McCain, true to his reputation as a maverick, has completely overturned the dynamics of the Presidential race.
In a bold and, to many, including most of the MSM, surprising move, John McCain, with exquisite timing has named Sarah Palin, the Republican Governor of Alaska, as his running mate.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Dr Dreadful
Nearly two years, eh, Clav?
Come on now, you know Dave's the resident spinmeister on this site. He'll be coming after you if you carry on like that.
27 - Zedd
Clav,
Bottom line:
1. The discussion over Obama inexperience is over. What's left to question Obama on? The person who is a heart beat from a 77yr old's Presidency is the least experienced candidate in history.
2. This woman is no Hillary. Forget the transfer votes.
3. NRA? in this day and age? Yeah that'll get those swing votes.
28 - Zedd
Clav,
She has a year as Govenor of ALASKA. Let's not get carried away. Two years of executive....
29 - Zedd
Alaska vs Illinois.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
30 - Lisa Solod Warren
Oh dear, Baritone. You misused the word nonplussed so completely.....it would be funny if it weren't so sad.
Hard to believe y'all (and as a Southerner born and bred I can use the word) are so excited about this obviously last minute, late night choice, when McCain said as late as yesterday morning he had not made his pick. Palin is a joke. Wait for me to weigh in, as I will shortly. None of you has done his homework.
31 - RJ Elliott
"Palin should help salve the right wingers owing to her particular proclivities - anti-abortion, member of the NRA, anti-environment."
Anti-environment? Oh, c'mon now...just because conservatives aren't a bunch of pagan, Gaia-worshiping, the-end-is-nigh
Global CoolingGlobal WarmingGlobal Climate Change alarmists, doesn't mean we actually hate the planet. Sheesh..."Obviously, her "experience" factor may become an issue as she has a good deal less than Obama and virtually none as compared to Biden."
She's been a Governor for almost two years. Obama's been a Senator for almost four years. That's only a two year difference. And she's accomplished a lot more in her brief time in government than Obama has. She also has executive experience, whereas Obama has none, zero, zip, zilch.
"When one thinks of her being a heart beat away from the presidency, it might give one pause."
It should give one pause to think of an empty suit like Obama actually being elected to the presidency outright...
32 - RJ Elliott
This election campaign essentially boils down to:
Empty Suit & Motor Mouth vs. War Hero & Hot Chick
(And the Hot Chick is the only one with executive experience...go figure...)
33 - Zedd
I'm guessing "Chief Executive" is the buzz term of the day from the GOP. How about Governor of ALASKA? Guess it sounds a little flat.
I forget, Republicans are thought to have small minds by other Republicans and they get all a flutter over such big shot sound'n posts.
34 - Baritone
Lisa,
It's not really all that sad. Yep. You caught me. I really meant to say that she was, uh, plussed.
My wife says Palin has a "beauty pageant voice."
It is rather grating.
B
35 - Lee Richards
McCain hardly knows her, but believes she's qualified to be the nation's chief executive and commander-in-chief. He's 72, so the possibility isn't that remote.
That calls into question his rational judgment. With no national record on her part, he believes--and wants us to--by faith rather than solid evidence.
He's lost the "lack of experience" argument he's used all year against the Democrats. She knows, without experience, what to do about Iraq? Iran? etc., etc. She can handle the economy? Education? Health care? Terrorism?
He already had Alaska's electoral votes, which are not that many anyway.
Many conservative males, including some evangelicals, do not like those they perceive as "uppity" women who try to lead.
She's not Hillary. To women voters, women candidates aren't interchangeable.
She holds reactionary positions on abortion. Other positions may turn out to be just as extreme.
67 days is not much time for America to learn to know, like, and care about a stranger to national politics.
My guess is the DNC is singing "Happy Days Are Here Again" and thanking crazy John with every breath.
36 - Zedd
Irene,
I thought that she was a gift for the DNC as well. Maybe it's McCains revenge against the GOP for their lack luster support and for not appreciating his hard work to maintain their dignity for all of these years. He's one of the few that has remained sane in that party. However, he's made too many concessions as of late, in order to get the job of the Prez
37 - Zedd
OMG I just heard her speak.
It's George Bush all over again - In a dress.
38 - nate
You don't need to have a rocket scientist degree to be a politician in this country. The amount of years served within the [big time] political arena alone doesn't qualify ANYONE to be a president or vice president, it actually means squat with our current political situation. I'm more than comfortable with a fresh non-tainted face in our government, and yes even a woman, america needs someone with backbone happens to be a small town girl. Palin, you go girl!!!
