She’d better learn how to spell “potato…”

McCain has his $500.00 shoes in his mouth.

Jack,
I think John McCain just wants Sara Palin available for CPR.
Mike C
Wethersfield, CT

McCain can no longer bring up the inexperience issue. Being head of the Alaska National Guard doesn’t exactly make you prepared to deal with foreign leaders and decide on what country to bomb tomorrow. As far as I know, about the only connection between the Guard and a governor is that a governor can call up the Guard when there’s a flood in their state. As far as having a son in the military, lots of us, including me, have sons in uniform, and I don’t think I’m qualified to be president.

Also, if this is an effort to get Clinton supporters, it’s the wrong pick. Clinton supporters are pro choice. They will never go for someone who wants to make choice illegal.

Anne
Texas

Jack - Experience? Sarah Palin is a popular governor with executive branch experience. Obama? A junior senator from Illinois, with a limited voting record and his national credentials are running for President…..teamed with a 30 year Washington insider. I will take Palin any day! McCain/Palin ARE the politics of change!

Another example of McCain being out of touch, by picking Gov. Palin.

By selecting her, he proved to me that he is putting his ambitions ahead of those of our country. He has stated both recently and previously, that he would chose a running mate that shared his views and principles. She certainly fits his requirements. What he did NOT do was put the nations interests first, by selecting an individual qualified to succeed him in the event of an unfortunate tragedy. The first demonstration of presidential decision making.

Second, he is trying to appeal to the Hillary voters and using her for that purpose. Another example of a man using a women for personal satisfaction. To borrow a phrase from Sen. Lloyd Bensen addressing Sen Quayle, one step removed “Gov., I knew Sen. Clinton. Sen. Clinton was a friend of mine. Gov. you are not Sen. Clinton”

Not only does McCain undercut his experience charge against Obama, he also puts his own judgement into question. In this dangerous, dangerous world, we cannot afford to have a Vice President of this caliber. It’s frightening. He’s obviously putting winning the election over the best interests of the country.

John McCain not only undercuts his own message but insults all women by nominating Sarah Palin, when he had many stronger, more experienced, more intelligent women to choose from. I guess since he already feels like he has a “trophy” wife, he needed a “trophy” vice president to make a bookend set. This is sad and pathetic on so many levels, but to have this woman, literally a heartbeat away from the Presidency, is SCARY!

I am a disenchanted Hillary Clinton supporter. In a million years I would have never imagined voting for John McCain, but with his fantastic bold move of Sara Palin, WOW hats off to his campaign. I am so impressed with his choice, if elections were today, I would change parties. I think she is a fantastic choice and an increible role model for American women today. Bravo!

Yes he did Jack, By John McCain Choosing a Sarah Palin, Who?, he just gave Barack Obama the Presidency. Thank You John.

McCain can’t bring up experience as an issue anymore. By choosing Palin perhaps McCain believes the Alaskan governor would bring her neighboring territories into the republican column, you know, the Yukon Territories and British Columbia.

What was John thinking? As I watched him when she introduced herself to America in Ohio, even McCain’s face made me wonder if he too wondered what was he thinking. When she praised Hillary Clinton, he clapped 3 times and the muscles in his jaw started flexing even as he kept his game face smile. Was this even his idea? Who knows?

All over America, conservative businessmen must be wondering how they allowed themselves to be betrayed like this. And thousands are probably reaching for their nitro pills. Whatever the GOP is, it’s definately not the party of big business this year.

I’m just speechless. And conservative Dean Rush was stuttering as he said this was a stroke of genius. Imagine. A heartbeat away from being the leader of the free world. OMG!

The only thing that scares me is that the election is in just two months. And this electorate is the same one that brought us George Bush–even after we knew what we were getting! Really. Is this a movie script?

Obviously, McCain has figured out he is the Republican’s sacrificial lamb. His choice in Palin only underscores that fact. Obama better start measuring for the new drapes, because he is our next president!

Yes he does, so yes we can!

You’ve got to remember, Jack… These guys are politicians.. They say one thing one day, and the opposite thing the next day. They cannot foresee anything in the future… They can only react.. Therefore, their V.P. selections are only planned to get them elected.. They cannot see beyond that.

Well, I would never want her to be the next president. I even heard (though I have not verified) that she is being investigated for awarding a contract to an oil company where her husband works and that she tried to use her power to have her brother-in-law fired. Of course, abuse of power is the republicans’ calling card, so that should not bother them. Of course a first term governor and former mayor has more experience in national security than a senator (right, LOL). And McCain thinks she would be good to replace him.

My daughter, my girlfriend, my mom, most of the women in my office are insulted. They are not insulted over the person but feel insulted that McCain is attempting to win them over by selecting a woman who has more looks than experience.
Nice try McCain but it will not be successful.

Face it, Jack. Looks matter in politics, and McCain is old and looks sort of like a gremlin. Sarah Palin is young and a former beauty pageant contender, plus she’s tough and ambitious. Her age won’t be relevant. McCain is trying to grab the “Hillary” followers who wanted her simply because she’s female. I suspect he would have made a different choice had Obama chosen someone other than Biden.

In selecting a woefully unqualified candidate to be a heartbeat away from a presidency held by a 72-year-old man, John McCain has proven that he values winning the election over serving the country. Had he truly valued the country, there were a number of well qualified Republican women that he could have chosen as his running mate. I guess they weren’t sufficiently extreme. Or maybe they weren’t young and hot enough for the frisky old fighter pilot.
So much for judgment, John, and so much for putting country first.

Let me see if i get this right.A young inexperienced Male is good enough to run the country, but a young inexperienced woman is not good enough for second in comand. sounds like more of the same to me.

Ernie Jameson
Strongsville ,Ohio

Not really Jack,

In spite of her youth, she has accomplished quite a bit in her short but fast rising political career. Most importantly, she has stood up against the grain of “politics as usual” and brings something refreshing to the table – ethical behavior and responsibility in government.

Yes, this is a swipe at what he has said about Barack, but also a giant leap in the direction of true change and being the maverick he says he is. This truly is not the same old same old election (for either side).

John McCain is so old he’s not thinking clearly.

I knew he was an idiot. This just proves it. Guess tomorrow he’ll have no memory of selecting her.

