So why is the Obama campaign going for the jugular and critiquing Sarah Palin's experience? Shouldn't they be happy enough that the experience argument was essentially taken off the table by this selection?
Because it isn't really an argument about experience per se. It's an argument about whether she meets the basic threshold test of voters feeling comfortable with having her as President. Experience is a part of that, but so are essentially the aesthetics of it: picturing a young, attractive, kooky, female governor from Alaska who has an accent straight out of Fargo in the White House is going to be a much bigger leap for many voters than picturing Barack Obama there.
And whereas Obama has had eighteen months to make himself familiar to voters, the McCain campaign has barely any time to roll Palin out. It's not that she's inexperienced so much as that she's new.
8.29.2008
Palin: It's Not Really About Experience
@ 1:58 PM
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I agree 1000%, Nate.
Since McCain has stated as recently as the past month that he sees the VP spot in the traditional "funerals and daily health inquiries" way, the Obama campaign would be wisest to point that out in an ad in McCain's own voice and otherwise more or less just ignore her altogether.
...and she said, "nucular."
eight years of that is more than enough.
I'm not at all surprised by McCain tapping Palin. We all know he can't resist the younger women. Odd that she's not a blond, though.
Check and mate. McCain has just demonstrated that he really IS George Bush by having a "You've done a heckuva job, Brownie" kind of pick with his VP. I don't think you can argue with a straight face that Obama isn't qualified to be President with Palin as your running mate. What exactly does McCain have left?
On what credentials do you have that makes you believe you know what it takes to relate to Americans?
She's closer to Clinton and Bush than Obama could ever try to be on a personal level.
To borrow from yourself Nate, how do you know that choosing Palin was a good move? If the Democrats hate it. =P
Do you really think that hearing comments like Tito's for example will make people more or less likely to support McCain?
SouthernOntario -
You give me way too much credit. I'll be the first to tell you that my comments don't influence anyone.
The Democrats don't hate this pick. Most that I know are rejoicing that McCain chose someone like her.
the Obama campaign have to be careful how they play this. They can't come off too strong on the experience requirement as that is Obama's biggest weakness - which is why I'm surprised that McCain has thrown away his best weapon.
Better to make a few comments and leave it for the media to fill in the blanks.
Having said that, Obama not only has more experience than her, he also has other simply standout qualities such as immense oratorical gifts and is clearly extremely intelligent (you only have to listen to him - and his resume backs this up with the Harvard Law part). He has masses more policy on his website than McCain does. That's why the empty suit attack was empty itself.
Does Palin have these other qualities to make up for her lack of experience? Is she an amazing speaker, or someone who has had the ability to run an immense campaign and receive huge plaudits for it?
Quite frankly, it's been obvious for some time - and Obama's speech made this even more clear - that he has the ability to be a President. Can the same be said of Palin?
It's official, today the "safe ticket" is Obama/Biden.
You see really Palin president if McCain died? Not me.
Besides, I wasn't attacking Palin. I was making fun of McCain. I'm sure Palin is a sweet woman. I don't think she's qualified to be president, though.
Not only is she young, she is totally unvetted by the American people.
Obama was young, but also was a national figure who completed basically a 4-year grueling job interview and won on votes.
She is being handed this, and for what?
VP choices should clearly deserve the role. That's a tough sell.
Can I just say, and it may have been mentioned before, that this gives hillary a huge incentive to campaign for barack. She doesn't want this woman cracking the ceiling. It would be more detrimental to hillary's long term chances to have Palin get there first than to have to wait until 2016.
Speaking as a Democrat? I love this pick. We're going to bury them alive.
"Is she an amazing speaker, or someone who has had the ability to run an immense campaign and receive huge plaudits for it?"
No, which is what will make her attractive to a lot of people. As someone else said, she has a Clinton/Bush down to earth way of speaking, which for many blue collar voters will be more attractive than Obama's soaring rhetoric, as impressive as it is.
she gets some power and tries to get her ex-brother-in-law fired from his law enforcement job, maybe if she shot him in the face, she would be ready to be VP.
Am I the first to say it: Palin is Dan Quayle. They were both picked to help those young folks and those women folk relate to the Grand Old Party. Never understimate how gullible we of the American voting (and non-voting) public are.
All that fakery about a pro-choice running mate for McCain will have its intended effect: the pro-life forces will be ecstatic. "Home run" from every pair of lips.
President Palin anyone?
This is a very strange pick. I see the logic behind it -- don't upset any particular segment of the base, and try to win at least a few more women who voted for Hillary. But still.... difficult to believe.
Maybe she helps in the west? The accent could play well in Minnesota?
It's a ridiculous ticket, but remember, America is a ridiculous country. This could play well and at least mildly help McCain.
Zatarra said...
The Democrats don't hate this pick. Most that I know are rejoicing that McCain chose someone like her.
------------
Rejoicing? I know I am happy because it weakens McCain's best argument against Obama: Experience.
I'm optimistic because it is blatantly cynical ploy to somehow convince HRC supporters to jump to McCain that has a very low chance of success and a decent potential to backfire.
I'm eager to see Palin screw up in the national spotlight.
I'm a bit amused and bemused that the Mac camp felt the need to make such a risky pick.
But I am not rejoicing.
I think your site will be needing less red in a few days.
Who's Afraid Of Sarah Palin?
I've posted a detailed entry going over each one of the conventional-wisdom strategies McCain may be pursuing in choosing Palin for VP - and then debunking most of them.
Read it here.
Here those footsteps? Its all the experience voters walking out the back of the room.
Palin better start boning up on foreign policy study guides - or Biden is going to make her look like the lightweight she clearly is.
Not to mention that speech - what a stinker!
I just saw her speech, and she actually highlighted her time on the PTA and the fact that she cut wasteful spending and property taxes in a village of 7000 people.
Comeone guys, who's the real pick?
The Democrats don't hate this pick. Most that I know are rejoicing that McCain chose someone like her.
I had slight apprehension at the pick, but once "token" became the most oft used word in the office today by the women here, I knew it was a bad pick.
Yeah but she can shoot a bear. And that will be essential when negotiating with say the Japanese. And the school secretary thing, that is an asset we can all believe in.
touche. and this is a risky choice because, well, how should be put this? ok. if Gov. Deval Patrick was the Dem nominee, would he do as well as obama? they're almost near identical. he wouldn't. he doesn't project strength when he talk. Sarah Palin is hot. almost too hot and sexy. it'll turn on a lot of guys who might want to have a look at her for the next 8 years. but she doesn't have hillary's baritone. just like deval patrick doesn't have obama's baritone. moreover, she doesn't project strength. and many a mom will question her decision to go through this grueling political process with a 4 months old baby with down syndrome. with 5 children, 3 of which seem to be underage. many will be given pause when the corruption charges are brought up, and we've learned that perhaps she hasn't done anything unethical, but with corruption, the rumor is always more powerful than the actual charge. people are gonna pause and think things over when obama put those 15 minutes of her asking "what is it that the vp does exactly? whatever it is, i want it to be fruitful the the state of alaska." and with a hot babe like her, senator mccain will be forced to stay away from the celebrity charge, but actually, she was a beauty pageant queen. and after yesterday, and palin, obama will look like a serious pick with immense gravity and readiness for the presidency. So, what are the pitfalls for obama? he's gotten plenty of practice running against a woman and getting women not to have a personal hate of him (remember that when those pumas criticize, they criticize the way the media was sexist, not obama). so, he'll do quite well. the wild card is joe biden. and i can't stress that enough. he needs to be 10 times more disciplined than usual. especially in the debates. he can't trash her. he can't be too snarky. the good thing is that although she's really hot, she doesn't project any gravitas in the way she speaks and any appearance by hillary will definitely remind people that she's no hillary and it's an offense to women to redo the ferraro geraldino thing.
my problem with this pick is it has a really obvious feel of "she's been picked because she's pretty, and a she". It smacks of pandering to women.
Would a male Governor of a (population wise) tiny state with next to no experience (when your major attack is experience) and no obvious counterbalancing amazing standout qualities have been picked?
Now that's not to say it will be completely ineffective. Some women WILL vote on the basis of her being female - you only had to listen to some Clinton supporters who's main reason for voting for her was seemingly on this basis (I want to see a female president before I die...)
Of course, Obama has a large base of support on the basis of his colour. But quite frankly, he's fought through an extremely tough nominating campaign and no-one (bar loonies) can say that he doesn't deserve this nomination, there were two historic candidates going against each other.
Put it this way: I've just put another $2000 on Obama to win the election on the basis of this news.
Palin also said she supported Barack's energy policy a few weeks ago, Obama could use her words against McCain.
The McCain camp obviously saw Obama's poll dip after he didn't pick Hillary as VP and saw that as their best and only chance to win.
Either that, or he watched too much cable TV obsessing about PUMAs this week.
Can I just say, and it may have been mentioned before, that this gives hillary a huge incentive to campaign for barack. She doesn't want this woman cracking the ceiling. It would be more detrimental to hillary's long term chances to have Palin get there first than to have to wait until 2016.
It was said before, by me, in the other thread, but it bears repeating :)
This is a good pick insofar as it should turn tepid, cosmetic support from the Clintons into genuine, vigorous support.
Joe Biden probably isn't going to seek the presidency in 2016 (though anything is possible). An incumbent Sarah Palin probably would. Hillary surely doesn't want her as an unforseen rival, especially after Hillary did the legwork and Sarah just fell into it.
The sexism charge is immediately destroyed by the McCain Camp itself. I don't think anyone voted against Hilary because she wasn't presidential enough. It's just that they like Obama more. The Obama campaign itself can use this, saying Hilary Clinton would be a thousand times more presidential than Palin and she supports Obama. If the McCain camp tries to appeal to Hilary supporters they are immediately making the comparison and Frances McDormand will lose that fight. (Actually, I would vote for the real Frances McDormand ten times before Palin).
The Obama message should be short and simple given her far right beleifs
Different box, same package.
IN fact I would argue that this ties McCain more firmly into Bush's policies than was already the case
pro-gun, anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-science, evangelical
Shes Bush with boobs.
