McCain chooses Sarah Palin (AK) for VP

[themadscientist]

Obama is probably sad for her; that she is being "punished by the baby".

[Cold_Zero]

It's easy, she's a conservative Christian [pentecostal] Republican. To Bob and the other Dems, everyone has the right to do what they want and live what ever deviant lifestyle they want as long as they are not affiliated with conservatism, Christianity or the Republican party. I'm surprised they have not slapped her around for allowing the birth of a downs child because to them abortion would have been the most plausible answer.

fixed a few things in your post.

[rn79870]

It's easy, she's Republican. To Bob and the other Dems, everyone has the right to do what they want and live the lifestyle they want as long as they are not affiliated with the Republican party. I'm surprised they have not slapped her around for allowing the birth of a downs child because to them abortion would have been the most plausible answer.

Okay, I get it. When you can't find something in logic to attack, make up something ugly and attribute it to Bob. Sorry I won't bite.

The fact remains, unlike Biden, where there was very, very little controversy,McCain has tripped over his feet in attempting to wooing the Hillary supporters with his choice of Palin. Let me quote one of the better Hillary blogs. McCain, it isn't about a woman, it was about Hillary.

Let me add that McCain must think the public is pretty stupid if he feels they won't see through this charade. You heard it right here, this was the death knell of McCain's campaign.

[rn79870]

Some of my favorite comments from around the net. Mostly from women.

*****

Once again, John McCain can't seem to resist a former beauty queen. Sorry Cindy, you're older and your husband has a habit of trading in older women for younger beauty queens...

*****

Pretty amazing that McCain actually selected an inexperienced creationist who is under investigation. Talk about ineptitude.

*****

Congratulations Obama-Biden/08 !!

*****

Say Sarah, could you give me a quick run down of our job descriptions as Vice President? No? Because I can...

*****

this is the "CHANGE" we can believe in ....Obama talks the talk but McCain walks the walk. wow!! So excited

responded to with...

maria are you kidding, she's a conservative, pro choice, everything that hillary and the democrats are running for, wake up, are you that retarde? leave your baseless emotions aside...

*****

Here goes the GOP play the Hillary supporters as fools, to believe that Ms Beauty pageant winner 1984 as a VP would move me to vote for nut case McCain! If anything were to happen to McCain as president and she took over, WELL she would be puppeteered by the Republicans which means our rights for PRO CHOICE PRO ABORTION would be taken away. Hello GOP! We are not the fools that you are playing us for. Shame on you.

*****

Wow, Annie Oakley with a float plane! John, you certainly made this interesting. Maybe Joe Biden can talk about foreign policy experience, Constitutional law, trade agreements etc. The question is what can Palin talk about. NRA, back alley abortions, Mooseburgers? This is gender pandering pure and simple. You talk about experience? Palin was mayor of a 9,000 Alaska town two years ago! While we were looking for experience just in case McCain was taken ill, we get a novice Governor from the middle of nowhere who's to the right of Atilla the Hun. Those blue collar Catholic voters in PA, OH, IN, MI and other states are going to love this pick! Yeah, right! Hello, Clarence Darrow, we've got another one! If you don't think that God has sense of humor, just look at this one.

*****

I would LOVE to see Hillary Clinton take Palin down. Hillary would be the perfect attack dog, especially since this choice was made purely to exploit all of Hillary's work over the last 19 months.

Ohhh good point there. Turn Hillary lose on her. She'll see what experience is.

*****

This is the same woman who is under investigation for abuse of power in her home state? Great choice! Just because she is a woman, does not mean women will vote for her, we are not that ignorant! http://www.ktva.com/ci_10026165[/I]

*****At least John McCain is consistent. He picked another young woman to advance his political career.

*****I could go on, but you get the general picture of how she is accepted. There were some favorable comments towards Palin, but they typically were simplistis like...

This is a good choice for the Rep party. Everyone wants a change - we got it when the Dems took control of the house over 2 years ago...before that, we were doing fine!!! Wait up - Dems are out for their own necks - Reps want to fix our problems. Go McCain/Palin!!!!

