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Heat is on for McCain, Palin

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'You must understand printing lies about Republican candidates is OK. It’s called “vetting.” Printing the truth about liberals - that’s called “swift-boating.” '

Media loves to hate Sarah Palin By Howie Carr http://bostonherald.com/news/opinion/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1117419

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Sailwind,

It's clear young Levi has no interest in getting a job, otherwise he would not have posted a profanity-laden profile on MySpace. I impressed this upon my own 19-year old nephew, pointing out that potential employers google names and you don't want to give them any "character issues" to disqualify you from consideration. I'm also acting in locus parentus for a 17-year old Chinese girl now making her way in a much more sexually permissive culture. Her parents entrusted the responsibility of guiding her through it to me and I won't them, or her, down.

By contrast the Palins, who signed on for the real deal, should have their heads examined for trying to marry their pregnant, doe-eyed daughter off to a thug like Levi. He will likely father other children out of wedlock, if he hasn't already. And he has no discernible job skills to support even one kid.

How does Governor Palin address the issue beyond her own family? We know she favors an abstentence-only sex ed curriculm for high school students. For those for whom that fails, what are the resources available to them? Well, in Alaska there's less since she used her line-item veto to slash 20 percent of funding for Covenant House, which administers a state program that offers expectant teens job training and a place to live. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/02/palin_slashed_funding_to_help.html

When Uncle Sam has to dole out more welfare checks, I don't want to hear carping from the Right, it's the predictable outcome of the policies you have put in place.

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Good grief, now we've got Betzee and the goodDonkey ripping the boyfriend of the daughter of a vice presidential candidate. Hey, do you think you can dig up some dirt on his mother or father?

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Good Donkey,

Earlier we got a song and dance from RR about how conservatives step up the plate and assume responsibility unlike liberal layabouts.

Even if you go for the bad boy type, Levi's kinda scrapping the bottom of the barrel. No wonder they tried to keep him hidden!!!

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Betzee, you know it ain't so until Rush Limbaugh says it is!

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If the McCain people had properly vetted Palin someone would have gone onto myspace and checked out Levi's profile (access was not restricted to his friends which many parents of minor children require). And they would have high tailed south and told McCain to go with Mittens, Tumi luggage and all.

Alternatively, McCain could have stood up to the religious right and said, "I'll pick the person I think would make the best VP in my administration, Joseph Lieberman."

Now they are stuck with Levi.

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Nice Betzee.... You've brought about enough proof to invade Iraq on WMD.

Try again maybe the slime will stick.

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If you doubt the veracity of the information it's available from other sources, Sailwind.

I doubt many Americans would see Levi, whose maturity level is probably not that different from many of his peers, as someone ready to settle down and assume adult responsibilities. The responsible thing to do here would to find a mature couple looking to adopt a child:

THE teenager expecting a baby with the unmarried 17-year-old daughter of Sarah Palin is expected to be publicly unveiled at the Republican Party convention.

But Levi Johnston, 18, has created a further stir, describing himself on his MySpace page as a ``redneck who likes to snowboard and ride dirt bikes".

The description appears in a profanity-laden entry posted by Johnston that was made private over the weekend, but not before several media outlets published parts of it.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24286746-2703,00.html

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http://www.hicktownpress.com/levi-johnston-identified-as-father-of-bristol-palins-child-appears-quite-aimless/

Nice mainstream source Betzee.......Slime away.

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The idea Bristol and her boyfriend Levi will be able to make a go of it as a couple raising a child is just plain nuts:

According to reports, his name is Levi Johnston and he is a high school hockey player. But check this out. On his MySpace page, he allegedly said, ” don’t want kids”.

Also, he appears pretty aimless in terms of realistic goals:

‘But I live to play hockey. I like to go camping and hang out with the boys, do some fishing, shoot some s and just chillin’ I guess’ He added: ‘Ya f with me I’ll kick [your] ass’

http://www.hicktownpress.com/levi-johnston-identified-as-father-of-bristol-palins-child-appears-quite-aimless/

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Yes, it's always interesting when the Democrats get a bounce in the polls from a Republican convention.

Must be all those reminders...all those things the Republicans would like people to forget. Maybe that's why the Palin circus has rolled into town. And I hear that the young man who is supposed to marry the daughter is in town and will join the family on stage. More tawdry, titilating stuff for those who couldn't get enough of the Starr Report.

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"with high morals."

Shame you have to be high to have 'em...

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Guys, let`s looka t the facts is a balanced way, without any spin. McCain and Palin are a Republican dream ticket. You have a world respected statesman and war hero, and a young intelligent working mother, with high morals.

This combination will appeal to a lot more folks than Obama and Biden.

There is no heat on the Palin McCain ticket, they will walk dignified staright into the Whithouse. The future looks bright with this team.

And that`s a wrap....

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I agree with ColAmerica and Sarge- These guys are the voice of reason and moderate thinking inbetween loads of extremist views. The heat is on Pbama and Biden, to prove they can be trusted, so far the public says no, and i agree wholeheartedly.

