test

"I'd like to thank Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton" I think I'm gonna throw up. When did the Twilight Zone become reality?

Considered reaction: About the only way this could really work out for McCain is if she turns into Yulia Timoshenko.

Yup. Going for women. Plain and simple.

Judgement

Judgement

Judgement, ad infinitum....

I don't care how many times Obama has been elected to office: he won an intensive primary fair and square. That makes him meritorious. The choice of Palin is a slap in the face to those who believe in meritocracy.The GOP has conducted an all-out assault on affirmative action for decades, but in the end the party is now supporting an affirmative action choice. It is kidding itself if it wants the American public to believe that it is the party of meritocracy. It has managed to out-left the left with a choice that comes down to identity politics. We can spin it all we like to make it about energy and "values" but it's identity politics plain and simple.

(Repost since the other thread died a tragic death)

I think I understand…McCain is going all in on the pity vote.

Q. Sen. McCain, how come you are so out of touch that you don’t know how many houses you own?

A. I was a POW.

Q. Gov. Palin, is it true that you want to overturn Roe v Wade and believe in Creationism?

A. I have a Down’s Syndrome Child.

The entire debate prep for these two will be how many ways can you deflect questions with these two answers.

It’s a no-brainer.

Literally.

She pulled the change line. Now McCain is a catalyst for change, rather than a train for experience? Riight.

Not to mention she set up their campaign from this day forward as a reformist ticket. Against corruption? Keating Five, anybody?

I don't find this funny at all, really. I find it sad. I find it pathetic. I don't know why McCain would do this to himself, honestly.

Paging, Hillary. Paging, Hillary. Put this girl in her place.

http://pufferfish.typepad.com/

And behind the golf clapping of the neoconservatives you can hear the rest of the country snickering and laughing all the way to the White House.

So...how long until we elect the guy who hasn't been doing his best impression of a freshly caught fish?

Just watched her speak.

Nice woman. Nice family. Absolutely unqualified.

This was a hail Mary and the ball has just bounced away in the grass.

Not only is the selection of an inexperienced beauty queen as VP an insult to women, given the number of republican women with actual competence, it also reveals something about McCain. He needs to have someone much weaker than himself in the #2 spot. (Hi Cindy!) That's insecurity. It is a deep character flaw with this guy. It needs to be shown to the world.

O my god, it's just as I expected: she's as dumb as he is!

I'll ask this again - did I really die some time back? Is this really heaven?

I mean, we stood up this week and said in no uncertain terms that the Democrats have the judgment and the chops to run this country - something we haven't said like that since we got pulled off the moral high ground by Bill Clinton (sorry, Bill - I really wish you hadn't - but what's past is a void - it doesn't exist anymore, so you're forgiven -)

We regained our pride and literally roared like lions[ - that's why TDS' parody bio of Obama last night was so damn funny - they had Obama as the Lion King - it was one of the best things they've ever done. They poked fun at him but mostly at us, but I still have a sense of humor and found it utterly hilarious.]

How can Americans look at our ticket and then at the Repugs' and not see a whole hell of a lot more than a dime's worth of difference?

This just rocks.

Seriously, McCain has one foot in the grave and he picks this lady, whom I'm sure is nice to be the next in line?

Looks like a losing ticket to me.

I was sweating that it would have been Tom Ridge.

John McCain has selected Tina Fey!

O my god, it's just as I expected: she's as dumb as he is!

I'll ask this again - did I really die some time back? Is this really heaven?

I mean, we stood up this week and said in no uncertain terms that the Democrats have the judgment and the chops to run this country - something we haven't said like that since we got pulled off the moral high ground by Bill Clinton (sorry, Bill - I really wish you hadn't - but what's past is a void - it doesn't exist anymore, so you're forgiven -)

We regained our pride and literally roared like lions[ - that's why TDS' parody bio of Obama last night was so damn funny - they had Obama as the Lion King - it was one of the best things they've ever done. They poked fun at him but mostly at us, but I still have a sense of humor and found it utterly hilarious.]

How can Americans look at our ticket and then at the Repugs' and not see a whole hell of a lot more than a dime's worth of difference?

This just rocks.

Listening to Palin praising Ferraro and Clinton reveals this as such a transparent attempt at electioneering.

I am anxious to hear McCain explain why he passed on so many other more qualified candidates.

Country first, my ass.

I'm still surprised.

And I think the bigotry that would have prevented people from voting for Hillary Clinton, were she the nominee, will kick in for this pick.

Listening to Palin praising Ferraro and Clinton reveals this as such a transparent attempt at electioneering.

I am anxious to hear McCain explain why he passed on so many other more qualified candidates.

Country first, my ass.

Paraphrasing Obama: Is this the best thing his opponent can come up with? A women who looks and sounds like a secretary, with an experience record that makes Obama look like a long time Washington veteran, with a charisma... well, no charisma. This is the "Odd couple" incarnated. It's just don't fit. This pick makes Romney look legitimate.

