Kinda kills the whole 'not ready to lead' thing.
Posted by heretic at August 29, 2008 07:43 AMNBC is reporting that McCain's people have confirmed that it will be Palin.
Posted by snark at August 29, 2008 07:43 AMTrying the Vogue cover link again
Posted by CG at August 29, 2008 07:49 AMI wouldn't but I'm sure someone will ask if we can afford to have a governor with only two years of experience from one of the smallest states in the union and no national credentials at all leading this country should the head of the ticket not be available to finish the term.
Interesting. This signals that the McCain camp knows they are in a very bad position, so are willing to take a huge gamble.
No one knows a thing about Palin. This means that voters can project their own thoughts onto her, and obviously the McCain camp hopes that they get a lot of crossover Hillary supporters because their VP candidate is a woman. Just like a Republican -- hiring a minority or woman purely as a token, not due to that person's particular merits.
But there are trade-offs. As heretic points out this will complicate the "Obama is too inexperienced" meme. The other problem is that being totally new, if the Democrats can find a Palin scandal and push it immediately she won't have a chance to establish a positive image.
Frankly I see this in the same light as Mondale's selection of Ferrarro. We know the cards are all stacked against us, why don't we throw in the wild card?
Posted by Anonny at August 29, 2008 07:52 AMCG,
You do know that that's not a real cover or a real photo, right?
Posted by snark at August 29, 2008 07:53 AMGeez, I'm pathetic. No, didn't know it was real--a friend told me about it and I looked for it. If she were a dem, it would be circulating as real all over the right wing talk shows. I'll believe anything, which is why I come here to find out what's really going on.
Posted by CG at August 29, 2008 07:56 AMThe other problem is that being totally new, if the Democrats can find a Palin scandal and push it immediately she won't have a chance to establish a positive image.
Prolem is Obama just went out of his way to say that they were not going to do that.
Unless he's gonna do things the "old style politics" way and allow his second tier people to go after her.
Posted by snark at August 29, 2008 07:57 AMGeez, I'm pathetic. No, didn't know it wasn't real--a friend told me about it and I looked for it. If she were a dem, it would be circulating as real all over the right wing talk shows. I'll believe anything, which is why I come here to find out what's really going on.
Posted by CG at August 29, 2008 07:57 AMJohn likes the ladies, everyone in D.C. knows that. It won't be three days before the McCain camp starts in on the Obama campaign for "sexist" comments.
Posted by T2 at August 29, 2008 08:01 AMShe's totally tied into the fossil fuel industry. Fits well into the Obama theme of a McCain presidency as "more of the same old thinking". Maybe she can chair another super secret energy task force just like Cheney did?
Posted by snark at August 29, 2008 08:05 AMHa! McCain knows he's toast. He's got to hide behind a girl. Pussy!
Posted by iamcoyote at August 29, 2008 08:05 AMIf the McCain camp's rationale was to siphon off disgruntled Hillary supporters with his VP pick, why wait until after the Dem convention when the Dem's were able to close ranks (mostly)? I would think those same former Hillary supports, PUMA's, etc. would see McCain's pick as disingenuous at best (I would love to hear some feedback on this!).
This might be a huge mistake for McCain...
The Mondale/Ferraro comparisons should start shortly I would think.
Posted by snark at August 29, 2008 08:08 AMDid some online research about her -- my God, McCain has picked his own Dan Quayle, only with less experience. Her handling of the recent Troopergate press conference was something you'd expect from a small-town mayor, which is what she was until her recent election to Governor.
Biden v. Palin will be like King Kong v. Bambi.
She has all the standard Republican talking points, and is especially pathetic on the environment.
Troopergate, btw, is that her sister is having a bitter divorce battle with a state trooper, so her office pressured the Public Safety Commissioner to fire her ex-brother in law. When the Commissioner refused whe was fired. We can expect THAT to be pushed by Obama's team.
Posted by Anonny at August 29, 2008 08:11 AMCG, Don't be so hard on yourself, at least it's her real head on that cover.
