Alaska Governor Palin is McCain's pick
By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff
DAYTON, Ohio -- Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, a dark horse candidate with little national prominence, is Republican John McCain's choice as his running mate.
"I have found the right partner," McCain told a flag-waving, cheering crowd inside the Nutter Center at Wright State University, making what he called a "historic announcement."
He said he had spent the last few months looking for a running mate who could best help him "shake up Washington to make it work again."
"I had many good people to choose from, all of them dedicated to this country," he said. "I could only choose one."
McCain described Palin as "someone with an outstanding reputation of standing up aginst special interests," "great tenacity and skill tacking tough problems especially our dependence on foregn oil," with "a fighting spirit and deep compassion," who "grew up in a decent and hardworking middle class family."
"She's not from these parts and she's not from Washington," McCain added. "You're going to be as impressed as I am."
"I am honored to be chosen as your running mate," Palin said. "I'Il be honored to serve next to the next president of the United States."
She introduced her husband Todd on their 20th wedding anniversary, and four of their children, including the new baby boy. The fifth enlisted in the US Army last Sept. 11 and is to be deployed to Iraq, she said.
"USA, USA," the crowd chanted, as Palin pumped her fist.
"Some of life's greatest opportunities come unexpectedly," said Palin, describing herself as "just your average hockey mom in Alaska."
She told the crowd of her career in public office, starting as a mayor, then a state ethics commission, and now governor.
"As governor I've stood up to the old politics as usual," she said, citing her record in office, including passing ethics reform and returning oil revenues to Alaska taxpayers.
"It's safer in politics to avoid risk," she said about her career, though she could have easily been talking about her own selection. "A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not why a ship is built."
Palin then launched into a tribute to McCain and his record. "To serve as vice president under such a man would be a privilege of a lifetime," she said.
Palin mentioned the 88th anniversary of women's suffrage this week, then honored Ferraro and Hillary Clinton, who she said "showed such determination and grace in her presidential campaign."
She directly appealed for the support of female voters, though unlike many of them, she opposes abortion rights. Palin said it was right for Democrats to pay tribute to the 18 million votes Clinton received -- 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling, as Clinton said.
"It turns out the women of America aren't finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all," Palin said.
UPDATE: Clinton issued this statement: “We should all be proud of Governor Sarah Palin's historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Senator McCain. While their policies would take America in the wrong direction, Governor Palin will add an important new voice to the debate.”
Palin, a 44-year-old mother of five, including a 4-month-old with Down's syndrome, was elected governor in 2006 as a political reformer. She is the second woman on a major party presidential ticket, after Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984.
Popular with GOP conservatives, Palin's intensity is legendary, earning her the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" as a high school basketball player.
McCain passed over contenders with more experience and who have been far more active in campaigning for him so far, including former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut.
Romney issued a statement through his political action committee: “Governor Palin's story is one that all Americans will find inspiring. She's a Washington outsider with a commitment to the conservative principles that will make our nation stronger. I look forward to campaigning for Senator McCain, Governor Palin and Republicans all across the country.”
Palin is an unorthodox selection, but could help McCain reach out to women, especially disaffected Democrats who supported Hillary Clinton. But she could be vulnerable to Democratic criticism that she is not ready to be president, a particular concern when McCain turns 72 today and would be the oldest person elected to a first term as president.
Another potential problem for Palin is that there is an investigation underway in Alaska about whether she abused her power by firing the state's public safety commissioner. The inquiry is focusing on whether Palin retaliated against the official because he refused to fire a state trooper who went through a contentious divorce with Palin's sister.
The McCain campaign issued a statement: "Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president. She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her Administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington.
"Governor Palin has challenged the influence of the big oil companies while fighting for the development of new energy resources. She leads a state that matters to every one of us -- Alaska has significant energy resources and she has been a leader in the fight to make America energy independent.
"In Alaska, Governor Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. She has actually used her veto and cut budgetary spending. She put a stop to the "bridge to nowhere" that would have cost taxpayers $400 million.
"As the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops.
"Governor Palin has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of. Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today. "
Barack Obama's campaign was predictably unimpressed. "Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same," spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement.
Jill Hazelbaker, McCain's communications director, responded to the Obama campaign's criticism: “It is pretty audacious for the Obama campaign to say that Governor Palin is not qualified to be Vice President. She has a record of accomplishment that Senator Obama simply cannot match. Governor Palin has spent her time in office shaking up government in Alaska and actually achieving results -- whether it’s taking on corruption, passing ethics reform or stopping wasteful spending and the ‘bridge to nowhere.’ Senator Obama has spent his time in office running for President.”
But later, Obama and Biden issued a nicer statement: "We send our congratulations to Governor Sarah Palin and her family on her designation as the republican nominee for Vice President. It is yet another encouraging sign that old barriers are falling in our politics. While we obviously have differences over how best to lead this country forward Governor Palin is an admirable person and will add a compelling new voice to this campaign.”
Dana Perino told reporters at the White House that President Bush "is energized and excited by this choice."
Bush said it was a "very strong" pick, wished her good luck, and was looking forward to victory in November, Perino said.
