Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Confirmed as McCain VP

 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 ( http://www.newyorker.com )  

francesca maggi
burntbythetuscansun

While all the reasons you cite are, indeed, thrilling...this woman is as much a supporter of  women's rights as Charlton Heston is for gun bands...

Women have been fighting for decades for:  equality under the law - no discrimination of sex (and sexual orientation) - reproductive freedom, and more importantly, education (Bristol Palin can be the poster child for the effectiveness of "abstinence only education"-- a woman should have the world as her oyster at 17, and not be saddled with childrearing, and the importance of education as a way of increasing productivity and possibility -- even in Africa they understand that educated children and in particular, educated women, will pull them out -- we have a family who pride themselves in dropping out of high school?

This is no one to serve as a role model for anyone.

francesca maggi
burntbythetuscansun

 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

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.

d

Anybody who abuses their position of power to try to fire a former
brother in-law and Commissioner simply because of a personal vendetta
and not on the basis of job merits is unethical, untrustoworthy and
unfit to be a heart-beat from the highest office in the Land.

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? 

Alaska has several political blogs - I've not visited them at all - how do you find them? My guess is that they are divided - that is, they are partisan.

BlogHer is, maybe some would even say insanely, home to every point on the spectrum.  But if you were looking for a place that would be one note in one direction, well, I have to say, the fact that BlogHer isn't like that is what I love.  

Jill
Writes Like She Talks ( http://www.writeslikeshetalks.com )

Well, as someone who is an independent, i wish you wouldn't go.

I think that there are quite a few Republicans and Democrats (and Independents and Libertarians and Green Party Folk) who are engaging and smart and that makes it worthwhile for me to stay.

I agree that some people have been quite harsh, from both the Left AND the Right, about the candidates of the other's party.  In the last couple of days, it's been some Bloghers on the Left (some not all) getting a little too snarky at the Right.  But if you'd shown up weeks ago, you would have seen some Bloghers from the Right (some, not all) giving that snarkiness to the Left.

I personally can't stand the rumor or the vitriol or the snarkiness.  I understand that people need to let off steam, but I would recommend sitting on that post or email for 24 hours (okay, maybe just 4-6 hours) and re-reading before posting.  Snarkiness and rumor is in poor taste.

On the other hand, I do enjoy the well written posts from both sides and debating the issues.  I don't think questioning the record of a candidate is personally insulting, nor is asking for clarification from someone else when they are defending their candidate/going on the offensive against yours.  It is a democracy.  We SHOULD be pushing and questioning and demanding to know things.  Not in a personally insulting way.  In a "let's take these choices seriously" way.

Just sticking with people who agree with us or blindly following a Party without critical thinking/self examination is not participating in a democracy.  It's following a dictatorship or a police state.  It reminds me of officials I spoke to when I traveled through China years ago, when they wouldn't give me their own opinion, they just repeated talking points.

I've had enough of talking points to last me a lifetime, here and abroad.  But I digress...

Anyway, I hope you come back.  I'll understand if you don't.  But defending our point of view is just like defending our country from other nations who wish us ill...it's part of being an active citizen in a democracy.

this is the first time i have blogged. once i found out my governor was mccains vp,i looked for a place where women would share excitement/feelings about her and our potential future. most of these postings are very offensive. i wont ever be a part of it again. i tried to get tough and be as offensive about obama but thats not me. after watching bill o'rielly today about political blogging i have decided this will be my last. all this is is liberal women typing to other liberal women and putting down anyone who is not them. have fun arguing with yourselves. eventually you will run out of topics to cut and paste from the internet i will place my energy supporting my beliefs, not defending them on blogher.

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.

Hmm.  I was writing things shorthand because it was such a long list.

Just how many bullets would you need to feel Obama is credible?  I'm not asking how many bullets you would need to vote for him.  I'm asking how many bullet points would you need until you felt he was credible?

those bullets that everyone is googling, about obama, are not substantial, well- not enough of them are. he supports.... he worked.... he sponsored.... really? i mean really? so hes a senator who pats his governor on the back for the paydayloan regulations/ pred. motg lending act? maybe governor blagojevich should run for president- he actually made that happen. during obamas time on the nat'l cmtee for veteran affairs? what actually changed? as a regular plain old american girl, who happened to serve her country and has a 50% disability rating, i surely HAVE NOT been impacted by senator obama at all or his dedication to the VA.

Um, wow.

Okay.  I hear you.  The domestic issues that you raise ARE very important.  Critical, in fact.

So, I think it would be best to entrust them to someone with as much experience as possible in fighting for these issues.

