Has Presidential nominee Senator John McCain made a cunning move in picking Alaska’s Governor Sarah Palin as his republican running mate in this years Presidential election? I know nothing about Palin other than she’s a woman, but with so many pissed off Hillary supporters out there this might just have been the smartest move McCain has made in his bid to become America’s next President.
America’s Next President sounds like it could be the title for a low budget ad-laden reality TV game show, and in a sense that’s exactly what it is. So far we’ve had the bitchty name calling, the lies and double-talk, the drama surrounding expensive hair-do’s, and an emotional defeat that have left fans (known in this setting as supporters) in tears and embittered.
In many respects this has actually been reality TV worth watching, but since the Clinton/Obama battle faded the ratings must have taken a slight tumble. Yes, former candidate John Edwards was spotted skulking around the corridors of a hotel getting a little extra-marital input, but the there was something, dare I say, sexy about having Hillary do battle with the Barack-star (and that’s the only time I’m ever going to use the word sexy in the same sentence as Hillary Clinton!). Her supporters might have hoped that Obama would choose her as his running mate, but that was never going to happen, and their hopes were dashed when Joe Biden’s name was put on the ticket.
Enter Miss Congeniality and former runner up of Miss Alaska, Governor Sarah Palin. Senator John McCain’s running mate is bringing sexy back to the show (sexy in a Hillary Clinton way, not a Christina Aguilera way you understand). This might just have been a master stroke by the McCain camp. It’s very possible, some might even say likely, that all those pissed of Hillary supporters who have been telling anyone who will listen how they’re not going to vote for Obama, might now be far more inclined to vote for McCain.
But who is Sarah Palin? That’s the question many people will be asking, and no doubt the news anchors will be answering that in brain popping detail. But come on, yes I know this is a serious presidential race and all, but in terms of good ol’ fashioned reality TV, Governor Palin is a ‘MILF’, and thank God for that. Now we’ve got our trash TV back and the race for the leadership of the free world is back on the ‘possibly watchable’ list once again.
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Who is Sarah Palin?
Sarah Palins experience : Check mate
If Obama Loses
[Video] Sarah Palin in the 1984 swimsuit contest
Wrote the following comment on Aug 29, 2008 at 8:40 pm
You know, I didn’t think McCain stood a chance v. Obama.
Now, he just might. You’ve got to give it to them, they could not have had a more perfect choice.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 29, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Simon – Thanks for this post. When I heard that Governor Palin was going to be McCain’s running mate I wanted to look her up because I heard that she was a former beauty pageant contestant, and I was, of course, interested in looking at this lady who has both looks and intelligence (at least enough to get elected as governor and run a state with a generally positive report). Mind you, I don’t want to perpetuate the dichotomy that looks and brains are opposing characteristics in a person, but as you implied, politics is not generally a glamorous affair.
By the way, I agree with you that McCain’s strategy in picking Palin was in part to appeal to Clinton’s base. However, I have heard there is a trade off in this choice. Palin, is not much, if any, more experienced than Obama when it comes to politics. So, it is going to be hard for the McCain camp to pull out the inexperience card against Obama, when they can throw it back at Palin.
Ooooooooooh, let the games begin.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 12:04 am
Alright, I just saw a You Tube clip from the Craig Ferguson show, who, apparently, has been trying to get “honorary citizenship” (sounds like something you should try Simon) from different cities and states across the union. As it turns out, Gov. Palin has a sense of humor, as she responded by video and gave Mr. Ferguson honorary citizenship. After the video was through, Craig felt compelled to point out that he was feeling a “naughty librarian” vibe coming from the governor.
Gee, I wonder if I can guess the content of some of the late night talk show monologues this evening.
;-)
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 12:27 am
I agree with Anthony, its a bit of a role of the dice for McCain. He can hardly go on about Obama’s inexperience when his second in command is a 2 year governor with less experience than McCain. But maybe they feel they have already hammered that message home by now.
If Obama loses the election, he will lose it for one reason, and for one reason only, America isn’t ready to elect a black President.
Incidentally, did anyone hear Putin’s remarks that the Georgian crisis was orchestrated by the Bush administration to boost McCain’s campaign? That’s a pretty serious accusation for someone like Putin to make.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 12:45 am
Check these links out (I’ll add the ‘If Obama loses link to the post now too).
Sarah Palins experience : Check mate and
If Obama Loses
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 1:36 am
This woman (or “MILF” as the author says) is currently under investigation for abuse of power! I’m guessing that they’re banking on the lipstick and tits fix.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 2:00 am
What an acrid little sexist pig you are. “MILF!” Could you be any more demeaning? I’m no republican but this woman was just an ordinary American girl who is now looking at the Vice Presidency and you summarize this by calling her “a MILF!”
