Last night in Denver, in front of 75,000 people in a packed stadium and tens of millions at their homes, Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech. It was loaded with soaring and inspirational rhetoric, something we have all come to expect from Obama. It was called a "masterpiece" by many and was going to be a tough act for the Republicans to follow. But today, that speech is all but forgotten. Now, his speech seems irrelevant. Today, the attention has turned to the Republicans. In a shocking turn of events, Republican candidate John McCain picked Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Sarah Palin brings a lot to the table for the Republicans. She is the first female governor of Alaska and its youngest, and the first female VP nominee to be selected by a major party in a quarter of a century. She has a strong reputation for being a maverick just like McCain, going after oil companies, corruption, wasteful spending (she killed the Bridge to Nowhere, a project that Obama voted for), and members of her own party (including Senator Ted Stevens).
She is a staunch conservative, known for her pro-life stance, her support and exercise of the Second Amendment, her lifetime membership in the NRA, her commitment to environmental conservation and her pro-family (straight or gay) stances. She has ended the partisan bickering in her state by reaching out and appointing Democrats and Independents. She has proven that solid, conservative leadership can lead a state to properity in the midst of a recession. She is a mother of five and has a son who will soon be deployed overseas. She is one of the most popular political figures in the country, with her approval ratings in the 80's and 90's.
But, of course, not everyone was so excited about Palin's historic nomination. The Obama campaign released a statement today, saying "Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency." They also added that she was "in the pockets of big oil companies."
Indeed, Palin lacks experience. But her shortfall is no less than Obama himself, who, unlike Palin, has ZERO executive experience. Palin has gave the people of Alaska $1,200 gas dividends (at the expense of oil companies) when oil prices and state revenues when up, something that an oil stooge would never do. Palin is negotiating a $40 billion gas pipeline and energy deal with Canada, clearly an attest to her foreign policy experience. Palin is at the forefront of America's goal of achieving energy independence, something Obama or Biden could never claim. Palin, unlike Obama or Biden, has done more than give pretty speeches to prove her strong record of reform and change.
Sarah Palin is one of the most qualified Vice Presidential nominations in recent memory. But besides adding experience and change to the Republican ticket, Palin is everything the Republicans need and want; she is young, charismatic, good looking, tough, conservative, experienced. Simply put, she is the embodiment of change and face of the Republican party of the future. She has changed the game and has put the Republicans back in the election. She will invigorate, motivate, and inspire the Republican base. Before her nomination, I was reserved to an Obama Administration. Maybe that is still the future, but this race will be much closer than any of us could ever have predicted. I for one cannot wait for the VP Debates!
Congrats to Sarah Palin, and thank you John McCain for making the perfect choice.
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Comments: 182
A woman who is against a woman's right to choose and against equal pay for women.
A mayor of a small town (which is usually a part-time job), and less than 2 years as governor of a very small state (population), she seems very well qualified to step into the Commander and Chief role if McCain's age (and the grim reaper) catches up to him.
A bulls eye for sure!!
Here's hoping they're smarter than that.
To bring change, we need someone who knows how to work with the Congress. Young, inexpereinced John F. Kennedy was not able to get legislation through. But Lyndon Johnson could.
McCain, the maverick, will teach her and together they will be unstoppable. America will be much better because of these two great Americans.
running on change....with George W Bush's policies....now do you think folks are THAT stupid? racist? maybe....stupid? hmmmmmm
love the pick tho. CONGRATS!!!!!
I can lay claim to having been the president of a company, but it would be a gross exageration to say that provided me with the executive experience to run a large company or even medium size company.
Alaska may be one of the largest states in area, but it is one of the smallest in population, Quite frankly there are probably at least a dozen in the United States that have more complex problems in providing the services its citizens need.
Join me in Detroit, MI, this Monday, September 1st, for a rally with Barack Obama.
http://mi.barackobama.com/detroithart
Here are the details:
Rally with Barack Obama
Hart Plaza
Public Entrance located at the corner on Jefferson Ave. E and Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI
Monday, September 1st
Gates Open: 8:30 a.m.
