McCain and Unable

I should be glad John McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his running-mate.

I should be glad that in his first true test of leadership -- the one that inescapably sets the tone for what's to come and acts as a yardstick by which to measure his judgment -- he proved that he isn't fit to govern an Elks Lodge, much less the United States of America.

I should be glad that by choosing a self-proclaimed "hockey mom" -- a first-term governor of a state with an unimaginably low population density whose only former role in public service was as the city councilwoman and mayor of a town of 8,000; a former beauty queen with no experience whatsoever in foreign affairs -- John McCain may have all but handed the election to Barack Obama.

I should be glad.

So why the hell am I so outraged?

Maybe it's because what John McCain just did -- the cynical gamble he's taken in a desperate effort to win the White House -- in fact gambles with the very future of this country. It gambles with the safety of its citizens and the lives of its soldiers. By attempting to pander to those Hillary Clinton supporters who may still feel snubbed and disillusioned by the outcome of the Democratic race, and by making a transparent grab for both the shock value that can only come from pure political theater and the chance to regain his "maverick" label, McCain has said something terrifying -- and telling.

He's said that he's perfectly willing to risk the United States -- a country that, as he's so fond of reminding us, has enemies that must be confronted; a country that's currently enmeshed in two wars -- to achieve his goal of getting elected.

Because don't think for a second that he truly believes Sarah Palin is ready to lead the free world should something render him unable to. No, what John McCain believes is that Sarah Palin can lead enough women -- to say nothing of the wayward lunatics on the far right -- to the polls to win him the presidency.

It's a thought that should make Americans sick to their stomachs: McCain is counting on Palin's charm and warmth, her admittedly sharp mind and fascinating backstory, to mesmerize voters and recast his campaign and his image in a bright new sheen of youth and vitality. He expects Sarah Palin to be the spark plug that fires up the media, who will surely have to admit that he's turning his back on the past and is ready to reshape and reclaim the Republican Party by making history. And yet at the end of the day, nothing changes the fact that this is actually more of the same from the GOP -- more political opportunism and clever gamesmanship for the sake of achieving the goal of power. Nor does anything change the fact that McCain wants to put someone without a shred of experience in foreign relations, worldwide diplomacy or global conflicts a heartbeat away from having to deal with all three -- with the security of the rest of us hanging in the balance.

As McCain himself has implied about his opponent, the White House is not the place for on-the-job training -- not during these uncertain times, when our country is facing turmoil abroad and unprecedented challenges at home.

Why am I outraged?

Because there's always the possibility that his shifty little parlor trick will actually work.

And then what?

Follow Chez Pazienza on Twitter: www.twitter.com/chezpazienza

Comments

[elderly]

McCain has been exploiting 2 themes,

1. Country First.
2. Obama is too inexperienced to be President.

Indisputably this "nomination" has now exposed the above for what bullsh*t his entire candidacy is. McCain's pick is not only reckless, it is treasonous. I say this knowing full well that this will illicit cries against calling the action of a former prisoner of war treasonous; however, what do you call it when McCain is willing to gamble the survival of this country for the purpose of political gain.

[ChapStick80]

The big question also and if during the general election McCain soon finds she is unable to lift him in the polls, WHAT WILL THE BIG OCTOBER SURPRISE BE? McCains strong point according to polls are protecting the American people with his proven foreign policy. So what will he do to prove his strong point? 1. War with Iran...2. Finally pull the troops from Irag, 3. Try and prove the surge..HIS SURGE worked to WIN the war, 4. Stand before our troops while wrapping himself (as he always
does) around our Flag and personally claim victory, 5. As a last resort...RIGGING THE ELECTION.

Vote Obama/Biden makinf certain point 5 never happens this time around..

[Wilhelmina]

I forgot to add that while Palin may be only a heartbeat away from the Presidency should McCain win the election, Obama will BE THE PRESIDENT if he wins the general election, and he has no experience at all with foreign relations, worldwide diplomacy, or global conflict either nor does he have any real administrative experience, which Palin DOES have.

[CEKChuck]

Wow, talk about drinking the kool-aid.

[c3pachman]

She owns stock in the company...

[OneAngryDwarf]

Stop with the republican talking points already.

