But my gut reaction says that it's a fatal mistake for McCain, who has been running almost exclusively on an "experience" platform for the last several months. Choosing Palin pretty much annihilates that argument.
But McCain still has all the experience he had 24 hours ago, and Obama has gotten 24 more hours of experience as a senator & presidential candidate. McCain can still tout experience, because he has it and Obama doesn't. And it's not like the Dems can't say "Look at how inexperienced she is!" with Obama sitting on the top of their ticket.
I disagree with your characterization as a fumble for McCain - she's a great choice to turn out the conservative side of the Republican party who might otherwise stay home in droves for McCain, while poaching Hilary supporters who might otherwise stay home instead of voting for Obama. Sure, given that she's pro-life she's not going to be able to sway that many Democrats, but really, who can you think of as a potential running mate who would garner votes from the Dems & swing voters without driving away the conservatives? Maverick McCain, who lots of Republicans love to hate for his maverick ways, needed to pick someone who could convince Republicans that they should actually vote in November - having Sarah Palin a heartbeat away from the Oval Office will do just that.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-08-30 03:22 am (UTC)But McCain still has all the experience he had 24 hours ago, and Obama has gotten 24 more hours of experience as a senator & presidential candidate. McCain can still tout experience, because he has it and Obama doesn't. And it's not like the Dems can't say "Look at how inexperienced she is!" with Obama sitting on the top of their ticket.
I disagree with your characterization as a fumble for McCain - she's a great choice to turn out the conservative side of the Republican party who might otherwise stay home in droves for McCain, while poaching Hilary supporters who might otherwise stay home instead of voting for Obama. Sure, given that she's pro-life she's not going to be able to sway that many Democrats, but really, who can you think of as a potential running mate who would garner votes from the Dems & swing voters without driving away the conservatives? Maverick McCain, who lots of Republicans love to hate for his maverick ways, needed to pick someone who could convince Republicans that they should actually vote in November - having Sarah Palin a heartbeat away from the Oval Office will do just that.