More Reaction to Palin
| Fri Aug. 29, 2008 1:38 PM PDT
MORE REACTION TO PALIN....Noah Millman on Sarah Palin:
I realize, of course, that she's totally unqualified to be President at this point in time. If McCain were to die in February 2009, I hope Palin would have the good sense to appoint someone who is more ready to be President to be her Vice President, on the understanding that she would then resign and be appointed Vice President by her successor.
....What's the Vice Presidency for, anyhow? Arguably, it's not for anything at all....Palin fits a different model. She's not a President-in-waiting; she's a President-in-training. That's what Quayle was supposed to be, and to the extent he failed it was mostly because of his own personal qualities.
And this is from a guy who likes her! Jeebus.
Lessee. What else? Ramesh Ponnuru weighs in here. Andrew Sullivan has two letters from readers here and here. The second one echoes my reaction to McCain's body language while he was introducing Palin. McCain was obviously pleased at the idea of being a father figure to a young woman who would accept his lead without question and never challenge him. Elsewhere, Steve Doocy, who apparently read my joke earlier this morning, seriously suggests that living across the Bering Strait from Russia makes Palin a foreign policy expert. And Jon Chait notes that a couple of bloggers have already unearthed the fact that Palin supported Pat Buchanan in 2000:
Neither of them really dwells on the significance of this, so I wanted to back up for those who don't remember the circumstances of the time. This isn't like supporting Buchanan in the GOP primary. When Palin was supporting him, Buchanan was running as a third (actually, fourth) party insurgent, appealing to conservatives who thought George W. Bush was too moderate. This suggests that she's not just a run-of-the-mill movement conservative but a hard-core right-winger.
That's all for now. Conservatives on the tube are really, really struggling to defend this choice. I almost feel sorry for them. I'm sticking to my guns that before long this will be seen for the debacle it is.
Continues Below
Continued From Above
Comments
Sarah Palin Fuck ups
1) Palin "Joined a Secessionist Political Party"
The Charge: Unsubstantiated Internet reports insisted Palin was once a member of the Alaska Independence Party, which critics call a secessionist political movement and supporters say is dedicated to seeking greater state control over federal lands across Alaska. She does belong to AIP as well as her husband still under dispute by Palin .
)
2) Palin Supported a "Nazi Sympathizer"
The Charge: "Palin was a supporter of Pat Buchanan, a right-winger or, as many Jews call him: a Nazi sympathizer," Jews are reconsidering her views ? I think McCain had their vote before Palin. Now it is questionable. Over 8 million Jews is US ? lots of votes.
)
3) Palin "Wants Creationism Taught in School"
The Charge: Palin opposes the teaching of evolution, and would mandate the teaching of creationism in the state's public schools. Most would teach both ? Palin is very adamant about no evolution teachings.
4) Palin "Was Nearly Recalled" While Mayor
The Charge: Palin was so controversial as mayor of Wasilla that she was almost recalled by a popular voter movement. This has to do with the firing of the State Trooper who is divorced from her sister. Judgement Still in courts.
)
5) Palin "Opposes Sex Education"
The Charge: Palin opponents say she supported the end of all sex education in public schools. In light of her daughter's presumably unplanned teen pregnancy, this has been a particularly well discussed Internet topic. "The explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support," Palin wrote in a 2006 questionnaire distributed among gubernatorial candidates. Palin favors abstinence-based sex education programs. The old pull out nevers works ? just ask her daughter ? what a dunce.
Others
6 Bridge too no where ? she backed first ? after US Congress turned it down she flipped to not wanting it. Feds sent no money ? Alaska did send money for project ? where is money. Palin is under investigation on where state money is (several million).
7 Selling Jet on EBAY for profit ? Palin tried 3 times on EBAY to sell ? no offers.
Private individual bought Jet at $ 600,000 less than price asked.
8 Religion ? too many charges to list all ? Palin said Our troops are on a mission from God to win in Iraq. In 2000 her pastor said if you vote for Kerry you won't be saved. Pastor also said if you accept Bush criticisms you will go to hell. Also said 30 billion pipeline is supported by God. The biggest problem I have is using a church service to go on a 20 minute political rant (check YouTube). What type of church serves up 20 min political rants instead of a normal sermon. This may be a stretch ? Muslims said Allah wanted jets to fly into the WTC and kill 3,000. Isn't she using Gods name to promote her agenda ? How do think God really feels about her Right Wing feelings.
