Palins Speech

[telcoman]

Nice but not the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Dailykos

PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."

"Wolf Blitzer called Sarah Palin's speech Wednesday night a "grand slam." It certainly had some slams in it, with the knife stuck in and twisted while she smiled, which might well be part of the governor's vaunted managerial experience. She got paid $75,000 a year for her on-the-job training in Wasilla. But, Alaska only pays her $81,648 for governing the whole state."

I don't think she is going to appeal to very many Hillary supporters whose votes are desperately needed if the Republicans expect to win?

She will probably appeal to small town voters.

Telcoman

[Soravia]

O'RLY???

Quote » Members of the Alaskan congressional delegation, particularly Rep. Don Young and Sen. Ted Stevens, were the bridge's biggest advocates in Congress and helped push for federal funding.[1] The project encountered fierce opposition outside of Alaska as a symbol of pork barrel spending and was widely labeled "the bridge to nowhere".[/quote]When did she become the Alaska governor? Nov 2006.

When did the pork for the bridge to nowhere started?

For 27 Mils, please come up with what she spent the money on. Everyone knows that the living cost in Alaska is not the same as here in Florida.

Liberals sure know how to twist things around.

Want to talk about ANWR drilling?

[hsckris]

When did the pork for the bridge to nowhere started?

She is actually pretty well-known for killing this project...

[Soravia]

And converting the money into other things.

Oh, yeah. Did you see how the liberals are calling her 'SHRILL'?

So when a woman speaks up her voice and points at the faults, she's called shrill.

Biden wasn't SHRILL? Bill Clinton wasn't SHRILL? Obaba the Messiah wasn't SHRILL?

[AZhitman]

Telco, great post. I applaud your restraint and your "fair play".

OK, guys - Side note, all politics aside:

Is it just me or she freakin' hot as all hell?

Call me sexist, call me chauvinist, whatever. She's smokin'.

[rn79870]

Actually I listened to her speech twice. She misquoted Obama's plan for tax. She misquoted his plan for energy independence, then copied the second half of it. In all fairness, she just doesn't have it.

Her attack on the news media was interesting. Within 2 hours of that attack, the news blogs (Time for instance) has responded by publishing 5 misrepresentations (a nice word for lies) in her speech. These weren't minor, these were glaring errors. Time also called for their brethren in the news business to step up the attacks on her creditability. I'm starting my blog search this morning shortly.

All in all, I liked Sarah, she seemed like a genuine person. But she didn't come over as "national" or even refined. They called her an attack dog. I hope she doesn't take that to heart as she has too much to learn.

[hsckris]

Time also called for their brethren in the news business to step up the attacks on her creditability.

B/c that will be beneficial to anyone

[AZhitman]

B/c that will be beneficial to anyone

Exactly.

It's a wonder ANY of us know what to think when 90% of what we get is sensationalized crap.

You know, perhaps this is a wake-up call for both sides of the political arena to see that the press, which used to be a useful tool, has now become a detriment to BOTH parties' TRUE MESSAGE.

The question is, which side will flinch first? Which faction of our political system will risk alienating the press and making an enemy of journalists once and for all?

Almost feels like the Right tiptoed over that line last night....

[HashiriyaS14]

Ok, my thoughts on Palin's speech:

The first 10 minutes were atrocious. She looked like a High School kid up there running to be President of the student board, and she didn't say much else but "Hi, I'm a nice lady from Alaska" (which, I'm sure, is pretty much true).

The latter half of the speech, admittedly, was very good, and she showed some teeth. She came across as credible, weighty, measured, and not easily intimidated. This is what she needs to continually project.

All in all, I think it was a good effort on her part.

I DID notice that she didn't ONCE touch on any social issues. She didn't mention abortion, gay marriage, censorship, stem cell research, guns, or anything like that. Whoever wrote the speech did this on purpose, as while I'm sure her views will be brought to light (publicly) on this stuff eventually, the GOP doesn't want to be the ones to let the cat out of the bag, as it will NOT help them one bit with independents.

[Eikon]

I agree with Hash ^ Every bit of what you said.

