Palin: Senatorial privilege vs Executive responsibility
posted at 4:25 pm on September 10, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Democrats have reacted with fear and panic to the selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate, and given her performance today in Fairfax, Virginia, it’s easy to see why. Brian Faughnan caught this riposte from Palin on Barack Obama’s weird attack on her opposition to the Bridge to Nowhere — which he supported. She skewers him as a poseur on reform and underscores his lack of experience for the job he seeks:
Just the other day, our opponent brought up earmarks, and frankly I was surprised that he did, considering his record on earmarks. I didn’t think he’d want to go there. In just three years, our opponent has requested nearly a billion dollars in earmarks, and that’s about a million dollars every working day.
We reformed the abuses of earmarks in our state, and it was while our opponent was requesting a billion dollars in earmarks as a Senatorial privilege. What I was doing was vetoing half a billion dollars as an executive responsibility.
That will leave a big mark. Obama walked into this trap all on his own, and Palin merely pulled the lever.
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I’m going to see her in Carson City this Saturday.
yeah for me!
p0s3r on September 10, 2008 at 5:06 PM
She is so awesome! I am going to be logging lots of volunteer hours with the campaign in my “Toss UP” state of Michigan. All you in toss up states should be doing the same! Contact your local republican victory centers. They will put you to work. It’s the grassroots that make the dream a reality :)
ConMom on September 10, 2008 at 5:08 PM
I don’t think that fairly represents the reality. The bridge was earmarked before her term as governor I believe. After she took office (which is when she’s got the inside scoop) is when she said no thanks.
Spirit of 1776 on September 10, 2008 at 5:09 PM
That ain’t no silk purse, and that ain’t no…
mymanpotsandpans on September 10, 2008 at 5:10 PM
There is only so much biotch slapping Obama bin Biden can handle before they melt down.
She is quite the pugilist.
Her right glove is experience,
her left is accomplishment
She’ll TKO his ass before November.
TheSitRep on September 10, 2008 at 5:12 PM
No one likes you :P
lorien1973 on September 10, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Remember, you are also seeing her for us.
Give us our take on the event.
right2bright on September 10, 2008 at 5:14 PM
…except that what the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth brought up was all true…is that the definition?
swiftboat, v.t. 1) to tell the truth inconveniently. 2) to tell the truth about Democrats (which they always find inconvenient)
Puritan1648 on September 10, 2008 at 5:21 PM
swiftboating ALWAYS works because just because the truth is uncofortable for a donk doesn’t mean it’s not truth
sven10077 on September 10, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Ka-Boom!
Moosekiller strikes again!
Browncoatone on September 10, 2008 at 5:30 PM
I was at the Fairfax rally today (30 feet away from the podium), some thoughts:
- I don’t know the full story but they changed the venue from a local high school (Fairfax HS) to a nearby park (Van Dyck Park) at the last minute. Apparently the local Fairfax County School Board convened an EMERGENCY meeting to oppose the rally at the school. Unbelievable. This will be the next big backlash against the libs…apparently Barry HAS been in local schools. Will be interesting to see where this goes.
- yes, some of her lines are repeats (and even I thought they were getting old when I saw some Youtube repeats from other rallies), BUT man, she is so GREAT in person she could repeat them over and over again and I wouldn’t care.
Be assured: she is that good. The lefties keep saying, “when is she going to answer MSM questions”/snark, but I think they will find that Sarah-mania will only increase….again, she is that good.
- I can’t speak to crowd-counts but it was amazing. The McPalin people announced that this was the largest rally so far …. after seeing 10,000+ rallies at other rallies on the tube, I couldn’t believe Fairfax was even bigger. It was full, and afterwards, downtown Fairfax had traffic gridlock for 2 hours aferwards. The crowds were streamning through the streets. Even more amaazing, parking at Van Dyck Park was non-existent. We all parked elsewhere and walked blocks to get there….this speaks to the amazing lengths peoeple will go.
- best t-shirt I saw on hot girl: “Future Mrs. Track Palin”
- biggest funniest cheer: when a PUMA speaker said she had told McCain in a private meeting that “women made up over 50% of the voters in America” (YEAH! went the guys LOL).
McCain/Palin ‘08 !!
ex-Democrat on September 10, 2008 at 5:31 PM
heh.
Greasy Joe may not want that VP spot in writing after all with the way the Barrackopolis is crumbling. He may want to make a quick escape.
Brass Pair on September 10, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Well since no one has ever bothered to inform Obambi, let me clue him in.
There’s only one rule when it comes to grabbing a tiger by the tail. That rule is: DON’T
Hog Wild on September 10, 2008 at 5:33 PM
I hope someone on the McCain team is having fresh killed moose and carabou shipped in to feed this LIONESS.