Abortion rights groups are already criticizing Palin. Ellen Malcolm, president of EMILY's list, a political action committee that supports abortion rights, said in a statement: “How ironic that, on his 72nd birthday, McCain has raised the question of whether his running mate is prepared to be Commander in Chief and lead the country. Governor Palin and John McCain are a good match because they both want to overturn Roe V. Wade, they both want to continue the failed economic policies of the Bush administration and they both offer more of the same that has led this country down the wrong path. McCain clearly sees the power of women voters in this election but has just as clearly failed to support any of the issues that they care about. His choice for vice president only reinforces that failure.”
Romney's former spokesman, Kevin Madden, said that Palin is an "unconventional pick."
“John McCain is trying to make a play for the independent voters; he’s showing his maverick streak," Madden said on Fox News Channel. "He’s also showing that at his core he is a reformer....The McCain campaign [is] going to make a very strong concerted push to attract women voters.”
"It's a breath of fresh air," Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas said on CNN of the Palin selection. "We'll all learn a lot about her. I'm sure she'll be a fabulous campaigner."
Hutchison said that Palin is "clearly smart," and while she might not have the foreign policy experience of Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden, would "appeal to regular folks."
"They want to shake things up," Hutchison said of the pick. "They want to challenge the Obama campaign's 'change' mantra."
In June, CNN asked Palin about speculation about her as a veep possibility. "It seems so out of the realm of possibility. I feel like I don’t even have to answer your question. At some point in my life, I would like to have an opportunity if it’s handed to me to serve on a national level," she said then. "But I don’t think it’s going to happen on this go around.”
She did say, however, that McCain should pick a governor. "I do think there needs to be a governor on the ticket. A governor on the front line, administering bureaucracy and setting good policy for the people for whom they are serving. They know how to run government
Jill Hazelbaker said: "He's going to choose someone who brings character and principle to the table ..."
Ah, so that implies that it's nobody who's been mentioned for the slot so far.
sounds like these two rats just fled the sinking ship s.s. mccain.
after obama's speech last night, it is probably the smart move.
John McCain is seriously trying to tell people that Barack Obama doesn't have the experience necessary to be President - but Sarah Palin does?
It's a done deal! McCain has picked Sarah Palin for VP. You heard it here first
Disaster of a pick. 44 year old with less experience than OMessiah. If something happens to McCain, we're going to entrust our nation's security with a "hockey mom." Give me a break! I'd trust Joe Hairplugs over Palin, and I can't stomach the guy.
Romney was the pick (strong on economy, true leader, ready to assume the presidency), but McCain got scared off by the left's class warfare/houses meme.
It's a sad day in america when being successful in the private sector is a negative. We're becoming more and more like a socialist state.
Well that would throw away the whole notion of experience being a necessary pre-req for the Presidency.
What hypocrisy, if this turns out to be true. McCain rips on Obama for being too inexperienced... but Palin has been governor of Alaska (Population of less than 700,000) for two years, and before that was a city councilor and mayor of Wasilla, Alaska (where?), a city of fewer than 9000 people. The last thing McCain needs is someone who no one has heard of. The enthusiasm gap will widen between Obama and himself considerably.
I hope McCain selects Governor OPailin, the Governor of Alaska We need an oil state VP that can help ram home the fact we need to drill in Alsaka. Obama's plan to rid our dependency on Arab oil in ten years is nice, but he didn't mention how he was going to do it. Obama offered very little in his speech other than government programs to solve the problems we face. His plan to tax the top 5% of income earners is going to hit a lot of small business people. What Obama doesn't get is most of us work for small business firms. Couple that with a full scale populist attack on Wal-Mart, that is now bigger than GM, big oil and big Pharma, and we have the basis of a real economic slow down. Wait until oil prices become a burden on the poor this winter. Obama's response is another government subsidy. It would be better to free up our energy resources to lower prices, but as I said, Obama doesn't get it.
That SOB McCain. He just lost his last chance of my possibly voting for him by NOT choosing Mitt Romney as his running mate. This proves to me that these politicians don't listen to the people and cast them aside once they get in office. These power hungry, self-centered politicians have no regard for the people who vote them in and entrust them to represent the true Americans. So much for integrity and honor of this old soldier. He just fell off his horse, and I hope he gets trampled.
SHE WILL BE A GREAT PICK FOR THE McBUSH TICKET. CAN WAIT TO SEE HER DEBATE.
Sarah Palin makes a lot of sense for the Republican ticket and will be a strong addition to the race (not in any particular order):
- rising star in the Republican party
- held govt executive office (AK gov.)
- social and fiscal conservative
- NRA member (early morning moose hunter - how about that for all those "gun clutching" PA voters?!)
- anti-abortion (her 5th child has Downs syndrome whom she refused to abort - "I'm looking at him right now and I see perfection. Yeah, he has an extra chroomosome. I keep thinking, in our world, what is perfect and what is not?")
- eldest son in the military and is going to Iraq (not that this is a requirement for public office but does lend some credibility as to how this candidate has a personal stake in the issue)
- maverick-type who ran for governor on the anti-corrupt govt stance
- shelved pork-barrel projects (killed the Democrats' "Bridge to Nowhere" project)
- strong energy policy background (independent from big oil companies and signed the AGIA act)
- has a compelling “story” to match Obama’s. She's a much better basketball player than Obama too!
