McCain V.P. pick younger, less experienced than Obama
Click the play button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say. (PHOTO CREDIT: AP PHOTO)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
All we have heard from John McCain for months is, "Barack Obama is too young. Barack Obama is too inexperienced to be commander-in-chief. Who do you want answering the phone in the White House at three a.m.? Blah, blah, blah."
So what does McCain do? He picks someone to be his running mate who is even younger than Barack Obama and has less experience.
Sara Palin is 44 – Obama is 47. Sara Palin is in her first term as governor of Alaska, a state that has 13 people and some caribou. Obama is a member of the United States Senate from Illinois.
It's not a big deal, except for this: If McCain wins, he will be the oldest person ever inaugurated for a first term at 72. He has a history of health problems that include bouts of melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer. It is reasonable to consider that McCain's running mate could be called upon to be our president.
Watch: Cafferty: McCain's VP mistake?
Meanwhile, some may see this as a move for McCain to attract disaffected women who voted for Hillary Clinton and aren't yet behind Obama. But that might not work for a few reasons: Palin, like McCain, is pro-life. Also, she might be a woman, but she's no Hillary Clinton – when it comes to her experience or her ideology.
At some point, voters will have to ask themselves who they would want running the country if it ever became necessary: Joe Biden or Sarah Palin.
Here’s my question to you: Does John McCain undercut his own message by naming someone even younger and more inexperienced than Barack Obama to be his running mate?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Rebecca from Santa Barbara, California writes:
As a life-long Republican soccer mom living in an affluent community, I was impressed with Senator Obama's acceptance speech last evening. Having my morning latte with a few of my Republican friends, I almost spit my coffee out when I heard the news. Is McCain really putting the best interests of our nation first? To me, he is pandering to women, trying to obtain their vote. It seems he wants another 'trophy' to parade around with. What is wrong with this man?
Dave writes:
Jack, The fact that absolutely no one in or around her or McCain's inner circle had not even the smallest clue this would happen shows it was a last minute, desperation pick. McCain is falling all over himself after the Dems’ convention and grasping at straws.
Mitch from Michigan writes:
I think McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as V.P. is very similar to Bush's nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. It shows how much a McCain presidency would be like the Bush presidency with the selection of totally unqualified individuals for government posts. We've seen the disastrous results of such picks by Bush. We can not let McCain continue this saga.
Horatio writes:
These negative comments about Palin's inexperience are hilarious. She's a whopping 3 years younger than Obama, and has about the same amount of experience (his in the legislature, hers in the executive). If she's an irresponsible choice, Obama as president is even worse - since he's at the top of the ticket! Palin is a great balance for the ticket: young, smart, and has an independent streak a mile wide.
Christine writes:
I am a true-blue Hillary supporter, but I am sure Hillary did not mean to put 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling so that a pro-life, pro-gun, home-schooling nobody from the frozen tundra of Alaska could slide in. Go Obama.
Doug writes:
Had I known that being a hockey mom, being under 45, and having virtually no political experience was the desired VP running mate for McCain, I would have asked my wife to throw her hat into the ring… McCain has just handed the presidency to Obama.
Meagan writes:
Cafferty, For once, and probably the only time, I actually agree with you. Better than I could’ve said it.
Glenn writes:
It was a bold move by John McCain to reach out to the Eskimo vote, which has been totally ignored by the media.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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
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!!!!
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.
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!
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 difference between the President and the Vice President? That's right: the experienced one is supposed to be at the top of the ticket. The less experienced legislator can reap valuable experience from on-the-job training as VP. Smart, articulate, passionate, good-looking and a minority: sound familiar?
And for those of you who don't know, McCain's mother is still healthy and active at 96. Obama's mother passed away at age 53.
All I can say is LMAO! John McCain thank you...
Joe Biden meet your "competition"...wonder what she thinks of the Georgian issue.
Obama '08 & '12
I am a true-blue Hillary supporter. I've been on the fence about voting for Obama for several months now. However, McCain's pick of Palin for his running mate just pushed me over that fence. It's true that I want a woman to be US President. But I don't want any woman other than Hillary Rodham Clinton!
I am sure Hillary did not mean to put 18M cracks in the glass ceiling so that a pro-life, pro-gun, home-schooling nobody from the frozen tundra of Alaska could slide in. GO OBAMA...
McCain is playing the same old politics of yesterday. He chose her because she is a woman. They both believe that they will gain votes from the leftover Hillary feminist movement. McCain can nolonger use "experience" as a device to frame Obama. McCain's move was a sexist one and both women and working "white" class should see that.
Good choice, JOhn. What, was Paris Hilton too busy?
The reaction to his pick only serves to enforce his message that Obama is too inexperienced. He named a VP whose resume doesn't look much worse than Obama's and people say she isn't qualified. Would you rather have an underqualified President or Vice President?
What a horrendous insult to Hillary, her experience and policies, and to her supporters to think that they can be bought off by gender. Palin pales next to Hillary – and Clinton supporters will NOT be fooled into trading the future of the country for the election of a woman of dubious policies and positions. Palin is fool's gold and pales next to Hillary.
McCain’s choice of running mate is astounding on two levels. One, it’s extremely insulting to women that he thinks he can trot out a female and we will become so giddy that we’ll leap at the chance to get a woman —ANY woman— into the White House. I trust we’re smarter than that. Two, I’m appalled that the evangelicals and fundamentalists are such zealots about running our country their way that they are absolutely orgasmic over a candidate who is stupefyingly unqualified to step into the presidency. They are willing to sacrifice national security, the national economy, and national credibility for a right-to-life candidate. McCain is undeniably quite elderly and I cannot imagine Sarah Palin, who has briefly run a state with a population of Memphis, Tennessee, taking over leadership of a country with a population of more than 300,000,000 and a myriad of staggering problems. McCain has pandered to women and kissed the aspirations of the religious right. BAH!
What an insult to the intelligence of women! We'll at least she has experience in diaper changing, so she can step in when Cindy McCain is not around to help JohnnyMac with his adult diaper changes. Especially after he poops himself at the debates.
As a former Republican and now ex-supporter of McCain, I find this pick lacking both judgement and vision!
I had concerns with Obama, but his judgement is clearly better than McCains. If he wanted a woman KB Huchinson would have been an excellent choice. Palin?!?!
I'm now completely onboard with Obama!
McCain has said repeatedly that the most important job for the vice president is to check on the president's health. He has no intention of delegating any real authority to this "token" VP choice. Who knows, maybe he'll even offer her up for "Miss Buffalo Chip" and give Cindy a break.
Yes, but I'm guessing his campaign has decided upstaging Obama is more important than adding substance to their arguments against him.
Of course, McCain's candidacy has been an endless series of contradictions from day one.
As a white female in my 50's, and a life-long Republican in Indiana, I chose to vote for Obama in the primary. McCain wasn't, and isn't the 'right' republican to get my vote. McCain's choice of Palin for his VP only adds to my disappointment with McCain. Arghhhh! What SANE person who claims to put this country FIRST, would choose a former beauty queen to be 'one heart-beat' away from the Presidency of the USA ?
Hillary is right: No Way, No How, NO ! McCain !!
I guess she was the best he could do for a running mate. And yes,
with his age and health issues, people will be scared if she has to take over as president. He just lost my vote.
So what you are saying is that it is a worse situation to have a vp candidate with little experience than a presidential candidate with little experience? That only makes sense if you are counting on the vp having to succeed the president.
Jack,
The selection of Sarah Palin does NOT undercut Sen. McCain's message.
Gov. Palin is a wonderful, pleasant surprise. Palin brings aboard conservative values, executive experience (MORE than Obama has EVER had), reform, and a whiff of fresh air to the ticket. Hopefully this selection will also appeal to many of the displaced Hillary Clinton supporters, and bring home a historical victory in 2008.
Sarah is a great person, and I look foward to seeing her in action.
McCain-Palin 08!
John McCain just lost my vote...I liked him because throughout this campain he has stressed experience...now we're suppose to believe that experience doesn't matter...was he lying then or now? I'm a year older then this woman and I sure wouldn't put the safety of this nation in my hands. And after watching the "celebrity" make his speech last night he finally made something go up my leg....Go Obama....
Not at all Jack, he simply reinforces his message of double talk. Experience was never the critical issue, the real issue was judgement. McCain said in April of 2003 that he expected no Sunni/shiite conflict, didn't support additional troops in Afghanistan until very recently and said within the past 12 months that knowing everything that he now knows about Iraq, he would have still invaded. If anyone on this earth had any questions as to why he was 5th from dead last in his class that should have answered them. His VP pick is simply more of the same. He has now motivated me to donate to Obama. If the citizens of this country elect McCain they will get exactly what they deserve.
She is not Hillary!! You said enough about her... Leave this one alone.
I told you Obama was wasting his Money, running against Hillary..
Now another Woman comes out Fighting for the other Sex.....
She seems a Great Choice to me...
Jack, my wife just called me from her work. I could hardly understand her because of all the women laughing in the background. She asked me if this was real or a joke. I'll leave the rest to you.
Where is McCain's American flag pin?
Jack,
simply put, Sarah Palin is no replacement for Hillary Clinton and to assume that the American women and mothers do not know the difference is rather myopic in McCain's judgment.
Jack please...
John McCain chose a women with vast foreign policy experience, an extensive knowledge about the inner workings of Washington and a long and proven track record.
In addition, Palin's anti abortion stance and NRA membership will surely have Hillary's women supporters flocking to her in droves.
Biden must be smiling with anticipation
Absolutely not! As a lifelong democrat and Hillary Clinton supporter I must say that I underestimated the political savvy of the McCain campaign. My party is now led by a man who's ego was too large to pick the "Clintons" for his ticket. The McCain campaign has swopped in to steal all the unhappy female Hillary supporters from our party. I've spoken to every woman in my family this morning and they are all voting McCain now. The 50+ bracket of women is the strongest voting block in American politics. Only my party could have messed up this change election, and I place all the blame on our leader Barack. I have to give you props McCain, you're a genius!
Marc Zurich
Saddened Democrat
Gainesville, FL
Home of the Gators!
Palin would have been the best choice if Hillary/Obama split was still around.
With those primary bitterness largely gone, it looks more like a 'me too' choice to trumpet ' real diversity and feminism'.
This lame atempt to immitate and outdo the democrats just turns McCain in something that he is not, and also off the window goes the argument of experience.
I think Romney was still the best choice for McCain.
Jack,
If Obama doesn't win by a landslide now that Sarah Palin is on the Republican ticket, we'll all know that the election was rigged-just like the last one. Now that's a scary thought!
a very silly choice by Mccain. it is hard to understand this pick. is it because she is governor of a state that sits on precious oil reserves? Is it because she is a social conservative. Or is he trying to attract the dejected hillary supporters. If Mccain dies while in office, it is scary to think that this young inexperienced leader, with no foreign policy experience will be leading this nation.
Sarah who? With five children to organize and shepherd through the world (one of which is a less-than-a-year old baby with Down's Syndrome who should consume a large part of any good mother's day), this woman ( if she does her job as a mother) certainly won't have any time to interfere with any of his or the Republican Party's agendas. This choice should make Obama's election even more sure since Palin is no alternative for Sen. Clinton's supporters. When she has raised her children, Palin might be ready for prime national time-but not now.
Let's see....
1) no foreign policy experience admittedly on her own page
2) her husband works for the oil industry
3) she's anti-abortion
4) she's trophy wife #3
oh yeah!!!!!!! that's why he picked her..........
Does McCain undercut his own message? Yes, but then Obama undercut his message by selecting Biden.
I think McCain just conceded the election. There is no way he would pick such a political novice, if he was expecting to win.
Dan Qualls was no John F Kennedy.
Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton.
What a insult to women everywhere. She stands for nothing that women worked so hard for over the years. She would set women back 50 years or more.
At time point, I hope John McCain realize that he cannot question Barack Obama's experience again, since Ms. Palin has less poliitcal and diplomatic experience than him. At least Barack is finishing his first term in Congress; Palin haven't serve as Governor of Alaska two years. If McCain gets elected, there is a good chance he might die in office due to health issues, which would automatically make her our president.
Obama still talks about change........
Mccain already started to change by picking an V.P. that is bringing change TO Washington!
he not only undercuts his message it is obvious he is Pandering to the Women. I was at the NY State Fair when this announcement came up on the large TV screen. You would not believe the comments from the Women. Most were saying that John McCain must think Women are idiots.This pick will blow up in his face.
My goodness – what a surprising choice Senator McCain has made.
Yes, McCain has claim to "hero" status and I admire everyone who served in Vietnam. Perhaps if he had been a better student and paid attention at the Naval Academy (having graduated 894 out of 899), things might have turned out differently for him over there.
But, bless his heart, the poor dear should find his comfy slippers and put up his feet at this point. He could spend the time learning to use the computer/internet and from there he could learn more about economics – what the middle class actually brings home (FAR less than $5 mil/year), where all his houses are, etc.
I have concerns about the man's health. He is 72 today. I also have concerns based on recent episodes about his mental capacity. We already had one elderly president who was in the early stages of dementia at the end of his term. (My mother died of the big A and my father is getting there – it is nothing to joke about and I am not.)
So he picks Governor Palin as his possible replacement??? Can she find Washington on a map? She has a BS in journalism? Senator Biden must have a big grin at this point as this woman is certainly no match for him.
All the more reason to work hard for Barack's election as just think what could happen if this woman actually ended up as president.
Goodness gracious.
This is a political move that has nothing to do with taking care of the economy, our foreign and domestic policies, nor any political issue that our country is now facing. For John McCain this is about winning votes. Its sad that the Gov. of Alaska has allowed herself to become a pawn in Mr. McCain's little vote strategy. He has definately taken the one card he's being playing repeatedly against Obama away. For the during of the campaing his accusations of inexperience and readiness to lead the nation is no longer viable.
What can I say. You described the situation so accurately. We must face reality that if the polls show Obama in a big leadd come late October, Obamas well being will be in danger so Biden as a backup is security for the country. We all hope this will never happen but it is reality
I thought that it would be Cindy answering the phone at 3am since John would probably be sleeping through the ringing. There is no way I would want Palin answering that phone. I'm sure she would have a second line to Chaney for help. Also, I think Hillary's women are much smarter than to go for that "any woman will do" for their vote.
Jack, He does not understand his own message. He woke up at 3:00am.
John McCain, a man who has just turned 72 years old and has twice had cancer, just nominated a completely unqualified person to serve a heartbeat away from the presidency. Is Sarah Palin prepared to serve as Commander-in-chief? If John McCain truly believes, as he says, that the transcendent challenge of our time is international terrorism, then I am astonished that he would chose someone with absolutely nothing in her background, education, or experience to prepare her to face it. –Margaret Larson, Seattle, Washington
Jack, yes this under cuts Mc Cain thoughts of Obama being inexperience. Mc Cain supporters are saying Palin have more executive experience then both Obama and Biden because their experience are just in the Senate. I guest Palin is more experience then Mc Cain, because Mc Cain experience have just been just been Senate as well.
Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton. John McCain is more concerned about scoring political points with women, than he is with selecting a qualified vice president for the country. But this year, I think people are more concerned about the message than the gender of the messenger. John McCain just does not get it.
One candidat's choice is to win and other candidat's choice is to govern.
Americain poeple couldn't have better choice in this election
Jack,
Really there's only 13 people and some caribou in Alaska?
I think it was wonderful for a women to be picked as VP. Women do not get the respect as it is . Women work everyday like a man. A women runs a home,jobs and raise a family as well . More power to all women of the world. As for Mccain he done right , to chose a women . God Bless All Women who are in office right now ,God Bless Amercia !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ooookay, why are republicans excited about someone that that didn't even know existed? Lets keep in mind that McCain is 72 and if something happens to him then this woman will be running the country. This decision shows how hypocritical the conservative base truly is.
This has got to be the most senile mistake that has ever occured in Washington. Check this out: Palin is a fisherman, owns a hunting store, and is a lifelong member of the NRA. Sound like any other VP you know? Oh yeah, Dick Cheney!
As far as a record is concerned, Palin's consists of possibly two pages worth of "experience". She is the governor of a state with more wildlife than people, and is married to an oil producer.
This isn't the politics of change; this is the same old same old from the past 8 years with a lot of inexperience and an old man. Sound the alarm, it's time for Obama / Biden '08!
It's too early to tell, Jack. Many, many woman were put off by Obama not picking Hillary Clinton for VP. McCain (despite the polls) realizes that he will loose unless he mixes it up. By picking Gov. Pellin, McSame believes that woman will overlook their own values/best interest and vote for him because his running mate happends to be female. Too me it seems patronizing to women voters. But as we have seen from the 2000 and 2004 presidential election, Americans will consume any garbage the republican political machine will feed them.
jack, if this pick has the unlikely effect of putting McSame in the White House, then America deserves the terrible leaders it elects and will never regain the stature it once had in the world.
Oh yes, McCain has made a big mistake. I'm a very disappointed Republican woman. I'm sure the Dems are delighted. Judy
The whole idea that Palin as VP somehow undercuts McCain's ability to use Obama's inexperience is a bit absurd. She's the VP nomination, Obama's the Pres nomination – there's a bit of a difference there.
Additionally, Palin has more Executive branch experience than Obama and Biden put TOGETHER!
haha. Flip flopper they say/. What do you call a person that brands Obama as a flip flopper and inexperienced (and then selects an even more experienced VP)? AN IDIOT. Oh did I say that? I better keep my mouth shut before McCain and his people finally follow through on "Manifest Destiny". Republicans get your game together. Is winning so important that you would put the rest at the world at risk? Imagine what the Russians and Iranians would do if Palin ever became President? Americans may have respect for women and consider them equal but the rest of the world does not. (My black brothers and sisters, mobilize yourself, and elect Barack Obama. He is the world's only hope for peace. Believe that. I am too cute to die.
As an Obama supporter, I think McCains selection was excellent. It will show the voters that he does NOT have the ability to make good decisions. With John at age 72, it is quite possible that Sarah could be at the helm. Does anyone think that she is really qualified? Monkeys at the wheel!
Jack, Jack, Jack.. Please take off your partisan blinders. To say someone who has the experience of Mayor, Lt. Governor and Governor and compare that person to someone who was a state representative and a junior senator to a small piece of land and to say she has less them him is just a misleading partisan smear.
I believe you are just upset that it was a brilliant move. You give yourself less credibility when you make such silly partisan statements.
Baffeling, McCain just shouted out loud, "My fellow Republicans,all along I have only been kidding around, and now you know the truth,
I have no judgement. Don't vote for me unless of course you want to see Miss Congeniality having her picture taken with the Cheif's of Staff and later having tea with Putin, no doubt she is photogenic"
Truth is, our new nominee already has a full time job, raising her kids!
This is a major mistake for the McCain campaign. Of course it takes the experience issue out of play which was one of their strongest arguments.
It's also further evidence the GOP/Rove machine is calling the shots. In their myopia they still believe a candidate who is 'right' on social issues is the key to connecting with their base and winning the election as they did with Bush.
The issues now are not social. They are about food and gas and war.
Hi Jack,
Love your comments.
If John thinks he can get the Hillary ladies in his camp, maybe he's mis-fired. I feel the Hillary ladies will vote for Hillary an d not a female candidate. Even worst, they may vote for Obama because they don't want another woman beating her to the white house through the vicxe-presidency to the presidency.
