Tonight is the second debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. This and the Tina Fey send up of Sarah Palin in last week’s debate has got me thinking about the people chosen by the candidates. What do their choices reflect about their judgement?
Much has been made about the VP choices, particularly McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin. Many in the media, and even McCain supporters have questioned the decision, with some even calling for her to step down. The biggest issue I’ve heard raised is her lack of knowledge and experience needed for the office she seeks.
Some would say this pick was a horrible lapse in judgement by McCain, who was looking to energize his base and possibly pick off some of Hillary Clinton’s supporters in the primaries. However, I see the issue of judgement as potentially going much deeper.
The choice of a vice president is just the first of many political appointments that will be made by the new president, whether this ends up being Obama or McCain. What does their choices of vice presidential nominees say about the future choices they will make? Does it offer any insight into how people will be chosen for various positions in the new administration?
A president must make many appointments in the early days of his administration. From cabinet positions to naming people to run various federal agencies, such as FEMA, the president’s choices in these areas will greatly affect the country.
Does McCain’s quick pick of Sarah Palin offer insight into how he will make political appointments? How about Obama’s choice of Senator Joe Biden? Obama’s choice appears to be more thoughtful and, well, just a better choice. Few could argue that Biden doesn’t have the knowledge, experience and judgement necessary to make an effective vice president.
Does this choice offer insight into how Obama would make political decisions? In a recent article I read in Newsweek, Obama was quoted as saying he chose Biden because he believed Biden would be a good advisor. This seems like a sound reason for choosing a vice president. For me, it certainly shows more thought than simply choosing someone to help bump poll numbers.
Will McCain make future bad decisions in placing people in important roles in his administration? Will we see more of the cronyism that has so plagued the Bush administration? This subject could cover a month’s worth of blogs, but just consider his appointment of Michael Brown to head FEMA and the disaster that resulted in the handling of Hurricane Katrina by an unqualified man in that important role.
Consider further the appointment of James Baker to the role of Iraq Debt Envoy. Baker, who helped stop the recount in Florida in 2000 and is the attorney to Halliburton and the Saudi Royal Family. Baker, who defended the Saudi Royal Family in the litigation brought by the families of 911 victims. I guess, somehow, this makes him qualified? Well, Bush did give him advisors, all from Texaco, BP and Shell oil companies.
So what do you think? Does the choice of vice presidential nominees offer any insight into how these men will select people for important political appointments?