Palin fever is in the air. And November will provide the only cure.
I think it’s safe to say that the country has caught a case of Palin fever.
Conservatives catching it find themselves nuts for this mother of five, who in the midst of a pitched campaign is displaying her human-ness and the fact she’s no different than any of us.
Of course, Liberals and Democrats find that palin-fever causes convulsions and irrationality, as readily demonstrated by the frenzy that is hitting the media.
Tonight will bring a show like none other - and I suspect it will provide the most thunderous and rousing applause yet to be seen.
(I can’t wait!)
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Comments
PP, you are right, the opposition is shaking in their shoes and throwing out one lie after another. Their attacks are so low that they have to remove some of the dust prior to speaking. It makes me and others wonder how they can sleep at night. Many of their actions remind me of the low blows the other side did to the Republican candidates in the 04, 06 races. Some of the actions by adults even attack children physically.
Palin has been upfront, honest and forthcoming. I guess the other side just doesn’t understand honesty.
There are some libelous issues going on and individuals and businesses should start worring about actions.
I can not believe the attacks of some of the feminist. You would think they would be singing praises that a woman is on the ballot that has strong character and the ability to lead with executive ability.
Palin is someone the youth can look up to. The message is obious: With hard work and dedication to family and work you can be successsful and happy.
Todd and Detroit, I don’t think giving out Democrat strategy will help the Former Illinois State Senator.
I love all this spotlight on Palin. If she passes her two big tests (tonight and debate), she will be the first VP since Lyndon Johnson to have electoral impact. It also shines a spotlight on the lack of real experience by Obama.
I think the Media is mostly the ones digging into Palin’s past, not the Obama camp. Heck, even he has congratulated her. This isn’t really about Palin, it’s about the lousy vetting job McCain’s campaign did. How much stuff have you seen about Biden’s past in the media? They didn’t have to go diggging, he has been in public service for a very long time, his record is clear. I hope that when the media dust clears that Palin is free and clear, I think it is more curiosity then anything. I love how the neo-cons and even some Dems will wipe their butts with the 4th amendment, but once the media starts digging up PUBLIC INFORMATION about Palin, it’s called a smear campaign. The only smear campaign going on is in the white house against the civil liberties of American citizens.
Without stooping to the levels of some liberals, let me just say that their exposure of themselves to the American public isn’t going to help their socialist cause. No, this treatment of Governor Palin is a mob attack on a woman who could be any American. I’m not buying the media attacks…for heavens sakes, they make it up or throw it out as they go. No one on the Dem side would tolerate this behavior toward their candidate. You say it well in that the job of showing America who this reforming Governor is and what she has accomplished is up to Governor Palin. I’m more energized about the possibiliies for change in Washington than any previous election campaign in my lifetime, and I’m a baby boomer so that’s been many.
An aside: Just saw an interview with Chris Wallace and Meg Whitman. I don’t say this because she’s female. One does have to admit potential there in a “change” administration. Interesting times ahead with McCain/Palin success!
THe mob attack launched against Palin by the media just demonstrates how scared they are of her.
And Obama states he is taking the high road. I sincerely hope he is. Although maybe he could rein in some of his backers and their attacks if he really wanted to. Does he?
I can’t wait for tonight!
All this GOP talk about change and reform and the maverick. Are you now conceding the Bush experiment is a colossal failure?
I want to comment on the “plan B” reference above.
It is interesting that the candidate without accomplishments in his public service career and the Dem attempts to stifle free speech, have migrated to a Dem Plan B of the lowest kind. Have you given thought to why the Obama campaign is not touting former Chairman of the committee Obamas’ accomplishements while working on the Annenberg Challenge program? Instead, they have attempted to close public records from analysis. This was apparently Barack’s single position that included fiscal responsibility? The campaign needs to bolster the experience of their candidate but there are no testimonials, no quantifiable examples of accomplishment. Even the legislation that the state legislator is connected to by a thin wisp is not something that says accomplishment. Nope, that’s why the thuggery (change from a non negative campaign to a battle of the 2008) is on and why the heat is rising all across the country.
McCain/Palin ‘08
I do feel sorry for the poor daughter. It’s tough enough for her being pregnant at 17 in a “you WILL keep the baby and you WILL marry the father” family environment; having Mom choose (and it was a choice; she could have turned the offer down citing family issues and gotten sympathetic press) to bring the world’s hottest spotlight down on her must be excruciating.
The choice made here was the one the daughter made to have sex before she married. She could have said no and avoided all this, but she didn’t and she is to be admired for having the courage to give her unborn baby a chance at life instead of terminating her pregnancy like most Democrats and quite a few Republicans would have done. It takes a lot of guts to shoulder your responsibilities instead of taking the easy way out and aborting your baby.
Both Gov. Palin and her daughter have shown a lot of class and courage. Quit hammering them for making the right, and very hard, decision. And try to keep in mind that none of this is any of our business, is it?
What kind of mother goes ahead with putting her daughter through the intense scrutiny of a national political office at the most trying moment of her young life?
The truth about Palin? Today she says she is against the bridge to nowhere and against earmarks..in 2005, she sought (and received) $27 million in earmarks for her community of 6,500, cochaired a 527 group for disgraced Senator Ted Stevens to raise LARGE corporate donations, AND said the bridge to nowhere was fine and noones business but the state of Alaska.
