Team McCain Takes the Lead

Gerson, you are such a tool.

Either you are an idiot or you support the Republican lying, cheating and stealing because you've been corrupted.

Thanks to the freedome of information, history will judge the Republicans of our era with more than enough data to confirm that you people have sold our country down the river.

If and when China and India eat our lunch, largely due to American ignorance, history will show that certain politicians, businesspeople, and media hacks fought tooth and nail to prevent the lower and middle classes from having better educational and health care systems.

The businesspeople get the crooked money, the politicians get the power. What have you, Mr Gerson, sold your soul for?

Furthermore, Mr Gerson, We are a nation at war against an enemy that attacked us in the first year of the Clinton and Bush Administrations. Heaven forbid that an attack should come in 2009, McCain were to be killed, and Gov Sarah Palin would be the commander-in-chief after we've potential been hit by some sort of major nbc attack.

This pick is so reckless, so selfish that it boggles the mind. How can you, how dare you support it.

You, sir, are an...

Reading these posts and the akin responses to Mr. Gerson's post on Bob Casey, Jr's speech, it becomes clear why the current Democratic Party alienates people like Gerson as well as more independent-minded voters, especially religious ones. The vitriol expressed makes it difficult to take the arguments seriously; in fact, there are no arguments, only sneers. The dream of post-partisanship that the Democratic ticket voices can hardly be realized if their acolytes lack common courtesy.

Palin! Palin! I like the pick, I just wish I knew more about that supposed scandal with the state trooper? http://www.veeppeek.com I wonder how much McCain really veted her?

This pick is lower than Quayle, it's Monica Goodling territory again. Please, Gerson, follow your boss out the door this January.

Huh? Have you been paying attention?

This pick is lower than Quayle, it's Monica Goodling territory again. Please, Gerson, follow your boss out the door this January.

Schwartz,

The Palin pick is a disgraceful, selfish reckless pick.

Your failure to understand and appreciate that just goes to show that you have no clue.

We are at war. We were attacked in '93 and '01; if the pattern holds '09 is the next strike. That pick is stupid, reckless and selfish- just like McCain himself.

You people who don't understand this are IDIOTS!!!!!!!! Not Patriots, IDIOTS!

We had a "chief executive" president in George W. Bush... and it turned out to be the worst administration in modern history.

McCain seems so unsure of who and what he should be, I am quite worried about how his administration would be managed. And all that anger... how can we expect him to deal with anger-invoking problems, like Putin??

I'd be much more comfortable with a President Palin that a President B. Hussein Obama. Any day and under any circumstances.

Gerson is idiot.

Gerson is lotus eater.

Sarah Palin is a dynamic woman who will do great things in the future for her country and her party; of that I have no doubt. That being said however, for you to even suggest that she will make a great VP makes me wonder: Mr Gerson, you have definitely found the Kool Aid, haven't you?

How can you possibly say, with a straight face, that this woman is qualified to be one heartbeat from the Presidency of the United States of America? Oh, I forgot, there are 3 reasons that I heard today which make total sense. Lindsey Graham and Cindy McCain came up with these gems:

1. Alaska is REAL CLOSE to Russia, so she knows what's going on there.
2. She's been President of the PTA in Wasilla.
3. She took on Ted Stevens and if she could do that, then she can certainly take on Russia.
It's pretty incredible that they made these statements with straight faces, like they REALLY BELIEVE them!

I know it's hard to imagine, but let's be honest here, and tell me Mr Gerson, what would you have written if Sen Obama had chosen her for his VP, and HIS surrogates went on the TV talk Shows and made those statements? You'd laugh him right out of the country, wouldn't you?

This has shown that John McCain does NOT have any JUDGMENT and that he DOES NOT put Country First. If he really cared about this country, he would have picked someone QUALIFIED like Olympia Snow, Susan Collins or Kay Bailey Hutchinson, wouldn't he? Instead, he's chosen someone who is Anti-Abortion and is a member of the NRA to appeal to the Christian Right and Neo-Cons, plain and simple. Either that or else he's telling his Party to go sc**w, because they wouldn't let him pick the person he really wanted, Joe LIEberman. Which reason do you suppose it is, Mr Gerson?

One other thing that I'd like to point out. When you accuse Sen Obama of having no experience in comparison to Gov Palin, you forget that he was ELECTED to be the Democratic Nominee! She wasn't; she was chosen by ONE PERSON, and that person's judgment leaves a lot to be desired if this is his first Executive Decision.

No, I'm sorry Mr Gerson. This is a dangerous man, and if you really love this country, you will open your eyes to this truth before it's too late.

God help us all,mccain is 72 if anything happens to him the lifes of 300 million Americans,2wars,economic downturn,osama bin laden,putin,Ahmedinijad,terrorism in the hands of a beauty queen.
this hard core republican would be voting for Obama/biden in nov

"Maybe I am so disappointed because I half-believed in Obama, at least at the beginning. On Thursday night, he made nothing of his historical moment. And he purposely set out to alienate people like me. It worked."
Right!!! You were really looking for a reason to vote for Obama and that speech turned you away. Right!!! You are not even trying to be modestly honest, do you?

God help us all,mccain is 72 if anything happens to him the lifes of 300 million Americans,2wars,economic downturn,osama bin laden,putin,Ahmedinijad,terrorism in the hands of a beauty queen.
this hard core republican would be voting for Obama/biden in nov

-Gerson is a tool. A big erect tool. There is no McCain "team." There is only McCain. The guy that would bomb, bomb, bomb....bomb, bomb, Iran. And who thought it was quite funny turning is 90-something year old Mother loose on the streets of Paris in an automobile. Like Bush, another s h i t t y pilot makes good.

"Team McCain Takes the Lead?"

Then why do polls show Sarah Palin turning undecided independents AWAY from McCain.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/undecideds-dont.html

The only question now is whether McCain will really go through with this or whether Palin will be nudged back to Alaska to "spend more time with her family" in the next week or two. Right now the Republican party is weighing the negative consequences of both options.

Gerson is a tool. A big erect tool. There is no McCain "team." There is only McCain. The guy that would bomb, bomb, bomb....bomb, bomb, Iran. And who thought it was quite funny turning is 90-something year old Mother loose on the streets of Paris in an automobile. Like Bush, another s h i t t y pilot makes good.

Have you heard the tenor of the attacks on Palin from the Obama fans? They bring up, over and over, that she was a beauty contestant over 20 years ago. The blatant, hateful sexism from these Obama brats shames all of us who ever thought this country was on the road to equality.

Tell us what is wrong with anything Palin has said or done in public life. Stop trying to brand her for having exhibited "feminine" behavior a generation ago. You were and are so offended when anyone brings up the fact that Obama admits he used cocaine in college, or allied himself with a racist preacher, yet you think this is a relevant criticism of Palin? Disgusting.

Sarah Palin - shrill shill for the drill, and not much more!

Gerson has hit a home run with this post. The Polls already confirm this. Obama-Biden's post-convention bounce lasted barely 24 hours. Zogby shows McCain-Palin up by a few points. Obama's convention speech was significant for what was left out. Inner-city kids in failing schools will not get school vouchers (courtesy of the teachers unions); babies born alive won't get federal statutory protection if he could have his way (courtesy of NARAL); illegals will get driving licenses (courtesy of MALDEF) and gays will have their militant agenda enacted into law (courtesy of GLAAD). The DNC has become a tribal party and if Obama wins we'd be transformed into the United States of Papua New Guinea.

Sarah Palin - shrill shill for the drill, and not much more!

Let's see on one side we have GW Bush who has polarized the American people like no other president in history. He spent 6 years treating democrats like dog do do. The last two years he has spent whining about the dog do do. Now all of a sudden the dems are supposed to forget and forgive the vile attacks on them by the repubs? What world are you living in Gerson? On what possible theory should the dems be nice to the repub's today? That's right there isn't one. Who's to blame for this. I'll give you a clue and the answer lies at 1600 PA Ave.

Only a neocon would think Palin as VP is a briliant move. A woman with less credentials then a herd of caribu who is facing serious ethics charges in her home state is not only a bad choice, it's a terrible choice. That is unless you are a neocon who wants to stack the supreme court to overturn Roe v. Wade. Then she's a fine choice. Of course it never has mattered to the neocons that the vast majority of people in this country support a womans right to choose. Why should public opinion matter in a democracy when neocons are so egotistical they know what's right for all of us?

Gerson, here's a clue if you want people to take you seriously in the future. Don't write partisan attacks on someone and accuse them of partisanship to make your point. It's just so hypocritical.

Gee, Michael Gerson, former speech writer for George Bush, not surprising he supports four more years of the same fear and smear.

German, you are a liar. At no point have you ever believed in any Democrat.
Usual right-wing scare and burn tactics by a right wing rag.

This Gerson clown is a complete jackass.

What really makes the leftists mad is that this small woman from Alaska could probably kick Obama's arrrssseee in a street fight! LOL!

I don't think anyone who knows Obama's record will find it shocking he's a liberal. I don't think anyone who is relatively informed will understand that the DNC is a hyped up rally, not a place for quiet talk and reflection.

However, I think the lack of experience WILL hurt Palin. She's got a total of 20 months in a "major" position in politics. That's practically nothing. Furthermore as energizing as she is for the evangelical right, she's polarizing for the more moderately minded independents, I think.

What really makes the leftists mad is that this small woman from Alaska could probably kick Obama's arrrssseee in a street fight! LOL!

When you apply for a job, they don't ask 'what is wrong with you?" They ask, "what are your qualifications?" I don't like Obama but I can relate a lot more to Biden than I can with this friggin' "hockey mommy" from Podunk, Alaska.

What a ridiculous article. Team McCain more nimble, innovative, and effective?

That's what they're paying you to say.

Sounds like the Democrats are a little nervous. With good reason......What a great Republican ticket we have this year. McCain/Palin your new President and Vice President. She is an awesome lady and has more experience in her little finger than Mr. Obama has in his whole body. We are proud to call you our Republican ticket.

Is silly ass too strong to describe you? Preppie tool of the drooling class? Wait, I will try harder.

McCain getting up from a nap is news for you guys.

Who the hell is Michael Gerson? An idiot I would say.
McCain might as well have picked Rachel Ray as a VP. At least Rachel Ray has travelled outside the US so it could be said that Rachel Ray has more foreign policy experience than Sarah Palin.

Unbelievable the vitriol coming from the (lowercase) "democratic" left.

I personally cant wait until we have President Obama's government run health care and I get my first check from his negative income tax plan funded by cuts in our bloated defense budget...George Slayton

What a pathetic "wag the dog" attempt. Nice headline, in particular.

What a monumentally buffoonish evaluation of Barack Obama's speech and of his committment to social welfare and women's rights. "The evangelical/hunter/beauty-contest contestant is likely to appeal broadly to most women" ??? Please God, forgive America its idiots and let peace have a chance!

The assinine vitriol comments made by liberals only proves your point.

I believe McCain's move to select Palin may prove to be checkmate.

The Republican grass roots are on fire today and I personally know one Hillary Democrat that's looking for McCain - Palin yard signs and bumper stickers.

Thank GOODNESS we finally have a female on the Republican ticket! I am happy that so many political analysts think that simply because I have the same internal plumbing as Palin, that I'll vote for her. The fact that she is anti-abortion, a member of the NRA, does not believe in global warming, and has less than 18 months of experience in aiding an economy or society of anything over 7,000 people is small potatoes compared to the fact that she is a woman. Gerson, thank you for implying--no, SAYING (as noted in point number 2 of your poor argument)--that most women voters don't care about tough issues as long as one of their own cracks the glass ceiling. I was not a Hillary supporter, I am not a Palin supporter, and quite frankly, I find your argument to be completely degrading to women, or to any voter that has at least five brain cells functioning. This pick was TERRIBLE.

The assinine vitriol comments made by liberals only proves your point.

I believe McCain's move to select Palin may prove to be checkmate.

The Republican grass roots are on fire today and I personally know one Hillary Democrat that's looking for McCain - Palin yard signs and bumper stickers.

Whatever happened to the argument that McCain made about Obama, that he didn't have experience? If Obama didn't have experience, Palin has even less and she's a heartbeat away from the Presidency with McCain who is 72 and has had cancer. So McCain has "flip-flopped", I repeat "flip-flopped" on that issue. Don't try covering up with her so-called experience as governor of Alaska, or mayor of a small town, or PTA leader, because it's obvious that she has No, repeat, NO foreign policy experience. So McCain flip-flops again. You want a flip-flopper for President, vote McCain.

Palin is a logical pick. It turns out Harriet Myers wasn't available.

Ahhh, nice to see the unfulfilled, perpetually angry adolescent hipsters upset at this Palin pick. Hey libtard, while you forever fail to reconcile your daddy-hatreds and fruitlessly attempt to enforce the misery you live day to day upon everyone else, Palin and Pale-face are gonna one-two Hair-plugs and Blobama. How delightfully giddy I am now looking forward to another eight years of mental-case, amblyopic liberals genuflecting daily. You people...you angry, bitter, small people...we laugh at you...we f*ckin' laugh at you!! *kisses*

If Palin was so perfect for you, how come you didn't speak a word about her before?
Gerson, you never dissapoint people who think that you are a pinhead.

gerson we're going to have to figure out a way for you to get paid this week.are you talking to rush limbaugh and pat buchanan again

be sure to look into Sarah's religion - if Obama's religion was fair game, so is hers. McCain's choice puts a woman who believes in the dominionist philisophy close to becoming president. Bad enough she's massively conservative on feminist issues (she is NOT a feminist, let's just make that clear) - but she also is connected with a very fundamentalist Christian sect. Do we want this in the white house? http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/29/163234/559/495/579213

Takes the lead??? Are you kidding? Look at the difference in enthusiasm, voter registration and attendance. LOOK: McCain is the man who railed against Obama saying that he put his political ambitions before his country and that he was not prepared to lead, and then he goes and picks a veep with NO experience for PURE political reasons who would likely end up president, God forbid, if McCain's age takes it toll. It's disgusting politics as usual for the 'pubs.

Experience:

Sarah Palin: 12 years of elected government service, including 8 as an executive decision maker and 0 years in Washington, D.C. (1992-1996 Wasilla City Council, 1996-2002 Mayor of Wasilla, 2006-2008 Governor Of Alaska)

Barack Obama: 12 years of elected government service, including 4 years in Washington, D.C. and 0 years as an executive decision maker. (1997-2004 Illinois State Senator, 2004-2008 Junior US Senator from Illinois)

Overall, the levels of government experience are very similar. Palin’s edge is her experience as an executive decision maker. Obama’s edge is, “knowing the ropes,” in Washington, D.C. But both candidates have very thin resumes and would be doing a lot of, “on the job,” training.

Obama and Palin are both impressive rising stars, each in their own party, but neither is ready for the oval office. Despite the need to, “be ready just in case,” it is likely that the person on the bottom of the ticket will have time for learning what is needed before ever having to sit in the hot seat. But the person at the top of the ticket has to be ready on Day One, and now only John McCain can credibly claim that ability.

Are you kidding? The Palin pick undercuts McCain's only rational argument against Obama: His youth and inexperience. And swinging the Alaska vote isn't likely to help him win an election.

Furthermore, a gun-toting creationist isn't going to do squat for bringing in moderate voters.

This pick is pure fail. McCain, I liked you as a senator. I wish you'd won in 2000. But I don't even recognize you anymore. Goodbye.

The complete absence of truth in your comments has provided a clear view of the flawed belief system in which you operate. Where do you get your jackboots at?

It's a little hard for me to accept that Team McCain is outperforming Team Obama based on the VP pick. --Maybe Palin will prove a good selection for politics as well as governing (should she be elected), but it's still a stretch and a gamble --for the campaign and the country.

Frankly, I'm disappointed to find that the candidate who once harped on experience being of vital importance has chosen someone with so little --to say she has more than the other three is simply not sufficient --there were other choices with still more experience than Palin. You gotta wonder how it is that in McCain's eyes she was the best candidate available. Has McCain really "put country first" here?

Mr. Gerson comes across as a man trying to convince himself of that which he knows to be untrue. He knows full well that Obama is no Mondale and that Sarah Palin is a laughable VP choice. It's a shame that such a respected publication is not immune from pointless talking-head nonsense. I dearly hope the Post isn't on its way to becoming as intellectually void as the Washington Times.

Maybe she's not one now, maybe she is, but a coed who wears a t-shirt that says "I may be broke but I'm not flat busted" is a BIMBO. That picture and the ones of her as a TV hairdo are scary. Wanting "Creation Science" to be taught in school doesn't make me believe she's come that much further along the path to adulthood.

So far this election, I've kept being reminded of the guy who read a book on "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying" and looked into the window of the White House. Just about everyone except Biden and perhaps McCain reminds me of that character.

Gerson---you are an idiot. John McCain and the Republican Party along with Fox, the Wall Street Journal, Shawn Hannity, Ann Coulter are Bastions of Racial Hate. I wish I could live to see the day when the streets burn and the houses on 5th Avenue and the buildings on Wall & Broad crumble burying the ashes of the greedy Wall Street Jews and their Plutocracy who have has been financially raping the middle class for 25 years. When will America WAKE UP?

this article proves that fox news and this paper are owned by the same foreign idiot!

cant wait to hear what excuses he will make when Obama is president!

that woman vp choice just sealed the Obama victory and i am thrilled with mcsames choice

it not uncommon for the leftist and liberals to desdain to the point of vitriol, for anyone even independents, who may view things differently, so much for tolerance from the Democrats.
Since Economy seems to be the issue, the last I checked American economy is still the envy of the world, Yes it is going to its usual downturn, Economic Cycles are never linear, only cyclical and McCain has the wrong end to deal with. But last thing it needs is the socialist type of intervention and the economic paranoia to scare the middle class as unleased by Hussein Obama.

This article proves what's wrong with America, racism. Sing loud, sing it proud RACISM.

My wife and I saw and heard Senator McCain and Governor Sara Palin in Washington, PA yesterday.
she is quite genuine and as a matter of fact quite refreshing, both in candor and actual accomplishments. She is in fact who says she is. She introduced herself by first saying, "we started out working with our hands".
Standing as a totally 'liberated women', I think Sara Palin is the eastern elitist establishment's worst nightmare. Palin can talk the talk and out walk most of us.

What all of the pundits are missing, is that it is not just the Pres and VP that make a country work.

Its also the people they pick for the executive cabinet, how they nominate choices to fill judicial vacancies; and, how they can sit aside differences to work with the legislative and judicial parts of the government.

I wouldn't worry too much about someone who is not part of the "good ole boys" club having to step in at 3am to take the reigns -- its the advisors and cabinets that offer up the expert advice, and the executive that picks the best alternative based on that advice.

Its not just two people running the show.
And, if we think its only Democrat vs. Republican vs. Independent -- then our societies, cultures, and race will never evolve to get off this 3rd Rock. And if we did, who would ever want to deal with a bunch of rebellious "me-first" teenagers from this rock?

Talk is cheap. Whoever gets in needs to have a real plan for moving things in a positive direction for the everyone, and not just special interests -- or we will all suffer if the only change is more taxes, or tax-and-spend politics that we haven't seen for a few years. Lets see some real plans for how America is going to be made #1 again.

Gee, and what will they think of this?

http://openthread.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/30/121350/137/486/580223

I had heard the rumors that Palin's latest broodling was actually her daughters, but I gave it a pass. I like policy of personal rumors that invade a family's privacy. However, being a parent, something about Palin's behavior struck me as false. When the mom's water breaks, it's time to go to the hospital. It's even more important if the baby is premature and has a problem (like Downs). But Palin instead decides to hang around in Texas, give a speech, than take a 8 hour flight to Alaska to "give birth." Now if you're past 7 months pregnant you aren't supposed to fly at all without a doctor's permission. Did Palin really endanger her baby just so she could give a speech and have it born in Alaska instead of Texas? Does anyone really think Alaska has better hospitals than Dallas?

Oh, and Gerson's a partisan liar who isn't fit to be made into fertilizer.

McCain has shored up the evangelical vote and the dirty old man vote. There may be some overlap.

Gerson permit me to give you the benefit of an Australian perspective. With respect but you sound like a stooge. I am one of many people outside the USA trying hard not to give up you guys in the States. The way it appears here is that the policies of the republicans are driven by special interests to the detriment of everyone. The democratic policies are somewhat less compromised. If and when he gets elected Obama will still be a politician and no-one with a brain is expecting miracles. The system has too much inertia. However if the USA passes up the opportunity to elect someone with such a manifest superiority over McCain then i am sure the general global reaction will be one of disgust and possibly disrespect.

What tripe!

this article proves that fox news and this paper are owned by the same foreign idiot!

cant wait to hear what excuses he will make when Obama is president!

that woman vp choice just sealed the Obama victory and i am thrilled with mcsames choice

PANIC! She's perfect!! That's why they panic! Blew all the hot air right out of his speech. Why all the buzz? PANIC! Bet he wishes he would've picked Hillary now...can he throw Biden under the bus? He runs on "change" and picks BIDEN?? She's perfect and I LOVE IT!! GO SARAH!

It was monstrously irresponsible for "Maverick" McCain to pick such an unexperienced VP given the highly significant odds she will become an unelected President. McCain is taking his last shot in life and he knows how slim his chances of a win are, so his desperation is almost understandable. HOWEVER, for rational and previously credible people like Gerson to laud this ridiculous situation only because it's the party line is UNFORGIVABLE. Why must Republicans always have to check their brains at the door to tow the party line?

I don't know much about Sarah Palin, but I do know that no one expected Democrats to like the McCain choice, anyway. And most of the objections are hysterical comments in the "anyone but Bush" vein which failed to convince much of the electorate in the past two elections.

It is true she has little foreign policy experience, but neither does Obama. Unlike Obama, if elected, she would have time to learn. Obama would have to learn on the job.

No, I agree she is not ready to be chief executive of the United States. If she is a quick study, she might be.

And because she is from Alaska, let us not indulge ourselves in East Coast elitism/bigotry here.

I agree Mr. Gerson...Gov Palin was a brilliant choice by Sen. McCain, and yes she does have as much, if not more experience in Politics as the "messiah". (I didn't know the BHO Muslims even had a "messiah")! At least Gov. Palin spent her time in Office "On-the-Job", unlike BHO. All of these bleeding-heart liberals will have a reason to cry come November...

I'm an independent, and I'm intrigued. I'm interested in hear more substance about McCain Palin and less embellished Democrat barking. Funny how angry Dems are all the time - chill out dudes. Swear words won't help your cause.

this article proves that fox news and this paper are owned by the same foreign idiot!

cant wait to hear what excuses he will make when Obama is president!

that woman vp choice just sealed the Obama victory and i am thrilled with mcsames choice

"Unbelievable the vitriol coming from the (lowercase) "democratic" left."

Actually, it's more likely from Republicans that don't like Bush, and don't want more Bush. But, there are other Republicans out there, with a 6th grade education, that rave about the McCain/Palin ticket.

I personally fall into the "undecided independent" category. The choice of Palin for VP was a brilliant move that rekindled my interest in the Republican ticket. Say what you will, it worked for me.

I vote for experience! McCain Palin.

It was Hillary who said we needed a Woman
in the White House again. Her dream is about to come true with Sarah Palin as VP.

http://www.johnmccain.com

Eight sitting presidents have died in office. That's ONE in FIVE!

Now McCain - a 72-year-old, four-time cancer survivor - wants us to risk having Miss Alaska with her finger on The Button?!?!

Palin was picked out of right-wing pandering, tokenism and desperation. Women of America, please don't fall for this shameless ploy. She has two X chromosomes but she ain't no Hillary, she’s not even a Kay Bailey Hutchinson or another *qualified* Rep. Female. (And, in fairness, there are several.)

I guess McCain wasn’t satisfied ditching his first wife on her death bed and gold-digging for a trophy wife, now he’s got himself a trophy VP as well. What character this guy has! (Wait for it… here comes the GOP playing the POW-card here.)

Ironic, isn’t it that McCain is always claiming that Obama would rather lose a war to win an election and then he pulls this irresponsible stunt?!?!

Obama spared no "cheap attack" on McCain? How about these: 1.McCain almost died in a losing unjust war, and McCain rabidly supports another losing unjust war. 2.McCain was divorced for infidelity. 3.McCain's father and grandfather were well known drunks. 4.McCain lives off his wife's wealth. 5.McCain has been slandering Obama with truly sleezy ads. 6.McCain has adopted the Bush family's legacy of sarcastic campaigning. 7.McCain has chosen a VP whom he had only met once before...and who might be the next President.

Man, you must be high. Garbage!!!

I agree Mr. Gerson...Gov Palin was a brilliant choice by Sen. McCain, and yes she does have as much, if not more experience in Politics as the "messiah". (I didn't know the BHO Muslims even had a "messiah")! At least Gov. Palin spent her time in Office "On-the-Job", unlike BHO. All of these bleeding-heart liberals will have a reason to cry come November...

You people cause me to lose more faith in the Democratic party. Look at how intolerant you are! You are tolerant of abortion, taking God out of everything, cheating husbands, and the homosexual agenda but when it comes to a dissenting view point, you act like a bunch of savages. Obama said he is DIFFERENT then why is he acting like Nancy and the gang. As horrible a job as you think Bush is doing, the Democratic controlled Congress is doing worse...their approval ratings are single digit. If Obama is a good choice for president, then of course Palin is a good choice. If her only experience was being head of the PTA, that's more experience than Obama has. She's got more than that though. She is an accomplished woman that we should all be proud of, regardless of political affiliation.

All Obama has done is give a bunch of speeches, tell a bunch of lies, and con millions of people and you guys celebrate him like he's the 2nd coming of Christ.

How dare Democrats try to have a debate about experience!! Get your boy Obama some experience, come back and then we'll talk about it. No wonder you guys are referred to as the "loony left". Reading your responses makes it obvious.

I wish McCain and Palin much success in their endeavors. We're a safer nation with them at the helm.

Mike Gerson, the man/woman who bused your table is more qualified to be VP than Sarah Palin

Ahhh, nice to see the unfulfilled, perpetually angry adolescent hipsters upset at this Palin pick. Hey libtard, while you forever fail to reconcile your daddy-hatreds and fruitlessly attempt to enforce the misery you live day to day upon everyone else, Palin and Pale-face are gonna one-two Hair-plugs and Blobama. How delightfully giddy I am now looking forward to another eight years of mental-case, amblyopic liberals genuflecting daily. You people...you angry, bitter, small people...we laugh at you...we f*ckin' laugh at you!!

