Presidential Election

[chromodynamics]

Palin.

What was McCain thinking?

The latest story is that she was only interviewed in the vetting process the day before she was selected, which is probably why so many stories are seeing light now, like the continuation of the abuse-of-power story; the link that her husband and she as well have to an Alaskan secessionist political party; the earmarks that she secured as mayor of Wasilla, which goes to her credibility as a reformer; and video from her speaking at her local church discussing how U.S. troops should only be "out on a task that is from God" along with other views that seem to be already hurting Republican efforts to woo Jewish voters.

This calls into serious question McCain's whole vetting process, and therefore McCain's judgement and wisdom.

Is that really the shakeup that the campaign was looking for?

Comments

[chromodynamics.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've seen many on the left who think this was done deliberately for one nefarious purpose or another. But I am of the opinion it was just a huge mistake. The NY Times article I think pegged it right in that McCain was leaning towards either Lieberman or Ridge, but when the campaign floated the idea of a pro-choice VP candidate about two weeks ago, and the conservatives said "hell, no!", he made a rush decision for what looked like a good candidate on paper (a young, likable, strongly conservative woman) but missed all the crazy buried underneath.

[longtimegone]

But I am of the opinion it was just a huge mistake.

Agreed. It seems uncharacteristically rash. There are many reasons I hate the Republican party (and last night's Daily Show hit on most of them omg), but I wouldn't ever call them bad at the planning/PR game. With the exception of Katrina. That was a bad move.