News Palin pick an insult to our intelligence

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The discussion centers on the impact of Sarah Palin's selection as the vice-presidential candidate for John McCain's campaign. Initial reactions highlighted her appeal to women, but the conversation quickly shifted to criticisms of her qualifications and the controversies surrounding her, such as her daughter's pregnancy and various ethical issues. Despite these controversies, many supporters remained loyal, attributing her popularity to her charisma and ability to connect with conservative values. Critics argue that her lack of substantial experience and knowledge in complex political matters undermines her candidacy. The dialogue also touches on the broader implications of the election process, suggesting that it has devolved into a popularity contest rather than a serious evaluation of candidates' qualifications and policies. Participants express frustration over the perceived ignorance of voters who support candidates based on superficial traits rather than substantive issues, leading to concerns about the future of democracy and informed decision-making in elections.
  • #241
jimmysnyder said:
The Ruskies would be interested in anyone that can shoot moose and squirrel.
:smile: I should know by now not to read anything you post with a full mouth.
 
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  • #242
Palin now STONEWALLING on Troopergate subpoenas:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26742379/

First Dude to refuse to testify, as well as all of the Governor's staff. The strategy is to throw it past the election.

Stonewalling must be a litmus test for Republicans.
 
  • #243
I don't understand how the "first dude" goes on "official" State of Alaska business trips for his wife. There is a question as to if he even graduated from high school. It seems there is very little known about him other than he worked on the North Shore oil fields and races dog sleds.

It seems he also traveled as a "gift" from companies that are seeking state permissions, but of course these companies state that it has nothing to do with trying to influence the Governor.

The companies that paid for the flights, a normal means of travel to remote and often roadless parts of Alaska, are both in the early stages of a lengthy approval process. Barrick Gold Corp. spent $805 flying Todd Palin in September 2007 to Donlin Creek, where it hopes to build an open-pit gold mine on Native-owned land. The company hasn’t submitted any permit applications yet.

An environmental consultant for the project, William Jeffress, also donated $1,000 to Gov. Sarah Palin’s gubernatorial campaign. A company representative said that donation has little relevance in a process that requires hundreds of permits from federal and state authorities.

“It’s hard to image what influence any governor would really have … other than wanting to be kept informed,” said Greg Johnson, a vice president for NovaGold Resources Inc., Barrick’s partner in the project.

A month after the first visit, Todd Palin toured the Red Dog Mine, a lead and zinc operation in the northwestern part of the state. The $200 trip, which he took with Alaska’s labor commissioner, was paid for by Teck Cominco Alaska Inc. and included a stop at a technical training center. That company is currently seeking permission to mine a new deposit, which would extend the life of the mine to 2031.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/516787.html

Nepotism, cronyism, favortism...
 
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  • #244
And now comes the Zapatero Flap.

Spain is located in South America?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDjZsFUwrJI

Maybe it's McCain that is the insult to intelligence?
 
  • #245
LowlyPion said:
And now comes the Zapatero Flap.

Spain is located in South America?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDjZsFUwrJI

Maybe it's McCain that is the insult to intelligence?
:smile: :smile:

Reporter: If elected, would you be willing to invite President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to the White House to meet with you?

McCain: That's judged on the basis of the importance of our relationship with Latin America and the entire region

Reporter: What about you? I am talking about the President of Spain

McCain: What about the what?

Buwahaha
 
  • #246
Maybe we need a geography test for President. :rolleyes:
 
  • #247
Astronuc said:
Maybe we need a geography test for President. :rolleyes:
In this case it's not geography, he didn't know who the President of Spain was. He seemed to think it was the leader of some South American country and wasn't sure if we had a good relationship with them. I think he should at least know who the heads of major European countries are.
 
  • #248
Evo said:
In this case it's not geography, he didn't know who the President of Spain was. He seemed to think it was the leader of some South American country and wasn't sure if we had a good relationship with them. I think he should at least know who the heads of major European countries are.

What I find stunning is that the reporter prefaced her question with "Senator, finally, let's talk about Spain ...".

She didn't exactly sandbag him. The first time I heard it excerpted on TV I was thinking, well it's a long campaign and he forgot what country Zapatero was President of. But now that I hear the actual lead in and he was even told what country she was asking about ... it's an unfortunate smack at Spain.

I've seen Zapatero's response and he sounded gracious in reiterating that he would want to meet with the next administration. I can't imagine though that this will play all that well among Hispanic voters.
 
  • #249
Evo said:
I don't understand how the "first dude" goes on "official" State of Alaska business trips for his wife.
I'm not sure I follow your logic here. Spouses of politicians are often part of their teams, depending on what else they have going on in their lives, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The most noteable, of course, is First Lady, which was all-but a cabinet position for Hillary.
 
  • #250
Astronuc said:
Maybe we need a geography test for President. :rolleyes:

Maybe we need to quiz the candidates about who's leading their tickets?

Palin was shown tonight talking about the next "Palin McCain administration". Egads.

Not a good day for McCain.
 
