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 With Palin, McCain Is Gambling With the CountryPosted on Oct 2, 2008By E.J. Dionne The key to understanding how John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate was provided by The New York Times last weekend when it described an episode in which he “tossed $100 chips around a hot craps table.” Gambling with his presidential candidacy is McCain’s right. Gambling with the country McCain says he puts first is another thing entirely. And Thursday night’s vice presidential debate took place at precisely the moment when a majority of American voters decided that having Palin in line for the presidency is more than a little bit scary. Polls released on the eve of the debate found that for the first time, majorities of Americans declared Palin unprepared to be president if she were called upon to assume the office. In a Washington Post/ABC News Poll, 60 percent of voters said Palin lacked the experience to be president, up from 45 percent in the first week of September. In a Pew Research Center survey, 51 percent said she was not qualified for the presidency, up from 39 percent at the beginning of the month. And if part of Palin’s task is to win women over to the Republican ticket, she clearly isn’t doing the job. The Pew poll gave Barack Obama a lead of 54 percent to 37 percent among women. Palin’s trajectory might be analogized to one of those subprime mortgages. The terms at the beginning are highly attractive. But as time goes on, mortgage holders start to pay dearly, and many default. Thursday’s debate was a desperate effort by Palin to keep McCain’s investment in her from going under. Advertisement Palin’s insistence that there is a right to privacy in the Constitution must have made even her staunchest supporters in the right-to-life movement wince. Robert Bork, a movement hero, denied that a constitutional right to privacy existed, a major reason he lost his Supreme Court confirmation battle. “The court has used its invented privacy right exclusively to enforce sexual freedoms,” Bork has complained, calling its invention “hubris.” Palin was oblivious to her own side’s core assertion. She has also brought out the very worst in McCain, forcing him to—I don’t use this word lightly—lie about her. In an interview broadcast on Wednesday, National Public Radio’s Steve Inskeep asked McCain if there would be “an occasion where you could imagine turning to Gov. Palin for advice in a foreign policy crisis?” McCain replied: “I’ve turned to her advice many times in the past. I can’t imagine turning to Sen. Obama or Sen. Biden, because they’ve been wrong. They were wrong about Iraq, they were wrong about Russia.” “Many times in the past”? McCain met Palin only twice before he selected her. What McCain said could not be true. And McCain’s backers signaled their fear that Palin would fail in the debate by trying to discredit the event in advance. Although it has been known since at least July that debate moderator Gwen Ifill was writing a book on “Politics and Race in the Age of Obama,” the usual right-wing attack squad waited until just two days before Thursday’s encounter to mount a campaign to the effect that Ifill’s book project turned her into a biased moderator. The idea is that everyone but Palin is responsible for Palin’s shortcomings. The core issue, of course, is the contrast between how Obama and McCain chose their running mates. Say what you will about Joe Biden, no one loses sleep at the idea of him in the Oval Office. Obama picked a vice president more likely to help him in governing the country than in winning the chance to do so. As for McCain, he found himself in a political hole and threw the dice with Palin. At the time of her selection, voters were often compared with “American Idol” watchers who put personality and stage presence above everything else. But it turns out that Americans take the presidency very seriously. Surviving 90 minutes on a stage with Biden will not turn Palin into a plausible president. E.J. Dionne’s e-mail address is postchat(at)aol.com. © 2008, Washington Post Writers Group Previous item: Saying 'No Deal' to This New Deal Next item: How Can These Fundamentals Be Called Strong? Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment |
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By Steven M. Blank, October 6, 2008 at 2:57 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I tend to agree with Naomi Wolf. For the Cheney-Rove cabal in the GOP, McCain is the patsy and Palin is the prize. It is Palin who will put lipstick on the forthcoming pig-state once this election is stolen.
Report thisBy AlaskanVoter, October 6, 2008 at 4:20 am #
ALASKA GOVERNOR - RECALL!!!
I am a Alaskan life voting Republican. This 2008 Election, I will [with pleasure] vote Democrat! This Alaska Governor has destroyed “MANY GOOD ALASKAN PEOPLE(s) professionally and politically during her short term position as Mayor in a small community Wasilla, Ak (Approx 7,500 residents ) and current Alaska State Governor.(of approx. twenty months). Whenever Palin is confronted with a question that she does not know, does not have a clue or simply does not want to answer, her indignation which turns to…ANGER…is familiar. McCains’’ V.P. selection Sarah Palin has no business being the Alaska Governor, let alone, a USA candidate for Vice President…. Maverick??.....****AMERICA SHOULD BE FEARFULLY CONCERNED****. I voted for Sarah Palin in Alaskas 2006 Governor Election. MISTAKE! Never Again… I repeat-NEVER AGAIN!!...Alaska Governor Palin is an absolute Embarrassment to the Alaska People and “IS” proven to be an insatiable Liar!! How can she possibly ASSUME the ability to clean up America, when she cannot clean the ‘MESS” she has created in Alaska. Yes, A Mess FOR Alaskans to clean up. McCain, you should be ASHAMED of yourself!!!! This victim (palin)has no business in this Presidential Arena.