In March, she said Hillary Clinton was “whining” about news coverage in her presidential race and this week, she praises Clinton for “18 million cracks in the glass ceiling”.
In 1996, she belonged to the Alaska Independent Party and supported Pat Buchanan for President. The main plank of the AIP is for Alaska to leave the union by seceeding from the U.S.
She supposedly is a reformer, but used the power of her office as Governor to fire a public safety official who would not fire her state trooper brother-in-law locked in a nasty divorce with her sister.
In June of this year, when asked if she would be interested in being vice president, said, “I don’t know what a vice president even does day to day.”
Mikesdak, You can Not make a comment like if you have nothing to back it up with. How in the heck do you know this is not what the daughter wants! Shame on you and the horse you think you ride on! I know many and I mean many young ladies who are very prolife and I do mean “very prolife”!
Anon 1:25 I suggest that you look at the FACTS and the complete FACTS. You don’t have the full picture of what you are talking about.
Get Real..
Where are the REAL FACTS then?
Anonymous 1:37
What does that mean? Was Palin wrong in March, or is she wrong now?
I readily admit that it’s entirely possible that the daughter does want to marry the father and have the baby, and that’s fine.
My main point is that her mother’s conscious decision to throw her into the world’s biggest, brightest spotlight isn’t doing her any favors.
The media and the right wing pundits have pounded on Obama for two years, they have only been on Palin for 5 days, stop your freaking crying, this is part of the process. If she wants to be the VP of this country we deserve to know every last detail about her life. Talk about a bunch of crybabies.
How do you not know that the decision included the daughter.
Most politicians, and I feel safe to say this family include the entire family into the decision of running.
More FACTS from ABC News
Another Controversy for Sarah Palin
Former Police Chief Says He Was Fired for Challenging Palin’s Campaign Contributors
By BRIAN ROSS and JOSEPH RHEE
Sept. 3, 2008—
Gov. Sarah Palin is already facing ethical questions over her firing of the Alaska public safety commissioner, and now she faces questions over the firing of a longtime local police chief.
After taking over as Mayor of the small town of Wasilla, Palin fired the longtime local police chief. The former police chief, Irl Stambaugh says he was fired because he stepped on the toes of Palin’s campaign contributors, including bar owners and the National Rifle Association.
Stambaugh’s lawyer, William Jermain, says the chief tried to move up the closing hours of local bars from 5 a.m. to two a.m. after a spurt of drunk driving accidents and arrests.
“His crackdown on that practice by the bars was not appreciated by her and that was one reason she terminated Irl,” said Jermain.
In his 1997 lawsuit, Stambaugh also alleged that his stand on restricting concealed weapons upset the NRA.
“Mayor Palin has stated on several occasions that the National Rifle Association encouraged her to fire Chief Stambaugh because of his stance against the concealed weapons legislation,” the lawsuit claimed.
Palin says she was up against entrenched insiders when she was elected mayor of Wasilla in 1996.
“We had a lot of people that were kind of dead wood,” said Colleen Sullivan Leonard, a staff member in Palin’s office. “We needed people with new energy and a new vision.”
A federal judge later ruled the mayor, under city law, had the right to fire the police chief for any reason she wanted.
Palin is now facing similar allegations in the state capitol, that politics played a role in her firing of the Alaska public safety commissioner, Walter Monegan.
“It has every possibility of giving the Governor an ethical black eye in an area where she’s touted herself as being particularly strong,” said Alaskan State Senator Hollis French, a Democrat.
At issue is whether Palin fired the public safety commissioner because he refused to fire a state trooper who was the Governor’s brother-in-law and going through an ugly divorce with the Governor’s sister.
The Governor has denied any wrongdoing or involvement in the matter, but Senator French, who is leading the investigation has his doubts.
“The Governor first issued a blanket denial,” said Sen. French, “and now she’s had to back down and that’s a problem.”
Monday, Palin called for the Alaskan Personnel Board to conduct a formal investigation into Monegan’s dismissal “to put these matters to rest”.
“The idea that there had been no contact and no pressure doesn’t stand up,” said Sen. French. “Her credibility I think was damaged in that blanket denial.”
The McCain campaign says it’s clear that some insiders don’t like the fact that Palin has been bucking the status quo to implement change
On the state trooper issue for one: I would have to go back and find the information, but her former brother-in-law was threating her sister’s life (his e-wife) and her father life. According to the information that was to have been filed the trooper threated to give him a bullet.
You know the media tends to give only what they want yo to know. The main stream media which is most of it, is not honest with the full story.
Anonymous 11:49:
I will stipulate that I bought into the packaging that GWB would be more like Reagan than his father. I admit McCain would have been a better choice than GWB in 2000. I still contend that GWB has been better than algore would have been.
Detroit:
While I don’t have a problem with the media scrutiny with regard to Palin’s job as Mayor or Governor, I do think that the personal matters are excessive. However, with regard to the Obama “vetting”, there was virtually no coverage of Rev. Wright until the tapes were unearthed, there is still no investigation into Ayres, and there has been virtually no investigation into whether or not there is more to Rezko and ties to the dirty Chicago political machine. Obama has gotten a free pass ala Edwards.
Only Clinton has undergone the intense scrutiny that is being directed at Palin. And the most common attribute with Palin and Clinton is their gender.
I think the actual Vetting is happening to the MSM.
And for those like Detroit and Todd, it’s gotta hurt!
