Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Confirmed as McCain VP
by DeniseThis morning rumors were flying that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin would be confirmed as Senator John McCain's VP and American Princess was so excited that she live blogged it. Punditmom was also interested in the rumor and blogged it, too.
Share your thoughts on this pick. Good for women? Good for republicans? Good for America? What do you think?
Also see previous blog posts about Sarah Palin:
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Comments
GOP reminds us of their sheer marketing
genius
Just when I think the Dems have finally beat the GOP at marketing genius and campaign tactics, I am proved wrong. I thought there was no way to overshadow Obama. But my goodness -- the GOP will always find a way. Sad, but true. A black man fails to choose a woman running mate for the Dems and the woman bashing GOP candidate does.
Let the media frenzy ensue and the polls swing to McCain. *sigh*
YieldingWealth.com
This Time, It's Personal
"Woman-bashing GOP"?
That's an awfully dramatic accusation to make. Can you back that up with specific documentation? Because as a woman small-business owner, I feel considerably more bashed by a presidential candidate that wants to tax me right out of my own success.
Shannon @ Rocks In My Dryer
www.rocksinmydryer.net
BlogHer Contributing Editor, Mommy and Family
I wouldn't say accusation
More of a sensationalist statement that doesn't hold much substance. Much like the general fluff marketing and campaign posturing that we get every election...
Besides, McCain (please note I said "woman bashing GOP candidate" -- emphasis added -- you cut off part of the phrase) has shown little respect for women. The language he has used when talking about his wife and even when patronizing women (the whole education snafu) gives some insight into his views.
YieldingWealth.com
Look at both sides of patronizing
"The language he has used when talking about his wife and even when patronizing women (the whole education snafu) gives some insight into his views." Per MMarquit
Candidates history of expressing patronizing should be looked at from both sides.
Biden made some very patronizing and racist comments about Indian Americans several years back - read about it here
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-08-23-biden-gaff...
And don't forget the comment Biden made about Barak a wee bit ago when he said "Obama"..."the first mainstream African American (candidate) who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy."
Christa @ www.giggleon.com
Funny, I am an evangelical
Funny, I am an evangelical Christian, small business owner and feel that the Republicans have done NOTHING for me. They have done a lot for corporations. But nothing for me. The Democratics have a better record there.
It's going to be a tough choice for me this election, but I'm still leaning away from McCain and the politics of Bush. McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time in Congress and HE will be calling the shots. A VP is just there to support his agenda. I can't get behind his agenda. Especially if I'm to follow Christ's teachings of "love thy neighbor as thyself". And if my daughter and her friends are ever going to have a shot at a decent public school education.
Great post!
I hope you can have a positive influence on your evangelical community. Obama's type of service to our country and plan for its future is much more about Christian values than McCain's was. I'm not a Christian, but I love Christian values . . . when they are stripped of their moral violence.
Enough!
Interesting
When Obama voted to withhold medical care from babies born alive after a failed abortion, was that part of the agenda you want to get behind? And is that the way you plan to "love thy neighbor as thyself?" Amazing what the media doesn't tell you, isn't it?
Obama has come out in
Obama has come out in support of the Born Alive Infants Protection Act.
He voted against the Iliinois Induced Infant Liability Act because
You can find the summary of the legal analysis comparing both acts here:
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/colb/20080813.html
Please, please, please think for yourselves and do your own research instead of just relying on what is being sent to you in email chain letters. These things are too important to be left to rumor.
i found this clarification in 2 minutes on Google. This stuff isn't rocket science.
Agree
It was a horribly written act and I don't blame him for not supporting it. Good link to analysis, thank you.
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings
On the other hand, didn't
On the other hand, didn't the bill fail by some enormous margin? Obama's vote did no good and has been a problem on his record ever since.
Sounds like a good time to vote Present, or visit Hawaii.
Brava!
It is so heartening to read a comment like yours.
To hear the GOP speak, all of our problems stem from the Dems, as if they were in control of the White House - Senate - House these past 8 years. The latest twist: our 1 vote majority in the Senate these last 2 years brought the demise of America. Go figure.
Look at the tax plans - the tax breaks for Corporations and Big Oil - the need for a Manhattan Project for alternative energy - the job creation under Clinton ... healthcare -- there are many reasons to believe the Dems might improve our lives (excepting for the fact that we will be left in such debt we probably won't be able carry them out)...
