Palin's Speech: What Does She Need To Do?

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has faced questions since she was named to the Republican ticket. Tonight is her chance to answer them and to help frame the campaign. (Post, Melina Mara)
ST. PAUL -- When she takes the stage here tonight to deliver the most anticipated speech of the Republican National Convention, Sarah Palin, John McCain's vice presidential running mate, will be judged primarily on how well she addresses three overarching concerns: Can she help McCain galvanize the party? Can she overcome controversy about her family and her conduct as governor? And could she step in and lead the nation in the event the 72-year-old McCain were incapacitated?
Palin is the most unknown vice presidential pick in recent history and, as such, her nationally televised acceptance speech will function as her first real introduction to the Republican Party and the average American voter.
The self described "hockey mom" and one-time sports TV reporter has served as governor of Alaska since 2006 and before that was the mayor of the tiny town of Wasilla. Since McCain surprised the country with his choice of Palin last Friday, the national political discourse has been dominated by questions over precisely who Palin really is, how seriously she was vetted by McCain's campaign, and whether her pick was a calculated gamble or a foolish bet.
In the past 24 hours, it has become apparent that Palin was not subjected to a lengthy in-person background interview with the head of McCain's vetting team until last Wednesday in Arizona, and she did not disclose the fact that her 17-year-old daughter was pregnant until that meeting.
Palin is also the subject of an Alaska legislative investigation into allegations that she improperly intervened to try to get a state trooper fired. Palin enjoys strong support among GOP social conservatives and fiscal conservatives, and her choice as the vice presidential nominee has been viewed as a bid by the maverick McCain to mend fences with his party's conservative base.
Tonight's speech will go a long way to answering many of those questions.
So, what does she need to do? The Fix polled a group of Republican operatives -- ranging from a handful who are strongly pro-Palin to those who are decidedly more skeptical about the pick -- and asked them what they wanted to hear in her address tonight.
The best suggestions -- combined with a few of the Fix's own thoughts -- are below.
• Reclaim Her Image: When Palin was introduced as McCain's vice presidential selection last Friday, the story seemed almost preternaturally appealing: mother of five including a son in Iraq and a five-month old with Down Syndrome, a beauty queen and basketball star, and a reform-minded governor cleaning up corruption in the Last Frontier. In the intervening five days, however, that image has been sullied somewhat by a series of revelations including: the pregnancy of her teenage daughter, questions surrounding her role in the firing of a state trooper who was formerly married to her sister, and the millions in earmarks she secured while mayor of Wasilla. Palin needs to turn her biography back in her favor tonight -- selling hers as a uniquely American story full of the hopes and dreams as well as the trials and tribulations that any family faces.
• Substance Matters: The central question surrounding Palin is whether she is ready to step in as president if, for whatever reason, McCain becomes incapacitated. Given her thin resume (she has been governor for less than two years and before that was the mayor of a small town), Palin must -- and we can't emphasize this strongly enough -- show a familiarity with national issues and an ability to speak intelligently about them. Our guess is that she will clear this bar without a problem. Remember that she (and her speechwriter Matthew Scully) have been working on this address for days and it is designed to play to her strengths -- policy and otherwise. (Expect to hear lots of on energy from Palin, a major national issue where she is most comfortable.) The bigger problem for Palin on policy will likely come the first time -- maybe next week? -- when she is put out before the national media and subjected to a series of questions on a variety of topics in a far less controlled setting.
• Blame the Media: One of the most reliable applause lines with any group of base voters -- liberal or conservative -- is to attack the media. Former senator Fred Thompson (Tenn.) showed he is well aware of the effectiveness of that strategy, laying into the media at several turns while defending the Palin pick. "Some Washington pundits and media big shots are in a frenzy over the selection of a woman who has actually governed rather than just talked a good game on the Sunday talk shows and hit the Washington cocktail circuit," roared Thompson. (Damn media!) Palin would do well to pick up this line of attack, casting the media as a vicious -- and bored -- horde picking on her and her family. If Palin can cast herself as a sympathetic figure to those watching on television (she is already seen that way by delegates in the hall) by using the media as a foil, she will have scored a major victory in her speech.
• Call Out Obama: The traditional role of the vice presidential nominee -- and his/her speech at the convention -- is to savage the other side's presidential nominee. Palin is a blank slate when it comes to her ability to perform this function but must show tonight that she can throw a punch. One Republican strategist suggested the best way for Plain to go after the Democratic nominee is to compare their experience in public office -- both have been in elected life for about the same amount of time -- and note that she is running for the number two job while the Illinois Senator is seeking the top post. While that line of argument would almost certainly go over well inside the convention hall, it remains to be seen whether it would sell to the broader electorate. We remain skeptical.
• Charisma Counts: One of Palin's great attributes, according to those who know her well, is her charisma and ability to connect to voters. She'll need to draw on that skill set tonight if she wants to win over skeptical undecided voters looking for more information about her. Republicans -- and perhaps many moderates -- want to like Palin; she has an intriguing life story and the idea of a woman in the White House is intriguing to many people who have no strong affiliation with either party. The more she can convince them tonight that she is the right woman at the right time, the better chance she has of leaving the stage as a success.
By
Chris Cillizza
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September 3, 2008; 2:00 PM ET
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Posted by: pastor123 | September 6, 2008 11:18 AM | Report abuse
Isn't it ironic that an evangelical addressing a flock, largely made up of Christians, would mock and minimize one community organizer while worshiping another?
Posted by: Dave | September 5, 2008 9:25 PM | Report abuse
One family value we all should be able to agree on is that it's not good for teenage girls, girls who haven't finished high school, to get pregnant. In fact, it's most often a disaster. The odds are that a girl in that situation will have a lifetime of medical, emotional and financial problems, will have much lower achievement both academically and in her career than her classmates, and will very likely be a single mom when she's 30. Ms Palin is being hailed as a super-mom at the very moment of her greatest failure as a parent. Her new prominence, and the glorification of the very sad story of her daughter's situation, sends a horrifying message both to moms and kids of the "real people" she hopes to make her constituency.
Posted by: tony | September 5, 2008 5:53 PM | Report abuse
Subject: Joe Biden Does Not Pay His Campaign Bills
--- Date: Thursday, September 4, 2008, 7:12 AM
Don't know about you, but, I love McCain's running mate.
I feel an obligation to honesty and truth to share with you some facts. My Father and Mother instilled in me the values and morals of treating people fairly and always being honest. If you purchase something, you pay for it. If you borrow something, you give it back.
I have been "stiffed" three times in my 30 year professional career by someone who I rendered services to, gave a finished product to, but who refused to pay for those services even though they acknowledged the services and products were correct, were what they asked for, and were never challenged for not being correct. I am lucky in having only three, but those three hurt badly.
Joe Biden was one of those people. I worked on his 1988 Presidential campaign financial disclosure engagement. I busted it for him and got everything right. He stiffed me for over $15,000 worth of work. He refused to pay once he dropped out of the race. I did similar Capitol Hill campaign financial disclosure work for Bob Dole, Pat Buchanan, and a Democratic candidate for Ambassador to New Zealand . All of those folks paid even though they lost the election or did not get the appointment. That type of work is very demanding and very tedious because your efforts are scrutinized by Congress. Biden did not care.
I am on the Board of Directors of a company that owns a majority position in a private jet management company in Northern Virginia . They manage jets for businesses and rich folks. They also charter planes to the public. This past winter John Thompson chartered over $250,000 worth of air time. He paid every penny.
Joe Biden, in his latest unsuccessful run for President, chartered over $150,000 worth of air time. He PAID ZERO. He continues to refuse to pay stating his race is over and he is out of money. He never once complained about his flights. Joe Biden is a rich man. He could pay.
Joe Biden is a liar and a cheat. I know it first hand. Character is what life is all about. Joe Biden is a man of bad character and sets a bad example for America .
I feel compelled to share this dark side of a man who asks for your vote and trust.
Best Regards,
Bruce D. Riddle, CPA, CFP
BDR Associates, LLC
2401 Research Boulevard, Suite 101
Rockville, MD 20850
Work - (240) 631-1981
Cell - (301) 580-7800
Fax - (240) 631-2778
Website - www.bdrtax.com
Posted by: Biden Does Not Pay His Bills | September 5, 2008 2:26 PM | Report abuse
What does Sarah Palin need to do? How about look out for her kids for a start. It's nice that Mrs. Palin can afford to have a child with Down's Syndrome. She must have great health care paid for by the taxpayers. I wonder how many of those same taxpayers would have no choice but to abort the child or give it up to an institution because they don't have the same kind of coverage...and won't if she and McCain are elected. And who is taking care of Twig when Mom is politicking. Dad says he is, but he has other fish to fry. When he's training for the Iron Dog sled race and is away for weeks at a time...who is in charge? Or when he goes out hunting for fishing for weeks at a time, which he says he does, who's looking after the kids? From the evidence, no one...but I'll bet there's a paid nanny and a housekeeper. And what about Bristol...Mom had to know her pregnant fifteen year old daughter would get smeared in the press and be the butt of Jay Leno monologues, but instead of protecting the child, she kicked the kid to the curb and went for the power. Family values. Yeah, right.
Posted by: Danny Germany | September 5, 2008 2:07 PM | Report abuse
Obama Byden Laden (sounds eerily familiar)with dark deceptive pasts. But it is all about selective reporting of the facts by the Liberal-sided media. Where is Jesse? Does he still want to cut someones nuts? How about God lov'n the Dems by inflicting hardship on an American city laden with Dems?
how soon we forget
Posted by: Liberal Whisperer | September 5, 2008 2:07 PM | Report abuse
I find it fascinating to read that Ms. Palin switched colleges 6 times in 6 years. This story was picked up by the Associated Press last night and does not seem to have peaked the MSM attention but I find it extremely relevant in discussing this woman’s qualifications or lack there of.
Posted by: KayT | September 5, 2008 11:29 AM | Report abuse
Sarah Palin is a religious lunatic. For some reason, in the United States people elect religious lunatics to political office. Then the people are puzzled about why disaster ensues. Come on now, people! Think it through before you vote this time!
McCain and Palin's term of office, if you elect them: (1) a third war (with Iran), to add to the two disastrous wars we're already mired in. (2) four more years of total inaction on global warming and climate change (Palin believes that climate change "is not caused by human activity"). (3) John Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsberg retire from the Supreme Court to be replaced by two more Antonin Scalias -- kiss your remaining rights good-bye!
Posted by: Tom in California | September 4, 2008 12:24 PM | Report abuse
"It's funny what Republican pundits say when they think nobody's watching. Today, John McCain's former campaign chief Mike Murphy and former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan were caught on tape after an NBC interview. They shared their real thoughts on McCain's judgment in selecting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate." [MoveOn.org]
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24255&id=13697-5536685-pvU3vCx&t=3
Everytime I think it can't possibly get anymore embarrassing for John McCain, it does.
Posted by: MsSwin | September 4, 2008 6:58 AM | Report abuse
One another note this really troubles me:
Did you notice how they keep passing the poor baby around. The father actually gave the baby to the youngest daughter and she played with him like a doll. The parents do not seem to be involved in the baby's life. The daughters seem to be taking care of the baby most of the time. Sarah and her husband just holds the baby for photo ops.
Posted by: clramsay | September 4, 2008 6:54 AM | Report abuse
Firstly a confession, I haven't seen the speech yet. But it strikes me that expectations were so low for the small town girl that all she had to do was avoid tripping over the podium to beat them.
For the record, I don't think that people like myself are angry at Sarah Palin because we're scared of her. We simply think that her brand of religious, judgemental politics is bad for the world. She is a creature of the right wing, reactionary Republican party, in that way she is even more dangerous than George Bush has proved to be.
Her views are narrow-minded on key issues such as abortion or gun control. She is a under investigation for abuse of power. Has publicly said that she will use the office of VP to bring home the bacon to Alaska. Which is odd given that she is supposedly a campaigner against earmarks, which oddly she was for, before she decided it was better politics to be against them.
Attacking Obama for his days in Chicago were rich coming from her. He was working in the poorest areas of the city, she was working from the relative comfort of a cozy office in Wasilla town hall.
That is why there are a lot of people who do not love the blessed Saint Sarah Palin of Alaska.
Posted by: Mike | September 4, 2008 3:50 AM | Report abuse
Throughout my career I have had to deal with bigoted males and bitter liberals. It is refreshing to find someone like Governor Palin who has forged ahead despite undeserved ridicule and bias. Washington politicians and the media NEED to be shaken up. It is clear that these two groups of elitists are running scared. As an registered Independent I can finally say I am proud to find two people who display strength of character and these two definitely aren't surnamed Obama or Biden. Neither Palin or McCain would have any problem as leaders of a country I love—the USA.
Posted by: An Independent | September 4, 2008 3:03 AM | Report abuse
Watch this youtube clip its very very compelling.. It involves something bigger then anything ever before about the election a must see. No time to html code its going to be a hot topic check it out
Posted by: Jason | September 4, 2008 2:14 AM | Report abuse
It's time for the Washington Establishment (Post) to be cut down. The fact that so many are angry at the Republican nominee in the liberal simply means that they are very afraid. Otherwise if they really belived what they say in their comments they should be happy that we picked such an "awful" VP. We didn't and they aren't happy.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 4, 2008 1:29 AM | Report abuse
Palin states:And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."
Umm.. taking swipes at community organizers silly girl. Only Sarah Palin is bright enough say community organizers DO NOT have "actual responsilbities" at the RNC. Then this quote" In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change. " ummm...some one needs to rewrite her speaches, lol.
Posted by: Danielle | September 4, 2008 1:23 AM | Report abuse
She said nothing to convince anyone that she can lead the country. She might be able to lead a street fight. Why was she picking on community activists and what's up with asking for privacy for her daughter and letting the media know about and get the photo of the boyfriend coming to the convention. And who paid for that trip?
Posted by: Anonymous | September 4, 2008 12:55 AM | Report abuse
I wanted to hear what Gov Palin had to say. I tried very hard to keep an open mind and give her a chance to convience me to vote for her. All I heard was a lot of bad mouthing. I wanted to hear what her plan was to help our country. I thought she would take the high road as Sen Obama and not take attacks on family. Her comment about being proud of America was a direct attack on Michelle Obama. I am a proud American and love my country, but there have been times in America's history that I am not proud of. IE: slavery.....This speech just made me angry. I can't wait to cast my vote for Obama
Posted by: Jackie in Oak Park | September 4, 2008 12:51 AM | Report abuse
She needs to get some experience quick. She also needs to appologize to community organizers and she really needs to disapear. I don't share her values, morales or politics. She definately doesn't represent me.
Posted by: Janice | September 4, 2008 12:46 AM | Report abuse
Get the hook and take her off the political stage. She calls herself a bulldog with lipstick. Now that is the kind of image we need as a role model. When she becomes a grandmother will she have time for one more role?
I say to Sarah, keep your day job and let's move on. Obama and Biden have class and don't have to resort to cheap shots.
Posted by: kat | September 4, 2008 12:40 AM | Report abuse
Redstate guntotin' God-fearing (and not damning) mom here.
I just have to comment on the comments here. What a bunch of sickos! Your comments about "rednecks" and "retarded children" and other spewed bile make me recoil in disgust.
God help us if this people ever get control of our country.
Look in the mirror--this is not just about politics--you need help!
Posted by: Rhonda from Florida | September 4, 2008 12:20 AM | Report abuse
palin speech was memorized and she sounds like jerry lewis, no way she is ready for president, sad choice....Mc Cain must be getting senile...
Posted by: palin pathetic | September 3, 2008 11:49 PM | Report abuse
I wasn't sure about McCain but kept an open mind, but Palin is too far.
McCain is pandering. Palin is one of the worst practitioners of Cronyism and Nepotism. She has shown herself to be a horrible person by firing the career civil servants that have worked under her in the government of Alaska. Apparently she doesn't care much about your economic well-being if you're standing in the way of her ambition.
Who cares about her illegitimate grandchild? What matters is that the grandchild doesn't turn out like grandmother. Palin is a corrupt politician and bad excuse for a human being.
Posted by: VotingDem | September 3, 2008 11:49 PM | Report abuse
The gushing over Palin from the 'base' - the only thing that could be more 'authentic' and 'real' would be TWO teenage pregnant daughters and college vandalism charge, or maybe a DUI.
At last we are seeing it, it's Compassionate Conservativism..at last! Bush promised it so long ago, I almost forgot. I guess it just means compassion for people just like us Republicans with exactly the same belief system and social status.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 11:23 PM | Report abuse
Republicans being Republicans. More of the same - war and oil, profits for all the insiders. war and oil, war and oil. Who needs new answers?
Posted by: Obama 08 | September 3, 2008 11:15 PM | Report abuse
The only new information that Palin offered in her speech is the outline of an energy policy.
The only difference I can discern between this plan and the one that she just offered is the pipeline construction component (new nuclear plants, clean coal, and alternative energy are identical to the Democrat's plan).
The other 40 minutes of this speech consisted of citing McCain's war hero credentials and mocking Obama's experience.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 11:09 PM | Report abuse
THE Admiral SON.
In Oct. 26, 1967, the admiral's son while flying his 23rd mission over North Vietnam, once again fell from the sky, this time landing in the hands of a brutal enemy. He was beaten and bayoneted. His shoulder was smashed and his right calf was nearly perpendicular to his knee.
The severely wounded McCain was finally thrown on the back of a truck and hauled to the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison camp. Immediately, his captors began to interrogate him using sadistic methods they had perfected on hundreds of captured U.S. servicemen before him.
His interrogators demanded military information. When he refused, his guards kicked and pounded him mercilessly.
McCain admits that three to four days after he was captured, he promised the Vietnamese, "I'll give you military information if you will take me to the hospital."
McCain also admits that the Vietnamese rushed him to a hospital, but denies he was given "special medical treatment" because of his promise.
He claims he was given medical care normally unavailable to captured Americans only because the Vietnamese learned he was the son of Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., the soon-to-be commander of all U.S. forces in the Pacific including those fighting in Vietnam.
The Vietnamese figured that because POW McCain's father was of such high military rank that he was of royalty or the governing circle in the United States. Thereafter the communist bragged that they had captured "the crown prince"and treated him as a "special prisoner."
Less than two weeks after McCain was taken to a hospital, Hanoi's press began quoting him giving specific military information, including the name of the aircraft carrier on which he was based, numbers of U.S. pilots that had been lost, the number of aircraft in his flight, information about location of rescue ships and the order of which his attack was supposed to take place.
There is also evidence that McCain received "special" medical treatment from a Soviet physician.
After he was out of the hospital, McCain continued cooperating with the North Vietnamese for a period of three years. He made radio broadcasts for the communists and met with foreign delegations, including the Cubans. He was interviewed by at least two North Vietnamese generals one of whom was Vietnam's national hero, General Vo Nguyen Giap.
On June 4, 1969, a U.S. wire service story headlined "PW Songbird Is Pilot Son of Admiral," reported one of McCain's radio broadcasts: "Hanoi has aired a broadcast in which the pilot son of the United States commander in the Pacific, Adm. John McCain, purportedly admits to having bombed civilian targets in North Vietnam and praises medical treatment he has received since being taken prisoner.
McCain says he violated the Code of Conduct only when the North Vietnamese brutally tortured him. He further claims that he was so distraught afterwards that he tried to commit suicide. He has never explained why his "aid to the enemy" continued for more than three years.
Even though there are no reports in the public record from other POWs who witnessed McCain's claims of torture and heroics or his attempted suicide, the American media has accepted his version of events word for word, no questions asked.
Yet, the same press that transformed the admiral's son into an "incredible war hero--an inspiration to all Americans," vilified the two grunts.
Comparing the incidents surrounding the fates of three POWs,' who collaborated with the enemy, makes one question why two faced possible execution for treason, while the third won acclaim as a hero fit to be President of the United States.
Once more, Lady Luck had smiled on John McCain . . . or was it the admiral?
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 11:08 PM | Report abuse
Non-white people at the Republican convention? That's the way we want to keep the party! Now if we can just get old man McCain to dig the crap out of his ears and listen to those of us who don't want Caribou Barbie! God help us all!
Posted by: Johna | September 3, 2008 10:34 PM | Report abuse
Watching Rudy speak right now...and noticing on one of the "full house" nights there are maybe eight non-white people at the Republican convention.
There are also maybe 15 people top under age 50...they include the Palin family.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 10:29 PM | Report abuse
I'm curious why people are putting any stock in a speech that Sarah will deliver that she's had no input in writing. Great...she can read a teleprompter about talking points she has no experience with and she didn't help craft.
The other 3 can talk about the issues from their own viewpoint. Obama writes all his own material. McCain doesn't but has insight on the issues (granted i'm a liberal and think he's largely been wrong since 2000)....Not entirely sure about Biden since he's been named VP but he's obviously comfortable on his own two feet. Palin they have to send to 'boot camp' to teach her her opinions on the issues.
Posted by: teh internets | September 3, 2008 10:09 PM | Report abuse
If Palin can't handle it get out ! we are equal, she deserve no special treatment being women. Republicans are exploit this ! America stay foucused
Posted by: Dj | September 3, 2008 10:03 PM | Report abuse
OMG!! Nothing but bunch of whiners here!!
No wonder why the America is heading to a wrong direction…
Palin is definitely more qualifying than any of you here; I’m considering changing my direction just to see how it goes…very interesting...
Posted by: Venus | September 3, 2008 9:43 PM | Report abuse
I can help. Take off your Liberal blinders and take a good look in your Liberal mirrors. Careful, you might not like what you see.
At least Palin's church wants to kill all infidels, equal opportunity, (you libs started that too) while Obama's church only wants to kill Whitey.
Posted by: Liberal-Whisperer | September 3, 2008 9:40 PM | Report abuse
Has anyone else noticed that McCain never travels without Cindy? I have an ill spouse and I always travel with him when he goes on business "just in case". Are the McCain folks hiding something?
Posted by: Sue | September 3, 2008 9:36 PM | Report abuse
I was bending over backwards to give Governor Palin the benefit of the doubt, trying to emphasize the pluses in her experience and in her personal story.
But my efforts to think the best of Governor Palin will cease until she clarifies her views on the August 17 sermon that she attended at her place of worship, the Wasilla Bible Church. The August 17 guest preacher, David Brickner of the Jews for Jesus movement (which has been condemned by the Anti-Defamation League for endeavoring to convert Jews to Christianity through subterfuge), stated that terrorism against Israel and the Jewish people reflected the will of God, because Jews have not accepted Jesus as their savior.
Governor Palin attended David Brickner's sermon on August 17 and published remarks made by her pastor on August 17 demonstrate his support for David Brickner's views. Until Governor Palin clarifies her views on this sermon, I cannot support her or Senator McCain.
I hope that other members of the Jewish faith will ask the McCain-Palin campaign to provide this clarification, and that they will withhold their support from the McCain-Palin ticket if Governor Palin does not reject Brickner's views. It is inappropriate for Jews to support a ticket which does not condemn the view that it is the will of God that Jews be attacked by terrorists for their religious views.
News to the McCain-Palin ticket: failure to condemn David Brickner's ugly statements will not help you win Florida and other states with significant Jewish populations. Nor will it help you win contributors from the Jewish community. Senator Obama correctly repudiated the anti-American remarks of Pastor Wright. Will Governor Palin do the same with respect to the anti-Jewish sentiments expressed by her paster and by David Brickner?
Posted by: Offended Member of the Jewish Faith | September 3, 2008 9:16 PM | Report abuse
OMG I get tired of all the God people passing judgement and informing all of us what we can and can't do with our own bodies. Get off the Save the Children sermon, please. If I choose abortion then I will burn in hell, not you. And by the way, how many unwanted, crack-addicted babies have you and your Holier-Than-Thou buddies adopted lately? There's plenty of neglected children suffering already -- choosing abortion simply spares one child from a life of hell. Be a Jesus freak all you want -- just quit with the preaching and start actually doing something to solve the problem.
Oh, BTW I don't need your prayers; I've got a purer heart than most so-called Christians out there. Plus I'm one of God's favorites because I love his little creatures. When's the last time religion made a stand for Animal Rights?
Posted by: Sharyl | September 3, 2008 9:15 PM | Report abuse
Seems the more people look into the Palin record, the more it stinks.
Posted by: Albert | September 3, 2008 9:08 PM | Report abuse
As Wm. J. Clinton would have said (in his better days), not bad, Mark, not bad at all.
You left out Palin's lifetime commitment Pat Buchanan's [alleged] hate agenda (the well-respected Anti-Defamation League devotes a whole page to Pat's (and I guess Palin's) "views"). The reason we don't hear about that in the media is Pat is MSNBC's objective political analyst. What? Bob Grant or Imus wasn't available?
_____
I can't believe the Republicans are accusing the Democrats of sexism? So attacks by Republicans on Obama are racist then? First, it was Sarah Palin who told the nation her heterosexual unmarried daughter from a Christian home with good values was pregnant by a guy that calls himself a f--king redneck! It was Sarah Palin who fired the police commissioner for not firing her sister's husband! Troopergate! Cover up! It was Sarah Palin and Todd Palin who are members of a radical, secessionist group that wants Alaska to form its own nation to kill polar bears and drill oil in the ice! It's Sarah Palin who proudly said unlike Bill Clinton that she inhaled marijuanna! It's Sarah Palin who said that U.S. soldiers should only be used as American jihads or in a holy war by declaring that the Iraq war was "a task of God!" It was Sarah Palin who received millions of federal earmarks while claiming to be a reformist! It was Sarah Palin who lied about that bridge to nowhere and rejecting funding! Let's hope the American electorate builds a bridge to nowhere and send McCain-Palin-Bush-Cheney-Rove on it and then dismantle it so they can't comeback! I can't wait for the debates. I'm hoping Joe Biden tells Sarah Palin "Sarah, I know Hillary Clinton. I serve with Hillary Clinton. Sarah, you are no Hillary Clinton! Sarah is Dan Quayle in a dress. Wasn't it Sarah Palin who said Hillary Clinton should stop whining about the Democrat primary? Now, who is whining! It's time for Sarah to face up to her imperfections.
Posted by: Mark | September 3, 2008 8:36 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 9:05 PM | Report abuse
Good God...it looks like the only people posting on this site are Democrats. All I have to say to you is that if your man Obama wins look forward to having National healthcare finally put in place. I'm sure you won't mind digging into your bank accounts to pay for everyone (including immigrants here illegally) to get into doctor appointments before your own family. Nooo...I'm sure that won't bother any of you at all.
I'm just looking forward to when Obama will finally have the long awaited debate with McCain. How about we concentrate on the issues that are really important...not the gossip.
Posted by: Fed Up | September 3, 2008 9:05 PM | Report abuse
I refuse to watch that Nazi rally they pass off as a convention tonight. I will spend the evening reading the Bible and praying to God that a Woman with retarded children not be allowed in the Whitehouse. Lord hear out prayer.
Posted by: Johna | September 3, 2008 9:02 PM | Report abuse
I believe Govenor Palin I look at it this way If and only if Obama and the demacrats are with out sin they can cast the first stone I mean look at president Clinton He was a demacrat and look what he did to Monica lewinski and look Hillary was a USA senator and was running for president but know one said anything about her Obama and the Demacrats are just Jealous because she is better then them I think they will do a wonderful job for this countries jobs and the enviroment and health issues and education keep up the good work you two
Posted by: David Martin Sr | September 3, 2008 9:00 PM | Report abuse
The author is so clueless and deluded. "Blame the Media" ROFL! Who else is there to blame? You're trying to make mountains out of a few meaningless occurrences in her past. I'm going to laugh my ass off at you "journalists" when McCain wins.
Posted by: Peter Meat | September 3, 2008 8:58 PM | Report abuse
The hammer comes down. Repent sinners.
Posted by: Johna | September 3, 2008 8:58 PM | Report abuse
Palin abuses power, fires employees for inappropriate reasons, replaces them with Michael Brown cronies (repeatedly as both mayor and as governor) then, in true Bush style, stonewalls the investigation and smears the investigators.
Anyone notice how empty and lacking of energy the GOP convention is?
Posted by: birdman | September 3, 2008 8:55 PM | Report abuse
Another crap-sandwich article from the WP. Obama, McCain, and Biden have done FAR worse. What do you think the press would find if they examined the lives of other public figures so closely?
Palin did NOTHING wrong. Get it? We're not stupid. I'm going to vote for McCain just to spite the media. I'm so disgusted by this biased reporting.
Jackass media hack paper = Washington Post
Posted by: Mike | September 3, 2008 8:54 PM | Report abuse
Holy crap-o-la! Comment after comment after comment after comment of political vomit spewed out by the fans of The One. Don't you ever get tired of living in the gutter?
Is THIS the change we've been waiting for?
GAG.
Posted by: Jan | September 3, 2008 8:52 PM | Report abuse
Got that right. I'm switching between the Yankees on ESPN and the US Open on USA.
___________
is ANYONE actually going to listen to this neophyte read some speech that someone wrote for her?
Who cares? As Noonan said, It's OVER!
Posted by: Tom | September 3, 2008 8:40 PM
Posted by: 300 Million Americans | September 3, 2008 8:52 PM | Report abuse
BREAKING BREAKING BREAKING
I just checked out the Enquirer web site (through Drudge) and the Palin baby hoax and Troopergate scandals are just the tip of the iceberg. Much, much more to come.
Will someone tell me why I have to get news (as opposed to bloviating) about the person wanting to be a heartbeat away from the presidency from a supermarket tabloid, rather than the so-called mainstream media?
According to the Enquirer (and no one including Palin is contesting their information) this woman and her whole world are a disqualifying horror story. But do I read any of this in the Washington Post or hear it on NBC? No. I have to go to Drudge and the Enquirer.
The MSM will discuss this stuff freely off camera (let's be clear: they know about it)but won't share it with the American voters who have to make an important decision. Oy.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 8:43 PM | Report abuse
The one positive we should give to the McCain campaign is how they have brilliantly played the expectations game. If she can manage to read her scripted speech without falling over the teleprompter, the gullible media lap dogs will predictably fall all over themselves ready to salivate how unexpectatly billiant she was.
Posted by: Leichtman | September 3, 2008 8:42 PM | Report abuse
Cindy McCain is waiting around for John to die so she can collect that FAT CHECK! thats right Cindy, you collect that money girl haha.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 8:41 PM | Report abuse
is ANYONE actually going to listen to this neophyte read some speech that someone wrote for her?
Who cares? As Noonan said, It's OVER!
Posted by: Tom | September 3, 2008 8:40 PM | Report abuse
I can't believe the Republicans are accusing the Democrats of sexism? So attacks by Republicans on Obama are racist then? First, it was Sarah Palin who told the nation her heterosexual unmarried daughter from a Christian home with good values was pregnant by a guy that calls himself a f--king redneck! It was Sarah Palin who fired the police commissioner for not firing her sister's husband! Troopergate! Cover up! It was Sarah Palin and Todd Palin who are members of a radical, secessionist group that wants Alaska to form its own nation to kill polar bears and drill oil in the ice! It's Sarah Palin who proudly said unlike Bill Clinton that she inhaled marijuanna! It's Sarah Palin who said that U.S. soldiers should only be used as American jihads or in a holy war by declaring that the Iraq war was "a task of God!" It was Sarah Palin who received millions of federal earmarks while claiming to be a reformist! It was Sarah Palin who lied about that bridge to nowhere and rejecting funding! Let's hope the American electorate builds a bridge to nowhere and send McCain-Palin-Bush-Cheney-Rove on it and then dismantle it so they can't comeback! I can't wait for the debates. I'm hoping Joe Biden tells Sarah Palin "Sarah, I know Hillary Clinton. I serve with Hillary Clinton. Sarah, you are no Hillary Clinton! Sarah is Dan Quayle in a dress. Wasn't it Sarah Palin who said Hillary Clinton should stop whining about the Democrat primary? Now, who is whining! It's time for Sarah to face up to her imperfections.
Posted by: Mark | September 3, 2008 8:36 PM | Report abuse
somebody give sarah palin's trick ass daughter a condom. let her know of all the magical wonders of them...
and as for religion:
the LORD appointed Obama to save us from the Bushes and the McCains and the Palins!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 8:22 PM | Report abuse
What about her 4 month old son? He is the one needs her the most not American. How can she take the career over her own family? If she focus on her family, how can she do work for America? We are not only Alaska.
