Montrose - Daily Press

Sen. McCain selects

Gov. Sarah Palin

Sarah who? Such was the query with the American populace Friday morning when presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, stunned the American electorate with his choice of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska. Ms. Palin has been governor of Alaska for less than two years and was mayor of Wasilla, AK, a community of 9,000 outside of Anchorage. Commentator Rush Limbaugh rushed to the microphone calling McCain’s choice “brillant;” the Rev. James Dobson agreed, saying the evangelicals could support Gov. Palin.

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McCain made the selection on his 72nd birthday and in doing so, took some of the post-Democratic convention boost away from the Obama/Sen. Joe Biden ticket. Ms. Palin, 44, is also a former Miss Alaska contestant (runner-up in 1984), is the mother of five children and has the anti-abortion and pro-gun credentials. She and her husband operate a commercial fishing business in Alaska. A “reformer” and “maverick” in her own right, Gov. Palin has played tough with the oil companies that continually view her home state as a drilling field; she also put the kibosh on the infamous “bridge to nowhere,” a pork-barrel project that was indicative of wasteful Washington spending.

Her selection, too, can be viewed as problematic. Will she be able to stand the white-lot glare of the national media, unlike local papers that covered her in Wasilla and Juneau. Her skimpy political resume is a liability. And earlier this year, an Alaska investigative panel launched an inquiry into her firing of Alaska’s public safety commissioner for allegedly refusing to dismiss a former brother-in-law who was accused by the Palin family for harassment. This alleged abuse of power is likely being researched by her opponents.

The role of the vice-presidency has expanded greatly during recent administrations, with the example of vice-presidents Al Gore and Dick Cheney. Gov. Palin is certainly an interesting choice and brings a fresh dynamic to a national ticket.

Democrats make history

Not only did Sen. Barack Obama have to win a grueling series of primaries to reach the top spot on the podium last week in Denver, he also had to accommodate the Kennedy family dynasty and the Clinton political machine to do so. That he was able to transcend the echoes of Camelot and the considerable power base of President Clinton and Sen. Hillary Clinton, speaks to his commitment to change in American politics.

The Democrats made history, for sure. Its nominee, an African-American member of the Senate from Illinois by way of Kansas and Hawaii, is a first.  Eighteen million people voted for Sen. Clinton, the most votes ever for a woman. Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP vice-presidential nominee, cited Sen. Clinton’s “breakthrough” as an inspiration in her own political career, amplified Friday as she became Sen. McCain’s choice, the first of her gender to share a GOP national ticket.

Sen. Obama’s acceptance speech, before a tumult of enthusiastic supporters and a global audience, was a defining moment in U.S. history. The pundits said Sen. Obama “hit it out of the park,” that the Republicans were “speechless” given his tone, his message and his charisma. That may be, but less than 24 hours later, the news cycle changed to another fresh face, that of Gov. Palin, and another “first.”

Few elections have been as compelling, or historical or as interesting. We’re fortunate to live in this day.

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