Posted by Seven of Six at August 29, 2008 08:11 AMiamcoyote, you're BRILLIANT! Thank God she's in and not Jesus Romney or Shithole Pawlenty. Palin looks like the ditz on SNL. Maybe she is the ditz. Oh, God, will her hairstyles be mocked by the fascist MSM? Will her inexperience chafe the Fox news Gestapo? Will Rush call her a dyke? Will Palin be as excoriated as Hillary has been by everyone, Dem or Repub?
This choice has stunned and delighted me; it's as gross as the Quayle choice Bush Sr made, like: WHO?
Posted by Mentally Incompetent at August 29, 2008 08:11 AMClearly this is pandering, hoping to attract Clinton supporters because you know they only supported Clinton because she's a woman, so they'll obviously vote for McCain because he's picked a female running mate. McCain apparently believes all women to be as vapid as Cindy.
Posted by ann at August 29, 2008 08:13 AMOh, I forgot one important thing. Nobody is going to feel comfortable voting for a black guy. So McShit chose a WOMAN with five kids, one going to Iraq and an infant with Downs Syndrome...and for the anti-feminists out there, she is a former beauty queen. She's a heartbeat away from Johhny, who is dead already, just hasn't fallen over yet.
So, kids, we have in effect, our first woman President, Sarah Pale-in-comparison.
Posted by Mentally Incompetent at August 29, 2008 08:15 AMPalin looks like the ditz on SNL. Maybe she is the ditz.
Hey, look how easy it is to sound like a republican jerkoff!
Posted by at August 29, 2008 08:20 AM
It just gets worse.
Spent all her life in Idaho and Alaska (no doubt deep foreign policy experience.
Majored in journalism at U of Idaho. (Strong economics background, no doubt.
Won a beauty pagent and was a sports reporter.
Now, there are a lot of things about her that help her image in Alaska. 5 kids. Member of "Feminists for Life". And has built a reputation for some independence from typical Republican interests (sounds like more style than substance). No doubt the Republicans will push those points.
Here's a funny one:
"She admits that she used marijuana when it was legal in Alaska, but says that she did not like it."
Hmmm .. who does that sound like?
Posted by Anonny at August 29, 2008 08:25 AMI headed over to this blog to see if any pro Hillery supporters were posting, mostly interested in their take on a woman being chosen.
A mockery has been made of the Presidency by the Republicans as far as I am concerned, they are doing a "Launch" of their product. They have the demographic numbers they have crunched them and bingo a "women that will do it".
Insulting women by not having one qualified doesn't matter to this guy, a really big problem is how to get that message out, its almost satanic.
The Obama campaign has a new problem and poor Biden gets to debate the newbe, fat chance he can't, Joey can talk to women like a good dad. LOL
Palin vetting process:
McCain pushes Palin out in front of a focus group of pumas.
One of them lifts up her tail and proclaims: "Yep, by cracky, she'll do just fine".
What an insult to women.
Posted by TIKI AL at August 29, 2008 08:37 AM"She admits that she used marijuana when it was legal in Alaska, but says that she did not like it."
Yeah, cuz I'm sure the weed they grow in Alaska is just awful.
What does the Governor of Alaska do, anyway? Does she have to deal with Old Man McGantry who's been shooting at elk from his porch without a permit again?
This is a hilarious pick. "We need someone young! And a woman! Find me a young woman! Like a former beauty queen! Little eye candy around the West Wing, purdy little gal!"
Either this is somehow brilliant or Songbird just drove the first nail into the Coffin of Obscurity.
And who would TAKE this job?? Oy. Following that saggy old man around the country. Guarantee the scenery is much better back home.
Posted by MaskedVigilante at August 29, 2008 08:38 AMI'm switching between CNBC and the Fox Business Channel to follow this. Some of the liberal anchor women on CNBC seem quite impressed with Sarah Palin.
I was hoping for Carly Fiorina, but this pick makes more sense. At least SOMEBODY in this campaign has experience governing. Palin has been a mayor and now a governor.
I think it pulls the Republican ticket more to the middle, while Obama's pick pulled the Democratic ticket more to the left. There is now a candidate running that is concerned with women's rights. I think that appeals to those in the middle and maybe even some on the left. She has children, and one is handicapped (Downs syndrome). So we can expect a sensitive voice for social causes from Palin.
