Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > September > 11 > Entry

Palin cops on the bridge question

By Jay Bookman | Thursday, September 11, 2008, 09:49 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It appears that when confronted with the truth about that Bridge to Nowhere, Palin backs down and acknowledges it was all a scam. Charlie Gibson laid out the facts for her yesterday, stating that Palin had strongly supported bridge earmarks until long past the time it was clear that Congress would never pass them. Only then did she stop pressing for them.

And Palin sat there and acknowledged that was true and defended her support for that project.

“I was for infrastructure being built in the state. And it’s not inappropriate for a mayor or for a governor to request and to work with their Congress and their congressmen, their congresswomen, to plug into the federal budget along with every other state a share of the federal budget for infrastructure.”

That’s true. That is not inappropriate. It is only inappropriate to lie repeatedly about it.

It will be interesting to see whether she now stops making that claim on the campaign trail.

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Comments

By daniel

September 11, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

I wish everyone would recall and perhaps replay gov’s carter,clinton and reagans first national interviews when they first announced a run at the presidency. As I recall, who are these guys, hicksville usa. You do remember slick willy?? It wasn’t so much as an interview as a oral test…Gibson trying so hard to be someone he is not, an interviewer. Palin would have done herself a favor by first going on Meet the Press who would have had nothing to prove. She has trusted her instincts so far, don’t change a thing and try to be someone your not. But, in the end, they all get better after each one..but lets take a look at the one’s we hold in so high standerd now, Clinton, carter and reagan…

By bush go away

September 11, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

So AJC/DNC management

Want to talk about Palin having only $200 million in earmarks compared to $500 million from the previous governor?

Ok, so you’re saying that if a governor spends 2/5 the money on her addiction than her predecessor, that makes a governor qualified?

My the neocons set the bar high!

By mts

September 11, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

To Daniel:

Nice try, but there was no comparison between Carter, Clinton, and Reagan and Gov. Palin — none at all. I saw them and I sure you can find tapes of their interviews. Whatever you think of the three former presidents, they were all really smart and polished. This ABC interview made “American Idol” contestants look qualified for national office! It is very sad.

By judyc

September 11, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

You can see Russia from Alaska?

I can see the moon from my bedroom, but that doesn’t make me an astronaut.

By chris

September 11, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

nice try…she was amazing

By bush go away

September 11, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

Charles Gibson slow pitch softball? Even that’s being kind. Try T-Ball. “They’re our next-door neighbors. And you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska.”? I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop. You know “And I slept in a Holiday Inn Express last night.”

But of course Sarah hasn’t slept in a Holiday Inn Express. Why do that when you can get your per diem from home?

By Steve Nesich

September 11, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

Palin isn’t qualified for the Vice Presidency. She was only governor of a state with very few people for 19 months. She had problems staying in college. She’s not focused. She’s not capable of stepping into the presidency if something ever happened to John McCain.

McCain wouldn’t pick someone like Palin except for political reasons. If he really cared about “country first” he wouldn’t have picked a person like this. It’s all about satisfying the ultra-right wing of his party. I’ve lost all respect for McCain.

By Sally R.

September 11, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

This was frightening to watch. REALLY, AMERICA — this scramble-to-be-scripted 20-month Governor of a remote state with a population less than 700,000, is “ready” to be our next VP?!?

Your average MSM reader/viewer (let alone those who seek more in-depth coverage of the news from alternative sources) knows that Russia did not make an “unprovoked” attack on Georgia. And, with all her lack of knowledge, for Palin to swagger forth with the suggestion of a potential war with Russia, is the height of both hubris and ignorance.

Be afraid, America … be very, very afraid … Or — alternatively — vote for sanity and reason, and vote Obama/Biden in November.

By Mara

September 11, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

What I can’t understand is why so many Republicans are so willing to put party before country. If you really love this country, how can you continue to pretend that this person is prepared to lead it?

By bush go away

September 11, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Ironically WBS’s Herman Cain (who most likely gets a cc of RNC’s talking points sent to Neal Boortz) exposed Palin while trying to spin for her. He said on his show that the McCain campaign was handling her correctly, sequestering her until they can educate her on the issues.

So the McCain campaign is handling her like anthrax, because they know exposure is toxic? Sounds like Herman hit the nail on the head, without even knowing it. LOL

By liz

September 11, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

YOU JERK!!!!!

By grata2ude

September 11, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

For the poster who compared Palin to Clinton and Carter I just need to remind you that Carter served in the Navy and Clinton was a Rhodes Scholar. If you are saying because of their southern accent you perceived them as dumb that’s your opinion and a first impression.

But Palin did not know what the Bush Doctrin was and didn’t even realize it gave Bush the authority to send her son off to war.

By LIZ

September 11, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

YOU JERK!!!!

By TM

September 11, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

i found it appalling that her son is being shipped to iraq this very day because of the bush doctrine, yet she had no idea what charlie was talking about…..she’s about as clueless as a lot of people you meet on the street, but the big difference is: she’s running for VP!

By Ricky

September 11, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

I have questions about Sarah Palin’s ability to work well with John McCain and the potential effects of her taking over. That could cause a disruptive executive national policy backlash. The fact of the matter is that Mac is more socially liberal than Sarah is, and the main thing they agree on is “earmark-busting” - that is, nipping various spending items in the bud that they think are excessive, whether or not nipping such items is the right thing to do. For example, the Republican party is supposed to be for freedom. Part of freedom is the ability to travel where and how you wish. One of the so-called “earmarks” that McCain is against is Amtrak. They want to take away Americans’ freedom of travel. That’s not very Republican.

