McCain picks Sarah Palin as running mate

Earlier today, Republican presidential hopeful John McCain introduced Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his choice for Vice President.

The mother of five becomes the first female vice presidential candidate since 1984 and has been a widely popular governor since she came to power in 2006. Yet she is under investigation for her firing of the state’s former Public Safety Commissioner and her staunch social conservative views could turn off Hillary Clinton supporters who are considering backing the GOP.

In terms of foreign policy experience hers is practically nonexistent. Palin’s biography in the very useful ontheissues.org describes “no issue stance yet recorded” on foreign policy. Her lack of foreign policy experience pales compared to the Democrats choice for vice president.

In the end that may be a moot point since international affairs will be touted as one of McCain’s strong points. Yet it is worrying that someone who aspires to be the second-in-charge in the U.S. have such little knowledge in international affairs.

Image- The Telegraph (“As an upholder of gun rights and a fierce opponent of abortion, Sarah Palin will help woo the strong Republican core who still doubt John McCain's record Photo: AP”)

Sources- BBC News, Bloomberg, CNN, Foreign Policy Passport, ontheissues.org, The Latin Americanist