39 - Jordan Richardson
So you're fine with Obama as well, Nate?
40 - jesse
yeah, this woman has balls, more so than any of the other candidates, she will be a serious handful you will see. We need people that have the guts to stand firm on their convictions, that is if they have any!!! you all scared ? Here comes the Judge!!! happens to be a pretty woman, whoopi!!
41 - nate
no obama here he's too wishy washy for me
42 - Lee Richards
Job description for POTUS(compliments of Nate & Jesse):
Wanted: Small-town girl with fresh non-tainted face, preferably pretty, with balls and guts.
Little or no experience a plus.
No rocket scientists need apply.
43 - Jordan Richardson
no obama here he's too wishy washy for me
How so?
44 - Silas Kain
67 days is not much time for America to learn to know, like, and care about a stranger to national politics.
67 days is far too long! We have the attention span of plankton and after two weeks of Palin, we'll be hearing about Palin fatigue. The last President to be elected by an informed electorate was Franklin D. Roosevelt.
45 - handyguy
If the timing and positions were reversed - if the GOP had just had as smashing a convention as the Dems did this week, and if it were the Dems naming a VP choice today - I'd be rooting for any sign of competitive life too. So I'm happy to allow our fearful conservative friends their tiny, fleeting flash of hope.
But even Pat Buchanan praised Obama's Thursday speech as the best convention address of all time. Anyone who continues to insist he's an empty suit just wasn't bothering to listen.
46 - Clavos
He's an incredible speaker handy, there's no doubt about that.
47 - Clavos
McCain's nomination was a brilliant move, as evidenced by the saturation coverage of it by both the MSM and the blogosphere, on days which otherwise would have featured nothing but coverage of the Democratic convention and Obama's acceptance speech.
Reaction from Republicans has been almost universally favorable; with few exceptions, Palin's nomination is rallying and exciting the party faithful.
The idea of a reformer ptentially having high level access to the corrupt Washington political establishment is the best political news the country has seen in years.
48 - Lee Richards
Clavos,
It would be wonderful news if it were true. You must know better.
I don't see how anyone can claim she'a a wunderkind of reform. She has practically no record to examine, and no list of achievements of any significance on the national or international level.
A hockey mom easily whips Washington and the world into shape? How? By what talents and tactics?
I believe it far more likely that Washington insiders, congressional politicians, and the cynical media would devour her quickly and utterly.
49 - Clavos
It would be wonderful news if it were true. You must know better.
Not sure what it refers to here, but her reputation as a reformer, even going against her own party in her efforts, is not only well established, but also well documented. From the Wall Street Journal:
And, on her experience, from the same WSJ article:
More articles on her reform record:
CNN
I'm limited to only three links per comment; there are plenty more sources available which discuss her commitment to, and accomplishments in, reforming the Alaskan state government.
50 - Clavos
I had another link for the previous comment, which, I discovered, Akismet considered spam, so I had to remove it.
The article title is:
Palin Signs Ethics Reforms
It can be found in the archives of the Anchorage Daily News, for those who are interested.
51 - Zedd
Clav
"Sarah Palin's reform resume would be remarkable in any political career. She entered politics at 28, winning a seat on the Wasilla city council as an opponent of tax increases. After she defeated Wasilla's three-term incumbent mayor four years later, she swept the mayor's cronies out of the bureaucracy..."
You write as if we are supposed to know what a Wasilla is. Like it's some internationally known metropolis. Like you are talking about Rio or Barcelona or Cairo or even Baku in Azerbaijan. Its a town of 6700 people. Don't do this to yourself. It's embarrassing. Heck Alaska has 683,478 people in it. It's smaller than a lot of small cities.
What is really going on? Is there some sort of conspiracy to kill this nation and feed it to the terrorists or Chinese or anyone who wants it? Are the Reps so bitter that their stupid revolution failed that they just don't care what happens any more? Is the realization that they were wrong in EVERYTHING so embarrasing that they are saying to hell with everyone and everything? I suppose those who cant afford homes all over the world and actually have to work and live here would have a bigger stake in SERIOUSLY trying to make it BETTER instead of wanting to win just to make another notch on the laundry list of personal accomplishments.
52 - Zedd
Clav,
This is a chance to boast about NOT voting for ridiculousness. Those who didn't vote for Bush are proud of themselves right now. This is your chance. Walk away with your pride and good sense in tact.
