Just when a lot of Republicans thought it was over—or that it didn’t matter much, John McCain has reenergized them in a most astonishing manner.  He has given hope to the conservative base by choosing an unlikely running mate for the Vice Presidential spot, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.  Her cultural and religious conservative roots are matters of record.  She has also made a leap most politicians these days don’t seem capable of, and that’s the one from mouth to hands and feet, i.e., from words to reform action.  Voters need to demand this from their politicians.  It doesn’t matter how high sounding the rhetoric, unless the actions match.  Indeed, actions must be commensurate with words, or else the full measure of integrity is lost.  That’s why most conservatives are happy, at least happy enough to vote for this ticket now.  Finally.  It was not a foregone conclusion, even if certain cynical political strategists thought it was. 

The leftwing will also imagine that the country has been governed by conservatives for eight years, and that conservative policies have therefore failed.  The truth is that conservative talkers failed the Republican Party and the American people.  So-called conservative representatives sent to Washington to change government—to make it less intrusive and more accountable, were transformed by the system instead.  They joined the proverbial club!  They failed in their oversight responsibility, and they spent like drunken sailors.  They also figured out how to fool the people at election time.  Many have even used the Global War on Terror as a platform and excuse for talking tough, while literally ignoring everything else.  Little wonder why the economy, as well as energy, healthcare, education and immigration situations are in such a mess. 

There is no one who thinks we don’t need change, and no one but no one wants a third Bush term!  Pay cuts and unemployment are not the kind of change we want, however, so it really does matter whom to elect in November.  Socialized medicine and tax increases are not what most people want by way of change.  Open borders are unacceptable, and if we don’t fix those soon a populist groundswell may yet precipitate political realignment.  If we’re serious about energy independence and being good stewards of the environment, then domestic drilling and nuclear energy are at least part of the mix necessary to achieve them, since God still helps those who help themselves!  Weak-kneed, “Carteresque” foreign policy—vicarious action through talk, talk, talking with assorted lunatics—would prove a disaster, diminishing American security rather than restoring credibility with the rest of the world. 

Ironically, as long as McCain had no running mate, his longevity in Washington and years of experience worked against him.  Moreover, it was unclear which direction this maverick would take the Party of Ronald Reagan.  If he had chosen Senator Joe Lieberman (D/I-Connecticut), it would have been all over.  The choice of Palin now makes it possible that McCain may win the Presidency.  The spike in polls that followed their unprecedented “his and her” nominations at the Republican National Convention, have made the presidential race a dead heat with momentum on the side of Republicans for the first time.  Given the lackluster primary season and McCain’s run from behind for the GOP nomination, this race constitutes one of the most impressive dark horse candidacies in history should McCain win.  It would also constitute a passing of the torch to a new generation of conservative leaders, as well as major change and new direction for America.  Not exactly what Ted Kennedy had in mind when he endorsed Barack H. Obama! 

Batons have passed on both sides of the political aisle in this relay dash to the finish line, for change as yet to be determined.  Sarah Palin is a serious reformer for conservative change.  She is much more ideologically consistent than John McCain is.  What McCain did by choosing her, is to put a stamp on the direction of the Republican Party into the future.  The direction may yet define Twenty-First Century politics in America.  Panic gripped liberal bloggers and pundits immediately after they found out McCain had chosen Governor Palin.  A woman (the nerve of those Republicans)!  Not only that, but Sarah Palin is a leader; and a pro-life mother of five, who apparently doesn’t hate men or the concept of family, or the institution of marriage either.  Her oldest son deployed to Iraq with the Infantry.  She says she’s proud of him, and all the fine men and women who serve their country in uniform.  Governor Palin also likes guns and believes in the Second Amendment (she even shot a moose for crying out loud).  Her husband Todd is First Gentleman of the State of Alaska, but still seems comfortable with his masculinity (weird, huh?).  He’s four-time champion of the Iron Dog—the world’s longest (2,000 miles) and toughest snow machine race, a commercial fisherman, and a production operator in the oil fields on Alaska’s North Slope.  Of course political vitriol quickly followed, with fierce personal attacks on Palin’s family and on her faith, proving again that it doesn’t matter how much lipstick you put on a liberal. 

_____________________

Wesley Allen Riddle is a retired military officer with degrees and honors from West Point and Oxford.  Widely published in the academic and opinion press, he ran for U.S. Congress (TX-District 31) in the 2004 Republican Primary.  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

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