Real Peoples Politics

From mother to politician, or more accurately, both! Sarah Palin, affectionately known to millions as Governor Sarah Palin, or just Sarah, is most assuredly going places. In one fell swoop, the woman from Alaska ended the debate over whether or not it is possible for a woman to have a successful home life and successful work life. A beautiful mother of five and savvy politician who doesn’t take no from anybody, after only two years in office, she was tapped to represent the White House. Playing not John McCain’s better half, but certainly his better campaigner, in the last months of the 2008 election, Palin has excited a base that typically falls in and out of love withs its candidates; except this time, her fans are still very much enamored.

The VP nominee for the GOP was the reason McCain raced ahead in the polls by September, when he had the advantage over now President-Elect Barack Obama. McCain, a natural fighter and self-described maverick, was, sadly, the architect of his own presidential demise; Palin gave him a graceful lead, which he quickly squandered away with a brash bet that he could go to Washington, as only the delightfully inimitable John McCain, and fix the “broken” Washington. Upon coming back, and the nation being no closer to a successful end to the financial dilemma, public opinion immediately swung back in favor of Obama, the Democrat of this cycle.

The most shocking end to this surprising and spirited election cycle were the vicious slanders and innuendo spread around anonymously by McCain staffers. Within days, Palin shot back and called these detractors “cowards” and “jerks” for stating unsubstantiated gossip, but being too scared to say it in the open, or as the old saying goes, “say it to my face.” Ironically, though the media pundits will say otherwise, this will backfire, and instead help Palin. A strong, independent and very able woman, Palin can now play the gender card if needed, reminiscing about her time being attacked by rumors, simply because she is a woman (whether or not that is the entire story), and may ask women to support her in solidarity. Sarah Palin is going places; not even two weeks since the end of her run for the Vice Presidency, and she is still attracting more media attention and airtime than the new President-elect. Palin has already excited the same media interest, for her ephemeral comments when asked about 2012. Basically, she has left the door open, with a wink and an invisible thumbs up.

Palin has infinite potential, as both a youthful and fun candidate, with charisma to spare. If America can elect a president simply for his charm and cool-headedness, who’s to say that another president won’t be elected again for personality instead of policy? Ironically enough, Palin has already used the treatment of Hillary Clinton, to great effect in her own campaign. How delicious would it be for the GOP if Palin, not Clinton, were to win the nomination in 2012? The selection of Palin for president in 2012 would not only excite the base, but serve to end the nagging and long-spread, though inaccurate, idea that the Republican Party is the party of the rich white man. By nominating an intelligent, articulate and fun-loving career woman/dedicated mother, the GOP risks nothing but fabulous success. Now that’s putting an attractive face on the GOP, just in time for the party’s soul-searching expedition.

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