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McCain, Choose a Black VP
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April 2, 2008
Christina V. Mills
Democrats, and indeed all Americans, are ecstatic to see that a new era in America has finally come. For the first time in history, either a woman, or a minority will be the presidential nominee for one of the two major parties.
And as this is quite an exciting time, simply because it has occurred naturally, Democrats are realizing how to use this to their benefit in the form of the Dream Ticket. If this Dream Ticket comes to fruition, regardless of who becomes their Democratic nominee, they will have both a minority and a woman on their ticket. Other than being able to snub Republicans, whom Democrats can further tout as old rich white men, simply the diversity of the situation would surely appeal to a wide range of voters.
 Yet, as America evolves into an open society that doesn’t care about race or gender, by focusing on anything other than the values and qualifications of their two candidates, Democrats are once again making race and gender an issue.
Which brings me to wonder what criteria John McCain is using to choose his running mate. While he has kept relatively quiet about what he is looking for, all he has said is, “I'm aware of the enhanced importance of this issue given my age.".
Typically, presidential nominees pick running mates who have complimentary characteristics. McCain, a 71 year old senator from Arizona and a former member of the navy, might pick a 50 year old governor to provide youth and the leadership of running a state. Or maybe he would pick someone from the south or one of the New England states – or maybe even Democratic stronghold California to help win votes from a wider geographic region.
But what would we all say if McCain announced that his only criterion for choosing a running mate is that the person be a minority. Maybe a female? Or a Latino to bring diversity? Almost all of America would be incensed!
Surely there are individuals with more experience than Senator Obama and less negative publicity than Senator Clinton. Yet some Democrats have concocted this idea of the “Dream Ticket” simply because of the race and gender of the two candidates. The party that supposedly cares more for minorities is actually exploiting them for votes.
So I call Senator McCain to (for once) take a cue from the Democrats and pick a minority for a running mate. It doesn’t matter if he picks a woman or an ethnic minority. It doesn’t even matter whether the person truly has experience, charm, or a positive track record. All that matters is that he exploits those that he represents in order to get their votes. And since the Democrats do it, it must be right. Right? Or is it Left?
But considering what we know about McCain, he won’t give in to such ploys. While the person that he finds to be the most qualified and the best fit for him may indeed end up being a woman or a minority, he certainly will not use that as the main criteria for his choice. Considering that he has been stable on many of his stances, from being pro-life to remaining in favor of the surge in Iraq, it is certain that McCain will not flow with the tide and pick a running mate simply to prove anything to the Democrats. But maybe (for once) he should.
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