ABC: McCain decided on Palin … last night
posted at 4:53 pm on August 29, 2008 by Allahpundit
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He was still mumbling about Lieberman as of last weekend, until he did something remarkably uncharacteristic and actually listened to his base. Then he took another look at his stable of what Gingrich describes as Republican “boring white guys” and was left, like so many of us, underwhelmed.
And then he let Maverick be Maverick.
None of them had what McCain believed he needed to do–and would have done–with Lieberman.
McCain wanted to shake up the ticket.
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s name in the mix as an unconventional choice for months, but she had not been considered a frontrunner. So over the next few days, with McCain continuing to believe he needed someone who had more of a maverick streak than his other choices, lawyers reviewed her vetting information. They kept their activities from even some in McCain’s most senior inner circle…
The campaign secretly flew Palin into Dayton last night. She and McCain met privately for a couple of hours. McCain concluded she would “shake up the system” and was “a maverick,” qualities he believed Lieberman would have brought to the ticket. But she also would appeal to conservatives–which Lieberman most certainly would not have done.
After their meeting, McCain concluded he was comfortable with his choice. He notified Pawlenty this morning that he was going a different direction.
This puts the lie, at least, to the claim that Pawlenty and Romney were nothing more than decoys all along. I’m a little leery of the fact that they don’t know each other given that McCain’s very much an “inner circle” type of politician — Liebs, Graham, and top aides like Mark Salter — but given the atomic buzz she’s bringing him, he shouldn’t find it too hard to warm up. Exit question: Why did McCain want to shake up the ticket so badly? Because he was convinced he couldn’t beat Obama without a game-changer or because he wanted to put his own Mavericky brand on the party? (Or both?)
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I don’t want to know how close he was to selecting Lieberman. I just want to enjoy the Palin Buzz today. And tomorrow. And the next day…………
Mallard T. Drake on August 29, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Feeling optimistic AP?
Yes, yes and yes.
Kini on August 29, 2008 at 4:55 PM
The Libs and their Lap Dog Drive-By puppies are wetting the newspapers.
ManlyRash on August 29, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Interesting!
JeffreyLloyd on August 29, 2008 at 4:56 PM
I think Mac had the right instincts - shaking things up was indeed needed.
Lieberman would have been a disaster. I’m glad he actually found someone in his own party he doesn’t hold in contempt.
sulla on August 29, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Still reeling from the geniusocity of McCain’s choice.
Maverick
Maverick ‘08
monotonousboy on August 29, 2008 at 4:56 PM
She is a TRUE FEMINIST.
She is accomplished ALL ON HER OWN…WITHOUT standing on her philandering meal ticket’s shoulders.
Am I alone in this OBVIOUS observation?
seejanemom on August 29, 2008 at 4:56 PM
He wanted to inspire conservatives who are letdown with the constant talk of Lieberman or Ridge.
Plus, he wanted to take the buzz off Obamination.
Another thing to consider, Palin is a maverick. She is similar to McCain and ANWR is a big deal to us because of national security and financial reasons. Pro-lifers and Evangelicals are big in this election as well as Hillary supporters.
What else is there to choose from? Palin is perfect.
jencab on August 29, 2008 at 4:57 PM
This along with his response to Georgia, his early support of the surge, and the way his campaign has been run lately by the people he chose makes me think McCain knows how to lead. He knows how to put the right people in the right place and give them what they need to succeed. Well done Senator. Well done.
D0WNT0WN on August 29, 2008 at 4:57 PM
He would have had a shot with Pawlenty so I’m going with the later… something needed to be done to beat the Bush 3rd term crap.
ninjapirate on August 29, 2008 at 4:58 PM
I also believe Obama listened to his base also in his choice of greasy bloody Joey B.
But in your opinion, who made the better choice?
Kini on August 29, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Exit Answer: Maverick move. He’s been eviscerating Obama.
jbsaff on August 29, 2008 at 4:58 PM
So what?
……………… still had the effect “obama who?”
Bwhaawhaawhaa!
