Sarah Palin?! OMG!

Sarah Palin knows that most people don't know what a small-town mayor does - and doesn't do. So she has, so far, been allowed to show her best Rethug qualification - her ability to lie easily and completely without conscience - as she vomits forth her false and insulting claims of leadership credentials. (blue in NC's diary :: :: )Other diarists on dKos are right: we need to shift our foucs back to Barack Obama and Joe Biden and the positive direction our country must turn toward if we as a people are to survive the next four years.
We need to shift our focus away from Sarah Palin's daughter and her mooseburgers and her snowmobiles. But we can't let her get away with whitewashing her governmental failures: failures so abject, so major, so complete, that the fact that she accomplished so much failure in a 12-year political career is amazing in and of itself.
If she's going to use her stint as small-town mayor as a prop for her vice-presidential aspirations, then we need to remind the voters exactly what she did as mayor. Let's use her own words against her. As she said in that verbal spew that passed for a "speech" last night, as mayor she was "like a community organizer" but with "actual responsibilities".
The voters need to be reminded - every day - how badly she failed at exercising those responsibilities. Because we small-town mayors do have actual responsibilities. Chief among them is the responsibility to exercise fiscal responsibility with the citizens' money. Sarah Palin has demonstrated complete failure at that basic responsibility. She took a town of ~7,000 people that was debt-free in 1996 and ran it over $18 million into debt by 2003.
And, while we theoretically do not have sole authority to do such things - only the town council has such authority - a bad and dishonest and self-serving mayor can, and frequently does, accomplish such glaring misfeasance by either intimidating of misleading her town council.
Sarah Palin has done both.
She implemented a 25% increase in the most regressive tax possible - the sales tax - to finance her hockey rink project. Yes, the Queen of the Common Man sure likes to stick it to the common man...every man, woman and child in Wasila is still paying for her self-promoting delusional expenditures. She was taking a $68,000 per year salary in 1996 for her job as mayor, and yet used additional taxpayer funds to hire an "administrator" to do her job for her while she enjoyed her "regal" salary for a sinecure job. Most mayors of towns less than 10,000, nationwide, are practically volunteers with salaries generally below $10,000 per year. In fact, the job of the Wasilla mayor, according to the city code, is as follows (this is typical for most small-town mayors). The Mayor shall preside at Council meeting, act as ceremonial head of the city and sign documents on the city’s behalf upon authorization by the council. Pretty easy work for $68,000/year, isn't it? In 2002, Pailn used city employees (on the clock), city equipment, and city facilities to work on her campaign for Lt. Governor. I mean, come on...this is small-town government 101: Thou shalt not use municipal assets for personal campaign purposes. By 2003, the city of Wasilla owned $741,599 worth of office furniture and equipment (from the city's own Comprehensive Annual Finance Report; I assume that is net of depreciation). Now that's a whole lot o' desks and staplers for a town of 7,000 folks. Well, the town only owned $342,449 worth of that stuff when Palin started in 1996. More than double! Word among locals has it that she had her office lavishly redecorated at least twice while mayor. So much for her stupid story about selling the governor's jet on ebay.
After our almost-sacred fiduciary responsibilty, we mayors are responsible for ensuring the safety of the people who have entrusted us with the office. Palin placed the financial success of campaign-donor cronies above public safety. She opposed an ordinance changing the closing time of bars in Wasilla from 5:00 AM to 3:00 AM. The Wasilla police chief at the time, Irl Stambaugh, supported the change as a public-safety measure. Palin, who had accepted numerous campaign contributions from local bar owners and the liquor lobby, fired Stambaugh immediately upon taking office.
Palin opposed adopting basic building codes within the city. In 1997, she broke a tie in a city council vote to kill building codes. Even some area homebuilders supported the building codes.The bottom line is: yes, we small-town mayors do have responsibilities...and Palin demonstrated a complete lack of ability or inclination to handle these limited responsibilities.
Meanwhile, I'd be the first to say that I don't consider my own experience as a small-town mayor to in any way qualify me to serve as vice president of the United States, much less serve in a situation where the president is a doddering old man bordering on dementia who may well cause invocation of the 25th amendment.We preside over council meetings...the VP theoretically presides over the Senate. There's a world of difference.Our responsibilities are limited. Very limited.And, we're not a mere heartbeat away from the US presidency. I have known small-town mayors like Sarah Palin and, trust me, it ain't purty. They exemplify ego-gone-wild, are uncannily susceptible to corruption and influence peddling, and are notorious for abuse of power. The Sarah Palins in the small-town mayors' offices are, unfortunately, all too common.
These United States of America do not need one in the office of the vice president.Palin is now, in true Rethug fashion, attempting to distort people's concerns with her lack of experience, accusing us of "insulting small towns" and being "elitist". Nothing could be further from the truth. We're not criticizing small towns; I've live d in one and serve as mayor in one and love and respect small towns.What we are criticizing is, first: Palin's lack of national experience and, second: her complete failures at exercising responsibility and integrity during what limited "executive" experience she has.
She is the worst of both worlds: she is corrupt and incompetent. The voters need to know that.
ANYONE CAN READ A SPEACH WRITTEN BY OTHERS. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH PEOPLE. IF ANYTHING HAPPENDS TO MCCAIN DO YOU THINK THAT WITH PALIN'S TRACK RECORD THAT SHE CAN LEAD OUR GREAT NATION?LTMONROE

