Who said no? You can't make a choice this tragically wrongheaded unless you are out of time and out of choices. So who was the number one pick who said no?

Her personal narratives doesn't matter...people don't care about all this sympathy vote on "POW" and "Down Syndrome" kids.

will this effect the parnell/young recount?

Everybody should get on the pro-Hillary boards ASAP. Republican trolls masking as feminist Hillary supporters are pretending to be excited by this announcement and loving McCain for it.

Thank you Grampy McSame.
She's a creationist too!

I found myself wondering how Sarah Palin running for VP would affect the AK congressional election.  That made me wonder what ever happened in Don Young's primary.

Looks like it's still too close to call.  DY has a narrow 0.2% lead.  There's the hilarious irony of hanging chads and ballot challenges.

We better be careful not to make her into a sympathy figure. Any criticism of her will be spun by the Republicans as sexism.

My advice: ignore her completely. Say nothing at all about her. Concentrate all your criticism on John McCain. After all, that is who we have to beat.

Leave Sarah to just twist slowly in the wind.

There is no upside into beating up on a women VP nominee. It would backfire, and I think that is what the Republicans are counting on.

This feels like a real Hail Mary pass. Their internals must be terrible. I wonder what she will say about equal pay for women, which I think is one of the real sleeper issues of this election?

Repug Senator Kay Hutchson and Carly Ferrino are less qualified than Sarah Palin? They have to be pissed at this selection because someone with less experience than them got the job. but when Kay was being interviewed by Andrea Mitchell, she didnt loooked thrilled to say the least.

Will she be referred to as "exotic" since she's not from the 48?

This is a good analysis by Kate and Greg, and I think it provides some insight into why the savvy poltical vets running the McCain campaign these days decided to throw this particular Hail Mary.

I think there's some danger in writing Palin off too quickly merely because she is unqualified. This is, remember, a nation that re-elected George W. Bush. And if you think about who is likely being targeted by this pick, it's probably safe to say we are not dealing with an especially well-informed or rational segment of the populace. People in red states have been voting against their own interests for years, and it's quite possible they'll decide Sarah is a good ole gal by way of much the same, if you will, "thought" process that led them to want to have a beer with George.

Also, what difference does it make whether she can stand up to Biden on the issues? Televised debates are not won on points but on perception. If she hangs in there and acts feisty on stage, and commits no class-A blunders, she will be acclaimed the winner, by virtue of the expectations handicap that always favors Republicans.

Personally I am worried.

OMG! The argument against Palin is here (from 2:50)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pak-rH0dCeA&eurl

"[A]s for that V.P. talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the V.P. does every day? I’m used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. We want to make sure that that V.P .slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that we’re trying to accomplish up here for the rest of the U.S., before I can even start addressing that question."

OMG! From the first time I'm seriously considering that we'll have a November landslide.
Still, there's a election to win, so, let's go to work, people.

This puts Roe vs Wade in the forefront folks.

The question that Dem women will ask themselves is do they want a woman in the White house just because she is a woman knowing full well that that pick means that Roe vs Wade will be overturned?

It is really time for Dem women to go on the OFFENSE on this pick. Hillary once again is going to have to be very important in this general election.

Here's how big the crowd was that Obama spoke to last night:

It would have accommodated ten towns of the size Gov. Palin was mayor of only two years ago, and still allow for a 4,000 piece marching band.

New McSame Campaign Theme: Beauty and the Beast!

ROFLMAO for McLame's VP!!!

Please! Angry Hillary voters! I've got a woman on the ticket, see! Isn't that what you want?! Vote McCain!!

Pu-lease. Less than two years as Gov, anti-choice, hard right wing and with a scandal that has some legs? She's the Dan Quail of 2008, all teed up to be schooled by Joe Biden.

In terms of attacking, is she going to be an attack dog against Obama? She has already praised his energy policy.

Biden doesn't need to attack Palin nor does Obama. Biden and Obama just need to attack McCain.

Democratic women can attack Palin. Hillary can attack Palin.

Oh my,,,,,,, McCain alone on the campaign trail with a beauty pagent queen,,,, what will Cindy do to keep Gramps' pants zipped?
Shall there be two 'Edwards episodes' on the '08 campaign trail? This has the makings of a grande soap opera.
Simply boggles the mind.

Personally I am worried.

Have you seen the Vogue cover??

