McCain defends Palin's qualifications

Qualified candidates read newspapes. Nuff said.

It is absurd to suggest that as mayor of Wassila she gained substantial executive experience. The current mayor describes a job that is at best part time. Volunteer fire dept., and the county takes care of roads. That leaves the library and schools which pretty much run themselves, unless, like Palin, the mayor wants to censor books. Oh, yeah, the bars got her to let them stay open till five am, her biggest executive decision. She then left the town ten million in debt. Her incompetance borders on the super natural. Her perfmance as Govenor wasn't any better.

Ms. Palin is the least experienced of the 10 other Republican women who are Governors or Senators, even if only 9 of them are eligible. Would Sen. McCain care to explain what she has that Sen. Hutchinson (R-TX) doesn't? Or that Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-WA) doesn't? Because unless you count moose hunting experience, I can't find anything. The "reformer" was found to have abused her power, her popularity has dropped like a rock and the only thing that remains is that she's a former beauty queen. I guess that explains the $150,000 worth of clothes they spent Republican donations on for her. That's one $400 haircut every day for over 7 years, in case you're wondering.

Funny how McCain couldn't state plainly during his last debate with Senator Barack Obama that Palin was qualified. I guess he had an unusual moment of honesty then... now, it's back to lies and desperation for him. She is quite a reformer, though... of her own positions, that is. That 'bridge to nowhere', she was for it before she was against it. And she did take the money for it anyway. Oh well, at least her and her family's wardrobes are being 'reformed'. And isn't it heartening to know that it's the everyday republican dupe that's paying for it?

Methink McCain protests too much. The clothes issue just illustrates how they believe they can market Palin to America. And in the land of McDonald's and Budweiser they certainly have a point. But please, let's look beyond the marketing hype and spin - executive experience of a state the size of a Philadelphia suburb does not count for that much, and she is neither the reformer nor the maverick they claim. The whole problem is they are trying to make her out to be something she's not, and McCain is typically defending her the same way he chose her, in a cynical view of being able to tell the American people anything, and have them believe it.

Something is wrong if Mr. McCain is still having to defend Ms. Palin's qualifications this close to the election. I'm not sold on her "executive experience". Heck, by McCain's standards maybe my private sector "executive experience" makes me overqualified to be a VP candidate!

I always pay close attention when I hear that McCain is "defending" Palin (which seems to happen quite a lot). My reason is that I am truly interested in learning more about his motive for choosing her as his running mate.

It seems that he has a very limited list of "qualifications", none of which meet my own requirements.

My opinion of Palin went from fear (because of her roof raising convention speech ... I am an Obama supporter), to skepticism, to puzzlement, to disgust.

The Palin critics are right ... she was McCain's biggest mistake.

Gee, I wonder what OBAMA does with those over $300,000 he is supposed to have raised in his campaign. I know, he must be giving it to the people he is going to include in the Socialist States of America. I'm sure he isn't spending any of it on those lavish lobbying parties.

eww - does mccain hate palin - i watched this - he seemed like it -

But what about Palin's lack of knowledge and intellect? You have to have the material to work with. Look what has happened when you go without these last eight years?
McCain says no one will challenge him. BS!!! Every president has been challenged through out history. McCain is just an old wind bag now. He says he was challenged by sitting in his jet on the Enterprise waiting to hit Castro’s Cuba. Again BS. He was TOLD what to bomb and when. He made NO command decisions.
Obama has the intellectual ability and curiosity to make thought out decisions. Palin and McCain are shoot from the hip Mavericks (more BS) we have had that for eight years and WE NEED CHANGE. COUNTRY FIRST with a true potential in Obama.

Of course Sarah Palin is qualified to be president for the following reasons:
1. She looks fab in her new 150,000$ wardrobe bought by the Republican Party.
2. Because she can see Russia from Alaska on a good day, she does know about foreign policy. 3. She shows courage and bravery by killing wolves from helicopters. Real women show sport by this. 4. She understands that the vice president helps to pass laws as leader of the Senate. 5. She has Dubya's sense of reality knowing that it she was cleared for Troopergate. 6. She lets McCreepy hug her.
Just a heart's beat away with a 72 year old cancer survivor president...........

If Palin and McCain are reformers, are we all going to also get a $150,000 clothing allowance for our families if they win?

I continue to be saddened listening to John McCain. He sounds so desperate trying to convince us that Sarah Palin is qualified.

Oh, they're just so Mavericky, aren't they?
You say Palin is not ready? You are soo wrong!
-FACT: McSame wants to outsource our jobs to make the CEO fatcats bigger.
Sarah could do that just fine if she were in office.
-FACT: McOld wants you to believe the rhetoric (Fanny Mae untruths, Obama terrorist fearmongering) while he does not hide the fact that he wants WAR with Iran, WAR with IRAQ, WAR for profit in the name of "safety".
Palin could EASILY do that. After all, look at the poor sheep that will vote for them...

What John McCain and Sarah Palin Do Not Want Americans To Know

On Voter Fraud:
The McCain campaign made accusations that Obama's campaign was involved in voter fraud with a group called ACORN. Yet the facts are that ACORN does NOT have any partisan ties to Obama or the Democratic Party.
On the other hand...an organization hired by the Republican Party called YPM was outright lying about misleading registered voters. On October 19, 2008 the president of YPM who was hired directly by the Republican Party was arrested by law enforcement in California and the organization is now being investigated in other states such as the swing state Florida. The Republican party has DIRECT TIES to YPM by hiring them...yet McCain's campaign denies any knowledge of any voter fraud and criticizes the Obama campaign for not addressing ACORN (which Obama did the record during the 3rd Presidential debate).