9 Freddie Mac - Fannie Mae housing problems ? Palin says were caused by Govt
meddling in the mortgage lenders affairs. Truth is the Govt had no part in the fiasco. Govt is involved now as they are bailing them out. Palin doesn't even understand basic economic procedures.
10 Palin told library to remove books on pro life. Dosen't this violate Constitution on free speech
11 Last - her friggin voice would drive you up a wall after 5 min.
Every body needs to make up their own mind ? but I think its only fair that since Hannity has played the Obama tapes over and over for the last 5 months on FOX ? that we pay the same respect to Sarah Palin ? at least for the next 2 months .
More Pics
http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/46500/hot-for-Teacher-Palin--46831.jpg
http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/46500/Sarah-Palin-Pitbull-With-Lips...
http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/7/n/G/2/mac-picks-palin.jpg
OK for its been 2 weeks since she was introduced. Time for her to appear on the news shows - not just FOX.
Howard 8
Sarah Palin Fuck ups
1) Palin "Joined a Secessionist Political Party"
The Charge: Unsubstantiated Internet reports insisted Palin was once a member of the Alaska Independence Party, which critics call a secessionist political movement and supporters say is dedicated to seeking greater state control over federal lands across Alaska. She does belong to AIP as well as her husband still under dispute by Palin .
)
2) Palin Supported a "Nazi Sympathizer"
The Charge: "Palin was a supporter of Pat Buchanan, a right-winger or, as many Jews call him: a Nazi sympathizer," Jews are reconsidering her views ? I think McCain had their vote before Palin. Now it is questionable. Over 8 million Jews is US ? lots of votes.
)
3) Palin "Wants Creationism Taught in School"
The Charge: Palin opposes the teaching of evolution, and would mandate the teaching of creationism in the state's public schools. Most would teach both ? Palin is very adamant about no evolution teachings.
4) Palin "Was Nearly Recalled" While Mayor
The Charge: Palin was so controversial as mayor of Wasilla that she was almost recalled by a popular voter movement. This has to do with the firing of the State Trooper who is divorced from her sister. Judgement Still in courts.
)
5) Palin "Opposes Sex Education"
The Charge: Palin opponents say she supported the end of all sex education in public schools. In light of her daughter's presumably unplanned teen pregnancy, this has been a particularly well discussed Internet topic. "The explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support," Palin wrote in a 2006 questionnaire distributed among gubernatorial candidates. Palin favors abstinence-based sex education programs. The old pull out nevers works ? just ask her daughter ? what a dunce.
Others
6 Bridge too no where ? she backed first ? after US Congress turned it down she flipped to not wanting it. Feds sent no money ? Alaska did send money for project ? where is money. Palin is under investigation on where state money is (several million).
7 Selling Jet on EBAY for profit ? Palin tried 3 times on EBAY to sell ? no offers.
Private individual bought Jet at $ 600,000 less than price asked.
8 Religion ? too many charges to list all ? Palin said Our troops are on a mission from God to win in Iraq. In 2000 her pastor said if you vote for Kerry you won't be saved. Pastor also said if you accept Bush criticisms you will go to hell. Also said 30 billion pipeline is supported by God. The biggest problem I have is using a church service to go on a 20 minute political rant (check YouTube). What type of church serves up 20 min political rants instead of a normal sermon. This may be a stretch ? Muslims said Allah wanted jets to fly into the WTC and kill 3,000. Isn't she using Gods name to promote her agenda ? How do think God really feels about her Right Wing feelings.
9 Freddie Mac - Fannie Mae housing problems ? Palin says were caused by Govt
meddling in the mortgage lenders affairs. Truth is the Govt had no part in the fiasco. Govt is involved now as they are bailing them out. Palin doesn't even understand basic economic procedures.
10 Palin told library to remove books on pro life. Dosen't this violate Constitution on free speech
11 Last - her friggin voice would drive you up a wall after 5 min.
Every body needs to make up their own mind ? but I think its only fair that since Hannity has played the Obama tapes over and over for the last 5 months on FOX ? that we pay the same respect to Sarah Palin ? at least for the next 2 months .
More Pics
http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/46500/hot-for-Teacher-Palin--46831.jpg
http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/46500/Sarah-Palin-Pitbull-With-Lips...
http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/7/n/G/2/mac-picks-palin.jpg
OK for its been 2 weeks since she was introduced. Time for her to appear on the news shows - not just FOX.
Howard 8
Dayam, Beee-atch. On what are you basing your naive optimism? This isn't Harriot [sp] -- that fell apart 'cause HM was not right-wing enough, not because she wasn't qualified!
