Are you ready for Vice President Sarah Palin?
posted at 1:32 pm on May 29, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Via the Standard, Wizbang’s got a hot tip that the head of McCain’s VP search team is on the ground in Juneau. If it’s true, though, then why not advertise that fact? It’d kick up some buzz … although maybe that’s the problem. If they finally end up going with some more predictable choice, like Ridge or Mitt, it’ll feel like a letdown.
I’m cool to the idea of her on the ticket but less so than I used to be. The Spectator likes her as balance for our old-coot nominee, although I’m not sure why when the main line of attack on Obama this fall will be that he’s not an old coot, i.e. that he’s too young and inexperienced to handle the job. Palin’s been governor for two years, which is longer than Jindal but still less time than Obama’s been a senator. If he’s not ready, why is she ready to inherit the presidency at a moment’s notice if, god forbid, McCain’s age gets the better of him? Needless to say, her home state’s no electoral prize either, and given her approval rating (in the 80s, last I checked) can probably be delivered if she simply campaigns for him there as a regular ol’ supporter.
So why am I warming up to her? First because the GOP needs new faces, figuratively and literally, and as faces go you can scarcely do better than hers right now (figuratively and literally). Read Fred Barnes’s profile of her from last summer: She’s excellent on ethics, has experience with energy policy, and maintains balance on the environment, opposing the polar bear ruling but calling for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Second, obviously, having her on the ticket would steal some of Obama’s media juice as the candidate with the Narrative versus the same old patrician Republican crap. And third, well, watch this. We’re not going to win the woman vote, but there are surely some Ferraros out there disgruntled enough about how Hillary was treated to give McCain/Palin a very close look. That’s why it’s silly, actually, to care how many electoral votes Alaska would deliver. Her appeal, unlike Crist’s or Ridge’s, has to do with who she is, not where she’s from. Who’s to say she wouldn’t help deliver Florida or Pennsylvania more than either of them?
Exit question: Could Obama force McCain to put Palin on the ticket? Word is he’s looking closely at Kathleen Sebelius for his own VP, doubtless in part to make amends to those same disgruntled Ferraroesque Hillary supporters. How does the GOP recycle the old two-headed white-guy model with a pair like that on the other side?
Damn it, this calls for a poll!
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What happened to Lingle?
Vizzini on May 29, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Hell yes I’m ready. She’s better than the man at the top of the ticket.
its vintage duh on May 29, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Yes.
saint kansas on May 29, 2008 at 1:36 PM
my head is starting to hurt from constantly thinking about politics and starting my own biz…F*ck it, McCain!
SoCalInfidel on May 29, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Former head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission as VP? Anyone see shades of Cheney here? Sarah Palin is not a bad choice but not a good one either; if McCain wants a woman on the ticket there are more qualified alternatives. I suggest the one at the State Department.
IntheNet on May 29, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Can you imagine if Clinton had a VP like her? She’d have needed Secret Service protection from the President.
ReubenJCogburn on May 29, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Well now…she would certainly be the hottest veep in our nation’s history.
sdd on May 29, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Y-E-S !!!
He would never pick a real conservative like her, but we can dream, can’t we?
stenwin77 on May 29, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Would she take it, though? She just gave birth a couple of months ago to a child with Down Syndrome. A special-needs child and the rigors of the campaign trail might not mix all that well.
Slublog on May 29, 2008 at 1:38 PM
That, and she’s hot.
amerpundit on May 29, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Absolutely! :)
Conservative_SAHM on May 29, 2008 at 1:39 PM
McCain doesn’t need another famous face from the Bush Administration. Besides, Condi hasn’t exactly been the best SOS we’ve had.
amerpundit on May 29, 2008 at 1:40 PM
I only voted for Crist in that poll no because he’d be MY first choice, but because I’ve truly sensed since the get-go that Crist will most certainly get the nod. It makes the most sense.
Yes…the GOP could use some “new faces”…but should work on that over the next four years.
Palin wold probably be a great choice for Sec. of Interior. Maybe a good veep…but again, a veep in McCain’s admin wouldn’t be, shall we say, a top-notch place to be. Remember the “table scraps”…we all know how McCain feels about the VP office.
