ProgressOhio

Pick of Alaska Governor as VP Nominee May Not Wash

Like a laundromat clothes dryer, the spin machine cobbled together to promote Gov. Sara Palin (R-Alaska) is going to need plenty of quarters. I say cobbled together because this decision by McCain feels like it was made without much depth of thought and discernment. In one of the most important reflections on his presidential judgment to date, McCain picked a running mate based on a breakfast at a governor's conference, one phone call and a job offer meeting.

Palin appears so wet behind the ears, it will take a ton of lose change to spin dry John McCain's choice for vice president. Already the spin is making Palin appear warm and fluffy. But the smart money says the GOP spin machine may need to buy its own coin mint to get Palin dry enough for primetime.

Passing over a bevy of qualified Republican women - and men - John McCain chose a running mate with all of the "me first, country second" fervor he could muster. With few of the skills needed to take over as President, in one single, fleeting heartbeat, Palin was chosen in much the same way that Bush, Cheney and Rove recruited people into key positions - on the basis of politically expediency. This speaks volumes about McCain's specious attempt to hang the "me first, country second" sign on Barack Obama.

With the country teetering on the brink of a financial meltdown, most Americans are focused on economic security. Thrown in two disastrous wars, record deficits and rising unemployment and the need for a strong number two has never been more urgent. In what Camp Campaign claims is the best possible choice for the country, McCain went all out to find the most capable, experienced hand around.

Okay, I made up that last part.

McCain has hit the bricks to bolster his decision, sitting for an interview with Chris Wallace of Fox News (sic). In describing Palin as his "partner and soul mate" McCain whirled like a dervish while sidestepping serious deficiencies in his choice - and in his judgment.

Dutifully reciting much of the cotton candy fluff, John McCain touted the governor's appeal as a reformer, repeating Palin's claim of being against the now-infamous "bridge to nowhere". McCain conveniently omitted the fact that Palin was for the bridge long before she was against it. Responding to Wallace on Palin's lack of experience McCain was quick to point out that "she has had 12 years of elected office experience, including traveling to Kuwait".

Traveling to Kuwait?

Yes it is true that the governor - in truly a noble gesture - went to Kuwait to visit members of the Alaska National Guard. McCain seemed unconcerned that Palin had to first apply for a passport before the trip. Unlike past VP nominees, Palin seems to have no experience in foreign travel, let alone foreign policy.

Wallace then reminded McCain that Palin, when asked in March 2007 about the troop surge in Iraq, didn't have a clue, admitting that she had "been focused on state government" and "haven't focused on the war in Iraq".

Clearly not grasping the seriousness of the experience question, McCain was undeterred. "Well, by the way, also she was a member of the PTA. I think it's wonderful. But the point is she has been to Kuwait. She has been over there. She has been with her troops, the National Guard that she commands, who had been over there and had the experience. I'm proud of her knowledge of these challenges and issues".

Meanwhile, Camp McCain unleashed the usual cast of surrogates, hoping to weave Palin's transparent political resume into a flying carpet of family values. Concluding that changing the issues frame was their last, best hope for salvaging a victory in November, Camp McCain clearly intends to reignite a divisive culture war.

While building a bridge to the 18th Century, Palin plays fast and lose with some serious policy issues. Oblivious to the crushing weight of scientific evidence and consensus, Palin denies human activity as a cause of global warming saying "a changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made."

This is a complete refutation of the GOP's platform plank on climate change which states that "The same human activity that has brought freedom and opportunity to billions has also increased the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Increased atmospheric carbon has a warming effect on the earth."

Traveling further into the policy dark ages, Palin favors teaching creationism as an alternative to evolution. Couching her position in the fog of educational balance, Palin seeks to argue that science and religion should have equal standing in the classroom.

So John McCain has pinned his presidential ambitions - and the future of the GOP - on someone with a shiny new passport. Like George W. Bush, Sarah Palin has little understanding of foreign policy, a disdain for science and the enthusiasm of a cheerleader. For John McCain, the choice of this political neophyte is the mother of all gambles and belies his claim to having the judgment required of a modern president.

Only a true maverick could be so bold.