Seximsm! POW! They are bulletproof.
But Harriet did crash-and-burn at least in part because she was a silly choice. So is Palin. My worry is that somehow the press will feel they can't 'afford' to call this out for what it is. After all, we're supposed to have a close election, right?
In answer to Palin's query of what a vice president does all day:
Nothing, honey. Just look pretty & stay outta the way while the men talk.
Does anyone, even republicans, foresee Palin making serious & substantive contributions to any policy issues? Ah well, at least she won't be another Cheney...
We've got McCain for that.
Submitted by Frank Wilhoit (not verified) on Fri Aug. 29, 2008 2:01 PM PDT.
The relevant historical parallel is not Dan Quayle but Clarence Thomas. This is less a nomination than an act of vandalism. Its purpose is to deface the office.
Raff, apart from your sexist spin on it, constitutionally, that is pretty much all Palin's job calls for.
I don't recall too many vice presidents who hike over to the Senate to preside except for when there are tie breakers.
But as to your sexism, can you please answer my short quiz:
1. It's okay for democrats to be sexist because
a) We're just being ironic
b) God whispers sweet nothings in our ear
Doesn't your sexism make you just as much of an asshole as any of the Republicans?
Submitted by ethan salto (not verified) on Fri Aug. 29, 2008 2:05 PM PDT.
Within days of selecting Dan Quayle for the 1988 Vice Presidential nomination, George Bush wrote in his diary: ''I blew it.''
In a new biography of the former President, a historian, Herbert S. Parmet, wrote that as Mr. Quayle became the butt of jokes, Mr. Bush ''did everything he could to show his confidence in the younger man.'' But in his diary, Mr. Bush wrote, ''It was my decision, and I blew it, but I'm not about to say that I blew it.''
New York Times, 10/5/97
Visit my blog.
It's over. McCain threw the election. I don't think his heart is in it. He seems to be hating every second of this.
At least Sarah Palin would look better nude than Joe Biden, as she kinda shows here:
http://www.undiplomatic.net/2008/08/29/palin-confirmed-photo-from-miss-a...
Have you guys seen this? www.mudflats.com - Sorry I don't know how to give you a live link.
I second what Todd said. I live in Pittsburgh, and our mayor was plucked (by circumstances in his case) from way down in the D leagues to mayorhood of a medium-size post-industrial city. In addition to getting a beating from the local press, he's being obvious manipulated all over the place. Palin may be a rising GOP star, but unless she's remarkably savvy, I suspect she'll look pretty lightweight under media scrutiny, in interviews, etc. People don't want media and politicians condescending to regular folks (this seems to be GOP's primary gambit), but they also don't want bumpkins running their government either.
Maybe I'll be wrong, but my guess is that this will bring McCain's age front and center, and will ultimately reinforce the "out of touch" meme that I think is the most critical part of this election.
The more I pursue the comments here and at Kevin's old stomping grounds, the more I grow convinced that Palin was an excellent choice by McCain.
McCain's pick of Palin was brilliant in that she being far more conservative than he is did more to heal McCain's rift with the base more than any other choice. Her choice is being heralded in evangelic circles for her strong pro-life and other culture war positions, which means that they will come out in droves to vote for her not McCain. This will negate Obama's advantage with younger and new voters who may not bother to vote for whatever reasons come election day. It's "historic" for those who care about such things. And it forces liberals, who just nominated an empty suit as their candidate for President to sound like complete idiots when they say that Palin is "unqualified" or "too inexperienced" to be Vice President.
I always thought the election was McCain's to lose because Obama will be exposed as being the true leftist that is he and unacceptable to the majority of voters. Especially, in the crucial swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan. This choice only seals the deal.
Way to go Democrats, you guys found a way to lose an election that you couldn't possibly lose. lol
As a McCain 2000 supporter, I think this selection is a masterstroke. McCain is now dominating the news cycle, he gives a hint of his maverick nature, and gets non-stop coverage going into next week's convention. Unless Palin really surprises us, however, I think there will be a lot of "buyer's remorse" after a couple of weeks.
Right, Chicounsel. The woman is opposed to abortion even in cases of rape (a view held only by a tiny number of Americans). Wouldn't surprise me if she's against birth control too.
For all the social conservatives who are excited by her, I think McCain just lost a lot of moderates and independents.
