The Web is all aglow this morning with speculation that John McCain will soon announce that his running mate is... Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.It’s more than speculation, actually. The AP just reported it as fact, sourced to “two senior campaign officials.”
My first thought? I hope she doesn’t “plaster on the makeup like a trollop.” (What?)
My second thought: This is great news for Obama. It means McCain is running scared. McCain felt he had to make a bold move, because being John McCain is not enough to get it done this year.
My third thought: History will be made in November either way. Good for us, America!
My fourth thought: Getting back to Obama, the choice of a woman might balance out bigotries. Because if there’s 10 percent of white people (or whatever the number is) who say they won’t vote for a black man as president... there must be that many men who are profoundly turned off by the notion of a female being that close to the presidency.
My fifth thought: Doesn’t Sarah Palin look kinda like a sitcom mom? (And won’t that make McCain look like the grumpy ol’ sitcom granddad? Optics, people. Gotta think about the optics.)
My sixth thought: Who will be the first blogger to write these words: “I’d bang her”?
On the negative side for Obama, this means that Alaska’s three electoral votes are off the table. But guess what else is off the table? All that talk about Obama’s inexperience... his not being “ready” to be commander-in-chief.
Because look at the background of the woman John McCain would put a heartbeat away from the most powerful political office in the world.She has only been governor for two years. And in 1997, when Barack Obama began serving in the Illinois state senate, Sarah Palin was the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska... population: 5,000 or so.
Above is a photo from her beauty-pageant days. According to conservative blogger Ace of Spades, Sarah Palin was “Miss Wasilla, 1984.”
UPDATE (08/29/08): Having watched her introductory remarks, my strong feeling is that this bright, attractive, compassionate person has no business standing in the batter’s box to face 95-m.p.h. fastballs. In other words, she ain’t ready for prime time.
And with only a couple of months left before people cast their ballots, I cannot imagine what Team McCain figures Mrs. Palin will add to the ticket.
I do like her looks, though. It’s as if a horny scientist gene-spliced Raquel Welch and Tina Fey.
lol
ReplyDeleteanother thought: does this help mcCain? what does anyone know about her?
on the makeup--she's clearly channelling katherine harris, who was kidding herself when she complained media photos made her look bad.
i've met her in person.
Second thought: It means that McCain is willing to listen to his base. Sarah Palin isn't an empty AA hire. She's got conservative bona fides. I would put her up with Fred Thompson (and I supported Thompson for the nomination.)
ReplyDeleteFourth Thought: I don't think that there are many men who are worried about it. She didn't have any problem getting elected in Alaska where me are overrepresented in the population.
Fifth thought: I'll be in my bunk.
Sixth thought: Ace of Spades (Conservative Blogger of the Year) has already said he'd hit it. Over and over and over. (Saying it and hitting it.)
She's married to an Eskimo (exotic? check) tried marijuana (wayward youth? check) was Miss congeniality in Miss Alaska bty pgnt (charisma? check). If she wasn't freakishly pro-life and anti-gay and turned her NRA membership, she'd be Barack in a dress.
ReplyDeleteOr so McCain thinks. But you're right. Grampy is running scared.
Sarah Palin isn't an empty AA hire.
ReplyDeleteIs she ready to be president, Phelps?
And if she were not a woman, would McCain have chosen her? Heck no.
She's married to an Eskimo...
ReplyDeleteFor reals, Kellybelle? Damn, this election cycle is becoming almost a parody of multiculturalism.
Phelps: Thanks for pointing me to Ace of Spades. He's funny.
ReplyDeleteThe Pubbies have set their sights on 2016.
ReplyDeleteThis one's over.
Honestly? I think this is nothing but the usual 'Divide and Conquer' bullcrap from the GOP. Since the McCain campaign has been so insistent in pissing off Hillary followers, I think some 'clever' campaign braintrust convinced McCain a woman as VP would bring these mythical 'Hillary dissafected voters' to the McCain camp. Other than that, the move makes no sense. Though I appreciate the historics of this election already.
