Some critics have alleged that picking Palin as VP candidate is a stretch and a cynical gimmick. Well, yes, of course it's all of those things. But so are most acts in politics. The test is how well does the bit of reality underlying this particular gimmick compare against the competing gimmicks. And by that critierion -- and barring a major surprise -- Palin looks pretty good.
Sure I would have preferred that McCain's had chosen a running mate with more experience and national press scrubbing than Palin has. On the other hand, the vice-president is meant to be an understudy, and the bar is much lower than the bar for President. In the event that Palin actually has to complete McCain's term, she would inherit his administration, advisors and policies in progress. It's not like she'd be expected to assemble an administration from scratch like a new president does.
And as far her experience and preparation goes, it's in the ballpark of some other vice-presidential picks in U.S. history, including John Edwards (2004), Geraldine Ferraro (1984), Richard Nixon (1952), Franklin Roosevelt (1920) and Chester Alan Arthur (1880). For that matter, she's no less credible a commander-in-chief than top-of-the-ticket candidates Jimmy Carter (1976) and Barack Obama (2008). Of course, several of the people on the above list were failures as candidates or officeholders. But the same could be said about many who ran for national office with significantly more impressive resumes.
Palin won the governorship by defeating a powerful incumbent from her own party in the primary, and a popular former governor in the general election. Her state approval rating is around 80%. I'd be cautious about pooh-poohing her political skills.
Palin's actual experience and life story are a compelling contrast to Barack Obama. She's only three years younger than Obama, but her trajectory and accomplishments are more impressive in a lot of ways. She got into politics, not as a career-seeker, but as a citizen who stepped up to the plate to fix her local government. She took on the corrupt establishment head on, swept out many of the old guard, improved transparency and eliminated waste. Obama, on the other hand, talks a lot about changing politics, yet has spent nearly his tenure in every office doing little more than running for the next office, building his political career by aligning himself with the corrupt establishment (Tony Rezko, Emil Jones) and with lunatic extremists (Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers). It's hard to say what he's actually accomplished in office, other than winning elections.
And that I see is the biggest potential benefit of her candidacy -- the contrast with Barack Obama. I suspect that many more voters would identify with the outdoorsy business-owning hockey-mom, who challenged her own party, cleaned up state government and actually brought real change; rather than with the Hyde Park rock-star who talks a good talk about change, but instead of changing anything has only accommodated himself with the unsavory status quo to benefit his own career.
I emphasize potential, because we won't know for a while how well Palin will stand up to the national media scrutiny and how most voters respond to her. Naturally, the Obama-friendly mainstream media are largely dismissive of the Palin selection. But we all know that if McCain had selected someone better known, like Romney, Pawlenty, Portman or Ridge, the story line would have been "In a year when the Democrats have made history by nominating the first African-American presidential candidate, McCain missed his chance to make an equally historic move and chose yet another conservative white male as his running mate..."
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at September 01, 2008 08:53 PM | Email ThisI doubt if this would have happened if Obama had selected Hillary Clinton. Oh well...
Posted by: KS on September 1, 2008 08:59 PMAs far as Palin, she's worth her weight in Yukon Gold. She's going to bring in every Mom, every Mom with a teen daughter and every Mom with a pregnant teen daughter to the polls. 9 year olds are going to be pleading with their parents to "Vote for Sarah".
Posted by: John Bailo on September 1, 2008 09:21 PMLike many on the PNW I am somewhat aware of her record of the last two years. I am particularly proud of her gutsy decision to stand up to the weakness of the Bush administration in their folding over the Polar Bear ESA listing. Somewhat the opposite to our own McKenna in his joining the EPA suit over refinery CO2.
Posted by: deadwood on September 1, 2008 09:31 PMObama's 'community organization' may have emplaced some 'organizations' where they could support him politically, but didn't do much for the educational community who had the right to expect that those millions would benefit it.
Such diversions of funds in the business world are generally cause to discharge or indict the CEO responsible for them. That would have been Obama himself, who was appointed the executive of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge.
Whereas Sarah Palin, finding misfeasance in Alaska as a member of the ethics board, reported it - it was ignored by her superiors - she ran for office against them and won. More admirable than 'community organizing', and of more benefit to the taxpayers too.
Posted by: Insufficiently Sensitive on September 1, 2008 10:14 PMSarah got more votes in her race for MAYOR than Biden got in his for president.
Ouch!
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 1, 2008 10:23 PMAnyhow, I think some Republican Governor candidates ought to be getting her to campaign with them, even if she costs McCain the election (after all it was a risky maneuver), I think she could do some magic down ticket.
Posted by: Doug on September 1, 2008 10:24 PMAs for moms, well, see we can see a hypocrite in Ms. Palin telling teens "abstinence only" when she can't even keep her own kid on a leash.
So, she has a new baby - a baby, not a toddler - with Down's syndrome. She's got a knocked-up teen who she has to plan a wedding for and a son in Iraq. Oh yeah and she's running for VP.
