Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin Is McCain's VP Pick

[Eric_and_Corinna 0]

Very nervous. After watching her govern the state that I have lived in nearly my entire life, the thought of her taking over should something happen to McCain is terrifying.

Gary , I have no clue who this woman is or has done. Would you take a minute to expand on this?

I think you were asking me, as I was answering another post.

Sarah Palin has been around Alaska politics since the 1990's. She started out as a small town council member, then moved up to the mayor's position. She won a lot of us over during the previous governor's campaign when she exposed some very corrupt good old boys who were doing GOP business on State of Alaska time. She parlayed this into a successful run for the Alaska governorship on a platform of "open and transparent government" and her campaign slogan was to "Take a Stand."

However, during her campaign, she was frequently grilled during debates with her opponents, who tried unsuccessfully to get her to actually take a stand on anything. She fell back on her one goal of exposing corruption (which the FBI had already been steaming full speed ahead on). Over and over again, local media outlets fawned over her and she got a lot of undecided voters who were just sick of politics as usual to vote for her. Also a lot of people who voted on her looks and aww-shucks demeanor.

I'll be the first one to say she's a very nice woman who seems to have her heart in the right place. I've talked with her numerous times during campaigns, in Juneau, and during the off-season. I didn't think she was ready to lead the state during her campaign, and I'm still unconvinced of her ability to manage anything at all. And lately she's done some things that have disenchanted a lot of people here in Alaska, one being her increase on the oil company royalty tax (I was in favor of that, but I'm not a conservative), her handling of the natural gas pipeline project, and most recently a nasty family squabble that has boiled over to her possibly using her position as Governor to push for her ex-brother in law's firing as a State Trooper.

My feeling is that she is totally unexperienced in economic matters and foreign policy. The operating budget in Alaska continues to skyrocket, which is fine when you have a billion dollar surplus because of oil prices, but what happens when oil finally tanks?

Anyway, I'm sure the GOP could have done worse, but I'm really scratching my head over this pick.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Very nervous. After watching her govern the state that I have lived in nearly my entire life, the thought of her taking over should something happen to McCain is terrifying.

Gary , I have no clue who this woman is or has done. Would you take a minute to expand on this?

I think you were asking me, as I was answering another post.

Sarah Palin has been around Alaska politics since the 1990's. She started out as a small town council member, then moved up to the mayor's position. She won a lot of us over during the previous governor's campaign when she exposed some very corrupt good old boys who were doing GOP business on State of Alaska time. She parlayed this into a successful run for the Alaska governorship on a platform of "open and transparent government" and her campaign slogan was to "Take a Stand."

However, during her campaign, she was frequently grilled during debates with her opponents, who tried unsuccessfully to get her to actually take a stand on anything. She fell back on her one goal of exposing corruption (which the FBI had already been steaming full speed ahead on). Over and over again, local media outlets fawned over her and she got a lot of undecided voters who were just sick of politics as usual to vote for her. Also a lot of people who voted on her looks and aww-shucks demeanor.

I'll be the first one to say she's a very nice woman who seems to have her heart in the right place. I've talked with her numerous times during campaigns, in Juneau, and during the off-season. I didn't think she was ready to lead the state during her campaign, and I'm still unconvinced of her ability to manage anything at all. And lately she's done some things that have disenchanted a lot of people here in Alaska, one being her increase on the oil company royalty tax (I was in favor of that, but I'm not a conservative), her handling of the natural gas pipeline project, and most recently a nasty family squabble that has boiled over to her possibly using her position as Governor to push for her ex-brother in law's firing as a State Trooper.

My feeling is that she is totally unexperienced in economic matters and foreign policy. The operating budget in Alaska continues to skyrocket, which is fine when you have a billion dollar surplus because of oil prices, but what happens when oil finally tanks?

Anyway, I'm sure the GOP could have done worse, but I'm really scratching my head over this pick.

Great synopsis. Very informative. Thank you.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

There yah go. Thanks!!

[britty 1]

Like it or not, Palin will pick up some women voters that McCain maybe didn't have before. You can argue against it or say it's stupid all you want, but his VP choice will gain votes from this decision.

Yup, I believe this is true. The question is how many and will it be enough? We'll see.

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread yet, but I will. I just have to say that so far, I disagree.

I think the fact that this woman is REALLY young and REALLY inexperienced will turn a lot more people off than the fact that she's a woman will help the ticket. McCain is old. I think it's really scary to think that this person (what's her name again? Palin?) about whom we know nothing, and who has no serious track record might actually end up being the President??? I don't think so.

