I think Palin's appeal to Hillary's supporters comes back the challenge Hillary issued in her convention speech when she asked them if they were there for her or what she believed in. If they really supported Hillary because of her policies, then they won't be switching sides to support someone on the opposite end of the political spectrum. If they were supporting her solely because she was a woman, then they might be drawn to Palin.
I like the pick but don't love it. Still not sure I'll be voting for McCain, though. I like the Obama people talking about experience after trying to convince everyone that it doesn't matter...and the McCain people trying to say that it doesn't matter after trying to convince everyone that it does. That being said, I think it does matter. Either way, however, we'll have someone with minimal experience in the White House for sure, now. I'm not sure the experience argument will play a role in the campaign from now on.
I can see the Hillary supporters running to the GOP as we speak! BRILLIANT choice by McCain. Now things have gotten interesting!
And I despise any and all voters like this. DO NOT vote for Obama just because he is black. DO NOT vote for McCain just because he is white or just because he has a female running mate. Vote for the candidate that you most agree with, who's policies and ideals match those of your own, etc. Don't vote for somebody just because of an everyday characteristic.
She's known as "THE BARRACCUDA!!!! NEW YORK (CNN) -- John McCain's brilliant but risky "Hail Mary pass" choice for vice president, Alaska Gov. Sarah "Barracuda" Palin, has the political world saying first: Who? And then: Why? The "who" is a young, articulate, smart, tough, pro-life Roman Catholic who is the governor of our northernmost state. She is conservative and a mother of 5, including a son in the Army who is set to be deployed to Iraq on September 11. Her youngest child has Down syndrome. The "Barracuda" nickname came from her aggressive basketball play on the state championship basketball team. She is a hunter, pilot and lifetime member of the NRA. She is blunt, outspoken and charming. And don't assume she can't stand toe-to-toe with Joe Biden. She is a great debater. And she was runner-up for the Miss Alaska title, won Miss Congeniality in that contest, and plays the flute. She also has a compelling story and is a most interesting choice. She will be known by all in 24 to 48 hours in this instant media world and I am betting she will be well-liked. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/29/rollins.palin/ theSAGE
OK, now I've read the wikipedia on her. I have to say, I'm pretty impressed by her, but I don't think she's a good choice. Obama says he doesn't have "the pedigree" but that's BS; he's got all the best education, which is pretty common in presidential candidates. Palin is the one with the unusual pedigree, growing up in a small-town backwater, with a mere bachelor's degree from a hum-drum school. But, from that background, she's had some impressive accomplishments, which speak to her competence. I like her efforts to reduce corruption and waste, though it looks like she's had some abuse of power issues. (I must also say her wiki entry makes Alaska sound like a pretty corrupt place.) She has less experience than Obama. The "executive" experience of being governor is nice, but that's about all she has. Obama has several years as a senator, more as an Illinois politician, and more still as a professor of constitional law. Everything he's done in his life can demonstrably add to his credentials, whereas Palin's work as a sports anchor or fisherman don't do a whole lot. She might be a bit inexperienced for the job, but it seems like she'll learn quickly. It does make me worry a bit though, given that McCain dying in office is a real possibility. I do think this appointment blunts the historicity-logic of voting for Obama just to break a discrimination barrier. But, I don't think this will do much for capturing a female vote, as has been mentioned. Disaffected Hilary voters are not going to vote for someone like her (pro-life, pro-gun, pro-ANWR, pro-sanctity-of-marriage) just because she's female. That's like expecting to get the black vote by trotting out Allan Keyes. It'd really be a slap to Hillary's face to put this woman in office. And, you know women can be catty. I don't see conservative women coming in flocks either. They may be happy with her, but I think conservative women are perfectly happy voting for a man and may share the same reservations about a female VP as some male voters have. McCain may actually have been better off with this group by finding a man with charisma and a commanding presence. She does have that American heartland vibe, and evangelical types can be reassured they have a good, God-fearing woman. I'm not sure how much it'll overcome the lukewarm attitude to McCain's own faith (I suppose they could pray for a heart attack (okay, that wasn't nice, I take it back)). In sum, I don't think she helps the campaign much (though I don't know if any candidate can). And, if she were in office, she lacks a whole lot of experience. But, she does seem like a capable woman. In any case, McCain is not going to win, so it's all moot. And, this whole VP episode will look great on her resume.
#22 came in second in a beauty pageant? Also, note that she played in a championship game despite a stress fracture. She's tough!
I wouldn't compare her to Obama, they are running for different offices. I think the whole experience thing is overrated anyway, as mentioned.
My quick reaction is that it was, on balance, a good pick. McCain really needed to shake things up after that convention and this pick does that. On the plus side for Dems, I don't think she will attract a significant number of women once her positions on women's issues are known. And I seriously doubt she'll attract Hillary voters. Even better for us, this pick completely takes the experience issue off the table. If McCain can put Palin that close to the presidency, it makes no sense to keep saying Obama's "not ready." But, on balance, I would tentatively call it a good pick. (Nobody can have anything other than a tentative opinion now as no one knows what will happen when she takes her very first steps on a national stage - she's completely untested that way.) The best thing about it for the GOP side is that all of his other options were so incredibly much worse. I'll admit, I'm a little depressed by it just because I was SO looking forward to horrible picks like Romney, Pawlenty or Lieberman.
I think McCain had to make a bold pick - and this qualified. Very bold, and pretty much he had no other choice. He has to get Hillary fans on board in order to win this election. And his hope that this selection will appeal to Hillary voters is powerful. All brings a lot of talk and excitement to his campaign. Smart move. Will it work? Don't know.
So if McCain is not around, who's going to answer that 3 pm hot-line call while she's picking up the kids from school?
Once again, your political instincts are just laughably wrong. Saying women won't vote for Palin is like saying AA's would stick with the Hillary camp a year ago. Pride in one's own affiliations rules the day -- always has, always will. Furthermore, this pick is impossible for the libs to attack. 1) You can't attack a woman since Hillary voted are already pissed 2) You can't attack her perceived lack of experience since the TOP of your own ticket has no experience. Face facts -- you just got OWNED, libs.
Question though is will we have a Palin-Boy to go with McCain Girl? With Together they'd be unstoppable. theSAGE
but most of her stands on women's issues OPPOSE hillary. hillary is a known fighter for women's rights. what has palin done that can say she's a fighter for women everywhere? so no, most hillary voters won't vote for her. some will obviously b/c they're bitter and they would vote for mccain regardless of palin. the majority of hillary voters are already united voting for obama. the bitter ones will stay bitter and made up their mind already. yes, obama can't attack her experience and he's not gonna do that. he'll simply say why does mccain attack him for that and turn around and pick someone that he says is too inexperienced to be president? and palin is a heartbeat away. obama doesn't have to raise that fact. it's mccain who has to turn around and say i'm sorry america, i'm a hypocrite. my initial argument against barack is wrong. obama is not stupid to bring that up. he'll bring it up AGAINST mccain as to why he thinks SHE will be capable of the presdiency if something happens to him when he thinks barack isn't read. THIRDLY, mccain isn't very fond of women's rings, as hillary pointed out emphatically. why choose a woman as your running mate when you don't even believe in equal pay for equal work? HYPOCRITICAL isn't it? the dems can attack this in so many ways without going against her experience or gender b/c they don't need to. obama already released a statement saying this is a great pick b/c it continues to break barriers just like he did with the first black nominee. they are going against mccain b/c everything he attacked obama for, he chose palin for those reasons. it shows mccain's hypocrisy and lack of judgement. so like obama says, BRING IT ON. mccain is obviously the one who doesn't know what he's doing.