This is a person who has major family issues she should concentrate on (and it doesn't matter that's she's woman, I'd say the same thing about a man).
Get your own house in order before you thinking about running the country. Oh wait, that's right - she said she had no idea what the VP does.
Posted by: westello on September 1, 2008 10:31 PMHow about someone who admits that they shouldn't run for President because they aren't qualified but does it anyway?
To quote Senator Obama from 2004, "I am a believer in knowing what you're doing when you apply for a job. And I think that if I were to seriously consider running on a national ticket I would essentially have to start now, before having served a day in the Senate. Now, there are some people who might be comfortable doing that, but I'm not one of those people."
Parents can't really put their kids on a "leash."
Her experience is thin and weak. No foreign policy experience and has been governor for one year. Not such a big deal, except that McCain would be the oldest president ever and Palin would be next in line? It's not exactly the most comforting thought.
At least Obama has been nationally know for four years and was top of his class at Harvard Law and Biden really bolsters the ticket. Palin is simply pandering to the far right base of the party. She is very conservative. Not even supportive of abortion when the mother's life is at risk. Thinks that creationism should be taught in schools.
She was governor for one year.
Do you know how pathetic your whining about Palin sounds?
Have you no shame? No sense of decency?
Posted by: Matt from Olympia on September 1, 2008 11:23 PMIt si one thing (and bad enough) to be "po9litical but this goes over the edge. Palin is the least qualified VEEP in all of our history.
Predictions
McCain's bizarre choice of Palin is going to tear apart his campaign because it estabishes an amazing level of irresponsibility. Appointing Palin is akin appoinitng Clarence Thomas, Alberto, etc.
So. Since SJ believes there are patriotic, good red wearing Republicans, I am watching for this:
1. Outrage over Palin from Hillary, NARAL, Sierra Club, etc. I know these foks were already supporting BHO, but McC just gave them red meat.
2. Scandals about people she fired when gaining office because "they did nto supprt me in the election." Combine that lack of jusgement with a 3AM commercial!
3. Criticism of Palin for her neglect of her own family, including her decision to have unprotected sex KNOWING she had a high probability of producing a Down's child.
4. Someone will soon note that hr hubby works for a Kuwait owned oik company that pumps "our" oil out of the slope and sends it to China!
5. Further lack of support for JMcC from Wall street. Perhaps open support for Obama from Buffett, Pickens, et al.
6. How do you think folks are going to react to MoveOn's new ads about the $1500 windfall tax that Alaska levies and then give to its own citizens? Who pays that ... me! This is gonna bne called the Alaska Gas Tax! Maybe the ad will suggest lkowering prices by droipping the Alaska tax?
7. How do you think the Generals feel about having this gun toting, fundie as their potential CIC? Watch for out and out endorsement of BHO by Hagel, Luger, and Powell.
Posted by: SeattleJew on September 2, 2008 12:03 AMThe real story here is the constant drip drip drip of negative stories about her. It is apparent that McCain didn't vet her very well. If two or three more unflattering revelations come out about her in the next few weeks, the only thing the voters are going to be saying is "What the heck was McCain thinking?" And you know that not only the "MSM", but every lefty blogger is scouring Palin's past for the next scoop. McCain bet his candidacy that they won't find anything else.
Of course, maybe it will all blow over, and Palin will hold her own in the debate against Biden, and doesn't commit any major gaffes before the election, and all the independents decide she is just so wonderful that they vote for McCain. Good luck with that.
Posted by: wayne on September 2, 2008 12:11 AMNow let me think.
Hmm, a born alive baby killer daddy who doesn't want his daughers "punished" with her "mistakes" or a mother who loves her daughter DESPITE her mistakes.
Now let me think.
Hmm, a think skinned guy who declares any subject he doesn't like with an "OFF LIMITS!!!!" whine or a backbone of steel who confronts her critizers with grace.
Now let me think.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 2, 2008 12:16 AMAlso, unlike Hillary Clinton, who has gotten where she is on the back of a philandering husband, Palin has done it on her own. In short, Sarah Palin is the ultimate feminist, and the Left can't stand the fact that she not only is not one of them, she is their antithesis: a conservative wife and mother who loves God, shoots guns, eats Moose burgers, treasures traditional marriage and values innocent human life. And she's attractive and articulate to boot! She's their worst nightmare!
Sarah Palin vs. Barack Obama
By Gerard Baker, US Editor and Assistant Editor of The Times of London
At first blush, here's what we know about the relative experience of the two candidates. Both are in their mid-forties and have held statewide elective office for less than four years. Both have admitted to taking illegal drugs in their youth.Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 2, 2008 12:24 AMSo much for the similarities. How about the differences?
i'll take the preg. teen over the ilk of "G--D--America!" and bomber friends & convicted felon neighbors any day; there is no perfect candidate; but "column A and column B" analysis does it for me; i like her on many fronts; a refreshing change--and--very capable;
my chronic fear--as in 7--is our lazy electorate
Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on September 2, 2008 04:41 AMGee: an imperfect family that has a pregnant teenage daughter who doesnt listen to her parents
Gee: a family where no Christmas or birthday recognition/presents and $1/week allowances...
