Sarah Palin: A Bad Choice, for the Wrong Reason

Sarah Palin's re-emergence in the news recently gives occasion to reflect on the presidential election of 2008.
Because many Republican faithful are still reeling from the effects of that contest, it is only fair that we take this opportunity to look back and examine why Governor Sarah Palin was a poor choice for the vice presidential candidacy of the Republican Party.

When John McCain first announced his choice for a vice presidential running mate many Americans caught themselves asking "who?" Governor Palin of Alaska, a relative unknown among Republican Party leaders, was a fresh face not seen before and the initial enthusiasm that she brought to the ticket was something that hadn't been seen since the days of Ronald Reagan.

Because of her lack of notoriety many people, especially the media, were anxious to learn more about her. What were her views on issues like the war in Iraq, gay rights and abortion? What were her qualifications to occupy the second highest seat in the nation? What was her political pedigree?

Since she was a relatively unknown candidate, Sarah Palin's presence on the Republican ticket raised a lot of questions about her background and America wanted answers.

McCain made his announcement of Palin in late August of 2008 which left very little time for voters to get to know her. That time was shortened even more due to the slow introduction of the governor to the public through the media. For the first four weeks after being added to the campaign Governor Palin was held in seclusion as far as the media was concerned. No interviews were given and no questions were allowed to be asked of her. On the campaign trail, Palin would give a carefully scripted speech and then leave without acknowledging reporters.
Finally after much maligning in the press, the McCain campaign allowed Gorvernor Palin to be interviewed and the results were somewhat shocking.

In her first interview with Charles Gibson of ABC news, Palin cited her state's close proximity to Russia as a qualification in foreign affairs. Later in the interview she equated her experience in Alaska's energy programs with national security, saying that energy was a foundation of national security.

In her second interview with Katie Couric of CBS news Governor Palin repeated her claim that Russia's closeness to Alaska gave her foreign affairs qualifications. When asked if she could name a Supreme Court decision that she disagreed with other than Roe vs. Wade, she could not.

Answers like these left many Americans wondering if Palin was qualified to be vice president or even president should something unforseen happen to McCain. Republicans were stunned.

In the weeks that followed more and more Republican leaders began asserting that Palin, for the sake of the party, should step down. Some called her an embarrassment while others refused to comment. at all.

Governor Palin's candidacy was causing dissension among the ranks and John McCain found himself in the uncomfortable position of having to defend his choice for vice president against attacks from within his own party .

As the election drew near more news about some of Governor Palin's dealings in Alaska came to light. When Senator McCain announced her as his running mate , Palin was under investigation for her involvement in the dismissal of an Alaska State Trooper who happened to be her former brother-in-law. Up until her selection as John McCain's running mate, Palin had agreed to cooperate with the investigation. After joining the campaign however, she abruptly stopped.

There were also questions about her practice of taking her children along with her on official trips at the state's expense.

These revelations along with Palin's apparent lack of qualification, knowledge or interest in domestic or world issues made her a questionable candidate and for many Republicans, a liability.

The wave of optimism that had enveloped Governor Palin when she first appeared on the scene was now fading.
The poll numbers started to reflect apprehension among voters in her ability to serve and McCain was feeling the pressure. As a result his actions started becoming erratic in an effort to gain back support but it was too late. The damage had been done.

In addition, Governor Palin had what could be considered, extreme viewpoints on several issues. Her position that rape victims should have to pay for the kit that is used for the rape examination was something that did not sit well with those in her own party because it showed a lack of compassion for the victim.

In all, as big of a splash as she made coming in a bigger splash was made as the poll numbers dropped in favor of Obama.

In the end, Sarah Palin's selection as John McCain's vice presidential running mate proved to be more of a liability than an asset.