Initial Take on the Palin Effect

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Yes McCain wants to be a part of the yes generation but I think this woman is just a red herring that he was hoping would deflect away from his parties many short falls i.e, age, health issues, policy concerns, etc.
He does not want the American people to deal with the reality and the actual issues that we should be focusing on so what does he do picks the most unlikely candidate and sits back as the media does what he hasn't been able to do, get the spotlight iff the fact that he is just a clone of Bush and his policies.
I could care less about this woman's daughter being pregnant, but I wonder if everyone would be so understanding if it had been the Democratic nominee's daughter instead? People rather focus on foolishness rather than facts.

Omelia Summerson of FL 1:11PM September 04, 2008

upon taking the governor's office, Palin made some 24 phone calls to Alaska's Director of Public Safety to get her ex-brother-in-law fired from his state Trooper job. When the Director refused, she fired him.
When the Alaska Creamery Board recommended closing an unprofitable, state-owned dairy, and Palin couldn't get them to reverse the recommendation, she fired the board and replaced them with 'yes' men.
There are more stories just like that.
I've had enough of petty dictators in the executive branch. The last thing this country can take is another Bush/Cheney presidency.

of TN 2:05PM September 03, 2008

To be honest, I was shocked at John McCain's choice for running mate. There were a myriad of possible candidates, all bringing their own experience, perspectives and visions to the oval office. But despite all of the more logical choices, John McCain chose Sarah Palin because she is a woman and it's his only way to be part of the monumental first time in history ballot category too. And let's be honest, he chose her because she is a woman, not for her years of experience or their long-running professional relationship, which would only make sense in this circus of an election.
My concerns with Sarah Palin, potential VP.
1. Her experience. She was mayor of Wasilla, a relatively small city, and then she was elected Governor of Alaska. But she lacks major relevant experience required for such a position. Foreign policy and relations are crucial for American interests. Granted, she may know a lot about the issues facing middle class families and domestic understandings are also important. But what understanding does she have for the business world? Lobbyists? The Bill of Rights? The list goes on...
2. She doesn't know what a VP does? She clearly stated that to a reporter. How could she be a serious candidate for a position if she doesn't know what that position entails? Shouldn't she be presented with a job description before being offered the position? And shouldn't she have some understandings of the various roles of government to successfully perform her job in the first place?
3. Her religious influence. Religion is a beautiful facet in people's lives, enabling people to find solace and hope in our very troubled world. But one's relationship with God is a private one, so regardless of the path of your faith as a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindi, spiritual but not religious, it should remain within your folds and not for public display. It's the very fact that this nation was built upon freedom of religion, clearly stated in the First Amendment, that helps us grow together within our differences. Palin is openly and outwardly religious as a Christian. This in it of itself is fine. But it's when politicians bring their religion into the political sphere, that is what I have problems with. She's positioned strongly for Christian-influenced legislation, including a push for pro-life and overturning Roe v. Wade.
4. Her position on Abortion. Choosing to have an abortion is a horrible experience that is not decided upon lightly; but this is a personal decision between the expectant parents, not Congressmen. In her personal life, Palin gave birth to a baby with Down's Syndrome, her 17 year old daughter is five months pregnant, and Palin is once again pregnant herself. She's the poster woman for pro-life in her personal life, but not everyone's life works like that. Sometimes it's the only option. If we outlaw abortion, desperate pregnant women will be forced to seek underground abortions or fly overseas, which will endanger the lives of many. Some people should not have children, meaning people who will abuse a child as he/she grows up. Regardless, a woman's choice with her body is no one's but her own.
5. Energy and the environment. Palin's record on the environment is dismal and short-sighted. In order to maintain oil drilling in the ANWR, she's chosen big business over the environment, despite her love for hunting and fishing. She's dismissed claims that global warming is caused by man and, therefore, could be corrected by man. She even sued the Bush administration for including polar bears on the endangered species list because it would interfere with oil drilling. If Palin became VP, it's highly likely alternative fuel research would be eliminated or severely underfunded, which is so crucial in today's day and age.
6. McCain's age. McCain just turned 72. For argument's sake, let's say McCain wins two terms. By the end, he'd be 80 years old. This is a man who recovered from skin cancer and currently lives with many age-related conditions. He could die. Yes, anyone could die at any time for a number of reasons. Bill Clinton could have died from a heart attack while jogging. George W Bush could have died by choking on a potato chip. But the probability of McCain dying during his term is exponentially higher. Which would mean, Palin could suddenly become President of the United States. People tend to hold the VP to lower standards, but would they really back her up as president?
Now, I do want to commend McCain for selecting a woman as his running mate; this shows that finally women are receiving the respect and equality they truly deserve from men. But I believe women should be nominated the same way men (ought) to be nominated: by selecting the best possible candidate for the position and keeping gender, race and religion out of the picture.
I do not support Sarah Palin.