Which family is out of the mainstream and odd?
Ah, dah...ah....
Posted by: Hank on September 2, 2008 07:07 AMWRONG again. Good speeches does not make a good prez or VP. Most of what they say are forgotten within a weeks time. What matters is what they say, then do. Words mean so little. Action speak much louder!
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on September 2, 2008 07:12 AMWill that person of action be the one who had her supervisor of her ex-brother-in-law fired because he wouldn't fire her ex-brother-in-law, or the person who fired the police chief and fire chief for not supporting her in her mayoral reelection?
Sure McCain has the judgment and temperament to lead the country. Just like the so many here that were so willing to trash McCain in the primaries, but now are bending over backwards to come up with some sort of bent logic to explain a rash, ill-thoughout choice for VP when he didn't get his way with his buddy Joe.
Posted by: tc on September 2, 2008 07:47 AMCan you say MSNBC, NBC and yes even the NYT.
Plus Duff, you dem's. Yes you duffie... your no ind as you say (hillary) Please. You guys feel about things, not action as rep care about.
So I still say.. YOUR wrong. But keep trying.
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on September 2, 2008 07:50 AMThe founder of the party had this to say about America:
"I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions."
Don't you just love John McCain's rush to judgment. Romney would have definitely vetted everyone before deciding. No, John McCain was so blinded in wanting Lieberman that he didn't have his staff do due diligence on the other potential candidates. Some leadership there. As Hillary stated, "we don't need four more years of the last eight years."
Posted by: tc on September 2, 2008 07:55 AMNY Times piece on vetting process:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/us/politics/02vetting.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1220367709-03PfIuc+rI/2D4fUvNMSfA
With McCain, you can respect, but not identify with his torture at Hanoi Hilton. With Biden you gulp and say what? With Obama, you get the best contrast- you want someone who has lived the life or someone who has floated his way to the top.
Huge, huge contrast.
Funny thing, Obama seems to be running against Palin for president and seems to have lost focus. That is one of the cardinal sins of candidate school.
Posted by: swatter on September 2, 2008 08:12 AMYou have it exactly wrong! People are not "bending over backwards...to explain", they are actually EXCITED by this choice. The left is swimmingly ignorant on this point. Many conservatives were NOT excited about McCain, but can get excited about the ticket with Palin on it. As I recall, YOU, tc, were all excited about McCain when it was the primaries and went out of your way to compliment/defend him--what changed? Primaries are over and you can go back to being a lib rather than pretending to be an independent?
Great choice Senator McCain! I may actually vote for your ticket--I was heavily leaning toward voting Libertarian...
Posted by: Bill H on September 2, 2008 08:46 AMsee we agree. LOL
PS. Ask Dan Rather too
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on September 2, 2008 08:49 AMwhat facts do you have to support the following conclusions?
1. " She took on the corrupt establishment head on, swept out many of the old guard, improved transparency and eliminated waste."
2. "who challenged her own party, cleaned up state government and actually brought real change"
it seems you, like mcsame, are out in front of the facts.
now that some vetting is taking place, we are learning for example that palin
1. supported ted stevens and the standard washington practice of pork barrel politics, including the bridge to nowhere.
2. During her 6 years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by 38%.
3. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with indebtedness of over $22 million.
4. While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin's attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination letter.
These are just a few of the FACTS about Palin's 'executive' leadership.
republicans are more interested in identity politics than actual results. republicans no longer represent the party of small govt and fiscal conservatism. instead, republicans are a party of religious zealotry, where anti-abortion is the primary litmus test for leadership.
I personally think McCain's choice was perfect. He reached over the great crowd of established, jaded DC political hacks and plucked this plum from a tree at the far edge of the orchard.
Sure, Gov. Palin is a relative newcomer. But she has more executive experience than Obamalamadingdong has. That treasonous, fake POS has never been mayor of anything, nor has he governed anyone. He's a fraud.
Sure, Gov. Palin has had an imperfect family life. But she does not intimate that she would force her daughter to have an abortion as the Obamaniac has. She is teaching that decisions have consequences. The Dems' Great Hope of Color teaches that the Government will protect us from consequences.
Obama is pure Cotton Candy: sweet, insubstantial, and ultimately very bad for you. Palin is the perfect foil: prone to mistakes, mature enough to admit them, and able to learn from them.
The liberal Dems so hate a person who dares to take responsibilty and work things out on their own. It's so... so... American.
Posted by: ERNurse on September 2, 2008 09:05 AMOn the way to catch the Sounder this morning I noticed that on tv was some "typical Democrat woman" - ie bra needing, sandal-wearing, hirsute, more likely than not somewhat fragrant, burnt out hippie chick pie wagon commenting on the fact that Palins' 17 year old daughter is pregnant and opined that for her mother to be distracted from that by running for office is just wrong, what she conveniently left out is the soon to be maried part of the story.
If that's the best they can do - it must be panic city in Demland.
