This is huge. Excellent choice for lots of reasons.

On a lighter note:
She is a hockey fan.
She used to go moose hunting with her dad.
Tina Fey can’t do the impression of her, easily.

Left by anon e. mouse on August 29th, 2008

While I’m not thrilled with what I have been hearing from McCain thus far during his campaign, I really like his choice for a running mate. In a lot of ways it helps him because he didn’t choose another old white man. I can appreciate the fact that Palin is from outside of the Washington D.C. arena. I hate to be cynical, but it also helps McCain that his running mate will be easy on the eyes.

Left by Samantha on August 29th, 2008

Outstanding choice. I had a hunch for awhile he would choose a woman, especially after the Biden pick by Obama. Although she is not well known, the more I hear about her the more she sounds like someone who will have great appeal to the masses. Now if she could just do something about her hairstyle.

Left by diane vespa on August 29th, 2008

Thought folks around here would be interested in this post re: passenger rail service, Biden vs. McCain:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyo.....169/577497

Left by cgiselle12 on August 29th, 2008

If by saying “she has experience that none of the other candidates have” CJ, you mean corruption and how to count moose, they you are spot on:
“In addition to further associating McCain with the Republican culture of corruption, the Palin pick undermines one of his main anti-Obama narratives. It’s going to be laughable to hear McCain assail Obama’s supposed lack of experience after naming the first-term governor — only one-and-a-half years into her term — of the 47th largest state to be his running mate. Palin lacks any foreign policy experience, and is bereft of even the two core areas of policy expertise that governors are supposed to bring to a ticket — ag policy (Alaska doesn’t have much in the way of traditional agriculture) and urban affairs (Anchorage is the 65th largest city in the US, behind giants such as Corpus Christi). She’s easily the least experienced running mate in recent memory, which is pretty scary, given McCain’s age and his history of cancer.

By picking Palin, McCain revealed his desperation to make a splash to rival the genuine excitement generated by the Obama campaign. But desperation leads to poor decisions — and McCain’s Hail Mary, like most last second desperation moves, is destined to fail miserably. He’s smeared himself with the pungent mud of Alaska Republican corruption, while cutting the legs out from one of his most reliable attacks against Obama. And he’s presented Americans with the prospect of electing a dangerous neophyte to be a heartbeat away from the presidency, behind a man whose life expectancy is less than two presidential terms.”
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo.....220/578471

Left by cgiselle12 on August 29th, 2008

Hm….

“executive experience” now counts as 2 yrs as a Governor of a small population state and of a person who was mayor of a town of 6,000 and past winner of a beauty pageant and former sports reporter?

On top of that, she has a desire to teach creationism right along side of science?

Sorry, I think when the dust settles on this one people, especially women, are going to see the cynical McCain selection for what it is.

Left by sctobrien on August 29th, 2008

George W had 8 years of “executive” experience as Governor of Texas - and look where that’s gotten us. The US is unrecognizable as the once great nation it was before he stole the elections.

You can argue the experience question till the cows come home - and it’s all going to add up to a draw. You’ve made your points about Obama and Biden’s lack of “executive experience. Palin has a paltry 1.5 years of “executive” experience, hardly enough to qualify her for the job. And mayor of a town of 7-9,000 people (numbers are varying a lot)? Do you want to send the mayor of Washington (IL) to the White House? Executive experience at that level is hardly comparable.

The one talking point McCain had against Obama was the “experience” argument. He just knee-capped it.

I never said you were a one-issue voter, CJ - I think you are a terribly smart person, honestly. I just though y’all would be interested. I’m a big supporter of rail myself (just took it to Denver and back, different conference though).

And just because I’m quoting someone from DailyKos doesn’t make it wrong. Palin doesn’t have foreign policy creds, she doesn’t have any kind of agriculture cred, and her urban skills are minimal at best.

What I’m reading about her, she impresses me as something like Eliot Spitzer of NY (yes, a Dem). Power-hungry, willing to throw people under the train to get ahead. She’s only been in office 1.5 years and she’s already under investigation for trying to get her sister’s ex-husband fired from his state job. And Alaska rumor has it that her baby isn’t hers. Typical lying, corrupt Republican. I suppose that makes her the perfect choice for McCain.

