The choice of Gov. Sarah Palin to be John McCain’s running mate initially sent chills up this progressive blogger’s spine.  What if the Republicans are the first party to have a woman VP (or President!)?  What does that say for the torch the Democrats have born for the last 50 years as the forward-looking party, the diverse party, the party at the forefront of calls for social reform and equality?

But upon reflection, the editors at Bachmannalia believe that McCain has missed the mark with Gov. Palin, at least insofar as she appears to be an “election” choice, rather than a “governing” choice.  Few would argue that Tom Ridge, or Mitt Romney, or Kay Bailey Hutchinson each have more experience and would be better suited to step into the role of President should McCain’s heart give out.  Moreover, Palin definitely brings the “red meat” to the base – gun-rights supporter, hailing from the true-red (and oil-rich) state of Alaska, strongly (some might say virulently) pro-life… she brings the goods to the elements of the party dissatisfied with McCain (though, if any of these people bothered to look at McCain’s resume, they might see that he is far more conservative than he is given credit for being).  All of these factors suggest that Palin is meant to help McCain get elected, not to be an advisor/senior statesperson (how could she with John around!) figure.

But let’s be honest.  There is one more element to Palin’s appeal as an election-selection… her gender.  McCain’s camp saw Obama “pass over” Clinton (the phrase is very loaded) and immediately saw an opportunity.  Palin’s status as a mother of 5, her admirable mixing of government service with family life, etc.  Such characteristics MUST appeal to those disaffected Hillaryites, right?

Wrong.  That is McCain’s misunderstanding, and it will prove in the coming months why this pick was poor for him.  If McCain chose Palin, in significant part, for her gender, then he fundamentally misconceives this race.  While the McCain camp is sure to extol all the virtues of Palin as the real reasons behind her selection, McCain’s current treatment of another figure – Barack Obama – makes his true rationale clear.

See, McCain is convinced that Obama is a celebrity figure – all puff and no substance.  He is convinced that the American people are rallying behind Barack because he is some sort of messiah, or even just a fad.  He is convinced, moreover, that African-Americans are flocking to Obama because he is black.  He is convinced that young voters are enamored of Obama’s relative youth.

What does all of that mean?  It means that McCain views the race as one about identity.  He thinks that people don’t believe in Barack’s message or his policies, but rather just in HIM.  And he thinks that Hillary supporters just wanted HER.  And when you extrapolate out, he really sees it being a case of a black man and a white woman.

So he’s latched onto this identity-theme, and picked Palin because she is a woman.  McCain is sure that female voters will simply flock to Palin because of her gender.

What a misunderstanding, and a shockingly bald one (pun not really that intended) at that.  McCain thinks that he needs to match the figure of Obama and put someone on the ticket who will also “bring in” her “natural constituency.”  But such a mistaken belief is not only demeaning to women across the country, but also just plain wrong.  Women will no more vote for Palin than old men will vote for McCain.

McCain is, clearly, mistaken.