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ColAmerica

Go ahead take another turn. Free spin on us. You know you want to. Come on Spin it!

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Jordan fades back... says Sarge Jordan scores . . . says goodDonkey

Sarge forgets that Jordan plays for Chicago; Obama plays for Chicago. Chicago despises McCain. I think that's game, Chicago, Sarge. Thanks for your support!

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goodDonkey- Temprary blip. Does not matter to us in the know, who know that almost all independents will vot e for McCain.

Many Dems will either not vote, or vote for McCain, as there aremany racists in the party, who would never vote for a man of color, sad but true...

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According to Gallup’s Daily Tracking Poll, the Democratic presidential nominee now maintains an 8-point lead over Republican John McCain, 50 percent to 42 percent.

This was on the Fox News website which you have told us to respect.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/02/obama-hits-50-percent-in-new-gallup-poll/

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Spin it! Spin it Spinmeister! Spin it!

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goodDonkey; Polls taken in Democartic strongholds are not acceptable.

Even Liberman is voting for McCain, looks like the heat is on Obama and Biden.

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Mom said "abstinence."

Daughter heard "obstinance."

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Nessie Immaculate conception - Best laugh I had all day!

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ColAmerica

Google "polls" on Google News and look at all the pretty little polls that all say Obama is ahead and gaining. I remember you bringing up polls the other day. Well now would be the time to "read 'em and weep."

If anyone one knows where I can get a pic of Palin in a full beehive hairdo let me know. It would be priceless. I know she will be gone in 60 days and by next year it will be "Sarah Palin who?" so I better get one quick. I have seen pics of the beehive suggestion but not 50's version which is the era she is residing in.

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Surprised they didn't go with the immaculate conception defence, which has been known to work at least once before.

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To anyone looking at these posts, us Americans would seem pig ignorant, argueing and spreading malicious rumors. let`s get down to facts guy, a serious debate is needed.

I don`t beleive any heat is on Palin ans McCain. I saw a republican advisor on BBC today, state categorically that everything is going better than planned, and victory id certain.

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It's a nice balance to Obama's stance, which okays abortion even for babies that are already born.

by WhiteHawk

Statements like that just make you irrelevant.

Barack Obama continued to be a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ, which pledges allegiance to Africa, not America, right up until May 2008.

by Sarge

Statements like that just make you irrelevant.

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"Except for the time-honored institution of shotgun marriage."

Only the gypsies still do that here...

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"looked like they were ready to have sex with Obama."

Heh, and the Panic continues....

Bush reported in vua satellite because he's a Miserable Failure, and the McCain camp are attempting to disassociate themselves from the worst president ever, no mean feat neh?

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Another thing that's wrong with Palin is that she opposes sex education in schools

Apparently she prefers sex ed at home, specifically in the backseat of a Chevy parked out back.

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I just heard that Alaska has the highest amount of adolescent std's I wonder where palin stands on that.

As far away as possible, I reckon.

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"I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions."

Except for the time-honored institution of shotgun marriage.

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I mean, Shrub actually addresses the convention via satellite .

Does it matter?

NBC and CBS refused to even air Thompson's speech.

Just adds credence to Bill Mahrer's observation that Chris Mathews and Keef Olbermann looked like they were ready to have sex with Obama.

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In addition, the campaign also disclosed that Todd Palin, then age 22, was arrested in 1986 in Alaska for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Don't care one bit. Hope he is either drinking responsibly or in recovery if he cannot control his drinking. It was a long time ago and unless I hear about something more recent it shows me he is doing a good job now in managing that part of his life.

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YAbits

You said it. The Republican's are not doing so well. So sad.

I mean, Shrub actually addresses the convention via satellite .

Satellite! What a joke of a party.

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I've been listening to and watching the Republican Convention.

There is very little "heat." Barely lukewarm, in fact.

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Teenage kids know all about birth control.

I know I did. Primarily from school but also a forthright parent. By contrast, Sailwind, you prefer to rely on peers which I think is a dicey approach. Peers are more interested in impressing each other than relaying accurate information. By contrast my mother, having placed her trust in me to make "responsible decisions," knew I wouldn't take it lightly.

I noticed most of my peers having sex in high school had to sneak around, not behavior I considered "responsible." Since my main focus was on college, I decided to wait until I was out from under my parents roof and a legal adult. It's a choice I would recommend to everyone.

Now I read 17-year old Levi Johnston will join the Palin family in Minneapolis. I'm sure Bristol will benefit from his presence. And it must provide some relief to GOP operatives that he's just a kid. Yet at the same time by having him there the GOP is sending the message the party endorses kids having kids (when I think most Republicans don't). Few 17 year olds have the emotional maturity and financial security to make a lasting commitment.

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Yes, DanManjt, when Sarge claims that Obama's former church pledges allegience to Africa rather than America, he's not telling the truth. This scurrilous lie has been thoroughly exposed on FactCheck.org.

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Look it up

Prove me wrong. Typical.

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The sad thing is the real excitement over the choice of Palin by McCain is most evident among the far fringes of the RIght, the jack booted right-wing populists, who view politics as a righteous holy war.