Left by cgiselle12 on August 29th, 2008

This is going to be an interesting two months.
The debates are going to be crazy.
You can bet the Republicans are going to take lessons from the Hillary campaign and apply them, both in the way they address their strategy against Obama and in the way they present their candidate for VP.
The tickets really do resemble each other is many ways.
Each ticket has an old white man who has been in the Senate for quite some time and whose strength is in foreign policy.
Each ticket has a non-traditional candidate (not old/white/male) who has little or no Washington experience. They are relatively good looking and focus on more domestic agendas.
Each ticket represents and advocates a “Change” theme.

The differences come in where they will focus, how they will pay for their changes, and who the American people feel they can trust.

This will be a - relatively - short campaign. A sixty-day sprint to November 4. No matter what, this will be an election they talk about for years to come.

Left by anon e. mouse on August 29th, 2008

Desperation is all it is to save McCain.
Remember, everyone said Bill Clinton didn’t have any experience.

Left by Emtronics on August 29th, 2008

“You can argue the experience question till the cows come home - and it’s all going to add up to a draw.”

Wow cgiselle, I don’t think I have seen anyone completely contradict themselves in once blog post before quite like you just did.

cgiselle earlier today: “She’s easily the least experienced running mate in recent memory, which is pretty scary, given McCain’s age and his history of cancer.”

cgiselle later today: “George W had 8 years of “executive” experience as Governor of Texas - and look where that’s gotten us”

What is it about liberal dems that make them undermine their positions by completely contradicting themselves every time they speak.

Left by 11Bravo on August 29th, 2008

Bush was governor for 6 years not 8.

Left by curious on August 29th, 2008

No, the Alaskan blogosphere has it that the baby is actually that of her oldest daughter, who was in high school at the time.

And DailyKos has hundreds of different writers and posters and editors - a far cry from Rush Limbaugh and his drug addled egomania!

Left by cgiselle12 on August 29th, 2008

Impressive?

This looks like the far right sat McCain down and said “FYI, here’s your V.P.”.

The Bush endorsement wasn’t going to be enough for McCain to win, but you can sure bet the christian conservatives are now going to come out in support of this ticket.

Nothing really “maverick” or impressive with this pick. Just McCain trying what he needs to do to try and win.

I wonder if McCain would have been ahead in the polls if this choice would have been made.

And I’m sure Rush and Hannity are now singing McCain’s praises, after firmly not supporting him.

And what’s with bringing up Ferraro and Hilary in her acceptance speech?

The only thing that would have made this any more transparent would have been if she would have been female and black.

To put it in football terms: a “hail mary” pass.

Left by Mazr on August 29th, 2008

CJ,

If you can’t tell the difference between Rush Limpball and Kos, then you lose credibility right there. At least compare Kos to someone on the right that is more valid.

What is it about you folks on the right that simply can’t offer up any valid comparables?

As you suggested, I went and read her Wikipedia resume. Oh, wow. Was I impressed. Ooohhhh.

Left by sctobrien on August 29th, 2008

cgisselle - let’s leave the rumormongering somewhere else. Even if what you said is true, it’s probably a strength for her candidacy and would speak volumes about her stand on family values.

Left by Peo Proud on August 29th, 2008

Fox News is a corporation - run by a right wing conservative who has all but admitted that his network is slanted hard right. DailyKos is mostly written by volunteers, folks who don’t get paid anything. A lot like you, CJ.

So you can switch Rush Limbaugh for Fox News, the comparison still doesn’t hold water.

The baby thing came to me from a co-worker who lived in Alaska for years until very recently moving here. So it’s not just me cruising Alaskan politics for a day - it’s a former resident and lots of reading. and please note that I qualified it with “rumor.” I am no so naive to believe it “because it was on the nets.” But apparently, there is quite a bit of writing and speculation to delve into.

Left by cgiselle12 on August 29th, 2008

http://newsminer.com/news/2008.....ifth-trig/

So unless she convinced the entire Governor’s Convention, all her staff, the hospital, etc. this is a non-issue!

Left by Peo Proud on August 29th, 2008

“John McCain’s going to have to do something pretty incredible next week for me to be convinced that the Republican Party deserves another four years.”
- Quote from former Republican voter [see yahoo article].

This says it all, woman VP or not………….

