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McCain: Palin showed grace under pressure

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor October 4, 2008 06:00 AM

John McCain, perhaps as relieved as enthusiastic, continued today talking up his running mate's performance in Thursday night's one and only vice presidential debate.

"On Thursday night, millions of Americans got to see a little more of why I chose Sarah Palin to be my running mate," he said in his weekly radio address. "In her debate with Senator Joe Biden, she showed the intelligence, heart and grace under pressure that our nation's capital desperately needs. I couldn't be prouder of my choice, or more certain that she's the right person to help me shake things up in Washington. And there were moments when I almost felt a little sorry for my old friend, Joe."

At at a town hall meeting in Pueblo, Colo., on Friday, he drew cheers when he referred to her high school basketball nickname, "Viva la Barracuda!"

In his radio address, McCain also highlighted the financial rescue package he supported. "It took Congress a while, but a majority finally awakened to the danger. And by the week's end, with the unity that this crisis demands, Congress acted to restore stability to the American economy," he said.

But more needs to be done to get the economy on the right track, he said. And the bailout has serious implications for the federal budget: "We cannot dedicate more than a trillion dollars to rescue failing institutions, and then go right back to business as usual in Washington -- as if there were no end to the resources of government or to the patience of taxpayers. Therefore, as president, I will impose a one-year spending freeze on every agency of the federal government, excepting only national defense, the care of our veterans, and a few critical priorities."

Instead of bad-mouthing Democratic rival Barack Obama, McCain promoted his proposals for tax cuts and energy independence, and vowed to bring bipartisanship to Washington.
"I will ask Democrats and Independents to serve with me," he said. "And my administration will set a new standard for transparency and accountability. We're going to finally start getting things done for the people who are counting on us, and I won't care who gets the credit."

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GO JOHN, KEEP UP YOUR INTHUSIASIM====WE NEED YOU AND SARAH.

Posted by clarice davis October 4, 08 06:40 AM
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McCain is happy because he did not have faith in the ability of his VP. Americans need to be very careful or lest they put Palin, a female equivalent of Bush, in the White House again. The bar of the debate was placed too low so that she could barely pass. She avoided questions and talked about other issues she found more congenial to her intellectual plane. This tactics would not be allowed in real contest or in examination. A candidate will have to ANSWER the questions asked. Yet all we read now is that "She has done well". Is that enough to face Putin, Merkel, Brown, the Chinese leaders etc? Winking at Putin will simply not do. Palin is too limited in scope, she is “out of her league”.

Posted by Dr. Jesse Kally-Williams October 4, 08 06:46 AM
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Ya know what scares me the most about Obama and Biden? They haved both been educated in the ways of effectively twisting the truth and bending the law.

Did you hear that the Post Office just recalled their latest Stamps?

They had pictures of lawyers on them and people couldn't figure out which side to spit on.


Posted by gettyleigh October 4, 08 06:48 AM
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Are you kidding? At every step of the way Mccain and the Hockey mom are bad mouthing Barack and Bidden. They can' t stand on thier own merrit because they both are liars and cheaters.

Posted by Trudy Feldman October 4, 08 06:57 AM
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America must see the "folksy whimsical wit" of Palin for what it is......all fluff and no substance. It is scary to think that no direct policies were spoken of and certainly no direct answers to the moderator's questions were forthcoming.
There is always a chance "god forbid" that the president could be harmed and it doesn't bear thinking that America would be in the hands of an inexperienced person, no matter how quick witted, attractive and in-your-face that person is. America needs substance in the duo in the White House to lead the people of America and make it the great country I remember growing up in.
We need the vision and comittment that Barack and Biden will bring to the top jobs.

Posted by Sandy Hefferon October 4, 08 06:58 AM
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save america, vote mccain palin!!!

Posted by doyle lee October 4, 08 07:10 AM
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I am watching the race from outside America. Currently the whole thing is completely surreal to me. Why does McCain have any support at all after the way he and his campaign are behaving? I'm completely bewildered - I really cannot believe that anyone in their right mind can accept Palin as a credible VP candidate and that alone should have ended his chances....

Posted by Away from it all October 4, 08 07:20 AM
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Her performance demonstrated that wholesome and refreshing quality.

