McCain has chosen Alaska’s brand new governor, Sarah Palin, as his V.P. pick. It’s an interesting choice, most likely seeking to poach disgruntled Clinton supporters from Obama. But, other than the fact that both Clinton and Palin have two X chromosomes, the similarities are few.
Clinton has been doing politics on the national level for quite some time. Palin has been governor of Alaska (population 683,000) for less than two years. Before that, she was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska (population 2,000). She is currently embroiled in a scandal in Alaska related to questions over whether she exerted undue influence to get her ex-brother-in-law fired from his job as a state trooper and then fired the Department of Public Safety Commissioner for questioning her use of influence.
Aside from gender, this seems a little like nominating Greg Ballard, mayor of Indianapolis (population 795,000) as a Vice-Presidential running mate. It’s probably a little rude to point out, but Gov. Palin probably has a higher-than-average chance of ascending from the Vice-Presidency to the Presidency due to McCain’s actuarial higher chances of not being able to serve out his term. So, while a Vice-Presidential pick is not generally an earth-shaking part of a Presidential campaign (despite the quadrennial obsession of the news media), it’s probably a little more important than usual in this case.
In any case, the McCain campaign has just blunted the “experience” arrow in its quiver in favor of trying to attract women who will vote solely on the issue of gender despite Palin’s staunch opposition to reproductive rights. We’ll see if the gamble works.
Italy,
I must come back you have irked me.When there is trouble in the world though who do the weak Chamberlain like nations of Europe call on to do the heavy lifting.The U.S.A.My great uncle stormed the beaches of Normandy while Europe was burning and your country was under the control of a dictator on the wrong side of history.
Again your opinion on our next president senator Obama or senator McCain doesn’t matter to me or I am sure the majority of our citizens.If senator Obama wins I’ll be proud to call him my president and support him where I can especially on trade, economic issues and healthcare and oppose him on a issue like H1 visa increases and illegal immigration the same goes for McCain.Why?Because they will have won the election and it will be time to get behind them.
It was also the USA and president Clinton who did the heavy lifting in Bosnia to stop genocide while Europe as ususal took a minor role.
I don’t wish to be a one of those rude,hash noncivil posters but you have really pissed me off.If Mr.Masson thinks I’m out of line he can delete my posts.
World War II was 60 years ago, I think we’ve used up our credit on that. I’m not going to delete these posts, but I think it’s important to keep in mind that we have to live in the world with other countries, and the more credibility we have with them and can get things done through good will and persuasion, the less it will be necessary to expend more effort and money getting things done through pure force.
Fair enough.But in my opinion other than Engalnd you can talk and try to acheive good will all you want with the majority of these countries but when it comes time for the hard choices to be made in the end they’ll do nothing.Russia invades Georgia and is trying to gain control over bordering nations that were part of the old Soviet Union and we get not much in the way of even harsh language from Europe.Why? Because they get a mjority of their energy suply from Russia.
Lastly in my opinion this country is the greatest democracy in the world.Here a bi-racial man seen as African American born to single mother from Kansas with no silver spoon in his mouth and through hard work and dedication from he and his mother can be on the cusp of being the first African American president of the United States and a little known governor of Alaska,mother of five and from working class roots can be on the cusp of being the first woman vice president of the United States.That’s pretty special in my opinion.
Will people vote for or against senator Obama because he’s African American?Sure.Will people vote for or against governor Palin because of her gender?A few.In the end these four people running for are highest office should and in my opinion will be judged on the content of their character and most importantly their ideas and the direction and policies they wish for the United States.Call me over the top patriotic or what ever but this historic campaign and the inspiring event last Thursday night in Denver make me proud to be a american and what the Europeans or someone from Italy thinks about it makes no difference to me or I’m sure anyone else I know.
And that’s all I’m gonna say on the matter agree,disagree I respect the opinions of the people on this blog even when we disagree but as long as I’m allowed to post I will respond to critisism of my country and comments about our political process from those who are not citizens of this country.
Steph–
She’s running for the party that has been against equal work for equal pay. The party that generally thinks the woman’s place is in the home. She’s on the ticket to court the religious right, the Dobsons of the world who think many of today’s ills are because women leave the home to work.
