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If John McCain died or became incapacitated, would Sarah Palin be competent to be President?
By admin - Posted on September 30th, 2008
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17 days since the Presidential Election.
right on! I have wanted to hear from someone that lives in the obama area. Thanks for clarifying what I have been thinking all along.
At least Palin doesn't have strings pulling on her.
Very interesting article about the true mathematical odds of McCain dying in the next four years:
http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/daily-brief/2008/09/15/feeling-luck...
Quick excerpts:
"...the Social Security Administration's statistics would tell you that the odds of McCain dying in the next four years are about 1 chance in 6 or 7."
The author puts that picturesquely in the following phrase: "...think about whether you'd be willing to pull the trigger in just one round of Russian Roulette."
and
"To put the question into a more helpful context, let's look at everyday events that have about the same odds as soon swearing in President Palin:
-Kobe Bryant hitting two consecutive three-point attempts.
-On your next try, pulling a red M&M out of the bag.
-A rainy day in El Paso or San Diego. (A first-term President Palin would be twice as likely as a rainy day in Los Angeles.)
-That you will be delayed on two consecutive flights into Newark Airport.
-Escaping jail in Monopoly by rolling a double.
-That your birthday falls on a Wednesday.
-That, during a full inning of a Major League Baseball game, one of the teams hits a home run.
-That a hurricane hits Louisiana in any given year.
-That a flipped coin comes up heads three times in a row.
-That the next car you see will be black. A first term presidential funeral is more likely than the next car you see being blue, red, green or brown; it is only less likely than the next one being silver or white.
-That any three consecutive traffic lights you hit will all be red.
Speaking of red, if the country does go that way again, a first term Alaskan President is more probable than you are of catching the flu next winter or sharing a Zodiac sign with a stranger. It is also:
-Three times more likely than being dealt a 21 in Blackjack.
-Four times as likely as the next car you see being a convertible.
-Five times as likely as a woman having twins.
-Seven times more likely than meeting someone with green eyes.
-Eight times more likely than being waited on by a redhead.
Lastly, one unlikely-but-common analogy is particularly arresting. If the Republicans win, the odds of a first term President Palin would be about three times greater than the odds of a middle-aged man being left handed (the trait recedes in the population with age). Both candidates are. "
It seems there is a double standard out there. Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska is a first term Governor, just as, Sen. Barach Obama, is also a first term Senator. The fact is that the responsibilities of a state governor is much greater than that of a senator; however, there are more polls out there questioning Gov. Sarah Palin’s ability to perform as a potential President if John McCain was the President-elect but was forced to leave office in case of ill health or death. The very questions posed by opinion polls can be used to make suggestions and plant seeds of doubt based on fear rather than reality. Thinking American people should be looking at reality. Opinion polls are not capable of asking these types of deeper questions. Only real people are capable of doing so. I hope everyone will ask ourselves these questions before the election is over.
1/ How did Gov. Sarah Palin do in office as governor of Alaska? Then compare this with findings from the following question: How did Sen. Barack Obama do in office as senator of Illinois?
2/ Why is there a double standard? Is it because Gov. Sarah Palin is a woman?
3/ Are opinion polls such as this one from Abraham & Harrison funded by Democratic or Republican supporters?
For Newton and others. They don't want Obama in for President as that sounds Muslim. They don't get that he was born in the USA *Hawaii* while McCain was born in Panama Canal. Even though McBush...oops I mean McCain's parents was on a military base, he was still born on FOREIGN soil.
Now to get to the subject, Palin has over authorized her authority as governor for Alaska with the troopergate scandal. Obama did say 58 states as he was campaigning with 4 appearances in one night. He was tired and he did say that. Palin has the assumption that she can see Russia from an island in Alaska where there is NO activity on the land she sees, that supposedly gives her foreign policy experience. Gosh, I can see a bank from my kitchen window I guess then I have the policy experience to be in the Dept. of Treasury.
Paylin...oops I mean Palin abused her governorship by bringing her home problems to work, trying to get her ex-brother-in-law fired, her staff wouldn't do it so she fires her brother-in-law's boss. But the biggest of all to me is she used web based email for government business which was very stupid. Anyone could get into and hack a web based email (Yahoo) and they did.
