Cafferty File: McCain's VP Undermines His Message
By Nicole Belle Friday Aug 29, 2008 2:45pm
(h/t Heather)
Ruh roh...I think McCain's big gamble may have thrown snake eyes. Jack Cafferty asked the question if John McCain undercuts his own message by choosing a younger politician with no foreign policy experience as his Vice President. Before the show even went on the air, Cafferty had 6,000 emails. By the next segment, they had received some 11,000 emails today.
And the response should not make McCain feel good.
Rebecca in California: "As a lifelong Republican soccer mom living in an affluent community, I was impressed with Senator Obama's acceptance speech last evening. Having my morning latte with a few of my Republican friends, I almost spit my coffee when I heard the news. Is McCain really putting the best interests of our nation first? To me, he is pandering to women, trying to obtain their vote. It seems he wants another 'trophy' to parade around with. What is wrong with this man?"
Transcripts below the fold
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: The question about Mrs. Palin went up on CNN.com about an hour and a half ago. We have received, before this show started, over 6,000 e-mails on this little topic. And the Republicans ain't going to like this.
All we've heard from John McCain is Barack Obama's too young, Barack Obama's too inexperienced, he can't be the commander in chief. Who do you want answering the phone at the White House in 3:00 in the morning? Blah, blah, blah, blah.
So what does he do? He picks somebody to be his running mate who is younger than Barack Obama, has less experience than Barack Obama. Sarah Palin's 44. Obama's 46.
Sarah Palin's in her first term as governor of Alaska. That's a state that has 13 people and some caribou. Obama is a member of the United States Senate from Illinois.
It's not a big deal except for this: If McCain wins, he'll be the oldest person ever inaugurated for a first term at 72. He's got a history of health problems, including bouts with melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer. It's reasonable to at least consider that McCain's running mate could be called upon to be our president.
Meanwhile, some may see this as a move for McCain to attract disaffected women who voted for Hillary Clinton and aren't yet behind Obama. Others might see it as pandering.
It might not work for a few reasons. Palin, like McCain, is pro- life. Also, she might be a woman, but she's no Hillary Clinton when it comes to experience or her ideology. At some point, voters are going to have to ask themselves, who would they rather have running the country if it ever became necessary: Joe Biden or Sarah Palin?
Here's the question: Does John McCain undercut his own message by naming someone even younger and more inexperienced than Barack Obama to be his running mate?
You can go to CNN.com/caffertyfile and post a comment on my blog. This could be ballgame over.
BLITZER: Six thousand e-mails in only an hour. That's a lot, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Yes, before the show even went on the air.
BLITZER: Yes. Get ready for a few thousand more in the next few minutes. Thanks very much, Jack. We'll check back with you.
[snip]
CAFFERTY: The question this hour, Wolf, is, does John McCain undercut his own message by naming someone younger and even more inexperienced than Barack Obama to be his running mate?
This is a very small sampling of the over 11,000 e-mails I have gotten in the last hour-and-a-half or so.
Rebecca in California: "As a lifelong Republican soccer mom living in an affluent community, I was impressed with Senator Obama's acceptance speech last evening. Having my morning latte with a few of my Republican friends, I almost spit my coffee when I heard the news. Is McCain really putting the best interests of our nation first? To me, he is pandering to women, trying to obtain their vote. It seems he wants another 'trophy' to parade around with. What is wrong with this man?"
Dave writes: "The fact that absolutely no one in or around her or McCain's inner circle had not even the smallest clue this was going to happen shows it was a last-minute desperation pick. McCain is falling all over himself after the Democratic Convention and is now grasping at straws."
Mitch in Michigan writes: "I think McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as V.P. very similar to Bush's nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. It shows how much a McCain presidency would be just like the Bush presidency, with the selection of totally unqualified individuals for high government posts. We've seen the disastrous results of such picks by Bush. We can not let McCain continue this saga."
Horatio writes: "These negative comments about Palin's inexperience are hilarious. She's a whopping three years younger than Obama, and has about the same amount of experience. If she's an irresponsible choice, Obama as president is even worse, since he's at the top of the ticket. Palin is a great balance for the ticket: young, smart, and has an independent streak a mile wide."
Christine writes: "I am a true-Bill-Hillary -- a true-blue Hillary supporter, but I am sure -- I'm sure Hillary did not mean to put 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, so that a pro-life, pro- gun, homeschooling nobody from the frozen tundra of Alaska could slide in."
Doug writes: "Had I known that being a hockey mom under 45 and having virtually no political experience was the desired V.P. running mate for McCain, I would have asked my wife to throw her hat into the ring. McCain has just handed the presidency to Barack Obama."
Meagan writes: "Cafferty, for once, and probably the only time, I actually agree with you, better than I could have said it."
And Glenn writes: "It is a bold move by John McCain to reach out to the Eskimo vote, which has been totally ignored by the news media."
If you didn't see your e-mail here, you can go to my blog at CNN.com/caffertyfile, and look for yours there.
But, I'm telling you, there's 11,000 postings. We got a lot of mail to this, Wolf.
BLITZER: Yes, it certainly has.
All right, Jack, thank you.
Login or Register to post comments.
'Palin is in her first term of Alaska, a state with 13 people and some Cariboo.'
I fuckin laughed hard, nice one Jack
Jumping Jesus, even Dumbya had the sense the pick a better VP (albeit a truly evil one).
What does it say about McSame when Dumbya outshines him?
Fun to watch the MSM switching into panic-crazy mode.
He chose the Rep. who resembled Paris Hilton the closest.
Sarah Palin isn't Hillary Clinton, in every way that matters to voters.
John McCain doesn't understand women.
Choosing a far right wing woman, who stands in stark contrast on every issue important to Hillary supporters won't win him a single state. Not even Alaska.
Learn the difference on the issues, and vote smart.
www.SarahPalinISNTHillaryClinton.com
mccain wins the eskimo vote....rofl
Do not, please, do NOT make fun of Alaska to dissent against Palin.
(1) Democrats stand a VERY good chance of picking up a Senate seat there, and, yeah, believe it or not, Senators from low population states count just as much as a Senator from New York or California.