And for the idiot again blathering about Racial hate - Justice Thomas, Condi Rice, Colin Powell. It's YOU haters who always blast them with the house-n*****, Uncle Tom epithet; people given great trust and huge responsibility. I guess they don't lock step with African-Americans; a single demographic group voting 92%! That's REALLY thinking openly and out of the box; That's REALLY enlightened. Dictators don't even get people voting at a clip of 92%. We don't hate race - we hate stupid. Sorry, but 92%? Kinda freakin' schtoopid!

McCain is a genius !!!
I can't wait to see Palin chewup Biden and spit him out at their debate.

This was an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT POLITICALLY STRATEGIC CHOICE!

Obama's strengths that were neutralized:

1. Historic: first black president - Palin: first women vice president - neutralized
2. Change: Obama picks 30 years in the senate, old boy: Biden; McCain picks a political activist who crushed "Republican"corrupt, old boy, network supporting "Big Oil" in Alaska and goes on to win the Governor's seat - neutralized.

Now we can start talking about specific problems and solutions, Obama weakness - he is very vague in detailling his solutions if you watched his entire acceptance speech - I did.

As a life long Republican, I held my party responsible for not addressing the mortgage crissis - long before it occurred. I was even continplating voting for Obama to send a strong message to my party that they screwed up and needed to be punished. I read a very interesting book called the Trillion Dollar Meltdown that informs you of how the current Credit Crissis actually started over 20 years ago. Both parties helped it along over the years. Clinton signed a bill repelling Glass Stegal Act created in the last Depression to prevent things like the "Mortgage Crisis". Yes, Republican policies dictating: letting the market take care of things, "poured fuel on the fire", but there is more than meets the eye about this problem, and much more pain to come, but that is another story.

All McCain needs to do to succeed is to capture a few percent of the Hillary's voters - to vote for the first woman vice president and keep/energize his Republican base - done.

This will be fun!

I only had a beer while watching Obama's convention speech. It seems that it would have been a whole different experience had I instead been smoking crack like Mr. Gerson.

Here is the key question:
Why are liberals always angry and foaming at the mouth - - in contrast to conservatives who are always calm and self-assured?

Funny, no?

Gershon is a brownshirt devoid of any character.

Gerson is a right wing extermist, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush. The claim he made in the article, that he was inclined to support Obama, is an ugly lie. Anybody who knows the history of Gerson knows that the whole article is a right wing deceitful propaganda of the worst kind. Shame on the Washington Post for giving space to dishonest low life such as Gerson.

Michael Gerson

You are the right wing status quo.

Create a grotesquely distorted caricature, broadcast the delusion at the top of your lungs, and hope that you manage to reinforce just enough cynicism and hopelessness to ensure the election of someone who truly cares only for funneling all of the country's wealth and power into the hands of a tiny, corrupt elite.

All you commentors who are going after Palin for her lack of experience are missing the big picture here. She has more executive experience than all of them....and yet you wish to put Obama in the Whte house as the president, when he has NO EXPERIENCE AT ALL? You people ought to be ashamed.

-Robert-

I think McDonald's said it best, but I am in fact the one Lovin' It. You can see it happening, the moonbat libs will eat up the next 3-5 weeks making baseless arguments against Palin while McCain/Palin move further and further ahead.

Obama promises change, yet has no experience in reform or changing anything other than his mind. This is best demonstrated in his pick for VP. Biden is as beltway as they come.

McCain has a history of crossing party lines and getting things done. Palin has demonstrated if nothing else she's dedicated to reform. Another word for reform is change. Obama has demonstrated he’s committed to politics as usual…oh and eloquent speeches. Keep up the good work!

Typical. But please keep it up please, for my sake.

Gerson steps up to bat intent on staking his claim as the biggest, baddest bloviator writing for this big, bad bloviating paper . . .

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/opinion/31rich.html?hp

Is this guy for real? Sarah Palin is a horrible pick, and I am a staunch conservative. I swear, McCain must be hitting the sauce or letting his "little head" make the decisions if this is his pick for veep.Obama/Biden is looking more and more like they will get my vote. So much for "experience matters". McCain leveled the playing field with her as VP.

On a point of order. Palin may not be dismissed on the basis that she is a 'beauty queen'.

She is not now, nor was she ever, a beauty queen. She lost that competition. Her only qualifications were been on the PTA and beating a horribly corrupt republican politician in an election that she, basically, couldn't have lost.

Oh dear.

God help us all from mouthpieces like Gerson and the God-fearing right wing zealot mom who wants creationism taught side by side with evolution. What a tard. Why aren't you on Faux News?

Obama/Biden '08/'12

I personally fall into the "undecided independent" category. The choice of Palin for VP was a brilliant move that rekindled my interest in the Republican ticket. Say what you will, it worked for me.

PANIC! She's perfect!! That's why they panic! Blew all the hot air right out of his speech. Why all the buzz? PANIC! Bet he wishes he would've picked Hillary now...can he throw Biden under the bus? He runs on "change" and picks BIDEN?? She's perfect and I LOVE IT!! GO SARAH!

John McCain serves this nation best as a Senator from the great state of Arizona. Governor Palin would have made a great bunny once upon a while ago... America needs change from President Bush. President Clinton didn't bring about WWIII, and America was a pretty safe place on his watch. Things went to h-e double hockey sticks during Bush's watch. Senator McCain is old and disturbing, what kind of a name has he made for himself in the Senate? To the military out there, what changes have the republicans brought to your unit? Have you had more money to train? I know that during the Clinton years, my barracks were looked at and decided to be unfit, and new barracks were built. During the first Bush years, more ships and airplanes were bought. I haven't noticed any change under the current president Bush. oh well.

Michael Gerson

You are the right wing status quo.

Create a grotesquely distorted caricature, broadcast the delusion at the top of your lungs, and hope that you manage to reinforce just enough cynicism and hopelessness to ensure the election of someone who truly cares only for funneling all of the country's wealth and power into the hands of a tiny, corrupt elite.

You couldn't be more wrong about the women's support for Palin. I'm a female AND a Republican and am outraged by McCain's choice. It was just one more example of McCain's efforts to pander to the religious conservatives in our party. If he wanted a female VP, there were certainly several more qualified and well-deserving candidates within the party. Personally, I would have liked him to have chosen someone strong on economic issues, given that is one of McCain's weakest points. Since the beginning of the general election campaign, McCain's sole focus has been to pander to the right wing of this party, leaving many moderate Republicans feeling very alienated. I had already been leaning towards Obama, but this decision firmly pushed me over to his camp.

McCain is a genius !!!
I can't wait to see Palin chewup Biden and spit him out at their debate.

I'm of a mind with Deep Blue. Gerson claims Obama called McCain a coward for not confronting al-Qaeda. That was never said, thus making Gerson's words lies or proof that he didn't bother to listen to Obama's speech.

And when Gerson lauds McCain's government reform efforts why not mention his involvement with the Keating Five (McCain was one of the "Five") of the savings and loan debacle. Or Palins opposition to corrupt Republicans only to use her office to fire an official who refused to do her personal retribution bidding.

And when he touts being a governor as a qualification, he should identify the effectiveness of that experience in action, which is to say what kind of Governor is she?

And again, calling Joe Biden the "Prince of the Senate" is a shallow and mean attempt to demean a man who not only comes from working-class roots, but has served our country honorably for 25 years.

The only sneers I've seen are this Gerson "talking-point" column.

Wow, "Deep Blue", I'm so moved by your comment, truly. It's finally so nice to read a decent response among all of those pathetics post you get to see on every article about the election. Really hope Americans with a brain will win this election. Sincerely, not only Americans', but the whole world's fate depends on it.

You're such a tool Mr. Gerson, indeed.

I earnestly hope McCain / Palin wins, and a landslide, because it will show America religious conservatives and Hillary-bots what they share in common: knee-jerk reactionaries rather than thinking Americans, and they brought the game down to the ignorant level it is played today (Hillary Tears up again...awwwww) So please let's get on with it. If anything will add the topping to the dessert of watching Bush/Cheney leave the White House as the worst Presidency ever, it will be what happens with their term in office. She is a heartbeat away from being President. He is a known anger-management problem. Let's see her comfort zone at being a "yes man" for so long. Two years of experience in Alaska, with no handling of a large city, large unions (since when did Republicans like UNIONS suddenly?) and class or racial issues of any kind...sure, she's "ready"....ha, it's going to be great.

McCain is a genius !!!
I can't wait to see Palin chewup Biden and spit him out at their debate.

While I haven't decided who I'm going to vote for yet, I am troubled by the Palin pick and it is all about her experience. Now, I don't buy the argument that this puts Obama's inexperience to rest since he would be president and not vice president (like Palin). But but the VP has to be a person that could take over the reigns as Commander-in-Chief, and, well, that's unnerving.

For the people that rely on polls, give me a poll result and I'll almost certainly give you a poll that will refute it. Just use google to search around.

This is to the people that keep bringing up Obama's middle name (yawn) and McCain's inability to remember the number of houses his wife owns (double yawn) - does it really hurt to post something meaningful and intelligent? So useless.

What an ostrich!

Hey funny_facy, you are hilarious!!!

"She is an awesome lady and has more experience in her little finger than Mr. Obama has in his whole body."

What planet are you on? Stop trolling this thread you fear monger. Do everyone a favor and k i l l yourself

The Palin worshipers make a mockery of the last year of the attack on Obama supporters being hoodwinked by the anointed one. Here's a woman who three days after delivering her fifth child (with over population she thinks she should produce five kids?)goes back to work leaving the child with who???

Here's a woman who believes that if a 13 year old girl is raped by her father, she must carry that abomination to term otherwise she is a criminal. Here is yet another right wing wack job who has used her public job to seek revenge against others, first while mayor then as governor. Do we really need another Cheney? Will she "out" others who don't agree with her like Cheney did with Plame? If her current history is in indicator, you betcha.

Six months ago she was excited about Obama taking the lead? Now, she's going to be one stroke away from becoming President, yet doesn't know what the VP does?

She's just another empty pantsuit. If McShame had wanted a competent woman, why didn't he do like he mentioned in his own commercials where he knocked Obama for not choosing someone who was ready to lead from DAY ONE? Why didn't he ask Hillary to be his running mate?

McHippicite.

This was an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT POLITICALLY STRATEGIC CHOICE!

Obama's strengths that were neutralized:

1. Historic: first black president - Palin: first women vice president - neutralized
2. Change: Obama picks 30 years in the senate, old boy: Biden; McCain picks a political activist who crushed "Republican"corrupt, old boy, network supporting "Big Oil" in Alaska and goes on to win the Governor's seat - neutralized.

Now we can start talking about specific problems and solutions, Obama weakness - he is very vague in detailling his solutions if you watched his entire acceptance speech - I did.

As a life long Republican, I held my party responsible for not addressing the mortgage crissis - long before it occurred. I was even continplating voting for Obama to send a strong message to my party that they screwed up and needed to be punished. I read a very interesting book called the Trillion Dollar Meltdown that informs you of how the current Credit Crissis actually started over 20 years ago. Both parties helped it along over the years. Clinton signed a bill repelling Glass Stegal Act created in the last Depression to prevent things like the "Mortgage Crisis". Yes, Republican policies dictating: letting the market take care of things, "poured fuel on the fire", but there is more than meets the eye about this problem, and much more pain to come, but that is another story.

All McCain needs to do to succeed is to capture a few percent of the Hillary's voters - to vote for the first woman vice president and keep/energize his Republican base - done.

This will be fun!

By the way, you didn't mention the sloppy way McCain chose this woman. He met with her once, face to face, and didn't even properly vet her to discover that she was embroiled in a state investigation about her possible misuse of power. Evidently the only thing that mattered was (1) her gender) and (2) her staunch opposition to pro-choice. This was not a "considered" choice, it was a last-minute attempt to cover the criticism McCain was getting from the right-to-life conservatives. It was a "gamble" to try to (3) pick up the Hillary voters, which I suspect will fail badly. So McCain shores up his base and still loses. (By the way, what are you smoking? McCain lost his moral compass a good time ago, even if he is a war hero, and he is now in the hands of the lobbyists who have wreaked havoc on the economy and will continue to do so.)

First of all, to all the above retarded dick heads, this is suppose to be an opinion. None of you socilist-democrat bloggers should attack Mr.Gerson for exercising his freedom of speech. there are many pro-obama opinions out there so why dont you get lost.

Nice try, but you fail @ spin.

Was Obama's childhood hero Robin Hood?
The only plan I see that he has is the same game plan the dems have always had.

I consider myself an independent; fiscal conservative and social liberal. I am voting for McCain/Palin because of their PROVEN records of reaching out across the aisle to accomplish things with Dems and tackling corrupt in the REP party to stand up for inequities and corruptness. There is nothing about uniting in BObama or his camp or his followers. Just read the blogs posted here. According to their arrogance,if u don't agree with them, you are an idiot. I think the real idiots are those who have no ability to internalize and filter out info to reach their own conclusions and have to rely on others to help them make their decisions

You know, I see a ton of Rupublican "smear and fear" tactics coming from every direction. The question remains....Did McCain choose a running mate that will help him in the white house, or one he thinks will help him GET in the white house??
I'm going to go with the latter, for sure. In fact, he has stated it plain as day, that he hopes to pick up the disgruntled Hillary supporters. Hell, I'm a man and I find it horribly insulting to women that he would think that a skirt and a "purty lil hairdo" will steal the obvious intelligent Hillary supporters.
Hell, she didn't even know what a VP does from day to day....And to think that because she was the president of the PTA in her little hometown, and a "hockey mom", that she is superbly qualified to be the second in command of one of THE most influential and powerful nations in the world, is simply....idiotic....
And I'll repeat a fact laid down by a previous poster on here....

And I quote, "Maybe I am so disappointed because I half-believed in Obama, at least at the beginning. On Thursday night, he made nothing of his historical moment. And he purposely set out to alienate people like me. It worked."
Right!!! You were really looking for a reason to vote for Obama and that speech turned you away. Right!!! You are not even trying to be modestly honest..."

Gerson is a brownshirt?? Is that what some chumperific dumb-dumb just wrote? Good God you people are just ridiculous. Mom, please take that computer away from your miserable little live at home basement dweller.

Gersons arguments are so clearly disingenuous. He feigns dissapoint in Obama when he would not have supported him no matter what he said. Obama's speech was hardly all that partisan. He gave people a choice. Nothing wrong with that. In any event, Gerson has good reason to wonder how Palin will hold up. McCain in his usual "maverick" fashion succumbed to the ultra right wing and alienated legions of moderates and dems who see her selection for what it is. And even though on the issues, the winds are at the Dems back this year, Gov. Palin who he never really thought he would have to pick was barely vetted. She has many surprises in store for Mccain and the GoP.

If she was such a great pick, why is the McCain Campaign not allowing her to be interviewed?
Her absence from Sunday Talk Shows was glaring, as it's a custom for, at least one, to have a new Candidate on.
Wasn't it her, last month, that asked when interviewed, something to the effect of *what does a VP actually do?*
Not to mention that she's being investigated, for abuse of power... and has already been caught lying on tape, about her involvement in *troopergate.*
Yup, great choice... great Judgment by McCain. Her pick really showed he puts *America First.*

xdfnb

Get to know your candidate:

Check out Sarah Palin LAUGHING as she hears a radio host call her political opponent (Sen. Lyda Green who is a cancer survivor) a "B**ch" and a "Cancer". The radio show was taped in January 2008.

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

Great example she's setting for millions of kids. And she wants to be Vice President ??
Yep, McCain maybe should have spent a little longer than one day in vetting his VP pick.

On Senator Obama pointing out Palin's Beauty Queen background...

The relevance of her coming from a beauty pageant background only comes into focus, when you consider that during Obama's formative years he was studying law at Harvard.

[According to wikipedia]"Palin attended Hawaii Pacific College in Hilo, Hawaii, in 1982 for a semester, where she majored in Business Administration, and transferred in 1983 to North Idaho College. In 1987, Palin received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho, where she also minored in political science."

In some peoples minds, Harvard is a different level of education than Hawaii Pacific College, even when you combine it with North Idaho State University. But then when you add her additional experience as a beauty pageant contestant, well that makes her intellectual accomplishments more equivalent to Obama's. I think that is what Obama is trying to magnanimously point out.

Commenting on McCain's choice of Palin as a running mate, a number of Republican strategists termed it "bold" (translation: "He's out of his mind"). The Obama campaign, with Hillary's help, has been restrained - waiting to see whether Palin will self destruct, or the media do it for her - but if she proves to be an asset, they will probably criticize her credentials more aggressively.

So far, polls indicate she may be a liability with independent voters.

Ultimately, the contest will be between Obama and McCain, with Palin as a momentary distraction, but perhaps a slightly greater disadvantage than ordinary because of McCain's age - 72 now and 80 by the end of the next two presidential terms.

I can smell democratic ass burning with jealousy in all these posts ..... L O V E it :)

Bye Bye Obama-Biden. You don't deserve to be the P and VP

So you're saying that:
1) Religious conservatives were just about to vote for Obama.
2) Only feminists care about having to go back to coathanger abortions, even in cases of rape or incest.
3) Governing a state with one-quarter the population of Brooklyn qualifies you for the presidency.

It is the Fighter Pilot and the Moose Hunter against two lawyers.

Yeah, the lawyers are really about change, when their whole academic background is based on what went before ... precedent.

Obama is not as brave as McCain. Biden is not as much middle class as Palin.

Obama dissed Hillary.

It was quite possible I would have voted for McCain prior to this selection. I can't imagine this VP pick running the country should we have an unfortunate event.

Our country needs more then just the same old political BS. Putting her forward was pandering to the neocons and the right. We need out from under that poor management.

Republican voting for the other party is what I am.

America is a large country. It is our healthy diversity that makes us so strong. We learned to confront problems and adapt to new situations efficiently because of this diversity. Obama's speech spoke to that diversity, acknowledged the views of different groups and suggested a transcendent approach that brings us together as one country. The author and anyone who thinks that they heard a traditional left swing speech didn't listen. The speech was a tribute to the Pro Active American who is trying to earn a living not make a killing. Current economic trends favor big business in exports at the expense of the little man. You don't have to be a democrat to recognize that.

gawd i love this..

i called up a die hard republican friend.. in texas (the state that brought you George Bush) most of my friends are republicans and i asked one question... not exactly scientific..

the question was without any lead in at all

"what do you think"

answer, "crap i have no idea what mccain is thinking"

thats my poll on mccains choice hehehehe

the way it looks now Obama may even carry texas with all his hispanic vote and dismayed down to earth republicans

a texan isnt going to vote for anymore extremist right wing fanatics after BUSH!

With flawless logic like that sir, the Republicans are sure to win the majority of American idiots vote. I salute your disregard for the truth and only wish I had the moral depravity to to be paid to write in such a natural, unabridged, Washington talking-points style. I'll see you in the soup line along with 90% of the rest of America after the dollar collapses and the depression really sets in.

Deep Blue wrote "Sarah Palin would be the commander-in-chief after we've potential been hit by some sort of major NBC attack."

Actually that's already happening with their totally biased pro-Obama coverage of the election!

Unfortunately its all wrong. Unfortunately, neither the GOP nor the Dems, in this election or most others, knows how to lead and how to do it right. Only a few leaders in US history have lived up to the responsibility.

We've all been had, and we're all "having" each other. We are arguing for the wrong things, we are not being strong, mature, human.

We are like children voting for a team captain. We are idiots and mad.

Idiots and mad people elect the same to lead them.

Most of America, most of its media, its politicians, its voters have become insane.

Most of the news doesn't even make sense any more. And most people who read it are left not knowing anything for real.

Everyone is so willing to take sides, create division, be the winners, or fight & kill trying. What are you all talk about. Its ridiculous.

Where are the real leaders, and where are the people willing to follow real leaders.
Do we even know what a real leader looks like any more?

It's amazing that folks herald Palin's lack of experience, but fail to forget that she's at teh #2 spot and the second most inexperienced in this election. That's rigth OBAMA might have more Washington experience, but Palin has more EXECUTIVE experience. You might ask,"WHAT IS EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE". That's experience building a cabinet, vetoing legislation, and performing the duties of the executive branch of government. OBAMA has never EVER had any experience in the executive branch of governemnt and he's not so much as authored legislation in the legislative branch. As a matter of fact he's been in there 2 years voting "present" and has spent the rest of his time running for president!

SO I ASK THOSE WHO KNOW WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OBAMA HAS EVER PERFORMED AS A LEGISLATOR TO PLEASE REPLY OR QUIT DOWNING PALIN WHO HAS ACCOMPLISMENTS AND MORE EXPERIENCE IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT THAN OBAMA. PLEASE REPLY!!! THIS SHOULD BE GOOD!

This was an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT POLITICALLY STRATEGIC CHOICE!

Obama's strengths that were neutralized:

1. Historic: first black president - Palin: first women vice president - neutralized
2. Change: Obama picks 30 years in the senate, old boy: Biden; McCain picks a political activist who crushed "Republican"corrupt, old boy, network supporting "Big Oil" in Alaska and goes on to win the Governor's seat - neutralized.

Now we can start talking about specific problems and solutions, Obama weakness - he is very vague in detailling his solutions if you watched his entire acceptance speech - I did.

As a life long Republican, I held my party responsible for not addressing the mortgage crissis - long before it occurred. I was even continplating voting for Obama to send a strong message to my party that they screwed up and needed to be punished. I read a very interesting book called the Trillion Dollar Meltdown that informs you of how the current Credit Crissis actually started over 20 years ago. Both parties helped it along over the years. Clinton signed a bill repelling Glass Stegal Act created in the last Depression to prevent things like the "Mortgage Crisis". Yes, Republican policies dictating: letting the market take care of things, "poured fuel on the fire", but there is more than meets the eye about this problem, and much more pain to come, but that is another story.

All McCain needs to do to succeed is to capture a few percent of the Hillary's voters - to vote for the first woman vice president and keep/energize his Republican base - done.

This will be fun!

Gerson was one of George Bush's speechwriters which explains his perspective on the Palin selection. Former spin masters never die, they just turn over in their grave (metaphorically speaking of course)

Democrats and Liberals, eat crow!
You don't have anyone better than Ms. Palin, including the top of your ticket!
Eat crow, you will be trounced this November! But don't be disheartened, you will still have Barack Obama around. He will likely be as obnoxiously in your face like his kinsmen Al Gore and John Kerry.
Democrats, learn something. Do something good for this country, abandon your Democratic platform.

Gersons arguments are so clearly disingenuous. He feigns dissapoint in Obama when he would not have supported him no matter what he said. Obama's speech was hardly all that partisan. He gave people a choice. Nothing wrong with that. In any event, Gerson has good reason to wonder how Palin will hold up. McCain in his usual "maverick" fashion succumbed to the ultra right wing and alienated legions of moderates and dems who see her selection for what it is. And even though on the issues, the winds are at the Dems back this year, Gov. Palin who he never really thought he would have to pick was barely vetted. She has many surprises in store for Mccain and the GoP.

It's hard to believe people actually get paid to write the kind of uninformed drivel Gerson does. John McCain is a dangerous man and his back up is an amateur compared to Obama. God help the USA if they're elected.

Everyone is assuming McCain is going to become incapacitated or die during his term in office. He is not much older than Biden and he is not any more a health risk than Biden (look it up). So, if something should happen and Obama could not serve and then something happens that inhibits Biden from serving, guess who would become acting president? Nancy Pelosi! Now that is a scary thought, indeed. I welcome change for the good. The only question is, which one will change America for the good? So far, nobody has explained just how or what they are going to change. Just a lot of telling us what needs to change. But no "how" they are going to do it. For all our sakes, I wish each of them the best and lots of prayers.

the scientific institute in america has just found out that during pres elections no two americans think the same which leads them to conclude that may be the reason for so much hatred.ya think there was any animals involved in this study?

Ms Palin is a textbook example of a neocon...and represents everything that is wrong with the Republican party..and the country. Their policies have left us with a weaker economy, and weaker military, and weaker standing in the international community.
Do you see a trend developing here??
Neocon = weak- weak- weak.
McCain can no longer seriously consider himself a "maverick"...a maverick would have rejected the neocon policy's and supporters...he knuckled under to them with his choice of Mrs Palin.

Don’t be bummed just because the race just got a lot more interesting.
Palins lack of experience???

Yea, Obama is sooo experienced.
Had schooling in Indonesia, and what’s that…Are you kidding me….His background as a Muslim should be discussed more and his lack of being upfront about his past is pretty disturbing to me.
After going thru 911 are we ready to ignore this?
Hmmm...yep, he sure is experienced:)

How is it possible that the Washington Post could allow George W. Bush's former speechwriter to post an opinion without at least citing his clear bias or conflict of interest? It is highly relevant when reading this piece to put it in context. The writer is a lifelong Republican and an evangelical Christian, both of which are highly relevant for any reader to know when reading this piece. He poses as someone who "half believed" Obama. How can anyone judge the credibility of that claim without knowing who this man is? Dissappointing performance by the paper.

Only a Repuglican could call a speech championing unity polarizing.

Gerson is a tool.

You all sound like a bunch of idiots fighting over such stupid things. Who wants to have a muslem terrorist for a president and who wants another bush for their leader? I don't want either one for a president but who else is running? This is a matter of voting fot the one that will do the least harm to the country. That is not the way that it was ment to be I don't think. Where are all the good men or women that we can vote for anyway? this country has become so corrupted by the politics and slug crap that is going on here. God Bless America, and please do it soon, we need it so much. We do not need a muslem terrorist (or his wife) for president, and we do not need another bush for a president. We do not need another clinton for president either, so where do we go for someone good to vote for? Why do not all those who want a terrorist for president all go to the terrorist countries and then you will have what you want, to be with obama worshiping osama with all the other sheet heads over there. And all the mccain radicals can go to some other place and worshop bush and his cronies. what we need is some honest and decent people to straighted out our government and that will come sooner or later. I have HOPE for the future, although I don't know when it will come, no one does except for My Father In Heaven. Good news though, He can be your Father In Heaven too if you let him. Please do that and maybe things will get better. We are the ones that kicked him out of our government and schools and such, and then we ask why didn't you do something about the school shooting or about the corrupt politics that is going on here.
We can be so idiotic (including me) sometimes that it scares me. Where have all the good men(and women) gone? I am sure that there are some out there somewhere. They need more brains than I have to do the job that needs to be done.

I was going to make a comment but im still laughing at this article I just read. A few moments later....What I can say is im not going to make the same mistake and read another article by Gerson.
The truth is, Obama will be elected. The truth is in the people who will vote for him. My best.

This was an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT POLITICALLY STRATEGIC CHOICE!

Obama's strengths that were neutralized:

1. Historic: first black president - Palin: first women vice president - neutralized
2. Change: Obama picks 30 years in the senate, old boy: Biden; McCain picks a political activist who crushed "Republican"corrupt, old boy, network supporting "Big Oil" in Alaska and goes on to win the Governor's seat - neutralized.

