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twitterLETTER TO THE EDITOR:
McCain makes mistake with VP pick
Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008 | 2:08 a.m.
From the time it became clear that Barack Obama would be the nominee of the Democratic Party, I have heard, ad nauseam, from those on the right regarding Mr. Obama’s lack of experience to be president of the United States. “Why, he’s only five years removed from being a state legislator in Illinois,” they cried. On Friday John McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate, a woman who is two years removed from being the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.
Huh?
Historically there have been any number of reasons why someone is picked as a candidate for the vice presidency of the United States, but one constant remains. That person should be highly qualified because he, or she in this case, is only “a heartbeat away” from becoming president.
Is this the best McCain could do? McCain finally gets his chance to make an executive decision in his capacity as the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party and he chooses Palin?
If this is a prime example of McCain’s executive ability, then a McCain presidency would not be another four years of Bush. It would be worse.
Discussion: 59 comments so far…
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Palin and Obama have near the same qualifications in amount of experience. Palin has some executive experience that Obama does not have. Obama has a little national security and foreign policy experience that Palin does not have.
If you say Palin is not qualified to be VP then you must also say that Obama is not qualified to be president.
Unless, you are saying that since Obama is a man and just that fact makes him qualified.
Also, if you think experience is a core reason to vote then you most vote for McCain he has decades of experience compared to Obama's tiny experience.
The LV Sun has found four Democratic who apparently appalled that Republicans have selected AK Governor Sarah Palin as VP. They are Ellen Sterling, Mark Mikowski, John Sloan, and Joseph Carbone. The LV Sun could not find a letter from anyone that supported AK Governor Sarah Palin as VP.
Collectively they found:
They are insulted by a woman from small town (Wasilla, AK) USA.
A Republican woman on the ticket is an insult, and just pandering to disenfranchised Democratic. Why are they disenfranchised?
A woman with five kids and strongly moral values is an insulted. (how many kids did Biden have?)
They are insulted by a woman who destroyed the corrupt politicians and good old boys in AK.
They are insulted by a woman who has gotten the $40 billion NG pipeline project moving.
They are insulted that National Guard Commander Sarah Palin has been to Iraq twice as the head of the AK National Guard. She did not need to be a Candidate before going and doing her job.
They are insulted by a woman standing up to a Trooper who threatened to murder her father.
VP select Sarah Palin is less risk then President Barak Obama.
Lack of foreign policy is not the case. AK is bordered by Russia and Canada. Governor Sarah Palin has extensive international trade experience with both countries.
Governor Sarah Palin has extensive international oil experience.
As a Governor and a Commander Sarah Palin is making decisions constantly that affect peoples lives, sets the States priorities, runs the services of a state, deal with the finances, deals with hiring and firing. etc.
Senators Obama and Biden make no decisions, they talk, hold hearing, and vote (if in session) as one of 100 senators following Harry Reid; and 435 representative following Nancy Pelosi, in a feebly attempt to pass a operating budget (non this year so far) and a few laws. Obama has no results to point to for his social service job sandwiched between his six figure lawyer jobs.
Amen! jfnance32. I love how the lib reporters are putting down McCain's choice for VP. Sounds like they are scared that Palin was just the right ticket for pushing McCain towards the White house a bit easier. Yikes!
You've got to be kidding! I was excited for about 20 mins after the announcement but when I started to think about it the pick really concerned me. I was hoping that McCain would give me a reason to vote for him but then he picked a person not even qualified to be considered on the ticket. She was the mayor of a town of 9,000 people, then the Gov. of a state of 650K for less than two years (mind you the City of incorporated Las Vegas has nearly as many people as Alaska). Gov. of Alaska is basically a part-time job, VP of the US is a 24/7 job. She has no national/international affairs experience, sophisticated economics experience or education and has 4 children under the age of 18, one born 5 months ago. I don't know about you but I did everything I could to spend time with my family when they were under the age of 18, not run from them. I'm sure she'll be a great asset to the Reps for years to come and she seems smart, articulate and promising but if McCain wanted a woman on the ticket there were far more qualified to fit the bill. Then there is this accusation and investigation about her trying to get her former brother-in-law fired through coercion. Think about Palin in discussions with Putin?!!! She may be Annie Oakley but she's no Obama, McCain, Biden or Hillary Clinton!!! McCain's pick - Risky, no question, reckless, no doubt.
The anti Republican no matter what crowd is confused. The other letter today is about judging Obama on his character, not his experience. I wonder how all these people are judging Palin's character in 24 hours from finding out she was selected.
