News Will Palin's VP Debate Performance Impact McCain's Campaign?

[Astronuc]

She could easily become a very young, inexperienced president with no track record in national politics, foreign affairs, and macro-economics. A rookie governor from a sparsely-populated state with significant oil revenues might have a bit of trouble gearing up to running the executive branch of the US.

And she'd still be way ahead of the current president!

There's nothing like on-the-job training (although it hasn't worked for Bush).

 

[Cyrus]

And she'd still be way ahead of the current president!

There's nothing like on-the-job training (although it hasn't worked for Bush).

On the job training is something you'd expect from entry level employees though. The person running the country better already have experience. The 'training' should just be small adjustments from knowledge already had in a very similar area but simply tailored here and there for the differences from the last job.

Walking in not knowing what to do is a clear indication of a clueless idiot, which is what she stated herself in that youtube video from war. If I applied for a job and asked the interviewer, sooooooooo...what will I be doing?...he'd throw me out and say come back when you learned something about the company and job position you're after.

Quite simply, what she said was inexcusable.

 

[Gokul43201]

Not true.

Her name was (and is) Harriet Meirs, who was a lawyer in private practice for almost 30 years, was president of the Texas bar association and at the time of her appointment was White House Counsel. She was recommended as O'Connor's successor by none other than Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate (then) Minority Leader.

GWB has done many things deserving of criticism.

And this was likely one of them. Nominating your own White House counsel - a person who became famous for asserting that Bush was the most brilliant man she'd ever met. Oh, and let's not forget the BS story that Bush made up as the reason for her withdrawing.

 

[russ_watters]

Doesnt this lady have like 2 years as governor of Alaska? That's pretty slim experience. What's her resume even look like?

Poly sci degree from U of Idaho
City council of some city I never heard of, 1992-1996
Mayor from 1996-2003 (I think - she tried for Lt Gov in 2002 and lost and it doesn't say when she actually left the mayorship)
Held a mid-level advisor job (on ethics) with the governor from 2003-4 (resigned in protest of ethics violations and ended up bringing down the head of the Rep party in Alaska over it (that impresses me a lot).
Governor, 2007-8 (19 months)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palin

I don't think that's necessarily true. A CEO and VP can be nearly match in experience, one is just a better leader than the other.

You're really trying to have it both ways here. To be objective, you need to set all variables but one equal and consider only that one variable: so all else being equal, would you want the more experienced or the less experienced potential President/CEO? Or put another way, which should be President/CEO and which should be

Heck, VP is, in reality, used as a stepping stone to President/CEO in both government and business. In business, it's almost a requirement.

In any even, I'd really like to hear what qualifications makes her stand out from the other choices McCain had on the table.

McCain picked her, and here's why:

"She's not from these parts and she's not from Washington," McCain told a crowd of some 12,000 Republicans at a basketball arena in Dayton, extolling her work against corruption and special interests in Alaska. "But when you get to know her, you're going to be as impressed as I am."

McCain said, "she's got the grit, integrity, and good sense and fierce devotion to the common good that is exactly what we need in Washington today."

From wiki: "Palin holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Idaho."

I think I'd want someone smarter than that...

Journalism is the school, not the major, but ultimately I agree that I'm not overly impressed with a political science degree.

Regardless, our Presidents have had a very wide range of educational credentials.

Also from wiki......yikes. No thank you. Let's try nominating smart educated people for office.

She's a religious right nutjob.

While I agree that the evolution thing is a fairly big black stain, it is being used as a "religious right nutjob" litmus test, which may or may not really be accurate.

 

[LowlyPion]

I found this amusing (to me anyway) take on Sarah Palin's appointment posted by someone in Alaska that I thought gives an interesting perspective.

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/

 

[mathwonk]

well obviously she is a pitifully embarrassing choice, like a hail mary pass from a loser candidate, but she is about 100 times smarter than dan quayle. so although the gop ticket looks like a "little moron" joke to me, i think, given the idiocy of the us electorate, it is still a toss up.

 

[Cyrus]

Poly sci degree from U of Idaho
City council of some city I never heard of, 1992-1996
Mayor from 1996-2003 (I think - she tried for Lt Gov in 2002 and lost and it doesn't say when she actually left the mayorship)
Held a mid-level advisor job (on ethics) with the governor from 2003-4 (resigned in protest of ethics violations and ended up bringing down the head of the Rep party in Alaska over it (that impresses me a lot).
Governor, 2007-8 (19 months)

That's a pretty sad list for a VP.

