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Palin stumps in New Hampshire

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor October 15, 2008 06:24 PM

By Brian C. Mooney, Globe Staff

LACONIA, N.H. -- With a toned-down stump speech stressing economic themes, Sarah Palin urged New Hampshire voters today to help revive Republican John McCain's sputtering presidential campaign one more time.

"Granted, we're coming from behind, but it can be done," Palin, on her first campaign swing in New England as McCain's running mate, told a crowd of more than 2,000 on a brilliant fall afternoon with Lake Winnipesaukee as the backdrop.

Recalling the New Hampshire primary in January, when McCain mounted a comeback on his way to winning the GOP nomination, Palin said: "The critics had counted him out ... written him off. But you turned the underdog into the victor. Let's do it again."

McCain has fallen behind Democrat Barack Obama in national polls and by double digits in some surveys in New Hampshire, once a Republican redoubt that has turned more Democratic in recent years.

Palin made an unabashed appeal to Granite Staters' pride, praising the natural beauty of the state, the still-vibrant foliage, and residents' love of the outdoors. She likened New Hampshire to the state where she is governor.

"You're a lot like the people of Alaska," she said at one point, then suggested Alaska should borrow the New Hampshire motto of "Live Free or Die."

She also made reference to the fact that New Hampshire and Alaska are the only two states with neither a general income nor a general sales tax, repeating the old joke that New Hampshire is home to "two kinds of people: the fine people of New Hampshire, and the fine people of Massachusetts who got sick of paying all those taxes."

Gone from Palin's speech were the harsh criticisms of Obama that questioned his associations and authenticity and that had stoked crowds that at times became surly in their anti-Obama comments. The New Hampshire audiences booed lustily when Palin said Obama would raise taxes and increase federal spending, but except for chants of "USA" and a lone cry of "socialist" during an event in Dover, the crowds today seemed merely enthusiastic in their partisanship.

After the Laconia rally, however, two men said they were roughed up by McCain supporters after they began chanting Obama's name. One had a black eye with a trace of blood, and they said they complained to police. A Laconia police spokesman said the two men had disrupted the event and had been ejected. (Watch the video to the left to hear the two men's accounts.)

Palin spent a large section of her remarks highlighting McCain's new proposals aimed at helping families and businesses recover from the economic downturn -- "instead of giving billions and billions to the Wall Street bankers and brokers." McCain's plan calls for a temporary cut in both the capital gains tax and lower taxes on most withdrawals from retirement accounts, plus an end to income taxes on unemployment benefits.

She drew nods of agreement from some with her assertion that, since the birth of their son, Trig, with Down syndrome six months ago, she and her husband, Todd, make a distinction between "God's standards of perfection" and those established by society. Palin said that if she becomes vice president, families with relatives who have special needs "will have a friend and advocate in the White House," but in a speech that pledged to balance the budget and freeze nonessential federal spending, she offered no specifics about any new federal policies or programs.

(Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera responded: "Doggone it, no matter where Sarah Palin speaks, she just won’t tell the voters the truth about John McCain’s record. Despite John McCain’s history of bragging about it, Sarah Palin refused to explain why John McCain voted 90 percent of the time for the failed Bush policies that helped create the current economic crisis. She even refused to explain why her running mate has repeatedly chosen to ignore displaced workers. Instead, she resorted to reciting a litany of widely debunked claims about Barack Obama’s record on everything from energy to taxes and spending.")

The first-term Alaska governor has come under withering scrutiny and been criticized for her attacks on Obama, but she remains a drawing card for admirers and a curiosity to others who attended today's rallies in New Hampshire: a morning event at Dover High School's gym that drew about 1,500, the Weirs Beach gathering, and a much larger outdoor event scheduled for this evening at Salem High School.

At the event in Dover, not far from the seacoast, many in attendance were from Massachusetts or Maine. Many of those interviewed said they are independents, or undeclareds, as they are known in New Hampshire, a state with a deep libertarian streak and where conservatism has long been defined more in terms of economic rather than social issues. Most were impressed by Palin.

"I think she's fresh, not like a politician in Washington," said Charles Sloane of Rochester, a retired civilian employee at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, who was among hundreds turned away when the Dover gym reached its fire safety capacity.

"She's feisty and a breath of fresh air," said Cynthia Hill of Somersworth after the Dover rally. She said she supports Palin even though they differ sharply on a key issue; Hill favors abortion rights, which Palin opposes, even in cases of rape and incest.

Michael Shaw, an accounting manager from Enfield, Conn., said he drove more than 200 miles to see Palin in the flesh at Laconia, after being shut out of tickets for the Dover event. Shaw said he's even more convinced that she has been treated unfairly after seeing Palin speak in person.

"She's the bomb," said Shaw, an independent who said he plans to vote for McCain. "She's getting beat up left and right. Look at what the media are doing to her, like the 'Saturday Night Live' skits. They treat her like she's a baboon, like she doesn't have a brain."

Scott LaPierre of boston.com contributed to this report.

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I miss New Hampshire Go Palin Go

Posted by Jibreel Riley October 15, 08 12:17 PM
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Sarah Palin is much stronger and wiser than Barrack Obama and Joe Biden.She is smart and makes right judgement for all of us.As for Barrack Obama and Joe Biden it is very very hard to trust them because they were just senators and all they do is vote YES,NO OR PRESENT.If American people are intelligent enough and care much about their country and their childrens future Mccain/Palin Administration is all there is to it not Obama/Biden,they're the trainwreck.

