A before-the-fact endorsement of Palin as VP choice

Posted by editorial_views

Posted: August 29, 2008 - 3:38 pm

This is an excerpt of a commentary by William Ruger, a political scientist at Texas State University. The Daily News published it Aug. 2:

Palin, the 44-year-old mother of five and popular governor of Alaska, would add a lot to a Republican ticket that will face an uphill battle no matter who is picked.

First, the attractive young governor ... would provide much-needed energy and youth to a ticket whose main candidate is frequently on the receiving end of "he's so old" jokes. McCain should remember that this did not work out too well for Bob Dole, another senior war hero.

Second, Palin would give Hillary-voters frustrated by their candidate's loss and still unsure about Obama a reason to shift over to McCain. And there is no doubt this former Miss Alaska pageant contestant would give red-blooded men in purple states like Ohio a reason to watch the vice-presidential debates.

Third, Palin is as far from a Washington insider as you can get, given she hails from Alaska and is a new face in Republican politics, untainted by any association with the Bush clan or the big-spending congressional Republicans.

Fourth, and critically, given the price of oil, Palin can help McCain focus on energy security, an issue that could be Obama's Achilles' heel -- if the Republicans could overcome McCain's opposition to things like drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The environment might be wildly popular on the coasts, but in the middle where this race will be won, a candidate who could credibly sell a plan for lower prices at the pump will move votes.

But most important, Palin could do something few Republicans seem interested in or able to do these days: Help fuse the two pillars of the Reagan Revolution, traditional conservatives and libertarian Republicans.

Palin can win the hearts of conservatives, given her strong pro-life views -- views that were backed up with action this year when she gave birth to a son with Down's syndrome. It would probably also help with these folks that her oldest son recently enlisted in the Army. And she can excite libertarian Republicans, given her fiscal conservatism as governor as well as her reputation for anti-corruption, love of guns and the outdoor life, and moderation on social issues other than abortion.

In short, Palin will provide McCain the surge he needs to win his last battle.

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