By Robert Schlesinger
There are times when the criticisms of the so-called “mainstream media” are on-target, Sarah Palin provides one of them. Specifically, one media weakness is an inability to accurately describe a one-sided political issue.
Take today’s New York Times analysis of the Palin pick:
And then on Friday he picked as his running mate a 40-something candidate with two years in major office and no significant foreign policy experience.
I’m picking nits, sure, but “no significant foreign policy experience” makes it sound like she has any foreign policy experience. Put it another way: I interned for a few months in the mid-1990s at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin. You could fairly say of me that that I have no “significant” foreign policy experience.
For more of my thoughts (and Jack’s) on the Palin pick, click here and here.
While I’m on the subject of me — apologies for the blogging radio silence. I’ve been occupied with the relaunch of USNews.com’s opinion section, including doing some blogging (along with Jack).
Palin’s a pip alright. What a choice. She’s under official state investigation. And ain’t the first time in her political “career” she’s been taken to task either:
http://thebruceblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/interesting-mccain-chose-palin-when-she-is-under-scrutiny-and-investigation/
The more I think about this choice, the more my head hurts. I’m not a big fan of Kay Bailey Hutchison by any means, but being one of her constituents, I could do a lot worse (see the junior senator from Texas, for instance). But it makes no sense: if McCain wanted a “diversity” pick, why not Bobby “The Power of Christ Compels You” Jindal? He’s just as beloved by the religious conservatives, and though he’s 8 years Palin’s junior has more relevant experience.
If it had to be a woman, why not Kay Bailey Hutchison? She’d have been a solid pick by anyone’s standards. So would Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins or Christine Todd Whitman, though I’m sure those three aren’t conservative enough for the Dobson crowd. If it had to be an outsider, why not Meg Whitman or Carly Fiorina? Again, arguably more qualified than Palin, with the plus of possibly appealing to independents turned off by hard-right religious conservatives.
No, this has all the hallmarks of a hasty, ill-considered pick by McCain that was not sounded out with anyone.
Critics of Sarah Palin’s experience (foreign and executive) should take some time to do some research:
Firstly, she has executive experience that far exceeds Obama’s (or his running mate’s)–11 years of executive experience as mayor, Chairperson of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and Governor of Alaska… all while raising 5 children. My goodness, she’s super-human!! As Rudy Giuliani put it Sunday on “Face the Nation”: “She’s vetoed legislation, she’s taken on corruption in her party and won. She took on the oil companies and won. She administered a budget successfully.” Obama, meanwhile, has “never run a city, he’s never run a state, he’s never run a business, he’s never administered a payroll, he’s never led people in crisis.” And, might I add, he’s never done any of those things while raising five children!!
Now, let’s consider Sarah Palin’s foreign affairs experience. While not extensive, it is definitely significant! … far more significant than any foreign policy experience Obama has. As Governor, Palin traveled overseas in July 2007, to visit the Alaska National Guard in Kuwait and wounded soldiers in Germany. Her son, Track has enlisted in the U.S. Army and deploys to Iraq in September. Palin is the commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard, which defends America’s Northewest border.
In addition, Governor Palin has established a number of awards programs designed to highlight and encourage Alaska’s international activity. In March 2007, Palin announced an Exporter of the Year Award to recognize how trade promotes economic growth. In March 2007, Palin renewed the Alaska, Yukon Intergovernmental Accord with Canada providing a framework for tourism and trade. In April 2008, Palin announced the establishment of a Governor’s North Star Awards for International Excellence to honor Alaska’s businesses, school, and other organizations that improved life in Alaska through international activity. Additionally, Governor Palin has acknowledged the importance of cross-cultural exchanges by recognizing “International Education” week in Alaska.
Palin has worked to expand partnerships with Alaska companies overseas. During her first year in office, Alaska exported to 100 foreign destinations exports, reaching $3.9 billion worth of exports, an annual increase of roughly 3 percent. This marked the second highest export level in Alaskan history. Obviously, Alaska has extensive relations with foreign nations… AND Palin is the Governor of the state who oversees these foreign economic relations.
Governor Palin has also hosted delegations from all over the world including a delegation of Chinese officials to observe the delivery of rural health care in Alaska and Canadian officials to promote economic cooperation and trade.
So, please folks, let’s be fair and acknowledge that Palin has significant foreign and executive experience, far more than the zero experience Obama has, and that she is a very articulate, and strong leader. Her addition to the Republican ticket definitely makes McCain/Palin formidible democratic opponents.