Posted by: leiyang88 | September 3, 2008 8:20 PM | Report abuse
Other bloggers have noted rightly that McCain has made an irresponsible choice and thereby trivialized the office of the Presidency. But I don't see them taking this to it's logical conclusion.
The Republican Party's sainted Ronald Reagan famously stated that "Government is not the solution to the problem. Government is the problem." He railed and the party continues to rail against the ineptitude and irresponsibility of government. It is now all-too-clear that all of this anti-government rhetoric has been nothing more than a self-fulfilling prophecy all along. Not only do they believe government is inept and irresponsible, they believe it is their sworn duty win at all costs so that they can succeed in MAKING government inept and irresponsible. Without inept and irresponsible government, you can't have needless, overblown, endless WORLD WARS and the subsequent looting and war profiteering in the form of big crony contracts. You can't let an entire region of the country sink under flooding and permanently displace hundreds of thousands of residents so that they can build golf courses in the 9th Ward of New Orleans.
Vote McCain/Palin. Keep Government Inept for Four More Years.
Posted by: My universe is a friendly one | September 3, 2008 8:19 PM | Report abuse
Overheard in the Men's room the first day Obama was a senator.
( Obama talking to Dick Durbin )
"hey Dick, my chair doesn't have a 'present' button, what should i do? "
Posted by: Zman | September 3, 2008 8:17 PM | Report abuse
Let's review Obama's strong points.
--Very good at planning community picnics.
--Plans good Memorial Day pool parties.
--Prints up a good flyer to get a lot of people to attend picnics.
--Close relationships and understanding how terrorists think since one of his best friends is one.
--Excellent at changing his position and saying he "has been very clear"
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 8:15 PM | Report abuse
Yes Americans wll be so impressed that she can read her handler's scripted speech from a teleprompter. That takes such a deep and thorough understanding about Georgia and the Mtg Crisis; we know that. We will all be so impressed.
Posted by: Leichtman | September 3, 2008 8:13 PM | Report abuse
If Noonan, et al. are saying Palin's over and the stick-by-Palin convention party line is a bunch of BS, they should say so loudly and repeatedly on the air. On the air.
It is clear the convention folks are saying Palin's through off the record, but here's been some agreement not to admit that on the record. The cable bloviators are just lying enablers. No wonder cable ratings, except for O's speech (a record rating), are in the dumps. The MSM is reporting about 5% of what are provable facts about Palin.
_________________
"Peggy Noonan, Chuck Todd and Mike Murphy speak the truth unwittingly on open mic on MSNBC is going viral. See TPM for transcript.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/212920.php
Yet another example that the MSM isn't doing its job of protecting Americans from epidemic of political lies but are actual the Typhoid Mary's of it!
Posted by: Carmen Cameron | September 3, 2008 6:53 PM"
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 8:12 PM | Report abuse
Dem's look at Bill Clinton V P Al Gore, and Jimmy Carter V P Walter Mondel. And you think your so much better. Joe Biden , give me a break.
Posted by: xthat | September 3, 2008 8:10 PM | Report abuse
I think McCain is in love with her--just pay attention to the way he looked at her! Hi, if he can't become a president of US, at least he can have another pretty woman beside him!
Posted by: leiyang88 | September 3, 2008 8:10 PM | Report abuse
I cannot believe that there is another republican in this world that believe that Mrs. Palin is qulified for the job of vice president. You all are to ashame to admit that John McCain does not have good judgement about anything. All he did was pick a young woman to help his image of being an old man. He passed up all the qualified women in politics and picked someone younger than his wife. maybe Cindy better watch out wasn't he married when he met her and she was younger than his first wife? The man is not qualified to run this country and the republicans know it they would rather have him than a democrat. They don't believe that he is ready or he would have won against Bush the first time he ran. He has to read every thing he talks about. He doesn't believe it in his heart or he would not have to read everything. This man is insane.He is a fool and we will do worse than Bush. Mrs Palin knows that she cannot handle home let along the u.s.a. When she speak tonight she will only be saying what the republicans tell her to say since they are stuck with her. If it was a man with the same unexperince that she has he wouldn't be ready either. Face it Mcsame blew it.
Posted by: cynthia | September 3, 2008 8:08 PM | Report abuse
Many presidents had no real world experience when they stepped up and raised their right hand. Mrs. Palin has demonstrated a willingness to follow Jimmy Stewart to Washington to serve her country, and by golly, I am willing to consider just how much good a true outsider might do. No debts or favors owed, no footprints or vendettas. A new mom yes, but guys, really, how many of you can do the dishes, cook dinner and help an older child with homework with one hand wrapped around a baby? Gumption could have a magical quality. You go lady!
Posted by: Kimberlie Smith | September 3, 2008 8:07 PM | Report abuse
Some of you Lefties are dimply deranged, others just hateful, while the majority of you simply don't get it.
Srah Palin is the CEO (Gov.) of the State of Alaska.
It doesn't matter what the size of the state is, it still has all the needs and demandas of any other state. Just as building a small house and a large house are the same, with differnt trim details.
She is very highly qualified to do the VP thingie, while NObama is highly qualified to be a community organizer (rabble rouser), and has spent only 143 days doing the job he was elected to do.
Palin stacks up as a better choice than NObama for POTUS, y'all are nuts if you vote for a puppet who won't even tell you who his masters are!
And TCKAL, it's not about race, but about qualifications. Get over it, NObama is NOT QUALIFIED.
And to bushpussy: you are certifiably bug freakin'nuts, please turn yourself in to the nearest mental health facility, fast. You need help desparately.
Posted by: boaz | September 3, 2008 8:06 PM | Report abuse
You Libs will see the end of the Obama ticket begin tonight. I have seen this woman first hand. She's real. Americans will fall in love with her tonight. so much more sense than those egotistical self promoting Congress.
Even the Far left libs will "flip" tonight.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 8:04 PM | Report abuse
Has Obama answered why he is friends with terrorist Bill Ayers?
Posted by: zman | September 3, 2008 8:01 PM | Report abuse
I really think that calling the 24/7 non-stop attempts by the media to assassinate this woman "national political discourse" is giving what is happening undeserved embellishment.
Posted by: Jeff Boswell-Seattle | September 3, 2008 8:01 PM | Report abuse
Seems like Noonan and Murphy are right: Palin's got to go.
There is too much sewage coming out way too fast to even keep track of it.
Palin's strategy of trying to intimidate the press into not covering legitimate newsstories about her like this one is not going to work because of the blog journalists and the alternative media (e.g., the Enquirer).
I just heard Michelle Bernard on MSNBC say she was proud that during her time on the air the baby hoax wasn't discussed. Why? She should be ashamed: the press should report the news, not avoid it.
While the MSM have been dodging the story, dubbed "Breakwater-gate" by Maureen Dowd, more information has come out. There was a brief post on Daily Kos that the hospital where the child was supposedly born has absolutely no record of Palin's child's birth on the date she claims it occurred. Nada.
This evidence can be added to Palin's totally unbelievable story about the young girl staying out of school 7 months for "mono," Palin taking an 8-hour plane ride after her water broke, and then showing up at work 3-4 days after the "pregnancy." Oh and none of the stewardesses on Palin's 8-hour flight saw any indication Palin was pregnant (no discomfort, no baby bump, no nothing). This is clear and convincing evidence of an elaborate hoax (allegedly) by a pulbic official.
What is more, as the Daily Kos post pointed out, Palin has offered no contrary evidence to support her bogus version (e.g., medical records, nurses and doctors affidavits). Palin's "Breakwater-gate" is not a rumor anymore. It seems to be what we call fact (unless Palin pushes back on it, which she conspicuously hasn't).
Note to the Press: do what you would have done in the old days, go to Alaska, get to bottom this, and prove (or disprove) the Palin hoax. Get busy.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:59 PM | Report abuse
you know as these people have pointed out, YOU ARE LYING YAHOO!!!, you (the media) should not be allowed to take sides, your just another web version of fox news, She did not fire the state trooper instead she fired the commissioner for not firing the state trooper I personally don't care if you (the author of this article) want to believe this story or not, but YOU need to state the truth instead of blurring it and making insignificant, God how much is the McCain campaign paying to post this bulsh!t
Posted by: brandon | September 3, 2008 7:58 PM | Report abuse
The Democrats and the Media hates, if you are not one of them then you must be destroy, along with your family. what is the fear? Is it because we believe in something other then self? That tell us not to live in debauchery, and to treat others the way you want them to treat you. Are the rules thy want us live by just for us, and not for them? Why do Campbell Brown and Soledad O'Brien attack Palin on motherhood? Who's watching there children? The democrats and Media has a well known antipathy to truth.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:57 PM | Report abuse
the truth is out there
Posted by: Jeffhy | September 3, 2008 7:57 PM | Report abuse
I am all for womans right's. I am married have a daughter and 3 sisters. I want them to be treated fairly and be compensated equally in their chosen career's. But I do not think the Vice President of the United States of America is where you go for on the job training.
I applaud the fact that Mrs Palin is a soccer mom and a career woman. But I do not think she is prepared to be one step from the most powerful position in the free world. And all the advisors in the world are not enough because ultimately the decisions Mrs Palin will have to make will have to be based on more than her gut decisions.
I think the stakes are too high for this selection to sway the voters of the US to be gullable enough to think this is a good idea. I know that many of you hate the Clinton's. I think Bill Clinton did a better job under duress for 8 years than Bush did with a Republican Congress and Senate.
I think Hillary Clinton was more than qualified, she was in the White House for 8 years as first lady. She lived it and she said more than just say no about the important issues that she tried to initiate. (Remember Health Care Reform). The right and there mouth peices attacked her viciously.
Republicans are so willing to talk about what a great Lady Nancy Reagan was and she was consulting psychics on when Ronny should speak.
Get a grip people, America needs more than a maverick. We had a gun slinger for the last 8 years and all he did was destroy our image in the world and attack the wrong country. He let Bin Laden get away because his daddy and Baker are in bed with the Saudi's in the Carlyle Group. Oh yeah and he left us broke and tetering on recession. Remember ENRON?
If you truly care about America you have to start doing whats right, not just what is profitable.
The stakes are too high for another experiment!
Posted by: Jerold Cohn | September 3, 2008 7:57 PM | Report abuse
What does Palin need to do? She needs to respect God's creation, including wolves and bears, which she kills from planes.
Posted by: NMAIF | September 3, 2008 7:56 PM | Report abuse
Ah...maybe she could say that Obama has the most delagates?
Posted by: Peakmom | September 3, 2008 7:55 PM | Report abuse
OMG.. it just keeps getting better and better and better...the pictures just keep coming.. I guess you can't shut down the entire World Wide Web... I used to think McCain actually picked her for her substance.. Amazing what a good looking woman can do to your head..
Posted by: summerfish | September 3, 2008 7:52 PM | Report abuse
The media should count the number of references made by Palin and McCain in their speechs about W's Adminitration.
Any guesses on the number?
After 8 years in office, and 900 miles away, likely not even a word; as though the last 8 years never happened.
Posted by: Leichtman | September 3, 2008 7:52 PM | Report abuse
She's still not sure what a VP does?
It's a bad sequel to "Dumb and Dumber". McSame and Dana Quayle are the RepubliCONs best hope? Good lord, they're really scraping the bottom of the barrel.
The only way McCain can win is to cheat.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:51 PM | Report abuse
The Republican pundits are all saying she has "executive experience"....just google her hometown where she was mayor...the townhall looks more like a South Carolina baitshop that anything else! She received her first passport last year at age 42...and she's would be a heartbeat from the presidency. Scary stuff folks! She's even less intellectually curious about the outside world than dubya. Again, scary stuff.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:51 PM | Report abuse
I just want to say that I have nothing against Sarah Palin nor her family. My main gripe is that she is out of bounds in terms of what OUR COUNTRY needs in a VP (most likely to become a Prez) and historically if she were running for presidnet - which she essentially is - when you look at how feeble John McCaine is - she wouldn't make it past the first round for several reasons:
She doesn't have a military background whatsoever.
She doesn't have a law degree nor any tough degree from a tough school to get into.
She doesn't have experience working in the senate or house of representatives.
She is (yet again) a new mother.
She doesn't have a track record as a mayor of a Huge City or governor of a populated state.
Her views (though Republican) seem to go against the grain of what this country (America ) needs at this point in time.
I will say she's beautiful and cute but that's not what this country needs.
I can't see her conferring with our generals in wars. America has been at war for 80% of our existence and we will (most likely) continue this trend.
Most likely (possibly) America will be attacked and in new wars (just look at the ships gathering in the Black Sea right now).
Economically America is collapsing/imploding/shrinking right now.
Healthcare, jobs, alternative energy are needed.
If we were looking for a Moose hunter that flies a seaplane with five kids that is against abortion and is an evangilist Christian that doesn't mind wiping out the Polar Bear and Wolf and believes that drilling for oil and shooting caribou is the "right thing to do" then she'd be my pick.
But the qualities that she possesses and her lack of legal, economic, war, and government background, and most importantly leadership doesn't fit the needs for the next up and coming President (which is why there is such an uproar) because everyone knows that John McCaine is TOO OLD to be president and everyone doubts he'll make it through 4 years and everyone knows McCaine wants to stay in Iraq's Civil War.
So Sarah Palin is a fine mother and has experience as a mayor of a small town of 8,000 something, but I live in California where there are close to 40 million people
and we have issues here that she couldn't even dream of. How can she run a country of 300M + Americans that will likely grow to possibly 350 million in 4 years when she has NO EXPERIENCE handling the growing crime, the growing economic stability.
So that's my complaint. How about Tom Ridge?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Ridge
The issue isn't Sarah as VP since the VP doesn't do anything except make the deciding vote in the Senate and wait around if something happens to the Prez, but the real issue is the BIG IF she becomes president if the President is incapacitated like Bush almost was when he choked on a pretzle and Dick Cheney almost instantly became the President. So the issue is is Sarah Palin qualified to be president NOT Vice President.
Posted by: Blake Southwood | September 3, 2008 7:50 PM | Report abuse
The Hail Mary pick of Palin is the last gasp of conservative, white America, which has held America back in every way over the years.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:49 PM | Report abuse
Mrs. Palin when in public and trying to show class try one thing... PANTYHOSE to cover your legs. It shows class and elegance, and someone that can dress in style. Remember people will notice the open toe carelsss look in the long run
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:49 PM | Report abuse
Everyone knows the McCain camp is the one putting out all the "ugly" about Palin. They're doing this so they can blame the dems and fire everyone up in her defense. This way in the future no one will be able to critize her without looking bad.
Check out this link from ABC
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/is-the-mccain-c.html
Of course McCain should be told it won't work, now that we all know.
Desperate times call for desperate measures and the rep's stink of it.
Posted by: Peakmom | September 3, 2008 7:49 PM | Report abuse
That's the ticket. I'm going to have Sarah Palin on my show. I think she will complement Bobby Bittman well!
Posted by: Sammy Maudlin | September 3, 2008 7:49 PM | Report abuse
Fix take your Dem talking point and shove them. She does not really need to do anything and she still looks better than Obama
My reply...
Better than Obama? Come now.. Do you really think this woman is ready to run the country if MCBush kicks the bucket?
Get real...
This is better than reality TV and just as contrived.
Posted by: Vance C. McDaniel | September 3, 2008 7:48 PM | Report abuse
Hopefully Palin will return home to Alaska to unwind by slaughtering wolves from a plane, a despicable practice the Governor supports, and fly into a mountain.
Posted by: shiva7 | September 3, 2008 7:48 PM | Report abuse
I find it very interesting that there are several 'lifelong democrats' posting now claiming to be voting for McCain (because of Palin). I find that extremely suspicious, and I'm pretty sure those people were hired by the McBush campaign to create fake posts. The republicans will really sink to any depths to lie and cheat their way into power, won't they? Simply disgraceful. Throw the bums OUT! And KEEP THEM OUT!
Posted by: Tom | September 3, 2008 7:47 PM | Report abuse
The Palin Platform (aka, "White trash of America United'):
1. All schools are to be banned from teaching evolution, effective immediately. Reason: God created the Earth 6000 years ago says the Bible. As for dinosaur bones, that's just a liberal trick.
2. All schools are to be banned from teaching birth control, also, effective immediately. As for the pregnant daughter, yes she is a disgrace, but she will "soon find Jesus and be saved."
3. The only part of the federal budget that counts is the military budget. All aid to the states for education or health care, that is not military related or for "homeland security," is to be cut immediately.
4. More guns are needed, especially in the schools. The ban on automatic weapons is also unconstitutional. If children could just carry guns to school, all bullying would stuff and wouldn't that be progress?
5. The war with Iran will start shortly and USA/NATO forces will march on Moscow. Look, these people are mostly Muslims anyway, so we are doing a good thing. If Russia strikes back with nukes and the Armageddon comes, that's OK because the Bible tells us the end times are coming and Jesus will take the good people (liberals and abortionists excluded) to heaven.
6. No fetus is to be aborted. No exceptions for rape and incest. No gay marriage either. Funding for a new program, called convert the gays to hetros and Jesus will start immediately.
7. As per the Bush legacy, anti-American activity is to stop immediately. We can tell who is anti-American by high speed computer scanning of everyones internet emails and web sites. It's Guantanamo for offenders who will confess to their crimes under state approved torture, sorry I mean waterboarding techniques.
Now, of course some of the above does contain some hyperbole and rhetoric. Or does it?
Posted by: Joseph | September 3, 2008 7:46 PM | Report abuse
Several conservative pundits have been caught on MSNBC tape when they thought the mike was off....saying that Palin selection was "political bullsh*t" ...."selected just for her narrative" and that "It's over for McCain". Caught on MSNBC tape tonight.
This is what the Republican pundits really think off the air, but won't dare say on air. Another conservative pundit from the Wall Street Journal stated that Kay Hutchinson was extremely miffed that this unknown was picked unstead of herself. Check it out on Huffingtonpost.com
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:46 PM | Report abuse
Strange these Republicans. They seem to prefer making this election a referendum on the selection of an inexperienced kook from a nothing town (passed through there last year) in a backwoods state, rather than the record of a sitting President of their own party.
Posted by: Slim2 | September 3, 2008 7:44 PM | Report abuse
Fix take your Dem talking point and shove them. She does not really need to do anything and she still looks better than Obama
Posted by: Df | September 3, 2008 7:44 PM | Report abuse
I regret to inform the living fornicators at the surface that Einstein, Newton, Galileo, Max Planck, Euler, Lorentz, Rutherford, Joule, Boyle, Bohr, Helmholtz, Faraday, Maxwell, Davy, Ohm, Volta, Franklin, and Feynman et al. are all with me now. They burn for all eternity.
Make sure to teach your children the correct science, i.e., that which was taught by Hanna Barbara. The way Fred, Wilma and Dino carried themselves is the standard Americans should strive to achieve and maintain!
Posted by: The Devil, The Devil! | September 3, 2008 7:43 PM | Report abuse
Someone wrote...
I have never voted republican. This could be the first time. A woman who can do it all and still have a value system with her children and their children...
And I do not believe a single solitary word of this contrivance.
We are speaking of the office of VICEPRESIDENT OF THE USA and not the PRESIDENT OF THE PTA.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:43 PM | Report abuse
Palin said she wants to shake up Washington thats nearly exact words of George Bush and what did he do for America, nothing nothing nothing . He didn't work with the government he was given but in the most egregious ways bullied and threatened and lied and lied again over and over and over again. Bush's advisor Karl never finished High School. To all americans, I would only imagine that must have been quite a blow for the people that voted for George Bush because he betrayed their confidence and trust in him , that he could get something done. Now we have trillions upon trillions not counting the iterest on trillion $ loans. So when Palin says shake I think sorry No Thank you NO! Never.
Posted by: Dr | September 3, 2008 7:41 PM | Report abuse
Sounds an awful lot like how Gonzo and W treated the nonpolitcally appointed US Attorneys. Is McCain OK with how the US Attorneys were fired and does he not understand the parallel treatment by Palin?
Is that what he means by putting country first?
Posted by: Leichtman | September 3, 2008 7:41 PM | Report abuse
the best thing Sarah Palin can do tonight is just be herself. by doing that, remaining as an individual; she continues to be the Dems worst nightmare...a truly liberated woman.
Posted by: Doug | September 3, 2008 7:41 PM | Report abuse
All this about blah blah what "Palin has to do."
The woman was a TV sportscaster and tonight we will learn if she can read a teleprompter. You know what, I am guessing that she can!
Posted by: DC | September 3, 2008 7:41 PM | Report abuse
You've got to read the WSJ opinion posts on Peggy Noonan's article today entitled, "A Clear And Present Danger To The American Left," which Noonan praises McCain's choice of Gov. Palin. Most of the comments are glowing, calling Noonan's article, "a watershed" and some calling for McCain to hire Noonan for his campaign staff. But we know know, in private, that even she believes what she wrote today is a bunch of garbage. The WSJ Editors won't even post a link to the You-Tube clip of Noonan's "hot mike" comments. The WSJ posts are hilarious now that we know Noonan was basically lying in her article about what she really believes.
http://forums.wsj.com/viewtopic.php?t=3897&postdays=0&postorder=asc&topic_view=&start=75
Posted by: Paul Smith | September 3, 2008 7:41 PM | Report abuse
Real Brother here.
Nothing is more funny(and STUPID)then the Racists, White Supremacists and Black Man hating lesbians(and other assorted Idiots) who claim to be LIFE LONG DEMOCRATS who have voted for White Supremacist and Racist Democrats all their lives who for the first time(since a Brother is the nominee) are voting for(surprise) the Racists and White Supremacists on the Republican side.
It goes to the judgement and pricipals of the Racists and White Supremacists(Black man hating lesbians)that they will put their Racism, and White Supremacy over the well being of this Country. John McCain showed the same irresponsibility by choosing Palin and now the Idiots on the Democratic side are doing the same.
As American's you Racists and White Supremacists and Black man hating lesbians have every right to follow your Racist and White Supremacist and Black man hating lesbian upbringing but shame on you for selling out your Country for that nonsense.
TKCAL
Posted by: Realbrother | September 3, 2008 7:40 PM | Report abuse
Drudge has excerpts from the speech. The stuff you would expect - drill, drill, drill for oil - plus the sort of drivel you would expect from the campaign that promised an emphasis on personalities, not issues.
The phrase "hockey mom" has been around for 4-5 days, and it has already been beaten into the ground. Of course it's in the speech. Someone should tell McSenile that he's running for president of the US, not Canada.
Poor Palin - her destiny has been to be plucked from obscurity, only to be set up as a fall guy for when this Titanic sinks. Maybe she was chosen for her experience with icebergs way up north.
Posted by: bondjedi | September 3, 2008 7:39 PM | Report abuse
Racism is alive and well in the United States.
Save me Lord!!!!
Posted by: me | September 3, 2008 7:37 PM | Report abuse
"In my opinion the firing of the commissioner is even more serious than the mere firing of the trooper would have been. The commissioner was only doing his job, refusing to yield to political interference"
Sounds an awful lot like how Gonzo and W treated the nonpolitcally appointed US Attorneys. I McCain OK with that
And didn't Ferraro get skewered by the R right and Ruh when she dared to suggest that she never would have been selecetd by Mondale had she not been a woman. And those same R who attacked Ferraro are now saying how dare anyone question Palin's compitence. Has she been consulting with Gonzalez in dealings with her subordinates?
Posted by: Leichtman | September 3, 2008 7:37 PM | Report abuse
She needs to pray for a miracle, because it's going to take one before critical thinking Americans believe she is qualified to be Vice President. She is simply out of her league and the Lord Almighty can't help her and McCain get elected now. John McCain blew it!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:36 PM | Report abuse
You don't have to be a democrat to know that Ms. Palin should not be V.P.She's not qualified, and yes Obama does have more expeience than she. She's been a Govn. for 20 months and Obama has been in the politcal scene fo more than a decade and in the senate for four years. Did anyone look at that Harvard place he went to for law? I think he practiced too. Wow
Posted by: Michael | September 3, 2008 7:36 PM | Report abuse
She needs to read exactly what she was told to read - a speech written by people she will never meet.
After saying, "My name is Sarah Palin" nothing else will be the truth anyway.
Posted by: Peakmom | September 3, 2008 7:35 PM | Report abuse
The desertwillow proclaimed, "Palin is the governor of a state with a population less than most major cities in the lower-48."
As pollster Kellyanne Conway explained to Peggy Noonan, "There are 262 cities in this country with a population of 100,000 or more. But there are close to a hundred thousand small towns with ten thousand people or less. We are a nation of Wasillas, not Chicagos."
There is more corruption and incompetence in large cities than in small towns. Under your population theory Kwame Kilpatrick of Detroit must be qualified to be president (until he goes to jail, that is.)
Willow continues, "She has served for 18 months, and during that time her approval rating has declined significantly."
Rasmussen puts it at 64% Excellent to Good.
If you put stock in that stuff that's still pretty good. If it were a building, Palin would be in the Penthouse, Nancy Pelosi in the janitor's closet in the basement. But I have a good idea who you like better.
Posted by: EJHill | September 3, 2008 7:34 PM | Report abuse
Reagan ups thumbs for Obama. Slams the the Palin pick, saying it was irresponsible decision, and troubling that Palin, knowing that her daughter was pregnant, nevertheless chose to expose their daughter to the inevitable scrutiny and attention that would certainly come from a VP candidacy.
She didn't put family first.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008/09/03/VI2008090302719.html?hpid=artslot
Posted by: Ron and Nancy Reagan | September 3, 2008 7:31 PM | Report abuse
Real Brother here.
I think if Palin is to fool the Racists, White Supremacists and Black man hating lesbians she needs to adhere to their Racism, White Supremacy and Black man hating lesbianism. Palin is unqualified she has NO experience and shouldn't be no where near the Presidency but she is because she is meant to counter and belittle the fact that Barack Obama is Black. Only the DUMBEST of Idiots those of who already support McCain are likely to fall for it.
TKCAL
Posted by: Realbrother | September 3, 2008 7:31 PM | Report abuse
I have never voted republican. This could be the first time. A woman who can do it all and still have a value system with her children and their children. It has always been easy for men to have ghosts in their closets and go forth and succeed. I want to watch this female maintain herself and her children and her career and I want all the people who judge to pay attention. Having gone through decades of issues personally it is my concern that men do anything but women have no leeway. Why would anyone condemn a female for a baby and why would anyone forget the history of men and that the double standard needs to stop at the gate. A mother with principles and a person with dignity and I will vote republican for the first time ever and I am 64 years old. Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | September 3, 2008 7:31 PM | Report abuse
Uh oh...this in the Washington Post just now;
"The Enquirer, which exposed John Edwards's extramarital affair, cited unnamed sources in alleging that the Alaska governor had an affair with a business associate of her "fisherman husband," Todd Palin -- the story doesn't say when -- and that he found out and severed relations with the man."
Posted by: John E | September 3, 2008 7:27 PM | Report abuse
From:
http://tinyurl.com/5ng7cv
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Unsurprised
"No Surprises From Palin, McCain Team Says"-Washington Post
Senior McCain officials described themselves as "unsurprised" today as huge storms of locusts flew from Wasilla, Alaska and descended upon McCain campaign headquarters. "Locusts were vetted. Locusts were vetted in the vet" said one campaign official, who spoke without attribution out of concern that he would be devoured by a verminous flying cloud. The campaign also said that they were nonplussed by reports that the rivers were running black with ashes, that family pets were begin to speak in human voices, declaiming "Release Sarah!", and that a huge spreading stain was beginning to blot out the Northern sun. "Vetted", said the campaign.
"There are exciting new studies that show that locusts can be used as a source of biodegradable fuel" said Newt Gingrich, as he hunkered down to avoid the black marble obelisks falling from the sky around him. "Palin, if she can be said to have played a role in bringing about these new biofuel resources, should be praised for her innovative role in the solution to our future energy demands".
"These events firmly demonstrate Palin's deep connection to traditional modes of traditional expression, in traditional forms, traditionally." said William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard. "Experience, in the face of these more traditional events, is overrated..." continued Kristol, before ending the interview to wrap himself head-to-toe in mosquito netting and swallowing a bitter tasting anti-malarial drug, the taste of which, as his lips contorted, he noted to be "surprisingly refreshing."
Palin's schedule in the upcoming days of the Republican National Convention has been cut short due to, as one McCain communications aide reported, a desire not to "let the magic out of the bottle too quickly." "Sarah is a precious resource, who each moment brings a new vitality and energy to every worker on the campaign" said the aide, while fighting to remove the nest of serpents which had suddenly materialized on the floor beneath him, and were now slowly ascending his legs. "Do these bite, or just slink?" asked the aide, who spoke on conditions of anonymity so as not to provoke or otherwise alienate the reptiles.
Meanwhile, as the heavens darkened, the seas began to boil, and a deep voice tore through the clouds shouting, in stentorian tones to one and all: "It was a Mistake!", campaign offices described themselves as "unperturbed". "Serpents materializing, house pets suddenly called to vocal advocacy, Celestial callings to revise and repent...Vetted" said the spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was turning into a pillar of salt. "Everything that was vetted was vetted in the vet."
Posted by: Marie Stewart | September 3, 2008 7:26 PM | Report abuse
Will McCain sue Noonan and Murphy for their off the air remarks on McCain's choice for VP?
Youtube search "Noonan and Murphy on Palin"
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:25 PM | Report abuse
You'll post this BS...
Top Ten Reasons that Sarah Palin is Not Dan Quayle
10. Bush Senior picked Quayle; Bush Light picked Palin
9. Quayle likes Happy meals; Palin – Mooseburgers
8. Sarah is spelled with 5 letters and two syllables. Dan has one syllable and 3 letters. He didn’t look too bright as a baby either so his parents gave him a name he could spell.
7. Sarah Palin looks good in a dress. Quayle ….I don’t think so
6. Palin doesn’t live in the Lower 48; Quayle can not find the Lower 48 on a map
5. Sarah Palin knows what Canadian Mounties are and has done a few. Quayle thinks the Canadian Mounties are a mountain range in Canada
4. Dan Quayle is soon to become an old man. Sarah Palin is what every old man wants: A Beauty Queen Bimbo
3. Dan Quayle is a looser from the state of the Hoosier. Sarah Palin has a fine @ss and is from the state of the Aurora Borealis
2. The school that Palin attended actually taught her how to spell potato since it was in Idaho; Quayle ………Well he still thinks there is an ‘E’ on the end
1. Quail is a meal sometimes served under glass. Palin has most certainly been eaten by someone, and wants to break the glass ceiling.
Posted by: NorCalRuss | September 3, 2008 7:07 PM
......but skipped several of my comments. True to form!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:24 PM | Report abuse
She'll just read the speech Rove's operatives have admitted they've had her hidden practicing last 24 hours. My 15 year old could do it as well. He should be sec def. But you'll call hers a 'home run' as the GOP operatives have scared corporate media into line again.
As they did with WMD.
Posted by: James | September 3, 2008 7:24 PM | Report abuse
once again here is the math
25 million racists in usa
they need cover to vote mccain
they would never vote for a black man
this way, they can vote for a woman!!!!
Posted by: The story so far | September 3, 2008 7:23 PM | Report abuse
Palin: Bush in a dress.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:23 PM | Report abuse
The Chief knows firsthand
Posted by: Chief Two Dogs | September 3, 2008 7:23 PM | Report abuse
Oh, now I get, I'm to believe EVERYTHING Sarah and McCain say. SHE REALLY IS A REFORM, BUT NOW IN THE WAY HE MEANS. CHECK THIS OUT, IT'S LITTLE MISS SARAH AND THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE SHE DIDN'T SUPPORT! LIAR!
http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=11217
Posted by: David | September 3, 2008 7:23 PM | Report abuse
The big secret is that all these uber-religious type women are dirty little siuts when you get them naked!
Posted by: Chief Two Dogs | September 3, 2008 7:22 PM | Report abuse
YOU WROTE: "[...] questions surrounding her role in the firing of a state trooper who was formerly married to her sister"
CORRECTION: It was Palin's police commissioner who was fired when he refused to fire the state trooper who had been married to her sister, NOT the state trooper himself.
In my opinion the firing of the commissioner is even more serious than the mere firing of the trooper would have been. The commissioner was only doing his job, refusing to yield to political interference.
