Random thoughts on Sarah Palin

Email Print posted by ProfRich 08/29/2008 11:52:53 AM EST

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I can't decide if we should bill it as  the "all-celebrity" ticket or the "all-corrupt" ticket or the "all-hateful and obsessed with revenge ticket"

I wonder if McCain sees any irony in picking a first term governor of a tiny (pop-wise) state whose biggest claim to fame is being a beauty queen (well, almost, she lost) while attacking Obama as an inexperienced celebrity.  Is there anyone who thinks Sarah Palin is ready to be president?

___________

More fun is this from the NBC story on the pick,

But Palin’s seemingly bright future was clouded in late July when the state legislature voted to hire an independent investigator to find out whether she tried to have a state official fire her ex-brother-in-law from his job as a state trooper.

The allegation was made by former Department of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, whom Palin fired in mid-July.

“It is a governor’s prerogative, a right, to fill that cabinet with members whom she or he believes will do best for the people whom we are serving,” Palin told CNBC’s Larry Kudlow in an interview on Aug. 1. “So I look forward to any kind of investigation or questions being asked because I’ve got nothing to hide.

Palin also reacted to the indictment of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens by calling it “very dismaying.” She added, “Hopefully though, this won’t be a distraction and get people’s minds off what has to be done in the grand scheme of things.”

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As awesome as it is that she is willing to go to the mat to defend a Jurassic Senator who has obviously been taking massive bribes from oil companies, the thing that will sink her is the corruption investigation.

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Seems she fired the head of state troopers cause the poor guy wouldn't fire the trooper divorcing her sister.

A pretty minor story compared to everything else the Pubs have done but it will blow her up.  Why? Cause its a soap opera.  It is going to hit and stick with the low info voters.  Its like the Astronaut love triangle.  Simple stupid human relationship drama.  Like Katrina.  No one cares enough to follow corruption in Iraq or with lobbyists or with banking but run some good old-fashioned divorce drama out there and people slop it up with a biscuit.

For that reason I think this was a horribly ill-advised choice.

____________

The upside is that she might peel off some disaffected women voters from the Hillary drama but here is my question.  Will Hillary (and her man) set this damn country on fire out of spite, jealousy or just good old common sense?  I think this really puts the onus on Hillary to keep the lady folks with the dems.

_____________

Finally, how S.O.P. is this for the G.O.P.  It goes like this.

Cheney: "We need a woman to trick people into thinking we are not misogynists."

Naive intern: "How about a strong, qualified, well-established leader?"

Rove:"You mean some old, ball-breaking, battleaxe?  Hell NO!"

McCain: "What about that governor of Alaska, whats her name.  She used to be a beauty queen.  Wouldn't mind breaking me off a piece of that!"

Cheney: "Oh yeah, I rubbed one out to her last press conference."

Rove: "If I liked girls I would totally tap that!"

All: "Then it is agreed!"

______________

Incidentally, that is exactly how I see the Fox News hiring process working too.

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Palin is a nice-looking woman.  Looks a lot like an older version of my wife.

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She has a boy named Track and one named Trig Paxson Van Palin.  She has three girls named Bristol, Piper and Willow.  That was enough for me to be done with her personally.

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Trig is going to Iraq next month as infantry.  Gee, I wonder if the McCain campaign will exploit that!

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She is a huge Jesus freak.

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Her husband works for an oil company (BP).

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This woman will have to debate Joe Biden at some point.

< Meet your Republican VP Nominee | Cenk, You Buried the Lead! >
 Display:
Random thoughts on Sarah Palin | 128 comments (128 topical, 0 hidden)
She will be President if (none / 0)
McCain wins

John's father and grandfather died at a younger age than McCain's 72 years
or if he finally looses his memory and he needs to step down

I wonder what her position concerning Russia will be? I guess very confrontational

by callisto on 08/29/2008 12:08:42 PM EST

There it is again! (none / 0)
Ahhhh!

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 12:22:49 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Now then (none / 0)

Reagan was senile for at least two years of his final term and that didn't slow him down none.  Do you have some sort of prejudice against senile seniors?  - and you call yourelf a compassionate liberal?  That's it!  I'm going tell bobo.

Bobo!  Hey bobo! ..........................& nbsp; Are you there?  Bobo?

by bfaul on 08/29/2008 04:30:32 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Yes I have (none / 0)
"some sort of prejudice against senile seniors"

they shouldn't be driving cars or countries

"and you call yourelf a compassionate liberal"

were did I call myself that? I wouldn't use that word, it's a Bush word
although I wouldn't want them driving cars or running a country, I do want to make sure they live their lives out in a comfortable fashion, that has nothing to do with compassion, it's just the right thing, the ethical thing if you want

by callisto on 08/29/2008 06:20:45 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Tina Fey as VP ? WHAAAAT? (none / 1)

All I can say is SNL will be begging Tina Fey to come back and play her. 

If McCain wins and then kicks it, she is our commander-in-chief.  That's definitely a scary thought.  What is her foreign policy experience vs. Obama or Biden?  Yikes.

by pkaessinger on 08/29/2008 12:37:33 PM EST

foreign experience? (none / 0)
My black lab has more foreign affairs experience than your guy.

by KenTX on 08/29/2008 02:14:23 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Ken, meet Joe Biden (none / 0)

And my black candidate has more foreign experience than your president did when he ran.

