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McCain selects Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for VP


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From NBC's Domenico Montanaro

The pick of Sarah Palin caught almost everyone by surprise. Most signs last night seemed to point to Pawlenty, but McCain camp proved it can keep a secret REALLY well.

 

This was a bold move in this historic election, and a play for those Clinton supporters. Palin is a social conservative, and her views on abortion won't play well with most Democratic women. But this election has been a case study in identity politics. We'll see if she peels away some women.

 

The potential to grab some of those women voters is perhaps the best asset Palin brings to a McCain ticket. She also reinforces McCain's maverick image. She bucked her own party, launching an ethics investigation into the state party chairman with regard to his dealings with oil companies in the state. And being from Alaska, she's the ultimate outsider. She also also reinforces McCain's drilling message -- though she's for drilling in ANWR; McCain is not. She also represents the next generation of Republican leaders -- she's a fresh face.

 

But there are some potential pitfalls as well. Palin is currently under legislative investigation herself, accused of firing the state's public safety commissioner for not firing her former brother-in-law.

 

"A legislative panel has launched a $100,000 investigation to determine if Palin dismissed Alaska's public safety commissioner because he would not fire the trooper, Mike Wooten," the AP wrote earlier this month. "Wooten went through a messy divorce from Palin's sister. Palin has denied the commissioner's dismissal had anything to do with her former brother-in-law. And she denied orchestrating the dozens of telephone calls made by her husband and members of her administration to Wooten's bosses. Palin said she welcomes the investigation: 'Hold me accountable.'"

 

Although she's not linked to them, Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young are facing legal/ethical troubles. In fact, Stevens' trial will start in late September, so the Alaska Republican Party is a mess. And Palin's trooper trouble could play into that.

 

It will be interesting to see which story line catches on: "Palin, the reformer/maverick", or "Palin, under investigation?"

 

Ironically, Republicans have hit Obama on not being ready to be president, not ready to be commander in chief, because of his limited national experience. But Palin has only been governor of Alaska for less than two years and will surely face questions of whether she would be ready to step in as president. Of course, Republicans will point out that the difference is McCain and his experience are at the TOP of the ticket.

 

Additionally, it's not clear she would give any geographical advantage. Alaska has been solidly red -- it's only gone Democratic once (1964) since it became a state. Does she help in the West? It's not clear.

 

On the issues, she is anti-abortion rights and is a hunter and fisher. In fact, she's a card-carrying lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

 

The 44-year-old, Idaho-born Palin is Alaska's first woman governor and the state's youngest governor as well. Palin, a graduate of the University of Idaho (majored in political science and journalism), was elected mayor of the town of Wasilla when she was 32. After she lost a bid to be lieutenant governor in 2002 -- by less than 2,000 votes, raising her statewide profile -- she went into the private sector, becoming chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

 

Before getting into politics, she help run her husband's family commercial fishing business, according to the Almanac of American Politics. She also did work as a TV sports reporter.

 

She was described by the Anchorage Press as "a small-town, angel-faced mother of four, an avid hunter and a fisher with a killer smile who wears designer glasses and heels, and hair like modern sculpture, who's taking it to the boys every so softly."

 

On the personal side, she played high school basketball and her team won the state championship in 1982. She was nicknamed "Sarah Barracuda." According to the Almanac, she was Miss Wasilla in 1984 and competed in the Miss Alaska contest. She eloped with her high school boyfriend.

 

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/200...29/1304605.aspx

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Great choice for McCain. Finally a hot president....

 

j/k

 

Based on the intelligence of American voters I think McCain might win with her... A really good choice to take woman's votes away from Obama and portray himself as a change agent... Other than having a female VP he doesn't have many changes in store at all... I have to say this is a great move for McCain once again...

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It's great for Obama, and awful for McCain. If he wanted a woman, she should've picked one that had some experience. This negates any inexperience claims the republicans have on Obama. Biden will rip her apart in the October 2nd debate, I can't wait.

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A really good choice to take woman's votes away from Obama and portray himself as a change agent...

I think most people vote based on issues (one of them not being whether or not the VP has breasts :rolleyes: ). It really didn't matter to me who McCain picked, he wasn't getting my vote anyway.

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The same people who reelected Bush dispite Guantanamo, Iraq and the patriot act are voting in this election. Lots of swing voters vote based on gut feelings or single vote issues...

 

Lots of democrats are switching to McCain...

 

Alessandro17, you don't live in the US so you get a pass but since winning the nomination Obama has been in a downward spiral of popularity... He has angered many of his own supporters and turned away many more... And John McCain has been doing better especially now with a good choice for VP.. Really makes McCain look better. McCain and a 44 year old are 100x better than McCain and say Fred Thompson...

