Obama endorsement questions Palin pick
Another early newspaper endorsement for Barack Obama, and this one is as much a critique of John McCain, particularly his judgment in picking Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Endorsing a Democrat for president for the first time in 72 years, the Stockton Record in California praised Obama as an inspirational leader.
"He has demonstrated time and again he can think on his feet. More importantly, he has demonstrated he will think things through, seek advice, and actually listen to it," the newspaper said in its Sunday editorial. "Obama is a gifted speaker. But in addition to his smarts and energy, possibly his greatest gift is his ability to inspire."
Of McCain, the editorial compared him unfavorably to President Bush, saying "He tends to shoot from the hip and go on gut instinct. The nation cannot go through four more years of literally and figuratively shooting now and asking questions later."
It also questioned the Republican for his surprise choice of Palin, who struggled in her interview last week with Katie Couric of CBS. "We worry he won't have four years," the editorial said. "If elected, at 72, he would be the oldest incoming president in U.S. history. He's in good health now, we're told, although he has withheld most of his medical records. That means Gov. Sarah Palin could very well become president. And that brings us to McCain's most troubling trait: his judgment.
"While praiseworthy for putting the first woman on a major-party presidential ticket since Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, his selection of Palin as a running mate was appalling. The first-term governor is clearly not experienced enough to serve as vice president or president if required."
Thank you Stockton Record for having common sense!! Thank you. Thank you
Barack , I hope that you become president. Plus you look good.
FINALLY SPEAKING THE TRUTH BARVO... GO OBAMA
Yes, I am a Republican, But I am not comfortable with that girl....AT ALL. I know I am old, but I am a wise 'ol kook. I will be voting for Democratic Ticket
Clearly Biden is better.... we all love the UN. Both candidates chose poorly.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved legislation (S. 392) on June 27, 2007, that would pay the United Nations more for peacekeeping than current U.S. law allows. The legislation would increase the 25 percent cap to 27.1 percent for 2005 through 2008 to enable the United States to pay the U.N. an estimated $157 million more than the U.S. would otherwise pay for its share of the U.N.'s peacekeeping budget.[1] The key sponsor of the legislation, Senator Joseph R. Biden (D–DE), justifies the legislation with the assertion that we should not "fail to pay our bills"[2] to the United Nations.
This argument not only misrepresents the situation and misreads history, but also does a grave injustice to people who were abused by the U.N. peacekeepers that should have protected them. The cap on U.S. dues was created to spread the costs of peacekeeping more equitably among the member states and to prompt the U.N. to adopt specified reforms. This legislation would reward the U.N. even though it has failed to adopt critical reforms to prevent sexual abuse and other misconduct by U.N. peacekeepers and to enhance transparency, accountability, and oversight of U.N. procurement.
As an old spear-chucker for empire, the one thing I know for sure is that all of us who served in the US military during the American invasion of Vietnam came home scathed (as in the opposite of unscathed). John McCain has tried to turn his visit to the Hanoi Hilton into political capital but the man was both physically and mentally damaged by his experience. He suffers from PTSD, just like many of us, and his current wife has spent quite a bit of time trying to explain her bruises to AZ and DC physicians. He selected Palin as his running mate, and still there are those who argue his judgment is not impaired? I wish there was a decent republican running, but since there isn't I might just vote for the democrat?
"And that brings us to McCain's most troubling trait: his judgment."
That's exactly what I was thinking. McCain is the master of guessing answers to important questions, or just plain getting the answers wrong. Plus, there are many examples of McCain’s deportment that have had his Republican peers even questioning him:
"He is a vicious person"
Former representative Charles LeBoutillier R-NY
"An embarrassment to the party"
Arizona GOP state senator Susan Johnson
"There is nothing redeeming about John Mccain...he's a hypocrite"
Former house GOP whip Tom DeLay
"The thought of him being president sends a chill down my spine. He is erratic"
Senator Thad Cochran, R- MS
"Hard headed is one way to say it. Arrogant is another way to say it. It's a quality about him that disturbs me".
Larry Wilkerson, former chief aide to Colin Powell
"What happens if he gets angry in a crisis...? It's the president’s job to negotiate and stay calm. I just don't see that he has that quality".
Former Arizona GOP chairman John Hinz
"His temper would place this country at risk...and the world perhaps in danger. In my mind that should disqualify him"
Former Senator Bob Smith, R-NM
"I decided I didn't want this guy anywhere near a trigger."
Senator Pete Domenici, R-NM
Palin was selected for one important reason: to satisfy the clamor from the religious right - Palin was the bone thrown, and it had to be given up to the religious right for McCain to appease their need to have their own religious values/legislation championed.
I agree. It is McCain that puts himself first. All of his decisions in this campaign have been dishonorable and impetuous. We can make it with an increase in taxes, but we can't make it through another war. I am certain that McCain will get us into another war. That is all he knows. He is wired for it. He got shot down 5 times in Vietnam. He was eventually caught. Why didn't he learn from the first 4 times he was shot down. Seems to me he is a very slow learner. Why can't my fellow Americans see past the Republican doctrine that has time and time again put themselves first and us last.
Picking Palin is the worst form of political cruelty since Ross Perot chose Stockdale. Palin is a disgrace and a mockery to all that women stands for. I am a woman and Palin does not speak for me. Hillary we all know, Palin, you are no Hillary Clinton.
I find it ironic that McCain kept referring to Obama as being naieve and lack of experience in the debate and then picks Palin as his running mate. Total contradiction of values. I would not vote for McCain for that reason alone.
Your endorsement of Obama was expected, why not endorse all the professional politicians, they are the problem not the solution.
The solution is term limits, this would probably eliminate many of them becoming party hacks, we need people that have America foremost not the party
Sarah Palin would be a fresh face with new ideas, she is what we need.
Throw out all the hacks that are currently in DC, they are the problem, what have they done ? Get us in deeper financially all because of the party they represent.