She started slow, a little uncomfortable, but started to pick up steam.

They say a VP's job is to be the attack dog so that the Pres candidate can "rise above" and compaign in a more "noble" fashion. I think she did an incredible job of that in her speach.

My wife said, "She's Sassy!" That was something completely new to American Politics as far as my knowledge goes. I don't think we've ever had a "Female Attack Dog". Women have a little different ability to be "sassy" and stick that knife in the opponents back without coming across as "evil" themselves.

As for misquotes in speeches... happens ALL the time. Do I blame her for it... A little.. .but she didn't write the speech now did she? We all know it's the speechwriters who do that work. It's the delivery that the candidates bring.

Bottom line is, I think she did a good job of introducing herself to the Country. She showed that she's not a "joke".. that she's a real and viable candidate. Is she enough to overcome BO and Biden.. I doubt it. But I can hope.

[dusred]

I thought that speech was friggin awesome!

Telco,

You don't think she is going to appeal to Hillary supporters hu? Well I got news for ya, Palin has a much more badass attitude then Hillary which is something that all women want (well. . . all the ones I know). I think she'll pick up assloads of Hillary supporters, but you know, time will tell.

[Soravia]

Misquotes from her speech are better than Obaba's mis-representation of Hillary's gas-tax and reusing of her idea in his own 'energy check', or how he tried to paint her 'health insurance' as 'national health care', or how he tries to paint McCain as 'oil only' when McCain is running on 'All of the above' energy plan, or how he tries to say that 'McCain will give tax cuts to big oil' when McCain wants to give tax cut too all businesses, small and large.

Yeah, sure there are LIES. Look at the Messiah.

[Cold_Zero]

Here is my quick impression of last night's set of speeches.

1. Huckabee: Did an effective job in shattering the 'Rich Old Man' perception of the Republican Party's image. Especially when he proclaimed, he wasn't a Republican because he was born with silk stockings and a silver spoon in his mouth. He was a Republican because he didn't want to sit around being poor and waiting for the government to do something about it. 2. Linda Lingle: Did a great job explaining the experience that one gains from being a Mayor (Lingle being a Mayor of Maui) and a Govenor (Lingle being the Govenor of Hawaii) and how it prepares you for political office. 3. Giulianni: Did an effective job in casting the Obama-Biden ticket as an elitist and snobbish campaign. Hit Pay Dirt with the comment about no one questioning a man with children being fit to be Vice President. Also effective were the 'Chicago Machine' and 'Community Organizer' comments that will paint Obama as being part of the establishment.Classic part of his speech was the part about Giulianni being remissed that when he was Mayor of New York City, he didn't get to vote with the response 'Present' as Obama did 137 times (something like that).3. Sarah Palin: After a week of 'Hit Jobs' done by the National Media and Bloggers, it was good to see her fight back, keep her composure and go out on the offensive. Comments like, There is only one person in this race that has ever really fought for you was classic. She did a great job in introducing herself as a Washington outsider, a Reformer who is not worried about pleasing the establishment and most important a person that everyone can really relate with. The talk about selling the luxury jet liner and releasing the gourmet chef shows voters that she had privilege while in office and turned it down, because it was more important for her kids not to grow up feeling entitled to that lifestyle. Also, when introducing her family, it really shows that these are common people that we all (at some level) can relate with. Classic the quote from her speech was the bit about what Obama would do after turning back the waters and healing the planet. Finally, someone is keying in on his campaigns messianic complex. All in all, when your opponent (Joe Biden) is speechless after being blasted and says it was a well delivered speech you should feel proud of yourself. Biden did go on to say that Palin left this issue and that issue out of her speech, but that really is not what this speech was meant to do. This speech was delivered to introduce Palin (the Republican VP candidate) to the American Public. I don't know if this came through on the other channels (I watched CSPAN) but the pictures of her littlest daughter stroking the hair of their 4 month old and kissing him on the head was sweet.

[telcoman]

Telco, great post. I applaud your restraint and your "fair play".

OK, guys - Side note, all politics aside:

Is it just me or she freakin' hot as all hell?

