I was appalled at Sarah Palin's comment that she is a "pit bull" with lipstick. After listening to her speech at the convention and then again on the stump today, it is clear that the Mc Cain campaign is using her to do their dirty work of attacking Obama. She seems to be enjoying be used for this purpose and Mc Cain seems quite happy to hand over the tough stuff to a woman while he claims he is being the politician who reaches across the aisle.
. As a woman, I am disappointed and embarrassed that this woman is allowing herself to be blatantly used in this way and appear foolish and silly. I think Palin is inexperienced in politics and will someday be apologizing for her behavior this week. Most of all she owes an apology to her 17 year old daughter for tossing her into a life where she has become the subject of tabloids. I am amazed that the right wing has embraced Palin's behavior--it sheds a very bad light on the religious right wing of the Republican party, and I believe it hurts all women who want to run for higher public office.

Sarah Palin? Ann Coulter Lite.

don't kid yourselves, Republicans are not remotely happy with Sarah Palin.

Wait for the debates, when both Palin and McCain, faced with answering questions that actually have something to do with politics, will be handed their empty little heads.

I'm glad the repugs picked Palin and am looking forward the the lesson she has coming to her. It'll be good fun to watch her burn.

I don't care about McSame one way or the other - he's just too insignificant and boring to pay attention to.

Nutz said:

"Wait for the debates, when both Palin and McCain, faced with answering questions that actually have something to do with politics, will be handed their empty little heads"

I agree, the debates will provide good opportunity for Sarah Palin to reveal what she knows and doesn't know about the issues. I would be far more sympathetic and supportive of her situation if she had used her speech at the convention to tell us where she stands on the issues rather than using the time to spew sarcastic comments about Obama.

During the campaign, It amazed me that the media seemed so intimidated by the Mc Cain campaign's criticizing of them for questioning why Palin won't answer questions or give an interview. Palin steps out to swing mud at Obama and the press then retreats into a shell protected by the McCain&CO., only to rear her head and attack again. She takes the spotlight--gets the attention of the public and media then gives nothing in return by answering questions.
The media seems to be hesitant to push her for an interview. Meanwhile, she is getting her swings at Obama and her supporters whine when anyone takes a swing at her.
Palin behaves pit bullish behind a scripted speech, but I wonder if she will be so tough when facing the public and press with no script.

Hey lib's

Yuo are not the ONLY ones who can't wait for the debates..:-) Her strong suit is one-on-one debates.

And since obama is a stumbleing idiot when it comes to one-on-one, he will look like a fool..:-)

Joe can't talk in short answers and will be made a fool.

Sarah will rock the house, and when your wuss candidate is pushed back to the south side with his baby mamma, you will all need to find a new party to vote for, as the dems will be done for 16 more years.

Bill

Bill Nigh:

You seem to have some inside information about Palin. The fact that her strong suit is one-on-one is interesting and I am looking forward to seeing and hearing her in the debates.

It only makes it more puzzling why McCain&Co., are so afraid to allow her to speak without a script.

Please don't worry about Joe and Obama, they are in front of the public daily--answering all the hard questions about the economy, Iraq, Iran, healthcare, jobs, etc. Their campaign doesn't protect them from inquiring minds like McCain&Co. protects Palin.

One thing is for sure, there will be millions watching the debates between Palin and Joe--and that is good for all of us. Of course, my confidence is with Joe, but I hope she is able to hold her own and from what you are saying--it sounds like she will.

In this day who on gods green earth would advocate a marriage between an 18 yr old and a 17 yr old. I guess this is what is common in Alaska. That poor girl is going to marry because her mother is running for vice-president. If that wasn't the case she would have been married already. I also feel insulted for my pit bull

Call it the real Republican convention.

At least that is how Ron Paul, a US congressman for Texas, and his supporters billed their campaign's Tuesday night "rally for the republic", in which they called on the party to "return to its roots".

From the looks of it, Paul, who suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination in June, could almost be accepting the party's presidential nomination himself.

Almost 15,000 people came from all over the country to hear him speak.

Paul, who spoke at the gathering on Tuesday night, was joined by an ensemble of right-leaning politicians, thinkers, artists and media personalities, from US television host Tucker Carlson to Jesse Ventura, the former Minnesota governor.

Their problem? Ventura, a former pro wrestler put it quite simply: "Both parties are destroying our country."

Promoting freedom

Lew Rockwell, a one-time staff member for Paul, was even more blunt. "If the only alternative to the socialism of the Democrats is the fascism of the Republicans then we are in serious trouble," he said.