- challenges the status quo in her own party (backing opponents to Repub Congressman Don Young and challenging Sen. Ted Stevens to come clean about the investigation into his financial dealings)
- another reason for Hillary backers to switch over (as long as they can stomach the anti-abortion stance)
- will hold her own against Biden in a debate (she really doesn’t have to say much and just let Joe B. ramble on & on & on & on)
- even though AK is not exactly a electoral vote rich state, it is similar to many of the midwest “swing states”
- just the kind of “against the grain” pick that McCain is known for (or at least was)
- backed by Fred Barnes and Rush Limbaugh so that holds the conservative base (let's not use this statement as a bashing opportunity - just stating a fact here)
We'll see. Makes for an extra exciting race!
wow!
what about mitt!
Rick Davis: "We need a way to get all those disaffected Hillary women to vote for us."
John McCain: "We should pick a woman as running mate."
Rick Davis: "Hmmm. How about Sarah Palin?"
John McCain: "Is she a woman?"
Rick Davis: "Yes."
John McCain: "Sounds good then, we'll go with her."
I would like to congratulate Obama on winning the presidency.
Nice pick McCain I guess you were not to interested in winning after all!!
I find the following comment to be insulting:
Palin would be an unorthodox selection, and could help McCain reach out to women, especially disaffected Democrats who supported Hillary Clinton. But she could be vulnerable to Democratic criticism that she is not ready to be president, a particular concern when McCain turns 72 today and would be the oldest person elected to a first term as president.
What, the women who voted for Hillary really voted for her because she is a she? And now they'll vote for McCain because he has a woman running on his ticket? Does this mean that women are not smart enough to look at the issues and pick a candidate based on where they stand? Did 17 million people vote for Hillary because they wanted a woman in charge?
awesome choice !
Her Bio is perfect for the conservative onlookers that are still sitting on the fence ..
what a joke. she has ONE YEAR of experience as a governor, and before that was a city councilwoman. nevermind that the state is (politically) tiny. how do you make the argument that the obama/biden ticket is inexperienced now?
i bet romney made the smart move and fled from the mccain sinking ship.
what a desparation move. simply awful.
So much for needing experience. It amazes me that everytime McCain seems to grab an edge he does something extremely stupid. I am not a McCain fan, or a Romney fan for that matter, but I think with Romney he would have had a great chance of winning.
The only thing this pick does is pander to the insane Hillary crowd who is voting solely on plumbing and not issues.
GOD IS GOOD. THIS IS A PERFECT CHOICE FOR JOHN MC CAIN. THIS HAS TO BE A BLESSED, WINNING TICKET. GOD BLESS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, JOHN MC CAIN AND THE NEXT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SARAH PALIN. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.
WITH THE ADDITION OF GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN, THE PRO LIFE PLATFORM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOW PERFECT. GOD BLESS THE UNBORN AND ALL THE BABIES. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.
McCain has lost his mind or he is throwing in the towel
Looks like you are voting Republican this year....
Oh my gosh. she doesn't appeal to this 69 yer old woman. Talk about inexperience!!I Member of the NRA, pro-drilling in the wildlife preserve. We know pulls her chains. Different face, same story!
Well, Cindy IS looking a liiittle old these days...
Two birds, one stone... kind of efficient....
Pandering to women. I hope Palin knows that she is being used by her party if she is truly the pick.
If she is the pick, I will love to see how the republicans spin her experience. No foreign policy background, 2yrs of service, and has never seen the light of day in the National spotlight.
Also, people need to remember if anything should happen to McCain Palin would be President. Talk about not ready to lead.
A curious and not so smart selection.
He just lost the presidency
Ummm... I thought the idea was that Obama was the wrong choice because he had no experience.
Great choice. Someone with the background of two years of governing a population smaller than Austin, TX. She was Miss congeniality though. A tasty pick. She's young enough to nudge McCain when he falls asleep.
What a ridiculous mistake by McCain. His advisors should be fired immediately.
Well, McCain just lost me. To suggest Gov. Palin is qualified to be one heartbeat away from being commander in chief !? Best I suppose I found out about McCain's judgement now than later if I had already casted my vote in November. I'll be writing in my dog's name on the November ballot, and sit tight until 2012 for hopefully another campaign by Mitt.
Wow, I think I have a Veep crush on Sarah Palin. She won't swing my vote, but she has my attention. Purrrrrrrrrr....
I love it. McCain is proving that he lacks the judgement to be commander in chief. Republicans must be stunned. Lack of experience? I never heard of this woman until about an hour ago.
How about her strongly Pro Life stance not even mentioned here???!???!? You think she'll win over Hillary supporters??!?!? NO WAY.
Should have been Mitt Romney
Obama is using the minority card, so this is a great pick.
great pick
Dear Former Clinton Supporters,
Please don't fall for this one. Support the candidate Hilary is now supporting. Vote the way she would vote. DON'T choose gender over policy. DON'T let your enthusiam for a female in the White House misguide your choice. Please, please don't fall for this obvious ploy.
Does this mean that Martha Coakley and her ilk are now going to vote for McCain? After all they only seemed to be concerned with the candidates' reproductive organ configuration.
A very shrewd pick by McCain though. Those who vote based on insipid identity politics are going to be utterly flummoxed about what they should do now...
