No isms there

Well, this really comes as no surprise. People are questioning the choice of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate. There are even gambling houses setting odds on whether or not she'll withdraw from the race, with some of them showing 8:1, where yesterday they had guessed at about 20:1. So it only makes sense that McCain and staff would step forward to try to battle a lot of the questions.

Unfortunately for all of us, they seem to have taken the tactic that the only reason people are questioning Palin is because she's a woman. And, well, those Republicans just won't stand to see a woman treated badly (unless, of course, she happens to hold strongly to beliefs like pro-choice and other things that the GOP is against). Heck, they aren't even afraid to call the extra scrutiny what it truly is: sexism.

Wait. Wait just a minute here. We're expected to buy that? Well, if that's the case, then every attack by the GOP against Obama is obviously based in racism. After all, we can't just have one "ism" in this election. Heck, we should find out if we can get some more.

The reason that the Obama camp is attacking Palin is simple, and it has very little to do with her gender. It has everything to do with her politics, and the fact that she's a relative unknown. Sure, she's been governor of a state really close to Alaska, but that's vastly different from being elected to the House or Senate. Oh, and she's been governor for a very short time. Even completely ignoring the issue around her daughter (which everyone should, as it doesn't play into the election or her qualifications), people just don't know much about her. And, we have to admit from our stance, what little we've heard doesn't fill us with confidence.

Here's another part of the problem. McCain harped on Obama not having the experience necessary. As a response to that, he proceeded to pick someone with even less experience on the national level to be his potential number two. Oh yeah, and the guy's had some serious health problems in the past.

Ultimately, there's one simple reason that Palin is coming under this intense scrutiny right now. Nobody outside of Alaska really knows anything about the woman (and, according to reports, that includes her running mate's camp), and the best way to find answers that you're hungry for is to ask probing questions. And yes, sometimes those questions come across as attacks.

Is Palin qualified? Can she weather the storm? Will she be able to debate circles around Joe Biden? We won't know these answers unless we ask.

That, Mr. McCain, is not sexist. That's wanting to be knowledgeable, so that we can help contribute to an informed democracy.

Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to get off of your lawn.