Downtown Wasilla, Alaska
“Is this a joke?” That seemed to be the question du jour when my phone started ringing off the hook at 6:45am here in Alaska. I mean, we’re sort of excited that our humble state has gotten some kind of national ‘nod’….but seriously? Sarah Palin for Vice President? Yes, she’s a popular governor. Her all time high approval rating hovered around 90% at one point. But bear in mind that the 90% approval rating came from one of the most conservative, and reddest-of-the-red states out there. And that approval rating came before a series of events that have lead many Alaskans to question the governor’s once pristine image.
There is no doubt in my mind that many Alaskans are feeling pretty excited about this. But we live in our own little bubble up here, and most of the attention we get is because of The Bridge to Nowhere, polar bears, the indictment of Ted Stevens, and the ongoing investigation and conviction of the string of legislators and oil executives who literally called themselves “The Corrupt Bastards Club”.
So seeing our governor out there in the national spotlight accepting the nomination for Vice Presidential candidate is just downright surreal. Just months ago, when rumors surfaced that she was on the long version of the short list, she was questioned if she’d be interested in the position. She said she couldn’t answer,
“until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day. I’m used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. We want to make sure that that VP slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that we’re trying to accomplish up here….”
There is no doubt that Palin has fierce territorial loyalties. When elected governor there was much concern because she came right out and said she would favor her own home town of Wasilla (where she was mayor) and its surrounding environs collectively known as “the Valley” while leading the state. And it’s obvious from her statement that Alaska was on her mind when accepting the VP nod (see my emphasis above).
So what is it that we’re “trying to accomplish up here”?
- Palin is currently in the middle of a controversial gas pipeline project in Alaska. She’s favored the ‘Trans Canada’ proposal that will run the pipeline through Canada, in effect shipping US jobs over the border. Many Alaskans, including former governors, have favored the “All Alaska Route”.
- She is also suing the federal government over listing the polar bears as a threatened species. The science was even compelling enough to convince the Secretary of the Interior that the bears needed to be listed. But acknowledgement of this issue, and the potential disruption to development on Alaska’s oil-rich north slope spurred Palin to attempt to stop the listing.
- Does she want to open ANWR? Yes. Every politician in Alaska wants to open ANWR. It’s basically a requirement if you ever hope to get elected for anything. Even Mark Begich, the progressive Democrat running against the indicted Senator and Alaskan institution Ted Stevens, is pro-drilling. That’s the sea we swim in up here. There are a few anti-drilling folks, but you have to look hard to find them, and work hard to have them admit it.
Will all this wash with voters in the ‘Lower 48′? Time will tell.
18 Million Cracks in the Glass Ceiling
It was obvious anyway, but became beat-you-over-the-head-with-a-two-by-four obvious when Palin referenced the ‘glass ceiling’ line, that this choice is a blatant pander to women. I would like to believe that women will actually feel insulted by this. Yes, it would have been historic if Hillary had gotten the nomination. It was historic that she made it as far as she did. Yes, it would be great to have a woman in the oval office, or in the VP slot if they are the right woman…a woman who got there with her own drive, grit, determination, intelligence, skill and merits. When you’re hand-picked by a man to win votes simply because you are a woman, that doesn’t count, and it doesn’t break any kind of ceiling. Would we have had a Stan Palin as our VP pick? No. So choosing a woman because you think her gender will get votes is insulting.
Governor “Squeakyclean”….or not.
Another focus of Palin’s introduction today was her reform image. Listen to John McCain and you’ll hear about a maverick reformer who took on big oil, took on corrupt Alaska politicians, and whose ethics are unquestioned.
Alaskans really want to like Sarah Palin. In a state where corruption is the rule, and the same faces keep recycling over and over and over again like a bad dream, a new face, with a promise of reform seemed like a breath of fresh air. Palin defeated incumbent governor Frank Murkowski (father of Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski who he appointed to his own Senate seat when he was elected governor) because he was such an obnoxious, bloviating, downright BAD politician. This staunchly republican state voted with relief, not having to cross over and vote Democratic, but still able to get Murkowski the hell out of office. In the general election Palin swept into office running against a former Democratic governor, Tony Knowles, who was capable but came with baggage. And he represented to Alaskans more of the same, tired old-style politics, and special interests that we have come to loathe.
So, if McCain had made his selection six months ago, the squeaky-clean governor meme would have made a little more sense. But, Sarah Palin is currently under an ethics investigation by the Alaska state legislature. The details of this investigation read like a trashy novel, and I suspect that the players will soon have new found celebrity on the national stage. I’ll try to explain for all you non-Alaskans who suddenly have good reason to want to know more about Sarah Palin. For those of you not interested in trashy novels, feel free to skip ahead. Here it is…what we in Alaska call “TrooperGate”.
Sarah Palin’s sister Molly married a guy named Mike Wooten who is an Alaska State Trooper. Mike and Molly had a rocky marriage. When the marriage broke up, there was a bitter custody fight that is still ongoing. During the custody investigation, all sorts of things were brought up about Wooten including the fact that he had illegally shot a moose (yes folks this is Alaska), driven drunk, and used a taser (on the test setting, he reminds us) on his 11-year old stepson, who supposedly had asked to see what it felt like. While Wooten has turned out to be a less than stellar figure, the fact that Palin’s father accompanied him on the infamous moose hunt, and that many of the dozens of charges brought up by the Palin family happened long before they were ever reported smacked of desperate custody fight. Wooten’s story is that he was basically stalked by the family.
After all this, Wooten was investigated and disciplined on two counts and allowed to kept his position with the troopers. Enter Walt Monegan, Palin’s appointed new chief of the Department of Public Safety and head of the troopers. Monegan was beloved by the troopers, did a bang-up job with minimal funding and suddenly got axed. Palin was out of town and Monegan got “offered another job” (aka fired) with no explanation to Alaskans. Pressure was put on the governor to give details, because rumors started to swirl around the fact that the highly respected Monegan was fired because he refused to fire the aforementioned Mike Wooten. Palin vehemently denied ever talking to Monegan or pressuring Monegan in any way to fire Wooten, or that anyone on her staff did. Over the weeks it has come out that not only was pressure applied, there were literally dozens of conversations in which pressure was applied to fire him. Monegan has testified to this fact, spurring an ongoing investigation by the Alaska State Legislature. But, before this investigation got underway, Palin sent the Alaska State Attorney General out to do some investigative work of his own, so she could find out in advance what the real investigation was going to find. (No, I’m not making this up). The AG interviewed several people, unbeknownst to the actual appointed investigator or the Legislature! Palin’s investigation of herself uncovered a recorded phone call retained by the Alaska State Troopers from Frank Bailey, a Palin underling, putting pressure on a trooper about the Wooten non-firing. Todd Palin (governor’s husband) even talked to Monegan himself in Palin’s office while she was away. Bailey is now on paid administrative leave.
As if this weren’t enough, Monegan’s appointed replacement Chuck Kopp, turns out to have been the center of his own little scandal. He received a letter of reprimand and was reassigned after sexual harassment allegations by a former coworker who didn’t like all the unwanted kissing and hugging in the office. Was he vetted? Obviously not. When he was questioned about all this, his comment was that no one had asked him and he thought they all knew. Kopp, defiant, still claimed to have done nothing wrong and said to the press that there was no way he was stepping down from his new position. Twenty four hours later, he stepped down. Later it was uncovered that he received a $10,000 severance package for his two weeks on the job from Palin. Monegan got nothing.
After extensive news coverage about all this nasty behind-the-scenes scandal, which is definitely NOT squeaky clean, Palin’s approval ratings fell to 67%, still high, but a far cry from the 90% number that’s being thrown around so glibly by the Republicans today. Alaskans are quickly becoming disillusioned once again.
“Executive Experience”
Before her meteoric rise to political success as governor, just two short years ago Sarah Palin was the mayor of Wasilla. I had a good chuckle at MSN.com’s claim that she had been the mayor of “Wasilla City”. It is not a city. Just Wasilla. Wasilla is the heart of the Alaska “Bible belt” and Sarah was raised amongst the tribe that believes creationism should be taught in our public schools, homosexuality is a sin, and life begins at conception. She’s a gun-toting, hang ‘em high conservative. Remember…this is where her approval ratings come from. There is no doubt that McCain again is making a strategic choice to appeal to a particular demographic – fundamentalist right-wing gun-owning Christians. And Republican bloggers are already gushing about how she has ‘more executive experience’ than Obama does! Above is a picture of lovely downtown Wasilla, for those of you unfamiliar with the area. Behind the Mug-Shot Saloon (the first bar I visited when I moved to Alaska long ago) is a little strip mall. There are street signs in Wasilla with bullet holes in them. Wasilla has a population of about 5500 people, and 1979 occupied housing units. This is where your potential Vice President was two short years ago. Can you imagine her negotiating a nuclear non-proliferation treaty? Discussing foreign policy? Understanding non-Alaskan issues? Frankly, I don’t even know if she’s ever been out of the country. She may ‘get’ Alaska, but there are only a half a million people here. Don’t get me wrong….I love Alaska with all my heart. I’m just saying.
I, and all Alaskans will be interested to see how this whole process unfolds. This is definitely a gamble for McCain, and in my humble opinion, a gift to Obama and to Joe Biden who just got thrown a big hunk of red meat for the vice presidential debate.
This is the wedge-issue, desperate ’Hail Sarah’ pass of the McCain campaign.
Now I’m off to get some Jiffy Pop.
[...] More on Sarah Palin from a native Alaskan. [...]
I’m linking to this. I think it is compelling to finally read something someone from Alaska has written on Mrs. Palin.
Cheers,
Tom
[...] have a great approval rating in the 90th percentile that has been dropping off… Here is a blog written by a citizen in Alaska about John McCain’s pick of former pot smoker Sarah [...]
I’m following Tom’s lead and linking to your blog. Hope you don’t mind.
Your traffic is about to hit the ceiling, dude.
Quite refreshing. After hearing the newsbreak this morning I’ve been scouring the internet for information on Palin. This was a very clear and informative count from an Alaskan perspective. I’m passing it on to some friends.
I hope you don’t mind if I use a bit of this myself and give you credit for a job well done. People need to see this.
Thanks for this. I always like to hear candid perspective from someone who has experience.
[...] in the middle of the Alaskan bible belt that Sarah Palin was mayor of 2 years ago. Take a look at this post here. Posted in Politics | | [...]
She still has more executive experience than well anyone else on either ticket. And since when do V.P.’s negotiate nuclear-non-proliferation treaties? That is the domain of the State Department, and the President. She isn’t perfect, no candidate is, no one can be in politics and not have any enemies, but she is a good choice for McCain. Carter only had one term as Gov. from a small state, and he became President. So I think she will do fine.
So glad to have found so much seemingly excellent info. It would help me so much to spread the word however if you included an “about me” section on your blog. Anonymity does not breed trust, blog wise, journalism wise or otherwise. You are obviously passionate and informed. Why not lend credence to your word by telling us who you are?
thank again, and all my best,
Kathryn Jones
[...] This is a link to mudflats.wordpress.com [...]
James,
Considering the fact that Palin will be one heartbeat away from the Presidency, and that John McCain is the oldest nominee in history, I think we actually need to think about how she would perform as President. It’s not that much of a stretch. Her track record in the minimal executive experience she has had is less than stellar. We shouldn’t even be talking about executive experience when it’s this weak. There are many Alaskans who are now questioning whether she is over her head NOW, nevermind as the #2 in the nation. If you’re not afraid, you should be.
McCain’s first wife was a swimsuit model who cheated on her husband with McCain. Then McCain cheated on her with a woman 20 years younger. Careful John, you’re already on your second wife
Now he picks a totally inexperienced former-beauty-pageant-contestant who is even 10 years younger as his running mate. Is he working on his third affair?? Fourth? Fifth??? John you were supposed to pick a Vice President, not a Receptionist to flirt with!!!
We need women in politics, but not as another trophy for McCain — who has been thinking with the wrong head his entire life! Palin may be qualified, but McCain’s womanizing history and string of affairs makes this very suspicious.
Even in trying to be “forward thinking,” McCain shows that he thinks of women as just notches in his bedpost!
Muckraker, thanks for you response to James.
Kathryn Jones,
If you look across the home page there is a list and at the end if you click on “About Mudflats” you will find a rather nice and interesting bio about our Host Blogger.
To answer Sarah’s question I’m pretty sure the Vice President sits around all day and plays Minesweeper and Solitaire on his or her computer, waiting for the President to die. It’s all spelled out in Article II of the Constitution.
[...] An Alaskan weighs in with quite a profile of McCain’s next trophy girl and follows up with wondering what is McCain thinking? [...]
I think most voters and commentators will go through a few steps, and this will not turn out well for John McCain:
1. Ask, and maybe even him directly too: Would John McCain have picked
Sarah Palin if, having all the same background, she wasn’t a woman? No,
really, of course not – some guy like that just wouldn’t have been the
Veep choice “and we all know it.” So,
2. That shows that John McCain was pandering, trying to pull a “See what
a cute smart-ass I am, diddling with Hillary supporters and sticking my
tongue out at Barack Obama.” My mother said, he “looked pleased as
punch,” with a big smug smart-Alec’s smirk on his face.
3. Once voters realize that John McCain was pandering like that, taking
chances with the well-being of the nation just to play election games,
enough of them will be outraged enough to say, no way I will vote for a prick
like that.
It would have been no problem if McCain had picked a clearly talented woman with more experience and some fopo contact, like Olympia Snowe.
Thanks for the inside scoop! Definitely link-worthy…
Thank you very much for posting this. Your succinct portrait is very intriguing. I hope the media follow up on so many of these leads.
Thanks for the introduction to Alaskan politics and culture!
wow…mccain is this desperate for those hillary voters…what he doesnt realize is its not about him its about the american people…he thinks we dont see through it, then she mentions the whole ceiling thing of hillary, she should feel like a prostitute for lending herself like that not only is it seldish its disgraceful to hillary and all women who that really want to get on office to change how washington does business, but once again mccains ambition rules..
Laughed when I read the blog. Thanks for your perspective. Let’s hope the national media will pick up on this. Maybe McCain is expecting them to give her the same pass he has got from them.
Expect a lot of traffic in the next few days – I personally forwarded this to about a dozen people asking them to forward as well.
I’m linking to this too. Excellent read.
I actually visited Wasilla in early 2004. Was frigid.
You might visit http://trickytrail.blogspot.com for some commentary on the election mixed with a bit of satire.
Cheers!
Nani
Yes, Ms. Palin has the executive experience all right: mayor of some gutbucket town in the middle of nowhere Alaska. Last night was an indescribable movie in the mile high city. This is quite another and you know who has the Walter Brennan part.
Mccain really thinks Americans are stupid people.. he picks this woman in hope that Sen Clintons women supporters will vote for him,, a women that he heardly knows lol lol its quite a desperate attemp, infact the lady does not even support the right for a woman who was raped by her father to be able to decide she would termanate that pregnency.. this woman is a extreemist… I hope to God that the women sends him a load clear message in November and vote Obama/Biden.
Top 10 Reasons to Oppose Palin’s Candidacy:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/29/172231/610/415/579293
Please check it out and add more reasons of your own.
Her veto of the Bridge to Nowhere is also getting a lot of media play. Too bad, then, that she was for it, and enthusiastically at that, before the media heat got too hot for her: http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/08/29/did-palin-really-fight-the-bridge-to-nowhere.aspx
She is just continuing the McCain tradition of opportunistic flipflopping.
Thanks for your post. I forwarded your link as well. This needs to be sent to as many people as possible, especially those in the media!
Thank you thank you thank you for opening our eyes to this little-known candidate. Let’s hope the national investigative reporters pick this up and RUN with it.
I think any sane person would agree that Sarah Palin would be a complete disaster for our country. But thanks to McCain’s cock-eyed selection, I discovered your blog. What a delight.