So great....all this talk about how strong Romney would be for the economics, an area that desperately needs help, they pick some rookie from one of the non-contiguous states. Didn't we just get done complaining about Obama going off the continent? I'm so disappointed in my party. So social conservatives win over the average American conservative. I just don't get it. Reagen picked Bush, who was far superior and accomplished than McCain. Bush picked Cheney who has tremendous experience in government. Now it's some newbie with six kids who will resign at some point to spend more time with her family...just like most of the Bush Administration has done. Christ my party and country are in trouble.
How incredibly strange! McCain and the RNC spins they're whole strategy against Obama as being a celebrity and inexperienced and then they select Palin as McCain's V.P.? This woman has been on the job for a little over the year, is a former beauty queen, has no foreign policy experience, and is under investigation in her home state for ethics violations! Seems like a strictly gimmick pick to me based on being a woman and photogenic. Stick a fork in the McCain campaign as they're thrown in the towel with this pick based on demographics and none on substance at all.
What a fantastic resume: hockey mom, professional whistleblower and TV sports reporter. Sounds ready to lead to me.
girls can't drive or vote. all they can do is clean how do they expect to help a country?
WOO HOO!!!!!
How incredibly strange! McCain and the RNC spins they're whole strategy against Obama as being a celebrity and inexperienced and then they select Palin as McCain's V.P.? This woman has been on the job for a little over the year, is a former beauty queen, has no foreign policy experience, and is under investigation in her home state for ethics violations! Seems like a strictly gimmick pick to me based on being a woman and photogenic. Stick a fork in the McCain campaign as they're thrown in the towel with this pick based on demographics and none on substance at all.
Can you say "Dan Quayle?"
How incredibly strange! McCain and the RNC spins they're whole strategy against Obama as being a celebrity and inexperienced and then they select Palin as McCain's V.P.? This woman has been on the job for a little over the year, is a former beauty queen, has no foreign policy experience, and is under investigation in her home state for ethics violations! Seems like a strictly gimmick pick to me based on being a woman and photogenic. Stick a fork in the McCain campaign as they're thrown in the towel with this pick based on demographics and none on substance at all.
With this selection, the election is now officially over baring any last minute scandals or complete failures in debates. McCain is our next president. Period.
OMG! She's been a governor for 23 months???? Is she ready to take over as POTUS if something happens to the 72 year old McCain?????? I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!! McCain has be slamming Obama for his lack of experience?? Now he goes off and picks someone with absolutely no experience to step in, if necessary. He has got to be out of his mind!
They want to challenge the "change" mantra because McCain knows his platform is more of the same. Choosing a woman doesn't do that! It shows pathetic pandering to a group of voters. Unreal.
And this woman does not have ahve more experience that Obama does...what about that argument? The ONLY argument the Repubs had against him.
This makes no sense to me.
She's a fox!
If McCain thinks that this choice will bring in all the Hillary Clinton supporters, he imagines them to be pretty stupid -- which they are certainly not -- and he betrays the GOP mindset.
Women are not interchangeable, as Republicans seem to think. Ms. Palin is not even close to Hillary Clinton in ability or experience. She's a former beauty queen with less than two years political experience and is currently under investigation for abuse of power.
Are you kidding me.
This just about gives it to Obama
SORRY THIS WILL NOT MY VOTE. IF IT WAS TO BE A WOMAN. HILLARY WAS THE ONE.
What an interesting debacle for a country in serious need of leadership and unity.
Now we may have a 72 year old senior citizen as possible president to worry about, in terms of health and age, and his backup for the most powerful job on earth will now be a virtual unknown with no real experience.
That's versus a half-white and half-black possible president, who, because people only see his skin collar and are ignorant when it comes to truth about religion and his background, may be subject to assassination by some crackpot, bigot or political or religious fanatic. But at least he is backed up by someone
really qualified to be president.
Yes, Barack also is low of experience but certainly been vetted well and more equipped and backed and now with a complimentary partner and clearly has a reliable standin.
The vote now definitely goes to the Barrack-Biden Team.
Amen! Rich
This decision is as hypocritical as it gets. McCain has targeted Obama's supposed lack of experience since day one, making this his lynch-pin argument as to why Obama is not fit for the presidency. And yet now McCain chooses a VP with zero national political experience and less than zero international experience. If McCain believes Palin has enough experience to sit a heartbeat away from the presidency, in essence he is saying that Obama has more than enough. This is a classic Republican which-way-is-the-wind-blowing-today move, and a flip-flop of epic proportions.
Well this should be interesting. Is this McCain's attempt of catapulting out of his antediluvian rut?
Well this should be interesting. Is this McCain's attempt to catapult out of his antediluvian rut?
it's great, fantastic !!! Sen. McCain just took the wind out of the democratic sails and won an election...
Interesting choice, if true. I've heard good things about her over the last couple of years, and it sure would be nice to see access to the massive quantities of natural gas & oil that Alaska has to offer. :-)
John McCain made a great choice. He has strengthened the ticket with a Pro-Lifer, a person with experience in government. He has balanced the ticket with a woman, a younger person. Nice work!
sarah who ?
how perfect ....Mccain found a woman who is actually against a woman having the right to privacy over her own body, ie more government, and a beauty queen that believes only men and women can marry or have the rights over legal decions, medical care, burial rights, and various other important issues couples face during crisis and emergent times when lawyers and government are not needed.