Jack, you didn’t expect anything different, did you? He had to pick someone to appeal to the women and the younger voters. However, it certainly DOES undercut his own message about experience and age.

And the American people have to consider that the odds are pretty good that if McCain is elected (heaven forbid), there will be at least some time where his VP will have to take over. His age and health will be a factor there. She’s practically unknown, so not only does he have to come up with an actual platform other than negatives to run on, he has to sell her to the billions who don’t know her.

Jack: McCain just lost 2 votes. At 72 he is vulnerable to a demise. I hope not but I cant imagine a soccer mom as commander in chief. Maverick equals defeat. foolish move.

Jack, sometimes I hate to agree with your questions
but at the end of the day Mccain is not thinking about the man or woman for that matter, who can’t pay medical expences for the family , tuition you name that includes a homeless soldier
or even get a Job. He’s looking for what will do the trick. I don’t know about you but you can put a Bishop on the ticket but if all you tell me is watch out for a celebrity and the surge is working I will not care. At least not this time.

He absolutely undercut his own argument by choosing someone even less experienced than McCain. McCain’s age is much more of a source for worry about what his vice president may have to undertake in the future: Palin’s inexperience is thus magnified even further.

Heather
Raleigh, NC

When McCain said about 10 days ago that he was going to wait to choose his running mate until after Obama chose his, I thought he had just made the most ridiculously blatant statement possible. Now, choosing Alaska’s female governor, he’s achieved the superlative degree of blatant perfidy! So much for any semblance of integrity!

Jack, With all due respect to Ms. Palin and her accomplishments and family, but the population of Alaska is under 700,000 people. That’s smaller than SAN DIEGO!! I think it shows the classic 70-year old male mentality of Senator McCain, who divorced his wife and married his young assistant. He thinks that women are so shallow and emotional that all those disenfranchised Hillary women are going to vote for him because he has a woman on the ticket. He will be wrong. He could very well die and then what, we have essentially the mayor of a small US city with zero experience to face up to Iran and Russia and solve our dire economic situation at home. The last democrat I voted for was McGovern and I would rather move out of America than have McCain as president.
Stephanie, Carlsbad, California

Earn your place or be placed to earn!
John McCain picks Sarah Palin in hopes of winning Senator Clinton voters. But once again “out of touch” John McCain unlike Senator Obama doesn’t get it.
Senator Clinton EARNED her place as the first WOMAN to have a successful run for the White House. However, Palin was GIVEN this opportunity to play second. For me being a woman and hearing Palin’s 1st speech trying to pull Clinton voters over to McCain simply because Palin happens to be a woman is an insult, and shows that sexism is being played but Senator Obama isn’t the one playing it. Also, due to the fact that no one knows her I feel was the wrong way to be introduced. Almost a slap in the face.
Lastly, McCain picks Palin because he wants to win.
Obama picks Biden because he wants AMERICA to Win.
So is Country REALLY FIRST McCain?

Alaska drilling is what it’s all about !
Seeing that McCain is as old as dirt the GOP have to elect a VP with more experience than Joe Biden (not Sarah Palin), they have to elect a VP ready to be president on day one (not Sarah Palin) and they have to invest 5 billion in Cryogenics for McBush to relieve any tensions their cult followers might have now. Sarah Palin was picked by Oil and Gas Industry that have donated $1,069,854 so far to his campaign. Alaska drilling in the future???

We all love a success story and I think it is great that a soccer mom can be nominated to be the next VP but get real!!!! I think John McCain’s lack judgement in this situation is scary! This woman has a degree in journalism, not business. She “manages” a state with less population than Dayton, OH! As a life long republican and nurse I am already concerned about John McCain’s continued cowboy diplomacy, advanced age, history of cancer and begining stages of dementia and now he does this! At least Obama has been in washington for awhile, has practiced constitutional law and has experience on the National stage. I have more education and corporate experience than this woman! I truly feel that if McCain’s ticket wins we should be very afraid. If something happens to him we will end up with a soccer mom for president. I have just made a big contribution to Obama and will vote Democrat come November for the first time in my life!

hi Jack, I hope John McCain does not think we are that dumb, to think that he can some how steal Hillary’s people by getting a woman.
Barrack and Joe has everything we need to change this country. And turn Washington upside down. for all the people dems and rep

Not this time. Yes they can and yes we will change the country, and then the World.

Thanks Kevin

No, I think this is a great pick! The DNC and Obama didn’t go after the womens vote. They messed up. After 34 years of voting Democrat, I am voting for McCain/Palin! I am thrilled they have values that are important to me.

He absolutely undercut his own argument by choosing someone even less experienced than Obama. McCain’s age is much more of a source for worry about what his vice president may have to undertake in the future: Palin’s inexperience is thus magnified even further.

Heather
Raleigh, NC

(oops on the typo)

You already said it Mr.Cafferty.

A) She’s no Hillary Clinton!
B) She’s no Hillary Clinton!
C) McCain can no longer argue experience, which was the only strong card he really had.
D) Biden is going to toast her, much worse than Obama will McCain

The GOP has just signed their defeat notice in this race.

Somebody stick a fork in him. He’s so done!

No, I feel his choice for VP does not undercut his own message. I am a Democrate/Hillary supporter until the state of New York made a “motion of acclamation” to nominate Senator Obama at the DNC with 1521 delegates on the roll call. That’s when I started to shift my support from Democrate to Republican. I personally feel a women is capable of running this country and very pleased to see John McCain choose a women from a western state, mother of teenagers, PTA mom, woman who can take on big oil companies, a women who knows what it’s like to be a middle class America. It does not matter to me how many years she has been on the national stage..I’m sure the Obama/Biden camp will do everything possible to make her nomination difficult. Maybe some of those politicians that spent all their time with lobbyists at the DNC should’nt underestimate the strength of a woman. Good choice!! I’m voting McCain!!! Yes one of those Democrate/Hillary supporters..one of those registered voters who has moved their support to John McCain!

Hi, Jack,
What kind of thinking does the Palin pick represent? Is it out of the box, or is it just off the wall?
Edgar,
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Jack, from the beginning Obama has run on a platform of “change” and it became undesirable for those vying for the nomintion for President — particularly in the Democratic Party — to appear with those representing the past. Then, Obama goes ahead and picks a running mate with thirty-six years in Congress. Without questioning Biden’s abilities, is this change?

