Public divided on Palin

Polls polls polls.

Why just show the ABC News poll?

Today's CBS News poll shows it tied at 42% each.

Democracy (Democrat sponsored) poll has it 49-44% Obama.

LA Times poll (8/18) shows 42-41% Obama.

Today's Rasmussen poll shows it 48-46% Obama

My eastern PA neighborhood poll of yard signs shows it 12 (McCain) - 1 (Obama) - 1 (Ron Paul) - 1 (Ralph Nader).

Do any of these polls reflect the Bradley Effect? Doubt it, IMHO.

Do any of these polls really matter until election day? Even exiting polls on election day have been known to "get it wrong". They make for fun speculation, that's all.

Watching Palin was like a scene from Saturday Night Live. She's a mix between the condescending "Church Lady" and the cutie pie Tina Fey.

Still, she's a joke.

Having grown up in a small town, I know plenty of cute girls who got along more on thier looks than on substance. She's one of them. Cute, but lacking the know-how.

This might be a meaningful article if Biden and Palin were in fact runing for "president". These statisctics don't surprize me at all. If they were qualified to be president then maybe they would've been in the primaries....

The real question is would you rather have a strong president and an inexperienced VP, or a strong VP and an inexperienced president.

Zero sum game with Palin. And the hot air + hype is about to cool off and start its downward journey over these next 60 days.

Sarah Palin was the "life of the party', Wednesday night at the RNC in her national debut. I found her speech and her delivery skillful and amusing. I would have really laughed---a lot---had this been a stint on the comedy channel or an HBO special. She has a talent, for sure, but I am not sure it is in national politics or on the world stage as a stateswoman. I have difficulty seeing her as, say, a Secretary of State, in the US Congress, or even as a Vice President or a President.

In fact, I believe her rousing success may be due to the confusion of the American public in differentiating her from the steady diet of celebrity entertainers with dry political satire, which can be downright funny in and of itself and which often provides the very effective comedic relief to a people who would be crying in frustration instead. There is much about which to feel frustrated and I need not go through the litany of woes facing this country and our world at this moment in time, which is why even I could not find my laughter Wednesday night.

Complete with half-truths and untruths, disinformation and misinformation, ignorance and insults, her debut performance proved to be more of the same as the other speakers that night, albeit delivered by a more attractive and palatable persona than Romney and Giuliani. In a severe state of delusion and denial, Romney attributed our sad state of affairs today to "all those liberals" who have been in power in Washington for the past 8 years.... and Giuliani, "America's mayor" after 9/11, dissing all of the "community organizers" in New York City and from across the nation who rallied to volunteer to help care for his people in so many capacities. I find it interesting that, as a former mayor of New York City, this man has no understanding or appreciation of just what a Community Organizer does for a large inner city community.

All in all, I have to agree that Sarah Palin does, indeed, have a future, but not as my Vice President and, certainly, not as my President. I think I could really enjoy her a lot more if she had her own show on late night TV where her influence was less significant to those unable to value substance over style.

With regard to this convention, I believe the Republican Party needs a long "time out" to reform themselves on their own dime and on their own time. I cannot afford to give them the opportunity to atone when so many of the communities in our nation need organizing and help and when our world community is in such peril.

For those who think that Palin is more experienced that Barack Obama, all you have to do is go their respective Wikipedia pages and compare their accomplishments and their records.

I don't think there is any comparison.

Barack is far more experienced than Palin.

Obama/Biden '08!

Selection of this terribly inexperienced woman with all of her baggage is such a poor choice. I feel sorry for her for allowing herself to be used in this manner.

"Vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is a hit among Republicans, but a new poll out today suggests she has quite a bit of work to do to convince Americans she's ready for the big time."

Because Republicans obviously aren't Americans :P

After seeing the speeches delivered at the Republican National Convention, I think their campaign slogan ought to be "Reward our Mediocrity".

They asked the electorate to ignore the sinking stock market, the rising unemployment rate, the energy crisis, the health insurance mess, the real dollar drop in personal income, the credit and housing foreclosure crisis and the two on-going wars which they chose and reward them with four more years in the Whitehouse. Not only do they wish us to reward their slack governmental performance, they wish us to ignore the mediocrity of their candidates when compared to Barack Obama.

With regard to comparisons between resumes, they have perfected the art of turning postive into negative. We're expected to dismiss Obama's resume' and accept McCain's and Palin's as somehow superior. We're told to reject the resume' of the Editor of the Harvard Law Review in favor of McCain, who graduated fifth from the bottom of his class and Palin, who changed colleges six times in six years. Isn't college usually the first adult resume' item? Finally, they want us to question Obama's experience because he chose community organizing over Wall Street for his first job.

Who are they kidding?

She has more going for her than ANY of this bunch running!!!!!!!!!

It would appear that the term "political intelligence" represents the penultimate oxymoron, followed in quick succession by "emotional intelligence," and finally by "change we can believe in."

The choice had nothing to do with her ability/knowleg but only the hope that her pick would take many of the Hillary votes

She is running against Obama. Biden is a forgotten nobody at this point. I bet if you polled, half of america would go Biden who?

Nobody thinks Obama has any experience so why does it suddenly matter with Palin? Sexist much?

How can anyone believe the Boston Globe?

jeez 42 percent think she has the ability. Now you could have titled it 42 percent of Americans believe Palin can lead. The poll came out today but when was it taken?

I think that once the public hears Governor Sarah Palin's extremist views they will be less likely to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket. Gov. Palin is strongly anti-choice , opposing abortion even in the cases of rape and incest. Both she and John McCain believe that Roe v. Wade should be overturned. Gov. Palin supports teaching creationism in public schools. She opposes comprehensive sex-ed in public schools and said that she will only support abstinence-only approaches. On the environment she is among a shrinking group of poiticians who are skeptical that humans are responsible for climate change.
I believe that most Americans don't really want another far-right, anti-science ideologue in the White House.

I prefer to think of Sassy Sarah Palin as Empress of Alaska. Just think, with her husband's seven-year membership in the AIP organization which wanted independence for Alaska -- namely, secession from the Union -- Sarah could look forward to a coronation instead of a mere swearing-in ceremony!

I find that pretty funny given Obama's spectacular lack of qualifications, and I'm a Democrat.

I have read and listened and there is not doubt in my mind that Palin is WRONG for America. I say this because she lacks experience to be a heart beat away from the presidency. She has been governor of Alaska less than 2 years. Alaska and its people are important, but it is a state with less population than many, many cities in America. I say this also because she is TOO EXTREME in her views: abstinence only education, creationism over science, anti-abortion even when the life of the girl or woman is at risk, in cases of rape/incest. She has also publicly devalued community service. Well, excuse me, Palin, you insult us CHRISTIAN WOMEN who do community service without pay. Palin lacks character. Why do I say that? She knew her daughter was pregnant and that the whole nation, the world, would learn that and still threw her daughter to the wolves. Sarah Palin who claims to be a Christian has put her ambition first, her family second. She has devalued women by wanting to disallow them to make their own choices about their bodies. (Just like China forcing women to have abortions so that they have only 1 child per family.)

McCain choice Palin to get the votes of women and the "righteous" right.

McCain, this educated Christian woman will not vote for the McCain - Palin ticket. This country cannot afford either you or Palin in the White House.

For Biden, 22 percent said it make it more likely they will vote for *Obama*, while 10 percent said it made it less likely.

Half of those surveyed said they don't believe the first-term Alaska governor has the experience to be president, AND 43 percent said the choice of Palin makes them more confident in McCain's decision-making. is it a wash?

The vice presidential candidates are probably more important this year than they have ever been. One presidential candidate has high odds of not finishing his term because of his age. The other could possibly attract the attention of violent extremists because of his race. If we were to take a poll between Biden and Palin I would hope that it would not be close.

This poll is hypocritical, she's much more ready to lead than Obama. He has never been a leader as his voting record and lack of senate accomplishments support. The same goes for Biden, 2 slick and sleazy politicians that have no clue how to run a country. Biden hasn't changed a thing in politics in nearly 40 years. What change can these 2 clowns possibly bring except change your money from your pocket to theirs?