You truly are a disgusting little europhile. Why don’t you butt out of our country and retreat to your own little european cesspool of depravity? You make me sick! Men like you disgust me!
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 2:23 am
Lordie. Talk about lack of experience and gravitas.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 2:58 am
I think she is a real smart choice. I think that McCain will actually win over more men than women with this broad because he’s been clever enough to mix playboy and politics together. Lets face it, Dick Cheney isn’t nice to look at, and moving away from having a Dick in the second chair and putting Tits McGee there is a great idea. The VP is window dressing anyway, so it makes sense to have something nice to look at.
Now, what other centerfolds could McCain use to win over the working class men of America? There has to be room in the cabinet for Ginger Lynn surely?
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 3:44 am
I think this is a disasterous choice for the repubs. I feared they would choose a woman and get some positive energy from that, but a gov with so little experience? Hell, I wanted a woman badly, but a qualified one.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 4:19 am
Oh how delicious this election is. Republicans don’t want to put a black man in office but then they’re not going to be keen on having a woman in the passenger seat either!
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 4:56 am
Seems like a strange choice to me. The “lipstick and tits fix” comment made me laugh, but I think that Ron might well be onto something with that.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 5:01 am
The Rep are not going to get as many Clinton women as they think. The MILF is a big pro-lifer. BUT, she has taxed oil companies in Alaska…hm…I am confused.
And the experience card? I dont believe in it. Where I work (in surgery) we have some very “experienced” (10+yrs) nurses that I would not allow to touch me. Experienced in politics means that they know how to hide their corruption better.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I really don’t think the experience issue is an issue at all. People vote for the person they like. Yes I know that people talk about experience and the such, but really the far greater issue here is not experience but color.
I think McCain’s choice confirms the fact that this election (like all elections really) is a personality choice and not much more. I think that choosing Palin, “the MILF”, is a shrewd move because she’s a “hockey Mom” done good – a very likable character in that I think a lot of voters will be able to identify with her more than they can with the lofty likes of McCain and Obama. What with so many Hillary supporters bitching about how they won’t vote for Obama, I think it’s also fairly obvious that McCain has chosen Palin to try and seal that deal.
McCain lacks personality and he knows it. Palin jazzes up his ticket and buys his campaign more camera time for sure. I still say Obama will win, though it won’t be a landslide because I think a ton of Americans will come out and vote against “the black man.” Whatever happens, I just don’t think that experience is important and all, and McCain’s choice of running mate absolutely proves that too.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 12:53 pm
To Melinda H (comment number 7), It’s nice to see you back again Melinda. I think it’s funny that you got mad at me for describing Palin as “MILF” when you have repeatedly described me as a “europhile.” I know you’ll say it’s not the same thing, but every time you have commented you have dismissed my opinion based on nothing more than the fact I am from Europe. I wasn’t dismissing Palin at all though, I was simply saying that she seemed a smart choice to me because she is a woman. But hey, what do I kow right, after all I’m just a “europhile.” :-)
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Total meltdown of the McCain campaign to make such a disastrous choice.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I was going to vote for Hillary as I stated in a comment on a previous post. But I’ve switched to McCain because Wilvo is right, I am not ready to put the welfare of this great nation into the hands of an imigarnt elitist.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Schmit, surely you should vote based on the candidates policies. I know personality comes in to it, but surely Obama is nearer to Clinton on policy than he is to McCain. Therefore I can only conclude that you agree with Obama’s policy but don’t trust him because he is black. How can you be so narrow minded? Your prejudice is blurring your logic. How can you declare that Obama is an elitist when you consider his background? He’s quite clearly intelligent, and I wonder if you are getting the two things confused. Surely Obama is the embodiment of the American dream, that someone irrespective of race, faith or upbringing can achieve anything they want to with hard work and determination. Does the fact that so many Americans feel the same way, make somewhat of a mockery of your pledge of allegiance? One nation under God? You’ve got to be kidding right? No doubt if Arnie was able to run for the Whitehouse, you’d fee comfortable voting for him. Indeed, I doubt you would have any problem voting for an immigrant, just as long as he wasn’t black.
You know Schmit, so many people around the world are taking notice of this election because so much is at stake. The world is a very different place than it was 8 years ago, your President has done so much damage to your own country and had a massive impact on the rest of us. He has been a disastrous President, an embarrassment to your country, and yet I feel we get the leaders we deserve, and what I think is even sadder is that a great deal of Americans ever voted for such an idiot in the first place.
Its time to put your prejudice aside, and vote based on who is going to be best able to put things right in your country. Is it going to be McCain? He’s old school Washington, who has voted with Bush 90% of the time, I can guarantee that things are not going to get better under McCain. If your choice of President only screwed up your own country I wouldn’t really care, but based on the last 8 years, your President’s actions have made us all less safe. Your President’s actions after 9/11 have created a huge and international network of terrorism, before it was fragmented and small. We in the UK learnt that you can’t defeat terrorism by using guns and bombs, eventually you have to figure out why they are so pissed with you, and try and solve the problem.
