Wonder how the RT will cover this issue? Oh, and doesn't it make you feel comfortable and secure knowing Carilion is joining forces with a university with absolutely no medical education background -goodness, I forgot about the vet school...
Comment by Carilion Employee — August 29, 2008 @ 10:15 am
For more on the topic check out wherethemoneygoes.com and do a search on Carilion. Ed's comment/response is pretty lame. This would be a great story for a 60 minutes style investigation but naturally, the Roanoke Times won't do it. How many street corner millions of dollar facilities does Roanoke need? The fat just keep getting fatter.
Kind of hard to continue pressing the "Obama-isn't-experienced-enough" meme, though, if your No. 2 has only been governor of a state with a tiny population for two years - and prior to that was the mayor of a town a quarter of the size of Salem.
Isn't it?
Comment by Dan Radmacher — August 29, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Hey Carilion Employee, looks like you forget the Edward Via School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Not really, Dan. She is running for VP, not President. The VP is supposed to be the weaker candidate. The Democrats just have a weird ticket where the VP is vastly more qualified than the President. She got more done in two years as Governor than Obama did in 12 years in politics.
The Democrats don't want to wave the "inexperienced" flag. That's just shooting yourself in the foot.
I did recall the DO school at Tech after my intial post, however, that is not the same as the medical school Carilion is proposing. I fear that the MDs emerging from the Tech/Carilion school will just be clones for the "Carilion Way".
Comment by Carilion Employee — August 29, 2008 @ 11:20 am
When you are the vice president of a 72-year-old man, you better be ready to jump into the top spot at any moment.
She may be ready, but her resume is far weaker than Obama's - and I'll grant that his resume isn't the deepest.
I think this is a tactical error on McCain's part. The best line of attack he had was Obama's inexperience. By picking someone even less experienced for his veep, he has gutted his ability to continue that attack with any credibility whatsoever.
Comment by Dan Radmacher — August 29, 2008 @ 11:29 am
Dan, I'm not sure that I ever accused Obama of lacking experience. If experience is something you carry in a sack, then pundits would argue McCain already has his, and therefore would not need to bring on someone. Further, the argument you referenced was for the President slot, not necessarily the VP slot.
Not that I think "lack of experience" was the strongest argument, anyway. Obama has been in government/politics for a few years and fits the requirements to be President (age, etc.).
I think McCain's choice of Palin demonstrates his campaign's decision to pander to the distaff members of the voting public. If he were intent on choosing someone that had depth of experience while at the same time indicating his confidence in a female running mate, his choice should have been Hutchinson of TX.
He opted for visual youth to try to balance the age issue. I'm sorry for McCain that his campaign has reached such a shallow point. While I don't agree with the McCain of today, back in 2000 I would have gladly voted for him.
Dan,
using age again huh.
What about the age of Biden.
That is like me saying that when your the VP of a Black man Biden better be ready to jump in.
What about Bidens age?
I knew it would not take long for the left to start hammering out the rep. VP.
but you better watch it you have alot of Tee'd off Clinton women out there that might vote for Palin if you guys start using her gender and age.
Comment by HERB KREBS — August 29, 2008 @ 11:58 am
Hutchinson or Snowe would have been better picks if McCain's aim was to select a woman with the same level of creds that Clinton has.
His problem, of course, is that there are too few Republican (and Democratic for that matter) women in high elected offices.
EXPERIENCE a weakness for PALIN?? She has been an executive and running a gov entity, the state of Alaska, just as long as OBAMA has been a member of the senate-NOT HOLDING MEETINGS on his senate subcommittee on AFghanistan.
Hutchinson is too old for a 72 year-old president. McCain wanted a governor. Romney was just too squishy.
The Democrats had all the good candidates this year. Obama was foolish for not picking Evan Bayh of Indiana. But Obama picked the safe candidate. McCain pushed the envelope.
Luanne,
She brings a number of things.
She will bring back the conservative base.
She will bring blue coller persons to Mccain, women to Mccain and also some Enviromentalists.
All I can say is I will be holding my vote until she shows she can handle Joe Biden in a Debate.
If she does,the Democratic party better watch out.
Mccain and Palin will have the right and the center bases.
For decades, we have been criticizing the "Washington Insiders" so McCain throws down the gauntlet. Go for a young lion that is out in the sticks. Hockey mom, sportman, mayor, governor. Her best assets are her intelligence, her ability to lead and get things done and her youth.
Most of all, the media has completely forgotten that Obama gave a speech last night. They are too busy trying to spin Palin to remember to attend worship services. McCain will not let Obama out of his corner.
I hope Gov. Palin can adjust to a higher level of press scrutiny. In early March, she announced to the press that she was seven months pregnant. You'd think someone in the vigilant Alaskan press corps might have noted that earlier.
Comment by Dan Radmacher — August 29, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
She will have to deal with the press which is mostly left hammering her on all fronts. We will see. I just hope they leave her down syndrome child out, but I am sure it will play into something if papers like the W.P, New York Times and R.T
have something to do with it. As for the rest of the family.
I think they are in game just like Obama's wife if they publicly campaign for her.
"I just hope they leave her down syndrome child out, but I am sure it will play into something if papers like the W.P, New York Times and R.T
have something to do with it."
Palin was chosen by McCain despite her inexperience and his campaign's claims that Obama's inexperience disqualified him from being commander in chief.
Obama - so far - has been chosen by tens of millions of Americans and has inspired the world with the possibility of resurging American greatness.
The argument about Obama's experience didn't dissuade the tens of millions of Americans who enthusiastically support him because they understand and appreciate the vision he has spelled out so eloquently for our nation.
McCain chose Palin. That was his first executive decision.
There is an enormous difference between the voting public making their voices heard and selecting an individual who convention tells us lacks experience, and a seasoned lawmaker - who has been arguing vehemently against Obama because of his lack of experience - to then select someone with even LESS experience.
Obama overcame almost two years of relentless attacks by the fiercest political machines in American history and was still able to stand with dignity and grace in front of 84,000 people and carefully lay out why his candidacy deserves even more support than it has already received.
Does McCain really think so little of women that he imagines just having one on his ticket will convince a great many of them to vote for him? Seems odd and insulting.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 29, 2008 @ 4:07 pm
Dan... early MArch in ALASKA.. its cold up there..folks dress in layers..LOTS OF THEM..and you wonder why noone notices a size 6-8 woman is 7 months pregnant??
Wonder if Palin knows what US states borders hers?? Or how many states are in the Union?
Wonder if she has ever fainted before... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndl57E7UJno
So, this 72 year old presidential candidate meets this former beauty queen at a conference - no, wait that's not where this is going.
He met her ONCE - back in February at the NGA Conference and that was good enough to put her in as his VP????? That's judgment????
McCain needs to have his head examined - as does anybody who buys the party spin on this one.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 29, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
So let's see. The Democrats pick an inexperienced junior Senator with almost no legislative experience and no executive experience who happens to be a minority and it's categorized as a move for change that we can all believe in, fresh ideas, moving away from the same old politics, blah, blah, blah (add your own catchphrase or buzzword here). When he picks one of the best known, most long-term Washington insiders as his VP choice, we should ignore it because after all, it is only the VP.
But when McCain picks a one term Governor for his VP, its an awful choice because she is unknown.
Funny when it's the Democratic candidate, the inexperience brings a new voice with fresh ideas to the table, but when it is a Republican, it's a dangerous choice that we don't want "answering the phone at three in the morning."
What a bunch of hypocrites. It sounds like a bunch of whining children who are mad because now they might not be guaranteed the entirety of the female vote.
Actually - there's nothing hypocritical about it. The democratic VOTERS selected Barack Obama. Get it - the VOTERS.
John McCain chose Palin. See the difference.
One is the people. The other is an example of McCain's judgment (if that's what we can call this).
So - if your concern is that Obama doesn't have adequate experience, at least you now know that Joe Biden has his back.
Who has McCain's back? See the difference?
The women who are not insulted by McCain's blatant pandering by his beauty pageant finalist cum VP candidate probably weren't voting for Obama anyway (or Hillary). See the difference?
There is NOTHING funny about this. It is frightening that this is going to be justified as a reasonable choice.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 29, 2008 @ 7:38 pm
She's NRA - great, which is a GOP given, but the Red States will like this. She likes Moose Burgers. I wonder how many Moose Burgers you can get out of one of those 1/2 ton animals? Oh, she knows how to sell airplanes on E-bay. Gosh, let's hope she won't be trying to sell any of our multi-billon dollar B2s. She's a maverick, and John Nance Garner said the VP wasn't worth a warm bucket of spit. John too bad you can't see this babe you might form a different opinion.
