360 Degrees: Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin was recently chosen to be John McCain's running mate. She'd be the first to remind you she's only been at it for 5 weeks. This might be a bit of an off-beat interpretation of what constitutes an "issue" that can or should be viewed from 360 degrees, but there is perhaps no issue more current or pressing than the choice of Palin, effect and how it will alter the presidential race.

There are four primary angles from which to examine Palin, those of the Democrat, Independent, and Republican, leaving me with 356 to dream up. Maybe some other time. Let's start with the Democrats. To them, Palin is anything from a joke to a threat. A funny-talking hick, picked as a last-ditch cynical attempt to knock of Obama, Palin represents everything that is wrong with modern religious right-based conservatism. Alternatively, she's a threat to Obama, who could do enough to rally the conservative base to win the election. In both cases, she represents something new on this level, and intimidating in her uniqueness and the potential it brings.

To the Independents. This key voting group's perception of Palin is often founded in their demographic background. For the religious Independents who had been waiting for a candidate of their conviction to enter the race she is energizing. To those who are truly open to either side, she's a fresh face brought into the race to show that the entire Republican party isn't over 70 years old, and can have a record of fighting corruption. Their judgement will be passed somewhere beyond her personality. For the final group of independents, the borderline Democrats nervous about Obama's lack of experience, Palin is the push over the fence. They resent both her religion-based views, as well as complete lack of experience in Washington, a selling point to others. Palin's selling points seem much more oriented to more religious, often rural, voters, as these same facts turn others away.

Final the Republicans. Evangelicals were by-and-large energized by Palin's selection, which probably solidified the party's base. The more highly educated Republicans, however, only begrudgingly accept Palin, and, although it won't cost McCain their votes, some have called for her resignation, because she has the potential to be so polarizing. Even with a base solidified, Republican strategists see this as Palin's only asset.

Sarah Palin's candidacy, like her platform, can be broken down fairly simply. The various interpretations and emotions different groups take and feel from this platform vary across the board. But it seems that even if the base is solidified and energized, the trade off of losing appeal with those concerned about Obama's experience and non-religious independents will only be counteracted if the Evangelicals do a lot of campaigning.