Dayam, Beee-atch. On what are you basing your naive optimism? This isn't Harriot [sp] -- that fell apart 'cause HM was not right-wing enough, not because she wasn't qualified!

Seximsm! POW! They are bulletproof.

But Harriet did crash-and-burn at least in part because she was a silly choice. So is Palin. My worry is that somehow the press will feel they can't 'afford' to call this out for what it is. After all, we're supposed to have a close election, right?

An epic McBlunder.

In answer to Palin's query of what a vice president does all day:

Nothing, honey. Just look pretty & stay outta the way while the men talk.

Does anyone, even republicans, foresee Palin making serious & substantive contributions to any policy issues? Ah well, at least she won't be another Cheney...

We've got McCain for that.

I think she'll buckle under the pressure of a constant national media on her ass 24/7. Experience isn't just about your time in office at this level. It's also having the experience with the press and being on display all the time.

[Any comments suggesting that Governor Palin's son might perish in Iraq will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be banned. -Mod]

The relevant historical parallel is not Dan Quayle but Clarence Thomas. This is less a nomination than an act of vandalism. Its purpose is to deface the office.

Raff, apart from your sexist spin on it, constitutionally, that is pretty much all Palin's job calls for.

I don't recall too many vice presidents who hike over to the Senate to preside except for when there are tie breakers.

But as to your sexism, can you please answer my short quiz:

1. It's okay for democrats to be sexist because
a) We're just being ironic
b) God whispers sweet nothings in our ear

Doesn't your sexism make you just as much of an asshole as any of the Republicans?

Within days of selecting Dan Quayle for the 1988 Vice Presidential nomination, George Bush wrote in his diary: ''I blew it.''

In a new biography of the former President, a historian, Herbert S. Parmet, wrote that as Mr. Quayle became the butt of jokes, Mr. Bush ''did everything he could to show his confidence in the younger man.'' But in his diary, Mr. Bush wrote, ''It was my decision, and I blew it, but I'm not about to say that I blew it.''

New York Times, 10/5/97

Visit my blog.

Damn! Seems like I'm already beaten to the Harriet Miers comparisons.

It's over. McCain threw the election. I don't think his heart is in it. He seems to be hating every second of this.

At least Sarah Palin would look better nude than Joe Biden, as she kinda shows here:

http://www.undiplomatic.net/2008/08/29/palin-confirmed-photo-from-miss-alaska/

Have you guys seen this? www.mudflats.com - Sorry I don't know how to give you a live link.

Am I crazy, or is making a political appointment conditional on a defined quid-pro-quo some sort of felony?

I second what Todd said. I live in Pittsburgh, and our mayor was plucked (by circumstances in his case) from way down in the D leagues to mayorhood of a medium-size post-industrial city. In addition to getting a beating from the local press, he's being obvious manipulated all over the place. Palin may be a rising GOP star, but unless she's remarkably savvy, I suspect she'll look pretty lightweight under media scrutiny, in interviews, etc. People don't want media and politicians condescending to regular folks (this seems to be GOP's primary gambit), but they also don't want bumpkins running their government either.

Maybe I'll be wrong, but my guess is that this will bring McCain's age front and center, and will ultimately reinforce the "out of touch" meme that I think is the most critical part of this election.

The more I pursue the comments here and at Kevin's old stomping grounds, the more I grow convinced that Palin was an excellent choice by McCain.

McCain's pick of Palin was brilliant in that she being far more conservative than he is did more to heal McCain's rift with the base more than any other choice. Her choice is being heralded in evangelic circles for her strong pro-life and other culture war positions, which means that they will come out in droves to vote for her not McCain. This will negate Obama's advantage with younger and new voters who may not bother to vote for whatever reasons come election day. It's "historic" for those who care about such things. And it forces liberals, who just nominated an empty suit as their candidate for President to sound like complete idiots when they say that Palin is "unqualified" or "too inexperienced" to be Vice President.

I always thought the election was McCain's to lose because Obama will be exposed as being the true leftist that is he and unacceptable to the majority of voters. Especially, in the crucial swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan. This choice only seals the deal.

