McCain's Better Half?
Filed under: US Elections
It seems like John McCain would have to be quite insane not to pick a female running mate. Real Clear Politics reports:
A new Pew Research Center poll points to a surging tide of fury, especially among white women. As recently as April, this group preferred Obama over the presumptive Republican John McCain by three percentage points. By May, McCain enjoyed an eight-point lead among white women.
Female voters have every right to be outraged by the way in which Hillary Clinton -- the far better qualified alternative -- has been treated during the Democratic primary season. If they're smart, they'll send a clear message in November that they constitute a majority in this country and their vote is not to be trifled with by means such as the disenfranchisement of Florida and Michigan. If they do, this will be the last time the male-dominated power structure takes their concerns so lightly.
And yet, not a single female name appears on McCain's short list. In fact, among the names he's now floating only Bobby Jindal of Louisiana represents the kind of scintillating choice McCain needs to make in order to shore up his Republican base and show he's not just a cantankerous old man but an agent of change. McCain needs to understand that the foolhardy nomination of Obama means this election is his to lose. That means not getting complacent or arrogant and not losing focus. Only by taking his eye off the ball, like the fabled hare against the plodding tortoise, and getting self-indulgent can McCain fail to win the White House against such a polarizing, unqualified candidate as Barack Obama.
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