I am curious if the ABC poll asked the respondents if Senator Obama has the experience to be president. While her accomplishments are pretty slim, they are more impressive than his (primarily because he has none). Does anyone know if the public was asked their impression of his accomplishments and experience, or lack thereof?

Desperate for a rousing convention after Obama's smash hit, the GOP got behind Palin in a big way. But now, buyer's remorse has set in. Even the Evangelicals are turned off to her snide contempt for the gracious community organizer who cares, Obama.

Did anyone see the interview where Palin asked "What does a vice president do?" JEEZZ

Sarah Palin and Rudy Giuliani's making a mockery of Obama's community service when he was 23 year years old is sickening. When a college graduate with great grades from a great school decides to pass up a high paying job to work with needy communities we should all applaud it. What did Palin do out of college? She started a career with the elitist, liberal, evil media in television. Imagine if more kids would go this route what adifference it could make in our country. It is a good Christian thing to do and something hypocritical Christians mock. Remember, Jesus was a community organizer and Pontius Pilate was a governor.

Watching Palin's speech delivery is more like watching SNL except SNL folks don't have a script to read while Palin was simply reading of the teleprompter. The punch lines at end of each sentence would have been a nice late night comedy central joke types. Her lines were amusing but had no substance. I would definitely not vote for a comedian.

I think this whole thing is getting ridiculous. First McCain said Obama was the nation’s biggest celebrity, yet his running mate is in every tabloid, on the news, in magazines. Who is the celebrity now? He said that Obama is not experienced enough to be in the White house, yet he picks someone with less experience to be his VP. Everything he has said about Obama to try to hurt his campaign is now a contradiction to his choice for VP. I think is would be devastating to have McCain/Palin elected to the White House. I am a recent graduate trying to start making a living on my own. With an economy like this it is hard even to find a job, let alone save money for my future. I have heard nothing about the economic problems we are facing from McCain or Palin. I have heard nothing about helping out with education funding, nothing about thousands of people losing their homes to the recent market. What about our foreign policies? Any answers for that one McCain? If they really want people to support them in their campaign, maybe they should start by discussing the issues that our country is facing at the moment. Maybe this so called "pitbull" should focus on the problems , rather then throwing some low blows at Obama. If we really want a change for this country there is no doubt in my mind that picking a team who have avoided these issues is not the way to go. We need a change and Obama is that change.

Three questions to ask Sarah Palin:

1. Do you think global warming is a hoax?

2. Do you believe the earth is only 7,000 years old and children should be taught that in schools?

3. Do you believe abstinence only education can curb teenage pregnancies?

It seem there is an attempt here to take the focus off Obama. Isn't he the one running for President. I see McCain, Biden, and Pallin, but where did Obama go?

Is it that you are now trying to keep him out the spotlight?

I wonder why?

I am relieved that finally someone spoke about the bias that exist in the media. It did not just begin with Pallin. McCain was always shunned, and then Clinton inherited some of that treatment later.

"The other could possibly attract the attention of violent extremists because of his race."

WWWWHHHHHHHAAAAATTTTT? WHo is going to attack? Albino extremists?

I can't wait until Palin withdraws, what a bunch a BS she is - just like a super-daft high school cheerleading coach. You got to wonder about some one who refutes evolution and thinks little girls raped by their fathers should keep their babies - we need to get away from these incredibly dangerous "backwoods" ideals and get to the real issues at hand. A mayor from a town with 6,000 people??? What a freakin joke!!!

Most of you who post here are interested in politics and I would venture to guess have already affiliated to the beliefs of the party you support.

Why don't you just save the propaganda and write Liberal or Conservative, Democrat or Republican?

Most Americans either hate politics or they put up with it these days. Look at the approval ratings for both President AND Congress.

Palin is the only candidate out there who doesn't sound like a politician. She may be the choice that independent voters have been seeking for years, gender aside. And she may end up being the first female president because if McCain makes it four years she may be the leading candidate for re-election. My guess is that the country will fall in love with her by then.

1) I love how the Democraps keep comparing Obama to Palin and saying how he is more "Qualified to be president of the US" . It is because they can't compare the accomplishments of Obama to McCain....

2) people keep bringing up that Palin was mayor of a population of 9,000+ people, but those same people fail to mention or forget that she is the governor of the state of Alaska (population of 600,000+). Nice reach people!

3) polls mean nothing.....that is why there is an election in November.

McCain, Palin Draw Sniping, Support
We're officially down to the White House finals now, with two months of sound bites to go. Dan Balz writes that Republican presidential nominee John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate and her speech to the Republican National Convention Wednesday "produced an unexpected surge of energy and unity within the Republicans' conservative base" and "could narrow a sizable enthusiasm gap between the parties."

That analysis has launched an often impolite mud-slinging contest among our Readers Who Comment on political stories. This string lacks the quality and thoughtfulness of the comments that followed the articles about Palin's convention-inspiring speech a day earlier.

Readers either praise McCain for his service to his country or complain that they have heard enough about his POW experience. Both service and POW experience were emphasized in McCain's acceptance speech and the run-up to it last night. Some ask what is McCain's program. They praise or attack Palin; they praise or attack Democratic nominee Barack Obama, and they snipe at each other. They predict a Democratic victory or a Republican victory. And they accuse each other of not being who they say they are. There are some well-reasoned comments, but informed civil discourse is not a feature of this string.

We'll start with theduke89, who wrote, "...McCain is a doer, not a talker. You have to see him in action, read his statements on important votes in the Senate to appreciate him... he will make a far better President than Obama. And the pick of Palin was brilliant..."

But kathymac1 said, "...Obama will probably win for one reason and one reason only, Bush is such an incompetent boob. So I will have to grin and reach further into my wallet for the big government programs which are coming."

tartare wrote, "The fake democrats like "kathymac" crack me up. The republican party is probably paying people to pretend to be online "switchers". Come on..."

Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, told Post reporters that "We actually have to go find votes because right now if the election were held today we probably don't have as many votes as Barack Obama." That quote inspired infuse to ask, "Now, where are all those blind followers who keep chanting about the latest polls favoring McCain?"

mgd1 said, "...My energy is for equal opportunity for ALL women and ending the mean and gender biased treatment that both female candidates endured in this campaign... Vote Sarah Palin 08!"

AverageJane wrote, "He was a POW, he acts sounds like he's owed it! How many times are we going to hear it?..."

akasaris said, "After watching all 4 days of the Rep convention all I heard were attacks and military heriosm from 30+ years ago. Oh, and the same old Bush economic plan. Thanks for serving our country, Senator McCain... Old soldiers never die, but maybe it is time to go home."

treelinedc suggested that "...So many people, senators, were on who you know didn't really approve of the Palin choice and who still aren't sold... tonight I see a party pretty divided. John McCain is not nearly as conservative as the people in that place, or as Palin. It's a jumble."

mcj91201 wrote, "I think the McCain camp is being incredibly naive if they think that Sarah Palin's appeal to the conservative base is going to translate to the independent voters. If anything, it's going to push more independents to Obama..."

woody2471 sneered that "You've got to hand it to the Repugs. Once again, they have managed to up the Jerry Springer quotient of the national debate: 'I'll see your pants-suit yuppie mom and self-made, educated black man, and raise you a white-trash, party hack mom from nowhere.' "

blarsen1 said, "McCain calls himself a maverick, but he's pretending to rebel against a system he's been a major part of for the last 27 years..."

VKG1 wrote, "McCain with the Palin pick has proved that he will do anything to get into power. Power is intoxicating and McCain is certainly addicted to it and wants it badly. Why else would McCain pick a person he had issues with regarding earmarks only a few years ago, yet anoints her as a hero and uncorrupt?"

Plutonium57 said, "...the problem for McCain is...McCain and the fact that Republicans are the ones who have led us into the morass of Iraq, let Afghanistan backslide, and let the economy tank. So the Palin factor won't be enough to satisfy people looking for more than punch lines..."

johnbsmrk wrote, "...The notion that the far right, anti abortion, creationist, book banning Palin is going have any traction with middle of the road voters even if they are women is a paradox that is never explained by all the pundits on the right...This is going to be 53-54% Obama/45-46% McCain election."

