The Ridiculous Press Release of the Right Honorable Tammy Baldwin

My Congresswoman, Tammy Baldwin issued an absolutely asinine press release yesterday:

"A real test of a presidential candidate’s judgment is his choice of a running mate – the person who is next in line to become the Commander in Chief. As we face serious global challenges and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, John McCain has chosen someone with virtually no national security or foreign policy experience. This choice calls into question both Senator McCain’s judgment and a McCain administration’s ability to lead a nation in crisis.

To the extent that this choice represents an effort to court supporters of Hillary Clinton's historic candidacy, McCain misjudges the reasons so many voters rallied around her candidacy. It was Senator Clinton's experience, skill and commitment to change, especially in the areas of health care and energy policy, that drew such strong support. Sarah Palin's opposition to Roe v. Wade and her support of big oil will not draw Democrats from the Obama-Biden ticket."

Barack Obama was assailed for his lack of experience and now Baldwin makes this ridiculous attack. Firstly, since when has the position of Vice-President required national security or foreign policy experience? The position was never glorious until Dick Cheney's tenure when a V.P. with national security and foreign policy experience decided he wanted to increase the power of the Executive branch, endorse torture, and all the wonderful fruits of the Bush administration with which we're familiar. This is how Baldwin wants to judge a potential administration – the foreign policy experience of the would-be veep? Please Ms. Baldwin, lay out the history for us about how our country has suffered because a V.P. didn't have much national security or foreign policy experience; please explain in detail how a V.P. sans national security or foreign policy experience hinders the ability of an administration to lead our crisis-laden nation.

Also, Ms. Baldwin, please tell me about all that national security or foreign policy experience of Hillary Clinton. Which of Clinton's qualifications does Baldwin promote? Health care and energy policy. If Baldwin had her way, Clinton would be the Democratic nominee yet she can't even point out any of the senator's national security or foreign policy experience.

And how much national security or foreign policy experience does Barack Obama have? Should we not vote for him because of his lack of experience, Ms. Baldwin?

If you want to be critical of Sarah Palin, how about starting with the lie in her acceptance speech. Ed Brayton has details. Or perhaps we should question Palin's membership in a Dominionist church which apparently has connections to an embryonic paramilitary organization. Head over to Pharyngula for more.