America's #1 issue is the economy, followed #2 by energy. And it's energy that's mostly been impacting people and the economy. Palin is a solid choice as most Americans support more domestic oil production, while also supporting diversifying our energy supply such as nuclear, wind and solar. The McCain-Palin ticket is "The Energy" ticket.
Palin is also considered a "maverick" in Alaska, as she's not afraid with breaking with the party dogma to represent the concerns of the people.
The Fox Business Channel is running previous interviews with Sarah this morning. She is an extremely bright and articulate woman.
Posted by Muck at August 29, 2008 08:42 AMPalin's governing experience (from Turk's link):
JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska lawmakers on Monday approved an investigation into whether Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power in firing a public safety commissioner.Lawmakers say they want to know whether Palin was mad at former commissioner Walt Monegan for not firing an Alaska State Trooper who went through a messy divorce and ongoing child custody battles with Palin's sister.
The Legislative Council, which is made up of seven members each from the House and Senate, approved $100,000 for the investigation that is expected to take place over the next several months.
The firing has dogged Palin since she dismissed Monegan July 11, saying she wanted the department to chart a different course.
Palin replaced him with Kenai Police Chief Chuck Kopp, but that lasted just two weeks. He resigned Friday after an undisclosed reprimand that stemmed from a sexual harassment claim against him came to light.
Great choice, Songbird.
Posted by iamcoyote at August 29, 2008 08:44 AM"She admits that she used marijuana when it was legal in Alaska", well, that ought to sew up the Evangelical vote for Johnny Boy. not. Palin is a curious pick, as she's not linked to McCain, either personally (yet) or politically and has no national constituency at all. She is a nobody. You've got to wonder what angle Rove is going for here. To think that the McCain camp looked at all the GOP VP candidates and selected an inexperienced unknown certainly reinforces the Maverick trademark, but other than that, I can't see how this excites the base. For her sake, I hope they make it through the campaign without him calling her a c*#t to her face.
Posted by T2 at August 29, 2008 08:45 AMJust like the 'pukes to nominate someone under active investigation. Hard to find a 'puke who isn't right now.
Posted by iamcoyote at August 29, 2008 08:48 AMThis is like GHWB picking Clarence Thomas and saying with a straight face: "He's the most qualified candidate in America for the Supreme Court."
Typical Republican Tokenism.
Posted by Anonny at August 29, 2008 08:51 AMThe McCain-Palin ticket is "The Energy" ticket.
Yeah.
One is a dinosaur.
And the other one thinks we can solve all our enrgy problem by digging up more dinosaurs!
Posted by at August 29, 2008 08:52 AM"She has children, and one is handicapped (Downs syndrome). So we can expect a sensitive voice for social causes from Palin."
The Down Syndrome was diagnosed very early in the pregnancy.
The "sensitive" thing to do would have been to abort and save the child from a short miserable life. Of course, being a pro-life godbot she said she was "happy that god chose us" for the challenge.
I read about Palin at TPM weeks ago. They all thought she would be out because of the scandals.
Posted by Seven of Six at August 29, 2008 08:57 AMAppeal to the "intelligence" of Americans all you want, this is gonna turn out to be an effective pick. If Troopergate turns out to be overrated, she's tough on corruption, to the point of throwing out the corrupt Governor, has all the right GOP views (no abortion, no gay marriage, yes to lots of guns), is young, people love her (90% approval rate in her state) and fiesty.
Just my first reaction. I like her. I probably disagree with every political view she has, but she's very likeable.
I'm going to duck now.
Posted by Jeff Dinelli at August 29, 2008 08:58 AMYou've got to wonder what angle Rove is going for here.
T & A, obviously. It could have been a blowup doll. They needed a headline to try to curb Obama's bounce. She's probably the only woman who said "yes." It'll be hilarious to watch all the talking heads who had no problem with sexism during the primary suddenly find it the most horrific thing now. Someone better stock up on fainting couches and smelling salts.
Posted by iamcoyote at August 29, 2008 09:02 AMOK, Tweety and Keith, have at the beeotch.
We know you can do it!
Posted by TIKI AL at August 29, 2008 09:04 AMI've already seen wingnuts who have been hammering Obama on the experience issue touting Palin for being "ready to lead". They will literally say or do anything for their side.
