...there is a week to go and everything is going to hell. Even Christopher Hitchens if a certain sector of the populace is wrong. His column from yesterday on Gov. Palin and one possible future which may come into being eight days from now, however, is quite instructive even if it may help him on his way to eternal damnation.
Like most columnists, Hitchens is a regular hack who gathers an audience much in the same way that Paris/Britney/Christina/Jessica does: the tantalizing wiggle. In his case, strength of vocabulary replaces strength of hip but, as with all pop culture fantasy, the substance usually disappoints upon reflection and colours one's opinions of the acolyte. But his scathing column upon Gov. Palin does hit the mark - characteristically, of course, due to its support of my immediately current preconceived notions. Consider his conclusion:
This is what the Republican Party has done to us this year: It has placed within reach of the Oval Office a woman who is a religious fanatic and a proud, boastful ignoramus. Those who despise science and learning are not anti-elitist. They are morally and intellectually slothful people who are secretly envious of the educated and the cultured. And those who prate of spiritual warfare and demons are not just "people of faith" but theocratic bullies. On Nov. 4, anyone who cares for the Constitution has a clear duty to repudiate this wickedness and stupidity.
I will admit it. I had an infatuation way back when...aka a few weeks ago...when she was announced. But I have used that which for some is the most evil of devices, my brain, and see up for up and down for down. As surely as the sun will rise tomorrow and set again later, Hitchens in this case is right. There is a huge fringe factor at play with Gov. Palin that not only gives great reason to flee from her as a VP candidate but also makes the suggestion floating around that she may be a viable candidate for President in 2012 laughable and something of a character test of those who promote it.
Put it this way: is there any problem which you can honestly imagine being better solved by adding the input from Gov. Palin...knowing what you know now about her, you know, brain? I thought so. Sadly, the US system does not allow for a separate vote on VP. It would be nice if the American electorate could respond to a party's nomination of the vice-presidential candidate freely and separately.
Comments
Hans - October 28, 2008 8:41 AM
2 issues on your last paragraph: 1. Doesn't the fact that MacCain chose Palin call his brain into question too thereby eliminating the desire to split the ticket? 2. Maybe one of your more knowledgeable readers can verify but, in the old days, the presidential candidate who finished second in the election became VP. What would you think of an Obama-MacCain or MacCain-Obama administration?
Alan - October 28, 2008 9:09 AM
I will leave that to others but I should have written "...strength of vocabulary and venom..." up there. But it was 4:45 am and a bad nap ago so I didn't.
sean - October 28, 2008 9:44 AM
McCain did not choose her directly. A whole team of people were involved in vetting out possible VP candidates based on areas and sectors where the prime condidate for the party fell short. If she were the prez. candidate, they'd be seeking someone that was male, would likely appeal to vets and persons who opposed the Iraq conflict, a little, argued a bit with Bushites yet was some sort of hero of sorts.
She was chosen because she would appeal to women (and possibly some angry Hillary supporters who straddle the fence), right wingers who like back country folk, religious whackjobs and persons from lesser prominent states. And for the Dems, Biden is old, white and experienced.
McCain simply looked at the list, conferred with his inner circle and started ranking them. Then they started approaching the top 3 to see who brought what to the table.
Hans - October 28, 2008 10:53 AM
...hardly an absolution, there, sean....
sean - October 28, 2008 12:34 PM
You are perfectly correct Hans, I was just trying to point out that in the higher levels of any corporation or group, the "guy or gal in charge" may very well be the one that signs the cheque/requisition/invite letter, but they were often led to that point by others. McCain ticked off a few people on his ride to the position of Rep. candidate. Maybe the choices were limited by who would work with him and who he would work with. Maybe he had a short list to choose from. I think we'll not know for a while why he ended up with Preseident Roslin as a running mate.