Thanks for some great local insight into this obscure hail Mary pick. I don’t see how this supports his Maverick status as she supports teaching Creationism in school, is anti-choice, and comes equipped with her own burgeoning scandal that will undoubtedly be dissected piece by piece by the blogosphere with the juiciest bits making it to the MSM.
Great information! I am also trying to find out more about Sarah Palin. While she seems like a nice, family woman on the outside it appears as though she is not fit for the VP position. I think McCains decision is very telling about his ability to pander to anyone that can benefit him. I will empathize with Palin when things get brutal in the next 67 days, she is in way over her head.
I am personally going to try and get this linked to some blog comments over at the major news outlets such as cnn and msnbc. I think that we should all spread this around.
I’m linking to you
on the Haiku Diaries —
hope you come visit.
http://thehaikudiaries.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/august-29-2008-5/#comments
I have linked to your and your blog about this and also your coverage of the Obama watch party….( hope that is okay..)
CNN is reporting that she has only met McCain ONCE..geez…
Not all of us have a hatred of Sarah Palin; 90% of us love her. You are just hearing from all those losers who lost out in the last election. As for executive experience, she’s been the Gov. of Alaska for two years and was the Mayor of Wasilla. Obama has NO executive experience. Go Sarah!!
How much traffic can your ISP take? Because I think your 15 minutes of fame is just starting. I want to see more pictures of “Wasilla City” and certainly find out from somebody on the ground if it’s true that there was a flip-flop on the opposition to the “Bridge to Nowhere.” I also think this ethics investigation does not bode well for a reformer’s image. Can we find out, also, if she’s ever travelled outside the country at all — forget meeting with a foreign leader.
I am NOT comfortable at first glance with this governor being one beat of a 72-year-old cancer survivor’s heart away from leadership of the United States of America and our representative in a time of war and ever more complicated geopolitics.
No experience, no way, just NO, Mr. McCain. I know you need to appeal to the Republican base but how could you betray your “country first” stance and so blatantly jeopardize our nation’s future to do it?
Trophy Veep! That’s what he’s thinking.
Check out McCain during Palin’s speech in Dayton. He spends an awful lot of time checking out her ass. It gets worse the longer she speaks.
You asked if any women are outraged: Yes! Out of all the qualified republican governors, senators, congress etc… he picks Palin who is probably the most unqualified. I would never vote for McCain anyhow, but I think he screwed up royally.
What kind of advice can Palin offer him? Or is she just a token so he can carry out his agenda without having to consult her. Will McCain be respectful of her? I doubt it. He has not shown respect for women at all.
For McCain to pick a woman who has no experience on the national stage clearly shows poor judgment. And McCain demonstrated he’d rather win a campaign than look after the nation’s best interests — something accuses Obama of doing.
McCain obviously was in a panic after Obama’s speech last night. This is just another example of McCain making poor decisions in haste similar to threatening Russia. He goes for short-term tactics rather than think about the consequences thereof. This is why McCain is unfit to be president.
Lastly yes Iam outraged that he thinks Americans are so stupid they will fall for this. He insults our intelligence!
I was raised in Wasilla. Love the Mugshot Saloon pic. Might be neat to post a pic of Teelands general story. Beautiful state, but sorry, I just can’t stop laughing about this pic. Mr. Heath as the teacher that dragged me to the principals office back when I was in 3rd grade. Very weird.
[...] She doesn’t like polar bears very much, didn’t know what a vice president does (obviously not watching the telly like we do!), she tried to get her brother in law sacked but when she could not she sacked his boss instead, and is under investigation. For the full scoop from an alaskan bloggers point of view have a look at Mudflats. [...]
This is too good to be true. Oh, thank you! Thank you, fate! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Then again, Ms. Palin and McCain have one very important thing going for them: the jaw-dropping stupidity of the American people.
As soon as John McCain announced his choice, I did some on-line research on Sarah Palin. The most monumental thing I could find out about her is the fact that she was born on February 11, 1964 which, coincidentally, was the very same day that my maternal grandmother passed away. Other than that….
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Unbelievable! Can you say “pandering all the way”?
How about “Miss Congeniality, meet Vlad Putin”? or “Hockey Mom meets Hamas”?
For a man with so many years behind him, John McCain is putting everything on this choice — a crapshoot, since he’s only met her once — betting that she can pull in some of that female vote… you know, the unhappy Hillary supporters?
Uh… she called Hillary a WHINER. Shades of Phil “nation of whiner” Gramm.
How does this fail? Let me count the way. TrooperGATE. Endorsed by Ted Stevens. BIG OIL.
Heard there was a hurricane headed to the Gulf Coast… that it might disrupt or cancel the upcoming Republican Convention…
Given McCain’s buddies claim to God’s ear… and what right-winger buddy Hagee said about Katrina as “punishment for homosexuals”… what do you think God’s saying now?
I’m just saying.
From the rest of the world, thanks for providing a unique perspective; there’s really a lot of interest in Alaska by the rest of us: The reservoir of wild beauty and the boundless self-interested political corruption are just a tip of the retreating glacier!
If you haven’t noticed, the godless orange satan (DailyKos) posted your link, so you’ll probably be getting a tsunami of unexpected traffic from us LIBERALS. Good luck.
Oh, and her stellar conservative credentials really burnish McCain’s maverickiness. How can she live in a place where the Darwinian nature of the world is in such stark display, yet unflinchingly believe in an ancient, middle-eastern creation myth? That’s right; Suspension of facts to continue preconceived beliefs lies at the core of current Republican philosophy.
I have just forwarded this link to the head of NJ for Obama. I think that the comment above is correct. You are going to have your 15 minutes if not more, of fame.
Very interesting commentary
I love to get the voice of the people
Obama/Biden ‘08
http://andthisismyamerica.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/the-dnc-recap/
That last commentator, Joyce, is the type of delusional conservative that creeps me out completely. I appreciate the heads up about Sarah Palin. I appreciate the completeness and clear voice. I didn’t like her once I heard her speak. It’s like fingernails on chalkboards and I wouldn’t like her much anyway because I’m so left I’m almost socialist and she is clearly a Neocon with her super-pro-life stance and homophobia.
The best part of this, I think John McCain just shot himself in the foot and I will laugh all the way to the voting booth knowing it. Sure a few Hillary supporters (who are apparently deaf, since they supported her but now would switch to an anti-choice candidate?) might be happy with this, but even though Palin is Evangelical and super-right-wing, I’m betting some Republican base of the male variety still won’t want a woman.
[...] for instance, is today’s post from one of Alaska’s popular political blogs, Mudflats. I’m just going to post the [...]
Alaskan Daily News had a list of scandal-related documents available for download – including a glowing recommendation letter Palin wrote for Wooten in 2000, when she was mayor of Wasilla, with no mention whatsoever of the family connection. I can’t figure out how to make the link work, but if you search for this: 20080721_111415_PalinLetterofRecomend.pdf or poke around the ADN website, you’ll find it.
[...] In other words, it’s a Must Read. [...]
I am just wondering if this is more than it seems. Since McCain is the front runner I have the feeling that the GOP thinkers really don’t want to win this election. Another prove would be the highly suspicious VP choice. The old man seems tired, pale and not passionate about the job at all. For me, this is all just theatrics to leave a complete down and out country to the democrats who will have a hard time bringing this ship back on course in four years (more like three really) and who then can be ambushed by a hard core right winger who will blame Obama for what really is the republican’s legacy.
I am convinced that McCain is one sick perv! Why this woman? He had other qualified, experienced women to choose from! This woman looks like a MILF. I don’t like her as a package! Who is going to take her seriously? As a Feminist this choice is unacceptable and McCain has lost my vote! Hillary was attractive, strong, powerful, and confident. She made me feel proud! This woman does not exude even 1/4 of those things, how will she be taken seriously. Especially when I find sites where men are talking about having sex with her? Ugh!
God forbid McCain gets cancer again and this woman needs to take the reigns, what a scary thought! I am afraid to even think about it. I don’t know about Obama, but I will give him serious consideration at this point!
You hope in your post that most women would feel insulted by this pick.
“Of course.” Would be my answer. What McCain has said to me is that Hilary Rodham Clinton’s qualifications resided in her ovaries and that is how he thinks women and others who supported HRC made the decision to do so.
Palin should be embarrassed, and she should get ready to be pimped at a biker rally someday in the future. But being a second place Miss Alaska contestant, she’s used to pimping herself.
So at the next Miss America Pageant with one of the questions be “What will you do if you get nominated for Vice President?”
We know Hilary Rodham Clinton,
and Sara Palin is NO HILARY RODHAM CLINTON.
WEAK SAUCE MCCAIN.
If I am not mistaken (and I am an ignoramous from the Lower 48 who never even visted Alaska)— don’t cities and villages have very little power in Alaska? Isn’t most local governing done by the Boroughs (similar to what we flatlanders know as “Counties.”)
I do know she wasn’t the mayor of the Matanuska-Suisinta Borough, just of the City Of Wasilla, which is one of a few communities in the Borough which have city or village status.
[...] post by some dude in Alaska talking about Palin. It explains what she is being investigated for. What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective. Mudflats And heres Wasilla. Attached Images __________________ [...]
God job McCain. I’m sure Obama and Biden appreciate it.
@James….
She’s one 72 year old cancer ridden heartbeat away from the Presidency. She is not even remotely qualified to lead as President of the United States.
Obama has proven in his campaign and by the choices he has made in his life that he IS ready.
Does anyone know if she ever went to college?
It’s unbelievable that the rightwing nuts are comparing her to Carter. He was a naval officer and a nuclear engineer. This woman is from Nowheresville. This has to be a joke. In the debates it will be Obama/Biden vs Dumb and Dumber.
For once the Libertarians have a shot at coming in second.
I’ve been trying to catch up on Palin since she was tapped for VP, and this post has done more to give me an overall “feel” for her as a pol than any other source I’ve run across so far. Thanks for that! This will certainly be interesting to watch, but I’m hoping not infuriating as well.
Her willingness to abuse her position for purely personal ends disqualifies her in my book.
Well, she probably has been out of the country, since Juneau borders Canada
Interesting to read an Alaskan perspective… since it’s so much like mine in Arizona. Mccain’s attempting to pander to the far right and pick up some disgruntled Hillary supporters at the same time. Given that Palin dissed Hillary as “too whiney”, is anti-choice, pro-creationism (and likely pro school prayer given her “Christian Athlete” prayer circles), anti-environment, pro big oil, she’s not appealing at all. Mccain thinks one woman’s pretty much like another… if not Hillary, Democratic women will vote for any woman. NOT. I’m looking forward to Biden’s debating Gov Palin. Should be fun… for Joe.
I haven’t read a post complimenting your writing yet. I think it’s great. Thanks for the info, too.
beauty contest winner
creationist who wants to force teaching it in the schools
fights for Big Oil over polar bears
anti choice
uses elected position for personal vendetta against male relative
filthy rich
five young children being raised by whom? nannies?
I consider myself a feminist. I cannot relate to this woman.
Very well said
I cant pretend I know much about Mrs. Parlin but the fact that McCain thinks people are so gender and racially driven is a huge insult to voters everywhere. I. as a woman, would have been insulted by his approaching me to run. If she can not see the real reason why she was nominated ob his ticket, then she is a fool herself. I live in California, with the stupidest govenor ever…and im ashamed of living here for that very reason
lots of anger here….i’m not an alaskan, nor have i ever visited. i’m not going to lie, before today i had zero clue who sarah palin was/is. but i do enjoy the political scene and can tell you this: she’s a solid choice regardless of what is posted on this blog. mccain’s choice, in time, will pay off for him. party nonsense aside, i believe in voting for the best candidate – i know, that’s a ridiculous ideal and given the choice, it comes down to the lesser of 2 evils more times than not. point being, if anyone really, truely thinks sen obama is a better candidate to run this country than they are dillusional, plain and simple. the man’s (sen obama’s) toughest decison (in his own words) was whether or not to vote for war in iraq (which, he did, of course). really? in your entire life, that vote in the senate was the toughest choice you’ve ever, ever made? makes me want to question why he didn’t lend similar weight to the other 40% of votes missed during his term(s). he’s celebrity, pure and simple. sen clinton was a poor candidate as well, and it is a good thing she did not win the democratic nod; i’ve read a lot today about gov palin, how she has this scandal with her sister’s ex-husband, etc etc etc. let’s refresh: gov clinton carpetbagged by moving to a state with an open senatorial seat; carpetbagging is unethical and bordeline illiegal. ethics? let’s see: gov clinton was disgraced by her former law colleagues for unethical practices and was investigated for breaking state real estate laws. those are real life/grown up scandals – the kind where poeple have ‘accidents’ and wind up dead, etc (vince foster comes to mind). sorry to ramble about sen clinton.
anyway, god for the state of alaska – having a vp candidate is excellent for the state and is a precedent for female politicians.
Do they still make Jiffypop?
Great post. Thanks a jillion jiffies for the inside scoop.
Thanks all for the nice comments and links.
Another interesting nugget – she has just received the endorsement of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, who is currently under Federal indictment. You guys know the story.
Can we say, “Kiss of Death?”
Talk radio in Alaska today has progressives horrified, or laughing their butts off, and conservatives bewildered or laughing their butts off. Every once in a while someone says, “Well, gee….I like her.” But that’s about it.
[...] http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/ [...]
just wanted to confirm that you are, in fact, correct: as a woman i am completely insulted by the nomination…
Thanks for the great insight! The power of the Internet at work. Please keep us posted on any further developments.
When FDR was going to run for his next term of office, he knew he was very sick and likely would not see the end of the war. He changed his VP for that next election to Truman, knowing Truman was a more experienced person to be VP. he did that for the good of his country. McCain knows that there is a possibility that he might have to step down from the Presidency within 4 or (God forbid) 8 years. He logically, for the good of the country, should have picked someone ready to lead at a moment’s notice. Imagine when JFK was assasinated, that he ‘d had someone like Quayle as VP. Could you see it? Palin’s executive experience is not even as much as an accountant in a major corporation. She was leading a population the size of San Diego. I think she is merely the token woman. And a whole lot of women are going to be totally insulted by this.
Wow, this is absolutely the FIRST negative thing I’ve seen written about Gov. Palin by someone who is actually FROM Alaska. And are you serious? Do you really believe that Senator McCain picked her to “pander” to women? I’m assuming you also recognize the “pandering” by Senator Obama when he chose Senator Biden to appeal to the old, white guy vote. Isn’t it stunning that someone would choose a running mate in order to get more votes? It’s downright…….uh…….it’s downright…….uh…….well, never mind. All I have to say is, “Welcome to the REAL world”.
[...] Mudflat’s Blog [...]
Wait til CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, etc all start showing up with their TV trucks in Wasilla. It’s going to be a hoot!
Wahela: it would be a (real) good idea not to mention Lyndon Johnson and the term “lead at a moment’s notice” in the same paragraph. i do like your thinking, that experience would have been a more prudent choice, but the arguement does not stick. LBJ thrust a country into an unnecessary war; Truman’s legacy is ending a war (through unparalleled technology), getting baited into another (and, in essence, losing it) and not much else. VP is always a dicey spot – was Mondale any more qualified than Quayle? was he any better (ok, maybe a better speller…i’ll give you that!)
If I can presumptuously speak for all women: yeah, we’re insulted, very insulted.
I tend to agree with moretothisthanmeetstheeye.
The rats may just be looking to inflame the base with a sure loss and saddle the Obama administration with bank failures for years and years.
Make sure your $ is safe people !!!
Great post. Thanks for providing an in-state take.
I can’t resist this, but I have to disagree with fast eddie’s comment that “palin was a solid choice.” Even if you went strictly women republicans that were elected or have served nationally: Condi Rice, Christine Todd Whitman, Olympia Snowe, Kay Bailey Hutchinson are just a few. If he went “outside the box” he could’ve went Meg Whitman or Carly Fiorina as women in business.