Most hypocrits don't see their own hypocrisy. By the way, some of the democratic voters selected Obama, but he was nominated by the appointed superdelegates. Get it-the SUPERDELEGATES?
The feigned indignation to "McCain's blatant pandering" also strike a hypocritical note. Are we really supposed to believe 90% of black voters support Obama because of his qualifications? Both parties pander to every voting demographic they can. It's called campaigning. Only, when the democrats do it, they call it diversity. When a Republican does it, the Dems call it pandering.
Everyone will vote for their choice, but I find it illogical to say "When I vote for President, I'll forgo a more qualified Presidential candidate because the weaker candidate has a stronger second in command." Aren't we voting for the President?
So far all Obama has demonstrated is strong oratory skills and good speech-writing staff. McCain has demonstrated a life-long dedication to the service of this nation. See the difference?
"With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he's been a governor for three years. He's been able but undistinguished. I don't think people could really name a big, important thing that he's done ... [Kaine] was mayor of the 105th largest city in America. And again, with all due respect to Richmond, Virginia, it's smaller than Chula Vista, California; Aurora, Colorado; Mesa, or Gilbert, Arizona; North Las Vegas, or Henderson, Nevada. It's not a big town."
This time next week, I predict a 5% McCain lead over Obama in the Rasmussen daily tracking poll.
Biden never got more than 5% of the primary vote in his run. His big issue for the past 2 years was to split Iraq into three separate countries.
The Obama campaign has yet to mention that bit of stupidity when it talks about Biden's foreign policy experience. The Iraqis never even considered that option! They all seem to be getting along quite nicely now.
If you watched Obama's speech last night, he stated judgement was more important than experience. So it seems experience is off the table in this election!
The Ayers, Rev. Wright, and Rezko, issues show Obama's lack of judgement.
Well, we made it to post 33 before the name calling began. That has to be a first. Hillarys' question about the 3 AM phone call is even more important now.
Bottom line. Obama stole the nomination from Hillary. I bet the DNC is kicking themselves right now.
I was reading up on the relationship of Obama and terrorist William Ayers and noticed they were founders of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge. Annenberg? Annenberg? Where have I seen that name? Oh yeah.
http://www.factcheck.org/ is run by the Annenberg Public Policy Center. They are the site that verified Obama's birth certificate.
C Ramsey: "Most hypocrits don't see their own hypocrisy."
Good point, C. For instance, let's turn things around from your post:
"Republicans assail the Democrats for picking an inexperienced junior Senator they say has almost no legislative experience and no executive experience.
"But when McCain picks a one term Governor for his VP, its a wonderful choice because it's a move for change that we can all believe in, fresh ideas, moving away from the same old politics, blah, blah, blah (add your own catchphrase or buzzword here)."
Starting to feel the hypocrisy yet, C?
Comment by Dan Radmacher — August 29, 2008 @ 10:24 pm
The last thing I want "answering the phone at 3 in the morning" is a couple of blowhard socialists who both think they're brilliant. They're both even more pretentious than Al Gore, if that's possible.
McCain hammered a huge nail into the ailing Dems today. This will be fun to watch.
I find it hilarious Obama and his minions like Dan are comparing himself to the Veep candidate. And guess what, Barack. You STILL lose. She was a state governor. You've never run anything in your life.
Meanwhile the MSM is furious because McCain didn't pick a pro-abortion candidate. Odd how they weren't mad at Obama for picking another far-left extremist in Biden.
One thing that scares liberals more than anything else is a strong attractive conservative woman. She's got a kid in Iraq, she's beautiful and she's pro-life.
A one term governor. Yeah, that would be like picking
Tim Kaine
Palin has more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined. Except for his military career as an officer, she has more executive experience than McCain as well.
The DNC bio of Obama skips over the period of his life spent in Islamic Indonesia and his "flirtation" with socialism and hard drugs at university. I wonder why? Just youthful indiscretion?
Funny, the MSM was not so understanding about unproven alegations about president Bush.
The more the American voters learn about Obama, the more they will become disenchanted and the Dems are worried. Obama can't close the deal!
The plain simple fact of this election is still overlooked regularly. To the majority of voters in November, its not going to boil down to the level of experience of the candidates, people are going to have a very very difficult time pulling the lever for a name like Barack Obama as opposed to John, George, Bill, Ron, Jim, Gerald, etc...
If it was Tom Obama, Mike Obama, Stephen Obama, he would have a fighting chance. Its pretty shallow for the public to view things that way, but thats how it is. Ain't ever gonna change either.
This is where things start getting really squirrelly.
The MSM's supposed outraged about somebody's stance on abortion??
It's a fact that Obama stole the nomination from Hillary???
These leaps from logic are astonishing.
Millions will vote for Obama and millions will vote for McCain. One can argue until November 4 that Palin has more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined but anybody who claims they think she's ready to be one 72 year old cancer survivor's heartbeat from the Oval Office is - well - not being honest with himself.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 30, 2008 @ 9:41 am
The point is, you minions are saying how unqualified Palin is, but your #1 guy is LESS qualified. That's why it's incredible you people are going down this track.
Open your mind and read my post. I never said word one about Palin being a good or bad choice. I only pointed out the hypocrisy in the Demcratic stance that she is too inexperienced to be VP when she has more executive experience than the Dems candidate not for VP but for President. And again, if you'll read post #36, you'll see that I said BOTH sides pander to the voters. The difference is I will recognize and admit that McCain probably based his choice on trying to reach specific demographics. The liberals will never admit the same about their 'savior'.
And please don't worry yourself about whether or not I'm feeling the hypocrisy. If I ever notice a big shortage of hypocrites around, the editorial page is only a mouse click away.
Veeps notwithstanding, the whole election boils down to McCain, a kind of moderate Republican, and Obama who is a Marxist. Why the MSM, Dan, Luanne and Christian are sooooo in the tank for Obama really puzzles me. I can understand why many of his uninformed supporters fall for his great oration and vacuous message, but I would assume (big mistake) that 'journalists' are relatively educated and somewhat well read.
Free markets, the private sector, and individualism are what has made this country great, not nanny-state big government/vote buying policies that those on the far far left are trying to foist upon this country.
How about it Dan and company. What is the real attraction of Marxism/socialism? I am seriously curious.
Minions? I get to cast one vote just like other contributors here and millions of other Americans.
I'm not going to waste my vote on a candidate about whose temperament his own GOP colleagues have repeatedly expressed concern. This is no secret. He has a hair trigger and could not be less suited mentally/emotionally to sit in the Oval office. Call it PTSD or whatever you like - it's widely known.
He has had 4 bouts with cancer. He is 72. He has picked a running mate whose experience could not possibly be of more concern. She is a self-described hockey mom. She was a part-time local sportscaster. A beauty pageant runner up. She was active in the PTA. She has a degree in journalism from U of Idaho. McCain met her ONCE - ONCE! before selecting her as his running mate. She did an interview this spring where she confessed she had no idea what the VP even does - this SPRING. Her son is about to go to Iraq and she confessed in a separate interview that she hasn't thought much about Iraq. She is the subject of an active federal investigation into abuse of power in her short 20 months as Governor of Alaska. The two major papers in Alaska have expressed deep concern about her lack of knowledge on federal and foreign policy issues. DOES THIS NOT CONCERN YOU??? SERIOUSLY -
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 30, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
Nick,
I said before that I am not a big fan of Obama, and I still feel that way. I agree with Henry that Hillary would have been the better candidate. I was hoping that McCain would show his experience and make my decision easier. With his years in Congress I expected he would run on his record and stay above the fray. Instead he attacks Obama for his inexperience, and then picks a VP that has even less (Mayor of a small town, and Governor of a state with a population slightly above D.C. for less than two years).
Does McCain in all of his years in Washington have nothing to offer other than the same old, same old? Any ground breaking legislation, anything at all to make him a decidedly better choice? I had hoped his VP choice would have helped make my decision easier. Instead, it just raises more questions. While I certainly hope not, at seventy two years of age, there is the possibility that the VP may be called upon. Are you comfortable with his decision?
It is a shame that the only choices we have are so weak, that the deciding factor may come down to who is the better choice for Vice-President. At least the drama adds a little more interest to what I consider to be a lackluster Presidential race.
There are millions of women who are going to resent a man saying a woman who is raising 5 children, managing a home and a career, and got elected governor; lacks the ability to handle the role of VP and being a heart beat away from the president!
They will consider that a "male attitude" and sexist.
Experience will not trump gender for millions of women voters. Just as experience will not trump race for those suffering from white guilt.
Nick,
The RT won't answer you. They never do because to do so, they would have to admit they favor higher taxes and more spending, which all serious economists agree is destructive to the economy.