Republican or Democrat, they are lousy.
"The Stockton Record" - taking that newspaper into my house would be like bringing in a pile of cow dung.
Commend your balanced and thoughtful, overall review of factors that matter.
Obama is the poker player, McCain the crap shooter. In times like these I would much rather have the poker player who can think through the hand that is dealt him not just gamble and hope it works out or it sticks.
I am having a hard time believing this endorsement came from the Stockton Record but if it really did, thank God. The best thing you can say about Senator McCain's judgement is that his decisions are made more on impulse than by process. We don't need more of that.
Thats the problem with McCain and Palin, even put together their IQ can not even Match Obama, so how can they make intellectual decisions? They just get pushed around McCains lobbist's, I mean advisors. In any case, do we really want a McCain to be president just to drop dead and swear in a ditts like Palin, seriously? Why can't people think for themselves, look at the facts, and just stop voting on party lines alone, it is rediculous.
Stockton Record:
Well Said, this article hits the nail on the head. It highlights judgement, temperament, patience & Intelligence. With all due respect, the Rep. ticket is nothing more than a fluke. Both McCain gets less than 0.5 each, that is they dont even add up to 1. What a political disaster it would be if these bimbos get into the White House.
Palin certainly has more executive experience than McCain, Obama, and Biden put together. (They are all senators, whereas Palin was head executive of a state government -- while earning a mindblowing 80% approval rating.)
So if Palin's so-called "lack of experience" is appalling, how much more so should be that of the Democratic ticket!
Also, just because Palin struggles in an interview doesn't mean she wouldn't make a good vice-president or president. Logically speaking, government and television involve two very different skill-sets!
I guess I know what side these comments are from. If you feel good about voting for an inexperienced radical socialist then Obama's your man. By the way, there was no television in 1929. Someone please tell Joe B that.
Thank you, Stockton Record for saying clearly that the Emperor is not wearing clothes! John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate was a choice to do the expedient thing; it was NOT a choice that put "country first". Palin is obviously not prepared to be VP, let alone President. McCain lies every day. He lies about his priorities, he lies about his record, he lies about his beliefs and he lies about his opponent. The USA is spiraling downward rapidly. The economy is failing, the country is led by elitist, selfish Neocons whose beliefs have created new definitions for the word "failure". We cannot stand any more jingostic leadership. We need Obama's intelligence and inspirational talents.
Thank you for displaying common sense and putting our fragile country first! This is not the time for Sarah Palin. I feel for the entire Palin family... WHAT was John McCain thinking?
Seriously.....this is the big shocking turn on Palin? The Stockton Record? A paper with a circulation of 60, 000...boy you Palin haters are really grasping at every straw you can.
If McCain and Palin win this Election this country will be another 4 yaer Bush Era.
and if they win this Election I think the voter for Republican they're Brains Dead
Especially a men Voter , Because men voter for McCain and Palin they're not vote
for who can do the JOB They vote for who LOOK Pretty . Get up people SMELL and
DEAL the REAL thing .
Thank goodness someone in the press is making sense. Sarah Palin scares the beegeesus out of me. She comes off as so completely arrogant, incompetent and willing to say anything to get elected with that trademark (I know something you don't) smirk. She reminds me of Bush on steroids.
It would be an unmitigated disaster if Sarah Palin was ever forced to fill McCain's shoes. Since the day he selected her I've been questioning his ability to govern. He simply has judgement that has been totally corrupted by personal ambition.
McCain has demonstrated he acts first then thinks later. and to think he'll be at the switch for four years, or alternate with another emotional decision maker. america wil have more enemies and more isolated than ever.
Comparing governing Alaska to executive experience is what is appalling. President of the United States and running Alaska the was she has is what involves two very different skill sets.
Thank you Stockton Record for your clear thinking. The McCain tag line of "Country First" is a laugh. A more accurate tag line would be "Campaign First".
The sad thing is that there are PLENTY of experienced Republican women that McCain could have chosen. There are 9 other eligible Republican women who are Senators or Governors and every one of them has more experience than Palin. And even the 10th woman who is constitutionally ineligible due to having been born in Cuba has more experience.
Hutchinson, Dole, Snowe. All three of those have more name recognition than Palin had before this. All three are highly experienced. Alas, none of them are as hot as Palin.
I wonder if McCain is really that naive. I am afriad that with his maverick attitude he will suddenly fire Palin, and bring us a new VP. this would help him because no one would have talked about them.
HHHMMMM?????
John, So, speaking on t.v. and being president require two different skill sets, running a company and running the country require two different skill sets... pretty soon the Palin supporters are going to be telling us that forming coherent thoughts and running a country require two differnt skill sets. Of course, looking at GWB, you might be right.
Palin obviously can't think on her feet, every point she introduced herself with to the nation was a lie or a loooong stretching of the truth, her apporoval ratings in Ak are falling, she's naive enough to keep an easily hacked yahoo acct. open after being selected VP, etc. etc. etc. .... no, I don't want this person in contact with any national security decisions or with any foreign heads of state. Let Alaska keep her and her running mate.
You people are all retarded. Yes RETARDED. What, exactly, is Obama's qualifications to be president? He speaks well? He looks good?? What has this country come to that politics have become the newest form of racism. It doesn't matter what your candidate does or says as long as he is a member of your political party. Truely pathetic, all of you. I can only hope that you are the verbal minority and the country isn't really filled with uneducated morons like you people apparently are. Do some research for yourselves and stop believing everything these newspapers are jamming down your throats. There is a reason that the print media is dying. And network news is just as bias in their coverage and reporting as well. Make an educated vote, please. Know what your candidates stand for before you give them your vote. Or please, for the love of whatever god you pray to, don't vote. I respect someone more for not voting due to ignorance than someone who votes by name recognition.
wow !! Turn this thing around what happens if Obama is elected and he is assassinated !! Joe Biden (Sen doofus ) would have to drive the bus . I think I will get off at the next stop.
