Obama's bounce from picking the only guy in the senate older than McCain: ZERO

McCain's bounce from picking a woman: Hillary's 18 million pissed off dems.

Charles Krauthammer is skeptical that she'll be a better pick than Thompson or another "safe choice" on a interview this morning on FOX. I hope Palin as been vetted well because the lefty MSM attack dogs are in high gear now. I like the choice, McCain is reshaping the face of the Republican party while keepng the priniples alive. Ooops, just heard on the airwaves that she's accused of "being in the pocket of big oil" already! That was fast.

I think the biggest message that the RNC will make that will resonnate with voters will be a convention without the presumptuous trappings of that shallow pompous elitist twit's. And, no Oprah who cried "her false eylashes off", her words. Gag.

"There's nothing in Wasilla except hookers and hockey players!"

"Oh Yeah? Our governess is from Wasilla!"

"Really? What position does she play?"

My first thought was that this seems initially like a clever pick.

But on second thought it becomes too obvious a ploy to pick up the "young" and "woman" vote, and smack of opportunism. More importantly, although she seems like a fine person, she is young and seemingly very inexperienced in US government, let alone on the world stage. It becomes very hard to criticize Obama on the very real issue of lack of experience (the most important one, in my mind) when you are picking a similar, or even weaker in that regard, person to be a heartbeat of a 70+ year old from the presidency.

Dunno how this will play out in the coming weeks, but I am concerned that this will not work out well.

McCain just won the electionl. Hillary voters will flood over to him; as will disgruntled conservatives.

If "experience" had anything to do with this, Barry wouldn't have even been considered. As it is, Sarah's CV is much heavier than Barry's.

Interesting choice.

So, what we now have is the Democrats with Obama, the Symbol of the not-yet-future, which - since it hasn't happened, you can fill with whatever fancy images you want....backed up by Biden who represents real actual experience.

Then, there's McCain, who represents real actual experience, as well as Palin, who also represents real actual experience. BUT - she's there to bring in the women who are angry because the Democratic Backroom Boys rejected Hillary. And to bring in the young. And the pro-life conservatives. So, I think it's a clever choice.

What is missing in McCain's team is an Economist.

Krauthammer may have opted for Fred Thompson, but I think Republians had to do something to counter the Democrat focus on The Future. And two old men may indeed be the most capable ones to set up the infrastructure for that future, but most voters won't see it that way.

a heartbeat from the presidency.

maybe the woman for prez. voters will be rolling the dice on a McCain heart attack. this may be the most calculated way of taking the top spot with a XX chromosome.

For more info on Palin check out
http://www.proudtobecanadian.ca/blog/

Waiting of course for negative spin from Canadian MSM.

ET:

Palin's rep is very anti-corruption anti-gov't spending - two things Fred was weak on. She has a little bit of econ gravitas and thus I'm hoping that JM annouces that Mitt will be his commerce sectary (and put guiliani in as Sect of state) well before the nov vote.

So how is it that someone with 2 years as Governor is more experienced than someone who was a Senator for 4 years? You guys and your spin, it amazes me.

And, who also spent 7 years in the State Senate. So in your guys eyes, 2 years is greater than 11?

I'm disappointed. When I saw "Palin" I was looking forward to this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrjJxrTQi8I

Lori - Palin has executive experience as a governor which trumps Obama's lackluster 2 year Senate record, well, for those of us that can think beyond spoonfed sound bytes. But, I agree, it's risky. I'm not so sure Hillary's angry females will vote for Palin as too many of them are typical lefties that can't define themselves and others as someone much broader than a gender or a race.

Obama's Karl Rove-lite, David Axelrod is now going to learn the very, very hard way that there are considerably more votes to be won from patrons of Dunkin' Donuts than Starbucks. Is this choice the product of opportunistic calculation? Yes, and so what? It's an election, people, not a graduate seminar!

And as for the tags that Palin is inexperienced in government and unfamiliar with the world stage, she is the only one of the four on the presidential tickets who has served in an executive office. And in experience in foreign policy, she is outclassed by Fritz Mondale, Dan Quayle, Nelson Rockefeller, and Spiro Agnew precisely how?

But what about "change you can believe in"? She defeated the corrupt Murkowski machine instead of selling her soul to the Daly machine. I'll take the proven winner over the Wii candidate any day.

I like the pick. I understand that Palin's a real conservative, more so than McCain's supposed to be.

She's a "hockey mom", I understand, making her sorta like PM Harper, himself a "hockey dad". Except she's probably got bigger boobs.