  • #251
russ_watters said:
I'm not sure I follow your logic here. Spouses of politicians are often part of their teams, depending on what else they have going on in their lives, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The most noteable, of course, is First Lady, which was all-but a cabinet position for Hillary.
Do they get flown places by private companies for no explicable reason? I don't know, maybe they do.
 
  • #252
russ_watters said:
I'm not sure I follow your logic here. Spouses of politicians are often part of their teams, depending on what else they have going on in their lives, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The most noteable, of course, is First Lady, which was all-but a cabinet position for Hillary.

Wait a minute. Having private companies pick up spousal expenses is a gray area. Certainly it was reported as a gift. But gifts by companies that have business before the state is a slippery slope.

I'd think the last thing the Palins need in light of her stonewalling on the subpoenas investigating her alleged ethical lapses using her office to illegally seek retribution against her sister's ex-husband, would be more evidence of further ethical blurring.
 
  • #253
Greg Bernhardt said:
I think the notion that Palin got her Passport in 2006 is frightening! She knows nothing of the world but from the media and reading?

This doesn't surprise me much, Greg. When I lived in Alaska I was astounded at the level of insulation of the people up there (no pun intended!). It'a a wonderful place, but it is NOT like the rest of the US.

After a couple of years up there, I came back to the lower 48 to find that the highway speed limit was no longer 55 mph (I hadn't heard!) and there were these fanciful things that sent documents over phone lines, called "faxes". And there were dozens of other little things like that.

Don't get me wrong, I loved living in Alaska. It's like no where else I've lived - the people are so great - I haven't met people so decent and open (and a bit odd), ever. But it is VERY insulated and separate from the rest of the world.
 
  • #254
The Palin-McCain Administration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZKQDyL5gzc
 
  • #255
LowlyPion said:
The Palin-McCain Administration

:smile: .. Whoops!
 
  • #256
Astronuc said:
Maybe we need a geography test for President. :rolleyes:

Seems a little bit mean for Barack since he's still just learning the U.S. states.
 
  • #257
Math Is Hard said:
Seems a little bit mean for Barack since he's still just learning the U.S. states.

Since Barack has a degree from the #1 University in the country, maybe world (Harvard), I am sure he would accept any intellectual challange against a man who thinks Spain is in Latin America, Iraq borders Afghanistan, and the fundamentals of our economy are strong.

with me being from Czechoslovakia it really is important to see people understand world geography!

I know you think "math is hard" but its seems that for the republicans logic is hard, intelligence is hard, science is hard (or false).

I actually really liked Mccain until he said, and I quote: "Hillary is a big fat pig" I thought that was uncalled for.
 
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  • #258
jaap de vries said:
Since Barack has a degree from the #1 University in the country, maybe world (Harvard), I am sure he would accept any intellectual challange against a man who thinks Spain is in Latin America, Iraq borders Afghanistan, and the fundamentals of our economy are strong.

with me being from Czechoslovakia it really is important to see people understand world geography!

I know you think "math is hard" but its seems that for the republicans logic is hard, intelligence is hard, science is hard (or false).

1) Astute readers will note from my posts that I poke fun at both sides.
2) You might be reading a little too much into my screen name.

Actually, I think the main problem for conservatives is that Barack Obama appears to be fundamentally a socialist.

I actually really liked Mccain until he said, and I quote: "Hillary is a big fat pig" I thought that was uncalled for.
I have problems with McCain, too. McCain got on my bad side when he tried to push an amnesty bill. I have no idea what you are talking about as far as the Hillary comment.
 
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  • #259
jaap de vries said:
Since Barack has a degree from the #1 University in the country, maybe world (Harvard), I am sure he would accept any intellectual challange against a man who thinks Spain is in Latin America, Iraq borders Afghanistan, and the fundamentals of our economy are strong.

So why has he consistently refused to debate McCain? He said he would debate McCain "anytime, anywhere," and continues to refuse to do so. Obama never has given any kind of speech with any real substance the entire time he has been running for President, has refused to debate McCain at all thus far despite repeated requests from McCain, and when he had a tough time debating Hillary in the ABC debate, he canceled all debates with her afterwards.

As for what school a candidate went to, I think that means little. Our current President George W. Bush graduated from Yale and Harvard Business School, for example.
 
  • #260
WheelsRCool said:
So why has he consistently refused to debate McCain? He said he would debate McCain "anytime, anywhere," and continues to refuse to do so.

Considering that we have three Presidential debates coming up, may we assume that you have no idea what you're talking about?

October 15, 2008 Presidential Debate in Hempstead, New York
October 7, 2008 Presidential Debate in Nashville, TN
September 26, 2008 Presidential Debate in Oxford, Mississippi
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/debates.php
 
  • #261
I'm talking about the town hall debates that Senator McCain has challenged Senator Obama to. Moderated debates with selected questions and pre-set times to answer them are a whole different animal.
 
  • #262
Math Is Hard said:
1)
I have problems with McCain, too. McCain got on my bad side when he tried to push an amnesty bill. I have no idea what you are talking about as far as the Hillary comment.

