Sarah Palin is 'scary,' former N.Y. Mayor Ed Koch says

The Sarah Palin phenomenon may have taken many voters by storm, but not Ed Koch.

The former Democratic mayor of New York, who since leaving that office has become a frequent endorser of Republicans, calls Palin "scary."

He offered that characterization to Ben Smith of Politico.com in explaining his decision today to formally back Barack Obama in the presidential race.

In his endorsement statement, he termed Palin "a plucky, exciting candidate." (See video below.) But he added that "when her record is examined, she fails miserably with respect to her views on the domestic issues that are so important to the people of the U.S., and to me. Frankly, it would scare me if she were to succeed John McCain in the presidency."

In his chat with Smith, Koch elaborated on his concerns about Palin, citing the widely circulated claim that as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, she indicated an interest in banning some books at the local library. As the Ticket previously noted, that report seems, at the least, exaggerated.

Koch, true to his New York roots, had backed Hillary Clinton's presidential bid. But in 2004, he gained a lot of ink when he stumped for President Bush's reelection. And previously, he had supported Republicans Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg in their successful runs for mayor of the city over which he once presided. And, at the statewide level in New York, he backed former GOP Sen. Al D'Amato and former GOP Gov. George Pataki.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[COL. A.M.Khajawall [Ret]]

Dear concerned citizens of America and mass media of the U.S.A. [Look into McCain-palin sad, unfortunate, and tragic blunders of dividing this on religoius and cultural basis]

McCain-palintalk, slogans, ads, plans, and programs based on facts and are they free of fear, fiction, frivolous labels, unfair attacks, negativity,lies and impulsivity? [Danger to country and countries needs and challenges.
Is Mccain-Palin ticket dividing us and instigating a permanet cultural clash within our country. The US, USA, and McCain-palin will should repent now before it is too late.
Their attempts to do this to our Greatgrand Nation will fail and once the Media will start doing due deligent duty and cut thru the cloud so called M. Mccain has created.
As a Independent registered voter I have decided to vote for the Obama-Biden ticket. I am sure they will protect our national security, strengths, stamina and soul as well as rebuild our nation from the bottom up in all areas of need. The OBAMA-BIDEN ticket will restore our global standing with the use of maximum, firm international diplomacy and minimal force if and when indicated.

PS: This nation will not buy into the kitchen sink strategy. We are getting deeper into internal and external holes through these attacks and the world is laughing at us as they enjoy our partisan Pitt Bull wounds. I am sure the collective deceptive measures of the GOP, RNC, FOX, RUSH, ROVE, McCain, and his surrogates will fail to deprive American voters of their deserved leadership to address the critical internal and external needs of our Greatgrand Nation. Our Nation does not need cultural war[s] at this critical time. I hope and pray that media will intervene and prevent us going in that direction.

[Todd]

This is SCARY:

An Alaska church where Sarah Palin has worshiped for six years is publicizing in its member bulletin a conference for so-called "ex-gays" being held in Anchorage. "You'll be encouraged by the power of God's love and His desire to transform the lives of those impacted by homosexuality," the insert reads. Palin, who opposes equal marriage rights and legal recognition of same-sex couples, has not commented.

http://news.aol.com/elections/article/palins-church-promotes-gay-conversion/165471?icid=100214839x1208835540x1200532686

[anonymous]

She scares me, too. She scares most people I talk to. She wants to take freedom away from the citizens of the United States. She doesn't know anything about Iraq. She is for big oil and against the environment. She is blind to the crisis of our environment. She is a liar.

I see the bounce ending with a resounding SPLAT.

[Angellight]

It is scary. And if anyone was to seriously think about her being President due to the fact that McCain is 72 years old, there is a real fact she could be president and she is the least qualified of the bunch. She really lacks judgment and knowledge to run the highest office in the land. And it bodes negatively on John McCain's judgment.

[chris]

Scary? Palin is MORE qualified than Obama and Biden combined! If anyone is scary it is Obama, who is WOEFULLY unqualified for President. How can a person with NO experience, a freshman Senator (1st term), 1 term in the IL Senate, NO achievements be the nominee in the Democratic Party? How could such a person win the nomiation of SO MANY more qualified Democratic candidates? What makes him so different?

Obviously racism is alive and well in the democratic party. Somehow these misguided souls believe electing Obama (even though he is unqualified) will overturn all of the century old misdeeds, etc. that none of us had anything to do with. How sad Hillary didn't deservingly win the nomination!

[linda]

Scary is the word that came to mind when I first started hearing about Palin. She is a serious threat to our freedoms. I just pray Americans won't be fooled by her cheerleader smile and her charm. Look beyond that and hear what she is really saying. This woman has no business being next in line to lead this country.

