Robert Novak: McCain Comes Through ( Gov. Palin )

realclearpolitics.com ^ | September 03, 2008 | Robert Novak

[kellynla]

Partisan Democrats and many members of the media consider John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate a terrible mistake. But McCain need not worry about their criticism. His unexpected selection satisfied the people he needed to please. Republican conservatives assembling in St. Paul for the party's national convention were "ecstatic" over the choice.

Nor did the announcement Monday that Palin's 17-year-old unmarried daughter was pregnant -- but would raise the child and marry the father -- perceptibly diminish the enthusiasm for her in St. Paul by Republicans, who regarded the news as irrelevant to the vice presidential selection.

That is not only because Palin appears to be an outstanding candidate but also because McCain in his first test as party leader came through with a unique and responsible decision.

The party faithful had feared the worst, in view of McCain's long record as a maverick who enjoyed violating Republican dogma.

As recently as two weeks before Palin's selection, McCain's closest aides feared, in the words of one of them, "McCain would be McCain," by choosing liberal independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman, which would have deflated the convention and indeed the party on the eve of an uphill battle for the presidency.

But on this occasion, McCain made a politically ingenious selection. Whether the presence on the Republican ticket of a woman for the first time actually will attract disaffected supporters of Hillary Clinton is doubtful.

Gender politics aside, she is an ideal running mate. On the one hand, she shares McCain's loathing for earmarks, which are ingrained in the corruption-tainted politics of Alaska. She also has a good record in fighting off big oil, which plays a major role in the politics of Alaska.

[kellynla]

"Republican presidential nominees starting with Jerry Ford in 1976 have been thinking about a female running mate, but none has had the nerve to pull the trigger until McCain on Friday. He came through when his fellow Republicans feared the worst from him."

[Velveeta]

Nice to see that Robert Novak is feeling well enough to write again.

[padre35]

That is special, Bob Novak is in a bad way, and he took the time to write an article supporting Sarah Palin.

Nice, Novak has been called “The Prince of Darkness” I’ve always found him to be the “The Prince of Character”, not sure if I could what he just did.

These are high stakes indeed.

[JennysCool]

It’s good to see Novak writing (that was a real short “retirement”!) I hope his health is improving.

[My Favorite Headache]

Nice to see Bob in his bad health had time to offer insight into this mess. Palin is a pure win and we all know it. Fred Thompson nailed it tonight...HOME RUN.

[dschapin]

Wow, all of the sudden conservatives are rushing to her defense from all over. The tide is turning folks and the liberal media is starting to run.

[kellynla]

“Wow, all of the sudden conservatives are rushing to her defense from all over.”

And there are many more on townhall.com

[JennysCool]

and the liberal media is starting to run.

The Drive-Bys finally overreached, and in historic fashion. Taking out after a kid to get to her mother is so dispicable even people not usually interested in politics have taken notice.

If there was any integrity at all in national journalism organizations, there would be a drive for reform. Since there isn't, there won't be.

[rhinohunter]

“Wow, all of the sudden conservatives are rushing to her defense from all over.”

As far as I know, weiner nation is the only Conservative pundit that has rejected Palin. (And he shouldn't count anyway since he's a phoney).

Does anyone know of any other Conservative pundits that have rejected Palin?

[Uncle Miltie]

"Taking out after a kid to get to her mother is so dispicable even people not usually interested in politics have taken notice."

Chivalry is not so dead that improperly attacking a woman is accepted. Hillary could be attacked on the basis of highly questionable personal actions and decisions. Attacking Palin for her family's fecundity (look it up) is just wrong.

[Sacajaweau]

The attacks on this family made me think of the witch trials of yesteryear. They media was waaaaaay “out of line.
Freedom of the press?? JUst reporting the news? Gimme a break...

[Junior_G]

I’ve defended Savage many times, but his pathetic attacks on Palin have me angry at him for the first time, really. He’s going to see the impact on his ratings soon enough. This just might be bigger than him.

[rhinohunter]

I’ve defended Savage many times, but his pathetic attacks on Palin have me angry at him for the first time, really.

Ditto.

While I've been suspicious of him all along, I've continued to listen to him because he is funny and in my market there's nothing else of interest on the radio dial.

And his excuses for attacking Palin hold no water whatsoever. He is claiming McCain should have chosen the type of Republican that he has spent the last 5 years railing against incessantly.

Yep... he has stepped in it big time.

[Impy]

“Partisan Democrats and many members of the media consider John McCain’s choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate a terrible mistake.”

Which is why they are so vigorously attacking her, right.

Well wishes to Bob Novak.

[TheThinker]

I think McCain understands that he must not only beat Obama but he must beat him decisively. If it's close, it'll be a repeat of 2000 but with riots in the streets.

This explains his pick of a female running mate. The media is truly afraid of her but there is a groundswell of support by women across the nation for her. Some were Hillary supporters but also many others who were not that are energized by a woman who is not so angry and shares many of their values.

She is not a woman obsessed with power or notoriety but truly seems like a woman who cares about her country, is proud of being an accomplished woman and has conviction.

[cherry]

I would personally like to do something very special to Wolf Blowhard.....I know its unladylike and unChristian to think such things....

[irishjuggler]

God bless Novakio (as McLaughlin used to call him back in the day).

[rface]

good to see something from Novak

[arthurus]

Don’t knock Savage for this. Some token dissent on the right only puts emphasis to Sarah Palin’s choice being the Right choice. He has his reasons and they are not unconsidered reasons. My first reaction was unfavorable but that changed when I found out from the bolshie papers and blogs just how good she is. Savage just hasn’t got past first reaction. I still listen to him when he is not yelling. His is a different but still very Conservative perspective. He is part of the spectrum.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

It does at least two things. Among the Dems, the Left whines and attacks, going over the top, spreading rumors about the daughter and her pregnancy. Obama and Biden have to move Right, in strange maneuvers (for wacko liberals) to get the "bitter" Reagan Democrats clinging to guns and religion. Watch for the Duck hunting outing and more stops in bars. But they have to watch not to go too far Right to alienate the Lefties who might start looking at Nader.

Speaking of which, where is Nader? And where is Michelle? What happened to her? Where are they hiding Mrs. Obama? We know about Governor Palin's husband's driving record from 20 years ago but NOTHING on Michelle's college thesis. What's that about?

As they are wiggling, waffling, and moving back and forth between Right and Left, the Palin pick switches OPERATION CHAOS into high gear. Obama and Biden will have to try to fake Right and move Left at the same time to try to achieve the impossible of pleasing boths wings of their party. This is the Fabian Socialist and liberal Hokey Pokey the Dems usually try in national elections but with a conservative populist female on the opposing ticket. At the moment, they haven't figured out how to handle it yet.