Jack & Jill Politics

I just drove past Obama's house on my way back to the office, they have put of cement barricades around the perimeter of his house forming a kind of cul-de-sac.

I guess that is the final confirmation on him being the official democratic candidate.
You know it's serious.

They blocked off Greenwood Ave.

LMAO
From Dailykos.com

A McCain/Palin pairing? I'm sorry, but that's just... weird. It's a pairing that seems to be drawn not from politics, but from a 1980's network sitcom.

HE is an ex-POW turned multimillionaire. He has power, wealth, and more houses than most people have ties. But can anything -- or anyone -- calm his savage temper, and teach him to love again?

SHE's a young creationist who knows little about politics and is in trouble with the law. He'll take her in -- but can he teach her the ways of Washington before she embarrasses him at the big Telecom Ball?

Find out this fall on Dharma and Methuselah...

Sounds like the 'old' politics of personal destruction and fear-mongering.

Americans want to get past that Miranda, and so should you.

Surely you jest.

A caller on the Ed Schultz show said that Palin is under investigation in regards to Native voting rights in Alaska. Any info on this?

Gov Palin has been successful in her short term as Governor of Alaska by SECURING PROPOSALS FOR A FOREIGN COUNTRY

In Jan 2008, Palin helped secure a proposal for CANADIAN company TRANSCANADA for a 1,715-mile $26 billion pipeline running from the northern slope to Alberta. In the proposal, it is suggested that the US government might need to take on some of the huge risk of the pipeline by signing in as "bridge shippers."

This means the government would agree to pay some of the pipeline transportation fees--potentially billions of dollars---should gas producers not commit enough gas initially to operate the line at full capacity.

If TransCanada has the state license for this pipeline, it will still not control any of the North Slope prodigious 35 trillion cubic ft. of gas. It would have to persuade the companies that control most of the reserves---Conoco, Exxon Mobil, and BP to commit to shipping their gas through the new pipeline. Without such pre-construction contracts, no pipeline can be built.

Essentially, she OUTSOURCES to a CANADIAN company, in which there is enormous risk to the US govt-----that same foreign company has no rights to the gas and will have to rely on BIG OIL to permit it to ship the oil. Basically this is a proposal that rewards a foreign company funded by U.S. tax dollars, who is under the control of Big Oil----who benefits without putting forth a dime for the development of the pipeline. Sounds like a win-win situation for CANADA and BIG OIL---not so good for taxpayer dollars. By the way, Palin's husband is employed by BP.

Removed: Wrong one. :>)

Apparently, Ms. Palin's been to the hospital at Landstuhl.

I need not tell you all how this is gonna play out.

"Running a big campaign on small things". That's how it's going to play out.

I agree. Yes, let us all forget the Republican talking points for the past several months about how important experience is in times like these. And now McCain has chosen someone, who by all accounts is a nice person, but has absolutely no experience on the national stage to be his second in command. Instead, lets shift our focus to who visited wounded soldiers at Landstuhl a year ago, and who didn't.

D, I wouldn't be at all surprised if this became a talking point, but it just provides further evidence that the Repubs are desparate.

And so what?

Like a photo-op.

In 2007? Before anyone even knew who she was?

Come on; you and I both know that "it's just a photo op" isn't gonna fly.

In fact, I'll spin it for you so you don't have to wait for it:

"Sarah Palin was willing to visit wounded troops without her campaign staff. Obama canceled his trip to Landstuhl because he couldn't take his."

Fair or not-and remember, I wasn't gonna criticize him for it!-that's how it's gonna look.

Its gonna be spun right back because its a PHOTO....a PICTURE of a wounded soldier being used NOW for campaigning purposes. Exploitation of a soldier for these purposes wouldn't play so well either. It will probably not even be bought up at all...just wait.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong...just that it is coming.

d,
McCain employed the classic military maneuver known as the pincer movement. Focusing all of Obama's effort and energy into defending the experience question, while outflanking him on 'change' by choosing a woman and 'reform' by choosing some one who is about as "far from Washington as one can get."

s,
Palin is still a right winger a Bushite that is not change that we can believe in. As a feminist I would never vote for her because I am pro-choice. Just as I would never vote for JC Watts because I am black. Conservative ideology has been a destructive force. Eight is enough.

I wonder if white men will get upset when they learn how she fired that trooper?
I wonder if that man was the father of her nieces and nephews. Putting a man out of work is awful, he can't even take care of his kids. Guess that is just more of the pro-life hypocritical cognitive dissonance...they only care about the unBorn..not the living.
Imagine what this woman might do as VP to men all over the country..she sounds viscious and spiteful even if she did choose to push a child with defects out of her sperm receptacle.

Biden might need to pass a Violence Against Men act to protect men from this manhatingcallousheartedmeanspirited Palin who loves life.

I listened to the speech last night just to listen. I just can not get over how quickly we as a country have reached so much closer to MLK's dream and how much further from the death of Emmett Till by lynching. it was so reassuring that I nodded on some of it.

This morning having avoided the noise of instant analysis I sat down to read the speech and think about what it meant as a political document. It is a good solid B+.
He is not a fire and brimstone preacher nor does he have memorable lines that will quoted to evoke emotion(much of this is because the Democratic party is still interest group oriented and everyone is looking to be acknowledged; thus no one knew when to clap). I was dismayed when he went for the rapier because he never twisted it: McCain won't go to the cave he(osama) lives in. He follows w/ a critique of foreign policy to end w/ i won't be taking positions for political puposes(withdraws the rapier). I mean this isn't a debating contest you still have to win the election and all the poltical positions McCain has taken have been to avoid talking about the issues. Then as the leader he finishes w/ why his election to the Presidency is a counter to cynicism. Yeah a great finish.
So on the whole he reminded me I why he sold me in the first place and convinced me he can sell many others. But since I want Obama as President I want Biden to be the big red 1 to guard his back. Not a, brigade, not a MEU the big red 1. I am not electing a martyr.
Ask "D" if you have any questions.

"D"

I feel you on the s@#$ you recieved from the RNC. I am big on economics and when they talk clean on those issues I can hang but they always pull out that old fashioned Plessy vs Ferguson s@#$. Democrats you can call them on.

OT but FUNNY!
Especially #3

Our President! HA!

#1

#2

#3

Hey u guys go 2 dimewars.com and listen 2 cornel west, tavis smiley and suzanne malveaux say that obama dropped the baton with his speech and didn't say enough about Dr. King.....i'm sorry my peeps but is it moe or does it seem like negro's will find anything 2 complain about

Any time you have Smiley and Malveau speaking they are going to attack Obama and undermine him in anyway they can. West goes back and forth, sometimes it is positive other times he piles on with them.

I do not care if I ever hear from Smiley or Julianne Malveaux (suzanne is with cnn).
Malveaux was even talking smack with soledad O'brien when she did Blacks in America...Soledad had to shut her down cause Malveaux was on there talking about, paraphrasing here 'damn the brothers sisters just gotta do it for themselves'
I kid you not.

“It is pretty audacious for the Obama campaign to say that Governor Palin is not qualified to be Vice President. She has a record of accomplishment that Senator Obama simply cannot match. Governor Palin has spent her time in office shaking up government in Alaska and actually achieving results -- whether it’s taking on corruption, passing ethics reform or stopping wasteful spending and the ‘bridge to nowhere.’ Senator Obama has spent his time in office running for President.” --Jill Hazelbaker, McCain Communications Director

Statement of fact: we have two inexperienced people here; Obama and Palin. Both are paired with respected, experienced leaders from their respective parties.

Only one of them, though, is running for President.

At worst, the experience argument is a draw now. At best, it tends toward Palin.

You cannot compare Obama's experience with Pallin. In the state of Illinois he passed legislation reforming the death penalty, mandating taped confessions; increasing earned income tax; banning racial profiling; and others. As a US senator he has passed legislation regarding nuclear proliferation and ethics. He is currently working on another bill.

One was a representative of the people in a district of IL; the other was the head of the government in the state of Alaska.

If that's all I gave you to make your pick for vice president on, who would you choose?

Obama because the state of Illinois is bigger and more diverse than Alaska. And what I mean by diverse I talking about the economy and mixture of rural and urban areas. After all Chicago is the second largest city in the country. He also taught constitutional law. He is currently a US Senator.

But where has he led? Yes, he's taught, organized, and gotten significant legislation passed.

That doesn't, however, translate into the experience gained by being a governor. Or a mayor, for that matter.

Neither he nor McCain have executive experience. Besides she only has 1 year of experience as a governor. So lets not put lipstick on a pig.

Great. But I compare Obama's experience with McCain's.

Even better, you're comparing a man living in 1974 with a man living in 2008. Old doesn't equate to "experience" unless you are ONLY referring to years breathing.

D, Isn't a 'lack' of experience to be expected when a 'generational' shift in politics occurs?

The argument may favor Palin, mostly because she is at the bottom of the ticket.

Experience should be framed, not as " time in office served' but 'accomplishments while in office." Using that standard, Palin has an edge.

You're right.

It's been said that the presidency isn't the place for on the job training. I'd like to think that's what the VP spot is for......

Co-sign!

"D"
I understand why you want experience in the foreign policy arena; lack of it gets people killed unneccessarily.

