Published: September 02, 2008 05:47 pm            

McDONALD: Campaign has it all

“The future will be better tomorrow.”

— Dan Quayle

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The importance of the choice of a vice presidential candidate is critically important and never more so in this campaign season. Historically relegated to two constitutional duties of presiding officer of the Senate and serving as first in line of succession should the president die, resign or be impeached, the vice president serves at the pleasure of the president those duties the president assigns.

This election cycle we have a full gamut of age, race, gender, experience to sort out before we cast our ballots. On the Democrat’s side we have an inexperienced mixed race but charismatic and inspirational leader countered by a 65-year-old career Senator with a wealth of experience in judiciary and foreign intelligence.

For the Republicans we have an experienced 72-year-old war veteran and maverick Senator countered by a fast rising young woman (44 years old) in politics; first term conservative governor.

Let's take the age factor first.

For the Democrats: Obiden is 112 years old (Obama 47, Biden 65). The Republicans, or McPalin, are 116 years old (McCain 72, Palin 44). Obiden and McPalin because of the age and experience levels are in a mentor-mentee relationship. Whether Obiden or McPalin is elected count on expanded duties of the vice presidency in either administration.

Both Obiden and McPalin offer change of sorts and of course more of the same. With Obiden, change is with the first African American to ascend to the presidency and with McPalin the first woman to ascend to the vice presidency if elected. More of the same comes from two long term Senators however, both have been outspoken and from time to time have broken with party ranks.

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“I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.”

— Dwight D. Eisenhower

As for experience in command of the military; neither of the Obiden team has served in the military while McPalin has served in the Vietnam War and been a prisoner of war in that conflict (McCain) and has been commander of the Alaska National Guard (Palin). Now her son is deploying to Iraq.

In the interest of fairness in this column, I have been a registered Democrat all of my adult life and have never served in the military although my father spent his career in the Navy. I regret the fact that I did not share that experience with him as I believe it gives one insight into the vestiges of war and the need to protect against it. Having said that, I am on the fence in this election as is, I believe, the nation given the statistical dead heat in both the Gallup and Zogby Polls (Labor Day Weekend).

The campaigns and debates this fall will reveal the ability to withstand pressure in front of the nation. Whatever weaknesses that each side has will be expounded upon by their opponents. It would be wise for each team to discuss up front their weak points and take the wind out of the sails of the opposition. For Obiden, and Obama specifically; experience in foreign policy need not be the focus but the ability to communicate. President Ronald Reagan did not have foreign policy experience but he could deliver a prepared message rather effectively.

For McPalin and Palin specifically, foreign policy experience can be downplayed while executive leadership as Governor can be emphasized. Running a state is like running a small country from an executive standpoint.

As far as the issue of age is concerned, to me that is a non-issue. Isn't it said that 60 is the new 40 and 70 the new 50? Is that just for marketing purposes or for life in general? From my view of 52 years, 72 does not look all that old to me anymore but when I was 18 years old, I did not trust anyone over 35.

This is without a doubt an election of change. Change agents on the left (Obiden) and reformers on the right (McPalin). However, Ronald Reagan said it best of all when he said “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” From what I can tell, we need a lot more dinner table talk in this country.



Tim McDonald is a somewhat youthful 52. He can be reached at timothy.mcdonald@agsfaculty.indwes.edu

        

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