Thursday, August 28, 2008

Kay Bailey Hutchison for Veep — No.   [Lisa Schiffren]

I can imagine regretting what I am writing...but even though I think putting a woman on the ticket would be a really brilliant move, it does matter which woman. Just as it matters which black man or woman is our first black president.

Senator Hutchison looks like the central casting version of a serious female V.P. She is beautiful, dignified, and of a certain age and class. She is a lawyer by training and did TV work in her early career. All very well. But what has she done in her terms in the Senate? She gets into pictures at bill signings. She is smart enough for the U.S. Senate (like Biden), but one has never heard her say anything thought provoking. Could she really hold her own against the glib Biden? Not clear.

Like Elizabeth Dole she got married latish, and to a man who had children. She didn't have any of her own. No shame in that. But this is a big year for motherhood, I could not help noticing listening to the Democrats. In a woman seeking high office, motherhood serves to reassure people that you are grounded, connected to reality, the grubby parts included, especially if you are wealthy. It is analogous to military service in a man.

One thing I am not troubled by is her squishiness on abortion. She is basically pro-life, and certainly opposed to late term stuff, but she does not vote to overturn abortion laws or to outlaw all cloning, always. That may sound inconsistent, but it adds up to "moderate." Even "center-right." It would be a mistake to let the best be the enemy of the good, or to insist on adherence to a very orthodox standard of abortion doctrine, when someone is basically with you, and they wouldn't have a say on the issue in office. 

In terms of her personality — what used to be called "Q-ratings" — she doesn't strike me as much of an improvement on Romney — who is current on the issues and has executive experience, and a recently honed asperity that works.  I am certain that Hutchison is wonderful and charming in person. It's just not clear what her ability to connect, or make the sale with voters would be. Absent those qualities, the scent of tokenism pervades the air. Not the worst thing. But it's more like Geraldine Ferraro than Hillary Clinton.

Late last night I watched McCain surrogate Carly Fiorina on Fox. She has residual p.r. problems stemming from her time at Hewlett-Packard. But she is genuinely sharp, very personable and articulate. She is a woman of our time — not a 70s feminist, like Pelosi/Rodham/etc., or a somewhat staid Southern lady. She may not fit the bill right now, but John McCain should send her back to California to run for the Senate against the garrulous, ultra-lib, tired old Barbara Boxer. She should be in a position to be considered next time.

08/28 12:48 AMShare