Some thoughts on the selection of Sarah Palin as McCain's VP.

[Skinner]

I am going to admit that before this morning I knew nothing about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. So I think it is safe to say that the average American voter probably knows less than nothing. I think it is probably also safe to say that the average media moron knows slightly more than nothing about Sarah Palin -- but not much. Which means the next 24 hours will be critical for both campaigns to define who this person is in the shared media consciousness. I trust that the Obama campaign saw her selection as a possibility, and have thoroughly prepared for it. I'll be very interested to hear their reaction.

Until then, I'll have to rely on the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin">Sarah Palin Wikipedia page to fill in my gaping lack of knowlege. Here are my initial reactions...

Speaking only for myself, I think the motivation for this selection is obvious: McCain believes that distancing himself from Bush and playing up his maverick credentials are his *only* path to victory in November. Sarah Palin became governor by defeating a corrupt and disgraced Republican incumbent in the GOP primary. This plays into McCain's campaign narrative as the "original maverick" who is willing to buck the Republican party establishment.

But the selection of Palin is not without huge risks for McCain. My impression is that there are two ways to read this turn of events, and both of them are not good for McCain:

1. The selection of Palin shows that McCain's "experience" argument is not gaining any traction with voters, because this is a change year in which the mood is strongly anti-GOP. This is a good sign for us. My impression has been that one of Barack Obama's biggest weaknesses is his relative lack of experience: Only four years in the U.S. Senate. By selecting Sarah Palin -- a 44-year-old former beauty queen with less than two (count 'em) two years of statewide political experience -- McCain is undercutting what many see as his strongest argument against Obama (a 47-year-old with four years of statewide experience). Whenever the McCain campaign tries to attack Obama as inexperienced, our side can simply respond that McCain's own VP is younger and less experienced -- and only a 72-year-old heartbeat away from the presidency. The McCain campaign is not stupid. They know that this selection undercuts their experience argument. Which leads me to my second point about this selection:

2. The McCain campaign knows that they are doing much worse than anyone thinks, and they know that they had to make a "hail-Mary" pass on their VP selection. That's what this selection is. They knew they would be screwed if they picked another crusty white male in their 50s or 60s. They had to make a splash with their selection -- even if it means undercutting their strongest argument against their opponent. Take a risk. Shake things up. She's young! She's attractive! She's Dan Quayle in a dress!

I suspect that there was some calculation that selecting a woman for the ticket would motivate some Democratic women who supported Senator Clinton during the primaries. Personally, I find it hard to believe that supporters of Senator Clinton would be moved by this pick. Palin is an anti-choice former beauty queen -- she has none of the experience, depth, or gravitas that Senator Clinton has. In fact, I think this selection is an insult to women who supported Senator Clinton. McCain thinks they are stupid, and that selecting any woman would be enough to win their support. It doesn't matter who it is -- as long as she has ovaries.

[ProSense]

1. You nailed it

The McCain campaign knows that they are doing much worse than anyone thinks, and they know that they had to make a "hail-Mary" pass on their VP selection.

[merh]

2. And consider the female republicans that know that there are

many more experienced and deserving females in the party that deserve this place in history. Yes, they are loyalist to the party, but they are also women who have been passed over for years by the prettier, younger female.

It will be interesting.

[LynneSin]

5. Merh how are you doing today

All of you are in our hearts and prayers with Gustav coming to town.

[merh]

23. I'm terrified and trying to ignore it.

I've made my plans and will pack what I need and leave when the time is right, but I so don't want to have to deal with this crap.

thank you for asking and for your prayers and concern. :hug:

[Marnieworld]

109. You'll be in our thoughts

Check in when you can to let us know how you are. :hug:

[merh]

110. thank you, I will.

DU was so vital to my survival after Katrina, so many helped me, gave me support of all different types. Came to my rescue and me feel a part of something more than just the destruction. It was a DUer that I was able to contact after the storm, I couldn't get through to anyone else but she was there and she was my rock, still is.

[roguevalley]

149. what they said, merh. This is so utterly wrong. I will pray for all of

you out there in harm's way.

[merh]

220. thank you, rv

we need all the prayers & energies we can get to keep that thing away.
appreciate your concern and prayers.

[redqueen]

9. I'd love to be a fly on Kay Bailey Hutchison's wall this morning.

:o

[Connie_Corleone]

12. Kay Bailey Hutchinson.

[TwilightGardener]

22. KBH was at least qualified. She would have made more sense. Bizarre choice, because

it looks like they picked Palin purely on looks.

[redqueen]

36. That has to sting Kay more than anything... that they picked this lady based on looks,

not qualifications.

:(

[crispini]

39. KBH didn't want it. She wants to come home to Texas.

Governor's run up next for her. :D

[merh]

60. My ass

Ask any political animal what they want, governor or VP, and they will tell you VP.

KBH wasn't even given the courtesy of a call from McCain to tell her about this and she is one of the party leaders that just happens to be a female who does have the experience the job requires.

The election would give her the exposure that would clinch a run for governor when McCain loses.

She was passed over for the younger, prettier model.

[MH1]

81. And this is one of the media narratives I'd like to see play.

Isn't it time that the soap opera crap be turned on the republicans for a change?

[madmax]

180. "She was passed over for the younger, prettier model."

McShame's M.O.

[DUlover2909]

194. I hope this stings her badly. I'm from TX and I hope she cries tonight.

Maybe she will understand her masters' true colors.

[connecticut yankee]

119. Rush Limbaugh

called her a "babe."

[Enthusiast]

200. Rush Limbaugh is a fucking idiot! nt

[connecticut yankee]

208. We all know that

unfortunately, he has many followers who don't.

[diamidue]

145. More her kids than her looks maybe?

Look at all the photos already coming out of her holding her newest baby. I think a lot of people look forward to seeing Obama and his young family in the White House. John-John and Caroline kind of thing. Now, McCain will now have the ability to surround himself with children in his WH photo-ops. Soften his image. Kay couldn't offer that.

Anyone know how this is playing out with GOP women yet?

[Hippo_Tron]

68. I don't think that KBH wanted the job

Because she would've made a hell of a lot more sense than a lightweight like Palin.

[Capt. America]

144. Perhaps he didn't want another Senator in order to (presumably) shake up Washington

[emilyg]

153. She did not want it.

[MindMatter]

159. Uhhh, that is how the Republicans pick ALL of their women

[Bette Noir]

165. That's how he's picked his wives.

Why should running mate be any different?

[JohnnyBoots]

33. Ross-Lehtinen would have been a good pick for them if they wanted a female. I hate her, but she

would fill the attack dog role pretty well.

[bushisanidiot]

42. Yep! The Kay Baily Hutchinson and Libby Dole fans will be PISSED!

;)

[CarbonDate]

195. Passed over.

"they are also women who have been passed over for years by the prettier, younger female."

Come to think of it, that pretty much describes McCain's first marriage, doesn't it?

[LynneSin]

3. SHE'S DANIELLE QUAYLE

:woohoo:

[Eurobabe]

13. but she went to college in Idaho, so she can spell potato.

[Bette Noir]

166. David Gregory called her that on MSNBC today.

[digidigido]

188. McCain just did a McGovern, she's the worst choice for VP since Thomas Eagleton

[yardwork]

4. I am surprised. I thought it would be Romney.

I didn't expect this and it frankly astounds me.