Posted by: TB | September 3, 2008 7:21 PM | Report abuse
She has too many hillbilly problems.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:21 PM | Report abuse
Now that Reagan's speechwriter Peggy Noonan and former McCain advisor Mike Murphy have been caught admitting that "it's over" and that picking Palin was "cynicism" on McCain's part, and that Palin's pick was "political bu11sh1t, I think we can all call it a day.
Epic GOP FAIL. PWNED.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:20 PM | Report abuse
Yi hah! Mooseburgers and a book ban party for everyone. I hope that the Obama team does not treat her with kid gloves during the campaign. If she wants to be veep she needs to go through all the same situations everyone else does. I doubt Putin, Medvedev, or muslim leaders are going to cut her slack because she's a woman. Get Hillary out there to tear her a new (Blank). Republicans wil cry foul if she is given a hard time. Think what they would do to Hillary, hell what they have done to Hillary. I say go after her just like they will go after Obama and Biden. This is the big league.
Posted by: Ricky Bobby | September 3, 2008 7:18 PM | Report abuse
I am a 38 year old hispanic mother of two. Until recently I was purely democratic in all my political beliefs. UNTIL RECENTLY! Of course watching the disgusting way Hillary was treated by the Obama campaign and the way the cowardly dem. party tucked their tails between their legs and pretended not to notice when the media sharks got a hold of her and tore her to pieces I am now listening closely to what Sarah has to say tonight. I might just have become a devoted republican.
Posted by: nel.Boston | September 3, 2008 7:18 PM | Report abuse
Palin will read Rove's speech fine -- that's her BS Idaho degree and professional training. My 15 year old could do that too -- can we please make him Sec Def?
When are you going to report on her pastor? Way more hate-filled than Rev Wright, whom you all were happy to give the bum Rush to all summer.
Posted by: James | September 3, 2008 7:17 PM | Report abuse
How is her pregnant daughter not a political issue when she claims the religious factor? How can Palin accept her "unmarried pregnant daughter" but not gays? It was her choice to get pregnant but not gays choice to be gay... Don't understand how she can be so hypocritical on biblical issues? How can she pick and choose what she wants to support and back? Did God come tell her personally to hate, dislike, or condemn gays? If so d@!* I commend her then she needs to be a saint not VP. But honestly doubt that that has happened. And last time I checked he hasn't told anyone that. And for those that say it is in the "Bible"... Who wrote the "Bible"? Wasn't God. Man did. And then again in the "Bible" it does say too, John 3:16 For God so loved the WORLD! Not just Republicans, Christians, or Hetrosexuals but "THE WORLD" and last I checked I am in the world! So why would God love me and condemn me? If he didn't like it wouldn't he end homosexuality? Why would he make me a homosexual if he didn't want me this way?
I think that Gay Issues shouldn't even be an issue, it is my right as a human to LOVE and be Loved. Just like it is her daughter's right to have an unwed child. But I don't appreciate how people that are "religious" only read into the "Bible" what they want and what benefits them!
We will see what happens!!!
Obama '08!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:16 PM | Report abuse
"Peggy Noonan, Chuck Todd and Mike Murphy speak the truth unwittingly"
Mike Murphy has always been a straight-shooter, so far as talking heads go, and Noonan is not one to suffer fools gladly. If Russert were still with us, he would have pulled this admission out of them anyways.
This is something that is going viral, and demonstrates the complete disconnect between what the GOP is saying privately and publicly. Palin is going to blow up in a big way. What a disaster.
Posted by: bondjedi | September 3, 2008 7:16 PM | Report abuse
Bristol is a boys name.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 7:15 PM | Report abuse
desertwillow, your comments are indicative of the new democrat paranoia. Your candidates chances are now TOAST!
Posted by: dalejo | September 3, 2008 7:15 PM | Report abuse
Hey Edwic, (September3,2008 6:06 PM)
Your #1,2,3 reasons are well, basically the same and your #4 reason is not a real reason at all - actually make that all your reasons which goes to show that you are definitely NOT #1.
Here's 3 more reasons for you:
1) You can't spell
2) Your grammar is atrocious
3) "jive talking" ?? redneck much? LOL!
Posted by: TMartin | September 3, 2008 7:14 PM | Report abuse
"If McCain – a 72-year-old cancer survivor – dies in office, we get Dick Cheney with breasts as President."
--J Hari
Posted by: all about the oil $$$$$ | September 3, 2008 7:13 PM | Report abuse
Save for the black singer and a couple tokens, man -- this convention is OLD and WHITE.
Posted by: i'm white btw | September 3, 2008 7:12 PM | Report abuse
We may get to know the real Sarah tonight. When will we ever get to know the real Barack Hussein Obama?
Posted by: Fergie | September 3, 2008 7:11 PM | Report abuse
Cause then there was this boy whose
Parents made him come directly home right after school
And when they went to their church
They shook and lurched all over the church floor
He couldn't quite explain it
They'd always just gone there
Posted by: Chief Two Dogs | September 3, 2008 7:09 PM | Report abuse
Stop calling McCain a "maverick." That image exists only in his head. If he was truly a maverick, he would have held firm to his choice of Joe Lieberman. But, instead, he made an uninformed, impulsive, and in-you-face decision. Yup. That's what we need from a President. Irrationality.
What about the many talented Republican women who were truly qualified to serve as VP? Too bad for them. McCain has an obvious preference for beauty queens.
And, for the record, Palin's experience is in no way equal to Obama's. That, too, is an insult. In fact, the Repub's have been caught padding her resume, by claiming that she visited Ireland. The Irish press today revealed that it was merely a stopover between other flights. She never left the airport. This calls into question the rest of her "experience." How authentic is it?
Palin is the governor of a state with a population less than most major cities in the lower-48. Due to low voter turnout, she was elected by a very small percentage of the populace. She has served for 18 months, and during that time her approval rating has declined significantly. The jury is still out re: her effectiveness and her accomplishments.
As a VP candidate, she has been kept shielded from the media.
And, as for her speech. By, Republican standards, "it's just a speech."
Posted by: desertwillow | September 3, 2008 7:08 PM | Report abuse
Palin's speech doesn't matter, since much of it was written before she was even picked, and _all_ of it was written by other people.
She's just an actress on the stage, tonight. I bet she'll do a great job delivering the speech, but it will tell us nothing about her.
Posted by: Shim | September 3, 2008 7:08 PM | Report abuse
Top Ten Reasons that Sarah Palin is Not Dan Quayle
10. Bush Senior picked Quayle; Bush Light picked Palin
9. Quayle likes Happy meals; Palin – Mooseburgers
8. Sarah is spelled with 5 letters and two syllables. Dan has one syllable and 3 letters. He didn’t look too bright as a baby either so his parents gave him a name he could spell.
7. Sarah Palin looks good in a dress. Quayle ….I don’t think so
6. Palin doesn’t live in the Lower 48; Quayle can not find the Lower 48 on a map
5. Sarah Palin knows what Canadian Mounties are and has done a few. Quayle thinks the Canadian Mounties are a mountain range in Canada
4. Dan Quayle is soon to become an old man. Sarah Palin is what every old man wants: A Beauty Queen Bimbo
3. Dan Quayle is a looser from the state of the Hoosier. Sarah Palin has a fine @ss and is from the state of the Aurora Borealis
2. The school that Palin attended actually taught her how to spell potato since it was in Idaho; Quayle ………Well he still thinks there is an ‘E’ on the end
1. Quail is a meal sometimes served under glass. Palin has most certainly been eaten by someone, and wants to break the glass ceiling.
Posted by: NorCalRuss | September 3, 2008 7:07 PM | Report abuse
Stop calling McCain a "maverick." That image exists only in his head. If he was truly a maverick, he would have held firm to his choice of Joe Lieberman. But, instead, he made an uninformed, impulsive, and in-you-face decision. Yup. That's what we need from a President. Irrationality.
What about the many talented Republican women who were truly qualified to serve as VP? Too bad for them. McCain has an obvious preference for beauty queens.
And, for the record, Palin's experience is in no way equal to Obama's. That, too, is an insult. In fact, the Repub's have been caught padding her resume, by claiming that she visited Ireland. The Irish press today revealed that it was merely a stopover between other flights. She never left the airport. This calls into question the rest of her "experience." How authentic is it?
Palin is the governor of a state with a population less than most major cities in the lower-48. Due to low voter turnout, she was elected by a very small percentage of the populace. She has served for 18 months, and during that time her approval rating has declined significantly. The jury is still out re: her effectiveness and her accomplishments.
As a VP candidate, she has been kept shielded from the media.
And, as for her speech. By, Republican standards, "it's just a speech."
Posted by: desertwillow | September 3, 2008 7:05 PM | Report abuse
Would someone please start asking Palin some hard questions on what she will do as the VP. Moreover, what does she know about domestic policies, foreign affairs, global economics, world history (up to date), geography and the basics of taking office as The President of the United States of America; if Sen. McCain is to pass away.
Then start answering the character questions that seem to make her out to be a flip flop and a hypocrite.
Ask her if science is real. Ask her if she is aware that 48 square miles of ice in the Arctic have just melted away this year and how much melted last year. Does she know what Sweetwater is? Does she know that global climate changes are not in a trend for warm (short term), but rather a dramatic cooling after?
Does she think that having a baby at her age would not have its issues? Does she think that having a baby at her daughter’s age would not have its issues?
Does she really champion for hunting polar bear and wolves... from an airplane? How much did she allocate from the budget for hunting and how much did she give to education?
What is the average level of education in her state and the graduation rate?
Some one takes a camera out to her home town and look around.
I have been Alaska on more than one occasion and I know what you will find.
Then ask McCain if he knows the answers.
I know the answers to all these questions; so does that make me a good choice? I'll answer that...no, not for a few more years.
Michael
Posted by: Michael or not. | September 3, 2008 7:04 PM | Report abuse
Oh Lord what have you done that you hate us so?
We replace Dick Cheney with a book burning Pentecostal???
Why? Why Lord? Is this a test of our faith and belief?
Posted by: St. Jude | September 3, 2008 7:03 PM | Report abuse
I forgot to add that she's accused of having an affair, in the National Enquirer, which outed John Edwards.
Posted by: Rob L. | September 3, 2008 7:02 PM | Report abuse
TAKE THIS TACO AND LIKE IT!!!
Posted by: piktor | September 3, 2008 7:02 PM | Report abuse
You know, if it weren't for the talking in tongues fundamentalist pea-brained creationist/intelligent design B S , maybe I would give her a chance. But no, I had enough of the official dumbing down of the US for these past eight years. No. No. No!
Posted by: johng1 | September 3, 2008 7:01 PM | Report abuse
MY MY MY there is a lot of scared hate build up in here..sounds like there is nothing left to do except spew hate like there is no tomorrow..why are there so many comments appearing that have inappropriate comments..of course if they were monotored..there would be no one left reading them as some humans thrive on the gore..this site isnt quite as riveting as Daily Kos....hang around it will get there.
Posted by: Shaloam | September 3, 2008 6:58 PM | Report abuse
Rob L.,russ_broadway , Quinn, and all you other folks who bash Mc Cain - Palin,
Barrack can't be trusted, period!!
He doesen't have a glue if you really were listening to his speaches. He talks, like our Indians used to say, with a forked tongue. Don't let this smooth jive talking man lure you to believe in him. If he shaves his head, you may find 666 tottoed on his skull. He choose Sen Biden because he knows he needs someone with experience to make decisions for him. If he should win the election we better beware of his not knowing foreign politics. Remember JFK??? He almost lead us into a nuclear war!!! Come on folks, wake up. Show that you are american people and not morons who believe all the crap Obama is telling you.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:55 PM | Report abuse
Peggy Noonan, Chuck Todd and Mike Murphy speak the truth unwittingly on open mic on MSNBC is going viral. See TPM for transcript.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/212920.php
Yet another example that the MSM isn't doing its job of protecting Americans from epidemic of political lies but are actual the Typhoid Mary's of it!
Posted by: Carmen Cameron | September 3, 2008 6:53 PM | Report abuse
muskrat
Hillary was worse-looking than Ernest Borgnine?
Come on, muskrat. That's hitting below the belt.
Ernie's
Posted by: viejo1 | September 3, 2008 6:51 PM | Report abuse
For a middle of the road Republican to devalue and trivialize the highest office(s) of government of our nation is unconscionable.
Selecting ignorant people "govern" is beyond reproach. This is akin to placing an elementary school teacher in command of a naval fleet. Unschooled, untrained and unfamiliar the stranger is unable to make informed decisions.
Reliance upon "advisors" is not useful if one is ignorant. One has no basis for rejection or acceptance of advice.
Judgement is useless when a decision is based upon the roll of dice rather than informed process.
I simply do not view the RepVP as one who is able to learn 2% of what is necessary to responsibly function in either position.
This is no time for on the job training relevant to the economy, foreign affairs, the myriad of domestic crisis and the foresight and wisdom and knowledge to guide our nation forward.
If one is honest about the past 7+ years you'll know that this is true.
Your vote, as mine, is private. I'm just asking you to consider what I've written before voting this coming November.
I do not expect the 30% of Republicans who are characterized as "Religious..." to pay one bit of attention to this plea. I also do not expect the 5% or whatever the number is of the wealthiest Republicans to pay attention to this.
It's those who believe in the Constitution, who understand that government isn't a play act theatre whom I address.
If the Democrats posted a candidate of similar "everything" I promise that I'd switch my party vote in 1/2 of a second and never look back nor regret the decision. And I've done just that in 2 elections and for reasons of competence. This doesn't happen often but it does happen.
I do not place party above country.
Posted by: jatox | September 3, 2008 6:50 PM | Report abuse
she was worse than looking at Ernest Borgnine.
Careful, you are on thin ice. Don't look now but AirWolf is hovering in your backyard.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:49 PM | Report abuse
Jolly good choice for Veep John Boy! You have now removed all doubt about whether you are senile. Palin = Dan Quayle in-a-dress. McSame accused Obama of being a celebrity like Brittany Spears or Paris Hilton. Now that he has picked the Beauty Queen Bimbo from Mooseville, there goes both his celebrity argument, AND his experience argument. What a way for a 72 Y/O man to reassure the public. Maybe he thought he was hiring a nurse!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:48 PM | Report abuse
farah1
Whiner? Whining is what Hillary's gonna be doing tonight after she throws stuff, beats up Bill, rips her clothes and hair, shrieks and wails like a goosed banshee and before she snivels, whimpers, curses everyone and finally goes to sleep.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:48 PM | Report abuse
"I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built."
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:47 PM | Report abuse
Ms. Palin does not have to worry about how to act and what to say, the Rove Republicans will outline it for her. Even if it is a lie, they will say it loud and plenty of times.
Posted by: paul | September 3, 2008 6:46 PM | Report abuse
Funny, political conventions are normally bored scripted events. The RNC is turning their convention into a real pot boiler. Not sure this is what the Republican Party would have scripted but it's more entertaining. All the culture issues Republicans bashed Democrats over seem to be coming home to roost. I doubt the Republicans will see any sort of bounce when the convention wraps up.
Posted by: Scott F. | September 3, 2008 6:46 PM | Report abuse
"Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me
Deep, Dark Depression
Excessive Misery
If it weren't for B.O.
We'd have Hillary
Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me
Gloom, blah blah
Deep blah
The Female Second-in-Command
Speaks at the RNC
Gloom, blah"
Hee Haw!
Posted by: viejo1 | September 3, 2008 6:44 PM | Report abuse
She didn't fire a state trooper. She fired a member of her Cabinet. Her daughter's pregnancy isn't a political issue.
Posted by: EricF | September 3, 2008 6:44 PM | Report abuse
Disagree with you on calling out the media. She will come across as a whiner. Don't forget that she herself called Hillary a whiner for crying sexism.
Posted by: farah1 | September 3, 2008 6:42 PM | Report abuse
DONT BLAME THE MEDIA FOR YOUR INCOMPETENCE ON THE CHOICE OF A COMPLETELY UNEXPERIENCED HACK!!
OF COURSE THE MEDIA IS GOING TO FREAK WHEN YOU PICK A TOTALLY UNKNOWN WOMAN THAT ADMITS SHE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT WHAT THE VP DOES EVERYDAY!!
IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THE RIGHT WING RELIGOUS EXTREMISTS HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OVER YOU JOHN MCCAIN AND WE AS A PEOPLE ARE DISGUSTED!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:42 PM | Report abuse
Sorry to wax a little cynical here folks, but what experience did Hillary have, beyond moving to a lib district in New York to use it as a presidential stepping stone. Thank God that hag is gone - she was worse than looking at Ernest Borgnine.
Posted by: muskrat | September 3, 2008 6:38 PM | Report abuse
For those of you who complain about Sarah Palin's evangelical religion's rhetoric, you are barking up the wrong tree by trying to claim she's anti-semitic.
And there are far more evangelicals like Sarah Palin in the United States than there are people in Obama's kind of Trinity Church, with its Rev. Wright's "black liberation theology" and its rants against Jews, white establishment conspiracies and sexist and racist hate speech for sermons!
Remember Obama's Religion? Here's a refresher:
Obama was converted from Muslim to Christianity at Trinity Church by Rev. Wright and was a member of that church for 20 years until some videos came to light earlier this year. The videos contained Rev. Wright sermons in which he engaged in racist, conspiracy theory, anti-American rants.
Highlights from Rev. Wright anti-American conspiracy theory, white power rants
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc2FCJ7zWEQ&feature=related
In one recorded sermon, Rev. Wright listed U.S. support of Israel in a litany evils that the U.S. engages in, and declares that anyone who criticizes Israel is accused of anti-semitism (a familiar complaint of Muslims). Barack Obama's Trinity Church and Rev. Wright were not only racist hate speech artists, but also anti-Israel and anti-semitic.
Rev. Wright litany of United States evils sermon
(ist starts at 20 seconds and reference to Israel at 1:30 mins
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfNEfEBYIZs
One vein of his pastor, Rev. Wright's, political activist teachings, is how "Zionists" and the United States are conspiring to oppress Muslims, Arabs and Africans. His pastor published a Hamas manifesto in the Trinity Church newsletter, which called for activists to "unite" in an "armed struggle" against "oppressors" United States and Israel.
Image of scan of Trinity Church newsletter with Hamas manifesto
www.bizzyblog.com/wp-images/TUCChamasColumn072207.jpg
Earlier this year, both Hamas and Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam leader, endorsed Obama's candidacy for U.S. president.
Finally, you can watch Obama stammering and stumbling over questions about what he believes, at the Saddleback forum last month:
Barack stumbling over "what does Jesus mean to you"?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHtAWPjzvyk&feature=related
Posted by: AsperGirl | September 3, 2008 6:38 PM | Report abuse
rljmsilver ,
You are a joke, a moron, an idiot and I can think of a 1000 more words to discribe you.
Posted by: edwic | September 3, 2008 6:36 PM | Report abuse
I know a extreme right wing gal who…….
Wants to teach creationism in Science Class, subverting the US Constitution..
Tried to get books banned at the local library.
Fired her entire staff 10 days into term as mayor, for lack of loyalty.
Used every available lever to get an enemy fired from his job, and is still lying about it.
Put a gag order on her administration as mayor of a town of 6500.
Milked the Federal Government for huge series of earmarks, by using lobbyists.
Was not Ms. Congeniality. A Ms. Gwin, who was Miss C. , says my gal is ‘shallow.’
Enjoys killing animals. Doesn’t like Polar Bears.
Doesn’t believe in Global Warming.
Went back to work three days after having a fifth child, who has Down Syndrome, an acute care condition wherein the child’s chance of thriving is often a function of how much time his or her parents spend with them.
Used Alaska First as her campaign slogan, which is the same one as her husband’s old party, the AIP, a secessionist organization she recorded a supportive piece for this year!
Is being touted as Presidential Timber for her experience as the Head of the…now get this…the Alaskan National Guard.” If that ain’t a hoot…
Misled America about the Bridge to Nowhere, in her first national speech. .
Has no International experience.
Is on the record as suggesting we are at war for “god.”
Goes to a Church that is more pro-Palestinian than Israel.
Left her town Mayoralty with a huge debt, having outspent all around in her.
I could care less about Trig or Bristol, or Levi, or whatever. She’s a hack, a bible thumping moose killing liar. A redneck, who thinks she's doing the lord's work. (as in she's crazy-and we got enough crazy around here, we don't need our leaders too all be nutbags.)
Call me crazy, but when i see a thumper like her, i say crazy. Freud said living an illusion, Einstein said God was a childish myth, and well, them right Christians are as dangerous as the Taliban ever was. Religion has a poor record when it gets in power. Death, torture, the whole thing.)
Posted by: Rob L. | September 3, 2008 6:36 PM | Report abuse
viejo1: Because the things you mention were not in the Democratic Party Platform.
Posted by: Shiloh | September 3, 2008 6:35 PM | Report abuse
I know, tutelage.
Posted by: viejo1 | September 3, 2008 6:35 PM | Report abuse
The point is, for days after McCain' VP pick was announced, the media swallowed the the campaign's "reformer" and "maverick" labels for Gov. Palin without any fact checking, so the headlines on all major media outlets used those two words. "She's a Reformer!" "She's a Maverick!" But those labels are outright lies, and the story is how the media got suckered into using McCain's rhetoric. The post by @adamjacobbryant a few minutes ago is a good summary of the mountains of hard, scary facts available on Gov. Palin. But the mainstream media continues to overlook her biggest debacle - the Wasilla Sports Complex and the federal case, "City of Wasilla v. Gary Lundgren". Tell me how all you right-wing conservatives feel about Mayor Palin's abuse of eminent domain in this episode:
Eminent domain award proves costly for Wasilla
By Chris Gillow
©Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman
Published on Saturday, October 27, 2007 8:45 PM AKDT
WASILLA — Five years after using its eminent domain powers to secure land for the Wasilla Sports Complex, the city is paying a high price.
City Council has agreed to allocate $661,028 from its general fund balance to help cover costs associated with the court case of Wasilla vs. Gary Lundgren. Lundgren sued the city and won an award of just over $1 million after the city used eminent domain to take a parcel of property he was negotiating to buy.
“I think it’s time to move on this issue, sooner than later,” Councilman Marty Metiva said about paying the settlement. With about another $300,000 in interest that accrued over the years, the council agreed with a unanimous vote and minimal discussion it needed to act quickly.
The dispute over the land began during the administration of former Mayor Sarah Palin in the late 1990s when the city and another buyer were interested in the same property, said Wasilla City Attorney Tom Klinkner. The city was negotiating with a local branch of The Nature Conservancy to buy the parcel of land where the Multi-Use Sports Complex is now located. The problem was Gary Lundgren had already begun negotiations with the national branch of the organization for the same tract of land. The city sued to acquire the land, putting it and Lundgren in federal court.
Initially, it looked as though the city would win the case, but the judge decided Lundgren should receive the land, Klinkner said. With a large amount of money already dedicated to the land acquisition, the city, by this time in the administration of Mayor Dianne M. Keller, used its eminent domain powers to finally condemn and take the parcel in December 2002.
Archie Giddings, Wasilla Public works director, said despite all the money and effort involved in the case, which could top $2 million, he still believes the city was right to use eminent domain to acquire the property. The $2 million-plus includes purchasing the land, and paying court and attorney fees.
“It made the outcome more certain,” Giddings said, adding the land serves a valuable and vital public use.
Wasilla is responsible for paying Lundgren and other costs associated with the case, Klinkner said. The city has already issued a $175,000 payment to the court, bringing the award amount to about $830,000. The city is also responsible for paying Lundgren’s lawyer fees — an amount yet to be determined. Adding the amount council recently allocated, the city has so far committed more than $836,000 toward paying down the award.
Susan Colligan, the city’s finance director, said without knowing the total cost of the award after all the fees are tallied she is unsure what impact the final settlement will have on the city’s finances. Some budget adjustments may be needed ensure adequate funds are available, she said.
Source: http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2007/10/27/local_news/doc47240fe0dfa59138187268.txt
Posted by: Paul Smith | September 3, 2008 6:34 PM | Report abuse
Oh, oh, it is going to be a thrill
A speech by the mayor of Mooseville.
With the wing-nuts, fences are on the mend
with the selection of McCain''s new girlfriend.
The dems should have a feast
running against Beauty and the Beast!
See the party is not so frumpy
B@@bs will be running with Grumpy!
Posted by: russ_broadway | September 3, 2008 6:33 PM | Report abuse
shiloh
Brilliant conjecture!
Now I now why B.O. didn't mention his cocaine use and illegitate conception in his. Or his hut-dwelling brother, or his mortgage, or his tutorage under bombin' billy ayers.
Posted by: viejo1 | September 3, 2008 6:32 PM | Report abuse
I must admit that I found refreshing the introduction of Gov. Sarah Palin as the Vice President for the Republican Presidential campaign. Drained out by the Hillary Clinton upset at the Democratic National Convention, and the fact that I do not like Senator Barack Obama as the presidential candidate, I am open to listen to other alternatives.
However, after learning about Gov. Palin, and the fact that she is a passionate Pro-Life/Hunter I am outraged by the contraction of passion. On one hand Gov. Palin saves all babies, including supporting her teenage daughter’s pregnancy, which I agree that is a private matter and nobody’s business. But, on the other hand, Gov. Palin allegedly has killed bears, and who knows what other innocent animals have died in her hands! I saw a picture of Gov. Palin sitting next to an innocent bear remains who is used as a sick sofa decoration! I have protested in front of former Maryland Republican Governor Ehrlich for allowing the kill of black bears in the state. One of the symbols the protest organizers used was a trophy innocent bear killed exactly like the one on Gov. Palin’s sofa. I protested again in front of the current Maryland Democratic Governor O’Malley for whom most of the protestors including me voted for with the misleading assurance that he would protect wildlife, and specially the black bears.
So, if Senator McCain would win and become the next U.S. President what is going to happen to our wildlife, and our environment? Would the millions of women who are animal protectionists vote for a hunter? What is the psychological profile of a hunter? What is the need to kill an innocent animal? Does Gov. Palin’s profile fit this profile?
Maru Angarita
My blog is: http://maruangarita.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Maru Angarita | September 3, 2008 6:31 PM | Report abuse
SARAH PALIN HATES JEWS AND HER HUSBAND WANTED ALASKA TO SECEDE FROM THE UNITED STATES:
MY MY MY MYMY THE WORLD TURNS. THERE IS A REPORT THAT THE CHURCH THAT SARAH PALIN BELONGS TO STATES THAT SHE SAT THROUGH A SERMON WHERE THE PASTOR SAID, "ISREAL DESERVES TERRORISM FOR BEING NON-BELIEVERS OF JESUS CHRIST." AS JEREMIAH WRIGHT SAID, "THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!!!"
Posted by: Quinn | September 3, 2008 6:29 PM | Report abuse
I don't expect this to me mentioned in her speech:
2008 REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
page 45
"We renew our call for replacing 'family planning' programs for teens with increased funding for abstinence education..."
Posted by: Shiloh | September 3, 2008 6:29 PM | Report abuse
MY MY MY MYMY THE WORLD TURNS. THERE IS A REPORT THAT THE CHURCH THAT SARAH PALIN BELONGS TO STATES THAT SHE SAT THROUGH A SERMON WHERE THE PASTOR SAID, "ISREAL DESERVES TERRORISM FOR BEING NON-BELIEVERS OF JESUS CHRIST." AS JEREMIAH WRIGHT SAID, "THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!!!"
Posted by: Quinn | September 3, 2008 6:28 PM | Report abuse
They have an actual video tape of the sermon and her there. She herself hates jews. Yea they really vetted her, right.
---------
MY MY MY MYMY THE WORLD TURNS. THERE IS A REPORT THAT THE CHURCH THAT SARAH PALIN BELONGS TO STATES THAT SHE SAT THROUGH A SERMON WHERE THE PASTOR SAID, "ISREAL DESERVES TERRORISM FOR BEING NON-BELIEVERS OF JESUS CHRIST." AS JEREMIAH WRIGHT SAID, "THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!!!"
Posted by: Quinn | September 3, 2008 6:24 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:28 PM | Report abuse
Sarah Palin just needs to be herself, show the tough as nails hockey mom side, and make the washington insiders eat crow. MSNBC, CNN, NBC, and the New York Times will hate it and continue to harp on her family issues, because a strong conservative woman destroys the stereotype of a feminist having to be a pro-abortion democrat.
Posted by: TexasProud | September 3, 2008 6:27 PM | Report abuse
SRAH PALIN HATES JEWS:
MY MY MY MYMY THE WORLD TURNS. THERE IS A REPORT THAT THE CHURCH THAT SARAH PALIN BELONGS TO STATES THAT SHE SAT THROUGH A SERMON WHERE THE PASTOR SAID, "ISREAL DESERVES TERRORISM FOR BEING NON-BELIEVERS OF JESUS CHRIST." AS JEREMIAH WRIGHT SAID, "THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!!!"
Posted by: Quinn | September 3, 2008 6:27 PM | Report abuse
Kingofzouf, wrong. First, getting the job is incredible. Got any comment on that! Oh some lie like affirmative action or some idiocy. Second, the President of the Law Review has to review and edit every piece, talk to the authors, make sure the whole thing makes sense regardless of the complexity of the material, and get his other editors and members of the Review to do their jobs (which he reviews) to get the issues of this highly respected periodical published. If you think the President of the Law Review at Harvard does nothing, you have no clue.
They interviewed his classmates on the Review at Harvard. They all had nothing but kudos for his intellect, hard work and his ability to cross the lines between the conservatives and liberals to have some of the most balanced Reviews in years. You are playing in the wrong ballpark here. Better go back to lapel pins or something like that.
Posted by: MarvAlan | September 3, 2008 6:26 PM | Report abuse
I must admit that I found refreshing the introduction of Gov. Sarah Palin as the Vice President for the Republican Presidential campaign. Drained out by the Hillary Clinton upset at the Democratic National Convention, and the fact that I do not like Senator Barack Obama as the presidential candidate, I am open to listen to other alternatives.
However, after learning about Gov. Palin, and the fact that she is a passionate Pro-Life/Hunter I am outraged by the contraction of passion. On one hand Gov. Palin saves all babies, including supporting her teenage daughter’s pregnancy, which I agree that is a private matter and nobody’s business. But, on the other hand, Gov. Palin allegedly has killed bears, and who knows what other innocent animals have died in her hands! I saw a picture of Gov. Palin sitting next to an innocent bear remains who is used as a sick sofa decoration! I have protested in front of former Maryland Republican Governor Ehrlich residence for allowing the kill of black bears in the state. One of the symbols the protest organizers used was a trophy innocent bear killed exactly like the one on Gov. Palin’s sofa. I protested again in front of the current Maryland Democratic Governor O’Malley residence for whom most of the protestors including me voted for with the misleading assurance that he would protect wildlife, and specially the black bears.
So, if Senator McCain would win and become the next U.S. President what is going to happen to our wildlife, and our environment? Would the millions of women who are animal protectionists vote for a hunter? What is the psychological profile of a hunter? What is the need to kill an innocent animal? Does Gov. Palin’s profile fit this profile?
My blog is: http://maruangarita.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Maru Angarita | September 3, 2008 6:26 PM | Report abuse
response to: (Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:25 PM)
When you grow a brain and a pair, let everyone know.
Posted by: Dr. Don Key | September 3, 2008 6:26 PM | Report abuse
MY MY MY MYMY THE WORLD TURNS. THERE IS A REPORT THAT THE CHURCH THAT SARAH PALIN BELONGS TO STATES THAT SHE SAT THROUGH A SERMON WHERE THE PASTOR SAID, "ISREAL DESERVES TERRORISM FOR BEING NON-BELIEVERS OF JESUS CHRIST." AS JEREMIAH WRIGHT SAID, "THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!!!"
Posted by: Quinn | September 3, 2008 6:26 PM | Report abuse
Fun fact #1:
Statistically there is a 44% chance that a man aged 72 WITHOUT a history of cancer will die in the next 8 years. McCain has had cancer 4 times.
Fun Fact #2:
Palin raised taxes as Mayor of Wasilla.
Fun Fact #3:
Palin raised taxes as governor of Alaska
Conclusion:
McCain is going to die and conservatives are going to end up with a tax-and-spend pro-lobbying President Palin
Posted by: FunFacts | September 3, 2008 6:26 PM | Report abuse
You do know that they have a tape of her in church that come out today listening to a sermon advocating the destruction on Israel? She hates jews.
