Palin Took Heat For Giggling After Radio Show Host Attacked Opponent As "Bitch"
This is starting to get attention on liberal blogs and elsewhere: It appears that earlier this year, Palin took heat for standing by and giggling on the air while a radio host called her political foe, Alaska State Senate leader Lyda Green, a "bitch."
Palin was taken to task in a January 2008 editorial in the Anchorage Daily News...
Gov. Sarah Palin really stepped in it when she appeared recently on the show hosted by two admiring radio personalities, Bob and Mark of KWHL.Bob used the b-word to describe Sen. President Lyda Green, who is no friend of the governor. Instead of saying she objected to her supporter's making such a juvenile and inappropriate insult, she giggled nervously...
She came off looking immature herself, almost high-schoolish. It was conduct unbecoming a governor.
According to ADN columnist Dan Fagan, who slammed Palin in the wake of the radio appearance, Palin also didn't object when the host called Green a "cancer," even though Green is apparently a cancer survivor:
Early on in the conversation before Palin started to crack up, Lester referred to Sen. Green as a jealous woman and a cancer. Palin, who knows full well Lyda Green is a cancer survivor, didn't do what any decent person would do, say, "Bob, that's going too far."
In the same column, Fagan said that the ADN had posted audio on the site (we can't find the original link), so presumably this can be considered solid. There's some purported audio of the exchange on YouTube, but we haven't yet verified its authenticity.
Palin, who also recently said she didn't like Hillary's "whining," reportedly apologized to Green after the whole thing blew up into an uproar.
Conduct not becoming second-in-line.
August 30, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shoot, conduct not becoming PTA president...
August 30, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wasn't McStain asked in a town hall meeting "My question is: How do we beat the bitch?"
And didn't McStain laugh and say "That's a good question"?
Ummmm, PUMAs, that exchange was in reference to Hillary.
PEACE
August 30, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Was she a P.O.W.? If not, she might have to actually address these issues.
August 30, 2008 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
What the hell is the matter with you?!? Her running mate was a POW, for Godssake! How dare you criticize a Woman [tm], who is the running mate of a man who bravely served our country?
Sorry 'bout that. Now, if I can snark-OFF for a moment, here:
All of the above, quite honestly, was really supposed to be the media narrative. This was going to be the first presidential race in American history, where the Democrats were so thoroughly punked by the masters, that they would be required to run a campaign, saying absolutely NOTHING about their opponents. OR ELSE.
The earlier thread about the cute little bunny suit and perky nose and blue eyes was NOT so far-fetched... that was going to be the narrative! Touch this precious flower, and you are a BULLY! (Bonus: See? Women are too delicate to be taken seriously! The evangelicals were kvelling!)
It's telling that so many commentors here are warning the Dems to watch out for the "bully" trap. Meanwhile, in the Opinion section of the New York Times, you will find no less than Frank Rich, Gail Collins and Maureen Dowd, who just ain't buyin' it.
And Jane Smiley practically nuked Alaska with her scathing indictment in HuffPo of a GOP that's trying to make a mockery of the women's movement. To which end, she fearlessly calls her a "bitch"! (Gee, she must be a misogynist!)
Yet so many nice folks around here, ostensibly liberals, are too cautious by half to hit this one out of the park. My fear is that the Obama campaign will share some of that reticence, as well.
Furthermore, we don't merely have cover in the press to attack this lady justifiably for her actions. Those scandals up in Alaska appear to be worse than we all thought. Cynical Me always felt the R's can make anything go away, by means of gaming the media, but you know what?
Apparently, Alaska's leaders and journalists are a whole hell of a lot tougher than their mainland, mainstream counterparts. They are not letting this one go. Already there is some spin-proof misconduct that has been amply documented, and with the stakes raised as they have been, this whole scandal is going into overdrive, effective right now.
At this point, I'm not 100% sure this bimbo's going to make it to Friday, on the McCain ticket. This is not wishful thinking. I mean this literally.
August 31, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not surprising that it was Rush Limbaugh who pushed hardest these last several weeks for McCain to choose Sarah Palin as his running mate. She really is the Talk Radio Candidate!
August 30, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's Green on the Palin pick, btw (from the Anchorage Daily News):
August 30, 2008 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was WONDERING what that response was about :O
August 30, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone should probe a little further w/Green to delineate, from the perspective of a respected Republican public servant, the damage that Palin has done in 2 short years to the State of Alaska.
August 30, 2008 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Daily Kos had the audio.
August 30, 2008 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://dailykos.com
It is there half way down the page.
August 30, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uh, Amelie....
The content that was "halfway down the page" when you posted this comment is not the same content that was "halfway down the page" when I read your comment, and it certainly will not be the same content that's halfway down the page should someone read your comment a couple of days from now.
That's what permalinks are for, and it's why you use them when posting links here.
August 31, 2008 2:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
That YouTube clip is here.
I can't speak to its credibility other than to confirm it's definitely not KBHR's Chris in the Morning show!
August 30, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm. The audio has definitely been edited. Some portions have been clipped out.
If the point is that Palin did not object to what one of the hosts said, there's a problem. Who knows what she said in the portions that were elided? At worst, the clip is evidence that she might have been slow to object.
Oh well.
August 30, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sarah Palin has apologized for that Radio interview so I while the clip is edited, she did offer the "If I have offended anyone" apology, meaning she knew she stepped in it.
August 30, 2008 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't let her off that easy. She went along with it at the time and that is the character telling part.
August 30, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Issue: Doesn't Joe Biden appear on Imus a lot? I hope there's no equivalent cringe-inducing audio out there...
August 30, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
True that.
August 30, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nah, Biden was always great on Imus.
August 30, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Usually when Don Imus has people like Sen. Biden . . . even Sen. McCain (who was a far more frequent guest over the years) . . . on his program he always behaved himself; relatively speaking.
August 30, 2008 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm guessing that Governor Palin might soon have a different opinion about that "whining" Hillary Clinton was supposedly doing about press coverage.
Welcome to national politics: everything you say, do, wear, don't wear, is going to be tracked down and played back for all to see.
August 30, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to be a worry wort but wasn't Biden on Imus numerous times? Also Biden has his "Indians/Corner Store" remark floating around as well.
Of course Biden is a known entity with an extensive track record, whereas Palin is largely unknown.
Here's the vid, well audio anyways - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKkydrUnBZE
August 30, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
And she closes with "We'd be honored to have you guys" (visit the State House).
