The suspense around McCain's Veep pick had been building all week, even as people watched the Democratic National Convention.  Who would the Republican candidate, a person many have called "a maverick," choose to be his running mate?  No one could have guessed the almost completely unknown governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin.

Stalwart Republicans have already begun to spin the news.  They call her a Washington outsider in an effort to place distance between McCain and the failed policies of the unpopular President Bush.  She isn't beholden to the status quo of politics in the capital.  She's young, too.  In other words, she will bring fresh ideas to the national scene.  On the other hand, the Democratic pundits have painted her as someone woefully unqualified to be just one step away from the Presidency.  What if McCain died in office?  This is a very real concern for some Americans, given the accompanying stresses of the job and his age. After all, he just turned 72.

Of course, Democrats will focus on the negatives and Republicans on the positives.  Impartial historians and scholars, however, have disparagingly called Palin the most unqualified Vice Presidential choice of modern times.  She completely lacks experience in national security and foreign affairs.  After all, she has only been governor of Alaska, a state with few people, for two years.  Before that, she was mayor of a town with slightly more than 5,000 people.

It's all a big gamble.  Palin could invigorate McCain's campaign, drawing women supporters and independents who have yet to decide on a candidate.  Or people could scoff at his choice and turn away in droves.  But it also sends a very clear message: McCain isn't worried about his age, and has no intention of passing away during his Presidency.  Palin's lack of experience and her youth simply don't matter.

Preview some of the lesson material:

Warm Up: Do you agree or disagree? Why?

1. I'm very interested in the US election.
2. The US election this year will be the biggest news of the year worldwide.
3. The US President is one of the most influential and important people in the world.
4. John McCain is too old to become President.
5. Barak Obama is too young and inexperienced to become President.

Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article.

1. Who would the Republican candidate, a person many have called "a maverick"...
2. Stalwart Republicans have...
3. This is a very real concern for some Americans, given...
4. She completely lacks...
5. Palin could invigorate McCain's campaign, drawing...

post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

1. How important is the age of a leader? Should it be a major issue? Please explain.
2. How important is the experience of a leader? Should it be a major issue? Please explain.
3. Why do you think that McCain may have chosen Sarah Palin? Please explain.
4. Who do you prefer in the US election, John McCain or Barak Obama? Why?
5. What do you think of age discrimination? Please support your opinion with examples, if possible.

Google Search: Type "Sarah Palin" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.

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