-----------
Masterful McCain. Allow the dim Libs to start talking about which church someone attends and what is said there. Most of us weren't paying attention last time around. and keep up the experience debate. We know how that will turn out.
Only let's cover both sides of the spectrum for once, unless the shortcomings of the left are too numerous to cover in the short time we have left.
Posted by: kingofzouk | September 3, 2008 6:20 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:26 PM | Report abuse
Selecting Palin for the number two slot was a no-brainer. I'd say that normally Obama is right--family members should be off the table during an election cycle. That said, radical Republicans have made personal attacks on him, his wife, and his children. If you turn the other cheek, you got two bruised cheeks. Also, Palin and her family are not the Brady Bunch. It's more like the Beverly Hillbillies. Palin was a member of a secession political party and is being investigated for lying and abuse of power. Her husband was arrested for drunk driving. Her daughter is pregnant out of wedlock, and wingnut fundies usually condemn such family values (except when it's a fellow fundie involved.) Republicans are a little bit funny. They're saying that her daughter's pregnancy is OK, since humans make mistakes. Yeah, right. If Palin were a Democrat, they'd be on the situation like flies on turds.
Posted by: Dr. Don Key | September 3, 2008 6:25 PM | Report abuse
Poor people are dumb, dems are poor, therefore dems are dumb, dumb people shouldn't be allowed to vote, therefore dems should not be allowed to vote
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:25 PM | Report abuse
MY MY MY MYMY THE WORLD TURNS. THERE IS A REPORT THAT THE CHURCH THAT SARAH PALIN BELONGS TO STATES THAT SHE SAT THROUGH A SERMON WHERE THE PASTOR SAID, "ISREAL DESERVES TERRORISM FOR BEING NON-BELIEVERS OF JESUS CHRIST." AS JEREMIAH WRIGHT SAID, "THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!!!"
Posted by: Quinn | September 3, 2008 6:24 PM | Report abuse
Think how poor Hillary must feel.
Tonight, more people will experience Sarah's speech than any other in history, and Hillary should have been there.
It should have been she who lived in the White House, this time as POTUS.
But no, you guys had to go and nominate Barry and ruin everything.
Whooooooooooahhhhhhh!
Thank you, thank you thank you!
Now we'll have someone in the White House who prays to God instead of Karl Marx.
Posted by: viejo1 | September 3, 2008 6:24 PM | Report abuse
MY MY MY MY, MY THE WORLD TURNS. THERE IS A REPORT THAT THE CHURCH THAT SARAH PALIN BELONGS TO STATES THAT SHE SAT THROUGH A SERMON WHERE THE PASTOR SAID, "ISREAL DESERVES TERRORISM FOR BEING NON-BELIEVERS OF JESUS CHRIST." AS JEREMIAH WRIGHT SAID, "THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!!!"
Posted by: Quinn | September 3, 2008 6:24 PM | Report abuse
Wow. Peggy Noonan, acknowledged by conservatives and liberals alike as a conservative genius, has said it's over.
=======================
It's Over -- I suggest you check out Ben Smith's blog over at Politico.com posted about an hour ago, describing how Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy trashed Palin and the McCain campaign on NBC when they thought the microphones were turned off:
"a segment with NBC's Chuck Todd ended today, Republican consultant Mike Murphy and Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan were caught on a live mike ridiculing the choice of Sarah Palin.
"It's over," said Noonan, and then responded to a question of whether Palin is the most qualified Republican woman McCain could have chosen.
"The most qualified? No. I think they went for this — excuse me — political bullsh** about narratives," she said. "Every time Republicans do that ... because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at and they blow it."
Murphy chimed in:
"The greatness of McCain is no cynicism, and this is cynical."
All you Republicans can listen to this video clip and learn what your spinners are really thinking about Palin when they think the mikes are off.
Source:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Noonan_Murphy_trash_Palin_on_hot_mic_Its_over.html
Posted by: Paul Smith | September 3, 2008 6:08 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:22 PM | Report abuse
Hi I am a dumb dem and I vote for change cause like change is good and it's the way like we change dude. We are the people we have been waiting for, you know
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:22 PM | Report abuse
Yahoo has this photo gallery of Palin. One photo shows Palin with a dead animal around her shoulder. Do we want a veep who is going to advocate killing animals for fur so that she can sport it over her shoulder? Animal rights activists should take a note of the following picture.
Does she represent all republicans? I don't think so. I am a republican, but I do not like hunting animals for sport or for their fur. She is conservative all right, but her education and values seem to be stuck in the 1800s.
Posted by: Jim Simmons | September 3, 2008 6:22 PM | Report abuse
Wait for the two abortions the Enquirer has found.
--------------
The fact that Palin is a walking disaster aside, she is proving NOTHING with tonight's speech, as she will be reading the words that have been fed to her in that Minnesota hotel room over the past several days. The REAL Sarah Palin will appear when she is on the campaign trail and fielding questions directly from the press.
Posted by: Phloyd | September 3, 2008 5:51 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:22 PM | Report abuse
Masterful McCain. Allow the dim Libs to start talking about which church someone attends and what is said there. Most of us weren't paying attention last time around. and keep up the experience debate. We know how that will turn out.
Only let's cover both sides of the spectrum for once, unless the shortcomings of the left are too numerous to cover in the short time we have left.
Posted by: kingofzouk | September 3, 2008 6:20 PM | Report abuse
Gingrich smackced down an MSNBC reporter about how Obama has never done anything other than talk. Your boy is an empty suit
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:19 PM | Report abuse
re: Palin.
There are many things Palin must talk about in her first public appearance as running mate to McCain. Not least would be a defence of her record re: animals, when she was governor.
America can gain its moral high ground only when all lifeforms are treated with basic decency. Killing defenceless animals from low flying aircraft is not ethical. Period.
Posted by: geeta dharmarajan | September 3, 2008 6:18 PM | Report abuse
OK, people, please do not believe the hype or go for the “okie-doke” from the Republicans. Nobody cares if this woman has five children, (I think she’s a MILF ;-) ), I do not care about her beliefs in “right to life”, nobody even care about her daughter being pregnant… the problem I have is that NOW it’s OK for children (and this girl is only 17) to be pregnant when before she came along as their goddess that would have an automatic claim to women voters it was a SIN to be pregnant and not married! So now today the spin is that the daughter and her boyfriend are getting married. To this I have two comments… SO DAMN WHAT and of course they are because the VP cannot have “bastard” children running around the White House.
So now (I wonder why) “Neo-Conservative America” is coming out of the closet, they put one foot out when Cheney had to admit that his daughter was gay and now this… not to mention all of the freaky (and disgusting) sex and drug scandals that have come to light, these people are true Hippocrates!
And Joe Lieberman… who is HE to judge anyone? This man changes allegiances faster than Karma Chameleon can change its color. Nobody talks about the conflict of interest by him being in Congress and his wife’s job as a lobbyist for the pharmaceuticals industry. He waffles back and forth “across the aisle” like the wagging tail of a dog and he calls that working together, he’ll only take a stand when he thinks that it will benefit him. I hope the people who keep electing him get what they deserve.
Posted by: Moe-N-Minnesota | September 3, 2008 6:18 PM | Report abuse
Was that the Republican convention on TV or the AARP convention, don't they have support of any young people or minorities.........lets see what the make up of the audience is tonight
Posted by: 1voter | September 3, 2008 6:17 PM | Report abuse
Palin is a stupid idiot with no experience or brains that believe Global Warning isn't real, that polar bears are no big deal and not endangered, that Medicare and social security checks should be stopped immediately and that George Bush is a hero. Screw her, her unwed pregnant teenager and the moose she rode in on.
Posted by: Democrats 08 | September 3, 2008 6:17 PM | Report abuse
Thats nice that Mccain picked a woman trying to snag up Hillary voters, except that fact that shes a woman, Mccains policies still are Bush policies and those are FAILED policies
You vote for 4 more years of the last 8 years, if you vote for John Mccain, no ifs and or buts
Nobody in their right mind would say America, in the last 8 years has done well under GWB
Posted by: Obama FTW | September 3, 2008 6:16 PM | Report abuse
She didn't give her kids very conservative names.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:16 PM | Report abuse
Finally! The Republicans have a John Kerry of their very own! Prepare to walk to the bathroom and flush McCain's chances down the toilet.
Posted by: Brian W | September 3, 2008 6:16 PM | Report abuse
we did get richer because we are smarter than you dumb dems
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:16 PM | Report abuse
"you would know that a person who has been President of the Harvard Law Review is qualified to have any job, including President, just by that credential"
Except for one very important fact. He did nothing while in the position - no papers, no articles, no positions, no scholarship, no opinions - nothing. Just like he ran his committee, his community organizer job, his lecturer position, all of them a total waste of a great potential.
Same as hs did in every other position he held. I guess he is still finding himself.
Posted by: kingofzouk | September 3, 2008 6:16 PM | Report abuse
Why are Republicans so angry, they are just getting over 8 wonderful years under GW, the rich got richer, people wages went down, people are loosing homes and jobs are being shipped to India and China. Not to mention record profits for oil companies.
Posted by: Dj | September 3, 2008 6:14 PM | Report abuse
Wow when palin was picked i could not believe McCain picked such an inexperienced person. Now after doing a little research it looks to me that she is more qulified and experienced than Obama. This is a real awakening for me.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:14 PM | Report abuse
These messages appear to be written by nothing but teenagers. Oh I forgot that's the age of most Obama supporters.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:11 PM | Report abuse
Wow...I am so sick of Republicans and McCain stragegists WHINING about the press coverage of Palin.
WHAT ELSE DID You expect when you pick a completely unknown candidate for the highest office in the LAND at the 11th hour??? She herself admits not having ANY IDEA what the VP does everyday!! This would be comical if it werent so serious!!
The media has an absolute DUTY to report EVERYTHING to the American people, just lke you have with Obama!!
I guarantee you the Rove Republicans NEVER would have said word one about the "Baby Mama" comments made to Michele...probably came from Rove himself.
Posted by: Mike | September 3, 2008 6:11 PM | Report abuse
I hope she talks about her WING-NUT WACKO ARMEGEDDON-SEEKING CHRUCH AND PASTOR!
Read up on her wacko church, read up on her attepts to ban books, read up on her abuse of power, and watch her video addressing the AKIP Political party affilliation (Alaskans for seccession from the US)
The sex photos are only just coming out - and I don't have a problem with them.
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PALIN'S RANK HYPOCRISY!
Posted by: JBE | September 3, 2008 6:11 PM | Report abuse
Hey, Barak Obama's Conscience, do you have any idea how smart you have to be to become the President of the Law Review of Harvard? There is no affirmative action to get you that position. It is voted by your classmates on the Review. They vote for the person who can best manage the finest publication on the law in the country (sorry Yale and Stanford, its true). If you had any idea what you were talking about, you would know that a person who has been President of the Harvard Law Review is qualified to have any job, including President, just by that credential. He has to be learned in the most complex areas of the law, conversant with the obligations of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. He has to be a scholar of the international arena since so much is written in the Law Review covers this area. Say what you will, try to undermine him if you can, but this guy is one of the smartest and most knowledgeable people of his generation. By the way, I went to another fine law school, was a senior editor on the Law Review and there is simply no comparison to what he acheived.
Now, the reason people don't talk about this on the Obama side is that people like you will go, "HA, what an elitist"! "Harvard, that bastion of east coast intellectualism and liberalism" (That bastion is really Yale, but who has time). Every parent in America would be proud of their child if they went to Harvard Law. This guy did it on student loans and sure didn't get in because his Daddy knew someone, the ultimate form of affirmative action, ask George Bush! So call him all the names you want. Sarah Palin and John McCain combined don't come near this guy in candle power. But if your Carl Rove, smart is evil. I mean if smart was a criterian for President, how could we have gotten George Bush?
Posted by: MarvAlan | September 3, 2008 6:11 PM | Report abuse
@adamjacobbryant
Actually she has done something to personally harm at least 7 people that we know about. She has fired or forced to resign 6 civil servants as mayor and one as governor.
These were honest people, not politicians. They were also people whose livelihoods were destroyed because they stood in Palin's way, people like:
The Wasilla Head Librarian: Fired because she wouldn't Ban books that Palin found objectionable
The Wasilla Chief of Police: Fired because he supported closing bars at 2:00 AM rather than 5:00 AM, to prevent drunk driving accidents.
The Alaska Public Safety Commissioner: Fired because he refused to fire Palin's Ex-Brother in Law without just cause.
The list goes on...Palin was almost recalled as Wasilla mayor because she put her political gain above the well-being of public servants in the town who had only honest intentions.
She isn't being skewered in the media because she is a woman, she is being skewered in the media for being a terrible person who has left a huge trail of wreckage in her path.
Posted by: Patrick | September 3, 2008 6:11 PM | Report abuse
OMG - she IS the change and hope I was promising. what is a poor minority candidate got to do to get elected around here? I am a victim. vote for me!
will anyone believe I have the experience to lead? no didn't think so.
now what? I guess I'll have to go on O'Reilly after all. forgive me Lord Kos.
I never really thought they would elect a smooth talkin brother like me anyway. they probably want someone who knows what they are doing. Oh well. they liked me in germany, maybe I'll go there.
Posted by: snObama | September 3, 2008 6:10 PM | Report abuse
McCain plays sexism card. In his selection of Sarah Palin solely for her anti-abortion position he has crossed the sexist line.
Control of the female body is at the core of the McCain decision.
Posted by: Maddogg | September 3, 2008 6:10 PM | Report abuse
It's Over -- I suggest you check out Ben Smith's blog over at Politico.com posted about an hour ago, describing how Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy trashed Palin and the McCain campaign on NBC when they thought the microphones were turned off:
"a segment with NBC's Chuck Todd ended today, Republican consultant Mike Murphy and Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan were caught on a live mike ridiculing the choice of Sarah Palin.
"It's over," said Noonan, and then responded to a question of whether Palin is the most qualified Republican woman McCain could have chosen.
"The most qualified? No. I think they went for this — excuse me — political bullsh** about narratives," she said. "Every time Republicans do that ... because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at and they blow it."
Murphy chimed in:
"The greatness of McCain is no cynicism, and this is cynical."
All you Republicans can listen to this video clip and learn what your spinners are really thinking about Palin when they think the mikes are off.
Source:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Noonan_Murphy_trash_Palin_on_hot_mic_Its_over.html
Posted by: Paul Smith | September 3, 2008 6:08 PM | Report abuse
OBAMA - BIDDEN R.I.P. You Can't win because
#1. The american peple are smart
#2 The american people are no idiots
#3. The american people are no morons
#4. I can give you a 1000 more reasons...
Hail to MC CAIN - PALIN THE REAL DEAL AND NOT THE FAST SMOTH JIVE TALKING KNOW NOTHING HUSSAIN OBAMA
Posted by: Edwic | September 3, 2008 6:06 PM | Report abuse
AsperGirl,
The orderlies from The Hospital are looking for you...they said it's long past time for you to take your thorazine.
And you need to continue therapy for your delusional problems.
Posted by: Dean | September 3, 2008 6:06 PM | Report abuse
I am very pleasantly surprised. Palin on the ticket takes my vote from Libertarian to McCain.
Posted by: Fred | September 3, 2008 6:06 PM | Report abuse
Governor Pahlin is the future model for all 4 of my granddaughters, and it gives me hope we can have the respected country before President Bush and this Congress.
Wouldn't you prefer they grow up to think independently for themselves???
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:03 PM | Report abuse
I’m ashamed to be a democrat- I finally realized the Republicans are 100% correct. The democrats are a bunch of sniveling, intellectual do-gooders, who get bullied over and over again, and instead of fighting back, they make excuses for themselves out of some foolish moral necessity as they get tossed around like a wimpy kid in the school lunchroom. I hate wimps.
It is sickening and indefensible that Democrats are going to idly watch as the GOP spins Sarah Palin into some sort of hero of motherhood. This is a woman who:
is under investigation for abuse of power
wants to litigate sexuality for all of America but can not keep her own, underage daughter from getting knocked up.
jeopardizes her own baby’s health and the welfare of other passengers by flying for 8 hours while in labor
tried to ban books from her local library (yes, you read that correctly- ban books)
speaks to a church and says the killing in Iraq was God’s will
apparently would not mind if Alaska seceded from the union
Yes, these are the same worthless Democrats that let GWB spin his military experience, which he had to prove by showing he went to an air force dentist, to outshine Kerry’s service, even though he went and saw combat in Vietnam.
The democrats are worthless. If they cannot defend themselves how are they going to defend this country. I do not agree with anything on the Republican platform, but I respect the fact they have balls.
Good Night….
Posted by: raknyc | September 3, 2008 6:03 PM | Report abuse
It is remarkable that rather than find solid ways to defend Palin, her proponents overwhelmingly choose to claw at the invisible bugs crawling under their skin.
The media -- and more significantly, citizen journalists and bloggers -- will back off when the McCain campaign lets Sarah talk to the media and answer questions.
For example, it would be ridiculously easy to grant a short interview to clear up rumors surrounding her son and daughter to get these poor kids out of the cross-hairs.
But like any hunter knows, you go after the weak and vulnerable targets...and Sarah Palin clearly wants to avoid becoming the main target as long as she can. (Better to be a grizzly bear's cub than one of her babies!)
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 6:03 PM | Report abuse
@Dave Olsen
I did look at my citation, apparently better than you did. "Anchorage Daily News" It was published when she was governor, before people were even talking about VPs. That publication is hardly bastion of mainstream liberal media, its local media. It also details absolutely embarrassing behavior by Palin that happens to be part of the public record. A recording of her laughing at her opponent like a cruel middle schooler for having had cancer and being overweight is made available as part of the article.
You should put your paranoia in check and check your sources before you go blaming a conspiracy in the "liberal media". I'm just an Alaskan who wants people to know that our governor is not fit to be VP.
If anyone is curious what we are talking about, the article can be found here:
http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/story/295464.html
Posted by: ouch! | September 3, 2008 6:00 PM | Report abuse
Best answer of the day!!!
"Palin's Speech: What Does She Need To Do?"
Admit it was a huge mistake and drop out,that would be best."
LMAO!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:59 PM | Report abuse
Sarah Palin the second coming of TAMMY FAYE BAKER, praise the lord!
Posted by: Gordon | September 3, 2008 5:59 PM | Report abuse
"their husbands drink driving conviction at the age of 22 "
While THE ONE was busy tootin coke and smokin weed
Posted by: kingofzouk | September 3, 2008 5:58 PM | Report abuse
MAINSTREAM MEDIA HAS SLID INTO THE SWAMP
The Dems and Reps are left to sell their leaders to America.
http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/09/dems-and-republicans-now-sell-what-they.html
Image is now everything. The real challenges have vacated consciousness.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:57 PM | Report abuse
THERE IS A GOD!
Before Senator McCain made his VP announcement I was actually DEPRESSED!
As a former Republican, turned Independent, I lost all faith in America when Mitt Romney lost the nomination.
All of Obama's speeches were TERRIFYING me, as has the last two years with this Democrat controlled Congress!
When I heard the announcement it was Governor Sarah Pahlin, I actually CRIED!
And after her first and second speeches, I believed...this wonderful young woman (I am 65 years old) will someday be President of this horribly morally and politically SICK nation!
When people can believe that Obama is not a RACIST, "I could never relate to my white surroundings..." it made me so sick I called all of my Black friends and asked them if they had the feelings for white people that Obama was displaying in his bigotry toward the Clintons (I voted for him twice!) and they too could not believe how Blacks had turned on the Clintons..."for someone my color".
Governor Pahlin is the future model for all 4 of my granddaughters, and it gives me hope we can have the respected country before President Bush and this Congress.
GO SARAH!
Posted by: Jane Horton-Leasman | September 3, 2008 5:57 PM | Report abuse
Democrats do not hate President Bush, they hate anyone that is not a Democrat.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Oh no, sir. You are misinformed. We actually really do hate Bush.
You conservatives need to someday get your facts correct!!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:56 PM | Report abuse
She needs to deliver the speech that was written for her and make us believe that she wrote it.
Posted by: hamishdad | September 3, 2008 5:56 PM | Report abuse
Curious question of logic for you loony libs:
here goes, try not to let your puny heads implode
If Palin is so bad and so terrible, why do you want to get rid of her so bad? why not let the thinking voters (aka - not you) decide that she is after all too loony for them. then you can win the election.
If not, McCain might pick someone actually experienced and qualified (this lets out Barack of course).
your fear is exposed instead. how come the Rs got to elect a woman and not us? No fair. We prefer victims and she's not one.
what a world, what a world.
sound of liberal head exploding.
Posted by: kingofzouk | September 3, 2008 5:56 PM | Report abuse
Detractors of Sarah Palin need to stop bringing up the "She hunts and kills/supports the hunting and killing of innocent animals!" argument.
It's not going to make even the slightest amount of headway with voters who are even minutely considering voting for her and John McCain; the only people who are really so very offended by the idea of hunting were never going to vote Republican to begin with, not even the ones who supported Hillary Clinton and think she was somehow wronged in her defeat at the hands of Barack Obama. Playing the "poor innocent animals" card -- and as hard as it may be to believe, I do not mean this as an insult -- just makes you look whiny to conservatives, independents and even moderate liberals. I think everyone can agree that association with people perceived as whiny does not do a political campaign any favors. In essence, by attempting to make that point, you only stand to lose appeal; you will gain none.
Posted by: VBArthur | September 3, 2008 5:54 PM | Report abuse
Good luck. As a very slightly left of centre voter, I have been shocked by the unfair treatment of this person. Gee I would love to see her do well, despite her opinions being fairly different to mine. She seems like someone who is working hard to accomplish what she believes in...it is terrible to tear someone down personally just because they have alternative view points.
Has she done anything significantly personally nasty to anyone? I don't think so. In fact, if elements of the media feel that it is important to report on not the candidate but their husbands drink driving conviction at the age of 22 (or so) wouldnt you love to see someone look into the history of that journalist and expose their hypocracy!. Anyone who has lived a normal life will have something that someone thinks they can hold against them. These irrelevancies do not have ANYTHING to do with someones capability of being a leader.
AND it is interesting to note that while the LEFT considers themselves the progressives, it is the right that produced many of the worlds most powerful women.
Posted by: adamjacobbryant | September 3, 2008 5:54 PM | Report abuse
Why is everyone so scared of the soccer Mom?? I have never seen such a display of fear and chest beating from the far left. The answer is clear, one brief exposure last Friday on public TV and it is well known; she is the best for the job and brings a whole new era of solidarity to mainstream America.
Posted by: jamestt444 | September 3, 2008 5:54 PM | Report abuse
Two thoughts.
One, considering that Alaska doesn't have much history to begin with--people in their 50's remember when it became a state--it isn't too difficult to be a "first" in Alaska 'government' when your popularity is based entirely on how fast you get those oil royalty checks dogsledded out to your couple-hundred-thousand residents, how much Federal pork-barrel largesse you slop up at the trough (despite claims to be against it, and in spite of all those oil royalties that ought to be paying for things instead of the taxes of the rest of us in civilized country), and how well you protect the muktuk whale blubber from marauding grizzlies who should KNOW better than to live within 200 miles of human habitation. The bar is set pretty low for Madame Palin, isn't it?
The other thing I'll point out is what Republicans have been desperately trying to say over the past several days: the TOP of the ticket is what's important. And by that measure, McCain has no more executive experience than Obama.
Shall we call it a draw and get back to the contest between personalities instead of issues, as the McCain campaign thinks the election will be decided upon? We all know that celebrities who fill 80-thousand seat stadiums and draw more viewers than the Olympic Games opening ceremonies have the personalities to draw MILLIONS of "whiners"...so it should be a foregone conclusion that the Geritol and Yukon Jack aren't going to be enough to win the game.
Posted by: Dean | September 3, 2008 5:53 PM | Report abuse
Um... so did Hitler.
I think there is a difference. One of them used black leather coats, German shepherd dogs, and Mauser rifles to encourage the crowds.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:53 PM | Report abuse
First we demean those against us, then we claim them inferior then we destroy them. All within the comfort of our self righteousness and self enforced ignorance.
Democrats do not hate President Bush, they hate anyone that is not a Democrat.
They are for an inexperienced Obama Presidency, but against an inexperienced Vice President Palin and extremely experienced McCain.
They are for President Clinton who set a new low for moral values in the White House but against a 17 year old daughter of a potential VP candidate who finds herself pregnant.
They are for protecting Chelsey Clinton (Clinton presidency)from the press but not the Bush daughters or now the Palin children.
Obama's past relationships remain protected and hidden but a 22 year old DWI becomes significant.
Be careful for what you wish for. A fair contest of issues should leave both parties strong and in place. We desperately need that minimal balance as proven by the history of both parties.
Perhaps a vote for McCain is a vote for balance, since neither party agenda is satisfactory.
Posted by: Michael O' | September 3, 2008 5:52 PM | Report abuse
"Palin's Speech: What Does She Need To Do?"
Admit it was a huge mistake and drop out,that would be best."
Posted by: lol | September 3, 2008 5:51 PM | Report abuse
The Democrats are in a heap of trouble. McCain picking Palin was genius. As a Democrat myself, I wish it were otherwise. But it is not.
My wife's aunt is a liberal Democrat public school teacher from New York. Pro-choice. Pro gun control. She distrusts Obama and likes Palin and will vote for McCain.
My wife's friend is a lesbian. Liberal Democrat. Feminist. Pro-choice. She likes the idea of a woman VP and will vote for McCain.
If liberal Democratic women in the northeast are voting for McCain because of Palin, imagine what moderate and conservative women in the Midwest will do.
I hope it doesn't work out this way. But I think Obama is toast. Pandering to women is going to work. Not with everyone. But with enough women to tilt a close election in the battleground states to McCain.
Posted by: taxguru | September 3, 2008 5:51 PM | Report abuse
The fact that Palin is a walking disaster aside, she is proving NOTHING with tonight's speech, as she will be reading the words that have been fed to her in that Minnesota hotel room over the past several days. The REAL Sarah Palin will appear when she is on the campaign trail and fielding questions directly from the press.
Posted by: Phloyd | September 3, 2008 5:51 PM | Report abuse
"He goes home every night from Washington to be a Father and Husband!"
Actually it's because he doesn't have two dimes to rub together. after all those years with that giant salary, he has only managed to piss it all away. can't even overnight in Dc like everyone else. check his financial report - zero net worth
he is a joke around town.
And he will do the same to the US treasury and all your money.
Posted by: kingofzouk | September 3, 2008 5:50 PM | Report abuse
>> rljmsilver
LOL.
Posted by: AsperGirl | September 3, 2008 5:50 PM | Report abuse
I should run for VP.
I am a combat veteran, been to Iraq twice and the entire middle-east. That's twice as much as Palin. Probably going for a third in the next two years.
I have shot more guns than Palin and part of a bigger gun club than the NRA.
Semper Fi.
While Palin was obtaining a passport I was already leading squads through Iraq to fight terrorist. And haven't been caught by the enemy.
My family is in way better shape than Palin's, but the issues isn't about family, it's about experience, oh wait she doesn't' have any, so let's see judge her on how well she raises her family at least. Oh, yea, that's not good either.
Damn I have a lot of experienced for only being 27.
McCain's Policies are putting me in Iraq a third time, and with enough time on my contract I can probably get a Iran ribbon too. Wow that's another ribbon I don't want.
At least Obama will try to reduce my deployment times. Oh wait, why am I talking about the issue and how that affects thousands of families.
Oh I forget, I'm not a woman being used to influence women's vote because Hilary didn't win. So I won't be able to run this year, maybe in four years.
Posted by: Kbar | September 3, 2008 5:49 PM | Report abuse
>>DFC102 wrote: "For weeks we've been witnessing the devolution of AsperGirl from a reasonably capable critic to a vindictive stereotype. In the interest of voting for a woman, she'll vote against the interests of all women. In defense of Hillary, she'll aim a missile at everything Hillary stands for."
I'm not interested in defending Hilary right now. I have no interest in what she "stands for". Hillary Clinton failed and stands for nothing, in part because she belongs to an organization in which she didn't have professional executive oxygen and respect.
There is nothing that is "in the interests of all women".
The Democrats have been holding women hostage with the boogeyman of Roe v. Wade long enough. The patronizing, suffocating inaction they have provided in areas like academic abuses of women (zero meaningful mechanism for enforcement of Title IX's facial sexual harassment protections, for example), glass ceilings, or other issues relevant to professional women.
Once in a while they sponsor some legislation regarding health care for babies or children, which is easy because who wants to vote against that? Or they might fight for some law relevant to some incremental labor dispute relevant to female factory workers.
Where is any progress even on the abortion front? Where are the dramatic moves for a right to privacy constitutional amendment that enables people to be free from electronic health record privacy violations and that would protect people from being invasively controlled in their medical decisions, like abortion, from state intrusion? Where are the facilities and help with information, logistics and support for poor women seeking help with pregnancies?
The Democrats have been happy to let the Roe v. Wade inane tug of war continue year after year because they hold women's votes hostage to the issue, by threatening the Republican boogeyman who will come and overturn it.
If Roe gets overturned, all that means is that some states will ban abortion and some states will be "free" states. In today's Internet, information-based society, it would take one week and a few hundred dollars to figure out how to get an abortion, no matter where one is. Anyone with Internet access (like at the public library) and a little money would be able to navigate that maze.
And Nancy Pelosi is welcoming anti-abortion lawmakers into Democratic ranks and getting them elected, anyways.
There is no tradeoff or benefit that the Democrats credible offer professional women that is worth the woman's vote being held hostage by the boogeyman of Roe v. Wade.
With the party being taken over by left-wing, racist, sexist, immature C-average liberal arts losers from DailyKos, who force their inferior candidates ahead of the more qualified ones and who are forcing the Democrats farther into an immature, devolved left wing ideology, who needs that trash?
Hillary Clinton doesn't "stand for" anything monolithic. The Clintons clearly made some deal with Obama, like an HHS appointment or something. The damage done to professional women memes this year by Democrats is unforgivable.
The Democratic Party is unacceptable for professional women who are liberal arts loonies and ivory tower academic idealists, or social workers or socialists. You can keep your low-class, trashy misogyny and your threats of Roe v. Wade boogeymen.
"Shut up and get on board", indeed! Go to hell!
Posted by: AsperGirl | September 3, 2008 5:49 PM | Report abuse
LEARN NOT TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS. It's annoying.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are poor starving kids in India who don't even have a caps button on their worn out keyboards sent to them from the US by the Bill gates Foundation.
And all you can worry about is whether we type in caps because it annoys you?
Try to show a little humility for the children of the world. Try to show some compassion for those who aren't as privliged as you.
And when you aren't doing all these things--TRY TO GET A LIFE!!
Posted by: Melinda Gates | September 3, 2008 5:49 PM | Report abuse
By now, all the liberal media, progressive (radical left) and liberal Democrats have drafted their comments for tomorrow's blog on Palin's speech tonight. Following are the excerpts that you will read tomorrow in their blogs and columns:
1. Palin can't even read the speech written for her.
2. Palin is an idiot.
3. Palin is a right wing facist.
4. Palin is from a trailer park.
5. Palin is corrupt.
6. Palin is uneducated because she did not attend an elite eastern university.
7. Palin is a moron.
8. Palin is a hypocrite.
9. Palin is totally unqualfied to be the Vice President and showed it tonight ( oops- last night )
10. Palin is a phony.
11. Palin was only chosen to play to the radical right evangelical extreme of the Republican Party.
12. Palin is scary and acave woman.
For those who are preparing your blog for tomorrow, before Palin speaks, did I quote you correctly and accurately?
Duh!
Posted by: rljmsilver | September 3, 2008 5:49 PM | Report abuse
What happened to 'just say no'?