(2) Many of us Democrats would have been happy to have had a candidate from Montana (i.e., Gov Brian Schweitzer as VP), and it's just a bit more populated than Alaska. Joe Biden's from Delaware, which, as you know, doesn't have the biggest population either.
Finally, there's nothing about Palin to make fun of personally. It's her positions and use of power. If Sarah Palin were a really well-thought out progressive reformer, I'd support her, and I don't even blame Alaskans for choosing her over political old-timers too mired in a rigid corruption scheme.
(Though once in office that 'maverick' reform reputation went to heck -- no, she never opposed the bridge to nowhere and certainly not getting the federal funds for it, that's another lazy media myth.)
To those who feel it's necessary to continously point out Obama's shorcomings and failings. I understand and appreciate your concerns about our candidate.
I also know there are sheeple in the democratic party who believe that Obama will save us from all evil, send you a pony for your birthday, cause the rivers to run lemonade, and turn the mountains into chocolate cake HOWEVER THE REST OF US DON’T
We need to support Obama full out for the next 60+ days for one reason and one reason only. IF WE DON’T HAVE ANY OVERWHELMING TURNOUT WITH THE VAST MAJORITY OF VOTERS CASTING THEIR BALLOT FOR OBAMA THE RAT B*STARDS WILL STEAL THE ELECTION AGAIN!!!
Once Obama’s in office and we have a clear majority in the house and senate then it’s time to tighten the screws and make these people do their job, representing the citizens of the country not the freakin’ corporate megalomaniacs.
So here’s the game:
1. WE GET OBAMA ELECTED
2. WE TAKE BACK OUR FREAKIN’ COUNTRY, if they’re not with us they’re out on their butts.
Any questions?
I LOVE these idiots who even DARE to compare Obama and Palin. Obama graduated with a law degree from Harvard, taught law for 12 years, has been both State and US Senator...Palin has a degree in Journalism from U. of Nowhere, and hardly any government experience.
Ya gotta wonder what is really behind this...I don't think this was a decision that McCain made all by himself.........
Uh-oh.
HANNITY: ... then what are you looking for in a vice president?
MCCAIN: Someone who shares your priorities, your principles, your values, and I've got to also say priorities. One of the toughest decisions a president makes is setting priorities, and so that has to be — those obviously important characteristics, and one of them, of course, is someone who can take your place immediately.
That's maybe viewed by some as even more important in my case.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,390062,00.html
Charlie Black:
Charlie Black told the New York Times about concerns over Sarah Palin's inexperience: "She's going to learn national security at the foot of the master for the next four years, and most doctors think that he'll be around at least that long."
Imagine if McCain were president during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Just imagine it.
Now look out your window.
Speaking of another trophy, where is Cindy McCain? If I remember correctly, she was supposed to go on a visit to Georgia, for one reason or another. Shouldn't Cindy McCain be around for this important occasion (naming the VP)? Maybe John shipped Cindy away on purpose, so he could sew his oats (again) and pick himself another young lady to stand by his side.
hey guys and gals....palin is a reformer??? watch her with ted stevens....im gonna download before scrubbed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4Lmau4K6-w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I0HgJDdZdk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flycRaoU5V8&feature=related
please...obama campaign...use screen caps from this news conference
corrupt to the fucking core
An alright article I just read on Yahoo;"Six things the Palin pick says about McCain" http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/12997.
The only reasons I can see for this pick are; 1. Making his campaign historical - possible 1st woman VP. 2. Counterbalancing the age concern. 3. Slight pandering to women. 4. Pandering to pro-life and pro-gun...funny how those two always seem to go together. 5. And to give himself something to look at when Cindy isn't around.
Palin may not know what the VP does in the oval office but with all them kids she has she apparently knows what to do with her oval orifice.
The prediction market at inTrade doesn't like the Palin pick either. McCain's chances of becoming president have dropped to 39.2% today. Good news for America!
When I realized that McCain now has two ex-beauty queens to stroll around with, I just laughted. Could any thinking woman actually not feel tremendously insulted by this VP choice? As though Palin should bring home the female sheep in droves? The sooner these neandrathals leave power the better.
Blitzer looked absolutely heartbroken to hear the tone of the e-mails Could this have really backfired so spectacularly? I still think IT'S A TRAP and "her" baby that allegedly might or might not actually be her daughter's is the bait... but it also seems possible that they really bought into their own PUMA storyline and thought this might actually work.
"McCain locked up the Eskimo vote!"
I love Jack Cafferty.
BALLGAME OVER!!!
Hold on a minute, the McCain campaign carefully vetted Palin before selecting her. In an extensive five minute interview they determined that she could correctly spell "potato". She is, by Republican standards, fully qualified to be an ischemic attack away from the Presidency.
El Cid @ 7:
its hard to get new blood into alaskan politics with such a small populace...which is why they see the same faces over and over...and why, even the dems there support drilling
and you are right...palin should not be made fun of...she should be scorned
she lied to the american public
she only came out against stevens and the bridge to nowhere, when the majority of the funding was cut by congress
she never returned any of the fed funds sent, and used those (not oil company taxes) to fund a 1200 dollar per family rebate program
it kills me that she wasnt called on either issue
Peter G @ 20:
Well that changes everything. They gave her the "potato" test and she passed, well that's that. She's good to go.
And people say republicans don't learn from their past mistakes, no more Dan Quayles for them.
Still on message. We can pull ourselves up by the straps of our f*@%-me boots.
Re: Hamachi's comment @ 16
"The prediction market at inTrade doesn’t like the Palin pick either. McCain’s chances of becoming president have dropped to 39.2% today. Good news for America!"
I sure hope you're right about that. McCain's choice of Palin is an obvious attempt to court the PUMAs. I'm hoping all those disaffected Hillary supporters don't fall for the trick. That would be a serious case of cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Brad @ 23:
Thanks for that, now who's gonna' clean the coffee that came out my nose off my keyboard. You keep posting sh*t like that and folks are gonna' be sending you cleaning bills.
Poor Blitzer...even he couldn't find any way to spin this into something good for McCain. He looked pitiful and had nothing to say.
