Should Americans patronize businesses owned by foreign Muslim companies practicing Sharia?

By Truth

August 29, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Sarah Palin

Brilliant!!!

Didn’t Obama give some kind of speech last night? I can’t find much about it today.

By Smoove B. McCrusty

August 29, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

Hey baby…. Barry White music plays low in the background. come here often? Shhh….don’t tell me. I can see from the look on your pretty face you’re hurting. Did somebody treat you wrong, baby? You can talk to me. I respect women… See? I picked one as my running mate. No, she don’t have the same qualifications as your girl who didn’t get it. She’s a good girl… Fertile and dedicated to bearing fruit. Mmmmm..mmmmm…mmmmmm.. Feminine women are the ones that count. It’s not just what’s between your legs that matters, baby. That pretty face and your sweet submission mean so much too. Now dry your tears, baby, slide on over here, and give your vote to ol’ McCrusty….. kissy noises uhhhuhhhhhuhhhhhhhh…

By Truth

August 29, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Smoove B. McCrusty

Oh, God, I hope you represent the approach the dems are planning on using. A slick, big city lawyer and a dirty old white man making fun of a woman for bearing children. I think you are on to something.

I think the Democrats are probably a little smarter than you. But the problem is: what are they going to attack her on that won’t further make Obama / Biden look like couple of drinking buddies, Heading for the Pink Pony? I have already heard her called a token. Imagine that. LOL!

I think it would be fantastic for the first woman president to be a Republican.

By Gale

August 29, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

Well, the delay in opening comments has given us something interesting to talk about. Palin? Great if I am a conservative right-wing pro-lifer. Write in ballet for me.

By Truth

August 29, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Gale

Write in ballet for me.

That works.

I think this is brilliant. I am watching CNN and I haven’t heard a word about last night’s speech. Is it possible that the Republicans will get the surge after the DNC? Carl Rove was a light-weight. Whoever is guiding McCain’s campaign keeps hitting home runs. 18,000,000 cracks in the glass ceiling, but the women of America aren’t through, yet. Pow!!!!

By Okay.....

August 29, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Is Shaunti telling us we shouldn’t patronize the George W. Bush administration? The ones who designed and enabled the current system by which so much of our money and money borrowed in our names goes straight into the pockets of wealthy elite and royalty in Muslim countries with deplorable human rights practices and no respect for the Christian OR the American way of life? Thanks for the tip!

By Gale

August 29, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Yep, the 18 million comment is good. It is just her positions that suck.

By Mara

August 29, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

I guess “experience” isn’t as important to John McCain as he pretends it is. Nor is integrity. The woman is under investigation for misusing her power of office, for heavens sake! Is this actually where the GOP want to take the conversation?

And I have to wonder…do they have so little understanding of Hillary’s supporters that they honestly, truly believe that her popularity was based on her genitalia? That her supporters will simply shift their support to the next most viable v’gina? Really?!

Frankly, I think that for all her admirable attributes (and she does have some…), her nomination shows us how superficial McCain’s electoral rhetoric really is.

By Archie

August 29, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

First of all Mrs Palin is a pretty woman. She was runner-up for Miss Alaska. For those that don’t like that get mad until you get glad. I mention it because with McCain picking her he gets a “babe” that appeals to right-wing men and he gets a woman who hopefully, can pull in those angry,white female-Clinton voters. I just heard one of my conservative coworkers refer to Ms Palin as a babe. I’m not saying anything is wrong with my coworker but it was an interesting choice of word. She is definitely pro-life as she has brought 5 children into the world but she shares McCain’s values so I don’t see why women would support her other than some type of weird protest vote against Obama. I straight out believe Obama picked Biden because Biden is a white man with foreign policy experience. I really do believe that Biden’s gender,race, and least of all his experience played a role in Obama’s pick. Obviously a lot of whites and blacks have moved beyond race and gender but it’s also obvious that a lot of people have not.

As for the topic Americans should patronize any business they want to and Americans should not patronize any business they do not want to. I do think it’s thinly veiled racism as far as Shanti’s commentary. I mean ya just gotta hate those Muslims. Shanti could have asked should people patronize Maurice’s barbecue here in Columbia because the racist statements he’s made and of course that huge Confederate flag he flies in front of all his restaurants except for the one on a certain side of town. Does Maurice have our national interests at heart? Most people don’t think about politics when they patronize a business unless certain things are brought to their attention. “You can form opinions without having to get the facts” is a good quote to use on people like Shanti.

By USinUK

August 29, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Sarah Palin

Brilliant!!!

baaaaaaahahahahaha … that’s what I was saying, too …

a woman who has been in office less than 2 years and before that was a mayor of a town of less than 8K

yeah, Big Bad John, you just keep bringing up experience, I think we’ll happily play that game

By USinUK

August 29, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Andrea -

WTG on your best rebuttal to date!!!

Brava!!!

By Archie

August 29, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Hello, Mara, I liked your post but there are some people that will do just what you suggested in your second paragraph and you have already seen that on this blog.

By USinUK

August 29, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Archie -

I really do believe that Biden�s gender,race, and least of all his experience played a role in Obama�s pick.

the most spot-on thing I’ve read compares Biden to getting socks for Christmas - it’s something you know you need even if it isn’t particularly exciting.

By Truth

August 29, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Mara

I guess �experience� isn�t as important to John McCain as he pretends it is.

I think serving as a Vice President will be the very best experience. A lot better than two good old boys Senators.

Nor is integrity. The woman is under investigation for misusing her power of office, for heavens sake! Is this actually where the GOP want to take the conversation?

Someone in her office made a call to try and get her brother-in-law fired. Somebody get a rope!!

And I have to wonder�do they have so little understanding of Hillary�s supporters that they honestly, truly believe that her popularity was based on her genitalia? That her supporters will simply shift their support to the next most viable v�gina? Really?!

So you are the appointed spokesperson for all 18,000,000 Hillary supporters. Are you positive that you are speaking for all of them?

Frankly, I think that for all her admirable attributes (and she does have some�), her nomination shows us how superficial McCain�s electoral rhetoric really is.

Wow, Bold statement. A woman that has accomplished what she has accomplished and her appointment is superficial? You guys would lay down your lives for a woman that undoubtedly got where she got because she was married to a good old boy Southern Democrat. If Hillary Clinton had not ridden in on Bill’s coat tail, she would be practicing law in Little Rock. She won her Senate seat against a Republican that replaced Rudy in the last two months of the campaign in one of the most liberal districts in the country and she still barely beat him.

Superficial? She has made more important decisions in a day as a governor than Obama and Biden has made in a year.

These aren’t going to work. I am watching CNN and the commentators are taking the same stance as you and the conservatives are eating them alive.