Posted by: W.Culbertson | September 3, 2008 5:48 PM | Report abuse
Wake up America! John McBush and Sarah McPalin are not what they appear to be... they will, if elected, serve as "figure heads" for the power mongers ( "big oil" drug companies etc. ) and will be used by these Corporations for selfish purposes related to staying in power at the Whitehouse! Sarah McPalin was a perfect candidate for the oil mongers that want to drill in Alaska's Artic National Wildlife Refuge!!! The greedy oil also has it's eye's on the Green River Basin of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming! I'm positive that she has absolutely NO respect for wildlife and you are encouraged to check that fact PLEASE! If she is vice Pres. she will be such a great cronie for the "BIG OIL" and WATCH OUT POLAR BEARS!! This woman has NO respect for Gods Creatures at all! Gandi said "you can judge a nation by the way it treates it's animals"! Well, Sarah is NO GANDI!! AMERICAN'S WAKE UP!!The Bush Administration is trying to RETURN through these two "figure heads"!! John McCain dosen't have to be "in touch", Sarah dosn't have to be "aware of foreign affairs" etc. because Cheney, Bush or one of the power hungry people from this administration will be there to assist at doing what those with the money WANT TO DO with America the Beautiful!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:48 PM | Report abuse
"Palin's Speech: What Does She Need To Do?"
Admit it was a huge mistake and drop out,that would be best.
Posted by: Michael | September 3, 2008 5:47 PM | Report abuse
I forgot to add, I am only saying this because it is already being promoted on the Enquirer website. I would not give it away otherwise, he would never talk to me again. I will say, he said it is a game ender, they better get Mitt Romney warming up in the bullpen.
=======
I just got a text message from my brother. he is a photographer for the Enquirer. They have the goods and it is good. They have been in Alaska for several days now. What they have involves family members. You already know about the brother in law and there is no love loss there. Well he is talking as well as others. Lets just say:
"SEX LIES AND ROCK & ROLL" in Alaska.
He said it is crazy up there. News people from all over the world are everywhere. He said this is the first time they have had to compete with CNN for a story but they have it locked up though.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:41 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:47 PM | Report abuse
That's cute: the loony-left media giving Palin advice on what to say!!
That's too hilarious for words.
Like rabid dogs, the democrat misogynists are attacking yet another woman with the same savagery they used on Hillary. As before, they are being supported 100% by the liberal media, led by msnbc with their chief woman-hater and tax cheat, olbermann.
This slimebag behavior shows that the loony-left has NOTHING OF SUBSTANCE to OFFER - just smears and hysterical mud-slinging.
The "God D@#! America (and Women)" crowd is as pathetic as it gets.
/
Posted by: ALEX H. | September 3, 2008 5:46 PM | Report abuse
Obama's foreign policy experience as detailed by a commentator:
"He has drawn more people in foreign countries to hear him speak on Global issues than any politician in American history"
Um... so did Hitler.
Posted by: RightPOV | September 3, 2008 5:45 PM | Report abuse
I see the Angry Left is in full derangement mode. will you all leave the country after you lose another election? Please?
does winning only a single relection in over 70 years tell you anything about how the voters feel about you and your views?
Maybe if you ever used your eyes, ears and feeble miniature brains, you might get the hint. but knowing you, you would think it was a conspiracy or something. After all, we are out to get you.
Posted by: kingofzouk | September 3, 2008 5:45 PM | Report abuse
Governor Palin is EXACTLY who she is and no
amount of public speaking, by herself or
others, will change the facts.
I have been insulted by the last almost 8
years by a Republican Administration that
has warped the American Nation to FIT their
purpose. The have run roughshod over our
Constitution and ruined our world standing
and reputation by engaging our armed forces
in a military campaign against a nation
that was not a threat to us(Iraq) instead
of concentrating our forces on the very
REAL threat to our security posed by
those Islamic fundamentalist forces train-
ing and residing in Afghanistan.
And to do this they orchestrated a campaign of lies and deceit that continues
today...and the final insult to us is the
current Republican ticket, including someone(Palin) who has absolutely no
foreign policy experience and the SLIMMEST
political resume I have EVER SEEN in a
NATIONAL election...
and the Republican talking heads
CONTINUE the "EMPORER'S NEW CLOTHES"
argument of "she is the governor of Alaska
which is right next to Russia giving her
experience in foreign relations".
What an insult to the American people and
to ME, a citizen of this great country.
Posted by: iheardthisbefore | September 3, 2008 5:44 PM | Report abuse
Hey toolboxes-
LEARN NOT TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS. It's annoying.
Drop the Hyperbole. "Sarah Palin is the best" "All Republican are evil". It shows lack of education.
If HuffingtonPost and youtube are your references... just end your life now. Because making videos and wacky websites are not references. Neither is wikipedia.
Learn how to argue free of talking points, headlines and sound bites.
There was a time when stupid people knew they were stupid. Now everyone who has an internet connection thinks him/herself a political politico and theologian.
Posted by: RightPOV | September 3, 2008 5:42 PM | Report abuse
Joe Biden is the concrete embodiment of the word 'Father' he was willing to give up his Senate seat for his kids because they lost their mother and sister and Joe lost a wife and daughter in a tragic accident! He goes home every night from Washington to be a Father and Husband! Sarah Palin isn't in the same league as Joe Biden when it comes to being a parent!
Obama/Biden in 08 IT'S TIME!
Posted by: Gordon | September 3, 2008 5:41 PM | Report abuse
I just got a text message from my brother. he is a photographer for the Enquirer. They have the goods and it is good. They have been in Alaska for several days now. What they have involves family members. You already know about the brother in law and there is no love loss there. Well he is talking as well as others. Lets just say:
"SEX LIES AND ROCK & ROLL" in Alaska.
He said it is crazy up there. News people from all over the world are everywhere. He said this is the first time they have had to compete with CNN for a story but they have it locked up though.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:41 PM | Report abuse
Don, your comments about Obama's experience show that you haven't been following the election very much. Please visit barackobama.com and revise your post.
As for this article, I mostly agree. Look, Palin is a good speaker. Watch some of her old speeches on youtube. She will connect to voters and give McCain a chance to turn this debacle of a convention around. They have definitely lost points to Dems in the last two weeks, but a good speech will allow for damage control.
Palin is obviously a smart person with an interesting story.
Good luck tonight, Sarah.
But in the end, we want Obama-Biden 2008.
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Obama-Biden 2008
Posted by: Chris Stewart | September 3, 2008 5:37 PM | Report abuse
How does a community organizer junior senator with no legislative accomplishments claim to have ANY foreign affairs experience?
Has Palin ever played basketball with the troops in Kuwait? No she hasn't in case you didn't know the answer to my question.
So neener neener neener!!
Posted by: Basketball Jones | September 3, 2008 5:36 PM | Report abuse
QUESTION: "Palin's Speech: What Does She Need To Do?"
ANSWER: Read short sentences without any big words and pander to the inferiority complex of the sheep who feel she is just like them (i.e. would never have a prayer to be VP based on the normal requirements).
Palin reminds me of Chris Rock's character in the movie "Head of State," which uses a preposterous situation to make a satirical point. Palin's nomination shows McCain is treating our future like a complete joke -- but one that could last for at least four years!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:36 PM | Report abuse
What myth Obama has raised more money than any other candidate in the history of the U.S.A., More people have donated to the Obama campaign than any other campaign in history, he has received more votes in a primary season than any other candidate in history, Obama is the first African American to be nominated to a major party in American history, He with Senator Coburn passed the toughest ethics reform in American history, he again worked across party line to pass a loose nukes security bill with Dick Luger (r) Ind. He helped and co sponsored a real 21st century GI bill with Senator Jim Webb(D) Virginia (McBush voted against the bill), He ran a campaign for Senate were he spoke out against the Iraq war when people were savaged by the Rove/McCain/Bush machine for doing so but he won a Republican Senate in Illinois, He has drawn more people to hear him speak on the issues concerning America than any politician in American History, He has drawn more people in foreign countries to hear him speak on Global issues than any politician in American history, he has built a consensus around his middle east foreign policy position even the Bush Admin. has cooped his middle east foreign policy(only one that hasn't is McCain) I could go on and on ......Obama/Biden IT'S TIME!
Posted by: Gordon | September 3, 2008 5:35 PM | Report abuse
First of all I'd like to say is Palin she is very attractively people by her strong polictic personality but I myself think of she has to be a good mom better than being an actress on stage of polictical place. Another thing I wanna say is Republican party such as a place for whitelie politician doing perfomance on the stage trying to blackout people by using their power as a rich person. Don't do that on selecting a leadershif of commander over the nation to hurt midclass of people.
Posted by: Katrina D. | September 3, 2008 5:33 PM | Report abuse
Ok washington post what about it? Are you afraid of being called liberal media? Or are you afraid of being called sexist? Which is it? After hearing and reading how she stopped "the bridge to no where" I want to know when your reporters are going to stand up and ask Mrs Palin What happened to the money that came from $223 million to $454 million "bridge to no where project."
The republicans were in charge of the House at the time so when she said no thanks, instead of $223 MILLION DOLLARS she got $454 MILLION DOLLARS to keep....Oh I'm sorry washpost, I forgot they have been keeping Mrs Palin under lock and key.
Posted by: Introduce us to that $454 MILLION | September 3, 2008 5:32 PM | Report abuse
Jeez, John McCain's VP:
(1) is hotter than me
(2) has a better smile and personality than me
(3) has a higher popularity in her state than me
(4) gives a great damn speech
(5) has mayor of a small town against my "community organizer"
(6) has council member, mayor and governor against my resume
(7) has a disabled, adorable baby
(8) wasn't created by a drunken, polygamist, already-married father who then abandoned her teenaged mother
(9) got ahead with hard work and achievement instead of affirmative action and racial preferences
(10) has an actual political philosphy and approach that is distinctly hers
(11) has a record of action that she can point to, to define her leadership priorities and character
(12) man! she's a better basketball player than me!
What can I do? Hey, I killed my giant, Hillary Clinton, by destroying her personal narrative, and invoking misogyny an sexism to unleash a torrent of contempt, spite and ridicule on her as a person and professional.
I will destroy the woman's reputation and image.. Michelle, get MSNBC and DailyKos on speakerphone!
Posted by: Barack Obama's Conscience | September 3, 2008 5:32 PM | Report abuse
I really liked and recommend Fred Hiatt's take on this which resonates with a refreshing intellectual honesty that might actually cause me to hope for the first time in a long time that the rehabilitation of this paper as the fourth estate might just be possible. She'll be reading from a teleprompter a speech that somebody else invented. That's not leadership.
Posted by: Sara B. | September 3, 2008 5:31 PM | Report abuse
Anonymous wrote:
"I am voting for Obama for what
I believe is superior judgement and foresight."
Yes. But I always find comments like yours amusing. Have you ever gotten anyone to flip on who they were voting for with that garbage?
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:30 PM | Report abuse
Obama has experience in Foreign Affairs???
This is the same Obama who- when asked about Russia/Georgia conflict- said he would push for a UN Security Council Resolution.
Um... I doubt that Russia would vote for that. Considering they are ON the Security Council.
Obama who called Iran "small" and "not a threat"?
Obama who isn't sure whether or not Jerusalem should be the capital of Israel?
How does a community organizer junior senator with no legislative accomplishments claim to have ANY foreign affairs experience?
Posted by: RightPOV | September 3, 2008 5:28 PM | Report abuse
THIS IS HOW THEY TREATED HILLARY
And the so-called Democratic "feminists" stood by silent
Obsessing over Clinton's sexuality with jokes and ridicule
Mainstream media covered Clinton's cleavage, pantsuits and thighs
Obama supporters pushed Chelsea about her father's sexuality at forums
Calling Chelsea Clinton "pimped out" by her parents
Every week finding some new demeaning stereotype to hang on her: "first wife", "mother in law", "vampirella" and on and on
DEMOCRATIC FEMINISTS IS AN INTERNALLY CONTRADICTORY
The Democratic party, when it comes to female executive treatment, is a place where women can go to be second class professionals expected to defer to the men, who have no voice or authority except when they use it to support the males' agendas.
What a bunch of impotent, uncle-tom females those Democratic women are!
The reason why feminism appeared to have stalled for all these decades was because we were paying attention to the Democrats, not the Republicans.
Those Republican women rock! That press conference they gave today was awesome!
Sarah Palin rocks!
Democratic women are tools of their party, affectations and appendages.
"Shut up and get on board", indeed!
Posted by: AsperGirl | September 3, 2008 3:06 PM
//
Well, it's official.
For weeks we've been witnessing the devolution of AsperGirl from a reasonably capable critic to a vindictive stereotype. In the interest of voting for a woman, she'll vote against the interests of all women. In defense of Hillary, she'll aim a missile at everything Hillary stands for.
Palin's female, and that makes her completely correct and acceptable, even as she seeks to undo the advancements made by feminists in the last forty years. She's anti-choice, pro-censorship, and very clearly inferior to the accomplished women of the party such as Hutchinson, Fiorina, Rice, Dole, and Snowe, and still...AsperGirl is ready to hand her the reins, because she's female.
"Democratic women are tools of their party, affectations and appendages."
Maybe so.
And Republican women--the acceptable ones, anyway--tools of their Republican men's party, affectations and appendages.
Posted by: DFC102 | September 3, 2008 5:28 PM | Report abuse
The comparisons of Palin to Obama are quite silly. Obama's budget experience: nil. Palin manages an 11 billion dollar state. Obama executive/leadership experience: nil, he has never even lead a Senate committie. Palin has had decision making power in at least 3 positions. Obama's energy experience: nil. Palin has negotiated a $40 billion international pipeline project. Obama's reform experience: nil. Palin has refused the bridge to nowhere and to cleaned up oil/political corruption and sent residents a $1200 check from renegotiated oil royalties. Obama's experience with the military: nil. Palin is in charge of the Alaska State Defense Force and the State Police, not to mention she has several U.S. bases in her jurisdiction. The comparisons are not close. Obama is a fabricated contender. Palin is a real leader. If you cannot see the difference then you are a kool-aid drinker and not really in touch with reality or the facts.
Posted by: Don | September 3, 2008 5:27 PM | Report abuse
Palin can be expected to deliver a forceful speech full of red meat, one that's perfectly in harmony with the McCain message and the attacks that the GOP has launched against Barack Obama. How can we be sure? Because she's not delivering her speech, she's delivering a speech that was pre-written for someone else by McCain's staff.
Sitting around a dining room table, the McCain team has talked to her about Iraq, energy and the economy, but has focused on what she should say in her speech, struggling almost as hard as she has to prepare for what will be, along with a debate in October, her main opportunity to shape the way she is viewed by voters. Not anticipating that McCain would choose a woman as his running mate, the speech that was prepared in advance was "very masculine," according to campaign manager Rick Davis, and "we had to start from scratch."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/03/AR2008090301176.html?hpid=topnews
Here's McCain's own campaign manager confirming that Palin was a last minute choice, and that the original speech was written for someone else. Right now, they're sitting at that table with the diced up remains of a speech that was originally written for Romney or Pawlenty and putting a dress on it.
It would be interesting to see what the before and after versions of the speech look like. What will be missing from the revised speech? What parts of the speech did the Republicans find so "masculine" that they just couldn't let their VP pick deliver them? Just the fact that they're busily putting pink paint on a speech designed before McCain threw his Hail Mary Right Wing pass shows what they really think about Palin, and about women in general. Unless the speech was full of references to jock straps, just what was in it that Palin couldn't say? Really, how sexist is it to describe a political speech as "very masculine?" Maybe they were hoping to give the former VP-candidate a jump on a career peddling male enhancement tablets.
Don't worry, the final draft will include plenty of direct appeals to women voters. There will be a big dollup of how Palin takes the kids to hockey practice and is the absolute personification of the mom America loves. But if you hear Palin mention something about her history as an entrepreneur, or drift into her experience as governor of Minnesota, don't be too surprised. After all, there no mention of Palin bringing any ideas of her own to this speech.
Posted by: Christy Roman | September 3, 2008 5:27 PM | Report abuse
What are the wolf hunting websites?--thanks.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:26 PM | Report abuse
After reading the derogatory attacks and comments by WaPo, Sally Quinn, et al I have made my mind up. I was sitting on the fence, trying to educate myself on Obamanation kool-aid or McCain Train. Now I know. As a mainstream, single mom working in a male dominated field .... I stand by the strong woman who is being attacked.
Posted by: SingleMom | September 3, 2008 5:26 PM | Report abuse
apsergirl: you are really reaching to try and legitimize Gov Palin. And the Bush twins were arrested here in a local Mexican Restaraunt for the exact same thing.
Who Cares !
All of this has absolutely zero to do with her family. Shame on you. As an educated person you should no better.
As a fellow Clinton supporter just admit that we are just as screwed with McCain as we are with Obama, neither are up to the job; just flip a coin before you vote.
Posted by: Leichtman | September 3, 2008 5:25 PM | Report abuse
This has to be watched you will crack up. It is well known republican talking heads caught saying what they really think when they didn't know the mic was on.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/03/peggy-noonan-mike-murphy_n_123647.html
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:25 PM | Report abuse
Anonymous wrote:
"I am voting for Obama for what
I believe is superior judgement and foresight."
ARE YOU SERIOUS?????
1.) Obama, their Presidential candidate, giving thousands of dollars, and twenty years, to a racist pastor spreading hate on the southside of Chicago. Also, Obama has his family sit under this hatemonger. BAD JUDGMENT!!!!
2.) Obama, their Presidential candidate, is friends with an unrepentant terrorist, Bill Ayers, and raises money with this despicable character. BAD JUDGMENT!!!
BTW, Will Ayers have access to the White House if Obama succeeds in this scam?
3.) Obama, their Presidential candidate, thinks Iran is a tiny country and not a serious threat. BAD JUDGMENT!!!!
4.) Obama, their Presidential candidate, wanted to RETREAT-IN-DEFEAT when things weren't going well in Iraq. No country would risk a future military partnership with America if they cannot count on a commitment by America. EXTREMELY BAD JUDGMENT!!!!
5.) Far-left radical Obama not only is for partial birth abortions, he is for allowing infanticide if it is in conjunction with an abortion procedure. EVIL JUDGMENT!!!!!
OBAMA - a few months in the US Senate and he thinks he is presidential material....EGOMANIAC!!!
Posted by: JimMF | September 3, 2008 5:25 PM | Report abuse
^^^ What if Obama's Conscience Spoke at the Same Time He Did? ^^^
^^^ Annotated transcript of Obama's Nomination Acceptance Speech ^^^
>>"Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story -- of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas who weren't well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to."
--Four years ago, I laid a big one on you out of my fictionalized life story that I made about my drunken, polygamist, already-married Kenyan father who knocked up my then-17-year-old mother and then abandoned us.
>>"It is that promise that has always set this country apart -- that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well."
--And where people like me can get ahead on racial preference and affirmative action, so that we advance without ever actually doing anything resembling hard work and sacrifice like you people!
>>"It is why I stand here tonight. Because for 232 years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women -- students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors -- found the courage to keep it alive."
--And support my undeserved advancement and also pay for my racial preference scholarships and all the gravy train that has come my way over the years! The donations of millions of african american supporters -- students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors -- paid my campaign the $6 million that it cost to move my nominating night event from the Pepsi arena to Invesco field for my Greco-Roman crowning!
>>"We meet at one of those defining moments -- a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more."
--And the Democratic party is nominating a president with no experience or qualifications that might make him a credible executive!! I couldn't get hired to run a factory!! Ha Ha!
>>"Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can't afford to drive, credit card bills you can't afford to pay and tuition that is beyond your reach"
--And yet you have sent $400 million to my presidential campaign! That I keep spending on helping the voters get to know me better! As if that's the problem! What suckers!
*************************
In David Mendell's 2007 biography, Obama, it was reported that Obama was a B student whose grades slipped so far below a B at High School that in his final year his grandmother feared he would not get into a university. The chapter ends with him being accepted into Occidental on a full scholarship.
The NYT has published a letter written by Obama in 1990, that discusses his own experiences with affirmative action.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/us/politics/03affirmative.html?_r=2&em=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin)
Mr. Obama quote: “[I] undoubtedly benefited from affirmative action” in [my] own academic career.
Posted by: Barack Obama's Conscience | September 3, 2008 5:25 PM | Report abuse
Asperger Girl---Take some Ritalin!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:24 PM | Report abuse
Ouch! - look at your citation. Any reporter that refers to the supporters of the Governor as "Palinbots" is by definition biased and unfit to accurately report the news. Another example of left-wing bias permeating the media.
Posted by: Dave Olson | September 3, 2008 5:24 PM | Report abuse
PROFILE OF SARAH PALIN
by Alaskan John Smith of Wasilla, AK who has known Sarah Palin since 1972
“SARAH PALIN IS A RED NECK”
September 02, 2008
My fellow Americans:
As an Alaskan, I am writing to give all of you some information on Sarah Palin, Senator McCain's choice for VP. As an Alaska voter, I know more than most of you about her and, frankly, I am horrified that he picked her.
The most accurate description of her is red neck. Her husband works in the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay and races snowmobiles. She is a lifetime member of the NRA and has worked tirelessly to allow indiscriminate hunting of wildlife in Alaska, particularly wolves and bears. She has spent millions of Alaska state dollars on aerial hunting of these predators from helicopters and airplanes, dollars that should have been spent, for example, on Alaska's failing school system.We have the lowest rate of high school graduation in the country. Not all of you may think aerial predator hunting is so bad, but how anyone (other than Alaska wolf-haters, of which there are many, most without teeth), could think this use of funds is appropriate is beyond me. If you want to know more about the aerial hunting travesty, let me know and I will send some links to informative web sites.
She has been a strong supporter of increased use of fossil fuels, yet the McCain campaign has the nerve to say she has "green" policies. The only thing green about Sarah Palin is her lack of experience. She has consistently supported drilling in ANWR, use of coal-burning power plants (as I write this, a new coal plant is being built in her home town of Wasilla), strip mining, and almost anything else that will unnecessarily exploit the diminishing resources of Alaska and destroy its environment.
Prior to her one year as governor of Alaska, she was mayor of Wasilla, a small red neck town outside Anchorage.The average maximum education level of parents of junior high school kids in Wasilla is 10th grade. Unfortunately, I have to go to Wasilla every week to get groceries and other supplies, so I have continual contact with the people who put Palin in office in the first place. I know what I'm talking about.
These people don't have a concept of the world around them or of the serious issues facing the US. Furthermore, they don't care. So long as they can go out and hunt their moose every fall, kill wolves and bears and drive their snow mobiles and ATVs through every corner of the wilderness, they're happy. I wish I were exaggerating.
Sarah Palin is currently involved in a political corruption scandal. She fired an individual in law enforcement here because she didn't like how he treated one of her relatives during a divorce. The man's performance and ability weren't considered; it was a totally personal firing and is currently under investigation. While the issue isn't close to the scandal of Ted Stevens' corruption, it shows that Palin isn't "squeaky clean" and causes me to think there ay be more issues that could come to light. Clearly McCain doesn't care.
When you line Palin up with Biden, the comparison would be laughable if it weren't so serious. Sarah Palin knows nothing of economics (admittedly a weak area for McCain), or of international affairs, knows nothing of national government, Social Security, unemployment, health care systems - you name it. The idea of her meeting with heads of foreign governments around the world truly frightens me.
In an increasingly dangerous world, with the economy in shambles in the US, Sarah Palin is uniquely UNqualified to be vice president. John McCain is not a young man. Should something happen to him such that the vice president had to step in, it would destroy our country and possibly the world to have someone as inexperienced and inappropriate as Sarah Palin. The choice of Palin is a cheap shot by McCain to try to get Hillary supporters to vote for him. when McCain introduced her today, Palin had the nerve to compare herself with Hillary and Geraldine Ferraro. Sarah Palin, you are no Hillary Clinton.To those of you who, like me, supported Hilary and were upset that she did not get the nomination, please don't think that Sarah Palin is a worthy substitute. If you supported Hillary, regardless of what you think the media and the democratic party may have done to undermine her campaign, the person to support now is Obama, not Sarah Palin. To those of you who are independent or undecided, don't let the choice ofPalin sway you in favor of McCain. Choosing her shows how unqualified McCain is to be president. To those of you who are conservative, I guess you have no choice for president. But please try to see how the poor choice of Palin tells us a great deal about McCain's judgment. While the political posturing inherent in the choice of Palin is obvious, the more serious issue is the fact that the VP is, literally, a heartbeat away from the presidency. Sarah Palin is totally and unequivocally unqualified to be vice president, let alone president.
I know this is a lengthy and emotional email, but the stakes are high. I thought it might help for all of you, regardless of political affiliation, to know something about Palin from someone who has to live with her administration in Alaska on a daily basis.
Posted by: PRAY4WORLDPEACE | September 3, 2008 5:24 PM | Report abuse
the democrats were segregationists from 1800 to 1965. They fought every civil rights proposal. They were the majority of Clansmen in the KKK.
Marting Luther King was a Republican.
Look it up.
Posted by: segregation | September 3, 2008 4:24 PM
Uh... and your point is? Oh, I get it. Since the 1960s the Democratic party has reversed its ugly history and has now nominated a black man for President. While the Republican party, since the 1960s, has welcomed the Klansmen left behind by the Democrats. I get it now!
Posted by: NM Moderate | September 3, 2008 5:23 PM | Report abuse
LOTS OF STUFF COMING OUT NOW ABOUT HOW SHE HAS SPENT MOST OF HER LIFE ATTENDING A CHURCH THAT IS OBSESSED WITH HOLY WARS AND END TIMES!!!! DON'T GIVE HER "THE BUTTON".
FOREIGN EXPERIENCE? THE DESIRE TO SEE THE WORLD GO UP IN A FIREBALL TO USHER IN THE SECOND COMING IS NOT A GOOD ANSWER.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k84m2orSOaM&feature=related
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html
PALIN HAS MUCH BIGGER CHURCH ISSUES THAN OBAMA, AND SO DO WE IF MCCAIN/PALIN ARE ELECTED.
Posted by: Susan | September 3, 2008 5:23 PM | Report abuse
^^^ What if Obama's Conscience Spoke at the Same Time He Did? ^^^
^^^ Annotated transcript of Obama's Nomination Acceptance Speech ^^^
"Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story -- of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas who weren't well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to."
--Four years ago, I laid a big one on you out of my fictionalized life story that I made about my drunken, polygamist, already-married Kenyan father who knocked up my then-17-year-old mother and then abandoned us.
"It is that promise that has always set this country apart -- that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well."
--And where people like me can get ahead on racial preference and affirmative action, so that we advance without ever actually doing anything resembling hard work and sacrifice like you people!
"It is why I stand here tonight. Because for 232 years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women -- students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors -- found the courage to keep it alive."
--And support my undeserved advancement and also pay for my racial preference scholarships and all the gravy train that has come my way over the years! The donations of millions of african american supporters -- students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors -- paid my campaign the $6 million that it cost to move my nominating night event from the Pepsi arena to Invesco field for my Greco-Roman crowning!
"We meet at one of those defining moments -- a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more."
--And the Democratic party is nominating a president with no experience or qualifications that might make him a credible executive!! I couldn't get hired to run a factory!! Ha Ha!
"Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can't afford to drive, credit card bills you can't afford to pay and tuition that is beyond your reach"
--And yet you have sent $400 million to my presidential campaign! That I keep spending on helping the voters get to know me better! As if that's the problem! What suckers!
*************************
In David Mendell's 2007 biography, Obama, it was reported that Obama was a B student whose grades slipped so far below a B at High School that in his final year his grandmother feared he would not get into a university. The chapter ends with him being accepted into Occidental on a full scholarship.
The NYT has published a letter written by Obama in 1990, that discusses his own experiences with affirmative action.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/us/politics/03affirmative.html?_r=2&em=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin)
Mr. Obama quote: “[I] undoubtedly benefited from affirmative action” in [my] own academic career.
Posted by: Barack Obama's Conscience | September 3, 2008 5:23 PM | Report abuse
THE EXPERIENCE MYTH OF OBAMA
I have worked with the Obama campaign on a local level since December and have met and spoken with Obama numerous times. Anyone who thinks Obama is not prepared for the office of president does not know Barack Obama. I don't think the campaign has spoken about it, although there have been articles written, maybe because it may have seemed kind of presumptive doing all this so many months before he even had the nomination, but that is not how Obama works.
Little is left to chance. So here is what the deal is:
Does Obama have the experience to be president, is he ready? It would be hard to say anyone is ready to be president, but what prepares one for the job?
Obama has been getting ready when his nomination was still no more then a dream. Obama has an advisory staff of over a 300. Most all are the top people in their fields. 4 of his staff are the top people on middle east politics in the world. He has numerous people on pretty much everything you could think of from global warming to world economics to energy and foreign policy to the military. Generals to scholars you name it, he has been working with these people for more then a year. Obama is a brilliant man, who easily knows more right now then any candidate who ever ran for the office of president. He is so up to speed it is astounding. John Mccain does not know or grasp a fraction of what Obama does. Mccain is in effect, a dinosaur, compared to Obama now. Mccain has no real practical experience or understanding in many of these areas at all. Just being in Washington for many years does not necessarily make you an expert nor knowledgeable in "Anything".
Bill Clinton said it best when he said,
"No one is really prepared to be president".
He was right and Obama understood that better then anyone long before he even began his journey for the presidency. So for over a year he has been quietly preparing. Like anything such as being a doctor or lawyer or any profession, your first introduction is academic, you go to school. Obama will by no means be learning on the job, he has been in school for more then a year. When enters office, Obama will be the most well prepared and ready president to ever walk into the white house.
He will also be surrounded by the finest staff ever assembled by any president in history.
If you do not want to vote for Barack Obama I can respect that, but by no means think he is not ready to be president. He will be the most ready man to ever win the office.
Thanks for listening
A Florida Obama worker
========
THE THIN RESUME, SHALLOW EXPERIENCE OF A NARCISSIST
Obama is a freshman senator in the U.S. senate and has been mainly engaged in running for president since his first year. What is his past professional history?
Obama got a "community organizer" job after 2 years of unemployment after graduating from Columbia with a bachelor's degree. That "community organizer" included lame stuff like trying to get protests together and get yards cleaned up.
And as his book admits, he didn't get anywhere as a "community organizer" and that's why he went back to law school.
And as we all know, after graduating from law school, Obama failed to make partner at his law firm, set no precedents in cases he might have handled, didn't get published in any law review and didn't produce any scholarly or professional works of any nature contributing to the field of law.
Obama's probably the only politician in the U.S. to not accomplish a single thing with an ivy league law degree before going into politics.
In going into politics as a Illinois state senator, Obama never even really won a contested election, but got his state senate seat by using tricks and legal moves to get opponents disqualified, and he had opponents conveniently implode for him.
Obama's years as a state senator in Illinois is so empty of any leadership that he voted "present" 130 times to avoid taking stands on "controversial legislation" (as if there were 130 career-killing controversial laws he had to take a pass on at the state level, come on!) and yet no one noticed his failure to take a lead.
As an Illinois state senator, Obama climbed the greased pole of corrupt, dirty Chicago politics leveraging racist politics of Trinity Church, insider ex-radical terrorists like William Ayers' networks and trading favors with corruption figures like his convicted slumlord friend Tony Rezko.
Obama has contributed nothing to his profession and his only achievements are those that involve his ability to advance his own status and promote himself.
Obama has never published journal article in any law review, collaborated on any professional project, engaged in no landmark signature legislation, or made any tangible, substantial contribution of any nature to his profession as a lawyer or politician at any time since graduating with an ivy league law degree.
The only tangible works Barack Obama produced in his life are 2 fictionalized books about himself, glorifying his search for identity and his alcoholic, polygamous, already-married Kenyan father who was a failed Muslim communist (?) that knocked up his then-17-year-old mother and then abandoned them.
Posted by: AsperGirl | September 3, 2008 5:16 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:22 PM | Report abuse
Since the speech is being written for her by the campaign and, indeed, seems to have been written even before the VP pick as they say they have to change the "masculine" character, why would this rveal much of anything about Palin herself, and her own background?
Posted by: RG | September 3, 2008 5:22 PM | Report abuse
Obama earned his way onto the ballot by defeating the most savvy political machine in history the Clinton machine! Sarah Palin will be appointed tonight John McCain's coronation will be tomorrow! Big woop!
Posted by: Gordon | September 3, 2008 5:22 PM | Report abuse
What does she have to do tonight? Not spit up, lose her place or fall down. The expections for a speech were never so high than for Obama's speech and so low for Palin's speech. She has been incommunicado for 2 days practicing every line and delivery of whatever they have written for her. It doesn't matter what she says. The Republican's will go nuts and say she is Joan of Arc! Just don't spit on the prompter Sarah and you will be fine.