Maybe I'm all mixed up in my thinking – I may be already as I'm a registered republican who will vote for Obama.
regards
willie
Jack,
Republicans have never gotten the Clinton supporters who haven't moved to Obama, and this choice, if in fact it WAS an attempt to woo them, misses the mark. It wasn't about being "a woman." It was about being a smart–maybe brilliant–and accomplished woman who shared feminist DEMOCRATIC ideals. That being said, all we heard about was the word "change" and how Governor Palin shows he is the reform candidate he, McCain says he is. This week. The only thing he changes is his mind, on the environment, abortion, the religious right, how to help the middle class. I don't want to be ageist, but Obama even said his FIRST criterion for VP was "I could die." Biden vs. Palin. And please, I think that Palin's and Obama's GOVERNMENT experience is comparable, period. Neither of them knows nothin', but that's okay> I DO think you can learn on the job in some ways. Yet if you want to look at experience on the international and national scene, and on the problems that MOST Americans face? I don't think a town of 8500 compares with the South Side of Chicago, with trips to foreign countries, with dealing with other legislators in Washington. She may be able, is undoubtedly strong and smart. That's fine. But it was a calculated move to woo the gun vote and the western/south western states, more than independent women, I think... unless the Republicans really ARE that dumb. Which, of course, could be true. We'll take our pair gladly and relish watching them cross this country with THEIR message. It trumps McCain's, no matter whom he pairs himself with... to those Americans who truly feel that we need complete overhauling in Washington and for the direction of this country and to renew the middle class. And I DID support Hillary and WAS nervous about Obama. No more. And he and the other dems at the convention did it for me. Let's have at it until election! An afterthought? NONE of them has recent scandals. I doubt the infighting in Alaska matters much. THAT is refreshing. It can be about the ISSUES. I hope. I pray
McCain has lost my vote.
Obama has spent 1 yr in the senate and 2 years campaigning. If Obama wants to highlight inexperience, he's shining the spotlight on himself as well. What do you prefer, inexperience at the Pres level or VP level? This is interesting if you are willing to open your mind.
I totally cannot understand John McCain's choice for vice president. If McCain were in his 40s, I'd feel less worried about the prospects of a soccer mom from Alaska becoming President of the United States.
Honestly, if something happens to McCain, is Palin the first person you want to deliver this great nation from the grips of recession, high oil-prices, unemployment, global warming and a tense international climate?
McCain doesn't have my vote. If any woman deserved to hold the office of either President or Vice President, it would be Hillary Clinton. To me, Obama showed he's got what it takes to lead, and Joe Biden's international savvy is what this nation needs backing him up.
John has done it again He picked a great running mate! Problem: John said the DNC would have no effect on his choice of VP… yep he lied again he’s great at lies and stretching the truth he’s been doing it so long I think he might believe it. He proved he will say or do anything to get elected oh wait isn’t that what George Bush did? Oh oh here we go again 4 more years of the same Washington politics. Do you think the American people are any smarter this time around? I hope so but I’m not so sure Republicans want so much to stand behind their party and historically it’s a great party but it needs to change back to what it was we all know America needs a change and good ole Johnnie will say what we want to hear but Stevie Wonder can see he’s to old to change. Phillip Butler is an old friend of John Mcains was a Prisoner of War with John McCain. Now who would know him better in times of stress? Since John talks about it so much lately maybe to respect all of our true Heroes we should ask Mr. Butler about those years and how it makes John the man for the job.
It's obvious McCain is attempting to lure disillusioned Hillary supporters with this move. It's also clear he's now undercut his primary criticism of Obama about lack of experience.
Additionally, he's opened himself up to increased speculation about having an extremely inexperienced VP with absolutely zero foreign policy proficiency. This will undoubtedly increase focus on his age (72), health concerns, etc. Genetically speaking, McCain's father and grandfather passed away at 70 and 61 – this clearly will increase focus on his VP selection her ability to be commander in chief.
To the women on this post indicating they'll now vote Republican, as they're happy to have a female on the ticket and someone supporting their 'values'. I'm confused – are you familiar with McCain's voting record on women's issues? Do your 'values' include:
– Making less money than men for the same job?
– Not being able to decide whether you should have an abortion?
– Not allowing anyone to send (non goverment funds) to a country that provides contraception or pro-choice literature (global GAG order)?
It's fairly easy to understand how male WASPs would be supportive of McCain's foreign poilcy and military history, however I'm absolutely baffled how women support McCain regardless of his VP selection if they've familiarized themselves on his voting history.
Some people are saying this eliminates the experience issue thats just baloney. As senator Obama has done nothing for this country as senator that is worth giving him the keys to the free world unlike Sarah Palin who has taken on oil companies in her state and has tons of money flowing into the treasury, also unlike Joe Biden and John McCain who speak for themselves. By electing Obama you put an inexperienced unqualified guy in the right in the white house instead of having a Honorable senator and a very effective governor running the country. By the way skin cancer can basically be a mole on your skin not life threatening.
Obama used poor judgement when he failed to pick Hillary as his VP. Thanks to Obama and the DNC the democrats aagain will not win the white house. Normally, this would upset me. However, I respect McCain and he did not Just pick a lady, he pick a person who has proven herself as a REFORMER!
Hillary proved that a lady can be president and the country lost of true democratic. Fortunately, thanks to McCain and Paulin we now do not need to stay home.
Vote for MCain/Paulin
Last night, Senator Obama said that although we may disagree on abortion, all Americans can agree on the need to reduce unwanted pregnancies. Apparently not. If McCain's VP choice saw her only choices as abortion or 44-year-old's pregnancy (and high likelihood of a child with a birth defect), what hope do we have that she can make informed choices for anyone else?
Obama is running on his judgment – not his record. If this is what we are supposed to judge these candidates on, then I will take a mother of five over a man any day.
MK
Well, it's all the same. Nobody really knew Obama existed until last February. Mainly because of his campaign playing the race card on Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey endorsing him. I think that McCain has made an excellent choice. Some coments really seem out of line toward Sarah.
My Republican coworkers about had a heart attack on this one. Honestly, do you see her as the leader of the Free World, as the Commaner of our armed forces? Do you see her standing up to the Iranians or Russians?
I agree, she is no Hillary Clinton!
McCain may just have proved that the choice of VP can decide an election. McCain just lost.
McCain's desperate ploy to lure Hillary Clinton supporters to vote for him by placing a woman on his ticket is an insult to the intelligence of the American people. Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton. She's a female version of George W. Bush.
While I think it's a good plan to go with a woman as his running mate, the reality is that she does not have the experience he needs. And frankly, as a woman, I'm offended that he couldn't find a woman more qualified or experienced to be his running mate. Yes, I do believe that women are more than capable of running this country. If I didn't believe this I wouldn't pay as much attention to politics as I do. However, in truth, women need just as much experience as men in the political realm, and Gov. Palin does not have what it takes. When Republican women are crying out their disappointment, you know there's something wrong. As a Democrat woman, of course, I'm delighted to hear that he has selected someone who incredibly decreases his chances of winning.
At first I thought this was just a nightmare, then I pinched myself and realized I'm awake.
Then I thought this was an April Fool's joke, then I looked at my calendar.
McCain really is senile.
Jack, if the selection of one’s VP is supposed to be the first executive decision then I think McCain flunked in a major way! This choice totally invalidates his argument against Obama as being too inexperienced. I think on the question of judgment, I’m more comfortable with that of Obama / Biden. McCain’s choice has vestiges of “Dan Quayle” written all over it and in the words of the venerable Mr. Quayle, “The future will be better tomorrow.”
Ken – DC/Virginia
Jack –
WOW! After today's announcement of McCain's VP pick, on the heels of the Democratic National Convention, I am completely dumbfounded as a Republican! McCain has lost any teeth that he has left (false teeth or not) in his campaign. He has further increased his identity crisis as a viable candidate to talk about experience and wisdom after picking Palin. He now puts up additional roadblocks to plow through to share his message and credentials!
There are no perfect candidates, who completely represent my core values, but I do look for wisdom and rationale and vision. Sadly, I have not seen that with McCain and today is the nail in the coffin... I've now made my choice for president and have decided to switch parties for a candidate who best represents what I want and expect to see in a leader – and that is Barrack Obama.
Absolutely, but he is really using her as a wedge issue. He wants to use her to divide women and shore up the evangelical vote. None of this changes McCain's policies. Lucky for him, she has tiesto big oil. That should help with the finances.
Never liked Mr. Biden.
The main Democrat talking point that came out right after the announcement of Palin as McCain's VP choice was that she has zero foreign policy experience. Someone tell me...exactly how much foreign policy does Obama have? How much did Bill Clinton have before he took office? The answer to both of those questions is ZERO. The fact is both parties now have someone "inexperienced" on their ticket. The question is, do you really want the inexperienced one at the top?
Jack,
The answer to your question is "Yes". But then does Joe Biden, a true beltway veteran, equal 'change'?
There are so many qualified Republicans, including a number of wonderful women, who would have been terrific picks. I can't imagine what McCain was thinking... or maybe...not thinking. Can you imagine her toe-to-toe with Putin? Scary.
p.s. if Palin wants to have a down syndrome child and exploit that to win over voters for McCain, God Bless her. I dont!
From the article:
"At some point, voters will have to ask themselves who they would want running the country if it ever became necessary: Joe Biden or Sarah Palin"
I don't know how many votes Palin would get in a national election, but Biden has run for president many time and has never got more than a very small percentage of votes. America does not want Biden as president for sure.
That does it! I'm voting for Bob Barr. I will never vote Dem but I am certainly not voting for McCain after his choice for VP. I didn't like McCain to begin with but I thought he was better than NOBama. But McCain clearly has not plan for the direction of this country.
Hey Jack does this mean that the right wing conservatives now embrace affirmative action 🙂
It is obvious to me that McCains pick of Gov Palin was purely a political stunt. He's trying to influence unsatisfied Hillary Clinton voters instead of protecting the interests of the USA. He's more worried about becoming president than what would happen (god forbid) if he were to become incapacitated. Seems to be a Republican trait of late. I've never voted Democrat in a presidential election, until now...
Palin has done the kind of change Obama only talks about, and she's done it in a far shorter time than Obama has been on the scene. She is a doer, Obama a talker. Great choice!
Of course McCain didn't undercut his message about Obama's inexperience. Palin has run a fast-growing city and a state – and already made a sea of change (see how that word works when there is something to back it up?) in that state in a short time. I wonder where all these Democrats were in their barking about inexperience when Mondale picked Ferraro in '84? Surely we can agree that he didn't do that because of her extraordinary intellect and long resume?
Instead of instant sound-bites, how about we let her talk about her vision, sense of hope, and need for change. We've certainly given Obama plenty of time to do that – with very little substance to back it up.
We will miss Palin here in Alaska, she'll be the next VP! You all are afraid that the rest of the country will fall in love with her like we did in Alaska. Jack, You'll never understand America. Alaska is twice the size of Texas and VERY important in an election like this when energy is a major concern.
I am a Republican woman who is quite troubled that McCain's judgment is so bad that he put someone who has ZERO foreign policy experience to be his number two. She is thisclose to being our President, yet has less experience than Obama.
McCain panders to the Clinton voters in hopes of a win. But I think he just cost himself the election. If he wanted a woman, he could have picked 3 more experience, more well-known women than the one he chose.
McCain's selection of a running mate is another McSame moment in History. We sure don't need another appointed Condi Rice in a President's administration merely to appease and satisfy the minorities.
The President's appointments to his administration are too important to appoint for the sole purpose of winning votes.
Both campaigns act like a soap opera...completely fake and full of bologna. Is there still time to go back with England?
I will vote for Obama as the lesser of two evils. I applaud McCain for having the guts to select a woman, but it may backfire on him.
STOP THINK does experience really matter, look at the guy living at 1600. Don't count the Republican evil magicians out.
John McCain today put this country's security at risk to score a political point.
I seriously doubt his patriotism today. There are much more qualified women than mayor of Moose town USA.
Years ago, this would not have bothered me. I would have thought we as a nation would not fall for this type of ticketing. John had my vote until today. And this is what worries me most – as after electing GWB to a second term, this might work for John. We have already proven that we are that stupid to fall for this trick. Scary, very scary.
Take a look at youtube. This lady has more baggage a troupe of actors.
I was thinking of McCain as somebody who was solid but this pick of his is cheap and plus Palin on the first day sounds like a politician just out for votes. I have lost some respect for McCain.
For all those who think McCain lost his mind because Palin can't take over, you just proved that Americans are nuts for getting Obama this far. Palin may never need to take the reigns thus her experience is less of a question mark. And, by the time she would, god forbid anything happens, she would probably have more than Obama does on his day one (if you take out all the time he has not been in Congress or his congressional district doing his job).
Is the real issue is that we think a woman needs more experience than a man to do the job? We would have voted for Hilary due to her years in the Senate and time served as First Lady but not for someone with less than 4 years experience, unless they are a male?
McCain's choice demonstrates how pathetic and desparate he is. He will sell his soul to become president. Rather than pick someone with experience, but show he can choose someone who may draw moderate Democrats like Tom Ridge, he panders to pick a young, inexperienced woman to attempt to gain Hilary's supporters and pander to the religious right. Fortunately, we women are smarter than he is, and will not be taken in. Palin is no Hilary, she isn't even a Geraldine Ferraro, Pat Schroeder, or a Shirley Chisholm.
I just want to know from all these NRA supporters like McCain and Palin, if they are so big on carrying weapons and having eveyrone in the country armed, assuming we buy their arguments about an armed public creating a more safe environment – why doesn't the GOP allow everyone at their rallies and events, including the convention, to arrive armed? Why have any security at all?
Uh Sherry...
I don't think Palin is going to "take on oil companies."
Her husband WORKS for an oil company.
BP offshore oil co. Look it up.
And former Clinton voters: Just because Palin has "lady parts" doesn't mean she and Clinton have anything in common. People will realize that once the Constitution is stomped all over and Roe v. Wade is overturned.
Do your reading.
I think McCain has handed Obama the election. How dumb does he think the American electorate is? I am a woman, although I was not for Hilary, I respected her ability and thought that she would have made an acceptable VP. (I love Joe Biden however)
But Palin is a small toen mayor (pop. 8500, c'mon!) and a small state governor. Her "experience" in National and international politics is Zero, zilch, nada. For her to be a heartbeat away from the job of commander-in-chief is reeally scary!
As for her "executive" eperience, remember George W. Bush was Governor of big state Texas, and look what his "experience" has done to our nation!
Outrageous and insulting to assume that female supporters of Sen Clinton would fall for this! How dare you compare Gov Palin to Clinton. We supported Clinton, not because she is a woman, but because of her experience and ideology. McCain, you just don't get it!
This was a great pick. Let's not forget that she's running as McCain's VP. She's got executive experience, experience that none of the 3 Senators have. She's got more experience than Obama, Jack.
Alasksa has just 13 people? You're an idiot! I think you're afraid. For sure McCain will win in November. I guess Obama should have picked Hillary as VP. Better yet, Hillary should have been the presidential nominee. You and the Dems blew it big time.
Thanks Jack, all you liberals have just gave the reason why obama cannot be the next president
McCain + Palin = McPain
from Kevin Doyle
Smithfield, Utah
The choice of vice president by a candidate is the first and most telling presidential decision that is made in a primary contest. Citizens can gauge how the candidate operates, thinks and manages the needs and affairs of the country both domestically and internationally.
Obama seems to have made a solid choice that speaks positively toward presidential decisions down the road. His choice is measured and adds positive dimensions to what he and Biden can bring to government.
McCain's choice seems the opposite. Palin seems to be a reaction to the lead Obama has made rather than a choice that is far-reaching. It is unclear just what skills and knowledge Palin will bring to a Republican administration.
The first presidential decision heavily favors Barack Obama. McCain shows little skill or depth choosing Palin
As a former Hillary Clinton supporter and mother of two small children.. John Mccain has just insulted me. I am not stupid, Sarah is no HIllary Clinton. Show some classman. This women has no experience and no credentials to be a heart beat away from the presidently. What a frick'n joke... Obama picks was right on and now it makes me want to vote for him even more..
Obama/ BIden 08
Gov. Palin, while having an interesting life story, also provides a sharp contrast with McCain's health issues, which will serve as a constant reminder of his problems. I did not think of his health until she joined the ticket, and now I can think of nothing but that. On the brighter side, Paris, Britany, or Sarah would make a better chief than Cheney or W. Canton, NC
She has a 4 month old baby at home with downs syndrome – where are her family values? She is being used as a pawn by McCain. Shame on both of them!
What are you talking about "Lack of Experience" She was on the City Council of Washila population 6,900 for 4 whole years before becoming governor!
No Jack. Don't you know by now that when Republicans contradict themselves it's not really a contradiction? Remember, they are the party of fiscal and personal responsibility – just don't look a the national debt or for WMDs in Iraq.
It really scares me how people are voting for their leaders in this country. If you vote for a canidate SOLEY on the fact that she is a woman, you are as irresponsible as a 3 year old holding a knife.
This shows how manipulative and desperate McCain is. He is taking advantage of the feminist resume of Palin to draw in females drawn in by Clinton. The sad thing is the fact he may possibly get in because of the corrupt voting system, the same manipulative system that left us with "President" Bush. This is disrespectful to his constituents and his party.
Jack,
Another example that "experience" does not breed good judgement.
Commander in Chief Palin? I think not!
Hi Jack:
Simon here from Quebec.
It appears John McCain has two default settings, wrong, and lost.
All Sara Palin has is a few months experience as the Governor of Alaska, whereas Obama has, I believe 2 plus years in the Senate. The Senate, as in National experience. That trumps local know how every time. If you want to be President of the United States, you must have National level credentials, which she cannot claim.
What happens if John McCain has a stroke, or forgets where the White House is?
Is Mrs.Palin ready to helm the most complicated and powerful nation the world has ever known? I don't know about you, but that thought terrifies me.
If he felt this was going to assure the female vote of Hilary's, he's badly mistaken. She's not Hilary and she does not have the qualifications of Hilary.
Sarah Who???? Its scary to think that if for some unforseen health reason Sarah, who is she again, would be called on to fill the position of President. I am sure she a lovely person, but with absolutely no, none, zilch, nada foreign policy experience. May the the good Lord have mercy on us if the VP is ever needed in a time of disaster or war.
I have now decided to back the Democratic Party. I think Mr. McCain has sealed his fate.
Hillary's strength is her brain. Saah Palin does not belong to that category.
MCain's lost it. I'm a lifelong Republican but this team just doesn't compare to what Obama/Biden are bringing to the table. Good luck in '12 folks, I'm with the Dems this year, folks.
Cya.
No, because John McCain is still running against Barack Obama for President. It's still years in the Senate and a career in the military against four years in the Senate and a career as a "community organizer."
I fully intend to vote for Obama,but in the event McCain should win,I would like to feel comforable that the VP is capable of leading our nation,after all McCain is 72 years old. Sara Who??
I'm thrilled with McCain's choice! Now I KNOW that Obama will win!
Jack,
What makes me laugh the most about this is that the Repubs still feel the need to portray themselves as Democrats/Hillary supporters who love this move. Get over it McRovers. The world already caught on the the games and it's not going to work anymore! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Obama/Biden 08.
Keith – Love your show Jack, keep grillin em.
Is there any blood flowing to McCain's brain? This doesn't evern deserve my response.
Sarah Palin is an anti-evolutionist, anti-choice Republican who has no foreign policy or domestic experience. She has no national political base of supporters and even less experience in public office than Barack Obama. She has not been governor long enough to prove herself, and she will now be offered as a backstop for an aging president. Are the Democrats now going to be running the 3 am phone call ads?