You're really trying to have it both ways here. To be objective, you need to set all variables but one equal and consider only that one variable: so all else being equal, would you want the more experienced or the less experienced potential President/CEO? Or put another way, which should be President/CEO and which should be

Ok, that's fine. But then the more experienced one shouldn't be lightyears ahead of the less experienced one. Keep in mind, she is potentially the president if something happens to McCain. I would not trust this woman to run things properly with her total lack of experience.

Heck, VP is, in reality, used as a stepping stone to President/CEO in both government and business. In business, it's almost a requirement.

Yeah, but it takes years of experience to become even a VP in a company. You don't get there overnight like this lady is trying to do.

Journalism is the school, not the major, but ultimately I agree that I'm not overly impressed with a political science degree.

Regardless, our Presidents have had a very wide range of educational credentials. While I agree that the evolution thing is a fairly big black stain, it is being used as a "religious right nutjob" litmus test, which may or may not really be accurate.

Oh come on, her education is pathetic. Even Ron Paul is a doctor. I want an intellectual in office, be it republic or democrat. Be a doctor, lawer, PhD, go to a top name school: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford. Whats so great about the university of Idaho? Did she major in reporting about potatoes?

But no, we can't boast intellect when running for office. That would be elitist. So instead, they have to pander to the 249 million dumbases that will vote for them that they are 'one of them'. Apparently, its bad to be smart. To win, you must be fat, stupid, love god, love guns, and worked in a mill growing up. These are 'important qualities' - (again, for both parties not just one). It's really pathetic. We should frown upon them as a nation playing to the stupid crowd. It's insulting.

Seriously, what's so bad about Tom Ridge? Smart guy, harvard, military service in vietnam, head of DHS, former Governor...

 

[lisab]

Can you see her staring down Putin?

 

[Cyrus]

well obviously she is a pitifully embarrassing choice, like a hail mary pass from a loser candidate, but she is about 100 times smarter than dan quayle. so although the gop ticket looks like a "little moron" joke to me, i think, given the idiocy of the us electorate, it is still a toss up.

Hahahha, last sentence is funny, but sad because its true.

 

[LowlyPion]

Not to put too fine a point on things, but Nancy Pelosi is third in line to the Presidency..

 

[lisab]

Not to put too fine a point on things, but Nancy Pelosi is third in line to the Presidency..

IMO, Pelosi as Commander in Chief is much better than Sarah Palin. Pelosi's tough.

 

[mathwonk]

as my wife put it: a beehive hairdo?

what scares me was the ad showing her firing a combat rifle. is that the argument for her qualifications? this is a sick joke right?

the good part is, there is no clearer distinction possible between these candidates. there is no way to confuse them. ( i hope) it is inconceivable that any hillary clinton supporter could vote for these dingbats.

 

[lisab]

as my wife put it: a beehive hairdo?

Good point, mathwonk...what the hell is up with the hair?

 

[LowlyPion]

IMO, Pelosi as Commander in Chief is much better than Sarah Palin. Pelosi's tough.

I expect so.

I'd say the bald appeal to the anti-intellectualism of Intelligent Design, the pro-life stance, NRA membership, appeal to keep polar bears off the endangered species list, and dedication to drilling ANWAR, will wear quite thin once people get to reviewing her qualifications.

Insofar as cracking the glass ceiling, Geraldine Ferraro was already there and Nancy Pelosi is still poking her head through. She is only a couple of gaffe's away from total disaster for the Republicans.

I marvel at the Republican euphoria about her selection.

 

[LowlyPion]

Good point, mathwonk...what the hell is up with the hair?

Probably designed to make her look taller?

In that regard Romney was probably too tall for McCain.

 

[russ_watters]

well obviously she is a pitifully embarrassing choice, like a hail mary pass from a loser candidate, but she is about 100 times smarter than dan quayle. so although the gop ticket looks like a "little moron" joke to me, i think, given the idiocy of the us electorate, it is still a toss up.

Yes, obviously...well wait - obvious to who? People who are so far to the left they can't even see the center?? The polls say the race is a dead heat right now, but you wouldn't know it from the way people in this forum talk. Personally, I think the 'everyone is an idiot except for me' stance is arrogant and naive, but it does seem to be the popular stance at PF.

 

[Cyrus]

Yes, obviously...well wait - obvious to who? People who are so far to the left they can't even see the center?? The polls say the race is a dead heat right now, but you wouldn't know it from the way people in this forum talk. Personally, I think the 'everyone is an idiot except for me' stance is arrogant and naive, but it does seem to be the popular stance at PF.