Thank goodness papers like California's Stockton Record are willing to speak the truth. Obama and Biden are just the prescription for this ailing nation of ours.
Kudos to The Record for also pointing out the dangers of the impulsive side of John McCain and the incurious stubbornness of Gov. Palin. They are dangerous ideologues who, if elected, would do irreparable harm to the U.S.
A maverick is a castrated steer that is wandering aimlessly causing havoc.... nothing more than that.
McCain displays all the attributes of a castrated man as well...he is full of false will and desperation...a lost man.
if you are a fence sitter, just give Obama a chance...the whole planet is teetering on the edge and the last thing we need is more Republican policy. Do you want to keep paying as we are all being forced to pay for the misguided administering of our country. we need steady and calm. intelligent and deep...not erratic, old and unpredictable with tendencies to bad and rash decisions (Palin).
Look deeper than some emotional loyalty to a party as there is too much at stake to have a castrated man running the ship.
"Also, just because Palin struggles in an interview doesn't mean she wouldn't make a good vice-president or president. Logically speaking, government and television involve two very different skill-sets!"
Great point, but ummmm...didn't she go to school and work in broadcast journalism? I don't think you can blame the tv setting for the fact that the interview was a debacle. It was like they were pulling a string in her back and different unrelated comments came out. It's actually hard to distinguish the real interview from the spoof on SNL.
No wonder mccain had to jet off to impede...er...I mean facilititate...negotiations on the no banker left behind bill. The media frenzy was required to reduce coverage of his running mate's interview. But mccain thought the fundamentals of the economy were strong until just a few days before that, so why exactly was he needed to do the heavy lifting on the bailout? Must have been embarrassing to have bush figure out our economy was going to tank before mccain did.
Wow the first time in 72 years. Everyone is now learning how bankrupt the Republicans are and how bankrupt they made America.
Finally, common sense comes out on top.
Methinks you have partaken of the Obama-flavored kool-aid. You blast Palin for lack of experience, but make Obama sound like the second coming. He has notably LESS experience than Palin. The biggest difference is that if elected, he will be president.
Well said. The Republican ticket is underestimating the American people. People are not stupid and they can see through this hypocracy.
MaCain is a war monger and vicious person and he will be far worst than Bush. He is very stubbon and his thought process is very quationable. He cannot control his emotions and his military background will put the entire country at more odds than it is now. He will get us into many wars that will bring the country image and respect to be equal to the third world countries.
Another scarry point is that he is too old and her has many health problems that he may not complete his full term and obviously the country will have no choice than to have his running mate to become the president. That is too dangerous.
Saying that Palin "lacks experience" doesn't really express what is most sorely lacking in this case. As Palin's recent televised interviews demonstrate, she lacks knowledge, education, and curiosity. These are crucial qualities in anyone who wishes to represent the American people, and they have received far too little attention in this election cycle. Obama plainly has these key strengths -- nobody seems to deny that. Yet knowledge and intellectual curiosity don't seem to impress contemporary pundits. What's the deal? The presidency is a hard job -- shouldn't it demand high qualifications? We've already seen the harm that an ignorant and incurious president can do to this country. Haven't we, as a nation, learned anything from the Bush reign of error?
Thank you Stockton Record for your common sense. So much for "Country First" Senator McCain, with your lack of common sense and poor attempt to bait and switch! I, as a woman voter, was insulted that you believed you could just put "any" women on the ticket and I would follow blindly. No sir, never!
very happy to hear republicans saying they will vote for obama, it is about time people start thinking for themselves; everybody should be an independent
Congratulations, Stockton Record... I commend the trend you are setting.
For too long the word 'intellectual' has been used as an insult, but thanks to McCain's vice-presidential choice, we're finally realizing how important education, being informed and having the ability to think things through really is.
As a parent, I hope to instill my son the importance of knowledge, and as a nation, we have to encourage our younger generation to learn about themselves and the world around them.
Obama serves as a great example of the result of a serious dedication to learning.
4 more years of Bush/Cheney in a McCain-Palin WhiteHouse will be a godsend. Dubya/Cheney is the best ever team to occupy the WhiteHouse. Just imagine 4 more years. Under Dubya, we have had broken banking system, broken wall street, broken housing market, broken military, broken economy, broken FEMA (good job brownie??), broken energy policy, broken foreign policy, broken justice department, broken immigration policy. What else is left for McCain to break ? USA is now damaged irreparably, thanks to the brain-dead republicans.
John, you are appalingly uninformed, hence why you'd think Palin deserves to be anywhere near national office. Executive experience? Of what, a town of 7000 and a state of 680,000? Think about that a moment. Alaska has the population of a small city in the lower 48 states.
80% approval rating? Wrong. Try 60%. And in a state with most of its revenue from oil production that has enjoyed record profits while the rest of the country suffers under record gas prices and inflation. She never had to worry about actually managing a real budget or had to jugge taxes vs social services. Palin brought the pork home to a state that didn't need it and she kept the locals happy. Too bad now she needs the support of the rest of the country. At least her time as mayor of Wasilla shows her management skills - leaving office with $27 mil in debt.
Last but not least, Palin has proven to America that Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson is more qualified on domestic and foreign policy issues that the GOP candidate for VP. Not surprising from a woman who at 45 years old only bothered to get her passport in 2007. Amazing that she makes Bush look like an intellectual. Scary that she makes Bush look preferable!
Obama has proven over his lifetime, 2 years in a grueling campaign, and over 26 debates that he has the knowledge, wisdom, temperament, judgement, and yes, EXPERIENCE to lead our great country. And heck, he ain't bad at picking a competent VP either! Something that can't be said of John McCain.
Palin was a true reformer and took on the crooks in HER OWN REPUBLICAN PARTY. A threat to the establisment, she is attacked viciously.