Rep's want change? Before that we were doing just fine.....(sure you were Tony, )

Seriously folks there is some fun, even enjoyable reading out there right now. Spend a little time, it's worth it.

[rn79870]

Seems Palin has a little more in the trunk.

John McCain's decision to select a vice presidential running mate that endorsed Pat Buchanan for president in 2000 is a direct affront to all Jewish Americans. Pat Buchanan is a Nazi sympathizer with a uniquely atrocious record on Israel, even going as far as to denounce bringing former Nazi soldiers to justice and praising Adolf Hitler for his "great courage."Rep. Robert Wexler of Florida

I'm telling you, this choice is going to sink the McCain ship.

[Cold_Zero]

Well, If that is all they have on Sarah Palin, then the Democrats are gripping. At least she didnt order the Alaskan state troopers to shuttle her around to have midnight affairs. Yes, it was an abuse of power, but I think with the extenuating circumstances most people will be able to look beyond them.bud

[HashiriyaS14]

McCain officially has my vote.Sarah Palin is:Good on AbortionGood on GunsGood on Social IssuesShe is a Conservative Christian

Too bad McCain already had your vote anyway.

The "Rally the Base" strategy that worked so well for Bush in 2000 and 2004 isn't going to work this time because too much of the country is disenfranchised. The religious right no longer holds enough sway over the GOP to propel it forward by itself, as evidenced by Huckabee's failure to secure the nomination.

McCain should've picked a centrist VP with which he could've poached some crossover Democrats, like maybe Lieberman or even Romney (who, until recently was a social moderate).

The "Moral Majority" set would've voted for McCain if he made Nancy f**king Pelosi his running mate, just because you guys have no other choice. He's got your votes regardless, and so it's silly to pick a running mate who caters to you, the running mate should cater to the center.

I was pleasantly surprised with Obama's choice of Biden for this reason, as opposed to going with Hillary. Ultimately, those Hillary voters have no choice but to go for Obama anyway because they're ardently pro-choice, and so Obama decided to go with Biden on the grounds that he will somewhat negate the "lack of experience" argument and probably pull over a few crossover Republicans who were previously on the fence.

FIGHT IN THE CENTER, WIN IN NOVEMBER.

You going to watch our boys get hammered by Eli Manning on Thursday?

[Eikon]

Seems Palin has a little more in the trunk.

John McCain's decision to select a vice presidential running mate that endorsed Pat Buchanan for president in 2000 is a direct affront to all Jewish Americans. Pat Buchanan is a Nazi sympathizer with a uniquely atrocious record on Israel, even going as far as to denounce bringing former Nazi soldiers to justice and praising Adolf Hitler for his "great courage."Rep. Robert Wexler of Florida

I'm telling you, this choice is going to sink the McCain ship.

This info is incorrect. Pat Buchanan is not a Nazi sypathizer or anti-semetic.

This is a big stretch to say that she'll lose votes because she supported a candidate who was slandered and rumored to be those things. They are untrue.

[rn79870]

Statement of NOW PAC Chair Kim Gandy on the Selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's Vice Presidential Pick.

Sen. John McCain's choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate is a cynical effort to appeal to disappointed Hillary Clinton voters and get them to vote, ultimately, against their own self-interest.

Gov. Palin may be the second woman vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket, but she is not the right woman. Sadly, she is a woman who opposes women's rights, just like John McCain.

McCain should really rethink this. There are too many organizations coming out against Palin for him to overcome this. NOW has some political clout. McCain, change to Romney and I'll start worrying about Obama's chances.

[srellim234]

I just saw this on Yahoo! :

6 things the Palin pick says about McCain

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/12997

[szh]

McCain should really rethink this. There are too many organizations coming out against Palin for him to overcome this. NOW has some political clout. McCain, change to Romney and I'll start worrying about Obama's chances.

Having done some reading on Palin, I believe that he should go the distance with her.

If he loses, he loses, but I simply don't believe it is that foregone a conclusion! McCain-Palin may surprise people.

So, changing this selection at this time is totally unwarranted.