Now we can start talking about specific problems and solutions, Obama weakness - he is very vague in detailling his solutions if you watched his entire acceptance speech - I did.

As a life long Republican, I held my party responsible for not addressing the mortgage crissis - long before it occurred. I was even continplating voting for Obama to send a strong message to my party that they screwed up and needed to be punished. I read a very interesting book called the Trillion Dollar Meltdown that informs you of how the current Credit Crissis actually started over 20 years ago. Both parties helped it along over the years. Clinton signed a bill repelling Glass Stegal Act created in the last Depression to prevent things like the "Mortgage Crisis". Yes, Republican policies dictating: letting the market take care of things, "poured fuel on the fire", but there is more than meets the eye about this problem, and much more pain to come, but that is another story.

All McCain needs to do to succeed is to capture a few percent of the Hillary's voters - to vote for the first woman vice president and keep/energize his Republican base - done.

This will be fun!

Its so funny to see the dems served. They only arguement they have leads to a discussion of what their candidate is lacking. I think their heads will explode.

I'm gonna have the first DC resuraunt serving mooseburger...

God Bless the USA and God Bless John McCain; the only one in the race that has truly served his country.

god because it is not mine) I cannot ever vote for someone who wants to dumb down my children. If she wants to believe the world is 6000 years old she can. That is not a quality i want in my leader. She want to teach our kids that there is no point in Astronomy/ Evolution/ A-Biogenesis/ looking for life on other planets, pretty much all science , all we need to know is god did it all!...wtf

It is one of the most intellectually dishonest statement to say that Gov. Palin has more experience than Obama. By the criteria being used here and elsewhere, Joe Lieberman doesn't have the experience that Palin has. (I understand that John really wanted to go with Lieberman but decided on a purely political choice) Are we to believe that Palin is the best candidate John could have picked? He didn't even meet her until 6 months ago and only talked to her for a couple of hours before picking her for vp. I guess this is John's equivalent of 'I looked into the eyes and saw the soul..' type of pick. I think John losses in two ways. In his first executive decision, he certainly did not put 'Country First'. If he was concerned about the great issues of the day, he would have chosen someone else. Sadly, John chose for purely political purposes. Second, how can you with a straight face say that if something happened to John that you would be thrilled having Palin take over.

democrats are so dumb they are blinded by their anger and HOPE barack will win, not likely. he is a complete waste of a suit. he picked a bag of wind as his running mate. democractic platforms have always been so pie in the sky that nobody but the uneducated ever believe it could work. oh yeah, 52% of their constituents are uneducated. like that joke from north carolina they trotted up on stage haha. you will lose again, because the uneducated are too dumb to vote.

I quote: "Having worked as a Senate staffer for many years, I am not convinced that hosting hearings, issuing press releases and giving floor speeches is the most relevant kind of experience for a president." That strongly damns McCain, if you didn't realize it, who has been a Senator for longer than anybody might think. And thus your conclusion is that Palin is more qualified than McCain, Obama, Biden; I doubt if you really believe that, which gave rise to the prior talk of "smoking" something. By the way, does the Post actually pay you for such tripe?

Just the fact that she wants public schools to teach about HER god, (I do state it as her god because it is not mine) I cannot ever vote for someone who wants to dumb down my children. If she wants to believe the world is 6000 years old she can. That is not a quality i want in my leader. She want to teach our kids that there is no point in Astronomy/ Evolution/ A-Biogenesis/ looking for life on other planets, pretty much all science , all we need to know is god did it all!...wtf

That's right libbies....scream your heads off with the typical ignorant bilge that leaks from the edges of your poorly constructed arguments. Your policies are an abysmal failure, and working America KNOWS IT.

Your philosophies and the policies that you covet are designed to do one thing, and one thing only-- wrest assets from those of us who work hard, and redistribute our income like dime bags of crack to your victim-minded constituency in a highly successful effort to buy votes (well, except for the legions of dead people that you register every election so that you can oversee the largest perpetual vote fraud operation in US history).

No matter what happens in this election, America will win. If Obama wins, it will be another Carter debacle all over again, it will completely d*ck up the country, and as a result, it should line up the next conservative series of presidents nicely for the next 12-16 years.

If McCain wins, hopefully he'll get p*ssed off early and quit dorking around in the middle east and then we can start giving a large percentage of the Arab world what they continuously jabber about-- the opportunity to go see Allah in concert.

Toodles, libby a**wipes...

KV

Gerson,

I don't know what you've been drinking, the cool-aid, PBR or maybe you've had your nose in George's stash...regardless Palin will be McCain's undoing. She was the mayor of a town smaller than an NFL football stadium, she was elected governor only because Alaskans hated the other guy so much they would have voted for anyone and her journalism education is about as useful running a nation as tits on a bull. Women are a lot more intelligent than you're giving them credit for, they'll vote for someone based on what they stand for long before they consider gender. You can vote for Miss Congenitality/Sportscaster/NRA whack job all you want but my guess is that come January we'll have a mixed race President in the White House. Obama called it like it is and thousands of Republicans and Democrats are tired of the nonsense that Bush has gotten away with...more of the same is not an option to them.

the right wing extremist are so fearful they were praying for it to rain on the Democratic convention...

uh guess god got confused.. or didnt hear them on time cus now he has sent the republicans an hurricane

Ahhh, nice to see the unfulfilled, perpetually angry adolescent hipsters upset at this Palin pick. Hey libtard, while you forever fail to reconcile your daddy-hatreds and fruitlessly attempt to enforce the misery you live day to day upon everyone else, Palin and Pale-face are gonna one-two Hair-plugs and Blobama. How delightfully giddy I am now looking forward to another eight years of mental-case, amblyopic liberals genuflecting daily. You people...you angry, bitter, small people...we laugh at you...we f*ckin' laugh at you!! *kisses*

Wow so you'd throw the country in the crapper just to piss of some liberals huh? You are a joke in itself and I couldnt possibly be angry at you. The only thing i can do is laugh at you.

democrats are so dumb they are blinded by their anger and HOPE barack will win, not likely. he is a complete waste of a suit. he picked a bag of wind as his running mate. democractic platforms have always been so pie in the sky that nobody but the uneducated ever believe it could work. oh yeah, 52% of their constituents are uneducated. like that joke from north carolina they trotted up on stage haha. you will lose again, because the uneducated are too dumb to vote.

So many things about this woman do not add up. Alaska is a quarter the size of Boston. That's not executive experience. She's basically a mayor. The Alaska national guard is federally controlled- she's not it's "comander". She's under investigation for abuse of power, she's supposed to fight corruption? Let's clear HER first. This is the future of who's republican party?

She clearly wasn't vetted... They met once, McCain got a crush, felt young again and made a rash decision.

Boy, GoogleNews brought me to one of the most dishonest blogs I have ever visited. What rabid dog gets published in the WP these day? Get this Gerson dude off to the funny farm. The man is a stupid jerk not worthy of a great news organization.

No way can I vote for someone who wants to teach creationism in public schools... Palin wants to reverse 100's of years of science and teach our children the answer to everything is simply "God did it" F-that I want my kids to get a real education

Sarah Palin is a very likable person who has achieved some admirable things in Alaska. She should be on the national stage at some point -- but not now. It's appealing for a city council candidate to describe herself as a hockey mom, but I shudder to think that this same person might be the Vice President (or President!) of the United States, making decisions on global terrorism, global economies and global conflicts. We need people who are seasoned and understand the stakes, not beginners in national politics. I have nothing against her -- I actually had followed her career a little before the VP announcement and I liked her. But to thrust her into a position that she is unquestionably not ready for does seem very reckless and political on the part of McCain. I'm appalled.

I take enormous offense at your statement that "she is likely to appeal to most women." You are just plain wrong. Women don't abandon all their beliefs or their intellect just to vote for a woman. What a low opinion you must have of women's intelligence!

Unfortunately its all wrong. Unfortunately, neither the GOP nor the Dems, in this election or most others, knows how to lead and how to do it right. Only a few leaders in US history have lived up to the responsibility.

We've all been had, and we're all "having" each other. We are arguing for the wrong things, we are not being strong, mature, human.

We are like children voting for a team captain. We are idiots and mad.

Idiots and mad people elect the same to lead them.

Most of America, most of its media, its politicians, its voters have become insane.

Most of the news doesn't even make sense any more. And most people who read it are left not knowing anything for real.

Everyone is so willing to take sides, create division, be the winners, or fight & kill trying. What are you all talking about? Its ridiculous.

Where are the real leaders, and where are the people willing to follow real leaders?
Do we even know what a real leader looks like any more?

Who killed Jesus? Who killed Lincoln? Imprisoned Mandela? Killed Gandhi?

We did.... because we are all a bunch of adolescent punks, blind believers and heartless, stunted people.

So yeah, lets push a McCain or an Obama up there and see if they can lead this rabble, and kick them down when they can't....

WHO CARES! She is a women and Ombuma will pay for not putting a woman on the ticket. I'm voting for this woman no matter what she believes. Hilary will be back in 2012 then i can have the woman who deserves to be on the ticket, but until then Palin will do.

I think Sarah Palin is a perfect choice for McCain. I am a die hard Hillary Clinton supporter but I want a woman in office now not in 12 years. Barak Obama had the chance to make that happen but instead he chose to ignore 18 million voices yours and mine- I don't call that good judgment. As far as Palin's experience- I thought experience wasn't so important - OH it's not important if it's for the Presidency but Very Important for the Vice President- You jerks just don't make sense.

Gerson must be a tool of Karl Rove and Steve Schmidt the divide and lie till you die twins. Only one of those dummies snorting smear and lies who believes George W. is actually a great President could write this dribble. Shame on the Post for even allowing it in on its pages. It never ceases to amaze me that these moral majority types who of course like Larry Craig do everything they rail against can all line up in one party. America is wiser and will not allow these true dividers to stop us from putting the country back together. Want to stop torture in our name, restore energy independence, bring the middle class some tax relief, maintain a womans right to choose what to do with her womb (Palin did not make a valiant decision to keep the baby she could not know until she was six(6) months pregnant and it might be her daughters anyways). Want to do right by our veterans and give them education benefits? For all of the above and a whole lot more we must elect Barack Obama. No Way No How No McCain. Gerson obviously is not enamored with the fact that Barack obama can throw a more effective punch than Mr. Grumpy and that the Clintons are now solidly on board. the four horsemen Obama, Biden, Hillary, Bill will all go out and bring Veritas to America. Too bad for Rush and Gerson and their kind. No Way No How NO Mc Cain!!

With flawless logic like that sir, the Republicans are sure to win the majority of American idiots vote. I salute your disregard for the truth and only wish I had the moral depravity to to be paid to write in such a natural, unabridged, Washington talking-points style. I'll see you in the soup line along with 90% of the rest of America after the dollar collapses and the depression really sets in.

Interesting - Democrats have a candidate who makes a forceful and compelling argument for reconstructing the relationship between government and the public good, and you call this "ordinary." By the same logic, Reagan was an "ordinary" right-winger. Waah, the liberal doesn't reach out to the extreme right...

And let's knock it off with calling Dems big meanies for making critical points about Republicans, when the far-right smear machine continues to manufacture incredibly insulting baldfaced lies - not just from the internet, but also from talk radio, cable news, as well as the RnC and McCain camps directly.

You guys' capacity for hypocrisy just doesn't stop at merely jaw-dropping.

By selecting someone with very nearly the same experience level as Obama, voters will be subtly reminded of his own lack of experience... not for the VP slot, but for the top job. This was a masterful strategic move. Every slam against Palin reinforces McCain's (and Hillary's, and many voter's) concern about Obama's lack of experience.

Slam away.

message to shocked's comment.

the person you seek does not exsist because you dont exsist.

Firstly,
I was a republican but the pick of Palin I think is an insult. It was purely for the purpose of self political gain nothing to do with what is best for this country. Any leader who sells himself out like this is no leader whatsoever.

Secondly Obama's speech mister Gerson was what this country needs somebody who can move people and get them moving in the right direction. If you even bothered to listen to the speech he bought up most issues such as pro life, gay rights and tackled them in a thoughtful way.

As for what he said about Bush and McCain, I'm sorry if the truth hurts you to hear. I am just glad somebody is saying it.

Oh did I mention that McCains pick of Palin showed he has no judgement and only his self interest at heart, not this country whatsover.

I will never vote rebulican again until they learn to separate church and state and think about what this country needs, not what some individuals need.

Wow, there is so much hate, is that what it takes to be democrat is burning hate.

Sarah Palin may help McCain shore up his base, but this election will be won or lost in the center. And the fact that McCain had to waste his VP pick on a hardcore conservative is a sign of great weakness.

He labors under the delusion that being a woman, she will help him with moderates. But her politics and her inexperience will have just the opposite effect.

If you really believe what you wrote here Gerson, you are on drugs.

Let's see, so far we have troopergate, potential troopergate witness tampering, and dairygate. Who knows what's next and I can't wait for the gaffes that are sure to come.

You've got to question McCain's judgement for picking a VP candidate that could be impeached days before the election. Regardless of you opinion of her, there is still that chance that she could be impeached. Do we want a risk-taker like that in the White House?

HEADLINE: HALF DEAD MC CAIN DIES 2 HOURS AFTER TAKING OFFICE,

RUSSIA STARTS TO INVADE EASTERN EUROPE

THE NEW WOMAN PRESIDENT TELLS RUSSIA TO GO STAND IN THE CORNER BASED ON HER EXPERIENCE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD

Let's check in on what the other world leaders think about Traitor John McBush's VP pick.

Wait..........just another moment.........any second now......

Nope, sorry.........none of them have stopped laughing yet.

It sickens me that Traitor John McBush would pick Elaine from Seinfeld as his running mate. When you put the entire country at risk just to further your political career you meet the criteria of Traitor. Traitor John McBush meets the decription of TRAITOR TO HIS COUNTRY.

Elitest Traitor John McBush is also an adulterer. While married to his first ex-model wife he apparently wasn't settled with owning just two homes so he had an affair with an elitest ex-model who along with being an adulterer herself, for entering into an affair with a married man, owned an additional 6 homes. So now Elitest Adulterer Traitor John McBush should be happy now that he has 8 homes. Although Traitor John McBush's Adulterer wife should be worried....Traitor John McBush's pick was also an ex-model and is almost 30 year younger.

But no, he wants to be president. Traitor McBush is behind in the polls so what does Traitor John McBush do? Instead of picking a qualified Vice President, Traitor John McBush picks the mayor of a town smaller than some US high schools. Then Traitor John McBush tries to say that Elaine from Seinfeld is more qualified than Barak Obama because she ran a town of 6000 people with a budget of $3 million. That by the way is less than half of what Traitor John McBush earned last year. Not only is Elaine from Seinfeld not qualifed to be vice-president she isn't qualified to be Traitor John McBush's accountant. Thats what a journalism degree is worth from the Univ of Idaho.

I guess Traitor John McBush thinks a journalism degree from Idaho trumps Obama's law degrees from Columbia and Harvard Law School (where he was President of the Harvard Law Review), 8 years in the Illinois state senate and 4 years in the US Senate.

And yet there are some Traitor Republicans who will insist on voting for Traitor Elitest Adulterer John McBush. These are the people who hate this country.

This lady is down for hunting and shooting animals from the air (helicopters), doesn’t think polar bears should be put on the endangered species list because it could hurt hopes of drilling, believes creationism should be taught in schools as an alternative to evolution, voted against women’s right to chose, voted against women’s right for equal pay, had her employees threaten high officials to get them to fire a state trooper (presumably because he divorced her sister). Tearing this woman apart is going to be way easy. She is more against women’s rights then McCain himself.

Also - I clicked into this assuming the author had some polling data. Little did I know "takes the lead" means only in the mind of someone who was already blatantly partisan for the Repugnicans anyways.

Wow! Judging by the responses, McCain really hit the target. So many "outraged" leftists.
Remember this.. MCCain can teach the job to Palin, Obama couldnt do the same for his VP pick. In the first place, Biden knows more then Obama, secondly, Palin has more working experience then Obama. Lets face it a Senator attends meetings, and listens to his peers orate all day long. A governor actually works by making decisions 24/7. A great pick and the responses from the libs prove it. I love it!!

I have to agree with the first comment. You are an idiot....or maybe you just cashed your check from the Republican party...he has signed his politicol death warrant with that idiot VP candidate....

How could you be critical of Obama's speech as a cheap attack on McCain and not comment on McCains attempt to pick off Hillary supporters by selecting the least qualified vice presidential candidate in history who just so happens to be a women?

Obama's speech was great, the democrats finally showed some balls. Mccains pick of Palin showed he was playing politics with the future of the country. Do you honestly believe that if Mccain were to have to ceed the presidency to her she would be a strong leader?

"As horrible a job as you think Bush is doing, the Democratic controlled Congress is doing worse...their approval ratings are single digit. "

Too bad that this congress has passed more bills than any other, and your idiot president has vetoed more than ANY OTHER president!

I agree with you 100%, Mr. Gerson.

Why is it that Sen. Obama is now somehow more experienced and ready to be President? Assuming that Sen. Obama and Gov. Sarah Palin both lack experience, I'd rather have a Vice-President-in-Training with several years of executive experience and a proven record of government reform accomplishments than a President-Trainee with constantly changing positions on national and international issues, a very limited and the most liberal Senate record (per The National Journal), a hate-spewing pastor for 20 years (Rev. Wright, creator and deliverer of the infamous "God Damn America" sermon), leftist associations and other question marks. Furthermore, Obama claims to be an agent of change but with no record whatsoever of being one while Gov. Palin has proven herself to be a true agent of change, not a rhetorically hyped-up one. Sen. John McCain has the judgment, knowledge and experience to be President and Commander-in-Chief. He has picked the right person as his running mate in Gov. Palin.

Barack Obama for President of the UNITED States of America.

Sorry everyone, but Obama must rule because he is opposes gay marriage. McCain is old and brings too much of the same policies Bush Jr.'s been testing on America.

Hillary supporters are not jumping ship for the Republican right and McCain/Palin. Palin is a knee jerk reaction from a candidate desperate to do something to boost the chances of a failing candidacy. McCain can't help it. He sold his soul for a presidential bid. The unfortunate part is that it is funded by and representing ideas proven wrong. Said, Done, Over.

Obviously you must be the product of the "no child left behind" education.

Obama seems like nice guy, and a better speech giver than Benny Hinn (look it up, it isn't good), and almost in the league of Reagan and Bill Clinton... but... he still supports abortion like no previous president. Sure, this gets him support from Planned Parenthood and NARAL, but a dead baby is a dead baby.

No great speech can take this voter from "he's interesting" to "I'm voting for him when he's willing to let that happen. His views on Iraq help, but not compared to abortion.

Will Palin help McCain? I think McCain threw a Hail Mary pass, wasn't sure how it would land, and saw it caught by voters in the end zone. Voters like me, not liking McCain, but not liking Obama either, were looking for a reason. Biden is just the Democrat equivalento McCain, but Palin is something better.

Only a Repuglican could call a speech championing unity polarizing.

Gerson is a tool.

http://vpilf.com/

I agree with Gerson.

However, as improtant as first impressions are... "we will see".

Sarah Palin is truly a "maverick" politician... Americans love that. Hell, I love that about her.

Americans also love "meaningful and well paying employment, nutritious food, clean water, affordable energy, efficient and comfortable housing and transportation systems, good global leadership, great educational systems, good governance and last but not least "peace of mind".

Where is Sarah Palin on Roe vs. Wade...?

Where is Sarah Palin on Iraq?

Where is Sarah Palin on Science?

Where is Sarah Palin on Bio-Techologies?

Where is Sarah Palin on the Constitution?

Where is Sarah Palin on FISA?

Does Sarah Palin agree with the Bush-Cheney Administration?

Who is Sarah Palin really?

Hey Sarah, we are waiting for your response?

So biased from the start. at least prove how McCain is supposedly better. You think that's a smart choice he made? Really, come on a choice made by a man who was fifth from the bottom of his graduating class of 899!

Before the mindless OHB cult, said experience was bad, and we should get away from the old politics. Change we can believe in. What change has OBH done in his 2 years in government?

Has he stop dealing with crooks like all other politicians. NO

Has he put the countries interest above his own. NO

Has he stopped selling out the interest of the country to large corporate, NO

Was he the first politician to write a book about himself, NO

Was he the first black person to run for the white house, NO

Then what change does he bring to us other then he is the first black to win the nomination. Other then this he is nothing.

OBH states he wants change and has done nothing and has no experience.

Sarah Palin has proved she is the Change we can believe in. she goes after politician in her own party when they a crooks. Fighting for what right and does not wanting hand outs.

This is the change that Sarah Palin, provides. She is the change the country needs.

Let's check in on what the other world leaders think about Traitor John McBush's VP pick.

Wait..........just another moment.........any second now......

Nope, sorry.........none of them have stopped laughing yet.

It sickens me that Traitor John McBush would pick Elaine from Seinfeld as his running mate. When you put the entire country at risk just to further your political career you meet the criteria of Traitor. Traitor John McBush meets the decription of TRAITOR TO HIS COUNTRY.

Elitest Traitor John McBush is also an adulterer. While married to his first ex-model wife he apparently wasn't settled with owning just two homes so he had an affair with an elitest ex-model who along with being an adulterer herself, for entering into an affair with a married man, owned an additional 6 homes. So now Elitest Adulterer Traitor John McBush should be happy now that he has 8 homes. Although Traitor John McBush's Adulterer wife should be worried....Traitor John McBush's pick was also an ex-model and is almost 30 year younger.

But no, he wants to be president. Traitor McBush is behind in the polls so what does Traitor John McBush do? Instead of picking a qualified Vice President, Traitor John McBush picks the mayor of a town smaller than some US high schools. Then Traitor John McBush tries to say that Elaine from Seinfeld is more qualified than Barak Obama because she ran a town of 6000 people with a budget of $3 million. That by the way is less than half of what Traitor John McBush earned last year. Not only is Elaine from Seinfeld not qualifed to be vice-president she isn't qualified to be Traitor John McBush's accountant. Thats what a journalism degree is worth from the Univ of Idaho.

I guess Traitor John McBush thinks a journalism degree from Idaho trumps Obama's law degrees from Columbia and Harvard Law School (where he was President of the Harvard Law Review), 8 years in the Illinois state senate and 4 years in the US Senate.

And yet there are some Traitor Republicans who will insist on voting for Traitor Elitest Adulterer John McBush. These are the people who hate this country.

Mr. Gerson, I applaud your article for bringing something new to the table. These extremists Obama-philes are clogging our right to free speech.

DEMOCRATS OUTRAGED???

HECK THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS LAUGHING AT THIS WOMAN LOL

the republicans have found their own geraldine LOL

you notice she aint did an interview yet? and she prob wont unless its on FOX NEWS lol

that woman is to be seen and not heard lol

"Why is it that Sen. Obama is now somehow more experienced and ready to be President?"

Because he's been right every time since this campaign began. While McCain has chosen the opposite-land policies to everything Obama puts out, Obama's calls on every domestic or foreign-policy issue to date has been based on fact and on the money. McCain would rather play politics than policy.

I am amazed at the ferocious attack against Mr. Gerson. All he did was express a view point. Have people forgotten how to have a civil conversation about an opposing viewpoint?

Being unaffiliated with any party seems to allow a person with a unique perspective because you are not beholden to any one side. That being said I do have some issues with both candidates. (McCain / Obama)

Obama is tettering on the edge of Marxism with his talk of wealth distribution, larger government, taxation on wealthy individuals, taxation on companies, and looking out for the little guy. (Read Carl Marx writtings and speeches and you will see what I mean.)

McCain on the other hand has on to many occations voted against his party in the name of unity, but in reality he has been flirting with socialistic tendencies. His bill on campaign reform, his cap and trade tendencies, his global warming leanings.

Both men have what we call "Flipp Flopped" on several issues, but that is to be expected from politicians.

Thier choice of VPs is also telling. Obama realizing his lack of experiance was a huge issue chose a man with 30+ years in the government. Well versed in politics, foreign poilicy, economy, and how washington works, and appeals to liberals.
McCains choice is just the opposite. Palin is an outsider, about 6 years of real executive experiance, not much forign policy, took on the establishment, and appeals to conservatives.

Only time will tell who made the better choice and thankfully we the people have the chance to make that choice ourselves.(for now anyway)

"Wow, there is so much hate, is that what it takes to be democrat is burning hate. "

All you got to do is hate stupidity

Hatred, from the inside out, has eaten the soul out of "deep blue." God bless John McCain for a wise and inspired choice.

Very astute observations Mr. Gerson. You are one of the only people in the media who agrees with me that Obama's speech was very confrontational. I felt like he was shouting at me trying to tell me I must support him because Bush and McCain are evil. The next day McCain picks Palin and the first thing his people say is how unqualified she is. Yeah and I suppose Obama is? All weekend naysayers are trying to make her look like she was picked just for her looks or just so McCain can get more woman votes. Talk about being sexist! I thought gender politics wasn't supposed to matter! I was on the fence till now but I can't take the two faced hypocrisy of the Dems. anymore. They can't even take five seconds to say that they praise this woman for her public service, no instead they drag her through the mud, not criticising her policies, no just by pointing out she is a woman and that's the only reason she was picked. Yet these same morons would have praised Obama for picking Hillary who has less experience in ELECTED public office than Palin does. Hypocrites, you Dems. have lost me not just this election cycle but for a long time because you are dishonest.

Gerson, I wish the worst for you.

I don't know spin as well as Michael Gerson, but this guy could make a case for my wife to be the next Vice President. Only problem is we live in a bigger town and State so that might look bad on her resume.

This election will be a big victory for the republicans. Sarah Palin has demonstrated in a brief political life that she is a born leader, and IS the American Dream - from solid middle class blood line and good looks to hard work, traditional moral values and a down to earth wisdom that obtains proper decisions. God Bless America and Sarah Palin.

You Mr. Gerson are an idiot. Like the rest of the Puritan idiots at Fox News, you need to be shipped to a colony and start a new nation in the name of God. May you find Indians to break bread with. :)

So now Sara has become all those things the supporters of Hillary wanted. Hummmmm. That idea is probably choking a lot of people who wish they had not opened their mouths.

Like Wooten, Cohen, Krauthammer and the arm chair experts, your crusade and desperate attempt to influence this election is already dead. You are better off giving it up. It will not work.

For someone who have being hammering Obama for lack of experience, strangely, that all important factor doesn't matter anymore.

You people will fail this time no matter how much you try.

You truly derives pleasure in your ignorance and stupidity.

