We're in for an interesting ride

Today John McCain picked his vice-presidential running mate. Sarah Palin is the 44-year old governor of Alaska, who has strong conservative credentials and has been particularly noted in Alaska for trying to clean up the wasteful spending of her predecessor. A couple of interesting facts: Palin is a former runner-up in the Miss Alaska pageant and her main experience in government prior to her 2006 election as governor was serving as the mayor of tiny Wasilla, AK (pop. 5,470). I've speculated on this blog about whether we should consider Barack Obama to be the first Gen-X presidential candidate; needless to say, if he is, then Palin is certainly the first Gen-X'er to run for veep!

I know nothing about Gov. Palin, but on the surface at least it seems like a brilliant pick. Obama's own relative inexperience in government will keep his campaign from attacking Palin on her scant two years in statewide politics. Her youth and freshness will balance McCain's age (much like Biden's age and gravitas balances Obama's youth). And of course, she gives all those disgruntled Hillary Clinton supporters a reason not to vote for Obama/Biden.

Of all the interesting wrinkles that this promises for the campaign, I think the most interesting might be the vice-presidential debate. Whoever would have thought Joe Biden against Sarah Palin??

My, my, we are in for an interesting election season.