Sarah Palin plus or minus: A discussion with video

The assumption in promotion has always been:

Never mind what they're saying, as long as they're talking about you, it's good. (By the way, is Joe Biden still the Democratic vice presidential candidate?)

The vice presidential selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin by Sen. John McCain may cause a reexamination of that theory. She's certainly been the most talked-about and most-viewed since she exploded on the political scene Aug. 29 in Dayton, Ohio.

But is that good? Some recent polls have shown she's hurting McCain in some sectors. What do you think?

Watch this video discussion about her and then leave your reaction/opinion/views below, please.

--Andrew Malcolm

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Comments

[Umberto Zanabria]

We are witnessing the world taken over by the Narco-Petro dollars in Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, and Bolivia. In the US large amounts of money from "UN-NAMED" source such as Hugo Chavez’s Multimillion dollars packaged luggages have been channeled to the LEFT.
Now the left can buy the pollsters, The NY Times, and the MSNBCS's of the world to propagate their hate, the portrayal of terrorist lovers as heroes, and in-morals and people haters as nice guys. But, the people that believes in working hard for what you want and a free non-socialist America will stay the course and vote for McCain and Palin.

[garth gordon]

No comment needed, I think Alec Baldwin said it the best
when he mistook her for Tina. SARAH PALIN IS A JOKE FOR ONE OF AMERICA'S HIGHEST OFFICE. LMAO

[Palin loves Obama]

You should check out sara palin doing the wiggle walk. Its on youtube under wiggle walk krazy

[RLamb]

I strongly supported Hillary Clinton. Deeply unhappy over the way she was treated by Mr. Obama, the DNC and Democratic Party officials, and feeling betrayed by the Party, I decided to support McCain.

I wasn't pleased with his choice of Sarah Palin, but felt I could understand his reasoning. She did, indeed, seem to re-energize the Republican Party. She certainly was a crowd-pleaser. I even rationalized that, as governor of Alaska, she must have more experience and ability than what she initially displayed. I was certainly going to give her a chance.

After these weeks of exposure she has not acquitted herself; quite the contrary. I now realize there is no way I can vote for McCain with her on the ticket. I now have almost no confidence in Ms. Palin's intellectual curiosity or her knowledge or her ability to handle sensitive situations.

Obviously she is a very smart and very capable person; she does, after all, competently serve as Alaska's governor and that is not an insignificant accomplishment. She does, indeed, have an excellent grasp of energy policy.

But why doesn't she demonstrate more of that intelligence or capability? More and more she comes across as a silly sorority girl (no boos, please--not all are silly). She can run things, yes, but she appears to have little depth -- and to be out of her depth.

She has displayed a startling lack of knowledge about the constitution and the courts and foreign affairs. This hasn't been helped by her comments on the stump (many of which were probably scripted for her) or her cutesy demeanor.

No one could approach Hillary Clinton as a total package with incredible intelligence, a prodigious grasp of issues, complete understanding of the political process and a life-long commitment to all things political -- she is a true political animal. Sarah Palin is so far removed as to be, in many ways, the anti-Hillary.

It doesn't matter a whit to me how much has been spent on Ms. Palin's campaign wardrobe; the media has hyped that nonsense to death in my opinion. But I do care about readiness to become president should it become necessary. She might attain that readiness in the future, but she's on the ticket right now. She needs readiness now and she just doesn't have it.

[Ami Woods]

Sarah Palin is an impressive woman. She's beautiful. She's held a marriage together through the media spotlight with her high school sweetheart. She's raised five children, now one with special needs. She's an accomplished athlete, musician, and outdoorswoman. She's succeeded in several industries and worked hard for each of her positions. She's proud to be Alaska's first female governor. She's now the first GOP vice-presidential nominee. She's even succeeded in all of her roles with a common, undergrad degree from a non-ivy league school. I am impressed with her and to those who disagree and find her simple, unintelligent, and without merit...I say, "Not possible." No one has that amount of luck. You just can't have that many accomplishments without the brains and skill to back it up.

