Fr. Jonathan Morris, FOX Forum, September 29th, 2008

That’s the odd question some conservatives are asking after the first-term Alaskan governor has demonstrated in recent television interviews what I presumed everyone already knew—she’s not a Washington insider, doesn’t have all the policy answers, talks kinda funny, and at this point, isn’t fully prepared to be President of the United States of America.

This questioning of McCain’s pick by seasoned pundits like Kathleen Parker, who two weeks ago was praising McCain’s choice as inspired and now has called for Gov. Palin to step down from the ticket, is odd, because they should know better. They should know the number two spot has never been about who would be the second, third, or tenth best occupant of the Oval Office.

Just ask Senator Obama.

Or just listen to Senator Biden himself.

When we vote for a president we make a bet. We bet he will be sticking around for at least four years. We bet on his health and stamina. We bet he won’t be killed. We bet he won’t choke on his broccoli. And we bet the running mate will compliment his or her abilities.

Campaigns always float to the public the big white lie that their first consideration in picking a vice-president candidate is “one-heart-beat-away” readiness. That sounds very presidential. It comforts. But it isn’t true. Candidates pick their running mates by balancing two factors 1) how many votes the name will draw to the voting booths 2) how well the two will work together as a team if elected

If Gov. Sarah Palin was an inspired pick—a hypothesis yet to be proven—it will be because of who she is as a woman and mother, her natural and proven leadership, and the traditional values she holds dearly and sincerely.

It will have nothing to do with what she already knows about Washington politics.

If, in Thursday night’s debate, Gov. Palin communicates all three of these unique qualities in words, body language, and in a humble, strong, and kind tone (instead of trying to act like a policy wonk, foreign affairs expert, or even like a president) she may seal the deal for McCain.

And if that happens, she will serve the country in the same unique way.

This scenario is possible because I believe America is starving for some sincerity. We know instinctively we are in trouble today on Wall Street — and on every street — because we have lost our way. Our troubles are not technical; they are human, they are moral.

And who would doubt the perfect form of sincerity is an honest mother who listens to us, a courageous woman who speaks the truth to us, a strong lady who works for us?

Imagine some of that feminine genius in the White House! It may be the only thing that would assure the average voter that Senator McCain will keep his many campaign promises.

Certainly nobody will believe Gov. Palin if she tells us she suddenly knows the technical solution to our economic woes, or if she reminds us again of her experience as Russia’s neighbor, or if she rolls her “r’s” when she talks about Mexico.

But if on Thursday Sarah Palin is every bit Governor Palin—the mom, the wife, the good neighbor, the Christian believer, the intuitive politician who knows how to choose adviser and when to take their advice, the patriot, the state executive with the highest approval rate in the country—and no more, she might go down in history as inspired, if indeed that’s what she is.
What do you think?

God bless,
Father Jonathan

Father Jonathan Morris is author of the new book, “The Promise: God’s Purpose and Plan for when Life Hurts.” For more information click here. http://www.fatherjonathan.com/