JetBoy on May 29, 2008 at 1:40 PM
You know who would steal alot of Messiah votes too? Vice President Obama Girl. I heard she’s now crab free to boot.
Chuck Schick on May 29, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Not my first choice but not a bad strategy. If it is going to happen it needs to be before Obama makes any kind of serious offer of VP to a female.
Limerick on May 29, 2008 at 1:41 PM
My two sisters are (relatively clear thinking) independents….they would go with McCain if he put Romney on the ticket. Know what did it for them? That story about Mitt and his sons helping out the California LDS member who needed assistance cutting up some of his trees after last years wildfires…he did so without a media contingent. It was the suprised home owner himself that took the pics. That touched him. Palin and Jindle are outstanding, but picking them eviscerates McCain’s argument that O’bama is too inexperienced.
aquaviva on May 29, 2008 at 1:41 PM
I prefer Sanford, and as a mother I can’t even imagine the campaign schedule with 5 kids, one of whom is an infant.
That said, she’d be a fine choice.
I’m also not sure I could imagine giving up living in beautiful Alaska for the swamp in DC. But that’s her choice, obviously :-).
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 1:41 PM
She said she would the day before she gave birth.
its vintage duh on May 29, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Executive experience is nice, but let her serve a full term, maybe go to the Senate, and be Vice President Romney’s running mate in 2016. You know, after McCain-Romney defeats Obama-Silky this year and Chavez-Ahmadinejad in 2012.
raybury on May 29, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Wow. They do make them tough in Alaska, I guess. I guess the GOP could do worse than put a ‘naughty librarian’ on the ticket.
Slublog on May 29, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Meaning, of course, you fully support the vindictive persection of social conservatives and evangelicals. Can’t have those “Jesus Freaks” hanging around in the party if you want to convince disgruntled Democrats to vote for a Republican Judas who is positioning himself as a Democrat-like candidate!
The clear indication that the GOP is doomed by all the silly idiots who think revenege is better than crafting coalitions aside, the problem with Palin is that nobody knows her. That would be OK if the Presidential nominee was trusted and supported by the party base but McCain has gone out of his way to alienate all but the liberal side of the GOP. You can’t team a shifty political Judas up with an unknown VP candidate from a non-swing state and expect success unless you really think it possible that pandering to liberals is the way to the White House. The problem with that is in a contest with a liberal Republican and a liberal Democrat- Democrat wins all the time.
So….. Instead of continuing to “re-shape” the party by insulting, attacking, and otherwise alienating the conservative base- McCain and his band of idiot supporters should be building bridges with the party he seems intent on destroying by his arrogance.
highhopes on May 29, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Sarah Who?
freevillage on May 29, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Palin or Ridge?
“Need more input. IIIIInnnnnnnpuuuttt” Number 5 Short circuit
rockhauler on May 29, 2008 at 1:45 PM
That’s the problem. Although, what better publicity junket is there than the campaign trail?
JetBoy on May 29, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Wow, that is one hottie Governor. And she hates pork-barrel spending.
gmoonster on May 29, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Are you aware that Palin is an evangelical Christian?
Slublog on May 29, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Any VP candidate that will support drilling in ANWR and off shore has my support…. some support for nuclear energy would be a bonus. I don’t like the green house emissions stupidity, though.
MNDavenotPC on May 29, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Obama is in the Senate? I couldn’t tell. If the Dems try to go after her for lack of experience it will backfire on them. There is a big difference between being Governer vs. being one of 100 Senators, who doesn’t even show up to hold hearings on an active war.
As long as she doesn’t have any skeletons, she’s a go.
pedestrian on May 29, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Other then name recognition what are the negatives? (honestly, just curious about her - Craig Ferguson aside)
Limerick on May 29, 2008 at 1:51 PM
I think she’s a great choice. I’ve always felt she should be one of the top picks, and more and more I’m thinking she might be the only choice who’d be acceptable to both conservative and independent/left leaning voters. On the experience question…well she is governor, which I think is a different ballgame than senator. She’s got executive experience, even if only for a short while. That counts for a lot.
ZP on May 29, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Dude…. you might have had a case if this were 2004, but since she went to State, she’s been horrible.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on May 29, 2008 at 1:52 PM
McCain can pick whoever he likes; I doubt it matters. He’s not likely to win. In the results of those three special elections, you can hear the country screaming at us: “Get your asses out! Out, out, out!”
paul006 on May 29, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Jindal has done way more in his life than Obama. Jindal really couldn’t be called inexperienced for VP. Really, the same could be said for Obama.
