I had never heard Sarah Palin's name until my son's baseball practice last night. Actually, I didn't even hear her name, just the buzz that Senator McCain had chosen a 44 year old, minivan driving, mother of 5 as his running mate. I got excited. Not because she's a woman. Not because she's a conservative. Not because I suddenly had the clarity of knowing how I'm going to vote in the November elections.
I got excited because I thought, "I can't believe he just did that!"
In regard to politics, we often utter the phrase "I can't believe he just did that" while all along we actually do believe it was done. No one really does anything that surprises us. We have all become very jaded. When is the last time you went to vote in a gubernatorial election or a presidential election and didn't say or hear at least 5 other people say, "I wish I just wasn't voting for the lesser of two evils?" It's become common to vote for the person you believe will do the least amount of damage.
But yesterday, I truly couldn't believe someone had "just done that." Senator McCain's choice thrills me. I feel a little less jaded this morning.
I've read a few online articles about Governor Palin this morning. There are some things I really like about her, other things I wish were different. But so far I haven't seen anything that has put me off. Of course, since she seems to have come out of left field, there isn't much to read yet. Everyone seems to have the same information.
I certainly haven't made up my mind about November. But I have a renewed interest in this election and a renewed faith in our political system.
6 comments:
i am aware of her as she refused to abort her child. they specifically test for down's so you have the option. she also was the one who told congress no bridge to no where. she is one tough cookie
Yes, I've read a little about her resolve after she was told about the down's. I'll have to look into the no bridge to no where part. I don't know anything about it.
I'm finally getting a chance to put down my initial thoughts on this subject. I have to agree Robin, I had all but lost interest in this presidential race until Friday! I didn't watch any of the Democratic Convention, but heard clips of Obama's speech on NPR Friday morning and was encouraged by some of what he said. Then at lunchtime, I turned on NPR again and heard a young woman talking about her career in politics and then she referred to her running mate and I was so excited! Huh? A woman? The FIRST woman on a Republican ticket?! This was such an awesome move on McCain's part. I actually feel like there's a race here now. As you mentioned, we don't have to choose the lesser of two evils for the first time in a long time! I'm still not sure how I'm voting in November, but they have my attention and I am looking forward to the debates.
If you consider yourself an environmentalist at all, you will NOT even consider voting for Palin.
Beth,
Here's the thing - I do consider myself an environmentalist, but the environment is not the only issue out there. I've never been comfortable with voting on one issue only - even if it is the issue that is most important to me at the moment.
There are lots of other issues that are important to me like education, freedom of religion (as opposed to freedom from religion that seems to be confused with freedom of religion), local and state taxes (I live in New Jersey - it's a very convoluted, corrupt system in place right now), and a slew of others.
I need to find a candidate that I think will serve best in many areas, not just one.
I also question any candidates ability to make real changes in environmental policy when the lobbyists have them between a rock and hard place 90% of the time. Their intentions for the environment may be good, but can they really get any legislation passed that will do any good? No matter who gets in office, he may be ineffectual in this area. The changes need to start with the people and the people demanding through letters and calls to their state representatives that they take action. That isn't done enough yet and until that happens the representatives aren't going to propose changes for any president to go along with. So not voting for any candidate simply because I don't agree with all of his or her environmental policies may do no good at all.
It's not an easy choice, and I haven't made up my mind yet.
One thing that I think a lot of people are forgetting is that we aren't voting for Gov. Palin for president. Sen. Obama seems to get compared to her and vice-versa when they should both be compared with their counterparts.
Jenn -
Yes, a woman on the republican ticket is quite a surprise. Whether you like Sen. Palin or not, the choice to have her as Sen. McCain's running mate has shaken the election up and gotten people more interested. That in and of itself is a good thing.
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