Posted on 08/30/2008 10:00:24 AM PDT by TommyC1
Man, is this guy a fighter pilot, or what?
There are two military concepts here that explain the (absolutely spectacular) choice of Governor Sarah Palin. Both of them are important to the training of a fighter pilot, and while one of them wasn't formulated until after McCain's flying career was over, it was an observation based on what fighter pilots had to know.
One of them is the "envelope" -- which is to say the parameters within which a fighter airplane must operate. The envelope can be seen as a sort of egg-shape, based on how quickly a plane can turn and maneuver. If your plane as a "tighter envelope" than another plane, the pilot has the advantage in a dogfight: you can turn inside the other plane, which means you can get into the perfect firing position, behind the opponent.
More important is the "OODA loop" -- which is the envelope for the pilot's thought process. How quickly can the pilot observe the situation, orient within the situation, decide, and act. If the pilot's OODA loop time is shorter, the pilot can overcome the slower.
At this point, we're seeing that McCain is completely within the Obama campaign's OODA loop -- they are out-thinking them and out-acting them -- and very problably the McCain campaign has a tighter envelope than the Obama campaign, as well.
Look at the choice of Palin, and the remaining tactics of the last week. It was the week of the Democratic Convention, and while they had their show, he continued to campaign, with immensely effective responses every day (see my day one coverage of Silver Salazar and the Democrats for McCain.) Then, on Thursday, the campaign let it be known that there would be an announcement and ad running that night.
The talking heads chattered about it -- would it be a challenge? Would he announce his VP choice to step on the speech?
It got to the point that the Obama campaign said it would be "political malpractice" to announce his VP pick, and that it was more evidence the McCain campaign was a "war room masquerading as a political campaign" --- on the day that Obama was to say in his speech "But what I will not do is suggest that the senator takes his positions for political purposes." Then the ad comes out ... ... and it's congratulations on Obama's nomination on the anniversary of the "I have a dream" speech. In one day, they make Obama's campaign look cheap, they make McCain look gracious, and the get the Obama campaign to belie Obama's own speech.
Then the next day, they announce Sarah Palin -- after a dozen head fakes. It's Romney. No it's Pawlenty. It's Romney again. Oh my God, it's Lieberman. Instead of the days and days of anticipation, followed by anxiety, followed by boredom, followed by even more boredom when Obama picked Biden, we get a real surprise -- and the air is sucked out of Obama's big day.
Now look at what this means to the running criticisms of McCain. Age? Palin is young, beautiful, charismatic and strong. What's more, Biden is going to have to be very careful about an attacks in the vice presidential debate; he'll look like a misogynistic jerk, and then Sarah Barracuda will gut him like a trout. Smiling.
Hit too hard, and Hillary PUMAs they managed to attract back with the campaign's show of unity will flee in droves. Besides, the McCain campaign is all over it already. According to Real Clear Politics' Tom Bevan, "McCain senior advisor Nancy Pfotenhauer just said on Fox -- and I'm paraphrasing: I think the Obama campaign would have learned not to belittle women." Experience? The Obama campaign has already tried hitting at Palin as inexperienced --- but every time they do so, they open themselves to the obvious retort: she's got more executive experience than Obama, and she's only running for Vice President.
Foreign policy? Again, she's been to Iraq as often as Obama has -- and she's got a son going there. Hugh Hewitt rightly points out "by reason of just her work with Canada, she's light years ahead [sic] Obama." The Democratic nominee has had his own problems with Canada in fact.
Corruption and pork? She got into office attacking corruption among Republicans in Alaska and turned down the famous "bridge to nowhere". There's one more military concept here, as well: operational security. Unlike the usual campaign leaks, this really was kept completely quiet -- in fact, they even managed to almost eliminate the usual hints, like aircraft movements. It was planned and executed like a SEAL op.
All in all, it was masterful. We just finished the Denver convention, and the self-congratulation last night was thick on the ground. But this week, it looks like the Obama campaign's "Chicago Rules" have turned out to be bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Definitely, but don’t let Nancy Pelosi vs. the Catholic Church on abortion be forgotten. Emphasize that now the GOP has a pro-life ticket, and you’ve REALLY got a winner!