By Kratos

September 11, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

Jay, the person who is unfit for high office is the one who can’t gather his thoughts and speak properly without a teleprompter.

By Frank

September 11, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this

As I watched the interview I wondered “Has anyone asked Obama these questions?” If so I haven’t seen it. Also I watch the news quite a bit and I don’t recall hearing the term “Bush doctrine”

By mouth to snout

September 11, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

dang bookman, you almost sound like the vp is destined to be the next president.

By "The Corporal"

September 12, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Read my lipstick !

DEMOCRATS ON CAPITOL HILL FEAR OBAMA FALLOUT

By Andrew Ward, Washington, D.C. Published: September 11 2008 23:30

Democratic jitters about the US presidential race have spread to Capitol Hill, where some members of Congress are worried that Barack Obama’s faltering campaign could hurt their chances of re-election.

Party leaders have been hoping to strengthen Democratic control of the House and Senate in November, but John McCain’s jump in the polls has stoked fears of a Republican resurgence.

A Democratic fundraiser for Congressional candidates said some planned to distance themselves from Mr Obama and not attack Mr McCain.

By George C

September 12, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this

Jay Bookman is a hack. Yet another example of why the AJC is a 3rd rate paper. The “Bush Doctrine” is a subjective, opaque term coined by the media to make an old idea of “first strike” sound new and scandalous. The term itself has even taken on broader meaning by the media over time. Are we to really to suppose that there is any way on Earth that Bookman would have written a postive article on Palin’s interview? He’s a transparent big-government lib, who’s going to vote for Obama no matter what. He reaching for whatever he can grab, and is coming up empty handed.

By Centristville

September 12, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this

The woman couldn’t even do a one-on-one with a reporter until now (she “wasn’t ready”) yet somehow she is ready to be Vice President. I’ve heard of lowering the bar, but this is more like pounding it into the ground so hard it pops out in China. The whole thing about her not having a passport until two years ago freaked me out. I didn’t know that until the interview. You don’t learn squat about other cultures and the world when you don’t move your big toe out your own front door. You only see YOUR world and have no conception of other places (sorry, watching Fox News doesn’t cut it). A well traveled person is a well rounded person and clearly, she is not. If anyone doesn’t realize McCain picked her solely on her looks and sex by now, they have rocks in their head.

By Frederick Douglass

September 12, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this

Collectively we’re all experiencing the same bad dream, surely there’s a giant hand somewhere to pinch this nation out of its stupor. I’m smarter than Sarah Palin, and that’s sad.

By "The Corporal"

September 12, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

The really sad thing about these blogs day after day is how two people (let’s say Jay and I for the sake of argument) could be raised in the same wonderful country and yet have such bitterly differing beliefs.

It does not bode well for the future of this great republic.

By mouth to snout

September 12, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

Dan Quayle?

How old are you Mr. Bookman?

By Eric

September 12, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this

Frank, yes, Obama has been asked these questions through numerous presidential debates and interviews. He’s debated these issues repeatedly (coming to the conclusion that he would not cast his vote to give Bush the power to go to war with Iraq). So, yes, he has been vetted. As for whether anyone else has ever heard of the Bush Doctrine, let me first say that you and I as citizens don’t necessarily need to know about it, but Palin does. She’s running for VP! And yes, I do know about it, and have read numerous essays about it. I listened to a professor talk about the 4 major components of the doctrine just the other day (on NPR, of course, certainly not on any cable news networks). Preemptive strikes against other countries, unilateral action in those strikes, and the right to establish some form of democracy in those countries are all components of his doctrine. Please do me a favor and read up on the issues. I’m tired of people voting for a candidate because that candidate is the type that they’d like to share a beer with.

By mnm63

September 12, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this

This election is too important to be sidetracked by this nonsense. Sarah Palin is not running for President. McCain is. We need to quit focusing on the Jerry Springer Show that is Sarah Palin and focus on the real issues—the economy, the wars, education, global warming, skyrocketing energy costs, unemployment, the failing banks, etc. McCain is part of the party that brought us this nightmare;before this year he was proud to be photographed with George Bush, to be seen as an ally of our current President. So how is this man going to even begin to get us out of this mess? Why would he want to? His constiuency of lobbyists and rich people are doing just fine—it’s the rest of us who are suffering. Do you really want to return to a time like that of the robberbarons—a time when the middleclass was practically nonexistent, and working people were basically chattel to be abused for their employers’ astronomical profit margins.

The Republicans over and over again use these cultural wedge issues to keep working people from voting in their own economic interest.They are laughing all the way to the bank. The Republicans were in charge of all three branches of government for six years, and they didn’t ban abortion or ban gay marriage or make Christianity our state religion or make English our national language, etc. They wouldn’t have anything to distract the populace with if they actually moved legislatively on these issues. They need poor and middle class people who believe in these cultural issues to continue to support them even though it means that they get poorer and poorer. And don’t think they sincerely believe in these issues as well. Look at the way many, if not most, Republicans live, look at the scandals that Republicans have been associated with—they want the vote of cultural conservatives, but after the lever has been pulled in the ballot box, those voters can be forgotten until the next election when the Republicans will rile them up again, and get folks to cut off their noses to spite their faces.

The Bible talks about straining gnats and swallowing camels. It also says that it is harder for a rich man to enter heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. The rich Republicans are giving us plenty of gnats to strain in terms of cultural issues that we can’t resolve through legislative means, and meanwhile we just keep swallowing those camels—the economic problems that the Congress and Senate and White House COULD resolve, so that real wealth could be earned by a multitude of American citizens willing to work hard if given real oppotunities. Just think, we could help some of those rich folks get into heaven by reducing their profit margins and taxing the wealthiest among us at a higher, fairer rate. Vote economics first, and work within our churches to address cultural issues.