My first thought is that maybe he's having an affair with her. Really. It's that bizarre. She looks like Katherine Harris. More makeup than Cindy McCain. Talk about caked on like a trollop.


They must be planning to steal the election.

[ellie]

47. I find the whole thing alarming

Either the repukes plan on stealing the election

or

McCain has gone round the bend and doesn't give a shit. What could they possibly say about their ticket now that the experience card has been thrown out the window? Vote McCain/Palin, she eats moose meat!? She looks good in fur? She's only slightly less crazy looking than McSame? She's younger than Obama?

WTF?

[defendandprotect]

164. Yes --- I think you're closest to it ---

I always thought Lieberman was intended to be a Trojan Horse in the Gore deal ---

How could Gore not have known what Lieberman was? What did they offer Gore to take him?

Sure -- GOP still preferred to be able to STEAL the election and they did ---

but I do think there's always more than one plan --


I'm a little confused over Rove's excitment over getting Lieberman out of the McCain race,

however -- he must have thought McCain was seriously considering him --- or some group

were seriously looking to put him on . . . more likely!


I think it's also obvious that no one wants to run with McCain -- this year, especially --

as America wakes up to our 8 year nightmare ---

[Cosmocat]

106. two pathologies ...

1) ego too big to take the candidate who BY FAR gave him the best shot
2) a DISTURBING mysoginistic pathlogy that just overrode the most signficant decision of his candidacy

[chimpymustgo]

133. Who, exactly, are you referring to?

:cough:

[Teaser]

6. Skinner, why do you let Kos hog the media spotlight?

That's some nice analysis there. You should get an agent and get on the TeeVee.

[Starry Messenger]

18. Agreed!

And this is just what he threw together off the top of his head in 10 minutes. That's a little scary!

MPK

[redqueen]

7. Agreed on all points...

McCain's own VP is ... only a 72-year-old heartbeat away from the presidency.

That's the strongest one IMO... we are immersed in two wars... not to mention all the other serious challenges we face right now.

She is just not ready to handle all that.

[Norquist Nemesis]

32. Yup! It might be Beauty and the Deceased

To be honest, I think this was more Cindy's pick than anyone's. JMO. I suspect Cindy's been running this campaign more than anyone realizes and is desperate. Palin is a typical pick from Rove accolates meant to firm the base and get them...excited.

I would like to hear from Alaskans about her political (can't think of the right word here--) poise(?). IOW, how did she do in debates? As a speaker? Cons are big on style over substance. The one thing Biden might need to toe the line on is being careful so as not to be seen as attacking a woman during the debates, while being tough enough to bloody McCain. It's going to look like a daughter defending her father and he'll need to be mindful of that.

[Lisa0825]

97. LOL

:rofl:

[BearSquirrel2]

163. The situation looks like ...

The situation really looks like a frail old man and his nurse.

[savistocate]

178. YES....my FIRST thought exactly--

and she knows she's in control in their exchange -she'd be
24/7 have his ear. She is in control along with sychophants courtiers she can direct to her will.

[Vinca]

8. Dan Quayle in a dress . . .exactly. nt

[Canuckistanian]

21. Danielle Quayle, as some poster said

We'll have to see if she knows how to spell.

[george_maniakes]

10. What kind of a person is she? n/t

[DissedByBush]

179. Very independent

Even more than McCain she has no problem going against her own party.

All I can say is that I won't be as mad as I was in 2004 if we lose this one. At least these two won't be diligently following GOP orders as has been done the last almost eight years.

[genna]

218. Disagree wholeheartedly

I have been pissed 2000 and 2004.

At least I knew Cheney had some idea how government ran.

This Danielle does not know what the VP does AT ALL.

If McCain is out of his head and I don't know who his minions are, what exactly would this woman be qualified to do?

I don't trust that she would know what to do in Afghanistan, in a 9-11 situation, or a Katrina disaster.

Lack of talent does not bring me comfort or peace of mind.

[DissedByBush]

223. Experience

Of course we should not pick our president and vice president solely on the basis of experience. Note experience and talent aren't the same. There are a lot of other factors that come into play that can easily override pure experience.

Let's do an experience chart. We're picking a federal executive, head of state and commander in chief. So we have four experience factors: federal, executive, international, military. I'm counting active committee experience for international and military, so that may be a touch off since sources aren't easily available, and I don't want this to be a full research project.

Name, federal, executive, international, military:

Obama, 3, 0, 2, 0
Biden, 35, 0, 11 (I think more), 0
John McCain, 25 (don't count military or liaison time), 1 (military command), 2 (POW/MIA committee), 44 (23 in, 21 committee)
Palin, 0, 2 (don't count mayor), 0, 0

It stacks up for our side:
Federal 38 to 25
Executive 0 to 3
International 13 to 2
Military 0 to 44

Total points 51 to 74, and we get most of that from Biden's long congressional career. I don't think experience is an issue we want to bring up. We have plenty of valid issues where we come out ahead we can use.

But we come out way ahead in a chart for the VP only since that is also the President of the Senate, where Palin has 0 legislative experience (don't count city council) and Biden has 35.

[Eurobabe]

11. I think the CONS just threw this election.

Seriously.

[YDogg]

139. they don't play to lose, and neither should we.

[tigereye]

14. Dan Qualyle in a dress!

good one.

She shores up the fundie base a bit, though.

[TwilightGardener]

15. Agree with your take. I think it's a Hail Mary pass as well, and that the

GOP doesn't understand women at all--at least not Democratic women. Hillary is a unique figure in American politics, and she's married to Bill, which was part of her appeal to many older voters who thought they would be getting the experienced "twofer" back in office. No other woman could have gone as far this year as Hillary did. Palin might, in fact, provoke a backlash by women who weren't sure about Obama's experience but leaned Democratic on issues. McCrazy is really old--people want some reassurance that his VP pick can take the reins. I think he blew it.

[terrya]

16. This selection just strikes me as the ultimate in political cynicism

I agree with you entirely. I think the McCain campaign knows it's in deep shit. This choice was sheer desperation.

[davepc]

17. Hail Mary -- DEAD ON

that was my 1st thought as well.

Shes either going to slip behind the defence, or watch the ball get swatted away on the 5 yard line.

I think its a rather daring pick, McCain does have some balls, he's not playing it safe.

But wooooah nelly is it a long shot.

[glitch]

38. Hail Mary, but also someone to blame when they fail. Misogynists are like that.

Either they think a trophy female vp will allow the media to ignore another election theft a la "the puma effect", or they do intend to lose this election.

Either way they picked her for cover.

edit: or maybe both McCain and Palin are throw-aways, just a dumb show for us to watch why they implement their real game plan. What, too tinny?

[stubtoe]

90. Not tinny, not tinny at all.

I think you're onto something. Why else would they pick someone who is at high risk of getting plugged with the nickname "Mooseburger"???

[Moosepoop]

146. Well, it could have been worse!

:P

[savistocate]

182. Cover is major..Rove had big input with that McCain woman

their fraud the count scheme not complete without the cover.

Landslide and historic turnout we can get.

Troopergate has potential to flip white male voters. Palin stomps her foot and wants revenge even after he received a punishment.

[NashVegas]

19. It's All About the Marketing

I've seen several posts already about Palin's lack of experience and Democrats can't make that argument unless they want to have it thrown back at them in spades.

As a former Clinton voter who came here and told people who posted, "What do you think of Sebelius?" to fuck off, more or less, McCain's move couldn't possibly be easier to see through.

