Sarah Palin: pro and con

Amid the torrent of coverage of the heretofore obscure Sarah Palin, there comes today a classic clash -- via dueling columns -- from two noted commentators on whether John McCain hit a home run by tapping her to be his running mate or struck out.

From the right, making the case for the round-tripper (with a caveat), is the Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol. Says he in an editorial for his magazine:

Millions of Americans -- mostly but not only women, mostly but not only Republicans and conservatives -- seemed to get a sense of energy and enjoyment and pride, not just from her nomination, but especially from her smashing opening performance.

Palin will be a compelling and mold-breaking example for lots of Americans who are told every day that to be even a bit conservative or Christian or old-fashioned is bad form. In this respect, Palin can become an inspirational figure and powerful symbol.

Kristol's one caution is summarized by the piece's headline -- he opines that the McCain camp must "Let Palin Be Palin" if it's to fully benefit from her.

From the left comes the alternative take by Newsweek's Jonathan Alter, and the headline and subhead for his piece make his view clear:  "McCain's 'Hail Sarah' Pass ... His choice for veep is all but set up for failure in the fall."

Alter writes that for all the initial excitement Palin's selection sparked within the GOP, "there's a reason that rookies" usually flail about on the main stage of U.S. politics. In predicting that fate for the former mayor of a small Alaskan community (referenced in this passage), he writes:

It's not her lack of name recognition; America loves a fresh face, especially one that's a cross between a Fox anchor and a character on "Northern Exposure," the old TV show about an Alaska town about the size of Wasilla.

The problem is that politics, like all professions, isn't as easy as it looks. Palin's odds of emerging unscathed this fall are slim.

On election day, one of these pundits will be able to pat himself on the back; the other will hope folks forgot what he wrote.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[JenniG]

Why can't media just give us the facts for a few weeks?
"It's a strategically brilliant development for We the people of the USA.”
This is what this nation needs, real people in office.
McCain said he's running "to fight for you, to make government stand on your side, not in your way." In Palin, he found "the right partner to help me stand up to those who value their privileges over their responsibilities, who put power over principle, and put their interests before your needs."
McCain has enough money and power to just retire yet he wants to serve the people.
His record reflects true care and concern for all the people of this great nation.
Palin would have had a whole lot more fun as Gov over VP yet she is willing to work with all other elected persons to serve WE THE PEOPLE.
McCain is a real person, rich yes but more important honest, did he picked Sarah because she is also a real person, young yes but more important she has worked her way to her current job, not by pushing the systems to work for her but working for the people and making the systems of government work for her constituents.
CNN, C-SPAN, FOX/MSNBC, & PBS et al, must now show the playing field as even.
Obama: 7yrs state senator + 2yrs US senator =9 years
Palin: 4yrs city council + 6yrs Mayor + 2yrs Governor = 12 years
One young enough to ask the hard questions and want answers & One old enough to now where to find the answers, and who can help with the real work ahead.
WE the People need the work done and done right.
WE THE PEOPLE must make the best choice for the future.
Bob, Paul and Cindy along with Barack/Joe, John/Sarah must be asked the tough questions; nice stages and good speeches don't get the job done. Rick Warren showed us that anyone who is willing to set it up can ask and get answers. Comments on air are great but We the people need Tim Russert style hard ball’ no spin’ to the point’ answers from all candidates. We need real facts not opinions, not last week’s talking points. All 360 degrees of each party’s candidates must be the shown. Why can't media just give us the facts for a few weeks?
GOD BLESS the USA
"It's a strategically brilliant development for We the people of the USA.” JMG

[layden s.]

It does seem like a shrewd calculation by McCain to win a few voter groups, although I don't think she is qualified to be president. Especially with delicate international and national security issues.

Her education and political activities don't show that international issues are her strong suit. I wouldn't feel comfortable with her jumping into the complicated issues in the middle east, Pakistan, North Korea, and Russia.

It is also discouraging to see that Oil will continue to be the main focus of our energy policy, instead of alternative sources.

[Russ Knapp]

This is America! Anything is possible. Nominating Sarah is exciting and invigorating. I wish her the best...

She is new, fresh and exciting and just what's needed in this election.

Talk about change? This is change...

