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I just saw that McCain is expected to name Sarah Palin as his VP....What the?????b

McCain in a landslide, and his pick today just made his ticket stronger while the "message of change" took another hit when forever-in-the-Senate Biden was selected.

BTW, the irony of Biden's son being a lobbyist, after all the lobbyists-are-evil talk from Obama is just priceless, eh? ;)

You don't approve? To tell you the truth I was prepared to be disappointed with a "safe" selection like Romney, Huckabee, et al.. I think it’s also a wise strategic move given the number of angry Hillary supporters who may be up for grabs.

I’m not as familiar with her, but I find this admittedly self-serving wikipedia blurb interesting; “Palin was elected Governor of Alaska in 2006 on the theme of governmental reform, defeating incumbent governor Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary and former Democratic Alaskan governor Tony Knowles in the general election. She gained attention for publicizing ethical violations by state Republican Party leaders.[2]”

It's been a while. Hope you've been well. It's not that I disapprove...I actually think it's a brilliant move on Mccain's part, for the very reason you stated. But I do find it interesting that a 1 term Governor was picked in the wake of some very public concerns over Obama's experience. After all should something happen to McCain, this young inexperienced woman would then be our Commander in Chief..... What do you think? b

Did I read and hear correctly that she (Palin) was under some sort of investigation...anybody know what for?
and brezz the lobbyist talk by Obama was not lost on me I'm proud to say ...I was googling Biden like crazy. I think the idea there (by the Obama team) was I don't have experience....but he does...But I do wonder why that didn't come up last night in front of 80,000 people.....b

do you have a source?

It's Friday and I'm in much too good a mood to spoil any party. The only source I have right now is MSNBC When I was watching at 11:30 ish I saw it across the bottom of the screen. I would google now ...but it takes me hours to read all that stuff and......Well it's Friday....How was your day? b

You are not going to believe this ...but my baby the last one....my little Guru....GOT HIS PERMIT...........I don't know whether to be unbelievably proud ...or cry...b

... there's your problem right there. Seriously, there is an investigation, no suggestion SHE did anything wrong, but someone in her administration may have.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20080829/pl_bloomberg/attpk3uleweq_1

She earned her spurs as an ethics reformer, seems to be a straight shooter and has an 80+% approval rating.

I think you’re right, she is relatively inexperienced, but I doubt Obama will make much of an issue of it, since she has executive experience that he lacks. I was hoping McCain would shake things up and I thought Kate Bailey Hutchinson might be the pick.

Palin has a record of acting alone and facing down unscrupulous characters in her own party. I value that kind of independence. I have a feeling she’s going to be wildly popular.

I think you are right as well. I think the more we hear about her the more popular she will become. Mom, working mom at that, she is independent, a woman, has morals ......going to read your link now...and google Hutchinson....and btw I loved the MSNBC reference. You do make me smile..and I'm glad your day went well..b

Ohhhh....I get it....Just another smear tactic.....She nailed the bad guys and now they are firing back.....b

Reublicans are squirming and dems are high fivin about McCains selection of Sarah "hockey mom" whatchmacallit........

I mean really, you had class candidates like Romney (ethical, name recognition, strong track record, ran a big company as well as the olympics, great speaker) Then you had Tom Ridge, well qualified from PA, a pivotal state that could make a difference in the electoral count. Then if youy really want to have a woman VP why not Kay Buck from TX (SHE IS EXPERIENCED AND COULD CARRY TX!)

So you pick a one term governor in a state that has more deer than people and was strongly REP anyway. And McCain has had cancer like three times and if he dies you advocate a 44 yr old "hockey mom" whos' only international experience is a trip to Cancun?

Interesting to see what Rush says if hes not all drugged up.......?

I'm an independent so I'm not squirming or high fivin'.... But I do find your comparison between Sarah and Obama interesting ...44 years old . vs. ..40 years old... Experience on either side....... Soccer mom vs. family man...both fighting the bad guys.....seems pretty even to me....and it seems to me that it's no longer between McCain and Obama but now Sarah and Obama....of course I could be reading this wrong......b

Rush Limbaugh said

Read more here

That's it.... I'm calling Rush in the AM and applying for a job!!!!! Thank you that was priceless!!!!! b

It's Democrats is full frenzy and Republicans cheering. She has more executive experience than Obama, so I'd love to see him bring up that subject. It would be like the time he brought up the issue of houses, opening up the door to mentions of Tony Rezko. As for “Sara who?” just remember that it was just a few months ago people were saying “Barak who?” and now some people think he’s “the leader god has given us at this time”.

