TOP TEN REASONS SARAH PALIN SHOULD NOT BE ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT
#1: Palin opposes a woman's right to choose what to do with her own body, opposing the right to an abortion even for rape victims.
#2: Palin believes that Creationism should be taught in public schools, which runs both counter to well-settled evolutionary science, and to the Constitutional separation of church and state.
#3: Palin is a global warming denier, who (as with her views on evolution) has expressed skepticism about the well-settled science.
#4: Palin opposes listing polar bears as an endangered species, because it means oil and gas companies might have to be just a little bit careful out there.
#5: Palin is rabidly dedicated to drilling in the Artic wildlife refuge, known as ANWR.
#6: Palin is in the midst of a growing ethics scandal, involving the alleged abuse of her gubernatorial power to punish a State Trooper who is her sister's ex-husband, firing a State Commissioner who refused to go along.
#7: Palin called Hillary Clinton a "whiner", even as she cynically tries to woo Clinton voters to the McCain ticket.
#8: Palin has very little experience for the Vice Presidential job, serving less than two years so far of her first term as Governor of a state with fewer residents than Fort Worth, Texas. (Previously, she was Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, pop. 8,500.)
#9: Palin has no foreign policy experience at all, so little in fact that her supporters are reduced to citing Alaska's proximity to Russia.
#10: Palin is virtually untested, unvetted and unknown to Americans, a fact which throws into relief the hypocrisy of the many unfair criticisms leveled at Barack Obama during this campaign.
BONUS REASON, #11: Palin only recently said that she doesn't even know what the job entails, saying on the CNBC show Kudlow and Co. that:
"[A]s for that V.P. talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the V.P. does every day?" (July 2008)
--From Daily Kos
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Comments: 130
I may vote for the McCain ticket after all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmRztgrxk5M
will the grown ups in the party allow this or will she be removed like Ms Harriet Myers? What do you suppose someone like Dick Lugar thinks? Linsdey Grahm? Colin Powell?
This has shown McCain's contempt for the country and lack of judgement. It has also shown he is interested in one thing only. Win at any cost...even destroying his own party. WOW indeed.
She was asked a question the other day by the press about the war in Iraq and she answered by saying that she hasn't been keeping up with the war.
Perfect! Two with absolutely no intellectual curiosity. Bush would be proud!
Now all of a sudden, these criteria have been thrown out the window by the Republicans.
Typical right wing hypocrisy and double standards. If Republicans had any real principle, they will refuse to vote for the McLame ticket.
If she manages to get elected, oil prices(and as a result gas prices) would be through the roof lining her pockets royally. Yes it's cute she can fly and plane and competes in dog sled races. Super. I can fly a plane and shoot a gun accurately, can I be a VP too?
She was actually for the Bridge to nowhere before she was against it.
"I would like to see Alaska's infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now--while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist."
It appears her opposition to the bridge welled-up primarily after it became clear that Alaska was going to have to pay for the bridge on its own, and she took great pains at the time to assure her constituents that she wasn't going to slow the federal gravy train that makes Alaska one of our biggest pork barrel welfare states.
1) The issue of abortion has never been my top reason to pick or not pick a candidate. (Although I do despise Obama's stand on this one. About killing a baby that survived an abortion.)
2) I agree. Evolution cannot be proven and everyone needs to know about both ideas.
3) From what I've read, this is not accurate. She, along with many scientists, question the reason not the existence.
4) No, it's because they are no longer in short supply.
5) As are most Alaskans.
6) If the man did threaten the life of her father and did use a tasor on his 11 year old son and did get caught drinking alcohol in his cruiser, he should not be a trooper. And the firing, according to Palin had nothing to do with this.
7) So? Hiliary has whined from time to time.
8) She has more executive and leadership experience than Obama, and he's running for President, not VP.
9) What's Obama's foreign policy experience? Running for President? And actually, she has had experience negotiating with Canada, which is a foreign country. Easy, perhaps, but still a foreign country. Again, what is Obama's experience?
10) Yippee! She hasn't tried to be a celebrity, unlike some people we know. She has done her job and done it well. She has gone against big oil companies and against the good ol' boys. And she's not Washingtonized. All good!
11) Remember when VPs hardly had anything to do? It's only been in my adult lifetime that they've been given more jobs to do than being a tie breaker vote.
Thanks for sharing, Carla. It helped me a bunch. :-)
Everything I have read makes me proud of McCain for his choice.
And I still question Obama's choice of Biden. What change will there be with Mr. 30+ years in Washington?
Mccain's pick is a desperate gamble under the heading "I hope you are really stupid enough to believe this hottie is capable to lead the free world and girls will vote for girls and maybe all the Christian nutcases I intend to ignore while in office will vote for me."