This is not a maverick decision ...it is really sad that McCain is trying to mimic Hillary Clinton. Mrs. Clinton cannot be relaced, she gracefully endorsed and forcefully supports Barck Obama. Her movement will not be fooled by this tactic nor swayed by the insinuation that picking a women means McCain is bringing
change.
WoW! so... I guess the concept of abuse of power by a woman governor is one form of 'inclusion.' Equal opportunity within a realm of political autocrats willing to suspend rule of law through signing statements or through familial revenge, however, does not bode well for our country. For the past 8 years we have seen the Department of Justice unsure of how to define torture, the firing of Attorney's who were politically at odds with the administration, and a wide range of Executive interference that makes the Clinton's travel-gate look inconsequential and amateurish.
This choice is not one by a 'maverick,' but shows only that women can be as corrupt in politics as men. Not my idea of an example of good 'equal opportunity.'
I am truly disturbed at McCain's desparation! And, this is an insult to my gender (female) that he would only pick a running mate because of gender. If Palin had something to offer, I would say "GO PALIN!" But come on -- should something happen to the elder McCain, do we really want this woman as the "first female President of the United States of America?" I THINK NOT!!!
This was not a very good pick. Not good at all. Based upon Obama's DNC promise last night to cut taxes for 95% of working Americans, I am now inclined to vote for him over McCain. This was unthinkable for me less than 24 hours ago. I despise Obama (a socialist) and was not a very big fan of McCain (a liberal Democrat). There is no conservative or Republican candidate even on the ballot. I was hoping to get a person of substance, such as Romney, on the ticket with McCain to overcome my distaste for McCain. Now he has made things much worse. I will definitely not vote for McCain/Palin. I will either not vote at all, or I will actually vote for Obama/Biden. John McCain has just snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with his very lousy VP selection!
Very good choice... Obama and Biden-for-time are going to get smoked!
Sarah Palin is a typical cynical Republican pick. They're thinking...She's a woman and she'll pull in the Hillary vote. It doesn't matter that she's been a Gov for 2 years and before that mayor of a town of 6000. She's from a state so beholden to BIG OIL that they pay no taxes. Big Oil owns them all. What does she know about our jobs going overseas? Or Healthcare? What does she know about Russian agression or terrorists in Afghanistan? She was picked for her face not for her policies.
Obama was stupid not to pick a woman for VP. Hardcore Hillary supporters who feel cheated by the Democratic party will now vote for McCain/Palin
As an Independent voter, John McCain just confirmed my vote for the Democratic ticket with his choice for a vice presidential running mate. Does McCain really think American women are that stupid as to believe that Gov. Palin could possibly run our country should McCain not survive his term in office??? Gov. Palin is no Hillary Clinton!!!
disappointed that Mitt didnt make this ticket, but I think it puts him in a better position in 2012.
does the McCain campaign listen to him?
"With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he's been a governor for three years, he's been able but undistinguished. 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. And again, with all due respect to Richmond, Virginia, it's smaller than Chula Vista, California; Aurora, Colorado; Mesa or Gilbert, Arizona; north Las Vegas or Henderson, Nevada. It's not a big town."
--Karl Rove, August 10, "Face the Nation"
Tim Kaine's service as governor: three years
Sarah Palin's service as governor: twenty months
Population, Richmond, VA: 200,123
Population, Wasilla, AK: 9,780
I think that McCain just did himself in....what do you think?
Wow...If Mccain/Palin wins, all these 20 year old college kids are going to have to go to mexico to get their abortions. Palin is staunchly pro-life and a McCain/Palin white house would have the opportunity to pick a couple of supreme court justices.
PUMA's will realize that an unqualified woman, who is pro-life does not represent Hillary's ideals.
I believe this choice is political pandering.
Hillary is probably peeing her pantsuit right now. Imagine McCain wins and serves only 1 term, then Palin is incumbant. Buh-BYE Hillary for 2112! :-)
Perfect, Mccain found a woman that is against womens rights to privacy ie., more government and a beauty queen that believes in only men and women having the right to marry ! So, in emergent cases such as death, catasrotfic cases such disease and health care decisions, legal , taxes and many other important issues couples face and taccle each day as thay work, pay into the tax base, support one another and strive to achieve the American dream life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, ms. Sara think that lawyers and government once again should get involved where they do not belong... in the personal lives of those in which she does not know. Her business as a public servent is to help and serve,to protect ! I am interested in who benefits from the law when govt. and lawyers have to step into the personal lives of others regarding same sex desions and all that is required when a loved one passes. Does the state keep all of the social security ? The answer is yes. if a women or a man never marries or has a child the work they do throughout their lives, the taxes they pay are kept by the state, unles they marry. This is an unrealistic, unfair practice of government.
Futhermore, for Mccain to think that he can replace Hillary and fool her base and the movement she created is so far out in left field that the Hillary supportes heard her loud and clear, she is behind, beside and 100 % for Obama. No one can take the place of Mrs. Clinton and Bill. Both of them were crystal clear that Barck is not only ready but the only person to lead this country on day one.
I frimly beleive that Mccain has lost a partial and crutial piece of his judgement because he does not remeber half of what he said last, most of what he wants to say and none of what he did before.