By Ms. Tucker If Ur Nasty

September 12, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this

George C. you’ve just proven Bookman’s point. Assuming that you’re an ordinary Joe, you did a fine job explaining the Bush Doctrine, then why couldn’t Sarah?

By Vincent

September 12, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

She looked like someone pretending real hard to be ready to be VP. Like a local theater production or something.

America: She may get better and more rehearsed, and she is comfortable when she understands what she’s saying, but this “fish out of water” is what you are really dealing with regardless of appearances. We saw glimpses of the raw, and it is too raw. She doesn’t have a clue about the political complexities of the modern world, and she can only learn talking points, not gain real comprehension in a matter of weeks.

She was like a schoolgirl in the Principal’s office, and it wasn’t Gibson’s fault—besides, there are scarier men in the world of International politics than Headmasters.

By Sonia Kermaz

September 12, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this

Sarah Palin is eminently qualified to finish the disaster that Bush started. The Republic may fall, but the sheer stupidity of it all will linger.

By Sonia Kermaz

September 12, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

Sarah Palin is eminently qualified to finish the disaster that Bush started. The Republic may fall, but the sheer stupidity of it all will linger.

By bush go away

September 12, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

Charles Gibson gave Sarah Palin an empty net to shoot at, and she fell flat on her face at the blue line.

Just because you call yourself a hockey mom doesn’t mean you can skate through an interview.

By Don

September 12, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

Truly frightening!

Not ready for prime time!

By Mark

September 12, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this

You are all SOOOOO correct. How in the world can this woman ever face a camera again, especially knowing beforehand the extensive experience that Obama has! He is indeed qualified to run this country based on all of his foreign affairs experience and expertise on the Bush doctrine (which he has not been asked about by the way, but OBVIOUSLY, being the experienced genius that he is, would answer with his usual godlike intellect.) I mean anyone with common sense knows that he CAN be president…..can’t he? I mean, uh, uh, uh, if you really think about it, uh, can’t he??

By Jon

September 12, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this

She is a joke…just a glorified spokesmodel. Did you nitoce she said “new-cue-ler” instead of “new-clear” without the help of a teleprompter….George Bush with lipstick is all she is.

By Frederick Douglass

September 12, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this

Mark admit it man, you’re embarrased for this woman aren’t you? Bobby Jindal’s phone # is in the book, tee hee hee.

By CGZ

September 12, 2008 1:11 AM | Link to this

I, for one, was shaken. Why are we worrying over the Collider in Switzerland when we have our very own Mistress of Doom right here in the US. She really is scary. Normally, I wouldn’t care who the veep was, but McCain is over 70 and very well could die during his term. Then, heaven forbid we have President Palin and she’s taping her foreign policy cheat sheets to the underside of her skirt to use during a meeting with Putin. No thanks. I’ll be in Canada.

By Mockerfab4

September 12, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this

Wow…she was like a moose in headlights in this interview. War with Russia? Bush Doctorine? Has’nt met a forrign leader (even though every VP before her has). Matt Damon was right, she may have the nuclear codes. God help us all!

By Curt T

September 12, 2008 1:42 AM | Link to this

Whats concerns me is not so much McCain would die in office, but what if he gets really sick or has a stoke or something? I’m mean, at his age. And then to have Palin suddenly step in. I’m just not sure about this….

By AlienPundit

September 12, 2008 2:40 AM | Link to this

What happened to the “Barracuda” and the Pitbull with Lipstick? She turned into canned tuna in front of the scary, meany jornalist Charlie Gibson! She can’t even pronounce “nuclear”; and does not even understand the Bush doctrine…lol; does she even understand English? How many times does she need to have a question repeated? And she wants to be President. Putin and the tyrants of the world must be laughing their asses off with this interview! Bush is dumb but Palin is way dumber! Only morons with half a brain could vote for McCain/Palin. Sarah do America a favor: Go back to Alaska to shoot wolves!

By wilder5121

September 12, 2008 3:28 AM | Link to this

Just watch all the Palin Cult Members over the next few days SCRAMBLING to explain away her obvious lack of intelligence.

I know high school seniors who are more informed, any one of which would make a better candidate than her. Unbelievable. Another embarrassment for the Republican Party…turns out she’s just another dum-dum like Bush Junior. The lady behind the curtain is really just Dan Quayle in lipstick.

P.S. - Hey Sarah…Russia has “NUKULAR” WEAPONS. Might want to rethink that WWIII thing a little.

By Melissa

September 12, 2008 4:18 AM | Link to this

I’m still waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump out from somewhere and say “America, you’ve been Punk’d!!!”

But seriously, so her response to Russia’s foreign policies is “They’re our next-door neighbors. You can see Russia from Alaska.” Really??? Wow…it stuns me that she thinks Americans are that dumb. But after all throngs of Republicans are flocking to her so…maybe she’s right. Yep, Republicans are that dumb.

By AJC/DNC Management

September 12, 2008 6:53 AM | Link to this

At one point, Gibson asked for Palin’s thoughts on the Bush Doctrine. She clearly had no thoughts because she had no idea what it was.

I thought these two were Bush robots?

Ahahahahahahahahahaha, thanks for shooting that lie right in the beehind.

Bwa.