[Pat in Idaho]

Sarah Palin is a disaster as a VP pick. I can't even imagine her running this country, should McCain get elected and become unable to serve - he has had several melanomas and is 72 years old! This woman appeals to the uneducated and the worst part of "the base". An astounding number of voters - including Republicans - are not voting for McCain because of his choice of Palin.

[Independent in Ohio]

Another reason to vote for McCain and Palin...Tina Fey is leaving Earth if they get into office. I no longer watch SNL and have not for many years due to the fact it is just plain stupid and not funny anymore. I have to admit I did tune in once I heard Sarah Palin was going to be on the show but, I doubt I will tune in again. As I said it is just plain stupid anymore. I truly wish Hollywood would figure out that the majority of Americans do not care about Fey's, Baldwin's, or any other celebrities political view points. We simply watch them for entertainment purposes. We make or break their success. Usually once a show or sitcom gets too preachy I (as well as many others) tune out. As far as ratings it sounds as if SNL should be trying to book Sarah Palin every week. Too bad last Saturday was not sweeps week!

[chet mccabe]

SARAH is the worst candidate ever for VP. After lining with Republicans for years we now support OBAMA for many reasons: McCain's JUDGMENT; McCain's campaign of NEGATIVITY; and Palin being who she is with no assets of any kind and a total liability.

[RR]

While Fey does a good impression of Palin, it's a totally sarcastic mocking put-down... this does -not- help any candidate. As far as the commentary by the reporters... I really have a problem when these talking air-heads go on and on about the portrayals... "pitch perfect" and "bumbling buffoon". Sarah Palin is such that any woman who wears 'bangs' and puts on glasses is suddenly said to be Palin... and calling Gerald Ford a 'bumbling buffoon'? No. Chevy Chase -played- a bumbling buffoon. Gerald Ford might not have been the picture of grace, but the only reason to actually call him a buffoon is if you have some Republican-hate going on... (or Ford-hate). Reporters should just report the news... morning shows should report the news... sarcasm and negativity, well, that can be left to Saturday Night Live. Do we really want to know the reporters opinions? Is that a 'perk' of their job description now? And yes, Biden has disappeared off the radar... perhaps thanks to the media and SNL... or we might see the gaffes he is 'reported' to have made (but we don't see much of) or we might see examples of the famous temper. So much for 'celebrity'.

[Roberrt Whittenh]

There are many ways to lose a presidential election. John McCain is losing in a way that threatens to take the entire Republican Party down with him.

[dagon maung]

It is good to have a person like Sarah Palin in the US Government.

At least, we the opponents of the US, can say that there is a joker in the US government.

Go on. Please vote for Sarah Palin.

[SherryP]

I think that the exposure on Palin does make her a celebrity. It is fun to watch both the SNL and the real Palin say things. I would NEVER vote for her, but she is fun to watch.
PS. I would never vote for Paris Hilton either, but she is also fun to watch. I think it is they are so visible and so culturally shortchanged.

[Susan Bernofsky]

I'm not interested in character assassination such as we've been hearing of all the candidates, but to me it is 100% obvious that Sarah Palin lacks the knowledge and experience to be President of the United States and that therefore she is utterly unqualified for the post of Vice President (particularly when paired with an elderly Presidential candidate, which makes the possibility of her being called to serve as President quite high if the two are elected).

[dutch163]

Yes, I think Palin hurts the McCain ticket and his choice of Palin does not say "Country First"
It screams :"gimmick to trick women and right religious into voting for ME THE GREAT MCCAIN "
she is by all we have seen, not at all presidential material
she cannot even learn what a VP does, she is a parrot
repeats "talking points"
as a woman,as an American I am insulted by the choice

[YolandaD]

If Tina Fey had been using scripted material written by SNL writers I doubt Palin's image would've suffered. SNL rips on everyone, portraying people in funny fictional situations.
However, Tina Fey's script DID NOT come from SNL writters, it was almost verbatum... quotes straight from Palin's mouth! This was fact presented with humor.. not fiction. SNL and Tina Fey didn't damage Palin's image. Palin did.