By USinUK

August 29, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Truth -

and since you seemed to miss the reviews of last night’s speech, here are a few for you:

MSNBC Pat Buchanan � �It was a genuinely outstanding speech. It was magnificent. It is the finest � and I saw Cuomo�s speech, I saw Kennedy in �80, I even saw Douglas MacArthur, I saw Martin Luther King � this is the greatest convention speech, and probably the most important because unlike Cuomo and the others this is an acceptance speech. This came out of the heart of America and he went right at the heart of America��

FOX Bill Kristol � �Barack Obama faced very high expectations tonight and honestly I think he met them and I honestly think he exceeded them�He eloquently explained America�s promise. He explained why the Bush Cheney administration had fallen short of that�I thought it was an awfully impressive performance.�

CNN David Gergen � �In many ways it was less a speech than a symphony�It was a masterpiece�

MSNBC Tom Brokaw � �It was a wonderfully crafted political speech and the Republicans I�m sure were looking in and wondering what they�re going to be able to do next week to match it�

CNN Paul Begala � �He went fearlessly at John McCain�s greatest strength, national security. He went proudly into the social issue terrain that Democrats are usually so afraid of. He went boldly attacking the status quo of George Bush, Dick Cheney and John McCain, and then he went very comfortably in your living room�This is my ninth convention, it was as very nearly a perfect convention speech as I can imagine��

MSNBC Chris Matthews � �I thought it was amazing � I�ve written speeches all my life, of course nothing like this�It was a great way of throwing back the other side�s best shot and saying it�s full of crap�

and from the New Republic, Two More Pointlets on Obama [Jay Nordlinger]

There were several strong speeches at this convention � Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Kerry, Biden, and Gore. All quite strong. The Dem party has some speakers. I wasn�t sure that Obama could best them, or equal them. But he bested them all � with flying colors. Not just because he was the nominee, and the Main Event. But because he did.

If I were a Democrat, I�d be delirious with joy. Never will they have such a candidate, and never will they have such a favorable year. And yet � they might lose. I certainly hope so.

By Gandalf, the Grey

August 29, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Baby hair with a woman’s eyes I can feel you’re watching in the night All alone with me and we’re waiting for the sunlight When I feel cold, you warm me And when I feel I can’t go on, you come and hold me It’s you… And me forever Sara Smile Won’t you smile a while for me Sara If you feel like leaving you know you can go But why don’t you stay until tomorrow? If you want to be free, you know, all you got to do is say so And when you feel cold, I’ll warm you And when you feel you can’t go on, I’ll come and hold you It’s you… And me forever Sara Smile Won’t you smile a while for me

By Gandalf, the Grey

August 29, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Govenor Palin is a GILF!

By Truth

August 29, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

USinUK

Nope. That’s not going to do it either. She will get more experience in a month as Vice president than a senator gets in a lifetime. If McCain lives to be 72, she will have an enormous amount of experience.

I think Gale has the only attack you can stage. She is very pro-life.

By HeeHee

August 29, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

see what happens when you stick your head in the sand? miss out on all of what people are saying about last night’s great speech.

but go ahead, stick your ugly head back down in there. be iggnant. we can understand why your ex did not want two of you running around.

By USinUK

August 29, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

A woman that has accomplished what she has accomplished and her appointment is superficial?

umm … accomplished?

basketball … beauty queen … mayor of a podunk down … and being elected governor. if simply being elected is an accomplishment, then that’s keeping the bar rather low.

most people look at what’s actually done once you get there.

oh, yeah - and she had 5 kids. well, I guess that’s an accomplishment (being serious) - but does it qualify one to be one chicken bone away from the presidency? ah. no.

and, lest we forget - John McCain has had cancer and he’s 72.

By Archie

August 29, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

the most spot-on thing I�ve read compares Biden to getting socks for Christmas - it�s something you know you need even if it isn�t particularly exciting. Yes, it’s true UsinUk. Also I didn’t get to hear Obama’s speech last night but thanks for the information USinUk. I did think former President Bill Clinton gave a hell of a speech. What genuine conservatives do doesn’t bother me but I am concerned about democrats who can’t get beyond their prejudice. Anyway good posts UsinUk.

By Gandalf, the Grey

August 29, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

EXPAT: She’s HOTT! Who cares about experience! :-)

By USinUK

August 29, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Truth -

She will get more experience in a month as Vice president than a senator gets in a lifetime. If McCain lives to be 72, she will have an enormous amount of experience.

stop - my sides - you’re killing me …

first of all, McCain IS 72.

secondly, she’ll GET more experience in a month. precisely. she ain’t got none.

she has no experience working with Congress (when she’s going to have to serve as President of the Senate). she has no international experience. nothing. nada.

but, if we need to know how to deal with the police, I hear she’s excellent at that.

By Gale

August 29, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Truth, If Hillary had not married Bill, she probably would never have move to Arkansas. Look harder at her early career after law school.

As for the Hillary supporters shifting, I was reading comments on the BBC new site before WTW opened up and there wer plenty of comments like Mara’s. I would like to see the GOP grooming new blood for the presidency. There are some strong women govs out there. But as many people said about Hillary, Not that woman.

By USinUK

August 29, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

archie -

Also I didn�t get to hear Obama�s speech last night but thanks for the information USinUk.

am youtubing his speech right now .. B-RILL-IANT!

can’t wait to cast my vote!!!

By Mara

August 29, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

Truth - A lot better than two good old boys Senators

LOL! Obama and Biden are “good ol’ boys”?! hee, hee, hee… how droll!

Someone in her office made a call to try and get her brother-in-law fired. Somebody get a rope!!

Over-react much? Oh, I forot…of course you do. Face it, the issue of accountability is going to come up and we’ve already watched as the underling admits to wrongdoing so as to protect the capo. Goodling did the bidding of Rove, this “someone” in her office may have been her Monica Goodling.

So you are the appointed spokesperson for all 18,000,000 Hillary supporters.

no, I never said I was their “spokesperson”, but I DO think that I know better than you how a feminist thinks, how a woman thinks, and how a democrat thinks. I have a great deal of respect for her supporters and I believe that their support was based on more than “well, she’s female”.

A woman that has accomplished what she has accomplished and her appointment is superficial?

Jeez. Can’t you F-ING read? I wrote “her nomination shows us how superficial McCain�s electoral rhetoric really is” I *said * McCains rhetoric was superficial, not that Governor Palin was superficial. His RHETORIC on the necessity of “experience” is not upheld by his choosing someone WITH that particular attribute. His WORDS are superficial and not an indication of what he truly values.

Once again you misrepresent and flat out lie about what was said.

Hi Archie. Hope all y’all have a great weekend.

By Truth

August 29, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

USinUK

Oh, Obama talks reeeeeal purty. There’s no doubt about that. A lot of people have been great orators, some good, most horrible despots, but that’s another topic for another day.

Here’s what is befuddling the democrats right now. Everything you say may be a bit biased, but it is true. Even though, becoming a governor is no small feat. But anything that can be said about this woman that has been used to keep any woman from getting any job, such as What has she has accomplished? is going to be a disaster for the Democrats. They have painted themselves into a corner.

Anything that you can say about her experience could easily be negated by pointing at Hillary’s experience. Governors are very busy, nothing like being a Senator that may show up to work a month or two during an entire year.

