Saturday, August 30, 2008

Scholars Weight In on Palin's Credentials

It's going from bad to worse for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's surprise choice for vice president. She's being compared to Spiro Agnew! 

While Far-Right Republicans are lining up behind Palin, her thin resume and complete lack of national experience is likely to cause problems for the GOP ticket.

A Politico story posted today does not inspire confidence. Presidential scholars interviewed by the website include these damning assessments of Palin's background: 
Presidential scholars say she appears to be the least experienced, least credentialed person to join a major-party ticket in ticket in the modern era. […] 

That includes Spiro T. Agnew, Richard Nixon's first vice president, who was governor of a medium-sized state, Maryland, for two years, and before that, executive of suburban Baltimore County…. 

It also includes…New York Rep. Geraldine Ferraro, who served three terms in the House before Walter Mondale chose her in 1984 as the first woman candidate on a major party ticket. 

"It would be one thing is she has only been governor for a year and a half, but prior to that she had not had major experience in public life, said [presidential historian Matthew] Dallek of Palin. "The fact that he [McCain] would have to go to somebody who is clearly unqualified to be president makes Obama look like an elder statesman." 
This is a powerful stuff and yet another sign that the Palin selection was a mistake

The Alaska governor may wow 'em at the GOP convention in St. Paul, but the doubts are out there and they aren't trivial. Even if she comes off well next week, there's no getting around the fact that she has no national or international experience–none! 

Loyal Republicans are saying she's a "game changer." But she may be a deal breaker for a great many thoughtful and independent voters, people who know a light-weight token when they see one. 

4 comments:

Savage Baptist said...

...a deal breaker for a great many thoughtful and independent voters, people who know a light-weight token when they see one.

Now, see, this is exactly how I would have described your problem, too, except that your problem is at the top of the ticket.

I'm sorry, gents; there is nothing to recommend Senator Obama over any run of the mill local Democrat, save his oratory. As such, while I completely agree that Mrs. Palin is inexperienced, I think such criticism rings rather hollow coming from a party that has put Mr. Empty Rhetoric at the top of their own ticket, and I rather doubt I am the only one who thinks so.

Anonymous said...

Rush emailed his followers: "Palin=Guns, Babies, Jesus." The base loves it.

I hope all moderates and independents tune in to the convention this week and drink in the sight and sound of jubilation on the hard right.

Then if it turns out that they crave more of the same, they'll know how to vote.

Savage Baptist said...

Tulsan, you're not suggesting that you don't like guns, babies, and Jesus, are you? :)

I mean, gosh, I sure like all three...

Anonymous said...

Not as governing principles.