Someone who has first hand experience organizing job training programs, college prep programs, and working for tenant's rights.
Someone who worked for 12 years in neighborhood economic development
Someone who helped to lead efforts in poverty relief and the promotion of social mobility for 9 years.
Someone who worked for 7 years improving school performance by what it called "on the ground"
investments in the form of professional development and technical
assistance.
Someone who reformed ethics and health care laws, increased tax credits for low-income workers, negotiated welfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.
Someone who supported a previous Republican governor's  payday loan regulations and
predatory mortgage lending regulations aimed at averting home
foreclosures.
Someone who became Chairman of and led their state's Health and Human Services Committee.
Someone who sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Children%27s_He... ) providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries.
Someone who served on a national committee for Veterans' Affairs.
Someone who worked on  a national committee for the Environment and Public Works.
Someone who has served the national committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
I think someone who worked so hard for the things that I really cared about wouldn't scare me.  Unless I never wanted to look at their record or even considering them in the first place.

the apostles should thank Palin for taking all the attention away from the "OBAMANATION" we are voting for president of the united states here, not the next God Almighty. this is our AMERICA, not our world. as much as some would like to think of foreign policy being the no.1 issue, its not for all of us. what about the american issues, environment (dont even argue about ANWR), minimum wage, healthcare, social security, forclosures. id like my president to address these homebound issues, screw obamas plan to invade pakistan. that isnt going help me from forclosing, or assist my 60 yr old divorced mother with no health care coverage, stop my childrens father from a FOURTH deployment (14 mo. each). my problem is that i dont believe obama or anything he says. he says whatever gets him votes.. oh yeah but shame on mccain for "trying to get votes" by hiring a women. PPFHHHAAA!

thank you blogher for helping define myself AS NOT A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT!! pheeew!

I dont even really like McCain that much, yeah he is old as dirt, but -i would never ever vote for obama. he scares me. he preaches, and talks in circles.i can go to church for that. i disagree with the majority and i think he sucks at public speaking. he doesnt really have anything to say that is substantial, at least to me. i will... i will... i will...! thats all i hear. OBAMA SCARES ME and im going to buy the t shirt ....... and hat.

good luck gulf coasters! stay safe my fellow southerners (at heart)

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

Guess they missed the Democratic National Convention, that is all they talked about the economy, and how it affects working mothers, single women, old women, young women and all women. This disasterous economy is worse that what George Bush Senior left Clinton to fix, and now his son is leaving an even bigger disaster globally.

Like father ...like son. Like enough already. NMR. No More Republicans.

Sarah Palin could not even come close to Hillary Clinton's experience and knowledge.

She stole the "glass ceiling" line  because she could not come up with anything herself and using Hillary to further her own case for VP -your talking apples and organganza.

Finally, someone laying it out straight. 

Now, if people would also look at positions, they might have a second chance.  Condoleeza's female too, but her accuracy on Iraq - Rest of World and oh...Did someone say she's a Russia expert?  Georgia  has proved less than on target.

Just like Clarence Thomas, a wolf in sheep's clothing.

francesca maggi
burntbythetuscansun

McCain's smarts are for marrying money. He's good at that.

Here here...Diane...well said. Paliin is the decoy ...perhaps she can shoot her way to the Whitehouse as a lifetime member of the NRA she has the credentials. As a mother you would think she would be for the environment especially as she is for drilling in Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge.  

With McCain's history with women....its a trap no one will fall into come election day.

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.

I do not see any women from the Hillary supporters swinging anywhere near McCain.

McCain defines himself as a maverick and don't ask me to look it up, I have heard him say that. Anyone know the definition of a Maverick?

mav·er·ick (mvr-k, mvrk)

n. 1. An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.2. One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter.How true he is to his brand, and how afraid voters are of his temper, angry outbursts, and his record of being unpredictable, just the kind of qualities we expect in a President.  Perhaps Palin can get her gun and ride him all the way back to Alaska.It really is easy this election:  ABR.Anything But Republican.

Ms Lady Deborah

I watched Meet The Press and Andrea Mitchell reported that McCain's first choice was Joe Lieberman.  When they ran a test to see how that would play with the GOP, the heads of party heard from the rank and file members that there would be a fight on the floor if Joe ended up being McCain's choice.

McCain wanted to take a long shot and Palin was his choice.  The two have a political relationship that is six months old.  He decided to put her name up.  According to Andrea, not even his intimate friends knew that Palin would end up being the nominee.

Nothing I just read over at Wikipedia contradicts the fact that he never enlisted, he was a commissioned officer, serving his country continuously from his attendance at the Naval Academy through flight school and through deployment to Vietnam.

Wikipedia does reference Faith of my Fathers where it claims that McCain requested combat duty, but I still find no source for your "fact" that he chose combat duty because he was bored with marriage. That is called speculation.

