The Scum at the Top
Commentary on the Rats in Washington
Commentary: Is McCain out of his mind?
By Paul Begala
CNN
© August 29, 2008
Story Highlights
- Begala: McCain's VP choice unqualified to be heartbeat
from the presidency
- Choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is "shockingly
irresponsible," he says
- Begala says choice makes McCain's age, health, and
judgment central issues
Editor's note: Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist and
CNN political contributor, was a political consultant for
Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992 and was
counselor to Clinton in the White House. Begala is not
a paid political consultant for any politicians or candidates.
(CNN) -- John McCain needs what Kinky Friedman calls "a
checkup from the neck up."
In choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate
he is not thinking "outside the box," as some have said.
More like out of his mind.
Palin a first-term governor of a state with more reindeer
than people, will have to put on a few pounds just to be a
lightweight. Her personal story is impressive: former
fisherman, mother of five. But that hardly qualifies her
to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.
For a man who is 72 years old and has had four bouts
with cancer to have chosen someone so completely
unqualified to become president is shockingly irresponsible.
Suddenly, McCain's age and health become central issues
in the campaign, as does his judgment.
In choosing this featherweight, McCain passed over Tom
Ridge, a decorated combat hero, a Cabinet secretary and
the former two-term governor of the large, complex state
of Pennsylvania.
He passed over Mitt Romney, who ran a big state,
Massachusetts; a big company, Bain Capital; and a big
event, the Olympics.
He passed over Kay Bailey Hutchison, the Texas senator
who is knowledgeable about the military, good on
television, and -- obviously -- a woman.
He passed over Joe Lieberman, his best friend in the
Senate and fellow Iraq Kool-Aid drinker.
He passed over former congressman, trade negotiator and
budget director Rob Portman.
And he also passed over Mike Huckabee, the governor of
Arkansas.
For months, the McCainiacs have said they will run on
his judgment and experience. In his first presidential
decision, John McCain has shown he is willing to endanger
his country, potentially leaving it in the hands of someone
who simply has no business being a heartbeat away from
the most powerful, complicated, difficult job in human
history.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely
those of the writer.
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©2008 DJW
Last Modified:
October 21, 2008