I liked Kay Bailey Hutchinson as a too, as a choice but "she could carry Texas"? Are you kidding? Texas isn't in play. Here's a thought for you, see how women, especially those not already GOP committed, take any attacks on Palin. You really won’t like the outcome if it looks like she’s not being respected for what she is, a state governor and executive, something Obama’s never achieved.

Nope, this is a great pick by McCain because of her character and the fact that any mention of "experience" by Obama brings the campaign down a path he really, really doesn't want to go down.

OH, abd pre-empting the "Wow, what a speech Obama gave" talk some of the media and the Democrats wanted to focus on for the next three days, that was a stroke of strategic genius.

I suggest a poll among IP republicans and moderates (or just republicans).........

are you cheering or either lukewarm or wonder:

"WHAT WILL MOST AMERICANS THINK HAVING VICE PRESIDENT SARAH ? ONE HEART BEAT AWAY FROM BEING RESIDENT?"...........

How dare you! Who are you to talk disparagingly of a person who has more integrity than the whole Democratic Party. Coming down on a compassionate hard working woman who would rather do the right thing than do the easy thing. At least she is a real person , not some persona fabricated by the left wing media. I think I just felt a shiver going up my leg. Have you had an experience like that? Candidates that have had to overcome adversity, what a novel idea.
What is our choice, a candidate who learned how to manipulate the system, ala citizen advocate, alias grab the moneys from tax payers to give to those that don't deserve it.
Do you really want some one who advocates black liberation theology or at least agreed with it for 20 years? Should we look for someone who promotes white liberation theology to counteract this. Greed is greed, racism is racism, unless someone demonstrates that they love this country by serving it in an unselfish way should not be qualified to serve our country.

... the concern so many Americans have with the possibility of Obama, less experienced that Sara, with all sorts of dubious associates and trying to bring back the failed policies of Jimmah Carter sitting in the Oval Office. Add in the possibility of Obama having Pelosi and Reid armed with super-majorities in the Congress and you’ve constructed a scenario that will keep many people up late at night.

Seriously though, I’m not surprised that someone aligned against McCain doesn’t appreciate the excitement this pick has generated, but try talking to others that might not agree with your personal politics, watch some of the coverage in the media and the response of the participants, you may see another picture.

Say, what do you think some of those disaffected Hillary supporters, the ones saying sexism is what kept her down, are thinking right now with McCain picking a woman?

I don't vote a straight ticket ...so I consider myself and independant VP Sarah vs VP Biden....hmmmmmmmm yea I'm already thinking she has an 80% approval rating where as Biden has a --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sen. Joseph Biden [D-DE]
Biden, a Democrat, has been a Senator from Delaware since 1973.
Biden is a rank-and-file Democrat according to GovTrack's own analysis of bill sponsorship. (Where do these labels come from?)
Biden missed 386 of 4100 votes (9%) since Feb 4, 1993 (Very Poor relative to peers). Click the image for a graph of this candidate's missed votes over time.

Biden has a senior role on the following committees: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (Chairman), United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control (Cochairman)

Biden sponsored 285 bills since Jan 21, 1993, of which 158 (55%) haven't made it out of committee and 14 were successfully enacted.

did that say what I thought it did? b

If Rush did indeed say that it must have been pretty early in the AM........!

As far as experience goes you make a good point............ there's not much of a correlation between being a successful leader and "experience"........ Shoot, Ronald Reagan was an "actor" and turned out to be a pretty good governor and president after that.

My point is that Sally/Sarah ? would be VP to a 72 yr old dude that has had cancer like three times and while perhaps Obama doesnt have any direct experience in Foreign Affairs at least he is well connected, well-read and seems to have good leadership capabilities.......

We used to hear about how powerful people didn't have offspring serving in the military. That was even a topic in a recent Michael Moore "documentary". But here we have three of the four candidates running for Pres and VP that have offspring that are either going to or returning from Iraq. I have to say, I find that impressive, and even more impressive to me is the fact that those kids aren't being used as political props. There’s an enormous amount of cynicism in this process, perhaps that fact might wash a little of it off for all of us.

Anyone else feel the same way?

You should let Adams mom read over your posts............. Pls address my post (if that is what you are addressing)....... "black liberation theology"............

uh "what chu talkin bout Willis"?

nuff said

... nothing that she doesn't have more of, or access to better, should the need arise.

Let's not forget that the "Change" candidate selected Biden, a guy who's been a power player forever in DC (and if you're for "Change" how that's a good thing is beyond me) and whose last great idea is that we take Iraq (he voted for the war) and without the permission or concent of the Iraqi people, we carve it up into a number of smaller countries. Where he got the reputation as a foreign policy genius is one of life's great mysteries.