Left by New Voice on August 29th, 2008

Ok so… people who provide biased reports and present them as if they were real journalism and don’t get paid are ok, but if you get paid you are a bad bad person… please… that is a horrible rebuttal.

We’re wasting our time here. Palin is never going to win over the hearts of the libs like cgiselle and sctobrien because she is s conservative with little government experience. If she were a lib with little government experience, like hmm say Obama, then it wouldn’t be a problem at all. If you want to criticize her for only two years of experience as Governor let’s not forget that is the length of time the almighty Obama was in the Senate before he decided to run for the highest office in the land.

I’d also like to point out that the libs are always complaining about how the republicans are so quick to pull the trigger on military action because the don’t have a personal interest in it. BOTH McCain and Palin have sons scheduled for deployments to the middle east (as does Joe Biden).

Left by 11Bravo on August 29th, 2008

The whole “experience” factor doesn’t even bug me when it comes to this choice.

It’s just so obviously a knee-jerk reaction to the “historical” angle on the Dem’s side.

If the choice on the Dem’s side wasn’t Obama or Hilary, would McCain have chosen her? Doubtful, IMO. Like I said before, verrrry transparent choice. And I hope she wasn’t trying to woo the Hilary supporters by giving her props in her speech since they are idealogically opposite.

Purely reactionary choice…..gets the christian cons back in McCain’s corner, who McCain didn’t stand a chance without (along with all the Limbaugh/Hannity crowd) and it gives the Repubs the “look at us, we chose a woman they didn’t” angle.

Left by Mazr on August 29th, 2008

Purely reactionary choice…..gets the christian cons back in McCain’s corner, who McCain didn’t stand a chance without (along with all the Limbaugh/Hannity crowd) and it gives the Repubs the “look at us, we chose a woman they didn’t” angle.

You call it reactionary, I call it masterful!

Left by diane vespa on August 29th, 2008

[...] now destined to have a historic result come November. I already left a comment over at CJ’s Peoria Chronicle but I’d like to expound on it a little more. A historic outcome is probably going to be [...]

Left by The 66-Day Dash | Peoria Pundit on August 29th, 2008

“You call it reactionary, I call it masterful!”

Uuuuhhh, O.K.

I guess it’s all how you look at it.

Left by Mazr on August 29th, 2008

If Gov. Sarah Palin meets your threshold for office of the President Of These United States then just about any conservative drone could hold office. Republicans need to fully understand that McCain will most likely not finish out a full term. He is 72 years old, displays symptoms of early-onset dementia (can’t keep history, geography or his own voting record straight)and has had repeated bouts of cancer. Sarah Palin, a 2 year Gov. of a state more backwards than Texas is a GOOD thing? Wait, that may explain your support after all… When in the hell are people going to stop voting for the party and vote for the person. Then maybe decent, intelligent Republican candidates might stand a chance against the sycophantic throngs of the conservative religious right.

Left by Scott A. Shepler on August 29th, 2008

OK Mazr - I call B.S. on you.
Let’s go back in the Delorean and change history.
This time, McCain picks someone different.

How would you react to Pawlenty, Romney, Leiberman, or Kay Bailey Hutchinson?

I am sure cgiselle and sctobrien would be bashing them all for one reason or another.

The serious question comes not in how the partisan react to this pick, but how the non-partisans react. Current polls run about 48% for Obama to 44% for McCain after the post Dem Convention bounce. Even that leaves 8% of the voters undecided.
How will those 8% react to the total package each party is presenting? I’ll tell you that I am beginning to see through the eyes of those 8% a little better lately. They are influenced in ways that have little or nothing to do with the issues of the campaign.
I am surprised by how many people form their opinions from non-traditional resources - not just from place like the “Colbert Report” but from Leno, Letterman, Miller and Mahr or even Saturday Night Live..

All told, each of these camps is guaranteed about a 45% take in the election. Just over half of that last 10% is what they are after. This’ll be an election much like the last one, where the margin of victory is 3% or less.

In the end, it is all about perception and votes. I’d be willing to bet that not a single viewer of these words changes their vote between now (or three weeks ago) and the election. We don’t fit in that 10% demographic.