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I am saying this as a public service announcement to everyone!!!

 

Do not vote based upon sex, race, political affiliation, looks, family pressure, etc., etc., etc. Please sit down, and do your research. Make a list that is composed of issues that you feel you are affected by and care about. Put one nominee on the left, and one on the right. Give a check to that candidate who shares your view or feeling about that issue and move on to the next. Tally up the checks, and the nominee with the most checks get your vote. Again, please do your research.

 

People voting based upon political affiliation, pressure, or not wanting to break the flow of the crowd is what hinders the progress of this great country of ours.

 

Basically, please vote and please vote wisely. The future is literally in your hands...

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I am saying this as a public service announcement to everyone!!!

 

Do not vote based upon sex, race, political affiliation, looks, family pressure, etc., etc., etc. Please sit down, and do your research. Make a list that is composed of issues that you feel you are affected by and care about. Put one nominee on the left, and one on the right. Give a check to that candidate who shares your view or feeling about that issue and move on to the next. Tally up the checks, and the nominee with the most checks get your vote. Again, please do your research.

 

People voting based upon political affiliation, pressure, or not wanting to break the flow of the crowd is what hinders the progress of this great country of ours.

 

Basically, please vote and please vote wisely. The future is literally in your hands...

 

+1 Great post.

 

Seems like my vote is going to Bob Barr, personally. McCain's choice of Palin for VP only makes him very slightly more appealing (not that there's much appeal to speak of). And Obama doesn't do anything for me at all. I don't want bigger government, which both Obama and McCain are proposing

 

So yes, Bob Barr 2008

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HOW TO PICK A REPUBLICAN VP CANDIDATE:

 

1, See what people want:

 

ie. Hillary supporters want a woman, someone young to balance out McCain's age, someone with proper neo-con credentials to balance out McCain's liberalism, someone attractive to pick up the male idiot vote.

 

2, See what the party want:

 

(spoiler - the party 'want' whatever the people want, skip this one)

 

3, The ideal candidate will have next to no experience/real political weight.

 

 

Seriously, this is an election? The American electoral system is screwed. Conventions in football stadiums? VP candidates chosen from checklists? What the hell?

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I'd be all for voting for Bobb Barr - but thats throwing your vote away. If I cared at all about personal liberties I would vote Obama over McCain... Guantanamo and the Patriot Act are permanent stains in Americas shirt...

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Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:

 

She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.1

Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.2

She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3

Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.4

She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.5

She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.6

How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.7

 

1. "Sarah Palin," Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008

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

 

2. "McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate," NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=136...ZIrAwVx&t=1

 

3. "Sarah Palin, Buchananite," The Nation, August 29, 2008

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=136...ZIrAwVx&t=2

 

4. "'Creation science' enters the race," Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=136...ZIrAwVx&t=3

 

5. "Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science," Huffington Post, August 29, 2008

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=136...ZIrAwVx&t=4

 

6. "McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy," Sierra Club, August 29, 2008

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=136...ZIrAwVx&t=5

 

"Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past," League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=136...ZIrAwVx&t=6

 

"Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor," The Times of London, May 23, 2008

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=136...ZIrAwVx&t=7

 

7 "McCain met Palin once before yesterday," MSNBC, August 29, 2008

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=136...ZIrAwVx&t=8

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oh god I just had the scariest thought....

 

McCain is old, like really old. This clearly insane woman could become the leader of the free world...... If the Tories get into office here as well, I'm going to have to go find a rock to go hide under

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oh god I just had the scariest thought....

 

McCain is old, like really old. This clearly insane woman could become the leader of the free world...... If the Tories get into office here as well, I'm going to have to go find a rock to go hide under

 

Is this rock big enough for two?

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All I can say is that I'm glad this RNC is just about over. I live just across the river from the Xcel center in St. Paul, and all the damn bridges keep getting shut down in attempts to block protesters (some of the more disruptive ones want to get from here to here) from getting close. Problem? I have to go about 5 miles out of the way to get anywhere!

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It's great for Obama, and awful for McCain. If he wanted a woman, she should've picked one that had some experience. This negates any inexperience claims the republicans have on Obama. Biden will rip her apart in the October 2nd debate, I can't wait.

Obama has only 130 or so days more experience and he is running for President. Most of my views are Moderate but my views on abortion are rather conservative; while being logical too as abortion is logically murder with governmental and provisional consent. Logically all Pro-Choice arguments seem like some sort of belligerent denial of life and logic.

 

OBmon

†††

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Obama has only 130 or so days more experience and he is running for President. Most of my views are Moderate but my views on abortion are rather conservative; while being logical too as abortion is logically murder with governmental and provisional consent. Logically all Pro-Choice arguments seem like some sort of belligerent denial of life and logic.