Obama is nothing but a Democratic Party hack. He never never said anything that doesnt toe the Party line.
Which may be enough, thanks to 8 years of George W. Bush...
I can see Russia from here...... and I am sure they are laughing as much as the rest of the world about the dynamic duo of McCain and Palin.
Dina Price in her comments above echoes to a certain extent, my own view on McCain's desire to be President of the United States - it's is selfish to the core of his being, and if I may expound on this just a bit - his manic desire to overcome his extreme sense of inferiority when measured against the success of his ancestry. Many men in his family rose the great achievement while serving our country by becoming Admirals and holding other great ranks in our military. John McCain did not.
He was most probably chided and even derided for his lack of achievement and desire to be a goof-off and leader of the "pack". His friends hung out with him because he was able to persuade the girls to join them in their partying and let's face it he hasn't done too badly in that department - winding up with a wealthy women for his wife. Well done. However as far as his still being a bit of a babe magnet is concerned - John let's face it , you are a bit past it and I don't think trying to PIMP Sarah Palin out there (who stupidly and gleefully has been fooled into believing she has what it takes!) is going to get you enough what you want. The support of enough women to make a difference in helping you achieve your aims. Well, perhaps a few of the most stupid and less educated of them will vote for you.
John McCain has nothing more than the most selfish reasons for wanting to be President - to prove his family wrong and to "put them in their place"! When he decided to select Sarah Palin as his VP choice, what was reported was that he proclaimed "she is exactly what I NEED - exactly what the American people need". Clearly putting himself first and that was not a Freudian slip, it was from the core of his being. Ruthless, but stupid in the sense that he is clearly demonstrating that he has absolutely no respect for the intelligence of the American people - which in my view will be the ultimate legacy of his campaign.
John McCain - leader of the pack - of wolves. Easily. President of the United States of AMERICA.... not a hope in hell.
I find it interesting that, in general, those who favor the views or this article are discussion issues while those who oppose it are issuing personal insults against the other posters. I do no have a party affiliation, but the tenor of the dialogue has been a factor in my voting decision. In my experience personal attacks are a desparate resort for those who can't support a legitimate argument.
I'm voting for Obama he talks like a salesman will do anything for the sale. He is slick. He keeps good morale friends around him like his pasture. And those guys from Fanny and Freddie. He knows so much about foriegn affairs he wants to invite the leader of Iran over for some Tea and have a chat. He likes to wait before acting. The world might be on fire but he'll wait it out. Plus he is good looking. Yep he is my man!
The skill set of government and television are so intertwined that it's not even funny. If Palin has to address a foreign leader via satellite. It could mean the world of difference during a crisis situation. I'd rather have a cool headed thinker than she or McCain. How many times have we looked at Bush and gone "Wow he looks so stupid" although as attractive as she is, she has the ability to do both.
One of the previous writers was correct " McCain suffers from PTSS" being held captive does something to a man. I admire him for his sacrifice but that is where it ends. I wish Obama and Biden the best and Biden had better beat the hell of of Palin on Thursday, but only in a way a gentlemen can do. Be careful Joe they are looking at you to be a sexist pig and brow bashing. Keep you mom in mind and stick to the subject at hand. Good luck!
I thank you Stockton Record!! Palin is my worst nightmare come true. She does not represent any woman that I admire nor does she have the experience to represent this country!! Go Obama!!
As if I needed more reasons.... He suffers from PTSD, "He is a vicious person"
Former representative Charles LeBoutillier R-NY, "An embarrassment to the party"
Arizona GOP state senator Susan Johnson, "There is nothing redeeming about John Mccain...he's a hypocrite"
Former house GOP whip Tom DeLay, "The thought of him being president sends a chill down my spine. He is erratic"
Senator Thad Cochran, R- MS, "Hard headed is one way to say it. Arrogant is another way to say it. It's a quality about him that disturbs me".
Larry Wilkerson, former chief aide to Colin Powell. "I decided I didn't want this guy anywhere near a trigger."
Senator Pete Domenici, R-NM
Senator Pete Domenici, R-NM
you want to know why obama is leading in the polls keep reading the comments
McCain didn't put his country first when he signed documents admitting war crimes while a prisoner in North Vietnam. He broke his oath of office then and has been a gifted liar sense.
Well I am a Republican. I took a long hard look at Obama. There are just too many things that he has been wrong on for me to actually vote for him. He was wrong on energy. No oil is not the only solution but if other countries are making major profits then why not have more jobs and money created here? He is wrong on health care. The solution is not to have government do it all for us. They have gotten so much wrong and I would rather be in control of that. Just think if your insurance company is bad you can always go to another. What happens when you insurance is the government and it does it badly. You are stuck with the bill. Oh what is that you are healthy and your costs are the same as the couch potatoes who never does anything but eat Twinkies? He was wrong on taxes too. Yes that is right. He won’t tax you only the rich. Well one day I plan to be rich and I don’t think that I am any less deserving of my money then than I am now. Has anyone actually added up all those promises of his. Do any of you actually think he will be able to pay for all of that with just a few taxes on the rich? Really? The list goes on… However, I still don’t agree with McCain on some issues too. However I don’t feel like the government needs more power, or more authority. Both parties are wrong on all that. I must take the lesser of the two evils I guess. At least by my counting I will not be voting for Obama.
This is the paper's first democratic endorsement in 72 years. For those that can't read between the lines that means that they endorsed President Bush TWICE! Clearly a biased paper.
thanks for the kool-aid and please send more because the guess list is growing.
No blood for oil!
Bush lied, people died!
Everyone is hurting with their financial situation especially the retirement accounts. One person directly responsible is Bush and with Mccain continuing his fiscal policies, giving tax breaks to large companies we will go bankrupt will have to borrow more money from China and Middle East. More and more republicans are now pointing fingers to the corrupt GOP lawmakers some of who are already indicted are in jail, we need to clean this mess. I just hope ex president Clintons financial team is again incharge of our economy and save us from depression. I can't see any other hope but Obama to fix this once he is elected.
