RSS Feed
New York - McCain Picks Alaska Governor As VP |
Sponsored By:
|
Text Size
|
Palin, 44, is a first-term governor and will become the first person on the GOP ticket who is not a white male. In picking her, McCain went outside of a short list of candidates that included former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
The Arizona senator also selected a running mate who is not viewed as a “safe” pick. Palin is more of a “high risk-high reward” choice.
Picking a woman from outside the Beltway could pay great dividends in the general election. The McCain campaign has been trying to put a wedge between supporters of Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) and primary rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) in the hopes of getting Democratic women who backed the former first lady in the nominating contest to support the Arizona senator in the general election.
Palin also adds youth to the GOP ticket. McCain is turning 72 today and Democrats appear to begin making age an issue in the campaign. However, with Palin’s youth comes the inexperience that Republicans are criticizing Obama for. The GOP has been trying to make the case that the Illinois senator is not ready to lead. With a 44-year-old first-term governor on the ticket, theses attacks may begin to ring hollow to some.
In addition, McCain disagrees with Palin on energy policy, an issue that will play a major role in the general election. As governor of Alaska, Palin supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). McCain, who recently reversed his position on offshore drilling and now supports it, has long been opposed to oil exploration in ANWR.
Total108
Read Comments (108) — Post Yours »
1
Aug 29, 2008 at 10:40 AM Moishe -Willyburger Says:
Leiv m'lochim v'sorim biyad Hashem.
2
Aug 29, 2008 at 10:45 AM dreidel Says:
what's her background? is she a moderade or conservative? please update
3
Aug 29, 2008 at 10:50 AM Yated Reader Says:
Thanks for the picture... this is the only way I'll know what she looks like.
4
Aug 29, 2008 at 10:51 AM Anonymous Says:
Now we are in good shape!!!!
5
Aug 29, 2008 at 10:52 AM LeiderLeider... Says:
I have nothing to say. I'm at a loss for words. All is lost in America. I'm moving to Iceland.
6
Aug 29, 2008 at 10:54 AM It's Me Says:
This was a smart pick in many ways.
7
Aug 29, 2008 at 10:56 AM Anonymous Says:
I'm voting for McCain no matter what, but what's the logic behind this? This is better than Romney?
8
Aug 29, 2008 at 10:59 AM Anonymous Says:
Very interesting move.... I wonder what made him do this.
I really don't see how this helps him. But i may be wrong.
Just Wondering
9
Aug 29, 2008 at 10:59 AM sheloy usani ishu Says:
This will get him some votes from woman that are upset about Hillary's loss. Good move.
10
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:01 AM Charlie Hall Says:
So much for the idea that Obama lacks experience. Palin has been governor of the second smallest state for barely a year and a half and prior to that was mayor of a small town of under 6,000 people.
11
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:03 AM Anonymous Says:
Come to think of it this will indeed get him many female voters, and it should bolster his conservative appeal as well. In the context of the fact that he is running against Obama who defeated Hillary, it does make sense.
12
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:06 AM balabusta Says:
I don't vote on gender..
She is a great choice- a family woman.
13
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:06 AM izzy Says:
Mcain is the only one to vote for but this pick was not a good one. She has no economic exp or foreign relations.
14
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:09 AM Anonymous Says:
Family and personal background
Palin was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, the daughter of Charles and Sally (Sheeran) Heath.[3] Her family moved to Alaska when she was an infant.[4] Charles Heath was a popular science teacher and coached track.[4] The Heaths were avid outdoors enthusiasts; Sarah and her father would sometimes wake at 3 a.m. to hunt moose before school, and the family would regularly run 5k and 10k races.[4]
Palin was the point guard and captain for the Wasilla High School Warriors, in Wasilla, Alaska, when they won the Alaska small-school basketball championship in 1982; she earned the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" because of her intense play.[4] She played the championship game despite a stress fracture in her ankle, hitting a critical free throw in the last seconds.[4] Palin, who was also the head of the school Fellowship of Christian Athletes, would lead the team in prayer before games.[4]
In 1984, Palin was second-place in the Miss Alaska beauty pageant after winning the Miss Wasilla contest earlier that year, winning a scholarship to help pay her way through college.[4] In the Wasilla pageant, she played the flute and also won Miss Congeniality.
Palin holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Idaho where she also minored in politics.