What I am really looking forward to is when she has her soon to be son-in-law is up there with her and McCain. What is she going to say? Thank you very much for having unprotected sex with my underage daughter? You are representative of everything we want our young people to be although it would be nice if you finished high school. What is really interesting is why this guy is going to be on stage at all? I mean if she was so proud to be a grandmother and so proud of her daughter's decision to have this baby, why didn't she say so when McCain introduced her? Why didn't he say "and with Sarah is her daughter who I am proud to say is 17 years old and 5 months pregnant and here is the proud father? Why did they have the daughter hold the DS baby with the blanket over her stomach to hide that she was pregnant? Shouldn't the father have been holding the baby? If there is a reason Levi is there now, he should have been there before unless, of course, they were trying to hide it for a while so they could manipulate it for political reasons. No, it couldn't be that. And, what kind of power hungry, self-centered person would put two young people through this? As far as I am concerned it is child abuse.
It is hilarious to see McCain and Republicans scream about the press asking questions about Palin both as a politician and a person. They actually said they will not answer any more questions about her background! That the evil media has been too hard on her! Are you kidding me? This is the big leagues and if Palin can't take this, we better know it now before she has to stand up to Putin. They scoured every detail of Obama, Barak and his wife Michelle, for 18 months and the Republicans urged them along. No one knew anything about Palin 4 days ago. She didn't go through the gaunlet of a campaign so everything she would have been asked over a year is now going to be asked in 60 days thanks to McCain. Let's see what her preacher preached. Let's see what earmarks she asked for her town. Let's hear how she promised the people of Alaska they would get the "highway to nowhere", then reniged. Let's hear how she said "Thanks but no thanks" to the highway, but kept the federal funds that had been earmarked for it. Oh yeah, let's not forget the coincidence about her firing the person who wouldn't fire her ex-brother in law. Right, no political pressure put on anybody (ah, but we have a tape). And, let's hear that while she is proud of her daughter's "decision" to continue this pregnancy, she wants to deny this right to a "decision" to every other young woman in America even if the pregnancy is due to rape or incest.
Finally, I think the Republicans, McCain and Palin should simply stop lying about her background. Over an over again they say she had been the mayor or a "city" for 8 years. Sounds impressive. But, a "city" is defined as "A center of population, commerce, and culture; a town of significant size and importance". What do you think? Calling it a "city" a bit over the top? Someone trying to mislead someone? But Carl Rove never saw a voter he couldn't lie to and neither did George Bush. McCain and Palin have good teahers.
Posted by: MarvAlan | September 3, 2008 5:21 PM | Report abuse
Hey train wreck plane wreck dude-
your comments should be shorter than the article.
Also- what does FOX news have to do with it? And Europe?
And so if you don't like Obama- you are a racist. But if you don't like Palin you are... a open minded?
Go drink more hufpo kool-aid kiddo. Then kick around the hacky sack. You'll feel better.
Posted by: RightPOV | September 3, 2008 5:20 PM | Report abuse
You mention she must show she can assume the role of CIC after a small stint as governor of Alaska and mayor of a small town. I ask...what kind of experience does the person who demands to be CIC have after a few years in the Illinois state senate and a couple years as a junior senator?
I am voting for Obama for what
I believe is superior judgement and foresight. Two necessary ingredients to be a successful CIC. I don't believe McCain has either of these qualities. Otherwise he would be a fine CIC.
Palin is a total unknown quantity in this respect. Not wise to gamble here with the potential of her becoming the president. For McCain to take that gamble (and lets be honest with each other, he really knows little about her) indicates he doesn't understand the gravity of his choice or he doesn't care.
I believe he cares about all these things. That isn't the issue. I just don't think his judgement indicates very well thought out long range understanding of many issues.
And I believe Obama has the vision. And he is liberal. Like me.
But good luck in November.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:20 PM | Report abuse
Mel,
I didn't say ALL Christians,, just the ones I work with. Our concern is helping those that need help, regardless of personal beliefs. My point was that we don't get any attention, unlike our evangelical "brothers and sisters". We don't try to force pseudo-science like "Creationism" down the throats of children. We believe in building bridges to other communities of faith to promote cooperation and understanding. It's really too bad that the evangelical fringe of Christianity seems to garner all the attention in this country.
Posted by: Chris in Texas | September 3, 2008 5:20 PM | Report abuse
This is good, a couple of well known talking heads saying what they really think when they didn't know the mic was on.
-------
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:19 PM | Report abuse
I wonder if she'll talk about which books she'd like to ban from the Library of Congress . . .
from NY Times . .
>>>>>>
Shortly after becoming mayor, former city officials and Wasilla residents said, Ms. Palin approached the town librarian about the possibility of banning some books, though she never followed through and it was unclear which books or passages were in question.
Ann Kilkenny, a Democrat who said she attended every City Council meeting in Ms. Palin’s first year in office, said Ms. Palin brought up the idea of banning some books at one meeting. “They were somehow morally or socially objectionable to her,” Ms. Kilkenny said.
The librarian, Mary Ellen Emmons, pledged to “resist all efforts at censorship,” Ms. Kilkenny recalled. Ms. Palin fired Ms. Emmons shortly after taking office but changed course after residents made a strong show of support. Ms. Emmons, who left her job and Wasilla a couple of years later, declined to comment for this article.
In 1996, Ms. Palin suggested to the local paper, The Frontiersman, that the conversations about banning books were “rhetorical.”
Posted by: delantero | September 3, 2008 5:19 PM | Report abuse
Susan you say...
PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING SHE CAN EXPLAIN IS WHY WOULD WE ENTRUST OUR MILITARY AND OUR NUCLEAR ARSENAL TO A WOMAN WHO HAS SPENT MOST OF HER LIFE ATTENDING A CHURCH THAT IS OBSESSED WITH THE IDEA OF HOLY WARS AND END TIMES!!!!
THIS AND OF COURSE "WHAT EXACTLY CAN YOU CITE FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS EXPERIENCE". THE DESIRE TO SEE THE WORLD GO UP IN A FIREBALL TO USHER IN THE SECOND COMING IS NOT A GOOD ANSWER.
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Good grief, what is more important to you...have a CIC with no experience in foreign affairs or a possible CIC with no experience? At least Sarah has dealt with Canada and Russia on some level.
And why would you entrust nukes to Obama when he is a lover of a reverend who spews nothing but hatred? I guess you are wishing for the earth to be scortched.
Posted by: Juan | September 3, 2008 5:17 PM | Report abuse
First of all, I should say that I think that Governor Palin is appalling. No question. But I think that it would be a mistake to dismiss her as a lightweight and non-starter for the job. In fact, as George Lakoff points out in an internet essay "The Palin Choice," she should be taken very seriously, as people vote on the basis of image and spin, not reality. (The Republicans cannot win using reality. But they can win using spin.)
After getting over my pique at her nomination, I began to realize that any effort to analyze her candidacy should be based entirely on the positions that she has taken and represents. The fact that she is also unqualified for the job and is an insult to feminists everywhere is (almost entirely) irrelevant.
My current rapidly growing list of her positions that I do NOT agree with includes:
- She denies that mankind has affected global warming (anti-science)
- She promotes the teaching of creationism (anti-science)
- She favors abstinence-only sex education (the scientific evidence shows that it is not effective, and I do not mean her daughter; she is anti-science)
- She opposes placing polar bears on endangered species list
- She favors drilling for oil in Alaska's wildlife refuges
- She placed a bounty on wolves, which is questionably legal at best; she approves hunting wolves from airplanes
- She is pro-gun and has no experience with gun issues outside of the wild west of Alaska
- She is associated with far-right political groups, through her husband (a member of the American Independence Party, a separatist group)
- She poses as anti-big-government but brought $27 million in federal money to her town of Wasillia
- She poses as anti-corruption but accepted donations from the same corrupt oil industry groups as Ted Stevens (now under indictment for it)
- She poses as "against" the famous "Bridge To Nowhere," but she accepted and kept the federal appropriation for the bridge (without ever building it)
- She has used her power for personal goals; she is vindictive; she asked for the resignations of all of the town department heads who had not supported her; Troopergate
- She has a bad environmental record
You will note that I am NOT emphasizing her tissue-thin resume and experience. I think that would be playing into the McCain camps' trap, i.e., to make the election about experience. Also, I am content to leave her family (largely) out of it, except in so far as we encounter direct hypocrisy. For example, Palin cut Alaskan appropriations for services for pregnant teens. I wonder how that will play out in interviews. I look forward to seeing her when she is off of the scripts that has been prepared for her.
Anyway, after reflecting on Governor Palin's nomination for awhile, I concluded that I could, indeed, find another $1000 or two to donate to the Obama campaign. As he said in his acceptance speech, this is too big - too important - an election for small politics. And as far as I can figure out, Governor Palin's nomination is all about small politics.
Posted by: Mercercat | September 3, 2008 5:17 PM | Report abuse
THE THIN RESUME, SHALLOW EXPERIENCE OF A NARCISSIST
Obama is a freshman senator in the U.S. senate and has been mainly engaged in running for president since his first year. What is his past professional history?
Obama got a "community organizer" job after 2 years of unemployment after graduating from Columbia with a bachelor's degree. That "community organizer" included lame stuff like trying to get protests together and get yards cleaned up.
And as his book admits, he didn't get anywhere as a "community organizer" and that's why he went back to law school.
And as we all know, after graduating from law school, Obama failed to make partner at his law firm, set no precedents in cases he might have handled, didn't get published in any law review and didn't produce any scholarly or professional works of any nature contributing to the field of law.
Obama's probably the only politician in the U.S. to not accomplish a single thing with an ivy league law degree before going into politics.
In going into politics as a Illinois state senator, Obama never even really won a contested election, but got his state senate seat by using tricks and legal moves to get opponents disqualified, and he had opponents conveniently implode for him.
Obama's years as a state senator in Illinois is so empty of any leadership that he voted "present" 130 times to avoid taking stands on "controversial legislation" (as if there were 130 career-killing controversial laws he had to take a pass on at the state level, come on!) and yet no one noticed his failure to take a lead.
As an Illinois state senator, Obama climbed the greased pole of corrupt, dirty Chicago politics leveraging racist politics of Trinity Church, insider ex-radical terrorists like William Ayers' networks and trading favors with corruption figures like his convicted slumlord friend Tony Rezko.
Obama has contributed nothing to his profession and his only achievements are those that involve his ability to advance his own status and promote himself.
Obama has never published journal article in any law review, collaborated on any professional project, engaged in no landmark signature legislation, or made any tangible, substantial contribution of any nature to his profession as a lawyer or politician at any time since graduating with an ivy league law degree.
The only tangible works Barack Obama produced in his life are 2 fictionalized books about himself, glorifying his search for identity and his alcoholic, polygamous, already-married Kenyan father who was a failed Muslim communist (?) that knocked up his then-17-year-old mother and then abandoned them.
Posted by: AsperGirl | September 3, 2008 5:16 PM | Report abuse
The Repubs are setting the bar so low for Palin that as long as she doesn't mispronounce any words, they'll be out there insisting that it was a better speech than Obama's.
Posted by: Patrick | September 3, 2008 5:15 PM | Report abuse
BOYCOTT FOX NEWS
If FOX NEWS does not clean up it’s filthy RACIST acts of discrimination, then American and European audiences will B O Y C O T T FOX RACIST NEWS.
U.S. Presidents From Harvard Law
John Adams
John Quincy Adams
Rutherford Hayes
Theodore Roosevelt
Franklin Roosevelt
John Kennedy
Barack Obama
President and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama Contrast With D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain
Growing Up
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain was privileged, given everything by both parents, and worked for nothing.
Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama grew up poor, raised by his Irish-American single white mother and Irish-American white working class maternal grand parents. Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama was given nothing and worked for everything.
Education
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain was a D student and graduated last in his class. D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain and McBush Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire share failed academic records. He partied constantly and dependent on favor handouts from his high ranking father and grandfather. D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain earned nothing on his own similar to McBush Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire. D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain is also Internet illiterate which slows down his information processing capacity. Is this good for the country?
Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama worked hard and became PRESIDENT OF THE HARVARD LAW REVIEW. Everything that Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama accomplished he did on his own. Irish-American Barack Obama’s HARVARD Scholarship ranks among the best. Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama’s hard work represents the American Dream.
Community Service
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain poor studies translated into poor performances in the military where he crashed several planes and recklessly endangered the lives of others. D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain was never trusted by his colleagues nor loved by his peers. The highlight of D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain’s career was getting shot down and becoming a prisoner. D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain served his country by getting handouts from his guards. Getting handouts seems to be D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain’s modem of operations. WillObscenelyRich McCain, who finished 894th out of 899 at the Naval Academy and who lost five jets, return competence to the White House? To lose one plane over Vietnam may be a heroic tragedy; to lose five planes here and there is carelessness.
Irish-American Barack Obama turned down large profits after graduating from HARVARD LAW to serve the community in Chicago where help was needed most. The community learned to trust and love Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama for his dedication to public service.
Marriage
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain walked out on his family to chase a younger woman who was on drugs, embezzling money from her company, stealing, and facing criminal charges, until her privileged family saved her from trial. D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain’s dysfunctional family represents chaos and lack of respect when he curses her in public.
Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama married an intelligent IVY LEAGUE attorney and adores his beautiful young daughters. Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama’s First Family represents what America is striving for. Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama has always been surrounded by and still maintains a great respect for women (Irish mother, Irish grandmother, sister, wife, and two daughters). If anyone is in tune with and favors the betterment of working American women, then it’s Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama.
International Diplomacy
The World wants no more chaotic McBush Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire-D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain.
The World loves Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama and will follow America’s leadership behind Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama.
If D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain had to make another emergency landing on a deserted island with Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama onboard as one of the passengers, then it is safe to say that D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain would assume the role of Gilligan, while Irish-American and Harvard Law Scholar Barack Obama would assume the role of the professor.
Navy pilot John Sidney D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain III should have never been allowed to graduate from the U.S. Navy flight school. He was a below average student and a lousy pilot. Had his father and grandfather not been famous four star U.S. Navy admirals, D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain III would have never been allowed in the cockpit of a military aircraft.
His father John S. "Junior" McCain was commander of U.S. forces in Europe later becoming commander of American forces in Vietnam while D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain III was being held prisoner of war. D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain III's grandfather John S. McCain, Sr. commanded naval aviation at the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
During his relative short stunt on flight status, D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain III lost five U.S. Navy aircraft, four in accidents and one in combat.
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain III lost jet number one in 1958 when he plunged into Corpus Christi Bay while practicing landings. He was knocked unconscious by the impact coming to as the plane settled to the bottom.
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain's second crash occurred while he was deployed in the Mediterranean. Flying too low over the Iberian Peninsula, he took out some power lines which led to a spate of newspaper stories in which he was predictably identified as the son of an admiral."
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain's third crash three occurred when he was returning from flying a Navy trainer solo to Philadelphia for an Army-Navy football game.
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain's fourth aircraft loss occurred July 29, 1967, soon after he was assigned to the USS Forrestal as an A-4 Skyhawk pilot. While seated in the cockpit of his aircraft waiting his turn for takeoff, an accidently fired rocket slammed into D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain's plane. He escaped from the burning aircraft, but the explosions that followed killed 134 sailors, destroyed at least 20 aircraft, and threatened to sink the ship.
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain's fifth loss happened during his 23rd mission over North Vietnam on Oct. 26, 1967, when D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain's A-4 Skyhawk was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain ejected from the plane breaking both arms and a leg in the process and subsequently parachuted into Truc Bach Lake near Hanoi.
"Demands for military information were accompanied by threats to terminate my medical treatment if I [D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain] did not cooperate. Eventually, I gave them my ship's name and squadron number, and confirmed that my target had been the power plant."
When the communist learned that D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain's father was Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., the soon-to-be commander of all U.S. Forces in the Pacific, he was rushed to Gai Lam military hospital.
The communist Vietnamese figured, because POW D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain's father was of such high military rank, that he was of royalty or the governing circle. Thereafter the communist bragged that they had captured "the crown prince."
For 23 combat missions (an estimated 20 hours over enemy territory), the U.S. Navy awarded D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain a Silver Star, a Legion of Merit for Valor, a Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars, two Commendation medals plus two Purple Hearts and a dozen service medals.
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain had roughly 20 hours in combat. Since D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain got 28 medals, that equals out to a medal-and-a-half for each hour he spent in combat. There were infantry guys -- grunts on the ground -- who had more than 7,000 hours in combat where I'm sure a prison cell would have looked pretty good to them by comparison. The question really is how many guys got that number of medals for not being shot down.
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain has been an unchecked master at manipulating an overly friendly and biased news media. The former POW turned Congressman, turned U.S. Senator, has managed to gloss over his failures as a pilot and collaborations with the enemy by exaggerating his military service and lying about his feats of heroism.
D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain has sprouted a halo and wings to become America's POW-hero presidential candidate.
Former naval officer and the owner of an OOIIILLLL-trading company that inked defense contracts worth $1 billion is the modern presidential money man. The law forbids high-level supporters from writing huge checks, but with help from friends in the Middle East D Student Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain is receiving large donations.
BOYCOTT FOX NEWS
If FOX NEWS does not clean up it’s filthy RACIST acts of discrimination, then American and European audiences will B O Y C O T T FOX RACIST NEWS.
OBSCENELY RICH WALL STREET OOIIILLLL MILLIONAIRE MCCAIN WANTED TO BE KERRY’S VP AND RUN AGAINST BUSH WALL STREET OOIIILLLL MILLIONAIRE
John Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain really can't stand George W. Bush Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire. Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain's rhetorical flirtation with the idea of becoming Sen. John Kerry's running mate is an ongoing intramural psychodrama that began in 1999.
Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain saw Bush Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire as a pampered kid being set up in the family business — presidential politics — on the strength of his father's connections and access to money.
Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain railed in private about this. He tried to laugh about it, but he was seething inside. Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain was from royalty, too, in his own way — Navy royalty. He was the namesake of a famous father, and that smoothed his path to Annapolis and helped keep him there.
The good ol' boy supporters of the Bush Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire team savaged Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain and his family, spreading vicious rumors. The boys didn't have to be told what to do. They knew. They'd done it before, to others.
Letting bygones be bygones
After it was all over, Bush Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire, with his usual steely geniality, told Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain that the rough stuff of the primary season was not his fault and, in any case, was just politics. Time for bygones to be bygones. Exactly what the senator said in reply isn't known. But Bush Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire and Karl Rove knew that they couldn't afford to antagonize Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain further. Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain, for his part, didn't want his "maverick" reputation to rob him of the chance to be a major player in a capital dominated by his fellow Republicans.
Virtually every big-hitting corporation with business in Washington needs to see Rove & Co., of course, but they also, quite often, need to see the senator.
Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain needs the president to champion their shared belief that force — and only force — can teach.
The fun of needling Bush Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire
But Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain still finds it hard not to remind the White House of his independence, and can't resist needling Bush Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire even when he dutifully is arguing the president's case. We were right to go to Iraq, Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain says repeatedly, but he has been increasingly tough on the administration's intelligence-gathering problems and use of intel in making its case for war.
The question of the veepship is true that Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain and Kerry are close. They are perhaps the leading members of an informal caucus of Vietnam Veterans in the Senate, a fiercely loyal group that tends to eschew party lines whenever possible to express solidarity with one another. It's also true that, like any politician, Obscenely Rich Wall Street OOIIILLLL Millionaire McCain likes to make news, likes to be in the limelight and likes to be asked if he has any interest in being a partner on a national ticket.
Barak Obama proved why November's presidential election will end in a 50-state sweep. John McCain has no chance. It's like George Bush climbing into the ring with Mike Tyson; one thundering left hook and the Crawford Caligula would be sprawled across the canvas. "No mas"! The same fate awaits the crabby senator from Arizona. The polls are skewed to look like there's a political horse-race going on. There isn't. It's a complete rout. There's one well-toned thoroughbred striding from venue to venue electrifying the ever-increasing throngs, and one doddering, old mare limping towards the glue-factory. Someone should put a stop to it before McCain gets hurt.
At the Victory Column in Berlin's Tiergarten, Obama extracted Old Glory from the burn-pile and gave Brand America a desperately needed shot of adrenaline. 200,000 ecstatic Germans jammed the streets in what turned out to be the political shindig of the year. Many of them were waving American flags and chanting, "Obama, Obama, Obama". It was like Jack Kennedy had risen from his moldy sepulcher and made his way across the pond for one last rousing ovation. Obama has the very same affect on crowds. Its a gift and he knows how to use it to great advantage.
"People of Berlin, people of the world, this is our moment, this is our time," Obama boomed. "I know my country has not perfected itself, we've made our share of mistakes and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions. But the greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another."
What can we say about Obama's oratory skills that hasn't already been said? He is one of those unique characters who knows how to tap into the collective psyche and put them under his spell. He is the closest thing to a Pied Piper we've seen in the last half century. Whatever one thinks of his politics, his speeches are a welcome reprieve from the simian blabbering of President Dimwit.
"I speak to you not as a candidate for president, but as a citizen; a proud citizen of the United States and a fellow citizen of the world." (Roaring applause)
JOHN McCAIN: Maverick or Freak?
Have you taken a look at the crowds at a McCain event. Usually, there aren't any. Typically, there are more journalists and cameramen then people; and even they look bored. It's the truth. He generates no enthusiasm at all. None. He may be the most uninspiring, tedious, pure-vanilla candidate of all time; a complete dud. I challenge anyone to recite from memory anything John McCain has ever said in his 40 years in office. Time's up! When McCain begins to talk, its a signal for women to pull out the nail-files and for men to figure out how they're going to get out of cutting the lawn this week. Really. No one listens.
And the people that do manage to drag themselves to his speeches out of a sense of obligation are (you guessed it) scowling white guys with baseball caps pulled tightly over their ears or nearly-ambulatory Korea-era Vets who think the United Nations is a communist front-group that's planning to air-drop blue-helmets into Duluth to take over the United States. Tin-foil hats anyone?
Popularity and charisma, how does one survive in politics with neither. That's the question, and it may be the biggest mystery of McCain's candidacy. He's just not a likable guy. No one ever talks about hanging out and having a beer with John McCain, because they know that he might go "Jackie Chan" and start busting the place up. And he's utterly impossible to listen to. His high-pitched squeaky voice is about two octaves higher than a dog-whistle and twice as annoying. So how is he going to beat Obama. It's a total mismatch.
McCain is the perfect candidate for the GOP Republic party that has completely collapsed. He's like the "Jolly Roger" on the front of an iodine bottle; Brand X. In 2000, the Republican Party boasted it was the "party of ideas". What ideas? The Republican Party has never had ideas because the corporate mandarins and blue-blooded kleptocrats that run the party are suspicious of ideas, ideology, doctrine, philosophy or anything else that veers from their primary objectives of crushing the poor, despoiling the environment, carpet-bombing brown people wherever they may be, and enriching themselves. That's all they care about. The task of the right-wing think-tanks is to treat "war and tax cuts" like they're ideas. They're not. But war and tax cuts ARE the two foundation blocks of the Republican Party. There's nothing else; there never has been. Don't look for ideas; there aren't any. GOP Republican get rich quick by defrauding the American People, robbing the National Treasury, sending American jobs overseas, and raising the national debt.
Hold Bush, Cheney, Rice, and McCain accountable for the crimes they've committed during their time in office.
Obama is not a candidate; he's a phenomenon. Obama is an explosive, vital, charismatic politician. When he speaks people feel better about themselves and their country. And, they're more hopeful about the future, too. That's what makes him unbeatable.
McCain, on the other hand, is the perfect embodiment of his party; a rusty, broken-down hulk that's been stripped of its engine, its fenders and all its moving parts. Even the steering wheel is gone. It's a dead-loss; nothing is salvageable.
McCain is in way over his head. This election is going to be a real embarrassment for him. It's too bad. He should be back at the Phoenix Rest Home shooing kids off the front lawn instead of waiting for the ax to fall in November. It's a rotten way to end a career.
GOP Republican Wall Street Get Rich by robbing the American Treasury and outsourcing American jobs party has officially been dissolved. Democrats and Independents are the official parties. Blessings to America and the World for peaceful cooperation and the elimination of unjust wars for GOP profits. The People First Party has arrived and Rich Wall Street millionaires will no longer use the American People as their cattle. Americans today are all free independent Democratic People in pursuit of happiness in the spirit of cooperation.
“We joined up with an altruistic vision of promoting freedom and justice around the world,” said Vince Emanuel, a Marine lance corporal who did a tour of duty in Iraq from August 2004 to April 2005, explaining why he was marching and protesting the GOP Republican Convention.
“Except we saw the killing of innocent people and the destruction of property ... for a lot of us it was very disenfranchising."
The veterans group tried to hand a message to the campaign of GOP Republican John McCain calling for a withdrawal from Iraq, reparations for the Iraqi people, and full medical benefits for veterans. No one from John McCain’s campaign received them.
BOYCOTT FOX NEWS
If FOX NEWS does not clean up it’s filthy RACIST acts of discrimination, then American and European audiences will B O Y C O T T FOX RACIST NEWS.
Posted by: GOP Republican Train Wreck Plane Wreck | September 3, 2008 5:14 PM | Report abuse
I think Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy pretty much summed up Palin's chances when they spoke the truth unwittingly on an open mic on NBC: "It's over."
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/
TrooperGate, BabyGate, AIP, book burner-wannabe, politically motivated firings of Wasilla employees and every day the list keeps growing - website scrubbings, dates on photos suddenly changing (which makes the youngest child reverse-age) and those 300 Wikipedia edits in a single day, all notwithstanding.
At least for those of us who are merely RELATIVELY fluent on the net, it's just all been so... "1984"-ish.
All of which, btw, makes you guys in the MSM seem downright dinosaurly slowish. (I know - I made those last two words up, Chris - but there simply weren't any genuine words in the English language to describe how you McCain-trusting political "reporters" have been so completely blind-sided by him.)
Which all kinda' makes me sad.
Then, too, just who in the world could McCain possibly choose to follow her (for sheer entertainment value) to offer up to the MSM (another shot at functioning like actual journalism)?
Posted by: Carmen Cameron | September 3, 2008 5:14 PM | Report abuse
Wow, the lefties sure are mad today! Get back to work or I'll tell your bosses how unproductive you are.
Posted by: Barackhusseinobamabinladen | September 3, 2008 5:14 PM | Report abuse
Sarah Palin has to explain to me how her decision to put her daughter in the spotlight like she did. Says something about her family values.
A 17-year-old woman has been taken from the living room of a private family challenge to the national news media maelstrom in the space of four days. On top of the private struggle, she now lives among klieg lights, sat trucks, and political vetters and handlers.
Who put Bristol in this position? It was Sarah Palin and John McCain. While the e-rumor mongering of Daily Kos and Matt Drudge is often despicable, they did not open the doors to the world of Bristol’s personal trial. No, it was Governor Palin and Senator McCain in the practice of very cynical politics.
First, the mother. You can’t be a political neophyte to succeed in the seamy world of Alaskan politics, perhaps today’s most corrupt state. She knew that the media would find that her daughter was seven-months pregnant, and that it would be grist for e-rumor mongering, and then the front pages and 24-hour cable television. To expose her daughter to this hyper public pain is contemptible. The Governor is 44-years-old and this rising star had plenty of time to be a VP candidate or even vie for President (and even gain the credentials to actually qualify for the jobs). The drama of her family meant that this was not her time, but blind ambition drove her to say yes to John McCain. Her first duty was as a mother protecting her child. That’s the right answer on the family value test.
Then there’s John McCain’s irresponsibility. There are only two explanations, and they are both bad ones.
If the McCain campaign vetting was so superficial that it did not reveal Bristol’s pregnancy, that shows a critical lack of responsibility. It shows the same purposeful blindness to learning the facts before making a monumental decision as, say, sending men and women to war based on mangled intelligence. Making a significant decision requires a genuine search for the truth and failing to make that search shows the kind of bad judgment that disqualifies him for the presidency.
Now, the McCain campaign insists that the vetting was just fine and that McCain knew of Bristol’s pregnancy. That’s worse. Thwarted by the right wing of his party in his desire to make a shake-things-up choice with a Joe Lieberman nomination, he became desperate for some kind of sea changing political move. He put on blinders to what would happen to Bristol and is an accessory to exposing Bristol to the 24-hour insatiable news monster. John McCain knows e-rumor mongering very well. He went through it involving his marriages, the 2000 Bush campaign’s story that McCain had fathered a black child and this year about his relationship with a lobbyist. An adult, he chose to expose himself to the monster, but he had no right to choose that for a teenager. That’s bad judgment too, in a father, a politician and a president.
This is not about abortion and it is not a sexist diatribe as to whether a mother can have a public job and still do her job as a mother. It is about the values and judgment of people seeking to hold the first and second most important jobs in the world.
Both McCain and Palin chose the worst kind of cynical politics—something they disavow as purported reformers--over a basic value that says that family always comes first. Barack Obama is right that the media should leave families, especially a candidate’s children, alone. That should be a family value governing the media—but the media ignores it more and more. McCain and Sarah Palin knew this and hopefully they have not scarred Bristol for life. Hopefully, Bristol and her child can live a life in peace at some point, and if that miracle happens that’s despite the family value failures of her mother and a man who wants to be president in the worst way.
Posted by: tony | September 3, 2008 5:13 PM | Report abuse
Doesn't this sound earily similar to how W treated US Attorneys who refused to violate their oaths of impartial prosecutions?
" ABC's Brian Ross and Joseph Rhee report. "After taking over as Mayor of the small town of Wasilla, Palin fired the longtime local police chief. The former police chief, Irl Stambaugh says he was fired because he stepped on the toes of Palin's campaign contributors, including bar owners and the National Rifle Association"
Is this what John McCain means by country first?
Posted by: Leichtman | September 3, 2008 5:13 PM | Report abuse
Obama is more experienced than Palin.
Obama has called up the national guard to monitor Russian bombers of the coast of Russia.
Obama has vetoed wasteful legislation.
Obama has put together a budget.
Obama has tackled education, transportation, infrastructure, ethics reform, crime, pollution, corruption.
Oh wait...
Gov Palin- thank you. Cause you have made the Republicans energized and the Democrats scared. Nice work.
Posted by: RightPOV | September 3, 2008 5:13 PM | Report abuse
ONE SPEECH??? You're seriously suggesting that all of the doubts can be dispelled in ONE SPEECH about this person's lightweight background, hasty selection, and lack of qualification? Note that word, "qualification" -- frequently confused with "experience," but not the same at all, as in, Obama may not have more experience (although I do not for a minute concede that), but he's definitely better qualified.
That she can do that with ONE SPEECH is absured; it's preposterous. But, sadly, given the shallow level of what passes for political analysis these days, and the GOP's sliming of the media for doing their job in vetting Palin, it might just happen.
What a sorry, depressing state of affairs.
Posted by: jac13 | September 3, 2008 5:13 PM | Report abuse
So, Chris, what you're saying is if she shows up breathing able to read the speech the apparatchniks shove at her, that's OK?
As Susan points out, she has a heck of explaining to do about that church she's a member of!
HOLY WARS to bring about THE END OF TIMES?
This is who we want in a VP? Oh wait, wasn't that Cheney's job???
Posted by: Ethan Q | September 3, 2008 5:12 PM | Report abuse
Palin taunts a political opponent for being overweight and getting cancer:
http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/story/295464.html
Not fit to be VP, not even fit to be governor...
Posted by: ouch! | September 3, 2008 5:12 PM | Report abuse
Swim in that, you miserable left-wing losers!
Posted by: Marc | September 3, 2008 5:10 PM
Only gay guys named Marc spell it with a "c".
Ha ha!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:12 PM | Report abuse
You mention she must show she can assume the role of CIC after a small stint as governor of Alaska and mayor of a small town. I ask...what kind of experience does the person who demands to be CIC have after a few years in the Illinois state senate and a couple years as a junior senator?
Why do women have to be held to a higher standard than men? Hillary got axed because of this - she clearly was the better candidate. At least Sarah Palin was in charge of a public office.