I also think her being a woman might hurt her with conservative Republicans. BBC did a video series on Culpeper, VA and profiled about half a dozen voters. One of the voters was a fairly young Baptist minister and a woman, and she said a woman should not be President. And another older African American woman, an Obama democrat, said the same thing (because of her religion, too, I think). I am not saying they're right, I'm just saying that the Republicans have the lion's share of conservative Christians, who may not welcome a woman on the ticket.

I think it is a bad decision on McCain's part. Delusional, actually. But I'm not losing any sleep...

GOBAMA!!!!

The last time I was in Culpeper, it appeared that the local loony hospital had closed its doors and released its inmates to the community (seriously there was one guy looking in a shop window saying "I want that and that and that" very loudly). The BBC has a great sense of humor, bless it. For the record, I dont really like either McCain or Obama but McCain has shown a greater level of intelligence by choosing Palin as his running mate. She will appeal to some women, working mothers etc, and yes she will take some of the HC vote. Obama has chosen a relic from the Senate which leads me to think he might need a bit of help with foreign policy if her ever reaches office.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Interesting commentary... (Lindsay Graham has never met Sarah Palin)

[almaty 19]

i think mccain made a good choice to try and get elected and court the female voters..good for him...

[GaryC 7]

Very nervous. After watching her govern the state that I have lived in nearly my entire life, the thought of her taking over should something happen to McCain is terrifying.

Gary , I have no clue who this woman is or has done. Would you take a minute to expand on this?

Umm... Thats not my quote. I am from Illinois.

[GaryC 7]

Sorry Gary I think you missed my point ! I confirmed the point that McCains "experience" does not equal good judgement. I called this decision of his the double whammy of bad judgement coupled with negligible experience. I do believe the Obama /Biden ticket wins this hands down in all departments. I am pleased with his pick as an independant Obama just got a bigger boost than he had from the last four days wooohoooo

McCains choice shows me he has very good judgment. Palin is a great conservative. Obama's choice shows me he knows he has no experience and needs Biden to shore him up. The candidate of "change" picked a Washington insider because he knows that his resume is very thin. So much for "change".

Gary

With all due respect, being a US Senator is an entirely different ballgame then being a mayor of a small town in Alaska (population approximately 7,000) and a first term governor of the second smallest state in the union (approximately 700,000). Further, Mrs. Palin has had unprecedented budget surplus' to work with during her two years. Anyone can govern with an extra billion in the bank.

She was elected on a campaign platform preaching open and transparent government, and little else. She got hammered in debates because she was evasive and uninformed, yet kept preaching that she was for open government. She never answered important policy questions, yet rode her looks and charm into office. And I'm not sure to this day, what she stands for. Especially after her mishandling of her firing the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

She's a very nice woman, don't get me wrong. But I'm not sure what McCain was thinking with this pick when, if he just wanted a woman, could have went with someone like Kay Bailey Hutchison from Texas.

Why are some liberals so pissed about McCain's VP selection? Nervous, maybe?

Very nervous. After watching her govern the state that I have lived in nearly my entire life, the thought of her taking over should something happen to McCain is terrifying.

Interesting perspective coming from someone who knows more about her politically than the rest of us. Thanks for sharing that.

Obama is from my state and I can say the same about him. Does that still make it "interesting" to you? It's just one persons opinion.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Sorry Gary I think you missed my point ! I confirmed the point that McCains "experience" does not equal good judgement. I called this decision of his the double whammy of bad judgement coupled with negligible experience. I do believe the Obama /Biden ticket wins this hands down in all departments. I am pleased with his pick as an independant Obama just got a bigger boost than he had from the last four days wooohoooo

McCains choice shows me he has very good judgment. Palin is a great conservative. Obama's choice shows me he knows he has no experience and needs Biden to shore him up. The candidate of "change" picked a Washington insider because he knows that his resume is very thin. So much for "change".

Gary

With all due respect, being a US Senator is an entirely different ballgame then being a mayor of a small town in Alaska (population approximately 7,000) and a first term governor of the second smallest state in the union (approximately 700,000). Further, Mrs. Palin has had unprecedented budget surplus' to work with during her two years. Anyone can govern with an extra billion in the bank.