You've got to be kidding! I was excited for about 20 mins after the announcement but when I started to think about it the nomination really concerned me. I was hoping that the Democratic voters would give me a reason to vote for Obama but then they nominated a person not even qualified to be considered on the ticket. Obama was college professor for 12 years and a state senator for 7 years. Obama has been a full-time campaigner and a basically a part-time senator. President of the US is a 24/7 job. He has no executive experience, or sophisticated economics experience and has 2 children under the age of 18. I don't know about you but I did everything I could to spend time with my family when they were under the age of 18, not run from them. I'm sure he be a great asset to the Dems for years to come and he seems smart, articulate and promising but if Democrats wanted an extreme liberal on the ticket there were far more qualified to fit the bill. Then there is this accusation about Obama and the most corrupt Chicago politician helping Obama to buy a house. Think about Obama in discussions with Putin?!!! He may be Annie Oakley but he's no McCain, Biden or Hillary Clinton!!! Democrats nomination - Risky, no question, reckless, no doubt.
P.S. Please note the writers sexist remark about Palin should not be VP because she has children under 18. Obama has children under 18 too. I guess the writer is saying by default the FEMALE is the primary person respondible for caring for children under 18.
Palin raised taxes on the oil companies, ensuring higher prices at the pump for all Americans.
"Palin also raised taxes on oil companies after Murkowski's previous tax regime produced falling revenues in 2007, despite skyrocketing oil prices. Alaska now has some of the highest resource taxes in the world. Alaska's oil tax revenues are expected to be about $10 billion in 2008, twice those of previous year."
http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/29/news/new...
Fiscally conservative? Hardly! The cost of government in Wasilla under Palin rose 150%!
"She wasn't doing this by shrinking government, however: The cost of running the growing city, apart from capital projects and debt, rose from $3.9 million in fiscal 1996 to $5.8 million in fiscal 2002."
Tax-cuttter? No way! She pushed for a sales tax increase to pay for a pet project, a sports complex which is still LOSING money. Sounds like the LV monorail!
"She successfully pushed a half-percent sales tax increase to build a $15 million multi-use indoor ice arena. The popular sports complex is not breaking even, as its advocates projected, but the city's subsidy has been cut from $600,000 to $125,000 a year."
But surely this is John McCain making a maverick choice for his VP, right? Not quite. Instead, it exposes his political motivations... as "will sell my soul for the Presidency."
"The spin on McCain's choice of the Alaska governor is that it reinforces his maverick credentials. I see it the opposite way: It undermines them. McCain looks like any other calculating politician, willing to do whatever it takes to win. "
Wait, won't this help the Republicans gain some of those Hillary PUMAs? No.
"The main reason McCain knuckled under to the religious right by picking Palin is that he actually believes there’s a large army of embittered Hillary loyalists who will vote for a hard-line conservative simply because she’s a woman. That’s what happens when you listen to the TV news echo chamber. Not only is the whole premise ludicrous, but it is every bit as sexist as the crude joke McCain notoriously told about Janet Reno, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton."
Take a look at the poll results from Gallup and Rasmussen:
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/...
Will this help with the Republicans? Let's check NRO.
"McCain is essentially telling the world that he doesn't really need a Vice President. It is hard to imagine Palin playing the same sort of role that modern Vice Presidents like Gore, Bush, Cheney, or Mondale played. ...McCain has thus made a purely political play without regard for the governance concerns. And how could he really have a good idea of how she would govern? My understanding is that he only met with her once before choosing her."
So what does Palin bring to the table? Not much apparently.
What about her connection to Jack Abramoff, the disgraced GOP lobbyist and convicted felon?
During her run for the governorship of Alaska, she sat by and did nothing as the Republican Governor's Association, a group given a half-million dollars by Jack Abramoff, sent illegal mailers on her behalf.
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/1026...
Rather than condemning such illegal activity, a spokesman, on her behalf, shrugged and asked what they should do. "Have everyone give it back?"
What about her ties to Pat Buchanan? According to Pat, she helped raise funds for Pat's 1996 campaign.
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/sarah-pal...
Buchanan has a long storied history of racist and anti-semitic comments.
http://frank.mtsu.edu/~baustin/buchanan....
He's spoken of Hitler's "genius," questioned the Holocaust as a "group fantasy of martyrdom."
Will she distance herself from these comments? Why did she support Buchanan, given his history of outrageous and anti-semitic comments?
Future2012 - Excellent response to the anti-Sarah Palin letters. Apparently, the liberal Democrats are incredibly upset that the GOP's VP candidate has YEARS more experience than their empty-suit orator from Illinois. The Democrats have always been the party of "whine and woes-es."
What about the biggest crook in Chicago being an Obama fundraiser?