Z

[rn79870]

I just saw this on Yahoo! :

6 things the Palin pick says about McCain

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/12997

Those are interesting points. I just can't believe his campaign didn't think this through. I also heard he would announce his Sec of State and Defense very soon just to quell some of the panic Palin was causing.

He is benefiting from a lot of publicity behind this, even though it's mostly negative. Like they say, bad press is still good press. We'll see.

[Cold_Zero]

We will see what the 'Religious Right' or the 'Evangelicals' still have in them. I wouldn't count them down and out, for now. And yes, with out them, GW Bush would not have stood a chance in 2000 and would have been really close in 2004. I wouldn't necessarily assume that the evangelicals (political not theological sense) would automatically vote for John McCain. Not that they are going to go over to Obama in mass. I kind of half expected them to stay home. But I might point out McCain going to John Hagee kind of shows the desperation that McCain (at least early on had with trying to court the evangelical vote). While John Hagee is a pretty popular televangelist, he by no means is an authority on all things evangelical. Hagee does not have the same pull as Ted Haggard (use to have), Chuck Colson or Dr. James Dobson. He might as well tried to court Bill Hybels from Willow Creek Community Church up near Chicago, if he wanted a big name pastor to endorse him.

As you may know I came from pretty much that bane of Christianity and politics in the 1990's. Some of my friends still consider themselves 'evangelical conservative Christians' and I am not hearing the same chatter like I did in elections past. We will see in the coming months what the McCain-Palin ticket brings about in the evangelical circles. bud

[Marenta]

I didn't think he was going to pick a woman. I thought he was going to pick young, though.

However, I am wondering if they were in the market for women, if they looked at Kay Bailey Hutchison. She's not too old, and she's done a hell of a lot of work for Texas.

[HashiriyaS14]

We will see what the 'Religious Right' or the 'Evangelicals' still have in them. I wouldn't count them down and out, for now. And yes, with out them, GW Bush would not have stood a chance in 2000 and would have been really close in 2004.

Actually, at 26% of the US population, without the Evangelicals, Bush would have flat-out LOST both of those elections. In fact, if you left the Evangelical population completely aside, no Republican since Nixon would've won a Presidential election in the United States.

The Evangelical contingent is far too well organized to ever "stay home". Not to sound dismissive, but like certain contingents of the minority Democratic vote, the Evangelicals as a voting bloc are essentially "managed" by a few individuals and organizations who effectively tell them who to vote for (i.e. church officials or religions/conservative political figures). These people who "run the show" are aware that Evangelicals staying home is the same as if they voted Obama, and so rest assured that they WILL back McCain en masse.

Unfortunately for him, unlike the past two elections, enough of the center has now moved to the left to counterbalance this effect, which is why he should've picked a centrist VP that put a dog in that fight, so to speak. Instead, he picked a VP that made essentially no inroads into the center but rather locked up a voting bloc that he already had locked up.

[OriginalWheelman]

Okay, I get it. When you can't find something in logic to attack, make up something ugly and attribute it to Bob. Sorry I won't bite.

The fact remains, unlike Biden, where there was very, very little controversy,McCain has tripped over his feet in attempting to wooing the Hillary supporters with his choice of Palin. Let me quote one of the better Hillary blogs. McCain, it isn't about a woman, it was about Hillary.

Let me add that McCain must think the public is pretty stupid if he feels they won't see through this charade. You heard it right here, this was the death knell of McCain's campaign.

What a sexist way to look at it. You can't see past Hillary to see that she may be good for the job? WTF. So she's a woman, who cares? She's qualified, and unlike someone's running mate, shares political views. Obama picked a contrasting running mate so that the dems can appeal to a broader audience. It's a common tactic.

[OriginalWheelman]

McCain should've picked a centrist VP with which he could've poached some crossover Democrats, like maybe Lieberman or even Romney (who, until recently was a social moderate).

The "Moral Majority" set would've voted for McCain if he made Nancy f**king Pelosi his running mate, just because you guys have no other choice. He's got your votes regardless, and so it's silly to pick a running mate who caters to you, the running mate should cater to the center.