However, if the Democratic members of the media and Obama-left side of the internet speak of Palin in similar terms as they did Hillary Clinton, ie, a barrage of disparaging remarks couched in terms that particularly apply to women, all bets are off as to how loyal the female contingent will be in the voting booth.

[cliffordu]

44. That's a telling statement.

"However, if the Democratic members of the media and Obama-left side of the internet speak of Palin in similar terms as they did Hillary Clinton, ie, a barrage of disparaging remarks couched in terms that particularly apply to women, all bets are off as to how loyal the female contingent will be in the voting booth."


I've wondered why ANYONE would vote the republican ticket. Revenge is as good a reason as any I guess.

Except in this case it means your vote, the future of your country and world are being held hostage by some creeps on an internet message board.

I really don't know what to say to anyone who would trivialize what we are trying to do to that degree.

[NashVegas]

61. And It's Worth Repeating

Except in this case it means your vote, the future of your country and world are being held hostage by some creeps on an internet message board.

I really don't know what to say to anyone who would trivialize what we are trying to do to that degree.

Considering your posting history, the above translates to, "why should me and my friends have to face any consequences for being assholes?"

[cliffordu]

65. Bait, much??

But, but, but....You aren't in any position to hand out or decide consequences.


The name calling is nice, though.

[NashVegas]

66. If the Foo Shits

...

[sniffa]

84. You're just a big meanie

Look at the vote you just cost! :cry:

[cliffordu]

85. I AM the brute squad.

[Waiting For Everyman]

77. Yer kiddin', right?

The Dems sure can make the inexperience argument. There's no parallel between Obama and Palin. In fact, they don't even need to make that argument - it's obvious on its face.

[uberllama42]

150. Skinner's not advocating that we throw it in their faces

He suggests that we talk about Palin "henever the McCain campaign tries to attack Obama as inexperienced." McCain's people have neutered their primary argument against Obama; the talking point now cuts both ways. Anyone who is smart will now leave it off the table because it is deleterious to both camps.

[TexasObserver]

20. Very well said. Good analysis.

He's swinging for the fence, because a home run is the only thing that can help him.


It looks like a game ending pop fly, however. He got under the ball.

[AldebTX]

24. You are Dead On

I also think McCain will be surprised to find that most woman have brains. Those that would vote for McCain just because he has Palin on the ticket probably were not going to be voting for Obama anyway.

[old mark]

25. I believe she is big with the oil companies as well.

She obviously is a woman, showing us McCain's "progressive" side. She is also very anti-choice, and evidently had some legal problems - she was investigated for some misuse of office a while ago, but don't know much about her other than that.

The "sensitive McCain" trolling for left over Dem PUMA's.
ADDED: I read the Wiki article on her, and it states she opposed big oil on several occasions, and made them live up to environmental regs. She is a "Pro-Life Feminist", married to an Eskimo, and was indeed Miss Congeniality. She has a BA in Journalism and played the flute. She hunts.Sh comes from a working class background (teachers).
I am sure she was chosen to counter McCain's personality problems.


mark

[savistocate]

186. Not an Eskimo--just claims a %..could not be much. Look does not look any Eskimo..native American.

[old mark]

198. I see - He claims to be "part Eskimo" and he works for BP..

This choice might be even dumber than I thought.
Thanks.
mark

[cliffordu]

26. Thanks for this, Skinner. I'm glad there are cooler heads writing on this board

than I am.

I'm bookmarking this so I can regain balance and disrupt the panic trolls.

[Ichingcarpenter]

27. Women are stupid

if they vote for her...... We already know men are stupid.

She is not ready to be commander in chief, imagine the commercials
with the Experience label.

[cliffordu]

45. Hey! I resemble that remark.

[cliffordu]

46. Duped

[trueblue2007]

67. Please don't say something like that even in jest

Do NOT call women stupid. That is wrong on SO MANY LEVELS.

[CTLawGuy]

213. can you call men stupid?

NT

[tallahasseedem]

28. Thank you...

for laying it out so eloquently Skinner.

[Douglas Carpenter]

29. thank you. I think that sums it up very well

[RobertSeattle]

30. How Many Igloos does she own?

:evilgrin:

[Emit]

31. Don't forget Obama's years in the Illinois Senate

Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004

[mojowork_n]

34. Although she was "Miss Congeniality" and runner-up...

I found this post at the AOL "political machine' blog. All the words are spelled correctly, and there's a narrative thrust to the paragraph, so it's not one of the knuckle-draggers:

"Cruella De Palin", as she is known in wildlife conservation circles, has encouraged the cruel and ecologically damaging practice of aerial shooting of wolves. She couldn't wait to do this, after Bush removed them from the endangered species list. She and her cronies talked about taking the first shot.

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/08/29/sarah-palin-miss-congeneality/

[madmax]

183. Someone post the video on DU

I'm sorry I didn't bookmark or post it. :(

[savistocate]

189. Thanks for that one conservation----need larger report !!!!

[Bread and Circus]

35. I was going to say vagina, but ovaries works too...

I'm sorry but this is all a cynical ploy to get the "disgruntled Hillary vote". Will it work? I don't know. Are there enough Harriet Christians out there? I don't know.

Obama picked Biden, that means I know he has my best interests at heart. Biden is brilliant, Biden can handle the Presidency if need be.

I have no idea about Palin but I can't say that I've heard anything on par with Biden. So is Palin a gimmick selection that seems like an insult to women or is she something more?

[nichomachus]

37. What is this thing McCain has for beauty queens?

He sounds like a doddering old fool to me. What next - a pole dancer for Sec State?

[Waiting For Everyman]

83. Exactly! Well-put.

McC and Gramm think alike that way.

Every serious woman in politics will be livid.

[Bette Noir]

167. Don't talk about Condi that way!

[bushisanidiot]

40. Excellent comments, Skinner!

*shows off my new gold star* ;)

[Barack_America]

41. It's also possible that, after last night, his other choices told him "no".

Pawlenty is regarded as an up-and-coming star in the GOP.

Romney clearly wants to run again in 2012.

I'm guessing many within the GOP now see this as a losing effort and simply bowed out.

[GardeningGal]

51. I think there's more truth to that than the GOP would like to admit.

No one wants to be associated with McCain's election other than LIEberman. Rove must have finally convinced McCain to let go of that idea.

[myrna minx]

43. Excellent analysis. n/t

[AlphaCentauri]

48. This selection trash the celebrity attacks against Obama

Paris ans Britney will be laughing about this celebrity selection

[onenote]

49. You pretty much nailed it. She offers three "benefits" and one huge risk

THe benefits to McCain of Palin as his running mate?

1. She doesn't aliehate the pro life/pro gun voters (sure, some truly neanderthal voters won't like a woman, particularly one with an infant child) as VP, but those folks already wrote McCain off anyway.

2. She bolsters his "maverick" credential and plays into the "change" theme.

3. She theoretically could appeal to some disaffected Hillaryites although, again, the number of hillaryites that will be enthused by a pro-gun, pro-life candidate is probably not that great.

On the other hand, if John McCain so much as gets a cold during the campaign, he could lose this election in a landslide. The public is going to be very nervous about Palin being a heartbeat away from the oval office.

[JPZenger]

50. she made the cover of Vogue

[ProSense]

52. Palin is also a

creationist

McCain is trying to rally the wingnuts.