Quick Fact Check.
1) Democrats blocked regulation in Congress on subprime/Fanny & Freddie when Clinton was prez.
2) Republicans dropped the ball on the securitization of mortgages.
That doesn't leave you many options now does it.
I'm struck by the lack of serious consideration over what it means to be "competent" to be the President of the United States. Why not look back at other Presidents history holds in high esteem for doing an exceptional job in leading this country in times of crisis--someone like Abraham LIncoln. In Doris Kearns "Team of Rivals", it is clear is that deep intelligence, wisdom, patience, evenness of temper, kindness & ability to enlist the services of the best and brightest talents (regardless of past acrimony) and impeccable honesty are among the qualities made him great. To say we don't "know" Barack Obama is a silly statement. He has proven his intellect, wisdom, strategic & tactical abilities, ability to unite, willingness to sacrifice, & persevere. What is also evident is his respectful & loving relationship with his wife children Obama is already an inspiring LEADER who cares for the highest--and the least of the people in this country. People trust and follow him. Palin has proven her self limited in scope and interest for all but a narrow "base" segment to further her own personal & "religious" agenda. He words are divisive and hateful, not to mention patently untrue in many instances. For these reasons, neither she is not competent to lead. (the TrooperGate findings by bipartisan group & the deceitful spin put on it is the latest example) PS. Don't know Obama-- watch him & his family here: http://lin.cr/269
if you have to bring up college and think that Osama oops i mean Obama , maybe he did go to "Harvard" but she learned that we in the US do not have 58 states as Obama claimed in one of his speeches. Sorry i just can't help me self.
People like you shouldn't be allowed to vote.
umm could u explain this, seems the other way around.
Republicans deregulated economy so much that it led to the current financial situation, so it won't work government has to be temporaily centralized to take us out of this mess.
Pallin uses some lies against barack go to factcheck.org to check some that occured during the debate.
Mccain has experience, and apparantly "knows" how to fix everything (im referring to the recent debate) too bad he's given us no concrete plan.. and the plan he does have, healthcare, will end up costing us billions...
Only a complete moron would vote for a Republican after the past 8 years of idiocy. McCain is a Bush croney and Palin is just an idiot.
KB,
Sorry, I don't usually reply to these remarks, but I couldn't resist........
What message of "hate" are you talking about?
If someone doesn't agree with your worldview, that doesn't
mean they hate. Where is your tolerance?
AB
Only a person with his head in the sand would vote for a democrat.
Things might get interesting soon, since the Alaska Supreme Court said today that the investigation known as Troopergate could proceed, dashing the hopes of the McCain/Palin campaign to stonewall it until after the election (article at www.adn.com). Amazing that someone CURRENTLY under investigation for misuse of public office, could be stirring up crowds with a message of hate. Mind-boggling that someone who had to attend 5 or 6 different colleges before getting a degree in journalism, can try to make a bogeyman out of someone who graduated with honors from Harvard Law. I hope Alaska gets their Governor back soon...if they even want her back.
Are you as crazy as she is? It IS the republican party that has messed up this Country over the last 8 yrs. We may not get out of this mess we are in. Take your head out of the sand. Obama IS the best selection this election.
Mrs. Palin is much more qualified to be President than Obama who has done absolutely nothing but organize thugs in ACORN! She could save this Country from Socialism and all the corruption the Democrats are up to. He is not capable of telling the truth and Hollywood and the Media are doing their best to cover for him. He is not qualified to be a Senator and should be on trial for treason.
Not only is Palin not qualified to be Vice President much less President, I am incensed, that John McCain would insult my intellegence by picking such a "newby" above several well qualified, experienced women who have served the country and the Republican party.
I expect my Comander in Chief to Carefully sellect an individual more qualified than him/herself to take over. It shows John's thinking.
While I admire Sarah Palin's spunk and determination, I think that she is completely out of her league as not only a vice president but also a president. If people would take a good look at her record, they'd see that she doesn't even have a good grasp of the issues.
In addition, she's been caught in numerous lies and distortions. For example, she did not sell a jet on eBay -- she tried but failed; the jet was sold later to a private buyer. She did not leave the town of Wasilla financially sound; she left it in debt. She says she;ll be a strong supporter of kids with needs. In truth, Palin actually slashed funding for schools for special needs kids by 62%.