Thank goodness for this pick. Talk about a hail mary. It's funny that McCain thinks that picking any woman at all will help his cause. She's a joke. Her kids Algebra, Trail, Cristal, Pamper, and Warwick Davis aren't any help either. This is McCain's Dukakis tank photo/Kerry windsurfing moment - that point in the campaign history will define as the exact moment the race was lost. What a nutjob.
One side note: Both VP picks come from states that only have 3 EVs. And both of their states were trending towards their respective parties. So neither VP pick was made for geographical considerations, but for fleshing out weaknesses of the ticket.
If Ferraro had any doubts about her democratic credentials being in shreds, that shout out would end them.
Congratulations to Sarah Palin on her new role!
As for all the talking back and forth, we won't really know too much until the polls come out. Actually, the polls are going to have a lot of noise in them. It has been a busy week, and is going to be a busier one!
It's about the top of the Ticket, Nate.
I also find it a little shocking that after all of these months of decrying "lookism" and judging Barack Obama by his funny name, big earns and black skin, you have devolved to calling her "kooky" and calling out her accent. Kinda shameful, but, hey, bring it on!
The more the Dems focus on the inexperience at the bottom of McCain�s ticket, the more the glaring light of inexperience will be shone on the TOP of their ticket.
I almost wonder if McCain did not intentionally go with a relatively (to him) inexperienced candidate so that her very appearance would make that point. In this regard she almost seems a sacrificial lamb, but hey, politics, ain�t bean ball. In truth who would not crave the opportunity to be part of a national campaign and gain great exposure that now makes you a contender for the top slot in the future if you can conduct yourself credibly and with honor? It�s a win-win for both.
Palin�s election has suddenly changed the whole dynamic of the race and moved the McCain �Change-O-Meter� way past 10%. Now, the Dem ticket does not own the monopoly on being �historical�. One way or another, thanks to the foresight and courage of John McCain, history will be made in this election.
So just as the Biden pick neutralized Obama�s ability to attack McCain as a Washington insider who has been there for 25 years (Biden has 35 years!), the Palin pick takes away the whole history making meme and levels the playing field.
Women will not fail to note that of the two parties, the Republican Party now offers the clearer path to a female in the White House, than the Democrats. That is a big deal. One that will appeal to women of all stripes, but perhaps most to younger women, who had no part on the divisive ERA debate and the battles over abortion and will see in the Republicans and John McCain a receptivity to the gifts of their gender that was sorely lacking in the Democratic Party, notwithstanding the patch put on things by the Clintons this past week.
The past is prologue, my friends, it is prologue. We have a new race. The Democratic Convention has closed its doors and the stage at Invesco has been shipped on to Lindsay Lohan. We await now the dawn of the McCain era: one of service and respect for all people, men and women!
On the other hand: Palin as a pick does take the wind out of the "change comes to Washington" sails Obama put up last night with his speech.
But - an Alaska Republican. Wow. Only people who pay attention to the inner workings of the GOP will know she's an anti-Ted Stevens reformer. Well, McCain fans will know he and Stevens hate each other. Everyone else will think about GOP corruption and environmental issues and oil drilling in the NAWR. McCain can't emphasize her reformist tendencies without highlighting the level of corruption.
So, not such a great pick once you look under the surface.
I had been using the Palin = Quayle [ineperienced] and Palin = Ferraro [pander] comparisons ealier.
But now I believe the better comparison is: Sarah Palin = Clarence Thomas
Both are clearly NOT the 'best' qualified candidate for the job - but were put up strictly for narrow politiccal purposes.
IMO - Obama should in the debates insist that McCain say out loud that Sarah Palin is THE most qualified person for the VP position at this moment in time.
The conservative special interests vetoed Lieberman and Ridge. If McCain wanted a female running mate with experience, he could have picked Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, but she's not completely against taking a way a woman's right to privacy either and the conservatives would have vetoed her too.
McCain didn't make this pick, the conservative special interests made this pick. This pick proves that McCain is now totally controlled by those special interest groups.
The "Maverick" is dead.
Put me down as another Dem who loves this pick. McCain will get two days of headlines and two months of headaches with this awful token pick. Maybe it will shore up his conservative base, but once people see he's picked another Big Oil, anti-choice corrupt Republican for his VP, the independents will run.
Yay!
Obama wins.
thomas
Different box?...I think not.
CNN Headline News is running excerpts of a June Glenn Beck interview with Gov. Palin throughout the day.
The full interview is being reaired at 7PM and 9PM Eastern.
If tradition holds, then we should expect to see a Larry King Live interview with Gov. Palin this evening as well.
All in all I think Gov. Palin is the best choice for the job.
As far as the inexperience arguement goes... I invision a response along these lines. "A Presidnet should be a mentor to the Vice President... not the other way around."
Also the blue collar, union working class appeal of Palin will probably be well recieved in the Mid west region.
Finally you cant get farther away from Wash DC than Juneau, Alaska.
Palin, a community organizer who went onto become Gov. of her State.
This is a risk... but all gamechangers are.
"Would a male Governor of a (population wise) tiny state with next to no experience (when your major attack is experience) and no obvious counterbalancing amazing standout qualities have been picked?"
Sorry DaWolf, but you pretty much described Tim Pawlenty, and yes, he was on the short list. He even has the same accent.
I have to admit though, telegenics probably played some role here. Until now, the Obama campaign has been easier on the eyes...
I can't believe McCain was foolish enough to pick Palin. This is absolutely fantastic for Democrats. She is so completely unready to be President and McCain is so old that there's a significant chance she would be if McCain were elected. Heck, she was mayor of a 9,000 person town just two years ago! McCain just turned one of his strongest arguments into a weakness. And, by passing over the Romney, you have to wonder whether Mormons will get the message that their votes and donations are welcome, but don't bother applying for the top jobs.
My mother, who is not political and was on the fence, called me today absolutely livid with McCain's pick. She said, "Does he think women are so stupid that they'll vote for him because he put a woman on his ticket, even though she has no business being president?" I think there might be some pro-hillary backlash to the pick.
Wow, was supposed to step on Obama's convention bounce?
Nate - Is Obama's convention speech and the McCain VP announcement too close together for polling data to identify which event gives Obama the bigger bounce?
Pros:
1. Will attract a small number of Hillary supporters. If the DNC convention didn’t go so well, this would be a bigger deal.
2. Doesn’t piss of the GOP base.
3. Reinforces McCain’s maverick image
4. Locks up Alaska’s 3 EV (Obama did have a small but decent chance of winning there)
5. Charming/media friendly
6. Exciting in a short-sighted way.
Cons:
1. The most unqualified person on the ticket ever, which severely damages McCain main argument against Obama
2. The most transparent, calculating VP pick ever. Doesn't this have the potential to piss of more Hillary voters that attract them?
3. One of the most unknown VP picks ever.
4. CURRENTLY AND ACTIVELY involved in a corruption scandal.
6. Does she reassure anyone with their economic anxiety?
7. Does she help at all with foreign policy?
8. Will get schooled by Biden in the VP debates. Has she ever offered a single opinion on foreign policy?
When I first heard this morning, I thought this was stupid because all I know about her is that she's GOV of Alaska and involved in a corruption scandal. Then I thought it was smart because of the excitement/Hillary voters. Now the more I think about it, the worse it seems. Admittedly, it's so out-of-the-box that's it difficult to fully predict how it will resonate. At the moment, I think it's stupid. Although McCain didn't have a lot of good options.
So why is the Obama campaign going for the jugular and critiquing Sarah Palin's experience? Shouldn't they be happy enough that the experience argument was essentially taken off the table by this selection?
Because the experience argument isn't just taken off the table --- it is now reversed, and working in Obama's favor. And the Obama team is smart enough to play it for all they can get.
Palin has just 20 months experience in state government, compared to Obama's 8 years in state government and 3.5 at the national level. In other words, Obama has six times more state+federal experience than McCain's choice for "one heartbeat away"... This is also a huge McCain flip-flop --- after spending the past few months stressing the importance of experience, it's like he decides experience doesn't matter after all.
In many ways, adding Palin has made Obama's ticket the "safer" one, which means Obama/Biden now wins on "change" and "experience"... the right balance of both. McCain is too much of an insider; Palin is too much of an outsider. Compared to those two, Obama looks just right. The Obama camp is very happy about this news!
The pick of Palin is a joke, Putin and other dictators would eat her up for lunch and spit her out. Women won't follow a pro lifer just because she is a woman............
Congrats to McCain & Palin on their moment in the sun today.
Too bad it is all about TGIF for the rest of the country on the holiday w/e...
---------------------------------------
Rasmussen rushed out an interesting new release on Palin @:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/sarah_palin_unknown_nationally_popular_in_alaska
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"One measure of how well John McCain kept his choice of a vice presidential running mate secret is that 67% of voters nationwide have no opinion one way or the other about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that she is unknown to 78% of women.
In fact, among 10 leading Republicans included in the poll, Palin’s name was the least recognized.
However, in Alaska, the 44-year old Governor and hockey mom earns good or excellent ratings from 64% of voters statewide."
--------------------------------
so her popularity ratings that were in the 80-90"s that they keep spouting on here & on the air are a thing of the past.
In fact, due to the abuse of power charges she faces, Palin's popularity is tanking in AK. She is proving to be just another crass pol - same old same old cronyism & bad ethics.
Once she gets introduced nationally she could crash & burn easily with any type of gaffe...
"craaaaaaaaaack in the ceiiiiiiiiiiling..."
Nate said...
"female governor from Alaska who has an accent straight out of Fargo"
Hey Nate... Fargo is North Dakota dude. I think you really want to say "an accent straight out of Northern Exposure".
It would have had the touch you were looking for and showed you know your geography.
Don't be a wanker.
Sorry DaWolf, but you pretty much described Tim Pawlenty, and yes, he was on the short list. He even has the same accent.
The Minneapolis-St.Paul metro has about 3 million people, or just over four times as many as all of Alaska (and about ten times as many as the Anchorage metro), and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul themselves have about as many as all of Alaska between them. Calling MN a "tiny" state population-wise is a big stretch.
My first impression ... bizarre choice. My second impression ... (after trying to process just how bizzarre this choice is) .. would this kooky governor who has absolutely no experience in foreign policy, who was recently mayor of a town no larger than 9000 people, actually be in charge of our entire country? That is terribly freightening. Plus she's a creationist. WTF.