[eric]

Since when did we start wanting the PTA and Vice Presidency mixing blood??
I dont care if she is man, woman, or ape... She knows squat and is from Alaska where it took a wopping 115,000 people to vote her in as Gov. Really can you represent the US better than to pick somebody that lives in isolation... dropped everything when she heard Ivana Trump was coming to the "Big City" to peddle her perfume.. Why you ask... Because Ivana Trump represented Class, Culture, and Glamor to her.... A @@@@ Bumpkin 2 steps away from being my president.

[JR]

One didn't say anything, the other fell for the hype.

[Soledad Gonzales]

She majored in SPORTS journalism in Idaho and is an extreme conservative of the right. It's fine if McCain thinks a young, fresh perspective is needed in Washington (Obama) and it's great Republicans have finally put a woman on the ticket, but it's blasphemy that she mentioned Clinton and Clinton supporters in her acceptance speech as paving the path for her to what...push back the gains in women's empowerment by taking away a women's right to chose and alongside a man who called his wife a c*nt and suggested his wife enter a topless beauty pageant while he was campaigning. It seems like McCain has a one-tracked mind - the white house and chasing beauty pageant contestants. No thinking democratic, no intelligent women rights supporter would be duped by this! And Clinton supporters are offended that McCain thinks women would be fooled by him.

[James]

It's likely that it will be Jonathan Alter, because he's right: rookies are gaffe machines, and Palin hasn't been prepared for the maelstrom that she has just entered.

[Michael]

Bottom line, shes as far right as they come, anti-abortion, even in cases of rape, gun nut, creationism, anti-environment, etc....May play well in AK but not so well in the lower 48.

[Susan]

I don't know who Bill Kristol spoke with but most people I know were personally offended by McCain's choice. It exemplifies the current state of politics, it's a game. All the republican party has in its pocket is the pro-life, pro-gun, anti-gay fear mongering. Bringing in an hugely inexperienced policitian who has nothing more than her gender and her Christian ideologies creates a lightning rod of distraction to the real, immenient issues that we face as Americans. I used to respect McCain. No longer, this choice is an insult to all those who love this country. Do I want to hear about this brother in law? Nope. Our economy? Our fossil fuel dependence? Iraq? Health care? Yes. McCain and the republicans prefer a decoy than facing momentumental challenges for our country. And, as a parting shot and as a woman, the woman vote? Please, with all due respect, if I was Joe Biden, I'd be hard pressed not to say: 'Mrs. Palin, I know Hillary Clinton and you are no Hillary Clinton.'

[Hilary Smith]

I'm voting for Obama and I hope he wins. But with a woman and a minority both represented in this election, it's clear that the old order is crumbling. It's wonderful. Freedom is all about the freedom to change. America will come back newer and better.

[Dave]

I think McCain is smart like a fox.

He knows he's going to lose in November, so he picked someone for his VP who has a good chance to make it onto a Republican ticket in any of the next EIGHT general elections.

And note that despite his slamming Obama as "nothing but a celebrity" (my words), Palin is a sports figure, a beauty queen, and media eye-candy. Let her show that she's ten percent capable and she'll morph into a formidable contender in the next go-round. And the next. And the next.

[John O'Brien]

People need to remember that Sarah Pallin would realistically be one heartbeat away from being the President of the United States. Especially since John McCain is close to being in his cups. What happens if during the grueling schedule of a presidential campaign, he dies?
Does Sarah become the candidate? If your answer is no, then she has no right to be the running mate.

I for one, think that her credentials to be a world leader are awfully weak. Governor for 2 years, Mayor of Wasilla (Pop. 6,700), degree in Journalism. Come on folks get real.

[Christian Prophet]

What an amazing political season! Obama Democrats are ignoring all truth and attacking Sarah Palin like rabid dogs. Reason: she is more qualified than Obama. Read:
http://christianprophecy.blogspot.com/

[Jill Cashman]

ITS NOT ABOUT LIKING MRS. PALIN .........

She met him only once before .....They are practically strangers

She has said that she believes in teaching creationism in the schools.

She is against the right to choose.

She says she doesn't know very much about foreign affairs and has NO foreign policy experience.

It is absurd to think she is qualifed ! It is absurd to think she could step into the Presidents shoes.

[AsBee]

At least until recently Jonathan Walter was not known to be partisan - at least to me he wasnt. That is until he and Chirs Mathews and Keith Olberman, et. al., started getting tingling feelings up their legs everytime the "chosen one" made a speech. As a registered democrat I used to avoid Fox, that is until this tingly legged talking heads turned me off the democratic party for their obvious bias towards Obama

Vote for McCain / Paylin - the only real pair in this election that will fight for change, and has a demnostrated record of standing up against their own party and putting country first and "me" second.

