I would not have thought it possible, but McCain and his advisers have made the perfect vice presidential selection in Sarah Palin. It is an ingenious, even thrilling choice, and one that is all the more remarkable in that it was completely unexpected. All the other candidates, such as Romney and Pawlenty, were boring and came with serious drawbacks. Obama has certainly added excitement to the Democratic ticket; now, with his choice of Palin, McCain has done the same for the Republicans.
Compare Obama's unimaginative selection of Joe Biden--another Washington D.C. blowhard--with McCain's choice. I suppose Biden is supposed to win over lower-middle-class white voters by the fact that he is a backslapping good old boy who likes to watch football games and eat chili dogs. What Biden offers is a proven record of mediocrity, and perhaps he can appeal to mediocre people on the basis of a shared absence of accomplisment.
I'm not saying that Palin has accomplished much either. What she has is potential. The Obama camp has already released its first commercial attacking Palin. But how ridiculous does Obama sound in faulting her for lack of experience? Palin is serving her first term as governor, but then Obama is serving his first term as senator. Palin has no foreign policy experience and has only been to Iraq once; Obama's level of foreign policy experience is exactly the same. It's worth noting, in this context, that Obama, unlike Palin, is at the top of the ticket. Palin will at least have a chance to learn on the job; Obama wants to step right into the Oval Office. So every time the Democrats use the experience charge against Palin, they remind the American people of Obama's greatest weakness.
Here's why Palin is such a good choice. She seems like an incredibly wholesome person who doesn't so much talk about family values as embody them. This is the best kind of social conservative: one whose life is an exemplar of the kind of American dream that we can all admire. In attacking her, I think her critics like Paul Begala and James Carville sound like total jerks. I'd like to see more of those carping attack dogs on TV: they can only help Palin.
With her support for a muscular foreign policy and guns and oil drilling, Palin is an across-the-board conservative, which will reinforce McCain's credentials with the right-wing base of the party. Not that those guys had anyone else to vote for, but the choice of Palin will increase the enthusiasm of GOP activists in working hard for a McCain victory. Second, unlike Bush, McCain has chosen a deputy who can be a future leader of the Republican Party. Palin is also young and thus helps to neutralize Obama's youthful advantage. As a woman, Palin will not so much win over the disenchanted Hillary supporters as pick up Hillary's argument to independent voters that it's about time America had a strong woman in its top echelons of political office. For every Obama supporter who can claim an historic first for the Democrats, Palin enthusiasts can make an equal historic claim for the Republicans.
The media will continue to lionize Obama-Biden and attack McCain-Palin. It's only a short time before we start hearing that Palin is the "wrong kind of woman." (Would anyone dare argue that Obama is the "wrong kind of black man"?) Still, the American people have gotten pretty good at seeing through the media charade. A whole summer of media genuflections hasn't produced a substantial Democratic lead. For months, McCain and Obama have remained virtually tied. Now, with Palin, the Republicans have their first chance to pull ahead.
Reader Comments ( Page 7 of 22)
91. And if this trooper tased her niece, why the hell wasn't a warrant sworn out then and there? Do they actually have Rule Of Law in alaska?
That demands an explanation! Why use a civil remedy that is unethical and bound to generate controversy, firing his boss when you have a criminal charge, aggravated assault against a minor that would get him time?
Nobody with a law degree would have that kind of lapse in judgment, let alone an expert who taught constitutional law for 12 years.
I expect that is part of why there is an ongoing
BIPARTISAN investigation.
Clif Kuplen at 1:01PM on Sep 1st 2008
92. kulari94: "It's refreshing that she opposes Roe v. Wade, which really is the only reasonable position to take. It also happens to be the most intelligent."
Got any evidence of those positions, kulari94? Or is it just your ass-backwards opinion?
Kzwayzee: "As a 39 year-old female, McCain naming Palin as his VP choice has gotten me EXCITED about a Presidential election for the firt time EVER."
What an incredibly self-centered world view you have: you only care about politics - which affect EVERYBODY - when you see someone like yourself. Typical conservative.
Jip: "Stop trying to legislate where you've never been."
Sure; as soon as Palin reverses her position on what other women are allowed to do with their bodies.