"Rezko had long been a fundraiser for Obama."
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=...
What about Obama's numerous ties to anti-Israel nuts?
His spiritual mentor frequently generated rants about those evil Jews in Israel.
His church of some 20 years had Hamas anti-Israel rants published in the church bulletins.
Obama has praised Farrakan who is the most famous anti-Israel nut in the USA.
Obama adviser and former Air Force Chief of Staff Tony McPeak, in a 2003 interview with The Oregonian, "placed blame on Miami and New York Jews for the failure of the Middle East peace process."
Sen. Obama's relationship with Rashid Khalidi, "an internationally known scholar, critic of Israel and advocate for Palestinian rights."
“In 2000, Rashid Khalidi, a former PLO operative who justified Palestinian terrorism as contributing to ‘political enlightenment,’ threw a fundraiser for his friend Barack Obama."
...announcement that former Rep. David Bonior will be representing the Obama campaign at the Democratic National Committee meeting this weekend in Washington, D.C. As a Congressman, David Bonior was known for his strong opposition to pro-Israel policies, being called by some "the biggest supporter of the anti-Israel Arab lobby in Congress."
Obama closest friends have been either crooks or anti-Israel nuts.
News1950 and Future2012-- I'm a conservative Republican who does not like Obama, but you are seriously in La-La Land to claim that Palin has "years more experience" than Obama. She was a mayor of a tiny town and has been a governor of one of our smallest states in population for less than 2 years. Obama does have almost 4 years as a prominent US Senator who's been very active on major legislation, and a lot years in the Illinois State Senate-- a state with over 12 million people. He's not inexperienced and he has frankly accomplished quite a bit.
Obama is basically a Socialist which is why I'll never support him. He's shown that at many points in his career.
But then, Sarah Palin was a ridiculous choice by John McCain.
As an old-style conservative, at first I was excited about the Sarah Palin choice. But then the details started streaming in...
Folks, look, Palin fought for the Bridge to Nowhere before the earmarks were taken out, raised taxes in many cases (in particular a sales tax that's been a heavy burden on Wasilla residents) and drove Wasilla, town of about 7,000 people, into almost $1.5 million in debt, which the city is still trying to tackle. The town's citizens were pushing to recall her.
She's actively under investigation for ethics violations for the Troopergate scandal. And she acted like a childish fool in insulting one of her own Republican colleagues in Alaska, who is herself a decent reformer:
http://tinyurl.com/59t3ks
I'd been leaning toward supporting John McCain before, although I've been lukewarm about him, but this foolish choice has demonstrated lacks even the most basic abilities of judgment.
I'll be supporting Chuck Baldwin or Bob Barr in November, and I'm hardly alone among Nevada Republicans. This is becoming a common theme.
Piranha9 is a fraud.
"Obama does have almost 4 years as a prominent US Senator who's been very active on major legislation, and a lot years in the Illinois State Senate-- a state with over 12 million people. He's not inexperienced and he has frankly accomplished quite a bit."
Only a left wing nut would say that Obama's very brief legislative history as "frankly accomplished"
Yeah...he is a conservative....LOL
I am a diehard Hillary Rodham Clinton voter. I am pleased to say that I am voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin in November.
My hope was that Hillary Rodham Clinton was going to be the Democratic Presidential Candidate, but the election became huge amounts of black voters voting for a black candidate.
After that, Barack Hussein Obama stated from his own mouth that "Hillary Rodham Clinton would be on anyone's short list for Vice President." Then, Barack Hussein Obama failed to produce Hillary Rodham Clinton as Vice President. Wonder why? Maybe, Michelle Obama made that decision for Barack Hussein Obama.
With Barack Hussein Obama being so disrespectful to Hillary Rodham Clinton -- I can not trust Barack Hussein Obama anymore and I can not vote for Obama, I don't trust him.
After reviewing John McCain and Sarah Palin -- they are the real team. With Sarah Palin, she is a very hard worker, eager and focused on putting 'COUNTRY FIRST', ready to deal with whoever to promote "CHANGE" "HOPE" "REAL CHANGE FOR ALL AMERICAN'S", hands on experience with fousing on the ENERGY CRISIS in America, and she is focused on the WAR -her son is also in the military.
GO-----JOHN MCCAIN / SARAH PALIN
GO-----JOHN MCCAIN / SARAH PALIN
"REAL TEAM FOR CHANGE AND PUTTING COUNTRY FIRST"
"REAL TEAM FOR CHANGE AND PUTTING COUNTRY FIRSR"
JOHN MCCAIN AND SARAH PALIN --
You have my diehard Hillary Rodham Clinton vote!!!