Posted by skmj October 15, 08 12:18 PM
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Does the Whitehouse already have a billion dollar hockey rink?

Posted by krystyn October 15, 08 12:39 PM
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She needs to go away... NOW

Posted by ksawdey October 15, 08 12:46 PM
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Was the "Live Free or Die" remark a reference to her secessionist husband? :)

Posted by J.P. October 15, 08 12:50 PM
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"America can't afford another big spender in the White House," Palin said.

She's right of course, but one has to wonder if she knows it's the Republican party that's the party of big government and huge deficits.

Posted by No Longer Undecided October 15, 08 12:51 PM
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In the last 2 years the Arctic summer sea ice shrunk to the lowest levels recorded, Sarah Palin does not believe it is human-induced or cause for alarm. She was asked to establish an Alaska Office on Climate Change, an Alaska Climate Response Fund (based on a tax on Alaska oil production), and emissions reduction targets for Alaska, but has taken no action on these requests. The climate strategy her administration is developing is largely a plan to get more federal dollars to pay for infrastructure projects here. She and her commissioners conspicuously avoid discussing the urgent need to reduce global carbon emissions. After all, producing carbon (oil, gas, coal) that ultimately winds up in the global atmosphere is a big business in Alaska. About 85% of state government revenue comes from oil taxes and royalties. Anything that might further restrict oil development (such as another endangered species listing) is always vigorously opposed by state government and industry here. Palin and her political supporters are in denial on the issue of climate change, against the overwhelming consensus of the scientific community, and even the professed position of her running mate. We have lost at least 20 years in addressing the climate crisis through government apathy and denial, and we can ill-afford to lose another decade on this.

Posted by Lorrainefm October 15, 08 12:57 PM
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Big spender? Everything she accuses the Obama/Biden ticket of is the exact description of the Bush/McCain activity. Please add: Extreme secrecy, reluctance to discuss and debate with opposing viewpoints, inability to act diplomatically, reliance on fear and anger to generate support, and especially, trickle down economics. Keep in mind, if the middle class has no money to spend, no one gets paid. Those with billions need never worry about healthcare, gas, and groceries or rent.
Obama/Biden '08

Posted by rj October 15, 08 12:58 PM
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LOOK AT OUR ECONOMEY; WE NEED TO END THE WAR IN IRAQ. We are spending $341.4 million per day on the war in Iraq and we should have never gone there in the first place because the war should have been fought in Afghanistan. John McCain has said U.S. troops could spend "maybe 100" years in Iraq. What kind of message is this? Iraq has a surplus of money because they are more than happy to let us spend our hard earned money over there. John McCain does not have to worry about money he has over $300 million of his own to spend. John McCain just wants to play army he is out of touch with the rest of US.

Posted by lorrainefm October 15, 08 01:08 PM
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The next federal administration will have enormous environmental challenges to address both here and globally — energy, climate, pollution, habitat loss, ocean degradation, population and consumption, species extinction, deforestation, failing water and food systems, invasive species, and so on. The integrity of our home planet’s biosphere has been rapidly deteriorating for the past 50 years, and we either act now to reverse the decline, or we will most certainly foreclose any chance of a sustainable future. And if McCain / Palin win in November, the environment clearly loses, and we may well miss our last best chance to secure a sustainable future. At a time when the nation and world urgently need strong environmental leadership from the United States, it is important to carefully consider the environmental implications of our vote in November.

Posted by lorrainefm October 15, 08 01:11 PM
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"It might be helpful to focus on the details of Sarah Palin's record as Governor of Alaska. While some press reports have described her as an opponent of government spending, her short record as Governor tells a different story.

Sarah Palin was elected Governor in November 2006. She inherited the fiscal year 2007 budget, but was responsible for the next two -- fy 2008 and fy 2009. It is difficult to sort out the total spending in budgets, as there are state outlays, federal matching funds, revenues from special funds, and capital outlays. The following are figures from the state general fund portion* of the operating budget . She inherited outlays of $3.343 billion. By fy 2008 this had risen to $3.763 billion. The fy 2009 budget, so far, is $4.242 billion. The two year increase is a whooping 27 percent -- hardly a measure of fiscal restraint. "

Posted by lorrainefm October 15, 08 01:17 PM
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My God!!! How DARE she speak out negatively about the "Chosen One" Barak???

Posted by johnnny jump up October 15, 08 01:29 PM
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on what planet is sara palin wiser than obama and biden? the woman barley understands the questions being asked of her, and i am pretty sure her first language is english. here is a tip, a person who is asked about foreign policy and replies "i can see russia from my house" is not wise and not fit to lead the free world. my first requirement for a presidential ticket is that both people on it need to be smarter than me, and unfortunatley palin is dragging mccain down as she is probably not smarter than a fifth grader, lipstick or no.

Posted by megan c October 15, 08 01:45 PM
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OBAMA SUCKS!

Posted by Celebs October 15, 08 01:50 PM
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Where is the race card? Anyone Anyone Anyone

Posted by mike October 15, 08 01:53 PM
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How can you take this Tina Fay person seriously? Ms. Palin is grossly under qualified. What a joke!