Call me sexist, call me chauvinist, whatever. She's smokin'.

For once we agree.

She is hot.

Christie Todd Whitman did the Howard Stern show many years ago and I applauded her for that. she was not afraid to answer Sterns questions.I still didn't vote for her and she was a train wreck of a governor. I wonder if Palin would go on and answer some questions that many males might have on their minds?

Natalie Mains did from the Dixie Chicks and even I was a little shocked at some of the details of her sexual preferences.

What does this have to do with the election?

Not much but I do appreciate a candidate willing to speak out and answer all kinds of questions from the media. Natalie was bashed for being one of the first to speak out against Bush and it almost cost her and the Dixie Chicks their career. She did start to raise awareness over the war.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I thought this was interesting so I'll post this also

Palin the pain

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/...-pain/

Telcoman

[Cold_Zero]

I am with Toby Keith on this one, "We will put a boot in your ***, it's the American way."

[Encryptshun]

It's a wonder ANY of us know what to think when 90% of what we get is sensationalized crap.

You know, perhaps this is a wake-up call for both sides of the political arena to see that the press, which used to be a useful tool, has now become a detriment to BOTH parties' TRUE MESSAGE.

Greg, please print this on the back of a white t-shirt embossed over a 25% transparency U.S. flag and I will buy one for myself and each member of my family.

This is the very definition of truth and I applaud you for saying it.

For what it's worth, I thought Palin was eloquent, poised, and had phenomenal MILFness. I did not agree with 100% of her message, but the points she articulated regarding experience were pure poetry.

My fiance was put off by the funny thing she does with her lips whenever she wants to punctuate a hard point, though. It *is* hard to ignore once you notice it...

[AZhitman]

Thanks homey. Just spittin' thoughts.

+1 on the MILFitude, and I noticed the lip thing too... Just added to the hotness for me... LOL

[srellim234]

My observations:

Excellent speech. Exactly what was called for given that particular audience. Anyone who expected less is not very observant or didn't think through her situation ahead of time. I expected her to be poised just from her background of standing in front of beauty pageants, sports in front of crowds, the public speaking she has done, and the confidence knowing the sympathetic audience she had going in. Add to it the knowledge that she had some of the best, experienced campaign speechwriters in the world helping her with it.

The speech was a typical political one, filled with truths, half-truths and lies. Telco, you should have a clue after "Babygate" that dailykos is no source to depend on. AP, while still leaning liberal, compares more facts here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200...check

hsckris, she is pretty well known for killing the bridge building but what you are convenienty leaving out is that she not only supported the bridge unil it became a liability, she kept the federal money. In no way did she say, "Thanks, but no thanks" to Congress.

You've got to admit, Palin's family almost stole the show out from under her. When the daughter applied spit to the baby's hair was priceless. And unscripted.

[HashiriyaS14]

I will agree that Huckabee gave a *great* speech.

If it wasn't for all his social stances and that whole creationist thing, I'd actually really be behind the guy.

Romney, despite the fact that I generally think he's very competent, gave a horrible speech.

Rudy was searing, he's a good attacker. We should have had someone at the DNC who was willing to attack like that, mention all the social issues, that kind of thing.

[96Qowner]

Excellent speech! Excellent!

She was either gonna deliver a barnburner or flop, and I had no idea which it was gonna be. Speaking from teleprompters is a difficult thing to master, and she'd never been in front of that many people in her life. She was in a VERY intimidating spot. I was afraid she might simply read the speech in a nervous stilted manner, with little stage presence. Rememebr Dan Quayle? Ugh.

But noooooooo! The woman is a natural! Simply amazing. I was struck by her natural comfortable poise, either when introducing her family, or when delivering razor-sharp barbs right to Obama - didn't expect that. She looked like she was having fun! The words sounded like her own.

I think the Dems are in trouble. I think they've been played. Talk to the women in your lives who watched that speech. I bet you'll find they were VERY impressed.

