Sarah Palin? Really?

[Guest]

OMG! McCain is choosing Gov. of Alaska (just two years) for V.P. Really? And if I may follow up. Really? Even the Republicans are reeling. Inexperience. Unknown. Under investigation.
Could step in as our President? :yikes:

hmmm, now let me see. Really? Well, bad judgment shows through. Quite frankly, I'm speechless and elated. This insures Obama an easy win. Wow!

I knew McCain's true colors would show through, but I didn't think it would be this soon.
Sarah Palin? Really?

[Guest]

Chelse, you said it all. Really! ::)

[Guest]

Spoken like a true democrat!

[Guest]

Jav, Aren't you shocked???

[Guest]

No, spoken like someone who does not want another four years of failed Bush policies here and abroad, and I'm a registered Republican.

[Guest]

Yeah, I'm sick to death of how our country has been run, do you really think one man can fix it all? He speaks very eloquently and I agree with many of the things he says (Obama) but he and the rest of the politicians do not, I repeat DO NOT tell us how they are going to make things better. Thats because they can't. They have all these great ideas and make things sound so good, but good luck implementing them. I'm sick to death of all of them and I think all incumbents need to get out.

[Guest]

No, spoken like someone who does not want another four years of failed Bush policies here and abroad, and I'm a registered Republican.


Exactly how does picking someone who is clearly outside the Washington Beltway indicate that this ticket would provide 4 more years of Bush policies? I was a bit surprised by the pick of Palin, but certainly, this thows the first monkey wrench into the Obama message of "change". What was Obama's first major decision as a potential president ... he picked a lifelong Washington insider. Where's the "change" in that?

What was McCain's choice ... someone who highlights once again someone who thinks outside the box and is a maverick who doesn't play by conventional political rules.

[Guest]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin

Interesting choice.

[Guest]

I'll have to investigate Palin a bit more, but at first glance she does not seem that much more qualified than Obama. A tad, but not much. She, at least, has some executive experience and is not a senator.

Not my first choice, but interesting. I always thought Carly Fiorini would have been exciting.

[Guest]

Wow. She IS an interesting choice.
I'm sure the media will scrutinize every aspect of her life, but from the little I've read about her so far, I like her ! Certainly not one of the good ole boys....

We'll see more when the dust settles.......

Frank D.

[Guest]

Tal, you really must stop publishing all this interesting information! How am I ever going to get my work done around here? :dontknow:

When I heard McCain has chosen Sarah Palin, I was thinking, "what is he thinking"? From this Wik link, she has many positive credentials. I am going to have to do MY homework before the election. Sorry everyone who posts politically, but my vote will come from my convictions after the homework is finished. May the best person win and I mean that with all my heart. (And don't bother telling me who you think that will be :edit:, I can't hear you, ;D)

[Guest]

OMG! McCain is choosing Gov. of Alaska (just two years) for V.P. Really? And if I may follow up. Really? Even the Republicans are reeling. Inexperience. Unknown. Under investigation.
Could step in as our President? :yikes:

hmmm, now let me see. Really? Well, bad judgment shows through. Quite frankly, I'm speechless and elated. This insures Obama an easy win. Wow!

I knew McCain's true colors would show through, but I didn't think it would be this soon.
Sarah Palin? Really?


She opposes Baby Killing (Liberals call this abortion) and she is considered an economic reformer in here state. She actually runs a state (this is called a Governor) for those who support Obama. Since he hasn't been one I though you may not know.

She definitely has my vote. Obama has 173 days in office and you come here and preach about "experience"? Hahahahaha.

[Guest]

All this demonstrates is that maybe we all only see what we want to see in the people at the top of the presidential tickets. I know it's not the issues, but lets look again...

John McCain--a person who is a recognized Amercian hero and patriot. He has never managed anything, lived his entire life on the public payroll, admits he knows little about fiscal policy or foreign relations, is quite experienced in military affairs, the son and grandson of highly-placed Navy admirals and finished next to last in his class at the Naval Academy. If elected he would be the oldest person ever elected to the Presidency.

Sarah Palin--Current governor of Alaska, where she has served for about a year. Grew up in a town of 8,500 where she won the town beauty contest and then runnerup in the Miss Alaska contest with a prize of a scholarship. Attended the U of Idaho, majoring in journalism. Returned to Alaska to work as a sports writer and commercial fisherman at the same time. Elected to her small town (population 8,500) council from 1992 until 1996; mayor of the small town from 1999 until 2002; unsuccessful in candidact for Alaska Lt. Governor in 2002; elected Governor in 2006, began term in 2007. Married high school sweetheart.

versus...

Batack Obama--Born in Hawaii and raised by a single mother. Attended private schools in Hawaii before attending Occidental College in Los Angeles. Transferred to Columbia University in New York where he graduated with majors in political science and foreign relations; returned to Chicago from 1985-88 where he worked as the director of a community organization. He was so successful in the community organization that the donations underlying its budget increased threefold in just three years; left Chicago in 1989 to attend Harvard Law School where, based on his grades and authorship, he served as President of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. Returned to Chicago to join its largest law firm; ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Congress, then was elected to the Illinois state senate for two terms, then the U.S. Senate. Taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago law school from 1992-96. Married to Michelle Obama, a fellow graduate of Harvard Law School, former SIdley & Austin lawyer and Ass't Dean of Students at the University of Chicago.

Joe Biden--Born and raised in PA. Attended private secondary schools and the University of Delaware, where he graduated with majors in history and political science. Awarded Juripridence Doctorate from Syaracuse U Law School. Practiced law and served on the County Council for three years until elected to the U.S. Senate in 1969. Served in a variety of positions in the U.S. Senate, including Chairman of both the Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees. Widower, remarried.

So now the observation..."she (Sarah Palin) does not seem that much more qualified than Obama. A tad, but not much. She, at least, has some executive experience..."

Tell me this is just a joke.