ReplyDeleteI have seen Sarah Palin on a couple programs, and I liked what I heard. (OK I liked what I saw too) She has been in my top 5 among those they were speculating about. I also would not have minded seeing Bobby Jindal. He could be the Republican version of Obama in the next election cycle. (Young, intelligent, rising star, minority)
ReplyDeleteI think she helps with conservatives because she is a true conservative while McCain is more moderate. She may help some with female voters. Though, when I called my wife and told her McCain picked a woman, her initial thought was that she did not think she liked the thought of a female VP. She was hoping for Romney.
I honestly didn't believe it when I heard. I had to talk to my folks in Philly to see if this was for real. I'm still in disbelief.
ReplyDeleteDid Christmas come early this year? There goes the inexperience argument, the lack of international experience, etc. This is an AA move if ever there was one.
So, when Biden rips her a new one in the VP debates, is he going to come across like a mean old man?
BTW, what's a Pubbie?
she did not like the idea of a female VP? my gawd, those pubblies (republicans) are complete neanderthals. dems had a female vp on the ticket in 1984!!!
ReplyDeleteshe did not like the idea of a female VP? my gawd, those pubblies (republicans) are complete neanderthals. dems had a female vp on the ticket in 1984!!!
ReplyDeleteI think she is more upset that it wasn't Romney, since for some reason she converted to Mormonism a few years back. Though she did express some concern about a woman being able to run the country. (Surprised the hell out of me since my wife thinks she can run everything better than I can) Of course, like a lot of people, she doesn't know much about Palin. She says she is going to look to see where she stands on issues.
For maximum effect, this announcement should'a been made on Tuesday morning (before Hillary night). I suppose they hadn't counted on the convention running as smoothly as it did, with no Clinton/PUMA chaos rearing it's head.
ReplyDeletePalin also comes with her own ready-made scandal -- the firing of her ex-brother-in-law from the State Police in a custody dispute with Palin's sister. Given that almost no one has heard of her, Democrats need to define her as part of the corrupt Alaska Republican establishment -- a charge made more believable by the Troopergate scandal.
ReplyDeleteI should have said "attempted firing" of her brother-in-law. Apparently it was the Public Safety Commissioner who was fired for refusing to fire the brother-in-law. The Republican-dominated legislature recently appointed a Special Counsel to look into Palin's involvement in the firing.
ReplyDeleteI think this was a "Hail Mary" pass by McCain, more designed to blunt the impact of Obama's speech in the short term than the interest of the country in the long term.
Sarah Palin isn't an empty AA hire.
ReplyDeleteplus
She's got conservative bona fides.
is the funniest juxtiposition I've read in a month of sundays, thanks.
Mr. Mills,
ReplyDeleteI have frequently visited your blog and enjoyed your words. I would truly appreciate a chance to briefly speak with you, if possible about writing. I would not take up much your time, but it would be appreciated. You can reach me groovciti@sbcglobal.net. Thank you for your consideration.
Rod Emelle
Undercover: I agree McCain is running scared and needs to make a bold move. But I also think that he went away from the strategy of getting veep to deal with this weakness, which is the economy. Palin is nothing less than Hannity in a skirt. Listen to her once and you'll long for Hillary Clinton.
ReplyDeleteMcCain should have picked Romney, who knows something about the economy, even if he is a supply siding-trickle downer, a bullshit economic theory that failed under Reagan and is failing under Bush. Now, after his suspicious P.O.W. story, his tale to gain sympathy (even though he's voted against bills to help veterans for years), he's got nothing.
Your comments were crude and sexist, undercover.
ReplyDeleteTry changing into a grown-up, like Obama asked you to.
^ The fuck are you talking about?
ReplyDeleteMacDaddy: Romney would've been tough for Democrats to deal with. McCain must really loathe him to pass him over.