Sarah Palin is going to be very dangerous to Obama. She's not going to shy away from his lack of experience, and coming from her, there's not a lot he can say. Sarah Palin is going to take a big chuck of the woman's vote from poor Barry.

I said I wasn't all that impressed with Sarah Palin. But, wow, that was before I saw her in person, giving a speech that was every bit as good as Obama's at the 2004 DNC convention.

She's a natural, she's a star, look out Dems.

[Encryptshun]

I will agree that Huckabee gave a *great* speech.

If it wasn't for all his social stances and that whole creationist thing, I'd actually really be behind the guy.

f*cking man...f*cking

Huckabee has the presence that no other leader has had since Reagan's early years. He just exudes power and inspires confidence.

Someone needs to put McCain 2000's mind into Huckabee's body. The McHuckabeestein 2000 would get my vote and my volunteer hours.

[Soravia]

Hey, I apply spit to my kittens fur, too! LoL

Why are people more interested in her underage daughter than the message she brings?Because they are all sexed up media dogs.

[HashiriyaS14]

Sarah Palin is going to be very dangerous to Obama. She's not going to shy away from his lack of experience, and coming from her, there's not a lot he can say. Sarah Palin is going to take a big chuck of the woman's vote from poor Barry.

I said I wasn't all that impressed with Sarah Palin. But, wow, that was before I saw her in person, giving a speech that was every bit as good as Obama's at the 2004 DNC convention.

She's a natural, she's a star, look out Dems.

She can deliver a speech well, I'll give you that.

Her lack of experience is the least of the GOP's concerns. Her stances on stuff like abortion, guns, stem cells, prayer in schools, creationism, global warming, and censorship is what's really going to get her in trouble.

Notice that she didn't TOUCH on any of that in the speech. Why? The GOP knows that this stuff is all going to be enormously unpopular with swing voters, and so they are trying to avoid advertising it.

Wait until she goes on a political talk show. If the media are smart, they're going to focus on this stuff, not the experience question or the stupid irrelevant baby/troopergate/dwi nonsense.

[Cold_Zero]

Hey, I apply spit to my kittens fur, too! LoL

Why are people more interested in her underage daughter than the message she brings?Because they are all sexed up media dogs.

I just used a wash rag on my daughter's bangs this morning, after I scrubbed her face with it.

[srellim234]

That "moment of unscripted spit" excited my wife, a Republican mother of three, more than anything Palin said. Must be the "Mommy" gene.

[rn79870]

I heard all about her family. I heard about her little town in Alaska.I heard about how great McCain was.I heard about McCain being a POW (I wonder if there is a person in America who doesn't know that yet)I heard about how bad Obama is.I heard about how unfair the media has been to her.I also heard that she will be an advocate for children with special needs (I applauded that one).I wanted to hear about her, not McCain and certainly not Hanoi. In that regard, she let me down. I didn't hear her tell me why she is the right person for the job instead of why Biden isn't.

I too noticed the "faces" she made when she tried to make a point. She needs to work on that before the debate. I also noticed that she failed to capitalize on the momentum of the speech. She didn't build it up to a crescendo and pull the audience along. She wasn't bad, but of all 4 individuals involved in this race, she is clearly #4 in skill.

[96Qowner]

Her lack of experience is the least of the GOP's concerns. Her stances on stuff like abortion, guns, stem cells, prayer in schools, creationism, global warming, and censorship is what's really going to get her in trouble.

Notice that she didn't TOUCH on any of that in the speech. Why? The GOP knows that this stuff is all going to be enormously unpopular with swing voters, and so they are trying to avoid advertising it.

Wait until she goes on a political talk show. If the media are smart, they're going to focus on this stuff, not the experience question or the stupid irrelevant baby/troopergate/dwi nonsense.

You're right, the social conservatism will be a problem with swing voters and Hillary women. But it's an asset with the religious right, who are the activist base of the Party, so the footsoldiers will fall in line now. The early returns are that they love her.