Willard Mitt.. our next Attorney General and a future Supreme Court Justice.
There. How's that thought with your lunch?
I am a lifelong Republican, who has actively campained for the party and have never voted Democrat. While not a fan of McCain, I was hopeful, based on the polls over the last week, that Obama (who I do like a lot but do not agree with) would ultimately be defeated. McCain lost the election with his VP pick today. Hopefully, we'll at least be a kinder, gentler (although poorer) nation under President Obama.
Wish Kerry Healy was here, she could have been the pick for vp
I was going to vote for him. I think with his pick for Vice President, he just blew the election
Not a chance old man. Game Over!!!
The only thing I would ask is that people seriously look at her qualification to be President in the near future. Given his age (the oldest elected non-incumbent President ever), there is a good chance that Palin may have to step up to the plate at some point.
McCain just chose a 44 year old Alaskan with a journalism degree from University of Idaho, who took office 21 months ago, as his choice to be 2nd in line as leader of the free world. Before that, she was the Mayor of a town of 5,400!
You know what, that's awesome! I like Obama, and he doesn't have much experience either. However, what I don't want to hear is another peep out of McCain's mouth about Obama's "experience" ... as he stands next to his VP pick who is a heartbeat (pun intended!) away from the Presidency. :)
Ten bucks says that Faux News says she has foreign policy experience because Alaska is next to Russia -- and all the sheeple in those square states eat it up like the body of christ. *sigh*
Now I feel sick to my stomach. He just had to pick Sarah Palin the Governer of Alaska. Sarah Palin is a disgusting person who supports aerial shooting of wolves and bears which is something that the news media is failing to tell the national public. The only reason why aerial shooting of predatory wildlife is allowed in Alaska, is only to artificially boost caribou and moose populations for scumbag trophy hunters and the freaking hunting lobby wants this disgusting and inhumane practice to go on in the lower 48 of the U.S too! If Mccain and Palin win, we will not be able to get the PAW Act signed into law banning aerial shooting of animals from all 50 states, and if Mccain and Palin win this November, its all over for our wildlife aswell as the enviroment becuase like Mccain, Palin also supports widespread oil drilling instead of funding for alternative fuels.
If Mccain and Palin win, I am packing my bags and leaving the country! I am sick and tired of scumbag people like this being elected!
She is a disaster ---prolife, antigay marriage, gave oil drilling rights to a canadian firm and has only 2 years experience as a governor which is not good at all. Hopefully this will help him lose. She does not represent me as a woman at all.
Shae
Just heard Palin speak. Wow! Great choice McCain. You definately get my vote in November.
I like her. What a great counterbalance. Good choice John.
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
What a pathetically transparent ploy...
John McCain made the perfect choice!! And once America learns more about Palin, they will agree. She has an almost 90% approval rating in Alaska!
The self-appointed 'chosen one' is done.
Obama never appointed himself anything, the media and Repubs have done that. But good thing Dan is a free thinker.
90% approval rating in Alaska is friggen hysterical.
I think this move was a weak, pandering, pathetic move once the public REALLY finds out about this woman, the election will be over.
The VP is supposed to be qualified to be president, right? Please tell me how a small-town mayor and short-serving governor of a big state with few people is "qualified" to be president.
This is a reckless choice by McCain. How many reckless, "maverick" decisions will he make if he becomes our president?
For the person who said "A pick with experience in governement". YOu have read her resume right? She was a mayor of a small town and has been Gov of Alaska for 23 months!!! I think there are members on the Planning Board in my town that have more government experience than that!
McCain tried to take all the wind out of the Demos sails after the Dem convention and he just boosted it 100%!
McCain dies in office - now we have a 'hockey' mom running the country.
Prediction: Obama will win all 50 states.
She is the second woman on a major party presidential ticket, after Democrat Geraldine Ferraro in 1984.
I love it how the MSM simply *ignores* women presidential candidates from other parties, instead of reporting them, though I did notice the very nuanced "major party" in there. So much for being torch-bearers of progressive feminism, which seems to be handled by Democrats and Democrats alone! :)
1. 2000 - Winona LaDuke, Green Party Veep candidate
2. 2008 - Cynthia McKinney, Green Party Presidential candidate
Now was that really so hard? A few minutes spent on the internet to get that information. Is there a reason for not doing the research and mentioning other women candidates? Falling journalistic standards, perhaps? ;)
I LOVE it! Finally, I get to see myself reflected back, instead of a bunch of tired old men. I am sorry, but Joe Biden looks like Bob Barker. His ridiculous smile and "Love ya" last night revolted me. I like Obama, he is decent enough and bright. But Iam voting for McCain now. Women, get out the vote. Let's get this no- nonsense woman elected. Palin, you go girl!
The more the Liberal posters scream and whine - it's clear that McCain made a good choice. After all it was just yesterday that the Mass Dems were going on about Mit as a pick would doom McCain.
I wonder what Barny Frank thinks now - LOL
Lets see the media attack her on experience - since they have no issue with Obama spending his time in congress only voting Present (unless it was pro-aborton issue) / and the rest of his minimal senate career running for Pres.
Spare me the one heart-beat away BS - the inexperience ultra liberal Barry could be that hart-beat.