Her husband, Todd, is a Native Yup'ik Eskimo.[4] Outside the fishing season, Todd works for BP at an oil field on the North Slope[5] and is a champion snowmobiler, winning the 2000-mile "Iron Dog" race four times.[4] The two eloped shortly after Palin graduated college; when they learned they needed witnesses for the civil ceremony, they recruited two residents from the old-age home down the street.[4] The Palin family lives in Wasilla, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Anchorage.[6]
She briefly worked as a sports reporter for local Anchorage television stations while also working as a commercial fisherman with her husband, Todd, her high school sweetheart.[4] One summer when she was working on Todd's fishing boat, the boat collided with a tender while she was holding onto the railing; Palin broke several fingers.[4]
On September 11, 2007, the Palins' son Track joined the Army. Eighteen years old at the time, he is the eldest of Palin's five children.[6] Track now serves in an infantry brigade and will be deployed to Iraq in September. She also has three daughters: Bristol, 17, Willow, 13, and Piper, 7.[7] On April 18, 2008, Palin gave birth to her second son, Trig Paxson Van Palin, who has Down syndrome.[8] She returned to the office three days after giving birth.[9] Palin refused to let the results of prenatal genetic testing change her decision to have the baby. "I'm looking at him right now, and I see perfection," Palin said. "Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, what is normal and what is perfect?"[9]
Details of Palin's personal life have contributed to her political image. She hunts, eats moose hamburger, ice fishes, rides snowmobiles, and owns a float plane.[10][11] Palin holds a lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association. She admits that she used marijuana when it was legal in Alaska, but says that she did not like it.[12]
Pre-gubernatorial political experience
Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council from 1992 to 1996. In 1996, she challenged the incumbent mayor, criticizing wasteful spending and high taxes.[4] The ex-mayor and sheriff tried to organize a recall campaign, but failed.[4] Palin kept her campaign promises, reducing her own salary, as well as reducing property taxes 60%.[4] She ran for reelection against the former mayor in 1999, winning by an even larger margin.[4][13] Palin was also elected president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.[7]
In 2002, Palin made an unsuccessful bid for Lieutenant Governor, coming in second to Loren Leman in a four-way race. After Frank Murkowski resigned from his long-held U.S. Senate seat in mid-term to become governor, Palin interviewed to be his possible successor. Instead, Murkowski appointed his daughter, then-Alaska State Representative Lisa Murkowski.[4]
Governor Murkowski appointed Palin Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission,[14] where she served from 2003 to 2004 until resigning in protest over what she called the "lack of ethics" of fellow Alaskan Republican leaders, who ignored her whistleblowing complaints of legal violations and conflicts of interest.[4] After she resigned, she exposed the state Republican party's chairman, Randy Ruedrich, one of her fellow Oil & Gas commissioners, who was accused of doing work for the party on public time, and supplying a lobbyist with a sensitive e-mail.[15] Palin filed formal complaints against both Ruedrich and former Alaska Attorney General Gregg Renkes, who both resigned; Ruedrich paid a record $12,000 fine.[4]
Governorship
Governor Palin visits a wounded soldier in Landstuhl, Germany, July 2007In 2006, Palin, running on a clean-government campaign, executed an upset victory over then-Gov. Murkowski in the Republican gubernatorial primary.[4] Despite the lack of support from party leaders and being outspent by her Democratic opponent, she went on to win the general election in November 2006, defeating former Governor Tony Knowles.[4] Palin said in 2006 that education, public safety, and transportation would be three cornerstones of her administration.[12]
When elected, Palin became the first woman to be Alaska's governor, and the youngest governor in Alaskan history at 42 years old upon taking office. Palin was also the first Alaskan governor born after Alaska achieved U.S. statehood. She was also the first Alaskan governor not to be inaugurated in Juneau, instead choosing to hold her inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks. She took office on December 4, 2006.
