… It is true that Palin is less qualified to be President than Barry O. It is just the way it is. It is one of the exposures that McCain chose to battle when he chose her.
…
Hawthorne on August 31, 2008 at 11:29 PM

Your post starts with a premise that I don’t think you can really support. Exactly how is Obama more qualified than Palin? From being a community organizer? A state senator? A US senator in his first term who’s done almost nothing but run for President?

People don’t vote for Obama because he’s qualified. They vote for him in spite of his lack of qualifications. Maybe because they think he’s smart enough to figure it out as he goes. Maybe because they bought his “above the fray” persona. Maybe because they find him inspiring.

In terms of concrete experience, Palin gives up nothing to Obama. His experience is all legislative, hers is at least executive. He’s benefited primarily from powerful friends who backed his political career, which is why he’s friends with Ayers, Rezko, and Jeremiah Wright. They all had political influence. Palin has stood much more on her own two feet.

I don’t mind admitting I’d prefer she had more experience. But she trumps Obama’s experience already, and even beats McCain and Biden in terms of actual executive experience. Plus, she shows great promise for the future.

She’s not an ideal candidate, but there aren’t any ideal candidates running in this election, either at the top or the bottom of the ticket.

The entire idea behind picking a VP is that you go for someone who will complement you. McCain doesn’t need someone with a long track record to boast of. He’s got that locked down. I’d be far more concerned about the guy who wants to be President – the one whose “change” mantra has been smacked to next week – if I worked there.

ManlyRash on September 1, 2008 at 10:29 AM

That’s a bit of a nasty hitch in your get along, Manly.

The correct response is just to point out that you really ought to have experience at the top of the ticket, while the Vice President should be for younger up and coming stars who need a little seasoning before becoming President. Then make a snarky comment about how the Democrats have gotten it backwards… as usual.

I doubt that CNN has the courage to offer another poll asking the same question about the Presidential candidates! McCain would win overwhelming IF the responders would be truthful.

J_Gocht on September 1, 2008 at 8:54 AM

Wow you have that revisionist history thing down. I have seldom scene a better job of twisting facts to say what you want them to say. You should apply with the DNC to make ads.

Exit question: Should a blogger with nerves of tin really be covering this beat until November? Time to ask the boss to relegate me to gossip items and viral videos, yes?

No Allah, we need you here. Everyone’s been swept up in the Palin excitement, myself included, we need your objectiveness.

It is striking to me how emotional and bitter the arguments attacks tend to be against Palin.- Mini14 on September 1, 2008 at 10:32 AM

They are terrified of her – a sure sign that McCain made the peerfect choice.

Personally Cindy’s statement is the one that clinches by confidence in Sarah’s ability to be a real leader when the chips are down…! – J_Gocht on September 1, 2008 at 9:38 AM

Rather a shame that all Sarah can count for accomplishment is her 10 years of executive experience as a mayor and a governor.

If only she could have started out as a community organizer for a corrupt political machine, then move on to begin her political career at the side of an unrepentant terrorist, then work as a part-time legislator in the Illinois state senate (yes, it is a part-time job), then get elected to the U.S. Senate and immediately begin a run for the presidency.

If only she could have had the foresight to attend a racist, America-hating church for 20 years.

If only she could have opposed legislation that permits the infanticide of defective children instead of carrying her own Down Syndrome baby to term.

If only.

But back to the experience question. If, Heaven forbid, something happens to McCain, I don’t think the Vice President position remains vacant. Does the Chief of Staff vanish at the death of a President? The advisers? Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State?

The critics make it sound like she would be sitting alone in the Oval Office, making life-and-death decisions without thought or consultation.

Maybe I don’t understand. Does the entire staff at the White House disappear with the President?

You’re the one…! – J_Gocht on September 1, 2008 at 8:54 AM

And you are number two.

. – CoC of State’s National Guard Damiano on September 1, 2008 at 1:37 AM

Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard: “…he said he and Palin play no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.

Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina: “Governor Palin took on Ted Stevens. If she can take him on, she can take on the Russians.” Stevens, a Republican senator, is facing corruption charges and running for re-election.

Actually Sarah thinks Stevens is one helluva a guy and has continually supported him and never has “taken him on…!”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty: “Palin is commander-in-chief of the Alaskan National Guard.” The state’s Guard has about 4,000 members.

From McCain’s wife, Cindy, came a geographic assessment of qualification: “Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia. So, it’s not as if she doesn’t understand what’s at stake here.”

Personally Cindy’s statement is the one that clinches by confidence in Sarah’s ability to be a real leader when the chips are down…!

“The 50 percent who say she’s unqualified is obviously a subset of the 59 percent overall who know enough about her to form an opinion. 41 percent don’t know enough about her yet to form any opinions.

Sarah is truly a Honey from Heaven…

She can do a flip flop with the best of ‘em…

Remember the “Bridge to Nowhere” she was against it before she was for it. She took the money an ran once she got the greenbacks in here hot little hands.

Sarah’s worse than a tax and spend liberal, she’s raised taxes in Alaska more than any governor in its fifty year history…

She raised taxes, 15% her first year in office and 3% in her second.

She confronted the corrupt Republicans in office, whooped them at their own game…

She then took a page right out of there book by playing dirty power politics for the personal benefit of her own family.

Whooa Honey, you’re a real piece of work…

You’re the one…!

Just a couple of examples…but its the people you surround yourself with to make good decisions that affect peoples lives.

Another example: take a look at who Obama surrounds himself with…

Exit question: Should a blogger with nerves of tin really be covering this beat until November?

Yes. Consider yourself lucky that this is all you’ve been asked to do. There are bigger, tougher fights going on.

Time to ask the boss to relegate me to gossip items and viral videos, yes?

No. We all like our toys, but one of the reasons that we have such serious conflicts on so many fronts is because we conservatives like to enjoy what life has to offer and by quietly minding our own business we tend to let everybody else set the agenda.

“Progressive liberals” frequently spout utter nonsense and we conservatives for the most part politely ignore them, and that has proven to be a bad strategy because their nonsense then reappears as policy and gets encapsulated in law. Since conservatives tend to respect and uphold the law, we end up supporting things we never wanted, and which destroy what we value.

We all need to do more. So, please be so kind as to hold your ground and encourage those around you.

I don’t think the same will be true about Sarah Palin who has accomplished a lot as a Governor and reformer. We need to take some of the 5 million the McCain campaign hauled in since she was named, and use that in an a ad blitz.

TexasJew on September 1, 2008 at 12:38 AM

You are fast becoming my favorite poster here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kci9dlwOKLU

Those with much matter understand and those who don’t understand don’t have much matter.

MB4 on September 1, 2008 at 12:48 AM

Michael Moore has a surplus of matter, yet he still does not understand ;)

Cindy McCain has mostly been out of the spotlight and has appeared, to my eyes, more trophy wife than anything else. Not that that is a bad thing, since there is no particular requirement for First Lady other than a wedding ring. But then I saw her with Stephanopoulos today:

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5694261

I am happy to stand corrected. This woman screams First Lady. After seeing this, I wish there were a First Lady debate scheduled. After trying to put up with Michelle Obama’s initial hatred, phony Martha Stewart makeover and her ridiculously scripted BS speech last week that sent me into diabetic shock, Cindy McCain comes off like a gift from heaven. I would vote McCain for no other reason than to have Palin as VP and Cindy as First Lady. Between those two, the country would run fine if Johnny boy did nothing but go fishing for 4 years.