Thoughts and some digging on Palin.
I wasn't really paying attention to der interwebs today, so I missed the roll out of McCain VP pick.
And, like most of America, I think I said "Sarah who?"
Most of my republican co-workers thought she was a good pick, but were surprisingly reticent when asked why she was a good choice. (For the fairer-minded, they were working out their reasons after being surprised by a cypher like the rest of us. For the less-fair minded, they hadn't been programmed by their right-wing masters yet.)
So I tried to figure it out.
And failed miserably, but I picked up some interesting information on the way.
<b>Abortion:</b> Strict right to lifer. No exceptions for rape or incest, which puts her at odds with McCain who does support those exceptions.
<b>Oil:</b> Supports drilling. (Duh, everyone does currently.) Supports drilling in ANWR, which is also contrary to McCain's stated position.
<b>Integrity:</b> My verdict: Possibly corrupt.
1. Ongoing investigation into whether or not she used influence to try and get her sister's ex-husband (a Trooper involved in a messy custody battle with the sister) fired. Statements have been made that when this failed, she fired the Chief Public Safety Commissioner. More to follow, I'm sure. She says she <a href="http://www.adn.com/monegan/story/492964.html">wasn't involved</a> and it was an aide acting on his own. Fired Chief <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2008/08/exclusive_chief_fired_by_palin.html?hpid=topnews">disagrees</a>.
2. Current ethics violation complaint for using influence to alter a state hiring decision. <a href="http://community.adn.com/sites/community.adn.com/files/McLeod%20Ethics%20Complaint1.pdf">Complaint.</a>
So while she ran on a platform of stamping out corruption, (and has done so to some degree as far as I can detect) it's hard to determine right now if that was to stamp out corruption, or stamp out corruption that isn't hers. Many more links at Sunlight Foundation on her <a href="http://realtime.sunlightprojects.org/2008/08/29/tracking-gov-palin/">political finances</a>. I lean towards 'probably corrupt' in that it's rare in my experience to see a Governor poked in the eye twice in her first two years if _something_ isn't going on. My cynical filter adds that in a culture like AK that leans toward corruption, the fact that she's getting called on it, means something. I don't know what, but...
<b>Religion</b>: Well, no surprise that whatever VP McCain picked, he needed to shore up his standing with those Americans more inclined to false-christianity. I think she's a good choice for that given her other credentials, her positions on abortion and the fact that she appears to be firmly <a href="http://www.talk2action.org/story/2008/8/29/182057/888">entrenched</a> with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominionism">Dominionism</a>. The down side is that I think there are a section of Republicans that this will drive batshit unless they put their fingers in their ears shout LALALA really loudly while praying fervently to Jeebus that McCain doesn't kick it in office.
<b>Qualifications:</b> Well, city council critter of her hometown of ~7000+ for 4 years. (92-96) Mayor of same town from 1996-2002. Governor 2006->Present (As a note, Alaska has the 4th smallest population in the union.)
<b>Factoids and random opinionating:</b>
<b>Factoids:</b> Has boasted about <a href="http://www.johnmccain.com/about/governorpalin.htm">killing bridge to nowhere</a>, but was <a href="http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/510378.html">for it</a> while running for Governor. Another interesting factoid about the bridge to nowhere that got killed? The State of Alaska <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/22/alaska.bridge.ap/">got to keep</a> the 200 million in federal money that had been earmarked for the project (Palin was now Governor). That's a neat trick. I need to learn it.
<b>Opinionating:</b>
<b>Age:</b> Will be viewed as a positive by some. Having examined a number of photos of them separately and together, I think he appears older when they are together. I look at her and go "she's older than me." Then I look at McCain. Uh. This will not help his "You damn kids get off my lawn!" image in the younger circles.
<b>Looks:</b> The cynic in me wonders what it is with John and beauty queens. My boss met her in Kuwait and noted that the 3-Star he worked with at the time was visibly lusting after her. Other than that I have no opinion and don't think it's really relevant.
<b>Experience:</b> Regarded by some AK state legislators as being unqualified to be Governor. I am personally biased on the experience issue. I don't think being a politician for any length of time qualifies you to do a damn thing other than be a politician. One of the risks for some of America is that as somewhat of a cypher with little experience and an attractive woman, the McCain camp has to define who she is <i>immediately</i> or else this could go down hill fast as other impressions get attached to her. It may not be the way it should be, but I think one of the lessons from the 2008 election is that America is surmounting racism faster than misogynism. (IMO)
<b>The Hillary thing</b>: Most ardent Hillary supporters seem to mostly be insulted. Maybe this will work for some of them though, if their stance is totally position-independent. I'm guessing that the no-rape/incest stance may be a deal breaker though.
I wasn't going to vote for Candidate McCain anyway, so this doesn't really change much for me. But to throw any republicans that might have stuck with me this far a bone: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082302200.html">Biden's Son, Brother Named in Two Suits</a> Obama may be in for his own October surprise.