[nxylas]

147. Yup, and they seem to be taking the bait

The ones that don't think she should be at home baking cookies are enthused by her in a way they weren't for McCain. It's all about rallying the base.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

177. That makes her Mike Huckabee in a dress. (n/t)

[savistocate]

190. Fits with -does not believe people are cause of global warming.

[backscatter712]

53. HAIL MARY!!! Incomplete...

Sarah Quayle's gonna picked to pieces by Biden.

Already, I'm seeing "Under state investigation" on MSNBC - it won't take long before a mountain of dirt is dug up on her.

[lamp_shade]

54. YES Skinner - "Hail Mary Palin" n/t

[RobertSeattle]

55. Who knew Dan Quayle had family in Alaska?

[lamp_shade]

56. Love it, Skinner - "Hail Mary Palin" n/t

[dailykoff]

57. I think it has more to do with abortion than anything else.

Just a hunch from something a fundie colleague mentioned last night.

[carolinayellowdog]

58. Dan Quayle in a dress

That was my first thought and I logged on to see if I could be the first to say it-- you beat me to it

[Born_A_Truman]

59. Beauty & the Beast

They're trying to get the Disney vote?

[Danascot]

62. I can see she's not a horrible choice

for people who don't pay attention, like the voters who are still undecided after 8 years of Bush.

She's pretty, appealing looking, female, young, comes from modest roots, a success story, a hockey mom, a maverick, conservative, pro-life, downs-syndrome child, completely outside the beltway, familiar with energy issues, supports guns & hunting and a conservative strain of environmentalism. She's sort of a trophy VP, and a huge visual contrast to McDiseased. Also, Biden can't be too mean to her or she'll gain sympathy. Other than being completely unqualified, she has some things going for her.

[genna]

219. Unqualifed beauty contest winner. Surely her pole climbing ability has nothing to do with VP post

[Fireweed247]

63. McCain is an idiot- but Sarah Palin is a real maveric

Everyone loves her up here...except for the corrupt 'Conservatives' and that should tell us something.

(from another post)
I like Sarah. I don't agree with her on everything, but she seems like a good person and she kicked out that corrupt bastard Murkowski so I am very appreciative. She also just came up with the idea (that recently passed) to give Alaskans a piece of the huge oil revenues coming in to help pay for our excessive gas and energy prices. I know everyone has been dealing with this, but in Alaska our gas prices are the highest in the nation(still almost $5), and let me tell you our grocery prices, building supplies...reflect that. We have been hurting. And the 'Conservatives' (who love their pork from Don Young and Stevens) are all complaining about this 'handout' for no apparent reason other then they don't want to pay more in taxes.

To create a distraction from the very real and obvious corruption of Stevens and Young(who are going down this november!!!), the 'Conservatives' up here want to Impeach Sarah Palin for some stupid ass firing of some cop. The radio stations and other corporate media totally support the corrupt bastards and are after her because she is not some bought off corporate controlled idiot like they are.

[depakid]

116. So Palin secures Alaska and Idaho for McCain

The election will be won or lost in the rust belt- and the choice isn't likely to help McCain there.

My guess is that Skinner has it right- the campaign's internals aren't looking very good.

[NBachers]

152. The real story, with a little more depth & accuracy

You can find out a more detailed account of her problems in Alaska from a guy who blogs from the village where she was mayor. It's a little worse than you've indicated:

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/

[Dystopian]

161. thank you.

Interesting blog...very.


peace~

[Overseas]

64. Here's a lady for the ladies-- seems like what 73 yr old McZombie would say.

I was thinking the RNC might do something like this. The Hail Mary pass. They needed it.
Polling equal numbers of Dems and Repubs has made things look close but they aren't.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

69. Grampy's internal polls have got to be disastrous

for him to go out on a limb this weak. Joe is going to massacre this inexperienced candidate and Hillary is going to play with her like a cat with a mouse as an Obama surrogate. Real HRC supporters are going to see this selection as a slap to their faces. Hillary is a woman of great substance and accomplishment - Wellesley and Yale Law. Ms Palin brings no such gravitas to the table. Do any other DUers think that this nomination is going to motivate Hillary to campaign her tail off for Barack? I certainly do.

This is going to be a blowout election. Grampy just kissed his ass goodbye.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

70. Grampy's internal polls have got to be disastrous

for him to go out on a limb this weak. Joe is going to massacre this inexperienced candidate and Hillary is going to play with her like a cat with a mouse as an Obama surrogate. Real HRC supporters are going to see this selection as a slap to their faces. Hillary is a woman of great substance and accomplishment - Wellesley and Yale Law. Ms Palin brings no such gravitas to the table. Do any other DUers think that this nomination is going to motivate Hillary to campaign her tail off for Barack? I certainly do.

This is going to be a blowout election. Grampy just kissed his ass goodbye.

[mzmolly]

71. Very well said. She just attempted to recycle Michelle Obama's "18,000,000

cracks in the glass ceiling" line.

They're disgusting.

[NashVegas]

73. That Was Hillary Clinton's Line That Michelle Recycled

Can we at least give credit where it's due?

[mzmolly]

74. Sure, now that I know it was Hillary who said it first I'll make that clear going forward. However,

the greater point is that it was appropriate for Michelle Obama to use it in a congratulatory manner, it has been done and it is simply akward for Palin to attempt it again.

Thanks for the "polite" manner in which you pointed it out.

On edit, I found the link I was looking for.

[Kerrytravelers]

173. Michelle Obama used it in reference to Hillary's historic run. It was paying tribute.

[Fire Walk With Me]

72. Good points. And anyone else notice that gas prices are again dropping prior to an election???

Sigh.

[Waiting For Everyman]

75. It's the McGoofball and Joke ticket, and a total 'hail Mary'

I bet nobody real would run with him, after seeing Obama's firepower - except maybe Lieberman, who was unacceptable. It's like a duel between a nuke and a popgun.

She reminds me of the "Legally Blonde" character only dumber. It's totally insulting to nominate her to be a heartbeat from the Presidency. ...And after all the haranguing about Obama's qualifications!

McC has zip judgement and is senile! :rofl: At best, he's imitating the Dems, and not in the least credible way.

And I'll bet that Hillary is pretty insulted at being equated with Palin. HRC will probably work harder now, to see that Obama's elected.

[lumberjack_jeff]

76. I understand being on the bus but I think we dismiss this at our peril.

I was a Hillary supporter, and surely you of all people remember the Clinton v Obama rhetoric. There clearly is a contingent of voters out there who are going to vote for a woman, period. More to the point, that contingent could until recently be found here.

Also, the experience argument cuts two ways. We've spent significant effort demonstrating that Obama is ready despite his limited political resume'. It's very hard for us to make the case that she's unqualified because of her limited resume'. Four years in the Senate vs two years as Governor is not going to be seen as a substantive difference. If we make the inexperience argument forcefully, it comes off as a double-standard.

She's unfit primarily because she's an anti-choice creationist Republican who owes her income to BP. Her lack of experience is a secondary problem.

Our attention needs to be directed to the top of the ticket. Obama v McCain is a no-brainer. Biden v Palin is also a no brainer, but there are major potential pitfalls which have little to do with brains.

[Waiting For Everyman]

87. It only takes listening to her speak for 5 minutes.

Palin is like "Gidget".

[lumberjack_jeff]

115. I've never heard her speak, I hope you're right.

They seem to love her in the great dark north.