They also make fun of Green's weight as well, referencing a "Big cushy one" (talking about her seat).
August 30, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know who this chick is? George W Bush with a vagina.
August 30, 2008 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ummmm, in terms of teflonicity, I'd say Ronald Reagan with a vagina...I heard an opponent of hers say that when she campaigned for governor, no one was able to really question her proposals, and any sort of criticism just sort of faded away.
Sure hope that doesn't happen here.
August 30, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
You could say the same about W in 2000.
But this ain't 2000. This is 8 years after a bunch of Americans flipped out and made it possible for W to steal the country. We've had 8 years of the same kind of people in charge - she's just as crass, as hypocritical and even more unprepared.
And now close to 90% of this country gets how important it is to elect someone not because you'd like to have a beer with them -
August 30, 2008 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't think of a more revoltingly boring prospect than the idea of sharing a beer with President Blutarsky. Never understood that; could never understand why Americans, with their moronic emphasis on telegenicity and superficial criteria as to personal and physical attractiveness, could ever have looked at that beady eyed creep or his wimpy nasal psuedo-patrician father and had any reaction other than an impulse to grab for the remote. Could never get the "nice guy" angle. The guy is a manifest fucking creep, always was.
August 30, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
pseudo
August 30, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is gonna sound contrarian as hell (Moi???), but although it became the stuff of legend and the bromide of pundits everywhere... I never believed that the American people voted for a guy they felt they could have a beer with.
And when Obama is not elected two months from now, I will not believe what the media will tell us then: that America was just not ready for a... what, "exotic"? "Out of the mainstream"? Oh yeah... "BLACK"!... president. And that Barack Obama simply "couldn't close the deal".
The vote was stolen in 2000. The vote was stolen in 2004. Most Americans, however, are loathe to accept that It Could Happen Here.
Which is the strongest thing Rove's GOP has going for it: the inability of US citizens to accept the reality of the evil of America's government, and the powerlessness of its people to do a damned thing about it.
We're all not the dumb, low-information trailer trash we're cracked-up to be. 29% of us are. They are used as the poster children for the rest of us, and it is simply not so!
August 31, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, at least Shrub finished his term as Gov. of my lovely state.
August 30, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hear that, since half the year it's mine too.
*sigh*
August 30, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you kidding? She's HUCKABEE. A female Huckabee. With less experience.
This is who McCain is pushing on the American people.
August 30, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I disagree.
Huckabee is a genuinely likable guy. This woman isn't naturally likable.
Men like her right now - they haven't gotten past the cheekbones and the complexion and tits. Yet.
Women are a lot smarter when it comes to other women.
August 30, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Santorum in a dress.
August 30, 2008 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bingo.
August 30, 2008 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
As far as evangelicals go, Huckabee isn't too bad.
August 30, 2008 6:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe, but has she eaten squirrel? That's the relevant question.
August 31, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not so sure she is Bush with a vagina; she doesn't look like she would be any fun to have a beer with. If you ignore her grating voice, and her childish mannerisms, she is more articulate than dubya. Has anyone heard her pronounce "nuclear?" Just curious.
August 30, 2008 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
she said "nookyooler" at the announcement gala. no shit, i'm not kidding.
August 30, 2008 6:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ooooh well new, she talks like Mrs. Poole doontcha know. (just a lower octave)
August 30, 2008 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're thinking of Kay Bailey Hutchinson. At least that's what her voting record indicates. I can't confirm whether or not she has a vagina.
August 30, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Might as well link McCain's response to "How do we beat the bitch" (of course referencing Hillary Clinton) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLQGWpRVA7o
Maybe McCain calling Palin his (political) soul mate isn't so far off.
August 30, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Caligula Horse '08
August 30, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ingnitatus, I believe he was called.
Gaius housed him in a stable built of marble.
August 31, 2008 1:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Caligula horse...I was having the same thought yesterday. In keeping with my Roman assessment of the recent republican trajectory - Bush/pere=Tiberius; Bush/Blutarsky=Caligula; Palin=Nero. You keep photocopying the initial bad image and keep ending up with something worse and worse.
August 31, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Caligula horse...I was having the same thought yesterday. In keeping with my Roman assessment of the recent republican trajectory - Bush/pere=Tiberius; Bush/Blutarsky=Caligula; Palin=Nero. You keep photocopying the initial bad image and keep ending up with something worse and worse.
August 31, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since McSame laughed when someone used the b-word to him (in this case, describing Hillary), I guess that's another thing they have in common.
I've been thinking the name of the ticket ought to be McSame-PaleImitator, but maybe it should be McLame and Lamer.
These people are so fucking pathetic.
August 30, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Instead of McCain-Palin, it's really McCain-Flailin...
August 30, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like that. Someone else also suggested "McBush-Quaylin"
August 30, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bullwinkle, you better be careful, what with Sarah (I love Moose!) Palin on the scene...It'd be awful if you ended up as dinner.
August 30, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
That may be true, but I think the Democrats are going to eat her for lunch.
August 30, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I'm liking McBush-Quaylin. Nice comparison there.
August 30, 2008 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
This woman makes Quayle look like Disraeli.
August 30, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I vote for this -- love it!!
August 30, 2008 3:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about mcbush-bush in 08?
August 30, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stolen!!!
I'm stealing it. :)
August 30, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
All yours!
August 30, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about
Rookie and Bullwrinkle '08
PEACE
August 30, 2008 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCane and Pailin'
August 30, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
How dare you associate my name with that clueless hothead!
August 31, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg the youtube is posted somewhere on DKos I saw it diaried earlier today.
August 30, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Palin audio is available on the site for the show... I had it before and am searching for it again now. Definitely real.
August 30, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the full call:
http://bobandmarksuck.com/blog/audio/Palin-responds-scheduling-conflict.mp3
August 30, 2008 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
The money quote is ~10 minutes into that MP3 ... if that link goes down e-mail me at zach at alchemytoday dot com and I have it saved.
August 30, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
FYI, she's a bitch because she's pissed off that Sarah Palin changed the time of the State of the State address in Alaska and said she wasn't gonna go or something.
This is the sun that's off to Iraq on 9/11, by the way. So, tread carefully here because I'd wager McCain knows about this and is going to pounce all over you for knocking a woman that was pissed off that someone told her she couldn't see her soldier son's graduation.
August 30, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do you think we should tailor our campaign strategy to what the Repugs might say?