The reality is the experience issue is a result of how badly George Bush did his job across the board.(To me everything he has done and the results were on purpose; I do not believe he is incompetent). Excluding his father, whom was picked for his extensive foreign and military experience for Reagan neither Clinton, Reagan, Carter or Ford had extensive foreign policy experience. Excluding Reagan and
Clinton the others had military experience. The key was they had executive experience as governors As water and ice are exceptions Bush jr is to the others.

Barack Obama Campaign Spokesman Bill Burton responds to John McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate:

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same."

Sen. Chuck Schumer says:
"After the great success of the Democratic convention, the choice of Sarah Palin is surely a Hail Mary pass. It is a real roll of the dice and shows how John McCain, Karl Rove et al realize what a strong position the Obama-Biden team and Democrats in general are in in this election. Certainly the choice of Palin puts to rest any argument about inexperience on the Democratic team and while Palin is a fine person, her lack of experience makes the thought of her assuming the presidency troubling. I particularly look forward to the Biden-Palin debate in Missouri."

Rep. Rahm Emanuel:
"Is this really who the Republican Party wants to be one heartbeat away from the Presidency? Given Sarah Palin's lack of experience on every front and on nearly every issue, this Vice Presidential pick doesn't show judgment: it shows political panic."

Rep. Jim Clyburn on South Carolina ETV Radio:
"I do believe that McCain has to do something to reshuffle the cards, shake up the establishment, do something unexpected and Governor Palin has all the kinds of things that McCain might see as a way to shake things up. I think [her selection] would be something similar to Dan Quayle. Dan Quayle proved to be sort of an embarrassment as a campaigner. Being thrust on a national stage like that could be very tough. Now Mondale tried to shake things up by going with Geraldine Ferraro.she proved to be a disaster as a running mate. And as a campaigner, she was absolutely awful. And so I just think that it is very risky for McCain to do this, but it may be all he has left."

Meanwhile, the non-partisan group Campaign Money Watch responded that the pick underscores McCain's loss of maverick reformer credentials:

"In choosing Governor Palin, Senator McCain is clearly trying to shore up his past maverick reformer image - an image that is now in tatters due to the type of campaign he's run and the big money lobbyists he depends on every day of the week," Donnelly said.

"This selection raises plenty of questions," Donnelly continued. "She bills herself as a reformer, but has been silent on whether she supports public financing of elections in her own state. As governor of an oil-producing state, she's been a friend to Big Oil. Given John McCain's extensive fundraising from Big Oil, her selection raises concerns of whether the McCain-Palin ticket will promise the same access for oil companies and their lobbyists that we've seen for nearly eight years from the Bush-Cheney administration."

Everyone single one of these comments are going to piss off, smalltown people, pro-life people and especially unqualified white 'entitled' females all over the nation.

Those females are going to rally around Palin, they are not going to let the media treat her 'shabbily and chauvinistically'...like the press treated hillary.

Not ths time they are going to say.

O my, I am worried...these comments are not going to bring in voters other than those already behind Obama.

It was a blessing not to have these folks making comments before the nomination. None of them are driving Obama's message here.

The best of the off message bunch is Clyburn until he brought up Quayle, as that was a winning ticket.

I am glad folks are finally speaking out against Ferraro..she needs to be the recipient of ceaseless scathing attacks given her antics during the primaries and how she destroyed Mondales ticket, after being the affirmative action choice on that ticket because Feinstein had financial issues...that traitor Ferraro stepped on the ticket knowing all along her mafia ties hubby was a disaster for the ticket.

The only person on message of all these comments is DONNELLY.

Those people you refer to, I doubt any, ANY of them are reading here.

I mean, lets get real.

As governor of an oil-producing state, she's been a friend to Big Oil.

She's also a friend to foreign companies: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=acNe2vW46POk&refer=canada

I messed up with the link:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082...

Exactly at everyone.

This contradicts almost everything.

1. They cannot hold the inexperience card with Obama.
2. They cannot use the "he is still an unknown" excuse. When Obama began running, he was a familiar name. He was famous after his 2004 convention speech. She's not.
3. They cannot call Obama "the affirmative action" candidate because here we go, real "affirmative action" benefiting those who have been the number one beneficiaries of affirmative action all along. She got the Geraldine-up grade.

I love all the excuses that are being made.

Biden will chew her up in the debates...this should be interesting.

Well after the convention, last night's speech and after this desperate pick, I have become once again enthusiastic about Obama's campaign. Once I get released (from the hospital) sometime this evening or tommorow, I will be hitting the pavement. I was disillusioned for a moment even though I was still in support of Obama. I am still warming to Biden however this has gotten me even more fired up especially after this past week. I was told to rest but I will not.

This is pathetic and transparent and as a female, I am offended.

NOTE: there is a #4:

The "Celebrity" meme goes out the window.
Sarah Palin is a former beauty queen.

Take care of yourself.

I hope you are feeling much better.

I co-sign to this Rhonda and hope you are feeling better. Glad to hear you will be out of the hospital soon.

The Republican's should be embarrased but something tells me, they think they have a one up ... they are out of touch ... and very clueless.

All women are not pro-abortion, old-school feminists like Clinton.

We are witnessing a generational shift for both parties and as Obama is the fresh young face, and the promise of the Democrats, Palin is the fresh young face and promise of the Republicans.

I'm happy that Obama has earned his place in history, and I feel the same about Palin.

If you want Obama, got get out the vote, speak to the issues and win this election. Quit disparaging Palin, whining, feeling offended. If you feel you have the winning ticket, support it.

Republicans are energized, something that Obama did not think McCain could do, and counted on him picking a VP as dull and boring as Biden.

Depressing Republican turnout was key to the Dems strategy. They wanted McCain to choos a pro-abortion candidate that would make his base to stay home. There is little chance of that now.

K.O. issuing another KO:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/29/olberm...

Olbermann Rips AP Reporter Over Criticism of Obama Speech

In an unusually heated attack on a veteran political reporter by a cable news host, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann laced into the Associated Press's Charles Babington an hour after Barack Obama had concluded his speech in Denver on Thursday night.

With rare exception, nearly all of the top commentators and reporters on the three cable news networks had hailed Obama's speech as something new and powerful, and filled with specifics, and predicted it would have a positive effect on his chances vs. John McCain. This hallelujah chorus included conservatives such as Bill Kristol and Pat Buchanan and the longtime Republican David Gergen, as well as Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams. Buchanan called it the best and most important political convention speech he had ever heard, going back 48 years.

There is a video!! You know K. O.!!! :>) :>)

You know what I think...McCain probably offered VP to Condoleeza...and Condoleeza turned him down.

That's the only way that this makes sense to me. Condoleeza turned McCain down.

So he went with Palin.

What you don't know about Republicans is ... A LOT!

From HuffPost:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-love/obama-...
Obama Delivers, And Then Some

ENOUGH said!!! :>) :>) :>)

Go O-B '08!!!!! :>) :>)

rikyrah: The ONLY reason that I'm posting this article is so that I can make a comment!! :>)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/?referrer=email

ANSWER: ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!

QUESTION: Does anyone in their right mind and with a DELICATE EAR want to hear "4 more years" of "N-U-C-U-L-A-R!!!

Whew!! Holding my ears Deep Breaths!!!! :>) :>)

Since when did Barack Obama value experience so highly?

Barack Obama’s campaign is blasting John McCain for putting “the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency.”

The scathing description of Sarah Palin, from Obama spokesman Bill Burton, comes as Democrats scramble to gather a response to a selection that nobody in the political world expected.

“Governor Palin shares John McCain’s commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush’s failed economic policies — that’s not the change we need, it’s just more of the same,” added Burton.

What a desperate statement! Here’s Barack Obama on his massive foreign-policy credentials:

To counter opponents’ accusations that he lacks experience in foreign policy, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois often cites his ties to relatives in poor villages in Kenya and the years he spent growing up in Indonesia. Now he has added a new personal detail to that résumé: a trip to Pakistan while a college student.

Wow. So his mother took him to live in Indonesia when he was eight, and he took a trip in college. Meanwhile, Palin has governed a state surrounded by foreign nations. Which has the practical experience in foreign policy and diplomacy?

During the entire primary campaign, Obama kept telling voters that his judgment overruled his lack of experience. Now, suddenly, it doesn’t — but that puts Barack Obama at the same level as Sarah Palin, or even below, as Palin has the executive experience that Obama lacks. Moreover, Palin has spent her time in politics actually accomplishing reform and challenging the political machine in her own party. Did Obama do that?

And let’s not forget that Palin is running for the Vice Presidency. Obama, with his complete lack of the experience his campaign now suddenly believes is crucial for the job, wants to be President.

This is a foolish, bitter, and tone-deaf message. As one source close to the McCain campaign put it, “We already know what Barack Obama thinks about small town America. But the bitterness of the Obama campaign’s knee jerk attack says more about them than anything else.”

Well looks like McCain won't be calling her *unt like Cindy. This Palin may just be a female DickCheney,

About Palin:


Why Walt Monegan got fired: Palin's abuse of power
Last Friday, Commissioner of Public Safety Walt Monegan went into a meeting with Governor Sarah Palin's acting chief of staff thinking he was going to be discussing security for the governor's picnic. He left the meeting without a job.