Palin went to what amounts to a Junior College to study journalism. Obama studied Political Science and Foreign Relation at HARVARD.

Palin ran a town in a state the borders Russia and Canada, Obama had a world tour where he got to meet and greet with the leaders of the very countries we need to deal with and they loved working with him.

I live in a town of 30,000 people and there is no way that the mayor here is prepared to run the country. Don't give me the 1.5 years of executive experience angle because she does it in one of the smallest states in the union. The problems she faces are less than most big city mayors.

[Wilhelmina]

Are you unable to see that all the flapdoodle and behind the scenes maneuvering done by the DNC, (Dean, Pelosi, Reid et al) was simply "political opportunism and clever gamesmanship" aimed at promoting Obama and ruining Hillary's chances at being nominated for the Democatic candidacy? Never in the history of the nomination process has there been more backstabbing, unethical behavior by the bigshots in the Dem Party. Of course they also had the mainstream press constantly promoting their favorite, too, and God knows that was a BIG help to them. Any Party that would nominate a man who obviously lied about his awareness of the disgusting rhetoric in the church he attended for twenty years, and which ignores or discounts his association with a terrorist, is in no position to accuse the other party of political opportunism and gamesmanship.

[learnsomething]

Well the American people deserve what they get if they flock to the polls and vote for McCain and Palin. They can't complain later.

[Geekboy]

Absoultely, yup yup!!! :D

[Aussie69]

Oh McCain, you've done it again!

[thockman]

I am outraged for exactly the same reasons Chez cites in this blog. You have captured my concerns exactly. I am incredulous that more Americans aren't equally outraged for these reasons, but instead mesmermized by her looks, charm, status as a woman, or political beliefs. These people need to wake up to the dangers Sarah Palin represents to this nation if she were to take over as president. The Palin selection was indeed, a very calculated political move for the short-term goal of getting McCain elected, not an appointment with the best interests of the country in mind. McCain has shown his true lack of judgment and leadership ability that should be obvious to all.

[XME]

Yup. It's amazing the number of low info voters that will vote for him knowing nothing other than "she seems nice", and never realistically consider the implications and that something could happen to McCain on Day Two!

[cskoog]

Amen... The standpoint­/perspecti­ve developed here invites the reader to consider the Palin selection in a way that is congenial and non-alienating, as well as illuminating. Reshaping this perspective with additional vivid and humorous prose, backstory-detail, and less presupposition about where the reader already stands, could be effective in shaking some people out of their hypnosis, were it to reach MSM. Get on it, someone. Excellent article!!

[VictorVictorious]

great headline chez --- LOL

[FloridaShutterBug]

So, Barack Obama's first official act as presidential nominee was to choose a running mate whom he knows could easily step into the oval office and do a great job of running the country should the need arise.

John McCain's first official act as presidential nominee was to choose a running mate whom he desperately hopes will win him the election.

Hmmm...

[cryingmoon]

Yes! That is what upsets me, too. It might work.... listening to the positives....from those who should be aware of the possible consequences, I could be lead to believe that the whole country has lost its mind! Republicans are rumored to "need" a shot in the arm, excitement in the "year of change".....but to "energize" at the one heart-beat from the Leader of the Free World level?

Why do I feel that the election has become a sham? Why do I feel degraded, a white woman of a certain age....eager for a President who can speak, "nuance", and by God, appoint?

Does anyone remember the whoopla about Obama's "choice" being his first real test as a prospective Commander-­in-chief??­?? Am I, as a Democrat....to forever feel defensive about my views??? If I want an end to the war, I am not supportive of the troops or patriotic. If I am totally nauseated about a lovely, young, smart woman who was chosen/used by ???? method, would I be sexist....picking on a Mom with a Downs child, running for Vice President with a man who "didn't even have a house for five years, didn't even have a table," POW, in case you hadn't heard.

All I can say....this has become a farce....and, come November, that farce could become reality....and George Bush's Legacy will improve beyond his wildest hope.

[2cntswrth]

"McCain and Unable"... that's priceless.

[vinny]

the revolution will not be blogged about:) that's what... amazing how the Palin story has totally swamped the great stuff that came out of the Dem convention... look at HuffPo feed into the MSM frenzy...

[JaneEyrez]

What, indeed! I share your fears and your outrage. Country First, My A$$.