This pick contradicts everything the McCain camp has been slinging at Obama. Celebrity? Inexperienced? Poor judgement? The cable pundits are fumbling for words..I'm filled with glee (at the moment).

This is being called the worst VP pick since Dan Quayle. A stunner. McCain just threw the "experience" meme under a bus. Totally self defeating.

Kos has a post up on her ethics issues, the State legislature has authorized an investigation into her controversial firing of Alaskan
Public Safety Commissioner.

http://www.adn.com/monegan/story/478090.html

Bill Burton says:

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same," said Bill Burton, Obama Campaign Spokesman.

This is stunning.

And frankly, I don't think it's going to go over the way the McCain camp apparently hoped it would with women voters.

It's insulting: women voters will vote for a woman, no matter what she stands for? Seriously?

"Troopergate" is going to hit the airwaves, big time.

Stunning.

Bill Burton says:

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same," said Bill Burton, Obama Campaign Spokesman.

McCain's "gravitas" just took a huge hit!

I'm watching CNN and they really have no idea what to say about this pick. They're having huge difficulty defending this pick...

So this is McCain's idea of the most qualified Republican to be president if he should pass. Barack supporters please repeat after me.

Judgment

Judgment

Judgment

Judgment

Judgment

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same," said Bill Burton, Obama Campaign Spokesman.

Why are you surprised?

Y'all haven't been paying attention. Go back and find still photos from '04 of McLame campaigning with Commander Coocoo.

I know y'all think I overstate - I think y'all are way too naive. Bush threw his daughter, Jenna, at McLame. McLame likes them young and usually blonde, but -

The crowd in Dayton sings "Happy Birthday" to 72-year-old JM as he intros his 44-year old totally inexperienced VP pick. I'M LOVIN' IT!!!

As stated on ABC:

In July, Palin told CNBC's Larry Kudlow that "as for that VP talk all the time, I tell ya, I still can't answer that question until, until somebody answers for me: 'What it is exactly that the Vice President does everyday?'"

Does anyone know anything about this site. Is the picture of Governor Palin that they have posted legit? If it is, then McCain may have a problem.

http://jockoftherock.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html

The reason that I think that there may be something to the picture is because of her picture on the cover of Vogue. Take a look at it:

How will that image sit with the fundy base of the Republicans?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uExTzMIDd1Y/R2O5nKq9_tI/AAAAAAAAATE/At2bb_K_3ao/s1600/Sarah-Palin-Vogue.jpg

he's getting ready to bring her on stage right now!

a corrupt beauty pageant queen

She came in second place.

McCain is more a creature of the press than his actions. And, yes it can and most likely will get worse than Palin's selection. If ever their was a concession to defeat this selection is it.

Palin asks: "What does a VP do?"

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0808/Palin_wonders_what_is_it_exactly_that_the_VP_does_every_day.html

Paris, Brittney ---- Palin! Talk about celebrity, check out this vogue cover.

http://kodiakkonfidential.blogspot.com/2007/12/sarah-in-vogue.html

The wingnuts are so juiced up about Palin, I bet K-Lo just had her first orgasm. Our little K-Lo's becoming a woman!

Clearly, this signals that he's hanging the whole election on "responsible drilling", right?

To combat this all BO needs to do is put out an ad featuring Hillary, Chelsy, Oprah, Elizabeth Edwards talking up BO record on women's issues.

So far in this past hour.. I have learned this about Palin:

She doesn’t know what a VP does. (See my other comment above)

She praised Obama’s energy plan.

She praised Obama’s call for a $1,000 rebate for working families.

She wants creationism taught in public schools.

She is currently under investigation.

...lovely.

The Palin choice, I think, reveals a good bit about the McCain camp's thoughts about the electorate. I really can't shake the notion that they think we're idiots. That is, this strikes me as a shallow, desperate attempt to capture certain voters and as such, is disrespectful towards those voters.

The thought that most often follows is my worry that the Obama camp may think too highly of the electorate's thoughtfulness - but after the success of the convention, those concerns are giving way...

Are you watching this???

I'm speechless.

So far in this past hour.. I have learned this about Palin:

She doesn’t know what a VP does. (See my other comment above)

She praised Obama’s energy plan.

She praised Obama’s call for a $1,000 rebate for working families.

She wants creationism taught in public schools.

She is currently under investigation.

...lovely.

To combat this all BO needs to do is put out an ad featuring Hillary, Chelsy, Oprah, Elizabeth Edwards talking up BO record on women's issues.