Not to mention, how insulting to Hillary Clinton and her supporters. I supported Obama in the primary but I sure as hell don't want this no-nothing woman to break the ceiling. THAT is supposed to be Hillary Clinton's job!
So no, it's not that Democrats are scared because it's a good choice. Democrats (and sensible Americans) are scared that someone with absolutely zero credentials to govern the United States somehow has a chance of being in charge. Seriously freightening.
McCain/MILF '08
I just saw that on another website so I can't take credit for it. Just thought it was funny.
JoshX,
I agree completely, the pander is demeaning and obvious.
Good for you mom to see it for what it is!
I don't think she will be in the minority of undecided women looking at this selection.
Palin isn't even the most qualified Republican woman that could have been picked.
This has backfire written all over it.
One other thing, Palin, in her speech today, referenced CLinton's 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling and said "Women aren't done yet this year."
This puts Clinton in an awkward position. CW says that she is hoping for a McCain win so she can run in four years, but if McCain/Palin wins the White House, Hillary's legacy as a feminist pioneer in 2008 is jeopardized as is the emotional content of a run in '12.
I think Hillary's got to come out strong against the pick and criticize McCain for belittling her supporters and her campaign. Otherwise, Hillary Clinton loses her place in political history.
JMK
Is the GOP this short of VP-ready candidates? I guess Romney was ruled out solely because he's pro-choice, but he would have been a much, much stronger candidate. Given McCain's age and health, I just cannot fathom this choice. Obama's too inexperienced, but it's OK to have Palin a hearbeat from the Presidency?
There are a lot of talented pro-choice Republicans (well, some at least). Jodi Rell would have been a much better choice. This pick makes it clear that there is no future in the national GOP for anybody who is pro-choice.
With luck, if this ticket goes down in flames, perhaps the pro-lifers will lose some of their grip on the GOP. More generally, their electoral prospects would improve in a lot of places if they ditched the "social conservatives".
"I just saw her speech, and she actually highlighted her time on the PTA and the fact that she cut wasteful spending and property taxes in a village of 7000 people."
Which is more than Obama has ever done.
In case anyone cares, I could not be more happy with the nomination of Sarah Palin. Pro-life (anti-"privacy"), for less taxes and for responsible regulation, she calls what crap for what it is from radical environmentalists opposed to ANWR drilling to gender politics. She gets it, and she relates to normal people.
It is honestly painful to see the shameless twisting and turning this site does to spin the Democratic Party's platform.
One final thing- I could swear Barack has some connections to Indonesia and Kenya. But when I watched that video yesterday about his "roots," they received hardly a mention.
Palin may be relatively inexperienced (though being executive of Alaska is no small task and she has done a lot there), as Obama is, but here's the difference: OBAMA IS A MEDIA FABRICATION, AND PALIN IS WHO SHE SAYS SHE IS. Demagogues and la-la-landers may be too far gone to see this, but the American people know better.
To be honest I really really LIKE the idea of a kooky reasonably cute young(ish) woman with a "Fargo" accent as the president. But the problem is there is no evidence at all that Palin either has the appropriate priorities, or the ability to do the job.
I enjoy the optics of the thing but I'm not about to get carried away.
Full Disclosure: I am from Fargo-Moorhead where about 1/3 of the people, usually middle-aged white women or old white men, actually sound like in the movie. I also do not have that accent except for slightly Long O pronunciation.
"CW says that she is hoping for a McCain win so she can run in four years"
Well, CW amongst the most cynical right-wing Clinton haters. Personally, I'd give her a little more credit than that.
Massive gaffe by the Obama campaign complaining about her experience or lack thereof. Of the four (McCain, Biden, Obama, Palin) she is the only one with executive experience. Unlike Palin, Obama is running for President and this line of attack will backfire.
I don't think she is all that impressive but if the pick prompts Obama to make more unforced errors, then perhaps the senile old guy is smarter than we thought.
smk22 said:
""Would a male Governor of a (population wise) tiny state with next to no experience (when your major attack is experience) and no obvious counterbalancing amazing standout qualities have been picked?"
Sorry DaWolf, but you pretty much described Tim Pawlenty, and yes, he was on the short list. He even has the same accent."
At least TPaw is serving his 2nd term. And as a Minnesotan, I don't notice an accent in Pawlenty like I do in Palin. Also, tiny population wise? We have 10 electoral votes, more than colorado which everyone is drooling over.
Just realized who this pick reminds me of:
Vice Admiral JAMES STOCKDALE
I can't wait for the debates!!
Mittster and Pawlenty aren't taking this well. They are leaking multiple statements about "used, misled, strung along, double-talk.." I'm sure it will all work out at the convention...if they have one.
After one subtracts the felons, the resigned in disgrace, the sex offenders, the candidates afraid to be seen with the GOP, and the despised members of bushco, who is left?? Answer: Mayor of Yazoo City.
So McPOW, Hizzoner, and Juno will be the convention...
"female governor from Alaska who has an accent straight out of Fargo"
Hey Nate... Fargo is North Dakota dude. I think you really want to say "an accent straight out of Northern Exposure".
It would have had the touch you were looking for and showed you know your geography.
Don't be a wanker.
He said Fargo, not Fargo, you putz.
Apparently, for conservatives, she brings, and I quote "babies, guns and Jesus"
I guess that settles that.
@Nicholas
You should add this to your cons: by selecting Palin, there is a risk that more media attention is given to Ted Stevens, which would highlight corruption. Something that the GOP doesn't need more of right now.
I'm not sure if this would be a pro or con, but there is also the possibility that she could cut into McCain's popularity. In other words, more attention could be paid to her (by the media and the Obama camp) than McCain.
I gather this is what moondancer is referring to above.
I feel bad for Palin, she's a decent woman and a promising pol that's being thrown into an impossible situation. This is like taking an All-County HS hitter and throwing them in Yankee Stadium to face Mariano Rivera in a penant race. She has never faced the national media and this is a tough time for an intro.
In 1988, we had peace and a strong economy and Bush 41 had a ton of experience and with the likes of James Baker as his go to advisor...no one thought that Quayle would be doing more than playing golf and going to funerals.
Setting aside foreign affairs, how can Palin credibly talk abut heathcare, the global economy, and the mortage crisis...areas that McCain is weak.
McCain/GOP has to pull back on the experience argument which has been effective. Palin is no attack dog...so McCain is going to run more positive...Both of these things are good for Obama.
This pick shows that McCain does not think the race is close and his only shot is to run as an outsider/reformer...right tactic, wrong pick.
Moondancer,
At lease Lieberman gets to speak to the national audience, what do Romney and Pawlenty get for their service to McCain????
Can someone please tell me who the real pick is?
I am going to call my wife right now and tell her that she has the qualifications to be a VP. She helps out on the PTA :)
Moondance,
Although your post about Pawlenty's and Mittens' dismay is believable, a link would be nice.
If true, is Palin a panic pick? Was it made after Obama's exceptional speech? What does this say about Mccain's temperament, judgement and win at all cost attitude?
These are all key questions
Pawlenty's on his second term. I think the bridge collapse made him a poor choice, but certainly I think he was qualified.
The "Fargo" accents were dead wrong for the North Dakota/Minnesota area. Dunno what they were using, maybe it really was Alaska.
I think the experience thing should be hit hard, not because it makes her unqualified, but because it shows what a hypocrite McCain is. I think she should be hit even harder on that she didn't run for President,since McCain was just arguing that Hillary should be the Veep for the Dems because she got the 2nd most votes.
So how do Romney, Pawlenty, et al feel about this? Passed over for somebody two years removed from being the mayor of a town of 8000? If I were Pawlenty, I'd take it personally.
I'm a long time reader, though I rarely post. I'm thus far neutral in the election, though the Biden pick had me leaning Obama's way for a few days. This pick eliminated that lean.
Palin is a principled ethics reformer who has gone after Ted Stevens, and has shown herself to be more than capable of putting to practice the fiscal conservatism that McCain has never strictly adhered to. She has a record of doing everything that McCain wants to do. She is an enemy of big oil, an enemy of lobbyists, and someone who has a proven capacity to deliver on her promises.
What McCain has done, to use a chess metaphor, is to sacrifice his queen to capture Obama's. He has given up the experience argument in order to force Obama to give up his monopoly on "making history". He has given up his strongest argument in order to effectively separate himself completely from President Bush.
All I can say is that I wish both tickets were reversed. I'd rather see Palin as president than McCain, and I'd rather see Biden as president than Obama. I suppose we can't all get what we want.
Oh, by the way. Directed at the Obama partisans that immediately jumped to the lowest common denominator here. What the fuck? Insulting her accent? Implying that she's neglecting her children? Saying she was picked because McCain likes broads? I used to think the allegations of sexism that the Clintonistas brought to the table were er promises in the past. Yes, she's esscomplete bullshit, but the people who comment here have single handedly made me reconsider that notion. There are valid criticisms of Palin. I see very few of them here. Yes, she's a strong, young, independent woman who has delivered on hentially the conservative equivalent to Obama. You can only call Palin the "token" woman if you allow McCain to call Obama the "token" African-American. Shame on you.
Palin has been governor of Alaska for 1 month longer than Obama has been running for president.
McCain just neutered his campaign.
Won't Biden as Obama's VP highlight the importance of the VP position? Biden is being viewed as a good pick for all the advice and wisdom he'll bring to the White House. Palin a prop for McCain.
Obama worked hard to get to the postion he was in to pick a running mate. Biden worked hard to be a deserving choice. McCain worked hard to become the Republican nominee. Palin was chosen because of her gender. Nothing more. Her conservative credentials merely fail to disqualify her.
Lots of comparisons today to Quayle (inexperience) and Ferraro (pander), but I am also reminded of Fred Thompson in that conservatives loved him as long as their only knowledge was what they read about him. Once in the race and he started campaigning and people heard him speak (at least until he put them to sleep), it was all downhill for him as he simply lacked the ability of a top tier candidate. Palin's speech today was awful and she just doesn't look like she has "it." Although, I will concede that she's easy on the eyes and express my gratitude to McCain for that one point.
AARON
your concern argument is circular & pointed back at your own ignorance.
Obama earned his nomination in 18 months of hard fought primaries. His position is in no way a token.