And her famous, "I told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for that Bridge to Nowhere. If our state wanted a bridge, we'd build it ourselves" line? More spin. Congress' requirement that funds be spent on that bridge (aka the 'earmark') were removed before Sarah Palin became governor. She was, therefore, in no position to tell Congress anything about the bridge, one way or the other. During her campaign, she said she supported funding for the bridge.
There are more examples, of the fibs and many examples of her poor insight into our nation's problems. I could list them all, but I encourage you to do your own homework (forwarded emails DO NO COUNT)!
If MCCain and Palin win this election, I'll probably be hoping for a lengthy, overseas assignment -- maybe four years or more!
W - below C student
McCain - at the bottom of his class
Are we really electing the best? Shouldn't we elect someone better than we are? And someone not ready for the assisted living home? Someone who can remember the name of his opponent instead of calling him "that one". McCain left right away after the debate - seniors do go to bed early, probably past his bedtime. As for integrity, check out McCain's involvement in the S&L bailout, he was right there along side W's brother Neil. All working to steal investors' money. Just like King Henry is doing now, rewarding his Wall St. buddies.
And we wonder why this happens to us???
Not only is Sarah Palin competent to become President, she is idealogically and tempermentally better suited to be President than John McCain. Republicans are going to be very sorry thet chose McCain over Mitt Romney. I only pray the Democrates don't screw up the country so bad over the next four years that it can't be fixed.
If Joe Biden winked at the camera 5-6 times during the debate, wouldn't we be calling him a pervert? Come on people, get serious. Sarah Palin is a joke -- an embarrassment to Americans who take our politics -- and the plight of our country -- seriously.
To be sure, Sarah Palin doesn't deserve the crucifixion the media and entertainment world are giving her (and her family). McCain might deserve some of it, after all - he picked her. Why? She's female. I admire the man completely - he is an American hero and I can't even begin to imagine the hell this brave man endured.
However, when it came to choose running mates, I belive Obama chose one that was best for the country and McCain chose one (he thought) was best for the campaign.
I THINK that he lost the race with his choice. I KNOW he lost my vote.
Hindsight is always 20/20. Perhaps Gov. Palin's weaknesses weren't 100% obvious to Sen. McCain when he picked her. (So much for due diligence, I guess.) Did he want a dynamic, charismatic, family-friendly VP running-mate? Of course. And she fit the bill... on the surface, at least. But honestly, weren't there better choices (male or female) for the job? Competent, charismatic, appealing, worldly Republican governors or senators? People he actually knows and trusts? 30 years in politics, and he can't think of a single person he has worked with who would be a better choice for a running mate? He goes with a complete stranger? I find that bizarre. Irresponsible, even. I just don't get it. There are plenty of smart, competent, experienced women in the Republican Party who would have made a great running mate.
Too many people in this country confuse personal appeal with competence, and make decisions based on who's the most charming or even who's sexiest. Or they make decisions based on generalities such as "we need a woman in the White House." A COMPETENT woman in the White House would be a great asset to this country. There is no doubt of that.
But we can't decide the leaders of our country based on a visceral reaction to her charm and folksy demeanor (there is a lot of doubt as to the sincerity of that demeanor anyway...she shows signs of being rather ruthless). During these times of uncertainty and fear, it's natural to want some comfort, to feel that the person leading our country is down-to-earth and "real.' We felt good about Bush and people like Rudy Guiliani for a short time right after 9/11. They appealed to our emotions and need for reassurance. But that demeanor means nothing. It's the actions that matter, and in the time following 9/11, both Bush and Guiliani's true nature was revealed... incompetence and self-serving.
Sarah Palin acts cute and has a pretty face. That's perfect for president of the PTA. But has not gained enough experience to be president of a country. The job of Vice-President or President is NOT an "on-the-job-training" type of job. Being Mayor of a tiny town in a remote state, then Governer of that remote, sparsely populated state (670,000, way smaller than a city like El Paso, TX) is not enough experience to lead a country whose every move has global implications. Palin treated the job of Governer like a telecommuting job, she worked form her hown home for 86% of the year.