For POTUS yes, for VPOTUS, not really.
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 1:54 PM
She is certainly a better choice than Jindal because Alaska does not need her as bad as LA needs Bobby.
Think of all those alienated female Hillary voters who will vote for McCain becuase he picked a woman for VP and so many of them feel Obama has been sexist towards Hillary.
Palin might be worth 10 - 20 percent of Hillary’s women voters and maybe as many conservatives who would not vote for McCain without a real Conservative on the ticket.
EJDolbow on May 29, 2008 at 1:54 PM
I am loving
this lady.
RushBaby on May 29, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Yes. Suing the gubmint over putting the polar bear on the endangered species list did it for me. Well, that and she and her husband decided to give life to an infant that they knew has a genetic disorder.
That…..and she’d be the first VPILF!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 29, 2008 at 1:55 PM
McCain’s a strong nuke energy supporter.
What do you think of Pawlenty? I know nothing about him.
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Actually, according to current state-by-state polls, McCain would win by a slim margin. McCain polls better than average Congressional Republicans.
amerpundit on May 29, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Maybe she’s changed over time, toned it down, but she’s so evangelical she makes Huckabee sound like an agnostic. Maybe that’s a good thing, but it’ll drive the libs crazy…or crazier.
RBMN on May 29, 2008 at 1:57 PM
It gets down to only this: which vp candidate will pull in the most net votes for McCain. Nothing else is important.
Romney pull is votes, but also loses some votes.
I say she pulls in many of the disgruntled, “woman hear me roar” votes.
And the quicker the better (if McCain is choosing her). If Obama is forced to put a woman on the ticket, after McCain, it will make him (Obama) look weak. A follower,not a leader.
right2bright on May 29, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Plus, I hear she is a darn good cook and seamstress.
right2bright on May 29, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Is it legal for Cheney to stay as VP another eight years?
I love how he drives all the moonbats wild.
Cheney, Cheney, Cheney!!!!!
Hening on May 29, 2008 at 1:58 PM
I don’t get the defeatism here. Obama ain’t gonna appeal to the “security mom” demographic, and he has really pissed off women of my mom’s generation (50s to 60s) with the race baiting and the sexist tone of the campaign against Hillary, not to mention the bullying at caususes.
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Why would Sarah Palin take the VP spot from John “Obscene Profits” McCain when that jackass is against drilling in Alaska, in spite of the fact that he’s “for federalism” when it comes to drilling?
MCCAIN ‘08: HE WAS FOR FEDERALISM BEFORE HE WAS AGAINST IT!
MCCAIN ‘08: I’LL FIX BIG OIL AND THEIR OBSCENE PROFITS!
MCCAIN ‘08: TOO RACIST TO VOTE FOR THE BLACK COMMIE? VOTE FOR ME!
misterpeasea on May 29, 2008 at 1:59 PM
He’s going to need her to carry that swing state of Alaska.
What a moroon.
(He may need her anyway because Alaskans are not thrilled with his rejection of ANWR for drilling.)
Valiant on May 29, 2008 at 2:00 PM
That’s it, I change my vote…
The hunting photo on the AK web site is worth 500,000 votes…
http://gov.state.ak.us/bio.php
Limerick on May 29, 2008 at 2:00 PM
I think the only reason people like Romney so much is because they forget that they only flocked to him as the anti-McCain.
its vintage duh on May 29, 2008 at 2:00 PM
I am loving
this lady.
RushBaby on May 29, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Hey RushBaby, which link did you get those from? I’d like to read the rest of it…
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Oh cry me a river, poor baby
I dont see any lions or crosses in the U.S.
Squid Shark on May 29, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Totally agree, 1000%. I would love to see her on the ticket, and she is good, not for AK, which will go GOP anyway, but because she could soothe the mids of conservative, yours truly included. And if McCain does decide to only run for one term, I would have NO problem with her in the Oval Office.
ConservativePartyNow on May 29, 2008 at 2:01 PM
As long as we don’t find out later she used to work the pole.