By Mike

September 12, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this

“At one point, Gibson asked for Palin’s thoughts on the Bush Doctrine. She clearly had no thoughts because she had no idea what it was.”

Nonsense. The Bush doctrine has been summarized and categorized in several different ways. Ask 15 different “politically aware” people, and you will get 15 answers. Gibson asked a broad question and she asked for clarification before rambling an answer for partisan liberal hacks like Bookman to attack.

Does anyone think for a second that Bookman the partisan hack did not make up his mind about the interview before he even saw it?

Has Bookman the partisan hack ever writtten anything about this campaign that did not mindlessly attack the McCain ticket or support the Obama ticket? Of course not.

It is truly joyful to see his posts get angrier and angrier as this election slips away. The funny thing is that he thinks his partisan dreck might ever influence any own more than any other partisan liberal blogger.

By JJ

September 12, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

There is a lot to like and admire about Sarah Palin, but the interview revealed some troubling aspects.

In the very first question, Palin revealed that she could reflexively have confidence about something without any reference whatsoever to facts. Why bother thinking when you can just believe? When the issue in question is her performance in an untested situation, that confidence is over the top. It means she is full of herself.

Confidence is absolutely required for success in any endeavor, but that confidence must not be divorced completely from reality (see: George W. Bush). Gov. Palin clearly was coached to avoid any semblance of doubt by GOP handlers who make a science of manipulating voter reactions.

Also troubling was Palin’s attempt to twist her “our task is from God” into “I don’t know if the task is from God”, and “our plan for Iraq is God’s plan” into “I believe there is a plan for this world”. Palin was more than ready for this challenge and others from Charlie. Can there be any doubt that this question was one for which her handlers prepared her thoroughly? They’re banking on most people never actually watching the video of her at Wasilla Assembly of God and seeing how at odds her presentation there was with what she represented during the interview.

By sun_dang

September 12, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

DEMOCRATS, OBAMA, BIDEN, DO NOT USE “BUSH DOCTRINE” TO PUT PALIN DOWN. IT IS A SETUP BY KARL ROVE. THERE IS NO BUSH DOCTRINE. THAT TERM OR PHRASE HAS NEVER APPEARED ON ANY GOVERNMENT POLICY PAPERS.

PALIN IS NOT DUMB. SHE IS THE REPUBLICAN’S BAIT. IF YOU THINK PALIN WAS WRONG ABOUT BUSH DOCTRINE, THINK AGAIN. THAT WILL SHOW THAT YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY.

BUSH DOCTRINE IS FAMOUS AMONG CONSPIRACY LOONIES. BE CAREFUL. IF PALIN CAN SILENCE THOSE OLD SCHOOL ALASKAN REPUBLICANS, SHE IS NO DUMB, MEEK MOOSE-EATING BABY-MAKER.

AGAIN, THERE IS NO BUSH DOCTRINE. THERE IS NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. BUSH STRATEGY IS BETTER THAN BUSH DOCTRINE BECAUSE IT IS ON THE PAPER.

A SCARED DEMOCRAT

(My God, when will my fellow democrats get it. )

By Proud GOP

September 12, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this

Does anybody know when the government is supposed to send out the September supplement checks? I’ve not got mine yet.

By Mike

September 12, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this

“(My God, when will my fellow democrats get it. )”

Shhhh. Don’t blow it for us Republicans. Folks like Bookman keep falling for this silly traps (talking about experience, “racist” nonsense, attacking her family and religion, pointing out that she is not a Bush-Cheney protoge) and it is gold for us. Please don’t get them doing anything that will actually help their candidate. Their predictable Pavlovian, angry reaction to events is greasing the wheels for us right to the White House.

By Charles

September 12, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this

Gee, I guess that settles the question on whether Jay Bookman is no longer a unbiased reporter. Governor Palin again hit on all cylinders in her interview. She has more experience to run this country than the Democrap’s Nobama.

It’s funny that so many Liberals want to call the McCain/Palin ticket the 3rd Bush term but Palin didn’t know the Bush Doctrine. You would think that would make Democraps happy that she isn’t following it. But with a Liberal Democrap they’ll criticize anything just for the sake of criticizing. Why don’t you idiots try looking at more important things like whether your candidate is friends with an unrepentant terrorist, stays 20 years in a racist church, gets sweetheart home deals with a convicted felon or the following statement made last Sunday:

“You’re absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith” - Barack Obama on ABC’s “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos

I think it was a Freudian slip personally. If this had been a Republican the mainstream media-maniacs wouldn’t have stopped talking about it. But they are too busy trying to find a chink in the armor of Sarah Palin right now - and it’s frustrating the HELL out of them. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Nice try Jay, you Liberal hack!

By fred

September 12, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this

Seeing the title I thought for a second that you were talking about Joe “Stand up Chuck!” Biden

By marko

September 12, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this

Actually, compared to Miss South Caroina, I thought see did a pretty good job. She’s PRO-LIFE. Really what other qualifications do you need to be a seventy-two year old cancer suvivor’s vice president? I was particularly offended by the Dan Quale remark. Another cheap shot Jay? Five bucks say’s the moose killing babe can spell potato.

By Mrs. Godzilla

September 12, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this

I have decided to come to the rescue of the Republican Party.

I, Mrs. Godzilla, am volunteering to replace Sarah Palin on the McCain Ticket.

My Qualifications are as follows:

I am an estrogen based life form, and as we know, how one ovary thinks all ovaries think. Thus I will bring all women voters to McCain.