If the choice is between Sen. Biden or Governor Palin for Commander-in-Chief, I will choose Sen. Biden.

Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX 78373

Jack,don’t you think you’re exagerating a bit!
I don thing there’s any caribu left in Alaska.

Nep
Phoenix AZ

I don’t see how she undercuts his message of “Vote for me because I’m a POW”, which seems to be half of McCain’s platform, the other half being “Obama is the boogy man”.

This is the most laughable pick for VP I’ve ever seen. For a guy that’s 72 years old, this is just political suicide.

Jack,

This shows that the repubs have no clue what this country needs. They have talked experience all 18 months and they pick someone that has NO idea about United States issues. They will do anything for a vote. ANYTHING Jack.

Does John McCain undercut his own message by naming someone even younger and more inexperienced than Barack Obama to be his running mate?
He sure does — if he’s still trying to separate himself from Bush, because Palin’s just the same old Bush/Neoconpoop ideas without the Y-chromosome.

It shows me once again he lacks the judgment to be commander in chief. Is he for real? And what an insult to all the real Republican qualified women he could have chosen from. I guess poor Mitt is pissed, all that sucking up for nothing!

Absolutely, he undercuts his own message… but this is not the first time, nor will it be the last. He’s a politician… and an “old” one, using the same “old” tactics, the same “old” strategies, the same “old” ways of trying to trick Americans…

We MUST be smarter than this… McCain does not believe in Country First; if he did he certainly would have selected a VP running mate that can truly lead this country were he no longer able to perform the duties.

…just continue to piss on America and tell them ithat it’s rain.

This absolutely shows judgment difference between Obama and McCain. McCan can only complain but cannot do better. This judgment undoubtedly prove that Mccain will always rush to conclusions on any matter. He is a copy-cat. He forgot the difference between being a naturally blessed and chosen person and being a make-believe. He forgot that respect cannot be commanded but earned. I have never seen anything intelligence in any of his speeches or acts. All he is good at is to attacked and bring out a bad advert in a minute to any event. This is not a joke, Americans are just tired of the old and arrongant politics of himself and Bush. He kept saying he would keep the country safe, how? With the same tough talks that causes more problems? By killing peoples’ relatives and thinking those left will love you because you are an American. By thinking all Iragis soldiers are in your support after killing the family members? Nothing spectacular can be achieved in this century with force but diplomacy. Mind you, having being at war does not necessarily make you a good commander in chief, you might not have the judgement necessary.

Uh….yeah.

It just shows how disingenuous McCain was when he questioned Obama’s readiness to be Commander in Chief. He’s obviously a man more concerned with garnering political points than he is with actually governing the country.

And doesn’t she kinda looks like Elaine from Seinfeld.

He sure does — if he’s still trying to separate himself from Bush, because Palin’s just the same old Bush/Neoconpoop ideas without the Y-chromosome.

Jack,

It isn’t like McCain is taking away from his own experience by picking someone younger. Heck, if you take the years of experience of Obama + Biden and compare it to McCain + Palin it comes out close enough. If anything Gov Palin is kind of like Geraldine Ferraro and Dan Quail rolled into one. Ewww I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Tom
Silverdale, Wa

It’s now McCain vs. Biden and Obama vs. Palin. I’m sure McCain was trying to get some of the die-hard feminist Hillary supporters to come to the Republican side of the fence, but all 18 million aren’t that naive.

It shows me that I will take Barack’s brilliant judgment any day over mccain’s lunacy. I had a hint that something was wrong with mccain before, now I am certain. He has lost it.

He sure does — if he’s still trying to separate himself from Bush, because Palin’s just the same old Bush/Neoconpoop ideas without the Y-chromosome.

If the Democrats don’t jump on this now, they are a failure. What happened to the Experiance factor the Republicans were playing. Looks like that ones gone! The only reason he picked this inexperianced woman is to try to collect the Hillary Clinton supporters who want a woman in office. Or is it due to the minority factor to try to equal out Obama. Either way it will be a bad pick.

Me again from Atlanta,

F) She’s no Hillary Clinton

Please Hillary supporters please don’t fall for this.

I’m honestly puzzled that McCain would throw away his best argument against Obama’s candidacy in order to pander to the shrinking number of disaffected Hillary supporters. It’s the most obvious pandering in a presidential race since… well, since the gas tax holiday!

Unbelievable,this choice seemingly lack the relevant,longitudinal experience.If accepted it shows light on racism in this country.Btw,i’m a black democrat.

resident of virginia,
uited states of america

McCain’s VP pick?? I didn’t know that Alaska had a female governor. Now that I do, I don’t care. She doesn’t make McCain look any better (or younger).

Yes. And ever since the announcement, I’ve got this vision of 2012 with a female incumbent president and Hillary running again for the Democrats! Vision, schmsion, this is really a nightmare!

McCain is just alittle more senile today. Yesterday, I thought he was just a miserable old man. Today, he is closer to Parkinsons and Alzheimers. Bluntly, I do not see McCain making it for 4 years as president so to entrust the American people with someone so unqualified is outrageous. The party and McCain think they are being slick by picking a great looking woman hoping to sway the Hillary voters. It has just backfired. I’ll tell you why. If McCain is elected and dies while in office, she will be the first woman president and president during the most dire of times. If anyone was qualified for that, it would be Hillary not Palin. It would be salt added to the already open wound. All Hillary voters should not be duped into this charade. That ticket is scary, old, senile, and now UNQUALIFIED!!! Oh, they just fired up their base, meanwhile, they just gave millions of fencesitters reason to vote Democrat.

Wildwood Crest, NJ

Obama is running for president with no experience.
Palin is running for vice president and she has been governor of Alaska. She has been very effective at cutting spending. She told Congress to shove the bridge to nowhere. Did you notice that her speech didn’t require a teleprompter? She knows where she stands on the issues. She says what she thinks and not what someone tells her to say. I don’t think she will be someone who will change what she says each day depending on poll results. She is a real person.

