She was a hit in Wichita, Peoria, and Spokane. She was sassy, outspoken, unnerved, quite articulate, good looking, and able to seduce both a high school friend and a married man who should have looked forward to having Jennifer Garner meet him in bed every night. But the fictitious Juno did not win over the millions of middle Americans who flocked to her quirky independent movie because of all the above strengths. No, she became a hero because she was willing to take her pregnancy to term and put the child up for adoption.
In the battle of life versus choice, nothing stands in the way of the anti-abortionists. No sin, no foul play, no promiscuous spirit can stop any pregnant girl from being a hero if she is willing to do like Juno, and have that baby. Rape, lust, teenage mistake be damned: That baby will be brought to term!
The issues in this presidential election are so strikingly serious: Iraq, Afghanistan, energy, the housing meltdown, loss of jobs, health care, etc. Yet John McCain (and whoever mysteriously counselled him) has turned the election into a real life reality show. Whether Sarah Palin is ready for the White House is not the issue. The McCainites have given us a real Juno story that many can relate to.
Who cares whether Mrs. Palin has only been out of the US only once in her life? Who cares that she has been an avid supporter of Pat Buchanan? Who cares about her somewhat limited educational experience when it comes to national and international issues? Who cares that she once belonged to the secessionist Alaska Independent Party?
What McCain is betting on is that enough Americans (read white women) will come to the defense of this damsel in distress. Her "everydayness" is the root of her appeal. Hey, didn't she show her toughness by keeping that down's syndrome child. And isn't she really America's mom by showering her love for her pregnant seventeen year old daughter (who by the way will marry her hockey star lover) after her high school graduation.
The concept is to take our eyes off of the real problems facing our nation. Really, this is not hard to do. How much of the misery and death happening everyday in Iraq and Afghanistan are ever shown on our TV tubes anyway? The concept for now seems brilliant. Hey bring on more problems. A drunken husband - how many can relate to that. The firing of that Alaska safety official - well wouldn't you do all you can to help your sister in her time of need.
If for two short months, the Palin drama plays out the way it is, McCain could have a good chance of upsetting Obama. But if the real reality ever gets a chance to seep into our minds and hearts, then McCain and his weirdly wild and often wonderful sidekick will be soundly defeated by a public who is tired of being fooled once again.
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