Jack, Obama made the Democratic National Convention all about women and his promise for the future, but failed to put his money where his mouth is with the selection of Biden. McCain sent a strong message that he will be inclusive of women. So much so, he put one on his ticket.
This election is like watching a train wreck. You don't want to watch, but you can stop looking. What ever happened to good old candidates with solid qualifications for the job? The White House should not be solely about creating "firsts" for this country. Who wants a 40 year old running this country? Have we forgotten...40 is the new 30!
Confused and frustrated,
Susan
(WV – 40 yr old woman)
i am a man and have no idea if a woman that supports Hilary Clinton will vote for a candidate that will make sure that roe vs wade is overturned. if they were just voting for a woman president then yes they will vote for the woman vice president. if they are for a womans choice then no way would they vote for this vice presidential candidate.
I am insulted. I was an avid Hillary supporter. I supported her campaign more than I have any other candidate. I did so because she was bright, energetic and had tons of experience. I did so because her values echoed my own. She believed that a woman was capable of making choices about what was best for her body. She was experienced in foreign policy. She had worked hard to build and develop a following of believers who would support her. I trusted her. I appreciated she was a strong woman, highly qualified for the job of President of the United States.
Does John McCain actually think that I supported Hillary because she was a woman? That was one part of my attraction – and not a significant part. I have listened closely to Barak Obama and those close to him. I have watched the Clintons throw their support behind him. I trust their judgement and their decision. I believe that Barak Obama is sincere about rejuvenating and reforming this country. I want to be proud of the US when I talk to my overseas business acquaintances. We are not respected in many places and are seen as out of touch and out of step with the rest of the world. Running the Armed Forces takes someone with strategic skills, someone who can takes risks without risking lives, and it takes the ability to delegate and trust those around you to carry forth the actions you have chosen to take. I know believe after hearing Barak that he is that person.
John McCain has proven now that his desire to win has overshadowed his values and his judgment. Sarah Pallin may be a PTA mother, but that does not qualify to run this country. Perhaps if she had been governor for longer than a couple of years I'd be willing to take a look, but a couple of year s is still learning the job. The reports that her administration has been involved in questionable decisions is also an indication to me that she is not ready for the position of the VP. Those mistakes are amateurish and rookie mistakes not a seasoned or responsible administrator.
Whew...I have signed up to work for Obama's campaign – this country needs a new direction – McCain just went in the wrong one....
Did McCain just pick his grand-daughter for VP? Are we supposed to take this seriously? Palin has a baby still in diapers for crying out loud. McCain is clearly putting winning this election over love for his country. Palin is in no way ready to answer that call at 3a.m.
I think it was a brilliant move. McCain's been running an effective quiet campaign so far, I'm not surprised he made such a bold pick . Making fun of voters by calling them racist, old, uneducated, bitter women, etc was dangerous for the Dems. We are supposed to be the party of the "little guy" not a bunch of snobs. Patlin's greatest asset is not that she is a woman but she comes across as a very normal person and doesn't look like a slick Washington insider.
How can you question Palin's experience when running for VP, when she's the chief executive of a state? Obama is running for President and has no chief executive experience. Do I dare say sexism?
McCain's goal seems to have moved from becoming the leader of our country to becoming the winner of the presidential election, a subtle, but gravely depressing shift.
What an idea that selecting a woman as your #2 pick, that will automatically swing disenchanted women your way! That is the most disrespectful thing that John McCain could have done. American women, mothers, are smarter than that. The overriding factor that she is aligning her self with Bush Economic policies (failure), Bush/McCain reproductive policies (failure), using your position for personal agendas (repeat failure)...do we need to continue. Though I wasn't for Hillary during the primary, this is an insult that McCain would try to compare Palin to Hillary. Thanks another boost to the White House.
Sarah Palin
John McCain just Selected Sarah Palin to be his Vice President who was just elected Governor of Alaska, she was a soccer Mom and Beauty Queen before becoming Governor. We don’t know much about Sarah except that she seems to be Pro-Gun, Pro-War, Anti-Choice, Anti-environment, We don’t know about her stand on Health Care or Education, but we can make a good estimate. If McCain is elected we hope he sees his 80th birthday. I think she is a insult to women, McCain is saying that women will vote only on the base of Sex and not on the issues that matter to them.
I was extemely surprised in the pick and a little disappointed. Will it change my vote for McCain .. NO. Could it undermine his chances, maybe. It's certainly one less thing he'll be able to use as ammunition, i.e. the lack of experience.
To all the supposed Democrats who are stating that they will now vote for McCain/Palin, not only is she pro-life, but she is on record for stating that she believes and endorse creationism... How about that one?
Kirk, DC
Wow, that was risky and this is a weak ticket. The only thing I can see that Ms. Palin adds is that she is female. She might be brilliant but what about background and experience? I would not want her in charge if the President goes under, I can just see Chaney/Bush pushing her to the side before breakfast.
McCain has a brain that has done gone to Spain. In other words, his brain has jellified!!! This idiot went and blew his own hopes for even getting the vote from his own wife now! If she can't read the tealeaves on this one, it says that McCain thinks blonds are hot, but brains are given to brunettes! Nope, that dog won't hunt!
In case McCain has health issues, can you imagine Palin sitting accross the table from Putin or worse, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? She appears to be a nice individual and all, but these experienced leaders will eat her alive at any negotiations.
Facing someone like Putin or Mahmoud is a bit more scary than facing a grizzly bear.
Ivan, San Jose, California
Amazing. Can McCain be so out of touch that he thinks a woman- any woman- will do? While McCain is a Republican, he was at least less radically conservative as compared to many of his supporters. This sets him back a century or two. I'm not at all enthralled with the gun-toting, staunchly pro-life Governor, gender notwithstanding. Which brings up another Republican dichotomy- how is it they can be so overwhelmingly pro-life yet virtually all support the death penalty? It makes it clear that the issue of the sanctity of life is just a smokescreen; it's all about the perceived innocence of the 'victim'.
Jack,
You might have asked whether Joe Biden undercuts Obama's message on the politics of change, being a Washingtion outsider, and appeal to our nation's youth? Palin is is the only one in the race with executive branch experience; plus she out Obamas Obama on his central themes. Clever choice.
Tim
What is wrong this this pick of McCain's? He picked a candidate with executive experience (does anyone on the dem ticket have it??... no). He picked someone who manages the largest state in the country, that has the largest amount of natural resources, in a time of energy crisis and environmental concerns. Obama.. have you ever been to Alaska?? Seen the ANWR? No.. then what do you know?? She has equal, if not more experience than Obama. She is an outsider (more so than Obama). She represents reform (more so than Obama).
Hey.. disillusioned college kids.. Palin is your candidate..
YES SHE CAN!!
John McCain wants to win at any cost. The biggest message that it under cuts is "Country First". How could he care about the country knowing that he is 72 years old and has battled cancer and select someone who is not ready to lead a country? Kay Bailey Hutchinson was a safer pick. His ticket is now a more risky choice. The men here in Texas will not support a ticket with a woman on it. What does his choice say about his judgment to lead?
Ashley
Texas
How insulting. He may as well say "Hey all you women. I know the only reason you would vote for Hillary is she is a female. Well now I have a female on my ticket. So you may as well vote for me" . Is he really that out of touch?
When Senator Biden was in Georgia, dealing with the international foreign relations crisis on August 16, Governor Palin was… dealing with the “Troopergate” scandal, as the Anchorage Daily News articles say during that time. McCain has undercut not only his “inexperience” argument, but also his Washington-ethics-reform argument, too.
Palin is no comparison to Biden. I can’t wait to watch her runner-up-to-Miss-Alaska debate skills get shredded this fall.
Ask his ex-wife why he picked Palin.
McCain has selected Sarah Pallin as his running mate presumably because she will draw women voters. It is a disservice to all women to suggest that we think no further than gender in making our electoral decision. It's about experience, intelligence, ideology and competence. Hillary Clinton had all of the above and that's why so many people (including women) voted for her in the primary. McCain sells all women short when he selects an inexperienced, virtually unknown woman and expects all the gals to get on the bandwagon.
How is a pro life, pro drilling, card carrying member of the NRA who has never confronted a foreign leader supposed to win over the Hillary voters? Besides being female, she is nothing like Hillary. And let's not compare their experiences because they are not even close. Palin the VP is the product of the ultra-conservative [male] advisers in McCain's war room who want nothing more than a mouth-piece to sound off their their right wing agendas.
Sounds like 'politics as usual' to me. But are we REALLY surprised!?
So Obama does not have experience, so he pick Sen. Biden who knows the trenches according to Mcsame and republicans,now Mr Experience(Mcsame)bring this woman from Alaska,that nobody knows. Help me Jack,what's going on?
Ramon
Jack:
I think John McCain has cracked under the pressure of campaiging.
I want to thank him though, his choice will certainly energize Senator Clinton to get the vote out. I don't think Hillary will take too kindly to Mrs.P alin being the first VP. I almost feel bad for Palin, she doesn't realize she is being used so the Republican party's future stars
( Romney, Pawlenty, Jindal) do not have to have the taint of a failed race following them.
She's gonna whip Biden in the swimsuit competition during the VP debate.
McSame picked a running mate based on the demographics of the voters that he needs to win the election and NOT on who the best successor to the President would be. McSame is not giving the American voters enough credit. He probably thought (or more likely, was advised by his handlers) that picking a woman would draw the potential votes of female voters that would have gone to Hillary Clinton had she won the primary. In chosing a Pro-Life woman running mate, however, he will not pick up those Democratic, pro-Hillary, women's votes because Governor Palin's ideology is not in common with that demographic only her gender is. Over the coming weeks of polling leading up to the election, John McCain will come to realize that he gave the Democrats, and the nation, a present to us on his birthday.
To say that Hillary Clinton's supporters will vote for McCain just because he picked a woman and not consisering the issues is an insult to women and implies that women only voted for Hillary Clinton because she is female.
How pathetic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Jack
This is wonderful news to democrats and anyone who is tired of our current energy policy. Palin is as trenched in the oil and gas industry as you can be. This shows that McCain has no plans to actually do anything about our energy crisis other than lining the pockets of big oil.
Kelli Lee
Ponca City, OK
WoW,
Trying to bank on your Friend (Hillary) arduous work is just sameless.
McCain has shown today that he is more of the same old politics
of do what ever it takes to move up the political ladder.
Best thing ever that could have happened for the dems. Good going Mr. McCain. Illustrated again, very clearly, the dubious quality of your decision making capabilities. Can't wait now for the VP debate.
Was it even POSSIBLE for McCain to have made a worse choice?????!!!! I do not take political sides at all – but really – if the Hillary supporters cannot see through this shameless ploy to get their votes, how can they thus claim to be true Hillary supporters?? A vote for McCain on these grounds alone just shows that they are bitter, vindictive cats.
Las Vegas, NV
A Woman
If the phone rings at 3 am in the morning and McCain cant answer then is she going to answer?
McCain made a mistake in his decision. I wonder what job she will be doing as vp? She is not the type of leader I would trust. You know when you vote for a president you put your life in their hand in a way. You trust them to lead your nation on a world stage. I respect her as a women but I won't trust her with my life. McCain could sleep and never wake up, he is an aged man, he is not immortal, can she lead us in a time of war? Of economic crisis? Hilary could yes she could but can she? Can she lead us? She has five beautiful children but that is a full time job, can she take care of 250 million + people. I know that deep down the GOP is dissapointed with his decision. If he wanted to pick a women why not Condy Rice, why not Kay Hutchinson, why not the women who runs a huge corporation like HP. Why not pick someone that has a proven track record? Someone America knows and can trust. He has suddenly picked a loose cannon, and this is not a very sound decision, his judgement is off. I am really sad because we women have to prove ourselves over and over, and she hasn't proven anything to me at all. Now the GOP thinks that we have to tread on eggshells because of female sympathy. I have no sympathy because this world is a dangerous place, I hope Joe Biden tears her apart now because she will get torn to pieces later.
I would trust Senator Joe Biden over Sarah Pulin any day of the week. 72 year-old John Mc"Cane" only picked her to win Hillary supporters, but it will backfire because no Democrats in their right mind are going to vote Republican. And those that are not true Democrats. They will only vote for McSame because they're hurt...boohoo!
08AMA/BIDEN 2008
MaCain's pick justa good political startegy & has nothing to do with getting serious about making things better. He is trying to divert peoples attention from the real issues that concern our country. Good try McCain, but people who want change are not looking for a attraction & are not going to fall for this distraction, Come on now, this is not a beauty paegent, this is about our future & our country in a fast paced global world.
I was an Obama voter in the primary, but I've always been a big, big fan of the Clintons and of Hillary in particular. I think she'd have made a wonderful president; my reason for not voting for her was all the vitriol and hatred the GOP threw at her in the 1990s. I didn't want to relive it.
But given all the horrible things the right wingers have said about Hillary in the past, how dare Sarah Palin get on stage and talk her up like she thinks Hillary is some sort of hero? I found it incredibly insulting that anyone in the Republican party thinks women are stupid enough just to vote for another women no matter what she stands for. Women have brains, they think for themselves, and this choice – and the way Palin so blatantly tried to appeal to disaffected Hillary voters – makes it clear that John McCain does not understand that.
In purely political terms, this pick is a potential trap for the Dems. It is correct that her experience is miniscule compared to McCain's but it is equal to or more substantial than Obama's (depending on the importance you place upon executive experience). Any time Obama downplays the qualifications of Palin, he is in effect downplaying his own experience.
McCain has made a good choice. Sarah Palin is young, healthy, fresh-faced, and has down to Earth qualities that John McCain lacks and, consequently, has been criticized for lacking. After Barack Obama's convention that focused primarily on change and moving America forward, Sarah Palin gives the Republicans the image that they want change as well. By the way, Mr. Obama does not have much more experience than Mrs. Palin and SHE is only running for VICE president. So no...with Palin, McCain does not undercut his own message. He simply shows us that he is up for moving America forward too!
Oh and 1 more thing- back in 2000 many people bought that whole "executive experience" as a justified qualification- and now 8 years later George W. Bush showed us all that doesnt matter much. His executive experience further drove his ignorance and horrible judgement in running this country. Republicans can attempt to buy that one- but you know...deep down in your heart... this was a HORRIBLE choice.
And for those women that just want a woman in the white house- that is just ignorant. I am a young woman and am take Pride in being a successful woman and would love to see a Female President one day... but one that is qualified, and one that believes in what I believe in and sees Importance in the issues I see Importance in.
All I have to say is Ladies- I beg of all of you...do you research and do not be as nieve and hell bent on the "idea" of a Woman in the White House- that you you miss the blatently obvious bate and switch done with that exact intent in mind!
John McSame has manifested the mental capabilities of the oldest president. His VP choice is in line with the thought process of Reagan in his last few years when the Alheizmer's was beginning to show..
People...People, Palin's experience is equal to that of Obamas. If this level of experience is OK for the president, why not the VP. Now all of a sudden the dems are concerned with experience...laughable.
To look at the issue from another prospective, does Obama aeem hypocritical with his message of change by picking someone like Joe Biden who is long-entrenched in the Washington establishment and a part of an organization even more unpopular than Bush – Congress! It seems that Obama talks about change, but most of his advisors and team are a part of the same old gang that has gotten our country into the mess that we find ourselves in. Maybe Washington needs someone from a far flung place that can bring some common sense to a senseless place.
Who cares, she's HOT.
McCain this was Brilliant!! Got my Vote!! Now this is the type of change that the general population should be interested in. Osama/Obama picked someone who has been in Washington for 30 years. What has this guy been doing all that time? McCain took a chance, picked someone with new ideas, fresh and untarnished. NOW THATS CHANGE!!!!!!!!! Have an open mind, the majority of you are not pro democrat as much as you are anti Bush!!!!
Hey Jack,
When considering everything McCain and his surrogates have said over the past months its hard to believe the Senator from Arizona would literally cut the legs from under his own argument. Palin seems to have all the same weaknesses McCain says Obama has, but he picked her for the second most important job in this country. If this election is about judgment as so framed by the conservative right, then what does this say about Senator McCain's judgment?
No way will I place her a hearbeat away from the Presidency. She doesn't even know what the VP does!
Hey, doesn't she look like Tina Fey? I can't wait for the next SNL, they'll have to bring Tina back for a cameo.
What makes Barack Obama significantly more qualified to be president than Sarah Palin to be vice president? It is amazing to see people attack her for lack of experience for the vice presidency and at the same time support a candidate with a similar level of experience for the presidency. Is it because she is a woman? Or perhaps its because she doesn't give speeches as eloquently as Obama does.
On the surface it would seem John McCain 'may' have undercut his own message of painting Obama as inexperienced, but Obama is running for President, not Vice President. By choosing Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidenial running mate, he's sending an even stronger message to the American people and Congress that he does indeed intend on shaking up Washingon and the issues of the common man really do matter. In my opinion, it was a brilliant move and a fine choice. Sarah Palin is a no nonsense politician that truly works for the common good. So she's 'only' a Governor. Gee, that didn't stop Ronald Reagan from becoming one of, if not THE finest President's this country has ever seen.
Jack,
When the commentary is over the analysts leave the studio the banners are taken down and we all get on with our lives on November 5th, we as a nation have to take a collective responsibility about what we've just done.
As an independent I must say that I am deeply disappointed in John McCain's VP pick. This is about governing one of the biggest democracies in the world not just a fast track to winning the election by tapping into a certain demographic of the population that you think you could 'win'. The women in this country should not be patronised and ridiculed in this way.
This is my country, and will be my children's country and their future will depend on the decision I make, therefore I cannot vote for a man who although a patriot clearly chose someone for the second biggest office whom he felt could help him 'win' a certain section of the electorate not govern our country. This disappoints me greatly.
McCain's choice of Gov Palin is so transparent and desperate it almost makes me feel bad for McCain. Almost.
Time and time again McCain has shown his lack of good judgement. It simply doesn't make any sense, for any reason to select the Governor of Alaska as his running mate – She might be a very nice lady, but in no way qualified to be a heartbeat away from the number one job in the world. He just handed the election to Mr. Obama and this is the Big News here.
Adriana Molina
Arlington, Virginia
it absoulutly undercuts his messege and shows him for the Hypocrite he really is. How more obvious could he make it?
As a Caribbean-American, pro-life Catholic supporter of Obama/Biden, I am thrilled with this horrible VP choice by McCain!Trying to get the 'Hillary' voters...by picking a woman...any woman, is not only insulting to them but will clearly signal that you media guys now must mention. The elephant in the room is plainly this... If these Hillary-ites vote for Sarah Palin, they were not really voting for Hillary who is pro-choice,not an NRA member, or married to a BP exec., and she had 'experience'....what they are doing is voting against the Black guy by any means necessary! Let's see how quickly our gas goes up to $7.00 a gallon with Mr.&Mrs.BP petroleum(excuse me Palin)on the Republican ticket!
And she was 'vetted'...by who Dick Cheney 🙂
Give me a break, Jack! Let this breath of fresh air from Alaska rise beyond the political bs in Washington and restore integrity in our nation's capital. God knows, we haven't had one honest, down to earth leader as far as I can remember. Gov. Palin has far more experience than Barack and Joe have combine. Barack has no executive leadership and Joe has been running for president for 20 years. People love Gov. Palin, not just because she's pretty, but she drives home the core issues that need attention that are affecting every American citizen. Oh, by the way, it's nice have someone on a major party ticket who has no dirt on them. Wouldn't that be scary to have an honest leader. McCain picked a very good running mate.