Highlights of Governor Palin's tenure include a successful push for an ethics bill, and also shelving pork-barrel projects supported by fellow Republicans. Palin successfully killed the Bridge to Nowhere project that had become a nationwide symbol of wasteful earmark spending.[9][16] "Alaska needs to be self-sufficient, she says, instead of relying heavily on 'federal dollars,' as the state does today."[10]
She has challenged the state's Republican leaders, helping to launch a campaign by Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell to unseat U.S. Congressman Don Young[17] and publicly challenging Senator Ted Stevens to come clean about the federal investigation into his financial dealings.[9] Fred Barnes of The Weekly Standard praised Palin as a "politician of eye-popping integrity" and referred to her rise as "a great (and rare) story of how adherence to principle—especially to transparency and accountability in government—can produce political success."[10]
In 2007, Palin had an approval rating often in the 90s.[10] A poll published by Hays Research on July 28, 2008 showed Palin's approval rating at 80%.[18]
Energy policies
Palin's tenure is noted for her independence from big oil companies, while still promoting resource development.[10][9] Palin has announced plans to create a new sub-cabinet group of advisors, to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Alaska.[19]
Shortly after taking office, Palin rescinded an appointment by Murkowski of his former chief of staff Jim Clark to the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority, one of thirty-five appointments made by Murkowski in the last hour of his administration that she reversed.[20][21] Clark later pled guilty to conspiring with a defunct oil-field-services company to channel money into Frank Murkowski's re-election campaign.[22]
In March 2007, Palin presented the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) as the new legal vehicle for building a natural gas pipeline from the state's North Slope.[23] Only one legislator, Representative Ralph Samuels, voted against the measure,[24] and in June Palin signed it into law.[25][26] On January 5, 2008, Palin announced that a Canadian company, Transcanada, was the sole AGIA-compliant applicant.[27][28]
In response to high oil and gas prices, and in response to the resulting state government budget surplus, Palin proposed giving Alaskans $100-a-month energy debit cards. She also proposed providing grants to electrical utilities so that they would reduce customers' rates.[29] She subsequently dropped the debit card proposal, and in its place she proposed to send Alaskans $1,200 directly and eliminate the gas tax.[30][31]
Social issues
Palin is strongly pro-life and belongs to Feminists for Life.[12] She opposes same-sex marriage, but she has stated that she has gay friends and is receptive to gay and lesbian concerns about discrimination.[12] While the previous administration did not implement same-sex benefits, Palin complied with a state Supreme Court order and signed them into law.[32]
She supported a democratic advisory vote from the public on whether there should be a constitutional amendment on the matter.[33] Alaska was one of the first U.S. states to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage, in 1998, along with Hawaii.[34]
Palin's first veto was used to block legislation that would have barred the state from granting benefits to gay state employees and their partners. In effect, her veto granted State of Alaska benefits to same-sex couples. The veto occurred after Palin consulted with Alaska's attorney general on the constitutionality of the legislation
15
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:09 AM common ¢ Says:
It sounds like she is very conservetive so it will give him a boost by the feminists (except if they say she acts like a man like the blacks say condy rice is white)
and it will give him a boost with the concervetives that were against him
16
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:14 AM Yasher Koach Says:
GREAT CHOICE!!!
17
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:15 AM Charlie Hall Says:
Correction to my earlier post: Palin has been governor of the fourth smallest state, not the second smallest.
18
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:17 AM Chacham Mah Nishtana Says:
Don't you get the differrence! She is running for Vice-President, not President. Vice-Presidents usually do nothing and DO learn on the job. Presidents do everything, and woe to everyone if they learn on the job. Though there is always the chance of a President dropping dead in his first couple of years, but that is not usually the case.
19
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:21 AM CHAIM Says:
I DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT ABOUT THIS MOVE, BUT I AM SURE HIS STRATAGISTS FIGURED IT OUT WELL, BUT I DONT THINK THAT THE HILLARY VOTERS WILL START FLOCKING TO JOHN McCAIN FOR THIS, AFTER ALL, GENDER WAS NOT THE MAIN THING SHE HAD, IT WAS A PLUS, BUT MOSTLY HER ISSUES
20
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:21 AM Yasher Koach Says:
Why She is a good candidate:
She will inspire the base because she is a xtian, pro gun, pro marriage, abortion opponent. At the same time she inspires independents to cross over because she is charismatic, young and a female. This of course neutralizes Obamas attack that McCain is the "old way" and that he isnt about change. Her pick shows Obama doesnt have a monopoly on history, she would make history as the first VP female president in history. This of course is instrumental for getting feminists and disinfranchised Clinton supporters.
21
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:22 AM ML Says:
Nothing against Mrs. Palin but this country is officially doomed.
22
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:23 AM good pick Says:
Intresting but solid pick for Johhny McCain
23
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:25 AM Kremzel Says:
For those idiots thar are voting for Obama as they want "change", now "Yes you can" vote for McCain as you will get change too
24
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:25 AM Chaim Says:
Confirming only weeks before the birth that she was going to have a son (Trig, 4 months) who she knew would have Down syndrome. That’s a strong character! And she is still against abortion.