What's the deal with experience? Seemed it didn't matter two weeks ago when O'Nothingburger was attacked for the same thing.
Given what Obama did at the Democratic convention (his speech was really masterful), this move was likely the smartest (read; his only chance) decision McCain could have made. This choice was like throwing a basketball from one end of the court to the other with 1 second left on the clock.
Look at the reasoning...
1. Obama has tapped into the change meme big-time. The polls show 80+% of the general population (both Republican and Democrat) feel the country is going in the wrong direction. Picking a Political Hack like Lieberman or Romney is not change. The choice had to be someone really outside the beltway that would be a really fresh face.
2. McCain had to stay within the boundaries of his Base. The pick had to pander to the religious talaban and be anti-abortion, anti-evolution, basically anti-science. Palin fits this pretty well.
3. McCain had to stay within the boundaries of his money backers, which are basically the energy companies, the pharmaceutical/medical companies, and the banking/investment companies. The latter two groups just want someone in office that won't make any changes to the existing system. These groups want to ensure that the medical companies are able to continue to dictate U.S. policy on health-care, the FDA continues to not do anything, and money is available when the financial companies get into real problems. McCain takes care of these two items and Palin is a voice for the energy companies. Palin fits this well also.
4. McCain wanted to bring someone in that would (perhaps) capture some of the independent voters. Palin can be marketed well (she's young, has a family, is high-energy) by the Corporate Media (watch and see how many background stories start appearing about Palin). Remember that with the support of the Corporate Media ANYONE can be made to seem qualified. If you look good you can be made to appear to be qualified and ready for the job.
Of course the dangers are that she will have some background problems, will make a serious gaffe of some sort since she is so inexperienced, or just won't market that well (New Coke anyone?). But given his situation McCain had no real choice.
1. Obama is just too smart and too good a speaker. McCain is going to get killed in the debates.
2. Obama has successfully tied McCain to Bush, which is like tying someone to a 1000 pound piece of lead and throwing them overboard. No chance of swimming.
3. Obama has a very effective "ground game" and is doing really well in states that McCain was expected to win easily, including McCains own home state.
4. Obama has refined his message to the point that he has started to appeal to even Republicans (remember the line in his speech about wanting to support the second amendment but keeping people safe). Obama talks about not shipping jobs overseas, cutting taxes for the middle-class (most of the rank-and-file Republican voters), and creating a Health-care system for the poorly-insured and the uninsured (again, most of the Republican rank-and-file voters).
Frankly, the only chance McCain has is to throw the ball at the basket from the other end of the court. Time has run out. The entire game is on the line. He has nothing to lose.
As a postscript, this decision really sounds like McCain and not his advisers. McCain has nothing to lose. This is his only shot at the job. However, his advisers have a future in politics and as consultants. Being associated with such a (from their perspective) risky decision that fails is not good for their resumes.
All in all, she was the most logical choice for McCain to make.
Black_Knight @ 1:
Not far from the truth either. 47th most populous state http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_population
Jeon Ji-Yung @ 18:
Was it the leader of the PUMA's that donated to McCains primary election in 2000? Or just a prominent member?
I can understand why, through political calculation, McCain could select such a totally unqualified running mate. What I don't completely understand is how Palin could take herself seriously as Presidential material. I can only guess, with her five children as evidence,is that she has a really hard time saying no.
Palin touts "turning Alaska around". The 47th largest state just getting her uncle Clyde off the bottle was half the battle!
Chuck,
"Jumping Jesus, even Dumbya had the sense the pick a better VP (albeit a truly evil one).
What does it say about McSame when Dumbya outshines him?"
Cheney was selected to screen the candidates for VP in 2000 and ended up selecting...himself. Once again, Bush deserves no credit for any significant decision making.
scruzman @ 27:
Seems like a rather foolish attack now doesn't it.
I've been mulling this pick continuously. It has just occurred to me: The Repugs know they will not win the white house but they MUST keep the margin of defeat respectable.
This pick enables the evangelicals to feel enthusiastic about showing up at the polls.
They don't want to lose in a landslide. It's about trying to save what little respect they have left.
If my dad can't make it to my wedding, I can't decide who else I want to give me away:
A. Fred Willard
B. Doyle Brunson
C. Jack Cafferty
Ruthless People @ 32:
...was she the one who fingered Ted Stevens? Then there's the other half of the battle! Palin turned the state around!
While there is Zero likelihood that RepOilcan delegates would revolt against the newest McFlame, Palin, ...I have been thinking McFlop himself may have second thoughts before the die is cast on Wednesday night.
Any bets?
I think the V.P. vetting process for Palin involved verifying the authenticity of her certificate from the Miss Visalia beauty pageant and confirming the absence of any contraception in her home.
Chuck @ 2:
Chuck;
Cheney picked himself, you know that don't you? McCain is too pigheaded to turnnhis campaign over to a bigger evil genius than his dang grumpy old self.
Some things you didn't know about Sarah Palin
Or he really just wants to f**k Palin. I can buy that. That would be the funniest thing ever, if half-there McCane let his dick make the VP call. You saw him checking the ass out. I know you've all seen that video... and if you haven't, you probably just did. Palin is the second Republican VP in a row chosen by a dick.
McCain. Jesus...
If McCain were to die shortly after being inaugurated - she'd be in a position to nominate Evangelical Creationists to the Supreme Court. I will vote for Obama to make sure that the SCOTUS stays balanced. I don't want to see the Court move any further to the right than it is now.
This is John McCain's Harriet Meyers, but worse. It is an insult to the people of this country (the troops, all the people and all the much more qualified VP choices he could have made)to put someone this far off the mark this close to the presidency. So incredibly irresponsible of McCain.
.
.
.
So, if Bush's nickname for Rove is "Turd Blossom" and McCain's choice for Cindy is "Miss Buffalo Chip '08" what will the official VP term of endearment be?
Cast your bets NOW!!!
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.