So choice of a VP is solely for winning the election eh? We need to pick people tacticly for the job rather than who is good for it? Thank you for pointing out EXACTLY what is wrong with our political system.

[OriginalWheelman]

Actually, at 26% of the US population, without the Evangelicals, Bush would have flat-out LOST both of those elections. In fact, if you left the Evangelical population completely aside, no Republican since Nixon would've won a Presidential election in the United States.

The Evangelical contingent is far too well organized to ever "stay home". Not to sound dismissive, but like certain contingents of the minority Democratic vote, the Evangelicals as a voting bloc are essentially "managed" by a few individuals and organizations who effectively tell them who to vote for (i.e. church officials or religions/conservative political figures). These people who "run the show" are aware that Evangelicals staying home is the same as if they voted Obama, and so rest assured that they WILL back McCain en masse.

Unfortunately for him, unlike the past two elections, enough of the center has now moved to the left to counterbalance this effect, which is why he should've picked a centrist VP that put a dog in that fight, so to speak. Instead, he picked a VP that made essentially no inroads into the center but rather locked up a voting bloc that he already had locked up.

This is the most ignorant statement I have ever heard. The evangelicals don't need to be told who to vote for. When one party consistently wants things that are against their religion, they vote against them. Simple as that. I love how you assume they are mindless sheep. Do you even know any evangelicals? I just can;t get over how ****ing ignorant that statement is.

[szh]

McCain, change to Romney and I'll start worrying about Obama's chances.

Obama, change to Clinton and I'll start worrying about McCain's chances.

Z

[HashiriyaS14]

This is the most ignorant statement I have ever heard. The evangelicals don't need to be told who to vote for. When one party consistently wants things that are against their religion, they vote against them. Simple as that. I love how you assume they are mindless sheep. Do you even know any evangelicals? I just can;t get over how ****ing ignorant that statement is.

Unfortunately, no matter what you think of it, it's generally the truth.

Whether it be minorities on the left or conservative evangelicals on the right, historically speaking, when voters have common religious beliefs, their voting practices filter down from whomever runs those religious organizations. It's just because they happen to belong to close-knit communities that look to certain people as leaders, and they look to these people as leaders on matters both spiritual and political. It's not that I think that the somehow aren't able to think for themselves, but it's just a function of their being affiliated with a close-knit community outside their immediate family, which is something that doesn't really apply to the rest of the population.

Oh, and McCain's choice of VP WAS purely political, it was designed 100% to poach Hillary voters, period. It's going to be ineffective because Palin is too far to the right, but that's what it was designed to do. Did you even *watch* that rally with the "18 million cracks" statement? Palin is obviously not qualified to lead the country as, by her own admission, up until now, she "hadn't really thought much about Iraq".

[OriginalWheelman]

Unfortunately, no matter what you think of it, it's generally the truth.

Whether it be minorities on the left or conservative evangelicals on the right, historically speaking, when voters have common religious beliefs, their voting practices filter down from whomever runs those religious organizations. It's just because they happen to belong to close-knit communities that look to certain people as leaders, and they look to these people as leaders on matters both spiritual and political. It's not that I think that the somehow aren't able to think for themselves, but it's just a function of their being affiliated with a close-knit community outside their immediate family, which is something that doesn't really apply to the rest of the population.

There is no filtering down. I love how you know exactly what evangelicals think. I have met more free thinkers and more tolerant people at evangelical churches than at any democratic gathering. At least the evangelicals let you disagree with them. You seem to fall into the category of democrats I listed here. zer...60751Evangelicals are people too. They have friends discuss politics. The difference is they do not need to be told what is right and wrong. It's black and white to them, and it's really easy to decide who to vote for. I'm glad you can speculate as to why evangelicals vote as a block, but you are wrong. They are unified by a common belief system, not a person to tell them what to think. They are like minded because they follow the same program. It's not surprising if two characters in a game who are of the same class act the same, why should it be surprising that people who follow the same set of rules think the same?

Oh, and McCain's choice of VP WAS purely political, it was designed 100% to poach Hillary voters, period.