Palin was not even in consideration until the last second. She is not the nest qualified candidate and has not 'earned' the position of VP.
It was given to her apparently as a shameless pander for votes.
If the logic of this rational decision is not self-evident to you as it is to better informed people, then that is your loss IMHO.
Palin's selection is not comparable to Obama's victory. Now if they have an open convention vote on the floor of the RNC next week, then maybe that would change - but it is too late now.
It is political strategy 101 - when behind, pander, pander, pander...
Is the GOP this short of VP-ready candidates?
I think they are. The Republicans are, I think, realizing that the "Southern Strategy" won't hold on for very much longer, and they are trying to put a new face on their party. I hope putting the new face on their party goes deeper than just this move, which is a little tokenistic.
Palin does scare me on one point, though. She is bound to exceed her extremely low expectations, making her a prime candidate for 2016.
As a neutral, I have to say that I like this pick for McCain. Much has been said about the "experience" issue, and it really is a non-issue here - you can't really have LESS experience in leadership, at this level, than Obama - he spent his entire public life running for higher office. At least Palin has actually governed. The biggest plus for MCCAIN with Palin is that she really solidifies the impression that they are the ticket that can relate to normal people. Heck, she was a "normal" person until TWO YEARS ago... (and described herself as a "hockey mom"...).
Many people will continue to see Obama as a Liberal Elitist and Joe Biden does not help him on this angle (30 year senator), and the Palin pick drives it home.
Ramesh Ponnuru of the National Review on the Palin pick:
Inexperience. Palin has been governor for about two minutes. Thanks to McCain’s decision, Palin could be commander-in-chief next year. That may strike people as a reckless choice; it strikes me that way. And McCain's age raised the stakes on this issue.
As a political matter, it undercuts the case against Obama. Conservatives are pointing out that it is tricky for the Obama campaign to raise the issue of her inexperience given his own, and note that the presidency matters more than the vice-presidency. But that gets things backward. To the extent the experience, qualifications, and national-security arguments are taken off the table, Obama wins.
And it’s not just foreign policy. Palin has no experience dealing with national domestic issues, either. (On the other hand, as Kate O’Beirne just told me, we know that Palin will be ready for that 3 a.m. phone call: She’ll already be up with her baby.)
Tokenism. Can anyone say with a straight face that Palin would have gotten picked if she were a man?
Compatibility. It doesn’t seem as though McCain knows Palin well. Do we have much reason to think they would work well together?
Debates. Maybe, as Jonah said the other day, Biden will look like a bully going up against her—and maybe she’ll shine. But I can think of a lot of other picks who would have been lower-risk.
I am not even sure that the pick will have quite the galvanizing effect on conservatives that it seems to be having now as it sinks in. The concerns I’ve mentioned here—about her readiness and her credentials—are the kind of thing that many conservative voters take seriously.
Harriet Myers, Dan Quayle, and Geraldine Ferraro all in one.
McCain's hits his trifecta.
Clearly Team McCain senses that the democrats failed to unite their party at the convention. Its pretty much impossible to win the White House with a fractured party, and to ensure that is the case this november, they are peeling off Hillary democrats with this choice.
Its brilliant.
538.com argues that the issue is the GOP has 2 months to make voters feel comfortable with Palin. I disagree. I think the issue is the democrats have 60 days to convince the rabid Hillary democrats to not jump ship.
If McCain REALLY wanted to have a winning, surprise pick that would appeal to the PUMA's, he'd have chosen Olympia Snowe. Snowe would be supremely qualified to be VP and her moderate positions would have attracted independents and Hillary supporters lukewarm towards Obama. It would have also allowed McCain to claim to be returning to the old independent McCain of 2000.
Why not Snowe? Because McCain is held in thrall to the right-wing of his party who would nix anyone who isn't 100% on board with anti-choice, Christianism, and big oil.
Obama demonstrated clearly that he's not held captive to any interest group or to the Clinton machine. That was an impressive demonstration capped by the last four days.
By picking Palin, McCain demonstrated he's completely held captive by the far right and doesn't have the guts to select who he really wants (Lieberman...or Snowe if he wanted to be savvy).
It's not the VP candidates themselves, but what this choice says about the respective Presidential candidates that's going to be important to voters: Obama - independent and his own man. Able to have his way and bring the party behind him. McCain - pandering pawn of the right wing, held captive to his party's interests.
That's not the signal McCain should be sending. Even Romney or Pawlenty would have been a better choice for him as they wouldn't have raised this kinds of questions about his sincerity and capitulation to party interests. He might get a short-term boost from but this ("exciting, "out-of-the-box" etc.), but I really think after a few weeks, this is going to sink him.
Excellent post, Mikewpbfl. You summarized the situation well.
This was particularly apt: "As far as the inexperience arguement goes... I invision a response along these lines. 'A Presidnet should be a mentor to the Vice President... not the other way around.'"
The Obamabots around here have no sense of history or of the majesty of the moment.
This woman will play exceedingly well in the West and I guarantee you she will establish her credibility.
Imagine if she bests the erratic Biden in a debate?
McCain has played the low expectations game beautifully all year.
He has done it again with Palin, just as they will both do at their Convention and at the Debates.
He who laughs last, laughs best!
You Obamabots would have been just as savage with any McCain pick. Now he has thrown a curve ball at you and you cannot see the forest for the trees.
This is not about experience, or creationism or some tiny town in Alaska (AK?), but about resonance.
It is about resonance, my friends, and McCain - Palin '08 has that feel to it. It's new, but not risky. It blends old and young. It is about confidence in youth and women.
Suspend your judgment for a few days. Watch and learn.
Great quote from Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz, "I know Hillary Clinton, and Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton." McCain made a foolish mistake by thinking Clinton's supporters would back him simply by putting a woman on the ticket. I suspect they're smart enough to know an attempt to manipulate them when they see it.
90%
90%
90%
90%
90%
90%
...
Say it every day; thats how you debunk the McCain maverick charade.
Aaron: Well said! Post more. We need support here. And you ahven't amde enemies the way the rest of conservatives have.
For crying out loud, I'm no fan of Mitt Romney but at least he'd be able to make a *show* of running the country if called upon. (Agree also on the Snowe comment--I'd be sorry to see her lose her senate seat, she's class.)
I mean, how do you run the "celebrity" ad and then run a beauty queen next to a geriatric loose cannon whose entire campaign is the prototypical Hollywood war hero story. (Agree that he is a war hero but disagree that the whole election should be based on that.)
Oh, and to the guy who called Obama a media creation... really, I think your shtick is running out of steam. The media *wishes* it could create such a phenomenon every cycle, no doubt, but it can't. Was John Kerry a media creation?
I voted for Hillary, and I have my doubts about Obama, but calling him a media creation when he is so deeply talented is either deception or idiocy, and comparing him to Palin is *not* helping your cause.
BOB
alternate that 90% with
ENOUGH !
ENOUGH !
ENOUGH !
I have to say that those who think her speech was not any good... you are so wrong.
That was a great introduction to this upcoming great American woman. This was only an announcement speech. Can you imagine what she will do with a Republican convention crowd?
As far as her look... it's wonderful to see a powerful woman that knows how to dress. Awesome Class Act! hint-hint... dark colors Hillary... dark colors.
The Obama campaign is comfortable with this line of response to the Palin choice because last night was the culmination of a several month long project to gradually bring Obama up to the level where voters will view him as presidential in addition to just the "change guy". Riding in copters receiving status reports from Generals in Iraq, meeting with foreign heads of state, addressing the troops, etc, all followed up with a flawless, serious, commander-in-chief style speech mostly devoid of his usual preacher-style soaring rhetorial flourishes. It's clear that the campaign now believes they've done the necessary ground work and that the public now views Obama as a serious national leader and as presidential - whether or not they like him or his politics. Palin however, is coming out of left field and is a complete unknown, in addition to having no experience in national politics and less than 2 years experience in small state politics.
Sarah Palin is the new Harriet Miers
Wow...
SHE SAID NOOKYALLAR!
This is a horrible prospect.
This takes two of McCain's arguments off the table:
1. The experience argument.
2. The "I'd rather win a war than win a campaign"
They go hand in hand. If McCain continues that line of attack about winning a campaign, all the Obama campaign has to do is suggest that Palin is a purely political pick, and McCain is putting the nation at risk, by his own standards. The campaign only has to say something along the lines of:
"If you accept John McCain's argument that Barack Obama's experience is not sufficient to be trusted in office, then you can be certain that Sarah Palin is not ready to serve as President, as she has even less "experience" as Barack, and she has not demonstrated the level of judgment that our candidate has. Continuing further, if you accept Senator McCain's experience argument, then you know that the only reason to select Sarah Palin to be his VP is a purely political one. Apparently, John McCain would rather win a campaign than protect our nation."
Wow...
SHE SAID NOOKYALLAR!
This is a horrible prospect.
J
so are you speculating that similar to Miers, Palin's name will be withdrawn ?
KennyB is already talking about Palin as Presidential contender in 2016!
She has comea along way in a few scant hours!
Resonance, my friends, resonance!
I think this is gonna be huge . . .
Her anme ahs been out there for mos.
The only kniock on her was "trooper gate' which none of you have mentioned. Are you saving it for October? Perhaps as a counter to Ayers or the "whitey tape"?
It ain't over, kids!
Bryan@1:43
Thanks for the link. I read it elsewhere but the info is the same. It's viral and will likely blunt the "excitement" of the announcement. This is shaking out to be a disaster.
christjkida at 155 is also making a lot of sense.
Read him and tremble a bit more!
Calling her Harriet Miers is unfair... Gov Palin is obviously really pretty.
"McCain has played the low expectations game beautifully all year."
Just what this country needs -- another 8 years of low expectations and even those not being met.
You Republihacks are pathetic.
This pick is just absurd...thank you John McCain is all I can say. All I can guess is that every qualified candidate said no when McCain asked them to be the sacrificial lamb.
"Heck, she was a "normal" person until TWO YEARS ago... (and described herself as a "hockey mom"...)."
Do all Republicans have some sort of disease that affects their short term memory?
McCain and his sheeple have been droning ON and ON and ON about how important the commander in chief role is, we're at war, we'll be at war for years, we need someone with experience, blah blah blah.
