The Guardian's response to the selection of Palin; or; why I think celebration is premature.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

The Guardian, for those who don't know it, is one of the two mainstream left-wing papers here in the UK. It clearly things that Palin is a very good strategic choice on McCain's part, and I'm afraid I agree - I'm severly worried.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/29/uselections2008.johnmccain1

Republican presidential nominee John McCain today selected Alaska governor Sarah Palin, a relative political novice, as his vice-presidential running mate.

The move is a bold play for the potentially millions of disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters who yearn to vote for a woman candidate in the November election and who have remained impervious to Democratic pleas for party unity.

etc (I don't want to post more than four paragraphs; the real meat is further down).

[GodlessBiker]

1. "Yearn to vote for a woman candidate." Anyone? How about Eva Braun? Do policies matter at all?

[kdmorris]

7. Policies are all the matter to me.

I would dearly love to see a woman become President, but it can't just be any woman. As you said, Eva Braun wouldn't get my vote. I wasn't too fond of Hilary Clinton, either, as she was too corporatist for me.

Ann Richards... now SHE would have made a wonderful President(IMO)...may she rest in peace.

I think it's really stupid to vote for anyone based on some characteristic like looks, gender, race, etc. The policies ALWAYS have to come first and it's just icing on the cake if they happen to meet the other characteristics, too (like gender or race).

It's exciting to think that we are on the verge of having the first African American president, ever. But I'm not voting for Obama because he's African American. I'm voting for him because McCain is going to to destroy what is left of our country if he becomes President.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

9. When it comes to a running mate, electability is what matters, I think.

I don't care much what Palin's positions on the issues are, except inasmuch as they contribute to whether or not she helps John McCain win the election.

[Alhena]

2. She's superficially attractive as a candidate, but won't wear well IMO

[vanlassie]

3. Millions of Hilary supporters- were Democrats first and no way are they

going to vote for a "staunch conservative." The Guardian is out of touch with us on this one.

[woo me with science]

4. I don't get the argument. She is supposed to attract Hillary voters??????

Right wing, anti-abortion?

It is just because she is a woman that she is supposed to attract these voters? Did they even KNOW Hillary?????

[seabeyond]

5. except there isnt "potentially millions of disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters "

so the very basis of his argument is not

[radfringe]

6. palin is dan quayle in heels....

looks like mccain and gopers think women are stupid enough to vote for any woman

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. I agree. I think we're whistling in the dark.

The strategy we thought we had with the selection of Biden will have to be reworked.

Now I wish Obama had selected Hillary.

[leftchick]

10. she is a RABID ProLifer

how many Hill supporters will go for that?

[Pithlet]

11. Given that I think the whole PUMA crap was way overblown by the Repubs

I think the Guardian is wrong. And a left wing paper can't be wrong? I seriously don't believe we're in danger of losing a significant portion of our own voters over this. That's assuming that a huge number of Dem women voters are dumb. I do think that's what partly motivated the choice, though. I just don't think it will work to the degree they think it will.

I think this announcement will probably give his numbers a bounce, but the fact she comes with a ready made scandal will hurt him overal. It weakens his attacks against Obama for his inexperience. I think this choice might put off some of his base. It's a decent choice compared to what his options were. I really don't think it changes much.

[Iggo]

12. So now Clinton supporters are idiots?

They only supported Clinton because they "yearn to vote for a woman candidate."

Wow. That's kind of insulting, no?

[Lorien]

13. "In addition, she was a runner-up to the Miss Alaska beauty pageant."

Yeah, there's some qualifications for you. :eyes:

[buddhamama]

14. Palin is no Hillary Clinton

Women are not going to vote for Palin simply because she is a woman.

I personally do not understand how any self-respecting woman could vote for a man, let alone be on the same ticket as him, who does not support Pay Equity. McCain does not believe in equality. He does believe Palin is his equal.
His reasons for choosing Palin are transparent, and will ultimately fail.