[read Alaska News-Politics adn.com]
Report thisPosted by AlaskaVoter
By cyrena, October 6, 2008 at 1:42 am #
By OldGuyInCalifornia, October 3 at 5:18 pm
• “Seriously, why do Republican Presidential candidates choose Vice Presidents that would be nightmares if they became President? Spiro Agnew, Dan Quayle, Dick Cheney, and now Sarah Palin. Is it to reduce the chance for political assassination? Or just an example of bad judgment? “
OldGuyinCA,
I think it’s probably the latter, (bad judgment) but you’ve gotta admit that this habit has not only assured an ‘assassination proof’ reign, but an impeachment-proof reign as well; at least in the latest case. One of the most prevailing reasons for avoiding impeachment of Bush, (at least for the first 4 years) was because of Chainey. (spelling intentional) And the cruelest part of that irony is that Chainey chose himself to be Georgies VP, knowing full well that he intended to be the President himself. And indeed, Richard B Cheney has been the most powerful (and diabolical) VP/President in the history of the US. Joe Biden wasn’t exaggerating when he said that Cheney has been the most dangerous VP in the history of the US. It’s been enough to scare people away, (at least until Dennis Kucinich worked it out to try to impeach chainey first) from doing anything that might put him in the President spot. The problem is that he’s been in that spot from day one, working behind the scenes, but calling every shot.
On all of the others, I think it was just really bad judgment. What else can we expect from republicans?
Meantime, I still say the selection of Palin has been the epitome of cynicism and hubris. These people really do believe that they can do anything they want to the American population. It’s like 21st Century slave/sharecropper mentality. They obviously believe that we EITHER we are all totally stupid, or that it doesn’t matter who WE elect, because they plan to take over regardless. That’s what the Coup of 2000 was all about, and they’ve gotten away with it for 8 years. So by now, they probably figure they can force whatever they want down our throats.
Report thisBy Inherit The Wind, October 5, 2008 at 3:31 pm #
{i]Carl Rogers, October 3 at 12:58 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Wuh…New York Times said so? Must be true, right? What this country really needs, besides a good 5 cent cigar, is always to be governed by bloated, money-grubbing, inside-the-beltway, tweedledum-tweedledee political hacks…forever. And to watch and listen to pasty-face Katie Couric and muttering, granny-glasses Charles Gibson, on a 13 inch TV with coathanger antenna…for eternity.
*************************************************
Translation: Day’um! Thoe rotten East-Coast Lib’rals figgered out our Eva Braun is a moronic nutcase and fullashit! Buncha commiefagpinkojunkies!
Report thisBy Marnie, October 4, 2008 at 8:59 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
“Say what you will about Joe Biden, no one loses sleep at the idea of him in the Oval Office. Obama picked a vice president more likely to help him in governing the country than in winning the chance to do so.”
Well put. As was the point that most American voters take presidency seriously.
Dem talking heads do need to hammer the point that Obama, buy picking an experienced VP candidate has shown what kinds of people he will add to his administration. He has shown over and over that he is far more likely to discuss an issue with someone who differs with him, than to attack others who hold differing opinions.
In a diversified nation and world, that is a vastly better leadership quality than the Chaneybushmccainpalin approach of snotty dismissal, name calling and personal/military assault, approach.
Report thisBy WA-violins, October 4, 2008 at 1:46 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
You’re attitude, Carl Rogers, seems typical of the dumbed down and close-minded in America…and exactly what the fascist neocons are counting on to win them elections now and in the future. Good job.
Report thisBy octopus, October 4, 2008 at 8:31 am #
A Republican Lie?
Report thisMy world has been shattered:)
By homovivens, October 4, 2008 at 2:33 am #
McCain/Palin—Dumb and Dumber
Report thisBy Observant Voter, October 4, 2008 at 2:00 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
On Monday, Sarah Palin was whisked away to McCain’s Sedona, Arizona, estate with his top campaign advisors,
Report thisaka NeoCon-Zionist-AIPAC ,
where “she’s prepping for her debate with Joe Biden like a student jock cramming for a test.”
And it showed….because,and to say it out loud…
her performance/test therefore became just what is was: “some run-down robot-like-cold-impersonal-hack”,exactly
the result you`ve got to expect by some “arrogant,phony,silly Bimbo”,who had precisely
been chosen to fill in as a doozy Cheerleader for those many “hard-on- but-
brainless-white-trailer-park-trash-moron” who would vote only for any other moron ........but a black person. Period.
By NewsFlash, October 3, 2008 at 11:29 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Where is the much discussed per diem that Governor Palin received for staying in her own home? It is not reported on the Palin’s 2007 tax return. I believe that the gross income is $227514.00 with expenses for fishing and snowmobile racing their adjusted gross income is $166090.00. Why is the racing considered a business and not a hobby? Is a plane a necessary fishing expense? With itemized deductions and the exemptions they paid tax on $124921.00 Do the three oldest children file their own tax returns to report the Alaska PFD? Why is their return by H&R;Block?