Exponentially more.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 02:39:11 PM EST

[ Parent ]
madrassa (none / 0)
Attending grade school in Indonesia is not the foreign experience most voters are looking for.

by Twba on 08/29/2008 02:43:19 PM EST

[ Parent ]
How about (none / 0)
being right on Iraq when McCain and presumably Palin were wrong?

How about, in fact, being right on EVERY FOREIGN AFFAIRS ISSUE, with the possible exception of "the surge," when McCain was proven wrong?

by jarett on 08/29/2008 03:34:19 PM EST

[ Parent ]
How about (none / 0)
Neither Palin nor Obama were in the Senate to vote on the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, so we don't really know how they would have voted. Senators Biden and McCain were in the Senate, and both voted for the resolution.

by Twba on 08/29/2008 04:14:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Joe! (none / 0)
I'm so sorry you didn't get the VP nod.  Are your feelins' hurt?

by bfaul on 08/29/2008 03:40:11 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Catholics have madrassas now? (none / 0)
oh no you talk about the other school, the Basuki school, which is a public school, NOT a madrassa (also for the totally ignorant: a madrassa is not the same as a muslim school)

as far as I now madrassas do not allow western-style clothing

maybe in a way you might understand: catholic school would be the equivalent of a madrassa, if they spent every hour of the day studying the bible. Since they don't catholic schools are not extreme conservative religious schools

by callisto on 08/29/2008 04:22:39 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Your black lab (none / 0)
Has, I suspect, not sponsored any legislation.

In December 2006, President Bush signed into law the "Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act," marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.

As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, he helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability in the use of federal funds. He also made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Thanks, Wikipedia.

He was also right on the Iraq War and John McCain (along with, I suspect, Sarah Palin) was wrong.

He is also highly respected all across the planet.  Can't say the same for McCain or Palin.

How does the death knell of the Republican ticket sound, Tex?

by jarett on 08/29/2008 03:32:39 PM EST

[ Parent ]
HAHA Ken (none / 0)
Just because you Lab was screwed by a chihuahua, does not give it foreign experience.

by whoosh on 08/29/2008 03:42:51 PM EST

[ Parent ]
tee hee (none / 0)

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:49:39 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Ken's black lab (none / 0)
Is its name bobo1 by chance?

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 04:27:24 PM EST

[ Parent ]
that's his bassett hound (none / 0)

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 04:31:26 PM EST

[ Parent ]
LOL her position on Russia (none / 0)

Do you think she really has an opinion on Russia?  Oh well maybe since they are neighbors.  I guess living near the Bering Strait makes you an expert on foreign relations.  She did run for Miss Wassilla afterall. 

The thought of her debating Joe Biden is quite hilarious. 

by schmoab on 08/29/2008 12:52:02 PM EST

We have to be careful with that (none / 0)
Biden can EASILY eat her for lunch, the challenge will be to defeat her handily without appearing to "beat her up" so the Republicans can cry "sexism."

by jarett on 08/29/2008 01:07:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Biden vs. Palin (none / 0)

He shouldn't beat her up in the debate.

He should just answer questions using his vast knowledge and leave her standing there not having any idea what he is talking about.

Then she can just look like a dumbass.  Shouldn't be too hard.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 01:11:55 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I agree (none / 0)
Lloyd Bentsen KILLED Dan Quayle in 1988, but in the end, I actually end up feeling sorry for Quayle.  I see that clip over and over and over, and now I actually cringe when Bentsen rips him with the "you're no Jack Kennedy" line.  I have to look away.  Kinda like when a croc comes out of some river in Africa and kills a baby gazelle.  It's just too gruesome.

Let Biden respectfully answer every question and respectfully make his points, and then let Palin stutter and stammer through her answers on Pakistan or NATO (unless she uses the patent-pending Bush microphone lower back implant, of course).

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 01:27:51 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Lloyd (none / 0)

You may pity Quayle but which one would you vote for?

The victim or the guy who crushed the victim.

What gets me about that clip is how Bentsen takes his time with it.  He really savors the moment.  He's like a big cat playing with his prey.

And Dan can feel it coming too.

I love it.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 02:05:10 PM EST

[ Parent ]
It was a beautiful moment (none / 0)
Alas, I wasn't old enough to vote in 88.  But you are right...  Bentsen tucked a napkin under his chin, applied a dash of salt, licked his lips, then tore out Quayle's throat.  And Quayle had the deer in headlights look...  he thought he had just delivered the zinger of the night, and Bentsen schooled him.

And I should say, that is the ONLY Quayle gaff where I feel sorry for him.  The potato with an E debacle makes me laugh to this day.  And I remember a speech where Quayle was holding a model space shuttle (he was SOOOO cute), and the damn thing slips out of his hand.  Rather than just let it fall, Quayle tries to catch it, sending it up in the air again, where he juggles with it for a few seconds before it crashes to the ground into a million pieces.

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 02:19:40 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Can we start a poll? (none / 0)

More unqualified to be president?

A. Dan Quayle in 1988.

B. Sarah Palin in 2008.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 02:53:56 PM EST

[ Parent ]
this is an awesome comparison (none / 0)
and I say KILL THE BABY GAZELLE!!

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:03:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Sadly, I think the answer is Quayle (none / 0)
Palin has 2 years of experience running a state.  And she was mayor of a small town in the middle of nowhere with a population of 6k (or thereabouts).  And she's already managed to come under fire for an improper firing of a state employee.