Putting the GOP in power now is like putting the wolves in charge of the hen house.
For a careful analysis and thoughtful presentation of both candidates, see the New Yorker Comment (endorsement of Obama) at : www.newyorker.com
francesca maggi
burntbythetuscansun
Presidential candidate
I am in total agreement with you. We need a candidate that will look out for small business owners.
Taxes Going Up?
Unless you're Bill Gates, your taxes will go down (although the minimum wage will thankfully go up) and give a leg up to the millions of Americans who need it. I'm sorry for your business, but in the name of solidarity, it'd be a small start.
Besides, think about it: without raising taxes, how are we going to pay for all the wars McCain & CO. want to wage?
Raising Taxes on Whom?
Dear Shannon,
95% of small businesses do not make over $250,000 per year...and it is only those that will be taxed. As for me? I'm happy to pay up if it will have a "trickle up" effect: Get our economy back on track, businesses do better, more jobs are created, more customer/client spending goes up...
Talk about a 'Virtuous Circle'.
It's time Americans started living in a reality that someone has to pay for all the spending somewhere down the line. It's sad to think it will be my nieces and nephews, or our entire country as it buckles under its arrogance and ignorance. At the risk of being another liberal doomsday reporter...Pride always comes before the fall...
francesca maggi
burntbythetuscansun
McCain VP
This is sad that McCain is so out of touch. She is a women so what does he not think that we are smarter than this. I want the person who will work on issues that effect my life. I am not moved by his lastest tactic.
Terrace
I do not see any women from the Hillary supporters swinging anywhere near McCain.
It's All Just Depressing
d
WOW....now how long before her role as a
mother become an issue?
Five children...including one going to Iraq and one, only four months old, born with down syndrome? I applaud the history of her announcement. And commend the Senator for his bravery. Yet even I am as perplexed as anyone over the duality of her obligations.
Every woman has different levels of talent, skill and stamina, I try to tell myself.
Regardless of what will come from this--all we can say right now is: wow!
First Female President?
We know McCain may not be long for this world. Could Palin be the first female president?
YieldingWealth.com
This Time, It's Personal
I'm excited.
I'm excited!!! She is a woman I can vote for!
I've already heard on CNN someone questioning if she can still be a mother and do all the duties of Vice President. That just makes me sick that is already being brought up. What do the other women who do that work? Exactly what she will do.
The Obama camp is also questioning her experience. Ah, the irony! Let's for a President with little experience but not vote for a Vice President based on inexperience.
From what I've heard so far, I really really like her!
the thin veil of the "inexperience" argument
Let's do a little research and clear our heads and finish this whole "I know you are but what am I?" kind of argument once and for all by comparing resumes. For the sake of sticking to the point, I'm keeping the resumes just to higher education and years in public service.
Palin's resume:
BS in journalism from the University of Idaho
city council member of Wasilla, AK: 1992 to 1996 (four years, representing a population of 5,469)
mayor of Wasilla, AK: 1996 to 2002 (six years, representing a population of 5,469)
governor of Alaska: December 4, 2006 to present (less than two years, representing a population of 670,053)
Total years as a public servant: almost 12
Largest representation: 670,053
Obama's resume (abridged):
BS at Columbia University
JD at Harvard Law School (magna cum laude)
director of Illinois Project Vote
several years of community-building and civil-rights work
Illinois Senator: 1997-2004 (seven years, representing a population 781,037)
US Senator: 2005-present (four years, representing a population of 12,831,970)
Total years as a public servant: 11
Largest representation: 12,831,970
---------------------------------------------------------------
Why is it not a problem that Obama—as a man with a spectacular higher education, eleven years in service, a civil-rights worker and an elected representative of almost thirteen million people—has the audacity to think that he has what it takes to be the next president? Because the people chose him.
Why is it a problem that Palin—a blatant calendar girl for the GOP, with an embarrassing higher education, with twelve years in small-change public service, and as an elected representative of less than seven hundred thousand people—has been selected to be the next-in-line for a seriously old presidential candidate? Because McCain chose her.
The first serious and highly important public decision anyone running for president makes is the choice for the vice-president. By choosing Palin, McCain showed a serious lack in judgment—and a bald-faced lack of concern for the safety of our country. He showed, in that one panicked choice, that he would rather put our country at risk than lose an election.
Feel free to copy and paste this resume comparison wherever you wish. Spread it around. It's pretty plain and simple.