The solution? Paul and company believe the only way to save the party and the country is by promoting "freedom" at all costs. They want the US to stay out of people's lives at home and stay out of overseas military entanglements, such as in Iraq.

Paul, 72, a 10-term Republican congressman, was the last of John McCain's Republican opponents to drop out of the race, outlasting better known candidates such as Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney.

Really? I wish the reporter would have asked more tough questions. I'm sure they have some reservations about her, and would have liked to hear more in-depth questions asked. How much do they know about her? How much do they care about knowing everything about her? What is her strongest/weakest characteristic in their eyes? I'm looking forward to more MoJo coverage of her...

I definitely think that once she gets into the public spotlight, she'll start to falter a little. She might be "fresh blood" but she's being investigated for corruption just like the others.

I don't know how a ticket that supports off-shore drilling/nuclear energy, school vouchers, the end to women's choice, and a heavy-handed, ignorant approach to foreign policy will lead this country in a positive direction. ?? I am still shocked that anyone at all endorses McCain and Palin. How are these weak policies good for anyone but the rich, Christian right? What the hell is the matter with Kansas?

Everyone knows (except those totally fooling themselves) that Biden has a MUCH better grasp about anything having to do with national or, especially, international politics than Palin. This said, he's going to have an extremely hard time in their debate. He will have to work really hard at not talking down to her (even though she deserves just that). Otherwise, people'll maybe feel sorry for her (poor, little, inexperienced girl getting picked on - we've got to elect her president). By voting for McCain, one is effectively voting for Palin to be president (the most powerful person in the world) as McCain men die early (and John's not a picture of health).

Axelrod's grooming and marketing of Obama allows people to forget his inexperience. I think that Axelrod is a SUPREMELY capable campaign organizer and some people will fall for the argument that Obama's been "vetted" whereas Palin hasn't, therefore his inexperience has become magically irrelevant.

For me the "vetting" process on Obama eliminated him long ago as a possible candidate to vote for. Although they were adopting sarcastic phrasing and intonation, a lot of what Giuliani and Palin brought up corresponded to why I -- who have always voted Democrat since 1968 -- had ALREADY made the decision not to vote Democrat in November.

But -- aside from Obama -- there's a HUGE agenda that many voters are bringing to the polls concerning FEMALE candidates. I remember being on a greyhound bus when the driver had to brake suddenly because a car pulled out into traffic. The female passenger sitting in front of me who had identified the car's driver as a woman, said, "Figures. Dumb woman driver." If it's female, it's dumb. If it's female it can't talk to the press without a script. How do we think this lady got elected as governor of Alaska? On her good looks? Sadly to say, I think some people must believe that.

Another part of the agenda is that you've got to be a nice little girl and not to be aggressive (nnorman51 on "pitbull"). Well, Palin is a former athlete and a hunter of wild animals. She's of the Amazon variety and she is apt to disappoint voters if they're looking for traditional stereotypes, stereotypes which I believe that BEHAVIOR WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC RANKS seemed to heavily condone. As for the media, Chris Matthews was recently accused of having a problem with strong female political figures. I this his critic hit the nail on the head.

I saw a capable candidate going after the opposing camp with everything she had. To quote Clinton, she's "in to win".

Why does it seem the Republican women have so much hate in their hearts?

1. Mc Palin
2. Kerns
3. Coulter
4. Malkin

McShame!

Emily wrote:
"I definitely think that once she gets into the public spotlight, she'll start to falter a little. She might be "fresh blood" but she's being investigated for corruption just like the others."

It appears the media is doing their job as best they can and scrutinizing Palin. She has been caught in telling some whoppers and McCain is only too happy to help her by repeating them to the public.

The story of the luxury jet that she put on ebay which (according to McCain) was sold on ebay and earned a profit was actually not sold on ebay. It was sold in a private sale and at a loss. Her exaggeration about the bridge to nowhere is well known to most people now.
As governor, her cuts in funding to special needs children by about 60% (according to Pagala on CNN) is very interesting. It is more likely to anger parents of special needs children then to help her.

It is mind boggling why McCain&CO., are allowing Palin to use her child to promote their agenda when it actually brings up more questions and problems for them.

What makes me mad is that the Democrats are always keeping it clean and we should be winning by double digits in the polls. We are fighting again tooth and nail to get our candidate elected. The Dems don't have enough attack in them. They need to be pointing at the Repubs and calling them on all the lies and misinformation! The Dems take it for granted that everyon is up on the issues and smart. A majority of Americans aren't political. They need to be educated and not in sound bites or news titles that catch attention. The DEms need a Bullhorn and need point at the GOP. Thats what the GOP does and they have brainwashed many Americans.

