yes….but it is too late..she has no experience…no education, nothing…

No No No No No She’s the best thing to happen since churned butter!!

And invalidate the well-scripted party-line response to every inquiry? And lost the opportunity to cry foul about the media feeding frenzy? Here we have a person who has been governor of the most culturally isolated state in the union for 20 months, a state whose economy is solely based on natural gas and oil, who is extremely socially conservative, and who HAD TO GET A PASSPORT to visit the Alaskan National Guard troops in Kuwait in 2007 - apparently she also visited guardsmen in Germany as well. We can either subscribe to the Obama vision of One America, or we can continue to drive the ideological wedge deeper into the heart of the union. Anyone who spouts the party line that she is ready day 1 and more experienced than Obama will lose all credibility with me. Maybe we should start a website to keep a list of these folks for future reference.

No, Jack, Senator McCain should not replace Gov. Palin.
He might just do worse.

Hi Jack,
Do you think Sarah Palin is part of a GOP bait-and-switch operation? McCain has the far right in paroxysms of joy now that he has demonstated how “conservative” he is, but I can’t imagine this woman is his idea of an appropriate running-mate.

No he should not. As an avid Obama supporter I quite like his pick.

No I see keep her cause it doesn’t really matter. Johnny boy could pick Jesus as his running mate and would still lose.

Studio City, CA….Jack it would be a horrible blow to all of us if she were replaced and went away.. As we all wait for the fall Television season to start Sarah pallin fills the void and gives us a new version of Wysteria Lane…i for one would miss the entertainment

No Jack,
She is the gift that keeps on giving. We need her and her Clampett Family to stay.

You would love that, wouldn’t you? Just like when McGovern replaced Eagleton, and it was thought by some as reason he lost to Nixon.

It amazes me that liberals are being so harsh on a woman whose daughter got pregnant out of wedlock - you might think this is something that religious conservatives would do!

Having said that, I do think that Bobby Jindal or Michael Steele would have been better picks, but it’s too late now. We will have to see how Palin does tonight. The speech will make or break her.

I don’t think he should replace her and I do think that she could be a good candidate for the VP spot. The Republicans are getting nervous because everyone is saying she has no experience but yet this is the same argument that everyone had about Barack Obama. Futhermore, let me remind you he is still ahead in the polls and moving up slowly.
She does have a lot of baggage though. If they try to replace her now they can forget about winning the White House because they will have other Republicans feeling the heat of a shaky campaign. John McCain’s advisers didn’t know what they were doing in the beginning and everyone is just now beginning to see that.

Here’s a question for you. Are the McCain childern at the airport wearing the same clothes form the Convention last night? I find that odd with people that ahve that kind of money. My second question or observation deals with Bristol’s baby dddy being at the airport. What kind of message does the send. Why weren’t his parents present at the airport. Both of these kids are minors.

Yes if he does not he won’t have a chance to win.

Everyone is saying how the Vice Presidential nominee needs to be ready to take over the Presidency on day one. My question is this: What would be the procedure if McCain were to pass away BEFORE the election? Also, say he becomes the President Elect and then passes away, what would happen then? Would Palin automatically be the new President elect?

I hope McCain leaves her on the ticket. The Palin “reality show” is more entertaining than “Survivor” and “Big Brother” put together!

McCain should not give consideration to replacing Palin. He should have someone else to do it for him. He has had his turn at VP selecting. Maybe Jay Leno could help him. My ex-wife is only 45 and has only one grown child plus she is shorter than he is so he would have someone he can look down on.

McCain should replace Palin and while he’s at it why doesn’t he replace himself too? Perhaps the McCain of ‘00 would be a fitting replacement. His calculated political pandering of nominating Palin really cements his image as Bush III.

Yes Jack, lest they become known as Boris and Natasha from the
Rocky and Bullwinkle cartooon.

McCain can’t be the person to advocate Palin be replaced as it would indicate he had poor judgement and acted irrationally. Two qualities most informed people know John has but also it’s also information best kept from those who are less informed.

The smart money is on Sara backing out of the nomination citing family obligations and concerns then McCain can come up with a quick stand in for VP that people won’t have time to Vett.

He won’t choose another veep candiate because that would be tantamount to admitting a mistake in choosing Palin to begin with.

No way! There is not a better example of what the crazy right has been about since Nixon and McCarthy arose in the fifties. I want that true cast to come to the fore, outlined and underscored for all to see. My father also fought in Patton’s Army, had been exploited by the Big Wigs of Industry during the depression and was able to build a home and a business via the G.I. bill. He never lived beyond 26 but he would not have ever wished Nazism, bookburning, croneyism, and the me-first ethic to ever color the America he was hauled away to fight. It’s time to drive the plague makers from the public temples and restore democracy and our civil liberties. My father would not act out of fear and I will not have fear define our course either.

Jack, It’s not like the McCain campaign spent a lot of time vetting their pick. If the dartboard is still on the wall then why not just go for it.

Hey Cafferty, Maybe you should Ask the democrats to consider switching Biden for pres and Obama for Vice pres?

george tiwari 29, rancho cucamonga

Jack, if nominee McCain thinks she is qualified, then leave her on the ticket and let the media, the pundits, and the American voter have a crack at her. But he knows that politics is a collision sport, don’t sequester her and don’t get upset if people say things you don’t like.

Why should he consider replacing Sarah Palin? Is it because she’s an open book and hides nothing? Witness her daughter and fiance travelling with her. She, unlike some names on the Democratic ticket (remember Reverand Wright), allows her skeletons to emerge from the closet. What a breath of fresh air!