On Funding for Special Needs Children:
Palin says she will increase funding for special needs children, yet constantly repeats McCain's mantra of slashing government spending. The truth is that while Governor of Alaska Palin cut funding for special needs children consistently and only AFTER the birth of her own special needs child has she even mention the possibility of increasing funding for special needs children.

On Questionable Associations with People Who Are "Terrorists" Or "Unpatriotic":
McCain and Palin try to scare voters by saying that Obama "palls around" with terrorists. When in fact, every investigation and every single media report can not find facts of any such meaningful "association". Every source of reliable information confirms that Barack Obama is a Christian man and that he denounces such behavior.
ON THE OTHER HAND...Sarah Palin's husband belonged to a political organization in Alaska that spoke violently about separating Alaska from the rest of the United States, and she even praised their efforts. And also John McCain has his own associations with an with being a friend and helping a billionaire that was closely involved in a savings and loan banking scandal that cost Americans billions of dollars.

On Joe The Plumber:
Palin sarcastically brags about how Joe The Plumber messed up Obama's interview, and John McCain still tries to throw in one liners about "Joe The Plumber"...Yet what the McCain campaign does not tell you is that the real Joe the Plumber Joe Wurzelbacher is a relative of John McCain's (billionaire scandal) friend Charles Keating. And that Joe Wurzelbacher doesn't even have a plumbing license, and does not even make $250,000 a year, so Joe doesn't have to worry about Obama's tax plan that gives tax relief to the 98% of the American people that make less than $200,000 per year. It turns out the Joe The Plumber actually makes more money under Obama's tax plan. McCain talks about helping Joe the Plumber, but the reality is that he is more interested in keeping his own family's wealth of 7 houses and 13 cars, a million dollar parking lot in Arizona by the Stadium, and his 2nd wife Cindy's beer distributorship fortune that they own. McCain is so out of touch with Joe the Plumber, Joe Six Pack and even Joe Biden. McCain and his wife's fortune is worth TENS of MILLIONS of dollars. He's more concerned about John the Super Rich Guy than Joe the Plumber.

On Political Mudslinging:
The McCain campaign cries foul over negative ads. Yet every media survey has found that the McCain campaign has a higher percentage of negative ads than Obama's campaign. Here's the worst part...McCain "says" he will not mudsling accusations about "washed up terrorists" that don't matter, and yet his campaign immediately started using computerized phone calls to voters nationwide about Obama's so called "association with terrorists". Wow. McCain is either delusional, or he is a desparate old man that will do anything to further his agenda even if it means outright lying to the American People...Even Republican and former Secretary of State and former National Security Advisor General Colin Powell thinks McCain campaign tactics are distasteful and not respectful.

On Personal Life:
John McCain's wife Cindy is not his first wife or his one and only wife.
He had another wife in his younger days when he was in the Vietnam War. His first wife Carol McCain became involved in an auto accident and became disfigured. When John McCain returned from the war he started dating Cindy and then started pushed for his divorce to Carol, thus walking away from his marital commitments.

On Accepting Money From Lobbyists:
Sarah Palin "talks" about how she "stood up to "big oil" but the records show that Palin's campaign in Alaska received THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS from MAJOR OIL COMPANIES. They even funded her inaugural ball when she became Governer in Alaska. She also brags about a "multi-billion dollar" Alaska Pipeline that she helped secure...The reality of it is that not one yard of pipeline has even been laid and that could end up costing billions of dollars of tax payer money to build and the major beneficiaries would be MAJOR OIL COMPANIES.

On Balancing The Budget:
Sarah Palin talks big about bringing money to Alaska yet at the same time talks about turning away federal money. Everyone knows that she never gave the funds back for the "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska. What she also does not tell you is that before she became Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska the town had a balanced budget and was debt free and when she left as Mayor the town was MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEBT. She even spent 6 million dollars of town money for a new sports complex in Wasilla that never got completed properly because there were questions regarding title to the land that ended up costing the town another 1.3 million dollars. What was to be Ms. Palin's legacy has turned into a financial mess that continues to plague her town of Wasilla (population 6000). She can call herself a hockey mom but most real hockey mom's and dad's are ashamed of her fiscal irresponsibility.

On Ethics in Government:
Sarah Palin has been found of ethics violations by a bi-partisan legislative council in her home state of Alaska, and yet she still walks around bragging that she did "nothing" wrong. Either she is delusional too (like her running mate), or she is willing to do and say anything to get elected (like her running mate) so that she doesn't have to go back to Alaska and face the music about her ethics violations (which very well could lead to her impeachment as Governer of Alaska).

On Anti-Woman's Choice:
Sarah Palin is against abortion in ALL cases, even if raped or by incest. She and John McCain have both expressed interest in appointing lawyers in the Supreme Court that are interested in overturning Roe v. Wade. If McCain and Palin are elected there it is very likely that all women would be denied their personal right to choose...A right that thousands of women have fought for...for many years. Palin talks about how Obama/Biden are "pro abortion" but the reality is that both of them are not "pro abortion" but PRO WOMAN'S CHOICE...There is a BIG DIFFERENCE. Sarah Palin is ANTI-WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

On Winning The War On Terror:
John McCain and Sarah Palin say that Obama's and Biden's remarks about bringing an end to occupying IRAQ would mean "losing the war", but John McCain has already stated that he's for being in IRAQ for the next 100 years. He seems to think it's more important to spend more money in Iraq than it is to rebuild America's economy and infrastructure. Because McCain is a career military man, he's more interested in going to war and spending HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF MORE DOLLARS than maintaining the peace of our nation.