I love this. I have been to all the liberal sites and they are stunned. No one was ready for this. The articles are talking about this brother-in-law “scandal, but if that is all they can find, you will only have her pro-life stance to attack. I guess you better be sure about that 80% figure you were throwing around. .

I think the Obama camp is in complete meltdown mode right now.

By USinUK

August 29, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

GtG -

EXPAT: She�s HOTT! Who cares about experience! :-)

I think the expression is RMILF (running mate … )

heehee

By Truth

August 29, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Gale

I’ll give you all the women that go to the BBC site. I’ll give you all the women that come here Those women are not the undecided middle. You are going to vote for a democrat, period. So is Mara. The candidates don’t care about you and Mara. They know who you are going to vote for. They also know who I am going to vote for.

You can’t tell me that this isn’t going to sway a lot of women that believe that the democrats put two good old boys in the running and treated the woman just like so many women are treated in their own lives and jobs. They dismissed Hillary. YOU are willing to throw away your votes to keep from voting for a Republican, but I would bet that most women aren’t quite as dedicated as you, especially considering how women were treated by the DNC and the mainstream media.

By Truth

August 29, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Mara

LOL! Obama and Biden are �good ol� boys�?! hee, hee, hee� how droll!

A slick lawyer and a Washington insider. I believe that is the definition of two good old boys.

Over-react much? Oh, I forot�of course you do. Face it, the issue of accountability is going to come up and we�ve already watched as the underling admits to wrongdoing so as to protect the capo. Goodling did the bidding of Rove, this �someone� in her office may have been her Monica Goodling.

Over trying to get a brother-in-law fired from the highway patrol? This is the big scandal that is going to ruin her chances? LOL!!! I hope this is the best you have. I wonder how the state troopers that were all around Bill Clinton would … wait. They can’t do anything. They are all dead.

no, I never said I was their �spokesperson�, but I DO think that I know better than you how a feminist thinks, how a woman thinks, and how a democrat thinks. I have a great deal of respect for her supporters and I believe that their support was based on more than �well, she�s female�.

You can have all the feminists. We’ll take the Moms.

Jeez. Can�t you F-ING read? I wrote �her nomination shows us how superficial McCain�s electoral rhetoric really is� I *said * McCains rhetoric was superficial, not that Governor Palin was superficial. His RHETORIC on the necessity of �experience� is not upheld by his choosing someone WITH that particular attribute. His WORDS are superficial and not an indication of what he truly values.

What experience has Obama got that she wouldn’t have in the first few weeks of a job as Vice President?

By Gale

August 29, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Truth, from the comments on various sites, you are right about some women supporters of Hillary. They will switch to McCain because of Palin. At least they say that now. (And at least they claim to be Hillary supporters.) Many more will see it for what it is, pandering to the far right and Hillary supporters. I don’t think the majority of that 18 million voters are that dumb. Palin is 180 degrees opposite from Hillary.

It makes me wonder about some of the other woman govs that had been suggested. (I cannot remember names just now.) Were they not conservative enough? They sure have more experience.

By Bruce

August 29, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

This is great, I have finally seen the liberals on this blog with nothing to say. You guys sound so scared right now. I’m loving it.

Where are all those women that complain so much about women not getting a chance? Well here’s your chance to prove to the whole world what women can do. Instead of saying alright now we have something we can work with you sit there saying “Oh not that woman.”

There are even comments about her having a child at her age and it being born with DS. Man, any woman that can handle a husband, 5 kids (one with DS) and a governorship and run for VP of the USA must be one STRONG woman. I say we give her a FAIR shot…

I’m loving it.

By Truth

August 29, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

Gale

Politics is pandering, Gale. Every candidate and every stance is pandering to somebody. Yeah, she was placed there to attract women that believe that the DNC turned their back on them. But she is a strong candidate. One of my best friends is very angry about it and called her a token woman. The Republican is a token but the Democrat is the history changing pioneer, Don’t you think just a few women are going to take offense at these kinds of attacks?

The democrats are panicking. I have been watching CNN and the leaders of the party look like they have just had the crap beaten out of them. The strategy of this move is earth shaking.

Personally, I think that nothing would do the country more good than to have a Pelosi Congress and an Obama White House for two years, before the next Congressional election. The last time Washington was ruled with unbridled liberalism, a 40 year Democratic domination of Congress was completely flipped. I say feed them liberalism until they puke.

But you have to admit, the drama is great!!

By USinUK

August 31, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

This is great, I have finally seen the liberals on this blog with nothing to say. You guys sound so scared right now. I�m loving it.

oooooooooooo … a governor for less than 2 years and the former mayor of a torn of less than 7K … oooooooooooooo … we’re quakin

oooooooooooo … a woman who knows less about foreign affairs than my MIL’s border collie ……….. oooooooooo … we’re shakin

ooooooooooooooo … a woman who used to have a 90% approval rating … until she took office, then it took a precipitous drop once people started hearing about abuses of her role as governor …… oooooooooooooo … we’re afwaid …

oooooooooooooo … a woman who is nothing but bait for the religions right (and who loves to hunt wolves - wow, how noble, how “life affirming”) … ooooooooooooooo … we’re scared …

afraid??? in your dreams, bub, in your sad, pathetic dreams.

bring it.

By USinUK

August 31, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

okay … since we evidently can no longer post links, remove the spaces from the following URL and get an alaskan’s perspective on Palin:

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

By JokesOn

August 31, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

USinUK,

You have to admit that given the shallowness that makes up the Repubs in general, she is a great choice. They can now say “hey, we voted for a woman,” while ignoring she wants to reverse woman’s rights by, say 40 or so years.

Not unlike taking drugs, they now can get warm-fuzzies without actually doing anything or deserving them.

Have a great weekend.

By USinUK

August 31, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

one more thing (really, because it’s too good NOT to share) … here is what Karl Rove thinks about governors with little experience:

“I think [Obama’s] going to make an intensely political choice, not a governing choice,” Rove said. “He’s going to view this through the prism of a candidate, not through the prism of president; that is to say, he’s going to pick somebody that he thinks will on the margin help him in a state like Indiana or Missouri or Virginia. He’s not going to be thinking big and broad about the responsibilities of president.”

Rove singled out Virginia governor Tim Kaine, also a Face The Nation guest, as an example of such a pick.

“With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he’s been a governor for three years, he’s been able but undistinguished,” Rove said. “I don’t think people could really name a big, important thing that he’s done. He was mayor of the 105th largest city in America.”

yep. we Dems are afwaid. soooooo afwaid. hold us.

baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahaha

By USinUK

August 31, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Good Sunday to ya, Jokes!!

You have to admit that given the shallowness that makes up the Repubs in general, she is a great choice. They can now say �hey, we voted for a woman,� while ignoring she wants to reverse woman�s rights by, say 40 or so years.

I know!! it’s akin to saying “that’s okay - if Hillary Clinton isn’t on the ticket, I’ll just vote for Phyllis Schlafly”

By John "I respect women" McCain

August 31, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

So I said to my wife in front of everybody, “At least I don’t plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you c—-!”

By Truth

September 1, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

USinUK

“bring it” indeed.