Question: I almost don’t want to ask it. What is still up with the birth of Obama not being a legal U.S. citizen. I would have thought this would have been cleared. Has he turned over a copy of his birth cert or not????
Also, Why did Michelle Obama hide her senior college paper? What was in it that would throw people for a loop????? I know this is nothing new, but come on. If you wrote it can’t you expalin it???
You guyz can blabber all day, like I said, they have been pounding Obama for 2 years, they go after Palin for 5 days and you act like it is the end of the world. I wish the MSM would have had this kind of scrutiny about GW when he was running the first time and the Iraq war. Maybe that is why they are digging so hard, the MSM has so much egg on their face over the Iraq War it is pitiful. Besides, does anyone really want a VP that thinks the earth is only 5,000 years old? Cuckoo!
Well, I hope it is not the end of the world.
The complaint is the dirty style of attack style the other side does.
I could be snide about how the world will be, but will pass this time.
What has Obama done beside vote in Illinois as present? What did he achieve as the organizer in Chicago…nothing successful.
He was elected by luck.
What difference has he offered up, seems nothing.
He is just what they accuse the R’s of. He is the same ole regular tax and spend candidate without the necessary executive experience to hold the highest seat in the US Government.
Troy,
Obama’s been under assault about personal issues since he won in Iowa. The Rev. Wright stuff came out soon afterwards, your call for an Ayers’ investigation is silly. They live in the same neighborhood and serve on a charitable board together. No need for an investigation. And remember the Obama is a Muslim smear? And Obama’s drug activity smear?
It is just hard for right wingers to take it when the media glare is directed at their candidates.
Obama wrote about taking drugs. Maybe he lied about that. Ayers is Obama’s friend and a guy who likes to blow-up things to make political statements. Should we be concerned with that? No, as long as he’s a guy Obama didn’t know!
Like I said, you people are real gullable! Especially with the GWB and Iraq stuff.
Obama is not ready, nor is his past what a president should be. I can not beleive that he made it so far. Those who listen to the hollow sound bites and nothing said and then make something out of it. That is what scares me.
Way back when and it does feel like a long time ago now, when the UN first went into Iraq, (which took to long) I remember the head UN guy (can’t remember his name) state that he found weapons with chemical compound residue. Then all of a sudden that taped piece disapperared from the planet. By the way the gentleman who was speaking was NOT an American citizen…I don’t want anyone to add to this.
Can anyone here name any foreign policy experience that Sarah Palin has?
Can anyone here even quote anything she has ever said that a reasoning individual could read and conclude that she has a slightly advanced understanding of the world she lives in?
Just curious.
p.s. If I hear one more person say that because her state is close to Russia means she has foreign policy experience I will barf, so please don’t.
I’m not a 100% behind Obama, but I will say this, McCain has offered NOTHING new.
Obama wants to give everyone making under $250,000 a year a $2000 a year tax cut (98% of the country) and he wants to end the Iraq war within 16 months. I would vote for him just on those two issues alone.
What you all need to know is:McCain is and has never been the average Republican nor is Palin by any means. He is more moderate in his views, yes tough on pork spending. That is a good thing!!!!!
Truly, if we can get the government out of some decisions America will be much better off. The capability of Americans to fund and help those in need is best handled outside the Government or with the least involvement of Government.
On a side note:
Congress seems to be extending their powers more and more and that goes against our US Constitution. We as individuals are losing our individual rights more and more, is that what you want? I sure don’t.
Braden it makes you puke because it’s relevant! I suppose you have some clue that she doesn’t have any insight, so show and tell.
Detroit, Just like Bill, Obama says a lot of stuff that doesn’t happen.
Guy Smylie,
Sarah Palin being the governor of a state that is close to Russia for a year and a half does not equal foreign policy experience.
Has she ever been to Russia? Has she ever met or spoke with any Russian in higher levels of office? No. The proximity of her state to another country does not equal experience in the universe I live in.
But let’s take a trip to GOP fantasy land for a second. Let’s say that is experience. And then… that’s all? If McCain cannot complete his term and she takes over, and the Joint Chiefs tell her that Chinese B-1 Badgers are crossing the Strait of Taiwan she is going to be familiar with the situation because her state is 60 miles from Russia? Amazing…
Nothing they throw at Palin, and nothing she has done, will compare to the very basic issue of Obama’s nefarious alliances. The libs and their friends in the media either don’t care, or consider those alliances a badge of honor.
Many Americans do care, however…at least those who know.
While the loony radical left is trying to “connect the dots” on Palin’s baby (while they didn’t care about Edwards’ kid when he was running for president), some enterprising media types (who are honest) need to examine the Annenberg papers. And other connections between Obama and a terrorist.
I can’t wait.
Braden @ 4:17
Palin has had to deal with other countries “issues” considering the location of Alaska. It is not uncommon for Governors to do so. She has made decisions on a day in day out course that falls on her back and her back alone. She deals with issues that many other US Governors do not as they are not on coastal waters and yes that are close to other countries.
Well if you know what B-1 Badgers are I think someone who might actually have a little more Business with them might know too!
Insight - thy name is Braden.
Braden, Can you name any foreign experience that Obama has?
TG: Obama says that family is off-limits but he and Michele bring their kids on the stage after her speech. Or the celebrity show interview that had the kids in it.