We know who they are.

And America is sick of them.

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yabits - "Nothing less than a scurrilous lie."

Look it up.

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... the Trinity United Church of Christ, which pledges allegiance to Africa, not America...

Nothing less than a scurrilous lie.

Another tough decision Palin made was to use the funds for the Gravina Island Bridge for other projects because of rising cost estimates.

Not a very bright example. Since the Feds weren't going to fund the bridge, it only makes sense that the funds would be used on other projects by default. Any toughness involved would have to be explained by you. (Which you certainly cannot do.)

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Polls show the following is accurate:

Yesterday's revelation that Palin's 17-year-old daughter is five months pregnant, and will carry the pregnancy to term and marry the child's father, has increased suspicions that Team McCain did not conduct a particularly thorough vetting of their vice presidential candidate. When you are a 72-year-old cancer survivor running for president on your experience and character, an inept vice presidential selection process is not very reassuring."

What the GOP is Really Up To By Ed Kilgore

Poor Frodo.

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yabits - Another tough decision Palin made was to use the funds for the Gravina Island Bridge for other projects because of rising cost estimates. Gosh, yabits, can't you look up these things yourself?

DanMan - Palin left the AIP to become a Republican in 1996. Whereas Barack Obama continued to be a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ, which pledges allegiance to Africa, not America, right up until May 2008.

Jordan fades back...

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DanManJT:

Which just goes to show how out of touch with America the Republican Right really is.

We're not out of touch with America. We're just out of touch with your America, especially as photographed on Zombietime.com. And as I've proven in my 2:08 post, it's the far Left that's out of touch... with reality.

Betzee:

If only McCain had had the wisdom to pick, say Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian with common sense.

...and a list of scandal connections. Real scandals, not the mythical "Troopergate" kind.

Besides, most of the Christians I know are liberal democrats. I don't mean Rev. Wright's kind of Christianity, either.

And Obama's mother, as an aside, was not married to his father until after she becamse pregnant with Barack. Now if you want to talk about his father, well...

But neither of Obama's parents are running for the White House (the dead can still vote in democrat strongholds, they just can't run for office), nor is Gov. Palin's daughter, or even Biden's son, the lobbyist.

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Look, it would be nice if we could focus on Governor Palin's dogged lobbying for federal earmarks, while she was Mayor of Wasilla her touted "executive experience" rather than this Baby Mama Drama. If only McCain had had the wisdom to pick, say Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian with common sense. He would immediately realize hustling teenagers into a shotgun marriage is unlikely to create a stable home in which to raise their offspring.

There's two ways to go as far as parenting is concerned. One is to give your children no information for fear they will take it as a signal it's acceptable to do these things, be it having sex or smoking pot. The other is to sit down and say, "I know what awaits you out there because I encountered those things myself. So I want you to have as much information as possible so you can make responsible choices." Those with parents who take the latter approach are much less likely to end up in the situation of Bristol Palin.

While some members of the religious right may remain enamored with a woman who professes happiness at the prospect of her still unmarried 17-year old daughter giving birth later this year, most of America is decidedly not. Obama is up 8 points and McCain is unlikely to get the customary post-convention bounce in the polls after this fiasco selection of a running mate which really casts doubt on his judgment.

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But what really takes the cake is Gov. Palin once belonged, now get this, to the Alaska Independence Party. Founded in 1973 by a man who said

"I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions."

Swell, ain't it.

Republicans. Just gotta luv 'em.

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Jean,

All the things you listed that's wrong with Palin is what makes the Republicans so pleased with her. Which just goes to show how out of touch with America the Republican Right really is.

And how hypocritical they are when it comes to their 'family values.' No one honestly believes that if the same thing happened to the 17 year-old daughter of a Democratic candidate for anything, anywhere, the Right would be so understanding.

They would go rabid, froth at the mouth. We've seen it countless times before here at JT, there on Fox Noise (for those who can stand it).

But now, as ever, its a "non-issue" -- Republican talk for "We don't want to talk about it.":

Yes, we've seen this before. Hypocrits. And America is no longer fooled by these cretins, because the Democrats have finally given us someone else to vote for.

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I just heard that Alaska has the highest amount of adolescent std's I wonder where palin stands on that.

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jeancolmar:

But there are worse things about Palin.

Oh boy, this can only end well.

She wants oil drilling in the protected northern Alaskan wilderness.

Do you know how small an area the site is, especially compared to the entire reserve? Or do you not care? I would think with all your opposition to America's "wars for oil", you would want the country to be more independent.

She does not want polar bears to be named an endangered species.

Are they?

She does not believe that global warming is connected to human activity.

And some people do not believe it's connected to solar activity, or volcanic activity, but soley the fault of wealthy Capitalists and their SUVs. Funny how you never seem to question their judgment.

She opposes abortion rights.

It's a nice balance to Obama's stance, which okays abortion even for babies that are already born.

She opposes same sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage acomplishes what, exactly? Is this really a crucial issue for the federal government?