...

You are touching on a very sensitive subject to me personally. While McCain has had cancer three times does not mean that his mind is gone....while he may be a little cranky at times.....he made a brilliant move that put Obama on the spot. While Obama thought Hillary's endorsement would put him over the top anyone who listened realized that Hillary reluctantly endorsed him while keeping her hopes alive for the 2012 election. Obama demonstrated aggressive body language during several parts of his acceptance speech and to tell you the truth IMHO he has a lot of nerve placing himself in the same league as JFK.....b

So Biden missed 9% of votes.......... big frickin deal..........

Like Lindsay Graham, Biden is a "power senator" meaning that he is on the national radar, often traveling abroad, checking out things like US policies and conduct overseas (iraq, afghanistan, etc)

How do you think Sally/Sarah will do in a debate with Biden.........Her self-declared "hockey mom" term could come back to haunt her!

As long as Biden doesnt quote someone else (lol) without giving credit, he should smoke her in a debate.

I too found that impressive and, it is encouraging me even more to look in to this so that my kids will be more than well informed. My Daughter will be voting for the first time this November. I'm very proud of her strong opinions and awareness of the world around her....don't let me lead her wrong... b

Tremendous respect to any and all cancer survivos..........I thought my pt was pretty clear and I never mentioned McCains "tempermanant or crankiness" as you did and Obama did last night.

My pt is that he is old and has health problems and any voter needs to have great confidence in a competent VP.

I would feel that with Kay Hutchinson (Buck?) of TX, Mitt Romney, etc.............

I have a very strong feeling she would annihilate him.....Graham???? Ap where are you? "power senator"? I will say he (Biden) has much more experience in foreign policy than Obama and that is why Obama in all likelihood, choose him It counteracts his "no experience" obstacles....as well as gives hope to the "I will end this war in Iraq responsibly" promise.....b

Thank you for your acknowledgement. And your point is one I have expressed myself as far as Mccain's age and health. and I do think this will come down to the VP's btw Guru just came in and told me HHI lost in the last 7 seconds at the end of the FB game tonight..bummer....I'm still looking up Hutchinson like I said it takes me a little while to make sure I'm reading it right.....and of course I mentioned his crankiness ....well isn't he????I would be too!!!!?b

will help me sleep better at night.......thanks for asking.
I would love to be a fly on the wall in the Clinton household right about now...........America is ready for a woman president.....just not Hillary.
ps.......being easy on the eyes doesn't hurt either.

American voters can talk all they want about "experience". But if experience is so important why did Biden only garner 3% of the vote in the Democrat Primary? Why isn't John Kerry president? How come Dole got creamed?

The answer of course is that Americans don't really care about the experience of the candidates they like. They only use it as an argument against the candidates they DON'T like.

Most Americans vote based on how the candidate makes them feel.Do I like the candidate? Does he or she care about me? Do I identify with the candidates gender, race and religion? Is he or she an eloquent public speaker? Does the candidate promise to give me financial benefits? Is he or she young and good looking? Those are the things that matter to the average American voter.

Dennis Prager opinion piece here

So here comes Sarah Palin. Can Obama make the case that she's too young? She's a year or two younger than he is. Is she too inexperienced? She has only slightly less experience as governor as he has as a U.S. Senator. It makes for good theater and entertaining politics, but bad government.

Does anyone else find it ironic that Democrats, who allegedly oppose age discrimination, openly oppose McCain because he's well, old?

Details here

I expect McCain will win, but I'm not sure of it. If he does win, he'll do so without my vote. Me? I'm voting for Bob Barr, even though he can't win, the consequences be damned. Just call me a maverick.

...no candidate goes into any debate or discussion without thorough briefings or coaching from subject experts. My guess, and only my guess, is Senator Graham will be significant in working with Gov. Palin on foreign policy and military affairs.

Gov. Palin doesn't need any help from the likes of Graham. Unlike him, she is the real deal.

Again, my view, and only my view, is since South Carolina is safely Republican, Graham will be appointed as AG of the United States and another Republican will be appointed by the Governor. Perhaps your favorite, Tim Carnes (remember him?) will be tapped for that job;-)

This made me giggle first thing this morning.......I actually thought about writing "snoopy" on my ballot, at one point....b

I honestly feel she puts Biden in a box. He was selected as much for his combative (some would say over the top bullying) debating nature. The guy's pretty much willing to say anything, truthful or not, his own words or not, as we found with his "clean" comments about Obama himself and his escapades in the 1988 race.