And finally a bit of humour lighten the air. <a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/news/obama_clinton_mccain_join_forces">Obama, Clinton, McCain Join Forces To Form Nightmare Ticket</a>
And, like most of America, I think I said "Sarah who?"
Most of my republican co-workers thought she was a good pick, but were surprisingly reticent when asked why she was a good choice. (For the fairer-minded, they were working out their reasons after being surprised by a cypher like the rest of us. For the less-fair minded, they hadn't been programmed by their right-wing masters yet.)
So I tried to figure it out.
And failed miserably, but I picked up some interesting information on the way.
<b>Abortion:</b> Strict right to lifer. No exceptions for rape or incest, which puts her at odds with McCain who does support those exceptions.
<b>Oil:</b> Supports drilling. (Duh, everyone does currently.) Supports drilling in ANWR, which is also contrary to McCain's stated position.
<b>Integrity:</b> My verdict: Possibly corrupt.
1. Ongoing investigation into whether or not she used influence to try and get her sister's ex-husband (a Trooper involved in a messy custody battle with the sister) fired. Statements have been made that when this failed, she fired the Chief Public Safety Commissioner. More to follow, I'm sure. She says she <a href="http://www.adn.com/monegan/story/492964.html">wasn't involved</a> and it was an aide acting on his own. Fired Chief <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2008/08/exclusive_chief_fired_by_palin.html?hpid=topnews">disagrees</a>.
2. Current ethics violation complaint for using influence to alter a state hiring decision. <a href="http://community.adn.com/sites/community.adn.com/files/McLeod%20Ethics%20Complaint1.pdf">Complaint.</a>
So while she ran on a platform of stamping out corruption, (and has done so to some degree as far as I can detect) it's hard to determine right now if that was to stamp out corruption, or stamp out corruption that isn't hers. Many more links at Sunlight Foundation on her <a href="http://realtime.sunlightprojects.org/2008/08/29/tracking-gov-palin/">political finances</a>. I lean towards 'probably corrupt' in that it's rare in my experience to see a Governor poked in the eye twice in her first two years if _something_ isn't going on. My cynical filter adds that in a culture like AK that leans toward corruption, the fact that she's getting called on it, means something. I don't know what, but...
<b>Religion</b>: Well, no surprise that whatever VP McCain picked, he needed to shore up his standing with those Americans more inclined to false-christianity. I think she's a good choice for that given her other credentials, her positions on abortion and the fact that she appears to be firmly <a href="http://www.talk2action.org/story/2008/8/29/182057/888">entrenched</a> with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominionism">Dominionism</a>. The down side is that I think there are a section of Republicans that this will drive batshit unless they put their fingers in their ears shout LALALA really loudly while praying fervently to Jeebus that McCain doesn't kick it in office.
<b>Qualifications:</b> Well, city council critter of her hometown of ~7000+ for 4 years. (92-96) Mayor of same town from 1996-2002. Governor 2006->Present (As a note, Alaska has the 4th smallest population in the union.)
<b>Factoids and random opinionating:</b>
<b>Factoids:</b> Has boasted about <a href="http://www.johnmccain.com/about/governorpalin.htm">killing bridge to nowhere</a>, but was <a href="http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/510378.html">for it</a> while running for Governor. Another interesting factoid about the bridge to nowhere that got killed? The State of Alaska <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/22/alaska.bridge.ap/">got to keep</a> the 200 million in federal money that had been earmarked for the project (Palin was now Governor). That's a neat trick. I need to learn it.
<b>Opinionating:</b>
<b>Age:</b> Will be viewed as a positive by some. Having examined a number of photos of them separately and together, I think he appears older when they are together. I look at her and go "she's older than me." Then I look at McCain. Uh. This will not help his "You damn kids get off my lawn!" image in the younger circles.
<b>Looks:</b> The cynic in me wonders what it is with John and beauty queens. My boss met her in Kuwait and noted that the 3-Star he worked with at the time was visibly lusting after her. Other than that I have no opinion and don't think it's really relevant.
<b>Experience:</b> Regarded by some AK state legislators as being unqualified to be Governor. I am personally biased on the experience issue. I don't think being a politician for any length of time qualifies you to do a damn thing other than be a politician. One of the risks for some of America is that as somewhat of a cypher with little experience and an attractive woman, the McCain camp has to define who she is <i>immediately</i> or else this could go down hill fast as other impressions get attached to her. It may not be the way it should be, but I think one of the lessons from the 2008 election is that America is surmounting racism faster than misogynism. (IMO)
<b>The Hillary thing</b>: Most ardent Hillary supporters seem to mostly be insulted. Maybe this will work for some of them though, if their stance is totally position-independent. I'm guessing that the no-rape/incest stance may be a deal breaker though.
I wasn't going to vote for Candidate McCain anyway, so this doesn't really change much for me. But to throw any republicans that might have stuck with me this far a bone: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082302200.html">Biden's Son, Brother Named in Two Suits</a> Obama may be in for his own October surprise.
And finally a bit of humour lighten the air. <a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/news/obama_clinton_mccain_join_forces">Obama, Clinton, McCain Join Forces To Form Nightmare Ticket</a>
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