McCain and Co. analyzed the Hilliary vote factor a little too much, and missed the forest for this tree. I think this is one of the most shocking political twists in American history. There is no way she is qualified to be President if needed. McCain looks like a buffoon picking her over Romney. Kay Bailey Hutchison would have even been great. He just threw the election with this one. Judgment?
john haid
Huntington WV
How on earth can Palin stand on the international scene, how can she match Putin and the rest of them with such shrill voice, or is mcCain out of his mind with beauty peagents, he married a beauty peagent and now he just picked a former beauty peagent to represent the most powerful nation on earth, I'm staying home this election.
McCain has certainly lost his mind
More political pandering.
Pandering to the conservative Christian pro-life groups and the Hillary
undecided voters.
SOS, nothing will change in Washington with this ticket.
If you really want to get into a debate about inexperience... at least Obama was choosen by the people to be a nominee. Palin was only choosen by McCain.
Not only was the selection of Palin gimmicky and insulting to Hilary Clinton supporters, it destroyed one of the GOP's key talking points: that Obama lacks experience. With a brilliant speech last night at the DNC, Obama took down most smears (questioning his patriotism or that he is an elitist) that the McCain camp has been desperately throwing at him. Even though McCain had little of a message in the first place, this most recent move was comparable to hitting the self-destruct button.
Jack,I would vote for an individual who has help and advice thousand of people and not to mention encourage millions to be part of a movement to change their quality of life over anyone that has executive experience.
This is an inslult to women all across America. Does McCain think we are so vain to put a woman in the whitehouse just because she is a woman. I wasn't a Hillary fan but I wouldn't have had an issue with her in the whitehouse because she had the expierience to be there.
But I lost my first husband in Vietnam, I am a mother of eight, my oldest is on his second tour in Iraq, I care for an autistic grandson, I run a very successful business and am pretty savy, but that does not make me qualified to be whitehouse material.
If American falls for this and puts them in the whitehouse, what a scary America it is going to be!!!
Hey Jack lets not watch gop convention it will suck because no Arnold Schwarzenegger no convention mccain and bush circus so lets watch nfl opener than mcbush. Jack
I think it's insulting to women voters to just stick some random woman onto a ticket just to say you have a woman.
Palin has absolutely no foreign or economic experience; does she even have a passport?
It's insulting to Hilary Clinton and all that she has done.
It's insulting to her voters (and any female voter) and I hope this is exposed as a short-term gimmick to make news and possibly create their very own Republican celebrity.
Awful Choice!
Evidence of McCain's bad judgment. If something happens to McCain and she becomes the President, there will be party stalwarts like Dick Cheney to tell her what to do....just like they did for George Bush.
I think Senator McCain's selection is an insult to the intelligence of the American people. Does he really think that people wont see through to his true motives in this selection? This proves without a doubt that Senator McCain cares more about getting elected President than he does for the future of this country. When Barack Obama was contemplating his choice for running mate, he said that he would pick a person who was qualified to run this country. Call me crazy, but that sounds like a pretty good idea, and whether you like him or not, I think a reasonable person can argue that Joe Biden's 36 years in the United States Senate makes him qualified. On the other hand, can John McCain, or anyone for that matter, say with a straight face that Sara Palin is qualified to run this country? Some are saying that this just proves what a maverick Senator McCain is. However, this is the exact opposite of a maverick move. This was a selection made to satisfy the religious right of the Republican Party. if he were truly the maverick that he used to be, he would have selected Tom Ridge, Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty or any number of other more qualified individuals and sent the message to the extreme right wing of his party that he did not care what they think, but rather was going to pick someone qualified. Talk about lack of judgment!
It's ok for Obama to use being half black to win black votes but McCain is a bad guy because he found a woman to obtain the women's votes? It's not. Obama had to prove to his black people "how black he is." McCain probably picked Palin for reasons to win the presidency but it seems like they all do that. No one thinks to themselves "let me find someone to make me lose", no they want to win and they find a way to do it. Way to go McCain.
Politics = Doom
The last four days we have heard all the republican pundits at the DNC clammer about Obama's ability to be Commander in Chief. Throw that question right back at you John McCain. Is she ready to be Commander in Chief? As a POW would you rather have Biden or Palin leading you as president?
When will she have time for her five children?
We the people always have the government we deserved. (old french proverb).
McCain was only trying to bring the average age of the Republican ticket closer to the Democrat ticket
Even if this helps him win votes, this choice wouldn't help him govern. I somehow doubt he'll be leaning on her for advice if he wins, and God help us if he passed away in office!
The true McCain is showing himself. He's most definitely more interested in winning an election than the welfare of the country. Does he truly think Gov. Palin could run the country if he could no longer serve? Or does he think he could get a few more women's and right wing voters? And shame on her for agreeing!
Palin brings hope for big changes into the new administration. I like her strong values and her firm stance on cutting back on government wasteful ways of expending taxpayer's money. Bush and Chenney had lots of experience and look at where we are.
Dee
Interesting chess move, but it won't move many voters. He could've picked Jesus H Christ as his running mate and still come up short...because it's the top of the ticket that counts. And Senator McCain, the candidate, is a hypocritical mess. The Dems ARE on the right side of history.
Why is it OK to denigrate any women or minority, if they are anything but Liberal. For all you know she is a decent human being as capable as Joe Biden. Give her a brake until you know her, Jack.
Great point, politicians from small, low population states have no business running for the VP spot. Especially those who's states don't really contribute any natural resources to the national economy. Wait a second, that sounds like a Democratic VP nominee I know! Oh and I guess Alaska does actually have something slightly valuable, some liquid the US car owners (and Middle East countries) tend to put a high price on.
Its clear that McSame is desperate to win this election. Romney would have been a much better choice. All I can say is since people are stupid enough to fall for such gimicks I hope he doesnt die in office.
If he does RIP America, it would be scary to have this woman in charge. I'm a woman and I have no intention of voting for McSame just because he selected a woman.
Okay! Last Post! Forgive me but this issue has me REALLY heated!
To further add to my previous posts I would like to point out that Obama has demonstrated brilliant judgment and a desire to do what is best for this country! We all know that Obama could have picked Clinton as VP and went on to a landslide victory in November! Meanwhile Chris Cringle’s cousin caves to pressure and panders to the female vote!
This whole process is just disgusting to watch! I am more offended than I can articulate!
-Jaye
Bay Area, CA
For potential embarrassment, what McCain has done here with Palin makes the average George W Bush decision seem wise.
Imagine the worldwide embarrassment if McCain is forced to resign the presidency through ill health and gives the White House keys to Palin.
America would be the laughing stock of the world.
Grasping at straws? It's an obvious ploy to gain Hillary's votes, but proves once again that old fool is clueless. He would have gotten more milage choosing Brittany Spears, after all she is a celebrity. Oh I forgot, Obama, inexperienced, too young, celebrity, the Clintons hate him, hmm. What';s next, he hasn't hunted Moose? Where is Michael Moore when you need him.
This pick shows the true desperation that McCain feels. It was said that even yesterday McCain had not made up his mind. It is now evident that he feels that he has no true chance of winning and that this is a hail mary pass to save his campaign. Frankly, it is insulting to women at large that he thinks we will vote for him and Palin simply because "any woman will do". He is counting on the histrionics that he believes women are known for. I am sorry, I am not defined by my gender, but rather my positions on the issues. And the idea of a woman who is against choice being the next president of the United States sends a cold chill down my spine.
Well, that's a wrap. John McCain just lost the election.
Sarah Palin is two years in to her first term as Governor of Alaska, and served as Mayor of Wasilla, AK, a tiny town of 6,715. Paul Begala said it well: They've got "more reindeer than people." She is NOWHERE NEAR QUALIFIED to be (less than) a heartbeat away.
With this pick, McCain has shown huge errors in judgment. He's also shown his hypocrisy, criticizing Obama for over a year now for his relative youth and readiness to lead the country. He's taken the experience issue off the table, and made his age and judgment central campaign issues.
I just can't wait to see Sarah Palin try to go toe-to-toe with Joe Biden! Game, set, match.
Andy
Boone, NC
I would imagine that Hillary will be better able to retain her supporters for the Dems than Palin will be able to convert them. So then, what is the logic or justification? A right-winger. OK. A pro-lifer, OK. That satisfies the Republican base. A woman? OK. The US will make history either way. But how does she help McCain win in swing states? I don't see it. I had decided on Obama quite a while ago, and I am trying to see how this "works", but I don't see it at all.
McCain has shown us clearly that he does not have the mental capacity to serve as Commander in Chief! If he wins in November, Americans had better pray that he lives 4 years – because I sure as hell don't want to even think of what Palin could do to destroy this country more than Bush already has done. I can hear it now...
3 a.m. call and Palin answers the phone... Who??? What country??? You got the wrong number!!!
Choosing VP is a first executive decision by a candidate... McCain's choice shows confidence and willingness to bring new faces and ideas to Washington. To the contrary, the celebrity of "change" – Obama – brings the quintessential establishment figure as VP... once again demonstrating his insincerity and insecurity. I say, 1:0 McCain!
McCain's choice of Palin means its' back to the drawing board for both campaigns. McCain's camp now needs something different than the "lack of experience" claim of Obama. And Obama is going to have a hard time claiming "more of the same & Washington insider" of McCain. The choice of Palin is either brilliant or stupid, and we just can't tell which it is quite yet.
As an early Hillary supporter, not only did he make a mistake, I'm going to actively campaign for Obama (something I never thought I'd do) because I'm furious. I'm furious because Hillary should be our first female president because she actually earned it and not this former beauty pageant who just had the presidency handed to her (God forbid something happen to McCain but the man is old and he has had health problems in the past). Furthermore, its not as if Palin is on the same level as Senator Clinton and its insulting to ask her supporters to view her as such. Finally, I'm furious that he put our country in danger like this. Say what you will about Obama, the man does have more experience with the ways of washington and our laws, and he has a smart group of people to advise him (including the Clintons) than a person who has only served 2 years of governor (and that counts as executive experience for the white house?) of a sparsely populated state (600K people, who is there to govern?). But on the possiblity that McCain wins this election and something happens to him, we are going to give this woman the presidency? We've already lost our standing in the world, do we have to make ourselves the laughingstock as well?
To all former HRC supporters who actually consider voting for this farce, your vote is a slap in the face of Hillary. At least with Barack Obama as president she will more than likely obtain a high cabinet position. And to all the idiots who are voting for McCain/Palin because Palin is a woman, don't forget, she's pro-choice, McCain still doesn't believe in equal pay for equal work, and there are supreme court judges to appoint.
Didn’t Democrats question McCain’s judgment during the week long convention? And look who he pick….a beauty queen. Are you kidding me? During this time of economic hardship when incomes are shrinking and we have record high foreclosures McCain picks a cheerleader for the NRA. He claims he’s “country first” and with his choice for VP he proves he’s just an opportunist with no interest in real American problems. Judgment!?! Judgment!?! Judgment!?!
-Faz
Queens
New York.
You kidding me. In his first pre-presidential decision McCain has shown that he is willing to put this country (and the world) at risk by keeping an inexperienced person (no offence to Gov. Palin) a heartbeat away from arguably the most powerful and difficult job in the world. This from a guy who keeps sabre rattling, looking for wars all over the world. Can Gov. Palin measure up to the likes of any world leader on the center stage and truly keep America safe and restore American credibility in these very difficult times? What about her economic credentials thats necessary to help fix the American dream?
No way, no McCain.
She is a very attractive woman. Will he "dump" her if she gets disfigured in an automobile accident?
Now they both have picked Veeps that contradict what they say about the other candidate. At the end of the day Obama has no experience running anything other than a campaign. He was a State senator, not as impressive as a governer, and since being elected to the Senate has been running a Presidential campaign. He has flip flopped on every major issue which shows his true immaturity. She has conviction, has done what she said she is going to do in a state that isn't overly populated with women. I'd take that record anyday.
As an old-school Republican (and former Nixon supporter) who truly believes in fiscal responsibility and truly compassionate conservatism...not the deceitful Bush crap from the past 8 years...I was on the fence concerning voting for McCain.
But I just hoped off...and right into Obama's corner...if I have to pay some more in taxes to right the sinking ship...so be it...Sarah Palin as VP?!? This madness has to stop NOW!
Apparently John McCain is unaware that women don't automatically vote for anyone who has a uterus. How stupid can he be to think that Hillary's supporters will vote in droves for a gun-toting, anti-choice, creationist beauty queen? Or how stupid does he think WE are? Uh, excuse me, Sen. McCain, women have brains, too...
McCain's choice showed his desperation by only thinking on the surface by selecting a woman to compete with the history-making Democratic ticket. What McCain seems to forget is that the election is not about the candidates, as Obama so eloquently said in his galvanizing speech last night, it's about the people. McCain still doesn't get it: The change America is seeking is a VERB, not a NOUN. He's no "Maverick".
He is still padering.
As a democrat, i'm bound to admit I did like him when he was running agains W in 2000. But, of course, he's lost all his maverick qualities to get the backing of people who don't really care about the quality of life for most of us.
If Obama dies, we have an anchor.
If Senator McCain dies, we have an absolute unknown. Which, of course, might well be better than we have had for the last 8 years.
This is the most moronic bit of pandering (to women and the oil companies) I've seen in quite a while. This doesn't undermine his message – it obliterates it. If he wanted to pick a woman, why not Katherine Sebelius? Kay Bailey Hutchinson? Condoleeza Rice? Heck, anyone who's been heard of outside of Alaska!
While this choice may help him pick up a few dissatisfied Hillary supporters, I think it could backfire with Republican women in general, whom I would assume are comprised of many traditional, stay at home moms. A presidential campaign (nevermind serving as VP if she were elected) is pretty grueling – I don't imagine it leave much parenting time. Has she lined up the nannies yet?
Jack,
I don't know how McCain could shoot himself in the foot any better than what he did today. The most foreign policy experience that this woman has is dealing with invading deer from Canada. He can't ever bring up inexperience again. And I'm also pretty sure he's only using her to attempt to get Pro-Clinton supporters, which might be the most disgraceful maneuver I've ever seen. Desperation is no reason to make yourself look crazy.
sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obama's acceptance speech was filled with rhetoric and talked about the party of scare tactics being the GOP. Now, democrats are quickly trying to scare voters with McCain's age and possible health issues due to a young, female VP choice. Obama(siah) promised us everything, but the moon in his acceptance speech and how are we going to pay for it all? Espeically if he's going to deliver on his promise for tax cuts for 95 percent of working Americans. You mean to tell me the other 5 percent are going to be paying for health care, developing new energy technology and all the other stuff he promised. I think NOT. Obama(siah) will raise taxes and I for one can't afford any more than 35 percent of my paycheck paying for any more government run programs.
Jack,
I finally belive, McCain has commited presidnetal sucide here, she is way to inexperinced for President or even Vice President. Sarah will not get Hillary voters. McCain is going to lose, if you think Obama is inexpreinced she is very inexperinced. Obama is a Seantor, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Commite, has worked across the isle and all she is a very popular govenor of a state with 13 people in it. Wow, I could do that!
oh goodness, we don't even want you on our team Sherry. Have fun voting for McCain.
"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!"
Im going to vote McCain/Palin no matter what anyone says here! The simple fact is: Like the Great and Magnificent OZ, Dick Cheney will really be running the show from behind the curtain anyway.
Mc Cain/Palin will just be puppets for the GOP shadow government. And God knows, we need Dick Cheney to be running our shadow government in such a critical time. Dick can and will be our new God, our Master...our Keeper. Throw George out, but keep Ol' Dick in. Dont throw the baby out with the bathwater, even if the baby peed in it!
Grandpa and his Alaskan pistol-packin' mamma are gonna save the world from terrorists . . . oh boy!
I'm shocked and totally unexpected but a smart move. But she's not Hillary so, Idon't thijnk it's gonna work. She's gorgous but she's younger and less enexperience than O'bama and that's a double standard of what MCcain has been attacking O'bama on.
I'm a Hillary Clinton supporter and will be voting for MacCain/Palin. I find the Obama campaign offensive for exploiting the tragedy of the BIden family for the sympathy vote. The Palin family has a down syndrome baby and McCain or Palin did not mention it once today but if you listen to Saturday's introduction of Joe Biden all they talked about was the tragedy of Biden's first wife and baby. I'm also from Pennsylvania and if Biden/Obama mentioned Scranton, PA one more time I was going to throw up. Biden and Obama are so transparent.
Hi Jack,
I read on wikkipedia that Gov. Palin's husband works for British Petrolium (B.P.). If McCain-Palin ticket wins, I wonder how long will it be before he is made an Executive and we see another VP in lines of Mr. Chenney?
I am surprised that Governor Palin allowed herself to be exploited in this way. Clearly she was picked for her sex and to assume that this would be enough to assuage the dissatisfied Clinton supporters is nothing short of an insult. She would have earned more respect with a gracious refusal.
Sen. McCain's VP choice is but another example of how he has been bought and paid for, by American energy interests. It's sad that he had to give control of his entire campaign over to Dick Cheney's crowd, just to get the nomination. These energy interests will spend BILLIONS, and use every possible tactic to preserve the power they've enjoyed for eight years. "She also was chairman of the state Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaska's oil and gas resources", a quote from CNN's own website, richly describe the TRUE reason McCain chose Gov. Palin.
Seriously! I question Gov. Palin's decision to accept McCain's offer. This is the big leagues not rural Alaska. And as a mother myself who has learned to make sacrifices – with a baby with special needs why would she put her family second? I guess the prospect of being in the spotlight was too tempting for the beauty queen.
Also, in comparing backgrounds of 47 yr old Obama and 44 yr old Palin, I would rather have the guy with the law degree than the PTA mom with a bachelor's.
As a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton who is now happy to lend all my support to Sens. Obama and Biden, I am insulted by the seemingly blatant pandering Sen. McCain appears to be stooping-to. Does he honestly think by making a woman his running mate he will have a better chance of getting the Woman's Vote? Think again, Senator! Oh, how you underestimate us! I'm sure I speak for just about all of Hillary's supporters, who backed her not because of her gender, but for her experience, intelligence, integrity, and...Hello!... her (Democratic, thank you!) platform. I can't wait to see Sen. Biden square off with Gov. Palin at the Vice Presidential debates! With Joe's incredible breadth of experience, wisdom, and perspective, she doesn't stand a chance! Thank you, Senator McCain: the only better "gift" America could receive would be the election of Sens. Obama and Biden on Nov. 4! OBAMA-BIDEN '08!
Everyone with the argument "how could you put someone so inexperienced a heartbeat away from the most important job in the world" – just stop. Sarah Palin is no less experienced than BO, in fact she actually has more executive leadership experience.
I'd be more concerned about the "change you can beleive in" candidate selecting a 30 year Washington insider as his running mate. I can't help but think that saying that its OK for BO to have zero experience but not OK for Palin, is basically saying its OK to have a man with no experience be President but not OK for a woman? Also BO is actually running for President and Palin for VP.
McCain better keep his lip zipped about inexperience and youth! He could not have picked a less experienced, less prepared, less intellectual person for his running mate. I live in Alaska and every time you pick up a paper Palin is being investigated for something or another. The thought of "President Palin" should send Republicans running for the Democratic ticket. Talk about someone I wouldn't want answering the phone in the White House! Way to go, McCain. You just put the whole country at risk if you are elected. Another sorry day for America.
