As you may recall, Rep. Ruth Balser (along with Rep. Kay Khan) shared some very interesting comments with BMG on the issue of Hillary supporters lining up behind Barack. So when John McCain asked Sarah Palin to be his VP, I asked Rep. Balser what she thought. Here is her response.
I suspected that Sen McCain would consider selecting a woman. For us Democrats, we are fortunate that he did not choose any of the better known and more impressive Moderate Republican Senators such as Sens Hutchison, Snowe, or Collins. Had he chosen someone of their stature and views, there may have been some Independents who would have been drawn to the Republican ticket, who might not have been otherwise. Already attracted to McCain’s history as a “maverick” (by ignoring candidate McCain’s swing to the right) and his personality, they might also want to make history by breaking the gender barrier, and would be assured by the presence of a pro-choice candidate on the ticket. By choosing a woman with less impressive credentials and who is extremely conservative, he has lost that opportunity… thankfully! Instead, he has solidified his conservative credentials with the Republican base; but he does not win over Hillary supporters.
Having said that, I do want to add that as long as McCain is going to choose a VP without national experience and who is extremely conservative, it may as well be a woman rather than a man. I do believe that every time a child turns on the tv and sees women doing the same things men do (like speak from podiums), it helps children recognize that gender is no barrier and we gradually change the culture that way. However, I doubt that was Senator McCain’s goal, nor will it win him votes with people who supported Hillary Clinton. Governor Palin opposes virtually everything to which Senator Clinton has devoted herself. Those of us who are passionate supporters of Senator Clinton did, it is true, want to make history by electing the first woman president, but we chose her to be the one because of her extraordinary capabilities and her views. I would love to see a woman President in my life time, but it has to be the right one!
My wife is a fairly die-hard independent, all be it a liberal one. Her response to Palin was a very blunt: “McCain is a patronizing b******.”
<
p>And now that it is becoming clear that McCain was shooting from the hip, rather than making a reasoned choice, I am beginning to think that her response might be spot on.
As much as Palin appears to be a poor choice for McCain, the spin on her candidacy has yet to meet the masses. Likewise, the impact of the disaffected Hillary supporters has to be measured scientifically. Delegates at a convention are going to behave differently than millions of voters less susceptible to Party direction — particularly independents, who share no loyalty. An old anecdote about sampling stated that ‘it takes more than three healthy fish from Lake Erie to know that water can catch fire.’
<
p>As has been the consensus for some time, the polls’ 40% or even 20% of alledged Hillary support drop-off can be expected to dwindle — but even if it drops to 3-4% come November, it could cost Obama the electoral votes he needs to win. Like McCain pandering to the Christian right, Obama must find ways to reach those who find him too much of an unknown, too inexperienced, or not enough of a fighter. But Obama’s most valuable short-cut to those concerns may be simply demonstrating competence in destroying McCain’s credibility, one way or another.
<
p>If anyone is making assumptions about Ohio or Florida voters, consider that the experience with likely Obama voters in (bright blue) Massachusetts itself isn’t entirely predictable: some African-Americans question Obama, some workers support McCain, and some will sit this one out.
<
p>It’s there on the streets, and in the great wilderness of American politics. Don’t believe me — just keep your eyes on the national numbers. No one can afford to get cocky in this all-important race.
<
p>
One of the reasons that classical dance and drama form such a central part of Buddhist religious practice is the concept that we human beings do not do anything we have not at least imagined first.
<
p>In that sense, the pick of a female vice presidential candidate, even one with the baggage it seems Governor Palin does serves to expand, change, and enrich the imagination as to female candidates in the future. The choice of Palin does expand the Drama of this election in many ways.
<
p>That all being said, there are many women in government with far stronger proven track records. The fact that John McCain did not choose a woman as a vice presidential candidate with a stronger record of achievement may say more about McCain then it says about Palin.
<
p>Some men, frankly, are threatened by women who are actually their equals or – perish the thought, their superiors. There are several Republican women with proven track records in academic governance, state governance, and national office who are, in fact, the intellectual and moral superiors of John McCain. He did not pick any of them.
<
p>The comments by Rep. Balser are therefore insightful in this regard.