Posted by: Juan | September 3, 2008 5:11 PM | Report abuse
Please The Fix. Need to discuss Alaska Independence Party where Todd Palin was member for 7 years, where Sarah talked at their convention as acting governor last year! Vogler the founder of the party ranted against the US with such hatred. How is this not an issue? How can the Palins be a part of a group that actively wants to secede from the US and not be a huge story?????! People question Michelle's Patriotism how do the Palins get a free pass on this? It is by far the most disturbing revelation of many concerning Sarah Palin as VP candidate.
Posted by: Brian | September 3, 2008 5:11 PM | Report abuse
I have been a registered, voting, union steelworker Democrat(Hillary supporter all the way) for 30 years AND a working mother. This year I am thoroughly disgusted by the Democrats and will not be voting for Obama.
I can understand how you could easily switch from Hillary to McCain. After all, they have NOTHING in common.
Do you have a clue as to why you were a Democrat???
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:10 PM | Report abuse
What has stinkin' B.O. ever accomplished!!! Believe me, stupid liberals everywhere, experience is NOT an issue you want to pursue. Do so at your own risk, imbeciles. The Dems pathetic track record in presidential elections should make you reconsider your strategy in this one. B.O. is nothing but an inexperienced racist bigot who associates with the extreme left-wing fringe of the Democratic party and has no proven record beyond that. Were he a white male, he would never had made it this far. Swim in that, you miserable left-wing losers!
Posted by: Marc | September 3, 2008 5:10 PM | Report abuse
OBAMA SUPPORTERS,
Will unrepentant terrorist and admitted friend of Barack Obama, Bill Ayers, have access to the White House if Obama is President?
Posted by: JimMF | September 3, 2008 5:09 PM | Report abuse
As for the AIP story, to pull someone's registration card to say they've ALWAYS been a member of a party is not necessarily true, though it does not speak well of the integrity of the party member,as in Palin's case.
The only parties a board of election know about are the one's we indicate, and what we do in the meantime is up to us.
As far as I know, America is still a free country in which freedom of assembly still matters...Board of Elections or no.
Posted by: Ethan Q | September 3, 2008 5:09 PM | Report abuse
PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING SHE CAN EXPLAIN IS WHY WOULD WE ENTRUST OUR MILITARY AND OUR NUCLEAR ARSENAL TO A WOMAN WHO HAS SPENT MOST OF HER LIFE ATTENDING A CHURCH THAT IS OBSESSED WITH THE IDEA OF HOLY WARS AND END TIMES!!!!
THIS AND OF COURSE "WHAT EXACTLY CAN YOU CITE FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS EXPERIENCE". THE DESIRE TO SEE THE WORLD GO UP IN A FIREBALL TO USHER IN THE SECOND COMING IS NOT A GOOD ANSWER.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k84m2orSOaM&feature=related
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html
PALIN HAS MUCH BIGGER CHURCH ISSUES THAN OBAMA, AND SO DO WE IF MCCAIN/PALIN ARE ELECTED.
Posted by: Susan | September 3, 2008 5:07 PM | Report abuse
Christians not forcing themselves on people??!!!! HAHAHA Yeah right
Posted by: Mel | September 3, 2008 5:07 PM | Report abuse
It seems she has already been judged unworthy by many. Everyone needs to take a step back and give here a chance. It is refreshing to see someone that is not already entrenched in Washington politics and lobbyists.
It would be more refreshing to see someone who had a bit more experince with how to run the United States. She was a mayor of a town of less than 7,000 and the governor for 18 months. Who in the Republican Party would have picked her based on those qualifications???? Name one other person.
If you need a woman to run with McCain there are several others much more qualified.
What is so amusing is everyone of you who are stuck with her now and want to believe McCain is infallable are spinning this woman to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Ha, you have no other choice!!
I have to laugh when i hear GOP women saying she is just perfect. She is conservative, believes in right to life, and creationism and has good family values.
Like that is all you need to know about somebody. You people don't know a thing about what she is really like. Let's be honest. Anybody ever talk to her? Ever talked to her kids? Her neighbors?
30 second sound bites from her parents aren't going to tell you a damn thing.
"Oh we just love her. She sounds just like us!" We know nothing but have made up our minds.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:06 PM | Report abuse
Anybody who would consider Sarah Palin, the pork-barrel expert who puts Alaska first in everything as suitable for the Presidency should McCain, aged 72 and in questionable health, expire is high on glue or some other non-controlled substance. Just like McCain, her judgement is lousey; she boards a plane from Alaska to Dallas while 8 months pregnant, then makes the return trip while in labor, and tells nobody about it! It seems she must give birth in some little igloo of a hospital in Alaska. She loathes the American form of government, as do her husband and friends in the Alaska Independance Party. In federal office, she and McCain can do maximum damage to the government and the laws they hate. Palin also vetoed funding for a home for unwed mothers, never thinking she might need the facility for her own daughter. She plans to parade the creature who did the impregnanting before Wednesday's audience at the Convention, presenting the debasement of the republicans for all to see.
Posted by: Isisells | September 3, 2008 5:06 PM | Report abuse
Dear hive-mind detractors of Barack Obama:
Please ease up on throwing as many uses of the word "Hussein" into your replies as possible. It's not that I find it offensive. It's just that, per the rules of my "The Fix" drinking game, I have to take a sip every time you do it, and that old chestnut has been dragged out so many times today I'm going to have trouble driving home. Perhaps you can instead focus on some of the "The Fix" buzzwords that have been seen less in the last few days, like "2012," "all-boys' club," "racist" or "slap in the face."
Posted by: VBArthur | September 3, 2008 5:06 PM | Report abuse
Come one folks...McCain is older than dirt. He will be 77 at the end of his first term. Sara Palin could very well be our next president, sooner rather than later. This lady's husband belongs to a party that advocates Alaska drop out of the United States and become a new country. They call Michell Obama an angry black woman, so what does that make Palin's husband. Maybe a traitor.
Posted by: sanity please | September 3, 2008 5:05 PM | Report abuse
Anonymous,
There are more Christians like me than you realize. We just don't attract a lot of attention. We go quietly about the work that Christ called us to do - "help the least of these" among us. You will find us in homeless shelters, advocating for foster children, providing housing for the homeless, etc. You certainly will not find us trying to proselytize or force ourselves on those don't believe as we do. We would rather set a positive example for how people ought to treat each other.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:04 PM | Report abuse
I have been a registered, voting, union steelworker Democrat(Hillary supporter all the way) for 30 years AND a working mother. This year I am thoroughly disgusted by the Democrats and will not be voting for Obama.
Posted by: Cheryl | September 3, 2008 5:03 PM | Report abuse
Struggle all you want to calibrate the balance, Palin's experience as a mayor and governor are painfully close to Obama's as a state senator and two years as a member of the US Senate. Obama doesn't have an extensive record of opinions, decisions, and positions, and no record at all as an executive. He's all hope and change, but where's the arugula? Does he really endorse invading Pakistan? What does he believe regarding affirmative action? Does he still believe the US should withdraw from NAFTA? What is his position on illegal immigration? Controlling the deficit? He's cloud-hidden, whereabouts unknown on almost every difficult issue in politics. Why does he get a pass? The answer is self-evident. It's that old leg tingle magic. He's a biography Chris Matthews et al. believe they know and can relate to. Palin, on the other hand, is from the planet where all the voters Pauline Kael didn't know live. Palin is a far from perfect candidate, but her shellacking in the press I think will emerge as a cultural watershed. I suspect that the people who watch CMT and GAC, and there are a lot of them, will see a redneck taking a beatdown here. We're going to look at this country, each other, and ourselves with different eyes at the end of this election.
Posted by: san juan de la cruz | September 3, 2008 5:03 PM | Report abuse
This is crazy. How can we elect someone with so little experience to be just a heartbeat away from the presidency? And don't give me the "Palin more experienced than Obama" line. Alaska has more trees than people, and less people than Chicago. Palin has a bachelor's degree from a small college. Obama has a law degree from an Ivy League school. I know some think this is "elitist," but in all honesty, it's a very good thing. Especially for affairs of the state of the union. There IS a difference in their experience and world knowledge. This is what is needed in a world leader at this time.
Palin is not ready.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 5:03 PM | Report abuse
I am a soccer mom and my father is a proud military vet. We are proud accomplished patriotic Americans but I will be the first one to tell you that these are not qualifications to be the rulers of the free world! We have been so let down by the Republicans in power over the past 8 year and we are not going to be fooled by their cheap brand of politics this time around. I feel ashamed for voting for Bush and it tore my heart out to see my 79 year old veteran father cry himself to sleep yesterday after he saw Bush shamelessly push for off-shore drilling during his update on the status of the Hurricane Gustav Victims! Shame on him!!!
Posted by: Kristen | September 3, 2008 5:02 PM | Report abuse
Chris - The premise of your article assumes that she has anything to do with what she will be saying tonight. As the WaPo reported today, this speech was written well before the Republicans even knew who would be the one to deliver it. Of COURSE she's going to come off with advanced knowledge of all the important issues - because she's reading directly what someone else wrote.
Tonight proves nothing for Gov. Palin. The first test will be how she handles an unscripted, not-all-friendly interview where she is not just the mouthpiece for the Bush advisers.
Posted by: Dan | September 3, 2008 5:01 PM | Report abuse
Can someone please wake me up when it's over? Please let me sleep if the Republicans win . . . as they employ foolish people like Rick Davis who thinks "the election is not about issues."
>>>>>>>
""McCain campaign manager Rick Davis told Washington Post editors Tuesday that issues will have an impact on undecided voters but will not be conclusive.
“This election is not about issues,” Davis said. “This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates.”"""
Posted by: delantero | September 3, 2008 5:01 PM | Report abuse
The biggest question is: Who's getting an invite to the Shotgun Wedding?
Posted by: harried | September 3, 2008 5:01 PM | Report abuse
Hey Chris,
Just wanted to let you know I'm hooked on your web cast and your blogging! I've been watching you everyday and thought your closing words on the Katie Couric interview were GREAT!
Looking forward to tonight.
Blessings,
Dave
Posted by: Dave Baldwin | September 3, 2008 5:00 PM | Report abuse
Obama has no executive experience. None.
Palin isn't "just" a governor. She's one of the best: an overwhelmingly popular and effective governor -- not to mention the first female and youngest governor in Alaska's history.
FACT.
Posted by: You know it's true | September 3, 2008 4:59 PM | Report abuse
Ha! Joe Biden's daughter got in a belligerent bar confrontation with cops that got her arrested:
Charge dropped against daughter of Sen. Biden
Article from: Chicago Sun-Times Article date: October 30, 2002
(http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1461420.html)
A charge of obstructing a police officer against the daughter of U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) was dismissed Tuesday after she apologized. Ashley Blazer Biden, 21, of Wilmington, Del., was with a group outside a North Side bar about 1:15 a.m. Aug. 3 when someone threw a bottle at an officer, said Jerry Lawrence, a spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office. When officers tried to make an arrest, Biden blocked one of them and made intimidating statements, police said. Circuit Court Judge William P. O'Malley dropped the misdemeanor charge after Biden and two of her friends apologized to police in court for their actions. Charges against John Kaulentis, 24, of Deerfield and ...
Where were the questions about whether or not we should have a national dialog on the drunken belligerent bar behavior of daughters of senators?
Posted by: AsperGirl | September 3, 2008 4:59 PM | Report abuse
get back to work you winers!
Posted by: dirtbird | September 3, 2008 4:59 PM | Report abuse
Sara Palin's selection as John McCain's VP running mate is intended to end badly within the next two to three weeks as part of a devious Republican strategy. The McCain/Republcan strategy never intended for Palin to run the full course of the campaign and most likely not more than two weeks past the end of the Republican National Convention. As a result of attacks on her and the focus on her family, she will resign in shame and disgust, and the McCain campaign then intends to real the rewards of the resulting sympathy.
I have been in contact with a source that has previously provided reliable information on several issues. The strategy is outlined below, which is a combination of informed speculation and quietly-passed information:
(1) The McCain campaign has long ago quietly picked their VP running mate intended to be on the ticket in November.
(2) Palin has been selected as a "trojan horse" target for vocal political firebrands to have a veritable field day.
(3) The strategic response to criticism of Palin is a scripted minimalist retort intended to actually invite more criticism.
(4) Key McCain operatives, posing as intense liberals, will seed blogs and bulletin boards with horrific claims about Palin.
(5) Key McCain operatives, acting as "insider informants", will spill minor tidbits from "inside" the campaign organization to help fuel the negative Palin speculation.
(6) As the criticism reaches its peak, and a "family secret" is exposed by an intensely savage "liberal blogger", Palin will resign.
(7) After an appropriate period of McCain campaign faux indignation and a "second VP search", their original choice will be revealed.
Among those quietly discussing this rumored strategy, one name continues to emerge as the likely architect, Carl Rove. And, as is typical of the strategic maneuverings of Rove during campaigns, the intended outcome is multi-facted:
(1) The McCain campaign organization intends to reap significant reward from voters who are showing both sympathy and ager over what has transpired.
(2) The Republican party insiders expect this issue to become the tipping point that initiates strict media control over political bloggers.
(3) The McCaign campaign expects this issue to remove examination of familial matters from the news, as there are deep issues in Cindy McCain's professional life that could harm them.
(4) The backlash of the perception resulting from attacking a "hockey mom", "nice person", and a pregnant 17-year old daughter will forever damage the Democratic party as it is expected they lack the backbone to do anything but apologize.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:58 PM | Report abuse
This is like a true circus...
McCain chose Palin to pick up the disgruntled Hillary voters..no question..the last thing on his mind was her qualifications which are pathetic.
His choice is irresponsible, her chances of becoming president are 40%...can you imagine her as our President..what a laugh.
And it's an insult to women voters...because it basically assumes that women vote for women simply because they are women
Posted by: Hebert | September 3, 2008 4:58 PM | Report abuse
I lived in Alaska, case closed. That place is nothing but Misfits and nut cases and boy does she fit the mold. She is a pot smoking whack job and who knows what else. I will promise you once the Enquire starts spreading around some money up there we will hear a lot. Want to bet there are a few women in her fisherman husbands life. Maybe a few prostitutes. Lets hear from some of his fishing buddies. Wife swapping is big up there also. Meth labs on every corner and they still make moonshine. Believe me this is going to be good, stay tuned. The tabloids already have her on the covers now and are digging like crazy.
-----
Hey "anonymous":
You should get over your hatred (or is it just youthful ignorance) of people that live outside of the Village, and stop equating anyone who doesn't live in NY or SF to a character from Dukes of Hazzard. Not very MLK of you, but maybe you don't care.
Alternatively, if you want to go that course, why don't you consider a magazine cover featuring Palin as Daisy Duke taking down the corrupt Republican Frank Murkowski as Boss Hog. Does that satisfy your need to stereotype like a 1940s white man.
Posted by: You know it's true | September 3, 2008 4:49 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:58 PM | Report abuse
Republicans are all 100% liers, losers, cons and crooks.....does it take 8 more years to prove it to all you "sheepeople"?
(and please leave God and the talking snake out of this)
VOTE REPUBLICAN if you gross >$250,000/year
VOTE DEMOCRATIC if you make <$250,000/year
Posted by: GET REAL USE YOUR BRAIN | September 3, 2008 4:57 PM | Report abuse
Yes, let’s compare the qualifications of the allegedly inexperienced candidates:
Obama has a Law Degree from Harvard and served as the president of the Harvard Law Review. He has been a professor of law and passed up high paying jobs to be a community organizer.
Palin has a BA in Journalism from the University of Idaho and used that degree briefly as a sportscaster.
Obama has spent the better part of 2 years proving that he has the capacity, the judgment, and the integrity to serve at president.
Palin was introduced 5 says ago, gave a mediocre acceptance speech, and is totally unvettied amongst the American Public.
Obama has spent much of his life living and traveling overseas.
Palin obtained her first passport 1 year ago.
Obama beat out a number of qualified presidential candidates and it was eventually decided by his party that he was ready to lead.
Palin has never been a candidate for president and has never shown that she is or should be a candidate for that job.
Both have served their communities at the local level, but only Obama has fought the system on behalf of the under privileged und under represented. Palin was a councilmember and the mayor of a small town. I have worked for a small town and let me tell you, they are completely dysfunctional in terms of operations and management. This particular town's growth can be attributed to suburban Anchorage sprawl and would have happened with or without Palin’s service.
Both have served at state level, Obama as a state representative and Palin as a 1st term governor, but I would argue that the problems found in the Illinois state legislature are significantly more similar to those faced on the national level. Let’s consider Alaska's budget problems. Oh, wait, their only problem is deciding how to divvy up all of that oil revenue. Just so that we are all clear, every resident of Alaska receives a oil dividend check every year just for living in Alaska. Is it any wonder that the state is so corrupt when the government is so strapped with cash?
Only Obama has served on the National level and I would say that that makes him inherently more qualified to serve in a national office.
If Palin had a penis she likely wouldn’t have made the short list much less the long list of VP candidates. It is insulting to women for McCain to presume that genitalia would matter more than a candidate’s stance on issues, experience, or a candidate’s capacity for the job at hand. Some have previously argued the same point in that if Obama wasn’t an African American that he wouldn’t have been nominated either, however the big difference here is that Obama has been tested over the past 2 years and he has passed that test, whereas we must decide on Palin in just 90 days. She may turn out to be qualified, but 90 days time is not enough time for such as decision.
John McCain’s decision will go down as the biggest political blunder in American history.
Posted by: Nick | September 3, 2008 4:57 PM | Report abuse
Memorizing and delivering a prepared speech--such as Palin is doing tonight--is a far cry from being well-versed on national issues. And the radicals who try to say that she is more qualified to serve as president than Obama are just throwing the proverbial crap of hypocrisy. They have tried to portray Obama as not being ready for weeks now, then McCain turns around and chooses a running-mate far less experienced and all of a sudden, she is READY TO GOVERN because she has been the mayor of a two-horse town and a governor of a largely empty state for less than two years?!? What idiocy!!! Obama was already a United States Senator during the 2008 campaign and has been for seven years now), plus he had two years of state government experience prior to that. Palin has had LESS than two years of state government experience and NONE on the national scene. So, explain to us, please, how her qualifications are stronger than Obama's? Now, I will have to admit that she has more experience being under state investigation than does Obama--no doubt about that!!!
Let's just tell it like it is...McCain did a bone-headed thing trying for a shot-in-the-dark to galvanize his faltering campaign and it backfired on him. No use crying "Foul" on the media. What goes around comes around--what more can I say?
Posted by: JD | September 3, 2008 4:57 PM | Report abuse
Looks like Obama's "convention bump" is limited to about 5 points!
LOL. What a joke.
The Clintons dragging their mistreated, slapped-around butts on board, the beautiful production set convention.
The $ 6 million dollar Temple to Obama, the coliseum, rock stars playing, and the fireworks. The carefully written and acted out speeches. Everything expensively produced and choreographed.
Did Obama's convention cost less than $18 million?
That orgy of spending, choreography, videography, speechwriting and musical and fireworks displays bought Obama about 5 points of a normal convention bump.
What a joke.
Posted by: AsperGirl | September 3, 2008 4:56 PM | Report abuse
Duh! To whom is it apparent that Sarah Palin was not thoroughly vetted? Not to the McCain campaign which is satisfied with its vetting procedures, and not to many in the public who are satisfied she is what she says she is and are looking forward to tonight. It is only the Obama crowd who say picking on children is not right, its an irrelevancy, while at the same time coordinating their pundits and their media suurogates to turn up the heat. Doesn't matter that its false or misleading or not that big of a deal, "do anything, say anything to destroy this woman before she destroys us," they say. My prediction is that this whole thing will have the bloggers, NBC and CNN -- oh, and Obama too -- sleeping less at night while wondering why so many people are flocking to support Sarah Palin. How is poor old Obama going to feel when he loses the election because folks finally see how dirty and dishonest the Democratic party really is?
Posted by: Richard Sharpe | September 3, 2008 4:56 PM | Report abuse
Narnia--sorry- you've been snoped.
Palin was NEVER a member of the AIP.
Do you people research anything before you dive in head first to rumors?
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/members-of-frin.html
Posted by: CR | September 3, 2008 4:56 PM | Report abuse
The thing people overlook is that everything we hear from Palin tonight will be highly calculated and polished by campaign strategists and advisers. We will get very little of her own voice and thoughts. Unfortunately, that's the trouble with tuning in only for the final weeks of the presidential campaign. If the VP is completely unknown, we stand the chance of never REALLY knowing what she would say, given the opportunity to actually speak for herself. We would do well to recall the clip of her on TV in Alaska saying that she would tell people how she felt about the nomination when she figures out what the VP does day after day. Her experience to prepare her for national (and international!) politics is zero. Let's not forget that besides all of Obama's political experience, he also TAUGHT constitutional law for 12 years.
Personally, I'm uncomfortable with her lack formal education in law or politics. A poly-sci minor on a BA in Communications is laughable. But even with such, she should know what the VP does!
Posted by: Nicole | September 3, 2008 4:56 PM | Report abuse
I hate to hear that we are the same men & women. Just take a look at mirror or ask your 2 yrs old who should read him/her a book tonight. We are different and intend to compliment each other. I would say that woman should spend more time with kids. But this is her call to make. Being in politics for several yrs implies that she already put family aside some time ago. Here qualification exam is "Convinces conservatives that it is 'ok' for mom to be VP".
Posted by: SKV | September 3, 2008 4:56 PM | Report abuse
I am a liberal feminist.
I have no beef with a candidate with 5 kids.
Or a Down's syndrome baby.
Or a 17-year-old pregnant daughter.
That's none of my business.
My problem with Sarah Palin is the *kind* of governor she is, and the *kind* of mayor she was.
I have a problem with a mayor who comes into office and runs up a $22 million dollar deficit for a town of 9,000.
I have a problem with a mayor/governor who talks about "reform" but has her hand out for every piece of pork spending out there.
I have a problem with a mayor/governor who uses the power of her office to inappropriately pursue family matters (i.e. Troopergate).
I don't think "executive experience" counts for much if it doesn't show a certain level of competence. Palin's does not.
Posted by: Karen U. | September 3, 2008 4:55 PM | Report abuse
My thoughts are just this....I am a woman and I can't believe that McCain would pick a female with this much drama in her life. If they wanted a female, why her? When asked to be VP Palin should have said NO. But she didn't. She's more power driven than family focused. Her 4 month old needs her mother and her daughter needs her with a baby due. When will she have time to run the US with efficency and take care of her family? She won't. She just will have a nanny mothering them both. I guess that's how her daughter ended up pregnant, her mother wasn't around to instill any real values to possibly have prevented her daughter's pregnancy. It may not have prevented it, but it could have.
Posted by: fatmommy0022 | September 3, 2008 4:55 PM | Report abuse
Senator Obama is scared of Governor Palin's charisma. She has more executive experience than Obama. Governor Palin is the real deal. She represents the real change in Washington. Democrat/Pro-Life.
This might be true if obama was running to be the President of Alaska.
Obama is a stud. He isn't afraid of McCain, Bush, Rove or Cheney. He probably hasn't given much thought to Palin.
He is probably drinking a beer and chilling while the media and all you True Believers keep trying to convince yourself that she is the one.
If you think about it Obama probably loves having Palin on the ticket. It makes his job a bit easier.
Now i was pulling for that loser Lieberman to be on the ticket. Maybe next time.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:55 PM | Report abuse
Gaye:
Please give examples to explain how you think...."She is more qualified to lead then the democratic presidential Candidate Obama".
Posted by: Jon | September 3, 2008 4:55 PM | Report abuse
HAD JOHN TAKEN RESUMES HE WOULD HAVE FOUND MORE WOMEN WITH FAR MORE CREDENIALS THAN SARAH THIS IS ABOUT A WHITE WOMEN VP AGAINST A BLACK MAN PRES.JOHN WANTS THIS TO BE A VP CONTEST BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE CAN'T WIN.LIKE I SAID ONLY A PEPUB WOULD LISTEN TO A REPUB.FRED THOMPSON JOE L GIVE ME A BREAK GEORGE BUSH SHOULD BE HELD FOR MURDER.
Posted by: FRANK | September 3, 2008 4:54 PM | Report abuse
It seems she has already been judged unworthy by many. Everyone needs to take a step back and give here a chance. It is refreshing to see someone that is not already entrenched in Washington politics and lobbyists.
http://www.rexxsales.com
Posted by: Jacob | September 3, 2008 4:54 PM | Report abuse
As a Marine about to be sent back to Iraq(AGAIN), I really hope taht you so called "patriotic" repubs start thinking for a change. If you really are what you say you are wise up and vote for Obama. For some reason you people think that wearing your flag pins, and waving your "country first" signs, cement your patriotism, when the truth is you legitimately strike vibes of nazi-ism down my spine. the truth is that the majority of you are just like the pathetic schlub that's occupied our White House for the past 8 years, and while full of bravado and hot air, are complete cowards who would never think of volunteering to go to war for this country, and if drafted would be ready to wet yourselves. Barack Obama is completely qualified to lead this country. Listen to him, or Biden for that matter, speak, then listen to the other side. While I know the past 8 years have gone a long way in making us forget that the President is supposed to sound intelligent, it's past time to remember. As for Palin, look, I have nothing against her k? Sure she's a great Mother, and she has a right to her opinions. But one thing I cannot stand are hypocrites, So when a fire and brimstone right to lifer is also an avid hunter,(lol), and preaches abstinence to everyone but can't even control her own daughter, then it becomes an issue. And the fact that she has been mayor or governor of Alaska means nothing. Are you kidding me? Alaska? Honestly, who gives a s--- about Alaska? Patriotism. Tell you what, put me and my fellow Marines and other brothers in the military in a position where Sarah Palin is our possible commander-in-chief, added to the fact that with McCain we could very well be in Iran within the next year, and you really are someone that even with my devotion to Jesus and the Catholic Church, I don't know if I could forgive. If you really support us and your country the way you say, then do something to benefit us both for once. Please.
Posted by: Jason Riggins | September 3, 2008 4:53 PM | Report abuse
From the article:
"...the national discourse has been dominated by questions..."
=========================
Maybe if Chrise Cillizza and the rest of Mainstream American Media will STFU for a bit there might be chance to get some answers.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:52 PM | Report abuse
The media is not attacking or scruitinizing Palin any more so than they have other candidates! As a woman, I am offended by those who believe she should be treated with kid gloves. You have to have a thick skin to run for office. If she has what it takes, the media reporting won't matter. She is who she is. She believes what she believes. And her personal choices are important because they give insight over how she might govern were she to have to take over as President. Judgement, both in your personal life and in your professional life, are equally important.
Posted by: JLF | September 3, 2008 4:52 PM | Report abuse
Sara Palin and Hillary Clinton are totally different. I was not voting for Hillary because she was a woman, but because she stood for what I believe in. Sara Palin stands for everything I do not!!! And I am a single mom… Palin is pro life yet she hunts animals???!!!! Hypocrite!!!
Posted by: Mel | September 3, 2008 4:52 PM | Report abuse
I found this article on
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread387427/pg1
Sarah Palin's VP Selection Is A Trojan Horse?
Sara Palin's selection as John McCain's VP running mate is intended to end badly within the next two to three weeks as part of a devious Republican strategy. The McCain/Republcan strategy never intended for Palin to run the full course of the campaign and most likely not more than two weeks past the end of the Republican National Convention. As a result of attacks on her and the focus on her family, she will resign in shame and disgust, and the McCain campaign then intends to real the rewards of the resulting sympathy.
I have been in contact with a source that has previously provided reliable information on several issues. The strategy is outlined below, which is a combination of informed speculation and quietly-passed information:
(1) The McCain campaign has long ago quietly picked their VP running mate intended to be on the ticket in November.
(2) Palin has been selected as a "trojan horse" target for vocal political firebrands to have a veritable field day.
(3) The strategic response to criticism of Palin is a scripted minimalist retort intended to actually invite more criticism.
(4) Key McCain operatives, posing as intense liberals, will seed blogs and bulletin boards with horrific claims about Palin.
(5) Key McCain operatives, acting as "insider informants", will spill minor tidbits from "inside" the campaign organization to help fuel the negative Palin speculation.
(6) As the criticism reaches its peak, and a "family secret" is exposed by an intensely savage "liberal blogger", Palin will resign.
(7) After an appropriate period of McCain campaign faux indignation and a "second VP search", their original choice will be revealed.
Among those quietly discussing this rumored strategy, one name continues to emerge as the likely architect, Carl Rove. And, as is typical of the strategic maneuverings of Rove during campaigns, the intended outcome is multi-facted:
(1) The McCain campaign organization intends to reap significant reward from voters who are showing both sympathy and ager over what has transpired.
(2) The Republican party insiders expect this issue to become the tipping point that initiates strict media control over political bloggers.
(3) The McCaign campaign expects this issue to remove examination of familial matters from the news, as there are deep issues in Cindy McCain's professional life that could harm them.
(4) The backlash of the perception resulting from attacking a "hockey mom", "nice person", and a pregnant 17-year old daughter will forever damage the Democratic party as it is expected they lack the backbone to do anything but apologize.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:51 PM | Report abuse
I watched the convention last night. They were shouting "country first".
If McCain is putting our country first, he would not put Sara Palin in the VP postion. What if he does get a health problem? Does anybody really believe Sara is ready to lead the free world?
Does "country first" means everybody pay heavy TAX, and lots of innoscent youth pay their lives to an unnecessary war? so that some lucky survivor of war hero could run for president 30 years later?
Posted by: jersy girl | September 3, 2008 4:50 PM | Report abuse
You know, everyone talks about Obama's lack of "executive experience", but what about McCain's? What executive positions has he held? Obviously he doesn't consider being a senator an executive position. I know that his daddy was quite an accomplished Naval commander at various levels, but what about the good Sen. McCain? I don't mean the Navy rank Commander - I mean a position where he is in command of an organization. I don't think being the Chief Navy Liaison to the Senate is much more than a lobbying job, so I don't think that counts. Hmmm... I don't doubt the man's courage and patriotism, but I'm not so sure he really has much more so-called "executive experience" than Governor Palin, possibly even less. I know - let's make it a Palin-McCain ticket since she seems more qualified! Maybe then he'll attract the Hillary supporters.
Posted by: dritchie | September 3, 2008 4:50 PM | Report abuse
She is also crazy. Wait till they let her talk, if they ever do.
----------
Senator Obama is scared of Governor Palin's charisma. She has more executive experience than Obama. Governor Palin is the real deal. She represents the real change in Washington. Democrat/Pro-Life.
Posted by: mmarii | September 3, 2008 4:48 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:50 PM | Report abuse
Sarah's beauty queen title should be "Miss Information" or "Miss Judgement" Somebody should tell her that when you shoot at a moose, you're supposed to kill it! It looks like she is no better a shot than liquored-up Dick Cheney.
Posted by: Isisells | September 3, 2008 4:50 PM | Report abuse
"I am a Democrat and have ALWAYS been a Democrat. I have never voted Republican until now.
I am so disgusted with the Democratic Party for nominating a clearly inexperienced, anti-American like Obama. This is not the Democratic Party of Truman or my blue-collar, union father. To build up this empty suit, they need to trash a sincere, honest woman to make our Candidate look better. I don't like it. Please give me my Party back!
Posted by: pgr88 | September 3, 2008 4:31 PM "
You are not and probably have never been a democrat. You're just a liar trying to denigrate Senator Obama or a psychotic. No rational mind is going to say they won't vote for Obama because he lacks experience and since he lacks this experience they will vote for the McCain/Palin ticket.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:49 PM | Report abuse
Hey "anonymous":
You should get over your hatred (or is it just youthful ignorance) of people that live outside of the Village, and stop equating anyone who doesn't live in NY or SF to a character from Dukes of Hazzard. Not very MLK of you, but maybe you don't care.
Alternatively, if you want to go that course, why don't you consider a magazine cover featuring Palin as Daisy Duke taking down the corrupt Republican Frank Murkowski as Boss Hog. Does that satisfy your need to stereotype like a 1940s white man.
Posted by: You know it's true | September 3, 2008 4:49 PM | Report abuse
Yes, a moment of silence for Mr. Russert.
He will always be missed and never equalled.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:49 PM | Report abuse
You think Rev. Write is nuts? Do some looking into her paster.
---------
OMG will you look at THIS!