Anyone else listening to Palin's protracted introduction of her family?

This can't be for real.

Clearly, this signals that he's hanging the whole election on "responsible drilling", right?

New title to this thread: "Who *WAS* Sarah Palin"

She sounds like a complete hick.

Well Golly!. Shezzam. Gomer Palin comes to Washington.

Sorry for the double posts. The commenting function on this site is being wonky.

New title to this thread: "Who *WAS* Sarah Palin"

This is absolutely, positively an affirmative action pick. It's cynical and calculated to steal Obama's thunder.

She says "nukular", so she's bound to connect with the loyal Bushies

This is absolutely, positively an affirmative action pick. It's cynical and calculated to steal Obama's thunder.

I swear I just saw John McCain staring at Palin's behind for a good ten seconds while she was speaking at the rally. Amazing.

Yee arrghhh, matie! Tis war I seak!

...what a way to try to pick up chicks!

Didn't the Democratic primaries and ultimate ticket force McCain to do this? What are the chances he would have picked a woman had the Dems not put up Hillary and Obama? I see this as a credit to the Democrats. It was hardly being an original maverick for McCain to pick a woman - he knew he had to match the Democrats in terms of an innovative ticket or risk looking even more like an old, rich, white man.

This is an empty ticket that panders to women, expecting us to fall in line because they picked a she.

Nevermind the fact that the Republicans just killed a bill in the Senate that would have made it easier for women to hold employers' feet to the fire when it comes to unequal pay for equal work.

This is a typical decision made of the particular brand of shrewdness and cynicism one has long come to expect from the Republicans, particularly in electoral races: they have, in effect, assigned one of the most potentially powerful positions in the country to another Quayle – and, for that matter, another Bush –, someone against whom one must resist flaunting his or her lack of both knowledge and good judgment for the simple fact of this person's ostensible "likeability." As with Quayle and Bush, Palin will align herself as firmly with the "common Joe" as possible, so much so that attacks upon her intellectual and geopolitical understanding and capacity will, by many, be seen as unfair bullying; a preposterous assessment, to be sure, but an effective one to engender in others on the part of the Republicans. This is a card they have played quite effectively in the past, and, despite how bewildering it is, it often works. Obama's campaign should not, however, attack her judgment, nor should they demean her lack of experience; this would play right into the Republicans' aim of gaining sympathy for, and not trust in, Palin and her abilities; the Republicans have demeaned her enough by awarding her this position, and it would be disastrous should the Democrats follow suit. Rather, they should use this to question the judgment of McCain, asking how someone who has used the vast majority of his attack time against Obama to denigrate him for his lack of experience could put so much faith – indeed, enough to believe that she could, and would, fulfill his goals as President to the same degree he is capable – in someone with even less experience than Obama. They should not take this as an opportunity to pounce on Palin, but as one to display the utter hypocrisy that has defined McCain as first a Senator and, now, as a presidential nominee. This is not, as many have suggested, a stupid decision on the part of the Republicans; it is merely a cynical and demeaning one.

Pure tokenism: Palin 2008 = Ferraro 1984.

This is a typical decision made of the particular brand of shrewdness and cynicism one has long come to expect from the Republicans, particularly in electoral races: they have, in effect, assigned one of the most potentially powerful positions in the country to another Quayle – and, for that matter, another Bush –, someone against whom one must resist flaunting his or her lack of both knowledge and good judgment for the simple fact of this person's ostensible "likeability." As with Quayle and Bush, Palin will align herself as firmly with the "common Joe" as possible, so much so that attacks upon her intellectual and geopolitical understanding and capacity will, by many, be seen as unfair bullying; a preposterous assessment, to be sure, but an effective one to engender in others on the part of the Republicans. This is a card they have played quite effectively in the past, and, despite how bewildering it is, it often works. Obama's campaign should not, however, attack her judgment, nor should they demean her lack of experience; this would play right into the Republicans' aim of gaining sympathy for, and not trust in, Palin and her abilities; the Republicans have demeaned her enough by awarding her this position, and it would be disastrous should the Democrats follow suit. Rather, they should use this to question the judgment of McCain, asking how someone who has used the vast majority of his attack time against Obama to denigrate him for his lack of experience could put so much faith – indeed, enough to believe that she could, and would, fulfill his goals as President to the same degree he is capable – in someone with even less experience than Obama. They should not take this as an opportunity to pounce on Palin, but as one to display the utter hypocrisy that has defined McCain as first a Senator and, now, as a presidential nominee. This is not, as many have suggested, a stupid decision on the part of the Republicans; it is merely a cynical and demeaning one.

watching msnbc, andrea mitchell is already saying that Palin will help win the battlegrounds states for McWar...

