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

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The discussion centers around John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as his vice presidential candidate in the 2008 election. Participants express mixed reactions to her nomination, noting her limited experience as the governor of Alaska and questioning whether her gender will attract disenchanted Hillary Clinton supporters. There is speculation about Palin's appeal to female voters and potential strategies to counter Barack Obama’s campaign. Concerns are raised about her qualifications and the implications of having a less experienced candidate on the ticket, especially given McCain's age and health issues. The conversation also touches on the broader themes of gender in politics, the effectiveness of her candidacy in swaying voters, and the potential for her to energize conservative bases. Overall, the selection is viewed as a strategic move, but opinions vary on its effectiveness and implications for the election.
  • #211


Evo said:
And a "special needs" baby to boot. Not much for "family values". Apparently career comes before family. Can anyone say "hypocrite"?

Yes. We've just become part of Rove's Smear Machine, but working the opposite end.


:(
 
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  • #212


Evo said:
And a "special needs" baby to boot. Not much for "family values". Apparently career comes before family. Can anyone say "hypocrite"?

I think there will be more heard on the subject of her last baby. The rumor mill is likely already working that subject overtime right now.
 
  • #213


WarPhalange said:
Yes. We've just become part of Rove's Smear Machine, but working the opposite end.


:(
If she wasn't touting "family values" as being such an important part of her platform, it would be a different matter.

I made a very difficult decision to turn down a promotion I had been working for for years and quit my job to stay at home with my kids until they were 7 & 9. When I went back to work, I had to start over. It was an economic hardship, and something a lot of women simply cannot afford to do. Palin certainly can afford it. She has a job that affords her the ability to spend at least a decent amount of time with her baby, but she has opted to go on a grueling campaign instead. I personally cannot see going on a campaign of this nature with a 4 month old. I simply can't. I would have said, "thanks, but aside from the fact that I am not qualified, I have just had a baby". I think that will be an issue with a lot of women. That, of course, is her decision.
 
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  • #214
by the way, i am watching ms palin, and the first thing i noticed was someone has told her what my wife said about her hairdo, as it is already completely changed. i rest my case concerning what really matters in us elections.

keep your eye on the haircut. my wife predicts it will gradually get shorter.
 
  • #215
mathwonk said:
by the way, i am watching ms palin, and the first thing i noticed was someone has told her what my wife said about her hairdo, as it is already completely changed. i rest my case concerning what really matters in us elections.
You really need to be careful MW, posts on PF appear minutes after they are posted. Your fashion tip may have cost Obama the election!
 
  • #216
I hear Obama is going to have a sex change operation and bleach his skin white like Michael Jackson.
 
  • #217
maybe, but i think we ought to get serious here. how about putting our money where our mouths are. is it appropriate to bet on the outcome? loser donates $1,000 to the forum? we could generate some serious cash.cyrus, you crack me up.
 
  • #218
And a "special needs" baby to boot. Not much for "family values". Apparently career comes before family. Can anyone say "hypocrite"?
Since when does family values mean the mom stays home with their kid? A mom running in a presidential campaign, shouldn't have to much difficulty finding capable people to help take care of the kids.
 
  • #219


Evo said:
If she wasn't touting "family values" as being such an important part of her platform, it would be a different matter.

I personally cannot see going on a campaign of this nature with a 4 month old. I simply can't. I would have said, "thanks, but aside from the fact that I am not qualified, I have just had a baby". I think that will be an issue with a lot of women. That, of course, is her decision.
Is there any way that Evangelical women (or any other women) with special needs children will condone her candidacy? That's tough. A woman decides to carry a Down Syndrome baby to term at the age of 44 and shortly afterward decides to spend all her time not caring for that baby, but in trying to become VP of the United States. Maybe this is her first and only shot at the brass ring, but she made a choice last spring that involved the best interests of that special-needs baby, and now his interests seem to be not that important. Who is going to nurture that kid? Nannies?
 
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  • #220
In the past, she's just taken the baby to work with her.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/382560.html

This should be interesting on the campaign trail. Don't know if that will be do-able.
 