I am a diehard Hillary Rodham Clinton voter. I am pleased to say that I am voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin in November.
My hope was that Hillary Rodham Clinton was going to be the Democratic Presidential Candidate, but the election became huge amounts of black voters voting for a black candidate.
After that, Barack Hussein Obama stated from his own mouth that "Hillary Rodham Clinton would be on anyone's short list for Vice President." Then, Barack Hussein Obama failed to produce Hillary Rodham Clinton as Vice President. Wonder why? Maybe, Michelle Obama made that decision for Barack Hussein Obama.
With Barack Hussein Obama being so disrespectful to Hillary Rodham Clinton -- I can not trust Barack Hussein Obama anymore and I can not vote for Obama, I don't trust him.
After reviewing John McCain and Sarah Palin -- they are the real team. With Sarah Palin, she is a very hard worker, eager and focused on putting 'COUNTRY FIRST', ready to deal with whoever to promote "CHANGE" "HOPE" "REAL CHANGE FOR ALL AMERICAN'S", hands on experience with fousing on the ENERGY CRISIS in America, and she is focused on the WAR and her son is also in the military as well.
GO-----JOHN MCCAIN / SARAH PALIN
GO-----JOHN MCCAIN / SARAH PALIN
"REAL TEAM FOR CHANGE AND PUTTING COUNTRY FIRST"
'REAL TEAM FOR CHANGE AND PUTTING COUNTRY FIRST"
JOHN MCCAIN AND SARAH PALIN --
You have my diehard Hillary Rodham Clinton vote!!!
No jfnance32, I'm what's called a "grown-up," someone who actually has to work a real job, take care of kids and worry about the future of the country that my kids will grow up in. And who recognizes that the POTUS vote is a serious choice. Unlike you, who still live in your parents' basement, sniping with idiot ad hominems at total strangers rather than doing a damn thing to improve your sorry life.
Here, I'll explain it to you real slow, so that your little peabrain can absorb this difficult concept: There's something called the REAL WORLD out there, which you'd know if you could pull your head out of your posterior. And in the REAL WORLD, you see, things and people are not black and white. People are not solely good and solely bad. They have elements of both. Even people that you like, may have flaws that you need to draw attention to. Even people that you otherwise dislike, may have some good qualities.
Those of us who work in managerial positions, have to live in this REAL WORLD because we have to make decisions about whom to hire and whom to fire. And we have to evaluate the entirely of a person's being and accomplishments-- the good and the bad. And when we finally proclaim a judgment, it is almost never all good or all bad, though of course we ultimately have to decide "fire or not fire."
This is the way it is with Obama. I don't like Obama overall. I think he's a Socialist in his policies. I also think that he's usually out of his depth, without a proper understanding of complicated policy issues. But at the same time, like any good manager, I have to consider that even someone I don't like much has some real achievements to his name. He was a law review editor. He served many years in the Illinois State Senate and he worked on a lot of important legislation there. And yes, in the US Senate, he's actually been rather industrious. Any manager would respect that, even if we decide he's someone we wouldn't want to hire ourselves.
You see, jfnance, that wasn't so hard, was it? It's called "living in the real world." Neither Obama nor McCain is all good or all bad. They have their good parts and their bad parts. Obama is not someone I could ever support, though I acknowledge his accomplishments. I lean more toward McCain, though I've become very irritated at the way the GOP has treated Ron Paul and other Republicans who want to reform corruption and challenge the big-government neoconservatism that has become party orthodoxy. This is one reason that I won't be supporting the Republican Party this year.
Oh, and there's another reason that millions of us grass-roots Republicans have become so disillusioned jfnance32, and it's because of people like you. You call yourselves conservatives, yet your immaturity, your lack of ability to think for yourselves, to consider major issues, are simply not acceptable to those of us who want to ensure that our kids grow up in a United States that is not hampered by corruption and fiscal insolvency. You are by far the best recruiting ally for the Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin campaigns, and so long as you arrogantly continue in your juvenile behavior and consideration of the world, you will continue to drive core conservatives away.
LOL.....Yeah you are a conservative.
LOL....LOL.....LOL....very funny......I am a conservative and I say Obama has accomplished a lot.......LOL
That is a good one!
I am sure that Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin will agree with you. LOL......You fraud.
Piranha9 - I agree that Sarah Palin does not have "much" experience, but the GOP has to do something to defend against the incessant attacks from Barack Obama and his campaign. Incidentally, isn't it ironic that BHO's campaign is attacking someone who actually, has more executive experience and political seniority than their standard-bearer?
I also think you are BS about Obama's legisative history.