Posted by SJC October 15, 08 01:57 PM
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Hey "Posted by megan c",
Here's a reality check for you! Palin didn't say "I can see Russia from my house."
Tina Fay said it! An acctress, on a TV show!

Now turn off "The View" and get back to work!

Posted by Beenthere-Donethat October 15, 08 02:06 PM
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Is Sarah Palin ever going to hold a news conference? All this woman does is read from a scripted teleprompter. McCain's campaign is now running out of money. While on the other hand late donations are now coming in for Obama. I would think that a lot of independent voters are going to Obama's side now.

Posted by Tet68 October 15, 08 02:10 PM
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Why does Politics always have to do with RACE!!! Give me a break.

Posted by smith October 15, 08 02:14 PM
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The HECK with the war on terror. We';ve got to fight it right here with the war on the ECO IDIOTS! PLEASE MAKE THEM GO AWAY>>>>>NOW!!! The Indians LOST! OK
GIT IT YIT.

sitting BULLSHIZZZ

Posted by victor Parsons October 15, 08 02:15 PM
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it appears that some people are confusing Tina Fey with Sarah Palin... oh my... i know its tough... but any interview with laughing in the background is from SNL! COME ON PEOPLE!!!!

Posted by maria October 15, 08 02:16 PM
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to orrainefm
You have valid points! It is too bad you cannot spell 'Economy'

LOOK AT OUR ECONOMEY; WE NEED TO END THE WAR IN IRAQ

Posted by c broth October 15, 08 02:18 PM
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To even think about voting for the deadly combo (mccain/palin) gives me the worst migraine headache I've head in a long time; not only is Palin incompetent, easy to manipulate and clueless about pretty much anything; the worst really is that anyone, and I mean 'anyone' could possibly think she would make a good president as soon as mccain pops. In what kind of reality show would we be living in?

Posted by Userhost October 15, 08 02:22 PM
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I can't believe people actually take Palin seriously. I can't believe people may actually vote for Mccain given the fact that she could wind up being president. I kept an open mind until her debate with Biden. The media was very polite. It was so apparent to me she is in over her head. She avoided questions she didn't know the answers by sticking to her same ol rant about taxes. Scary, scary, scary!

Posted by G October 15, 08 02:23 PM
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For post#1 go Palin go! You should go go go as well. Far away and stay there.

McCain and Palin would be the worst thing that could happen to this country beside our current economic crisis. McCain has sided by Bush for 8 years and the middle class and the world has suffered because of their actions.

The Middle class is on the brink of extinction and McCain will not care about any of us if he is in the White House. As for Palin she is a clueless person who should never have been on this ticket to begin with. We need a real leader in the White House and not some old school teacher who cannot change his ways.

Posted by MPM October 15, 08 02:24 PM
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I don't want a vice president who says " They are not like us".. I don't want a vice president who glorifies stupidity.. I don't want a vice president who asks her opponent to explain hiumself to the media, while she won't utter a word about herself, her husband or her views.. I don't want a vice president who's greatest skill is the ability to shoot a moose..
Sarah Palin is a joke and McCain should lose the election for , if for nothing else showing no judgement in the most important decision he makes as a candidate....

Posted by Neil From NH October 15, 08 02:26 PM
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When is she going to stop using the word "Maverick"? Its driving me nuts! Please, explain what exactly you plan to do to (and I'm quoting Tina Fey) "get all Mavericky!" There's no substance to your speeches!

Posted by Tim October 15, 08 02:26 PM
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I don't want a vice president who says " They are not like us".. I don't want a vice president who glorifies stupidity.. I don't want a vice president who asks her opponent to explain hiumself to the media, while she won't utter a word about herself, her husband or her views.. I don't want a vice president who's greatest skill is the ability to shoot a moose..
Sarah Palin is a joke and McCain should lose the election for , if for nothing else showing no judgement in the most important decision he makes as a candidate....

Posted by Neil From NH October 15, 08 02:26 PM
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I have no respect for the Republican Party and the negative ads and outright lies they continue to run. No longer undecided, Obama/Biden all the way baby!!
McCain/Palin have absolutely nothing to offer me. Palin needs to stop pushing herself as your average American also. Sorry, but I can't see her and "Todd" actually sitting around the kitchen table and stressing on how they will pay their home heating, childrens' education, health care. I am American, I am a Woman, I am a Christian and Palin sooooooooo does not represent me. Time for the Republicans to pack their bags and get out of Washington!!!

Posted by Enid October 15, 08 02:28 PM
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skmj - I'd have to say that you think in complete sentences (you use subjects and verbs) whereas Sarah Palin thinks in soundbites, threats and fear mongering. If I was an experienced Republican male senator or governor, Sarah Palin would make my blood pressure go through the roof! McCain passed over all of the experienced candidates for someone who can't complete a sentence or answer a direct question. What does that say of his judgement? Risky yes but the more you look at it - downright erratic.