Sure, the Republican back-bench is thin, but he could’ve went with Lindsay Graham, Tom Ridge as experienced hands. Why not Mark Sanford?
This pick just feels like it’s a second/third choice. Maybe the person he wanted turned him down since they didn’t want to be sacrificed. I can’t imagine that McCain would take any candidate while they’re being investigated for ethical scandal. It boggles the mind, really.
Knock Obama all you want, but the guy has been on a 3 year job interview. He’s raised tons of money, has made scores of campaign decisions, and beat the Clintons. (Think about that — he beat the “inevitable nominee.”) And he’s been accurate on at least 3 big foreign policy situations (Iraq Withdrawal, Engaging Iran, Afghanistan) which the current administration has eventually sided with. In my mind, he’s proven that he’s ready for primetime.
While Palin might be up to the task, I don’t know how the McCain Team can prove that she’s ready in just 60 days. The schedule is just too condensed, and she has too many distracting low-hanging fruit backstories (beauty queen, troopergate) that the CNNs/MSNBCs will just fixate on.
[...] the dumbest choice in recent history (maybe excluding Dan Quayle, but probably not, since they won), read this excellent blog entry about an Alaskan’s perspective on the Republican’s VP ch… Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)John McCain loves a good warIt seems like Hillary [...]
[...] from the presidency? Get the scoop on McCain’s VP pick Sarah Palin from Alaskan blogger Mudflats. Governor of Alaska, just two years ago Palin was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. From a 90% approval [...]
McCain ralls against Obama for his “lack of experience” then appoints a veep choice who has even less experience! How does being a mayor of tiny little town in the middle of nowhere and being Mayor of the most rural state in the US qualify her to be the most powerful person in the world?
And her global warming denial won’t help McCain. Although, I assume most Alaskian are “pro” global warming. : )
[...] Mudflats is a blog situated in Alaska, so you can check for yourself to see what some Alaskans think of her ability to be VP/POTUS. [...]
Biden has many years of experience in Washington and how it works. He understands the ins and outs of how things can be accomplished and worked around more so than nearly anyone there. For a smart person coming into any new unknown situation this type of person behind you gives you an immediate wealth of information on how to go about implementing the policy changes you want to make.
On the other hand you have some unknown character from Alaska. Who while all of the hardcore conservatives will always fall back on the argument that she has ‘real experience’ in being a Governor for two years and prior to that having ran a town of 5500 people. The mere notion that this person has any idea what is going on for individuals in the most populated places in this country is ridiculous and a slap in face to anyone that has a clue.
The type of decision making they make as time progresses gives the insight into their thought process and allows you to see how intelligent they actually are.
O-b I can at least give to him that he’s capable of getting a message across in an authoritative manner that does not come off as he is trying to threaten you. This alone is what sets the tone of how the world perceives our country and will alone do volumes for repairing our image and relationship with the world as a whole.
I want to go to Alaska to fish once before I die. If I ever get up there I want to shake your hand. Thank you for the information.
Note to Fast Eddie: Thanks for the Dittohead talking points. You exposed youself with the Whitewater and Vince Foster was murdered nonsense. The Clintons aren’t running. McCain is. Can you say Keating Five ?
I hope someone has told Palin that she should never, ever make a comment about McCain’s thining hair!
It’s a Hail Mary….(or a hail Sarah). As an Arizona Republican, it’s obvious to me that McCain is sunk, and he knows it. There’s no way that they’ll overcome Obama’s 20 point lead (the real margin).
Listening to here speak, she sounds like a cross between a high school cheerleader and a Spice Girl.
LMAO at some of these comments. As somebody said, McCain has apparently found himself a Trophy Veep. I think this raises serious questions about McCain’s decision making abilities. Pilot to copilot: “We’re going down in flames”.
“Just find some broad to throw out there. Them pissed off Hillary dames will come stampeding over to our side.”
Hey Fast Eddie –
Before you go calling someone on their spelling, you might want to check your dictionary for “dillusional”. Is that what happens when you eat too many pickles?
RVDamp: who’d i call out on spelling? i admit i miss & need spell check as much as anyone….
as far as ‘dittohead’ comments go, maybe i should buy into obama’s rhetoric and drink the kool aid. i especially like the part where he claims to set a goal where we’d be dependent of oil in 10 years.
[...] What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective. « Mudflats [...]
Thanks for posting this. I grew up in Eagle River, which at ~45 miles from Wasilla is considered “close by” in Alaska standards.
I remember governors Sheffield and Cooper vaguely. I remember when Tony Knowles was mayor of Anchorage, even though I’d moved away before he became governor.
And despite whatever I thought about any of them, good or bad, I most certainly would have never thought them qualified to run as VP of the US. Alaska is just too remote, a huge state living inside its own bubble.
Obama just became President of the US. Hail to the Chief.
Thanks for such an informative post!
[...] This is a very interesting post from an Alaskan resident: What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective [...]
[...] here ya go, a must read: What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskans Perspective. Mudflats __________________ My deviantArt page/My Blog Hey, it’s MySpace [...]
Well Fast Eddie, since you asked…
was Mondale any more qualified than Quayle? was he any better (ok, maybe a better speller…i’ll give you that!)
Yeah, I’ll agree that Obama’s call to get us off foreign oil in ten is probably unrealistic, but and I mean BUT, that’s a goal we should pursue, and pursue hard. Maybe it takes twenty, maybe it takes 40, maybe it takes what it takes. Not to state the obvious, but when JFK said we should reach the moon by the end of the decade it seemed fantastic at the time. This is not the time for putting one’s head up one’s posterior and pretending that the clouds aren’t gathering. Even the charlatan and swiftboating (difference?) T. Boone Pickens is saying that oil will be at $900.00 per barrel in 10 years. His rhetoric about the transfer of wealth out of this country in order to purchase oil is eye-opening. We need to turn this thing around before we go over the cliff. Drill here, drill now is BS. We will just be drinking our own milkshakes that much faster. We gotta find a new milkshake. If we don’t try, it won’t happen.
Cityzenjane: What choices in his life?? Sitting for twenty years with Jeremiah in his church? I am trying to google a single legislation Obama passed in his career in his short-lived US Senate or Illinois State Senate and guess what – I can’t find anything. So who is HE???
Ataray: Yes, Biden has many years of “experiences” in Washington DC. Another DC insider with years of “experiences”, paper shuffling and special interests sucking up (like his son the lobbyist).
Sarah Palin might not be a perfect choice and we may not agree with some of her stances, but I think she is a good pick. Seeing some Democrats going nuts here (and elsewhere) speaks that Mac made a good decision.
Brilliant! Thank you, it’s nice to know I’m not the only who thought the whole was a little surreal.
————>There’s many who don’t think that’s a bad thing…
This piece is just simply awesome! I don’t know what McCain was thinking. Can you imagine Governor Palin negotiating anything? I am at a loss.
Thank you for the information on Palin and the elegant synopsis of the trooper story. I’ve put a link in my LJ and slugged it with “Mudflats, whose been blogging about Alaskan politics before it was sexy.”
Question? If women are offended by McCain’s pick for VP, are white men offended by Obama’s VP pick? I am not trying to sarcastic but have heard ALOT of “women should be offended”.
What I mean is there was alot of talk as to who Obama should choose for VP. Mrs.Clinton being one option, followed by several commentaries on how that ticket would be to diverse and the American people were not ready for this. So, Obama chooses a white male. Was this to appease voters and gain votes?
I have to say that I was surprised with McCain’s choice. Not because of Palin’s “credentials” but because she is a woman. Given that the hype has been in the Democrat camp regarding race and gender.
The only thing I could think of when McCain announced his VP choice was “Check-Mate”.
Let the circus begin………
[...] Here’s a recent article, which may be of relevance to those who are interested in Palin’s "executive experience" What is McCain Thinking [...]
Here’s what wikipedia has to say about “troopergate” and those tied to it:
” Public Safety Commissioner dismissal scandal
Main article: Alaska Public Safety Commissioner dismissal controversy
On July 11, 2008, Palin dismissed Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan for not adequately filling state trooper vacancies, and because he “did not turn out to be a team player on budgeting issues.”[59] She instead offered him a position as executive director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which he turned down.[60][61] Her power to fire him is not in dispute, but Monegan alleged that his dismissal may have been an abuse of power tied to his reluctance to fire Palin’s former brother-in-law, Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten, who had been involved in a divorce and child custody battle with Palin’s sister, Molly McCann.[62]
Palin said that her dismissal of Monegan was unrelated to the fact that he had not fired Wooten. Palin said that members of her staff had made contact with public safety officials regarding the trooper, though she said that her staff’s contacts with the commission were not directed by her and she had little knowledge of them. She also took disciplinary action against one member of her staff who had mentioned her and Wooten’s family connection to Monegan’s staff.[64] In August 2008, a bipartisan panel of the Alaska Legislature hired Steve Branchflower to investigate Palin and her staff for possible abuse of power surrounding the dismissal.[65] Democratic State Senator Hollis French, who is overseeing the investigation, says that the Palin administration has been cooperating and that subpoenas are unnecessary.[66] ”
Here are some more facts regarding the reason Palin’s staff was urging for Wooten’s dismissal, from the wikipedia article: Alaska Public Safety Commissioner dismissal controversy
“In 2006, before Palin was governor, Wooten was suspended for 10 days for threatening to kill McCann’s (and Palin’s) father, tasering his 11-year-old stepson, drinking beer in his squad car, and violating game laws. After a union protest, the suspension was reduced to five days.[7]“
Excellent post. Thank you for putting an Alaskan perspective on Palin and giving us some more information about where she came from and what her true record has been.
Thanks for this – good info, good writing, and I want to buy you a cold one at the Mug Shot!
[...] 2: Here’s another great post about Palin from an Alaskan’s perspective. It’s very enlightening. Possibly related [...]
[...] was a supporter of Pat Buchanan for President and here’s the skinny on her from an Alaskan blogger, including her ethics scandal. Her maverick reformer cred further wavers at [...]
McCain had few dice to gamble with. The Traditional Republicans have finally pushed back Reagan’s conservatives, the common man and woman, to where there are too few jewels for the party to pick from.
Not fully endorsed by his own party, he had to go Right.
And she’s a good choice. Her experience trumps – at the minimum equals – Obama’s.
Palin is McCain’s best chance to keep the country out of Soros’ and Obama’s Marxist hands.
America may live a little longer…one can hope.
This is very helpful. People don’t decide with their heads, though. They go with their hearts. She’ll have to be pretty sullied to detract the base. At least info like this might mobilize ours.
BTW, you’re hooked on AK, how do you survive in such a repressive political climate?
I think Joe Biden is going to crush her in a debate. While I would want to support my state, I would hope people would see the big picture and support the best candidate for President. If McCain had chosen the our govenor I still would not have supported McCain. My two cents.
[...] From an Alaskan’s fingers. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Five SUPERVALU Women Named to Progressive [...]
As a 59 yr old woman I feel completely insulted that McCain would choose a little known and inexperienced woman to be his running mate thinking that all of us “dumb” women will break the doors down at the polls so we can vote just any woman into office. I hope to God there are enough thinking people out there that realize this. Considering his age and health issues he is totally irresponsible to put her in a potential Presidential Status postion and why didn’t she turn down the position knowing that it was too much for her? She commented 2 months ago that her priorities were the people of Alaska. I believe that is her limit.
[...] An Alaskan Perspective [...]
I seriously thought this was a joke when I turned on CNN. First of all, she looked a lot like that actress from Will & Grace. And I had honestly never heard of her. McCain is 72 and has like 3000 pages of medical problems just from the last 8 years– and he picks someone with a year and a half of statewide experience? Not to mention, it’s the 47th most populous state (State population is 1/4 the size of Chicago alone) and not exactly a swing state either. The most important aspect of choosing a VP is the question of whether this person would be a capable President in case something happened. Joe Biden–for sure. Mitt Romney–yes. Tim Pawlenty– yes (many years in state legislature, more as gov.) Sarah Palin–definitely no.
I am an Obama supporter, but have great respect for John McCain, thinking even a 4 year stint with him at the helm would still be a big improvement on the Bush record. However in all fairness, I don’t think his selection of Ms. Palin, is a good move on his part.
Given his age, and health history, I am appalled that he would pick someone with so little experience to fill the VP slot. I can only assume that he is of the opinion that her selection may in some way detract from a temporary Obama bounce by attracting some of the female vote, athough her solid Republican stance on several issues would still alienate her even from the dissatisfied Hilary Clinton supporters, who while not crazy about the person of Obama, are still excited about the Democratic message during this particular election.
The economy being the issue dearest to people’s hearts and the fact that large numbers of people who were once solidly middle class have now seen themselves relegated to be among the ranks of the working poor, living paycheck to paycheck. The Republicans will have to do much more to appeal to these people than merely pull out a novelty VP from a hat, whose experience is as questionable as Obama’s.
John McCain’s problem, is quite simply that the country is worse off than we were 8 years ago, at least from the middle class point of view. Ms. Palin is above all things a Republican………and even if she could walk on the water, given the fact that a good half of the Republican conservative base, know very little about her, and the fact that McCain himself hardly knows much about her, will only provide more fodder for the opposing camp to pounce upon.
It has often been said that there’s no fool….;like an old fool, McCain should have played it safe and if female is the thing he really felt pressed to do, then Kay Bailey Hutchinson or someone of her ilk, would have been a much more compelling choice.
solo7
I needed to read this. Thank you.
I believe this nomination may lose McCain the race. Not considering any other issue, look at it this way: McCain and Obama are probably the two most likely candidates to die, by disease or assassination, that this country has ever had. The vice president needs to be someone we’d be willing to elect for President. Palin doesn’t qualify.
There is more to this than meets the eye. The neocons are taking a long shot at holding on to power. They can’t count on Mccain. If elected they won’t need to.
Within 6 months if elected John McCain will pass away peacefully in his sleep of a heart attack. Neocon implant takes reins of power to act as puppet. Shadow government resumes. Mission accomplished. Look to the recent changes in those who surround McCain and it’s easy to see who engineered this plot within a plot. Leo Strauss is giggling in his grave.
[...] Check it out: OneOne Alaskans Perspective. [...]
[...] CLICK HERE for a great blog post by an Alaskan. Not pretty. [...]
Thanks for an insider’s view. I’ll be linking to you as well.
[...] There is no doubt in my mind that many Alaskans are feeling pretty excited about this. But we live in our own little bubble up here, and most of the attention we get is because of The Bridge to Nowhere, polar bears, the indictment of Ted Stevens, and the ongoing investigation and conviction of the string of legislators and oil executives who literally called themselves “The Corrupt Bastards Club”. Source Article [...]
Someone here brought up the fact that Obama doesn’t have any experience. The difference is that 18 million people decided that Obama’s experience was just fine.
One old creepy guy decided Palin was fine.
P.S.
Did anyone else see him checking out her ass? Watch out Cindy! I see a third marriage approaching…
Did Obama even give a speech last night? I can barely remember it… something about hope and change.
McCain just took the wind completely out of Obama’s coronation. And all the liberals can do is make jokes about Oalin’s looks and experience (which happens to be MORE executive experience than Obama ever has).
Obama made a huge tactical error by picking Biden over Clinton and he just got his butt handed to him by a senile old man. What’s that say about Obama? His first MAJOR decision – his VP selection – and he blows it. That just highlights his lack of expereince and judgement. Frankly, I don’t care if the hard corp liberals hate Palin. She has energized the base.
Biden better get his big boy pants on.
More reason to support Barack Obama for President! http://acropolisreview.com/2008/04/top-reasons-to-give-barack-obama-your.html
She has been out of the country.
I’m going to cut a part of your article and link to you! This is excellent.