Nice research
Nice resume research but I think more specific details about Palin's accomplishments will come out in the days and weeks ahead. We've had months to look at what Obama has done (and hasn't) and check out his credentials and still....I can't get answers. Help me understand!
WHAT did Obama ACTUALLY accomplish as Director of Project Vote?
What SPECIFIC accomplishments can he point to as a community-building and civil-rights work activist? Did he create jobs, save lives, WHAT?
What did he accomplish, specifically, as a state senator in Illinois that added great value to the state or his direct constituency? What about in the US Senate - what great laws did he help pass - corruption did he help end - lives did he save? Gimme something here, anything.
I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, just trying to understand EXACTLY what his great accomplishments are - I keep asking this question and no one seems to have the ability to give a clear, concise and straight answer. All I get is song and dance stuff.
The "inexperience" argument is not thin veil in my book. This is the real deal argument.
I am a small business owner. I have little excitement about any candidate running for office that doesn't have executive leadership experience. When I say this I mean the combination of managing people AND a budget.
Executive leadership means making decisions covering a broad range of topics, not just one or two issues. Running a town and a state impresses me a lot more than someone with senatorial experience alone.
Palin has more executive experience than McCain, Biden or Obama.
If Obama could point to experience running a company, managing a budget and making real life and death decisions that impacted anyone outside his direct family, I might consider him a viable candidate. As it stands now, he's got GOTS! (An Italian phrase)
I'm just sayin'............
Christa @ www.giggleon.com
I'm just sayin...
good points!
Even while being Senator, Obama was rarely present to vote. His voting record is quite brief.
Being a governor is like being president of a small country. She has was more experience than all 3 of them.
I am amazed at how many people do not understand this or the roles of government.
I think Palin is the best of them all. I haven't been excited until Friday morning.
Answers to your questions
Answers to your questions are 30 seconds away if you would only Google the name "Barack Obama" and look at his Wikipedia entry. Which is just a summary of things.
Or you can just skip down a few entries to my posting of Obama's unabridged experience which outlines his 20+ years in public service (11 years as an elected public servant), 5+ years managing budgets/staff/volunteers and 12 years of interpreting and teaching constitutional law as well as acting as a lawyer for civil rights and neighborhood economic development. He has additional experience and a degree in international relations, including work that he did with a company which supports American business oversea. He has written and passed legislation in the Illinois Senate and United States Senate. You can see his record here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/03/AR200801...
http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=9490
So, let me turn that question around. As the Executive Branch of federal government is most responsible for National Security, Foreign Relations and upholding the Constitution, please outline for me Palin's accomplishments in theis area.
Because I did a quick search through Google and couldn't find anything.
Palin's Experience
So, let me turn that question around. As the Executive Branch of federal government is most responsible for National Security, Foreign Relations and upholding the Constitution, please outline for me Palin's accomplishments in these areas.
Palin is sending her son to Iraq, thats the National Security experience wrapped up.
Palin foreign relations is that she knows all about Russia since Alaska is so close to Russia, although she has never been there.
Upholding the Consititution, gee is that a pre-requisite that G.W. upheld?
She also supports big oil companies on the Trans Canada pipeline although Canada opposes it.
No brainer. No experience whatsoever.
You ask some good questions Terrace.
I'm learning a lot about Palin like everyone else in the country right now.
As I uncover more specifics, I'll come on back and post some facts. Hopefully other folks will do the same as we try to better understand both Palin's accomplishments, and from my side, Obama's.
One side will win this race and the more facts we have now, the better!
With all due respect to your opinion, I don't think it's a "no brainer, no experience whatsoever" deal with Palin.
I can say this much, as governor, Palin is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces in Alaska. Commander-in-Chief of a state isn't the same as Commander-in-Chief of the US but hey, Obama doesn't even have CIC experience in a state.
I'm just sayin'........
Per the Alaska Constitution, the abridged responsibilities of a Governor include:
The governor shall be responsible for the faithful execution of the laws, he/she may convene the legislature, give the legislature information concerning the affairs of the State and recommend the measures he considers necessary.
The governor is commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the State. He/She may call out these forces to execute the laws and…proclaim martial law when the public safety requires it…
The governor may make changes in the organization of the executive branch or in the assignment of functions among its units which he considers necessary for efficient administration. Where these changes require the force of law, they shall be set forth in executive orders…
.....that's not your basic day at the PTA OR a typical day on the Senate floor...........
