Nevermind the Palin Naysayers ( "This was a brilliant choice." )

realclearpolitics.com ^ | September 03, 2008 | Ruben Navarrette

[kellynla]

SAN DIEGO -- Never mind the naysayers and inside-the-Beltway snobs who mock John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. This was a brilliant choice.

Sure, it's a risk. But as Palin's defenders point out, no less a risk than asking the country to take a chance at the top of the ticket on a first-term senator from Illinois who doesn't have much to show in legislative accomplishments or foreign policy expertise.

I've defended Barack Obama by urging that we think outside the box and ask whether the world with which McCain is so familiar hasn't changed over the last 40 years to the point where it's no longer familiar to the rest of us. Now it's fair to raise the same concern about the individual whom Palin will square off against, Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden, who entered the Senate when Palin was 8.

Still, not all is well in McCainland. The news that Palin's unmarried 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant has raised questions about whether this choice was properly vetted and whether the selection was made in haste. That should be investigated since it reflects on McCain's judgment.

But that has nothing to do with Sarah Palin. So let's stop piling on, especially since all too many pundits and politicos have little to offer but snarky criticisms. And let's give McCain credit for a daring choice that offers more to the Republican Party and the country than many realize at the moment.

[Tublecane]

I don’t understand how the so-called scandals can reflect badly on McCain but not on Palin. If her daughter being pregnant “has nothing to do with Sarah Palin,” it certainly has nothing to do with John McCain.

I wish the MSM could explain to me how there can be a “vetting” if Palin’s family life is off limits.

[Tublecane]

I don’t understand how the so-called scandals can reflect badly on McCain but not on Palin. If her daughter being pregnant “has nothing to do with Sarah Palin,” it certainly has nothing to do with John McCain.

I wish the MSM could explain to me how there can be a “vetting” issue if Palin’s family life is off limits.

[dschapin]

Another excellent article. All the sudden we seem to be getting our act together and fighting back. The tide is turning folks and Lord willing Sarah will knock the ball out of the park tomorrow night.

[cherry]

this is the chance McCain needed to take.....when I heard that Sarah Palin had been selected, I literally squealed with delight.....I thought we were going to get plain, white bread and instead, we have foccacia with oregano, basil, olive oil and a hint of fennel.....

[George Smiley]

I beg to differ.

Steak tartare.

[calcowgirl]

The Uber-Liberal Navarrette can say no wrong about McAmnesty.

But he’s right about Palin’s daughter. Non-issue, IMO.

[ChocChipCookie]

I’ve heard both that McCain knew about the pregnancy and that he didn’t know, before this week. Can anyone confirm either way?

[calcowgirl]

What? No arugula? ;-)

[George Smiley]

You owe me a keyboard for that one.

[calcowgirl]

LOL! Sorry ‘bout that! ;-)

[BlessedBeGod]

This might help:

Team McCain Hits Back on Palin, Vetting (point-by-point response)

[NavyCanDo]

Out of my large circle of Republican friends I only know one who is not thrilled. And that guy is Mormon and of course wanted Romney.
Then you have Michael Savage of course, and the 30 percent of his listeners who hang on to every word are also against it - but they are a fringe group anyway. And Savage would of been frothing at the mouth no matter who he chose. He has an audience because some people like the loud mouth at the end of the bar sort of guy.

[1066AD]

Amazing.
The author is usually reliably liberal !

[Lexinom]

Yes. I read (don’t have the source handy) that both are true: he knew prior to making the decision but only found out recently. I believe the article is linked from realclearpolitics.

[Uncle Miltie]

Correction:

"a first-term senator from Illinois who doesn't have much anything to show in legislative accomplishments or foreign policy expertise."

There. That's more accurate.

[DesScorp]

I’m shocked at this... Navarette was right on.

[GVnana]

I wish the MSM could explain to me how there can be a “vetting” if Palin’s family life is off limits.

I don't know why they are harping on this nonsense, since the McCain camp acknowledged that McCain knew of the pregnanacy and selected Palin anyway.

Seems what should be old news is turned into yet another opportunity for someone to grab a soapbox.

[Caipirabob]

The news that Palin's unmarried 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant has raised questions about whether this choice was properly vetted and whether the selection was made in haste.

The Obama camp rejoiced over this news, believing that now they only had to run against a 17YO pregnant girl. Obama smiled delightedly proclaiming; "I can take her!"