The abrupt firing of Walt Monegan was a shock not only to him but all of the men and women of the Department of Public Safety. The way Monegan was fired raises serious questions about the governor's true motives.

So why was Walt Monegan fired out of the blue? Why would Governor Palin send a surrogate to fire her Public Safety Commissioner and then not have a decent explanation for the public? And why would Monegan's replacement be telling people three days before Monegan got fired, that he was going to become the new Commissioner of Public Safety?

Walt Monegan got fired for all of the wrong reasons. Walt Monegan got fired because he had the audacity to tell Governor Palin no, when apparently nobody is allowed to say no to Governor Palin.

Monegan said no, he couldn't cut his budget because his State Troopers were already being stretched to the limit and public safety suffering. He said no, he couldn't cut his budget because fuel costs for planes, boats and patrol vehicles soaring, while crime in rural Alaska was putting more demands on the Troopers transportation system.

But more alarming than any budget battle, Monegan said no to firing a State Trooper who had divorced Governor Palin's sister because the guy was being maliciously hounded by Palin's family.

And not just that; Monegan's firing came after his Colonel had to reprimand the governor's office for meddling in department personnel affairs.


Let's repeat that last bit again:


But more alarming than any budget battle, Monegan said no to firing a State Trooper who had divorced Governor Palin's sister because the guy was being maliciously hounded by Palin's family.

Here is a link:

http://www.andrewhalcro.com/why_walt_monegan_go...

bullshit.

about whaaaat?
Are you speechless becasue she is not just a sperm receptacle or what?

D -- where the heck are you? WTF is wrong with McCain?

D. officially reserves all comment on Sarah Pallin until he does a lot more research.

I don't know who she is, other than Alaska's governor.

But....really.....the picture of her they have on CNN's front page right now does not inspire confidence. She looks like a candidate for Rookie of the Year, not the vice presidency.

He's not serious

If it were Kay Bailey Hutchinson, I wouldn't have to like it, but I wouldn't have to think that this was a fucking Hail Mary.

D - the man said he hired her because they had the same values. He did not want someone with experience because he didn't want anyone to question why he would need anyone smarter or with as much experience as he does. He said the VP job is to check on the health of the President.

Now- at 72, if he croaks - who will run our country? She will be eaten up and spit out during debates with Biden. Something is wrong D. You know I liked McCain and I was looking forward to this period but this is ridiculous. How many other competent women are there in the republican party? McCain thinks we are all a joke. Get some woman (competence/experience is irrelevant) to run against a black man to take away from the history that is happening. That is the strategy.

horrible D. simply horrible.

Val--you are onto something here. Look, from what little I know about the woman we disagree on several issues, but I'm not going to put her down just for sport. But people who are defending this choice really need to cut the bullshit.

He did this for strategy pure and simple. I'm not a Hillary supporter, but as a women, I can't believe that both McCain and Palin think women in general are that stupid. As much as I disliked Hillary during the primary, Palin can't hold a candle to her. If he was going to pick a women, why not pick someone like Kay Bailey Hutchinson, or Condi Rice?

There's a million and one reasons cynical reasons not to vote for McCain/Palin that have nothing to do with the issues.

I could make a compelling case for McCain-willing to buck the party, government experience, strong military background.

Right now, Palin's issue-based case boils down to "Drill here, drill now!!" Um, okay.....but if Iran gets a nuke and Russia keeps acting foolish, what's she gonna do? Drill for oil?

As someone who pushed the "Obama's not experienced!" theme, I'm not sure what to say now. Her view on Iraq is moot; just like Obama, she wasn't there. National security....well, there's something to be said about being that close to the Russians, but even that doesn't motivate me. The economy? Who knows?

The enthusiasm is slowly dying.....mostly because of the amount of research that I gotta do now.

*stands up and applauds*

Has hell frozen over??! *lol*

You can kiss the "Celebrity" memo goodbye, too.

Wasn't Palin a former beauty queen?

Are you watching her? She's an amazing speaker! She will hold her own against Biden.

No one wants to 'take away history' from anyone else. This history belongs to all of us! This election will be about issues.
He made a shrewd choice that reinforces (not bolsters) his candidacy. Country first. Reform. Energy Independence. The man best to lead us as Commander-in-Chief.

Stunning!

I will state first, that I have not seen all of her acceptance speech, but from what I saw ... I would have to greatly disagree.

*sighs*

This country had a moment that was great ... then today ... back to the bumbling bullshit.

Are you on meth? The debates are not in Miss America question and answer format. Biden will simply make her out to be the Dan Qualye of the female gender. Too bad for you that Barack Obama is not Mike Dukasis

The Bush/Quayle ticket went on to win the November election with a 53-46 margin by sweeping 40 states and capturing 426 electoral votes.

I live in the real world. Get your head out of the sand.

S. McCain is 72 Seventy Two. Having a vagina and givng birth does not a leader make.

If McCain gets sick. SHE would run the country. We have two wars with one on the verge. The economy is in the tank I could give a crap about how she speaks. What of Carly Fiorina or Condi Rice . . .they have the right stuff. She is the Alaskan Governor (8000 people) WTF?

McCain has more stamina and vigor than Dems want to give him credit for. If you think he is McAncient and at death's door, cast your vote for Obama.

I see Palin as no MORE of a risk than Obama himself...and at least she echos my more independent, conservative views.

Trying to tear her down makes you look petty and small.

Obama provided that opening by picking Biden as his running mate, and McCain was smart enough to take advantage of the opening.

Val, do you know how old Ronald Reagan was when he was elected?

Maybe, Palin will resign as soon as the GOP wins, for family reasons...you know to take care of her down syndrome baby.

Then mcCain gets to pick the VP he wanted all along Lieberman.

Endless war...forever...nuclear holocaust...Russia will nuke us.

Fear monger!

Just for you D

From http://www.ontheissues.org:

Sarah Palin on Families & Children
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

Sarah Palin on Foreign Policy
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

Sarah Palin on Free Trade
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

Sarah Palin on Government Reform
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

Sarah Palin on War & Peace
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

Sarah Palin on Welfare & Poverty
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

Palin? PALIN??? LMFAO! Desperate Pick.

T.

Anything but. Sarah Palin will be the only candidate on the ballot who has any executive experience, as a governor and a mayor. Obama is walking through a political minefield that he himself has planted.

White, rural voters will bristle at any reference to her as 'small town.'

She will bring the issue of energy independence and pork-barrel spending front and center and will show voters that McCain/Palin will not only 'talk the talk' but 'walk the walk' on the main issues of concern to voters: high gas prices and wasteful government spending.

She has 1.5 years as governor of the 47th largest state. Previously, she was councilmember and mayor of Wasilla, Alaska--population 6,800......That's huge.... Who could compete with that?

Yes, yes...the mayor of booming Wasilla, AK....well if that doesn't put her over the edge, I just dont know what will.

No it was not desperate it was shrewd!!

The Presidential race now boils down to:

Race vs. gender

Suffragettes vs. abolitionists.

That is what Hillary said in her speech!

Keep goin. This time white women will come first

That is all this is.

You see a black man for President is just TOO Much change!1

Hillary did her job well. She threw the kitchen sink at Obama. If she could not have the nomination Obama would not win.

Billary is laughing and Caraville has broke out the champagne.


I guess McCain is happy today. Look at this thread. He successfully switched the focus from Obama's historic moment to his VP choice.

No one is even talking about how McCain is SEVENTY-TWO today! It is his birthday.

The birthday he celebrated with Dubya while NewOrleans drowned THEY ATE CAKE!!

O how I looooove AMERICA!

"No one is even talking about how McCain is SEVENTY-TWO today! It is his birthday."


Actually they are. Repeatedly. It is being pointed out that you have a presidential candidate who is old as hell, has a history of cancer, and Pawlin is only "a hearbeat" away from being President.

Billary is laughing and Caraville has broke out the champagne.

Well, if this is true, they want to stop celebrating and think about this: McCain is in his 70s and has already suffered 2 bouts of cancer. God forbid he passes on to Glory, Sarah will be the FIRST female president ---- a title Hillary wants.

It would be in her and her supporters best interest to help a brother out and send this beauty queen back to Alaska.. ;-)

God forbid he passes on to Glory, Sarah will be the FIRST female president ---- a title Hillary wants.

That's a great point, Sepia.

Lindsay Graham is on Situation room responding to Wolf's question that if god forbid anything happened to McCain, could she be Commander in Chief. Lindsay says yes, she's tough....if she can take on Ted Stevens, she can take on the Russians!!!

Wolf shows a clip of McCain saying the most important criteria for VP is someone who can take his place.

OH MY GOD!

After last night, I don't worry about Obama anymore. He knows how to neutralize that move.

Glad to see you exhaling. I was worried about you for awhile.

actually not. We were all geared to look at the Repubs this week anyway but we hoped for a fight. This is an insult to the USA and women.

Did you hear the commentary from HIllary's surrogates this morning? They chewed up Palin so bad (especially the surrogate from FL) it was embarrasing.

Val,
If you are a person of color..you know this is simply the lull before the storm.
In the coming week we are all going to hear the message change to.
The historic GOP ticket and incremental change.

