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McCain picks Alaska Gov Sarah Palin for running mate

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It is amazing how they are pumping up her resume. If she is so qualified she should be President and McCain VP. Or Palin/Rommney.

Example of some of the stupid responses?

How can you select a VP with no foreign policy experience?

Republican Ans: She does have experience Alaska is very close to Russia.

My question: Alaska is also close to the North Pole does it mean she has experience with Santa Claus?

Alaskan mountain ranges have some of the highest peaks in the country. It the closest to outer space. Does it mean she also has space exploration policy?

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Then, seeing that she does have a husband, is it not too far out there to believe that, while Mrs. Palin is serving as Veep, her husband could take care of the children?

For a woman to give birth to a baby and to be back on the job a couple days later, and to give up the vast majority of care to someone else (even the father) while the son is still less than one year old, is not my definition of "family values." Nonetheless, I find it remarkable that the party that has given lip service to family values for so long comes out and supports this.

I understand that this kind of hard choice is forced on many women whose families depend upon two incomes, or whose husband/partner has left them, but Sarah Palin is really not in this situation, is she?

It begs the question: Is there no principle that conservatives aren't willing to corrupt or pervert in their attempts to attain power?

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I have question! Has anyone seen the cover of People magazine with picture of the McCain and Palin families. Palin's son is busy with the military. Where was McCain's dark-skinned Bangladeshi daughter? Any takers on why she hasn't been in the media? Wholesome family values except for the secrets you keep under the stairs. I hope she isn't being treated like the family's servant.

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You might be interested in what he has to say about Palin.

Doesn't change the fact that Palin was McCain's choice and not Rove's. And also doesn't matter if you think (as I do) that Rove is a total S.O.B. What matters is that he has shown twice that he knows to run a campaign that can get a Republican elected president, something that other Republicans couldn't figure out how to do in '92 or '96. And he wouldn't have picked Palin. McCain hasn't shown yet that he knows how to run a campaign, and he picked Palin. Hey, maybe McCain will win, but I'm betting he is going to regret not taking Rove's advice.

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Yabits - Governor Palin has a husband, doesn't she? Then, seeing that she does have a husband, is it not too far out there to believe that, while Mrs. Palin is serving as Veep, her husband could take care of the children? You're posted quote of soemone else, and your agreement woudl have merit had Mrs. Palin been a single mother. seeing that she isn't, your quotes have no basis....

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USARonin asks, in reference to Sarah Palin: "so it's the woman's place to care for the children?"

In the stage of life that Trig is at now, I have some doubts about Todd Palin's breast-feeding abilties. Sure a pump can be used, but it's a poor replacement for the bonding that occurs through the natural method.

Your post is an excellent example of a "damned if you do/damned if you don't" perspective on those you hate.

People really shouldn't project their hatred onto others as you have tried to do. It is hypocrites who paint themselves into the kind of corner you describe.

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USARonin,

once again you miss the point. mccain picked her knowing that she has five kids, the husband works on the oil slopes, one kids needs serious help and another kid is getting ready to deliver another kid.

The BIG question is what was mccain thinking? Has he gone senile. The second big question is, is this the best the repubs can do? It seems so. I am sure Tom Ridge, a war hero and governor of a real state with more people than moose, was not happy to be passed over by a snow bunny.

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I'g glad she's having a grandchild. Someone's gotta work on those bridges to no-where.

She rejected the money for the bridge to nowhere. They're not going to build it. She said: "If we need a bridge, we'll build it."

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to quote a left wing commenter from "The Huffington Post", she is "a polar bear killing, wolf slaughtering, anti abortionist,gun-toting, moose burger eating, advocate of oil drilling and natural resource destruction extreme right winger"

Funny how a left-winger would bring up her strong points.

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Yabits, so it's the woman's place to care for the children?

That's not very progressive of you.

Your post is an excellent example of a "damned if you do/damned if you don't" perspective on those you hate.

Eddie

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Upon reflection, I think they will see Sarah Palin's primary duty to her family, not the nation in a job that will prevent her from caring for a disabled infant.

I agree totally, and this will also reflect poorly on where John McCain's values lie. It's clear that these Republicans place personal ambition first.

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Considering that he got George W. Bush elected president twice, maybe his opinion should have been listened to.

There have been five presidents elected to two terms since WW2.

Dick Morris is the reason Bill Clinton is the sole Democrat on that list.

You might be interested in what he has to say about Palin.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08312008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/lady_is_a_champ_126833.htm?page=0

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I'g glad she's having a grandchild. Someone's gotta work on those bridges to no-where.

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What this means is that the Republicans out there better get used to the reality that Karl Rove isn't calling the shots anymore. Rove wanted Romney as the VP nominee and McCain went against him. Considering that he got George W. Bush elected president twice, maybe his opinion should have been listened to.

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to quote a left wing commenter from "The Huffington Post", she is "a polar bear killing, wolf slaughtering, anti abortionist,gun-toting, moose burger eating, advocate of oil drilling and natural resource destruction extreme right winger"

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The Republicans I know, who for a long time dismissed the religious right as a fringe group that was accommodated to win elections and then forgotten, are now concerned that they've claimed front and center and the party will reflect their values.

Whatever one might say about the religious right, they take parenting very seriously. Is this really the road they want America to go down? Upon reflection, I think they will see Sarah Palin's primary duty to her family, not the nation in a job that will prevent her from caring for a disabled infant.

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What stuns me is there's no evidence Palin consulted with other mothers who'd worked in the White House before making such a significant decision.

Maybe she and McCain were counting that it would take an Alaskan village to raise her children.

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The kind of women who'd vote for Palin would probably never consider voting for Hillary.

Yabits,

Indeed, they draw support from different slices of the electorate. What stuns me is there's no evidence Palin consulted with other mothers who'd worked in the White House before making such a significant decision.

I'm sure Karen Hughes or Mary Matalin would have been happy to discuss balancing family/work responsibilities with her. Hell, I'm sure they'd be willing to share their insights with a Democrat because this really isn't a partisan issue. By contrast, Palin's differences with Hillary most certainly fall in the realm of policy. It seems McCain didn't appreciate this distinction when he made his choice.

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McCain can always change his mind. Look what McGovern did back in '72.

And what happened? McGovern only won Massachusetts! Nah, you can't redo such a decision because it would open up questions about the nominee's judgment in selecting the person to begin with.

There was certainly talk of that in 1988 after Dan Quayle performed very badly in his national debut. Questions immediately arose as to whether he was an appropriate person to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. But at least GHWB was in good health. McCain, much older, has now had three skin cancer surgeries. And Palin has a lot less experience than Quayle.

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I agree with Wolf.

I have seen posters in liberal forums questioning why someone would get pregnant in her mid-40s given the increased risks of birth defects such as Down Syndrome. This is not an issue for public discussion but should remain a private matter. Hey, stuff happens (and most women would probably look at it that way). Bottom line: it should be left to the parents on how to proceed without government interference of any type. This, of course, is not the position of the Republican Party.

But the Right picked this fight and they cannot now say, "leave them out of this." I still remember Newt Gingrich's comment after a car containing the bodies of two small boys was pulled out of a South Carolina swamp in 1993: "The mother killing her two children...vividly reminds every American how sick the society is getting and how much we have to have change. I think people want to change and the only way you get change is to vote Republican.”

It's not yours or the government's place to decide how she and her husband and/or their extended family will raise the child.

We're in complete agreement here. But the electorate can decide they don't like the choices the parents have made and vote accordingly.

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Ambrosia, just go bakc and listen to what some of Barack's supporters and Hillary's supporters said to each other if either one gained the nomination. That's what I'm coming off of. Many of Barack's supporters in the black community said, in the clear, that they would vote for McCain if Obama didn't gain the nomination. Many of Hillary's supporters said the same. Agree, disagree, respect, disrespect as you like, but I was not calling women simple minded, but merely statign an observation. Again, my observations come from what Hillary's most vocal supporters have said if she lost the nomination (and she did), and if she wasn't included on the Obama ticket (she wasn't). Gov. Palin gives these disgruntled women a chance to vote for a woman to be elected to the second highest office in the land, and higher than any previpus woman-held positon in the USA in history.

And if you look at Hillary's and Palin's stances on many issues, they are the same or very close.

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You're thinking is clearly in line with what McCain assumed and I think he's going to be bit in the ass with that assumption. Most of the women I know see his selection of Palin as cynical, politics as usual and stupid.

The kind of women who'd vote for Palin would probably never consider voting for Hillary. This was just a stunt to take some of the attention off of the triumphant conclusion to the Democratic convention. Once this very short shotgun honeymoon is over, the Republicans can repent at leisure over this poor choice.

But in the meantime, it sure is fun watching them trying to inflate the very light resume of this person.

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"...I stand by my earlier posts, if you bring a disabled child into the world that child's needs must come first..."

It's not yours or the government's place to decide how she and her husband and/or their extended family will raise the child.

God bless Trig and all of Sarah Palin's children.

And God bless Barack Obama's daughters.

And leave them out of this.

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Lieberman would have been the correct choice, but his voting record on abortion rights made him unpalatable in "religious" America. How many skeletons does Palin have in her closet? McCain can always change his mind. Look what McGovern did back in '72.

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I agree with Wolf.

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blue tiger: I certainly hope you're joking or you've lost any respect I had for you over some of your previous posts. To think that women are so simple and narrow-minded that they would vote for Palin because they no longer have the option of voting for Hillary is as stupid as someone saying they wouldn't vote for Obama because he's black. I don't know a single woman who would vote for Hillary based purely on her gender and since Hillary and Palin's political views are polar-opposites, why in the world would Democratic women in particular vote for Palin? You're thinking is clearly in line with what McCain assumed and I think he's going to be bit in the ass with that assumption. Most of the women I know see his selection of Palin as cynical, politics as usual and stupid. I see it as a good way to alienate undecided female voters who might have considered voting for McCain and for that I do praise him because I loathe the thought of him being President.

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The Dems and Libs are just jealous and upset that McCain stole Obama's spotlight with his choice of Palin for his running mate. This was a brilliant move by McCan, and timed perfectly! For all those disgruntled Hillary Supporters, they now have a great chance in Palin possibly beign elected Veep.

Great Move, McCain! It almost makes me want to vote for you in November...

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You can feel the panic from the liberals in their posts. The one they support offers business as usual in Washington. The Republicans prove they are the real agents of change.

democtat Lemming Day commeth.

RR

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There will be a righwing backlash against this pick.

Boy, did I hear that today in a conversation with a relative who is as rightwing as anyone here (save for the social agenda). The mother is "insane" for signing on for the VP slot. This baby's capabilities will need to be assessed in the first five years, surely she would want to be present herself to hear the doctors' prognosis!!!

You don't see many Down Syndrome children anymore; I suppose now there is a test many are aborted. So those that aren't are born into families which want them. I stand by my earlier posts, if you bring a disabled child into the world that child's needs must come first. In the case of DS children, which were previously referred to as mongoloids owing to their eyes which slant slightly upwards, they can have a range of abilities depending on how extensive the chromonsonal damage. The abilities they have would no doubt be nutured best in a family-centered household, not dragged off to some disclosed location on a moment's notice.

I also heard McCain described as an "idiot" for chosing her. Why didn't he choose Joe Lieberman? Tried and tested campaigner, plus he'll work on the sabbath if necessary. Well, Lieberman is pro-choice, a non-starter with the religious right. Plus, his hawkish foreign policy views may not attract all that many independents. Why not Romney? There's all those mansions, besides he couldn't pass as an average guy even if he won a corn dog eating contest. When I saw he had Tumi luggage in Iowa I knew he was finished.

We agreed although McCain is the father of seven children, three adopted and four biological, it's unlikely he played a hands on role in their lives. Of course there was the separation from his first family owing to his being shot down in North Vietnam, something over which he had no control. Then the second family was raised in Arizona while he was based in DC. Somehow I don't think he attended too many parent-teacher conferences, never mind asking to leave work early to take someone to a doctor's apt. That was left to his wives. So he may not have much first-hand experience in the daily demands of parenting.

Anyway, the furor is already evident over McCain's throwning the election to the Democrats by picking Govenor Palin as his running mate. We will see....

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The Conservative: "Mr Bush cancel the election,decide who should be you successor and allow us to continue the fight on the war on terror. Too much is at stake, the election must wait until our rulers see fit."

Well, there's my laugh for the day.

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Damax6 at 12:09 AM JST - 1st September

i see all the crap here, in november it will be all finished, OBAMA will >be the President, the old geezer will whimper away, the moose-eater will >go back doing just that.

The old geezer, is tried and proven. The "change, change, err, um, ah oh," fella will loose. America is not ready to give the presidency to someone with so little experience, and virtually no policies to mention other than "not what they want." I hope there is a black President one day, but one with integrity. Obama is a fake.

Jav

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All this fighting between everyone over this election is damaging our country , and people are fogetting about the real danger, the war on terror.

Mr Bush cancel the election,decide who should be you successor and allow us to continue the fight on the war on terror. Too much is at stake, the election must wait until our rulers see fit.

There will be dissent by a minority, but martial law can be operated in areas it is needed. The war on terror is the priority for patriots.

The election can wait, the war on terror cannot, it is on going.

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i see all the crap here, in november it will be all finished, OBAMA will be the President, the old geezer will whimper away, the moose-eater will go back doing just that

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But how many times have we heard of male politicians (both appointed and elected) leaving their positions to, 'spend more time with their family'? It happens just about every year that men leave Washington for various important family reasons.