This is a key point in the revisionist history. She had no problem with the bridge to nowhere when it was the federal government who would have footed the $400 million dollar bill (thanks to lobbying by Alaska Senator Stevens, who is currently under indictment for fraud). Once the federal earmarking was shut down and the cost would have had to be paid by Alaska (and the public backlash even in Alaska was very negative) she revised her thinking.
1) The issue of abortion has never been my top reason to pick or not pick a candidate. (Although I do despise Obama's stand on this one. About killing a baby that survived an abortion.) (Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: It may not be Marilyn’s top reason, but it does appear to be a major reason given her use of falsity in her response.
2) I agree. Evolution cannot be proven and everyone needs to know about both ideas. (Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: Marilyn clearly doesn’t understand the difference between science and religion. Evolution is science, creationism is purely religious. While science and religion are not mutually exclusive in themselves, the teaching of evolution in a science class requires significant evidence and scientific consensus, and this is the case. Religion by its very nature is based on faith and cannot be proven scientifically; it can only be proven by divine revelation. Thus, there is nothing to teach in science class. [Saying “evolution is really complex, and thus God must have created everyone and everything, is not science, it is religion] We are all free to practice our religions in this country, we are not free to make up “science.” In saying that she wants creationism to be taught in science class, Palin shows a willingness to impinge her own personal and political opinions onto others. I believe the country has had enough of politicians pursuing their political agendas rather than governing for all the people.
3) From what I've read, this is not accurate. She, along with many scientists, question the reason not the existence. (Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: It seems that Marilyn is accurate that Palin’s views on global warming are denial of the human influence. First off, there is sufficient evidence and an overall consensus of climate change scientists that human activities have contributed to the problem. Secondly, it’s become a common ploy these days to question the human contribution element of climate change in order to both avoid taking action and stymie action by others. I do not know if she is using this ploy or if she believes it. If the first case, she is dishonestly forwarding a political agenda that contrasts with scientific consensus. If the second case, then it shows a lack of understanding or judgment on her part.
4) No, it's because they are no longer in short supply. (Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: Excuse me? Please read up on the polar bear issue.
5) As are most Alaskans. (Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: Well, this is probably true. The Alaskan economy is almost entirely based on oil extraction (greater than 80% of revenues). Because of the shocking increase in oil and gas prices, last year Palin was able to provide a rebate to all Alaskan residents (I think it was about $1700 each but don’t have accurate figures handy). This can be taken two ways. First, people would be happy to benefit from the high oil prices. Second, people would be angry because the rebate doesn’t come near to cover the increased costs of high oil and gas prices. Keep in mind that Alaska is a very expensive state, transportation costs are very high, and heating costs are extremely high. Add to that the fact that only about 25% of the land in the state actually belongs to the state (65% is federally owned and managed, 10% owned and managed by native American populations).
6) If the man did threaten the life of her father and did use a tasor on his 11 year old son and did get caught drinking alcohol in his cruiser, he should not be a trooper. And the firing, according to Palin had nothing to do with this. (Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: The investigation appears to be ongoing in this case and it’s best to wait until it is completed before we all pass judgment. It’s likely that the McCain campaign checked this out and concluded it would not be a substantive issue, perhaps because the investigation wouldn’t be completed until after the election.
7) So? Hiliary has whined from time to time. (Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: The McCain campaign admits that the Palin pick was based on the political calculus of trying to woo women voters, though more the Independent voters than the Hillary voters since Palin's views on women's issues are diametrically opposed to Hillary's (and most women). Clearly her name-dropping of Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro was designed to pander to those women. Politicians pander, and she did her part. In fact, her very selection is designed to pander to both women and conservatives groups. Apparently they are hoping pandering works.
8) She has more executive and leadership experience than Obama, and he's running for President, not VP(Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: According to Marilyn’s response it is clear that Palin has more executive experience than John McCain, since he has never run anything. As for leadership experience, I can’t even comment because Marilyn's premise is so illogical.
Also, as noted before, only about 25% of the land in the state actually belongs to the state (65% is federally owned and managed, 10% owned and managed by native American populations). While I certainly wouldn't suggest that being Governor of a state is an easy job, of all states Alaska has to be one of the easiest. Very low population, huge oil and gas revenues, lots of moose.
9) What's Obama's foreign policy experience? Running for President? And actually, she has had experience negotiating with Canada, which is a foreign country. Easy, perhaps, but still a foreign country. Again, what is Obama's experience? (Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: Given the higher probability that McCain’s VP might have to step in to the President’s role, it is critical that she be capable of taking on the weight of the world on her shoulders. Obama has shown that he can do that. Marilyn’s reaching for straws on Canada simply emphasizes that Palin is a huge risk in that regard. Perhaps if she wouldn’t say things like “she hasn’t been keeping up on the Iraq war” she might have more credibility in this regard.