But now it's hunky dorey to have some complete newb with no experience whatsoever a heartbeat from the presidency? With a semi-cadaver at the top of the ticket?
Truly clueless.
smk22 said:
"Would a male Governor of a (population wise) tiny state with next to no experience (when your major attack is experience) and no obvious counterbalancing amazing standout qualities have been picked?"
On the Democratic side, Brian Schweitzer was actually considered by many (I don't know if the Obama campaign vetted him, though). He is the first term governor of a state almost as small as Alaska. Of course, Schweitzer does have some very good qualities. And Schweitzer also has a resume, before public office, slightly longer than Palin's.
It's not about experience; it's about judgement. Once again McCain he has poor judgement. Where's the vetting? She's under investigation for firing an AK Cabinet member for refusing to buckle under pressure and fire her former brother-in-law. Just a couple weeks ago she praised Obama's Engery proposals. I don't know how many houses she owns, but she does own an airplane.
She's not Dan Quayle, and I don't think she's Thomas Eagleton, either. She differs from Geraldine Ferraro on an important point: Palin is more of an A and B the C of D everywoman, while Ferraro has always come off to me as chilly and severe, with a bit of an air of entitlement.
Harriet Miers is a good comparison, I think. Not perfect, but better than those others.
This really is Admiral Stockdale in heels and lipstick.
wonder if all those LDS folks who thought that this was their moment in the sun are gonna be majorly PO'd & sit this one out now.
Talk about angry PUMAs, how about those diehard Mitten's fans who knew that he was the one now or at least next time ! now Palin gets the frontrunner spot for 2012
I will watch for that in the mountain & western states...
and Huckabee, OUCH - a beauty queen from a small Alaska town aces him out & also steps on his future bid. That has gotta hurt bad...
"Calm down and cool it.
Forget Biden. Forget Palin.
This is still John McCain vs. Barack Obama. Enough said."
LOL. Looks like Mule Dung is *really* thrilled about his candidate's VP pick...
It's going to fun watching McCain and company argue that he's putting "Country First" by picking Sarah Palin as the potential Vice President of the United States.
The GOP is the best at saying absolute bullshit with a straight face though.
That there were many other much more qualified candidates and Mccain's advanced years and recurrent cancer, makes the selection stunningly dangerous for the nation.
That the republicans think that just being a woman will win her former HRC supporters, is remarkably tone-deaf politically.
That many conservatives including the National Review, Scarborough, Buchanan and Mittens/Pawlenty etc. are not happy, makes this internally divisive.
That the press and the Dems will be waiting for any gaffe, makes the pick very dangerous for the campaign.
John McCain again shows he is not only out of touch, but reckless and impulsive. However, this time it is the single most important choice he had to make as his party's nominee for president.
He is unfit to be POTUS.
DCM IN FL
In accusing me of being ignorant, you did little but expose your own ignorance. Palin was always in consideration, you just evidently didn't pay any attention to the Republican Veep process. She had a lot of buzz in mid-July, and she's been mentioned since the start as a decent choice.
Palin earned everything she's attained in her life, too. How do you think she got to be Governor? Faced Alan Keyes? Oh, whoops. That was Obama. No, she beat the incumbent governor in the primary and straight out killed the strongest Democratic gubernatorial ticket in the 21st century. Her pick was based at least in part on her record, and Obama's win in the primaries was based at least in part on his record. Arguably, Obama's race mattered more to his winning than Palin's sex mattered to this incredibly important choice.
But I think that's a silly argument, on both counts. Obama won because he managed a good campaign. Palin won because she's delivered on her promises and led Alaska from the doldrums. Both of them got where they are from their own experience and their own intrinsic advantages. It's complete bunk to pretend that Obama's win in the primaries was based solely on his race, and it's complete bunk to pretend that Palin's place on this ticket was based solely on her sex. They were factors. They were not the deciding factors. Their skills, talents, and records are what put them there.
By the way. I've volunteered for both parties. Your simplified, nutty view of this pick assumes that McCain is an ignorant sexist with no rational thinking ability, and that nobody on his campaign actually knows anything about political strategy. A rather ignorant assumption, I'd venture.
Only Upside
Palin will help mostly among younger women, both the soccer/hockey mom's like her and young professionals who will appreciate the recognition she is being given.
Why can't we see in the fresh-faced, beautiful woman from Alaska the same promise and potential we are supposed to see in Barack Obama?
Imagine if she were a man, how much further she might have been in her career. We can thank John McCain for having the foresight to recognize her ability and to elevate her to the national scene.
The contrast with what happened to Senator Clinton could not be starker.
There is only upside here and it is with Obama's base: Young women.
Brilliant pick.
When McCain changed his campaign leadership a month ago, it was a necessary and important change. Since then his campaign has become more creative and aggressive and it has worked.
But, this is still a race where one campaign is incredibly disciplined and the other campaign is completely all-over-the-map.
Its taking awhile for all of us to disgest this pick.
In its best, its a powerful, risky and unconventional choice.
At the very least, it is a disrespect to the important idea that first and foremost a VP choice has to be one of the most qualified choices to RUN THE COUNTRY.
In the end, Palin is the only one who can make this a good pick. She will have to make a major impression at the convention, in the debate with Biden and on the campaign trail to make the difference with women and independents that Repubs hope she will.
This is a TALL ORDER. She has no experience in this spotlight.
If this was poker, the pot odds are definitely against her.
But the pot odds have been against the McCain camp the entire campaign.
They didn't increase their odds today, but they did add to the national political theatre.
If Palin gaffes or in anyway comes across as or can't defend herself as a "Token" pick, then a few necessary screws will be loosening on the wheels of McCains' campaign.
Let the match continue!...
Here's the conversation I overheard at lunch regarding Palin:
Person 1: "Who is she?"
Person 2: "Governor of Alaska."
Person 1: "Why pick the governor of Alaska?"
Person 2: "She's a woman and McCain is trying to get Clinton's voters."
Palin was essentially picked BECAUSE she is a woman. Hillary Clinton was/is so powerful because she is Hillary Clinton. She achieved her position by herself (At least that´s how she got her fanatic fans in the 2nd half of the primaries. That her foundation for that power was the success of her husband was never on the minds of her supporters. Her supporters thought that Hillary deserved the nomination.)
Palin does not represent female success, she represents male benevolence. A few, very few women might be swayed out of spite, but the demographic as a whole will not Palin as one of theirs.
Do the republicans think they can make Hillary Clinton criticize the Democratic ticket any further? The convention should have showed them better. Hillary (and Bill) will now fiercely campaign against the Republicans, because she would only lose if Palin wins.
I do understand the pander. After all the election is over if the Hillary voters back Obama and a solid alliance of women and African-Americans (and latinos, and liberals, and young voters) will win the election so the Republicans have got to keep the wound open. And Palin sounds and looks quite likeable actually. But the situation in the Republican ticket is now reversed to the Obama-Biden ticket:
Biden was picked to calm down any doubts about Obama - also because Obama does not face any health issues and Joe Biden does not look like Obama´s Cheney, simply because he lacks an ideology. Palin will only reinforce the doubts about McCain, because of his age and his health. The question is: What if there is an emergency? Biden reassures, Palin ... does raise questions.
I had that exact same conversation today, AnotherMike. Several times.
AARON
again you show you do not know how to frame a logical argument.
How & when did Palin 'earn' or 'qualify' to be the GOP VP ?
she was SELECTED for HER 'attributes' as it were, only because better qualified candidates like Hutchinson were apparently 'disqualified'
Palin by default.
but keep trying to convince sheeple [sorry Rhys I borrowed your tag] that you know what you are talking about.
Palin for Prez of her PTA - did you even listen to her 'speeeeeech' today ? I actually tried to...
and how about that abuse of power & improper use of influence in her first year in office ! that is ambitious !!! granted
MSNBC is slurping Pain, where is my liberal media?
This pick was part of a logical process. First-off, McCain cannot win with just the base like Bush did because it
1. doesn't like him
2. he has less money/organizing than Obama
Running a base-building campaign over the summer did help McCain pull even, but he has been stuck a couple of points behind Obama. Running that kind of campaign (eg. picking Romney or Pawlenty) essentially means relying on an election-losing gaffe from Obama.
There were three vetted candidates that had the potential to pick up swing voters. Joe Lieberman, Tom Ridge (more specifically to pick up Pennsylvania) and Sarah Palin.
The first two had problems with the base, however, which Sarah Palin does not. Even if she does fail to win over women voters, she still appeals to the base, which is all a Romney type candidate could hope to do anyhow.
She is probably a bad governing pick, but it isn't like the VP does much anyhow.
Also, she actually has more executive experience than anybody in the running.
PeteKent said: Palin will help mostly among younger women, both the soccer/hockey mom's like her and young professionals who will appreciate the recognition she is being given.
Wrong. I fall into that category and I can say that I am honestly furious about this pick. It's insulting to me that McCain expects me to vote for this woman with no experience other than being mayor of a village smaller than my hometown in Alabama, and being govenor of ALASKA for 19 months.
Don't speak for demographics you obviously know nothing about.
I had this conversation at my work:
Boss (female): Palin? What the hell?
Me: Hey, 18 months ago, she was afterall the mayor of a town in Alaska of 7,000 people.
Boss: 6500. Don't exaggerate.
Yikes. What a godawful pick. After this convention and this VP pick, I've never felt so secure in Obama winning.
Sarah Palin is what Anita Bryant wanted to be: a dyed-in-the-wool, anti-human-rights, arch-far-right conservative religious zealot... WITH just a little bit more power than Anita B.
I think this distorted choice exposes John "Lucas" McCain's true beliefs and whom he is and would be pandering to if President. From now on, McCain should be referred to as the silver-spoon-rifleman... who would have been court marshaled on that day for flying that unapproved mission against orders IF he had not been shot down ...and lost his 3rd jet!... a fact that needs to come under a brighter light in the near future.
Palin is frightening to even consider as anything but a PTA mom and McCain's just an old gigolo now. And like GWB, his roots are as a military punk who was constantly protected and pushed forward by his military family during his "service" and is a self-proven, confirmed liar... NOT at all material we want for our President AGAIN!
Congratulations to Obama and Biden!