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Jeon Ji-Yung @ 42:
God blessed her with that voice? I got about 30 seconds into the clip and had to stop it.
palin is going to step into caribou/moose shxt during the debates. she knows next to nothing about foreign affairs.
how could she raising 4 children with her husband and holding the governor position of alaska. i'm amazed she does it know but i never underestimate women but
vice president of the united states with a 72.5 yo president ready to take office. her newborn is a down syndrome child that must be extra challenging....wow
i just can't believe this pick.....it goes to show that people do vote for social/culture/character issues more so.
She would preside over the Senate.
STOP George @ 46:
McFluffer?
Talk about the vetting process...
The Downs Syndrome baby MIGHT NOT BE HERS:
http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/sarah-palin/22236/the-fully-vetted-...
This site draws together some conclusions regarding the following: She FLEW HOME FROM TEXAS after her water broke because she supposedly was "determined to have the baby born in Alaska (that's no less than six or seven hours in the air... with an "at-risk pregnancy" coming prematurely.) People who knew her say they did not notice that she looked preggers. She pulled her daughter out of high school for months before this baby was born.
This is what I want to know: Did she DEMAND that her own daughter go thru with an un-wanted pregnancy... and take custody of her grandson as her own?
This may be a Rovian trick. Will she bow out right before the election only to have McCain announce his real VP pick? Is McCain trying to change the focus from him to Palin for now? If the actual VP is announced late in the campaign there may not be enough time for much criticism and the nominee could avoid the VP debate against Biden who would most likely rip them to shreds. How else could you explain such a ridiculous move by McCain besides him being a complete and total moronic doofus? Either way, it won't work. The only thing I'm worried about is more GOP voter fraud.
Jack your opening statement was the best! She governor to 13 people and some caribou! Absolutely hysterical!!!
McCain * Palin 08 - A Bridge To Nowhere!
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 41:
I wonder if said developer's name would turn up on a list of her campaign contributors.
candy or sarah for ms. caribou chip?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKkydrUnBZE&eurl=http://yglesias.thinkpro...
Nice.
I just had a thought: Tailhook?
Pipeline Palin. Big Oil says jump and she says how high?
Is she going to campaign in a swimsuit and sash?
By doing this, is McCain telling us she is just as ready to walk into the oval office as he is? Jeez, what does that say about him?
I also noticed Blitzer's sour puss on the tosses. Did Cafferty pee in his coffee or something? They always have the negative waves going on?
"What is wrong with this man?”
Where would you start the list and when would you stop?
pissed off patricia @ 61:
it say what we already know pop........he doesn't run his campaign and he won't run the country specail interests will. like these guys:
charlie black....who disappeared from media
randy scheunemann.....lobbyist.....geogia
phil gramm....ubs warburg..enron loopholes mortgage deregulation that is affecting everyone
rick davis big lobbyist firm....always concerned about taxation.
take a few minutes and read about these guys. they made the v.p. pick
Jeon Ji-Yung @ 42:
LMAO!!!
HOly shit! WTF?!? He KNEW he was on camera right?
Totally checkin out her ass!
CowBoy Bob in Austin @ 51:
Is it really that important?
We are technically looking at her family and underage kids here, if she does take responsibility for it, that is to be lauded I guess, but if you harp on it, you wind up in discussions about "That depends what the meaning of sexual relationship is".
It detracts from the issues facing your nation and the world at large, and continues the petty mudslinging US politics are rightly infamous for.
Chuck @ 2:
no shit, grampy mcshitstain is WORSE than bush! he's dumber, has no balls, old as fuck, and is a creepy ass psycho who is so desperate he would lick the crust out of someone's asshole just to be president. his pick of palin is so obviously PANDERING its insulting to women and the public in general. what a fucking mess this pathetic cretin is.
ALERT
Massive police raids on suspected protestors in Minneapolis
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/30/police_raids/
RNC RAID
http://firedoglake.com/
bMAZ
http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/
Bush Re-Ups War, Obstructs Accountability As Nation Twitters Over Palin
By: bmaz Saturday August 30, 2008 10:36 am
Jeon Ji-Yung @ 43:
Are you making a suggestion for his running mate? Man, I shouldn't joke...
police raid at rnc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ougH8G6UnkI
OT:
Gustav soon to be upgraded to Category 5. Hitting Cuba tonight.
Time to hunker down boys and girls, glad we rarely get hurricanes up here.
McCain might have pulled the bonehead move of the year by picking Palin, or he might have pulled off a masterstroke of political genius. He might have alienated voters who want a veep with more experience or his ticket might draw enough white female undecideds to secure victory. The only certainty is that none of the talking head TV pundits know anymore about the final outcome than we do. The answer will not be known until November 4, 2008.
Kathleen @ 70:
Damn fucking fascists!
Cops are all over the liberal protesters at the RNC...at the DNC, blind luck helped them net 3 potentiall assassins...
It's been reported that she was visiting Texas when her water broke; she took an 11-hour plane ride back to Alaska so the baby could be born there. How's that for judgment?
Now she's going to be campaigning full time. Sounds to me like she's throwing her baby under the Straight Talk Express!
Also she gave information about her older son in the military that should not have been made public.
Some mother! And as a mother and grandmother, I'm entitled to say that!
I can't help but thinking back to the ad featuring Obama with Hilton and Spears and saying now, my gosh! That's exactly what McCain's wife and VP are! Paris McCain and Britney Palin. McCain wasn't trying to compare Obama to them. He was preparing us for his White House! I'm really hoping that Lindsey Lohan will be appointed Secretary of Homeland Pizazz! That my friends is a change I can believe in!
Norse @ 71:
Yeah...that storm's a monster...I'm in the upper keys, and we're gettin the feeder bands already...keepin one eye on the weather channel...THEN we got Hanna lookin to head down the florida straits....great...and it's over open water...and another forming off the coast of Africa..it's not even a tropical storm yet, and it's already got feeder bands and fairly organized center of rotation...this is gonna be a nerve wracking couple of weeks...
Norse @ 66:
I agree. Let's leave the kids out of it.
Well folks. Have a great weekend!
Peace and respect!
Obama/Biden 08!!!
"Is McCain really putting the best interests of our nation first?"