On second thought, that could help with the youth vote.
JammieWearingFool on May 29, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Awwww HELL yeah.
MarkJudge on May 29, 2008 at 2:01 PM
If we are going to make a play for the disgruntled women vote Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia has the time served over Gov. Palin and she would do well with outreach to the Latino community.
talking_mouse on May 29, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Because she’s not as shallow as you are?
RBMN on May 29, 2008 at 2:01 PM
AND she want drilling for oil in Alaska (her state).
For that alone, he won’t pick her.
For that alone, I WANT HER ON THE TICKET.
stenwin77 on May 29, 2008 at 2:02 PM
I think Palin’s special needs child and McCain’s adopting seriously ill children would be great benefits on the campaign trail.
It’d be an emotional appeal to the Hillary supporter/Soccer Mom types.
She could effective campaign on the theme of “I know where the oil is and how to get it”
Iblis on May 29, 2008 at 2:04 PM
One of the best quotes of a politician, made by Gov. Palin’s family upon the recent birth of her fifth child, a son with Down’s syndrome:
“Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives.”
The character expressed here is light years ahead of most political discourse. Reminds me of something RR would say, and many liberals would abort based on current trends.
horatio on May 29, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Ridge? Ewwwwww NO, please NO
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 2:04 PM
What a good looking family. And the hubby is a fisherman I think…
badass
Squid Shark on May 29, 2008 at 2:04 PM
don’t get too excited for sarah.
check this out:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2181452855481779580&q=Sarah+Palin&ei=k-8-SPLRM6PQ4gKdvpDUAw
jimmer on May 29, 2008 at 2:05 PM
I don’t know much about her, but wiki says she eats moose burgers, rides snowmobiles, and is a lifetime member of the NRA. *shrug* Works for me.
Tanya on May 29, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Uhm, can we get more info please. All I could look up so far was this:
I mean, I do realize that Wikipedia is primarily edited by black racists, but still.
freevillage on May 29, 2008 at 2:05 PM
She whipped up on idiot legislators and oil companies for their silly tricks too.
She’s a win-win, if she could tolerate the campaign schedule and would really be willing to leave beautiful AK for Washington, DC.
I’d say NO WAY, but I hate DC. There isn’t a job on the planet that I would accept if I had to live there.
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Fred Barnes piece linked in AP’s post.
RushBaby on May 29, 2008 at 2:07 PM
I agree, and I also agree with the argument that Obama is too inexperienced. I’d like to see both of them in the future, but only in the future. Let’s give them some time to grow.
As to the poll, I didn’t vote. I honestly have no idea who I’d be happy with.
Esthier on May 29, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Anybody but Ridge. I can barely type his name without falling asleep.
petefrt on May 29, 2008 at 2:08 PM
She’s pretty hot; I’d vote for her. Drill ANWR!
Spc Steve on May 29, 2008 at 2:08 PM
if we could make security an issue again, point out Sharia code for women, some pics of burka’s and the whole Clitorectomy thing….with Obama wanting to capitulate to them then McCain/Palin being strong on the issue. I don’t see why they couldn’t pick up close to 50% of female vote.
jp on May 29, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Not going to happen. I did a bit of a google search, and among her most important “accomplishments”, according to many sites, is selling a state-owned airplane on eBay. You aren’t kidding about the inexperience thing.
Big S on May 29, 2008 at 2:08 PM
McCain may need to flip on ANWR, make gas prices an issue for Repubs and blame the Dems for it. with insight from the Beauty queen from Alaska, Sarah Palin
jp on May 29, 2008 at 2:09 PM
From the wikipedia article on Bonnie: Garcia
Needs more experience, but it would definitely be a fun race.
pedestrian on May 29, 2008 at 2:09 PM
Snort. Palin is a conservative, religious Christian.
I can sure see the benefits of trying to reach out to you highhopes. Can’t wait for McCain’s team to spend lots of valuable time on that effort.
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 2:11 PM
She’s pro-life and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association; that’s good but I don’t see much else strikingly conservative on her resume and she has no foreign policy expertise. Dr. Rice has that expertise with the conservative credential. Putting [i]Miss Alaska[/i] on the ticket might impress the backcountry Yukon demographic but it won’t win the election. Experience will.
