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CNN Reports It's Sarah Palin

by Carolyn Barta

Fri, Aug 29, 2008, 11:53 AM

CNN is now reporting that John McCain's vice-presidential choice is Sarah Palin, the one-term governor from Alaska. The choice is an obvious effort to go after women who supported Hillary Clinton and were disappointed that she was not Obama's choice. Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, appearing on CNN, called McCain's choice "exciting." She said it shows that McCain is "bold and independent," and he picked someone with those same characteristics. She said the ticket would "challenge Obama's change mantra." It fails, however, to address the experience factor -- particularly if McCain, at 72, should somehow become incapacitated. Palin has been governor of this small, out-of-the-way state for less than two years.

The choice has to be regarded as a risky one. At best, it reinforces McCain's reputation as a maverick and a reformer, since she also is regarded as a reformer. As far as attracting the disgruntled Clinton supporters, they wanted Hillary -- not just any woman, and probably not an inexperienced one. At worst, taking a relatively unknown partner who has no foreign policy experience and not a lot of executive experience could prove to be the worst vice-presidential selection since George H.W. Bush picked Dan Quayle. McCain will be spending his time defending and explaining his v.p. choice instead of refuting statements made in Obama's acceptance speech. The choice is expected to be announced at a rally in Ohio.

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written by Boo , August 29, 2008

Palin seems like a poor choice for McCain's VP to me. This is going to weaken McCain's claim to having vastly superior experience to Obama, and at least a few Evangelical groups will be displeased at the thought of having a woman a heart beat away from the presidency.

If the McCain camp was hoping that selecting a woman is going to attract form Clinton supporters I don't see that working out. Obama seems to have closed the door on that with his speech last night. I really don't understand this choice.

Also, Biden is going to tear her apart in the VP debates. Not that anyone really pays attention to those.

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written by Grrr , August 29, 2008

Biden will rip her to pieces!

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written by dt , August 29, 2008

"At worst, taking a relatively unknown partner who has no foreign policy experience and not a lot of executive experience could prove to be the worst vice-presidential selection since George H.W. Bush picked Dan Quayle."

Well, Carolyn, what is worse or "riskier": a presidential candidate with NO executive experience and no experience in foreign policy or a VP candidate with some executive experience and no experience in foreign policy?

Assuming you know what the Hillary women wanted, this will energize a lot of women who want a woman, but who didn't like Hillary.
I doubt if most of them would appreciate your telling us what they want or think.

Couldn't you wait until the official democrat talking points come out before you start to contribute to them?

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written by Paul Barnes , August 29, 2008

Wow. If McCain's camp was speechless last night after Obama's electrifying speech, they should be thunderstruck today. Worse than Quayle, indeed.

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written by Tom Pauken , August 29, 2008

Paul, I beg to disagree with you. I think that Gov. Palin is a terrific choice by John McCain. She is a solid conservative who will solidify the conservative base behind John McCain--she is both a social and economic conservative. At the same time, she is a reformer who has taken on the Republican Establishment in Alaska, whose leaders have become involved in questionable conflicts of interest. She has the potential to be America's version of Maggie Thatcher as a future leader of the Republican party. It looks like John McCain may be returning to his conservative roots by his first big decision as a candidate for President of the United States.

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written by Old Red , August 29, 2008

The McCain camp has officially lost it's arguments about "experience" as a qualification. He might as well have picked his wife Cindy. At least she has a checkbook to bring to the campaign.

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written by maximus , August 29, 2008

This was a brilliant choice. Maybe McCain does get it after all. No matter what Democrat partisans such as Carolyn Paul say, this pick has to scare them.

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written by Happy GOP , August 29, 2008

She was not my choice, but certainly more qualified to be president with her executive experience than the top of the Dem ticket. She's actually done something other than serve on non-profits with terrorists and other USA-haters.

Wish it had been Romney. But as a woman who's liberal on social issues and ultra right on fiscal issues and honest government, I'm ready to work my GOP hiney off to get McCain and Palin elected.

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written by Happy GOP , August 29, 2008

Just heard Gov Palin's speech. Wow! Now, I'm completely on board.

Old Red, you might want to re-think questioning her "experience" as compared to The Messiah or the Plagiarizer.

Palin stopped a bridge to nowhere in Alaska.

