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Thread: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

  1. #1
    Jay Zeno
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    Default McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Sen. Obama, a junior Senator, picks the long-time seasoned vet/stalwart Sen. Biden for running mate.

    Sen. McCain, long-time seasoned vet/stalwart picks political noob Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska for his running mate. She's even younger than Obama.

    Can't comment - I know as much about Palin right now as I knew about Obama four years ago. Which is to say, "sounds interesting," and that's about it.

  2. #2
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Im watching this on the news right now. No comment.

  3. #3
    Jay Zeno
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    I meant to mention: I think the timing was strategically quite good - divert the buzz from a very good Obama speech to the Republican goings-on.

  4. #4
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    He DID pick Sarah Palin! All right! Good pick. I was rooting for her but I didn't think he'd actually do it.

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    This is certainly a choice that will appeal to a lot of voters concerned about McCain's 'longevity'. And Sarah Palin is IMPRESSIVE ...

    (snip)"Sarah Palin is an anomaly in American politics. It’s not because she’s a woman, not because of her blue-collar background, and not because of her ability to juggle the titles of “governor” and “committed mother of five”. Forget about all of that stuff for a moment; it’s interesting, but if Barack Obama has taught us anything, it’s that a compelling biography is not a qualification for leadership. Instead, Palin is unique because she can claim one of the broadest bases of support of any leader in our country. Other than the lunatic fringes of Alaska’s kleptocratic political establishment, nobody hates her.

    Most politicians rise to power because they represent a certain wing of their party, and even some of their own partisans detest them. Mike Huckabee will never resonate with libertarian republicans, social conservatives cannot support Rudy Giuliani, certain evangelicals will always have a problem with Mitt Romney, and frankly I doubt that hard-core conservatives will ever fully embrace John McCain. That doesn’t make them bad candidates; it just means that they face significant opposition within the Republican Party. Sarah Palin does not have that problem.

    I have been working to draft Gov. Palin as Vice President since February of 2007, and I can recount first hand how she has united divergent views among Republicans and is now even gaining Democratic support. The key is that she offers a combination of qualities that make her a hero to many, many different groups. For instance, two of our strongest bases of support have been social conservatives and libertarian republicans, who are normally at each other’s throats.

    However, she offered both groups something that they desperately wanted without compromising any appeal to the other. The SoCons loved her pro-life, pro-family, and pro-gun positions, while the libertarians and fiscal conservatives cheered her on as she vetoed hundreds of millions of dollars of wasteful government spending. Getting those two groups to sing kum-ba-ya was enough of an accomplishment, but now it appears that a third group has found what it wants in Gov. Palin: McCainocrats.

    For those Democrats who are considering abandoning the Obama ticket (primarily disillusioned Clinton supporters), Palin represents the final push into the Republican camp. Not only is she a woman (which, like it or not, is an issue for some voters), but she also puts a fresh, future-oriented face on the McCain campaign. By upending Alaska’s corrupt political class, Palin has actually produced the type of change that Barack Obama can only talk about; and her collar is far bluer than Joe Biden’s ever was. Furthermore, she is arguably the only candidate who has the necessary expertise to address the single most pressing issue in this election: gas prices. As Governor of Alaska, Chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (America’s largest interstate organization), and a former Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Sarah Palin can run rings around almost anyone when it comes to oil.

    The last candidate to assemble such a broad coalition of support was a gentleman by the name of Ronald Wilson Reagan. He not only won the presidency in two successive landslides, but went on to become one of the most beloved and effective presidents in recent history. Now, I realize that it is somewhat presumptuous of me to make this comparison, but I personally have no doubt that Sarah Palin has the capability to become the next Reagan. In fact, the only real question that I have heard is whether we should bring her to the forefront now as a VP candidate or save her for later as a full-fledged presidential hopeful in 2012. I personally choose the former, because the latter involves the defeat of John McCain and the election of President Obama and Vice President Biden. 2008 will be a crucial election year, with the winner being handed the responsibility for the Iraq war, the gasoline crisis, the Russo-Georgian conflict, and any number of other issues. The stakes are simply too high to throw McCain under the bus and bide our time. Likewise, Sen. McCain should realize that the stakes are too high for him to select a VP candidate who simply “does no harm” rather than pushing his ticket over the top.

