There are Neanderthals who think Sarah Palin is no longer qualified to be VP because she is seven months pregnant.
Right now you are very fortunate that I have given up profanity for Lent. While I was reading my usual sources this morning, low and behold I discovered a certain conservative male on a very reasonable site which is political but fair to both sides of the aisle. I must also add that it is one of my ‘must read’ sites every day. Oy (and that’s not profanity)...…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Ted
And, here’s an important piece of advice: If it looks like it’s going to be McCain/Palin anyway (and that should be a “no brainer” for Team McCain), McCain should announce NOW or VERY SOON, rather than later towards the convention. There’s currently a growing chorus for Obama/Hillary (as VP) ticket (in fact the Dems are likely aware of the Palin phenomenon). If the GOP waits while movement for Hillary as VP grows " even worse until after it is solidified that Hillary will/could be VP pick " selecting Palin will be portrayed by Dems/liberal media more as a reaction by GOP selecting its own female (overshawdoing Palin’s own remarkable assets), rather than McCain taking the lead on this. Selecting Palin now or early (contrary to the punditocracy) will mean McCain will be seen as driving the course of this campaign overwhelmingly, and the DEMS will be seen as merely reacting. And, there’s absoultely no down-side to this because even if Hillary is a no-go as VP for Obama, the GOP gains by acting early. McCain the maverick. Palin the maverick. Do it now!
There’s no reason, and actually substantial negative, in McCain waiting to see what the Dems do first insofar as his picking Palin as VP, because, no matter who Obama picks, Palin is by far (and I mean far) the best pick for McCain and the GOP, especially in this time of GOP woes. The GOP can be seen as the party of real ‘change’ (albeit I hate that mantra, change, change, bla bla), while not really having to change from GOP core conservative values, which Palin more than represents.
In light of the current oil/energy situation, as well as the disaffected female Hillary voters situation, and growing focus on McCain’s age and health, Palin is more than perfect " now.
(Perhaps Team McCain is already on to this.)
27 - NH Lady
As a womamn and mother of four children I think the Palin as VP will definitely finish off McCain as a viable candidate. I don;t think we should pick a running mate based on their gender of skin color. This is ridiculous. Please tell me who this is going to appeal to?
I am a Republican female and it does nothing for me. In fact it angers me. We need Romney - not a Governot that no one has ever heard of.
28 - Dave Nalle
If McCain picks Palin it will be an obvious concession to the Ron Paul faction and will solidify those votes really nicely. It would certainly strengthen my support for him. But again, he's not going to pick her because she's from too small a state (in population). However, my money is still on J. C. Watts.
Dave
29 - Ted
After watching both McCain's and Obama's speeches on TV Tuesday night, McCain no less than NEEDS to run Alaska Gov Sarah Palin as his VP mate.
30 - William
I am impressed with Gov Palin. No choice will be perfect for McCain, unless Ronald Reagan returns to be on the ticket. Seriously, Gov Palin seems to be one of the most impressive prospects to be a leader of the Republican party for the future. Why not start now?
Gov Jindal is a fresh face, but I lean toward Palin. She is a little older and more mature I believe. Sure, maybe McCain should be more traditional in his choice. But a new, young, inspiring person could be a valuable national candidate. Charlie Crist helped McCain win FlA without being on the ticket. McCain can still assemble a strong team of established supporters.
Lack of experience? To a point. The Repubs would have to be careful pointing out Obama's lack of experience, but then how could Barack attack Sarah?
Suggestion. Roll the dice. Announce Sarah tomorrow, June 6. Trump any big Bar/Hil announcement of any sort. Get the national attention ahead of Clinton's speech on Sat. One can only hope. Then, maybe I am too agressive.
31 - William in MO
Sorry, about the double post. To NH Lady:
I like Romney. You know, we republicans sometimes receive criticism for seemingly being behind on diversity. So, McCain should not pick a woman? That would mean we are darned if we do, and darned if we don't.