Josh,
If I were to state a presidental candidate as a Nazi and then question RT editorial writers why they were "in the tank" with this Nazi I really would not expect a reply. However, it would serve the purpose of casting a very negative view on this candidate and hopefully bring in more voters to my choice -- the non-Nazi of course.
You might want to take a look at the demographics of the voting pattern when Geraldine Ferraro was a VP candidate.
Simply put, I don't think Palin is ready for the job of VP nor do I think she's ready for the job of President should something happen to McCain. I don't agree with her position on several points. As for her experience...her qualifications based on her resume don't fit the job description of Vice President. Any smart human resources person would see that. A cabinet position...she may be very capable but not VP.
To all you NAZI Republicans that demand the country march lockstep with your position...you carp about freedom and independence and liberty till the cows come home yet if someone differs in your opinion, they're called Marxists.
Adolph Hitler continually reduced the power of the people and grew the surveillance of its population. Anyone remember the SS or the Gustapo?
You folks need to take a step back and listen to your rhetoric for a minute. Its becoming chilling. Some might say it's far fetched, but the growing gap between the rich and the poor is growing with greater numbers of people falling into the latter category. Such conditions have been known to be revolutionary in nature. May want to think about that as well.
Do you seriously consider Palin 'experienced'? She was governor of Alaska for a little over a year and a half. That's a state with a population of about 680,00. There are probaly 20 US cities bigger than that. Prior to that she was mayor of a town the size of Vinton. If that passes for experience your bar is mighty low.
I expect that it will be the women of this nation who will become Mrs. Palin's fiercest critics. I think that the vast majority of women will see Palin's selection by McCain as insulting. There are a number of fantastic, respectable, experienced women Republicans who would have been far better and more appropriate choices.
The insulting attitude toward women here - in my humble male opinion - is by the GOP. They appear to believe that by picking a woman (apparently any woman will do) they are going to draw a substantial number of women voters to the republican ticket. I guess we're going to see how this works out for them.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 31, 2008 @ 9:59 am
Comment by Blue John — September 1, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
Will,
Normally I believe your well-intentioned, misguided, but well-intentioned. Sadly, now you have resorted to name calling (NAZI Republicans).
People aren't saying Obama is a socialist or a Marxist as an insult. They are saying that because much of his political dogma is derived straight from the socialist economic position which is, from the teachings of Marx, the next evolutionary step following communism.
I feel like Obama is offering some sort of mutated blend of socialism and capitalism. The problem is the two philosophies don't compliment each other well. Socialism requires more and more government oversight and involvement, the very thing you speak against in referencing Nazi Germany.
Further, Obama seeks to negotiate with our enemies. It is ironic that you would hold Nazi Germany as the reference point for evil, and mention the Gestapo and the SS, when the enemies with whom Obama now seeks to negotiate were allies to and still share many of the same ideologies as Hitler.
Think I'm mistaken? Do some research about Hitler's relationship with the Grand Mufti of Palestine in the 30's. Tell me about the Hanjar Division of the Waffen SS and their relation to the modern day problems in Bosnia. After all, you brought it up. Take a look at Radical Islamic media propaganda and compare it to the propaganda of the Nazis. See if you notice any similarities. Yet according to you, Republicans are the Nazis.
While appeasement and negotiation may sound good to folks disillusioned with and weary of the constant costs of war, it has been woefully ineffective in the past. WWII and the Cold War weren't won by negotiating with Hitler and the USSR. Both of those conflicts were won from a position of power supported by a strong military and a free economy.
Appeasement was a dismal failure in containing Hitler. Oh they hoped it would work, but it failed because the powers that were failed to recognize Hitler's true objective, much as most Americans have failed to identify the true objective of today's terrorists. Radical Islam has declared a holy war against the West, a declaration that many, if not most Americans have chosen to ignore. I have no doubt you will dismiss me as a fear-mongering purveyor of hate, but I choose not to ignore the lessons of the past.
Comment by C Ramsey — September 1, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Now the Democrats will have to figure out how to criticize her for having a teen who is pregnant without annoying the base.
Especially when Obama's mother was a pregnant teen before she got married.
Barack Obama has exactly the same amount and type of experience as Abraham Lincoln had when he became President; 2 terms in the Illinois legislature, 1 term in the US Senate.
Early tracking polls don't interest me.
McCain's team didn't properly vett this woman and it's going to end up all over their faces. The stuff that has blown up in the last 3 days is astonishing.
John McCain met Sarah Palin 2 times prior to announcing her as his running mate. Once for 15 minutes in February and then the day before the announcement. That's it.
Her politics matter less to me than the idea that Johm McCain would make a choice - with all the other really solid options available to him - based on one brief meeting.
Does this not strike any of you as totally absurd?
I know that none of you will ever vote for Obama and each of you have your reasons. We will each make our choice.
I will tell you though that I was planning to vote for McCain when this election cycle started - but I am concerned that he is becoming more erratic, angry, and unpredictable with each passing day.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — September 1, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
Palin is what an America should be: hard-working, conservative, and loyal to both family and country. McCain made a great pick that steals the contrived "historic" nomination of socialist Obama.
It must be hard for Democrats to be proud of an America that nominates a strong Republican woman.
Blue John your link above posted at 1:39 PM reminds me of a Doonesbury strip where his last frame ended with "Another Family Values icon goes down in flames." I went to my email and found all of those "Chain letter" types I've gotten, cut out old link and pasted in the above link and Forwarded to ALL.
Our daughter got her BS from William & Mary and two Master degrees from Cornell (I always think of Ruth Bader Ginsberg), got married at age 27, had sons at 31 and 34. She is turned off with the devious Republican Party and their exploitation of "Family Values."
How many of you would hire somebody after meeting them briefly 2 times?
How many of you could legitimately claim somebody as your soulmate after meeting them 2 times?
How many of you would entrust your loved ones to somebody after meeting them 2 times?
How many of you would trust somebody to be in charge of your PTA after meeting them 2 times?
This is lunacy of the highest order. The teen pregancy, the husbands DUI, investigation for firing the Police Commissioner, Firing the Police Chief of Wassila, Her flying while 8 months pregnant with a high risk baby in utero, her not being "really focused on the war in Iraq" as the Commander in Chief of the Alaska National Guard and having her oldest child going there.....
LUNACY
Comment by Concerned for the Future — September 1, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
I've hired many people after meeting them ONCE. The obvious reason is you can vet people any number of ways, from documented accomplishments as well as personal and professional references. You seem to be obsessing on something really silly here. What you ought to be worried about is supporting someone for the top job like Obama who has not only gone unvetted by the MSM, but has tried to actually hide his past.
The fact remains. Palin is more qualified to lead than the Democrats' number one guy.
Not only that, Palin is so qualified, the Democrats are reduced to attacking her children to try and get traction. That's all they have. Meanwhile, Obama and Biden are dodging scandals involving them, not their kids.
When Al Gore Jr was busted for drugs when he was 17, the media refused to cover it because children were off-limits. It must be nice to be a Democrat.
If Obama has gone unvetted by the MSM. I suspect he's gone under the microscope at a higher level than most have during the past 25 years just because of being black with a different kind of name.
Henry...kindly define the scandals of Obama and Biden. If there are any, FOX certainly hasn't reported them.
I can definitely recommend that a better grade of Kool-Aide be selected before making your posts.
My problem with Palin is that she doesn't practice what she preaches everyone else should be in such a blatent manner.
Imagine though - just for a second - if Michelle Obama had a DUI like Todd Palin. Be honest. Obama wouldn't have gotten past Iowa.
Imagine if the Obama's daughter was 17 and pregnant how that would be viewed - be honest. Obama wouldn't have gotten TO Iowa.
Now we find out that Palin was raising money for indicted Senator Ted Stevens' 527 and is on record as having supported the now infamous bridge to nowhere.
From the Washinton Post:
ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 1 -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for a town of 6,700 residents while she was its mayor, according to an analysis by an independent government watchdog group.
EARMARKS: Palin's Small Alaska Town Secured Big Federal Funds
GOP Running Mates Rework Message, Put Accent on 'Change'
Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. ET: Election 2008: Republicans in Hollywood
McCain and Palin Begin Joint Campaign
Cindy McCain Encourages Gustav Relief
The Trail: McCain Raises Record $47 Million, Thanks to Palin
View All Items in This Story
View Only Top Items in This Story
There was $500,000 for a youth shelter, $1.9 million for a transportation hub, $900,000 for sewer repairs, and $15 million for a rail project -- all intended to benefit Palin's town, Wasilla, located about 45 miles north of Anchorage.
