Thoughts on Sarah Palin

There appear to be many attractive aspects of Sarah Palin. She is a Washington outsider with strong pro-life, pro-gun, libertarian-leaning stances, and she was a leading Buchananite back in the 1990's. Even better for the Ron Paul supporters, Palin is apparently a big fan, calling him "cool" and "independent of the party machine."

The Republican's choice of Sarah Palin as VP was a brilliant political manuever; however, libertarians and traditional conservatives would be wise to practice caution before they come out in full support of McCain. After all, it is still John McCain at the top of this ticket - the liberal, career politician who laughed at Ron Paul on stage during those debates. And does it not say something about Palin that she would join in partnership with someone like McCain? Does this not compromise her traditional conservative principles? I do not think it necessarily does, but we cannot be sure. 

In her speech on Friday, Palin championed McCain's leadership on foreign policy and her own achievements in going after "big oil" with higher taxes. Further, she pronounced proudly of her husband's membership in the steel union. Despite Palin's promising record, this type of language indicates a willingness to be used as a political pawn for the Republicans in their attempt to entice the discouraged Hillary voters. There is nothing libertarian or traditionally conservative about McCain's foreign policy of perpetual war. Nor is there any virtue in supporting the labor unions (backed by government coercion) or fighting "evil corporations" and "obscene profits". These anti-capitalist sentiments are characteristic of the liberals and socialists, not traditional conservatives.

No doubt, this choice for VP is still a more positive turn of events than other possible alternatives. However, we should wait and find out to what extent Palin will champion the cause of liberty. What is her personal stance on our foreign policy of interventionism? Which federal departments and programs will she push to abolish? Does she have anything to say about the Federal Reserve and our monetary policy? Will any of her stances even matter if McCain, not Palin, is at the top of the ticket? I think we will have to wait and find out. 

Unfortunately, my suspicions tell me that this is all hype, and McCain's platform is very unlikely to make any substantive shift toward increased liberty and away from big government interventionism. For these reasons, I will certainly still be voting third party in this election.