    There is one sure fire solution to this problem, one way to guarantee a McCain surge, one way to put Obama on the defensive, and one way to steamroll to victory in November. Her name is Sarah Palin."(snip)

    from


    The only potentially bad thing about Sarah Palin is a subject that I have posted about on previous occasions ... something that is again referenced above ... i.e. throwing McCain under the bus in 2008, allowing Obama plus majority control of both houses of congress to freely implement Democratic policies, and counting on things being so bad by the time that the 2012 election rolls around that American voters will throw out the entire bunch in a second 'Reagan Revolution'. With Sarah Palin as McCain's VP, and given the possibility of disappointed former Hilary supporters crossing the aisle to support Palin, Obama may not be a shoo-in !

  6. #6
    Jay Zeno
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    I'd sorta expect her campaign website to like her.

    I had to do some quick Googling before I get back to real work. Fairly inexperienced right-wing running mate to go along with a centrist candidate.

    That worked for Bush-Quayle against the weak Dukakis-Bensten ticket, didn't work against the stronger Clinton-Gore ticket. I guess it's an understandable balance. Frankly, I think it takes ammunition out of McCain's "inexperience" arsenal (but you could say the same thing about Obama moving for change and then picking an older politico).

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    Veteran Member Zia_Abq's Avatar
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    My first and admitted cynical instinct is it’s a stunt and that he chose her only because she is a woman and he really, really wants that dissatisfied Clinton supporter vote but I don’t know enough about her yet to say if that opinion will stick or not.

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Quote Originally Posted by Zia_Abq View Post
    My first and admitted cynical instinct is it’s a stunt and that he chose her only because she is a woman and he really, really wants that dissatisfied Clinton supporter vote but I don’t know enough about her yet to say if that opinion will stick or not.
    exactly my thoughts....

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    well she certainly knows how to use her 'assets' ...

    in fact Wonkette coined a new term to describe her ... GILF !



    and she also did more to actually solve one of America's problems THIS WEEK than Biden has done in his entire career ... by signing the Natural Gas Pipeline law which is the issue she campaigned as governor on. This pipeline will allow huge amounts of Alaskan natural gas that is currently 'stranded' in Prudhoe Bay to become available for sale. Not only will this mean billions in royalties for the Alaskan gov't and Alaskan citizens, but it will also mean much lower natural gas prices in the 'Lower 48' and Canada, and reduced future consumption of imported oil as well.

    (snip)"Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Signs Natural Gas Pipeline License Bill

    (InvesTrend Via Acquire Media NewsEdge)
    August 28, 2008 (FinancialWire) Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has signed a
    bill giving the state authority to award TransCanada Corp. (TSX: TRP)
    (NYSE: TRP) a license to build and operate a multibillion-dollar
    pipeline to ship natural gas from the North Slope.
    Two big oil producers, BP Plc (NYSE: BP) and ConocoPhillips (NYSE:
    COP), are pushing a competing natural gas pipeline plan. But the
    license to TransCanada would ensure that the state would not negotiate
    with any other developer.
    According to TransCanada s plan, the line, which the company estimates
    will cost $26 billion to build, would ship about 4 billion cubic feet
    of natural gas a day starting in 2018. The bill, passed by the
    legislature in a special session, goes into effect in 90 days, after
    which state officials will have the power to officially award the
    license.
    TransCanada proposes to build a 1,715-mile line from Prudhoe Bay to an
    existing pipeline hub in Canada. The company's bid was the only one of
    five proposals submitted last year that met all the terms of the Alaska
    Gasline Inducement Act, which established state mandates for a natural
    gas project. Shares of TransCanada Corp. rose 55 cents, or 1.45
    percent, to close at $38.40. "(snip)

    from

    I suspect that her pro-American energy position is going to play VERY well in an environment of $4 per gallon gasoline

    (from several months ago)


    That worked for Bush-Quayle against the weak Dukakis-Bensten ticket, didn't work against the stronger Clinton-Gore ticket. I guess it's an understandable balance. Frankly, I think it takes ammunition out of McCain's "inexperience" arsenal (but you could say the same thing about Obama moving for change and then picking an older politico).
    there won't be a Ross Perot to siphon off 15% of the vote this time around ...

    ~
    Last edited by Melonie; 08-29-2008 at 11:41 AM.

