Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin pauses during a campaign stop in Dover, N.H., on Wednesday.
So much of politics has to do with timing. Why, mere weeks ago it seemed as if the McCain campaign might pull off a wild-card win, riding high on the excitement generated when Sarah Palin burst onto the scene, ready for her close-up. Or was she?
Since Palin’s surprising entrée in late August, her image as a scrappy reformer who proudly planted herself outside “good old boy” political circles has been challenged by Democrats and Republicans alike, and as The Huffington Post’s Thomas B. Edsall points out, she could wind up hurting the McCain campaign when it comes to key endorsements and votes.
Thomas B. Edsall in The Huffington Post:
“Within weeks, she became a liability, primarily as a highly visible indicator of McCain’s impulsiveness and recklessness in picking someone who is patently unqualified to serve as president and commander-in-chief. McCain’s only chance of making this election competitive was to contrast his readiness to serve with Obama’s inexperience and naiveté. The Palin choice was the first clear sign (others followed) that McCain could not win that comparison.”
Norman Ornstein, of the American Enterprise Institute, agrees about the immediate gains, noting that the “short term boost dissipated awfully quickly. Palin’s clear lack of capability to serve as VP, much less as president, her lack of knowledge of even basics about most areas of policy, her ethical problems in Alaska over Troopergate, and the campaign decision to cloister her from serious scrutiny, all caused a drop in her own approval, but also reflected on McCain’s decision-making style.” Palin continues to “generate enthusiasm from hard-core Republicans who would not be as charged-up if the running mate were, say, a [Mitt] Romney or [Tim] Pawlenty,” Ornstein says, “but the downside is definitely greater than the gain.”
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By Celia Benson, October 21, 2008 at 2:04 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Bloom is off Sarah’s rose? No, a lovely woman blooms perpetually. She is the wrong type of flower for Washington. But down in Borneo grows the “Raffelsia”, worlds largest flower. It also stinks like garbage and dead flesh. Just right for politicians such as the Clintons, Bushes, Bidens, McCains, etc. Sarah is too decent for that crowd.
By LJ in MD, October 20, 2008 at 10:55 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
From another blog earlier today - says it all:
“John McCain, according to one of his most perceptive and persistent critics, has struggled throughout his career to balance his principles and his ambitions, to reconcile the code of honor instilled in him as a boy with the insistent demands of political expedience. His worst moments in public office, this critic has charged, have come when he has failed to put his country first — opposing a holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. to bolster his conservative credibility in Arizona, concealing his abhorrence of the Confederate flag to troll for votes in South Carolina. And before you judge, you should know that the critic in question is John McCain, who has explored and deplored his own flaws in remarkable detail in his books and speeches and has apologized for them with candor that is rare in a politician. In 2000, after sidestepping the flag issue during his first presidential campaign, he returned to South Carolina to flay himself for pandering. “I don’t seek absolution,” he said. “I can only try to resist future temptations to abandon principle for expediency.”
I wonder what the “Great Apologizer” is going to say about flipping-off America with his pick of Palin?
90 p.c of anti-Palin comment is just a way of saying ‘I am a Democrat’ Fine, but don’t expect to cut any ice with normal people. So said Bsheaf
Normal people? who might that be? It can’t be you because Sarah Palin is about as qualified as I am to be VP, and I have all kinds of experience, and a world view that she does not have. Her and her anti-American husband should go back to Alaska where they belong.
Palin talks tough, but can’t even stand in front of the press and take a few questions. If she were a man she would have been laughed out of the race long ago. For the first time in history we have a candidate for one of the highest offices in the land ducking any meaningful exchange with the press. And where are her medical records?
She is hate filled, xenophobic, divisive and ignorant. Palin literally celebrates ignorance. What kind of America is it when people like Palin seems to think there is something wrong with a high intellect and educational accomplishments.
The Palin pick is just another example of McCain’s recklessness and poor judgment. Combine those with his temperament and there is no way we should elect him President.
This blog audience seems in complete agreement as to the reality check on Palin’s viability. No go Sarah, better off at home, with the kids. No presidential timber showing with DRILL DRILL DRILL! And, smiles with every statement.
