[EmilyJames]

John McCain announced his VP running mate as Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

I guess McCain is trying to say he is the right choice for women voters by selecting a women running mate? I bet Obama is kicking himself for not choosing Hillary?

[LovingJesusinAZ]

My first thought was that this choice was "too political"----like McCain was trying "too hard" to get the female vote.

The more I've read, and heard, about Sarah Palin today the more I think he made a good choice, in the sense that she appeals to the "Republican base" by being pro-life, pro-2nd Ammendment, etc., while also appealing to the female vote since she is a wife and mom.

I think it's interesting that of the 4 names on the ballot in November (Obama/Biden and now McCain/Palin) she's the only one who has had true leadership experience. McCain and Biden have both been in the Senate forever, but that post doesn't require a whole lot of leadership----no matter what a Senator decides there are 99 other people who also share the blame/credit. As a Governor, to paraphrase Harry Truman, the buck stops with her. None of the men on the ticket can say that, at any point in their political careers, the buck has stopped with them.

[twinzplus3]

I'm sure it was political but I'm very happy with his choice. I agree with pp about her actually having leadership experience. For me, the veep picks were really kind of the deciding factor. BTW--I don't think it was that she is a woman. . .I think it was political in the sense that she is a conservative. . .and the fact that she happens to be a woman just is icing so to speak.

[LovingJesusinAZ]

Originally Posted by twinzplus3

I'm sure it was political but I'm very happy with his choice. I agree with pp about her actually having leadership experience. For me, the veep picks were really kind of the deciding factor. BTW--I don't think it was that she is a woman. . .I think it was political in the sense that she is a conservative. . .and the fact that she happens to be a woman just is icing so to speak.

Exactly.

[siageah]

There were other social conservatives he could have gone with that have more experience. But he wanted a combo deal. He thought he could peel away a few old Hillary voters.

He could have had my vote. My issue with Obama is his lack of experience. I would have gone with McCain had he gone with a more "Independent" pick. But she is entirely too socially conservative for me.

He wanted to reel in the religious right. And he did. I can't imagine he'll get many Hillary voters with this choice. They are completely opposite except for the gender. And since I really can't see why he chose her, rather than a more experienced social conservative, I'm insulted that he tried.

[twinzplus3]

Siageah you're visiting!

[KR258]

Interesting choice...

[mcmama]

I'm with you, siageah. Up till this morning I was undecided. I could still go for McCain, depending on what this lady shows in the campaign. But it does not look likely. It really does look to me like McCain thinks he has to pander to "the fairer sex".

The Obama campaign is not like anything that has ever succeeded before - it's like the candidate is a rockstar. I guess if you have to spend millions of dollars, you might as well have everything that goes with rockstar politics. And it works. It has truly been a populist campaign. And Mrs. Obama has been of invaluable importance in speaking to real women like us.

We'll have to see what the Republicans do now with their convention.

The VP pick is very important in this election, because of the very real possibility that the VP could become president. McCain has issues because of his age. Obama is a rock star, and therefore a target for every nut.

I feel better with the idea that Biden could be president more than I do with the governor of Alaska who I really don't know much about yet. I don't like the check off the box pro life/pro choice, pro/anti gay marriage litmus tests, because that says to me that not only would the next president influence the supreme court, but possibly legislation and constitutional amendments to change laws.

Biden ran for president a number of years ago, and did pretty well - he was sidelined by an anyurism (sp?) He has shown leadership in the senate for many years, chairing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. While that does not make him an international expert, it means he knows his way around washington - and should the vice president have to assume the office of the presidency in an emergency, as we had with Kennedy/Johnson, it certainly helps the transition if the new president is on familiar turf in Washington, and has had something to say about the war and continuing Homeland Security issues. Being governor of a state has been something that GWB, Clinton, Reagan, and Carter have brought to the White house - but in an immediate crisis where the vice president has to take charge, I feel better with a Washington insider.

Just one opinion of an undecided conservative middle aged female voter who still is wondering if she can trust any of them with her son's life

[LovingJesusinAZ]

Originally Posted by mcmama

Just one opinion of an undecided conservative middle aged female voter who still is wondering if she can trust any of them with her son's life

One thing I find interesting is three of the four names on the ballot also have sons who are serving in our military. Biden's son is the atty. general in Delaware and will soon be deploying overseas with his National Guard unit. McCain's son is an Annapolis grad who, I believe, is overseas right now. As has been mentioned today, Palin's son is in the Army and is scheduled to be deployed to Iraq in the next few weeks.

[jkl123]

I believe the decsion will backfire on McCain for a number reasons.

Obviously, he now loses the "inexperienced" playing card that he held over Obama. Granted, this woman has been governor of Alaska (but only for 2 years), and has held many leadership roles, but none of them have been in foreign policy, which is important in these times. McCain had that over Obama- now he does not.
I also believe it is very important to keep in mind that the VP could potentially become our President. Again, we go back to absolutely no foreign policy experience. Do I feel comfortable she could deal with the Middle east?? Not really.
And this is a big one for me, and I don't care if it makes me sound sexist. She has 5 kids, 3 of them being little, one that is a newborn and has Down Syndrome. I know from my own life just how hard it is to juggle TWO kids and work and find time to be with them. How would she do this if she was to become President?? The President is out of the country for weeks on end. As a mother, I know how important it is to spend as much time as possible with kids in the early years, espec. a special needs child. A special needs child needs their mom there. Do I really think she's put country before family?? And if she did, do I really want a woman who would do so?? No.

I am all for women working and having the same opportunities as men. But regular jobs consist of 9-5 hours, leaving you with evenings and weekends to spend with your kids. Not to mention vacations, holidays, sick days, etc. There is none of that for the President. There are so many milestones in her young children's lives that she is willing to miss, and I am not comfortable with someone who doesn't prioritize them.

I don't have mcuh of a problem with her politics, so to speak, but am a little disturbed about where her priorities lay, and therefore her judgement.

Just my 2 cents...