Posted by lolipopp October 15, 08 02:30 PM
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We are in a lot of trouble if Obama/Biden makes it to office. Lack of experience and Jabbering Joe to the rescue while McCain / Palin are no better. This presidential election isn't a matter of who is more qualified it is who can do the less damage

Posted by mike October 15, 08 02:37 PM
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quite frankly i am shocked she chose to visit all of us "east coast elitists" up here with our mean ole "east coast media" etc etc...guess she was forced to swallow her disdain for this part of the country in order try and grab a few garbage time votes in a "battleground" state..while i dont think obama will cure cancer, bring about world peace, nor do i think he walks on water, i do believe that he has far greater potential to bring about some real changes than the other ticket does. i will take my chances on the candidate that is intelligent, articulate and pragmatic. sorry but in my opinion i think that a 21st century america needs more than hollow folksy talk and self-proclaimed "mavericks" that inspire little more than a good "USA! USA!" chant.

Posted by shawn October 15, 08 02:42 PM
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Sarah Palin is much stronger and wiser than Barrack Obama and Joe Biden.She is smart and makes right judgement for all of us.....

Did you watch the interviews? I don't care who you vote for. Maybe taxes are your hot button or abortion... whatever makes you decide - but don't insult our intelligence by trying to tell us that Palin is smarter than Obama. She's flustered by the simplest of questions, can't give a straight answer on anything and took 5 years and 5 (or 6?) colleges to graduate in media studies. Like him or not, Obama is a smart guy.

Posted by Gordon Roberts October 15, 08 02:43 PM
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Think about this... We have not had another attack in the US like 9/11 since 9/11 with Bush in the white house. I definitely do not like Bush and what has happened with this economy (and keep in mind that it's a democratic run congress making most of the decisions, but of course no one want's to remember that). But voting for McCain does not equal another 4 years of Bush. Obama DOES NOT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OR THE DESIRE TO PROTECT THIS COUNTRY! I fear for my children's life and future if Obama gets in.

Posted by Kim October 15, 08 02:45 PM
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As a Republican, I'm quite proud of her. She works hard and is a mavrik like McCain and will teach the elites a hard faught lessin. I wouldn't trust our one nation under God to Obama as nobody knows who he really is and he does not look or act presidenshal.

Posted by Raymond October 15, 08 02:48 PM
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lorrainefm: $341.4 million per day on the war in Iraq and we should have never gone there in the first place because the war should have been fought in Afghanistan....
Lorraine: I prefer to be spending $341.4 million per day in Iraq than $341.4 million per day in USA for cleaning the debris in the middle of New York.

Posted by Frederik October 15, 08 02:51 PM
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Sarah Palin is truly amazing....
I was completely uninspired in this whole election until McCain selected her; and from the RNC onward I have been amazed at her. She breathes and speaks to common-man. She "doesn't sound like a politician" and "THAT" is what we need.
All candidates get surrounded with experts who know and advise in every crisis; but a public figure that truly represents America; is who we need aside a True American Hero in McCain.
They both are far more qualified for the office; than a man who could decide to "only vote PRESENT" when asked to make a decision.
Shall we blow-away the ecomonic review of Obama's plans by such vindicated resources as The wall Street Journal; Forbes and more that advise "it's a recipe for economic disaster"??
Barach Hussein Obama (his full name) with his brother a resident of Afghanistan and the biggest painful liberal EVER....

Yeah, let's elect him.

God Save Us.... Go McCain/Palin !!

Posted by Kevin P October 15, 08 02:51 PM
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I am voting against the smooth-talking Muslim sympathizer. Obama and the Hollywood elite are going down when real Americans vote.

Posted by Mike October 15, 08 02:54 PM
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Palin could be PRESIDENT (!!!) Anyone with an IQ above 80 knows what would happend, should McCain get ill or even die during his presidency - Palin running the country is absurd.

Posted by Jesper Nielsen October 15, 08 02:55 PM
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She is a total phony. God I cant wait for this to be over and she goes back to Alaska.

Posted by Jack o Lantern October 15, 08 02:55 PM
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Does anyone realize that it took Sarah Palin 5 years and 5 TRANSFERS to finish college. It may take the average person that long to finish college but do we really want someone "average" in the White House? Anyone who thinks that Palin is smarter than Obama and Biden should remember Obama went to Cokumbia and has a law degree from Harvard....Biden also received a law degree from Syracuse. Sarah Palin may be a nice person and maybe nice to hav eover for dinner - but don't we need greatness and brilliance in charge. That is what you get with Obama. Biden.

Posted by voteobama October 15, 08 02:56 PM
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Raymond,
mavrik, lessin, presidenshal? huh? will you actually have the ability to read your ballot? and what do you mean by he does not "look" presidential? please elaborate.

Posted by shawn October 15, 08 02:58 PM
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I wonder how many Brookliners are going to read this becuase the middle class there is some were between 300K. Is there even still a "middle class" in Boston or have they been driven out to Lynn

Posted by Jibreel Riley October 15, 08 02:58 PM
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As usual, Sarah Wailin's denialist outlook seems to overlook a few simple things: The facts. Just as people who think "she's great" do the same.

MEMBERS OF THE FLAT-EARTH COALITION UNITE!!

When those socialist-commie-aetheists try to tell you about evolution, and that man's having an effect on the planet's atmosphere, you just tell 'em where ta go!

Gravity... It's just a theory!

Posted by cuzinjo October 15, 08 03:03 PM
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I wonder how the crowd reacted if Mrs. Palin mentioned them "winning in NH".
Yeah - like that will happen.
Obama is leading by double digits in the Granite State.