I am a Republican but I can't vote for this woman. Electing her would be telling my daughter that marriage doesn't matter, God's teachings don't matter. And if she can't run her family why do people think she can run the country? This is a disappointment, a HUGE disappointment. Don't my fellow republicans understand what a mistake this is, the kind of role model this will be for our daughters? What this will do to marriage? We might as well legalize gay marriage because apparently nothing is sacred to us anymore except getting our team elected. I'm on God's team, not this one and usually I'd go Republican because of the values they share but that is no longer the case.

Welcome and hi!!!! I would love to hear your views! Happy blogging!!!! -April

... Oops. / I pressed the post button too soon ...

I like the last comment. Freedom to speak feels VERY relevant these days. And I have enjoyed the diversity of views here, too.

I do want to start concentrating on issues, though, rather than get stuck on McCain's pick. So I will look at other threads: 'just want to hear what all four of these people (Pres and VP picks) are saying about the things that will affect my life. That's where the rubber will hit the road big time.

Over and Out, ChangeGal

ChangeGal

The good thing that will come out of this is seeing more Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live doing Palin skits!

Susan
Papergeist ( http://papergeist.com )

If you vote for Palin, you'll get McCain and 100 more years in Iraq.

Susan
Papergeist ( http://papergeist.com )

Dear Military Wife,

I too was once a military wife. I will say that I applaud you for being who you are and I applaud and thank your husband for doing what he does- defending our country. But as far as blogging- it is all opinions- good and bad. And I find it challenging after my day of working medical denials and playing Hannah Montana with my 6 year old... I enjoy all of these women and their opinions whether I agree or not. This is the only place I can voice my opinion without being interrupted or being asked for a glass of milk or another book to read... So I welcome you... I hope you stay and add some of your own opinions... God Bless...

-me 

Oh-veh! Semantics.

I wasn't going to bother to comment but my crazy uterus is in an uproar today.

I'm feeling a bit, well, agitated. Aunt Flo arrived with a vengeance this month and I’m so pissy I want to send the b**** packin’ for good! Perhaps I should hold all comments on the board until she leaves. Naaaaaaaaaw!

I didn't say Palin was the first woman to be on the Presidential ticket, I said “having a-n-o-t-h-e-r woman on the presidential ticket is historic ( http://www.thefreedictionary.com/historic )”.

I didn’t say first!

You might be able to only break your cherry once (omg, is that sexist or true?), e.g. first ever VP candidate, Ferraro (how could I forget, I’m Italian) but historic moments can be like orgasms. Good ones multiply.

I’m just sayin’……….

Pass the Midol pulease!

I'll go with that last comment. Well spotted!

Also to "Very Excited" and your mom's dancing around her house with excitement, which is how this started, I think ... with that and OMG, OMG, etc.:

If all it takes to excite us is just any woman, or a pretty one with a right wing profile (for the McCain camp), than this country would be FULL of dancing women. It is not. It is full of women with enough intelligence to see the difference between Sara P & Hillary C and Barack O & John McC. i.e. intelligent women, on both the Left and the Right.

So, I'm glad for dancing in general; but please, let's slow down.

ChangeGal

Um, actually, it was historic when Ferraro was the first woman candidate on the ticket.

In 1984.

Seriously? 

Someone from the Republican party--the party of Rove, Cheney, Coulter, Nixon, Novak, Swift Boat, Ingraham, O'Reilly, and Limbaugh--calling someone else a bully?

Seriously?

The party that has told Democrats for YEARS that if it were too damn hot to get out of the kitchen?

That would be hilarious, if it weren't so damn sad.

