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The Maverick Is Back

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 30, 2008

Sen. John McCain made an inspired choice in picking Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Or at least it seems so now.

The choice makes McCain seem more the maverick. Had he picked Mitt Romney, with whom he had discomforting differences, the senator would not have created such a spark.

Palin is a traditional conservative who opposes abortion and supports gun rights. She should reassure the GOP base.

The 44-year-old mother of five also could help McCain attract disaffected supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton who wanted a woman to break the glass ceiling of presidential politics.

Palin will be only the second female vice presidential candidate. New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro became the first when Walter Mondale selected her as his running mate in 1984.

McCain's daring selection contrasts with Obama's safe pick of Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, a 65-year-old Washington veteran.

Biden was a solid, though uninspired, choice. He offers the experience in international affairs that Obama lacks.

By contrast, Palin adds a fresh face and excitement to McCain's campaign.

With his experience and age - he turned 72 yesterday - McCain could afford a daring pick, while Obama, 47, needed to reassure Americans who think he's too young or inexperienced.

But it is amusing to see the Democrats make the same criticisms of Palin that Republicans make of Obama. The Obama campaign criticized McCain for putting the "former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency."

McCain could end up regretting his choice if Palin stumbles in coming months. But we doubt this outspoken woman, whose children include an infant and a son who will soon serve in Iraq, will wilt.

Ultimately, the selections for vice president may not have much impact. It's the names at the top of the tickets that count most to voters.

Still, McCain has shown at 72 he has a few tricks up his sleeve. This is shaping up to be a very exciting campaign.

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