- Posted by Christopher Estep on September 2, 2008
Many conservatives have cheered the selection of Sarah Palin of Alaska for VP by John McCain, myself among them. Because Gov. Palin is a genuine reformer as well as a genuine conservative (unlike McCain) the hope is that she will bring Sen. McCain a little more to the right.
There is one way to tell if Palin genuinely has any influence with McCain and we should know the answer soon.
ANWR is going to be the real test. Palin has direct and personal knowledge and can speak to McCain authoritatively on why drilling should be allowed in ANWR. The only people who oppose this are environmentalists who don't want drilling anywhere to begin with.
So the real question of Sarah Palin's influence will be answered shortly. If McCain continues to oppose ANWR drilling then it will become clear that Palin is little more than an ornament and in no way an advisor.
ANWR is the biggest difference between Palin and McCain and Palin knows far more about it than McCain. So we soon shall find out whether McCain listens to advisors or environmentalists.