No matter how intelligent she may seem to be, no matter how ambitious or driven she may seem, and ESPECIALLY no matter how pretty or charming she is, she is not ready for the responsibilities of a job like President. Without experience, without having the time to really begin to understand the nature of national and global dealings on every level, no matter how much coaching or guidance she would receive, Palin would either crumble under pressure or make very bad decisions with repercussions that could shake this country and its international stature to the core. Or she wouldn't act quickly enough at all...stalling and deflecting decisions (as she does with many questions, or with such events as the investigation dubbeed "Troopergate").
I also worry about the demands of her family. During times of her family's need, do we want someone faced with the dilemma of either neglecting her family's needs because of her duties as Vice-President, or neglecting the VP duties because of her family's needs? Neither of those are good choices....Sarah Palin has too many personal responsibilities.
Palin also shows all the signs of behavior very similar to Bush's...including a tendency toward cronyism, abuse of power, and self-serving decisions that flout the law.
She even mispronounces the word "nuclear" just like Bush. Certainly that's a small point, and that pronunciation is commonly recognized as a sub-standard metathesis of the word, but it's very annoying to listen to.
So wake up American. Move your responses from your gut to your brains, and make sure you understand the repercussions of your vote.
John McCain himself isn't capable of running the country; I shudder to think of the train wreck a Palin administration would be. If they win, I'm seriously considering a moving. How's the January weather in Berlin, Chris?
Granted, we've got plenty to worry about at home!
But we're talking about a Governor of a state bordered by 2 foreign countries, Palin is the proud NEW owner of a passport! (barely 1 year)
The world is smaller than ever and so is our standing in it. We don't need "a little Wasilla in Washington". We already have a narrow minded view of the world with our current administration.
She would call on the brightest brains in the Republican party, put them in positions of power and support, and do her best to do the best she could for her country. She's an acheiver and would never accept failure for herself. She has Condeleesa, Romneys, Huckabees and several others who want to serve and members to help and advise her. Her history shows that she uses support and advise to guide her towards her goals and accomplishments. She would take the credit for it too.
Palin is the only person that does not have someone dictating what she says about policy and does not try to appear to have all of the answers. She certainly knows how to find the answers. She has integrity, and knows truth when she sees it and definitely has mankind's best interests as her priority. These are some of the things that make her the best candidate for the job. I am sick and tired of politicians with agendas! She is a real person that is capable of any good, or decent task put before her. She will also employ the same type of people to work beside and under her. The point that she is not capable of selling us down stream for a special interest group, or her own pocket, or fame makes her my choice in a leader - regardless of the presence of McCain. Allison
Palin is the only person that does not have someone dictating what she says about policy and does not try to appear to have all of the answers. She certainly knows how to find the answers. She has integrity, and knows truth when she sees it and definitely has mankind's best interests as her priority. These are some of the things that make her the best candidate for the job. I am sick and tired of politicians with agendas! She is a real person that is capable of any good, or decent task put before her. She will also employ the same type of people to work beside and under her. The point that she is not capable of selling us down stream for a special interest group, or her own pocket, or fame makes her my choice in a leader - regardless of the presence of McCain. Allison
She didn't ride in on her "own merits" She rode in on her SEX. PERIOD.
It's the most frightening and compelling reason to not elect McCain to date. It' clear that the choice was to win vs. what's right for the country. And it saddens me that with so many strong female candidates out there McCain has landed on this choice. It speaks volumes of his lack of sound judgement and doesn't do justice to the feminist movement.
I couldn't agree more with "Double Standard's" comments about education, and intelligence vs. the "experience" of a low-population governor. Has it somehow become a negative trait for our president to be articulate well educated and even published?
I think its safe to now say, like every great civilization, America has grown from it's indestructible, can-do "adolescence," and has entered it's "decadent" period of greed, fear, fat and a lack of clear vision. America needs a president who will bring intelligence, a new vision, and optimism so that we don't lose the real values we've grown up to believe are American such as truth, innovation, compassion, charity and vision.