Voters will prove the unanimous low level approval rate is bottom rung at best, we do not see her on the ladder at all. Poor alaska. And, we know it is due for a Good President to assist Alaska in restoring the right stuff since Alaska is an important natural resource even if the people don’t care about Alaska, it behoves the nation and the world to force the proper view of conservation, not Bush’s so called conservatism, which is drill drill drill, unchecked rape of all proper policy.
Oh yes, the Greens sent an email showing Sarah Palin in a bikini on the beach the bikini was made up of the American Flag, and oh yes, she was smiling, as she always seems to do, (no I do not want her to cry, I want her to dissapear from public service and stay home, out of sight), holding a rifle!
It should be noted that the spate of Obama endorsements of late…from Powell to Buckley and all the conservative newspapers in between…have all pointed to the Palin pick as the deal breaker.
If McCain was a real maverick, he would have told Steve Schmidt to shove it. Then he would have nominated Lieberman and that would have given the dems fits.
By Eric L. Prentis, October 19, 2008 at 11:02 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Convicted of abuse of power as governor of Alaska, tragic. Sarah Palin has no right to be on the Republican ticket for vice president, she should do the right thing and resign.
100% of Sarah Palin’s qualifications are nonsense, her stump speech is just a way of saying ‘I know you won’t elect a man with a permanent tan’. But don’t expect that to cut any ice with people who have a normal brain.
McCain really doesn’t understand politics - it’s not pandering; it’s strategy and tactics to win voter approval. Palin did lock up the fundy’s electoral votes, but it’s only a paltry 160 - he still needs 110 more to hit 270 which he can’t muster.
McCain would have been better off offering the fundy christie’s SCOTUS nominees to their liking and giving the conservative the VP of their choice. If he had, those red states turning blue would have been solid red and this race would be going for a photo finish.
Another Memorial Day in This Endless War
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By Celia Benson, October 21, 2008 at 2:04 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Bloom is off Sarah’s rose? No, a lovely woman blooms perpetually. She is the wrong type of flower for Washington. But down in Borneo grows the “Raffelsia”, worlds largest flower. It also stinks like garbage and dead flesh. Just right for politicians such as the Clintons, Bushes, Bidens, McCains, etc. Sarah is too decent for that crowd.
Report thisBy LJ in MD, October 20, 2008 at 10:55 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
From another blog earlier today - says it all:
Report this“John McCain, according to one of his most perceptive and persistent critics, has struggled throughout his career to balance his principles and his ambitions, to reconcile the code of honor instilled in him as a boy with the insistent demands of political expedience. His worst moments in public office, this critic has charged, have come when he has failed to put his country first — opposing a holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. to bolster his conservative credibility in Arizona, concealing his abhorrence of the Confederate flag to troll for votes in South Carolina. And before you judge, you should know that the critic in question is John McCain, who has explored and deplored his own flaws in remarkable detail in his books and speeches and has apologized for them with candor that is rare in a politician. In 2000, after sidestepping the flag issue during his first presidential campaign, he returned to South Carolina to flay himself for pandering. “I don’t seek absolution,” he said. “I can only try to resist future temptations to abandon principle for expediency.”
I wonder what the “Great Apologizer” is going to say about flipping-off America with his pick of Palin?
By hippy pam, October 20, 2008 at 6:05 am Link to this comment
They!!! have tried to move it….
Report thishttp://palinaspresident.us/
By hippy pam, October 20, 2008 at 6:00 am Link to this comment
This takes a while to load[I have dial up]-then keep clicking every time your mouse point becomes a hand-
Report thishttp://palinaspredident.com
By hippy pam, October 20, 2008 at 5:47 am Link to this comment
Does PLASTIC FADE?????????
Report thisBy gatlinggun6, October 19, 2008 at 10:58 pm Link to this comment
90 p.c of anti-Palin comment is just a way of saying ‘I am a Democrat’ Fine, but don’t expect to cut any ice with normal people. So said Bsheaf
Normal people? who might that be? It can’t be you because Sarah Palin is about as qualified as I am to be VP, and I have all kinds of experience, and a world view that she does not have. Her and her anti-American husband should go back to Alaska where they belong.