[Guest]

Watching her on television just now, I am impressed. Excellent down-to-earth speaker. A real person who seemingly has more identification with us common folk than anyone I've seen in national politics ever. For a lot of reasons, she's gonna be a tough debate for Joe B.

On a more male chauvinist view, A.) I was disappointed that she's evidently not related to Michael Palin --- love Monty Python, and B.) she's kinda cute, in that Tina Fey style -- tough jaw, great eyes, kinky glasses.

It's gonna be an interesting next 2+ months.

[Guest]

I just watching her and I was impressed, Villages Kuhuna has a great point about experience.

Maybe we should just judge the candidates on their qualifications, and NOT on the talking points.

Per Fox News when she was serving on an energy commission she was the victim of unwanted sexual advances and reported same to the Govenor. When he blew her off she decided to take his job. She ran, she won. If and I say if she feels, "My way or the highway!" then it's about time we have someone who has real conviction. When the congress earmarked the "Bridge to Nowhere" for Alaska, as governor she said thanks but no thanks. "If Alaskans wanted a bridge, we'd build one ourselves." As Governor she sold the governor's private jet saying the governor could fly commercial like everyone else! Per Fox News she has close to a 90 percent approval rate in Alaska. She has bucked the good old boy network including her own party. I think McCain just stole BHO's mantra of change. Her son enlisted in the Army on 9/11/07 and will be deployed as a member of the Stryker Brigade on 9/11/08.

[Guest]

It will be interesting but the next president will be so handcuffed by budget constraints we are going to be in for a few years of grinding no matter who is elected. Basically it won't make a great deal of difference because the next president won't have a lot of choices.

Value judgements aside, Reagan ended the cold war but borrowed heavily from Clinton to do so. If you remember Clinton's first budget passed the house by 1 vote and the senate by a tie break vote cast by Al Gore. The reason: there was almost no pork in that bare bones budget and it lead to some of surpluses of the Clinton era. Now, to say Bush has borrowed from Obama/McCain is an understatement. Whatever pain the country endured in '93-'96 will be economic child's play to the austerity the next president will face.

Thinking of retiree issues, I can easily see means testing for social security as well as other entitlements, higher capital gains and corporate taxes, elimination of the Bush tax cuts, higher interest rates and higher unemployment. Perhaps only the current housing mess will save the mortgage exemption.

These things will have to happen as a matter of the coutry's economic survival and not a matter of politics or party, regarless of who is elected.

[Guest]

TomW: "Thinking of retiree issues, I can easily see means testing for social security as well as other entitlements, higher capital gains and corporate taxes, elimination of the Bush tax cuts, higher interest rates and higher unemployment."


Now I understand why my dentist told me at my last visit she has been traveling extensively and not worrying about retirement anymore, she's spending most of the money she saved for that day. She told me she has been so careful with her money all of her life and worked so many hours, (I can attest to the hours worked), and anyone with a retirement fund will be subsidizing everyone else's retirement. The USA has become the land of entitlement.

Her statement gave me goose bumpies because I read and I real a lot, particularly about SS and retirement, and Tom W's statement indicates the way many people are thinking. I think I'm going to forget about voting and go spend the money we scrimped to save for retirement. I wonder if testing for SS will empty quite a bit of The Villages and stymy future home purchases.

[Guest]

She gave birth to her fifth child in the spring and returned to work three days after. Her first is 18 and about to be deployed to Iraq. Her fifth is a little guy with Down Syndrome. She is quoted as saying "He looks perfect to me and has an extra chromosome". I really like that quote. It is a personal issue with me. I am glad she is pretty and a journalism major. I am glad she is a woman. I am glad Obama is black. This country is getting mighty good if you ask me, the four lead contenders for the top seat and we have a woman and a person of color and two Democrats and two Republicans. Now I need to decide who to vote for.

[Guest]

A new baby at home, with Downs Syndrome. I also commend what she says about the baby, but I feel her baby boy needs mommy at home during the crucial, nurturing first few years. Politics should come second. IMHO

[Guest]

Sarah Palin, thank God! Small town gal with small town values and brawn, that's guts for those who have no clue. She is a totally awesome pick by McCain and the conservatives are rallying. Maybe they will get their party back, sooner than they thought. McCain/Palin 2008!!! :hot:

[Guest]

A new baby at home, with Downs Syndrome. I also commend what she says about the baby, but I feel her baby boy needs mommy at home during the crucial, nurturing first few years. Politics should come second. IMHO


I'm sure she knows what she is doing when it comes to her child/children. Her husband is a stay at home dad and they seem to be doing fine so far. They seem to have a lovely family.

[Guest]

A new baby at home, with Downs Syndrome. I also commend what she says about the baby, but I feel her baby boy needs mommy at home during the crucial, nurturing first few years. Politics should come second. IMHO


Sorry Robin, but if I had written the above, I'd be accused of being a neanderthal chauvinist pig from the 19th century.

[Guest]

OMG! This kind of thinking astounds me. Do you really think she's ready to step in as President of the United States? Well, rationalization reigns supreme! IMHO, McCain just put all of his arguments about Obama in his hip pocket.

Sarah Palin? Really? 1rnfl

[Guest]

I'm sure his choice is to capture the Clinton supporters.

It is said he doesn't know her all that well.

That being said...

[Guest]

Muncle. My name is Rhonda not Robin, and I know that was not a slip, because you have called me that before and I let it go. I take it as name calling and won't stoop to that level. I know most, MOST women stay home for several weeks after a birth to bond with a child if they CAN. I hated, HATED to leave my children to go back to work at 6 weeks, but I HAD to. I was also VERY fortunate that I worked opposite my hubs hours and we never HAD to have a babysitter and never did. My hub is a fantastic Dad!! He worked all day and cared for our children at night since birth so we could put a roof over our heads and food on the table. I just really feel that the baby will not bond with her because she will be way too busy. It is just my opinion. I do not expect anyone to agree with me and I don't care if they do or not. I thought everyone has agreed to disagree. One other question, would PALIN be a great president if, God Forbid, something happened to McCain? I don't think so. To me, it is strange that a virtual unknown (until now) with very little political experience (PTA, runner-up Miss Alaska, and journalist don't count as political experience) was the choice! As I said before, LET THE GAMES BEGIN! I am going out now, and will not post in political again until after the elections. Have a nice day!! LOL BTW Peggy, you are soooo right!!