Jerry, I probably should have made clear that the "Nothing Honey..." line was what I imagine would be McCain's thinking. McCain's old (duh) & as such probably stuck in a time when "things were better", i.e. women stayed home & tended to house & family. In McCain's defence, 'Father Knows Best' was probably the last TV show he saw before he was shot down over...yaddayadda.
Personally, I disagree with every republican position on women's rights. I'm not even in the ballpark of sexism... hell, some of my best friends are women! (ok, yeah, that last part was ironic)
I can't defend myself against charges of sexism, since I'm not actually sexist, but I will apologize for an unartful or unclear post.
Submitted by DesiPanchi (not verified) on Fri Aug. 29, 2008 2:41 PM PDT.
Well, I have a very simple rule of thumb to decide if something is a debacle or not. That is to see how enthusiastic Kudlow is on CNBC about it. Given his clowning fawning appreciation of this choice, the conclusion was obvious.
-- dp
This pick is pathetic.
Palin is the last, best arrow in McCain's quiver?
Game over.
By the way, Josh Marshall smells something...missing e-mails are always juicy...especially from the Guv's mansion in Alaska...
Submitted by good 'ol gal (not verified) on Fri Aug. 29, 2008 2:49 PM PDT.
I think McCain's pick of Palin for VP is an insult to all Americans. Has politics really come to this? Are we supposed to believe that Palin would even begin to have a clue about how to function as President if something happened to McCain? We are now truly living in Fantasyland!
raff, it was perfectly clear; jerry is just playing a favorite right-wing game, extreme literalism.
they've got a million of them, they're happy to trot them out at the drop of a hat, they don't care if they're consistent one day to the next, and they live to produce moronic propaganda.
meanwhile, orion, 38M+ watched obama last night. despite the pathetic invocation of the "news cycle," they didn't all stop talking about obama's speech because mccain picked an unknown for veep.
ethan salto, john mccain isn't self-reflective enough to pen what bush wrote, but i actually think there's a 10% chance she will withdraw by next week on the grounds that she can't properly campaign on a national level and care for the child with down's syndrome....
chicounsel, for instance, hasn't grasped yet that the hard-right circles that are praising palin are a distinct minority in america that is losing its ability to set the agenda, but there are some adult republicans left....
I don't think Palin was the blunder so many others seem to think. Not a brilliant choice, certainly a calculated risk, but one with potential dividends that McCain will need.
Her experience is laughable, but just sufficient enough for the McCainiacs to make a plausible claim that she isn't significantly less experienced or tested than Obama. Not true, but the GOP is still basically a faith based organization that doesn't believe in objective truth or objective reality and they can probably bamboozle enough people so that the experience issue won't be too much of a drag. The worst part is that it will effectively take that line of attack off the table for the McCainiacs. They don't want to go down that road against Obama now because they are largely disarmed and bare knuckles they will lose.
But the reality that McCain faces is that many people, not the least being Rove, believe that it was the hardcore Christian Right that carried the day for Bush in 2004 and this is a constituency that Bush has real problems with. Not that they will vote for Obama against McCain, but that they won't turn out in sufficient numbers to neutralize a larger than normal turnout for Obama. They need motivating. And that is where the genius of Palin lies. She is a pretty face with all the hardcore evangelical cred you could want. The new baby with Down's Syndrome will make a helluva story at next week's convention. She is, quite literally, red meat being thrown to the constiuency that McCain needs to win in November. It is the only part of the GOP base that can generate the numbers he will need.
But for all that, she really does seem to have more negatives than positives. A calculated risk.
Remind me never to go to Las Vegas with McCain.
i actually think there's a 10% chance she will withdraw by next week
I make that more like 50%. This is a really really bad pick. In fact I'd even theorize it's a way for McCain to sneak Lieberman in; give the far right someone they want and watch her get cut to pieces. After that happens even Lieberman will look less ridiculous.
Well the whole experience issue is off the table now, which is great because in theory it would have done Obama more harm than McCain/Palin.
That isn't to say the Dems shouldn't go after Palin for being a lightweight. McCain should be blasted for already building a bubble of fawning yes-men while Obama emphasizes that he is confident and grounded enough to surround himself with people who will challenge his views like Biden.
howard, thanks. But one thing I could have made more clear was comparing a VP Palin to a VP Cheney.
Cheney has greatly expanded the power of his office over the last two terms. How does Palin deal with these new powers & precedents? Answer: she doesn't. This has nothing to do with Palin being a woman, I just can't see McCain acquiescing to a subordinate -- a general doesn't take orders from a sergeant.
