National Review:
Saturday, August 30, 2008
[Rick Brookhiser]
I have not had a TV to watch all week, though I have had internet, so I have followed the Palin pick entirely through the medium of the Corner. I have not had a TV to watch all week, though I have had internet, so I have followed the Palin pick entirely through the medium of the Corner.
I share the initial reservations of David, and to a lesser extent, Jay. I share the initial reservations of David, and to a lesser extent, Jay. The Palin pick shows a low opinion of the vice presidency, and it shows conservatives in a bad light. The Palin pick shows a low opinion of the vice presidency, and it shows conservatives in a bad light.
1. The Vice Presidency. The Vice Presidency. Either McCain thinks the war on terror isn't serious, or he thinks the vice-presidency isn't. Either McCain thinks the war on terror is not serious, or he thinks the vice-presidency is not. Since the former is obviously untrue, it must be the latter. Since the former is obviously untrue, it must be the latter. McCain is certainly following a very old conception of the job. McCain is certainly following a very old conception of the job. One nineteenth century veep was reputedly so underutilized that he kept a tavern in his home state. One nineteenth century veep was reputedly so underutilized that he kept a tavern in his home state. But that is not our conception. But that is not our design. Vice Presidents have grown in clout and responsibility. Vice Presidents have grown in clout and responsibility. In the last fifty years, four former vice presidents have run for president (Nixon, Mondale, elder Bush, Gore), two of them successfully, while since Carter/Mondale, veeps have been given more and more to do. In the last fifty years, four former vice presidents have run for president (Nixon, Mondale, elder Bush, Gore), two of them successfully, while since Carter / Mondale, veeps have been given more and more to do. McCain, bless him, intends to do everything himself. Good luck! McCain, bless him, intends to do everything himself. Good luck! Perhaps the Palin pick is a sly diss both of Obama/Biden and Bush/Cheney. Perhaps the pick Palin is a sly diss both of Obama / Biden and Bush / Cheney. Palin will go to funerals. Palin will go to funerals.
2. Conservatives. Palin will also be assigned to pacify conservatives. Palin will also be assigned to pacify conservatives. On the evidence of the numerous emails reprinted here, that will be easily done. On the evidence of the numerous emails reprinted here, that will be easily done. Reader after reader said that the base was now energized. Reader after reader said that the base was energized now. You would have thought the base was energized by being in a war. You would have thought the base was energized by being in a war. If not, perhaps we need a new base. If not, perhaps we need a new base. |
