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8/27/2008 McCain must exploit Democrats’ Hillary blunder By Van Mobley The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com. Collectively and individually the Democrats have made two major blunders this campaign season. First, as a group they failed to select Hillary, by far their most formidable candidate, as the party nominee. Second, as an individual Obama failed to select Hillary, by far his best potential partner, as his choice for VP. If he had picked Hillary as his VP he would have appeared strong, gallant, and wise. Because he did not pick Hillary he appears as if maybe, just maybe, he is afraid of this bold, strong, confident and capable woman – or unwilling to overcome his own personal likes and dislikes for the good of the country. Neither one of these attributes is an appealing characteristic. John McCain should seize the opportunity Obama’s blunder affords him and select a strong woman as his VP. In my view Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska fits the profile McCain needs. On the one hand she is a tough Republican reformer with executive experience who is untainted by the morass in Washington. On the other she is, by all accounts, a devoted wife and pro-life mother. Her two obvious weaknesses -- lack of international experience and relative obscurity -- can be overcome. I don’t know Governor Palin personally and therefore can’t comment upon the “intangibles” that can only be gleaned in personal interviews and long experience. But if she is as tough and competent in person as she appears at a distance she might very well be McCain’s best pick. By choosing Palin McCain will get an excellent partner – and ensure that every time Hillary stands up and says “I support Barack Obama,” a large chunk of the electorate will think, “And why the hell doesn’t he support you!” After pondering that imponderable, enough of them will vote McCain-Palin to put that ticket in the White House. -- Mobley is associate professor of history & economics at Concordia University Wisconsin, a trustee in the Village of Thiensville, and an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention. |
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