Hobart and William Smith Colleges

2 September 2008 Local Perspectives on Palin

Iva Deutchman, professor of political science at HWS, was included in a Finger Lakes Times article Tuesday about local reactions to Sen. John McCains announcement of Sarah Palin as his running mate.

The article provided a number of opinions positive and negative about McCains choice of running mate, including Deutchmans that Palin isnt experienced enough for the role.

Deutchman, professor of political science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, holds a Ph.D. and a masters degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelors degree from Hofstra University in political science and economics. She is a professor of 20 plus years who has worked on two continents (Australia and North America). She has a long list of publications in major journals, the latest of which is The Ideology of Moderate Republicans in the House, written with colleague DeWayne Lucas and published in The Forum.
The full article appears below.

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The Finger Lakes Times
Local officials weigh in on VP pick
JIM MILLER Staff writer September 2, 2008

A week ago, Dan Olson and some other area Republicans tried to come up with a surprise vice presidential pick that would fit John McCains maverick reputation.

Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, some thought. Maybe Joe Lieberman, Al Gores 2000 running mate, said others.

None of them guessed Sarah Palin.

The Alaska governor, whom McCain introduced Friday as his choice, had been little-known nationally. Now, local Republicans and Democrats alike are brushing up on the details of her rise from small-town mayor to governor. And perhaps not surprisingly theyre coming to very different conclusions.

To the Democrats, McCains decision was a political pick, an effort to pander to Hillary Clintons disaffected supporters. To Republicans, however, Palin was a bold choice, a reformer who represents the partys future.

I think that she brings a fresh perspective to the McCain team, said Farmington Supervisor Theodore Fafinski, a Republican. People have been saying that they want change. They want something new, they want something different. Well, heres their chance.

At the same time, he said, Palins views fit well with the values of many Republicans.

He noted her opposition to abortion and gun control and her generally conservative outlook.

Alaska is a frontier state, so to speak, he said. For them to elect a lady as governor says a lot for her character. Those guys are tough up there.

Dan Olson, who chairs Wayne Countys Republican Party, was also impressed with McCains choice. He said Palin rings the right bells for him philosophically and will likely appeal both to his partys conservative base and to former Clinton supporters eager to see a woman win high office.

Democrats were quick to disagree.

Charlie Evangelista, who sits on the Geneva and Ontario County Democratic committees, called McCains choice insulting.

I really dont think that shes going to convince women or disenfranchised Democratic voters to vote for her, she said. She is hardly qualified, having been mayor of a small little Eskimo community only a few years ago. Its almost patronizing to have her be the candidate.

Iva Deutchmann, a political science professor at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, also blasted Palins experience level and the idea that Clinton voters would rally around her.

The cynical me still says Republicans cant believe were that stupid, she wrote. That someone who voted for Hillary is now going to vote for McCain because hes running with a woman that biological sex somehow trumps party identification, long-held beliefs, etc. Im not buying it, and Im kind of insulted if thats what they are trying to sell.

To Deutchmann, Palins two years as governor dont qualify her for the vice presidency. To Evangelista, they dont qualify her to be one heart attack away from the presidency.

But to Olson, attacks on Palins experience dont add up.

I find it kind of humorous that the initial response from the Obama camp was to attack her experience when, quite probably, Barack Obama is unqualified to be president of the United States on experience, he said.

Despite Palins relatively short time in office, she has a good reputation, said Romulus Supervisor David Kaiser, a Republican.

He said hed read a little about her even before Fridays announcement, and that in party circles shes known as a responsible and practical politician.

I think its a good choice, Kaiser said. She has a reputation for being a common-sense individual who has the aptitude for getting things done.

jmiller@fltimes.com