McCain picks Palin

Well the Democratic ended Thursday with Obama's acceptance speech (which looked more like mega concert with ticket prices to match). They were definitely coming off of a high from the week but that had to have changed on Friday. McCain's choice of Sarah Palin ends the speculation of who he would choose as a running mate.

As a (Reagan) conservative, I am personally excited about the choice. Palin has the qualities that I am looking for in a candidate:

• Pro-life - she carried to term a baby she new was a special needs child
• Pro-gun - a lifetime NRA member and hunter
• Pro-oil - she wants to use the resources we have to supply our needs
• Fiscal conservative - she controlled spending and reduced taxes
• Smaller, efficient government - she rooted out corruption in Alaska and eliminated government waste

What's not to like with Palin? Granted her experience is limited. But not less than Obama. She has served in executive positions where she has to deal with outcomes. Obama does not have that on his resume.

The Democratic leadership had to be reaching for the aspirin bottle yesterday. The Palin choice came as a surprise to a lot of people (conservative and liberals). It is a great choice for the Republican ticket because:

1. Palin appeals to the conservative right and evangelicals of the Republican party. This will quiet some of the questions of McCain being a moderate. Conservatives are already getting excited about her.
2. She will play well to undecided female voters. She comes from a working family background and is self made as far as politics. Obama's choice to pass on Hillary for VP (and the 18 million that voted for her in the primaries) might haunt him.
3. She is a maverick / Washington outsider. With Obama's choice of Biden as VP running mate, he has chosen a long term insider who has been playing the political game since 1972.
4. She has held several elected executive positions - mayor and governor. She has had to make decisions and live with them. Obama (and Biden) can not claim that.
5. She is young and vibrant - as much as Obama is plus she is three years younger.

Personally I am excited. Friends (fellow conservatives) were over last night and we were watching the political commentaries and are now interested in the election. This is not what the Democrats wanted to hear a day after their shining moment at their convention. Maybe I should mail them a case of aspirin...