I do understand there may be some questioning. But Gov Palin seems impressive. My wife and mother of my child likes her (or Romney) as the choice. Think of this:
Romney has national recognition. Palin has little. She would get the attention, and do overall quite well I believe, if VP. Romney could still be in the forefront as a member of McCain's team. Palin would not yet be able to get the national influence if she weren't on the ticket.
Risky? Sure. But I still would like McCain to be bold. Announce her TOMORROW. This would trump any announcement by Barack or Hillary. Maybe I am too hopeful. I just think McCain needs a real campaign energizer.
32 - Baronius
William, do you really think the timing is so important? In five months, it won't matter which candidate picked a running mate first. To be honest, I don't think it'll matter who the running mates are in five months. There will just be two boring guys running for office, and millions of voters who are tired of both of them. An early-June energy boost will be long forgotten.
33 - Dave Nalle
Palin will solve McCain's problem with the Ron Paul faction and neutralize Bob Barr. Once Barr got nominated by the LP Palin suddenly became a much more viable VP candidate.
Plus they can put Palin and McCain's wife up there and get all the middle aged men hot and bothered and win their votes.
Oh, and if McCain hooks up with Romney he's lost my vote.
Dave
34 - Ted
Q&A How can McCain SIMULTANEOUSLY attract both Hillary AND Bob Barr voters? Answer: PALIN Veep!
35 - Nostradamus
Sarah would make a wonderful Veep, and would be easily able to assume the office of POTUS if needed. For the record, I'm a male, 48-years old, retired First Lieutenant, 75th Regiment, 3rd Battalion, and in my days visited many a dreary and deadly place. Sarah displays all the qualities of a natural leader: Dependability, loyalty, love of country, cleanliness of mind and body, capability and competence. She's a perfect example of the kind of people we are sorely lacking in our country, and I would be proud to carry out orders from that kind of Conmmander-in-Chief.
36 - RAY FROM TEXAS
I have always wanted to say this and I am going to preface this by saying just because I am from Texas doesn't mean I am a Redneck, but I am an outdoorsman who loves to hunt and fish.
But I don't believe a person (man or woman) that does not own a gun (shotgun, rifle or pistol) or worse has never fired a one.
Has the right to be considered for a position in government where they will be responsible for protection of this beautiful country...
Having Sarah Palin on the ticket would be like having Betsy F*&%ing Ross on the ticket you can’t get more American than that!
37 - TKO
OF COURSE CHICAGO STREET HUSTLER BARACK HUSSEIN IS QUALIFIED! JUST HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ON CRACK?
38 - Evergreen2U
Mrs. Palin's fifth baby is not like her previous 4 however. This baby will have Down's Syndrome. As such he/she will need more care...or do you all think she should just pay someone else to care for her children?
PS: Governmental Leadership is not about being a cowboy or shooting guns. It is however, about brains and finding the best ways for ALL of us as we face global warming and loss of resources. Any idiot can shoot a gun and too many of them do.
39 - Ted
evergreen:--
Sarah Palin's got a very family-supportive husband and extended family; she returned to work 3 days after her baby was born, baby in tow, and she would do wonders to promote loving awareness on downs and disability kids -- as well as awareness on all that can be accomplished, kid and mom.
Since you raise global environmental issues, Palin is active and aware there as well, and knows when to be a realist making cost/benefit analyses -- such as need for oil for both our economy and national defense -- yet being environmentally sensitive and aware at the same time.
40 - Blue Tidal Wave
I am completely for Sarah Palin for VP nominee. If you are going down why not have fun?
41 - Tom
Trig will be fine. I think it is great when she is doing her government job and has littlebear Trig in tow.
It reminds me of those indian women with the baby on their back as they work thoughout the day.
Sarah sure is a 'can'do' Mommabear who would really capture the hearts of Americans. She is really special and McCain should pick her.
She reminds me of that female state trooper in the movie "Fargo". How can you not vote for her over the phony O-man whose ideas of change are normal leftist big government stuff we have all seen before.