It is entirely more likely that a lifetime of watching his father serve, and four years at the Naval Academy being indoctrinated into a culture where leading and being at the pointy end of the spear is the highly revered, and then three or so years of training to be a jet pilot would compel him to want a job alongside his classmates who were where the action is, where he would be most challenged and use all the training he'd struggled through. And I know this not from Wikipedia, but from reading all of his books and from knowing first hand a couple dozen naval aviators who graduated from the Naval Academy. Though I will admit that since I have not heard from his lips his exact motivation for preferring combat duty over a desk job, I am just speculating, too.

There are numerous accounts from the McCains about his infidelity, so that is fact, as is the Keating scandal. And it is disappointing, and does cast some doubt on his integrity. But that was a long time ago, as was Whitewater, and Paula Jones, and Monica Lewinsky (no, wait, that happened IN office . . .).

If my whole basis for voting was for someone who'd never cheated on anything, ever, then I would vote Obama, yes. But I can't vote just based on that, I have to vote for someone whose agenda most matches my hopes for our country. And none of them have it right on healthcare yet, but I agree with McCain on almost everything else.

Believe it or not, there ARE many smart, informed women who are not Democrats.

Palin has never been to Russia and someone in the media inferred that she knew all about Russia because its so close to Alaska?  Wow. We are in trouble, can you see Palin and Putin having foreign policy talks about Georgia?

yipee....sign me up.

Based on your comments it proves how little you know of your candidate John McCain.

Try looking it up at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_McCain ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_McCain )

I supposed wikipedia is lying also?

Just because some one is a soldier in a war does not qualify them to be President. 

Yes he was soldier and yes we have heard the capture story once too many times. Old news and overused stories prove he has relied on his military service to bolster his resume, what about the Keating Five scandal?  

I suppose you would say this is inaccurate and biased as well? I once again refer you to Wikipedia, those liars.

So many other men served their country and gave their lives and their sacrifices are no less deserving of honor.

It is the history of John McCain that is worth looking at to learn about his character.  You can tell much about a man by how he treats his dog, or his wife, in this case it was very similar.

I am not speculating as you sugggest rather pointing out the dark side, that you unfortunately do not wish to hear which really suprises me about all of the logical thinking of McCain female supporters.  How can logic prevail when you ignore the facts?

Your comparison of Obama not putting his hand to his chest is by far a poor one to John McCain's treatment of the women in his own life.

Question is what does his history say about his anti-abortion policy and how this neanderthal wishes to keep women - dare I say it "barefoot and pregnant", except when he can use them to fulfil his obsession to be President.

McCain met Palin ONCE before last Thursday.

One time.

Who picked Palin for McCain?

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/artic... ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic... )

http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_i...

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. 

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 ( http://www.giggleon.com/ )

Ms Lady Deborah

This is a point that I have raised since the announcement.  There are women in the GOP who have the creds to be a Veep.  McCain only has known Palin for six months prior to selecting her as a running mate.  There are people within the GOP who really do not know Palin.

Ms Lady Deborah

This is one of the first thoughts that I had on the subject. 

Like it or not, I was a Clinton supporter and not simply because she was a woman. I am planning to vote for McCain/Palin and not specifically because Palin is a woman.

While I would love a female president, that was not my primary reason for supporting Senator Clinton and her loss to Senator Obama is not my primary reason for switching parties and supporting McCain.

I really am working on a post, to explain my decision process but as you can probably guess, it's complicated. Because I'm writing it for people who don't really know me, I have to give more background and more depth to the post than if I was simply writing it for my closest circle of friends and family.

Thanks for your patience as I try and get it all written out in a way that will help clarify my position. :-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net/ )

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 ( http://www.flamingohouse.net/ )

Ms Lady Deborah

I have read many of the comments here.  Apparently some of you haven't taken the time to do any background research on how the GOP  leadership viewed Palin.  Or how she was brought to the attention of the GOP leadership.  I would urge you to take some time and do some background checking.  You will discover that she is defined as a good looking woman by the men of the GOP.  I believe the term used during a CNN news story was, a bus stopper for sure.  But she was not considered to be a serious contender for the slot.  She did not have the experience needed to fill the slot.

I am not impressed by the choice.  I believe that there are women in the GOP who had better qualifications than Palin brings to the table.  I would invite you to read the post on my blog http://msladydeborah.blogspot.com ( http://msladydeborah.blogspot.com/ ) titled Sarah Who? 

As far as her use of Hillary's words, I am not surprised nor am I impressed.  I found it amusing that the GOP didn't have the common sense to give Palin a different slogan to use.  HRC is the one who made the crack.  Not Palin and she isn't in HRC's league of politican.  Palin's politics are in the opposite direction of Hillary's. 

The GOP isn't going after my vote as a woman of color.  McCain hasn't done much to address AA's period.  Palin is not impressive to me as a candidate.   I would vote for Cynthia McKinney in the Green Party before voting for her on the GOP ticket, if I was just dead set on having a woman as POTUS. 

However, it is what it is.  And if we all are not careful about dealing with the issues instead of gender and race, we will end up being pitted against one another in a way that will not benefit the collective good of the nation.