Folks will take about 'inexperience' and focus on Obama vs. Palin...then they will come back to the fact that McCain 'heads' the GOP ticket not Palin.

This is southern strategy...divisive on the basis of race vs. gender.

Some talking head will talk about affirmative action and that will rear up the heads of the stars and bars and NO ONE
Absolutely NO ONE
will say that WHITE WOMEN are the BIGGEST beneficiaries of affirmative action in this country...whether it is in corporate, government or non-profit sector.

White women's ascent under affirmative action is unparalled.
White men vote for white women because that keeps the money in their families.

So, as the news sets in we will be in a fight and female hillary supporters will bring up to everyone....suffragetes vs. abolitionists.

NOT this time they will say...and we will not hear anymore about Palin being unqualified...only that she will be a HISTORIC choice.!!

You're forgetting a key component of Hillary's support - the white feminist. The one thing a white feminist detests more than the perception of a man jumping before her...is a beauty queen (albeit runner-up to Miss Alaska) with a bachelor's degree from the great Univ of Idaho that just leaped to a VP slot for one reason and one reason only...her uterus. Do you know how pissed off the likes of Gloria Steinhem and the women at NOW are right now?

They didn't complain about Ferraro and they are not going to complain about Palin.
Steinem has already been out there during the primaries if you recall with the op-ed in the NY Times where she framed this as a suffragette vs. abolitionists issue.
Steinem already said that white women got the vote after black men.

Perhaps you do not recall how she was calling for black females to join up with them and HarrisLacewell, ripped her a new one? That sister from Princeton told Steinem where she got off the train at the wrong stop when trying to equate the black females suffering with that of the entitled white female.

So, Steinem is happy. Hillary is happy. Feinstein is happy.

Miranda, did you even listen to Hillary's speech. Why the hell do you think she brought up Harriet Tubman?

To remind women of the suffragettes BREAKING with the abolitionists! To remind white females that blacks were still enslaved when WHITE women were passed over for the vote.
She said that on the 88th anniversary of white females getting the right to vote!

She exhorted them to 'keep goin'...and Palin...is what they can keep goin to and vote for historic change.

Well apparently those feminists did not get your memo because their reaction is far from "ooooo goody!! we's got ourselves a uterus for VP!!"....far far from it.

Well, just give them a few days. You know how sperm receptacle people are...they get all EMOTIONAL first. It is a consequence of their hormones.

Wait until Pat Buchanan and Kristol and Hume and all the rest of the right start talking and telling them why this is a 'historic ticket' for women to elect the first VP.

Now it did not work for the Dems because that affirmativeaction *unt Ferraro had a hubby with mob connections and shady finances to go with it.

But this time. this time they will be able to elect a woman who values LIFE.

Race vs. gender ..is going to dominate the election.

what an utterly CYNICAL and NEGATIVE comment. btw, the word is spelled SUFFRAGISTS. do u even understand what that MEANS? and no, you're wrong about this choice. it only confirms john's DESPERATION and INCOMPETENCE. do you think for one minute that the obama camp absolutely ruled out the so-called southern strategy? you also believe that palin was the only woman in the pool of mccain potential picks? get real. there was always a chance he'd pick a woman, and he picked the one who does the least for his candidacy. i am a person of colour, an independent, and a WOMAN, and this choice is a joke. she's mccain in drag, for all intents and purposes. women are not gonna run in droves to the mccain ticket now that there's somebody with a vagina on it.

will the media work overtime to prop this idiot up? OF COURSE THEY WILL. but they've been doing that since this thing started, so how is that ANYTHING NEW?

your hopelessness is appalling.

For someone who chose the moniker callgirl, you have a lot of nerve writing a snide personal attack. I don't give two cents about your correct spelling given that it is the substance of what I stated that matters. So you keep spelling correctly and I will continue writing cogent analysis, that you need to resort to attacking the messenger since you have nothing factual to rebut the commentary with.

Your reasoning is shallow. The Obama strategy for the southern strategy is not the issue. My post did not address the brilliance of that campaign. It addressed the shrewedness of the mcCain campaign with regard to affirmative action which is a wedge issue in America that the GOP has consistently used to divide and win campaigns on.

It seems to me that you are a women who has little depth of knowledge when it comes to history, politics and especially as regards race and gender in america. In fact, your remarks speak volumes about the paucity of your intellect on the topic.

In fact, you are the one who is appalling if you do not understand how white women and men are going to get behind Palin!!

Or maybe you are just a person of color who validates all the stereotypes of people who have sperm receptacles and call themselves callgirl.


ps...i know it says cali...it ain't a typo...also in the future, will you please refrain from posting to me unless you have some actual facts and data to support your inane blathering.

It is Cali as in California girl.

Just pointing it out.

:-0

Yes, thanks Lily..I understood, I got it ..that was the reason for the ps...

That is why Obama needs to continue to hammer tieing McCain and Pallin to Bush. He can also say that he is focusing on the issues.

Yes, Micheline, I agree.
White people who are out of jobs will determine this election.
It is the economy vs. affirmative action.
Maybe, this time mainstream America will choose their pocketbooks over race.

I do think this pick may given Obama a real shot at winning Michigan.

Unless, all the media focuses on is Kwame.

McCain is desperate and it shows. It's insulting for him to pick a female candidate with relative little experience, and she'll be a lame duck like Geraldine Ferraro was. I have to say that I felt a bit of glee thinking about how Biden will bring it during the VP debate. The gloves had better be off! That's why he was selected. After Barack's acceptance speech it is on! And I see blood in the water for McCain. It was scary to see that even Pat Buchanan liked the pseech.

How will men feel about Palin being implicated in the firing of her sister's husband who was involved in a custody battle at the time. How will women respond to that information.

Biden won't rip into her the way he might a man.

Heartsandflowers - McCain had the gall to say the job of the VP is to ask about the health of the President. No experience is needed because he didn't want anyone to wonder why he would hire anyone with more or equal experience to his?

The only thing McCain and his surrogates had against Obama is his "perceived lack of experience". So they choose someone with less experience so their attack against Obama is now . . . . What?????

WTF?

Val,
You need to stop and start thinking like mainstream America. Palin represents an affirmative action FEMALE vs. an affirmative action BLACK. The same thing we all see in our jobs in corporate America.

Black folk in corporate America know this well. The white female without experience is consistently selected, fast tracked and promoted over blacks with far better credential.

Recall, Ferraro already was out there like Archie Bunker whinning about Obama having no experience.

This may very well be the death knell.

We are not even discussing the historic marker Obama made. We are all focused and so is the media on,

The unqualified white woman...who shoots bears and has a pro-life agenda.

agree

D - what the crap is going on with McCain? Somebody slap him. He would have been better off with Pawlenty (as he decided before Obama made his speech), Rometty or even Liebermann. What about Condi . . . there are many other qualified women out there. McCain has badddd judgement. The idiot didn't even think abou the fact that even the most AVID Hillary supporter WILL NOT VOTE FOR ANOTHER WOMAN. The man is 72 years old. 72. Do you think that Palin (who McCain said -- he did not hire her because of experience) can run the country if McCain has to undergo cancer treatment, is sick or god forbid -- croaks --Can she run the country? No.

Slap him. where is my competition? WTF? I want my money back. McCain is an idiot. Badddd Judgement Bad Bad Bad

McCain doesn't want women who voted for Hillary. He wants the white men who supported her. And he is winning them over.

Sarah Palin is intented to attract moderate, center-right conservative women. Pro-life Catholics and young voters who do not share the values of the far-left (and yes, they are out there.)

I disagree.
White men do NOT want to see a possible
woman POTUS-----PERIOD!

You are right about the white men McCain wants. He wants the one's to whom Hilliary made the most racist appeal to.(which is why they will always be on the lowest circle of hell). Which tells you alot about McCain. You are right about the women of all classes McCain doesn't want; those whom recognize that a vote for McCain is a vote against their economic and social interests.

You are right about the pick of Palin(though I think on the experience issue, which, you have been touting-as a party talking point not your own thoughts-on this site has just been trashed.), She is an appeal to those religious women for whom the teaching of thier religion is their politics. That scenario means if you don't agree w/ me your evil.

That is such an unamerican position because w/o the freedom of religion offered in our country you could not practice your religion. For example, the tenet of Christian fundamentaism requires that you except Jesus into your heart and as your savior(and I do not claim to know the ins and outs). That means you give up being Roman Catholic or Methodist. Well if you live in Saudi Arabia you can't convert let alone prosleytize(sic?) afterwards.

I won't respond to your critiques of moderate, center-right, conservative, left and far left because you have no definition of your own.

Wait what? S seriously? McCain doesn't want the women who voted for Hillary, yet he has had Carla Fiorny (or whatever the heck her name is) meeting with big wig Clinton supporters for weeks, puts out an ad "sympathizing" with Hillary, and had all of his surrogates bemoan the fact that it should have been Hillary all this week.

Yeah right. Talk about spin. Make no mistake, that is exactly what McCain wants. And while it does up the ante in the race, I think it is also extremely insulting to Hillary supporters. Its basically like saying vote for me, I picked someone who has a uterus.