See this is what I don't get lately - everybody is sooooo worried about what the Repugs are gonna say - Jesus! I thought we learned our lesson that - never mind what they say- just keep on telling the truth -
August 30, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not what they say, its how the media regurgitates the bullshit. That's the problem, the spin. You have to play it to avoid the spin, not the lies spewed by the republicans.
August 30, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's stupid to act without considering the consequences. All I'm saying is that the assumption that McCain was silly enough not to have noticed this in vetting is ridiculous. This event was known to Alaska Republicans at the time, is discoverable on a Google search, etc.
McCain made the choice in consideration of that, and if Obama were to personally jump on Palin for her disgust w/ Lydde, McCain/Palin would immediate hit back that Obama doesn't realize how traumatic it is for a mother to be told she can't go to her kid's high school graduation before he gets shipped off to Iraq. That's a losing argument.
This is a disgusting mistake by Palin, but it needs to be treated carefully given the broader context that wasn't fully evident when it first surfaced. Given Obama's organization in Alaska, I'm confident that his people are well briefed on the details, though.
August 30, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
HA!!! When have you dems ever told the truth? You lie about the tax breaks for outsourcing, lie about the tax breaks for big oil, lie, lie, lie. Nearly every point Obama tried to make in his big speech was a lie or misrepresentation. It's as if you are clueless that factcheck.org will point out your lies. You people are pathetic.
August 30, 2008 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmm. Maybe next time I'm nominated for president I should vet my veep choice. Maybe The Google would be good for that.
- John McCain
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 30, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hear she has suggested Lynndie English for Secretary of Defense.
August 30, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok now this will be made into a republican ad. Talk about hot! Fully auto assault rifle, what a woman! Take that you islamo-fascists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn7UzxXv8p4
August 30, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
A Maurice Minnifield wet-dream-come-true if ever there was one. The best parts of Shelly Tambeau and Barbara Semanski.
I betcha she'd wear any pair of shoes he wanted!
August 30, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too funny, that really is funny. She is a cross between them and lara croft. Throw in some 24 references and you have the republican media strategy.
August 30, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like Bill Maher's line from last night: the Maverick and the MILF.
August 30, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree on the milf, but mcbush makes her look like she is in her early 20's. What a contrast? And his learing at her the way he was. It was creepy. I bet mrs. mcbush is livid.
August 30, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Naw, she's got pills for that.
August 30, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
She is totally inadequate to be VPOTUS, but she is damn sexy.
August 30, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
This YouTube Dude Phillip DeFranco has already staked out that territory and coined a new acronym.
VPILF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f80LMb74Enc
August 30, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
This strikes me as a non-story. Much more interesting is the fact that Alaska Republicans are saying that the McCain campaign never went up there to vet her.
Poor judgement on his part. this is just a little tacky.
August 30, 2008 4:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
The big thing is that she is basically undefined in the minds of Americans. If this is one of the first things they hear about her, it goes a long way in that definition, not so much that she is a bad person (which I think she is) but that she is unprofessional. And thus McCain was reckless in choosing her based on one visit (and what looks like almost no vetting).
August 30, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Democrats now need to go for the jugular against McCain and Palin. One mistake the Dems made in 2000 and 2004 is that, when George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were down, we too often failed to hit them hard.
In politics, when your opponent's down, you go for the kill-- you need a killer instinct to survive. That's what we need here. Obama and his surrogates should attack McCain on the economy, on inflation (which everybody is feeling), hit McCain hard on privatizing Social Security and Medicare, on the McCain's campaign stupid comments about the recession "just being in people's heads" and the "100 years in Iraq" comments.
Don't even pay attention to the revised 2Q GDP numbers-- that's classic politically-motivated numbers-cooking, as my own Republican friend told me. Earnings in corporations are way down, and inflation is way up-- as my friend told me, the GDP BS numbers were obtained by understating inflation, so that growth in the money supply was BS'ed as economic growth. Furthermore, there are no more economic stimulus checks. People are feeling pain now, foreclosures are way up, and McCain is vulnerable.
Palin is particularly vulnerable-- McCain royally screwed up here. He should have picked someone like Olympia Snowe, Tim Pawlenty or Kay Bailey Hutchison, would be much tougher.
But he picked someone with little experience, and who obviously hadn't been vetted. This comment in particular was immature. It was arrogant, and very insensitive to Lyda Green, who is a fellow Republican, no less! We need to hit the Republicans hard on this!
August 30, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
August 30, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
"It's great to see another part of the country."
Gawd, the more I think about McCain only meeting her once the more it I think it should outrage every thinking person in both parties. It's outrageous.
Sheesh, we elected Jesse Ventura governor just for kicks and he had been a major of a town larger than hers! And I'm sure he'd seen more of the country!
August 30, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is great to see another part of the country...you see...the only time I really get out of town is when I shoot moose.
I always wondered if the rest of America really looks like it does on TV. We really are in almoost another country up here, with Canada separating us doontcha knoo.
And for all of you that are worried about my baby, well rest easy. You knoo, that is what teenage daughters are for, to take care of the little ones. Momma's got a job to do.
August 30, 2008 7:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Forget her foreign affair experience. How much of this country has she seen? She went to college in Idaho... Has she ever been to California? to the Southwest? The East coast (outside of Washington)? Or even Washington?
These hits might be something for the local parties - "John McCain wants her to be your vice president, but she's never even been here."
August 30, 2008 8:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
August 30, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
BAH. Gremlins are back.
August 30, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lara Croft for VP
August 30, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Considering McFeeble's declining vitality, she'll probably have another tomb to raid right quick!
August 30, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lord love it - I thought we knew better now - what is all this worry over what the steeeenkin Repugs say about what we say?
That's a loser's game - I thought we learned that in '04. Don't fucking worry about what they are going to say - just keep telling the truth.
*sigh*
And keep being proud and keep saying "by god, we have the judgment and the chops to run this country" and the Repugs don't.
They must own their own failure.
August 30, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin was picked as VP to help Republicans block a Democratic filibuster-proof Senate, not to help McCain. The rationale for Palin is that she'll hugely boost the turnout of religious right voters who will make the difference in a number of close Senate contests. So, although Palin's far right views will lose McCain more votes from moderate Republicans and Independents than he gains from the increased religious right turnout, the Republican Senate candidates will get the votes of all three groups and have a better chance of winning.
August 30, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is the first explanation I've heard that makes any sense at all and I can buy that completely.
August 30, 2008 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
If that's the rationale, then why not pick Huckabee? At least he was a credible presidential candidate.