Thanks!
Will this forever dispel talk of Sen Obama's lack of experience to become President of the United States? Surely, the selection of the person, one heart beat away from the Presidency and Commander in Chief role demands the individual have the ability to step in that position at a moments notice. This woman might be intelligent, possessed of wisdom regardless of her age. She may even be a great leader for this nation, especially when the heart she'll be sitting next to is 72 years old and filled with an unquenchable rage.
If this woman is qualified, why would anyone think otherwise regarding Sen Obama?
A basketball barracuda, a beauty pageant runner-up, a journalist, mayor of a small isolated town of 6000 people and a few months in the Governors Mansion does not lend any credibility that she is qualified to become President upon a moments notice.
I believe there will be a revolt in the Republican Convention and the Party will decide who shall be their nominee's.
Actually, I've been thinking of writing in Jesse Ventura, for President! As an ex-pro wrestler and never having been in government, he did a darn good job of governing the State of Minnesota. I have been very impressed with him.....he is a brilliant man, extremely well educated, and an eloquent speaker with a lot of common sense.
Ventura for President!
A very strong woman!
It will be fun to see how the mainstream media and the political left will try to cut her down.
There is no need to "cut her down" only reveal the fact she isn't qualified for the position and is simply being used by this candidate as a feel good political carrot.
I could not possibly agree more! I can't think of VP selection that McCain could've chosen that would've helped the democrats any more than this one! Congrats, indeed! What a fine, fine choice!
I believe that the noise you're hearing right now is the sound of millions of would-be republican voters running away from the party in disgust! I agree with you that this will lead to a revolt within the party, and will probably be the final nail in the coffin of that diseased, collapsed party.
Well, there ya go! McCain is bring back the nonsensical raving lunatic vote with this pick!
So tell me, is Senator Obama qualified to become President of the United States ?
"A basketball barracuda, a beauty pageant runner-up, a journalist, mayor of a small isolated town of 6000 people and a few months in the Governors Mansion does not lend any credibility that she is qualified to become President upon a moments notice."
I agree with the writer above who posted that they thought this choice was for the "Hillary" fans out there that wanted her to win the Democratic nomination, I thought that too. I think it will backfire on him, and Obama will win by a landslide..I have been giving alot of thought on who I am going to vote for, this may have just swayed my decision, too soon to tell, i have to learn more about her. I think alot of people were shocked...
I guess we will see in November ;-)
The liberals don't have enough mental capacity to do anything but criticize and demean. If they had the ability to see anything but their own opinion they could see what this woman brings to the republican ticket, but they don't so they will flail against the obvious and not succeed.
Rove better get out the turd polish.
In the meantime, it is funny that somehow this woman's lack of foreign policy experience is clearly dangerous while Obama's was not. Also even if she only was a mayor for a short while and is in the middle of her 1st term as governor, she has more experience in EVERYTHING else than Obama. The Dems have to face that this woman has at least the same level of experience as their guy does and that hurts.
ALL of the sudden!! BAM!! IT"S THE PERFECT CHOICE???
Then why wasn't her name brought up before?
I am going to try to be objective and point out that she obviously does seem to have a good MARKETABILITY and I will not question her character or resume but....
It does seem as though McCain is just desperate to get those Hillary votes.
Oh, how the right thought that Hillary would be awful and that a woman wasn't ready to lead the country, but, all of the sudden, Sarah just fits.
Hmmmm...
Congratulations to her though.
Governor Palin had more executive experience than Obama when she was mayor of an Alaska town of less than 10,000 people.
So What!
Douglas, Palin was originally thought to be a long shot at best for the VP spot. Yes, she was a good conservative and a good Republican, but she had not been involved in the race and had not gotten involved with Washington politics. She was a dark horse at best. McCain picking her was a surprise, but a welcome one.
