The Palin Zig-Zag

Let nobody think that Sarah Palin was picked solely to excite Hillary Clinton-supporting women to vote for McCain. The base of the party wants none of that, and Palin herself has called Clinton a whiner. While Palin might sweep up a handful of low-information women, the real meaning of this pick was to fire up the grassroots base, those who can't stand those fancy-pants elites in the GOP with all their experience and governing. They want someone who believes this is a Christian nation:

Here's a "ca-ching" moment for Evangelicals. John McCain's new vice-presidential running mate signed a proclamation back in October of 2007 which emphasized the Christian heritage of America.

You can read the proclamation that she signed below:

WHEREAS, the celebration of Christian Heritage Week, October 21-27, 2007, reminds Alaskans of the role Christianity has played in our rich heritage. Many truly great men and women of America, giants in the structuring of American history, were Christians of caliber and integrity who did not hesitate to express their faith.

The theocon wing of the conservative base is energized. Even Ralph Reed is unafraid to come out of the woodwork and suggest that social conservatives are "getting back on the field." Of course, they're getting on the field a couple months too late. But they're getting on and they'll be put right to work.

This wasn't a pick to satisfy women. It was a pick to satisfy the base. I think Sen. Kerry has it right - this shows McCain as completely hostage to his far right Christianist wing. This is a proxy pick, and the DC establishment is pretty much misreading it.

The question is whether or not that base is big enough in 2008, or whether Americans have completely tuned out the kind of Christian Dominionism which this pick represents. The challenge for the Obama campaign is to make sure Palin's far-from-the-mainstream views are fully broadcast. Right now independents like her, though they may not see her as ready to take over the Presidency. I'd mention the abuse of power investigation - but I'd harp on the creationism and the Dominionism and the opposition to abortion in the case of rape or incest.