Sept 2, 2008

I hate being right all the time. Just as I predicted, McCain picked a young running mate to counter his perceived geriatric liability. In private, I had been joking with my friends that if he were smart, he'd pick a young woman, preferably of color, to counter the Democratic ticket. My guess is that they couldn't find a suitable African American, or Hispanic woman, or we'd be looking at the potential of having the first minority woman in office. The Obama ticket seems unbeatable, but as I've written before, it is vulnerable. Its Achilles Heel is women (specifically Hillary supporters,) Hispanics and voters in the red states who, for a lack of a better word, are still moderately racist. By choosing Sarah Palin, John McCain has identified the weakness and gone for the jugular. The question will be whether Palin is capable of not putting her foot her mouth, or cause another scandal which could potentially sink McCain's bid. Recent reports are that her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant out of wedlock. Most people are understanding of these things, but we all know there are many right-wingers, from more traditionally religious backgrounds, who will pause at this tidbit. And unlike the Democratic Convention, the Republicans may not get the same bounce in the polls this week, as Hurricane Gustov has postponed the Republican Convention.