Seven Percent Solution on August 29, 2008 at 4:58 PM
I agree with ninjapirate—that Bushie’s 3rd term BS had to be dispatched.
seejanemom on August 29, 2008 at 4:59 PM
I’ll take Mavericky for a $100.
I cant get “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” out….of….my…head…
javamartini on August 29, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Besides, when Lieberman speaks I tend to nod off.
When Ridge speaks, I feel …. dirty.
Kini on August 29, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Maybe we can thank Laura Ingraham. When she had McCain on late last week, she made a very strong pitch for a conservative as VP.
Clark1 on August 29, 2008 at 5:00 PM
This is not a mavericky move as Maverick™ only refers only to poking conservatives in the eye. This was forced on him and is the only conservative thing he has done in 10 years. Hopefully, she will rub off on him enough so I can pull the lever for him.
Valiant on August 29, 2008 at 5:00 PM
I think seeing Obama’s crowds and Hillary’s backers wanting to back him made the difference.
Mac couldnt go to the left with his choice he would lose the base. He wanted those democrat voters who were unhappy pver hillary.
Mac got both of what he wanted. A pick that many could rave about and one that the base wouldnt crucify him for. There was not another candidate that fit that bill.
William Amos on August 29, 2008 at 5:00 PM
I wonder how much of this is true. But you know she’s a good pick with the way that the mainstream media has simultaeously responded with horror
spacekicker on August 29, 2008 at 5:01 PM
It is more than wanting to shake up the ticket. McCain (and just about any white guy except Huckabee) was losing the evangelicals and the working class union vote, the NRA, federalists, and a whole lot of women as well.
Palin brings all of these back to the McCain table…almost instantly.
The McCain/Palin campaign is now in the position of dictating the timing, tempo and message for the next 67 days…something McCain could not do with just another old white guy professional politician.
Risky choice? If you listen to the Left’s angst and bloviating for the past six hours…yes. But, then again, the left went with an old white guy professional politician as a VP.
McCain/Palin…change I can believe in.
coldwarrior on August 29, 2008 at 5:01 PM
I’d LOVE to know what the deciding factor was. I’m sure there were all sorts of polls and statistical models run before it was made.
cannonball on August 29, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Look at the pic on the front page. They look good together. Professional. Trustworthy.
Compare to Biden - whose face screams “Sleaze” - and Obama-sama.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 29, 2008 at 5:02 PM
I must admit that he’s done a great deal to cause me to consider giving him my vote in less then 24 hours.
Vntnrse on August 29, 2008 at 5:02 PM
I pray that last minute vetting process that was done by few people in the rush, didn’t miss anything fatal.
tagold on August 29, 2008 at 5:03 PM
I love the choice and I am appalled at the left’s response to it. I understand we can be ideologically different, but the vituperation and the double standard applied by these people just makes me want to start swearing and keep searing for a long time.
HawaiiLwyr on August 29, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Perhaps McCain picked Palin because all the other VP candidates failed their vetting?
alphie on August 29, 2008 at 5:03 PM
and swearing too - dang I am so mad
HawaiiLwyr on August 29, 2008 at 5:03 PM
I think it is how damned TOUGH she looks behind an M16. And how she has a REAL head on those pretty shoulders…
seejanemom on August 29, 2008 at 5:03 PM
If this Liberman story is to be believed (I have my doubts), thank God for Sarah Palin! She rescued Mac from the biggest disaster ever.
If this story is true, when did Palin write that speech?
Buy Danish on August 29, 2008 at 5:03 PM
This is an OUTSTANDING PICK for the base and it may be one for independents and pissed off dem’s BUT IT DOESNT HAVE TO BE to be a great pick.
America1st on August 29, 2008 at 5:04 PM
[Lieberman]
Buy Danish on August 29, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Wow. Even for you that’s poor.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 29, 2008 at 5:05 PM
I also think he watched how the Dem convention played out.
