My Election Year Thus Far

The Democratic National Convention, and immediately John McCain announces a running mate out of left (not politically) field. I drank the whole week in, watching day after day on PBS for the fullest coverage (I suppose there's also C-SPAN). Couldn't have asked more from the Clintons--they acknowledged their efforts in the primaries but made clear cases for Obama. Joe Biden, an excellent VP choice, spoke directly and passionately (we haven't seen a lot of that in recent years). The spectacle was much to behold for the final night, and Barack connected both his inspirational capabilities with clear delineations of his positions and how they differ from the Republican platform.
Earlier this summer, I dragged my niece to see the opening notes of Wilco at Lollapalooza just because Obama was rumored to introduce them. He didn't, but a couple of days later, my sister-in-law called to say that he was at a small diner in my home town. My father and I hurried there, arriving just as he was exiting the restaurant with Senator Evan Bayh. My dad shaked Barack's hand as I unsuccessfully tried to get a picture with my cell phone. Better than seeing him on a stage; possibly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
So this morning, McCain announces Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska, as his running mate. No doubt the timing was to steal some thunder from the Democratic Convention. The immediate question was where did she come from? It was expected that he would choose Romney or a short list of others. It turns out she's two years into her first term and was a Mayor of a very small city before. She supports drilling in Alaska and is apparently very conservative on social issues. Recently she told a reporter that she wasn't sure what the Vice President's job entailed. She has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. She sought to have her brother-in-law fired as he divorced her sister then fired the person who wouldn't fire him. She announced that she was pregnant seven months in, much to the surprise of everyone around her, birthing her fifth child, who happens to have Down syndrome. Cynical hopes of getting some disgruntled Hillary supporter votes as well as some religious right ones.
Will people buy it? As several have pointed out, George H.W. Bush supposedly chose Dan Quayle for similar reasons, and he was indeed elected. Some say we aren't, but I fear we are a hopelessly right wing country--prove me wrong.

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