I don't think you have to be far left to see this woman's a joke. I'm in the middle and I don't like her.

Honestly, why not a guy like Tom Ridge? Who is this lady that came out of thin air?

So let's see:
-Doesn't support protecting endagered species
-Wants to teach evolution
-Joke of college degree
-Mayor of a small town no one's heard of

Why are republicans not up in arms over this? This woman should be a laughing stock on every major news channel and newspaper so that McCain, out of shame, has to retract his nomination of her and get someone that's more serious.

Why can't there be a debate between two sane, qualified representatives from both parties? Is it really too much to ask?

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

IMO, Pelosi as Commander in Chief is much better than Sarah Palin. Pelosi's tough.

I know some Alaskan women. Believe me, they're tough.
She may be a beauty queen but the Alaskan idea of a beauty pagent is "What does she look like in a bikini? Can she skin a moose? What sort of rifle does she own? What sort of truck and snowmobile does she drive?"

 

[Gokul43201]

Oh come on, her education is pathetic. Even Ron Paul is a doctor. I want an intellectual in office, be it republic or democrat. Be a doctor, lawer, PhD, go to a top name school: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford. Whats so great about the university of Idaho? Did she major in reporting about potatoes?

Wow! Since when did educational qualifications ever matter? I haven't heard you complain about say, McCain's educational qualifications.

 

[Cyrus]

Wow! Since when did educational qualifications ever matter? I haven't heard you complain about say, McCain's educational qualifications.

She is trying out for a job. Why shouldn't they be weighted?

At least McCain went to the Naval Academy and was a Naval Aviator. The Naval Academy isn't for idiots.

Even if you want to argue McCain got there because of his father (which I won't argue), at least he was exposed to people of a very high caliber and teachers that demanded much from him.

Honestly, school of Journalism from Idaho?....What award winning journalists ever came out of that place?

 

[castlegates]

Those high tech glasses she wears will swing this election.
Think I'm kiddin?
We have people discussing her hair!

 

[Chi Meson]

The one thing that amazes me:

Palin was positively NOT a selection from the Rove Machine. I was expecting the "Next-up from the neo-cons" presentation. McCain's VP, should he win, would be the likely GOP nominee in four years, and Palin (as noted already) is not "presidential."

Perhaps the neo-GOP is throwing in the towel for this round. I expect some interesting "event choreography" will occur over the next four years.

 

[Art]

The one thing that amazes me:

Palin was positively NOT a selection from the Rove Machine. I was expecting the "Next-up from the neo-cons" presentation. McCain's VP, should he win, would be the likely GOP nominee in four years, and Palin (as noted already) is not "presidential."

Perhaps the neo-GOP is throwing in the towel for this round. I expect some interesting "event choreography" will occur over the next four years.

I wondered that too. Is she the VP nominee because no serious contender would take the nomination in case it poisoned their chance of being on a 'winning' ticket in the future? It seems like that, but to take Russ's point the polls don't show this election as a certain lost cause for the Republicans to justify such a stance

 

[mathwonk]

in the US system hair is actually a major factor in being taken seriously. I recall a party who was suing president clinton for harassment unsuccessfully until she got a good haircut.

 

[LowlyPion]

-Mayor of a small town no one's heard of

Don't be too harsh. Wasilla is small I agree. 7300 people or so.

But it is world famous as the start of the Iditarod Dog Sled race.
In fact I think there is a Mushers Hall of Fame nearby as one of the attractions of things to see and do in Wasilla.

 

[Gokul43201]

At least McCain went to the Naval Academy and was a Naval Aviator.

I don't doubt that the Academy has a grueling program overall, but how does this specifically speak for academic caliber?

The Naval Academy isn't for idiots.

Academically, the Naval Academy is not highly ranked (I know I'm going to have Russ on my tail for this).

#225 for academic selectivity in admissions

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/liberal-arts-search among Liberal Arts colleges, just below #18 Colgate U, #19 Smith College, #20 Hamilton College, #21 Oberlin College

Even if you want to argue McCain got there because of his father (which I won't argue), at least he was exposed to people of a very high caliber and teachers that demanded much from him.

And he responded by graduating 5th from the bottom in a class of about 900. How does that speak for academic achievement?

Honestly, school of Journalism from Idaho?....What award winning journalists ever came out of that place?

