McCain-Palin: 2 Gun Salute

I was finally able to watch Sarah Palin's RNC speech tonight.

At the very end, when McCain came on stage, the reason this ticket can work struck me:

"I KNOW you, America!"

Beyond all other politics, this is the most important message this ticket sends.

It will work because the Democratic elitism has been on blatant display since McCain announced Palin as his VP pick.

In no particular order, unfounded assumptions have been made regarding Palin and conservationists.

MEDIA MISTAKE
Trig is not Sarah's baby. He's Bristol's. Palin is doing the old grandma--> mama switcheroo.

AMERICAN REALITY
A woman doesn't have to be huge in her 7th month. Many indulge in that wonderful, "I'm pregnant! Pamper me!" idea with the first baby. Not so much in later pregnancies. More often than not, there's a tremendous desire to stay in better shape, if only because you don't have time to indulge yourself!

MEDIA MISTAKE
Social conservatives will be APPALLED!! SHOCKED!! EMBARRASSED!!! to learn Bristol is, in fact, 5 moths pregnant! Sarah will be shamed out of the VP nomination!!

AMERICAN REALITY
There's an old joke: If you're not a liberal in your 20s... If you're not conservative by your 30s... something's wrong with you!

Very, very few people have become conservationists just 'cause Mama & Daddy said to be.

Very, very few even vote straight party tickets anymore.

More often than not, most people see the entire spectrum first hand and come to their own political/religious decisions as a result of understanding that what they grew up with is not necessarily worth preserving, but conserving. This is a very important difference. To be sure, CD and I are not doing things the exact same way our parents did. Truth is, however, that we respect their EFFORTS, recognizing their efforts as the rooting force they were.

So, to the point. Sarah & Todd Palin's 17 year old is pregnant. So are 2 of my friend's 17 year old daughters. What matters is not what has happened, but what is presently happening. These girls didn't run away from home out of fear or shame! They talked to their parents. Their parents still love them. You bet the parents are getting to know the boyfriends better. While they are doing that, they are helping set up nurseries.

This is one side of social conservattionism that people seem too busy to notice! Thanks to McCain-Palin for shedding some light on the subject! Damn, y'all... haven't you noticed there are a lot more Juno families in this country than "kick 'em out on their butts!" families????

MEDIA MISTAKE
Sarah has a special needs child How will she be able to care for him if she's VP?

AMERICAN REALITY
Haven't you been watching the family play "pass the sweet baby?" Even Trig's youngest sister knows how to hold and care for the boy! This is how families work when they work best. Everyone pitches in. Everyone cares. Everyone loves. Never perfect, to be sure, but it can work out beautifully when people let it. And who's going to care for Obama's girls when Mama & Daddy are busy? I bet Washington has some *excellent nannies* if necessary. Why the myopia? What a slap in the face to every working woman in America who's had to entrust their precious children to someone else's care! What a real slap to the families who have both Mom & Dad working multiple jobs to ensure funding for the next surgery their "special needs" child requires!

MEDIA MISTAKE
If Sarah had had better pre-natal care, Trig would not be a Down's Syndrome baby.

AMERICAN REALITY
Not only is this false, it is cruel. Read the news. They knew Trig was going to have Down's Syndrome very early in the pregnancy. They chose to keep him alive and thriving in Sarah's womb. Look at that sweet face! Look at this family! Do you see regrets? Do you see a lack of love?

MEDIA MISTAKE
Oh, ho ho! Look at this! Todd Palin isn't even a Republican! He's a Democrat! Sheeeeee's outta here!

AMERICAN REALITY
There are too many "mixed marriages" in this country to count! I wouldn't go there!

End game is this. McCain, whether politically profitable or not, has chosen for VP someone who represents a lot of parents, as well as grandparents and adult children. With the choice of Palin, he's effectively said, "'Compassionate Conservatism' might have been a sound byte for Bush. Here's my understanding of the true meaning."

It has completely changed my opinion of McCain. He gets it. He really gets it. He has managed, in one brilliant stroke, to capture a snapshot of an often overlooked section of the great American fabric. People look at Palin and say, "Gosh, she looks like she could be my neighbor." Quite a coup because, religiosity aside, most of America believes, "Love neighbor as you love yourself."

I can't wait for the rest. I really can't! Because here is the reality:

The more the media & Democratic elites slam Palin, the more they are rattling the pitbull cage they don't seem to know exists. The more they assume they know how conservationists think/act/feel, the more they are shown to be ignorant. Most importantly, by slamming Palin, they are unwittingly slamming a million mothers who believe Obama will help them. Shame on them!

Maybe we'll finally see what CD calls, "Darwin in action," work! That would be a phenomenon worthy of a history book.