Hillary was constantly criticized because she was too feminine or not feminine enough or she showed some hint of cleavage and even coz her lipstick was too red... Is anyone else seeing a major double standard here? Why is nobody talking about her hypocrisy over earmarks and her bridge to nowhere.. SHe is a big fake and the media are too cowardly to talk about it.. I guess they will wait til after they win the election.. Thanks for nothing

Politifact.com, get the true facts on both parties proclamations.

Sarah Palin is a slap in the face to americans. McCain has officially lost his mind at this point if he thinks she is fit to be one step away from leading this nation. How can the right wing be happy with a guy who cheated on his wife and broke up his family by leaving for a younger broad, then pull on board this obviously unqualified candidate who believes in christian holy war? this woman is a nut. The GOP is totally lost. what an insult to the american people.

K. Giannini said:Another part of the agenda is that you've got to be a nice little girl and not to be aggressive (nnorman51 on "pitbull").

kathy,

Do you really think that women need to be labeled "pit bulls" in order to be taken seriously? You make it sound as if women need to behave overly aggressive or extremely masculine to be considered qualified.

I find that notion ridiculous and demeaning. I would have taken Palin seriously if she had given a speech telling where she stands on the issues that are most important to Americans today, such as, the economy, the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, education, healthcare, etc. Instead she chose to show us her ability to attack like a pit bull and be proud of it.
I thought it was embarrassing that she used sarcasm to attack Obama then she ran for cover so she didn't have to take any hits herself. If she wants to be the "pit bull" and brag about it then she needs to attack like a pit bull and not run away which appears cowardly to me. Palin would have been better off to show her ability to lead by her telling about her past experience, positions on the issues and reaching out to all Americans--instead she chose to show us that she is an attack dog for McCain. That is not what I want in a Vice President or President.

Am I the only one that caught it when McSame said that Share-a Problem was gov. of the largest state in America?
IT'S FORTY SEVENTH IN POPULATION! With less than 6% actually of AMERICAN ancestry.
Do these morons really think like this; or can they really tell any lie that pops into their teeny little brains and have radical right media pick it up and run with it?

Does "yuor" ivory tower not have a television that gets a channel other than fox.
Thanks for showing "yuor" small mindedness; and keep writing in so we can all get an occasional chuckle.
If "yuo" ever become capable of thinking for "yuorself" we may let "yuo" come over to "uor" side. We will, however, keep a close eye on "yuo" for a while, just to be on the safe side.

A perfect example of the hypocrisy of the Republicans supporting Palin can be seen on the Jon Stewart show-Sept 3"sarah palin gender card".

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card

I think that "pitbull" and "barracuda" refer to a fighting spirit, a combative personality. I wasn't offended as a woman to hear someone use those terms. I think that -- despite the pummeling she took in the days leading up to her speech -- Palin very gamely took up the gauntlet.

Hillary Clinton was constantly being admonished by her party when she showed far less combativeness than Palin is showing now. In the fall, Clinton treated the voters like grown-ups while Obama spoke in vague terms peppered with "change" and "Washington insiders". Well, Clinton's serious issue-rich speeches didn't work so well with the voting public, did they, nnorman51? In a way, it's the voters who have "re-programmed" this race by their behavior during the Democratic Primary. So now we have another inexperienced candidate who has co-opted "change" because she's a more recent addition to the electoral scene and she makes Obama look like the Washington insider.

Had Hillary Clinton been permitted by her own party to be a little more aggressive, she might have landed the nomination and I would have voted for her even if she had selected Obama with his lack of experience as her vice presidential running mate.

Kathy said: "combativeness than Palin is showing now. In the fall, Clinton treated the voters like grown-ups while Obama spoke in vague terms peppered with "change" and "Washington insiders". Well, Clinton's serious issue-rich speeches didn't work so well with the voting public, did they, nnorman51?"

I believe it was Clinton's serious issue-rich speeches that helped her get the votes of 18 million Americans. She had my vote and not because she is a woman--it was her healthcare plan, her plans to create new jobs, pull out of the war in Iraq and her track record in congress that made her my choice for President. It was an exciting and close race between Clinton and Obama and it was Clinton's ability to reach out to Democrats, Independents and Republicans that created the close race. In the end, Obama won--not because Clinton was a wuss (which she was not), it was because Americans felt Obama's stand on the issues were better for them.

Obama won by not using "pit bull" tactics. I think Americans are turned off by bullys and that will be what hurts Palin in the long run.