August 30, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because he would've pissed off the fiscal conservatives (or what's left of them in the party).
August 30, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because he's taller than McCain.
Can't have that.
August 30, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's an interesting argument, but I think it's an extremely rash move when there's very little chance of the blue team taking 60 seats, even given the current dynamic. McCain had managed to keep it this close this long, why hold on to a lit grenade just to shave a few seats off the senate majority, and save the seats a lot of Republican senators he never liked that much. He's simply not loyal enough to do such a thing, unless Karl conned him into it.
Maverick's ego is just writing checks his party can't cash.
August 30, 2008 8:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Novel take, Sconehead.
It would mean that by Day 3 of the convention, someone (Karl Rove) concluded, "OK, we've lost the presidency. Just in case it's a landslide with coattails, let's make sure we keep 41 Senate seats. Rally the base."
That just may be what happened.
And hell, if McCain was going to lose anyway with his existing strategy, why not throw the long bomb?
Palin is a long-odds gamble. But sometimes you fill that inside straight.
(Apologies for the mixed sporting metaphors.)
August 30, 2008 10:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's how the Repugs have managed the message, by the way. They boxed us in - we were scared to say anything because they'd attack it.
Well fuck that.
August 30, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not just the Repubs. I still can't get over how "she's nice enough" became such a negative blow back for Obama.
August 30, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hell if I know.
;)
August 30, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with you about speaking the truth. I think what needs to be avoided is any added commentary. Just the facts: She said this about creationism..., she said this about global warming...
August 30, 2008 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I posted the audio on a blog earlier today.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/john-mccain-laughed-when-his-s.php
If you listen to the entire thing, at the very end, after she has laughed about hearing another woman, a cancer survivor, being called "a bitch" and also she laughed when the host suggested that the woman did not like her three children, Sarah Palin gushed over the radio hosts and told them that they would be welcome at her events anytime.
Listen for yourselves. That was not "nervous giggles" from her. She was delighted to hear her opponent being called "a bitch" and a woman who hated her own children.
Sarah Palin is known as; "The Barracuda". That is not a name you earn by being a "nervous giggling" Governor of a State.
The Republicans are trying to have it both ways.
They want us to believe that Sarah Palin is a no nonsense, tough minded, take charge leader, who is ready to lead the nation, but when she gets caught enjoying hearing a woman being called "a bitch", then the Republicans want us to believe it is because Sarah Palin is a nervous giggler who was too intimidated to challenge the sexist comments of a small time talk radio creep.
August 30, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are totally reading too much into that clip. That may be your interpretation and argument, but I don't necessarily agree that it is accurate. At most it was a nervous laugh or that she really wasn't paying attention to what was being said. Also, apparently those two bozos are the lush's of alaska talk radio, so of course she is going to pander to them and their audience.
Nah, total mountain out of a mole hill. Now, back to the huntress/lara croft/female Jack Bauer being mentored by attilla the hun aka mcbush.
August 30, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
And what makes you right, and me wrong. I listened to it, and I heard her enjoying it, and I heard her gushing over those guys, at the very end.
I want to focus on what sort of a person Sarah Palin is; the strong woman who is ready to stand up to all comers, and lead the nation, or the nervous giggler that is overwhelmed by the words of a little small time sexist radio punk.
What the hell is your point about Lara Croft. You do know that she is a fictional character. How is that supposed to make a stronger case against Sarah Palin, than her own behavior being captured on tape, when she caters to the woman hating words of a talk radio punk.
August 30, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, you have your opinion and I have mine. My opinion is that you are reading too much into it. Your opinion is that I am full of shit. I get it. I really got the impression that she wasn't paying close attention to what they were saying. They made their stupid comment and then she laughed a while later. It really seemed like she wasn't paying attention.
I don't like her and I don't particularly want to defend her. I just think that this radio clip thing is a stretch.
I would rather not take her so seriously, because I personally don't think it is necessary to take her seriously. I believe that she should be ignored or have some fun with. She is a joke.
August 30, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't care what you would rather. I am about the business of turning the Republican's words on them.
I am in it to win, just like they are, and they have no problem seizing on the most minor gaff by Obama, and amplifying and distorting the hell out of it.
You have to fight fire with fire. Spare me all you namby pamby counsel. If this was Michelle Obama on that tape, you know damn well what the Right Wingers would be doing with it.
We can either play offense, or keep taking incoming from the Right Wing Shit Cannons.
Did you not learn a damn thing from the Swiftboating of 2004, and how Kerry was always taking incoming shit.
August 30, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, you're in a bad mood today. By the way, I don't believe the right-wingers would be all over the tape, like you are. The comments play to their base. Remember how damaged mcbush was by that looney woman who asked mcbush how to beat the b*tch, referring to clinton, and he gave a nervous laugh. That was much more direct than the comments on this tape. It totally torpedoed his campaign, right?
Now if she said something that could be twisted into not being "patriotic," yeah, I agree with you.
August 30, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am not in a bad mood. That just you trying to negate my view point. One last time. This is the time of political trench warfare.
This is the weekend that Sarah Palin is being introduced to America. If we do not try to define her with her own history and and words, then by the this time next week, the nation will be left with the impression that she was a great pick, and McCain will be ahead in the polls, and will not be stopped.
I know what I am doing. This woman made a pitch yesterday to fill the role of champion of women, where Hillary had just left off. We have her on tape, not speaking out when a woman,one she knew personally, was being called a bitch, just like McCain did not condemn his supporter calling Hillary "The Bitch".
Women who supported Hillary have to be informed about how both McCain and Palin did not object to women being called bitches.
If you do not understand that aspect of how the campaign is being waged, then you are too naive to even be involved.
August 30, 2008 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gee, I guess I am so naive. Thanks for pointing that out. You really are soooooo smart and I agree with everything you say. Feel better.
August 30, 2008 5:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
The record shows:
You are the one that started out talking down to me, and telling me that I was overreacting. You then went on to tell me that I was in a bad mood, and now you end up with this latest snide remark.
You are the one that decided that I was the one that need to be taken to task, because you had much superior judgment.
Go back to your Laura Croft comic book political fantasy world.
August 30, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Huh? I was talking down to you, when I pointed out that I thought that you were reading too much into the clip and I conceded your argument, but I disagreed with it. How on earth is that talking down to you? Give me a break. The record is what it is and I wasn't talking down to you. Reread the exchange. I have been reading your posts for over a year and I have never seen you so bitter, that's why I made the comment about being in a bad mood. Oh well, it is what it is.