Posted by Marcus Aurelius October 15, 08 03:03 PM
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Megan : here is a tip..When a person who is asked about foreign policy and replies, "just like we drove Hezbollah out of Lebanon..with the French..and we should put in NATO forces" and invites us to a diner thats been closed for twenty years- (that person) "is not wise and not fit to lead the free word." ..doesn't take much for both candidates to be smarter than a fifth grader with lipstick when she gets her politics from Saturday Night Live..oh, the planet is called Earth..

Race card?: Obama supported the candidacy of Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement Party in Kenya..Odinga, a Marxist, claims to be Obama's cousin, supported Sharia law in Kenya and encouraged protests that killed thousands and left hundreds of Christian churches burned to the ground. Cash, advice, emails tied to the Senator's office? Reporting such would be playing the race card to close to the election, right? You bet, that's why we're next...unless Obama wins by a landslide. His playbook is already written. His supporters are already threatening violent protest if he loses...and Palin rallies are potentially dangerous?


Posted by palinjindal2012 October 15, 08 03:04 PM
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How can so many Americans be so short sighted, ignorant and intolerant? Palin is not a credible candidate for VP or Commander in Cheif (God forbid that should ever happen). Look at how she has handled herself since being nominated by her party, fumble after fumble. Ms. Palin, a VP Debate should never be treated like you are addressing a PTA meeting. Palin is an average Joe and not qualified to be anywhere near the White House. Palin does not understand our economy, Global Warming (it's real and we're causing it Sarah), foreign affairs or that this war needs to end for starters. Does anyone do their homework in this country or is everyone just easily swayed by the media and others? Just start reading as much as you possibly can on all of the candidates and take your blinders off and check your intolerance at the door. Once you do, you will come to see what the McCain/Palin ticket is all about and understand they are not viable choice to lead our country out of the hot mess that we are in. This is not about color or Muslim names. This is about the urgent need for a shift in American politics and policies led by the more intelligent, diplomatic and qualified candidate, Barack Hussein Obama, who is ready to lead our suffering country out of the mess that George Bush and his cabinet have put us in. This is 2008 and we still have to watch uneducated and prejudiced McCain supporters waving around monkeys with Obama’s name on their hats; how dare you, you should be disgusted by yourselves (looking for the race card and there you have it). America the Stupid, when will you come to your senses and get us out of the mess that we are in? Obama '08. Obama '08. Obama '08.

Posted by America the Stupid October 15, 08 03:10 PM
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To Megan C, you need to stop getting your news information from SNL and cartoons -- get real and get your facts from accurate sources. It's obvious your political info comes from headlines or skits. Hence, the mediocrity of America ....
We need smaller government instead of having our money taken away and having to stand in lines to get it back. I've worked hard for my money and I want to invest it, or donate it where I see fit. I don't need the government to take it from me and give it away. We need a Commander in Chief to run this country - someone like McCain who has experience and already has relationships with foreign leaders. Not a man like Obama who is a good orator and reads scripted speeches from teleprompters - but when given the chance to speak on his own, he doesn't have original ideas - he just flips back into some scripted speech. Obama would be a good minister, not President. We shouldn’t have to settle for on the job training when it comes to the presidency.
McCain / Palin 2008

Posted by vikingirl October 15, 08 03:11 PM
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Are we kidding ourselves here thinking Obama is the right one,some of you people are as nuts as Obama.The guy didn't know the differrences between good and bad as reflected from his association with very radical people like Bill Ayers,Revrent Nuts Jeremiah Wright,another nut in Farragan,wanting to meet face to face with dictators does this guy gets it?. No he doesn't and he needs to step out of his comfort zone and think and speak like a real concern democrat leader and a real concern American.Because as far as I look at him he is distancing himself from the truth we fear about extreme Islamist Terrorists.His lack and I mean real lack of of leadership skills and experiences makes him look more like a rookie.

Posted by skmj October 15, 08 03:17 PM
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As an Alaskan, the only downside I see to Obama being elected is that we have to take Palin back.

Not that I wanted her in the 1st place, but in her brief political career she has been unethical more times than not. And how can she claim to be a conservative when she charges the State of Alaska $17,000 in per diem for spending 312 days in her own home, $13,000 in state funds (+ per diem) for attending various church functions, and over $43,000 paying for her family to travel to various events?? Unacceptable does not even BEGIN to describe her actions. All in less than two years too....imagine what she can do in 4.....I know...I'm scared too....

Posted by Lo in Alaska October 15, 08 03:19 PM
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For Post #34 - Kim,
What makes you say Obama does not have the desire to protect this country? You obviously have not listened to any of his debates. You should really fear McCain and Palin. Palin is a complete phony and I would hope you are smart enough to figure that out. Let's not get to the point of desperation for trying to get a women in the office and select this whack job!
Yes voting for McCain will continue on the same old politics of Bush. Again listen to the debates and you will hear it in McCains words.

Posted by MPM October 15, 08 03:20 PM
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I am a democrat and as much as it pains me I think it is in the best interst of our country for Mcain to get elected. Obama is a racist and I feel that his racist tendencies will begin to show in his policy, both domestic in foreign. His support for reparations (where's that money coming from), his ties to known racists and even the rev. Jesse Jackson saying that America's favorable policy towards Israel (our closest/strongest ally) will change once B.O. is elected. Mcain and Palin is a joke ticket as well but we cannot afford racist, fascist policies in the white house. it's unfortunate that people turn a blind eye to these issues and take a side regardless of the real issues. It is not safe to have a leader that has people follow him based on who he is and not what he says. The Bush Administration was a dark period in Amrican/World history and I believe that it is about to get darker.