Governor Sarah Palin: "What is it exactly that the VP does everyday?" 'Nuff said.
Ian X. Christian at 1:03PM on Sep 1st 2008
93. about the whole taser issue. it was her nephew, her ex brother-in-law's step son. and it was by the step son's request
Richelle at 1:06PM on Sep 1st 2008
94. 86. Clif post 77 - are you saying a IL state senator actually has executive control over a district?
xx
look at what Phil Gramm did nearly singlehandedly to the financial industry and ask again. Be sure to ask anyone you know who's had a foreclosure. He's also responsible for the Enron Loophole that makes gas cost what it does.
This is too complicated a game for you.
Just vote for the mccorpse and the church lady and four more years of this bullshit and hope your religion is just as bullshit or you'll roast in hell for supporting mass murderers and despots.
It makes no difference to me - you're a freaking hockey puck and gassett intern, so stink up the place all you want. You're far beyond any hope of redemption and have no thought in your head your wingnut masters didn't put there.
Might as well face it, you're addicted to hate.
Clif Kuplen at 1:08PM on Sep 1st 2008
95. 64. ........ If she were she would not have had her water break, then give a half hour speech, and then fly 12 hours to give birth (cough...cough...Desperate Housewives pregnancy) to a Down's Syndrome baby. that is a terrible exercise in judgement. ........
xxx
Rumor has it that the baby is that of her eldest daughter. How else can you explain, having ones water break, then giving a half hour speech while in labor, then driving to the airport while in labor, flying 12 hours WHILE IN LABOR and so on, this with the knowledge that one is giving birth to a special needs baby?
Which makes more sense: her supposedly going to such extents to just so as to give birth to a baby in Alaska, while any number of medical facilities were close by, or that a far right pol is covering for her daughter so as to cover her own political ass?
Tim at 1:15PM on Sep 1st 2008
96. Actually Botts I had recommended that the republicans nominate Condalessa Rice, Sarah Palin, or Kay Bailey Hutchinson 2 maybe 3 weeks ago. Simply because it was a good political move. I have heard of SP as early as March of this past year.
The helping hands are in all aspects of our daily lives. Getting the welfare recipients to learn a trade, billions of dollars to rebuild N.O. The rebuilding and the education we are pouring into Iraq. Things most liberals don't like to acknowledge... Helping someone is not a bad thing. Handouts are abused, that is why there are so many generations living on welfare. What is that saying... "Give a man a fish and you feed him a meal, teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
Man_in_Wilderness at 1:16PM on Sep 1st 2008
97. MIW,
How does rebuilding what you bombed and educating Iraqi's lift us up? I don't see it.
In case you missed it, NO is still a shit hole 3 years later. Almost everyone still lives in FEMA trailers, and the ones that don't haven't come back yet.
It was a major doo-doo job, and still is.
You've got to do better than that.
Botts at 1:22PM on Sep 1st 2008
98. LOOK WHO IS CALLING PALIN AN INEXPERIENCED LIAR!
Here comes the garbage on Palin!
So far the Anchorage news had reported that when Sarah Palin announced she was pregnant, she did so when she supposedly was 7 months pregnant.
Anchorage news shows a pic of her here when she was *supposedly* 8 months pregnant and guess what? Not even a bump. Many of her co-politicians even mention the oddity of it all!
Really? No!" said Bethel state Rep. Mary Nelson, who is close to giving birth herself.
"It's wonderful. She's very well-disguised," said Senate President Lyda Green, a mother of three who has sometimes sparred with Palin politically. "When I was five months pregnant, there was absolutely no question that I was with child."
Meanwhile her daughter was absent from school during this whole ordeal! She looks 5 months pregnant only because she looks as though she had just given birth! Check out the news from May and decide for yourselves!
http://www.adn.com/politics/story/339576.html
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-69834
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/30/121350/137
You can't even fly on your 3rd trimester!!!
We demand a DNA test! The republicans are a bunch of liars!
yoyoyogi1220 at 1:31PM on Sep 1st 2008
99. MIW,
the way the welfare system is set up makes it incredibly difficult to get out of that cycle of of relying on assistance and having children who will do the same.
when benefits are cut the people who are left out are those who are actually trying to do better with their lives. i would know because i went through it first hand. when the gov cut the amount of benefits it was giving to low income families it became more difficult for me to get assistance so i could go to school and work as a single mother.