She was elected on a campaign platform preaching open and transparent government, and little else. She got hammered in debates because she was evasive and uninformed, yet kept preaching that she was for open government. She never answered important policy questions, yet rode her looks and charm into office. And I'm not sure to this day, what she stands for. Especially after her mishandling of her firing the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

She's a very nice woman, don't get me wrong. But I'm not sure what McCain was thinking with this pick when, if he just wanted a woman, could have went with someone like Kay Bailey Hutchison from Texas.

Why are some liberals so pissed about McCain's VP selection? Nervous, maybe?

Very nervous. After watching her govern the state that I have lived in nearly my entire life, the thought of her taking over should something happen to McCain is terrifying.

Interesting perspective coming from someone who knows more about her politically than the rest of us. Thanks for sharing that.

Obama is from my state and I can say the same about him. Does that still make it "interesting" to you? It's just one persons opinion.

I thought it was an interesting perspective...considering that Sarah Palin is still relatively unknown outside of Alaska. Perhaps if you had made similar comments about Obama back before anyone really knew him outside of Illinois, I would find your comments interesting.

[GaryC 7]

Sorry Gary I think you missed my point ! I confirmed the point that McCains "experience" does not equal good judgement. I called this decision of his the double whammy of bad judgement coupled with negligible experience. I do believe the Obama /Biden ticket wins this hands down in all departments. I am pleased with his pick as an independant Obama just got a bigger boost than he had from the last four days wooohoooo

McCains choice shows me he has very good judgment. Palin is a great conservative. Obama's choice shows me he knows he has no experience and needs Biden to shore him up. The candidate of "change" picked a Washington insider because he knows that his resume is very thin. So much for "change".

Gary

With all due respect, being a US Senator is an entirely different ballgame then being a mayor of a small town in Alaska (population approximately 7,000) and a first term governor of the second smallest state in the union (approximately 700,000). Further, Mrs. Palin has had unprecedented budget surplus' to work with during her two years. Anyone can govern with an extra billion in the bank.

She was elected on a campaign platform preaching open and transparent government, and little else. She got hammered in debates because she was evasive and uninformed, yet kept preaching that she was for open government. She never answered important policy questions, yet rode her looks and charm into office. And I'm not sure to this day, what she stands for. Especially after her mishandling of her firing the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

She's a very nice woman, don't get me wrong. But I'm not sure what McCain was thinking with this pick when, if he just wanted a woman, could have went with someone like Kay Bailey Hutchison from Texas.

Why are some liberals so pissed about McCain's VP selection? Nervous, maybe?

Very nervous. After watching her govern the state that I have lived in nearly my entire life, the thought of her taking over should something happen to McCain is terrifying.

Interesting perspective coming from someone who knows more about her politically than the rest of us. Thanks for sharing that.

Obama is from my state and I can say the same about him. Does that still make it "interesting" to you? It's just one persons opinion.

I thought it was an interesting perspective...considering that Sarah Palin is still relatively unknown outside of Alaska. Perhaps if you had made similar comments about Obama back before anyone really knew him outside of Illinois, I would find your comments interesting.

I didn't have the chance. He was chosen to be the parties candidate 4 years ago on the weight of a speech. It seems that all you have to be able to do is sound good to be the dem candidate.

[Ggreen 12]

I'm guessing the average person who thinks it's preposterous that someone could get by in life without being computer savvy is probably a 38-year-old virgin hacker living in mom's basement who spends their entire day playing video games, hacking, and eating. Probably a lot like the guy in the last Die Hard movie. I'm not saying this is you....

You are right...but you missed the point, being 38 years old living in a basement, is not like being over 70 living in the white house.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Sorry Gary I think you missed my point ! I confirmed the point that McCains "experience" does not equal good judgement. I called this decision of his the double whammy of bad judgement coupled with negligible experience. I do believe the Obama /Biden ticket wins this hands down in all departments. I am pleased with his pick as an independant Obama just got a bigger boost than he had from the last four days wooohoooo

McCains choice shows me he has very good judgment. Palin is a great conservative. Obama's choice shows me he knows he has no experience and needs Biden to shore him up. The candidate of "change" picked a Washington insider because he knows that his resume is very thin. So much for "change".

Gary

With all due respect, being a US Senator is an entirely different ballgame then being a mayor of a small town in Alaska (population approximately 7,000) and a first term governor of the second smallest state in the union (approximately 700,000). Further, Mrs. Palin has had unprecedented budget surplus' to work with during her two years. Anyone can govern with an extra billion in the bank.