Yes, it's a common excuse for people to leave high-pressure, "the job must come first" positions for something more 9 to 5. And those are people with healthy children. Here we have a woman with a handicapped infant. So it's perfectly reasonable to ask how she intends to juggle all of these muliple responsibilities. If the answer is the father will become a full-time parent to enable her to concentrate on her executive branch duties, people will accept that just as they accepted Joseph Lieberman's assurance he could work on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath.

Yet there's still a difference. The other reason for wondering about this is why have kids if you don't want to be active participants in their childhoods, particularly when they are newborn? It seemed to be why Karen Hughes abruptly quit after little more than a year in the White House to return to Texas (where she no doubt had a job waiting just as Sarah Palin already has a job):

April 2002:Karen P. Hughes, a confidant of President Bush who became one of the most powerful women ever to serve in the White House, announced today that she was leaving her job to move with her ''homesick'' family back to Texas.

In a rare moment for Washington, Ms. Hughes's explanation for her resignation, to spend more time with her family, particularly her teenage son, was taken not as the usual spin, but instead as a painful truth about the difficulties women face in balancing family and work.

By contrast, resigning would not really be an option for Governor Palin simply because she miscalculated the time commitment. Needless to say, departure under those circumstances would make it really hard for mothers of minor children, who must work specific jobs to make ends meet, to be taken seriously as reliable employees.

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The fact of the matter is that only time will tell. She will either catch fire and motivate Republicans or she will fizzle out be of no help to McCarin at all. The early returns as that the base is enthused by her message of reform and willingness to take on those within her own party that are going against the party's principles.

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Betzee says:

No, I cannot (and I tihnk by suggesting that you're making it into an issue of political correctness--which also exists on the Right--rendering certain topics taboo for discussion).

No, this is not political correctness; it's just that times have changed. My point is that you are singling out (Republican) woman leaving their important Washington posititions for family reasons. But how many times have we heard of male politicians (both appointed and elected) leaving their positions to, 'spend more time with their family'? It happens just about every year that men leave Washington for various important family reasons.

As for political correctness; this is why I find it even more perplexing that Altman and others in the national (liberal) press are making an issue of Palin's family when she has a husband that is perfectly capable of caring for all of his children. I doubt they would make the same argument against Palin if she were a man. This is not a matter of political correctness, it is hypocrisy.

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There will be a righwing backlash against this pick. Its one thing to run a state with more moose than people with her five kids, quite another to prepare to be the president of the USA.

Why did mccain pick her? He is saying screw you to the republican party leaders, screw you to rove and his thieves, screw you to mitt and pawlenty, and basically that he is giving up on the election. McCain met her once before he picked her. Just once. He has given up. He knows the election is done. Maybe he realizes now he is not up for the job.

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Thank you for providing the link, Wolfpack. I had not seen anyone touch this but here is what he says:

The balance between work and family, always a ticklish issue, will be brought into bold relief by the fact that the Palins' fifth child, Trig, was born with Down syndrome in April. Todd Palin, a commercial fisherman, may shoulder the bulk of the child-rearing duties in their family. But many voters will nonetheless wonder whether Palin should undertake the rigors of the vice presidency (and perhaps the presidency) while caring for a disabled infant. The subject will no doubt arise on "Oprah" and in other venues.

Can you say misogynist Mr. Alter?

No, I cannot (and I tihnk by suggesting that you're making it into an issue of political correctness--which also exists on the Right--rendering certain topics taboo for discussion).

This is the vice presidency we're taking about, a position which is a heartbeat away from the presidency. Sooo, raising this issue is no different than asking if Joseph Lieberman's orthodox Jewish faith would interfere with his discharging presidential duties owing to the prohibition against working on the Sabbath? The issue was raised in 2000 and he addressed it. According to your logic, anyone who broached the topic would be guilty of anti-Semitism.

Look at the women within the GWB administration. Whatever you think of Karen Hughes and Mary Matalin's politics, and I don't think much for the record, I don't doubt their commitment to the cause. Why are they long gone while Condi and Harriet Miers, equally committed, remain? Well, the latter two have no children, neither has ever been married to my knowledge. I see no other difference but if anybody else does I'd be interested.

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Betzee says:

The responsibilities of council woman, mayor, and governor are quite different than VP.

Yes, but so what? The responsibilities of a Senator are quite different from President. Can we then deduce that both Obama and McCain are therefore not qualified either? This line of criticism of Palin isn't very effective because there are no other jobs that can prepare you for President or VP. However, executive experience is the next best thing. That is why Governors are so often elected President. Of the four, candidates, Palin is the only one that has run a government. Sure Alaska isn't the biggest state but neither is Arkansas.

Since the formal announcement that she was joining McCain's ticket was made only yesterday, those articles in the "national press" you refer to would have appeared today. Could you provide the links please?

Here is one from yesterday. There are more but you can find them yourself using your search engine of choice:

Newsweek: Jonathan Alter (end of the second of the last column on page 2) http://www.newsweek.com/id/156258/page/2

But many voters will nonetheless wonder whether Palin should undertake the rigors of the vice presidency (and perhaps the presidency) while caring for a disabled infant. The subject will no doubt arise on "Oprah" and in other venues.

Can you say misogynist Mr. Alter?

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Speaking of the judgment of Republican leadership, it would be good to remember what John McCain and George W. Bush were doing on the very day that Katrina was devastating New Orleans

I guess you would prefer that sat out in the Gulf in a rowboat holding up a paddle telling Katrina that she wasn't welcome here.

What were you doing that day?

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zurcronium:

She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.

And yet she still has more experience than Obama.

Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.

Well, that will make a nice contrast to Obama, who is so pro-abortion, he has even advocated killing children that have been born after surviving abortion porcedures.

She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.

You mean anti-Gulf War I and II Pat Buchanan?

Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.

Some people think Karl Marx should be taught in public schools, and in fact do teach Marxism.

She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.

And some people don't think solar activity is the cause of climate change. If Palin has the environmental views you claim, then how do you explain this?

http://dwb.adn.com/news/environment/story/8786824p-8688242c.html

She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy.

John McCain also has an alternative fuels policy.

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She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember about Palin is that she initially was all in favor of building that "bridge to nowhere" and only turned against the project when the US taxpayers didn't want to kick in all the dollars. Be very careful and observant how the Republicans try to portray this.

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I think the best strategy for the Obama campaign is not to attack her directly, but wait until she makes a mistake and then pounce on it. The only question is how big and how quickly.

I think he should just ignore her. Drove the chicks nuts in junior high.

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She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.1

Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.

She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.

Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.

She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.

She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska. How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.

Like I said, desperation time for the repubs. When you are losing to a superior candidate you take chances and go for the hail mary pass. Too bad god wants Obama to win this year too along with most americans.

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Speaking of the judgment of Republican leadership, it would be good to remember what John McCain and George W. Bush were doing on the very day that Katrina was devastating New Orleans.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/images/20050829-5_p082905pm-0125-515h.html

That's right folks, "let them eat cake."

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Barring some unforeseen event, ultimately it will all boil down to whether or not Obama can bring in enough new voters to outweigh that kind of grassroots network represented by folks like James Dobson.

Ah, James Dobson: the man who asked his congregation to pray for rain in Denver to spoil the Democrats' triumphant final night.

And now McCain and Palin will meet at one end of the Mississippi River while, at the other end, Hurrican Gustav is bearing down on New Orleans again and that city is being evacuated.

God certainly has a funny way of answering prayers.

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Palin has held elective office for over a decade as a councilwoman, mayor, and governor. She has had children during this entire period of time.

The responsibilities of council woman, mayor, and governor are quite different than VP. I'm certain Palin knows that, even if she can't identify the specific role of the VP:

Larry Kudlow of CNBC's "Kudlow and Co." asked her about the possibility of becoming McCain's ticket mate.

Palin replied: "As for that VP talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day? I'm used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. We want to make sure that that VP slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that we're trying to accomplish up here for the rest of the U.S., before I can even start addressing that question."

I have seen this argument in the national press that Palin can't be a good mother and a successful public servent at the same time.

Since the formal announcement that she was joining McCain's ticket was made only yesterday, those articles in the "national press" you refer to would have appeared today. Could you provide the links please?

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Betzee says:

Yet it worked for the Republicans in 2000 didn't it?

Except that there were not two wars going on in 2000 and the national focus was on domestic issues for the first time in decades.

Nobody said that. In my first post I noted that mothers with minor children don't last long in the WH.

One would think by this comment that Hughes and Matalin were the only professional women in Washington! I am amazed that there are still folks that do not realize that times have changed and that there are many, many women in positions of great responsibility in both the private sector and in government. Palin has held elective office for over a decade as a councilwoman, mayor, and governor. She has had children during this entire period of time. Also, the examples you cite are of political appointees - not elected officials. The type of person that pursues elected offices know what there responsibilities are. I have seen this argument in the national press that Palin can't be a good mother and a successful public servent at the same time. This is nothing short of backward thinking and a poor argument against her VP nomination.

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GWB won two terms via a campaign organization which pounded the pavement in fundamentalist communities motivating residents to vote with issues such as gay marriage. McCain realizes his best shot is to follow the same road and selected his running mate accordingly.

Barring some unforeseen event, ultimately it will all boil down to whether or not Obama can bring in enough new voters to outweigh that kind of grassroots network represented by folks like James Dobson. The debates really won't have much of an effect. As someone observed:

A soccer (hockey) mom with 5 kids who goes hunting, fishing, rides a snowmobile, member of the PTA, and a high school sports coach married to a man who was a fisherman and now is an oil worker? Who do you know like that? 90% of the population in the rural town I grew up in Michigan fits that description.

How you deal with international politics and trade means little. They are like me and they aren't from Washington DC so simple answers are what makes sense and what they vote on. How do we deal with terrorists? Our strong military. How do we fix the economy? Cut taxes. and so on and so on....

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Betzee; You gotta hope she makes a mistake, hahaha.

You live in hope buddy, thats all you have left. McCain shocked the Dems with his selection, the y dont know what to do now.

Why doesn`t Obama just conceed, and save the millions of Dollars an election would cost.

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I think the best strategy for the Obama campaign is not to attack her directly, but wait until she makes a mistake and then pounce on it. The only question is how big and how quickly.

This will be interesting; generally the VP candidate attacks the other side's top of the ticket. (Both Dick Cheney and Joe Lieberman were very effective in those roles in 2000.) I don't think that's going to be an option here, however.

McCain knows he ain't the party darling and has already received pressure to limit his tenure to one term, which he has rejected. But it's unlikely Governor Palin would seek the presidency so that will open it up to others sooner rather than later.

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woops

So, its possible Palin being a women is just a bonus as far as McCain is concerned.

And, if so, all the hype is well, just hype.

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Betzee

Do they really think women are so dumb as to simply vote along gender lines without regard to the specific policies espoused by different female candidates?

Here's a thought: I think McCain's teame crunched the numbers and knew McCain needed a Righty to shore up the Christian Right vote. Bear in mind, the Righty leaders were luke-warm on McCain; and now are singing his praises. To me this is a very sound supposition.

And consider this: despite Candidate McCain's sucking up to the Christian Right, Senator McCain never really liked or got a long with "the agents of intollerance."

I think a strong possibilty for McCain's choice in Palin is therefore:

McCain knew he had to shore up the Christian Righty vote. McCain had a wide pool of Righty politicians to choose from. But, he doesn't like them and hasn't for years. Too much baggage. So, he chooses someone new, wthout a past with him, a new breed of RIghty who, like McCain, doesn't mind taking on the Party.

While this makes sense from a McCains personal needs, it shows poor judgement to put someone with ZERO national and international experience on the ticket.

I think its a Hail Sarah.

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DanManjt,

This should stop those Republicans who decry "identity politics" in their tracks:

Mr. McCain’s advisers said that rallying wavering women would be one of Ms. Palin’s main jobs in the weeks ahead. They said her campaign schedule would take her to areas in swing states like Ohio and Pennsylvania where there were pockets of women who had supported Mrs. Clinton in the primaries.

Do they really think women are so dumb as to simply vote along gender lines without regard to the specific policies espoused by different female candidates?

In the 2003 special election to replace the incumbent governor of CA, I voted for Arnold Schwarzenegger, despite evidence of grabbing and groping, over Arianna Huffington. Though shrill, at least she had the class not to run a "I'm a woman so all women should vote for me" campaign.

When Walter Mondale selected Geraldine Ferrarro as a running mate, they never clicked as a team. Since I work with someone whom I affectionately refer to as "my office husband," I've enjoyed the benefits of a close, collaborative professional partnership between individuals who happen to be of opposite sex. Whether or not McCain can achieve a good professional rapport with Governor Palin, whom he barely knows, will also determine the fate of their bid and, if successful, their tenure in the WH.

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dont know much about all this Mccain/Obama stuff, which one is the blowhard again?

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Betzee

McCain felt forced to pick, as you say, some one like Palin to get the Right back in his pocket. Strip it all away and his choice of Palin is a play to the Christian Right and the social conservatives.

But there was a wide variety of Rightys to choose and McCain chose her. What kind of judgment is that?

The first rule of choosing a VP: Do no harm. She will have to be an unprecedentally quick study to avoid deal-breaking blunders. On national and international affairs. On dealing with the media. On dealing with the Grand Fish Bowl.

I'm loving it.

pocket

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Madverts

Thanks

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I can certainly see this choice made good sense to the McCain campaign. Governor Palin holds the prospect of getting the religious right out to the polls. Since they don't always vote, they are a more important constituency than those who can be expected to reliably vote Republican at every election. Yet he can claim to be a social progressive as well, selecting a female running mate.