In the words of Hillary, we cant afford another 4 years of the last 8 years.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 30, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I didn’t much like Bush, but I am not going to vote for a black man. Black people are simply not wired the same way we are.
I’m sure you have seen pornography Wilvo, there is tons of it on the web. The reason why the black guys have bigger dicks is because they are genetically a little different to white men, yes they have bigger dicks but they have smaller brains too.
Obama is a crowd pleaser and a flip-floper. He’s a smart guy I’ll give you that, but he’s not a solid choice. I contend that the only reason he would win is because he is black. That’s what this election is all about as Simon Jones pointed out. It’s all about the black man and I think he is nowhere near as qualified or competant to run our country than Hillary.
[Comment edited by webmaster to remove “the n word.”]
Wrote the following comment on Aug 31, 2008 at 12:07 am
You see, this is what worries me, here you are, obviously thinking you are superior to black people, simply because you’re white. Now if I am employing someone, I do so on the basis of their ability to do the job, my companies success is too important to allow race or religion to cloud my judgement. Why would selecting a President be any different? Is McCain more capable than Obama? If so why? Why do you want a President that will favour the rich, and probably invade Iran, or start another cold war? Why do you want a President that will continue the tradition of giving tax breaks to the rich instead of helping the average American. Your opinion simply doesn’t make any sense. Is a red car better than a black car? No, they are exactly the same, just a different colour. Can I ask, would you prefer a thick white man to be President over a smart black man? If you do, you deserve everything you get as a result of that choice, I just wish we didn’t have to suffer too! You’re cutting off you nose to spite your face.
I tend to speak as I find, and try not to generalise about people. I have met nice white people, I’ve met not so nice white people, I’ve met nice black people, and not so nice black people. I can only assume you’re experience of black people has been bad, perhaps there aren’t many where you live, or the ones that do are of the bad variety.
I’d be interested to know more about you Schmit, just so I can make sense of your views. Do you mind telling me your age and which part of the country you live in?
Wrote the following comment on Aug 31, 2008 at 12:18 am
oh and also, are you blue or white collar? Are your views representative of those of your peers?
Wrote the following comment on Aug 31, 2008 at 1:17 am
Good Gawd. The second in command less experienced than Obama, and is under investigation? They must WANT to lose. But, if true, it will be fun to watch them all find their note cards from the Meirs-for-SCOTUS campaign. Popcorn acquisition time.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 31, 2008 at 2:01 am
Wilvo. Obama is a pretender. If he wins office then you’ll see soon enough that he like to play for the crowd. You’re going to vote for what Obama won’t do rather than what he will do and if you ask me thats just plain dumb
As for the black people where I live there are plenty of them. They’re not too clever but then facts is facts aren’t they.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 31, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Realistically, I expected McCain to pick a Pro-Lifer. No surprise here with Palin. Her stance on creationism and evolution being taught in public schools is a big negative for me. McCain made his VP choice simply becos Palin is a woman.
As if that is all it will take, the condescension makes me roil.
But don”t feel sorry for Palin. She is allowing herself to be exploited. Do u really think she would have been the VP pick, had she been a man? What does that say about how McCain thinks of women?
Palin likes to surround herself with yes people, she forces resignations from those that may not capitulate easily. Already she under an ethics investigation for abuse of power, in a messy, personal and perhaps vindictive intrigue. Her hubby has interesting ties with BP and is perhaps not quite “just a fisherman.”
This pairing is not about change, it’s really more of the same old politics. McCain”s choice simply reinforces his recklessness. Not a quality for these complex times that we want in our CIC.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 31, 2008 at 6:33 pm
McCain’s choice of Palin as a running mate is so cynical, transparent, and misogynistic that I can’t believe that some women are taken in by it. What he’s saying is one woman is just like another, we’re interchangeable, just pick the one who’s prettier. Come on, Hillary supporters, don’t you see that you’ve been thoroughly insulted and demeaned? Do you really think that Palin is the woman that Hillary is? Do you really share her values and policies? Do YOU believe that women are nothing more than accessories to a man? Shirt and matching socks–check, shined shoes–check, nice tie–check, attractive woman–check. I’m a feminist, but I’m an American first and Republicans have destroyed our country. Please vote for our country. Vote Obama.
Wrote the following comment on Aug 31, 2008 at 9:01 pm
While I don’t agree with some of her conservative social views, I think Palin’s energy, and most of all her intregrity, will be a big asset to McCain’s campaign.
When I first became aware of Sarah Palin several months ago my immediate thought was she would go far in the Republican Party. She may not be ready to be President, but neither is Obama.