HATE?

we are all americans just some of us have an IQ over 70 and thats not hate!

if you want to see hate go watch FOX NEWS

Team McCain? Did you see his body language while Sarah Palin was speaking? McCain is a puppet and Republicans are scared after seeing Obama`s speech. Choosing Palin is a knee-jerk reaction to the Democratic Convention.

You can see and feel the difference between the two parties. One has provided real excitement and anticipation for the country and the other is a dog and pony show, business as usual.

With flawless logic like that sir, the Republicans are sure to win the majority of American idiots vote. I salute your disregard for the truth and only wish I had the moral depravity to to be paid to write in such a natural, unabridged, Washington talking-points style. I'll see you in the soup line along with 90% of the rest of America after the dollar collapses and the depression really sets in.

is sarah palen, john mccain's Harriet Miers?

although they will, because they have no shame; how can any republican in her/his right mind ever again chastise Barack Obama for making a "political" move again?

this move to nominate a woman whose breadth of experience includes Being mayor to a city whose voting base is smaller than the student population of ASU, and whose most recent experience is governance of a state whose population is that of Albuquerque, NM.

as a proud liberal democrat, longing for substantive political change, i applaud the bonehead move by mccain and co.

although the arrogance, and belligerance of gerson's rant doesn't surprise me. what does suprise me is the desperate nature of the rant. it's like a bully desperately trying, just once more, BS riffs in hopes of avoiding the trouncing he's about to get from someone not so impressed, intimidated, or fearful of the belligerance.

I am not concerned about her experience. It is her stance on the issues that I find I can not support. I hope Obama and Biden do not take her lightly as I want people in the White House I can support.

Mr Gerson, you're nuttier than squirrel sh!t.

The title of Gerson's article should have read "Team McCain Takes The Lead...In My Own Head." What a completely misleading article. Typical republican propaganda at it's finest. Republicans fooled Americans for too long but it is not going to happen this time. Gerson, we are only months away from saying "President Obama." You better get used to it.

The rest of the world can't wait for it!

People with dreams like your will waken up and fall out of bed!

Can somebody tell me specifically what has Obama done in the senate? What has he done to reach out to the conservatives and independents? I am confused.

Deep Blue, you are a tool. If we are attacked in '09, I wouldn't trust BHO (aka Che Obama) with being able to constructively counter terrorism with resolve or force. Unless, of course, he plans to sit on a board with OBL as well. Here's another clue, Blue - don't get mad at the monster that you've created (eg change) when it turns on you. Yes, change is the way - no more career politicians, no more Ivy League lawyer/kings, no more elietest oligarchs for us public school educated, relegious, gun clinging majority. Thanks, but no thanks.

McCain definitely changed the election dynamics. If Palin campaigns charismatically and passes press scrutiny, it's a very strong positive.
She clearly lacks experience however. It gives many people like myself great unease.
I've liked McCain for years, but he has really aged alot.

I think he needs to something very unselfish given the circumstances - I think he should pledge that if elected President he will only serve 1 term. That will ensure my voting for him.

I'm all out of words....

Gerson, you have to be a comedian or something! :)

If not I fear you have a very distorted view of the world around you...

Gerson - same old GOP crap-spin

Gerson now joining the lie till you make crowd of clowns Rove, Schmidt, George W., Cheney, Craig, Leiberman. They can all join hands and pray that it rains when President Obama takes the oath of office. These neocon goons have destroyed our great land and caused the loss of thousands of lives and a trillion dollars to say nothing of the unfortunate veterans who have been maimed. I am a decorated Vietnam veteran and my son just returned from Iraq safe though we lost a nephew in Tikrit. These same bums tried to stop the improved GI Bill from being passed which gave our veterans education benefits. Time for America to take back its country and if we upset this man with no cojones then great it shows Barack is getting under their thin skin. No Way No How NO Mc Cain. Even the lord is weighing in throwing a hurricane at us to remind us of how great George W. and Mc Cain were when they decided to eat cake and smile for the camera while one of our countries cities lay devastated. OBAMA BIDEN 2008! We want to be proud again not ashamed like we have been the last eight years. ENOUGH!

This guy is a shill for the RNC and McCain.

Palin "relatively untested"?! Mayor of a town of 5k when she was in office, 20 months as governor of large land mass but low population state, and currently embroiled in an ethics scandal speaks VOLUMES about the poor judgment of John McCain. Should he die in office, and I am not wishing that outcome, we would have June Cleaver running the country. Truly more frightening the George W. Bush. Even Bush had more integrity (after cornering the nomination) than McCain. Bush, either knew he was a lightweight (doubtful) or was told he was a lightweight and needed the gravitas of experience in foreign affairs and federal government (not city government). What does McCain do dismisses all relevant factors of selection and in doing so make it it transparent for anyone with half a brain that he: (a) is for McCain first NOT country; (b) exudes judgment that is so scary it is unbelievable; (c)is so untrustworthy ("She is the best") that it makes Nixon look like a saint; and (d) magnifies is older age like nothing else can.

Obama supporters spew so much hate. Just read the comments in this article. Who wants to elect the Democratic party of Hate? NO NO NO
Go McCain/Palin 2008!!!

Someone mentioned experience.
Rumsfeld & Cheney had experience.
Me, I think Judgment, Knowledge, & Understanding the issues, is what's key.
Last month, Palin wondered what a VP does?

If McCain is elected, as a 72-yr-old Cancer survivor, the VP is more important than normal. So, let's look at the experience of Palin vs Obama:
Obama:
BA Political Science (specialty International Relations) - Columbia University
JD - Harvard (Editor & President Harvard Law Review)
8 years in Illinois senate
Taught Constitutional Law for 12 years... Sr Lecturer for 8 years.
3 years in the US Senate... Senate Foreign Relations Committee... Senate Committee on
Veterans' Affairs... Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions... Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
List of sponsored legislation... http://tinyurl.com/6nzbg4

Palin -
BS Journalism (minor Political Science) - U of Idaho
Wasilla, Alaska - City Council - 4 years - population: under 8,000.
Wasilla, Alasks - Mayor - two terms
Governor Alaska for 18 months - population: under 700,000

Bronx, NY - population: 1.3 million.

Would you want the Borough President of the Bronx, to be VP?
I could argue he has more executive experience than Palin, since he's served over 6 years, for a constituency almost twice as large as Palin. The only thing I'd give Palin over the BP, is that she's "Commander-in-Chief" of the Alaska National Guard... a budget under $50 million.

McCain by making this choice, undercut his best issue vs Obama - Experience... and undercut his key talking point, that he puts America First, and knows how to protect America (by choosing an unqualified person for VP).
What a gift for Obama... McCain has done the work for him. One day after making the case about McCain's lack of Judgment, McCain goes & proves Obama's point.

Eve though I am independent I was strongly for Obama and his promise of Change. His speeches were electrifying! I signed up on his web site. I was absolutely thrilled when he finally bested Hilary Clinton. He was my horse in this race. When I received the message about his VP pick I nearly threw my phone against the wall in absolute disgust! Biden is a definite part of the Old Washington! The one thing that Obama was out to change! I feel empathy for some of the McCain supporters who feel that they were let down also. However, I dare say that at least McCain's pick is in line with what McCain has been doing and saying all along. Obama turns out to be a typical politician with much less qualifications than even Palin who everyone is fretting over!
I guess I will wait to see who Bob Barr selects.

I think the big difference between Obama and Palin is that she, being a Creationist, thinks that scenes from the Flinstones are perfectly plausible representations of human history. Obama, being the snobby elitist SOB that he is, accepts the scientific interpretation of the universe.

And oh yeah. Palin believes that woman (or child for that matter) who becomes pregnant due to rape or incest should be forced to carry the child to term.

And oh yeah! There is Palin's insistence that human activity has nothing to do with global warming. As we all know, Obama has been taken in by all those effete Nobel laureates who use bogus science to try to stop us from having fun in our Humvees.

And we are supposed to believe McCain when he says that his Palin selection is intended to draw away the women who supported Hillary? Maybe -- at least 3-4 of the really stupid ones. It's much more likely that McCain is pandering to the far religious right, a group that can't think beyond the two to three issues they own -- abortion, gay marriage and anti-science.

So Gerson, rehashing the same issues is not exactly being nimble. McCain's selection is just more of the same teeth gnashing hysteria of the religious right who have been uesd and abused by the NeoCons who assuredly look down upon them as just so many moronic -- yet useful -- mouthbreathers..

I believe tha Mickael Jackson could be nominated by the dems. They are star struck! well, I am here to tell you that the enemy that we face seriously want him to be our president. From what I am hearing, the may have forfieted his citizenship when he traveled using a foreign passport. That will come out eventurally, and what will the dems do then--hey, run Mickael Jacson!!

The GOP is no longer the party of my father and John McSAME is only offering us more of what the U.S.A has had for us over the last 8 years. Those of us who refuse to believe it, like Gerson, are doomed to only live through it again.

Amazing. Democrats don't act tough in 2004 and are railed about it. Meanwhile the swiftboaters totally attack a man for his military service. Turn about is fair play. Obama stood up for liberal values and was on the attack, and now the whining begins.

Being the mayor of a town of 8,000 is not exactly "executive experience", it is more like an episode of the Andy Griffith show, sweet, but not exactly substantive. Get real, neocons, your time is up.

I just registered a lifelong republican in NM (a swing state with huge implications in Nov) who will join the dems at the polls in voting for Obama.

i will bet you mccain made a bet with one of his boys that he can get her to pose in playboy if he win this election.read between the lines love at first sight.somebody out there know the truth 5 kids in this day and age john senses something.

THANK GOD FOR CANCER or America just might have elected McCain

This is the most ridiculous out of touch article I have read in quite some time. Pure garbage. The election will be a blow out and no amount of last minute spin will alter this outcome.

I think Obama made a huge mistake by not including Hilary as the VP. The Repubs took the initiative and undercut some of Hillary's work in gaining women voters. I think that's why the Dems are so sarcastic, angry -- and worried. I'm still on the fence, but I find Palin to be very level-headed and charismatic.

If McCain had truly wanted to prove he is a maverick, he would have chosen Lieberman for VP. He would have blown up the convention and alienated the right-wing wackjobs, but he would have won the election, taking the independent votes from Obama. Instead, he made a choice that was totally about campaigning and not at all about governing. If you, Gerson, or anyone else, thinks that Palin is qualified for the presidency, then you're an idiot and a Republican ideologue. And the Hillary supporters who would vote for McCain/Palin have absolutely no idea what Hillary Clinton stands for.

Why didn't Obama mention Gustav once? Why was the impending disaster hushed up? Was it because Barack sees himself as more important than the people he designs to rule? Shame on Dems!

I just noticed. Some libs actually are saying we are at war. What a concept! Maybe they will now realize that Obama would be totally overmatched as Prez. I prefer a strong #1 and an unknown (but promising) #2. Obama is an unknown to Idontwanttoknow) #1. End of story!

Great article! Hillary supporter and registered Democrat here who is not only voting for McCain, but now going to volunteer to help the McCain/Palin ticket. The juvenile, hateful, and sexist comments posted here and elsewhere by Obama supporters have turned me off of the Democratic party. Once the election is over, I am tearing up my Democratic registration and becoming officially "independent."

Good job, Obamabots. Continue behaving in this bullying manner and you'll chase away all decent people from the Democratic party.

By the title, I thought the article was about taking lead in Gustov relief. I fell to the floor at the stupidity of this editorial. It is important to have diverse opinions expressed; but Mr. Gerson is only expressing the inane fear he feels about what is likely to happen in November and making an attempt to prevent it. If you are not rational you should not get national audience via the WP

The odd thing about McCain picking Palin is that he seemed to be gaining on Obama in the polls. With that in mind, it is unclear why he needed to make such a desperate move.

If nothing else, it is entertaining to see the knots the talking heads are tying themselves into telling all of us that she is the most qualified vp candidate he could have chosen. A sad statement about the republican bench, if nothing else.

With this pick alot of independant voters like myself will steer clear of the McCain ticket. This woman represents a step back in alot of the freedoms that took so many years to come by. To appease fundamentalist religous zealots who feel free to impose there will on others and strip people of their rights to live their lifes as they have choosen show me that McCain trying to run on a ticket of being a moderate like Bush did in 2000 is nothing more than a farce. While I do favor our right to bear arms I do not favor the right to have Christian Coalition views imposed on those who choose to believe differently. Obama when he visited Europe demonstrated something very important he has the respect and admiration of the world. Leaders around the world would work with his administration the respect that this country has lost would be restored. Leaders like Hugo Chavez whose regime has thrived with anti bush rhetoric would not have a leg to stand on.

The biggest challenge for the United States is Globalization. While Masters and PhD students have to compete globally for jobs in the US, our politicians are talking about Guns, Gods and Babies. If the republicans win this election, I am planning on becoming a pastor.

Leave our baby alone, she never asked to be a president or VP, you asked and beg her. Why are you crying now?

In the words of W. Shakespear: "Me thinks they (BHO supporters) doth protest too much."

Those of you who support McCain because "the black man's scary speech" was too confrontational for you, perhaps you should just turn in your voter ID because you have no idea what is going in America.

What a surprise that the liberal left doesn't like this pick, and the conservative right approves, since she is a conservative (and a reformer). What matters is where the "independents" (who generally don't have a clue about anything and don't know what to believe) think.

Since independents don't have many convictions about anything, and aren't very engaged, they'll probably just get their opinion from commercials and soundbites from the mainstream liberal media like they always do...which is to say they'll hear good stuff about Democrats and bad stuff about Republicans.

Which, incidentally, is why Democrats target their registration drives on getting the ignorant, the young (straight out of the universities dominated by liberals) the uneducated, the new immigrants (ever notice that liberals typically fight laws requiring voters to present drivers licenses/id's at polling places) and the unengaged all registered to vote so they can vote Democrat. The only thought that goes into their votes are vague impressions of "Democrat good, Republican evil".

Deepblue,
All the arguments you throw up at the choice of Palin are doubled when applied to Obama. If you are right about Palin, then how could you possibly, even remotely think that the untried, unproven, unaccomplished Obama be deemed qualified? I am dismayed at both tickets. But your naive lopsided judgement of only the McCain ticket reveals your foolishness.

Of course, Gerson is an idiot--that goes without saying.

The real point to remember is that she really is a heartbeat away from from the fragility of a 72 year old with serious past medical problems.

To envision this inexperienced young woman as our Commander-in-Chief or leader of the Free World is ludicrous.

Carl Berglund

I have no idea who you are or what you've written in the past, Mr. Gerson, so I'll just comment on your thoughts only to say I disagree with you on most of your points.

The interesting thing IS that the Repubs have finally allowed a woman to be an independant, intelligent, assertive person. Until this, their standard was "femininazi" for anyone like Palin. So I'm excited for the party, if it survives beyond this election cycle, and I'm excited for America because a major step ahead for equality has occurred. Next, the Repubs need to let all their gays, who hold high leadership positions (Melman) come out and be equal humans too.

I'm struggling with whether I should vote for Obama. However, at 72, McCain is likely to die before he finishes his term, according to insurance actuarial tables. that means that Palin becomes President, and thats an insult to the role, and a dangerous thing. Because of that and his right-wing shift, I'd *never* vote for McCain.

But Biden is a personal problem for me, so I'm torn and still undecided. And may be until the day comes I have to pull that lever.

Of course, Gerson is an idiot--that goes without saying.

The real point to remember is that she really is a heartbeat away from from the fragility of a 72 year old with serious past medical problems.

To envision this inexperienced young woman as our Commander-in-Chief or leader of the Free World is ludicrous.

Carl Berglund

At the end of the day, I'm comfortable with all these candidates. The main thing is we definitely need a change. While leaning toward Obama, I've always liked McCain...but his base scares me to death. But I don't think McCain will wilt in his beliefs as to doing whats right for his country. He has a history of bucking the system and once elected I don't see that changing. If Obama wins, will we see change, I sure hope so but I wouldn't expect the Replublican party to play ball because they wont. As to Palin, it was brilliant as it energized his campaign and possibly swipes some Hilary voters who would likely go democrat. Either way, I see change coming and that is nothing but good. Because this country is in sad sad shape thanks to special interest and a true lack of vision by W. BTW...he stunk as a Governor as well.

the "outrage" here is more likely the result of the falsified title of this article, implying slyly that McCain is ahead of Obama, presumably in the polls, and then the article turns out to be an opinion piece with zero substance or evidence. It's a headline designed to suck you in from Google News and bring the Post more hits, and it does that while discrediting the validity of the publication in the process.

Mr Gerson,

Sarah Palin is NO!...Hillary Clinton.

Think about it.

Compare her experience to Obama's.

This article should have been called "McCain takes the lead in the whale fat beauty contest" At least that would be partially true.

"It's 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep. Who do you want answering the phone?"
-- McCain Republican Primaries political ad

Sarah Palin?

The Democrats run on a platform of 'Hope' and 'Change'. They offer a platter for our consumption, dressed with two talking heads that -seem- to resonate this message with the populist zeitgeist. However, upon close inspection, the apparition dissolves into the familiar visage of a Night of the Living Dead Mondale.

The Republicans take an old veteran who -looks- like a walk-on player in the real Night of the Living Dead movie, and add an ex-beauty queen to the mix. First impressions being often wrong, close inspection of this duo reveals, not another B-movie, as we might might expect, but a substantive history of efforts to 'Change' things in Alaska and Washington, and 'Hope' derived from people who have in the past pursued these policies, and actually gotten them to work.

I suspect that the vitriol and sneers we see coming from wonks on the Left, derives from jealousy that the Right has stolen their thunder, by providing the -substance-, instead of the -image- of Change. Hollywood only understands the latter, unfortunately.

I suppose we will see which the public finds more intriguing in November. Until then, expect more than a few rude Leftists spouting vitriol. Pity them. It's all they have left.

Naming Palin tells us one thing: the GOP thinks this election will turn on the female vote. Palin must also have seemed like a foolproof way to lock in the Evangelical vote. All this in one package? I can see it all unfolding behind closed doors. To Republicans it must have seemed too good to resist.

This 72-year-old man with recurrent cancer has just chosen as his backup President of the greatest, most powerful nation on earth a hick-town girl from the sticks. And he hopes we will too. It's no exaggeration to call it an insult to our intelligence. Will I vote for McCain? You must be insane.

Hey Gerson,I guess writing speeches for baby bush was not enough,you must be trying to be Grampa McCains speech writer also.
Obama will flatten old man McCain,and take this country back to where it belongs,and that is not in the Industrial complex control,sorry republicans,count down has begun,bye,bye...

Plain and simple, McCain is using Palin for his own personal gain ...and she will be thrown away, forgotten and ignored afterward, whether he wins the election or not.

Well Gersh, I was going to slam you for being a retard, but others already have.

I have nothing further to add.

Its very sad. We have much to do as a country should we wish to rise back to our leadership position. Financially we are on the brink of very hard times, we have lost our moral leadership in the world, we are deeply in debt and it seems no one gets it. Wake up everyone.

We need to educate our masses like India and China (and many other nations) to compete in this world. We need to make this available to everyone who has the brainpower to contribute. Not based on class, preference, color or religion but brain power. If your smart enough but do not have the money to afford it you should get an education for free. We will not be able to continue to import our brainpower.

We need to innovate and not depend on Oil, rather the significant wealth of technology we have at our disposal to change the world energy sources...and benefit financially as a nation. Stop letting the Oil industry and their special interests drive our country.

We need to rebuild our power grid now.
We need to remove tax breaks from oil and pour that money into a program to develop and deploy (yes deploy - build infrastructure, etc.) technology at our finger tips.

Lets stop arguing like a bunch of idiots who can only sling mud. Let us demand as a nation united that no matter who we elect that we shall show up on the front lawn of 1600 and stay until a real policy of energy independence has been implemented.

Until then the terrorist in the middle east will continue to kill our boys/girls and try to destroy our country with our money.

The debate, as can be seen from idiots such as Gerson, only serve as a basis for cheers from our enemies. As long as we fight and get angry with each other we will never solve our real problems and go down just like any other great nation under the weight of our own debt and foolish fighting. This will happen, don't be fooled.

So wake up everyone. Time for real change. Vote for whoever you want but the change will only come from you or me. All the arguments about this and that are trivial compared to the task in front of us - saving the America of Jefferson and Adams. A nation that has always had debate. But, debate about the real issues.

Are you all ready for the sacrifice and energy we must apply to rebuild our dysfunctional nation. I hope so, but am not encourage by articles such as this and the foolish lashing out of the rabble.

John McCain's well-promoted story line is that of the "maverick" politician who evolved from the all-American war hero in the POW camps of Vietnam.

The Arizona senator shored up the maverick part of his bio with the surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Palin said she was thrilled by the offer, but McCain wasn't, a few years back, when he was asked what he thought about being vice president. He joked about the other part of his history as a career Naval officer and Silver Star vet:

"I spent several years in a North Vietnamese prison camp, in the dark, fed with scraps. Do you think I want to do that all over again as vice president of the U.S.?"

The quip was typical McCain, an example of the sometimes over-the-top wit that can either get him into or out of trouble.

During the primaries, McCain also would occasionally drop the jokes about his military service and move audiences to tears with tales of the dread costs of battle.

"War is wretched beyond description, and only a fool or a fraud could sentimentalize its cruel reality," McCain said.

I clicked on this article because I thought there was some real news that I may have missed about McNasty pulling ahead of my candidate.......... lol ....... nope- it was just the delusional dribble from a dinosaur's wrinkled and flaccid tool.......I cannot believe you get paid for this toe jam.

Boy, it’s obvious that many, many Obamites are very frightened of Palin on the ticket. I, for one, applaud McCain’s bold and wise decision. Looks like he’s the candidate of CHANGE, and not Obama, who has been shouting it from the rooftops. But when push came to shove, he just didn’t have the b----s to pick Hillary as his running mate, but instead he opted for the good old Washington status quo. Some candidate of CHANGE. He’s just full of hot air.

The writer of this article is the sort of sick and twisted mind that is responsible for everything wrong with America - the prototypical ugly Bush American hated by all normal people.

I heard Obama's speech on the radio. Without all the visual background and glitter, the speech was utterly banal and just like Gerson described it. A complete disappointment.

I have never read a bigger crock of illogical assertions under the banner of a major and highly regarded newspaper. What planet are you from, Mr. Gerson? Certainly not the one that has suffered through eight years of the worst administration in American history, an administration supported by McCain 90% of the time. McCain has lost any credibility with independents and thinking Republicans. He's not a maverick, he's a man known for poor choices. And he just made another one.

This column is a complete joke, written by a clown.

Washington Post, I used to think highly of you as a newspaper. This is the quality of your journalism?

Pathetic.

Those Democrats that contend Palin is unqualified should take a look at some other Governors that rose to the executive office: Their vaunted Paladins Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

Any numbnuts can run the Congress. I was a represenative for two years, and was often amazed at how illiterate my contemporaries int he house and senate appeared behind closed doors. Palin is an excellent choice, and will make a solid VP. To those socio-facists in the Democratic party: Be prepared, real reform is coming.

Heh.

Hoping for a career in comedy or as a clown after your pseudo journalism career, Michael?

Pray. And have your agent bill you as the Charlie McCarthy of journalism.

Absolutely brilliant pick. I love the notion that Palin does not have the experience to become VP, but somehow, Obama, in all his holyness, has the ability to become president right off the bat. Palin will swiftly gain the understanding she requires to becomes Mrs. P. under McCain. In relation to fools like Obama, Deep Blue, the ignorant smuck below me, portrays similar idiocy. It's the liberals that are brings this country down the drain, not the conservatives. The Dumbocrats and the biased media do nothing to improve America. We are at war, and we will win it if Republicans maintain a strong influence. To counter the growing strength of China and India, we need a dominant military, and Obama has already assured the American people that he will cut its spending. Deep Blue, your stupidity saddens me. Instead of watching liberal news why don't you use the brain that God gave you.

It appears Mr. Gerson was listening to another speech entirely. About the harshest thing I heard Obama say about McCain was that he was out of touch, after honoring him for his service to country.

Compare this to McCain's repeated statements that Obama would "rather lose a war than lose an election", and it's pretty easy to see where the real vitriol is coming from.

There seems to be alot of Democrats on this site and I have an honest question that I would like someone to answer, please. I'm not being sarcastic. Obama says he wants to reach "across the aisle". That he wants to "bring this country together as one". Then why did he not pick Hillary for VP? If he is serious about what he says then that would have been the logical choice. Forgive, forget, and do what is best for the country. He also said that he wanted someone who did not always agree with him. Well, Hillary sure fits that criteria, too. I am just trying to reconcile Obama's words with his actions. Can someone honestly and calmly explain this? If he is truly the "uniter" that he claims to be, what happened?

Gerson,
If Obama had made a big deal about his historical moment, you would've said he has a big head!! He did give respect to Martin Luther King at the end of his speech. The man is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

I'm insulted that McCain thinks I'm stupid enough to vote for him because he has an woman attached to his ticket. No way, no how, no McCain/Panderinglin!!

Hello everybody this is just in fron the CNN headline news room. The reason MCCain picked her is nobody else wanted to be him Vice President on a loosing ticket. I am a republician and i cant belive what a stupid person he is. He has been in congress for how long 26 years? an he still dont no anything about the economy, what the hell has he been doing in congress for all these years.???? He has less experience than Obama and her, He only knows how to make money for Big Oil. Wonder if he will be able to keep his pants on since he has already been unfaithful to his last wife, for a woman who has money. Humm i guess money can buy love.

I’m from Canada, and I can’t believe the uneducated verbal abuse and hatred that is spewing out of the computers of many of the Obama supporters. I am so proud and happy to be a Canadian. However, if I had a vote, it would definitely be for McCain/Palin!

Mr. Gerson-you sir are "up in your sleep." Get some rest and try again. This kind of senseless ranting will not get your candidate in the White House.

You are such a fool.You really believe McCain picked her? You do not think he was forced? Let's face it Rebublican's are just as much in shock they HAVE too accept her.They keep putting these FOLKS who are just like you and me in office.No offense but I do not want someone like my neighbor making important choices as one needs too, for my country.If she cared she would have turned it down. This is a self achievement contaest for her. Gee i wonder if the mayor of my town is dreaming about the President postition!

"To envision this inexperienced young woman as our Commander-in-Chief or leader of the Free World is ludicrous."

So you'd rather have an inexperienced young man DEFINITELY become the leader of the Free World?

What a double standard.

Methinks you are underestimating Palin due to her gender. Just because she's an attractive female doesn't mean she's a moron. She's going to surprise everyone.