The Messiah/Resnek team was the Don Hill/Potashnik duo of Illinois. The Messiah got Resnek lots of Fed/state $$ for low income apts that he abandoned and are now slums. The Messiah got Resnek to get him a million dollar house for cheap.

The Messiah has a history and experience in government corruption. Gov Palin has a history and experience in fighting government corruption.

She's going to kick Biden's lying hiney in any debate and she won't have to steal her statements from other people's published speeches.

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written by Brown Bess , August 29, 2008

Desperate. Gimmick. Loser.

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written by Roger , August 29, 2008

McCain must be suffering from demetia with this choice. Nothing against Gov. Palin, but she's an unknown, lacks the experience of someone like Sen. Bidden. McCain just blew his chance, what a disappointment! Dem women will not switch because Gov Palin is on the ticket. Obama/Biden now have a slam dunk victory.

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written by Byron George , August 29, 2008

Great choice. She is better looking than Biden and has more experience than BHO.

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written by Byron George , August 29, 2008

Here is a funny statement from BHO's spokesperson on Gov. Palin "“Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain’s commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade"

They forgot to mention that she is the Governor of Alaska. She has more experience as BHO. BTW, BHO's trip overseas does not make him an expert.

Heaven forbid if Roe v. Wade is overturned. BHO supports killing babies.

Here is a bill that his Health and human services committee rejected. BHO Chair.

093_SB1082

LRB093 10540 MKM 10794 b

1 AN ACT concerning infants who are born alive.

2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:

4 Section 5. The Statute on Statutes is amended by adding
5 Section 1.36 as follows:

6 (5 ILCS 70/1.36 new)
7 Sec. 1.36. Born-alive infant.
8 (a) In determining the meaning of any statute or of any
9 rule, regulation, or interpretation of the various
10 administrative agencies of this State, the words "person",
11 "human being", "child", and "individual" include every infant
12 member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any
13 stage of development.
14 (b) As used in this Section, the term "born alive", with
15 respect to a member of the species homo sapiens, means the
16 complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of that
17 member, at any stage of development, who after that expulsion
18 or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of
19 the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary
20 muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been
21 cut and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction
22 occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean
23 section, or induced abortion.
24 (c) A live child born as a result of an abortion shall
25 be fully recognized as a human person and accorded immediate
26 protection under the law.

27 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
28 becoming law.

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written by Boo , August 29, 2008

Happy GOP: She's actually done something other than serve on non-profits with terrorists and other USA-haters.

Care to back those accusations up with some actual fact instead just spewing bile?

I also was favoring Romney for the VP spot since he could bring some serious money as well serious private sector executive experience to the spot. Looking back at the Republican debates though he just came across as so irritatingly whiney. And no one likes a whiner.

I think Tom Ridge would have made a good pick. He would have complemented a lot of McCain's strengths. I suppose his pro abortion stance would have made him less appealing to the the die had Republican crowd, but they would end up holding their nose and voting McCain in the end, and McCain might have picked up some independent voters along the way.

Having just now seen a few clips of Palin's acceptance speach which seems to primarily be an appeal for former Clinton supporters to cross the isle, I'm starting to suspect that it might me time to put a fork in McCain's campaign. It's certainly starting to look like it's done.

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written by john k. , August 29, 2008

Great Choice

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written by Austin , August 29, 2008

Harriet Miers must be furious. Her nomination was derailed because Republican Senators didn't think she had enough experience, and the VP slot is going to someone who hasn't completed a single term in elective office.

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written by Steve Heath , August 30, 2008

Outstanding choice. Unless she turns out to be a flaming Neocon - which I doubt - I will vote for mcCain/Palin - something I could not say yesterday.

I am truly shocked that mcCain could come up with such a great choice - for many reasons that I won't even attempt to elaborate on for the moment. For now it appears to be Mccain/Palin in 2008, and hopefully Palin in 2012. God save America. I hope Palin is the vehicle to get us back on the right track.

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written by outspokenone1 , August 30, 2008

Happy Birthday John! It's nothing like getting a gift on someone else's birthday. Great week for the Dems continues.

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written by GOP Operative , August 30, 2008

I agree with McCain on this one, this has ignighted a frenzy within the GOP. As far as the experience thing goes, the Dems are all lathered up over that it seems but they are full of it as usual.