Of course not! We desperately need reformers to shake-up DC and career politicians who put self interests above the public interests. McCain, as a reformer, made the right choice. Bravo!!!

This sexism thing is a joke. You don’t make someone CEO because a bunch of people call her a beauty queen. She pursues these type of images for herself. Are you people nuts!

He has already made a bad decision choosing a questionable canindate for Vice President, but if he were to replace Palin at this stage of the game would self destruct his campaign. Sometime when you make a bad choice the only thing you can do is ride it out. This is one of those situations.

YES!, Especially since she is totally unqualified and his only claim to fame is being a POW.

It appears McCain has made yet another bad decision. Just when you thought the hoohaw would claim down, Palin parades not only her 17 year old pregnant daughter across the tarmack to meet McCain’s plane, she brings Levi. Can’t you just hear the conversations behind closed doors on this one. “Hey, we got so much press coverage with Bristol’s pregnancy, let’s crank it up a notch and throw Levi to the media.”

Jack,

I believe that McCain should keep Palin on the ticket so that she continues to attract negativity. The Dems should vigorously point out the hypocrisy associated with Palin, for example, applying for “abstinence only” funds from the federal government which implies Palin’s disdain for actual education and then exposing her own seventeen year old daughter as a test case for why “abstinence only” does not work. The hypocrisy in the republican party is breathtaking but this one is especially heinous.

they can have who ever they want if i don’t think there good for this country i will not vote for them
may be she will be a good vp but as a mother of the year! last place
baby need there mother and one with a handy cap needs her more then the gop,

No. As long McCain has Palin on his side, Barack Obama is guaranteed to be the next president of the United States.

I think that if Sarah Palin really stood by her “family values” platform, she would put more time into caring for her Downs Syndrome baby, pregnant teenage daughter and her other children. Perhaps if she could move beyond her own narcissism, she would recognize that the balance between family and career can also be “out-of-balance” and the consequences can often be your teenage daughter seeking attention and validation from her teenage boyfriend. I hope McCain doesn’t replace her. It’s like a gift that keeps on giving. Have you seen the bikini picture, yet? Brilliant choice, John. You now have lost my vote, for sure.

As an Obama supporter, I say no. This is the gift that keeps on giving. McCain must be entirely clueless to believe putting any old woman on the ticket would garner undecided female voters. If he wanted a woman who would have been taken seriously, he could have chosen either of the 2 Maine senators or maybe Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. There are many qualified Republican women, but Palin isn’t one of them. Guess he’s got a thing for beauty queens.

Absolutely not, Jack. I am sure you would want this because of the new wave of energy in the GOP, and is much more qualified than Obama, but I and many others stand behind her in spite of all the sexists who attack her.

If he has any chance of winning he must. But, his judgment has proven to be so reckless already that the damage is done.

McCain should consider replacing her and himself!

No. Close your eyes and ask the question what if McCane’s VP pick had been a one term Governor of Idaho (for example a small state) and was male. It would not have been considered a bad pick. This removes some of the scare. So forget the fact that she is a mother of 5 and grandmother of 5/9 th and ask instead about her world view. Where did her education come from? Major University or bible U? Is she a reader? Who taught her? Does she have legal training?

But.. MaCane (not a typo) will come into office with the same Republican administration hacks that currently populate our government. That is reason enough to vote for Donald Duck if he was running.

Not at all- this is great for the democrats , and it’s all but cinched the election for Obama ! Thanks John ! lol!!

No… the hail mary pass has been thrown. No do overs here without looking more desperate than they already are.

Why Jack? Should the Democrats consider replacing Obama? Just curious what reason you have for even posting this question? She’s been nominated for less than a week. Is it because she doesn’t fit your profile as a VP. What is that profile Jack? Please list the qualifications for running for the highest two offices in this nation and why the pick of a Governor of Alaska with 80% approval rating should be considered to be pulled from the ticket.

I think Republicans are trying to box women up into a secretary image and reduce the powers of V.P. What will she be able to do as V.P. for women? It is terrible how a few women can really hurt the progress that women have made that is truly meaningful. This is not a meaningful gesture, but we will all learn this soon enough.

As a Democrat, I say, “No! Let’s let them continue to run this campaign into the ground.” However, as an American, I say, “Yes. She’s entirely too risky for a man of his advanced years to choose as a running mate.”

Frankly, it scares me that the governor of a state smaller than Jacksonville (where I live) could be our president in a few years.

The lobbyists who run McCain’s campaign don’t care that Palin’s selection smacks of the most cynical hypocrisy. The party that villified Hillary Clinton for years now wants the media to leave “their” woman alone. The right wing anti-abortion zealots who stand outside clinics screaming at young women now want everyone to regard Bristol Palin’s pregnancy as “a private family matter”. If that cute oldest daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama were 17 and pregnant would Sean Hannitty and Rush Limbaugh treat it as a “private family matter”? If Michelle or her husband had belonged to something as radical as the Alaska Independent Party would the GOP Noise Machine consider that off limits. Please. The GOP is the party of hypocrisy. She is EXACTLY the sort of candidate they deserve.
cy arlington va

Jack, he should not only consider it-he should do it but you know he won’t because he is already in to deep. He doesn’t want to look like he makes rash decisions although it is well know that he does. Palin was picked in a last ditch desperation attempt to garner votes with no thought what so ever for the American people or the security of our country. The whole situation is a disgrace.

He picked her for two reasons.
1. to shore up the Christian right vote,
They could care less about troopergate or her lobbyist connections, she is anti abortion , anti contraception, that’s all they care about. They love her and he will not let her go for that reason alone.

2. to somehow attract Clinton supporters by having a female on the ticket. Most of us are insulted that he would think any female would do. particularily one completely against everything Hillary stood for.