Absolutely brilliant pick. I love the notion that Palin does not have the experience to become VP, but somehow, Obama, in all his holyness, has the ability to become president right off the bat. Palin will swiftly gain the understanding she requires to becomes Mrs. P. under McCain. In relation to fools like Obama, Deep Blue, the ignorant smuck below me, portrays similar idiocy. It's the liberals that are brings this country down the drain, not the conservatives. The Dumbocrats and the biased media do nothing to improve America. We are at war, and we will win it if Republicans maintain a strong influence. To counter the growing strength of China and India, we need a dominant military, and Obama has already assured the American people that he will cut its spending. Deep Blue, your stupidity saddens me. Instead of watching liberal news why don't you use the brain that God gave you.

The funny thing is that NONE OF YOUR VOTES WILL EVER MATTER!

Electoral college, anyone?

Get over yourselves. You have no power, and your opinions don't matter.

And people need to get over abortion. If the churches would actually stop teaching abstinence-ONLY education and teach more about contraceptives, abortions wouldn't be necessary nearly as much. I bet every pro-lifer would kill a fetus if they found out it would be pro-choice....

Obama '08!

"I don't know what you've been drinking, the cool-aid, PBR or maybe you've had your nose in George's stash...regardless Palin will be McCain's undoing. She was the mayor of a town smaller than an NFL football stadium, she was elected governor only because Alaskans hated the other guy so much they would have voted for anyone and her journalism education is about as useful running a nation as tits on a bull. Women are a lot more intelligent than you're giving them credit for, they'll vote for someone based on what they stand for long before they consider gender. You can vote for Miss Congenitality/Sportscaster/NRA whack job all you want but my guess is that come January we'll have a mixed race President in the White House. Obama called it like it is and thousands of Republicans and Democrats are tired of the nonsense that Bush has gotten away with...more of the same is not an option to them."

Posted by: John | August 31, 2008 7:02 PM

Example of a male chauvinist pig!!!

Barbara I read your comments and take offense that a Hillary Clinton supporter will not vote for Sarah Palin- Your totally wrong. Especially when you are dealing with someone like Obama who is so immature, so sexist himself, so arrogant that he can dismiss 18 million votes- Well then we need to show him and others like him that the barrier can be broken now not in 12 years but right now, and by the way she has as much experience if not more than him.

I'm sorry if he alienated you Mr. Gerson. But you Republican right wing hypocrites have been lying, cheating, stealing, scratching and clawing at the heart of America for 8 years now. I'm glad someone finally stood up when it counted and told you part of the disgrace you have made out of our country. I hope to God we run you and your kind out of politics for a good century or two, because that is what it will take to clean up after you. Obama '08

Why do you libs care that an inexperienced woman is "one heartbeat from the presidency" when you have no problem with voting for a COMMANDER IN CHIEF THAT HAS NO EXPERIENCE?

Better to have an inexperienced VP than POTUS, ......right??

Peace.

Why doesn't Gerson's article provide his background? I looked it up on Wikipedia
after reading his obviously biased views. He's a right-wing hack of the first order This should be included on the article. Here is part of the Wikipeida entry:

Michael John Gerson (born May 15, 1964, New Jersey) is an op-ed columnist for The Washington Post and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.[1] He served as President George W. Bush's chief speechwriter from 2001 until June 2006, and as a senior policy advisor from 2000 through June 2006.....Prior to joining the Bush Administration, he was a senior policy advisor with The Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy research institution. Gerson also worked at one point as a ghostwriter for Charles Colson (famous Watergate conspirator).In early 1999, Karl Rove recruited Gerson for the Bush campaign.....Gerson was named by Timas one of "The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals In America."

I heard he picked her cause she was going to expose their affair if he didn't.

I could just say April Fool's Day still just comes in April. But we are involved in a very important election that deserves more that empty phrases. Our country is suffering from the mistakes made by a Republican administration that McCain still stands by. Obama offers a change in direction. I admit there is a risk with Obama but the risk associated with continuing the Republican policies is much greater. I vote Democratic this time and although I normally like a balance in parties in the House and Senate, this time around I believe the Democrats will need all the help they can get. If adjustments in power are needed the country can do it two years later.

Mr Gerson,
You have hit the nail on the head. One of the best reports I have read from this newspaper. I have been recharged by the new VP pick and I will be voting for McCain/Palin in November. Mr Gerson, ignore the ugliness of these bloggers, it is obvious they dont have any idea what a debate is and how to voice your opinion with facts and common sense. No matter what party affiliation you are, being crass and rude is uncalled for and shows your true ignorance. MLK once said "Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." I agree with him.
Good job sir, you nailed it! Those that gave honest and fair opinions here... kudos to you, even where we disagree :)
For the rest of you bloggers intending on being rude.... Magna res est vocis et silentii temperamentum!

Alienated? Democrats? How about the Democrats who cried when Reagan and Bush #1 pushed the national debt into nosebleed heights? The Dems who cheered when Clinton balanced the budget, and cried again when Bush #2 sent out tax rebate checks and plunged us into more debt long before 9/11? How about middle class Dems voters who can only sit and watch our nations' wealth transferred to the super wealthy. How about the poor voters pushed farther into poverty by Bushenomics? Alienated? How about voters who respect the constitution and cried as Bush and Gonzales politicized the justice department and trampled constitutional protections? Republicans (McCain and Bush) built a new forestry department to protect the Timber interests but not the forests or National Parks. They deregulated the house lending markets to help banks at the expense of homeowners. They changed the air and water quality legislation to help rich polluters at the expense of the air and the water. They lied and cheated to start a war with Iraq, when Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. When they had an army bearing down on Bin Ladin in Afghanistan, they stopped that army, and hired friends of Bin Ladin to "go up the mountain and get him" and Bin Ladin's friends stopped and let him get away. Through all these eight years, Dems sat back, astonished at what our government had become, but McCain stood next to Bush and cheered. Now you say Obama is alienating voters by criticizing McCain and picking a running mate who's not married to a snowmachine racer? I've seen crazy opinions, but today I've seen a REALLY crazy opinon?

Hello Mr Gerson and fans! I have to say, the vitriol expresed here is kind of off-putting. I am a firmly committed Obama supporter and I would not vote for McCain and Palin in a million years, but I have to say that I wish my fellow dems could be a little more civil towards Mr Gerson. Sure, I disagree with the bulk of this editorial, but that's all it is, an editorial. Mr Gerson has his opinions, I disagree with most of them, but let's remember we are fellow citizens of this great and beautiful nation, and whoever wins in November, we have to work together after the victory celebration is over. May the better candidate win.

"Shockingly" polarizing, eh? What a scandal. A Democratic campaign that is "bound to anger conservatives?" The nerve. On the other side we have seen the typical right wing character assassination campaign by the McCain camp against Obama, with its focus on the lunatic ravings of black pastors, aging 60s radicals, air-head celebrities and other trivialities that do not belong in a serious campaign for president in perilous times. That is what Obama meant when he said, let's not have a big campaign about small events. Gerson doesn't seem to object to any of these irrelevances used to smear a candidate, or to the embarassing campaign Republcans are waging. No, what really irks him is that Obama refuses to roll over and play dead.

Obama, 47, has spent almost 12 years in office, all of it as a lawmaker - eight years as an Illinois state senator and nearly four as a U.S. senator. Palin's total is 12 - she spent 10 as a city council member and mayor, and nearly two as governor.

Democrats insist "It's not the woman issue at all," former Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota said Sunday on CNN. "There are a lot of other Republican women who could have filled this role if that is what he was looking for" - such as Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison or Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

Has anyone stepped back to remember the year 2000 presidential primaries?

If you do remember, in 2000 McCain's campaign was derailed by negative ads and a vicious smear campaign (fathering a child out of wedlock, his wife Cindy being a drug addict, etc.). The perpetrators were from very same party that he belongs to, and who never took responsibility for it or made any apologies.

If McCain is the true patriot that he claims to be and the temperamental hot-head that others claim about him, we are just witnessing one of the greatest acts of revenge and his last great patriotic deed wrapped in one: to ensure that the presidency is promptly handed over to the Democrats.

A hero, patriot, hot-head and vengeful cynic. McCain 2008.

I am shocked that the dems are taking time away from their "Blue Change Kool-Aid" to come here. Talk about out of touch- what does Hussein offer that Sarah can't provide? You are just pissed cuz you're now not the only minority pandering for votes this November.

the unfortunate thing is that the whole "voting with your ovaries" joke is coming true: there are actually women being fooled by this. And men, I suppose... it's as transparent a deception as "Al Qaeda are in Iraq!" and yet people are thinking about this purely from the perspective of getting a woman into power. A black man is just as historic, people, but how about looking at the issues instead of the skin color and X and Y chromosomes?

Your dems are really a bunch of cry babies, to be completely scientific about it.

This is a woman I would enjoy having coffee with at the kitchen table, maybe has a lot of common sense, BUT NOT a woman I can see at the United Nations table. Good grief have you lost your mind? This is equivalent to George jr and the guy voted you would most like to have a beer with - 8 more years of this mentality? This proves McCain only knows how to shoot from the hip and not capable of
critical thinking. I would laugh were I not crying.

Obama, 47, has spent almost 12 years in office, all of it as a lawmaker - eight years as an Illinois state senator and nearly four as a U.S. senator. Palin's total is 12 - she spent 10 as a city council member and mayor, and nearly two as governor.

Democrats insist "It's not the woman issue at all," former Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota said Sunday on CNN. "There are a lot of other Republican women who could have filled this role if that is what he was looking for" - such as Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison or Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

Gergen, you are such P.S##t,
You are the father of dishonesty you and Ramesh, you have no shame, 7 years of republicans and neoconservative that produce the big mess we are in, now, but people like you don't know anything about that because you profited from this mess, you and your cronies you moron.

I'm glad someone irked Gerson. Someone needs to, to paraphrase the immortal words of the late Lee Atwater, 'strip the bark off you bastards.' You conservatives have gotten away bullying people way too long. I'm still waiting for a pit-bull Democrat-Ed Rendell?- to make you conservatives drink from the same cup of poison you've been serving to other people.

Democrats don't need to make an argument; the argument makes itself. This is just such a misjudgement on McCain's part.

The last thing McCain should be worrying about right now is the evangelical vote, because the evangelicals don't matter. The key to this election is the undecideds. Even if McCain's pick isn't just a cynical ploy to win over disillusioned Hillary supporters, he's GOT to understand that it will be seen that way. All he's doing is pissing off women who will be resentful that McCain thinks they are so easily bought. Meanwhile, regardless of whether you think Palin is experienced enough to be President, McCain is contradicting the argument he's been making so strongly against Obama for months, leading to the impression that he's either clueless, or a hypocrite.

So this seems like a remarkably tone-deaf choice to me, and it's going to backfire on him. Democrats like me haven't been sneering so much as shaking our heads in genuine puzzlement, wondering "What on EARTH is McCain thinking?!?"

Seriously folks, the misogyny coming out of the dems is too much. It wasn't enough you ground Hillary into the dirt now you want to do the same of Palin.

You know if Barack Hussein Obama had had the good judgement to put Hillary Rodham Clinton on his ticket we wouldn't be having these discussions. And he'd still have my vote.

But an inexperienced guy like Obama, who disrespects women, who is associated with extremist churches will never get my vote.

McCain and Palin may not be perfect, but they smell honest and I can live with that.

"Since independents don't have many convictions about anything, and aren't very engaged, they'll probably just get their opinion from commercials and soundbites from the mainstream liberal media like they always do...which is to say they'll hear good stuff about Democrats and bad stuff about Republicans"

Typcial conservative BS, people who dont think like them are either stupid or liberal. I am a independent, where do you come off saying that people like me have no convictions. I am pro choice, pro military, pro right to bear arms. What I dont favor is religous zealots imposing their views on others. Overturning rights that took years to come by. Imposing their views of morality on others. Independent people like me served their country and still do, went to college and read up on world affairs. That this country has lost the respect of the world with this current administration you would have to be blind not to see. McCains choice shows that it will only be more the same appeasing the same right wing group that has ruined the reputation of this country and have led it to the economical downfall many working class people are experiencing day in and day out.

Thank you Gerson, for the refreshing article. As a 35 year old teacher who considers herself an "independent" I will absolutely vote for Mccain/Palin this November. The fact that the libs are so shook up over this nomination tells me that Mccain made the best choice possible. Finally, someone in Washington who is a real person, who has held a real job. Not some Ivy league, lawyer/career politician that americans are absolutely sick of! The argument regarding experience just doesn't add up. Maybe the democrats should take another look at the top of their ticket before they open their mouths.

Mccain Palin 08!

Palin is a laughingstock, and Gerson is just jacking with us here. The little lady's selection is yet another indication of just out of touch the Ancient McCain really is. America faces serious problems, and The Ancient thinks people really want to hear the opinions of Alaska's version of Gidget?

So who talked the doddering old nut into making this bizarre choice?

My guess:

The only possible explanation here is that the GOP really does understand how things really are, and have decided they'd be better off just throwing the election. Can anyone really be too sure that Carl Rove wouldn't just love to run Jeb 'Dracula' Bush in 2012?

Has the dynasty once again kicked McCain in the butt?

I could just say April Fool's Day still just comes in April. But we are involved in a very important election that deserves more that empty phrases. Our country is suffering from the mistakes made by a Republican administration that McCain still stands by. Obama offers a change in direction. I admit there is a risk with Obama but the risk associated with continuing the Republican policies is much greater. I vote Democratic this time and although I normally like a balance in parties in the House and Senate, this time around I believe the Democrats will need all the help they can get. If adjustments in power are needed the country can do it two years later.

For the last few years, you liberals were just certain that you had the 08 election in the bag, whether it was with Obama or Clinton (who, in regards to policy, are virtually the same person.) Remember the "Candidate of Inevitability?" And now with the selection of Governor Palin, John McCain has turned this election on its ear in one fell swoop, and it's making you liberals come absolutely unglued. I think probably what makes you the maddest is the fact that Obama's acceptance speech the other night (in all of its hyped, Hollywood movie-set phoniness) was intended to be the most-talked about event in the liberal, Barack-obsessed media for weeks to come. (Did you notice the way Keith Olberman nearly soiled his drawers in ecstacy anytime a democrat made a speech during the convention?) Then, suddenly, within maybe 12 hours, McCain completely snatched the ball away from Obama and left him with that stupid "Wha' hoppened?" look on his face. It was like McCain yanked you liberals' pants down and smacked your bare butts in front of the whole wide world! I'll revel in the stunned response of you hapless liberals for years to come. I love it!!

P.S While we should all be frightened at the prospect of Sarah Palin being a heartbeat away from the presidency ( the fact that she may be a good and strong woman notwithstanding ) It is not her that frightens Democrats. It is the ignorant 2 or 3 % among us that will decide this election based on pretty rather than policy.

The more vicious the attacks from the left, the more it proves that Palin was the right pick. I love it! Squirm you libs!

It seems the trendy thing to do, when commenting online these days, is to denigrate the intelligence of the person you disagree with. I would think the intelligent thing to do would be respond to the argument. Facts or logical arguments would do nicely. To be fair it should be noted that some do respond with information and rebuttals, but the overwhelming response from leftists is name calling. Which usually works in grade school, but honestly try sticking to the debate. Gerson is an idiot, tool... Republicans are stupid... Blah, blah...

One person went so far as to call the Republicans racist and then make an extremely anti-semitic comment. Way to align your self with the great thinkers of the world. (ie Hitler, Arafat,..)

To those who disagree with this article, and have decided calling names and belittling people (something you shouldn't do if you're a nice democrat) is the way to make a proper argument, think again. Educate yourself, and learn how to engage in proper discourse.

The article raises questions about Obama. How was his speech any different from other empty campaign promises made before. In the years that Obama has been involved in government on the state and national level how has he actually effected change we can believe in. He served less than two years in the U.S Senate before he began campaigning for President. In his remarkable career what has he done to show he is capable of changing our country?

PD

Any attack by the Liberals regarding Palin's lack of experience is essentially an attack on their own canidate! Palin still has more exceutive experience than Obama! Obama was only a Senator 5 months when he began running for president. What change did he bring to Washington as a Senator? Was he part of any bills or legislative process? NOOOOO!

Other than running for President, what has Obama accomplished? Making friends with Oprah?

Palin comes with a record or reform and Obama comes with a record of corruption. (lets not forget he looked to a bigot for guidence for 20 years.)

Deep Blue-- blow it out your narrow minded, idealogue, partisan arse.

Obamiacs: Start preparing emotionally for Obama's loss TODAY. You may just avert suicide come November!

As an independent voter/female, I was on the fence. This vp pick has tipped me to the Obama team. I am very disappointed that it is assumed that women will vote for someone JUST because she is a woman. It is required for me to have a proper resume with proper relevant experience and I expect the same from those that would lead me. In addition to that, part of being a great leader is to be able to understand your strengths enough to understand your weaknesses as well. Either she has a very high opinion of herself or she is very selfish. She should have said "thanks, I am honored, but it is in the best interest of my country to have a more qualified person in the position." Accepting the nomination is putting her desire for glory and attention first instead of insisting on the safety and leadaership of the country. For me, this vp selection was a breathtakingly irresponsible decision. Going back to work three days after your baby is born is also no "family values". And I am disappointed that McCain has made this drastic choice. It seems like all he ever wants to highlight is that he WAS a POW. Is there not more to him that that? I guess not. (I, btw, am retired military as well. But I do not use that to get jobs.) You need to go to McCain's and Obama's campaign sites and really read the issues. If you read McCain's energy platform, you will see that he says he does not want to remain dependent on foreign oil. BUT, he is agains ethanol. That is fine since he also says there is a world food crisis. (people throwing to much away??) BUT he intends on removing ethanol mandates and to remove import taxes/tariffs and import sugar based alternative fuels from overseas to replace it. Another huge slap in the American face I think. Great. Put farmers out of business. Stop them from using the multimillion dollar ethanol producing facilities AND bring us more energy from overseas. He intends on adding 100 more nuclear power plants also. But no sign of a plan on how to keep it safe or what to do with the nuclear waste. Both sides have positives and negatives, but wow, when I went to study what their platforms are really about because I got so fed up with the media, I was appalled. I urge you to make up your own minds by studying their own words on their own sites. Maybe neither can accomplish anything without huge hurdles (congress), but it is good to know what they truly believe in.

I'm reading these posts and as an independent I understand that its always the party no matter what. But honestly, as republicans or so called non-liberals, how you even remotely have any pride left is a mystery. YOUR party for the majority of the last eight years controlled the House, the Senate and the Presidency. You have all but bankrupt us. In fact, name one accomplishment worth noting, just one.

The fact is, due to your OVERLYY liberal free spending anything goes credit card policy, every man, woman and child owes over $30000.00 each. I'll spell it for you because its clear as liberal spenders you dont understand numbers. Thats THRIRY THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH!

So do me, a good American a favor, don't vote, you make very bad decisions. Start thinking with your brain and not your indoctrinated when you were a child I'm a republican idiot. The republican party you were born into, has long ago gone away and you hold no one accountable. Idiots!!!

Truly another republican partisan willing to put party before the country. The choice this is election is for someone with sound judgment or someone that has become a tool of his party. McCain has become an erratic unrecognizable shell of himself.

Even so the media as with this bonehead continues to play him up as a maverick. A maverick not beholden to his party would not have allowed himself to be pushed into selected a partisan to compete. McCain wanted Lieberman but daddy Rove and Limbaugh vetoed that selection. This is really what the democrats should hit on.

This pick has fired up the base! Mccain is the best person for the presidency and this vp nomination is the icing on the cake!

Wow, I can't believe you should just said "Palin has a genuine middle-class story -- that makes Joe Biden look like the Prince of the Senate he has been for most of his life."

"Prince" of the senate? I've never heard a more ridiculous and meaningless term. Joe Biden grew up blue collar in Scranton, PA, his first wife and daughter died in a car accident just as he was elected to the senate and he was sworn in by the hospital bed of the sons who survived the tragic wreck. Yes, he's been on the Senate over 25 years - that's what we call "experience". As head of the Foreign Affairs committee, he's got loads of it. It's laughable you are trying to turn his experience against him by calling him a "prince".

You only try to cheapen him because Palin is a lightweight in a world of feathers. 1.5 years as a governor of a state that has 600,000 people? Previous experience as a mayor of a town of 6,000 people? Wow. That's exactly who I want to have sitting a heartbeat away from the presidency behind a man of 72 years of age with four bouts of malignant cancer behind him.

"Even if McCain's pick isn't just a cynical ploy to win over disillusioned Hillary supporters, he's GOT to understand that it will be seen that way. All he's doing is pissing off women who will be resentful that McCain thinks they are so easily bought."

Boy, are you clueless. I'm on a lot of PUMA sites as well as Gretawire and this selection of Palin has INVIGORATED Hillary supporters. A whole lotta woman (and men) are now voting for McCain due to this pick, when they were sitting on the fence before (or thinking of writing in Hillary).

I predict that McCain will win the election due to the selection of Palin.

Check out all the PUMAs here:

http://gretawire.foxnews.com/2008/08/30/puma/

I totally agree, Mr. Gerson!

Palin is a great pick!

As a former Mayor and now Governor of a state, Palin has more executive experience than Obama. Obama's experience amounts to casting floor votes in the senate. Wow! On most issues, his vote was "present." In other words, "I, Barack Hussein Obama, voted, but I didn't take a position one way or the other." That's decisiveness for you!

The only thing Obama has ever run in his life is his own campaign.

It is quite apparent that Gerson has hit a sore spot!! I have been reading many posts over the last few months and I have noticed that those by left of center are for the most part very vitriolic when the post is about McCain. The posts by those that are right of center are much less hateful when the when the post is about Obama.

As far as experience Palin has as much or more as Obama in the executive field.

I am amazed at how hard the democratic commenters to this article are trying to convince the author that he has missed the message of hope and change and all the other buzzword bingo that the DNC is broadcasting. Repeatedly calling Gerson a tool is definitely going to change his mind in the voting booth. Is there a minimum requirement for the number of tool references that you need to make? Perhaps he can answer with the required number to change his mind.

It is obvious that you are not pleased that Gerson has stated a truth that OBama missed an opportunity to appeal to the majority of independent voters. Independent voters are not excited by attempts to bash the other candidate. This goes both ways. Independents want specific answers with what is going to be done and specifically what is it going to do to them as an individual. Voters are not stupid and talking over their heads with pretty sounding words only angers them.

I have a suggestion for all the angry democrats out there. If you want OBama to win, stop trying to help by yelling at everyone that you disagree with. You are the one that looks stupid and you only push away potential voters for OBama. By the way, calling people stupid also does not win friends and influence people.

Gerson, you're a total tool. Way to provide absolutely no evidence of all the "Democratic class-warfare cliche(s)," that you mention.

Get a new job man. Its sickening to see you just rehashing Republican talking points like this.

The same person is responsible for most of the "Gerson you are an idiot" posts, under different names. Stand behind the courage of your convictions. Twenty phony posts isn't doing anything but making you feel better.

I'm not a fan of either candidates but technically, Palin has more of an "executive" role/experience than the 3. They're senators, that's about it and Obama, a junior senator...enough said! I do hope, the American people won't vote for another "lawyer" type. I do hope that the Obama supporters really know what he stands for and what his plans are and simply not jumping on the bandwagon because of his celebrity endorsements and such. Do your research on both candidates before you vote!!! America can't afford another goof up!

Palin is to women what Alan Keyes is to black people...a lame Conservative substitute. Even worse, she is America's Medvedev-an expediant and disposable stooge. Why are you baby boomers so damn selfish and cynical?!?!?!

McCain did what Obama could not do; pick a tough, hard working, intelligent woman to be his running mate(very sad considering all his speeches). Hillary would have been an amazing choice. I'm a liberal indepenent who will be voting for this maverick. I thought the republicans were nuts when they voted for McCain, but this guys got brass ba**s and his running mate has titanium ba**s. This race is sure fun! Can't wait to see what they do when elected. We Americans like mavericks. Just think we will probably have a woman president in 4-8 years!! WOOOOHOOOO!!!

The left wing Socialists/Communists are out in full force on this article, and their comments show how bad the truth hurts and how uninformed and scared they are. They now realize that their God of change, however bad that change will be, is going down to defeat by the great combination of McCain/Palin.

Wow, look at how angry everybody is. People posting comments calling the author all sorts of names. Now you know what it means when they say the truth hurts.

I agree with Deep Blue to a point. Sadly, you aren’t a tool, as tools are usually useful. You are living proof that the media is only as liberal as the white, old, rich men (like McCain) that own it.
Palin was a political pick that will serve little function if elected. She's on the ticket to try to attract the women that Obama disenfranchised by not taking Hillary onto the Democratic Ticket. She’ll attract the bible thumping bigots that think abortion rights are more important than the economy or the ongoing loss of American Soldiers in Iraq. The only way I’m voting for her and McCain is if she poses for playboy, because really the only thing she has going for her is her looks. (I’d do her, honestly) Typical Republican…hire a pretty young woman because of what people will think of her, no because what she’s capable of doing.

Obama has demonstrated greater experience, leadership and competence in leading his campaign for the presidency.

McCain met Palin once, didn't have anyone from his selection team speak with her accuser (for the alleged corrupt firing of a state official she is under investigation for).

I'm sure Palin is smart and competent. But 20 months running a state smaller than one of the 5 boroughs of NYC doesn't strike me as adequate preparation to run the most powerful country in the world.

McCain has had melanoma, with 2 relapses. Melanoma is the worst form of skin cancer, and is usually fatal. It's fairly likely that he'll have a relapse.

This selection shows McCain puts McCain first, country second.

I saw a photo online of Sarah Palin wearing a t-shirt saying, "I'm flat broke, but I'm not flat busted?" Wow!! What representation!

"Seriously folks, the misogyny coming out of the dems is too much. It wasn't enough you ground Hillary into the dirt now you want to do the same of Palin."

Hahahahah yes of course

Voting McCain is a vote for racism!

Voting Obama is a vote for sexism!

How do I vote and not be sexist or racist? What a dilemma!

I guess I'll just write in Oprah's name.

Why are you and others saying that she is great and smart and this and that, when you don't even know her. How can anyone choose to vote for someone that we just meet. If she wants Hillary Clinton's votes, she have to work for them like Hillary did. She can't just show up and start talking about the 18 million cracks in the glass cealing. That was a turn off for me. I am not impressed with her. Women can see that McCain choose Palin because of her gender.

The established "ELITES" in both parties are dismayed by McCain's Palin selection.

The middle class are exuberant and excited at the prospect at taking the country back from the ELITISTS!

The Elitist attacks from Dems and perhaps nuanced innuendo from Repubs will be persistent because both are afraid of being held accountable to the people.

Washington needs a flotilla of Sarah Palin's to take back our country!

