Sound Politics: Calling It Like I See It

With apologies to Cindy McCain, choosing Palin suggests John would rather be a Maverick than a Clydesdale.

McCain Palin are Mavericks. McCain Palin can not govern.

1. McCain the Maverick

My sense is that a wide swath of Americans likes this man. But, he has not been able to show either a plan or evidence that, if he has one, it is supported by his own party.

Palin seems to be a lot like McCain .. willing to fight for her principles regardless of party loyalties. Is this a good thing?

2. Palin Undermines McCain's Image

The choice of Palin undermined McCain's image . Hell, the next President will, as the current version of the bailout suggests, need to to do a LOT of judicious ass licking to achieve anything.

Having kowtowed to his extreme right, is McCain ready to kiss ass, and if so whose ass, in order to make the government work?

3. Palin Raises Doubts About Mccain's competence

Palin's image of being a maverick is a bit like being a bull in the china shop. While lipstick and mascara may soften that image, the wreckage on the floor is not reassuring to a country in crisis.

Even last night, asked about her portfolio, the answer seemed more like something a first lady might give then the aspirations of a potential leader of the free world.

5. The Republican Party is leaderless.
This may be the nubbin of my concern. Like most Americans I believe in the two party system. That system only works when BOTH parties are credible.

The debacle of McCain's Caesar-like return to the forum hardly reassured anyone. Worse yet is the image Palin projects. Does anyone see her telling Gingrich, Schwartznegger, Dobson, Chaney, what to do?


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Bottom line:

I do not believe that McCain can win this election without showing he can lead his own party. The choice of Palin, someone clearly designed as a sop to his radical right, shows a failure of leadership.

Still, I hope the Republican party can find itself ater Nov 4. I am willing to look at a John McKay ticket to unseat McDermitt and Rod McKenna's effort to replace Gregfoire (if she wins). Hell waht about Steve Balmer coming out of the closet and ????

Just give us patriots better choices!