First off, though she could eventually be president, she is not running for presisdent, Obama and McCanin are. Secondly, Obama has NO executive experience whatsoever. A two year governor has a better type of experience than any one term senator. Especially if that senator has been running for president for ab out 75% of his first term. She has additional EXECUTIVE experience as a mayor, albeit a small town.

She has a proven record of REFORM as opposed to some kind of mysterious "change" theme. Anyone can change something, it takes a real leader to champion reform.

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written by maximus , August 30, 2008

Today, I felt something I haven't felt in a long time - hope for my country. Thanks, Senator McCain. Maybe real change is on the way.

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written by don , August 30, 2008

Hey! It's Dan Quayle with a pony tail!

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written by don , August 30, 2008

Fantastic! Two republicans with absolutely zero ideas about how the economy runs!

she be Dan Quayle with a pony tail!

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written by Grrr , August 30, 2008

Thanks Byron, not all liberals like the sin of abortion. I am a pro-life liberal because the promise of life is much more important than killing life. Byron, what about the sin of the death penalty?

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written by ElHombre , August 30, 2008

"Jesus Tap-Dancing Christ. If McCain wanted a former beuaty-pagent winner with no experience and a record of ethics problems, why didn't he just pick his own wife?"

-best line I've heard about the VP pick.

If Republicans find themsselves getting excited over this pick, they must be reeeally desparate. This was just a ploy to draw attention away from Obama's acceptance speech. The ploy worked for the moment, but Palin is going to be a giant deadweight on the Rs.

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written by Brown Bess , August 30, 2008

Worst Pick Ever?
This guest post is offered by pollster Del Ali, the president of Research 2000.

Sarah Palin will wow cultural conservatives in areas where they may not have come out to vote before the selection. This is right out of Karl Rove's strategy of getting more of your own to show up and vote.

However, in many of the swing states that Bush carried in 2004, there were anti gay ballot measures to motivate the cultural conservatives to vote. There are very few of these measures on the ballots in those key states in 2008. Palin may not be enough for them to get out and vote. Clearly Rove felt in 2004 that Bush would not have been enough, thus the ballot measures.

In fact, as Palin's cultural views become better known -- she oppose abortion in all cases and opposes the use of birth control pills and condoms even among married couples -- she will undoubtedly scare the hell out of the soccer moms and 98% of Hillary voters. In fact, many of these women may feel insulted by this choice in that McCain and the GOP think they are stupid and would bypass their own interest (reproductive and economic) to vote for the ticket due to gender and anger that Hillary was not the nominee.

In my estimation as a pollster and analyst, while historic for the GOP in selecting their first woman on a national ticket, this choice may be the worst selection by a major party nominee for President in modern times.

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written by maximus , August 30, 2008

10 reasons why I support the selection of Gov. Palin.
1. Her closest friends are not former terrorists.
2. Her most trusted mentors were not Marxists.
3. We don't have to guess about her upbringing.
4. She's never been a "community activist".
5. She opposes infanticide.
6. She's not a product of the corrupt Chicago political machine.
7. It didn't take a nomination for her to be proud of America.
8. She believes in the 2nd Amendment.
9. She doesn't try to hide her true beliefs.
10. She's not trying to silence her opponents with facist tactics.

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written by Amy in Austin , August 30, 2008

Karl Rove won again. He is still in control of the White House.

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written by Byron George , August 30, 2008

If this is such a bad choice, why has it got the hell scared out of the liberals.

If she is such a bad choice, you should be proud she was picked instead of bashing her.

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written by GS , August 30, 2008

I am amazed that the Dems are complaining about Palin's lack of experience. Her resume is short, but has some real accomplishments on it. The top of the Dem ticket has so far accomplished nothing in his political career.

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written by Robert Palmer , August 30, 2008

Harry Truman had almost no experience before becoming VP
and FDR kept him in the dark even after becoming VP. Yet, he ranks as one of our best Presidents because he represented the idea of our founding fathers that our citizens are governed best by ordinary people, who serve and return home, not become lifetime politicians.

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written by Amy , August 31, 2008

More experience than BHO??? Experience at what? Mayor of a 1 stoplight town in Timbuktu Alaska? Being gov. of a state with more moose than people, and for less than 2 years? WOW!
All that "experience" is sure to convince me that she's ready to be POTUS. Just as all Bush's "experience" did. Try again, neocons, and good luck with all that. You'll need it.

