Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.
When John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate, I wondered what the Democrats would say about the selection. Saturday’s Sun editorial (“Sarah Who?”) and three letters in that day’s edition (“McCain makes mistake with VP pick,” “Lots of people equal to Palin,” and “Selection was an insult to women”) provided plenty of insight.
“Condescending ... hypocritical ... unqualified ... sexist,” they said. To quote a current ad slogan, “I’m lovin’ it!”
The Democrats know full well that Hillary Clinton’s women are all about identity politics (her phrase: “the hardest glass ceiling in America”), and McCain will win votes because of that. I really don’t think most women will be “insulted” that one of their own will be a “heartbeat away” from the presidency. And would it have been sexist of Obama to pick Hillary?
On the experience issue, there’s an important difference: The Republicans aren’t running their less experienced candidate for the top office. Palin will gain experience on the sidelines. Besides, being one of 50 people in the country to govern a state is pretty good resume material.
The Democrats are hopping mad because the Republicans beat them to the punch. Palin is a home-run choice for vice president.
By the way, Hillary isn’t a political “centrist,” as the Sun editorial described her. She’s a left-winger, and feminists who supported her will not vote for McCain-Palin. But millions of women closer to the center will consider it, and many of them will do it.
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