On Wednesday night, all of America watched a spectacular new comet streak across the political sky, as Sarah Palin, self-styled “Hockey Mom” Governor of Alaska, delivered her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.
With impeccable timing and an easy-going folksy style well suited to her small town Alaska roots, Palin dazzled the receptive Republican crowd in the Xcel Center. Meanwhile, liberals and Democrats across the land watched in horror as she deftly skewered their standard bearer, Barack Obama, and the entire Democratic Party platform in a speech that will certainly be long remembered for its historical importance.
Much has been made of Palin's so-called “lack of experience” in the five days since John McCain announced she was his pick for the vice president slot on the Republican ticket. On Wednesday night, she dispelled those doubts unequivocally.
It has been said that, should the unthinkable occur and McCain die in office, she is not ready to assume the Presidency; her “thin” resume makes her unfit for the top job. It's ironic that the Democrats have taken this tack. When one compares Palin's career as a politician with Barack Obama's, the advantage she has over Obama is readily apparent and striking. Palin, unlike Obama, has actually been in charge — first , as mayor of her small home town of Wasilla, Alaska, and then as Governor of our northernmost state. Obama's experience, as was pointed out in speeches by several Republican luminaries, including former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and former mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, does not include executive responsibility for anything at any point in his career.
Palin also contrasted the differences between her own resume and Obama's, beginning with an amusing crack about how, upon first taking office, she disposed of the Governor's private jet, which she described as being “over the top.” With perfect timing, she paused, and with an engaging grin, told her audience, “I put it on eBay.” The delighted crowd roared, whistled, and clapped.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Baritone
Clav,
I take it you liked her. Just a guess. I must admit, she did well. She did her job.
The RNC is going much as I predicted with the exception of the Gustav hiccup. I said in a comment last week that I expected the Reps to come out with both barrels blazing with non-stop blasts against Obama. Fred Thompson and others did so last nite, and tonight all the featured speakers - Romney, Huckabee, Giuliani and of course Palin skewered Obama relentlessly all evening. Much of it was done with scathing sarcasm, condescension and at times with rather bitter ruthlessness.
All last week, the pundits kept complaining about how lacking in "red meat" the DNC was; that they were not going for the jugular as they should. Obama himself actually made more pointed attacks against McCain than anyone else that I heard, even more than Biden.
As I mention in my article about Palin, the particular nature of now both the Rep candidates make it more difficult for the Dems to go after them. However, since Governor Palin chose to come out fighting, I sincerely hope that the Dems see the light and take off their kid gloves.
McCain himself has been scathing in his attacks against Obama, who has tried to stay above that level of campaigning. But the Reps have taken to heart Rovian campaign tactics which sadly work all too well. If the Dems don't go after both Palin and McCain with a vengeance in the coming weeks, they will not win the election. It's that simple.
The Republicans have had charge of the presdency and the federal government for most of the last eight years. Their stewardship has been appallingly bad. If for no other reason, they do not deserve another term, not now at any rate. There should be some price to pay for the manner in which Bush and company have laid waste to this country.
To imagine that McCain can bring about any positive change when he has constantly been supportive of the Bush agenda since he sold his soul to Bush and the neo cons after they trashed him in 2000, is an empty hope. McCain is little more than a ghost of the supposed "maverick" he claims to have been eight years ago. His goal now is simply to win. He is, in that respect far more driven than Clinton or Obama. He must win at any cost.
So, what has Palin accomplished? She has a thin resume' but gives a good speech. Now, who does that sound like? Hmmm.
By the way, I took in your photo. You look just like you should, you'll be happy to know. In truth though, and I must admit in my minds eye I fell into what I guess would be a stereotype when I imagined you looking like Cheech Marin. Sorry about that.{:%)>
B
2 - Dave Nalle
Of course they skewered Obama. He's so utterly skewerable. They haven't even resorted to the really nasty stuff yet. The more I've learned about Obama's past the harder it is for me to believe that the Dems were dumb enough to nominate him. Talk about not vetting a candidate. Good lord.
I agree that Palin's speech was fantastic. Brilliantly delivered and very well written. And a nice summary from Clavos too.
