So John McCain picks Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice-Presidential nominee. I know nothing about her, so will suspend judgment. But she is a woman, which is fantastic. The U.S. will either have an African-American President or a female Vice-President, which is the kind of history that should have been made long ago; so kudos to McCain for his courage in making that choice.
Beyond that, there are just a few tidbits that seem to be trotted out in all the stories about Palin. She is very firmly pro-life. Unless you are a polar bear. She is in favor of domestic partnerships, although against gay marriage (which puts her in the official Democratic position). She’s been embroiled in some sort of scandal, although it’s always hard to tell at first glance how serious those things should be taken. Perhaps her signature issue, as far as national politics is concerned, is drilling for oil all over the place — she’s in favor.
One might wonder whether McCain undermines his message of the importance of experience by picking a 44-year old governor with no national experience at all. But one might wonder whether Obama undermined his message of bringing change to Washington by choosing a white male Washington lifer from the Northeast; so clearly the McCain camp thought this was worth the risk. We might learn terrible or wonderful things about her in the next few months, but for the moment this seems superficially like a more palatable pick than any of the bigger Republican names that had been floating around — clearly it was in McCain’s eyes. (Brad DeLong wonders whether a similar line of reasoning didn’t leave us with Dan Quayle twenty years ago.)
Update: I originally included a link to this YouTube video of Palin making Craig Ferguson an honorary citizen of Alaska, which I think speaks to her sense of humor. But it also involves Ferguson making jokes about her giving off a sexy librarian vibe, which is fine in the context of a late-night comedy show, but isn’t a fair first impression for a female candidate for a major national office. All sorts of jokes will doubtless be on their way, we might as well make some meager effort to start things off with more substantive considerations.
Update again: Because I don’t know anything about Palin, I’ve tried to be open-minded about the pick. But 24 hours later, the obvious first conclusion to which one is tempted to jump appears increasingly correct: this is a person who has no business being anywhere near a national ticket. Sufficient evidence for this conclusion comes from the words of her supporters, along the lines of: Sure, she’s woefully underqualified, but in all probability John McCain will live for at least another four years! And if he doesn’t, we’re sure she will have the good sense to resign.
I wonder how many times she has visited Iraq to get the facts on the ground?
From a European perspective, it looks like two very similar teams: an old, experienced, white male, and a younger, inexperienced person, who is not a white male. The most PC choice would of course be a non-white, non-male person, but since Condi didn’t run for office, this is not going to happen…
Boomerang, maybe like lots of conservative apologists you “love” people bringing certain issues only because you think you have a good point, not that you do. I just want to remind defenders of such radical anti-abortionism: Don’t prattle about how rare the option of abortion for rape or incest is. First, that isn’t very helpful to the women who do get into such a fix, and how stressful of course it is (imagine, having to carry the baby of a man who raped you, reminded of that event every minute of every day.) Also, the attitude about such issues is significant as a matter of principle, and to show the attitudes and priorities of the person holding (and enforcing per context) such views. OTOH, I do believe such strict believers are just sincere absolutists with no ulterior motive, but again, consider the consequences.
And here is some indication that Sarah Palin isn’t even as “nice” as many people think and want to believe:
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/08/30/sarah-palin-locks-up-the-feminist-vote.aspx
As described at Washington Monthly,
“Palin recently thought it was hilarious when a couple of right-wing shock-jocks called a Republican foe a “bitch,” and referred to the cancer-surviving rival “a cancer.”
After hearing this, Palin not only laughed, but said she’d be “honored” if the shock-jocks attended her State of the State Address.”
Palin is a surprising choice and it is not easy to overlook her lack of foreign policy experience and the fact that she is anti-abortion, but I am a democrat who simply cannot see how anyone can vote for Barack Obama. NO complaint about Palin’s lack of experience can supersede the same complaint about Obama. Obama has never made any significant stand of any kind or taken any serious action on any national security matter. He simply has a history of avoiding serious votes and his comments thus far on foreign policy are frankly alarming. Any kind of reliance on the UN at this time is a sign of vast ignorance about the realities of the world and it is very telling that Putin says he is “alarmed that McCain might become the next president of the U.S.”. Putin should be alarmed. America has to push back Russia again and stand up to terrorists and their liberal supporters. This can never be done by someone who seems more concerned about social issues that are simply not very compelling at this time. The economy is first (because with a weak economy we have no military strength) and foreign policy is second. For me, health care is a big issue and if I thought Obama could handle other problems, I would be strongly on his side. I just want to put in the voice of a disillusioned democrat who can’t stand to see his party put into the hands of clueless liberals.
McCain’s VP Wants Creationism Taught in School. August 29, 2008
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/08/mccains-vp-want.html
I’m speaking as someone in Ohio whose biology teacher in high school refused to teach the chapter on evolution. So I feel it’s fair to repeat the previous comments about this failure in her qualifications.