On Telling America "The Truth" About Who They Are:
Both John McCain and Sarah Palin talk about a "transparent" government. Yet both McCain and Palin continue to mislead America and even hide their own personal associations and the actual truth about their positions, thinking that most Americans are too stupid or too lazy to use google and research the facts for themselves.

If John McCain and Sarah Palin have been able to deceive and mislead 42% of the American voters already just by campaigning and throwing out misleading one liners and calling it PATRIOTISM, what do you think they will do to your life and to the economy if they are elected and become the #1 and #2 most powerful people in not only the United States but in the free World? If they have no problems lying about their own past and their own lies with hypocrisy and throwing dirt and lies about a respectable opponent like Barack Obama, what do you think they are capable of doing with the power of being president. We've already seen what Bush has accomplished.

Interesting comments from McCain given that he'd only met Sarah Palin just 3 days before appointing her to be his running mate. More than the economy, I feel, this was the turning point of the campaign. After the excitement of Sarah's announcement, the cold light of day has revealed a tragic and deeply flawed decision.

Get over it, Ron. Palin may have some nice clothes, but if you're not suspicious of Obama raising $150 million in one month and spending more than both parties combined did in 04, then you, like the rest of the Obama-maniacs, are suffering from tunnel vision. Wake up- Democrat does not mean BETTER and it does not mean DIFFERENT. It means ASS. It's all the same crap, just a different bucket. Vote third party or write-in to make a REAL decision!

As long as she wasn't tooting her own horn, why didn't she mention that she also has more executive experience than John McCain has?

Palin Qualifications?

Let's see ... what is the population of Alaska ... aah ... public records show that Alaska's TOTAL population is roughly 700,000 people and there's only ONE city in the entire state with a population over 100.000. This population is made up of roughly 70% white and 15% Indian native. THIS qualifies her to be in the second most powerful leadership position "IN THE WORLD"??? And what really ticked me off is that the RNC has spent $150,000 on a new wardrobe for Palin.

By the by, is there anybody else out there who can't even stand the sound of her voice let alone the vapid nonsense escaping from her mouth. I'd rather hear nails scratching on a chalkboard than to hear her pretense at knowing anything about Domestic or International issues.

Hey Palin! How’s that new Gucci bag?

Ronny baby, I think you mean "clothes" horse. Or, maybe you mean "clotheshorse" as they like to say in England. England!!! I bet Obama (aka: the Human Q-Tip) is popular there, just like he is in France.

As far as Q-Tip and McCain buying their wives clothes, well, that could be a problem for Q-Tip. See, Cindy McCain made about $9 million last year, so she probably buys her own clothes. Michelle, on the other hand, only made about $750k for turning sick kids away from her hospital because the little rug rats didn't have insurance. Q-Tip probably does buy her clothes, since he doesn't have to spend money on things like a house, because Tony "the Felon" Rezko took care of that.

The problem is: even buying Michelle's clothes raises questions about Q-Tip's judgment. Have you ever seen those dresses that Michelle wears, Ronny baby? They look like she's wearing a tube sock pulled up over her butt and tied at the neck. What exactly was Q-Tip thinking when he picked those dresses out for the little Missiz?

This paper is a joke. I can't wait to the Globe goes the way of the dinosaur like the rest of the liberal rags. Why don't you just print that you hate John McCain and Sarah Palin and get it over with.

typical - it's clothes, not close

Absolutely -- Palin has more executive experience than Obama and I dare say a whole lot more common sense! Look who Obama aspired to, who he affiliated with -- Ayers, Wright, et al...who in their right mind would want someone like him at our helm given all the security and market issues. His plans for the economy spell Disastor -- make that DEPRESSION!!! Give me McCain and Palin any day!

Anyone wants paying Palin's family for unauthorized trips, vote for McCain....

Powell's comments were solely on her qualifications to take over the presidency (indeed the VP's only duty, per the constitution (nonwithstanding Cheney's opionions). Not on whether she has a son in Iraq (that makes him more qualified than her). Palin is clearly clueless about most major national and international issues she may be confronted with.

What kind of suits does Obama wear? Walmart? The whole news cycle about Palin's cloths is pathetic attemps by the Democrats to stear the debate from the economy where their support has been eroding as people look at Obama's weak plan and lack of experience.

I think time will tell.

She is a smart govrnor anda fast learner. Given the time she needs she will reform Washington which is what we ned. Quit ritizing her. Especialy those wo had theur chances and did not do a good job while in the office.Always give time and chances to a promising newcomer Thank you

He forgot to mention Palin's foreign experience (theoretically being able to see Russia from a remote Alaskan island that she has actually never visited) and her military commander experience of the Alaska National Guard (for which she has yet to issue a single command). Yet, the McCain campaign stooges have stated these false qualifications over and over again. What's wrong John, forgot your talking points again?

John, please! We have all seen and heard Ms. Palin with our own ears and our own eyes. We know you have tried to hide her, but she still is quite visible. No matter what you say, this woman is not qualified. Period.

Wow...Most Popular Governor in the United States of America. I stand corrected. You and Gov Palin have my vote, sir.

Oh, and one more point. She is no longer the most popular Governor of the U.S. Somehow, the campaign has managed to bring down her approval ratings in her home state such that there are others now clearly more popular than she is (on a percent basis of course, on an absolute basis, she is the least popular governor because so few people live in Alaska). But then, accuracy is not a filtering criteria for issuing statements from this campaign, no is it?

Learn to spell Ron. I fail to see the issue on the clothes. If all we can sling mud about is a campaign wardrobe then our country has a bigger problem than I originally thought. Anymore it seems that the only thing this country can do is nit pick and tear apart their own people,..... I wonder if this is how the end started for Rome.