And if I'm not mistaken, just last week you were talking about how Obama shouldn't have picked Biden because he is a Washington insider and that's not change we can believe in. What does it say about Palin? McCain's biggest argument is experience---I'm sure that Palin is great and all, but picking her does undermine that argument.

S - please. stop it. I know you have to be an intelligent person. Palin is a lousy choice. Although this only makes it easier for the democrats to win - this just makes for a no - brainer election.

McCain clearly believes this country and it's people are nothing but a joke.
As an aside - picking a VP - we want someone who can run the country if something goes wrong with McCain. What say you?

Even in your world you have to know this is just idiotic.

VAL,

Your reasoning is flawed. Palin is pro-life and she has a down syndrome baby.

Palin represents white women getting to set the historical marker as a Vice-President BEFORE the black man can become President.

This is the southern strategy....new millenium!!

The white female is entitled! America did not get it right at the turn of the 19th century when black MEN got the right to vote before WHITE females!!

This pick represents incremental change...not TOO much change!!

This pick will show that America can get it right by insuring that WHITE females are FIRST before Blacks!!

Ferraro is going to be on ALL the talk shows talking about this affirmative action FEMALE choice over a BLACk affirmative action (unqualified won't even need to be said!)

Wake up...we are in treacherous HISTORY making-water!!

whiterosebuddy - I get where you are going. But you misunderstand. We already made history with HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON AND BARACK OBAMA. Both had similar agendas and had a strong plan and background. They both had experience and the support needed to run this country.

Palin got hired because she will do what McCain says, does not have any experience and most importantly she has a VAGINA.

It is important for me to know someone will take us off the currant path to change the direction we are going in -- to include addressing the issues of healthcare, education, supporting a womans right to choose. Palin does none of this. She is just like McCain who is JUST LIKE BUSH.

Screwing my husband and pushing out kids does not make me qualified to run this country. This is an insult to every woman and even the Hillary women know it.

The only history that has been made is Obama is the nominee. That is it.
Democrats have already had a female as the VP on the ticket, so it will not be history for females unless the GOP wins.

I posted above on Palin, I don't think you should call her a sperm receptacle just yet.

What matters here is race vs. gender.

White folks are going to have a field day now talking about Obama's lack of experience. You can think she is just a sperm receptacle if you like but America is getting ready to get behind this 'historic GOP ticket'

Your focus on it being insulting to women is absurd. Hillary was insulting to women in terms of experience to head a ticket. Hillary had no political achievements of her own. She ran on Bill's record. She was the biggest affirmative action choice ever.

If women supported Hillary they will support Palin, who is not as big of an insult as Hillary. Palin did not get her political gains on the back of her husbands coat tails. Nor did she racemonger to win

No one can even name a single piece of legislation she took a leadership role on and there are no national issues she advocated for. Hillary and Palin are affirmative action females entitled on the basis of race AND gender.

Next week all those white females complaining and whinning are going to talk about how Palin represents historic change and gain for women all over the nation.

No one will talk about her as an insult they will talk about her as a mother with a down syndrome baby, who values LIFE.

I see both sides, but I think you have a good point. She's a white woman with five kids, one of whom is in the military. They will tout her as the the perfect, gun-toting, working mommy of a special needs child, while ignoring the fact that this working mother left her DS baby to go back to work three days later. They will also ignore that McCain and Republican politics hurt most working mothers who aren't governors. They will also ignore that the war is going to last forever, touting both McCain and Palin's military sons while ignoring/discounting Biden's. Some of the white feminists may feel insulted by this pick...but the others who don't think anyway, will run with this chick.

why so harsh to S --- this comment does not seem out of bounds? what am I missing? McCain made the pandering choice, S did not say they agree. sorry if i missed some previous drama

no it isnt out of bounds.

OK I will reply to myself: having scanned down further----I see your point. Excuse me for giving S the benefit of the doubt too fast.

s, go back under your rock from whence you came

Last night was a singular experience! No More Rope-A-Dope For Barack Obama is what happened at my house last night.

Here is Gov. Palin response, when asked about V.P. talk from Larry Kudlow earlier this year:

Palin: "As for that V.P. talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question UNTIL SOMEBODY ANSWERS FOR ME WHAT IT IS EXACTLY THAT THE V.P. DOES EVERY DAY. I'm used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. We want to make sure that the V.P. slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alskans and for things that we're trying to accomplish up here for the rest of the U.S., before I can even start addressing that question."

Not quite sure what the V.P. does.....Congrats, Republicans on your Vice-Presidential Candidate.

Monie: She could have, at least, gone to Wikipedia!! :>) :> PUL-EEEEEEEZ!! :>) :>) :>)

Nice pick up!! :>) :>)

She is saying that she wants the VP role to be more clearly defined. She wants to do more than take the President's blood pressure.

You guys are really smarter than this.

I would hope you're smarter than that rebuttal you just gave.

She clearly states in her own words that she doesn't know what the job of V.P. is--, (which most Americans learned in elementary school civics)-Maybe she doesn't understand that V.P. assumes the office in the event that the President is unable.

I'm wondering, is she smarter than a 5th grader?

Yes we are.....too bad your presidential pick isn't.

s is stupid

Obama and his supportesr are between a rock and a hard place now. ---

What hard place? LOL We won' stop being supporters because McSame picked a woman. What hard place are we in? Because Palin's a woman we all now have to go home and vote McCain? I fail to see how WE'RE in a hard place.

Obama has spent the entire primary season persuading independents and moderates that age & experience do not automatically make one a more qualified leader.

Moderates and independents who believe that as well, will see the hypocrisy of the one-term Senator and former 'community organizer' attacking her ability to lead.

He was also a constitutional law professor and an Illinois state senator, so he had more experience than this person who is a first term governor and a former mayor.

mccain tries to change the story from the historic and rivetting speech by introducing us to a woman we have never heard of who is invoved in a judge judy family legal mess in her distant home of alaska. and bitter pundits try to tell us that obama came up short. but he has gone around them and revived the art of speechmaking and brought it to the people. direct.

"...revived the art of speech making." But he was expected to demonstrate he was 'ready to lead.' Your words speak volumes about who is truly 'bitter.'

stupid, stupid, stupid

John McBush got f**ked last night...really hard, and without mercy! No foreplay! OK, maybe a little liquored up by the previous night's speakers(hey John Kerry, I see you got to throw that monkey off your back...lol). And, my freinds(no, I'm not mocking anyone here), this was not by force, POW-Johnny has been begging him for this one for weeks...and the black man obliged, giving it to him...straight up the a**...no lubricant.

On the other hand, we, the American people, were tickled and teased(and licked, perhaps?) all week, and the mastery of Senator Obama was evident. On occasion gentle, and other times hard. Yeah, I liked it. When he was all done, I said, "Damn, that brother's good!". This morning when I awoke, I stretched languidly in bed and thought to myself, "Yeah, I want some more of that...for the next eight years".

The content of the speech was superb. It brilliantly, and flawlessly, weaved together his biography, which is of America; his policies for a better America; his promises to enrich the lives of Americans; his contempt for those who dare to attack his love for this country and trivialize this election process with distractions.

And he accomplished this in atypical fashion...not in the familiar fire-and-brimstone Obama way. You know, though I'm always deeply affected by Obama's speeches, I rarely sit and watch them. I tend to turn up the volume and listen to them, while I do other things. Only turning to look, once in a while, to see if his expressions match the strong intensity of his words. I'm never disappointed. The muscularity in his neck usually reflect the strength of his words, as he unleashes linguistic fire upon us.

Last night, however was different. I couldn't describe it until this morning. Yes, at some points, but not all, in his delivery, the heavily pregnant clouds opened up and released hail and freezing rain upon us, lightening coursed through the sky. But at other points, he was more subtle; kind of like what usually happens after such a stormy event: The rainbow. I am always amazed and surprised when a rainbow appears after a storm. So beautiful, so serene, so peaceful...and full of hope and promise of great things to come. That contrast was what made this speech so masterful in its delivery.

I dreamt of rainbows last night....(I swear!)

YES WE CAN!

Obama/Biden '08,


T.

i love it laughing wickedly here.

McCain has the media on his side and they are already spinning this as a "slam dunk" and will surely drop the just due deserved to Obama in favor of this news like a hot potatoe. What they won't say, however, is that he has begun the end. People who are voting for this man how for the most part are in search of the anti-Obama. You don't chose an unknown, young, FEMALE trying to counter the Democratic ticket this year, you just don't. There are many who will stay home rather than vote for McCain under these circumstances, and Obama was never an option for them. It will come down to TURNOUT. Which camp is more motivated to show up? I think our boy has it in the bag now, I really do...

aahhh no they are not. Most of the media I saw are saying stupid decision.

Most can't even say anything at all. What an idiot. Easy for us dems to win but dumb in the sense that McCain would pick someone with NO experience to run this country.

They said other than no experience she has the same values as McCain.

Hey now!

It'll make the PUMAs happy!

Just went to a puma site that is mainly older lesbians. They are putting on a brave face but one post left unanswered is that if this ticket wins two things happen. Hillary loses her place in history and the kind of woman the nation feels comfortable with is one who isn't like them and doesn't approve of them.

Harsh world for those ladies, I am kind of digging it personally.

Go Obama

Lilytiger,

EXACTLY. . . I was just talking to my sister about that. We know Hillary Clinton. She has an EGO.