I have to tell you, Obama didn’t convince me to vote for Obama , but McCain just did..
The funny thing is , the very people who blasted Hillary are now crying sexism at anyone who questions Palin’s readiness.

Now some advice to the media, leave her pregnant daughter, and the fact that she has a new baby out of it. But please do your homework and check out just how connected she really is to Washington, and
the Bridge to nowhere. Report about asking the towns librarian if she would ban books. Or how she wants creationism taught
in schools as “scientific theory”.
That’s the scary stuff.

Absolutely not!!!!

Given the panicked response of brutal attacks on her and her family by the far left liberals, many Dems and biased media, I’d say he picked a true winner.

GO SARAH!!!

Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter because voters stay loyal to their party. How else could George Bush win a second term. Either that or the American voter is stupid! I was floored when Bush won a second term. McCain and Palin can win this election - just listen to the idiots trying to convince America that she is ready to lead this country. It is insane man! If McCain and Palin win I’m going where it’s hot all the time and the people don’t vote or be idiots. Puerto rico!!!!

Jack:

Yes, this is a Thomas Eagleton situation if I ever saw one, except that Eagleton was qualified and this woman is not. The McCain campaign should dump her now, but I think the damage is already done. We’ve seen deicsion making at its very best. I somehow can’t see this woman staring down Vladimir Putin if McCain is not around.

He can’t replace her at this point or it would make him look like a “doofus”. The damage is already done. As usual, the GOP will spin all of the issues that accompany Palin like a merry go round until the American people say enough already and demand to get off the ride.

McCain doesn’t seem to be happy with her - review the tape of his face as she’s talking after his announcement of her selection

I’m sure the Obama campaign hopes she stays on the ticket. Not only does McCain = Bush, but Palin = Cheney. For example, she’s been avoiding giving a deposition under oath in the trooper-gate issue and she has strong ties with the oil industry.

Hey, if she’s vp and Alaska gets countryhood, as her Alaska Indepencence party wants, will that make her an illegal alien? Or if, God forbid, anything should happen to Pres McCain and she becomes president, will the United States of America become the “United States of Alaska”?

There is only one way to answer this question - YES!! and at the same time maybe someone should consider replacing McCain!!

No, Jack. If McCain replaced Sara Palin NOW, it would make him look even worse as the flip-flopper he is.

Look on the bright side… at least she’s not another lawyer; she has a head on her shoulders. It’s just too bad she doesn’t have more political miles on her…

Jack, . . .Faster than an empty toilet paper roll!

No, don’t replace her she is helping the Democratics,
from South Dakota

Changing his nominee would be the ultimate flip-flop, and a welcome opportunity for the Democrats. If McCain admits that he used bad judgment in selecting Palin, he’s done for. He may as well nominate a new Presidential candidate.

No. She had him at hello…she completes him.

I say let her stay on the ticket at this point. Although I’m glad she’s coming under fire regarding her teen daughter’s pregnancy. Gov. Palin’s outdated stance against sex education in school is dramatically highlighted by her personal circumstance. Perhaps if her daughter was properly educated on contraception and family planning, she wouldn’t be knocked up at 17 yrs old. Gov. Palin is for teaching “intelligent design” to our kids however. Go figure…

No, he’s stuck with her now. He should have learned one thing from President Bush: making decisions from your “gut” isn’t smart.

Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX

Personally I don’t think she is what this country needs to get back on its feet and would love to see him try to get his V.P. choice right. McCain showed how much of a follower not a leader he is. He knew he was desperate for the Republican Conservative vote and he bowed down to their political and religious views that throw equality in this country right out the window. Unfortunately, I think it worked. Our country is in desperate need of help for the poor and the middle class and I can tell you she’s not the help we need. I keep hearing that she has just as much experience as Barack Obama so she’s qualified. But, they are missing one fact. Barack Obama wasn’t given this chance to rally a base. He was voted by the American people after a long battle because he does represent change that millions believe we need in this country. As a Hillary voter I was not behind him in the begining, but as an American that believes in this country, the change we desperately need, and the words equality for all, I am voicing my support for him and his ideas for change all the way.

Fayetteville, N.C.

Please, not yet - let’s wait until she is really vetted!!!!

Palin should be replaced. Look for a made up scandal that gives McCain’s team a reason to get rid of her.

What? Replace her and deprive us two months of wonderful entertainment? Don’t even consider it.

Consider? No Jack. He should replace her outrightly Sarah Palin ‘Pales’ out in comparison to whatever McCain may have thought she would bring to the ticket. What a pity!

Probably too late to do that but she should never had been the pick in first place. I could care less about her daughter being pregnant or the other family issues. However what does concern me besides her lack of true experience in foreign policy ( and no FNC and Cindy McCain..governing a state near Russia doesn’t count!) is her position on abortion, gays, environment, evolution, Iraq war etc. About the vetting. Either they are lying and didn’t do a complete and thorough vetting or even scarier they did and he still chose her!

Peg, Ontario Canada

Without question, it shows just how far down the “totem pole” they had to go before they found someone willing to take the losong side.

Why would he want to do that? She speaks directly to the heartland of America. This is GOP Populism. This woman has been criticized for being the mayor of a small town in Alaska. Well there are thousands of small towns just like that all across America. The people who live in them identify with her and her family. The Democrat Party has become the party of large cities, in particular those areas next to the college campus and the black communities. I am a life-long Democrat who has been left-out by his party. I will be voting for McCain in November.