What I mean is there was alot of talk as to who Obama should choose for VP. Mrs.Clinton being one option, followed by several commentaries on how that ticket would be to diverse and the American people were not ready for this. So, Obama chooses a white male. Was this to appease voters and gain votes?
What is insulting is that Sarah Palin is a grossly UNDERQUALIFIED woman. If McCain had picked Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Christine Todd Whitman or even Condoleezza Rice – a woman with real experience and qualifications – I would not feel nearly so disgusted with McCain.
Say whatever else you want about Joe Biden, the guy knows foreign policy like the back of his hand.
[...] Read here for the rest of the article [...]
You give good back ground here.
What was McCain thinking?
He wants to win.
Palin gets the Knee Capping vote Hillary has developed to go for 2012.
Palin is all American, good family, popular in her state, successful governor, smart, and has a son in the Army.
Smartest move McCain has made in the campaign.
She is a good choice.
Great overview; thanks.
And great catch re: Palin’s difficulty in adjusting priorities when she assumes positions with wider scope. (i.e. Wasilla and Alaska uber alles)
The only issue not mentioned, that I’ve found elsewhere, is Palin’s apparent channeling of Bush Administration scientific suppression and deception in reporting the results of the internal scientific review of polar bear studies.
See this 5/25 ADN article, ‘E-mail reveals state dispute over polar bear listing’
Any laws against a public official lying to the public?
To the person who wrote this post:
I did not read the multitude of comments, but am asking you as resident of Alaska: what is the active investigation involving this “Troopergate” thing. I posted on my blog from several sources, but is she REALLY REALLY under investigation? It’s mind-boggling to me that that’s really the case and McCain picked her. What’s the “Alaska” scoop on all this. And if you could come leave your perspective on my blog, I’d appreciate it. I’m trying to understand this. Does it not matter to McCain at all?
http://thebruceblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/interesting-mccain-chose-palin-when-she-is-under-scrutiny-and-investigation/
Does Palin have more Executive experience than Obama? Yes.
Is the gas pipeline “controversial.” No.
Does the American public agree with Palin on drilling in ANWR? Yes.
Will Palin help with women voters? Yes.
Will Palin help with men voters? Yes.
Is there any meat at all to this so called Trooper scandal? No.
It’s so great to see so many libs on here cheering your efforts as if you wrote something of persuasive substance. Back to the drawing board.
Hey, thanks for the insight. I was on the fence before, claiming my vote ‘independent’. If Palin is seriously in the VP slot, I’m definitely not voting for McCain now.
[...] readers, HERE’s a link to a post by another person – an Alaskan – on WordPress, who seems to be asking: What was [...]
Oh, also… what’s her educational background?
Obama graduated from Harvard Law and was elected President of the Harvard Law Review, and was a constitutional law lecturer…. so I’m comfortable with Obama being capable of internalizing the complex issues he’ll face.
What is Palin’s level of education and field of study? And what did she do with that education?
Great article. I linked this commentary on my site. Thanks, great job.
Plooger,
University of Idaho! Majored in Journalism!
Reports are coming in that the little baby she just had is not hers, it’s her daughters.
Mudflats,
Thank you. I am putting a link on a blog on my Blog to your blog.
“McCain Just Lost the Election with a Hail Mary”
http://msa4.wordpress.com/
I expect that this is a factor the McCain campaign is counting on, that there won’t be sufficient time to scrutinize Palin and that she’ll be able to get through a single public debate with Biden without any major gaffes. (Look for some serious bar-lowering prior to the debate.)
[...] only major Palin news out of Alaska prior to her selection as VP was that of TrooperGate. There’s currently an ongoing ethics investigating looking at a possible abuse of power by [...]
Sen. Obama has 11yrs of legislature experience has a the Sen. of IL., he also has 2 yrs of US Sen. Experience. His experience totals 13 yrs. He has also written and co- sponsored many bills in the US Senate. He has traveled over seas to inspect and prevent countries from acquiring WMB and other missiles.
[...] For a picture of beautiful Wasilla, the town Palin was major of, and the scoop on the ethics case, see Mudflats. [...]
Hey, I linked to you from my blog, and accidentally linked to you on Huffington Post. Oh well, enjoy the traffic if it comes your way!
[...] like me, you woke up this morning wondering who this woman was, start here: What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective. Share and [...]
[...] daughter being mentioned at every turn to support that stance). She’s not nearly the squeaky-clean politician she and the Republicans make her out to be. She’s far from gay friendly. And her [...]
Thanks MCsame!!!! This is the exclamation point! R.I.P. Republican Party Dictatorship.
I will admit that Sarah Palin has caused a media sensation and have posted three articles about her myself. The beauty pageant photo post has been the most poplar hit wise. LOL
http://ideasandrevolution.net/
She will not fair well under the microscope I am afraid and not really sure what McCain was thinking.
This has been the been post I have read so far since you are close to the situations in regards to her.
Frederik: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/21/164117/783?new=true
Learn how to use Google, then come back.
This is a great story. Actually, I think many of us might remember this, maybe not but, early in the primaries, when John Mccain was asked by a supporter “How do we beat the b**ch?” John McCain responded “That’s an excellent question.”
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2007/11/full_video_mccain_says_supporters_bitch_query_about_hillary_is_an_excellent_question.php
Well, he has no respect for women yet he shows this again by selecting a women for VP not because the quality of her work etc. but just because he is so desparate to be elected.
it is sad, I gave up on McCain long time ago when he hired Bush election advisors, lets not forget they are the advisor that trashed McCain in 2000 elections. He has no judgment, he is desperate.
Her international experience is dealing with Canada. Ha Ha Ha. I am a Canadian. Believe me with Steven Harper as our limp Prime Minister (and sucking up to Bush) I would not count that as international experience.
At least Obama had enough respect for Clinton to not choose another woman to put on his ticket!! McCheater is showing that his respect for women not only lacks in his personal life, but also in his professional life.
I get the sense that there are alot of Obama Supporters/Spinners on this message board… Palin is exactly what McCain needs to steal the women vote away from Obama. What Palin is accused of pales in comparison to all of the murders, corruption, etc that the Clintons have been involved in over their time.
Is it just me, or does anyone else think “Walmart Cashier” (ok, maybe night manager) when seeing a picture of Palin?
So what’s the problem?
Mark – not to mention the terrorists, racists, criminals, despots, and dictators that launched obama’s career and support him to this day…
she’s squeaky clean compared to obama y biden
Thanks for the man in the street perspective from Wausilla. I had no idea it was as red as he describes it, wow.
You sound like a liberal who doesn’t like her because she’s right. I’m registering to vote, just because she rocks!
First, thank you for this post. As a liberal dem from the lower 48, thank you SO MUCH for this information. The supposedly liberal media we have in the USA have absolutely no clue.
Now I’m gonna get snarky:
I’d like to welcome Republicans to 1984– not the George Orwell novel they’re trying to turn America into, but the actual year most of us lived (although I’d like to brag that I was a child far too young to vote). Sarah Palin criticized Hillary Clinton as a whiner during her presidential campaign, and now praises her by quoting her on “18 million cracks,” and also tries to co-opt the anniversary of women’s suffrage. Sorry, Ms. Palin, but if the type of men your beliefs fall in line with had held enough positions of power in 1920, you might still not be able to vote.
StainFreeMedia: Joe Biden was not chosen for the old white guy vote, he was chosen for his foreign policy and federal government experience. Besides, aren’t most old white guys Republicans anyway?
fast eddie: I’m pretty sure Obama qualified his statement about ending US dependence on foreign oil in 10 years. I recall thinking about dependence on Venezuelan oil and that Citgo dictator Hugo Chavez. He declared independence from Middle Eastern oil… which has nothing to do with our dependence on South American and Canadian oil.
Frederik: Who is Barack Obama? Those of us who followed the DNC in 2004 know exactly who Obama is. We have followed Obama, whether just here & there or in great depth, over the past 4 years, and the only thing that has surprised us is how quickly he’s shown himself to be a national contender.
themikeyreport: let’s look at experience–Obama was elected to the US Senate in November 2004 and he served in the Illinois (pop: 12.85 million est. 2007) State Senate since 1996. In 1996, Palin was elected Mayor of Wasilla, AK; she was elected Governor of Alaska (pop: 683 thousand est. 2007): in 2006. I’m not sure in what universe these two things are equal, but I’m pretty sure it’s not this one. I’ve lived in Boston since 2000 and think Tom Menino has been a good mayor, but I’m sure as hell not ready to nominate him as MA governor, let alone VP.
Creeping,
Is she really squeaky clean? if you say someone who orders to fire someone becuase of her own interests (actually, in another blog it was claimed that her husband was also involved in firing of another state official for some other reason) tells you she is squeaky clean but not corrupt and criminal than I think this country is in trouble.
I want to thank you for spelling out the story of the controversy around Sarah Palin. I hope these details come to light on a national scale! I’ve forwarded the link to our site to everyone I can think of encouraging them to read this first hand description.
I am particularly offended that the McCain campaign would think that they could gain votes from women just by sticking a woman in the VP slot (especially this woman.) I am enraged to think that they feel they can move Hillary Clinton votes over to the Republican ticket by doing this. I was a supporter of Clinton and would NEVER vote for McCain. His views are the polar opposite of mine. This just demonstrates a sexist, out of touch attitude about the American voters. That being said, I think the strategy is working as far as gaining him more support within his own party (the far right.)
thanks for adding the about me! It is a pleasure to “meet” you. I posted this blog on twitter hours ago…and have seen tons of links to it since then as well. So look forward to reading more.
all my best,
Kathryn
[...] his post Local Reaction to the Palin bombshell he collects reacts from various [...]
I don’t know much about Palin’s politics actually I had never heard of Palin until she got the VP nomination, so it is good to hear some of that from someone who knows and is directly affected by her politics.
As a woman and as an American citizen I am deeply insulted by McCain’s choice. It is completely obvious that he only picked her because she is woman and he is trying to get women who supported Hillary to support him and that insults my intelligence and the intelligence of American women ALL of them Democratic and Republican women alike. It is demeaning to the maximum degree and I hope and know that this move will backfire on McCain.
Vote for Obama!!!!!!!
[...] Originally Posted by AIgrl06 I heard that her youngest baby has Down Syndrome. I haven’t heard about any of that other stuff, I’ll definitely have to look it up. I need to find out a lot more about Palin because I need to be able to debate my dad about it, and he’s a hardcore Republican who was beyond thrilled that McCain chose Palin, for some reason. I don’t like her either, though. I didn’t like how she was using Hillary’s "Eighteen million cracks in the glass ceiling" thing. I stand by my initial claim that I think that it was a very good, strategic move by McCain, though. I will link you to the blog I read (it’s a very interesting, eye-opening read): What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective. Mudflats [...]
I feel really bad for her. She’s a tool in his campaign and is totally unprepared. She cannot possibly face gigantic international politics. She will be destroyed in no time. McCain has no sensitivity to this and therefore has zero understanding or sensitivity to women’s issues at all. This one move has made light of all Hillary has done and all the progress women have made. I’m sad for Palin, sad that now that “women have come so far” any old woman will do to satisfy the “diversity” requirement. Poor thing, she’s getting swept away in this and has absolutely no idea. This will not fare well.
[...] Check out some great insight on Palin from a fellow Alaskan. After reading this article, I’m pretty sure that McCain has made a big [...]
Very good article…I’m gonna make an article out of some of it.
For some valuable info on the leading men themselves, check out this article I wrote on them.
http://warofillusions.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/selection-08-buyer-beware-v2/
[...] August 30, 2008 by girlyfacade http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/ [...]
Really well stated, it’s good to hear from someone who lives up there. I thought it was, tacky seems like the wrong word but that’s really how it seemed. Does he think that we’re so stupid that as long as there’s a “skirt” up there we’re going to vote for him?
Wow very interesting and fresh perspective. It IS insulting to those Hillary supporters. Just because she has a vagina means nothing in terms of my inclination to vote for her… McCain F*#&@! up with this one.
As a Floridian who has visited Wasilla Alaska, That picture is not representative at all of this beautiful town, Sure there is a bar or 2 because it is Alaska, There is a Wal-mart, a Harley shop, McDonald’s but as I remember there was a beautiful city park in the center of town and many nice shops and many beautiful homes and a very nice high school.. That picture was meant to hurt the image of a good woman and a very nice American Town. Put up an accurate picture or just say it like it is .. It is a bar in Alaska..
Thank you for this perspective.
Regarding the issue of experience for the VP I think all one needs to do is place Biden next to Palin. Its clear who has more experience.
You really put it nicely for everybody to understand exactly who this woman is.
As Kate said: McCain really messed up with this one.
Thank You
[...] What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective. [...]
Wow. Thanks for the background information. I heard a little snippet about a scandal with the brother-in-law but there weren’t any details.
Interesting read, thanks. My first thought when I saw the headlines was that McCain was trying to lure Hillary’s votes–I just hope all women voters see through this slimeball move. It makes me even more confident that my vote for Obama will be well cast.
You guys crack me up, especially Lisa. Like you were actually going to vote for McCain before he picked the MILF you shill. Lisa, you are as phoney as Obama and McCain put together. All you retards are out to lunch. None of you get it. This country’s destiny is pre-planned and it doesn’t matter what meat machine is in the oval office. Get a life people. Personally, I think McCain is going to win with the MILF but it just doesn’t matter.
McCains vice presidential selection is more experienced and more qualified for the presidency than the Democratic nominee himself. That should tell you something and that is the line that should be used every time the dimwits start saying a word about “inexperience”. They’ve basically got a “I vote present” Illinois state senator running for the highest office in the land and they are complaining about a governor and, might I add, the only one on both tickets with actual governing experience. I say burn the naysayers and doomsayers at the stake, it was a bold and fine pick Mr. McCain. Palin is fiercely independent, strong minded, witty and has created her own success in life. Let the bully boys and the pit bulls circle and growl, but Palin should do you proud.
[...] http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/ [...]
Unfortunately, I think this pick has done what McCain intended: 1) it is energizing the Republican base (that he couldn’t convince he was religious enough, pro-life enough, so they may actually go out and vote in Nov, and 2) it kept the MSM from talking about Obama’s great speech and the DNC convention in general. So, as much as the Palin-pick seems like a bad SNL skit to me, McCain is already seeing benefit to his choices.
Another point that hasn’t been brought up is that by choosing Palin, he’s given some people (sadly, some white female dems in particular) who don’t feel comfortable having an African American President/family in the White House, an excuse to vote for McCain that they can actually voice. They can say they’re supporting the female candidate.
But, I agree with those above who point out that their were much better Repub women for this slot that were ignored. More poor judgment, McCain.
Dude, I don’t know how many comments you normally get, but you’re busting at the seams right now!
This is great info. I’m a Southerner who’s been across the Atlantic several times, but never north of Ohio. I was totally ignorant to Palin (partly because I’m a grad student with no tv) but this post provides some good ‘insider’ information. It’s much appreciated.
I keep wondering who’s gonna breastfeed her baby. So wrong, I know. But honestly…
[...] **Outside of finance** but the new V.P. of McCain is a weird choice. Here’s one of the best blog entry about Sarah Palin from an Alaskan point of view. [...]
I once was married in a shotgun wedding in Las Vegas. I met this beautiful woman over the internets and we immediately got married after meeting one time.
We had the most amazing sex that first night. It was kind of good the second night. The third night she started to wear on me a bit and the sex was just ordinary. I woke up the fourth day after our wedding and thought, “what in the hell have I gotten myself into!”
We are no longer married.
I too am linking to this on my blog. people need to see this. It is so hard to know what is going on in other states, let alone in Alaska and Hawaii
[...] “What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective.“, by AKMuckraker, posted at Mudflats, 29 August 2008 – A seemingly fair look at Palin. [...]
[...] people of Alaska are willing to share some of what they have been dealing with with Sarah Palin. One such person is a fellow blogger. Please follow the link and read the blog. It is enlightening. If there was any doubt in your [...]