She's not being picked for White House journalist, is she? U Idaho is the alma mater for such notable and wise legislators as Sen. Larry Craig.

 

[LowlyPion]

Maybe things get slow during the winter up there in Alaska? This is from a newspaper account about Palin that included this discussion of her sister's divorce today in the Washington Post:

"The domestic dispute entered the public arena when the governor's sister filed for divorce from Wooten on April 11, 2005.

The same day, the governor's father, Chuck Heath, contacted state police with several allegations against Wooten: using a Taser on his 10-year-old stepson; shooting a moose without a permit; and drinking beer while driving a patrol car.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/29/AR2008082903598_pf.html

Edit: Reading later in the article the Washington Post also gives the other side that the child wanted to feel what it was like? I suspect it feels like ouch kid.

 

[lisab]

I know some Alaskan women. Believe me, they're tough.
She may be a beauty queen but the Alaskan idea of a beauty pagent is "What does she look like in a bikini? Can she skin a moose? What sort of rifle does she own? What sort of truck and snowmobile does she drive?"

I lived in Alaska for a couple years and still have family there. Yes, Arctic winters are not for wimps. But knowing how to not get frozen to the outhouse seat doesn't qualify a person for anything, except maybe how to use an outhouse when it's -40 (which is the same temp on the C and F scales, btw, but I'm sure everone here knew that already !).

 

[Gokul43201]

Those high tech glasses she wears will swing this election.
Think I'm kiddin?
We have people discussing her hair!

Couldn't agree more.

Really, people (yes lisa, I'm glaring at you) - her hair? Tut tut.

 

[AhmedEzz]

On cnn.com

"As a Hillary Clinton supporter, I feel insulted that John McCain would come trolling for my support with a woman that has the opposite viewpoint on just about every single issue. I say, NO WAY,NO HOW,NO PALIN!"

do you think this is the case with other female voters as well?

Also check this out :

The McCain campaign calls her a "tough executive who has demonstrated" readiness to be president. The Republican National Committee calls her a "conservative star with the talent, energy and family support necessary to carry out common sense policies."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/29/palin.bio/index.html

Do you really think family support, energy and talent will make one a good president?...??

 

[Cyrus]

in the US system hair is actually a major factor in being taken seriously. I recall a party who was suing president clinton for harassment unsuccessfully until she got a good haircut.

Don't forget John Edwards 'good hair'.

 

[Cyrus]

Don't be too harsh. Wasilla is small I agree. 7300 people or so.

But it is world famous as the start of the Iditarod Dog Sled race.
In fact I think there is a Mushers Hall of Fame nearby as one of the attractions of things to see and do in Wasilla.

 

[Evo]

Here is the problem I have with her, and it seems perhaps the reason she was chosen?

Evangelicals energized by McCain-Palin ticket

Sarah Palin already has energized conservative religious leaders who had fretted that John McCain would pick an abortion rights supporter as his running mate. The Alaska governor was raised in a Pentecostal church and has called herself "as pro-life as any candidate can be."

To Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religion Liberties Commission, Palin is "straight out of veep central casting." Land said he had urged the McCain camp to consider the political unknown.

Gary Bauer, one of McCain's most enthusiastic evangelical supporters, said the Arizona senator had hit a "grand slam home run" and that adding Palin to the GOP ticket is "guaranteed to energize values voters."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/cvn_palin_evangelicals

 

[Cyrus]

I don't doubt that the Academy has a grueling program overall, but how does this specifically speak for academic caliber?

Academically, the Naval Academy is not highly ranked (I know I'm going to have Russ on my tail for this).

#225 for academic selectivity in admissions

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/liberal-arts-search among Liberal Arts colleges, just below #18 Colgate U, #19 Smith College, #20 Hamilton College, #21 Oberlin College

And he responded by graduating 5th from the bottom in a class of about 900. How does that speak for academic achievement?

Right, and I don't excuse his poor academic achievements. BUT, at least he was in an environment where it was a no BS atmosphere. I've visited the Naval Academy in high school, one my high school teachers taught there, and we've got a few grad students in our department from there. They don't mess around, they are very serious people. If you goof off they kick you out. Now, McCain comes from a line of rear admirals so of course he got away with slacking off. But I can say for sure he was around people with higher ethics and work values than U-Idaho (Or even my own school). If you've never visited there, I'd really encourage anyone to see it first hand. It's a great place. It really trains you to be a leader first, and stuff related to your major second.