In a debate with Palin, for that tiny handful that will base their vote on the VP debate, the question become how does Sen. Hairplug come across if he tries to steamroll this “hockey mom“? I think Biden’s going to have to walk a very fine line between looking like a bully and/or looking condescending and I‘ve yet to ever see him demonstrate any form of tact. You might not think that’s a very big deal, but I happened to catch two female TV moderators on two different networks yesterday hosting a back and forth between supporters of the two camps on the subject of Palin and both of them visibly got their backs up when the “she’s too inexperienced” or “she’s a hockey mom” attack line came up.

Here's another point, and I'm interested how you feel about this one. This isn't directed towards your use of her first name, I don't know if you intent the connotation or not, so I'm speaking generically here. I think the use of her first name when we're discussing the others by their last, a more formal and respectful thing to do, will be taken by some as an attempt to demean her and her status as a governor because she‘s a woman. It may eventually become sort of off limits as Obama's middle name is. Perhaps not fair, just as making Obama’s middle name off limits isn’t really fair or logical, but I think that’s where we’re headed.

That is one I won't miss. Biden's coaches will be reinforcing to him the importance of not going on one of his trademark tirades against Palin. If Palin can keep her composure and stand up to him, she'll win the debate handily.

.... one millionth person to mention that a vote for Barr is a vote for Obama, and the consequences of a President Obama with a Democratic super majority in the Congress is far, far more painful to contemplate for people with libertarian tendencies than anything McCain could consider even on his worst campaign finance reform/ tobacco company settlement/ no ANWAR drilling days. You know I share most of your concerns about McCain’s instincts, but I felt the obligation to toss that all in.

... the dynamics of the situation are pretty unfair for Biden and his personality acts against him as well.

Late yesterday afternoon Rush described Sara Palin in his own words: "Babies and guns and Jesus.....hot damn!" I don't even like Rush, but I did get a chuckle out of that ;)

The GOP wanted a conservative and boy did they get one. The right wing conservatives are indeed a branch of the republican party just like labor is a branch of the democratic party. But Palin is pretty far right to the point that she is oposed to abortion even in cases of rape or incest and even advocates teaching silly "creationism" in public schools. Those positions sit well with some republicans but not with moderate republicans and independents.....

All that I have been able to find on the subject by Gov. Palin is:

8 pm.........still waiting

if Graham gives up his seat (which I don't see happening).

1) Graham gives up his seat
2) Our esteemed Governor Sanford steps down
3) The next guy steps in to the Governor's office
4) New Gov appoints Sanford

It's happened at least once before in SC.

here you go.........

Heres the against abortion even in cases of rape/incest:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-3815856-kuRUxAx&t=1

Heres the one concerning "creationism"
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-3815856-kuRUxAx&t=3

without the Moveon.org associated comments.

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/101906/sta_20061019031.shtml

During a 2006 debate, she said she was a proponent of teaching both evolution and creationism in schools. She later clarified her stance in an interview with The Anchorage Daily News, saying that she doesn't think creationism needed to be part of the curriculum and that she would not push the state Board of Education to add such alternatives to the state's required curriculum.

http://www.adn.com/politics/story/511551.html

that the amnesty prince is re-elected........
Should he be re-elected, I doubt he has the cajones to give up his chair for a position with zero job security........

... assuming the Sun will be coming up in the East tomorrow AM.

... moveon.org is a source you would consult?

if you dig a bit deeper you will see that move on got those quotes from large ST newspapers in Alaska, as pointed out by Tiger..........

... on this one? Your own source says something different than you claimed.

... getting your news from moveon.com? How did you come to even seek moveon's take on Palin? Seems you showed your hand there, pal. Why not go to the source and not have to worry about the moveon loons editing the original story? As to her position on abortion, perhaps some source other than NARAL would be appropriate. Just a thought.

"Palin's qualifications are, to a very real degree, secondary to the issue at hand. What matters most right now is John McCain's comically dangerous sense of judgment. He picked a running mate he met once for 15 minutes, who's been the governor of a small state for a year and a half, and who is in the midst of an abuse-of-power investigation in which she appears to have lied rather blatantly. She has no obvious expertise in any area, and no record of any kind of federal issues. McCain doesn't care.
Sensible people of sound mind and character simply don't do things like this. Leaders don't do things like this. It's the height of arrogance. It's manifestly unserious. It's reckless and irresponsible. It mocks the political process. Faced with a major presidential test, McCain thought it wise to tell an imprudent joke of lasting consequence.