Good choice. I'd vote for and personally go for a woman like Palin. ;)

Look at the CTV website article that reports the news of Governor Palin's selection. The first third is news - McCain's announcement, a brief biography of Palin, and McCain's expected schedule.

The article then shifts into full-blown "promote Obama" mode - the bottom two-thirds of the article glows about his acceptance speech, including a quote from a CTV reporter who covered it (hello, CTV - quoting your own reporter is EDITORIALIZING, NOT NEWS!), and a detailed outline of Obama's policy promises.

Despicable, and I left a comment saying this. See if they publish it.

Peter D:

And she has owned a business and made payroll two things BO (and Biden) has never done.

It's a masterstroke I think. Krauthammer is nuts: I like Fred, but he's old hat. A masterstroke.
In pockets of big oil. Now that's a hoot.

Here she is with Kudlow

She's smart and tough. Obama's already lost election just got more lost.

Peter:

Who's running for president?

That's where experience counts and that's the difference.

As far as being in the pocket of big oil, Palin's record shows something different.

Nobody can question her integrity at actually managing a state.

I like the fact she's able to stand on her own merits and how she spoke of breaking the glass ceiling.

McCain-Palin is a ticket for change and if Palin is put in charge of trimming bureaucracy, that would be a winner among the blue-collar voter. Her husband is a union member, which takes out the Democrat agenda.

The change Obama-Byden stand for is a bigger government. That's the distinction.

Penny - agreed. Problem is Obama has had a couple of years to grow his stature. It's not what us blogheads, representing as we do approx 0.01% of the population, that counts. It's the public perception.

Palin is almost totally unknown. "hockey mom" does not sound like a good resume for VP. I suspect the MSM will be kind to her superficially, and then emphasize her lack of experience.

I am sure she is a fine and admirable woman.... but will she help the ticket, neutral, or harm it? If it's either the second or third, then this is a mistake. I just don't believe that enough women are shallow enough to change their vote just because she is a woman.

Nor am I superficial enough to endorse her just because she is a republican, when my biggest beef with Obama has been his lack of substantive record of accomplishment.

Off topic, but still chuckling over a few seconds of CNN I mistakenly saw in a motel whle travelling, in which the "analyst" was breathlessly explaining that Biden was a good choice 'cos -- wait for it -- he's up to his eyeballs in debt. I can't be positive but I thought I heard her say he had a net worth of ($300K). That's NEGATIVE $300K.

Ya see, he's a ordinary Joe!

Peter D,

You, as a leftard, think only of seniority. Time obstaining from taking a vote isn't experience.

Governors govern. Senators who don't show up for votes or obstain when they're present don't.

Real experience as a business owner trumps "experience" as a "community organizer" which is a euphamism for voter fraud with ACORN.

She's a beauty queen, a member of the NRA, she hunts moose, she fishs, she plays sports?
Forget making her VP, I want to marry her!

Lori,

A lot of people vote allow superficial things like physical appearance, race, gender, and age to influence their voting decision. I think we would agree this is not good.

But it is still a big factor. And in that regard McCain, by not following the MSM script of choosing a +50 white guy, has thrown a bit of a wrench into the Messiah's inexorable ascension to the White House.

This is a far more convincing winning item for McCain than Greek's speculation about whether Obama's stage rose or not.

I'm gonna stop calling McCain stupid right about now. He's playing to win. He made the choice I wanted him to make, and it's lightning.

If she does well in the VP role (if they win), she is well positioned to run for president in 2012/16, n'est ce pas?

CJunk:

Of course you realize that PALIN was one of the Monty Python troop don't you?

Biden time with the Obama-Nation (tm) will have them PALIN in comparison, to MCCAIN making french fries.

Cheers

Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht,Commander in Chief

Frankenstein Battalion
2nd Squadron: Ulanen-(Lancers) Regiment Großherzog Friedrich von Baden(Rheinisches) Nr.7(Saarbrucken)
Knecht Rupprecht Division
Hans Corps
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group “True North”

"She's a beauty queen, a member of the NRA, she hunts moose, she fishs, she plays sports?
Forget making her VP, I want to marry her!

Posted by: Stan at August 29, 2008 1:10 PM"

Me too, but I'd want to see pictures of her boat and her guns first...

I do not question the timing.

ROFL.

I just love the comments concerning Obama's hefty resume as an Illinois politico.

I'm from IL, that dude did absolutely NOTHING during his tenure in state office except pick up a paycheck and help out his cronies (take a good look at his voting record and at some of the projects he's been behind and the projects he or his buddies have been directly/indirectly associated with in the state -- that is if you can, as Team Obama has done a damn fine job of keeping that a secret from the public). Oh, and I'm sure his influence didn't hurt Michelle in getting her job or Tony Rezcko (someone Joe Biden has some ties with as well) from doing well in the real estate business (again, see above).
And he played a great game of race-baiting, election fixing, and power broker/status quo Chicago machine politics while serving his "beloved" state.