This just proves how desperate McCain is. Does he think the Hillary supporters are stupid, that they would vote his way just because he picked a women? It’s like he’s trying to heard all the women in the country to his side. It’s not going to work. McCain as president scares me as it is, since he’s got issues with his temper and seems trigger happy. Having Pailin as commander-in-chief is even scarier.
I’m from South Bend, Indiana

What the heck was that man thinking? I do certainly believe he undercuts his own credibility by taking on Sarah Palin. As one of the oldest candidates in recent history, we are supposed to be content - in these times- to envision this woman with zero experience, zero visiblity leading this country? I think NOT! Woman - maybe. This woman? Unfathomable! I was shocked at the stupidity. I almost wondered if it was a set-up to ensure Obama gets elected!

Worst. Veep. Ever.

There are plently of Americans who held their breath every day 20 years ago when George HW Bush picked 41 year old Dan Quayle to be his VP, but at least he had the advantage of having been in Congress for 12 years. And while, unlike Quayle, it is speculated that she’s got quite the sharp intellect, that doesn’t mean she should be a heartbeat away from the most important job in the known universe.

And while there are those who will undoubtedly compare her mind boggling lack of experience to Obama, we’ve had 18 months to cozy up to tales of his judgment that balance his inexperience. McCain has just over two months with this unknown quantity to make us not feel like Obama/Biden is the safe choice.

P.S. On a personal note, I’m soooooo looking forward to the Biden/Palin debate.

jack i would beg to differ.sarah palin has more years in politics than the junior senator from ill…..i think mccain has made a great choice…..a very strong woman…..shes one of those bible carrying, gun toting americans…….

His message, so far, is all over the map, so it doesn’t matter yet.
However, is does undercut the claim that his “judgement” is
better than Obama’s. His desperation for attention shown by
the way this announcement was presented, and, if true, the
reason she was picked, (to gain women’s votes) is pretty
pathetic. I am sure she is very nice, but nice won’t cut it in this
dangerous world. I’m still shaking my head over the seemingly
lack of seriousness being shown by the McCain campaign.

If Gov. Palin’s mother only found out about her daughters selection for vice president by watching it on the news, what secrets would a vice president Palin keep from Americans, whose blood she does not share?

Jack,
He sure does. I have never heard of Sarah Palin until today.. Was Kay BAiley Hutchenson unavailable?

I thought this would be the first Presidential Election since I was old enough to vote that I might not. I’m in my 50s. I am surprised and delighted by the pick of Sarah Palin to be McCain’s running mate. I like many of the things Obama says but based on some of his friendships I’m not sure we can trust him; and, we don’t need to pay more taxes, the government needs to curtail unnecessary spending and learn to live within its means as it expects the citizens of the country to do.

I haven’t felt that I could vote for McCain either because I feel he may needlessly drag us into another war. I want to learn more about Sarah Palin. Based on what I’ve read so far she has ethics and that is something we are sorely missing in Washington. She definitely adds to the ticket and may just be “The Change I Can Believe In”

Well, Jack,I am a woman (64 years young), and a mother of four wonderful children. Of course, they are all grown (29, 31,35, 37) now, but I remember those days when they were young and how much I valued my precious time with them.
I am wondering this, who keeps the children? I believe there is even a newborn in this family. Maybe she would be great as a woman VP in a few years, but not now in my opinion.
McCain wanted to pick a woman, kool, but he could have picked several wonderful, powerful, intelligent women out there, this one was not my pick.
I also think he completely undermined his blows at Obama for “lack of experience”.
GrammieJ from Pulaski, TN

Hey, she’s governed a State. What state has Obama/Bieden governed, especially the former.
I’ll bet Hill/Bill are fuming. Hill, a women, wasn’t good enough for Dems, but GOP says welcome.
And, from what I see, her practical experience as wife, mother, union member, mayor, govenor, strong union person, mother of a member of military on his way to Mid-East, mother of a special needs child, fighter against the “good old boy network”…. sounds better than a foot in mouth, good old boy, same old same old Beltway insider, even thought he’s had tough times as a parent.
I voted for Obama in primary, but with Bieden on the ticket, that’s no change, so I guess I’ll have to change and vote McCain/Palin.

As a Hillary supporter, I find this thinly veiled attempt to woo my vote insulting. Hillary Clinton is an experienced and accomplished woman who earned the right to be a national leader. When I see John McCain and Sara Palin together, it’s like being in the restaurant and your boss walks in with his “niece”. You know, the “niece” who gets the promotion over the qualified women who actually earned it.

Jack,

I am so mad that McCain put down Obama for not having experience but yet turned around and choose someone with less experience McCain judgment is horriable and scary to me as a voter. As for Sarah to compare herself to Hillary Clinton she is no Hillary by any means. I can’t wait for Hillary to come out and put this woman in her place simply to put it Hillary has fault on behalf of our issues as woman and our rights for equall pay, a right to choose, and more important healthcare for millions to us who can not afford it. Jack I am ready to blow my top simply because if something happen to McCain this country would definitly fall apart. God help us!! Hillary come out and tell this woman that she doesn’t have the record that she has.

John McCain chose Gov. Palin for one reason. He chose her to take the disgruntled Hillary supporters. I do not believe that voters who are truly concerned about the economy, Iraq, health care and the mortgage crisis will be swayed by this obivious attempt to bait women. Gov. Palin has no experience. I do not know how McCain can accuse Obama of no experience. Who is Sarah Palin? What is her stand on the war? Where does she stand on health care? What does she want to do about Russia and Georgia? Does McCain really think that Gov. Palin can debate Joe Biden on foreign policy? It is my opinion that McCain just elected Obama as the next president.

I think John McCain had no choice. Time ran out and he had to come up with a name for the VP slot before the convention.

After Obama’s acceptance speech, all the good choices had enough political survival instinct to turn him down. History has shown that being a loosing Vice Presidential candidate is usually forced permanent retirement from public office.

Hi Jack,
As an Alaskan, I have to agree with your posted comments. Running the state of Alaska for less than two years does not qualify Sarah Palin for the position which John McCain has selected her. Other than her short governorship, she served on an energy commission here in Alaska and was mayor of Wasilla, a town with a population of about 8500 people. Up here we joke about her, saying, “You can take the girl out of the valley, but you can’t take the valley out of the girl”. Wasilla is situated in the Matanuska Valley and the whole valley is deemed by Alaskans as the most red-neck part of our state and quite the butt of many, many jokes.

