John McCain has introduced his running mate to the world: "solid, conservative" Sarah Palin, one day after the DNC closed in Denver. And her quip: “What is it exactly that a VP does every day?” will go down in history. "Sarah who?" asked proudly this question in a recent CNBC interview. If that does not convince you that the political observers got it wrong when they parrot that no one votes the VP choice, or that the VP choice does not hurt or help the nominee — I have a bridge in Alaska to sell you.
That oft-repeated platitude about vice presidents gets daily play and this year might be the first since 1960 when the VP choice could make or break the electoral map. I don’t think that a woman choosing life or not choosing an abortion makes one electable to the White House.Has the Race Just Slipped Through GOP Fingers?Pro-life aside, I think we are missing the Straight Talk Express. Clearly, John McCain’s pick of Palin sends a message to the GOP rank-and-file voter: he hated his opponents Giuliani, Paul, Romney, Huckabee, et al! Why? Because if he were to put any one of those men on the ticket, then that man would be poised to run (and win) for president in 2012 — clear advantage VP choice, win or lose.
That is the only reason that makes sense, so let’s see how that makes sense. I believe it possible (if Obama wins) that George Bush could be the last WASP male elected to the White House in this century or at least for the next generation. If we set up two scenarios, one highly unlikely and one most likely, we will see that McCain could make that history instead of Bush, if he were to win — the last white male elected in this century to the presidency! In the most unlikely scenario where McCain/Palin prevail, after three years in office McCain dies of natural causes (old age) and Sarah “Journalism Degree" Palin takes the oath. She is president for one year. That gives her a high heel up on the 2012 election.
Let's continue that line of reasoning. In 2012 she chooses conservative Bobby Jindal, now Lousiana's governor, as her running mate and they win. Then after she serves two terms, Jindal runs and wins to become the first Indian-American to become president, not to be confused with American Indian. In that most unlikely scenario there is not one WASP male in sight for the GOP nominee. Because if Obama loses, then in 2012 Palin faces Hillary Clinton. She cleans Palin’s clock and we have Hill as the second woman to be president. She chooses Obama as her running mate and then we have two or three more terms with either a woman, African-American, Indian-American, or Mexican-American as president.
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Article comments
1 - Jen
Hi Heloise,
This is actually a comment on all your pieces in Bling It On-- namely, I'm very impressed by your work. After being dismayed by some of the back and forth and angry attacks going on in other political articles, I was pleased to stumble on this one and then read all the others in the Bling It On Feature. Your reasoning is fascinating-- logical yet bold. As a proud Democrat, I really value intelligent and well-thought out pieces like this that make great points without just trying to use "spin" or shock us in lieu of sound arguments. Keep up the extraordinary work! I'm a film reviewer here myself and later this month will be taking a look at a DVD on Senator Obama-- I can only hope I'll be able to display a fraction of your talent in that piece.
2 - Glenn Contrarian
Heloise -
If the above was why McCain picked Palin, then why didn't he pick someone he did _not_ hate, like Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson. The very fact that he picked Palin instead of the older (and non-beauty-queen) Hutchinson speaks volumes in my opinion.
3 - Heloise
Palin's first stump crowd is larger than the population of Alaska! She's like the ghetto kids--never left her neighborhood. Obama said he never met her but wished her good luck. ROTFLMAO
Gustav grips the GOP can you believe the irony!
Heloise
4 - Heloise
You missed my point. Palin was not one of his opponenents and as far as I know Bailey was not running either. I said he hated his WASP male peers and did not want to give them a leg up.
Okay?
Heloise
5 - Condor
"Gustav grips the GOP can you believe the irony!" - Helois
What is that supposed to mean? Are you yet another arm chair Katrina "expert?"
I listened the other day to the NOLA Mayor, who stated that [now we shall see what the Army Corp of Engineers are made of] or something to that effect... it doesn't matter, Hydrolic dynamics are the MOST powerful force of destruction on the planet... and the Corp of Engineers really can only slightly stave off any damage... up to a point. I wish people would realize that... when the Hurricanes come it is time to duck and seek cover.
As for remarks by readers who are hung up on looks... childish or lack of mature thought has to be the impetus of such inane remarks. There are plenty of people who are capable of functioning in society regardless of thier phyiscal image... Hawkins comes to mind.
