Posted by
Radical Moderate on Sunday, September 07, 2008 10:11:21 AM
Over the past two weeks, we have been witness to one of the finest examples of "punch-counter-punch" that I have seen in the last decade. Barack Obama rallied and John McCain counter-rallied. Central to these rallies were each candidate's picks for VP. Pundits have been examining the "meaning" of the picks but I believe they have fallen short. Regardless of the success or failure of these picks, they provide a window into the candidates' shortcomings as they see it. They chose like-minded juxtapositions to their own selves.
Obama picked Joe Biden. Why? Obama is bright, young, inexperienced and possibly scared at his own success. He is, more than anything, liberal. As such, he chose a fellow liberal who is slower, older, more experienced (although to me his experience leaves me wanting,) solid, and stable. If Obama is what Joe Biden isn't, we will have a very malleable
and untested person at the helm of the world's largest power.
McCain chose Sarah Palin. Why? McCain is headstrong, aging, experienced, independent, and possibly scared of "his" conservative base. He is, more than anything, a maverick. Conservatism is not his calling card although it does significantly influence his opinion. As such, he chose a fellow maverick who is more conservative, younger, less experienced (although to me her experience has been overstated,) solid and unknown. (And yes, she is a she and she has "the looks" McCain is lacking.) If McCain is what Sarah Palin isn't, we will have a very independent and headstrong person at the helm of world's largest power.
Independent or malleable? Experienced or Inexperienced? McCain or Obama? That is the question. America will answer and we will all need to support the choice by loyal opposition when necessary.