Palin talks tough, but can’t even stand in front of the press and take a few questions. If she were a man she would have been laughed out of the race long ago. For the first time in history we have a candidate for one of the highest offices in the land ducking any meaningful exchange with the press. And where are her medical records?
She is hate filled, xenophobic, divisive and ignorant. Palin literally celebrates ignorance. What kind of America is it when people like Palin seems to think there is something wrong with a high intellect and educational accomplishments.
The Palin pick is just another example of McCain’s recklessness and poor judgment. Combine those with his temperament and there is no way we should elect him President.
Report thisBy elizabethe, October 19, 2008 at 6:52 pm Link to this comment
This blog audience seems in complete agreement as to the reality check on Palin’s viability. No go Sarah, better off at home, with the kids. No presidential timber showing with DRILL DRILL DRILL! And, smiles with every statement.
Voters will prove the unanimous low level approval rate is bottom rung at best, we do not see her on the ladder at all. Poor alaska. And, we know it is due for a Good President to assist Alaska in restoring the right stuff since Alaska is an important natural resource even if the people don’t care about Alaska, it behoves the nation and the world to force the proper view of conservation, not Bush’s so called conservatism, which is drill drill drill, unchecked rape of all proper policy.
Oh yes, the Greens sent an email showing Sarah Palin in a bikini on the beach the bikini was made up of the American Flag, and oh yes, she was smiling, as she always seems to do, (no I do not want her to cry, I want her to dissapear from public service and stay home, out of sight), holding a rifle!
She is NOT America.
Report thisBy NottaPuppet, October 19, 2008 at 3:34 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Did Sports Complex Contractors Build Palin’s House for Free?
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/11/111018/34/47/627460
Teddette Stevens? This needs investigation or debunking.
Report thisBy Jim C, October 19, 2008 at 3:27 pm Link to this comment
100% of the pro palin comments say ” I am a complete moron who would mindlessly vote for a bimbo with the IQ of a turnip ” .
Report thisBy jackpine savage, October 19, 2008 at 11:10 am Link to this comment
BSheaf,
What’s a “normal” person?
Report thisBy jackpine savage, October 19, 2008 at 11:09 am Link to this comment
It should be noted that the spate of Obama endorsements of late…from Powell to Buckley and all the conservative newspapers in between…have all pointed to the Palin pick as the deal breaker.
If McCain was a real maverick, he would have told Steve Schmidt to shove it. Then he would have nominated Lieberman and that would have given the dems fits.
Report thisBy Eric L. Prentis, October 19, 2008 at 11:02 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Convicted of abuse of power as governor of Alaska, tragic. Sarah Palin has no right to be on the Republican ticket for vice president, she should do the right thing and resign.
Report thisBy thebeerdoctor, October 19, 2008 at 9:58 am Link to this comment
100% of Sarah Palin’s qualifications are nonsense, her stump speech is just a way of saying ‘I know you won’t elect a man with a permanent tan’. But don’t expect that to cut any ice with people who have a normal brain.
Report thisBy Beetlejuice, October 19, 2008 at 6:44 am Link to this comment
McCain really doesn’t understand politics - it’s not pandering; it’s strategy and tactics to win voter approval. Palin did lock up the fundy’s electoral votes, but it’s only a paltry 160 - he still needs 110 more to hit 270 which he can’t muster.
McCain would have been better off offering the fundy christie’s SCOTUS nominees to their liking and giving the conservative the VP of their choice. If he had, those red states turning blue would have been solid red and this race would be going for a photo finish.
Report thisBy BSheaf, October 19, 2008 at 5:21 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
90 p.c of anti-Palin comment is just a way of saying ‘I am a Democrat’ Fine, but don’t expect to impress normal people.
Report thisBy BSheaf, October 19, 2008 at 5:20 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
90 p.c of anti-Palin comment is just a way of saying ‘I am a Democrat’ Fine, but don’t expect to cut any ice with normal people.
Report this