So, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be John McCain's running mate in the 2008 election.Folks, things just got a lot more interesting. One can't help but think that Palin is McCain's answer to everyone who's criticized his age and status as a Washington insider.
Palin, at 44-years-old is younger than Obama. She's been the governor of Alaska for two years and, during that time, has fought corruption, battled with members of her own party, fought the Democrats, fought bureaucrats and reportedly threw a water balloon at a disgruntled independent who was walking too close to her office.
Well, I'm kidding about the water balloon.
The point is, this woman is, reportedly, a maverick, scrapper and reformer who is even more of a Washington outsider than Obama (he hasn't been in the Senate for long, of course, but he's still been there). McCain's decision to choose Palin may seem odd, but I love the hell out of it. Why? McCain has taken one issue completely away from Obama.
Yes, it seems like The One has talked a lot about Washington insiders making a mess of things while blasting McCain. Meanwhile, he's picked one of the biggest insiders around in Joe Biden for a running mate, whereas McCain has chosen a vice president that is so far out of the D.C. loop that she might as well live in Alaska.
Actually, she does live in Alaska. So, like, never mind.
Think Obama is an outsider? He's a blasted Kennedy compared to Palin. Heh, heh!
I'll let other folks discuss the fact that Palin is a woman and what that means. I really don't care. A person has the potential to be a good public servant or they don't and that doesn't have a thing to do with race or gender. The question, then, is what kind of public servant has Palin been and what could she bring to the table as a vice president?
She's relatively unknown, so we'll all have to do our homework. Here's a good place to start.
Good choice? I'm inclined to say so and she gets a bonus points for not being a damned lawyer, actually holding down a real job before jumping into politics (she's a former sports reporter for an Anchorage television station and a commercial fisherman) and for having just gobs of populist appeal. She's a runner-up in the 1984 Miss Alaska pageant and that doesn't hurt a thing, either, particularly since she used that contest as an opportunity to get a scholarship and earn her degree in journalism.
I do hope the Republicans avoid stealing a nasty little tactic from Obama's sycophants by claiming that anyone who refuses to vote for McCain is doing so because they hate women and have a problem with Palin.
The comment section, as always, is open so feel free to jump right in and discuss McCain's choice for a running mate.
Update!
Keeping an eye on the Wikipedia entry for Palin has been fun today. The hard left is already gearing up and has posted some garbage and half-truths about her. A couple of entries have appeared and then have vanished as the Wiki folks have purged them (I saw a rant about the fact Palin likes hunting, is a member of the National Rifle Association and supports the (gasp!) Iditarod).
The more I learn about Palin and the more the leftie fringe howls about her, the more I like her. I can't stand Obama or Biden and I'm not that wild about McCain, either. Palin, however, is very appealing and I could well her seeing making a successful run for the presidency in 2012 should an aging McCain prevail this November. Finally, there's a candidate in this election that I like.
37 comments:
well this election will be historic to say the least we will either have a black guy for President or we will have a woman Vice President.
You have to admit that Sarah Palin is pretty hot (remember she was in the Ms. Alaska Pageant) and MUCH BETTER on the eyes than Joe Biden. Oh and wait until you see the bikini pics!!! NOT BAD for a mother of 5.
http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=5055328
Not only that but she was a commercial fisherman and her husband works in the Oil Industry.
She's a winner all the way around.
This election is now over.
McCain hit a friggin' home run with this pick.
My wife worked from home today. She stayed online researching about Palin, had the TV on top of the fridge on Fox News watching Palin's speech, and was listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio.
Talk about a political junkie!
Palin is my kind of woman. One of the things my wife read was Palin has saved the taxpayers of the state of Alaska hundreds of thousands of dollars, by getting rid of a personal jet used by former governors and instead flying commercial. That's putting the people before self interest.
And like you said, she is not a lawyer. We have enough lawyers in Washington D.C. and in government in general.
I was not real pleased with McCain as the GOP presidential candidate. However, today I feel much, much better after seeing how sharp and conservative is his running mate, Sarah Palin.
Hawg,
Your post hit the mark. I think McCain's choice was fantastic. I now have renewed faith.
I couldn't be happier with his choice. Well, ok, maybe if he picked the Hawg, but this is a close second. And she looks much better in a swimsuit.
That water balloon stunt is not a bad idea at all... the DNC is being held in Denver, is it?
Mike -- I hope it isn't pitched in those terms, but we know it will be. A good candidate is a good candidate and -- in an ideal world -- race and sex would have nothing to do with it.
However, this world is far from ideal.
Anonymous -- Looked at the photos. My, my, my!
McAngeli -- Some people might see those qualities as bad things...
Paul -- He sure did hit a home run. FINALLY there's a candidate in all of this that I genuinely like. I feel better about all of this, for sure, particularly when you consider that McCain is getting up there in age and may look to hand the reigns to someone else in 2012.
When thought of in those terms, that Palin pick seems very, very smart...
Mountain Woman -- That's how I've been feeling, too! I like the heck out of this pick.
Da Old Man -- Heh. The Hawg in a bathing suit is nothing to write home about, for sure.
