Even in an election cycle straight out of a paperback thriller, John McCain's vice presidential choice stunned the nation on Friday.
Along with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had been considered a dark horse candidate for the vice presidential spot, though few regarded her as a serious contender.
"I thought it was a brilliant political move," said first-year student Ed Trto. "Palin is younger and more conservative than McCain, and obviously the first potential Republican female VP. These are all demographics McCain needs help in. Not to mention the element of surprise overshadowing Obama's ‘historical' speech."
Vanderbilt Republicans President Cameron Norris, a junior, agreed. "The Palin pick definitely was a surprise and met the goal of being a momentum-changing event," he said.
Sunday, a Rasmussen tracking poll showed Obama's post-speech spike in the polls was halted by the Palin announcement. According to the poll, Obama currently leads McCain 49 to 47 percent. Since appearing with Palin in Dayton on Friday, McCain has raised over $7 million.
But some doubt McCain's judgment.
"Sen. McCain's VP pick is remarkably irresponsible," said Vanderbilt College Democrats President Alexa Marcotte, a junior. "If something ever happened to McCain, she would not be qualified to lead the country ... (she's) only been a governor for a couple of years."
Sophomore David Pasch also derided Palin's limited record. "She has no foreign policy experience," he said, "so it's hard to criticize Obama for that same thing. She has no experience in general even, because she's only a first term governor."
Sworn in as governor in 2006, Palin has served a little over 20 months in office. Prior to becoming governor, she served as mayor of Wasilla, a small town of about 7,000.
Norris acknowledged, "As an individual, she's still relatively unknown and maybe somewhat of a risk. But, so far, Palin seems to be the perfect choice for uniting the conservative base and reaching out to independents."
Rather than appealing to supporters of Hillary Clinton, students appear to regard this conservative galvanization as a more realistic effect of Palin's selection.
"I believe that she will appeal to McCain's more conservative voters," Marcotte said, "but I doubt that she will be able to convince many former Hillary supporters to cross the aisle."
Pasch also does not believe Palin will appeal to moderates.
"As a youthful, staunch, conservative politician, Palin will help draw in the votes of the many conservatives who feel that McCain is either too old or too liberal of a candidate," said first-year student Martha Hellman.
The next few weeks will likely see both parties attempting to define Palin and her story to voters, but first impressions may linger.
Enumerating her political qualities, Trto finished, "And she's smoking hot."
The Audacity of Hypocrisy
"Sen. McCain's VP pick is remarkably irresponsible," said Vanderbilt College Democrats President Alexa Marcotte, a junior. "If something ever happened to McCain, she would not be qualified to lead the country ... (she's) only been a governor for a couple of years."
Sophomore David Pasch also derided Palin's limited record. "She has no foreign policy experience," he said, "so it's hard to criticize Obama for that same thing. She has no experience in general even, because she's only a first term governor."
Sworn in as governor in 2006, Palin has served a little over 20 months in office. Prior to becoming governor, she served as mayor of Wasilla, a small town of about 7,000.
College Dem President Alexa Marcotte doing her best Rachel Maddow impression here ... Let's not forget that Sen. Obama himself only had "a couple of years" as a Senator before he launched his campaign. I find it hilarious to presume that two years worth of campaigning would make anyone more qualified to be Commander in Chief. Furthermore, I think we all need to go back and look at our high school civics books and realize the difference between the executive and legislative branches of government. There is no way one can compare the depth of leadership required by a governor to that of a U.S. Senator. I worked for Sen. Alexander last summer and though I admire all the work that he's accomplished - I would have to give the "leadership experience" credit in Tennessee to Gov. Bredesen. State Governors are really in a smaller way, "presidents" of their states.
Lastly, I find it incredulous that Democrats have called into question the legitimacy of both the state of Alaska and the "tiny town of Wasilla." Do not forget about the painstaking battles fought in the founding of this country and the adoption of our Constitution. What makes this country strong is the mutual respect that no state no matter how small (or in this case remote) is less important to our democracy. Democratic strategists have lambasted Palin from being from Alaska as though it isn't as important as say Joe Biden being from Delaware. The Democrats are walking a fine line with the insulting comments about "tiny towns." It is the "tiny towns" across the nation that make the entire map look like one big "Red State" and gave George Bush the victory over Kerry.
For someone who owes "tiny towns" everything (Think Ames, Iowa!) Obama and company should stop diminishing her time as Mayor and Governor. Democrat strongholds in the North East and California may currently be in the majority electoral vote wise, but as far as the geographic make-up of this election, the land majority of the country is backing McCain.
As far as the Gov. Palin issue is concerned, let the woman campaign. Let her answer the hard questions and let her debate Joe Biden. If she is as incompetent as the Obama camp and their cronies say, McCain's campaign will be dead in the water by October and you'll cruise to an easy victory in November.
What I think is occuring here however is the Maverick pulled out his six shooter and blew a hole through the Obama camp's smug, male chauvinism. Obama and company are now saying a collective, "Oh Shit," and scrambling to discredit Palin as quickly as possible come hell or high water - facts or no facts.
I can understand the fear, myself. After all, she's a big girl ... with a gun - which obviously scares most Dems I know around here.