The response has been very positive on renegade republican websites. On The Daily Paul 'Fountainhead' wrote:
"This is an absolutely monster smart move by the McCain campaign, something big has happened at the RNC I mean this is a major stunning 360. The fingerprints of true conservative Republicans is on this decision make no mistake about it and there is nothing but very positive feedback coming from the alternative media."
This reaction seems typical, with a lot of the more reasonable Paul supporters feeling that they have won a victory and perhaps are seeing McCain move back towards his more libertarian roots with the alliance with Palin. This may make a big difference in states like Nevada where large enough numbers of disgruntled Paul supporters to throw the election to the Democrats feel that they have been abused and excluded by party insiders.
Palin doesn't just appeal to paleoconservative Ron Paul supporters. Her bonafides on key family values issues are strong enough that she will also draw the religious right back into the fold and reassure them that McCain isn't such a bad guy. She's a lifetime member of the NRA, strongly pro-life and has even advocated teaching the story of creation in public schools, though apparently not as part of the science curriculum. That's enough to reassure the evangelical right that McCain isn't as hostile to them as they have feared.
As for moderates and secularists, who are a significant presence within the GOP even if they don't get much attention, Palin may be a fundamentalist Christian, but she appears to be one who exercises her religion rationally and with a relatively open mind, and knows how to separate issues of faith from matters of policy. For example, on the issue of teaching creation she made a fairly rational argument when she said:
"Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information... Healthy debate is so important and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. And you know, I say this too as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject — creationism and evolution. It's been a healthy foundation for me. But don't be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides."
Given the need to pander a bit to the religious right, that is the kind of rational approach to a contentious issue which ought to provide at least some reassurance. Palin even seems to have won over the Log Cabin Republicans whose President, Patrick Sammon wrote in a press release:
“Alaska Governor Sarah Palin can help Sen. McCain win this election by appealing to independent and young voters. She’s a mainstream Republican who will unite the Party and serve John McCain well as Vice President. Gov. Palin is an inclusive Republican who will help Sen. McCain appeal to gay and lesbian voters.”
Palin's record on gay rights issues is mixed, but she has expressed support for their interests and as governor her first veto was issued to protect the right of state employees to partnership benefits.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Chris Future
Not sure if I would agree with your "Ron Paul in a dress" comment. But at the very least she is a fiscal conservative in a land of big spenders. Let's see if she can maintain that all the way into Number One Observatory Circle, the White House and beyond.
2 - Dave Nalle
As VP Palin is in the unique position of having no legislative responsibility to speak of, except breaking ties in the Senate, so she ought to find it pretty easy to resist the lures of corruption which pressure others in Washington.
Dave
3 - Lee Richards
And how is she extremely well-qualified to be president of the U.S.?
4 - Lost_in_Samoa
Lets face it.
Mrs Palin may be a nice person and all but she is EYE CANDY, nothing more.
Window dressing to try to make a sick, old, megalomaniac, power hungry, lying potential despot (read McCain) look good.
She may be a fair leader and a life time member of the NRA, that is no compliment when you journal the performance of the NRA in protecting your rights over the last 20 years, but what is her performance as a fiscal reformer?
Does she even understand the giant Ponzi scheme fraud that our current monetary system is?
I think not.
Let her spend a month with Congressman Paul learning the truth about this nation ......
who its REAL leaders ... no not the face puppets (mccain - obama - hillary - biden - etc) that are paraded in front of the media
Let her publicly swear on the head of her children that she will work ceaselessly to return this nation back to the republic it once was. Put control back into the hands of the people who make it great.
Let her do these works, undaunted, for decades.
Then I might just believe her. And vote for her.
I will never vote for McCain. With or without her.
John McCain's father covered up the Liberty Incident.
John McCain himself was part of the Keating savings and loan scandal.
John McCain killed and buried every attempt to re patriot Viet Nam POW's
John McCain killed free speech in our election process with his partner Feingold.
John McCain wants to dissolve our borders and allow millions of law breaking illegal immigrants to become permanent residents, He wants to encourage millions more to swarm over our unprotected borders.
People WAKE UP. These candidates and this election is SCRIPTED!
Its like WWF wrestling but without the good guys.
1.) Turn off the TV. It rots your brain.
2.) Save your money. Your gonna need it!
3.) Store water, food, medicines, and weapons. Your REALLY gonna need these things.
4.) READ, RESEARCH, And THINK for yourselves.
5.) Actively, forcefully participate in your local - state - federal election processes.
5 - Ruvy
I'm just curious to know what bar in Minneapolis Paul expects to hold his anti-convention. I'll tell my brother-in-law to stop by and check their liquor license....
Actually, I agree with Lost_in_Samoa that your election is about as honest as a $3 bill. But I have no admiration for Paul at all.
