Remember Harry Truman? Well, neither do I, but I've read all about him. McCain's choice of Palin brings him to mind. Franklin Delano Roosevelt chose him as a running mate in 1944 allegedly without a great deal of thought -- actually, it was part of a Democratic party compromise -- and proceeded to basically ignore his Vice President for the rest of his term (and his life), just as he had largely ignored Truman throughout Truman's Senate career. FDR passed away in 1945, and Truman assumed the Presidency, remarking at the time that when FDR died, "I felt like a bale of hay fell on me." He went on to conduct his administration in a manner that did not always win popularity with Americans, but that many historians regard as quite successful. Unfortunately, he is remembered by many Americans as the man who dropped the H-bomb on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
Well, McCain is nothing like FDR. Could Sarah Palin be the next Truman? Maybe, but probably not. Truman had been a big city pol, as a county judge in Kansas City, and U.S. Senator representing Missouri with recognition far outside Missouri. Palin has been the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska and governor of Alaska for a year and a half. What's interesting is the reputation she has gained for combatting the remarkably extensive corruption in the Alaska Republican Party and its elected leaders in the state, truly a maverick stance, right? Is this what McCain saw in Palin?
Apparently so, or at least it's an after-the-fact rationalization of his pick. No one can miss the fact that she is a woman. The choice seems like pandering to women, with Republicans hoping to capitalize on dissatisfaction among Democrats and independents who favored Hillary. Her credentials as an NRA member, pro-life opinion, and Christian conservative background seem to have offered the opportunity for McCain to shore up his weak support among that segment of the party and bring some excitement to a party that can't seem to muster a lot of enthusiasm for its candidate.
Her nomination says a great deal about McCain. What seems astonishing is his consideration of a person whose resume is so thin. McCain is reputed to have a low opinion of the importance of the Vice Presidency. Many talented leaders of organizations have an unfortunate tendency to overestimate their own abilities, and McCain's decision appears to show that deficiency. For anyone at the age of 72, the state of his health is a very realistic concern. Responsible corporations have succession plans for their leader that factor in a succession plan should the Chairman/CEO be unable to continute to lead. Has that been considered here, or have those considerations taken a back seat to the votes that McCain's team believe Palin could bring? Palin has no foreign policy experience or time in Washington, making it doubtful that she would be capable of effectively assuming the reigns of leadership if the worst were to happen to McCain, as it did to FDR in 1945. Doubt about this decision might just focus on McCain's judgement rather than arguments that it represents "pandering to women or the Christian right," both claims that could easily backfire with a lot of voters. At the same time, these are considerations that most voters are unlikely to miss. Instead, the argument could be made that this choice is a huge gamble and a risky decision, and similar to the reckless arrogance of the decision making of the Bush-Cheney administration.