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Another thing that's wrong with Palin is that she opposes sex education in schools, which is stupid given the number of American teenage girls who get pregnant, though officially instructed to abstain from sex. Here is what the BBC reports:

According to America's leading health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "About one-third of girls in the United States get pregnant before age 20." More than 80% of births in this group "were unintended, meaning they occurred sooner than desired or were not wanted at any time", the CDC said.

Palin is a religious nut who believes first, never mind the facts. Be it polar bears, global warming or teenage girls getting pregnant.

Telling teenagers don't do it until you're married does not work. It didn't work in Bristol's and Lev's case.

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Well D-M, thank you for updating me on Alaska's progressive (by US standards) statutory rape laws. So young Lev is off the hook there. Still you have to wonder how much pressure there was on the girl not to abort and the young man to marry. Anyway, this is not a great time to run for VP with your vulnerable 17 year-old daughter 5 months pregnant, given the publicity that was inevitable.

But there are worse things about Palin. She wants oil drilling in the protected northern Alaskan wilderness. She does not want polar bears to be named an endangered species. She does not believe that global warming is connected to human activity. She opposes abortion rights. She opposes same sex marriage. She admits to not knowing squat about the Iraq war, though she supports Bush, Rich and the rest of the liars who started it.

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Suzu: "It drives the Left insane that Palin didn't have her daughter get an abortion. "

No one here is talking about abortion. If we were, it would be much easier for the republicans to talk about the issue as though there were no problems, and the Dems were to blame. They could defer from the fact that a daughter of a VP candidate can't even follow her mom's advice, and that as such Palin's 'family values' are about as good as the underside of the toilet.

Show me a single democratic supporter who has said she should get an abortion....

Show me one...

I'll wait for your response, but I won't hold my breath.

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woops

So, if Goodman Johnson is the father, he is in the clear. Legally.

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And I am wondering how poor Levin Johnston is feeling right now. I mean is there a shotgun aimed at him?

Well, not really.

In Alaska, as in many other states, the laws on statutory rape depend, in part, on the age difference between the two partners. The law recognizes statutory rape only in cases involving an age difference of more than 3 years. A 20 year old man who has sex with a 15 year old girl, in Alaska, is guilty of statutory rape. A 17 year old male who has consensual sex with a 15 year old girl is not guilty of statutory rape, under Alaska law.

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yabits and DanManit; Your posts would hold much more credence were they not pure insults, without a positive thing in them.

Politicians are used to "heat", they can take it, it`s part of the job.

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It just keeps getting better and better for Team Obama, for Team America.

Thank you Mr. McCain for this wonderful gift.

Hmm. Old white guy, looks like Frodo, bearing gifts....

OHG!!! I believe in Santa!!

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Sarge: After portraying the cutting of a bloated construction budget as a "tough decision" by Sarah Palin and the outpatient removal of a skin lesion from John McCain as some adversity of heroic proportions, you don't look very good yourself.

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It drives the Left insane that Palin didn't have her daughter get an abortion. Absent the chance to levy a hypocricy charge, they resort to ad hominem attacks.

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jeancolmar

Okay, Palin has an underage pregnant daughter and a husband who's a drunk driver, and she herself seems to be a crooked politician.

Unless I'm mistaken, the age of consent in Alaska is 16.

1986 was 22 years ago, and her husband hasn't had another DUI conviction. (The requirements for getting a DUI conviction are quite low, and designed to be that way.) I suppose you're a saint who's never sinned?

You're not building your hopes on "Troopergate", are you? Please say you are, I really hope you are.

(I've had to post this on almost every Palin thread so far, because leftist after leftist can't resist a bit of ill-informed character assassination:)

On July 11, 2008, Palin dismissed Walter Monegan as Commissioner of Public Safety and instead offered him a position as executive director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which he subsequently turned down. Monegan alleged shortly after his dismissal that it may have been partly due to his reluctance to fire an Alaska State Trooper, Mike Wooten, who had been involved in a divorce and child custody battle with Palin's sister, Molly McCann. In 2006, before Palin was governor, Wooten was briefly suspended for ten days for threatening to kill McCann's (and Palin's) father, tasering his 11-year-old stepson (at the stepson's request), and violating game laws. After a union protest, the suspension was reduced to five days. Palin asserted that her dismissal of Monegan was unrelated to the fact that he had not fired Wooten, and asserts that Monegan was instead dismissed for not adequately filling state trooper vacancies, and because he "did not turn out to be a team player on budgeting issues." Palin acknowledged that a member of her administration, Frank Bailey, did contact the Department of Public Safety regarding Wooten, but both Palin and Bailey say that happened without her knowledge and was unrelated to her dismissal of Monegan. Bailey was put on leave for two months for acting outside the scope of his authority as the Director of Boards and Commissions. Commissioner Monegan received no severance pay, though at the same time another dismissed Commissioner, Charles Kopp (who served only 11 days) received $10,000. In response to Palin's statement that she had nothing to hide, in August 2008 the Alaska Legislature hired Steve Branchflower to investigate Palin and her staff for possible abuse of power surrounding the dismissal, though lawmakers acknowledge that "Monegan and other commissioners serve at will, meaning they can be fired by Palin at any time." The investigation is being overseen by Democratic State Senator Hollis French, who says that the Palin administration has been cooperating and thus subpoenas are unnecessary. The Palin administration itself was the first to release an audiotape of Bailey making inquiries about the status of the Wooten investigation.