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    Featured Member Miss_Luscious's Avatar
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Quote Originally Posted by Zia_Abq View Post
    ...it’s a stunt and that he chose her only because she is a woman and he really, really wants that dissatisfied Clinton supporter vote...
    Pretty much. She doesn't even know what a VP does. Skip to 2:50 for this gem: "As for that V.P. talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the V.P. does every day?" This is from one month ago.
    "A stupid man's report of what a clever man says is never accurate because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand." - Bertrand Russell

    "It's just a matter of people having low self esteem and being way too easily offended." -Random Guy on a Internet Forum

    Quote Originally Posted by Katrine View Post
    Ya'll bitches need to calm down. Cerously.
    In other words: Boo-motherfucking-hoo

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Quote Originally Posted by Zia_Abq View Post
    My first and admitted cynical instinct is it’s a stunt and that he chose her only because she is a woman and he really, really wants that dissatisfied Clinton supporter vote but I don’t know enough about her yet to say if that opinion will stick or not.
    That was my first thought, too. But on the other hand, she really is the best pick from a very shallow pool of candidates.


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    Veteran Member Zia_Abq's Avatar
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Quote Originally Posted by Miss_Luscious View Post
    Pretty much. Skip to 2:50 for this gem.
    Oh my god!

    How in the world does someone get to run a whole State much less be on the national ballot without knowing what the VP does? I mean, HELLO they preside over the Senate in addition ofcourse to stepping in for the Prez should he or she become unable to hold office. But mainly the VP presides over the Senate.

    I'd love to see a women in high office someday soon. Not so much a conservative obviously. But seriously can we AT LEAST get one who knows what her job duties would be more than a month prior to being considered for the job Is that really so much to ask? Guess it is from the GOP anyway.

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    Banned i.breathe.in's Avatar
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    yay pipelines! just what we need to destroy more of the polar areas wildlife and habitat.

    god forbid you be interested in alternative renewables.

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Quote Originally Posted by Zia_Abq View Post
    Oh my god!

    How in the world does someone get to run a whole State much less be on the national ballot without knowing what the VP does? I mean, HELLO they preside over the Senate in addition ofcourse to stepping in for the Prez should he or she become unable to hold office. But mainly the VP presides over the Senate.

    I'd love to see a women in high office someday soon. Not so much a conservative obviously. But seriously can we AT LEAST get one who knows what her job duties would be more than a month prior to being considered for the job Is that really so much to ask? Guess it is from the GOP anyway.
    Wow, she was nervous and misspoke. They were talking about a scandal after all, if you watch the first 2:50. That's like criticizing Obama when he said he had visited 57 states. Do you really think Obama doesn't know how many states they are, or that Palin doesn't know what the Vice President does?

    Here's some more of Obama's gaffes

    All politicians do the same thing.

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Now can the McCain campaign sell the country on this woman in nine weeks?

    Similarly, can the Obama campaign tear Gov. Palin down and remind the Hillary voters of why they wanted Hillary in the first place. Was it the kind of policies she might pass, or the fact that she has another X chromosome in her genes?

    I don't see too many people switching over to the other party come ballot box time, to be very honest.
    Former SCJ now in rehab.

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    A mistake is saying one word and meaning another, often closely related, word. She actually said she didn't know what the VP does. How is that mis-speaking? She misspoke a whole sentence?
    "A stupid man's report of what a clever man says is never accurate because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand." - Bertrand Russell

    "It's just a matter of people having low self esteem and being way too easily offended." -Random Guy on a Internet Forum

    Quote Originally Posted by Katrine View Post
    Ya'll bitches need to calm down. Cerously.
    In other words: Boo-motherfucking-hoo

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    obama can still turn his base out with a biden pick. mccain, not so much even with picking a vogue-friendly milf governor who's creationist, pro-life and pro-oil interests.

    the republican base may like those bits, but they won't like that pro-life momma spending months away from her recently born down's syndrome baby (the kid is 3-4 months old), along with her other 4 children. '

    in fact, some of those PUMA-hillary voters were like 'i would totally support her, but damn, she needs to not uproot all them childrens'.

    and with repubs, that is x10. uprooting the stability of nearly a half dozen children will weigh on the very base that's supposed to come home on account of her getting picked.

    ironically, her maternal prowess may be what keeps repubs away (because how could she abandon her children to be president if something happens to mccain?).

  18. #18
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Quote Originally Posted by Zia_Abq View Post
    But mainly the VP presides over the Senate.
    In theory, but it's a given that the VP isn't usually there unless they need a tiebreaker or it's a very close vote for something high-profile. To be honest, *I* am not sure what the VP's day-to-day duties are, other than taking assignments to help the president and making diplomatic visits. I'm sure that if someone offered me the position, I would be able to learn what was expected of me within five months. She's got time.