August 30, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
For cripes sake; are you really that dense. I always thought you were sharper than this.
Go back and read what this TPM topic is about. It is about what Sarah Palin listened too, and laughed at, and did not object too. Not even a meek, now now, be nice, from her.
Now look at what was written about how she acted, in her home state, and in case you missed it, she actually had to issue an apology for her behavior on that radio station, but you want to keep on telling me that I should not be making use of it, in a political campaign, on the weekend when she is being introduced as the second coming of The Virgin Mary, but this time with attitude and fire power.
August 30, 2008 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
1. I recognize the topic.
2. I listened to the clip and got a different impression and I wasn't overwhelmed by what the spin has been from the left. I think it is a mistake to be this ticky-tack from our side. It seems whiney as opposed to forceful.
3. I really do understand the argument. I am just not overwhelmed by it. So, she issued an apology, big deal. Smart move actually on her part. Why screw around arguing if she actually heard what the jerks said, was paying attention, didn't agree with it, etc., etc. I really hate to keep saying it, but it didn't seem like she heard what they were saying or that she was paying attention. I am getting tired of defending her, but it seems silly to be arguing about this.
Bottom line, peace. Let's move on. I agree with most of your posts. This really is silly.
August 30, 2008 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, that idiot always talks like that. He is one person on this site that deserves no respect because he shown none to anyone else.
August 30, 2008 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, if that was directed at me, I do apologize because I have not intended on being disrespectful to people's views. I may be short sometimes, but I do try to be respectful and I thought that I was being respectful to liam's views. That's why I was kind of surprised by the backlash.
I have seen liam go after puma's, republicans, trolls, etc., but I don't recall him going after people like me before, that's why I was kind of surprised by the exchange.
August 30, 2008 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
And yet you still have not explained why you singled me out to chide for going after Sarah Palin on this issue, when this TPM thread is doing the very same thing, and spelling out how it is spreading across the liberal blogs.
I happened to have picked up on it, and how it should be used just a couple of hours early. That comes from years and years of working in political fights, and having learned when an opponent has done something that should be used against them.
Hillary made great use of the Obama "cling to" audio, and even though I am an Obama backer, I think she would have been a fool not to.
I look at this Sarah Palin piece of audio in the same way. This TPM thread was written for that very same purpose, and yet you decided that I was the one that you felt should be challenged for going too far. Very strange indeed.
Well, I am through with the subject. I have to focus on the real battle.
That Clever Bulldog was attacking me. He is a Far Right Wing Republican, who calls us all baby killers and creatord of famines. He wanted the USA to put at least one US Soldier in front of the Russians in Georgia. He actually thought that would scare the Russians. He said that he is about the same age as McCain. Click on his name, to read his previous blogs, or go to his website to get the full flavor of where he is coming from.
August 30, 2008 8:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cool, I didn't single you out. I have been saying the same thing all day. Check out the other threads. I think this is a silly loser "attack," but that is only my opinion. So be it.
August 30, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McNasty has transcended the gaffe to take us all on a little ride to the side just to the side of the dark side, where Cheney hugs his lesbian daughter while shooting his best friend in the face.
Welcome. Please leave all sharp objects at the door.
August 30, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Comment of the day so far.
August 30, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't quite get the reference to the hug.
Is that somehow wrong?
August 30, 2008 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
So when is Sarah Palin going to announce her VP pick?
August 30, 2008 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pal-IN
Two weeks later:
Pal-OUT
She will be forced to step down after the convention, unless Dobson and the rest of the fundies really raise a stink...wouldn't be the first time...
August 30, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Said so myself last night.
Made a bet on it.
She's got major legal problems pending.
August 30, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm tellin' ya, just under the Hockey Mom shell is a churning vat of blind ambition.
Unless (as Michael Hussein suggested in another thread here) they're going to keep her under wraps, she's gonna do something that will reveal her inner Tracy Flick.
It ain't gonna be pretty when it happens. But it'll be beautiful.
August 30, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
O you got it - she is Tracy Flick - she's just that kind of woman.
They aren't nice. They'll do anything to anyone they have to do to get something they want.
It's going to be nasty - but she runs the real risk here. Women cannot afford to be too nasty publicly - it's doesn't sell.
August 30, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am actually getting a ton of laughs today. Inner Tracy Flick, too funny. She does have a sort of weird, vacant look about her in pictures. Too funny.
Dems should completely ignore her. No attacks, no comments, nothing. Just ignore her and attribute every attack that she may try to make to mcbush and respond to mcbush.
August 30, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
That vacant look is the patented Fundie 1000-yard stare.
The more I think about it, they're going to have to control her appearances and press contact every bit as much as they do the old man's - since she's playing the part of the young, un-crazy half of the ticket.
If she's allowed to slip and start yammering about cavemen riding dinosaurs or women having to cleve to their husbands or some other such Fundie boilerplate, this campaign is over.
August 30, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know on the vacant look thing, I wonder if she attended jesus camp. That would explain the vacant look. Maybe that will come out. that would be juicy.
For anyone unfamiliar with jesus camp here is a link. Frightening.
http://www.jesuscampthemovie.com/
August 30, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meanwhile: forecasters said Gustav could become a Category 5 hurricane before or shortly after crossing western Cuba later Saturday. And N.O. currently on the nastier of the two sides of a hurricane's eye (as opposed to last time). This could be really really bad.
McCain is talking about postponing the convention. I can't imagine they will reschedule, so postponing would just mean truncated.
August 30, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if they'll be serving cake at the convention on Tuesday, like the king was giving mcbush a cake when katrina hit.
August 30, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
roflmao at myself - of all the blockheaded things I've ever posted...
Women can't afford to be too bitchy in public. Nasty is another matter - that can get you through college.
LOL!!!
August 30, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tena, when are you going to put on Molly Ivins' shoes? Soon, I hope.
August 30, 2008 11:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
BTW, that was meant as a compliment.
August 30, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
They really, honest-to-God, did not vet this person at all, did they? Which means McKept knows her about as well as I do.
Geez, 8 is most certainly enough.
August 30, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
AND she was FOR the bridge to nowhere before she was against it.
And she's under investigation.
Kinda makes you wonder what kind of vetting they did on here.
OH- thats right. They didn't.
It was an impulsive decision made by an impulsive man. Just the type of guy we need with their finger on the so-called "button".