A choice between a second in command who will become prepared to lead is far preferable to me than a Commander-In-Chief who is a one term Senator who has spent most of that time campaigning.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 1, 2008 at 11:30 am
Dawn, experience counts for jack if that experience is bad. Just because someone is old and has been in Washington for years does not make his policies right for your country. Lets face it, a President, any President relies on his advisors a great deal, men and women who do have a great deal of experience. I think the most important attributes for a leader are intelligence, compassion and integrity, attributes Obama has in abundance. If you are a Republican, did you vote for Bush last time? If so, what about his inexperience?
It makes me mad that you guys are still prepared to elect a white meat head who will be bad for your country over an intelligent black man that has new and fresh ideas.
Please, please don’t vote for McCain, the world can’t take another 8 years of Bush policies.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 1, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Wilvo, I can’t agree with you. Sarah Palin is the epitome of “Hope and Change” — Obama talks about it, and goes the same old liberal, left wing route; McCain walks it, and picked a brilliant VP candidate. She has more experinece than OBAMA, plus the ethics, character, values, management skills and respect totally devoid with Obama.
I say “GAME ON” and this election will forever change the political process.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 1, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Schmit. I’m sorry to shatter illusions for you, but the ideas that black men have smaller brains and bigger dicks than white men is a myth. But hey, if you’re getting your information from porno flicks then I think that probably tells us more about you and why you might feel a little intimidated by an intelligent black man.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 1, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I think it’s amusing that the republicans like to preach and play like they’re the correct moral choice, but now we learn that Palin’s unmarried 17 year old daughter is pregnant!
So now we have a vice-presidential hopeful who has raised another Jamie-Lynn Spears despite all her conservative, God-fearing front. Honestly, between this and McCain’s cheating on/dumping his first wife (based on her disfigurement in a car crash), I am having a hard time swallowing the “family values” message the GOP is always trying to con us with.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 1, 2008 at 8:35 pm
This is the problem with faith based birth control. A 17 year old getting married. Really? It is too bad that her mother didn’t want Alaska schools to actually teach birth controls.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 1, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Some great values you got there Sarah!! Your daughter is ready to be a mom just about as much as you are ready to be VP!! The whole GOP campaign is a complete joke! you can’t make this sh*t up!!! It’s like a sitcom!!
Wrote the following comment on Sep 1, 2008 at 10:22 pm
What a disaster!!!! I LOVE IT!
Grandpa/MILF 08′ LOL!
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 12:47 am
Thank God the daughter and family have enough character to keep the child. Abortion would be so easy. I admire their love for each other and their concern for the grandchild.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 2:09 am
Simon Jones, please don’t allow your own physical insecurities and shortcomings cloud your better judgement.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 3:37 am
I would ask, as a supportive mother… Who is going to help her daughter when that baby comes? This girl needs her mom now more than ever! I agree with the OP that perhaps she should have waited until 2012? Also, I thought her daughter was sick with mono that is why she wasn’t in school for 5 months? Turns out, she wasn’t that sick:( Did she drop out of school? this is truly a sad story, but I don’t think it will garner votes for McCain, I think it will actually take votes away:( I respect Ms. Palin for supporting her daughter but I think that the last thing this country needs is a poster kid for having a baby at 17…
I also read on another blog that her husband has been arrested for a DUI?
What was Mr. McCain thinking?
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 6:27 am
It’s not the child healthy labido that astounds me nor that she even became pregnant … but it’s the fact that she is the daughter of a bible thumping mother who spews the very values she can not even instill in her home and who, while preaching abstaining overloked explaining the minor details of birth control. This is beyond idiocy
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 7:33 am
Teenagers want to have sex and they always will regardless of how much you tell them not to. I was going to say I didn’t blame Palin but that hinges on whether or not she taught her daughter about safe sex or not.
JD, how does Palin represent change in the Republican party? What new ideas is she bringing to the table? The fact remains, McCain has voted with the President 90% of the time. How does that give you any hope that things will change. Or perhaps You’re happy with the last 8 years?
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:36 am
Oh and also JD, how does pressuring your daughter to get married at 17 show a supportive family? Is Palin going to be a supportive Mum and help her bring up the baby? They don’t have much choice do they? She can hardly tell her to get an abortion. I would suggest a true loving family would have told her the facts about birth control. They are dealing with this disastrous situation because of the bad choices made by the parents. This is a recipe for disaster, forcing your daughter to get married is never going to end happily is it? Reminds me very much of the Taleban.
All this goes to show is that Palin probably doesn’t have any fresh ideas, just the same old Christian right Republican nonesense. When are you going to work out that dropping more bombs doesn’t bring peace, being tough on drugs doesn’t work, and teaching kids abstinence doesn’t stop them from having sex?