Dave
3 - Lisa Solod Warren
She gave an admirable speech. Better when she was herself than when she had to speak the Repubs talking points, but Good Gussie, as my old mum used to say, if a decent speech meant you were qualified to be prez, then Obama indeed is qualified to be, as James Cameron would say, King of the World.
I want to see her hold her own, on her own, in an interview. I want to see her in a debate.
A good speech does not mean she is any more qualified than she was yesterday...it just means, that like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, she is a natural born speaker, a good gift to have when you're a politican, for sure.
But, Clav, she clearly misspoke about her own record, and I, for one, want to see her called on it. Her support, then denial, of that "Bridge,", the whole earmarks thing, the fact that she left that poor town 22 million dollars in debt, the corruption charges against her. I would like to see her answer those direct charges...
She did a decent job, yes, but lost the crowd when she got too specific in the middle, had them again when she went on the attack (although she, again, misrepresented Barack completely; he is looking for a timeline in Iraq, as is McCain, as is Bush. Clav, get real, there is no "victory" in Iraq, no matter what happens. We should not have gone in there, we went in under false intelligence, and no matter what happens, no one wins.)
She was charming, had those middle class moms in the palm of her hand, her joke about pitbulls and lipstick was a winner.... but that does not a veep make.
4 - Roschelle
A mediocre speech at best..but presented very well. Even so I still don't know who Sarah Palin is!
5 - Dave Nalle
I think the best joke which had the strongest reaction was actually when she referred to the 'styrofoam columns', mainly because it was such a perfect metaphor for Obama - temporary, cheap and with delusions of grandeur.
BTW, the $20 million in debt she 'left' the 'poor' town with was in the form of municipal bonds issued with the approval of voters which is a standard way for a town to finance infrastructure improvements. Check any town of that size and you'll find similar structured debt.
Familiarize yourself with a site called city-data.com. It compiles stats on all of the cities around the country. A city near where I live is about the same size as Wassila Alaska. It carries slightly more debt. Look up a city near you with a population around 9K people and I bet the debt will be in the $15-$25 million range.
Plus, if you look at the stats for Wassila, it has an excellent debt to earnings ratio. After paying salaries and expenses they have a substantial surplus from sales tax and should have no problem at all servicing what is an entirely appropriate level of debt.
So like most of the 'dirt' the smearmongers dig up, the $20 million debt is meaningless, but sounds scary to the ignorant.
Dave
6 - Dave Nalle
And let me add that the same site informs us that Palin oversaw a staff of 78 with a yearly budget around $9 million. That's the equivalent of running a decent sized business. When was Barack Obama ever in charge of that many people or that much money? When did he ever meet a payroll, manage millions in debt and hire or fire people?
Dave
7 - Christopher Rose
I thought Palin's speech was terrible. She came across as a small-minded small town woman, shrill, stupid and hateful.
I'm not currently into party politics as it seems impossible to find an attractive set of policies on either side of the aisle or the ocean but if the USA chooses this type of person it doesn't bode well.
I don't think the inexperience argument, against Palin or Obama, holds up. It simply isn't possible to be prepared for the job of "leading" a nation.
8 - Joanne Huspek
Thanks for the links.
I also think she gave a great performance. I can see where her disarming charm would be a definite connection to some people, including women. Most of the men I've talked to are in awe of her. I'll dig around a little more before I make my final decision...
9 - troll
I thought that the speech was almost as noxious as Obama's
10 - Dave Nalle
Chris, from your perspective as a European elitist, it was inevitable that you would find Palin off-putting and incompatible with your peculiar view of government and society.
Dave
11 - Andy Marsh
So CR - I guess you liked the assessment of Rudy Guilliani when he was talking about why the MSM doesn't like her...she's too small town, not cosmopolitan enough for you.
Obviously, you don't know this country very well, there are a lot of us small town folk around here and we're not big fans of cosmopolitans...the people or the drink! Don't get me wrong, I love the city, but I wouldn't wanna live there!
12 - Christopher Rose
There you go with the programmed misinformation again, Dave.
As I have told you many times, although your programming prevents you from absorbing it, I'm not an elitist.
