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Originally Posted by Norton  His selection of Palin to rally the Republican party, while effective is very short sighted. He has selected a running mate who's views and core beliefs are diametrically opposed to the core beliefs of the clear majority in the Congress. |
It might have been short sighted but let's face it McCain could not afford to look at the long run. He had to focus on what would help him get elected. Palin has been amazing at solidifying the red team base. Before the convention I had some real doubts about how much of the red team base would simply stay home on election day - that is no longer a concern for me. From what I have seen I think the only thing that could have happened to electrify the red team base more than Palin would have been if Obama would have picked Hillary as his VP.
If McCain wins there will be no end to the Obama detractors blaming his pick of Biden over Hillary for his loss. Most of this will be misplaced blame, because picking Hillary would have done just as much for McCain as it would have done for Obama (maybe even more). I do wonder who McCain would have picked for his VP if Obama would have picked Hillary.
As for Palin the "pitbull" not being able to reach across the isle and make things work. Her record in Alaska seems to be to the contrary. She seems to have been able to pull off her share of compromise - even with the Sara Barracuda moniker. So much so that much of the red team party leaders in Alaska did not seem to hold her in good steed (prior to McCain tapping her for the VP slot).
I don't think any elected offical can ever hope to get enough compromise to happen in the current very polarized world of Washington. IMHO the key (regardless if it is McCain or Obama) is to go after things that they are most likely to be able to get compromise to happen, rather than targeting things they want most to happen and try to get compromise on those issues. Once they build up a record of compromise on the easiest things, then they can tackel the harder ones. Having already established themselves as leaders that compromise they can leverage that on the tough issues to force both sides to give more than they want or else being seen as the side that is holding things up.
On the compromise front McCain has said he will include Democrats in his cabinet (no doubt Liberman will be one of them). I have not heard Obama making similar claims - I have heard rumors that both Bill and Hillary Clinton will be offered cabinet seats. Personally I don't have a problem with that (I have doubts that either of them are willing to work under Obama), but I would be surprised if the red team does not eventually use this to fear monger some of their base - make sure McCain gets elected or you'll be stuck not only with Obama, but BOTH Clintons as well.