McCain picks Sarah Palin as running mate

MikeWalters · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1315 Location: Cincinnati OH

CNN is saying it is confirmed: http://tinyurl.com/6optwq

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1648 Location: Michigan

CNN - so is everyone.

Should be interesting.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080829/NEWS15/808290344

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 434

Do we have another Margaret Thatcher? 8)

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 03:52 pm Post subject:

Less experience than Senator Obama. Why is she ready to be President?

There goes the McCain experience argument against Sen. Obama.

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 434

Don't know about experience, but David, she looks a lot better than Biden. Go get'm. 8)

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 03:56 pm Post subject:

How on earth could you not know after posting over and over again that Obama is a lightweight, that he has accomplished nothing, and that he has no experience?

This is serious business. These are serious times. We are in a war and the economy is going down the toilet. McCain is old, over 72, he has recurrent bouts of cancer, and he is getting intellectually and physically weak. Do we want a city council member from Wasilla to step into that spot? (Where the hell is Wasilla?) McCain has even hinted that he does not have the gumption to be a two-term President.

If we give any credence at all to the wing-nut attacks on Senator Obama over the last six months then McCain's first real Presidential decision showed a horrible lack of judgment. If I were a Republican I'd be freaked out. I'm not, so I am very happy with the choice. Please, bring on the debates. Senator Biden will blow her off the stage like so much fluff. If she were to be President, Putin and the Saudis would blow her off the globe. The North Koreans are doing back flips and the Olympics ended last week.

And you are right, she is very pretty. Almost as pretty as Paris Hilton, certainly prettier than Britney Spears.

Obviously, everybody else McCain asked said no.

MikeWalters · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1315 Location: Cincinnati OH

Apparently the McCain camp didn't do a very good job vetting this candidate, or perhaps they just didn't care:

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 04:33 pm Post subject:

I found it!

Wasilla has a population of 8,471, people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasilla,_Alaska

Regarding the vetting, it may be that they don't know about Wikipedia.

MikeWalters · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1315 Location: Cincinnati OH

Yep: Let's pick a first term 44 year old governor, and let's pick one with a petty scandal-albatross around her neck. That will give my campaign a boost!

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 434

So it starts. You know Biden carrys a lot of luggage. 8)

Insider (Ret) · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 05:06 pm Post subject:

Mayor of a town of 5,000 (when elected), now governor for all of 18 months. Good grief, even Delta has to be slightly nauseous at the thought of this person being the VP of a 72 year old who's already fought off cancer.

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1648 Location: Michigan

It is a little more complicated than that - she is a woman, a governor and has a positive poll rating near 90% in her state and never accused of plagiarism.

She also has a compelling family story to tell and for the conservative base and is pro life.

It has taken a lot of the oxygen out of the room IMHO.

It will be an exciting next couple of months and every word spoken will be taken apart.

BTW coming back from Ohio the other day I filled up with gas for $3.48.9 and I never thought I would think that was cheap - but yes it was and still going down.

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 05:19 pm Post subject:

Compelling to whom? Less than 20 months as a governor? Of Alaska? Please Olan, get serious.

This gives Senator McCain an absolute lock on Alaska's three electoral votes.

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1648 Location: Michigan

Personal story - baby born last April with Downs syndrome and a son going to Iraq next month and 5 kids in total. They have both been union members (her and her husband) and is middle class with no multiple houses. Many people vote for someone you feel like having having a cup of coffee with (I can not drink) so she is likable and comes from small town America and many disaffected female voters might find a safe harbor - so to speak as well as pro life Catholics - on a political basis it is a smart move.

The days you pick a VP for electoral votes is long gone - example how many votes does Wyoming have?

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 05:28 pm Post subject:

For us Democrats, Olan. Not for Republicans.

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 434

I tell you what, never heard of the lady before today. I watched her speech, and was impressed. She is tough, and has stood up to the old line politicians in her state. How that segues into national politics, who knows. But I tell you what, for some reason, it has republicans enthused, and democrats worried. As I said earlier, the drive by media is already on the attack. 8)

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 05:46 pm Post subject:

You make up facts wonderfully.

We know for sure that the word "experience" will no longer be in the McCain attack lexicon.

The people to whom Gov. Palin appeals were already dead set against the Obama ticket. For example, I saw a hideous NRA tract yesterday attacking Obama as a Muslim. NRA types are not voting for Obama no matter what happens.