[Guest]

Isn't it amazing, Chelsea doesn't approve of the choice for Republican VP. Not one good word has been posted in this forum by Chelsea about any republican. Seems she has forgot it has been a democratic controlled congress for the last 2 years and nothing positive has happened. I am tired of the ranting and raving and have decided the best way for my vote to count is to vote in a manner to cancel yours out.

[Guest]

Muncle, If you knew Rhonda you would never call her Robin accidentally on purpose. She has spoken from the heart. Whether she is right or wrong is of no consequence. What matters is that she has never been mean to anyone on this board and treats all with respect. If you call her Robin in affection, forgive me. If you call her Robin to poke fun, I must point out that you would be hard pressed to find someone more caring, honest and kind than Rhonda. You know from prior posts that I respect you. I want to continue. :-*
As for Sarah Palin, I have much to learn about the lady.





Muncle. My name is Rhonda not Robin, and I know that was not a slip, because you have called me that before and I let it go. I take it as name calling and won't stoop to that level. I know most, MOST women stay home for several weeks after a birth to bond with a child if they CAN. I hated, HATED to leave my children to go back to work at 6 weeks, but I HAD to. I was also VERY fortunate that I worked opposite my hubs hours and we never HAD to have a babysitter and never did. My hub is a fantastic Dad!! He worked all day and cared for our children at night since birth so we could put a roof over our heads and food on the table. I just really feel that the baby will not bond with her because she will be way too busy. It is just my opinion. I do not expect anyone to agree with me and I don't care if they do or not. I thought everyone has agreed to disagree. One other question, would PALIN be a great president if, God Forbid, something happened to McCain? I don't think so. To me, it is strange that a virtual unknown (until now) with very little political experience (PTA, runner-up Miss Alaska, and journalist don't count as political experience) was the choice! As I said before, LET THE GAMES BEGIN! I am going out now, and will not post in political again until after the elections. Have a nice day!! LOL BTW Peggy, you are soooo right!!

[Guest]

Seriously folks, don't you think McCain's pandering to women with this choice! His VP candidate is no Hillary and never will be. What a dog and pony show!! He doesn't have my vote.

[Guest]

armyone hit the nail on the head. We have had a Democratic congress for 2 years....what have they done...or maybe it would be easier to say what they haven't done. Yet, the media still blames the Bush administration for everything. They couldn't wait for a change in congress, well, we got it and what has changed?

[Guest]

His VP candidate is no Hillary and never will be.


From a lifelong western NY resident......I see this as a GOOD thing !!!

Frank D.

[Guest]

I agree with you joannej. I think it's an insult to all women! Selection says women don't have the intelligence to vote based on issues, they'll vote based on gender. No national experience on economics, no experience with how "inside the beltway" works, and no international relations experience. The Washington politicions will eat her alive as a midmorning snack. She would be a heart beat away from being President of the United States. A very close heart beat considering McCain's age and medical problems. All that, with the possibility of four more years of the same, scares me.

[Guest]

Mike H :agree: The V.P debates will be interesting.

[Guest]

I'm with you Frank. She's no Hillary. Thank goodness.

I'll put her experience up against Obama's anyday.

[Guest]

Muncle. My name is Rhonda not Robin, and I know that was not a slip, because you have called me that before and I let it go. I take it as name calling and won't stoop to that level. I know most, MOST women stay home for several weeks after a birth to bond with a child if they CAN. I hated, HATED to leave my children to go back to work at 6 weeks, but I HAD to. I was also VERY fortunate that I worked opposite my hubs hours and we never HAD to have a babysitter and never did. My hub is a fantastic Dad!! He worked all day and cared for our children at night since birth so we could put a roof over our heads and food on the table. I just really feel that the baby will not bond with her because she will be way too busy. It is just my opinion. I do not expect anyone to agree with me and I don't care if they do or not. I thought everyone has agreed to disagree. One other question, would PALIN be a great president if, God Forbid, something happened to McCain? I don't think so. To me, it is strange that a virtual unknown (until now) with very little political experience (PTA, runner-up Miss Alaska, and journalist don't count as political experience) was the choice! As I said before, LET THE GAMES BEGIN! I am going out now, and will not post in political again until after the elections. Have a nice day!! LOL BTW Peggy, you are soooo right!!


Rhonda,
I hate to disappoint you, but calling you Robin in the previous post was completely, totally, and absolutely a slip, a brain cramp on my part if you will. And I have NEVER called you that before. To verify this, I did a search on the word and found that I had typed "Robin" one time. This was months ago in as discussion of puns and I said: "A punch line has been going through my head all day and I cannot remember the setup.

"A mime is a terrible thing to waste."

I know it was used in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, but I seem to remember that it was a punchline in a terrible joke."

To the best of my knowledge and as far as I can research, I have never otherwise typed the word.

As for the rest of your msg, I will concede that you are undoubtedly correct, that it is far more beneficial for both child and mother to have a most extensive period of bonding. It is beneficial both in the short and long run.

However, I stand by my assessment that had your statement been made by a male, especially a conservative male, about any woman in public life, especially a liberal woman, he would have been chastised within an inch of his life.

And as for Palin being a totally inexperienced person only a heartbeat from the presidency, I find that preferable to having an equally or ever less experienced person actually being elected president. But neither side will concede on this, so it should be an interesting 67 days.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since you have chosen to abstain from this forum for a time, I hope someone will advise you of my reply. The Robin reference was an accident, no harm, sarcasm, or anything else meant. I apologize.

[Guest]

Partisan tunnel vision is quite easy to understand.
The very narrowly defined thinking process was clearly stated by Nancy Pelosi....if it is anything from the other party I am against it.

