Sarah Palin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it a bit insulting that McCain decides he wants a woman on the ticket but can only come up with someone with NO experience at any level and very little nationwide exposure? Palin is no where near the electric, motivational speaker that Obama is and there is no way that she can unify and bring people together the way he has done. I just can't believe that here are no other republican female candidates out there or did they all turn McCain down? It bothers me that if they do win (which I doubt will happen) the first woman VP will be there because she is a woman and some man thought he could get votes by putting a woman on the ticket.

I'd like to see the first woman in the white house there because she earned it, deserves it, and got it herself...not a token symbol.

I'd like to see the first woman, or anyone for that matter, in the White House because they are going to do something positive for this country. Not talk about what this countyr needs, but actually have a plan and execute. Then I'll be happy.

[Anonymous]

it was a desperate choice to say the least, Yes she's a very popular Governor but from a small state, heck Montgomery County, MD has a larger population then the State of Alaska. And don't think for a sec. that the D's aren't going to use the sound bite/interview of Pailin asking, " Just what the heck does a Vice President Do?" against her. Plus she has zilch Foreign Policy experience. If McCain really wanted to chose a Conservative that could actually pull in undecided Hillary supporters and Independents then Kay Bailey would and should have been the VP candidate!! This choice really has made me reconsider voting for Barr!

[Anonymous]

He picked someone who ran in beauty pageants?!!?? She is only 44 so it isn't as if she was from another generation where this was in anyway acceptable for a professional woman. Is this supposed to be how we break through the glass ceiling....runner up to Miss Alaska. Come on there are so many women in their forties with great qualifications who didn't spend their college time in a swimsuit competition.

[Anonymous]

Rich wrote:After reading what everyone has said, I think my opinion has evolved.

As far as experience, I don't see hers as that different from Carter's governorship of Georgia or Clinton's governorship of Arkansas.

As to her positions, they are pretty close to McCain's, and don't make much difference in how I view him.

I think her willingness to speak out against corruption reflects the best of McCain, as does her fairly progressive view on gay rights.

Finally, two points stand out for me. One is the point many of you have made, that it is about time we had another woman on a national ticket, and, as another crack in that glass ceiling, it's worthy of celebration. The other is that this does not seem like a campaign pro's pick, in that it has all sorts of risk, including blowing away the experience issue. Never mind the boilerplate about choosing someone ready to step into the Oval Office, he also indicated he wanted someone who shared his ideas and values. So I see this choice as the real John McCain rebelling against the obedient candidate McCain. I say Welcome back, Mr Maverick!

Of course I'll still vote for Obama.

Thank you. How about this forehead-slapping fact, too: In November we will elect either a president who is a biracial man who identifies as black, or a vice president who is a woman (and whose husband and children are part Inuit)? Either of those two barriers falling is a historic event.

Like you, I appreciate her willingness to take on corruption and her gay rights position and agree that they reflect the best of McCain. I also like her taxing of oil companies. And like you, I think this is not in any way a safe pick for McCain, but reflects his maverick side.

HRC's response to McCain's pick: "We should all be proud of Governor Sarah Palin's historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Senator McCain. While their policies would take America in the wrong direction, Governor Palin will add an important new voice to the debate."

[Anonymous]

I think she is a great pick and respect her policy positions on just about everything. What I am disgusted with are the attacks on her being part of this race because she has so many children-sorry you wouldn't hear about this if she was a man or..the fact that she was a "woman" pick. What if instead-McCain listened to what the people wanted--some change in how a ticket was set up and found the best person to fit that change..she is a woman yes and she is not from Washington yes and shares a belief system that will work with his beliefs. Good for him. In the end-liberals are looking for something to attack so no matter who was picked, they would have a problem and ditto with conservatives. The only difference is the openess of the smears on her--it's okay to be sexist in this country still.

[Anonymous]

AMEN PP

[Rich]

Anonymous wrote:He picked someone who ran in beauty pageants?!!?? She is only 44 so it isn't as if she was from another generation where this was in anyway acceptable for a professional woman. Is this supposed to be how we break through the glass ceiling....runner up to Miss Alaska. Come on there are so many women in their forties with great qualifications who didn't spend their college time in a swimsuit competition.