[NBachers]

160. Cut with the "Obama is Inexperienced" crap

I've been reading all evening about how we can't gloat over Palin's inexperience because Obama is equally inexperienced. That's bullshit.

Check this out, and use it as a basis to firm up any doubts about Obama's resume:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=182721

Palin's a Lightweight. Obama's experience vs Palin's experience ain't even a thing.

[Catherine Vincent]

78. McCain didn't have to go and choose a woman as his Veep to snatch the PUMAs.

They were republican anyways.

[noel711]

79. "Here's a vagina, girls... cast your vote!"

That's what this is...

sheer desperation marketing.
Their thinking? Hillary rallied the troops,
and now this sweet thing will benefit McCain.

So... what is it?
Are we voting on a vagina?
Is that all we want?
Someone who looks like US?

She isn't me.
No thank you.

And I can't believe she quoted HIllary.
I am so offended.

[tomg]

80. Dan Quayle in a dress. Great analysis

My wife said that McCain finally figured out how to use the internet, went to google, and did a search Republican+politician+amti-choice+Beauty Queen+oil

Makes as much sense as anything else.

[Democrats_win]

82. Deeply involved in Alaska politics. Will have 66 days experience by election.

What a mess to chose someone who has never been on the national stage. Any other Republican could have at least said they spend months going across "our great land" talking to the American people. Wrong choice: Palin. Original poster had it right: Quayle in a dress.

[Qutzupalotl]

86. Correction: Obama has 8 years statewide experience and 4 years national experience.

[Monk06]

88. Wall St is puking up blood right now at the thought of Palin being one heart attack away

From being president.

She has less experience than an office
manager for a small town law firm.

[David Zephyr]

89. McCain's pick was just weird.

It was weird. It looks weird. It is weird.

[mwb970]

91. An irresponsible choice and an insult to the voters. /nt

[BrklynLiberal]

92. Excellent anaysis. Thanks very much for your insights. They helped me alot..

"She's Dan Quayle in a dress!"

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[ehrnst]

93. Cannot wait for VP debates....(nt)

[Cha]

94. Thanks for this immediate analysis, Skinner..

This was put out by Bill Burton, as you've probably already read..

scheming daemons (1000+ posts) Fri Aug-29-08 01:23 PM
Original message

Obama Campaign response to Palin pick

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same," said Bill Burton, Obama Campaign Spokesman."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[That Is Quite Enough]

95. Thank you, Skinner, for your voice of sanity.

[EndElectoral]

96. Guess they're throwing out the "Ready to Lead" slogan!

[Cleita]

98. She also is Dick Cheney in a dress, someone who packs a gun and likes

to kill other species for fun.

[nichomachus]

102. Dick Cheney in a dress?

[Cleita]

103. OMG! I hate you! LOL

I won't be able to get that image out of my mind for a looooong time!

[Spazito]

99. Excellent analysis!

It is as if the McCain campaign fell for their own false ads, it is bizarre, imo. They really think women will jump on their bandwagon because they chose a female, full stop. They insult women of all political stripes by doing this and there will be fallout, I have no doubt.

[demokatgurrl]

100. Good post. The only thing I take issue with

is the notion that someone in their (MY) 50s is "crusty".:(

And I wish I could be as optimistic as you are about the electorate. Unfortunately I have been around long enough to not only become crusty but become convinced that half of the people who vote are blithering idiots.

[Bette Noir]

174. Yes, that squares with my observation

that half the people who vote are Republicans.

[nichomachus]

101. This is the Clarence Thomas gambit

that shows the cynicism of the GOP

"You want a (woman, black, gay, whatever)? Then, here, we've named a totally unqualified inexperienced (woman, black, gay, whatever). Now, we dare you to oppose them or vote against them."

[Proud-D]

104. First time poster LONG time lurker

but this is too good, Sarah Palin is such a kooky pick I just had to come out of the shadows. I dont know why but for some reason she reminds me of a younger version of Dolores Umbridge from the last Harry Potter movie to hit the bigscreen.

a href="http://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q285/Wisdomwalker/?action=view¤t=DoloresUmbridge.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[bagimin]

113. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Shoelace]

105. as always you are spot on Skinner

thanks and we love you!:grouphug:

[krkaufman]

107. Is anyone talking about 2 months being too little time to test her mettle?

Obama & Biden have been through numerous Presidential campaigns, and Obama's been under scrutiny for 18+ months. 2 months seems to be too little time to do a reasonable job of testing Palen's conduct under pressure.

[Jade Fox]

108. McCain as a dirty old man .....

I think this choice is a sign of desperation on the part of the GOP. I agree with most of what you say here.

One thing you missed: The sight of McCain and Palin together is likely to add to the sense many have of McCain being a creepy, dirty old man. I can see him now, condescending to her without realizing it, all the while his eyes focused on her cleavage.

Yuck. Not likely to capture the Hillary vote.

ps: "Dan Quayle in a dress..." :rofl:

[YvonneCa]

111. Your words: "I think this selection is an insult to women...

... who supported Senator Clinton." Thank you. That is EXACTLY what I think. It diminishes Senator Clinton and all women who THINK.

This is a great post, Skinner. As a woman, I especially like this paragraph:



"I suspect that there was some calculation that selecting a woman for the ticket would motivate some Democratic women who supported Senator Clinton during the primaries. Personally, I find it hard to believe that supporters of Senator Clinton would be moved by this pick. Palin is an anti-choice former beauty queen -- she has none of the experience, depth, or gravitas that Senator Clinton has. In fact, I think this selection is an insult to women who supported Senator Clinton. McCain thinks they are stupid, and that selecting any woman would be enough to win their support. It doesn't matter who it is -- as long as she has ovaries."

[femmedem]

112. Why the repeated focus on her being a former beauty queen?

I agree with most of your post, but I'm not R'ing it because that's sexist. And yes, I know beauty pageants are about as sexist as you can get. But first, there is no correlation between beauty and competence. And second, women have various reasons for entering beauty pageants. For some women it has led to meaningful careers. Lastly, next time you want to use "former beauty queen" as an insult, please read up on Heidi Voight first.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidi_Voight

[pinto]

114. And apparently McCain only first met her in March when she lobbied for more drilling in Alaska.

I doubt *he* knew much about her before then...

[Frisbee]

125. He saw what he needed to know. eom

[TexasObserver]

156. the little contact before selection is telling

very little contact means he does not know her at all

[tanyev]

117. Don't put too much trust in that wikipedia entry.

NPR: Palin's Wikipedia entry heavily edited 24 hours before VP announcement.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=6820294

[LonelyLRLiberal]

176. Wikipedia links to a 2006 Anchorage News Q&A where she calls for a plan to withdraw troops from Iraq

http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/510378.html

This was in her race for Governor. I guess now she has changed her mind and is okay with McIdiot's position(s) on Iraq?

[Zavulon]

118. Regarding your last paragraph,

there's the crux of it right there. I believe that if Obama had gone with Hillary or any other female, McCain would have picked a male. Your first sentence in this paragraph implies that this was only part of the decision, but your last sentence - the one I believe is spot on - applies not to potential voters, but to McCain's choice (in other words, he was going to pick someone with ovaries as soon as he learned that Obama didn't). I honestly believe he's dumb enough to think Hillary's supporters are going to flock to him. This is in fact the "Hail Sarah" pass you alluded to, because without Hillary's supporters flocking to him he loses.