Nope, nope -- there's defintely no way Sarah Palin could ever hold a candle to Barack Obama in the experience department. sarc on/

Seems like a good choice to me, and provides an interesting balance in this election. Either the USA gets its first non-100% white president or it's first non-100% male vice-president.

Now let's sit back and see how well the truth gets distorted and spun by each side, post-MSM processing, resulting in another emotional US vote.

Doesn't matter to me who wins, but seems like the McCain ticket will mean more US sons killed in foreign lands, and a slower transition to a post-oil economy. I'll watch it all from the safety of my living room.

Of course you realize that PALIN was one of the Monty Python troop don't you?

And you all laughed while I was making all those Monty Python references. I was building up to something and everyone missed it.

I fart in your general direction!

Biden time with the Obama-Nation (tm) will have them PALIN in comparison, to MCCAIN making french fries.

Hans...you rock!

Palin is a great choice IMO. The moose in my area are quite nervous right now.

Sarah Palin - very impressive acceptance speech.

Good choice by McCain.

I have to think McCain made a brilliant choice.
As Governor, she has executive experience.
As a moose hunter, she will appeal to the NRA members.
As a mom, she will appeal to mothers.
As the mother of a son who is deploying to Iraq next month, she will appeal to the military and the vets.
As the mother of a Down's kid, she will appeal to those who care about children's issues.
As the wife of a union member and a hard working guy, she will appeal to Middle America.
As a pro-lifer she will appeal the the conservative Christians and Catholics.
And last but not least, she has a shot at getting those 18 million votes that Hillary won but were ultimately wasted when she lost the nomination.

God Bless John McCain and God Bless America!

I just saw a pic of the next V.P.sitting on a Harley.Game over for Obama and any chance Hillary had for the top job in the future in my humble opinion.

A couple of points.

- Don't feed the trolls.

- I like her but I too am a bit anxious on the experience issue. I'm sure McCain's team has vetted her credentials to the nth degree and that's a good thing. The Veep debate should be one for the ages: Biden, an old school, seasoned pro against Palin, an up and coming, straight shooting conservative. At least she'll have realism and reason on her side. That should make things easier.

I think that it is a good choice but not because of the HRC effect. Sarah Palin will become the perfect contrast to Obama. She is down to earth unlike Obama's hubris, from remote Alaska not the politically corrupt Chicago, no scary anti-American alliances (that Obama has so far successfully kept in the shadows)but instead has a patriotic son in Iraq. I suspect that this is just a partial list. In short, she is a person that the regular American families can relate to while Obama's weird association of the past will be haunting him.

Hillary can kiss away 2012 if McCain makes it to Prez.

Plus the lib web sites and going nuts.
Hufpo had to shut down. The cussing got out of hand. (-:

No more PANT SUITS!!!

Sitting on a Harley?
Heh...when I first saw her pix and history I thought she bore a resemblance to another well known, gun toting conservative woman named Kate.

Watch McCain introduce her. Watch the woman over McCains left shoulder.

If the reaction is genuine, no reason to believe it isnt, and she represents more than a market of one, or only GOP women, then Obama has an issue.

Watch that woman's reaction again and tell me if you think it is genuine....because it sure looked that way.

2 years as governor beats 4 years as a senator anyday. 4 yerars as governor would beat about 10 to 15 years as a senator. Senators dont "run" anything.

Nonetheless this isnt about resumes...if it was then George Bush 1 would have beaten Bill Clinton and Al Gore would have badly beaten George Bush II.

The dems are trying hard to paint and smear, if she exceeds expectations, her speech indicates whe is no shrinking violet, or alternatively a Flinty Ferraro, then the Dems have an issue.

How Biden, a guys guy, will play in the debate will be interesting. Its tough to debate women, you cant be macho and you cant be gentlemanly....it isnt easy to strike the right tone. Obama did it against Hillary, but that was a little more like debating a man anyway.

As for experience, sure it is easy to talk about experience, if you Obama wants to say it then you you are dragging down the top end of the ticket, or alternatively elevating the bottom end of the ticket.

I will say though, the chemistry between Biden and Obama (funny how the ticket probably should have been that) appears better than than the McCain/Palin chemistry. Mind you Palin just got announced. They need to find a rythmn and look....lose the spouses. But Palin defintiely has no issues being an attacker, that was clear in the speech. I think the VP debate will be the best debate.