But her ruralism and her gender are problems for the Dems. Sarah Palin is the Real Thing - not an ounce of pretension in her. She'll draw votes from rural people who will never forget Obama's "cling" comment, and from women who aren't all that impressed with that inexperienced guy from Chicago, especially since Palin will be the one pointing out that he's an empty suit. The Obama team is already in trouble for comparing their Presidential candidate with the Reps VP. And every criticism of Palin gets thrown back at Obama. She truly does have more experience than he does, and knows how to point it out.

So, sure, she's no substitute for Hillary, and she won't appeal to those who can't tolerate religious conservatism, but she's going to be a problem for the Dems with women in general and with those who live in unimportant little cities and towns, the ones Obama clearly doesn't respect. Right away, he dissed her for being mayor of a little town. Bad instincts, and last night Palin proved that she has the right combination of demeanor and poise to slice Obama and Biden into shreds before they know what happened to them.

In my opinion. She's a dangerous woman.

[Soravia]

SKILL? What skill is she lacking? Hunting moose? Playing Basket ball? Governing a state? N**** PLZ!

Sarah Palin has what it takes, she talks straight and she walks straight, that's plenty enought for people.

[HashiriyaS14]

You're right, the social conservatism will be a problem with swing voters and Hillary women. But it's an asset with the religious right, who are the activist base of the Party, so the footsoldiers will fall in line now. The early returns are that they love her.

But her ruralism and her gender are problems for the Dems. Sarah Palin is the Real Thing - not an ounce of pretension in her. She'll draw votes from rural people who will never forget Obama's "cling" comment, and from women who aren't all that impressed with that inexperienced guy from Chicago, especially since Palin will be the one pointing out that he's an empty suit. The Obama team is already in trouble for comparing their Presidential candidate with the Reps VP. And every criticism of Palin gets thrown back at Obama. She truly does have more experience than he does, and knows how to point it out.

So, sure, she's no substitute for Hillary, and she won't appeal to those who can't tolerate religious conservatism, but she's going to be a problem for the Dems with women in general and with those who live in unimportant little cities and towns, the ones Obama clearly doesn't respect. Right away, he dissed her for being mayor of a little town. Bad instincts, and last night Palin proved that she has the right combination of demeanor and poise to slice Obama and Biden into shreds before they know what happened to them.

In my opinion. She's a dangerous woman.

I agree with almost everything said here.

I suppose I just think that the whole religious conservatism will turn off a bigger segment of the US population than you do. That's definitely up for debate though, as it's an entirely subjective judgement.

The "cling" comment WILL indeed haunt my man all the way to November, I really wish he hadn't said that, lol.

The BEST thing Obama can do is to adopt a nice, sensible, centrist policy on firearms. If he can get swing voters in OH, PA, and VA to think that they can have a pro-choice ticket that also supports their ability to own guns and be sportsmen, he's got it locked up.

Personally, I think he's actually already there, but he just doesn't advertise it enough. I know he's for national legislation like the assault weapons ban, which I happen to support also, but otherwise he seems to be all about allowing the states to set their own laws, which, IMO, is the correct stance.

I've never really found a politician that exactly mirrors my stance on the firearms issue though. I am pro individual ownership, anti "assault weapon", pro registration, pro OPEN carry, and definitely for the right to shoot intruders in one's own home. Where's the guy with those views? lol.

[smockers83]

Her lack of experience is the least of the GOP's concerns.

Because she lacks what experience? We all decided here on these forums that to have experience as president or VP is to be in a similar setting, such as mayor, governor, already president, the military, or CEO of a company. There is no job out there that will give you the necessary experience to be able jump right in as president/VP of the US. It just doesn't exist, so those that have been in similar leadership roles have the experience necessary. This is why they emphasized that McCain/Palin has more experience than Obama/Biden. Exactly what leadership experience do they have?

The reason she didn't touch on social issues is because still being debriefed on them by the campaign. Plus, that wasn't the point of the speech. The speech was to introduce her to the GOP and America. Biden had some time before the DNC to introduce himself, her not so much. But she did touch on social issues such as guns and religion by making the jabs she made.

If they win, I can already see her running in 4 years. That would be the perfect experience setup. Come in as a gov to the VP position, get to know the position, then step up to president the next time around.