McCain's Big Gamble

McCain's big gamble
By MARIANNE MEANS
September 5, 2008
SYNDICATED COLUMNIST Seattle PI

WASHINGTON -- The good news for John McCain and the Republicans -- who are much in need of some these days -- is that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is no Dan Quayle, overwhelmed by sudden high status and looking like a bewildered deer in the headlights.

The bad news is that she is no Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton, either, seasoned by unsparing limelight and pressures of big responsibilities. Her maiden big-speech introduction to the country went well, by most accounts. She whined too much about the media's lack of appreciation for her charms, but when you have little positive to offer the public, the press is always a good distraction.

Aided by good writers from McCain's team, she stuck to the generic campaign message of reform, stayed away from her extreme far-right religious positions, handled herself with aplomb and won the hearts of the convention crowd.

That was what McCain wanted, and thought he had to have to keep his candidacy alive in a political climate that does not favor his party. Her real testing, however, lies beyond that controlled environment in the country itself.

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McCain's big gamble