Also, investigative reporters might be interested in the recent scandal involving Palin over her firing of the state safety commissioner. It’s been in the Anchorage Daily News for the past few weeks. Apparently, it was over the commissioner’s inability to fire Sarah’s ex-brother-in-law from the Alaska State Troopers. She may not be part of the good-ole-boy network but she doesn’t hesitate to use the power of her office for personal reasons.

When all of the excitement wears down a little and people actually get to know some of these things about Gov. Palin, I believe you’ll find that she will become a liability, not an asset, for the McCain campaign.

Darcy
Girdwood, Alaska

McCain’s choice of Gov. Palin further shows his lack of sound judgment. You’re telling me that after blasting Obama for having a combined ten years of state and federal senatorial experience, McCain now picks a former council member/mayor of a small town in Alaska who has been governor for less than a full term? Is it not just slightly odd looking at a 72 year old man next to a late 30s woman? The Vice-President is just one step away from being President, correct?

jack,after all this talk and all those stupid ads from mccain about obamas inexperince he goes and get a younger even more inexperinced woman to sit as his vp pick just to try and get hillary women to support his ticket its an insult to every woman who want change in goverment;instead they get to see how mccain will pander for women votes by selecting a hillary reject and lose my vote and not counting many of my family and friends

Jack, John McCain picked Palin because he thinks She will get Hillerys votes. He’s WRONG. She has no experience Hillery had experience.. This is a dangerous Choice. She is going to be a hair away from being a president. Scarey that we could possibly have a president with NO experience. Obama can have a field day with this Choice.

Jack

Barack Obama looks and sounds Presidential. He doesn’t look like he’s out of his league. In contast Sarah Palin looks scared and out of her element. She sounds more like a young woman running for her school’s Presidency. She has a pitchy shcool girl’s voice and looked an sounded very nervous today. That makes me nervous.

It would take all my imagination to view Sarah Palin as someone that could potentially be the leader of the free world. Leadership comes natural to Barack Obama. I don’t have to use my imagination.

Gee, ya think? It is a cheap attempt to grab Hillary supporters that are still disgruntled. It sounds similar to what the Illinois Republicans tried to pull off a few years ago. When Ryan dropped out of the Senate race due to scandals, Illinois Republicans called on Alan Keyes to run against Obama. Get it?

Palin is McCain’s new Alaskan “Bridge to Nowhere!”

She is no Hillary!!! If this is the best woman the republicans have?
Would you want her taking over if Mcsame health goes? I wouldn’t
I don’t want her answering the phone at 3am! She would probably give a moose recipie out to the Russians!

can you believe this he thinks people are going to vote for him because he has a woman as his vp this a slap in hillarys face to think she is better or the same as her. ladys of america take a look at john mccain and see how dum he thinks you are. i know you are not dum to fall for this trick.

The answer is YES! Does anyone really want a V.P. with 2 years of experience as governor of Alaska and not a day of experience on the world stage to take over if John McCain should not be able to complete his duties in office? Talk about a ship without a rudder, it is a potential disaster for America. It seems like a huge mistake to me but, Hey! we elected George Bush to a second term.

Yes he most certainly does. Michelle has more experince than Sarah Palin. Hillary’s voters wanted Hillary and I do not feel they are going to vote for a Republican women who has not yet earned her stripes to be a Vice President and clearly not the President of the United States in the event that somethings happens to McCain. It just goes to show that people will do anything to win. While I have nothing against Palin, McCain just made the biggest mistake of his life and has showed poor judgement in picking a person to run the second highest office in the United States.

McCain has done worse than undercut his own message. The old fool has given up any chance he ever had to win this election.

Not only does he undermine his own Message Jack but he once again demonstrates how little he understands what is going on outside Washington and outside his privileged existance. He doesn’t understand that voting america is sophisticated enough to laugh out loud at this clumsy and insincere atempt to portray the republicans equal to the Obama campaign on the issue of “change”. He displays the worst kind of chauvinism by expecting to claim Hillarys voters by trotting out “another woman” as though their were no issues or substance in Hillarys campaign for the presidency. Finally is it just me or is it just plain stupid for anyone to think America is ready to vote for another governor,male or female, from a state where one must sell your soul to the oil companys to become governor. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice……….

Pleased to see McCain choose Sarah Palin for his V.P. Very impressed with her acceptance speech and will reconsider my choice for president until I hear the debates. Told my daughter Obama made a huge mistake in not choosing Hillary and so happy McCain picked a woman. Hope Sarah can stand up to the challenge in the many forthcoming debates. At least McCain is open to change and I see him in a more favorable light now–further away from Bush politics which failed.

Yes, this pick negates everything he has said about Obama.

This is a repeat of a deseperate act as in the Mondale years.

This pick represents corparate prositiution of women. Women all over the world should be outraged.

I’m sadden to see a young woman allow herslf to be misused in this way.

When we women learn that we have to much to offer, without going on a path of being prosituted. America has the greatest list of women achievers from scientist to socialist. Some of these woman had to stand up against the very men who are prostituting Mrs. Palin.

So sad, so sad!!!

Jack, Yes in my opinion McCain has undermine his own message. As a Democrat, I have been laughing out loud all morning, because of this decision. Additionally, I think Palin’s appointment insults the intelligence of Democrats in general and Democratic women specifically. Ms Palin can’t replace Hillary.

I am not a big Clinton fan. But I don’t think she deserve the “fans/supporters” she has. These women who wanted a woman, no matter what. Now Clinton must realise:”It was never about me, never about what I did or what I could do for the country…It’s just a matter of gender”.
Palin is no Clinton. She is just a nice woman with no experience but ties to big oil. And easy to handle….
I don’t get the Clinton supporters who proudly say they vote for McCain now…. what a shame!
Susanna, Halifax

I think McCain’s pick is totally insulting to woman. He thinks we voted for Hillary only because she was a woman! Like Obama says “McCain just doesn’t get it!” A “hockey mom in the PTA who then worked on the city council and became Governor”—less than 2 years ago. Please. This is one political trick that will backfire big time!