Go Mommabear. Go Sarah. Go McCain/Palin
42 - Jeff Dearman
Governor Pain should never be considered for VP. She first of all supports the aerial wolf hunt in alaska that is slaughtering entire wolf families and is very inhumane and cruel. She is also supporting drilling in ANWR - drilling is not the answer, we currently only use 10% of our oil reserves domestically and should open up the supply we have instead of look for new sources and continue our oil addiction. Also drilling for oil will only destroy more land and we wont even see any benefit from it for 10 yrs minimum. gas prices will continue to go up and our nation will continue to be addicted to oil. We have the technology right now to switch to alternative fuels. If it means we have to tax exxon mobil and rich people who don't give enough back to society anyway than in my humble opinion so be it.
But Governor "Pain" is a horrible choice for VP.
We need an environmentally friendly VP and President
and I hope Barack Obama will be the nominee to switch us away from oil and into alternative fuels.
43 - kab
Sarah is about to be investigated for abuse and fraud in Alaska.
44 - Anthony
Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin is under investigation for abuse of power.
45 - Chic
I don't think there's a chance she'll be the VP pick. The abuse of power scandal looks bad for her. And I just can't see people who believe in family values voting for someone who is deserting their child with Down's Syndrome to pursue higher office.
46 - Ted
Palin is coming out more than "smelling like a rose" ..... read this
FROM THE ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS, which should put an END to "troopergate" ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!
"Issue's not why Monegan was fired, but why trooper wasn't
ELISE PATKOTAK
COMMENT
(07/29/08 23:20:50)
They called Ronald Reagan the Teflon president. I think we should start calling Sarah Palin the Teflon governor. Based on people's reaction to the recent dustup over the dismissal of Walt Monegan, I'd say the lady would pretty much have to pile up more indictments than all our current politicians combined before people would start to seriously question her.
This is going to make some people absolutely nuts. Unfortunately, for those seeking to find some dirt that will stick and bring down her still astronomically favorable ratings, this current dustup is probably not the ticket they are seeking. Firing someone who is a political appointment is done all the time. Since losing your job is a common experience for most of us, the termination of a commissioner is just not something that gets people's dander up.
Of course, the idea that no one should be fired for refusing to cave in to pressure to circumvent state personnel rules is pretty much a no brainer, assuming the allegations are true.
Except in this case, the employee being discussed is a trooper who carries a gun and the force of law based on the authority given to him by, ultimately, us. He also happens to be an employee who somehow managed to Taser his 11-year-old stepson and get away with it.
The limp explanation that he was trying to show the young man how it felt is simply stupid and an insult to any thinking, reasonable adult. Assuming we want the people we authorize to carry guns and use them in our name to be adults, he should have found a much, much better way to get this lesson across.
In fact, his actions went beyond stupid and, for many of us, straight into the realm of criminal. I've had parents on my caseload whose kids would have been permanently removed from them if we'd gone to court with that.
So this particular trooper is probably not the poster boy the anti-Palin folks might want to trot out to show her misusing her power as governor. At least, the people I've talked to all seem to shake their heads and say that yeah, if she did exert pressure, she shouldn't have. And then they look up and say, "But man, what about that trooper!" They zip right past her possible actions and land squarely on the trooper. The minute the story reaches the point where he's Tasering his stepson, people start lining up behind Palin. Because most people don't want Mike Wooten to be the trooper responding to their call for help if this is any indication of his ability to make sound or reasonable judgments. And that seems to trump any inappropriate actions on her part as the focal part of the story.
It's becoming glaringly evident that public opinion is on Palin's side insofar as they wish this man had lost his job as a trooper somewhere between taking a moose illegally, drinking in a trooper vehicle and Tasering his stepson. And they wonder why the state troopers tolerate this behavior in their ranks.