I’m voting for John McCain.
25
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:26 AM Anonymous Says:
I'm so excited!!!!
This is an accomplished woman with five kids who recently gave birth to a son with Downs. She has incredible strength and emunah and said, "Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives."
"We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."
As someone who has worked with developmentally disabled adults for OHEL, I am truly inspired. We don't often see such talk from our elected officials.
26
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:28 AM Anonymous Says:
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin Gives Birth to Down Baby Despite Abortion Pressure
by Steven ErteltLifeNews.com Editor
Juneau, AK
(LifeNews.com) -- As many as 80 percent of unborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome become victims of abortion, but Alaska Gov, Sarah Palin didn't let her child become a statistic. Palin, who has deeply-felt pro-life views, gave birth to her fifth child this week and the baby was diagnosed with the condition.On Tuesday, Palin confirmed her baby, named Trig Paxson, has Down syndrome."Trig is beautiful and already adored by us," Palin said in a statement LifeNews.com obtained."We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives," she said.'We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."
Billy Valentine, a pro-life student leader who worked on the presidential campaign of Sam Brownback, was equally excited."Thanks be to God that Gov. Palin is pro-life and the baby wasn't one of the 80% of Down syndrome lives that are aborted each year," he said."Say a prayer for Gov. Palin and her family and thank God that the baby is blessed with a pro-life family," Valentine added.
The Palins have four other children including Track, 18, Bristol, 17, Willow, 13 and Piper, 7.
Just as I was thinking she might make a good presidential candidate. . .
First Female Alaskan Governor and Potential Republican VP Candidate
The politicos are all abuzz over whom John McCain will choose as his running mate for the 2008 presidential elections. Rush Limbaugh is pushing for Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, right down to designing a logo for a McCain-Palin ticket. Nothing is close to being decided as yet, but here's a closer look at Sarah Palin and her chances for being on the 2008 Republican ballot.
27
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:35 AM Anonymous Says:
Dumb move!
28
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:36 AM McCain Moron Says:
Palin holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Idaho where she also minored in politics.
What kind of education is this to be vice-president?
29
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:37 AM poiu Says:
she is very big on driling for oil in alaska she actuly sued the govrment for trying to block alaska from driling
30
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:40 AM not satmar- but my friends are Says:
she's a consertive.
hey, McCain is so old, there's always a chance he may die of old age/natural causes on the job & sarah palin will be president!
can anyone get an LE (life expentantcy) on Mccain?
31
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:42 AM Anonymous Says:
She may be a great Balah Bosta, but where is her experience. If let say Mccain cannot fulfill his duites in a year from now, can she take over? I'll route for mccain, but he should have taken someone with exprience.
Sarah Palin go make kishke and cholent, shabbos is almost here and when your at it, my shirt needs to be washed.
32
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:42 AM Ben Says:
I think he screwed himself bad
33
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:44 AM Zoltan Says:
Is she good for Israel?
34
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:45 AM Anonymous Says:
Stupid pick. Everyonme the right is complaining about Obama's lack of experience, will now come right back at them. A VP has to be able to take the presidency in a split second, therefore experience is a must.
35
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:45 AM Zoltan Says:
Does she know any Yidden?
36
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:46 AM Anonymous Says:
by mccain choosing a young concervitave pro life candidate hell deflect the age issue off himself(he's 72)
she'll have the backing of the conservitives and even woo the women democrats who voted for hillary but were just looking for the excuse not to vote obama (who they disliked a)he's black b)he's arab moslem c)he's inexperinced
now those women voters have a women to back they may very well switch party allegience and vote the republican ticket
a very smart pick (rush limba has been pushing this pick for months guess he is an astute politicin as well)
37
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:46 AM Choizik Says:
What is her position on Abortion & Gay Rights?!
38
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:49 AM Anonymous Says:
sounds like a woman which has her head screwed on straight but almost nobody knew that she even existed until this morning.
That seems to be a BIG NEGATIVE in reference to this pick...
We will find out sooner or later i guess.
39
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:50 AM ben dover Says:
Is she good at all ?????
40
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:53 AM Anonymous Says:
Let's not forget that McCain is 72 years old today (Happy bithday) and there is a good chance that she might need to step up to the plate. she lacks that and that is a huge negative. He should have picked romney or at least Rudy G.