Posted by: JDH on September 2, 2008 09:11 AMPalin: "Thanks for the warning. By the way, do you know what they say the difference is between a hockey mom and a Pit Bull?"
McCain aide: "No, Governor."
Palin: "A hockey mom wears lipstick."
Posted by: swatter on September 2, 2008 09:48 AMNow they're picking on Sara Palin's poor 17 year old daughter. Can someone tell me what a pregnant teen has to do with a Presidential race? But that's not even the important question. The important question is 'why is the media focusing their hypocrisy on this kid?' They ignore Edward's affair which in all likelihood produced a 'love child', and that's not news. But when a Republican VP pick's daughter gets pregnant BEFORE that VP pick was even made, THAT'S news? Why? Why is that such a big story? What happened to the 'hands off' policy regarding children of candidates?
The MSM is showing what a bunch of immoral, mindless, Jackals they are in pursuing this story now for the third straight day. They could care less about the poor kid, who never asked for any of this. They could care less about the Palin family or the family of the father, who'se picture is now plastered all over the internet. This is disgusting and disgraceful. The media is showing themselves to be the worthless, disgusting, unethical, LIBERAL MOUTHPIECES that they really are.
They are trying to chase Palin out of the race and make McCain look like he has bad judgement. His judgement is fine. The judgement of these Media bosses who continue to ravage this family with this story should be called into question...
These mdeia people should be shunned. The media is now at an all time low. How low can it go? It's utterly disgusting.
That being said --
Can a McCain-Palin supporter make the argument that the governor was thoroughly vetted? I'd like to hear it, but all evidence points to the contrary. The common wisdom with presidential campaigns is that the VP pick is the first "presidential" decision the candidate makes, and provides a useful lens to view their (putative) future administration.
I know McCain is something of an impulsive decision maker. I kind of admire him for it. But -- a former member of a state party that advocated secession? This doesn't necessarily disqualify her. But it really seems like too much distracting baggage for a VP candidate. Time will tell, but that's a hell of a risk.
The "troopergate" situation can, possibly, be spun to reflect well on Palin. Personally, it doesn't seem like that big of a deal. But there's an ongoing investigation! There's potential depositions! All before November. Again, a hell of a risk.
One more thing: McCain's strongest arguments against Obama, in my mind, were 1) experience, and 2) foreign policy expertise. He can still try those arguments, but I suspect they're going to be a lot more difficult. I'm not glossing over the distinction between the top and the bottom of the ticket (an important distinction), but can a McCain-Palin supporter honestly argue this won't make his argument a hell of a lot more difficult to make? Saying that Alaska is close to Russia DOES NOT COUNT as a viable argument.
The Dems are in danger of overreaching with attacks on Palin. By all accounts, she is a formidable and likable politician. But national scrutiny is pretty damned difficult to deal with. Obama's been in the public eye for four years. As much as the press loves to build up a hero/celebrity, they also love to tear one down. My suspicion is that the Rev. Wright controversy was that for Obama. It didn't quite work, although I guess the jury is still out. But Gov. Palin? She's been a celebrity for about a week, and presidential elections tend to speed up the media cycle. All of these things -- all of these random quirky things in her past -- they are going to take on signficance and attract scrutiny. McCain's surprise -- designed to manipulate the media cycle -- pretty much guaranteed this.
Obama's classy statement put the kibosh on Bristol's pregnancy becoming an issue. Which is an unmitigated good thing. The governor's children did not ask for this scrutiny, and the press and campaigns should leave her alone. End of story. But Gov. Palin -- she asked for this scrutiny, and she will not be able to avoid it. It may not decide the election, but it compromises McCain's narrative. It takes the focus off of Sen. Obama, and onto the Republican VP choice -- as well as the judgment of the candidate who picked her.
Posted by: Zeeb on September 2, 2008 10:27 AMWhich, of course, is why Good Morning America spent the better part of two hours on it this a.m., right?
Look, it was easy for OhDrama to make his "family off limits" disclaimer. He knew it would make him look good, but do nothing to stop his surrogates. And, in fact, it HAS done nothing to stop his surrogates, yet his hands are spotless in all of this.
If "judgment" is the litmus for this election, then OhDrama loses, hands down. If experience, or a combination of the two becomes the litmus, then again, he loses... hands down.
And that OhDrama felt compelled to mix it up on his unarguably weakest aspect, that is, the experience question within the past several hours... shows me that he really doesn't have a clue.
Obama's only strength is selling his vision (not to many details, tho.... please!) That's ALL he's got.
And at the end of the day, we have to go back to Sen. Biden's position, which will haunt OhDrama for the rest of his life: Sen. OhDrama "is not ready to be president."
Biden was either lying then... or he's lying now. And that will become a central part of the focus, along with the return of Wright and the rest of the effective aspects of the Hillary campaign that in the latter months, beat OhDrama like a drum.
Posted by: hinton on September 2, 2008 10:39 AMNo pc I don't drink either's Kool-Aid. I participate in blogs to try and get better informed and educated. I process accordingly and then try to determine the truthful logic of it all.