.

I am really annoyed that John MCCain, who claims he will bring experience to the White House has choosen a running mate with such questionable qualifications. Sarah Palen has not undergone what all the other candidates have endured during the long primary season. Both Dems and Rep have been vetted repeatedly and the voters have made their choices. Now, John MCCain add s an rookie who could very well be in the position of assuming the presidency. Given MCCain's age, there is a very good chance he will not serve out his full term. Why should American voters have to settle for his poor judgment? Sarah Palen has not demonstrated the intellectual rigor needed to be a thoughtful and INFORMED leader. I work with many man and woman in local and state political office, not one of them feels they are in a position to be vice president or president of the US. They understand they do not hve the knowledge or skills to take on such an incredibly difficult job. What makes Sarah Palen think she has the skills and knowledge to assume the presidency?

I am really annoyed that John MCCain, who claims he will bring experience to the White House has choosen a running mate with such questionable qualifications. Sarah Palen has not undergone what all the other candidates have endured during the long primary season. Both Dems and Rep have been vetted repeatedly and the voters have made their choices. Now, John MCCain add a rookie who could very well be in the position of assuming the presidency. Given MCCain's age, there is a very good chance he will not serve out his full term. Why should American voters have to settle for his poor judgment? Sarah Palen has not demonstrated the intellectual rigor needed to be a thoughtful and INFORMED leader. I work with many men and woman in local and state political office, not one of them feels they are in a position to be vice president or president of the US. They understand they do not have the knowledge, experience or skills to take on such an incredibly difficult job. What makes Sarah Palen (who has a similar resume) think she has the skills and knowledge to assume the presidency? She must have a highly inflated self image to think she is up to the job!

Grok this :

What if McSame is a Saturday night special, a throwaway gun?

What if the repugnicans DON'T WANT to win this election?

What if they just aren't interested in picking up their own - considerable - messes? Or just don't know how? Just look at them, listen to them. These guys aren't rocket scientists, after all.

That doesn't mean the old geezer can't win, though. God knows there are a lot of things that can go wrong, like that "Florida Hat Trick" they pulled the last time...

Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joseph Biden are now running against "Rocky and Bullwinkle" and the RIGHT WING press say it's a close race --- go figure.

MarthaA observes: Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joseph Biden are now running against "Rocky and Bullwinkle" and the RIGHT WING press say it's a close race --- go figure.

Why listen to the RIGHT WING press?

Go check the poll numbers for yourself.

www.usaelectionpolls.com/2008/general-election/rasmussen-reports.html

www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/general_election_match_up_history

www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/latestpolls/index.html

www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUKN1948672420080820?sp=true

BTW: Why is 'conservative', 'Republican', 'Right Wing', etc. always in all caps with you?
Just curious...

Maybe those words are in all caps because they're Power Words, like "f*ck" or "kill".

Maybe the political right has wrought disaster upon the land for so long that the words "conservative", "Republican", "Right Wing" have become swear words.

Anathema...

What..., you don't think MarthaA is capable of formulating her own answer?

Anyway, the most effective swear words don't need to be in all caps. They carry their own extra weight and punch, and don't need to be shouted in order to do their job.

Working Americans are suffering in this RECESSION. Yes we are in RECESSION, the Bush McCain RECESSION. All over America there are people being foreclosed, laid off, suffering from inflation, specifically food and gas costs. This is linked to McCain and his policies as the "incumbent candidate" of George W. Bush. McCain is for the fat-cat, foolish corporate executives who lay off workers, run their companies into the ground, yet leave with $50 million golden parachutes. McCain is for the corporate tax cheats who screw American workers, paying $0 in tax. McCain is for the thieves at Enron and the other oil barons and defense barons making billions at expense of the US taxpayer. Have I told you we are in a RECESSION? McCain is a hothead. McCain has a tendency to fly off the handle. Do you want his finger on the New-Clear trigger. Don’t let McCain rob you of your SOCIAL SECURITY and Medicare by his privatizing initiatives. Don’t let McCain tell us to stay in Iraq for the next 100 years. Vote Obama/Biden. .

Hey!

I'm trying to figure out MarthaA's use of all caps too!

You want someone to whisper words of disaster to you?

Here ya go : bush, bush, bush...

Iraq has failed

"That doesn't mean the old geezer can't win, though. God knows there are a lot of things that can go wrong, like that "Florida Hat Trick" they pulled the last time..." Did not the Washington Post prove this to be a falsehood? If not, get over it and work to elect your next candidate.

