flo_writer

First impressions favor complementary McCain-Palin over contradictory Obama-Biden

Samson:

Our vice presidential candidates are officially announced by both parties and naturally everyone has something to say. Admittedly, I was surprised by both picks and additionally, have altered some fundamental views I once held toward both of our presidential candidates. With new players in the political game, we are presented with some very interesting, if not dramatic, shifts in party strategies, and direction in policy. This year, we cast away a rather old political game plan where a pair of established, venerable, privileged candidates fuss over each other. Instead we watch inquisitively about who has just the right blend qualities with a touch of crazy that can pull off as the winner of this political soap opera we call the 2008 election.

On the Democratic side is the senior Senator of Delaware, Joe Biden. He certainly has a very long career as a United States Senator with over 30 years of experience. Senator Biden is lauded, among other things, by his work with the U.S. Foreign Committee in foreign relations. First impressions toward Biden seems amicable enough. However, for a person with supposed success in foreign policy, he has presented some very ineffective solutions. For example, Biden proposed to partition Iraq among the Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis, effectively giving them their own regions. An idea that Iraq’s own political leadership quickly united to firmly denounce. At the risk of sounding like Paris, for a foreign policy expert, that sure was a stupid idea.

A more pressing concern for me however is how this affects Obama’s campaign. He has built quite a reputation as the deliverer of change. Indeed, it has caught much of the American population’s attention and jumped at the chance for that change by supporting Obama. However, for a person so determined to change politics, he sure has picked someone whose is heavily established in it. This seems very contradictory and one has to wonder if Obama’s message is a simple gimmick that he would quickly abandon once he is seated comfortably in the White House or if his message of change really is authentic. I simply do not know. Together, the pair seems very contradictory but who knows, that maybe actually be a strength.

On the Republican side is the Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. Appointed in 2006, she is perhaps most famous for her work as the chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, an organization in which she also served as Ethics Supervisor. She was appalled by what she called a “lack of ethics” by fellow Republican members. She has exposed, filed formal complaints, and essentially forced the resignation of fellow party members, Randy Ruedrich and Alaska Attorney General Gregg Renkes. Palin’s biggest weakness however is certainly that of inexperience. She has been Governor for only two years and many question her ability to be the next vice president of the United States.

As it pertains to McCain’s campaign however. The Palin pick initially seems counter-intutive. For a person who repeatedly questions Obama’s experience as a junior Senator of only four years, he sure feels comfortable by selecting one with only two years of experience as a governor. Additionally, she is a woman, an issue one would think is in the exclusive realm of the Democratic party due to Hillary Clinton’s presidential run. Upon second review however, McCain’s choice of Palin almost seems too perfect. Yes, she is a woman and almost picks up where Hillary Clinton left off. Already starting off with “18 million cracks” in the glass ceiling, Palin hopes to finally break through. Brilliant! Additionally, her inexperience cannot be attacked without implicating Obama’s experience as well. An issue I would think the Democratic party would not entertain. More importantly, she actually truly does complement McCain. She buttons down much of the Christian voters. However is fully capable and willing to hunt down her own kind. Together, the pair seems complementary with each person augmenting each others strengths and covering each other’s weaknesses.  McCain never was one to be predictable.

I’d like to state that these are simply first impressions of both presidential tickets. Time will certainly change the way we view our candidates and in the coming weeks, I am certainly eager to listen to what they have to say in order to form a clearer picture and understanding about what they have to offer. However, as of this moment, I would have to give the Republican party the edge for a stronger pair. The McCain-Palin ticket works together while the Obama-Biden ticket depends solely on Obama.