Honestly, are we been punk'd here? Is this the person who'll take over in the case McCain, a 73 year old cancer survivor, suddenly dies, will take the highest office of the land?

Ladies and gentlemen, the choice is clearer than ever... I stand more sure than before by my previous comment. A landslide is now possible. The gods are smiling at us. Now, the only thing left for the Obama-Biden ticket is not screwing this up, win the debates and use the ground game & money advantage. Today is a good day. I can't wait to see Hillary Clinton destroy Palin. I can't wait to see the RNC farce unfolding. I just can't wait.

Anyone think this could actually help us in AK?

Palin is very popular there, they may not want her to leave. Thus this could actually hurt McCain's chances there. I'll put that in the maybe pile.

Who was she talking about changing the status quo sitting next John McCain??

Women, feminist, are overwhelmingly liberal and Democrat.

She's an anti feminist, that's nothing like Hillary Clinton.

This is McCain's first presidential decision? A 72 year old candidate who has had cancer twice selects someone with zero foreign affairs experience. I'm flabbergasted at how bad of a decision this is.

She sounded like she was running for city council in her Minnie Mouse voice, but as bad as she was she managed to out do McCain, who gave possibly the worse speaking performance by a presidential candidate ever...ever. This is the weakest ticket I have ever seen in my entire life.

I was insulted that Palin compared herself to Hillary. Little miss "soccer mom" is definitely no Hillary Clinton.

This election is officially over. The GOP just looks completely desperate and empty.

I'm a mom, and no way I'm putting my children in danger by letting this woman possibly become president. OMFG!

Hillary needs to go out and eviscerate Palin and expose this whole thing for the blatant pandering it is.

McCain: He was for experience before he was against it!

Ha! Obama already took the wind out of the apparent McCain/Palin slogan of "Country First" which are on all their signs:

One of the most memorable lines of Obama's speech last night...

"So I've got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first."

Oops... time for a new slogan, STAT!

McCain: He was for experience before he was against it!

Hillary needs to go out and eviscerate Palin and expose this whole thing for the blatant pandering it is.

Tom Ridge would have been trouble. He was the best option.

Hillary's voters will not be attracted to a pro-life interloper who has not struggled, and has zero cred fighting for a woman's right to manage her own health.

This was a dumb pick. Campaigns are about narratives, and plopping this twinky in at the last minute makes a mockery of the GOP's argument that Obama is too inexperienced.

Add the trooper scandel (what's in the water in Alaska?) and this is just a horribly stupid pick. But she shore does make a nice couch cozy for McCain, dudn't she?

Her kids are named Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig.

No Ridge? No problem! Biden will debark her in debate.

Pax,
M.

This is McCain's first presidential decision? A 72 year old candidate who has had cancer twice selects someone with zero foreign affairs experience. I'm flabbergasted at how bad of a decision this is.

She sounded like she was running for city council in her Minnie Mouse voice, but as bad as she was she managed to out do McCain, who gave possibly the worse speaking performance by a presidential candidate ever...ever. This is the weakest ticket I have ever seen in my entire life.

I was insulted that Palin compared herself to Hillary. Little miss "soccer mom" is definitely no Hillary Clinton.

This election is officially over. The GOP just looks completely desperate and empty.

I'm a mom, and no way I'm putting my children in danger by letting this woman possibly become president. OMFG!

See, if McCain had picked *Michael* Palin, then maybe I'd be intrigued.

Finished watching her speak. Can't stand the voice. Sounded like a mom speaking at a PTA meeting. Weird image with her next to Grandpa Munster. This is what a losing ticket looks like. Praised Hillary Clinton. This is a naked attempt to peel off Hillary voters. Won't work.

Ok, I'm not Martin Scorsese here - but here is my brief McCain/Palin campaign video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12WcjS1SG3g

Today, John McCain put [someone] with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Dunno if the Obama campaign should go there.  He's kinda thin of foreign-policy experience himself.  Better to let the media do that work for him.  So far, they seem eager enough to do it.

Her kids are named Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig.

I am utterly speechless.

While the attempt to woo PUMAs seems to be the obvious reason for Palin, there's another voter that McCain is making a subtle but powerful pitch to: the guy who chooses his candidate on the basis of whether he wants to have a beer with him or not. Only in this case, this voter will want to have considerably more than a beer with the former beauty pageant queen.

Patim looks like a PTA mom made goods. The GOPs are toast...

Truly amazing. McCain spends a year telling us it is all about experience, and stoking fears that Obama is not ready to lead in a world full of complicated threats. And he picks Palin as VP. Got some 'splainin' to do, I'd say.

The worst decision in the history of Presidential campaign. Feraro redux 2.

Andrea Mitchell compared the Biden-Palin debate as a possible replay of Clinton-Lazio during hillary's Senate run.

She overlooks Biden's natural charm when he needs to turn it on, as opposed to Lazio, who was dumb as a brick and couldn't charm his own mother.