I have read all of these posts and it stills amazes me how close-minded many Americans still are! Especially the women! Many supporters of Mccain and Palin seem to be successful republican business type Americans. But have you noticed the LARGER problem with America today? It's not who is going to be best for the oil industry or who will be best to represent your pockets.... Jeese! THE MAJORITY of Americans are people who are classified as middle-class or below. They are blue-collar workers and typically have families. These are people who are worried not about the oil industry but about the price per gallon that they need to pay to put gas into their tanks just to get to and from work and to and from school for their kids. These are Americans who have been hit hard in the financial gut of what has been going on for the last several years! Yes, there has been problems in the middle east. Yes, there are bad things going on that need our attention and yes, the oil industry is important, but the MAIN problem does not lie within each of these things. The MAIN problem lies within how the AVERAGE AMERICAN has been taken care of and what resources are available for US or rather HOW THE AVERAGE AMERICAN HAS BEEN IGNORED. I am sorry to say this and the Mccain supports can disagree with me until they are blue in the face, but Mccain IS just MORE OF THE SAME- and that WAS said by Biden, or "the puppet" as one of you referred to him as... When have we strayed away from AMERICA???? GOD! There are children IN OUR OWN CITIES and maybe even down the street from YOU that are hungry, need clothes, need help. There are parents who can't take off from work to take their kids to the doctor because that will be one day less on their pay checks! There are people working hard everyday who will NEVER see any of their social security money and who will NEVER experience the benefits of where their own taxes are going! Most American's are not worried about where they will be going on their next vacation or what color is going to be the color of their new BMW- MOST Americans are worried about how they will be able to pay the bills, pay for groceries, gasoline, medical bills and then maybe JUST MAYBE have a little left over so they can take their kids to the beach or on a picnic or to a movie... WELCOME TO AMERICA MCCAIN!!! PLEASE open up YOUR eyes to the AVERAGE AMERICAN! I mean, how many Mccain/ Palin supporters have multiple children and two working parents? How many postponed a bill because they NEEDED to buy a gallon of milk that just went up? How many have wanted to buy healthy groceries for their families but couldn't afford it when it got right down to it? I would have to say NOT MANY.... And the ones that have REALLY need to stop voting for the party their parents have been voting for- THIS IS YOUR FUTURE AND YOUR ELECTION TOO! Just go to the Obama home page and the Mccain home page and compare the two!!!! It's Black and White- Literally! 

April Claxton

Your absolutely right out of all the comments on the page you hit out the ball park. It is Publicity and marketing ploy all designed to take the flax off McCain for awhile. He was slipping in the polls in the last 3 weeks so strategically that was the best play. It's like playing a Chess Game. The question is, "Will this help him win the election now or will it hurt him?" I believe he made a bad calculation. McCain thought that if he waited a week or two for Obama to annouce his V.P Choice he would get the upper hand and switch gears on Obama BUT OF COURSE--The weather changed now for the next 1week-2weeks CNN will be reporting on the hurricane and lets just hope some other news doesn't dominate the airways. He was expecting 50,000 people at the convention now it will be less because people lost money when they booked their flight, hotel stay etc.

There is movie with Eddie Murphy and a Guy who was a thief/killer and he kinapped Eddie Murphy's girlfriend and eventually ended up having Eddie Murphy holding a button--which if he were to let go of it, it would kill is girlfriend because she's laying on table with a blade going around the edge--Her neck be would gone. Anyway, the Guy (the killer) said in the movie---WHEN YOU THINK YOU SCREWING THEM---THEY SCREWING YOU.

John McCain yes made a Gutsy Move but that bold move just bit him in the A** because now instead of working on the convention he's working on nothing. I predict that in another 2 weeks he still won't have much air time because there is another hurricane coming out at sea and something else will dominate the airways.

I can applaud that a woman has a run for the top spot, especially given that in 4 years McCain will be 76 but, experience in being a mayor of 9000, Governor of a place that wants drilling for jobs, and against abortion even in cases of rape and incest...??  That card doesn't unfortunately trump a pair of aces in my book.

washy || http://washwords.com/words || washwords.dc@gmail.com

 how bout the replican tragedy-turned-pr-stunt today? argh. I think i have to stop reading this. I want to be open-minded but i'm so so angry. too angry to know where to start to "wow she has more experience than obama, more than mccain..." sorry, but wow.

The key is undecided voters, which includes mostly independents, but even some Democrats, and some Democrat women. Here's a stat from the article Erin cited:

As for voters not affiliated with either major party, 37% are more
likely to vote for McCain and 28% less likely to do so. Those numbers
are a bit more positive than initial reaction to Biden.