And then there's this:

http://www.floppingaces.net/2008/08/29/palins-troopergate-beating-msm-distortions-to-the-truth/#more-7482

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sailwind: I'm not suggesting kids learn it all from their parents... not in the least.... but I AM saying that parents and schools pushing 'abstinence' as the be all and end all of non-pregnancies is foolish at best. Many highschools these days have school nurses who have a bowl of condoms at the nursing stations, from which kids can feel free to take a few if 'need be'. Palin would be dead set against this, and dead set against teaching sex ed. In other words, she's part of the direct problem.

It doesn't matter what kids 'know' or don't know at that age... the key is access, my friend. Access to the opposite sex, and access to the tools to prevent kiddies. In the heat of the moment, the latter may be forgotten in favour of the former, but it's GUARANTEED to be lost on them if there is not even a chance for prevention.

Okay, let me put it to you in basics, since that seems to be what you need:

kid has a school which gives out condoms. kid is going to have sex.

kid uses condom.

kid has a school which promotes abstinence and does not provide condoms kid cannot work up the cajones to buy some him/herself. kid is horny as hell and the situation arises. new baby.

Now that wasn't too tough to figure out, was it? Shall we keep talking about values, or are you finished misdirecting?

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sailwind,

nice diversion as per usual. when you cant answer you simply evade the point.

You can admit you are wrong, it wont kill you. It will make you stronger. Trust me. Repubs are wrong so often but they never apologize about it. Its like the just want to be wrong all the time. Like on the missing WMD in Iraq. Or removing taxes on the rich. Or the invasion of Iraq. Or a self-righteous zealot letting her kids get pregnant. The list is just too long.

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sailwind: "Tell me you didn't at 16 smith and then maybe post something relevant besides trying a slamming republican family values post."

I did know pretty much all there was to know about sex at that age, save perhaps how to react the next day -- but that's a different story. The REASON I knew was in part through common-place knowledge between teachers, but also from a very liberal sex education in school when I was about 11. I fu%&'(ng hated it, but it taught me a lot. In my highschool, when I was in first year, there was a seminar on safe sex, and we even had to endure one in the gymnasium, where 50 year old women showed us the proper way to put on a condom (not on our persons, of course), what can happy if you don't pinch the receptical at the end, etc.

Did I need it personally? I don't think so, but that's in retrospect, as are your 'when I was that age' thoughts and comments.

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sailwind: "....Even I at that age years ago knew about birth control....."

You prove my point, exactly! thank you. You're misdirecting your knowledge onto what you feel everyone should know. I agree with you -- kids ought to know better -- but they often don't, and hence the current pregnancy.

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Think I'll let jean's and zurc brilliant posts speak for themselves as to 'progressive thinking'.

I enjoyed jeans zits reference as yet another astute intellectual summary of the current events.

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Sailwind: An adult speaking about what kids do or do not know... sorry, it doesn't fly. YOU know, and so you assume kids do, too. They don't. Bottom line.

Load of crap Smith...The girl was 16 going on 17.......Even I at that age years ago knew about birth control.....Did I hear from my parents? Nah, heard all about it from my friends the same age. You think changed sinced then? She ain't a kid she is a teenager and they know.

Tell me you didn't at 16 smith and then maybe post something relevant besides trying a slamming republican family values post.

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sailwind,

how wrong can you be. Where have you been the last eight years. The fundis are all about teaching to just say no to sex. Its in the schools and its tied to federal aide now under bush. It didnt work with drugs with reagan, that idiot, and again now with bush, that idiot. Drug use and kids getting preggers is up during the bush administration. Its all a part of the make believe world the rightwing republicans live in. Just like the Palin family. And we see the predictable results. Teenage pregnancy and a boat load of hypocrisy.

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Okay, Palin has an underage pregnant daughter and a husband who's a drunk driver, and she herself seems to be a crooked politician. Sounds like "Married with Children." I'm sure The Simpsons could have a gas with this.

What I am concerned about is not that the daughter got knocked up but whether she was intimidated into not getting an abortion by her image-conscious mommy. And I am wondering how poor Levin Johnston is feeling right now. I mean is there a shotgun aimed at him? "Hey kid, seventeen will get you twenty. You wanna go up for statutory rape? What's it going to be, sonny, wedding bells or handcuffs?" And here was this dumb kid happily playing hockey, thinking of college and worrying about his zits when he knocked up the governor's daughter. Not to worry: they're white; they'll be well looked after.

All the Christian creepoid organizations showed their understand of this situation, which is, of course, commendable (and shows that secular tolerance has penetrated even the hardcore fundies). But imagine if these were poor blacks. Then you'd hear: "Ummm. Those people have no morals. They get pregnant and live on welfare."

