Let me preface this by recognizing how monumental it is to see a woman on a major party ticket (a la Ferraro/Mondale). If I set aside politics for a moment, I can admit I'm very proud to see a woman in the national spotlight who proves that "the fairer sex" does not have to choose between motherhood and her career. I respect that Palin has the gumption to defend her unwed daughter's pregnancy on national television; it shows me that she actually believes in her touted values (a rare disposition these days.)
But, feminist jaunt aside, let's get down to the brass tacks.
Palin is the least qualified VP candidate since Spiro Agnew. At least Quayle had political experience worth speaking of (two terms in the U.S. House of Reps, and two terms in the Senate.)
So, not only has McCain become laughably inconsistent, he's apparently lost whatever capacity for good judgment he had left. The VP pick should be about more than PR and getting into office. This woman would be responsible for running the country if McCain should die or sustain a serious injury.
Seriously? Her experience consists of running a town about the size of Pittsburg, Tx and governing the state of Alaska for two years. It would probably be better for her and the party if she had none at all, as damning as her record is.
The most quoted line from her RNC speech is "I told Congress thanks, but no thanks, on that bridge to nowhere." Tough words from someone trying to portray herself as fiscally conservative; especially after she ran on a build-the-bridge platform, then changed her mind (after McCain criticized the outrageous earmarks ), then took the money anyway and used it for other projects.
Her husband was a registered member of the Alaskan Independence Party and Palin, while not a member herself, has more than a few kind words for the would be secessionists.
As mayor of Wasilla, Palin initiated all sorts of conflict, and she's currently under investigation for abuse of power in what's being called the troopergate scandal. And although McCain's spin-doctors are eager to champion her as the new candidate of change, Alaskans are all too familiar with her political smear tactics.
But let's not forget her dedication to education... as mayor, Palin tried to initiate a book ban, then threatened to fire the librarian. Instead, she fired the museum director (and subsequently caused the resignation of three other long-term employees, and made nearly a 15% budget cut.)
Then, she told an Alaskan news reporter in 2006 that she supported teaching creationism in schools. No wonder Alaska is ranked 46 in education.
And here she is laughing at a cancer-surviving political rival being called a "cancer" and a "bitch."
And all of this has come to light in less than a week after her selection for the Republican Party Ticket.
McCain's pick is sheer desperation and shows a blatant disregard for the welfare of this country. At this point, even if he replaced Palin with someone else, I still don't know if I could vote for him.