[Janine]

I am glad someone is using this word. I was not for McCain before but I respected him and looked forward to his debates with Obama so we could hear some real back and forth exchange over policies. But now I hear nothing new from him along those lines and the VP candidate he chose really does scare me. The amount of blind acceptance of someone so extreme and so unqualified makes me sad. Have we learned nothing about the danger of extremists in recent years? Especially extremists with no wordly experience? How can we respect John McCain for selling his soul to try to win a campaign? Yes, yes I do need hope more than ever. We all do.

[edgeoforever]

As a New Yorker I know to always vote the opposite of what Ed Koch says. Before this, he was Bush's biggest fan and once on his radio show advocated sterilizing women on welfare ("Just because Hitler did it doesn't make it wrong - if Hitler loved his mother, should we not love ours?")
I find it interesting that the media and other Bush supporters are now trying to push on us another inexperienced arrogant person with delusions of Godhood

[Biden/Hussein]

Barack Hussein Obama is the SCARIEST candidate I Know of to run for president. His name, his religion of which we know nothing about, His 20 years at a church with mentor pastor named Rev.Wright, who says god damn america is very un-american. You hypocrites look the other way when it comes to Obama Hussein's association with admitted terrorist Bill Ayers . Other long time friends include, a criminal Rezko ( in prison ), Pfleger, Farrakhan etc. and some rappers who show no respect for women in their rapp songs, hate and slur america. You have nothing on Sara Palin. She surrounds herself with good people and has far more qualification to be president than Obama. Obama has done NOTHING for anyone but himself. You are the scary ones, willing to vote for Obama who has tons of baggage in tow and has not been scrutinized

[sean]

About some one said it this lady would be dangerous for the country!

[Be Afraid]

Koch: Palin 'Scares the Hell Out of Me'

Yes, Mr. Kroch and fellow Democrats, "Be afraid... be very afraid!"

You must now live with the fact that the entire DNC has messed-up big-time; from Howard Dean on down. Palin just magnifies your mess-up. The Democrats always have a way of picking the WORST candidates.

[anonymouse]

Obame= no experience. Ever heard of affirmative action?

[George]

Elect enough leftists and YOU'LL see censorship. You already aren't allowed to SPEAK certain words which they deem "incorrect" !

[Be Afraid]

Koch: Palin 'Scares the Hell Out of Me'

Yes, Mr. Kroch and fellow Democrats, "Be afraid... be very afraid!"

You must now live with the fact that the entire DNC has messed-up big-time; from Howard Dean on down. Palin just magnifies your mess-up. The Democrats always have a way of picking the WORST candidates.

[tommyz]

This is news? Ed Koch is afraid of Sarah Palin because he read a fake e-mail about book-banning? Geez! Get you facts straight, people! Meanwhile, NO ONE is talking about William Ayers, ACORN, or Jeremiah Wright. Come on!

The HEADLINE ought to be the too-swift voracious feeding in the media on the Guv who will be VP. The media ought to elaborate on how they blew it.

Why not talk about how Obama STILL can't admit he was wrong that the surge would cause a civil war in Iraq to spiral out of control- exact opposite.

Why not talk about Obama and FISA? Traitor to his party and his position.

Why not talk about Obama and his "reaching across the aisle?" Lie.

Why not talk about Obama and his lack of actual friends? He has no friends, only "associates."

[PaulNY]

McCain is double my misery. It may be that god really does want us to suffer just 4 Years more. I think it will be worth the destruction of the republican brand name. Go McCain Palin may you screw up the economy as much as you can. you go girl

[ellie]

Let's see, Ed Koch is making comments on a 'rumor'. And we should trust him?? If anyone watched the news, they'll know that the 'book banning' thing was a phoney. In fact it was lifted from another site. But hey, why deal in facts when rumors are so exciting??!!!

[Nathan]

Mr.Koch:
If Sarah Palin is so scary to you, please hide in your home
forever. we just love her to be around, Ha! Ha! Ha!
Good luck to your hiding , Nathan

[Jon K.]

Of course she's scary! She's a psychopath. She has a degree in journalism from a minor, low-ranked college, but she thinks that she more intelligent than thousands of meterologists with Ph.Ds when it comes to global warming! She thinks the planet is 6000 years old! She's a lunatic.

[Liz in CA]

I am a Republican, and I am terrified of Sarah Palin. She is anti-woman's rights, anti-environment, anti-children (obviously she won't have time to TAKE CARE of that special-needs newborn that the selfishly decided to have in her *40'S* when it is WELL KNOWN that this can happen). She thinks our war on Iraq is right "under God." Um, not my God, lady. She does not make good decisions regarding her own family. Now this young man Levi Johnston is poured into a suit and trotted on stage for probably a high-profile shotgun wedding...I could go on. Sara Palin is a car wreck in her personal life, and would be a 50-car pileup in the Executive branch.