Way to go Democrats, you guys found a way to lose an election that you couldn't possibly lose. lol

As a McCain 2000 supporter, I think this selection is a masterstroke. McCain is now dominating the news cycle, he gives a hint of his maverick nature, and gets non-stop coverage going into next week's convention. Unless Palin really surprises us, however, I think there will be a lot of "buyer's remorse" after a couple of weeks.

Right, Chicounsel. The woman is opposed to abortion even in cases of rape (a view held only by a tiny number of Americans). Wouldn't surprise me if she's against birth control too.

For all the social conservatives who are excited by her, I think McCain just lost a lot of moderates and independents.

Thank you, Jerry. Some left leaning bozos think it is perfectly ok to be sexually demeaning to Senator Clinton and Governor Palin but scream bloody murder if anyone treats Mrs. Obama the same way. Sexism transcends party divisions.

Jerry, I probably should have made clear that the "Nothing Honey..." line was what I imagine would be McCain's thinking. McCain's old (duh) & as such probably stuck in a time when "things were better", i.e. women stayed home & tended to house & family. In McCain's defence, 'Father Knows Best' was probably the last TV show he saw before he was shot down over...yaddayadda.

Personally, I disagree with every republican position on women's rights. I'm not even in the ballpark of sexism... hell, some of my best friends are women! (ok, yeah, that last part was ironic)

I can't defend myself against charges of sexism, since I'm not actually sexist, but I will apologize for an unartful or unclear post.

Well, I have a very simple rule of thumb to decide if something is a debacle or not. That is to see how enthusiastic Kudlow is on CNBC about it. Given his clowning fawning appreciation of this choice, the conclusion was obvious.

-- dp

This pick is pathetic.

Palin is the last, best arrow in McCain's quiver?

Game over.

By the way, Josh Marshall smells something...missing e-mails are always juicy...especially from the Guv's mansion in Alaska...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/211443.php

I think McCain's pick of Palin for VP is an insult to all Americans. Has politics really come to this? Are we supposed to believe that Palin would even begin to have a clue about how to function as President if something happened to McCain? We are now truly living in Fantasyland!

raff, it was perfectly clear; jerry is just playing a favorite right-wing game, extreme literalism.

they've got a million of them, they're happy to trot them out at the drop of a hat, they don't care if they're consistent one day to the next, and they live to produce moronic propaganda.

meanwhile, orion, 38M+ watched obama last night. despite the pathetic invocation of the "news cycle," they didn't all stop talking about obama's speech because mccain picked an unknown for veep.

ethan salto, john mccain isn't self-reflective enough to pen what bush wrote, but i actually think there's a 10% chance she will withdraw by next week on the grounds that she can't properly campaign on a national level and care for the child with down's syndrome....

chicounsel, for instance, hasn't grasped yet that the hard-right circles that are praising palin are a distinct minority in america that is losing its ability to set the agenda, but there are some adult republicans left....

I should have said this with my first post - mudflats is an Alaskan blog - quite sane, and well informed on inside issues relating to Governor Palin.

I don't think Palin was the blunder so many others seem to think. Not a brilliant choice, certainly a calculated risk, but one with potential dividends that McCain will need.

Her experience is laughable, but just sufficient enough for the McCainiacs to make a plausible claim that she isn't significantly less experienced or tested than Obama. Not true, but the GOP is still basically a faith based organization that doesn't believe in objective truth or objective reality and they can probably bamboozle enough people so that the experience issue won't be too much of a drag. The worst part is that it will effectively take that line of attack off the table for the McCainiacs. They don't want to go down that road against Obama now because they are largely disarmed and bare knuckles they will lose.

But the reality that McCain faces is that many people, not the least being Rove, believe that it was the hardcore Christian Right that carried the day for Bush in 2004 and this is a constituency that Bush has real problems with. Not that they will vote for Obama against McCain, but that they won't turn out in sufficient numbers to neutralize a larger than normal turnout for Obama. They need motivating. And that is where the genius of Palin lies. She is a pretty face with all the hardcore evangelical cred you could want. The new baby with Down's Syndrome will make a helluva story at next week's convention. She is, quite literally, red meat being thrown to the constiuency that McCain needs to win in November. It is the only part of the GOP base that can generate the numbers he will need.

But for all that, she really does seem to have more negatives than positives. A calculated risk.