Unfortunately for them, they've been playing the "scary Muslims ready to take over the world -- need a strong, experienced Republican father to fight them back" card for so long that Palin's utter lack of any foreign policy experience (except perhaps over Canadian fishing rights) is going to undercut their whole schtick.
Posted by Anonny at August 29, 2008 09:09 AMAt the same time, the dems can't attack McCain's pick for lack of experience--at least not much.
Posted by CG at August 29, 2008 09:29 AMThe "sensitive" thing to do would have been to abort and save the child from a short miserable life. Of course, being a pro-life godbot she said she was "happy that god chose us" for the challenge.
Posted by TIKI AL at August 29, 2008 08:56 AM
Who the hell are you to make that choice for a woman?
Posted by Muck at August 29, 2008 09:31 AMKinda reminds me of when I tried to get a date to go with me to the Senior Prom. Has anyone speculated as to how many times he got "turned down" before arriving at this "Choice?"
Prolly after watching that stellar speech last night gave most sane possibles a definite case of cold feet. This election certainly has the potential to be "McGovernesque" in its outcome.
Watching Faux News spew superlatives has me gasping for air with laughter.
Posted by Senor F. at August 29, 2008 09:32 AMThe pick will pose challenges for both sides. The Obama campaign will need to be very respectful so as not to anger independent and Republican women who are open to Obama's message. McCain just killed his experience theme, which is all he had left besides character attacks. It will be interesting, anyway.
Posted by CA Pol Junkie at August 29, 2008 09:35 AMheard about the pick over here. also heard the push back against the troopergate thing. it seems the dude had a problem with beating his wife, so palin stepped in and fired him to protect his sister. andrea mitchell stated it was a wash, since palin was protecting her sister. interesting, when she goes up against the author of the violence against women's act. they also stated biden needs to be careful lest he seem the bully. wtf? can you see putin or other world leaders being light on her cuz she's a woman. a "part time," mayor of 8000 and a governor of the largest chunk of ice south of the north pole. pro life, pro home school, pro hagee, pro robertson. besides being a woman, and a former beauty queen, what exactly are her credentials, since she is the next in line???
Posted by anthony at August 29, 2008 09:56 AMI think his efforts to "pick off" the Hillary vote by choosing Palin will fail, but we have to be careful and not sound like a bunch of sexist asses in opposing her, or the primary battles could get resurrected, which I'm sure is what the Republicans are hoping for. There are plenty of reasons to oppose Palin without saying she's a ditz or a bimbo.
Posted by wilder at August 29, 2008 09:59 AMI think you have seriously misread this pic, Turk.
First of all, from what I have read, the Republican base will be very excited about this pick.
Second, it's a gambit intended to bring out the worst in the Obama campaign and the Obama media:
I can guarantee that the misogyny directed at Hillary will be repeated against Palin. In fact, it will probably be worse, since she was *gasp* .. a beauty queen!
Score one for McCain.
Next, you know that Palin will be ridiculed for her inexperience. How does that help Obama? His experience is roughly comparable.
McCain doesn't need to attack Obama for his lack of experience now... he can count on team Obama to hammer home that message with their attacks on Palin.
"Who the hell are you to make that choice for a woman?"
Unlike you, I'm the guy that wants to make sure that women HAVE a choice. She can do what she wants.
Of course you republicans like torture, so I can see why you would let a Down child go full term.
Posted by TIKI AL at August 29, 2008 10:31 AM"...this is gonna turn out to be an effective pick...."
yeah, like Dan Quayle was an effective pick
Posted by gay veteran at August 29, 2008 10:50 AMAh...it appears Rove and co went for the beauty queen energy/big oil demographic here...so they picked a newbie and fairly green candidate (and I don't mean environmentally so) so that perhaps the ummm neocon oil baron advisors that are truly running the McWorsethanBush show here can perhaps use her as another tool and puppet ...you know the reverse of Bush/Cheney ....she's just gonna be the front person for the behind the scenes war criminals running McLame and co...just watch....you know while people and more importantly establishment press are fawningly watching the the pretty shiny object over here the real leaders/criminals will continue with the raping and pillaging the country and world. I find it interesting that it appears she's apparently "pro life" while she's also pro death penalty..apparently not seeing the contradiction in that...but whatever.
