McCain's Pick Palin: Don't Disqualify Her for the Wrong Reasons

Why does no one ask the right question. No one should care that Palin's daughter is pregnant. Everyone should be asking what kind of mother who knows this would agree to be a Vice Presidential candidate and expose her daughter (and her family) to national intense media scrutiny. I'm a lifelong Republican, but I think Gov. Palin lacks family judgment, and this concerns me greatly.

So nice that M. Dobson could jump in and say, "All Christians are forgiven, and this is an example of a real American family". I have a family and my kids don't have children out of wedlock, and we are Christians, How convenient. What happens when Mr McCain, at 74, dies in office and we have this Governor leading our country. God and Mr Dobson, save us!!!!!!!!!!!

Palin? really?
Alaska?
the smallest population-
the highest rate of crime, sucide, and alcholism out of control
great governing
lets have some more children we can not control

Palin was touted as a "family values" candidate. If she really cares about her family, she needs to be home and stay home with her baby and her pregnant teenage daughter.

As John McCain's first executive decision, he flunked. Their are only 670,000 people in Alaska and their $4 billion State budget consists mostly of oil fees they redistribute to the citizens. There are 13 million people in Illinois, and Obama got 18 million votes. Palin got one, McCain's and not even his aides. Oh he'll make a great President, graduating 895th in hia annapolis class of 899, let's face it he's a "D" student. Haven't we had enough of "D" students who won't listen to anyone.

Strange that mcCain picked her to appeal to female voters when her record is staunchly unsupportive of the issues on which Clinton was so appealing. She may well be smart and strong despite a lack of experience. Unfortunately, she's still vehemently anti abortion and gay marriage, She’s opposed to both abortion rights and gay marriage, supports increased domestic drilling for oil, and is a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association. It's hard not to be depressed by the idea that someone with such opposing views may be able to swing female voters from Clinton to Republican solely on the grounds of having a vagina.

Somehow, I can't see 'I was the commander of the Alaskan National Guard for two years' doing a lot to convince Putin that he is dealing with a steely eyed foreign policy hit man. Looks like yet another bad judgement call by McCain - he makes George Bush look like a philosopher. At least Bush can remember how many houses he owns.

Peoplo who think Palin lacks of qualification for a VP should look at what qualifications that Obama has for the president. Shouldn't we be fair when we judge the candidates?

If Palin can find a good speech writer, deliver the speech well, then this election will be for McCain to lose. Already I am certain that the south will not be in play anymore.
In every poll McCain wins over Obama in experience, and foreign policy ( as far from the truth that the reality might be). Add Palin to the ticket and we have two politicians who are willing to cross the isle for America. Palin has held elective office for almost 10 years ( argue against its usefulness, you may ) , and fought for lower property taxes ( by decreasing wasteful spending ), hunts ( like most Americans who will decide the fate of the candidates ), has taken on the corrupt Republican establishment ( that everyone hates ) , refused to work with these corrupt politicians and chose Democrats to work with, rather than compromise ( contrast Obama, who was despised in all left winged blogs not so long ago for preaching working with the corrupt republicans ) , has been fighting and winning against the oil companies ( do we all not love that ), is a winner ( contrast Joe Biden ). She ran for public office promising change ( and delivered, to maintain an 80 % approval rating 2 years into her term ).She believes so strongly in the joy that kids bring into the world ( she told her family , to chill out, for the expected son ( at the time ) with Down syndrome, will bring joy and happiness), and to top it all, she is to experience sending a son into battle ( a mother, who puts country above son , but will know the pain of every woman who has sent or lost a son in battle ).

If she is not one that all the common folks can identify with, then tell me my friends, who is? Hillary demanded loyalty from women, and was liked because they felt she was unfairly treated ( though some truly believed that she had all the experience ) , while Palin demands our respect for what she has achieved, promised, delivered, while keeping a family together, and maintaining a figure that an average man ( like her husband, a union member ) can only dream of. And to top it all off, she is a coach, loves sports, and not only will not complain that you are going hunting or watching sports, but will be there herself. That is not all, her parents were teachers. Senator McCain has hit a home run. But is it Checkmate, only time will tell.

She does not diminish senator obama in any way. They both stand on their own merits, to be assessed and give people a choice. She muddles the waters for him, by giving people someone they can identify with, while he stands like a true leader, inspirational, and making us proud to be an American. This race has now become a nail biter, with the south back in republican hands. Senator Obama will have to sweat it out even more in Ohio and Pennsylvania. I would not be surprised if this election is decided by less than a few thousand votes too. What will the northern women do? Will they vote for her in spite of her pro life stance ? Will her informed decision to give birth to a child with Down syndrome, be taken as evidence of strength of character or as religious fanaticism? Will Senator Obama ever overcome the damage done by the Clintons? What roles will debates play in this race? The best thing is, we now have excitement and not dread in the air.

August 31, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Quotes From Others

Good Lord, we just gave it all away. Doesn’t anyone think past the end of their nose and give any thought to the fact that the VP is Commander-in-Chief on standby?