Don't forget she got a college scholarship from that competition. The ends may not always justify the means, but even if a beauty contest is demeaning, I certainly would not criticize Sarah Palin for going through one in order to get to college. Besides, don't you think there is a bit of cultural bias in our view of such affairs?

Just the fact that she is a governor with over 80% approval makes her a remarkable woman. I think the personal attacks on her (or McCain, Obama, or Biden) reflect more poorly on those of us making the attacks (and I've made my share) than on the object of the attack. Also, can't we drop the attacks on each other and lower the heat? When debate reduces to "You idiot", it's very tempting to give up; but I have really enjoyed this list, so I hope we can climb back up toward rational discussion.

Sorry if that's so preachy it verges on unacceptable mixing of religion and politics.

[jsteele]

Rich:

Palin's approval rating has dropped since she got embroiled in an abuse of power ethics scandal.

Also, all of those who see Palin as a great step forward for women should listen to Palin laugh as radio hosts call an Alaskan state senator a "bitch", "a jealous woman", and "a cancer".

Yeah, that's hilarious. Especially when they also make fun of the woman's weight. That will totally advance things for women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since public officials are fair game... can we talk a bit about their choice in names for their kids:

Track
Trig
Willow
Bristol
Piper

Thoughts? I for one think it sounds a bit foolish.... Just my humble opinion.

Thank you!! I seriously question the judgment of someone that would choose these names for their children. Shows a lack of common sense, IMO.

Why does it show a lack of common sense? Choosing names is a very personal thing...and these names arent any more unusual than some other names that are out there. And..if you judge people by the names they picked for their kids, then you are very clueless.

What would you think of a person who named their dd, Talula the Hula Girl. This happened in New Zealand and a judge had to put an end to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

excuse me-

but if a guy had the the same amount of experience he'd probably be run for president...

oops

there is a guy running for president with LESS experience but you bleeding heart limo-liberals are all falling over yourselves to support him.......

she has actually DONE something for two years-unlike Obama who has been in the Senate but avoided all controversial votes and has been running for President.....

Big difference. The guy has run a kick-butt campaign and came from behind because he knew how to organize his supporters and stay on message. Whatever you want to say about Obama's length of tenure in the Senate, it's true that he organized rings around both Clinton and McCain. I don't expect a lot out of Obama but I've been impressed with his leadership of this campaign and I voted for him because I think he has a slightly better chance of beating McCain than Clinton did.

Palin was plucked from obscurity. She may have run a state (with a population not much larger than the District) but she has yet to prove herself on the national stage. And she has played no leadership role in the Republican's presidential campaign. She may be a jock and a hunter and fisherwoman (and believe me my heart always warms to a fellow sister jock!) but there is an element of this which is just too Cinderellaish (a word?) for me, as if John McCain flew down and swooped her out of Alaska because she was virtuous.

I'm hoping she will prove her mettle on the campaign trail and change that image for me. But the reality is that Obama has fought hard to get himself where he is today on the national ticket. Palin just got a sweet ride to the top. She still has to prove herself.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:Rich:

Palin's approval rating has dropped since she got embroiled in an abuse of power ethics scandal.

Also, all of those who see Palin as a great step forward for women should listen to Palin laugh as radio hosts call an Alaskan state senator a "bitch", "a jealous woman", and "a cancer".

She'll get along great with McCain. He also giggles when his opponent is called a bitch.

[Anonymous]

"Don't forget she got a college scholarship from that competition. The ends may not always justify the means, but even if a beauty contest is demeaning, I certainly would not criticize Sarah Palin for going through one in order to get to college. Besides, don't you think there is a bit of cultural bias in our view of such affairs? "

You really don't get it, beauty pageants are pretty insulting to many women, especially those the McCain camp needs to get. No one buys that these pageants are fueled by academic initiatives to get scholarships. Besides if Palin is so athletic and a good shot why didn't she do ROTC? She could have paid for college and served her country.