Do Republicans really think she's gonna sit by and let Palin steal her thunder? Plus she's young. That means she can run to replace McCain when he's done.

I've expressed my doubts about Hillary. But something has me thinking she's looking at the tv saying, "Ah hell naw!" at the idea of Palin taking her voters and her spotlight.

Why? Because a successful Palin vice presidency would replace Hillary as the most "powerful" woman in politics. She ain't gonna let that happen.

B-Serious: billary said that she wants to be used in this campaign.

Here's her CHARGE - GO AFTER and BURY Palin, ESPECIALLY on Her LACK OF "EXPERIENCE!!"

Sounds like a "CAT FIGHT" to me!!! :>) :>)

p.s.: billary -You got ta snatch off your HOOP earrings, take off easily-removable parts of your WEAVE, take off your necklaces/bracelets and get rid of those heels B4 you enter the fray!!

Then you gotta SNATCH anything hanging from your opponent AFTER you SCRATCH and give FULL-FISTED PUNCHES!!!

When she is down, put you bare foot on her and declare VICTORY!!!

But NO dirty fighting! It's jes NOT professional!! :>) :>)

Don't forget the vaseline GreenLady! LOL!!!

Sepia: LOL!!! :>) :>)

-Quick!
Unleash the Bill!

if she does the right thing I will make a donation to retire her damn debt....LOL. Now I did not say how much, but every dollar counts doesn't it.

Yes it does because that debt isn't going to just magically disappear. Hey, I'll put $5 on it too! lol

The PUMAs wanted Hillary and ONLY Hillary...

Texas: Reporters are, generally, saying the same thing.

"McAncient" is trying ta "PLAY THE PUMAS!!" :>) :>) :>)

Hope THEY see this!!! :>) :>)

Wow. Palin????

I'm really not trying to be partisan when I say this . . .

I'm sure conservatives will disagree. But this pick is NOT impressive.

Seriously. This strikes me as a completely reactionary decision. This is John McCain placing his stamp of approval on the idea that this is going to be a "change" election. He can't beat Obama in a "change" election.

It also brings up another consideration. People are starting to ask whether McCain and the Republicans are believing their own spin a little too much. This pick sells women voters short. I've already heard a few people say it's like McCain thinks women will vote purely on identity politics. It suggests that McCain really DOES NOT get it.

Furthermore, this seems like a complete contradiction. People are already asking the question: How does McCain slam Obama for inexperience with Palin one heartbeat away from the presidency?

Plus, she's an unknown. An unknown attached to scandal. What happened to the first rule of veep selection: Do no harm?

I'll have to study up on her. She is an unknown. Maybe she's got some great qualities that people haven't seen yet. But this feels like a reactionary choice. A shallow attempt to trump the "change" card.

Who knows what will happen. But I'm even more confident of Obama's chances after this selection.

I thought the veep selection was the first major decision of a candidate's Fall campaign? What does this say about McCain? Again, it doesn't look like McCain put a lot of thought in this pick.

Again, I'm not trying to be partisan. But this is not an impressive pick.

B-Serious: Co-signing on ALL points!! :>) :>)

And, I'm wondering - If "McAncient" is "pimping" "youthful" Palin, can/will he also "pimp-slap her!!:>) :>)

Just askin' . . . . . . :>) :>) :>)

B~

I agree; the pick is as cynical as it is unimpressive.

But one thing strikes me: she is an unknown. Yet isn't "unknown" the very excuse that folks have been giving the closet bigot voters?

With Palin, it would seem that the "unknown" excuse goes away.

... unless the media convinces us that we've somehow always known her.

I was just in alaska in July, and there was a lot of news about corruption in the media. Apparent, there are many corrupt politicians there. Palin recently had a special needs baby. If I'm not mistaken, the baby had downs syndrome. There was a feature about her and her husband knowing about the baby's condition in advance and keeping the baby. So they are going to really push the anti-choice meme with her. Also, what about the psychological aspect of being seen as "beating up on a woman" during the debates. Won't having her on cause men, especially of Biden's generation, to hold back and treat her like Miss Anne, even if she is cut throat? Her husband is in the oil industry and she has been an oil and natural gas employee. Connect the dots here.

She also went back to work THREE DAYS after giving birth. There's something really discomforting about that.

I have a 9 month old son. I could barely use the bathroom three days after having him.

I just don't see how this Republican ticket attracts Independents. She's NRA and hard pro-life. That's fine if McCain wants to move his campaign even further to the right. Bye bye Independents.

So after all of this talk of being a maverick, McCain's gonna run a "God and guns" campaign? Again, bye bye independents.

The NYTimes just did an article on the Republican corruption going on in Alaska. McCain is tying himself to this culture when he doesn't have to. Stevens won the Republican primary --- that's actually BAD news for the GOP because it puts Stevens' scandal in the spotlight against an insurgent Democratic challenger. Now McCain picks Palin, which puts Alaskan scandal on the national stage???

Again, not a smart pick.

thanks for some background info

Morning Joe - ripped into this selection this morning. Practically called it political suicide.

Happy Birthday, John McCain.

Admiral: O.K. I'll join you in in chorus! :>) :>) Now where did I put my choir robe!??? :>) :>) :>) 1 more year - "McAncient" :>)

How Palin Will Hurt McCain:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008...
But now Palin is also caught in a probe of her official conduct that likely nixes whatever chance she had to be on the McCain ticket. She's only been a governor for two years, but that's about four times as long as someone else mentioned as GOP VP pick, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

However, questions have now arisen over whether Palin used her office to try and fire her ex -brother-in-law from a state trooper's position. Palin asserts the charge is untrue, but the Alaska Senate this week approved the hiring of an independent investigator to look into the allegation.

Color me cynical, but I think this pick was designed to have Barack "take it easy on the White lady" the way he had to do with Clinton. To take advantage of his gentlemanly qualities.

But something rings artificial about this woman. And it's only a matter of time before that becomes apparent.

RonnieB: Co-signing, especially on the "take it easy on the White lady." :>)

However, in this discussion, Barack's mother WAS one of them!! He knows what ta do!!! :>) :>)

Barack is fighting against McCain. So the context is way off base. And in a debate with Biden -- she is toast.

True that Barack is battling McCain, but it's his call as to how hard Biden fights--anybody.

Now, I think McCain's team looked at how "honorably" Barack treated Hillary, and assumed that it was a weakness. That he wouldn't risk being seen as the Angry Black Man beating up on a white damsel.

But I think that McCain's team miscalculated. And I'm convinced that Barack is ready to swing on whoever gets in his way. And Biden gets permission to do the same.

Now, I think McCain's team looked at how "honorably" Barack treated Hillary, and assumed that it was a weakness. That he wouldn't risk being seen as the Angry Black Man beating up on a white damsel.

But I think that McCain's team miscalculated.

Yep. I think the main reason Barack pulled his punches (excuse the term) with Hillary had more to do with her being a fellow Democrat, and he said as much. So I have no doubt that Biden, with BO's blessing, is going to make quick work of Palin in their debate.

How Palin will help McCain:

1. "the attractive young governor . . . would provide much-needed energy and youth to a ticket whose main candidate is frequently on the receiving end of "he's so old" jokes";
2. "Palin would give Hillary-voters frustrated by their candidate's loss and still unsure about Obama a reason to shift over to McCain";
3. "Palin is as far from a Washington insider as you can get";
4. "Palin can help McCain focus on energy security, an issue that could be Obama's Achilles' heel"
5. "most important, Palin could do something few Republicans seem interested in or able to do these days: Help fuse the two pillars of the Reagan Revolution, traditional conservatives and libertarian Republicans."

s: SOURCE of these "talking points!"??

Hillary woters will not vote for another woman. PERIOD.

That in itself is lost against the Repubs. Also, republicans are not ready for a woman in office. If McCain had a heart attack 1 year from now (not a wish) but if he did, clearly Palin could not run the country. Biden on the other hand, can if something were to happen to Obama.

Bad move.

Val,
I am in total agreement with you on this.

This is wishful thinking on your part.

Sarah Palin is the conservative Barack Obama.
Bad move not putting Hillary on the ticket.
Obama and his supportesr are between a rock and a hard place now.
Scrambling to attack her youth and 'inexperience'.

Oh the irony!

If she is the conservative version of Barack, then all the same criticisms (inexperienced, "unknown", not ready to be commander-in-chief, "judgment) are applicable to her.

Face it; fatal choice by Team McCain.

s - I am hoping that you are not as stupid as your commentary makes you out to be.

When Morning Joe is saying this is a LOUSY decision -- something is wrong. He said that before the pick was announced. He did not pick the most qualified republican woman either.

How stupid is that? And to say that he didn't want anyone to be more intelligent than he is -- what is she? Window dressing? This race is so over. What a freakin idiot.

val: Co-sign!! :>) :>)

Well s you were wrong about Meg, but right about a woman. So you get 50% credit which is a lot more then most got.

It's official. McSame picked Sarah Palin. This is clearly a ruse to attract women voters and shows his desperation. I really hope that they don't fall for it.

Ruse? He's the 'Maverick' he claims to be.

