by Tom Karlin

Created on: October 23, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Here's an interesting and controversial assertion for you to ponder. I believe Sarah Palin would make a terrific Vice President. Now, for those of you who can't stand the Alaskan Bear Cat, please don't stop reading just yet. Have a little tolerance while I explain this gutsy statement. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /

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It's understandable that most of us don't truly know who is going to be the best person or persons to run the country, as apposed to those who are totally consumed with the desire to hold the position of being the most powerful leader in the world. Is the next leader serving for the good of the people or their own self interest including power and fame? Most likely, it includes a little, or a lot of both.

I don't' think we can trust any politician, sadly. However the question is whether Sarah Palin is qualified to be Vice President of the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />United States. In my humble opinion, I have to say yes. However, that doesn't mean that I'm a supporter.

Not having any first hand knowledge of what really goes on behind the closed doors in the Whitehouse, most of us, including myself, only have access to news bites, conjecture, rumors, and a vivid imagination. Working with that limited knowledge, I have heard it said that the Vice President's position is not of any real significance. Perhaps that's true, and again, most of us don't really know. However, on the other hand, I have also heard it said that while serving as Vice President, Dick Cheney was the brains in the Whitehouse and influenced most, if not all of President George Bush's major decisions. That is frightening, isn't it? It's interesting also because if Senator John McCain were to become President, wouldn't he be just as vulnerable to the influence of the religious right, ethical views expressed by Governor Palin?

I have already seen Senator Palin interviewed and quoted publically as saying she would do her best to change Senator McCain's view on drilling for oil in Alaska. It's obvious she isn't fearful of expressing her differing opinion to Sen. McCain now and why would she be any different, if elected? I have an uneasy feeling she would become the "Dick Cheney" of the next Republican administration, if elected. That may sound good for conservative minded folk; however, at what cost? Even many Republicans quietly and even vocally admit to the damage done to their Party by eight years of an incompetent President. Governor Palin would make a great Vice President, but could the country survive four more years? To me, that's the important question.

Finally, I don't want to even imagine the scenario of what could happen, if Senator John McCain were to become incapacitated during the four year term in office, with the senator from Alaska, his vice president. That's an issue for an entirely separate debate.

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