Rebecca -- Yes, indeed. In Denver. The home of my beloved Broncos. Oh, my aching head...
I'm with you on this one, Hawg - lock, stock and barrel. I had people calling me early this morning when the news hit to rant about it, and it's an overwhelmingly positive response at that. Now, this is something I can sink my teeth into because it feels like a light at the end of a tunnel. Talk about a way to throw the Obamaites for a loop! Woo HOO!
"Palin, however, is very appealing and I could well her seeing making a successful run for the presidency in 2012 should an aging McCain prevail this November. Finally, there's a candidate in this election that I like. "
My thoughts exactly!
We have been talking about this very subject throughout the day!
Rush is fired up about her, as well as Hannity. So you know it is all good.
I love that she was shopping while the news reporters were trying to interview her.
See I told you Arkie to hang in there it'd get better. This is going to be interesting.
Very interesting.
I think Washington and the lobbyists will eat her up. It's a brutal machine, and I'm not sure she's tough enough to handle that without any experience.
Still, I wish she was running for president. I'd feel a lot better about that. Our options are pathetic.
Not that our votes count, you understand. It's all up to the Electoral College. Funny that a handful of people decide for the whole country, and often don't follow the majority. (Gore, anyone?)
At any rate, I can't wait to hear the jokes on late-night TV. They've needed some new material for a while.
Heh.
This is an interesting tidbit:
http://www.slate.com/id/2198949/
Theresa -- I'm feeling the same way. Finally -- finally -- there's a candidate I actually like. Kind of a rarity these days. Obama's hateful sycophants are already howling about a "lack of experience."
So, remember that -- almost five months in the Senate, evidently, trumps two years being governor, being a mayor and being on a city council.
Lack of experience? That's the pot calling the kettle black.
Errr. Bad analogy.
At any rate, shame on them for dismissing this bright lady's accomplishments.
Paul -- More importantly, I know a number of disgruntled Republicans who are fired up about Palin. Great choice, McCain!
Karen -- I hadn't heard that yet, but it's great. She really comes across as an average Joe (Jane?) who wound up in politics somehow.
The populist appeal this woman brings with her is staggering.
Jay W. -- This is going to get very interesting, indeed. If Ms. Palin is as solid as I think she is, she'd make a heck of a president one day.
Netta -- Well, if Obama could survive such brutality with his very limited experience...
Jay W.:
Fascinating story!
Look how snotty some people are in the comment section. That's what we get to look forward to.
"She's doesn't have enough experience."
"McCain just went and found himself a MILF."
Heh. Some of thwe same Dems who have sworn that those of us who don't like Obama are racists will be blasting a woman to pieces before long. Ah, the hypocrisy!
History will definitely be made this year. I have been wondering if Palin was chosen to try to bring the (ex Clinton) female vote to the Republican side. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders. I will be watching her for the next few weeks.
I bet Palin has a better jump shot than Obama.
I think this was a brilliant move by McCain. He really needed to pull out a strong conservative as his VP. The more I read about Palin, the more I like her. She grew up in a middle class family, and she seems like she is very down to earth.
A legislative panel has launched a $100,000 investigation to determine if Palin dismissed Alaska's public safety commissioner because he would not fire the trooper, Mike Wooten. Wooten went through a messy divorce from Palin's sister.
Although Walt Monegan, the former public safety commissioner, does not go so far as to say that Governor Palin urged him to fire Mike Wooten, the Anchorage Daily News and other legitimate news sources report that he accused members of her administration and immediate family as doing the deed. In fact, Attorney General Talis Colberg's conducted an investigation and found that 14 members of the Palin administration — including Colberg himself — made calls to Department of Public Safety officials about Wooten.
In one of those calls, Frank Bailey, director boards and commissions, was tape-recorded as saying: "Todd and Sarah are scratching their heads, why on earth hasn't, why is this guy still representing the department?"
It seems that by selecting Palin, McCain may have embroiled his campaign with previously hushed whispers of Palin corruption. I’m reminded of the children’s nursery rhyme that says:
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
Just be careful talking about how "appealing" she is around the lovely Ms. Marci--okay?
sharon hart:
That's it? That's all the Democratic hate machine can dredge up? She fired someone who served totally at her convenience? Hell, that's listed on Wikipedia. It's only a controversy if anyone cares.
If you want to see a truly corrupt governor, come on down to Arkansas and see what Bill Clinton did in his 12 years here. Yes, using state troopers to ferry tramps around town, leaning on people to get his brother out of jail and using various entitites of the state to crush enemies -- that's some real corruption.
What's next from the Dems?
"An anonymous informant alleged that Palin went to a Rush concert in 1980 and waved a cigarette lighter while singing along to 'Closer to the Heart.' She allegedly went on to memorize the lyrics to 'The Trees,' 'Tom Sawyer' and 'The Spirit of Radio' throughout the 1980s."
"An anonymous informant alleged that Palin prefers the color red to blue. What does she have against blue? Tell us, Ms. Palin, why do you hate blue? America wants to know!"