Is he going to try to defend her wardrobe costs too? How can you win on this kind of stupid tactic. She spent more on clothes in two months than I have spent in a 53 year life time. Indeed, I have spent no more than $25,000, maybe $45,000 adjusted for inflation. And I dress well on the job every day. Seriously. And to compare her to Clinton or Edwards is ridiculous - we are talking about $150,000 in two months for crying out loud. That's enough to buy Joe the Plumber his business. Now that would have been a great thing for the campaign to do. And it is about 5 to 10 years of Joe Six Pack's salary. I am sure she relates to the Joe Six Packs. This woman is not middle class in her thinking. Sarah talks a good slang, but in her elite and exclusive heart of hearts, she is a lover of only pure gold ....

I am against subsidizing life, making our nation weaker and more dependent than it already is. Anyone that doesn't consider Obama's views socialistic is blinded by the "charm" that he exudes. Play Robin Hood all you want Obama, but at the end of the day, America will be no better off as a nation, as a whole. Reintroduce rewards for hard work! No don't worry about trying or getting off your butts, we will take care of you. We are fat, lazy, and apathetic enough as a nation if you ask me. Family values are gone! But you call that freedom.
Just because Obama is different doesn't make him better. Cut taxes to 95% of Americans???? By how much??? 1%? It is just a tactic to get votes. Hurt the other 5% that work and employ the other 95%?? These people making over 250K would simply pass these costs down through their employees, and good and services!!!!
On Powell, turning on his own claimed party, and endorsing this man who has the least experience of any candidate, saying that he feels he would make better choices for the economy?? Based on what?? Smooth talk, generalizations of change, empty words hiding a socialistic agenda ==== Which is Obama.

I won't toot Sarah Palin's horn, but she attended five colleges and Obama only attended one.

She was for being a fiscal conservative before she was against it -

She was for being held accountable by the citizens of Alaska until they actually tried to hold her accountable - then she was against that.

She was for the Ketchikan bridge before she was against it.

She has a history of biting the hands of those who have helped her - Alaska is littered wih the people she used to gain power. She will turn on McCain in a heartbeat when he no longer helps her.

Her history in Wasilla with members of the Alaska Independance party shows the same trend - they helped her become Mayor, now she can't distance herself fast enough from them.

The problem is that all of the stated qualifications of Gov. Palin are exaggerated. Upon examination, they fall like the bridge to nowhere. Not only that, she doesn't even know what the duties of VP are. It is scary to think of the chances of her trying to lead the nation.

Would a real reformer spend 150K on a wardrobe while we're in the worst economic crisis this country has seen in years?

Sarah Palin points out that she has more executive experience than does Obama, OK. So does George W. Bush, but I sure wouldn't vote for him because of his executive experience. Let's face it. Just about everything these politicians say is nonsense and shouldn't be taken seriously. For Palin and McCain to argue that I should vote for them because of her executive experience merely demonstrates the level of nonsense they are peddling.

The cognitive dissonance comes off the McCain/Palin campaign in waves these days. I don't imagine anyone involved with that train wreck is going to be in politics in four years.

Does anyone believe what John McCain says anymore. Even his supporters have to be wondering to themselves just what kind of bull artist he really is.

She also has more executive experience that McCain.

This is ridiculous. I cannot believe that republicans really believe she has experience. Her being picked as a vice president is outright insulting to me as an American citizen. Out of all the republicans you go and pick her? It's very insulting.

I am no McCain fan. I was planning to sit out this election but now I've changed my mind. Thanks to all liberal attacks and the non-news, I am going to vote for Palin (so McCain will get my vote too).

What's wrong with this election? double standards! It is ok for Obama to spend millions and flooded my TV with endless ads but it is not ok for a woman (and her little baby) to get a couple of decent outfits in front of national events. It is ok for a first-term junior senator to be qualified as a president but it is not ok for a first-term governor to be a VP. It is ok to call Biden's 35-years in Washington "experienced" yet for McCain he is "the Washington".

McCain is a maverick. (The reason I did not want to vote for him...) At least he has a track record of working with the Dems on issues "he" thinks important. What has Obama done? Nothing but supporting a pure form of far-left ideology. He is a dangerous man indeed.

McCain is morphing into Palin. His logic is so absurd it's surreal.

Listen to the man:
"If General Powell had wanted to meet Governor Palin, we could have arranged that easily, number one."
For what reason? To discuss Plato's _The Republic_ with the ditz?

Then look at McPalin's bizarre structure in the statement that follows.
Yeesh. Someone take his deiver's license.

Yeesh.

Well maybe it's just me, but I think when there are only 13 days left in your campaign and people are still questioning whether your running mate should even be a part of your campaign.....YOU MIGHT HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM ON YOUR HANDS.

What would one expect McCain to say? If Palin ever becomes President, then may God save the Planet, because sure as hell, the Republican neocons and rednecks won't.
Dan B (Canberra Australia)

And your ridiculous point is....Obama hangs out with people who hate america and wants to be president. To bring up her clothes is senseless. Get your priorities straight son.

General Powell has impress me for long he is a super politian who knows how to take advantage of any scenario while maintaining his image, which is the only reason he has been successful. I don't count on him that much if he were the president of the US.

Give me a break. This focus shows how ordinary she is that she has to be brought up to Washington's fashion level and does not have the funds to do so. By the way, she bought clothes, not close. Go to school. Oh yeah, most of the country cannot read or spell and that might be why someone as little qualified to be PRESIDENT as Obama has a worshipful following. I notice he has yet to rebuke those who are hinting that he is incarnate deity. What a horrible line to have stepped over.

