In a move said to be a “total fucking shocker” (direct quote attributed to: everyone on the planet), Republican candidate and the man single-handedly keeping Krispy Kreme profitable John McCain has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his veep running mate. Palin is a young, attractive firecracker who has exhibited an impressive display of integrity in her time in public office, but she’ll likely be questioned for her inexperience (especially since her campaign peeps have been repeatedly citing “track record” as a way to deride Barack) and, possibly, her staunch pro-life outlook.
Compared to Joe Biden’s laundry list of political history and stances, Wikipedia offers minimal insights on Palin. A few interesting tidbits:
>> Awarded 2nd place in the 1984 Miss Alaska beauty pageant. (Beauty!)
>> “As mayor of Wasilla, AK in 1996, Palin kept her campaign promises, reducing her own salary, as well as reducing property taxes 60%.” (Brains!)
>> “She hunts, eats moose burgers, ice fishes, rides snowmobiles, and owns a float plane. Palin holds a lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association.” (Brawn! Maybe too much brawn!)
>> “Palin has announced plans to create a new sub-cabinet group of advisors, to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Alaska.”
>> Strongly, strongly pro-life.
>> Against same-sex marriage, though she did pass legislation granting benefits to same-sex couples. This is a departure from your typical Republican policy stances.
>> Not a fan of federal spending, or maybe she is, I can’t tell: “In June 2007, Palin signed into law the largest operating budget in Alaska’s history ($6.6 billion). At the same time, she used her veto power to make the second-largest cuts of the construction budget in state history. The $237 million in cuts represented over 300 local projects, and reduced the construction budget to nearly $1.6 billion.”
>> Possible dust-up surrounding her ethics involving her allegedly demanding the firing of her state trooper brother-in-law, who actually seems like a royal dick. Though, if this is her only public blemish, she’s doing OK.
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Overall: I have to echo Andew Sullivan’s thoughts: “All of this may be great for the future of the GOP. But it’s a hell of a risk for the country.” She is, by most accounts, a decent, uncorrupt politician who stands up for what she believes in and treats citizens with respect. She’s not some ass-backwards neocon jerkoff.
That said, as ominous as this might sound: the VP is second in command, and needs to be prepared to take over should tragedy strike. McCain is 72 years old, as if you’ve forgotten. I am no great believer in “experience” mattering above all else, but this selection is testing that belief to an alarming degree. We’re talking about two years of Gubernatorial experience overseeing a state with a population less than the MSP metro, a 44-year-old mother of five, with no national cred to speak of. As much as I respect Palin, I can’t shake the idea that this was a desperate move that could potentially leave our country in dicey territory.
The World of B. 
After the last 72 hours, we also know that she was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it, has ties to some whacked-out Alaska secessionist organization, and ran Ted Stevens’ 527 organization.
But other than that, the campaign totally vetted her.
And the daughter is a tramp.
See the latest on Palin’s future son-in-law on http://www.thesuperficial.com
Wow. Thanks for the link, A.B. (For those unable to find the story, here is the permalink: http://thesuperficial.com/2008/09/sarah_palins_future_soninlaw_r.php)
I’m sure that marriage will work out fine, as all marriages involving pregnant 17-year-olds and self-described rednecks do.
I’ll also add that if this was Barack and Michelle Obama’s 17-year-old daughter, the election would be over.
Other Palin items from today: she tried to get a librarian fired for not removing books with swears in them, her husband was a member of the crazy secessionist group until 2002, and she played basketball in high school.