It disturbs me that the democrats are still even in a forum like this trying to play nice. Remember, McCain has consistently changed his original position to take a more hard line. Hell he said he would vote against his OWN bill to prevent torture?

Palin also has not said one TRUE word since she began her run as the Vice President. She can be the pit bull all she wants, but do we want a Pit Bull in government? This woman is mean (Obama attacks without fact), vindictive (fired her ex-brother-in-law), not bright (what does the VP do?), With no 'executive experience' (Still can't name one action she took as commander of the Alaska Guard), Uncompassionate (Forcing her daughter to marry at the age of 17), Inexperienced (18 Months as governor, mayor of a town of 9,000), a liar ('this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform.' for a list of his reforms please see http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2008/02/dear-chris-matt.html).

As a community, as a nation, as a citizen of the world we have to call Palin out! She may be a Gilf (Governor I'd like to ....) but she is more of the same. She represents a disastrous war in Iraq which has cost lives and money. She represents an economy in shambles due to outrageous tax and economic policies designed to reward the rich. She represents everything that is bad with the republican party!

So let's not be polite. To the Bill Nighs of this world... We will not stand for lies and selfishness anymore. You are simply wrong and idiot for supporting McCain and Palin.

Spitfire writes: bush, bush, bush...

Now there you go!

Certain names should, by convention, never be capitalized.

bush
hitler
stalin
andrew jackson
jeffrey daumer
timothy mcveigh
edi amin
pol pot
benito mussolini

They've all relinquished the right to the common courtesy that's due a respectable (by contrast) bank robber.

And still those names carry a considerable emotional impact when you see or hear them, without their having to be shouted in your fact to achieve it.

How in the hell does Aaron B. know that Palin's daughter is being forced? Is he imposing his values?

I find it funny is a perverted way that it is not mean, vindictive or straight out lying when the venom is directed right, only when it is directed to the left.

So, let's vote for a Pres that associates with a domestic terrorist, William Ayers, and a VP that got how many votes as a presidential hopeful? Biden is the Dem equivalent of Bob Dole. You know, the grumpy old man who yells "Get off my lawn" when your child or you is chasing down the frisbee. Please don't project your idiot values on me.

Thank you, Terriann. The dems need to stop being p*ssies and get busy attacking the lies and the blatant trick that is Sarah Palin. The Repubs have done another masterful bit of politicking by picking Palin as VP. She is no more ready to lead or be VP than I am. So why are the repubs and dems now neck and neck? Because most of this country is so easily fooled by being told what they want to hear, and not what they need to hear.

"Sarah Palin is a slap in the face to americans...The GOP is totally lost. what an insult to the american people" To NLiner and other similar posts: how can you say this and believe it? Bush was elected twice and still can't formulate a complete and correct sentence !! This is not a slap in the face to Americans because this is how a majority of active voters believe. Americans tend to be reactionary, narrow-minded, lack the ability to be introspective, and lack the ability (or desire) to take responsibility for anything. Repubs know this and use it to win elections. The Dems, with their high-minded philosophies (god-forbid !!) don't resonate with a large swath of the general public. Liberals need, need, to realize this and stop complaining about. It's reality and that's why Dems keep losing elections.

Gov Palin gave an interview on ABC and commented that she can see Russia from Alaska instead of providing an insightful comment on the situation. Well, as a New Jersey girl, let me tell you what I can see. I can see the hole in the NYC skyline where the Twin Towers used to be. Anyone who's going to be a heartbeat away from the presidency needs to be much more aware of international issues or they won't be able to keep us safe.

Avidia, Is that the best you can come up with?.. her comment about seeing Russia? That's pathetic.

Matt, Do you really think that's why dems keep losing elections? I beg to differ. You keep losing because you keep fighting for things like making your wallet fatter instead of keeping your family safer. I've personally talked open mindedly about the war on terror and everyone in the millitary that I've talked to, supports what they are doing, even if it's for reasons that the stupid media can't broadcast yet.

And "go figure", you really need to put obama in the category with hitler because the only differance is that obama feels that protecting fully born, breathing babies with a simple vote not to kill them, is above his "pay grade". hitler was just as cruel but less sneaky. At the rate the pro choice laws are going, parents will have the option to let there down sindrome child go for a 6 month trial period to "see how it goes" before they take his/her life.... go figure yourself!

Have a great day, Vote McCain, Palin

Sarah Palin has said that the US is on a mission from God in Iraq. Acc. to Palin it´s not criminally insane leaders like Bush, Blair and Fogh Rasmussen who invaded Iraq. No, no it´s a task from God. Can´t you get it ? She is nuts, crazy, insane.