I like what Muncle said....she seems to be a real person.

And I do absolutely believe the farther away from Washington a person is from, the more real they are.

Experience.....what an elusive, shapeless, anything anybody wants it to mean expression.

It is a known fact in management accomplishment, the less a person is ingrained in a system, the easier it is to make changes because they don't know why it has to stay like it is...or has been.

As for the other chanting regarding change....why is all the rhetoric so all of a sudden more believable now than for the past 40 years? How about an example....let's see now...ahah...the energy crisis of the 70's and all the promises of how that was never going to happen again...energy promises by the thousands....accomplishment...zip...nada...more dependent now than ever..over 300% more dependent.
The promise of change is only lubrication in the form of pompous rhetoric.

I believe McCain's choice will prove to be very interesting and I'll bet disarming to many as the political tit for tat begins. It has been said Biden will have her for lunch during the debates.....I bet not.
She certainly does not have a Washington you-owe-me list to deal with.

Yep! I prefer a real person over a politician anytime.

BTK

[Guest]

Kahuna I agree with you totally. I am a life long independent who voted for Reagan twice and Nixon twice,now that I am voting for Obama my best friend of nearly 50 years says that I am a :edit: Liberal Seems if you vote democrat that you are disloyal against our troops and for our common enemies. He is still my best friend even though I told him that Bush cheney, and dumbsfeld should be given a fair trial and excuted in the morning. There were no Al-Qaeda in Iraq there were no terrorist training camps in Iraq the camps were in Afghanistan and were being trained by the Taliban and last but not least Osama Bin laden was hiding in a cave in Afghanistan. Whoever wins this election I can live with can't say that about the last two elections

[Guest]

The choice was simple. John McCain has said he is not good with computers. The VP selection is based on computer models. McCain was asked what he was looking for. He said we are going to continue the Bush policy of never telling the truth so we need someone who can spin a good snow job. That gave Alaska bonus points. He also said he likes bimbo beauty queens. McCain said with Cindy starting to show her age, he has made it his personal policy to dump a partner when they become handicapped so being younger was important. Sarah Palin fit the criteria.

[Guest]

Seriously folks, don't you think McCain's pandering to women with this choice! His VP candidate is no Hillary and never will be. What a dog and pony show!! He doesn't have my vote.


I agree. Palin, you've got to be kidding. So she was runner-up as Miss Alaska. Hardly qualifies her to be a heartbeat away from acting as the head of the free world. When you look at the qualified people McCain passed by to pick her, again brings in to question his judgement. He's 72 years old, with health issues, and she is so unqualified. As someone else said, she's pretty and she was a journalism major. And she is governor of a state with very few people. Hardly makes her even begin to be qualified. If he thinks this will appeal to the Hillary voters, he is in la la land. She is totally against Hillary's principles. In short, Palin is a true featherweight.

[Guest]

Seriously folks, don't you think McCain's pandering to women with this choice! His VP candidate is no Hillary and never will be. What a dog and pony show!! He doesn't have my vote.


No, I think that McCain is trying to connect even more so to the ordinary American, the small town people who cling to their guns and Bibles, who wrap themselves in the flag because they love their country. This lady, Palin, is going to be one of the biggest assets to the conservative movement than we have seen in years. And it is time to take the conservative party back, or else start a new one.

[Guest]

The choice for President will eventually be made based on the man at the top of the ticket, not his choice for VP. Having said that, the choice for the second highest office in the U.S. reflects on the judgement of the person at the top of the ticket. Constitutionally, as has been said many times, the VP is only a heartbeat away from becoming President.

In this case, John McCain either selected or approved the selection by the Republican National Committee of a person with no serious qualifications to be the President of the U.S. He did so having met the woman only once before today and knowing that he has had four bouts with cancer and would be the oldest President ever elected if he is successful.

This choice reflects badly on McCain, a man I respect highly. It appears that he is pandering the social and religious conservatives that form the base of the Republican party. We know that Sara Palin is staunchly pro-life, would vote against any form of gun control, is against the teaching of anything but Biblical-based science in schools, and so forth. But are these the most important qualifications for one who could become the leader of the strongest country in the free world? I think not.

The choice reflects badly on either the judgement of John McCain or his willingness to make a sound decision, even if it is one not favored by a faction that has and has had very narrow litmus tests for those they find acceptable as their political leaders. While I might not have voted for John McCain I am truly saddened by this choice and the lack of judgement it implies.

The comparisons of qualifications between Barack Obama and Sarah Palin are inevitable. But there is a huge difference. Obama won the nomination in a sometimes brutal, highly competitive, long campaign that began with almost a dozen candidates. Millions and millions of Americans evaluated their choices and elected him as the candidate they believed most qualified and who stood for the principles they felt important. Sarah Palin was appointed to her position, either by a man who thought she might enhance his campaign for the presidency, or by an influential group of political supporters who may have traded their support for a VP based on a narrow set of litmus tests. Yet given the age and medical history of the person she might serve as President, she could easily accede to the position, regardless of her qualifications and preparedness.

I have said before that I would be satisfied by the leadership of either of our candidates for President if they were elected. After this decision on a VP, that is a statement I will no longer make.

[Guest]

You make some very very valid points VILLAGEKAHUNA. I do not endorse Sen McCain however in some fashion, somebody someday will need to explain to me how I can support a community organizer who has ties to very questionable folks should be my President based on oratory skills.
When that is done, I can then accept Sen Obama.

I hope that does not come across as negative nor disrespectful. It is how I feel honestly and sincerely and I tried to state it as clearly as possible. I raise this question and folks say it is no cause for concern but cannot rebut nor deny what I say, and I submit that I can never recall a candidate for President of this country with such ties to radical groups and people.