Wake up, its time to get real about the world and how things work, just because you say the sky aint blue doesn’t stop it being true.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Oh and one more thing. I wonder if the shoe had been on the other foot, would the McCain campaign have been as gracious as the Obama campaign has been over these revelations. I somehow seriously doubt it!
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 7:28 pm
In some respects, who give a damn? (over here in the UK anyway). i certainly don’t as our more than useless PM will kiss-arse whoever it is in charge over there and it will just be another ‘Bush-Blair’ show with no real intent as usual. (if you don’t count the intent to cock everything up of course)
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 7:59 pm
ROTPM, can you please explain which McCain policies you are in favour of, the ones that are going to get America out of the hole its in right now. Can you also which Obama policies you dislike and why?
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Tanya’s comment (#25) made me think – Any former Hillary supporters that vote for McCain/Palin over Obama are downright sexist. I can’t think of any other reason that would explain such a switch. Gender is the only thing Hil and Palin have in common. Otherwise they are night and day.
Off the Palin topic, wilvo may spontaneously combust, but I am voting for McCain. I fear wilvo has been watching too much DNC TV and has bought the line about how a vote for McCain is a vote for 4 more years of Bush. I disagree. Anyone familiar with McCain for more than the last year knows that he did not come by his “maverick” reputation lightly. He’s been a thorn in the neocons’ side for a while.
Opposing the Bush tax cuts, making plans to fight global warming while others were sticking to the Exxon CEO’s line that global warming was a myth, passing campaign finance reform laws and curbing gov spending, adopting a reasonable middle-of-the-road immigration policy, speaking out against torture, criticizing the execution of the war – all instances of him not towing the party line.
Before you try to put me in a box with Schmit though since I’m from the South and a white male…I’m not moving to Canada if Obama gets elected either though. He’s a smart guy who, for the most part, has good ideas.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:15 pm
I think matt raises some good points. Of all the republicans,McCain really has shown himself to be willing to cross between party lines.
As far as Palin goes, I like her so far. I havent heard her speak much or know too much about her, but from what I’ve learned thus far, she seems pretty level headed. This is encouraging when there is a huge change that she may end up this countries next VP.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 2, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Matt, I’ve been watching both candidates for quite some time now. The stats speak for themselves, McCain has voted with Bush 90% of the time. That doesn’t say maverick to me. He thinks middle class is someone who earns less than $5 million ffs! He can’t remember how many house he has and will probably drop dead in office. Haveyou seen how most 70 year olds drive? Can you imagine how they would run a country. I guess I’m just anti republican, because everytime I hear one speak they remind me of preachers. McCain thinks you can make the world safer by bombing your enemies. America needs a moderate and considered President right now, that guy isn’t McCain.
I can’t believe that after Bush you’re prepareed to make the same mistake again.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 3, 2008 at 3:45 am
And Obama votes with the Dems 97% of the time. This isn’t surprising, it’s an unfortunate artifact of our two-party system that is constantly running for re-election.
Regarding the $5MM = rich comment, I actually prefer Obama’s individual income tax plan, it’s definitely more progressive. Can’t say the same for his corporate tax plans though and still haven’t decided on the captial gains tax.
McCain’s mom (who is on TV now at the RNC) looks like she’s doing pretty good at close to 100 years old, and just like gender or race, age isn’t something that I take into account when voting.
If I thought McCain wanted to fight a war in Iraq for 100 years like some would have you believe OR provoke Iran into a war, I wouldn’t vote for him. You said, “America needs a moderate and considered President right now” I agree…but we have the choice of a very liberal one and a generally conservative one, and I prefer to err on the conservative side.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 3, 2008 at 4:12 am
It is actually difficult to put in to words the authenticity and capabilities of Gov. Palin. The reason it is difficult is that she can be all things to all people. Not like Bill Clinton or Barack Obama (Sorry Hillary you don’t have it) but with a genuine persona that touches both the heart and the intellect of Betty down at the bakery or a room full of America’s governors (and eventually the world).
I’ve know a few people like Sarah Palin, we all probably have. And when you look at her background, upbringing, education and experience she is someone that you could easily see being governor of any state, an FBI agent, a university president, a high school principle, a CEO of a world class company, and… President of the United States! Sarah Barracuda has got “IT” and it is the IT that Barack Obama desperately wants and will never have and the IT that Bill Clinton could never have depending on what your definition of IT is, is. Sarah Palin is Barack & Bill on steroids!
Sarah Palin is going to artfully show the world what IT is. Sadly, 48% of America has no interest in understanding this phenomena or participating in the process of advancing it.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 3, 2008 at 4:51 am
Any governor (or mayor) in America has more experience & workload in one month than Barack had in 1 year in the Senate.
Obama only a Senator for 150 days or so before the session ended, then he went on the campaign trail. So really he only has less than half a year’s experience as a Senator!!