You say, "He served many years in the Illinois State Senate and he worked on a lot of important legislation there. And yes, in the US Senate, he's actually been rather industrious. "
Obama did very little in the US Senate.
He has been campaigning for President almost full time.
He did tried to stop a bill in the state senate.
He was the only senator who voted against a bill to give human legal rights to babies born from botch abortion.
Mr. Fraud...stop saying that you are a conservative.
Jfnance32, what are you, like in 6th grade? You really are thick, aren't you? Let me spell it out for you one more time: I am a manager in a company, a conservative Republican and I think the way any good manager does. I evaluate candidates for a job fully and in detail, and with any candidates, there are going to be good aspects and bad aspects. We take that picture we've painted of the person and then make what amounts to a hiring decision. Although we will choose one way or another, we still acknowledge the varying aspects of the person's character.
As I said, I don't particularly like Obama much because I don't agree with his policies and I don't like the proposals he has for dealing with a number of important issues. That being said, like any good manager, I have to acknowledge his numerous accomplishments. Sarah Palin was mayor of a tiny town less than 10,000 people, has been governor of a small state (by population) for less than two years, and has overall performed quite poorly-- with ethics investigations swirling, severe fiscal mismanagement as mayor, multiple tax hikes, support of the Bridge to Nowhere and a jejune attitude toward her fellow Republicans like Ms. Green in the legislature.
It's a shame, because despite my irritation with some of his policies, I was planning to vote for John McCain if he'd just selected someone more sensible for VP. I would have been fine with almost any choice-- Tom Ridge, Mike Huckabee, Meg Whitman, Mitt Romney, Olympia Snowe, Joe Lieberman, Kay Bailey Hutchison. Any of them would have been fine.
But not Sarah Palin. She's just too fraught with corruption and blunders in governance to be considered for such a position. With my kids growing up in this country, I can't allow such a foolish blunder in judgment to proceed unpunished. This is one reason among many that tens of millions of us Republicans are turning to support Bob Barr or Chuck Baldwin.
jfnance, for your part, you obviously have a lot of spare time on your hands to engage in such a ridiculous spew of ad hominems with the same level of reading comprehension and analysis as a 6th-grader. Even when I tell you that I myself am not an Obama supporter, that's not enough for you-- for you, Obama needs to be the Ultimate Evil Incarnate itself.
Well I have news for you, fool-- the world doesn't work that way. It's messy and full of gray, and if you're going to survive, you're going to need to learn very quickly that people aren't the one-dimensional cardboard cutouts you seem to want to fantasize they are.
You seem unable to appreciate this, which means that sadly, you're always going to be a pathetic, frustrated whiner, failure and loser, unless you shape up very fast. I actually have things to do and little time to piss away with your incomprehension and cluelessness on this board, so I'll leave you to choke and suffocate on your own excrement.
You are so full of BS.
Only a left wing nut spouting off talking points would praised Obama's legislative history as industrious and very accomplished to ranked it as qualifications for presidential material.
I serious doubt that you are going to vote for Bob Barr or Chuck Baldwin. Both man agree more with Palin's policy positions than they do with Tom Ridge, Mike Huckabee, Meg Whitman, Mitt Romney, Olympia Snowe, Joe Lieberman or Kay Bailey Hutchison.
That point alone disrobes you as fraud.
I am an independent with liberal leanings. The choice for Sarah Palin not only showed bad judgement, but it showed what a hypocrite McCain is. While Obama does lack experience, he is certainly more experienced than Sarah Palin. There are high schools with more students than the town she ran INTO THE GROUND. There are school districts with more students than the state she ran. If someone asked me if I wanted the job as Govenor of the Alaska or school superintendent in LA for the same pay, I know which one I would choose. McCain has continually said Obama is not ready, and it is a fair arguement, that is why he picked Biden. Why would a 72 year old man with a history of cancer pick a person with as little foreign policy experience as the person he says is not fit to lead. The reasoning is that she is at least as experienced as Obama is really pathetic.
In reply to the person about his abortion issue, I am against abortion. I am a whole life person. I do not support McCain because he wishes to expand free trade. It is proven that free trade promotes child slavery in foreign countries and I do not wish to support legislation that promotes that practice. I care about children after they are born as well as before.
Obama has been in charge of......??????......?????.....???? what?
I think there are tutors that have taught more students in one day then the number of people that Obama has been in charge to supervise.
Would I want a job as a tutor or as the job as Govenor of LA? I know which one I would chose.
"Obama is not ready, and it is a fair arguement, that is why he picked Biden. "
Too bad, Biden is not running for President. That sentence means Obama is not ready for President.
