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December 2, 2008 7:24:41 PM CST

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Palin Choice Clever, Irresponsible

Posted Aug 30, 08 10:56 AM CDT in Opinion 

(Newser) – As a political move, John McCain’s VP choice makes sense: Sarah Palin’s social conservatism should appease the party base, while her “maverick status” and gender may help the ticket win centrist voters and working-class women. But as “bold” and “shrewd” as the choice may be, it’s less “clear that she is a responsible pick, or a wise one,” argues David Frum, the former speech writer for George W. Bush, in the National Post.

When it comes to experience, Palin “makes Barack Obama look like George C. Marshall,” Frum writes, calling it unfortunate given McCain’s age and medical history. Joe Conason is less charitable in making the same argument on Salon: "The GOP will have to mothball all those 'Country First' banners along with the experience meme, because no candidate who puts the security of the nation above politics would ever contemplate this maneuver."

Sources National Post (Canada), Salon

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Sen. John McCain, left, smiles after introducing his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, during a campaign rally in Dayton, Ohio, Friday.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin acknowledge supporters after McCain introduced Palin as his vice presidential running mate Friday.   (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
In this Feb. 26, 2008, file photo, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks on behalf of victims of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and their supporters.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

She is a right-wing religious ideologue with female gender characteristics. Suddenly that is all anyone needs to qualify as a potential commander in chief of the world's most powerful military. - Joe Conason

Let us hope the Republicans will no longer complain so bitterly about affirmative action, since they have taken that policy to its absurd conclusion in what may be the most fateful decision of this campaign. - Joe Conason

If anything were to happen to a President McCain, the destiny of the free world would be placed in the hands of a woman who until the day before Friday was a small-town mayor.
- David Frum, former Bush speechwriter

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Election 2008 • John McCain • Sarah Palin • vice presidential candidate • running mate • inexperience


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