Vanessa Villa of FL 5:26PM September 02, 2008

The most troubling revelation about Sarah Palin is not her family problems, it is the questionable vetting process of the McCain surrogates who failed to discover that she and her husband were members of the Alaskan Independence Party, a fringe organization that advocates secession from the United States of America. If the GOP still supports her after this revelation, their whole platform comes under even more intense scrutiny.

Cale Ashton of CA 3:01PM September 02, 2008

I live in Alaska. I've been to ANWAR.
It's an Arctic Desert. The mountains you see in video are hundreds of miles to the south. The actual bulk is a desert of ice and snow in the winter and permafrost and tundra (no trees or mountains like in the misleading videos) in the summer.
It is HUGE (larger than some states) and the part of this desert to be drilled is miniscule.
That is why Palin and most Alaskans like myself support drilling in ANWAR

Scott of AK 3:06AM September 02, 2008

If you profess to be a Christian or have been reviled as pro family, pro-life, moral and ethical, don't fail. Let no member of your family fail in any of these areas. This is all very important to some individuals. However, what does any of this have to do with making decisions about the war in Iraq, the economy, or healthcare? My point, as you may have already realized is this: Millions and millions of men and women have been through tragedies and understand how these catastrophic events are important. Many women have chosen to work outside the home and are awesome moms. Many moms feel it is better to stay at home. There is nothing to implicate that how the family chooses to run their family matters has any impact on what type of government official she or he would be. It has only been a few days since Mr. McCain made known whom he wanted as his running mate. It has been time enough to pull the skeletons out of the closet and possibly time enough to know what Mrs. Palin has to offer as far as a potential president of the United States? Is it enough?

NJD of OH 7:44PM September 01, 2008

ARE YOU KIDDING?! JUST WHAT WE NEED IS A ENTRY LEVEL VICE PRESIDENT,
WHO MOST LIKELY WILL BECOME THE PRESIDENT DUE TO MCCAINS AGE AND HEALTH. IF THIS HAD BEEN OBAMNA'S RUNNING MATE THESE SAME PEOPLE WOULD BE HAVING A FIT.
DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT ALL THAT MATTERS IS A UTERUS AND BREASTS TO GET HILARY VOTERS. WHAT AN INSULT TO THEIR INTELLIGENCE!!!!!
DO YOU REALIZE SHE IS IN THE BACK POCKETS OF THE OIL COMPANIES? DO WE REALLY WANT TO SEE THE BIG OIL GET EVEN MORE TAX PAYERS HARD EARNED MONEY. ARE YOU REALLY NOT INTERESTED IN EXPANDING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY?

SUSANNE of CA 7:33PM September 01, 2008

I guess she will be able to get us affordable healthcare by forcing women to wait for 12 hours after their water breaks to head to the hospital,then a hospital that will be hours away,and then require women to return to work within 3 days of the birth of a special needs child,or in less than 24 hours after a normal birth.Obviously there will be no need for FMLA leave to care for any child.It is great that she has accomplished so many personal goals that are important to her,but at what cost?Im sure her husband is thrilled to be the "First Dude"(great,another embarassment for our country),since he gets to wield power and influence in her wake,but has anyone asked the children?
Does anyone really know this woman?She seems a little too manic,to me,as though there may be some problems?Or is it maybe too many RedBulls?

j mcdevitt of LA 6:55PM September 01, 2008

"Have you not heard any candidate in the past not promising good schools, good roads, more money in your pocket, less crime on the streets? Hey, we have heard it before!"
That we have.
So what you are saying is, nothing. You are nothing more than a Republican cheerleader. ("Go Saraaaah") According to you, a Republican Palin is no different from McCain, Obama, Biden, any Democrat OR Republican. The question is, who do you BELIEVE will bring about CHANGE? Okay, so McCain has voted with Bush, and Obama has voted with the Democrats. Do we really WANT four more years of a cloned Bush administration? If polls can be believed, nearly 70% of Americans would appear to be saying.....NO. Rah, Rah, Rah, sis boom bah! And yes, I am a registered Republican.
(please Blog intelligently)

John of NC 5:20PM September 01, 2008

of experiences, I have come to learn that women can be the most critical of other women. My sense is that it comes from the "competition" factor woman are raised with, whether it being a constant comparison of looks, relationships, weight, jobs... I'm somewhat confused by this claim of this choice being an "insult". I was much more insulted by the actions of the Media, Democratic Party and fellow Democrats throughout the Primary. As a Feminist, I am pleased to see a woman, any woman, get the chance to prove themselves on the Major Political stage. The more times this can happen, the more commonplace it will become, thus helping future generations of women in their efforts to be considered equal.

tlk of CO 5:01PM September 01, 2008