She was elected on a campaign platform preaching open and transparent government, and little else. She got hammered in debates because she was evasive and uninformed, yet kept preaching that she was for open government. She never answered important policy questions, yet rode her looks and charm into office. And I'm not sure to this day, what she stands for. Especially after her mishandling of her firing the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

She's a very nice woman, don't get me wrong. But I'm not sure what McCain was thinking with this pick when, if he just wanted a woman, could have went with someone like Kay Bailey Hutchison from Texas.

Why are some liberals so pissed about McCain's VP selection? Nervous, maybe?

Very nervous. After watching her govern the state that I have lived in nearly my entire life, the thought of her taking over should something happen to McCain is terrifying.

Interesting perspective coming from someone who knows more about her politically than the rest of us. Thanks for sharing that.

Obama is from my state and I can say the same about him. Does that still make it "interesting" to you? It's just one persons opinion.

I thought it was an interesting perspective...considering that Sarah Palin is still relatively unknown outside of Alaska. Perhaps if you had made similar comments about Obama back before anyone really knew him outside of Illinois, I would find your comments interesting.

I didn't have the chance. He was chosen to be the parties candidate 4 years ago on the weight of a speech. It seems that all you have to be able to do is sound good to be the dem candidate.

I suppose that the cynical way of looking at it, just like people who think Palin is just a pretty face.

[JULIAFERNO 0]

How did I go from being a liberal Democrat to a moderate Republican in 10 years?

You must have been mugged.

It's called becoming old and jaded

Sorry, but I couldn't help myself!

[tmma 467]

I'm guessing the average person who thinks it's preposterous that someone could get by in life without being computer savvy is probably a 38-year-old virgin hacker living in mom's basement who spends their entire day playing video games, hacking, and eating. Probably a lot like the guy in the last Die Hard movie. I'm not saying this is you....

You are right...but you missed the point, being 38 years old living in a basement, is not like being over 70 living in the white house.

...And being 38 years old in the basement all alone with your mother upstairs, running Windows Vista on your laptop sipping cocoa is not the same as being in the White House with aides, goffers, secret service ,a First lady in the Pink Room and assistants all over the place while you run the country.

It seems that all you have to be able to do is sound good to be the dem candidate.

I can do that!!!!

Pick ME!!

I want change...

Yes we can!

[oh, and I know how to operate a computer].

Edited August 29, 2008 by tmma

[Teacher Mark 53]

Sorry Gary I think you missed my point ! I confirmed the point that McCains "experience" does not equal good judgement. I called this decision of his the double whammy of bad judgement coupled with negligible experience. I do believe the Obama /Biden ticket wins this hands down in all departments. I am pleased with his pick as an independant Obama just got a bigger boost than he had from the last four days wooohoooo

McCains choice shows me he has very good judgment. Palin is a great conservative. Obama's choice shows me he knows he has no experience and needs Biden to shore him up. The candidate of "change" picked a Washington insider because he knows that his resume is very thin. So much for "change".

Gary

With all due respect, being a US Senator is an entirely different ballgame then being a mayor of a small town in Alaska (population approximately 7,000) and a first term governor of the second smallest state in the union (approximately 700,000). Further, Mrs. Palin has had unprecedented budget surplus' to work with during her two years. Anyone can govern with an extra billion in the bank.

She was elected on a campaign platform preaching open and transparent government, and little else. She got hammered in debates because she was evasive and uninformed, yet kept preaching that she was for open government. She never answered important policy questions, yet rode her looks and charm into office. And I'm not sure to this day, what she stands for. Especially after her mishandling of her firing the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

She's a very nice woman, don't get me wrong. But I'm not sure what McCain was thinking with this pick when, if he just wanted a woman, could have went with someone like Kay Bailey Hutchison from Texas.

Why are some liberals so pissed about McCain's VP selection? Nervous, maybe?

Very nervous. After watching her govern the state that I have lived in nearly my entire life, the thought of her taking over should something happen to McCain is terrifying.

Interesting perspective coming from someone who knows more about her politically than the rest of us. Thanks for sharing that.

Obama is from my state and I can say the same about him. Does that still make it "interesting" to you? It's just one persons opinion.

I thought it was an interesting perspective...considering that Sarah Palin is still relatively unknown outside of Alaska. Perhaps if you had made similar comments about Obama back before anyone really knew him outside of Illinois, I would find your comments interesting.

I didn't have the chance. He was chosen to be the parties candidate 4 years ago on the weight of a speech. It seems that all you have to be able to do is sound good to be the dem candidate.

As opposed to looking good and not having a jimmy.