E&P left out the last paragraph, I wonder why. They also left out this from the Rasmussen ( http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/pol... ) poll:

Palin is now viewed favorably by 48% of women. That figure includes 80%
of Republican women, 23% of Democratic women, and 61% of women not
affiliated with either major party.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/artic... ( http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/artic... )

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain ( http://queenofspainblog.com/ )

Well, I've never been called that before! You know, this community is supposed to be about sharing our opinions and discussing our feelings in a respectful way. Be passionate, sure. More passion the better. But don't call someone a thug for taking action and making a phone call to a radio station to protest/challenge someone  with whom he/she disagrees. How is that action any different than Kurtz going on the show to express his views?

Only through conflict and dissent can we find peace and compromise. 

Here's to hoping we can continue this dialogue - and all conversations - through respect and not w/name-calling.

Notions of Identity ( http://www.notionsofidentity.com )

I'm personally thrilled to see her on the ticket. We need someone who actually has beliefs and lives them and won't put up iwth nonsense. 

Theresa Merkling
Visit my site: http://www.2scrappychixdesigns.com ( http://www.2scrappychixdesigns.com/ )

SALE 35% off - coupon code LABORDAY thru 9/8
My blog: http://www.2scrap ( http://www.2scrappychix.blogspot.com/ )

Are you implying that if we do agree with Palin's politics we are NOT thinking persons? I'm personally thrilled to see a woman on the ticket and guess what, I even agree with her personal beliefs! Oh, forgot - that put me in the dummy category. Whatever. I'm not young kid - I joined the Navy at 18 and was in a predominantly male field (electronics) back in the day. Seeing women making strides forward has me so excited I was smiling and laughing all day long. If the Dems had chosen Hilary and McCain stuck with the established GOP choices, I may have switched parties. Now I don't have to.

 Go Sarah! 

Theresa Merkling
Visit my site: http://www.2scrappychixdesigns.com ( http://www.2scrappychixdesigns.com/ )

SALE 35% off - coupon code LABORDAY thru 9/8
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I would imagine she's referencing the Obama's campaign's complaint to the Department of Justice about the American Issues Project's ad on Bill Ayers. Going to the DOJ is nothing but an intimidation tactic. In talking to campaign finance law experts, I determined it would be hard to even conclude that the AIP is doing anything illegal, not to mention "criminal." If the campaign were actually concerned about the AIP's legal tax status, they'd take the complaint to the FEC or the FCC or the IRS. Going to the DOJ is just bullying. They want people off that Ayers story, and they want to scare them off by suggesting it's somehow "criminal" to bring it up.

Second, the Obama thugs were out in Chicago last week, jamming all the call lines on one local Chicago radio show, which had the temerity to interview a man who is investigating Obama's connections to Ayers. Stanley Kurtz is a well-respected researcher and writer who has succeeded in getting his hands on the documentation of Ayers' and Obama's work together on the Annenburg Challenge. When he appeared on Milt Rosenberg's long-form interview show last week, the Obama campaign sent out an action alert e-mail asking supporters to shout him down.

References here ( http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/20... ), and here ( http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/08... ).

Obama always says he's skinny but tough. Right now he looks like a skinny bully.

Queen1

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

This is totally off the subject, and I'm late to the party, but I LOL'ed at your note that you didn't even have pants on (and later you did).  My husband just shakes his head at me when I get side-tracked and end up performing tasks naked or half-dressed.  There I'll be, making coffee in my underwear...

has more different and converging elements than I can recall in every election since my first real interest in 1968.

In 1968, the rights of women as a political topic was only beginning to reappear after 4 decades of setback. Gay rights were still a year away from Stonewall. The war raged, and the war was a focus, along with concern for where America was in terms of inner city issues, and the condition of our air and water.

The war overwhelmed everything, far more than Iraq does today. There was some major nastiness emanating from opinion and action on the war. Soldiers were mistreated upon returning home, as if they and not the leaders in Washington were responsible for their having been in Southeast Asia. I opposed the war, but my uncle served three tours in Vietnam. We both cared for and respected each other and our respective pov. My issue was not with him.

Now I am saddened to watch this campaign unfold.

First it was the divisiviness of the Hillary - Barack contest, now it has morphed into being centred on gender.

Barack supporters are telling me that those who are on board with his campaign, that the candidate as well as they, should blow off anyone resistent to his campaign and stand on issues. Tough cookies, it's Biden,and well, Biden did all these things for women, so who bloody cares if a woman is ever elected? We've got Biden!

Others are tearing into Palin as being from some hick backwater - hell, she hunts - and what self respecting person shoots their own food? And she is one of them, a dastardly Republican, with conservative views.