I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time as i laughed when watching the Sunday morning political shows. Tom Brokow was almost as angry as you, girl. And as the show progressed, he got madder and madder, that is untill John Kerry came on and started saying that Palin was another Dick Cheney. Yes, that’s right, the lying coward that was video taped climbing out of a lobbiest corporate jet last week had no more sense than to come on Meet The Press and start calling a woman candidate names. Damn right!!! Bring it!!! More angry white men!!! That’s right. More Tom Brokows and John Kerries. Then on ABC, the angry white man was the anchor for ABC midnight news show. All angry liberal men (boys). Even Andrea Mitchell was taking up for Palin.

A very interesting thing happened on all of the shows. First, the women reporters couldn’t say enough about Palin. It was driving Brokow mad. Then the issues that you keep bringing up were brought up.

No leadership experiance: She led the largest US state that has much more energy resources than any other state. While Obama was a “community activist” (assistant paster in most churches), Palin was the mayor of a small town. While Obama was elected to the Senate, he never stood up against anyone. A total spineless wimp. She fought corruption in her own party against some of the most powerful Republicans in the country. So the Republican Vice Presidential candidate has more spine than the Democratic Presidential candidate.

When this came up, i thought Brokow was going to pass out: Palin is governor of the only state in the union whose border states aren’t states at all, they are foreign countries and one of those foriegn countries is RUSSIA!!! I thought old Tom was going to die. LOL!!!

Bring it, indeed. Every time the democrats bring up her experiences, Obama’s lack of any kind of experience doing anything becomes the center point. Not once did any democrat win that argument. I just wonder how long the democrats will get burned before they run from that argument. It will always fly on Salon.com, but to the non-sheep thinking people, Obama will always lose the experience argument. The conclusion was always that McCain had the most experiance and Obama has the least. Yes let”s talk about that every day until the election.

Hell yes, bring it. Palin doesn’t have a Rev. Wright in her background. Palin doesn’t have a Rezco in her background. Palin has REAL executive leadership experience.

She is everything the Republicans needed. Now if we can just get more angry liberal white men to call her names. I think it is pretty much in the bag.

Have a good, pis^ed off week, USinUK. Your empty box just got checkmated.

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Truth -

please learn the difference between angry and amused.

www. dictionary. com

By RF

September 1, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

Good Morning All, I did some research on the Palin issue last night, trying to find factual information without bias�.okay, so I had to ferret out the facts�the media is what it is. Here�s what I have so far…

Fact: Sarah Palin�s younger sister was married to a state trooper and went through a nasty divorce and custody battle.

Fact: Sarah Palin�s husband did visit with Monegan, the Public Safety Commissioner for Alaska to present a dossier on the trooper outlining numerous ethical violations that, if evidence proves true, would place him in clear violation of his sworn duties. Accusations include firing a taser at his own son, threatening the governor�s father, driving intoxicated off duty, and alcohol abuse on the job. No official investigation of the trooper by the PSC commissioner or his office has been reported that I can find.

Fact: members of Palin�s administrative staff contacted the PSC commissioner numerous times about the matter, one phone call being recorded and released by Palin�s staff. The former commissioner also reports having copies of e-mails from Palin regarding the matter. He alleges pressure to fire the trooper, but evidence of such allegations has not been published as of yet.

Fact: Moneghan, the commissioner, was suddenly fired on July 11. The comment from Palin is that Monegan “wasn’t doing enough to fill state trooper vacancies and battle alcohol abuse issues,” according to the Daily News. She has the authority as governor to fire him. His accusation and the subsequent investigation is focused on whether or not Palin abused her power to fire him over his refusal to fire the trooper.

Now the question is, why would McCain choose her as his running mate considering such a potential problem? Simple—if this works out in Palin�s favor, she�s going to look like a champion for the abused and those fighting �the system� to do what�s right. I don�t think McCain would have chosen her without some degree of certainty about the outcome of the investigation. How he knows the outcome is what I wonder. That said, I think this will end up being a way for McCain to reach out to women with a running mate who is young, confident, and good looking who has big enough cahunas to make Hillary�s Sisterhood of The Traveling Pantsuits look like a quilting bee. She is, at least so far, a nice compliment for McCain�s known quick temper. Finding a woman with the same temperament may be a blessing for McCain and make him look a lot less volatile. Her looks also offer something to appeal to male voters. Are we that shallow? Rhetorical question, of course.

I have to say I would have rather seen Romney on the ticket just to see how he would play against Obama/Biden. That would have been the easy choice and would not have added any luster or steam to a campaign that is working hard to keep the polls close at this point. This choice obviously adds controversy, but isn�t that exactly what the media loves? This gets McCain lots of free airtime and adds an energy level missing up to this point from his campaign. It will be interesting to see what this does to poll numbers. It doesn�t sway me any, but I will be watching with great interest to see how Hillary�s disgruntled supporters respond. It will either work big or be a big bust. I have to give it to McCain though for being so edgy and risky with such a close race right now in the polls. I don’t like the man at all, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the calculated risk he’s taking and we’ll see how it pans out.

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

From the National Review Online (the Corner) … (Truth, this is the paper founded by Buckley, in case you aren’t aware):

Cold Water on Palin [Ramesh Ponnuru]

Both the pros and the cons are pretty obvious. I�m going to focus on the cons, mostly because conservatives right now seem to be paying them less attention.

The pros: She�s a pro-life conservative reformer from outside Washington, and a woman. The pick signals a boldness and willingness to mix things up that the McCain campaign, like Republicans generally, need.

The cons:

Inexperience. Palin has been governor for about two minutes. Thanks to McCain�s decision, Palin could be commander-in-chief next year. That may strike people as a reckless choice; it strikes me that way. And McCain’s age raised the stakes on this issue.

As a political matter, it undercuts the case against Obama. Conservatives are pointing out that it is tricky for the Obama campaign to raise the issue of her inexperience given his own, and note that the presidency matters more than the vice-presidency. But that gets things backward. To the extent the experience, qualifications, and national-security arguments are taken off the table, Obama wins.

And it�s not just foreign policy. Palin has no experience dealing with national domestic issues, either. (On the other hand, as Kate O�Beirne just told me, we know that Palin will be ready for that 3 a.m. phone call: She�ll already be up with her baby.)

Tokenism. Can anyone say with a straight face that Palin would have gotten picked if she were a man?

Compatibility. It doesn�t seem as though McCain knows Palin well. Do we have much reason to think they would work well together?

Debates. Maybe, as Jonah said the other day, Biden will look like a bully going up against her�and maybe she�ll shine. But I can think of a lot of other picks who would have been lower-risk.

I am not even sure that the pick will have quite the galvanizing effect on conservatives that it seems to be having now as it sinks in. The concerns I�ve mentioned here�about her readiness and her credentials�are the kind of thing that many conservative voters take seriously.