We'll close with wesfromGA, who asked, "What would the reaction have been if Senator Obama had given an acceptance speech as light on policy and as full of platitudes as Senator McCain did? I don't think the response would be very positive. Neither McCain nor Palin had any serious constructive plans for solving our problems..."

All comments on this article are here.

By Doug Feaver | September 5, 2008; 7:33 AM ET McCain , Obama , Palin , Presidential Politics
Previous: Palin Draws Cheers, Respect, Fear |

CommentsPlease email us to report offensive comments.

Some of you on this thread are very ignorant...

Palin's telemprompter went out during her speech. Then it went too fast. This has been all over the news.

Palin was never connected to the AIP in Alaska. This is a flat out lie and ridiculous.

Posted by: Ignorance is Bliss | September 5, 2008 12:04 PM

This is my first time to watch the conventions. It seems the Republicans draws on the emotions for the love of USA and blinds people with that singular vision, while the Demos focus on the needs of people, open and objective.

What I don't understand is that if USA is the strongest nation in the world, we should love and not "fight". Right? Could it be possible, because of the monochromatic values of the Republicans caused their difficulty in accepting the needs of others.

Posted by: Donald Hwong | September 5, 2008 12:04 PM

I cant wait till McCain gets in office. He will show the world we wont put up with any overseas crap. It's payback time baby. Bush was stupid to blow up iraq then not get the oil. That oil is ours, they owe it to us with all the money and men spent there, and we should be reimbursed with oil, because there money is worthless to us. I would really hate to be the guards that held McCain as a POW, they better run fast as they can.

Posted by: Crush the Dems | September 5, 2008 12:03 PM

I have great respect for McCain as a war hero, and I think he could have made a good president once upon a time. However, he is clearly not "maverick" if he's pandering to the far-right evangelical movement. The "Christian Right" reviles the separation of Church and State, and for a group who claim to bristle at the thought of "the government telling people what to do," they apply this sentiment quite selectively. The Christian Right is absolutely fine with the government telling you who you can and cannot marry, and what you can and cannot do with your body. In other words, the government shouldn't tell people what to do -- unless it forces them to follow church dogma. Real Republicans should take back their party and kick the zealots out. Make "Evangelicals" create their own party. Better yet, give them their very own state, where they can insulate themselves from "bad" values such as science, tolerance, and critical reasoning skills.

With McCain's choice of Sarah Palin, he assured that I would vote for Obama-Biden.

Posted by: independentwoman | September 5, 2008 12:02 PM

I am sick of hearing the dems whine about Obama being called a community Organizer... He is the one who said it!! No one is down grading the position, but it DOES NOT make you ready to be President. I know lots of Community volunteers and organizers with college degrees.. and even they say "it doesn't make me ready to be president" It amazes me that there are that many Americans who are ready to be TAXED TO DEATH by Obama's proposed economic plan. Everyone complains about the price of fuel, then supports a platform to increase ALL your expenses. Wake up and get original.... McCain will be four years of McCain for America... As opposed to 4 years of terroists attacks on our front steps and Obama wondering why the bright lights, media and cameras aren't protecting him anymore.

Posted by: amazed | September 5, 2008 12:01 PM

I think somehow the right wing whackos think that the end of the world is near and either they should hasten it or should sit down and pray hard... Thats why they are rallying behind a woman who has no respect to the environment. and brings up GOD GUNS MOOSE and OIL in everything she says. When will they learn and that living on earth is a privilege and not a right....
They really need see a psychiatrist.

Posted by: raj | September 5, 2008 12:01 PM

I'm a libertarian, so I disagree with both McCain and Palin on a number of issues. However, I believe McCain to be honest, and I believe he honestly chose Palin because she understands oil and energy. Most Americans misunderstood Russia's invasion of Georgia during the Olympics. Closing Georgia's pipeline didn't just take a million barrels a day off the world market, it completely stopped oil exports from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan - both countries recently freed from the former Soviet Union. In one fell swoop Russia crushed one newly-freed country, intimidated two more and got away with it because Russia controls the valve that shuts off Europe's energy supply. Palin understood that fact. Like it or not, we cannot be independent of foreign oil for decades, if ever, and I believe McCain saw the value in having a VP who understands oil, essential knowledge for the next decade.

Posted by: Mark | September 5, 2008 12:01 PM

Rush Limbaugh wrote on his website:
Our Hope for the Final Night
Just for one night, drop the "bipartisanship" stuff.

"Jindal dashes Democrat dreams of destruction"

SO much for bipartisan republicans....

Posted by: Mike | September 5, 2008 12:01 PM

It is with great sadness that I view this election seeing how the McCain ticket is behaving. McCain may be a good man and may have made a good president IF he didn’t pander to the radical religious right, nominate Sara Palin, a woman of dubious background and stood his ground on the basis of the constitution: basic freedoms and respect for ALL including all races, Religions and orientations. But alas, respect for our founding fathers vision of equality for all is not one of his "Family Values" anymore.

Prejudice and hate disguised as "moral values" is still prejudice and hate. Not honoring the tenant of a nation that honors ALL religions, not only Christians, is unconstitutional and short sighted.

Not dealing with the true challenges of our country is the largest misstep of all. Abortion and a woman’s right to chose was already decided and entails an emotional consequence for any woman that has to make that choice. To make this a current political issue is merely being divisive and is impressing a religious intent on a deep personal issue, not something a secular government need do. Maybe dealing with the economy, the deficit and the failed war of a misguided Bush administration and corporate corruption would be a better use of your time and ours, the people that would have supported you?

But not nominating a qualified VP if God forbid something happens to you Mr McCain is unconscionable to the American people and the Republican Party. I guess doing what would be "popular" is better for you than what is better for our country.

Till the Republican party starts to honor ALL people in our great country and stops the corporate funded corruption of our politicians and the one sided religious pandering, Obama/Biden is the only choice for anyone of fairness, honor and patriotism.

Posted by: Phil FTL | September 5, 2008 12:00 PM

There are going to be people who support either McCain or Obama simply because they do or do not like them. There are others who will support a candidate because he is their party's nominee. Arguing point with either group is akin to teaching a pig to sing.

For the remainder of people who intend to vote, there are two questions to be asked and answered:

Do you agree with their stated policies? Not the policies their opponent tries to tag them with, mind you, but the policies they have outlined themselves.

Do you think they have a chance of implementing those policies? A sitting U.S. President is pretty powerful, but not a dictator (as our current president has lamented previously); you have to judge whether or not they can do what they promise to do.

If people are going to argue, my thought is they should be arguing those two questions, and leave the emotional drama out (as much as possible, anyway).

Posted by: Bryan | September 5, 2008 12:00 PM

Are people even reading the articles, they jump right to the comment just to spew their hate! say something relevant to the article!! Like Palin sucks - or something

Posted by: Tom | September 5, 2008 11:59 AM

I am a pro-life, Catholic mother of four children. Before I decided to stay home full time to take care of my kids, I worked as an attorney.

I attended Catholic schools from grades K-12, have marched in pro-life rallies in Washington, and have been a regular lector at Sunday mass for the past 10 years.

I am also a true independent voter. I voted for President George Bush once, for President Bill Clinton twice, and for President George “W” Bush twice.

All that said, I cannot bring myself to vote for the Senator McCain/Governor Palin ticket.

Senator McCain proposes to give the very wealthiest among us a tax cut which will average $120,000/yr. per household. As a Catholic, I was taught to give to the poorest amongst us.

And Governor Palin’s doctrinaire willingness to impose her values, morals and religion upon on those she governs is the antithesis of what 38 years of living as part of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church have taught me.

(For example, Governor Palin slashed state funding to an Alaska transitional program for unwed mothers while she accepted and kept federal funds for the bridge to nowhere. She also continues to build a state highway leading to that bridge to nowhere. In other words spending is fine as long as it doesn't contradict her moral world view).