Janet
Kodiak, Alaska
McCain just won the election! Come back in 2012 Obama...maybe become a Mayor first to get some executive experience. hahahahahahaha
I didn't know who she was and I do not know what sort of a VP she will make, but she seems to be of more substance than the usual list of political hacks we have paraded in front of us. I am willing to give soccer mom a chance. I would vote for her if only because it would one up Hillery if she and McCain won. Go Sara!!
I suppose it is better to have inexperience in a VP role vs. President.
I wonder if John McCain looked up the word "Pandering" in the dictionary before he made his choice...just to make sure he got something right.
Doug H in Cleveland.
The idea of Mccain choosing Palin so as to win the women was totally unwarranted, absosolutely unneccessary, obviously distractive, uncontrovertibly retrogressive, insipid and stupid.
let's go democrats, Yes we can!!
Of course this pick is an insult to women. But hey, McCain has plenty of experience insulting women. (Cindy should be concerned, he left his last wife when she was injured!)
I was disappointed that Hilary Clinton was not elected the Democratic candidate. I was not disappointed in Obama's choice for his VP. I was just not certain of where I stood, who is this guy, what does he stand for? When Barak Obama spoke on Thursday night I knew I would be voting for him.
I would not vote for a Pro-Life candidate. I believe that is between the woman and her creator. Abortion may not be my choice but I am not judge and jury for other woman.
Barack Obama should carry his presidential campaign as he has been and speak with intelligence and formidity as he did Thursday night with his exception speech.
This would be like leaving my 3 year-old daughter to baby sit my 1 month-old son. "McCain Country First," yeah maybe if that country is Iraq. Another Bush, but this time Cheney's in a dress. If she wants to fight corruption she should start with her running mate and party. Another run the country to hell, and help my lobbyist friends get rich while average Americans suffer. Like Hillary said No More. No Way. No McCain...Palin. Hillary stood for something, this woman stands for political expediency.
Disclaimer: I'm a Republican (I'd like to think moderate) and a supporter of McCain's since 2001 (when Bush pulled a fast one at South Caroline), you've been warned.
For everyone that's fixated on the fact that Palin is a woman – of course that's a bloody factor. McCain is smart enough to see all the possibilities in relation to the whole Hillary situation. But, I'd like to ask you to see not just that, but see BEYOND that. Do some research on Palin's policies, history, and persona and see if there's more to her. She has a solid (albeit short) track record of enforcing political ethics and fighting pork-barrel spending: she ended Bridge to Nowhere. She also does have more executive experience than Obama, she's been governor for a term – key word: EXECUTIVE. Yes, Obama has more legislative experience – but the Presidency is an executive position.
My greatest fear was that McCain would go with the perceived "solid and safe" choice: Mitt Romney. Obama went with the safe choice, so why not? Isn't Biden safer on paper than Hillary? Wasn't Obama supposed to be about radical change? Whether or not you think McCain is pulling a cheap trick with his pick, he's flown in the face of his party, his fellows (i.e. Romney, Huckabee, and the other Republican presidential candidates), and expectations by picking another maverick in Palin. THAT is the kind of guts that I'm talking about when I think change. If Obama doesn't have the courage to pick Clinton, risk her as VP and face the fact that his party doesn't like her...well, how's he gonna implement change again? One person put it best, "Biden knows the system well enough to help make changes in it." Are you kidding me? He's PART of the system.
Ummmm....yeah....
The implication is not that either Palin or Obama are too young to run the nation. The idea is that the GOP kept using Obama's lack of experience as a reason they believed him to be incapable of that task.
Today they chose someone who is younger and less experienced than Obama. Does that mean that netiher of them would be a good president if called upon? Not necessarily. It only means that the GOP can no longer play the "Obama is too young and inexperienced" card with any legitimacy.
All I have to say is thank you John McCain, you've shown America how wacked your thinking and decision making is.
It's time for this old Maverick to head for the pasture!
shawna
gilbert,Az
It's looks as if McCain is envious of Senator Obama's campaign slogan about change. I feel as though McCain chose Gov. Palin because she is a woman; a possible move to sway the Clinton voters his way. Sadly, this is an insult to women voters all over. How dare he think that because she's a woman that women will flock to her! That just shows that he "just doesn't get it".
All I can say is WOW!!! How can any of you out there sit here and say that that was a good choice? She might energize the party and everything, but what happens if McCain dies or becomes unable to do the job – are you all ready to hand the presidency over to a 44 year old who has NO EXPERIENCE what so ever?
This should be a no brainer to all of America that John McCain does not make sound judgements and should be given a restraining order to be no closer than 500 miles from the White House!
Is that what you think Mr. Cafferty? Well you are ugly!
McCain's focus throughout this entire post primary campaign is stressing the necessity for an experienced leader in this time of uncertainty. Picking such an inexperienced Vice President is not only risky, it could be the next big break for the Obama camp.
Jack, I think the real story here is that no higher profile republicans WANTED to run with McSame! The vetting process worked in reverse this time...McCain was vetted and not chosen...Palin ,being young and inexperienced was offered up for sacrifice.
the way you censor comments for promote your political agenda is disgusting. Welcome to 21'st century journalism. gotta love it, or not
Prior to her appointment, when asked if she would consider accepting the VP nod, Gov. Palin said she would "if she understood what the VP does all day long." She's attractive (what I'm sure the teenagers would call a milf, and maybe the first-ever pilf) and intelligent, but talk about dangerously unqualified to be president. This pick ought to be seen as the ultimate insult to the American people.
McCain was destined to choose either a minority or a woman as Obama was destined to choose a white male. In any team configuration, your second string should be as strong or at least as talented as your opponents second string. But also, it should be noted that Biden is not pulling any extra votes, he's there to settle down those that weren't too confident with Obama. All I can really say about Palin is that she's the most attractive of them all.
McCain just lost his "experience" argument, pure and simple. Whatever, better for Obama! 🙂
I am a Hillary's supporter and was thinking to back Obama after her speech on Tue. Now I get myself a good reason to give my vote to McCain because I believe the real experience and change are on that side. SOLIDE!
This comes as a complete shock to me. Out of all the experienced men and women McCain could have chosen to be his VP he seems to have picked the most inadequate and inexperienced. With barely any time in politics, she is already being investigated for abusing her powers. There are so many more qualified women to choose. I feel like he is not taking this seriously.
I don't know much about Palin, but so far, I like her better than Obama, McCain, Biden, or Clinton. She appears to be a real human being as opposed to a media manufactured politician.
Comment after comment from all those "I am delighted to see Palin as VP", I see people do this and it is just driving me nuts. When you speak of a single female, it's spelled "womAn", not "womEn". This is, Jack, the kind of people the VP choice appealed to – people who cannot spell correctly. Obama for better education system!
One word to sum up McCains VP choice "Desperate". This is so obvious. I am sure if he wanted to court women voters he could have picked up a more experienced woman. Palin is a "Nobody". Obama / Biden now has my full support.
This is good news for democrats. Republicans no more argue Obama about experience.I think McCain is loking for women voters.He is trying to steal Hillary's voters.I don't think this will work for him.
John McCain's choice of a woman could very well equalize the ticket. She appears to be articulate, family-oriented, and conservative. Yes, he will have to tone down his "too young" rhetoric but this will bring more women to his side than if he had not picked her. Plus, this helps Palin get national exposure for any future aspirations on her part. Not a bad choice, better than picking some other old guy.
Jack, this lady seems like she is ready to bake me brownies. McCain wants country first? He should know better than to try this for cheap votes.
She voted to have creationism taught in schools. She has an ethics investigation with a mere two years in office, She is anti-abortion. She was voted Miss Congeniality... and 16 years ago she was serving on the Wasilla City Council, population 8,471. Yeah I can see how Hilary voters would jump right on board with that. She is TOTALLY qualified to run the country. Maybe she can have a bake sale to get rid of our 9.5 Trillion dollar deficit. This is about oil. Drilling in Alaska, It's about distracting Republicans about the tolls of the War in Iraq and garnering support by focusing on hot button issues like abortion as opposed to getting out of Iraq and addressing the unemployment and mortgage crisis.
Biden ran for president 3 times. People didn't like him at all.Not even a little bit. His opponents said he wasn't qualified at all. So all of a sudden he's a genius. Get Real.
Jack,
McCain absolutely undercut his message, But I don't think the Democrats should take experience off the table, I think it is theirs to TURN the tables and put experience front and center! Did anyone else notice that McCain had to look down at his notes as he introduced Palin to Ohio??? I don't think _he_ is even sure who she is!!!
Attention disgruntled Hilary supporters: Please don't fall for this pathetic attempt to get your vote. Think of the feminist ideals you believe in and then ask yourself does McCain/Palin represent those ideals at all? Don't let yourself be used by McCain to overturn the very ideals you've fought so hard to maintain.
John McCain has shown his true misogynistic self, to assume that Gov. Palin is accepatable simply because she is female is to believe that women are only concerned with gender and not issues. To be so dismissive of our intelligence is not only highly insulting but just another reason why McCain should never be President. Almost equally as disturbing is the fact that only 2 "talking heads" have even brought this up, all day I have been waiting for a news anchor or pundit to be outraged, but to no avail. Yesterday was a wonderfully historic day for America, a day we could all take pride in and today women have been reminded that they are second class citizens.
I think she'll do ok..as for Biden he reminds me of a used car salesman....and he has all sorts of health problems......so what qualifies Biden for the job, a lifetime of being in Congress.....he's part of the problem not a solution!
What are great choice. Gov. Palin has more experience than Senator Obama.....and it is executive experience. Please tell me what experience does Senator have with exactly "running" something! Alaska is a complex state with having to deal with Canada and Russia and the Far East over fishing, boundary and other issues. Heck, she has made more executive decisions in one year, than Senator Obama has in his lifetime.
Great choice!
If LA gets another Hurricane do we get to hear Wolf Blitzer say "so poor, so black" again? Oh yeah we can get Biden to say that. LOL
Self-centered egomaniac McCain has proved again and again of his careless, inconsiderate and inhumane hidden characteristics of women. McCain’s choice of selecting Paris Hilton and Britney Spears in his campaign advertisement proves his disrespect of women. This abusive and selfish attitude also was the result of his first marriage breakdown. Therefore it’s no surprise he carelessly selected this mother of five who is also nursing a 5 month old infant with cerebral palsy to be his vice-president. This is shameful and sloppy.
Palin – BA in journalism from a school in Idaho, 2nd running up beauty queen... Obama – Columbia undergrad, Harvard Law Review
It is so funny to already see the "liberal spin machine" in action so quickly. They're own party bosses did not allow a female candidate, who basically won the popular vote (not silly caucuses) to run for President, but can easily pass judgement on Gov. Palin, who actually ran a state (unlike her talkative Senator counterparts). Smells like the same of liberal hypocracy....
Wasn't Obama critical of McCain for being in Washington too long, and then chose Biden (who's been in longer)??
They are both odd choices for VP candidates. It's hard for experience to be an issue, with neither Obama nor Palin having much of a record to speak of. I don't mean that as a shot to either, but they are both early in their politial careers.
I still need more SUBSTANTIVE reasons to vote for both before Nov. I hear lots of plans, but very little details as to how to make them happen.
Hey Jack, Alaska has more than 13 people. Don't say dumb things. You probably believe she's unqualified cause she's a woman too. You didn't like Hillary either did you?
Even though I am a Obama supporter, I think John McCain has truly lost his mind. Maybe he has overdosed on his birthday cake or inhaled too many fumes from those 72 candles.
Selecting Sarah Palin as his VP candidate is nuts! If that phone rings at 3 in the morning, we'd be better off if she would just hand it to her 4 month-old baby.
Jack,
Most of these comments are so off base. John McCain in one moment has blunted the historical impact of Obama's candidacy, reached out to dissed Hillary supporters, solidified his conservative base, and given the Republicans the upper hand in a dead even race. Gov Palin's only weakness is her lack of LEGISLATIVE experience (ie sitting and talking in a room for 2 and 1/2 days a week while waiting to vote). She has more EXECUTIVE experience (ie running a governement and making daily decisions for which she is soley responsible) than the other 3 guys running, COMBINED.
Alan, TN
Jack, certainly McCain undercuts his message with the selection of such a featherweight. And as a supporter of Obama-Biden from the get-go (actually, Joe Biden was my first choice for president), I am very pleased about this.
My wife will tell you that I have said for years that we'd be better off with a woman president in charge. But gender is only a part of the package - it has to be the *right* woman. Hillary isn't that woman, however, and it *certainly* isn't Palin!
Waiting to vote for the right woman in Lawrence, KS,
Doug
Personally I think this is one of the worst choices for a running mate since George H. W. Bush chose Dan Quayle as his running mate, and thank God he never had to take over!
Either McCain had to go that far to an unknown to get away from Bush or perhaps he thinks a younger woman will help prevent him having an impotent presidency
She has whipped senior politicians at their game. Beat up the oil industry at their game. And begun to clean house of the "Good Old Boy System" when it comes to who is employed.
Based on her standards so far at least one-half of Congress would be fired.
Jack he forgot about that but it is ok. This is different anyway because King John says it's OK. Gee, I managed a 7-11 store and I'm 60. Problem with me is that I am a male.
John Mc Cain is doing exactly what obama said he would do. Mc Cain choose a vp to try to win his campain not to overcome the struggles that we face as a county. But what he forgot is she is no Hillary.
Was she the pick of Big Oil or the Republican Party ?
I think the RNC really doesn't want to win the election. They know that the USA is in for a very, very tough ride in the next few years and with the democrats in power they'll be able to place the blame on the party in power.
So? This isn't the 1st time he's said one thing and done another Hasn’t he held both sides of Bush’s tax cuts, Social Security Privatization, “Stay the Course” and Immigration legislation? Wasn’t he against the GI bill, up to the point where it passed over his objection? In typical Republican tradition, that didn’t stop him from taking credit for it. There are so many other examples of him flip flopping that we wouldn’t even be talking about a McCain run for the white house, if the press wasn’t covering his six. So he picks a lightweight after criticizing Obama for the same thing. Same dance, different example of hypocrisy.
.
Now we can see what kind of judgement the McCain has. I wonder how many more pettry women he'll be apointing in his new playboy white house(s) positions.
John McCain is not only insulting Hillary Clinton's disaffected voters. He is insulting every woman in this country. Does he really think that a significant number of Hillary's voters will rally behind his party simply because he added Palin as V.P? Maybe, the PUMAs. I know the majority of Hillary's voters are smart enough to realize that over the next four years, one of more Supreme Court judges may retire. If McCain is selected, we get a majority conservative Court and there goes Roe vs. Wade. This election is bigger than selecting a woman or a black, it's about a woman's right to choose.
Clearly McCain's message wasn't heartfelt. Republicans will say anything to win. We know that, but as I woman I am insulted. Obviously, McCain is counting on us to be so stupid that we will vote for anyone who happens to be female.
as a first-term governor, she has more executive experience than obama....he's never run anything.....how can you say he's more 'qualified'? qualified to do what? fail? hand over all of our hard-earned money to lazy people on welfare? open us to more terrorist attacks? take away our weapons so we cant defend ourselves on the street, while those who already plan to break the law really dont care whether its illegal for them to have a gun or not? mccain/palin will defend our rights, our freedom, and our country. if you dont like that, get out of america right now.
Palin is a fine choice. As governor, she heads the national guard. What military leadership or experience has Obama had? His grandfather's service doesn't count. Biden? Palin was a mother who became involved in politics in order to change the way things run....and she has had success. Last time I visited Chicago I could've sworn the hood was still there. With all the rhetoric, one would believe Chicago has been rebuilt, re-energized, poverty wiped out and the school systems setting the standard as some of the best in our nation. Vote rock star or vote results.
Obama – good looking, great speaker, 40ish, experienced organizer, relatively inexperienced executive.
Palin – good looking, good speaker, 40ish, relatively inexperienced politician, somewhat experienced executive.
Makes things very interesting.
We've never had a race like this before!
Jack, This had to be a last minute pick by his campaign advisor, not John's, thinking they could pick up much needed votes. If he did pick her, now I know why he can't remember how many homes he owns.
Ole John just might pull this whole thing off, 'cause Barack and Joe will be rolling on the floor in tears for so long they just might forget to campaign.
By selecting someone younger than his opponent and with less experience across the board, shows McCain will do anything to win. Reads more like a desperate MacGyver move, than that of a seasoned Maverick.
This is an insult to women and most of all Hillary supporters. "What are you in it for?" He could have chosen me, I am a pretty African American 35 year old female mother. I think I qualify.
So the liberals are all up in arms saying she doesn't have enough experience in running things? I thought she ran the state of Alaska. What has Obama run lately other than his mouth? So the liberals are up in arms due to her inexperience in office and selected for the VP but they are alright in Obama running the country with no experience?
No way I would vote for Sarah Palin-she is not a very good substitute for Hillary-noway-no time-dream on John!!!!!!!
Clairein the Caribbean.
Considering that Sen. McCain's short list was Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton & Sarah Palin. all qualified (according to Sen. McCain) to be Commander-in-Chief from Day One, I commend Sen. McCain. However will this help. YES! It seals New Mexico for Obama/Biden and as New Mexico goes so goes the rest of the Country.
Tony Armijo. Albuquerque, New Mexico
She lacks experience but we are voting her judgement, right Jack?
McCain just lost credibility as a serious contender for the top job, which many thought he was prepared for. His choice of Palin seems like a poorly concieved desperation move to counter Obama's youth movement. She will not inspire confidence should any misfortune befall McCain while in office.
I honestly think McCain should have taken this strategy a little further and selected Paris Hilton for VP. Seriously!
She has the same experience as Palin (meaning none), but she is much better looking and could bring in the teen and young women vote.
Plus she could have been in charge of the Inaugural party, it would have been the rockinest party the Republicans have ever had.
When Obama picks Biden it was called brilliant by the media. But Obama's message is change, change, change. Biden is anything but change. He IS washington, he swims in washington. He was never an agent of change.
McCain picks a reformer who's actually already changed politics in her state and the media screams "is he an idiot"? McCain has pushed the changes we need as a country for years, and picked a WOMAN of change. McCain/Palin is Change. Obama/Biden is the same old Washington politics - try to make you feel good or buy your votes.
Next we'll hear that she's not a real woman, doesn't believe in what women need, doesn't stand for women. Hard working mother of 5, I think she might have an idea of what most women need and would fight for it. We'll hear every woman from the Democratic party tell us why she's no good over the next 2 months, and hint that she's a bad mother too. That will be a real shame.
I would think that this is the ideal move to get Hillary furious and supersupportive of Obama, taking all her supporters with her. Thanks, McPain, what a great stategist you are 🙂
Mr. Cafferty,
Sarah Palin is an excellent pick for the Republican Party. She compliments John McCain for his lack of judgment. Sarah Palin is a women. McCain wants some more of the women vote. Hillary Clinton got my vote, here in Florida, because she was Qualified to be President. Hillary Clinton ran for President. If Hillary Clinton wanted to be Vice-President, she would have been. Sarah Plain is just McCain’s Pawn. All women see this. Besides, Sarah Palin is on the wrong side of the issues.
Enough-
Jack
America have this man committed ..... there must be a bed available in Alaska's metal health system
Monica
Toronto, Canada
Where does Cafferty get that Palin is less experienced than Obama. At what? She has used political office to accomplish reform and change.
She has executive experience where Obama has none.