Report thisBy Michelle, October 3, 2008 at 11:24 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
For Sarah Palin to keep bragging that she is a hockey mom under the circumstances that she became one, is so hypocritical. So her son gets arrested for vandelizing school buses, gets sent to a juvenile delinquent school where he plays hockey…and she’s proud of that? I’m outraged! She should be forthcoming about that story if she’s going to use that term to define herself.
Report thisBy OldGuyInCalifornia, October 3, 2008 at 9:18 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Palin has proved that a dumb blonde (of either gender) does not have to have blonde hair.
Seriously, why do Republican Presidential candidates choose Vice Presidents that would be nightmares if they became President? Spiro Agnew, Dan Quayle, Dick Cheney, and now Sarah Palin. Is it to reduce the chance for political assassination? Or just an example of bad judgment?
Report thisBy Carl Rogers, October 3, 2008 at 4:58 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Wuh…New York Times said so? Must be true, right? What this country really needs, besides a good 5 cent cigar, is always to be governed by bloated, money-grubbing, inside-the-beltway, tweedledum-tweedledee political hacks…forever. And to watch and listen to pasty-face Katie Couric and muttering, granny-glasses Charles Gibson, on a 13 inch TV with coathanger antenna…for eternity.
Report thisBy Mudbones, October 3, 2008 at 3:36 pm #
Cathrine,
Report thisIf she had said, “up there in Alaska” one more time I would have screamed. Also, I thought she was going to answer every questions with, well you know I’m the energy expert up there in alsaska. Too many, you betcha, shout outs, winks, and I guess I’m not a Washington elite so I’ll answer it my way. 11/4 won’t get here soon enough so she can go back “up there” It makes me wonder what century Alaska politics is in, they seem, well, kinda backwards, backroom deals and all…. Just an observation.
By Alan, October 3, 2008 at 3:22 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
2000: Oh that cannot happen here!
Report this2004: Oh that can’t happen again!
2008: Have some chips and Red Bull!
By shirley krogulski, October 3, 2008 at 2:01 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I do feel that she is a lot like Bush.
Report thisWhenever I read something he said I had to read it 2 or 3 times to understand what he was attempting to say. I find myself doing the same with the things she says…...and still I ask myself,“What in the he.. did he or she say?”
By Inherit The Wind, October 3, 2008 at 12:39 pm #
Sarah Palin doesn’t remind me of George Bush.
But her journalism expertise does remind me of Les Nessman, Award-Winning News Anchor at WKRP.
“Chai Chai Rod-rick-Queeze”
Report thisBy Catherine, October 3, 2008 at 12:20 pm #
I doubt if Palin knew what Gwen Ifill meant when Ifill mentioned an Achilles Heel…!!!! I lost count of the times Palin said “also,” and “up there in Alaska,” and “maverick.”
Country bumpkin comes to town…and wants to stay.
Report thisBy joey, October 3, 2008 at 11:32 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
The Crimes of Chaney Bush and McCain
Report thisThe major crime of Bush Chaney was the complete disregard for the lives of others and the complete irresponsible waste of tax payer money and future debt. The “conservative” party of G.W. Bush McCain aggressively wasted TONS of United States Dollars with wild abandon almost to the point where they enjoyed the destruction of money.ie Blackwater. For Bush McCain to ever speak of saving tax payer money again is laughable. Chaney used military secrecy to hide his illegal activities and theft from any oversight.
If McCain were to be come president he would run down Chaney’s rabbit hole and take over the waste and killing and never be seen again.
By hippy pam, October 3, 2008 at 11:18 am #
I loved HER ANSWER about “a heart beat away”[or should I say HER MIS-DIRECTION].I got REAL TIRED of hearing “what SHE HAS DONE FOR HER GREAT STATE"and ABOUT her state.THIS IS ABOUT THE COUNTRY OF AMERIKA….......I think Joe Biden was factual and polished…..I think PALIN IS RUNNING FOR 1st SEAT…I THINK IF PALIN/McCAIN WIN-WE WILL BE IN DEEPER TROUBLE THAN WE ARE NOW[if such chaos is possible-and it is possible/probable..]
Report thisBy mud, October 3, 2008 at 10:48 am #
What’s the difference between Palin and George Bush? Both have good hair. Both know how to lie through their teeth without hesitation. Both do as they are told. Both are beyond blame because they are so obviously lacking intellect. Sorry. Don’t see any difference.
Report thisBy Purple Girl, October 3, 2008 at 8:30 am #
Palin could only have used her ‘Journalism’MRS to write for the Wassila Crier.She doesn’t Know or is able to recall even the most recent of Historical references- Even if she was Directly Involved- SCOTUS Ruling on decreasing Exxon Damages Settlement!!! Did she have a ‘blonde Moment’ or did she Agree with the Reduced ‘sentence’? Neither excuse bodes well with Me!
Report thisHer inability to answer questions directly, stay on topic and avoid Lying were only punctuated by her Winks, shout outs and ‘Stepford Wife’ animation.
I can think of a number of Reasons John McCain should be held Legally responsible for Much which Plagues our nation Now- But the naming of Palin is Proof he intends to continue his Criminal Activities well into the future (and poss past his own life span).Treason for Past High Crimes and Future Intent- With forethought and Malice!