What is the strategy behind McCain's VP nomination of Governor Palin?

Question

Did he want to throw the election? Did he want to make it comical for any future women or non-white candidate to run? I am so confused. Why not Colin Powell choose as his VP? He is in my opinion smarter than McCain and respected across all gender and racial groups including the military.

Answer 1

Who knows.... who cares. Obama just sealed the deal... and he didn't even have to do anything. McCain has lost it!!!!!

Answer 2

McCain needed someone else that wasn't strong on foreign policy, national security no need in doubling it, it would be a waste. Sarah has experience with economics, strong on energy, strong with NRA, a bit of foreign exp with Russia and Canada, strong values to fight corruption, is intelligent and strong-willed which is what is needed. Also McCain wanted this to be historical for Republicans too. If he chose a typical candidate Obama will simply say two old white guys over their basically or he would imply it. I think it's an excellent choice! Made me proud to be a Republican today.

Answer 3

He wants to lose the election. He is old and if he dies, we will have a woman who was the mayor of town of 5000 as president. Absolutely stupid choice. We cannot trust our country with this woman. She has never even stepped outside Alaska. Imagine her dealing with foreign policy. McCain made a joke out of the Republicans.

Obama/Biden '08!

Answer 4

I think he hoped to lure in disillusioned Hillary supporters. It will not work.

Considering McCain called Cindy a derogatory name (think "punt" with a "c" instead of a "p") when she jokingly commented on his thinning hair-his respect for women is very questionable. He did not rebuke a campaign worker when she said "How do we beat the (female dog term)" with regards to Hillary. Instead he stifled (not very well) a laugh. Now he hopes to lure her supporters with this Pro-life, anti-gun control, under investigation for "abuse of power" substitute? It is a good pick-for the Democrats to win.

Answer 5

I think it was brilliant; it was the "lead" story on the nightly news -- rather than Obama, which is what was the expected.  Obama has gotten very little or no coverage of his acceptance speech last night.

P.S.  While I admire the reasoning behind the Spell Checker on ANSWERS -- it's not too bright.  And, if I want to write in CAPS for emphasis, I shall write in CAPS.  I'm not necessarily yelling, and my punctuation is fine.

Answer 6

McCain definitely hit his head on something. He didn't even come to a decision of who to pick until JUST TODAY. Then he picks some unknown so-called "reformist" from Alaska with very very far-right policies. She was only mayor of a town of 9,000 people. She's only been Governor for two years. She has no national or foreign policy experience.

She's definitely not a champion for women. She doesn't support abortion even in the case of rape or incest.

So I don't know what McCain was thinking. Did he think he was going to win over Hillary supporters? Women aren't naiive, they'll see right through it. He was pandering to women, and I think it just cost him the election.

Answer 7

I couldn't agree with someone more than Craig. She is not a champion for women. He thinks women are dumb and will vote for her because she shares our anatomy. She is so far right it was like choosing a less qualified, female Huckabee. I really do think he just lost the election.

Answer 8

To win the election.

Powell didn't want the job.

Answer 9

lets see. obama who has 145 days in the senate and 130 votes of present. vs. a 2 year govenor who reformed her state. he is running for pres. she is running for vp.  how many minorities have the democrats put into high ranking political posistions anyhow...vs. republican. they talk change while they do nothing more than create a welfare state.

Answer 10

It is an attempt to get the discontented Clinton voters who will not vote for Obama.

Answer 11

apparently to seal the deal for Obama

Obama 08!!!!

Answer 12

If I ever had any thought of switching and voting Republican McCain just convinced me not to. Does he think Dem. Women are idiots? This woman must be really hungry to be in the spotlight.  She has a newborn Down's Syndrome child. That takes a lot of work! She won't be just a working mom as VP. At an interview with her about what VP's do she had no clue!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4gkPXSDt...

She comes off like a real "Stepford Wife"! How dare she say she's like every other working mom. When I was in the work force I couldn't afford to have my kids on sports leagues like Hockey or soccer. These are expensive things for kids to do. My guys played school sports.

She was a beauty queen. You don't enter pageants out of the clear blue. It costs money to be in pageants. There's wealth in that family somewhere. Everything about this women rubs me the wrong way.

I wonder what she thinks of McCain's stand on not agreeing with women's rights to equal pay? How does she think she will get women who are prochoice--Hillary supporters? She certainly backs big corporations especially the Oil Barons. The environmentalists are also going to eat her alive.

Once again the Republicans show their stupidity and how little they "get it" . It is not the party of the middle class!

Answer 13

His strategy?  The day after Obama's acceptance of the nomination of his party- and NO ONE is even talking about him.  I call it brilliant !!

Answer 14

Powell has been working for the other side

Answer 15

k Obamabot  

Answer 16

She'll be his stepford VP and won't challenge him on anything and won't voice her opinions. It's his dream come true. Another woman who will only speak when told to.

Answer 17

She's just a really good choice

Answer 18

Women voters.

Answer 19

It was a very poor choice.

I think the HRC supporters are offended now and rightfully so, since he thinks they're idiots, apparently.

Answer 20

Colin Powell would never agree to it. He has too much dignity to be the "token" choice.

Answer 21

Palin is a true conservative socially and economically. Oh and she is a woman. You wanted change right? Now the Republicans are showing change and that is bad?

Answer 22

With Obama for the Democrats, it would have been seen as a cheap political "we can do that too" move for McCain to choose a black man, sorry to say, no matter how qualified said person is.  I guarantee that is how it would have been painted, no matter how false that charge is.

Answer 23

This is his hail-mary effort to steal Hillary's supporters.  It is a low-probability, high-risk gamble.  My guess is that McCain's superstition compelled him to choose her: his birthday and her wedding anniversary are on the same day as the announcement.  Imagine if he decided US policy that way.

Answer 24

Obama speaks of change and brings on Joe Biden, McCain beats him at his own game. Check Mate..

Answer 25

He tried to sway over Hillary's supporters thinking what any woman would do for them (most of them will be too smart to buy into it). Though I think he forgot about some conservatives (mostly Republicans) who are just not ready to vote a woman into an office (even Hillary couldn't get through to them) - I'm not saying I agree with them but they should be considered and they do have a right to vote. Well, I guess Bob Barr just got way more votes than he could ever hope for.

Answer 26

I get It like Obama

Economy Tougher then it is now

Gas Prices Higher then it is Now

Iraq Staying there forever

Education More Failing Grades more Dropouts

Health Care More Expensive Less Accessable

Enviroment Drill for Oil in Alaska

Natural Disasters Let another Hurricnae Destroy New Orleans and just Do Nothing and  watch it ll happen

Face It she is Pro-Life Pro-Guns, Pro-God Ultra Conservative Republican Nothing good about this Decision its McCain Decision and Its a Terrible Decision  He don't Get It.

OBAMA BIDEN They Get It

Answer 27

Obama has several advantages in this election. He's black but he's of white decent as well. He gives his single mom and his grandparents all the credit for where he is.

He's new enough to politics that he has an outlook which says "We can do these things." and doesn't know what may not be attainable.

McCain is trying to raise the Clinton supporters by adding a woman as his running mate.

Look at the similarities between Obama and Palin.

  They are both just plain folk. They both have less political experience than we see in more seasoned candidates.

McCain is trying to balance the scales and he's failing miserably

Answer 28

A complete conservative and no exposure to Capital Hill...so she wont play the game which will of course cause the left to freak out and start stalling everything McCain will do.