10) Yippee! She hasn't tried to be a celebrity, unlike some people we know. She has done her job and done it well. She has gone against big oil companies and against the good ol' boys. And she's not Washingtonized. All good! (Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: The commenter seems to have missed the point (not to mention some of the facts). If all that was required was someone not from Washington, there are many capable politicians from outside the beltway that would have been ready to lead the country. The problem, however, is not as much that she is unvetted and unknown by Americans, but that even John McCain doesn’t know anything about her. She was picked solely for political demographics, not for governing ability. While she appears to be a capable and rising politician, it would seem to be a pretty big jump from being mayor of your hometown (of less than 5000 people at the time) and Governor of a state that has only 600,000 people but 170,000 moose to being Vice-President (and perhaps President) of the United States during an incredibly critical fork in the road of the future.
"[A]s for that V.P. talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the V.P. does every day?" (July 2008) (Carla, in article)
11) Remember when VPs hardly had anything to do? It's only been in my adult lifetime that they've been given more jobs to do than being a tie breaker vote. (Marilyn’s response)
My additional thought: First, note that her statement was only a few weeks ago, so it can't be written off as being out of context. Beyond that I’m not sure what point Marilyn was trying to make in her response. It used to be that the VP was whoever came in second, usually the opposing party to the President. But that was then, this is now. Perhaps this is part of the problem; McCain and others are still living in the past. The VP now plays a critical role in the governing of this country. Al Gore was very active as VP, and also duly capable of stepping into the Oval Office if needed. Dick Cheney not only was active, but so much so that he has been accused of being a shadow President. Barack Obama selected Joe Biden to build a stronger team to manage the affairs of the United States both domestically and abroad. The current international situation is now so dangerous due to Bush’s policies (two wars started, threatening at least two more, total loss of respect from the international community, allowed and even stimulated countries like Russia, China and Iran to attain greater economic and military power, etc.) that the President and VP must be capable of regaining the leadership this country once had in the world. Clearly in today’s world, the VP must be a capable partner on both the domestic and the international stage.
Meanwhile, John McCain picked a person he had met only once, and did so based entirely on political calculus. It’s clear from his lack of thinking on this decision that he intends her role to help him sway women voters (e.g., those who don’t mind his historical misogyny), to sway evangelicals and other conservatives (who don’t seem to trust him given his erratic treatment to and by them), and to “change the game” (because his team understood that without something shocking he would likely lose in November). And then it appears her job will be done as far as John McCain is concerned. If McCain is elected, her role as VP will not be to provide critical advice and a sounding board on economic, domestic, or foreign policy issues, because she has no background from which to draw on these issues. And frankly, given McCain’s history, I doubt he would even bother to invite her into discussions very often. He tends to, like Bush, surround himself with a small cast of loyalists who think like he does. She clearly doesn't. So it's likely that his plan would be to give her something inconsequential to be done so she isn't underfoot. [Which frankly I think is demeaning and insulting not only to Sarah Palin but to all women]. No, it appears that her major role as VP would be to “reform” America, which based on the list Carla provide appears to mean foisting a far right agenda on all Americans. Actually, given McCain’s age and medical history, there is a higher than normal chance for her to have to step in at a moments notice to assume the role of President. So she may get a chance to do the foisting from the bully pulpit.
John McCain showed recklessness and put political calculus first, country somewhere around fifth.
This VP selection should be dismissed out of hand by all thinking people. And (for the peanut gallery) yes, you do think. But you think through a religious screed that blinds you to what is the best for our country.
Religion should not even BE an issue! Go back to your churches and talk amongst yourselfs, but stop trying to convert everyone!
It will be a tragedy if McCain is elected president.
David, you deserve a medal for your patience. But I fear nothing much can help Marilyn, some wires are crossed somewhere deep inside her brain, she does not really comprehend what she reads. This may be indicative of a learning disability.
Palin's appointment is actually a stroke of luck for the Dems: it unites them against her, it incentivises them and to go out and vote.
Please, for the love of god, go to night school and take a course in science. Please learn what the difference is between Scientific Theory and a guess. I just can't yet again spent twenty minutes trying to explain Occam's Razor to someone who can't tell the difference between the scientific method and philosophy.