Left by Anon E. Mouse on August 29th, 2008

Mr. Shepler, Those that believe that McCain will fulfill a full term of office won’t vote for him, anyway, regardless of his VP choice.

I still find it humorous how some people think that name calling will win them an argument.

Left by Anon E. Mouse on August 29th, 2008

Mr. Shepler, I was just curious as to when you had the opportunity to examine Sen. McCain so that you could provide us with your expert diagnosis on his physical condition?

Left by 11Bravo on August 29th, 2008

Quote of the day on Palin’s experience, specifically foreign policy, has to go to Fox News (TV): “…and Sarah Palin DOES have foreign policy experience, having live right up there by Russia.”

That said, I’m lukewarm on both candidates and this this choice will: a) eliminate some boring attack threads that now affect both b) make this altogether a bit more interesting and entertaining.

Left by LVB on August 30th, 2008

CJ,

Simply being able to show two formats push commentary from a particular viewpoint does not make the similar.

For example, your comparison is something like trying to claim the veracity and accuracy of the conservative newspaper Human Events is equal to that of the Wall Street Journal. I have read both and they are not.

What I am suggesting is next time you use a valid comparable. DailyKos is quite different than that of Limpball.

It’s also sort of like comparing your blog to the local conservative blogger in this area that I refuse to name: you offer citations and research for your postings, while the other guy cuts and pastes from all sorts of error prone websites. What I’m getting at is when it comes to facts and researched items, DailyKos offers those, while Limpball does not.

And I do not think her selection was better than others touted. So mark my words right here: watch, when the dust settles on this one and when the luster wears off, this selection just cost McCain any chance for winning in this election and will go down in history as one of the biggest blunders in presidential politics.

Left by sctobrien on August 30th, 2008

From the American Heritage Dictionary:

cynicism — an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others

cynic — a person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness

vitriol — bitterly abusive feeling or expression

“But what I will not do is suggest that [any Republican, but in this case McCain] takes his positions for political purposes. Because one of the things that we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other’s character….” — Barack Obama, August 28, 2008

I feel sorry for those individuals for whom this election, and dare I say all of American politics, has become so personal as to consume them with extreme anger and hostility. Maybe they should follow the example from their supreme commander from Chicago.

Unless, of course, they don’t believe he meant what he said.

But why wouldn’t they?

Left by Martha on August 30th, 2008

Recent headlines from The Daily Kos:

“Whee!! I finished my Obama logo earrings!”

“Turd Blossom Special” great new song!”

“Discussing Politics (With Republicans) Sucks”

“John McCain Loves Beauty Queens!”

Yeah, its a regular academic journal sctobrien… Are you kidding me?!?!?!?!

Left by 11Bravo on August 30th, 2008

11Bravo,

What is it you can’t decipher about posters and the meat of the site?

It’s like stating the local paper holds the same ideas as letter to the editor writers.

Heck, even Rush Limpball must get some real crackpots who call in from time to time that he doesn’t even agree with.

Left by sctobrien on August 30th, 2008

Mazr is right–they sat him down and handed him his VP running mate. Great political move–split up the soccer moms, weaken the dems hold.

Left by Lois Griffin on August 30th, 2008

At least the GOP ticket is not upside down like Obama/Biden. McCain can mentor Palin. On the other side we would have the Vice President mentor the President.

Which office is experience more important for?

If dems want to get into experience let’s have at it. They just nominated a man who never passed a bill, served for less than 150 days of Senate session, and began running for President when he was in the Senate for only a year.

A Vice Presidential candidate is supposed to compliment the Presidential candidate not substitute for him or her.

Obama is all words. Name one real, concrete accomplishment? Gov Palin does have real accomplishments in office.

We need no lectures from a party that gave us Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Obama. All severely lacking in experience when elected. And none with a drop of foreign policy experience.

Left by Sage on August 30th, 2008

I think this was a good tactical move for the Republicans demographically because it makes up ground with women voters, where they were further & further behind. It also scores points with the social conservative base … although Palin is pro-birth control and signed a bill into law providing health benefits for the partners of gay state employees. I don’t think the legal reasons she gave for signing that law will matter to some of the rabid homophobes that the Republicans like to woo.