August 30, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
EVERYONE PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS..... WHERE IS THE WHIP
http://thebruceblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/sarah-palin-sisterhood-of-the-traveling-catsuit/
August 30, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a fake. Come on. Every pick I've seen of her all have the exact same face cropped. This is exactly what we don't need. Attack her fringe views and her lack or real experience, there is enough there.
August 30, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Should go over well with the Focus on Family Values.
August 30, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup. Photoshopped.
August 30, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain just wants the chance to play CIC again. He'll probably head down to New Orleans to direct the rescue efforts should the levees fail again.
Also pushing back his convention means he has more time to spend primary monies. And Gov. Palin is proving to be a cash cow...
August 30, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right now they're saying that it won't be rescheduled. Trying to get the delegates all back to the Twin Cities or some other might be impossible. I think they're really trying to keep Bush and Cheney from speaking. But they are in a difficult spot.
August 30, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Talk of them turning it into a telethon for Red Cross.
August 30, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
These GOP's ain't no dummies. And then McCain and Palin wouldn't even have to talk about their lack of ideas and policies.
And if the levees hold up (hopefully) they'll say "See look what we did - we fixed it"
August 30, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope. They aren't. But I think the undecideds are going to move to McCain enmass because of telethon. I think most people would see it simply the guilt factor for 2005 which the media will constantly referencing.
Of course there is always the opportunity for one the wingnuts there as a delegate to say that God hasn't finished punishing NO for its sins.
August 30, 2008 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ugghhh. Just off the phone with mi madre. She's sold on Palin. I thought she was a moderate but has fallen for the b.s. I think tho' a little later in the conversation she sort of backed off. I tried to leave her with the picture of Palin as POTUS...
Very disheartening...
August 30, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think a lot of women are going to react that way, no matter what people say here.
"I think she's *wonderful*!"
August 30, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep working on her. My mother, who died in 2002, was a lifelong Republican, but when she saw her personally amassed nest egg go into the toilet in 2001, started having hard second thoughts. In her last weeks of life, she started referring to herself as a "recovering Republican" which was as close as she could come to admitting that her party was a derailed train.
August 31, 2008 1:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Meanwhile:
In other news; David Duchovny has entered Rehab for Sex Addiction treatment.
Ironically: Condi Rice is rumored to be considering entering Rehab for Frigidity Addiction.
August 30, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you check out the extensive comments on the Funeral in Denver post at the hillaryis44.org blog, you'll see how the Palin pick has galvanized the pro-choice but angry PUMAs who are plotting their revenge on Obama.
The GOP ticket: Pale and Palin.
August 30, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
What all ten of them?
August 30, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're being generous. There are probably 5 that keep posting using different id's.
August 30, 2008 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nah, it's more than that right now. Did you notice - no trolls? They are all out where ever they think Hillary supporters might roam - pretending to be PUMAs and raving about how they LOVE this choice and how now as Hillary supporters they can feel vindicated - yadda yadda.
It only seems to be working at the GOP sites like HillaryIs44 that popped up right at the end of the primary - so I suspect they are just preaching to each other. Over at TaylorMarsh it seems PUMAs have replaced Obamabots as the hated trolls at the moment. It's all great fun!
August 30, 2008 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do y'all really think there are enough PUMAS to sink Obama's chances?
Most women are sane.
August 30, 2008 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
No. It was disheartening b/c it is my mom.
August 30, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope there are about 5 to 10. But they are very very busy flying around the world wide web.
August 30, 2008 6:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
The second Palin scandal in the birthing involves the activities of 'shadow governor' Todd Palin, also some mention of his 'Edwards problem' which is said to be of some long time standing.
August 30, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now all we need is a sex tape, ala paris hilton, and we are golden. Too funny. I actually am starting to get a good feeling about this vp nominee.
August 30, 2008 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lord god, it took you long enough!
LOL!
;)
August 30, 2008 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, I was looking for an opportunity. I really think that this pick will be hilarious. We will get a good laugh up to november and the more that is coming out, the more that maybe she might not make it. She wasn't vetted? The republican establishment in alaska can't stand her? It's a laugh a minute. I really am getting the impression that she may implode. Yesterday from all the media spin, I actually thought that she was a good pick, until I heard her speech yesterday. Now within 24 hours it is getting laughable. Take that you islamo-fascists from a gun toting, lara croft wannabe, hockey mom and card carrying member of the flat earth society. It is a laugh a minute.
August 30, 2008 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Troopergate News Footage - Palin admits that she lied. She's in dirty here folks. She has little credibility on the issue, something like 787% of Alaskans believe she is lying, and Monehan (the guy she fired) who has been proven to be telling the truth has said she personally pressured him on the subject.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/palin-caught-reversing-herself.php
(I linked to the blog because I think it deserved to get rec'd up so more can see it and spread the youtube footage far and wide)
August 30, 2008 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed.
Watching McCain now speak in Washington, PA. Seems like a big crowd until one realizes it's 30 miles from Pittsburg.
August 30, 2008 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope people where watching mccain introduce his vp, he does not have a clue about her everthing was on a 3x5 and he even messed that up. what a mess.
August 30, 2008 6:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah. Saw that. Needs to be able to say "snowmobile" without screwing it up.
August 30, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe it's called Snow Machine in Alaska - mobile is just so unmasculine.
August 30, 2008 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Listening to her talk about foreign affairs and CIC is just freaking me out.
August 30, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
The crowd just booed Hillary when she was trying to praise her.
August 30, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Completely off-topic but Palin reminds me of Mariska Hargitay.
August 30, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama brings out first Palin ad, just shows her with McCain, then ignores her and goes after McCain.
Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV_uryFRPjY
August 30, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
hello. someone should pick up on this, and ideally get the tape. was just watching mccain on CNN, talking in washington, pa., introducing sarah palin. After being introduced himself by former gov. tom ridge, Mccain paused in his remarks, turned around in seeming confusion, and thanked JOHN Ridge! That's right, McCain called him John Ridge. And didn't correct himself. Can someone confirm and get ahold of this (merely, of course, for the purpose of putting country first)?
August 30, 2008 6:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, that does it - the man is senile/has Alzheimers - something.
August 30, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
How can you remember your old friends when you've finally met your "soulmate."
August 30, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are SO unfeeling.
For five and a half years he didn't have a john, so now he mentions one whenever he can.
August 30, 2008 11:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are SO unfeeling.
For five and a half years he didn't have a john, so now he mentions one whenever he can.
