Vice Presidential Qualifications

[eskimo2]

I’ve read so many articles and comments on websites questioning Palin’s qualifications to hold “The Second Most Powerful Office in the World”.  Let’s get real, the job of VP has almost no power at all; it doesn’t mean squat unless the president dies.  The Veep is the President of the Senate (big whoop), attends funerals (big whoop) and waits for the president to die.  There are hundreds, if not thousands of offices in the US Government that are more powerful than the Veep.  Every state governor, US congressman, Secretary of State, etc. has more power and does more. 

Many folks have expressed concern of having Palin step in should McCain croak, as if it’s likely.  It’s certainly a real risk, but the odds are much higher that he lives it out.  Even at 72, I think McCain (or any POTUS) stands a higher risk of assassination than natural death.  Modern medicine is pretty awesome and the president gets the best there is. 

When it comes to attending funerals, Palin will be awesome.  She’s turned into a huge megastar and will be the most recognized Veep ever.  She’s also a great speaker and is pretty.  Maybe Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt could do a better job (it would take the pair).

John Adams, the first vice president, described it as "the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived."  Palin’s going to miss working for a living. 

[AKIron]

We may see a new standard set with Palin as VP. McCain may let her be the voice in advocating their policies, at least some of the time anyhow. This will be even more likely if he doesn't plan to run a second term. Time may tell.

[Yeager]

Chances are still good Barry will be Prez so its almost a moot point.  No inference to Moot of course 

[Maverick]

If handled in the right way she could be a great sounding board for policy and current situations. It would be a blending of both old and newer world views. Who knows, she could end up being the key to international political dialogue.

[Winks]

Before you dismiss the fact that Sarah Palin is Commander of the
Alaska Natio nal Guard, consider this:

Alaska is the first line of defense in our missile interceptor
defense system. The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska
National Guard is the unit that protects the entire nation from
ballistic missile attacks. It¢s on permanent active duty, unlike
other Guard units.

As governor of Alaska , Palin is briefed on highly classified
military issues, homeland security, and counterterrorism. Her
exposure to classified material may rival even Biden's and
certainly by far exceeds Obama's.

She's also the commander in chief of the Alaska State Defense
Force (ASDF), a federally recognized militia incorporated into
Homeland Security's counterterrorism plans.

Palin is privy to military and intelligence secrets that are vital to
the entire country's defense. Given Alaska 's proximity to Russia ,
she may have security clearances we don't even know about.
According to the Washington Post, she first met with McCain in
February, but nobody ever found out. This is a woman used to
keeping secrets.

She can be entrusted with our national security, because she
already is.

[eskimo2]

Larry Kudlow of CNBC's "Kudlow & Co." asked her about the possibility of becoming McCain's ticket mate.

Palin replied: "As for that VP talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day? I'm used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. We want to make sure that that VP slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that we're trying to accomplish up here for the rest of the U.S., before I can even start addressing that question."

I wonder if she made a deal with McCain to make the job more interesting, or if he sold her on the idea that job really is important, or if she just did it because she knew she could make Obama squirm and put McCain in the White House.