A question for McCain supporters....(can you answer without bashing Obama?)?

Question

1. Why do you personally think that McCain chose Palin over several other more qualified Republicans to join the ticket?

2. If it was just strategy to pull in votes, do you feel ok with the prospect that Palin would be in charge should McCain pass away?

Serious question, not meant to criticize...I just want to know what it boils down to - do you just want to see your party win at any cost? Or do you honestly feel that Palin would do a good job?

Saying "well she's better than Biden" or "Obama sucks thats why" doesn't cut it - I think the fate of our country should be taken seriously no matter whose side you're on. I'm open to hear your side and I'd like mature opinions.

Answer 1

You ask a fair question.

I think McCain chose Palin for a combination of reasons:

* She was a surprise choice that reinforces McCain's "Maverick" image, and reminds people that McCain is not the same as Bush

* She has a reputation of standing for reform and challenging members of her own party when they are dishonest, which is what McCain wants to stand for

* If my first 2 reasons above work, McCain takes the idea of "Change vs. the same" away from Obama. It then becomes an election of "which change do you want". Choosing Palin makes the ticket definitely not more of the same in Washington. She is also a contrast to Biden, who has been in Washington longer than McCain.

* She shores up and energizes the Right wing base and evangelicals

* With a woman on the ticket, the idea that electing Obama is a historic thing to do is also reduced, because either way, it will be historic (Black Pres, or a Woman VP).

* As a "salt of the earth, everyday person" type, she appeals to swing voters in the swing states, especially the ones that Obama has had trouble attracting.

* As a woman, she will attract some of the disaffected Hilary voters

I put the last point last because I don't think that one is as big as the others. Most people see this as a cynical pick, but I think the fact that she was a woman was a "bonus" for McCain. I think he picked her mostly because she really appeals to socially conservative, blue collar types that he needs to win in November.

Answer 2

1. I'm not really sure why McCain chose Palin over anyone else. My guess is just to get more women to vote for him.

2. I think I'd be ok with it.

I honestly feel if something happened to McCain that Palin would do a good job.

Answer 3

McCan has been fighting the pols in wash. for as long as he;s been there.

Now that he knows how to play the game and the Dem's have forced the lowest approval rating in history, [Thanks Nancy] he is ready to shake up the old boy politics as usual status and stop hidden bills in bills and PORK.

Palin has a record of "bodies strewn across the landscape"   Most of them republicans.

She will be the perfect partner and hatchet 'person' for him.

She is also generally untouched by the go along get along philosophy of the crowd.

She has shown common sense mixed with the will of the people vrs. Gov. and buisness and the peeps are winning.

POINT  2---Show of hands---

How many think that the prez runs the country ?

Yes -I honestly feel Palin will do a good job.

h**l 1/2 the country could do a good job

They're just not positioned to take it on.

Get your advisors

Smoooze it up with the g

kiss a few babies

set your goals and be able to defend them and present them

Learn how to make deals based upon your principles and whats right for the country/citezens

Defend the security of US regardless of what it takes.

I believe shes shown she can all the above.

Answer 4

You have to realize that McCain has ruffled a few feathers among the party....Including voters who are real conservatives..and to draw those voters who became disenfranchised, like me, back to the party.  

And him not being a complete conservative needed someone who was a hard core conservative and there isn't very many of those anymore.

I am hoping there are others like me who were not willing to vote just because of party and their convictions are more important.

Did his choice work for people like me...I can only answer for myself and I was pretty excited to here he picked a hard core conservative. has it changed my mind?

Just about...the elections aren't here yet and there is still much to learn about what going to happen and if the promises are realistic.

Answer 5

Firstly, I'm not sure who I''m voting for yet, so I'm not answering necessarily as a McCain supporter, just as a voter considering all possibilities.

1.  I believe he chose her as a strategy to pull in votes from those who supported Clinton simply because she is female.  I'm not sure if that's true, but it's my gut instinct.

2.  I honestly would have to research her more before I could answer that question.  

3.  I don't have a party.  I generally vote liberally, but can be quite conservative as well.  Some things about McCain are appealing, and some things about Obama are appealing.  So...once I actually decide, it will be for whomever I believe would do better (or at least cause less harm) for our country.  It would never be a decision based on party.

Answer 6

I can't be sure, but I believe part of it has to do with the fear that Obama will get some votes simply because of race. So, to keep it from being two white men running for Pres. and VP as it has always been until now, McCain has decided to make Palin, a woman, his running mate to have that have that same variety and "making history" element that the Obama camp has. And this may also pull in votes from Hillary supporters who still do not like Obama.

But don't forget, while there may have been better candidates for VP, Palin does have at least some experience with government, and as a VP, she wouldn't have too many responsibilities other than presiding over the Senate and giving advice to the President.

This is all just an opinion.  

Hey, wait a minute, I managed not to bash Obama! Hurray for calm, logical arguments.

Answer 7

I'm excited to see how many are capable of answering a serious question and without bashing Obama

Answer 8

1. Needs women and religious right votes

2. Not really

Answer 9

Here are my honest answers:

1. Beside that fact that she's smart. She's a reformer with record of accomplishments (she has put corrupted democrats and republicans in jail) and a Washington outsider. She is from the hardworking middle class family, and accomplished tremenously on her own with her husband in the union. I believe in Rumney, however he's too rich and somehow the democrats hate that and he attacked Mc Cain quite a lot when he campained for Republican nominee. Also, she is a woman, young, new fresh air, it shows a real change having her joining the tickets... The kind of change that Obama camp would like to promote... I'm not surprised that the democrats have been attacked her since the news broke since they're not confortable with that fact.

2. I don't think she's ready to be president.  However, I would trust her much more than Obama (I'm not trying to bash Obama) because she has executive experience.  She runs Alaska, the command and chief of the national guards.  She accomplished what she sets out for.  I really can't see that in Obama. Sorry... I am an Independence and tried not to be bias.  Frankly, I don't agree with Mc Cain on a few issues, however, I do trust him when it comes to defense this country.  I can't put my trust in Obama, I'm not happy with the fact that he spoke ill of his own country when he was in a foreign soil (Berlin).