[Bee Juniper]

Women speak out on the Palin candidacy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWK9ZDxxHnU

[Earl_E]

I think Sarah will enjoy her next four years back in Alaska as Governor, she might get a bump in national media coverage, which might help her in 2016 for the next run at the Whitehouse.

[ThinkCube]

We currently have a Governor that became president and Bill Clinton was also a Governor so from a technical aspect she meets the requirements to be Vice president. then again so does any american of age and citizenship without a record. Has she shown the world that she is capable, I think not. What understanding she has displayed about the control the Vice President has in the US Senate is scary. The VP is not to "get in there and work with the senators" the VP is to ONLY break a tie in the senate and be prepared to be President should the situation present it self. Essentially the VP will work on special projects the president puts them on until needed in another fashion. Her attitude strikes me as being opportunist in nature and scares me to think of her in a position to be groomed for presidency in the future. Overall the worst thought of all is that I would not put it past some enemies of our nation to want harm the president to put her into the presidency to screw us over! it's been said that they are afraid of McCain but not Obama so why would the thought of that be a stretch.

[Dominick A. Leone]

The political pundits are saying that the attention Ms. Palin is getting from Saturday Night Live will prove to be positive, however it will most likely only prove to improve her likability. Gov. Palin is a likable woman: she is personable, attractive, and genuine. The question is, will these traits as seen on TV equate to more votes.

I am not a Republican, at least not as I understand the fractured party as it exists today, but I like Gov. Palin. Perhaps I should be more clear and precise: I like her as a person not as a candidate. I appreciate her steadfast dedication to Regan-republicanism. However, her social politics are what fries her for those of us in the center who might just have voted for the McCain ticket.

Sorry Gov. Palin, "hot or not", likable not withstanding, your politics are too much like the babbling buffoon of 2000 (and God forgive us of 2004).

Happy Hunting (RUN BAMBI),

Dominick Leone

[david]

We are in serious trouble with the economy, we need brilliant educated people in office, not marginally lackluster minds, and certainly not a bag of hammers like Palin. She's the dumbest candidate in the history of dumb.

[JB]

The addition of Sarah Palin to the ticket was the exact moment John McCain lost this 40-something, white, educated woman's vote. You do the math.

[susan hoff]

sarah palin does not represent the vast majority of white, female voters. she is an insult to our intelligence. her ideas take us back 100 years. only the rich,white ,republican male would even think of putting someone as ignorant as her on the ballot.

[Alexandra]

The pro-Obama press is trying to do to Palin, what they did to another white woman – Hilary.

Liberal press can’t stop talking about GOP spending 150k for Palin to Look Presidential (The clothes will be donated after the election).

OBAMA has spend 600+million to talk about how he is going to REDISTRIBUTE OUR WEALTH ACCORDING TO HIS LIKEING AND THE LIKING OF HIS FRIENDS, REV. RIGHT, AYER, REZCO, FARAKKAN and MOST OF THE MEDIA IS ‘MUM’ about it.
THIS KIND OF MANUPILATION IS DANGEROUS TO OUR DEMOCRACY. This ELECTION HAS PROVEN TO ME THAT THERE IS MORE SEXISM in this country than RACISM.

[thgthg]

Sarah Palin is one of three key reasons why, after waiting for 8 years to vote for McCain, I am giving money and volunteer support for Obama campaign.

Reasons, in chronological order:

1. McCain's unwavering support for the idiotic war without any purpose, whether pragmatic or idealistic.

2. McCain's unscrupolous shift to the far right, in search for votes, Palin being the main indicator of the desperate and ethics-free dash to gain support. Palin is an essence of politics replaced by marketing, looks winning over brain, sex appeal meaning more than true inspiration, mediocracy superceeding talent, greed for power over any desire to do useful for society. She is so clear about her main interest being about connecting to people, not about doing something for people that I can't understand how 40% of the country don't not see it. This search for love of the country instead of respect of the country,, on an unprecedent level brought about by her, is just down the lines of Hitler's and Chavez's succession to power. I hope we know better.