IMO the Dem split was not so much about Hillary… she was actualy just a symbol of a group who felt left out the last few Pres election cycles… ie women voters. Hillary was the face, but only because she tapped into the already existing voter split… just as Obama has done with the Black vote…
Many many interviews during the Dem convention were about how they treated WOMEN, not just Hillary.
So now, put a real woman on the stage who has done it on her own… not even ridden a husbands coatails like Hillary did?
McCain saw the opportunity to both cement the base, and go after those disaffected woman voters….
Dam… McCain has finally impressed me this election cycle.
Romeo13 on August 29, 2008 at 5:05 PM
I was not voting for McCain. I am now.
America1st on August 29, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Palin is a good choice. She will be strong in the heartland, and since she has had two elections under her belt( lost lt. gov in 2002, won gov in 2006 ) she should have debate experience.
Samhain on August 29, 2008 at 5:05 PM
No, I fully agree.
In fact, I find that she is a really inspiring person and a great role model for women.
(Well, she is to me. I’d go out moose hunting now, if I weren’t living in Western Europe.)
evenfarer on August 29, 2008 at 5:05 PM
seejanemom on August 29, 2008 at 4:56 PM
I dont think you are at all.
The VP debates will be very fun to watch for sure now. I cant help but thing Joe will come off a little condescending since a woman is really his equal.
TroubledMonkey on August 29, 2008 at 5:05 PM
No, I think you’ll find yourself quite in good company.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 29, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Because the other choices weren’t good enough.
Spirit of 1776 on August 29, 2008 at 5:07 PM
You know its a great pick based solely on the din of mewling by the MSN.
And it sucks that you can’t hit the girl, eh Joey?
seejanemom on August 29, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Spur of the moment choices usually end poorly. And this feels like a spur of the moment choice.
lorien1973 on August 29, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Hatred, vile hatred is all the left has ever had.
The other woman means we don’t have to hide blue dresses and stand by our man.
Kini on August 29, 2008 at 5:08 PM
So that he could get equal time and media coverage..
They are covering Obama 24/7 and slobbering all over him because he is Young and new and because he is “Making History”
Well… Sarah is Younger, new and is “Making History” also!
So.. fair is fair.. we need slobber too..
Chris Mathews now you can get wood for a female, just think Republicans made you straight!
Chakra Hammer on August 29, 2008 at 5:09 PM
That makes his fake last night all the more dramatic….
“Congrats on history.”
“Meet my friend Sarah”…..
he took away the Barry Inferno’s air and all Barry has is air.
sven10077 on August 29, 2008 at 5:09 PM
I am still pessimistic on whether Palin will keep the ship from sinking, but if Lieberman was still in the running last night - holy crap, did we dodge a bullet, or what?
Vashta.Nerada on August 29, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Every decision comes down to one moment of choice. It’s not like he tapped a wholly unknown. He tapped what wasn’t a front runner when the others didn’t fit right. The travesty would be if he tried to force the issue w/ Liebs, etc.
Spirit of 1776 on August 29, 2008 at 5:10 PM
I’m glad to know that Gov. Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, and Tom Ridge were not forced to jump through hoops without being seriously considered. Hopefully, they will be considered for other positions in Sen. McCain’s cabinet. I think Gov. Palin like Gov. Jindal could have benefited from finishing a term in office before seeking to move up, but she is an impressive person. She does have more experience than the two Democratic nominees put together. Her speech today was quite dynamic. I wish the McCain-Palin ticket good fortune in the campaign!
Jill1066 on August 29, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Just think of this..
Chris Mathews, “Whoa! that Sarah Palin! Shes got energy and shes attractive! I got tingles going up my legs, it moved!!! this is historic!!!”
Chakra Hammer on August 29, 2008 at 5:11 PM
I keep marveling at the Obamabots taking pot shots at Palin’s experience.
- tough, popular Governor of Alaska > do-nothing Senator from Illinois
- principled straight shooter > demagogue twisting himself into anatomically improbable positions to hide what he believes
- mother of five > failed community organizer
McCain got it right.
