One of the most frightening events in contemporary political life is McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate. Historically, I believe the number is nine Vice-Presidents who have had to step into the role of President when the President has died or been incapacitated. That is a very, very high percentage and a particularly great risk to take with a potential President who is 72 years of age, with a history of serious health problems.
I heard Palin's speech last night, and she is rhetorically very powerful, very tough. She is self-assured, humorous, pointed in her remarks. She is presenting herself as "just a hockey mom"--but with plenty of executive experience to be President of the United States, should that role fall to her. And the GOP is enthusiastically putting her forward as "one of the people": a pro-life mother of five, a gun enthusiast, PTA member, an outsider to the "Washington elite." She is going to be an attack dog, and a very effective one, I fear.
Nevermind that she is being investigated for firing a state employee who was formerly married to her sister; nevermind that she was for the "bridge to nowhere" before she was against it; nevermind that she tried to fire a librarian for refusing to censor books; nevermind that she has stated that creationism should be taught in the public schools, alongside the "theory" of evolution. Nevermind any of this, because of the anti-intellectual character of the American people, and because all too many voters either share Palin's values and/or will identify with her as "one of them."
Initially, I considered McCain's decision a sure-fire path to GOP self-destruction--but now I'm not so sure. It may very well work. Once again, they will fill the air waves with fear, and they will say that the warrior McCain will protect us from the enemy. And the wealthy GOP base will protect their wealth by pulling in the "family values" folks with Sarah Palin, encouraging them to vote against their own economic self-interest.
Surely this is a crucial time for liberals and progressive thinkers to become fully engaged in the political process. There is too much at stake to be passive onlookers as this fascinating drama plays itself out.
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