Troy said: “Obama has never made any significant stand of any kind or taken any serious action on any national security matter. He simply has a history of avoiding serious votes”
You mean like standing up to the rest of the nation by opposing an unjust war, while pretty much everyone else is in a frenzy to hunt down the “evil terrorists” in Iraq?
Troy said: “America has to push back Russia again and stand up to terrorists and their liberal supporters.”
Yes, we liberals are all supporters of terrorism. Didn’t you know? Good that you finally noticed the threat that we are.
Troy said: “The economy is first (because with a weak economy we have no military strength) and foreign policy is second.”
You could also say that, because of the war, the economy is weak. But really, who cares about facts?
“I am a democrat … America has to push back Russia again and stand up to terrorists and their liberal supporters. This can never be done by someone who seems more concerned about social issues that are simply not very compelling at this time. The economy is first (because with a weak economy we have no military strength) and foreign policy is second. For me, health care is a big issue and if I thought Obama could handle other problems, I would be strongly on his side. I just want to put in the voice of a disillusioned democrat who can’t stand to see his party put into the hands of clueless liberals.”
This comment has some kind of non-removable singularity in its argument field. I think it also has enough vorticity to produce significant frame dragging.
Obama runs for Prez and Palin runs for VP. Obama has zero executive experiences and he is Senator just ~ 2 years. Palin has executive experiences and incridible smart and a fast learner. Between McCain and Obama who run for Prez Obama gets nothing to compete with McCain.
I am a Hillary’s supporter but for Obama? No thanks. I don’t trust him. Obama is not sincere at all. He called his grand mother “a typical whitey” like threwing his own grand mother who raised him under the Bus. Why Obama has never spoken about his own mother who raised him but his father who had never fed him? The book he wrote “My father dream..” is laughable. Obama wants to connect himself to the father who abandonned him forgot his white grand parents who raised him.
Michelle his wife is racist. She had never proud of her country just now? Errr….
President Barack HUSSEIN OBAMA? Give me a break.
I prefer President Michael Jackson.
McCain/Palin will win this general election inspite of the facts the Dem camp try to trash Palin.
How about people vote based on the issues and their beliefs for what is the best way to deal with our nations problems and not based on age, sex, race, or religion. How sad is it that we have thousands of blogs and spend millions of dollars on things that have nothing to do with policy and government. This is exactly why we have gotten so off course and are in a decline, please people dont vote based on how well a man speeks or how much a man has suffered for our freedom but rather vote based on which one of these candidates supports your beliefs on human rights, economy, healthcare, war, terrorism,etc. there are clear differences in their plans.
The sad attempts at cleverness do not mask the emptiness of a faith in Obama. Perhaps it is a profound difference of world view that motivates the liberal mind, but it is an inconceivable world view to anyone who has any experience of life outside a university or some pampered environment. It’s easy for Obama or anyone to oppose the war in Iraq at this time. Everyone opposes the war now (as I did from the beginning because I don’t believe it is motivated by a real desire to fight terrorism and I never trusted Bush or his motives). Opposition to the war is hardly a sign of great moral strength. Matt, you seem like a reasonably intelligent guy (while Simon just sounds like a pompous pampered brat of some kind), but you didn’t even really present an argument. Whatever Bush did is no longer the issue. McCain and Obama are not Bush. To paint McCain as a mere continuation of Bush is to ignore McCain’s entire career. I am no fan of McCain either. I respect him as a tough American who has fought for many things that he believes in, but I don’t agree with the Republican agenda. However, the dire situation partially created by Bush and partially created by many other circumstances requires someone with an understanding of the world and with experience handling tough situations. This person is definitely not Obama. The Russians are right now testing the resolve of America and Europe to stand up to them. They are willing to get involved with any force that will help them create disorder and trouble in the Western world. This is very clear to anyone who sees their relationship to China, Iran and now the breakway Georgian states. This is only part of a worsening world scenario that will soon require very strong action from the American president. It can’t be faced with cute speeches about restoring America’s moral standing in the world or how everybody should just talk to everybody and get along. That has never happened and will never happen. I often wonder if it is a deeply misguided utopianism that underlies all this hope in Obama. At any rate, there is no evidence in my opinion that Obama can be tough enough or that he even understands why he would have to be tough. Mr. Harvard law is soft — as is any form of intellectual liberalism. No liberal should ever be president of this country. It could only lead to disaster. White or black or Asian or any race – makes no difference. Liberals cannot lead in the real world.
LOL Troy you wrote way too much, heres why Conservaties cant lead in the real world, BUSH!!!! umm Liberal Clinton, LOL that was easy, one lead to disaster one left us with a surplus in prosperity… hmmmmm nice novel though…lol
“No liberal should ever be president of this country. It could only lead to disaster.”