Wrote the following comment on Sep 3, 2008 at 7:29 am
Matt, at least you know what the policies are and therefore I respect your opinion. I think you’re wrong but there you go :-) When I hear McCain speak he doesn’t sound that sharp to be honest.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 3, 2008 at 7:39 am
Out of Clinton and Palin I’d much prefer to see Palin naked.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 3, 2008 at 9:01 pm
90% of black people voting for Obama are doing so because he is black. Therefore I agree with the author of this post. Women will vote for McCain/Palin because to be frank, they are stupid as black people!
Wrote the following comment on Sep 3, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Oh heck, I haven’t logged on for a couple of days so please forgive the absense and the fact that a few comments here haven’t appeared (commenters have to be approved by me the first time they comment). Some comments appearing now were not visable before – see comments 48, 49, 51 and 52.
As for comment 35, all I will say it that I laughed out loud when I read that. Nice come back Schmity, but I hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t take the bait, I’ve not really got a lot of time and this air conditioning is killing me!
I had to laugh that Wilvo managed to liken Sarah Palin to the Taliban! That also made me laugh. Personally though I wouldn’t vote for McCain that’s only because I like Obama and I believe that the world needs Obama – if he lives up to the hope he inspires – and that is a very VERY big if. This is politics after all.
I know it’s amusing to say things like Palin is pro-life and McCain is clinging onto life, but I think that’s unfair. Come on, 70 isn’t that old.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 4, 2008 at 2:01 am
Good little Christian girls get in trouble all the time, and by trouble, I mean pregnant. The little brother of my childhood best friend, knocked up his girlfriend. They were both church going, bible study going, youth group attending teens. Did I mention that his dad is a pastor? IMHO, I think kids with overly religious parents, often have sex to rebel. I think they are also afraid of get caught so they don’t go on the pill or keep condoms. (Dumb, dumb, dumb.)
I know abstinence works, I haven’t gotten pregnant not having sex, but so does hormonal birth control and condoms. I’ve been on birth control pills and/or other hormonal methods since I was 13, I’m 26 now. I’m not pregnant, nor have I ever been.
As for Bristol keeping the baby, I am so shocked. Good little Christian girls are supposed to give the kids away so that they can go back to being good little christian girls, and act like it never happened.
My childhood friend is missing out on being part of her niece’s life, because they did what good little christian kids who “get in trouble” do. He does get to see the little girl occasionally, as do his parents, but they don’t even refer to her as their grandchild, but as their son’s child.
I give kudos to Bristol for actually trying to keep her kid, but marriage because of being pregnant is a lousy reason for marriage. I’ve seen too many marriages go bad that the parents only get married because they’re expecting.
On a personal not, I’m pagan, opposed to marriage (although, if you want to go through the mess of a divorce, go ahead and get married), although anyone gay or straight should be able to make the horrible choice themselves. I don’t think that people should have kids until their 30s. Actually, I don’t think people should have kids unless they are licensed to parent, but that’s a little extreme. My parents were young when they had their children, two of my sisters were both young, and my grandparents got married because they were knocked up with my mom (this was in the 50s).
So many people stick together because of their kids. Luckily, my sisters have figured out that their husbands are useless, and one is divorced, and the other one is headed that way. I would feel so much better for Bristol if she would wait until she actually knew whether or not she wants to be with this guy, Levi, forever before she marries him.
She’d probably be better off living with mommy and daddy than living in squalor with another teen, or they’ll end up moving in with her parents. Like that would be good for a relationship.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 4, 2008 at 3:21 am
why is sarah palins family so out there, when obohma,s past is not. how about his ue of cocaine compared to sarah,s husband getting arrested for dui.what about his relationship with terriost ayres. if you are going to dig up negatives I suggest you do so equally.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 4, 2008 at 3:54 am
Sarah Palin gave birth to a baby with Down’s Syndrome at the age of 44.
Is anyone else appalled at this?
The risk of giving birth to a baby with Down’s Syndrome is extremely high in women over 40 (and even higher when the father is also over 40).
https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/news/20030701/dad-age-down-syndrome
Sarah Palin “opposes the use of birth control pills and condoms even among married couples”.
I am disgusted by this irresponsible behaviour. To give birth at age 44 to a baby with Down’s because you refuse to use birth control inexcusable. Ignoring the dangers that you expose yourself and your baby to by refusing to use birth control after 40 is negligent and careless. To believe that a woman like this has the opportunity to become Vice President of the United States of America in 2008 makes me ill.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 4, 2008 at 5:18 am
In fairness you can only get a partial picture by looking at the way a candidate has voted because there are always things attached to bills that are put there to sway the voting.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 4, 2008 at 11:12 am
Dawn, I assume your argument before Palin was picked as VP is that Obama didn’t have enough experience, well by that argument neither does Palin. Lets look at GWB, he had lots of experience and look what a mess he made of things. So I’m sorry the whole experience thing doesn’t cut it. If Palin is experienced enough, so is Obama. Personally I think intelligence & integrity take precedent over experience. Experience does not equal ability. If Palin was a Democratic VP you would be ripping in to her for her lack of experience. We all know very experienced people who are useless at their jobs!