Election will not be decided till after the second debate.

I think it is a good call on MaCain's part. Two years as governor of the country's largest state has more credibility than a few years of warming a seat in the senate. She sounds like the person you sit next to at the hockey rink, or buying ammo at Walmart, and that is going to resonate loud and clear with blue collar working stiffs (and stiffettes?) than some limo Lieberal.

It very well could pay great dividends four years down the road for Republicans too. Just think of it: A female running for president after serving four years as vice president will blow Hillory out of the water who only slept (occasionaly) with a president.

A surprising, shocking choice. You might say she is a political 'nobody'. I wonder how many people outside Alaska even heard of this woman before today.

WOW! I am very impressed with Gov. Sarah Palin.

The talking heads at CNN still sitting outside the walls of Obamecca didn't look so happy today. Why, they were just full of smiles and joy yesterday! What's the problem, jerks?

The e-communication links are strongly in support of Palin. The announcement has also deflated the fireball effect of yesterday's Coming of the Messiah. Stopped it cold. {No, I'm not saying 'like a blast of Arctic air].

But, the verbiage is strongly supportive. That means that McCain's 'image' has sharply changed. From being an 'old man' - with lots of experience, he's tied that experience to the future. And even that future is based on ideas, ideology and experience.

That's very different from the reverse in Obama's camp, which has linked Obama's emptiness in experience and empty words about the future..to Biden's past experience.

It's quite a set-up. Now, the Obama camp's major campaign image that McCain is 'four more years of Bush' won't hold up.
The fact that she's from outside the main geographic area of the US is also a handy image. After all, Obama's images include Kenya and Hawaii.

All in all - an excellent choice, and as others have pointed out, McCain can fill in other areas, such as economics - with other team names.

Michelle Malkin, whose opinions I trust, is strongly in favour..so...

Hillary - pissed off

Bill - Really pissed off

Unlike Obama, she can speak without a teleprompter.

Woo Hoo

bluetech said: Heh...when I first saw her pix and history I thought she bore a resemblance to another well known, gun toting conservative woman named Kate.

Interesting BT, Kate "claims" to be in Iowa. I got a nice personal mailed thank you note from her once but I don't REALLY know who she is. Hmmm.

Lifetime NRA member who's favorite meal is moose stew ?

My kinda VP.

From Malkin's site

"Sarah Louise Palin (nee Heath) was born Feb., 1964, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Her family moved to Alaska when Sarah was an infant. Her father, Chuck, is a retired schoolteacher.

2. She attended Wasilla High School where she played point guard on the state champion basketball team. Her nickname was “Sarah Barracuda.”

3. Palin graduated in 1987 from the University of Idaho with a degree in journalism. She worked briefly as a sports reporter in Anchorage.

4. She refers to her husband, Todd, as the “First Dude.” He’s worked as a commercial fisherman and as a production operator on the North Slope for BP. He enjoys snowmobiling and has won the Tesoro Iron Dog, billed as the world’s longest snowmobile race, four times.

5. Palin and her husband have five children, Bristol, Piper, Track, Willow, and Trig. Trig, born in 2008, has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. Her son Track joined the army in 2007.

6. Her favorite meal is moose stew.

7. She comes from a family of outdoor enthusiasts. Her parents, Chuck and Sally Heath, enjoy hunting and fishing, and have both completed marathons.

8. Palin was named Miss Wasilla in 1984 and was a runner-up for Miss Alaska. In 1996 she was elected mayor of Wasilla.

9. She’s a lifetime NRA member and enjoys hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling.

10. Elected in 2006, she’s Alaska’s first female governor and the youngest governor elected in the state."

"Congratulations, President McCain."

Hillary can kiss away 2012 if McCain makes it to Prez.

Thanks for bring that up, Dustoff. Wow. The Hildabeast must be in a frenzy. Watch for a third hurricane forming in the Gulf on radar this week. If McCain wins, which Hillary in her grand strategy was counting on, it all falls apart for her if Palin proves herself as VP. PIAPS could well end up running against a smart, less snarky female with no baggage if she survives politically that long with the Dems. Her cache as a top dog female politician hopefully is over.

You made my day.

Brilliant choice. This puts balance into a lot different areas.

There is a depth of talent in the wings. Includes Guiliani, Romney and others. It's not just the John and Sarah show. Compare with what's in the dems tank. Pelosi, Dingy Harry Reed and a cool cast of comrades.

This is looking good and has taken some wind out of the Obama bag.

