McCain’s choice seemed to stun the country and took Alaska completely by surprise. Palin had been mentioned in the list of potential vice president picks, but got serious attention mostly on Internet blogs.
Hardly anyone in Alaska even knew Palin was out of the state. Unnoticed, the governor flew to Flagstaff, Ariz., Wednesday night and met with McCain Thursday, according to a McCain campaign spokesman. Later, she flew to Ohio and was checked into a hotel under a false name. Rumors that Palin would be the pick began to leak early Friday morning, and national news media began to scramble to describe and define her.
Looking on the scene as Palin joined McCain, New York Times blogger Katharine Q. Seelye wrote: “Mrs. Palin comes out, striding confidently to uplifting trumpets, with her family in tow. She looks a little like Tina Fey,” a television actress known for performances on “Saturday Night Live” and the comedy “30 Rock.”
Washington Post blogger Chris Cillizza called her “the most unknown vice presidential pick in modern political history.”
Unknown? Dan Quayle, perhaps?
I will admit that, with the euphoria wearing off, I am anxious to hear what she has to say for herself. Yes, her personal and spiritual convictions are admirable and the inexperienced but visionary schtick is working well for Sen. Obama. But she won’t be getting the benefit of the doubt with the media (I thought Campbell Brown was going to bust a vein over it last night on CNN) and Gov. Palin is fresh meat, of course. McCain, Obama, and Biden have months and years of news stories behind them. Sarah who?
She’ll be up to it. You’ll see.