Well, yes, she is a conservative. Does that make her evil? I'm left of a whole herd of people in this country, and in fact I'd probably not see a person who garnered my vote elected dog catcher unless I enlisted the support of people right of me. I'm pretty far left, folks.

And yes, I'm for choice.

This morning, on another site, a guy lectured me on Title IX, tying it to Biden. Ok, now we have T9 and VAWA on the table, two reasons why women should be content to receive and not be bothered to worry our little ol' minds with things like elections.

Last night, James Carville stated that "18 million people voted for Hillary; 18 will vote for Palin."

Now I'm asking anyone who reads this and disses Palin as some tool of the far right: is that really fair? Do you really think she is some flunky Biden will eviscerate in a debate? Do you believe those you know who are inclined to vote for her and McCain, do you think they are misguided fools? Really? Because I can think of one very prominent member of this site who thinks this way, and the last thing I'd ever associate with her is 'misguided fool.'

I'm not sure what I'll do as yet... but in looking at events over the last 9 or so days, this would be a non-issue had Obama picked Sebelius.

He left the opening to be exploited, instead of reaching out to the other major block of voters who supported Hillary. That... is not Palin's fault.

nelle ( http://refractivethoughts.org/ )

&

llhaesa ( http://llhaesa.org/ )

washy || http://washwords.com/words || washwords.dc@gmail.com

mccain bet on the segment of hillarydom to say "yippeee, a woman. wahooo. screw you obama!" 

judging from some (most!?) of the comments here and even more so on hillaryclintonforum.net ( http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/inde... )   (http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/inde... ( http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/inde... ) .), he was right.

I'm disappointed in the choice (the evangelical anti-gay, anti-woman's right to choose, using her children's disabilities and  military status - biden's son is fighting too. he didn't even mention it. didn't need to use his child that way)

but I have to say I'm more disappointed in my sisters, fellow women out there.  It's one thing if you LOVE mccain or LOVE Palin - I don't agree but okay. it's a far far other thing to be praising this "groundbreaker" (she's not btw as others here have mentioned) just because she's a "girl"  or worse because "that'll show obama!" the vitriol and hate and we'll go volunteer for her just to showhim" ive seen from the right is disturbing, disappointing and reinforces the verrrry worst of the sexist stereotypes.

 I was unsure of obama or hillary. I liked her a lot but this choice offends me and so do the blind followers on either side of the aisle. For all the obama-love-fest I haven't seen the hatred for mccain from those folks that I have on the other side of the aisle.

 Enjoy your creationism in schools, your "VP what does the VP DO??" your supreme court picks, your more cronies whenever a policy they don't like is enacted. ugggh. but she's a girrrrrl. omg omg!!! yippeeee. 

angry, washwords.

I'm thrilled and tickled with McCain's choice and think Palin will do an excellent job shaking up the old boys network in Washington.

Have experience in business, being a mayor AND a governor automatically puts Palin above Obama in the experience category.

And again I state, what has Obama run, what has he managed, what are his SPECIFIC accomplishment? No one knows! It's a big secret!

I am offended by the statements people are makig claiming McCain's choice is sexist pandering in an effort to get the Hillary vote.

I think it's sad some people are saying he only picked a woman for her uterus. She comes to the table with a lot of executive experience - frankly, she's probably got even more executive experience than McCain!

Palin for President! There's an idea.

This is a G-R-E-A-T day for women in America. Having another woman on the presidential election ticket is historic! This is HUGE!

We should all be applauding this!

Palin as a breath of fresh air and much needed light and hope in the Repulican party.

I believe she will serve us well in the White Office.

Congrats to Palin!

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

Thank you. You put it right where it should be. I can't believe all the oohing and ahhing over this as though we couldn't see it coming. He probably really wanted Condi Rice, a two for one, but her presence would have secured his spot as the Bush twin. And of course, just too obvious if you're running a game on the people with a quota scheme.  On the other hand, mabe Rice wasn't "cute" enough.

Really, this is the same man who jokes/sings about bombing Iran, doesn't understand economic issues, and called his wife a "c**t" ( http://bigsole.blogspot.com/2008/06/john-mccains-v... ) in front of reporters. Scary.

Nordette ( http://blogher.org/blog/nordette ) is a Contributing Editor with BlogHer.com whose personal blog is hosted on another site at this link ( http://bigsole.blogspot.com ).

( http://blogher.org/blog/nordette )

I am a woman, a lifelong Republican. My single Mom owned a small business in the 60's, so lower taxes were drilled into my head at a young age. Here is what some of you don't understand, McCain needed this pick, to get those of us that were not yet on the McCain bus to get on board. None of his other choices that the media were sold on, would have gotten me as thrilled yesterday, as the pick of a true conservative.