[...] is a Big State with Big Opinions, Too Jump to Comments One Alaskan’s Perspective on McCain’s selection of Gov. Sarah Palin. A shot of Wasilla thanks to [...]
[...] What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective Tags: Alaska, drilling in anwr, governor of alaska, Hillary, hillary supporters, McCain, republicans, social agenda, vp, white house, woman [...]
[...] to help us answer the question, “Who is Sarah Palin?” Check out the article, “‘What is McCain Tinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective,” posted by [...]
[...] Mudflats Posted in Democracy, McCain, RNC, Sarah Palin, Vice President | [...]
I have to say, I felt earlier today like John McCain, for all of his many, MANY, MANY flaws, was a shrewd political player. I mean, the experienced Senator with a rookie VP, or the Rookie Senator with the Experienced VP. Naturally the female angle was intriguing, although I still think this feels so manufactured – like a joke or something.
Another commentator made an excellent point when he stated that a man with similar experience (and no, I apologize, it’s not comparable to Sen. Obama’s in any way) would NEVER have been considered for this post. As a female voter who believes that it is HILLARY CLINTON to whom credit is due for the historic nature of her campaign and her trailblazing, I find it quite shocking that any self-respecting Dem or Independent who supported Hillary would fall in line behind McCain because of his attempt to make history and trivialize Hillary’s contribution as a last ditch effort to save his otherwise stale, outdated right-wing ideals. Probably just me though, those who intend to cast their vote out of spite for McCain had probably already decided.
.
Dude!! That was an awesome post! I even called a friend and read it to her. Thank you for all of the info!
I just saw on the internet, unsure how old this interview was, but Carl Rove was telling how inexperienced Tim Kaine of Virginia. He said the following, “I think he’s going to make an intensely political choice, not a governing choice,” Rove said. “He’s going to view this through the prism of a candidate, not through the prism of president; that is to say, he’s going to pick somebody that he thinks will on the margin help him in a state like Indiana or Missouri or Virginia. He’s not going to be thinking big and broad about the responsibilities of president.
With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he’s been a governor for three years.
I don’t think people could really name a big, important thing that he’s done. He was mayor of the 105th largest city in America.
So if he were to pick Governor Kaine, it would be an intensely political choice where he said, `You know what? I’m really not, first and foremost, concerned with, is this person capable of being president of the United States? What I’m concerned about is, can he bring me the electoral votes of the state of Virginia, the 13 electoral votes in Virginia?
Take out Governor Kaine’s name and replace it with Palin with less years governor to boot.
Obama’s and McCain’s choices for VP illustrate the stark contrasts between them. McCain’s chose a running mate who might make him a better candidate; Obama chose one who can make him a better president. Picking Palin may help McCain at the polls, but win or lose, her usefulness to him all but ends after November 4.
Biden, on the other hand, has impressive foreign policy experience that will be crucial to Obama as he winds down the war in Iraq and repairs America’s damaged reputation abroad. By picking Biden, Obama shows us that he will assemble a team with the experience and insight that he needs to govern wisely — the hallmark of great leadership.
By picking Palin, McCain shows us that he’ll do anything to win the prize, but hasn’t given much thought to what he’ll do with it if he wins it.
Her nomination is bizarre. I can’t believe McCain picked someone with so little experience. To think a person that was mayor of a 5000 person town just two years ago could stumble into being president is just plain scary. Why pick her when the nation has a million mayors of small towns – some of whom actually had a passport before 2007 and even ran businesses? I think this is an example of McCains lack of judgement and his carelessness.
wow.
Bravo AKMuckraker.
To all Alaskans, unite and free ourselves of our mess. To the rest of America… read, watch and listen to your gut come November. Ours have been sliced open to bleed by greed.
http://tspey.wordpress.com/
Thank you! I will definitely be passing your insights along.
Echoing most of the other sentiments here, thanks so much for posting such an informative review on Ms. Palin. It’s great to have the insights of an Alaskan who has seen how she operates.
[...] I found this excellent blog entry that does a nice job of detailing the inside politics of Palin’s career in Alaska. I highly [...]
Mudflats,
I won’t make a judgmental statement here about the election. I’m just glad I stumbled upon your site and read your excellent insightful writing.
I’d like to hear more about the moose killing that her father and now ex-brother-in-law were charged with and the taser “test” mode used on the eleven year old boy who wanted to see how it felt and if Gov. Palin really is an former beauty queen and what of at what age and where? Is her husband really an oil company employee or executive? It’s so full of public interest and may have nothing to do with her gift to govern or “rule”. And what of her seeming ativistic aversion to the survival of polar bears? Does this matter to Americans and/or is that an attempt of McCain to go out with a bang? And what do each other’s spouses say? This all seems more a cartoon in the grislygloom verse tradition of Sam Magee living again at this hour. Of course inquiring minds may not be seduced by this apparantly manufactured tinny-gothic drama. Whe the Roman republic gave way to empire, wheat were the lessons we can learn and use to understand our time, or place, our cowardice? Is anybody listening? Edward Mycue
Thank you, Mudflats! I appreciate hearing the same thoughts from someone who has a closer insight on the situation. Palin is allowing herself to be no more than a pawn (which doesn’t earn my respect) and a poor choice to earn any votes from Clinton supporters. In sleazy pandering for votes, does that make McCain a pimp??
Laura
[...] What the folks from Alaska are saying. Alaska House Speaker John Harris (R): Shes old enough. Shes a U.S. citizen. McCain’s trophy girl? Now America has been introduced to Alaskas Sarah Palin. Is America this desperate? __________________ Proud Honorary Member of -XF- Proudly Sponsored by The Underground Mod Shop A real man can never have too much Brass, wannabe men only have the Brass their wives allow them have. – TelMan2 [...]
Hey Fast Eddie. Ever hear of the Apollo Project? JFK said we would put a man on the moon and bring him back safely within NINE years. And guess what? We did it! And with 1960’s technology–computers that had less power than a cell phone does today! Energy INdependence in 10 years with 21st century technology? A SLAM-DUNK if we get behind it like we did Apollo!
THE EARLY GRAPE
We are the early grape
flat, dry, and cloudy.
The time is short,
but some days never end.
There is no joyous lake.
There is no incantation
that can bend the moment back
into the patterns we may see too late.
Wait for tomorrow?
Tomorrow never comes.
Wait for tomorrow?
Tomorrow never comes.
Three’s a crowd.
The spunky one’s the cream in your coffee.
I know I know we said.
That’s the thing!
Do it. Do it now.
Early wine is flat, dry, and cloudy
and some days never end.
There is no joyous lake.
There is no incantation
that will bend the moment back
into patterns we have seen too late.
EDWARD MYCUE
i love “google earth”. i can see my car in my driveway, i can count the trees in my yard. google earth is not perfect, because when i look at “Wasilla, alaska”, most of it is a blurry picture. most of the places you have never heard of are blurry images on google earth. like sibera, the mountains of northern iraq, most of ossetia, georgia, is a blurry image. my point being, places with no importance, like wasilla, get poor images because they are meaningless wilderness; not even worthy of satellite pictures. who is this hick governor? what qualifies her to be the leader of anything other than the host of the local dog show or moose hunters society?
I’m registering to vote, just because she rocks!
A fine reason to do one’s civic duty and ensure the continuation of democracy. Because she gives you a stiffy.
Pretty much the motivational level of most Republicans I’ve known: “maybe I can get rich or laid.”
(I said ‘most’, not ‘all’, btw.)
And even in wedlock, with the priest peering over the footboard, one would expect someone 43 years old to be using contraceptives or her husband, precisely to eliminate the high risk of Down’s Syndrome in the offspring. I can fully respect her choice not to abort the fetus and raise and love the child as much as any child is loved. And I know people with the syndrome are often very affectionate and good natured in return. Yet many face other complications. Epilepsy. Other health disorders. Or their mental limitations pt them at higher risk of accident or victimization.
Rather than take such risks and justifying it afterward, it would seem more considerate and compassionate to utilize contraceptives responsibly.
That’s not someone I want as a role model for my daughters. I hate the glass ceilings with a passion, but there are some barriers that’re legit to being in charge of the most powerful nation in the world: demonstrated responsibility, common sense and a substantive record of experience as a public servant obedient to the law are all essential in my view. Palin’s failed at least a couple of those tests. Public service shouldn’t model itself after fictional TV show approaches to law and life.
I don’t ask my public officials for a purity test, but I expect performance above what a trailer park soap opera buff could achieve… without claiming some moral superiority that only exists in her mind.
Just as I think it dumb to hear John Edwards claim that unbeknownst to him, others were trying to keep his girlfriend out of the medioa’s eyes, Palin’s claim that her staff was pressuring the Trooper chief without her knowledge is hard to disprove, but gives good reason for reasonable people to be highly skeptical. Especially since her initial instinct was to lie and cover up some details.
No thank you. Once a public servant – like any person – violates that trust, the last thing that should be offered is a promotion. That mocks the public she’s supposed to serve.
If McCain wanted a woman for the office, I can think of at least a half dozen better qualified with more experience, and better records of personal and professional responsibility. A maverick corrupted only part time for her family’s convenience? This ain’t Hollywood, Senator McCain. Keeping our country safe and thriving is serious business to most of us.
really great job, mudflats, i linked to you from skippy.
i must say, if mcmuffin had picked condi rice, or even mitt romney, obama would have had a run for his money.
but this looks like mcmuffin’s been thinking w/his little head, not his big head.
again.
[...] afternoon, there’s a whole lot of information that is just not available about her. But this blog from a fellow Alaskan provides so much non-published information about her background and the [...]
[...] afternoon, there’s a whole lot of information that is just not available about her. But this blog from a fellow Alaskan provides so much non-published information about her background and the [...]
Nice try bub…
THIS is Wasilla, Alaska and you KNOW it:
http://www.friedmanarchives.com/Chicago/images/Chicago%20skyline%20at%20night%201%208×10%20300%20dpi.jpg
I can tell you as an Alaskan that his pick doesn’t shock most of us, in fact it validates what most of this state recognizes in an exceptional politician. When she gets out there I hope that anyone who’s trying to shoot her down now will take an honest look before they judge.
He may be looking for the female vote, but I don’t think he’s nearly as stupid as most of you. Just because you don’t like his politics doesn’t mean he’s not shrewed, or he would never have gotten as far as he has (and I’m not a supporter btw). He realizes what he’s doing and I now have a little more faith in the republican ticket because of his choice. She’s an amazing woman.
Let me reiterate – I’m not a republican. I just like one.
[...] Alaska, Barack Obama, Chicago, Joe Biden, John McCain, Sarah Palin — Kristoffer @ 3:22 am Go here for some good Alaska insight on the Sarah Palin experience — I’ve obviously got nothing I can add on any substantial front about who she is or why [...]
This is the dumbest pick I have ever seen. In presidential elections, you act like this in the primary, not the general. Unless the American people are beyond hope, I think McCain just caused himself a whole lot of trouble.
I am a supporter of the McCain-Palin ticket and I have been trying to find some good criticism to keep my own views in check and the liberal TV pundits have not been doing such a good job with that. Your views from within the state and elaboration on your governor is much appreciated — great post! I don’t care much for the opinion portion but the facts and issues brought up are great, thanks.
[...] am Tags: Alaska, General Election 08, GOP, Governor Palin, John McCain, News, politics A Blogger Mudflats from Alaska posted [...]
The nonsense of your questions and the use of cliches like “trophy girl” demonstrate that you are NOT sincere in your criticism.
Used to live there. She’ll do ok.
Some of you folks are sounding desperate – Obama fumbled his selection and Palin will do well for McCain.
If Obamessiah were not such an empty suited bumbler (lost without a teleprompter) he would have done the smart thing and taken Hillary instead of Plagarism Joe Biden — and this race would be over before it started no matter who McPain named as his VP candidate.
You guys ready for 4 years of McCain?
Assuming Gov Palin doenst make a Dan Quayle out of herself in office…
How about Hillary Vs Palin in 2012 ? Wouldn’t that be wild?
I got to you site via HuffPo, but will now bookmark it because I am impressed by your intelligent presentation of this potentially contentious issue. I look forward to reading your commentary on a regular basis.
I shudder to think Palin could be President if McCain dies.
Thank you for cutting through all the hype for us.
[...] http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/ Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Will Palin draw Clinton fans? No Comments so far Leave a comment RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI Leave a comment Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong> [...]
[...] 30, 2008 by majorpaynes Here’s some interesting reading regarding politics- if this is not your thing, no biggie, its just a local POV. My mom called [...]
thanks for your insight. very interesting to read, especially for a european who is even further away from alaska than the lower 48.
franzi
Boss, sorry to say, still haven’t read the full article. But before making the response ‘to this article’, I want to say another thing.
Yesterday night, I saw that program concerned live in CNN. People seemed to be happy getting her as a leader.
I think, McCain just wants to take advantage of Hillary’s wounds.
Thanks for your detailed post. Very enlightening for those of us living outside the US.
Greetings from Spain, where “red” = “progressive”
I found you through HuffPo, and thanks for the insight…I will be passing this on via email to people who need to know. I just hope that the American public isn’t dumb enough to fall for this. The track record so far ain’t that great, though, so I can’t help but be a little cynical.
[...] Mudflats I thought that I would keep their link alive for people who did not know Sarah Palin. [...]
Where’s Miss South Carolina these days.??????????? I believe that US Alaskans cannot find the US on a map such as they dont care where it is.
Finally, McCain’s own political judgment(s) got the BEST of him.
Informative.
[...] Re: McCain Palin oops!: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin doh!: adn.com | mat-su : Wasilla sees deal near on sports complex gee whiz!: What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective. Mudflats [...]
Hey, being European, our take on this is from a foreign affairs prospective, ‘how would the out come of your presidential elections effect us?’ Well it seems to me that if Senator McCain is elected president, Governor Palin would effectively be the most powerful woman in the world, a heart beat away from the president. This is a very scary prospect, since I get the impression that she hasn’t left the state of Alaska let alone the USA. It would be interesting to see her take on intricacies of Foreign affairs; Near East, Middle East, Far East, Africa, South America….Wow!! this IS going to be interesting. Peace
I loved ‘Northern Exposure’ – this seems to bring it all back.
McCain looks desperate – on seeing Obama’s acceptance speech – McCain knew the celebrity jibs would no longer work – this was not an election – this was a revolt! Having announced that he had picked a VP – then announced that he hadn’t – he flung himself… ah… followed his d*ck to the Palin choice for VP.
It’s all about distraction – the use a beautiful woman is the oldest trick in the book – but by drilling for oil in Alaska – how would she bring jobs and reduce the costs of health care – across America?
Your article brings out many salient points. My first two thoughts when I heard this pick were:
1) Ted Stevens probably doesn’t want that kind of spotlight on Alaskan politics right now.
2) McCain thinks some of those middle-of-the-road female Hillary supporters might see this as chance #2 to make this the year of the woman.
Truthfully, though, McCain must think this is going to be a close race and that Alaska could be the decider. This might be insurance against a potential loss of Alaska by Republican, well ever.
Very interesting and surprising choice. I’m not presently voting for Obama or McCain, but McCain showed himself to be somewhat unconventional with this choice.
[...] The Washington Post and MSNBC are already starting to look into the ongoing ethics investigation, some people in her native Alaska are wondering what the logic behind the pick actually is, and the issue of her relative inexperience has already become an [...]
Do keep in mind that Sarah Palin has more executive experience than Biden and Obama put together.
All granted. However, given how little we know of Barry Obama, might it not be wise to stick him in Wasilla as Mayor for two terms, and see how well he does?
The point is, while Democrats are carping about how inexperienced is the Republican Vice Presidential choice, their choice for President has even less experience, as astounding as that might seem. That the comparison can even be made, says everything that needs to be said.
