Question:

Did McCain really pick his V.P. just for gender?

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It seems that already there are voices (not just on G&WS) that McCain picked his running mate simply because she was a woman and that would gather the female voters and/or shunned Clinton supporters. My question is, though, has our society really progressed at all when we still seem to hold the mentality that a woman won a job simply because she is a woman--i.e. the Affirmative Action complaint or the "she slept with the boss" mentality?

Palin actually brings a lot to the Republican party--wether you agree with her stances or not, she completes McCain's efforts. Where some think he is too old, he found a young running mate. Where some have accused his dependency on oil issues, Palin sued the federal government for not allowing Alaska to drill and become independent of foreign oil. Where McCain (in the past) leaned pro-choice, Palin is pro-life. McCain has the "old, white, rich man" reputation where as Palin completes the party with a high approval rate, in-touch with the every day American image, and a union and small business supporter. She has kept her past campaign promises and even reduced her salary and cut state taxes by 60%. She is known in her state for getting rid of corrupt politicians. She has more positive g*y-rights views than McCain, which will add more independent voters to their side.

Now, I'm not saying vote for her (one should vote for VIEWS not GENDER). All I'm asking is that if Palin actually does bring a great deal to the Republican party and to McCain, why are people still assuming she was chosen simply because she is a woman?

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  1. I don't doubt that part of the reason he picked her was her gender, especially after Obama didn't pick Hillary.  However, she does seem to be a candidate that is in line with his own views, although she's a little more conservative than him, which helps with the hard-line Republicans.  Plus, she's apparently very well liked in Alaska.

    She doesn't have much experience, but then again, neither does the Democratic PRESIDENTIAL nominee...


  2. Seems more like this is a way to win the conservatives over, since McCain's record is somewhat questionable, Palin on the other hand is staunchly conservative.

    Palin also has a bit of shock value, after Obama chose such an orthodox running mate. Biden doesn't really break any new ground.

  3. I don't really know much about her but look at the two together, I'm sure some strategy was involved. People see him as old whitey and very outdated compared to they dynamic Barak. Now at least people will see the McCain ticket as supporting diversity in politics and she's also a younger, more modern looking person. Image is everything in politics and whether or not he chose her because she's a woman, he desperately needed her to expand his voter pool.  

  4. Hang on now....are you actually trying to look at this with sane and intelligent eyes?  Well, THAT's your problem right there!

    I haven't seen too many (if any) rational discussions or points made about these candidates on this forum, or even in the news - so why would they start now?  

    But you have to admit that there is much irony in his choice....considering her experience and amount of time serving in the party....

  5. It's definitely not about gender alone seeing that he could have just as easily picked Kaye Bailey Hutchinson.  I think he was trying to pick a running mate that would appeal to staunch conservatives, pro- fossil fuel people, and women alike.  However I don't feel female liberals will be seduced by this pick.  Liberalism is a package of beliefs.  It isn't just about reproductive rights or gender issues.  

      

  6. "Where some have accused his dependency on oil issues, Palin sued the federal government for not allowing Alaska to drill and become independent of foreign oil."

    *sigh* ....drilling in Alaska will have no impact on our dependance on foregn oil.

    "Where McCain (in the past) leaned pro-choice, Palin is pro-life."

    True, but McCain is Anti-Choice these days.

    He picked her because she's a woman, young, and has a retarded child. I'd still never vote for her due to her politics.

    The odd-thing is, she is either oblivious, or doesn't care, that she's a "token choice".  

  7. That, plus to shore up the conservative base.  I feel sorry for him.  He's become a desperate old man.

  8. Only fools would assume that.  I don't pretend to know what's in McCain's heart when he makes a decision, but I think he made a great choice and that's the bottom line!  Marginalizing her only speaks volumes about the naysayer!

  9. I really doubt that disappointed Hillary supporters will vote the ticket simply because she's a woman.   Clinton's a liberal; Palin is not.  I wouldn't vote for someone for that reason.

    But we'll have to wait and see.  There are people in this country who will not vote for Obama because of his race (some are related to me) or McCain because he has a female VP (some are related to me).  The next two months will be fascinating.