I understand why politicians show off their family for for photo ops (they are proud of them and also want to include them in the campaign). But they then want a blackout of unfavorable coveragewant them and are confused/hurt/upset when the media doesn’t cooperate.
The reality is that no longer are kids off-limits because the public has a desire to “know” the family. I think it started with JFK’s funeral and the insight that the children gave to the grief. This is not a criticism of Jackie as I don’t think she knew what it would bring. But Jackie was the first to see the effect and became zealous in her effort to protect her children. And unfortunately, LBJ, Nixon, Ford and Carter didn’t learn the Kennedy lesson and they trotted out their children (and Carter’s entire extended family) to humanize them. They fed the animal. And now it is difficult to put the genie back in the bottle.
The public demands it. Obama and Palin are more likely to succumb to it and they are cooperating because they don’t have years of experience on how to manage it. Palin is even more susceptible because she comes from a state like South Dakota. Kneip, Janklow, Mickelson, and Rounds all are examples of Governors who learned early that in a small state you can’t hide your family. Heck, in this state, Governor’s list there home number. Biden and McCain have been much more masterful.
Palin is about to learn a lesson that will be painful for her family- National politics isn’t like a small state. Gore and Bush have probably been the most successful in the last twenty years but they had the benefit of having been raised in the fishbowl. Carter learned this same lesson that Obama will ultimately learn when his kids get older.
Reagan’s children were all adults. Bush I had personal experience being a son of a Senator. Clinton is a modern example on how Chelsea was kept out of the limelight.
Braden
What foreign policy experience did Bill Cliton have?
Ok, how about Obama?
Answer: Both is ZERO
Obama’s experience lays in that his run for president is his experience.
His “commnuity organizer”volunteer work is his experience.
His being in college is his experience.
His being in the state legislature is his experience.
Meet a parroll, have any job that developes some sort resume or you can pull some life experiences from. But please dont use items is your life that most rational people would consider just growing up. Palin is just the breath of fresh air and hard work ethic I have been waiting for.
I really didnt care about this election and wasn’t going to write any checks. Detroit has really motivated me though.
THANKS DETROIT.
Hmm, are you all saying that having executive experience automatically makes one qualified to be the Commander and Cheif…Have you all been paying attention to George W Bush over the last eight years. He was the Governor of Texas much longer than Palin was and he came from a family that had some idea on forign policy. His executive experience as the Governor of Texas, which is also next door to a foreign country called Mexico, didn’t do us much good now did it?
Okay, let’s all start defending Bush….then McCain…well what do you know….more of the same.
4:38 Nice overview, Troy.
And I agree.
Now, hopefully that puts an end to all the caterwauling about the time those darn people had the nerve to try to take pictures of Steve Kirby’s house and family a few months back.
“Braden, Can you name any foreign experience that Obama has?”
He cosponsored the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act.
He introduced two initiatives which expanded the Nunn–Lugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons.
He was the primary sponsor of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act
He introduced the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007.
He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act.
Obama cosponsored with Kit Bond (R-MO) an amendment to the 2008 Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality disorder military discharges.
He holds assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations and Veterans’ Affairs.
He became Chairman of the Senate’s subcommittee on European Affairs.
In his Senate trips he has been to Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian territories, South Africa, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Chad, not counting his latest trip abroad.
All these things are on the Internet. You could look them up if you really wanted to know about Obama’s foreign policy experience. But it’s just a lot easier to say he has none.
Obama doesn’t have foreign policy experience as Joe Biden or John McCain. But, again, I ask Republicans, what foreign policy experience does Sarah Palin have?
It’s not about experience, it’s about marketing. What can you get the public to believe? That’s why the GOP swiftboaters lied about Kerry. That’s why the GOP keeps circulating rumors that Obama is a muslim and sending the message that he’s the antichrist. That’s why McCain won’t denounce the lies in the new right-wing hack book about Obama. No lie is off limits if it will get votes for the GOP.
Does “experience” predict whether someone will be a good president?: Bill Clinton was a governor and brought peace/prosperity/budget surpluses. Bush Jr. was a governor and brought war/recession/budget deficits.
As to marketing, the GOP’s marketing strategy is to say, “Our woman is a woman, so come on all you women and vote for a woman. Our woman is a beauty queen who can hunt and fish, so come on all you men and vote for a beauty queen who can hunt and fish.”
I think McCain just wants his own harem of younger women. He’ll be doing that on his own time after November.
Bill,
Three comments:
1) Kirby wasn’t a candidate. Are defending the stalking of the Kirby family. Obama is right. Family is off-limits especially when used to damage a candidate.
2) It was known in Wasilla about the pregnancy by many and I’m sure reporters knew. They had the class to let it remain a private family matter. I was in high school with the Kneip boys and friends to them. They were guilty of the same youthful indiscretions that I was. And, I’m pretty sure that since the reporters in Pierre had kids the same ages, I’m sure they knew of these indiscretions (kids do talk to their parents). And, these remained private matters that resulted in groundings and not public fodder.
3) Which takes me to the point, just because the public wants to know doesn’t mean the press should cooperate. The press has shown a disgusting lack of proportion by feeding the frenzy. This said, it has given the Palin’s an example to show their character which they seem to be passing with flying colors.
