DCRepublican.com takes on the Twin Cities.
After a scenic drive through the great state of Wisconsin, I’ve finally made it to the Twin Cities area. I’m cheap, so instead of staying right in the city, I’m just a few minutes outside of St. Paul in lovely Eagan, MN (which also happens to be the home of Governor Tim Pawlenty).
Even though I’ve only been here a few hours, I’ve been quite impressed with everything that I’ve seen so far. From my visit to the Convention Headquarters, to the Minneapolis Convention Center, to the Xcel Energy Arena, everything seems to be working smoothly.
As expected, the protesters are in full force, and I’m hoping to get some great pictures tomorrow from their “March on the RNC.” If I get bitch-slapped by a member of Code Pink, I think this trip will truly be a success.
While I’ve tossed around a few different ideas for how I’m going to cover this convention, at present I think that the best approach is going to be covering what the other bloggers aren’t (while will be tough). While I’ll probably post about some of the speeches that you’ll be able to watch on TV (if they happen), my goal is cover some of the more “behind the scenes” events, or things people might not even consider covering.
So check back often throughout the week, as it’s already looking to be a historic convention, and it hasn’t even started yet.
We’ll see how tomorrow goes.
All you need to know about Sarah Palin
Background:
- Born: February 11, 1964 (44 years old) – Sandpoint, Idaho
- College: University of Idaho
- Profession: Journalist
- Spouse: Todd Palin
- Children: 5
- Interesting Facts:
- Placed Second in “Miss Alaska”
- Nickname: Sarah Baracuda
- Has one son in the military
- Has one child with Downs Syndrome
- Husband is three-time champion of the world’s longest snowmachine race
Political Experience:
- Wasilla City Council
- Wasilla Mayor
- Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
- Governor of Alaska
- Approval rating continually around 90%
On the Issues:
- Abortion: Pro-Life
- Energy Exploration: Supports drilling in ANWR
- Second Amendment: Strong supporter of gun-owner rights
- Health Care: Supports relaxing insurance regulations to increase competition, and lower costs
- Taxes: Opposed to “nuisance” taxes and high fees for small business owners
- Gay Marriage: Opposes same sex marriages
Memberships:
- Lifetime NRA Member
- Iditarod PTA
- former Salvation Army Board
- Chamber of Commerce
- Valley Youth Sports Coach, Hockey Team Manager
- Honorary Member, Rotary
Controversy:
Philosophy on Governing (from Gubernatorial Campaign Page):
I look forward to building a team that will put Alaskans first! I believe in fairness and inclusion and will call on the public to work together for Alaska’s common good. I refuse to use divisive tactics that polarize us for political gain. As Mayor of Wasilla, the fastest growing area of Alaska; as President of the Alaska Conference of Mayor; as Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; and as a business owner and mom, I approached issues with a fair, balanced, common sense approach. I love the challenge of hiring and appointing the best people to serve with me and I will bring this positive approach to Alaska as Governor. In building a public service team, my commitment to my home state is to always put Alaskans first and never allow special interests to take advantage of us. I know that government has its place, and it should be limited. My focus is on education, public safety, infrastructure and access to our resources. As manager of our vast public resources, the Governor must act as an effective CEO on behalf of all Alaskans in negotiating the best deals for the state, and I am prepared to tackle that challenge.
Is it Sarah Palin?
Update: All you need to know about Sarah Palin
Update: It’s official!
JOHN MCCAIN SELECTS ALASKA GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN AS VICE PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office
Friday, August 29, 2008703-650-5550
ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Senator John McCain today announced that he has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate and to serve as his vice president.
Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president. She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her Administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington.
Governor Palin has challenged the influence of the big oil companies while fighting for the development of new energy resources. She leads a state that matters to every one of us — Alaska has significant energy resources and she has been a leader in the fight to make America energy independent.
In Alaska, Governor Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. She has actually used her veto and cut budgetary spending. She put a stop to the “bridge to nowhere” that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.
As the head of Alaska’s National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops.
Governor Palin has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of. Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today.
###
Update: CNBC: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin Is McCain’s VP Pick
Update: NBC: McCain picks Palin as running mate
If the media is correct, say hello to your next VP:
(h/t: http://www.girlinshortshorts.blogspot.com)
And goodbye to Mitt Romney 
:
And to Tim Pawlenty 
:
If the speculation is correct, I’ll be happy and will have a significant boost in confidence in this race. If they’re wrong, this is getting a little old…
Oh, it’s also John McCain’s birthday today. Happy Birthday.