PALIN IS A MEMBER OF A TOTAL WING-NUT PROPHESY CHURCH!
Look at the VIDEO!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html
Posted by: JBE | September 3, 2008 4:46 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:49 PM | Report abuse
Maybe if the camera gets in close we can see the strings on her arms and mouth.
Perhaps McCain and his staff never really were the ones that made the decision to pick Palin. Perhaps the party bosses (PBs)of the Republican Party told McCain:
PBs: "We have chosen your VP candidate. It is Sarah Palin. The hot governor from Alaska."
McSame: "But I want Liberman."
RBs: "Read our lips. It is Palin."
McSame: "But what about Romney?"
RBs: "This is not really your decision, John. It is ours. Our decision is Palin."
McSame: "But what if something happens to me and she needs to step in."
RBs: "That's why it is Palin. She is not experienced or qualified, so she will be easy to control. We have already picked a highly qualified insider to tell her what to do as VP and what to do if she needs to take over."
McSame: "Really? Who?"
PBs: "Cheney."
Posted by: Flash-389009 | September 3, 2008 4:48 PM | Report abuse
Senator Obama is scared of Governor Palin's charisma. She has more executive experience than Obama. Governor Palin is the real deal. She represents the real change in Washington. Democrat/Pro-Life.
Posted by: mmarii | September 3, 2008 4:48 PM | Report abuse
She believes the "End of times" is coming soon and the last place people will find salvation is Alaska. She believes people will come there for salvation. Sounds nuts right, I must be making it up right. Listen to her on the video where she addresses her church. She has been around a minister that make Write sound like Billy Graham. Those people are "REALLY" nuts.
----------
>>Mark wrote: "PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING SHE CAN EXPLAIN IS WHY WOULD WE ENTRUST OUR MILITARY AND OUR NUCLEAR ARSENAL TO A WOMAN WHO HAS SPENT MOST OF HER LIFE ATTENDING A CHURCH THAT IS OBSESSED WITH THE IDEA OF HOLY WARS AND END TIMES!!!!"
There are far more evangelicals like Sarah Palin in the United States than there are people in Obama's kind of Trinity Church, with its Rev. Wright's "black liberation theology" and its rants against Jews, white establishment conspiracies and sexist and racist hate speech for sermons!
Remember Obama's Religion? Here's a refresher:
In a rant in one recorded sermon, Rev. Wright listed U.S. support of Israel in a litany evils that the U.S. engages in, and declares that anyone who criticizes it is accused of anti=semitism (a familiar complaint of Muslims).
Rev. Wright litany of United States evils sermon
(ist starts at 20 seconds and reference to Israel at 1:30 mins
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfNEfEBYIZs
Rev. Wright conspiracy theory about white power abuse highlights
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc2FCJ7zWEQ&feature=related
Barack Obama's Trinity Church and Rev. Wright were not only racist hate speech artists, but also anti-Israel and anti-semitic.
One vein of his pastor, Rev. Wright's, political activist teachings, is how "Zionists" and the United States are conspiring to oppress Muslims, Arabs and Africans. His pastor published a Hamas manifesto in the Trinity Church newsletter, which called for activists to "unite" in an "armed struggle" against "oppressors" United States and Israel.
Image of scan of Trinity Church newsletter with Hamas manifesto
www.bizzyblog.com/wp-images/TUCChamasColumn072207.jpg
Earlier this year, both Hamas and Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam leader, endorsed Obama's candidacy for U.S. president.
Finally, you can watch Obama stammering and stumbling over questions about what he believes, at the Saddleback forum last month:
Barack stumbling over "what does Jesus mean to you"?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHtAWPjzvyk&feature=related
Posted by: AsperGirl | September 3, 2008 4:41 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:47 PM | Report abuse
Shakespeare said it, "What's in a name?" Obama's middle name doesn't mean one damn thing, you right-wing idiot! Do you recall when one of your propagandists told you that Obama rhymes with Osama? So what? Hannity rhymes with insanity. We don't want anybody this silly in our party, or our country. Leave at any time.
Posted by: Isisells | September 3, 2008 4:46 PM | Report abuse
I'm a Christian and am appalled by the rantings of people who claim Christianity but have no understanding of what it means to be a Christian.
As an atheist I salute you for your unique and rare persective. Obviously you get it. The rest are still wandering in the Wilderness of Hypocrisy and Self-rightiousness.
Thank you, sir.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:46 PM | Report abuse
Bill Clinton once called for building a bridge to the 21st century.
Sarah Palin is a "bridge to nowhere." I couldn't care less how well she reads from tonight's teleprompter. I want to see an interview on "Meet The Press" or some other unscripted situation where she has to think on her feet and provide substantive answers to questions unrelated to subjects such as how to dress a moose in the field. Save that for hicks like Thompson and the rednecks he represents in uneducated places like Tennessee.
Palin's two biggest challenges will be to effectively call out Obama and go before the press, unscripted. Let's see if McCain's Hail Mary gets caught in the end zone, or if Obama's smooth running championship team swats it down like a fly.
Posted by: badbilly | September 3, 2008 4:46 PM | Report abuse
OMG will you look at THIS!
PALIN IS A MEMBER OF A TOTAL WING-NUT PROPHESY CHURCH!
Look at the VIDEO!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html
Posted by: JBE | September 3, 2008 4:46 PM | Report abuse
I'll reserve judgement until I see her on meet the press - man do I miss Russert!
Posted by: NM Moderate | September 3, 2008 4:45 PM | Report abuse
A letter from someone who has known Sarah Palin since 1992
Anne is from Wasilla, Alaska.
I found this on the Washington Post comment board and have posted it exactly as I found it.
Amazing Letter From a Local Wasillian Who Knows Sarah Palin Well.
From: http://www.washingtonindependent.com/3671/the-reform-candidate
Submitted by Michael Wrightson on Sept 1, 2008
A note to all by {the Author}
Dear friends,
So many people have asked me about what I know about Sarah Palin in the
last 2 days that I decided to write something up . . .
Basically, Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton have only 2 things in
common: their gender and their good looks.
You have my permission to forward this to your friends/email contacts
with my name and email address attached, but please do not post it on
any websites, as there are too many kooks out there . . .
[ This was already posted on Washington Independent comments area,
with a controllable hotmail account, and was obviously meant by the
author to be read. ]
Thanks,
Anne
ABOUT SARAH PALIN
I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992.
Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a
first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her
father was my child’s favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a
first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more
City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the
residents of the city.
She is enormously popular; in every way she’s like the most popular
girl in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and
won’t vote for her can’t quit smiling when talking about her because
she is a “babe”.
It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She
kept her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents
for seven months.
She is “pro-life”. She recently gave birth to a Down’s syndrome baby.
There is no cover-up involved, here; Trig is her baby.
She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym.
She is savvy. She doesn’t take positions; she just “puts things out
there” and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit.
Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a
champion snowmobile racer. Todd Palin’s kind of job is highly
sought-after because of the schedule and high pay. He arranges his
work schedule so he can fish for salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or
so in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination is fishing their
major source of income. Nor has her life-style ever been anything
like that of native Alaskans.
Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters.
She’s smart.
Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000
(at the time), and less than 2 years as governor of a state with about
670,000 residents.
During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running
this small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been
pushed to hire this administrator by party power-brokers after she had
gotten herself into some trouble over precipitous firings which had
given rise to a recall campaign.
Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a “fiscal conservative”. During her 6
years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over
33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the
City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation
(1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a
regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she
promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they
benefited residents.
The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration
weren’t enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed
money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it
with indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage
the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said
she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? or a
new library? No. $1m for a park. $15m-plus for construction of a
multi-use sports complex which she rushed through to build on a piece
of property that the City didn’t even have clear title to, that was
still in litigation 7 yrs later–to the delight of the lawyers
involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the
community but a huge money pit, not the profit-generator she claimed it
would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5m for road projects that
could have been done in 5-7 yrs without any borrowing.
While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office
redecorated more than once.
These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.
As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus
in Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will
make us energy independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she
proposed distribution of this surplus to every individual in the state.
In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she
recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while
she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend today’s
surplus, borrow for needs.
She’s not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas
or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren’t generated by
her or her staff. Ideas weren’t evaluated on their merits, but on the
basis of who proposed them.
While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected
City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from
the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents
rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin’s
attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew
her termination letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the
Librarian are on her enemies list to this day.
Sarah complained about the “old boy’s club” when she first ran for
Mayor, so what did she bring Wasilla? A new set of “old boys”. Palin
fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as
Governor she hired or elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people,
creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally
grateful and fiercely loyal–loyal to the point of abusing their power
to further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the
case of pressuring the State’s top cop (see below).
As Mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla’s Police Chief because he “intimidated”
her, she told the press. As Governor, her recent firing of Alaska’s top
cop has the ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure
and she had every legal right to fire him, but it’s pretty clear that
an important factor in her decision to fire him was because he wouldn’t
fire her sister’s ex-husband, a State Trooper. Under investigation
for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than 2 dozen
contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that she
later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She tried to
replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded
for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew
her support.
She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in
help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town
introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council
became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She
abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn’t
like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness.
Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything
publicly about her.
When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got
the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one
of the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no
background in oil & gas issues. Within months of scoring this great
job which paid $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the
high salary. I was told that she hated that job: the commute, the
structured hours, the work. Sarah became aware that a member of this
Commission (who was also the State Chair of the Republican Party)
engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy move which some
undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah solved all
her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and
garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a
gutsy fighter against the “old boys’ club” when she dramatically quit,
exposing this man’s ethics violations (for which he was fined).
As Mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from
Senator Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel
politics and publicly humiliated him. She only opposed the “bridge to
nowhere” after it became clear that it would be unwise not to.
As Governor, she gave the Legislature no direction and budget
guidelines, then made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing
projects, calling them pork. Public outcry and further legislative
action restored most of these projects–which had been vetoed simply
because she was not aware of their importance–but with the unobservant
she had gained a reputation as “anti-pork”.
She is solidly Republican: no political maverick. The State party
leaders hate her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated
them. Other members of the party object to her self-description as a
fiscal conservative.
Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah.
They call her “Sarah Barracuda” because of her unbridled ambition and
predatory ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly
stories circulated around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made
point guard on the high school basketball team. When Sarah’s
mother-in-law, a highly respected member of the community and
experienced manager, ran for Mayor, Sarah refused to endorse her.
As Governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package
of legislation known as “AGIA” that forced the oil companies to march
to the beat of her drum.
Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to
global warming. She campaigned “as a private citizen” against a state
initiaitive that would have either a) protected salmon streams from
pollution from mines, or b) tied up in the courts all mining in the
state (depending on who you listen to). She has pushed the State’s
lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior’s decision to list polar
bears as threatened species.
McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President; Sarah will be a
heartbeat away from being President.
There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more
knowledgeable and experienced than she.
However, there’s a lot of people who have underestimated her and are
regretting it.
CLAIM VS FACT
•“Hockey mom”: true for a few years
•“PTA mom”: true years ago when her first-born was in elementary
school, not since
•“NRA supporter”: absolutely true
•social conservative: mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill
that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships
(said she did this because it was unconsitutional).
•pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to
promote it.
•“Pro-life”: mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down’s syndrome baby
BUT declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life
legislation
•“Experienced”: Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has
residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska.
No legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on
supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city
administrator to run town of about 5,000.
•political maverick: not at all
•gutsy: absolutely!
•open & transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at
explaining actions.
•has a developed philosophy of public policy: no
•”a Greenie”: no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores
and disconnected parking lots. Is pro-drilling off-shore and in ANWR.
•fiscal conservative: not by my definition!
•pro-infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city
without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built
streets to early 20th century standards.
•pro-tax relief: Lowered taxes for businesses, increased tax burden on
residents
•pro-small government: No. Oversaw greatest expansion of city
government in Wasilla’s history.
•pro-labor/pro-union. No. Just because her husband works union
doesn’t make her pro-labor. I have seen nothing to support any claim
that she is pro-labor/pro-union.
WHY AM I WRITING THIS?
First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed
voter. I am a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting
programs in the schools. If you google my name (Anne Kilkenny +
Alaska), you will find references to my participation in local
government, education, and PTA/parent organizations.
Secondly, I’ve always operated in the belief that “Bad things happen
when good people stay silent”. Few people know as much as I do because
few have gone to as many City Council meetings.
Third, I am just a housewife. I don’t have a job she can bump me out
of. I don’t belong to any organization that she can hurt. But, I am no
fool; she is immensely popular here, and it is likely that this will
cost me somehow in the future: that’s life.
Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100
or so people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah’s
attempt at censorship.
Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to
say anything because they were somehow vulnerable.
CAVEATS
I am not a statistician. I developed the numbers for the increase in
spending & taxation 2 years ago (when Palin was running for Governor)
from information supplied to me by the Finance Director of the City of
Wasilla, and I can’t recall exactly what I adjusted for: did I adjust
for inflation? for population increases? Right now, it is impossible
for a private person to get any info out of City Hall–they are
swamped. So I can’t verify my numbers.
You may have noticed that there are various numbers circulating for the
population of Wasilla, ranging from my “about 5,000″, up to 9,000. The
day Palin’s selection was announced a city official told me that the
current population is about 7,000. The official 2000 census count was
5,460. I have used about 5,000 because Palin was Mayor from 1996 to
2002, and the city was growing rapidly in the mid-90’s.
August 31, 2008
Posted by: Outside the Box | September 3, 2008 4:45 PM | Report abuse
John:
I don't agree with all of Palin's policies, but I agree that she has *accomplished* a lot more in her short political career than Obama has done in his (other than running campaigns).
They're both obviously smart, ambitious people. Of course, he's at the head of his ticket and she is not, and McCain has much more experience than the 2 of them combined.
Posted by: sportynorty55 | September 3, 2008 4:44 PM | Report abuse
Want to know what Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy really think of the Palen pick.
GOP strategist caught still talking after the camera stops rolling.
Here is the real truth. Uncensored.
Noonan and Murphy on Palin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kg&eurl=http://dailykos.com/
Posted by: Langx | September 3, 2008 4:44 PM | Report abuse
Like rabid dogs, the democrat misogynists are attacking yet another woman with the same savagery they used on Hillary. As before, they are being supported 100% by the liberal media, led by msnbc with their chief woman-hater and tax cheat, olbermann.
This slimebag behavior shows that the loony-left has NOTHING OF SUBSTANCE to OFFER - just smears and hysterical mud-slinging.
The "God D@#! America (and Women)" crowd is as pathetic as it gets.
Posted by: ALEX H. | September 3, 2008 4:44 PM | Report abuse
Please enough of the garbage about her daughter and infant son. We ALL know that a male candidate would never be subjected to the same critcism or asked the same questions.
What she needs to do is show that she has a firm grip on the issues and assure voters that she has the right kind of experience. No one knew Obama before he announced his candidacy for POTUS either.
Do we hear any news on the Federal Lawsuit challenging Obama's elegibility for POTUS? No, we don't, because we have selective news coverage by the media.
Posted by: CR | September 3, 2008 4:43 PM | Report abuse
I hope someone makes a magazine cover like they did on Obama. They can depict her a One of the Dukes of Hazzard and Mccain as the stupid Boss Hogg. It would be perfect.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:43 PM | Report abuse
McCain's Judgment?
1.) Obama, their Presidential candidate, giving thousands of dollars, and twenty years, to a racist pastor spreading hate on the southside of Chicago. Also, Obama has his family sit under this hatemonger. BAD JUDGMENT!!!!
2.) Obama, their Presidential candidate, is friends with an unrepentant terrorist, Bill Ayers, and raises money with this despicable character. BAD JUDGMENT!!!
BTW, Will Ayers have access to the White House if Obama succeeds in this scam?
3.) Obama, their Presidential candidate, thinks Iran is a tiny country and not a serious threat. BAD JUDGMENT!!!!
4.) Obama, their Presidential candidate, wanted to RETREAT-IN-DEFEAT when things weren't going well in Iraq. No country would risk a future military partnership with America if they cannot count on a commitment by America. EXTREMELY BAD JUDGMENT!!!!
5.) Far-left radical Obama not only is for partial birth abortions, he is for allowing infanticide if it is in conjunction with an abortion procedure. EVIL JUDGMENT!!!!!
OBAMA - a few months in the US Senate and he thinks he is presidential material....EGOMANIAC!!!
Posted by: JimMF | September 3, 2008 4:43 PM | Report abuse
This woman is a traitor! she spoke to the A.I.P. and her husband is a member. They want Alaska to secede from the USA? And she wants to be our v.p.?
That alone, should disqualify her and send her back home begging forgiveness to our brave troops. Where are those patriotic republicans that believe in the defending our country right or wrong!!!!
Posted by: Narnia | September 3, 2008 4:42 PM | Report abuse
Obama's "experience" includes:
o Missing 150 votes in the Illinois state legislature -- because he was running for the U.S. Senate.
o Missing 2 of his 4 years in the U.S. Senate because he was running for the White House.
o Not calling a single hearing in the Senate sub-committee he chairs since 2005 because he was running for the White House.
Yeah, that qualifies Obama for the WH. Rigggt. Sure it does....
Posted by: John | September 3, 2008 4:42 PM | Report abuse
>>Mark wrote: "PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING SHE CAN EXPLAIN IS WHY WOULD WE ENTRUST OUR MILITARY AND OUR NUCLEAR ARSENAL TO A WOMAN WHO HAS SPENT MOST OF HER LIFE ATTENDING A CHURCH THAT IS OBSESSED WITH THE IDEA OF HOLY WARS AND END TIMES!!!!"
There are far more evangelicals like Sarah Palin in the United States than there are people in Obama's kind of Trinity Church, with its Rev. Wright's "black liberation theology" and its rants against Jews, white establishment conspiracies and sexist and racist hate speech for sermons!
Remember Obama's Religion? Here's a refresher:
In a rant in one recorded sermon, Rev. Wright listed U.S. support of Israel in a litany evils that the U.S. engages in, and declares that anyone who criticizes it is accused of anti=semitism (a familiar complaint of Muslims).
Rev. Wright litany of United States evils sermon
(ist starts at 20 seconds and reference to Israel at 1:30 mins
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfNEfEBYIZs
Rev. Wright conspiracy theory about white power abuse highlights
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc2FCJ7zWEQ&feature=related
Barack Obama's Trinity Church and Rev. Wright were not only racist hate speech artists, but also anti-Israel and anti-semitic.
One vein of his pastor, Rev. Wright's, political activist teachings, is how "Zionists" and the United States are conspiring to oppress Muslims, Arabs and Africans. His pastor published a Hamas manifesto in the Trinity Church newsletter, which called for activists to "unite" in an "armed struggle" against "oppressors" United States and Israel.
Image of scan of Trinity Church newsletter with Hamas manifesto
www.bizzyblog.com/wp-images/TUCChamasColumn072207.jpg
Earlier this year, both Hamas and Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam leader, endorsed Obama's candidacy for U.S. president.
Finally, you can watch Obama stammering and stumbling over questions about what he believes, at the Saddleback forum last month:
Barack stumbling over "what does Jesus mean to you"?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHtAWPjzvyk&feature=related
Posted by: AsperGirl | September 3, 2008 4:41 PM | Report abuse
WTF does either one of them not having a graduate degree have to do with anything. Most of those people are the biggest dumba$$es walking the planet. Lots of book smarts, no common sense.
Posted by: yomamaobama | September 3, 2008 4:40 PM | Report abuse
The Palin-pander is going to backfire on McCain. He has shown that he is not even master of his own party. He didn't get the VP candidates that he wanted as the right blocked him. He is beholden to the conservative wing of the Republican party and not the independent thinker or maverick that he would declare.
Palin will drip, drip bad news until Troopergate finishes her off....that is, unless the McCain campaign succeed in pushing it back until after the election. It isn't that she is a woman, or a conservative, it is that she simply isn't good enough.
Posted by: Mike | September 3, 2008 4:40 PM | Report abuse
I cannot believe this is for real. I haven't stopped laughing since the Palin nomination. Couldn't be better for the the Democrats. Can hardly wait to watch this train wreck continue to unfold to a slow rolling boil then burst into flames. I did notice the Reps haven't been free with the time of Sarah's speech tonight...are they hoping we'll miss it? Not a chance!!! Hahahahahahaha...this is beautiful. Let's count how many times everyone says, "My friends" LOL
Posted by: Willard | September 3, 2008 4:40 PM | Report abuse
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:40 PM | Report abuse
I'm looking to see her fall apart, It is impossible to prepare anyone for this. Professionals in venues like the Academy awards can't control their emotions. She will cry, not be able to get through the speech without sounding like a high school kid reading in front of their class. When she is on the trail, if they ever have the nerve to let her speak on her own. They will have a million rules and not let anyone near her. This is going to be a joke and fun to watch. All she will be doing is be a cheer leader for Mccain and parrot talking points printed for her. Don't look for her on Meet the Press any time soon. I just want to ask her how old the earth is and does she think the Flintstones represent real history?
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:40 PM | Report abuse
Palin has traveled internationally - she visited Alaska National Guard troops in Germany and Iraq.
But what's your point?
Someone has to have lived in Indonesia in order to qualify for VP?
btw - Hawai'i doesn't qualify as a foreign country.
So lets see - if McCain had picked Joe Lieberman would the libs be any happier?
There's talk about payback just because he spoke at a convention. Imagine the payback if he'd been part of the ticket!
Posted by: jsocal | September 3, 2008 4:40 PM | Report abuse
THIS IS WHAT JOHN IS SAYING ITS SIMPLE HE KNOWS HE CAN'T WIN.SO NOW THE TRICK IS AND I SAY TRICK YOU LISTEN CLOSELY AT THEM SPEAK THEY PUT THESE OLD WHITE GUYS COME ON I AM TELLING IT LIKE IT IS TO APPEAL TO THE WHITE VOTERS AND BEG FOR THEM TO VOTE FOR THEM.LOOK DON'T VOTE FOR THIS BLACK GUY YOU CAN ELECT THE FIRST WHITE WOMEN VP.YOU SEE THIS IS NOT ABOUT ISSUES ANYMORE WITH THEM.IF YOU BELIEVE IN THIS TYPE OF SO BE IT,BUT IF YOU DON'T WE NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THEM AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS 2008 AND NOT THE 30S OR 40S OR 50S OR 60S AN WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THAT REHTORIC ANYMORE.LETS LET THEM KNOW WE ARE AMERICAN HUMAN BEINGS FIRST AND THIS IS WHAT MATTERS.UNITED WE STAND ALL OF US TOGETHER.LETS LET THEM KNOW WE ARE TRYING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.NO MORE LIES.WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOOSE.ITS OBVIOUS WE HAVE TO CHANGE THEM BECAUSE THEY WANT. SAME SONG YEAR AFTER YEAR.LETS COME TOGETHER AND CHANGE THE LAST OF THE OLD THINKERS AN GET RID OF THEM.
Posted by: FRANK | September 3, 2008 4:40 PM | Report abuse
Give a chance to Palin to speak tonight and then take it from there. You are reaching to conclusion. She has more experience than Obahma. I am open to both parties until Oct 15 and then I will decide whom to vote
Posted by: Ashok | September 3, 2008 4:39 PM | Report abuse
It looks like all the media elite are the ones out of touch. Sarah Palin's son has DOWN'S SYNDROME. Not "Down Syndrome" as reported in just about every online reported (a mistake by the AP). They must be foaming at the mouth that the GOP got a "real" person to run. Instead of the two who claim to be "in touch" who are just two career politicans run by Kennedy.
Posted by: Michelle Williams | September 3, 2008 4:39 PM | Report abuse
Well, look at who is writing Palin's speech:
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/pressclips/archives/2008/09/mccain_palin_an.php
Forehead bruised enough yet?
Posted by: Bush Speak | September 3, 2008 4:38 PM | Report abuse
This is what the republicans really think of the Palin pick. This is Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kg&eurl=http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/
Posted by: sueb | September 3, 2008 4:37 PM | Report abuse
Earth to BH! Earth to BH! Catholics are Christians! (the original ones, BTW) and Jesus was a Jew! Hate to pop your bubble ace.
I'm a Christian and am appalled by the rantings of people who claim Christianity but have no understanding of what it means to be a Christian. They would rather step over hungry, sick, and homeless children as they step out of their limos on the way to the Republican convention. If they worried as much about children AFTER they are born as they do BEFORE they are born maybe we wouldn't have so many teenage pregnancies in this country. You will all be held accountable as the New Age Pharisees that you are.
Posted by: Chris in Texas | September 3, 2008 4:37 PM | Report abuse
TO REAL TALK:
I made the same mistake. Sara P got her first passport in 2007 - not 1997. (msnbc news)
Jersey John
Posted by: Jersey John | September 3, 2008 4:37 PM | Report abuse
The real Sarah Palin as told by her fellow Alaskan
Posted by: Researcher | September 3, 2008 4:37 PM | Report abuse
If Palin with her AIP (Alaska Independence Party) succeeds in splitting Alaska from the Union, maybe we can split off Florida too? That would undoubtedly drop some unneeded heavy backwards-thinking-ballast and help in the next election to move the US - the remaining 48 States - back into civilization and into the international community of countries ... :-)
Vivifiant, Ohio
Posted by: vivifiant | September 3, 2008 4:37 PM | Report abuse
EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!! It is awesome to see how the Republicans have turned you ignorant left-wingers into such vile creatures, lol. There is no way that American will elect HUSSEIN to lead us into socialism. You talk about someone telling you what to believe, just wait. If you could get a 6 figure job anywhere how would you like to give up 60% of it for the thugs on the front porch drinking 40's? HUH?
Posted by: Just old Me | September 3, 2008 4:37 PM | Report abuse
Palin has more experience relevant to being President than Obama.
FACT.
Posted by: You know it's true | September 3, 2008 4:36 PM | Report abuse
To put the whole Palin-discussion into perspective:
All of Alaska has less than 1/4 the population of a fair size mid-western city like Chicago.
Vivifiant, Ohio
Posted by: vivifiant | September 3, 2008 4:19 PM
And the people there are enjoying a quality of life lightyears above and beyond the South Side of Chicago where Barack and Michelle keep tooting their grass roots experience. The South Side of Chicago is still one big dump. And that's what will happen to the whole of US if they get in the White House.
Posted by: dcp | September 3, 2008 4:36 PM | Report abuse
Someone wake me up and tell me this isn't true!!
John McCain and the republican party, the man who puts country first and the party of patriotism--are seriously running a vice-president whose husband, until she ran for statewide office, belonged to a group founded on hatred of America? McCain and the Republicans are hoisting a vice-president who sends friendly video greetings to the group's annual conventions?
All the humor of this appointment has been sucked up and anger and rage is setting in.
Posted by: young47 | September 3, 2008 4:36 PM | Report abuse
My reading: she's a combination of religious fundamentalism and naked political ambition.
That doesn't make for a very nice person.
Posted by: samson151 | September 3, 2008 4:35 PM | Report abuse
As a life long independent, this is an example of why I don't join a party. When the party does something stupid like pick a Gov. Palin as a VP candidate, I don't have to pretend that it is a great choice, that she is the best the Republicans have to offer at this time. I feel cheated out of a choice between McCain and Obama. I like and dislike things about both of them, but I can't in good conscience put Gov. Palin a heart beat away from the presidency at this time. I would rather have an in experienced Obama that makes sound decision than an experienced McCain that makes wild, risky, bad decisions. I voted for McCain in the primary this year and loved him in 2000, but he just killed any possiblility that I would vote for him. If Obama chokes down the stretch, I will be writing in Chuck Hagel and Bob Kerrey.
Posted by: jjs | September 3, 2008 4:35 PM | Report abuse
PUNISHMENT or REWARD...you decide:
-lower annual income
-80% chance to end up on welfare at some point in their life
-60% chance of not graduating high school
-increase rates of alcohol and substance abuse
-7x increase in rates of suicide
These are the statistics for teenage mothers.
Babies are wonderful, beautiful gifts...for people who are ready to have them. For teenage mothers, they come with a pretty steep price tag.
Why shouldn't we encourage contraception--as a backup to abstinence education--to help reduce unwanted pregnancies, as Obama suggested?
Fewer unwanted pregnancies=fewer abortions. Sounds like a win-win for everyone.
Posted by: icposse2000 | September 3, 2008 4:35 PM | Report abuse
Sarah sez..
Don't look at me, look at the baybeeee!
Posted by: virginia | September 3, 2008 4:35 PM | Report abuse
PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING SHE CAN EXPLAIN IS WHY WOULD WE ENTRUST OUR MILITARY AND OUR NUCLEAR ARSENAL TO A WOMAN WHO HAS SPENT MOST OF HER LIFE ATTENDING A CHURCH THAT IS OBSESSED WITH THE IDEA OF HOLY WARS AND END TIMES!!!!
THIS AND OF COURSE "WHAT EXACTLY CAN YOU CITE FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS EXPERIENCE". THE DESIRE TO SEE THE WORLD GO UP IN A FIREBALL TO USHER IN THE SECOND COMING IS NOT A GOOD ANSWER.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k84m2orSOaM&feature=related
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html
PALIN HAS MUCH BIGGER CHURCH ISSUES THAN OBAMA, AND SO DO WE IF MCCAIN/PALIN ARE ELECTED.
Posted by: Mark | September 3, 2008 4:35 PM | Report abuse
******************************
@JaxMax
******************************
Newsflash: God doesn't exist.
******************************
Trying to rely on something nonexistant to win an election is just asking to lose. I don't want to get into a religious debate, but people need to know that this country is (supposed to be) secular. Merging Church and State is a BAD idea. Yes that is an "opinion" but it is about the most factual opinion out there. This notion alone is the reason that McCain and Palin should NOT be elected. Obama and Biden are both religious, but keep a respectable separation between Church and State. I suspect it would be almost absolute separation, but of course every politician has to claim a religious affiliation to "please" the commonfolk.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:35 PM | Report abuse
Obama voted in 2005 to give special tax breaks to oil companies as part of W's energy plan. McCain voted against them.
Posted by: John | September 3, 2008 4:34 PM | Report abuse
McCain should do a parody of those great old Wendy's hamburger commercials. "Where's the Bounce, Obama!" Nice speech last week, but where's the bounce in the polls! America's not buying it, Barack. Better luck next time. Come back when you have more experience.
Posted by: Al Gore | September 3, 2008 4:34 PM | Report abuse
This issue is NOT about Sarah Palin, per se, but McSame's judgment and solutions.
McCain Is Just More of the Same As Bush
McCain: “There Was A Recent Study That Showed That I Voted With The President Over 90 Percent Of The Time.” During an appearance on FOX’s “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” McCain said, “The president and I agree on most issues. There was a recent study that showed that I voted with the president over 90 percent of the time, higher than a lot of my even Republican colleagues.” [Fox News, “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” 5/22/03]
McCain Voted With Bush 95 Percent of the Time Last Year. According to Congressional Quarterly, John McCain voted in support of the president’s position on legislation considered in the Senate 95 percent of the time in 2007
Posted by: Anonymous | September 3, 2008 4:33 PM | Report abuse
Please I beg of you, don't vote for this woman. She was shooting at my family last week.
Posted by: Bullwinkle | September 3, 2008 4:33 PM | Report abuse
Gingrich slams MSNBC reporter. Gingrich makes a nice comparison between Palin's experience and Obama's lack of it.
Posted by: JimMF | September 3, 2008 4:33 PM | Report abuse
REAL TALK,
How many congressional meetings has Obama’s subcommittee had since he took over? I am sure the actions of the committee speak volumes of Obama’s experience or it may speak of a very fluffy resume.











Sarah Palin Should be the GOP nominee!! not McCain. The Republicans are much more excited about palin then mccain., The new most famous person in the world. Uh Oh, Wonder if she is a Muslim too? Or worse, the anti-christ?
This site has the inside scoop about the Palin Dui Secret, http://www.duihelpguide.com Why hasnt the news covered this?
This site has background info on sarah Palin Bio, Pics, Videos, Alot of Polls like how many people actually think that she is attractive? http://www.theveep.com
This site has everything about her scandals, Levi the Boy Friend, what really happen with ebay plane. http://www.hotpres.com
Despite all of this, and her lack of experiance she would probably make a much better president then McCain., Because like Obama she hasnt been corrupted by washington yet.