The Senator from Arizona, with all his experience and judgment about world issues and character, picked a completely unprepared, untested, undressed shill to be his totally uneducated running mate. She can't even explain the duties of the Vice President to an 8 year old. She is the cloak for the race card. She gives everyone who doesn't want to say they wouldn't vote for a black man an out...they can say the "really like" Sarah, without saying the obvious. If this is the mark of a leader, who when he puts his head on the pillow with his millionaire wife at night, feels totally confident that winning the presidency can be confidently supported by Sarah, then something is wrong in Arizona. The Senator shouldn't even be a Senator, much less the President. This is probably the most irresponsible thing I have ever witnessed in Presidential politics. He has out Quayled, Dan Quayle. His only hope is that she will resign after the election and he can appoint Joe Lieberman. Too bad about all the clothes.

In order for Ron M to have any validity to his statements he first needs to learn how to spell.

This whole Republican Party Acting as if, has turned into a world class joke! Sarah does the "raise the roof" on SNL, shoots endangered species from hilocopters, acts as spokesperson for Alaskan Separatists, and the team pumps up KKK ambiance to "kill him" and worse.... And then in 6.5 minutes of sanity, General Powell endorses our next President as contrast. John McCain and Sarah Palin are history. Let us work all the harder to Get Out The Vote and reclaim America from the Republicans who have ruined our great nation.

... Thinking that things need to change doesn't make you qualified, does it? Isn't that what they've been sayin' the whole time about Obama....?

And. Seriously. She's not ready. Even if she reformed Alaska-- How many people live in Alaska? There's oil there and there are animals there, and the "corrupt"...

Bitch, please.

Some people are reflexive Republicans just as some people are reflexive Democrats. But we don't have to anxiously worry about why reflexive Republicans will inevitably vote for McCain/Palin. That's OK. If he were opposed to abortion, those same folks would vote for Hitler. Again, it doesn't have to be something we get all wound up about. It's OK.

The one skill Palin does have is her ability to get others to pay for everything in her life. In addition to the RNC's $150,000 of clothes purchases, she's gotten the taxpayers of Alaska to pay $17,000 for her to spend 300 nights a year in her own home. She's also gotten the Alaska taxpayers to pay over $21,000 for trips for her kids when there was no official reason for them to go on these trips -- including a trip to see her husband compete in his snowmobile race. (For which he took a deduction on his federal taxes, despite the fact that it's clearly a hobby and not a business.) Welfare queen, anyone?

Sounds like she's qualified to be a Republican president for sure!

"I'm not gonna toot my own horn, but I do have more executive experience than Barack Obama even has."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Did he also mention her position on dinosaurs? What about banned Library books? I'm confused by Mr. McCain's attack on Barracks experience, then chooses Mrs. Sarah "VP is in charge of the senate" Palin.

no 1., powell didnt want to meet palin, he just had an honest comment to make about her, like the numerous remarks she makes about her opponents to the press. Where did john get that from? no. 2. no matter how much experience she has, she doesn't know her role, anyone with eyes can see this, does he think we are fools?
more lies.................... This is becoming embarassing for him as well as her.

With all due respect, I fail to understand how having a son (or daughter or spouse) serving in Iraq qualifies one for the vice-presidency--or for any other job. Further, what McCain and Palin consistently fail to demonstrate is a cogent and specific plan as to how they will fulfill the responsibilities of their respective offices should they win the election. "(We) will do whatever it takes..." just doesn't cut it.

My partner commented that she was proud of the fact that she has a higher IQ than John McCain (130 McCain; partner 142). I commented that her IQ is likely higher than McCain's and Palin's combined.

Dear Ron M
The correct spelling You were trying for is "Clothes Horse.
Aside from Your malapropism, I dissagree with Your assertion and I would probabaly disagree with anything else You are thinking about the Divine Mrs. Palin.

She deserves any perks Donated to Her, because She is taking an unholy amount of bone-headed abuse from the Dems, who are quite afraid She may take the election from them.

Just because someone calls themselves a 'reformer' does not constitute 'qualified'. Colin Powell was correct in saying that she is not ready to become president. Let us please remember that Wasilla Alaska is 85.5% white and protestant with a population of less than 10,000. How might that present the same issues that we see across America in terms of diversity of race, creed and economics? Also, why does a son serving in Iraq make someone qualified? Then I guess we could pull anyone from anywhere by that standard but by what Sarah Palin says , she is just like ya'll. I don't want any 'Joe Plumber' being my president! I want the smarter than average joe person who can represent values of the now generation. Go figure, its disgusting.

Hey Ron - it's clothes not close!!!! And if you want to talk about expenses - the Democratic Convention cost an enormous 58 million. Obama is spending an extremely outrageous record amount in his campaign ---- get the facts straight before you start making accusations!!!!

I was leaning toward voting for McCain. I thought he might be the stronger candidate before he chose Palin for his runing mate. There were lots of well qualified Republican women leaders who would have been MUCH, MUCH better than Gov. Palin.

The fact that McCain and Palin have to spend so much time arguing that she's qualified, as opposed to that simply being self-evident, is revealing in and of itself. As time goes on her vaunted "record" is revealed to be one of corruption and abuse of power. Trooper gate, having taxpayers pay for her children's travel, attempts at book banning, the promotion of her extremist religious agenda in pushing "creationism" over science, and we can only imagine what else is coming. As Powell said, experience is useful, but judgment is vital. W was a governor as well and look how that turned out. But she sure is a snappy dresser - I'm sure those poor people she's going to give her $150,000.00 worth of designer clothes to after the election will look great.