Sarah Palin? Really, you’ve got to be kidding me. Not only did her speech this morning underscore the fact that she is so very, very inexperienced in the political arena (the very thing McCain criticizes Obama for) and inarticulate (also a problem of McCain’s), it demonstrated her inability to seriously appeal to voters that may have been on the fence. It’s made up my mind.

Jack,McCain does not undercut his message with the Sarah Palin pick,she actually has more executive expierence than either Obama or Biden.I was always going to vote for McCain because I thought he was the lesser of two evils,but now I will vote for him with pride!!!!

Senator McCain’s choice for VP is the ultimate pander for votes. Choosing a woman such as Kay Bailey Hutchinson would have been a bold move. She is an accomplished, fairly well known politician that happens to be a woman. Sarah Palin, on the other hand, having served less than two years as governor and a virtual unknown is strictly a pick based on gender. This really calls into question John McCain’s judgment.

To quote a line from an earlier VP debate, Governor, I know Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a friend of mine. Governor, you’re no Hillary Clinton.

Also there is the question of John McCain’s age. He would be the oldest person ever elected to a first term as President. He parades his 96 year old mother around as an example of his longevity. Genetic inheritance for longevity tends to favor one sex over the other in families. His grandfather died at age 61. His father died at age 70. John McCain would be taking on the biggest pressure cooker job in the world. He already has battled cancer. He, more than most, had an obligation to pick some one who could step into the job immediately. It goes counter to all his criticisms of the Democratic candidate’s lack of experience.

George from Stockton, Ca.

McCain’s pick of his VP indicates these facts to me and should to ALL women of America:
1. McCain needs a woman to help him win, not by his own merrit
2. McCain’s agenda and motive for picking Palin is clear evidence of exploiting women, by a white man who can’t win on his own.
3. Putting Palin next to Hillary Clinton, and whole slew of accomplished women in politics is an insult to ALL women, even though Palin holds no fault of her own in her own achievement, she is merely a “yes, man” caliber for a McCain VP.
4. Did you see how cold and uncomfortable was McCain standing next to Palin after the announcement and speech, do you women honestly believe she will be of any value to him after getting elected.
5. Does McCain have any idea if something happens to him during presidency, what is he leaving this country to? He does not have the best interest of this nation in mind, only about how to get himself elected by exploiting women.

Yes he does , but he has programmed us into thinking young and inexperienced is a bad thing. I happen to think that is a good thing! Compared to the so-called experience we have now. Anyone could hardly do any worse than what we have now!!!!!! One more thing George Bush was supposed to have experience but he let us be attacked in 9/11!!!!!! Where was that so-called experience then! No one ever wants to hold G. Bush for this but it happened on his experienced watch! I think Mc Cain made a good pick!

Yes I think he does. And I also think that his strategy to get Hillary voters shows how unintelligent and shallow he thinks women are. I feel that many women were more pledged to Hillary herself than the idea of a female president. How insulting to Hillary and to women. Not just any woman will do.

How scary to think that if something happened to McCain, we would be left with her to run the country.

Wow, un-dirtyword-believable. Does McCain that women are that shallow and will blindly give him their vote just because his running mate wears a dress? Hope he pulls all those ads about Obama’s inexperience. Now I’m looking forward to the vice-prez debates. Biden should eat her alive.

At first I thought, “Ooh, sneaky pick, choosing a woman and an unknown.” Then I remembered that McCain is old, and people are justifiably worried that he may die while in office, and picking someone with less experience than Obama (whom McCain been arguing is inexperienced) as the person that could succeed him as President, is a scary thought. Dumb move if you ask me. He needed someone that people would feel confident could take the reins if necessary.

I’m an Obama supporter, and I think this increased his chances even more!

That is exactly what it does Jack. Ultimately the responsiblity of the presidency could fall on Palin’s shoulders. So I have one question for Senator Mccain. Given the very little experience that she has, do you truly believe that Governor Palin is prepared to be president? If the answer to this question is yes, and I assume it is, what does this say about his judgement on this very important first decision. In my opinion, I think Senator Mccain is more concerned about the current political atmosphere and winning votes rather than what is best for our country.

Hey Jack,

It seems that Republicans like to fire off and tear down Obama for his lack experience. Yet, now they have elected a soccer mom from the remote state of Alaska to round out the McCain ‘team’.

The consistent thing about the current adminstration and the republican party is how out of touch most of them are. I guess it makes perfect since they choose a person from Alaska with even less experience than Obama to supprt the old fart named John McCain.

Fly Tucker
Los Angeles, Ca

Just goes to show McCains lack of judgement. Is he putting Country first by choosing someone who could be President on a moments, with 0 foregin policy experience? I do not think anyone advised him on this. This is pure out of touch McCain.

John McCain definitely undercut his own message by naming someone younger and more inexperienced than Barack Obama.

Jack, the more I think about it the more I realize that Obama was right when he said last night …JOHN MCCAIN DOESN’T GET IT!

Yes, we want a woman in the White House, but not just any woman; a woman with experience!

Judy Esson
Miami, Florida

Let’s see. She’s under an ethics investigation by her state legislature for something to do with trying to get her brother-in-law state trooper fired, there is the Bridge to No Where Senator who has been indicted, a Congressman who is also under investigation for corruption; she and her husband are supposed to be union members (I understand he works for BP Oil) and since when do the Republicans “back” anything Union? It’s the OIL, stupid! More people should pay attention Sen Bernie Sanders of Vermont (Independent) if they want the full scoop.

John McCain got it wrong. Is this an example of his good judgment? His VP pick will probably please the Christian right, but the rest of the republicans must be shaking their heads. Does he think Governor Palin will bring Hillary supporters? I think not. The vast majority of people who supported Hillary Clinton did so not because she was a woman, but because she was a woman with the credentials to be President of the United States. We all know how the job of President ages a person, and considering McCain’s current age, the thought of a President Palin scares me to death. The one thing he did get if he becomes President is the ability to run the show without influence from a VP, because I doubt that Sarah Palin can stand up to a John McCain.

I don’t care that Palin has a special-needs child just like how I don’t care the McCain was a POW or that Biden lost his wife and child in a car crash or how Obama’s father was completely absent.