I will be interested to see if Governor Palin continues to play the "identity politics" card in her convention speech. She mentioned Geraldine Ferrarro but not Ronald Reagan in her national introduction. Ultimately it will hinge on how well she can hold her own on the campaign trial. At least she's made the race more interesting....

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But it didn't match Dick Cheney's lengthy resume did it?

What was that old line from Police Squad? "Yes, that's very impressive."

:-D

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Except that it was Bush who had executive experience as a governor.

But it didn't match Dick Cheney's lengthy resume did it?

who don't think a woman is capable of being a good mother and have a successful career.

I think both Karen Hughes and Mary Matalin, among many others, prove that to be nonsense. Though the latter in particular made me want to barf, I once had to ask a loud gentleman at the next table in a restaurant, who was clearly an administration supporter, not to refer to Ms Hughes as a "girl" again so I could finish my meal without barfing.

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Betzee:

Yet it worked for the Republicans in 2000 didn't it?

Except that it was Bush who had executive experience as a governor.

As for the inquiry into her involvement in getting that Chief of Police fired, the man is her estranged brother-in-law who was in a heated custody battle with Palin's sister. Her family may have been trying to cut off his livelihood in an effort to undercut his custody bid. I doubt she will end up with anything more than a ethical black-eye, otherwise McCain wouldn't have picked her, but if he were to dish dirt on the family that would provide fodder for her opponents.

I gave the background into that earlier, you'll have to click the "Show All" option and look for another of my massive posts, where I answered jwillis79's attempt at character assasination.

It is... enlightening.. to see that it's the Loyal Left on JT, those who claim to be "pro woman" this and that, who don't think a woman is capable of being a good mother and have a successful career. If I didn't advance them credit, I would suggest they think Palin should be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.

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mccain was and is still looking at an electoral landslide after the incredibly impressive obama convention. So he picked a woman he met once six months ago as his VP. Its a cynical political calculated move to try and stem the obama tital wave of change. She is straight out of christian winger casting which is what led the nation to the bush failures of the last eight years. No sane voters want the corruption of faith and politics to continue. She believes in creationism like Huckabee does.

The demos will slice and dice mccain on this desperate decision to pick an unknown from a state north of canada. Its a gut call on his part, but its so desperate as to reek of fear and self-loathing.

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what ever the case, the old geezer will croak, and whats her face...Palin..Ailing,whatever, this is just a big joke...i am really amused by this all, nothing fazes me anymore..you blind GOPers who say "pleasent surprise" over "shock" even of it was mugabe he picked for VP, just a LOST bunch

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franknbeans, Good call on the poll. I'll be voting in November. Heck, I vote every time the polls open, even if it's just a local council election. Also, if you get too frustrated with having your posts deleted, come over to the forum side of JT. Under News, Politics and Issues/United States, you'll see a thread titled McCrazniess/Obamania, where a few of us have found shelter.

smithinjapan:

So... she's a staunch conservative... which makes her, what? aside from being a staunch conservative, of course. It makes her... unlikely to do anything progressive?

Since "progressive" means Marxist... GOOD! The fact that she's a staunch conservative means that she will bring back the staunch conservative vote that McCain lost and needs to win.

Also, the fact that she's a right-wing conservative means that she'll naturally have better judgement. As Peter Schweizer summarized in Do As I Say, Not As I Do - Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy, right-wing conservatives who do not adhere to their stated values suffer for their failings, while left-wing progressives who do not adhere to their stated values benefit from a better quality of life. Remember a guy named Spitzer? He suffered for his failings, but he was a liberal who didn't adhere to a right-wing conservative value he claimed to hold. (Man oh man, I'm gonna get flamed for that! Hahahaha!)

JoeBigs:

I would rather vote for someone who has a VP who knows what he/she is suppose to do rather than someone whose VP does not even know what the job entails. LOL

But you would have no problem voting for Obama, who doesn't know how the Joint Chiefs of Staff operate?

zurcronium:

since most service people in the US military now have the good sense to vote for obama to end the war in iraq,

You mean the war that is already wrapping up? The one where troop levels are below pre-surge levels and dropping every month? The one where we have an agreement with the Iraqi government to have combat troops out by 2011? That war in Iraq?

JoeBigs:

That is a darn good one! Guam!!!LOL Hell Guam is has around 174000 people living in it and it is 209 sq miles. While Alaska has a population 683,478 and 656,424 sq mi! There are more people living in Guam per sq mile than there is in Alaska!LOL

Your point being...?

Whie the only thing that Palin has on her record is a Bridge to no where that she wanted the US tax payers to pay 100%.

You've got your facts completely wrong. Palin didn't want the bridge.

Not good for Mc since he is not even a Fiscal Conservative.

Again, completely wrong. Or didn't you see the comparison in earmark spending between McCain and Obama? Obama: $740,000,000 in proposed earmark spending. McCain: $0.

ExPrincesska:

I watched her speech on tv and she was sreaming in her shrill voice and pierced my ears and I chanegd the channel. She wanter to shatter the glass ceiling. Definitely shattered my windows.

Don't tell me you prefer Hillary's smooth, soothing delivery? ;-)

As a private pilot, maybe I can help the leftists here with comparing Palin's inexperience to Obama's. Let's say you're boarding a plane, and happen to glance in the cabin and see the pilots doing their pre-flights. Which scenario would make you more comfortable?

1) Pilot (left-seat) is young an obviously inexperienced. Co-pilot (right-seat) is older and experienced.

2) Pilot is older and experienced. Co-pilot is younger and inexperienced. Also, co-pilot has experience working in a control tower.

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The key here is that the Republican side has their experienced person at the top of the ticket. The Democrat's put their inexperienced person at the top.

Yet it worked for the Republicans in 2000 didn't it?

I don't see how her opponents can say that she isn't a good mother because she is a professional woman. Should working woman quit their jobs because they have children or children with special needs?

Nobody said that. In my first post I noted that mothers with minor children don't last long in the WH. Karen Hughes was gone in less than two years, citing "family responsibilites" in the form of an unhappy teenager who longed to return to Texas and the normalcy of family life. Ditto for Mary Matalin with two young daughters. There are few places of employment which require you to put your professional responsibilities first at all times, but working in the WH is one of them.

As for the inquiry into her involvement in getting that Chief of Police fired, the man is her estranged brother-in-law who was in a heated custody battle with Palin's sister. Her family may have been trying to cut off his livelihood in an effort to undercut his custody bid. I doubt she will end up with anything more than a ethical black-eye, otherwise McCain wouldn't have picked her, but if he were to dish dirt on the family that would provide fodder for her opponents.

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Sarge says:

The more I learn about Palin, the more I like her.

I agree - and she is real easy on the eyes as well. After seeing Hillary waddling across my television screen over the last 18 years, it's good to see Palin on the tube instead.

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jwillis79 said:

When she was asked what she thought about Irag, her reply was she hadn't even thought about it.

Thanks for commenting on my post. I have seen a few of these comments about Palin and Iraq. I haven't seen any more details about it; I am interested in getting more info on the topic before slamming her for it. A lot to times things like this can be pretty innocuous in context. Given that her son will be in Iraq soon, you can bet that she is very interested in whats going on in Iraq. But it is an interesting point.

How will she be able to care for that very young child and run the nation at the same time. It would be extremely difficult if the child didn't have special needs.

I don't see how her opponents can say that she isn't a good mother because she is a professional woman. Should working woman quit their jobs because they have children or children with special needs? There are many women that raise special needs children on their own - my sister is one. Are they bad parents? In her case, it's not like her husband isn't going to contribute to the raising of their children. This is a non-issue. As for running the nation, she has a lot more elective office experience than Obama and her's is as an executive. Obama has no executive experience. I would be less worried about Palin than Obama.

When all of the excitement wears down a little and people actually get to know some of these things about Gov. Palin, I believe you’ll find that she will become a liability, not an asset, for the McCain campaign.

Well, this could be true. Obama's selection of Biden immediatly resulted in a tightening of the polls. Only time will tell of her impact on this elections dynamics.

Palin is a good match for McCain because she also has a maverick image and is known to buck her own party's interests at times. She is also more reliable conservatice on social issues which "could" get conservatives motivated to participate.

The key here is that the Republican side has their experienced person at the top of the ticket. The Democrat's put their inexperienced person at the top. I'm looking forward to the debates.

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Sarge at 10:52 PM JST - 30th August Princess - Sarah ain't got nothin' on Hillary when it comes to shrill voices!

I am so glad she is out of it!

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Mc needs votes, he could have really picked someone better. The only thing that he did right is he went for a Gov, but he picked the wrong Gov. You need someone from a State will will help you.

When Bush pick DC he picked him because what he brought to the table. A no nonsense VP who was well known and feared in DC. Sure he came from a small state but the man was and still is feared. DC was and is a pitbull no one can take that from him.

What does Palin bring? She is popular but she is from Alaska a State that will give him 3, yes 3 Electoral votes and she is not feared or respected in Washington.

What are we talking about, we are talking about politics. If you are not feared or respected DC, then you are a body floating down the Potomac River.

Politics is a no holds barred blood sport, he needed someone who was well respected or feared but what did he get? Someone from Alaska!LOL

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Princess - Sarah ain't got nothin' on Hillary when it comes to shrill voices!

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you, Sarge, definitely do not go for the intelligent women.

I watched her speech on tv and she was sreaming in her shrill voice and pierced my ears and I chanegd the channel. She wanter to shatter the glass ceiling. Definitely shattered my windows

Well, at least we know exprinceska isn't a lesbo. If it were a guy, it would be based up sexiness....

I guess vocal qualities are a nominating criteria?

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"the pundits are having a field day with this"

Who gives a flying, er, rat's behind about the pundits?! I think the voters are going to hand the Republican ticket a landslide victory!

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Sarge,

I was born in Ky, Dammit.

I have been here in Japan for 17 years, but home is home....

Who cares her state? She still has more qualifications than the Democratic Nominee.

Did you see James C. on Larry King? King was totally trying to prop up Obama, but couldn't when experience came into the pic, so he changed subjects really quick.

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The more I learn about Palin, the more I like her.

you, Sarge, definitely do not go for the intelligent women.

I watched her speech on tv and she was sreaming in her shrill voice and pierced my ears and I chanegd the channel. She wanter to shatter the glass ceiling. Definitely shattered my windows.

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I disagree with you partially, Joe.

I don't see how the state is a concern. What makes any of us in the position to disregard due to the position within the union? She has the highest popularity of any Governor, Dem or Repub.

I appreciate your point though.

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"Why the heck did he pick someone from Alaska?"

Did you want someone from Kentucky or Rhode Island?

The more I learn about Palin, the more I like her.

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Oh man, the pundits are having a field day with this. Obviously, this is a move by Mac-C to get some Clintonista votes. If it works, nobody knows at this point, so why spill such ink or pixels about it?

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Thank you I play the Garden on Tuesdays if you want to come and watch.

BTW Why the heck did he pick someone from Alaska?LOL I got to tell you he has gone over board with this pick. Will someone on the right tell me why ole Mc could not have picked a better Republican Women than this one?

If he would have gone with Dole, he would have had a better chance. Atleast she has a darn good track record to speak of. Whie the only thing that Palin has on her record is a Bridge to no where that she wanted the US tax payers to pay 100%. Only thing that it would have done was given jobs to Alaskans.

Ole Mc will be lucky if the seniors Republicans force him to pick someone else. Hell she is also Moderate Republican.

Not good for Mc since he is not even a Fiscal Conservative. Hell what am I saying, there is not one Fiscal Conservative in the Republican party right now. Every one of them are Spend and no TAX Conservatives!LOL

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Sarah Palin is a decent, caring woman, who is enhancing McCains bid. Love to see Obama at thge moment, must be in tears. Bwahaha.

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Sarge; Good call buddy.

Women will flock to the party with Palin on board.

Way to go McCain. Great choice, great dream team!!

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Sarge at 09:51 PM JST - 30th August JoeBigs - Um, you're forgetting about the millions of women all over the country who will be voting for the McCain-Palin ticket, many of whom Palin is attracting.

He is not going to gain any new votes with this sort of VP selection. She is an unknown from an unknown State. LOL

Too rich!!!LOL

Turn off the lights the Party is over and dare I forget, good night sweet prince!LOL

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JoeBigs - Um, you're forgetting about the millions of women all over the country who will be voting for the McCain-Palin ticket, many of whom Palin is attracting.

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franknbeans - "I encourage all eligible voters to vote"

This reminds me of GWB's closing remarks during a debate with Al Gore:

"For those of you for me, thanks for your help. For those for my opponent, please only vote once."

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I voted for mccain in 2000 repub primary, back when he was still intellectually vital. He has lost it now for sure as this pick indicates. The swiftboating he got from bush and rove in 2000 in South Carolina did him in, he never recovered from that attack. He figured he had to become like bush to win and that is when he sold his soul to the devil (or rove, take your pick).

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zurcronium - "Alaska is a beautiful state which unfortunately has less ( fewer ) people than ride the yamanote line in 30 minutes during rush hour"

Now you're saying Alaska is overpopulated! Tee hee!

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Sarge at 09:19 PM JST - 30th August zurcronium/JoeBigs - Sure, keep dissing the great state of Alaska and Alaskans.

Yes the great state of Alaska and it`s 683,478 votes! I know how Old Mc can win this election! Just before the election he sends his workers out to pull the plug on all voting machines in the country except for Alaska! That way he will win by 200,000 all from Alaska! LOL

Sarge, you have to admit that this is so bloody funny! Come on was there not any other women in the Republican party he could have chosen who could have given him more than 200,000 votes?

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Actually Zurc, my statistics so far don't quite mirror your opinions.