Executive experience? What in the world does that mean? The operating officers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac evidently had executive experience, so have dictators and heads of the mafia. Executive experience is not all it's cracked up to be. The real key is does a person in line to be president have the overall experience, the grasp of the issues, the intellectual curiosity it takes to hold this office? McCain-si, Obama-si, Biden-si, Palin-heck no! Palin is smart, if she ever puts her mind to it could learn what it takes to be president, but she's several years away. The people that profess that she is ready are looking through the foggy lenses. What they really like is Palin's view on abortion and similar issues, her religion, and their hatred of all Democrats.

HAHAHAHA- it's not like there was a contest for "most popular governor"- she dubbed that by the MEDIA! hahahahaha that's so lame- so what if she's popular in ALASKA?? another thing--who the hell says "toot my own horn" anymore? what is she- 90? oh wait, i guess that's from hanging around mccain and his wife the crypt keeper.

"they want us to reform the way we do business in Washington"

And yet the Republican National Committee purchase $150,000 dollars of clothes at best skirts around a bill SPONSORED by John McCain to prohibit campaigns from buying candidates things like CLOTHES. McCain-Palin claim to be the "Mavericks", but maybe it's more like Bart and Bret Maverick. Take a gamble on what you can get away with.

Sounds more like politics as usual. Hockey moms married to Joe-six-pack don't shop at Barney's New York. and don't suddenly come up with wardrobes that would take 4 years to pay off, and that's if your entire paycheck went toward that.

If John McCain truly believes what he says, he's dottier than I thought. If he thinks having a son in Iraq, sharing his own antiquated post WWII America the Dominator world view, driving a vicious partisan wedge between Americans, screaming the politics of fear, distrust and hate with a wink and a high kick, and getting the endorsement of five of the worst statesmen in American history, qualifies someone as a VP... well, that should lose him the election right there.

I can see where voters would remark about the supposed costs for Gov. Palin’s wardrobe. Lets put this into perspective, in everyday aspects that voters also readily approve and even pay to see… lets look at performers and singers at concerts that spend over a 2MM for costumes annually, stage-ware / costumes for actors from very expensive designers that cost very near and dear to our 1mm mark – for a movie, cable or network sitcome! Jewelry and cars purchased from your favorite read tabloid actors. That you probably buy to read!!! AND – lets look closer at our friends and maybe even your wife that spends 30K ‘body enhancements’ on a credit card and might even carry a real or fake ‘Louis’ ‘‘Gucci’. The thing is that heats the media up is, that Palin actually looks good in what she chooses to wear. I know friends that are both democrats and republicans that spend well over 1MM a year in clothes and jewelry. 100K for 100 days of public appearances, you might want to check what your wife buys for a simple engagement, and times that by 12. And, you might want to check your monthly ‘special’ costs for entertainment and times that by 12. I bet you’d find your costs more outrageous. AND – check out the costs of the MEN’s SUITS.

I can see where voters would remark about the supposed costs for Gov. Palin’s wardrobe. Lets put this into perspective, in everyday aspects that voters also readily approve and even pay to see… lets look at performers and singers at concerts that spend over a 2MM for costumes annually, stage-ware / costumes for actors from very expensive designers that cost very near and dear to our 1mm mark – for a movie, cable or network sitcome! Jewelry and cars purchased from your favorite read tabloid actors. That you probably buy to read!!! AND – lets look closer at our friends and maybe even your wife that spends 30K ‘body enhancements’ on a credit card and might even carry a real or fake ‘Louis’ ‘‘Gucci’. The thing is that heats the media up is, that Palin actually looks good in what she chooses to wear. I know friends that are both democrats and republicans that spend well over 1MM a year in clothes and jewelry. 100K for 100 days of public appearances, you might want to check what your wife buys for a simple engagement, and times that by 12. And, you might want to check your monthly ‘special’ costs for entertainment and times that by 12. I bet you’d find your costs more outrageous. AND – check out the costs of the MEN’s SUITS.

Oh McCain, you've done it again! Palin a reformer ? Give us a break, she was chosen purely to appeal to the far right wingers--- it's about time you admit the fact that --choosing Palin was a very bad move and while you're at it, be gentleman enough to apologise to this lady for turning her world upside down. General Powell doesn't need to apologise either, there's nothing substantial about Palin to know about.

Palin is a joke, an insult, but it seems to be working for the rascist uneducated voters. I am sure wealthy republicans would want tosit at the same table with her.
Sarah "news flash" you are being used and you don't know it.

I can see where voters would remark about the supposed costs for Gov. Palin’s wardrobe. Lets put this into perspective, in everyday aspects that voters also readily approve and even pay to see… lets look at performers and singers at concerts that spend over a 2MM for costumes annually, stage-ware / costumes for actors from very expensive designers that cost very near and dear to our 1mm mark – for a movie, cable or network sitcome! Jewelry and cars purchased from your favorite read tabloid actors. That you probably buy to read!!! AND – lets look closer at our friends and maybe even your wife that spends 30K ‘body enhancements’ on a credit card and might even carry a real or fake ‘Louis’ ‘‘Gucci’. The thing is that heats the media up is, that Palin actually looks good in what she chooses to wear. I know friends that are both democrats and republicans that spend well over 1MM a year in clothes and jewelry. 100K for 100 days of public appearances, you might want to check what your wife buys for a simple engagement, and times that by 12. And, you might want to check your monthly ‘special’ costs for entertainment and times that by 12. I bet you’d find your costs more outrageous. AND – check out the costs of the MEN’s SUITS.