I wonder is Running Alaska closer to running the country or a 7-11?

If by having more executive experience you mean being in charge of the least populated state, then hell... Google's CEO should run for president now. After all, Google has done more for the environment, helping people get good paying jobs, stabilizing the economy than Palin has.

Liberals are not scared of Sarah Palin. We are laughing (quite loudly)..... all the way to the White House.

Has anyone heard the rumor regarding her baby??

The comments here are over the top. Palin is a great pick. I have confidence that she will be a strong president when the time comes.

Gee.. folks I feel like a real idiot. I wish I could change my column buy my editor won't approve it. Go Obama!

Only the metally retarded are excited about Obama's speech in Colorado. It full of cheap promises which can not be fullfiled. The guy squandering years of work by progressive African Americans to achieve social integration and equality, he resorted to cheap attack sound bites based on rich versus poor theme. What he promises is big government that will take care of you in any ways, sound familiar, because this type of government is call communism, and we all know how popular this type of government is?

Hello Mr. Gerson,

I'm sorry to see that all the people with really valuable opinions are not responding to all the trash talking old women that did post comments to your wonderful article.

Obama is all talk and no substance. Most all the comments posted are the same...negative in tone...just like Obama.

At first I was puzzled by John McCain's selection. But Sarah Palin has proven herself to be an intelligent and articulate lady, with a deep base of knowledge. Well, I'm sorry she doesn't have all that Obama experience in community activism. I'm sure Obama was a great comfort to those he was nurturing. And all Obama's legislative experience. Mrs. Palin missed all those valuable lessons on how to vote "no vote". We'd sure hate for her to commit to anything.

Maybe, if she knew a few more convicted felons she might be more highly received, or at least rewarded by them.

And, yes, Sarah Palin doesn't have any time in the Senate or any legislature. How valuable it would have been for her to sit in committee, holding hearings, learning a lot and doing nothing. Gosh! She sure has lost a lot the last thirty years, not sitting there with Joe Biden in the trenches of the Senate, or for two years with Senator Obama garnering his wealth of knowledge. At least she would have known the way to the restroom.

I'm going to follow Obama's lead and vote "no vote" for him.

I will gladly vote for the McCain-Palin ticket. Two persons who are willing to vote the courage of their convictions. Persons willing to give specifics and substance to their plans for our future.

Obama said it's all about us, not him. Bull! We are not voting for us, we are voting for a President of the United States and it is clearly NOT Obama.

Thanks for your article Mr. Gerson

Gerson is a fool, catering to a midcult class that believes in God as a cave painter and thrives on toothpicks.
McCain-Palin can have them, but it won't be nearly enough.

McCain's pick of Palin for vice president is a lot like Bush's selection of Miers for the Supreme Court, in this sense: both showed an appalling lack of respect for the institutions they would serve. Gerson in his own way proves my point. Each of the points he uses to make his case for why Palin is such a "brilliant" selection boils down to political tactics instead of qualifications for the job, how she helps McCain with his base instead of as president.

And the notion that we need a Republican "reformer" to clean up the stink that Republicans have made of our government over the last eight years is really laughable. The number of lobbyists in Washington has tripled to more than 30,000 since George W. came to town. Do you think they know something we don't about how to get rich at the expense of taxpayers in this era of Republican "small government."

Here we have another in the long list of tiresome examples that Republicans in the George W. Bush era put politics ahead of goeverning, and party ahead of nation.

So this guy Gerson feels alienated, who cares? He feels alienated so he heels a need to disparage Obama campaign and his mode of choice is to glorify whatever action the opposition had taken in the last 48 hours (or has it been more, who cares?). And he does this by ignoring how this country is getting buried alive each day. I am sorry I don't give a flying **** about your alienation Mr Gerson. I am more concerned about the $5 trillion mess Fennie Mae and Freddie Mac have put this country in for the sole benefit of a countable few. I am concerned about how much of this nation has been sold to terrorist nations; and this on the watch of a patriotic party. Your collective conservatism can kiss my "you know what".

Punditry at its worst. I can't believe people pay you for your opinion. Instead of focusing on any of the real issues, you managed to use generalities that really, as a professional, you should be ashamed of. "The liberal left is for class warfare." Boy, it'd be just as easy to say, "The conservative right wants just more big business again." Does this mean the Washington Post will pay me?

Pah-lease.

First and last time read. Tip: Bring something interesting to your arguments instead of rhetoric.

Gerson, Dude! I haven't read all the responses but I had to comment. HOW DARE YOU, as a mere MAN, presume to have ANY CLUE what goes on inside a woman's head?

Palin is the type of woman that other women love to hate, dear. Most women are not going to like her, I promise. Most women don't really like opportunistic beauty queens.

Only raving lunatic evangelical types will like her, but that's not a given, either. I mean, she's really not living up to her Christian values, is she? She should be staying home with her kids and not running around taking airplane trips with creepy old men she's not married to.

DUH. You are truly a dork of the oldest-school variety, Mr. Gerson. Wake up and smell the coffee that your wife or mistress brewed for you. Then drink the Kool-Aid, okay?

All you liberals asking God to help us all are sounding like us Right-Wing-Fundamentalists. Why start asking God for help now when you have tried to push him out of every other part of the U.S. Talk about a bunch of hypocrites.

It's very obvious that Mr. Gerson is trying to yank as many chains with his controversial but flawed opinion. After all, after 8 years of ignorance, war, insurmountable government debt, alienation from the world scope, profiteering big oil and big business, environmental catastrophe and now economic recession, all helmed by a corrupt and hypocritical government that want to do away with our basic freedoms under the Constitution, that's about all the Republicans can do--crow about how great things are and how we should keep things status quo in fear of being attacked by terrorists. It's pathetic and if America is dumb to fall for these fear factor scare tactics again, that's what we deserve. We are no longer the world power that we once were and that's because of extremely poor management and corruption from the top tiers down. McCain and Palin are not change we desperately need.

It's our chance now to take back our country from these pathetic warmongering oil billionaires and all of the cronies that serve them and believe in the "Me, myself and I" way of thinking. Although I don't think Obama is the greatest candidate, I am voting for him because it's time for change. Let's show the Mr. Gersons of the world that America is ready for a change and invalidate his opinion and ideas with our vote.

Gerson is a republican so this article doesn't bug me at all. This is par for the course as far as I'm concerned. Just like democrats complaining about the choice of Gov Palin being reckless. But now the tide is turning a little uglier for the lady. Just as I rail against those hammering away at the two Sens. about age/race/etc., I've been hearing about people saying the newborn isn't hers, instead, one of her teenaged daughters actually gave birth to the baby. They are showing photos and everything trying to make their point. When will all of this stop? You people disgust me!

Actually, there are lots of us liberals who do not sneer at either Sarah Palin or John McCain. They're both professional politicians (as are both Barack Obama and Joe Biden,) and all four members of the major-party tickets have achieved quite a lot in their political lives. None of them are too young, too old, too white, too black, too blue-collar, too rich, or of the wrong sex to be President or Vice President.

But, if you're either liberal/progressive or else an independent voter who is sick of what has been passing for Republican politics over the last couple of decades, there's no reason to vote for this Republican ticket regardless of its average age or overall chromosome count. What's the point of sneering? This is nothing personal.

No Palin. She is not qualified to be a heartbeat away from POTUS. I am a conservative Christian. What happened to Huckabee? Thrown under the bus by McCain. Wow. I must sit out this election. I don't trust either choice.

Interesting how the liberals react on these post. Two bad they wouldnt all leave the country and move to the former Soviet Union.

LWM

Im sorry Gerson but you sound like a propaganda tool for the Mccain campaign. Like you i was in the middle on who to choose. I have voted for Bush twice, and was hoping someone would step up and undo what he did. I was leaning mccain until he picked this unexperienced person, come on. How could you sit there and pretend to be patriotic when you know damg well that this country will be in trouble if Palin becomes the president. It is most likely due to age and health reasons Mccain wont even make it to 3 years. Mccain, you are no patriot, you are treasonous old man that would do anything to win the white house. This is bad since, I know that inspite of all this Mccain will still win, Half breed Barack will never win. I am a white voter and will vote for him, but families and friends are leaning towards mccain since they are not comfortable of his race. Kinda sad, the guy is brilliant but i dont think this country is ready for him. So most likely we will end up with Mccain, which i sure think will do worst than Bush. By the way Mccain is a flip flopper and will not serve the evangelicals

The Palin pick works for me. I am a democrat who will vote McCain-Palin. The 12 members of my immediate family will vote McCain-Palin, also. No "Empty Suit" for us !

mimi362...
You can't prove one thing about Obama. He treated her with plenty of respect. He could have told the moderators I'm not pulling out her chair. One of you guys do it. LOL!

She lost. Simple as that. If you vote for Palin then you weren't voting for what Hillary stood for. I would have voted for her if she won, because she and obama have very similar plans. All of the professional political analyst have agreed about this. Hillary would have been on the ticket if she didn't play the end of the race the way she did. I can almost guarantee that. I think Obama would have welcomed her, but she played the Republican style tactics. Again, if you think killing his national campaign sets up Hillary for 2012 you better think again. What goes around can comeback around.

"Win Election First" is written beneath every "Country First" sign of John McCain.

@citizen - Great post.
On these blogs, it's rare to find a thoughtful, intelligent opinion.
Thanks for renewing my faith, that there are enough intelligent people, who take their votes serious enough to think, before they vote!

What speach were you watching? Over 40,000,000 people watched this speach and loved it. I have been a registered Republican for all of my voting life but in spite of this I plan to vote for a Democrate for President this year. Not only a Democrate but a Black man in the bargan. This is an indication of just how low the Republican party has sunk. Not since the Democratic party passed the 1964 Civil Rights Act have Southerners considered voting for a Democrate at the national level. Yet, for the first time since 1964 there is a real chance that not only will a Southern state vote for a Democrate, but an Africn-American. proposing Sarah Palin as VP is truly unbelivable. Ronald Reagan would not recognize the Republican Party of today. This could easily be a landslide for the Democrates.

NObama 08' "Keep Your Change"

"It is quite apparent that Gerson has hit a sore spot!!"

Good point... I suppose an article called "Clinton Assassinated" would have a similar effect, in that people would click on it and then be immidiately irritated to find the actual content of the article to read "Politically assassinated, that is... ha ha!" ... the article is a cheap headline joke, he's not swaying anyone in either direction, he's just making a lot of angsty people talk trash as usual by misleading them into the middle of a lie... hey wait a minute who else does this sound like? Guess that accounts for the Bush speechwriter credentials...

I find it amusing that Obama supporters have now dropped their judgment over experience argument while McCain supporters have flipped their own nation security experience as a minimum threshold arguments. It all smacks of such partisan hackery.

I confess that I will probably support Obama/Biden in November, barring something unforeseen happening between now and then. But just as I gave Obama an opportunity to try to impress me, I think it only fair to give Palin a hearing.

She is, after all, a popular sitting governor of a state with a GDP of $40 billion/year. That's an enterprise on the same scale as Microsoft, and I suspect we wouldn't be so blithe about the nomination of a CEO from there (or Ebay or HP).

The plan was to call Gershon an uneducated fool, for this stupid biased article but most of the bloggers here have already done it for me

Palin is a reasuring pick. Mom in the cabinet! A snowmobile in the garage. REAL PEOPLE. After two years of being VP she will be the most seasoned, travelled and qualified to lead our nation into the future.

I know where Obama lives, who his friends are and where he worships. Obama scares me. Biden has character issues that show deep flaws in judgement. Biden just believes he is a real person. Obama believes he is god.

McCain picked a social conservative in order to pander to the religious right. He picked a woman in order to pander to women voters.

The fact of the matter is that Palin is wide in ideologies but an inch deep in experience (not counting PTA meetings, of course.)

This was a selfish, politics-first nomination that conservatives are talking themselves into. It's shameful.

Were you watching the same Democratic convention that the rest of us were? Obama was brilliant. As for the old and senile Mr. McCain, his choice was silly -- an early-warning indicator of what his presidency might look like. He chose an inexperienced, dim-bulb from the sticks of Alaska. Why? Because she has two X chromosomes? This article as off-base, clueless and desperate. McCain has just done what we've all been praying for: He committed political suicide. Thanks Johnny.

John McCain's well-promoted story line is that of the "maverick" politician who evolved from the all-American war hero in the POW camps of Vietnam.

The Arizona senator shored up the maverick part of his bio with the surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Palin said she was thrilled by the offer, but McCain wasn't, a few years back, when he was asked what he thought about being vice president. He joked about the other part of his history as a career Naval officer and Silver Star vet:

"I spent several years in a North Vietnamese prison camp, in the dark, fed with scraps. Do you think I want to do that all over again as vice president of the U.S.?"

The quip was typical McCain, an example of the sometimes over-the-top wit that can either get him into or out of trouble.

During the primaries, McCain also would occasionally drop the jokes about his military service and move audiences to tears with tales of the dread costs of battle.

"War is wretched beyond description, and only a fool or a fraud could sentimentalize its cruel reality," McCain said.

Mr. Geron has maxed out his contribution to the McCain campaign. What else do you expect him to write?

Palin has more relevant experience than 0bama. She accomplished more in the last two years as governor than 0bama has in his entire life. She has shown courage and leadership in taking on corruption in her own party. 0bama has not accomplished anything in the senate because he started running for president on day one.

Hey, you need to do what I say because I'm the only person qualified here. I not only belong to the PTA, I ran it for a year, and I also was mayer for a small town, ok, it was only 8000 people but thats more than Palin, and now I've been elected to Governor, just like George Bush was Governor. With that being said, that means that I'm the only one qualified to express a statement that has any chance of having any meaning here. With that said, you need to stowe it.....what a bunch of losers.

Great truthful article.
Thank you

I realize sometimes that political columnists have to write things to enflame and encourage their readers to talk back. After all without interested readers columnists lose jobs.

That said...I wish people would stop even trying to defend the Palin pick. There were several well qualified male AND female picks McCain could have selected but passed over. For what? A vice presidential candidate selected for the shock value and to try to capitalize on the still hurting HRC followers.

More executive experience? One term as governor of the most distant (geographically and culturally speaking) state in the nation hardly gives her that title.

Call them as they are. Mitt Romney was passed over because he was Mormon, pure and simple. Oodles of executive experience. Huckabee stood for the christian right but then not enough is 'unique' about him to pull over moderate Independents and some bereaving Democrats. It is pretty clear.

At least Obama had the good sense to select Biden, a real VP pick that makes sense.

Just ask yourself...which of the two VPs would you want sent to deal with Russia/Putin in a face-to-face. Biden or Palin. Enough said.

Mr. whatever your name was: Whatever it is your smoking, please wait until after work until you indulge yourself again.

Wow, you are a moron. You're views are so far up your ass it's laughable. Nice try neocon.

Isn't saying McCain is too old for the presidency a little like saying HUSSEIN obama is too black or too muslum or too young for the job.
You phony left wing liberal traitors feel right at home practicing your own brand of bigotry, but let anyone who doesn't agree with you utter an off color remark and you are the first to scream BIGOT!
The whole Democratic party is a bunch of cowards and traitors who do not deserve the right to call themselves Americans.
But this is a win-win situation for the conservatives; If HUSSEIN wins and is re-elected, Hillery by your own definition will be too old for the presidency in 8 years but if HUSSEIN losses and McCain only stays 4 years, It sets up a Palin vs Hillery race and Palin sure looks a lot better in a skirt than the Hill does in those fat behind pant suites she seem to love so much.

Okay...let's see... Population of Illinois - 12,831,970. Population of Alaska - 670,053. Population of Wasilla - 5,049. Does Sarah Palin know anything about what happens in the 48 states? It seems that all she knows about is protecting the moose and allowing killing of wolves from airplanes. I can balance a budget for a state with a population of 670K! I have 2 Master's degrees and have been to over 20 countries. I'm also a mom of 4 and still work full-time. I know that if my water broke, I would use better judgment and deliver that baby right away instead of putting the child at risk by flying and driving 50 miles to have the baby. That was poor judgment!

McCain will not bamboozle me into voting for someone who is against abortion for rape and incest. Imagine being forced to carry a child of a rapist?? ...and she looks out for women? Yeh right. No way, no how, no McCain/Panderinglin!

Remember when democrats not only embraced the idea of a "young, dynamic, a washington outsider and throughout his small amount of experance in government, he always held to his beliefs and his votes supported this".... now democrats choose him over a person who's experance in government was so extensive she had already lived in the white house.......... now most hard-core democrats are outraged that republicains would appoint the number 2 slot to a person for the very same inspriing traits that they ELECTED to thier number 1 slot.................here is the differance: obama is inexperanced {as far as politians go} yet he is good enough to lead the country, palin is equally inexperanced yet is not good enough to be the number 2 { and maybe the number one}. do you guys see what happened there??????? we are comparing the number one democrat to the number 2 republician.....when it comes time to vote the republician number one looks awfully experanced and well qaulified in dangerous times...........

I support Obama, and I understand that Republicans could take offense at some of what he said, I didn't like every attack line. But if Obama wasn't perfect, it's so little to be offended at those words compared to what the Republicans have done to our nation, which in more just circumstances would have warranted impeachment years ago. The case for Iraq was a weapons catalogue, without any serious case presented to prove that Hussein had plans to attack us (the Al-Queda-Iraq link being a falsehood stated by top U.S. officials). Obviously Saddam was not planning attack, since he didn't even have the weapons attributed to him. So we heard a lot of made up stories to ratchet up this war. Americans are sent to die and kill on this blustery basis, when we had not even been attacked by this much weaker nation? That makes us the aggressor.

And then the transfer of wealth from the middle to upper classes, and comparative neglect of Katrina victims? And torture, and trying to overstep the Constitution continually, requiring even a conservative Supreme Court to continually rebuff this administration? ,

Compared to all this, a few heated words from Obama are NOTHING (although angry words have been more than earned), and his principles are 1,000 times more humanitarian. We do want our nation and its noble principles restored. I would like to see the Republicans own their failure, find creative new policies and get in line with fully serving all, including the average person's interests. Just cutting taxes ( good vote-getting policy) and plunging the nation into debt to make up for that is not good economic policy. Make us proud of you.

The way the GOP mocked Kerry in 2004, an obviously far more qualified military man and commander in chief than Bush...I don't see that the Republicans have much to complain about. A lot of what Obama says about McCain is clear and factual. If McCain is your man then you do have to want to live with 10 billion a month going to Iraq without end in sight, the possibility of more precipitous rushing to war, no good health care plan, and more tax cuts for the rich which do not trickle down enough to the average person to foster the common good.

So in the face of what the GOP has put us through, some hard words are actually needed to cut through what it has been perpetrating. Often GOP statements twist the truth, and that is part of why it has been on a downward trajectory, it does not get to the heart of the matter. Winning by doing a better job of tearing others down or scaring voters does not by itself provide good humanitarian government.

These things need to be pointed out if there is hope to stop the slide that the Republican policies have caused. I'm sure that most people complaining about Obama are sufficiently well off that they don't have to face the concerns many in our nation do. Is there anyone against universal healthcare that doesn't have health insurance? Are we not going to be our brother's keeper, then? I've heard a Republican candidate argue for war who also argued against universal healthcare, that terrible European thing! I'll take universal healthcare over war any day! It's not large vs. small government, but government that has its priorities straight, which should be peace and prosperity, not war and help the rich first and leave others behind. With the right priorities (starting with no needless war, and putting the peoples' needs first), we would have been doing fine right now.

Blessed are the peacemakers! I hope one day you'll join us...

"It's our chance now to take back our country from these pathetic warmongering oil billionaires and all of the cronies that serve them and believe in the "Me, myself and I" way of thinking. Although I don't think Obama is the greatest candidate, I am voting for him because it's time for change. Let's show the Mr. Gersons of the world that America is ready for a change and invalidate his opinion and ideas with our vote."

I am with you on that, and so are many people. Friends, family co workers. Anybody I cant sms message that I know. Young and old. It is time to restore America to its former glory.

"Recent presidents since Ronald Reagan have been governors for a reason (among others) -- because management seems more impressive than bloviation."

After suffering through 8 years of what has been possibly the worst president of all time, I don't think being governor really seems like all that great a qualification. Of course since your were GWB's speech writer you probably don't appreciate just how bad this administration has been.

Sarah Palin is impressive, intelligent and I think she's awesome. Her enthusiasm, determination and down to earth personality have won many of my nursing colleagues over.
John McCain placed the icing on the cake and I will never look at supporting Obama again!
Nurses support McCain and Palin in my city!

Michael Gerson, I could not disagree more with you. In fact, I would be so inclined as to actually say your piece is absurd. Obama is a democrat, so its natural that he would represent that. The question, however, is not about whether Obama is Democratic or not, but whether a continuation of the same policies we've had over the last 7 years is what is best for America. It hasn't worked so far, in fact, America is in a far worse place than it has been in a long time, so there is no reason to believe it will work any better in the future. The problem is that issues on abortion and gay marriage and whatnot will likely trump any important political and economic discussion, despite the fact that these issues are relatively unimportant compared to the real big issues that government ought to be focused on. If the last 7 years (soon to be 8) proves anything, it is that that there is no place for ideology in politics, especially at a crucial moment as now.

To the author is this article. You are a TOOL!

Americans like you make me sick! How the hell can you support ANYONE who comes close to supporting the same views as Bush/Cheney, it's beyond me.

You are not a true American, me stomach turns at the thought of people like you and your sick and twisted beliefs, drop dead!

According to the glowing accolades the Dem's are giving Obama on this site, I expect him to to be "raptured" at any moment. Then, what "cha gonna do?

Talk about pre-conceived. Literally no one, R or D, has come away from Obama's speech with this opinion. Ideologically driven and intellectually bankrupt to the core. But hey, it pays the bills, right?

"Recent presidents since Ronald Reagan have been governor"

Try "all presidents post Nixon" (and the vast majority before).

Gersen,

You my friend are horses-ass. I can't believe WaPo is paying you per word. They ought to get their money back and send u on ur way. BYE

Oh, I see how it is. Here's the Republican 'straight-talk' coming off the tracks again. Obama has a term in the SENATE on the NATIONAL scale, and he doesn't have enough experience. Palin has two *whole* years as a GOVERNOR of a STATE under her belt and she's ready to lead the country. Obama and Biden have twice as much combined national experience as McCain and Palin together. Hoo-ray for hypocrisy!

The fricking headline alone is a disgrace. Employing a person like Gerson in a journalistic position should be treason.

At least we know for certain that Palin is for world peace.

Such as...

Choosing Sarah Palin was brilliant. A smart, tough, woman with principles that she's not afraid to put into practice, both in office and in her private life, and someone who shares McCain's prolife convictions and passion for reform. She will galvanize conservatives, attract moderates, and charm everybody. Attacks on Palin for any alleged lack of experience will backfire, since she has more executive experience than Obama. This a ticket with character, a ticket with a passion for reform, a dream ticket....a winning ticket! The press, and the left wing nuts, some of whom apparently like to make multiple posts here, are so testy about all of this that they are even more than usually illogical and nasty. Too bad for them!

I'm from the UK but reading this I have to ask: do Barack Obama Democrats always use foul language and insults to get their point across?

Judging from the comments above, they do.

Please....makes me wonder...what would Jesus do...cover up and lie...hmmmmmmm
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/30/121350/137/486/580223

I'm confused. Caving in to the religious right is being a "maverick"? Pandering to evangelicals is somehow different than what Bush and Rove have been up to the last 8 years? Leiberman truly would have been the maverick pick. It now appears Leiberman was who McCain really wanted, but he succumbed to fear. And all this speaks well of a potential head of state?

How does McCain have any credibility left after he went on and on about "ready on day one" and "country first" and after he scolded Obama for "taking positions only to win an election"? I know all politicians have to engage in hypocrisy from time to time but this is monumental. I cannot believe the people who are actually celebrating this choice. Shameful.

I can hardly wait until the vice presidential debate— when Joe Biden tells Sarah Palin that she has "no foreign policy experience" — and she turns to him and replies "Yea, neither did a young Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton in 1992″— but then again, he did pretty well, eh Joe?" CHECKMATE.

Well I have read the entire story about the
State Trooper. Her brother-in-law.She has used every trick to get him fired for her sister. So far no dice because he is a model Trooper and her charges are either
years old or non existent. Two years as Mayor of a town of 9,000 and 1 1/2 as gov.
Thats it folks.

Republican christian liars. No morals, no ethics, no decency.

Did Gerson listen to the same Obama speech I listened to? It was brilliant and inspiring. Standing up for working people isn't "class warfare." McCain and Bush, throwing working people to the dogs - now that's class warfare!

All the left wingers have is a vp candidate who is not one of change but a tired, do nothing Senator with a poor record and spent his life in Washington enjoying all the benefits. Gov Palin has true accomplishments and beliefs and that's what has the left winger drooling all over themselves.

All the above democrats are scared to death now because the liberal agenda is now a dead issue. It will be no Obama/biden ticket in the White House this time. We now have a perfect team.

Jon T,
I do not see any foul language on this blog from democrats or republicans!!

Gerson,

You my friend, is a horses-ass. I can't believe the WaPo is paying you per word. They ought to get their money back and send u on ur way. BYE

I was a person who was undecided, trying to pick between the lesser of the evils. I believe that Obama is fairly inexperienced, but then again so was President Kennedy. I believe that McCain is a more qualified individual, but he is a Bush puppet. As of last week, I was thinking my decision would be made on who the veepee might be.

Then Mr. Obama chose Mr. Biden, I liked the choice, although I thought Mrs. Clinton would have been a better choice for the party. When McCain chose (who) Palin, who won a gubernatorial position from a scandalous incumbent, well…… That’s a rookie mistake, but give her a dozen years then we'll see.

If something should happen to McCain, he’s now older than his dad was when he died, we’d end up with President Palin. Her biggest role in government is what……school board (a joke). Can we rely on a person like her, I don’t think so. What if something happens to Mr. Obama, Mr. Biden could fulfill the role of President.

Unless something really strange happens, I'llbe voting for Mr. Obama, good luck.

God Speed,

She is PERFECTLY qualified. It WAS a brilliant move, and too logical for most libs to grasp. She is and will be a stateswoman; not a politician, and pawn. We need to get a few of those in congress, and we'll begin to recover from the damage the dems have done in the past years.
Oh, and now we'll win the war. The dems won't be able to give this one away and screech at us for losing it.
This is possibly the most important and meaningful single event in American government since the First Continental Congress. GOD BLESS MY AMERICA!

Good grief. Republicans--either misinformed or lying. Usually somewhere on the continuum between the two poles.

When did the GOP become such utter scumbags?