I am a mother. This gives me medical experience – paging Dr. Mom, education experience and boatloads of patience dedaling with recalcitrant children (Congress)

I am both an employee and an employer. As an employee I understand the plight of the working mother. As a small business owner I understand the economy and have experience dealing with workers rights groups and the IRS.

I have been to New Orleans many times. I know hurricanes and hurricane response.

I have ridden Marta, as well as transit systems in Chicago, New York, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Denver, Hong Kong and Tokyo so I can handle our transportation infrastructure. (Also I have driven cars over old bridges!)

Having lived in southern California I know about illegal immigrants.

Having lived in Detroit I understand the issues of the auto industry.

I have spent weeks in China so I have a firm grasp on Chino-US relations as they stand.

I have stood before the barbed wire fencing at the 57th parallel in South Korea and stared at one of the stars if the axis of evil – North Korea. Kim Jung Il will run scared with me as VP.

I have fired guns, little ones and big ones. I understand firepower.

I was a member of the state board of Easter Seals, I understand the plight of the handicapped.

My dad and husband are veterans. My brothers and cousins are* first responders*. I know real heros.

I was a state scholar so I can read. I support everybody learning to read.

I have modeled bipartisanship. I let George and Barbara Bush hug my daughters when they were little.

I have been baptized and am a Marion award winning Girl Scout. I’ll show you some real faith based initiatives.

I changed my driving habits and automobile when gas hit $2.00 a gallon I understood terrorist oil addition very early.

Come on John, be real mavericky, call me!

McCain/Mrs. Godzilla 08 Experienced man, Size 6 Chick!

By Paul

September 12, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this

Jay

Just what does “carefully vetted” mean? Do not presidential candidates have the right to select whomever they want, using whatever criteria they want? I still wonder if media has a bit of angst because they were caught flat-footed. Quite embarrassing, I’d expect.

When has “fully informed” been a requirement for a presidential candidate, let alone a vice presidential candidate? I do not think Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton or George Bush were ‘fully informed’ in foreign affairs. Or the workings of the federal bureaucracy. Or in the formulation and execution of the federal budget. I don’t think it was an issue then.

Using a term as “Bush Doctrine” and assuming everyone ‘knows’ what it means and does not mean is like using the ‘term’ evolution on this blog. True “Doctrine” is not so nebulous, policy is. This “Doctrine” was not even labeled “Doctrine” by those who stated certain principles – that was tagged on by pundits. Did it show Bush’s intent, given changing circumstances? Sure. But not every statement of intent, let alone formal declarations in the form of Executive Orders (see “Clinton and Regime Change”) necessarily means it will be actively pursued.

She could have answered “what you refer to as the Bush Doctrine” encompasses many elements. I believe the United States should show support for democratic governments.” Of course, this isn’t what Gibson or her detractors wanted.

I’d ask anyone here a more fundamental question: if the objection to the Bush Doctrine (and there are many items one can take issue with as he was stating his thoughts over the years) is preemption – care to state if this was an original thought with Pres Bush (something many of you have stated is impossible) or has preemption had a place in US policy for decades?

[[The Bush Doctrine was the justification the president cited that led us into the war in Iraq]]

Not “the” justification as in singular justification, but one of many elements (violations of resolutions comes to mind – the question of whether or not the US had legal basis to act on those violations is a different point than if it was used as a justification).

[[But a lot of Americans aren’t claiming to be ready to step into the presidency if need be on Day One.]]

As this relates to the Bush Doctrine, I disagree. Presidents set their own foreign policy agenda and principles. McCain has already indicated he will scrap certain elements of Pres Bush’s. He and Obama are in agreement in other areas. So to say Palin isn’t ready because she isn’t fully informed and ready to accept the policy of a president no longer in office is inaccurate.

This still presupposes someone without extensive federal elective experience should not become president or vice president.

Proximity gives insight? I hope Gibson was giving her an out over the boneheaded assertion that location equals insight. If she didn’t want the out she could have turned the answer back on herself by saying “when one can look out and see the county that was our ally in war, our adversary for decades, showed the hope of responsibility on the world stage and has now emerged as troublesome to its neighbors, then it can become part of one’s everyday thoughts.”

But this entire “ready on day one” – foreign policy expert, complete agreement and indication one will follow a prior administration’s policies solely because they are members of the same party, same views on social policies – you do remember Pres Roosevelt’s comments about Truman, don’t you? Not exactly flattering. Yet here was a VP who did assume the office, who dealt with war (Korea), stood up to the military establishment (fired a hugely popular general), integrated the military, yet had no foreign policy ‘experience’. Sad part is, if the criteria you lay down for Palinhad been applied to Truman, he would not have been selected.

Especially if a reporter had asked him “Mr. Truman, the US was attacked by Japan, not Germany. Yet Pres Roosevelt’s long fascination with anything British - he and members of his cabinet spend weekends at their ‘farms’ in upstate New York, dressing in English county clothing and tending their fruit trees - has resulted in us pouring the bulk of our resources into Europe while the Japanese have inflicted defeat after defeat in the south Pacific and killed thousands of Americans. Do you agree with this course of action?”

Since this is all about choice and we have two alternatives, and given this topic seemed to weigh heavily on foreign policy, I’ll repeat a question (rhetorical for you, more directed towards the other readers): Sen Biden is recognized as having foreign policy ‘experience.’ Given he’s already come on line for US invasion in Africa without the consent of the UN to further America’s social values, well, do we want that more than we want someone who may or may not agree with a ‘doctrine’ that may or may not be continued?

By Fred Murtz

September 12, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

I think it’s funny that Democrats are STILL running against Bush and he’s STILL whipping their tails in an election that he is not even running in!! Delusional.

