This cynical choice has left McCain’s honour in shreds

[spindrifter]

Minette Marrin
From The Sunday Times
September 7, 2008

<snip>

I had thought that McCain was, for a politician, an honourable man. Certainly honour is one of his top selling points. But who can think so now? In choosing a woman he doesn’t know or understand, purely for electoral advantage, he reveals a dishonourable lust for office, a disrespect for women generally and a dishonourable indifference to the future of his country. After all, if this known unknown woman does become president, it will almost certainly be because he himself is dead - quite possible given his age and health - and past caring.
Though he didn’t know Palin personally, he must have known a few facts about her. He must have known that she compares feebly with previous vice-presidential candidates. Her education is minimal, her real political and managerial experience very slight. The only previous woman candidate for vice-president, the Democrat Geraldine Ferraro, was well qualified, well educated and experienced; Palin can’t hold a candle to her. Palin’s experience is as nothing compared to that of Dick Cheney (congressman, secretary of defence and White House chief of staff), Al Gore (senator and congressman) or George Bush Sr (congressman, ambassador to the United Nations and China, head of the CIA). Being a vice-president is not just a matter of PR and homespun rhetoric, or used not to be.

Even a brief consideration of Palin might suggest that she is not the straightforward redneck hockey mom she claims to be. It’s not possible to be much of a mom to five children, including a baby with Down’s syndrome, if you have a more than full-time job. Like other people with working responsibilities, you have to hand your children over to someone else to bring up. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it denies you the right to exploit your image as a yummy downhome mummy.

In short Palin is an ill-educated, inexperienced hypocrite. The Republicans are trying to sell her to the voters as something she isn’t, and McCain hardly cares what she is. It’s a bad day for my native land.






http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/minette_marrin/article4692133.ece

[BuyingThyme]

1. Carnival side show.

Why didn't he just pick his stupid wife?

[FrenchieCat]

2. My exact sentiments. McCain is not about country first at all.

he lies when he sais it.

He has laid in his coffin, and we voters will close the lid on November 4th.

[arthritisR_US]

5. not so fast....the voters may vote but thieves are thieves. n/t

[Forkboy]

3. Good piece!

:kick:

[NotThisTime]

4. The people of the U.K. get it... too bad we all don't....