This totally dismisses the Obama camp...not wanting McCain for fear of more years like George W...who, I totally agree, is not a true conservative either. Yes, she is a woman. You are so right, she is no Hillary, (whew) and she won't get those votes....sorry to burst your bubbles... but that was not the plan.

He needed to still get the votes on the table in his own house...he needed the true conservative base, to get on board. She has more days actually running something (not just running a campaign.... ) than anyone else running on either ticket. Unlike Sentators.. Govenors have to make decisions every day, and her approval rating is the highest of any current Govenor.

She has those conservative values that I cherish, lower taxes, smaller government, and yes, pro life. She understands the energy issues. I love that she is not from Washington, she can go in, evaulate, and do her barracuda thing, she has done so well.

So, thrilled for his pick of a true conservative, proud she is a woman.....gave money, for the first time, to the McCain camp last night, ordered the bumper sticker. Sign me up!

Pam - you write, "The fact that she is a woman makes her good enough in my book. "

Just curious - were you okay with that when women who were choosing Hillary said that? Or if African-Americans say they chose Barack Obama just for his blackness? I am not familiar with how you felt in the primaries etc - so I'm asking sincerely.

For me - that is not a reason to vote for someone - but I do understand how the women I met who said that about Clinton felt - I just don't choose that way, but I understand that others do - I do not mean to judge - I want to flesh out. Thanks.

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

With hats off to what she's accomplished, I'm not feeling her as VP but then I'm not a McCain supporter or a Republican.

I believe Presidents and VPs should be above average, something more. 

Her experience as a mother, I know dozens of women who've done what she's done and more (with less).  It's what millions of women do.  Getting elected governor is no mean feat.  But, I just can't believe she is the best female for the job and I worry that she could land in the presidential spot.  Wow she wouldn't be worse than George - she could be just as bad.

blog.candelariasilva.com

Good and plenty!

Sarah Palin opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest. That makes it really hard to us to take her seriously when she says she's a "feminist" for "life".

The Evil Slut Clique
Evilslutopia ( http://evilslutopia.blogspot.com )

Even at 2100.  Nothing can dim my rosy left wing outlook. 

However, I will not bash McCain for his choice.  The fact that she is a woman makes her good enough in my book.  It's like when the Tigers and the Chargers met at the World Series.  Either way,  I win.

Hoping for Obama but willing to go with the flow. 

Always in trouble...

washy || http://washwords.com/words || washwords.dc@gmail.com

had he not made the gaffe about the houses, it'd be romney, but now he has to act "not rich" I'm uber-cynical admittedly, but I get mad even thinking about the spin that this is a feminist choice. it's not my kinda feminism. i can only hope (omg! omg! like totally!) that women, men, everyone see this and are moved NOT to vote for mccain.

washy || http://washwords.com/words || washwords.dc@gmail.com

 umm, i gotta side with Erin here. I'm trying to stay non-partisan as possible, former journalist and gov. employee and all, but this choice is making it hard. 

 or rather the spin around it is ... i'm sorry maybe it's something in my background / cynical personality but I feel insulted as a woman and a thinking person. it just seems soooo "hey, girls, here's a woman, that's what you wanted right?" who cares if she's pro-life, evangelical, wants to teach creationism in the schools, has no experience, wants to leave her five-month old to campaign, put her pals on the board when they had a policy she didn't like, etc. etc.

 Hey, I agree she seems like a nice lady and kudos to her for keeping her baby "even though she KNEW it was going to be handicapped!" gasssp. 

but she's no hillary clinton and she doesn't stand for the issues I as a woman, thinking person, democrat, etc etc. stand for. all i'm hoping is that all of you my fellow women look carefully - I know you will, rather than anyone leaping for joy because she's a woman.

and as for the orignal poster, your enthusiasm is infectious and fun. umm did you work for "sarah"? I'm just wondering what we're missing. here in dc my female colleagues and i couldn't be madder or more concerned.

This woman is close to going up on ethics charges. She's far from eloquent and stands for none of the convictions for women's freedoms that I find liberating. I also don't like the Republicans that are saying how I will want to vote, or that I just want to see ANY woman win. w r o n g !

I think I'll go watch some Youtube clips of Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Barack, not necessarily in that order. (Palin is nowhere near Clinton's caliber of politician.  N o  w a y !!)

 ChangeGal

PS Cynical? Try this: GOP fixes the machine counts again; then claims Hillary supporters got wowed by Palin and abandoned their principles to vote Republican. (And it rains chocolate kisses in Seattle, too.)