Dennis Miller was promoting and hoping for this choice on his radio show for some time now. I wish I could vote in the US election. Actually since those choice affect us so much, we should be able to vote for the pres.

In Alaska, they call her Sarah Barracuda. Perfect.

I am ecstatic about the choice. She is exceptionally poised and possessed, and not at all in awe of the firestorm into which she has been thrust. She will be a great campaigner.

The only substantial criticism the Dems can level at her is that she lacks foreign policy experience. But that complaint will only highlight Obama’s inexperience in the same area. The Dems put the foreign inexperience in the primary spot, while the Repubs put the inexperience in the secondary slot.

This is a choice aimed at small-town Ohio, Michigan & Pennsylvania. If McCain can carry two of those three, he’s over the top.

In a debate, Joe Biden can attack her only at the risk of alienating women. And, Slow Joe can’t make any hay out of his lawyer son being deployed to Iraq as a JAG officer, cuz her son will be there too in an infantry brigade.

It's the choice Kate would have made; therefore, brilliant.

The media and the Dims are going to have to watch how they go after her. There's a large contingent of young women [the Lifetime set] raised with the victim mentality who will take issue if Sarah, a mother of five with one disabled, is roughed up. While I was looking for Mitt, there is potential for this choice to make a difference in the outcome of the race. Let's see what dirt gets dug up. As a working woman and mother of none, I don't see how a working woman and mother of five had much time to get into trouble. A woman of this intelligence and strength will stand as an excellent example of 'having it all', e. g., career and family. She needs to leave the wildlife alone, but otherwise, I'm impressed.

Ian in NS
did you not notice also on the right side of the ctv page on the annoucement 3-4 vid's on Mcain & his new running-mate
the rest All Obama, Also take note of ctv reporter Jackie whats her name not so jubilant lets go to the Mcain annoucement(as it had already been leaked.

It's the choice Kate would have made; therefore, brilliant.

INDEED. And come to think of it, Kate should really run in Saskatchewan. She would win and have long term success based on her integrity and her preternatural inability to tell a lie.

In her speech, Sarah praised Hillary and Ferraro ... then spoke of the glass ceiling with 18 million cracks in it ... then she invited women to come and shatter it ... that the work is not done.

Brilliant!

She's not Condi, but she is the next best thing.
HA HA HA

Hell of a choice John, hell of a choice.
,

Her hubby won the Iron Dog? That's awesome.

I loved being in Alaska. It's what the Yukon could have been if it weren't tied down by legions of Canadian civil servants.

Obama said this election is all about change. So he picked a party hack who's been warming a chair in the Senate since Richard Nixon was hegemon. Now there's change you can believe in!

But give the Devil his due. Obama has demonstrated "change" over and over by issuing a plethora of contradictory pronouncements on important matters of policy. Surely this shows that his firm grasp of statecraft is second only to that of the spineless, weak and vacillating James Earl Ray Carter?

And his persistent failure to admit mistakes and lies, even when they are blindingly obvious -- reminiscent of William Jefferson Davis Clinton. But surely that means Hussein is only in favour of good change, like increasing taxes on the "rich"?

McCain has completely occupied the high ground on "change" by picking Palin. Watch for him to tap Joe Lieberman for Secretary of State, thereby increasing his appeal to independents and moderate Democrats.

McCain could well present himself as an essentially bipartisan candidate. Conservative Republicans who are skeptical about him have nowhere to go. Obama will take the hardcore racist Left no matter what. Everything in between is "McCain Country."

Cjunk - Obama Reacts:

Great video clip there Nautius Maximus : )

One bunch !! Takes out Boxer, Pelosi & Clinton !! Oh ya, and Obama too.

Brilliant choice. It will be hard to criticize her on experience as she probably does more before breakfast than Obama does all day. Here's a good summary of her career.

http://beldar.blogs.com/beldarblog/2008/06/alaskas-gov-sar.html

Arrrg - PUNCH !!!

She's quite the looker and I'll bet she likes Bachman-Turner Overdrive too.

You ain't seen nothin' yet.

Shallow Paul

She has more foreign policy experience than Obama.
She's been to Iraq as many timeas a Obama has. Additionally, as Governor of Alaska she has had to
deal with issues involving Canada, Russia and Japan.
Obama has only had to deal with the ward heelers
and corrupt politicans of Chicago.

Good move. This almost certainly has delivered Alaska instantly to the Republicans. She looks very solid, good mother, outdoors, more conservitive than McCain. Appeals to multiple segments of the US.
A good choice in a stong woman that has WAY more class than abrasive Hillary. Now McCain can legitimately fight the Hillary smear "McCain belives women still should get lass pay ..."

