Introducing the New VP

What matters the VP pick? In modern politics, VPs were thought to be ticket balancers, meant to draw on geographical regions or voter blocs to help a party to win the election. Certainly this explained the choice of VPs in 2000, where Joe Lieberman gave the Democrats a northern flavor and Dick Cheney helped shore up Bush's conservative appeal. But Cheney's tenure has proved a sea change in presidential politics and constitutional relations. Famously secretive and resistant to traditional checks and balances, Cheney has elevated the vice presidency to new heights in terms of influence and policy decision-making. It makes us all look twice at who the VP candidate really is.

So, in 2008, Obama picked someone to reassure us all that he would collect seasoned political thinkers when he arrived in office. The choice was almost too measured, too safe. It didn't excite anyone. It didn't change anyone's mind (if the polls are to be believed). For McCain, the issue seemed just as urgent. At 72 and already evincing some disturbing lapses on the campaign trail (although he has kept a runner's pace that belies his age), everyone knows the VP choice would be important. The VP, after all, is one heartbeat from the presidency.

So he chose . . . Sarah who? It was a surprising move, to say the least. But, considering the framework of analysis above, it makes perfect sense. McCain needs to appeal to young voters. To women voters. He has been excoriated for being out of touch, and this gets him in good with the youth (as does, by the way, appearing with Daddy Yankee).

But given the kind of campaign that McCain and his supporters are running, the choice seems strange, and almost schizophrenic. McCain castigates his rival for not having the appropriate experience, and he chooses a 40 year old newbie as a potential successor. McCain runs ads aimed at disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters, then winks and nods at them as he trots out a woman to stand behind him. In short, this smacks of cynicism, clumsy politics, and--although it is probably much too early to tell at this point--desperation.

Sarah Palin is an unknown to me, and the VP pick (let's face it) should not be too important in terms of voting for a president. But it is the first glimpse of how a president would select advisers and cabinet members. We all know and remember the disasters of the Bush White House, which managed somehow to best the Clintons at cronyism and tried to turn the Justice Department into a kennel of conservative fighting dogs. It matters, in short, who these presidential candidates choose in the second position because we need to be assured that the president who comes to office will make wise decisions.

So, sorry McCain. This choice is a bit of the strange and a pinch too cynical to be of value. And I doubt you have really fooled anyone.