Than being said, I keep all of my personal opinions completely away from the workplace. I can only relate on this board the extreme basics, and as of now, my figures for my particular location have it as about a 65-35 split in favor of McCain.

I have met McCain in person on 2 occasions, and know 2 of his sons quite well, and can say with out a modicum of dishonesty that he is misrepresented on this board.

I enourage all eligible posters to vote.

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sarge,

lighten up. Alaska is a beautiful state which unfortunately has less people than ride the yamanote line in 30 minutes during rush hour. And the people there are a little kooky. You have to be to live in the dark and freezing cold for eight months a year.

But the state is full on republican, with two of their three congressmen under indictment right now for corruption. Senator Stevens, onner of the bridge to nowhere legislation, has been indicted and just won the repub primary for senate. Thats Alaska.

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That is a darn good one! Guam!!!LOL Hell Guam is has around 174000 people living in it and it is 209 sq miles. While Alaska has a population 683,478 and 656,424 sq mi! There are more people living in Guam per sq mile than there is in Alaska!LOL

Old Mc has lost it!LOL

I can not stop laughing at his pick! Oh my god this is worse than the time he confused Sunni and Shia! LOL Oh my word, ALASKA!LOL

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zurcronium/JoeBigs - Sure, keep dissing the great state of Alaska and Alaskans.

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franknbeans,

since most service people in the US military now have the good sense to vote for obama to end the war in iraq, the failed bush war, please keep up the good work. The question now is not if obama is going to win but just by how much.

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Joe - If McCain was worried that Palin's "What is it exactly that the VP does every day?" would be a major problem, he wouldn't have picked her. Or maybe he is, but still has confidence in her.

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joebigs,

wow, hope mccain or somebody explained to her what a VP does. If she is really as dizzy as the clip indicates my prediction of her being the Quayle of the 2000s may turn out correct.

wow, needs someone to explain to her what a VP does. Well, the winters are long in alaska so maybe she is just coming out of hibernation now in late August.

Its getting embarassing being a republican lately. Whats next, someone from guam to run the campaign?

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Before you say is it a stunt, you should check that and remember respectfully it cheapens their service and bravery.

If the GOP is trying to exploit their deployment, that's what would be cheapening their service and bravery.

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wordsmithjapan - Thanks!

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sarge: "No, but they've done their best to implement policies to make sure no more civilians die in terrorist attacks on our homeland, which have been pretty successful so far, I might add."

You're right, the attacks have been pretty successful so far. Har har... just poking fun at your misplaced modifier.

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I would rather vote for someone who has a VP who knows what he/she is suppose to do rather than someone whose VP does not even know what the job entails. LOL

Google : "what VP does and Sarah Palin" you will get a laugh. I could not stop laughing at what she said about the position! LOL Man she does not even know what the VP does and she wants the JOB! LOL Oh man this is too rich! Alaska!LOL

Hell I will help you www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4gkPXSDtGQ

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Franknbeans,

thanks for performing a public service. You should get a job at the US embassy.

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Joe - "voted to(o) many time(s) to make a mistake. Did I forget to mention that I am voting for Obama?"

Looks like you're going to make another mistake.

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McCain has made a colossal error in choosing Palin. As soon as he kills the first Eskimo for the Alaskan oil, Palin is going to go ballistic!

Hee hee!

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Can we say 1984? Holy chinchillas mother good ole Mc picked someone from Alaska! Alaska? What in gods green earth is this man doing to his chances?

He has not only picked an unknown from a State with a population of 680,000! Yes folks I said it, SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND! Hell South Dakota has more people in it than Alaska!

What the hell is this old man thinking? Are his handlers losing their minds? Hell at least when Walter Mondale picked Geraldine Ferraro he had the common sense to pick someone from a State where people lived in!

Oh my bloody god Alaska only has one HERE THIS ONE Representative that is it! Oh my god this man better change his mind, maybe he could say, he had a momentary lapse of reason!

The State of Alaska? If he wanted a women, could he not of gone for maybe Kathryn Bailey Hutchison from Texas, Olympia Snowe from Maine, Susan Collins also from Maine, or maybe Elizabeth Dole from North Carolina!

Oh my god this man is losing his mind! He went for the looker from an unknown State rather than the well known from a populated State!

Oh my the only people that will like this are the DIE HARD Right Wingers who do not care what a Republican does just as long as it is a Republican that does it.

I myself am a Independent and I have to say this man just dug a deep ditch by picking someone from an unpopulated state!

Oh my god, he does not want to win this election!

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Love the fact that googles ads is showing a fishing picture based on mccain picking the governor of alaska as his VP. Makes sense.

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Sarge,

Looks like two of 250.

I as well am voting absentee.

Absentee ballots vs. Absentee logic.

Obama doesn't stand a chance.

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franknbeans - I'll be voting by absentee ballot in early October.

Madverts ( 6:58PM ) - Yeah, it's all a Republican conspiracy to remind people about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. ( roll eyes )

"The ( Republicans ) have more than made the most out of the deaths of 300 civilians"

No, but they've done their best to implement policies to make sure no more civilians die in terrorist attacks on our homeland, which have been pretty successful so far, I might add.

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good to see the wingers line up and support a woman when they for years dissed the idea of any woman, let alone hillary, become president. they know in their hearts picking a governor from canada is a hail mary pass cause the repub pollings shows them losing big come november.

I think that this is another reason to conclude that mccain is really senile. This woman is huckabee in a skirt. No sane progrssive woman will ever vote for her. She believes like Hucabee that the world was created 5000 years ago and that dinosaurs were jesus horses. Please. Liberman would have been a better choice.

Rove is pulling what little hair he has left out of his head right now. The rightwing christians are not going to vote for a woman on the ticket no matter what. Woman dont belong in politics according to them. She should just take care of her five kids.

In a few weeks the repubs will feed on themselves over this appointment. Bush put the party one foot in the grave, mccain is not jumping into the grave now full on.

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I can't belive all the experienced people McCain had available to choose from that he passed over."Ok, agreed, but wasn't the inexperience that propelled Obama and it is that inexperience that can Washington?

Again, don't get me wrong. I don't think McCain and the .. just bought memories MAD, will win, I just want to point out how childish this is starting to get.

What would happen if Obama drops Biden and replaces him with Hillary or what if he drops dead before the election? (Watch that Manchurian Candidate movie..)

Yo, where's smitty? I was in the mood for a bit more rumbling.. I really like him!

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Madverts,

Try and remember McCains Son was there and saw actual combat for a year. Before you say is it a stunt, you should check that and rmember remember respectfully it cheapens their service and bravery.

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I just read that Palin's son is "set to be deployed to Iraq on September 11."

Heh, don't tell me that's a coincidence. The republicans have more than made the most out of the deaths of 3000 civillians. Let's have an end to all that please 'cause it's shocking.

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Ok,

If everyone can favor me this, just so i can obtain some clarity;

I am a registered voter, and will be voting come November. I truly feel there are a lot of blowhards here on both sides who cannot vote in the coming election. I just want to see who is stirring the pot, and who is the cook.

So, aye if you can, nay if ye can't.

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I think this is a brilliant choice by McCain.

Brings the social conservative base back on his side and fired up again, the Governor is impeccable on social conservatives stances.

Re-enforces what the moderates and independents have always liked about the guy. His reputation as a Maverick that bucks the party when he doesn't agree with the party mantra at the time.

Downside is the lack of experience at the National level and a pretty big risk if the Governor is going to actually shine as the spotlight is now going to be intense (just look at the attacks on the Governor on this thread alone).

However the attacks are totally disjointed at this phase, which means he really did throw the rabid left and staunch Dem supporters a real loop (and that really does please me by the way and does re-enforce what I always like about McCain, he really is a Maverick overall).

No worries, Salon .com and the Daily Kos types will get their act together after the initial shock and come up with their attack plan.

My opinion he made a brilliant choice but is also taking a huge gamble on the Governors ability to shine in the national spotlight without really having been through the ringer yet. The Governor has to establish credentials early but being from Alaska, the folks up there are pretty tough when it comes to facing adversity and thriving despite of it.

I think the Governor is going to wow the nation and confound radical left types myself, just like their reactions to the pick today.

McCain ya done good with this choice in my opinion. Though I was kinda hoping you'd have gone with Olympia Snow, she compliments you as a better fit as far as general policy agreements that you've taken over the years. But looking at what Governor Palin brings to the ticket and getting the lukewarm social conservative base fired up again nice move Senator, nice move.

Oh by the way did I mention she is also a woman that also helps the ticket by the way.

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SushiSake posts,

***Sarah Palin is a 'hockey mum.'

Do any already hysterically desperate Republicans think a woman with kids (including one with Down's Syndrome) is ready to take on this huge responsibility?***

I'd guess you're not married with children. My wife is a better manager, doctor, teacher, and accountant than most "professional" managers, doctors, teachers, and accountants. I mean that honestly. You seriously underestimate the capabilities and experiences of a "soccer mom".

Statastician posts,

***One thing that kind of worries me.

If the unforseeable happens - how can you be President AND and effective mother for a very young handicapped child?***

The same way you could be President AND an effective father for a very young handicapped child.

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I think she is a good choice. Exact opposite of McCain, different sex and differnt generation. A good way to gain votes by more people being able to feel empaphy for the REpublicans, a very shrewd and ingenius choice.

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what? I governor from Canada?

Were their no other qualified women in the repub party? No, of course not. Is the angry white male party.

Anyway, the demos much be dancing now. A nobody from a no account state that is totally corrupt. She is the 2000s answer to Dan Quayle from the repubs.

Is there a Department of Snow in Homeland Security orgainzation. She can work there after the election goes to Obama.

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Palin is a decent woman, who is going to assist Sen McCain in leading the country when there is a congress that will try to undermine their giid deeds.

She is a woman of tradition values, who respects the value of life.

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A shame for her future really, being associated to the old republican geezer that was always going to lose.

Dan, good posts as ever.

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smith

will continue to laugh and point out her inexperience, and that is in response to, and said with jeering and sarcastic tones, to McCain's hypocrisy

I see. So you will continue to criticize Palin's inexperience despite the hypocrisy of supporting Obama who also lacks experience. I've got to hand it to you, at least you're honest. It's a shame all hypocrites aren't as honest as you.

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Same way you can be a mother and a doctor at the same time.

That said, I hope with all my heart that Obama/Biden make it.

Also, this thread, like all political threads, is full of idiocy.

"Nice post man, you're a patriot because you buy the same lines I buy."

Oh man, I'm trying to come up with a criticism for the lefties here, but I can't think of any. Righties got to start listing some facts so the lefties can actually debate them.

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Alinsky4prez: "What? - are you saying Irish people are prone to violence?"

Not at all... in fact, I'm part Irish myself and not the least bit violent. What I'm saying is that calling someone a racist term could earn you a deserved whallop, be it calling someone Irish or of Irish descent a Mick, calling someone from South America the acronym for 'without papers', calling an African American by a very taboo N-word, etc. In short, I'm saying being racist can grant you some very negative result. If that's a stereotype over being racist, I'll take it any day of the week.

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Helter: "Easy there partner, don't blow a gasket. I'm the first to criticize McCain for his choice of Palin. Nevertheless, if you're an Obama supporter and criticizing Palin's lack of experience, at least try to be subtle about your hypocrisy."

No gaskets being blown here... though I did blow a bit of coffee via laughter on my laptop when I saw your post above (the one I quoted). Again, we will continue to laugh and point out her inexperience, and that is in response to, and said with jeering and sarcastic tones, to McCain's hypocrisy as to his criticism of Obama and then choosing the very thing he purports to fight against. There's no chicken and egg question here, my friend. McCain started the whole 'inexperience' mud-slinging, so he's now going to get it back 10-fold. It's not hypocrisy when you laugh at someone who's been trying to trip you to the ground trips themselves as a result.

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skipthesong: "You'll never see anyone getting fired for calling some one a mick.... I told you before that I don't drink and feel even that should be banned."

Thanks for proving my point on the hypocrisy point! Oh, and while calling someone a 'fat old Irish guy' may not be overly offensive, calling someone a 'mick' CAN be, and will definitely earn you a punch in the face if said to the wrong person (sorry but, but it's racist however you slice it... like calling someone from Mexico or Latin America a derrogative name that rhymes with 'mick'); meanwhile, I simply suggest you may have been drinking and suddenly my comment 'should be banned'. HA!

"No, I never said it was. But, today it is, so what you always love to tell me that I am not different than those I distrust, dislike...."

Ummm... if you 'never said it was' (limited to Democratic supporters), but are saying 'today it is' in regards to the topic at hand... uhhh... how is that not contradictory? Sorry, Skip, but saying, "I'm not saying it is... but I'm saying it is", is, well...

"Its the approach smitty. Look at more, try to open you mind a little and look at many of the tactics lately." (in regards to calling people Nazis)

So, I'm going to try and get this straight: calling people Nazis, Micks, fat, etc. is perfectly alright, but suggesting someone might have had one drink to many is offensive and should be banned? And what's more, it's okay to take 'the approach', as you call it, when it's YOU posting, but other people who say far less derrogatory things (ie. calling people Micks, Nazi, etc.) is suddenly 'vile and unnacceptable', and you can't figure out how people were reduced to dissing this womand and McCain. Hmmm...

"I am only feed back the medicine that has been dished out. So, don't dish it out if you can't take it back."

Likewise... (again, see my comments on your, 'I think that should be banned!' comment on alcohol, while you call everyone vile names. What's more, skip, you're really not 'handing anyone back any medicine', you're just being utterly hypocritical and contradictory.

