The Rise of the Governess
Lee on Aug 29 2008 at 12:09 pm | Filed under: Domestic Politics, Election 2008, Lee's Page
Way back in February 2007, when I was still writing for postpolitical, an obscure little blog popped up pitching Sarah Palin for the Vice Presidency. At the time few were that familiar with Sarah’s record or wise enough to predict its national electoral implications. Yet despite the novelty of the idea, I thought then and since that it was an inspired choice. I’ve since journeyed further toward that prescient blog’s recommendation and concluded it was the only choice. Thus it’s fun to finally see Draft Sarah Palin for Vice President reveling justifiably in the moment.
Palin can unify the various camps of the Republican party, having sound and defensible direct appeal to social, fiscal and defense conservatives for various reasons. As well of course, as adding the unprecedented dimension of appeal to the women’s vote. That’s something perhaps not equaled in deed since the GOP pushed for women’s suffrage early in the last century. If you saw the way she handled the female pitch as PTA mom in her introductory speech with McCain today, you need no education in how effective that appeal will be. Given that was her first national address…and having handled masterfully, we can expect great things to come in the 2008 campaign.
But the selection of Sarah is a matter of great importance not only to this election, but to the future. If McCain proves unsuccessful in 2008, given the dynastic nature of Republican party’s nomination habits, Sarah will be splendidly positioned to capture the presidential nomination in 2012. Before today, her relative obscurity in Alaska always made a strong primary run unlikely. A structural disadvantage that just evaporated.
That’s all to John McCain’s enormous and enduring credit. Conservatives would be well served to reexamine the candidate and any lingering doubts about his commitment to the party and its principles. The Palin choice was a choice for the party and thanks and increased support are now in order.
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