Wow. You're a psychic? You know what the evangelicals think, what McCain is thinking...

[rn79870]

Oh, and McCain's choice of VP WAS purely political, it was designed 100% to poach Hillary voters, period. It's going to be ineffective because Palin is too far to the right, but that's what it was designed to do. Did you even *watch* that rally with the "18 million cracks" statement? Palin is obviously not qualified to lead the country as, by her own admission, up until now, she "hadn't really thought much about Iraq".

That is exactly what most feminist blogs on the net are saying. Palin was designed to woo female voters. They also say the move was shallow, transparent and it won't come close to working. Many of the less feminist blogs are seeing it less as an insult and more of a foolish move on McCain's part with comments like "heartbeat from the presidency."

Incidentally, she wasn't the elected mayor of that town. She was on a city council that alternated assuming the duties of mayor. One of my cousins (I found out today) lives in that town. We're calling for the full story.

Incidentally, I met my extended family for lunch today and they are, without exception, died in the wool republicans. Also without exception, they are not voting for McCain based on Palin. They are voting 3rd. party. In all seriousness, McCain blew it big time here. It's gonna bite him in the butt.

[themadscientist]

I am impressed by the VP because of the things she has done, not that she is a woman. i think what the clinton faithful who think it is all about them don't get is this. Some people will vote for McCain because he has a woman on the ticket, of course. However this VP is a very good selection based upon demonstrated ability and is going to bring much more votes from men and women based upon that. I find it ironic that the militant femimists, supposedly fighting for equality expect women to march lockstep behind a woman and vote for her because she is a woman and to expect that men are resistant to voting for a women based on that same stunted view. Kind of hypocritical.It just isn't true. The majority of the electorate votes based upon the candidates strength and similarity of their views, not whether he or she is a certain gender or color. The fact that she is a woman and can break a barrier is nice and past due in my opinion but it falls far behind in my reasoning for contacting my voting assistance person to secure an absentee ballot. I have not felt this excited about a candidate since Reagan. I think it is weird that it is McCain's VP that will make me vote for him. According to NOW I should rush to vote for Obama because it's a two dangler ticket, guess they don't know, well, d!ck. Despite what the mainstream media would suggest I just refuse to believe my fellow Americans are that one-dimentional. Well, obviously Telco but he's just one vote and I plan on eliminating it with mine.

[Marenta]

After doing some research about her, I feel she's a good move.

1.) She's not dirtied by "big brother" on Washington Hill. But, she has rubbed elbows and kept company with those who do. So, while she doesn't make her bed with the party in it, she does keep a little black book of numbers (in both parties) that she can call if she feels the need.

2.) She makes a decision and then backs her decision up with action. She's a hardliner. It's hard to find a person like that in politics now, since there are so many forked tongues; it's like politicians are born with them.

3.) She is honest about her issues and doesn't try to placate people who have differing opinions. So what if she wanted to have a child with Downs? More power to her. Just because something has a defect doesn't mean it's trash, take Democrats for instance.

4.) She has actually accomplished something. While it may not be on this huge grandiose stage of the world political forum that everybody was wanting, she's DONE something. Whether or not she did it because it was the right thing to do, or because it had to be done, or she had some little angel on her shoulder whispering it to her; she did it. I'm sure when the previous governor stepped down, he didn't think that she'd reverse all his actions, she sure as **** did. They were wrong.

5.) I think the Democrats are pissed that they don't have a candidate they could call on that was as honest or clean as she is. They are TRYING to dig stuff up on her, and the most they can get is her son with Downs and her sisters ex-husband getting canned? Really? And, so what if you pick on her for using the PTA, at least she cares enough about her children to interact with their teachers.