By ByteMe

September 12, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

Ok, so I watched. And I have my own filters, of course. But here’s the first comment I made to my wife:

“I want to play poker for money with this woman.”

She has at least two obvious “tells” when she’s not comfortable and trying to bluff. Watch her lips and you’ll see them. I soooo want to play poker with her.

I do not want this woman one bad heartbeat away from becoming president. If I can see the tells on first watching her, another world leader is going to easily take her lunch money when he or she sits across from President Palin.

The other thing is that she highlighted clearly for all to see how bad McCain’s idea of admitting Georgia and Ukraine into NATO would be. Russia’s already highly agitated about us placing anti-missle launchers in Poland. For NATO to admit countries that border Russia’s mainland would be tantamount to a declaration of war in Russia’s paranoid mind and they would become highly aggressive toward NATO (as they’re already starting to do now).

Is this the “change” we want? To let the neo-cons blunder us into another war? Yes, I’m sure we could win it, but at what cost? Is this really the war we want to fight next? And do we want to fight it over two non-strategic countries? This is the issue we should be discussing, not whether she’s really hot or can memorize her interview notes well… that’s just the sideshow for now.

By AJC/DNC Management

September 12, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

The Bush Doctrine died in the year 2004 or so:

On March 16, 2006, the latest National Security Strategy was issued. It is a return to the more multilateral approach of previous administrations. It restates America’s commitment to supporting democracies and defeating terrorism, puts forth a plan to restructure institutions related to national security, and discusses the challenges of globalization.

Huh, no pre emptive invasion.

So now who is the dimwit?

By Goldie

September 12, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

Two things that are certain now that Palin has finally agreed to answer questions from the media:

1.— the McBush-Palin “bump” this week is due solely to a cult of personality.

2.— McBush-Palin can be assured that they will win Alaska with all 3 of its delegates in November.

BWAAAAAAAAAAA!

By Taxpayer

September 12, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this

Well, let’s get our facts straight. The first thing one needs to form a democracy is a coalition of the willing. Sort of like when the thirteen colonies got together and said, “what we need is a democracy.” It’s all down hill from there. Then, to have another cold war we would need, well, lots of cold. We are clearly in the beginning of global warming so that’s not an issue.

By AJC/DNC Management

September 12, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

Compare and Contrast

Bwa.

By Dennis

September 12, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

Each day as I read more and attacks on Palin by panic striken Media-Democrats like Bookman and his ilk, I become more and more confident. Confident that in November US voters will brush aside the Democrat’s Socialist agenda as well as their captulate (read surrender) to the world international agenda, by electing McCain/Palin and a bunch of non-Democrat Senators and Representatives.

By zeke

September 12, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

Indeed there is a candidate in this election that makes Dan Q. look very good, but, HE IS THE DEM CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT! He is not qualified to be mayor of a small town much less the greatest country in the world!!!

By AJC/DNC Management

September 12, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this

The mainstream media may themselves come down on Mr. Obama. They like him, but if he doesn’t come back and make this a race, he’ll embarrass them. They just might be on the edge of getting angry, having been left exposed. Forget what Mr. McCain and Mrs. Palin can do to Mr. Obama: If he embarrasses the media, they’ll kill him.

Bwa.

By Paul

September 12, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

Bytme

I believe Obama told O’Reilly the missile shield is a ‘go’ for Poland. At least, that’s that I think he said. He’s good at that.

AJC/DNC 8:03

Thanks for the source. I thought it had seriously changed over the years - from speeches to NCS policy.

BTW - I’m regularly amazed at how silent most Democrats - and media - are about Biden’s plans for invasion. If it was Palin…

Taxpayer,

But isn’t the cold war heating up from global warming?

By Analchord

September 12, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

Palin 08: Not so much lipstick on a pig, as a pig in a poke.

If Charles Krauthammer is correct when he suggested that Obama Jumped the Shark in Berlin last month, then it’s also true that McCain Bucked the Tiger in Alaska.

Is Palin a wolf in sheep’s clothing?

I only know that you cant make a silk parse out of a sow’s earmark, my friends.

‘muff said

By Goldie

September 12, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

Paul — looks like your defense of the term “Bush Doctrine” as simply being “nebulous” words is null and void, because of the term being codified in the National Security Council document, “National Security Strategy of the United States”, published on September 20, 2002…

The main elements of the Bush Doctrine were codified in a National Security Council document, National Security Strategy of the United States, published on September 20, 2002

With all of the prepping for Palin these past 2 weeks, McBush has once again failed in separating his war-mongering ticket from W’s doctrine for world domination these past 7 years.

By MAC

September 12, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

She is still more qualified than Obama, who is your PRESIDENTIAL candidate.

Just because Obama has 200 foreign policy advisors doesn’t make HIM qualified in foreign policy or more qualified than a sitting governor of any state.

The hypocrisy of your analysis of Palin whie your candidate remains an empty suit with no leadership experience is astounding.

By David Hall

September 12, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

What nonsense the media makes of this election. Bookman distorts and slants just like all so called journalist who think left. I read his comments today with the same bitter taste of stupidity as the Richard Jewell case in which the Journal tried to destroy and innocent man. Bookman is a good example of what is wrong with America,

By Bud Wiser

September 12, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

Poor Goldie, you leave yourself so wide open like so many uneducated libs about the”cult of personality” thing; what the hell explains Obama’s following?

95% lockstep kneel downs by the blacks for an apparent black candidate is not a cult-like following?