This is all part of what I was talking about the other day when I noted that McCain is running such a palpably unserious campaign. Steve Schmidt seems solely interested in winning the daily news cycle; his staff spends its time gleefully churning out juvenile attack videos; McCain himself has retreated into robotic incantations of simpleminded talking points; and now he's chosen a manifestly unqualified VP that he knows nothing about. I've honestly never seen anything like it.
No one has; it's without precedent in modern American politics. The novelty and gimmickry might hold sway with those who base their votes on who they'd like to have a beer with, but that doesn't make it any less of a joke.
Palin isn't the issue here. McCain's judgment is. It's completely off the wall. Is there something wrong with him?

That may sound like a flippant question, but it deserves a serious answer. Is there something wrong with him? Might this be evidence of some kind of impulse problem, as reflected in his shoot-first, think-second approach to foreign policy?

When I think about the respect that John McCain had worked so hard to develop, the stature he'd taken years to cultivate, and the reputation he'd built his career on, it's breathtaking to see him throw it all away. If there's a more complete collapse in modern political times, from hero to clown, I can't think of it.

We're poised to learn a great deal about Sarah Palin, but we've just learned even more about John McCain. He's fundamentally unsuited for the presidency."

from a column by Steve Benen of Political Animal

I thought his selection was brilliant. The more I learn about Governor Palin........the more there is to like. Why would anyone want a running mate that has been part of the problem for many years, rather than someone who is part of a solution?

If it makes you feel better, forget NARAL and you can find her comments concerning abortion in both the Juneau Empire (08/29/08) as well as the Anchorage Daily News 11/03/06

Steve Benen is a freelance writer/researcher and creator of The Carpetbagger Report. His work has appeared in a variety of publications, including the Washington Monthly, The American Prospect, The Gadflyer, and Church & State. In addition to The Carpetbagger Report, he is the lead editor of Salon.com's Blog Report (formerly the Daou Report), and has been a contributor to Talking Points Memo, Washington Monthly, Crooks & Liars, The American Prospect, the Guardian, AlterNet, and Political Wire.

Benen got his Master's at the George Washington University while interning at the Office of Speechwriting in Bill Clinton's White House. He has written direct mail for a major Democratic consulting firm, worked as a communications director for a congressional campaign, and for six years, was part of the communications department at Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

It would have been shocking if he'd written anything else.

... your position on Graham is well known, as is your misunderstanding of the mood of the voting public on him (your membership of the 26% being case in point) . I find your desire to demonize Graham at every turn, and your ability to find positive things to say about McCain a little puzzling, since McCain was the co-sponsor of the bill that causes you to despise Graham.

I guess calling McCain the lesser of two evils could be considered positive. I also said that his position on illegal immigration probably cost him the White House.

I believe his selection of a running mate is excellent.......who knows.....she could be our president for 10 years. My vote will encompass that thought.

Most hilarious thing I read today, put me in a great mood before bed. Maybe she could be the president...of the PTA in Wasilla. The way the post-vetting process is going she'll last as long as Thomas Eagleton. Or Harriet Miers. Or maybe Spiro Agnew???? Yeah, that's the ticket.

........ the 1/2 term US Senator at the top is celebrating because they think the VP pick on the other side, the woman that has executive experience their guy lacks, is laughably inexperienced.

Yeah, that’s right, their guy with 125 days in the US Senate supposedly has a massive “experience” advantage on a sitting Governor. It wouldn’t be because they take her experience less seriously because she’s a woman and an attractive one to boot, would it? She took on and defeated an entrenched, corrupt political party, her own party, and defeated it. Why, she even took on the evil big oil. What’s that get her, a “PTA chairwoman” label, and the Obama supporters appear for all the world to be serious about it.

Just as the subject of "houses" proved to be a mistake on the part of the Obama camp because it allowed the McCain camp to mention another nasty associate of Obama's that the larger public wasn’t familiar with, Tony Rezko, and how that now convicted felon "helped" him buy his home, the subject of "unqualified" isn't really a smart path for them to use as a line of attack. They heavy-handed attacks on both Gov. Palin and her children smacks of desperation, not to mention reeks of the worst of the machine politics of Chicago.

A last gasp attempt to imbue Obama with Tony Rezko; sorry to inform you that it isn't working. Now your party uses a deus ex machina to change the race. Not working either.

... holds fundraisers for him and that's no connection to the true believers. The contest is just starting, non-polictical junkies are just getting serious, and the true believer says "it's not working". Perhaps not for you it isn't working, but then your vote was never in doubt. Let's see how the general public feels about Obama and his buddies Wright/Rezko/Aters, shall we? I doubt they're so deep in the tank that they see him as "the leader god has given us at this time".