Is this what passes as news now in america?

If I hear "one heart beat away from the presidency" again think im gonna puke, I would trust Sarah there, hell almost more than McCain. lol. Think she would catch on real quick and do just fine. Really this is gonna be an interesting next couple months. I'm not a big fan of Obama, I don't like hollywood telling me who to vote for and personally I don't think he's got enough experience or what it takes, and would be more of the same party division's as the last 8 years, McCain and Palin I have hopes can do what is right for the county. oh ya and Joe Biden is just annoying.

The more I reflect on John McCain choice of Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, the more bewildered I am by it. I can only think that McCain wanted to prove he still had his mojo and his maverick credentials, particularly on his 72nd birthday. However, his choice showed that he is not just a maverick, but a dangerous one at that. Given McCain's age and medical background, there can be no doubt that he stands a good chance of dying or becoming disabled while in office. Choosing as he has a vice presidential running mate with absolutely no credentials to be president puts the entire nation in peril. His choice was inexplicable, and for that reason alone, John McCain has shown that he does not have the judgment to be president.

Again, how can someone choose to vote for McCain just because he picked a woman as a vp. Sure, Palin gives a good impression, but wouldn’t you want to know more about her. McCain caught his own camp off guard with choosing Palin. Now they have to search through files in Alaska to find out who she is. Hillary Clinton earned the respect of all of us, men and women. Shouldn’t Palin have to do the same?

wow... you can smell the fear on this web page. the obama nation is in shock, and scrambling to react with baseless smear after smear. you see it here, on digg.com, in the red faces on the news complaining about palin's lack of experience as their stomachs churn, trying to convince *themselves* that the experience gained in just running for president is as good as actual governing experience... clearly mccain has chosen well.

STOP BUSH

The only CHANGE you'll get is a black man instead of white one.

Mr Gerson;

You disgrace yourself. Have the past 8 years taught you nothing?

Anyhow, this piece is poorly written, hastily constructed,
and disingenuous. I hope for the sake of humanity
that you find another way of earning your living. You would
make an adequate corporate shill. Pardon me,
you already are.

I'm sorry, but Obama did NOT alienate Gerson from the Democratic party. Whatever Obama's weaknesses, anyone who has supported the GOP under "Bush The Fatuous" AND now claims that Palin is the Wunderkind pick, as does Gerson, only deserves to have his views dismissed outright. Spare me the rhetoric. Spare the rationalizations. Spare me the insulting bafflegarb. Palin is a lightweight (to be kind). To claim this as an advantage is to insult all thinking Americans. Only the GOP could be so brazen. And McCain is as unperceptive as he is a one trick pony--al-qaeda in Iraq. Nimble? Innovative? Effective? Please, if journalists had license renewal like TV Networks, I'd be protesting yours for utter dishonesty. Your so-called "objective" eye is both jaundiced and blatantly partisan.

"After suffering through 8 years of what has been possibly the worst president of all time, I don't think being governor really seems like all that great a qualification."

Oh PLEASE!!! For pete's sake! How horribly have you personally "suffered" under Bush? Have you starved? Been out on the street? What?

I am a Democrat but I am sick and tired of this fear-mongering by other Democrats who are trying to make out 8 years of Bush as this horrible torture we had to endure. The country is doing OK, not great, but OK. I am well-fed, have a nice place to live, and a good life. What on EARTH did Bush personally do to anyone here to make them this POed and upset?

I don't like Bush and Cheney but the world has not ended with them in power. Get a grip! Stop voting for Obama just out of a petty knee-jerk reaction to some perceived personal disaster that never happened!

As a Republican, I've found the Bush administration's stewardship of the
War on Terror less than satisfactory, but to listen to McCain and his neophyte sycophant, the whole adventure is proof positive that this nation desperately needs Republican expertise where national security is concerned.

In fact, we're losing ground in Afghanistan in case you hadn't noticed, and the sorry truth is that the national security 'expertise' of the Republican party has more to do with Republicans desire to spend money on armaments, ammo and military infrastructure than actually using our military precisely and carefully as a last resort. One precise move might have been to zero in on Bin Laden, find him and bring him to trial. Instead, George Bush did what he wanted to do: take out Saddam Hussein, even though it has cost us 4000 additional American lives, 30,000 wounded, and $650-billion we didn't have to spend.

Consider the consequences of the thoroughly inept Bush/McCain foreign policies and Commander-in-Chiefisms...

-- The cancer of Al-Qaeda & the Taliban has re-emerged, infecting both Agfhanistan and Pakistan, creating the real possibility that Bin Laden could get his hands on real nuclear weapons in the very near future. Faced with the problem of sending 15,000 troops to reinforce our presence in Afghanistan, Secretary Gates tried, and then simply reported back: "I have no troops to send."

-- Iraq continues to be a sinkhole for US dollars & American lives and limbs, but it's becoming rather apparent that the Iraqis are in a position to turn the violence against our forces up or down, as they deem it in their interests. Meanwhile, they're scratching their heads, trying to figure out how to write checks against their $80-Billion windfall in oil revenues, while we continue to bleed $10-Billion a month 'protecting their freedom.'

-- Our flimsy case for invading Iraq, along with our eagerness to recognize a breakaway 'state' (Kosovo), has made the tough talk from Bush and McCain over the Russian invasion of Georgia look both hypocritical and pathetic at the same time. Putin followed with an outright threat to invade Poland (and the Ukraine, en-passante, one must assume) if we deployed a defensive missile system there, and we're supposed to celebrate the prospect that we've got a new 72-year-old sheriff coming to town, and Vladimir Putin better watch his step.

-- Apropos the now oil-rich former Soviet Union, the Bush administration seems to have squandered the 'peace dividend', since all the former Soviet republics now understand that Russia is capable and intends to assert it's authority over them, regardless of their nominally independent status. This comes as a surprise to our 'experienced' and highly qualified Commander-in-Chief, who told everyone who would listen what a trustworthy partner his friend 'Vlad' had turned out to be. Hopefully Bush will pass along his insights into how best to handle Putin to whoever is elected his successor in November.

-- If Gov. Palin enjoys catching corrupt politicos in the act, bringing her on-board with a Republican administration will be like taking an 8-year old to a trout farm. Unfortunately, I suspect she will find that she's not allowed to use a pole. I'd like some intrepid reporter to ask her if she intends to go after Haliburton, and require them to respond to the demand made by the federal budget office explaining $107-million in overcharges (lets call them the 'charges for the gasoline we never got...') which were reported to President Bush, and to which he responded by giving them an executive waiver. Meanwhile, this hallowed and patriotic defense contractor, favored by our Party, decided to move out of Houston, Texas to it's new headquarters in Dubai.

Unfortunately, I do agree that Senator Obama seems unable to stay focused on the priorities which caught my interest, and instead seems perfectly willing to fall back on the same tired litany of populist Democrat themes that will do nothing to recover a viable future for this country. We get the government and the leaders we deserve, and I'm afraid we may be reaching the point (yet again), where neither party can offer the vision and leadership this country desperately needs right now.

The idea that Hillary supporters will vote Republican just because the GOP put a female on the ticket is an insult to the intelligence of all people, both women and men. Palin’s got minimal education and experience, already has a taste for abusing power, and policy positions that are 180-degrees from Hillary. But that’s missing the point of what’s really happening.

Clearly she’s a cheerleader for the hard right—but here’s the key—she stands to acquire a vast personal fortune from the oil reserves of the state she controls. She has potentially eight long years as governor and over 26 billion barrels of untapped oil (trillions if Alaska drills offshore). That easily makes her a contender on the world stage.

Alaska’s Republicans have groomed Palin for over a decade to keep that extravagant wealth in the hands of the “right people”. Forget the made-for primetime-working-class story—follow the money. The big picture is the oil she’s sitting on, and Palin has shown she’s ready and eager to do anything it takes to seize those incalculable riches.

Palin’s not being hired to woo unhappy Hillary supporters; she’s been crowned the Queen of American Oil Carpetbaggers.

The best way to save the Republican Party now is to destroy it. In the marketplace of ideas, social conservatism is a viral infection contaminating the GOP. It represents an evolutionary dead-end whose logical conclusion is fascism if not outright totalitarianism. Is it not obvious that the imposition of the evangelical ideology--any fundamentalist ideology for that matter--lies in direct opposition to a free people in a democratic land? Our Constitution, specifically the separation of church and state, no longer serves as a bulwark against the morality police, who seek to impose faith-based notions such as creationism upon those of us with rational minds. Social conservatives aim to constrain freedom of thought, freedom of choice, freedom to pursue happiness. These freedoms live at the heart of an entrepreneurial and economically strong America. No doubt, the diktat the social conservative movement wishes to impose upon ALL us Americans is antithetical to a free market system, and therefore exists as hypocrisy within the Republican platform. Privatize profits, socialize losses, and make religion the opiate of the masses. Indeed, this has been a dark eight years of Orwellian doubletalk. Enough! I’m a Reagan Republican and I’m voting for Libertarian Bob Barr.

You have convinced me that I live in a completely different dimension than the one you live in. I am astonished beyond words.

Who's slipping money into your pocket for writing this crap?

As the article indicates, McCain couldn't have hoped for a better pick, politically speaking. In one stroke he adds historical significance to his ticket, throws the party a bone, and plays the Washington outsider card.

What is striking is that McCain's selection of Governor Palin starkly demonstrates the Republican playbook: run to win the election, and govern for the base and the big businesses. For Palin to claim that this is the ticket for change is disingenuous at best.

I supported Hillary. Obama showed women have no place on the Dem ticket.I will vote for Palin. It's time for a change.
Obama/Biden is not a change. More know it all men telling women what to do.
I'm impressed McCain/Palin went to Mississippi today. Obama phoned concern in.

Gerson, you obviously did not watch the same speech I did - either that or you were so prejudgemental that you were not listening.

And as for McCain's choice of Palin, this is truely a sad case of putting politics ahead of the national security interests of the entire nation.

Gerson
You are fooling nobody. You are just one of the GOP operatives. And how can you in good conscience praise the choice of Palin?

I agree this guy is a tool. This is a loosing ticket. GOP is a Joke. I think writers the post should get rid of this guy. He doesn't even backup claims of crap. Obama Rocked the House on Thursday. Your Goones couldn't rock Jr. Gymnasium. The Grand old party is not Grand just Old.

OBAMA 08 Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After all these years, it shouldn't, but it absolutely astounds me to read the comments replying to Gerson's blog. I'm sure the people who are expressing that they believe Gerson's thoughts are out-of-touch are the same people who were shocked at the results of the last election. They simply can't believe so much of the population can't see the (their perceived) truth. They are in for yet another surprise.
Michael, you are simply expressing the sentiments of tens of millions of voters at this moment. Here we go again.

Are we living in the same universe...?

We've obviously got a very big difference in perception if you think "Team McCain now seems more nimble, innovative and effective than Team Obama". Unless of course if by nimble, innovative, and effective, you mean falling behind by 8% in national polls. Is this Orwellian Newspeak or something?

This guys a freaking idiot

Gerson -- You might be the stupidest man ever published.

Gerson you are the most biased SOB I have ever read an article from. this was the biggest lie I have ever read. you shouldn't be allowed to write again. i can't believe you get paid for this crap. i would be ashamed if i was a republican.

Of course you didn't like Obama's speech. Because he humiliated you and everything you stand for.

You had no problem all these years with the way your side slandered Democrats and questioned our patriotism for purely political motives. But suddenly, when a Democrat in Obama finally smacks you back harder than you could have ever imagined, you whine and sob that he's being mean.

The truth is that Obama eviscerated McCain and the Republican party for all of America to see, but unlike you guys, he did so using the truth.

The truth is that McCain was already talking about invading Iraq days after 9-11.

The truth is that the man who drew up McCain's economic plan did call America a "nation of whiners".

The truth is that the Iraqi government and, yes, the Bush administration, are now echoing Obama's call for a withdrawal timetable, while McCain insists on staying there forever. None of these truths are in dispute.

Face it, you're mad because you got finally got exposed as the failures and charlatans that you are.

Enough. It's time you owned your failures.

I'm sorry that some of these comments tonight are so critical of your article because you absolutely got John McCain's choice for v.p. right, Sarah Paulin is a terrific choice, well written ..thankyou!

Excellent tactical choice. Raises energy (as in drilling for oil) as an issue which favors the GOP, totally takes the news cycle and momentum away from Obama, and forces him to defend the woman's vote by moving to the left. Further nails the military/veteran vote (Palin has a boy going to Iraq),and totally energizes the conservative and moderate gun-owner vote. Fine looking woman, too!

Cindy on one arm, Sarah on the other? Heck, McCain may get Bill Clinton's vote!

It is amazing how the liberals slam you with personal attacks when they don't like your perspective... completely Immature. I think you have done a nice job with this article. Overconfident Obama supporters might be surprised by this election's outcome.

Palin peddled her deep respect and admiration for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (Wasn't she the GOP anti-christ just a few weeks ago?) To stick to the truth and educate feminist Clintons: She is certainly no Clinton, opposing abortions, even in the cases of rape and incest; denying human contributions to global warming; supporting the teaching of creationism in public schools.
I will not vote for McCain because he has the same flawed character as John Edwards! He is egocentric man who cheated on his disabled wife to divorce her for a wealthy woman. He even lied to his wife about his age and that he is separated while he was still living with his wife. And there were rumors he even cheated on her with a lobbyist Vicki Iseman. Once a jerk always a jerk so not surprisingly he was involved in the Keating Five scandal and he could check his wrist watch to get in time to Rick Warren. At least for my moral standards he is a cheater and liar! He just does everything including his VP choice to win this election because he cares more about himself then us and once he is elected he will show his true face. If he would have been honest he would have taken Lieberman because that was his favorite VP, but he knew that could cost him the election. So his VP will not change my mind and I will not vote.

Mr. Gerson,
Most of the people I've talked with are more concerned about McCain's choice because he barely knew the women (spoke to her once before making the selection!?!), and the fact that it's a craven political move with no apparent acknowledgment that she might actually be President should McCain (he's pretty old) die in office.

As for her "executive" experience, the current Bush was a governor, and we've seen how competent he is. We've selected governors recently because we have too much knowledge of Senators - they are on a national stage longer than governors. Besides, most our best Presidents - Lincoln, FDR, Jefferson, Washington - had no gubernatorial experience prior to being President.

Anyway, continue writing but please, please, don't fall prey to the Republican machine. McCain is a "flip-flopper" beyond John Kerry's wildest dreams; Republicans spend more (and more recklessly) than Democrats, and we've had them in power for almost eight years. Conservatives' (these anyway) idealistic notions of state governance, foreign affairs, and economic development are hopelessly flawed. They're based on ideas rather than reality. We've given them their go at it; let the Democrats try for a while.

Sarah Palin is bright, innovative, popular and attractive for many reasons beyond just beauty. Alaska maybe small in population but it is a gigantic state when it come to size and natural resources. Sarah hit Juneau running leading the way confronting corruption and unfair oil royality policies that favored big oil. Her recent accomplishments include AGIA (Gas pipeline venture) that left no one out of the process. She shooked up a number of divisions like public safety and her policies are transparent and open to public scrutiny. You nay-sayers have truly underestimated this lady and anyone that gives her a fair shake will get that in 10 minutes of talking with her. Mr Gerson - great job of getting this out in the open - I'm not sure if the business-as-usual Washingtonians are ready for real change and two mavericks on the same ticket.

bologna!

Obama's speech was uplifting and you are putting a negative spin on it for your own benefit. However, that Youtube with Palin giggling along with some shock jocks DOES show that she is ready to be a REPUBLICAN leader from day1 and will be a nice compliment to McCain and his sarcasm. If people want to vote for that then so be it but I am going to think seriously about looking for a country with a better outlook.

You can't be serious!

Obama is the top man on the ticket and has less experience than Palin. It is hysterical how hypocritical people are when they want to support their view. Obama talks change. McCain has the balls to act on it. Just how is Obama going to do all he promised and cut taxes too?? Well some people will fall for anything when you start promising health care, tax cuts, education handouts etc. Obama gives a good speech and has super star quality that equals substance to the blind.

God help us if Obama is elected as the president. If you think you had it bad with Bush look out. Obama is the worst underhanded crooked candidate that ever ran for president of this country. Trying to walk in the shoes of MLK. What is the matter with his shoes? He is so desperate to make history like MLK he used his speech. A dumbo Harvard graduate. He came out as a know nothing, do nothing and say nothing unless it is copied from other's speeches. That's what we want in the white house? A president in name only and the VP running the country?

"every state falls from within not from outside"

If John Mcain becomes president the US will enter the point of no return...It is crazy the VP pick that he did...Can you imagine her President in case something happens to Mccain?

The only thing worse if McCain wins and something happens to him is if McCain wins and nothing happens to him.

This article is hilarious. Who are you and who decided this article should be published? Face it, McCain is done for...his feeble attempt to soak up the women's vote will backfire

This is the most pathetic attempt at pundit propaganda I've ever read! This has to be a joke--right????

I liked what you wrote.

Gerson is a Jackass

Sarah Palin has more executive experience than Obama and Palin combined. All Obama has done as a senator, when he isn't abstaining from votes is to say "yes" or "no". He only knows how to talk- that's all he can do, and that when he has a teleprompter. Palin is more intelligent than Obama, Biden or McCain- she is better looking and a better public speaker.

We need candidates who don't believe in government handouts. Wake up people. If the government gives you a handout you will pay double for it.

Let's keep the economy growing- wages have increased for the first time since the Clinton internet bubble debacle. We need supply side economics to keep prices down, not government bureaucracy, red tape and higher taxes.

GERSON!!!!

OBAMA IS RIGHT; McCAIN IS OUT OF TOUCH, AND SO ARE YOU. DO YOU EVEN WATCH NEWS, AT LEAST ON SUNDAY, WE HAVE SOME COOL POLITICAL SHOWS; GEORGE STEPHANOPOULUS, CHRISS WALLACE, TOM BROKAW!! JOHN McCAIN WAS GUEST ON FOX NEWS, AND EVEN FAILED TO THEM TO DISTANCE HIMSLEF FROM GEORGE BUSH AND TO SAY ANYTHING AGAINST GEORGE BUSH TO PROVE THAT HE IS NOT GEORGE BUSH 3rd TERM. IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT,WE UNDERSTAND YOUR STUPID ARTICLE. I CAN'T BELEIVE THIS!!!

Palin is like a modern day paladin and the "ad" part was removed mainly for aesthetic purposes. Just my two cents.

"Gerson you are the most biased SOB I have ever read an article from. this was the biggest lie I have ever read. you shouldn't be allowed to write again. i can't believe you get paid for this crap. i would be ashamed if i was a republican."

You ought to be ashamed to call yourself a Democrat, what with your poor writing skills and obvious lack of critical thinking capacity. This, and the rest of the young dorks on here using the slang-term word "TOOL!" indicate to me that the majority of loud-mouthed Obama supporters here are probably stupid young men no older or wiser than 25.

Two words: Grow up!

Go McCain/Palin - Country first - all substance, no hype to attract those who do not look at the real substance the candidates are made of - If you are looking for a handout - forget it - that is not what made this country great and it is not what can keep it great - honesty, hard work, loving your neighbor as yourself - protecting life at conception (gee, will you put your grandparents to sleep if you don't feel they now help the "common good"?). AMEN.

She is fresh, and good looking. MAC picked her because, thats what the Republicans desire now.

But, I think she is an accidental Republican. She could easily fit into the Democratic mold. There is nothing about her that says that she is conservative. She just made smart choices along the way.

Let's see. By your thinking, the fact that Bush had experience governing Texas (and was "commander-in-chief" of the Texas National Guard)should have made him an outstanding president with the ability to take over the country in a heartbeat. And look at what a great job he has done with his gubernatorial experience and high ratings when he was governor!

Sitting in the Senate is certainly no proof of any business or management experience! We have, for a reason, had more Presidents who were state governors than Senate members. Duh...

As for comment "What really makes the leftists mad is that this small woman from Alaska could probably kick Obama's arrrssseee in a street fight! LOL! Posted by: JDW- I can only add YAHOOOOOOO, UR right! Palin is a better man than most of the men I know, and she AND McCain have my vote. We don't need any mealy mouthed pandering in DC. We need real people, real leadership, not pretty speech making.

PALIN's Daughter had the Baby. WAIT TO SEE THE TRUTH UNFOLD. She claimed it as her own. McCain is too busy studying how to be charismatic than properly vetting Palin. The truth will unfold.

mrpither: Yes, you can smeal the fear of the Obama worshipers. Their emperior has no clothes. The Obama worshipers see that real America is scared of Obama and McCain is no GWBush. It portrays Obama as spiteful against women everytime he critices her.

Stop venting and attacking based on your party lines. Palin two years as Gov vs. Barack who was Jr Sen for three years, two of which he has spent running for Pres. Sorry guys, Palin has the more relavent experience.

Mr. Gearson,

Are you talking about the our election, or another country. You must have been watching a different Obama speach.

Jim

Welcome to the NE Echo Chamber, where Dems always win and GOP wins everything else again.

In the Real America, Palin helps when everyone else on the November ballot is a blowhard Beltway pol.

Qualifications? Being the Councilmember- Mayor-Manager of your hometown for 10 successful years is the toughest job in politics, where you actually have to be accountable to your neighbors every day.

See you all at the McCain inauguration on 1-20-2009.

Sir, I'm sorry to say you are a Idiot. If you honestly believe this is brilliant pick, God Bless you.

Independent here. First time I read one of Michael Gerson's columns; what a waste of time --- pure right wing PROPAGANDA.

"User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site."

That's a lot of comments to remove. People are so aggressive... even if you disagree with the author of this article, you could be a bit more respectful.

Has anyone taken into consideration that this S. Palin has 5 children that she is responsible for??? Including a special needs infant! How can she do her job in Washington - so different there than Alaska. If she were ever put in the position of being president, I would weep for her children - and the rest of the country, too!

For someone who is so pro life, she should take some her family values to heart and raise her children - very hypocritical don't you think?

"And he purposely set out to alienate people like me. It worked."

Aww, Gerson...you delicate little flower.

This Maverick, out of desperation, has throw his hail mary pass and in the process sold his soul. She is probably more conservative and right winged than even Bush is! Members of my family were on the fence before this choice but she sealed the deal for Obama.

What drivel.

Gerson is surprised that the Democratic nominee gave a partisan speech at a party convention.

Had he is upset that Obama did not follow his "kindly" advice to give some kind of uplifting sermon, which would have surely exposed Obama to utter ridicule from McCain, Gerson and others as a self-proclaimed "Messiah."

And it was a great move for McCain to pick the weird and unknown Sarah Palin in order to propitiate the extreme right wing of the Republican Party, further tarnishing McCain's ruined reputation as a "maverick," instead of going with his first choice, Lieberman, whose nomination would have reestablished those credentials.

McCain is now the issue rather than Obama.

This is over.

Most of you dudes who think Palin is so awesome are just blinded by her looks. Typical man thing, huh?

McCain ain't stupid, I'll grant him that. He knows he's going to lose one way or another. Might as well pull a big publicity stunt to cement his place in history as the first ole fart Republican to get a dame on his ticket.

If Palin looked like Ernest Borgnine, you guys wouldn't be gushing over her NEARLY as much. FACT.

Uh, no. I found the Palin pick to be extremely offensive. If McCain wanted my vote on this, he'd have gone with a qualified woman with more centrist political views.

We're not stupid, you know. I'm not pulling the lever for just any woman to say I've done it.

Why are our nations most venerable newsmedia squandering their reputations by making more room for editorials? I'm all for the occasional opinion piece, but the purpose of the media is to inform the population, not steer them. I can think for myself and draw my own conclusions, thank you very much. Is there even a single newspaper, radio show, or tv program that is committed to truly unbiased and objective reporting anymore? What a shame.

Journalists, if you simply can't bear to be objective, at least try to be ambiguous. You'll be doing a greater service to your readers who choose to have their opinions read to them. Maybe it will promote a little more personal thought process and a little less instant and out-of-context regurgitation.

Comments section = vitriol. What a waste of public space. "Hockey mommy" from "Podunk, Alaska" is for sure a darn sight better than the rest of you to lead this country, if it came to that. The opposition here is aka 'Letters from Myopia'... 'Tantrums from Two-ville'. Sheesh.

Wow, the Obamabots are all over the net spouting off a lot of truly mean and stupid things today...worried?...You should be! Obama is going down!

An excellent or brilliant Choice! You haven't been paying attention have you? She is a good pick if you are a female conservative christian, but don't insult our intelligence by saying women will flock to McCain because of her appointment. I don't want a Pro-life lifetime NRA member. The GOP is simply pandering to the evangelic Christians.

I would not care if she had 10 children. She has no experience and McCain JUST RECENTLY met her? This is all about GOP (Rove) strategy and desperation.

More trash from the chattering class.

And again, the bloviators get it wrong.

Time will tell, but over 40 million (38.8 counted and surely many, like me who watched on closed satellite - DishTV that wasn't) saw the most outstanding political speech since JFK.

And, instead of giving the bloviators time to tear the speech apart, the subject of the chattering class is quickly changed.

Within 24 hours we saw brilliance untarnished by the likes of Gerson, compared with a breathtaking act of poor judgment.

While the pro-GOP pundits cheer, virtually every major newspaper in the country has made it clear, Palin makes the GOP ticket a DANGEROUS proposition...no matter how many wolves she can bag from a plane.

I want to set one thing straight, Polotics+Religion= Mayhem, and trust me if McCain is chosen there's no question that America will eventually have to pass on her title...I mean are we serious...McCain is a war-mongering fanatic who has chosen a hard-liner as VP, and trust me as a women i don't sympathize for Palin because she isn't at all special with a down-syndrome baby, and a son off in Iraq, I have met many in worse conditions...

I mean being born a Christian, I like to keep my life simple and at ease...I see the bad side of Christian history coming back to life...Queen Mary anyone...so many innocent people are dieing today because of republican greed and atrocity.

And again I being culturally intelligent must say that Obama is the right choice for America in terms of foreign policy. He might not have experience but trust me his comments bring a lot of hope for those who don't want to see another 9-11 disaster...and what i mean is that he is reconciling Americas' relationship with the rest of the world, and he pretty much sealed it because he is much loved worldwide, however i believe its going to settle down issues with countries such as Iran and the middleast because they too would like to see anyone but an old white neocon in the white house. In other words when a Chinese or Arab, or African sees Obama in the white house, they will A)feel like they can now feel a bit of a change since they have a non-white man who truly understands their "pain" and "struggle", b)Obama's agenda will try to solve problems politically even when he doesn't have experience simply because he isn't like the typical poltciian in America and without bombing countries back to stone age. Again not to sound racist but i believe that we have seen what old white poloticans in America are capable of, however its time the ppl of America and the world see a different and more effective preseidnt take power!