Registered Democrat for McCain / Paylin :)

[joe j]

Hmmm...Seinfeld's "Elaine" for Vice President?

What's next, Kramer for Secretary of State???

[paxinterra]

It's always sad and disappointing to see how mean-spirited, angry and venomous liberals can be. Liberal opinions are frequently clouded by anger and small-minded prejudices. The Liberal’s self-serving sense of self-importance, elitism and presumed intellectual superiority over the "stupid" conservatives/republicans, will always be the foundation of their failure as a political movement. This nation will never elect a left-wing liberal to a national role of leadership.

It's equally interesting to me how such a self-aggrandizing bunch of so-called intellectuals don't appear to have the sense to see what a snake oil salesman Obama is (great speech, but no possible way to implement his agenda without crippling our economy) and the utter contempt that their beloved Clintons hold for them.

McCain-Palin will win in a landslide this fall. Not because of race, not because of gender, not because of any of the other illusionary straw dogs that will be paraded out in the coming weeks, but because Americans in general are smart, savvy and know when they are being sold a liberal socialist bill of goods.

[Paul]

These pros and cons are merely initial reactions to someone few know anything about. Palin has yet to be veted by the blogisphere and the press. No doubt much remains to be seen.

Inevitably we're going to find out much more under this huge spotlight of a presidential campaign. The ruckus politics of Alaska is going to be hashed out nationally now which is bad news for Uncle Ted, Palin's mentor.

Maybe we'll find out the logic behind picking her as the VP nominee. Besides her gender or shoring up conservatives and evangelicals, its hard to see what Palin brings to the ticket.

It would be cynical to think that the plan is to just fight cultural wars in lieu of addressing issues. No doubt much remains to be seen.

[Emma]

This Lady has got more executive experience than any candidate on the ticket; her political career began in 1992, while Obama's began in 1996. She FOUGHT her party elite and BIG companies to become governor; Obama never fought any establishment - the establishment made him.

If her decision to have a baby diagnosed with downs syndrome was wrong, then I assume that all people born with downs syndrome wish they were never born. I am yet to find one person who wishes her mother aborted him/her.

Women can now look forward toward having a real representative at the Whitehouse or wait until 2012 for a ceremonial handover to Hilary.

Finally, it would seem that this lady and Obama both studied political science....Obama is running for the position of PRESIDENT and this lady for the Vice President.

[John Quimby]

Governor Palin is no Hillary Clinton.
It's really that simple.

[R Newmann]

You farmers are all alike. You take the bait and vote against your own best interests over & over again.

[Wes]

McCain made a good choice. He has appeal to many independents and moderates, but he still needed to address the true fiscal, social, and constitutional conservatives. They are a substantial part of the electorate. Gov. Palin will appeal to social conservatives because she lives what she believes. She will appeal to fiscal conservatives because of her realistic and intelligent handling of corruption and reform of Alaska's budget and state finances. Her appeal to constitutional conservatives is solid because of her Second Amendment literalism stand and honesty.

Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) would have loved this moment. She is not a Congressman nor a lawyer, two people he considered not much better than criminals. She is as qualified as any number of our past presidents, to include President William Clinton and President Ronald Reagan.

[Phyllis Davis]

What a pathetic decision! Does McCain think that women will be wowed by him just choosing any woman to run on his ticket? Women appreciated Hillary's struggles to get where she is, to gain the experience she garnered and to truly be an equal opponent. Nancy Polosi is also admirable. But it's the "old boys " idea that just throwing in any woman will make women vote for him is totally insesnitive, insulting and truly underscores how far out in left field he really is. Sorry, Hillary would have got my vote, but today it just got delivered to Obama.

[West of the Mississippi]

On Sarah Palin:
A. She is much better looking than Dick Cheny.
B. She can serve coffee and rolls during Cabinet Mtgs.
C. After her visit to AK troops in Middle East she now knows how to shoot a rifle, which apparently qualifies her as Commander in Chief.
D. She apparently knows how to clean fish.
E. She has and perhaps will continue to "Go forth and multiply".
F. She might know where Russia is.
G. She is what every good Republican man wants in a wife !
NO ONE KNOWS how she would act as VP, or #45 !