I used to be a Republican and still have Republican friends, so I might get to talk to these folks more than many here do. The ones I talk to the most, the guys I've been in the same fantasy football league with since 1994, all say the same thing: "McCain opposed tax cuts, wants more gun control and is soft on illegals. Why the fuck should I vote at all? At least if Obama wins we'll have someone to blame."

McCain has no chance, and his pick shows it. Good analysis, and thanks for posting it.

[Kaleko]

120. No, no, you got it all wrong, everyone.

This is just another oopsie gaffe by McCain!!! He actually wanted Michael Palin. Here he is, showing the chutzpa and initiative we want to see in a leader:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhJQp-q1Y1s

[Blondiegrrl]

184. LOL ... I'm glad you brought that up.

Every time I see "Mayor Palin," I read it as "Michael Palin" and I do a double take.

Great clip, BTW. :headbang:

[JustAnotherGen]

121. Skinner

Great post . . . but I have a huge fear.

My greatest fear is that this election of issues is going to become an election of:
Abortion
God
Creationism in Schools
Guns

I hope that Obama's camp IS ready. Where is the statement? They need to go hard and keep the MESSAGE on track.


I'm getting nervous because all I've heard and read today except for here and talking points memo and KOS is . . .

She's so awesome. She's pro-life. She can break the glass ceiling.

WHERE the hell is Obama? Where's Biden? Where's Plouffe? Where's Dean.

What the fuck are those guys doing?????

[brindis_desala]

122. This pick was to shore up the Repug's conservative base

and stave off Barr.

[childslibrarian]

123. Absolutely great post

I absolutely feel insulted as a woman who liked Senator Clinton. Just because she has the same equipment as me? Give it a break...

[northernlights]

124. I agree she's a hail mary pass, but

1. picking any woman will draw Hillary voters would only make sense if Palin didn't open her mouth and insult Hillary beyond belief. A young, barely educated, inexperienced woman attempting to elevate herself by trashing a woman who is 1,000 times her worth, does not endear herself to any woman (or man) with half a brain.

Palin won't woo any younger women away from Obama, and she's already done all she possibly can to drive any Hillary-holdouts back to Obama/Biden.

2. She beat out a corrupt rethug, only to find herself facing serious corruption charges, apparently with validation from some of her staff. Maverick may sound nice, but maverick from jail?

3. She has taken very risky behavior with her pregnancy, which has already been eloquently noted by some of the msm.

I swing between thinking they plan to lose and she and McCain are throwaways, or they plan to steal so she's intended to provide cover.

[Historic NY]

126. Hell, she looks like his grand-daughter than a VP, good thing she can carry the drool cup too.

[Castleman]

127. Here's a thought:

A lot of people think Hillary is going to be thrilled to watch Obama fail because she's the logical frontrunner in 2012 if he does, correct?
Putting Palin on the ticket means who exactly will be the frontrunner in 2012 if McCain fails? Romney....."Well, I'm here to tell you that if John McCain had picked a better running mate, we'd be discussing his second term right now, but I will take the Republican nomination and do my best to unseat President Obama who is the middle of four years of unprecedented prosperity and peace, but I'll do my best to fuck this country up again!"
You gotta wonder who sold McCain on her, because he's such a dimwit he never could have thought of it on his own....

[Baby Snooks]

128. But some women will vote for him to vote for her...

That is just the reality. That reality is reflected best in Texas where quite a few Democratic women vote for Kay Bailey Hutchison. Because she's "one of them." She is indeed.

[Myrina]

129. Spot on, Skinner - and it says volumes about McCain's lack of judgement

"... I think this selection is an insult to women who supported Senator Clinton. McCain thinks they are stupid, and that selecting any woman would be enough to win their support. It doesn't matter who it is -- as long as she has ovaries..."


McCain is doing Obama's work for him at this point. :applause:

[susu369]

130. Cindy, dear

you better keep Gramps on a short leash.

:evilgrin:

[JTG of the PRB]

131. Yes, sir! K & R!

You nailed it! :applause:

[Number23]

132. "In fact, I think this selection is an insult to women who supported Senator Clinton."

That sound you hear is the hammer hitting the nail on its FREAKING head.

:applause:

The ultra-conservative Freeper types and racist "Hillary supporters" who just can't bring themselves to support Obama will eat Palin up with a spoon. Pro-choice supporters and independent-minded Republicans will continue to flock to Obama.

[bagrman]

134. This just proves Mc Sain ain't and he's set up to be the fall guy.

[harun]

135. I think you are right on.

[Major Hogwash]

136. McCain chose Palin so he could make GOP history, first woman on the GOP ticket.

Safe choice, because she won't have to give up her job as Governor and McCain has nothing to lose when he gets beat either.

If McCain had of chosen a Republican woman of some stature, say like Liddy Dole or Hay Bailer Hutchinson, it would have gotten a lot more respect for his choice.

But, Palin has NO foreign affairs experience at all whatsoever.

So, McCain just pulled the plug on his own chances.

I talked to a couple of hardcore Republicans today and they were not amused.
They think, just like the Romney staff thinks, that McCain has been stringing them along for the last 6 months - for nothing!!!

McCain was the Repblican nominee clear back in April - he has had 6 months to chose a running mate, and this is his first decision?
He blew it, and I mean, he blew it big time.

Conservatives are not thrilled about their chances this fall to begin with.
Nominating a no-name running mate is not going to help, considering they are running against Obama and Biden.

Joe Biden may talk a lot, but he is well-known, and he has a lot more stature than Palin has.

[TexasObserver]

157. It's telling because it fits with McCain's ridiculous "Maverick" self image.

This guy rolled over on his OWN agenda early this year as a condition for getting the nomination. He rolled over on immigration, campaign finance, and other issues he has long held.

This pick for VP is all McCain. He thinks he's clever, and this is the kind gimmick that strikes him as clever.

[Major Hogwash]

168. McCain knows he is going to lose like Mondale did in 1984, so he wants to be remembered for

making history in the Republican party.

Unfortunately for McCain, the Republican party is on life support because of George "AWOL" Bush, whom McCain supported 90% of the time these last 4 years.

So, McCain and Palin will get their pictures in the GOP book, and in the history books, as the last two losers for the Republican party, just before it was pronounced dead!!!!

[TankLV]

137. Pandering. That's simply what it is. And a BIG miscalcalculation.

mcINSANE blew it BIGTIME.

IF there are any democratic women considering voting for this cretin - they are deluding themselves and US to INSULT US to believing they are Democrats at all - they aren't.

This will not only not make any self-proclaimed Democratic Women vote for mcINSANE, but will literally DRIVE them back into the fold to support OUR ticket in November...

[Major Hogwash]

169. That is the new symbol for what is left of the GOP party - a pander bear!!!

Someone should photoshop McCain's head onto a stuffed Panda bear - they're both near extinction!!!

[invictus]

138. K&R

[avrdream]

140. Speaking as a Clinton supporter:

The selection of Palin doesn't change things much. BUT, it WILL pull in the REPUBLICAN women voters and their numbers are quite significant.

Dan Quayle in a dress is a bit much, Skinner. Have some manners. Nobody deserves that description.

[genna]

221. Deserves is a stretch. An idiot is still a below average pick. Republican women will be insulted

[Arkansas Granny]

141. This is most assuredly an insult to women who supported Senator Clinton.

It is the classic bait and switch. Instead of the qualified, experienced woman that we supported, we are being offered a lesser model with fewer features. It only proves how shallow they believe women to be.