Posted by Donald B. Caffray October 4, 08 07:33 AM
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Governor Palin is a breath of fresh air; John S. McCain, III, typifies the REAL meaning of the descriptor "an officer and a gentleman." I will vote for them not because I expect them to give me things. I expect them to lead our beloved native land to renewed vitality.

I will vote for them because I know they are capable of the task. More importantly, I trust them.

Posted by Steven Myers October 4, 08 07:35 AM
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Palin was great. As typical American we noted each time Joe Biden lied. Biden cannot even keep his own stories straight. As to Scranton, Penn. It has been so many years ago, he really has forgotten his roots. And the fact that he cannot keep that story straight, shows it.
Sarah may not have stuck to the questions, but neither did Joe! Sarah had a message to put across and that was her record. So young bloggers who don't even have the questions let alone the answers want to rattle that it was all memorized dialoge. The media, so entranced with themselves, stumble all over themselves with nonessential "gotcha questions." Remember how in the last election Katie Couric had to go see the shrink because she was so distraught. Wow. And we are suppose to bend at her every word. Dian Sawyer asked Bush what papers he read and he told her he prefered to get his news from their original source.

Posted by Kathy October 4, 08 07:36 AM
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In her debate with Senator Joe Biden, she showed the "intelligence", "heart" and "grace" under pressure that our nation's capital desperately needs.

And I am "God". No seriously, I am. :)

Posted by nope October 4, 08 08:01 AM
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I was pleasantly surprised that Palin did so well, better than expected during the debates. Anyway, she has more executive experience than Biden or Obama. Obama doesn't have any foreign policy experience except for his trip to Iraq, and that foreign rally he had in Germany. If he can run this country based on those qualifications, why can't Palin do the same. After all Obama wants Joe Biden to play a bigger role in his Administration than former VP's have done. It's like George Bush all over again with Cheney playing a big role as he has done this past 8 years. At least McCain has foreign policy experience and Palin is governor of a state

Posted by Charly October 4, 08 10:38 PM
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I do not understand the tittle chosen for this peice. Gov Palin didn't answer the questions and that wink was an insult to serious people with serious problems. Neither of these people have a clue and "WE THE PEOPLE" can not afford to buy them one. After Mc's buddy Bush got us in trillions on dollars in debt as well as lying us into a war, Wrinklie and Winky don't have a chance getting my vote.

It might have helped if she could have answered one question on her own without reading canned responces. Enough already with the Talking Heads.

Posted by bchandra October 4, 08 11:56 PM
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I don't get it why do the mainmstream media still defend Obama, a friend of the terrorist Bill Ayers? In 60's he was 8 years old but in his 40 Obama remains friend with the territorist. in 1997 Obama and his terrorist friend sat together for three years on the Chicago Annenberg Challenge. That was not when he was years old.
Why black do bad and/or recist is OK, but others cannot say anything?
What's wrong with America now? Under Obama's spell? Oh I forget he went to Kanya, his Dad's country and those Kenyians helped by asking evil spirits to help Obama. That's why some people see black to white, and white to black.

Posted by Beatrice October 5, 08 11:29 AM
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I WISH McCain & Palin would state the case about how the government's hand in Fredie & Fannie is exactly what has led to their disasterous effect on our economy! The liberal's idea to make sure EVERYONE owns a home no matter WHAT and legislating provisions to make sure sub prime lending was common practice was irresponsible and nieve! Nancy Pelosi is able to publicly blame free markets for the downfall and conservatives do NOTHING to combat the rediculous statements made by her! On that note... Obama's camp is so adament about linking McCain to Bush. Why doesn't McCain start linking Obama to the WORST congress ever to
exhist

Posted by Michele Webb October 5, 08 04:59 PM
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We thought Sarah Palin did a GREAT job during the debates. Some are worried she did a "re-distribution of wealth," in her home state with the windfall profits tax on the oil companies. However, we thought the debate went well and that she was clearly a "breath of fresh air"." Sheactually brought tears to my eyes when she spoke of not being able to just pass freedom on to the next generations automatically through genetics. She told us we must be constantly vigilant and wiling to stand up and fight for freedom. We are !

Posted by Catharine D. and Nelson P. Lane October 5, 08 05:15 PM
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