ReplyDeleteSo is this supposed to entice the mouth-breathing, embittered Hillary fanatics? Are those psycho biatches really ready to give up choice (and in some cases the right to marry each other) just to teach the uppity Black man a lesson? Some days I wonder if sexism really does trump racism.
ReplyDeleteAs a woman, I am so offended that McCain picked Palin to be his VP. It's clear that she's been picked solely because of her gender, since her experience equals 2 years as governor of a state with less than a million people. That's like picking the mayor of Omaha to be your VP. (No offense to either Alaska or Omaha.)
ReplyDeleteSo the Repubs decide that they need a woman, any woman, even one that is unqualified. That's the opposite of feminism. Anyone can see the transparent pandering. I thought Republicans didn't like affirmative action?
I hope that it backfires spectacularly on them, and I so look forward to Joe Biden crushing her under his thumb come October 2.
Also, she's been on Wonkette's radar since she was elected, and they have since called her the GILF (as in, Governor I'd Like to... well, you know). They're now changing up the acronym a bit.
ReplyDeleteI do think it shows the Republicans running scared. But I also think it highlights the scism on the right. I'd say the left has been moving to the center pretty much since the whole "Contract with America" thing. Now, with Obama and others we're starting to see that changing of the guard. I think the Republicans are attempting to move to the center as well -- which means re-imagining their coalition of fiscal conservatives and social conservatives with something more nuanced.
ReplyDeleteI thought Republicans didn't like affirmative action?
ReplyDeleteIt's only AA when those other people try to get a leg up.
Just a little FYI: Sara Palin's husband Todd Palin is one eighth Yup'ik (Eskimo).
ReplyDelete^ Hmm. They got a one-drop rule too?
ReplyDeleteI'm very curious to see if that is even brought up by the McCain/Palin ticket. We shall see...
ReplyDeleteRichard Nixon picked a greek-american who was only the County Executive of little old Baltimore County.
ReplyDeleteBeing elected POTUS is a character issue, an intelligence issue and a common sense issue, NOT an experience issue. All four of these people possess those attributes. There is no job in the world that prepares you for the presidency of the United States. Look at how many presidents have been elected that never served in the Senate or House. Jimmy Carter? Ike? Roosevelt? Clinton?
Of course it was politically motivated and yes probably sexist. The man wants to the POTUS. He wants someone who help him as much as Barack chose someone who would not hurt him.
It's a friggin' election. Maybe the biggest in my lifetime and I bought 5 cent Snicker Bars.
There is no job in the world that prepares you for the presidency of the United States.
ReplyDeleteNot even being the wife of an ex-president? :P
Look at how many presidents have been elected that never served in the Senate or House. Jimmy Carter? Ike? Roosevelt? Clinton?
I don't know jack about this kind of stuff. Whenever I hear people go on and on about Obama's lack of experience, I just think there must've been Presidents who weren't the total package. Isn't that what presidential advisors are for?
It's a friggin' election. Maybe the biggest in my lifetime and I bought 5 cent Snicker Bars.
Speaking of Snickers.... I hate electoral politics almost as much as I love chocolate.
Not sure which station I saw it on, but they were showing an interview Palin did on Glenn Beck's show in June where she stated that she did not want to be Veep because she still had too much to do in Alaska. Guess she accomplished her goals already, eh? :-D
ReplyDeleteI have seen Sarah Palin on a couple programs, and I liked what I heard.
She's got a very annoying voice. That's enough to turn me away, heh.
The embittered Hillary whackos may be...well, whackos, but they're not stupid enough to fall for McCain's naked plea for their votes. I hope.
Richard Nixon picked a greek-american who was only the County Executive of little old Baltimore County.
ReplyDeleteActually, Agnew was governor of Maryland.