In introducing Palin as his running mate on Friday, Sen. John McCain cast her as a compatriot in his battle against wasteful federal spending. McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, hailed Palin as a politician "with an outstanding reputation for standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies -- someone who has fought against corruption and the failed policies of the past, someone who's stopped government from wasting taxpayers' money."
$27Million of our tax dollars for 6700 people? That's more than $4000 per person in handouts. Multiply by 300 million Americans: $1.2 trillion in earmarks??
I've hired people after just one meeting as well. But for what kind of a job? And after 15 minutes? Be honest for heaven's sake.
If you actually read and think about my posts you cannot dispute that this is a potential disaster for the USA. Be honest.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — September 2, 2008 @ 8:06 am
"if Michelle Obama had a DUI like Todd Palin. Be honest. Obama wouldn't have gotten past Iowa."
The President had a DUI. He won two terms. Bill Clinton was on tape talking to his mistress. He won two terms.
Gotta love this MSM spin on Palin's experience. I heard it on two MSM morning shows, so it must be an official talking point.
They're saying Sarah Palin doesn't have any NATIONAL experience now. Never mind that most recent presidents have only been governors without national experience. That would include Carter and Clinton, Reagan, and Bush.
So now it's national experience that is the prerequisite. OK. I guess this is the only way they can differentiate and prop up their vacuous candidate. Not even a full senate term. LOL.
The difference is - as if you didn't get my point - that Obama is (shhhhh)a black man.
So, add to the fine, hardworking white Americans who wouldn't vote for a black man anyway - and you add a DUI to his black wife's resume, and a black teen with an out-of-wedlock pregnancy and he wouldn't stand a chance. In fact, he probably wouldn't have gotten into the Illinois State Legislature, let alone the US Senate.
You can parse this to your heart's content - but there is a clear and indisputable bias that thankfully has had to play out in such an ugly way.
Palin's record is filled with troubling issues - even if we leave the family out of it.
My main point though is that McCain has made his selection of running mate based on a 15 minute meeting. That is simply bizarre.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — September 2, 2008 @ 9:49 am
From a slightly different perspective.
If Mrs. Palin can't positively influence the behavior of one of her closest constituents, how should we expect her to influence the decision making process of national and foreign leaders of the world?
Oh my God Will, you guys really are desparate. Apparently they have nothing with which to attack McCain so the liberals have abandoned all the 'values' they profess to believe in to attack this woman and her family.
"If Mrs. Palin can't positively influence the behavior of one of her closest constituents, how should we expect her to influence the decision making process of national and foreign leaders of the world?"
Really? Shall we talk about how Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton successfully influenced Billy and Roger?
They are throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the McCain campaign because they can't compete on substance. So now they attack the Palin family. Palin's husband had a DUI at roughly the same time that Barack Obama was doing cocaine and helping a terrorist spend money.
I have an older sister for which I have absolutely no control. She neither influences me nor do I influence her.
On the other hand, I would say that most parents would or should exercise a considerable amount of influence on their own children. I know my parents in fact did so to me.
You brought up the glass house perspective...yes indeed people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks. Perhaps if Mrs. Palin's rhetoric has been less accusatory, she wouldn't find herself the center of the discussion.
I guess it is true that in the politics of today, we must choose between the lesser of rather than the greater of two choices.
As for McCain...my problem with him is that he's become the product of the typical Republican machine. There is nothing unique about him now that he's parroting the standard Republican agenda.
Case in point, even though he's been in favor of abortion in cases of rape, incest and health of the mother issues, he refrained from interjecting that language into the Republican platform so as to appease the hard pro-birth attendees.
He might be a maverick..but I think the reigns have been severely tightened on this horse.
There are 87 posts as I write this. If it would help to lay the issue to rest, I will take one for the team and volunteer to spend the weekend with Ms. Palin. I will discuss your concerns, among other things, with her over the weekend and report back Monday with an unbiased opinion.
Thanks in advance for your support.
Comment by Blue John — September 2, 2008 @ 10:10 pm
"You brought up the glass house perspective...yes indeed people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks. Perhaps if Mrs. Palin's rhetoric has been less accusatory, she wouldn't find herself the center of the discussion."
It hasn't been. You just imagine it has been. Look up the name Larry Sinclair. Maybe we should investigate his story.
Question 1: How could you not pick Liebermann to be VP but allow him to speak at your convention?
Question 2: Where is the diversity in your party? You surely can't say this is a representation of America. Did you watch the crowd in the convention. this is the past.
Question 3: When the cartoon was drawn of Obama and his wife it was noted that he had to roll with the punches- so why the pull back on family now? Oh yeah Obama/ Biden took the high road.
Question 4: Did someone tell McCain the sky was falling?
Michelle campaigned for her husband. She spoke at the Democrat Convention. Bristol did not campaign for her mom. Michelle volunteered to join the fray. Bristol was drug into it by the media.
Okay Will, following your reasoning that parents should have better control over children, does that make Al Gore Jr's drug problems Big Al's fault? I guess it's a good thing we didn't elect him. He couldn't even influence his own son. How could he possibly influence foreign heads of state?
Are you starting to see how assinine that argument sounds?
We like to think parents have the most influence, but during the teenage years, that is often a fantasy. And just because a child sometimes disappoints a parent, it does not logically follow that the parent is a failure or that their ideals should be abandoned.
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Comment by terry — August 29, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Wow! Did the big city newspaper ever get the scoop on the local liberal rag with "the big story" about local health care!
But then the local rag has always been the lap dog of Carilion.
If you think the country needs another medical school built here in the Roanoke Valley, then I have a bridge you can buy in NYC.
Comment by John R — August 29, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Wonder how the RT will cover this issue? Oh, and doesn't it make you feel comfortable and secure knowing Carilion is joining forces with a university with absolutely no medical education background -goodness, I forgot about the vet school...
Comment by Carilion Employee — August 29, 2008 @ 10:15 am
For more on the topic check out wherethemoneygoes.com and do a search on Carilion. Ed's comment/response is pretty lame. This would be a great story for a 60 minutes style investigation but naturally, the Roanoke Times won't do it. How many street corner millions of dollar facilities does Roanoke need? The fat just keep getting fatter.
Comment by Al — August 29, 2008 @ 10:35 am
Looks like McCain is going to pick Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his VP candidate. From what I've seen so far, looks like a good choice.
Comment by Ed S. — August 29, 2008 @ 11:01 am
Kind of hard to continue pressing the "Obama-isn't-experienced-enough" meme, though, if your No. 2 has only been governor of a state with a tiny population for two years - and prior to that was the mayor of a town a quarter of the size of Salem.
Isn't it?
Comment by Dan Radmacher — August 29, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Hey Carilion Employee, looks like you forget the Edward Via School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Comment by Blue John — August 29, 2008 @ 11:12 am
Woo. I called it right.
http://blogs.roanoke.com/roundtable/state_politics/terry_mcauliffe_for_gov.html#comments
Great choice. A little low on experience but she does have executive experience(mayor, governor). McCain needed that. Very sharp person too.
Comment by Henry — August 29, 2008 @ 11:13 am
Not really, Dan. She is running for VP, not President. The VP is supposed to be the weaker candidate. The Democrats just have a weird ticket where the VP is vastly more qualified than the President. She got more done in two years as Governor than Obama did in 12 years in politics.
The Democrats don't want to wave the "inexperienced" flag. That's just shooting yourself in the foot.
Comment by Henry — August 29, 2008 @ 11:18 am
I did recall the DO school at Tech after my intial post, however, that is not the same as the medical school Carilion is proposing. I fear that the MDs emerging from the Tech/Carilion school will just be clones for the "Carilion Way".
Comment by Carilion Employee — August 29, 2008 @ 11:20 am
Looks like I forgEt an o.
Comment by Blue John — August 29, 2008 @ 11:21 am
Henry,
When you are the vice president of a 72-year-old man, you better be ready to jump into the top spot at any moment.
She may be ready, but her resume is far weaker than Obama's - and I'll grant that his resume isn't the deepest.
I think this is a tactical error on McCain's part. The best line of attack he had was Obama's inexperience. By picking someone even less experienced for his veep, he has gutted his ability to continue that attack with any credibility whatsoever.
Comment by Dan Radmacher — August 29, 2008 @ 11:29 am
Dan, I'm not sure that I ever accused Obama of lacking experience. If experience is something you carry in a sack, then pundits would argue McCain already has his, and therefore would not need to bring on someone. Further, the argument you referenced was for the President slot, not necessarily the VP slot.
Not that I think "lack of experience" was the strongest argument, anyway. Obama has been in government/politics for a few years and fits the requirements to be President (age, etc.).
Comment by Ed S. — August 29, 2008 @ 11:30 am
I think McCain's choice of Palin demonstrates his campaign's decision to pander to the distaff members of the voting public. If he were intent on choosing someone that had depth of experience while at the same time indicating his confidence in a female running mate, his choice should have been Hutchinson of TX.