Do not put that one *me*. That’s Mrs. Palin’s fanclub’s worldview.
As for me, I’m fine with her husband quitting his job and taking care of the kids. She can leave the breastmilk in the fridge, and I’m sure he can work a microwave just fine.
If recognizing her party’s tendencies makes me sexist, then I have been sexist for one thread on a blog. Her party has been for years. Parts of her party may have progressed, but the parts she was brought in to appeal to are still way into “women should be barefoot and pregnant.” Except if the woman is against reproductive rights and running for national office.
Or she can hire a nanny.
It’s very common to go back to work sooner than at four months.
Doug caught my point about the key being “100%”. A special needs child needs more than average parental input. Maybe it *should* be irrelevant. But think about what kinds of things haven’t been irrelevant to voters. Flag pins. What type of cheese one puts on one’s cheesesteak. Whether someone would be a good beerdrinking companion. But this issue is going to be the one that’s “100% irrelevant”? I don’t see it. The other side is touting the fact that she has a child with Down Syndrome as a plus for the campaign, which is kind of the other side of irrelevance.
PTN – for all that is right with the world, can you PLEASE just hit the space bar once after you type a period? Your comments are virtually unreadable.
Rev. AJB,
Very good point. I would see no problem with doing that, as the child was dead no matter what.
However, you and your brother’s points are well made. When you pass a law, all the special cases like the ones you two highlight can be crushed in the process.
This is the main reason I have backed off my position about the legal / illegal part of abortion, and, in turn, why I won’t just go pull the “R” handle at anything beyond the county level like I have my entire voting history, and will more than likely be voting for Obama.
Amy,
Will do.
One thing’s for sure based on thread length. People are intested in both tickets now, since the Palin pick. A lot of people think she’s a great pick, and a lot think she’s a Harriet Miers-esque pick. No one’s bored with the Republican ticket anymore. Either you’re a lot happier with that ticket now, or a lot more frightened by the prospect of a McCain presidency.
“As much as I want to see a female President or VP, voting for this one would be the equivalent of taking a dump on Alice Paul’s grave. The first woman in the Oval office must be first and foremost a progressive candidate.”
-Steph Mineart
This may be the best comment I see posted on a blog all year, and it’s all the better because I agree with it.
That having been said, Palin is the perfect poster child for the Republican Party and I predict that she will win rather than lose them votes. We can discuss and debate issues all we like (and I’ve enjoyed how these comments have done so) but at the end of the day, my neighbors are convinced Obama is a Muslim without any sense of patriotism because he doesn’t wear a flag pin. These aren’t stupid or uneducated people, I hasten to add, just convinced. Based upon these two factors, they will not vote for him.
They are, however, unobservant. He’s been wearing a flag pin consistently for months. So, he is wearing the nationally mandated candidate uniform.
Willfully ignorant is so much worse than stupid or uneducated, because it is by choice.
I’m Italian as well, and to tell the truth I get scared when I read comments like “I don’t care what u think of my country”. You should care, the same way we care. We care because you rule the world, and it’s your duty to vote well prepared people who will then make such a big difference in global politics. Personally, I don’t consider Palin to be a valid choice. Can you imagine her during a meeting with Putin, or with any Arab leader in case McCain has problems with his health? I don’t. And seriously, you should stop with this “we don’t care about others but USA” attitude. Time’s running fast. You’ll be soon face other coutries even stronger than you. China, India. Weapons won’t be the solution. Clever, charismatic leaders will.
«I think it’s important to keep in mind that we have to live in the world with other countries – WHAT A GREAT DISCOVER!- and the more credibility we – WE WE WE WE, THE ONLY PRONOUN YOU KNOW.. – have with them and can get things done through good will and persuasion, the less it will be necessary to expend more effort and money getting things done through pure force.»
EVEN THIS REASONABLE WAY OF THINKING REMAINS A USA-CENTRIC WAY TO CONCEIVE THE CONNECTIONS AMONGST PEOPLE. IT IS ALWAYS BASED ON YOUR OWN ECONOMICAL INTERESTS.
AND THEN THE MORE YOU ARE CONVINCED TO BE ON “THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY”, THE MORE YOU ARE DANGEROUS.
EL