[richard spink]

Palin reminded me of something when I first saw her yesterday. Now I know what it is - The Stepford Wives. She has a creepy confidence about her which isn't re-assuring in the least. She has had time to learn that humility which comes from realizing that some things are really really hard however much rhetoric you throw at them. This girl sees the world in black and white. I want someone with grey on their palette too.

[John Quimby]

Susan,

You said it all so much better than I could have!

[Jamie Walker]

The Flag, Mom, and Apple Pie - how could any self-respecting American vote against that?

[Saxxon Domela]

Does John McCain have Alzheimer's disease?

John McCain, please sent our minds at ease and have the medical test to determine if you have the onset of Alzheimer's disease. This is no worse than taking a flight physical.

[Sam]

What a wonderful thing...a women Governor now running for VP! I wish John & Sarah the very best. I am voting for John & Sarah!

[Dave-O]

This is embarrassing and humorous at the same time. For people trying to make the case that Palin has more experience than Obama, I think not. Sorry, but acting as mayor for a town whose population is smaller than some California high schools, and governing a state whose population is smaller than San Francisco, cannot be compared to acting as a state senator for one of the largest and most populous states in the US.

Choosing Palin was an impulsive, irrational move that gives insight into how McCain thinks. Imagine if he were elected and died in office. We'd have the former small town mayor / governor of ALASKA as president! It would be downright tragic for America.

This move alone should put McCain out of the race, and if it doesn't, America is in worse shape than we thought.

[david]

uuh,,

Obama...has 140 days of actual in session senate experience.

before that...'community organizer'

the man is unqualified to balance his families checkbook

[phillyboy]

First they call Obama the "biggest celebrity in the world..." then they give an exclusive to People magazine. Not Time, not Newsweek, People. Will Access Hollywood be next?

[imko]

I'm voting for Sara Palin. Good choice!

[martin]

Palin peddled her deep respect and admiration for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (Wasn't she the GOP anti-christ just a few weeks ago?) To stick to the truth and educate feminist Clintons: She is certainly no Clinton, opposing abortions, even in the cases of rape and incest; denying human contributions to global warming; supporting the teaching of creationism in public schools.
I will not vote for McCain because he has the same flawed character as John Edwards! He is egocentric man who cheated on his disabled wife to divorce her for a wealthy woman. He even lied to his wife about his age and that he is separated while he was still living with his wife. And there were rumors he even cheated on her with a lobbyist Vicki Iseman. Once a jerk always a jerk so not surprisingly he was involved in the Keating Five scandal and he could check his wrist watch to get in time to Rick Warren. At least for my moral standards he is a cheater and liar! He just does everything including his VP choice to win this election because he cares more about himself then us and once he is elected he will show his true face. If he would have been honest he would have taken Lieberman because that was his favorite VP, but he knew that could cost him the election. So his VP will not change my mind and I will not vote.

[kurt]

she is just as qualified as Obama to be Pres. Obama is votes away from being president while in all likelihood Palin will not be Pres, but server her term as VP. Also the more imortant issue is cabinet members. They will have more influence on what happens in this nation than the VP.

[Steph]

LoL, on the looking like a Fox anchor. Well my issue is McCain sort of did bring her out of nowhere. That's an easy way for me to say it.
I honestly have no idea who I'm going to vote for. But I know that Palin is Pro-Life and I am Pro-Choice. So she's lost me on that one. I am a woman and I can make my own choices about my body. I don't need some government forcing restrictions down my throat about my own natural right to my reproductive capacities.

[tosser]

What's this "we the people" stuff? Does she represent you or me more than any random person off the street represents us?

The presidency is no job for a "regular gal", the angle you seem to be shooting for.

The next few weeks will be interesting.

[Charlie]

Politics is just that... And we are in the GRAND-DADDY of races...

Can't WAIT to hear that old refrain..."she is one heartbeat away from President"... Then what do we get??/ Someone with ZERO, I REPEAT ZERO experience "dealing" with the Senate, Congress, etc...

She is BEYOND naive and inexperienced.. She is SCARY, and ANY American wth "two live brain cells" that would vote for this "ticket" is EXACTLY why we are in the MESS WE ARE IN TODAY...

JMO

[AlecWest]

Why her? There are so many brilliant Republican women out there - ie., Senator Elizabeth Dole (NC), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (TX), or Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK). All three of them are considered independent-minded political figures. All three of them have experience. And most importantly, not ONE of them is currently embroiled in a potential ethics scandal. Palin is.