The answer to that is a resounding no! He strategically picked a socially ultra-conservative candidate to re-energize the Religious Right, who's got some union background to attract Reagan Democrats, is a maverick like he is (that is, skin deep) to attract the populists that still pay attention to joke that is the MSM, and is a woman to try and detract from the "historicallity" of Obama, never mind that it's been done before. (Actually, many, many times before.) Palin was picked purely as political maneuvering.
McCain's judgement is even worse than we thought. McOhShit! thought he was nominating an administrative assistant.
It's funny to hear rightwing pundits and most of the MSM call his gaffes and flip-flops as maverick moves. F*ck Wolf in his ear.
i'm hearing some talking heads say she'll learn on the job
since it's the second position if you will vs. the top position....the presidency. i believe that is a very weak
statement.....all this time listening to the mccain campaign...talk about obama's inexperience and challenging people.....'name one important thing he has done'........and now this. mccain will be 72.5 in feb.2009
no offense but he is closer to the end than anyone ever in this position. this is irresponsible and huge risk.
my guess the DNC figures she will reveal herself during the debates......this election is very important....my
understanding evangelicals if they get palin in ofice will do there best to lobby for changes to roe vs. wade
It's almost as if the republicans don't really want to win. They've destroyed the country. Now it's time to pass the problems along to a democratic administration.
For republicans, it dosn't matter who the VP or even who their president is, since they're not really running anything anyway.
If Obama wins, it will be because of republican cross-over voters.
What a freakin mess!
Kathleen @ 68:
That story at firedoglake shook me to my core. Jesus, WTF is happening in our country?
CowBoy Bob in Austin @ 51:
The Alaska State Goverment link they provide as the source for the photo is mysteriously unavailable now. They certainly got that photo down in a hurry.
I have a theory why McCain picked Palin: realizing he's almost certain to lose the election, maybe he just wanted to stick it to Mitt Romney one more time.
You know McCain just loved watching Mitt practically beg for the VP job by sucking up to the Old Man every chance he got. Mitt would have eaten dog food out of a plastic bowl on the evening news if McCain had told him that was the price of getting the VP spot.
So maybe with the Palin pick McCain was just saying "Hey Mitt--I'd pick an absolute nobody from nowhere before I'd pick your phony Mormon ass."
The best way to frame McCain's selection of Palin is simple: she is a "trophy pick." It goes to the heart of both McCain's strategy for winning the presidency and his view of women.
She wanted the bridge to nowhere before she did not want the bridge to nowhere. However, she and McCain have both rejected the bridge to the future.
pissed off patricia @ 83:
i realize this is a simplistic response....but WFT is happening to this country is Collusion of corporations
and government. government doesn't allow us to intervene anymore....in the meantime corporations and k-street get stronger. that's why getting rid of unions and weakening safety nets. corporate welfare is on the rise.....we may much more than we think. the (R) talks
capitalism and individualism but it's not true....that's just the gift wrapping.....bailouts and corporate welfare is really WTF is happening in this country.
Brad @ 23:
You mean "come f*@%-me boots.
Dave
Viet Nam Vet
Imagine if John Edwards had won the primaries and all his personal baggage had come out and the Republitards had been bashing him for being a pussy hound.
And then McCain had picked Hugh Hefner for his VP.
And Hef isn't a fundie creationist fetus-worshipper.
McCain is not even slightly embarrassed by this choice. He's really saying that Palin is the best person he could find for the job. He needs to be forced to say that every day for the next month.
IMO, this choice reeks of cynical game playing. I hope Obama continues to emphasize daily that it's time for the Republicans to own their failure.
alittle off topic people....i don't hear much drill here and now chant with GUSTAV now a category 4
oh i saw that palin is in pennsylvania with mcSurge she said it's nice to see another part of the country.......wow
WOw....is all this just denial from you guys? I want Obama in but to hear you boneheads....you make it seem like is now a lock. Question....do they have math & history classes in the States or are you all "some child left behind"?
You seem to forget that the 2 candidates were dead even before the DNC and after, there was a 6% bump (as expected). Lost or up for grabs in the voting equation are 18 million Hilary voters, who like Black America, are just as fervent in getting a representative of their "minority" elected. Obama obviously feels he didn't need those 18 million votes in November.
Let's go back to 2000, when Gore lost FLA by less than 2,000 votes...the difference that caused the whole recount mess. 2,000 votes!
I like Biden but I like a sure thing and Hillary's 18 million was as powerful as you can get.
Now, with Clinton out of the way, Obama has open the door for the new Hiliary Clinton and the raves I'm hearing on all the websites is, The New And Improved Hillary Clinton.
On this voting night in November, it will become a numbers game and I'm convinced that McNasty has a better grasp of what 18 million is than Barrack does.
It's a shame and major mistake by the Democrat party. What a waste of a historical night for America and the promise it would bring.
77 numfar Says: Norse @ 66:
CowBoy Bob in Austin @ 51:
Talk about the vetting process…
The Downs Syndrome baby MIGHT NOT BE HERS:
http://themoderatevoice.com/po.....rah-palin/
This site draws together some conclusions regarding the following: She FLEW HOME FROM TEXAS after her water broke because she supposedly was “determined to have the baby born in Alaska (that’s no less than six or seven hours in the air… with an “at-risk pregnancy” coming prematurely.) People who knew her say they did not notice that she looked preggers. She pulled her daughter out of high school for months before this baby was born.
This is what I want to know: Did she DEMAND that her own daughter go thru with an un-wanted pregnancy… and take custody of her grandson as her own?
Is it really that important?
We are technically looking at her family and underage kids here, if she does take responsibility for it, that is to be lauded I guess, but if you harp on it, you wind up in discussions about “That depends what the meaning of sexual relationship is”.
It detracts from the issues facing your nation and the world at large, and continues the petty mudslinging US politics are rightly infamous for.
I agree. Let’s leave the kids out of it.
It's not that simple.
This IS one of the major issues facing us in this election. I know, from experiences inside my own extended family how destructive it can be to dictate a RIGHT TO LIFE attitude upon a child or family. It's about lying. It's about manipulation. It's about intolerance. It's about religious mythology and ANTI-SCIENCE head-in-the-sand belligerance. If this story is true... this lady does not belong in the White House.