Quayle, while young (and seemingly mildly retarded), had (if my math is correct) 12 years of experience in Washington (4 in the House and 8 in the Senate).

At this point, in terms of actual experience, McCain could have stuck with an Alaskan and chosen Marilyn Whirlwind* and had the same if not better response from the media.






*Marilyn Whirlwind was Joel Fleischman's secretary/assistant on the TV show Northern Exposure.  And had she been chosen, people might not have spent the day asking, "who?"

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 04:49:08 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Uh oh (none / 0)
Here is what I fear: there will be no questions on Pakistan or NATO.  The media will give her a giant pass because of her obvious lack of experience and the whole debate will focus on abortion, gay rights and other irrelevant crap.

There will be no chance for Biden to shine, because That Just Wouldn't Be Nice.

by jarett on 08/29/2008 03:46:11 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I think (none / 0)
there are enough strong progressive women in the party to ensure that doesn't happen.  The woman could be the next president after all.  She is not going to get a pass.  Let's make sure.

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:51:34 PM EST

[ Parent ]
being a conservative (none / 0)
I would guess she wants as many ICBMs in Alaska pointing to Russia as she can get

by callisto on 08/29/2008 01:23:48 PM EST

[ Parent ]
The best part of Rich's post (none / 0)
"She has a boy named Track and one named Trig Paxson Van Palin.  She has three girls named Bristol, Piper and Willow.  That was enough for me to be done with her personally."

Man, that was hilarious (and kinda true).

Great post Rich.

by ihavenobias on 08/29/2008 12:54:25 PM EST

thanks, bias (none / 0)

Bias is tearing up the Kos, btw.

Imagine you are 20+ years out of high school and you run into this woman from your graduating class coming out of the Starbucks with her Chai.  She looks great and is piling her kids into her massive SUV with her "I'm pro-life and I vote" bumper sticker.

You make some small talk and then she introduces you to the kids and reels off those five names.

Could you possibly despise this woman more at that moment?

 

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 01:08:20 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Link me? (none / 0)
I hardly ever pay attention to DK.

by jarett on 08/29/2008 01:13:52 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Rich is half right (none / 0)
My post is blowin' up at DU, it flopped at Dkos because it was swept off the homepage in (literally) 10 minutes.

I picked the absolute worst time to post anything over there because everyone wants to talk about Palin.

:(

by ihavenobias on 08/29/2008 01:32:22 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Whoops meant DU (none / 0)

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 01:59:02 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Close enough (none / 0)
They both start with "D". ;)

PS---I posted it here at TYT.

by ihavenobias on 08/29/2008 02:07:52 PM EST

[ Parent ]
her dog's name (none / 0)
is Rainbow Karma Goodvibe

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:04:07 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I suspect you're kidding, but... (none / 0)
Is that true?

by Spencer on 08/29/2008 03:13:37 PM EST

[ Parent ]
can it be a fun rumor? (none / 0)

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:32:31 PM EST

[ Parent ]
sure (none / 0)
Only if you make it her mother.

by bfaul on 08/29/2008 04:10:28 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Palin's mother was a crack baby (none / 0)

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 04:16:36 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I agree. (none / 0)
That was my favorite part too.

by Spencer on 08/29/2008 02:41:03 PM EST

[ Parent ]
right (none / 0)

"Incidentally, that is exactly how I see the Fox News hiring process working too."

Exactly the same thing went through my mind when I looked her up and saw her picture.  She was exactly what I would have expected.

by bfaul on 08/29/2008 01:05:13 PM EST

Any soccer mom (none / 0)
who can look at and honestly say that she can run this country should now vote for McCain. Any husband who can look at his wife and say that raising his children gives her the experience to fix the economy, McCain's your man. This is a horrible pick if you have any faith in the electorate to make an informed decision, question is will they. After all we elected Frank Burns president the last 2 times.

by juebawl on 08/29/2008 01:21:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Hockey mom (none / 0)
none of that lieeeebral soccer

by callisto on 08/29/2008 01:26:09 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Alaska, right, My bad (none / 0)

by juebawl on 08/29/2008 01:29:23 PM EST

[ Parent ]
One demographic (none / 0)

Apparently Palin will own the hockey mom demographic.

All three voters are expected to go GOP.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 02:02:30 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Demographic (none / 0)
Hockey moms are an important demo in Minnesota.

by Twba on 08/29/2008 02:13:34 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Professor meant (none / 0)
Illiterate hockey moms who have been hit one too many times by pucks to the skull.

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:05:43 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Trig Paxson Van Palin (none / 0)

The name is something else, but the idea that a woman a year older than me (She was born in 1964!) had a baby this year.  And I guess she is one of "those" that doesn't believe in science, statistics, birth control, all of the above, because when she is in her 60's and 70's her newborn baby son will still be completely dependent on her and her husband, and when they pass, the responsibility will fall to either the other four children or an institution. 

So who is going to care for her Down's baby while she is in office?  I guess her husband will have to leave his position at British Petroleum to be Second Husband?  I'm sure these choices she's made will make her a shoe-in for the religious right, but it makes me question her judgment.

by cruzi on 08/29/2008 01:13:17 PM EST

Great point by Cruzi (none / 0)

But the question of what will happen with the Down Syndrome child is a powerful one.