"At some point, voters will have to ask themselves who they would want running the country if it ever became necessary: Joe Biden or Sarah Palin". Just as valid a question would be who do want as President, Obama or Palin. And that question will be more fully answered as Biden and Palin go head to head.
It will come crystal clear that during the same time Palin has been challenging the staus quo, Obama has been immersing himself in politics as usual and is an active member of the "good ole boys club".
Looking at the VP choices, you tell me who is walking their talk in this campaign.
Jack, you bet it does. Not that the selection of Vice President is normally such big news, but with John McCain's age, his selection is under more scrutiny. I applaud the fact they picked a woman, but one with more experience such as Libby Dole or Kay Bailey Hutchinson would have been more welcomed.
Great choice. Palin has more experience as governor than Obama had for the few months he actually was in the Senate before he spent all his time campaigning. I am an independent that trusts McCain and finds more in common with Palin. Oh yes, the only one that insulted Hillary was Obama.
Palin? Uh, John McCain is 72 today. It's fair to ask if this pick is an early sign of dementia.
C'mon Jack, this is laughable. I don't doubt she's an extraordinary woman, but unless you're talking about the President of the United States of Moose and Polar Bears then Pailin isn't even close to qualified.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!! Pardon me, I almost fell off my chair laughing!
McCain is an idiot. If he was trying to lure Hillary voters with some misguided attempt to hire a woman, then he should have chosen a woman who was more qualified. I'm not sure if this pathetic choice was made from the mind of a horny old man, or a demented old man. Either way, it shows he is not capable of leading the country.
Shame, Shame, McSame.
I think the choice of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate is exciting and inspiring. She listed more of her accomplishments in 20 minutes than Senator Barrack Obama's camp was able to site for him over the past 4 days. Finally, a female politician who believes in the sanctity of LIFE!!! What a breath of fresh air!!!!
After the polished and impressive Democratic Convention, this announcement and speech had the feel of amateur hour. Palin is Governor of a state with less than the population of Detroit. Her previous experience is running a city of under 10,000. We can all understand the strategic motivation for this pick but may never understand how this pick is in the best interest of our nation. Is this ticket real? – the oldest non-incumbent to run for president and the former beauty pageant contestant who has progressed to "hockey mom". Obama should be awarded the office by default....
Either McCain is insane or the melanoma's gone to his brain!
As a woman, I am insulted by this choice. I was planning to support Obama anyway, but I hope other women who wanted Hillary see this silly trick for what it is and don't go along with it. If anything happens to McCain, which IS entirely possible considering he is 72, I do not want this woman running the country. Give me a break GOP and women a little more credit!!!!!
It's not simply about gaining Hillary voters. It's also about gaining independent voters, for which about 50% are women.
Apparently this has surprised everyone so much that the Obama camp hasn't yet figured out how to respond. They are making charges like, she's too inexperienced, and she's just an identity politician with no substance. Time to look in the mirror, Obama.
What's everyone babbling about? She has just as much experience as barack in my opinion...check her resume and check baracks...fine, he gives an amazing speech, but after that they have both done exceptional things in America and for their home states. They have both done things on different ends of the spectrum, but nonethelss they have both done plenty. Obama has just chosen to waste his efforts on useless things such as Universal healthcare (complete waste of time and money) and she has spent her time doing things that have importance, namely her work with energy independence. Oh yea, and she has had the time to raise 5 children.
And Biden as President? I'd move to Great Britain before having to deal with that misery...
McCain choosing Palin certainly does take the"experience" argument off the table.McCain's choice of Palin shows he is ignorant about women voters. He is sadly mistaken to think that Hillary voters would pass on Obama/Biden just to vote for ANY woman!
it is now ABUNDANTLY clear that John McCain was flat out LYING when he criticized Obama's lack of experience.
its impossible to conclude otherwise by his selection of the least experienced person EVER to be nominated for that office.
politically, it won't be a question of "experience". The question will be how this undecuts any notion that McCain is an "independent" or "maverick" when he picks a running mate who is so far out of the mainstream on basic issues such as, wanting to teach Creationism in public schools and, opposing abortion for women even in cases where the woman is raped!
Yikes.
If this do not prove John McCain's senility I don't know what else could. And he thinks this pick will bring in women voters? What a fool he is. I am still trying to figure out why the republican party is even running in this election.
This Republican nominee just changed his name to John McCan't
He can't do it , and won't. Palin is no Clinton.
This seems like a desperate move by McCain. his biggest critism of obama and now he does this. this only goes to show America that even senator McCain feels obama is the better choice or else he wouldn't have handed it over to him on a silver platter.
Jack,
I was feeling very excited after the Democratic National Convention.. With the Obama's, the Biden's and the Clinton's now all on the same page, I figured that Obama-Biden would have a good chance to win the election.. Now that John McCain has picked Sarah Palin as his vice president, I know that the Obama-Biden ticket will be elected in November! We didn't have to wait for an "October Surprise", John McCain gave us all an "August Surprise!!!"
Marty
Cumberland, Md.
I think that this is a good move for McCain. I was not going to vote for him until this morning. I feel that Gov. Palen is up to the job. Got to be better than the bone head there now.
Yes he does. For someone who talks about putting coutry first, its amazingly ridiculous that he would pick someone who obviously can not step into the office of president? is he putting the country first or is he just desparate to win? The answer is obvious, he was thinking about getting an Obama type clone not the country when he chose Palin and thats a disgrace. I wonder what that says about Pawlenty and Romney, they may put up a good front but my guess is they feel insulted. I love Hilary but make no mistake, Palin is a chihuahua while Clinton is a Tiger, it is an insult on my intelligence as a Hillary supporter that all McCain sees is her gender not her long history of leadership.
I think that with McCaines announcement today, the election is all but over. No serious voter would need to ponder which VP they want a heartbeat away with this matchup.
What was he thinking?!
Wake up Jack! Its McCain Vs. Obama, and Obama has less to no experience. At least the Republicans are true and pro life and can answer the basic question when does life begin. Obama says he cant answer that, its above his paygrade. Do you think he can make national security decisions?
John
Retired Navy Chief
People like Senator McCain because he's a maverick and he proved it again today. But for all of you who worry she has too little experience to take office should quit worrying about what may happen and realize that if you elect Obama you enter this situation on day 1, January 20th 2009. At least Governor Palin will have the experience from being Vice President, however, most liberals over look the fact that Senator Obama is basicly running on the fact that he has no experience. His quick one-liners (Change you can believe in, United not divided) won't cut it in Washington facing real crises. Senator Obama has yet to take a firm position on any issue because he's afraid of backlash from his constituents. Yeah, yeah, he is anti-war and probably against the Iraq War personally, just like FDR was and who waited to long to enter WWII, but since he wasn't in Congress at the time he didn't vote on it and has voted for it ever time since because he's afraid to take a difficult position for fear of losing his fame and fortune as the Democratic savior. For once I wish Bill Clinton was running again at least then I could sleep well at night. Bill Clinton had the spine to take difficult positions, but Obama can't even admit the surge is working. The same generals he said he would listen to about withdrawal have all come to this conclusion, but the man is afraid. Afraid that he's out of touch. Afraid Odinga his terrorist cousin with ruin his chance to put a basketball court in the White House. He needs to start having real worries. McCain has survived over 5 years in a Vietnamese prison camp and 4 bouts with cancer, I think he'll survive 4 years as President. I'll bet on McCain any time.
How desperate McCain must be and how does he take the American people for fools. God help us if McCain is elected and his VP has to step in as President. Sarah is no Hillary and a weak pick. McCain has no respect for the office of VP.
If Mccain wanted to choose a woman to woo Hillary's supporters, he just fell flat on his face. He has just demonstrated he does not want to win. After critizing Obama for inxperience, this is what he comes up with? There are other women, Elizabeth Dole, Kay Hutchinson even Christy Whitman to name a few that is if what he wanted to do is select a woman!!
Say Hello to President OBAMA!!!!!
I want to know what McCain was smoking when made that decision, geez.....
Palin has more executive experience than Obama. Obama would do well to stay away from thiscomparison when he has less experience for the # 1 position than the person runnoing for #2.
Hillary voters should consider McCain' s pick as a slap in the face...she is pro-life and the republican team would pick supreme court justices that are not going to support women's rights. Just because Palin is a woman does not mean she will support women's causes and promote our rights. While I would love to vote for a woman, I will never vote for a republican with a few supreme court appointments ahead.
It's really simple:
McCain cut his own campaign's strategy off at the knees to pursue a voter bloc in the PUMAS that's almost taken on a mythical status but in reality probably isn't as big as it's been made out to be.
That not a maverick, that's an idiot.
Is it any wonder that the American people have become cynical about politics? For months they have listend to McCain bash Obama as unqualified for the presidency. Yet he picks a first term governor of one of the least populated states in the nation who's only previous political experience was serving as mayor of an Anchorage suburb as his VP choice. Then he tries to claim that she is qualified to be commander-in-chief because she had control over the Alaska National Guard! How stupid does he think people are?
This confirms how out of touch John McCain is with what is going on around him, or does he even know what is going on around him?
I don't grant the premise that she's "less experienced" than Obama. She's been Governor about as long as Obama was a Senator before he began running for President. And let's not forget that, as Governor, she's the only one of the four people on either ticket with major executive experience.
If you want to have an argument about experience, just pit the Obama campaign's defense of their candidate before, against their criticisms of Palin now. You can do an entire Socratic dialogue with the two. And let's not forget that, while experience is always an issue, there's a huge difference between putting inexperience on the bottom of the ticket, and putting it at the top. Palin may be a heartbeat away from the Presidency, but Obama would BE the heartbeat. Big difference.
McCain ABSOLUTELY undercuts his message by choosing Palin as his running mate. He's put the final nail in the coffin.
If Clinton's supporters fall for this transparent attempt to win their vote by bringing aboard someone whose only similarity is the fact that they both have a uterus, then we will find that on top of the glass ceiling is nothing but a new glass floor with a bunch of cracks in it...
Jack, I was watching another network this morning where the Alaska's governor's name came up. They thought it to be a mistake.
I think John McCain just ended it for himself. His age is a concern and picking a candidate that no ones knows was not the smart thing to do. What a mistake!!!
I'm delighted with McCain's VP choice because I believe it insures Barack Obama's victory in November. McCain has just shot himself in the foot!! Hurray!!
Hey Jack, this is what my 14 year old daughter Lexy thinks
McCain ought to throw in the towel, its all over! Is this the best the Republican party could come up with, I'm looking to see who the nominee will be in four years. Good Luck Obama.
I don't really think so. McCain can say that even though Palin is less experienced than Obama, shes only gonna be the VP. Obama would be President, a far greater job. It was also reported earlier in the year that McCain could possibly be healthier than Obama.
Jack
This is simply another instance of John McCain undermining his own convictions and philosophies in order to gain more support in the polls. The maverick who claims to reach across party lines but votes with the President. The maverick who claims independence but supports the Bush war policy in Iraq. The maverick who says that Obama is too young and too inexperienced who then picks a woman who is younger and more inexperienced than Obama. He may be a maverick but his shots are all over the place. I have to ask the Joker Hannity, Which McCain is running for President.
Thanks Jack
Duke
This is the Dumbest choice he could have made! He's 74 yrs old, and he picks a VP with even Less experience and younger than Obama? He's undercut his whole experience argument against the Dems! This unknown woman is even under ethics investigation in her own state! What was he thinking??
Yes, he undercut his message about inexperience. But he won't be undercut by size. Sarah Palin is the only one of the prospective vice presidential contenders who is shorter than McCain. And McCain is egotistical enough to be concerned about that, about being taller than his Vice President when the TV cameras come around. He just wasn't concerned about us having an experienced person in office, in case something happened to him. At age 72 and with a history of recurrent cancers, McCain owed it to the United States to lead responsibly. This ain't it. He is a little man – in all ways.
So Jack, who has the more executive experience, Palin or Obama? Who has run an entity larger than England, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, France? Certainly the point needs to be made that Palin is more experienced than Obama, and she actually represents change, not just 'a speech he gave in 2002.'
Jack,
That’s the ball game! It’s all over!
Senator McCain opened my eyes today. I now see that winning this election is more important to him than doing what’s best for this nation and that’s why he picked Governor Palin. He needs the bitter Hillary supporters to win this election. You can’t tell me that someone who manages 670,000 people for two years and has never worked in Washington is now suddenly qualified to lead 300 million people for four years. What if something happens to John McCain?
Ridge or Romney was a better choice for this nation.
The premise of your question is wrong–again. She has more executive experience than Obama and has an actual RECORD of accomplishments. Age is not the issue. Gender is not the issue. Race is not the issue. McCain has only undercut the democrats. But somehow, I think you and your buddies on the left have already figured that out. Happy campaigning!
No. If you can have young, not particularly experienced Obama and old guy Biden...
then why not old guy McCain and woman who is governing a state and has ideals and principals and strengths and is young.
No matter who does what or who picks who – the other side is going to pick it to pieces. and the media tries to keep it stirred up just so we will "stay up and stay tuned."
Palen's appointment is an insult to the women who supported Hilary Clinton. To think that we have so little integrity that we would vote for a far right conservative just because she is a woman.
Jack-
It's amazing that for the last 90+ days all John McCain's criticism of Barack Obama centered around "inexperience". Now he selects an fairly inexperienced running mate and calls it " Change". I call it talking out of both sides of your mouth.
The straight talk express has become the double talk express.
This is an indication of incipient senility - McCain obviously thought it was April fool's day.
Jim, Craig, CO
To say that Palin is less experienced than Obama is a joke. Palin atleast has experience running a government and being in a leadership/executive position unlike Obama. Mccain does not undercut himself. And people should be voting on the next president not the what-if he dies president.
I'm a Democrat who did not support either Hilary or Obama initially, but of course I will vote Democratic now that the choice has been made. Of course picking Palin was a stupid choice, but what did anyone expect? He has a trophy wife; now he has a trophy vice presidential running mate. It was purly political, and it's going to backfire, but I'm going to love watching the Republicans implode.
Wow. If McCain made this decision, then he needs better advisors. If his advisors are behind this, then he needs better judgment.
O'bama is right MCcain got experience but he Do Not Know what he is doing. in my world we call this 2face.
While I had worried about McCain's age prior, he must have had a senior moment forgetting his whole argument against Obama. What possible qualification does this woman have beside the fact that she is a woman.
Just goes to show you his lack of judgement based on his claim that experience is important. This woman is younger than some of his own children please
Desperation! Does McCan't really think he can sway Hillary supporters to vote for him? NO WAY!
To Patricia Vittoria:
You are a republican. You support Hillary Clinton and now support Sarah Palin? – They are polar opposites.
All the women claiming they supported Hillary and now support Palin clearly are either fakes or are stupidly voting for sex alone. This lady wants to make you all 50's homemakers again.
Jack, we know Hillary Clinton, We have known her for a long time. She has proven to be our friend, and somebody we can trust. Sarah WHO? She is no Hillary Clinton.
No, McCain does not undermine his own message by selcecting Pailin as his running mate. She is actually more experienced because she has ran a whole state, and Obama has not run anything on his own at all, so it does not make sence to say she is less experience when at the same time Fox News says she is MORE experienced. I just think you have no real idea what you are talking about Jack.
She is currently under investigation in her home state!!!
I would be offended if I was a woman. The big question to McCain is WHY? is it because of the experience or because she is a woman!
I would rather have a more experienced person in the #1 position than in the #2 postion. Obama running for the #1 spot is no experience and his VP is not exactly young. At least, McCain has the experience and is running for the #1 spot.
All I can say is that Gov Palin looks beautiful. That's all!
Can you really think of a worse pick for John Mccain.He not only showed contempt for the voters intelligence. He made a mockery of the Executive Branch. olease John you just schoolboyed your epitaph
Maybe John McCain thinks he is running an eye candy contest...Cindy and Sara.
If McCain really wanted to win, why did he just ask Hillary.
At this point, she probably would have said yes.
The only reason why he chose her is because she wears a bra.
John McCain has just taken his own message, ground it up into a fine powder, and blown it into the wind that ruffles Obama's finely cut jacket. Sarah Palin could potentially win over some bitter Clintonites but the hypocrisy of McCain is so great its hard to see his reasoning, let alone the valid benefits of adding her to the ticket.
Perhaps this action is a symptomatic of dementia/senility on the part of the McCain. As a democrat, I couldn't be more delighted that Palin was chosen as McCain's running mate.......
We need to vote with our brians. Which candidate believes in the same issues you do. I am a woman, but this woman isn't Hillary Clinton. I am not going to vote for McCain because he picked a woman to be VP. That's what he wants women to do. He figures African Americans will vote for Obama because he's of the same race. McCain thinks women will do the same and vote for a woman because she's a woman. If something happens to McCain this woman is in NO WAY experienced enough to run this country. No matter how you look at it. Be smarter than McCain believes we are. Don't fall for this bogus move. He is getting a less experienced woman to be VP because she won't make any waves and she'll know her place....I'm sure that was the deal made behind closed doors. He passed over more well qualified women and you have to ask yourself why? The son going to Iraq, the baby with Downs Syndrome, and someone that will just be grateful to be along with the ride rather than someone that is qualified to be VP or President if McCain passes away....the less she knows the less she'll question him and the more quiet she'll stay. Obiden drafted the Violence against women act. They believe in abortion rights and equal pay for women. Vote for the party the believes in the issues you do and not because of race or sex.
Its official, John McCain has gone senile. Picking someone less experienced than Barack Obama himself takes away one of McCain's chief arguments. Wrong Move.
Bull, she maybe younger but not less experience. Obama is running to be president not vice-president. He has no executive experience. A governor make more decisions in one week than a US senator make in a year. One could argue that she has more experience than the other 3 candidates combined.
The Republicans are desperate.
But, it was a good try!
The fact that the democrats are dismissing Alaska as "a state with 13 people and caribou," is extremely offensive, and only shows how arrogant they are. Did they forget that Alaska has votes in the election, or do they simply believe that a state in the union is worthless?
Couldn't have picked a worse choice. I was leaning McCain, but he just through his independent supporters out the window. No way can I vote for that duo...
Guess it means I'll be voting for Obama. Have to admit his speech moved me last night!
Philadelphia, PA
Palin's selection by McCain signals one thing- McCain knows he is beaten on every other issue and plans to reach for the biggest wedge he can find i.,e., Abortion.
Jack – Inform yourself first before you make this questions. Where are the facts that she has less experience than Borack Obama. MacCain made the right choice. I am a Hillary supporter and now very happy will vote for MacCain/Palin. Why are you always so angry and attacking MacCains health. You are no healthy young man yourself.
Absolutely! I don't know about you but President Palin doesn't sound too reassuring to me.
Apparently McCain thinks Maverick and Hypocrite are synonomous
Not only does he undercut the main messages the Republicans are utilizing vs. Sen. Obama, he has demonstrated a lack of good judgement in his first real test of the Presidential Campaign.
McCain is such an idiot. I'm tired of the hypocrisy. I guess he cannot say anything on Obama anymore because Palin has even less experience than Obama! this just seems like a desperate attempt to sway female voters. He picked someone who nobody knows and I don't think she can handle that national spotlight at all. Clinton supports don't be fooled! Remember when Mondale picked Ferraro as his VP? yeah it didn't turn out too well. Biden will chew her up in those debates.
Yes, She is a hockey mom the United States is not a hockey field...
McCain just demonstrated that he is not a leader. He must think that the American women are that stupid that they would vote for any woman who runs. That's not how this works McCain.
