I think Palin is an inspired choice. Forget that she's a woman and consider the following:
As governor, she has an 80% approval rating. That's unheard for a politician of any stripe. She has fought many special interests and vetoed 300 pieces of legislation in her term that were in special interests favor. In her short term as governor, she has shown more leadership and ability than many politicians do in a lifetime.
As governor, she is the only person on the either ticket with executive experience. McCain, Obama and Biden have only legislative experience as Senators. In that sense, she has more experience than anybody else on the tickets.
She has a son in the U.S. Army. Who better to speak for the needs of the military and the sacrifices made for the sake of the nation's security than the parent of a soldier. It shows a respect and commitment to the military and to national service that fancy speeches cannot.
She is a normal working class person whose career has been driven by the pursuit of ethics and a clear vision of how to make the average citizen's life better. Her spouse, high school sweetheart, is a regular working person and a union member.
Palin's selection blunts the Dem's main mantra against McCain, i.e. Four more years of Bush. She is far outside Washington's inside political circles, thinks for herself and is tough enough to see her vision put into action. She actually became governor by running against a Republican incumbent. Apparently, she is no pushover. Consider this quote from her biography: "The landscape is littered with the bodies of those who have crossed Sarah." - Dave Dittman, biographer. There is no way that the reformer combination of McCain/Palin can suggest four more years of Bush style governance.
Consider also these other aspects of her life that may play into the election.
She was a state championship athlete. Five kids, one with Downs Syndrome. Worked as a sportscaster and has excellent speaking and media ability. Was oil industry ethics officer. Governor of one of the largest oil producing states and knows energy policy. Is known as a prudent and responsible fiscal manager and a sound economic manager. She's pro-life (required as a Republican candidate, unfortunately). Lifetime member of the NRA.
Did somebody say she was a woman, too? Writing her off as a gimmick to win the women's vote is simply patronizing and disrespectful, given the accomplishments of her career and the determined, successful, prudent and ethical manner in which she has come to be in her current position. She is the ideal candidate for the Republican ticket.