Our values as a nation should not be confused with same sex marriages or religious agendas. I seem to remember from my grade school social studies classes that America was born as a nation with the purpose and promise of many freedoms. Personal choice values are not to be mixed with National values. Growing up, this difference has been why I've been so proud to be an American. In the last 8 years much has changed. I believe that only with the leadership of Obama will we be able to regain our credibility and our course as a nation. Most importantly, America could be "Proud Again."
As an unbiased, unable-to-vote immigrant, can I point out that as usual, from either of your minimalist two sides, when the question is simply If John McCain died or became incapacitated, would Sarah Palin be competent to be President?", the arguments spin off to why the opponent isn't. Maybe that will be the next question, but like I wanted to yell at Palin while watching the debate... answer the question posed to you.
Everyone has their weak points, and in some respects, Obama, who has considerably more than two years in the US Senate as his experience (he was a state senator, you know) has plenty. However, I think there's a good reason hockey moms and joe sixpacks don't run. No-one wants regular folk in charge. You all want a ruling elite no matter how much you profess to the contrary.
There are plenty of strong, competent women on both sides of the aisle in the USA. Gov. Palin is not one of them.
She is not qualified because she is not qualified. Being as unqualified as anyone you wish to compare her to does not make her qualified. Her inabilty to answer a straight question makes her unqualified. I personally believe the fact she is the kind of person who can compete in a beauty contest makes her unqualified. And as of today, her assertion that Obama's political career started off in the living room of a terrorist (all of a sudden, he's been a politician a lot longer than two years according to the Republicans) has pulled her from the absurd to the surreal.
Don't get me wrong, Obama seems to pander to some vaporous "change" mentality, but that wasn't the question.
The difference between Obama and Palin is that Obama thinks. He's smart enough to go to Harvard, graduate high enough in his class to be president of the Harvard Law Review there. He's a thinker who doesn't shoot from the hip. He knows the Constitution inside and out and knows if something is just a whim to increase his own power compared to a great idea which would help millions of people (think fairer taxes, health insurance coverage). Palin bankrupted Wasilla which is now 23.5 MILLION dollars in debt. She has no idea of what real issues are out there---she doesn't have any idea of what to do in a financial situation, a diplomatic situation or anything beyond her own home. She shows no compassion for others who are not in her situation (religious, financial, educational, political) and has no international experience. We do not need another DOPE in the White House. McCain has shown very poor judgment in choosing an under-educated (a BA is like a high school degree these days) fool rather than a smart, intellectually sophisticated worthy VP candidate. This is a sellout of the Democratic process. Such a shame. But then again, McCain graduated at the bottom of his class (894 out of 899), so what does he want with a smart second?
Does it not trouble anyone who has been posting here that we have reached this point at all? I've been writing draft after draft of posts here, trying to find the right balance that won't come across as too ideological, or that won't be automatically dismissed by the true sycophants because it contains some Left or Right code word that justifies their turning off of the brain. Can't do it. She's too dangerous, and it angers me so much that we as a country have been put in the position of having to opine about the staggering impropriety of her selection as McCain's running mate.
Consider:
My brother is a great guy. Smart as a whip, with what I think is decent judgment (except for his love of the Yankees). I trust him implicitly. So, should I be in a position to name him to, say, the Supreme Court, I would expect no questions from anyone about his qualifications. According to the Constitution, he is legally qualified to be a Justice, even the Chief Justice. I already told you he is smart and has good judgment. What else do you need to know? How dare you question my choice or his desire to serve?
The President of the United States has a mind bogglingly huge amount of discretion in executing the job. The president can, without obstruction by court or Congress, lay waste to our financial system, impede entirely the execution of justice, or unleash Armageddon. The office of the president can disband virtually unilaterally the entirety of the intelligence gathering power of the U.S., or focus it all on the least secure among us -- with no recourse by anyone.
Most of the time, this isn't an issue. Regardless of your political persuasion, we have been blessed mostly with chief executives that took the burdens of job dead seriously. A president of the entire country, not just those who cast the votes.
Now the bar has been set so low that we cannot figure out the right words to describe how wrong it is for a candidate to relish the fact that she really doesn't understand the job the Constitution has laid out. That this is somehow an asset to a campaign makes me ashamed for my country.
That John McCain affirmatively foisted this train wreck upon his own party, and possibly upon the country, is a sin for which he should never be forgiven.