Uncle Jam, you’re n idiot.
Simon, let me clarify my reference to the Taleban. Afghanistan was a theocracy, many Evangelicals would like to see America as a theocracy, they don’t have a problem with theocracies per se, just Islamic ones. And lets face it, a Country run on Biblical principles is just fine but we all know there are many Christians with different interpretations of what those principles are. For example, would we really want a Country run on the Biblical interpretations of Fred Phelps? Can we name one country in the world were politics and religion have been mixed were it isn’t a disaster?
Kristen, I agree with a lot of what you say. Who the hell is ready at 17 to be a Mum or get married?
frogcatcher912, I agree, that a woman in 2008 refuses to teach her kids about birth control because of religious ideology is scary. That many in the Republican party are at ease with this is even scarier.
Its nice to see the Republicans being true to form at their convention. Slag off your opponents, and make people afraid of the other guy is standard Republican tactics. Its a very different tone to the Democratic convention the other week. Republicans always come across as a bit nasty and hateful in my opinion.
Come on America, its time to join the 21st century with the rest of us.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 4, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I think that sarah palin is a hypocrite. She says she is a conservative who believes in abstinence, and pro life choices. However, her daughter is now pregnant at seventeen. She is a child. I have a seventeen year old daughter. She is not ready to be a mother. And what does Palin say about the situation? She says she is happy, excited, and proud of her daughter. What kind of message does this send to our daughters? Lets have babies and get married?
Where’s the feminist in that? Palin is not a feminist she is a hypocrite. It’s 2008 not 1938. Lets get real! We should be teaching our daughters about safe sex-because not doing so is not only a sad shame but a major health concern. A health concern that Palin should know all about. Afterall, her state of Alaska has a very high rate of STDs and teen pregnancy. Along with outlawing abortion, what else will she do as Vice President? Outlaw birth control, condoms, sex education? Thats the real issue here.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 4, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Sarah Palin has an infant child with down syndrome and a pregnant teenage daughter yet she’s going to take the next few years of her life to be the VP of this country?
Putting her career ahead of the needs of her handicap infant child and her pregnant teenage daughter has seriously given me pause for thought when before she was announced I was McCain all the way.
Nice blog by the way Simon, and I’ll be saying prayers for your nephew too.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 5, 2008 at 12:09 am
I find it deeply worrying that we have someone running for the VP of the most powerful country on earth who doesn’t believe in evolution or teaching her kids about safe sex. We also have Obama saying candidates families are off limits, she repays his graciousness with a bitter and nasty attack on him, shame on her. The Republicans over the last few days have shown they are not about change, they have no fresh ideas, all they know how to do is to attack their opponents and spread fear, uncertainty and doubt. They’re pretty good at it, I’ll give you that. You don’t show how you are going to be different and bring change when you read a speech prepared by GWB’s chief speech writer. America does not need this divisive Christian loon in the Whitehouse!
And now we learn that she only got a passport last year, how Republicans have the gall to criticise Obama for his lack of foreign policy experience is beyond me. Sarah Palin represents everything bad about America, Obama had it right when he described small town Americans as clinging to their guns and religion. Mit Romney took a sideways go at Michelle Obama last night for her comments about being proud to be American for the first time in a long time. Well I’m sorry Mit, you haven’t had a lot to be proud of lately, your country’s status in the world has taken a nosedive during the years GWB has been in office.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 5, 2008 at 7:19 am
I’m confused Wilvo, you write “we” then refer to America as “your country.” I do’t understand where you are coming from? Are you a communist of something? Are you one of these disgraceful people who won’t call themselves American out of “shame” at the bravery we’ve shown in the face of our enemies? If so, shame on you Wilvo!
Wrote the following comment on Sep 5, 2008 at 9:47 am
I don’t think I have used the term we to infer I’m American, however if I have then it was a simple error. However, if I was American I would be ashamed yes. Your Government has trampled on the constitution in the name of keeping you safe. Your actions have left you very few friends in the World. What bravery is this you speak of? You invade a Country on a faulty pretext, fuck it up, create a terrorist network there and generally just piss everyone off. Come on now, fighting Russia or China would be brave but invading Iraq was a walk in the park in comparison. Now you’ve decided that we also need another cold war, gee thanks. Perhaps if America started to grow up and start acting responsibly then people would start to respect it. We should however remember, that you are a very young country, and as with most youngsters, you think you know it all.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 5, 2008 at 10:05 am
yeah Wilvo, are you a communist?