What a terrific choice! And her experience at least matches Obama's. While he was a community activist (what the heck does that mean?), she was the mayor of a small town (well anything is better than a community activist). While he served in the Ilinois legislature without distinction, she cleaned up the government in Alaska as a member of the Ethics commission. And while he accomplished absolutely nothing in the US Senate, she reformed the government of Alaska as a governor. She is the only one with executive experience among the four Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates of the two parties! And her son is about to serve in Iraq. So unlike Obama who only talks the talk, she and her family walk the walk.
McCain just handed the Presidency to Obama on a silver platter. He couldn't have chosen a worse VP candidate - a "hockey mom" with NO experience and a breath away from the presidency. She's rabidly anti-choice, thinks creationism should be taught in our schools, and is under investigation,. tied to the Ted Stevens scandal.
I guess she fits the bill because she is a woman, but if they think any woman who supported Hillary is going to vote for another woman whose stand on everything is 180 degrees from Hillary, then they just don't get it.
Just another example of how out of touch McCain is.
Wow! She is hot!!! ...but I don't think she has the political or national recognition needed to win in Novemeber. If McSenile wanted to win this election then Mitt would've been the ONLY choice for VP. Infact, if the Republican party proper wanted to keep the White House Mitt would've been the candidate. Say hello to (atleast) 4 years of higher taxes, more illegal immigration and a puppet for a president... makes one wonder what this great country has become...
Palin looks like a true American to me. Clearly she will not sit well with your typical globe reader or Mass political hacks. Great choice - McCain/Palin! I'm off to donate to the cause!
Democrats - you come across so bitterly. Is this because you realize that your idealistc dreams will NEVER be accomplished?
Keep dreaming, stay miserable.....
VP - Great pick.... Fresh!
Cheers!
Hey Justin - You're biggest concern is the 'PAW' act and not shooting the cute furry animals from the sky? Seriously?
They're animals. We eat them.
You really think 50 years from now when you're on your deathbed your biggest triumph is going to be that you helped save one of 3 million wolves from being shot?
Good god, who cares.....
News flash for the majority of bostom.com/nytimes.com readers, McCain did not pick Palin because he thought he could get YOUR VOTES. He did it for the undecideds in middle America who are going to decide this race not the 12 electoral votes from Mass. Wake up, the People's Republic of Mass has been conceded.
NH is another story however.........
WOW! I first thought....how great it would be to see a woman in the whitehouse...then I read on.....I was undecided, but now I will definitly vote for Obama.
Hey Justin, if you need help packing to leave the country, let me know, I'll help you out.
Don't forget your underoos.
When I first heard that McCain had picked Sarah Palin as his running mate, I was too shocked to even ask, "who?" It literally occurred to me that he was throwing the election, deliberately paving the way for Obama to win. After doing the research and listening to the experts, however, I was pumping my fist! What a great pick! Palin is smart, principled, and has actually done something other than pursue ambitions for national office. She comes across as a real person and a fresh face, without the arrogance of the Obamas and the shrill, fingernails-on-a-chalkboard, finger-wagging hectoring (not to mention abject corruption) of the Clintons. I'm a fairly independent voter who - mistakenly - voted for Bill Clinton in 1992. But, I can now say that if it's change that this country needs, that change is McCain-Palin. We now don't have to make a bad choice in order to bring change...we have a true choice. The Obama-Biden-Clinton crew and their liberal disciplines will really get bound up over this, but let's hope it's McCain-Palin in November!
News flash for the majority of boston.com/nytimes.com readers, McCain did not pick Palin because he thought he could get YOUR VOTES. He did it for the undecideds in middle America who are going to decide this race not the 12 electoral votes from Mass. Wake up, the People's Republic of Mass has been conceded.
NH is another story however.........
I don't know her, but i think I'm gonna like her.
OH MY GOSH the McCain camp have lost their minds!!! How could all his confidantes be this dumb??? McCain is the oldest man ever to run for the Presidency... he preaches how he loves this country... and if something happens to him.. he is leaving us naked!!!!! This is the craziest choice on the planet. She probably is a great small state governor and hockey Mom..but she is a "hick" How bizarre and actually ..sad ..was this choice. The American public, media, and political analysts are going to have a field day!!! This is like a bad Saturday Night Live!!
Obama and Biden can sit back, relax and watch the show.
Ummm...why is everyone regurgitating the articles that have already been written as though they are somehow contributing something do the discussion? Also, I am a little confused...are the people who are against Governor Palin for being a hunter the same people who are against her for being pro-life? So kill animals bad, kill unborn good?
Great pick. You can't compare this ticket to a duo of Washington insiders and a party that would rather saddle the poor with high oil prices and lack of heat this winter, send billions of oil profits overseas to our sworn enemies, let babies that survive abortion squirm in buckets.
If any middle class person thinks that they are going to escape the impact of the Obama / Biden tax increases, wake up - you are going to get more of the same from the number 1 and number 4 most liberal senators. What you see at the pump is just a start. If the Globe and the other media shills were doing their job,
an unqualified Obama wouldn't have gotten past his first primary. Than too, a $300 million campaign budget can buy a lot of newspaper ads from biased papers that should have gone out of business long ago.
Gentlemen - move over. Many women, and especially this one, know how to get far more done in less time than us men. It's time to turn a real woman loose against a Congress with an 8% approval rating.