The only plausible response a politically aware adult can make to Barack Obama’s presidential bid is, “You can’t possibly be serious.”
Thank you for giving the rest of us some insight into Palin. It’s obvious McCain didn’t put much thought into a running mate. Who would pick someone who is an unknown and surrounded by so much controversy? I hope McCain wasn’t thinking, “If I can’t be black I can at least get the lesser of two evils by picking a woman”. Now, it’s disgusting to think McCain or the Republican party could be bigots, but …
We should all be insulted by the fact that Palin thinks she has a right to the VP nomination. She’s never been higher in the ranks than Governer! It’s insane to hear people say she has more experience. More experience with what, walking in political parades? There are well known Republican women who have high profiles and have more experience. We know that McCain couldn’t hitch any of those women to his campaign. Maybe with their age the Republican women can at least recognize a sinking ship when they see it.
It’s up to the people now. I see Palin as a pretty, right wing christian cheerleader with no real substance. I don’t have any faith in Americans who voted for Bush twice. I honestly believe that the people that still buy all the tripe that bush has sold them will vote for, “McCain and the Barracuda”. (Barracuda is Palin’s nickname given to her by her classmates because of her ruthless sports style.)
Please, give Obama the White House so America can start on the path of recovery from the hellish nightmare that were the bush years. America deserves to be put back on the path of rights and reason.
texan77
It seems that even the Republicans think John McCain is likely on his way out !!
Wouldn’t Romney have been a better choice though?
McCain loves the beautiful girls – and like a kid in a candy shop – when given the choice he couldn’t resist groping at this one !!
The guy’s not real !!
And unlike the Obama pick – I am sure a lot of Republicans will feel insulted and let down by the McCain VP choice.
By the time the Republican party figures out that picking Palin is an insult, Obama will be moved into the White House and back from his first diplomatic trip.
Proof positive that the Republican Party is out of touch with reality. Come on 2009!
ha ha ha! lol McCain might have just lost…
~~Jon Lester – skill on!
Thanks for the enlightening post. It’s refreshing to have a local view and much appreciated as voters scramble to learn more about the candidates.
So far, the information I’ve read points to Sarah Palin as fiercely local and provincial in outlook with no demonstrable skill at seeing the big picture or how decisions might affect anyone other than her own personal interests. Add a refusal to acknowledge proven science, and the aim to merge church and state (as long as it’s HER church) and… well, you know.
I’ll keep reading up on her, but I give more credence to a local view than to any network reading off a bio sheet or pretending to be neutral. Liberal media? If only!
[...] Here’s the lowdown from Alaska proper. Read the whole thing, because you need this information to inoculate yourself from the corporate media spin, and they will be spinning furiously to turn this into a good decision. “Is this a joke?” That seemed to be the question du jour when my phone started ringing off the hook at 6:45am here in Alaska. I mean, we’re sort of excited that our humble state has gotten some kind of national ‘nod’….but seriously? Sarah Palin for Vice President? Yes, she’s a popular governor. Her all time high approval rating hovered around 90% at one point. But bear in mind that the 90% approval rating came from one of the most conservative, and reddest-of-the-red states out there. And that approval rating came before a series of events that have lead many Alaskans to question the governor’s once pristine image. [...]
[...] What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective. — (Snurched from shsilver.) [...]
No matter who McCain chose, everybody including their brother would pick them apart in like fashion. Everyone has skeletons in their closet. It’s the nature of the beast for pundits of all kinds to try and make a name for themselves by “exposing” peoples dark side without compassion of any kind.
Thank you for this well written post. I really enjoyed the read. Very informative. Certainly puts a different perspective on things when you hear from someone who lives in Alaska.
[...] out loud, and still the Democrats’ slime machine has been hard at work all night, producing pictures of downtown Wasilla, AK (a two-story frame beer joint and a tiny strip mall), digging the dirt on the scandal that’s [...]
[...] Here’s one Alaskan blogger’s take on the Palin pick. [...]
[...] blogger asks – "is this a joke?" Lovely Downtown Wasilla, Alaska What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective. Mudflats Is this a joke? That seemed to be the question du jour when my phone started ringing off the [...]
[...] McCain’s Choice of Sarah Palin http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/ [...]
G.O.P. = Goofy Old Party
This is proof that the acid trip I took in 1979 has not ended yet, or maybe it’s “The Truman Show” with Dave Barry as the scriptwriter, pass me the the vodka please I need more.
These small town AG acts are nothing on a national scale. All politics is dirty…it just depends on how big of a mud hole you fall in.
For example, it is not as if she lied to a grand jury about the above situation….or had one of their top advisors go and stuff papers down his pants (woops, sorry; I mean “borrow” papers and the fact that he didn’t know he wasn’t allowed to take any of the documents) that dealt with the situation.
I think could go on and on, I think you get my drift.
God knows, we would NEVER want (or let) anyone in the White House that would do those types of things, would we?
End result: this may be a scandal in Alaska because she is the Gov., but in the CONUS, this is the same thing any mayor would do….this will result in no effect on the voting mass for this scandal.
Thanks for this. Please send this information to media outlets like CNN, Fox News, AP, MSNBC, Time, Newsweek, etc.
The media need to read this and to question the claims that she and McCain are making about her background. Clearly the 90% approval rating is not true. What else has been spun????
The fact is, the Republicans are thin. They do not have the depth. That is why they cannot govern. The party at the federal level has been gutted. He should have picked Romney. This is a tough choice, and it is going to be very hard on Palin and her family. She received a lot of attention just being mentioned as a dark horse for this pick, and now, she is challenging feminists to a fight, by attempting to use their rhetoric and voters against them. This is going to get very ugly.
One could name about 20 or more Democrats off of the top of their heads who are young enough and have amazing abilities, to compete at this level… politics aside. How many Republicans are left that can compete on the National stage, that have fresh faces and ideas? Maybe the internals told them this was there only choice?
B. Schweitzer, H. Clinton, B. Clinton, J. Kerry, Al Gore, Joe Biden and Barack Obama all threw fastballs right down the plate. John McCain swung at them all and missed. He tried to trick them with a curveball but it didn’t have enough spin. The next Dems pitch selection should be a combination of sliders and a game-ending sinkerball.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Wassaville – mighty McCain has struck out.
Hey Mike,
Great to here from you, guess you were on the same acid trip. Did you mean to say lying to a grand jury about a blow-job? and I guess those papers in the pants was toilet paper from Larry Craig’s recently used airport bathroom stall, Qui? You right wing nut-jobs really know how to polish a turd don’t you.
Most people in the lower 48 live on either the East or West coast. We have to deal with large city urban issues, mass traffic jams, rail transits systems, infrastructure issues like the Intracoastal Waterway. etc. What does McCan’t or Pasty know about or understand these issues? The population is expected to double in the USA in the next 25 years. What does she know about infrastructure? I have children and grandchildren and Pasty wants to use up all our oil now so bonehead Republicans can drive around in their large SUVs at 90 mph. This woman should have had her tubes tied after her third kid. Over 40 and pregnant, how stupid… look at her offspring.
[...] Thus proclaims the blog Mudflats: “Is this a joke?” That seemed to be the question du jour when my phone started ringing off the hook at 6:45am here in Alaska. I mean, we’re sort of excited that our humble state has gotten some kind of national ‘nod’….but seriously? Sarah Palin for Vice President? Yes, she’s a popular governor. Her all time high approval rating hovered around 90% at one point. But bear in mind that the 90% approval rating came from one of the most conservative, and reddest-of-the-red states out there. And that approval rating came before a series of events that have lead many Alaskans to question the governor’s once pristine image. [...]
A REVEALING NEW BIO of Sarah Palin!:
http://thebruceblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/sarah-palin-the-former-miss-moose-has-experience-up-the-wasilla/
This cynical move reeks of Rove.
McCain met her once.
It’s clear his pick was Leiberman but the powers prevailed.
How sad for the “maverick”.
This is going to backfire on McCain. BIG. TIME. The republicans and conservatives out there gushing about the Palin pick have now fully demonstrated their lack of seriousness and their willingness to toe the party line regardless. Thanks for this illuminating post.
When you’re hand-picked by a man to win votes simply because you are a woman, that doesn’t count, and it doesn’t break any kind of ceiling.
Exactly. The only thing Sarah Palin seems to have in common with Hillary Clinton is her gender. And frankly, that’s not much. You’re absolutely right– this isn’t a victory for women, it’s insulting to us.
Thanks for an informative post.
I hope all the people who diss Sarah Palin based on her views on abortion, her values, and her small-town roots keep on talking, commenting, and blogging. It’s making regular voters in the US more fed up with the self-righteousness of the Democratic party faster than anything the GOP could have come up with on its own.
I think McCain is senile, and this whole thing is going to backfire on him.
When Palin fired Walt Monegan, she shoved Alaskan women under the bus in her pursuit of the family vendetta. The rates of rape and domestic violence in Alaska are horrific, with Native Alaskans bearing the brunt. Monegan was actively and aggressively addressing the issue. His replacement? Chuck Kopp, who was reassigned after sexual harassment allegations.
As a mayor she could do little damage. As a governor, the Peter Principle was validated. As VP – please, Lord – just no.
This is a splendid, well-written, well-researched blog! I am all for women’s right and full eqaulity demonstrated by choosing women for the highest offices in the land. But in Sarah Palin’s case, where is the “experience” McCain has been shouting about with respect to Obama? This chioce has opportunism and hypocrisy written in BOLD LEETERS all over it! McCain acts, as usual (see his abandonment of Maverick image and embrace of Karl Rove), not on principle but expediency. Democrats must remember that this woman is not a progressive, but will work to dismantle (especially through Supreme Court appointments) every right of women that really counts in the new century. McCain again has failed to make a prudent choice—clearly proving that he is not going to be a wise President. Women of America must take note and declare that this is not the kind of woman they have been waiting for to make history as a potential President.
Well this should be an intersting read http://www.adn.com/opinion/story/295464.html
We would be if we could stop laughing. I fail to see how this helps McCain. He might win a few of the females on the religious right but he loses their spouses because not only do they not want to cast a vote for a female, they especially don’t want to do so on a ticket with a fundamentally unsound (in body and mind) fossil that places her less than a heartbeat away from the presidency. Some vetting process the Republicans have.
It’s quite scary to think a woman who is governor of one of the countries least populated states and who holds such views on gay relationships and abortion could become the President if McCain drops dead.
Sounds like our Detroit Mayors quagmire. Do these people have any brains?
I’ll tell you something though.From my side of the Pond it looks a little like this.All year the whole thing has looked like a soap opera which has been pretty good fun to watch but then as November approaches I have begun to think to myself ‘One of these people will soon be a leader of the ‘Free World’ !’ I don’t want to put a lot of pressure on you Americans or anything but as we fall further into recession all over the West it is kind of scary. I don’t know if now is the time to worry to much about the gender or sex of a person as to wether you vote them in. Could you just pick the best person for the job?!
[...] http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/ II just came across this blog about Sarah Palin. Its a good, and informative read. [...]
What that was good question
I know!! I said gender or sex.Note to self: you need to buy more note to self paper. I meant choose the best person for the job regardless of race or sex of course. I think Obama might be the right man for the right time.
Thank you from Canada!
My daughter emailed me early this morning questioning this appointment so I’ll forward a link to this blog as an explanation.
I keep seeing this person in a helicopter shooting down wolves on the run for their lives, (shiver) refusing to protect polar bears, drilling in the arctic wilderness reserve.
Is this person the best that America has to offer McCain?
It was hilarious listening to Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity yesterday… They were glowing with praise for McCain’s VP pick.
Makes you wonder exactly what they vetting process was that they would pick her even with an abuse of power investigation going on. Sounds like they just took her word for it that she didn’t do anything wrong. That or they just don’t care and intend to make it go away for her.
I think this might turn out like one of those drunken one night stands. She looked really good last night, and it seemed like a good idea at the time, but in the morning light and with a hangover things start to look a little differently.
[...] greatest political advantage, that the governership of Alaska can and should be used as a method for exacting revenge against her former brother-in-law, and that control of her own uterus should be left in the hands of a shadowy cabal of men-folk [...]
[...] hat das so treffend erläutert wie ein Blogger aus ihrer Heimatstadt Wasilla (Alaska). Hier ist der Link. Und hier weitere lokalen Reaktionen auf McCains überraschende [...]
Thank you for ‘The REST of the story’ as Paul Harvey would say. I listened to the phone call. What a smarmy little buttlicker Frank Bailey sounds like. On the upside, somewhere in Hollywood, a writer is ‘pitching’ the next great sitcom to a studio prez.: “It’s like ‘Men In Trees’, only the Anne Heche character gets voted in as the Mayor, because everybody thinks she’s so cute. THEN, one day, some old guy who is running for Pesident, see’s her pic in a copy of Vogue and he calls her up…he is immediately smitten because she is ’so cute’, and asks her to be his V.P. Just THINK of the story possibilities! He dies, she becomes the President, we could have her having Congressional trysts, moose on the White House lawn…I’m tellin ya, this is a WINNER!”
McCain is making a mockery out of the electoral.
Thanks Repubs for giving us all laughs. You are the ones who voted for McCain, and look how he repays you. This woman is a joke.
Well…it didn’t take long to find someone to write a smear. Despite all that was said, she still has more executive experience than Oblama and he is running for President. If we are going to disqualify her because of a lack of experience we would have to eliminate Obama as well because he has less experience. Obama hasn’t finished his first term as a junior senator and he has spent most of that term running for President.
PTL. This is an outstanding piece. I appreciate the insight on the Republican V.P. nominee from a natives perspective. I, too, will pass this information on.
This is not a V.P. nomination, given McCain’s age and health history, but a presidential pick. It is also concerning that she has such a Micro viewpoint of the world. I am all for promoting Alaska but the V.P. has to have a perspective on the world vs. what’s fruitful for Wasilla via Alaska. And for those who can’t quite grasp the understanding that being a Constitutional Law Scholar/Professor, a State Senator of Illinois (pop. 12,832,000) and a U.S. Senator (impacting 301 million people) give you the experience to be president reference JFK. A Miss Alaskan runner-up, mayor of a town of approximately 5500, and a Governor of an iced over Ozark do not an equal to Biden make. (no offense to Alaskans…..these are comment strictly directed at Palin and McCain to emphasize incompetence…I am well aware of the beauty, solitude and majesty from above….just emphasizing a point)
Thanks for sharing this local insight with the rest of us. I vote independent, and wait until I see which candidate has the integrity I’m looking for, and a platform I can support.
I happened to be at home when the news broke on CNN about McCain’s VP pick, and at the same time they are announcing the choice, they are giving equal play to Troopergate. Who in their right mind would choose a candidate for VP that is actively being investigated for abuse of power? Does he not realize how foolish that looks? Not to mention all of the other reasons you have raised.
He lost more votes than he gained with that move.
[...] What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective [...]
I don’t live in the US but I am fascinated by American politics. Your post was interesting, and I have been wondering how Americans would weigh in on the issue of choosing a woman as a running mate. No doubt the majority will see it as blatant pandering as I myself do. Based on your post it would seem she will make a great target for Biden, who seems to relish his attack dog role. All I can say is, the debates should be pretty interesting.
I have just sent out your page to “Canadians for Obama”, thanks for the great insight! This nomination for Palin was meant to distact from the DNC convention, and Obamas’ acceptance speach. It certainly has worked, but at wht cost to McCain? By the way, what a beautiful state you live in! My husband and I travelled ther on our 32′ trawller, in 2001. It rained so hard, by the time we hit Ketchican, I was ready to drink the alcohol out of the compass! It got better after that, met some great people at the local dock, but we prefered Petersburg to the cruise ship towns. Would just love to go back, but on a bigger boat…lol! Thanks again.