6 - Clavos
Let her spend a month with Congressman Paul learning the truth about this nation ......
Her short, but commendably eventful, political history clearly shows she already understands how the country works better than Ron Paul ever will.
For starters, she's already held a higher and more responsible office (Governor) than Paul...
7 - Zedd
Hey all,
The guy who drives the ice cream truck is pretty good and counting change. Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Secretary of the Treasury (he may not have his green card but boy can he add). Another winner!!
8 - Dave Nalle
Paul's 20 years in Congress without a single passed piece of legislation to his name probably earns him a spot in the record book if nothing else.
Samoan - I'm ignoring you, you're just another Paultard troll.
Zedd. Critical thinking. Try it sometime. Constant reactive defensiveness is so futile.
Dave
9 - Zedd
Hey all,
Maybe Palin can be Secretary of Labor too. She is soooooo over qualified in so many areas. All them babies!
10 - Glenn Contrarian
John McCain is trying a "Lara Croft Gambit"
She's pretty, smart, tough, uses guns, hunts, skins, and eats her prey.
Anyone familiar with the 'Tomb Raider' series should recognize her immediately. The series was so successful because it depicts a wonderfully-endowed grrl who kills lots of animals and bad guys in lots of different interesting ways, and takes no guff from anyone.
Seems to me that there are some men out there who will be attracted to girls like that. If I were much younger, perhaps I would be, too. BUT in the games, Lara Croft didn't have to lead a nuclear-armed nation, heal a broken economy, make nice with people we don't like...she didn't have to be a PRESIDENT.
No one in their right mind would want "Tomb Raider's" Lara Croft as president. For the same reason, we should not want Sarah Palin as VP.
11 - Glenn Contrarian
Shucks -
I thought I would be the first one to see the similarity between Sarah Palin and Lara Croft. I wasn't - all anyone has to do is google the two.
GOT to be faster on the draw next time....
12 - Zedd
Glenn,
I missed the Laura Croft movie where she leaves her mentally challenged new born to pursue her career.
13 - Zedd
Dave
"Zedd. Critical thinking. Try it sometime. Constant reactive defensiveness is so futile."
Forget it. It's over. We think nowadays. Using my criticism of you and trying desperately to flip it, is sad, lazy and frankly outdated. Pull your pants up, go put on a disco shirt, gold chain, tight polyester pants and spend the night boogying. Both you and Rove were obviously repressed outcasts "in your day". Wasn't fun was it. This is America you can do whatever you want to do Dave. Re-invent yourself. Get out there! Re-live your looser days as a cool, hip, cat. Awe... Your ridiculous, flatly "maniacal" attempts at mind bending turned out to be sad and kinda embarrassing. Hug?
The Reps are sucking. It's bad. Save your pride and admit it. It's better that way champ!
14 - Lee Richards
And what in her resume makes her highly qualified to be president of the U.S., leader of the free world, commander-in-chief, defender against terrorism, mastermind of the economy, education reformer, etc., etc.?
Oh, I forgot--she's hot.
And don't give me Obama's lack of experience. At least he fought his way to the top, and was the choice of millions of voters. She was picked by a lone, evidently confused, old man to be a heart-beat away from the Oval Office.
15 - Zedd
"She was picked by a lone, old man"
Who met her only once before.
I am disturbed by this "hot mom" of 5 with a mentally retarded infant who is galavanting all over the nation running for office. Is it me?? Some of us temper our loftier career goals for healthy OLDER children let alone a new born with mental development issues. Where's the outcry from the family values lovin "it's all for the children" soccer moms.
16 - Lee Richards
And how interesting "Palin Unites the GOP."
Not Bush, McCain(who so recently used to be the leader of the party)or any other GOP stalwart, but the 2-year Gov. of Alaska is the only one up to the job of bringing the GOP together for victory.
Why isn't she("The Uniter")the nominee for president? Maybe the convention can ditch him and pick her!!!
17 - Ruvy
And how interesting "Palin Unites the GOP."
That's right, Lee. The race is between Obama and Palin - If the Republicans ride into the White House in November, it will be McCain and the rest of them hangin' on to her skirt.
I hope they don't pull it down in the process!
18 - LittleOrby
I love the Lame Logic of some; like: "Oh No! She's going to abandon a 'special needs' child to further her career," or "Oh No! She has no experience . . .," Listen Pal(s), take your whacks at her. She's a STRONG person, who will endure. She'll make a fine vp., and a finer president after McCain's first term.
19 - Dave Nalle
It seems to me that the incredibly hostile almost insane response coming from the left is a clear indication that Palin is a great choice for VP. That alone vindicates her.
As for her baby Tig, a Downs baby doesn't actually have special needs relative to a any other baby, and Downs children often grow up to a very high level of self-sufficiency.