He opted for visual youth to try to balance the age issue. I'm sorry for McCain that his campaign has reached such a shallow point. While I don't agree with the McCain of today, back in 2000 I would have gladly voted for him.
I think its going to be a rather sad end for him.
Comment by Will — August 29, 2008 @ 11:41 am
Dan,
using age again huh.
What about the age of Biden.
That is like me saying that when your the VP of a Black man Biden better be ready to jump in.
What about Bidens age?
I knew it would not take long for the left to start hammering out the rep. VP.
but you better watch it you have alot of Tee'd off Clinton women out there that might vote for Palin if you guys start using her gender and age.
Comment by HERB KREBS — August 29, 2008 @ 11:58 am
Hutchinson or Snowe would have been better picks if McCain's aim was to select a woman with the same level of creds that Clinton has.
His problem, of course, is that there are too few Republican (and Democratic for that matter) women in high elected offices.
Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics does a nice job keeping tabs at all levels.
http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/fast_facts/index.php
Comment by luanne t — August 29, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
EXPERIENCE a weakness for PALIN?? She has been an executive and running a gov entity, the state of Alaska, just as long as OBAMA has been a member of the senate-NOT HOLDING MEETINGS on his senate subcommittee on AFghanistan.
Comment by BUD — August 29, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
Hutchinson is too old for a 72 year-old president. McCain wanted a governor. Romney was just too squishy.
The Democrats had all the good candidates this year. Obama was foolish for not picking Evan Bayh of Indiana. But Obama picked the safe candidate. McCain pushed the envelope.
Comment by Henry — August 29, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
Moving beyond the experience debate, what does Palin bring to the national table or to the Republican ticket?
Comment by luanne t — August 29, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
Luanne,
She brings a number of things.
She will bring back the conservative base.
She will bring blue coller persons to Mccain, women to Mccain and also some Enviromentalists.
All I can say is I will be holding my vote until she shows she can handle Joe Biden in a Debate.
If she does,the Democratic party better watch out.
Mccain and Palin will have the right and the center bases.
Comment by HERB KREBS — August 29, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
For decades, we have been criticizing the "Washington Insiders" so McCain throws down the gauntlet. Go for a young lion that is out in the sticks. Hockey mom, sportman, mayor, governor. Her best assets are her intelligence, her ability to lead and get things done and her youth.
Most of all, the media has completely forgotten that Obama gave a speech last night. They are too busy trying to spin Palin to remember to attend worship services. McCain will not let Obama out of his corner.
Comment by Henry — August 29, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
I hope Gov. Palin can adjust to a higher level of press scrutiny. In early March, she announced to the press that she was seven months pregnant. You'd think someone in the vigilant Alaskan press corps might have noted that earlier.
Comment by Dan Radmacher — August 29, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
She will have to deal with the press which is mostly left hammering her on all fronts. We will see. I just hope they leave her down syndrome child out, but I am sure it will play into something if papers like the W.P, New York Times and R.T
have something to do with it. As for the rest of the family.
I think they are in game just like Obama's wife if they publicly campaign for her.
Comment by HERB KREBS — August 29, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
"I just hope they leave her down syndrome child out, but I am sure it will play into something if papers like the W.P, New York Times and R.T
have something to do with it."
Looks like you brought the subject up first Herb!
Comment by Blue John — August 29, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
Only because I see whats going to happen.
Why does the left always repeat everything they dont seem to think is right.
Sound like a parrott.
Comment by HERB KREBS — August 29, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
"Why does the left always repeat everything they dont seem to think is right."
To make sure the right understands the subject at hand!
Comment by Blue John — August 29, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
Palin was chosen by McCain despite her inexperience and his campaign's claims that Obama's inexperience disqualified him from being commander in chief.
Obama - so far - has been chosen by tens of millions of Americans and has inspired the world with the possibility of resurging American greatness.
The argument about Obama's experience didn't dissuade the tens of millions of Americans who enthusiastically support him because they understand and appreciate the vision he has spelled out so eloquently for our nation.
McCain chose Palin. That was his first executive decision.
There is an enormous difference between the voting public making their voices heard and selecting an individual who convention tells us lacks experience, and a seasoned lawmaker - who has been arguing vehemently against Obama because of his lack of experience - to then select someone with even LESS experience.
Obama overcame almost two years of relentless attacks by the fiercest political machines in American history and was still able to stand with dignity and grace in front of 84,000 people and carefully lay out why his candidacy deserves even more support than it has already received.
Does McCain really think so little of women that he imagines just having one on his ticket will convince a great many of them to vote for him? Seems odd and insulting.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 29, 2008 @ 4:07 pm
Dan... early MArch in ALASKA.. its cold up there..folks dress in layers..LOTS OF THEM..and you wonder why noone notices a size 6-8 woman is 7 months pregnant??
Comment by BUD — August 29, 2008 @ 4:07 pm
If the phone rings at three in the morning, do we want Sarah Palin to answer?
Comment by Blue John — August 29, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
Good question luanne t. The Internet is on fire. btw She's anti-polar bear endangerment. I just saw where she labeled "McCain's Quayle."
Comment by Gary — August 29, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
Wonder if Palin knows what US states borders hers?? Or how many states are in the Union?
Wonder if she has ever fainted before...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndl57E7UJno
Comment by Marked Man — August 29, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
So, this 72 year old presidential candidate meets this former beauty queen at a conference - no, wait that's not where this is going.
He met her ONCE - back in February at the NGA Conference and that was good enough to put her in as his VP????? That's judgment????
McCain needs to have his head examined - as does anybody who buys the party spin on this one.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 29, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
So let's see. The Democrats pick an inexperienced junior Senator with almost no legislative experience and no executive experience who happens to be a minority and it's categorized as a move for change that we can all believe in, fresh ideas, moving away from the same old politics, blah, blah, blah (add your own catchphrase or buzzword here). When he picks one of the best known, most long-term Washington insiders as his VP choice, we should ignore it because after all, it is only the VP.
But when McCain picks a one term Governor for his VP, its an awful choice because she is unknown.
Funny when it's the Democratic candidate, the inexperience brings a new voice with fresh ideas to the table, but when it is a Republican, it's a dangerous choice that we don't want "answering the phone at three in the morning."
What a bunch of hypocrites. It sounds like a bunch of whining children who are mad because now they might not be guaranteed the entirety of the female vote.
Comment by C Ramsey — August 29, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
Actually - there's nothing hypocritical about it. The democratic VOTERS selected Barack Obama. Get it - the VOTERS.
John McCain chose Palin. See the difference.
One is the people. The other is an example of McCain's judgment (if that's what we can call this).
So - if your concern is that Obama doesn't have adequate experience, at least you now know that Joe Biden has his back.
Who has McCain's back? See the difference?
The women who are not insulted by McCain's blatant pandering by his beauty pageant finalist cum VP candidate probably weren't voting for Obama anyway (or Hillary). See the difference?
There is NOTHING funny about this. It is frightening that this is going to be justified as a reasonable choice.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 29, 2008 @ 7:38 pm
She's NRA - great, which is a GOP given, but the Red States will like this. She likes Moose Burgers. I wonder how many Moose Burgers you can get out of one of those 1/2 ton animals? Oh, she knows how to sell airplanes on E-bay. Gosh, let's hope she won't be trying to sell any of our multi-billon dollar B2s. She's a maverick, and John Nance Garner said the VP wasn't worth a warm bucket of spit. John too bad you can't see this babe you might form a different opinion.
Comment by Gary — August 29, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
Most hypocrits don't see their own hypocrisy. By the way, some of the democratic voters selected Obama, but he was nominated by the appointed superdelegates. Get it-the SUPERDELEGATES?
The feigned indignation to "McCain's blatant pandering" also strike a hypocritical note. Are we really supposed to believe 90% of black voters support Obama because of his qualifications? Both parties pander to every voting demographic they can. It's called campaigning. Only, when the democrats do it, they call it diversity. When a Republican does it, the Dems call it pandering.
Everyone will vote for their choice, but I find it illogical to say "When I vote for President, I'll forgo a more qualified Presidential candidate because the weaker candidate has a stronger second in command." Aren't we voting for the President?
So far all Obama has demonstrated is strong oratory skills and good speech-writing staff. McCain has demonstrated a life-long dedication to the service of this nation. See the difference?
Comment by C Ramsey — August 29, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
"With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he's been a governor for three years. He's been able but undistinguished. I don't think people could really name a big, important thing that he's done ... [Kaine] was mayor of the 105th largest city in America. And again, with all due respect to Richmond, Virginia, it's smaller than Chula Vista, California; Aurora, Colorado; Mesa, or Gilbert, Arizona; North Las Vegas, or Henderson, Nevada. It's not a big town."
