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Journalism of Courage
Palinotics. A one-word summary for the simple worldview of Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska and potential VP of the world8217;s strongest power. Her views, the views of conservative America 8212; a no-mess, no-nuance, no-heavy-jargon approach to politics. There might have been some dirty politics in her state, but the message now: I am here and leave me, my shoes, Doris Day hair-do and manicure alone.
McCain, should he win the race to the White House, is most likely to be the oldest first-term president to ever have been elected, thereby making Palin the vice-president most likely to succeed. Still, a female running mate, an African-American candidate 8212; if this does not speak for progressive policy change then what does?
At 9 pm EST on Thursday, October 2, the primly dressed Palin will take centrestage and her views will no doubt be scrutinised by every political pundit. She has a head start 8212; a capability to answer beyond the already spin-doctored and practiced questions. Long live the tradition of debate; in fact, in our democratic system we should engage in such dialogue between our future leaders.
Let8217;s look at the key foreign policy issues Palin will have to address in her biggest face-off to date. True, the conduct of foreign policy is a very complex, structured, arena, and Palin8217;s role will be limited within it. Still, many have been questioning her capability in the international arena 8212; largely over her remarks on Iran, Iraq and the 8220;War on Terror8221;.
Last week Palin met with heads of state 8212; speed dating, more like. But she is appearing on the international front increasingly. Some of her views: 8220;Never again will we risk another Holocaust8221; when talking on the Iran issue, the 8220;war on terror8221; has been a 8220;victory8221; and an increase in troops to Afghanistan is needed. Granted, these views are amateur, but she is being coached 8212; and more likely than not, she will learn on the job 8212; as many other incumbents have done. Her views are at odds with prevailing wisdom about the Axis of Evil. There are demands to pull out troops from Afghanistan; the 8220;war on terror8221; is losing ground as skirmishes develop along the Afghan-Pakistan border. But, once again, let us be reminded, that Palin is a running mate, to a very experienced McCain.
In a rare interview with CBS8217;s Kate Couric, Palin8217;s view on the 8220;war on terror8221; was expanded 8212; 8220;A surge in Afghanistan also will lead us to victory there as it has proven to have done in Iraq,8221; adding that 8220;we cannot afford to retreat, to withdraw in Iraq.8221; This statement, some may argue, has been rehearsed, but it is indisputable that no president, whether Republican or Democrat will pull out of Iraq.nbsp;Vague and broad, indeed; so the question perhaps should not be how well-equipped she is to lead a nation, but why she was chosen as running mate.
Hillary Clinton8217;s presence in the Democratic race brought to attention the desire for a female in the Power House. The goddess of the 8220;sisterhood of the travelling pantsuits8221; pulled out of a rally on Iran, which both Palin and she were to attend 8212; more Hollywood 8220;Mean Girls8221; than power politics. The questions being asked 8212; is Palin in Hillary8217;s shadow? Can she prove her abilities as did Hillary? 8212; are too speculative. What is important is that the land of opportunity and equal rights is now ready for a woman to take the reins.
Gallup polls following Palin8217;s appointment as the vice presidential candidate showed a shooting rise in McCain8217;s popularity, placing him at 50 per cent and Obama at 46 per cent. Analysts attributed this success to a female appointment as Republican running mate. A week after her appointment, Palin8217;s popularity dropped amongst her core group 8212; 8220;soccer moms8221; 8212; falling 11 points in one week. Republicans dropping further from 48 to 44 points the day the economy became an issue. Palin8217;s response 8212; she8217;s a 8220;Joe-six pack American8221; who lost 20,000 in the Wall Street crash. Is this just political manoeuvring?
So the cameras will be rolling tomorrow and it looks like I am perhaps one of the few supporters of Team Palin. The over-rehearsed Palin should be left home, and the real Palin should take the stage. She8217;s a dynamic speaker, a woman of energy, and it8217;s key to let her be unfettered. She has already 8220;energised8221; the base; can she win over the moderates? No doubt, there will be the playful attacks on experience versus change 8212; her energy, the new face and new ideas of politics over Joe Biden8217;s experienced and expansive resume. Ultimately, the debate will only shed new light on Palin 8212; a mere character study of the most talked about woman in politics today.
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