I
've been second-guessing McCain's VP choice for the past few days. After tonight's speech, I think he's made a pretty good decision.
But that's not the point of this post.
While it's clear Sarah Palin should appeal to several various demographics (women, special needs children, mom of a big family, etc.), it's hard not to wonder why she was chosen in spite of what will be a running controversial talking point in the campaign: her pregnant, unmarried teenage daughter.
If we admit that campaigns are games (and they are), it's easy to think the Republicans are counting on their VP candidate to be scrutinized. She is bait, dangled in front of the Democrats, with the hopes that, with such a savory piece of campaign meat hanging in front of them that they'll show their more carnal, more ravenous and dirtier side.
The Democrats aren't going to be able to hold back their judgments on Palin, and that's what's gonna hurt them.
McCain and Co., are counting on the attacks, tempting the Democrats into a nasty phase of mudslinging and namecalling. The problem is that those demographics that Palin appeals to are going to take up for her, or at least think it's unfair.
They're going to defend her ambition as a mother. They're going to understand her trials as a soon-to-be-grandmother in her mid-40's. They're going to sympathize with her interest in special needs children. And they're going to cave in to her charisma.
In an election where the middle 10% will determine everything, votes are often cast against candidates more than for them. The Republicans are hoping the Democrats will take the bait and show a side that most of the middle doesn't want to see, and definitely doesn't want to vote for.
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