re:  "GOP convention has been McCain at his cynical worst"

In his criticism of John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, E.J. Dionne describes the pick as "cynical" and "quintessentially political".  Well then.  Imagine a politician, running for office in a political campaign, making a choice that was actually political in nature.  In singling out McCain's decision, he seems to imply that making a "political" choice is the exception, not the rule.  I would propose that the opposite is true.

 

As for the charge of cynicism, whether or not one agrees with her politics and worldview, Gov. Palin has energized the grassroots of the Republican Party and gotten the attention of the American electorate.  That hardly seems to be any more cynical than the Democratic Party choosing a candidate with similar qualities to lead its own ticket.

 

Sincerely,

Dave Smith