41
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:54 AM Anonymous Says:
she ran in her home state and won stunning her own party which didnt back her
she went after corruption and pork barrel spending lowering her own salary as she promised she would if she won as governor of alaska
her last baby born this past april 08 is a down syndrome baby and to quote her she said "so he has an extra chromsome all i see is perfection"
her religion is listed as both protestant and christion
her views are as close to torah as one can ask for from a nonjew she is a member of mothers for life which is pro life /anti abortion she's refreshingly honest which is unique for polotics
hopefully this will put mccain over the top
42
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:55 AM Lock & Load Says:
Ben Says:
I think he screwed himself bad
08-29-2008 - 11:42 AM
How bad can it be......
43
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:58 AM yidinisrael Says:
GREAT PICK JOHNNY!!!
44
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:07 PM Mark Levin Says:
John McCain seems to have hit a GRAND SLAM with this choice! Almost NO ONE was mentioning her.
Gov Palin has been a staunch Conservative which is what the party wanted. In recent polls a shocking poll showed over 60% of the country leaned conservative. It seemed they needed a good teacher to show them they really felt conservative. Too bad the last good teacher we had on our side was Ronaldus Maximus AKA President Ronald Wilson Reagan.
Thank you John McCain for your choice!!
45
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:16 PM anonymous Says:
well people want "CHANGE" now they get change with a women as vp
I see it as good for him
46
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:17 PM Zoltan Says:
What if G*D forbid something happens to McCain he is 73 and has had bouts with cancer. Is this woman going to be able to lead out nation? At least Joe Biden has had years of experience. But a Govenor from Alaska who is a mother. I am scared this is a bad bad choice and I qestion McCains wisdom and least Obama had the wisdom to pick someone who could actually run the country
47
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:17 PM klutz.. Says:
No way better than Romney...
48
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:18 PM joe Says:
this is a great choice the only thing against her is her closeness to the oil industrie
49
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:21 PM anonymous Says:
what will hillary say next term if she chooses to run again "first women ever to run" well think again hillary! we all hope you really did move on as you are trying tell america that you did
50
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:26 PM Mark Levin Says:
To all you libs out there who claim she has no experience....
She served on the school's PTA.
She has served in elected office since 1992.
She has helped run a large commercial fishing company.
She was NOT a Street Thug in Chicago.
She did NOT hang out with terrorists.
She did NOT hang out with extreme left wing hate mongers.
She did NOT attend a cloist for 20 years listening to the hate speeches of a religous leader only to claim - AFTER BEING PRESSED ON THE MATTER - that they "didnt know that person."
51
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:37 PM Anonymous Says:
She will not get any votes from Hillary supporters who actually believe in anything Hillary stands for.
And how can McCain claim Obama lacks experience when he is putting a less-than-2-year governor of a remote state a heartbeat away from the presidency?
Obama Biden '08!
52
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:40 PM Vote McCain - Palin In 08! Says:
After hearing Billary for all these years, I was expecting a shrill angry feminazi but she speaks normally.
53
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:44 PM Tzoorba Says:
This is a great choice.
She is a true conservative. She is in favor of drilling in ANWR in her home state. She is anti illegal immigration.
She has the experience of running a state in the capacity of governor.
Obama and McCain are 2 liberals but Obama is an insanely leftist liberal. Palin at least pulls McCain a little more to the right.
I was only going to vote for McCain because Obama is so bad. Now there is more of a positive reason to vote for him.
This is a brilliant move on his part. He will capture more of the Conservatives and he will get some of the feminist vote, especially those that are angered by what was done to Hillary.
54
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:47 PM Tzoorba Says:
Anonymous 12:37 pm,
Biden has done nothing. Who would he plagiarize if he had a crisis? Kinnock didn't deal with any crises.
55
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:54 PM Anonymous Says:
I wrote earlier that it was a stupid pick. but after watching and listening to her pick, I think McCain picked a great person.
56
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:54 PM Anonymous Says:
Here is the deal people
She Pro Life
Conservative
Ant Goverment Spending
Uses common sense in most of her decisions
She is BIG on ethics (and she has a track record in goverment to prove it)
A poll published by Hays Research on July 28, 2008 showed Palin's approval rating at 80%
She is Pro Drilling
She is Pro reducing Energy costs any way possible
She has Gay friends but does not support Gay Marriage
She sold the State Jet and Flies Commericial.