[Major Hogwash]

170. Hell, it's an insult to men who supported McCain!!!! The Repubs here were furious about this pick.

They were talking about it on the radio here all day long.
Nobody knew she was, all they could do was repeat the talking points that they had heard someone else say about her.

Rush Limbaugh is going to have a heart attack trying to defend this pick of McCain's!!!!

Seriously, do those misogynist Republican listeners of Rush Limbaugh's think that she could step up and be the CIC if McCain somehow, unfortunately, suddenly died while sitting in the White House?

He's 72 years old and has had several bouts with cancer, so his health is an issue in this campaign.

It would be like letting the taxi driver that takes you from the airport be McCain's vice president!!
Hell, they listen to the radio and know more about foreign policy than Palin does!!!

Biden is going to have to show her a map of all of the countries that we have been dealing with for the last 20 years during the debates in order to debate her!!
She's clueless, in Alaska!!!

[Top Cat]

142. Thanks for breaking it down.....You are on point

[mhatrw]

143. My initial analysis exactly.

So, of course, I must recommend.

[Kahuna]

148. I believe that McCain's internal polling has to be either very troubling

of very good. It is likely very troubling. He may find himself swapping his advantage with men to gain an advantage with women. I think this is a gamble that will backfire. I'm almost prepared to start popping corks.

[onehandle]

151. Reach for a loser star.

She'll get a book deal out of this run. Good for her. It's the American way.

A loser star.

[emilyg]

154. Dan Quayle in a dress

You ruined an otherwise good post.

[DallasNE]

155. That Is A Pretty Fair Summary Given What Little We Actually Know Right Now

While she looks as not ready as Dan "Potatoe" Quayle, I don't care for the "Dan Quayle in dress" comment. Like you, I think the private polling is providing very different results than the public polls shoved down our throats. I do give McCain points for being bold. I take those points back on judgement (or lack thereof).

Palin is pretty hard to pigeonhold. She has a populist streak that is appealing. Her style is that of a bull in a China shop. She takes no prisoners either. Two hot-headed people heading up the Republican ticket. That should sway some undecided voters. It leaves me cold.

[minnesota_liberal]

158. Choice of Palin meant to appeal to McCain's #2 demographic weakness

That weakness, of course, is female voters who favor Obama over McCain by a huge margin and are a sizable group.

RepubliCons have found it difficult and expensive to address McCain's #1 demographic weakness - voters who refuse to drink the Kool-Aid - so selecting a woman as his VP probably made sense to the McCain camp's team of poll-watching bean counters.

Fortunately, Palin adds little to the McCain ticket besides shirts that button from the opposite side from his. Her legislative experience is unimpressive and she does nothing to remedy McCain's weakness on economics.

Know-nothing voters already favor McCain, so the choice of Palin adds nothing.

Consider it a gift to liberals and progressives.

[Hubert Flottz]

162. I'm thinking that there could be far more than meets the eye here.

Like maybe rewarding this lady for the huge EXXON court case that she may have or may not have pulled some strings in.

We suspect that she may have pulled some strings to get some state troopers fired. How much string pulling may she have had a hand in?

Time will tell I guess, but we are running out of time.

[fascisthunter]

171. Pay to Play... the Republican Way... they Don't Believe in Real Democracy

it's why it's so common and easy to cheat. THose who respect a process, play by that processes rules.

[Hubert Flottz]

197. "fascisthunter"

I'll bet the hunting is great. Better than we ever dreamed it would get in the USA. Hitler will never die as long as the neoNAZIS and neoCONS are ready willing and able to carry the fascist banner.

The Goose Steppers are all lined up like ducks in a row at the pub convention and ready to Goose Step with Jon and the beauty queen. "Purdy" is is "purdy" does. What's on the inside of the NeoQueen don't look very pretty...inside looks ugly to the bone. Ugly to the bone has gravitated to the Twin Cities.

I hope they're ready to Goose Step to Gustav. Maybe The Dobs-o-fascist can pray their troubles away...

[fulllib]

172. Can anyone say - Harriet Myers? (1st post!)

Posted by fulllib - lurker for most of the year, happy to join!

I was concerned at first when I heard this while at work. McCain chose a woman, well played.

But since I got home, digging around, all I can think is- Harriet Myers! A person that can masquerade as positive at first, but as it settles in, it becomes more ludicrous, until it explodes.

In fact, Jonathan Alter nearly made me feel bad for her:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/156258/?GT1=43002

The more face time she gets this week at the convention, the more Americans are going to be confounded. She will remind them more of their local PTA leader, not someone for national politics.

Of course, her husband race snowmobiles, so she must be qualified. . .

[Lochloosa]

206. Welcome to DU fulllib

:toast:

[AllyCat]

175. "She's Dan Quayle in a dress!" Seriously, that's who came to mind for me

But Quayle got elected along with Bush I. We cannot let up just because the Repukes are idiots. Aren't the Fundies wild about her? I figured that played into it. Nice post.

[greyghost]

181. Spot on Skinner, spot on.

[proReality]

185. Or they're deliberately trying to lose the election so they can

blame everything that has gone wrong, and will go wrong, on the Democrats, hoping to win in 2012.

[Grinchie]

187. This is the signal to the intelligent Donors that it's time to stop donating to the Republicans

The McCain campaign has been the dance of the dead for a long time now, but thay needed to raise cash from the idiots that would give.

Palin is a signal that they have basically surrendered the race, but Republicans should feel free to give so the Repug can fight Obama good and hard when he's elected.

Face it, Saakashvili attacked South Ossetia about a month early, so the October surprise has fizzled. Would Romney, Huckabee or even Lieberman want to step near the republicans right now? Not a chance.

Palin is getting some free publicity = If she withstands the scrutiny without becoming tainted, she may be something to see in 2012.

[savistocate]

191. She is PALIN comparison to Hillary -what a joke

she'd get Hil's voters.

[L. Coyote]

192. "I'll have to rely on the Sarah Palin Wikipedia page" ROFLMAO

Sarah Palin wrote the Sarah Palin page, de facto it seems, complete with getting up at 3 AM to hunt moose!

Who done it? The 30 favorable changes, starting at 8:10 in the morning, Aug. 28. Did you notice that?

LINKS to the Wkipedia modifications HERE:
Did Sarah Palin edit her Wikipedia page as of 08:10, 28 August 2008
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3881788

Otherwise, great analysis.

I will add, I suspect they know about more indictments on the way, and this is the ONLY way
McCain could find to disassociate himself from his own club, the Corrupt Bastards Party.

This is damage control, to overcome the one issue that was going to sink the whole ship!

[elzenmahn]

193. This looks like...

...a punt to me.

The RepubliCANTS, I think, are effectively writing off 2008, and are already planning for 2012. Why would the RepubliCANTS want to put a more-qualified woman like Kay Bailey Hutchison on the ticket when Grampy's ship is taking in barrels of water? (And the ONLY things keeping the good ship USS Grampaw McSaime afloat are the water carriers at the networks and the AP - let's see how long that lasts before they decide to jump out to save themselves!) Why would Hutchison, or Susan Collins, even be interested in the VP slot knowing the situation McGramps is in? McGrampy and the RepubliCANTS, after seeing the well-oiled, well-organized Dem convention chock-a-block with out-of-the-park speeches and a tape-measure grand-slam from Obama (not to mention the HUGE bounce in the Gallup daily tracking poll and the HUGE TV ratings, which were apparently better or at least comparable with the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics), know that the jig is up - they're done.