Why would someone vote for a man that is not ready?
"I do not support McCain because he wishes to expand free trade. "
Obama is for expanding free trade, too. He claims he can just do it better than McCain.
"While Obama does lack experience, he is certainly more experienced than Sarah Palin."
Obama experience:
7 years state senator
3 years as US Senator (of which he has been full time campaigning for president
Palin experience:
4 years city council
8 years mayor
2 years State Ethics commissioner
2 years governor
certainly more experienced......very laughable
Cindyb, why are so many liberals comparing the experience of the #2 selection (Sarah Palin) on the Republican ticket to the #1 selection (Barack Obama) on the Democratic ticket? Could the reason be that the Democrats realize their candidate's minimal experience can not compare to John McCain's much superior experience and therefore, as a diversion, attack the GOP's VP nominee? The vice-president is ALWAYS a "heartbeat away from the presidency." But, to make more noise about that reality this year is to subliminally infer that John McCain, due to his age, will not survive his presidential term. Of course, that is a despicable tactic to use even for Democrats!
McCain removed "experience" as a bar for the ticket. To mince words and say "The Presidential candidate has to have 30 years of experience but the VP can be a nobody" is ridiculous.
Both positions are important, even moreso with Cheney expanding the powers of the executive.
News1950, to question McCain's health is absolutely appropriate, just as it is to question Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin's health. That's why they release their health records.
One has to wonder what McCain has to hide, given the fact that he limited the review of his medical records to a 3-hour window to view 1173 pages of records, and only 20 reporters could view them.
That does not sound like the behavior of someone who is completely open and honest about his health.
Given his medical history with cancer, it makes his choice all that more important, just as voters should keep in mind Biden's aneurysms.
That isn't despicable, that's pragmatic.
I disagree with his politics, but I would never wish ill of him. Questioning his medical history is something all voters have a right to do.
The Democrats have chosen to put on top of their ticket a person with very little experience.
The Republicans have chosen to put on the bottom of their ticket a person with very little experience.
That is what it is.
We can have immediately a person with very little experience or we can immediately a person with lots of experience and a person gaining experience waiting in the wings.
Voters can decide what they want.
Whew... Poor Sarah! Why in all heck would this minor state governor want to be VP? That's what I'd like to know. I was leaning Obama - now I am true blue Obama voter. McCain's very, very obvious split-second choice of this person as a possible POTUS should he "depart" his presidency leaves many Americans with numerous questions. Besides her glaring lack of experience on the national stage - we have little or no knowledge of her policy preferences. The blogosphere is full of her anti-choice positions, killing and eating caribou and moose, fishing, and being mayor of a small suburban community - where it is rumored she ran the small town into a $150M debt. She was a runner-up to Miss Alaska? She is being investigated by the Alaska State Senate for personal interferences regarding a former brother-in-law? Whatever...
With a bucket full of choices, i.e., Huckabee, Romney, Pawlenty, Hutchinson, (and even independent dem) Lieberman, Jindahl (doing a great job at present in Louisiana), Guiliani and others - why Palin? For me, this choice is not "novel" or "electric" - it is plain stupid and reflects McCain's poor instincts that I do not want in the White House. In fact, it makes the Bush First choice of Dan Qayle a masterstroke. He should have nominated Cheney who could have at least kept Wyoming in the republican column - or is it Texas - I never really figured poor Cheney's mission in Washington - except to make Bush Two look really bad. At least Cheney has some "experience" because I think Gov. Palin will not hold up against the liberal press.
And still the pro-McCain crowd can't seem to defend their candidate.
Oh and Ms. "I was a diehard Hillary supporter" ... no one's buying it. You can post it as many times as you want. If you were TRULY a "diehard Hillary supporter", you'd never in a million years vote for McCain no matter who he chose as his running mate.
You smell like a McCain plant. LOL.
Thebs - Yes, to investigate the health of ALL candidates on a presidential ticket is a legitimate inquiry. But, to use the health OR age factor as the major issue with a candidate who is visibly in satisfactory physical condition is a disingenuous and despicable campaign practice.
"... a disingenuous and despicable campaign practice."
Yes, well, one wonders if you've said that about the Republicans' campaign tactics over the past, say, 20 years or so.
Somehow I don't think so. Call me a cynic.
Someone with a name of GOD? I guess we had all better listen to the word of "GOD"! Talk about Obama being a rock start and being full of himself....! Why someone who calls themself "GOD" makes Obama seem like a shrinking violet by comparison.
You are such a pompous ass!
For 72 year old John McCain who has had 4 bouts with cancer to haved picked someone as unqualified as Sarah Palin to be his veep-is really an idiotic decision. Its just politically dumb.