If ever I drank 'kool-aid' it was Mrs Clinton's and I don't regret that.
Comparing Palin's experiences against Obama is unfair to Obama as he has no record of executive management. Obama would not be qualified to manage a major company, much less the United States. Please, will the supporters of Obama help me understand what he achieved during his brief tenure in politics. Help me understand what he managed. How has Obama demonstrated leadership?
Comparing Obama's blank record to Palin's is interesting.
One is successfully governing a State the other is successfully promising anything that appeals to a voter.
One has returned surplus taxes to taxpayers; the other promises to increase taxes.
One has first hand experience with energy, the other uses energy for rock concert events.
One sold the jet and flies commercial, the other flies private jets sitting on a cushion marked "PRESIDENT. One is a lifetime NRA member that knows how to use a rifle, the other will seize rifles and guns from hunters.
One achieves and the other, well he talks about it.
I'll vote for the one that achieves.
Looking forward to the race in 2012. Palin/Hillary.
Did the experienced 150 odd year-old democrat party pick a completely empty-suited community organizer because he is the best talent the entire democrat party has to offer, or because they're trying to game the most superficial aspects of 21st century politics?
Given the relative positions, I would think that the concern of the left is more properly directed in THAT position.
Posted by: hinton on September 2, 2008 11:29 AMReally? I thought the VP was supposed to be the person that could step into the President's office at a moments notice, immediately after the inaguration if need be.
And honestly, this "Palin has more experience than Obama and Biden combined" is really a bit insulting to most people's intelligence. Using that logic Palin has more experience tha McCain as well. But then again, using this same logic, the night manager at the local Quick-E-Mart has more "executive experience" as McCain.
Posted by: Splinter on September 2, 2008 11:56 AMDuffie.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LOL, don't ever do that again, or you owe me a new key board. (-:
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on September 2, 2008 11:57 AM*Snicker* (and forwarding to Joanie Sparks etc).
First off: Liar. You've already told everyone - ad nauseum - that you (not unlike your buddy Bush) "Go with your gut". Aside from this, your job has always been (both at SP and BW) to be an annoying attention whore. Whenever we've "informed or educated" you on anything, you've tucked-tail and run (like any brave vet would!).
But that aside, why not go with your gut? It's done you right so far. Your nostradomian lower intestine told you that Hillary would win and we'd all be "bowing down" before her. "Mission Accomplished" (to quote Bush's gut)
Posted by: mercifurious on September 2, 2008 11:57 AMSaw him on Anderson Cooper last night. Thank goodness the seas have begun to fall, the earth has begun to heal and hell is frozen over, because it means the DalaiBama moved the hurricane so that the brunt was not in New Orleans. He also noted the limited cleanup was very competently done, thank you and everyhting should be good.
Oh, why was he on tv and not at the hurricane? I would have disrupted the cleanup like I did at the flood in Iowa was his response paraphrased.
Oh, hey, I have more experience than Palin who I am not running against. After all, I am managing the presidential campaign and we have 2500 employees which is more than as mayor of Wasilla which has about 50 and a budget of 12 million. Oh, did I say he forgot to mention the governorship? My bad.
Posted by: swatter on September 2, 2008 12:27 PMOur resident Moveon.leftist nutter was spouting off about how Sarah Palin should be more concerned about how having a baby at seventeen is going to impact her daughter's future. This is rich comming from someone whose daughter has spent the last five years plastering tattoos all over her body and drilling holes in her face and hanging scrap iron in them with momma's fawning approval the whole time.
By the way momma dingbat's vw van is still sportin the Kerry Edwards bumper sticker from '04 and Gore from 2000 as well as a halfdozen from that screwball from New Hampshire or Vermont whose name I forget.
Posted by: JDH on September 2, 2008 12:42 PMHer daughter's pregnancy highlights another part of Palin's appeal. Her normalcy. Here's a woman who has run a business, raised a family, who is sending a son off to Iraq, who has another son with a disability, and now has to help her teenage daughter face motherhood. These are experiences that millions of American moms have shared, can relate to and understand.
Sarah Palin is as accessible as Obama is exotic. Her life story is simultaneously exciting and mundane. All the way from Alaska, she comes to America as The Girl Next Door.
Deliciously, Yahoo reports
Barack Obama's post-Democratic National Convention bounce in the polls appears to be slightly smaller than the norm of past conventions, and it's gradually depreciating.
And despite the invocations of Michael Moore and Don Fowler, the GOP showed America they are COUNTRY FIRST on what should have been the 1st day of the convention.
As for those Democrats cackling about a natural disaster hitting the Gulf Coast just as the Republicans gather in Minneapolis-St. Paul and on the anniversary of Katrina to boot, McCain has deftly turned the act of a supposedly partisan divinity against those who presume to know the eternal mind. McCain's statement calling on his party to "act as Americans, not as Republicans," and getting a briefing for himself and Palin on official disaster relief preparations removed Gustav as an occasion for Obama and Biden to re-hash 2005 for narrow political gain. If in the end Gustav causes worse-than-expected damage to the Gulf Coast, McCain can challenge Obama to join him in raising relief funds for hurricane victims. That's what true leadership is all about - country first, party second.