3. Complete lack of organization in his campaign. He can only run, like a maniac-depressive, on ups and downs. He needs to let things slide down the drain so he could pick them up seconds before his cause is dead. He proved it during his run for President. He is a bad manager and him hiring all-Bush advisors and Palin as his team proves it.

Yes, Obama is unknow, yes, Rev Wright is still in the shadows and bothers me, yes, he does not have experience. But experience that he got in running his campaign proves a lot. Already. I hope he will shift to pragmatism after taking the power. I am praying.

[Emily B]

I believe that Sarah Palin is the nail in the coffin for McCain. He *certainly* lost my vote when he selected her - she is WAY TOO conservative for my liking, and she has no experience. AND she can't name a Supreme Court Justice decision other than Roe v Wade. Ummm...that is a problem. Sadly, the "I can see Russia from my house" was not a Saturday Night Live skit. She has only served to invigorate the base that would never vote for Obama anyway. As a former Republican and current Independent, I am voting for Obama. in fact, I am going to phone bank for him today.

[Mike]

I am an independent. Sarah Palin was the deciding factor for me. Where do the republicans dig up these kinds of people. I thought Bush was a moron until I saw her. She makes him look smart. What is wrong with John McCain that he would put the country in such danger by placing a totally unqualified person in the second highest office in the world.
OBAMA in 08

[Zoe]

It's no doubt that she the most popular VP candidate in our US election history. Some people say "she's dragging GOP and she's hurting McCain"..and some say "she' an asset for GOP who brings republicans to base". Some likes her and some hates her.
Some say, she's not qualified to this job while not pointing out whether Obama is quilifed for a bigger role.
Some say she's pro-life and she lives with that she believes.
Some say, GOP spent 15,0000 on her clothing but failed to say about Obama's expensive suits and Hillary's never the same outfit. In this race, she's the only person who did her tax with H&R Block. All, McCain, Obama and Biden are way too much richer than her. She often shops at consignment stores in Alaska. GOP people know that she needed cloths for she doesn't have enough cloths and she needs them espeically when she's out campaigning. If she puts on cloths from Warmart, I'm sure the media will be the frist to critize her look by saying "she looks like a moose hunter or a village girl or small town looking woman and etc". Now that she puts on good cloths, the media was the first to critize. But the good thing is the money for her cloths is NOT from our tax money. It's from RNC and as long as the RNC people are happy with what she wears, we have NO say in this matter.
To me, she hasn't been treated equally and fairly in this race. As a woman, I find it very disturbing. All the media seems sexist in this case.
I can sense her Will Power and I'm sure she'll be ready from the time she's elected, like Arnold Schwazeneger said.

[toby]

I'm old enough to have voted back when Ford was running and in no way did TV play a role with my choices. It's a sad commentary about anyone who votes based on satire/comedy television.

[Tom in Alabama]

The McCain advisors must be wondering how their campaign would be different had they not pulled a political stunt, a gimmick, by selecting Sarah Palin. The economic meltdown could not have been predicted but Palin's selection goes to the heart of Republican politics which has been to make no safety net, risk everything and pray for the best outcome. This risky philosophy worked in Bush's first term but how things have unraveled since to the detriment of the USA and other world countries..

[Amy]

The Palin pick sealed the deal for me--I will not vote for McCain.

I want our first female president to be competent.

[Walter Festoon]

You sound like you get all your news from Saturday Night Live. News flash, it's a comedy show. Waiting till they start ripping Obama. How about you?