Full blown idol worship of Obama as shown on live TV by the likes of Chris (that funny feeling running up my leg) Matthews, the twits of The View, Oprah Winfrey, David Letterman, etc etc, is not cult-like?

And don’t be so cocksure of the Alaskan 3 delegate count, and I cite as proof that had Al Gore won his own home state of Tennessee in 2000, he would have been President irregardless of Florida.

As I have pointed out many, many times before, liberals such as yourself make it so very easy to show everyone else (in possession of a fully functional brain) how ridiculously stupid an inane your so-called arguments are. Hell, you do most of the work for me, and the beauty of it is you don’t even know it!

Obama/Biden ‘08 - making it easy to be stupid

By Shawny

September 12, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

The way these idiot liberals are going off on Palin, you would think she is running for president or something…

Lucko the liberal cartoonist has hit her yet again. And the message is the same…I supported the bridge to nowhere before I didn’t support it… Again ,I say, is that all you have on her??? What does Bookman the liberal do in today’s piece? Same thing. Sad. Weak. Let’s consider the PRESIDENTIAL candidates, shall we (cont’d in next post)

By Shawny

September 12, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

Here is a nice piece from across the pond talking to “There is a yawning gulf between what the Democratic candidate says and how he has acted. “

By Goldie

September 12, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

JAY— I meant to mention first off that you’re spot-on with simplifying Palin’s effect as “Making Dan Quayle look good”… beautiful summary!

And your summation reminds me of a sign I saw being toted around back in 2004 that read: “I Never Thought I’d Miss Nixon!”

Always good to try and keep our Repug disasters in perspective…

By Bubba

September 12, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

Why does she have to know what the Bush Doctrine is? She is not Bush. She would really only need to know the McCain Doctrine or Palin Doctrine. Those are what matters. When Bush is gone in Jan his doctrine will not matter, it will matter what the next President’s doctrine is.

By AJC/DNC Management

September 12, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Palin ruffled feathers when she announced - without giving the delegation advance notice - that the state was killing the Ketchikan bridge to Gravina Island, site of the airport and a few dozen residents.

If Kurtz or other members of the media want to criticize some other aspect of Palin’s record they are welcome to do so, but the suggestion that she didn’t kill the famous bridge is ridiculous.

Bwa.

By Taxpayer

September 12, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Well, she’s got the lipstick thing down pat although her loyal base would likely prefer that she wear a bikini during her next interview. She clearly has not been properly vetted on the concept of the “greased pig” though. I’m sure her trainers will start working on that character flaw right away.

By Goldie

September 12, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

McBush/Failin ‘08 — “always ready for your war-mongering needs!”

By Shawny

September 12, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

In this piece from Europe, you can tell that they want Obama, but have to admit, [Speechmaker Obama talks about an era of bipartisanship, He speaks powerfully about the destructive politics of red and blue states.

Politician Obama has toed his party’s line more reliably than almost any other Democrat in US politics. He has a near-perfect record of voting with his side. He has the most solidly left-wing voting history in the Senate. His one act of bipartisanship, a transparency bill co-sponsored with a Republican senator, was backed by everybody on both sides of the aisle. He has never challenged his party’s line on any issue of substance.](Speechmaker Obama talks about an era of bipartisanship, He speaks powerfully about the destructive politics of red and blue states.

Politician Obama has toed his party’s line more reliably than almost any other Democrat in US politics. He has a near-perfect record of voting with his side. He has the most solidly left-wing voting history in the Senate. His one act of bipartisanship, a transparency bill co-sponsored with a Republican senator, was backed by everybody on both sides of the aisle. He has never challenged his party’s line on any issue of substance.](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/gerard_baker/article4735295.ece)

By Paul

September 12, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

Goldie, Goldie, Goldie,

Gibson did not ask about NSC strategy update in March 2006. He asked about “The Bush Doctrine.” As has been shown, items many assume he was angling to get a statement on are not in play (see Management’s earlier post).

[[McBush has once again failed in separating his war-mongering ticket]]

Help me out, here. Which ticket has already announced plans for invasion of another country? Your first guess doesn’t count….

I love irony.

By Shawny

September 12, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

And lastly, [Politician Obama’s support for abortion rights is the most extreme of any Democratic senator. In the Illinois legislature he refused to join Democrats and Republicans in supporting a Bill that would require doctors to provide medical care for babies who survived abortions. No one in the Senate - not the arch feminist Hillary Clinton nor the superliberal Edward Kennedy - opposed this same humane measure.

Here’s the real problem with Mr Obama: the jarring gap between his promises of change and his status quo performance. There are just too many contradictions between the eloquent poetry of the man’s stirring rhetoric and the dull, familiar prose of his political record.](Politician Obama’s support for abortion rights is the most extreme of any Democratic senator. In the Illinois legislature he refused to join Democrats and Republicans in supporting a Bill that would require doctors to provide medical care for babies who survived abortions. No one in the Senate - not the arch feminist Hillary Clinton nor the superliberal Edward Kennedy - opposed this same humane measure.

Here’s the real problem with Mr Obama: the jarring gap between his promises of change and his status quo performance. There are just too many contradictions between the eloquent poetry of the man’s stirring rhetoric and the dull, familiar prose of his political record.](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/gerard_baker/article4735295.ece)

By Analchord

September 12, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this

Palin 08: Not so much lipstick on a pig, as a pig in a poke.

If Charles Krauthammer is correct when he suggested that Obama Jumped the Shark in Berlin last month, then it’s also true that McCain Bucked the Tiger in Alaska.

Is Palin a wolf in sheep’s clothing?