Cheers,
your Canadian neighbour
Wow. When she was introduced yesterday I did a quick Google to see if there was any info on her… hah!! Anyway, this ties it up nicely and is info that has only been hinted at by conventional media — although I did see a picture of the “marksman” candidate shooting an automatic weapon on the NBC this morning — sheeesh.
My spouse is a 25 year veteran of Alaska commercial fishing who decided to return to his native Kansas to be near his parents, I am especially glad to have found your blog — keep talking… We’re all listening.
Thank you for the insight. This nomination really goes to the heart of the debate of McCain’s judgment. In selecting Palin, he did it to please and arouse his conservative base, the Rush Limbaugh’s of his party and religious right.
Does McCain really put his country first? I think not -if he put this country first, he would have considered his age and his health and nominated someone who had the experience and credentials to serve as VP and possibly as President. This is political ploy and will not resonate well with Hillary supporters- yes there may be a few who are prochoice, but the majority will not support this ticket and especially this woman. Its is a desperate move by the GOP that is degrading to Hillary supporters and degrading to all women in general
Unlike Obama, who selected a VP candidate with foreign policy experience and in the Senate for 29 years, MCain once again showed us – its not about the voters and what is best for America- its about me winning and appealing to my base. The hell with the future of America
John…
what smear? Seem to be a statement of the facts. Is there anything untrue? If you have a different take of events, I’d like to hear them. I’m truly interested.
Thanks for the perspective & well done. Until yesterday I didn’t know much about her. True, I know more today, but still not as much as I need to know; thus why I appreciate this post.
Thanks for this. I’m sending this to all of my friends/anybody I know who is still foolish enough to vote McCain after this announcement. They need to see this and realize what is at stake.
This blog doesn’t strike me as a smear, John. It strikes me as an honest appraisal of her political background. We DO have a right to know about the candidates that we are expected to elect as our leaders.
As a woman, no as an AMERICAN, I’m insulted that McCain thinks we are so stupid that we would vote for someone just because she’s a woman, any woman.
Thanks for the info mudflats. Expect a lot of traffic while Sarah is the MSM darling. I found out about you on DemoctaticUnderground and believe me there are thousands of people there looking for local info.
Once again, thanks!
Am sending your link every where. Why have’nt CNN or any of the other news stations given us the trooper story. I am so worried this woman could become president…..very little faith in the intelligence of the average American. God save us.
[...] state with a wild frontier. The photo above is from Palin’s hometown, Wasilla. Here’s a blog-post from a proud Alaskan who nonetheless is gob-smacked that McCain thought Palin suitable for high [...]
[...] There will be all kinds of discussion taking place. And there is some interesting things to be said about Sarah Palin and her history. Here is one wordpress Alaskan blogger’s take on it: Mudflats. [...]
[...] does not believe global warming is man-made, subverts science when it conflicts with policy, and uses the levers of government to protect the party as well as for personal vendettas (!)… albeit in a charming, small-town, [...]
The dark horse just got darker. McCain is blowing it, technicolor style. More proof that he is desperate to be elected but bewildered by the process.
Thanks for the insight. Now be prepared to be pilloried yourself, as self appointed media wags and the msm go digging into your life.
You say you are a pro choice lesbian gun controller who has solar panels on her house? My advice is to not try and hide anything.
Great reading. Reads like fiction, but funnier.
Thanks a bunch for some perspective in Palin. Your writing is very insightful and imformative. I have to ask, however, do all politicians in Alaska speak with such a high tone? A tone that Jon Stewart claimed has already shattered “something” (his ear). Also, Palin claimed that she told Congress no thanks for the Bridge to Nowhere but MSNBC dug up evidence to the contrary. Can you explain this political flip flop?
Wow, you can see from the sheer number of comments that Palin is a “popular” choice.
I just looked at “Politifact” site to read up on Governor Palin and she has more experience in public office than Obama does and she has accomplished more while in public service. As a life-long Democratic woman I am pleased to see her enter the race. Millions of us “Disgruntled Democrate women” are already on board to vote for McCain in protest to our Party and Palin is icing on the cake. This is the most historic moment this year in this election and for all women in our countrys history. Obama must be trembling because he knows Palin is a “Game Changer”! We are just waiting for Obama and Biden to start making their sexist remarks again her. I have already heard people from the Obama camp say things like, “she should be home taking care of her kids”, making fun of her shoes she wore during her speech with McCain, etc. This upset me when I was supporting Hillary so when the Obama drones start making their comments about Palin, it will just make me commit to voting for McCain and Palin even more! The Obama Pundits on TV keep saying that the Democratic Party is now “Unified” after the DNC Convention and that Palin entering the race will not make women decide to vote for McCain? Being one of these women and talking with thousands more of us around the country I can tell you that we WANT to see Palin in the Whitehouse as our VP!
[...] #2 This person wrote their own perspective as an Alaskan on the VP pick of Sarah Palin. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)McCain Is Said to Be Set to Unveil Running Mate [...]
You all sound as shocked as many of us were in California when Reagan was announced that he would be running for President- And then he won with a landslide- He wasn’t a good Governor and he wasn’t a good President.
Excellent post.
Clearly, they’re concerned that Obama, although a small forward, will guard the basket too well for McCain’s gorilla style of play, he’s already got 4 fouls on’em, and it ain’t even half-time yet. So McCain needed to put in a point guard to take the 3 point shot.
That’s the only explanation I can think of. It makes more sense than “Alicia the right wing stooge” above who’s forced to list the most ridiculous set of Republican talking points we’ve seen yet this season.
Jackie,
How can you say this is like the situation in Detroit???
Kwame Kilpatrick, the Mayor of Detroit, is under indictment for allegedly perjuring himself in court when he lied about an adulteorus affair he had with one of his aides. He then got himself in further trouble for allegedly assaulting a law enforcement official as the offical tried to serve a subpoena.
While it’s true that the underlying court case in which Kilpatrick allegedely pejured himself was a civil lawsuit brought against him for wrongful termination, that is not what has him facing possible removal from office by the Governor of Michigan, felony convictions and jail time. It’s his own stupid actions after the termination that are doing him in.
The whole claim of Palin’s executive experience strikes me as akin to claiming that because she can paddle a kayak, she can captain an aircraft carrier. Now, paddling a kayak is a demanding mental and physical skill, but it won’t teach you how to captain a carrier. It’s amazing how many people think it does, or at least that it might. For those of you who think she’s really cool–yeah, she’s a smart, tough religious fanatic, and haven’t we had enough of these in high office?
Wow—this is very helpful. And scary. I’m linking to this on my blog.
FYI, also an excellent blog post on Wasilla sprawl with Palin, “Sarah Palin was my mayor”
[...] See: http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/ [...]
1. There is executive experience and then there is executive experience. I’ve owned and operated a hardware store in Idaho for 30 years. I’ve made payroll, wrote schedules, directed personnel and etc.. That’s executive experience. Does that qualify me to be President or VP of The United States of America?
Maybe, but probably not. Running a hardware store, a rural county or a small state does not qualify one to run the most diverse and powerful country on earth.
2. I hear all this talk about executive experience but I don’t hear much about the quality of said experience. There are lot’s of CEO’s and former CEO’s out there with tons of experince at running businesses badly.
Would you hire one of those guys/gals to run your company? People do hire them, over and over again, and they continue to run businesses into the ground.
So, is that the treadmill we are on in this country? We don’t care about the quality of the work as long as the person has the time in service?
Very interesting article. McCain likes jokes, and the last laugh is on those who thought they could control him. Neither his life, nor her life is worth a dime, if they happen to get elected in November, because some fool will either try to rush to make history by having the 1st woman President, OR she will have served her purpose, and will be dispensable. I know that is dark….but, this pick is so machiavelian that you know there have to be an underlying plan, because there is no way she can be seriously considered to be ready on day one if something should happen to McCain.
[...] Saturday, August 30, 2008, 12:22 pm by dtoub Be afraid. Be very afraid. [...]
What a gift to the Democrats this selection is. Thank you, John McCain!
Found Palin’s letter of recommendation for Mike Wooten:
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site163/2008/0721/20080721_111415_PalinLetterofRecomend.pdf
[...] An Alaskan resident writes… [...]
[...] August 30, 2008 What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective. [...]
Geez, is Wasilla a town or a religious cult? She almost sounds like the mother of the Children of the Corn. *lol
But more seriously, this quote from one of the above posts was interesting: “Palin said that members of her staff had made contact with public safety officials regarding the trooper, though she said that her staff’s contacts with the commission were not directed by her and she had little knowledge of them.”
Aside from the fact that this the first rule right out of the politico playbook, “blame staffers for stuff you actually ordered to be done in order to fend off having to take responsibility for it,” this is a continuation of Bush policy, using government staffers in abuses of executive power. And if they really did do this behind her back, that speaks ill of her managerial skills by allowing her subordinates to run amuck.
But like an earlier poster said about McCain wanting a “trophy Veep,” I think he wanted the political equivalent of a sideline reporter, his own version of Erin Andrews, to flatter his aging male ego and put some sex into the White House. Her great ambition, after all, was to work for ESPN. Maybe she will be seen dancing in the Miss Buffalo Chip contest at Sturgis next year.
You American are really weird and does not really like the sun to shine on somebody else – do you? I am very glad about the choice and think that is the best for your country. It is perhaps the one thing that can stop you going down the moral drain.
A comment from New York City:
What is McInsane thinking? Well….what was he thinking (as well as Bush) when last year he supported the sale of the 8 largest East Coast Shipping Ports to the Country of Dubai? Dubai: the place that provided the funding for the 9/11 hijackers….Dubai: the place that had a pro-Iranian rally with Ajmaninejaad last year in their soccer stadium
McInsane is a traitor who would sell his soul for lobbying $$$ and power….
Palin claiming ‘executive privilege’ over emails just like Bush!
Submitted by toniD on Sat, 08/30/2008 – 12:25pm.
Confidential Emails
http://www.andrewhalcro.com/shadow_governor
The most alarming indication of Todd Palin’s reach into state government came just yesterday.
Last month, a group of Alaskans filed a freedom of information act for emails sent from the computers of both Frank Bailey and Ivey Frye. Along with several boxes of documents, they received a cover letter along with 78 pages detailing the emails that were not released due to “Deliberative Process and Executive Privilege”. (Privilege log attached)
Page 1 of the list showed seven emails from both Governor Sarah Palin and Lt. Governor Sean Parnell within a three hour time frame on Feburary 1, 2008 that were described as “Email re Andrew Halcro”.
The serious concern about these emails is that they were prohibited from being released to the public due to executive privilege, even though Todd Palin was copied on these same emails.
Todd Palin is not a member of the executive branch, nor is he even a government employee. Todd Palin is a member of the general public.
So why in the world is Todd Palin getting copied on emails that his wife’s administration is classifying as confidential?
Furthermore there is something incredibly suspicious about these emails.
What is McCain Thinking? He’s thinking he doesn’t stand a rat’s chance in hell with ANYONE to the right of Mao Tse Tung, and this woman sounds like JUST THE SORT OF SHOT IN THE ARM he needs to rescue the country from idiots like you all.
This ’scandal’ is NOTHING, but ‘good old boy’ networking, which goes on in Democratic offices nationwide every day. At least Palin isn’t engaging in gay boy prostitution rings like Barney Frank, or killing travel agents, like “Jezebel” Hitlery!
Thanks. I was undecided about voting for a liberal like McCain. Now I know that behind the blathering warmonger at least is someone I can trust. Obama- I’d rather sell my soul to the devil than vote for him… oh, no, wait.
I WOULD sell my soul to the devil if I did vote for him- just like all the damned in my neighborhood are going to do, who neither have ‘eyes to see,’ or ‘ears to hear’ – the clearly genocidal death march by the unwanted hispanic invaders, and the filthy Somali muslims besmirching our once-great land.
OMG-First, having lived in Alaska, and knowing from whence she has come, this pick is ridiculous. First because she was a mayor in a tiny backwoods town does not give her VP credibility. Secondly, because she held the Gov position for 2 years does not make her this vault of exec experience. Bottom line, her experience is 2 years in office as Gov, during which she managed to get entangled in an investigation. 2 years allows you get get your mind around your current position, and thats about it! The pick was OBVIOUS pandering, and sexist exploitation. Women should not be so quick to buy in due to her gender, because IF he wins, and She succeeds him in an event of death or sickness, this could blow-up horribly!! The saddest part is that this is VERY likely! Sad day for the republiclan team.
“In a world much like ours,
but broken in unseemly and painful ways,
senile politicians indulge themselves
in bizarre electoral decisions
involving currupt beauty queens
and moose hunt dreams seen only in
“The Election from the Twilight Zone”.
Very interesting. I just learned more about this woman from you than I EVER would have learned from the mainstream media. Sigh.
Keep up the good work.
So she fired a guy for not firing a guy who really needed to be fired? That makes her…one of the good guys (gals?). I like her even more after reading this post. Thanks for the crap.
Obama has shown exemplary executive experience in the running of his campaign. He has hired a talented group of people and has a well-oiled and principled machine. He has been innovative in his approach and incredibly successful given his built-in racial disadvantage. If that doesn’t show his capabilities, I don’t know what would.
The failed business ventures of the current so-called executive didn’t stop his election even though he showed zero apptitude for management. What executive experience does McCain have? Other than marrying money, I would be hard pressed to think of any example. Obama has McCain beat hands down. And that brings me to Palin. All I can say is huh! This is McCain’s idea of a good executive decision? Give me a break.
This is the most laughable current event imaginable, McCain has just thrown a depthcharge on his own submarine (I.E. sinking boat), and there’s some so called Democratic woman back there Alicia, applauding the choice. Yikes!!!! Perhaps the truth is every one else said no (including Alfred E. Nueman)
Welcome Ms. Palin!
As mayor of the Munchkin city
That’s part of the land of Oz
We welcome you, most welcome you,
As the VP pick of the Wizard!
AND HOW!
Obama/Biden 08
[...] this blog post suggests that the McCain people didn’t know about Palin’s abuse-of-power issues. Hell, I knew about that, and I just read it on [...]
[...] picked up the photograph of beautiful downtown Wasilla from this site, which has a must-read background article on the new nominee for VPOTUS, Sarah Palin. Read it, and [...]
Great to get an Alaskan’s point of view and “insider” information. I appreciate the time that went into writing this and thank you for the interesting read
According to most liberal Democrats, women can do anything men can do and experience doesn’t make any difference, so all the posts on this board about her experience are irrelevant! The tables have now been turned on the Democratic Party and any attacks on her inexperience will just be viewed as bigotry and sexism.
I see plenty of personal attacks here but not much real substance. I found the picture in the post combined with the attitude that the writer displays as insulting to small town America. It was the attitude I would expect from an elitist ivy East coaster who doesn’t win elections away from the East coast. I laughed when I clicked on the about and learned that the writer of this blog is one. By all means my leftist friends, keep insulting small town America. Obama’s numbers dropped when he said that you know those small town people “cling to their religion and guns” when times are tough. Keep it up.
Let us settle the lie that has already appeared in comments here. The lie that Palin did not know what the VP’s job was. You will find that the statement was carefully edited to change its meaning. This link gives you the statement, the explanation and the full context video so you can see for yourself. http://iusbvision.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/obama-campaign-already-lying-about-palins-previous-statements/
By the way, the police officer you are all the buzz about tasered an 11 year old child. So by all means trash Palin for not liking the guy. The more American women find out about what that cop was up to the more womens votes Palin will secure.
I firmly believe that the plan is not to use Palin as the VP. The plan is to get votes from the Hillary supporters that are still pissed off. If the plan works, when McCain takes office, Palin would become ill or get hurt in an accident. She will resign. The replacement will be the man that John McCain had chosen as his real candidate. Otherwise, selecting Palin makes zero logical sense for McCain.
I’m going to link this site. Thanks.
[...] P.s. Any readers who would like to check out an Alaskan’s opinion of Palin should go here. [...]