Braden: You list a lot of policy initiatives that are legislative in nature. But they aren’t the primary substance that Americans look to in their Commander in Chief. They want experience in meeting, negotiating, and communicating with foreign leaders. Palin may have it if she has gone on a trade mission (don’t know if she has). But the facts remain fact finding trips that you list are not negotiating or communicating policy objectives of the United States. This is the job of the President. Biden and McCain have both been involved in official visits and have spoken with authority on behalf of the country as a consequence of their leadership position on committees. All the visits that you list are not even under the purview of Obama’s committee. If he communicated anything to these nations, he did it as a rogue Senator and deserves sanction from the Committee Chairman (Joe Biden).
But if this is sufficient foreign policy experience for you, as VP, Palin can equal Obama in six months. So the risk that you seem to fear can be overcome six months after the election. Braden, at best your argument is that Palin has no foreign policy experience and Obama has experience of little consequence and can be achieved in short order. Is this all you got?
I agree with Troy. If introducing bills and traveling to foreign countries justifies the “experience in foreign affairs card” then that is a farely low bar. My point is she makes up for the foreign policy in executive detail and managing budgets and employees. Now the way she has conducted herself in that scope is acceptable fodder. But the list of “accomplishments” that you trup can be had in very short order. I will take executive any day.
Let’s see: If I’m a 72 year old with recurring cancer, an anger management problem, who wants to start a war with Iran, who should I pick for VP? I suppose I should meet that person face-to-face once before I offer that person the job, after all - they may become the leader of the free world. And after all the grief I’ve been giving Obama about lack of experience, I better not pick anybody who’s younger than Obama with less time in office - because we’re going to be in Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran for 100 years, but I won’t be around much longer myself. Man, I do like pretty women, maybe I can find one of them.
TG:
Only because he is the latest person to express it, I’ll call it the Obama Doctrine but I’m sure it will soon be the Palin Doctrine too. “My family will be with me and involved in the campaign. But their private lives are none of your business.” And they will be surprised when the media refuses to submit to this doctrine. Doesn’t justify the press’ inordinate focus.
Personally, I think we should go back to the Clinton/Janklow Doctrine: “My kids are home living their lives. Their life is not my life. They are off-limits.
I have no problem and I think it appropriate that the Obama girls, Biden family, and soon to be McCain and Palin families are seen at the convention. There are to me times when it is natural that the family shares in the “big night.” This does not give license to then examine and discuss the first time that an Obama girl gets time-out for pulling a pig tail or to give reports on the Levi/Bristol dating ups and downs. And, even if Obama/Palin (McCain and Biden seem to keep their families out of the limelight) make their kids available for photo ops, I still think they need to be left alone. Consider it just an indulgence of a young family.
The Obama family: now there’s family values. Married only once. Go to church.
John McCain? Divorced after cheating on wife. Started with wife #2 before divorced from wife #1. Married for money. Doesn’t attend church regularly. Known for yelling, screaming, swearing. (Don’t take my word for it - just ask US Senator Thad Cochran R-Miss).
Joe Biden: more family values. Widowed when wife and daughter killed in car accident and sons seriously injured. Took care of boys personally in their recovery. Never moved to Washington DC. Remarried to 2nd wife over 30 years. Active Catholic.
Sarah Palin: nickname “barracuda”. Married once - still having kids 20 years later. Teen daughter to marry babydaddy - probably late October when trailing in the polls.
Well ymous and Troy, if being on the Foreign Policy Comittee doesn’t equal foreign policy experience than I don’t know what does.
It’s true. Barack Obama doesn’t have a lot of foreign policy experience. He does have some. But let’s not forget experience was John McCain’s issue, not Obama’s. Obama has never tried to sell himself as the candidate of experience. He is not. John McCain was campaigning as the safe choice and the one with the most experience. His selection of Palin was both risky, and undercut his message. Because now the most inexperienced candidate in this race is his vice presidential nominee.
“But if this is sufficient foreign policy experience for you, as VP, Palin can equal Obama in six months.”
So first geographical proximity to foreign countries counts as experience for Sarah Palin, and now future possible experiences count as well? Good Lord. Sarah Palin has been governor of Alaska for under two years. That is her relavent experience. NOT being 60 miles from the coast of Russia, NOT being mayor of a town of 6,000 people, and NOT being a potential Vice President and possibly gaining future experience.
So I asked what foreign policy experience Sarah Palin has. The answers I got where that A) Bill Clinton had no foreign policy experience and B) Barack Obama has no foreign policy experience. So you seem to be trying to tell me that Sarah Palin also has no foreign policy experience. We can agree on that.
I just thought that a campaign with a central theme of foreign policy experience would want to have a vice presidential nominee with foreign policy experience…
To Susan on September 3, 2008 @ 12:03 pm:
I’m sensing you seem think you are much more intelligent than you really are. Your rambling reminds me of George W Bush giving an unscripted speech: incoherent, mind numbingly stupid and oh so bad.
And you speak of fiscal responsibility, two words: Stimulus checks. Borrowing from the taxpayers to give to the taxpayers. Now that’s fiscal responsibility!
Hey Detroit
“Obama wants to give everyone making under $250,000 a year a $2000 a year tax cut (98% of the country)”
State your source.
Obama is about TAX INCREASES to pay for Universal Health care–barakObama.com
Where do you find the phony tax cut promise?
Mom on September 3, 2008 @ 7:56 pm said: Obama is about TAX INCREASES to pay for Universal Health care–barakObama.com.