There are some women who work their way through college as strippers, a legal activity, but not exactly something that will make you a role model or leader. Running for Miss Alaska is one of many reasons why it is so insulting that McCain chose her, it reflects more on him that he is out of touch with women voters.

[Anonymous]

"Palin was plucked from obscurity. She may have run a state (with a population not much larger than the District) but she has yet to prove herself on the national stage. And she has played no leadership role in the Republican's presidential campaign. She may be a jock and a hunter and fisherwoman (and believe me my heart always warms to a fellow sister jock!) but there is an element of this which is just too Cinderellaish (a word?) for me, as if John McCain flew down and swooped her out of Alaska because she was virtuous.

I'm hoping she will prove her mettle on the campaign trail and change that image for me. But the reality is that Obama has fought hard to get himself where he is today on the national ticket. Palin just got a sweet ride to the top. She still has to prove herself. "

I agree though I don't see anyway that she can prove herself on the campaign trail. Google her and read her resume, it wil take all of 2 seconds.

Obama, whether you like him or not, achieved the unthinkable in upsetting the Clinton political machine. Bill and Hilliary, who I love, are powerful campaigners with enormous clout. Obama went after the nomination, built the right team, electrified voters, and brought together groups that no one thought would vote for an underdog. What he did required skill, talent, intelligence, and excelent strategy. Obama has been working at the nationwide level and moving into a leadership role long before Palin.

Palin is simply picked from thin air in a desperate attempt by McCain. She never even showed interest in the job. She has never done anything outside Alaska. At least governors from other states are active in coalitions or other nationwide interests. Usually a governor can show background is resolving complex social issues or dealing with large state budgets. She has none of this. I've read that even though she is popular in Alaska people question whether she is really ready to governor of Alaska. If there are any questions as to whether you are ready to be governor of Alaska then why on earth would you even think you are ready to be president???


This election is about the economy, and healthcare as much as it is about foreign policy. Palin brings nothing to any of these issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Don't forget she got a college scholarship from that competition. The ends may not always justify the means, but even if a beauty contest is demeaning, I certainly would not criticize Sarah Palin for going through one in order to get to college. Besides, don't you think there is a bit of cultural bias in our view of such affairs? "

You really don't get it, beauty pageants are pretty insulting to many women, especially those the McCain camp needs to get. No one buys that these pageants are fueled by academic initiatives to get scholarships. Besides if Palin is so athletic and a good shot why didn't she do ROTC? She could have paid for college and served her country.

There are some women who work their way through college as strippers, a legal activity, but not exactly something that will make you a role model or leader. Running for Miss Alaska is one of many reasons why it is so insulting that McCain chose her, it reflects more on him that he is out of touch with women voters.

Well, I'm a 40-year-old woman, professional, Ivy-educated woman who plans to vote for Obama, but I have to say, it doesn't at all bother me that Sarah Palin competed for Miss Alaska. I'm not sure why you think that is so off-putting to women. Perhaps this is a poor analogy, but I see it in the same light as the fact that I was a cheerleader in high school and also took AP classes, LOL; someone can be both beautiful and smart. If Sarah Palin can be both Miss Alaska and a governor, bully for her! I don't favor her positions so won't vote the McCain ticket, but her beauty pageant past has zero to do with it.

[Anonymous]

You know, lets set aside that she is completely unqualified for a moment. Has anyone taken a look at her views? She doesn't believe global warming is accelerated by man made actions, advocates teaching creationism in public high school science courses (the literal interpretation that the dinosaurs didn't really exist that far back and Adam and Eve started it all), and is against abortion in cases of rape and incest. She has no real positions on the ecomomy, foreign policy or healthcare since it has never been relevant for her to be knowledgable on these issues. She is gov of a state that collects no income tax and sends a check to every citizen. What are they going to do hire a tutor to explain the tax system and federal budget?

If this was not bad enough, McCain has only met her once? What type of judgement is this for one of the most important positions? To make matters worse, McCain is 72! Of all people he should have taken a very thoughful look at who would make the best VP.