Warning: Rare Personal Political Commentary below.
So I realize not everyone will agree with me here - but after listening to Sarah Palin I've come to a conclusion. She's interesting and gutsy, but she's someone I'd rather invite to happy hour than have in the White House. Yeah, she shoots guns at moose...which seems very Annie Oakley to me and she fishes (I think everyone in Alaska fishes, isn't that the law? mmmm salmon). Makes for nice party conversation. I'm sure she's a hoot. But who's going to vote for McCain because she's the VP elect? I think she appeals to Republican men, who think she's a hottie (hello, she looks like Tina Fey's older conservative sister) and to Republican women who feel they finally have representation within their party. But former Hillary supporters? Anyone who was going to vote Democrat that now is going to vote for McCain due to Palin is an idiot. When choosing who to vote for we need to look beyond gender and charm and look at the person's values.
Hillary and Palin could not be more opposite in their stance on issues. Just look at Palin's actions in Alaska - she supported the bridge to nowhere (although she's flip-flopped on that issue), she supports drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, tried to get the polar bear taken off the endangered species list, wants to overturn Roe vs. Wade, tried to ban books at the library, raised taxes, does not support in-school sex education, vetoed a bill to provide benefits to gay state employees and their partners, and used her veto power to block a bill to provide funds for housing pregnant teens...I could go on. She's more right-wing than McCain.
One other misgiving I have about Palin, in her speech last night she was not just critical of Obama, she was mocking him and his experience. She compared her governorship to his community service work - basically saying that as governor at least she did something. So ignorant! At least when Obama is critical of McCain he acknowledges his respect for McCain's military service and what he went through as a POW. You need to know when to show respect for something and when to knock it. You can't knock Obama's community service. He could have had a lucrative career out of school but decided instead to serve those in need in his community. Community service should be, and usually is, considered to be another form of serving your country.
In summary, if you're someone who supports Palin and McCain because you feel they represent your values and political views, then more power to you. But if you're supporting them just because Palin is a woman, or a mom, then you seriously need to check your head.
Ok, I'm done with my political rant. I promise, no more bloggin on politics for a while.