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written by Roadside , August 31, 2008

The Obama people must be furious because Obama has nothing but hot air and sweet nothings while she has a real track record of reform and executive leadership. Maybe if she made promises she knew she couldn't kepp as Obama did in his acceptance speech they would feel better. Or maybe she can insult African Americans and Asians as the Democrat's VP candidate has done. But I think they are going to be disappointed.

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written by Byron George , August 31, 2008

I'm still waiting for a BHO supporter to name me a few of his accomplishments.

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written by Austin , August 31, 2008

She opposes birth control pills and condoms even with married couples? What part of getting the government off our backs does THAT position come from?

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written by Steve Heath , August 31, 2008

Experience is so important? Give me a break. Our country is run by a bunch of corrupt, "experienced" politicians from both parties who are beholden to special interests that don't give a damn about America and Americans. Biden may know more facts about foreign policy and economic legislation, but when it comes time to vote, he dances to the tune of whatever song is played by AIPAC, the crooks on Wall Street or every other powerful group degenerate special interests that are sucking this country dry and running America into the ground. The same is true for the majority of our "experienced" politicians from both parties.

Palin represents a chance for America to get a leader who serve our interests and not just feed us lies and empty rhetoric. From my limited study of her background and life, I believe this to be a very likely possibility. Hopefully my initial assessment will prove to be right. McCain should be commended for this choice, even if his reasons may have been purely selfish and poitical.

She is just as qualified as the last two Governors who became President - more qualified by virtue of the substance and quality of her service. She can learn on the job as Vice-President and in short order -- hopefully at least four years -- she'll be ready to compete with our professional politicians like Hillary to lead this country forward.

I'll take my chances. From what I see from the life of this lady, both personal and political, gives me hope that perhaps she can be the one to break the cycle and end the stranglehold that these corrupt powerful interests have on our country. They have done enormous damage and have placed our country in serious danger of decline and eventual ruin.

Like Ron Paul, this lady appears to be the real deal. How many former Buchanan supporters have ever had the chance to compete on a national level? Zero - big money makes sure of that. Ron Paul showed us that despite energizing hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic supporters and activists, and $25 million spontaneously from individuals, that Americans are not ready yet to start listening to truthsayers. Being Vice-president will give her the advantage to compete on a national level, especially since she seems to have talents and skills that Paul did not have, which may allow her to take it to the next level.

I may be overly optimistic at this stage, but for the moment I and others will indulge ourselves a bit and by expressing some hope that perhaps someone is entering the national stage who will be a voice for advocate for America and Americans.

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written by Byron George , August 31, 2008

Amy,
Re-read your post! Ms. Palin is running for vp. BHO is running for POTUS. What has he done? Now if Biden was the Democratic nominee and BHO was his running mate then both parties would be about equal in governmental experience.

My guess there are more people living in "1 stoplight towns" in America than the large cities combined. Of course they are out there "clinging to their guns and religion."

Maximus said it best in his post on BHO. You don't know who he is and he wants to be our POTUS. I don't think so and neither will the American people in November.

It has become obvious that the democratic party wants to be the ones to make history with the first black-American president. Hey, I'm all for it but they should have at least picked someone that has done something. All I hear is "change." So far all BHO has changed is his mind on most issues.

You make fun of small town America and the Alaskan people. At least Ms. Palin has been the leader of something other than a "community activist" and a member of Congress with a lower popular rating than GWB.

Finally, if Ms. Palin is such a bad choice, why are the democrats degrading her? You would think they would be tickled to death of the pick.

She scares the democratic machine.

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written by ElHombre , August 31, 2008

"My guess there are more people living in "1 stoplight towns" in America than the large cities combined."-Byron George

Your guess would be wrong. Several-decades-out-of-date wrong. Massively 'I should take a moment and check my facts before making a fool of myself' wrong.

You have to love maximus's list, as well. Ten reasons why he's not voting for Obama pretending to be ten reasons he's voting for someone he's never heard of.

To Robert Palmer: Google the words "Truman Committee" and amend your earlier post before you fall into a Byron-esque habit of talking out of yer backside.

Back on topic: McCain just fliped the bird at Americans. He wants us to believe he has the judgement to be President, yet his first judgement call is to place the Republican party over the good of the country. No one beleives that Palin was the best qualified of all the people McCain had to choose from. Palin was picked solely for political reasons.