Doesn't that child need her?  Isn't it a bit strange she is presenting her self as the ultimate family woman but is unwilling to make her family that clearly needs her a priority?

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 01:17:43 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Palin is superwomen. (none / 0)

From the Ancorage Daily News:

Palin was in Texas at a Republican Governors Association energy conference last week when early signs of labor began. She said she called her doctor early Thursday morning after some amniotic fluid began to leak. She talked over what was happening with her doctor, and they consulted about what to do.

She gave the keynote luncheon address, then she and Todd caught an Alaska Airlines flight back to Alaska. She said was never in full-blown labor on the plane but was having a contraction or two every hour.

"By my fifth child, I know what labor feels like," Palin said. That wasn't labor, she said.

The governor said she won't take a maternity leave but will bring Trig with her to work. Her spokesperson later clarified, at Palin's request, that the governor will take time off for medical appointments, physical therapy and whatever Trig needs.

 

by cruzi on 08/29/2008 01:25:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Dangerously Short Maternity Leave (none / 0)
Currently under FMLA law, if a woman gives birth vaginally, she can have up to 6 weeks leave from work, if she has a ceasarian, she can have up to 8 weeks leave from work, and if she adopts, she can have up to 12 weeks off (jealous!). I felt exhausted and drained for 2 weeks after my son's birth, and I was in my early 30's. Palin set the precident of returning to work after 3 days. If the Republicans are elected, what will bosses expect out of the rest of us?

by Average Jill on 08/31/2008 08:48:57 AM EST

[ Parent ]
barefoot and in the kitchen (none / 0)
Isn't it a bit strange she is presenting her self as the ultimate family woman but is unwilling to make her family that clearly needs her a priority?

It's too funny to see ProfRich get in touch with his inner Phyllis Schlafly.

by Twba on 08/29/2008 01:30:56 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Hey fuckstick (none / 0)

Don't know if you caught this but I have three kids and have dedicated my professional life to children.

Yeah, this is quite a transformation for me.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 02:06:55 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Hey (none / 0)
Don't get your panties bunched up, Phyllis.

by Twba on 08/29/2008 02:22:00 PM EST

[ Parent ]
the difference is (none / 0)
Phyllis Schlafly would propose that "family woman" is the only respectable role for a woman to play.

But you knew that already.

by jarett on 08/29/2008 02:10:16 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Re: Russia (none / 0)
I was going to make the same joke - She's very close with Russia (geographically).

by pkaessinger on 08/29/2008 01:14:15 PM EST

Women Republicans... (none / 0)
The Repugs may have something here -- run women candidates because they are much less likely to be philanderers and closet homosexuals than Republican men.

by pkaessinger on 08/29/2008 01:18:33 PM EST

Heh heh heh (none / 0)
too true. 

by bfaul on 08/29/2008 01:31:39 PM EST

[ Parent ]
And... (none / 0)

If a MILF like Palin turns out to be a closet lesbian, badass!

Maybe she has  a thing with a college age sorority sister of her daughters.

I am making a mental movie over here.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 01:59:59 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Dream big, why not (none / 0)

That would be hot.  Fortune would never be kind enough to smile on us in that kind of a blatant fashion, but it's a pleasant thought. On the other hand it did give us Vitter's whores.  That was great fun, just not hot. 

by bfaul on 08/29/2008 03:37:51 PM EST

[ Parent ]
You want hot, got to go Dem (none / 0)
Edwards chippie was way hotter than any Pub girl and Spitzer hoe wasn't bad.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 04:30:03 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Sarah Palin and Antonella Barba XXX action (none / 0)
way to go....

by sfinneganus on 08/30/2008 03:56:43 PM EST

[ Parent ]
How deperate are the Repugs (none / 0)
that they
1. couldn't find a woman NOT under investigation
2. couldn't find a woman who would have enough experience to top the ticket

not even 3 years as Governor???

man it would have been funny had Obama taken Barbara Boxer as his Veep

by callisto on 08/29/2008 01:31:28 PM EST

"desperate" (none / 0)
forgot me an "s" :)

by callisto on 08/29/2008 01:33:04 PM EST

[ Parent ]
actually, not even two years as governor (none / 0)
20 months ago she was Mayor of a town of 6,500 in Alaska.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 02:07:35 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Does Obama have three years as Senator? (none / 0)
The State Trooper issue seems to be nothing. We can always pull the old Thomas Eagleton switcheroo, and bring in Kay Bailey Hutchinson as a reliever.

by KenTX on 08/29/2008 10:32:22 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Senator isn't his first political mandate (none / 0)
yes yes we know she was mayor of town of 6500 people

btw Alaska's state budget is $5.5 billion, they throw those amounts around in the Senate every afternoon :)

Palin can't even grasp the scale

by callisto on 08/30/2008 09:38:38 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Yes, Pls Do Pull the Switcheroo... (none / 0)

Because that worked wonders for McGovern in 72.

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/30/2008 11:56:34 AM EST

[ Parent ]
You're a poet (none / 0)
And didn't know it.

by ProfRich on 08/31/2008 02:32:23 AM EST

[ Parent ]
at some point (none / 0)
Obama will have to debate McCain. He can't run and hide forever.

by KenTX on 08/29/2008 02:22:18 PM EST

At some point (none / 0)
Palin will have to debate Biden. She's can't be completely and totally ignorant about the role of the VP forever.

by ihavenobias on 08/29/2008 02:34:40 PM EST

[ Parent ]
You Are, Of Course, Right (none / 0)
McCain cannot run and hide forever.  Eventually, he'll have to debate Obama and show the world how little he really knows.