Palin fired her state's police chief because she refused to fire a trooper - a trooper going through a bitter divorce and custody battle. The catch? The trooper was divorcing Palin's younger sister. Palin used her political power to get her brother-in-law fired so her sister would have an easier time of it in a custody dispute. And this is the person being hailed as a fighter against corruption? Give me a break.

The ethics committee is still investigating Palin in what newspapers have called the "Troopergate" scandal. If they find her guilty of ethics violations, she may have to cut her VP campaigning short to fight potential impeachment proceedings back in Alaska.

[shashi]

I am a Clinton supporter and an atheist. I am also sick of the subtle annoying discrimination I face as a woman- at work, at life everywhere. I am mad as hell about HOW Obama beat Clinton- playing dirty- the shame.

I am thrilled to bits abt Sarah Palin. They have already started doing to her what they do to women when they want to take away their power- trivialize them. But mark my words- every barb they throw at her will bug some woman enough to say screw the abortion issue, respect for ones accomlishment is also a womens rights. I may be projecting- but I think the democratic party needs to pay for what they did.
she is a wildly popular governor of a state and that sir is somewhat more accomlished than ....your miserable existence as a sitting in the sidelines "commentator" or a 2 year senator from the state of illinois.

for the record I really disliked the repugs still do -but am mad as hell abt the democratic party. Its hardrr to forgive your own when hey turn on you! dont give me issues thats BS, i WANT bLOOD!

[Lisa]

Obama is the biggest rookie yet that doesn't concern the left wing media. Palin's accomplishments and experience out weigh Obama's. She can point to her accomplishments which can be verified. Obama simply gives empty promises of change. Obama is a product of the chicago political machine. Obama played along with the old time politics of chicago. Palin exposed political corruption and called the old time crooks out. Palin has executive experience. Obama has none. A state senator is a part time job. Palin and McCain represent what we need in Washington...to clean up the corruption and incompetence...the pork and ear marks. Obama from day one got into the ear mark game. Palin has the expertise to deal with our energy problem. Obama just wants to waste our tax dollars on handouts to IL for ethanol, a proven loser, and other alternatives that can not replace oil and are much more costly to the consumer.

Why is it that the media expects Palin as vp to have 10x the experience than Obama as president??? Obama has no foreign policy experience. Obama has no executive experience. Obama has had no accomplishments in the senate or in Washington.

Obama says that voters should not be concerned about his lack of experience. He calls members of congress like hillary and McCain with years of experience more of the same old time politics. But democrats demand years of national experience from Palin???

These Palin attacks are transparent and SEXIST.

[Dr. B]

How much does this gal really know? If we ask her about NORAD is she going to say I like their shoes? When John McCain gets ill will she go along with the "group think" and get us in a dangerous conflict? And, I hear her big thing is Anti-abortion and religion. She likes guns too, me too. But is she clinging to her religion and guns ?? This one scares me a little. What I want is to make and keep this country great. Both parties make me nervous.

[Jonathan]

I don't want anybody as president who thinks that creationism should be taught in school as fact. I would prefer an atheist actually. That would be the day! When a presidential candidate doesn't have to be a delusional religious zealot...

[Mark]

Palin is an insult to Hillary's achievement.

If McCain wanted to consider a woman, there were plenty of other, seriously more qualified Republican/Conservative women to choose from.

Hillary campaigned for almost as long as Palin was in office above the city level. Never mind her public life over the last 20-30 years.

Hillary spent 18 months campaigning to gain supporters. Palin met McCain once last year and had a phone conversation.

This gives us plenty of insight into McCain's decision making. Despite telling people in April that he wasn't going to pick a Dan Quayle type because he understood the concerns with his age, despite telling people he wanted someone that he knew and was comfortable with, he chose someone who he met one time a year ago.

It was great for drama, but I give it low marks for good case on his ability to make sound decisions.

[rjl]

Let's put the issue of experience to rest once and for all.

Experience does NOT equal leadership. Bush was the Governor or Texas and has had eight years of experience in the White House -- and has managed to run our country into the ground. Lincoln, JFK, Clinton, and many others were accused of not having sufficient experience and yet showed remarkable leadership.

What defines a great leader is NOT their experience, but rather their knowledge, their wisdom, and their judgment. Obama and Biden have proven that they have all three of these much needed skills.