McCain is losing it bigtime and Palin has turned out to be a disaster
McCain, unanimously, was defeated in the debates......need an example, watch the vid on youtube.com and listen to Obama's answer and McCains answer on the first question, the economy and the bailout....
Obama give a 1,2,3,4 step to the problem, and mccain rambles....check it for yourself.....Obama gave 2 times more figures when talking about money and gave specifics......
McCain may have been an American Hero, but his voting record for deregulation and big business shows that he has strayed from the path of courage to the area of behind closed door deals, lobbyists (like those running his campaign ie Rick Davis) and sticking up for the few over the many)
Mike Clark I sure hope you do not work in Human Resources because you have absolutely no idea what 'experience' means. Palin was in charge of a tiny town for a short time and governor for a short time, of a state with a population less than one of the many cities in Obama's state. The difference in scale is enormous. The difference in education could be not be more vast. You just don't know what you are talking about.
As an independent, I applaud the Stockon Record's endorsement. Too much is at stake to put McCain and Palin at the wheel. The past 8 years of Republican policy have failed the middle class of this great country. McCain and Palin honestly are not smart enough and even tempered enough for the job. We're gonna need someone twice as smart to get US out of it.
And to all the staunch McCain/Palin supporters, why is it that most of you resort to name calling of other bloggers when someone's opinion differs from yours? Do you happen to work for the GOP as well?
I'm an American first! It's a very simple choice for me as to who should be in the White House and Obama is NOT that person. Obama is a Socialist whose far left Liberal views will under mind this great country. Big government and hand outs are not what this country is built on! Twenty years he went to the same church listening to garbage from his pastor about how terrible this country is with statements like “God Dam the USA”. He has a history of associating with some very shading characters (Why don’t you report that?). His experience is NONE!!!! How can you even begin to compare McCain or Palin to this man? McCain out right blows Obama away with experience and Palin does as well. Palin is a governor of a great state, also held the office of Mayor. She makes executive decisions as Governor on a daily basis. She controls the states National Guard. Seriously, No Contest here!! Apples to apples she beats Obama hands down. Biden on the other hand does have experience however he is a pompous arrogant jerk who tends to insert his foot in his mouth way to much. Folks, turn on your radios so you can hear the side the mainstream media doesn’t want you to hear. Mainstream media is BIAS!!!
Wakeup!
Who in their right mind would endorse McCain?
I personally don't care how "unqualified" Palin is for the office of vice-president. The idea of one of the most liberal senators as president...combined with a democratic-controlled congress? That's the real nightmare. Let Palin do what vice-presidents do best....go to state funerals, state events, put a nice face on America, sit up there and smile and clap during the state of the union. And if McCain were to die in office, maybe she will have learned a lot along the way. If not, the democratic congress can impeach her! Or maybe she could nominate a real conservative for VP, then resign! Anything but the liberal alternative.
A vote for McCain is a vote of approval for the Republicans that have been running Washington for 8 years. Many McCain supporters think McCain will change Washington. He will not. He cannot. The Republican hacks in and around Washington will continue to run the government under a McCain administration and this country will waste another 4 years when we should be getting our economic, fiscal and foreign policy houses in order. Just look at the people around McCain. They are all former Bush aides and supporters. They are fighting so hard to keep their homes and jobs in Washington, D.C. I supported McCain in 2000 but McCain v2008 is not McCain from 2000 and it is time to clean house in Washington by sending the Republicans packing.
Another voice of reason. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I would be more comfortable with "Clark Rockefeller" as my president than Sarah Palin.
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Personally, I am tired of large-larger-largest Government.
Obama would be the first socialist elected to the highest office,
No-- I want someone who asks the individual to stand up- be responsible for your actions- quit blaming your mom and dad or teacher or minister.Now that you are an adult-old enough to vote- take the responsibility for your own life.
Stop finding excuses for bad behavior, and when you screw up-- admit your error-- everyone you know will respect you.
Isn't this worth the truth?
McCain was only thinking of John.
Lead or get out of the way. John McCain needs to get out of the way.
Folks- Just a quick question and clarification for those of you that suggest Obama is a socialist- do you even know what that means?!?! The ideologies behind our very own Declaration of Independence share the same social and economical tendencies of Socialism. Too many Americans have a skewed definition of socialism and commonly confuse it with Communism or some other fixed fundamentalist ideology. Get a grip and get the facts straight.
The world is waiting for us to make the right decision. We haven't done that in 8 years.
All I have to say is this: Con men are good speakers and that is why they get away with so much. Instead of voting party lines, which is very dangerous, make the intelligent decision by looking at the candidate's records. If you like Obama or McCain, great, but make it by doing your own research. Just because someone writes an op-ed on their choice doesn't make it the right choice. Do your own research on the candidates-then decide, but please don't vote for someone because they had a great speech-it means very, very little. Leaders of cults, like Mr. Jones, spoke well and insprired many and what happen-they're DEAD!
John writes that simply because Sarah Palin performed poorly in the interview with that dogged, Unrelenting Trick Question Asking Ace Reporter Katie Couric doesn't mean she would be a bad President, because the two jobs require a different skillset. Well said John. Of course Sarah Palin's university degree... you know the one... the one she went to 5 schools over 6 years to get... is in... what major?... wait for it... BROADCAST JOURNALISM.
I've been so confused lately. The reigning administration, self-proclaimed "fiscal conservatives" have asked for the largest transfer of wealth, with no oversight, to bail out their investment buddies and the right still has the hubris to call the left "socialist?"
Maybe the definition of socialism has changed ... because when I learned about socialism and big government, I heard it was exactly like what the current administration is doing. Between nationalizing businesses (Freddie, Fannie, AIG) and the (hopefully permanently failed) bailout, the conservatives want the government to have a 1 trillion dollars of control over the economy. The Republican leadership is the new socialist party.