I think all of the comments here are pretty parallel to the discussion that went on when Joe Biden was selected as Obama's running mate. There's the same grumbling about who he was selected to appeal to and what his record and experience said about him. When I think about it in that context, I don't think that questioning Palin's background minimizes her accomplishments (be what they may be or not be, depending on one's view) any more than carping about Biden's frequent gaffes minimizes his.

Suzanne Reisman ( http://www.blogher.com/member/suzanne-reisman ), Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender ( http://blogher.org/topic/feminism-gender )
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Oth ( http://cussandotherrants.com/ )

I have been trying to read something all day that would convince me this women is ready to take over for McCain should he die. That is my concern.

I think women voting ideologically for Hilary would have a hard time with pro-life and creationism. Though this women is not fanatical she did suggest creationism be taught in school, though she reversed that thought almost immediately when she found out how it was playing quite negatively with the people who voted for her. Those who vote for a women over issues will of course fall for it.

 Knowing that she removes people from  appointed positions for political reasons
does not bode well with me either. Bush all over again.

  Her interview with "Time" from a couple of weeks ago was god awful even after they cleaned it up. It sounded like she might be able to run a town but certainly not a country.

The former beauty queen thing doesn't bother me too much, I'm sure it helped her learn how to speak in public you know that stuff they learn in beauty pageants.

The evangelical women will love her though. Appeasement of the base.

It almost appears she runs almost a socialist state. I will have to read a little more from sources that are fact based, but I wonder about conservatives views on this.

If your reference to oil being under four bucks a gallon has to do with drilling in Alaska, my understanding is that even if it would be ten years possibly many more before we'd se a drop from that, and it would be a shame as we really should be off oil by then if anyone knows what is good for us. If it has to do with their economic plan than I think you had better read it again.
It's been called a classic, Rovian appease-the-base choice. I agree.

It could work as most people have not had economics, and forget so soon what the war has cost and is still costing.

 I see here as one of the least unqualified candidates out there, surely he could have chosen from any number of really  qualified women from hi sparty. This women doesn't look like the one.

cooper

A sports reporter running the country?  Wow.  Why minimize this woman and her accomplishments in such a way?  If you don't want to vote for the McCain ticket, then thank goodness we live in America and you don't have to.  You have another choice, as does everyone else.  But to denigrate her by boiling down who she is to her first job seems to me to be heading toward silliness.  My first job was selling shoes at Lady Foot Locker, and not doing a very good job of it I might add.  But I think the people who've hired me since have been pretty darn happy with their choice. 

And, by the way, lest anyone think that all conservative women are going to run to vote for Palin, I'm sad to say I just heard about an email someone sent in to one of the cable shows saying that a woman's place is in the home and that she'll never vote for McCain now.  It takes all kinds ...

Finally, may I say that BlogHer rocks.  I love to see all these women speaking their minds.

Where is her book?  What does that have to do with running for president?  I don't understand.

Katherine Stone

looking at the veepship in the context of the two selections earmarked for that office.

Obama erred, one of omission. Whatever Palin's views, whatever her experience level, this is what it comes down to.

18 million voted for Hillary. X percentage of those voters will not vote for Obama.

Y number would have voted for Obama if he selected say... Sebelius.

Z number will vote for McCain based on his selection today.

Obama's supporters tell me Biden is a good debater, he is fiesty, a good guy to have on your side in a fight. Oh, and he sponsored VAWA after all. (Every time that VAWA one is tossed around my mind wanders back to why bother with say... emily's list, after all... guys are going to take care of us, right? No. OK, then VAWA means he is an ally, not a viable substitute, not a viable replacement, for one of us being there.)

In presidential politics, candidates have to scratch and claw for every vote they can convince to go their way. In such a vote to vote environment, why in bloody hell would someone ignore that Y vote? Votes that would have been predisposed to go that way if only someone had the good sense to recognise those 18 million, like it or not, count. Like it or not, their views matter, and those views are significant in this election. 

This was not an election where a candidate could easily dismiss the collective vote of women - think on that... are we gaining some legitimate national clout now? Yet Obama, going first, made his choice, leaving a huge huge gift on the table for McCain, sorta like a football on your team's 10 yard line, your team is on the other end of the field, and one player on the other team is now picking up that football. Oops.

I said it last weekend, and I'll say it again. Selecting Biden was a huge mistake. And today, McCain took the first step towards making that mistake reality. 

nelle ( http://refractivethoughts.org/ )

&

llhaesa ( http://llhaesa.org/ )

Somehow I just don't feel comforted with the idea of a sports reporter running the country.