That she is considered by some to be the next face of the GOP, and a real contender for the nomination next time around, should make my GOP colleagues shudder and the nation weep.
I don't want a hockey mom or joe six-pack running the country. Hell, I don't want anyone like me running the country. I want a president. And she is not it.
Darn, brain outrunning my fingers.
And the mental midgets who are using that as a ruse to comment on Obama miss the entire point. Biden IS qualified to fill in shoudl something happen to Obama (go to smoking gun to see why that IS an issue).
Palin is a bimbo and if you do not think so, Palin supporters, then take this simple acid test: were it Obama who made those brain dead comments instead of Palin, what would you be saying about him? Gotcha!
jim
Anyone that believes that Sarah Palin is qualified to be President is kidding themselves. It has nothing to do with the fact that she is a woman. The fact that she is SO unqualified is what made her pick an insult to every hard-working, intelligent woman out there. She was picked for her good looks and her folksy charm. There were MANY more qualified women in the ranks of the Republican party that could have been chosen.
Palin attended five different colleges before she was finally able to stick out a degree program. She majored in journalism and communications and couldn't name ONE newspaper or magazine that she reads on a regular basis. She minored in political science and doesn't know what the Vice President's role and duties are in our government. She has abused her power in every political post she has been elected to, has lied about her record both as mayor and governor and her short political career has been marked by scandal. She says that she fought the energy interests in Alaska, but her campaigns have all been heavily funded by energy companies.
In short, she's not smart, she's lacks integrity, she has gotten most of what she has attained on her looks and charm and these things don't add up to someone who is qualified for Vice President, nevermind the Presidency. If you want her to be your leader, move to Alaska. This country and the world cannot afford another incompetent leader at the helm. One more bumbling idiot at the helm will spell doom for the future of all of the citizens of this country.
If Gov. Palin isn't qualified to "POSSIBLY" become president, then what of Barack Obama?
What exactly is his qualification for the job? A couple of non-descript years in the Senate with no major legislation to show for that time? A history of voting "Here" on controversial issues so as to keep a rather neutral record when running for the next higher office?
Does she have enough political experience for the position of president? I would say not..... but then again, there's nothing like a long run of a president that can't even string a sentence together in English to remind you that you don't really need much skill for the job. It's whose behind the president that counts no?
I'm a registered independent. I was waiting for the VP picks to be made before making my mind up. VP's Gore and Cheney have both illustrated the growing importance of the VP position in the Executive Branch. The magnitude of the nations and worlds problems highlight the fact that the top two elected officials in the US need to have a wide range of capabilities., strong intellect, and global perspective. At minimum, the President needs a knowledgeable confidant and advisor he/she can trust.
For all of her folksy charm, Governor Palin displays very little of these qualities or qualifications. If you take the time to investigate the educational and professional accomplishments of our sitting VP's over the past 50 years, even the most biased observer would conclude that Governor Palin would be the least educated and least experienced. If you don't have the time to look at all of them, just compare her against Dan Quayle who was arguably the weakest of the sitting VP's. Quayle's accomplishments at the time he was selected as Bush's running mate dwarf Palin's.
Upon inspection, the rabid and exaggerated claims about her energy expertise and executive experience vaporize (the claims of foreign policy experience are not even a valid topic). Living in an oil rich state, shuffling petrodollars from the oil companies to the citizens in the form of dividends, "negotiating" potential terms of a yet unplanned and unfunded natural gas pipeline, and a college degree in journalism do not qualify one as an energy expert.
Furthermore, the role of Governor of Alaska is diminished in complexity compared to the Governors of the lower 48 due to factors such as: 1) very small population (the whole state has a population smaller than typical medium sized US cities), 2) the largest Alaskan cities are smaller than many small ciities or large towns in the lower 48 (Anchorage = ~280K, Fairbanks = ~35K, Juneau = ~35K), 3) low industrial output (Alaska is ranked near the bottom compared to the other 50 states), and 4) a budget which is majority funded by revenues from oil and gas companies. The hardest problem of the Alaskan governor appears to be deciding how much money to send from the Permanent Fund to the citizens versus how much to stash away for a future time when oil revenues begin declining.