[Guest]

Bucco, I used to be "tied" to the John Birch Society. I'm not tied to them any longer. We evolve. That's what has kept many species alive.
Are you the same person you were in your thirties? If you are, you haven't grown much.
(I do not mean you particularly. I am speaking in generalities.) :-*

[Guest]

Bucco, I used to be "tied" to the John Birch Society. I'm not tied to them any longer. We evolve. That's what has kept many species alive.
Are you the same person you were in your thirties? If you are, you haven't grown much.
(I do not mean you particularly. I am speaking in generalities.)
__________________________________________________ ________

Not sure what you are implying with this post..I have grown but would ask that you at least read about his associates and mentors and tell me that you are comfortable with that background ! I am not talking race nor religion but basic idealogy he has been taught in his church, in his jobs.

[Guest]

Just want to add...I doubt if you will do as I suggested and read about the background, but just want to make clear...this excludes those chain letter emails and hate sites on the net. Just read FACTS....his own words as to who formed his life...not the recent ones where he backed off but just read and keep it to facts and not the stuff folks make up and circulate.

[Guest]

...

I have said before that I would be satisfied by the leadership of either of our candidates for President if they were elected. After this decision on a VP, that is a statement I will no longer make.


Personally, I'm pleased that a "Governor" is on the ticket, as opposed to another Senator. I wouldn't have cared which governor, but without one, the Republican ticket would have been another mirror of the Democratic - a couple of guys from the "100 Club." Governors at least have to be executives - CEOs of a state, actually responsible for public administration - delivering services, spending money, and satisfying "customers." Senators see life from afar, never having any real responsibility (who remembers who voted or abstained from what bill?).

If Sen. Biden was to balance Sen. Obama's lack of foreign policy experience, Gov. Palin balances Sen. McCain's lack of public administration experience. Who provides the public administration experience on the Democratic ticket?

[Guest]

We have just spent the last 8 years with a former "governor". We don't need another 4. .

Palin claims she stood up to the good old boys network. Seems strange since she warmly embraced the endorsement of Alaska senator Ted Stevens who is currently under federal indictment. Strangely, that endorsement video was recently pulled from Palin's web site but can easily be found on You Tube. You can watch her beaming face as she stands next to Stevens while he babbles on.

She's against stem cell research and for teaching creationism in public schools. So McCain is pandering to the evangelicals and waiting for that all important support from the wacko Dobson.

This choice makes my decision a lot easier.

[Guest]

We have just spent the last 8 years with a former "governor". We don't need another 4. .

Palin claims she stood up to the good old boys network. Seems strange since she warmly embraced the endorsement of Alaska senator Ted Stevens who is currently under federal indictment. Strangely, that endorsement video was recently pulled from Palin's web site but can easily be found on You Tube. You can watch her beaming face as she stands next to Stevens while he babbles on.

She's against stem cell research and for teaching creationism in public schools. So McCain is pandering to the evangelicals and waiting for that all important support from the wacko Dobson.

This choice makes my decision a lot easier.

If "pandering to evangelicals" is not supporting the killing of innocents for the convenience of others, then I must be an evangelilcal and didn't know it.

[Guest]

OMG, Oama no experience. Isn't he at the top of the ticket. Isn't the lady from Alaska the V.P. choice. Lot's to think about.

[Guest]

If John McCain is trying to tap into to the 18 million Hillary voters.....this really won't cut it. She is hardly a Hillary substitute.

Still sitting on the sideline....

[Guest]

Villages Kahuna, I cannot believe you're letting something as insignificant as a candidate's judgement affect your decision. You should base your decision on things which have no meaning or significance to anything. How dare you be so narrow minded! ;D ;D

[Guest]

OMG! McCain is choosing Gov. of Alaska (just two years) for V.P. Really? And if I may follow up. Really? Even the Republicans are reeling. Inexperience. Unknown. Under investigation.
Could step in as our President? :yikes:

hmmm, now let me see. Really? Well, bad judgment shows through. Quite frankly, I'm speechless and elated. This insures Obama an easy win. Wow!

I knew McCain's true colors would show through, but I didn't think it would be this soon.
Sarah Palin? Really?
It REALLY does expose the poor judgement that McCain does have in deciding REALLY important matters, such as picking a Vice President and other important policy matters that Obama made the case for in his acceptance speech the other night. As a woman I am insulted & offended by McCain's patronizing and manipulating of the American women,Christians,Union members,etc. to think that the only reason he picked Sarah Palin was to appeal to these groups in order to get them to vote for him. What if his Melanoma came back and killed him, then we would have a "hockey Mom,former PTA Mom,mayor of a town in Alaska of 7000 and Gov.for a yr and a half, as a President????? ??? I want to know more about her education and background like all the other candidates and VP picks!

[Guest]

Gov.for a yr and a half, as a President?? I want to know more about her education and background like all the other candidates and VP picks!
__________________________________________________ ______

I agree with this statement and would love to see an open discussion of Sen Obama's background and training and hopefully despite the best efforts of many to stop it we will have it.

[Guest]

Original post as this, but if we just change the words to the italics....

OMG! McCain the Democratic Party is choosing Gov. of Alaska the junior Senator from Illinois (just two years)(just three years) for V.P. President Really? And if I may follow up. Really? Even the Republicans many Democrats are reeling. Inexperience. Unknown. Under investigation accepts personal financial favors from big business.
Could step in as be our President? :yikes:

hmmm, now let me see. Really? Well, bad judgment shows through. Quite frankly, I'm speechless and elated. This insures Obama McCain an easy win. Wow!

I knew McCain's the Democratic Party's true colors would show through, but I didn't think it would be this soon.
Sarah Palin Barack Obama? Really?


The window views both ways......

[Guest]

Original post as this, but if we just change the words to the italics....

OMG! McCain the Democratic Party is choosing Gov. of Alaska the junior Senator from Illinois (just two years)(just three years) for V.P. President Really? And if I may follow up. Really? Even the Republicans many Democrats are reeling. Inexperience. Unknown. Under investigation accepts personal financial favors from big business.
Could step in as be our President? :yikes:

hmmm, now let me see. Really? Well, bad judgment shows through. Quite frankly, I'm speechless and elated. This insures Obama McCain an easy win. Wow!