"Palin will help mostly among younger women"
Only the vain and stupid ones, and most of them already vote Republican.
"hy can't we see in the fresh-faced, beautiful woman from Alaska the same promise and potential we are supposed to see in Barack Obama?"
Are you dishonest, delusional, or just really fucking stupid?
People do not support Obama because of his face. They support Obama because of what he stands for.
Whatever you want to say about Obama, he has earned his place in the campaign. He wasn't chosen because he has a nice smile and tits. And that's the only reason Palin was selected.
"Imagine if she were a man, how much further she might have been in her career. We can thank John McCain for having the foresight to recognize her ability and to elevate her to the national scene."
Okay, you really ARE an idiot.
What happened to 'country first'?
I am, of course, a strong Obama supporter. I think McCain has made the best choice he could have made. I argued last week that if O didn't pick HRC he gives McCain an easy play, instant change with no effort. Where Obama’s excellent performance at the convention, along with the other top dems set out a beautiful brunch for those of us who care, those who follow very little and will decide the election will be just as happy with the cup of instant coffee old John just handed them.
The experience argument is way overblown. George Bush proved inexperience is not a problem to the voters the republicans look to to tip things their way. Palin is on the other hand a “good old girl”, and not even fake in the way of Bush’s twangy Texan persona. Really, criticizing her in almost anyway at all is a trap for the dems. Remember how counter productive it was to point out that Bush was a dim bulb and a slacker.
She will appeal to the west, i.e. CO and NV. If McCain starts getting his naps and therefore doesn’t implode on himself, it has just become a very tight election indeed. We can only hope that Biden will be half as much help in winning Ohio as Clinton would have been.
It is best if Obama continues like last night to tell us what he will do for ordinary people and to attack McCain’s character. The smart move is to ignore Palin. Run against the old dog, not the pretty mother.
Umm....this was by far McCain's smartest move yet. Keep bashing her and we're going to see some very photogenic shots of her in Alaska fishing, etc that are going to really appeal to much of the western half of the US. I am stilled registered to vote in Alaska, and am a Democrat, but something makes me cringe every time she is attacked or belittled. It almost makes me want to vote for her for the statement, and wasn't that supposed to be Obama's advantage???? Let's be scientific here: Colorado is THE tipping point state. I think that Palin puts Colorado much more within Republican's reach. There's a whole lot of folks that will find her mix of outdoorswoman, mom, politician very appealing.
How does she really help McCain win younger women? Demographically, that cohort gives Obama a 20 point lead. Even if she cuts it to 10, unlikely at best, does that even tip one state?
Obama back above 60% on intrade.
Aaron said...
I'm a long time reader, though I rarely post. I'm thus far neutral in the election, though the Biden pick had me leaning Obama's way for a few days. This pick eliminated that lean.
Palin is a principled ethics reformer who has gone after Ted Stevens,
Gone After as in she went second, sure.
http://www.alaskareport.com/blog/2008/07/02/ted-stevens-and-sarah-palin-presser.htm
Note the date- this is after the scandal broke.
http://www.adn.com/news/politics/story/478749.html
This is her telling Stevens not to resign...a few weeks ago.
She's a good buddy of Ted Stevens: do tell us how she's "gone after" him.
Nate - what impact do you think this ticket has on the Begich has on picking up the senate seat in Alaska?
RHYS said:
"Are you dishonest, delusional, or just really fucking stupid?"
he is all 3 - a trifecta !
"There's a whole lot of folks that will find her mix of outdoorswoman, mom, politician very appealing."
If Americans are still so bloody stupid that they would select a president or vice-president on this basis, then they deserve another 8 years of the last 8 years.
Yes We Can!
Mark and Another Mike: Beware first impressions.
This woman enters the national scene the underdog, the mother of five, a kid with Down’s syndrome; she took on entrenched interests and won, etc.
She can be made to appear mightily appealing.
Like many I thought this might be a pander, but now I see it as the smartest demographic play in the campaign. If the battle is to be over identity, then so be it. McCain now has the weapon he needs to peel of young women from Obama. This disarming and accomplished lady from Alaska won't need call the "sweetie" while she does so.
Young women and mom's with kids are gonna love this ticket. McCain is their father, seasoned and wise. Palin is like them. She represents their aspirations and ideals and says to these women:
YES WE CAN!
Brilliant pick.
I am a hard-core Democrat, but I have to agree with Aaron.
I really don't think experience matters. Talent does. Just like with athletes. In this case, talent is intelligence, likability, vision and leadership.
Both of these candidates (Obama and Palin) have plenty to go around.
Obama's cheapshot today really disturbs me, though I love the guy and was very impressed last night.
Not that I would change my vote at all, but this is not a lightweight.
I don't like experience. To me those are the 'proven veterans' of politics. I'll take the young guy.
If a baseball player at 21-22 years old can hold his own in the majors, he's likely a superstar without injury. Same for politics. The fact that these two have come this far in their 40s speaks to their natural talent and says a lot about how great they really are at this game. You don't get this far, this young, without some talent, generally (consider Dan Quayle Cesar Cedeno :-)
The Obama camp should not take her lightly.
Whoops, but McCain is up even more than Obama on intrade, 2.7 points to nearly 42%.
Looks like some VP gamblers are doubling down on their winnings...
Notice also: No one is talking about Obama today except to comment on his lack of experience!
Is McCain smart or just lucky?
FACT:
Her approval ratings are in the 90s... So she must be doing something right. America will eventually fall in love with her.
Fabulous pick by McCain. Palin has her work cut out for her, but when Democrats and Independents from Alaska are praising her, there is no doubt she'll do a great job of quieting the doubters.
Aaron, Palin got there because she took alaska out of its duldrums? In 20 monts? Maybe it wsa all those record oil profits taht alaska was benefitting from under an oil man in the white house. I think she hurts McCains energy policy more than she helps. She will be seen as helping alaska andbig oil
"The fact that these two have come this far in their 40s speaks to their natural talent and says a lot about how great they really are at this game."
This comparison is nonsense.
Obama has gotten where he is through his talents and hard work. Palin was chosen to pander to voters and without her nice teeth and breasts, would likely be stuck in Alaska for a long time to come.
And according to Rasmussen, democrat or republican doesn't matter, it is all about oil and naural gas and what are you going to do for me. alos, like I said, record gas profits I'm sure helps your budget
realistxxx
Thats a huge point. I've so busy laughing at the folly, I missed his undermining his "America first".
By selecting Palin you are endangering the country to win the election. How does that gibe with your "honor"?
You know... I was excited for the VP debate when Biden was announced... but now? It's going to be hilarious - they ought to put it on pay per view.
"Like many I thought this might be a pander, but now I see it as the smartest demographic play in the campaign."
Self-delusion is a powerful thing.
My mother was for Hillary in the primaries, and slow to warm to Obama (even after Hillary's convention speech)
Today, after finding out McCain picked Palin, she is 100% Obama.
She is offended and angry that McCain thinks he can pick any woman to be VP and women will fall in line. She didn't want ANY woman, she wanted Hillary.
She is "sickened" and "upset" that he would pick someone who was a Mayor of a town with 6,000 people and the governor of a state that is so remote is barely resembles concerns of the lower 48 (and before you jump on me over this, let me say that half of my family lives in AK so I get the differences)
I think this will backfire on McCain in a big way.
Think of all the other GOP women he could have picked who were more qualified and well known? And he chose Palin....
good news for Obama.
MICAHEL
that is a lie about her approval rating
Rasmussen has it down to 64% today, so please quote facts.
Apparently here 'popularity' is tanking due to her abuse of power & ties to Stevens.
stop the lies
Kate:
I know lots opf professional women and soccer/hockey moms. I know a thing or two about the demographic.
That you are so vociferous in rejecting this pick without even giving it consideration reveals you to be an ideolgue. I applaud your political purity.
Other than radical feminist types and hard core left wingers, most women, epsecially young women, are going to give this ticket a second look. They may have been softer supporters of barack obama, perhaps liking his softness, but now they have the chance to haev one of their gender, one who thinks and feels quite literally as they do in the West Wing and that sure is worth a second look.
Don't you think? Perhaps you speak for all women?
What the fuck does her approval rating mean in a state where a senator under current indictment for corruption easily win's his party's primary for re-election?
Right now I'm sure her pick will play well with the PUMA's but I think that they will see tht she is not qualified to be president. We can all agree, I hink, that if this election were about who is more ready to be president, Obama or Pain, it wouldn't even be a contest, yet republicans are towting her as this experienced and ready to go right out of the gate candidate. I'm sorry but this is absolutely rediculous. Biden VS McCain? Porobably a toss up just like Obama McCain
Obama and the Democrats are definitely overplaying their hand to attack Palin outright for her lack of experience. They should have held back, offered measured criticism of the pick as a pander to women (calling it as it is, in essence), and slaughtered McCain on Palin's inexperience as soon as he opened his mouth again about Obama not being ready to lead. I guarantee they wouldn't have had that long to wait.
PETE - I know Sarah Palin, oops no I don't and neither do most people. nor do we care except that McCain wants to promote her for his own purposes.
Anyway, she is no Hillary Clinton that is for sure !
The Hillary supporters I know switched to Obama. Some immediately after the primaries and a few took a bit longer to say they would support Obama. None of them ever considered voting for McCain, but some considered not voting.
They are amazed at McCain's choice of Palin and cannot imagine voting for McCain or Palin.
To say women who voted for Hillary will vote for Palin is like saying that had Obama lost and Hillary won, that Obama voters would vote for McCain. A few might, but most would not.
Funny, we were on exactly the same page mentally, and seemed to post Frances McDormand references just minutes apart. Sarah Palin IS Marge Gunderson! Or so the GOP would have us believe.
With this much of a mind-meld, Nate, can't believe you don't like the Angels.
"That you are so vociferous in rejecting this pick without even giving it consideration reveals you to be an ideolgue."
No, you drooling moron, it reveals that she sees a transparent pandering ploy for what it is, and is not impressed.
Sarah Palin has absolutely nothing to recommend herself as a top executive of this country. NOTHING. She was chosen solely for political reasons, and anyone who can't see that is a fool.
"Don't you think?"
She does. You clearly do not.
PeteKent really is a special kind of stupid today.