Palin Pick [Shannen Coffin]

I was travelling on business yesterday, so had some time to reflect on the pick before posting my reaction. My immediate reaction to the announcement was relief. Given the options that McCain was considering, at least he chose someone who is apparently conservative both socially and fiscally. It seemed like a decent political play to undecideds, while at the same time shoring up the base, something that McCain always has to be concerned about. But as the day wore on, it didn’t hold up. Palin seems a perfectly charming, All-American success story. There is very little not to like in her story. But the notion of plucking a governor with less than two years of experience that would count for anything (unless your a fan of movies like Dave) to serve as Vice President to a 72-year old President is troubling, to say the least. The pick comes with enormous risk, both as a matter of politics, and more importantly, governance. As a political matter, the Obama camp must be breathing a sigh of relief that it can now run ads that say, “Is SHE ready to lead?” It effectively blunts any criticism that Obama is not ready for prime time, which was only the most effective line of attack that Steve Schmidt had developed for McCain. After all, her career in the “city council” and as mayor of a town few outside of Alaska have ever heard of doesn’t exactly prepare her to preside over National Security Council meetings in the President’s absence, to serve as a close adviser to the President on counterterrorism issues, or to have the nuke “football” at her side 24/7. And I say this as a guy who 1) grew up in a similar sized town in Louisiana that no one outside of Webster Parish has ever heard of, and 2) spent the 2005-07 as Counsel to the sitting Vice President � so I have some perspective on both from whence she came and what the job can involve. That lack of experience is a political liability for the very reason that it is a real liability.

The choice also says a lot about McCain. First, that he is a bit desparate. McCain likely thought it would be difficult to make a splash with a conventional Republican sidekick. Changing the subject from Thursday’s Obama-thon would be difficult with Mit Romney or Kay Bailey Hutchinson (who would have been an awful choice anyway) by his side. The choice of Palin certainly gives us all something new to talk about. And she is fresh, smart (as far as I can tell from a brief time studying her), enthusiastic and energetic. But it is a bit of a political Hail Mary pass. Second, that he is one arrogant SOB. McCain is essentially telling the world that he doesn’t really need a Vice President. It is hard to imagine Palin playing the same sort of role that modern Vice Presidents like Gore, Bush, Cheney, or Mondale played. Rather, the Office would seem poised to return to the “proverbial warm bucket of p*” category. McCain has thus made a purely political play without regard for the governance concerns. And how could he really have a good idea of how she would govern? My understanding is that he only met with her once before choosing her.

so, dearest, even your own people think she’s inexperienced. d-oh.

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

oooooooooooo � a governor for less than 2 years and the former mayor of a torn of less than 7K � oooooooooooooo � we�re quakin

Obama does have that “community organizer” experience. Now in most communities, that is left to assistant pastors and bored housewives, but I guess that is better than having to balance the budget of a small town, manage it’s resources and keep it going. After all, Obama must have attended ten or fifteen meetings in his many years of work.

oooooooooooo � a woman who knows less about foreign affairs than my MIL�s border collie ��.. oooooooooo � we�re shakin

I wouldn’t say that. She fishes in international waters that we share with RUSSIA. She governs over a state that borders two foreign countries. So she has been face to face with international leaders on a regular basis.

Now. that is her experience. What is Obama’s experience in foreign affairs? (His brother living as a pauper in a dirt hovel doesn’t count.)

ooooooooooooooo � a woman who used to have a 90% approval rating � until she took office, then it took a precipitous drop once people started hearing about abuses of her role as governor �� oooooooooooooo � we�re afwaid �

Something is missing in that paragraph. What could it be? Could it be that you didn’t want to post her current approval ratings? Less than 90%? How about 80%? Is that good enough?

*oooooooooooooo � a woman who is nothing but bait for the religions right (and who loves to hunt wolves - wow, how noble, how �life affirming�) � ooooooooooooooo � we�re scared *

Yea. I like this. Attack her for saving her child’s life and having children. Attack her a lot for that. Tell your friends to be as angry as possible when they are slobbering and spitting about how wrong it was that she has children that she loves and cares for. Go after that, full blast. Attack her for being a Mom. I think you are really onto a winning tactic, there. LOL!!

Then attack her for being a hunter. Aren’t you going to say anything about the fact that she married an injun? Their children are half-breeds!!!! Damn injun hunters. They should all be put into reservations and leave our caribou alone!!!! I’m going to go and weep a while.

I l;ove where you head is at. This is going to be a fun election.

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

RF -

you forgot the kicker:

Monaghan’s replacement was Chuck Kopp - who held the post for only 2 weeks because of past complaints of sexual harassment and a letter of reprimand. For that 2 weeks, he received $10K in severance. What did Monaghan get? niente.

oh, and, yeah - Palin said she knew about the sexual harassment.

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

RF

We aren’t going to get the Gales, Maras and USinUKs. What we are going to get are a lot of people that respect her stances against corruption and her knowledge of the energy situation. Remember what the polls are saying about drilling. I can’t wait until Joe Biden starts to debate her on energy and drilling. He will die the death of a thousands cuts. She is smart and she does something that Obama can’t do, she thinks fast on her feet.

If this Highway Trooper is all there is, it is nothing. Clinton’s troopers are all dead, now. She tries to get them fired. With Clinton, they stab themselves in the back 15 times and throw themselves off a bridge.

I think the best part of this is that there is not a “man” on the democratic ticket that could stand toe to toe with her in a bar fight.

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

TOJ / Truth -

in no particular order …

Attack her for saving her child�s life and having children

saving her child’s life? what ARE you talking about?

Tell your friends to be as angry as possible when they are slobbering and spitting about how wrong it was that she has children that she loves and cares for. Go after that, full blast. Attack her for being a Mom. I think you are really onto a winning tactic, there. LOL!!

um. honey. Thorazine should help you with those voices in your head. no one has attacked Palin for having children.

Then attack her for being a hunter

well, if you want to call shooting bears and wolves from a helicopter “hunting” …

and, yes, I’ll attack anyone who advocates killing wolves (or bears) for sport all day long.

Aren�t you going to say anything about the fact that she married an injun? Their children are half-breeds!!!! Damn injun hunters. They should all be put into reservations and leave our caribou alone!!!! I�m going to go and weep a while.

maybe you need more than thorazine … serious hospitalization should be considered. I hope you at least have a good therapist.

She fishes in international waters that we share with RUSSIA

wow, so next time my brother-in-law goes fishing off the Keys, I can say he’s an export in foreign policy with Cuba? good to know.

So she has been face to face with international leaders on a regular basis.

really? and who would those leaders be? Canada?? because our relationship with Canada is frought - frought, I tell you - whew, what a challenge she has with them. and international fishing/shipping is NOT settled by the closest governor … I hate to disappoint you.

How about 80%? Is that good enough?

to quote the old day-time game show: “LOWER (no whammies!)”