By contrast, Obama picked a long-serving Senator who has built up a reputation as being knowledgeable on little things such as foreign relations and the judiciary and is quite capable of picking up the President's duties if need be. Unlike Palin who, by the McCain campaign's own admission, is going to have to learn on the job.

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written by Amy in Austin , August 31, 2008

Don't misinterpret my criticism as fear. As a Democrat, I'm elated over this choice. As an American, I'm terrified.

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written by Byron George , August 31, 2008

El Hombre, could it be the democratic party flipped the bird at America. They want us to believe that BHO is the most qualified democrat in America.

I love watching dems squirm. She has more experience than BHO. Before you down her experience, you should check the experience of your candidate. Wasn't it Hillary questioned BHO's experience. In fact, I believe Biden did also.

Obama was picked solely for political reasons.

If I have to choose between a president who will have to learn on the job or a vp who has to learn on the job, I will pick the vp.

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written by ElHombre , August 31, 2008

"Obama was picked solely for political reasons."

See? This ignorance of yours is what I'm talking about. Obama was elected through a democratic process by several million Americans over several months. Why did he get the job? He convinced them through ideas that he would make a good President.

Palin was picked by one person, McCain (without much vetting or forethought beforehand), in what reports say was a last-minute decision last week.

Again, what was McCain thinking? Was he even thinking at all? Wasn't Quayle enough?

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written by Byron George , August 31, 2008

Obama is not the person that was elected. He has "changed" his mind on nearly every issue since his defeating Hillary.

Palin scares you, doesn't she.

You still have a candidate with NO record. If I am missing something please tell me what BHO has done.

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written by ElHombre , August 31, 2008

Errr... a primary is settled by an election. Get your facts straight or stop insulting everyone's intelligence.

As to what Obama has done... Instead of rehashing his record in Congress and Illinois (which you might want to try sometime), let's stay on topic and compare the two VP picks insofar as to how they show the judgement of the two main candidates:

Obama, after a long period of searching, picked a long-serving Senator with a track record of being knowledgable about the issues to take over the office of President should anything happen to Obama.

McCain picked a brand-new Govenor of a small state who didn't even know what the VP job entails.

Which candidate showed better judgement? Obama or McCain? The answer is Obama.

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written by Amy , August 31, 2008

Byron George: I don't need to re-read my post, and I find your condescending comments extremely annoying. I'm well aware of who is running for which position in this election. Ms. Palin would be a heartbeat away from POTUS, especially given the age of her running mate; she has nothing to qualify her for that office, either by intellect or experience. No question lots of people live in small communities, but that's completely irrelevant to the issue of her lack of qualifications to be POTUS (or VPOTUS, for that matter), and your attempt to obscure that real issue is dishonest. Now to your comment about "experience" at the POTUS candidate level: McCain's "experience" is about as unimpressive as Bush's. A man who cheated on his first wife, a man who has never refused the friendship of lobbyists, a man with a well-documented hot temper, a man given to cheap shots, like the completely inappropriate and crude remark about Chelsea Clinton and Janet Reno, etc. Your hero will run on his record of "experience", and you may not find that record very flattering, Mr. George. Obama is not nearly as old as your hero but even to this date and by stark contrast to your hero, he has a well-documented history of making a positive difference in the lives of the non-privileged. McCain is an old, immoral, addle-brained fool who'll now say or do anything to attract votes, including hiring Karl Rove flunkies to run his campaign. The choice in this election is clear. See ya in November, Mr. George. Your hero is going down with most of the rest of his party colleagues; get used to it.

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written by Byron George , September 01, 2008

Which party showed better judgment in their pick for presidential candidate? The republican party who chose a well respected and ready to be president (per Hillary and Biden) Senator in John McCain or a freshman senator who wants "on the job training" (per Biden & Clinton) to be president. The answer is the republicans.

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written by Hector , September 01, 2008

Vote for Socialism
Vote Obama!

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written by Jonathan Green , September 01, 2008

This is a racist blog headed by Tom Mcgregor and Tom Pauken. I am finished with this Blog its based soley on racist portrayal of distinguished African Americans both locally and Nationally.

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written by Byron George , September 01, 2008

JG, any criticism of BHO is racist, correct?

He still has no experience.

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written by Byron George , September 01, 2008

Amy, being a community activist in Chicago does not make one presidential material. Unbelievable that you would argue that BHO has the experience to be president and Ms. Palin doesn't have the experience to be vp. Amazing.

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