As a self professed elitist pig who had to set up your own little republic of Dave, you are though, which makes your defence of this small town mentality particularly odd.
As you seem to have leapt to yet another preconception, please post here what you think my view of government and society is and why it seems peculiar to you. I don't think you can do either.
13 - Christopher Rose
Andy, I didn't see Guillani speak but Palin is very small town.
I'm well aware that there are many small town folk in the USA, as most other places, but small town thinking isn't the way to run a nation.
I live in a small town myself and have lived in small towns or villages for the last 7 years and about 40% of my whole life.
Cities and towns or villages both have their different charms and dynamics but they aren't simply mutually interchangeable.
Regardless of what you think about the world, it is a big and complicated place that doesn't respond well to small or simplistic thinking.
14 - Jordan Richardson
Wow. You guys just lap up these talking points and run for the goalposts with them, don't you?
"Cosmopolitan?" Andy, do you even know what that means? A cosmopolitan city is one where people of many different ethnicities, religions, and cultures meet and live in close proximity. So when Rudy, the King of New York, stands up in front of a sea of Alaska White and claims sarcastically that Palin isn't "cosmopolitan enough," hell yes that's a problem.
Saying you're not "big fans of cosmopolitans" (the people or the drink) is not very flattering. While I know Andy takes pride in being an "ugly American" and matching the stereotypes (hell, he probably even owns one of those big American flag hats), it's not a very compelling thing to claim to be so opposed to diversity. The fact that the camera had to strain so fucking hard to find a person of colour at the Rep. Convention isn't a good thing and speaks to the overall exclusive message of the party.
And where did this left wing media bullshit come from? Would anyone mind telling me where the left wing media is? MSNBC, sure. Anyone else? Nope. CNN, ABC, FOX, etc. have been relentlessly sucking McCain's dick for the past several years. He even at one point called the media his "base," but when the media went after Palin, even in the slightest, and started to question who she is the righties all snapped and lost it? Bullshit. I spent a good portion of a few days defending Sarah Palin from the throng of idiotic questions, but I'm starting to believe those clowns wanted it that way. Anything to help distract from the real issues.
I tell ya. Last night, watching that convention was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do.
Mitt Romney was so pathetic (please stop using the term "jihad" to refer to terrorism), Huckabee was actually tolerable, Rudy was an idiot, and Palin was a fuckwit. Like Chris, I believe her speech was terrible. She came off as sarcastic, overly biting, cocky, and hollow. The GOP convention is like a long line of bad insult comics going after minorities and people on welfare.
The pasty, chubby, ridiculously-dressed asses of the people in attendance is out of a horror movie. And for the love of Christ, could they talk about maybe something more recent John McCain has done? The whole "from the Hanoi Hilton to the White House" reminds me of a long journey from Milan to Minsk.
It's all such bullshit.
15 - Silas Kain
Small or simplistic thinking? What is it about people from small towns that scares those of us in the urban jungle? Is it that we like drama, chaos and complication? The closer one gets to New York City, Washington or any other metropolis, the more complicated life seems to get. Has it ever occurred to us that maybe simple is better? Is it so unreasonable for us to strive to be energy independent by depending on our own resources? Alaska offers a lot of hope for the lower 48 and the "sophisticated" city dwellers just don't get it. If people are so naive to believe that Alaska is a state of no significance then Todd Palin was smart to be a member of a party which considered cessation. Perhaps the rest of the United States doesn't deserve the opportunity to utilize the resources Alaskans are willing to share. We're an ungrateful society always looking for the easy way out. I'm trying not to sound like President Andrew Shepherd but these are tough times which require tough decisions which will lead to tough sacrifices and changes in the way we go about our lives. This isn't World of Warcraft, folks. This is real life. During the times when we take our heads out of our butts perhaps we should read a book instead of playing a video game or watching reality television.
16 - Jordan Richardson
Silas, forgive me but the first half of your statement is completely incompatible with the latter half.
The fact of the matter is that a policy set-up which ignores people from small OR big towns is completely erroneous. That the GOP used "cosmopolitan" cities as punchlines last night betrays their lack of understanding of the world. The world IS complicated, as you've said, but no amount of "this or that" thinking is going to do it.