"All I hear is the war, the war and if you don't vote for Hillary, you are sexist and if you don't vote for Obama you are racist, but yet you all kicked Richardson to the curb and all of you have call McCain a fat old whitey. Certainly, you can accept a bit of criticism, can't you?"

Holy cow, Skip!!! I pointed out that YOU called McCain a fat old whitey, NO ONE ELSE, and you agreed and said 'what's wrong with that'? Is your memory THAT short???

Finally, again, most people are kicking McCain and this woman to the curb because of McCain's hypocrisy in choosing her... or at least, much more so than for anything in particular she has or may lack as a leader.

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smith

McCain's ENTIRE campaign being based on Obama's inexperience and then... hahaha... him CHOOSING SOMEONE WITH ALMOST NONE!

Easy there partner, don't blow a gasket. I'm the first to criticize McCain for his choice of Palin. Nevertheless, if you're an Obama supporter and criticizing Palin's lack of experience, at least try to be subtle about your hypocrisy.

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SushiSake3,

A "bucket of warm spit", someone once called it.

Was said by VP John Nance Garner, FDR's VP from 1933-41.

If my wife were nominated as VP, like Mr. Palin I would not mind being a stay at home dad and helping raise my children, even the one with Down's syndrome. Look at it this way, as liberals are so want to bash the Rep. and the right, who are on the "traditional values" mantra, here we have a woman that will undoubtedly be the primary bread winner and supporter of the family. Her husband will obviously be a no-name compared to her. Yet, McCain chose her. Remember, many of the far right did not want McCain but Romney (big business, wall street, same old mold). They were even afraid of Huckabee too. So McCain's reputation of being a Maverick still holds up.

As far as her being able to deal with foreign issues. If McCain did become president, then it would be all the more important to make sure he picks a cabinet with the best in the Nation to provide her support if she did become president. Just because the "euro's" like the rock star appeal of Obama, that does not necessarily translate into how they will deal with America in FP. I seem to recall that many foreign nations liked Jimmy Carter compared to Ford back in 1976, and look where that got the US.

This whole scenario reminds me of the US television program "Commadner in Chief" about the woman VP who became president, and the issues she had to face. I guess we will have a case of life imitating art one day.

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Hey chaps, why not cool down a bit!! maybe at least accept each others views a bit and be respectfull for each other.

I think it is great this woman has a chance to be VP, she seems ok.

I don`t think any major changes are going to occur withing the US whoever wins. Wish a candidate was committed to decreasing the ever rising gap between rich and poor.

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Statistician - "If the unforseeable happens - how can you be President AND and effective mother for a very young handicapped child?"

You can't. She will have to split her responsibilities and the country will lose.

This is what people like Whitehawk refuse to understand while they hide behind their baseless insults of other posters.

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WhiteHawk: "smithinjapan, why do you refuse to look past Palin's gender and see the staunch conservative? Any specific reason?"

So... she's a staunch conservative... which makes her, what? aside from being a staunch conservative, of course. It makes her... unlikely to do anything progressive? Check! A hypocrite for choosing to pursue this role instead of following the more instilled and traditionally staunch family values of the 'woman at home, taking care of kids'? Check! (I disagree with said 'values', by the way, but pointing out the hypocrisy).

Helter_Skelter: "Obama supporters criticizing Palin's lack of experience. Too funny. :-D"

Check this out! The REALLY funny thing, and which is causing him to suffer already, is McCain's ENTIRE campaign being based on Obama's inexperience and then... hahaha... him CHOOSING SOMEONE WITH ALMOST NONE! hahahahaha.... now THAT's funny! You see, we laugh in reaction to the hypocracy itself, not at her having no experience.

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One thing that kind of worries me.

If the unforseeable happens - how can you be President AND and effective mother for a very young handicapped child?

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smithinjapan, why do you refuse to look past Palin's gender and see the staunch conservative? Any specific reason?

SushiSake3:

Sarah Palin is a 'hockey mum.'

I guess you missed the part about her being governor of the largest state in the country, one that borders with Canada and is 12 miles from Russia. How condescendingly sexist of you. Did you really think you nobody would notice?

Of course, it all depends on what the future role of the vice president will be. Prior to 2000, it was a largely ceremonial role. A "bucket of warm spit", someone once called it. But now Cheney has proven that the VP can work for a living and make a difference in the administration. Will all VP's follow suit?

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Obama supporters criticizing Palin's lack of experience. Too funny. :-D

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One of the main points of a vice president's job description is to be ready at any moment to assume the post of President.

Sarah Palin is a 'hockey mum.'

Do any already hysterically desperate Republicans think a woman with kids (including one with Down's Syndrome) is ready to take on this huge responsibility?

Honestly?

Good grief, McCain's selection of Palin shows extreme desperation nad has just sunk his campaign boat, but I can totally understand why he gave Mitt Romney and Joe Lieberman the flick - both are abortion embracers and the Conservative Establishment would have had major problems with both.

Heh, this surprising but ultimately hopeless move by McCain has just handed the presidency to Obama.

Awesome news.

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Superlib: That's one of the best and most objective comments I've ever seen you post, on a thread where little more than mud-slinging (and easy mud-slinging) is going on. Kudos!

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Betzee

Don't steal my lines!

Hehe. Thought you'd get a kick out of that.

Do we want experience or judgment?

We want experience and judgment. It's not like they're mutually exclusive. I'm a conservative who believes Palin, a conservative also, lacks the experience necessary to be VP. Will you admit Obama lacks the experience to be president? Will any leftist admit Obama lacks the experience to be president?

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skipthesong: "I am so shocked today at what I see from die hard Democrat supporters. I doubt McCain will win and I am happy about that, but still, you people have become some of the most vile people lately.. and for what? A skinny black dude and a fat old Anglo guy."

No offense, my friend, but you're REALLY off the ball today!

More than that; I agree with SOME of your comments that there are some pretty vile things being said on this topic, but it's certainly not limited to Democratic supporters.

You should at least be consistant, one way or the other. The way it is you're kind of reminding me of someone who might say: "I think these extremists should be SHOT!" (as though it weren't an extreme solution... just in case I had to point out the hypocrisy).

Anyway, as to other posters on here.... how many is that for you now, RR? Must be more than 20 posts by now... again... the panic is so utterly funny to watch.

But there's something more important in terms of the Rightists' hypocrisy on here, and it's being completely ignored (not surprising) by them; it's that 'because McCain has chosen a woman, he should be given the Pulitzer prize for human rights, while any Dem. who questions it is supposedly a hypocrite and a 'vile human being'. I would agree with you but for ONE thing: McCain did not choose her because she is a woman -- errr... rather, he DID choose her for that reason, but not as a champion of progress and suffrage or what have you; he did it as an obvious ploy to garner votes in a much needed campaign. That's it! That's the ONLY reason he chose her, and anyone who can't see beyond the superficiality of said choice really, really needs to give their head a good shake.

I don't think there are ANY democrats on here posting that they lament the fact that a woman was chosen (except in sarcasm to poke fun at the Righties who were so against a potential female president when Hilary was running for the Dem. nomination!), but ALL of us lament WHY.

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I was checking out some video of Palin on YouTube to learn more about her and this was the first one I saw:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3jnbiHAMuY

It's kind of funny because towards the end the host mentions that people have been talking to her about being the VP choice...heh.

She seems well spoken and I agreed with most of what she said in the video....but....I just don't think this is going to be a net positive for McCain. It does somewhat mute McCain's criticism of Obama's experience, but it also plays into the hands of those who criticize McCain for his age. I don't think Americans really look at the VP in terms of creating policy, mostly we look at it as the person who would be President if something happened to the Pres. And in that respect I think his selection works against him.

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skipthesong, you read the whole thing? Wow, I don't think anyone's done that before!

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whitehawke: Wow! You really know how to shut nut cases up! My jaw dropped reading your post. I just may move over to McCain just out of spite.

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I admit to taking perverse pleasure in watching those who support neophyte Obama now criticizing Palin for her lack of experience. It's clearly a selective concern, especially considering Palin has more executive experience than Obama.

Don't steal my lines! I pointed that out! Sailwind described Obama's resume as something which could fit on a "postage stamp" yet he describes Palin as a "brilliant choice." He, in contrast, to most of those on the Right will admit to his guys/gals' flaws, something which is strictly verboten for the rest in mixed company, and for that I express great admiration.

I agree with you but see the problem in structural terms. Campaigns work against candidates with experience because with that comes skeletons in the closet. This gives those with a limited paper trail a big advantage in the selection process. Is that a good thing? No, but once winning became more important than governing it was inevitable.

Do we want experience or judgment? Experience doesn't necessarily yield good judgment which is more often the result of decision-making styles.

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SezWho2:

I'm not sure what you mean by this being the first time we could have a female VP. 24 years ago Mondale's choice was Geraldine Ferraro.

I remember an old SNL skit with one of the actors portraying Mondale in a Bob Newhart-type role, running the desk at an inn or lodge. "Mondale" was telling visitors that he once ran for president, and they were laughing at him, "Sure, sure you did!" This was about 6 months after Mondale lost 49 states to Reagan, and it was indicitive of how quickly people had forgotten him.

And we didn't even get a funny picture of him driving a tank or wearing a bunny suit to remember him by...

smithinjapan:

McCain will be dropping her before the campaign is through. Of course, it'll really be under the guise of her 'dropping out' of the bid to be the first female VP.... hehehe.

Funny you should mention that. A local talk-radio pundit, Phil Valentine, has suggested that Biden will put his foot in his mouth (a common affliction for him) before November and Obama will have to drop him and pick up Hillary. It's just a theory too, but unlike yours, it has a plausible cause.

DanManjt:

Sarah Palin's wikipedia page was changed yesterday morning before the announcement that she would be McCain's running mate..... her less "presidenty" moments on the page (like being in a beauty pageant) were diminished, and glowing quotes were added (she's a politician with "eye-popping integrity.") Her page was changed by someone who knew lots about her family (they go moose-hunting at three a.m.) and their account name was YoungTrig.....which happens to be her son's name.

You mean somebody who actually knows Palin contributed to her Wikipedia page? If you asked John Seigenthaler, I bet he would say that's a big improvement for Wiki.

bebert:

What the choice of Palin possibly does do is pull in independent female voters and return conservatives -who hate McCain- back into the party.

In one sentence, you just obliterated all the baseless, superficial talking points of the USAFdudes, McC72s and DanManjts of the board. As I said on another thread, Obama had to pick someone like Biden to compensate for his lack of experience, while McCain had to pick a conservative to compensate for his relatively low ACU rating (from all that "working across the aisle" non-partisan unity stuff in the Senate).

DanManjt:

"Family values" Palin has a three month old baby with Down's Syndrom. That;s really gonna please Dobson.

I saw Dobson on Fox earlier tonight, and you're right, it does please him. Or did you mean it like a bad thing?

skipthesong:

But, what was nasty from the Obama's: "she gave birth to a boy named Trig who was born in April and has Down Syndrome. The parents were aware of the diagnosis when Palin was four months pregnant, but they decided to have the child anyway." So, was she supposed to abort him? Kind of Nazi like on their part. That was one disgusting statement. Anyone not thinking so is a Nazi in my book! What happened to pro-choice dems??????

I thought it was a poor comment to make too. But indicitive of the abort-at-any-sign-of-inconvenience crowd. The old NOW group resurrected themselves from obscurity today by accusing Palin of not supporting women's rights. Not that women have to sit in the back of the bus or can't vote or anything like that (Although in most places, they do have separate bathrooms. But I'm told they actually prefer that.), but soley because Palin doesn't abort her children. Palin is pro-2nd-Amendment, which I think is very pro-women's-rights, but these days NOW only has one issue left, and they're clinging to it bitterly.

Moderator: Please do not refer to Obama by his middle name.

Why not? What's next? We can't criticize his wife? Can't mention his connections to William Ayers? We can use Hillary, but not Barry or Hussein? It's not like they said "Barry bin Osama", or "McSame". It's his actual name, big deal.

smithinjapan:

This nomination isn't going to 'shatter the glass ceiling', as Palin states, so much as it's going to shatter any less vestigal hope of McCain winning; as well as further fracturing the party you comedically claim is united.

Not surprisingly, I'm seeing the exact opposite of your wishful thinking. Every right-wing conservative I've heard from, whether on the radio, TV or in person, is exited about Palin and saying they won't have to hold their nose to vote for McCain now. Well, except for Michael Savage, and he's never happy with anybody or anything.

Suzu1:

Palin has more executive experience than Obama, plus she speaks better without a teleprompter than he does.

Well, when you have a set of values and beliefs that are genuinely yours and not scripted for you by focus groups, you don't need a teleprompter.

And while loyal leftists will try to belittle her experience, just the fact that she was mayor of any town - even one with a population under 10,000 - means that she has more executive experience than Obama. Add in those two years as governor, then compound that by noting how she has done more with that two years than Obama has done with his 3 years in the senate. Obama squandered his time as Senator, just as he did with time in the state legislature. Unless you count skipping votes, voting "present", trying to increase federal spending by almost a billion dollars with earmarks and campaigning for another office as accomplishments...

Neither Biden or Obama is comfortable with strong women.

I think it depends on the context. Obama's wife is very strong, and he's obviously comfortable with her. But he didn't do well against Hillary in the debates, but that just might be my opinion.

jwills79:

You have nothing better than stupid one liners. Come with some real substances.

Here I am, to your rescue.

Only the die hard nutjobs won't think that his pandering to women. I honestly think that it will be more insulting to the majority of the women than empowering.

Really? Why do you think that? Any substantive reason?

