History in the making

Yesterday it was Barack Obama making history. Today it is Alaska Governor Sara Palin’s turn to make history. She is the first female candidate to be on the Republican ticket and should the McCain – Palin ticket win, she will become the first female Vice-President in U.S. history. So, whoever wins in November, the face of the American government will have changed. Eighty eight years ago women in America got the right to vote, and forty five years ago Martin Luther King delivered his landmark speech that resulted in Civil Rights legislation. And now in 2008, we will finally break barriers.

It should be noted that the last two states to join the United States of America were Alaska and Hawaii in 1959. It is quite significant that both theses states will be sending a representative at the highest level of the American government and neither of these state carries the political clout to make a difference in the Electoral College. Both Barack Obama and Sarah Palin were chosen because of their respective qualities and ultimately the American voter will decide which one will make history on November 4.
The choice of Ms. Palin will be analyzed and scrutinized in the days ahead. With John McCain turning 72 today and being a cancer survivor, the choice of Palin will be evaluated by her ability to become President should tragedy strike. Her inexperience, however, removes a powerful argument from the McCain camp about Obama. The idea that Obama is at the top of the ticket and therefore his inexperience is seen as a more serious liability will not wash with the American electorate.

On a more positive note, the candidacy of Hillary Clinton has achieved an important milestone. It is now becoming normal that women be considered for the highest offices of the American government. And that in itself makes her campaign all the more significant.