Of course, you could get lucky, and the moderators won't ask him anything about Shias or Sunnis.  Or about European geography.  Or about the economy.

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 02:35:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Obama is a scared little pussy. (none / 0)
The McCain people asked the Obama camp for a debate every week this summer. Obama responded with the courage of Buckwheat. After the Saddleback Showdown, it is clear to see why Obama ran away. He can't debate without a teleprompter.

by KenTX on 08/29/2008 02:44:00 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Teleprompter?!?! (none / 0)
You're going to say Obama needs a teleprompter?  Obama may sound better with a teleprompter than without, but at least he can grasp what it is he is saying.  When Obama talks about an issue, he actually knows what he's talking about.

I'll say it again, and this time I'll make it simple:

McCain does not know what the difference is between a Shia and a Sunni.  If you're going to run on your "war record" and if you're going to say you can "lead as commander in chief" and "win the war we've (supposedly) already won," then I'd think knowing which side is which is important.  And if you think for one second the moderators won't ask about, oh I don't know, the war Iraq, then you're as certifiable as McCain.

Obama may need a teleprompter, but McCain needs Lieberman's hand up his ass to tell the difference between the "good brown people and the brown people we can shoot."

Here, let me make it even simpler:

McCain is going to be asked a lot of hard questions.  He does not know all the answers.  He's going to do what he always does, which is ramble on about something tangentally related, then flash that creepy shit-eating grin of his.  Then after the country collectively shudders, Obama will retort with something actually related to the topic at hand, and the nation will collectively thank god the scary old man isn't on TV anymore.

Advantage: Obama

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 03:12:11 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Clearly (none / 0)

Obama's speech was so far from what the Pubs were expecting and was so damn good they are stuck in their "pre-buttal" mode.  Ken is cycling to other unrelated talking points (Obama can't debate, black people are very scary, etc.)

They just took a clean shot to the jaw and have no idea how to react.

But honestly, if Kenny and the America Haters want to lower the debate bar for Barak, I am happy to let them.

It worked wonders for Shrub.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 03:29:45 PM EST

[ Parent ]
It was very clear (none / 0)
It was very clear to me this morning that Obama's speech caught the Pubs off guard.  I'm sure the Pubs all got together a week ago and collectively created a list of talking points for the morning after Obama's speech.  They thought of everything, those crazy bastards.  I think they might have even sacraficed a virgin or two (a virgin girl to follow tradition, followed by a virgin boy, because, well, they think it's hot).

But all of their plans fell through by the time Obama's speech was over.  Obama systemstically dissected every possible talking point the Pubs were ready to throw at him.  It's like taking away all of Iron Man's armor.  You know what happens when you strip away all the armor from Tony Stark?  You're left with a boozed up naked billionaire with numerous raging STD outbreaks.  That was the Pubs this morning.

Proof?  Look at the Pub pundit criticism of Obama's speech.  What was the BIGGEST problem with Obama's speech?  What did EVERYONE hammer Obama with?  Why, his speech was delivered in a stadium, and Obama was never able to make the human connection he needed with his audience.  Forget the fact that everything that was braodcast last night completely contradicted this one talking point the Pubs held onto like it was the last bottle of Oxycodone in a Caribbean whorehouse.

That's it.  Obama didn't make his "human connection."  That's the major flaw in his plan to become President of the United States.  The people who vote won't feel like he's one of them, they won't relate to his story, they won't appreciate his words, they won't feel touched by what he said.  They will see Obama as a lifeless android or as a cold hearted bastard with a soul covered in frozen baby tears.  And of course, because Obama is so cold and lifeless, no one will vote for him.  All of their strategy meetings, all of their prepping, all of their planning, and that's what they come up with.  Great plan, no?

Too bad their talking point (not making a human connection/lifeless cold hearted bastard with no emotion/fetid zombie) doesn't really mesh with reality, but (surprise!) it CAN (easily) be applied to McCain. 

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 04:13:47 PM EST

[ Parent ]
You should post more often. (none / 0)
I have one question off topic though.  Since you're here, in the present time with us, are you adult Kang using a time machine, or Iron Lad going into the past to try to stop yourself from eventually becoming evil?  My trust in you depends upon your answer.

by Spencer on 08/29/2008 04:18:59 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Spencer (none / 0)

I have never been so impressed by a post in my life.

You are a scholar and a gentleman!

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 05:00:31 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Thanks! (none / 0)
I've been lurking for months now, but as the election heats up (but not too much, it might melt McCain's frozen smile), I'm finding myself here more and more.  I was fortunate that today was a "light" work day, giving me a chance to participate in the festivities.

As for which Kang am I?  There is only one Kang.  Kang the Conqueror!  Continuity-wise, I'm the adult Kang fresh off the Destiny War, where I vanquished the Time-Keepers and severed myself from my future-self, Immortus the Immortal, Lord of Limbo.  I'm all set to conquer Earth, if my clone Marcus can keep his eyes of Warbird long enough for me to vanquish the Avengers.

I'm hanging out in the early 21st century because (unknown to you), there is no Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper in the future, and I can't lounge on my sweet invisible hover chair without a cold drink in one hand and some future-tech-weapon in the other.