Remind me never to go to Las Vegas with McCain.

i actually think there's a 10% chance she will withdraw by next week

I make that more like 50%. This is a really really bad pick. In fact I'd even theorize it's a way for McCain to sneak Lieberman in; give the far right someone they want and watch her get cut to pieces. After that happens even Lieberman will look less ridiculous.

How about a snap vice presidential debate for this weekend? If Palin is ready to be president she should be up for it. Whaddaya say Repugs???

Well the whole experience issue is off the table now, which is great because in theory it would have done Obama more harm than McCain/Palin.

That isn't to say the Dems shouldn't go after Palin for being a lightweight. McCain should be blasted for already building a bubble of fawning yes-men while Obama emphasizes that he is confident and grounded enough to surround himself with people who will challenge his views like Biden.

howard, thanks. But one thing I could have made more clear was comparing a VP Palin to a VP Cheney.

Cheney has greatly expanded the power of his office over the last two terms. How does Palin deal with these new powers & precedents? Answer: she doesn't. This has nothing to do with Palin being a woman, I just can't see McCain acquiescing to a subordinate -- a general doesn't take orders from a sergeant.

A Palin VeeP will be all artifice & ceremony. A pretty face to front for an ugly agenda. Sorry if that's sexist, but it's optics (god, I hate that word) & reality (not a big fan of that one either). McCain might as well have picked Dana Perino as his running-mate.

I make that more like 50%.

And infuriate the Hillary deadenders and the fundies? No way.

A few pics of the new VP - Luv to ride her

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2351/1903451448_635a36aed2_o.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uExTzMIDd1Y/R2O5nKq9_tI/AAAAAAAAATE/At2bb_K_3ao/s1600/Sarah-Palin-Vogue.jpg

Question: What do y'all think Karl Rove thinks, or has he said? Given the recent murmurings about his influence re nixing Lieberman as running mate, I'm wondering if Sarah Palin is HIS idea. Perhaps he sees her as a right-wing but largely blank slate who could be manipulated. If Cheney names himself her chief-of-staff, I guess we'll know....

Was it me or was anyone else disturbed by McCain hovering over Sarah Palin? Creepy. Maybe it was to make sure that everyone knows that there is still a man running the show. You know, that good ol' Republican paternalistic nature.

How about a snap vice presidential debate for this weekend? If Palin is ready to be president she should be up for it. Whaddaya say Repugs???

You know what would be totally awesome? If Biden threw down the gauntlet and challenged her to a snap debate. Tonight.

That would

Was it me or was anyone else disturbed by McCain hovering over Sarah Palin?

Andrew Sullivan blogged about that. I picked it up, too.

i actually think there's a 10% chance she will withdraw by next week

I make that more like 50%.

Really? Is Palin withdrawing even an issue? Can you even withdraw from being a VP pick? Would that not send the McCain campaign into utter-chaos-spin?

"uh, yeah, the reason we just dumped our VP pick from 2 weeks ago is...uh... because... Look over there! Ooh, it's shiny!"

I just got my first look at a photo of Sarah Palin. My honest reaction was . . .

"What the . . .? Tina Fey for vice president?"

Punditbot

anonymous, my recollection is that tom eagleton formally withdrew as mcgovern's vp in '72, but i'd have to look that up to be sure, but that's what i was referencing.

formally, after, all, mccain isn't really yet the nominee.

there's just enough of a window: if she plays really badly this weekend, it could happen.

unlikely (i stand by 10%), but not impossible.

rory: that's a joke, right?

PS. i'm not the Howard exposing his fantasy life at 6:35....

The selection of Gov. Palin demontrates McCain's contempt for the average American voter, whom he thinks can be persuaded to vote for a candidate simply because of superficialities like gender or race. Gov. Palin offers nothing in regards to the issues of this presidential election.

Palin as Major of a Small Town

It's spelled "mayor."

Sarah Palin is a bought and paid for tool of the oil corporations.

Just like Dick Cheney. Just like George W. Bush. Just like John McCain.

She denies that burning fossil fuels even "contributes" to global warming -- contradicting the acknowledgement by the state climate change advisory group that she created that greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels are driving the global warming that is already devastating Alaska.