TheSitRep on September 10, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Genn Reynolds at Instapunditis right when he says Palin is a politician not a saint. But she is a very skilled politician. The Republicans need a few more of those.
Terrye on September 10, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Enough with the lefty talking points, seriously. She became governor at the very end of this ridiculous bridge debate. Once she had a grasp of the situation, she made a decision to say NO and scrap it. As for the money, it had already been earmarked, and she opted to use it to repair roads in Alaska. She clearly told the people of Alaska right after this bridge fiasco that they needed to not rely on the federal government for these kinds of projects – - and that they needed to be more fiscally responsible.
In other words, SHE DIDN’T JUST SHOW UP AND VOTE PRESENT on a pending controversial matter. She showed leadership.
Now, please give me an example of Obama’s leadership experience. I’ll make it easy, it only has to be one, and you can include one of his community organizing ones. However, I don’t want to see you mention that his leadership experience includes running his campaign for president – - that’s cheating.
Rick on September 10, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Yes. But better. She is the embodiment of feminism I have been waiting for, for 40 years.
Basilsbest on September 10, 2008 at 5:42 PM
The Democrats are hoping that the media will do what they have been incapable of doing: take her on.
The Democrats are dreaming. She will skewer anyone in the media who is unfair to her or tries to twist what she said and done.
Basilsbest on September 10, 2008 at 5:45 PM
I don’t know how good she actually is but compared to the other side she is “outstanding”. It looks like this election is over and McCain wins. Also, Sarah will probably be the next president (after McCain). Too bad Obama, you can go back to wasting money as “community organizer”.
duff65 on September 10, 2008 at 5:46 PM
I saw her and McCain today in Fairfax. It was awesome. I met some really great people and everyone was totally charged up!
4shoes on September 10, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Ex-democrat, you are soo lucky you were so close! We were way back up on the hill.
4shoes on September 10, 2008 at 5:50 PM
I’m also surprised that Obama would dare mention earmarks. He and Biden both have horrendous records on this corrupt practice. Obama’s only been in the Senate 3 years, yet he has already requested $740 Million in earmarks, and Biden’s record is just as bad.
It wasn’t until Obama was running for president that he announced he would stop taking earmarks — in other words, he decided this corrupt and wasteful practice needed to be reformed only when it became politically expedient for him. McCain, by contrast, has been railing against earmarks, and refusing to request or accept them, for years — even though he has been criticized for it here in Arizona (in newspaper editorials, and by political opponents who say McCain isn’t “bringing home Arizona’s fair share” of pork).
So who’s the real “reform” candidate? It ain’t you, Barry O.
AZCoyote on September 10, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Really wish she would change up her stump speech some though. In this day and age where we can see every single stump speech at the click of a button it isn’t the best thing to use the same language (or even the same things) every single time. I know she’s introducing herself to America campaign stop by stop but all the same it would be beneficial to talk of more things then simply earmark reform and energy. Unless, that is, their whole campaign message which would be disappointing in my eyes.
CTDeLude on September 10, 2008 at 5:55 PM
BacaDog on September 10, 2008 at 4:38 PM
.
I live in Fairfax, helped at a polling place, and No.
AnotherOpinion on September 10, 2008 at 5:56 PM
They called me yesterday and said the venue changed because they had such a big responce.
AnotherOpinion on September 10, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Bite him again
pitbullSarah!TooTall on September 10, 2008 at 6:02 PM
It’s high noon for Barack…
right2bright on September 10, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Sooner or later Obambi’s whiney cries of “Enough”
will become:
No Mas!
auzerais on September 10, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Ouchiwawa! We can officially refer to Obama as a eunich.
SouthernGent on September 10, 2008 at 6:16 PM
“Our Opponent”
Does Obama even have a running mate?
Elizabetty on September 10, 2008 at 6:19 PM
I’m in Luuuuv!!!
sabbott on September 10, 2008 at 6:21 PM
I heard it was moved because a bunch of parents complained that it was being held in a (gasp!) school.
4shoes on September 10, 2008 at 6:22 PM
” Obama walked into this trap all on his own, and Palin merely pulled the
levertrigger.”She’s a hunter after all.
Don Carne on September 10, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Der Gaffenmeister keep on giving. Nice summer/fall!
p.s. fall c/b a Freudian slip.
Entelechy on September 10, 2008 at 6:31 PM
You’ve hit the nail on the head. I love her and she’s the best thing to arrive on the political scene in aeons but they have to address this problem of repeating the same speech and do it quick.
schiehallion on September 10, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Did George Bush veto that much in spending during his whole first term?