I will not debate McCain's knowledge (I simply don't know), but his wisdom and judgement are severely lacking. As for Sarah Palin -- My problem is not with her lack of experience. She has a track record of being anti-science, pro-creationism (no pun intended), a disbelief in global warming, and (by her own admission) doesn't know much about foriegn policy. This shows a severe lack of knowledge on her part.

Her social ideology is pro-war, anti-conservationism, anti-choice, anti-environment, and pro-fossil fuels (even her husband works for British Petroleum). This shows she lacks the wisdom that is needed to resolve the many problems that face our country both now and in the future.

What about judgment? Without knowledge and wisdom, a person's judgment is as good as a coin toss.

[Phil_AK_Vet]

Wow...to think I almost voted for the wrong ticket three times in a row!! I’m
retired military and have been a Republican all my life. (Yep…hanging my head in
shame for voting for Bush his first…and second term). I am desperate for change
and was ready to jump ship, put my “ethical” differences with the Democrats aside and vote for Obama /Biden. I’m sick to death of corrupt, career politicians putting themselves or their special interest groups in front of what’s best for the country. I liked McCain but wasn’t sure whether he would follow through on his “reform” rhetoric. And then he went and picked Palin for his running mate!!! I’ve watched both parties response to the selection…have given it a lot of thought and my thoughts of voting for Obama have gone out the window, and here are a few reasons why:

1) I’ve lived in Alaska for almost 20 years and have seen quite a few Democrat and Republican governors come and go. I can’t think of one who has gotten more accomplished for the good of this state than Sarah Palin. Not to mention that she’s only been in office about two years. Experience is over-rated. Either a person has what it takes or they don’t. There are a TONS of lethargic, career politicians in Washington sitting on their butts collecting a paycheck (and then some)…what has all that experience done for us?? No president is “ready” to be president…there’s a learning curve. That’s why it’s so important to pick somebody that knows how to surround themselves with qualified people in all the areas, it’s not a one man show (Leadership 101). Sarah has proven she can do this…she listens, is not afraid to cross lines if it’s best for the country. Most importantly to me, she’s HONEST and I don’t have to worry about her putting her financial gain, career or special interests first!!

2) Time for a change is right!!! She’s cleaned house here in Alaska and she’s afraid of nobody. She has more grit than Obama and Biden ten times over. Obama preaches change…but it’s not just gaining control of the House and Senate.
Politicians need to go back to work for US….both Dems and Republicans. If
Washington was full of politicians that mirrored her work ethic and track record, our country sure as hell wouldn’t be in the state it’s now. Speaking of cleaning house…here’s a link that sheds some light on the State Trooper that was in the middle of the “Wooten-gate” controversy.
(http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/jul/28/scrutiny-wooten-raises-conduct-questions/)
If she did have anything to do with the firing of the commissioner that did not fire this individual, then more power to her!

3) She’s more qualified to be “Commander in Chief” than the draft dodging S.O.B that I worked for for eight years. If the United States Armed Forces could function with as little respect as it had for Bill Clinton, there will be no problems with Sarah Palin. I also have no doubt that she would never send our greatest asset, our sons (including hers) and daughters into harms way without a damn good reason.

4) I forgot how arrogant and condescending a lot of Democrat supporters are. I can’t believe the ignorance that’s been displayed in the liberal media the past two days. People who don’t have a clue about Palin, Alaska or the people who live here talking such garbage it’s pathetic. Seems like a lot of you people in the “lower 48” think we still get around by dog-sled and live in igloos. Oh ya…and the average IQ up here is around….duh...5. Don’t insult someone’s intelligence or doubt their abilities just because they come from a larger state with a less people than you do. Keep your mouth shut…give them a chance to prove you right. That way, you won’t look like such an ass when they prove you wrong! (AND SHE WILL!!!)

Bottom line…McCain proved to me that he is serious about reform and picked the
BEST…no, make that the ONLY candidate for the job. Someone who hasn’t made a
career out of grooming themselves for the presidency, greasing a lot of wheels
along the way; someone who’s sick of the same old B.S. that the rest of us
regular, every day working Americans are sick of; someone who’s in touch with the backbone of this country…pretty much, someone who is one of us. I just hope there’s time for America to get to know her…

[Maureen]

I'm incredibly insulted by McCain's choice of Palin for his VP. How dare he presume to place a 44-yr. hockey mom with no significant education or experience in either big government (Wasilla and Alaska don't count!) or international affairs but a heartbeat away from the presidency of the US! I can only assume that all of the qualified people who would have made excellent VPs had the wisdom to sit this election out (and return unscathed another day). It tells me no one viable wants to tie his/her star to McCain or the Bush legacy and that, as I've suspected all along, McCain is short on judgment and long on dangerous impulse. (And BYW: I am a woman and would love to see a woman in the VP and/or Presidential role -- but only a very, very qualified woman!)