Palin's 'record' in Alaska is incomplete. She has not served here long enough to prove herself and her popularity has been falling in her home state. Concerns about ethical misconduct are rising around several different facets of her administrative practices and these are NOT partisan concerns, they are of concern to all Alaskans. The rest of the country is uninformed and not paying attention to things that are of major concern to Alaskans and don't realize that her political future her is much less secure than it was before she joined the McCain ticket. In the meantime, it is very possible that we will have a Democrat in one of our Senate seats and also in the House for the first time in decades. The Republican hold here is slipping. I wouldn't be surprised if Obama had a good showing in Alaska. Consider this - at Palin's rally when she visited Anchorage a few weeks ago, there were about 800 people. On the same day In a 'Sarah Palin Doesn't Speak for me" Rally only organized by a handful of local women over the course of a week or two, there were over a thousand people . The next weekend - Alaskans for Truth, a group that organized the day after the first rally, brought together about 1200 people who wanted to make sure that the legislative investigation continued into her possible ethics violations. The next weekend an Obama rally in Anchorage, held outside in the chilly air, was attended by between 2 to 3 THOUSAND people. A McCain rally on the same day - held indoors in the brand new convention center- was attended by about 300 people. The local paper didn't have any written coverage of the Obama rally, and had only two pictures in the paper, which made it look as though a few dozen people attended. There was a two page spread on the McCain gathering. There is much more to the story of Sarah Palin and her relationship to Alaska than most of the folks in the country even have a clue about. This is a state with a small population, but we are a very diverse population, especially in Anchorage, and Palin has shown little understanding of people and cultures outside of her immediate circle.

Over-rated executive experience. There are millions of woman out there who has more 'executive' experience than Palin and is 10 times smarter than she is. Put her, George Bush Jr and Ms Teen USA 2007 side by side and you could not tell the difference.

"He went on to list her role and record as governor of Alaska, then said that Palin shares his world view and has a son serving in Iraq."
"And that's not qualified?"

WHAT A STATEMENT!
Being a senator of Alaska for 2 years and having son in Iraq is not enough qualities to be a president.
Now I'm skeptical about McCain's qualifications, this guy is just being plain irrational.

John Mc Cain doesn't have any judgment at all in selecting Sarah Palin. Being a babe is no qualification for the office of President which IS the job of the VP. I am an Alaskan and she is a wonderful example of a typical redneck who thinks that just because she was mayor of one ugly town in Alaska and Governor of a state of 680,000 people (less than the suburb of one large city in the lower 48) she is ready to govern the most powerful nation on earth. She fires librarians because she doesn't like books in the libraries. She denies emergency medical services to victims of rape and incest. She want creationism taught in schools. One great thing is that she will cause the defeat of John McCain. Thank You Sarah

I think the role of a Governor is of more executive experience than that of a senator and we have seen more Governors as presidents than senators. But the size of the state also matters with respect to diversified excutive experience. Some Presidents here have seen wars and some economic crises. None have seen both.. So it is important to see who would really bring a change from the past..It is an uphill task for anyone but worst if tried & tested policies remain unchanged. The world we live in has gotten closer and binding almost as one community. We have emerged and accepted as leading responsibility..

If she is so qualified why won't the campaign let her give interviews to more serious publications or meet the press, even Larry King Live? Let her out of the closet!!

How does "sharing a world view" and having a child serving in Iraq constitute "qualification"?

When one sorts through all the rhetoric (on both sides), one has simple facts to work with. It's rather refreshing. Anyone interested can check out sites like FactCheck.org and Politifact.org.

When she go back to Alaska she can run on another spending spree. I wonder how much she has taken Alaska for?

If that is all you have to complain about its worth the price for clothes for experience in the white house then some one the talks the talk but no way can produce that he says he can and bring the economy back up we need someone to help the economy and she is who is going to do her and McCain you need to be worrying about why we are spending so much tax payers money on the bail out and how we are going to pay that back yes sir we the tax payers will be paying for the bankers screw ups just don’t seem fair does it i think we have a little more on our plate besides clothes don’t you think like getting us out of this depression.

Pretty weak attempt to deflect Powell's thoughtful and reasoned endorsement. I suppose he had to say something, but does he really expect us to believe that Colin Powell was "not paying attention" ?

Ron M, we're talking about Palin's qualifications not her wardrobe which will be donated to charity anyway once the election is over. So just answer the question, isn't Palin more qualified than Obama or Biden or not, and why?

Collin Powell clearly picked Obama simply because they are both blacks. If he had only compared their qualifications (Palin vs. Obama & Biden), his logical choice would be McCain. Saying that one of the reasons he picked Obama is because McCain was running a negative campaign. He refuses to even acknowledge the possibility of TRUTH in McCain's issues against Obama lack of honesty in that area. He also refuses to see the very troubling connection Obama has with Rev. Wright for 20 years spweing anti-White teachings being a leader in the Black Liberation Theology.

It is quite obvious Collin Powell just wants a job with an Obama administration.

After years of George Bush being called the Emperor with no clothes, the term seems lacking in being able to describe the lack of qualifications of Sarah Palin.
I don't really know what could convince folks blinded by ideology that the woman has absolutely no business being considered for VP of the US.
With the absolute dearth of critical thinking recently observed in our society, her stage is set...as objectivity is dead and rational comparisons are not considered.
So, what the hey? Of course she's not qualified, but who cares? She might win and that's good enough for McCain and the GOP.

Palin is not the most popular governor in America. Whe was in the weeks and months before she was chosen as McCain's running mate, but not now. Look it up.

I think you meant "clothes" horse.

Sara Palin is right. She does have more executive experience than Obama. He has none. How does being a "community organizer" qualify one to be President of the United States?? Even his experience in the senate isn't much. Voted present much of the time.

