Anchorage Daily News

STEREOTYPE

Palin is the mom in the strict father family, upholding conservative values. Palin is tough: she shoots, skins and eats caribou. She is disciplined: raising five kids with a major career. She lives her values: she has a Down syndrome baby that she refused to abort. She has the image of the ideal conservative mom: pretty, perky, feminine, Bible-toting, and fitting into the ideal conservative family. And she fits the stereotype of America as small-town America. It is Reagan's morning-in-America image. Where Obama thought of capturing the West, she is running for Sweetheart of the West.

-- George Lakoff, author of The Political Mind: Why You Can't Understand 20th Century Politics With an 18th Century Brain.

FAIRY TALE

You might not think that averageness would qualify a person for the second-highest office in the land. But ... the "one of us" quality -- and her talent at projecting it -- is clearly what got Palin on the ticket (silly chatter about Hillary voters aside). With his underrated grasp of the kind of substance-free emotional symbolism that wins national elections, John McCain sniffed out in Palin a kind of Hollywood fairy tale: homegirl from small town, reluctant beauty queen, plucky point guard, deadly shot and mother of five, suddenly -- magically -- plucked from obscurity and thrust into the national spotlight.

-- Bob Moser, contributing writer for The Nation magazine, and author of "Blue Dixie: Awakening the South's Democratic Majority."

CLARION CALL

Those pundits and armchair political generals who have been savaging Sarah Palin got a bucket of ice cold water thrown on them (Wednesday) night. The governor of Alaska gave an outstanding performance that electrified the convention crowd. But more importantly, it was a clarion call to a disaffected public that there was someone running for office this year who was one of them.

-- Bill Wilson, President of Americans for Limited Government

HARD RIGHT

Within modern-day politics of personality, Palin's personal issues have gotten a lot more attention than they merit. But within the scope of what a government can or should do, the rejoicing by the religious right over her nomination underscores fundamental issues of governance.

Rather than Goldwater-style libertarianism, the crowd that hails Palin's choice is all about authoritarian government. Government is my shepherd. Paths of righteousness and all that.

So, Hillary voters for an anti-choice, evangelically nosy government?

From what I read, that must be a tremendous voting bloc.

-- John Young, Waco Herald-Tribune

FAIR GAME

Questions about Palin's experience are absolutely justified. The bar is set higher for women. But given the country's unfamiliarity with John McCain's chosen running mate, there's nothing wrong with asking the same questions that are asked about male candidates for president or vice president: Do they have the experience, temperament, and judgment to do the job?

A week ago, most Americans had never heard of Sarah Palin. Now, this first-term governor and one-time mayor of a tiny municipality is being touted as the next Hillary Clinton, except that Palin is pro-gun, antiabortion, and has gotten where she is in politics without the benefit of a famous husband.

-- Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVES

It's been one big reunion in Minnesota for the old gang -- Rudy and Mitt and Fred and Mike. Together again, for the first time since those primary debates. Reliving the golden days in which they managed to convince Republican voters that no matter what McCain's defects, he could not possibly be as bad a candidate as they were.

Many people, including some Republicans who think the microphone is off, believe that Palin is a terrible choice for a running mate. But you have to remember who the other options were.

-- Gail Collins, New York Times

HARSH REALITIES

Personally, I respect and agree with Palin's opposition to abortion. It would not be my choice either. Seeing the way the Palin family held the infant son Trig during Palin's Wednesday acceptance speech, there was no doubt how much love exists for that baby.

But voters also recognize that rape happens, that pregnancy by incest happens, that giving people access to contraception can prevent unwanted pregnancies. Palin's view doesn't address those harsh realities. How Palin runs her family is her business, but what she deems best for the Palin family isn't necessarily best for the masses.

Respecting Palin as a savvy woman is one thing. Believing she is right for the job of vice president is condescending to women voters.

-- Mary Sanchez, Kansas City Star

ADVERTISEMENT