This was not the time or place to fast-track Palin into national politics. She's in so far over her head that I'm actually starting to feel sorry for her. That doesn't mean I'll vote for her or her erratic running mate. The Stockton Record summed it up perfectly; this country cannot take 4 more years of shoot first, ask questions later.
As far as Obama being a liberal, the only reason his record is liberal is because he consistently voted against Bush's faulty plans. I'd rather have a president who will negotiate first and use the big stick of our military as a last resort, rather than elect a president who thinks the big stick IS diplomacy.
Obama has the potential to be one of our best Presidents (which is sorely needed after eight years of the WORST). Thanks to the Stockton Record for affirming this!
I would be more comfortable with "Clark Kent" as my president than Sarah Palin.
It's not that Palin is inexperienced, it's that she is not well educated. She is not smart. There have been quite a few that crossed the threshold without experience. Palin on the otherhand....shows why she transferred to 5 colleges before receiving a bachelor's degree. If you do not have the experience, having a first rate education goes a long ways.
I love the Gobe writing a story on the Stockton Record endorsment. I wonder if the Record will publish a story when the Quincy Patriot Ledger endorses a candidate as Ledger and the Record have identical circulation. I can't wait for the next story on who the Moneysaver endorses. This is newsworthy for Boston?
McCain got it so wrong when he picked Palin. He thought since we wanted Hillary that any woman would do. Palin is an embarrassment to all women and will screw it up for good qualified women to ever be taken serious about running for office. Since she didn't even have to think twice when asked if she wanted to be on the ticket what does that tell you? It's not like they were asking her - do you want to be a Brownie Troop leader? She would have probably given more thought to that. I think when you watch her debate on Thursday, you will think you are watching Comedy Central.
Post # 38 by the braintrust Mike Clark states:
"Methinks you have partaken of the Obama-flavored kool-aid. You blast Palin for lack of experience, but make Obama sound like the second coming. He has notably LESS experience than Palin. The biggest difference is that if elected, he will be president."
This is the neo-con attemp at a rebuttal to criticism of Sarah Palin that cracks me up the most. Mike, "experience," in your limited literal interpretation, is not the issue. It's her ignorance and lack of a modern worldview that's so scary.
McCain is insane for picking Palin. His slogan should be "Country First...We will screw up the rest of the world later!"
Sarah Palin is a good choice in the fact that she is not Hillary. We need a strong woman in office. I am not a Hillary Clinton fan for a lot of reasons. She is a socalist for one. The government is not running my life and making my choices for me. You don't have a job get in the unemployment line. You want to do drugs do it but if you harm someone steal or sell to kids. You need to go to jail. Take responsibility for your own actions!!!! Please do some reasearch people and understand that the goverment does not need to run our lives. So please do vote for people that want to take away our personal freedoms. Mccain and Palin 2008
All one needs to know of the Stockton Record is that they are a subsidiary of Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. All Rights Reserved, The endorsement is predictable from an Ottaway Subsidiary. I especially liked the "Obama is a gifted speaker " so was Adolph Hitler.
Hogtider, I hope you're enjoying the fruits of the just concluded conservative era. The emphasis here is on "con" as in conservative. Perhaps events of this week have not yet sunk in: you have been conned more than the rest of us footing the bill for generations to come. Wake up. The choices are not between liberals and conservatives as cons have been railing since Dan Quyale was nominated. There's only honest and dishonest public servants.
To Mike Davidson - post number 65
Mike please take a few minutes and read Post number 45 then go into a quiet corner and see if any of that registers with you! Don't rush it even though you should be aware of virtually everything Dick Powell has explained or re-iterated in his post. Everybody else with a reasonable education and who is even mildly aware of what is going on in our country is aware of the facts that Dick has spelled out there!
So - as you are a fellow American let me help you out with a bit of advice - commonly known words of wisdom. If you keep doing what you have been doing for the past 8 years you WILL get the same results.
And as for Jim of Post number 57 - the idea of voting for the BEST man for the job sometimes has to be a little bit unselfish. The fact of the matter is that Obama's ideas are clearly much better for the country - and a country is it's people, There are too many "I'm alright Jacks" in America and these are people who say "so what if my neighbor or other peoples children who go to my school with my children simply cannot afford good medical health - not my problem" they say. Do you have any idea at all what level of medical care (and for how many years) could have been given to people of our country with the money we are spending in Iraq - on the wrong war!!! How many more Barak Obama's we could create through our education systems (how much better we could have educated Sarah Palin even) with the billions and billions of dollars we are spending in this folly!?
I just heard on the TV that one of the bankers received a $161 million dollar golden parachute for leaving a bank that was failing - Merrill Lynch. $161 million! Here's what you do - find out where he lives and go and ask him to feed the hungry families that live in your neighborhood for one year - one year. It would cost him a mere fraction of what he has in his bank account. Or to build shelter for the homeless in your home town. Again at a cost of a fraction of what he has. More power to him but what's wrong with sharing the wealth? $18 million to someone else, $40 million to another.
Our democracy is still fairly young and perhaps we do need to tweak it a bit and truly become a government by the people and FOR the people. Call it socialism if you like but that person who is dying or watching a family member dying because they cannot afford to pay ANYONE to help them - they couldn't care less what you called it. To them in these instances your so-called socialism is simply the help they prayed for that would give their loved ones life back to them. You get it?
John McCain is always harping on about his war history - but when have you ever heard him preach about how much it hurts him to see our veterans coming home from those wars he is so fond of boasting that he will continue receiving the disgraceful treatment they are getting when they get back home. Where is his outrage? He all for more money to send more of our military into harms way but CLEARLY he is not known for preaching for their decent respect after they have served their purpose. Hypocritical and selfish perhaps? Disgraceful and shameful as well in my view! Foreign policy expertise my ass! He needs to shut up about it!
