VOTE OR DIE 2008

Had a chance to catch the Vice Presidential debate and I must say that I am pleased to see that Sarah Palin lived to see another day. While she did enough to at least salvage a little bit of her name, she still made it clear that she is not ready to lead the nation if the task was delegated to her.

It seemed that Sarah Palin had a couple of objectives this evening. The first was to comfort the republicans who were becoming increasingly worried that she'd continue to embarrass herself every time that there was a political, judicial, economical, etc...decision placed in front of her. She did enough to at least pacify their concerns for a couple days.

Another objective was to attack Obama's votes, Biden's previous statements aimed at Obama, and Biden's record. She did not do enough on this front because it seemed as though Biden had a response to everything. We will find out tomorrow who was telling the truth and who wasn't. I'll leave the big research to those who get paid to do it.

Another objective was to have Americans confide in her because she is a "hockey mom" from Wasilla, Alaska. Look, it's great that she is a governer. I applaud her on that. However, she is governing a population in Alaska that doesn't even reach the population of lower Manhattan. As my friend put it, "she governs animals" The mayor of New York governs more people than her. She doesn't get by on that and just because she is a mom of special children, pregnant children, military children, etc...doesn't mean she is better equipped to be the Vice President, and if something unfortunate occurs, the President.

What makes it more interesting is that when she said that, I'm sure she didn't expect to get a better response on the front of being a caring parent from Joe Biden when he began to tear up thinking about his own familial circumstances. What I want, and what I hope American wants, is a two-headed team of people who have the education, the experience, the bravado, and a certain aura about them that demands respect. Like the lady on CNN said afterwards, if the President is on a plan when a national crisis occurs, would you want "Hockey Mom" Palin giving military decisions or a man with years and years of foreign policy.

Again, I think she did enough to salvage her name for the immediate future, but she has a long way to go, and so does John McCain, if they want the resounding win they expect. I'd assume that a nonbiased citizen of America would agree that the Obama-Biden ticket is in the lead at the moment. I just cannot see myself voting for a ticket with Palin on it. She'd have to overwhelm me with lots of persuasion, especially after admitting that she's only been in it "five weeks." Right now, and likely ultimately, my vote will go to the ticket that does not have her on it. Wouldn't even matter what party she was a member of. She's just not prepared.

~The Voter.