Comment by tori — August 29, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
"but when it is a Republican, it's a dangerous choice that we don't want "answering the phone at three in the morning."
"What a bunch of hypocrites."
I'm just repeating what the right said about the Dems. So I guess the hypocrites are the right. Funny how these things return to haunt you.
Comment by Blue John — August 29, 2008 @ 9:16 pm
This time next week, I predict a 5% McCain lead over Obama in the Rasmussen daily tracking poll.
Biden never got more than 5% of the primary vote in his run. His big issue for the past 2 years was to split Iraq into three separate countries.
The Obama campaign has yet to mention that bit of stupidity when it talks about Biden's foreign policy experience. The Iraqis never even considered that option! They all seem to be getting along quite nicely now.
If you watched Obama's speech last night, he stated judgement was more important than experience. So it seems experience is off the table in this election!
The Ayers, Rev. Wright, and Rezko, issues show Obama's lack of judgement.
Comment by John R — August 29, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
Well, we made it to post 33 before the name calling began. That has to be a first. Hillarys' question about the 3 AM phone call is even more important now.
Here's a link to another view.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/156258/?GT1=43002
Comment by Blue John — August 29, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
Bottom line. Obama stole the nomination from Hillary. I bet the DNC is kicking themselves right now.
I was reading up on the relationship of Obama and terrorist William Ayers and noticed they were founders of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge. Annenberg? Annenberg? Where have I seen that name? Oh yeah.
http://www.factcheck.org/ is run by the Annenberg Public Policy Center. They are the site that verified Obama's birth certificate.
Don't hate. I'm just sayin'.
Comment by Henry — August 29, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
C Ramsey: "Most hypocrits don't see their own hypocrisy."
Good point, C. For instance, let's turn things around from your post:
"Republicans assail the Democrats for picking an inexperienced junior Senator they say has almost no legislative experience and no executive experience.
"But when McCain picks a one term Governor for his VP, its a wonderful choice because it's a move for change that we can all believe in, fresh ideas, moving away from the same old politics, blah, blah, blah (add your own catchphrase or buzzword here)."
Starting to feel the hypocrisy yet, C?
Comment by Dan Radmacher — August 29, 2008 @ 10:24 pm
The last thing I want "answering the phone at 3 in the morning" is a couple of blowhard socialists who both think they're brilliant. They're both even more pretentious than Al Gore, if that's possible.
McCain hammered a huge nail into the ailing Dems today. This will be fun to watch.
Comment by james — August 29, 2008 @ 11:42 pm
I find it hilarious Obama and his minions like Dan are comparing himself to the Veep candidate. And guess what, Barack. You STILL lose. She was a state governor. You've never run anything in your life.
Meanwhile the MSM is furious because McCain didn't pick a pro-abortion candidate. Odd how they weren't mad at Obama for picking another far-left extremist in Biden.
One thing that scares liberals more than anything else is a strong attractive conservative woman. She's got a kid in Iraq, she's beautiful and she's pro-life.
Comment by Josh — August 30, 2008 @ 12:05 am
A one term governor. Yeah, that would be like picking
Tim Kaine
Palin has more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined. Except for his military career as an officer, she has more executive experience than McCain as well.
Comment by Henry — August 30, 2008 @ 7:39 am
The DNC bio of Obama skips over the period of his life spent in Islamic Indonesia and his "flirtation" with socialism and hard drugs at university. I wonder why? Just youthful indiscretion?
Funny, the MSM was not so understanding about unproven alegations about president Bush.
The more the American voters learn about Obama, the more they will become disenchanted and the Dems are worried. Obama can't close the deal!
Comment by John R — August 30, 2008 @ 8:13 am
I demand to see her birth certificate!!
Comment by Blue John — August 30, 2008 @ 9:00 am
The plain simple fact of this election is still overlooked regularly. To the majority of voters in November, its not going to boil down to the level of experience of the candidates, people are going to have a very very difficult time pulling the lever for a name like Barack Obama as opposed to John, George, Bill, Ron, Jim, Gerald, etc...
If it was Tom Obama, Mike Obama, Stephen Obama, he would have a fighting chance. Its pretty shallow for the public to view things that way, but thats how it is. Ain't ever gonna change either.
Comment by Marked Man — August 30, 2008 @ 9:13 am
This is where things start getting really squirrelly.
The MSM's supposed outraged about somebody's stance on abortion??
It's a fact that Obama stole the nomination from Hillary???
These leaps from logic are astonishing.
Millions will vote for Obama and millions will vote for McCain. One can argue until November 4 that Palin has more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined but anybody who claims they think she's ready to be one 72 year old cancer survivor's heartbeat from the Oval Office is - well - not being honest with himself.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 30, 2008 @ 9:41 am
Copyright
Comment by Blue John — August 30, 2008 @ 9:55 am
"Concerned"
The point is, you minions are saying how unqualified Palin is, but your #1 guy is LESS qualified. That's why it's incredible you people are going down this track.
Comment by Josh — August 30, 2008 @ 11:59 am
Dan,
Open your mind and read my post. I never said word one about Palin being a good or bad choice. I only pointed out the hypocrisy in the Demcratic stance that she is too inexperienced to be VP when she has more executive experience than the Dems candidate not for VP but for President. And again, if you'll read post #36, you'll see that I said BOTH sides pander to the voters. The difference is I will recognize and admit that McCain probably based his choice on trying to reach specific demographics. The liberals will never admit the same about their 'savior'.
And please don't worry yourself about whether or not I'm feeling the hypocrisy. If I ever notice a big shortage of hypocrites around, the editorial page is only a mouse click away.
Comment by C Ramsey — August 30, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
Veeps notwithstanding, the whole election boils down to McCain, a kind of moderate Republican, and Obama who is a Marxist. Why the MSM, Dan, Luanne and Christian are sooooo in the tank for Obama really puzzles me. I can understand why many of his uninformed supporters fall for his great oration and vacuous message, but I would assume (big mistake) that 'journalists' are relatively educated and somewhat well read.
Free markets, the private sector, and individualism are what has made this country great, not nanny-state big government/vote buying policies that those on the far far left are trying to foist upon this country.
How about it Dan and company. What is the real attraction of Marxism/socialism? I am seriously curious.
Comment by Nick — August 30, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
Minions? I get to cast one vote just like other contributors here and millions of other Americans.
I'm not going to waste my vote on a candidate about whose temperament his own GOP colleagues have repeatedly expressed concern. This is no secret. He has a hair trigger and could not be less suited mentally/emotionally to sit in the Oval office. Call it PTSD or whatever you like - it's widely known.
He has had 4 bouts with cancer. He is 72. He has picked a running mate whose experience could not possibly be of more concern. She is a self-described hockey mom. She was a part-time local sportscaster. A beauty pageant runner up. She was active in the PTA. She has a degree in journalism from U of Idaho. McCain met her ONCE - ONCE! before selecting her as his running mate. She did an interview this spring where she confessed she had no idea what the VP even does - this SPRING. Her son is about to go to Iraq and she confessed in a separate interview that she hasn't thought much about Iraq. She is the subject of an active federal investigation into abuse of power in her short 20 months as Governor of Alaska. The two major papers in Alaska have expressed deep concern about her lack of knowledge on federal and foreign policy issues. DOES THIS NOT CONCERN YOU??? SERIOUSLY -
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 30, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
Nick,
I said before that I am not a big fan of Obama, and I still feel that way. I agree with Henry that Hillary would have been the better candidate. I was hoping that McCain would show his experience and make my decision easier. With his years in Congress I expected he would run on his record and stay above the fray. Instead he attacks Obama for his inexperience, and then picks a VP that has even less (Mayor of a small town, and Governor of a state with a population slightly above D.C. for less than two years).
Does McCain in all of his years in Washington have nothing to offer other than the same old, same old? Any ground breaking legislation, anything at all to make him a decidedly better choice? I had hoped his VP choice would have helped make my decision easier. Instead, it just raises more questions. While I certainly hope not, at seventy two years of age, there is the possibility that the VP may be called upon. Are you comfortable with his decision?
It is a shame that the only choices we have are so weak, that the deciding factor may come down to who is the better choice for Vice-President. At least the drama adds a little more interest to what I consider to be a lackluster Presidential race.
Comment by Blue John — August 30, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
"I demand to see her birth certificate!!"
Hold on. I'm making it now. Darn this Photoshop. Darn it to Heck!!
When I am done, I'll get some blog somewhere to vouch for its authenticity.