As far as the types of responsibilities she had as a mayor, it would look something like this:
Serving as chief executive officer, carrying out policies set by the City Council, ensuring that local laws are enforced, hiring and firing all appointed officers and employees, subject to laws regarding civil service, presiding over council meetings, preparing city-wide budgets, reporting to the council on the financial and other affairs and needs of the city.
Now I don't think I answered your question specifically enough to suit your needs but it's interesting to look at the responsibilities each of the candidates performs in their daily political life now, and in the past.
US Senators help make the laws and represent constituents but their duties pale in comparison to mayors and governors. Dontcha think?
#########
P.S. Bringing up Palin's lack of international exposure and experience only seems to highlight Obama's lack of experience in that area.
I think most people agree that Obama's foreign relations experience is weak. He seems to acknowledge this himself by adding Biden to his ticket.
How about, instead of
How about, instead of comparing past experiences, comparing future ambitions? Someone voting 19 times against the minimum wage increase? someone for more tax cuts -- during a war -- to the petroleum cos., the rich, et.al.? Someone who thinks war is a necessary state (and not just this one)? Someone who thinks it's A-OK to torture? And, to spend our country until your small business will be null and void...Someone with Business As Usual sign on the door.
I can see why you're excited, but the prospects in America, just over a competent female V.P. isn't enough. I'll take hope for a better tomorrow for all and not just a few any day.
Besides, we've seen what Condoleeza has done for women...
francesca maggi
burntbythetuscansun
Allow me to make Obama's
Allow me to make Obama's resume even more accurate:
Obama's resume (unabridged):
BS at Columbia University in POLITICAL SCIENCE, with a SPECIALIZATION IN INTL RELATIONS
WORKED FOR A YEAR AT BUSINESS INTL CORP, a publishing and advisory firm dedicated to assisting American companies in operating abroad.
WORKED FOR FOUR YEARS AT THE NY PUBLIC INTEREST GROUP, a New York State-wide non-partisan political organization involved in getting college students active in a non-partisan way in politics
THREE YEARS AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER FOR DEVELOPING COMMUNITIES PROJECT in Chicago, where he set up the first job training program for the organization, grew its financial resources from $70k to $400k, establishing a college prep training program, and a tenants rights organization. He was 24 years old when he began this position managing programs and people.
JD at Harvard Law School (magna cum laude) and first black president of the Harvard Law Review, managing a staff of 80 editors. Also a summer associate at two prestigious law firms.
Given a fellowship by the University of Chicago, writes his first book, begins teaching constitutional law at U of C (teaches for 12 years).
Director of Illinois Project Vote with staff of 10 and 700 volunteers. Crains names him one of the "40 under 40" powers to be. He's 31 years old.
Works for 11 years in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development.
Illinois Senator: 1997-2004 (seven years, representing a population 781,037)
US Senator: 2005-present (four years, representing a population of 12,831,970)
TOTAL YEARS IN PUBLIC SERVICE: 20+
TOTAL YEARS EXECUTIVE EXP: 5+
Total years as an ELECTED public servant: 11
Largest representation: 12,831,970
Yes, I would say that he has more experience.
Allow me to make Obama's
Again, great job with the research. The DNC should have you on the payroll because you seem to be able to provide answers they can't or won't. Good work.
I still say the experience of a mayor and governor trumps a senator hands down.
If you can come up with anything Obama did on the floor of the state house or US Congress that helps boost his resume, feel free to share it.
I think it's great to have both sides represent solid facts about all candidates. Again, great job Mitegirl.
Christa @ www.giggleon.com
What do you mean by this: "a blatant calendar
girl for the GOP..
...with an embarrassing higher education"?
For the record: BlogHer's non-partisan even though our bloggers aren't! In this election, as a BlogHer co-founder, I will advocate for no candidate.
However, I am watching words used to describe women who are candidates very closely. And I have two questions about your sentence above:
(1) What do you mean by "a blatant calendar girl for the GOP"? With her glasses, pulled-back hair and down vests, I see nothing in Gov. Palin's appearance that indicates she is leveraging her appearance for votes or political gain. Or do I misunderstand you?
(2) What do you mean by "embarrassing higher education"? Are you referring to her bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho? Why is this embarrassing?
Thanks for expanding,
Lisa
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
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