What strikes me is that McCain desperately wanted a Hilary Clinton substitute. Troopergate will get Palin, not her pregnant underage daughter or her husband's 20-year-old DUI conviction. Unless said duaghter bolts and hubby gets roaring drunk and starts driving around looking for her.

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Sailwind: An adult speaking about what kids do or do not know... sorry, it doesn't fly. YOU know, and so you assume kids do, too. They don't. Bottom line.

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Sheesh

Betzee...Give it up. The religious right has nothing to do about education of what to do in the heat of passion.

Teenage kids know all about birth control.

And I'll say it clear enough for you understand...You have no idea about Todd Palin or his parenting skills or his family or his background unless you grew up with with him in Alaska.

Please quit I say that out of respect.

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Sailwind,

The religious right doesn't provide information about condoms, only abstinence. So Todd Palin would not have offered his daughter any guidance in that regard.

When I was a teenager my mother was very forthright about her boyfriends (before my father), how far she'd gone with each of them and how she'd fended off a few in the heat of passion. I appreciated her honesty but it's not a talk I could have ever had with my father.

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Betzee,

Did you hear that guys also have birth control? They are called condoms.

Maybe he used one all the time and it broke....... Ever consider that? As we discussing something that isn't of our business in the first place.

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smithinjapan / yabits - Obama has never had to face adversity like McCain has.

yabits - Making light of skin cancer does not make you look good.

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easychord: "Funny how the Democrats require their foes to have more morals then their own."

No, what's funny is watching the righties on here try to juggle all their problems with one hand, and fail, as they defend people who go against everything they've called evil, horrendous, etc. We're talking about family values, and when the VP choice for McCain comes up a hypocrite, you guys are desperate in your attempts to defend. THAT is funny.

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When I was a young person, my actions were strongly motivated by the impulse not to bring shame or discredit on myself or my parents.

Mine too (to show gratitude for all they invested to make us who we are). In terms of those I respect, nobody can hold a candle to my parents.

Todd Palin has been showcased as the primary parent of the family. Yet was there any recognition as the daughters entered puberty that teenage girls usually don't feel comfortable discussing their romantic relationships with their fathers (who would also be uncomfortable listeners)?

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ColAmerica: "What should she have done, make her daughter wear a chastity belt?"

As said above... she should practice what she preaches, if she really believes in it, and talk to her daughter about sex and why she should avoid it. Too late for that, clearly, so why not talk more about safe-sex than abstinence as a method of birth control. BUT, Palin doesn't believe that talk of safe-sex is proper, and hence her current conundrum, and the calls of hypocrisy.

As for McCain, he already is a ripe-old age... beyond that 'ripe' becomes 'spoiled', which is what McCain is in the phase of doing now... spoiling and becoming rotten.

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Funny how the Democrats require their foes to have more morals then their own.

No, it is actually funny how the ones who have always professed to have more morals than Democrats actually do NOT.

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Yeah, I get the picture. Obama has never had to face adversity. McCain has had to face adversity ( skin cancer, being shot down and tortured for 5 years, etc. ) and overcome it.

Simply goofy. Oh, how noble those who have overcome going to the doctor to get a lesion removed!

While being a POW certainly is an adversity, McCain's odds of surviving the experience were nearly 90%. Therefore, it's something that 9 out of 10 American men who were POWs in Vietnam did also face and overcome.

On the other hand, a young black person growing up in America to a single mother has a much better chance of landing in prison, being murdered, or becoming bitter and giving up somewhere along the way. No matter how hard you try, or what the obstacles are, there are always fools out there who will claim that you never faced adversity.

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zucronium; Safe sex should be taught by parents, guardians or a repected member of the clergy. Schools lead to giggling, and not takingb the subject seriously.

McCain is a tough fighter and has genes on his side to live to a ripe old age.

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"Obama said reporters should "back off these kinds of stories" and noted that he was born to an 18-year-old mother."

Obama won't have to go after the Palin family, the googly-eyed worshipping Obama media will chew them to bits for him. Meanwhile the runner up for vice president for the Democrats cheats on his dying wife and has a bastard son. Funny how the Democrats require their foes to have more morals then their own.

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ColAmerica,

no, its simple. Teach her about safe sex. But for the fundis that is a sin. So their daughters get pregnant at a higher rate than groups who dont choose to moralize idiotic values to everyone else.

Oh, and googel on skin cancer and mccain. See what you find out. He is not going to last that much longer it seems.

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smithinjapan; A great win is a triump for our nation by the McCain team.]]You have a later post saying Palin should have managed her family better, re her pregnant daughter.

What should she have done, make her daughter wear a chastity belt?

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sarge: Obama has never had to face adversity, has he? Aren't there a number of posters on here who tried to bring up his troubled family past in a lame attempt to discredit him as Palin is being discredited for her lack of family values? Oops, that's rhetorical. But that's the point; Obama has beaten his ghosts and come out triumphant; McCain has not... and insists on picking people simply to try and raise his image -- fortunately, even the American public is smart enough to see how transparent his choice was.