He said that Hillary's economic plans were like lipstick on a pig. By republican reasoning, he called Hillary effectively... a pig. (:smile:)
 
  • #263
  • #264
jaap de vries said:
He said that Hillary's economic plans were like lipstick on a pig. By republican reasoning, he called Hillary effectively... a pig. (:smile:)

:biggrin: Wasn't that the biggest load of crap? I think that one probably backfired on them. No one (hopefully) believed the mock indignation. I don't think that incident demonstrates that republicans are bad at reasoning so much as it demostrates that certain leaders in the republican party think that the American public are bad at reasoning. I don't think democrat leaders are much better in this regard. I'm thinking about Bill Clinton saying "I did not have sex with that woman."
 
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  • #265
Math Is Hard said:
:biggrin: Wasn't that the biggest load of crap? I think that one probably backfired on them. No one (hopefully) believed the mock indignation. I don't think that incident demonstrates that republicans are bad at reasoning so much as it demostrates that certain leaders in the republican party think that the American public are bad at reasoning. I don't think democrat leaders are much better in this regard. I'm thinking about Bill Clinton saying "I did not have sex with that woman."

The thing is, when McCain said it, he was clearly referencing Hillary's healthcare plan. When Senator Obama said it, he was saying it not too long after Governor Palin had made her speech with the "lipstick-pitbull" joke.

Now, I don't know if he actually meant to reference Governor Palin or not, I mean the campaigning can get tiring and people can make speaking gaffes (Carly Fiorina making a stupid one just recently for example), but it was a strange coincidence and the crowd clearly took it as a reference to Governor Palin.
 
  • #266
Math Is Hard said:
:biggrin: Wasn't that the biggest load of crap? I think that one probably backfired on them. No one (hopefully) believed the mock indignation.

Esp coming from a man who publically called Chelsea Clinton ugly when she was only eighteen years old.

"I'm thinking about Bill Clinton saying "I did not have sex with that woman."

What do you mean by "sex"? That could mean anything. :rolleyes:
 
  • #267
Math Is Hard said:
Seems a little bit mean for Barack since he's still just learning the U.S. states.
Is this about the "57 states" thing?

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/57states.asp

The actual intent behind Senator Obama's misstatement is easy to discern without the need to invoke an obscure international organization. He was trying to express the thought that in all the time he had spent on the campaign trail so far in 2007-08, he had visited all (48) of the states in the continental U.S. save for one (i.e., "one left to go," excluding Alaska and Hawaii), but in his weariness he slipped up and started off with "fifty" instead of "forty." (Note the long pause in the video clip between the words "fifty" and "seven.")
 
  • #268
WheelsRCool said:
The thing is, when McCain said it, he was clearly referencing Hillary's healthcare plan. When Senator Obama said it, he was saying it not too long after Governor Palin had made her speech with the "lipstick-pitbull" joke.

Now, I don't know if he actually meant to reference Governor Palin or not, I mean the campaigning can get tiring and people can make speaking gaffes (Carly Fiorina making a stupid one just recently for example), but it was a strange coincidence and the crowd clearly took it as a reference to Governor Palin.

And this is exactly what Obama was referencing in respect to MCCain being a Bush, Jr. The full meaning of his comments in context fairly convey exactly that meaning. Governor Huckabee even observed that there was no intent that could be drawn from his remarks. The whole thing demonstrated that Obama handled the Republican attacks with dignity, and the Republicans merely demonstrated their readiness to distract with manufactured issues,when the substantive issues are stacked so severely against them.

Heaven forbid that the debate ever turn to the more serious issues like unregulated banking markets that are this morning alone about to cost taxpayers 1/2 a trillion dollars or more to begin to straighten out. Heaven forbid that people remember McCain's drinking from the trough of banking interest lobbies or his association with Charles Keating and the Savings and Loan mess that cost taxpayers a truck load back in the late 80's. Heaven forbid that the public begin to examine McCain's voting records with respect to eliminating regulation, including the repeal of Glass Steagall, a bill sponsored by his good buddy Phil "America is a nation of whiners" Graham, that may lay at the root of some of the mess that we are paying the bill on today.

No, let's blitz the media cycles with manufactured issues serendipitously linking lipstick with sexism.
 
  • #269
Ivan Seeking said:
Esp coming from a man who publically called Chelsea Clinton ugly when she was only eighteen years old.

And that was in the context of inferring that Janet Reno was her father let's not forget. Forgetting the injudiciousness of the remarks, it looks to me to show a mean spirit that belies the projected inner man that claims to have found meaning in captivity.
 
  • #270
I see now that the reason that Palin is stonewalling the subpoenas is because it has become a partisan issue.

HELLO. It's her own party that she is thumbing her nose at as well. It's a bipartisan commission.

The Governor that said she had nothing to hide, now is in hiding on the issue?

Alleged misuse of office now compounded by obstruction? How can the truth be worse than the cover-up? She represents no reform so much as she represents more of the same, but with no horsepower in the engine.
 

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