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 05:05:12 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Touche (none / 0)

I've been out-geeked.

Thanks for the clarification.

by Spencer on 08/29/2008 05:14:02 PM EST

[ Parent ]
too bad for repubs (none / 0)
That Obama's stadium-type appearances have been few and far between, while in the meantime he has been traveling the country meeting people face-to-face and getting voters signed up.  oops, so much for the "human connection" argument.

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 04:19:06 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Obama's Ground Game (none / 0)
The battle on the ground is so one sided at this point, I'm surprised McCain isn't asking the UN for resolutions or no-fly zones.  Seriously, Obama volunteers have knocked on so many doors, and gotten so many people registered to vote in the last year and a half, that McCain's one or two ads (which is sadly all he can afford) meaningless.

Who are you going to believe:

The guy who comes out on TV a few times before the election and says he wants to fight terrorists in Iraq and drill for oil because that's what you deserve?

Or...

The guy whose volunteers have been to your house 9 times in the last year, who have spoken to you directly, who know the names of your children and what bills you have trouble paying month after month?

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 05:25:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
So many factors (none / 0)

I am really curious as to how the hidden factors will impact the final vote.

The ground game.

The Bradley effect.

The shift in party ID.

The impact on turnout could be dramatic.  Time will tell.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 05:31:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Desperation has set in... (none / 0)
Obama will have to debate McCain. He can't run and hide forever.

I guess that your grasp of the obvious improves with each post...though the "run and hide" spin is entertaining.

The debate schedule was set a couple of weeks a ago and finalized on the 21 of Aug.  I'm sure Obama is shaking in his boots.

In fairness I did send a set of geography flash cards to McCain ...

 

McCain/Obama debates:

-2008-
September 26, 2008: Presidential debate with domestic policy focus, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
October 2, 2008: Vice Presidential debate, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
October 7, 2008: Presidential debate in a town hall format, Belmont University, Nashville, TN
October 15, 2008:Presidential debate with foreign policy focus, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

by MRFred on 08/29/2008 03:09:16 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Wow (none / 0)

They are really hitting the swing states there!

Two in the South and one in the Northeast.  The least up for grabs regions in the country.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 03:23:11 PM EST

[ Parent ]
@KenTX I'm soooo worried (none / 0)
"In his acceptance speech Obama launched a stinging attack on his Republican rival: "John McCain has voted with George Bush 90 per cent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgement, but really what does it say about your judgement when you think that George Bush has been right more than 90 per cent of the time. I don't know about you, but I am not ready to take a 10 per cent chance on change." "John McCain likes to say that he'll follow Bin Laden to the Gates of Hell, but he won't even follow him to the cave where he lives."

by Lib on 08/29/2008 03:16:12 PM EST

[ Parent ]
LMAO at Ken (none / 0)

So desperate, and getting so predictable!!  You are starting to sound more like a bot than a human being.  Let's hear some positive things about your candidate for president, huh?  <crickets>  anything? 

You can bet the Democrats can't wait for the debates.  McCain's constipated grimace and nervous blinking is always awesome on the big screen.

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:39:50 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Bwahahahahahaha! (none / 0)

I can't fuckin' wait.

P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W., P.O.W.

Did I mention I was a P.O.W.?  God Bless America.  Fuck gay people.  Drill!  Drill some more!  Good night!

 

by bfaul on 08/29/2008 04:15:55 PM EST

[ Parent ]
the republican party insistence (none / 0)
On fucking over gay people will kill them.  It's like trying to convince Americans that puppies are dangerous.  I love that they insist on keeping it prominent in their platform because it is such a losing position. 

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 04:34:54 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Kavod HaBriyot (none / 0)
Republicans just don't get it on this one...... כבוד ; הברי ;יות

by sfinneganus on 08/30/2008 04:05:09 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Palin = Ferraro (none / 0)
See Ya John...it didn't work for "Fritz" it wont work for McCain. From what I understand she used to be a beauty queen, Miss Snow Plow or some such thing. Do you see a trend here? Look out Cindy your days are numbered.

She thinks she is a celebrity no doubt..check out the monikers of her children. When I first saw them I though it was Bradgalena's brood:
Track
Trig Paxson Van (Palin)
Bristol
Piper
Willow

Trak? Trig?. Ok...I have two cats, named Nibblet and Sprout. Would I name my children Nibblet and Sprout? No, in Florida we have laws against child abuse. There's thinking out side the box and thinking outside the the immediate universe.

Great pick John.

by MRFred on 08/29/2008 02:23:59 PM EST

Nice, Fred (none / 0)

And I want to make the record clear.  She is not a beauty queen. 

She lost the beauty pageant.

She won Miss Congeniality.

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 02:45:46 PM EST

[ Parent ]
she can't even win a beauty pageant! (none / 0)

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:40:22 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Bob Shrum is TERRIBLE (none / 0)
He's totally kissing Palin's ass and saying that McCain is a "maverick" who made a "maverick choice".

He is/was a DEM strategist, right? Or am I confusing him with someone else?

by ihavenobias on 08/29/2008 02:31:53 PM EST

Maybe Shrum's correct (none / 0)
How is it not a maverick choice?

by Twba on 08/29/2008 02:37:29 PM EST

[ Parent ]
true (none / 0)

if maverick = totally crazy

Do we want a totally crazy person in the white house?

