One week after Sen. Barack Obama’s historic acceptance of the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, political history is once again being made.
Last Saturday, Sen. John McCain named Gov. Sarah Palin his vice presidential candidate. Palin is the first woman to receive the Republican vice presidential nomination.
Caroline Wren, deputy director of accounts receivable for the McCain campaign, said everyone in McCain headquarters was excited about the pick.
“We didn‘t find out until everyone else found out,” Wren said. “I cried. Other people were crying. People were clapping and cheering. It was the most amazing decision on McCain’s part.”
Caleb Byrd, treasurer for Auburn University College Republicans, said McCain’s vice presidential choice was “perfect.”
“I’ve been researching Palin before McCain picked her, and she’s a great governor,” Byrd said. “She has 80 percent approval ratings in Alaska, and she is absolutely the game changer McCain needed.”
Many people believe Palin will draw the support of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s female followers. However, Tricia Weinstein, vice chairman of AUCR, said Clinton’s supporters won’t vote for Palin strictly because she’s a woman.
“(Voters) will look at her as a candidate and choose by the issues,” Weinstein said. “I think a lot of people went for Hillary because she was a woman, but I don’t think McCain picked Palin because she’s a woman.”
Palin accepted her nomination at the Republican National Convention, held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.
Wren said it was a smart political decision to hold the RNC in Minnesota.
“Minnesota is a battleground state of ours and one of the deciding states in this election,” Wren said. “Colorado was good for the democrats, but for us, Minnesota is good, especially with the states around it.”
The RNC has been scaled down after the recent formation of Hurricane Gustav.
President Bush canceled his speech Monday night to focus on the storm.
Byrd said Bush made the right decision.
“Bush caught a lot of flak for the way the government and FEMA responded after Hurricane Katrina, and he’s trying not to make the same mistake twice, which I think is commendable,” Byrd said. “He’s the leader of a nation, not a party.”
Bush spoke at the RNC Tuesday night via satellite.
Other speakers at the convention include McCain, Palin and republican primary candidates Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney.
Weinstein said she was supposed to attend the convention, but couldn’t arrange her schedule around it.
“I’ve gone to these conventions many times, and I enjoy all of the speakers there,” Weinstein said.
To win in November, McCain will have to win more than just the conservative vote. He will have to battle Obama for the independent vote.
Weinstein said McCain appeals to independents.
“McCain attracts the moderate conservative vote, rather than the ultra conservative vote,” Weinstein said.
Byrd said he is confident McCain will win in November.
“(McCain) understands what sacrifice and leadership is, and I think he’s the best choice for president,” Byrd said.
Whether McCain or Obama wins, one thing is certain: this presidential election will be historic.
