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Can Palin Help McCain Close the Gap?

Posted by: Patricia O'Connell on August 29

So, it appears that John McCain has picked Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. “Young Governor Gets the Job” is the headline used on AOL.(On the bright side, we’ve reached a point where pointing out that the running mate is female isn’t as interesting, though other news outlets played up the gender angle.)

Palin, at 44, is a generation removed from the 72-year-old McCain. But I’m not as interested in whether she can help McCain close the generation gap or even the gender gap. I wonder whether she can close the technology gap.

I’m assuming that Palin knows how to use a computer, which apparently McCain doesn’t. Whatever way the election turns out, I’m hoping that Palin can bring the Senator into the 21st century, at least when it comes to technology.

We’ve written about it a lot on this blog, but what’s your experience working with older people who aren’t tech-savvy? If you’re one of the not tech-savvy folks, how do you feel about getting training from someone younger?


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Reader Comments

Frank

September 1, 2008 12:00 PM

I like Palin. Should the Repucblicans win we will at least have someone who will vote for the right thing to break the tie votes in the senate. She's already proven she's willing to vote againest her own party. Her tie breaking vote will be for what's right for the people of this country.

John M.

August 31, 2008 11:32 PM

Gov. Palin is an interesting and provacative choice (just listen to the news).
One important point-and irrefutable fact - she has MUCH more administrative and governing experience than Obama who has ZERO. Politicians, unless as mayor or governor do not control budgets, procedures, resources or departments[employees].

JudiNV

August 31, 2008 03:02 PM

For me, this is the bottom line:

Because of his advanced age, there is a very real chance that McCain could be stricken by a disabling medical condition or, God forbid, even die in office.

Who would then be commander in chief and in charge of national security? A totally unknown and untested political rookie, a young woman who was selected by the president, not by anyone's vote.

It's utter insanity. And as dangerous as it gets.

sarah sawyer

August 30, 2008 12:59 PM

Sarah Palin is a perfect political mate
for McCain. The two will make a formidable team. She is the "real
deal" a genuine human being: wife, mother, career, with a defined sense of self, she seems to be handling all
roles with dignity and strength.
Thank God that McCain has chosen a woman
with the diplomatic-social skills, political savvy, sensitivity, and pro
life stance of this Christian stalwart.
I am firmly convinced that God has intervened and has given us the perfect political complement for McCain.

charlie

August 29, 2008 05:54 PM

Let us not look at what if's but the the five w's. who, What,, When, and Where fo this election. Who is going to be cabinet members and their thoughts and experience. What is the nature of and how is are the programs going to be me? Where is th Pres and vp going to lead us based on the inner circles? Why will their programs benifit the average americian
, not middle class, not the rich. not the poor, not the big businessmen, not the federal state. local workers, not the big oil, not the global doomsayers, but American's and America as a whole. After all we are all in this together, and we must do those things that will continue to make this country, what the founders fathers wanted it to be

CarolD

August 29, 2008 05:29 PM

Palin is a great choice. And who would have thought that this one would come from the Republican Party. May not agree with all of their platform, but this they got right. Shatter that glass, Sarah!

JAY BOSLIN

August 29, 2008 05:21 PM

Game over!

The only similarities between Palin and Hillary supporters is they are all women.

She is a female Dan Quale.

Craig

August 29, 2008 05:17 PM

It doesn't matter to which generation you belong, nor whether or not you're tech savy. What matters are your character, thoughts, experience, decision-making abilities and, ultimately, wisdom, which comes with age and experience and is difficult to quantify. It's important that a person does his or her own research, gathering information from a wide range of sources, before drawing conclusions. I believe that's called independence of thought.

Kevin Pierce

August 29, 2008 04:49 PM

PRESIDENTIAL PRECEDENT

NEWSWIRE--With John McCain's selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, voters will elect either the first black president or the oldest elected president and the first female vice president.

Whether race, sex or age solves the mystery,
Pioneers will face arrows, unpleasant:
Although someone's assured to make history,
They can still make a mess of the present.

www.newsandverse.com
Light verse, ripped from the headlines

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Liz Ryan and David Stillman Our experts on the millennial workplace, Liz Ryan, David Stillman, and Lynne Lancaster explain how to close the generation gap.

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