This certainly makes it interesting....and my inital take is that it's a really stupid pick and Rove and Co are off their game...but it's not gonna get the Hillary women demographic...those folks are much smarter/savvy than this and can see through the superficiality of this pick from a mile away.
Posted by emal at August 29, 2008 11:32 AM
Great points emal. Loved the McWorsethanBush name, mind if I steal it?
I find it interesting that it appears she's apparently "pro life" while she's also pro death penalty..apparently not seeing the contradiction in that...but whatever.
Yeah, they don't see the contradiction in the war issue and death of civilians in a foreign country either. Such great Christians in this country!
...it appears Rove and co went for the beauty queen energy/big oil demographic here...
Cough...cough...uhhh, s'cuse me. I am a Broke Back Mountain Hollywood Leftcoast liberal faggot. I've seen drag queens dressed as librarians pull it off better than this woman.
The only guy who gets a woody over Palin would be those into abuse from Department of Motor Vehicle supervisors. Does she understand that the beehive went out with Britt Ekland and Elke Sommers...and that she doesn't pull it off nearly as well?
Okay, so Palin blocks anti-gay legislation, but is rabidly anti-gay. She is pro evangelical and anti-choice. I get it! She is an in-the-closet republi-con man!
Posted by phidipides at August 29, 2008 12:33 PMSeven, use whatever phrase or pet name of the day I have for McWorse....but just lettin you know, I can't guarantee that they aren't ones I've read elsewhere and just decided to use....as for the pro life pro war thing many repukes live with...total agreement...totally...apparently it's a pro only certain lives I deem important enough stance.
phid.. I shoulda said beauty queen pageant energy/big oil demographic instead. That would have been clearer as to what I was getting at there. I personally wasn't attempting to attack the woman for her looks...I don't want to go down that path here as most likely she'll be subjected to that alot just because she's a woman. Let me just say, at least she doesn't have the joker-esque vacant eyed look that Dear Leader's wife possesses....because that's just plain scary. I haven't heard her speak or laugh yet so I can't knock her voice and find out if she cackles, haven't seen if she's ever exposed even a bit of her cleavage or if she wears pantsuits....ok just kidding...I really don't care about any of those things...it's her lack of experience and stances on many issues that are enough for me to count her out.. but I'm certain many others out there (usually the establishment pressitudes) will have a field day with those types of non-issues and I'm sure it'll be distracting them endlessly from the real issues out there.
Posted by emal at August 29, 2008 12:58 PMI haven't heard her speak or laugh yet so I can't knock her voice and find out if she cackles, haven't seen if she's ever exposed even a bit of her cleavage or if she wears pantsuits....ok just kidding...
Damn emal, you've come a long way... even joking about it all.
I have a feeling we are all starting to recover from this nasty primary.
Realizing that McWorsethanbu$h is finally uniting us.
Seven, just for the record...I still found those attacks unfounded and was even sadder to see many Dems pile on those non-sensical superficial issues...that said, Palin shouldn't be subjected to them either and Dems in the left blogosphere better watch out for it and not pile on if and when it happens because it will turn people off (including myself). There's enough of a difference on the issues where she should easily be criticized ...and contrasted to with Obama/Biden.
Also, as far as her own Troopergate scandal with her BIL...all I'm gonna say is that with Rove's efforts and success in clearing house and inserting only repuke political loyalist to the DOJ...well let's just say I'm not holding my breath going down that path waiting for the results to be her downfall. TPM reports she's already pulling a Bush/Cheney/Addington in regard to citing a form of executive priviledge refusing to release her emails on the subject...apparently she's a very quick learner as she's already mastered that republican prerequisite I see.
Congrats! It's so exciting to have a McCain and Palin ticket in 2008! Good Luck!
http://www.johnmccainsarahpalin.us
Posted by Jim Cass at August 29, 2008 07:09 PM"I think it pulls the Republican ticket more to the middle"
Muck, that's not what I am hearing. I am hearing the she is to the Right of McCain.
Posted by Judith at August 29, 2008 09:04 PMWatch for Troopergate to disappear.
Posted by Judith at August 29, 2008 09:25 PM