Q: What's the difference between Sarah Palin and a Hockey-Mom?

A: About $150,000 in clothing bought by the RNC.

This report is a lie. Gov. Palin said four former Secretaries of State endorsed McCain and a testy McCain corrected her to five.

And how is State Representative Obama qualified for the job? I guess Bill Clinton's endorsement that he meets the minimum constitutional requirements to become president is good enough for him?

Palin should've been asked, "Why is this the first time a candidate has cited leadership of the state National Guard as security experience?"

Can you imagine if Romney or Richardson had made such a claim? They would've been laughed out of the campaign.

The continued comparisons between the Vice Presidential candidate and the spouses of the Presidential candidates is odd. The spouses of the Presidential candidates are not running for office.

What is it about Gov. Palin that has Liberls so upset - I'd go so far as to say over-the-top/out-of-their-minds/hateful! I think it all boils down to one thing. She's pro life - and Liberals simply cannot handle the fact that the only woman left in contention in this race doesn't fit their ideology. So, rhather than disagree with hwe on her politics, they choose to deface her; to fabricate lies and exaggerate faults - to try bring her down and bring her down hard. It's really sad. But, she's not going away, friends. Win or lose on 11/4 - she's staying. There are those among us who believe she is a breath of fresh air; someone who shares our value system; someone who isn't a creation of the Washington machine; someone who is a real person and someone who won't compromise her beliefs for an election or a poll or anything else. She's a natural leader and she connects with people in ways most cannot. She's staying. And you're scared to death.

John McCain - the secret is out - she is the worst VP nominee ever. What happened to Country first????

Palin's campaign promised to release the Governor's medical records EARLY this week, the week is half over, and only 6 days remain before the election. Please question why they haven't kept their promise, and pin them down when the records will be released.
I would refuse any free airtime until the campaign keeps this promise.
Thank You.

Supporters of Sarah Palin fail to see that our next President will not only have to manage the nation but also play a leading role in international affairs. If the inarticulate, provincial George Bush was an embarrassment compared to the likes of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Angela Merkel, Nicolas Zarkosy, Jan Peter Balkenende and other leaders of the free world, then should McCain die in office and Sarah Palin become President, she would be a total joke.

Palin's experience as PTA president, mayor of a small town, (pop. 5,000), two-year governor of a sparsely populated state (pop. 500,000) doesn’t quite cut it; nor does her hockey mom, beauty queen, academic disadvantaged, religious fundamentalist, folksy, persona do much for her presidential, world-leader image. Then there are the pending concerns that are likely to escalate into media-fodder scandals should she take office—her abuse of power, her pregnant daughter’s shotgun wedding, her involvement with the Alaska Independence Party, her allowing the First-Dude to meddle in government business, and other issues about her personal life and character that would no doubt crop up over time.

Barack Obama, of course, has his share of shortcomings. As a one-term Illinois senator and two-year U.S. senator, his experience is scant, but, at least, by serving in a various Senate committees, he has acquired some inside knowledge on national and international affairs.

John McCain at the outset was the better qualified candidate. Had he picked Joe Lieberman or someone else of equal stature as his running mate, he would now be double digits ahead of Obama in the polls. Sarah Palin did energize the lowest common denominator of the conservative base, but in so doing, she has alienated many undecided voters who would have made the difference on November 4. Joe Lieberman may be short on charisma, but by dint of his knowledge and unblemished record, he would eventually have won over the conservative base and most undecided voters as well.

Also, the fact that McCain allowed his staffers to foist Palin on him sight unseen (clearly, she was not on his short list) betrays a lack of leadership. He might yet win the election, but if he loses, it will be largely because of Sarah Palin.

Supporters of Sarah Palin fail to see that our next President will not only have to manage the nation but also play a leading role in international affairs. If the inarticulate, provincial George Bush was an embarrassment compared to the likes of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Angela Merkel, Nicolas Zarkosy, Jan Peter Balkenende and other leaders of the free world, then should McCain die in office and Sarah Palin become President, she would be a total joke.

Palin's experience as PTA president, mayor of a small town, (pop. 5,000), two-year governor of a sparsely populated state (pop. 500,000) doesn’t quite cut it; nor does her hockey mom, beauty queen, academic disadvantaged, religious fundamentalist, folksy, persona do much for her presidential, world-leader image. Then there are the pending concerns that are likely to escalate into media-fodder scandals should she take office—her abuse of power, her pregnant daughter’s shotgun wedding, her involvement with the Alaska Independence Party, her allowing the First-Dude to meddle in government business, and other issues about her personal life and character that would no doubt crop up over time.

Barack Obama does have his share of shortcomings. As a one-term Illinois senator and two-year U.S. senator, his experience is scant, but, at least, by serving in a various Senate committees, he has acquired some inside knowledge on national and international affairs.

John McCain at the outset was the better qualified candidate. Had he picked Joe Lieberman or someone else of equal stature as his running mate, he might now be double digits ahead of Obama in the polls. Sarah Palin did energize the lowest common denominator of the conservative base, but in so doing, she has alienated many undecided voters who would have made the difference on November 4. Joe Lieberman may be short on charisma, but by dint of his knowledge and unblemished record, he would eventually have won over the conservative base and most undecided voters as well.

Also, the fact that McCain allowed his staffers to foist Palin on him sight unseen (clearly, she was not on his short list) betrays a lack of leadership. He might yet win the election, but if he loses, it will be largely because of Sarah Palin.

Carlos

Instead of Sarah Palin being the "shot in the arm" for the RNC she turned out to be a "shot in the foot"...Did McCain have help in selecting her or was she suggested by his party? In either case what were they smoking or drinking at the time.