No. McCain shouldn’t replace her. Just like the decisions, that will be made in the oval office, he doesn’t get a do-over. They will just try to change the justifications for her pick, (i.e. Like the justifications for the war in Iraq). Nothing about McCain’s campaign passes the laugh test. Perhaps we should make them pass a lie detector test prior to their speeches. Of course, it will be the media’s fault when they don’t pass the test!!! It is also interesting that we’re being told to critique Gov. Palin, based on her ability to give a speech tonight. Isn’t that one of their criticisms of Senator Obama? The Republican Party has no credibilty!!!!!!!

Tellis Williams

The comedy routine the republicans are having at their convention has me so amused that if Sarah Palin was dumped now, the fun would be all gone.
Pass the popcorn, please.

I’d say not really because I want him to lose.
The hypocrisy of the republican party and John McCain is astounding.
But , the bottom line is John McCain is old and has a history of multiple cancer encounters. The real questions should be… Are we ready for a President Palin, if McCain drops dead? That is a scary thought! A woman who didn’t learn anything about birth control and obviously couldn’t pass this onto her 17 year old daughter. Yikes! Maybe she was too busy running the state of Alaska to think about her personal life and family to think about contraception. Maybe this was her daughters way of getting her attention. WOW! Just what I want to take a chance on running our country.

Well…let’s see. We’ve got Troopergate, husband’s membership in the Alaskan Independence Party, membership at a church that sponsors anti-semetic groups as speakers, being before the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it, lobbying for earmarks, and who knows what else. As an Obama supporter, I sure hope she doesn’t get dumped from the ticket!

Jack,

He should not only replace Palin but also drop out of this race for more serious candidate. He prouds himself as someone who puts country first while subtuly questioning his opponent’s patriotism and now see what he has done, buckled at the roaring of people like Rush, and the extremists in his party and ended up puting politics first in one of the most important decision that concerns the nation.

Jack
This is John McCain the mavrick at his best. He was not allowed to name either of the picks he wanted so he said to the base, I pick Palin now you right wingers go defend her. My prediction, if Obama is still in the lead on 10 Sep she is gone back to Alaska for “personal reasons”.
McCain is telling the right wingers to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.

No I think he should keep her.

I also would like to hear one of these two guys say they are going re-pay the Social Security fund back the money that Congress LOOTED from it.

That would make them a sure winner.

I would beg McCain to keep the McPain ticket. This is so entertaining - better than any Hollywood Reality Show, and the best of all, McCain is putting the Country First by handing over the presidency to Obama.

Go Obama. Yes, we can.

Jack,
I agree with Lucus in New York. I quite like his pick. She is going to have to give the speech of a lifetime to convince most people that she was not approached just because she is a woman.

NO, she is the best. WHO could possibly replace her.

brian

No Jack, we Obama supporters like her being on the ticket.

Replace her? Please, NO…….I cannot think of anything more entertaining this side of Knots Landing meets the Beverly Hillbillies.

Should he drop her? If he doesn’t want anyone to question her he should….

I don’t get it when conservatives and traditionalists are so excited to use the picture of the perfect family to get their candidate elected, but they cry foul if the surface of the pretty picture is scratched.

Can you imagine if Hillary Clinton or any other progressive woman was running for office with a pregnant teenage daughter and a developmentally disabled infant, as well as several other minor children, left ‘without their mother’? We would not be able to hear her speech over the din of criticisms saying that the candidate had abandoned her primary role as a mother to seek out fame and power, and the daughter’s pregnancy would be blamed directly on the candidate’s ‘neglect’.

If you are voting on gender and family issues, Obama and Biden are far more feminist than is Palin.

I think removing Palin from the ticket would prove disasterous to McCain. It would show to the world how the GOP is in distress and seem to be grasping at straws. It would only prove what all Dems already know - McCain is not the right man for the Presidency if he can’t get this task right. On second thought yes, yes he should remove Palin. Did I mention I’m voting for Obama?

As a democrat my answer is: NO! This isn’t practice. We need some that can make real decisions that require sound judgment. McCain doesn’t get a do over! Everyone should be able to see what a foolish decision McCain made. He is pandering to women and to hell with country first. If Palin were male, she would be laughed off of the stage. Just imagine what outrage there would be if Obama made this blunder.

And… my response to your question if I were republican, I would want to impeach him already for making such an outrageously ridiculous selection. I wouldn’t want McCain to select a new VP… I would want to select a new candidate for President.

YES! I say that because he recuited her for the wrong reasons. I’m an independant, an OLD, white woman and no where in my excellent reasoning would I vote for a woman (or man) just because of their gender. Now how many of US do you think are running around the earth? Mr. McCain, I really do believe that you’ve shot yourself and your party in the foot.

Hi Jack,

A number of “analysts” have suggested that the inclusion of Palin on the Republican ticket is an effort by McCain to get support(votes) from the 18 milllion or so Hillary supporters, who, they say, will vote for her because she’s a woman. What a crock that is.

Aren’t all these 18 million women Democrats?

Do the analysts honestly believe that these women are so upset that Hillary didn’t win that they will abandon their own party and vote Republican just because there’s a woman on the ticket? Some might…but I’d bet a bundle that the majority won’t……..especially since she’s no Hillary……

Robert Gourdine
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
Canada

PS. Love your stuff. You’ve got a lot of fans up here. Keep it up..!

He can’t now. He made his bed and now he has to lie in it. Imagine if he made a dicision like this (which most people seem to disagree with but can’t do anything about it) as president. Sound’s alot like the trouble we’re in now with bush. I wouldn’t want to lie in that bed for another four years. This relationship is over!

I think that Paline is not ready to lead she said herself that’s she’s a soccer mom, if McCain god forbid pass, she will be lost. she’s not 2nd best. McCain said she a PTA mom, whats the point of being
active in that if your not active in your daughter life, to find out whats going on in her life, why haven’t I heard anything about her husband and his associations with Rev. Wright type political figures. Roland
Martin has the facts.