By RF

September 1, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Well the “lack of experience” argument is off the table now. Conservatives can’t use it without throwing light on Palin’s lack of national level experience. She makes Obama’s short term in the US Senate look better. Palin has been a mayor and a governor. With no experience in Washington, she makes Obama look better in the long run. She will be president of the Senate, the very body that Obama is from and will likely return to if he loses the bid for the White House. How will she possibly learn the job quickly enough? She’ll be a pretty, smiling mouthpiece for McCain and do exactly what he says. She won’t be able, at least for a year, to do anything else. I think in the long run, what is planned as a campaign energizer and swing-vote appeal won’t work out quite as planned. Many will likely vote for Obama/Biden once they think about the responsibilities of the VP. She’s slick, she’s intelligent, and by all accounts progressive and unafraid. I’m interested to talk to my conservative friends today to see how they feel about her. It’s sizzling news right now, but I doubt the staying power of the optimism of it over the long haul.

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

USinUK

Amused. Right. Tom Brokow looked real amused.

I telling you what I saw on two extremely liberal political talk shows. Even liberals were defending her experience against Obama’s Every time her lack of experience is brought up, so is Obama’s and she isn’t running against Obama, McCain is.

You can make up all the conspiracy theories you want about McCain not thinking he needs a Vice. It’s nonsense and unless you are as far left leaning as you, most people would agree with me. And that’s the key. You are not going to vote for McCain if you found that Obama had a slave trade with Iran. No one is trying to get your vote. They know who you will vote for. Same with me.

But to the millions of undecided voters? When they get in that booth, who are they going to support? When you consider that, I think McCain just won the election.

By RF

September 1, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

TOJ- She’s a firebrand all right and quick with the words. I really, really want to see a VP debate. I think she would definitely hold her own, but I don’t think she’d last the full fourteen rounds. Time will tell, but I wonder if she’s ready for the league she’s stepping into in Washington. No matter how much “change” either side promises, she’ll have to quickly adapt to the good ‘ol boy network and build alliances or they’ll feed her to the wolves she’s been hunting. I’d feel better about her if she had at least one full term under her belt. She’s a scrapper, but she’s a new scrapper and that may be a liability for a while.

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

RF -

She�s slick, she�s intelligent, and by all accounts progressive and unafraid.

you had me until you said she’s progressive.

oh, honey.

she’s a creationist. she’s anti-environment. she’s anti-choice. she’s anti-equal pay.

progressive, she is not. There’s a reason I compared her to Phyllis Schlafley and it wasn’t the up-do.

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

USinUk

Funny thing. In that whole tirade, you didn’t list one speck of experience on the part of your PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. Why is that? As much hell as you are raising, it looks like you would be offering an alternative. So what is that alternative? Hope? Change?

LOL!! You are experiencing what Tom Brokow experienced. You have no defense. Obama hasn’t done sh*t. I say let’s talk about this a lot.

BTW, Your brother in law doesn’t need to secure fishing rights and understand quotas when he goes sport fishing. And the EPA HUNTS BEARS AND WOLVES FROM HELICOPTERS. It’s called culling. This is what I am looking forward to. Tell the governor of Alaska that she shouldn’t support the EPA. Set in your London office and explain to the governor of Alaska all you know about conservation and energy. I’m sure if you get angry enough, you will win the argument. LOL!!

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

Amused. Right. Tom Brokow looked real amused.

can’t comment on TB - we don’t get the Sunday bobblehead action here (thank you god) … can only speak for myself. and, yes, amused fits the bill perfectly.

You can make up all the conspiracy theories you want about McCain not thinking he needs a Vice.

um … ??? man, someone is on a ROLL today with the wacked out ideas. I don’t know what you’ve been doing over your long weekend, but make sure you detox for a few days before you operate heavy machinery.

But to the millions of undecided voters? When they get in that booth, who are they going to support?

I have a feeling that, once people start to learn about Palin’s extremist views, there will be fewer going to your side of the aisle than you currently think.

but thanks for playing.

By RF

September 1, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

USinUK- she’s being portrayed as progressive to an extent. I find it amusing that they’re presenting her as a ‘pit bull’, so to speak, when she is ultimately soooo very conservative. It’s a bit of a paradox to say the least for her to be a woman with majpr political aspirations in a party that is still, by all accounts, a men’s club. The way I see it, once the dust settles, the real conservative opinion of women in leadership will begin to show through the progressive polish they’re putting on her right now. I’m interested to hear her views on women’s issues as the election grows near. Will she defend women or toe the party line with McCain? This could become a very contentious pairing if McCain leans toward the right and she has to choose between supporting him or standing for a cause that affects women.

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

RF

How ready did you think Hillary was when she ran for the Senate, representing the state of New York, considering that she had the “experience” of pretending to be married to Bill Clinton?

Sexism is sexism even against Republicans. Can’t handle the good old boy network? And this is the woman that castrated the Alaska Republican Party?

NONE of this works. I think the Republicans want the experience issue on the table. She has more real governing experience than Obama. Her state borders Russia. In every debate I have seen, one thing stops the attacks immediately. That is the simple question: What experience does Obama have? HE HAS LESS!!!

He has never stood against anything in his entire life. She has fought her way to get where she is. Woman like that, and so do men. I think you are completely wrong about this taking the experience issue off the table. I think it puts it on the table in a way that will destroy Obama. It opens up a real, honest discussion that Democrats have been running from.

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

USinUK

I have a feeling that, once people start to learn about Palin�s extremist views, there will be fewer going to your side of the aisle than you currently think.

Extremest views? What views? Having children? Being a real conservationist? Standing up to corruption?

Most people do not consider Pro-Life extremist, even if they disagree.

I hope the country has learned it’s lesson about letting the dems control Congress, but if they haven’t, let’s put Obama in the White House. He will never stand up to Pelosi, so let’s destroy our economy. Let’s give Soros his money’s worth. I’m very liquid. I have taken the proper precautions about knowing that the democrats are coming after my savings. I’ll be fine. Let’s feed the country liberalism until they puke.

I hated to see Palin, because I believe she will win the election against a very poor candidate in Obama.

By RF

September 1, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

TOJ- her state borders Russia, and that means what? I will believe that’s important when I hear about her meeting with Russian leaders to negotiate something of importance. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think ice-covered straits up there have been a hotbed of political wrangling of late. Two years as governor of a remote state may not be the power play that you think. Like I said, she’s edgy and outspoken, but what has really changed in two years in Alaska? I’d love to see the experience debated. It’s not going to look any better, and certainly no worse, than Obama’s. At best, it’s a dead-even comparison that wouldn’t benefit the GOP and would open up a debate that might not play in their favor. I really don’t see how this helps improve the strength of the one real argument the GOP had about Obama’s experience. McCain had him hands-down on that. Why bring in a ringer who opens up a potentially sidetracking debate of that?

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

RF

Will she defend women or toe the party line with McCain?

This one statement says more about how little liberals really understand. You consider women’s issues as a woman having the right to kill her child. Pro lifers consider a woman’s right to protect her child as a woman’s issue. Most women just might think that a woman who is raising five children will understand their REAL issues. You don’t even come close to getting it.

She will never appeal to hard left feminists. Hard left feminists would not vote for a Republican if the democratic candidate was Pol Pot.

The women getting up, getting their families out the door every morning. The women balancing the family budget that can’t take public transportation and doesn’t want to give up her safe SUV that couldn’t care less about the carrtibou.

