attention than you. In the longterm, what seemed like a savvy move might prove more destructive to McCain's campaign.
But I guess we'll see how it all plays out.
No comments:
Post a Comment