She made the second larges cuts in Alaska's Budget History (Fiscal Conservative)
57
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:55 PM Anonymous Says:
*correction: to her "speech"
58
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:55 PM Anonymous Says:
Gevaldigeh pick.
59
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:57 PM McCain - Palin In 08! Says:
Mark Levin,
You should point out that PTA by the ayno yehudim is NOTHING like it is by us yehudim. By ayno yehudim, there is way more to PTA than collecting money for "Chanuka" presents, or making phone calls, etc.
60
Aug 29, 2008 at 12:58 PM Anonymous Says:
I don’t think Mccain is thinking about taking strong Party Line Hillary supporters. Rather I do believe he is going after those who would have supported Hillary for whatever mind-boggling reason and don’t necessarily like Obama
Excellent Choice !!!
61
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:00 PM Anonymous Says:
Anon 12:54, you forgot
Her son is in the military & will be deployed to Iraq 9/11
She is middle class, not privileged
Her husband works for a living & is in a union!! (That's gotta be a first!)
She's articulate, attractive, highly intelligent
AND SHE'LL BE THE FIRST VP of THE US!!
Go McCAIN!
62
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:00 PM Anonymous Says:
Sorry, I missed out the word WOMAN from the above
63
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:01 PM Anonymous Says:
Think about this:
If McCain wins, you can expect Hillary vs. Palin in 2012.
64
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:03 PM Anonymous Says:
atleast the gas prices would go dow n the drain if you anylize all comments/news articles and another benefit she dosent seem to be anti semetic nor does mcain
65
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:04 PM Anonymous Says:
...And Palin will kick Hillary to the Curb ...
You will see a massive turnaround in governement spending within the first two years of this administration and more importantly she does not have the baggage that Hillary does ...
66
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:06 PM Allan Says:
GREAT CHOICE...HEARD HER SPEAK... LOVED EVERY WORD...ON TO VICTORY FOR JOHN MCCAIN WE NEED HIM NOW MORE THAN EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
67
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:11 PM Anonymous Says:
Alaska is the LARGEST state in the country, geographically.
68
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:18 PM Torboy74 Says:
Well... now we know the election is over... Mazel Tov President Obama!
69
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:32 PM Anonymous Says:
I am looking forward to her debate with Biden. She is toast!
70
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:33 PM Anonymous Says:
Very smart move! She will appeal to women, and the working class people! Obama is a rich lawyer while this woman came from a working class family. This gives leverage over Obama who makes fun of Mccain's seven houses.
71
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:34 PM izzy Says:
President Obama we will be bad for America and israel.
72
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:36 PM Anonymous Says:
GOOD CHOICE,BAD CHOICE, IT DOSENT MATTER,HES NOT WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!
73
Aug 29, 2008 at 01:57 PM Chossid Says:
She has a good shot at being president. Should turn out interesting. Definitely unexpected which was a brilliant move by the McCain Campaign.
74
Aug 29, 2008 at 02:05 PM anonymous Says:
"izzy Says:
comments - arrow Mcain is the only one to vote for but this pick was not a good one. She has no economic exp or foreign relations."
running the budget for a state isn't called economic exp?? and what economic exp does obama or biden have from sitting in the senate?
making the second larges cuts in alaska's budget history seems like she knows what she's doing there
75
Aug 29, 2008 at 02:09 PM Reality Check Says:
Some of you are such sexists, its disgusting. Palin as a VP nominee is more qualified than Obama is presidential nominee. Pretty sad. She actually has some executive/decision making experience as opposed to Obama. She can point to many accomplishments while Obama cannot name a single one. She has been governor longer than Obama has taken part in voting (with no risk or accountability involved) in the senate (most of which he voted "present" - pathetic. Obama has no foreign policy experience except for a speaking tour so to accuse a VP of none is just plain stupid. Obama has direct ties to unrepentant terrorists and people who hate this country. He is a good speaker, I will give you that, but take away that teleprompter and he can't say anything more than his favorite word - "I". Obama and Biden are chronic lyers and are more concerned for their own ambition than anything else. You can definitly not believe anything that comes out of Bidens mouth. I am quite impressed with Palin's accomplishments and her views as a whole. Her speech was very effective, poised and genuine. She has strong conservative principles and is a great VP pick.
76
Aug 29, 2008 at 02:11 PM Don Says:
She has as much experience as Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton had - and she isn't a Democrat.
Obama has ZERO experience - he hasn't even unpacked his senate office.