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:09:31 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Pundits (none / 0)
I'm at work, so my access to the media is limited.  I do have CNN on in the background, and I can jump on the web for a few minutes at a time.

So far, I've seen punditry claim everything from "This pick is a disaster because (insert one of many reasons here)." to "This pick is a big gamble because (insert reason here)."  No one has called this pick a "great idea" or a "slam dunk."

This pick ISN'T a slam dunk (and I don't think there was a "slam dunk" VP choice out there short of the reanimated corpse of Ronald Reagan).  But there aren't even any conservative pundits backing this thing (yet).  I'm sure they'll get their talking points all lined up, but you'd think they'd have had them ready to go.  The 'pubs have effectively lost a day trying to figure out how to sell their VP.  That's actually VERY telling.

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 02:53:56 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Great analysis, Kang (none / 0)

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 03:20:14 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I just ran this by a conservative co-worker (none / 0)
He's no KenTX (thankfully, there's only one, and here's hoping it cannot breed), but he is a lifelong conservative.  And he agreed.

The Pubs big announcement was meant to steal Obama's thunder.  And it has stolen it , but not in a good way.  Rather than getting everyone excited (as in: "What a GREAT CHOICE!") it has everyone asking, "WHO?!?"  Worse, it has people asking, "WHY?!?"

So, to continue the anaolgy, Obama's thunder wasn't stolen by a louder clap of thunder, but by an uncomfortablely loud fart.  Congratulations, GOP.

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 04:21:39 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Nice line (none / 0)

Palin can relax a bit as Gustav steals the fart and turns it into a "Why America decided it hated Republicans Nostalgia tour".

I was a bit shocked at the number of pundits and newsmen who said they would be broadcasting from New Orleans next week.

What if you threw a convention and no one noticed?

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 05:02:33 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Hey (none / 0)
I think I would vote for the re-animated corpse of Ronald Reagan.  Not just because zombies are now "cool", either.  I realize it would mean the final end of America as we know it but it would give Jon Stewart some awesome material.  If you're going to go down, go down laughing.

by bfaul on 08/29/2008 04:22:12 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Dan Quayle (none / 0)
Would be even better!

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 04:36:06 PM EST

[ Parent ]
You know what? (none / 0)
I a "McCain/Reaminated Corpse of Ronald Reagan" ticket, the corpse would actually be the brains of the operation.

by Kang the Conqueror on 08/29/2008 04:54:29 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Yeah (none / 0)
The "dead and deader" ticket.  You are definitely on to something here.

by bfaul on 08/29/2008 05:03:57 PM EST

[ Parent ]
night shift coming in (none / 0)

PALIN IS A COMPLETELY WEAK CHOICE!!!!

Let's face it, the Republicans are toast.  McCain made a huge tactical mistake here because he is DESPERATE.  Anyone arguing that the Democratic Convention was anything but a total awe-inspiring success are not facing reality, but glued to their Fox News.  

All we have to do is raise the McCain Age issue over and over and over.  Does this woman have the experience to be president should anything happen to him?  Absolutely NOT.  Who is going to argue differently?  Ken and TWBA?  ha ha ha ha ha.  

And in terms of playing nicey-nice because she is a woman?  Fuck that noise.  Who was nice to Hillary or Obama?  If she can't take the heat, she doesn't belong in the VP post.  Leave that strategizing to Biden for the debates, but it has no place here.  HAMMER THE REPUBLICANS!!  Let's put some years on that pandering McCain the next few months.  America is at stake.

 

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:15:05 PM EST

Suggestion (none / 0)

Maybe McCain should do a world tour to Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Israel/Palestine and South Korea and ask them all to be extra nice to Palin cause she is just 44 and a girl.

Lets see how that goes.

If she can't handle little ol' Joe "100th poorest Senator" Biden can she really handle the job?

by ProfRich on 08/29/2008 03:26:53 PM EST

[ Parent ]
OMG (none / 0)
This was a disastrous pick by McCain. 

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:41:18 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Have you ever been experienced (none / 0)
Does this woman have the experience to be president...

If she doesn't, neither does Barack.

by Twba on 08/29/2008 04:26:01 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Justify this ridiculous statement. (none / 0)

by jarett on 08/29/2008 05:10:49 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Don't be ridiculous (none / 0)
Sarah Palin: Two term city councilman, two term mayor, first term governor

Barack Obama: Four term state legislator, first term senator

If Barack is qualified, Sarah is qualified.

by Twba on 08/31/2008 01:09:07 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Great! (none / 0)

Barak is qualified.

The GOP says so.

The McCain ticket is risky.

The GOP says so.

I am happy with the new status quo.

Should about wrap this election up.

by ProfRich on 08/31/2008 05:26:07 PM EST

[ Parent ]
weak!!! (none / 0)

I hope the repubs go with this argument, I really do.  They don't have much now, do they?  They just lost the vote of every scientist in the country by picking a creationist too.

The Republican Party is now the party for braindead Christians with no common sense.  

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 05:50:45 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Thanks for a great idea though (none / 0)

I think a table matching up Palin's education and experience over her lifetime, with that of Barack Obama will be a great tool.  The only hope you have in this department is people's unfamiliarity with Barack's experience, rather than the facts.  Digging into Palin's experience will reveal....what?  Training for a beauty pagent?  Being a small-town mayor in Alaska?  Is that who we want to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?