What I care about is that my body is not up for negotiation, I demand that my pay be equal, and more importantly, I demand that every single American have the same exact rights that I do. And for McCain to think that because I have a vagina I’m going to think that his old, mysoginistic ask picked a woman that I will vote for him? He’s got another thing coming.

I was a Hillary supporter not because of her genetalia, but because of her policies. Policies that are closely linked to Obama’s. So why would I ever, even for a fleeting moment, consider voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin? He voted against equal pay, and against the domestic violence act (penned by Joe Biden). So why, why would I find his choice anything other than a gross misjudgment and slap in the face of the American people, especially women. A woman with no policies or bad policies is no better, and in my opinion, much worse than a man with okay policies.

A big mistake on McCain part. As you pointed out she is no Hillary.And John is no speaker. He even needed to look and look at his notes. This is not what we need in a President.

Hello Jack,

It seems obvious that the timing of the surprise pick of Sarah Palin from Alaska as his running mate may be very useful in turning attention from the extreme success of Obama’s magnificently suffessful event at the Unesco Stadium in Denver. Last night, Barack Obama clearly answered every attack of McCains, every question about the what, where and how of his policies. Obama showed the world that watched last night, an example of true American values, as well as important human values. While today would have been all Obama’s, as well it should, McCain has made a very risky choice that I don’t believe will endure the test of time. He did grab the ball, for now, but can he he run with it?

Micki Patrick, Fincastle, Va.

Jack, Palin is a profoundly disturbing choice for McCain. This is a guy who can’t remember that Czechoslovokia doesn’t exist or how many houses he owns. So he picks a hockey mom whose big dream is drill for oil in the National Parks. If this is presidential judgement you can hit me in the head with a hockey puck!

Great pick IMO. She is tough and makes no apologies for her convictions. Even Joe Biden is in for a rough go of it when it comes time to debate.

Love the out of the Washington Beltway pick. Comes with executive experience running a state. gutsy pick. I’m impressed.

Sarah. Sarah who?

Robin
NY

I think that is something that slipped his mind. It takes away his case on being too young and inexperienced. If he brings it up now it will be thrown back into his face. Or maybe he listened to Obama speech last night and decided that he wasn’t too young and inexperienced after all to be president. By the way Jack, I told you yesterday I was going to the shed to get my snow shovels after your nice words about the Clintons two days in a row. It did not snow here but thanks for the well deserved rain that we haven’t had in quite a while.

Dear Jack:

Not only does McCain undercut his main argument against Obama, but in courting the female vote by blatently appealing to Clinton voters during her speach, Palin may have undercut her own mission.

If McCain and Palin are of the impression that any woman can fit in that travelling pantsuit, they need to take another look at the serious differences between Palin and Clinton supporters. Palin reflects the beliefs and wishes of the far right of the republican party, and in doing so, she is the antithesis of Hillary. Voters will not be fooled!

Obama must be quite happy today with the choice of the republican ticket - Not only has McCain highlighted his age by announcing this on his 72nd birthday, he has pulled the rug out from under any possibility that his potential replacement will be ready to stand in his stead.

Finally, by putting her military son out there as an example of her patriotism, she drew a major difference between her and Joe Biden - he did not use his son’s service to show his character - he didn’t need to - the American people already know Joe Biden.

Kelley
North Carolina

OMG! Palin is going to reform Washington and reform with what? Will she reform with her experience playing with the good-old-boys, hockey mom, PTA? Gov. Plain, I’ve got bad news for ya honey… McCain is Washington or 90% of it. Are we talking reform or a new paint job? This has Rove written all over it.

A Real Groegia Peach
Lynda

From Landover Hills, MD
If you used common sense, then yeah, he has undercut himself, but those hardcore Hillaryites haven’t been expressing much common sense then or now. Although I can see how this is going to run: you can’t pick on McCain’s proposed agenda because he’s a POW - something he’s quick to wave in our faces; and you won’t be able to pick on Palin’s lack of serious experience, because well, we’ve seen how that double-edged sword was used by Hillary: if you get even a little bit hard on her then you’re mean.

Jack,
Mccain is a hypocrit. He bashed Obama on inexperience and now picks a inexperienced Palin just because shes a woman. I find it disrespectful to woman that mccain thinks a woman is that dumb to just to pick a woman because of her gender and not worry about her experience or issues. think about it America! Woman or not! Do you want someone with only 2 years experience as governor running america in the event John McCain would have to step down?? I don’t think so. Go Obama-Biden
Matt
Lorain, Ohio

Jack, it has nothing to do with disaffected women, directly. It’s Bush/Cheney and the oil interests. If McCain wins, he got the tie breaking vote in the Senate with a beauty queen as VP to open more areas for oil drilling off shore and in Alaska. This pick sure isn’t a quality effort . John’s a flyer and he knows the saying about doing that nasty thing to the “pooch.” This is number 3, lost a million dollar aircraft, angered the evangelicals and now he just jumped in bed with the oil lobby using both feet. Obama is right this guy just doesn’t get it.

“Buzz”
Pleasant Hill TN.

Jack

Time for Sarah Palin to answer that 3 am phone call. Good time for the Hillary ad. The only early morning phone call Sarah Palin has ever likely received was when she missed early morning hockey practice.

Yes, Obama has proven his ability to get things done with Congress and although the top man on the ticket. The top man on the Republican ticket is a 150 year old man, so its certainly important to have someone with a little Washington experience if the ol’ guy keels over.

The issue of experience is now off the table. With Joe Bidden, they can not use that too much anyway. So they will turn into other issues. I will be interesting to see how McCain play this game.

- Nuwan from Houston, TX

Why should I be surprised that John McCain picked a totally inexperienced self proclaimed hocky mom from the far north to run as his running mate. McCain’s selection makes the other potential VP running mates that weren’t selected look real good. Unfortunately the Straight Talk Express ran off the road and down the cliff a long time ago. What is McCain going to do next, color his hair purple, spike it, and start wearing bell bottom pants, a polyester long sleeve shirt and white shoes to impress the American electorate that he is hip?

The fact of the matter is this is a REACTIVE move, versus a PROACTIVE move in a change election. We won’t know if this is the right choice until at least a month from now, but my initial reaction thinks this will end badly for McCain.