She discourages and disparages investment in efficiency and clean, renewable energy technologies, which have the potential to create millions of high-paying, high-quality jobs that can't be outsourced -- to protect the trillion dollar profits of the oil corporations from competition.

She demands that the American people hand over precious, irreplaceable public resources to her cronies and financial backers in the fossil fuel corporations, so they can drill for more oil both offshore and in ANWR and stripmine more coal in the Appalachians and the Rockies -- destroying communities, ecosystems and economies with toxic pollution.

She is a cynical, deceitful extremist who wants to perpetuate the fossil fuel industry's death-grip on USA energy policy, which will turn the USA into a technological and economic backwater while Germany, Japan, Spain, and China dominate the rapidly growing world markets for wind and solar energy technology, the foundation of the new industrial revolution of the 21st century.

She's the perfect running mate for the shameless liar, career white-collar crook and tool of corporate lobbyists, John McCain.

Government of, by and for ExxonMobil is not the change we need. It's more of the same.

Take a look at David Ignatius' column in the Washington Post titled THE RISK OF THE ZINGER to see other examples of McCain's foolhardiness, but in the realm of foreign policy rather than "personnel appointments" such as Ms. Palin.

Whatever one thinks of McCain's stand on the issues (and I disagree with him on virtually everything), his primary disqualification for President is his temperament. The possibility of his becoming president should worry us all.

And it forces liberals, who just nominated an empty suit as their candidate for President to sound like complete idiots when they say that Palin is "unqualified" or "too inexperienced" to be Vice President

And how do the right-wingers, including and especially John McCain, who have based their entire campaign on Obama being "unqualified" sound now? Hmmm?

You may think Palin is an inspired choice. I suspect she may not even pass the laugh test.

At least the GOP doesn't have a President in training at the top of the ticket.

*

Is Palin withdrawing even an issue? Can you even withdraw from being a VP pick?

Thomas Eagleton.

So yes, you can. Of course, it didn't turn out too well for McGovern.

At least the GOP doesn't have a President in training at the top of the ticket.

"Teflon", I'm thinking you might have to change your nick to "Velcro" in '09.

Just sayin'.

JRS jr, as it seeps through in the american consciousness that john mccain is proposing putting someone one heartbeat from the presidency whom he's barely met, all this is going to do is confirm every doubt there is about his rashness and poor judgement.

making someone well known your veep generally doesn't mean much, but someone you've barely met? that's a little different.

"Conservatives on the tube are really, really struggling to defend this choice."

But the main stream media is doing their job so well for them. I don't where you get your news but every cable channel including CNN that has had the most viewership for political news of late is putting such a positive spin on this "maverick", hunter" "strong woman who cleaned up the oil commission and govt in alaska" etc etc and is no longer (or ever) dwelling on Obama's historic moment and brilliant speech last night. I am not tuning in anymore but that doesn't mean the rest of the country isn't.

The mood and news I get from blogs like Kevin's is VERY different from the main stream media and this bugs me to no end.

WHAT IS RUSH LIMBAUGH SAYING ABOUT PALIN?

I used caps to emphasis the level of importance far too many main-stream Republicans place on this uneducated radio talk show host when it comes to making critical decisions about US politics.

If Rush isn't having a fit, then Republicans shouldn't worry. If he is, then I shan't worry.

"...john mccain is proposing putting someone one heartbeat from the presidency whom he's barely met, all this is going to do is confirm every doubt there is about his rashness and poor judgement."

As opposed to the candidate picking someone who previously stated he was not qulified to be a candidate??? Please....

It's a debacle if you believe he's serious. But I don't think he is. This is a short-term 'pick'.

And he's accomplished exactly what he wanted-- to dominate the news cycle and destroy any talk of Obama and the DNC.

At the convention, or before, she'll bow out and McCain will choose someone from the group of anticipated choices.

Well, that is interesting to hear everyone worry that due to her lack of experience she is not ready..So then you must admit that anyone with a year or two as a politician is not ready to be President...which means that Barack is not..but I guess that is too logical for Obamites

> But the reality that McCain
> faces is that many people, not
> the least being Rove, believe
> that it was the hardcore
> Christian Right that carried
> the day for Bush in 2004 and
> this is a constituency that
> Bush has real problems with.