Oh, but it only took her 19 months to do it, so I guess that means she’s not “experienced” enough.
logis on September 10, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Soooooooooo, when is the first debate???
mindhacker on September 10, 2008 at 6:38 PM
I thought Bush didn’t veto anything until his second term. Am I wrong?
Count to 10 on September 10, 2008 at 6:54 PM
I agree, they need to change up the speech. She’s added a couple of things here and there, but it’s getting old. I could probably give it with just a short outline to follow.
Common Sense on September 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM
This Baracuda has torpedo tubes.
Patrick S on September 10, 2008 at 7:11 PM
I’d love to see Palin ceremoniously just stop in the middle of her speech, lean into her podium, look directly into the nearest TV cameras, and slowly, and very deliberately apply the reddest lipstick she can find, purse her lips together to spread it perfectly.
Then, just smile and let the crowd roar in appreciation for about 5 minutes – then deliver a well-timed broadside skewering line right between obama’s ears…
Fishoutofwater on September 10, 2008 at 7:49 PM
This morning I heard on the radio that she had her 4th baby shower at a gun range.
Everyday a new reason to love this woman!
Disturb the Universe on September 10, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Given his nearly billion dollar track record – not to mention the hefty chunk of cash he directed to his wife’s hospital (you know…the hospital at which she developed a plan to turn away the indigent from the emergency room) – I can’t say that I blame him for not delving on earmarks.
ManlyRash on September 10, 2008 at 7:58 PM
But she withdrew her support for it and therefore is telling the truth when she says she stopped the bridge to nowhere. And the public (ie, normal Americans, as opposed to the elite freaks in the Dem Party) LOVES her. Palinmania! Sarah’Cuda! Kawasaki glasses and upswept hair! Babies and more babies! Lots and lots of lipstick!
And the best part: there is nothing you can do to stop her.
Priceless.
ManlyRash on September 10, 2008 at 8:06 PM
And the handful of rabid idiots screaming that Governor Palin is an evil ‘hipocrite’ because she wasn’t born with a pathological hatred of all bridges will scream even louder.
And the public will love her even more. And the moonbats will scream even louder….
Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together?
logis on September 10, 2008 at 9:35 PM
How did they not see this coming? I figured this out myself about the third time I heard her repeat the line about the Bridge to Nowhere. She was basically waving a red cape in front of a bull in order to draw them into the discussion about earmarks. Now when she talks about Biden’s and Obama’s votes in favor of the bridge it will be in front of a huge audience in her interview with Charles Gibson.
Obama’s team is getting punked on an almost daily basis.
rsrobinson on September 10, 2008 at 9:39 PM
I love Palin, but it’s time to put the ‘jet’ story to rest. It’s run it’s course, and will soon start sounding like Obama’s “I am the person we’ve been waiting for’ thing.
Kevin M on September 10, 2008 at 9:42 PM
The bull never figures that out – because it’s a bull. It only knows how to do one thing, so that’s what it ALWAYS does.
That’s what Karl Rove always based his plans on: you can always trust liberals – to be liberals. You can see his hand in this. The big difference is that the McCain campaign is being a lot more pro-active than Bush ever was. I suspect that Bush always held Rove back before, but I think McCain and our beloved pit bull aren’t being quite as prissy about that sort of thing.
logis on September 10, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Over at powerlineblog, John Hinderaker posts some information about who the real fiscal pigs are.
onlineanalyst on September 10, 2008 at 9:58 PM
I really don’t want to see Barack or Biden wearing lipstick.
Mr. Bingley on September 10, 2008 at 10:13 PM
But what’s really inspiring… she is a very skilled and principled politician! Talk about a rare find!
dominigan on September 10, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Perhaps I just haven’t seen a report on this yet, but…I wonder how all the knee-jerk Democrat women (those who vote Democrat because they believe it’s the party of women) are reacting to all of us sexist Republican men chomping at the bit to vote for the only ticket with a woman on it. I’m talking about the rank and file, not the bloggers and pundits. How do they make sense out of our delight to have this woman in our party and running for such a high office. And…our desire to vote for her as President in the future. Or do they just dismiss her as “not really a woman” like Clarence Thomas is “not really black”?
SKYFOX on September 11, 2008 at 5:28 AM
Wow, that’s the oldest Secret Service guy I’ve ever seen!
Jim Treacher on September 11, 2008 at 6:05 AM
McCain picks Lieberman as VP: Destroys Republican Party
McCain picks Palin as VP: Destroys Democrat Party
Obama picks Hillary as VP: Wins election? (Maybe)
Obama picks Biden as VP: Mistake (according to Biden)
I believe McCain has surprised many of us by his first major decision. If the rest of his selections (cabinet, judges) are similar, he will make conservative Republicans very happy.
jerseyman on September 11, 2008 at 12:45 PM
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