This is the Republician Party meltdown, they talk about change but
the convention looks like a large group of grumpy old men, a handful of American Americans & perhaps 2 dozen women.

Good Bless America Freedom of Speech

No she is one person McCain could find to run with him. The others must think he is going to lose anyway so why get on board. As for her problems with her family as Obama has said should be off limits. If she had to take over for McCain she would be much better than Bush.
Paul
Round Rock, Texas

No. I support Obama and I want McCain to keep Palin right where she is at center stage. Couldn’t be a better pick for any woman who supports choice or who supports women who actually care for their children.

Her decision to protect her political ambitions by throwing Bristol under the proverbial bus speaks to the kind of mother this is. Given the choice of exposing my teen daughter’s pregnancy to the world or stepping back from a political appointment, she chose ambition over her daughter.

She is no role model for so-called :”family values”.

There is a betting pool where you can bet on the day or hour when Mrs. Palin will step down because of (a) She will soon be a grandmother and must care for the new mom/baby. (b) While she is conducting her investigation of herself, she finds some serious problem with past statements about money laundering and “gifts “and her own last pregnancy.
(c) Every body is picking on her.

Hey Jack
The GOP says that she has military experience of commanding 4000 troops as Gov., that’s like turning over a Brigade to someone who has only two years experience. We don’t do that because it is stupid. Gov. Palin and her Husband should go home and take care of their family, because they need both parents now more than ever. She should have said 6 months before or after I would have said “yes”, but now thanks but, no thanks Sen McCain, my family needs me now!
I think but of them are lousey parents. So much for family values!
Cinti, Ohio

No! It’s her decision to drop out now. If the vetting process was ligitimate she should be in it to win it. Hopefully when Palin gets into the White House she will get rid of all those corrupt Republicans and keep them out!

No, that’s the best thing that happened to this election. As you said, it is like Christmas mornig for the Democrats. Allow the republicans to self-destruct the way they have been doing the past 8 years.

What an insult to parade Palin’s unwed pregnant daughter and
her boyfriend in front of our nation. What does this say to teenagers
who want to have unprotected sex? This is a sin. It makes me
sick.
When she stands on the stage tonight with her mother & McCain
are we being told this act has been condoned by the Republican
party?

Morlene
Columbus, OH

If he did, that would put the lie to all his denials that he hadn’t vetted her properly, or that he demonstrated poor judgment.

Replacing or not replacing her is not the question.
The real question is :
Does McCain have the judgement to become the highest most important decision maker in the country? His rushed decision to select Palin reflects his recklessness and lack thereof.

How about Miss October for now, and then someone significant in November?

John McCain shouldn’t have to worry about replacing Sara Palin as his VP pick. You probably haven’t heard this Jack but John McCain was a Prisoner of War and supported the Surge. Surely that’s enough to get him elected with all else of very little importance.

He might want to replace her given that she and her husband were part of the AIP, an organization that wants Alaska to secede from the USA.

I do not believe McCain should replace Palin. First, he had plenty of opportunity to find a person and he choose Palin.
I see two real things that send up red flags: DWI and teenage pregency. Both republicans hate.

No, not yet. Wait, she has not been fully vetted by the media. Why spoil all the fun. It has not been so enjoyable since the Clintons left the primary.

McCain definitely should not replace her, that would leave the door open for someone even less qualified. (As difficult as could be imagined.)

No it just makes Obama/Biden look even better

Let’s call it for what it is. she was put on the ticket to rally the GOP base. Just google her name and see that she is as far right as it gets.
So as for taking her off the ticket. that what sure stir up the bee hive (meaning the GOP right wing base)

Jack, I would like to know what heroic things John Mccain did during the war. They keep saying that he’s a war hero, But I cant find one single thing he did. Now If getting shot and locked up is heroic, then we lots of hero’s in jail right now. So can someone please direct me to his military resume. Thanks

Heck no Jack, this is just getting started. Let the Republicans have all the rope they want with this one. Next thing you know SP will have morphed into a blend of Joan of Arc, Wonder Woman and a dash of Rambo. What a compelling fantasy the Repubs have concocted for the faithful. Delusional anyone? You bet.
Hiram Rapids, Oh.

Either way he loses. If he keeps her, he will forever be known as the sheep who followed idiotic advisors to pick her instead of actual qualified people who unfortuanely for GOP are pro choice. If he replaces her, she would voluntarily step down of course, he looks like an idiot who doesn’t have the guts to standy by his decision. It’s all about abortion and getting future supreme court nominees to overturn Roe vs Wade. That’s all the right wing evangelical base cares about. screw the rest of the country and the world.

McCain seems to have a Napolean complex and would only make a worst decision. ….Which is scary .

No, Jack……….she’s good for the Party………the Democratic Party!

He should but he won’t. The”story” has gone too far for him to do so.

His standing with the “republican base”, whose support he needs to have a chance, was shaky when he appointed her. The appoinment was made to solidify the “base”. If he dumped her now he would lose the “base” completely and wouldn’t have a prayer.

It would take the revelation of something very damaging in her past for him to dump her in the next 24 hours.

Bob Fleming
Louisville, Ky

I think he will, on January 22nd, that way he can appoint any old cronie he wants to.

No, I think Governor Sarah Palin is a great pick. She is smarter and has more experience than either Biden or Obama. She is decent and caring and she has a great family. She can set an example to many of the people in Congress about how the country should be run by representing the people rather than special interests. The news media can learn from her about how people should be treated. I don’t think she will attack people if she is elected the way the news media has attacked her.