Can you point me to details about Biden's comments on his wife? I must have missed that

With thanks in advance,

Elana

The VP choices tell me that:  a minority leader needs a white VP to make him acceptable and a white leader needs a minority VP to make him appear open-minded.  Sad how being a minority in North American politics, a country where everyone but aboriginals are immigrants, is still so unnatural.  So much underlying discrimination still - these choices are just a reflection of it.

http://watermelonmama.wordpress.com/

So sad that some people don't agree with you? ( http://www.blogher.com/alaska-governor-sarah-palin... )

No, so sad that I had higher expectations for a group of smart, savvy women no matter which side of the aisle they voted with and those expectations were let down.

Am I upset that other women are voting McCain/Palin?  Nope.  That's a democracy.  Everyone votes differently.

I'm upset at the lack of individual research that people are putting behind their arguments.  It takes 2 seconds to look up someone's record and resume in Wikipedia or Vote Smart.  Instead, I'm hearing talking points, rumor, innuendo about the candidates from BOTH SIDES.

It's depressing.  It insults the intelligence of women.  It makes us look like sheeple, not people, who wouldn't know what to think unless some news anchor or pundit fed us a line.

Obama has had 20+ years in public service, 11 of those were in elected office.  He has managed people, strategy and money in 5+ years of executive positions.  He has worked in civil rights and economic development for 12 years.  He taught constitutional law at one of the most highly respected law schools in the country for 12 years.  He majored in political science and international relations and worked for an organization assists American companies in operating abroad.

 These comments about his lack of experience are baseless and ridiculous.  Those women who don't do their own research and just parrot talking points are insulting the intelligence of women. We're smarter than that.  No matter WHO you vote for.

Except Obama doesn't lack experience.

He has served 20+ years in public service, 11 of those in elected office.  

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.

Obama has come out in support of the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. 

He voted against the Iliinois Induced Infant Liability Act because

it was not about extending medical care to aborted infants born alive as much as it was about "authorizing a parent or guardian to bring a lawsuit against a doctor or hospital for failing to take care of the child that survived the failed abortion. Stated differently, the Liability Act would create a new cause of action for money damages."  That is why it was labeled as the LIABILITY ACT.
it was a poorly written piece of legislation that left many terms unspecified and undefined, thus creating more confusion about the issues, not less.
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.

Hi Kim!

Each of those three women, Hutchinson, Dole and Buchanan are of an older generation of conservative Politics, as is McCain, and I don't think that old school GOP base has been truly concerned with the issues that are most important to me.  My number one issue is abortion.  I don't agree with it's use as a birth control method.  Hutchinson believes abortion is a constitutional right, for any reason.  I don't agree with that, and I don't consider her a true conservative.

I'm intrigued by the fact that Palin is 44 years old, she's the mother of five children from infant to teenagers, she's against abortion yet pro-contraception (which I think is wonderful), and she has a son in the military.

I'm against abortion (unless in extreme circumstances).  I believe women should have access to birth control.  I have a young child.  I struggle as a working mother.  I have siblings in the military, one of whom may be sent back to Iraq.

I relate more to Palin, than I do to say... Hillary Clinton.  Palin is willing to go to bat for my generation of Republican/conservative women.  Most of the women my age are Democrats/liberals, most of the female politicians I hear most about are as well.

It appears that conservative women will finally be heard, and I'm excited to see what Palin has to say next week.  It will definitely be interesting.

Queen1

www.whenwearequeen.squarespace.com ( http://www.whenwearequeen.squarespace.com/ )

With an economy that grew 3.3% last quarter, almost full employment, an election that features a black man and a white woman...I don't share your doom and gloom.  You have bought into the "Grapes of Wrath" scenario of America and the climate change tomfoolery...I feel sad for you that you can't accept an America where people see things differently than you do.

The stark difference between conservatives and liberals for me is not the policy differences...it is that liberals seemingly can't conceive of a world where rational, intelligent people can disagree with liberal views.  There is a whole world of evidence out there that contravenes global warming and environmentalist insanity, that shows that a powerful military is the best deterrent to our enemies, that shows that the vast majority of Americans support limits on "reproductive rights" and that individuals flourish in an environment of least-intrusive government. 

Those of us women who use logic, intellect, common sense and faith to make our political choices don't buy into your arguments that we are "traitors," idiots, pawns, tools, racists or whatever other name you choose to call us. 

And BTW, if you are going to go on about the "military-industrial complex," you need to take a good, hard look at the Democratic party.  Very few in Washington for very long escape the entanglements of defense and energy interests...and that includes members on both sides of the aisle.  You only need look at Tom Daschle's wife and her interests with Boeing to see the proof of that. 

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. 

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?

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 ( http://www.giggleon.com/ )

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

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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.