Similarly, pro-life types are already convinced that Obama eats babies for lunch. The pro-ANWR Exxon corporate types are already in the Republican camp.

More importantly, it is such a bare-faced misunderstanding of the hearts of the women who supported HIllary. It's not the pants-suit they were supporting, it was the combination of HIllary's years of experience, her persona, and her policies. McCain simply does not get it. And for that I am very grateful.

I am thrilled with the goofy selection. The other Democrats I spoke to today are cheering. McCain could not have picked a weaker candidate. For those Republicans who are excited about the choice I offer my somewhat bemused congratulations and best wishes.

On the other hand, we Democrats will have to take care (after the initial hour or two of hooting) to be respectful to Gov. Palin and her supporters. This is not a time for misogyny or gloating. She said herself several months ago that she was just a hockey mom and nobody in their right minds would pick her for VP. She's likely no fool and I suspect it was a hard choice for her to step up knowing the tremendous disadvantage she has due to her utter lack of experience on the world stage. Now that lightning has hit her, we should all take great care to be as kind to her as we wish Republicans would be to our candidates.

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 434

If I keep working on it, I'll be almost as good as democrats making up facts. Let's face it David, she is as much an unknown quantity as is Obama. We already know Biden is good at making up facts. 8)

cookie · Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 16

Funny, I didn't realize that Alaska was in play.

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 06:38 pm Post subject:

Actually, Senator Obama got 16,000,000 votes this year. Also he won a Senate seat. Most people know where Chicago is, even in Moscow.

I know we differ in our opinions, but I am so happy that Senator McCain is such a horrible candidate. Obama was an unknown and if the Republicans had a candidate stronger than Hillary with a ground game better than Obama's they might have won.

On November 5th we all will know.

By the way. There is still that pesky issue of Panama. Obama has the advantage of being the only major Presidential candidate this year who was born in the USA. If McCain has to drop out or if he does not win the nomination, will his running mate step in to lead the party?

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 434

Look, if all y'all got to harp on is the inexperience of Palin, you just gone focus on Obama's lack thereof. And another thing, one of the biggest democrat failures, Jimmy Carter is jumping on McCain's playing up his prisoner of war record, which McCain has gone out of his way to play down. So where does the focus come in. You better watch it, remember Dukakis, Mondale and what's his name, McGovern? Obama got a big 7 point bounce after the democrat convention. It's going to be a close election, we'll see what the polls, which I have no faith in say after the elephant's shindig. 8)

Insider (Ret) · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 09:19 pm Post subject:

Ah, but Delta, who started the "inexperience" conversation? McCain et al. It is utterly impossible for them to keep that conversation going now that they have chosen the least qualified, most inexperienced person imaginable. Now as Olan points out, she has some attributes, no doubt. But her selection totally removes the experience argument from the Republican arsenal. And if they think they're going to get more than a handful of Hillary's supporters, they are smoking some good stuff. Gov. Palin's positions are entirely antithetical to Hillary's, and even the most rabid Hillary supporter won't overlook that basic fact.

Tell you what, I bet Kay Bailey Hutchison wishes she were about 10 years younger. If she were, she'd be where S. Palin is right now.

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1648 Location: Michigan

A comment from Clinton:

"Governor Palin is a proven reformer who is a wise steward of taxpayer dollars and champion for accountability in government," a presidential statement said. "By selecting a working mother with a track record of getting things done, Senator McCain has once again demonstrated his commitment to reforming Washington."

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who came so close to being the first major party woman presidential candidate, said in a statement: "We should all be proud of Gov. Sarah Palin's historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Sen. McCain. While their policies would take America in the wrong direction, Gov. Palin will add an important new voice to the debate."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080829/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_veepstakes

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 434

So here we are,Obama has absolutely no credentials, and we are arguing about Nalin, who has a few. 8)

Insider (Ret) · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 05:02 pm Post subject:

No credentials? None whatsoever, eh? Your biases are showing, Tom. Better tuck them back in.

Sandy Fambrough · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 248 Location: Dallas TX

For anyone to think that I am now going to vote for McCain because Palin is on the ticket for VP simply because I am female- GET REAL!

I didn't support Hillary and I don't support McCain/Palin. I did not get to vote in the primaries because Florida has closed primaries and I am a registered Independent. I vote based on issues and who I think will do the best job - NOT based on gender, race, etc.