Jack, this is hilarious. I see a Saturday Night Live skit on the horizon.

The question is about McCain’s temperment and judgement. He just doesn’t get it. Let’s get back to the issues…economy, etc.

She is his pick…let’s settle down. She is, I am sure, a wonderful person, but not ready to be the president and that has to be a real concern considering McCain’s age.

Would you feel comfortable with her experience…if she had to step up to be commander in chief?

I feel more comfortable with the Obama/Biden ticket, both top of the ticket and bottom.

Sandy
Nebraska

It is too late now to change. Why should they? The Republican party is now setting rules on what the media and Democrates can talk about and question. I am just waiting to see if the media buys into this like they did the Iraq war. Remember Jack, to question that was unpatriotic. The media fell right in line.

Should he replace her? Im still trying to figure out if this is some type of joke. You mean he really picked her? I can’t believe that she was the only option for the job. She is already covered in scandal, she has no experience, and a woman that would want to leave her special needs infant is just crazy to me. The Republicans are always trying to play themselves as the family values party and she is a stark contrast to that. She named her kids after Nascar for crying out loud. You want us to trust her judgement to lead us. This is ridiculous, I was a strong Hillary Clinton Supporter. Listen up Republicans, I was voting for Hillary Clinton because she was Hillary Clinton. I was not voting for her because she was a woman, I was voting for her because I knew that we would have a health care program and be a fighter for our children. Your candidate is choosing to run for the most time consuming job in the middle of a family crisis. I would never vote for your V.P. choice. Pro-gun, Anti-Choice, non parenting candidate. And stop telling me about her approval rating! Approval Ratings are how we pick a Prom Queen, it is not how we pick a Vice President. Approval rating is not experience. I wouldn’t allow this woman on my PTA. However, I was once the Treasurer of Student Health Council in High School and I am pretty. So, put me on the ticket.

Bristol Palin’s child is not a justifiable political target. However, the Republican attempt to deceive the American public is. Bringing Bristol on stage, covered by a blanket and holding a baby to hide her pregnancy without stating the issue first is a clear attempt at deception. Fortunately for us, and particularly unfortunately for Bristol it didn’t work. It is obvious the McCain intends to treat us to four more years of the same lies and deception that are the hallmark of the Bush Administration

McCain comment that he is satisfied with Palin’s vetting is right up there with Bush’s “You’re doing a good job, Brownie” during Katrina.

Enough, I’ve been a Republican for my entire life, 64 years, and I say we can’t take any more of the this Razzel Dazzel Representation. Get the Republicans out of the White House and keep them out.

Jack Ross
Easley, South Carolina

Why have we not heard about why McCain picked Palin in the first place. It’s not because of her experience (obviously) but because she is a woman. The only reason McCain picked her is to try & get some of the Hillary votes. This is a sad political move by McCain for votes nothing else. This should show people what McCain’s moral’s really are - do whatever you have to do to get elected regardless of whether or not it is the best thing for the country. There were plenty of more qualified people he could of picked for V.P. but they were not female - sad.

Why? She not only has far more Experience than Obama but also a proven record of bring about change. She is a true Reformer and is exactly the person to support McCain make change in Washington.

Gee Jack, you should be happy. After being elected you will continue to have a female to attack.

Phyllis
Media, Pa

Absolutely not! As a nation, we are about to witness history in the making with this election. And now that we are seeing something new and refreshing, the media feels the need to question this woman’s capability in regards to her being a working mother. How hypocritcal! Why is the question even posed.

How about replacing John?

Keep Palin and go with Romney at the top of the ticket.

Romney / Palin

It is too late now the nail is in the coffin. If McCain wanted to be considered a “maverick” and independent of party influence he would have selected Ron Paul, a man that is a true maverick, is pro-life, pro-gun, and has a cult of personality following that would have really gave McCain a bump in the polls. But McCain and his advisors botched this opputunity with a superficial VP pick which is aimed at rivaling the historic nature of Obama’s campaign and shows that he would rather pander than make good sound judgement.

McCain made a dumb -decision picking Palin and now he has to live with it. Replacing her or keeping her is all the same when it comes to his judgment. May as well stay the course like his buddy Bush.

Maybe if Governor Palin was out we might get down to where the GOP stands on the issues…I am tired of the Republican party’s accusations of sexism (man what a set back) in order to shield their candidate from being researched by the media- it would be sexist NOT to go after her history and background. Are they insinuating that she can’t handle the heat? I am tired of hearing about her daughter’s problems- all i see is a politician exploiting her daughter (with this morning’s display at the airport) in order to further her career with the GOP and the church. How sad. Is this the same woman who called Senator Clinton a “whiner”? Oh, sorry, Governor Palin’s not whining- she’s just hiding behind her party, letting them do the whining.

No Jack I think The republicans should replace McCain. He has shown he is Lost in Space. He picked a trophy item for the VP.
God HELP the USA.

Fred.

Why? He would only end up picking another beauty queen. After all, that’s what happened when he got tired of his first wife and he didn’t even wait to divorce her before he ran around with Cindy. He dumped his wife and children, called Sen. Obama’s children “brats” and now says we should leave Sarah Palin’s family out of it. I agree we should leave all the children out of it, but not Sarah Palin’s record of using undue influence to attempt to get her former brother-in-law fired. But, after all, that is the republican way.

I think the question is, should we consider not hiring McCain and Palin to run our government? They are now canceling interviews and stating that they’ll no longer speak to press that asks tough questions.

If I was interviewing someone for a job and they told me they weren’t going to answer any more of my questions because they were too tough… then the next question I’d ask is if they see the door behind them.

