Palinotics. A one-word summary for the simple worldview of Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska and potential VP of the world’s strongest power. Her views, the views of conservative America — a no-mess, no-nuance, no-heavy-jargon approach to politics. There might have been some dirty politics in her state, but the message now: I am here and leave me, my shoes, Doris Day hair-do and manicure alone.McCain, should he win the race to the White House, is most likely to be the oldest first-term president to ever have been elected, thereby making Palin the vice-president most likely to succeed. Still, a female running mate, an African-American candidate — if this does not speak for progressive policy change then what does?The problem seems to be that Palin inherits the mantle of foreign policy in McCain’s absence — a so-called “president in waiting”. As sceptics and critics do, commentators have watched her every step of the way, a female Dan Quayle questioned on her ability. Media coverage of the elections has recently been Palin-dominated, bringing new attention and focus to the normally unnoticed VP race.At 9 pm EST on Thursday, October 2, the primly dressed Palin will take centrestage and her views will no doubt be scrutinised by every political pundit. She has a head start — a capability to answer beyond the already spin-doctored and practiced questions. Long live the tradition of debate; in fact, in our democratic system we should engage in such dialogue between our future leaders.Let’s look at the key foreign policy issues Palin will have to address in her biggest face-off to date. True, the conduct of foreign policy is a very complex, structured, arena, and Palin’s role will be limited within it. Still, many have been questioning her capability in the international arena — largely over her remarks on Iran, Iraq and the “War on Terror”.Last week Palin met with heads of state — speed dating, more like. But she is appearing on the international front increasingly. Some of her views: “Never again will we risk another Holocaust” when talking on the Iran issue, the “war on terror” has been a “victory” and an increase in troops to Afghanistan is needed. Granted, these views are amateur, but she is being coached — and more likely than not, she will learn on the job — as many other incumbents have done. Her views are at odds with prevailing wisdom about the Axis of Evil. There are demands to pull out troops from Afghanistan; the “war on terror” is losing ground as skirmishes develop along the Afghan-Pakistan border. But, once again, let us be reminded, that Palin is a running mate, to a very experienced McCain.In a rare interview with CBS’s Kate Couric, Palin’s view on the “war on terror” was expanded — “A surge in Afghanistan also will lead us to victory there as it has proven to have done in Iraq,” adding that “we cannot afford to retreat, to withdraw in Iraq.” This statement, some may argue, has been rehearsed, but it is indisputable that no president, whether Republican or Democrat will pull out of Iraq. Vague and broad, indeed; so the question perhaps should not be how well-equipped she is to lead a nation, but why she was chosen as running mate.Hillary Clinton’s presence in the Democratic race brought to attention the desire for a female in the Power House. The goddess of the “sisterhood of the travelling pantsuits” pulled out of a rally on Iran, which both Palin and she were to attend — more Hollywood “Mean Girls” than power politics. The questions being asked — is Palin in Hillary’s shadow? Can she prove her abilities as did Hillary? — are too speculative. What is important is that the land of opportunity and equal rights is now ready for a woman to take the reins. Gallup polls following Palin’s appointment as the vice presidential candidate showed a shooting rise in McCain’s popularity, placing him at 50 per cent and Obama at 46 per cent. Analysts attributed this success to a female appointment as Republican running mate. A week after her appointment, Palin’s popularity dropped amongst her core group — “soccer moms” — falling 11 points in one week. Republicans dropping further from 48 to 44 points the day the economy became an issue. Palin’s response — she’s a “Joe-six pack American” who lost $20,000 in the Wall Street crash. Is this just political manoeuvring? So the cameras will be rolling tomorrow and it looks like I am perhaps one of the few supporters of Team Palin. The over-rehearsed Palin should be left home, and the real Palin should take the stage. She’s a dynamic speaker, a woman of energy, and it’s key to let her be unfettered. She has already “energised” the base; can she win over the moderates? No doubt, there will be the playful attacks on experience versus change — her energy, the new face and new ideas of politics over Joe Biden’s experienced and expansive resume. Ultimately, the debate will only shed new light on Palin — a mere character study of the most talked about woman in politics today.alia.allana@expressindia.com
