What does Sarah Palin have going for her? Alaskans like her. She is a "real person" and will appeal to a lot of people for her blue-collar approach to things. McCain is being beat-up for being so out of touch that he can't even remember how many houses he owns. I'll bet that Sarah could tell you about everything she and her husband own, right down to the make and model of the snow machines that they drive (snow mobiles for those of you who live "outside" Alaska).

She is tough, an outdoors woman. She is a hunter (hello, NRA). She is pro-mining (hello, big business). She is pro-ANWAR drilling (hello, big oil companies). She is religious and very opposed to pro-choice legislation (hello, Christian far right). She is a woman and mother (hello, feminists). She is brave enough to buck the system, tossing out the former Governor's gas pipeline deal and selling his private "Governor's" jet (bought with state money).

Even her family gets into the act. Her oldest son (of 5 children) is in the military being deployed to Iraq and her husband is a snow machine legend with a few long distance titles to his name (The Iron Dog is a team race goes from Wasilla to Nome and back each February, over 2000 miles). So she has military appeal, family appeal, and don't forget "pretty power," the appeal of her good looking family.

Alaska became known as, "the coldest state with the hottest Governor," when this former beauty queen was elected Governor less than two years ago. She always looks a bit like a female "superman" trying to hide her beauty behind her ever-present glasses and bun. They look like costume pieces to me, like she's wearing them to look smart. I can imagine a "Charlie's Angel's" scene after they catch the bad guy when she removes the glasses and shakes her hair out… but that's all in my head.

She is smart, don't get me wrong. And, despite my often-opposing political opinions, I can't really say that she has done a bad job as Governor. "But…" comes that niggling question… has she had enough time to prove herself?

This is where Sarah Palin, as McCain's choice, could trip him up big time. She is so very inexperienced. There is grace in her inexperience, of course. By that I mean that she can't be accused of flip-flopping on any issues because she has never put forth an opinion on anything that matters on a national or international level. She is a blank canvas and McCain can brief her on whatever he wants her to say. But, will a briefing get her through a debate with Biden? (Please don't miss that one!)

And what about her strengths? So, she is a hunter (hello, NRA, but watch out, McCain, for those who have issues regarding gun control). She is pro-mining (hello, big business, but watch out for environmentalists). She is pro-ANWAR drilling (hello, big oil companies, and hello conservationists. I'm sure they'll have something to say.). She is religious and very opposed to pro-choice legislation (hello, Christian far right. But there are many that will vote to try and protect women's choices. And liberals/moderates will be concerned with her far right leanings.). She is a woman and mother (hello, feminists… but sorry McCain, you lost the redneck voters too).

Sarah Palin's tenure as mayor of Wasilla (town of 6,500) for one term gained her enough of the spotlight to win Republican primary for Governor based on a platform of conservative reform following a series of scandals that plagued the incumbent, Frank Murkowski. She then won the Governors race (amazingly) against experienced Democratic heavyweight, Tony Knowles. Tony's downfall was a charismatic independent opponent named Andrew Halcro who echoed all of Tony's standings on the issues, dividing the liberal vote. Andrew Halcro writes an Alaskan political blog in his spare time, mostly devoted to trashing his rival Sarah Palin at: http://andrewhalcro.com/.

When it comes down to it, the thing that really scares me is that Sarah Palin could be me (if she was more liberal or I was conservative). All I would need to do is run for office and gain six years of small, but increasing, civic responsibility. We are about the same age. We have a similar level of education. I am well traveled, well spoken, have a family, and I can put my hair in a bun and wear glasses to look smarter. Would I want ME to be the next Vice President of the United States? Do I think I could be ready, with the amount of experience that she has had, to be "one heartbeat away from being President of the United States," having MY finger "on the button," and holding the nation together in times of crisis? No, no, and no. I wish I could say yes. But, I don't think so.

So, Sarah is an interesting choice for McCain. She has lots of "Curb Appeal," as they say in real estate. But, she also could sink his ship faster than a torpedo in the course of a single debate. She has poise, but can she hold it together in the pubic spotlight? One thing is for sure, I am suddenly paying a lot closer attention to the race. I hope you are too.