Paul Mirengoff’s “Perspectives on the Palin pick” has not only elicited John Hinderaker’s post immediately below, but also some thoughtful messages from readers. Peter DeCaprio comments:
As a longtime reader and huge fan, I would like to point out where Krauthammer might be off base in his analysis of the Palin pick. McCain in no way forfeited “his most powerful argument” against Obama. Instead, the Palin pick is a perfect representation of the utterly brilliant tack the McCain campaign has now shifted to, as evidenced by his new ad that appears on your blog right below this Krauthammer story. Obama does not represent change at all, merely the old, tired lefty canards of the 1960’s. It is Palin, and McCain, and therefore the Republicans, who will be the change agents in this election and beyond. It is a masterstroke for the way it has solidified the correct message.
I’m 47 years old and came of age in politics during the Reagan Revolution. That Republican party that I and others like me grew up with hasn’t existed since Newt disappeared and the Contract with America was forgotten. Well, WE haven’t forgotten, and that is what Krauthammer is missing. He is writing like a beltway insider.
As the founder of a multi-billion money management firm, I and my colleagues spend all day analyzing management teams and the companies they run, and making judgements about them. Look to the example of corporate America for a proxy (or professional sports for that matter). Time and again we have seen mediocre businesses stay with the status quo (poor management/retread coaches) and slowly decline to the point where their franchises are seriously damaged.
The opposite is also true. The market (and sport) is replete with examples of damaged businesses that have made bold management changes and have reaped the subsequent rewards. We would much rather find those companies, and invest there. That’s what we are doing with McCain and Palin. Obviously bold picks can be reckless, as Krauthammer seems to imply, but that’s when one has to look to McCain for confidence — this is not a guy that makes unprincipled, illogical, rash decisions.
Think back to the muddled message of George W.’s first campaign — a uniter not a divider? Huh? That he won with that message said more about the public’s antipathy toward that buffoon Al Gore than anything else. As an investor, the worst feeling in the world is having no clear investment choices or where your conviction level is low. McCain has now presented the country with a clear choice. My conviction levels are high and I suspect the rest of the country’s will be too.
DeCaprio’s comment highlights the rationale that explains McCain’s selection of Palin as his running mate. While tending to belie the critique of Obama based on his lack of relevant experience to serve as president, among other things, she enhances McCain’s message of reform and thereby his chances of winning the election.
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