The media equivalent to dropping flares and chaff.
I swear I can’t wait to see the VP debates. Biden will be unable to suppress his inherent nastiness and s***-eating grin (well-honed in various Senate hearing room inquisitions). Sarah will smile back and give it to him hit-for-hit and he will look like a (paleo-chauvanist) lizard.
My brother in law is a former Navy pilot and longtime McCain fan.
He said however, that if McCain picked Romney-he wouldn’t vote for McCain.
I got a message from him yesterday .
He described Palin as “ charismatic “ and gave the pick an enthusiastic thumbs up.
As much as I like Romney-would have picked him over McCain even- he has some HUGE negatives among the base.
I still remember the 2004 abortion-rights march on the Capitol. The female politicos on the stage made a point of speaking with their daughters and granddaughters at their sides. The unspoken message: “I support abortion rights, but I never actually did it myself”.
Rather schizophrenic when you get down to it.
great article! With the Palin VP selection Mccain just picked this conservative’s pocket for campaign donations. Even though I’ve said in the past I’d show up in Nov to vote for him, but wouldn’t give him a dime for his campaign.
LOL! Yeah, McCain is a very good strategist, his experience in running campaigns is making itself known in a big way.
Obama is being schooled.
I’m not so sure that it would be a good thing to emphasize. I think McCain/Palin have the pro-life vote hands down. I think emphasizing it would be likely to drive away crossover votes and those who are on the fence.
Give her some time to acclimate...then step back and watch out!!!!!
I’ve said it before, McCain’s campaign’s timing is perfect. Finally! Republicans have learned how to run a media-type campaign, and the Dems (and their sycophant press) are reeling!
excerpt ...
“Foreign policy? Again, she’s been to Iraq as often as Obama has — and she’s got a son going there. Hugh Hewitt rightly points out “by reason of just her work with Canada, she’s light years ahead [sic] Obama.” The Democratic nominee has had his own problems with Canada in fact.
Corruption and pork? She got into office attacking corruption among Republicans in Alaska and turned down the famous “bridge to nowhere”. There’s one more military concept here, as well: operational security. Unlike the usual campaign leaks, this really was kept completely quiet — in fact, they even managed to almost eliminate the usual hints, like aircraft movements. It was planned and executed like a SEAL op.”
___________________________________________________________
right on ... A coup de main, coup de maitre, coup de theatre, indeed.
I think Joe’s smarmy paternalism will emerge as he expressed “concern” for the impact of Washington pressueres on her family duties
I hope Sarah makes him cry as he bloviates on his selflessness at taking the oath of office at his child’s bedside weeks after his wife was killed
The greatest personal event ever for anyone, is to be on the eve of a great competition where you are the underdog, when NO ONE EXPECTS YOU TO WIN LET ALONE SHOW UP. Think of Appalachian State playing Michigan last year.
No one will expect Sarah Palin to win any debates with Joe Biden on Oct 2 let alone show up. So in essence by showing up, she wins. If she scores a few points she wins...If she keeps it close, she wins. And if she wins, it’s the performance of a life time.
Yeah, Dems keep knock her. Keep it up. I expect some great parody on SNL tonight....but be sure to get the guy playing Biden right. Old and hair plugs that you can see a mile away. That will make him into an instant laugh everytime you see him.
MSM will do everything it can to help Biden in the debate and set Palin up, so they had better get her well-prepared. She cannot have a Quayle moment.
Larger picture - what we are learning is that McCain really wants to win this election. The media assumed that he would roll over like Bob Dole. Frankly, I did too.
And then we can get into experience dealing with energy. Again, Sarah Palin has more experience than the rest of the field combined.
I was listening to an interview she did LAST WEEK. When the subject turned to energy, she was most clear and eloquent better than anyone I’ve ever heard on the subject.
She reminded the listeners that Joe Biden has voted AGAINST the Alaskan pipeline!!!!!!!!
The best thing is for the dems to underestimate her...just like Hillary underestimated Obama.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.