Chuck Todd said on Friday that McCain was shooting craps on high risk.
Snake eyes indeed
Backfire total, I cannot wait for the GOP Convention (with the Union Jack shaped show floor) and see what happens
i heard a rumor from a friend of mine that sarah palin's actually a liberal trojan horse, installed by factions of u.s. intelligence operatives sympathetic to the aims and ideals of fdr & jfk.
check it out:
palin's hubby & son not even republicans
palin excited obama was edging ahead of mccain in alaska
and just for the heck of it:
6 things the palin pick says about mccain
(my 7th would be that mccain is intimidated by men more attractive than him, hence the romney snub and his seeming obsession w/ obama).
HAPPY CONVENTION, NEOCON SCUM & GOOD LUCK WITH GUSTAV.
the rumor goes that palin's a liberal sexpionage agent, much as monica lewinsky was rumored to be mossad.
HAPPY CONVENTION, NEOCON SCUM!!
Good luck to the people in the gulf. I hope this storm does not wipe out as many off shore drilling wells as Katrina. It was one the worst environmental disasters ever. We just didn't notice with all the other stuff going on.
Here's even more filarity:
Doocey the Douchebag at Faux News claimed that she DID have foreign policy experience because Alaska is so close to Russia.
Just when you think they couldn't be more idiotic...
This election gets weirder and weirder. Sen Obama chooses Biden, a man who once called him 'clean', and has a problem with people in 7-Eleven. Now, Sen McCain chooses a woman who apparently doesn't know what the VP actually does.
mcPander that's all this is. this is for simpletons. a clear distraction from very important world events. here's three iraq,iran and russia. of course there are other areas of concern like pakistan,afghanistan and west africa. the v.p.is going to be a busy/important person........like obama said he wants more than someone that goes to funerals.the role of v.p. changed during the carter administration this choice concerns me. i know the twin cities.....people are going to be talking about this big time.
This is McCain's Harriet Miers moment. That's how Democrats need to play it. Then again, maybe he just wants someone to bring him coffee and not ask any questions.
The People magazine cover looks like a movie poster for an improbable comedy.
I can't wait to see Saturday Night life tonight.
re: GWB VP pick.
For the record, GWB did not pick Cheney.
Cheney picked Cheney.
Cheney has been in charge from the git go.
Palin's hot and all, but one word from Palin's first speech as VP candidate that I'm having trouble with. It's a word I've heard Bush, Homer Simpson, and Dana Perino use: Nookyouler. I'm still trying to figure out what it means. A little help, please?
(That's sarcasm -for you lurking repukes out there)
Please no more people in the white house who cannot pronounce nuclear. Please, please, fucking please!
Thanks.
Re: People magazine cover - did you notice how Cindy is leaning away from the child and John is leaning slightly towards Palin. And Megan! What can I say? Sex and the City pose?
I truly believe McCain picked Palin because, after seeing Obama's acceptance speech, every other candidate on McCain's list bowed out and she was all that was left.
As a young man, McCain twice crashed the planes he was flying due to pilot error.
By picking Palin as his VP, he just crashed his Presidential campaign--right into the freakin' mountain!
But maybe he's just to old and crazy to care....
Here's my latest theory. A lot of the news, for obvious reasons, is focussing on Palin. It seems that a good portion of it is on the Palin vs. Obama in experience angle as if they were really running against each other. They're using Palin's lack of experience to put attention back on Obama's (supposed) lack of experience and to take some of the spotlight and pressure off of McCain. The thing to do, in my opinion, is to keep reminding people that it's Obama vs. McCain. If they thought Obama would be a better president before, Palin shouldn't be a factor. Biden would clearly make a better VP than Palin if you need to get into that. McCain chose (or had chosen for him) as the person to help him go up against Obama/Biden someone who stands no chance against either of them. Obama is better than McCain and Obama/Biden should beat McCain/Palin. She might get some people excited for a couple of weeks, but I can't see how she's a game changer in the long run.
I'm sorry that rambles so much, but trying to figure out why they went with Palin has fried my brain (not that is was doing that great before).
I think she is a sleeper for the left, and a great pick for McCain to boost his chances. To get votes, republicans have to sell emotions and image, not ideas, and she will do a good job of that. She is just another part of the electoral trojan horse repugs create to get in when they have no real electoral support. Once McBush is in (never out?), it does not matter what her quals were or are.
do not underestimate her effect.
wondering what the VP debate will be like.
Biden might have his hands full.
Sort of like Clemens pitching in the minors.
You strike em all out and it's "so what, ur Clemens".
One hit and it's, omg, that nobody got a hit off u.
I imagine the GOP is going to pay Rove, Limbaugh, Hannity, and the entire FOX news staff to come up with some obscure bs to hammer Biden with.
Hope Joe ready.
I keep hearing how she is a reformer because she stands up to big oil. Big Oil must be furious at how she keeps demanding drilling in ANWR.
Thrillhouse @ 108:
After seeing 84,000 supporters crammed into the 70,000 seat Invesco Field (turning even more away), I truly believe every other VP candidate knew this race was over and that hitching their wagon to McCain'd dead-horse of a campaign was political suicide, so they've given up and have decided to wait this one out til 2012.
Or, you can go the "paranoid" route and say that "all McCain needs is enough of the Evangelical vote to make it close enough to steal" because he has no other hope of winning any other way.
You choose.
This shows McCain knows he is desparate. It will either work of fail, but he had to make a gamble.
I've watched her acceptance speech a couple of times now and it's hilarious how McCain plays with his wedding ring when he stares at Palin. It's been noted before, but her face when he kisses her is also pretty funny.
I've seen people in the news saying how she enhances his age issue by looking like his daughter, but what about how he makes himself look like such a dirty old man around her?
pissed off patricia @ 83:
They have to squash freedom so they can protect it.
How McCain Just Lost Florida... read about dailykos
McCain was so wrong to choose her - in a time of such major terrorist extremism - he picks a woman snowmobiler to lead the country??