IntheNet on May 29, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Ad hominem attacks are logical fallacies, moron. Try again.
misterpeasea on May 29, 2008 at 2:12 PM
ANWR is dead. Oil Shale is the one hope
PrezHussein on May 29, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Would she instantly have the respect of Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or Saudi Arabia?
No.
Hence, “no.”
indythinker on May 29, 2008 at 2:13 PM
I was looking for the anyone but Crist option.
Grafted on May 29, 2008 at 2:14 PM
I like Mitt, but I would rather see him over the RNC, so I voted for Palin
Conservative Voice on May 29, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Heh. Now that’s funny.
Rice doesn’t strike me as particularly conservative, and her foreign policy experience as SoS is not all that impressive.
Slublog on May 29, 2008 at 2:14 PM
If I remember correctly, McCain is not opposed to drilling offshore California and Florida. He’s just opposed to drilling in wildlife refuges–even where there’s almost no wildlife and it wouldn’t damage the place a bit. Stubbornness I guess.
RBMN on May 29, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Why is it necessary for an American politician to have the ‘respect’ of largely anti-American countries?
Slublog on May 29, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Not only are McCain’s sons serving in the military, but Sarah Palin’s son is in the Army. Watch this.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 29, 2008 at 2:16 PM
The global-warming-lovin’, obscene-profits-hatin’, for-federalism-before-he-was-against-it Maverick isn’t going to flip on ANWR.
He wants high gas prices to save the Earth. He wants to punish oil companies.
Face it: he’s a liberal.
misterpeasea on May 29, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Why is Rudy Giuliani not a choice in your poll. McCain uses him as a fill in for him and he always comes across well when he does. He is not Bush administration but he is experienced. If Obamaniacs talk about his personal life issues, just call it an attempt at “distraction” from Rudy’s very real accomplishments.
KW64 on May 29, 2008 at 2:17 PM
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/archive.php?id=52&type=1
on Alaskan KIAs in the GWOT
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/archive.php?id=53&type=1
on Alaskan’s in Iraq
Limerick on May 29, 2008 at 2:17 PM
No. That was the answer. There are more important things in life than Alaska oil.
RBMN on May 29, 2008 at 2:17 PM
V.P. Michael Steele.
joeswampy on May 29, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Why, is not one liberal Republican on the ticket enough for you?
EJDolbow on May 29, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Nice vid.
I think I’m going to start saving for a vacation in Alaska!
RushBaby on May 29, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Rudy for Attorney General. Just to get to watch the confirmation hearings.
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 2:18 PM
It is? Why? I wasn’t using it as an argument, or a response to an argument. I was using it in response to an ad hominem attack used as an argument.
Get it?
misterpeasea on May 29, 2008 at 2:19 PM
THIS DOESN’T HELP MY CHILDREN!
-Madame Obama
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 2:20 PM
I’ll bet you convince a lot of people with your brilliant debate tactics, moron.
misterpeasea on May 29, 2008 at 2:21 PM
+1
Juan McPlantationStrawberryAmnesty
LOL
funky chicken on May 29, 2008 at 2:21 PM
It made me laugh, that’s all. Reminds me of college, when my friends and I would admonish one another with “Edify, stupid.”
Slublog on May 29, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Sarah Palin: Governor of HOPE and OPPORTUNITY. F*** change.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 29, 2008 at 2:22 PM
So, the Alaska governor has more important things to worry about than her state’s interests?
Check.
Moron.
misterpeasea on May 29, 2008 at 2:22 PM
This is crap. Jindal and Palin have both “run” things. Anybody with one day of Executive experience has more than Obama. And McCain for that matter.
EJDolbow on May 29, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Well, there’s really no way I’ll vote for McCain, but I like what I’ve read about her. From Wikipedia:
Wiki sources are questionable. But if we could get someone with sense on the national war on drugs (Americans) in power, we might be able to start a sensible policy that would help America rather than destroy it (through overused police resources, gang funds, turf warfare).
No to McCain, but yes to Palin. . . she seems alright to me. And pretty good at that. That’s a definite endorsement - not just a vote for her because she’s not the other guy.
ThackerAgency on May 29, 2008 at 2:24 PM
“I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready”…SpongeBob Squarepants
LtE126 on May 29, 2008 at 2:26 PM
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