P.S I am neither a republican, a democrat, or an independent. I’m canadian:)

I think John McCain has just insulted every Democratic woman who hoped to have Hillary as our next President. To think that we are stupid enough to vote for him (with issues that we are adamantly opposed to) just because he’s put an (unknown) woman on his ticket. I have nothing against Governor Palin - I have no idea who she is. But I’m pretty sure she’s no Hillary Clinton! Give us some credit for having brains!
Lorraine
Merchantville, NJ

I think its a great choice she will be good for the economy as McCain is on foreign policy. Jack Obama is weak on both issues since he has never governed a state nor served our country. She has more executive experience than McCain, Obama, and Biden put together.

As Andrea Mitchell just said Obama WHO?

McCain has enough experience for the both of them.

Also, the Dems are making a critical error right now, they are criticizing her experience. She and Obama have only both been in 1 state wide election. So they have the same experience. Plus, she has executive experience as a Governor with an approval rating in the 80% range, and that is while weathering a scandal.

The truth is that it is Christmas morning for the cable news networks, and specifically you, Jack, as that we can now have two more months of your masogonistic news coverage.

Jack,

We can’t compare Sarah to Sen Clinton, yes both are women & moms. However, as a mom with 3 boys, my question is how will she balance breast feeding/parenting with campaigning? Will her daughter be force to raise this child? Why didn’t she or her husband have this baby in their arms, before, during or after the presentation. She had her teenage daughter holding him.

Keeping in mind Chelesa is an adult, Hillary will not have abandon her young child if she had to choose.

Loving Mom

Jack,

Shame on John McCain, that he would exploit Sarah Palin and her new born baby, borned with down syndrome to entice voters…Shame on John McCain, that he would choose someone who is not qualified to be Commander and Chief of the United States in an unspoken event…Shame on John McCain that he neglected to choose any other senator or governor whom surpass the years and experience of Sarah Palin…a true slap in the face to them…McCain’s thoughtless selection of Sarah Palin is ‘exploitation of women to the fullest’…this ‘maverick’ needs to be ‘outlawed’ for the goodness and safety of this country.

Jack
the pros and cons of McSame’s choice for veep will be hashed and rehashed ad infinitum ad nauseum by the Talking Heads. So I’ll leave that to you fellahs.
My advice to Joe Biden is, bring your A Game to the debate. Anybody who knows Sarah Barracuda knows she is a tough customer and a quick study.

Pablo

Wow, this might be the biggest panic pick for VP in a long time. I’m sure some women voters will be excited by the pick, but probably not as many as the GOP wants. I think McCain has really shot himself in the foot with this one. There has definitely been a huge momentum change in this election, and this pick reeks of desperation from McCain. I think it opens him up to questions about McCain’s judgement. They want everyone to think this is a “maverick” pick, but Americans should be asking themselves if they want a President/Vice President team that complements each other or one that is obviously a “yes man”, or should I say, “yes woman” choice. The risk factor just shifted to the Republicans with this one.

Jack, I wanted Hillary and still wasn’t sold on Barack. My view with McCain’s pick as VP is maybe Barack is the guy for the job. He silently changed the look of the Republican party and offered us some choices. The inexperience comments are irrelevant. How can you get new blood if don’t put some newbies on the front page? The baby boomers have arrived!

Karen

I see where McBush had to go to Alaska to find someone that was shorter than him and he has more time on the toilet than does Palin on any type of issues from domestic to foreign policy, her experience would be equivelant to a first grade school teacher in New York. How much experience can you get from being governor for a year and a half in a state with about five hundred thousand population. The only thing McBush and Palin have in common is their squeaky little voices. She reminds me of Britney Spears

God forbid anything happens to McCain and he must give up the presidency, which will place Palin as Commander and Chief of the United States of America? Let President William Henry Harrison (President from Jan 1841 - Apr 1841) be an example of how short of a term in the Presidential Office one president actually held. I was under the impression the Vice President should be ready to step up to the job whenever needed, not be a token to win votes. I believe John McCain once knew better, would have shown exemplary judgment, but now I believe that progression in his age is very apparent.

Glad you said it, Jack.

This is an obvious pander attempt and I hope the American people can see that it wasn’t smart.

Cafferty, for once, and probably the only time, I actually agree with you. Better than I could’ve said it.

What IS her message? Who is she? What has she done? Again, WHO IS SHE? and How is she going to Win anyone over in 2 short months?

Oh Thank God!! She Owned a Snow Machine company… For a minute there I thought she owned a snow cone machine company… Boy was I relieved…

As a woman I am insulted by McCain’s choice for VP. It’s another strike against him in relation to his decision making ability. The difference between the republican party and democratic party is that in the democratic party “qualified” women are in positions of power. In the spirit of a comment in a past presidential campaign let me say “Palin is no Hillary Clinton.”

RE: Palin as VP Choice:
Wow! Talk about making decisions for political expediency and not for the good of the country!!! This woman should run for Wildlife Commissioner, not VP of the USA! She is being used big-time and I hope women and men see through this mirage. And that McCain commercial congratulating Obama on the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s speech is nothing more than a racist subterfuge to reming his base and others that Obama is Black! Double shame on McCain!

He’s pandering to get women’s vote. How absolutely hypocritical of the GOP to claim Obama is too inexperienced to be President when now they’ve appointed someone with less experience. Plus, the GOP has tried to draw connections between Obama and the misdeeds of his friends, but at least Obama isn’t being investigated himself like Palin is. This is the strangest election I’ve ever seen. It’s starting to remind me of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Jack, please open the door to the asylum and let me out !

Those women that supported HRC because she was a woman will support McCain and Palin for the same reason. They aren’t interested in the issues, only that they can vote for a woman. Those that supported HRC for her positions will vote for Obama.
I believe this will be seen for what it is. A blind desperate grab for those women who were never going to vote for Obama anyway.
McCain just made his 1st significant command decision and if this is any indication of what we can expect from him as president……..

It’s a cynics dream ticket. McCain chose “a woman” to lure in a few stragglers. It’s not bold; it’s not “maverick.” It’s simply the jaded politics of another go-it-aloner with a new inexperieced, 3 electoral vote and some oil holes Hillary wannbe running mate. I actually thought McCain was smarter.

Does anyone know the differenc