Monegan was right to not cave if the alleged pressure was there from the administration to intervene in a personnel matter that had already been resolved internally, as insulting as that minimal response seems to be. While the legal right and wrong of the matter might ultimately break toward Monegan and against Palin, it will probably only make her a more sympathetic character, as people side with the person who tried to rid the troopers of someone who seems questionable at best as trooper material.
Let's think about this. He was stopped in his vehicle after a bartender called troopers to say he thought Wooten might be driving drunk. The trooper who stopped him admitted to smelling booze on his breath but made the decision that he didn't need to take a Breathalyzer because Wooten didn't seem drunk. Raise your hand if you think that trooper would not have given you a Breathalyzer test under the same circumstances. Yep, as I suspected, not a hand in sight.
Which brings us to the point most people are at. Palin isn't their problem. A state trooper agency that thinks this man should still be wearing a badge is."
47 - Ted
Q&A
1. Which McCain Veep pick is SIMULTANEOUSLY the safest AND boldest?
ANSWER: Sarah Palin
2. How can McCain SIMULTANEOUSLY attract both Hillary AND Bob Barr voters?
ANSWER: Sarah Palin
* * *
This just in from the Conservative Voice:
“Desperately seeking Sarah
July 26, 2008 10:00 AM EST
By Stephan Andrew Brodhead
Desperately seeking Sarah
Americans need a little Palin Power
Sarah Palin the current Governor of Alaska is John McCain’s ultimate choice for VP. I do believe a woman is next in line for the presidency. All Conservatives like her. She is popular in Alaska. Hillary supporters would relish her. She would solidify a 12 or possibly 16 year Republican executive.
John McCain’s boring campaign is wearing thin. I need a little Palin Power to get me interested again. They would say ‘but she is only a half term Governor!’ And your point is?
That’s all I have to say about that!”
48 - Syrin
Ted,
Find your own corrupt and abusive politician. Sarah Palin is has no right, credibility, experience or sense, she will never be in a office again. You're a freak and your unnatural urge to live, breath in saradise is disturbing... Do you understand that Sarah Palin is a sad and corrupt woman, has been all her 14 years in public. She is currently under investigation for ABUSE OF POWER. Does that mean anything to you troll? ..
I have nothing more to offer, except maybe a quote from Sarah Palin who is taking credit for Alaska government sponsored economic disaster agia, who is incompetent, who is currently being investgated for "Abuse of Power".
When asked about being a vp: Palin says, "I can't answer that question until someone answers for me what is it exactly that the Vice President does."
..What a shining example of stupid.....
Sarah is a narssiscist... look it up...
49 - Dave Nalle
Syrin, that wasn't stupid, it was a joke. And a clever reference to Teddy Roosevelt who said something quite similar.
The abuse of power investigation is a pure witch hunt based on a few people connected with the previous administration who are out for revenge because she fired some of Gov. Murkowski's cronies. I'd guess that you're one of them.
And BTW, her approval rating is STILL at 80%. She's the most popular governor of any state. If she ran for reelection today she'd win in a landslide.
Dave
50 - Ezra
I've been telling my family that Palin should be the veep since last January! I think she is one of the best Republicans out there and would really offset Barrack Husain Obama,Im still hoping john McCain comes around and surprises us and picks her!
51 - scott in ky
Come on folks She has alot to offer to our party. Get off the what can she do for the election. But what she do can for our country.
52 - Andy Marsh
Actually, her name is up on Drudge as the VP selection! I like it!
53 - Ben
ONly concern is that she is not qualified. But then again neither is Obama so some democrats should love her
54 - Jewels
I think, from everything I have read, pro and con, she's the best choice for McCain. I'm with Dave, if he goes Romney I'm out.
McCain/Palin 2008
55 - Brad
The better question is what qualifies her to be vp or even pres? The vp has to be someone that could step into the Oval Office in a heartbeat.Obama has been attacked relentlessly for his lack of experience yet this woman has even less.
I wasn't going to vote for Obama, but with McCain the free world is one heartbeat away from an unexperienced former sports reporter leading the free world. Obama gets my vote now.