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  • #221


Evo said:
And a "special needs" baby to boot.
This was the reason that I predicted way back in May, that she wouldn't accept even if she was offered the position. Guess I misjudged her.

https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1745302&postcount=44

Gokul43201 said:
BobG said:
How about Sarah Palin as a VP for McCain.
I doubt that she'd want to do it. She gave birth to a baby last month - her son had been diagnosed with Down Syndrome. It's already very difficult balancing governance with childcare.
 
  • #222


turbo-1 said:
Is there any way that Evangelical women (or any other women) with special needs children will condone her candidacy? That's tough. A woman decides to carry a Down Syndrome baby to term at the age of 44 and shortly afterward decides to spend all her time not caring for that baby, but in trying to become VP of the United States. Maybe this her first and only shot at the brass ring, but she made a choice last spring that involved the best interests of that special-needs baby, and now his interests seem to be not that important. Who is going to nurture that kid? Nannies?
Obviously as a career woman myself, you juggle work and family. But you don't do it with a tiny infant. And if you do, then you don't claim to be someone that puts family ahead in your life, that's dishonest, IMO.

Math Is Hard said:
In the past, she's just taken the baby to work with her.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/382560.html

This should be interesting on the campaign trail. Don't know if that will be do-able.
Men and women without infants almost crack from the strain, the incredibly long hours, the meetings, the dinners, the speeches. There is just so much time she will be separated from the baby. But, hey, she's obviously ok with with it.
 
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  • #223
Math Is Hard said:
In the past, she's just taken the baby to work with her.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/382560.html

This should be interesting on the campaign trail. Don't know if that will be do-able.
The article only says that this is what she plans to do. I'm mildly curious to find out if she has been.

I was a little worried about her judgment, after reading about the Texas-Alaska flight, but having never been pregnant, I decided to give her the benefit of doubt. I've since heard the same concern been raised by others who have been pregnant.
 
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  • #224
i had a friend in college who decided to marry an extremely wealthy woman. when i went to wish him well, he was afraid to say a word, for fear of blowing it, and she had him sitting on a stool like a trained seal, responding only to her commands.

this is how mccain looks to me. its his last chance to marry a wealthy woman, (oops he already did that, so maybe now its power he wants), and he is afraid to say what he really thinks for fear of blowing it.

thats what his face looks like to me, my greedily expectant friend.

on the career side, i admit to going to work and leaving my 7 year old to let himself in the house after school alone for a couple hours.
 
  • #225
Gokul43201 said:
I was a little worried about her judgment, after reading about the Texas-Alaska flight, but having never been pregnant, I decided to give her the benefit of doubt. I've since heard the same concern been raised by others who have been pregnant.
The more children you have, normally the shorter the time to delivery. A woman that has had 4 kids and her water breaks should be heading straight to the hospital. The reason is that once the water breaks, the baby is no longer protected by the amniotic sack, and also bacteria can get inside. Travel is absolutely advised against in this condition.
 
  • #227


Evo said:
Obviously as a career woman myself, you juggle work and family. But you don't do it with a tiny infant. And if you do, then you don't claim to be someone that puts family ahead in your life, that's dishonest, IMO.
She made a choice, and it seems like much of her conservative appeal is based on that choice to bring a Down Syndrome baby to term at age 44. How can she set aside her available time with that child to pursue the Vice Presidency? Down Syndrome children are often short-lived, though we are surely not privy to this child's prognosis. Even so, she has a prominent and well-compensated position (Governor of Alaska), so why should she perhaps sacrifice her potential time with this precious child and reject the blessing that she and her husband so publicly proclaimed? Will anybody ask this question?
 
  • #228
castlegates said:
Since when does family values mean the mom stays home with their kid? A mom running in a presidential campaign, shouldn't have to much difficulty finding capable people to help take care of the kids.

Many liberals would likely see it that way but 'traditional values' conservatives most often won't see it that way. My friend who pointed it out is very much liberal and even though she has not had a child she thinks its terrible.
 
