Hi all, I’ve just come over from the Guardian to post a question - an honest one, no intent to troll. Someone there (a quite conservative poster) has suggested that McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin for VP candidate was a calculated one based upon Bristol’s pregnancy in a bid to gain the pro-life vote. I never thought of the possibility myself but I was wondering what Free Republic posters might think of the idea.
For what it’s worth, I sincerely wish the best for Bristol Palin and her family, as this can’t be easy for them. It’s tough enough to be pregnant at 17 without much of the world looking on and judging you. And fair is fair, I’ll answer any questions, as honestly as I can, as well.
This has been an interesting thread, so thanks.
No.
His nomination of Sarah Palin was definately partially in order to motivate pro-lifer’s like myself. However, Sarah Palin was already a pro-life champion before the situation with Bristol came to light. So, I doubt that McCain chose her due to Bristol’s pregnancy but I think he correctly figured that pro-lifer’s wouldn’t judge Sarah Palin over this and instead would be excited that she encouraged her daughter to do the right thing rather than taking the easy road out.
No, I absolutely do not think it was a calculated vote based on Bristol’s pregnancy. I think he believed in Sarah’s abilities, her grit, and determination. Of course, he then weighed Bristol’s situation . As you can see this from this thread, this topic is not making conservatives jump up and down, but we believe in pro-life. And I believe John McCain saw that Sarah and her family lived up to their beliefs and this gave him respect for her and chose her in spite of the scandal that could occur.
By the way, thank you for identifying yourself : )
I think he had the pro-life vote prior to Palin and if not, certainly after Palin, considering she willingly gave birth to a down’s syndrome baby just 5 months ago.
I had already predicted a rope-a-dope potential with this pregnancy. Note that even Obama is showing Britney more respect than some FReepers. [If BO senses a trap, it must be pretty obvious.] I bet the DU is watching this too. Now they have a chance to laugh at us — FReeper Funnies.
I think the decision was made more due to ethics and fiscal consertvative concerns. Palin ran on cleaning up the mess which was going on during the Frank Murkowski administration. She ran against a republican in the primary election and won, and most importantly, kept her promise once in office.
She's pro-life, but also pro-2nd Amendment, and a fiscal conservative. The pro-life vote was going for McCain, but he had problems with the 2nd Amendment supporters, and the Republican Party needs to earn trust back on fiscal issues. Darren McCarty
Ann Arbor, MI
Quite the opposite in fact.
This is not our proudest moment.
McCain must have been planning the whole scenario- start to finish, including the pregnancy-just to get the prolife vote that some of the country clubbers wish they could do without. The Palins are soooo cooperative-Don’t ya think? I mean, just think of all the years of planning and manipulating that went into it. /sarc/
With both McCain and Palin being Pro-Life they already have the vast majority of Pro-Lifers in their camp, so I don't see that as a possiblity.