"Oh, how the right thought that Hillary would be awful and that a woman wasn't ready to lead the country, but, all of the sudden, Sarah just fits."
A lot of people may have thought that, But I am not one of them. I personally thought Hillary would have made a decent President. I don't judge people by their sex or race; I judge them by their character and positions.
I don't believe her choice is an "insult to women." Its like saying Hillary running for President was an insult to women. McCain may have chosen her in part because of her sex, but mostly he chose her because he goes along with his message; a maverick who is not afraid to stand up to her own party. Palin has done that time and time again.
Palin brings a lot to the ticket. She has changed the game. And if the Dems are not careful, they will lose. The Dems have a tendency to screw things up; they did it twice against Bush, including once when they should have one. They can screw it up again.
Answer: Not just yes but a BIG YES!
My wife and I spent the night last night at her sisters place, a big Hillary supporter but she doesn't like Barack Obama and is very upset in the way she sees how Hillary was treated in the primary.
As Governor Palin was speaking I called her over and said look who McCain chose for his running mate, her eyes grew and jaw dropped then she said "I've never voted for a Republican before but this year I am."
I assure you that there are a lot more women out there like my sister in law.
Sarah Palin, is NOT a state legislator, she is the Govenor of the State of Alaska.
In the same way that Obama and Biden has to send their legislation up to the President for approval, and the President makes "executive" decisions for the united states.
Govenor Palin held the same responsibilities within the state of Alaska.
The Alaska "legislators" sent their Legislation up to her as Govenor for approval or veto and she made "executive" decisions for the state of Alaska.
With Govenor Palin the Proverbial "Alaskan Buck" stopped with her, where as with Obama and Biden they have made a career in passing the Buck.
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/08/29/did-palin-really-fight-the-bridge-to-nowhere.aspx
In her introduction today, she claimed she said "no thanks to the bridge to nowhere". I guess she "forgot" she supported it in 2006. One day on the campaign and already the flip-flopping starts. McCain met Palin only twice before making her his VP choice -- it must have been a tough, well thought out decision not made in desperation.
Maybe the disgruntled Romney and Pawlenty supporters should join the ranks of Democrats? McCain really handled this poorly.
Time will tell.
Jeanne, I agree. There is a lack of experience on both sides. But when it comes down to it, the VP does not do a lot. Its the President that matters, and when it comes to experience, John McCain beats Obama hands down. Also, Palin is the ONLY one who has any kind of executive experience and is the ONLY one who has ever run anything major. That experience, alothough brief, is more valuable than anything that Biden or Obama has ever done.
mcsame is thinking with the wrong"head" again.
The person who McCain selected as his running mate isn't sure she knows “what the plan is to ever end the war.”
Unlike Quayle, I hope she can spell potato.
Winston you know better.....she is a lightweight. a religious zeolot picked by Mccain to shore up the base.....another rovian plot to put republicans first and country last....it will backfire!
Way to go, McCain & Company!
You continue to amaze me by your posts. On this page alone you have insulted the Mayors of every small town in America of which there are thousands and probably split down the middle as far as political affiliation. Then you castigate the Governors of 5 states with a population less than Alaska. Even Delaware the home State of Biden only has 101,000 thousand more people than Alaska. Perhaps you are not part of the new America that is going to treat all Americans "with dignity and respect". Don't worry! you'll have lots of company on all sides.
Unlike most Americans you seem to not realise the word potatoe has an alternate spelling. Infact I have a childrens book printed way before Quale came on the scene that has it printed with the "e" everywhere it is written in the book. Actually if you care to research it you will find that the "e" was regularly used as an alternate spelling way into the 20th century. But in any case it hardly seems resonable that the use of an e or not would be a sound basis for humiliating a person.
The Bill Ayers story plays by itself. It is just one of many associations that Obama has that should have been huge red warnig flags to the Democrates. When the honey moons are over after next week and the conservative Democrates and the moderate Democrates wake up, they are going to have to do a lot of soul searching and damage control as they walk toward that booth and get ready to pull the lever if they want to stick with Obama and freinds.
