Over the past several weeks, K.R. has observed with admiration the superb campaign being conducted by and on behalf of John McCain.
The rapid fire production and airing of excellent radio and television ads have quickly taken advantage of opportunities presented by current events as they occurred. They have deftly skewered the Obama candidacy and demonstrated its absurdity in a light and good humored but effective way.
However, neither the professionalism and intelligence of the campaign nor my admiration and respect for Senator McCain's military service or for him as an individual was sufficient to overcome the serious disagreements I have had and continue to have with him politically. For the reasons set forth in an earlier positing (which remains and can be viewed in the archive section) on this site, I never budged from my determination not to vote for him.
That changed this morning with his selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to run for vice president on the ticket that he heads. Ms. Palin has a compelling story. She is an intelligent, honest, practical, and highly competent American frontier woman and her public service record as well as her private life and achievements provide more than adequate evidence of these characteristics.
The Democratic standard bearer constantly talks about change but when choosing a running mate he picked an aging party hack notable only for consistently bad judgments and a failed attempt to plagiarize another politicians biography and pass it off as his own. Furthermore, Obama never has supported any reform efforts or deviated in any meaningful way from the agendas of any of the special interest groups that are his party's base.
The contrast could not be clearer. McCain has demonstrated his independence throughout his senate career, often to the dismay of much of his party and its regulars. With his selection of Ms. Palin to run with him, he demonstrated an agility of mind and the capability for flexible and independent decision making necessary for national leadership.
The move and its timing demonstrate strategic ability of the highest order. His opposition was and remains flummoxed and their reactive efforts to belittle Ms. Palin and her candidacy have been absurd or odious or both. They would have done better to remain silent.
In any event, if anyone is interested, K.R. is going to be voting for the McCain - Palin ticket.
No comments:
Post a Comment