I knew McCain's the Democratic Party's true colors would show through, but I didn't think it would be this soon.
Sarah Palin Barack Obama? Really?


The window views both ways......



STEVEZ, AS THIS IS MY LAST POST IN POLITICAL FOR THE TIME BEING, I THINK IT'S A CHEAP SHOT TO CHANGE MY WORDS.

[Guest]

A huge difference, really.

Sarah Palin was appointed by someone, either John McCain, the DNC, or a group of conservative activists. But how she got to where she is pales in importance to the possible result of her candidacy.

Barack Obama reached his position as the Democratic candidate for President after a year-long primary over the entire United States and other protectorates who voted in the primaries. He ran against all that chose to compete for the presidential nomination, a total of ten candidates, I believe. Many of those candidates had extensive experience in government and/or business. He traveled to all those places, communicated his platform to the electorate, debated all the candidates, some of them several times. He even traveled outside the U.S., where the possibility of his election here was enthusiastically met with crowds numbered in the hundreds of thousands in many places. It was the American electorate who selected Barack Obama as one of the candidates for President. They considered his qualifications and experience, evaluated his campaign platform, and his ability to lead and motivate. After all that, he WON the nomination in free and fair elections in which almost one-third of the entire U.S. population chose to vote. He is not an appointee.

You can play around with language and italics as you please. But the fact remains that two candidates could ultimately wind up as President of the United States, under different circumstances, of course. One reached that position as the result of convincing a majority of voters of his qualifications, judgement, platform and ability to lead. The other is a complete unknown who many believe was appointed either as a political expediency or to satisfy the demands of conservative political special interests.

For me--I'll take the winner of the free and fair competition who has already demonstrated his ability to lead and motivate large numbers of Americans over the period of a long campaign. I'll take a pass on the chance that a totally unknown candidate, one who is clearly and admittedly unqualified to assume the position of leader of the free world, could unexpectedly land in the oval office.

[Guest]

kahuna

The fact is 2 candidates won the nomination for President and two were appointed. Remember it's McCain-Obama not Palin- Obama.So that would be FOUR candidates who could ultimatly end up as president not Two.
Palin has more executive experience than Obama or Biden wether you like it or not Benj

[Guest]

A counter point for a few of the above comments regarding Palin's "experience" to be VP or I think it was even stated "OMG President"......

Once again I do not understand the measuring stick. How does a Senator with 147 days under his belt measure better? Hasn't history shown that Senators do not have a track record for being electable to the Presidency...once or twice in the past 50 years!!!!

First of all most Senators are lawyers, which absolutely sets them apart from everybody else on the planet. Secondly however, most importantly they are full blooded, professional, what's in it for ME first POLITICIANS. Either of these two credentials is enough to make one hesitate about their ability to manage ANYTHING. It is not at all what their training/experience has been about.

Using the fact that Bush was a governor has absolutely nothing to do with one person VS another except to be humorous or taking a partisan cheap shot.

As for Palin not being a "...Hillary replacement..." thank GOD we agree on that one. See the above...she is a lawyer....she is a Senator....and some would say she has the additional distinction/burden of being a Clinton. Nope I don't think anybody views Palin as a replacement for HC. Will Palin pull some of the HC supporters? Of course she will. That is a statistical certainty that has nothing to do with politics.

While a Governor is still obliged to play politics (doesn't everybody to one degree or another?), they also have to be more closely accountable to the people. A Senator doesn't care. A Governor will most of the time be doing what is good for their state. A Senator does not think the same about the USA. A governor can't work just part time and get the job done. Saying a Senator has a part time job is being polite about how much time they do not spend on the job.

Like y'all with prior posts above, you are entitled to your thoughts and opinions, these are mine. I still like the good old criteria I used when hiring people...don't tell me what school they went to...don't tell me all the clubs they belong to....tell me what their last boss said they do better than most...tell me what their employees liked most about them...least about them...tell me why this person is THE VERY BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB! No religion....no politics...no sexual preference...

Ooooops I forgot...... I was talking about criteria for hiring people to be held accountable
for what they did AND did not do :joke:

BTK ;D

[Guest]

STEVEZ, AS THIS IS MY LAST POST IN POLITICAL FOR THE TIME BEING, I THINK IT'S A CHEAP SHOT TO CHANGE MY WORDS.

Chelsea,
Am not sure why you are so upset. It was just an example that the same questions and comments could be applied for two people.

[Guest]

Wait a minute, You mean she is not related to MICHAEL PALIN of the Monty python flying circus ??????? Thats very disappointing but it really doesn't matter ....
I'm going to vote for her anyway , She's got more guts than Obama and Biden put together...and a helleva lot more intelect ..........
Yes I'm voting for a war hero and America's answer to Maggie Thatcher...

No time for draft dodgers fumar you heard it here first...........

[Guest]

I agree. Palin, you've got to be kidding. So she was runner-up as Miss Alaska. Hardly qualifies her to be a heartbeat away from acting as the head of the free world.

I am amazed at the continual references to the fact that Ms. Palin was the runner-up as Miss Alaska. Surely being good looking and a mother doesn't disqualify you from running for political office.

Ms. Palin is new, believes in change, has minimal political experience, and is running for VP. Mr. Obama is new, believes in change, has minimal political experience, and is running for the most important position in the world. Hmmmm.

[Guest]

I can't believe the spin being put on this situation. One candidate who is accused of not having enough experience explained his plans and won his nomination in a year-long campaign against nine other candidates, getting the vote of more than 10% of Americans.

The other candidate with little or no experience was appointed and is only now beginning to let Americans "see who she is".

Yet if you listen to the conservative spinmeisters, you would think that the appointed candidate is a newly-discovered Joan of Arc. Is her position on her devoutness, right-to-life, gay rights and gun control all it takes to satisfy folks that she could assume the presidency if required?