I'll be back after reading the comments, I'm sure! Meanwhile, I'll feature this on GRAFFITI POLITTI! Thanks, again!
louis, you really shouldn't be so sure of your party. Your party failed in 2000 when your candidate was the VP for a 2-term president who was allegedly beloved by his country when he entered and when he existed. Your party failed in 2004 when the entire country allegedly hated George Bush for getting us into another war. You Dems are always so cocky that you'll win, and then you don't, so you say it was "stolen" and "bought." Except this time Obama & the DNC have received more corporate donations than McCain & the RNC. And you'll still lose. It's not about the money--it's that Democrats scare the crap out of the American taxpayer!
To all: a year or two of executive experience is worth a decade or more in Congress. A good president is a good manager. That is something mayors and governors must accomplish that is not required of senators or congressmen.
And this election is the Democrats to lose. They have screwed up in the past, and it cost them dearly. Hell, they lost to the man who choked on a pretzil and cant say "nuclear"--twice! If they screw up this time, it will be the end of the Democratic Party as we know it. They will lose all credibility with the American people. For their sake, they better be careful and not be so confident in their messiah Obama.
I am not so sure of the American people on the other side who value money more than security and our standing in the world.....your party should have scared all the crap out of you by now......look at the state of the army. the economy. the justice department. what are you talking about?
are you
McCain made a brilliant choice, for all of the reasons you've included in your article and in your comments. I'm making a shortcut to this on my desktop so I can send people to YOUR article when they start questioning the whys.
I think the Obama people are furious that McCain upstaged them. I think they were completely fooled by the choice and it shows that they are inexperienced at the political competition. Further, I think it puts them in an awkward position of trying to attack a mother of five as being a lightweight. Whether you agree with Palin's ideology or not, she is the real deal. She has a great working class background and a frontier spirit that is infectious. The phrase "CHANGE in Washington" has taken on a whole new meaning.
Gee, that sure sounds like "new" John McCain. Chugga Chugga wooo wooo.. chugga chugga -- the Straight Talk Express has left the station!
I think it's quite telling that the Republican spin doctors are singing the praises of this choice while the serious Republican analysts and politicians all said a collective "WHAT?" It's being called the biggest political gamble in presidential election history.
But the idea women voters are going to vote for a rabid conservative, pro-life, pro-gun, pro-drill in ANWR, and pro-war Republican is not realistic. Hillary and Bill Clinton did a remarkable job of uniting our Party this week. Any rift McCain thinks he'll be able to exploit was shored up and the deal sealed.
I'd like to point out that Palin is under investigation in Alaska for improperly using the office of governor to pressure the Public Safety Commissioner into firing of her ex-brother-in-law from his job as a state trooper. This was revealed when she fired the Alaska Public Safety Commissioner who said it was because he refused to fire her ex-brother-in-law. Now, we know the state trooper is accused of beating his wife and tasering his son and who wouldn't want to see a guy like that go down. But for Palin to use her weight as governor in this manner is unacceptable. It is reminiscent of the behavior of our current president's administration and I think we've had quite enough of that. If the trooper is guilty, then the courts will punish him accordingly. Palin's attempt to use her "PUBLIC" office to exact some vigilante justice is just the sort of UN-ethical behavior this supposed ethics champion is supposed to be standing up against.
The next few weeks will be quite illuminating I think. We'll have to see if this complete nobody will be able to stand up to the unrelenting scrutiny the national and international media will assuredly pound her with.
"Obama talks change, then chooses Biden? And gets cozy with Kennedy? That's not change."
I totally agree. Obama is not "change." look at the people he associates himself with? Look at his voting record. I respect Barack Obama very much for what he has accomplished and how far he has gotten, but I have seen nothing to confirm that he is "change" or that we can believe in him.