As a Catholic, I was taught to take care of all of God's people, even those whose choices we don't agree with.

Let me conclude with the Prayer of St. Francis:

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; when there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand, to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

I HAVE ALWAYS VOTED DEMOCRAT.HOW EVER SINCE THE DEMOCRATS CAN NOT GET IT TO GETHER.WITH ALL VOTES COUNTING AND THE WAY THEY DONE HILLARY I WILL VOTE REPULICAN FROM THIS ON.AND I THINK JOHN
mcCain will make a great president .and him picking palin was a great ideal
i knew nothing of her,until now i loved her speech. and yes some one else may have wrote it.but some one else has wrote all speeches.i hope all the democrat
that was for hillary will vote for sara.we have to take a stand that if the democrats
cant do the votes right,and count all votes that we will go to repulican.this might
make them clean up there act.and it does not realy matter who gets in office.because there not going to fix the problems anyway.we have heard for the last 15 years about health care and no one has done any thing about it.as far as obama he just is not the man for president he scares me

The political game being played before our eyes is obvious. Desperate to be a desperado, McCain chose Palin to toss warm female bones to the far right and to appease the Republican Machine. She is a sacrificial offering who will garner the votes of the God and Guns crowd. After Nov. 4, if McCain wins, she will be stuffed into a Pentagon closet only to be pulled out as pretty puppet for Rove and company to handle if McCain croaks.

I don't want to compete with emerging global superpowers with a sarcastic, condescending, small thinking hick of an ideologue at the helm.

I see Sarah Palin coming off the ticket and having to resign as governor of Alaska because of some scandal in Alaska and then doing a daytime TV talk show: "today's show: teens who kept their babies. On tomorrow's show we'll have a shooting clinic and our panel of experts will show you how you can use these techniques to rid your yard of pesky rabbits, stray cats, and other wildlife."

For anyone to expect balance from anyone in any media anywhere, much less in Taxachusetts, even less from any politician, is to strain credulity. To expect objectivity is so far beyond the scope of the credible that it must be regarded as vile duplicity or fatal naivete. To believe that "facts" are presented in any political discussion to help make honest assessment is to deny the undeniable - it is to deny that the unarguable fact that the media is a political operative - usually of the left.

Obama neither is nor ever will be an agent of change. He is just another neosocialist politician who runs his mouth for a living. He just does it better than most, but not as well as more seasoned liars like Slick Willy. Need one remind people that Move-On.org is named for the left's insistence that we accept Clinton's endless series of duplicitous and arguably perjurous statements and "move on"?

Move-On stands as a living and lying monument to acceptance of the fact that truth has nothing to do with politics. Politics is all about concentration of power, its exercise, and nothing else. Political ideologues believe that gaining power is too important an undertaking to risk letting truth have any say in the matter.

Like all leftist politicians, Obama will work to move America to the next step down the road to socialsim - social democracy - while painting this atrocity as bringing us all together. Like all politicians, he will lie, cheat, and steal to accomplish his political ends and the media will do its part in this cause.

Sarah Palin's most appealing quality is that she is just what she presents herself as - an honest conservative. To pretend that she lacks experience when Obama has substantially less in everything but running his mouth is just more media support fot the duplicity that is politics. The media is just pissed that Sarah's speech proved her to be as verbally adept as the professional liars she is running against.

To expect anything else from politicians or media is unforgivable.

The public feels Palin is not ready to lead? Did I miss something? When did her name jump to the top of the ticket...On the other hand I do still believe Obama's name is at the top of the Democratic ticket...But I'm sure all that "community organizing" expertise will come in real useful!

Obama=JOKE!

As an independent voter, I would like to see Sarah Palin unscripted. Why has she been sequestered since she got off the plane last friday morning? She's spoken to the American public exactly twice: once at the RNC convention and once to take another hit at Obama at a press conference where she took no questions.

I'd like to see her talk on her feet. I'd like to hear her explain her views.

To Craig Ramsey

wow talk about the wrong message. "The other could possibly attract the attention of violent extremists because of his race. " you really hit a homer there with that ridiculous view. Wow only in america you can read this kind of crappy comments seriously. Also after Palin gave her speech yahoo fact checked the speech and they found she lied in the key issues. Like when she said she was against wastefull spending, yet she forgot to mention she hired a lobbist for her state and manage to get 27 millions on earmarks. Yeah same old republicans, we are different then Bush...YEAH RIGHT!!!

I would like to divide Palin's legs publicly and cast my vote.

women who think their only purpose in life is to be baby-making machines, love Palin.

That said, the Republicans have created quite a distration from the real issues important to ALL Americans: unemployment, the mortgage crisis, ending the war, etc. They've dumbed-down the election to pander to the American Idol intelligence of this country. Everyone loves to look at a trainwreck.

Please, take time to look at both candidates for PRESIDENT, and then decide who you're going to vote for, and who will get us out of 8 years of economical decline.

And Obama is not a joke? What has he relentless fought for in his life? He didn't even stand up to Rev. Wright, William Ayers or Pfleger. I wish somebody could tell me he took an issue as his own, and FOUGHT for it. That would have spelled EXPERIENCE and JUDGEMENT to me.

Palin is willing to ban books.

Do you need any more than that?

What a dim bulb.

Once again, the election is between the C students and the A students. There are more C students, sadly. If you want a team that can't tell Shia from Sunni, and believes that proximity to Russia magically gives you policy background, OK then.

Wonder what Condoleeza Rice thinks of Palin's background in Russian studies? She's probably chewing her tongue off.

Still to early to track the full bounce but I suspect it wont be much difference. Basically we are tied going into the debates.

No matter who you want to win this is the best presidential election in at least 50 years.

I'm not sure how Republicans gauge whether someone is experienced enough, but I think that knowledge should probably come into play. McCain has knowledge through experience, Obama has knowledge in spades (Columbia U, Harvard Law degree, constitutional scholar, listen to him talk about the Middle East once or twice). Palin attended Northern Idaho College, and has a BA in journalism from U. Idaho, doesn't know what a VP does, and hasn't "paid attention to Iraq." But I guess it's elitist to suggest that a more educated person might know more.

McCain chose Palin for one reason only, to secure the (specifically financial) "support" of the Republican Far Right, who don't care how unsuitable she may be to actually fill her position (she doesn't either, since she admited she was applying for a job she didn't know anything about) (the Vice Presidency has evolved into the President's closest and most reliable advisor, and exactly what does McCain think she has the education, expertise and experience to advise him about?) . He sacrificed his personal judgment to his ambitions.

A poster at the New York Times said McCain's flat affect, short attention span, overly simple analysis of complex situations and other symptoms are indicators of the onset of senile dementia. (My father has Alzheimers, and I agree) I respect his service, but he shouldn't be running for President.

Obama's reception overseas demonstrates that he can get back at least some of the respect that we have lost from the international community, something we sorely need. McCain can't do that, and Palin is already a joke in the London newspapers)

Obama has proven by his community service in Chicago's South Side that he is truly committed to raise this country up to where we should be, that he's not just talking, he actually DID what he says he can do.

DONT' LET THE REPUBLICAN PARTY STACK THE SUPREME COURT. Those justices are appointed for LIFE, and left unchecked, a TOTALLY EXTREME RIGHT Supreme Court will ruin the constitutional rights of citizens of EVERY state AND the United States for GENERATIONS, not just for a couple of election cyclees, and not just on the issues involving women's reproductive rights.

When is Palin going to speak to America without a script in front of her? The Republicans are keeping her under very tight wraps - probably waiting for her to learn something about the job. The longer they keep her away from all uncontrolled events, the more I am convinced that even the party leaders know that she is totally unqualified and likely to embarass McCain.

You know the real joke here is that anyone for one moment thinks that someone who is elected only after raising hundreds of millions of dollars, both sides having many of the same contributors on their lists, is going to make any difference or change whatsoever. If you're looking for Obama or McCain or Bin Laden to make your life better I say go for it, at the end of that exercise born of fear you may see a glimpse of the truth. At least you will know somethinfg about the true nature of power and where reliance fits. As for this election, (and any other), Pete Townshend had it right years ago, '... meet the new boss, he's the same as the old boss..'