A Palin VeeP will be all artifice & ceremony. A pretty face to front for an ugly agenda. Sorry if that's sexist, but it's optics (god, I hate that word) & reality (not a big fan of that one either). McCain might as well have picked Dana Perino as his running-mate.
Submitted by Howard (not verified) on Fri Aug. 29, 2008 3:35 PM PDT.
A few pics of the new VP - Luv to ride her
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2351/1903451448_635a36aed2_o.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uExTzMIDd1Y/R2O5nKq9_tI/AAAAAAAAATE/At2bb_K_3a...
Question: What do y'all think Karl Rove thinks, or has he said? Given the recent murmurings about his influence re nixing Lieberman as running mate, I'm wondering if Sarah Palin is HIS idea. Perhaps he sees her as a right-wing but largely blank slate who could be manipulated. If Cheney names himself her chief-of-staff, I guess we'll know....
How about a snap vice presidential debate for this weekend? If Palin is ready to be president she should be up for it. Whaddaya say Repugs???
You know what would be totally awesome? If Biden threw down the gauntlet and challenged her to a snap debate. Tonight.
That would
i actually think there's a 10% chance she will withdraw by next week
I make that more like 50%.
Really? Is Palin withdrawing even an issue? Can you even withdraw from being a VP pick? Would that not send the McCain campaign into utter-chaos-spin?
"uh, yeah, the reason we just dumped our VP pick from 2 weeks ago is...uh... because... Look over there! Ooh, it's shiny!"
anonymous, my recollection is that tom eagleton formally withdrew as mcgovern's vp in '72, but i'd have to look that up to be sure, but that's what i was referencing.
formally, after, all, mccain isn't really yet the nominee.
there's just enough of a window: if she plays really badly this weekend, it could happen.
unlikely (i stand by 10%), but not impossible.
rory: that's a joke, right?
PS. i'm not the Howard exposing his fantasy life at 6:35....
The selection of Gov. Palin demontrates McCain's contempt for the average American voter, whom he thinks can be persuaded to vote for a candidate simply because of superficialities like gender or race. Gov. Palin offers nothing in regards to the issues of this presidential election.
Sarah Palin is a bought and paid for tool of the oil corporations.
Just like Dick Cheney. Just like George W. Bush. Just like John McCain.
She denies that burning fossil fuels even "contributes" to global warming -- contradicting the acknowledgement by the state climate change advisory group that she created that greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels are driving the global warming that is already devastating Alaska.
She discourages and disparages investment in efficiency and clean, renewable energy technologies, which have the potential to create millions of high-paying, high-quality jobs that can't be outsourced -- to protect the trillion dollar profits of the oil corporations from competition.
She demands that the American people hand over precious, irreplaceable public resources to her cronies and financial backers in the fossil fuel corporations, so they can drill for more oil both offshore and in ANWR and stripmine more coal in the Appalachians and the Rockies -- destroying communities, ecosystems and economies with toxic pollution.
She is a cynical, deceitful extremist who wants to perpetuate the fossil fuel industry's death-grip on USA energy policy, which will turn the USA into a technological and economic backwater while Germany, Japan, Spain, and China dominate the rapidly growing world markets for wind and solar energy technology, the foundation of the new industrial revolution of the 21st century.
She's the perfect running mate for the shameless liar, career white-collar crook and tool of corporate lobbyists, John McCain.
Government of, by and for ExxonMobil is not the change we need. It's more of the same.
Take a look at David Ignatius' column in the Washington Post titled THE RISK OF THE ZINGER to see other examples of McCain's foolhardiness, but in the realm of foreign policy rather than "personnel appointments" such as Ms. Palin.
Whatever one thinks of McCain's stand on the issues (and I disagree with him on virtually everything), his primary disqualification for President is his temperament. The possibility of his becoming president should worry us all.
And it forces liberals, who just nominated an empty suit as their candidate for President to sound like complete idiots when they say that Palin is "unqualified" or "too inexperienced" to be Vice President
And how do the right-wingers, including and especially John McCain, who have based their entire campaign on Obama being "unqualified" sound now? Hmmm?
You may think Palin is an inspired choice. I suspect she may not even pass the laugh test.
JRS jr, as it seeps through in the american consciousness that john mccain is proposing putting someone one heartbeat from the presidency whom he's barely met, all this is going to do is confirm every doubt there is about his rashness and poor judgement.
making someone well known your veep generally doesn't mean much, but someone you've barely met? that's a little different.