Richelle at 1:35PM on Sep 1st 2008
100. We demand a DNA test! The republicans are a bunch of liars!
yoyoyogi1220 at 1:31PM on Sep 1st 2008
xx
and now her daughter's pregnant again?
If she hadn't tried to cover it up the first time, it might have humanized her, but now she's coming off as an anal retentive control freak who cares more about the appearance of propriety than propriety itself. Reminds me of the last eight years.
She certainly has the bush/cheney predilection for coverups, something she has in common with the flipflopping mccorpse.
Some church lady!
Clif Kuplen at 1:37PM on Sep 1st 2008
101. Botts wrote, "In case you missed it, NO is still a shit hole 3 years later. Almost everyone still lives in FEMA trailers, and the ones that don't haven't come back yet."
DEAD FUCKING WRONG. I live in New Orleans, and am currently in Baton Rouge waiting out Hurricane Gustav. You have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what you are talking about. It's by no means back to normal, but neither is it a "shit hole" where everyone "still lives in FEMA trailers." Please, please get your facts straight, man.
You're right about nearly eveything else, though - Iraq, MIW, and Palin's baby. The conservative/Republican base is the real shit hole in this country, with Bush's brain serving as Ground Zero. This administration is far more concerned with rebuilding Baghdad than New Orleans, which should make every American with a conscience - lib or con - nauseous. But don't call NOLA a shit hole; the progress has been amazing, and I wouldn't be wasting my time in graduate school there if it wasn't. The strokes of the picture your painting are far too broad, and the colors are all wrong.
Ian X. Christian at 1:40PM on Sep 1st 2008
102. Another thing you forget to mention - While Obama was in Illinois, he was busy pandering and ingratiating himself right into the very corrupt political machine. No one will argue that Chicago has a bad problem with corruption. He endorsed Daley's cronies "down the line", fell into Wrights Church (for political reasons), and befriended the felon Resko (moved in across the street) Accepted a ridicously favorable a mortgage from him (bribe?).
What did Palin do? She went after the very "old boys corrupt network" that Obama slithered into and made home. She cleaned it up, fought the good fight and Alaska is better for it. How much better is Chicago off with Obamas' influence? same o' same o'.
What a contrast. Dinesh - you really dropped the ball by not mentioning this!
Kathy at 1:43PM on Sep 1st 2008
103. I don't think the daughter is pregnant. I think that’s pregnancy fat. It took my wife a year to lose hers. Watch, she'll have a mysterious miscarriage and they'll all raise baby trig together!
Guess abstinence doesn't work with 'em church people either!
yoyoyogi1220 at 1:47PM on Sep 1st 2008
104. Ian,
Thanks for the message.
Has NO been rebuilt to a certain degree? Of course. My language was extreme to emphasize a point. And my point stands. 3 years later, NO should be better than what it is.
12,000 families are still out of a home, most of them African Americans.
The whole thing was a cluster fuck from the beginning.
Botts at 2:05PM on Sep 1st 2008
105. Reply to: 55. Mr. Hays.... you would think if the the gospels were so ludicrous as you claim, nobody would be spending much time talking about them now... that must bother you.
_________________
You're missing the point.
The Evangelical community is a Special Interest Group.
McCain was told that he needs to mobilize their support, so he appointed a woman who chose not to abort her child because of her Christian beliefs.
The reason I'm discussing it... is because McCain is going to claim that he's too rich to sell out his ethics to Special Interest Groups. When he says that, we know he is LYING.
The early church had certain beliefs. A belief that the world was about to end, that Jesus would return, and the dead would be raised up in new bodies.
Anyone with an IQ over 90 should be able to figure out those things NEVER HAPPENED.
The deadline was "while some of you standing here listening to me are still alive."
The deadline passed about 120 AD.
Christianity is FALSE. It's a Special Interest Group. Membership requires you to be in the bottom half of the general population, intelligence-wise.
Once you're dead, you're dead. A religion based on a man coming back to life after he's been dead for three days... is pretty silly. And that's exactly my opinion of Sarah Palin.
William Hays at 2:05PM on Sep 1st 2008