Those are the women that were up for grabs.

By RF

September 1, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

I hated to see Palin, because I believe she will win the election against a very poor candidate in Obama

Ahhhh, but see, here’s the thing. She’s not running against Obama, and will have to take a supportive role for her running mate here pretty soon. Do you think McCain’s really going to let her run loose in this campaign? It won’t help him in the election to do that because he is still the presidential candidate. If she takes any leading role, he comes off looking weak. The trouble is going to be how to show the solidity of his team when a lot of focus is going to be on her. That may very well be a calculated risk on his part to deflect some attention from his age and general health. But it could backfire very quickly if he doesn’t keep it in check and play up his experience and leadership ability. She’s an attractive running mate with intelligence and popular appeal. If she overshadows him, he can’t win. Right now, that’s exactly what seems to be happening. This will require some careful spin action to keep the fight from being exactly what you said- Obama vs. Palin.

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

RF

It’s not a side tracker debate. Look at this morning’s results on this blog. With just a few simple responses, you are wanting to see specific Russian leaders that she has met with. I’ve yet to hear a single thing Obama has ever done that would give him any experience. You want to say that their experience is a dead heat, but he has done nothing and she has governed a very large state that has international borders.

One more time. What has Obama done that would give him the same day to day executive experience as any governor. little on the governor of the State of Alaska? Name ANYTHING. He has done nothing. A lawyer, a community organizer, a US Senator. Over wnom has he had any sort of executive power? What decisions has he made? What great powers has he stood up against? Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

This is an argument that democrats can’t win. That is why the Republicans wanted it to remain on the table.

By RF

September 1, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

You consider women�s issues as a woman having the right to kill her child

Pffffft, where in this world did you get that one?? Talk about gross oversimplication. Typical conservative interpretation to think it’s all about abortion rights. That’s one reason why, as a MODERATE, I have been leaning further left in this election cycle. You say one thing about women and it’s suddenly all about murdering babies. Is that the only women’s issue you know?

By RF

September 1, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

This is an argument that democrats can�t win. That is why the Republicans wanted it to remain on the table

HELLLOOOO, that’s my point. The republicans don’t have to WIN it, they already had it in the bag!! Why bring in someone who can fuel debate at this point? McCain’s only strong attack so far has been Obama’s experience. With Palin, the GOP has offered a counterpoint that they just didn’t need, even if it’s only The VP candidate. They didn’t need this when there is clearly the notion that McCain might not be able to govern for his entire term. In the end, the debate may sidetrack attention from more important issues the GOP needs to focus on in this election.

You want to say that their experience is a dead heat, but he has done nothing and she has governed a very large state that has international borders

As I said, Obama’s not running AGAINST HER!! So far, it seems the conservatives keep wanting to bring that angle in. We point out her lack of experience going into the VP job, and you guys bring in the Obama comparison. I’m not comparing the two when I point out her lack of experience. I see no need to use that to try to make Obama look better. It’s apples and oranges, dude. I point out her lack of experience as it concerns me how she will be able to execute her job as VP or potentially as President. Now, as I said, her state having international borders doesn’t mean she has foreign policy experience. I’ll be interested to see what work she has done on the international level, if such has occurred. What will likely be found is that any negotiations with the Russians are done at the federal level with relatively little involvement of the Alaskan governor, except in a peripheral role at best. I could care less how that compares to Obama, okay????? She’s the VICE-PRESIDENTIAL candidate.

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

RF

OK. I noticed you didn’t list any woman’s issues. I’m here. Educate me. Tell me about all the woman’s issues that Barrack Obama and Joe Biden are going to champion against a Republican woman. Tell me about how when they raised their children, they were able to work … no wait, their wives did that.

Yea, and as we all know, ALL women get to stay at home at let their little Senator Hubbies pay the bills. Yea. Those “women’s issues” are going to the democratic good old boys. I’m sure when Barrack and Joe go a clubin’ they are talking about women’s issues.

And you think women are mad because a woman is taking on woman’s issues. Wait until Joe Biden starts telling her all about women’s issues.

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

Pro lifers consider a woman�s right to protect her child as a woman�s issue. Most women just might think that a woman who is raising five children will understand their REAL issues. You don�t even come close to getting it.

no one says that a woman doesn’t have the right to protect her own child. you’re listening to those voices, again.

Most people do not consider Pro-Life extremist, even if they disagree.

you forget - less than 25% of the US believes in overturning RvW. The VAST majority of Americans believe that there should be a right to choose, in one form or another (roughly 80%).

So, yes, anyone who believes otherwise is, by definition, an extremist.

How ready did you think Hillary was when she ran for the Senate, representing the state of New York, considering that she had the �experience� of pretending to be married to Bill Clinton?

being a Senator - one of 100+1 - is not even in the same league as being a chicken bone away from the Presidency.

for a party who has been preaching the importance of foreign relations, who has been talking about how critical our national defense is for the last 8 years, I am amused that they want to put someone a heartbeat away from the Oval Office who has, on her most trying day, had to deal with the zoning issues in Wasilla.

And this is the woman that castrated the Alaska Republican Party?

um? castrated? she IS a republican. the reason she beat Murkowski was because his job approval rating was 23%. she gave Alaskans an out to vote him out of office without voting for a Dem.

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

RF Ou still haven’t listed a single thing Obama has done to give him any kind of experience. It is not apples and oranges. We are talking about all four people having the experience to lead this country. It is exactly the same thing.

Just a few posts ago, you were ready to go after Palin’s experience. When I compare her experience to Obama’s your only defense is to say it is apples and oranges. This is what happens every time a political pundit on TV brings up Palin’s experience. Meet the Press was a blood bath. Brokow was livid. They thought they had the talking points, but it was immediately shot down. It was so bad that Kerry started saying that she was another Dick Cheney. Another good old boy democrat attacking the woman. Life is good.

Like i siad, the only question is how long will the democrats continue to take this tack when all it does is compare a very good governor against a do-nothing senate record. Think about every woman in America looking at the two resemes. Some women may think Obama slick and good looking enough to hire him, but on personal accomplishments? No way.

I have a long drive ahead of me. You have to admit that this really shakes some things up. Have fun this week.

You too, UsinnerU.

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ -

Tell me about how when they raised their children, they were able to work � no wait, their wives did that.

you mean like how Biden lost his first wife and had 2 sons who were critically injured? sure, we’ll talk about that.

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Truth / TOJ

Safe travels to VA (and good luck with the shoot)

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

USinUK

I saw a Gallup Poll last Friday that said 45% support pro-choice, 43% support pro-life. GALLUP. I have asked and asked where you got that 80%.

But do keep believing that anyone who is pro-life is an extremist. There is nothing that does my heart good is knowing how out of touch the democratic party really is.

80% of the country claims to be Christian, not pro-abortion.

And oddly enough, still nothing from either one of you two about what Obama has done to give him any executive experience. Hmmmm. And all this came about because of a discussion about Sarah Palin. Hmmmmm. .