Seems as if there was someone else out there with Evangelical credentials... someone with a bit more political experience... even a bit of battle testing on the national stage.... Just can't remember the name. Huckster or something like that.

Cranky

Uh, Dave, can you count to three? Apparently not. Obama has been a politician for a lot longer than 19 months, for well over ten years in fact. Even when he was a state senator in Illinois he represented more people than live in the entire state of Alaska (true fact.) 19 months as mayor, I mean governor of a state with the population of Columbus, Ohio is not the same, experience-wise, as Obama's history.

What McCain has unleashed on the Palin family is sad. Sure, Gov. Palin is an intelligent woman, but, clearly, she isn't ready for the national stage and certainly not for the international runway. And I don't get how a woman who represents traditional family values would be willing to turn her baby over to others for rearing while she serves her country. The timing for her personally and professionally is not right.

The last thing McCain and his handlers want is a religious nut-job with an easily researched record to be exploited.

Palin is ideal because she really doesn't have much of a record that the Dems can attack. Just her lack of experience, which can be countered by Obama's alleged lack of experience.

As someone mentioned upthread, how long until Palin withdraws her ticket, citing family reasons? This whole gimmick is to take the attention away from Obama and stir things up by showing what a maverick(!) McCain is.

Sarah Palin is a governor with not much more experience. Okay. Would John McCain choose a Lt. Colonel to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs?

I'm sure there are lots of competent Lieutenant Colonels, but suddenly and capriciously putting one of them into the highest level of military command (Commander-in-Chief is obviously higher) would strike the professional military as insane.

Sarah Palin is a governor with not much more experience.

It's what you do with your experience that counts, not the time clocked.

While Obama was in the Illinois Senate he pushed for legislation that would line the pockets of Rezko. He supported legislation that permitted infanticide.

While Palin was mayor of her town she oversaw a budget, had to balance her budget, was responsible for employee relations and won reelection.

When she was appointed to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission she discovered corruption and sent the information up her chain of command and when the Governor refused to take action against the corrupt officials, she resigned in protest. Convictions followed.

Obama plays along with corrupt officials, attends the church of a radical and affiliates himself with known terrorists. Palin does her job, gets reelected, roots out corruption, stands on principle, and enjoys massive popularity with those who know her.

The whole package beats Obama hands down.

Your castigation of Obama in your post insinuates guilt by association, not by intent. It also suggests crime and malice that you can't begin to prove.

The "whole package" is that, regardless of Ms. Palin's qualities, she has, unfortunately, been made a laughingstock all day long.

Face it. Choosing her as a potential Vice President was not only cynical, but a knowing, premeditated rejection of the seriousness that a vice president represents in out political system.

The "whole package" is that, regardless of Ms. Palin's qualities, she has, unfortunately, been made a laughingstock all day long.

To an insular circle jerk of liberals, yeah, but since they're experiencing the rapture of the Messiah, they can be excused.

Anyone looking at Obama with a critical eye sees a lot of problems associated with being an empty suit. Getting a book contract for an autobiography because he is a black law review editor? Come one, the superficiality of the man is astounding. Disqualifying all of his primary opponents so that he could run in the general election unopposed is the mark of a honorable man? Agitating to have sealed divorce records opened so that he can embarrass the children of his political opponent is the mark of an honorable man?

Face it. Choosing her as a potential Vice President was not only cynical, but a knowing, premeditated rejection of the seriousness that a vice president represents in out political system.

Going ga-ga over a candidate because he's black and unaccomplished but has a gift for cadence when reading from a teleprompter is now benchmark of how to choose the leader of a party?

Face it, you have no grounds for claiming moral seriousness on these issues.

Let me critique Palin in a way Republicans can understand.

Her whole life she has been completely surrounded by Republicans, coddled by them, raised by them; her political fights have been fought within the Republican party in Alaska, where Democrats are nobodies.

Now, suppose McCain kicks the bucket and she's up there by herself, facing overwhelming Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.

They're going to eat her alive!

Tango Man's problem with Obama is that Obama isn't corrupt enough to play in the big leagues like Cheney (dealing with embargoed nations using shell companies) and Bush (using the power of the state to condemn land so he could make millions).