Chuck Todd is almost buying it...

visions of harriet miers...

Pure tokenism: Palin 2008 = Ferraro 1984.

In principle I think you're right. But no one seems to have suffered from ridiculing Harriet Meyer, did they?

watching msnbc, andrea mitchell is already saying that Palin will help win the battlegrounds states for McWar...

Chuck Todd is almost buying it...

watching msnbc, andrea mitchell is already saying that Palin will help win the battlegrounds states for McWar...

Chuck Todd is almost buying it...

Didn't I see a Lifetime movie about this? Or maybe a Movie of the Week? Plucky first-term governor chosen to be VP, only because the party needs a woman on the ticket? (She agonizes over her decision with her husband and her husky dog in her cabin in front of the fire. All but the dog are wearing oversized turtleneck sweaters.) She decides to go for it; she's charming during the campaign and surprise! wins the election. Then the Pres. has a heart attack during the swearing in. So our heroine battles with WH staff and cantankerous Senators on her own to stamp out evoution and substitute intelligent design in all science classrooms in the country! In the end, of course, she wins everybody over. Copious drilling in ANWR for all! The end.

MSNBC is endorsing Palin, and Andre Mitchell is leading the endorsement, Chuck Todd is almost buying it!!!WOW

anyone who named their child "track" should be disqualified from having any influence over anyone else's child.

Andre Mitchell is endorsing Palin, unbelievable. MSNBC is endorsing her...Micthell is already saying that she is going to win the women, and the clinton supporters...

Chuck Todd is almost buying it!!!

Unbelievable...

the media have really decided to endorse McWar...I thought last night that the media were going to change the narrative story, but It did not last long...

Andre Mitchell is endorsing Palin, unbelievable. MSNBC is endorsing her...Micthell is already saying that she is going to win the women, and the clinton supporters...

Chuck Todd is almost buying it!!!

Unbelievable...

the media have really decided to endorse McWar...I thought last night that the media were going to change the narrative story, but It did not last long...

She's an opportunist.

I live in Wasilla and she just threw the State of Alaska under the bus when we needed some real governance.

She won the governorship on her good looks alone and now she's allowing herself to be McCain's token female - a total traitor to Alaska and Women's Rights.

Trooper-gate pales in comparison to her propagandizing a mining/clean water proposition just this past week.

Prop 4. Look it up TPM - maybe Alaska issues DO matter now.

BTW I think they have 'set up' Ted Stevens to get him out of the way.

Why not our U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski? She's got a helluva lot more experience than Palin.

Even scarier is that she is CREATIONIST!

http://scienceblogs.com/afarensis/2006/10/27/intelligent_design_and_the_ala/

anyone who named their child "track" should be disqualified from having any influence over anyone else's child.

Backlash?

I conducted an informal focus group at lunch at a Max & Erma's in Columbus, Ohio with a group of middle-aged women (basically by me overhearing their conversation). They were not happy about the choice of Palin. They said that it was a slap in the face to women Clinton supporters to choose a younger, better looking, more inexperienced woman than Hillary, and, as one of them said, if they think that women are going to vote for McCain just because Palin is a woman "they've got another thing coming."

Didn't I see a Lifetime movie about this? Or maybe a Movie of the Week? Plucky first-term governor chosen to be VP, only because the party needs a woman on the ticket? (She agonizes over her decision with her husband and her husky dog in her cabin in front of the fire. All but the dog are wearing oversized turtleneck sweaters.) She decides to go for it; she's charming during the campaign and surprise! wins the election. Then the Pres. has a heart attack during the swearing in. So our heroine battles with WH staff and cantankerous Senators on her own to stamp out evoution and substitute intelligent design in all science classrooms in the country! In the end, of course, she wins everybody over. Copious drilling in ANWR for all! The end.

Backlash?

I conducted an informal focus group at lunch at a Max & Erma's in Columbus, Ohio with a group of middle-aged women (basically by me overhearing their conversation). They were not happy about the choice of Palin. They said that it was a slap in the face to women Clinton supporters to choose a younger, better looking, more inexperienced woman than Hillary, and, as one of them said, if they think that women are going to vote for McCain just because Palin is a woman "they've got another thing coming."