As to Nick's posting as to the real question being "would you rather have a strong president and an inexperienced VP, or a strong VP and an inexperienced president", that depends alot on whether the President is pushing 80. Additionally no one with mayorial experience of a town of 8,000 and 19 months as the governor of a state 1/4 the population of Brooklyn is experienced enough to be President. Bottom line. Obama was editor of the Harvard Law Review. Palin was point guard of her basketball team.

Nobama is a disaster, and it is funny how none of his supporters can intelligently pontificate one specific plan or idea he has, because he can't

I find it amazing that while Nobama has been running for president for 18 months, and Sarah Palin 6 days, 39% of Americans think she is ready to be President and only 49% think Nobama is...and she isn't running for President!

You Nobama supporters has shown your ignorance by listening to the scare tactics and mis information from the left and the media that represents them. Try doing some research on your own, form some independent decisions. If you believe the Government should provide equality of opportunity and not equality of outcome, then you will vote McCain/Palin in 2008

OMG, you Obama people really are idiots! The Republican attack machine hasn't even warmed up yet and Obama has supplied them with enough ammunition to start WWIII. Do yourself a favor, please Google:

Ayers Obama
Wright Obama
Farrakhan Obama
Odinga Obama
al Mansour Obama
Rezko Obama

Believe me, the Republicans already have.

And now there's a lawsuit filed by a Democrat challenging Obama's citizenship. Can you say "October surprise?"

She tried to ban books in the public library of the town over which she presided as Mayor. She then asked for the resignation of the librarian and other civil workers of the community for not agreeing with her policies.

She doesn't want women to have a right to choose what's right for them, their bodies and most importantly the greater good for the community. She does not even believe that birth control pills are appropriate or should be covered by your health insurance.

Think about it. All those women rape victims and young teenage girls who get knocked up by undereducated boys because they didn't have sex ed (yet another brilliant cut back she intends to make). All contributing to the rise in poverty and the rise in the amount of our taxes being used to support mothers who couldn't afford to have children but were forced to anyway.

It's just like George Carlin said "our rights aren't rights they are priveleges and they are dissappearing one by one." Things are getting way too "1984" for my taste. Our "Goldstein" is Alqueda and extremists of the middle east. This all smacks too much of Fascism.

Soon they will have what they want. Control through fear and degradation. A nation of followers who have lost their faith in and disavowed a Democracy and allowed their so called "rights" and "freedom" to be taken away like a rug being yanked out from underneath them.

Yes it is through these means that they intend to control us all, the majority will be slaves to the minority, working until the day we die to pay for everything including those things that a socialistic democracy may have provided us once upon a time in a land called the United States of America. Soon we will have nothing to fall back on except for Jesus and the military.

Since I'm almost certain that the Diebold electronic voting machines will clinch the election for the Republicans given that Diebold has been known to generously reward Senators for implementing the machines in their states, all this arguing over experience, sexism and racism is pretty pointless in my view.

The Republicans will most likely win and if they don't something insane will happen prompting President Bush to declare Marshall Law. How convenient it is that he ammended that process to allow for the president in office to remain in office for an indefinite number of years once Marshal Law has been declared? Talk about we can't afford 4 more years, what if we had a lifetime of President Bush, his crazy right wing administration and a government ruled under Marshal Law, which is code for kiss your rights good bye and say hello to the military governing your every move. Oh and lets make sure you don't commit a "thought crime." It will be complete chaos. It's just a theory so don't get scared.

@ poster#6

Palin's Wikipedia page was completely OVERHAULED and made restricted from adjustment (the morning they decided on her)-- obviously someone doesn't want the American public to know something.

And why does McCain camp COPY EVERYTHING that the Obama camp does?
-Obama was for "change" from day 1, and now McSame is for "change".
-Obama, Washington outsider; McSame had to get a Washington outsider.
-Obama, 'let's take our Party hats off, country first...'; now McSame, 'country first'.

Obama= proactive
McSame=reactive

What is this "McCain's going to die in office" junk? Craig? McCain's mother was at the convention at 96,and had no problem showing shes got plenty of time left.

People engaging in writing history before it has come to pass are nuts, and the ones who actually then write counter-factual history on a future yet to pass are completely insane.

This isn't imagination land where "hope" is a legitmate substitute for "work". The latter actually produces results and has consequence for failure.

Please make it stop - her nasal shrill voice is attroctious and her endless sarcasm is something I thought most grown-ups left behind in high school. Is this the best the GOP has to offer? A hockey mom? Can you imagine what Vladimir Putin would do to her when she doesn't have a script and 20,000 faithful republicans to cheer her on?

Palin: "Prime Minister Putin, as a former Alaska National Guard commander in chief, you will leave South Ossetia immediately!"

Putin: "AHAHAHA!! I will crush you. Come here sweet cakes!"

Why don't you talk about the fact that Sarah Palin cut funding for single teen moms in Alaska.

Or maybe about the fact that the so-called "advocate" for disabled Americans cut funding for such programs by no less than 63%!

Next there is the company that had to lay off workers because of a gas shortage - all the while Sarah Barracuda was making an international gas deal while saying she was sorry while lying through her teeth.

Why didn't Sarah Palin tell the audience that as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, she left a town of 9,000 people ten million dollars in debt, or that she hired a lobbyist to secure pork barrel spending and earmarks for the city?

Palin bragged to the audience about opposing the infamous bridge to nowhere, neglecting to mention that she was actually for it before she was against it (the GOP love that one I'm sure)

Oh God!! please,will people stop talking about this!! the economy is in a limbo!, the national debt stands at $ 9,671,217,177,695.25 The estimated population of the United States is 304,673,117 so each citizen's share of this debt is $31,742.93. The National Debt has continued to increase an average of $1.94 billion per day since September 28, 2007!. And here we are talking about speeches???. Economically we are sliding down hill faster than the Russians did! . Still in doubt whether we are # one in the world!. I swear four more years of the Republicans and we will have the worst economy among the deveoped countries!. These politicians are screwing us from left to right!

OMG, you Obama people really are idiots! The Republican attack machine hasn't even warmed up yet and Obama has supplied them with enough ammunition to start WWIII. Do yourself a favor, please Google:

Ayers Obama
Wright Obama
Farrakhan Obama
Odinga Obama
al Mansour Obama
Rezko Obama

Believe me, the Republicans already have.

And now a lawsuit has been filed by a Democrat challenging Obama's citizenship. Can you say "October surprise?"

I spoke with my independent-voter mother last night and she told me she was very impressed with Palin's speech and would consider voting for McCain because of her. I asked my mother if she knew Palin's record and she said she didn't. I asked her is she knew Palin's stance on abortion and she said she didn't. After clueing her in, she was no longer impressed, especially when she heard about Palin's right-wing social agenda. If my mother is anything like the other coveted independent voters, we should all be very scared.

What is with the American obsession with mediocrity? We clamor to put the "everyday guy" in charge. It was a big deal that people would rather have a beer with Bush than with Kerry. Personally, I don't want someone just like me to be president. I want someone smarter, wiser, better educated, more skilled and with better judgment than me. Are we so insecure that we want to look at someone and say "See, I could do that"? Well, I can't do that, and I dare to say the same about anyone else here. And neither can Sarah Palin. She shouldn't be given the chance.

I do not think that intelligent women on the Democratic side would vote for the McCain/Palin ticket simply because Palin is a woman. I listened to her speech and was shocked to hear her make snide remarks about Barack obama for being an organiser! One would have expected her to value the efforts he made to help the suffering poor and lower middle class. I agree that she seems to have put her great ambitions above her family in agreeing to take this offer even if she knew that this would bring her pregnant teenage daughter into the spotlight.

I think some of the women who voted for Hillary Clinton and felt that she was slighted may choose not to vote instead of casting a vote for the MCCain/Palin ticket. Their ideas are just too different.