The American people want change - McCain is going to give them real positive change. There is still time to save America. Vote McCain / Palin.
what's with the 1960's hairstyle...couldn't the McCain folks do a 21st century makeover... and at least make it look like she's not from the boondocks? Haven't they read the dissertation on the 2 second first impression
Maybe McCain knows he is going to lose... I think he did this purposely.. throwing the game..he'll blame her... albeit this decision in these times is irresponsible.
Less than two years experience as Governor and MCCain has had four rounds with cancer. He's a heart beat away from dead. No Way is she ready to have her finger on the red button. I hate mitt romney but i feel as a democrat safer with him as president than her.
Ladies and gentlement I am more than proud of John Mccain for picking Sarah Palin a woman as his running mate.IT IS TIME TO RESPECT WOMEN who are the important part of society.I was in tears when John Mccain announced his vice president pick and I was holding my three year old daughter and my only daughter thinking when I am not around at least there is a foundation laid out today to recognize the rights of women and young girls to become leaders of this nation.Like Sarah Palin my wife is a hard working mom and she is one tough wife that doesn't give up easly when face with difficult choices.THIS IS REAL CHANGE AMERICA,THIS IS WHAT WE CALLED CHANGE having both sexes represent on the ticket and not macho attitude.John Mccain Is still a Maverick and true hero to America. CONGRATULATION MCCAIN/PALIN 08
This selection reminds me of the summer of 1976. I was at the St Joseph's Club in Fitchburg when I heard that Jerry Ford picked Bob Dole to be his running mate. I said right away that Carter had the election won. I say the same today. With this pick, Obama has it in the bag.
This selection reminds me of the summer of 1976. I was at the St Joseph's Club in Fitchburg when I heard that Jerry Ford picked Bob Dole to be his running mate. I said right away that Carter had the election won. I say the same today. With this pick, Obama has it in the bag.
I know many women, including my wife, who are good mothers and strong professionals but there are always trade-offs and this woman has a four month old child with Down Syndrome. I have serious questions about her ability to campaign and serve as VP (and potentially President). Can she really give this child the attention and nurturing it needs? If so, will she be so distracted that she will be ineffective in the role?
What an awesome pic! Obama and that "wanna be egomaniac"...Biden, can say, "Bye, bye." When Obama chose that, "squirrel" Biden...my vote was already cast for McCain. Regardless, of who his Veep was.
I know that I will love this woman. She has more experience in her "little pinky finger"...(morals and values) than Obama and Biden have in their whole bodies. Go Alaska! Fight..fight, fight!
Thank God the calvary is coming in. The USA might not be sinking, afterall.
John McCain just committed political suicide.
That being said, Sarah Palin is HOT. Good move picking a MILF for VP.
Women's Lib. groups are going to eat Senator McCain for breakfast and wash him down with a Palin milkshake.
HOORAY! OBAMA WINS!
What an awesome pic! Obama and that "wanna be egomaniac"...Biden, can say, "Bye, bye." When Obama chose that, "squirrel" Biden...my vote was already cast for McCain. Regardless, of who his Veep was.
I know that I will love this woman. She has more experience in her "little pinky finger"...(morals and values) than Obama and Biden have in their whole bodies. Go Alaska! Fight..fight, fight!
Thank God the calvary is coming in. The USA might not be sinking, afterall.
you know, as a woman, nothing impresses me more than a strong, tough, hard-working woman who can do it all. kids, career, all of it. but i have to say, when i read she was the pick, i was disappointed. i would have voted for mccain and was hoping for mitt to be the VP pick. she just does not have the experience needed at this global level. i think mccain just had a senior moment and lost his mind and the presidency.
you know, as a woman, nothing impresses me more than a strong, tough, hard-working woman who can do it all. kids, career, all of it. but i have to say, when i read she was the pick, i was disappointed. i would have voted for mccain and was hoping for mitt to be the VP pick. she just does not have the experience needed at this global level. i think mccain just had a senior moment and lost his mind and the presidency.
She likes to kill animals. That should please conservative republicans!
I feel that Emily's List statement regarding Palin's nomination was offensive. They stated that McCain and Palin "fail to support any of the issues that [women] care about." I care very deeply about women's rights: right to equlity, right to equal pay, etc., etc. But the fact that I do not support a woman's right to kill her unborn child does not make me NOT a woman. McCain and Palin may not support the rights that SOME want women to have, but they DO support the women's rights that ALL women feel women should have.
It makes me sick that the pro-abortion lobby has hijacked the women's rights movement, claiming abortions as the number one right all women should have and leaving out the 51% of women in America who want equality for women without killing babies to get it. ("Fifty-one percent of women surveyed by the Center for the Advancement of Women said the government should prohibit abortion or limit it to extreme cases, such as rape, incest, or life-threatening complications." Washington Times) I can be a feminist and think choosing death of innocent children is wrong.
Emily's List should stick to stating the views of their own members, not women in general.
Regards,
A woman who is Pro women, and Pro Life
I'd vote for a Palin McCain ticket, but that's not what they are offering. And by the way, the "Bridge to Nowhere" was a Republican, not Democrat project. See Senator Ted Stevens, former Governor and Senator Frank Murkowski, Senator Lisa Murkowski (appointed by Governor Dad), and Congressman Don Young, all Republicans.