6 - Glenn Contrarian
Heloise -
I see I missed your point, for my question did not apply to your post. Sorry -
Condor -
Hydraulic dynamics are not the most destructive forces on the planet. Sudden shifts in plate tectonics are.
I agree that Stephen Hawking is an example of someone excelling in the use of his or her mind despite physical looks or limitations...but in this case McCain's pick had little to do with her experience or ability to lead a nation. His choice was clearly aimed not only at 'Hillraisers' who he thinks would choose almost any woman for president, but also guys who might be attracted by a pretty girl who plays with guns i.e. Tomb Raider's Lara Croft.
7 - Clavos
His choice was clearly aimed not only at 'Hillraisers' who he thinks would choose almost any woman for president, but also guys who might be attracted by a pretty girl who plays with guns i.e. Tomb Raider's Lara Croft.
Actually, the choice was aimed at the social conservatives, as far as "aiming" goes. His two principal reasons for choosing her had more to do with her reputation as a reformer in Alaska, and her reputation as a maverick, which complements his own.
8 - Douglas Mays
Very good. And one thing it comes down to is that on the democratic side we have the race thing as change in the White House. Now on the republican side we have change in the White House available with a woman...
there is a book on Amazon about Palin. she probably is the perfect choice for McCain.
I'm voting for myself.
DM
9 - Glenn Contrarian
His choice had more to do with her reputation as a reformer...and a maverick....
I have to disagree. No offense, y'all, but McCain's not that bright. He, like Bush, does NOT have intellectual curiosity. Don't tell me that he must be very intelligent because he passed the Naval Academy, because with a four-star for a dad, even Alfred E. Neuman would graduate there.
And I think we can all easily picture both Bush and McCain saying, "What, me worry?"
No, I strongly suspect his motives are a bit simpler, a bit baser than you propose. Sometimes things aren't as they seem, but sometimes the face value is exactly as it seems.
10 - Cannonshop
Well, Glenn, if your hypothesis tests out to be true,the Party may find they've done another Teddy Roosevelt to themselves. (TR was pressured to take the VP ticket by party brass because he was pissing off the NY Tweed Machine. They'd hoped he would drop into obscurity like most other VP's had up to that time.)
11 - Condor
"but also guys who might be attracted by a pretty girl who plays with guns i.e. Tomb Raider's Lara Croft" Heloise....
You watch way to much T.V./movies...... and fail to understand that a whole bunch of 'merican's just don't give a hoot and a hollar 'bout T.V. and such other hollyweird B.S.; Get it?
12 - Condor
Good Gawd then Pinot Nior has finally gotten to me!!!!
13 - Douglas Mays
hhhmmm...what I am trying to say is that it was all just a move in politics.
We had the Obama (black dude) vs. Hillary (female) as the powerhouse of change the Democratic party could provide. A woman or a black, either is a first for the USA. I miss Shirley Chisholm...
so, Obama gets the nod for the Democratic party. wah-lah!!! Good move, McCain. Now our choice for change is democratic (black dude) vs. republican (female).
The battle has shifted from infighting on the democratic side to republicans vs. democrats.
Get it? Really good move by McCain...
I'm still voting for myself. David Letterman said one night on his show after the Obama vs. McCain ticket was solid "don't you feel like we are screwed on this one?"
see ya at the polls,
DM
14 - Heloise
Thank you Jen for the kind words and literary praise. It seems only my relatives have found me brilliant. But I know the TV and radio pundits read Heloise and speak "heloisian!"
Thanks
Net
15 - Heloise
Check out McCain checking out Sarah's ass with music--it's hysterical!
Heloise
16 - Douglas Mays
OK, here is the scoop on that book I was talking about above:
"Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment On It's Ear" (160 pags., $19.95) publised by Epicenter Press (epicenterpress.com).
they say it should be in stores this week. You can get it on Amazon right now.
film at 11,
DM
17 - Heloise
Hip-hop opportunity: "John Just wants to tap that ass" a nice catchy tune would do nicely.
Heloise
18 - Cannonshop
I dunno, Heloise, I think if Sen. McCain tried it, he might pull back a bloody stump. Governor Palin's a pretty fierce and ferocious lady, and if she grooved on older guys, she wouldn't have had any problems finding a Sugar Daddy a long, long, time ago.