August 30, 2008 11:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had the same thought at first but it turned out he was thanking John Rich of the country duo Big & Rich (btw, "big" supports Obama)
August 30, 2008 11:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is excellent material. It is critical to first make sure people know her as RIGHT WING. The Buchanan connection, anti-polar bear, Rush favorite, pro-creationism points all converge there. Here we get nasty anti-women radio talkshow right winger.
America, lets get to know who Sarah Palin really is!
August 30, 2008 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are the Repugs really and truly going to let this train wreck of a ticket run?
I may never pick my jaw up off the floor.
August 30, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN- http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/30/rnc.gustav/index.html
Its gonna be a telethon. They will be forgiven by the MSM. No mention will be made of their complicity in the debacle that was Katrina.
August 30, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you don't understand that voters understand what happened during Katrina - what can I say?
They do - and most assuredly African American voters remember. They'll never forget, as a matter of fact.
the worry online wears me down after awhile -
August 30, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not *worried*, just disgusted.
August 30, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
O well, that. :)
I'm permanently disgusted with the Repugs and with the MSM. Our media is 99.9% worthless.
August 30, 2008 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me too Tena.
August 30, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
That will require them to forego comparisons to Katrina. They are in the end about sensationalism and rating (i.e. money money money) They're not going to do a 24/7 telethon when they can show reporters on the scene.
August 30, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seems sleazy as hell to me. This will also allow the GOP to not have to talk about their idea and policies while basking in the good grace of raising money for the red cross.
What is John McCain going to do down there? Except of course look for the photo-op?
And if anybody from the Obama Camp calls it what it is they'll be demonized for politicizing a national disaster.
August 30, 2008 6:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree. Sleazy and slick. McCain giving two thumbs up to Red Cross relief workers won't get him any votes. People want ideas this election cycle.
August 30, 2008 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
McLame's going to duck a lot down there.
IF he goes anywhere near the 9th Ward, that is.
August 30, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can't just turn a convention into a telethon. Who will watch? Who will broadcast it? You'll just have a lot of people wasting time together in a big convention hall. TV stations aren't' going to broadcast a ratings loser during prime time for 4 days.
August 30, 2008 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
What if he keels before pulling up his pants?????
August 30, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
If only the Little Baby Jebus loves me that much...
August 30, 2008 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, I was just listening to her "speech" in somewhere pa, and I use the term loosely, on msnbc. She sounds soooooo bad and sounds like she is soooo pandering to disgruntled clinton voters. She is a complete joke. Now the republicans have two candidates that can't give a speech. Tooooo freaking funny.
Now the pundits are praising her in contravention of what my lying ears heard. This is hilarious. If she is able to sway people to vote for mcbush, america deserves what it gets. This is unbelievable.
August 30, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was the same speech she gave in Dayton yesterday, minus the family introductions.
Best part of that MSNBC moment was watching Tom Ridge on the same stage. He didn't look very fired up, or ready to go.
Oh, and the MSNBC talking head calling her "Cheerleader-in-Chief"...that was good too.
August 30, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well Palin is a former Sportscaster, so she can read from a teleprompter.
August 30, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
FYI guys and gals: from Tapped:
"The blogosphere has been awash in suggestions that Sarah Palin will be widely viewed as politically inexperienced, a lightweight beauty queen, and even a bad mother. But today polling is out, and it shows Palin has made a great first impression on the American public; she is viewed favorably by 78 percent of Republicans, 26 percent of Democrats and 63 percent of unaffiliated voters. Compare that to a roll-out favorability rating of just 43 percent for Joe Biden. Women seem to be more skeptical of Palin than men, but that is to be expected; on average, women are more skeptical of all conservative politicians and policies than men are."
August 30, 2008 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
In short: wait a few days and let people get to know her. She's going nowhere but down.
August 30, 2008 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, that's because she isn't known. Wait til she is introduced and her views and flaws are known.
August 30, 2008 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's because all anyone knows of her is that she has 5 kids and one of them has Down Syndrome. No one knows anything about her and she hasn't done anything yet. Those numbers will only go down.
August 30, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Probably one of the reasons McSame went for her - shared sense of humor
August 30, 2008 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama gets 10,000 in Dublin next to Columbus. Nice. Obama will have a better time in Ohio now that he has Strickland on his side.
August 30, 2008 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
One other tidbit. I was trying to find out how many people showed up for the big announcement yesterday, gee not one single press report from what I could find in the right-wing media. Not one.
I did find an article in the dayton paper that tickets were still available on Thursday. I thought that was funny. I'll wager a bet they didn't break 5k after all the begging and pay-offs.
August 30, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pretty much sums up why they went for the Hail Sarah Pass.
And I want to add, listening to her a few moments ago and now listening to Joe just now: damn, no contest from a political orator point of view.
August 30, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm listening to biden as well right now. It's not even close. Biden can give a good speech. I am just praying every single moment of every day that he can control his mouth for 60 days and avoid any huge gaffes. I really, really like biden, I am just worried as hell about his gaffes. Also, he has to be extraordinarily careful, as does obama, in dealing with palin. Talk about kid gloves. Let her destroy herself. Don't say anything that could be construed as even remotely being sexist.
August 30, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden ran his campaigns on a shoestring. Now he has a team of handlers prepping him. No guarantee but vastly decreases the likelihood.
August 30, 2008 7:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope that you are right, but I am still praying 24/7. He is totally gaffe prone and I am sure that the whole obama campaign staff and obama himself are praying constantly as well. Talk about added stress. However, I really think biden is a good and honest man and I like him. He is just soooooo gaffe prone.
August 30, 2008 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not at all worried about his gaffes. That's part of who he is, and he is a good man.
We've got to stop being such nervous nellies about little slips. I sometimes wish our polls made MORE gaffes, not fewer. I fucking hate this plastic, manufactured approach to candidates.
August 30, 2008 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pols, not polls. Sorry.
August 30, 2008 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
The question is how well did the McCain camp vet her. Her inexperience is such that any little flub she makes the media is going to make it look worse than it is. Jonathan Alter said it best, she has no room for error.
August 30, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Apparently not at all according to the republican alaskan establishment. They didn't even talk to republican leadership in alaska. This is getting hilarious.
August 30, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
And they can only keep the press away from her for so long. (And People magazine is not the press.)