Posted by Dem4Mcain October 15, 08 03:21 PM
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"We have not had another attack in the US like 9/11 since 9/11 with Bush in the white house. "

You do realize that Bush was President when this happened?

If not then I guess understand your support of McCain/Palin.

Posted by Tom October 15, 08 03:21 PM
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From CBS interview.
"Couric: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and, on our other side, the land-boundary that we have with Canada. It's funny that a comment like that was kinda made to … I don't know, you know … reporters."


Couric: Mocked?

Palin: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.

Couric: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials.

Palin: Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there…

Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state

Posted by Needchangenow October 15, 08 03:26 PM
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Hey Guys...

Just open your eyes and observe... Who is the culprit???? Look at the ACORN staff.. Who is the Culprit in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae??? Do you notice what is obvious???? and yet OBAMA says he does not know them... Get real OK... Vote for the right one for the country.... Vote McCain-Palin Ticket.

Posted by Manphil October 15, 08 03:54 PM
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Needchangenow Post # 54

Katie Couric is a screaching Liberal..... She is about as important as my lawn.
Why doesn't she have a good ol' sit-down with Barack Hussein Obama; and bring in Farakhan; Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Jesse Jackson & Barack's Cousin Odinga and they can all chat about how racist they are.... Then, (if we can locate him in the hills of Pakistan with Bin-Laden we can all sit down without pre-condition and "just chat". We can even get Barack's brother who lives in Afghanistan to translate for Bin Laden.
Then we can conference-call ACORN and they can give us some tidbits of brilliance....

Why don't we have these same soundbite-sketched-interviews with Barack Hussein Obama ??

Posted by Kevin P October 15, 08 03:55 PM
.

I'm neither republican nor democrat. I just vote for the individual who has the best policies, good character and smart, sound judgment. I am a Christian and I am tired of the insinuation that Obama is some covert muslim in disguise. its ridiculous. Not only that, when was it deemed ok to discriminate against muslims?
The United States of America is "supposed" to be a free nation where any law abiding citizen has the right to run for office. The fact is: there is a lot of hidden racism in our country. Obama is patriotic, he does love the our country. For people to say "nobody knows who he really is"-that's just absurd. Palin just flops onto the scene from no where. A clear stunt by Mccain to get the lost Clinton voters. No one says "I don't know who she is" about her. What is that? We Americans are smarter than that, or so I thought. And, those same people that say that are the same people who voted for the "genius" President Bush. Come on, take out your ignorant bias and think with a clear mind and then evaluate who you think is the best. Also, think to yourself the motivations of some dubious moves. Who has been consistent in their message? Who has been changing their message more than a schizo on an answering machine? The latter, I'll give you a hint; It starts with a Mc and ends with a Cain.
Just open your eyes before you make a dumb mistake. And, don't let prejudices or misconceived conceptions cloud your vision. Also, learn how to spell presidenshal-presidential. Thank You

Posted by Ashanti Lee October 15, 08 03:58 PM
.

True, McCain will not be another 4 years of Bush, BUT - here's the thing, how can we vote for someone who cannot identify with the VAST majority of Americans? Obama has one house, grew up in a single parent household, and struggled for most of his life making ends meet. McCain doesn’t even know how many houses he has, somewhere north of 12 I'm guessing, and yes he was in the military, but his father was a high ranking military official and they lived the life of privilege. How can we say that McCain is going to identify with mainstream Americans more than Obama? I'm a republican and will be voting Obama, because he connects more with the vast majority of Americans than McCain does. He understands what alot of us are going through.

Posted by Tim October 15, 08 04:00 PM
.

Fact of the matter is that the Soviet Union is close to Alaska, learn your geography before you pick on Sarah Palin! She was just saying that she sees the threat all the time, and that she is the head of the Alaskan National Guard as the commander in cheif. Obama has never led troops into battle, and doesn't know what it is like to rise each day in a country controlled by communism.

Posted by Raymond October 15, 08 04:01 PM
.

S. Palin could become president should something happend to McCain. Bush is without any doubt the worst president in our entire history - imagine how ridiculous and absurd it would be should Palin take over !!!!

PLEASE ... NO HOCKEY MOM IN THE WHITE HOUSE !!

Posted by Peter Mark Mcdermott October 15, 08 04:03 PM
.

Do not think that Palin is ignorant. Joseph Gobbels, the Nazi Minister of Propoganda stated, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it". Gov. Palin is his desciple.What about :
McCains ties to G Gordon Liddy
McCains ties to is own nut job preacher Hagee.. ( Haggee had some really choice things to say)
Palins ties to the secessionist movement in Alaska
Trooper Gate
Who supplied and paid for the materials to build her house.
Palins nut job preacher.
What about John McCain's involvement with the reactionary U.S. Council for World Freedom? The head of the Republican ticket joined its advisory board in 1982, after the Anti-Defamation League had denounced the organization's parent organization, the World Anti-Communist League, as "a gathering place, a forum, a point of contact for extremists, racists and anti-Semites." According to Glenn Kessler of the Washington Post, the Council for World Freedom was "linked to ultra-rightwing death squads in Central America." McCain was prominently listed on the organization's letterhead for several years. The McCain campaign claims that he resigned from the CWP's advisory board in 1984, but McCain attended the group's Freedom Fighter of the Year award ceremony on October 3, 1985. What unsavory characters were at that event, and did McCain "pal around" with them? This is every bit as relevant (or irrelevant) as pinpointing when Barack Obama first learned that Bill Ayers had been a radical.
Was Bill Ayers ever convicted? No! Were McCain's friends and supporters, Charles Keating, G. Gordon Liddy or Oliver North ever convicted? Yes!