She takes the baby with her everywhere and as VP she will certainly be able to afford nanny care as needed. Or perhaps her teenage daughter can help out. You know, families do that kind of thing in the red states.
Dave
20 - handyguy
Dave, as someone who wrote a quite ridiculous fantasy of an article on the Joe Biden choice as VP candidate, you should know whereof you speak concerning 'insane' and 'over the top.'
But to use comments from the blogosphere as generally representative of either the left or right is surely something you know better than to do. Except of course, when it serves your own rhetorical purposes.
Which, when it comes to elections and especially to the Democrats, are purposes of apparently endless, shameless distortion and unfounded accusation.
21 - Lee Richards
Dave has dubbed her a "miraculous" selection and uniter(savior?)of the GOP, but questions about her qualifications are "insane", so his objectivity--and credibility--is nil.
His fervor for her, however, is evangelical, based on faith and revelation, so I expect he'll be quoting prophecy soon.
22 - Lost_in_Samoa
Name calling? I would have thought that to be beneath you. But if you are shilling for McCain then I guess not much would be beneath you. Now would it?
You Dave are just another cowboy herding all of us sheep into the chute to be sheared, AGAIN.
Yup, I'm a Paultard. I'm a Paultard with plenty of time on my hands because I gave up TV 10 years ago.
I learned that the news that is presented is manipulative and in most cases just plain untrue.
I'm a Paultard with money to burn, because I see the puppet strings in our monetary system and I have learned how to work around the scams that keep you down.
I'm a Paultard with a year's worth of food and water stashed back. So natural or unnatural disasters do not really frighten me anymore.
I'm a Paultard with weapons, combat experience, and the will to use them. I am prepared to defend myself.
You, your a bought and paid for cheerleader for a failing system.
A literary prostitute turning tricks for your next loan payment.
Sorry I digress, But back to the point of this all.
Palin no more "unites" the GOP than McCain does.
I am sure that she is a nice person. But it is obvious that McCain chose her because he felt his campaign needed some window dressing.
And seen in that light, She is a weak and ineffectual apology for years of bad management, failed policies, repudiated promises, and outright lies.
And no matter how much the GOP choir (you)snort praises, the party is fractured, and the schism is growing.
My earlier points deserve to be reiterated.
John McCain's father covered up the Liberty Incident.
John McCain himself was part of the Keating savings and loan scandal.
John McCain killed and buried every attempt to re patriot Viet Nam POW's
John McCain killed free speech in our election process with his partner Feingold.
John McCain wants to dissolve our borders and allow millions of law breaking illegal immigrants to become permanent residents, He wants to encourage millions more to swarm over our unprotected borders.
Is this the man who you want to represent you?
People WAKE UP. It's all a big show to hide the fact that we as a nation are bankrupt, living off the generosity of our enemies.
1.) Turn off the TV. It rots your brain.
2.) Save your money. Your gonna need it!
3.) Store water, food, medicines, and weapons. Your REALLY gonna need these things.
4.) READ, RESEARCH, And THINK for yourselves.
5.) Actively, forcefully participate in your local - state - federal election processes.
Thanks for your time.
23 - Zedd
Dave,
"It seems to me that the incredibly hostile almost insane response coming from the left is a clear indication that Palin is a great choice for VP."
As usual, you missed it. People are angry because it seems as if the Republicans are playing around with our lives. Their lack of awareness regarding the extent of decline that they have cause with their ill-considered juvenile human chess games is the reason for the anger Dave. Republicans have caused a decline in our quality of life; have put us in peril internationally; have brought on disrespect and animosity towards us from the rest of the world. They have put us in a war that is unwindable; have pushed for jobs to leave our shores while telling us that we simply need to go back to school while school loans diminish. Americans are loosing their homes and their dream is quickly becoming a nightmare. We are sick and too scared to tell anyone else we will be tagged with the "pre-existing illness lable". This is not the America of our dreams this is another land. Not one that our parents wanted for us and not one that we work hard everyday to sustain. With all of that, they dare select a beauty contestant and gun toter when we are dismissed and thought to be vacuous and gun happy by even our best allies because they think we will go all a flutter because we the simple masses are gaga about women this season.
The Independents and Democrats are angry because Republicans DON'T GET IT. You are missing it Dave and taking us all down with you. Republican greed for personal gain has cost this great nation. It's obvious that McCain didn't select Palin because he thinks she will benefit America. It's because he thinks that she will attract the dummies that even he doesn't agree with, to vote for HIM. What an American hero.
24 - Clavos
Woo Hoo, this is fun, watching all you sinister types (sinister means left, in Latin) get positively apoplectic over the Babe.
That alone, the entertainment value, makes McCain's move sheer genius.
Laiser les bons temps roulez!
25 - Pablo
Lost_in Samoa,
I concur wholeheartedly with your above post sir, particularly in reference to Dave.