Biden has done ZERO for approx 30 years except get re-elected and show up at 6 am Sundays for TV talk shows.
If the right person who knows how to make right decisions at the right time and is advised by the right people - then he/she is the right person to elect.
Vote Republican!
And let's get a Republican to run against Hillary for Senate.
77
Aug 29, 2008 at 02:18 PM Anonymous Says:
The Hamodia is disappointed - because they have to airbrush her out of the pictures. They were very happy Hillary Clinton didnt make it.
78
Aug 29, 2008 at 02:25 PM Anonymous Says:
its a lose lose situation either a black man or a women. what happens if something happens to mcain, you will be having a inexperienced female
79
Aug 29, 2008 at 02:26 PM McCain - Palin In 08! Says:
Pound for Pound the Republicans have more than the Liberal Dems.
Imagine the Republican VP choice has MORE experiance than the Democratic PREZ choice.
80
Aug 29, 2008 at 02:27 PM Anonymous Says:
mitt Romney would be a great pick he is very good for Israel and did a great job on Massachusetts economy and taxes
81
Aug 29, 2008 at 02:38 PM ananymous Says:
This woman has Yeirat Shamayim, albeit a different approach to the G-D that we believe in. Nonetheless, she has family values that we have - family, embracing what G-D gives you despite that it may be bad, respect for your country, etc.
Joe Biden may have had a lot of foreign relations experience, but he's been on the wrong side of history. What good is experience if you are wrong so often?
So if McCain dies in office, I have no problem with a President Palin.
82
Aug 29, 2008 at 02:46 PM izzy Says:
I am a republican and I hope John wins but you Cant compare Biden to the Ak Gov, Biden is the is a long-time member and current chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.
83
Aug 29, 2008 at 02:58 PM Nuchem Says:
Obama made a big mistake in not picking a woman. The reason he made this choice is that the main attack Obama had on McCain was that he is Bush 2.0 Now, he cannot attack in this manner. Their only option is to attack Palin on the fact that she has no experience. But she has more experience than Obama. So only Biden can attack McCain - And McCain already has Biden saying that Obama has no experience and that McCain is awesome.
This was an excellent choice.
84
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:03 PM YANKEL Says:
Born in Idaho and raised in Alaska, it's highly unlikely that she's had much contact with
Jews, other than Chabad shlichim. It's an odd choice considering the Electoral votes from Alaska. I for one am not at all impressed with either party's candidates. But the other 2 running that I'm aware of McKinnney and Nadar are even worse.
85
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:13 PM Don Says:
Izzy - Biden is the chair because of Seniority - this is the same committee that can't get control of the State Department - and the same committee that doesn't have the guts to confront Iran or even Venezuela.
You can be the chairman, great + but you must have a goal and direction and he does not.
As my dad would say - you have CEOs that make profits and earn millions and you have CEO that earn millions while burying the company.
86
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:22 PM Anonymous Says:
Palin is an empty suit with no experience. She is a hype choice and nothing more than a Republican Obama. People who criticized obama now have an obama all oftheir own in Sarah Pallin.
McCain and Biden should be running the show together. they have all the experience and knowlege. thir respective running mates have none and are all just a load of fluff.
87
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:25 PM Anonymous Says:
Don, you will have to wait another 5 years. Hillary was relected to another 6 year term just last year. the republicans ran a dud named john spencer against her and he lost miserably. byt the time you can run a repg against her we will already have another presidential election
88
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:26 PM Anonymous Says:
"She has as much experience as Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton had - and she isn't a Democrat. "
WRONG. She has been a governor for like 2 years. carter and clinton had much much more experience. she has been a governor about as long as obama has been a senator. they are one and the same. FLUFF
89
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:28 PM Anonymous Says:
TO: "not satmar- but my friends are"
LE on mcaion is that he aint going nowhere. His 93 year old mother has been going around on the campaign trail with him. if that is any indicator...
90
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:40 PM Osama Millhouse Obama Says:
He chose the Gov of Alaska??!
Let's see, a few months ago I said that I've been to about 56 or 57 states and I know I havent been to Alaska or Hawaii.
So that makes Alaska state number 58 or 59???
How many states do we have here anyway??
91
Aug 29, 2008 at 03:42 PM McCain - Palin In 08! Says:
izzy,
Biden is a nothing. He is the chairman only b/c they are in control of the senate for the moment. He hasnt done a blasted thing in that position anyway. How many meetings of substance has he had? Not too many.