Second, for firing a governmental employ because he refused to fire her former brother-in-law who is a State Trooper. Right now, the State Trooper is a custody battle with one of her kinfolk. Who do think that would have benefitted? Yes, you posted about this on an Obama thread. I responded there, but apparently you didn't return to that thread, so here it is again:

Since you're an open-minded progressive, you'll probably want to know the rest of the story: 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. From the young American liberal's favorite source, Wikipedia.

Alphaape at 11:37 AM JST - 30th August

Wow, the picture you painted of Hilary's night was hilarious! Great stuff!

A couple of points I'd like to add:

Some posters are suggesting that Obama would have to lose this election in order for Hillary to run in 2012. Not so. I'm convinced she will run anyway. Besides, incumbent parties have primaries too.

Palin comes across as a right-wing populist. That's a big seller, and I think she'll add new life to the campaign. She's also known for being a straight-talker, so she'll likely work well with McCain. She's also big on balancing budgets by cutting unnecessary spending, which also fits with McCain. Modern American liberals (leftists) have a party that is stuffed to overflowing with lawyers talking in circles, and that will be an obstacle to overcome in their attempts to pick up more votes.

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betzee

the executive experience her tenure as mayor of a town of less than 10,000 conferred...

I admit to taking perverse pleasure in watching those who support neophyte Obama now criticizing Palin for her lack of experience. It's clearly a selective concern, especially considering Palin has more executive experience than Obama.

I personally think Obama and Palin both lack the necessary experience to be president or vice president. I wonder how many leftists would be willing to admit the same.

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A sign that Mrs. Palin is a good choice. As their fear mounts, the liberals are getting increasingly obnoxious.

RR

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Another Republican who is anti-environment, anti-science, pro-life and big business lunatic. They just don't get any better than this.

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Unfortunately, with her support for drilling in the Arctic Refuge and off our coasts, Governor Palin will simply continue the failed policies of the Bush-Cheney administration and their Big Oil friends — policies that could make us even more dependent on foreign oil.

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I have been reading this posts in disbelief at the vitriol aimed at this wo woman. She is being treated like some kind of demon!!!

Guess you're new to this thread, you should check out what your kind wrote about Biden. I think he'll do a much better job protecting the interests of women than Sarah Palin based on his legislative record.

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More bad news for team obama. Looks like hillary's supporers are pleased with Mr. McCain's choice:

http://hillaryis44.com/

RR

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Sarah Palin in Iraq.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=TvTskUiBE7Q

Heh, how many M-16's did obama and biden hold while they were there.

RR

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Sailwind,

I read this:

"For 20 years he's been working as an oil production operator," she said. "It is pretty much a blue collar union [job]. They are separating the oil and gas and water in a facility up there."

I do feel for women with young children who are discriminated against in the job market out of fear that their household responsibilities will make them less reliable employees. At the same time, it often turns out to be the case. I worked with a married woman in this situation who's frequent absences left me holding the bag. She went through her sick leave and most of her annual leave attending to her two children's illnesses. When I went on vacation she expressed envy yet I felt it imprudent to point out, "We made different choices in life."

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This will help McCain get elected, especially if he realeases his medical info. And especially if that info is damning.

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Liberals, both male and female, are showing their true selves. They want women to stay at home in the kitchen where they belong.

Too funny

RR

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Unfortunately for the Republicans, voters don't average the pres and vp candidate ages when making their decisions.

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I don't think a mother with a downs syndrome infant is in a position to take on the responsibilities of VP.*

That's a difference between you and I.

I don't think this person is able to take on the responsibilities of VP.

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betzee, what is wrong with you today?

I wish I could be more enthusiastic about this woman's candidacy for VP and think it's wonderful that a woman with a baby, never mind disabled, should not find any obstacles in her career path. But as a childless by choice woman I'm all too aware of the trade-offs of different lifestyles. Children require a certain amount parental attention, those who are disabled even more, and I don't think a mother with a downs syndrome infant is in a position to take on the responsibilities of VP. If her husband can sign-on as a full-time parent, as Michelle Obama will do, then I will revise my opinion.

RR,

The liberals here prove once and for all that they love all minorities ... unless they're Republicans.

Minorities? I think you have that confused with tokenism.

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I think you'd be better off THAN trying to smear the woman.

Sorry meant to say the above.

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Her husband is a stay at home Dad?

Article was wriiten before Trig was born. Local Alaska paper on her husband. Pretty sure he's doing just as well with the family life after Triq was born.

I think you'd be better off trying to smear the woman. She made a pretty darn good pick for a hubby if you ask me.

http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/story/8924080p-8824177c.html

At home, Palin takes care of the cooking, the bills and other domestic paperwork, in addition to driving the kids to extracurricular activities like basketball and soccer, according to his wife. He divides much of his time between Wasilla, where Track is recovering from shoulder surgery, and the capital in Juneau, where the Palin daughters are in school.

"He can go on just an hour or two of sleep a night. He says, 'I can sleep when I die,' " said Sarah Palin. "There is no way I could have done this job without his tremendous contributions to the home life. He's able to keep it organized, like a well-oiled machine."

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ramen, You switched parties?!?!

Taka

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sailwind:

what is sickening is reading the same posters who have been going off the deep end against repubs. I have watched news that if Obama is not elected, it proves America is a racist country. I have been bombarded with e-mails about the dirty laundry, in one day, on this lady, yet right now at this very moment, Obama's campaign is trying to block anything related to his relation to that Ayayers dude.

When Biden was selected, e-mail after e-mail came pouring in. ABC news and CNN and NBC had massive, massive content on it and the only thing we see about McC and Palin is a short article and loads of some issue she has with something about her ex-brother in law.

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The liberals here prove once and for all that they love all minorities ... unless they're Republicans.

RR

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betzee, what is wrong with you today?

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She hunts and she fishes!

so what.

Joe Biden drives a Corvette.

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Yeah, Betzee she has a husband who is more than happy to take on that role.

Her husband is a stay at home Dad?

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RR: "Ah, you can smell the panic in the liberals' posts here as they realize they are once again on the wrong side of history."

Hahaha... and, how many panicked responses is that for you now? (that's a rhetorical question, by the way)... I think you've posted 7 of the past 16 messages! Talk about PANIC! Oh, and it IS quite entertaining to watch you flip-flop even within your own messages. What's more, it's great watching the flailing republicans contradict each other in post after post to cover the beating they're taking on this:

The 72 year old man against the young man for change; McCain the maverick in the party of unity! Hahaha

Again, the paradoxical statements are astounding.

Finally, the #1 definition of a 'maverick' is a motherless cow.

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But how comfortable will they be with her outsourcing the traditional parenting role if she's elected VP? *

Many will be very comfortable.

Because they are hypocrites.

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Not trying to make her choices be the law to all other women in the nation.

This is where you are wrong. Pro-life is not a matter of individual choice. The point is to criminalize abortion, no matter who the woman is and what her reasons for seeking to terminate the pregnancy. There are no reasons that justify murdering the unborn.

Sarah Palin is a heroine to the religious right precisely because she rejected that option for herself. But how comfortable will they be with her outsourcing the traditional parenting role if she's elected VP? Remember how they reacted to Hillary Clinton's It Takes a Village?

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Yet she has rejected that care-giving role for herself.

Yeah, Betzee she has a husband who is more than happy to take on that role.

I'm pretty darn sure they had some serious discussions about this decision and how they would handle the responsibilities of career and raising Trig after he was born.

Skip you noticed when Biden was selected most of us except the right radical fringe said good choice?

McCain makes a brilliant choice and almost all of the left sling mud immediately. Less tha 24 hours were already at what a crappy selfish Mother she is for not staying at home and raising Trig.

Sickening really.

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”Obama looks and sounds presidential"

Well, that decides it then. LOOKING and SOUNDING persidential is obviously far more important than actually being ready for the job...

Seriously, Obama is in panic mode now. He went establishment with his VP pick in an attempt to shore up his total lack of foreign policy experience. McCain totally trumped him.

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What this selection shows is who is more secure with themselves: Mr. McCain or obama.

obama should have chosen a woman, even if it weren't hillary. But, he didn't want to share the title of "first" with someone else, so he went with the safe choice by picking an old white guy as his running mate.

Mr. McCain will be outshadowed by his VP choice and he is OK with that. American voters will see who has more character.

RR

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Betzee,

Yeah, Dobson is just gonna luv that.

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It may not be relevant but Barack's medical report consisted of only one page for his whole life.

Its totally irrelevant. The thought of a ex-soccer mom with NO international experience being the VP to 72 year-old Frodo doesn't give anyone pause for serious thought.

Especially the Republicans.

Y'know, the security types.

What. A. Dope.

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Not sure what is meant by this comment, but she found out that her child would be born with Downs syndrome. She made the difficult decision to continue with the pregnancy and give birth to the child. She made the decision based on her own beliefs.

I don't criticize her for that. What surprises me is that she choose not to make any lifestyle adjustments to accommodate his special needs. Now she's going to embark on a national campaign for the second highest office in the land which is not a 9-5 job. Presumably his care will be left to hired hands since her husband plans to remain in Alaska should she move to Washington.

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McCain had only met Palin once before nominating her VP.

He looked into her soul...

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It is a cheap attempt to grab Hillary supporters that are still disgruntled. It sounds similar to what the Illinois Republicans tried to pull off a few years ago. When Ryan dropped out of the Senate race due to scandals, Illinois Republicans called on Alan Keyes to run against Obama. Get it?

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Barack Obama looks and sounds Presidential. He doesn’t look like he’s out of his league. In contast Sarah Palin looks scared and out of her element. She sounds more like a young woman running for her school’s Presidency. She has a pitchy shcool girl’s voice and looked an sounded very nervous today. That makes me nervous. Watch McCain and Palin body language last night they don't even look comfortable around each other. McCain had only met Palin once before nominating her VP.

It would take all my imagination to view Sarah Palin as someone that could potentially be the leader of the free world. Leadership comes natural to Barack Obama. I don’t have to use my imagination.

McCain’s choice of Gov. Palin further shows his lack of sound judgment. You’re telling me that after blasting Obama for having a combined ten years of state and federal senatorial experience, McCain now picks a former council member/mayor of a small town in Alaska who has been governor for less than a full term? Is it not just slightly odd looking at a 72 year old man next to a late 30s woman? The Vice-President is just one step away from being President, correct?

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I am so shocked today at what I see from die hard Democrat supporters.

I doubt McCain will win and I am happy about that, but still, you people have become some of the most vile people lately.. and for what? A skinny black dude and a fat old Anglo guy..

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jwills79, Biden's sons work for hedge funds. Their biggest backers were the credit card industries (MBNA is headquartered in Delaware). Biden passed laws that made it easier for credit card companies to continue to "fleece" consumers by being able to charge outlandish rates that would make the mafia blush. Doing the ground work for the companies were his sons. Biden claims he is a "poor millionare" in the Senate, true but his sons have been making the money, off the influence from their father.

Obama's whole mantra was "change." You can't get much more change than somebody who is coming from the farthest point in the union to Washington, whose husband is a union man working in the oil fields. Not an Ivy League educated politician but just a "regular guy (gal)."

rejecting the traditional motherhood role entailed in caring for a handicapped infant for themselves while working the legislative ropes to limit the choices of others who find themselves in similar circumstances.

Not sure what is meant by this comment, but she found out that her child would be born with Downs syndrome. She made the difficult decision to continue with the pregnancy and give birth to the child. She made the decision based on her own beliefs. Now she may be pro-life, and if so that is her choice, but I don't think that anytime soon will Roe V. Wade and the woman's right to an abortion be overturned. She mainly acted in what she believed. Not trying to make her choices be the law to all other women in the nation.

As far as experience, she has more than Obama at least in running a large gov. organization. And remember, Harry S. Truman was a long shot and not well respected when FDR placed him on his ticket. As well as LBJ (done by Kennedy to placate the South).

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VOR

If you're an independent, then I am the King of Siam.

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Skip,

Sarah Palin is anti-abortion even in cases of rape and incest. This is a rather extreme stance (though it may be widely held amongst religious conservatives). When she learned her fifth child was a down syndrome's baby, she chose to have him aware he would require care beyond what the average child needs. Yet she has rejected that care-giving role for herself. If denied access to abortion, however, most women in that situation would have no alternative but to care for the child themselves. That's what I mean by having it both ways...

I know a couple with whose only child was diagnosed with autism. This prompted them to give up high-powered jobs and move "back home" to be close to extended family who could provide the best possible environment for that child to achieve his full potential. I certainly wouldn't want to be in their shoes, but I have enormous respect for the sacrifices they have made as parents.

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Wolfpack,

When she was asked what she thought about Irag, her reply was she hadn't even thought about it. How could not be thinking about it? She has known for a whole year her son was going to fight there.

Secondly, her child has Downs Syndrome. How will she be able to care for that very young child and run the nation at the same time. It would be extremely difficult if the child didn't have special needs. There are cases of female politicians even in the Bush Amdinistrations who stepped down shortly after getting the job for the same reasons.

When all of the excitement wears down a little and people actually get to know some of these things about Gov. Palin, I believe you’ll find that she will become a liability, not an asset, for the McCain campaign.

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Ah, you can smell the panic in the liberals' posts here as they realize they are once again on the wrong side of history. democrats are offering business as usual while the Republicans are the real agents of change.

RR

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Only the die hard nutjobs won't think that his pandering to women." Only the die hard nut jobs wouldn't think that EVERY SINGLE candidate isn't pandering to anyone....

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Does anyone know if Sarah Palin is related to Michael Palin out ov Monty Python?

Yes, they are related in that they each have the same chance of getting elected the VP of the US.

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McCain chose a VP to help win an election

Yeah, Alaska's electoral votes all three of em were vital to ensure his victory.