Lincoln, Wilson, Roosevelt, Kennedy and others; yes they were all bad. Washington, Reagan, Truman and others; yes they were were all bad. But of course, that’s not the way the world works. This has to stop, no? There are particular challenges that face America now. Who is best to lead the country during this period of history?
I think Obama, but only time will tell.
Clinton was a moderate whom I respect for his domestic policies and not for his failures with foreign policy. Michael Bacon has the right spirit.
I understand that on NBC news McCain said that compared to Obama it’s “almost ludicrous to compare [Palin’s] experience with his — it’s no contest.”
This is the kind of campaigning that makes it so difficult to take candidates seriously
Can’t disagree with that. It’s this kind of empty hyperbole that makes it nearly impossible to take any politician seriously.
troy is probably on the payroll.
About the (vice-) presedential debates: I am afraid it will not be the bitch-slap-fest we are all hoping for (poor choice of words?). Judging from Bush-Kerry in 2004 there will be no real interaction in the debates, presumably to protect McCain from Obama.
“Simon just sounds like a pompous pampered brat of some kind”
troy —
Beautiful women, the haughtiest nations, laws, the landscape, people and animals,
The profound earth and its attributes, and the unquiet ocean,
All enjoyments and properties, and money, and whatever money will buy,
The best farms . . . . others toiling and planting, and he unavoidably reaps,
The noblest and costliest cities . . . . others grading and building, and he domiciles there;
Nothing for any one but what is for him . . . . near and far are for him,
The ships in the offing . . . . the perpetual shows and marches on land are for him if they are for any body.
PS I am weirder than you.
I hope in the debates they will talk about infrastructure – America needs better railroads – bridges, roads, – This is a huge country and we need to be able to travel freely – What about dept – lack of savings – The credit debacle – funding consumerism and not production. The People who are slaves to their dept; they are afraid.
“I wonder how many times she has visited Iraq to get the facts on the ground?”
Perhaps she can get those facts from her son.
vote sandanista.
“I wonder how many times she has visited Iraq to get the facts on the ground?”
“Perhaps she can get those facts from her son.”
the irony in this seems to be that he enlisted on 9/11 and is heading to Iraq…
If Palin is the one to have to take a 3am call – scary thought!
This is the “New Democratic Party” – Kos
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/29/17933/7330/417/579267
The brainwashed Obama drones are out saying Palin has no foreign policy experience. LOL. Let’s see the person at the bottom of the republican ticket has no foreign policy experience. This is the epitome of hypocrisy. Because the person at the TOP of the Dem ticket has no foreign policy experience a overseeing a 40 billion dollar project in Alaska (the oil pipeline). She is known as a reformer and actually has dems and republicans in her cabinet. That is PROOF of bipartianship. Where is Obama’s? It is thin and virtually non existent. It is hype.
Why should she have to have foreign policy experience anyway? By that logic Obama should have picked a guy/girl with absolutely no experience whatsoever in anything except running a cult of Obama.
The VP is supposed to ROUND out the ticket. Just like Obama who has no credibility among working class voters and foreign policy experience picks the flawed Joe Biden.
Sean- I have seen a lot of sexism and ageism but absolutely zero talking about the issues in this campaign but either McCain or Obama. We are screwed big time either way. To make age a factor is to open yourself up to attacks by people who can “McCain is more likely to live longer if become pres than Obama who would be assassinated in the first year” He is already received several death threats and two arrests were made. So I do not think you should make who is going to live longer a factor. McCain health is less important than Obama’s lack of qualifications experience and inability to get nothing actually done.
To paint McCain as a mere continuation of Bush is to ignore McCain’s entire career.
Agreed! One must read billmon to understand how much worse McCain is.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/31/142834/892/240/560121
“But anyone who’s studied McCain’s career with any intellectual detachment at all (as opposed to the hagiographic tendencies of his media cheerleading claque) could have told you: The truth about John McCain is that he’ll do just about anything and say just about anything to win. He always has. He’s just been more clever (and cynical) than most in how he goes about it.”
CNN-Sheryl Crow:
CNN: Was there anything on the Republican side for you? McCain professes to be a champion of the environment, wants to curb global warming.
To which Sheryl replied with a story of a dinner in Austin that she’d attended in honor of McSame during the period when he was considering his POTUS run. There, she asked him why the US was being “so reticent to step up to where the science has already brought us” with regard to climate change and the Kyoto accord.
And his comment was, Our best years on the planet are probably behind us. And I was… I mean, the air just rushed out of my body, I felt very demoralized. And I said, if you run for president is that how you feel? Because that’s certainly not an answer that I can live with, not with a new baby. I can’t live with that being the idea.
—
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/1/84759/07332/812/581947