As a mother I wonder where is her judgement. I would have passed on the VP spot for my family. she knows how brutal the media can be how did she think a 17 year old could deal with this and there are adults that cannot deal with that kind of attention. i am glad she choose to have her baby but her mother did not think about her in her decision. shame on her

I would bet he already has. The endless sea of look-alikes at this Republican Convention is a testament to an out-dated, small-minded segment of the population in its final, panicked throws. When you go for small town values, what you may just get instead is small town ignorance. George W. was the kind of guy you could drink a beer with. That worked out well.

That, won’t happen. Of course all families have their individual “issues”. But whatever happened to the highest office, at least representing the best of who we are AND setting an example? Just imagine if it was one of Obama’s daughters dealing with this…All sorts of potential “baby momma” comments come to mind. Oops…they already did that with his educated, much accomplished wife who built her family the traditional way…education AND marriage first! If our first families can’t represent those ideals, then who?

Yes!

The Bush years have been characterized by a stubborn refusal to ever admit error.

If McCain really wants us to believe he is not McBush–and that “Country First” isn’t just a cynical slogan–he should concede that Palin was a mistake.

He should replace her with someone who–politics aside–leaves no doubt about competence to assume the presidency if necessary.

Dear Jack,
I don’t have anything against Sarah Palin. Any woman with an oversized ego would of course take the position. What bothers me is that there are so, so many other more qualified women and men who have given much more of their lives to the “calling” than Gov. Palin.

Her family obviously needs her more at home than as Vice President. Sure she will have a nanny to take care of the baby, but what about the other four children and a husband. I am not saying she can’t do it; women are amazing. I believe she has let her ego get the best of her. As Vice President, she will have no power! Who will benefit? Her baby? Her husband? This is about ego plain and simple.

Phil Graham and Joe Lieberman will be at McCain’s right and left - Sarah Palin.

Aria
Dallas, TX

Gee, Jack, what happened to all those “Values Voters” who now seem to think that teen pregnancy is just ducky?

The ‘maverick’ will surely not back down now. I want to know how the republican yackers on TV justifying this selection can continue to call McCain a maverick for this choice when all he did was buckle to the right conservative base.

I think the McCain group should consider replacing Ms. Palin, but they won’t no matter what happens. It is obvious to any thinking person that she was not truly vetted. The McCain campaign now realizes they are not fooling anyone on that subject, but they can’t afford to appear incorrect on their first major decision. Americans should be truly frighten to think this is how decisions would be made in a McCain administration.

John MCains claim “county first “is so boggus.why would he pass over so many qualified people for vp and put ms. palin above all? Is it to counter the obvious , that the dems could win? If mrs. Palin thinks that the good old boys are going to let her clean house with them on the national lever she is soooo mistaken. she will be put at the bottom of everything. that the repulican way..

Absolutely not! She is the perfect candidate for the Obama/Biden ticket to win the election.

You know Jack, it really doesn’t matter now, McCains credibility has been destroyed.

Come to think of it… he can’t replace her - that would be the equivalent of admitting you screwed up - and we all know that’s not an option in the GOP. If she had any sense, she would have turned down the original offer - she, of everyone, should realize that she’s way over her head here.

Country first? Yeah, right.

Yes, this would be the best thing McCain could do for the American people……….”Country First”! I will not cast my vote for McCain with Palin as the VP candidate.

Too late now Jack!

McCain just jumped out of the plane with Palin. Either the shute will open, and the’ll have the time of their life, or the shute will fail, and they’ll be really bummed out for the rest of the ride.
Either way there is no turning back!

Lets really compare experience starting with education.
Sarah has a BA in journalism.
Obama graduated Magna Cum Laude with a law degree from Harvard.

No comparison!

Elly

This question is unanswerable. Or rather, the answer is yes but you can’t stop there. If she’s not supposed to be on the ticket then the same goes for the guy who put her there. And it does.

All good wishes from
Amsterdam,
The Netherlands

Yes sir ! We need Bullwinkle the moose instead. We already have all the clowns in Washington D.C..

Yes. If this campaign continues to be about her, not McCain and the issues, that will be a fatal distraction. Apparently moderate Republicans are none-too happy about McCain’s reason for picking her at the last minute, but he’s effectively refueled the Christian Conservative agenda and given it new life which is not good for the rest of the Party.

She should have never been put on the ticket. This was political pandering to the extreme, at the expense of a pregnant teenager and a special needs child! Shame on you, John McCain.

Jack Ilive in AZ> Iam 66 years old retired and iam mad as hell 40 years at one job married 36 years raised three sons, helped put them and my wife through college me and the bank own are home owe a ton of money And still cnn and all the news media has not ask or got an answer about witch canadate is going to get us out of this stinking mess we are all faceing what happened to (We the the people by the people for the people) insted we the wealthy buy;the wealthy for the wealthy;

p.s.
I love your blog Jack. I haven’t seen you since I left NYC.

Jack,
No, I think he should keep her so the world can see this idiot’s good judgement he claims to have!

Wow…this is fantastic. Pretty interesting excerpt from Karl Rove’s appearance on “Face the Nation” last month.

Republican strategist Karl Rove said on Face The Nation Sunday that he expects presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama to choose a running mate based on political calculations, not the person’s readiness for the job.

“I think he’s going to make an intensely political choice, not a governing choice,” Rove said. “He’s going to view this through the prism of a candidate, not through the prism of president; that is to say, he’s going to pick somebody that he thinks will on the margin help him in a state like Indiana or Missouri or Virginia. He’s not going to be thinking big and broad about the responsibilities of president.”