[Burleigh Chatfield]

I agree with Susan. Mrs. Palin - you are no Hillary Clinton

[Aaron]

Unless you're stupid enough to spell "potatoe", the most committed usually wins in politics, terrorism, or just about anything else in life. And decades in the senate aren't helpful necessarily with either qualification.

Her nickname "sarah barracuda" & her continued high popularity marks stand her in good stead. That & the fact she has an IQ higher than a potato are very good prognostic signs, I think.

[Phil_AK_Vet]

Wow...to think I almost voted for the wrong ticket three times in a row!! I’m
retired military and have been a Republican all my life. (Yep…hanging my head in
shame for voting for Bush his first…and second term). I am desperate for change
and was ready to jump ship, put my “ethical” differences with the Democrats aside and vote for Obama /Biden. I’m sick to death of corrupt, career politicians putting themselves or their special interest groups in front of what’s best for the country. I liked McCain but wasn’t sure whether he would follow through on his “reform” rhetoric. And then he went and picked Palin for his running mate!!! I’ve watched both parties response to the selection…have given it a lot of thought and my thoughts of voting for Obama have gone out the window, and here are a few reasons why:

1) I’ve lived in Alaska for almost 20 years and have seen quite a few Democrat and Republican governors come and go. I can’t think of one who has gotten more accomplished for the good of this state than Sarah Palin. Not to mention that she’s only been in office about two years. Experience is over-rated. Either a person has what it takes or they don’t. There are a TONS of lethargic, career politicians in Washington sitting on their butts collecting a paycheck (and then some)…what has all that experience done for us?? No president is “ready” to be president…there’s a learning curve. That’s why it’s so important to pick somebody that knows how to surround themselves with qualified people in all the areas, it’s not a one man show (Leadership 101). Sarah has proven she can do this…she listens, is not afraid to cross lines if it’s best for the country. Most importantly to me, she’s HONEST and I don’t have to worry about her putting her financial gain, career or special interests first!!

2) Time for a change is right!!! She’s cleaned house here in Alaska and she’s afraid of nobody. She has more grit than Obama and Biden ten times over. Obama preaches change…but it’s not just gaining control of the House and Senate.
Politicians need to go back to work for US….both Dems and Republicans. If
Washington was full of politicians that mirrored her work ethic and track record, our country sure as hell wouldn’t be in the state it’s now. Speaking of cleaning house…here’s a link that sheds some light on the State Trooper that was in the middle of the “Wooten-gate” controversy.
(http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/jul/28/scrutiny-wooten-raises-conduct-questions/)
If she did have anything to do with the firing of the commissioner that did not fire this individual, then more power to her!

3) She’s more qualified to be “Commander in Chief” than the draft dodging S.O.B that I worked for for eight years. If the United States Armed Forces could function with as little respect as it had for Bill Clinton, there will be no problems with Sarah Palin. I also have no doubt that she would never send our greatest asset, our sons (including hers) and daughters into harms way without a damn good reason.

4) I forgot how arrogant and condescending a lot of Democrat supporters are. I can’t believe the ignorance that’s been displayed in the liberal media the past two days. People who don’t have a clue about Palin, Alaska or the people who live here talking such garbage it’s pathetic. Seems like a lot of you people in the “lower 48” think we still get around by dog-sled and live in igloos. Oh ya…and the average IQ up here is around….duh...5. Don’t insult someone’s intelligence or doubt their abilities just because they come from a larger state with a less people than you do. Keep your mouth shut…give them a chance to prove you right. That way, you won’t look like such an ass when they prove you wrong! (AND SHE WILL!!!)

Bottom line…McCain proved to me that he is serious about reform and picked the
BEST…no, make that the ONLY candidate for the job. Someone who hasn’t made a
career out of grooming themselves for the presidency, greasing a lot of wheels
along the way; someone who’s sick of the same old B.S. that the rest of us
regular, every day working Americans are sick of; someone who’s in touch with the backbone of this country…pretty much, someone who is one of us. I just hope there’s time for America to get to know her…