 

OBmon

†††

Logically?

 

I share your views on abortion. I think it is absolutely obscene. I only marginally sympathize with its use where the physical or mental health of the mother is in jeopardy. That said, I am not prepared to forcibly impose what are clearly my personal beliefs regarding conception and human life on someone else. The risks are too great and I do believe we must all be free to follow the dictates of our own conscience. I don't necessarily agree with the logic employed by those in favor of abortion but to dismiss it outright while demanding they not do the same to our own line of reasoning is what I would call a belligerent denial.

 

Governor Palin is unequivocally a Pro-Lifer. I applaud her choice. However, we do not live in a theocracy. We are protected by a constitution that champions the rights of individuals and not majorities. Our civic sensibilities are evolving. I have little fear she or anyone will manage to reverse the course of social liberalization that is underway. My faith and understanding of what is correct moral behavior has never depended on public consensus or legal canon. In a democracy, law is just the basic framework that allows diverse individuals with diverse ideas the freedom to live together in relative harmony. No-Choice is what governments like the Afghani Taliban offered. Pro-Choice, in my book, is the only choice... regardless which side of the issue you are. I am free in considering human life begins at fertilization and that potentialities of sentience plays no role in my belief. Others are free to draw the line later on in gestation. We will all have to live with the consequences of our choices. I am neither judge nor jury.

 

I am a social liberal but a fiscal conservative... in other words, I HAVE NO PARTY! They all suck in one way or another.

 

Things that peek my interest in Palin:

 

She returned the federal funds for "The Bridge to No-Where" and sold the gubernatorial plane on eBay. She didn't have to do it. No one asked that she do it. But she did.

 

That town she was mayor of... her administration revamped and balanced the budget. Granted, it was only a budget of under $13 million but hey. She's fiscally responsible and believes in small government.

 

She's made a lot of enemies among the good old boy Republicans of Alaska AND she is known for speaking her mind and being tough of corruption.

 

She extended benefits to the same sex partners of state employees. She's did this even though she holds very conservative views regarding homosexuality.

 

I also like the fact she is new to politics. I think "experience" is highly overrated these days. Washington DC is chuck full of "experienced" politicians and look at where that's gotten us. How about people who can think for themselves and make decisions based on principle instead of political expedience or compromise?

 

I'm not saying she's a saint or that I know much about her. I'm just saying there are some intriguing things about her that warrant a closer look. There are still many unanswered questions. In my universe, I think I would prefer Obama's foreign policy coupled with McCain's domestic agenda. And I do say, "prefer" and not "100% totally agree!"

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Here's something I've been working on, and I want to know what you all think, even the people who I never agree with:

 

This guy I work with is telling me that Palin is clearly a sign that the election is fixed. Sarah Palin is obviously chosen so that McCain will lose while making it look good. I'm having a hard time buying this (and it's not really the point of this anyway), but here's his reasoning on why she's such a poor choice:

 

[my point]She's not fully vetted. How could they have found so many skeletons in her closet? If this much garbage has surfaced in so little time, and she has so little mainstream political experience behind her, then they must not be trying really hard. This is the RNC! They certainly can dig up someone with fewer skeletons in the closet than Sarah Paliln! Can't they?

 

Anyway, here's what's occurred to me, and I'm putting it out there so that you guys can correct me if I'm wrong: Is she that much worse than Obama? Think about it: Obama has that building-bomber, Rev. Wright, dirty Chicago politics, etc. Palin has a child with a bun in the oven, that connection (was it ever fully explained?) to the secessionist party, etc.

 

Is she really as bad as they say? Is all this gonna just blow over, like it (sort of) has with Obama? Was she not vetted enough? [/my point]

 

I don't want to discuss whether or not McCain is throwing the election and trying to make it look good, at least not in this thread. If someone wants to start another one, I'll be happy to read it and even chime in.

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I am saying this as a public service announcement to everyone!!!

 

Do not vote based upon sex, race, political affiliation, looks, family pressure, etc., etc., etc. Please sit down, and do your research. Make a list that is composed of issues that you feel you are affected by and care about. Put one nominee on the left, and one on the right. Give a check to that candidate who shares your view or feeling about that issue and move on to the next. Tally up the checks, and the nominee with the most checks get your vote. Again, please do your research.

 

People voting based upon political affiliation, pressure, or not wanting to break the flow of the crowd is what hinders the progress of this great country of ours.

 

Basically, please vote and please vote wisely. The future is literally in your hands...

 

5/10, because I agree with it but it didn't make me laugh.

 

BTW, doesn't Palin remind anyone else of Karen Walker?

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