Personally, I hope the left keeps making Sarah noise. It leaves bHo floundering, taking the bait and falling into traps of his own making. Barry seems to have conceded the experience mantle to Mccain and is now running against Sarah. bHo seems to be a mite confused. In the meantime, her REAL opponent has some problems of his own:
A son and a brother of Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) are accused in two lawsuits of defrauding a former business partner and an investor of millions of dollars in a hedge fund deal that went sour, court records show.
A lawsuit filed by their former partner Anthony Lotito Jr. asserts in court papers that the deal was crafted to get Hunter Biden out of lobbying because his father was concerned about the impact it would have on his bid for the White House. Biden was running for the Democratic nomination at the time the suit was filed.
Hunter Biden was made president with an annual salary of $1.2 million, despite his inexperience in the hedge fund industry, the lawsuit said. Before that, he had been part of the Washington law firm Oldaker, Biden & Belair, which earned $1.76 million in lobbying revenue in the first half of 2006, according to Congressional Quarterly's CQ MoneyLine.
Lotito's lawsuit alleges that James Biden called him in January 2006 to arrange a job for Hunter Biden. It says James Biden told him that his brother (Sen. Biden) "was concerned with the impact that Hunter's lobbying activities might have on his expected campaign for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination," and, "Biden told Lotito that, in light of these concerns, his brother had asked him to seek Lotito's assistance in finding employment for Hunter in a non-lobbying capacity."
In the lawsuit, Lotito said that soon after creating LLB, the Bidens crafted a "secret deal" to create their own company that was designed to buy out his shares in Paradigm for a low rate, to which he agreed. He said he knew nothing of the secret deal until later and now believes he was defrauded out of millions of dollars and his share in the company.
In the second lawsuit against the Bidens, which was filed in June, Lotito is also named as a defendant. Stephane Farouze, now an executive with Deutsche Bank, seeks $10 million, saying the Bidens and Lotito promised to buy his shares in the hedge fund company but reneged.
So Biden's relatives are not clean. Are they articulate?
Still, isn't it odd how Democrats always put themselves, their siblings and children into jobs like hedge funds?
See John "Lover Lips" Edwards and Chelsea Clinton, for starters.
And then there is Joe don't pay his debts. Granted he's trying but it's telling where his priorities are
Among those paid were his son Hunter's Washington law firm, Oldaker, Biden & Belair, which was owed $52,000 at the last filing, according to a July campaign finance report filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission. The debt was for legal services from William Farrah and firm founder and lobbyist William Oldaker, a campaign adviser and fundraiser for Biden for more than 25 years, according to his office. The office received $57,500 during the month of July. at the last filing, according to a July campaign finance report filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission. The debt was for legal services from William Farrah and firm founder and lobbyist William Oldaker, a campaign adviser and fundraiser for Biden for more than 25 years, according to his office. The office received $57,500 during the month of July. at the last filing, according to a July campaign finance report filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission. The debt was for legal services from William Farrah and firm founder and lobbyist William Oldaker, a campaign adviser and fundraiser for Biden for more than 25 years, according to his office. The office received $57,500 during the month of July. at the last filing, according to a July campaign finance report filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission. The debt was for legal services from William Farrah and firm founder and lobbyist William Oldaker, a campaign adviser and fundraiser for Biden for more than 25 years, according to his office. The office received $57,500 during the month of July.
I further believe the despicable hatred of all Sarah all the time will bring out voters in droves and gives us a chance to keep things sane in the Senate by denying them a veto proof majority.
Heads truly will explode.
I can't wait!
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 2, 2008 01:48 PMBUT we do get to wonder if she will be able to carry off this job she wants to get elected to if her personal plate is so full. I'm not sure if any (all) of you have been parents but the first couple of years in a child's life are important whether you are a mom or a dad. Her baby has special needs.
So yes, we do get to ask that question. What her personal plate is full of is not the point. It's if she really is able to do the job of VP competently.
Posted by: westello on September 2, 2008 03:03 PM*not this is not an attempt to demoralize Republicans ya'll gonna lose badly anyways hahahhahaha*
Posted by: Crusader on September 2, 2008 03:09 PMDid you ask the same of Joe Biden when his wife and child died and he was left with TWO young children while he commuted back and forth to DC? Who cared for HIS kids BACK HOME? How about Edwards, did you worry for his young children when Mom AND Dad left them behind while campaigning/cheating/fighting cancer?
You do realize don't you, that the baby and other young children will be happily ensconced with Mom AND Dad at the VP residence in DC?
Your misongeny, your sexism, your hypocrisy and partisan desperation is showing.
Yawn. Another day, another poll.
You were saying?
