- I was a ‘Mitten,’ smitten with Mitt – not because he looks presidential with Reagan’s hair and chiseled jaw, but because he is a true leader, a conservative, a thinker, AND, more importantly, a doer. He remains by far the most qualified candidate for president or for any other office…but he will not be president this year, and now we know, sadly, he will not be vice president.
I resigned myself to this probable reality last night before falling asleep, predicting that McCain would select the milquetoast Tim Pawlenty as his running mate.
So imagine my surprise when I awoke at 5:45 and turned on the television to see if the press had figured it out yet. They were talking about Sarah Palin…Sarah Palin…governor of Alaska…oh, yeah, the woman who stepped forward this summer to complain when Nancy Pelosi shut down Congress before they could vote on drilling. Sarah Palin…Really? Tell me more.
Facts began to emerge – rumors of midnight moose hunting, a weakness for ice fishing, the mother of five children, including a soldier deploying to Iraq and a newborn son with Downs Syndrome.
By this time, I was picturing a rifle-toting woman in a bearskin coat.
Before I had seen Sarah Palin or heard her speak, I learned that…
...she sold the gubernatorial jet on EBay.
...she dispensed with her state security detail saying she didn’t really need it – she could take care of herself.
...she sold the governor’s fleet of limousines and official sedans, choosing instead to drive herself around in her own Chevy Suburban and VW Jetta.
...she stood up to the head of Alaska’s Republican party, the man who held her political future in his hands, to accuse him of unethical conduct, then, when he was not relieved of his duties, she resigned her post. Her position was eventually vindicated when he was convicted of wrongdoing.
...she put the kibosh on the infamous ‘bridge to nowhere’
...she looked into the eyes of her special needs newborn and said that she saw ‘perfection.’
Each fact was a revelation. Though her name had been politely included on several lists as if to pacify female voters, no one expected this. She was a complete unknown, a true dark horse candidate.
I was intrigued, fascinated. She sounded like a cross between Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Davey Crocket. Her life story was great, but could she speak? Could she go ‘toe to toe’ with Joe Biden?
Then I saw the press conference. After a lengthy introduction by John McCain, she came on stage with her family: husband Todd, daughters Bristol, Willow, and Piper, and baby Trig. She proudly announced that her husband is a commercial fisherman, an oil worker, a member of the United Steel Workers Union, and a champion snowmachiner.
She was unapologetic for not attending Harvard – did not mention her academic credentials at all – but spoke instead about what she has DONE in her life, not what she thought about doing or wanted to do in the future. And she’s done it all: won a beauty pageant, had a family, owned a business, worked as a sportscaster, played and coached sports, volunteered in the community, run for several offices, sat on boards, served as mayor and governor, passed important legislation….
She wore eyeglasses and a dress, not a pantsuit. Her voice was strong, but not shrill. Her words were wise, but not flowery. She used 'whom' correctly in a sentence. She did not shy away from lauding McCain’s heroism in Vietnam, though he, unlike John Kerry, is usually too stoic to mention such accomplishments himself.
She will make a great running mate and a great Vice President...but then, Mitt would have, too.