From the obama website: Q. How will we pay for the Obama plan?
Mom on September 3, 2008 @ 7:56 pm said: Obama is about TAX INCREASES to pay for Universal Health care–barakObama.com.
From the obama website: Q. How will we pay for the Obama plan?
A. The Obama plan will realize tremendous savings within the health care system to help finance the plan. The additional revenue needed to fund the up-front investments in technology and to help people who cannot afford health insurance is more than covered by allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire for people making more than $250,000 per year, as they are scheduled to do.
So, Mom, if you don’t make over $250,000 per year, any tax increases won’t affect you.
Palin’s speech was awful. I figured, considering her background she would be able to give a good speech, but she she sounded so unconfident. Like she was reading words off a prompter that she had no idea what they ment. I hope she is better on the stump and in interviews.
Annon 10:13 You must have been on the wrong channel in the wrong country. I am hearing the media say it is great!
Get Real, the Dem communication director is Robert Gibbs, correct? I’m no sure, but I think that’s who it is. I heard he had said that he thought Palin’s speech would play well, but didn’t see him say she hit a “grand slam”. Can you give me a link to the quote?
Well, I turned to Fox and they had him on there so I heard it on TV. Guess we both could go and see if they have listed it yet. I did hear him say it.
I don’t think there could have been a better VP pick, much less a better woman to help run our country. To think we thought the only woman capable was Hilary-what a joke.
According to a new analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are both proposing tax plans that would result in cuts for most American families. Obama’s plan gives the biggest cuts to those who make the least, while McCain would give the largest cuts to the very wealthy. For the approximately 147,000 families that make up the top 0.1 percent of the income scale, the difference between the two plans is stark. While McCain offers a $269,364 tax cut, Obama would raise their taxes, on average, by $701,885 - a difference of nearly $1 million.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060900950.html
Anon 11:43, I have not found it so far. It was with Greta so they may consider it a snippet and not regualar print news. I don’t know.
Get Real, are you sure it was the Dem communication director Robert Gibbs? Are you sure it was on Greta? I’ve search google blogs for it and came up with nothing. I’m not saying your wrong but I’m surprised I can’t find it on the net.
I have been searching also. Yes, it was on Greta and I was paying attention. Like I said it was not a long interview and maybe they don’t place all live cuts.
I know they introduced him by name and as a Dem Communication Director at present.
Anon 12:33
I am trying to find something else right now. Let me think about it. I am pooped, up to early and to much to do. I am not putting you off, really.
Anon 12:34p
If you turn on Fox I believe that they re-air in order the shows and Greta should be on maybe soon or within the 1/2 hour I think.
What I’ll remember about her speech was that Sarah Palin — the first time I ever saw her — introduced herself as a “pit bull with lipstick” and then went about proving it for the next 20 minutes or so.
Talk about a great first impression.
Whatever happened to the “Miss Congeniality” part?
She’s a walking nightmare.
And all those deranged, yet sweet trarful little old ladies in the crowd lapping up the blood and meat scraps.
It was a scene out of a Fellini movie.
Creepy. Carl Rove heaven.
Unite the country indeed.
Not like that she won’t.
Bill, I think you should have heard the whole speech. You are not or did not hear the full comment.
Palin talked about Hockey Mom’s and the old joke realted to it. That the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull is the lipstick. It was funny.
Bill F., I suppose that you respect the rough neck, anti social, behaviors of the rebels outside of the RNC Convention Center. Freedom of speech is one thing, but their actions are beyond approach…almost no pun intended.
BF
you agree then with what the media has done and said about Palin over the last week. You agree with Obama Campaign and the comments they made?
O my for a woman to defend herself and what abilities she has to better America. For Shame….
I guess it is only okay for the Dems to stand up and take a stand.
Comment by Get Real on September 3, 2008 @ 11:19 pm: “She did more than that! She told them the truth.”
The truth according to whom? You? Well, that’s just your opinion which doesn’t make you right. I’m a registered independent and I wanted to hear substance in her speech. I was hoping she would talk about issues but all I heard was attacks and an miserable attempt at wit. And ditto from the Democratic convention. Neither ticket appeals to me right now.
Get Real. I did hear the whole speech.
That’s what got me to thinking that what at first seemed like a cute little joke (pitbull with lipstick) was perhaps no joke at all.
She gave a whole new meaning to the words “stump speech” in that any hand extended across the aisle to Sarah Palin would most likely come back a bloody stump.
Grrrowwwwrrr.
What a woman.
Well, this is a huge surprise! Fleming didn’t care for Palin’s speech? I’m shocked! I was totally convinced last night that McCain has made an excellent choice. She has brought new life to the Republican party. Game on!!!
Red, all I’m saying is that any woman who voluntarily compares herself to an attack dog can’t really bitch if I agree with her.
Bill Fleming, If the hand coming across the isle is trying to help our country, she can smell that!
So, Yes you’re right! ‘bloody stump.’
Within the quote, what she was getting at is she is not going to be the status quo, she is not affraid to get in there, roll up the sleeves and do some of the tough work others don’t want to do.
The hockey and pitbull was a joke represented how tough she would work for the American people.
Not all pit bulls are nasty! It is the foolish people who train and breed them to be so. Pit bulls are a sold breed.
I feel I am not the only person who knows what Palin was talking about.
Hey BF, my eyes are open, why don’t you open yours and not be so partisan. A woman with strength and intelligence must scare you and the good ole boy club.
