This historic day

So Sen. John McCain announced today that his running mate will be Alaskan Governor, Sarah Palin. I don't know much about her other than what little I've read and seen during her introductory speech in Dayton, OH. So far, it seems like a bold, but clever move on McCain's part. What else would we expect from McCain after all these years?

In a way, I'm excited because now the election is VERY interesting! So many opportunities to watch people squirm as they try to be politically correct. And doesn't it seem that the more politically correct we are, the meaner we become? How is that possible? Maybe it's just that I'm more aware as I become older. Or maybe it's the fact that news is 24/7 and any crackpot (including me! woo-hoo!) can write anything on a blog or MySpace and it gets blasted around the world in nanoseconds.

The first question that popped into my mind (the 1st question after, 'Who is Sarah Palin??' anyway...) was, "I wonder if she's related to Michael Palin of Monty Python fame?" A very important question! This is probably why I never went into serious journalism.

I LOVE politics and observing all the craziness. I am definitely not a Democrat nor am I a Republican. I'm somewhere in the middle. Perhaps Libertarian, but I don't really fit in with all of their stuff either.

Regardless, it makes me angry and sad that the truly strongest, most intelligent, and overall best candidates to lead the free world as President (or VP) of the U.S. would never run because:
1) the press is completely insatiable in trying to find anything that can become a scandal (and add a '-gate' at the end of it. I swear if I hear about one more "Scandal-gate" I'm going to demand that press credentials begin to be revoked on the grounds of lack of creativity! How did the press ever report any scandalous news prior to Watergate? Sheesh!!) Who wants to have a cavity search and subject all of their relatives and close friends to that kind of scrutiny? And if there isn't ANYTHING scandalous that can be found...well that's just downright weird. Everyone has a skeleton (or at least a small bone or two) in the closet. Except for me, of course. I'm angelic.
2) The pay sucks - any good leader worth his or her salt is currently the CEO of a major corporation and collecting a nice paycheck with perks. True, the Prez gets AirForce One and a cool Secret Service code name, along with the ability to veto Congress and other fun stuff. I suppose just having the ability to press "the button" if there's a really bad day makes up for the low pay grade. The fact that I just wrote that sentence probably disqualifies me for the job.
3) It's lonely at the top. Nobody calls you by your given name anymore. It's "Mr. President" and everything is very formal. You can't just go take a walk or sneak down to the convenience store because you're having a 3 AM craving for M&Ms. THAT is what I want my Commander In Chief to be able to have access to in the middle of the night. Foreign policy experts and advisors are available 24/7, but sometimes it's just as critical that you have access to a really gooey, cheesy pizza in the middle of the night.
4) Yes, you meet with heads of state, but so many of them are looney toon dictators trying to pretend they are something else, speak with funny accents and present you with gifts that most likely come from their nation's version of Stuckey's. "Mr. President, I am pleased to present to you this gift of a walnut bowl made by the hands of the proud people of my country. May it bring you much wisdom (and please continue to send us money and don't bomb us!)." I mean, you wouldn't hang out with them and be friends other than the fact that global diplomacy kind of demands it. Don't get me wrong...I love all different types of people and am fascinated to learn about and from people who are from other countries. However, if I don't 'click' with someone or have a reason to do business together, there is no social or political pressure that they stay for dinner and overnight in my version of the Lincoln Bedroom. Nor do I have to itemize the funky hostess gifts and ultimately donate them to my library.

So, congratulations and best wishes to Sarah Palin for being the first woman to be chosen as the VP candidate by the Republican Party. This is truly an historical day for women. I think your presence in this race has made people across the political spectrum sit up and take notice a little more. I hope you fare well under the pressure and prove to be the great leader and candidate that your resume' presents. If you and Sen. McCain (or for that matter, if Obama/Biden) win the election, just please stay out of my home, my wallet, and my business. Protect our country. Abide by the U.S. Constitution. Now THAT would be the true American dream.