Far and away the best analysis I've read of last night's VP debate is Peggy Noonan's column in the Wall Street Journal. She starts off with huzzahs, "She had him at 'Nice to meet you. Hey, can I call you Joe?'" Absolutely.
But, then Noonan gets right down to the marrow, "Sarah Palin saved John McCain again Thursday night. She is the political equivalent of cardiac paddles: Clear! Zap! We've got a beat! She will re-electrify the base. More than that, an hour and a half of talking to America will take her to a new level of stardom. Watch her crowds this weekend. She's about to get jumpers, the old political name for people who are so excited to see you they start to jump."
After the bail-out debacle of the last two weeks when all the lead-actors from both sides of the aisle managed to disappoint us, there is finally a fresh breeze blowing.
8 comments:
You are right, as usual, about the Peggy Noonan article.
Looks like we have one or two things that are likely to happen. First, thanks to Gov. Palin, John McCain might pull off a victory. He needs to announce that he is not suspending his campaign, but suspending Washington. Second, if the Demonocrats (sic, very sic) win, we have a candidate primed and ready for the nomination four years from now. This is the time for conservatives to rally behind the party that often (even when it's uncomfortable)tilts to the right.
Ben
My fear for Governor Palin is that she is getting her prepping from McCain's handlers - the same neoconservative policy wonks that helped torpedo conservatives for the last 7 years.
Even though Palin has come aboard, I still find it hard to vote for a ticket that I do not 100% support. The problem seems to be that momentary issues outweigh fundamental philosophy and principles. That is why I am still a staunch supporter of Ron Paul. His Campaign for Liberty is the clarion call that the Republicats need.
"I may not be a socialist human trafficking democratic-republican...but I am a thinker!"
I agree with your ill-ease about the McCain ticket. Alas, Ron Paul is not running. The Libertarian and Conservative Parties have good solid, if quixotic tickets. And, Alan Keyes is running as an off-the-ballot independent. I have some strong affinities for each of these alternatives. But, in the end I have to recognize that there is not now, and there never will be, a ticket that I am able to "100% support." Not this side of Heaven. So, I will, we all will, have to make determined, strategic, prioritized choices.
Dr. Grant,
I agree with you -- that we have to make determined, prioritized choices. But do you think that voting for an alternative candidate is a wasted vote? I wish I could vote for Ron Paul or Alan Keyes and make a difference. If more people voted for alternative parties, could we eventually make a splash in politics as usual?
Julie
Julie: I've voted for 3rd party candidates before--several times. But, this time around I'm just not sure there is big enough of a difference for me to have to make that kind of principled choice. I do think we ought to leave the 3rd party option open, though. And, I certainly honor those who will make that choice come November.
I thought Palin did a good job, even if both sides seemed a little stiff and rehearsed. I've been a student of yours via Gileskirk for five years (I'm in the fifth and am a senior in high school). You've been one of the biggest shapers of my worldview. If you could check out my blog, that would mean a lot to me. Thanks!
I love Sarah Palin,(well her Ideals at least) but she is a woman and I don't think that women should be in any place of authority over a man except in the home. so if I said that she was okay than I would be contradicting myself and I do not want to do that. Having said that that doesn't leave me many choices and I don't think a third party vote would do anybody any good. This all quite puzzles me?? :/
Post a Comment