53 - Clavos
You write as if we are supposed to know what a Wasilla is...
Look again. I didn't write it; the Wall Street Journal did.
54 - Zedd
Hey all,
The golf coach at my kid's school stopped a fight last week. Is it me or is anyone else thinking Secretary of State?
55 - Zedd
"Counterbalances my near-orgasm article nicely"
Ewwwwwwwwuw. Suspected that that is what was going on but... T.M.I.
56 - Clavos
Orgasms inspire an "eewwww" reaction in you?
57 - Zedd
Clav,
Now we are getting news about a potential leader of the free world from the Anchorage Daily News. Hey my subdivision's chronicle (you may have heard of it) wrote an article about the benefits of writing ones house number on the curb. I smell a Pulitzer!!!
58 - Ruvy
Poor Zedd - she can't even take pleasure from orgasms. Eeeewww! That's a rough life.
Seriously, McCookoo was stuck between Pawlenty (dullsville, man!) and some stone headed fool - or being outshone entirely by the VP candidate he chose. So, he made the most astute move to pick Palin. The truth of the matter, Zedd, is that this race is now between Obama and Palin. She'll be the Republican attack dog - and she'll bite sooo sweetly, and sooo lethally....
Mind you, for my own reasons, I still want O-bomb-a to win. What your country really needs is a five cent Jew-hater; O-bomb-a is just what the doctor ordered.
59 - Clavos
Now we are getting news about a potential leader of the free world from the Anchorage Daily News.
Coming from Texass you haven't got any room to talk, Zedd.
Let me see:
Dallas Morning News - Nah
Ft. Worth Star Telegram - Ranch hand fave
Houston Chronicle - Are you kidding?
San Antonio Express-News- Great, if you're Tex-Mex
Austin Statesman - Maybe
Some of us would observe that y'all are all hat and no cattle.
60 - Zedd
Clav,
The Morning News is the 5th rated paper in the nation. Bless your heart....
61 - Zedd
"Orgasms inspire an "eewwww" reaction in you?"
Daves do.
62 - Clavos
That should have been AustinAmerican-Statesman; don't want y'all confusing it with some Third World rag in Miami or Caracas.
Apologies, Dave.
63 - Zedd
Hey y'all,
Rick Yune for Secretary of Transportation. You know him. He plain Johnny Tran in "The Fast and the Furious". It was about driving fast and furiously too. We would learn to tapper down our road rage from him.
64 - Clavos
The Morning News is the 5th rated paper in the nation.
Newspaper ratings are like opinions-everyone has one.
65 - Zedd
Awe Clav, and yours was sadly wrong. Hug!!
Hey, I know, we'll let you be the Drug Tzar. The Miami thing and boat gig should qualify you. We have found our next Director of the National Drug Control Policy. Now Clav you have to STOP drugs not use drugs. 'Kay?
66 - Clavos
Ruvy,
So, he made the most astute move to pick Palin.
Quoted for Truth.
She'll be the Republican attack dog - and she'll bite sooo sweetly, and sooo lethally....
She proved that in Alaska. She'll be outstanding; I am sooo looking forward to it...
67 - Dan Miller
Clav,
I am vastly disappointed in you. There are so many things demonstrating that Governor Palin is not suitable for the Vice Presidency, let alone the Presidency, that I am shocked that they seem to have escaped your notice.
1. She is a pretty female, who once almost won a state beauty contest, albeit in a state with few people from whom to choose. That in itself is a fatal flaw. When, in the history of the United States, has a pretty female been nominated, let alone elected, to the Vice Presidency? Never! In fact, I can't off hand think of any who have been elected to the Senate or even to the House of Representatives. Just think of the jealousy that will produce. A good looking guy is OK, but a good looking woman? No way.
2. She is married to a rough-neck guy who actually works with his very own hands! In a non-managerial capacity, no less. He is also guilty of working with his hands as a commercial fisherman, and she has had the audacity to join him in that barbaric pursuit. Can you picture him at a formal dinner at the White House? Would he even know which fork to use? How could he possibly relate to the diplomats in Washington? Can you imagine him having a useful discussion with, say, the French ambassador? What does he know about the finer points of wine selection? Would he try to discuss fishing, or perhaps how to drive a snowmobile?
