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.

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