During her interview on ABC last night, Palin claimed that she can bring home the bacon, AND fry it up in a pan…..

I only know that you cant make a silk parse out of a sow’s earmark, my friends.

By What about Barak Hussein Obama?

September 12, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Once again we are treated to a columnist’s opinion. The press is doing a darn good job of trying to run this country. And once again I ask, is your job to REPORT the news or to make it?

Telling us that McCain’s first major decision was a bust? That he blew it? Who are you to make up our minds for us?

Has anyone checked out early interviews that Obama did? You know, the many ones where he could barely remember the name of our country? He has been coached and drilled and told exactly what to say and how to say it. He has spent his entire career not doing anything productive, but being coached on how to run for office.

Sarah Palin’s career may be short, but at least she has spent it actually CREATING change in her government. Actually BEING a voice of her state’s people. Actually doing something besides interviews and learning how to run for office.

You want a true “empty suit” Dan Quayle type? Take a real hard look at Obama. He is the one that makes Dan Quayle look like Henry Kissinger.

By Charles Williams

September 12, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

Yes, Obama and Biden voted for the bridge, thank God for factcheck.org. With the internet the media and Obama can not get away with this crap.

Jay and the liberals are biased towards the Democrats regardless of Palin’s answers. Gibson asked questions of Palin that were loaded like yes or no. When Obama was asked he skirted the questions also and got away with it because he is black. The race card crap has to end……..the media is biased towards Obama, why do they want this man president?

Obama has never ack his relationship with William Ayers and we never found out about Rev Wright until talk radio keep asking and the media finally reported on this and this was and isolated incident. This is crap, Obama went to this church 20 years, had know radicals like Saul Alinsky with his socialist doctrine(Marxis doctrine?.

There is something troubling with someone that associates themselves with a man like Ayers that was

Pardon by Bill Clinton. Leader of the 1960s and 70s domestic terrorist group Weatherman that said “Kill all the rich people. … Bring the revolution home. Kill your parents.” Participated in the bombings of New York City Police Headquarters in 1970, of the Capitol building in 1971, and the Pentagon in 1972 Currently a professor of education at the University of Illinois.

Obama’s political career started in William Ayers home.

These facts can be easily verifed by doing your research and Obama can’t refute them just say they were taken out of context or throw the race card.

An that’s nothing like his partial birth or born alive radical ideology.

By Shawny

September 12, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

I know censorship is a liberal pet peeve, with free speech being a basic need. So, why is this being censored?

Man, those Clintons have power, don’t they?

By gb

September 12, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

You may be right that she doesn’t know everything about everything but the scary part is….she is more ready and prepared then GoBama. The more you cut her down then the less of a man you make Obama to be. On a side note, I’m glad Obama doesn’t get into the trash talk that Jay does. Obama seems to be a pretty good guy, just not as qualified as Palin or more importantly McCain.

By marko

September 12, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

Gee Paul, nice concise bit of rambling there. I bet a bright articulate fellow like yourself can spell potato. would’nt surprise me a bit if you could spell pompous a*. Roosevelt and Truman managed to beat both the Germans and the Japanese in less than five years. When the boys came home, a greatful nation provided them with decent heathcare and the GI bill. Seven years and counting, does anybody know when our boys are coming home? Does anyone know how many billions congress will borrow to pay for it? Looks to me like we could use a few guys decked out in froo froo british duds. I bet a couple of guys like truman and Roosevelt would have our troops home by now with more to show for their service than a pat on the back. They’d get get the job done even if it met having to actually pay for it.

By Brent

September 12, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Jay, I don’t even know why I read your dumb posts. I guess I just like to see just how crazy the people of Atlanta and you are.

You keep talking about Palin being a heartbeat away from being president. What planet do you come from? Have you forgotten that Obama has even less experience and he wants to be the President? Just tell all these good people that you don’t care how bad Obama is you just don’t want a republican in the white house.

By Gwenola

September 12, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

This chick is a Bimbo. She knows nothing and neither does McCain. Since she sees Russia, can she see London and France also.

She is not ready.

By No How No Way No McCain

September 12, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

After Palin said “They’re our next-door neighbors. And you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska,” I thought Gibson was going to turn to the camera, smile, and shout “Live From NY! It’s Saturday Night!”

By Analchord

September 12, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Palin 08: Not so much lipstick on a pig, as a pig in a poke.

If Charles Krauthammer is correct when he suggested that Obama Jumped the Shark in Berlin last month, then it’s also true that McCain Bucked the Tiger in Alaska.

Is Palin a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Last night on ABC News, Palin claimed that not only can she bring home the bacon, but she can also fry it up in a pan.

She also noted that her house in Alaska in not made of straw, sticks, or brick, but rather ice, and that the Russian Bear can huff and puff all it wants, and it dont make no never mind to her. When told that the correct animal in the Fairy Tale was the wolf, she said, “I know, but I shot all the wolves around here. They’re not endangered or nothing are they?”

I only know that you cant make a silk parse out of a sow’s earmark, my friends.

‘muff said

By Goldie

September 12, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Any American who has been paying any attention at all for the past 7 years KNOWS what the Bush Doctrine is… looks like Failin Palin once again shows that she’s not one of those Americans. She was not even aware of what the VP’s job entailed one month ago! Geez lady, get thyself to a high school civics class…

By WillM

September 12, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

What’s the matter Management, a little slow on the draw today?

By Reality

September 12, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

…And Obama without a telepromter would do SO MUCH better….yeah right!! If it’s not on a bumper sticker or cartoon Obama is stuck.