3. She has five -- five kids. That all by itself is outrageous, and she should stay home and take care of them instead of dabbling in politics. The fact that her eldest son recently joined the military as an enlisted swine is terrible and shows that she has not brought them up with proper attention. Not only that, but he is headed off to Iraq! She also opposes abortion and thus can be counted on to make it illegal throughout the entire country. Moreover, she thinks creationism should be permitted to be taught in schools; even if she says that evolution should also be taught, she remains grossly unqualified. It's a slippery slope and could lead to even worse. An inquisition cannot be far off.
4. She supports -- gasp -- drilling for oil and natural gas in, of all places, Alaska where all the cute, fuzzy polar bears would suffer immediate and irreparable harm and probably become extinct. She even had the unmitigated gall to oppose their inclusion as an endangered species. This is what one might suspect of a hunting, fishing, member of the NRA. It is terrible, I tell you, absolutely terrible.
Dan(Miller)
68 - Clavos
Only because it's you, Dan(Miller), I will think about reconsidering my position.
OK, I'm done
Not gonna change -- she's a babe!
69 - Zedd
I was waiting for this post. Dan, none of which qualify one for President. A million people have the same resume. So what.
Yes and being a mother of 5 people and a new baby with mental challenges does matter. How do you split yourself up to mother 5 kids (four young kids) and be President. She just gave birth to a mentally challenged child. Is her husband going to be a stay at home dad and take care of the kids. Must the nation have HER? Do we need HER soooooo much that she would take on waaaaaaay more responsibility when knowing that her child will need her more than ever?? FAMILY VALUES.
70 - Ruvy
Zedd,
German Reichskanzler Otto von Bismarck pulled off shit like this 120 years ago in the German Empire. He defanged is opposition in the Reichstag by enacting into law the balls of the Social Democratic program in Germany - stuff that had to wait for 50 years to get enacted in the States - like Social Security, workmens' comp, a nine hour day, and minimum wages.
So, now you whine when a "conservative" Republican picks another "conservative" as his running mate - because she is a woman. Face it. He outflanked the Democrats, stole their thunder and now has everyone talking about his hot babe of a running mate. Whattsa matter? Never heard of daycare? Never heard of nurses? Put simply, McCain pulled a Bismarck on Obama.
Also, your whining about her coming from Alaska is pathetic. I'm a native New Yorker. I know what big city machines stink like and how they grease their wheels. Nothing impresses New Yorkers - least of all Texans with their 50 gallon hats and big shitkickers. All that tells me is that there is an awful lot of shit in Texas and a lot of empty heads trying to look smarter than they are.
Bottom-lining it, Palin took on the establishment in her own state (more than slick willy Obama ever did) and has beaten them - temporarily. She is not afraid to stand up to the assholes. Obama kisses and licks them, especially Arab assholes.
There is something very attractive about a woman with the rep of a barracuda - it generates R-E-S-P-E-C-T and causes guys who wouldn't otherwise to keep their zippers shut, to shut them, to keep their tongues in their mouths and listen when she talks....
Hillary was like a shark - most folks don't like sharks at all. Palin, on the other hand is what Hillary might bave been in 1973 before power got to her head.
71 - Zedd
" Palin, on the other hand is what Hillary might bave been in 1973"
Oh - Not qualified.
72 - Zedd
Ruvy,
Just a little help.... What does Palin know about dealing with inner city issues?
73 - Lee Richards
Zedd, you and I prefer a hearty main course, while McCain's Manly Men like the frothy dessert better!
74 - Ruvy
Just a little help.... What does Palin know about dealing with inner city issues?
I don't think she has had to deal with "inner city" issues as governor. But, since she'll be in St. Paul nest week, then can always do what intelligent executives do when they need advice - consult folks in the business - like Ramsey Action Programs. It's just a short drive from the Xcel Center downtown, don'tcha know....
75 - Zedd
Ruvy,
That's just not good enough now is it? If you didn't (irrationally) hate Obama so much, you would admit that she is all wrong for the job.
Being a "girly girl" myself, I think she is cute and can appreciate the importance of taking good care of one's self. I get it and love it. However she would be better in a couple of years.
Not everyone is an Obama. He is a fluke. With his little experience, he is a unique person. He has great judgement which his has more than demonstrated. His intelligence and pragmatism is what we need.
The last thing that we need internationally is more gun toting. The world sees us as vacuous, trigger happy air heads. We don't need a gun toting pageant queen as national symbol. Not only is it not right, it is BAD for us.
It's quite clear that you still love this nation. You are an American through and through. You can stop the act.