Jack Cafferty is dead right. This is a horrendous and desperate Republican snow job!! :]
But worse than that -another blow to prove how WRONG McCain judgement is, was his dire support of Chalabi. Lost in the Convention coverage was a breaking story on Thursday
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/51031.html
When General Zinni challenged McCain's trust of Chalabi - McCain attacked him. So much for his respect for the 'Generals'
A good article here on McCains Chalabi/'surge' connections: http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=23c3a0ff-9d55-4d28-a94e-0b0e09...
Someone may have already said this, so sorry if it's a repeat. Ok, at first I thought the choice was crazy! But, thinking today, I now believe it to be a brilliant strategic move. Why? Because this "crazy" choice of a VP stopped O's momentum in it's tracks. How much have you heard about his great speech on Thursday night since this pick was announced. Nada. Zip. I'm sure the Sunday morning shows will be dedicated to Miss Alaska wanna be. the covers of Newsweek and Time? Could be her, not O. This was a short-term strategy. Of course she's not qualified - they knew that. But they also knew that announcing this pick right after the convention, especially one as balls out as this one, would take the limelight off O. I'm a liberal but I also respect great strategy, and this one was truly great. Check.
Could this be the old bait and switch? The RNC hasn't occurred yet. McCain has not been confirmed. Could this be McCain's ensuring he can get the hell out of Dodge, and give the nomination to Mitt Romney, likely with a Huckabee VP pick?
If so, is Obama ready for such a thoroughly dirty move?
There is nothing to see here people....this is mccains harriet miers rovian ploy all over again....remember when we were all disgusted by dumbya's choice for USSC?
so john and sarah aren't going to be the GOP candidates?
Please dick cheney, tell us who it is then?
As a woman who has lived through enough pro life crap since the advent of the right, thinking that they some how have to make decisions about my uterus and body. Keep my reproductive organs out of one damn election. As if the country didn't have more important things to worry about and legislate upon. What kind of a country worries about the unborn and treats the living babies with contempt. I have never seen any long lines trying to adopt children, other than the blue eyed blonds. They can stand all day screaming at a clinic, shoot doctors and nurses but I'll bet they can't find time to volunteer at Health Care Facility, school reading program or a Big Brother or Big Sister organization. No more glorifying the right to life candidate until I see some help and caring for the already born.
seriously @ 119:
There is no doubt that the timing was intentional to steal some thunder, but it also looks a bit like they were watching Dems knocking it out of the park one after the other at the convention, and so rushed their pick, (my feeling is unwisely) to try and upstage. While it may be a good strategy for this two day news cycle, I don't think it was a good overall strategy for their campaign, and certainly not for governing if it came to it.
Moderation @ 120:
Wouldn't surprise me at all. Like I said before, too all attention from Obama's great speech.
Thank you McCain for totally undermining your experience argument against Obama. Now how can you shoot your other foot?
seriously @ 119:
Ever seen what happens when you pour a bunch of flammable material on a fire? At first the liquid "seems" to damp the fire down momentarily but shortly thereafter, I suspect you can see where I'm going with this. Now that he's picked her, he's stuck with her. Obama's speech was not a fluke. He's got the organization, the funding, and the support to just keep hammering at McCain. What's McCain got? A running mate with no credentials, some real issues that will come out as time passes and nothing to bring to the table after this "flash" in the pan.
When you are in a battle and are being overwhelmed by a vastly superior force you certainly can try a diversionary tactic. Problem is that once the diversion is over and the battle rages on you may be in a far worse position. Gramps may not have had a lot of options available and this may even have been his best one but it sure doesn't look like its likely to end up benefiting him over the long haul. There just aren't enough kool aid drinkers and things aren't going well enough for him to get the boost he needs.
That doesn't even take into consideration the monstrosity moving up from the south into the gulf. Gas prices may skyrocket and if any of those rigs break down and cause an environmental disaster then there is nothing legal that McCain and the neocreeps can do in Nov to maintain control.
Game over.
As with the redirection of McCain's campaign strategy, the selection of Sarah Palin may be more evidence of control by the Republican behind-the-scenes puppeteers. Obscurity and inexperience are logical prerequisites for unencumbered string-pulling. The Republicans have redefined the term, backroom politics. Scary!
Palin in 50 seconds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7rPTnwlrZw
One parts George Bush, two parts Dan Quayle, throw in a dress and mix thoroughly.
Linus Bern @ 111:
That my friend is republican 101 policy for ya! Contradiction is a good thing and right is wrong and wrong is right :P
Harriet Miers. Harriet Miers.
Exact same as Bush.
Harriet Miers.
That's all I should hear tomorrow morning.
Harriet Miers. Harriet Miers.
Every Dem hitting the Sunday morning news talk shows should hammer this home tomorrow.
Totally unqualified, picked because she was a religious ideologue and female. Harriet Miers.
McCain is just like Bush. His first big decision proves it!
Lights out!
[Deleted. You posted it on another thread already, james. When you keep trying to post it, it's considered spam. thank you. Site Monitor]
Norse @ 30:
One of the founders, who incidentally has never donated to Hillary.
So far I have seen "Dan Quayle with a pony tail" and "Dan Quayle lite"
No more Edward's baby on the scandal sheets next week in the supermarket. Either "troopergate" or the possibility that the last baby was really her grandchild by her 16 year old daughter who has been missing from school for many months. Rumors abound in Alaska.
http://www.reddit.com/comments/6f3nq/coverup_alaska_gov_palin_r_announce...
Okay, I hate to start rumors but if this is true things could get ugly. On some sites people are claiming that the down's baby is not actually Palin's. It is that of her teenage daughter who had the baby after being removed from school for 5 months. Apparently Palin showed no signs of being pregnant and bounced back to work 3 days after. In an 11 hour flight from Houston to Anchorage "after her water broke" flight attendants state they had no clue that she was pregnant or in labor. Now if this is false, these people are really vicious. However, if it is true Palin has some 'splainin to do.
http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/6ysnt/palins_faked_pregnancy...
I always thought mc cain was a sleezy doorknob but this pick is simply an outrageous insult to women, the american people and the election process.
