Politickin'...

Ordinarily, I'm not one to talk politics. But I was literally shocked and dismayed (but a little excited for Obama) when John McCain announced his running mate earlier today. This morning he introduced first-term Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential hopeful, a surprising selection, to say the least. My best guess is that this plan was designed to get an edge in the race by appealing to women, and also trying to deter from the fact that he's 106 years-old and will be lucky to complete a full term should he happen to be elected.

"She's exactly who I need. She's exactly who this country needs to help me fight the same old Washington politics of 'Me first and country second,' " McCain declared. Funny that he is now claiming to be fighting against 'the same old Washington politics," considering he's stood tall behind just about every Bush vote and decision (each of which sent the U.S. spiralling further down into the toilet).

Palin, 44, the first Republican woman on a presidential ticket, stated, "I'm going to take our campaign to every part of our country and our message of reform to every voter of every background in every political party, or no party at all." That's an interesting promise for a Governor in a state with more reindeer than people. I certainly hope it's not like father like daughter, as Palin's dad has declared, "I'd rather go moose hunting than be involved with politics."

I don't know whether to be insulted by this blatant attempt to woo the female vote, or repulsed by the I'm-a-former-beauty-queen-and-you-could-easily-be-my-daddy Republican dream team. When it comes down to it, McCain is just a dirty old man, divorcing his crippled wife for a wealthy Junior Miss Rodeo Queen, and then picking Miss Alaska as his running mate. What a scumbag, and definitely not the man to be running this country. He'll probably dump America after two years for a younger, richer country.

McCain has made his decision public just six days after Barack Obama named Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware, as the other half of the Democratic ticket. Obama, 47, picked a 65-year-old running mate with long experience in government, foreign policy, and a man whom he said was qualified to be president. On his 72nd birthday, McCain chose a woman younger than two of his seven children, who has five young children of her own (ranging from 5 months to 19-years-old), who until recently was the mayor of small-town Wasilla, Alaska (population 9,000), has zero experience with foreign policy and has been governor less than two years.

The Obama campaign asked the most obvious and immediate question: is Sarah Palin prepared to step in and be President? Can America really be confident enough enough to say yes? I know I'm not.

In my opinion, McCain definitely dropped the ball here, which is only an advantage to the Democrats. The Republican party leaders will stand behind him of course, shifting in their seats as they try to dance around the topics of inexperience, foreign policy, and readiness to lead a nation (not a Caribou hunting tundra). Obama has been criticized repeatedly for lack of experience, and as such he brought more to the table with Biden. What in the world is McCain bringing? Beauty? A relative mystery? A woman with a growing family and children who still need her? Hmmm...I'm not sure what this will translate into for the coming campaigns. Will it help Obama? Did McCain have another 'Senior Moment'? America, you be the judge.

Barack the Vote!