Posted by Larry Linn October 15, 08 04:09 PM
.

Maybe, if elected, Palin will hire Miss South Carolina to help her with research. What a team that would be!
And, hey, dem4mccain - I guess I must be racist, because I am voting for the candidate with the white mother! Obama!!

Posted by ENUFGOP October 15, 08 04:12 PM
.

VOTE COMRADE OBAMA!

MAKE KARL MARX PROUD!

Posted by BOS EMT October 15, 08 04:12 PM
.

Please correct the spelling of the title: "Palin Stumps in New HamPShire" rather than "Hamsphire"
thanks.

Posted by Julia October 15, 08 04:35 PM
.

to megan c. Yeh she did say she could see Russia from her house, she said it on her Katy Couric interview. Palin in being used by a man (Mc Cain) to run point for him. Women today don't let men use them. Some say she is cooperating with him so the GOP will see how accomodating she is. Ugh, real republicans are disgusted by this empty ( albeit lovely looking) skirt.

Posted by Pat October 15, 08 04:40 PM
.

Palin was found in violation of an Alaskan state ethics law. The committee conducting the investigation found she abused her power and violated the public trust.

Posted by Dee October 15, 08 04:41 PM
.

I have doorknobs in my house that are smarter than Sarah Palin

Posted by stevef October 15, 08 04:42 PM
.

it appears that some people are confusing Tina Fey with Sarah Palin... oh my... i know its tough... but any interview with laughing in the background is from SNL! COME ON PEOPLE!!!!

Posted by maria October 15, 08 02:16 PM

Ummm, Maria, did you catch the Katie Couric interviews? I know there was laughing in the background at my house...

Posted by robinshood October 15, 08 05:10 PM
.

What is so bad about socialism? It is BS and ignorance to compare Obama with Karl Marx and ridiculous - look at the Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Norway and Sweden. They are among the worlds richest countries with low unemployment, balanced budgets, free health care and higher education for everyone etc. - sure they have marginal tax rates around 50-60 procent, but on the average people pay no more than 40%. Please tell me if OUR system works for the common man?

Posted by John Botley October 15, 08 05:48 PM
.

God Bless The USA.
McCain/Palin 08.

Posted by Agnes October 15, 08 06:34 PM
.

I attended the Dover rally and must admit I was less than impressed.
Sure, Palin had promises. But she offered few specifics to back the McCain plan.
I'm sure the crowd was pleased to hear how pretty New Hampshire is in the fall and how much the folks here remind her of Alaskans.
But what will she and McCain do to help our economy and our ever-shrinking retirement accounts?
How soon will their energy policy really help us in New England trying to heat our homes?
I vote Obama.


Posted by Concerned Mainer October 15, 08 07:02 PM
.

Watch for massive layoffs the moment Obama become president if he ever get there because businessses don't like his economic ideas.And what that means is all of you supporting Obama will soon be out of work and then you all look back and said to yourselves "what am I getting myself into".Scary isn't it.

Posted by skmj October 15, 08 07:52 PM
.

I attended the Laconia, NH rally. All the attendees were respectful despite the heckling and chanting of the Obama supporters/protesters who were dressed in garish costumes. These extremist democrats are a hateful bunch who would love to see a socialist elected to the White House. If you want to point out dumb comments - how about Sen. Biden and his lecture of how President Roosevelt got on TV in 1929 to explain his remedy to the depression of that era!!! DUH!!!
PLEASE -- NO SOCIALIST IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!

Posted by PATC135 October 15, 08 07:52 PM
.

To #59 Raymond.
The Soviet Union is not near Alaska, Russia is. Know about world politics before you criticize someone's knowledge of geography. Where did you go to school? The Sarah Palin School of Moronic voters?

You seem like one of the many phony conservative republicans who are stuck in the past while the country moves into the future.


Posted by artie45 October 15, 08 08:11 PM
.

Sadly, it will be lost on the McCain/Palin supporters that most of their posts are glowing tributes to ignorance, intolerance, obstinate disregard for facts, and train-wreck spelling and grammar. (Go ahead...go back and check them.) In this respect, they are correct in asserting that Sarah Palin does reflect at least part of America. I'm certain none of these rubes has ever read The Audacity of Hope or Dreams from My Father, and they wouldn't understand that being a brilliant writer - which Obama most certainly is - requires a brilliant mind. In short, stupid people don't write well (once again I refer to the McCain/Palin supporter posts). It's important....no, it's critical to me that the most powerful office on earth be occupied by an intellect far greater than my own. George Bush is a card-carrying imbecile and look at the disaster he has wrought in just eight short years. Comparisons of Palin's inexperience with Obama's are beneath contempt. He is a U.S. Senator, she is the governor of state with a population smaller than Memphis Tennessee. He was the president of the Harvard Law Review, she was Miss Congeniality in a beauty contest. He has written two important books, she can't complete a cogent sentence. Are we done yet??