Let's face it, on every level Obama is far more qualified than Bush was and McCain doesn't even reach Bush's level - his only qualification is POW, POW, POW. He's not just an empty suit, he's an empty suit from nearly 40 years ago.

As for McCain's moral seriousness:

Here is a man who was tortured and bore up under torture as a POW.

So given a chance to take a stance on the issue, how does he respond?

He wants to make it legal for American soldiers to become torturers!

You don't get more screwed up than that.

Tango Man is just jealous - the Republicans put up an empty suit and all they got was 3000 Americans killed, a couple of failed wars, and massive debt. They can claim that Obama's an empty suit all they like, their empty suit is in the White House with an empty POW cage lining up to take it's place.

Let's face it, on every level Obama is far more qualified than Bush

I'll keep an open mind, after all I voted for Kerry and my declaration of doing so is accessible via Google (search this string - (TangoMan: Kerry. Competence trumps delusion. Rationality trumps faith.), so exactly how what has Obama done to earn his qualifications?

"The "whole package" is that, regardless of Ms. Palin's qualities, she has, unfortunately, been made a laughingstock all day long."

"To an insular circle jerk of liberals, yeah, but since they're experiencing the rapture of the Messiah, they can be excused."

You're the only one in the circle. Apparently you have missed the reaction of Pundit Right. Charles Krauthammer, for example.

The only people defending this idiotic choice are McCain operatives and you. As many have said, it's Harriet Miers all over again.

I haven't trashed Sarah Palin personally. My "Lieutenant Colonel" analogy regarded McCain's choice. He had plenty of Republican women from which to choose. He had plenty of Republican men from which to choose. It was a bad, selfishly political choice. It showed poor judgment.

"At least the GOP doesn't have a President in training at the top of the ticket."

John McCain has ALREADY been President?

Tangoman,

Be careful, your posts will get deleted if you buck the status quo. Mine did, and all I did was point out that a Mayor of Wasilla does a lot more than a Community Organizer.

My sister, who is VERY conservative thinks that mothers should stay home with their young children and not even have jobs. I can imagine what she is thinking knowing that Sarah Palin has a four-month-old infant and is seeking the vice presidential nomination! My sister is a McCain supporter and I don't believe she will think that Palin is a good pick for his VP. She will think that this mother needs to be the center of that child's life at this time in his life.

This blog is AWESOME!! It's called, "reaching for a miracle!" All you DEMheads out there, hoping Governor Palin will jump ship. Hahaha. That's about the only hope Nobama will have. Did you see him FUMBLING over the announcement? And the stammering, slithering reaction of his campaign? And then Nobama trying to distance himself from his own campaign?? Hahaha. I am still laughing!! His campaign can't even pull it together and just let's McCain/Palin take over the day's news...one day after he accepts the DEMhead nomination!!

SHE STOLE YOUR THUNDER!! And all you pathetics can do is HOPE she'll drop out. hahaha!!!

While Palin was mayor of her town she oversaw a budget, had to balance her budget, was responsible for employee relations and won reelection.

Yes, her part-time mayoral job where she left the town of 5,000 people a mere $20 million in debt. Super example of her responsible, fiscal conservatism.

Seriously, she might have more in common with Bush than even McCain does-- budget deficits are good!

Vivica-- You really convinced me to vote for McCain with your cutesy "nobama" and "DEMhead" epithets. That's such powerful, mature language. I quake in fear. I do believe it's waaay past your bedtime, dear.

(What is "Demhead" supposed to mean anyway? Please, I misplaced my idiot translator.)

"The second one echoes my reaction to McCain's body language while he was introducing Palin".

Palin's body language was revealing to me; she looked uncomfortable being embraced by him, and acted as though he were a total stranger and perhaps a tad revolting.

This selection of John McCain of Sarah Palin is an insult to women throughout this country. And to think that by doing this he is going to get the all of the women who supported Hillary? This move has taken the Womens' Right Movement back to the dark ages. And to think that if something happened to John McCain, Palin would be the commander in chief of this country? If that were to be the case I think I would take my chances and move to another country. This is really scary.

tangoman, you're welcome to spell out mccain's "qualifications." i'd love to see an accounting of them.

because by the new standards the right wing invented yesterday, mccain is less qualified than sarah palin.

so please, tell us exactly how mccain is better qualified than obama.

rory, on the other hand, isn't worth asking anything to: here's a person so foolish that he/she can't figure out that being part-time mayor of a small town isn't a qualification for anything.

i'm happy to assess palin on the merits: on the merits, her positions are knee-jerk right-wing where they exist at all. the fact that she was a small town mayor doesn't suddenly improve on that.