CGiselle, I agree with you politically, but spreading internet rumors about Palin’s child is just silly. Also, your point that she’s linked to the corruption of the Alaskan Republicans doesn’t fly. She’s made a name for herself by busting up Republican corruption in Alaska and cutting wasteful spending. She deep-sixed the Bridge to Nowhere.

However, I do think you’re right on one point - in the long run, this “knee-caps” McCain on the experience argument. Now if he tries to make the experience argument, people will just look at his running mate and go “huh?!”. While some people will mince the details of the experience argument ad nauseum (and that’s how I’d characterize half the comments to this post), in the broad scheme of things, it’s now a draw. I think that hurts McCain because he was winning that argument until now.

Left by Knight in Dragonland on August 30th, 2008

As far as the Electoral College, this move definitely helps Republicans in the mountain states where gun issues are a big factor. Several of those states, including Alaska, were possibly in play for Obama. Now I think they’re safely red again.

Left by Knight in Dragonland on August 30th, 2008

Anon, like I said, the problem I have isn’t in this “experience” factor with this choice.

Of course some people would have found fault with anyone he chose.

To me, it’s clear what McCain and Co. are trying to do with this pick. “We chose the woman…come on over, Hilary supporters”. Didn’t you find it a bit odd that she mentioned Hilary and Ferraro during her speech?

Left by Mazr on August 30th, 2008

Where would we be if we had Obama for President and Palin for Vice-President?

Left by SD on August 30th, 2008

How tough is it to be the Governor of a State that has the Alaskan pipeline and a guaranteed budget surplus?

It will be interesting to see the results of her corruption charges regarding her handling of the firing of Public Safety Commissioner regarding her sister’s divorce.
http://www.adn.com/monegan/story/478090.html

Left by kcdad on August 30th, 2008

Probably a little tougher than being a less then one time junior senator serving without any particular distinction.

Left by 11Bravo on August 30th, 2008

kcdad, I would imagine they vetted her pretty good about that. I’d be shocked if anything came of it. Law enforcement is just going through the motions so it doesn’t look like she gets any special treatment.

Left by diane vespa on August 30th, 2008

“just going through the motions”? How Republican of them.

I think we will find out she is Dan Quayle in a skirt…

Left by kcdad on August 30th, 2008

That is wishful thinking. This gal is no dumb cluck.

Left by diane vespa on August 30th, 2008

Never have I seen so many dumb comments in response to one post! Aaaaargh!

On the surface, you might say McCain neutralized one important weakness in his opponent by picking Palin as his running mate, however, her selection actually brought the “experience” issue to the forefront, and when people realize that they’re voting for the presidential candidate, rather than the running mate, it’s Obama that will lose.

Left by David P. Jordan on August 30th, 2008

Agreed C.J. I think I may have mentioned that in a previous post.

Left by Mazr on August 30th, 2008

This V.P. choice is a joke. Leave it to the Republicans to try and make her into a solid candidate. If the Dems had done the same thing, they would have been all over it like David Jordan on a new railroad tie.

Left by prego man on August 30th, 2008

Prego,

Worldview is as important, or more so, than experience. We will see how Palin performs in the VP debate.

If McCain is elected, then he will mentor Palin in foreign policy. Or maybe Biden will mentor Obama if he’s elected

Left by David P. Jordan on August 30th, 2008

David, the problem is that if one assumes that Palin is even somewhat qualified to be Vice President (let alone PRESIDENT), then so are about 1 or 2 million other hockey moms. I think that her experience as a mayor and even as a governor (for a year and a half) is not hardly worth the paper it’s written on. She has not been tested by a primary season (like Obama has); she was merely chosen by a dude willing to do nearly anything to get elected (or so he thinks); mostly because she is a woman.

There are about a dozen other Republican women who have been tested by a number of primaries, elections, committees, and so on. Why weren’t any of these chosen? If you MUST choose a woman (and that’s just fine in my book), why not choose someone with AT LEAST a track record? This is like a Saturday Night Live skit. It’s silly almost beyond comprehension. And, again, if the Dems had done something even similar, the Republicans would be jumping all over it, and saying how “political” the choice was; that the choice has no practical experience, etc. etc. You know DAMNED well that they would have!

And, yet, here are a number of Republicans saying that this was an inspired choice. Again, silliness has taken over. I hope to God that McCain-Palen goes the way I think they’re gonna go. Like… to perhaps 86 electoral votes.