This speech was an introduction of Palin. The information is coming and I feel safe to say I am sure you are going to hear what will be needed.
No wonder Palin’s daughter is knocked up. It’s a family tradition. Sarah Palin herself eloped with her husband on August 29, 1988 after she was knocked up. Oldest son Track was born April 20, 1989.
Last night I couldn’t help but laugh at the schmuck who was onstage on national tv for no other reason than because he knocked up a 17 year old. There is a single-wide trailer house in Bristol Palin’s future.
10:00 am, I agree. Here’s one thing that’s probably needed.
(from obsidianwings.blogs.com):
Factchecking Palin
by hilzoy
I thought Palin’s speech was quite good: well-written, well delivered. And, as I said earlier, I think she’s a genuinely engaging person, and comes across very well. There were just a couple of problems. One, which I have seen people notice, but which I suspect won’t be a big deal for a lot of voters, is that it had very little substance. The other, which the commenters I saw on TV for some reason neglected to mention, was that she told a lot of lies. A few that stood out for me, or that I spotted in my quick run-through of some blogs:
Palin: “To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House.”
Sarah Palin might have changed her mind on this one recently. However, a comment here notes that Palin actually slashed funding for schools for special needs kids by 62%. Budgets: FY 2007 (pre-Palin), 2008, 2009 (all pdfs). UPDATE: This is wrong. As you can see if you look at the list of component budgets here (2007) and here (2009), funding for the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy was broken out into its own budget category, which accounts for the drop in funding for the original item. I regret the error. END UPDATE.
Palin: “As for my running mate, you can be certain that wherever he goes, and whoever is listening, John McCain is the same man.”
Steve Benen’s list of McCain flip-flops is here. See for yourself whether constancy is, in fact, John McCain’s middle name.
Palin: “I told the Congress “thanks, but no thanks,” for that Bridge to Nowhere. If our state wanted a bridge, we’d build it ourselves.”
Just to reiterate what others have said: Congress’ requirement that funds be spent on that bridge (aka the ‘earmark’) were removed before Sarah Palin became governor. She was therefore in no position to tell Congress anything about the bridge, one way or the other. During her campaign, she said she supported funding for the bridge. Brad Plumer, citing the Anchorage Dialy News via Nexis:
“5. Would you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges?
Yes. I would like to see Alaska’s infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now–while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist.”
Later, she accepted the money — now not restricted by an earmark — and used it for other infrastructure projects. Here’s her statement about why she wasn’t building the bridge (also via Plumer.) Decide for yourselves what role a principled opposition to earmark funding plays in it. Hint: here’s what residents of Ketchikan AK said when they heard her recent remarks:
“In the city Ketchikan, the planned site of the so-called “Bridge to Nowhere,” political leaders of both parties said the claim was false and a betrayal of their community, because she had supported the bridge and the earmark for it secured by Alaska’s Congressional delegation during her run for governor. (…)
“People are learning that she pandered to us by saying, I’m for this’ … and then when she found it was politically advantageous for her nationally, abruptly she starts using the very term that she said was insulting,” Weinstein said.”
Palin: “But listening to him speak, it’s easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate.”
Ha, ha, ha. I gave a rundown of Obama’s accomplishments in the Senate here. They include the Lugar-Obama bill on nonproliferation, and an ethics reform package that the Washington Post called “the strongest ethics legislation to emerge from Congress yet.” Ruth Marcus summarizes his record on reform:
“He helped pass a far-reaching ethics and campaign finance bill in the Illinois state Senate and made the issue a priority on arriving in Washington. Much to the displeasure of his colleagues, Obama promoted an outside commission to handle Senate ethics complaints. He co-authored the lobbying reform bill awaiting President Bush’s signature and pushed — again to the dismay of some colleagues — to include a provision requiring lawmakers to report the names of their lobbyist-bundlers. He has co-sponsored bills to overhaul the presidential public financing system and public financing of Senate campaigns.”
Not a single major law or reform, indeed.
And I wasn’t aware that writing memoirs was something to be ashamed of. Obama has, in fact, written only one. McCain (with Mark Salter) has written at least two.
Palin: “America needs more energy … our opponent is against producing it.”
No — he plans to develop a lot more energy than John McCain does. It’s just that a lot of it is renewable, not carbon-based. Moreover, Obama hasn’t skipped the last eight votes on renewable energy.
Palin: “The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes … raise payroll taxes … raise investment income taxes … raise the death tax … raise business taxes … and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars. My sister Heather and her husband have just built a service station that’s now opened for business - like millions of others who run small businesses. How are they going to be any better off if taxes go up?”
Well, it all depends whose taxes go up, doesn’t it? If Heather and her husband make less than $250,000, their taxes will not go up. Most Americans will pay less in taxes under Obama’s plan than under McCain’s. So they might well be better off.
Those are just the falsehoods that leapt to mind. I’m sure there are others.
Whether or not Sarah Palin’s engaging personality matters more than the fact that she tells lies depends a lot on the media, and whether they allow her to say that she opposed the Bridge to Nowhere, or that Obama has never authored a major law or reform, without calling her on it. I hope they do. But I’m not holding my breath.