What type of drugs are they passing out over at MSNBC?

Oh, and I concur with everyone - this was a cheap, dumb panic move by McCain, and Palin brings nothing but a bit of appeal to the Wingnut Base.

Wasn't McCain supposed to have had the wingnut vote in the bag by this time? Their internal polls must be really, really bad.

Reeks of desperation. Though she is very pretty.

Maybe she was the only candidate they could find who was shorter than McCain (I'm very short, so I can say that).

Sounded like the chair of the PTA. I just don't think this one is gonna' click.

Loved the way McCain "hovered" over her during her speech. I'm sure he has a lot of confidence in her.

Also, like those "body language" experts who were so diligent in assessing the Democrats, did anyone else pick up on Palin's effort to keep physical space from McCain?

In a way, I almost want to give McCain a little credit here for not ruining the career of anyone by picking them for his loser ticket. At least this won't hurt her in her rise from mayor of a town of 9,000 people to governor of a state with only a few more than that to whatever is next on her trajectory: spokesperson for Field & Stream, perhaps -- since the RedStaters are in such euphoria about her stalking and angling pastimes?

Anyone want to re-examine that AP "scoop" on McCane's medical records?

http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0508/AP_got_the_jump_on_medical_records.html

Consider in light of the subsequent "friendliness" AP has shown McCain. He steamrolled the press coverage of his medical records, insuring a positive spin. What was he trying to hide?

Chances are pretty good VP Palin would become President Palin inside of four years.

I think the net effect of this will be a significant rise in Hillary's stock. Ironically, McCain's selection of a woman in attempt to co-opt disaffected Hillary supporters, is going to give Hillary more power in the Obama camp going forward. Obama is going to need her more now. I don't necessarily like that, but I think that is how it will play out.

I know something - I bet I know who said "No."

Fluffy Hutchison.

Betcha anything!

Need to get Obama and Biden's statement up on the front page.

I can't recite it, but it was very respectful. Pitch perfect.

I'm voting for her. I want her to go to the Buckingham and Elysée palaces and the Vatican and introduce her family by name. I want to see foreign leaders struggling to keep a straight face.

Hmmm...looks like she's been places overseas Mr. Obama hasn't...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin#Pre-gubernatorial_political_experience
"Palin visits a wounded soldier in Landstuhl, Germany, July 2007"

Palin fun fact: At 674,000 citizens, Memphis, TN is more populous than Alaska (670,000 citizens). I wonder how people would be reacting if McCain had nominated a first-term mayor of Memphis who had been in office less a total of about 19 months? Sort of takes the shine off of the GOP "executive experience" claim, no?

What's fun about this is that the Republican campaign probably thought they'd steal some of Obama's fire and damp down the strong positive message from last night by crowding the same news cycle space with this announcement. Once everybody gets over their first few seconds of incredulity, it only makes Obama and his ticket that much more astounding and formidable. In an effort to steal fire they self-immolate - it's not a distraction in their favor; it reinforces the perception of Obama's obvious superiority.

To paraphrase JFK, apparently John McCain decided that experience is overrated.

I have seen so much hypocrisy on these blogs today.

It is quite shocking, actually.

Going after Sarah Palin in this way is the first mistake the Obama campaign made related to this.

"Zero" is immediately offensive to women everywhere. She is a mother of 5, for one. The "Zero" is already being taken out of context and will be used just like Obama uses the silly $5 million comment and the 100 year comment.

You would think that the Obama campaign would be smarter than to use language like that.

Get ready, because Palin's acceptance speech will go something like this:

"Barack Obama says I have ZERO experience...

Well let's examine that, shall we?

How many businesses has Barack Obama run? ZERO
How many cities has Barack Obama run? ZERO
How many states has Barack Obama run? ZERO
How many corrupt politicians has Barack Obama taken down? ZERO
How many meetings did Barack Obama convene on Afghanistan? ZERO
How many pieces of major legislation has Barack Obama authored since arriving in the US Senate? ZERO
How many times did Barack Obama visit Iraq in 2007? ZERO
How many times did Barack Obama visit Iraq in 2006? ZERO
How many times did Barack Obama visit Iraq in 2005? ZERO
How many times did Barack Obama visit Afghanistan before this July? ZERO

How many children has Barack Obama raised while holding Executive Office of any kind? ZERO

How many Executive Positions has Barack Obama ever held? ZERO.

...so who has ZERO experience Senator Obama?"

you see how this is going to go...

It will be quite effective. We stepped in it big time...

Beauty contest participants are the least of John McCain's problems. I think the first time John McCain calls Mrs. Palin a C***, she will kick him in the appropriate place. How a woman so involved with a very conservative church could stand to campaign with smut mouthed McCain is interesting. What a combo. McCain always bragging about his wonderful life story (remember Keating 5, his bad language noted 22 times and his complete lack of caring concern for his first wife) and Palin with her far right Church experience. Gonna be an interesting run up to the election. I trust Ms. Palin has he slapping hand handy.