Not sure which station I saw it on, but they were showing an interview Palin did on Glenn Beck's show in June where she stated that she did not want to be Veep because she still had too much to do in Alaska. Guess she accomplished her goals already, eh? :-D
They all say that. Biden said he was not interested in the Vice-Presidency on Meet the Press.
She's got a very annoying voice.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an improv character. Tina Fey could probably nail her.
Actually, Agnew was governor of Maryland.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Interestingly, though, he was governor of Maryland for about as long as Mrs. Palin has been governor of Alaska... less than two years.
Meanwhile, Dick, I find myself in the odd position of wanting to see a lot more of Sarah Palin... but not wanting to hear her speak. :^(
I do like her looks, though. It’s as if a horny scientist gene-spliced Raquel Welch and Tina Fey.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an improv character. Tina Fey could probably nail her
Hmmm. You seem to have Tina Fey on your mind a bit here lately. She does have a sexiness to her.
Meanwhile, Dick, I find myself in the odd position of wanting to see a lot more of Sarah Palin... but not wanting to hear her speak. :^(
It is a bit of a shame that one of the thoughts I had while watching her was "for a mother of 5, she is pretty hot." Us guys can be so shallow. Here is an obviously intelligent woman, and we seem to be focused on her appearance.
^ Yo... we're focused on it? She was in beauty pageants, for goodness sake! Now we ain't supposed to notice her looks? No no no... it don't work like that.
ReplyDeletecome on now, that isn't what I said. I was just making an observation. I admit myself that I would want to hit it, as it were. Not that there is anything wrong with that. She is very attractive, but there is more to her than that.
ReplyDelete^ Worst part of all, Dick... she's younger than us, man. It's like that moment when you realize that the sons of baseball players whose cards you used to collect are now in the Major Leagues.
ReplyDeletedickster1961 said...
ReplyDeleteRichard Nixon picked a greek-american who was only the County Executive of little old Baltimore County.
Actually, Agnew was governor of Maryland.
Dick, you are 100% right. Maybe I was trying to forget that fact. We are still trying to figure out how he accomplished that...
David...
ReplyDeleteThe one-drop rule? Can't believe you brought that up...
^ Worst part of all, Dick... she's younger than us, man. It's like that moment when you realize that the sons of baseball players whose cards you used to collect are now in the Major Leagues.
ReplyDeleteI know. I take my son to minor league games, and 90% of the players were born after we graduated from college. You know the first time I started to feel old was when I looked at a Playboy centerfold data sheet and noticed she was born after I graduated from DuVal.
Another thought to this: Does he really think women will just flock to him bc he chose a woman? Even the HC supporters should see that this woman isn't anything close to a Hillary Clinton.
ReplyDeleteThe next time you watch the clip of the introductory event, notice how McCain FLINCHES every time she thrust her hand in his direction when she's speaking. Very un- 'commander-in-chief' like.
ReplyDeleteShe is very attractive, but there is more to her than that.
ReplyDeleteYeah, she was mayor of Tiny Town. Whoop. Ee. Oh, and she supported Pat Buchanan in his run for the Presidency, wants to creationism taught in schools, and is anti-abortion rights. Beeyotch is scary. I sincerely doubt any HC supporters will flock to *that*.
Guess twice, dez.
ReplyDeleteIraq. National Security. The Economy in the toilet. Environment about to vaporize us all. How did we get back to "Abortion" as the deciding issue??!!
ReplyDeletePalin makes good press, but will the press vet her or escort her across the threshold? The Washington Bureau Chief for AP is in McCain's back pocket.
People Magazine got the first interview. It's online. It reads like a sitcom pilot for the Family Channel.
Oh, Jebus, UBM! What is wrong with those NoQuarter fools? And what is a PUMA? Is it something I need a license to hunt? ;-D
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I am not opposed to preventing those people from voting. Ever again, in fact.
BTW, I'm hanging in Vegas this weekend. Shall I place bets for anyone on Obama winning the presidency? :-)
ReplyDelete