By RF

September 1, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

I noticed you didn�t list any woman�s issues. I�m here. Educate me

Come on, you are smarter than that, right? You’ve been reading and watching the news, right?

Well, since the only issue you posted was abortion, try this:

Women, according to every intelligent source I’ve seen, read, or heard are concerned about essentially the same issues as men, with higher percentages actually concerned about terrorism and the situation in Iraq according to surveys. Women are concerned about health care, the economy, and the still obvious fact that women are still not fully accepted in corporate leadership positions. While that has improved, there is still a significant gap in the number of men and women in leadership roles, both corporately and politically. There is still a gap in income between men and women. Women voters, clearly seen by both parties as deciding forces in the current election cycle, are being regarded carefully. The GOP does not, at this point, have a great track record with women. The choice of Palin as the VP candidate is clearly an attempt to address the historically male-leaning stance of the party as a whole. Will it work? It may attract some of the middle-class undecided women voters, but will that be enough to shift the balance of votes in McCain’s favor? We’ll see.

Now the question is, will Palin’s more traditional conservative views play well with women in general? I’m not convinced it will beyond the soccer moms, who represent a sizable voting bloc, but hardly the entire group. I think McCain was obviously very worried about his image with married, career-oriented women. It wasn’t exactly great considering his past. Choosing Palin is clearly an attempt to appeal to women who were less than certain about his understanding of women’s voting power in this election. It might work for him, it might not. Watch the poll numbers coming up and let’s see. It could be a briliant play but it’s too early to tell. I don’t honestly think it will boost him as much as he hopes.

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

UsinnerU

Have a good week. I’ll tell the ghosts that you said hello.

BTW. This morning I have been on my large rendering engine. I hadn’t used it since I called myself TOJ and didn’t notice the name change. I couldn’t figure out why you were calling me TOJ. .

By The Other Jack

September 1, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

RF

I’m unfortunately bailing. I have to drive to Virginia. We’ll continue this next week, If you want. But one thought. You keep saying that the Republicans have had a bad record with women. Our Secretary of State is a woman. Palin was certainly not the only Republican woman out there. I heard that same comment made on CNN, just before the Republican pundit started listing very important Republican women. And considering who the Democratic attack dogs are, (John Kerry, Joe Biden) the Republicans could not be in a better position. Kerry looked like a Jack-as* on Meet The Press.

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Truth -

80% of the country claims to be Christian, not pro-abortion.

the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Nearly every Christian I know is pro-choice.

As for Gallup - they let people self-define whether they align themselves with pro-choice/anti-choice. Someone can believe in the right to an abortion in cases of rape, incest and life/health of the mother and still call themselves “pro-life” - when, in fact, they still want abortion to remain legal.

as for where the number comes from - I gave you a link a few weeks ago (CBS, I believe - one of the networks). it broke down the issue into “abortion without restrictions/abortion with some restrictions/overturn RvW” - only 20-some-odd wanted abortion completely prohibited.

By RF

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

TOJ- While all four are at question here, I don’t see the comparison of a VP candidate to a Presidential one. I’m not quoting Obama’s experience because we’ve hashed that one out way too many times already. That is, so far, the only consistent argument against him. I like his views, I like his plans, I like how he’s handling the issues thus far. As I said earlier, at best it’s even-stevens with Palin, if the comparison MUST be made. I don’t see her two years of governing the ice state as being any better than three years of senate experience. Bozo the clown could have won in Alaska with the approval rating the then governor had. She’s got moxy, but I don’t see how that makes her any better in Washington.

Now, let’s see how the conservatives spin her “international borders” thing. What, she had to sit in on a few meetings where feds argued fishing rights off the coast? WOW, now that’s international policy experience. I think Obama may know just a wee bit more after his trip to the ME and Europe. He actually talked to the leaders themselves. Not even McCain can claim that, much less Palin. Biden at this point more experience with foreign policy than all three of the rest put together.

By RF

September 1, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Good luck on the drive. Looks to be a rather windy one over the next few days. I had to drive through Fay last weekend into SE Georgia. That was one soggy ride. I’m sure this debate will continue ad infinitum until November. Like I said, it’s an interesting one that will definitely keep this election on the front burner. Score one for McCain for adding a new level of fervor at least.

By RF

September 1, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

UsinUk- why is it that the “abortion debate” always seems to focus on being for or against Roe vs. Wade? It’s not that simple in this millenium. I don’t know why it’s so hard for people to understand that being pro-choice doesn’t mean you support unmitigated baby slaughter. I don’t like abortion at all, but I don’t see taking away the right to choose a medically safe one as the way to reduce the number of abortions. It’s not about a law for or against, it’s about options and alternatives that offer real-life, feasible ways to deal with the situation. I’m tired of teaching children who come from homes where they are unloved and unwanted. That’s definitely not a good alternative. Overturning Roe vs. Wade will only add to the number of poorly raised children who are more likely to end up in prison for repeat offenses or violent crimes. But you can’t ‘splain that to those with hands over their ears shouting about murdering babies, can you?

By USinUK

September 1, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

RF -

UsinUk- why is it that the �abortion debate� always seems to focus on being for or against Roe vs. Wade? It�s not that simple in this millenium. I don�t know why it�s so hard for people to understand that being pro-choice doesn�t mean you support unmitigated baby slaughter. I don�t like abortion at all, but I don�t see taking away the right to choose a medically safe one as the way to reduce the number of abortions. It�s not about a law for or against, it�s about options and alternatives that offer real-life, feasible ways to deal with the situation.

honey, you’re preaching to the choir. I’m tired of trying to explain to the “intentionally dense” that being pro-choice doesn’t mean that I’m dragging pregnant wimmen to clinics and forcing them to undergo abortion. I’m tired of trying to explain that MORE access to effective birth control translates into FEWER abortions. I’m sick unto death of trying to explain that comprehensive and accurate sex education will mean that FEWER of our teenage girls will get pregnant or catch diseases.

I’d love to see abortion be completely unnecessary because everyone has access to safe and effective birth control. However, as long as young women are raped - as long as women’s health is endangered by risky pregnancies - as long as there ineffective birth control on the shelves - as long as birth control is restricted, there MUST be a back-up.

But you can�t �splain that to those with hands over their ears shouting about murdering babies, can you?

sadly. no. but you’re not alone - there are loads of us out here just like you!

By RF

September 1, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

So, who’s heard the latest about Palin? Now she’s revealing that her 17 year old daughter is five months pregnant. She’s marrying the father, of course. While this does offer a realistic, high-profile portrayal of a staunch conservative facing real life, I have to wonder how this will really play with the far right. I just keep wondering what McCain’s strategy really is in choosing her. It’s looking to be more of a desperate move than I originally thought.

By chuck

September 1, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

RF

Well the �lack of experience� argument is off the table now. Conservatives can�t use it without throwing light on Palin�s lack of national level experience. She makes Obama�s short term in the US Senate look better. Palin has been a mayor and a governor. With no experience in Washington, she makes Obama look better in the long run. She will be president of the Senate, the very body that Obama is from and will likely return to if he loses the bid for the White House. How will she possibly learn the job quickly enough?