Republicans made a mess of America for the past 8 years. They need to stand aside and give the Democrats a chance. if they love America as they say they do this is exactly what they will do.

I cannot believe that MCCain stole obama's theme''Change"!

You Americans are halarious, I hope your country keeps going to crap so we can take your jobs and buy your real estate and product for cheap. Go McCain/Palin!

Did the media watch the same Palin speech I did?

Sarah Palin seems like a nice person, but way out of prime-time. Washington is going to chew her to pieces. Her timing was horrible and her finest points were about her family. She also came across as condescending and a real smart ass at moments. Like him or not, what Obama has accomplished throughout his life and this campaign is extraordinary and it should be respected.

Who the hell is she to mock anyone? What’s wrong with being a community organizer? These people are helping their communities and the less fortunate. Not only that but her facts were dead wrong. Biden earned many, many more votes than her for instance.

Why won’t she talk to the press? Because is clear, she needs to be prepped and educated about what to say. One speech and the media is ready to elect her. She read a script someone else wrote! I'm hearing "she’s the real deal", "we now know who she is today". People get a grip on reality. She hasn't had 1 interview! Shes has been in the public for 5 days!

This is a political gimmick and everyone knows it, even Republicans. It’s not only insulting to women but to our country as a whole. McCain only met her once. I’ve had job interviews where I went through more vetting. Sure she may impress, but the fact remains McCain's judgment is dangerous and reckless. You don't "gamble" at our country's expense for votes. ”Country First”?

How can McCain supporters get on TV and look at the camera with a straight face and proclaim they know she is ready to lead our country in the event she would have to when most of them have never even heard of her. Are we that stupid? Obama has been proving himself everyday for almost 2 years straight since he decide to run for president.

Obama passed the Commander-in-Chief threshold. The argument may have had some validity 20 months ago, but not almost 2 years later after passing several metrics over a long period time. He has met with world leaders who embraces his policy and judgment, put together a plan to take the country in a new direction, beat the Clintons, is/was a U.S./State Senator, won 18 million votes, has been vetted in and out, had over 20 debates, 100's of interviews, built the best campaign in history by us the people and won the Democratic nomination all with the handicap of being a minority. Who else in history can make the same claim?

Palin by contrast has 60 days to prove herself with far, far less metrics to pass. Obama earned his nomination and the right to challenge anyone for the presidency -Palin was appointed. Those two things are fundamentally worlds apart. 2 months simply isn't enough time to make a sound decision. VP's matter this time. McCain is a 72 year old cancer survivor.

Palin doesn’t have more experience than Obama either. She has been a governor for less than 2 years of the least populated and one of the most remote states in the country. It's one thing to metaphorically be not of Washington, but Palin is too far outside Washington and world experience to face what will be required of her. Even if you’re against it, you better know how it works and what you’re up against.

Certainly, die hard conservatives will fall in line and vote McCain no matter what, but I have to believe this is not going to fly with the majority of Americans. There are 2 wars, issue of China, Russia, Iran, Israel, oil and energy, a failing economy, huge deficit on and on. This isn’t a game.

No one, not one Republican even mentioned Sara Palin’s name in the almost 2 years since the primaries were announced. Not one TV program segment, not one national article, not one mention. Now all these puppets are willing to just get behind her without even knowing anything about her and try to convince the American public she is prepared to be VP or President while they gave Obama hell for 20 months straight? Not even uncertain objectiveness, caution, pause or question just because she has an "R" in front of her name? That is so, so shallow. What does it say about a campaign that has to "mimic" what and who Obama is just to poach votes? Is that all Obama is, a "product" a "formula"?

Bravo America! We look like complete idiots once again while the world watches. I am truly embarrassed of my country.

Obama's spectacular lack of qualifications include 7 yrs. in the State Senate, 4 yrs in the US Senate. That's 11 yrs of political experience at at least the state level. JFK had 13. George Bush had 5. Sarah Palin has 2 if you're nice.

Obama is a Graduate of Occidental College, Columbia University and Harvard Law School where he was President of the Harvard Law Review. He also taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago. Let's not even bring up any 'community organizing' experience because 'community' obviously means little to the high and mighty Republican guard. Sarah Palin went to 6 colleges in six years and graduated from Idaho St.

Barack Obama had the foresight and courage to oppose an 'illegal war' that has cost this country hundreds of billions of dollars and a boatload of international respect. Our economy is in a rut unlike any in awhile, our money has become dangerously devalued, we're in two wars yet haven't captured 9/11's perpertrator and the party that is responsible for this and plenty more has just nominated a religious extremist whose main political experience is that of mayor of a town of 9,000, which she happened to leave indebted 22 million dollars after inheriting a budget surplus. It's insulting to think they expect votes.

Governor Palin has put her ambition before her family which from a character standpoint is troubling. I respect and admire working mothers, but seeking the VP nomination is not a choice created by economic necessity to support a family. Running for the Vice Presidency is an ego feeding adventure she has engaged in at the expense of caring for her infant son and troubled teenage daughter. What does this tell us about the "family values" and priorities she has set in her life ?

BTW- If you dig deep enough into uber-liberal ABC's "methodology" you will find that this poll of "all Americans" actually consists of only 505 randomly selected people. Nice work - that's some hard hitting reporting! Maybe you could pare that down to 250 next time to really get the results you need.

>>This ABC News poll was conducted by telephone Sept. 4, 2008,
among a random national sample of 505 adults. The results from the full survey have a
4.5-point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS of Horsham, PA.

I feel that Sara Palin is being used by the republican party. I doubt about the sincerity of her values since it seems that she is using her kids in order to get votes for the republican party. I wonder why she did not let her baby with a relative instead of being there with the crowd, poor baby, he needed to sleep. I think that she should be at home taking care of her baby who needs her now and put her family first. If she acts like this with her own family how would she be with the rest of the people who are unknown to her.

Ahhh, the sweet smell of fear in the Democrats. Trotting out the same talking points and lies that have been unleashed on Palin since last week. How is the Eagleton Effect theory coming. They searched and searched and there is no real baggage here. She has a pregant teen daughter but the media attacked her so hard, it resulted in sympathy. Next they attacked her experience which resulted in people laying her resume v. obamas. Obama was foolish enough to take the bait and claimed him running his campaign was sufficient executive experience. The best James Carville could come up with was "that she didn't have a passport until recently." Really? is that the best you can do. The Dems are left licking their wounds after the evisceration they received from Rudy and Sarah. Obama has been emasculated by a woman, laughed at by 40 million Americans. Oh yeah and more people tuned in to watch McCain give his speech than Obamas.

Why do the dems keep nominating trial lawyers every election/ They wonder why they lose.

Palin was an odd choice, but I suppose she does making an appealing contrast to Biden. I was open to her when she was announced, but after hearing her snide, ill-formed and factually inaccurate speech, I have decided to cast my vote for the other side. As a Christian woman (mom of four kids, graduate degree education) I was turned off by her tone towards people with education, community organizers and comparing herself to a pit bull, when there's a really horrible story in the Alaskan papers about a little girl put in a PBV due to a pit bull attack.

I also found her smugness exactly like that of loud mouth, uneducated people I grew up with in my small, racist town. This is why I moved away and worked hard to get myself through college. I didn't want to raise my family around people like that.

She transferred to six different colleges including going FROM a FOUR YEAR college TO a community college. Either she had conduct or academic issues. The schools she attended were not remarkable and she did not write for the paper (even though she was a journalism major) nor did she involve herself in student politics (despite being a poli-sci minor). While Mr. Obama was running the most prestigious law review in the country she was competing in beauty contests and giving sports scores on TV.

She is arrogant, ignorant and doesn't deserve the privilege of serving our country. She doesn't think community organization is real work or that those who do it have real responsibilities.

Yet she opts to make a big deal out of her PTA association. The PTA, which last I checked, was a COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION!

I get a kick out of all your e-mails? Wouldnt it be nice if you reported both partys e-mails instead of representing your Democratic preference and one sidedness?.