P.S My parents beg to differ and think Obama is inexperienced, but I am happy to say that I have traveled to see so much beautiful different cultures and diversity that I cannot simply ignore this opportunity, and I am hoping my parents change their mind before Nov.

Thank You
Sincerely Proud Obama Supporter

By the sound of many of the posts here, we might as well have another civil war; all of the name calling, lack of respect for fellow countrymen, and plain old hatred is just sad (and scary). People are so, so focused on the 'sides' that they'll do almost anything to slander the opposition. As Americans, we can't forget that we are still living in the same country. We still have to get along. Hating each other is not going to help. With that said...I'm voting for McCain & Palin. Why? Because of their stances on specific issues such as abortion and gay marriage (among others). Regardless, if Obama/Biden win, I will respect their authority and pray that they lead the country well. I hope every American, regardless of who wins, will do the same. May God Bless America.

Just another right-wing nut!

You have to give it the Republicans, they do believe in miracles. They believe you can turn wine into water. What this idiot who wrote this, means is that the fanatics in the party are happy with this miserable VP pick. What about everyone else? You may fool the fanatics with this nonsense, but that is it.

I do not think that McCain just pulled Sarah Palin name out of his hat in a name draw. Anybody that can raise 5 children, run a business, be involved in what is going on in school, be elected as a mayor after serving on city council, be elected as a governor of a state after serving on the board "and resigning after she found out that some of them were crooks". To top it off she ran against the said crooks and won the nomination and to top that she went and won the election to be governor of Alaska. This is just name a few.
She is pro-life. She is a member of the NRA and does eat the caribou, moose, fish that she harvested. She doesn't have the fast food or "latte" diet. She is a working mom, a hockey mom and she probably cooks a lot of her families food that they actually sit around the dinner table to eat.
I have noticed the people complaining and making the slanderous remarks about McCain/Palin ticket are saying that at the "3am" call and will she take over, I see absolutely no problem.
Let's face up to it, the left is still whining about the knock-out punch that the 72 year old TKOed them. The media was caught off guard, Obama/Biden was caught off guard, and the "Dems" were caught off guard as well as the "Reps". In my estimation McCain is far the best leader that the US could elect.
I wish McCain/Palin the best.
The "Dems" put on their ticket a couple of empty suits, who when under pressure would fold like a couple of cheap suits.

Here's a clue for you deep blue. Personal attacks are an invalid argument form. Because your argument form is invalid, you actually have no argument at all.

Typical of most liberals.

As far as this country engaged in conflict with murdering muslim terrorists, I for one would rather trust this country to a President that actually has friends and advisors in the Pentagon.

Real flesh and blood leadership with a proven moral center or intellectual posits, with no demonstrable leadership and no relationship with the military. Not a hard choice.

Last point, Ms. Palin has proven her moral courage. She has demonstrated that she will and does live her beliefs. I much more admire these characteristics than those demonstrated by Ms. Clinton. During her campaign she highlighted BHO's lack of experience, and now magically, he is in fact, the man. What a joke.

Ten million NRA members will make sure that Biden/Obama will be beaten like a drum in November.

I love this VP pick for a variety of reasons. Though I am not a "single issue" voter, I weigh life-and-death issues more heavily than just voting my pocketbook. (In this case both bases are covered).

Anyway, someone who choses to cherish and save innocent life by giving birth and loving their disabled child like Governor Palin shows someone with the necessary strength of character and capacity for love and compassion to inspire my confidence. In Senator Obama you have a man that's comfortable in voting against a provision in Illinois that would have had the hospital care for the babies that survived a bothced abortion and were born alive, clinging to life but denied any care or comfort. I can't believe that anyone can be so radically "pro-choice" as to essentially allow infanticide.

Needless to say, I cannot support the Obama ticket, and pray that the majority of Americans see it the same.

Doesn't it all seem so very familiar? Sarah Palin is to John McCain what Harriet Miers was to George W. Bush. A politically calculated pick, advancing the crony nominee in question to a position for which she is utterly unsuited and ill-equipped.

Conservatives should feel insulted. They've been pandered to.

Sarah Palin is John McCain's Harriet Miers. What an embarrassment. Soon she may be John McCain's Tom Eagleton.

Thanks, baz.

I do have one more thing before I dismount my soapbox,... for those that think Palin will be trounced at the debates...do be thoughtful about it. A quick search of Palin on google and you will see that it almost appears as though she has been groomed for this position for awhile. I can not imagine my state's governor trooping around Kuwait, etc. Or even getting the approval to do so. And that was in July of 2007. I believe that while Obama and Clinton were still hard on the trail, that they (Palin) were cramming for exams. I wonder if they also shared any information with her that would be considered "sensitive"? In any case, it will be an interesting debate. I expect her to do well. BUT, as I was informed in a recent meeting, "we'd rather have someone who is outgoing and can establish relationships than someone who is qualified, licensed and has hurdles (aka: is female). We can teach a guy with no experience what to say so that he sounds like he knows what he is doing, afterall." (do you think that is what the bankrupt mortgage lenders last words were before they started rolling in the commissions? payback, baby.)

Enjoy your evening. And don't forget to check in on Gustav. And the 3 other storms coming from behind it. Priorities, you know. The election is not going anywhere. It will be there until November.

Barnes: You are so wrong. This is the worst democratic congress we ever had with that nitwit Nancy Pelosi as housespeaker. I can't wait until the republicans take over the house again so we can rid ourselves of her. And John McCain is not a second Bush because he has his own ideas. Obama wanting to talk to the enemies over coffee. And he is suppose to be so educated. I don't think so. The Europeans like him because thousands of them are minorities like him and they want to see a miniority in the white house. I don't think that Bimbo and Big Mouth are going anywhere but where they are.

Does this guy work for Fox News?

ENOUGH! I seriously can't tell the difference between the GOP and the WWF anymore. The democrats may be chaotic bumblers, but at least they've nominated someone who appreciates our history enough to measure himself against it.

) Every religious conservative I have talked to since the selection is more excited about John McCain than I have ever heard before.

Yes, Gerson, and quite probably the only people that you talk to at all are religious conservatives. But being a Hillary voter myself I know for a fact that most women see the nomination of Palin as an insult to both men and women's intelligence and a total disregard of the country's needs in favor of pandering to the female vote. We see this as a selfish act and desperate attempt to grab power. By the way, anyone at this point who thinks Obama's speech was a disgrace is totally dishonest. It was one of the best speeches in American history, inspiring yet pragmatic enough to satisfy rational thinking and it appears by the sheer number of people who tuned in and view it over again in the web that I am not alone in that perception. Except of course, if you are a hard core ideologist Republican neocon who spends his days talking to hard core religious conservatives.

Gerson
As a long time Democrat I worried that if Hillary won it would just energize the Republicans and trigger the right wing fanatics into even more dirty tricks. After all that is how you and I mean you won before. But after reading your column I see that you are energizing the people to become Democrats and exercise their rights as never before. Keep up the good work Gerson

I agree... that you are a tool,Gerson!

The Obama campaign initially reacted to the selection of Sarah Palin with the following: "Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency." I notice many on this forum are stuck to the same tarbaby, confirming the brilliance of this selection as they inadvertently point out Obama's lack of credentials

Palin was indeed the mayor of a small town, prior to being elected governor of the largest state in the union with a very significant impact on the most important issue facing this political season, energy. She has been active in Alaskan energy policy for years, including sitting on a state energy board. She has very significantly changed that policy. As a two-term mayor, and nearly two years as governor, Palin brings eight years executive experience with her, three years state-level policy experience, and an impressive record of accomplishment in barely more than 10 years in politics. This in contrast to the Democratic presidential candidate, who has less experience in the Senate than Palin has as governor, no executive experience whatsoever, and apart from winning two elections and gaining the Democratic nomination, no significant accomplishments.

In further contrast, Palin fought against corruption in her own party, and torpedoed the "Bridge to Nowhere" as governor. Obama is the beneficiary of unsavory politics he personally engineered. Obama won his first election by challenging hundreds of petition signatures, thereby removing his two Democratic opponents from the primary, one of whom was a genuine community activist, and subsequently ran unopposed.

Perhaps if Palin were a Democrat she could be the presidential nominee, given her superior qualifications over Obama.

McCain is for change. Obama isn't for real change. Obama picked a long term Washington politician, said a typical Washington speach, and has playing all of the normal Washington panderings and moves. He is stale.

McCain picked a true outsider with no ties to Washington politics who has ruled with great integrity and has 80 percent popularity in her home state. She visited her troops in Iraq, stood up to big business and corrupt politician and turned away federal money.

Need I say anything more. People who cling to the Obama ideal are believing his words, but ignoring the reality of his actions and choices.

Vote for Obama if you believe in the Democratic ideal of government solving the people's problems.

Vote for McCain if you believe in that restrained government is better for the people.

But don't tell me that Obama is different. Don't tell me that he is not just another politician. He is. He runs attack ads, he goes against his promises in big ways (remember campaign finance?), and he will do what he thinks he needs to do to be elected.

How can Obama and the "Chappaquiddick" party even dare to discuss women?

Aren't they to be seen and not heard?
Presidential position open. Women need not apply.

No need to apply for 1st position regardless of resume ,if you are a woman.

The smoke and mirror glass ceiling created by Obama in picking a VP, just to keep "the woman" down certainly has backfired.

Obama has no credible resume to prop up next to Hillary or Palin.

you not worth commenting "you are an idiot"

I can't wait until McCain speaks at his convention...Tell me we might learn about how to help with world stability, healthcare costs, and the well being of the important middle class...The republicans are losing their control...My grandfather is rolling over in his grave because of the complete hijacking of the conservative party by corporations, right-to- lifers, and overtly nationalistic/militaristic arm-chair quarterbacks...Fortunately the press can't stop the change this time...spin it how you wish Gerson but we are on to your game....

Calling out McCain was the best part of the speech.

John McCain is a wimp. He crumbled before the right wing of his own party. This hot dog killed more American serviceman than North Vietnamese when he was a pilot. And he caved into his captors, giving them secret information and denouncing this country, faster than you can say "George Bush is a draft dodger who browned his shorts on 9/11."

Gerson is an idiot and a Republican to the core. So Gerson want's 4 more years of McBush have they not done enough to this country.

Sarah Palin should concentrate on raising her five children and helping her husband, instead of trying to run the country. If she truly is an evangelical Christian woman, she would heed what Titus 2 in the Bible says about mothers being "busy at home" and help nurture her 'special needs' infant before attempting to run the US Senate meetings, attend every Cabinet meeting, and juggle numerous other imperative responsibilities. John McCain should reconsider this decision. I am a religious conservative woman, Mr. Gerson.

I feel that lack of experience in Washington DC is a big plus for Palin. She has had less time than any of the others to figure out how to steal our money. Lord knows as do we all that Biden is an expert. After hearing Obama's speech he seems to be getting the idea as well. Count this one vote for Palin

John McCain's well-promoted story line is that of the "maverick" politician who evolved from the all-American war hero in the POW camps of Vietnam.

The Arizona senator shored up the maverick part of his bio with the surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Palin said she was thrilled by the offer, but McCain wasn't, a few years back, when he was asked what he thought about being vice president. He joked about the other part of his history as a career Naval officer and Silver Star vet:

"I spent several years in a North Vietnamese prison camp, in the dark, fed with scraps. Do you think I want to do that all over again as vice president of the U.S.?"

The quip was typical McCain, an example of the sometimes over-the-top wit that can either get him into or out of trouble.

During the primaries, McCain also would occasionally drop the jokes about his military service and move audiences to tears with tales of the dread costs of battle.

"War is wretched beyond description, and only a fool or a fraud could sentimentalize its cruel reality," McCain said.

And with all these people commenting...and getting angry....the winner is .... Gerson! Congrats Mr. Gerson!!!

No but seriously...think about it....McCain was born in 1936...and if something were to happen to him by the time he is 76... remember - US Male life expectancy is 75.15 (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy)

Then tell me ... which of the two...Barack Obama or Sarah Palin would you prefer? I mean not that I wish ill to John McCain...I am just asking you to be realistic.

I had to comment again. Hehehehehehehehehe!!!
If these comments are any indication of the coming election this will be the funniest and most brutal election in all recorded human history. Lighten up people. :) I can't wait to vote!! My overseas' friends wish they could vote in such a historic election.

Palin is a thinly disguised George Bush - anti-science, pro-life to the extreme, and "someone you'd like to have beer with." We've seen this movie before, and look where we are today.

IF ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY UNDUE DIFFICULTY SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF, I.E., IDENTIFYING AND CORRECTLY ATTRIBUTING SHRILL COMMENTARY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

THANKS.

Bill Jarden, Republican

Mr Gerson,
Obama never set out to convince people like you. You are obviously impervious to truth, completely blinded by ideology, and shocked (shocked!) that Democrats are actually calling a spade a spade. You're also on the wrong side of history. Obama's speech was almost universally lauded, even by many conservatives. McCain's pick of Palin pick was an act of desperation, and will come to be seen that way in weeks to come.
You are being left behind by the currents of history, Mr Gerson. The times, indeed, still are a-changing.

It's true Governor Palin's executive experience is different than the international experience she will need to serve as VP/President. That said, Senator Obama has no international experience to speak of either. Even in his position as Chair of the Committee that oversees the war in Afghanistan, he has not held one hearing regarding the war.

Yes, he was in the senate for 2 years prior to running for president, but that certainly hasn't given him any experience to speak of. Having Biden as his VP will certainly help but no more so than Palin having McCain. As for judgment, Palin's judgment in what she has done in Alaska has been impressive. By comparison, Obama's judgment in his associations with Rev. Wright, William Ayers, and Tony Rezko leaves a lot of questions. Further, had we followed Obama's (and Biden's) judgment and pulled our troops out of Iraq, we would have lost an important battle with Al Qaeda and left them with a country to use as a training camp from which to plan and train for terrorist acts (as they did in Afghanistan prior to the war). Instead, because we followed what the democrats labelled McCain's surge, we will soon be pulling out of Iraq with a victory at hand, leaving a stable, democratic government in place in an important part of the world. In the Russia/Georgia situation, Obama again showed poor judgment in his comments regarding Russia and Georgia's need to show restraint. McCain was dead on when he condemned Russia's actions and called for the world to follow suit.

In the big picture, in the event something happened to McCain, I have to think that Palin will do fine using her judgment and executive experience while evaluating situations. As has been the case with each of our presidents over the past 40 years, Palin a governor will be surrounded with good people to advise her and she will then have to make the decisions. That's what governors do (presidents too). Senators are the ones who have no experience making critical decisions.

It will be interesting watching Palin over the next few months to see how she handles herself in the national spotlight. If she does as well as she's done as a governor and over the past few days as a VP nominee, it will prove that McCain's selection of another maverick was the right thing. It will also make it easy for middle America to pull the lever to elect the McCain/Palin team.

Hey everybody are we having fun yet! I still stand by, Sarah Palin is NO! Hillary Clinton.

My only question is if something should happen to John McCain, what is Palin plan for our future????

Have a great Holiday

the dems sure show alot of anger,, its pretty sad all they have is anger, and nothing specific of the pro-cons between our nominations .... well gerson u have a crowd angry over a winning ticket

John McCain's well-promoted story line is that of the "maverick" politician who evolved from the all-American war hero in the POW camps of Vietnam.

The Arizona senator shored up the maverick part of his bio with the surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Palin said she was thrilled by the offer, but McCain wasn't, a few years back, when he was asked what he thought about being vice president. He joked about the other part of his history as a career Naval officer and Silver Star vet:

"I spent several years in a North Vietnamese prison camp, in the dark, fed with scraps. Do you think I want to do that all over again as vice president of the U.S.?"

The quip was typical McCain, an example of the sometimes over-the-top wit that can either get him into or out of trouble.

During the primaries, McCain also would occasionally drop the jokes about his military service and move audiences to tears with tales of the dread costs of battle.

"War is wretched beyond description, and only a fool or a fraud could sentimentalize its cruel reality," McCain said.

Gerson,

What planet do you live on?

Choise of Palin clearly shows that McCain has put himself first and not our country.

Please answer this, can Palin be the Commander in Chief if 73 year old McCain ends up with health issues ?

Perhaps we SHOULD split up the country once and for all. Red and Blue will never get anything done together again, we truly hate each other too much.

The war in Iraq is in difficulty it is in not because of George W Bush, but because of Gutless Europe and Heartless media. They were not able to show the insight which is unfortunately also lacking in Obama. Will McCain- Palin team show the Bold initiative to deal with the challenges of the 21st century where the communist ingrained Russian leadership and the Radical islam by use of force try to subdue the populace (women in islamist society) and newly formed democracies on their border? I am not sure, but if we don't deal with it now it will come back to haunt us just as not dealing with previous WTC and other episodes and cutting of military budget to shore up social vote getting programs by Clinton and company came to haunt us in 9/11.

1. The pick reflects a truly appalling lack of vetting
2. That's because is was a last second desparation pick, made based on one meeting and one phone call -- another abysmal lack of judgment in picking the least qualified VP ever
3. The notion that she has as much experience as Obama is an insulting and delusional lie. Obama has infinitely more experience on the national and international stage than Palin, including being the chief executive of a very successful 20 month Presidential campaign, which he had to convince voters of his experience against Hillary Clinton and 6 others through 21 debates, countless interviews from hostile jurnalists, attacks from the GOP and Clinton campaigns, fabulously successful first meetings with foreign heads of state and other leaders, to go with almost 4 years in the Senate on the Foreign Relations committee, 8 in the IL legislature as a highly respected member and his pre-elective office experiences which are also important. She has never even appeared on Meet the Press. She is totally untested -- even Quayle has 12 years of Congressional experience. Obama is campaign tested, and defeated the Clinton machine. As for Palin's executive experience, she has the PTA and her tenure as as a city coundilperson and Mayor of a very small town, and 20 months as Governor of a state with less people than Broward County FL, and which has the highest per capita income in the country thnks to oil (and where high taxes on oil companies cover almost all of the state budget -- taxes which McCain (and Palin) oppose on the national level). Her image of stellar achievement as an "executive" is a ridiculous exaggeration. Just ask other Alaskan politicians, including republicans. This will be exposed in the next 10-20 days.
4. Her reformist image is also dishonest - she was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it, and Alaska never gave the earmark back to the Federal Treasury. She literally ran on it as an issue (her being in favor of the Bridge to Nowhere). She gave up only after it became a national joke. Also, Alaska is the most corrupt state in the nation, anybody would seem like a reformer next to Ted Stevens (who supported her then and still does), Don Young and Frank Murkowski. Troopergate is a serous problem for a "fresh new face" who is being vetted nationally for the first time 60 days before the general election.
5. Go visit some Alaska blogs. Once this country gets to know her, her zealous Christian evangelical, right to life, creationist, denail of global warming extremism will be completely out in the open, and she will get no support from Dems or independents. And Palin is not as popular in AK as the GOP asserts and her numbers are declining thanks to troopergate, in which she is now proven to have lied to the public, and is actively involved in a coverrup (of her e-mails).
6. Again -- this should have been vetted much better -- it reflects a shocking lack of judgment and recklessness on McCain's part... and several of my staunchest GOP friends, who care about national security more than abortion, agree and have told me they won't vote for McCain under ANY circumstances, they are that pissed off.
7. Thsi is a game changer. Now we go from a close race to a complete route by Obama over McCain.

Gerson is a partisan tool. He used to work in the Bush White House. What mor eneeds to be said.

If memory serves me, we currently have a Democratic Congress that is tasked with drafting the laws and policies that this country lives with. The Presidency is just one part of our governing body; important, but no more than the others. At least thats the way I was taught it in ninth grade Civics. Unfortunately, the noble idea of balanced bi-partisanship has broken down into one of each party acting to thwart the agenda's of the "other" party at all levels. The point is to work TOGETHER for the good of the nation - not against one another! It's a fundamental shift in thinking, and one that I have rarely witnessed in my lifetime. As I read through these posts (and I've read every one of them)I see that the situation is symptomatic of a greater cultural divide; it seems that Americans simply cannot agree to disagree and work together regardless. We have fostered a "WIN AT ALL COSTS" society; and this election is just another contest that must be conquered for "our side". That is truly sad.

Its startling how quickly people jump all over these candidates at the drop of a dime. Its a darn good thing none of us have to suffer such scrutiny to qualify for our jobs. We'd all be found wanting.

Is it too much to ask that we give people a chance before we crucify them for all their supposed faults?

Now, I have been waiting for Mr. Obama to actually define how he is going to bring about all the "change" that he asks me to believe in. I believe already that change is necessary; but you (BO) haven't told me how you're going to do this, so at this point I'm still waiting. Change? - Yes. Give me the substance and we'll see. I'll vote accordingly.

The other fact is this: I live/work outside the USA; have done so for many years. What is increasingly obvious to me seems to be (apparently) lost on many Americans living at home... We live in a GLOBAL world - more than ever before our nation is being tossed around by these global forces of "change" and if we think change isn't already happening we are mistaken - This isn't 1952. The USA doesn't control the world anymore; we are simply a part of it.

Obama or no Obama, CHANGE is at our doorsteps and we as a nation have to decide if we're going to open that door and manage it (together) or fracture at the seams and watch it all come tumbling down.

United we stand; divided we fall. Get it together folks - your children's future depends on it.

Paris Hilton VP '12

Regarding Obama's supposed superiority in experience, I'm sure his 12 years of college teaching background will enable him to lecture Putin into submission.

Mc Cain is trying to live up to his maverick image. Unfortunately, there is just so much footage out there of him doing and saying things that would deal a death blow to his efforts, that his efforts will eventually be futile.

Sure, this is a brilliant move in the short run and will earn praises from all quarters of the Republican Party. It drives away attention from the DNC convention and Obama's popstar speech and "appears" to appeal to Hillary dissidents. But in the long run he will fail mainly because the factor that he attempts to address through his maveric tactics are the ones which make him severely weak elsewhere.

There are just too many people in this country who place the value of education and reason over and beyond religion. Taxes hurt! But someone has to bear the bloody burden of GW Bush's follies! The multi-trillion dollar debt will continue to grow with the kind of economic policies that Mc Cain endorses. Just for his stand on the economic front, he will lose my vote.

I could tell what this article was about after reading the first 4 sentences. With all due respect to Mr. Gerson, you have successfully pointed out to me why Palin is a worse choice than I thought.

Thank you for making sure I vote for Obama this November.

Palin actually had to show up to work as the Governor of Alaska, unlike the senators (all) above who pretty much write their own hours, can vote Present or not even make a show over a hundred times rather than commit to something which might hurt them politically down the road..their road. Palin, a taxpaying family themselves with many mouths to feed, has to be responsible for managing the budget at home and in office, crime, incompetence of those working under her-yes even her ex-brother-in-law of several years did not do his job as hired, Russia and Asia neighbors over the way, vast supply of natural resources untapped, polar bears being designated as endangered when their population was up 30% and this designation was only to ensure no drilling would be done. I had envisioned a Mr. Smith goes to Washington but I was sexist in that I should have added Mrs. Smith goes to Washington. A husband with a normal hard working job-Union steel worker. The real deal with more experience than Obama who never did a thing; but write a book ($4 mil)and give up to 1% of his income to charity. Must have felt strange to give himself when he had not given before; but he has it all figured out how you will pay more. Hate those entrepreneur millionaires that don't give back, don't you? Obama never provided any jobs for anyone even his brother by a different mother who lives on a dollar a month or a day..as reported over there in Africa. Palin has while successfully done it all out of the limelight, but for a few who took notice of her when she took on the corruption in Alaska politics within her own Party..she has trampled on some toes because of that, including her brother-in-law who failed miserably at his job and was fired years later after the divorce, now has some no name prosecutor wasting the taxpayer money. Am sure this brother-in-law has been or atttempted to have been "Sheehaned" by the Libs to discredit her. Money no object. The people of Alaska do not want to see Palin leave office..and Palin said she would only take the VP job if Alaska would benefit from her doing so. Hats off to Alaska for giving us their own Gov. Palin. First time I have actually been excited about a pick. If she were to become President, she has far more experience in her own undertakings as well as building strong teams to get the job done. That all comes from learning its the team who wins the game not the individual-oh and people say she shoots Moose, I believe is a picture (libs can' tell the diff) of a Caribou the Libs are putting out there to show how guns kill. Population control through lottery of moose and caribou etc are accepted in the Fish and Game, land owners, fisherman, pipeline workers etc who are the best judges of what is endangered and what is not; but media hype from a bunch of well financed libs (Natural Resources with great retirement plans and investment plans-no required 100% into social sercurity like the suck-in taxpayers) libs sitting in some SoHo flat NYC wearing Tevas deciding they are the best stewards of the lands, lakes, streams and oceans; and those that manage the aforementioned daily are just plain hicks up there in the Northwoods (both coasts)who now nothin' about anything He-Haw, they joke. Seems the educated elite who like to talk the talk have never walked the walk in layman's shoes. Talk is cheap as the old saying goes. If you cannot do, you often spend you life teaching without hands on experience; but "as if we were all living in a perfect world"..reality bites back so you better know how to work with hands on experience or what you reach, or you will be the first to go in the survival of the fittest. Palin is a survivor of the corrupt within the "system" for proper punishment of their crimes against the taxpayer-you! Obama survives by pleasing the corrupt around him in old Chicagoland, but then "it was just a neighbor" and I just showed up for this fundraiser. Personal Real estate owned just happen to be through one of the principles involved presently on racketeering charges. One candidate fights corruption, the other has benefited from financially. Biden seems to have his Hedge fund son flying a lot on the almighty taxpayer dollar. Check out Opensecrets.com.

Thumbs up! have never seen such excitement..about time. Now I will with a great deal of delight make my donation to the Republican party asap. Palin is one tough cookie; truly listens to "the people" with the difference being she really hears what they are saying and acts. What a novelty VP Palin works "for the people".

Need to say more?
From Richmond Times-Dispatch, Monday, July 7, 2008 ~

Dear Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day, and on July 4 I celebrate America's. This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.

On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba,and a few months later, I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.

I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, so when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.

When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said, 'Praise the Lord.' And when the young leader
said, 'I will be for change and I'll bring you change,' everyone yelled, 'Viva Fidel!'

But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the
executioner's guns went silent, the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education, it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented, Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over, more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call
those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I'm back to the beginning of my story.

Luckily, we in America would never fall for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America?

Would we?

Manuel Alvarez, Jr.

Palin is just another pathetic social conservative. The world would do just fine without all of them. She and her sugar granddaddy, McBush, will be defeated.