“And that he has picked Gov. Palin solely for female votes and oil rights? Oh dear This scares me”

“I am very upset with her that she has even considered accepting with the issues in her own home.. If she is really the devoted mother as presented , why is she leaving a 4-month old child with a handicap?”

“It appears to me that Sen. McCain gets a little bit TOO excited whenever we talk of “going to war”.

“I am a liberal democrat and even I know that Palin needs to stay home and nurture her children, especially her young 4 month old with Downs Syndrome, and also the siblings who are adjusting - Where is the outcry from the stay at home Republican Mom’s?”

“Don’t forget she called Hillary a whiner and is adamantly pro-life.Mac would have had a better shot albeit still slim if he’d picked Romney.”

“She’s not qualified to be president, Biden is. This throws white men back to Obama.”

“Am I the only one in our area who can see how Sen McCain is using us? And that he has picked Gov. Palin solely for female votes and oil rights? Oh dear This scares me.”

“Mccain just Gave Obama the presidency”

Palin economic, energy, education and health leader
Alaska now has a rating of (Palin ranks Standard & Poor’s AA+, $5.2 billion in reserve of $17.2 billion tax revenues under Palin's leadership.
She supports all of her schools, mentoring students and applauding their success - check them out they are several points higher than the natl average and only a few points off in two.
Palin serves as The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission chairman.

Health care leader Governor Sarah Palin welcomes the visit of the People's Republic of China Minister of Health Qiang Gao to observe the delivery of rural health care in Alaska acquaint China’s top ranking health official with Alaska models for rural health care delivery, both on site and through the use of telemedicine.
Palin is chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) Natural Resources Committee
Governors Palin leads and presses congress to fully fund the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
She has a record, not so Obama

The important difference between Palin and Obama is that he's been campaigning for 1.5 years, he beat two of the best politicians alive (clintons), has run a campaign effort larger than the Alaskan Gov't, has a law degree from Harvard (top of class no less), and has been in Gov't longer.

The bottom line, however, are the issues. Even two individuals with identical experience can vary in capabilities and the direction in which they will take the Gov't.

She's on the wrong side of the issues important to this country - IMHO.

Palin is a mother of five (pro-life, but NOT Pro-family) who hasn't given any thought to the major issues facing this country. Obama has shown his intelligence and thoughtfulness and she has shot a moose.

With her training and experience in/on TV, I fear people will think she has a grasp of the issues. She has the ability to read whatever is put in front of her without any understanding of what she is saying.

After electing Bush because he is a fun guy to have a beer with, we should know better than to go with this woman.

McCain is a shoot from the hip guy, I don't want any more wars and our young people maimed or killed.

This article is beyond ludicrous. Gov. Palin is the chief executive of a state government, and has been the chief executive of a local government. In short, she is in charge of their daily operations. What exactly has Obama every been in charge of? Nothing. He has been one of many state senators, not the governor, of Illinois, and he has been one of 100 US senators. They talk, and talk, and talk, but at the end of the day, they are not held accountable for the ship of state. She is. For a paper thin resume like Obama's to not be criticized, but Gov. Palin's to be, is simply sexist. She as the VP candidate has more relevant chief executive experience that the democratic presidential candidate. And she has fought corruption at the state level, not had a Chicago fixer help her get a house. What legislation has Obama actually introduced and gotten passed? The differences are stark, and yet we get this ridiculous article. What a farce. This passes for journalism today?

Hey... The republicans & democrats finally agree on something. They think Palin is a good choice as VP and so do I. The difference is it is great choice for the goog guys. Thanks from the Democrats for this pick and the election. We would have won anyway... but we appreciate the help with the Palin pick. Watching you spin the VP choice as great is pretty amusing.

RJ of FL
Aug 31, 2008 13:31:41 PM

Has anyone noticed the Ruby Slippers Palin is wearing? What does this mean? I imagine for the Republicans it means she is the real Dorothy who has already slayed the Wicked Witch of the West. For Democrats, I'm sure she "is" the Wicked Witch of the West. She just hasn't turned ugly yet. Four years with McCain and the presures of the evils of Washington should fix that.

John, you seem like a nice ole fellow. You've been through the "Gates of Hell" and back. Now you have no reason to talk about "inexperence." Right? I am an independent. I am a 52 year old female corporate executive. But, thanks to you and your rush to judgment, I have made my quick choice to
"rush to judgment." I will NOT be voting for June Cleavers (Leave it to Beaver). I respect her homesome family life and her fiesty aggressive attitude, but I truly can't see Palin having an intelligent discussion with world leaders regarding National Security and foreign relations concerns. Instead, she would be at best penning a book on how to cook and eat moose meat.

Sarah Palin has run the state od Alaska for nearly two years. She took on the good old boys battling corruption, fought big oil, got a natural gas pipeline approved (that had been held up for 35 years) and killed the "bridge to nowhere."

By contrast, there have been 142 days the Senate has been in session since Obama was sworn in. How many days has he missed campaigning? What major legislation has he sponsored? Here's a hint: none.

Who's more qualified - Palin or Obama?