"She knew her daughter was pregnant and that the whole nation, the world, would learn that and still threw her daughter to the wolves. "

OR: she had a thoughtful and informed conversation with her daughter about what the possibilities were, and given that her daughter will turn 18 this year and thus be of the age where she can vote, gave her the chance to vote on whether she wanted to be a part of this process.

I love how many in the media and some Americans assume a mother of five children got to this point by being completely insensitive to the needs of her family and these people didn't once think "hey this girl was old enough to make the decision to keep the baby, maybe she's old enough to decide that America won't be horrified by this notion."

After all, you folks all just ate it up in Juno.

Right wing, hypocrit, CREATIONISM....she scares me.
Bring on the flying spaghetti monster......PASTAFARIANS unite....

I am English, not American. Were I American I would not vote for any candidate who supports creationism. This, in my book, is the kind of "away with the fairies" thinking on a par with flat-earthers of yore. And Mrs Palin even wants it taught in schools! Breathtaking. I want Obama to win. The world cannot stand another four years with a Republican at the helm, especially when McCain might keel over at any moment and President Palin assumes office.

I'm going to vote for Obama because I want to expand the $51 Trillion dollar unfunded debt of the entitlements of Social Secuirty and Medicare. No really, becuase the more government that Obama propses equals more debt. I love paying off debt, it makes me feel all cozy that I am helping my fellow human being. Not to mention they then get MORE debt to help subsequent generations and also feel good.

I am a logical Democrat, and I approve this feel good message.

I would think that there have to be a few people out there that doubt that a 47 year old guy who has been a US senator for half a term (3 1/2 years) is ready to be president. By comparison, one of the youngest US presidents and only other sitting US Senator to be elected president in the past 100 years, John Kennedy at age 43 had been a US congressman for 6 years and a US Senator for 7 years when he was elected. JFK had 10 years more experience than Obama in an office that has traditionally qualified you for president... and JFK was our second youngest president. Only Teddy Roosevelt was younger and he became president because he was VP. Let Obama get another ten years experience and come back when he is ready.

The biggest joke is the article itself. No wonder the printed media is dying a slow, painful death. The loony far-left may eat this stuff up but the majority of us in the middle see right through this foolish B.S. R.I.P. Boston Globe.

I do not think Palin qualified nor capable to take over for McCain. How old was Ariel Sharon in office? Where is he now.

She believes the Earth to be 6,000 years old.

Next?

Sarah Palin said John McCain is the same, implying Barack Obama presents different faces to those who hear him. I’m going to take her at face value. At a fundraising dinner in Arizona a decade ago, John McCain asked, “Do you know why Chelsea Clinton is so ugly?” adding, “Because Janet Remo is her father” This remark packed into it’s 15 words several layers of misogyny: it disparaged the looks of Chelsea then 18 and barely out of high school; it portrayed Reno as a man when she was serving as the first female US Attorney General; and it implied that Hillary Clinton was engaged in a lesbian affair while the Monica Lewinsky scandal was blazing.
Any of these elements would seem potentially terminal for a public figure. Yet here he is 10 years later presenting himself as a champion of feminism appointing Sarah Palin as his running mate. The puzzle is explained partly by the US press, which barely reported the story. The Washington Post broke it in June 1998 but declined to relate the joke on the grounds “it was too vile to repeat.” Clearly the American electorate are viewed as wayward children in need of moral protection!
After his misogynist joke. McCain apologised to Bill Clinton but interestingly made no direct apology to the three women involved. Clearly to do so was more difficult than withstanding torture in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp. This is the fearless former war hero prepared to take anyone on. Be careful Sarah Palin. Do you really know the man you are running with? Is he really the same or do you think he was capable of making a mistake. When Barack Obama makes a mistake he puts his hand up. Palin was an impressive speaker but the aggressive style and misleading comments took us back to the old style politics we so desperately need to leave behind

Bottom line Obama is an idiot a complete idiot. His wife is worse see her scowling at Hillary on stage. I was going to vote democratic not a chance now not a chance !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boston B

Sylvia R. Kennedy, M.D. let keeping aborting those little kids, and if their still moving a little, we'll just wack them in the head with a hammer. that's what obama voted FOR........................you go girl...............

"43 percent said the choice of Palin makes them more confident in McCain's decision-making? "

Huh? Anyone else confused?

For a party that accuses Obama of not having enough experience, this is an odd pick. She's hasn't even been governor for a full 2 years!

A candidate who believed in "country first" and bipartisanship would not choose a know-nothing partisan attack dog as candidate for VP. (Never mind her experience, it's her character that's the worse problem.) Nor would he cozy up to the toxic religious-right people he always despised. Or allow his convention to turn into Rancor Fest 2008. The old John McCain was an honorable man, but he has changed. Let's give him 8 years of rest during the Obama presidency, to restore him to his right mind.

There is something really scary here that is just now coming out in the press. Sarah Palin believes in prophetic words of knowledge from God. I know people like this...they think God is talking directly to them (my husband also knows a lot of people like that as he is a nurse at the psych hospital) and she can be heard on some VERY disturbing tapes speaking and praying.

I'm a Christian and I'm not voting for anyone from these kinds of fringe Christian groups that believe God is on their side no matter what they undertake. I hope the press keeps playing these tapes. I heard some very good examples of her on NPR this evening.

Obama disavowed Wright after hearing the garbage he was preaching. I can bet you that Palin will NOT disavow this stuff, but will defend it if pressed. I hope the press presses her on this! She will think nothing of engaging in a holy war if she gets a "word of knowledge from the Lord." I know what I'm taking about...I have had direct personal experience with several different people who came out of pentecostal churches in Alaska....and they are all over the country and the world, too.

[16] Obama is far more of an extremist than Sarah Palin. Liberals believe that anyone right of center is an extremist. Sarah Palin aligns more towards a moderate than an extremist, while Barack Obama is, of course, the most liberal Senator in the Senate, a fact that would be more apparent if he had a) spent any time crafting a major piece of legislation and b) not spent most of his Senate life running for President.

There is something really scary here that is just now coming out in the press. Sarah Palin believes in prophetic words of knowledge from God. I know people like this...they think God is talking directly to them (my husband also knows a lot of people like that as he is a nurse at the psych hospital) and she can be heard on some VERY disturbing tapes speaking and praying.

I'm a Christian and I'm not voting for anyone from these kinds of fringe Christian groups that believe God is on their side no matter what they undertake. I hope the press keeps playing these tapes. I heard some very good examples of her on NPR this evening.

Obama disavowed Wright after hearing the garbage he was preaching. I can bet you that Palin will NOT disavow this stuff, but will defend it if pressed. I hope the press presses her on this! She will think nothing of engaging in a holy war if she gets a "word of knowledge from the Lord." I know what I'm taking about...I have had direct personal experience with several different people who came out of pentecostal churches in Alaska....and they are all over the country and the world, too.

Hey, Big Brendan from Boston.....see ya in the soup line!!
Hey, evangelical christian hypocrites.....forget it, you're too stupid.

Palin tried to censor the local library when she was mayor.

Given enough authority and she'd make Hitler seem like a choir boy.

She already wants to set the schools back to 1927 with her Tennessee Taliban Snopes trial of science. She doesnt see that her beliefs should be private.
Making her beliefs public policy is why her daughter's pregnancy is public gossip.
Palin is against contraceptives for YOU, ME and the rest of US.
She is not happy with getting pregnant at age 42 and having her Down's syndrome child, she insists on making her personal belief public policy.
Stop her before she is appointing federal judges based on her litmus tests.
Stop McCain now. He admits he will use HER litmus tests to select the 100's of federal judges a president selects as well as high level commissions which set public health policy.
Enough. Stop the Tennessee Taliban. Enough.

As Bill Maher so eloquently put it, "It's The Maverick and The MILF". Her only qualification is she's easy on the eyes. She will get eaten by the wolves in DC... Republican, Democrat or Independent. Let's see what she can deliver, on her own, outside of the comfortable environment of the RNC. I hear she's not going to talk to the press, and she's campaigning with McCain rather than on her own. What are they hiding? Bring it on!