Wrote the following comment on Sep 5, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Yeah Dom, didn’t you know, communism is the new terrorism :-) Who do Americans always need someone to demonise?
Wrote the following comment on Sep 5, 2008 at 6:35 pm
#56 – The quote about Sarah Palin opposing contraception within marriage(!) is flat wrong. There seems to be a lot of confusion on this distributed by copy-paste blogs such as this one. However, a quick check of some more reputable sources (Time, Medical News Today, OnTheIssues.org, etc) show that she is on the record as “pro-contraceptive”.
#60 – I know plenty of hard-working women that are great mothers. Sometimes the timing of career and family events are less than optimal, but strong families with a good community can stand up to a lot.
#61 – I will agree that I didn’t like the attack dog style of Palin’s acceptance speech. I liked McCain’s tone last night much more, although he did just re-hash a lot of the same stuff from the previous days’ speeches. When will people understand that ISSUES are important to people who are rah-rah Republicans or die-hard Democrats?
Wrote the following comment on Sep 6, 2008 at 7:13 am
Wilvo, I’m sorry I didn’t realise you were not an American. Now that I know this it puts your tiresome rants into context. Your one of those anti-Americans who knows better than all of us. You’ve probably never even been here.
You’re rather thike this troubled young man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM8l3X_7Hkg
Wrote the following comment on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:51 am
JD, any idea why you are the most hated country in the world? No its not jealousy, its because you swagger around blowing things up and thinking you know best.
I don’t hate America, or Americans but I do hate the way it has acted over the last 8 years. Perhaps what I hate most of all is the attitude that nobody else’s opinion counts, a little like your attitude. As far as countries go, your the new kid on the block and yet you act like you have some God given right to tell everyone else how to live.
For the record, I’ve been to your country on 3 occasions and loved it. Out of interest, how much have you travelled outside the US?
Wrote the following comment on Sep 6, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I guess Wilvo is just expresing, in a somewhat passionate way, the feelings that a lot of non-Americans have had since GWB went came to power. However, I would point out that I don’t think Brits can take the high ground really because while I agree that America is probably “the most hated nation” I think the UK is most certainly playing second fiddle in that case.
Wrote the following comment on Sep 7, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I still can’t believe it’s illegal to 69 or do it doggie style in Alaska!
Wrote the following comment on Sep 8, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I think AA Gill’s column in the Sunday Times made some very good, and amusing points.
The fact that there were only 36 black delegates at the Republican convention is shocking, that’s less than 2% of delegates.
He also writes “depending on how fundamentally hard right you are, Palin is either a godsend who speaks to the experience of ordinary small-town large-breasted American women and sticks two fingers in the eye of the coastal latte liberals. Or she’s a hideously embarrassing that will swamp the election in underclass redneck sexual incontinence and that everything is about damage limitation and trying not to think what would happen if President McCain died and this was the first family. Not so much igloo to Whitehouse as igloo to White trailer.”
And this “There’s a whiff of baby oil and moose blood, a heady pheromone that rouses delegates to waggle their paunches at her.”
Read the whole article here https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4690544.ece
And also this…
https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/andrew_sullivan/article4690545.ece
Wrote the following comment on Sep 11, 2008 at 12:36 am
Nice to see the Republican attack machine is in full effect. It makes a mockery of McCain’s pledge of change when we see the same old Carl Rove spin, distraction and mis-direction politics that we saw 8 years ago. Is it any wonder America is in such a mess when the McCain campaign makes such a fuss about an innocent and much used comment. Are American’s really that dumb to fall for this? It would certainly seem like the American media is. Surely the American media should have simply laughed at this pathetic attempt at mock outrage, and then moved on to talking about the issues. When exactly are the McCain campaign going to talk about the real issues that are facing Americans? Its also amusing that McCain had obviously forgotten he used the exact same phrase when referring to Clintons healthcare policy, not suprising though, he can’t even remember how many houses he has. Oh, they say, he was talking about policy but Obama was clearly referring to Palin. And when does Palin get to be interrogated by the press? She is being shielded from the media, why? Could it be because they know she lacks the experience to handle the press, they don’t want her saying anything silly and getting her and the campaign in to trouble. Do you really want someone that green in the VP’s chair. If she’s such a pitbull, let her meet the press without her handler.
The more I see of the McCain campaign, the more I’m convinced its just more of the same dumbed down politics that has dominated American for the last 8 years.
The choice becomes more and more stark with each passing day of this campaign, do you want the gun-ho war veteran and his lipstick wearing pit-bull to continue the disastrous policies of the Bush administration, or do you want the intelligent, ethical approach of Obama. McCain doesn’t have a clue how to tackle the problems facing America, he seems to know a lot about lipstick though, so everything should be fine.