Charles MacDonald:

Well if we pursue the Monty Python analogy here, without going too far into the gutter, I think we already know who could pass for "Biggus Dickus and Incontinentia" in this raging farce.

"Rewease the Dewegates!" indeed.

Now how do you like your columns? Should they be Dorkic, Ironic or Corinthian?

"Chwistians and Jews to the wions!!"

But I would prefer to send in Cornelius the Centurion for a big voter "McCaining", which wouldn't be "Palin" small potatoes in Idaho or anywhere else.

Cheers

Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht,Commander in Chief

Frankenstein Battalion
2nd Squadron: Ulanen-(Lancers) Regiment Großherzog Friedrich von Baden(Rheinisches) Nr.7(Saarbrucken)
Knecht Rupprecht Division
Hans Corps
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group “True North”

VPILF

3 words: Dan Quayle redux.
She is a hot looking Babe ... but she will be shredded by the Dems and their proxies in the MSM.

VPILF

Posted by: Gary at August 29, 2008 3:17 PM

Oh...yeah!

Tim:

Palin ain't a pheasantasy Quayle hidin in the Bush.

She shoots bigger game like moose. Put that in yer stew and simmer fer a while.

Cheers

Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht,Commander in Chief

Frankenstein Battalion
2nd Squadron: Ulanen-(Lancers) Regiment Großherzog Friedrich von Baden(Rheinisches) Nr.7(Saarbrucken)
Knecht Rupprecht Division
Hans Corps
1st Saint Nicolaas Army
Army Group “True North”

Tim: You don't get it with this comment 'but she will be shredded by the Dems and their proxies in the MSM.' They have already shredded Hillary - and that's why so many women are pissed off. I say let them (meaning the males in the demo campaign - misogynist pigs) - lets see what she's made of. And I am relatively certain she's going to come through it in fine shape.

I cannot imagine how Mr. Hussien is going to argue against her as Vice Presidential candidate. more of the comparison to the current administration? ok. but attack her? oh yeah, she came down hard on ethics violations in Alaska, the democrats may not know anything about that...? I don't think they've thought this one through. It'll be an interesting fight.

bring it on Hussien Obama.

I think that the Dems/MSM will have a difficult time attacking her. They are supporters of identity politics. Hillary supporters were so angry because many are feminists(1st)-Dems(2nd) (kinda like being African-American). If progressive voters start to have buyer's remorse on their choice of Obama, they can feel good about voting for McCain/Palin because she also represents change and progress. Of course, this assumes that she shows herself to be a strong person who is capable of being not only a good VP but also president. Although I don't really get the age criticism of McCain because the media keeps telling us that 70 is the new 50.

Hillary and her supporters were upset because in the hierarchy of victims, Black trumped Female.

Be assured that the MSM will quite easily attack her. As attested by Kate, Kathy Shaidle, Michelle Malkin and any other right wing female blogger, the left is never hesitant to attack using every insult at their disposal. No sense of decency to be used.

I'm afraid I agree with Jay @ 4:07 P.M. above — liberals in the U.S. will waste no time going über-hypocritical in their attacks on Governor Palin: in particular, watch for left-wing bloggers to make numerous sexual references to her, including the overused lib-blog canard that "what she really needs is a good f**king to see the error of her ways" or somesuch nonsense.  No point in acting all progressive when it gets in the way of your actual goals, after all.

It is a risky move to be sure, there were lots of safer picks to make. That being said, no one ever won the presidency without taking a stand and some risks along the way. Interesting pick, and it might even be the right one.

She's not Condi, but she is the next best thing.
HA HA HA
Posted by: FREE at August 29, 2008 2:36 PM

Free: Hate to differ with you but Condi is a Democrat in the Republican party. She would rather accommodate the Pali's and anyone else but Israel. Can't wait to see her gone.

John and Sarah for the win!

Gov. Palin is very photogenic - the MSM will cover her and hate themselves for doing it; but they won't be able to keep their cameras off her.

She's almost the ideal of a politician in that she came to politics after working in the real world.
Her husband is handsome (and one-quarter Yupik); impressive in his own way;
he'll make a good First Gentleman of the United States when the time comes.

Yes, a good pick for Sen. McCain; even better than Bobby Jindal, who really is needed in Louisiana.
Speaking of whom, it would be interesting to see how he handles Hurricane Gustav, if it does indeed make landfall in Louisiana.

Jim the point is if John had picked Condi it would have given the Republicans the win, but this will work and its even better, because Sarah is a real republican.

oh, and I agree....

John and Sarah for the win!