Thanks for the post! I sent a link to my Economics instructor. He was dying to know yesterday who got chosen and I am sure he would enjoy seeing this article about her.
Great story. I linked it at TheZoo.
[...] What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan’s Perspective [...]
Thanks for putting everything in perspective for us. Wasilla reminds me of the town in the TV series Northern Exposure and should not count as executive experience.
To the poster who called Georgia a small state in an attempt to equate Gov. Palin’s 2 years of experience with then Gov. Jimmy Carter’s 4 years in the Georgia State Senate and 4 years as governor: Alaska, has 600,000 residents today; the “small state of Georgia” had more than 5 million people 32 years ago when Jimmy Carter was elected President.
If I were a Hillary supporter, I’d be offended that the Republicans think any woman wearing a skirt is a suitable substitute for Hillary Clinton. Gov. Palin is no where near the qualifications of Hillary Clinton.
I’m very grateful to have found your site and have ‘bookmarked’ it. I spent 30 years as a Humanitarian Aid Releif Coordinator and Educator for First Responders…this allowed me access to numerous nations across four continents. Do I consider myself a viable candidate to be the next VP? OF COURSE NOT! Sarah Palin…PULEEZE!
When we heard John McCain selection…we were shocked. One thing that was even more disturbing were the web sites popping up ‘praising’ all Palin’s achievements. Even we knew she was in the middle of being invesigated…so how could everyone not be aware of this fact. To make matters worse, I asked some legitimate questions that I would have like answers to…however, the web host…NEVER allowed my questions to be put on his site.
Once I went back to read the comments he had received…every single one was positive. Even that web host is “spinning” this to suit their own needs.
I posted on my blog “Why Punish Yourself” an hour ago and have already had 106 hits….no comments yet…but oh well, as long as it’s being read!
Keep up the good work and THANK YOU for shedding some light on this most peculiar “selection”
Michelle
Great post, and loaded with good background. Count me as one of those women who are INSULTED by this pick. Please! Pure tokenism. Does McCain’t (what us dems in Texas call him) really believe that women are collectively STUPID? Why in the name of heaven would we vote for someone JUST because she is female?
Another interesting factoid — Just why is no one reporting on the FIRST gaff of her ‘nomination?’ Namely — She broke operational military security by announcing the MOS of her son – – including the day and country her son’s unit will be deployed to. Did anyone notice that Senator McCain’t and Senator Biden DO NOT discuss the status of their sons’ military deployment? She has just jeopardized the safety of her son’s entire unit, and yet this is going unreported? SOMEONE please pick this up! It’s outrageous!!!
So what’s Obama’s and Biden’s training to “captain an aircraft carrier”?
Biden has represented a state that currently has about 850K residents (compared to roughly 684K in Alaska according to the U.S. Census estimate of 2007 population)
Obama as a State senator in Illinois only represented about 215K people when he served in that capacity. Now he is a U.S. Senator and represents about 12.5M Illinoisans, but only for a few years and he’s been away from the Senate for half of that time.
“downright surreal” are the same words that came to mind as I watched also! Good Read enjoy your jiffy pop
Sounds like our Detroit Mayors quagmire… Do these people have any brains?
Isn’t the author of this site Andrew Halcro, who’s made a business out of trashing Sarah Palin since she beat him in the gubernatorial race in 2006??? Shame on you, Halcro. Look him up, everyone, under adn.com. He had to angle his camera very, very carefully to not include the nice things around that old bar which is one of the oldest buildings left in Wasilla, which is one of the fastest growing small cities in America.
All this talk all of a sudden about glass ceilings. What about glass ceilings for African Americans or is that something we just can’t speak of with out being accused of pulling the “race card.” Hillary Clinton said over and over again, “wouldn’t it be great to have a woman president?” My answer is, Wouldn’t be great to have a Great President. Now we have Sarah Palin on the scene trying to pick of Hillary Clinton’s slack and talking about shattering the glass ceiling for women. Not once has anyone ever heard Barak Obama say he’s running for president to break the glass ceiling African Americans have been striving to break through for years. He’s running for president to make everyone’s lives better. Now all the GOP’s are jumping on the bandwagon with the false belief that change is coming to Washington. so now McCain and his camp are concerned with change? Sarh Palin was picked because she has a fresh, pretty face, but be fooled. It’s just a facade for dirty old politics and that’s not new at all.
Great post!
I agree with the others in saying that it’s nice to get the perspective of an Alaskan on the situation. When I heard the news of Palin being the VP and that she was from Alaska, I had to stop and think about what I actually knew about your state besides the fact that it’s cold. Also, I agree with you on the obvious pandering towards women on picking a female candidate. When I saw this, I just thought, this is because Hillary didn’t make the nomination and the Republicans feel the need to one-up or at least match the Democrats on the diversity front. I think it’s ridiculous to pick a running mate for that reason. It’s insulting to us as constituents and it’s an insult to Palin. Pick someone because they’re the best choice, not because of the demographic group they belong to.
Truly, this is politics at its best.
Great article. Thanks! I think many people should read it.
I totally know from the bottom of my heart that Palin would not have been picked if either (1) Obama picked Clinton or (2) McCain had to choose first.
I hate it that VP picks can be made during different times in the process.
(P.S. Our blogs look amazingly alike
)
Great Blog — hope you don’t mind, I have passed this link along. As a female, I would never, ever, ever, ever vote for Sarah Palin. She’s a disgrace to women. I didn’t even support Clinton, but I can appreciate Clinton’s intelligence, her education, and the fact that she busted her ass to get where she was — Sarah Palin got hand picked by McCain to gather the votes of the bible thumpers. She would be an unmitigaged disaster if she were to ever inherit the presidency. Her “creationist” beliefs make me twitch, posing for pictures with her disabled baby to get a wring out of other dumb women makes me want to smack her (and why the Hell was she getting pregnant at 44? What did she think would happen? Everyone knows that the chances of having a baby with a genetic disorder are about 80% at that age), and her total lack of belief in global warming and support for the environment makes me want to drop her off a glacier.
Did anyone mention that she proposed giving the wealth of the state back to the people that really own it. The oil & gas you are paying for, which Alaskans own, was given back to them and I will be spending the $1200 of my oil wealth in about 12 days. Owe, I didn’t mention the other $2000 either.
She didn’t horde it or pay for a pet project or grow government. She gave the state’s power (money) back to it’s rightful owners.
She knows who owns the place we call home.
Fr. John,
You said, ” the clearly genocidal death march by the unwanted hispanic invaders, and the filthy Somali muslims besmirching our once-great land.”
You aren’t voting for Obama because you are a racist right-wing pig. Yeah, I said it.
IMO, this country would be better off picking a President on American Idol as opposed to selecting from one of the major candidates. My opinion is, the greener a candidate is, the better they will be for the country. This is a step in the right direction for the Republicans!
Turkey,
Are you really Joe Biden?
Your post is word for word the same (including all punctuation) as “Jackie” — post time: 06:36:08
Alicia,
I’m tired of you “pissed off Hillary women” trying to make credible arguments for McCain. It’s positively absurd.
Please read the follwing from CNN’s McCain Website.
Abortion
Opposes abortion rights except in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.
Immigration
Co-sponsored Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Iraq
Voted for use of military force in Iraq. Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Was an early proponent of sending additional American troops to Iraq.
Same-sex marriage
Supports definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but opposes a constitutional amendment banning same sex-marriage. Says individual states should decide the issue. Says a federal marriage ban might be appropriate if courts overturned state marriage laws. Supports legal benefits for same-sex partners.
Social Security
Supports Bush plan to allow workers to divert some Social Security payroll taxes to private retirement accounts.
Taxes
Voted against 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cut laws, but later voted in favor of extending tax cuts through 2010.
Ok? Are these positions similar to Hillary’s? You are pissed off because a woman did’nt make it and now you desire to shoot yourself in the foot? Do us all a favor and aim a little higher, but before you do how about wikipedia McCain and read about his own reasoning for his poor performance at Annapolis (5th from bottom) – He had an inclination to go out boozing and womanizing, and had difficulty with authority. Does this sound presidentially preparational to you? perhaps if you are just a lying Republican freak, who was just as comfortable with George Jr. Boozing it up smashing up cars and running AWOL from the Alabama Air national guard. Are you all on crack or what?
This is a great pick by McCain! The Republicans stole a page out of the Democratic playbook and bet it all to win!
Thanks so much for your post from Alaska, the epicenter of Confederate Nation. Rove and Co. have truly thrown down the ultimate gauntlet for the duel with the liberal intelligentsia this time. (I’m a white college prof enthusiastically for Obama.) Either, as I fear, the Palin move will seduce the American mob just like the choices of the equally ludicrous Reagan and Bush, by offering them “somebody like us” to vote for, which will secure the rule of the Republican Party, Big Oil, and Likud behind the neocons, forever. OR by some miracle this will truly be a bridge to nowhere and a bridge too far, and people like you will call the bluff of these con artists and act the role of the kid who sees that these emperors NEVER have any new clothes and are simply the stupid tools used by the rich and powerful to use the taxes of the American mob to rule the world as best they can, by hook or by crook. If America finally says of Palin, “This is truly too stupid for words,” then Obama wins and this country is literally saved from this whole idiotic syndrome the Roves invented. And then we can actually come together to rebuild a once great country. But if the mob defends the stupidity because they “love” Palin, as if she were an especially winsome “ordinary” guest on Oprah, then Rove and Co. truly win forever, and this country is finished.
Well, the fact of the matter is that the Palin nomination doesn’t crack any glass ceiling at all. It puts the Governor into a traditional sex role of helping the man, who will make all the decisions while she remains politically impotent with no constitutional power other than waiting for Crash McCain to croak. Really, there are administrative assistants all over America who will be making more day to day decisions in running an office than Palin.
In addition, her total lack of foreign policy experience means she will be shut out of the decision making process there by the males McCain will select to be Secretary of State and who run the U.S. Foreign Service.
She will look great at funerals and ribbon cutting ceremonies, though.
Hillary and the rest of the liberal Democrats should be very happy with McCain’s pick – that is if they truly believe all the things they say! If they aren’t happy, that just means that they are full of hot air and don’t really believe in all of the things they are really fighting for.
Well well well, Mr.McCain; was not one beauty enough for you. You have slapped women in the face once again (first) with your “greatest moral failure” in dealing with your former and current wives and now! And then you slapped seasoned, vetted, knowledgeable men in the face.
Ok, so she is pro choice – IS IT ENOUGH TO SAVE THEM IN THE WOMB ONLY TO KILL THEN ONCE THEY BECOME ADULTS BY SENDING THEM OFF TO DIE IN AN UNJUST WAR IN IRAQ?
Ok, so she is an NRA supporter – So are many Americans who also denouce some of the NRA politics. Defense of self and family are so much different than illegal weapons on the streets in the hands of criminals or poorly planned militia groups?
Ok, so she has a child off to that illegal unjust war in IRAQ; and so does the other presumptive VP, Mr. Biden. In fact he will be there during election time?
Ok, so she chose to keep her lovely moderately handicapped child? I would hope so! Downs Syndrome is nothing that cannot be successfully handled in this day and age but how many other struggling parents with other moderately handicapped children cannot even pay for their health care?
Ok, so she make a pretty picture? And so do the other political women of the race this year on both sides, the Dems and the GOP?
Ok, so she makes a position (strong or not??) over oil in Alaska? Isn’t that where it is? and Isn’t that what we need to get out of the pockets of the Middle East?
Ok, how many times has she been broad and can she even find Afghanistan on the map?
She governs an area no larger than my highly successful family reunion?
Are we women of America both Dems and GOP supporters and better yet, again AMERICAN SUPPORTERS not worth more than a token torch?
So, she has a lovely family and a lovely story to tell; Don’t they all?????????????????
Obama may not have chosen Senator Clinton but who is to say she will not play a major role after the election results are in? There are so many other roles for Mrs. Clinton to play that may have more press and power than VP actually. And Mrs. Clinton has what it takes to run again and win but does Mrs. Palin? I think not! We should be outraged at this ploy!
So Mrs. Palen fishes but what is her POLICY concerning clean waters and the environmental concerns. We did not even know her name until she was announced? And now she is the best thing since sliced bread for the GOP? But what is the best thing for America?
Maverick? He might be? Leader and forward thinker for the good of the county; now I surely have my doubts!
I was expecting a sound announcement not a star studded one!
I guess Johnny Boy showed me and you and us!
The proof is in the pudding and I personally don’t like pudding – MUCH TO SOFT!
Didn’t she, Mrs. Palin even say on National TV that she was sure she was not even in the running? Did she not have the confidence then; so what makes McCain so confident now?
Is she not as inexperienced as it gets? Where is her foreign policy experience, not to mention domestic policies. And what happened to all those strong, seasoned already known REPUBLICAN WOMEN?
Oh, I know where they are this weekend, either drafting the political crash course content for Mrs. Palin or at home scratching their heads in dismay.
WHAT IS MCCAIN THINKING INDEED?
Well the American people are thinking? OR AT LEAST THEY SURELY SHOULD BE.
My Lord, even Laura Bush would have been a sounder choice. Jeeze McCain. Get a mc-grip. You really don’t get it.
Hahaha. Great post.
I agree with all of you. He could at least choose a woman like Carly Fiona or something!!!
The Lower 48 Scratch Their Heads and Think, “The hell?” More Blogger Commentary on Palin…
by Damozel | We’ve already done one blogger round-up of the Palin pick here. At our sister blog, you can find a short piece on Palin’s connection to the oil industry (and the Malkin’s ringing endorsement of it). Former Bush…
As a woman, I am so insulted by the pick of Palin for VP. Evidently McDumbie thinks that we women will vote for a woman just because she shares our plumbing. Anyone who supported Hillary, likes experience in women, which is not Palin. At 72, doesn’t he think that the country deserves someone who could take over if he doesn’t live forever? Is he senile??? He just gave Obama the support for questionning his judgement. He needs a sign in his war room and on his mirror that says, “It’s the issues, stupid”
Thanks for a great post. Palin is a joke. But so was George Bush.
Do not underestimate the dumbness of a large number of Americans!
http://lamarguerite.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/the-environment-is-politics/
McCain was definitely desperate. America, prepare for history….Obama getting 65% + of the popular vote and electoral vote. Can you say landslide? There is no need for dirty politics to be played in this election. Obama/Biden ticket will jus have to stay focused on the American people. The Alaskan Lt. Governor is packing boxes and getting ready to move into the big house. Let’s all pray for our country!!!!!
“Why of course the people don’t want war. Why should some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally the common people don’t want war: neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
- Hermann Goerring
——————————————————————————–
“Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar.”
- Julius Caesar
I think all the Democrats are jealous now because McCain stole a page out of their Liberal playbook and one-upped them! This is great! I love it! Love to see the Democrats writhing in agony over his pick!
Democrats are jealous! bwahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
He’s not thinking. That’s the problem. Great blog…I’ll continue to check back in
Obama/Biden 08
Why would a woman who was for Hillary vote for Sarah Palin?
They are nothing alike.
Any woman who is smart enough will see that.
It IS an insult to think that women vote for women just because they ARE women.
My opinion of McCain just went down – again.
One votes for the presidential candidate, with an eye to the VP. The way I see it the VP should strengthen the candidate. I don’t see McCain’s choice as strengthening his case at all.
Republicans have finally learned to beat Democrats at their own game! Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
come on…she was chosen cuz everyone wants to hit that smokin ass
watch her speech…mccain was mesmerized by that ass
nothing hotter than a gun toting, bible thumping, crazy with a hot ass
btw, how is it that her son was able to stay in the states for a full year after basic and amazingly is set to be shipped to iraq on 9/11?
and is that new baby really sarah’s…or her daughter’s??
come on….i want dirt
Lord knows Obama needs a lot of strengthening…
Democrats are in denial now!!! They have been beaten at their own game by John McCain!