Is that the only difference - lipstick? That joke was lame. The fact that the rabble was so roused by the “old time hockey mom” is testament to fact of how uninspired the party faithful had been up to this point. The excitement is misplaced. The McAncient Warrior still doesn’t do it for me, and he’s to the one were supposed to be voting for right. If Palin’s VP she’s not going to shape policy unless McCain strokes out. She’ll be just like all the rest “do nothing” VP’s. She’s Dan Quayle with curves. They’ll pack her off to the state dinner circuit where I’m sure she’ll perform admirably. Smile pretty and know the difference between a soup and dessert spoon. If McCain were to kick I’d be scared shitless of this woman leading our country. McCain and the Rovites are using her like they want to use women voters, the christian right and others who are indifferent or disdainful to him, but slobbering all over her. Remember politics is not about improving our condition, it’s about attaining and retaining power. Sometimes you have to improve our lot in order to achieve the ultimate goal of staying in power. The GOP doesn’t deserve another term, and her nomination will be exposed as a mistake.
P.S. What’s with that accent? I couldn’t place it at first but then it hit me. It’s a cross between “Fargo” and native american. You’d think after three days of being holed up working on her speech someone could have suggested she at least try and tone those S’s down.
Yeah TG.
It was one of those parties that feels so great when you’re there because everybody gets so high on the kool-aid.
Then when everybody wakes up the next morning on the floor and start re-running the tapes they go “OMG, did we really do THAT? Did we really say THAT? ”
And the answer is always the same… yup. You did.
Ouch.
Who brought the aspirin?
I’m tired of made up issues. Like Troopergate, she called for the investigation. Who’s baby is that? Bristol was made to marry & have her child. Who picks someone from Alaska?
I’m sure they will come up with an affair rumor. Or maybe is Bristols baby actually Sarah’s?
You Dopes!
Yeah, but you aren’t calling for every one to do what they want you are calling for….
“Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual…” Michelle Obama
Is THAT what you’re talking about?
and Tgringo, where’s the proof of that Alaska Independance Party Membership?
10:36. All in good time, Guy.
The commercials haven’t started running yet.
I bet there will be some doozies.
So many words written on one mimiscule little thing, the pit bull statement! I absolutely loved the content of her speech and the deliverly of it.
The only pit bull I can detect in all the entries on this topic is Phlegm himself.
The protectors of womens rights (as long as they agree with the dems/feminists) have put there gender command in potentially serious trouble. They are treading on egg shells and I have seen the effects. Remember true change has almost always come from the republicans from slavery to throwing corrupt politicans out of office. Republican are known to very rarely circle the wagons for a sleazy offical.
Guy, I think they are afraid, or why else the effort in the past 6 days to drag her through the mud, and all the snarky comments on here?
10:08: Family tradition? Like mother, like daughter? Then it appears Palin’s daughter may go as far as being a mayor, governor and a VP pick…The future looks bright for the girl. The boyfriend showed he’s taking responsiblity.
I live in a single-wide trailer, and your point of mentioning a trailer in Bristol Palin’s future means what? People who live in trailers are less than people who live in stick-built houses? Trailer trash? What?
I kinda get mad when they start ripping the family. But, then, I THINK. And THAT IS the only conclusion.
11:44, I don’t know that the future looks bright for any pregnant, unmarried 17 year old - even if she marries the teenage father. Without years of total subsidization from their parents, those teenagers are doomed to a life of poverty. The statistics show that getting married at such a young age they have over a 50% chance of getting divorced. If McCain/Palin win, I predict Bristol’s marriage is over before the Presidential term ends. I’m not wishing for that. That’s just how I see it.
Like you, I too spent many years living in a trailer house - and I saw Bristol Palin’s story repeated over and over in the trailer court.
Anonymous 5:10:
Are you Anonymous 10:08?
I didn’t bring up the subject of family tradition or living in a trailer. It was a discredit of Sarah Palin and her daughter.
I believe if Palin’s daughter is like her, the future looks bright.
A life of poverty isn’t necessarily true. I have a daughter, who had a child at a younger age than Bristol. She and her family don’t live in poverty, and I didn’t subsidize them. With higher education, she now works in the medical field. Today is the future for some. Tomorrow is the future for others. It’s all in how it’s viewed.
Typecasting? My trailer sets on my own property.
5:10 simpliy put your wrong.
All weddings have a 50% chance of failure. My wife’s parents where seniors in highschool, found out they were expecting, got married and now have 3 grown children and are financially very succesful. There kids all graduated from college and are all doing well. They did live in a trailer at one time but for a democrat you sure are judgemental and please take that size 20 shoe out of your mouth. Just because peoples lives dont start out the way you think they should, doesnt make them any less of a person so put your rude behavior to rest. You think you represent “those” types of people by thinking they want everything given to them by the government, your wrong, there is no better self worth then accomplishmenting your goals on your own. Yeah you pissed me off. GO PALIN POWER.
I too married young–30 years ago–all but one of my children are married and starting families.
I lived in a trailer while we went to school. When my (many) children were in grade school and Junior High we owned 5 acres and an amazing home near the lake (and several sailboats which the boys raced) Now we own 2 homes.
I guess we did OK.
We (easily) qualified for food stamps the year after my fourth child was born (because I was very sick and nearly died) but we refused to go that route–believing instead that God would provide–and he did–in amazing ways!
Young teens that married in the fifties were not destined to proverty–when you
Pat:
A regimen of anti-biotics clears this fever right up.
Todd Epp
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net