ElectricPhase on August 29, 2008 at 5:11 PM
The tingle he feels NOW is surely his bladder releasing down his leg.
seejanemom on August 29, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Won’t happen. Only the D or R after the name matters to him.
lorien1973 on August 29, 2008 at 5:12 PM
EWWWW!
Kini on August 29, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Rush called it………………
The left, the Democrats, and the MSM will have the “knee jerk” reaction to try to immediately “destroy” Palin……………. all to their own detriment.
We have a Conservative, real, educated, EXPERIENCED, non-nuanced, firmly grounded, intelligent, witty, canidate who is easy on the eyes…….. and makes every gun totin’, rugged, independent living, freedom loving, meat eating, family raising, in your face to bueacratic incompetence, proud to be an American voter want to stand up and cheer!
Go ahead MSM………… bring it on…….. bring…… it………… ON!
Seven Percent Solution on August 29, 2008 at 5:13 PM
SOMEBODY PLEASE POST A HOT LINK TO A SITE WHERE I CAN GO FOR HILLARY REACTION.
I want to know what Hillary supporters are saying about PALIN. And DON’T say DKos.
seejanemom on August 29, 2008 at 5:13 PM
According to the McCain campaign’s talking points, she was in Flagstaff on Wednesday and was hanging out with McCain in Sedona on Thursday… which if true means, that the VP nominee was right under the press’s noses, and they didn’t sniff it out.
So I don’t think that the decision was up in the air until last night, but I do think that it was probably up in the air until the big meeting they had on Wednesday…
Illinidiva on August 29, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Great question! If I were to venture a guess, I think it’s a little of both, with more falling on the side of Mavericky as it relates to the notion of “reform” and “pork spending”. They align closely in this regard, and plays to the “go against the grain” part of the Maverick’s Maverick brand. I don’t think he thought he needed a “game-changer” in the traditional sense of, “Gee I’m drowning and I need some help.” He was already polling even with Obama prior to the convention, and had made many criticisms stick through the aggressive ads.
Weight of Glory on August 29, 2008 at 5:14 PM
He’s been considering them all for months.
The way you make it sound, he just said ‘I just don’t kow *thumbs through pages* ah, how about this one here. okay. make my pick. now back to my nap. Zzzzz…..’
And that’s not how it happened.
wise_man on August 29, 2008 at 5:15 PM
No offense to anyone, but some observers acting surprised by this decision remind of the lefties who were dead certain that McCain must have cheated at Saddleback. The guy’s been a winning politician for 30 years, and not as a go along/get along kind of guy. Really - you don’t have to be totally in the tank for McCain to understand that he’s a pro, which means that he can see a move or two ahead, and he knows that you’ve got to stay on the attack. A “conservative” pick would have risked handing the initiative to the opposition.
And it just so happened that the truly audacious move also involved giving himself WonderWoman for his birthday. Wouldn’t you?
CK MacLeod on August 29, 2008 at 5:15 PM
What is this strange “Hillary” that you speak of………. is it a tale to scare young children?
Seven Percent Solution on August 29, 2008 at 5:16 PM
I think McCain wanted to do something unique, really different. The fact that Obama is not the only one making history is a bonus.
Terrye on August 29, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Hannity: Did you know about this selection 48 hours ago?
Rove: No, as a matter of fact, I just found out when everyone else did.
Rove, you lying, magnificent bastard!
carbon_footprint on August 29, 2008 at 5:17 PM
One of the great ironies was Brokaw’s tribute to Hillary the other night, saying in essence, if not her, who? If not now, when? Look across the aisle, Tom.
Spirit of 1776 on August 29, 2008 at 5:17 PM
You’re probably too young to remember poor old Thomas Eagleton, Grue.
alphie on August 29, 2008 at 5:18 PM
I don’t buy it. The McCain Machine has been such a clockwork operation that “Oh, hey, I like Palin!” rings false.
He used Pawlenty and Romney, as well as every other name out there, to purposefully build a choice of conservative Palin as something the base could be excited about. All of his actions point to getting people to pay attention, ready to feast on the VP’s bones– and what we get is a very pleasant surprise. A totally, and expertly, orchestrated surprise.