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 2, 2008 03:19 PM...McCain's statement calling on his party to "act as Americans, not as Republicans,"
Talk about empty words. Too bad McCain's new VP is all about "ALASKA FIRST" http://www.akip.org/
"The Alaskan Independence Party can be summed up in just two words: ALASKA FIRST!"
Vet or Fret!
(And keep sucking-up to the SP, Duffman. Your true colors are bleeding through).
Posted by: mercifurious on September 2, 2008 03:24 PMA.) I don't give two drops of moose-drool about any of it.
B.) THAT SAID: Palin, the GOP, and their water carriers have been touting her personal life ad nauseum (Down syndrome child, Hubby's fave sport, fishing, etc). That's all well-and-good, but if you're going to run on your personal life, you don't get to pick - all or nothing (Palin should've gone with the later)
C.) THAT SAID, despite me not caring two drops of moose-drool, and the GOP caring too much, let's turn to GOP stalwart Dr. Laura Schlessinger. See? She "cares" more than I/we do!
Sarah Palin and Motherhood
http://www.drlaurablog.com/2008/09/02/sarah-palin-and-motherhood/
"I am extremely disappointed in the choice of Sarah Palin as the Vice Presidential candidate of the Republican Party. I will still vote for Senator McCain, because I am very concerned about having a fundamental leftist, especially one who is a marvelous orator, as President.
At first, I thought it amusing that McCain picked a pretty, smart, and tough female to counter the racist/sexist accusations going back and forth between parties. I remember how Oprah Winfrey got caught in the cross-fire as she stepped up to the political table to support Obama with pride that a black man could rise to such heights in the USA, only to get slammed by feminists who told her it was gender, not race, that she should back. Understandably, Ms. Winfrey pulled back from it all.
Forget gender and race. I?m frankly and sadly caught in the dilemma of having to balance policy versus example in touting a candidate for the office of the First Family. I was ferociously attacked (what?s new?) when I spoke out strongly against Bill Clinton?s dalliances in the Oval Office. That situation quickly turned into a debate whether ?private has anything to do with public.? Nonsense. Role models are very important. Children and young adults look to those who are visible and successful as a road map of what is acceptable behavior and emulate those actions over the morals and values their parents and churches have taught and tried to reinforce. It?s a tough go these days, when the ?bad that men or women do? is used for entertainment purposes without judgment, or is excused because of political or financial considerations.
I?m stunned - couldn?t the Republican Party find one competent female with adult children to run for Vice President with McCain? I realize his advisors probably didn?t want a ?mature? woman, as the Democrats keep harping on his age. But really, what kind of role model is a woman whose fifth child was recently born with a serious issue, Down Syndrome, and then goes back to the job of Governor within days of the birth?
I am haunted by the family pictures of the Palins during political photo-ops, showing the eldest daughter, now pregnant with her own child, cuddling the family?s newborn. When Mom and Dad both work full-time (no matter how many folks get involved with the children), it becomes a somewhat chaotic situation. Certainly, if a child becomes ill and is rushed to the hospital, and you?re on the hotline with both Israel and Iran as nuclear tempers are flaring, where?s your attention going to be? Where should your attention be? Well, once you put your hand on the Bible and make that oath, your attention has to be with the government of the United States of America.
I am positively moved that neither Sarah nor her daughter were willing to terminate the lives of their unborn children. This is in sharp contrast to Obama?s statement that ?When it comes specifically to HIV/AIDS, the most important prevention is education, which should include?which should include abstinence education and teaching children?teaching children, you know, that sex is not something casual. But it should also include - it should also include other, you know, information about contraception, because, look, I?ve got two daughters, 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don?t want them punished with a baby.? (March, 2008)
So, one Vice Presidential candidate and her daughter demonstrate, under conditions of great stress, that babies are valued human beings, not punishment. However, that same VP candidate came forth in April of 2008 with a proclamation for ?Family Child Care Week,? in which she wrote: ?These professionals are positive role models for the children they care for and the communities they serve.? Clearly, Palin sees the need for positive role models. I suggest that they be Mommy and Daddy, and not the hired help.
Child-care facilities are a necessity when mothers and fathers (when they exist at all) are unwilling or incapable of caring for their offspring. Unfortunately, they have become a mainstay of the feminista mentality that nothing should stand in the way of a woman?s ambition - nothing, including her family.
Any full-time working wife and mother knows that the family takes the short end of the stick. Marriages and the welfare of children suffer when a stressed-out mother doesn?t have time to be a woman, a wife, and a hands-on Mommy."
Posted by: mercifurious on September 2, 2008 03:40 PMThat Yahoo piece is old news. It was based on Gallup, which has Obama up 6 now, 51-45, instead of 4. Maybe that's the post-Palin bounce.
By the way, I am picking up rumors of fishing violations in the Palins' past. Drip-drip-drip.
Posted by: wayne on September 2, 2008 03:41 PMTurns out this bimbo couldn't even run a car wash properly.
And this was *after* she became governor, mind you.
I want to know who's recruiting Republican VP candidates these days. Jerry Springer, maybe?