And with the right leadership we can afford it. We are the greatest country in the world and can afford to provide the best medical care in the world to ALL of our people with the right strategies in place. As well as the best education for more of us.
Or maybe we could have educated the author of Post number 57 so that he would understand the issues well enough to understand that they need someone who is a bit more up-to-date so solve them. We are a great young country we infinite amounts of creative possibilities but we've got to be brave enough to move forward. Obama and Biden are a great move forward. Say what you like about Joe Biden sometimes putting his foot in his mouth - a thing that a lot of people find a part of his charm. But there is probably one thing few people would argue with - if I were trapped down a dark alley it would be Joe Biden that I would be glad to have by me side!! I have absolutely no doubt about that! Joe Biden will be a great vice president and together they will be one of the greatest teams we've ever had in the White House. We will love them even more once they show us that they meant every word and so will people in other countries around the world.
One final point - what is being reported in the press today, on the web, and on the news channels is that Republicans are abandoning their party, John McCain and Sarah Palin in droves. They are more than likely the better educated people in the Republican party.
It took 87 posts for for Godwin's Law to come into play? Honestly people, it's like you're not even trying.
Do we REALLY want Palin or Mccain near the codes for the nukes! I'm scared and this time the fear generated by Washington is WARRANTED!
GO OBAMA!
After Obama's convention McCain gave up and found a scape goat in Palin to help him lose. She is laughable as a governor much less a V.P. Watch out for them Russians across the lake and the dinosaurs we live with. The republicans should appologize for allowing this woman into the race. Alaska has 635,000 people, she probably has met everyone in the state. Her down home morality 'aint gunna do it for me and the republicans are done. GO OBAMA!!
Stockton has a merely 60,000 sunbscribers? and their voice means too little? let me tell you what, Bush won his election in 2000 by a mere few hundred votes.
You do the math.
Hillary Clinton a socialist? Do you even know what socialism is?
Sarah Palin a woman with fresh ideas? What ideas? She may have a college degree but the woman is a dumbo.
Barack Obama is the most inspirational leader of our time. He is absolutely brilliant!
It's amazing to see all of the hope and inspiration he continues to bring to the american people.
I watched the debate with an open mind. What struck me most is how McCain increasing resorted to "I was there" story telling as he began to loose intellectual ground in the debate. The RNC pudits call it "folksiness" fine, if you like that in your president, but McCain also repeated himself a lot. He totally struck me as a doddering old man who's mental ability to hold information and facts has declined significantly. He definitely wouldn't be calling the shots in his White House. This debate was not even close to a draw.
Actually, I'm from the Central Valley in California, which is historically very conservative - so this is HUGE! Thank you for your intellegence Stockton!
With Palin, it's not so much the experience, but that she seems to lack intelligence, curiousity (about other parts of the U.S. and the world at large/current issues), and was incoherent in her latest interview. Unfortunately, McCain "the candidate" reminds me more of Cheney in his arrogance everyday ... since Cheney was basically running the show for GW = but with a hairpin temper, which is possibly even scarier. 4 more years - NO THANK YOU! Obama/Biden '08!
I love all the pseudo-intellectuals posting here about how much smarter they are than Palin. Instead of posting hateful blogs, why don't you joing the PTA and see if that leads you to office. Let's see how smart you really are
Vote for Barack Obama -- America's own Neville Chamberlain! That's change!
Doesn’t anyone think it is scary that a vice-presidential candidate needs to go into seclusion to study issues two days before a debate? Do we really need to see Palin spew out the same coached answer for every question asked? No Thanks! Socialism hmm…
Leading the economy in a planned manner…..constantly developing domestic reserves….Don't we need some of this?
Doesn’t anyone think it is scary that a vice-presidential candidate needs to go into seclusion to study issues two days before a debate? Do we really need to see Palin spew out the same coached answer for every question asked? No Thanks! Socialism hmm…
Leading the economy in a planned manner…..constantly developing domestic reserves….At this point these ideas seem pretty good to me.
Barack Obama is the most inspirational leader of our time?????????????
LOL...Oh my God..how pathetic....Obama is an empty suit and you are all empty heads.
LOL....
Thanks, Stockton Record, for the straight talk. McCain's dishonesty, gimmicks, instability, and reckless decision-making have made one thing painfully clear: He and his running mate are unfit to lead our country. It's hard to imagine that any pair could prove more disastrous to the United States than Bush/Cheney, but we're looking at it when we see McCain/Palin. I pray that my fellow Americans will truly put country first in this election, and that means voting for Obama/Biden. We need to send McCain back to the Arizona desert and Palin back to Alaska and her $26 million road to nowhere.
MCPAULIN avoid throwing stones since you live in a glass house. Mccain on sunday with George Stephanopolis blamed people listening to private conversations after Paulin was caught on camera agreeing with sen. Obama on crossing to Pakistan's boarder if necessary to get terrorist. Don't forget Paulin that one of your best attack on Sen. Obama is being that he made a comment about people in small towns and you claim he did that when they were not not listening. So do you mean that when America is not listening, the Mcpaulin conference is saying opposite of what they say when mic is on. Too bad our hearing aids have good battreries.
Hey America, you voted for william hong , why not Sarry Pallin? she bangs!
McCain is an admitted high-stakes gambler. Great hobby for a wealthy man.
But it's a bad trait for a president.
The fiction of Palin experience to lead is best articulated by Karl Rove, who said of Governor Kaine in describing why he was too inexperienced to be VP:
"He's been a Governor for 3 years."
"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. So if he were to pick Governor Kaine, it would be an intensely political choice where he said, `You know what? I’m really not, first and foremost, concerned with, Republican VN Era Veteranis this person capable of being president of the United States?"
Gosh, it's so nice to read a pile of reason for a change - thank you Stockton Record - well said!