[Guest]

Kahuna, I agree. But the digging into her will go on. Just this morning I heard one journalist refer to her as "The Perfect Storm" With the investigation of her by her home state and other things yet to come out that they are investigating.

[Guest]

I am amazed at the continual references to the fact that Ms. Palin was the runner-up as Miss Alaska. Surely being good looking and a mother doesn't disqualify you from running for political office.

Ms. Palin is new, believes in change, has minimal political experience, and is running for VP. Mr. Obama is new, believes in change, has minimal political experience, and is running for the most important position in the world. Hmmmm.



Barefoot:
I agree with you on this one. This on is a no brainer.. :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:

[Guest]

I can't believe the spin being put on this situation. One candidate who is accused of not having enough experience explained his plans and won his nomination in a year-long campaign against nine other candidates, getting the vote of more than 10% of Americans.

The other candidate with little or no experience was appointed and is only now beginning to let Americans "see who she is".

Yet if you listen to the conservative spinmeisters, you would think that the appointed candidate is a newly-discovered Joan of Arc. Is her position on her devoutness, right-to-life, gay rights and gun control all it takes to satisfy folks that she could assume the presidency if required?


When you refer to spin, have you considered the spin that the Obama folks are putting on this? First and foremost, as barefoot points out, there is a HUGE difference between the requisite experience expected of a President, the leader of the free world, and the VP. Secondly, Obama's year and a half of campaigning didn't garner him one iota increase in "experience". The only thing it provided was a vetting in front of the American people. So, from an experience perspective, Obama is on roughly the same level as Palin - just that Palin is not stepping into the top job.

During Obama's vetting, I saw enough things in him in terms of his positions and judgement to be convinced that I don't want to see him as president. Other's saw him in a different light and agree with his positions (at least I hope it is his positions that they agree with and not just his ability to read a teleprompter in a very dramatic way.) Now we can vote on whether Obama's experience, positions and judgement make him more suitable for president than McCain, judged on the same attributes.

But, with respect to Palin's experience for the VP role, here is an intellectual honesty question: It was widely speculated that Tim Kaine was on Obama's short list for VP. Here is a candidate whose experience is very similar to Palin's (mayor then governor for the exact amount of time). The pundits and many Dems were extolling what a great pick he would be - not because of his knowledge or experience, but because he might deliver Virginia with all of its electoral votes to Obama. Had he been chosen, would anyone now critical of Palin really had made the same accusations of inexperience and political pandering against Kaine that they are against Palin? I think you know the answer to this one.

[Guest]

This conversation is extremely funny. Obama is so unqualified to be President that in order for supporters to fight for him, they must compare him to a VP pick rather than the qualified man he is running against.
Keep it up, you make Obama's detractor's points perfectly.
Obama supporters should check up on the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, and then tell the rest of us how throwing away $110,000,000 dollars meant to improve the Chicago school system reflects well on his leadership and judgement.

[Guest]

All this focus on Palin will soon be gone and the main focus will then be on McCain and his 1st important decision and that is on not choosing who really wanted as VP (Joe Lieberman) and letting a former big lobbyist who now is the head of McCain's campaign bully him into picking Palin. This should tell the American public the real truth about McCain.And I hope Obama/Biden make this the issue when the debates start and not fall into the trap that the Republicans would love to happen and that is by arguing that Palin is not qualified (which is true) but they (Obama/Biden) need to expound on the fact that McCain is NOT qualified to be President based on the way he chose his VP pick,and that is he can be bought by others and he isn't the maverick he claims he is (alot of false hype for yrs on that issue,I should say) anyway this will be a major issue I think.

[Guest]

That's exactly right Bare.....it is what makes the choice so difficult this election.

And remember when we judge Ms. Palin for being "only" a governor......Jimmy Carter made the leap from Governor of Georgia to President.

[Guest]

I think the question that should be asked is "Was she the most qualified woman?" The answer is patently no.

[Guest]

Interesting article on McCain's choice of Governor Palin. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/31/america/01palin.php

[Guest]

Tal, this quote from your article and McCain's book is interesting.
"At the very least, the process reflects McCain's history of making fast, instinctive and sometimes risky decisions. "I make them as quickly as I can, quicker than the other fellow, if I can," McCain wrote, with his top adviser Mark Salter, in his 2002 book, "Worth the Fighting For." "Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint."

[Guest]

Samhass,

No, the question is, is she the most qualified person that extols the image of change, reform and tenacity that McCain wants in his presidency. The answer to that is an unqualified "yes".

Contrast that to Obama's pick. Obama's primary message during his campaign was "change", yet what was his first major decision as the nominee? Picking a VP candidate who has been around Washington since Obama was a teenager.

[Guest]

chelsea,

Just wondering ... are you as critical of Joe Biden abandoning his two young sons who just lost their mother and sibling in a car accident? Does his decision to continue as a senator, working many hours away from his kids with no parent back home to provide support make you question his fathering like you seem to question Palin's mothering (who has a supportive husband at hand)? Or, just perhaps do you have a double standard (different rules for men than women; or different rules for Republicans than Democrats)?
Something to think about.

[Guest]

Chels, as a fence sitter at this point, I think I heard a collective crotch-grabbing noise when Palin was announced from all the men who are terrified of having a women in the position of president or vice president. Perhaps pandering is the fact that Barrack Obama is the DNC presidential candidate rather than Hillary Clinton. I have been fact gathering and watching the election process since day one and the main theme I got from anti-Clinton voters was, "I can't stand that woman"! When I delicately questioned what was the policy or policies promoted by Hillary they found most offensive, hoping to garner info I didn't have, they could provide no basis for their dislike. They just didn't like her! I'm sure many of us watched Hillary speak at the DNC and were extremely impressed by this woman and what she stands for. Why isn't she the presidential candidate? It is said that her detractors when she took her senatorial seat admire her now. I even heard on one of the programs that her haircut was too short and she wore pantsuits, our media at work! Obama's past has some unsavory details that are not being promoted as are Palin's details. Enough of that junk! From my viewpoint, their experience is neck-in-neck. I don't want to hear anymore bull from the press so they can promote their candidates. I want to see Obama and McCain debating in town meetings and broadcasted public forums, then I can see the candidates through my eyes. The slanted press has election day to place their vote, they need to give us an unbiased report and nothing more about our candidates. I don't think the world will see a woman in any presidential or vice presidential office in the next fifty years. Sexism is a bigger problem at this point than racism, IMHO. Now should I post this or read it once more and delete.... Guess I'm only going round once here goes.... :dontknow:

[Guest]

NJBlue I've wondered the same thing.

