Candidate McCain's Big Decision

[babsbunny]

http://www.truthout.org/article/candidate-mccains-big-decision

Tuesday 02 September 2008


by: The New York Times | Editorial

Senator John McCain speaks with his wife, Cindy, in St. Louis. (Photo: Getty Images)

More often than not, the role of a vice president is a minor one, unless some tragedy occurs. But a presidential nominee's choice of a running mate is vitally important. It is his first executive decision and offers an important insight into how that nominee would lead the nation.

If John McCain wants voters to conclude, as he argues, that he has more independence and experience and better judgment than Barack Obama, he made a bad start by choosing Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

Mr. McCain's supporters are valiantly trying to argue that the selection was a bold stroke that shows their candidate is a risk-taking maverick who - we can believe - will change Washington. (Mr. Obama's call for change - now "the change we need" - has become all the rage in St. Paul.)

To us, it says the opposite. Mr. McCain's snap choice of Ms. Palin reflects his impulsive streak: a wild play that he made after conservative activists warned him that he would face an all-out revolt in the party if he chose who he really wanted - Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut.