Vice-Presidential Running Mates Dominates Current Focus of Presidential Election
Steele, now a commentator for FOX news network, said, “I think Palin is a well-rounded candidate. She is a game-changer. And she causes a whole lot of folks to take a second look. This Novemeber, either way, is going to be a historic race.”
(BALTIMORE – August 30, 3008) – ‘Gotta hand it to the Republicans. They wasted no time trying to steal Barack Obama’s thunder. And, quite possibly, Maryland State Senator Catherine Pugh is right: Imitation is, in fact, the sincerest form of flattery.
Yesterday’s top American political headline was Republican John McCain’s selection of his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. This, of course, came on the heals of a week that included an historic acceptance speech by Obama and the announcement of his own running mate, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden.
In what was either one of the most brilliant moves McCain could ever make politically or a move that was simply out of sheer desperation to further distance himself from the politics of the past, McCain seized a woman running mate.
Fresh from Denver, BMORENEWS.com spoke with Pugh, a seasoned politician who genuinely understands the needs of the everyday person, about the running mates for both Obama and McCain.
When asked about the Obama-Biden ticket, she replied, “I thought it was an excellent choice.”
She continued, “Biden has always had an independent spirit as a representative leader of this country. He has run for president on two separate occasions, and he thinks along the same lines as Obama.”
She said that both men are concerned about America’s image at home and abroad.
”The goal is not to exert power over people but to exert power for our people in our country, to become more energy-independent, to create more jobs in our country, and to move people to more stabilized middle-income levels. We were once known around the world for generating new ideas, new jobs, and new opportunities for our people. I think Biden speaks to the change method that Obama spoke to even when he was a State Senator.”
She said that when one chooses a vice-president, one chooses someone who can be in charge if something were to happen to the President and that Biden, who has mounds of foreign relations experience, represents that.
When asked if Biden were a better selection than Hillary Clinton, especially given the Clinton’s tenacious campaigning against Obama, she answered, “Biden has a certain amount of respect and appreciation for Obama. And it was easy for Biden to [show respect], even though he competed against Obama at one point for the Presidency.”
She said also, “President Clinton said it best. He said that he has seen Obama grow through this campaign experience and that [Obama] is now prepared to be President of the United States. All of us watched this man travel all around the world and earn the respect of world leaders. I think the respect for Obama by these leaders is as great as it was for President Clinton or John F. Kennedy.”
The former City Councilwoman also stated that she believed Obama made a speech before the American public that will go down as “the most historical acceptance speech made by any presidential candidate.” She said too that the theme of his candidacy – “change” – was so powerful that now McCain has even been smitten by the concept.
As it relates to John McCain’s choice of Gov. Palin as a running mate, she said, “I think it helps Palin more than it helps him. While she was on his short list, she certainly wasn’t on the mind of anyone else.”
Also in Denver this week was former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. Interviewed upon return yesterday at BWI Marshall Airport, Steele was also asked about Palin being selected as a running mate.
”I think for McCain, you are going to see a very relaxed and comfortable candidate out there because he has someone he can work with … someone he can trust,” said Steele.
He said that a lot of people underestimate that duties of state executives and overlook the fact that they do, in fact, engage in foreign policy.
Steele, now a commentator for FOX news network, said, “I think Palin is a well-rounded candidate. She is a game-changer. And she causes a whole lot of folks to take a second look. This Novemeber, either way, is going to be a historic race.”
Pugh, however, isn’t buying it. “It boosts her more than it will boost him, and for a 72-year old, and not that age should be a factor, to choose someone with no experience as it relates to foreign policy and limited experience as it relates to leadership – the learning curve is of such magnitude that it has to be almost obvious to every American that she is not prepared to become Commander in Chief if something, unfortunately, were to happen to the Commander in Chief. Let me remind America that Democrats have always been supportive of women, including vice-presidential candidates. And so, we’re glad to see the Republican Party finally take that step. How far from Washington can one get to go to Alaska for a running mate? McCain is obviously saying he wants to be the candidate of change, too. After all, nothing is more complementary than for McCain to take on the Obama mantra. At some point, we think McCain might get back to his own campaign. However, let’s not forget that McCain voted 95% of the time with George Bush.”
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