[Guest]

All this focus on Palin will soon be gone and the main focus will then be on McCain and his 1st important decision and that is on not choosing who really wanted as VP (Joe Lieberman) and letting a former big lobbyist who now is the head of McCain's campaign bully him into picking Palin. This should tell the American public the real truth about McCain.And I hope Obama/Biden make this the issue when the debates start and not fall into the trap that the Republicans would love to happen and that is by arguing that Palin is not qualified (which is true) but they (Obama/Biden) need to expound on the fact that McCain is NOT qualified to be President based on the way he chose his VP pick,and that is he can be bought by others and he isn't the maverick he claims he is (alot of false hype for yrs on that issue,I should say) anyway this will be a major issue I think.


Any actual proof to this (a Keith Olberman rant doesn't count) or is this whole thing something you originated after too many adult beverages?

[Guest]

Let's stop splitting hairs and face the fact that NONE of the candidates are truly "qualified" to be president.

The folks that are really qualified will never run because of the very media hounding and harassment that is being undertaken now.

IMHO the true measure of a good manager is how they can assemble and manage input from all sources to make a good decision. No one is going to have the requisite experience in all the fields a president is called upon to pass judgment on. It is his/her job to get the very best input from advisers and make a cogent decision based on that.

The truth is that Palin is the only candidate that has had to make decisions that have any direct effect on anything. I don't consider legislators as managers, nor do I consider community "leaders" in radical organizations as the type of people we need to be managing the country's affairs.


It's going to be interesting to watch!

[Guest]

Any actual proof to this (a Keith Olberman rant doesn't count) or is this whole thing something you originated after too many adult beverages?
First of all, I don't drink "adult beverages" and this whole thing is not something I originated but is all over the cable news networks today. ;D

[Guest]

The accusation that Joe Biden "abandoned his two young sons after the death of his wife" by continuing his candidacy for the Senate is a really cheap shot. If the author has read anything about Biden, he would know that he commuted four hours almost every night that he had to be in Washington to be home with his young sons and be there in the morning to have breakfast and take them to school. I have friends that have known Biden personally for many years. They say if there was ever an example of a man who successfully mixed career and parenthood, it is Joe Biden.

If there was ever a fine example of parenting by anyone--businessperson or politician--it's Joe Biden.

Vote for whomever you want to, but back off attacking the character of a fine man.

[Guest]

I have to agree with Kahuna, although I don't know him (Biden). - Biden contemplated suicide shortly after losing his wife and daughter in an auto accident, but realized he would be abandoning his sons and that is what kept him going. He has been in Washington a lot of years, but nights were spent in Delaware. How could anyone say he abandoned his sons who has ever read anything about him?

[Guest]

The accusation that Joe Biden "abandoned his two young sons after the death of his wife" by continuing his candidacy for the Senate is a really cheap shot.
__________________________________________________ _________
I agree with you and since you never thought to mention it, the accusation about Gov Palin passing her daughters baby off as hers is sort of cheap as well...guess you forgot that :)

[Guest]

Actually, the reference to Biden wasn't really meant to be a shot at all. I personally admired what he did. However, when speaking to someone who has taken a cheap shot at the mothering qualities of Sarah Palin because she has the audacity to run for VP when she has a family with various special needs, sometimes it requires to take that cheap shot and turn it around to help the other person realize what a cheap shot that she made against Palin. Certainly if Palin is guilty of ignoring her family in a time of need, Biden also did. The reality is that neither Biden nor Palin have done anything wrong. Those who accuse Palin of poor mothering because she has responded to the call for public service, need to take a deep, long look at their partisanship. For them to make that accusation against Palin, they must also make it against Biden.

[Guest]

Fumar, if you truly believe that Sarah Palin is America's answer to "Maggie" Thatcher, then I truly pity you! How long has it taken Great Britain to recover from her pitiful performance... or have they recovered?

[Guest]

Rather than pit what she did VS what he did which none who lived in those shoes can know the first thing about what was real or not.....stop picking the fly specks outta the pepper.

The issue in this day and age is since when is it fair game to ask whether a mother or father should be abandoning their children (media heat generating phraseology)....haven't fathers been doing that for years.....it's called going to work!

Hasn't the women's movement over the years yielded the same for women...with no kids...with 2 kids...with 7 kids...it's none of anybody's business how many or why...she's going to work too!

The comments have already been labled for what they really are....sexist.

The intent is to try and keep the public eye off the real issues with the fluff that has nothing to do with anything...I think it is called political slandering.

Unfortunately the media sheep follow the droppings!!!

BTK

[Guest]

Here's a link to Governor Sarah Palin's September 3, 2008 speech-- http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Conventions/Story?id=5720910&page=1

[Guest]

OMG! McCain is choosing Gov. of Alaska (just two years) for V.P. Really? And if I may follow up. Really? Even the Republicans are reeling. Inexperience. Unknown. Under investigation.
Could step in as our President? :yikes:

hmmm, now let me see. Really? Well, bad judgment shows through. Quite frankly, I'm speechless and elated. This insures Obama an easy win. Wow!

I knew McCain's true colors would show through, but I didn't think it would be this soon.
Sarah Palin? Really?
you are so right, writing books makes you so ready for the white house....it must be a woman thing you have an issue with, guess you dont remember the days of the unexperienced Jimmy Carter years...