Blogs that are also covering this:
Authentic Connecticut Republican
Logic or Instinct: Romney, Palin or Pickled Herring?
So the VP vigil continues. Though Senator McCain has stated that he will announce his pick at 11 AM on Friday, rumors have been spreading that the choice could be leaked on Thursday evening during Zeus Obama’s historic and messiah like speech.
The latest buzz seems to indicate that Mitt Romney is not going to be the choice. Moreover, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has cleared his schedule for tomorrow and Saturday (though Pawlenty has dismissed this as being nothing). So who might McCain choose? It depends on whether he is making the decision from a logical stand point or from the gut.
Palin could reshape the public’s perception of McCain and the Party
LOGIC:
Any choice based using a rational method would be safe and not a gamble. If McCain goes in this direction he must feel things are going well and that he can win with or without a running-mate who could set the world on fire.
Mitt Romney
Romney would be a solid choice for many reasons, not least of which is his perceived ability to win Michigan and Nevada. Romney is polished and looks the part and has strong credentials as a leader. Romney can deliver votes and use his vast fundraising network to aid the RNC and 527s in their attacks on Obama. On the other hand, McCain and Romney got into it in the primaries and parts of the Republican base dislike him intensely.
Tim Pawlenty
Pawlenty is really a choice that adds nothing and detracts nothing. He will not win Minnesota for McCain and is a rather bland individual. His only saving grace is that because he is so ordinary he offends no one in the party base.
GUTS:
If McCain goes in this direction he believes he must shake things up, or go for a winning throw, by choosing someone the punditry dismiss as too risky. McCain has been known to be a gambler and a running-mate who could reshape the narrative could pay off handsomely or backfire horribly.
Sarah Palin
For those who know who she is, Governor Palin is really almost a perfect choice. She is the symbol of the modern working woman, has strong family values, is sportswoman and strongly pro-life. Moreover, she is a reformer and a very popular governor in Alaska. Did I also mention that she is hot and energetic? Her downside is the fact that very few have any clue who she is and at the moment her office is being investigated for misuse of power (there is really nothing to the allegations). I might also add that because she is a woman the pundits feel she is a risk.
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kay is a solid but novel pick who could attract female voters. She has a great deal of experience and is solidly conservative. Again, somehow the media believes a female Republican is risky. However, unlike Palin, Hutchison is wooden, not a great speaker and could not be described as energetic or exciting.OTHERS:
As for the others, I think it highly unlikely that McCain chooses Lieberman, Ridge or the likes of Meg Whitman. McCain the gambler would dare not risk everything on a very bad bet. He needs the party base to win and has to pick someone with either executive experience or at least a long legislative career.
I will come out and say that McCain should pick Sarah Palin. No one else even comes close in generating the buzz that she could. As a modern, vibrant family oriented woman, she would appeal to all those soccer moms out there that also balance a career and family. Moreover, she is good looking and young enough to create a media frenzy. If McCain had to choose a more traditional candidate, Romney is the best choice. He is the most polished of the group and can deliver votes and cash. As for Pawlenty, if he is chosen I will be more than disappointed as he would be a waste. McCain would be better off running alone or with a jar of pickled herring.
New Polls Show Biden is a Null Factor
Three new polls have come out with samples from AUG 23-25. This time frame allows for the selection of Biden to sink in with the public and the Biden Effect has been thus far:
Rasmussen: McCain 46% Obama 46%
Based on the numbers it appears that Biden is a null factor. He neither helps, nor detracts from, Obama’s campaign. I would venture to say that Biden does not help Obama because he is best known amongst those who have a great deal of political knowledge. As such, his biggest impact is on those who most likely have made a decision who to vote for. Biden does not attract casual or ill-informed voters who, incidentally, will decide the election. Biden is a favorite amongst the pundits and for that reason perhaps he wasn’t such a good choice.
Biden discusses demographics in Delaware
The Biden Effect makes it even more clear that John McCain, if he wants to create excitement and buzz amongst the masses, must choose a more unconventional running-mate that changes the perception of the ticket and brings more than just political credentials…