Claims being the operative word. Last night he "claimed" not to do any negative campaigning against Barack in respect to what yesterday represented. But less than a few hours later, he sent out an attack ad.

Next Kelly O'Donnell said - McCain selected Palin because he wanted to take the "experience" question off the table??????? Per McCain - the responsibility of the VP is to inquire about the health of the President. He did not want his VP to be more knowledgeable than he is . . . . .WTF????? Whattttt???

By next week, he will change his mind.

Say what? Does that even make any sense? She claims that McCain wanted to take one of his own talking points off the table? How do these people get these jobs?

Yeah, you keep believing that. He is going after all the angry PUMAS and the undecided voters hoping that they will pick him just because his VP is a woman.

Angry PUMAS intensely dislike pro-life, conservative women. Palin is tailor-made for Oprah viewers !

Sarah Palin is involved in a scandal. Oliver Willis called this:


Alaska Governor Sarah Palin In Staff Scandal
Published August 14, 2008 in Republican Culture Of Corruption and Republicans.

Just another part of the mountain of Republican corruption that is turning off Alaska’s citizens

Gov. Sarah Palin on Wednesday revealed an audio recording that shows an aide pressuring the Public Safety Department to fire a state trooper embroiled in a custody battle with her sister.

Palin, who has previously said her administration didn’t exert pressure to get rid of trooper Mike Wooten, also disclosed that members of her staff had made about two dozen contacts with public safety officials about the trooper.

The bizarre thing is this might make Palin more likely to be McCain’s running mate.

If voters are being asked to overlook Wright/Ayers/Rezko, et al, does this make any difference at all?

I know Republicans already knew about this.

Yes it makes a difference. I have never seen a comment from you that was not a direct reflection of Republican talking point sheets. You do not offer us posts from other blogs, magazines and/or newspapers that would show a iota of independent thought. t

the result of this is you consistently look like not only a hypocrite but an idiot. In the post here you mention three people in Obmam's past whom you say are a reflection of Obama's character. When confronted about character w/your choice you say it doesn't make a difference. adifference you swear is important to you and your politcial choices.

We know you are a troll. We understand that debating you will not have you look at yourself and reflect on your thinking. But damn you're an AfricanAmerican and we would appreciate you just not being an embarassment. It is very simple to do just shut up sometimes.

Rob M: Remember, s is EXERCISING his/her FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. On a DAILY basis - it's A 1, and a 2 and a 3!!! :>) :>)

Otherwise, Co-signing!!! :>) :>) :>)

It's not funny. I am not telling her not to talk. I'd just like something more than talking points. She runs w/ the character meme since day one and then goes it doesn't matter.

As to Palin: I do not think it is a desperation move. The Republicans have been very aware of the fact they have changed the debate. Their strategy was to use the media to create as many false issues as possible- experience, character, UFO's, greek columns- and keep that discussion going. Any real discussion of the issues tied them to closely to Bush-losing bet. The problem is/was is that these tactics had a short lifespan if countered correctly.

Palin was an acknowledgement that the strategy was countered by Obama's acceptance speech. So the counter was to exploit the historical nature of the Democratic campaign. And here's to Whiterosebuddy whom hit it out the house: Find a woman whom we can use like Hilliary to go after the Reagan Democrats in her down low manner; exploit race/class differences in a manner in which she can not be called out on it directly. Remember these Reagan Democrats are not for Hilliary's femenist agenda. She sold herself as one of them; small town girl from Scranton whom learned to shoot on her granddaddies knee. All in all a good gambit.

Gambits however involve sacrifices. The RNC is assuming the Clintons will not be called upon by Obama to counter Palin. I believe they're wrong.

The Clinton's know from their lose of AfricanAmerican votes in the primary that they were confined to the 8th level of hell. That level is for TRAITORS and is divided into four sections. The two sections that they know they are guilty of being a traitor to kin; ask Toni Morrison. The other is Benefactors; the Democratic Party.

If they don't do everything, including dying, for Obama the responsiblity for him losing will fall justly on them. The tactics Palin will use have been perfected by the Clintons. The African American community will never forgive them for putting it out there. The party will be forced to recognize thay they made a mistake in not insisting on party first and looking for a fall guy.

Thus they have no choice but to go back out and stand on the back of pickup trucks and hay bales. It is the only way to save their legacy because Palin undid their confession at the convention.

"Their strategy was to use the media to create as many false issues as possible- experience, character, UFO's, greek columns- and keep that discussion going. Any real discussion of the issues tied them to closely to Bush-losing bet. The problem is/was is that these tactics had a short lifespan if countered correctly"

Hmmm, interesting. I had not considered this as just another distraction. Certainly possible. Whatever it is, if Karl Rove is involved, it is not good.

RobM: While I exercised my freedom of "smiles", I CLEARLY CO-SIGNED with your thoughts!! :>)

I CLEARLY HEARD your request for MORE than talking points. For the 3rd time that I have chosen to respond to s, I also asked for a SOURCE for those "talking points" being stated!! :>)

it would work if she didn't have the opposite view of Clinton's female supporters.

And I think we learned from the primaries that the back woods folks would rather pick the black man over the white woman.

"it would work if she didn't have the opposite view of Clinton's female supporters."

-C'mon, they're PUMA's!

Breaking NewsSen. John McCain picks Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on GOP ticket for White House, CNN learns.

From the HuffingtonPost.com:

New McCain Ad Attacks Obama Kids
Posted August 26, 2008 | 10:16 AM (EST)
Andy Borowitz

In what might be his most controversial attack ad in a campaign dominated by them, presumptive G.O.P. presidential nominee John McCain today launched a new TV spot attacking Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill)'s two children.

According to political insiders, a negative ad targeting a rival's offspring is highly unorthodox, especially when the children in question are under the age of ten.

But after the two Obama kids scored in their performance on national television last night at the Democratic convention, "we had to do something to give the American people some straight talk on those two brats," Sen. McCain said today.

In the ad, which is being broadcast in key swing states, an announcer intones, "They're the cutest children in the world - but are they ready to lead?"

The spot uses visuals to link the two Obama kids to other famously cute kids, such as the young Drew Barrymore and the Cabbage Patch dolls.

The commercial goes on to blast the Obama children for "smiling and giggling but refusing to state their position on offshore oil drilling.

While some critics questioned how well the ad would play in living rooms across America, Sen. McCain defended it, telling reporters, "It played very well in all of my living rooms."

Okay this is a joke, but since the word satire appeared nowhere in the article and there was a link from page 1 of Huffpo I thought, the first two times I read it, it was real. Which may say something about McCain (or more likely my intelligence) that I can believe he would target the little Obama girls.

Someone needs to bitch slap Borowitz right out of existence.
My number one rule is no matter what, under any circumstance do you mess w/ anyone's children PERIOD.
I hope Michelle is on the tube right now lying down the law.

I am scared about McCain's VP selection.

Pawlenty's out. Fox is reporting Romney is too.

Palin, on first read, doesn't sound bad. In addition to checks in all the conservative boxes, her son is in the Army, and headed to Iraq on September 11.....which could make for a somewhat compelling story to put beside Biden.

All of a sudden, I'm a little more enthused.

D. how do you feel about Palin?

Heard her on Glenn Beck not too long ago. Energy hawk; wants to tap Alaska's resources badly. Sounded really enthusiastic. First term governor, which gives her executive experience. That's the extent of what I know, for right now.

I'm excited about McCain/Palin, but let's be real....we know why. Now we get to see how authentic those PUMAs really are (were?).

Fox is reporting it's PALIN!

Beautiful! in so many ways...

Obama goes back to "old Washington" first with Biden, and last night in his 'red meat' speech to the left-wing base.

John McCain looks forward with a young, dynamic woman who is the face of the future for the Republican party.

McCain/Palin is the bridge to the future...

Obama/Binden is the bridge to ...

It looks like it's Sarah Palin. Which, uhhm, WTF?

peggy noonin (WSJ) and andrea mitchell are going at it over the obama speech on morning joe...noonin is of the opinion that it was a pisspoor speech

Daily Show Backgrounder on Obama: Barack Obama-- He Completes Us.

Funny.

Edited to Add: OOPS!! Put in the wrong link. Sorry! It's corrected now.

I think I must be the only one put off by the fact that on the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington, he made only a cursory mention of the historical context. Did he even mention MLK by name?

Another thing, he spoke eloquently about the credit crunch and economic problems the country faces now. I guess we are supposed to forget that Biden voted for the bankruptcy bill made made it difficult for many of us to make a new start after set backs.

Did you not see Bernice and MLK III speaking? Did you miss the video? Did you miss Rep. John Lewis? Did you miss the last paragraph of Obama's speech? Exactly what did you want him to do in his acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States of America?? Yeah..you ARE the only one put off.

No, you shouldn't foget that Biden voted fro the bankruptcy bill, but you do need to remember that Joe Biden is the senior Senator from DELAWARE.

I'm only a voter and I can only speak for myself. I was underwhelmed by Obama's speech.

I wasn't interested in hearing MLK's children speak. While the the tribute John Lewis was nice that wasn't the history making moment.

Obama's nomination was.

I expected more and the moment called for more.