Please, please, John, keep her on the ticket -- right up until Election Day. She's the best thing that's happened in this campaign.
You guys are in desperation mode, aren't you? I still can't figure out why you want the kosclown as your next president and Mr. "I haven't met a draft deferrment yet that I couldn't get around" VP.
Posted by: swatter on September 2, 2008 04:23 PMPalin Slashed Funding for Teen Moms
Think about it. Here is Ms. "Pro-Life," in a state awash in oil money, cutting state aid for young women who have chosen to carry their unborn babies to term. She zeroed out a $50,000 appropriation. That's chump change.
Click on the link and you will see, right below that, that she slashed money off the Fairbanks Food Bank.
You lot can support her. That's just what I expect. But your votes are counted, just like mine is. She's YOUR Typhoid Mary. Enjoy her while you can.
At the rate she's going, every day it will be something else, till this ticket is RUINED at the polls. And I will laugh at you, Swatter, and the lot of you fools, with all the ridicule you will have earned.
Posted by: ivan on September 2, 2008 04:41 PMCheney, right? DOH!
"Cheney's Five Draft Deferments During the Vietnam Era Emerge as a Campaign Issue"
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/01/politics/campaign/01CHEN.html?ex=1398830400&en=1c0259e620183dd6&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND
And yes, I WAS against Edwards running. If he had become President and his wife died while he was in office, who would be there for 2 small children? All parents know that children mean sacrifice for their needs. And sometimes it means sacrificing what you want. I know because I've been an at-home mom for a long time because I wanted someone to always be there for my children.
I don't care where her children are "ensconced"; will she be there for them or will it be a nanny? You obviously don't have teenagers because I'd bet her younger daughters won't be all that excited about leaving their friends. And you assume her newly married daughter will be moving to D.C. as well? The daughter who is just 17, marrying an 18 year old with a new baby? Who will be supporting their fragile marriage? That's a lot of upheaval so Mom can have her career?
Never thought I'd be on the same page with Dr. Laura.
Posted by: westello on September 3, 2008 07:47 AMivan, all these quick emotional stuff you brought up have been debunked faster than you were able to read and process.
Get a grip.
Posted by: swatter on September 3, 2008 12:19 PMJust your saying it has been debunked doesn't make it so, sorry.
We're going to have this bimbo to kick around right up till November 4. Spin like a spinning top, rightards. When we're done with this ticket it will be as popular as David Irons on Mother's Day.
"Covenant House's IRS Form 990 (link) shows the funds that Paul Kane describes as "slashed" was over a threefold increase from the government funds they received from all sources in 2006 (FY2006 ending 12/31/06)."
Don't choke on your Kool-aid...yet. We aren't quite finished with the fun of humiliating you.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 3, 2008 01:56 PMWrong again.
28, 26 and 19.
One with a post graduate degree, one with 2 BA's and one early in college life.
Nice try.
you assume her newly married daughter will be moving to D.C. as well
You can't count, nor do you pay attention. I'll copy and paste it slowly for you:
You do realize don't you, that the baby and other young children will be happily ensconced with Mom AND Dad at the VP residence in DC?
Mom and Dad don't need to be in the next room to "support their fragile marriage", especially when the young husband to be clearly has a family and extended family in their community as supportive and loving as the Palins.
I know a young teen couple that got pregnant in HS, whose parents encouraged adoption and instead were further suprised that the kids married and then moved to N Dakota to go to college. While struggling with their "fragile marriage" all alone in ND, decided to give their daughter a sibling. TWO young adults under 20, ONE baby in hand, another on the way CHOOSING to live outside of mommies lap. Horrors!
I fail to see where there is hypocrisy in this. Now if Governor Palin had had her daughter get an abortion, or had put her on the pill privately, while publicly preaching abstinence, that would be one thing, but to attribute hypocrisy to the Governor for her daughter's choice is rather a stretch.
My father is a tea-totaler, and has always cautioned me about alcohol. I am not. By loser's logic my father is a hypocrite?
Posted by: mark on September 3, 2008 04:20 PMNot in your wettest of wet dreams could the likes of you ever humiliate me.
Your half-Baked Alaska put a sales tax on food in Wasilla. How "populist" of her.
Stick a fork in her, and stick a fork in this ticket. Rage in your impotence.
poor ivan, can't READ.
pity.
Oh, by the way, how's that rage
When we moved to WAh in 1982, with a newborn and toddler in tow, there was a TAX ON FOOD HERE in this state.
How populist of WAh and Dixie Ray! Oh wait! It was REPEALED under Gov Spellman, REPUBLICAN, effective July 1983!
How clever you are with your name calling! Is it indicative of the yout gut wrenching fear?
No Plain won the primary by beating out the sitting Gov. who happened to be the state's Senator. Once he vacated his seat he appointed his daughter to fill it, not a smart move by any means (think nepotism). This move made him extremely unpopular among the state's citizens and hence Palin handily won the primary.
Please stop revising history to paint Palin as some sort of Alaskan hero, it makes you look like a hypocrite for attacking Obama's revisionist record.