Comment by Henry — August 30, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
There are millions of women who are going to resent a man saying a woman who is raising 5 children, managing a home and a career, and got elected governor; lacks the ability to handle the role of VP and being a heart beat away from the president!
They will consider that a "male attitude" and sexist.
Experience will not trump gender for millions of women voters. Just as experience will not trump race for those suffering from white guilt.
Comment by John R — August 30, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Nick,
The RT won't answer you. They never do because to do so, they would have to admit they favor higher taxes and more spending, which all serious economists agree is destructive to the economy.
Comment by Josh — August 30, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
Josh,
If I were to state a presidental candidate as a Nazi and then question RT editorial writers why they were "in the tank" with this Nazi I really would not expect a reply. However, it would serve the purpose of casting a very negative view on this candidate and hopefully bring in more voters to my choice -- the non-Nazi of course.
Comment by Gary — August 31, 2008 @ 2:08 am
You might want to take a look at the demographics of the voting pattern when Geraldine Ferraro was a VP candidate.
Simply put, I don't think Palin is ready for the job of VP nor do I think she's ready for the job of President should something happen to McCain. I don't agree with her position on several points. As for her experience...her qualifications based on her resume don't fit the job description of Vice President. Any smart human resources person would see that. A cabinet position...she may be very capable but not VP.
To all you NAZI Republicans that demand the country march lockstep with your position...you carp about freedom and independence and liberty till the cows come home yet if someone differs in your opinion, they're called Marxists.
Adolph Hitler continually reduced the power of the people and grew the surveillance of its population. Anyone remember the SS or the Gustapo?
You folks need to take a step back and listen to your rhetoric for a minute. Its becoming chilling. Some might say it's far fetched, but the growing gap between the rich and the poor is growing with greater numbers of people falling into the latter category. Such conditions have been known to be revolutionary in nature. May want to think about that as well.
Comment by Will — August 31, 2008 @ 8:41 am
Do you seriously consider Palin 'experienced'? She was governor of Alaska for a little over a year and a half. That's a state with a population of about 680,00. There are probaly 20 US cities bigger than that. Prior to that she was mayor of a town the size of Vinton. If that passes for experience your bar is mighty low.
Comment by observer — August 31, 2008 @ 9:21 am
John R et al:
I expect that it will be the women of this nation who will become Mrs. Palin's fiercest critics. I think that the vast majority of women will see Palin's selection by McCain as insulting. There are a number of fantastic, respectable, experienced women Republicans who would have been far better and more appropriate choices.
The insulting attitude toward women here - in my humble male opinion - is by the GOP. They appear to believe that by picking a woman (apparently any woman will do) they are going to draw a substantial number of women voters to the republican ticket. I guess we're going to see how this works out for them.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — August 31, 2008 @ 9:59 am
Concerned
Early tracking poll show you are wrong. We shall see.
Comment by John R — August 31, 2008 @ 10:32 pm
If the Democrats had picked a woman, you wouldn't be running that smack. It's just politics.
Comment by Henry — September 1, 2008 @ 9:01 am
Let's cut through the crap, shall we, people? The biggest reason you oppose Palin is because she is very conservative. Period.
If Palin bothers you Dems so much on the experience issue, why doesn't Obama bother you even more since he has less executive experience?
And all this talk about small states. Alaska has only 100,000 or so fewer people than Delaware, and Biden has never even run that small state.
Comment by Josh — September 1, 2008 @ 10:20 am
Here's a link to a blog from Alaska.
Comment by Blue John — September 1, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
Will,
Normally I believe your well-intentioned, misguided, but well-intentioned. Sadly, now you have resorted to name calling (NAZI Republicans).
People aren't saying Obama is a socialist or a Marxist as an insult. They are saying that because much of his political dogma is derived straight from the socialist economic position which is, from the teachings of Marx, the next evolutionary step following communism.
I feel like Obama is offering some sort of mutated blend of socialism and capitalism. The problem is the two philosophies don't compliment each other well. Socialism requires more and more government oversight and involvement, the very thing you speak against in referencing Nazi Germany.
Further, Obama seeks to negotiate with our enemies. It is ironic that you would hold Nazi Germany as the reference point for evil, and mention the Gestapo and the SS, when the enemies with whom Obama now seeks to negotiate were allies to and still share many of the same ideologies as Hitler.
Think I'm mistaken? Do some research about Hitler's relationship with the Grand Mufti of Palestine in the 30's. Tell me about the Hanjar Division of the Waffen SS and their relation to the modern day problems in Bosnia. After all, you brought it up. Take a look at Radical Islamic media propaganda and compare it to the propaganda of the Nazis. See if you notice any similarities. Yet according to you, Republicans are the Nazis.
While appeasement and negotiation may sound good to folks disillusioned with and weary of the constant costs of war, it has been woefully ineffective in the past. WWII and the Cold War weren't won by negotiating with Hitler and the USSR. Both of those conflicts were won from a position of power supported by a strong military and a free economy.
Appeasement was a dismal failure in containing Hitler. Oh they hoped it would work, but it failed because the powers that were failed to recognize Hitler's true objective, much as most Americans have failed to identify the true objective of today's terrorists. Radical Islam has declared a holy war against the West, a declaration that many, if not most Americans have chosen to ignore. I have no doubt you will dismiss me as a fear-mongering purveyor of hate, but I choose not to ignore the lessons of the past.
Comment by C Ramsey — September 1, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Now the Democrats will have to figure out how to criticize her for having a teen who is pregnant without annoying the base.
Especially when Obama's mother was a pregnant teen before she got married.
Comment by Henry — September 1, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
Barack Obama has exactly the same amount and type of experience as Abraham Lincoln had when he became President; 2 terms in the Illinois legislature, 1 term in the US Senate.
Early tracking polls don't interest me.
McCain's team didn't properly vett this woman and it's going to end up all over their faces. The stuff that has blown up in the last 3 days is astonishing.
John McCain met Sarah Palin 2 times prior to announcing her as his running mate. Once for 15 minutes in February and then the day before the announcement. That's it.
Her politics matter less to me than the idea that Johm McCain would make a choice - with all the other really solid options available to him - based on one brief meeting.
Does this not strike any of you as totally absurd?
I know that none of you will ever vote for Obama and each of you have your reasons. We will each make our choice.
I will tell you though that I was planning to vote for McCain when this election cycle started - but I am concerned that he is becoming more erratic, angry, and unpredictable with each passing day.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — September 1, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
Family Values Ticket!
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-politics/20080901/CVN.Palin.Daughter/
Comment by Blue John — September 1, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
Blue John...
Thanks for the link. I'd say that just about sums it all up in a very concise and clear way.
Good reading for sure.
Comment by Will — September 1, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
Just like Obama's mom.
Comment by Henry — September 1, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
How about the party that's going to clean up politics?
Biden lied about his first wife's death and lied about his education credentials. This is in addition to the plagarism.
http://www.delawaregrapevine.com/12-07bidencrash.asp
"I did not have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. Those allegations are false".
Note: This is the candidate himself, not one of his kids.
Comment by Henry — September 1, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
Palin is what an America should be: hard-working, conservative, and loyal to both family and country. McCain made a great pick that steals the contrived "historic" nomination of socialist Obama.
It must be hard for Democrats to be proud of an America that nominates a strong Republican woman.
Comment by Jim — September 1, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
Blue John your link above posted at 1:39 PM reminds me of a Doonesbury strip where his last frame ended with "Another Family Values icon goes down in flames." I went to my email and found all of those "Chain letter" types I've gotten, cut out old link and pasted in the above link and Forwarded to ALL.
Our daughter got her BS from William & Mary and two Master degrees from Cornell (I always think of Ruth Bader Ginsberg), got married at age 27, had sons at 31 and 34. She is turned off with the devious Republican Party and their exploitation of "Family Values."
Comment by Gary — September 1, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
How many of you would hire somebody after meeting them briefly 2 times?
How many of you could legitimately claim somebody as your soulmate after meeting them 2 times?
How many of you would entrust your loved ones to somebody after meeting them 2 times?
How many of you would trust somebody to be in charge of your PTA after meeting them 2 times?
This is lunacy of the highest order. The teen pregancy, the husbands DUI, investigation for firing the Police Commissioner, Firing the Police Chief of Wassila, Her flying while 8 months pregnant with a high risk baby in utero, her not being "really focused on the war in Iraq" as the Commander in Chief of the Alaska National Guard and having her oldest child going there.....
LUNACY
Comment by Concerned for the Future — September 1, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
Jim...
I'm still waiting for that selection to occur.
Comment by Will — September 1, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
Concerned,
I've hired many people after meeting them ONCE. The obvious reason is you can vet people any number of ways, from documented accomplishments as well as personal and professional references. You seem to be obsessing on something really silly here. What you ought to be worried about is supporting someone for the top job like Obama who has not only gone unvetted by the MSM, but has tried to actually hide his past.