Posted by Paul October 15, 08 08:52 PM
.

You might want to fix the typo in the headline. Call me if you need an editor.

Posted by Marla October 15, 08 09:47 PM
.

We can't afford another borrow and spend Republican administration in the White House. McSame/Falin are the same guys they were 2 weeks ago. An incoherent chief of the largest county in America and an angry old man.

Posted by DougH October 15, 08 11:27 PM
.

I hope John and Sarah win! Sarah gave a great video endorsement at our AIP fundraiser in January of this year. We Alaskans can wait to secede from America. God bless our 6,000 year old planet!

Posted by Joseph Volger October 16, 08 12:20 AM
.

To "PATC135": I too attended the Palin rally in Laconia, where you say "all the attendees were respectful..." My "protest" sign had an tired, scared old white elephant and a patchwork, multicolored donkey. Most Saradoration attendees didn't get it. Many asked for an explanation. When I opined that the White elephant represented the GOP, and the donkey the Democratic party of inclusion, the guy beside me muttered: "Oh, a colored jackass. How appropriate." My sign was grabbed, I was pushed by these respectful folks from NH. I thanked Gov. Palin for toning down the racism in her speech today. She did not say "You're welcome."

Posted by Sheila Leavitt October 16, 08 01:22 AM
.

Were my comments about my experiences at the Laconia Palin rally offensive? I do not see them on your blog.

Posted by Sheila Leavitt October 16, 08 09:49 AM
.

poor kids who got beat up by those palin/mccain freaks.
cause we all know anyone who wants mccain or palin in office is OUT of control and wants to live in hell

Posted by gurtrude October 16, 08 11:33 AM
.

Sarah Palin's candidacy scares me. She may be ready to lead one day, but clearly isn't today. I think McCain has abandoned the things that made him special in American politics. Now, he's more Rove than Roosevelt. I had planned on voting for McCain, but his choice of Sarah Palin would make that vote, in a time of war and recession, irresponsible. Let me post this-not that education is a sole factor in leadership-but it is interesting.

Educational Background:
Barack Obama:
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Vs

John McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism


Posted by Mac Brantley October 16, 08 12:43 PM
.

What was on the guy's sign in the video. It seemed odd that they didn't show what was written on the sign.

Posted by Julia October 16, 08 11:06 PM
.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! These guys got their butts handed to them by old women and people are suppose to believe this? HAHAHAHAHA!

Posted by That one guy over there October 16, 08 11:08 PM
.

This is hysterical. Two young guys, Obama supporters get beat up by old ladies, Palin supporters.
Smack down - way to go Sarah supporters.
As a side note you think these guys would be embarrassed to admit they got beat up by old ladies. LOL

Posted by Cindy October 16, 08 11:11 PM
.

Hey
Mac Brantley you want to guess how he got into Columbia and Harvard? You can watch the video on YouTube where the guy who "made the call" discusses it. Why won't he release his school records? You know why don't you.

Posted by Wunderlust October 16, 08 11:38 PM
.

Hey Dudes!

! ) I dare you to walk through certain neighborhoods on Chicago's south side with a McCain sign and expect to get out of the area with your lives.

2) What part of hockey mom, pitt bull, and lipstick do you not understand?

Posted by ChgogalNorthsider October 16, 08 11:39 PM
.

Over-educated elite narcissists who plague government bureaucracy have run our country almost to ruin. I believe we need some straight-talking pioneer outsiders to get the wagon train back on course.
I'd prefer to vote out every single incumbent in Congress and start over fresh.
Take a look at Howard Beale in the movie, Network. His "mad as hell" soliloquy is as pertinent today as it was 32 years ago. Well, my friends, John McCain has started that revolution by picking a smart young American mom, a person who can multi-task better than any man, a strong woman with innate political savy and good common sense.

Posted by Hill October 16, 08 11:45 PM
.

This is hilarious....these idiots go to the media to whine that they were beaten up by 65 year old women! LOLOL

How pathetic is that?

And, how did they know the ages....seems to me they just wanted face time. Typical Obama supporters - not a real guy in the bunch. Obviously the real men are somewhere else.

Posted by Jilly October 16, 08 11:51 PM
.

Palin is indeed the bomb. The sheer terror and lunacy this woman inspires in Obama drones is exhilarating!

And I haven't yet received my first paycheck from Axelrod.

Posted by ReginaldL October 17, 08 12:28 AM
.

Palin was no clue about foreign and economic policies. She has a habit of trying to dodge the questions and as she does, she makes herself look like a complete "idiot". Thanks for journalists like Gibson and Katie Couric to ask her very important questions that we ought to know the answers. I really don't know what McCain was thinking when he chose her but I bet he didn't do his homework therefore used bad judgment. She is obviously unqualified because she doesn't have the credentials or the experience to become a V.P. - not yet at least. Let's face it; McCain is 72 years old with a history of medical problems. Let's just say hypothetically, he wins but then passes after being in office...would you really want to have “Pafailin” as your President? My suggestion is, do your homework by reviewing her educational/work experience and watch her many failed interviews then decide for yourselves.

Posted by McSame/Pafailin gone Mad ? October 22, 08 02:19 PM
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