*

And he's accomplished exactly what he wanted-- to dominate the news cycle and destroy any talk of Obama and the DNC.

Sometimes dominating the news cycle is a good thing, sometimes it isn't. Ask Dan Quayle or Tom Eagleton's family about that (since he is no longer with us).

Sarah Palin didn't make this pick. John McCain did and he has to own it now. Charles Krauthammer, David Frum, Ramesh Ponnuru (or whatever his name is) and a lot of other conservatives already realize what a disaster this could be for McCain.

people who talk about "dominating the news cycle" have a very immature view of politics: you might say a very insiderish, media-centric view.

what to dominate the landscape? give an excellent speech that 40M people watched, and talked about, and emailed their friends about, and watched again online, and so forth. they didn't all stop talking and thinking about it because of palin.

What’s the Vice Presidency for, anyhow? Arguably, it’s not for anything at all....

Does Dick Cheney, with his fourth branch of government, know this?

They had a choice between "mavericky" and "experienced, steady judgment." They went with "mavericky." Hard to explain, except by reference to McCain's ego.

Tangoman,

Be careful, your posts will get deleted if you buck the status quo. Mine did, and all I did was point out that a Mayor of Wasilla does a lot more than a Community Organizer.

Yes, I just found that out. It seems that comments which go into details like explaining the difference between oil royalties and windfall profits tax are deemed offensive to this community and are deleted to spare the viewers the trauma of having to see such offensive writing. Disgusting.

I can't believe he appointed this person as a running mate. And I don't know if he thought he should have either, his introduction of her seemed to be withholding . And when she began talking, or should I say screeching, he backed off a bit, take a look at the video.

Now this 'city' she was the mayor of was 9,000 population at most. And Alaska is a lot of state, with a small population. Does anyone know what her education level is? I mean I have read about her husband's but not a word about hers.

Governor 1.5 years..I'm sorry, but it is laughable. The woman can't be very bright, if she were she would have declined before she lost her chances to be any official of anything except her kids hockey team for the rest of her life, I mean what ever did happen to Quayle?

She is completely and totally unqualified, and if she doesn't know it, and he doesn't know it, well, aren't we in for more of a George Bush administration if they should win, by whatever means, they could?

The presidency is being converted to a comedy central. Maybe Bush was just warming us up for this act?

To hear what people really think, we'll have to watch late night comedy shows to get to the truth.

I mean really, I expect to see a lot of mixed messages as people try to be nice about this, and the debates should be nigh impossible to imagine, or prepare for, for Biden.

This is down right comic, (but pathetic) and a good time for politeness or political correctness to come to a screeching halt.
What is the world thinking now? Jeez!

You have to know it would be 'honestly' informative, to be a fly on the wall of the Clintons home, or Obama's or any politicians home today. Or in any intelligent household for that matter. Or the Bush household, OMG Barbara and George must be stunned!

It isn't always important to be acting nice, sometimes honesty should win out.

If this doesn't show McCain is out of touch, well, what ever will? I just bet the Bush's walls would be sounding off some interesting chatter too.

Everyone is being so politically correct, but this is an insane decision.

Republicans should reverse their decision for McCain, fire him for this blooper and find a new last minute candidate. Could it be any worse for them?

All I can say is, that for all the people who can't think, between the Bush administration and this blooper, maybe they will have to learn.

Maybe it's worth it.

So winning the election has come down to more press regardless of whether it's good news or bad news.

Hollywood super drama at it's most bizarre.

That's American Republican politics for you!

Fantasy- ville, yes, so it seems! So it seems!

This administration and this Republican fiasco now, makes life very plausible as an illusion.

Theatre of the Absurd.

I agree with you.

This election may be about who has the saddest story ( for the Republicans.) McCain as prisoner of war, verses Joe Biden as a man who lost his family and cared for his children, and now Palin with 5 kids in tow and one born last April with downs syndrome.