  10. I'm with you on this one.

    I dont think that's the mentality tho, the whole "slept with her boss" thing.

    If Obama had been knocked out of the race, McCain probably would have tried to get him as his running mate, to garner the black vote.

    then again i actually like Palin, so go figure.

    not a huge fan of McCain honestly.

  11. To ignore that his choice has nothing to do with or greatly influenced by her being a woman is to completely abandon common sense. Now the qualities you mention are not unique to Palin so couple those with the fact that she is a woman must have played into the choice.

    You cannot compare your affirmative action comment with being chosen for vice president of the United States. We're not talking about an executive position at a corporation. Political selections more times than any of us care to examine pander to factors that have absolutely nothing to do with ability. The whole campaign against Obama from both parties has been his lack of experience and many on this forum have parotted the same slogan. Now you're excited about VP candidate who has very little experience herself? This is POLITICS, so the choice was a game of politics. This is not to say this woman is incompetent but she would not have been chosen any of other election. Common sense should tell you that.

  12. It's a ploy to get feminist votes.

    There are far better picks for VP out there.

  13. I don't know if she was chosen because she was a woman, but she was definitely chosen to appeal to democrats.  As you pointed out, many of her issues fall in line with democratic views, like her semi-support of g**s (lets be honest, still opposing marriage/civil unions is not pro-g*y) and her apparent feminist views, support of creationism/evolution debates in school, will definitely appeal to many Hillary voters.

    Dig beneath the surface however and you find inexperience (which McCain has been very VERY vocal about against Obama), a complete disregard for environmental issues, and support for overturning Roe.

    I think it was a smart political move, but one that will come back to bite McCain in the butt.  He's pandering to dems who won't budge on the more important liberal views like environmental responsibility, pro-choice policy, zero tolerance for g*y discrimination, and lest we forget.....THE WAR!

    In the wake if his pandering, I suspect those "loyal" republican voters McCain's counting on helping him win are by the day becoming more and more discontent watching  "their" candidate refusing to address their concerns in favor of trying to swoon liberals.

    My prediction: Dems will stay put and Repubs will stay home.  Obama by a landslide.


  14. Yes, you are right.  He COULD HAVE easily chosen her for those reasons.  The truth is; he probably didn't.  Ever since the end of the contentious Dem primary, McCain has made it no secret that he was specifically targeting disgruntled Clinton supporters.  This is a move to that end and nothing more.  Also, who McCain chooses as his vice president is more important than who Obama chooses.  McCain will be the oldest elected president ever and he has already lived longer than either his father or grandfather did.  He will likely be dead within the term and his vice president will probably have to serve.

  15. gawd... just announced today and I'm already sick of this discussion, maybe I'm just sick of the whole campaign hype... how I wish it was November already.

    I feel that it's wrong to pick a VP based on the opinions and preference of the American demographic alone... I think she will swing votes, and that's why he picked her, not based on his own political convictions. Not to say that Obama didn't do the same type play, but picking an inexperienced younger women does catch a bit more attention and send specific signals doesn't it.

  16. yeah much much better than the sexist messiahbarack

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Juy9NwI8_...

    sweetie reporter

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DygBj4Zw6...

    Obama Gives Hillary The Finger

    hugs!

  17. She has a 90% approval rating in Alaska.And unlike with Romeny, liberals have no tape of her criticizing McCain. She's a great pick for McCain.

  18. Take away the gender in this and you have a person out of the four candidates who has administrative experience.  The rest have just been senators.  She runs a state, and has done a great job for her state.  I think she is a great pick.

  19. I think McCain picked her because it happened to be a great strategical move. Her being a female just happened to be an added bonus. I think what McCain was hoping to do was not only make himself look more progressive and about change like Obama but to also garner the support of the large number of females who voted for Hilary. However, unlike Hilary she is easy to relate to. She had a typical up-bringing. She married an average joe who was either her high school or college sweetheart. She has kids. She is just very easy for most people to relate to.

    Honestly, she is a well-rounded candidate for the Republican party and I truly think McCain sees that.

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