Palin for VP: Brazen or Brash...

Kudos to the McCain camp for keeping the true VP nominee under such tight wraps; another kudos for going against the grain of predictability and thinking outside the box. McCain's decision to select Palin is an interesting one, but I think a smart one. While things can always backfire, the sheer shock factor, coupled with the momentum of curiosity for an unknown governor (and a woman no less), will force the Obama camp to relinquish the spotlight over the coming weeks. If done smartly, this could be a real opportunity for McCain and Co. to capitalize on the publicity and connect with voters with a relevant message.

Now, don't get me wrong - I get some of the anti-Palin sentiment. Some may be inclined to wave a finger and tsk-tsk Palin's nomination, but here's why they should pull back the trigger finger just yet and give a thumbs up:

Briefly side-stepping the fact that she is a woman...
- Palin has solid conservative credentials - something we Repubs knew McCain would need in a running-mate given some of his more 'left-of-center' conservative politics.

- While relatively inexperienced in the core political arena (a quality well-served for baby 'Bama and former President Clinton), Palin is young and still brings more relevant experience (of the executive nature) to the table. Granted, the state of Alaska only has 10 residents but....Palin has also served two terms as mayor and two more as city-councilman. Bottom line: she's not a newbie to the process nor the 'business' of politics. During her political tenure, unlike the democratic President-elect, Palin has actually done things.

On this note, i found it rather amusing, and a downright contradiction, that the Obama camp issued this response upon hearing of Palin's pseduo-nomination:

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency"

Anyone else see the irony in that? Right. And so putting a junior senator with now three years of legislative experience, zero legislative accomplishments, and zero foreign policy experience to speak of in the presidency, says what exactly.....His role on the senate foreign relations committee? laughable. I also found interesting the very carefully chosen words "former mayor" - given the fact Palin has been governor since 2006. Obviously intended to steer attention away from her executive experience. How droll. Lefties...

Moving on...

- Palin carries the "anti-stain" of the stereotypical politician; and for the average Joe (or Josephina), has a niche claim that every politician drools over - she is more relatable to the average American. Let's be honest, when most people think of Alaska Northern Exposure and 'homely' come to mind. It's earthy and hard-working, straight-talking, outdoorsy peeps with close relationships and close familial ties. True or not true, perception is power; perception wins elections. Most loyal Republicans aren't going to go left - regardless of whose on the ticket; and Palin's background, combined with her more mainstream libertarian conservatism, just might be what the party needs to reign-in moderate and conservative democrats.

- Corruption and DC politics was a stain on the Bush Administration and his Republican-majority congress. McCain's efforts to vilify those attributes are strengthened in Palin with her efforts to weed out corruption and wipe-out flagrant misuse of government spending in her own state. I read somewhere that she sold a corporate jet on e-Bay for something shy of $3 million to raise money without raising taxes. I'm all for that. She's innovative and thinks outside the box.

Here's some nice propaganda for you on Palin's conservative nature and political POV:

"She is a throwback to the cowboy individualism of Barry Goldwater, a nod to the fiscal policies of Ronald Reagan, and a flag-bearer for the common-sense pragmatism of ordinary working parents everywhere."

- Palin is a union member as is her husband. Though a departure from standard Republican ideals - which generally look on unions with a sense of disregard and loathing (and let's face it, why wouldn't you really...) - having a union-family will resonate more with voters in swing states like MI and IA, heavy in the unions. A side note...Palin also displays the more uncharacteristic qualities of labor unionites, typically reserved for, well... us respectable non-unionites! She's hard-working and yes, actually works. Guess it beats taking an eight hour lunch break cleverly disguised as an eight hour work day...

- Palin, like McCain, talks in plain-speak and has the nerve to bite back which could serve well against a competitor like Biden, known for his manner of directness and occasional tact-lessness.

Now, given the fact that Palin is a woman...
- I don't believe that simply having a woman on the ticket will reign in female voters other than extreme feminists (that's just naive), but a woman or minority on the Republican ticket is an affront to the leftist (and ok, mainstream) perception that Republicans only elect stuffy, old, white-collared, affluent men. And Palin counters any edge Obama has in being a minority. From a diversity standpoint, her nomination will move Republicans in a new direction and put Republicans and Democrats on even keel during the elections. Bravo McCain and Co!

Yes, the fact that she is an unknown will make her vulnerable to media scrutiny and yes, the potential impacts could implode McCain's campaign with the elections only a few short months away. But the typical "what's in your closet" political hoopla can be muted with a smart strategy, open communication and plain-speak: an approach that has served McCain well in recent months with gaining traction among Democrats and swing voters.

Right now, people are very curious, and McCain and Co are well suited to take advantage, spread their message, and drive momentum. Come November, I think they'll prove to be a formidable duo against Obama and Biden.