Political Point-Counterpoint: The Palin Pick

‘ ‘ ‘ Today marks the three-week anniversary of Sen. John McCain’s selection of Gov. Sarah… ‘ ‘ ‘ Today marks the three-week anniversary of Sen. John McCain’s selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, a decision that has reinvigorated the national Republican base. The choice has also mobilized Independents and Hillary Democrats who have given McCain a timely bounce in national polls. ‘ ‘ ‘ But the McCain-Palin combination has not excited everyone ‘mdash; namely, the media and the Democratic Party, which have launched ad hominem attacks on Palin’s family and discounted her work as a local and state politician. ‘ ‘ ‘ It is important to refocus the debate on Palin’s capacity to fulfill the office of vice president and possibly president rather than uncovering shortcomings of her family that say nothing about her skill as a politician. ‘ ‘ ‘ It has been said that the 44-year-old Palin, who has only two years of experience as a governor and six years as a mayor, lacks the experience needed to run the complicated foreign affairs of the United States. Although the same argument can be directed toward the candidate of those pointing the finger, it is paramount that Republicans acknowledge Palin’s inexperience. At the same time, however, they can be encouraged that she has expressed the resolve to continue the United States’ hard line on belligerent and potentially belligerent countries like Russia and Iran. Palin will have the opportunity in her ancillary role as vice president to sharpen her acumen for matters of state, and put to use her natural assertiveness in a greater capacity as she eases into working in the White House rather than in the governor’s mansion. ‘ ‘ ‘ Historically, successful presidents have assumed office without any extensive foreign policy exposure. Clinton, Reagan and Wilson had only gubernatorial experience prior to becoming commanders in chief.. And it is safe to say that both Reagan and Wilson were quite adept at executing their initiatives abroad. ‘ ‘ ‘ Palin brings an informed opinion in matters of energy policy. Before being elected governor in 2006, Palin chaired the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. She realizes the potential her state has in leading America’s future in the energy industry, and on the campaign she has repeatedly emphasized her knowledge and ideas about opening America to further fossil fuel exploration. ‘ ‘ ‘ Palin’s expertise in this area could not come at a better time. Americans felt the strain at the gas pumps this summer, and Palin has frequently let Congress know that Alaskans want to commence drilling on a two-thousand acre plot of land in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Not only would this create jobs that are currently situated abroad, but it would also help America to become energy independent. The new energy imperative that America has undertaken in the last several months could not find a more qualified standard-bearer than Sarah Palin. ‘ ‘ ‘ Many of America’s conservative voters felt alienated when McCain became the Republican Party’s nominee. This year, Palin was successful in trimming the Alaskan budget by nearly 10 percent. Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, McCain’s sidekick in the ongoing battle against earmark spending, lauded her as ‘one of the strongest anti-earmark governors in America.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Her fiscal conservatism, combined with McCain’s record as a crusader against earmarks, makes McCain and Palin a potent tandem who could bring significant reform to some of the more sinister aspects of Washington politics. ‘ ‘ ‘ Palin is also a stellar representative of social conservative values. This is a crucial aspect in this year’s election, considering Sen. Barack Obama’s endorsement of the Freedom of Choice Act, a bill which would get rid of most legislation (local and federal) that hinders a woman’s access to an abortion. McCain’s choice of Palin over Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge ensures voters of his resolve to maintain the Republican Party’s traditional stance on social issues. ‘ ‘ ‘ Republicans are justified in being excited about McCain’s selection for vice president. Sarah Palin has the ability to unite discordant wings of the national Republican Party, while at the same time giving us plenty of reasons to be optimistic about our party’s future under her leadership. E-mail Bart at bdw12@pitt.edu.