I was thinking of voting for the Constitutional Party candidate, because McCain is too much of a RINO for me. However, since Sarah Palin appears to be a true conservative, I will difinitely vote for McCain. Why? Because Palin would probably become the Preident after McCain. Her being a woman has nothing to do with my decision. As for the rest of the politicians, I'll be voting for as many third party candidates and non-attorneys as available. Time is long overdue to get rid of the non-representative incumbents! Harry Reid is the perfect example.
Comment removed by staff.
Looky, six pack Sarah - there is a difference between she and Obama - Obama is from the first world and has a high quality education and is anchored in the center of the known world. A thing that concerns me about all of this - the candidates and the delay of the convention is nuts - yes, we have a significant tragedy on the Gulf Coast - but so far as I can determine we have not had an election so McCain and Abel are not yet the president or even close. Hey, it is the convention's purpose to select qualified people and not to encourage the arrogance and pretense of the candidates. God bless America and may she survive in spite of the right wing extremists known as R's.
Wow did Piranha9 pwn jfnance32. That was hilarious.
I love listening to people who have blind faith in anything get taken down a notch--especially by someone who is generally on the same side.
SO FUNNY....
And that "Hillary supporter" is SOOOO fake.
" there is a difference between she and Obama - Obama is from the first world and has a high quality education "
Obama who stated that bitter voters (you know the ones that do not vote for Obma)are so dumb that they do not know how deal with their problems. Those people cling to guns and religion to deal with their problems.
According to revtomperl, Obama is from the 1st world then he does not need votes from the 2nd world which I guess is most of the states in the Union. I guess Obama is saying go to hell to most of the states of union since they are from the lowly 2nd world.
I also guess the six pack reference is saying to the blue collar voters to go to hell.
So the Democrats do not need voters from the 2nd world or blue collar voters.
Good Job Posting!!!! revtomperl
Suggestion for the group - please do not repost on this page any of the many vicious, incoherent and irresponsibly fallacious diatribes from the ignoramuses that infest the despicable SMEAR sites like the Daily Kos and Media Matters.
interesting comments - really don't think my comments were that extreme - the reaction may have been! Surely we are a world of differences, observe the fact and try to elect leaders - not those who follow simple diatribes and rigid doctrinaire points of view. This is a country of all the people and a world with many paths upon which we walk. I do have respect for education and prefer a rule of law to a rule by the gun. And I have high regard for intellect and a respect for the scientific method. I wish that all of you may may someday bow down to the one who is the source of life and blessings. These are blogs and places for our opinions - we are all on a wonderful journey.
Ha... My last post was removed. I apoligize to those who it might have offended - the truth often hurts. For the thousands unable to have read it - I have altered it considerably.
Ms. Palin is now in the public spotlight. She is fair game for almost anything. McCain's VP choice was dramatically stupid and now stories are creeping out regarding her character. True or not. One truth is that her 17-year old, currently unmarried daughter is pregnant. This reflects, as far as I'm concerned, on the character of her mother (and father). Since the republican party has so warmly embraced the extreme religious right and their so-called values it seems to me that a blaring conflict exists. How this young woman's life plays out is her own business - BUT she is the daughter of, possibly, the next Vice-President of the United States. People are going to talk about it. AND, it does reflect on Gov. Palin - like it or not. AND, it will move people to consider other choices. Pro-choice! HA! Remember Billy Carter, or how about Roger Clinton, better yet - Patti Davis (Reagan). They were all public foder and they all reflected on their siblings or parents. This situation occurs in every neighborhood on earth. However, because it is about an underage teen-age girl - it is much more sensitive. Where was her mother and father? How can her mother spout far-right ideals now? And, be taken seriously. I mean, if she can't control her own children... Furthermore, McCain reportedly knew about this before he offered her the job. Did he think it would just go away? If he did - he is far from being ready to be commander-in-chief. His campaign team could have easily introduced this young woman as a "soon-to-be" married young mother and how Ms. Palin was looking forward to being a grand-parent. Instead McCain attempted to keep it hidden which causes me to think of what else he is keeping hidden. Good luck to Miss Palin.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-tra...
Palin ran the 527 group created by Ted Stevens, the AK Senator who is under indictment for taking bribes from the oil companies.
Cue Nance's equivocation in 3... 2... 1...
I wish some of the people here would get on the net and research...there is a great comparison chart that was posted on Alipac.us that compares the two...remember One is running for President...the Other is running for VICE President...The newspapers are so in love with BO that you cannot get a true picture of him...Look at the associations of BO....The minister that hates the U.S. (his Mentor) comes to mind...Ayers..( a good friend)who says that he didn't do enough to bomb the U.S. comes to mind...His good friend Rezko (now in jail)comes to mind..His refusal to post a legit Birth Cert comes to mind....get on the net and do your homework...do not trust the lovesick newspapers
You are saying that Palin has ties to a crook.