August 30, 2008 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is Palin really the best candidate for vice president (a heartbeat away from the presidency) that the Republican party has to offer? Given all the talk about strategy--McCain's in picking her and Obama's in terms of how to respond--isn't this clearly a strategic move on McCain's part? In other words, hasn't McCain put his candidacy for the presidency above the good of the country? Does the term "hypocrisy" not mean what I think it does?
August 30, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jesse the Body was mayor of a bigger town, served a full term as governor and had much more experience traveling and meeting Americans from east to west. Can you imagine the reaction if McCain had put Jesse on his ticket?
August 30, 2008 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, and Jesse is a veteran too!
August 30, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll see your rope-a-dope and raise you a KaPOW!
August 30, 2008 8:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
For anyone who doubts for a moment that this wasn't a token pick;
Would McCain even have considered a male candidate with such a thin resume?
No way.
This was a serious bold gamble on the behalf of the McCain campaign, and it will fail.
August 30, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
But, but she is hot, hot, hot! Typical of a generic 72 year old republican totally out of touch with main street. Too funny. But she is hot! Now if larry craig was the nominee, we would be talking about a 44 year old stud as opposed to a hottie. Maybe next time.
August 30, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not the résumé. It's the rack.
August 30, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just read Obama has to carry Pennsylvania and Michigan and it is close. Any info from those states that can help me worry a little less?
August 30, 2008 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
The last two polls in PA, +5 and +7. Joe is a scrappy kid from Scraton and Rendell and the Democratic machine there has yet to get into full gear.
August 30, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks so much. We all know this would be a slam dunk were it not for skin color, sadly and embarrassingly for our nation. As these two states are mainly white, that was the jest of the article, that it might be a problem.
August 30, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Neither will be a slam dunk. But Obama's camp will be working them hard. Right now they're on their rust best tour. Tomorrow is Michigan.
August 30, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
LFO posted this link earlier today on Michigan. Found it be informative.
http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/08/the_barracuda_and_the_wolverin.html
August 30, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks!
August 30, 2008 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't be TOO embarrassed for our nation. Has any other country ever elected a member of their most oppressed racial minority as head of state? We are already the wonder of much of the world because of Obama.
August 30, 2008 11:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden just now: "This is a race of great consequence for generations to come."
McCain meet someone once and go "hey, want to be VP?"
August 30, 2008 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
It does seem to have changed the election from being "about Obama" to now being "about Sarah Palin."
When (if?) she gets around to doing interviews and fielding unfiltered questions from audience members, she's going to have to be perfect. Every comment is going to be scrutinized to death.
August 30, 2008 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Forget foreign policy, let her try to articulate a health care policy.
August 30, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shit. Forget policy. Let's start with her articulating a thought on foreign policy or health care.
August 30, 2008 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heehee. Hockey moms are too busy to have thoughts on such things.
August 30, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hockey-mom health policy: Stitch 'em up and send 'em back out.
August 30, 2008 8:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
"There's no crying in hockey!"
August 30, 2008 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
All she needs to do is hold her own in the debate with Biden and she'll have "won it" due to low expectations. In the 90 minute format, divide the time equally and take out time for the moderator, the commercials and the clapping and she basically will have to speak in vague talking points for 30 minutes.
August 30, 2008 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not talking about the debate. I'm talking about campaigning, holding town halls, taking questions from reporters. The shit that's not carefully choreographed.
August 30, 2008 7:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. This is someone who is for creationism in the classroom and doesn't have enough common political sense to scold someone for saying the "B" word. The reporters are going to bait her. This is what some of them live for.
August 30, 2008 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right now every reporter in the country is pouring through every limited piece of press on her. Everything she's ever said that's been written down is being looked up and scrutinized and they're already finding stuff that doesn't jive (the New Republic's piece about her real stance on the "bridge to no where," for example).
She's never experienced anything like what she's about to in terms of press attention.
If she shines, then McCain was a genius. But the odds are stacked heavily against her.
August 30, 2008 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sometimes (a lot of the time) it's easy to get disillusioned about the press. But Sarah "Barracuda" Palin is just right in their wheelhouse.
August 30, 2008 7:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if you're right that she has to be perfect. I'm afraid every single utterance of hers that isn't downright idiotic will be hailed as something Socratic, simply because expectations are so abysmal.
August 30, 2008 11:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't. I also do not doubt for one moment that this was the worst political decision since Goldwater picked an unknown.
August 30, 2008 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Miller wasn't bad looking either, tho'...
August 30, 2008 7:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know what else Palin is? She is the Obama is the Anti-Christ Candidate.
Believe it.
August 30, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is the One?
August 30, 2008 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
hehe the Obama people are playing off that. I've got a white ONE bracelet.. like the yellow live strong ones.
August 30, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
How do I get one?
August 30, 2008 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
HA! That's right up there with the Tracy Flick and Tonya Harding comparisons, Tena.
August 30, 2008 9:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
They ran against Kerry that way, under the radar.
I used to have the rapture clock bookmarked, but I can't find it now. But if you've never seen the attributes of the Anti-Christ - they pretty much sound like a Democrat.
The anti-Christ will come as a man of peace.
August 30, 2008 7:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
But "Peace" is the theme of the Repub convention the night McCain accepts the nomination. I thought he was the man of peace.
August 30, 2008 7:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really? I didn't know that.
McLame can't be the Anti-Christ - are you kidding me? Satan is going to have someone senile with Alzheimer's trying to persuade all humankind to turn against god?
I don't think so - Satan is gonna want to be fly.
;)
August 30, 2008 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama and Biden don't have to say one word about Sarah Palin. In fact, there's no need to acknowledge her at all. They can continue their attack on McCain being an extension of Bush, and never have to say anything about Palin.
The issue of Palin will take care of itself. Obama and Biden don't even have to ask the question of whether Palin is qualified for the position, because that question is already being asked and answered throughout this country.
August 30, 2008 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know what - you are entirely right.
She speaks for herself - no problemo
August 30, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ditto. It will become eminently clear in the debate. Jeez. All Joltin' Joe has to do is answer the question.
Does she even know that the VP presides over the Senate for chrissakes?
August 30, 2008 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can you just SEE her presiding in the Senate???
I want to see her call Sen. Byrd to order.
August 30, 2008 11:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention Sen. Clinton!
August 30, 2008 11:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
There should be a fairly simple way to eviscerate Palin, let Hillary loose on her. That would eliminate any possible of the "sexist" whine from the GOP.
August 30, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
IT would be very very good. I'd pay to see the matchup.
But Joe Biden can take care of business during the debate