56 - Gina
BREAK THE GLASS CEILING !!! WOW... What a great pick!!! America should elect McCain & Palin for the Whitehouse in November, for a return to wholesome American values. Palin has more experience for V.P. than Obama has for President. No Wright, no Farrakahn, no Ayers, no Rezko,
no mean Michelle, NOBAMA!
57 - Daniel Magita
This is the best and right candidate. Let us all feel proud for this strong woman who will bring changes all over world.
Congratulation McCain for respecting the people of America for appointing someone they expected.
58 - david
She will be a great VP!!
59 - Lisa
I am excited about Sarah Palin's nomination. I just hope we don't find out that her husband is one of those cheating jerks. I really lost all respect for Hillary during the Lewinsky scandal. I would like to be able to look up to a strong woman who has principles and respect for herself and others.
Lisa Landry
60 - Silas Kain
Gov. Palin breaks the mold. I'm stunned. Few saw this move by McCain and I have to say it's a brilliant choice. Have I changed my mind? Nope. I'm still writing in Dave Nalle.
61 - JB
I have to admit that I've never heard of her before. But in my readings to learn more about her I see that some say that she is under investigation for abusing her power in having someone fired because he is in the middle of a nasty divorce from her sister. Is there any truth to this ?
62 - Gary Littlefield
Finally, the Republicans did a good thing and nominated someone that can do the job as Vice President. Yes, there are probably a couple of others that Senator McCain could have picked, but Sarah Palin is an excellent choice. She can communicate and she knows about Families. She sure will be better than that Senator from Deleware who stole speeches can claimed them for himself. Here in Connecticut, we are excited about McCain-Palin. This is a no-brainer. Class,quality and intelligence with McCain-Palin and little with the other guys. Good luck Governor Palin and Senator McCain. I hope to see you both standing tall, erect and proud next January 20th on the steps of the United States Capital taking your respective oaths of office.
63 - Sweet P
She's just a sitting duck......according to McCain all a VP does is go to funerals and makes sure the president is alright.This is a publicity stunt to overshadow yesterdays historic moment and to ensure that Bush's sidekick gets the limelight...... I certainly wouldn't want someone with her credentials leading our country.
Want a woman in the white house? Michelle Obama will be a phenomanal First Lady.
64 - Mat
The Republicans are in trouble. She claims family values and conservatismim but she eloped with her husband and smoked majijuana (I know it was legal at the time but doesn't take away from the fact that wasn't very conservative)
65 - KarlaElisa
This woman is the epitome of all I despise in the GOP party.
I'm GLAD the old fool picked her. She'll help tank this bid for president much quicker.
McVictim's bad judgment seems to know no bounds...
66 - slamkitty
I am a Democrat and I love that Sen. McCain picked Gov. Palin. She's an anti-feminist that left the home and her newborn with special needs to pursue her political career. She's got a stint as mayor of a really important Alaskan city and 1 1/2 years of experience as Governor. What more could you possibly ask for?
67 - Silas Kain
For once the press is left speechless and I LOVE it. Maria Bartiromo has an interview with Gov. Palin airing at 4PM this afternoon on CNBC. This interview was conducted 5 days ago and Bartiromo had no idea, not even an inkling, that Palin was on the hot list. Gov. Palin is also a Republican who has bucked the GOP system in Alaska. The GOP has two mavericks on the ticket. I'm thrilled at his choice just for the political debate that's going to be generated.
68 - katie
Wow! McCain just gave it to the democrats. What an odd choice!! It looks very desperate, like a gimmick. I know he was thinking he could get Hillary's supporters, but I think it will backfire. She doesn't have enough name recognition, or experience. I think people in the end will think what if something happens to McCain (he is 72) and she has to be pres. As a VP she maybe fine, but as the President it's an entirely different thought. She has zero Washington experience and Alaska is so small. I'm disappointed.