You say that you live in an "ungrateful society" and then think that the people should all bow down "to Alaska" because they're "so willing to share their resources." Are they? Have you checked? And you say "simple is better" yet claim that we live in a complicated world? How could simple be better, then?
Wouldn't the best approach be an inclusive approach that took into account that there are people from ALL walks of life living within your borders and not abandoning one to placate the other? While Obama was chastized last night for saying that people cling to their religion and their guns, the GOP simply uses those people for political gain. And nobody seems to realize that when they play those hands, they're part of the game. Wake up, people. Stop assuming these people care about you.
They don't. It's all bullshit. Sarah Palin is no more a hockey mom than my mom, for fuck's sake.
17 - Silas Kain
I understand where you're coming from, Jordan. I've confessed that I feel schizophrenic these days in matters of the body politic. I think the point that I'm trying to make is perhaps we need to get back to basics. Perhaps we need to break things down into simple terms, prioritize and rebuild America for a new generation. For all this talk about leaving a better place for the next generation I have to say that every generation since the Greatest Generation has failed that basic mandate - miserably.
You are so right when you state the GOP simply uses those people for political gain. That's not a GOP phenomenon. Politicians use whatever tactics are necessary to gain power. That happens on both sides of the aisle.
18 - troll
emotionalism and nationalist fervor always leave me nauseous
19 - Arch Conservative
The posts on this thread reak of elitism.
The notion is that anyone who is from a small town and didn't go to an Ivy league school cannot possibly understand problems of a national or global nature and that every last person from a big city by virtue of being from a big city automatically has some unique inherent insight into these problems that.
Quite frankly it's rediculous.
It kind of rings hollow too when you say the media isn't critisicinzg her or belittling her for being from a small town when you see the anchors on CNN and MSNBC leering at the camera, doing all that they can to keep themselves from being cuaght rolling their eyes while saying "well gee her town is so small...gee her state's population is so small..how can she possible know what's going on in the world."
The liberal bias among such media outlets toward small town America is blatantly obvious.
20 - Mark Saleski
...shrill, stupid and hateful.
an absolutely perfect distillation of u.s. politics.
21 - Andy Marsh
No Jordan, I don't have a big American flag hat. I do have a shadow box in my computer room though. That's a little thing your shipmates give you when you retire from the navy and there's an American flag in there. I have a flag sticker on my TRUCK. I have more t-shirts with American flags rememberences to 9/11 than you probably have starched collared shirts...I also have this ginormous Battle flag that I fly from the front of my house on those special occasions like Independence Day, and 9/11. I've always been proud of my country, through her ups and downs.
I know what cosmopolitan is, I've spent years in NYC. My mother grew up there and my grandparents lived in a little italian neighborhood that had a great italian feast right on the street my grandparents lived on every year. I love the city!
You see, you "cosmopolitans" seem to forget that our greatest city was attacked. Yeah, I know, it's old news....to you anyway! As I recall those attackers entered our country through Canada, maybe we're actually building the fence on the wrong side of the country!
I guess you believe that because I like small town values that means I don't know anything about the world. I'd be willing to make a wager that I've been to a few more countries than most of the people that visit BC...probably combined.
You just don't get it and please, don't take this the wrong way, but we're not GB or Canada, we're The United States of America and we have a different idea of how we want our world to be. You guys seem to love the idea of a socialist society and that's all well and good...for you and apparently for the folks in this country that want us to be like you. But most of us don't want to be like you. We, like I heard the Canadian say, want and have our own national identity and it's not to want to be more like Europe. At least for those of us that don't profess to be "cosmopolitan".
Like you're always fond of telling us Chris, we're spoiled little children and no matter what you tell us is good for us, we're gonna do what we want anyway! We always have and it seems to have worked out for us.
It really bothers you liberals that the republicans have put an honest to god war hero on their ticket doesn't it? As far as I'm concerned, John McCain can tell the story of his stay in Hanoi as often as he wants. He's earned the right. And lucky for you Jordan, in this country you have the right to believe it's not worth talking about, only because of the efforts of people like John McCain. But maybe you're right, maybe we can talk about Barry's greatest single test of strength...