I may actually have to vote for Obama. I'd rather see Biden be the face of our nation than Palin. I never thought I'd say that.

[Mickey007]

Didn't Ed Koch get voted out of office. He's a has been so who cares what he thinks. Take a look at what one vet has to say about Koch's beloved Obama at this web site: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

[Peggy McGilligan]

When John McCain articulated his no-nonsense pro-life stance, he stood head and shoulders above the competition. McCain delivered. McCain also delivered a pro-life running mate, who puts her money where her mouth is. That these two will standup and call a spade a spade is truly electrifying. They're standing up; I get it. Democrats' Achilles heel: “Most Democrats/Liberals here have nothing in common and dislike the very people they rely on to get them elected.” On a lighter note, Global Warming is an apparent hoax. The snowmelt seems to have been caused by Sarah Palin's proximity to the polar region. The woman is on fire. Here’s Jan & Dean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX7X4FovYRA&NR=1 And, I got your political pork; right here: http://theseedsof9-11.com

[sugar]

GOD, HELP US ALL! OBAMA/BIDEN 2008

[Rima]

I am an independent voter and I completely agree with Koch.
It is worrisome to think that someone like Palin, who has mostly twisted the truth
(check www.factcheck.org) is running for such a high office.
When you call yourself a maverick, you need to be unconventional and display good old American ingenuity in solving the nation's issues. Support of Bush unconditionally does not a maverick make. So I am not sure how McCain wears this label so proudly.
McCain and Palin will make it a "threepeat"... 2 Bush + 1 McCain term.

I worry for my kids' future. I worry for the country's future.
I would like a positive, intelligent leader who is accepting and truly believes in a coalition govt. where both parties work together.
McCain and Palin are dividing the country, and have no regard for constitutional ideologies such as separation of church and state.

Simply stated, we need to see this economy fare better, we need to be respected in the world and we need to get our sons and daughters home. Obama has the vision to meet these goals.
I hope we as a country see the future and see the things we can accomplish rather than look backwards and see the failures and disapointments of our past.

[ladyhawk]

Ask Why McCain chose Palin who he knew very little about;
How about wanting to go after Hillary's supporters who got
disappointed because she wasn't chosen as VP to Obama
and easier to get Alaska's oil. Yes, ladies we've come a long way and some men (like McCain) still use us.
Since she is such a family woman; why is it she doesn't
want to rear her own children? Pro Life; we're ALL
accountable to our Maker for whatever decisions we make in life; abortion rights should be left up to an individual ;
and be performed safely for all concerned. No way would I want this woman to have the authority to run this country anymore than I want War Hawk McCain;
don't you think it's time we quit getting our young men
and women killed in wars we have no business in;
Korea, Nam, Iraq a few others; now we have Cheney
telling Russia what they can or cannot do. By the way
if we're winning in Iraq and Afghanistan, where is Bin Laden. Lets get back to governing our own country;
putting people back to work, decent health care,
low mortgage payments..we really need to get rid of
being prejudice; yes I was born in the 'south; most of this entire
nation is still fighting the Civil War, WHY; during slavery;
manyblack women were a white man's mistress. Lets come out of the
past, what happened years ago can't be changed no
matter who was at fault; it's what happens in
the future that yours and my children and grandchildren
will have to live with. If we are the greatest country in the world, then lets be proud of our Greatness;
make a bigger effort to stay out of War, provide jobs,
decent homes with affordable mortgages, better and
more affordable health care; government to return what it owes to Social Security and All should pay into it's fund, GI bill of rights to be re-instated, better care
of our Veterans, Seniors and children; lower College
tuition; we've got a lot of self improvement to do;
do we need another 4 years of War. Don't you think
our Firemen, Policemen deserve better pay than a
pro athlete or a movie star that makes $20 million
a movie. Yep, Greed has surely taken over.
and yes we women worked hard to be liberated;
we've earned every right; but keep in mind;
when one has been gifted with a child what greater
task than to rear it, that's what our Maker did for us
how do we reward that gift?; surely if at all possible not to pay another to do our job; you either want to have children or a career.
OH and gay and lesbians; we are not their judge;
so the holier than tho need to get off the throne.
I'm white..over 75 yrs of age and a female..
former Veteran..Mother and grandmother
and "Independent"
and I thank my God I was able to stay home with my children.. during the 50's
and if we want change we have to change individually; we're starting a war within our own country again..