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come on guys its a 17 year old woman who had sex with a 17 year old boy, we never had premarital sex or before 18 year old sex did we....

The religious right-wing of the party that has for years condemned such activity as immoral is now coming forward to make light of it. Talk about lost bearings, every young person should now laugh with derision when approached on the topic of abstinence.

When I was a young person, my actions were strongly motivated by the impulse not to bring shame or discredit on myself or my parents. My parents were private individuals and I have to believe that the feeling would be stronger had they been in the public eye.

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Nippon5: "ome on guys its a 17 year old woman who had sex with a 17 year old boy, we never had premarital sex or before 18 year old sex did we.... "

I think you're missing the main points here.... the girls mother is a champion of abstinence, and cannot even manage her family as such, so how can she help shape a nation? If she claims to hold these things dear, then she has failed as a mother. If she doesn't hold them dear, she's simply a hypocrite.

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zurcronium - Yeah, I get the picture. Obama has never had to face adversity. McCain has had to face adversity ( skin cancer, being shot down and tortured for 5 years, etc. ) and overcome it.

Get the picture?

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ColAmerica: What's a 'grest' win? Anyway, McCain said he was dead against raising taxes, and he then said later that 'nothing was off the table' (saying he never remembered promising he would not raise taxes).

Anyway, this is one of many cases of his convenient 'memory lapses'. I joke about it being due to his old age, and am merely pointing it out as such.

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Besides when you see the repub couple together its like a Father-Daughter thing going on, creepy. Who wants that in the Whitehouse?

Once again people take politics to a new level. How old where your parents when they got married or had kids, how about your grandmother, any of your folks divorced? come on guys its a 17 year old woman who had sex with a 17 year old boy, we never had premarital sex or before 18 year old sex did we.... Some of you should look around more cause your houses all have broken glass walls...

Politics shouldnt shape your mind it makes you look weak minded..

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smithinjapam; Sir, i have not seen any evidence to substantiate your claims.

McCain has been in good form, great speeches, funny wisecracks.

Palin and McCain, on the way to a grest win `08.

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SuperLib: As much as I respect Obama, I disagree with him on this.

Anything that helps to show the character, values, and decision-making capability of the candidates should be examined and discussed. Obama is not flawless, and his seemingly claiming that a candidate can strongly endorse abstinence-only sex-education and that any premarital pregnancies in their personal sphere of influence should be ignored is wrong-headed to say the least.

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ColAmerica: "McCain is in excellent physical health. and all his faculties are working great."

Really? He seems to 'forget' things a whole lot for someone with such excellent health.

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I agree with Sarge, great post.

zucronium; McCain is in excellent physical health. and all his faculties are working great.

There is no heat on McCain and Palin, except taht generated by the biased far left media outlets.

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SuperLib: Bravo, my man. You really have made some excellent posts of late.

Sarge: So SuperLib has expressed that he may well vote the other way, what business is that of yours? I know it hurts, but suck it up. You'll find more and more people turning to Obama and Biden in the very near future.

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Sarge,

mccain is 72, has skin cancer and his medical reports are 3000 pages long. obama is 47 and his medical report was one page. You get the picture?

Besides when you see the repub couple together its like a Father-Daughter thing going on, creepy. Who wants that in the Whitehouse?

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Heh, McCain and Palin thrive on heat.

SuperLib - You don't want Palin representing me, eh? You'd rather have Biden representing you?

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"Obama said reporters should "back off these kinds of stories" and noted that he was born to an 18-year-old mother."

"How a family deals with issues and teenage children, that shouldn't be the topic of our politics, and I hope that anybody who is supporting me understands that's off-limits."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/01/obama.palin/index.html

Once again this shows how I might be voting for the same candidate as other Democrats, I won't be standing with them while they engage in their low-blow politics. Neither will Obama. You guys should take a hint.

Palin is a conservative too far on the right for me to support her, especially with her religious views. She might be good for the people of Alaska but I really don't want her representing me.

Is that so hard to say?

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Palin may be about as good as past VP candidates (many questionable) including the likes of "you forgot the e in potato" Dan Quayle, and others. Its now being described as a desparation move by McCain to steal some thunder from Obama in any way possible. (I.e. politics as usual.) Something tells me this pick by McCain is not going to have a happy ending.

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marforio,

My impressions?

Thank you. I'm as serious as a heart attack. Now you'll have to excuse me, I've some reading to do.

Taka

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mar4eo: "Obama's biological father turned over care of his perfectly healthy child to the boy's 18 year-old mother (this in the early 1960's mind you) and then went back to his wives in Africa. And eleven or twelve years later Obama's mother basically dumped her son on her "typically white" parents in Hawaii."

So... are Obama's parents running for the position of VP or something? because I'm not at all sure what your allegory has to do with Palin. If anything, you make her look worse while making Obama look stronger.

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Obama's mother and father have never run for public office.

And they are both dead.

I was merely pointing out that 'Bizarro-world' to describe conservative family values is a bit rich when you consider all the players in this election.

Well done, taka.

