Missing the Point

The Salt Lake Tribune has posted an editorial by Helen Thomas today. Ms. Thomas has certainly missed the point to McCain's choice for VP. Ms. Thomas is quick to claim that Gov. Palin does not have much experience and comes with "unexpected baggage," such as a 17-year old daughter that is pregnant, unduly influencing a public servant to fire an ex-brother-in-law, and working to get earmarks for her town. First of all, I would not agree with a family member being characterized as "baggage." Second, Ms. Thomas has missed the point that despite any perceived negatives pointed out by political opponents, Gov. Palin brings positives that far outweigh any negatives. And since any choice for VP (i.e., Sen. Biden?) comes with some negatives, the point seems to be picking someone that can help your presidential candidate, and Gov. Palin has clearly done that for Sen. McCain. The political narrative is almost exclusively directed toward Gov. Palin and Sen. McCain, and Gov. Palin has brought an energy that is impossible to deny.

Ms. Thomas also seems to be very disappointed that Sen. Obama did not choose Sen. Clinton as his running mate. In reference to Sen. Obama's VP choice, Ms. Thomas rightly asks, "Where is the audacity?" Apparently, Sen. McCain is the one with audacity, and now momentum.

Ms. Thomas makes the point that Gov. Palin will be one heartbeat away from the presidency. I would clarify that right now Gov. Palin is one election and one heartbeat away from the presidency. Sen. Obama is one election away from the presidency, but Ms. Thomas does not appear concerned at all about Sen. Obama's qualifications. Maybe that is because a direct comparison of Sen. Obama's executive experience and Gov. Palin's executive experience demonstrates that Gov. Palin is far and away better prepared.

I do have to give Ms. Thomas credit for her candor. Given the success of last night's speech by Gov. Palin, I was expecting more editorials and comments like this one from the SL Tribune. The direct attacks on Gov. Palin have backfired, so it is much safer to question her "temperment and knowledge" to be VP, imply that she has stange ideas about what constitutes "God's work," and merely suggest that we need to know more about Gov. Palin.

My conclusion: I thought Gov. Palin was a good choice when the choice was made; I think Gov. Palin is a fantastic choice now. I think she definitely has the "temperment and knowledge" to be the VP, or even the President. I like the fact that she really does understand, and communicate her understanding, of small town people and regular families. This election just became very interesting. The war hero and the pitbull with lipstick against the elitist and life-long politician.