Alaska's Governor Palin Gives Barack Obama a Reason to Worry

Shortly after the announcement was made that Alaska's governor, 44-year-old Sarah Palin, would join John McCain on the Republican ticket, Obama's camp already sounded sour. In a brief statement, Obama reportedly said that McCain "took experience off the table" in regard to his vice presidential choice. Bitter words coming from a relative newcomer in politics himself. Republicans dismissed the comments as sour grapes. The Democrats, fresh from a triumphant national convention, fell hard when the media coverage shifted quickly from rehashing Obama's acceptance speech to the brand new look of the Republican ticket.

Truth be told, Governor Sarah Palin has much more experience than Barack Obama in regards to executive power. Obama can only claim more experience in legislative matters.

What Voters Want
Americans have heard many things and want change. Obama and running mate, Joe Biden, claim to be the vehicle of change. Voters are drawn to the Obama ticket for various reasons but primarily they want a new face in Washington. With little experience, Obama balanced his ticket with veteran politician Senator Joe Biden.

John McCain, firmly entrenched as the "old guy" and the "not new" face, had a difficult position. He needed a fresh face and one that could bring in the moderates who were left floundering after Hillary Clinton failed to secure the nomination. He also needed someone who would appeal to a broad base of conservative voters- the ones he lost in his bid to be more moderate.

For all intensive purposes, voters appear to want someone not firmly entrenched in Washington D.C., perhaps a minority, younger and more in touch with middle class America.

Why Voters Want Palin
Sarah Palin may have been a shocking choice but she is far from unwelcome. She is the shakeup that not only the GOP needed but also the moderate Democrats needed. Palin is young but not new to politics. She started out in 1992 in the Wasilla, Alaska city council, became mayor of the town, and then ran for governor. She has served her state well in reforming the "good old boy's club" and eliminated waste from the budget. She even sold the executive jet on eBay to bring Alaska's budget under control. Palin is also no stranger to reforming her own Republican party and became a voice for ethical and responsible government.

Not only does Palin have the political chops to make it but she also brings the conservatives back into the fold through her views on social issues. Abortion, a hot topic in the GOP, seemed to fall to the wayside with McCain's lackluster voting history. Conservatives find in Governor Palin a strong ally in pro-life. She has an infant son with Down's Syndrome and refused to abort even after finding out his condition prenatally.

Palin can easily pull away the platforms Obama has and outshine him. She is a family person with a strong 20-year marriage and 5 children to show for it. Her eldest son is serving in the Army and her husband is a commercial fisherman and lifetime union member. She pulls in a lot of middle class citizens due to her own family's status. She does not have the "elitism" or money of other politicians. She lived middle class America as her parents worked at the local elementary school. She was not "groomed" to go into politics.

She is a striking woman and has a wonderful stage presence. McCain will do well to keep her in the spotlight as much as possible. Her youth counterbalances his age and her confidence is inspiring to her audience.

She also brings a multi-cultural aspect to the ticket. She is married to a Yup'ik Eskimo and that may appeal to a relatively unheard minority, the Native Americans.

As for the military issues, her son's service to America is a huge selling point to many who did not care for Obama's lack of service. She is not only the commander in chief of the Alaskan National Guard but a mom with a child being called up to Iraq. Many Americans who are disillusioned with the war may find that a vice president with these qualifications may be better than a president who never served in the military.

Sarah Palin also appeals to many, as she is female. Women identify with her as a mother, a strong leader and a wife. If Palin can do this and still have a family, what can't women do? Feminism had a ripple of renewal at McCain's announcement.

Palin also brings a fresh face to the ticket. Democrats have long pushed for a "fresh face" in Washington D.C., claiming Obama would be that person. Palin would be even fresher. Outside of Alaskan politics, Palin is a novice. She is closer to the voters than Obama with her middle class background and would bring a very new perspective to the "good ol' boys" in Washington.

Firsts In American History
The Republican ticket is looking to be a safe choice as Americans can have the change they desire without some of the more radical platforms the Obama/Biden ticket promise. Either way, Americans will have a first in this election: a first female vice president or a first black president.

Sarah Palin has already achieved many firsts in her political career. She is the first female Alaskan governor. She is also the youngest Alaskan elected to that office. Palin was also the first to unseat an incumbent governor of the same political party in a primary election. And today, August 29, 2008, she became the first female to ever run on a national Republican ticket.

Governor Sarah Palin may have the momentum, motivation, and freshness to propel the Republicans to victory in November. If nothing else, Palin has already marked her place in American history.