    I have to say, this has nudged me over McCain's way a bit. I still haven't decided between McCain and Bob Barr - I don't like either of them, for different reasons - but this was a good move on McCain's part.

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Quote Originally Posted by Miss_Luscious View Post
    A mistake is saying one word and meaning another, often closely related, word. She actually said she didn't know what the VP does. How is that mis-speaking? She misspoke a whole sentence?


    I'm not going to be an ass and point out the definition of the word, 'mistake,' but yes it is possible to misspeak when you are nervous. I think that is common knowledge.

    You know as well as I do that an elected governor knows what the vice president does.

    If you want to hold Obama to the same standard you hold Ms. Palin, Obama said they spoke Arabic in Afghanistan and said we should redeploy the translators from Iraq to Afghanistan. So not only did he get the language wrong (they don't speak Arabic), he also didn't know the vast majority translators are taken from the local population.

    "Obama posited -- incorrectly -- that Arabic translators deployed in Iraq are needed in Afghanistan -- forgetting, momentarily, that Afghans don't speak Arabic. 'We only have a certain number of them and if they are all in Iraq, then its harder for us to use them in Afghanistan,' Obama said. The vast majority of military translators in both war zones are drawn from the local population. Naturally they speak the local language. In Iraq, that's Arabic or Kurdish. In Afghanistan, it's any of a half dozen other languages -- including Pashtu, Dari, and Farsi.""

    This is a man who may be commander-in-chief.

    Personally, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, and I believe he did know and just made a mistake (one of those multi-word mistakes). I would just never criticize Obama or any politician for something so petty.

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Since Dick has been VP, I don't think anyone but he himself knows what it is the VP does or can do.

    Apparently the economy has now superceded national security in McCain's campaign. I think this choice hurts his "Country First" slogan. Is this really who he, as a 72 year old cancer survivor, believes is best suited to take the reigns of the country if he is unable to fulfill his duties?

    Obama was ahead of the curve in calling for troops to be redeployed to Afghanistan, while McCain still talks about winning in Iraq. Biden vs. Palin is no contest on national security. Understanding and dealing with the threat of terror, may just have shifted to the plus side for the Dems.

    I hope they prep her well for the debates.

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    they won't, but a white woman's tears are lethal enough, so biden will be the one who needs the prep.

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    true enough, its what happened with Clinton during her senate run....

    thought its going to be hard for McCain to call Obama unprepared/no experience, when Palin was in office just 2 months before Obama started campaining.

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    I'll admit that I know very little about Sarah Palin other than the fact that she had the balls to go after BP and Conoco and Alaskan state politicians (of both parties) that were 'in bed' with them. The big oil companies are actually very pissed off over her selection of TransCanada for the pipeline license.




    IMHO the selection of Sarah Palin really puts the Obama campaign in a corner, because any attacks intended to highlight her lack of applicable experience which qualifies her to be vice-president will boomerang right back to highlight Obamas' lack of applicable experience which qualifies him to be president. And of course she and her family are a living example of the blue collar swing voters living in 'flyover states' which Obama criticized as clinging to their guns and bibles.

    ~
    Last edited by Melonie; 08-29-2008 at 03:53 PM.

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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Quote Originally Posted by Melonie View Post
    IMHO the selection of Sarah Palin really puts the Obama campaign in a corner, because any attacks intended to highlight her lack of applicable experience which qualifies her to be vice-president will boomerang right back to highlight Obamas' lack of applicable experience which qualifies him to be president.
    And vice-versa.....

    pretty much the guy nailed it on the head today, vice-president nominees can help a little, but, they can hurt alot. Time will tell where this sits.

    I was also reading and article about the Bush I v Ferraro debate in 1984, they made a good point that while it was even, that people felt comfortable with Bush I in the position of VP incase he had to take over for Reagan.

  25. #25
    Jay Zeno
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    Default Re: McCain's choice - interesting turnabout

    Apparently, that Vogue cover is a Photoshop mockup. A fake.

    Both parties have painted themselves into corners, or achieved balance, take your pick. Obama is the engine of change, but he picks the old white polito. McCain is Presidential, but he picks the young upstart. The two campaigns are mirror images of each other, in terms of candidate and running mate.

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