Palin is so far to the right of the political spectrum she will polarize many of the Hillary McCain crossovers to retreat and cross back to Obama. Once word gets out about Palin's far rightwing positions, she will be a catalyst to really unify the Dem Party. Advantage Obama.
Maybe Republicans will approve of those windfall profit taxes Palin slapped on the oil companies. That's how she and the legislature brought so much more money into the coffers.
Forty percent of Americans live in the 82 COUNTIES that have more people than her entire state.
"Executive experience"? Yes.
Significant experience. Not even close.
Do you hardcore republicans really think that this woman is known outside of the hardcore group? Do you know how hard it is to introduce and frame a candidate in 9 weeks? Rasmussen said what 2/3 of their respondents had no opinion on her? And so far everything that's been said today is, it's a big gamble, risky, inexperienced, may be involved in an ethics scandal.... It took Obama 19 months to frame his candidacy, McCain hopes he can sell her in 9 weeks??
all this talk about Palin helping McCain with younger women.
Now, I don't know what defines 'younger'....I'm 20 years old, so perhaps that is too young. Who knows.
But let me tell you, young women are for Obama in a huge way. He supports equal pay for equal work. Younger people, women and men alike, support his plans for helping us pay for our education.
Younger women are concerned with global warming. We are the generation who, if global warming isn't stopped, will grow up with increases in hurricanes, rising flood waters, food shortages, war over water supply. Barack Obama is the only candidate who will truly place the urgency on stopping global warming that we need. For quite a while, McCain actually seemed that he would address global warming..until he gave in to the far right wing of his party.
Younger women GREATLY CONCERNED over our fellow classmates, boyfriends, husbands, and fellow young WOMEN who are dying in Iraq every day for this unnecessary war.
So don't tell me that Palin helps with young women. We are not sheep who follow someone because they share our gender. That is an insult to our intelligence.
This pick could lead to an Obama blowout, my republican friends are very upset that McCain picked such a rookie.
They even said they are not comfortable with her as vp to a 72 year old man.She probably has a great future but she is in over her head. I`m pretty sure this will backfire on the republicans.
The mysogny of Obama, the Dems and you posters in criticizing and attacking Ms. Palin is undoing all the good you did at the convention.
Stupid, trolls!
Did obama give his speech last night, I can't quite remember . . . .
Brilliant pick!
Scruff, I generally agree with you about experience--I'll take talent over experience any day. I'm not convinced that Palin has top tier political talent, however. I didn't see it on display today in her speech. Going from Alaska to the presidential campaign is like jumping from AA to the majors. If she can perform great as a candidate, then it will be a good pick for McCain, as her political views certainly help him with the hard core conservative wing of the party. But, if she looks and sounds unready, the pick will be viewed as a pander to attract Clinton voters and it will backfire. So, while I think this will be good for Obama, we really won't know until we see her campaign and debate over the next few weeks.
There are so many points of attack for Obama/Biden, half the battle will be deciding which ones to pursue. McCain needed someone who can do a lot of heavy lifting on the campaign trail (Huckabee, Romney), and perhaps feed him. Palin may be able to do the latter.
McFail/Failin '08
Women like krwlingfyou (or wahtever) are left wing ideolgues and can never be counted on to vote ofr Republican, but the women of Macomb County, MI and Montgomery County, PA, who have conservative forbears will not reject this ticket out of hand. What might have been Obama's outright is now once again a jump ball.
Pete Kent
The misogyny of OBAMA?? McPOW is the one who called his wife a c*nt in front of the press. McPOW is the one who has voted against every single equal pay or women's rights bill he's seen. If there is one indisputable fact about McPOW is he has "issues" with women. And not in a good way.
There was a great documentary on PBS a few weeks ago about how she cleaned up the corruption and fought big oil in Alaska after being elected. I was a big fan of her's after it, and again, I'm as liberal a Democrat as they come.
That will probably get a little more airplay now, and it will be free advertising that will make her look very favorable to moderate independents. And her hard core right wing positions (if that's really true) will help galvanize the base.
Step down from the emotion a bit and look at this like an independent. If not, you sound like a ranting lunatic, who doesn't listen to anything and just sees blue, blue, blue.
haha, ok thanks PeteKent.
Whatever you say there, buddy.
You can't even copy and paste my user name.
But anyway, I'm actually not a left winger. I supported McCain in 2000 because he was much more moderate and I believed that is what we needed.
But go ahead, call me names. We'll see how that works out for ya.
"The mysogny of Obama, the Dems and you posters in criticizing and attacking Ms. Palin is undoing all the good you did at the convention."
No, asshole, it is people like you and McCain that are the real misogynists, because you have no problem exploiting women for your own selfish purposes.
Obama is for women where it counts: policies and actions. McCain is just using them to try to get elected.
Just like veterans affairs. Obama votes to support and help veterans, mcCain treats them like shit and takes their vote for granted.
Grow a clue before it's too late.
I'm disappointed. I was looking forward to a Biden vs. Romney debate -- what a knifefight that would have been.
With a Biden vs. Palin debate, Biden will have to check his aggressiveness. He will positively take her to school, but he will have to do it in a fatherly, gentle way.
Biden: "I have xx years of experience in foreign affairs, I've participated in diplomatic negotiations, attended state dinners... how about you, Sarah?"
Palin: "Well... I uh, I'm only 50 miles from Russia!"
Some lady just pointed out that maybe Palin is going to be a yes woman. I mean, can you imagine Palin standing up to McCain on torture, or Gitmo or Iraq, or anything substantial? What can she advise him on. A lot of people said he needed Romney to sure up his economy inexperience and Palin DOES NO DO THAT
So I guess in Mccain's cabinet Palin will be part of his "Team of Rivals".
PeteKent--
Of course I'm not presumptuous enough to believe that I speak for all women, only for myself. You however, seem to be making the same type of blanket statements you're accusing me of making.
As rejecting this choice, I'm rejecting it because I have done my research and found that this woman doesn't jibe with my world view.
Don't assume I'm a radical, left-wing, idealogue just because I don't believe Sarah Palin is a decent vp choice. I actually am an independent, young-professional. The exact group this pick is supposed to appeal to.
I guess that McCain's own "I will pick someone who will be ready to step in as President on day-one" is out the door...add that to the list of position changes.
And the commonly accepted "do no harm" with your VP pick is obliterated. I really am enjoying being a democrat right now.
Someone on McCain's staff told him now was the time to choose a running mate. McCain's hearing aid was turned down, so he thought he was told to choose someone he was supposed to mate with.
I think the pick is a bit of a hail mary pass. He saw the way the Democrats rolled out their convention with organization, discipline and ultimately, huge enthusiasm behind them, and realized he had to take a chance. Personally, I think McCain/Romney would have made a more formidable pair, though he would have been inviscerated for the chop and sell job losses in Ohio stemming from Romney's "business acumen".
So what else is left? Tom Ridge brings people right back to Bush which plays right into the Democrats strategy, and Pawlenty, though OK, is certainly not going to generate the enthusiasm/energy that McCain will need to compete in turnout.
So, while she is an exceptionally weak candidate in terms of qualifications she is probably the only one who could change the dynamic of the race in what was, by all standards, a pretty weak pool of possibilities. They do look awfully strange as a team-- like an illicit affair waiting to happen.
The Biden/Palin VP debate is going to be fascinating. Obviously Biden can blow her out of the water on qualifications and issue knowledge, but is he going to have to worry about coming across too harshly.
Sure, it's a double standard, but it's real. If it looks like he's "picking on" her, it will not reflect well on the Democratic ticket. It's almost like the Republicans are baiting them in to doing something to tick off those independent Hillary supporters who are lukewarm to the Democratic ticket.
What a ridiculous choice ! How could he think Puma could vote for a first term unknown governor of a tiny state. plus, she is pro oil, evangzlist, pro gun, pro life, basically against evrything Hillary fights for.
This is insulting for them.
And considering McCain's Age, the probability that she gets commander in Chief is not negligible.
That should make Obama pretty happy. And putin too!
No way the Hillery backers are going to vote for a pro lifer. Won't happen, Palin's conservative credentials are as extreme as McBush's...........95% of the time backing Bush
This shows how fundamentally flawed a candidate McCain is. He's too old, looks like a dry roasted peanut, is a terrible campaigner, his speeches put people to sleep, and he's not popular in his home state.
Palin is a "maverick" pick, but remember that McCain has just spent several months convincing the Republican base that he is not really a maverick at all.
He's bought and controlled by the GOP. They have the bulk of his money. Thus, we have seen him move into line completely with the Bush Administration ever since he won the primaries.
If he's hunting for PUMAs, he should know that that beast is mythical.
DCM in FL:
Strange concept, but people tend to have to earn that which is given to them. Especially when it's being arbitrated by a group of people. Obama earned his nomination with a larger group of people, but Palin still earned her pick through McCain and his top staff. The idea that Steve Schmidt and the top echelons of McCain's staff had no control over this pick is absolutely insane.
Hutchison has legislative experience. She has no executive experience. Not necessarily a bad thing, but she's no more "qualified" to be president than Biden, Obama, or McCain. Palin has executive experience, and she's run the state of Alaska amazingly well by all accounts. She was selected because she fit the profile McCain wanted. Again: her being a woman was a factor, I'm sure. But to pretend there were no other factors is to be patently ignorant and illogical.
I listened to her speech. I liked it. I like Biden's style for the same reason. They both are cognizant of their audience. Obama has a tendency to speak as though he's talking to a college classroom, or to his voters alone. Palin and Biden both understand how to talk to the U.S.A. as a whole, regardless of your profession, education, or leanings. They talk to a nation, Obama and McCain talk to certain subsets of people. I appreciate that Obama's speeches are excellent from a purely analytical standpoint, but when it comes to broad depth, both Biden and Palin could teach their partners how to really talk to a nation. And, as president, that's exactly what they'll need to do. They both could take lessons from their VPs. And, honestly, they both should. It's like Bartlett said on the West Wing. The president isn't the president of the Democrats, or the president of the Republicans. The president is the president of the United States of America. Obama and McCain forget that. Palin and Biden never do.