I'll see your fired commissioner and raise you one "Goddamn America," a fundraiser held at the home of a violent 1960s revolutionary and an attendance record in the Senate.
imitationangel -- You'd better believe that was part of it. Biden was probably brought in to coax a few fans of old, white men away from McCain, too.
Paul -- You only say that because you're a racist!
I figured you'd better get used to hearing that -- any criticism of Obama is, after all, inspired by sheer racism, right?
Bonnie -- A lot of people share that opinion. I'm included in that group.
Fishhawk -- Marci knows my adoration is pure! Palin, by the way, has earned the Marci Seal of Approval. That's a big deal in this house.
I'm a registered Republican but have been in a quandary regarding who to vote for this year - or if I should vote at all. I don't care for Obama but really, really, really don't want four more years of the same. This VP choice makes me feel better about McCain, although I have just started to learn about her. She seems bright and fearless, and that may help cancel out the "one heartbeat away" advantage that Biden would seem to have. In any case, what a refreshing choice! I think it's brilliant on McCain's part.
I was listening to her speech the other night and it sounds like she is one of those that would trample on the rights of people that want to live their lives differently than others.
Gumbythecat -- I'm right there with you. Bush has been an absolute disaster of a president, and McCain has spent a lot of time sounding just like him. Obama, meanwhile, tries to sound like a moderate but surrounds himself with all manner of leftie kooks.
Palin changes things, however. I was probably going to hold my nose and vote for McCain, anyway, but I'll feel a whole lot better about casting that vote now.
Mike Golch -- I didn't get that at all. What makes you think that? I'm honestly curious...
Hawg, the Dem War Machine will be tossing out lies like you've never seen, and in Ark. I'm sure you've seen a lot.
I'm from NJ. I'm sure you've heard about our last Governor. The stories that were leaked to the media are nothing compared to stories I've heard from Troopers.
So glad to find you through Crotchety. Well said and written. Could use more of you on my blog than the recent whining stalkers making personal attacks for my support of McCain and lack of for that Obamination.
Da Old Man -- Democrats attacking people in Arkansas? The hell you say? Remember -- destroyed political or personal lives were just the price to pay to keep the great, wonderful Clinton in office.
I'm so glad that bastard is gone. We've actually had some comparatively honest administration under Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee and Democrat Gov. Mike Beebe.
Anyway, the Democrats can be unreasonably nasty if they think their candidate is threatened. We're seeing that stuff start up with Palin.
Your prospective "blog crush" is going to have a time of it. I have a feeling she'll prevail and will be around for the Democrats to have and belittle in 2012.
Lauren -- Left a comment over there and I'll make sure to visit some more. Don't let the attacks get you down -- hit 'em right back.
I'm still hoping for some hate mail so I can post it and make fun of it.
I agree with you completely. I think an outsider was the best choice. The hunting and fishing, and not being a lawyer or professional politic is just the icing on the cake
As I was researching for my post on the Alaskan state website yesterday, it was so busy that it became inaccessible. Wiki was pretty slm yesterday but I can imagine what it says today. Thanks for dropping in and commenting on my post on this very issue! I think in the next few weeks a lot more about her will be learned. I have begun to hear that her husband has some connection to BP, and that she may be under some ethics suspicion because she apparently wanted her sister's ex-husband fired from his job as an Alaskan state trooper. Time will tell how accurate these reports are.
Lot 2 Learn -- Yep. I believe McCain has made a heck of a good choice. Time will tell whether I'm right.
Rich Dansereau -- If the only thing the Dems can dig up is that she dismissed a commissioner who served totally at the governor's convenience and is being investigated for it, this will be a cakewalk for her. As I've already mentioned, one of the Democrats' favorite boys -- Bill Clinton -- was one of the more corrupt governor's in this state's history. They've got nothing to complain about in that regard.
And her husband works for BP. Sounds great to me, particularly since she's in favor of tapping into our own reserves up there.
uh...no comment...uh, yeah.
Lala:
Hey, she's a Reaganite. I can't help but love a Reaganite. Been a long time since I've seen one, what with the blasted Bush family leading the Republican party and all.
Now, some people have a problem with Reagan. However, I regard him as the best president in my lifetime, and I've seen some rotten presidents in my life (in order, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Saint Ronnie, Bush Sr., Clinton and that idiotic Bush Jr.)
Palin, in my mind, represents a move back to the roots of the party. I thought Bush had effectively gutted the Republican Party of any of the ideals that attracted me to it to begin with.
Time will tell...
Lala:
Oh, and if you've got an opinion, feel free to share it. This isn't one of those pundit, "let's attack the dissenter" blogs. Healthy discussion is nothing but good, so opposing viewpoints are encouraged.
lol...let's just say me and you don't agree politically. I used to be outspoken on politics, but like the subject of religion, it can turn pretty ugly pretty quick. So anymore, I just keep my opinions to myself (lol...in other words, I can turn pretty ugly pretty quick.)
;-)
Lala:
Thank God we don't agree. Differing views, as I've said, are healthy. Remember that the Nazis, the Socialists and the Maoists were all on the same page.
One party rule is very, very bad, whereas healthy opposition is good.
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