You know-the people who have noted that the Palin pick was designed to appeal to Hillary voters are right. That's exactly what I believe it was-a cynical attempt to appeal to those of us who supported Hillary based on her experience and talent.

And as a former Hillary supporter, I have to say that I am thankful to Mr. McCain for his pick. Like many of her supporters, I did not feel that Obama's supporters acted like "good winners" and I felt like they constantly engaged in personal attacks against not only Hillary, but against those of us who supported her, and then were surprised when we were unhappy. In fact, to me, many of them acted like they had taken a page out of the Karl Rove handbook. This "bad winners" attitude, along with my LEGITIMATE concerns over Obama's experience in the foreign policy arena, forced me to consider either McCain or a third party candidate.

However, with the nomination of Ms. Palin, my dilemma is resolved. Given Mr. McCain's current age, one must consider the possibility that he will die in office-making her President. And running a town of 9000, and then lying about your record on national TV does not make you "qualified" to be President-regardless of your gender.

Biden is more qualified than Palin and at LEAST as qualified as McCain. Obama is more qualified than Palin. Since there is a high probability that McCain's pick for VP may become President, and using qualifications (and not rhetoric) as the standard, Obama is now the only possible choice. So a big thanks to McCain/Palin from a former Clintonite.

Someone needs to poll the former Hillary supporters. Because I, as one of them, find Palin's nomination offensive to my intelligence, and I imagine a lot of them feel the same way..

Great post Roger Boon!

This is not a time to "feel good" about our morality and values, it's a time to look at our credit card bills and and empty bank accounts and figure out two things: (1) how did we get into such a hole and (2) how can we get out of it..

Before turning to Sarah Palin for help, we should ask her how she managed to leave a town that had no debt but needed a sewage system with a $22 million dollar bill for a hockey Sportsplex.

Sarah Palin is a joke! I see her choice by the Republican party as a degradation to women,the only reason she was chosen is because she's a woman. People need to WAKE UP!

Sarah Palin has absolutely no national or international political experience. She has no foreign policy experience… She only got her first passport 2 years ago and has travelled outside of North America only once in her lifetime.. The best the Republicans can come up with is that because Alaska is close to Russia she has foreign policy experience!! Well, I live close to Harvard, but I don’t have a Harvard degree.. And please don’t bring up her “executive” experience. Before McCain nominated Sarah Palin no one even cared about “executive” experience. But that’s the only thing they can say to make her look qualified! I have news for you, serving on the PTA and a couple years as a small-town mayor and Governor of Alaska is not enough experience to be VP.. Compare Palin to Joe Biden, who has more Senate experience than McCain and is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee… Obama chose his VP based on his ability to do the job and even to fill in as President. McCain chose his VP on her ability to “electrify” the base and help get him elected.. To me this shows incredibly poor judgement and irresponsibility on McCain’s part. I admit, she can deliver a speech well, but that does not qualify her for VP.. maybe for Whitehouse Press Secretary or something. I could go on and on and on about all the ways in which Palin is unqualified, but I’m sure the Republicans would just say I’m being sexist or something…. That’s pretty much how they handle any cricism against her, isn’t it?

Of course she’s qualified.
After being mayor of Wazoo, Alaska: the White House is the most natural next step

Yesss...She looks less than presidential. What good is she? She can get a gig as an announcer for the WWF. She can bark and snarl. You'd have to put her in a pen to get her out of the way. Meanwhile we're in Iraq for another 80 years doling out fat contracts to contractors and special interests.

Sarah Palin is wrong for the country for more reasons than inexperience. It has become clear that her credentials as a fiscally conservative reformer have been overstated. Also, she rivals George Bush in her apparent lack of curiosity about the rest of the world, and in her cock-sure, single-minded adherence to conservative ideology. That is a dangerous combination, as Bush has shown. Part of McCain's appeal was the hope of moving away from petty and mindless culture wars. So much for that.

Some of you don't get it. Just look at how many of them have made careers in DC. And look at the approval ratings . The democrats hold the record for the lowest ratings in history. Palin is a breath of fresh air. I have seen her debate and you're going to be shocked when she debates Biden. She's good.
Joe Biden said Obama is not ready to be President and McCain is but we are told to vote for him because Oprah wants us to.I will instead take the advice of Joe Biden and vote for McCain.

Of course she’s qualified.
After being mayor of Wazoo, Alaska: the White House is the most natural next step.

One of the few tactics that seems to be working for Barack Obama occurs when someone on his behalf says something that he can then denounce. This tactic made Obama look principled … until he did it so many times that now it just makes him look like a hapless chief executive who can’t control a reckless staff and surrogates.

The proverbial 'wolf in sheep's clothing' crying wolf

Did ANYONE notice the the ABC poll consisted of a grand total of 505 people.
Not quite a fair representation of "all Americans"

People with seven houses have no need for community organisers.

To Poster # 73:

3rd generation San Franciscan here, from a large pro-military family...with many Dem's as well as GOP's at our Thanksgiving table - The 40 million viewers tuned in out of curiosity. Our country is seeking answers, unfortunately the GOP is not addressing concerns and ignoring Who, What, Why, Where, When, and How? And "change is coming line"...well, excuse me but GOP have been running the country. What change?

...We are not better off, that's a fact. Let's give Ms. Palin the opportunity to answer questions and debate. The Dems need to be even more specific with their plan - I was very interested in Mr. McCain's speech, it was very lacking, I wanted to know his plans to get us on a better road....very empty.

A number of R in my family have voted D, they (we) are not liking what they(we) see.

My response, are you kiding? I would be happy to give a few dimes of my money to taxes...help my local economy and federal budget. I believe millions of Americans would gladly give an extra dollar (which we really can't afford) if it would honestly help.

R are affraid to raise taxes, which is why we are in this mess....not to mention the two WARS we are in.

VOTE

This is perfect timing by the Mccain campaign in introducing Sarah Palin it hit right on target.Whatever the Obama campaign and the Democrat Party is trying to use as an excuse for not picking Hilliary Clinton as VP is very little effect or no effect at all.The roadblock that is now infront of Obama is an enormous hurdle as a result of the fallout from the Primary drama.Leaving women and womens cause out of consideration by the Obama camp and the Democrat Party was a huge mistake they can never recover from it.Mccain/Palin will rewrite political history in this day and age.Remember this comment on November 4 2008 as results of the election will start to come in that day.

To all our Women who may be torn and often left confused during election. Your votes are the most important here. You have the power to change the country and you have to think about all the Pros and Cons. For instance, Health Care, Women's right to choose not for men to decide to choose for you based on religious ethnocentricism views. Women and innocent children suffer from the misfortunes of rape/incest and are left pregnant. Do you think the Republicans really care? I mean do our society care? Yes, it is your womb, only you can decide the outcome of misfortunes not anyone else. Pro Choice is every women's right to choose. The next thing we need is Stem Cell research for all mankind to benefit. We have lost many loved ones in this life and we can do more to save them rather than wait and waste precious moments. Then look at McCain who is undenieable going to depend on Palin. When he is out of commission, Palin to make commander and chief decisions for our country? He needs her to boost women and his party. If McCain cannot boost his own party, then it says a lot about McCain. There are too many questions about Palin. She is a hunter which most women cannot relate to as mostly man who hunt. She is an ambitious politician with young children, one with special needs who seems to be neglected, explains her teenage daughter's pregnancy. Her family are all smiles but there is a story behind all that. Only in time, we would hear about her husband's affairs and it would not be a shock. Where was Palin when her daughter was hanky-pankying? A Governor/parent who failed to be involved in her daughter's welfare says that Palin is probably more power hungry than genuinely concern about the real issues of women. So now, I question her values and beliefs about pre-marital sex. Where are her standards with regard to her daughter's pre-marital sexual relationship? Is she setting a good example to parents who have teenage daughters? What is her obligation to society? She is wishy washy and she only will do things that will benefit her at the expense of anyone even her own family! Women think about your rights and lives. It is long overdue. If you don't, no will care!! So No How, No way, No Mc Cain-Palin