Also, come on Gokul. Are you going to play the 'rankings' game? We all know these things are BS indicators of schools. My school is in the top 10, but I don't doubt there are schools below us that could give us a run for our money in certain areas of research. Actually, I know it for a fact. So, why are they not in the Top 10? It's all politics...anyone looking at those ratings should with a LARGE grain of salt.

She's not being picked for White House journalist, is she? U Idaho is the alma mater for such notable and wise legislators as Sen. Larry Craig.

No, I'm not talking about U Idaho in general. I'm talking about the school of journalism in Idaho. According to his wiki he went to the school of political science (probably won't find him asking what's a vp do), and graduate school at GWU. I'm sure U Idaho has many good programs and departments. But I don't think Journalism is one of them, is it? I'm not saying Journalism is a bad major, I am just saying I'd rather her have studied Journalism at say, Harvard. Because she would have been around and exposed to people that are very bright, well connected, and from all around the world. I'm guessing she only met her 'own kind' down at U Idaho. In other words, I highly doubt her college experience opened her mind to new ideas and cultures.

 

[castlegates]

Most elections are based on looks.
So I'll make some observations.
Anybody notice what it looks like when Biden is standing next to Obama during an interview, where Biden is old enough to be Obamas dad, and the questions go to Obama for the answers, while Biden is forced to bite his lip, and take on the role of boy? My word of advice - Don't be seen together until after the election. :-)

Those Palin spectacles are hot! hot! hot!. Rectangle lens!?, One side square and one side round!? Enough to make anyone go gaga! Just wait to see what happens when she takes them off, or better yet, when she puts them back on after taking them off! I just can't tell you enough how hot those glasses are!

The black dress she wore yesterday did not cut it. She should have worn red (an attack dress), then worn black the next day as a somber expression from killing the cat the day before. Then wear yellow tomorrow as the dawning of a new era.

I'm not kidding here ... this tripe matters.

Blame the system by which our leaders are chosen, it's a popularity contest by the nature of design. Change the design or resign yourself to the vanity of people magazine. Be an expert of fashion to make an informed decision. Hold your vote until you are up on the latest hairstyles, and never take your eyes off the spectacles!

 

[wildman]

And she'd still be way ahead of the current president!

There's nothing like on-the-job training (although it hasn't worked for Bush).

I disagree. Bush has learned a lot and is now a much better President than when he started. The problem is that he dug himself such a deep hole...

By the way, I like Palin. She stood up to the oil companies in Alaska. That shows gumption and honesty -- two things Bush and his VP lack in spades.

 

[Gokul43201]

Here is the problem I have with her, and it seems perhaps the reason she was chosen?

Of course it's the reason she was chosen - the enthusiasm gap. McCain was not a big hit with the far right, Christian wing of the party. Palin fixes that. Any angry Hillary supporters she pulls in makes it even better.

And it was Rove who was predicting that Obama would pick the politically useful choice over more qualified candidates. Ummm yes - Biden is not qualified, but Palin is!

 

[Gokul43201]

Cyrus, I thought the reference to Larry Craig would have made it clear that I was joking about the last bit. More later...

 

[Evo]

Do we have the statistics on voter demographics? I just read that 26% of registered voters are Evangelical. That's very scary because this group will be taken to the polls by their church groups, they are far more likely to actually vote than most groups. I know this from some Born Again Christians that insisted I attend some of their church services and prayer groups. They wanted to show me that they were normal, that's not the impression I came away with.

It would seem that any hope one might have had that McCain might revert back to his older ways after the convention have been dashed with the selection of Palin.

The Evo Child is so pro Obama that she said she's personally driving me to the polls to make sure that I don't fail to vote. She was so vehement in her pro-Obamaness that I thought the car might burst into flames.

 

[Cyrus]

Cyrus, I thought the reference to Larry Craig would have made it clear that I was joking about the last bit. More later...

Ahahha, my bad Gokul.

 

[LowlyPion]

And it was Rove who was predicting that Obama would pick the politically useful choice over more qualified candidates. Ummm yes - Biden is not qualified, but Palin is!

Hypocrisy in the name of achieving right wing agenda goals is not something that apparently worries or slows Bush-Cheney-Rove in their actions or their words.

 

[isly ilwott]

Palin would make a much better President than Obama.

 

[Cyrus]

Palin would make a much better President than Obama.

Now your just trying to crack me up!

 

[Evo]

Palin would make a much better President than Obama.

In what ways? I don't see her qualified in any way as a President. What does she know about foreign affairs? How could she possibly be fit to be the Commander in Chief of the military?