Actually, I was kinda hoping to lure an old chum back. But I think he has moved on to bigger and better things...

http://www.brusselsjournal.com/takuanseiyo

Your impressions?

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media going after children and their affairs is a low blow.

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USAFdude: "I wonder what the Republicans would be saying right now if it were one of Obama's daughters that was in this position.."

Or if Michelle Obama just gave birth to an infant (with or without a disability) and decided to run for public office, or go after some other professional full-time career position.

It's just that, after years of trying to harp on Americans that these Republicans represent a kind of "moral majority," it's amazing (but not surprising anymore) to see how quickly they relinquish that position when coming out to defend one of their own for acting with the morals of those they've condemned over the years.

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yabits: Excellent post. I wonder what the Republicans would be saying right now if it were one of Obama's daughters that was in this position; somehow, it's easy to imagine the Republicans being, shall we say, less than supportive.

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It all comes back to the quality of the decisions made.

Imagine if Sarah Palin said the following to John McCain: "I'm sorry, but having just given birth to an infant with a disability, I don't believe that campaigning full time for the ticket will allow me to be there when my son needs me. Equally as important, we've recently discovered that our 17-year-old daughter is going to have a child, and she is going to need a lot of help that only a mother can give. For those reasons, I have to put aside my personal ambitions for the time being and focus more on my family."

I'm sure that the Republican supporters would be crowing over the genuine class and grace of this mythical Sarah Palin, and pointing their fingers at "liberal women" who'd sacrifice their family for their career.

But it appears that we're once again visiting a Republican version of Bizzaro-world: "Mom turns over disabled infant to others for care -- GOOD mother!" It appears that no matter how errantly a Republican fires an arrow, there is a cadre of loyal supporters who will rush out an paint a bullseye around it.

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"That doesn't make her special."

Heh, nor "historic".

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mar4eo: "McCain laments the 10 million dollars that came in over the weekend? Sarah Palin is authentic. Non-Americans will never get it. They never do."

Non-Americans have better insight into these kinds of situations because we have nothing really at stake, and can see things more objectively. On the contrary, if you had a die-hard republican and/or Bush fan commenting on Palin, you're inevitably going to have an exaggerated amount of bias.

So, you're quite wrong that 'we don't get it'. As for her being authentic, anyone who is human is authentic, as opposed to figures in a wax museum. That doesn't make her special.

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This will be just like Gustav, it will look "banana" something first then little nothing in the end ; teenage pregnancy in her case...it is nothing. She may make a mistake for becoming pregnant, but she absolutely makes the right decision to keep the baby, good on her, good on her mum . Palin may get sympathy votes from many women in the end, that is my wife 's opinion.

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Well, I personally have nothing against the woman and this further highlights at the low ebb US politics has shrieked to.

A DUI 22 years ago?

Good "god" grow up.

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"keep dreaming, for we all know, and McCain now laments, that his choice has single-handedly cost him the election."

McCain laments the 10 million dollars that came in over the weekend?

Sarah Palin is authentic. Non-Americans will never get it.

They never do.

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And yet there are still those on the right that insist his choice for VP has cemented his win! hahahahaha.... keep dreaming, for we all know, and McCain now laments, that his choice has single-handedly cost him the election.

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This is the problem with faith based birth control. A 17 year old getting married. Really? It is too bad that her mother didn't want Alaska schools to actually teach birth controls. Or that her mother didn't oppose the use of birth control, including condoms, by even married couples.

Those are some great values you got there Sarah!! Your daughter is ready to be a mom just about as much as you are ready to be VP!! The whole GOP campaign is a complete joke! you can't make this sh*t up!!! It's like a sitcom!!

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I personally am understanding of teen pregnancy because it happens sometimes. I also support her keeping the child. I think she should not be attack in he media. On the other hand, when you mother is runnning for VP, voted against Sex education programs and only supported funding for abstinence programs......it makes you wonder. Can she really be second in command when her plate is so full and in need of attention. She has five children one with a disability. She has another child with a grandchild on the way. She really needs to be there with the family. She might have prevented this if she was at home a little more. Her investigations about her brother-in-law are also heating up. They are in way over there heads. This looks bad for McCain especially with his track record on teen pregnancy/sex education issues. It looks really hypocritical for both of them. It may also support the view of some who said he just picked her at the last minute to get some attention. Her 48 hours of cool hype seems to be over. Mr. Obama like a gentlemen does not want to focus on her family but the media will want to squeeze it dry.

That's the risk you run when you present yourself as holier-than-thou...eventually, we will all find out that you are as human as the rest of us. So now we have a vice-presidential hopeful who has raised another Jamie-Lynn Spears despite all her conservative, God-fearing front. Honestly, between this and McCain's cheating on/dumping his first wife (based on her disfigurement in a car crash), I am having a hard time swallowing the "family values" message the GOP is always trying to con us with.

We are going to be in for a surprise a day about Palin from here to Nov 4. Meanwhile Obama-Biden looked crisp on the trail this weekend. Thank god some one is showing professionalism.I don't want a Maverick or a Cowboy.. I want a President.

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As Obama rightfully put it, this topic is off limits.

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