I find the argument that Palin has more "executive experience" than McCain, Obama or Biden to be disingenuous. If executive experience is really so important, Mitt Romney should be the Republican candidate for President or, at minimum, the VP candidate. While I was not a huge fan of Mr. Romney, his skillset is so superior to Palin's that comparisons are impossible. The same can be said with respect to experience in matters of the economy. Ironically, Mr. Romney's biggest shortcoming appeared to be that he was a Washington outsider. Now being from our most remote state is a strength for Palin?
My perspective is that the most successful Presidents of the last 50 years (for arguments sake Eisenhower, Reagan and Clinton) were able to balance their core idealogical positions with advocacy for programs and policies that improved the situation for the majority of US citizens and improved our stature in the global community. Each of these Presidents had well educated and highly skilled running mates. As an Independent who holds a blend of conservative and liberal positions, this mix is what I am weighing the most. My assessment is that Obama/Biden have a better overall leadership/intelligence/world view profile than McCain/Palin. McCain could have selected a male or female running mate who would have tilted my assessment in his favor. Unfortunately, for reasons only he and his advisors can comprehend, he went with a female ideologue with weak academic, intellectual and professional skills.
@ CanIGet2NewZealand
What does it take to satisfy people like you?
or... is this a display of jealousy ? Ms Palin does make a rather impressive appearance on a simple 'ride in from the Wilds of Alaska'.
Instead of complimenting a person on a job well done you prefer to show the "cat fight" attitude.
What has Obama more than Palin?
If Obama had been a white boy from Illinois, would he have received the nomination of the Dem Party? If your answer is NO _ then you must vote for Palin for she rode in on her own merits not on her skin color!
Would John McCain be a competent president? This is a question you should be asking.
QuestionItNow - Will America lead?
Palin has been governor of a state with the population of Poughkeepsie, New York .
The State of Alaska, despite its conservative appearance has been giving out money to its citizens from its oil dividens (Alaska Permanent Fund) (http://www.newamerica.net/publications/articles/2003/sharing_alaska_style) since the 1970's. The money Palin boasts about giving her citizens is money of this sort, the citizens of Alaska have been receiving these payments for almost 40 years. How can she use these payments as part of a discussion of her fiscal capabilities as Governor?
Governor Palin impresses me as being a cross between a Barbie Doll and that really annoying head cheerleader that the intelligent girls all could not stand in highschool.
I have been publishing my thoughts on this matter for awhile now regarding the selection of Sarah Palin for VP. I gave my views on her initial selection here:
Did John McCain have good judgement?
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-72657
Sarah Palin is not my Vice President
http://digitalseller.tblog.com/post/1970016179
Sarah Palin is just another pretty face
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-86323
McCain will have to pick a new VP
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-94699
VP Debate was great, for Biden and Obama
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-102625
Overall I agree that McCain is kind of a maverick, but also he is a big gambler. Instead of picking one of the most qualified in the arena, he went outside to a relatively unknown woman who he knew could energize the base. That has happened, but with such obvious liabilities that only a pure conservative will think she is qualified, because pure conservatives don't care who is in that position as long as that person is republican, conservative and can walk & talk. Hannity has said publicly that he believes she would be qualified to fill the top job, and so did Limbaugh as well. I got yelled at the other day by one of my very oldest and best friends who couldn't believe I didn't think she was for real. That was before the Couric interview. Now after the debate I know I have made the right choice with Obama and Biden. The financial collapse is bad enough, but if there was a President Palin someday, it could be an even worse disaster for our country.
Obama and Biden are consistant in their positions on the Iraq war and other matters regarding the need to help the middle class. I believe McCain has no interest in the working class folks in this country, and even if Palin does have that interest, she is not knowledgeable enough to make any difference. JMHO
Sarah Pallin is an embarrassment to the Republican Party, who may well be qualified to run for PTA vice president, but hardly for the heart-beat-away position of Vice President of the United States.
In the debate with Sen. Bieden Palin spoke repeatedly an d stiltedly from obviousy drilled-in talking points rather than from any appropriate knowledge. With a wooden, albeit cheerful presentation worthy of earning her the title of Best Stepford Candidate.
Palin's presentation was a constant one-note, praise-singing golly/gee campaign advertiisement for John McCain, and did litttle if anything to present any viable credentials as a candidate for the high office into which she has been so thoughtlessly thrust.