Rove singled out Virginia governor Tim Kaine, also a Face The Nation guest, as an example of such a pick.

“With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he’s been a governor for three years, he’s been able but undistinguished,” Rove said. “I don’t think people could really name a big, important thing that he’s done. He was mayor of the 105th largest city in America.”

Rove continued: “So if he were to pick Governor Kaine, it would be an intensely political choice where he said, `You know what? I’m really not, first and foremost, concerned with, is this person capable of being president of the United States? What I’m concerned about is, can he bring me the electoral votes of the state of Virginia, the 13 electoral votes in Virginia?’”

Here’s the rest of the article…http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/10/ftn/main4336134.shtml . Just replace the he’s with she’s and this sounds a lot like a certain REPUBLICAN VP candidate..

Probably not. His handlers (McCain’s) have succeeded in what they were trying to achieve, which was nothing more than shocking most intelligent voters. They should have never put her in the middle of this mess to begin with and no reasonable Presidential Candidate should have ever done this. Here we are all talking about her (the day after the Democratic Convention…just a coincidence I guess), but the Country has bigger problems than this to deal with. Senator Obama hit it right on the head when he said the Republicans were masters at politics, but were not very good at governing. Pandering at it’s very worst to say the least and Americans by now should be tiring of this. Fool me once (Bush) shame on you…fool me twice (McCain) shame on me!

Absolutely! Why do party leaders tout the Republican Party as the party of family values and then all but dismiss family values as having any relevance when it pertains to them and their families?

Jack

Yes they should. It would show he is a true Maverick by assessing a situation and making a change. She has too much baggage and since she is such an outsider, America does not really have enough time to assess her especially since she is a heart beat away for the presidency. It is obvious that McCain did not vet this women properly. Its a disgrace. When I heard she said that “Going into Iraq was God’s plan” McCain lost my vote. When I heard she tired to fire a librarian because the Palin did not like some of the book in the library this is called censorship. It was only because of outcry from the locals did she stop. When I read she is anti-environment and left Wasilla in debt. I said no thanks. Go home Palin……

If McCain does that, he is monumentally screwed. This has already been a bad decision, but reversing it will only ensure his defeat.

McCain already makes me very nervous. His temper does not belong in the Oval Office. Now comes Palin. Despite what she says with her conservative jargon, why is she not taking care of this child who has developmental issues. I would think that any mother worth their salt would take care of family first. But then maybe she does not walk that talk. Her brashness, her support of big oil, her support of killing off wolves and bears to that a few rich dudes can collect a hunting trophy are still more issues. Oh yes she wants more assault weapons. Is that what we really need. I would think that everyone here should be tired of the violence in our culture. I believe strongly in gun ownership but come one who needs an assault rifle? If you can’t kill an animal in one shot you don’t deserve two. She appears pretty but uneducated and not overly smart. But then McCain graduated 5th from the bottom of his academy graduating class. They whole thing stinks to high heavens. Together they are a scary couple. I am already losing sleep hoping that they are not elected. Should he really replace her? Maybe he should be replaced also for picking her. I don’t think that they have a clue between them.

Early in her tenure as mayor, Palin fired the Police Chief, Irl Stambaugh, and his lawyer said the real reason was that he tried to move up the closing hours of local bars from 5:00a.m. to 2:00a.m. after driving accidents and arrests. It was said the change was not appreciated by her and and her contributors including bar owners and the National Rifle Association. This was a newspaper report and whether it has merit, she has some very unusual stories surrounding her. The fact that she may possibly be capable in her job as governor, she was only mayor of a very small town of between 8,000 and 9,000 people and in office as governor of Alaska for not that long a period of time. Taking a closer look at this it doesn’t seem likely that she has nearly enough experience. McCain’s campaign wants to compare her experience to Obama’s experience to cover up the possible mistake they have made, but looking at both I find hers lacking. It would make me very uneasy to have her as Vice President and she is definitely not ready to be President.

Heck no, Jack. I am an Obama supporter and trust me…..McCain not only handed Barack the Presidency…..he also gift wrapped it.

Hey Jack, I bet you think so. I know it bothers you to see women in power.

He should not replace Palin she is a breath of fresh air.
Lets talk about your past your good clean life style.
The media even where Hillary was concerned is just plan pond scum.

Hi Jack
If the lady from Alaska was, and is so concerned about her family,
I’d like to know, and I believe everyone watching the tube can see.
Why is her children, always holding the new baby? You never see the Dad or Mother, giving much attention to the new born, they said they cared , so much for. I haven’t yet seen the father hold or kiss the new baby. Seems like, if they cared so much, That the Dad should be holding, the baby, Not the children.. Doesn’t seem to be the American
family, that they say they are!

Yes. Opposed to those who say she has more experience then Obama, I say more experience then what? Obama has been vetted not only by his party, but by millions (36 million) of Democratic voters over the past year and a half. (and yes some Republican and Independents)
His family, father,mother,grandparents,half-brothers and sisters, and minister as well have been vetted. He not only defeated all other Democratic nominees, he took on the mighty Clinton machine and beat them. Remember too, the Clintons beat a Bush out for the General Election in 1993. Also keep in mind, McCain lost to GW so GW’s speech last night about the mighty McCain is dwarfed by the fact that Bush beat out McCain. Obama, regardless, is an elected candidate by millions who put their trust in his leadership………Palin was selected by McCain to go along for the ride. McCain better rethink his strategy.

Nope. He picked her thinking she was something special and he picked a lump of coal with many problems and how many times does the party get re-elected after 8 years? And especially since what Bush has done to the party?

Are you kidding Jack. As a Democrat, I worry that they would replace her with Tom Ridge who would really be a bonafide threat