Go Obama!
Sarah Palin's longtime friends and associates have appeared en masse before the nationwide media to give glowing tributes to her moral strength, integrity, honesty and character. It's kinda strange we don't testimonial tributes from Obama's longtime friends and associates. Where are the endorsements from Rev Wright, Bill Ayers and Rev Flager? Where are his coworkers from his early days as a community organizer? Where are his classmates and professors from his years at Harvard Law? Those who have known Obama the longest & the best remain silent. Has Obama made a concerted effort to disassociate himself from those of his past? We need to hear more folks vouch for him other than his wife.
Gary@134
The GOP would love for this to become public, because no matter what, the Dems will look bad for stigmatizing a teenage girl.
Doesn't matter that her mom is running for VP, it's stigmatizing a teenage girl.
Doesn't matter that mom lied, it's stigmatizing a teenage girl.
And if this whole thing is just dead-nuts speculation, it's stigmatizing a teenage girl.
John McInsane is a fossil.
Sarah Palin is a creationist loon who doesn’t believe in fossils.
Solution:
O’BAMA O’BIDEN 0'8 0'12
constituent @ 92:
Aw c'mon. Still got 36 hours. Drill RIGHT NOW...
Tokenism is so insulting, so 20th century, so over.
Andy K Jong Il @ 137:
I agree with you to a certain extent, and it is not my attention to stigmatize a teenage girl. However, if this is true we have a right to know. When Palin accepted the position as McCains running met she knew it was going to be brutal. I don't care where you live, everyone knows the race to the presidency is brutal and she has placed her entire family in the line of fire. She should have thought of that before she said "yup". I am certain that Chelsea Clinton has a lot to say about being Hillary and Bill's daughter. And here is where I disagree with you: it does matter if the mother lied. It most certainly matters. If this is true, it is the mother's wrong doing and mismanagement of her daughters life. SHE stigmatized the girl.
I haven't heard anyone speak of Palin's motivations in even wanting to be VP. While I don't think having a newborn infant should be seen as a negative for a candidate, I have to wonder what would motivate the mother of a newborn to want to run for VP. I have to think that most women would have little interest in running for any public office less than six months after giving birth. It seems odd to have a baby and then campaign for a job that will keep you apart from the baby more than anything else. Add to this that the child has health issues and I really don't get it.
The religious right speaks so much of family values and appears to be overjoyed with Palin; however this doesn't sound to me like family values at all. I don't mean this to come across as sexist or to say that women with young children are unfit to hold public office or high-profile positions, it just strikes me as rather odd that they would want to do so. Maybe it is just me, but I would think that family values would include choosing a career that leaves time for your family, not the opposite.
Sarah Palin's youngest son is actually her grandson!
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/30/121350/137
Gary@141
I am certain that Chelsea Clinton has a lot to say about being Hillary and Bill’s daughter.
Accept there's a big difference between Chelsea simply being the child of a couple who have had an irregular relationship, and Bristol Palin, whose actions as a child might (or might not) be at the root of a scandal that undoes her mother.
If this is true, it is the mother’s wrong doing and mismanagement of her daughters life. SHE stigmatized the girl.
We're not all that far removed- a generation or two- from a time when, while not a common occurrence (parents adopting the child of their teenage daughter), it was something that occured with more frequency. Ask Jack Nicholson, whose older sister turned out to be his birth mother. If you try to play this off as mom covering up the deeds of her offspring to protect mom's career, you're going to hear from a lot of nice old grannies who will tell you that it was, of course, the love of a mother for her child.
Sorry, this is a non-winning strategy at best for Obama.
Short list my arse! This is a T and A pick for the old man so he wouldn't go to sleep during the campaign. Dangle a little of that poontang in front of him and he rises to the occasion.
Just so we're all clear-
'Eskimo' is a racial slur.
Gary@141
Don't think it is an Obama strategy at all. Just people digging up dirt on candidates like BOTH sides do.
"If you try to play this off as mom covering up the deeds of her offspring to protect mom’s career, you’re going to hear from a lot of nice old grannies who will tell you that it was, of course, the love of a mother for her child."
How sweet. Truth down the toilet. This woman is not a granny and it is the 21st century. Although according to Palin's religion, I believe her daughter may deserve a stoning if this turns out to be true.
Looks like McCain has put the the final screw to the GOP in thanks for what they did to him in 2000 with this selection of an immature neophyte.
What he is really saying is that absolutely none of the Republican presidential contenders was good enough for the number two slot. As well, he doesn't believe that there are any deserving Republican women in Congress or in this present administration (Condi Rice comes to mind along with other experienced members of congress). People are hearing this message loud and clear and it makes the party look like a bunch of incompetents.
It's your basic f--- you from Mr. McCain to the Republican Party. His last hurrah it will be because every Republican I know sees this for what it is. It is clearly McCain's Coup on his own party. No one I know will be voting for McCain in November. As Arnie said: Adios, MF and take your little "sidekick" along with you.
scruzman @ 27:
wrong it did matter that's the point
How sweet. Truth down the toilet.
Hey, when I was three, I left the gate open and my cocker spaniel, Buffy, ran out and got hit by a car and killed. My mom never told my dad, though she knew the TRUTH.
Aren't you glad that you know that? The truth?
Fact of the matter is that if this was just some other anti-choice family who upheld their own standards (and, again, this is all still simply alleged to have happened) and decided to raise a special needs child while sparing their older child the stigmatization of being a mother in high school, you wouldn't know jackshit about it, Gary, and you shouldn't need to know about it. There's no crime being covered up, is there? Is there a crime being covered up in Palin's case? Do you think? Really?
You want scandal? Stick to the one where Palin tried to get her former brother-in-law axed from the state cops. Ask why she would have asked for his dismissal, skipping right over the part where he might actually be charged with the crimes he was alleged to have commited against Palin's sister and nephew. There's much more likely an ugly truth under that rock.
Did anyone else notice McCain's body language as Palin was giving her speech? His applause was uninspired...well, forced, really. And he couldn't keep his right hand from twiddling his wedding ring.
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