This is what kills me about people voting for a President based on "family moral values" and how religious they are.

With McCain's advanced age and history of medical problems, it is very likely that she could end up as President, and that to me is completely unacceptable.

 

[Astronuc]

I disagree. Bush has learned a lot and is now a much better President than when he started. The problem is that he dug himself such a deep hole...

How is Bush better than when he started? One of Bush's many problems is that he doesn't know when he's wrong, which is most of the time IMO. He is fiscally irresponsible (and so is Congress), he's still stuck in an ill-conceived occupation in Iraq (and his belligerent foreign policy is counter-productive), his administration was late in understanding and responding to the current economic crisis, his education policies have failed, the US is more dependent on foreign energy sources than ever, . . . . Bush was inept 8 years ago, and will leave office as inept as ever.

By the way, I like Palin. She stood up to the oil companies in Alaska. That shows gumption and honesty -- two things Bush and his VP lack in spades.

I think Palin is basically honest - I'll give her that. She killed the 'bridge to nowhere'.

And granted, she's no pushover with the oil companies - http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/29/news/newsmakers/palin_oil.fortune/index.htm

Palin also raised taxes on oil companies after Murkowski's previous tax regime produced falling revenues in 2007, despite skyrocketing oil prices. Alaska now has some of the highest resource taxes in the world. Alaska's oil tax revenues are expected to be about $10 billion in 2008, twice those of previous year. BP says about half its oil revenues now go to taxes, when royalty payments to the state are included.

Alaska gets tough on Big Oil

I do see that Palin is pro-drilling/development (in ANWR?). She made a comment about producing more natural gas in order to 'help make the US energy independent' - which it won't. Only conservation in order to reduce energy consumption combined with alternative and renewable energy sources will make the US less dependent on foreign energy sources. But if the US cannot reduce demand for energy below that which can be produced from domestic resources, the US will always be dependent on other countries.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gWi6yTVfPyJeiTBsQ33SSUiobt8wD92I9NIO0 - In this article, it talks about how Palin "jump-started a project to build a natural gas pipeline and pushed through a plan to send every resident $1,200 from the state's oil-rich treasury to offset high fuel prices." But there is some concern that she used her office improperly with regard to her brother-in-law. That might have repercussions in Nov.

 

[LowlyPion]

Do we have the statistics on voter demographics? I just read that 26% of registered voters are Evangelical.

This is the figure that Wikipedia shows, though it is sourced ultimately from the Bliss Institute in Akron.

This link from Bill Moyers puts the appeal to Evangelicals into some perspective as far as the electoral calculus is concerned.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/moyersonamerica/print/religionandpoliticsclass_print.html

I think he used some of their numbers as well.

 

[turbo]

She may be smart enough and competent enough to assume the office, if necessary, but right now, we know nothing about her positions. Yes, she is governor of a very large state, but that state has fewer people than 16 individual cities do, and it is awash in oil revenues, so she never had to face tough budgetary issues like most governors do.

Palin is a wild-card for McCain. If she gets caught flat-footed when asked questions about foreign affairs, trade policies, economic policies, etc, she's going to be compared to Biden, and none-too-favorably. We'll see how this plays out. When she invoked Clinton's 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, I wanted to gag - especially after she had said that she was turned off by Clinton's whining.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/156190/output/print

 

[lisab]

Couldn't agree more.

Really, people (yes lisa, I'm glaring at you) - her hair? Tut tut.

*laughs at Gokul's glare*

OK, I admit it...I'm off in left field with the hair thing. But it reminds me of the polygamist's hairdos...is a 1950's style beehive now a religous right-wing fashion statement?

 

[castlegates]

Babe Ruth at one time did not have any experience in the world of baseball, yet he was the greatest player of all time. For anyone to say that Palin can't do the job of president based on a ten minute acceptance speech shows an unwillingness to learn more about her potential to do the job. I'd certainly hate to have you as a baseball scout. The next few months should be telling.

 

[LowlyPion]

I think Palin is basically honest - I'll give her that. She killed the 'bridge to nowhere'.

And granted, she's no pushover with the oil companies ...

If there is a concern in this regard it is that VP is not exactly in the "honesty" chain of command. Making her a poster girl for honesty - while certainly a media upgrade to the likes of Cheney and Rove and Bush - doesn't mean that she will make any difference in that regard.

Though ultimately I must suppose that McCain is himself more honorable and honest than the current bunch and regardless of the results of the election the country can at least look ahead to an upgrade in that area.