69 - Robin
All women are NOT created equal. I'm a woman and I support Hillary--but there's no way I will support Palin. Who does the GOP think they're kidding? Hillary has smarts, passion, and several years' national leadership experience in the Senate. She's also pro-choice and an urban sophisticate.
Palin "pales" compared to Hillary.
70 - Lisa GM
Sarah Palin is NOT inexperienced. In point of fact, she is MORE experienced than Obama, who has never done any actual running of a government. She and McCain both have, and neither Obama nor Biden has. As for knowing who she is, who the hell knew who Obama was 18 months ago? As supporters, it's on us to talk her up! I think McCain made a brilliant choice.
71 - Max
Well, Ms. Palin is the Republican choice for Veep. Having read some of the posts, including those who claim to be from Alaska, there are some positions which she has taken (many of which I disagree with) which I will have to seriously consider.
Another, unfortunate matter to consider is that her baby, born in April, has Down's Syndrome. As an aunt of someone whose child has DS I have to say Ms. Palin will have challenges there that can only be imagined by those who've never had to deal with this and it very well may tear her apart in terms of her conscience if elected VP: no parent having a child with DS has enough time to devote to both such a child's needs AND a fulltime career, much less as Veep of the United States.
Last, and this is the most troubling, is Ms. Palin's lack of experience, the same thing for which Senator McCain's campaign has diced Senator Obama. True, she is not running for the Presidency, 'only' the VP. But would she be ready to take the Presidency in the event of the death/incapacitation of the President?
My opinion, after doing much research, is NO. And that means that I am going to need to
re-examine how I will be voting in November....
72 - Nicole
How is she going to get the feminist vote when she is pro life?
73 - Dr Dreadful
Lisa, what executive experience does John McCain have?
Palin has been a small-town councillor and mayor, an Alaska state commissioner for a year and Governor for a year and a half. It doesn't stack up particularly well against Obama's seven years in the Illinois Senate and four in the US Senate.
And you're mistaken that Obama was unknown 18 months ago. He came to national prominence in 2004, when he gave the keynote speech at the DNC and was the only Democrat to win a Republican-held seat at that year's election.
74 - Andy Marsh
Can someone tell me what an "urban sophisticate" is. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm sure I don't like the sound of it!
Alaska is small? Looked at a map lately?
75 - Psychic Elder
True Psychic Readers and Intuitives agree on this list of premonitions, from our spirit advisors:
1. Sarah Palin is the shot in the arm needed to sway us from voting Libertarian Bob Barr into the Oval Office.
2. Premonitions in the spirit realm tell us that McCain will expire 2 years, 7 months into term, from natural causes, making Sarah Palin our First Female President.
3. Sarah Palin will be elected for a term as President!
4. She will decline a second term for family reasons.
5. John McCain, as part of the Keating Five S&L scandal, still makes my blood boil, but, he is the path to the best silver lining for Americans!
6. Under Sarah Palin, there will be a huge re-structuring of Republican Power, and we will eliminate the IRS through the Flat Tax.
7. Under Sarah Palin, egregious inequities in law concerning the regulation of Hemp and Marijuana will be corrected, and the catastrophy that is the "War on Drugs" will be dramatically reduced, as being too expensive a boondoggle on the tax paying public.
8. Equality under the law for all partnering couples will prevail, in accordance with Supreme Court rulings.
9. The U.S. Constitution will be more strictly observed, and the "Socialist" agenda of the Democratic Left Wingers will be set aside, for the common good.
10. Under President Sarah Palin, Tax reform and revisions to the Tax Code will tap the $2 trillion "underground criminal economy".
All individuals will be taxed on what they spend, instead of what they declare as earnings. The Poor, or Retired, or Veterans, earning less than $70,000 per year, will receive pre-bate tax checks every month, to supplement their income.
Because Corporations never pay taxes, simply passing them down to the consumer, while lobbying for Congress to give them ever expanding taax sanctions.
The Flat Tax eliminates 28% of the mark up consumers have been burdened by, with a commensurate reduction in market pricing of all consumer goods.