As a 35 year old woman, I am insulted by McCain's choice in Sara Palin. If he thinks that he can capture my vote by just picking a woman, he certainly does not understand American women. She is in no way Hilary. If he was looking for Clinton supporters, wasn't there a woman out there with more experience? I was planning to vote for Obama but now this choice will make me WORK to get Obama elected. Thanks but no thanks, McCain!
John McCain announced his VP pick and his concession at the same time.
McCain cant chalk this up to a seniors moment anymore, what he did today is to political suicide, in the next four months he will have his seat back in the senate for sure.This is a man who said the economy isnt his strong suit, so instead of going with someone who knows how to balance a chequebook he went off into his world and make a career ending decision.Its nice to see that he doesnt listen to anyone around him with half a brain.
McCain / Panic! '08
its a trap jack. obama will walk right in to. the dems will talk about no experience and then they will say wait a minute obama has the same amount of experience and he's running for president. speaking of getting old do you have a back dirt bag if you pass on in the near future?
Sarah Palin has more experience than the opponent that is running for President. Hats off to Senator McCain! He really is a maverick. I look forward to the changes we will see from the McCain/Palin ticket
Undercut his message? Of course. But this gets you news people to ignore the good in Obama as usual and give all the attention to McCain.
See the people only vote for who is shown best on the news, not the issues.
Republicans? Help another person? No, you are supposed to help yourself no matter what. Gee, funny, my neighbor is republican and his sister all of a sudden needed the government to come to her aide. BUT, he still votes republican.
Yvonne
Indiana
What McCain undercuts is Obama's message of change. The messiah of change picks a Washington insider in chosing Joe Biden.. same ole story. McCain on the other hand picks a person who has a record of change in cleaning up corruption in Alaska and he choses a female outside of the Beltway.... Now that is true change....... You are right Jack ... Game over but it's not the result you think......... Obama has been outmaneuvered. The Maverick is back!
By the way – she needs to get rid of that porn star hairdo.
Sara
North Dakota
How is Obama more experienced than Palin. Boy, Cafferty are you ever in the tank for Obama. Definitely not balanced!
John McCain has just sent us a very clean and loud message with the selection of Sarah Palin. His knowledge & experience has just been diminished by the same quotient of her inexperience. Is he an idiot. My god, the idea scares me to death.
It is reckless in the extreme for John McCain to risk the future of this country to a clearly inexperienced individual like Palin when so many better qualified persons were available. Horrible.
Sure, Palin is inexperienced and the pick goes against evreything McCain has been yelping about for the last month. What I wonder about however, is the decision that the McCain Team made to pick Palin. These are the same Schmendricks that will be asked to make up a McCain Cabinet and National Security Advisory team.
I am a 55 year old pro life gun owner who has always voted a straight Democratic ticket with the exception of Ronald Reagan. I have not been completely sold on Obama and was open to a Republican vote until today. I question the judgment and cringe at the ego of a woman who feels she is so destined to have it all that she would take on this responsibility at this point in her life. Okay call me old fashioned but she has a special needs INFANT. This is not your average job nor is she a mother who has to work. I think a lot of women my age may not want to express this opinion but will feel it in their hearts. As for McCain's judgment what in the world has happened to this man?
I was a Hilliary supporter. I'm a life-time democrate but not sure about Sen. Obama. I was totally suprised by Sen. McCain's choice of Sarah and found her smart and charming. I wasn't going to watch the Republican Convention but now I'm going to give this ticket a serious look. She really makes a difference to the ticket as far as I'm concerned. I'm thinking John Mc. is his own man and possibly not a Bush clone.
Although I am an Obama supporter I was very interested to see who McCain was going to pick for his running mate. I cannot believe that McCain believes women voters to be so shallow and spiteful that he believes putting a woman on the ticket will help him get into office. I feel that the women of this country should be insulted that McCain thinks we are that gullible! McCain just lost the race! Checkmate OBAMA!
The 18 million cracks had better remember to vote for the issues.
Isn't it interesting that the one of the first pictures being circulated of Gov. Palin is one holding a big GUN????? I am one of the 18 million cracks and she's NOT READY!
I Think McCain just proved he is not capable of running the country either. If this is first major decission look out for what might come next. This is really scary. If he thinks Obama lacks experience what does this say for his pick. Please pray for our country's salvation because we are going to need it.
RRM
Knoxville Tn
she is in no way less experienced than all the men in the ballot, governer vs. state legislator, i think i will go with the governor thank you very much
If McCain really wanted to win over female voters, he should have picked Secretary Rice. A McCain-Rice ticket would be much stronger than an Obama-Biden ticket on national security and foreign policy. However, that advantage becomes debatable with Vice President Palin. Further, Rice opposes the government funding abortions and supports parental notification for underage abortions, thus satisfying the pro-life vote. But she doesn't want to overturn Roe v. Wade, thus not turning off female voters.
While Secretary Rice perhaps does not want to be Vice President, however, Sen. McCain could have convinced her that the county would be better off with her as Vice President than, say, Romney or Palin, and perhaps she may have agreed.
I can definitely say that Mr. Mccain lost his mind.
He should check in with his doctor to see about alzheimers disease.
He definilty would fit the criteria , saying one thing and doing another.
If Obama is not good enough to be our president how is this lady with 5 kids and a sick child would be able to lead our nation,
she needs to stay home and take care of her special child and not lead a nation to the unknown.
I am sure she does not know where is afganistan on the map or what is the capital of Iran.
I am not surprised Mr. Mccain would make such poor choice , he lack what a president need , to be smart and have good judgement.
Given Obamas inadequet response to Russia's invasion of Georgia and his refusal to even acknowledge the success of the surge or listen to his military commanders,Palin is a preferable choice.
I think Sarah Palin has more administrative and executive experience than Barak Obama and Joe Biden. She has the experience of cutting waste, taking on corruption, managing budgets – as a mayor and governor. In my opinion, except talk, Obama hasn't delivered anything yet. No doubt – he is a good orator. But, we need a leader who is results-driven and has a proven record.
Several leaders of other countries became PMs or Presidents when something happened in those countries. For e.g., when Indira Gandhi was assassinated , her son became PM. He didn't had any international experience at that time. But, the country was ok. No matter who is in that position, in my opinion, that individual is helped by the rest of the administration. But that individual shall have a vision, courage to take big steps...such as Palin took on corruption...
I think, it is time for America to put a woman in the White House. I think, we are behind compared to many countries when it comes to putting a woman in the top position.
It absolutely does, however, it's also obvious that McCain and the Republicans intend to shelve this issue and move on to a different
nasty attack-dog broadside against the Democrats.... They probably
have already planned their next "swift-boat" onslaught.... The question
is are the voters already tired of a tactic that loudly proclaims "I have
no good ideas, so all I can do is try to make the other guy look bad."
Don't be surprised if McCain gets elected (God help us), Palin only serves 1 term and resigns for 'family reasons'. Then McCain would pull in who he really wants: Lieberman, etc. Non of existing choices like Lieberman would get him elected. So McBush & team go for the long shot. All McCain has to do then is make it through his first year.
And they want to make a case about judgment! Wake up America!
I read an earlier post where someone questions whether she can stand up to Putin with her lack of experience. Tell me how Obama will stand up to him when he has zero experience in that field?
I think this is pick is incredibly cynical. We have heard a lot of reasons why Palin would help McCain politically. She's a woman, she appeals to cultural conservatives, and she helps McCain seem like a maverick. What we haven't heard is how Sarah Palin will help McCain govern. With just 2 years of experience as governor and no foreign policy experience there is a reason we are surprised by this pick. McCain has made the only presidential choice that he will get in this campaign. With this decision he has put politics ahead of our presidency, it is the last presidential choice he will ever get to make.
Boise, Idaho
Lemme get this straight: they march out an empty pantsuit and think she's a replacement for one of the best political minds in a generation? It's an insult to women.
And to Ms. Pale-in-comparison. You might dress like Hillary, you may claim feminism like Hillary, you may even like to invoke her name; but TRUST ME, govenor, you're no Hillary Clinton.
What's the panic over Sarah Palin. McCain made a brilliant move.Biden nearly died of a brain aneurysm in 1988 which is a serious red flag. Both Candidates have equal rights to choose whom they want in a free country. It's the pundits and politicians freaking outm What if the public exposed reporters medical family and experience and detail of each family's lives.The meia has used racism religion agism, thus perpetrating unnecessary bias and absurdity in this historic election year. My family has lived in Alaska,a family friend hs ben governor of Alaska,and it takes someone with executive skills to be governor of Alaksa and knowledgeable of its neighbor, Russia. Obama has surprises McCain does as wellm That is why we are the land of freedom Margaret Millville DE Democrat
Amen! From a professional working mother, it is refreshing to finally see a smart, determined, compassionate and ethical woman get the nod. I am sick of the yakkety yak gushing from politicians on both sides. I want to see someone who talks the talk, walks the walk. Watch out Washington...Here comes Sarah!
It's wonderful that Republicans have reached a point in political history where they have finally wised up and chosen a woman for the VP spot. However, the thought that Gov. Palin could become Commander in Chief should something happen to Sen. McCain would be the most severe political disaster in the history of this country. As president, a first term Governer from the distant state of Alaska with virtually no national or Washington experience would make the USA a laughing stock much more so than it has already become under the Bush administration. McCain couldn't have made it easier for Democrats and Independents in November.
Please McCain where is your compassion, please leave Gov.Palin to nurse her 4 month old baby; her children and Alaska need her. This new position is too much work and would be a burden for her. Leave her with her family.
I guess the old guy needed some new eye candy to keep him going.
In passing up superb vp choices like Governors Tom Ridge and Mitt Romney in order to choose the inexperienced Governor Palin, Senator McCain shows disregard for the office of President and for the American people. It makes me seriously question McCain's judgment, especially compared with Obama's choice of Senator Joseph Biden.
This is obviously a desperate play for women voters, despite Palin's neanderthal attitudes. Women supported Hillary because she was qualified, not because she was a woman - and certainly not because she was popular. If those were the criteria, Obama would have chosen Oprah.
Balancing the ticket does not mean a candidate with experience and gravitas should pick a running mate without them. This is the worst VP candidate choice since Dan Quayle.
Poughkeepsie, New York
sort of funny that following a week of defending the inexperience of mr. obama, CNNers are jumping all over themselves to use it now...sure, the gop vp might end up being a bust pick, but it sure is great to see the old democratic double standard out front for all to see...oh, by the way jack, could you explain the "change" formula with the biden pick?...oh wait a minute, i guess you find that choice o.k. and not a bit ridiculous...thanks for being objective...
Not at all. First, Obama served in a state legislature where party leadership decides how its party members will vote. Taking orders does not instill experience. Second, serving for two years in the U.S. Senate and running a presidential campaign the remainder of the time does not equal experience. Despite Governor Palin's short time as an executive, she still has executive experience. The presidency of the U.S. is an executive position. Therefore, it is blatantly clear that Governor Palin has more experience to be the executive of the U.S. then Obama.
Joliet, IIllinois
Hi jack,
I think Govenor Palin is a very good choice, trouble with liberals is they scream about change but when a chance for change hits them in the face they don't recognize it... Perhaps you should just report the facts and let people make their own decision. The same goes for Fox news just report and let us decide. The american people are very intelligent after all we didn't elect George W. the first time.... The second time the liberals gave us no choice in candidates. Obama is all fluff, very artuculate but has no stance on anything of importance that I've been able to determine, but he is very adept at not answering questions. Jack you are too tied up on a candidates party and not on the candidate. lets vote for the best person not party.
Cafferty, What cabinet position did BHO promise you? You're obviously so far up his 3rd point of contact that you can't see straight. You blast Palin for not having experience; at least she has about two more years in her job than Obama's 143 days in the Senate. And, wasn't Biden brought the Obama ticket because he has no foreign policy experience? The only objectivity CNN has in this election is having Glenn Beck and Lou Dobbs on their team. If it weren't for them, CNN would be a mere extension of Moveon.org. Your bias, as well as CNN's bias, is obvious. I think Palin is an excellent choice!!
This is the guy who said and I quote “I put country 1st”. I guess he rather win an election then do what's best for the country. Fortunately for me, this will probably cause him the white house.
If this wasn’t so tragic, it would be laughable.
It's just flat out shocking. Yesterday, I was just a run-of-the-mill Obama supporter. Today, John McCain scares me big-time. He is putting the security of our country at great risk by selecting someone so inexperienced in a perilous world, especially when he himself has so many health problems. He must think women are idiots to be so desperate to break the glass ceiling that we'll accept any woman whom he appoints. Part of that whole glass ceiling thing that Hillary talked about involved paying dues and earning the job through competence and ability. McCain is a fool!
Obama's inexperience is still an issue. Palin's is not because she is not walking into the top job – she is walking into the VICE Presidency.
Obama would be non-experienced the day he assumes office. Palin would very likely have some years in the training before (if EVER) she had to assume the top job. Better to have a very competent woman in training than to have the inexperienced Obama starting out in the top job on day one.
Paul Motter
Phoenix Arizona
It's really idiotic how Senator McCain chose a "nobody" for his running mate over more qualified and experienced Republican leaders that would have at least given the Democrats some competition. Although my vote all along, is set for Senator Obama, McCain just confirmed why he will not be an effective President. He's too old! His age showed right before the start of his introduction of his running mate when basking in the glory of applause, he remarked, "Thanks for reminding me ..." Reminding him of what??!! That he's running for President?? Old geezer ...
Mc Cain's judgement, or lack thereof, is highlighted by this terrible pick. Are we to believe that Gov. Palin is the best person he could find to step into the Presidency if needed? This pick is so wrong on so many levels, I don't have time to list them all. Here's number 1.... Does McCain think that women are so empty headed that they will just exchange one woman for another?
McCain's message is contradictory in picking such an inexperienced running mate in such an important race where national security is a key issue fo so many Americans. With McCain's age , I want the assurance that there is someone in the wings who can help with national security – not a first term governor and former mayor of a town of 11,000 people in Alaska. I think Hillary may have had it right the other night – No way, No how, No McCain!!
I am a moderate Democrat who was shocked by McCain's selection. As a governor with only two years of experience in sparsely populated Alaska, Sarah Palin is still just getting her feet wet at the state level. I don't know how anyone could even evaluate her effectiveness after such a short time. I found the Joe Biden selection reassuring. Quite the contrary with McCain's selection.
"I know Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton is a friend of mine. And Sarah Palin is no Hillary Rodham Clinton.'"
I think this anecdote speaks for itself:
When I got back to my dorm this afternoon, my roommate, a staunch conservative, was watching TV. When he changed the channel, MSNBC was covering Palin's VP nomination. He immediately started swearing violently and angrily declaring that "McCain's screwed himself."
So there's you answer.
In no way does the choice undercut the experience argument. If the Obama campaign wants to talk about experience, the McCain campain should be eager to have that argument. Obama is an inexperienced candidate for President. Meanwhile, the Republicans are running an inexperienced candidate for Vice President. In the Vice Presidency, Palin can gain valuable experience for the Presidency. There's no room to learn on the job when you are the President.
OK, McCain, you married Barbie and now you've asked Skipper over to play. What's next? A night on the town in your Ken car?
Get real, no woman Democrat who supported Hillary would ever dream of voting for you.
Jack,
this is a obvious grasp of desperation, looking at the opening act of john mccain choice for vp, look like a high school cheer team rally, then to bring palin on stage, looked and sound like we are headed down the road of bubble gum politics, in this dangerous world, i think this is a disgrace.
al
Some of my Democrat friends tell me that they were primed and programmed to attack the choice of McCain as soon as it was announced which explains the volume of the immediate responses.
I think that's the McCain's camp gamble: Hillary supporters are stupid enough to vote for McCain because he picked a woman.
It's a sexist gimmick. And it just might work.
I can't believe she actually used Hillary's glass ceiling phrase. I hate to tell you Sarah, but you have to take a number. There are about a dozen or more women a head of you to break that glass ceiling.
I am absolutely insulted that McCain thinks he can sway us with this pick. Thanks John for securing my vote for Obama/Biden!
Hey Jack , can we say desperate! Barack might as well pack his bags.. He's going to the white house! McCain is using her to get into the white house.. Not thinking of the responsiblities of being in the White house... I agree a 100 percent on what Barack said last night!!
McCain just don't get it~!!!!
Well, the question to ask is where to you want the person with the inexperience..number 1 on the ticket or number 2? Looks like an even race now. My opinion is that Biden has more experience to be president than Obama. This is going to be interesting!
I don't like McCain, Obama or even Hillary for that matter...but I do think we need CHANGE. Discussions about being too young, too old, too inexperienced? Come on...none of these people have been President so they are all too inexperienced as of right now. Gov. Palin deserves as much chance as a guy no one had ever heard of 19 months ago Barack who? Before we condem McCain for his pick, or write of Palin shouldn't we take a step back and see who she is and what she stands for? Yes we need Change we can believe in but is Obama the only answer acceptable?
As an Obama supporter, I am shocked! McCain can no longer play the experience card, leadership card etc.... I am now more concerned about McCain winning than I was yesterday. This VP pick, in my opinion, is just to try to win over Clinton supporters and not at all in the best interest of our great country. How will Palin handle debates with Biden!?!? Can't wait to see that! At John McCains age he has to consider the fact that the VP at any moment could be called upon to run our country. I would not want her to be answering that 3 a.m phone call!
Knee jerk on steroids! The GOP is in mourning.
Jack –
Senator McCain has made the perfect choice for his running mate. Governor Palin is both Pro-Life AND a lifelong member of the NRA. She's both pro-life and pro-gun at the same time. Now some people might think this is a contradiction, but look at those photos of her visiting the Alaska National Guard troops in Iraq. She is obviously showing off her hunting skills with that assault weapon, taking careful aim to bring down a Baghdad Caribou.
Yep, with a choice like Gov. Palin, we can look forward to a victory for Obama and Biden.
McCains VP Pick is laughable. I supported Hillary Clinton because her values are in line with mine, not because she is a woman. How stupid does McCain think I am? As a woman I am insulted at his attempt to pander to win my vote based on gender alone. What about picking a VP who is qualified to lead in case something happens to McCain? I think this pick weakens his ticket and makes the republicans very vulnerable on many fronts.
Jack,
Undercut it? More like shredding it, wouldn't you say?
Robert
North Port, FL
There is a difference between thinking outside the box and being crazy and out of his mind.
Mcain is a hothead and lacks the judgement to be President. He has proven, beyond any reasonable doubt, with his first decision as a potential president, to be totally inept. If he could succumb to Bush in chosing a running mate, then we should be scared of him.
Senator Mcain will not vote for Candidate Mcain for his total loss of Independence.
I'll like to hear Liebarman's reaction to this. If he could still trust Mcain's judgement to lead.
Confusion.
Wow, It looks little John will be doing most of the thinking during this presidency.
It's all too obvious McCain's choice was based on a feeble attempt to attract Hillary Cliinton supporters. The fact she has an autistic child will make some think she has been magically endowed with some kind of family values. I have an autistic grandson, being raised at home by my dauther. It is *more* than a full time job because he needs *constant* supervision. What kind of family values does Palin subscribe to? Who is raising her autistic child while she runs for governer and president?
Chuck
San Antonio
Jack,Sarah Palin has much more experience than Barack Obama,so face up to it.She is a better speaker,she gets to the point,no fluff! She is real,and a great V.P for America!!
You demmies sound scared to death!! Luv it!!
Charly Maine.