Glad, he didn't go with Governor Crist of Florida with those 25 votes.

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Only the die hard nutjobs won't think that his pandering to women. I honestly think that it will be more insulting to the majority of the women than empowering.

Alphaape

Only plus she has is her ties to the oil companies in Alaska. She has been in office for only two years. The previous encumbents were so riddle with scandal anybody with a degree in Jouranlism could have stepped up a looked Golden.

Lets not forget to mention she is currently being investigate:

First, for giving contracts to the company her husband works for.

Second, for firing a governmental employ because he refused to fire her former brother-in-law who is a State Trooper. Right now, the State Trooper is a custody battle with one of her kinfolk. Who do think that would have benefitted?

Do really want someone like that to become President because we know McCain will probably not be able to fulfill his role as Commander-and-Chief? If Cancer or Dementia doesn't get him anyone of the ailments on his 1200 page medical report for only the past 8 years might get him.

It may not be relevant but Barack's medical report consisted of only one page for his whole life.

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rejecting the traditional motherhood role entailed in caring for a handicapped infant for themselves while working the legislative ropes to limit the choices of others who find themselves in similar circumstances." Betzee, of all people on this board, I am quite shock that you would make such an assessment. There are actors and actress out there with kids who have problems such as this lady's... I don't mind disliking her, I don't know her, but I wouldn't go that low.

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In case you missed Mrs. Palin's acceptance speech, here ya go:

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=UXzY1FvYpnE

RR

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jwills79- Your speculation as to why McCain made his selection are humorous to us knowledgeable in the way politics work in the US.

Palin will ensure Clinton supporters who will not vote for Obama due to his color, (reported thoroughly on BBC World), shall vote the right way.

More people will now make the correct decision for America`s future, Palin and her humble honesty will ensure that. Bravo!!!

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RomeoRamenII and the rest,

You have nothing better than stupid one liners. Come with some real substances.

Wow!!!! Obama's skills at making good decisions has really shined through.

The fact that none of Palin's group or McCain's inner-circle knew anything about his decision shows it was a last minute act of desperation. It shows that McCain is not thinking about the country but only himself.

Obama chose a VP to help run the country.

McCain chose a VP to help win an election

It is a good day for the Obama camp!!!!!!

Obama 08'

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She's just walkin' the walk, something the dems are unable to do.

I disagree. Women like Governor Palin appear to want it both ways, namely rejecting the traditional motherhood role entailed in caring for a handicapped infant for themselves while working the legislative ropes to limit the choices of others who find themselves in similar circumstances.

I will be most interested to hear her speech next week.

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obama has repeatedly shrieked about being all about change. But on the first significant decision in the race for the White House, Mr. McCain has delivered change while obama gives voters more of the same.

Sweet!!

RR

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RomeaRamenll; Hahaha, good post.

Clinton is already a has been, and she is worse off because she stayed with bed hopping Billy boy.

Palin and McCain have unblemished characters. Natural born winners!!

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Sarah Palin: John McCain having his "Harriet Miers moment."

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Heh, poor hillary. How old will she be when Mr. McCain wins two terms and Mrs. Palin wins two terms as POTUS? Over 80?

Good times

RR

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Heh, the democrat convention paid vociferous lip service to womens' rights and abilities (largely to placate hillary) and John McCain has produced something of substance in response; and in the process has highlighted who really is willing to change the way business is done.

Scorecard on change:

Mr. McCain - 1

obama - 0

RR

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I bet Hillary got really drunk when she heard the news about Palin. Just think,earlier this year, it seemed as if she were just a mere formality like the primaries and election before she entered the White House. Now, if McCain wins and he does not do a full term or chooses not to run again in 2012 (provided that his Administration does not screw up too bad) Hillary will have to face Obama again, as well as a working mom, with a son in Iraq and a baby with downs syndrom who was a former beauty pagent contestant. Not to menition her job as the VP will be the "President-pro term" of the Senate (in other words, she will be there to make the deciding vote on close issues, thereby probably being the star of the Senate and taking that role away from Hillary, Obama, and Biden).

Probably will be a long night of crying, tissues, and telling Bill to get the "Hell out of the room" in between swigs of a good stiff drink.

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She's pro-life. She knew her baby was going to be born with Down Syndrome and did not abort.

She's just walkin' the walk, something the dems are unable to do.

RR

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If you want to talk about Identity Politics. Hillary would have been a better choice than Obama (and I hate the Clintons) but the Dems chose to go with a Black guy (and I am Black). Yet, they choose a VP that has more Washington experience and will be able to provlde as they say a "vocie of reason" behind Obama.

Palin, has had more executive experience than both Obama and Biden. Mayor of a small town, and gov. of the largest state in the union. She has been there making decisios on education, law enforcement and other issues like budgeting that quite frankly one does not get by being a Senator. After all, all they do is debate on bills, and hold committee meetings. They only control their direct staff as far as hiring and firing.

As far as Dems saying that this was just a move to get the "soccer" moms from them, I think that is not a valid point. McCain was also looking at the woman who is the CEO of eBay. If he would have picked someone like Colin Powell or Rice, then he would be pandering against the Blacks. If he would have picked a white man, then the argument would have been more of the "same old white boys club."

If you look at Alaska, let's take a look. No state income tax, no state sales tax, and every year, each member of the state gets a tax refund of about $1900 per each person because of the revenues from the oil industry. Also, the state borders with Canada, and is right across the Bering Strait looking at Russia. So there are unique challenges to being the gov there, and her ability to make hard choices, than Obama or Biden. That state is in much better state than Illinois or California. Also her youngest child has downs syndrome, so if she can do all this and raise a child with this, she has my vote.

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Phhhhhttttt! That was the air that went out of the obama campaign.

RR

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Mr. McCain is still a maverick.

obama talked about "change" and gave democrats and American voters the same ole same ole with his VP choice. Meanwhile, Mr. McCain knocked obama's "historic" speech off the front page with his VP choice.

The GOP has derailed the obama Love Train.

RR

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Palin has more executive experience than Obama, plus she speaks better without a teleprompter than he does. Biden is going to come across as an arrogant blowhard during the debates with Palin. Neither Biden or Obama is comfortable with strong women. The hardcore feminist vote is pretty insignificant - Palin is going to appeal to the women who run businesses or are part of family businesses who don't like the way Obama takes them for granted and thinks that they are going to just let him tax them to death to pay for his ultimately ineffective social agenda. Obama is going to end up like the Grateful Dead - packing the stadiums and being fawned upon for every move by adoring fans, but ultimately not selling the albums (votes).

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smithinjapan; I am a Republican , and i sure don`t shy away from dabating my point of view.

Palin is not a Washington insider, she will gain the trust of the average voter.

What a great choice by McCain, not only a world famous vet, but a great man of equality.

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One of the first things I thought of after hearing of McCain's selection of Palin as his VP nominee is how upset Hillary must be now that she isn't the VP that will actually have the opportunity to smash through that glass celing with 18 million cracks in it. Govenor Palin is a confident and strong leader of her state. She is a reformer that has taken on corruption even within her own party - which is a rarity in politics. Her son has enlisted in the Army and will be deployed to Iraq soon - so she obviously takes national secuity issues seriously because she has a family member that is at risk.

Gov. Palin as the VP nominee has every bit of the experience that Obama has as the Democrats presidential nominee. She has executive experience at multiple levels of government and is the commander-in-chief of her state's National Guard. Obama has no executive experience and has been running for president since the day he made it to the senate. Obama is risky and is too Liberal for America. Even in a Democratic year, he will likely lose.

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This was a brave choice by our next president.

Yes, I'm waiting for him to explain it the way old George explained his nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, "He's the best man for the job and we're not going to discriminate against him just because he's black."

She will gain more votes for keeping her child ,

Don't you remember another Supreme Court nominee, Zoe Baird, who didn't make it owing to baby-sitting arrangements for her son while she worked long hours as a partner in a NYC law firm?

How many other women have been disqualified from public service because they, too, hired illegal aliens to care for their children? Some men as well, such as Bernard Kerik. But there's a difference; the men's fitness for parenthood was not questioned in the way the public questioned the women's. I don't see how Governor Palin can escape this scrutiny, unfair as it may be.

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Betzee,

Palin's (admittedly limited) experience is as an administrator in contrast to Ferraro's limited experience as a legislator.

It's pretty crappy overall that of the four people running for Pres and VP of the two major parties three are legilators (one with very limited experience) and one was an administrator of a town and then state with small populations. Who knows but that she could actually be the most effective? Though, honestly I'm very disappointed in the choices this time around.

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VOR: I'm not offended by your skipping my posts at all. In fact, it's pretty common knowledge that people that share many of the opinions you expressed not only don't read MY comments, but don't read any but their own or fellow die-hard Republican (or shared opinions, since you call yourself an 'independent') fan comments, since you don't want to face facts or be ashamed. Look at sarge, for example, he always takes a beating and then suddenly disappears from the thread when he's been taken to the cleaners.

Again, though, your comments are somewhat confused. You seem to have the 'democrats' and 'republicans' completely mixed up. The Republcians, you say, are 'united' under McCain, but the party has NEVER been more fractured than it is now... save for possibly feelings towards Bush, which is why McCain is ever distancing himself in speeches while making deals in no-press-allowed private meetings (again, fractured). Meanwhile, the Dems never looked so united as with the speeches the other night and Obama's subsequent one yesterday (or the day before, time-zone depending). This nomination isn't going to 'shatter the glass ceiling', as Palin states, so much as it's going to shatter any less vestigal hope of McCain winning; as well as further fracturing the party you comedically claim is united.

Again, good job, McCain... you've pounded the last nail in your own coffin.... and just after your 72nd birthday!

Skipthesong: Not to diss you, bud, but for a self-proclaimed American who supports a lot of American values and history, etc., you ought to hit the books a little more. Hell, I'm not American at all and I know all about the Irish mass immigrations in the late 1800s/early 1900s, how it led to mob wars between the Irish Americans and 'REAL' Americans, and how the derrogative 'Mick' as a label for one of Irish descent came about. Yes, 'Mc' is traditionally Irish (though you can hardly call someone with the name 'Mc' 'Irish' these days), and 'Mac' Scottish. They are old prefixes which used to mean something like 'son of...' since people weren't usually given the same surname until well after tax collection began. It's much the same meaning as the German Barony had 'Von', the Dutch commoner 'Van', and Northern Europeans (Scandanavian) have a double ss in the name (Richardsson, Svensson = literally Richard's Son, Sven's Son, etc.).

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Betzee- She ia a woman of honor. Bringing in her down syndrome child is hiting below the belt. This kind of remark is not decent, and you shuld not have brought it up.

She will gain more votes for keeping her child , than she will lose, you are talking codswallop!!

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Betzee; This was a brave choice by our next president.

He has no bias, to him, everyone is equal except those he considers our enemy.

Palin will get the vote of the Clinton voters, Hussein O , made a mistake not piking her, it was his last chance , and he blew it. Hahahaha.

Moderator: Please do not refer to Obama by his middle name.

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"and a woman who four months after giving birth to a downs syndrome baby is going to start a national campaign for the second highest office in the land." So, she is suppose to give up her life?

If you knowingly bring a handicapped child into the world, you have to be prepared to accept the obligations that come with it. There is tremendous social pressure against women who pursue high-powered careers and motherhood simultaneously.

This is indicative of the way the American public views mothers who pursue careers in the absence of family financial imperative. The issue will certainly come up for Governor Palin.

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skipthesong- I agrre, where are the pro choice DEms/ This woman has no skeletons in her closet, so the liberals make snide comments and remarks, which show thmselves to have sunk to the gutter.

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I remember the great days of Thatcher and Reagan.The world was a safer place with those two together.

Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan did not view diplomacy as a sign of weakness. I remember her saying after meeting Gorbachev, "He's a man we can do business with." Don't think she arrived at that determination after looking into his eyes and getting a sense of his soul.

The neocon crowd was very unhappy about this; they were, as they remain, of the mind "Oh, no, we don't negotiate with evil we defeat it."

Governor Palin made no mention of Margaret Thatcher. Instead he recalled the first female candidate for VP, Geraldine Ferraro.

[paste-in] Yet looking back on the Ferraro nomination, another well-known conservative wrote: "I believe that someday we are going to have a woman president, possibly during my life, and I've often thought the best way to pave the way for this was to first nominate and elect a woman as vice-president. But I think Mondale made a serious mistake when he picked Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate. In my view, he guessed wrong in deciding to take a congresswoman that almost nobody had ever heard of and try to put her in line for the presidency ... I don't know who among the Democrats might have been a better choice, but it was obvious Mondale picked Geraldine Ferraro simply because he believed there was a 'gender gap' where I was concerned and she was a woman."

Those are the words of Ronald Reagan in his 1991 memoir, An American Life, pouring scorn on the nomination of a woman who had served six years in Congress working on foreign policy issues. In retrospect, he had a point. Only this Palin gambit could make the Ferraro mistake look responsible and wise. [paste-in]

http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/08/30/palin/

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Yo, unagidon, yes, I've heard of JFK, and what happened to him? See, the US wasn't ready and they are not ready now.

I think the only trashing Hillary is going to do to this lady is mostly because she looks a lot better but I am sure ol' Bill is going to throw support.....

The "Family values" party has a ticket of an adulterer who left his injured wife for an ultra-rich heiress half his age" Can't blame a man for that...I'd probably do the same and so would a lot of people..

"and a woman who four months after giving birth to a downs syndrome baby is going to start a national campaign for the second highest office in the land." So, she is suppose to give up her life? I am not arguing with you, but would you stop all your goals?