This was a brilliant misdirection.
Nethicus on August 29, 2008 at 5:18 PM
I’m a happy man today.
jukin on August 29, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Chris Mathews on PMSDNC just noted that McCain turned 72 today so he would turn 77 during his first term. Apparently Mathews can’t add 4 to 72.
He then proceeded to go after Gov. Palin on the basis that she lacks experience should McCain’s health cause him to step aside. Somehow The One will be exempt from this defect.
EconomicNeocon on August 29, 2008 at 5:18 PM
With the messed up “email” notice at 3 AM for the Dems, I think BIDEN was more of a last minute choice than Palin was…
I’ll bet eventualy, after Obama looses, it will come out that someone turned down the VP slot under Obama, so he had to “punt” with Biden…
Palin has been talked about for weeks now as an outside possibility… and McCain finaly listened to the base about Lieberman…
Romeo13 on August 29, 2008 at 5:18 PM
All true, but I think there is also another reason. I think McCain is genuinely outraged by the level of corruption and pork barreling in federal government, and I think he wanted someone who could help in some effort to begin reforms. All the others were inside the Beltway types, and Palin was a symbol of new, fresh determination.
a capella on August 29, 2008 at 5:18 PM
No way he decided on her last night.
A lot of work obviously went into this - the selection and the planning.
http://www.conservativepolitics.today.com
Virginia Shanahan on August 29, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Moot point. Palin is perfect. And Obama is toast. Suck it up, Alphie.
ManlyRash on August 29, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Perhaps, but after looking it up, I fail to see the resemblance.
Wait a minute, why the hell am I feeding you?
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 29, 2008 at 5:19 PM
seejanemom on August 29, 2008 at 5:13 PM
I always go to http://talkleft.com. The moderators are dorks, but the comment threads are filled with PUMAs and borderline PUMAs, including lots of mixing it up with hard- and soft-core Obamanauts. Liberal but honest overall. http://hillbuzz.wordpress.com is a great place for anti-Obama stuff. The blogger has been pushing McCain-Palin for almost as long as the Draft Palin for VP blog.
CK MacLeod on August 29, 2008 at 5:20 PM
I don’t disagree that Biden is more of a last minute pick. But that’s not the point.
Palin is an unknown. She has an ethics investigation brewing up there. She supported windfall taxes - which she now opposes, I believe.
She’s a good pick. But there is a lot we don’t know.
lorien1973 on August 29, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Heh, Jessica Alba couldn’t make Chrissy “straight”. He still feels the tingle.
brtex on August 29, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Are you still here tonight ? I thought it was time for you to go to the Methadone clinic ?
JonRoss on August 29, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Thank you CK.
SO CK>>> what crusty old white guy wouldn’t love to have his very own Sarah CONNOR Palin jump from his birthday cake. Obama THINKS he’s a god.
McCain IS one.
seejanemom on August 29, 2008 at 5:22 PM
And you are probably too old to give up on McGovern, Alphie.
ManlyRash on August 29, 2008 at 5:22 PM
We’ve come a long way from hate for some, and legitimate questions and distrust of a lot for these people. I just glad that things turned out so nicely. I thought Palin was out because (I heard somewhere) that she wasn’t vetted. I thought it would be Romney or some obscure person who you’d never heard of. As of today, the lefties are wetting themselves and a lot of people can better stomach McCain now than during the ridiculous last days of the week - that so many were hanging on every rumor coming from unnamed sources, and they thought that McCain was playing them all for an emotional roller coaster. As if it was his fault that other people were speculating on the speculation and gining this up for the sake of hype.
wise_man on August 29, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Hey Allah-
I think you’ll like this Obama statement transcription from Halperin:
MayBee on August 29, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Geez, what are you…four…no 44?
You would complain if they hung you with a new rope!
After all the good and smart folks here at HA have been lectureing your smart a** over the months, you are still the ultimate stupid troll on the web.