Obama old core fundraiser is a convicted crook and one of the top biggest crook in South Chicago.
Obama's convicted crook help him buy a house.
So I guess you have big problems with Obama because you have problems with people that ties with crooks.
Not sure who you are going to vote for....
You say that Obama does not much experience.
You have problems with people that close ties to crooks.
Who are you going to vote for..Nader?
And... 51 minutes to equivocation! A new Nance record!
Thanks.....for saying that Obama has strong ties to a the biggest crook in South Chicago.
Great article on why McCain picked Palin even though he knew her daughter was pregnant at
peoplepoliticsandpablum.blogspot.com/
I was a Hillary supporter who donated more to her campaign than I ever have before. I was not excited by Obama's presidential aspirations and have been slow to change my allegience. Except for one thing. I am a Democrat. I have respected McCain when he demonstrated courage and, in my opinion, good judgment, on various legislative issues. However, I could never support him as a Presidential choice as long as he goes along with his party's positions on the Iraq war, the economy, health care, and women's right to choose abortion when necessary. We do not live in a theocracy--at least not yet.
McCain's choice of Sarah Palin is obviously an attempt to win the votes of disgruntled supporters of Sen. Clinton. As such, I take it is an insult. It was an impulse choice without careful consideration. Unfortuneately, it is typical of old John. As the campaign progresses, more will be known of her character and record. She is beautiful but her education and experience aren't what is needed as #2 to a 72 year old with several bouts of cancer behind him. And she is a creationist to boot!
Can anyone even imagine what a President Palin would be like? I can't, and I don't want to.
LOL, where did I say that, genius?
Yeah, I didn't think "GOD" would have a coherent or relevant response.
It's a pattern .....
You stated Palin has ties to crook.
I guess you did that for some reason.
Obama has stronger, longer and closer times to a convicted crook.
You do not despite that fact.
So ties to crooks are very important to you...I guess.
Not sure on how you can vote for Obama with his close, strong and long ties to the biggest crook in South Chicago.
Obama is beautiful but his experience is not what is needed as President.
"And she is a creationist to boot!"
According to a CBS Poll, only 13% believe in Evolution with a God involved.
Over 57% have beliefs that they would be OK as labled as creationist.
I guess Obama does need those bitter folk that cling to guns and religion to deal with their problems.
Can anyone even imagine what a President Obama would be like? I can't, and I don't want to.
can anyone imagine what it would be like with an out of touch 72 year old as president, probably more importantly, can you imagine the amount of time people spend on this blog? Get a life, heh, me too!
In consideration of with all the corruption that has emanated from Chicago for so many decades from 20's Mayor Bill Thompson's affiliation with Al Capone to Mayor Richard Daley's "arrangement" of the Cook County vote for JFK in the '60 election to Barack Obama's association with convicted felon "Tony" Rezko, maybe they should change the name of the county to - CROOK County.
Can't believe people are going to judge Palin by her 17 year old pregnant daughter. Just because Palin is running for VP, her family has to be perfect? So what, her 17 year old is pregnant. It's not like she doesn't have a well off family to support her child. She's not having babies for the welfare. If she was 18 would we be talking about this?
If you don't want to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket because you don't agree with her politics then fine, but to not vote because of her pregant 17 year old daughter is ridiculous. It's funny to me when liberals all of a sudden act like they're moral sound. It's like Edwards trying to say he loves his cancer strickened wife.
I didn't see many Dems concerned about Al Gore's son and his marijuana bust. Oh I forgot, liberals love pot!!!
Maybe some are concerned about the pick for VP because there's always the threat of assasination and/or death by natural causes ie: OLD AGE.........
I'm with Piranha9 who seems to be one of the first Republicans I've ever heard from who is willing to acknowledge that people are not either 'all' good nor 'all' bad - as some would espouse to. I have said for the longest time that there is good and bad in BOTH parties and I am just sick to death of the concept that any Republican is a PERFECT Republican/Person. As far as I'm concerned NEITHER candidate is the right one so if there's no "Choice C-NONE OF THE ABOVE" on the ballot then I suppose I will find an independent to give my vote to. Piranah9 continue your good common sense ways - it's enjoyable to read a well-balanced conversation.
Oh, and btw - I know quite a few Republicans who smoke weed also - just goes to prove my point - BOTH parties have their good and their not so good.........