I wanted a speech for the ages, something that will be as relevant one hundred years from now as it is now. I needed a speech that tied the struggles of people of color in this country to the larger American story. Why not mention MLK by name or A. Philip Randolph or any of the organizers of the March on Washington? Were they not great Americans whose progressive ideas are as important today as they were forty-five years ago. Why not, for example, salute the countless African American, Latino, Asian American and Native American servicemen who served this country abroad even though they were disenfranchised at home? They did that so one day a Barack Obama could stand in front of 80,000 fans and claim his nomination.

Obama had the perfect opportunity to deliver this century's Gettyburg's address instead we were subjected to 38 minutes of rehashed soundbites, talking points and slogans.

And what purpose? To win over white voters? I don't doubt that this "whitewashed" speech (Dr. Julianne Malveux's term, not mine) will calm the nerves of undecided voters. It may even help him win the election, but at what cost?

If he does win, I pray that he will acknowledge the struggles endured by brown folk who put him in the Oval Office. Maybe in his inauguration address he'll call a few by name.




I won't hold my breath.

McKinney 2008

I thought it was good in that he didn't attempt to infringe on MLK;s legacy; plus the rethugs would be quick to say he had no right to claim MLK's dream (due to his background).

You mean like this?

Showed up in my email this morning, and I damn near threw up. They might get a memo from me.....

Woah....unbelievable...

D: Co-signing, for the most part on the content BUT more so on the CONCEPT!!!

Rapid Response - GOOD!!! :>) :>)

Someone smarter than me is going to have to take this on in a manner that's a lot less visceral than what I'm writing.

People take things too far. And I am including people from both the left and the right. The truth of the matter is, no one can say for certain the people or the policies that MLK would support if he were alive today. I think that his family and close friends deserve some leeway because they obviously knew him best, but otherwise, invoking MLK in this way cheapens his legacy.

This statement was one of the reasons that I was upset with the Dem debate question that asked the candidates, if MLK were alive today, who would he support. What a stupid question. His legacy has become a political stunt and it is truly sad.

wow

Yeah.

I would definitely complain. Inexcusible.

Now, the two of you should spank the NBRA for insulting our intelligence by trying to foist the equally stupid "The Party of Lincoln!!!!" argument off on us.

I understand your point, but I think it was intentional. They had already given a presentation about MLK and had his son speak, which I thought was appropriate. But, even though he didn't mention his name, I thought the last part of the speech, when he invoked MLK, was the most powerful and effective. He has to tread a fine line with invoking, probably the most quoted, revered speeches in history--as well as the comparison to a great leader, to where we are today. I think that in the past, others have overplayed the MLK card and it cheapened his legacy. To me, the themes of MLK's speech were playing out in that stadium with the diversity of the crowd and the historical signficance of the moment.

As far as Joe Biden, I don't know the history of the bankruptcy bill, so I won't speak on it, but what I do know is that no matter who would be in his position, I could probably pick out a position or a policy that I wouldn't agree with. I don't think there will be a perfect VP candidate.

TRW: YOU NAILED IT!!! :>) :>) ENOUGH said!!! :>) Co-signing!!! :>) :>)

Politico is reporting that it is not Pawlenty!

Now the speculation is that it's Sarah Palin. And they excuse Democrats of playing identity politics. LOL! Their ENTIRE attack is that Senator Obama is inexperienced and not ready to lead, so they are going to put someone younger and less inexperienced, including NO foreign policy experience, on the ticket with a 72-year-old? I can only pray that Hillary's supporters will not fall for this ploy. In fact, they should insulted that McCain thinks that a vagina, any vagina, is a substitute for Hillary.

I know Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a friend of mine. You, my dear, are no Hillary Clinton.

It won't come to that.

scary!

Okay with risking being ridiculed like barryforObama or Eric Micheal Dyson, I gots to say the O man looked like "fiyah" in that suit!

Other simple observations are that I love Jill Biden, I loved how she sort of put her arms around Malia and Sasha and ushered them out when she and Joe, Michelle, and Barack stood together initially. It was simple and sweet.

Plus, I thought it was hilarious when I "think" Michelle must have told Barack to put Sasha down, he picker her up when he first came out, then she and the girls came out to avoid a wardrobe malfuntion in front of 84,000 people and all of America, lol!

I also though Malia "big girl" hair was cute and Sasha looke like a little doll. They all looked fab!

Okay, you all can proceed with more profound observations, lol!

JJai: SIMPLY Co-signing!!! :>) :>) :>)

I found this on Gawker.
Please enjoy some Friday Fun!

From The New Republic Blogs:

--The most powerful moment for this viewer was midway through the speech when the camera cut away (once again) to Michelle Obama gazing up at her husband. She did not look in awe of the man at the podium, nor did she seem to be acting for the camera. Rather, she looked extraordinarily proud of her husband and life partner, and the expression on her face radiated all of the ups and downs of what must be an exhausting stage in their life together. Her face reminded me, more than anything else, of the look Ingrid Berman gives Paul Henreid in Casablanca after he demands that the band at Rick's play La Marseillaise. Tonight's moment only lasted a few seconds, but the evening was worthwhile for it alone.

--Isaac Chotiner


http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archiv...

That was beautiful.

Did Obama pull the rope-a-dope:

from Andrew Sullivan:
It was a deeply substantive speech, full of policy detail, full of people other than the candidate, centered overwhelmingly on domestic economic anxiety. It was a liberal speech, more unabashedly, unashamedly liberal than any Democratic acceptance speech since the great era of American liberalism. But it made the case for that liberalism - in the context of the decline of the American dream, and the rise of cynicism and the collapse of cultural unity. His ability to portray that liberalism as a patriotic, unifying, ennobling tradition makes him the most lethal and remarkable Democratic figure since John F Kennedy.

What he didn't do was give an airy, abstract, dreamy confection of rhetoric. The McCain campaign set Obama up as a celebrity airhead, a Paris Hilton of wealth and elitism. And he let them portray him that way, and let them over-reach, and let them punch him again and again ... and then he turned around and destroyed them. If the Rove Republicans thought they were playing with a patsy, they just got a reality check.

yes. the obama strategy of august rope a dopre revealed itself to me on weds night when he appeared and said we will be moving to mile high tommorrow. the clintons gone. big crowd. big tv time. big speech. big climax. was he hurt? was he asleep? then...biff bam boom!. i don't care what any pundit says. sometimes you don't need the judges to know. you just know. mccain emptied his tank. he is out of credibility. he spent it all. and he just had his ugly mug tattoed with laser jabs and combintations.

.....and, having emptied his tank......he makes an erratic move and picks Palin.

Sometimes I wonder if he did this without even his strategists knowledge or advice. The repubs seemed awfully unprepared to comment after the announcement.

He doesn't keep that portrait of Ali hanging on his Senate office wall for nothing. And Ali was in the building last night. I must admit I didn't see the strategy, but it all came clear last night!

ABC Polling Data:
http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/PollTracker/f...

Obama = 49% McAncient = 45%

This comes under the heading:

And he "stood down" for one minute:

"McAncient" Congratulates Mr. Obama:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/28...

From TPM:

Obama's Speech Heavy In Specifics and Direct Hits --Thanks To McCain's Attacks
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com...

The ultimate irony of tonight's speech may be that John McCain's attacks on Obama as a celeb lighweight may have actually forced Obama to make a stronger, more grounded, and more politically-effective speech than he otherwise might have.

Obama proved tonight -- again -- that he's one of the few most gifted public communicators of the last generation. But this time, he proved it by not excelling in soaring rhetoric or delivering a speech that will be remembered for the ages. Rather, he recognized that tonight's speech didn't have to be an effort to join the Rhetorical Hall of Fame.

Obama has been getting hammered for weeks now by Republicans as a puffed-up showman who loves the sound of his own voice when it fills stadiums. This clearly created some consternation among Dems and Obama advisers, and Obama adjusted accordingly.

No question, Obama hit plenty of emotional and rhetorical high notes as he ran through his bio and promised a tough fight with the Republicans. But the speech was strong because of its specificity -- because it laid out a detailed case as to why he's the right choice, and McCain's the wrong choice.

Jed Said:

I'm Still Awestruck
http://www.jedreport.com/2008/08/im-still-awest...

Great pic of nominees and their families!! :>) :>)

Looks like I need to get a new username.

jed: I'm SO sorry! :>) I'll change MY introduction. :>) "Jed Said" is catchy to me! :>) BUT, I'll find a variation!! :>) :>) :>)

Thanks for pointing this out!! :>) :>)

Jed rocks. He totally does. He does great videos. Be sure to catch iceberg slim's photodiary. it's in the other thread.

rikyrah: I SAW THEM!!! :>) :>) YAAAAAAA!! :>) And I thanked Ice!!! :>) :>)

From The Politico:

Rahm Blames McCain For Bringing Up Race
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12886...


Representative Rahm Emanuel, 5th Congressional District of Illinois speaking and former senator Tom Daschle (SD) during the breakfast.
Photo: Robert A. Reeder
Previous Image 1 of 5 Next Image

Paying Republicans a backhanded compliment, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel said on Wednesday that the McCain campaign had succeeded in making race a factor in this presidential election.

“They did a good job bringing up a topic they wanted brought up,” Emanuel said. By suggesting the Obama campaign had brought up race first, he added, Republicans had managed to raise the issue without provoking backlash.