[Marcus]

Yeah, where is Biden............
He is there saying very HIGH IQ statements..........but as we all know we don't want to mentions that right LA TIMES...................
This country under Obama's direction will reflect the advances of like Zimbabwe has made, yaaaaaaaaaaaa

[TJ]

Amy Poehler was the hit of the show. She was precious. I bet that little baby inside had a ball and cannot wait to share life with that funny Mama. She is a great sport! Tina Fey is a perfect Palin because she looks so much like her. Actually, she just said what Palin says, moves like Palin moves.

Palin is a joke. She is more likeable when parodied than she is as the real thing. I hope this woman fades away and doesn't continue to come back like a horrid chronic disease.

[Rose]

We still talk about Hitler and Pearl Harbor and Hurricane Katrina and Watergate and The Keating 5 Scandal and The Stolen Elections of '00 & '04 and MISSION ACCOMPLISHED and Swift-boating and Roe v Wade and Iran-Contra Scandal and Bebe Rebozo and Nixon and Spiro Agnew and hundreds of other political liars or scandals--- SO your premise is wrong: Talk about Sarah Palin is ALL BAD and killing McCain's chances because SHE REMINDS US THE GOP IS NUTS.

[Bob Koure]

She's working for the dems the same way that anti-abortion or gun rights work for the repubs - not changing votes, but something that's helping motivate the not-really-committed to actually go and vote.
Look at the early-voting numbers.

Oh - and I'm a left-of-center independent. I respect John McCain enormously, although I disagree with a lot of his political stances. But Palin is just unacceptable. The idea of her being president terrifies me. Imagine a small town martinet with the power of the president of the US. Add in all her extreme right-wing positions.
On the bright side, it'd move GWB out of the "worst president ever" category...

[john mulligan]

Now is the time to rescue our societies anxiety by stabilizing our neighborhoods home ownership. The 700 billion provided by our congress should set the following plan in motion. All home owners who are currently effected by the current mortgage crisis should be allowed to refinance. The plan should provide $5,000.00 per home to be paid to bank as a stimulus and paper cost . The homeowner would then recast their mortgage on a forty year note for whatever their current balance at 7%. If at anytime in the future they were to sell the home they would split the profit with the bank. Example Mr. and Mrs. Home bought house for 300,000 and now owe 297,000. The new mortgage would be for 297,000 for 40 years. If they sell house for 400,000. in the future before the mortgage is paid off then they would split 100,000. with the bank based on original purchase price. 400,000. less original price of 300,000. equals 100,000.
This plan would cost the taxpayers 50 billion coming from the 700 billion. The most important part of this plan would be the fact there would be fewer empty homes which would stop the negative feelings existing homeowners currently have about there own properties. The demand for housing is classic supply and demand. Add to that affordability and you have the price a buyer would pay in any given community. As we have seen over the last 100 years with growth of population and inflation home pricing goes through cycles and always cost more unless a neighborhood goes into abandonment.
Banks would improve their balance sheets just by the fact that real estate would be stabilized and this would give investors a reason to invest. The $5,000. paper cost would generate revenue for the banks and on top of the 650 billion that Uncle Sam is now working on. The final thing is the banks now have a future windfall potential in the future when the homeowner sells the home.
Let us move forward so that our society can get back to work. Thank you

John Mulligan

[bingo]

Fey doesn't have to do anything but exactly imitate Palin. There is no exaggeration in her portrayal. IMO that's the interesting point. Bottom line: Palin IS a joke, but seriously folks. She might be President someday. That's the sobering news.

[dartagnan]

"Any publicity is good publicity"? Not true -- ask OJ Simpson. There are some things you don't want people to get a good look at. Caribou Barbie is one of them. An attractive woman, but a total airhead.

[Frank]

Sarah Palin is a Gold Digger. Look at $150,000.00 clothing that was bought with campaign money

[Jose]

Honestly, can anyone even imagine Sarah being President should McCain get elected and God forbid something happen to him? That can't even be in the realm of possibilities so for no other reason you have to vote for Obama. BTW - I'm not an Obama supporter, I actually supported Ron Paul. Sarah Palin as President, just the thought makes me scared.

