My mother is quite religious, and she has a moment of hesitation at the "under God" any time she says the Pledge, because she learned it before that was added.
Although she seems like ridiculous choice from a general-election viewpoint, she's a really solid choice from a fund-raising standpoint. McCain's campaign has been in money trouble because the extreme right just doesn't trust him. With her around to smile, flash her pretty smile, and enthusiastically spout "intelligent design", the merits of hunting from helicopters, and the need to drill for oil in national parks, she's just what McCain needs to open up right-wing extremists' checkbooks.
The problem is, once she has to talk to the general public, she'll be trouble. Unless they can hide her from the general public through the entire campaign, she's likely to lose more votes through her views than she gains through her boost to McCain's fund-raising power.
On the other hand, if McCain had selected a moderate – someone like Olympia Snowe – McCain's already-shaky credibility with the extreme right would continue to evaporate. They'd likely write him off as a lost cause, and try to rescue Republicans in Congress who will be endangered by Obama's coat-tails, or just save their money for 2012.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-30 01:15 pm (UTC)Although she seems like ridiculous choice from a general-election viewpoint, she's a really solid choice from a fund-raising standpoint. McCain's campaign has been in money trouble because the extreme right just doesn't trust him. With her around to smile, flash her pretty smile, and enthusiastically spout "intelligent design", the merits of hunting from helicopters, and the need to drill for oil in national parks, she's just what McCain needs to open up right-wing extremists' checkbooks.
The problem is, once she has to talk to the general public, she'll be trouble. Unless they can hide her from the general public through the entire campaign, she's likely to lose more votes through her views than she gains through her boost to McCain's fund-raising power.
On the other hand, if McCain had selected a moderate – someone like Olympia Snowe – McCain's already-shaky credibility with the extreme right would continue to evaporate. They'd likely write him off as a lost cause, and try to rescue Republicans in Congress who will be endangered by Obama's coat-tails, or just save their money for 2012.