Let's see: Palin has been a mayor and now govenor for how many years? During her tenure she has been RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FINAL EXECUTIVE DECISIONS. She really doesn't get any days off. She governs the largest (more than twice the size of Texan) and the most daunting land mass in the US. She has negotiated a MULTI BILLION dollar INTERNATIONAL deal to build a pipeline to the lower 48. She cleaned up Alaska government of both Democratic and Republican corruption. Etc, etc. She has served the people of her state very well.

While in the Illinois congress Obama voted PRESENT on many issues which means he didn't have the guts take a stand. While he was elected to the US Senate 4 years ago he has only been present for 150 DAYS. He is chairman of an important committee and HAS NEVER CALLED a meeting. Not only has Obama not had any excutive experience he has not been very responsible with the political job to which he was elected.

this is classic. Obama has no resume and he is qualified and experienced enough for Potus. Palin has a more impressive resume including owning a business, rising through political ranks, actually fighting corruption, etc. and SHE is too inexperienced for VP?

It's like I'm living in bizarro world. Experience doesn't matter for president, but does for VP?

I think Obama stepped in it. It's amazing he has the "audacity" to charge inexperience. I can't wait to see the side by side resume comparisons that will be coming out next week.

I have seen many a person get a job that wasnt qualified and I have seen many that I thought were not qualified but the way you speak is no different that what you accuse McCain of doing. This young lady has more executive experience than all the men running combined,she is not one of the good old boys and she accepts challenges apparently. I am a man and if it were up to me I would have mothers stay at home to raise children because that is what I believe in. In Sarah Palins case I love her moxy and go get em attitude and I think she is a very deep thinking,conscience person and I darn sure would like to see her get the chance. I think she certainly would be an improvement from the last 16 years.She is every bit as competent as Barack Obama and the Chicago Political Machine.

O'Connell has it all wrong and in the process betrays her bias. Obama has absolutely no experience that would indicate that he is qualified to lead the Free World. He has never run anything other than an educational experiment that failed dismally. He has no management training and has never had to make a payroll.

Palin on the other hand has had 20 months leading Alaska. During this time she has jump started the Alaskan Natural Gas Pipeline, an wonderful idea that kicked around for 30 years with nothing done on it. And this required much diplomacy with the Canadian. In addition, she stood up to the dreadful oil co's and routed out a number of corrupt republican officials.

What did Obama do as a crony of the corrupt Daley Chicago Machine? I haven't heard him make any mention of stamping out government corruption. All wants to do is penalize the most productive citizens and tax big oil.

When it comes to inexperience and lack of proven abilities, no one tops Obama. And besides, Palin would be a heartbeat away from being president. Obama would be the president.

She's got a heck of a lot more executive experience and accomplishment on her record than Obama has--and he's at the top of his ticket.

Americans probably correctly usually choose governors over senators for the presidency, and neither party would fail to look at a governor with a greater than 80% approval rating--as Palin has.

She is the most effective communicator of the four candidates, and she has more executive experience than the other three candidates combined.

Going after Palin here therefore looks like just a partisan attack dressed up as some sort of 'women's' business perspective.

she has more experience than obama, and he's the head of the ticket

az republican proudly voting for

MCCAIN/PALIN

People complain about Palin's lack of qualifications, especially when it comes to foreign policy.

Well, what 'qualifications' does Obama have? Zip

McCain thinks this potentially scandal-tainted, incredibly inexperienced and far-out right-winger will sway voters to vote for him. If so, it's further evidence that American Democracy is doomed.

You're missing the entire purpose for the appointment: have you seen her in a skirt? The blogosphere is in love with her and the appointment has killed the tremendous momentum of the DNC. Obama got an evening and a morning of quality PR for an impressive night that quickly vanished with this appointment.

Looks like the McCain camp just might get new media after all.

McCain had great judgment.

Hmmm. I am a arizona based republican heading over to OBAMA/BIDEN!!

Let the games begin.

I am truly an independent and have not made any decision as to my vote in November... with that being said, how can everyone be talking about how little experience Palin has when this whole election is about not being tainted by "the washington experience" - that is one of the biggest appeals of Obama... at least to me. All of a sudden, McCain has made a bad choice because Palin is not tainted???? Can any of us have an honest debate without our pre-disposed party prejudices getting in the way? What is Republican and Democrat anyways??? A bunch of power hungry people that unite in order to dictate their ways among us all? Yet, we keep the cycle going for them because of the empty promises made by both sides. RARELY do we get a true politician that is willing to stand up for what is truly right and good and refuses to play washington politics. No Experience? Good! Let's reshape the political matching - Obama & Palin vs. McCain & Biden... Clear decision for me.

From everything I have heard, Palin is quite talked about in Washington as a quickly rising star in the party. It makes perfect sense for McCain to select her as it bridges the gap between old Republicans and new. She is a smart, strong, and well-spoken woman who can debate with the best, and who isn't afraid to take on the status quo. It shatters the notion that McCain is 'more of the same,' and really makes it obvious which candidate is offering nothing but the party line and which one is really motivated to get something done.