She's an excellent social conservative, fiscal conservative and political conservative," said Tom Baird, 68, a Vietnam veteran who sat with his Gideon Bible opened to 1Corinthians. "If she can energize the conservative base, it won't matter if she gets the women's vote."
He's right. This nomination is about pandering to evangelicals and the radical right. It's not about women.
There's no sexism here. There's no misogeny. Democrats make a big mistake if they fail to criticize Palin because they fear appearing sexist. She should be treated the same as any other candidate. Did she abuse her power as Governor? Who would she put on the Supreme Court if she assumed the Presidency because something happened to McCain? What does she know about the Justice Department? About the Defense Department? About responding to terror threats in major cities? About FEMA? National disasters?
Judge Palin by her views on issues, her record while in office, both as Governor and as Mayor (since that's all there is aside from being on the City Council and an unsuccessful run for Lieutenant Governor) and her lack of record on national issues.
On those criteria, she fails miserably as an acceptable Vice President. Democrats should not be afraid to go after her. They won't be getting the evangelical vote anyway, despite the Democrats attempt to reach out to them.
Every time Palin talks about the 18 million cracks, she's not only unwisely comparing herself to Hillary, she's suggesting that women vote for her because she's a woman. I hope women are smarter than to fall for that. The last thing any woman should want is a woman in the White House just because she's a woman. It has to be the right woman. Hillary was the right woman, on her own merits, her position on issues and her record of accomplishments. Palin doesn't come close.
To put her in the second highest leadership position in the country, especially given McCain's vulnerabilities in the top slot, is simply foolish.
I'm not falling for the victim meme. Sarah Palin is no victim. She's just the wrong candidate for Vice-President.
