Senator John McCain takes pride in reminding American voters of two things that stick out in his United States Senate career:1. He has always been a maverick; and
2. He was not voted "Miss Congeniality" by his peers in the Senate.
Well, his maverick ways will be in full view as it will be McCain – not Governor Sarah Palin – that will pick up the proverbial revolver Thursday evening as the vice presidential candidates duel in St. Louis.
To paraphrase Tina Fey, I know that the governor can "...see Russia from her house...", but there will not be any focus on Russian vodka, Tetris, or dangerous single-bullet gun play this week.
On Thursday night, Senator McCain will participate in a primetime version of Alaskan Roulette. What's that you say? ...Much like the Russian game of nerve (or, as many of us prefer to call it, idiocy), Senator McCain has watched his once-touted selection of Governor Palin come to this: a single-round, one-time shot for his vice presidential candidate to impress upon voters that she is the type of Washington outsider that can take the reigns (if needed) and fix a broken Washington, a broken economic system, and a broken American image across the world.
Unfortunately, she comes into this debate at a point where she is fixing a broken image, currently having a hard time convincing Americans that she is actually an elected official that has enjoyed high approval ratings in her home state.
The McCain campaign promoted her as the "hockey mom" that related to everyday Americans. Despite dealing with trying family situations recently, Palin pulled off a remarkable speech at the Republican National Convention with a delivery that contained wit, passion, fight and promise.
Since that time, however, she has come across less as the everyday American that has overcome adversity to achieve one of 50 highly-prized elective positions within our country. Instead, she sounds common, unenlightened, and overwhelmed, three characteristics that highlight McCain's age and previous health issues at a time when her presence on the ticket was supposed to project a younger, fresher image of reform and new direction. To paraphrase Eminem in 'The Real Slim Shady,' Thursday night will be the opportunity for the real Sarah Palin to "...please stand up...please stand up..."
If she is incapable of salvaging the widespread American opinion about her qualifications and capability to lead this country if pressed into duty, Governor Palin's candidacy will be permanently painted with the same brush that conservatives dab Senator Obama's presidential run with: she will be seen for the remainder of this campaign as a politician that is blessed with oratory talent as long as she has a teleprompter in front of her, but once the lifeline (again, another Tina Fey reference) becomes unavailable, she lacks substance.
One potential flaw that McCain must bear during all of this is his campaign's approach towards preparing Palin for the national stage. Conservative columnist William Kristol noted that "McCain picked Sarah Palin in part because she's a talented politician and communicator ..." and that McCain must "...liberate (Palin) from the former Bush aides brought in to handle her..."
I agree.
At this point of time, bringing Bush aides to handle Palin is akin to hiring Ted Kaczynski to train your newest recruit on the SWAT team's bomb squad. If you do that and don't expect something to blow up, it's more of a reflection on the Human Resources department than it is on anyone else.
So, like some nervous protagonist from your favorite action movie, Senator McCain can only watch on Thursday and hope that Governor Palin makes the right moves and defuses this potentially-explosive situation for the campaign. If she pulls it off effectively, she may be able to pull in some of the undecided voters, women voters, and young voters that pushed the McCain-Palin ticket ahead in the polls after the Republican National Convention. In the process, she may be able to bait her opponent into a mishap himself (as he is prone to do on occasion.)
If Sarah Palin does not pull it off -- or, even worse, if she performs in a manner consistent with her two national TV interviews -- the trigger blowing a fatal hole in McCain's presidential campaign will be pulled.
All debates begin at 9PM ET View Detailed Schedule
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Lenny McAllister is the Political Guru for Fox News - Charlotte and blogs the Republican side of the election for BlackVoices. He is a frequent contributor to The Charlotte Post and The North Carolina Conservative.
Comments: (14)
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By: BETTYEJ on 10/01/2008 10:00PM
This is the way I see it. The Maverick and his Pit Bull - Barracuda have a lot in common. They both are hot headed and feel that they can say anything and get away with it. The main trouble for these two is the fact that they both want to be BOSS, and will try to mow down anyone that gets in their way. Just the kind of tag team duo our Country does not need.
Character, dignity and morals are something this warmonger and his barracuda are lacking. Mc Cain is a known womanizer and Palin, has five{4} children, that she drags around the country so she can add another title to her belt. Beauty Queen, Mayor, Governor, was not enough. Now it's the VP. With her $600.00 glasses and wearing her Jimmy Choo's, at the Republican Convention, she was in such a heated rush to get out of the Coldest State, Alaska, where she is known as the Hottest Governor, she allowed her special need child to be passed around like a sack of potato's and even his little sister was licking her hands, and trying to pat his hair down. Sarah Palin look into the camera and told the News Media that "She didn't come to Washington for them, she came to be a voice for all of the women that have special need children", yet she didn't have sense enough to put shoes and socks on her own baby.
No, I will not be waiting for Sarah Palin to knock Joe Biden out during the debate, because if she does nothing else, she has already lost the race in my book. My kids come before anything, Sarah, and shoes and socks are a part of my children life daily!
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By: Jennifer Erwin on 10/01/2008 10:10PM
Well written Lenny!
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By: phil schellenger on 10/02/2008 1:03AM
joe is just playing to the colored, i bet their are not many colored folks living near him,or his wife and kids and that they don;t hang with the blacks ,what a crock of b.s.