I am a woman. And I will sling mud, sticks, stones, and fireballs at this wacko all day long. Not because she is a woman. But because she is a creationist, religious freak that want to dress up and play VP with her new sugar daddy McCain. (He called her his "Soul Mate" today in a news article. I thought that was Cindy)
This is not an attack on a strong woman, because she is NOT one. She is not Hillary Clinton, and any attempt to compare her to Hillary is an insult to thinking women everywhere. Just because she enjoyes dog sleding and shooting moose doesn't make me think of her as special. I got female relatives twice her age that still go hunting in Canada in the winter. That doesn't make them fit to be VP.
Experience is not the only thing. Now McCain is a hypocrite because he made the argument against Obama then turn around and selected her. That's pure hypocrisy but she seems very capable and could be up to the VP role. If she is smart, she will learn very quickly.
I don't agree with her positions but the base of her party does. It's their pick, if it is bad, better for the democrats. Why complain?
Regarding desirable traits, I believe we can all agree that she is outgoing, attractive, dynamic, bright, friendly, and enthusiastic.
These are great characteristics for lots of things, but they just don't cut the mustard to be Vice President of the United States.
The criticism of Palin, my own included, is not meant to indicate that I don't think she is a likeable person, a person who one might enjoy a beer with or a slice of pizza at a party. That was why America voted for George W. Bush, he seemed so much like one of them.
However, to be President of the United States, one needs more than to be likeable. It might even help knowing a little about foreign affairs and what goes on in Washington. She may well surprise me, I shall be waiting for the debates, but I have my doubts.
As does even her mother-in-law.
She also said that she hadn't been keeping up with what is happening in Iraq. Too busy fly-fishing or shooting caribou out of planes I guess.
I didn't say that she was a ditz either. Just not the caliber of candidate that we would expect to see as VP.
And by the way, since the ethical misconduct investigation, her approval ratings have gone down to 67%, which of course is still higher than Bush's.
Isn't it past your bedtime, TJ?
And Bush's is higher than Congress's.... Still, getting 2/3 to approve her when only about half the state voted for her is, well, commendable, esp. during a time of alleged scandal.
Isn't it past your bedtime, TJ?
Age discrimination is very progressive. Keep it coming!
Sandy, well I haven't heard about all of that (just the VP stuff). I'll look into it. Of course it would help if these things were mentioned before the rumor about her fifth child being her daughter's child. Usually the tabloids mention things in the order of credibility. I'll get on the research tomorrow. Luckily I have access to LexisNexis as a BYU-I student now, so it should be easy to locate these issues.
Some of the criticism will backfire. Do stick to the facts that she is proud of such has climate change is not man made. Creationism should be taught in schools. Make sure enough people know this. In the end, her impact will be minimum. There are many people attracted by her right wing views. There are equally many if not more who won't like that. What's not good is for people not to know and fall for the package.
No it does not. Palin said Hillary was whining. If she whines, she is a hypocrite! And we called on Hillary for her whining too.
The video where Sarah Palin is *supposedly* calling Clinton a whiner. I totally agree with what she says in the video. Clinton tried to call the sex card during her campaign just like Obama is constantly pointing out that "he doesn't look like all the presidents on the dollar bill".
Please keep in mind that some of us have been around for awhile (you being 18 and all) and we've seen what the Republicans have done to the country. You weren't even born when Ronnie Reagan started us down this path of voodoo economics and looking out for the rich at the expense of the poor and middle class.
I'm with you, Lera. Carla does tend to leave out the half of the story that is important.
My father was low-middle class when Reagan was in office, and he was lifted to a solid middle class lifestyle.
I did, Lera. Guess what? Everything in this article is true. Silly you. I hope you'll do a little checking and investigating now, so you don't make the same mistake again, and again, and again.
No, TJ, I probably did use Wikipedia as a link but it's not the only place that I research. At least I am willing to admit it unlike some people who only tell half truths and take things out of context to try to further their agenda.
And I've been dealing with moon bats for years so I've heard it all. You can say whatever you want about my sources. But from now on I'll choose a different one. However if you're like most of the other loonies you won't be satisfied with those either.
Bill, I haven't propagated the "whitey" myth. I've offered some thoughtful theories about his dual citizenship issue, but I have not stooped to the ridiculous. Now Palin decided to reveal that her 17-year-old is 5 mos. pregnant to debunk the rumor that her 5th child isn't her own. So now her daughter's personal business is open to public criticism, as if it matters. How did the left go from focusing on McCain to Palin to Palin's daughter???
Julie Ann, it is YOUR party's fault she revealed that to the media. Read my comment above to Bill. Sheesh, she only made that public to stop the rumors that her 5th child is her daughter's!!
The girl is 5 months pregnant. Everyone in her hometown knew. She didn't come clean about that ridiculous rumor. She came clean before the media discovered it. Was she that naive that she DIDN'T think it would be found out?