I'd pity her for the position for which she has been recruited if the holder of that position didn't stand such a strong chance of becoming the leader of the free world with a 79 year old unhealthy running mate --shudder-- a horrifying thought.
It shouldn't be enough merely that she didn't panic, screw up or cry to qualify her as even a contender in the so-called debate. I have some issues with Mr. Bidden as well, but at least he came across as someone who has done more than simply look west and north in the direction of the former Soviet Union, and self-pronounce a competency in foreign affairs. That's way too much like watching Animal Planet and proclaiming veterinary competence with elephants.
Did Sarah win the debate? She wasn't ever even qualified to enter the race.
Is she qualified to be President regardless of the state of John McCain's health? You're kidding, right?!
The G.O.P. targets DUMMYS but DUMMYS are finally starting to wake up. Dummy be gone.
Let me first establish that I am not hopping on any band waggon here to vilify or demonize Sarah Palin because she is a woman. My argument is limited to choice. Based on both Vice Presidential Candidates, Sarah Palin and Joe Biden of the Republican and Democratic Party respectively, should one of these men (Whether Obama or McCain) died or become incapacitated as President of the United States, and constitutionally the Vice President is next in line to assume the presidency, I unequivocally would trust the experience of Joe Biden to lead this great Nation over Sarah Palin. I am sure I share the same views as most sensible Americans. I used to hear that John McCain was a stubborn man, I am now convinced. There are so many more experience and viable Republicans out there to be VP, why did he chose Sarah Palin? If only some of these potentially great men would listen to somebody instead of arrogating to themselves because of ego, they would be such great leaders. Obama-Biden victory in November, hands down! See my recent post at: http://legalconsulting.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/obama-biden-a-winning-ti...
I tend to disbelieve anything that comes out of any politicians mouth. Politicians are liars& cheats. While they are kissing your baby they are picking your pocket at the same time. The President's Job is limited. The Congress is where most of the power in this country lies. They make legislation, they pass legislation and even if the President vetoes that legislation, they have the power to override it. A relative rookie politician, Palin, actually has more executive experience than McCain, Biden or Obama. Now that is scary since she is merely a VP nominee. I would vote for her over Obama or Biden. She has a limited track track record of what Obama/Biden pretends to have without any track record to prove their claims: Palin has shown the grit to fight her own party as governor of Alaska. Obama has shown me nothing for the time he was in my state of Illinois government or once he was elected Senator. He was no more than a puppet to Emile Jones that is the strong arm thug of DEmocrat Gov. Governor Blagodabitch, the soon to be cell mate of ex Republican Gov. George Ryan. So yeah I would trust Palin much further than I would Obama leading this nation. Obama only understands Chicago and Springfield style corruption which he was a part of.
To Anonymous:
I have been hollering "Double Standard" all summer". You hit the nail on the spot. When Obama was trained by the late great Saul Alinsky & his staff to learn how to be a better community activist, take surveys, housing problems, school problems in the poor Chicago districts, Palin sneered at the his outcomings, stating all those programs arenow defunct. Her ignorance is bliss. Reason: Viet Nam war, & the 60's riots cost us plenty At least Obama was vetted. Some pundits t laughed him. I too, was trained by Alinsky, this great Jewish community consultant for the poor back in the late 60's. If Palin was crossed examined by a Judge/Atty she would simply say I will only answer the questions I wish to reply to. My people call it "double standard". Thanks, Anonymous for reminding me that I don't need on the job training vp by McCain/Palin ticket.
Ihave no faith or trust in any politition, democrat or republican, they all end up shafting the middle class in the end,She will be no better or worse than the rest of the lot.
Why do people feel someone who has been a Senator for 2 years is more qualified to be President than in the unlikely event McCain has to be replaced by Govenor Palin??? The other thing that keeps being over looked is Nancy Pelosi has been two heartbeats away from President?? She is qualified?? Unfortunately, people are being too influenced by the media and not doing there own research. Quit using the medias opinions and form your own. Do some real research. Somethinf fun to do is go to http://abcnews.go.com/politics scroll down to the Match-o-Matic II game. It is ver interesting.
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