Left by prego man on August 30th, 2008

C.J. Apparently experience doesn’t really matter… Dan Quayle for example. Ted Kennedy, for example.

But the difference between Obama and McCain is that Obama is promising a new approach to Washington, as is McCain…. but Obama doesn’t have the 26 + years of experience being a part of the problem like McCain has.

Now for McCain to tap a neophyte, an obscure, recordless neophyte and then argue he is the BETTER candidate because of experience is not only idiotic, but suicidal.

Quayle, back to your 12 years experience comment, could have had 6 doctoral degrees, 40 years in elected office and an anointing of holy oil, but he would have still been a empty suit and a fool.

Palin is eye candy for McCain… nothing more. It is pure marketing.

Left by kcdad on August 31st, 2008

Scott A. Shepler??? I love you, man.

Left by kcdad on August 31st, 2008

I’m puzzled by the theory that ONE of the things Palin could do for McCain is attract female voters. Which women voters are we talking about? The ones more conservative than McCain? Presuming they would not have voted for him otherwise, and stayed home on election day if not for Palin, fair enough. But who else are they going to sway with her? Hilary supporters? Independents? Do people really believe this?

This concept that female voters will be attracted to a candidate simply because of gender, regardless of ideology or stance on the issues is an insult to women (myself included), and to everyone’s intelligence, presuming they have any.

Left by kramer on August 31st, 2008

She can’t appear smarter than McCain so yes she’ll be Danny in a skirt.

SAGE sez: “We need no lectures from a party that gave us Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Obama. All severely lacking in experience when elected. And none with a drop of foreign policy experience.”

I say: You been in a cave for the last 7 and half years? All 3 of those guys you mentioned couldn’t screw up as bad as Bush the King has. Get off Faux News.

Left by Emtronics on August 31st, 2008

All these comparisons of Palin to Quayle are interesting. Didn’t G H W Bush and Quayle win that 88 election?

Left by Pearlofwisdom on August 31st, 2008

Emtronics,
I give you:
Carter - Iran, Afghanistan, and a severely atrophied military (especially the Navy, of all things for an ex-Navy man)
Clinton - Somolia, Iraq, Twin Embassy bombings in Africa, USS Cole and an atrophied intelligence network abroad.

Carter wrung his hands and Clinton buried his head in the sand. Things were not all hunky-dory when these guys were in office.

Left by Anon E. Mouse on August 31st, 2008

Mouse: Coudln’t post all the things Bush has given us, just Google Bushisms and read through the countless pages. And, that is just one man.

Note: Reagan cut and run from Beruit after 250 Marines were killed. We can go back and forth all day.

Left by Emtronics on August 31st, 2008

Politics as usual is politics as usual no matter which party it is.
Yes, McCain and Palin may “win” the election… but what will Americans “win” if they do?

Do you wish to debate whether Carter was a idiot or not? Do wish to debate whether he was an ethical person… or do you want to argue about the economy? Our elections are ALWAYS about the economy… our foreign policy is ALWAYS about the economy… our domestic policy is ALWAYS about the economy… our fiscal policies are ALWAYS about the economy… our moral and ethical policies are ALWAYS about the economy…”the business of Government IS business”. THAT is politics as usual. If that is what you care about, by all means vote for McCain. The economy will trudge along as usual. Jobs will continue to be shipped overseas, and the gap between the upper and lower classes will get larger and larger. As usual.(Just make sure you identify with the upper classes and not the lower classes, or you will be cutting your own throat.)

Left by kcdad on August 31st, 2008

Indeed, the largest gap between the rich and poor since the Great Depression 1929.
Yep, Carter, Clinton, Reagan, all history. We need to deal with the future as anyone with eyes, including Stevie Wonder can see what a mess Bush and his policies have gotten us.

Do we really want 4 more years of this? Does anyone really believe off shore drilling will cure our oil ills?

We all can argue until the cows come home but you have to vote and we all have to take who is elected.

Left by Emtronics on August 31st, 2008

Here’s a dirty little secret about American politics: it doesn’t matter who the candidate is. The policies on ANY issue are only about as forward thinking as the next election.

Under Clinton, the Social Security Trust Fund was incorporated into the general fund (which is how the budget achieved the