Why all the negatives Jack? She is definitely a MILF!
What a joke McCain is. Real inexperience a heart beat away from the presidency and with his age factor. Ridiculous and typical of his reasoning! What a hypocrite. With McCain's history of beauty queens and marital collapses, I know Cindy must be shaking in her boots.
I think that McCain thinks if he's president (God forbid) all of his calls after 8 PM would be forwarded to Palin, and he'd have weekends off!!! He's long overdue for a mental exam! Does he have that little respect for women that all they're good for is to satisfy his ambitions? All of his women have been models and now a beauty queen!!! This is not a beauty contest! Get with it, McCain. This is our country you're playing games with.You certainly are not securing our future in the event that you can no longer lead .But then, you're not thinking about US. It's all about YOU!!!
Part of the problem with America today is how many people make irrational decisions. I'm not speaking about McCain's decision, but rather many of the posts above. Give Sarah Palin a chance prior to making such egregious assumptions.
The "experience" argument is likely off the table, but what is scarier – experience in the No. 1 slot or the No. 2 slot? Hopefully nothing happens to either person elected and they live out their term(s).
If people would actually read about Palin (would imagine most haven't read anything other than left-leaning Begala's article on this "unbiased" website), they might actually see that she has a breadth of experiences, albeit many that do not correspond to the natural experience one may expect in a VP.
McCain stuck to his guns and picked another "maverick" and I applaud him for that – now it is Palin's turn to prove she can handle the spotlight and is deserving.
NO! She has MORE experience at the "executive" level than Obama.
Obama's supporters have for months said "he" doesn't need experience, he can just get the most experienced "advisors" to handle situations he's unsure of.
Well, sauce for the goose?
She has a record to the right of Mike Huckabee and, frankly, that's going to energize the Democrats and the independents to vote for Obama.
This woman's record and views are way out of the mainstream. Furthermore, if something were to happen to the president, I can say very clearly that I would want Biden to be president before Palin.
I can say I would want a brain-dead snail to be president before Palin. She's scary.
What is Sen. Macain thinking! For crying out loud is'nt he theone that start this inexperience talk an de ja vu . Macain /Palin ticket I don't think so.
I am a Canadian living in the US and have been watching the American political landscape and i wondered what is going on here. If i were american i would consider myself as a republican but this decision baffles me, why not a Romney or better yet Arnold.
Just not sure how this will really help his campaign out. Right now i give the edge to Obama but time and the American people will have the last say.
I love that Republicans think that two years as governor of a state with 660,000 people is credible executive experience. Wow.
Surely Hillary's supporters were supporting her because of who she is, not because of her lack of external plumbing? How insulting to Hillary to believe that women were voting for her only because of her gender.
I was appalled when I heard who McCain picked....it is as thou he thought –'go get a woman–any woman–if that's what 'they ' want...go get some pretty young thing from 'nowhere' Alaska--
I found it patronizing and condescending and insulting to all other women.
McCain has shown his desparation to be elected President once again. My first thought when I heard of his nomination – 'Who's Sarah Palin?'. Why on earth would you select someone who's home state has a smaller population than the average US county? Then again, maybe we should all just thank McCain for making this whole election easier for Obama to win.
You know, Jack, this past week at the Democratic National Convention, much was made about the anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. I'm a proud Democrat who considers himself very much so an advocate of women's rights. But, I must say, any woman who votes for McCain/Palin just because she's a woman is in my mind making a minority report against the concept of women's suffrage. How could any Hillary Clinton supporter ever vote for someone who is so radically different from Clinton herself??? Not to mention that she's inexperienced as can be!!!!
It absolutely undercuts McCain...and leaves us to wonder if the so-called 27% for Hillary would not see through this, so that it backfires on the Republican party. But hey, they have accomplished something political by putting the Dems on the defense again...so let us rise up with our candidates and not go there (never mind the experience and paper thin bio). America's future is at stake and we need to put every argument on the table. Palin will simply "pale in" that long list of discussions.
Palin has foreign policy experience defending Alaska's population of 100 citizens from dangerous and ruthless French Canadians.
OMG!!! What a sorry ticket this is. If John McCain is unable to fufill the duties of president, the first runner up will take his place. Beauty queen, PTO president, but where are the solid accomplishments, the leadership, the experience? I can't imagine America being led by these two. God help us if they get elected. How is the real estate market in Canada these days?
I think its fishey that he names a younger woman than him vice president.You would think someone with that much experince in Washington would of chose someone like Mitt Romney or Tom ridge But Mrs palin come on how is she supposed to stand up to Sen Biden when she debates him. Also she has a down syndrome child by her husband when she has 5 other children by him and all of them are normal. I think its sound like that might be mccain;s child.
Jack,
This neurotic flip from "Obama is not ready for the White House" to the flop of his choice for vice-president clearly shows Senator McCain and the GOP is in panic mode. Governor Palin is no more ready to assume the responsibilities of the executive office than any first term governor in this country. Governor Palin is no Hilary Clinton! Senator McCain is not putting country first by making this choice, and he is surely showing a considerable lack judgment, so much so, I think he is not ready to lead our country.
With this announcement by Sen. McCain I have finally decided who I will support...."Experience" has been a strong platform by him, so what happened. I for one would not want to see the inexperience of Gov. Palin as second in command....We the people deserve more.
Within 30 minutes of being named as the vice presidential running mate, I knew more about what Palin would do to create change in goverment than I have learned about Obama in a year of campaigning.
He has been a senator for 3 years. I wish someone would name one constructive thing he has done. I have yet to hear it.
He talks about change. Apparently Palin causes change. Big Difference!
Was McCain having a "senior" moment? So many other Republican woman are so much more qualified and much more experienced than this woman. Oh and by the way I can imagine Palin inheriting Dick Cheney's Darth Vader mask and screwing around with environmental and energy issues behind closed doors. I'll bet that's the real reason why she was picked. So she will do McCain's dirty work.
David
Guilford Ct.
Absolutely! That's all we've been hearing for months now from McCain. So, he brings in a politician that has the least amount of foriegn policy experience in history? What else will he change his mind about? And as a woman, it is insulting that he has obviously chosen Palin simply because of her gender. If you are a true Hillary supporter, you wouldn't vote for a candidate that has the complete OPPOSITE views of Sen. Clinton. This is a desperate move on the republicans side.
Alicia
Orlando, FL
Well I am very sadden at how the DNC cheated Clinton out of the Nomination. But am very excited for Sara Palin for she is a woman and I think a lot of Hillary Clinton Supporters will flock to her.
I know I have
On the heels of Sen. Barack Obama, impressive campain, and historic speech, John McCain has clearly lost it. Perhaps he is showing his age he is forgetting his attacks on Obama for lack of inexperience! of bieng a pretty little empty shell! Perhaps McCain is inflicted with Alhiemerzs like President Regan. Forgive me but it is really ridiculous to think this woman can replace Hillary Clinton in American Politics and American needs more than a gun toteting moose eating self described drilling expert, who two years ago was the mayor of moose country USA. Give me a break!!! in the words of Barack Obama, "enough!!..... America deserves better!!"
I posted a joke earlier that McCain would pick her.
Apprarently life imitates satire.
What was he thinking? Well, he didn't get 4th from the bottom of his class for thinking, now, did he?
Thank You John McCain for giving us the Democrats a extra night to rejoice and reflect on you "judgement" you would have been better off extending the olive branch to Hillary when she left the After Party in Denver.
Do we really want the mayor of Mooseville one very old heart-beat away from the Oval Office?
Thank you so much, John. With this vp pick, you just elected Barack Obama to the presidency of the U.S.
Jack,
As a Democrat, Sarah Palin has an enchanting story. Someone who, like Obama, embodies the beauty of our country. But to be the CEO of the United States of America in what is shaping to be a second Cold War – no thank you.
I supported Clinton because she was a woman – a qualified woman. But Palin is not qualified. I also have question about her character when she has a special needs child (as I do) and goes back to work when the baby is just 3 days old and now the baby is just a few months old and she is taking a job that will almost never allow her to be home. Hold on feminists, don’t cry out “sexism”, I’m not just saying this just because he is a woman. This is not about her being a woman, I would say this to a father as well – its about being a morally responsible parent.
As a Clinton supporter I was disappointed when Obama did not pick Hillary to be his VP. But I think that Palin was the wrong choice for McCain. The only choice that could have been worse would have been Cafferty himself. – Okay well it wasn’t quite that bad.
Palin is totally inexperienced! It's a nightmare in the making with Sen. McCain's health issues. And it shows his lack of judgment.
GOP family values? Gov. Palin has a 4-month old baby boy who needs his mother perhaps more than most. But power brokering is more important than her family. I assume she is not wearing a nursing bra – and her Downs Syndrome son is being fed formula. He deserves a better start on his rough road of life.
Palin is pro-life and I read she is against abortion even as the result of rape and incest. Many Hilary supporters are pro-choice – why they would be swayed to vote for McCain/Palin? McCain must think women put gender above the ability to govern and he's going to lose.
I'd like CNN to run a poll of pro-life folks to find out the percentage who have adopted and/or offer foster homes to unwanted and drug-damaged children. It's okay to promote life – but then you have to care for the children 24/7.
stop reaching for straws john mccain, palin is an insult to hillary clinton
John McCain is a pathetic old man who likes young women. He thinks this was smart, (which shows how not-smart) he is. He, I'm sure, believes that any women will do to replace Hillary. Palin can't speak, her voice is grating, and her record of being a good 'man' who shoots, kills and fishes, is so artificial, it smells. I am also appalled at the decision to force her child to lead a life with downs syndrone because of Palin and her husband's neglect to practice safe sex at her age of 44. The child should always be considered first, not the parents' self righteousness when confronted with a decision of abortion. This family actions speaks loudly to the need for women's rights, saying;
Take responsibility for your failures in birth control. Don't make your child the victim.
Donna
Sherman, Scott City, Missouri
How ironic jack, Mccain picks someone with little experience and Obama picks someone with alot of experience.
I agree with Paul Begala – McCain truly has taken leave of his senses. And you are absolutely right, Jack - McCain undercuts his single-strongest argument against Obama by picking Gov. Palin, for exactly the reasons you describe. I'm elated - but then I'm a Democrat. McCain's age and health issues are very real risks, and to have Gov. Palin one heartbeat away from the Presidency gives me no comfort whatsoever. I think McCain just ensured Obama's and Biden's election, which is just fine with me.
Women are too smart to fall for this political game that McCain is playing. As a woman, I am deeply offended by McCain using Palin as a token to get women votes and am deeply angered that Palin would let herself be used by McCain.
McCain is in a panic mode and does not know what to do to stop the Obama victory tide coming. In my opinion, this election is over.
yes, but i think the obama campaign is approaching this wrong. the obama campaign has to frame this pick as proof that the mccain campaign has been playing the same old politics for about 3 months, suggesting that obama is risky and not ready to lead because he is inexperienced. they have to frame this pick as proof that all that was just talk and that mccain now understands what obama has understood from the beginning, that experience isnt all that counts, its judgement, and obama has the judgment to lead this country and mccain doesnt.
new castle, DE
i find it rather interesting to hear from Hillary Clinton supporters that they all of a sudden will support McCain since he's picked a female for his VP. i wondered to myself why would they go completely against everything that Hillary was for and suddenly be alright with issues like being pro-life, etc? is it just because Palin is a woman? it has been a big NO NO for Obama as he has never played the race card. McCain is now saying, look i have a woman as my VP pick vote for me because she's a woman. that's it. the Hillary supporters have got to be the most aggrevating demographic out there. it was never about Hillary's ideals and values, it was about electing a woman and that's all.
This announcement today would have been more appropriate if McCain did it as a skit on the Jon Stewart Show. Sen John .
One more comment since clearly I am the only supporter of this decision on this blog...
Look at the alternatives...Romney, Ridge...etc. None of these picks could have incited such interest and would have resulted in fence-sitting voters to resist the notion of "more of the same" white collar white men" who run the country...distanced from reality. Sure people may complain McCain is far removed...but no one can say that about his VP.
Finally – I want folks to know I don't even really like McCain, but because of his VP, I am voting McCain-Palin 2008.
Let's assume she's smart enough to make up for inexperience and reserve final judgment as we see her respond under pressure in the coming weeks.
And then apply the same test to Obama. But he's already proven himself to a significant degree overall and to a fair degree in foreign affairs.
If Palin is ready by experience and smarts, then Obama is more qualified. And Palin has the disadvantage of bringing the Republican party with her, which is at a minimum a perceived problem and at worst a hindrance to real change. The GOP won't move on changing things the same way the Democratic party will.
Overall, it's a bad choice for getting elected, for getting a VP who can help move Washington and for running things if she ever has to step in for McCain.
If a Hillary supporter votes for McCain because of this pick, then they are the same kind of sexest that they hate so much.
The fact that this is the most credible woman available for McCain shows just how male-dominated the GOP is.
Oh surely not. I mean I know McCain thought long and hard about all the experience that a B.S. in Journalism will bring to the Office of Vice President. I'm sure he knows that Iran and Russia will quiver in fear over her extensive knowledge....For those of you who don't 'get it', that's pure sarcasm. Oh and let's hope she's a better speller than Quayle or else the late night talk show hosts will have plenty of jokes for the next four years....
Alicia in Illinois
As a Southern conservative I was going to sit this one out...no more. Not only will I vote for McCain, I will work for him!
I wonder how he asked her,
Do you want to be my mate, ummm I meant running mate.
The message is: Ideology over Quality. New bosses (smart ones) surround themselves with smart, experienced people to give them good info and advice. Obama picked Biden, and McCain picks.....Palin?!
He's already proving himself unfit for office. All but the most brain-dead Republicans should see that.
McCain's choice of Palin throws the experience card out of the window. But this doesn't discredit his campaign. If anything it brings a fresh, more exciting look to the campaign. Sure, Alaska has a small population, but apparently everyone has forgotten that Biden comes from DELAWARE, which last time I checked was only 70,000 more people than Alaska. What Palin brings to this campaign is something that Washington has been missing for years- integrity. McCain is as old and corrupt as every other senator, but Palin brings a true maverick attitude and a willingness to clean up the trash heap that is Washington. Obama and Biden are no better than McCain. They all stink of corruption and trickery, while Palin brings integrity. Too bad that all of these angry democrats are in way too deep to see the true political genious and personal and moral character that Palin has.
Oh well. I guess I wouldn't expect anything better from the American public.
McCain's selection of the Alaskan governor has left me, well, speechless. I am sure that all of this is very exciting for her and it is an honor to be selected. But, given all of the variables concerning Senator McCain, how can she, in her heart of hearts, truly believe she could take the helm in the event the Senator has to relinquish control? My advice to both of them? Don't quit your day jobs just yet.
Jack Cafferty your an idiot! Have you done any research about Gov. Palin. She is amazing and I would much rather someone with morals, values and ethics be the Vice President of our country. She values and has compassion for the people. She has done great things here. Yes, maybe she hasn't been in office as long as Obama. I always wonder when your dealing with politicians what the hidden agenda is. Gov. Palin doesn't have a hidden agenda. Palin has accomplished much in two years. Probably more in the two years than Obama has done altogether. He talks a good story, but can he deliver. I know Palin will! By the way there are more than just caribou living here. I take offense to that comment! The people in Alaska matter and for years corrupt good old boys have had their way with this state. Sarah put a stop to it. If it hadn't been for her it would still be happening.
I find it extremely insulting as a women that John McCain thinks I would vote for someone just because they are a woman. I supported Hillary because of issues not because of gender. If McCain wanted to pick a woman there were woman in his party vastly more qualified. ie: Condaleeza Rice and Kay Bailey Hutchinson. I can only imagine how much more insulted I would be if I were one of them.
Jacqueline Wilson
Kissimmee, Florida
Thanks Senator McCain! Watch CNN in January for the inaguration...it always has the best coverage!
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Throughout this campaign, the McCain folks have tried to paint Obama as dangerously inexperienced, a pretty face, and a smooth speaking celebrity but a person of little substance. Now McCain has chosen for his Vice President a governor who has been on the job less than two years, a former beauty queen with a pretty face and an ease with words, but not much to back it up with. This has the effect of rendering all of McCain's best arguments against Obama useless and easily refutable.
I look forward to the vice presidential debate, but I kind of feel sorry for her. Biden is going to rend her asunder.
When is John McCain and his new running mate actually going to discuss what they plan on doing for this country and how they are going to do it instead of just trying to convince the country to not vote for Barack Obama. I hope that America realizes what John McCain is doing and decides that they are not going to stand for it. Let's elect someone that will actually do something to turn this country around. And yes, I mean Barack Obama.
If you're being honest, both Obama and Palin have very little governmental experience... but is that a bad thing for either side?
Experience can be accumulated to increase one's wisdom, but it can also be the sort that only means you repeat the same year of experience for decades without any progress made.
Sometimes the upstarts are the best choices...
What a lot of people don't realize is the fact that both VP picks are exactly the same. Obama had a message of change and then picked a guy who has been in Washington for 37 years. McCain had a message of experience and he picked a woman who has been the governor of Alaska for only two years.
I can't stop laughing. McCain, you silly, silly man.
It is really funny to me about how ignorant some people can be about politics. I am only 19 and will be voting in this next election for the first time, but even I know that the only way for democracy to work is when other people choose their favorite candidate over political policies and not based on appearance, sex, race, or any other petty differences a candidate may have. I know that sometimes political leaders do not always follow their promises, but it doesn’t excuse the fact that many people pick candidates for the wrong reasons. I am now a registered democrat and will be voting for Obama/Palin during the upcoming election (because I actually like their policies and believe them when they tell me something). To all the people who say that they are Hillary Clinton fans (who is very pro-choice) and who are now voting for Sara Palin (very pro-life) just because she is a woman, I have just one question…how ignorant can you be!?!? I mean get real people, I am a big fan of Obama and Biden, but the only way that “change” is really ever going to happen in this country is if people (like those mentioned above) actually take the time to become educated about their candidates and the current problems of the nation.
Not so fast, everybody! I think McCain loves this country too much to allow it be damaged even more. He pursued to win the nomination even though he knows deep down that the country is ready for the new leadership and will go with his opponent. He avoided picking a VP from a bunch of "old regime" hawks (who, god forbid, may end up running the country if he wins). His choice says it all: "I am clearing the road for you, Obama!" But he wants to go in history with grace and courage. He will run this campaign with dignity just to loose to Obama, so America can rebuild. His platform is a joke and just a fake to make more people turn the other way. He is a true hero who is acting in mysterious ways. His choice is his secret code to Americans how to vote this fall. He's got to know something about how to pass secret codes to his buddies. McCain was my choice from day 1 eight years ago. But now we need to move forward and pray Obama/Biden won't let us down.
What an insult to women. Does Mccain think us Hillary supporters aren't smart enought to realize that this was such a desperate act on his part. Who is this woman? People complained they didn't know enough about Obama even afterr he campaigned for 18 mths. How can we possibly learn enough about Palin in 67 days? No way, No how , No McCain nor Palin.
John MCCain made a historic ,bold.brave, and stupid move with his "Hail Sara" pass. A 'hail Sara' pass is a move of desperation. It has the look of pandering that is very likely to backfire. Hillary voters are generally not right wingers. Mrs Palin is clearly a right winger. She might get few of Hillary's gals, but runs the risk of losing many independents. McCain will ,if elected. be the oldest president to ever assume the office. He has battled cancer twice. Can we really imagine Sara Palin as president of the united states? I can't!!!