Editorial feature: Why did John McCain pick Sarah
Palin?
By Diane V. McLoughlin, The McLoughlin Post, October 1, 2008
Why did John McCain pick Sarah Palin as his vice presidential
running mate? It's a good question.
While I don't have behind-the-scenes access to the goings-on in
the Republican Party, my impression is this: Palin was
'discovered' by evangelicals. An evangelical following began
lobbying the Party for the past couple of months, pushing Palin
as a great candidate for V.P. Why? Because she is like many of
them. Anti-abortion, pro-gun, pro-Jesus, pro-war, pro-nationalist.
They believed, that, like them, she was also pro-fiscal
responsibility (her record on this last point suggests otherwise.)
Full story
They see themselves reflected in her. Some are reverse snobs
that believe that everybody in Washington is a bunch of elitist fat
cats. Palin derides travel as an elitist pastime, for example. One
might counter that travel, at its best, broadens one's horizons
and is highly educational but whatever. .
There is a difference between down-home bedrock common
sense, which all of us wish there was a whole lot more of, and
what we sense from this sub-section of the American populace. It
is worrying that they seem to take a special pride in their own
defensive, judgmental, abusive ignorance.
These are people the country has let down. Neglected by the
state, abused and underpaid by employers, they are
punch-drunk and loaded for bear in this election cycle. They are
backing the wrong horse and will be rudely awakened after the
election if those they are backing get in. Nothing will change if
they are very, very lucky. But in reality, the course will not be
changed and so therefore, things, in fact, will get far, far worse;
for themselves, their children, their futures, and the future of the
country and the world. God help us all.
home
Palin?
By Diane V. McLoughlin, The McLoughlin Post, October 1, 2008
Why did John McCain pick Sarah Palin as his vice presidential
running mate? It's a good question.
While I don't have behind-the-scenes access to the goings-on in
the Republican Party, my impression is this: Palin was
'discovered' by evangelicals. An evangelical following began
lobbying the Party for the past couple of months, pushing Palin
as a great candidate for V.P. Why? Because she is like many of
them. Anti-abortion, pro-gun, pro-Jesus, pro-war, pro-nationalist.
They believed, that, like them, she was also pro-fiscal
responsibility (her record on this last point suggests otherwise.)
Full story
They see themselves reflected in her. Some are reverse snobs
that believe that everybody in Washington is a bunch of elitist fat
cats. Palin derides travel as an elitist pastime, for example. One
might counter that travel, at its best, broadens one's horizons
and is highly educational but whatever. .
There is a difference between down-home bedrock common
sense, which all of us wish there was a whole lot more of, and
what we sense from this sub-section of the American populace. It
is worrying that they seem to take a special pride in their own
defensive, judgmental, abusive ignorance.
These are people the country has let down. Neglected by the
state, abused and underpaid by employers, they are
punch-drunk and loaded for bear in this election cycle. They are
backing the wrong horse and will be rudely awakened after the
election if those they are backing get in. Nothing will change if
they are very, very lucky. But in reality, the course will not be
changed and so therefore, things, in fact, will get far, far worse;
for themselves, their children, their futures, and the future of the
country and the world. God help us all.
home