By the way. Congratulations, in accusing Palin of overstepping her power, you just managed to defend Ted Stevens at the expense of the first real reformer Alaska's seen in the last several decades. Somewhat odd of you to defend him, but I suppose that's what happens when you try and pretend you know more than you do. But, much as I enjoy batting around someone who doesn't seem to know what they're talking about, all good things must come to an end. I've got things to do. Don't expect another long response.
(By the way, if I remember who you are correctly (and I probably do), I actually do like a lot of your posts. Don't take this argument personally, I just really like Palin and feel compelled to defend her. Especially given the half-truths and incomplete arguments you're throwing at me.)
Whoever was talking about Ted Stevens:
Palin pressed charges against the Alaska state party chair in 2004. She has rejected numerous earmarks Stevens tried to direct towards the state. Stevens complained to her personally, she told him to shove it. She's at odds with Stevens over the issue that Stevens has predicated his entire existence as a senator around: his skill at siphoning money from the federal government to his state.
She may not have forced him to resign. But you should know damn well that if Begich and Berkowitz win seats in the next congress, you have Sarah Palin to thank for ruining their reputations and fighting them in every important policy-centric way.
Palin brings back the social conservative wing of the Republican Party back into the fray and they are excited as almost as they were when Bush was running for nomination. However, the pick risks alienating other Republicans who were looking for an economic V.P candidate (ie. Romney) to balance McCain's weakness on the issue.
As a Democrat, I applaud this pick. Senator McCain is a true patriot; he has sabotaged his last chance at the White House in order to keep the whackjob conservative lunatics out of power. He is a true American hero.
Congratulations, Senator McCain. And thank you. President Obama will surely remember your kamikaze running mate choice.
John McCain just failed the "judgment" test again. He made an obviously political choice for VP in a jaded attempt to win female voters (an extremely patronizing attempt at that.)
Sarah Palin is *NOT* qualified to be President and I think you'll find people are going to be very uneasy with the idea of Palin as Commander In Chief.
Sure McCain gets some short term advantage by taking the news away from Obama's great speech and the great convention the Democrats had. ... But I think this choice is going to hurt McCain a lot in the long term. It takes away his main argument against Obama and as others have mentioned the McCain/Palin ticket is now the RISKY choice.
I don't understand this pick?
A) The contrast brings heavily into question McCain's age, and thus puts a great weight as to Palin's preparedness to take over as president.
B) Palin's own record shows poor decision making!
1) Why would someone in her position as Governor displace that commissioner from his job under those conditions? Because of her sisters divorce it looks like a witch hunt and she should have taken a more pragmatic approach, like addressing her concerns of his service to his office (on paper) and then putting him on probation and see if he hangs himself. The way she handled it makes her look petty and guilty as charged!
2) I'm no expert, but that pipeline deal looks suspicious seeing as Palin's husband, Todd Palin, is the production operator in the oil fields on Alaska’s North Slope where this pipeline deal originates from. Also seeing as her husband is employed by the oil industry and she wants to open up the protected areas for drilling, doesn't this draw into question whether she promotes such policy for family or country? To top it off, I believe the company hired to build the pipeline is Canadian!
3) Her handling of Alaska dairy was dubious to say the least.
C) Her handling of the commissioner also calls into question Palin's temperment, and in so doing doubles up on the question of McCain's temperment and how they in tandem can handle high stakes diplomacy, like Iran... Which leads to..
d) Her acceptance speech and her wholehearted endorsement of McCain military solutions made me question if these two poor tempered candidates were heading headstrong into a potential war in Iran?
e) All of the above brings into question of McCain's own judgement! How could he, with pragmatism in mind, choose a VP who does not herself show the proper judgement to lead? Some Alaskan's may have been duped, but now she is in the National Spotlight! I don't even care about her experience, what about her judgement! What does this say about McCain's judgement?
Obviously this was McCain's hail-mary pass with the hopes of looking like a "maverick". Perhaps a week ago his choice of a female seemed good, but I watched Hillary's speach! Hillary was genuine and buried the hatchet. Any Hillary votes that McCain is attempting to lure with Palin as the VP, were already his before he choose Palin! Any female posters who say otherwise do not follow the issues of this election and are just saying so to try and stir the pot as they are McCain's side already and want to try and agitate
democratic scabs.
McCain... Why'd you do this?
RedsManRick said...
The Biden/Palin VP debate is going to be fascinating. Obviously Biden can blow her out of the water on qualifications and issue knowledge, but is he going to have to worry about coming across too harshly.
----------
Biden needs to attack McCain and his policies and link him to Bush.
He should just ignore Palin, but never be condescending.
NEW OBAMA TV AD
[TV newscaster, night shot of ambulance in background]
"...Breaking...the President is being taken to Washington Hospital at this moment..."
[cut to red phone in the dark]
[phone rings, female voice answers]
"...mmm Hello..."
[voice on phone]
"Russia has just launched an attack on ..."
[Voiceover] It's 3 AM. Can you trust Sarah Palin to step up and be the Commander in Chief in an international crisis?
There is no place I'd rather be right now than in the same room as Joe Biden. He must be like "WTF?!? Is this just for shits and giggles? This is the person I'n supposed to debate??? My game's goona be all thrown off. Come on, fellas, where's McCain's REAL pick?"
Check out this gem I found from a conservative blog.
Sarah Who? I've always admired John McCain (though I have to say, in the interests of full disclosure, that I'm not voting for him this Fall); he was, by far, my favorite among the Republicans seeking the nomination, and I was delighted that he prevailed. I have to say, though, that his choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate is appalling and insulting to the American people. Perhaps it will turn out to be a political masterstroke, "energizing the base" and garnering lots of disaffected Clinton supporters; perhaps not. But to my mind, as a voter, the sole criterion for evaluating a candidate's VP choice is whether or not the candidate has picked someone who can plausibly be viewed as presidential timber and, no disrespect intended to Ms. Palin, who was apparently a decent mayor of Wasilla AK (pop. 9,000) and who has been serving as governor of Alaska for all of two years, McCain has failed miserably on that score. His recent complaints that Obama is too inexperienced to be President are not only fatally undercut by this choice, they look downright idiotic now -- coming from someone who would put Gov. Palin a heartbeat away from the presidency. It is the grossest form of pandering -- what happened to "putting your country first"? This choice puts McCain's candidacy first and the fate of the country a very distant second, and he should be, and Ihope he is, punished by the electorate for having made it.
If McCain picked a Golden Retriever as his VP that would also have taken the spotlight off of Obama's acceptance speech and had the potential of making Democrats seem anti-Golden Retriever.
That would still be an exceptionally stupid pick for McCain to make.
Look, it's very likely to backfire, but it's nonetheless a smart gamble. McCain is no idiot. He was watching the Dem Convention. If it had gone badly he would have been in with a chance of winning the election with a Romney pick. As it was, it was clear he would have stood no chance of winning playing safe. So he decided to gamble. By picking Palin he vastly increases the uncertainty in the election. This greatly increases the chances of Obama winning in a landslide, but he also increases his own winning. It's a smart more for him now, even as it is irresponsible given the significant chance his VP will become President.
"an accent straight out of Fargo"
Careful there, champ. That's an accent that sounds like music to the ears of people living in ND, MN, WI...
Besides, there's only one state that borders Putin's Russia, and it happens to be Alaska.
Obama's entire foreign policy experience consists of speaking in front of a monument to Prussian militarism.
This is a debate we invite.
Polling update?
Pete Kent,
Are you have a senior moment? Don't you remember what you told us about Palin? If not, I'll remind you that you said she was a NOBODY, not ready for prime time, lacking gavitas and afflicted by a major scandal.
Aren't you angry that McCain didn't choose your favorite the seasoned veteran Rob Portman? Will you now sit out the election now or switch your support to Bob Barr?
"Pawlenty is a nobody and is not ready for prime time. Same for Palin. These two need seasoning and in Palin's case some distance from scandal.
Jindal has a future in politics, but let’s wait til he starts shaving.
Crist is a nice guy but adds little the ticket needs.
What does McCain need? A seasoned veteran who can give him credibility and gravitas on economic and trade issues. Someone who understands these things backwards and forwards and who can out debate the opposition on the theoretical underpinnings of why a low tax, pro-trade policy is good for America. That man is Rob Portman.
Portman has a long history of national service for a man who I don’t believe is quite yet 50. He was a Congressman and Director of OMB and US Trade Representative. He can speak cogently and convincingly on the economic issues that will dominant the campaign and will provide a powerful rationale for McCain’s pro-trade bias. A bias that, by the way, is in line with the interests of one in five American workers. That he was associated with the Bush Administration is a minor distraction. His own humble Midwestern charisma and his popularity within Ohio will quell much of that. He is from rural south west Ohio where all those anti-Obama Appalachians live.
Portman will also be aided by the coming re-assessment of Bush’s Presidency. As things have improved on Iraq, as gas prices fall due to the growing impetus to drill, and the economy continues to show signs of picking up, Bush’s standing may get a second look.
I think he would add gravitas on important non-foreign policy issues while burnishing the ticket’s appeal to values based voters."
I think the VP debate will be boring. Neither will answer questions, Biden will shred McPOWs foreign policy, and Palin will parrot well rehearsed parrot points. I doubt she'll even listen to Biden. She must resist getting engaged in a dialogue with him to survive. And remember, she has very little time to memorize answers.
McCain's choice of Sarah Palin for VP raises serious concerns about his judgement and is a slap in the face to people of reason in his own party. It's clear that he thinks that his only hope is to pander to the lunatic conservative fringe that controls his party.
When she came out with that beehive hairdo and butterfly glasses I'm sure millions had flashbacks to the Nixonian 70's- not suprising since this Phyllis Schlafly wannabe is a Pat Buchanan protege. She says she's for change- change back to the Archie Bunker days.
Nobody here, apart from maybe the conservatrolls, seem to grasp why she was picked. I can only imagine how out of touch the FReeptards are right now. I bet their cock-a-hoop. Those nutballs wanted Fredf Thompson and Duncan Hunter as their candidate. Nuff said.
Obviously Romney wasn't gonna work. Jindal is the lightweight's lightweight. But Sarah Failin??? WOW!!! McFail could have played it safe and still gone on the offensive with the charismatic Mike Huckabee. The man is cool, despite his evangelical nuttiness. All he had to do was brush up on foreign policy for the debate.
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