McCain announces VP pick

Strategy or earnest move? When it comes to the Grand Ole Party who can tell? The day after Obama accepted the nomination at the Democratic Convention among a packed stadium on the anniversary of MLK’s historic speech, republican nominee John McCain announced his vice president pick, a woman. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin may be relatively unknown, but her sex is a definitely familiar to all.

I listened to Anderson Cooper and other analysts debate the reason why the McCain camp, previously planning to release the name at that time immediately after Obama’s speech, decided to wait the day after. It makes sense; it would have been too obvious. The “Oh yeah? Ya’ll think you’re historic and breaking barriers. Take that!” sort of touché would have been all too transparent.

That is not to say that Governor Palin is not a credible VP nominee nor is it to say that her service to her state of Alaska and this country is not without commendation. I actually know nothing about the Governor, and will spend the rest of the day googling the hell out of her. I would just like to point out the obvious. The Republicans may justify their “non-racist, non-sexist, non-discriminatory” image is a thing of the past with examples like Colonel Powell and Govenor Schwarzenerggar (sp?). But who would ever think that they would actually place a woman in the second most powerful position in the “world”, and NOT wrinkle their brow or suck their teeth thinking “sure. . .”.. A woman? And from Alaska?!! Call me skeptical, but there are secondary intentions.

I am glad to see that the Republicans are scared. It may not be a trembling urinary incontinent fear, more like a cocky visage with a single bead of sweat running down the side of the face, but fear nonetheless. Question: Would they have picked a woman if Clinton was the VP nominee? It seems as ‘dem Republicans were dusting off their cans of haterade stored 8 years ago and adding new fuel to the fire, ready to blast Clinton into obscurity. “Clinton hate” is still palpable in this country. Maybe not obvious to you, but just take a good look at your neighbor across the street, or the guy standing next to you in line for coffee, or your boss. Had she been the VP candidate, less drastic measures would have been needed, I think.

But is this a drastic measure? Maybe we are approaching the threshold of that “dream” MLK slumbered upon. We are no longer on that long journey, maybe we have arrived as a nation and what remains left are renovations and touch-ups to the house finally built on a strong foundation. Or maybe it is all an illusion? Just as tropical storms this week approach the Gulf Coast once again, the strength of this supposed American foundation will be tested by nature’s unrelenting force. What stands after this week along the Gulf Coast and what stands after November remains questionable.

Figure out who Governor Palin is. Figure out where you stand on the issues. Watch the debates. Educate yourself and others.