Anyone? Bueller?
22 - Jordan Richardson
Silas,
I think the point that I'm trying to make is perhaps we need to get back to basics. Perhaps we need to break things down into simple terms, prioritize and rebuild America for a new generation. For all this talk about leaving a better place for the next generation I have to say that every generation since the Greatest Generation has failed that basic mandate - miserably.
Well said, couldn't agree more. Back to basics is a good approach. But the foundation has become corroded and needs to be rebuilt. I think it's a long road ahead, not just for America but for humanity. We have to find a better way to do things in a changing world.
You are so right when you state the GOP simply uses those people for political gain. That's not a GOP phenomenon. Politicians use whatever tactics are necessary to gain power. That happens on both sides of the aisle.
Bingo.
Andy,
I've always been proud of my country, through her ups and downs.
Good stuff. Patriotism is a different concept here, I suppose.
You see, you "cosmopolitans" seem to forget that our greatest city was attacked. Yeah, I know, it's old news....to you anyway! As I recall those attackers entered our country through Canada, maybe we're actually building the fence on the wrong side of the country!
First of all, why do you even have a "greatest city?" I find that notion to be obnoxious and old-fashioned. Second, the "cosmopolitans" haven't forgotten. I'd argue that the current administration and the government by and large has practiced collective amnesia as to the attack. In fact, they've LONG forgotten all about who actually attacked you poor saps and moved on to other things like a distracted puppy. That's hardly the fault of the "cosmpolitans." Third, I don't think you seem to know what it means. You say you love New York, but say you dislike cosmopolitans and approvingly gesture towards Rudy's disparing comments. So which is it? I know, I know: whatever's convenient. Finally, build all the fences you want. Just don't forget to pull all of your troops inside it before you close the big fucking drawbridge. The world will thank you.
I guess you believe that because I like small town values that means I don't know anything about the world. I'd be willing to make a wager that I've been to a few more countries than most of the people that visit BC...probably combined.
I don't think there's any such thing as "small town values" or "cosmopolitan values." It's an idiotic misnomer created by a combination of opportunists and media to isolate and confuse the populace. And, by your remarks, it seems to have worked. Congratulations on being well-traveled, too. I didn't realize it was a contest...
You just don't get it and please, don't take this the wrong way, but we're not GB or Canada, we're The United States of America and we have a different idea of how we want our world to be.
Interesting, because the "we" you speak of seems to be pretty divided as to the "different idea" of how your world should be.
You guys seem to love the idea of a socialist society and that's all well and good
There's nothing "socialist" about Canada. Do a little research, will ya?
But most of us don't want to be like you.
Most of you know the difference between Canada and an actual socialist country (here's a hint, there's never actually been a truly socialist country).
We always have and it seems to have worked out for us.
Define "us." Hopefully you're not about to tell the swelling hordes of impoverished inner city kids that it's working out pretty well. Chin up, welfare bums? Keep your head up, sexual deviants, we'll recognize your lifestyle as equal soon? Come on. You live in the most backwards and arrogant country out of all of the industralized nations on earth. You live in the richest country (apparently), yet have one of the biggest disparities between rich and poor on earth. The fact that people starve to death on your streets, are left for dead by hospitals when they can't pay their bills, lose their homes, lose their jobs to outsourcing, etc. does not make you the envy of the world and it does not mean that things are "working out." It's funny, in all of your worldly travels, Andy, you seem to be pretty ignorant of what's going on within your own borders.
And lucky for you Jordan, in this country you have the right to believe it's not worth talking about, only because of the efforts of people like John McCain.
Blah blah fucking blah. Get over it.
23 - Andy Marsh
The one thing I noticed in your comment Jordan was how many time you said...I don't think...trust me, it's quite obvious that you don't!
24 - Jordan Richardson
Yes, clearly. My use of the phrase "I don't think," occuring once in #22, is certainly indicative of...something.
25 - Daniel Miller
Here is an interesting piece of trivia: during Governor Palin's speech last night, her teleprompter malfunctioned:
Obviously, this shows that she is a texual deviate.Dan(Miller)