  • #229
Miss Wasilla 1984:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g100/dayglored/Sarah-Palin-Miss-Wasilla-1984.jpg
 
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  • #230


Evo said:
And a "special needs" baby to boot. Not much for "family values". Apparently career comes before family. Can anyone say "hypocrite"?

WarPhalange said:
Yes. We've just become part of Rove's Smear Machine, but working the opposite end.


:(

I can see membership in PUMA inching up as I speak.

Seriously, this would be a real delicate issue for Dems to attack.
 
  • #231


BobG said:
I can see membership in PUMA inching up as I speak.
Oh, did you see the denouncement by NOW? That should turn a lot of PUMA's back to Obama.

Seriously, this would be a real delicate issue for Dems to attack
It seems this issue is already being brought up all over the interent.
 
  • #232
I think Palin is going to be attacked for minor details, and democrats are going to look pretty stupid in the attack of those details, but this will be of no surprise, as most liberals have the distinction of being emotional pigs (they can't help themselves). If the democrats can keep in check their sensitivities, and let the cards fall where they may in regards to Palin, Palin will likely self destruct on her own accord. Why shoot at someone who has practice shooting back?
 
  • #233
huhhh? what's an emotional pig? did someone break your heart over an election?
 
  • #234
castlegates said:
I think Palin is going to be attacked for minor details, and democrats are going to look pretty stupid in the attack of those details, but this will be of no surprise, as most liberals have the distinction of being emotional pigs (they can't help themselves). If the democrats can keep in check their sensitivities, and let the cards fall where they may in regards to Palin, Palin will likely self destruct on her own accord. Why shoot at someone who has practice shooting back?

I suspect she is already becoming yesterday's news at this point, though there are some interesting rumors that have cropped up that may take on a life of their own.

Surviving Gustov and the Republicans stumbling all over themselves in this election year to pretend how compassionate they are, and trying to get anyone to care they are having a convention will likely put the squeeze on going after her for now.
 
  • #235
LowlyPion said:
I suspect she is already becoming yesterday's news at this point, though there are some interesting rumors that have cropped up that may take on a life of their own.
You mean the rumor about her son actually being her grandson?
Now that's entertainment!

Surviving Gustov and the Republicans stumbling all over themselves in this election year to pretend how compassionate they are, and trying to get anyone to care they are having a convention will likely put the squeeze on going after her for now.
If you are referring to Katrina, as if to say that republicans don't care about the people they represent, you might have a point, but that episode really can be explained, as Bush is and still is the dumbest president in my living memory. So they really do have a bonifide excuse for not being able to get water to a boat load of people for days on end. :-)
 
  • #236
TheStatutoryApe said:
Many liberals would likely see it that way but 'traditional values' conservatives most often won't see it that way. My friend who pointed it out is very much liberal and even though she has not had a child she thinks its terrible.

I had dinner with some conservative friends and this was the issue that came up first and it was brought up by a woman. This will hurt her.
 
  • #237
I wonder how many groups this pic will offend.

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-08/41999285.jpg
 
  • #238
It is interesting that none of the usual conservative attack dogs are even trying to defend Palin. Guys?
 
  • #239
wildman said:
I had dinner with some conservative friends and this was the issue that came up first and it was brought up by a woman. This will hurt her.

I'm not sure it will hurt her because I'm a woman and I'm a moderate conservative and I really don't give a rat's patoot how she raises her kid. All I care about is how well she can do the job. If she can do it with the little papoose strapped to her back, then rock on.
 
  • #240
This account is almost painful:

"Where do your children's names come from?

TODD: Sarah's parents were coaches and the whole family was involved in track and I was an athlete in high school, so with our first-born, I was, like, 'Track!' Bristol is named after Bristol Bay. That's where I grew up, that's where we commercial fish. Willow is a community there in Alaska. And then Piper, you know, there's just not too many Pipers out there and it's a cool name. And Trig is a Norse name for "strength.""

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20222685_2,00.html

I read elsewhere Piper's name is Piper Indy - named after their Piper Cub plane and Todd's snowmobile. The daughter named after the father's toys?

Sounds to me like the way stoners might name their kids.

Well at least they put a lot of thought into naming the kids.
 

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