Just grow up. The adults here don’t need your BS any more nitwit.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on August 29, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Oh, she was vetted, Wise Man. Very likely by Rove himself, who, no doubt, organized this masterstroke of politics. Magnificent bastard.
ManlyRash on August 29, 2008 at 5:25 PM
lorien:
There is always a lot we don’t know.
Terrye on August 29, 2008 at 5:25 PM
I remember Thomas Eagleton. He was selected by the Marxist McGovern (a Donk)to be his sidekick. Eagleton has a lot of things in common with Biden.
JonRoss on August 29, 2008 at 5:25 PM
This was a Politically, a beautiful pre-emptive strike,
on the Left,and a real nice steathly under the radar
on the biased,Liberal MSM!!
MSM got suckered,and broadsided!
McCain/Palin/08,it rocks,baby!
canopfor on August 29, 2008 at 5:25 PM
No……….. I was in 2nd grade, and I even remember him as the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 1972.
…………… what’s your point?
Seven Percent Solution on August 29, 2008 at 5:26 PM
I think he paid very close attention to the DNC Convention, saw the line of attack they were using against him and were going to use against his presumptive VP pick (who they probably figured was either Romney or Pawlenty), and decided to hit them in the jaw with a surprise right hook.
And, of course, I’m sure he saw how things went down with Hillary, and decided that’d be a wonderful avenue to exploit.
I get the feeling that he really wanted Lieberman, and tested the waters to see how we’d take that, but realized we’d never bite for him. But I’m also feeling that he probably ranked Palin up there high all along, she was probably a back-pocket pick he’d like to play but wasn’t quite sure whether to throw down that card. But after the DNC convention demonstrated the Democrat’s gameplan, that’s when he got convinced. So he decided to throw one huge wrench into their carefully crafted narrative.
It’s a far, far shrewder pick than I’d have given him credit for. And that’s coming from a guy who started off the morning praying he’d pick Romney.
Vyce on August 29, 2008 at 5:27 PM
For all of the newbees here, alphie is an escapee from a lunatic asaylum (yes, IT was in Denver this week). It has drunk the Messiah’s kool aide.
JonRoss on August 29, 2008 at 5:27 PM
But you know, the fact that he was able to confidently decide after a mere two-hour meeting just shows how impressive Palin really is. This is my optimistic view, you understand!
Rosmerta on August 29, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Grue.
alphie on Aug 29,2008 at 5:16PM.
alphie: I thought you would be still be back at the Temple,
with all that Hope still lingering around the field!
canopfor on August 29, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Great pick! McCain/Palin beats Obama/Biden ANY day!
BRING ON THE DEBATES!!!
bryan2369 on August 29, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Yes, it certainly appears so.
a capella on August 29, 2008 at 5:30 PM
WARNING
ALPHIE has BREACHED
the PERIMETER!
canopfor on August 29, 2008 at 5:31 PM
I know, forgive me…………..
but “it” opened the door so wide that I just had to peek in……
Seven Percent Solution on August 29, 2008 at 5:31 PM
I wish someone were recording Michelle Obama’s reaction to this, the one behind closed doors.
Comedy GOLD!
bbz123 on August 29, 2008 at 5:32 PM
S’ok. We are all tempted.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on August 29, 2008 at 5:32 PM
No, you’re not. The question how we make the case without offending the Hillary-backers.
Kafir on August 29, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Palin does several things:
1) Red meat for base - check.
2) Red meat for PUMAs - well, as good as it’s going to get, really.
3) Take the wind off Obamas’ sails - big-ass check!
That Palin also puts a salvo across the good ship Hillary 2012 is just extra fun.
McCain is not a simple man, Palin is not a simple tactical grab to fill holes in the ticket like Biden was for Obama. This is a *strategic* shift.
I suspect a lot of center-left and center-right voters, both with and without uterii, will look at this combination and say “Yeah, that’s what I want”.
Mew
acat on August 29, 2008 at 5:33 PM
:O)
Seven Percent Solution on August 29, 2008 at 5:33 PM
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