I think that nasty attacks would play to the hard left base but they already have those votes wrapped up. Such attacks would turn off the people whose votes they need - white, middle class, blue collar, families. There will be attacks but they will have to be much more subtle to not offend all the voters that like their moms, sisters, wives and daughters. She also bring an air of mystery, a fresh face just as Obama's newness is fading.

Just as Obama's newness is fading, that is an excellent observation Lynn. It had not occurred to me.

A masterstroke. I've never seen a VP selection move so many voters. By move, I mean move emotionally and activate to actually vote. The timing, to step on the train of B.O.'s acceptance speech and completely shift conversation by 100%, well, what can I say?

Eeeeeew, those Republicans are sneaky.

Incidentally, the linked Brian video had me in stitches. I was biting my lip trying not to laugh when the emperor challenged with the name Bigius Dickus. I would have been dragged off.

Sarah Palin is dominating the discussion on Contentions almost to the exclusion of all else. Here's a sample:

Linda Chavez, The anti-Obama

Sarah Palin is better without a teleprompter than Obama with one. Obama’s self-aggrandizing style is off-putting to a lot of women. He sounded so angry last night I think he’ll scare women who don’t like that bombastic style. Palin, on the other hand, has the energy and quick-wittedness to give a speech without a script and to flow with the crowd. She is really a phenomenon.

I suspect they will actually try to use her good looks against her; imply she's an airhead beauty queen, etc. This will just seem pathetic to most voters.
John and Sarah!

Free:
Glad to see we are on the same page and I see where you are coming from. Just can't stand the thought of a female Jimmy Carter one step from POTUS.
Cheers
Jim in Calgary

I am totally surprised that hours have passed and the MSM isn't pissing all over this lady, just out digging dirt I guess.

those kids names are odd enough to break into the Hollywood market.

expect endorsements from Apple Cox. Blanket Jackson, and the rest .

I cant wait to see Billary attacking Sarah Palin in 2012. As long as Palin stays clean Billary will be so shackled by her massive baggage that it will finally end the Clinton era.

Brilliance...sheer brilliance.

John and Sarah!
Posted by: wyatt salt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hmmm. John and Sarah are going to terminate the Obamessiah.

Hasta la vista, baby.

;)

Wow. Never heard of her before today, but going by her bio, her resume, a few clips on youtube, and her, um, photogenic qualities I think the Republicans just hit a home run.

It's almost like they invented a brand new voter demographic today: The Penis Vote. Previously undecided voters who will vote GOP purely on account of the, as the kids today say, hittability of the GOP veep candidate.

Combined with Hillary's PUMAs (Party Unity My Ass), The Penis Vote may be the difference in this election. Fascinating stuff.

It's clear that Canadians know nothing about American politics.

Is it me, or does she look like Kate? ;)

Canadians know considerably more about American politics than Americans do about Canadian politics.

Penny @ 1221 (2nd comment).

But that is only a crie de coeur of the left. Everyday folks like cheap gasoline; she has made active measures to reduce energy prices in the US - the gas pipeline from Alaska, through Canada.

Between the arms of the big gas T.Boone-Doggle lies Nanci Pelosi. The dems will never make that slick stick.

PeterD @ 1252.

A governor actually has daily responsibillities.

A senator can, in 4 years, only attend the Senate 179 times and do nothing.

See the difference?

""""""Free: Hate to differ with you but Condi is a Democrat in the Republican party. She would rather accommodate the Pali's and anyone else but Israel. Can't wait to see her gone."""""

Posted by: Jim in Calgary 4:15 PM

you are entitled to your opinion, even tho it is wrong

Dr Rice is NO dem, she may be a small c conservative on some issues, and you may be large C on the same issues. But I'm quite sure that Dr Rice is as conservative as you are, and far more intelligent than you (or I) are.

I would say quite a few Canadians know more about American politics than many Americans...:)

This choice is a master-stroke on a whole bunch of levels, and more astute than some of you may realize: one of the hot topics in the next four years is not likely to be the mideast (at least not much different from the status-quo), but rather, the Arctic and its sovereignty (not to mention ANWAR), especially with the Russians moving in. What better choice then to bring on the regional political expert...

rednik...we've already covered that. She could be Kate's twin...in more ways than looks.
Anyone for putting up the side by side pix for comparison...both on bikes?

CTV says the media is scrambling to find out more about her.
Joel at PTBC had all we needed to know within minutes of the announcement.

I am so tired of all the self appointed arbiters of what is conservative, who is conservative, and who isn't. Unless I missed the memo Jim, you don't get to decide.

In future, keep those kinds of opinions to your self. Overbearing most certainly is not conservative.