Still, never heard of her before and don't know anything about her.. Here are my gripes: She is from Alaska - anyone living that far north is gotta be screwed up She hunted moose - I always thought hunting should be banned except in cases of over population She won a beauty contest - she wasn't with me then. She won a beauty contest - gives me the feeling she was probably stuck up Bad traits - German, Irish, and English.. should have at least a little bit of southern European. commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade - man, this issue needs to be left alone and off a presidential platform.

But, what was nasty from the Obama's: "she gave birth to a boy named Trig who was born in April and has Down Syndrome. The parents were aware of the diagnosis when Palin was four months pregnant, but they decided to have the child anyway." So, was she supposed to abort him? Kind of Nazi like on their part. That was one disgusting statement. Anyone not thinking so is a Nazi in my book! What happened to pro-choice dems??????

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AlfGarnett- Great post. I remember the great days of Thatcher and Reagan.The world was a safer place with those two together.

Palin is a greta choice, women are at last included in the presidential campaign, what a great statesman and diplomat McCain is.

McCain and Palin will make the world safer and would not hesitate to liberate nations from despots if deemed necessary.

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dan, i have no political party affiliation. consider me an independent. i can't speak for republicans but i did not see either Bill or Hillary providing Barack America a strong endorsement. They only did what they had to do to keep themselves from cutting off their noses to spite their faces. As bebert identifies in his post and as i did in earlier ones, the republican base is now united. whether the democrats base is remains to be seen. Not much of a bounce from the DNC so Obama may be tapped out and its going to be a real struggle now to win over independents such as myself and others who are sitting on the fence.

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ere i think it is good Mr McCain picked this woman. I remember when Britain voted for Mrs Thatcher, some peolpe said a women couldnt make it.

She turned Britain into the sick into the rich man of Europe.

This Woman who i`eard also looks after a nipper with downs syndrome, deserves the chance to serve her country.

Good luck to her and to McCain geezer, he was war hero innit, so he must love America.

Does anyone know if Sarah Palin is related to Michael Palin out ov Monty Python?

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Joe Biden's hair plugs may have won the election for us.

Everybody knows mccain wanted romney for his veep.But he probably realized any presidential hair advantage was gone when Barack Obama tapped Biden, who used to look like mccain still does.

And then mcSame panicked. And in desperation and confusion he thinks he can round up Hillary's PUMAs by choosing a woman.too funny.

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I don't believe the McCain team picked her thinking they would get that many of the Hillary females. Palin's rejection of abortion is a deal killer for most of them. You have to look back at their rejection of Sandra Day O'conner as America's 1st female Supreme Court justice and how they rallied around Bill Clinton when it was discovered he was having sex with a teenage intern. Their "sisterhood" is a closed club.

What the choice of Palin possibly does do is pull in independent female voters and return conservatives -who hate McCain- back into the party. Most important, the choice promises to get conservatives with deep pockets to contribute money to McCain's campaign coffers which are dwarfed by Obama's war chest.

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According to McCain's short list memo on Palin:

pro: help get Eskimo vote

con: may get pissy when I kill the Eskimos for their oil

Tee hee!

Danmanjt - What's the matter, don't you like beauty pageants?

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And may I remind you that is the line you republicans bleated all the way up to Mr. and Mrs. Clinton's strong endorsement this week at the convention.

How'd that work out for you....

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Hey Dan may i remind you it is in Hillary's best interest that Obama looses so she can run again in 2012. Its clear the reason she is providing Obama only luke warm support is to keep her future candidacy viable.

The only thrashing going on appears to be taking place from the privacy of your own home.

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Obama and Biden could offset any threat from Hillary-women supporters switching sides by cementing the homosexual vote. Perhaps a few risque photos of Obama and Biden in a hot tub together would do the trick.

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The irony, the irony, as someone observed:

The "Family values" party has a ticket of an adulterer who left his injured wife for an ultra-rich heiress half his age, and a woman who four months after giving birth to a downs syndrome baby is going to start a national campaign for the second highest office in the land.

Predictably, the executive experience her tenure as mayor of a town of less than 10,000 conferred has been extolled here as making her the best candidate McCain could find. We'll see about that....

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need to go after her the way we did Hillary and her supporters.

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skippy;

I don't America is ready for an Irish or Scottish guy.

Love it! Great grasp of US politics there - ever heard of JFK?

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Skippy

Mrs. Clinton and Obama are gonna thrash her.

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More good news:

Sarah Palin's wikipedia page was changed yesterday morning before the announcement that she would be McCain's running mate..... her less "presidenty" moments on the page (like being in a beauty pageant) were diminished, and glowing quotes were added (she's a politician with "eye-popping integrity.")

Her page was changed by someone who knew lots about her family (they go moose-hunting at three a.m.) and their account name was YoungTrig.....which happens to be her son's name.

What. A. Joke.

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anyone have word on Hillary's response to this? as well as does anyone know if Mitt and the others were upset over this?

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smithinjapan: pardon me for not looking at your posts. please don't be offended I am usually in the habit of skipping over them because i already know what you are going to say without even reading them.

Is there something you would like to discuss?

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I was definately surprised after all the hype. I don't think that the Clinton women will be fooled by this tactic at all. The courting might be fun, but the end result is scary. < :-)

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"identity politics," is politics, anyone who thinks one party has exclusive on it, including race, economic, religion, what ever is a fool!

But, this is not going to help. I am sure a lot of those die hard Hillary-billies are going to jump, but I am also sure many conservatives are going to jump away from McCain. If one I do know about conservatives, they won't do anything outside their thought process. So, he'll win some and lose some.

"Palin is a true patriot, with decent christian values" What does that mean? Just as much as I don't like die muslims, I sure as heck to like die hard christians either.

Another point about McCain, that Mc part.. what is that? Is that Irish or Scottish? I don't America is ready for an Irish or Scottish guy.

Now, one thing I hope won't be tried is what many posters here try to play and that is the race or gender card. Like, if you don't vote for McC, its because you sexist.

Isn`t this a wonderfull dream ticket?" No it is not. aaaaaaaand neither is Obama-Biden. A dream ticket would be a Hispanic-American, preferably Puerto Rican or Cuban and someone like and an Italian-American.

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VOR: funny, it really really sounds like YOU'RE the one who's 'scared'. I mean, you're on here with staccato posts talking about, as usual, anything but the post at hand, and using silly attacks to try and undermine the very well thought out posts of others on McCain's blunder.

As for 'bungling' the presidential election... dude... McCain just handed Obama the presidency on a silver platter!

It'll be funny to watch McCain field questions and try not to stroke out due to rage. I wouldn't be surprised if, in a few days, he conveniently 'forgets' ever having chosen Palin as VP and just starts supporting someone else.

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Wow, brilliant. Palin's resume is clearly superior to Obama's, so the Dems can't attack her on that front. She is a hunter, fisher, lifelong NRA member, working mother of 5, a poster child for red-meat America.

Obama's pick of Biden now looks pretty crass and pandering. A career Washington insider with no executive experience vs. a young and up-and-coming governor? Wow.

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McCain chose her as he belived her to be the best candidate for the job.

He did not pick her to entice women voters or to look good to wards women.

Palin is a true patriot, with decent christian values, just like McCain.

This is a dream ticket, which is the nail in the coffin for the Hussein O campaign. Isn`t this a wonderfull dream ticket?

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the support he needed from women voters?

Yep- support from the socially conservatives women who probably would've voted Republican anyway. If anything thinks that a rabid anti-abortionist (sorry, pro-lifer) will lure away the Hilary Dems has bee inhaling the fumes from McCain's talking points too often.

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man you guys on the left are really upset. these posts really have the appearance that you all are finally coming to the conclusion that the Democrats have bungled yet another presidential election. If you picked Hillary, you wouldn't be in this mess. NOBama 08!

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Funniest thing I've read about this all day was the acronym VPILF.

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USAFdude, sounds like you're scared John McCain just locked up his base and picked up the support he needed from women voters to win this election.

The irony is not lost in you USAFdude speaking for the women across America.

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Palin's oldest son is headed to Iraq.

Warmonger!

Her husband is staying in Alaska.

Chickenhawk!

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I saw the photos of Governor Palin's introduction and was impressed. Nice professional appearance, particularly in contrast to Cindy McCain who's had so much plastic surgery she looks ghastly (or ghostly). I'm so tired of these bottle blond shrill types like the Cheney women.

Yet I couldn't help suppressing a chuckle. After being lectured to on this site about how only Dems play "identity politics," it's clear her selection was a bid to woo female voters. She even made reference to breaking the glass ceiling. While there may much to admire about her choices in life, very few Hillary supporters would back an anti-reproductive rights candidate. This is a black and issue. Now she followed through on her principles and did not abort a child she was warned would have Down's syndrome. But is this really going to help her with the religious right?

They are much less willing than the rest of us to overlook in their own candidates what they criticize in the other party's. Specifically, they are highly critical of mothers who pursue high-powered careers while casting parenting off on hired help. Her son is four months old and will need a lot of care. Working in the White House is not easy for mothers even of healthy children. Karen Hughes went back to Texas after less than two years because her teenage son resented being uprooted as well as the fact she was never home. Mary Matalin also had to quit owing to her two young daughter who required a greater maternal presence than working in the WH permitted.

So how can a woman with a Down's Syndrome baby, along with four other children, juggle it? There are men who embrace full-time parenthood, but they are few are far between and I doubt many conservative male voters would be comfortable with such an arrangement even if her husband is willing.

Plus, is the warrior crowd confident Governor Palin can lead the US if need be in world filled with the likes of Putin and Ahmadinejad, just two of the unsavory characters the next president will have to confront?

As an unquoted, but likely Ed Rollins, veteran Republican operative observed of the presumptive Republican nominee's choice, "It says that McCain needs help with the base. And the price of pleasing the base is a huge gap in the 'Obama's not ready' argument."

That's a huge trade-off since the public's gut instinct was to support McCain on national security issues. One could make all sorts of intellectual arguments that our current problems stem from GWB's neocon-inspired foreign policy but it wouldn't fly. This choice of running mate, however, changes that dramatically. If she proves unable to come across as ready to assume the reigns on the campaign trail, this will all be over quickly.

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McCain will be dropping her before the campaign is through. Of course, it'll really be under the guise of her 'dropping out' of the bid to be the first female VP.... hehehe.

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The Republican spinners on this make me laugh.

It could take a few weeks for McCain to realize the blunder he's just made. Governor Palin's an intruiging character but not much more than that. Politically, she's never been up against any serious competition among the corrupt and hated (in the case of Murkowski) Alaskans she's faced.

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hahahaha.... the desperation of McCain. On the surface, I'm sure many people are immediately shocked and somewhat pleased, uttering statements like, "Wow... a woman... that McCain really ISN'T that crotchety and senile!" But these people are tools if they can't see that McCain chose her simply out of desperation, and that it's going to come back and bite him in the a$$ ten-fold.

Let's see.... hasn't McCain been making pretty much ALL THE TIME the argument that 'Obama doesn't have the experience' to be in the White House? So... what.... his less than two year governor does??

"We women are going to shatter that glass ceiling yet!" says Palin, forgetting that she would still be under a man's thumb.

This isn't progress by any means, it's a simple and desperate gimmick by McCain to get a few points, which he BADLY needs after the very successful speeches by Obama and Co. the other day.

And by the way, Repubs., beware! I know many of you think it's 'safe' to have a female VP so long as it's a male VP, but when McCain has a stroke in the next few months due to poor anger management, are you ready for this woman to be running for president? Or 'worse' yet... IF in some alternative universe McCain managed to win the election for President, then croaked or was incapacitated, you ready for a female president?

hehehe... watching heads explode!

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McCain's really exhibited some great judgement in his first presidential decision.

What. A. Dope.

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"Family values" Palin has a three month old baby with Down's Syndrom. That;s really gonna please Dobson.

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USAFdude

Well, let's not get too carried away here. I see more blatant disrespect for women coming out of Palin's mouth every tome she opens it to talk about abortion and creationism.

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VOR - You couldn't be more wrong. Women see this stunt as exactly that - a stunt where McCain is simply using a woman to woo votes from Hillary supporters.

"Hey! Vote for me! MY VP is a WOMAN! Isn't that what you wanted? Never mind the fact that by voting for me and a woman whose name you'd never heard before today (unless you're from Alaska), you'll be abandoning every principle you believe in; it's worth it to have a WOMAN in the VP's office, right?"

I've never seen such blatant disrespect to the women of the world; I've never seen such political desperation and panic as John McCain exhibited today. Shame.

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Hello President Obama.

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Great, great choice.

Governor Palin is exactly what Washington needs right now; a citizen politician, an outsider.

John McCain has shown some real savvy in his selection for vice president. Barack America now finds himself in a position where he is going to have to fight for every single one of Hillary's supporters his election team arrogantly dismissed.

Now this is some real change people can believe in.

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This is an insult to women of America. You think they would vote her just because of her gender? Once again, McSame failed in his judgement in his attempt to win HRC votes. Do everything just to win . What happens to America in case..in case your 72 health fails along the way?? Women, beware of people who pretend to fight your course. Palin should get something in writing otherwise she would be used for the 67 days ahead and dumped

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It seems as though we're really trying hard to pick up those disaffected Hillary voters.

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rajakumar,

I'm not sure what you mean by this being the first time we could have a female VP. 24 years ago Mondale's choice was Geraldine Ferraro.

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Vice president Sarah palin(44 years old) former journalist may replace Cheney.

What a surprise U-turn. It also breaks record as first time a lady could be VP. The 1960s generation really getting more into power via obama/palin.

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SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nobody saw that coming. < :-)

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