Reality Politics show, the newest entertainment, brought to you by America.

Another reactionary voter...

I like that 'McBlunder'..

McBlunder Boy, three strikes and your out!

Majun...still want to say "she really doesn't have much of a record that the Dems can attack. Just her lack of experience, which can be countered by Obama's alleged lack of experience."

I think this has been disputed over the last few days, with the scrunity of her past and her daughter's pregancy. Then again..u Reps probably will justify that as well.

Excellent.

CORRECTION:

My comment above does not refer to McCain's choice of Palin as VP. That is a disgrace.

"Excellent" refers to Frank
Wilhoit's observation above
concerning this travesty. Mr. Wilhoit's comment is brilliant.

Sarah Palin Fuck ups
1) Palin “Joined a Secessionist Political Party”
The Charge: Unsubstantiated Internet reports insisted Palin was once a member of the Alaska Independence Party, which critics call a secessionist political movement and supporters say is dedicated to seeking greater state control over federal lands across Alaska. She does belong to AIP as well as her husband still under dispute by Palin .
)
2) Palin Supported a “Nazi Sympathizer”
The Charge: “Palin was a supporter of Pat Buchanan, a right-winger or, as many Jews call him: a Nazi sympathizer,” Jews are reconsidering her views – I think McCain had their vote before Palin. Now it is questionable. Over 8 million Jews is US – lots of votes.
)
3) Palin “Wants Creationism Taught in School”
The Charge: Palin opposes the teaching of evolution, and would mandate the teaching of creationism in the state’s public schools. Most would teach both – Palin is very adamant about no evolution teachings.
4) Palin “Was Nearly Recalled” While Mayor
The Charge: Palin was so controversial as mayor of Wasilla that she was almost recalled by a popular voter movement. This has to do with the firing of the State Trooper who is divorced from her sister. Judgement Still in courts.
)
5) Palin “Opposes Sex Education”
The Charge: Palin opponents say she supported the end of all sex education in public schools. In light of her daughter’s presumably unplanned teen pregnancy, this has been a particularly well discussed Internet topic. “The explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support,” Palin wrote in a 2006 questionnaire distributed among gubernatorial candidates. Palin favors abstinence-based sex education programs. The old pull out nevers works – just ask her daughter – what a dunce.

Others

6 Bridge too no where – she backed first – after US Congress turned it down she flipped to not wanting it. Feds sent no money – Alaska did send money for project – where is money. Palin is under investigation on where state money is (several million).

7 Selling Jet on EBAY for profit – Palin tried 3 times on EBAY to sell – no offers.
Private individual bought Jet at $ 600,000 less than price asked.

8 Religion – too many charges to list all – Palin said Our troops are on a mission from God to win in Iraq. In 2000 her pastor said if you vote for Kerry you won’t be saved. Pastor also said if you accept Bush criticisms you will go to hell. Also said 30 billion pipeline is supported by God. The biggest problem I have is using a church service to go on a 20 minute political rant (check YouTube). What type of church serves up 20 min political rants instead of a normal sermon. This may be a stretch – Muslims said Allah wanted jets to fly into the WTC and kill 3,000. Isn’t she using Gods name to promote her agenda – How do think God really feels about her Right Wing feelings.

9 Freddie Mac - Fannie Mae housing problems – Palin says were caused by Govt
meddling in the mortgage lenders affairs. Truth is the Govt had no part in the fiasco. Govt is involved now as they are bailing them out. Palin doesn’t even understand basic economic procedures.

10 Palin told library to remove books on pro life. Dosen’t this violate Constitution on free speech

11 Last - her friggin voice would drive you up a wall after 5 min.

Every body needs to make up their own mind – but I think its only fair that since Hannity has played the Obama tapes over and over for the last 5 months on FOX – that we pay the same respect to Sarah Palin – at least for the next 2 months .

More Pics

http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/46500/hot-for-Teacher-Palin--46831.jpg

http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/46500/Sarah-Palin-Pitbull-With-Lipstick--46860.jpg

http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/7/n/G/2/mac-picks-palin.jpg

OK for its been 2 weeks since she was introduced. Time for her to appear on the news shows - not just FOX.

Howard 8