She's not qualified - and McCain is just using her to try to get the votes of women. Are we going to let the republicans manipulate us like that?

my last post:

88 years and 3 days later - McCain uses woman as puppet to further his anti-woman agenda. ( http://www.ideasforwomen.com/news/change/2008/08/2... )

Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone in my struggle to be consistent and thorough in supporting and honoring all life and peace.  Namaste.

Nancy

Build Peace ( http://buildpeace.blogspot.com )
Virtuality ( http://www.virtualknowledgegroup.com )
My Life As An Avatar ( http://www.blogher.com/http/secondana.blogspot.com )

( http://buildpeace.blogspot.com )

I'm not sure I understand all the comments that since she's a Governer and not a Sentator Palin doesn't have enough experience.  Of the last 4 presidents, 3 of them (Reagan, Clinton, Bush Jr.) were Governers before they were elected and had no national experience.  I won't comment on their success (or lack thereof) in the Oval Office, just that picking a Governer as a VP doesn't seem that far fetched.

So what if Palin was picked to appeal to certain voters, it's politics, that's the way it works.  Do you think Biden was chosen because he's such a great guy or because he might silence critics of Obama's youth and (relative) inexperience?  Why do you think Dems always make a big deal about getting Southerners on the presidential ticket somewhere?  No one is ever chosen to run based solely on political policies, they're chosen because of their ability to appeal to voters and get people to the polls.

I'm just thrilled that no matter who wins US history will be made and a glass ceiling will be broken (either first African-Am. man as Pres or first woman as VP).  To me this is HUGE and very, very exciting.  I predict record turn out at the polls this year.

You just said everything that I wanted to, much more eloquently than I could have.

SusanV

FatFree Vegan Kitchen ( http://blog.fatfreevegan.com )

Media is jibber-jabbering away talking about sex and race when we need to focus on issues.   I don't give a hoot about race -- I care about education.  Obama/Biden win this one.  I don't care about male versus female, I care about equal rights and equal pay and a living wage.  Obam/Biden win here too.  I refuse to live in fear so I support diplomacy.  Obama/Biden way way way out in front on this one. 

I was raised as a mainstream Christian -- Thou Shalt Not Kill - can't be parsed.   I don't hunt, I don't support the death penalty, and I want to see unwanted and ill-timed surprise pregnancy reduced to zero so no abortions are needed, I want us to quit sending Americans to foreign lands to kill and be killed.  I tend toward vegetarianism and pacifism, but I never say never.  I believe the Democratic choice is the only one I can make this fall when I look at these issues, although the Democrats are far far far from the left in spite of what the Republican and the media mantra is.

The poles are melting and the North Atlantic patterns of water circulation are slowing and will come to a stop within a few years which will promote drastic chaotic weather upheaval.   I want an educated person who can deal calmly and rationally with the unexpected and who can forge alliances in a world governed by totally new processes calling for totally new approaches and procedures.   Palin and McCain clearly fall far short of what America needs to insure our survival in this drastically changing world.   Hot headed ideologues are the last thing we need.

Nancy

Build Peace ( http://buildpeace.blogspot.com )
Virtuality ( http://www.virtualknowledgegroup.com )
My Life As An Avatar ( http://www.blogher.com/http/secondana.blogspot.com )

( http://buildpeace.blogspot.com )

 "Would Obama be where he is if he were just another face in the crowd?"

Ae you saying that Obama is only where he is because of his race? By that logic, why didn't Carole Mosely Braun, Alan Keyes, Al Sharpton, Doug Wilder, Jesse Jackson or Shirley Chisholm get farther?

Clearly, McCain's choice of Palin was a shrewd move and the timing was very effective in disrupting Obama's buzz. I would hope we can talk about both Obama and Palin without essentialism. 

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor ( http://blogher.org/blog/kim-pearson )|Professor Kim ( http://professorkim.blogspot.com/ )|

I updated my post and I'm adding you to my feedreader, too. Thank you!

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder ( http://blogher.org/member/lisa-stone )
Surfette ( http://surfette.typepad.com )

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of the 2008 political conventions

She went to Univ of Idaho

go to www.commondreams.org ( http://www.commondreams.org/ ) to find out more about her.

http://fortyfide.blogspot.com

the north re 'sovereignty' and for control of resources and trade routes....

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com ( http://www.wetcoastwomen.com )

I couldn't agree more.  Do not kill is do not kill.  I do not understand abortion or the death penalty.

 But at least I'm not a hypocrite about it.

Pro-Life, as a term, is a very hypocritical term, IMO.