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By: Sergeant Rock on 10/02/2008 1:18AM
Governor Palin will hopefully shred Senator Biden into pieces. We need strong leaders! Sure Governor Palin has some shortcomings but so does Senator Biden. According to Wikipedia, he underperformed and ranked 76th of 85 students while in college. He was accussed of plagiarism of a law review article in his first year. He received five student military draft deferments during this period, with the first coming in late 1963 and the last in early 1968, at the peak of the Vietnam War. Biden is a member of the Holy Catholic Church. Are his beliefs of anti-abortion counter Barack Obama's? Perhaps he is also a Christian hypocrite who’s going to take away human life. He had voted against the resolution authorizing the Gulf War. Biden was a leading advocate for dividing Iraq into three separate states. The New York Times writes that Biden's "weak filters make him capable of blurting out pretty much anything". Do you want someone in the White House that can't keep his mouth shut? Biden has twice run for the Democratic nomination for President and was unsuccessful. Get this! In May 2004, Biden urged Republican Senator John McCain to run as vice president with presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, saying the cross-party ticket would help heal the “vicious rift” in U.S. politics. Biden stressed his foreign policy expertise compared to Obama's, saying of the latter, "I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training." Barack Obama has selected a Washington status quo Senator as his running mate. Is this a sign of the "Change America" policy that Obama is pushing in his bid for President?
People are foolish if they think Biden and Obama are going to do this country any good. I'm from the South Chicago area and learned to be street savvy. Obama's a smart guy! He weaseled his way into politics by running with the gang. He's had dealings with questionable people. Why do you think Rev. Jackson made a "painful" comment about Obama? I ask what did he do in the Senate that was so great? Did anyone in Illinois even know that he existed before his candidacy? One things for sure, I think he's an egoist. Listen to his speeches people! It's all about him. He has everyone, including the media, playing into his hand. I smell something fishy frying in the pan! I'd like to know who put this person in the spotlight for the Democrats. I'm an independent voter leaning to the right this time. I was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. I truly believe that it would be in our best interest if Barack Obama were not the Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces. What's he going to say in a time of crisis? "Call me if you need me to help".
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By: sachet on 10/02/2008 2:09AM
Well said, BettyeJ. I agree wholeheartedly.
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By: Lore on 10/02/2008 9:57AM
Similar to what Johnny Carson used to say heeeeerrrres Palin/McCain. She has hijacked his candidacy and HE is looking like #2 on the ticket.All I know is the VP debate is looking more like the superbowl of the political season...Palin appears to be a likable person but she is in too deep, way over her head,sinking in moose sh!t. Cant say I have any sympathy for her,she came out swinging hard during the republican conventions at Obama now its her turn to have her feet held to the fire as all the other candidates have.If Biden can manage to keep a low profile he leaves Palin plenty of foot in her mouth time...Cant wait to watch the debate...
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By: Jerone Porter on 10/02/2008 10:26AM
As the election draws closer and closer, I am finding it harder and harder to believe the comments that I read about Sarah Palin. It seems that Americans are judging her on her not being one of the elite politicians--American royalty--that we want to lead this country. The reality is that no one running for office says more about the common everyday American being able to aspire to the highest office in the land than she does.
Yes, she is not a polished, smooth-talking politico, but does that mean she is not fit to lead? How many of us would get offended by someone rejecting our wife for a job because she is married to a commoner, and has children at home?
I think it is admirable that Sara Palin is standing up and taking center stage—with all of her flaws—because she has a strong sense of duty to the country that she loves. This is America, and we should all want leaders that are not afraid to fight for their beliefs, and ours!!
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By: Greg Jones on 10/02/2008 11:09AM
From Blacks4Barack...
MESSAGE FROM OBAMA HQ's...
In less than a week, voter registration will have ended in over two dozen states.
The deadline to register in Mississippi is this Friday.
The deadline to register to vote in Nevada, Utah, Washington, Rhode Island and South Carolina is Sunday.
Monday, October 6th is the deadline to register in 17 additional states.
No matter where you live, if you have three minutes to spare, you can check your registration status, register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and find your early voting site or polling location at VoteForChange.com.
In 2004, George Bush won Nevada by less than 2.5% of voters, New Mexico by less than 1% of voters, and Colorado by less than 100,000 votes. In Ohio, Bush won by just over 100,000 votes -- less than 10 votes per precinct.
This time, we can't leave anything to chance.
This is your choice: three minutes spent registering to vote -- or four years spent wishing that you had.
Even if you are registered, you likely know someone who isn't.
If you have friends or family who support Barack but might not be registered to vote, you can use our online form to let them know about VoteForChange.com. A simple message from you could be the difference between them voting and them staying at home on November 4th.
And that could be the difference in this election.
http://www.Blacks4Barack.blogspot.com
http://www.Blacks4Barack.org
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By: Ya Girl Sandee in Dallas on 10/02/2008 12:53PM
Well said, Lenny! Glad to know you haven't drank the Kool-Aid :) You still have your head on straight! TCNGB...peace
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By: Zane on 10/06/2008 9:40AM
I really wish Sarah Palin would tend to her children. Maybe if Sarah Palin spent sometime with her children her 17 year old daughter wouldn't be preganant. Her child should not be passed around like a potato... and yes her children need shoes and socks... especially if you live in ALASKA its COLD!!!
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