Lori @ 1.04 The Ubermessiah has had two years to grow his stature from zero to 0.001.

He hjas now achieved movie star status. before long, he will amount to something.

Unlike Palin, who has has merely cleaned up Alaskan politics, increased US domestic energy production and raised a familly and run a business. Now she running for (vice) president.

She will wipe the floor with the Ubermessiah.

Free @ 4.30 pm. I agree totally. And more than that, she is obviously the president candidate presumptive in 2012 - and she is conservative. Woo-hoo!

I doubt very much that Palin will get those 18,000 Hillary votes. Many will not like the fact that she is pro-life. I think they will stay home.

I am not overly enthusiastic about this choice. I realize there is some controversy with respect to her experience vs. Obama's -- I say neither is sufficiently experienced.

But the biggest problem with Palin (as I see it) is this: "Forget making her VP, I want to marry her!" (courtesy of stan). I am sure she is lovely, but this kind of thing undermines the seriousness needed in a Presidential election. (I am not criticizing stan (or Palin) -- just suggesting that this kind of response is not good for the candidate.)It is a problem for any woman candidate -- unless they look like Golda Meir or Madeline Albright. Too bad, but I think it is true.

Was just watching Campbell Brown on CNN. She has issues with Palin. As Bay Buchanan said the feminists are in a fit because Palin is not one of them.

The lefties are in quite a knot over this one.

From all I read, she's a real find. Lets wait till they out her in the lions den. I'm betting she ends up chewing there bones.

Stan @ 1.10 my sentiments also. But she doesn't go for multiple marriages.

Great choice though.

Her acceptance speech today was a peach. She took all the democrat standardss and made them republican; and she IS conservative. Wonderful. Everyone is now talking about her; the Ubermessiah is forgotten, 12 hours after HIS MOMENT. Just Great!! :-)

Malcolm Cross @1.36

She is also from a non-contiguous mountain state with volvanoes.

And now we may be allowed to compare ears.

Left out on my last post my congratulations to Alaskans. Heck they don't even make it on the lower 48.s weather maps on the TV. Its my observation Alaska is well under stated for its many accomplishments in America in general. Pleasant to see a Northerner who knows the North West’s regions problems (I live in Alberta). With her influence I can see a future rational treaty of resources use in concert by Both Countries. in cooperation our mutual interests.
Including the water issue. Which like it or not is a reality we are going to have to face with reason not emotion soon.

Its your moment Alaska, enjoy it !

I think Obama's big problem with women is with older women. And while women and men may be militant supporters of abortion in youth, as one ages, children you never had become something like that money you never set aside while you were young. And having a child no longer seems like such a horrific burden. Just sayin. And, if you check the polls, there is no pro-choice majority, and many who are pro-choice, like myself, are willing to accept a pro-life candidate based on other factors. So I really just don't see how her being pro-life hurts. Nobody needs every last of the 18 million Hillary voters to win except Obama.

Wikipedia's bio on Gov. Palin has a photo of her wearing fur. I'll bet a fiver she shot it herself.

How does the oil thing play into it? The talk is to get off the dependence on mid east oil. Alaska is a major oil state. And she's dealt with the oil companies as governor.
It might not make that much difference in purely logical terms, but on the emotional level I wonder if she will be perceived to be part of the solution?

Women will contemplate the selection of Palin with all of the poignancy that blacks view Clarence Thomas.

Women will contemplate the selection of Palin with all of the poignancy that blacks view Dr Condoleezza Rice

Didn't Joe Biden have to abandon his run for the presidency a few years back when it came to light that he had plagiarized a speech? He also fibbed about his university record, saying he had graduated in the top half of his class, when he actually placed 76 out of 85, and saying he was on a full scholarship, when he actually received a half financial aid bursary.

And he has been the chairman of the Senate committee for the "war on drugs", and we have seen how well that has gone.

strike two: "Women will contemplate the selection of Palin with all of the poignancy that blacks view Clarence Thomas."

'Shoulda been, strike three and you're out. Your comment is totally inane.

Who would these "women" be that you're talking about? "Women" aren't unanimous in our opinions about anything, we don't vote as a block. I, for instance, would NEVER vote for Hillary.

So, stop lumping all women together. We think for ourselves. Lots of women will vote for Palin, so wipe the smug smile off your face.

...I guess Mrs. Palin's family is just like everyone else's with home problems, being their unwed 17 yr old daughter pregnant.

Hope the media doesn't turn it into a crap storm for her, but at the same time I hope this isn't the kids rebelling at a 'starched' home appearance that probably comes with being a public figure.