VP Debate Expectations - The Tyranny of Low Expectations
Barack Obama should replace Senator Joe Biden with Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. He would appeal to the West and bring credibility on Energy, one of American top issues.
You may be saying, "Who?" How can someone I've have never heard of be seriously considered. Montana? You got to be kidding.
Of course, I'm not serious, but for months many in the political establishment seriously entertained an Obama/Schweitzer ticket. One liberal blog reported "Brian Schweitzer is among the names mentioned most often as a possibility for the vice presidential slot on an Obama ticket," and he was.
His popularity garnered a prime Denver convention spot and a pending invitation for Democratic Senator Tom Harkin's (Iowa) "steak fry," a sign of arrival in party politics. In 2005 the lead-guest was John Edwards, followed a year later, Barack Obama.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think Schweitzer is ready to be President.* But the seriousness of his consideration was seldom questioned in the press. The New York Times ran an extended Schweitzer feature in their Sunday magazine and published his editorial on the future of energy policy.
I raise the Schweitzer comparison not to diminish the serious demands that Palin demonstrate nominal expertise to be president, but expectation may create an unfair playing field. Her experience quotient has been situated so low as to become a self-fulfilling prophesy. Any hint that she has a knowledge deficit will be a big-hit gaffe, satisfying the prevailing narrative.
Expectations for Schweitzer and Palin after the fold