[OriginalWheelman]

I am impressed by the VP because of the things she has done, not that she is a woman. i think what the clinton faithful who think it is all about them don't get is this. Some people will vote for McCain because he has a woman on the ticket, of course. However this VP is a very good selection based upon demonstrated ability and is going to bring much more votes from men and women based upon that. I find it ironic that the militant femimists, supposedly fighting for equality expect women to march lockstep behind a woman and vote for her because she is a woman and to expect that men are resistant to voting for a women based on that same stunted view. Kind of hypocritical.It just isn't true. The majority of the electorate votes based upon the candidates strength and similarity of their views, not whether he or she is a certain gender or color. The fact that she is a woman and can break a barrier is nice and past due in my opinion but it falls far behind in my reasoning for contacting my voting assistance person to secure an absentee ballot. I have not felt this excited about a candidate since Reagan. I think it is weird that it is McCain's VP that will make me vote for him. According to NOW I should rush to vote for Obama because it's a two dangler ticket, guess they don't know, well, d!ck. Despite what the mainstream media would suggest I just refuse to believe my fellow Americans are that one-dimentional. Well, obviously Telco but he's just one vote and I plan on eliminating it with mine.

Voting for a woman simply because she is a woman is sexist. Sexism and racism go both ways people. Assuming that McCain picked her because she was a woman is silly. Last I checked women make up about half the population. If he wanted a woman just to steal Hillary voters, he would have asked Hillary. I'm willing to bet sell out would have taken the nomination.

[themadscientist]

You can't tell me Hillary hasn't insinuated herself into a prominent post on Obama's potential staff. When you dance with the devil, the devil don't change.

[Marenta]

You can't tell me Hillary hasn't insinuated herself into a prominent post on Obama's potential staff. When you dance with the devil, the devil don't change.

Sec of State probably.

But, to be honest.. Forget that Palin is female, and Gov'nah Palin wouldn't be getting slandered this badly. Palin is female therefore, Palin will get slandered for being the sex Palin is. If Palin were male, Palin would be like Biden.

Biden is BIG on Capitol Hill, Big politics, Big money. But, America doesn't know Biden, he's a relatively unknown politician, although he does have a fairly decent record. But, still, America doesn't know much about Biden, the only differences between the two are the fact Biden is male and Biden is big politics with the experience.

In the end, Palin is going to get the drunk-***, welfare-suckin, trailer-trash-livin, drugged-up, roots-showin, hill-billy-scary mother ****ers to get off their lazy skank asses and vote for once. Because, she's going to make them believe that she can get them a job, and a better life.

[Cold_Zero]

Hash,With the Emergent/Emerging churches and Post Modernists growing in American 'evangelicalism' we will see what the effect will be on the Conservative Christian evangelical voting block. We are starting to see some of the corner stone churches shift (actively and passively) from the Nondenominational, conservative moralism brand of evangelicalism to the emergent/emerging, post modernism and even 'deeds not creeds' side of modern evangelicalism. It didn't surprise me back in the spring with Obama met with 'evangelical leaders' to layout his campaign to them. I think that a lot of evangelicals will seriously consider Obama, contrary to some of your statements.

What I did find funny, switching subjects, when I was returning home last Saturday from the gun show when I came down 38th street in Indianapolis was the amount of Obama signs that were plastered. There were a few churches that had big “Hope” Obama signs posted up over their main church signs. All the shops along 38th had Obama signs in the windows. I wonder how many of those black churches voted along with GW Bush and now support Obama. I noticed that the Nation of Islam Mosque was not displaying an Obama sign on their property, I found that interesting as well. bud

[Cold_Zero]

There is no filtering down. I love how you know exactly what evangelicals think.

Actually, most churches would loose their Tax Exempt status if they told parishioners who to vote for or how to vote, so most do not tread those waters. Not to say that candidates wont be invited to attend or speak at church. No, what is effectively used the spread the word on candidates’ stances and whom people should vote for (if you hold certain common passionate issues) is the Media that evangelicals have built up.

But you are right; the majority of evangelicals aren't really sheep when it comes to whom to vote for, unlike how labor and certain racial groups are scared into voting certain ways. What I find is that they follow the issues pretty close and can speak to the issues.

[AZhitman]

Some of my favorite comments from around the net. Mostly from women.

And mostly irrelevant.

If those posters would educate themselve, they'd comprehend that they're fussing about nothing...

"Under investigation" is my favorite... as if the poster has a clue about the issue.