Any former HIllary supporters who would now vote for McCain/Palin are not voting on the issues.

On a positive note - this resolves two things (at least IMO). First - the experience/inexperience debate. And second - that Obama should have picked Clinton as VP because she had the second highest number of votes. If that were the basis, then the republican ticket would be McCain/Huckabee.

Whichever team wins will make history - the first non-white male President or VP. From a historical stand point, it's a good thing (as Martha would say).

This campaign has gone on WAY TOO LONG and cost WAY TOO MUCH money. $100 million from the Feds for security at both conventions? What a waste! The nominations are already decided - the conventions are just for show. That money would have been better spent on healthcare for our vets or overtime for ODAR/SSA staff to work cases.

If we REALLY want to shake things up - how about a total election reform? Limit the campaigning to 6 months. Hold one election nationally - top vote getter is President, second place is VP. That would make for some interesting times in DC.

Football is back so now there is something better to watch on the weekends! My Tigers are making a great start in defense of their national championship. GEAUX TIGERS!

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1648 Location: Michigan

Sandy - been there - done that:

"The original plan, however, did not foresee the development of political parties and their adversarial role in the government. In the election of 1796, for instance, Federalist John Adams came in first, and Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson came second. Thus, the president and vice president were from opposing parties. Predictably, Adams and Jefferson clashed over issues such as states' rights and foreign policy.[6]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vice_President_of_the_United_States

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 434

Sandy, the Coonies camed through against Applachian State, and please advise those informed, that is not a racist statement. I'm an Ole Miss fan, and love the rivalary between our great schools. We are in the Houston Nutt era at Ole Miss, and beat a team that always plays us tough., Memphis State, 41-24. Too bad Mississippi State lost to another coonie school, Louisiana Tech, but that is just the way it is. Think Mississippi State got a little carried away with themselves.

David Traver · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject:

Link

Sandy Fambrough · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 248 Location: Dallas TX

I saw that episode of "The Daily Show" when it first aired last Friday night. I was laughing so much I was in tears!

"The Colbert Report" on Friday was just as funny.

I am addicted to both - can't wait to see what they do with the republicans this week although it appears the GOP is toning it down due to Hurricane Gustav.

Just have to wonder...those who said Katrina was God's wrath on the sin of New Orleans (blah,blah,blah) - does that mean Gustav is God's way of saying vote for Obama?

David Traver · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 04:29 pm Post subject:

MikeWalters · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1315 Location: Cincinnati OH

I'm enjoying the current Republican line: McCain took Obama off the front page with this pick. Well, yes, but I suspect the show biz maxim that there is no such thing as bad publicity does not apply in the political arena. The fact of the matter is that every Republican pundit is going to have to do 5 minutes defending Governor Palin's lack of experience before the getting to the "good stuff."

My favorite moment of the morning shows was when Cindy McCain, asked about Governor Palin's lack of any foreign policy experience, pointed out that Alaska is the closest State geographically to Russia.

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 434

Tell you what. I'll agree with you that Palin is lacking in experience and a lot of other things, but she looks 100 percent than Biden. She is hot, and talks a pretty good game. She is the republican Obama. 8)

Sandy Fambrough · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 248 Location: Dallas TX

Maybe he is secretly looking for wife #3?

cookie · Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 16

Not only did McCain kick Obama off the front page, now Palin is busy kicking McCain off the front page. Today Mrs. Palin retained counsel to represent her interests in Troopergate. And unless I dreamed the radio news broadcast, the campaign announced that the Palin's 17 year old daughter is with child but without benefit of clergy. She plans to marry the child's father.

Insider (Ret) · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

As Senator Obama quickly and very clearly noted, family is off limits in a Presidential campaign. So Bristol Palin's pregnancy is not relevant, he says. And he's certainly right.

Now, if one wanted to have a public policy discussion about the benefits of teaching abstinence v. open, complete sex education programs, that seems fair. What was it they say, abstinence makes the heart grow fonder...? :wink:

deltajudge · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 434

8) Seems we have gotten back into the old politics, God forbid.

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1648 Location: Michigan

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Obama_on_Palin.html?showall

Insider (Ret) · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:57 am Post subject:

Now Olan, don't confuse Delta with facts. Besides, it's hopeless.

MikeWalters · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1315 Location: Cincinnati OH