[LadyPatriot1776]

America's confidence in Palin has not been eroded by SNL. It's been eroded because

(1) Palin doesn't seem to have much knowledge about the world outside Alaska .

(2) it's hard for America to view Palin as a corruption-fighter in Washington, when Palin has been guilty of her own corruption in Alaska. (charging the Alaskan gvt for nights she stayed in her own home, for her children's travel to their dad's snowmachine race, etc)

Palin seems to be a unique person with charisma and drive, and there are certainly a lot of other careers she would be very good at. But VP of the USA is not one of them.

[Ohio Tom]

I don't think anyone wouid say Sarah did any worse than her ticket's lead - John McCain. Heck, when the maybe-president tells America ' ,,,,, What you need is a really really really old guy' (for president) - !!!! She was "head over high-heels' on McCain's appearence

[Victor Pasquali]

No, it can't help. How can being the but of a joke be seen as anything but a political liability?

[Carol]

Naming Sarah Palin was McCain's biggest blunder. Apparently done in haste, it shows that he doesn't weigh in advance the consequences of his actions. She is a laughing stock and yet he continues to say that he is proud of her.

An editorial in my paper today suggests that McCain should now think about how to lose gracefully. My opinion is that it is already too late for that. The dirty campaign he has been approving, the robo calls, etc. have tarnished his image forever.

[druid dude]

John McCain holds a campaign rally, solo, 500 people show up. Sarah Palin holds a campaign rally, with or without John McCain, 20,000 people show up. Sarah Palin goes on Saturday Night Live, SNL has its highest ratings since 1994. Sarah Palin debates Joe Biden, that debate becomes the highest rated VP debate ever and one of the highest rated of any political debate. Crunch the numbers, Sarah brings them out. The liberals and mainstream media, (liberals and MSM are really the same thing), hates Sarah Palin, but the other 50% of the country loves her. Sarah Palin is to the Republican party what Hillary Clinton is to the Democratic party. The difference is Palin has charisma, charm, wit and warmth. This is why liberals and MSM have such a rabid hatred of Palin.

I, myself, am an independent. So when I see the pure blind rage of the left towards Palin, it means that Palin must be very good at what she does otherwise the liberals and MSM would be ignoring her, like they ignore Biden.

[Tina Grogan]

If Tina Fey wants to leave this earth after McCain/Palin take over the White House that is her choice. If she stands behind Obama/Biden she won't have to leave the earth they will take care of it for her. She will be one of the sheep they are leading to slaughter.

I really hate to see this world if Obama/Biden take over the White House. God help us all.

[Hugh Curtin]

She is a disaster. The only good that she may accomplish is to hasten the restructering of our major political parties. The only problem is will she be the genisis of a radical "right" party.

[Chuck Waitman]

I think Palin was McCain's best choice. He needed a candidate to energize the right wing of the party. McCain is the only republican with bi-partisan appeal, and with that said, I think any of his choices would have hurt his chances to some extent. Picking a Washingon outsider minimized this. With the enormous deficit in campaign funding (vs Obama) Palin has kept the ticket in the news. If it wasn't for Pailin, we would be reading about the world series, not the election.

[paulpsz]

I believe Sarah Palin hurts more than helps McCain. It seems she does not like to read. Or she could have answered when Katie Couric asked her what newspaper she read. She could not answer the question or think on her feet. She kept putting a foot in her mouth in other occasion too.

She has superior looks, but so-so intelligence. Look where we are for putting a man with gentleman C intelligence to handle complex work (presidency's job).

Palin energized far-right wingers which are minority ( in the normal curve or bell curve). However, she drove away the middle of the curve people.

[EddienTexas]

I find it interesting how the discussion of "like" a person comes into politics.

I like all my friends but I would not vote for a single one of them for President or even if they were on the ticket.

And we wonder why our government is broken!

Give me a smart candidate who thinks and ponders all points of view then makes an informed decision.