It's just too easy.  KenTX must be having a bad day.

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 05:55:45 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Unfair Pear! (none / 1)

You left out her stint as PTA president!

Surely that cancels out Obama's service as Harvard Law Review Editor.

by ProfRich on 08/30/2008 02:20:29 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Buckwheat for President! (none / 0)
He also had a very thin resume. But he was universally loved. He might have been able to fill up Mile High Stadium. Hollywood celebraties would have supported him. Sarah Palin has a more impressive resume than Buckwheat or Barackwheat.

by KenTX on 08/30/2008 03:04:46 PM EST

[ Parent ]
KenTX You are another NeoCon Talking Point Whore (none / 0)
Do you provide the condoms like these whores?

$9 million whore
Bill Oreilly
$2 million whore
Sean Hannity
$33 million whore
Rush Limbaugh

by sfinneganus on 08/30/2008 04:11:53 PM EST

[ Parent ]
KenTX (none / 0)
$0 dollar whore

by ProfRich on 08/31/2008 02:41:48 AM EST

[ Parent ]
lolololol (none / 0)

in your dreams daddy-o.

You hope they realize the error of their ways and switch her out for a man.  It is obvious from your posts that you feel this is the only way out of this mess.

by desertpear on 08/30/2008 05:04:54 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Proving desertpear a liar, AGAIN! (none / 0)
"You hope they realize the error of their ways and switch her out for a man." 

Look what I posted months ago, back when none of you people had ever even heard of Sarah Palin.

by KenTX on 08/30/2008 05:36:38 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I am no liar (none / 0)

You said this YESTERDAY:

"Because Sarah Palin can be replaced as a nominee, just like Harriet Miers was replaced as a nominee. If the polls show that Sarah is not catching fire with Hillary supporters, we dump her, and go for another VP, and another bounce. Replacing the VP is certainly not unprecedented in American history."

Why do Republicans always accuse people that disagree with them of lying?  Is it projection?  Democrats are the ones that rely on reason and facts to make their arguments.  Republicans are the ones that target emotion.  Who is more likely to need to rely on lying to influence voters?

by desertpear on 08/31/2008 12:38:09 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Thems fighting words, woman! (none / 0)
And I like it.

by whoosh on 08/29/2008 04:31:14 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Republican Strategy (none / 0)
Has anyone seen any of the new banner ads that the republicans have put out already?  The picture of Palin is ~50% bigger than the picture of grandpa death...you almost don't even notice how old and creapy he looks as your eyes are drawn to Palin. 

It almost worked durring her acceptance speach as well.  You almost didnt' notice McCains uncomfortable figiting and akward smile as he stood next to her. 

by alphasigmookie on 08/29/2008 03:26:23 PM EST

I haven't seen them yet (none / 0)
but I can't wait for the tight sweater series.  They'll just have to be sure that McCain's creepy smiley face doesn't appear to be leering at her breasts.

by bfaul on 08/29/2008 03:45:33 PM EST

[ Parent ]
it does make for some awkward associations (none / 0)
Creepy old man that can't help grimacing and blinking.  Pretty young woman half his age.  Ew. 

by desertpear on 08/29/2008 03:54:12 PM EST

[ Parent ]
fun with grandpa death (none / 0)
A fun thing to do is to watch the speech without the sound and just focus on McCain.  It's not quite as good as it was live because the youtube quality is such that it's harder to make out his painfully uncomfortable facial expressions, but it still works. 

http://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=npPJAN5MvJk

by alphasigmookie on 08/29/2008 06:59:03 PM EST

[ Parent ]
who's the celebrity? (none / 0)

Is anyone suspicious of Palin's hair...that she is trying to LOOK too much like a celebrity b/c it resembles Audrey Hepburn from "Breakfast at Tiffany's"?  ooooo.  discuss!

 

by DocZee on 08/31/2008 02:55:05 AM EST

no really. (none / 0)

interesting points as of late, wonder how they'll pan out.

quotes from:  

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pol itico/20080829/pl_politico/ 12987;_ylt=ApNiRrQ8sjfviFJ1 dbbFv91snwcF

"— Palin didn’t back McCain in the primary. She stayed neutral in Alaska’s January primary — perhaps on account of McCain’s opposition to drilling in ANWR. “A lot of us are sitting back and waiting to see if there will be new players in there," she said in 2007. "That’s probably why that box that says ‘none of the above’ is so popular right now."

— Mayoral performance. Palin, who portrays herself as a fiscal conservative, racked up nearly $20 million in long-term debt as mayor of the tiny town of Wasilla — that amounts to $3,000 per resident. She argues that the debt was needed to fund improvements. 

— Stevens and Young, redux. Palin has distanced herself from the state’s two most popular politicians, but both appeared at Palin fundraisers during her 2006 gubernatorial bid.

— The environment. As governor, Palin vetoed wind power and clean coal projects, including a 50-megawatt wind farm on Fire Island and a clean coal facility in Healy that had been mired in a dispute between local and state governments.

— And, maybe, censorship. According to the Frontiersman newspaper, Wasilla’s library director, Mary Ellen Emmons, said that Palin asked her outright if she "could live with censorship of library books.” Palin later dismissed the conversation as a “rhetorical” exercise."

by DocZee on 08/31/2008 02:57:49 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Random thoughts on Sarah Palin | 128 comments (128 topical, 0 hidden)
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