[CarbonDate]

196. I see KBH thrown around....

...but if McCain really wanted to make a splash, he could have chosen our current Secretary of State. Both KBH and Condi are light-years more qualified than Palin. This is a serious "why"?

[IamyourTVandIownyou]

199. McCain / Falin 2008

fail fail fail.

[Norrin Radd]

201. They want to lose. It was a dumb move.

They could get away with this stuff in '88 with Quayle because the public didn't have the ease of access to info like we do now with the web. Palin has been scrutinized every which way on day one.

[Eugenian]

202. A third possibility

is that "the McCain camp" didn't select her -- McCain offered it to her on a whim, before his handlers had a chance to talk him out of it.

[bushmeister0]

203. "McCain thinks . . . (women) . . . are stupid." A lot of them are.

That's the unfortunate fact. Never misunder-estimate the stupidity of humans, male or female.

NPR was doing its level best to show how "unbiased" they were in the lead-up to the convention, and the Hillary women they were interviewing were positively moronic. I mean, they were actually thinking they could cast their ballots for Hillary and had a chance of winning it for her. And if not . . . then they just didn't know what they'd do. Voting for Barack was not an option.

McLame has given them an option.

I trust that the Obama campaign saw her selection as a possibility, and have thoroughly prepared for it. I'll be very interested to hear their reaction

God, let's hope their Greek-pillared hubris saw this coming!

As Homer Simpson once said: "I've said it before and I'll say it again, democracy just doesn't work!"

Appeal to people's prejudices and fear and you've got a winner!

I hope I'm wrong, but based on the past 20 years or so . . . uh . . . I've got nothing.

[deutsey]

204. As a very active Dean supporter in '04, I nonetheless voted for Kerry and wanted him to win

I'm also someone who is fairly disgruntled with the Democrats in general, but they're the only viable alternative to the GOP at this time.

I don't get those Clinton supporters who can't bring themselves to vote for Obama. Sacha Millstone, a Clinton delegate, said on Democracy Now last week that while she wasn't going to vote for McCain she also couldn't vote for Obama.

AMY GOODMAN: I wanted to go back to this issue—although, Sacha Millstone, you say, “I’m not thinking about this at all”—I think this is shocking to someone like Jose Serrano, the Congress member, who a long time supported Hillary Clinton, now supporting Barack Obama, the issue of, how could you come out of the convention and then conceivably, possibly, sort of leave it open to vote for John McCain? If you could just say whether or not yet you’ve decided at this point, which clearly you haven’t, what appeals to you about him?


SACHA MILLSTONE: Absolutely nothing. I never said—


AMY GOODMAN: So, how could you vote for him?


SACHA MILLSTONE: I never said I would. I never said that I was considering voting for John McCain. The question is, am I going to vote for Barack Obama?


AMY GOODMAN: Who else might you vote for?


SACHA MILLSTONE: There are choices. I mean, there are other choices. And there’s also a choice to not cast a vote or to write in Hillary’s name. I mean, there are choices that I have and that other people have.


AMY GOODMAN: Ralph Nader is actually holding a rally today in Denver. Cynthia McKinney has been speaking all over Denver, the Green Party candidate. Ralph Nader, independent. Are they possibilities for you?


SACHA MILLSTONE: For me, I truly—I’m not even thinking about those kinds of issues right now. But I just—I just feel that the process that we’ve gone through has been so unusual and so flawed that it makes it very hard for me to, you know, feel completely comfortable at this moment.

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/8/27/narrowing_the_obama_clinton_divide_a

:wtf:

So with that kind of muddled thinking (which I hope is not typical of Clinton supporters), I can't say I disagree with you entirely. :evilfrown:

[Lochloosa]

205. Well said, but I have to disagree on some wording.

She has not been a Governor for TWO years. It's been 20 MONTHS.

I don't like giving her credit for the four months.

[smoogatz]

207. It's all about turning out the fundies, IMO.

And purging black voters in battleground states. It's how they won the last two elections, so maybe it'll work this time, too.

[Sancho]

209. One thing that continues to be missing for Palin as a choice...

I believe that Hillary was attracting "uninformed" (as Skinner puts it ) GOP and independent women who wanted someone to break the glass ceiling. The GOP likely is trying to get them back, not just attract the Democratic women who will go with Obama even if they originally wanted Hillary.

[sandyj999]

210. She is Being Used.

I believe he had a list and she came closest to fitting the list. Big adjustment for the whole family if they were to win or once again be chosen. And for any Hillary voters that still aren't over it, shame on you if you vote for him because of her. Makes me embarrassed to be a member of the gender. Use your brain ladies!

[hexola]

211. I hope it doesnt undercut Obamas experience cred...

I think they are trying to equate her experience with Obamas - and make McCain look like the "experienced one"

Not sure it will have that effect...

[cboy4]

212. Look at all of the people sucking up to you skinner.

;)

[RareAvis]

214. I agree

I agree with most everything said above.

I do find it insulting that the republican's chose a women to run who is not qualified for the job.

I have worked damn hard in my career, harder often than my male counterparts, for recognition and responsiblity. All this at a lesser percentage of pay than male co-workers.

In typcial republican arrogance, they think that putting a women who lacks the background to lead, in the oval office, shatters the glass ceiling..

This feels like tokenism to me... a there there dear, see we have elevated women to equals after all... I haven't heard ANY reports of Palin speaking about issues of equality.

A typical lobotimized republican women who is happy to walk behind her man.

The scary thing is she most likely does not get it herself

If by some freak of nature they get elected, I think the women of this country should demand that she take 67% of the pay and donate the rest to EMILY's list or some other organization that WORKS for women.

[nightrain]

215. really disturbing that McCain couldn't pick someone with more

leadership experience. I mean really, is there no more qualified Republican in the House or Senate? Sad, and rather telling about the desperation of the Republicans. Gees, even Kay Bailey Hutchison has more of a track record!

Looking forward to Biden and her debate. She has a lot of homework to do!

[Strato222]

216. Bigger Plan???

I sorry. These people are not stupid. I just can't see Palin making to the VP debate, which leads me to believe she's part of a bigger plan. My thought is that the repubs plan on using the predictable flurry of sound and video of the democrat's attacking Palin's experience against Obama when suddenly she has to relinquish her VP candidacy for a family issue or something "noble". One of the repub retreads jumps in, now armed with a whole library of ammunition to use Against Obama.

Is this nuts?

[ChazII]

217. Skinner, thanks for the link.

It is now bookmarked.

[The Hope Mobile]

222. I think this is the perfect reminder to the general public of how unstable/unpredictable he is

and how this is all about him and his need for recognition. His VP choice matters so litle to him that he only met her once, liked what he SAW (more than anything) and decided he wouldn't mind having her hang around. Why is he so desperate to have pretty women around him? Again, its all about him and how others perceive him. He thinks he is perceived as more of a man if he can get their attention. But they're all just tokens. Palin's attractiveness is critical to him . . . and he would dump her like he dumped his first wife if she lost it.

[savistocate]

225. McCant define "honor" but can always find a 'babe' ,

a 'bitch' real straight.

[Starry Messenger]

224. Damn.

I just vowed to put all Palin threads on hide...and found your admin hole card. Can't hide threads from admins! Damn you Skinner!

(shakes impotent little fist)

MPK