Kay, I agree as well. Obama can make great speeches. Even I, a person who cannot stand the man, must admit that his speeches are some of the best that I have heard in a long time. However, a country cannot function and a leader cannot lead with great speeches and vague idealism. You can do that in a campaign, but nowhere else. When the debates come and the candidates have to get down to the issues, McCain will wipe the floor with Obama.
Devin, do not be so sure about what Palin will do to the vote. The Democratic Party is not as united as it should be, and Palin on the Republican ticket will probably attract many disgruntled Hillary supporters. And while Palin is under investigation, she has fully cooperated with all investigations, and no subpoenas have been issued against her or anyone else in her administration. She has nothing to hide, and has said reiterated that time and time again.
As Devin clearly said, the next few weeks will be very illuminating. But I think that if Obama, the man with a very troubling past, no experience, and a spotty voting record can stand up to the media and national scrutiny, I am sure that Palin can do it as well.
It seems reasonable to me that a public official should use thier influence to start the ball of justice rolling. Especially when it involves another public official. In Palins case I would say a zero tolerance policy to criminal behavior is totaly justified when it comes to another public servant especially if that sevant is a police officer. You don't get to beat the crap out of one person and while your working to "protect and serve" the rest of the community. Thats likened to practicing surgery as an active alcoholic.
It's that "A good president is a good manager" line that had me rolling in the aisle. So how's your boy bush doing? He managed to lead us into two wars which we are definitely not winning, (maybe a third coming up), he did a MARVELOUS job putting the right folks in charge particularly during times of crisis ("hey Brownie, you're doin' a heck of a job"), banks are collapsing at the greatest rate since the last republican banking debacle - the S&L crisis in which your current boy, McCain played a major role, we are not even close to getting us out of our "addiction to oil" and now McCain has a partner in his "let's drill our way out of the problem" policy, something that even the oil companies know is a waste of time. I could go on, but it doesn't matter who McCain picks.
It is the policies of the bush administration that have failed miserably and these are the very same policies McCain intends to pursue, so unless all you folks think that McCain is going to die in office, handing the decision making over to Sarah Palin, and she is going to reverse the policies of the past 8 years, it's just going to be 4 more years of the same crap that has brought America to it's knees and made us impotent as far as the rest of the world is concerned.
Justice is not without consequences. Further, personal decisions resulting in behavioral acts carry with them the weight of receiving accolades or chastisement. We don't live in an isolated vacuum.
You need to get over you resentment toward war and learn how to deal with it. There's lots more coming and until we lose our status as the most powerful FREE Nation in the word we will be expected to get involved with those who harbor our same Democratic ideals.
As for the war? is she a suitable choice for Commander in Chief? Have we been lied to as to the perils in the world for the last 8 years? 3 months?
Capt? putin' country first indeed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4_vvDewm-A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmRztgrxk5M
Bush was a governor and Texas had a record for being almost at the bottom of the list on everything....from polution to education......he almost bankrupted the state....and he's done the same to our country...we're ARBUSTO!!!!! and now McCain has been led by Rove's men to select a 'Buchanan Pitchfork Brigader' for VP!!!!! great indeed. Only in America! Haleluja!
Louis, great link about Sarah Palin -- "...do you really think a hockey mom from alaska is even in the realm of possibility? ..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4_vvDewm-A
Putting Palin on the ticket takes the experience issue off the table and brings McCain's decision making abilities into question.
His brother Ned Bush back in the 80's pioneered the S & L debacle, that was the last time the banks have dropped this badly. I think George got him beat, are there anymore Bush's left?
Palin has worthy principles and values, where she takes them is now up to her.
Obama's principles? only now that he's running does he denounce Rev. Wright, 20 years later?
If the foundation is compromised, I'm sorry the whole house is shit.
Some gender specific people are insulted? If there was 1 and only 1 to choose from, that's one thing but there are many possibilities Palin was one of many. Unless the voices are saying choose anyone but a FEMALE, why would you limit the other half of the population?
I don't care what McCains' reason was, WILL SHE MAKE A GOOD VP?