The fact remains. Palin is more qualified to lead than the Democrats' number one guy.
Comment by Josh — September 1, 2008 @ 5:54 pm
Not only that, Palin is so qualified, the Democrats are reduced to attacking her children to try and get traction. That's all they have. Meanwhile, Obama and Biden are dodging scandals involving them, not their kids.
When Al Gore Jr was busted for drugs when he was 17, the media refused to cover it because children were off-limits. It must be nice to be a Democrat.
Comment by Henry — September 1, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
Josh...
If Obama has gone unvetted by the MSM. I suspect he's gone under the microscope at a higher level than most have during the past 25 years just because of being black with a different kind of name.
Henry...kindly define the scandals of Obama and Biden. If there are any, FOX certainly hasn't reported them.
I can definitely recommend that a better grade of Kool-Aide be selected before making your posts.
My problem with Palin is that she doesn't practice what she preaches everyone else should be in such a blatent manner.
Comment by Will — September 1, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
I'm certainly not going after her family.
Imagine though - just for a second - if Michelle Obama had a DUI like Todd Palin. Be honest. Obama wouldn't have gotten past Iowa.
Imagine if the Obama's daughter was 17 and pregnant how that would be viewed - be honest. Obama wouldn't have gotten TO Iowa.
Now we find out that Palin was raising money for indicted Senator Ted Stevens' 527 and is on record as having supported the now infamous bridge to nowhere.
From the Washinton Post:
ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 1 -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for a town of 6,700 residents while she was its mayor, according to an analysis by an independent government watchdog group.
EARMARKS: Palin's Small Alaska Town Secured Big Federal Funds
GOP Running Mates Rework Message, Put Accent on 'Change'
Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. ET: Election 2008: Republicans in Hollywood
McCain and Palin Begin Joint Campaign
Cindy McCain Encourages Gustav Relief
The Trail: McCain Raises Record $47 Million, Thanks to Palin
View All Items in This Story
View Only Top Items in This Story
There was $500,000 for a youth shelter, $1.9 million for a transportation hub, $900,000 for sewer repairs, and $15 million for a rail project -- all intended to benefit Palin's town, Wasilla, located about 45 miles north of Anchorage.
In introducing Palin as his running mate on Friday, Sen. John McCain cast her as a compatriot in his battle against wasteful federal spending. McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, hailed Palin as a politician "with an outstanding reputation for standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies -- someone who has fought against corruption and the failed policies of the past, someone who's stopped government from wasting taxpayers' money."
$27Million of our tax dollars for 6700 people? That's more than $4000 per person in handouts. Multiply by 300 million Americans: $1.2 trillion in earmarks??
I've hired people after just one meeting as well. But for what kind of a job? And after 15 minutes? Be honest for heaven's sake.
If you actually read and think about my posts you cannot dispute that this is a potential disaster for the USA. Be honest.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — September 2, 2008 @ 8:06 am
"if Michelle Obama had a DUI like Todd Palin. Be honest. Obama wouldn't have gotten past Iowa."
The President had a DUI. He won two terms. Bill Clinton was on tape talking to his mistress. He won two terms.
Nancy Reagan. Helllooooo!!
Comment by Henry — September 2, 2008 @ 8:51 am
Gotta love this MSM spin on Palin's experience. I heard it on two MSM morning shows, so it must be an official talking point.
They're saying Sarah Palin doesn't have any NATIONAL experience now. Never mind that most recent presidents have only been governors without national experience. That would include Carter and Clinton, Reagan, and Bush.
So now it's national experience that is the prerequisite. OK. I guess this is the only way they can differentiate and prop up their vacuous candidate. Not even a full senate term. LOL.
Comment by Josh — September 2, 2008 @ 9:00 am
Henry:
The difference is - as if you didn't get my point - that Obama is (shhhhh)a black man.
So, add to the fine, hardworking white Americans who wouldn't vote for a black man anyway - and you add a DUI to his black wife's resume, and a black teen with an out-of-wedlock pregnancy and he wouldn't stand a chance. In fact, he probably wouldn't have gotten into the Illinois State Legislature, let alone the US Senate.
You can parse this to your heart's content - but there is a clear and indisputable bias that thankfully has had to play out in such an ugly way.
Palin's record is filled with troubling issues - even if we leave the family out of it.
My main point though is that McCain has made his selection of running mate based on a 15 minute meeting. That is simply bizarre.
Comment by Concerned for the Future — September 2, 2008 @ 9:49 am
From a slightly different perspective.
If Mrs. Palin can't positively influence the behavior of one of her closest constituents, how should we expect her to influence the decision making process of national and foreign leaders of the world?
Comment by Will — September 2, 2008 @ 9:51 am
"that Obama is (shhhhh)a black man"
He is also a (shhhh) a white man
Comment by Henry — September 2, 2008 @ 10:49 am
Oh my God Will, you guys really are desparate. Apparently they have nothing with which to attack McCain so the liberals have abandoned all the 'values' they profess to believe in to attack this woman and her family.
"If Mrs. Palin can't positively influence the behavior of one of her closest constituents, how should we expect her to influence the decision making process of national and foreign leaders of the world?"
Really? Shall we talk about how Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton successfully influenced Billy and Roger?
They are throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the McCain campaign because they can't compete on substance. So now they attack the Palin family. Palin's husband had a DUI at roughly the same time that Barack Obama was doing cocaine and helping a terrorist spend money.
Thank God for glass houses.
Comment by C Ramsey — September 2, 2008 @ 8:58 pm
Mr. Ramsey...
I have an older sister for which I have absolutely no control. She neither influences me nor do I influence her.
On the other hand, I would say that most parents would or should exercise a considerable amount of influence on their own children. I know my parents in fact did so to me.
You brought up the glass house perspective...yes indeed people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks. Perhaps if Mrs. Palin's rhetoric has been less accusatory, she wouldn't find herself the center of the discussion.
I guess it is true that in the politics of today, we must choose between the lesser of rather than the greater of two choices.
As for McCain...my problem with him is that he's become the product of the typical Republican machine. There is nothing unique about him now that he's parroting the standard Republican agenda.
Case in point, even though he's been in favor of abortion in cases of rape, incest and health of the mother issues, he refrained from interjecting that language into the Republican platform so as to appease the hard pro-birth attendees.
He might be a maverick..but I think the reigns have been severely tightened on this horse.
Comment by Will — September 2, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
There are 87 posts as I write this. If it would help to lay the issue to rest, I will take one for the team and volunteer to spend the weekend with Ms. Palin. I will discuss your concerns, among other things, with her over the weekend and report back Monday with an unbiased opinion.
Thanks in advance for your support.
Comment by Blue John — September 2, 2008 @ 10:10 pm
"You brought up the glass house perspective...yes indeed people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks. Perhaps if Mrs. Palin's rhetoric has been less accusatory, she wouldn't find herself the center of the discussion."
It hasn't been. You just imagine it has been. Look up the name Larry Sinclair. Maybe we should investigate his story.
Comment by Henry — September 2, 2008 @ 10:35 pm
Question 1: How could you not pick Liebermann to be VP but allow him to speak at your convention?
Question 2: Where is the diversity in your party? You surely can't say this is a representation of America. Did you watch the crowd in the convention. this is the past.
Question 3: When the cartoon was drawn of Obama and his wife it was noted that he had to roll with the punches- so why the pull back on family now? Oh yeah Obama/ Biden took the high road.
Question 4: Did someone tell McCain the sky was falling?
Comment by Bob — September 3, 2008 @ 3:30 am
Michelle campaigned for her husband. She spoke at the Democrat Convention. Bristol did not campaign for her mom. Michelle volunteered to join the fray. Bristol was drug into it by the media.
Comment by Henry — September 3, 2008 @ 8:10 am
The dirty little secret is that the only item in Obama's resume is that he is black.
If he wasn't a black man, Hillary would be the nominee and she would have won in November.
Being black alone will not carry Obama to the white house no matter how much the MSM wants it.
Comment by John R — September 3, 2008 @ 8:41 am
Okay Will, following your reasoning that parents should have better control over children, does that make Al Gore Jr's drug problems Big Al's fault? I guess it's a good thing we didn't elect him. He couldn't even influence his own son. How could he possibly influence foreign heads of state?
Are you starting to see how assinine that argument sounds?
We like to think parents have the most influence, but during the teenage years, that is often a fantasy. And just because a child sometimes disappoints a parent, it does not logically follow that the parent is a failure or that their ideals should be abandoned.
Comment by C Ramsey — September 3, 2008 @ 9:54 am