Exactly, I told my republican friends when this occured, why not Kay Baily Hutchison?
Just really bad choice. Country First ? McCain First? NO!
Just plain irresponsible.
Who would JESUS vote for? Ask yourselves that! HE would NEVER vote for a Closet-Muslem or a Cripto-Communist, and OSAMA IS BOTH!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE! Do the math!!! This country has been going down the toilet for a long time, and now we can clearly see the FRUITS of the liberal agenda... And need I remind you that Osama wants to put gaypropaganda sexeducation in the shcools...
Indeed, Palin's choice is a measure of McCain's recklessness. Further, it is definite proof that indeed country first is only a meaningless slogan to McCain who cynically chose Palin not for her ability to do best for country but her ability to bring him the enthusiam and votes he lacked. So, his principles and values turn out to be out for sale, to the easiest choice. Now he is trying to sell her to us as another reformer... please, it turns out he knows about as much about her as we do...\
Well, John, we can't wait for you to introduce her to Washington either... just before the rest of the county wises up and sees you for what you are, a cynical, reckless, mean-spirited man who has so far only tried to cut down Obama instead of providing real solutions.
Yellow cake uranium, aluminum tubes, mobile weapons labs, WMD's, alqaida & Saddam connection, drone delivery aircraft, Hans Blix addressing the UN, Shock & Awe, 19 Saudi's attack us...we attack Iraq, Mission accomplished, war progress is being made, semi loads of $100 bills gone in Iraq, Tom Delay, Dick, we don't want to get hit again, Gonzalez, 4100 military dead & counting, veteran care, Scooter, Osama free, Garib prison, no electricity, Saader City, no energy policy, no foreign policy, lame border, illegal aliens, deficit, war debt deferred to future, Afghan war hanging, neo-cons take over GOP. Aren't you proud of your vote? Sara!
Take the worst part of Bush and the worst part of Cheney and put them together and you get John McCain
Shoot first and ask questions later sounds better to me than ask questions and them shoot first.. Plus I would rather vote for a vice president that can learn rather than vote for president that thinks he knows it all but has no known credits. Is it because he is black? No way. I would vote for Powell or Rice in a heart beat but they are to smart to take it.
If this were about " loving" someone we would all be voting for the person who gave us the biggest thrill in bed. GOVERNOR Sarah Palin did well to acheive a mayoral win and a half stint as governor and should take a long look at video of her own responses and honestly put her talents to use where they are best showcased and received. The rose colored designer frames need to come off.
Everyone -- go to the Stockton Record and add your comments because the editorial board is getting absolutely FRIED there. This was a very courageous decision and they need backup.
As someone who actually lives in Alaska can inform, the only reason Palin's approval rating is falling is the fact that a bunch of idiot college students in the few major universities are making a point about complaining about Palin when they were perfectly content prior to her running against Obama. As a side note, for anyone who is still yammering that being the governor of Alaska is insufficient experience precisely because of the population, you're no doubt a raving moron. In 2004, the front runner on the Democrat ticket for much of the primary was none other than Howard Dean. Dean, as a matter of fact was the governor of Vermont, one of the few states that have a smaller population than Alaska, and a GSP half that of Alaska. He's since moved on to become the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. So before anyone else says something ridiculously stupid about Palin, do some actual research. With the idea of population being significant effectively dismissed, does this sound familiar to anyone?
I am under 45 years old,
I love the outdoors,
I hunt,
I am a Republican reformer,
I have taken on the Republican Party establishment,
I have many children,
I have a spot on the national ticket as vice
president with less than two years in the governor's office
It's Theodore Roosevelt in 1900. Stop acting like being an executive isn't as much experience as showing up at your job for only 143 days before feeling like you are qualified to be president. Funny how those darned facts seem to work against Obama. It must be right wing propaganda, just like CBS, NBC, CNN, and ABC told me!
If McCain was really not political and was acting in the best interest of the US, he would have told his party to go to hell and would have nominated Joe Liebermann, his forst choice. Or Tom Ridge, or Condelizza Rice, his second and third choices. He kissed the feet of the nutcase right wing on one issue and one issue alone - abortion. Nothing else is as important to the right wing Republicans, and that alone demostrates their perspective and lack of judgement. Mccain has crushed every reason we hoped for him in 2000, and becuase of Sarah Palin alone, he does not deserve to be president
People comment on the circulation of the paper (apparently 60,000) instead of evaluating it's journalistic record. 60,000 makes Wasilla look like a ghost town.
If palin will do very badly in the debate women all over the country will see this as a severe humiliation caused by mccain and the republicans and they will make them pay very badly. With the vp pick mccain has chosen "all" or "nothing" and nothing doesn't mean "zero" this time it will mean "very very deep in the red". Nowadays the republicans are seeing the danger not until they are already three months deeply in the threat.
It goes without question that the Stockton Record should endorse Obama and subsequently use Palin as the excuse- considerng they have little else to go on - The reality - Palin has equal experience with Obama - and she's the bottom not the top of the ticket - Face facts, there is little Obama has to offer but hope - and hope does not cut it. In conversations with the "disillusioned youth" that are so attracted to Obama that is the only thing they have to say about him - He's Inspiring - but when asked to clarify the remark - they cannot. That alone speaks volumes. How much is a papers endorsement worth to the average voter today? How much weight does it carry? Go back to 2004 for your answer.
So wrong. Another slanted jounalism.
Obama picked a MAN with 70,000 votes over a WOMAN with 18 Million votes. He can't even count or make strategic decisions and that is inspiring?
He talks about cutting income tax for 95% of Americans when 40% of American already do not pay any tax. Is is inspiring?
He wants to increase taxes of Companies when they are experiencing liquidity problems - that is inspiring?
Gov. Palin has successful results to show. Obama has none.
Yes Hogtider, the conservative republican administration sure has worked out well for this country, dont you think?