Palin
- Posted by Chris on August 31st, 2008 filed in 2008 election, General, Politics
Hey everyone! Been away for a couple days. So, uh, what did I miss? :)
OK, let’s start with this Bill Kristol article. It’s dead on. Here comes the smear.
It’s incredible. McCain picks Sarah Barracuda and the whole election gets a jolt of energy. Obama’s camp immediately responded by deriding small towns and saying she has no experience. Then realizing that saying that only allows people to see how much more she did with her limited time than he did, they quickly backed off. We keep hearing that she will bring women with her as if women are mindless drones that follow anything with a set boobs where ever it goes. Sorry, but that would be men. I’ll wait to see what the women of American think.
It’s hard not to be impressed with her. 5 kids, keeps in shape, has a good job, obviously keeps the house and home going too. I have no doubt that she can tune my car up and fix my mower. She can also make your bumps and bruises feel better. All the while she’s either running a town or a state and putting bad people out of jobs. She’s not just Sarah Barracuda, she’s RoboMom.
It didn’t take long to gauge reactions. They were pretty much in line with what you’d expect. Her achievements growing up and before this are already becoming an internet legend. Did you hear that she played the championship game with a fractured ankle? Sank the game winning free throw too. It’s said that the sun doesn’t rise until Chuck Norris says it can. Well, first Chuck asks Sarah if it’s ok. Dropping their bias for a moment, NPR had a decent piece on Sarah Barracuda.
After the announcement, I cruised the talk radio and blogsphere. Here’s the roundup:
Limbaugh: Inspired
Hannity: I’m not staying home on election night any more, I’m voting McCain.
Local Radio Guy: Finally excited by the campaign
Obama: She’s inexperienced and a waste.
Newsweek: She’s going to flop.
Vanity Fair (DeeDee Myers): The double x Dan Quayle.
Locally, the local Rowan County Republican Chairman is a 70 something Vietnam Vet. He said that they were highly skeptical of her when they first heard her name as they had never heard of her. He said that when she finished her speech, you could hear a pin drop in the room and some of those old guys had tears in their eyes. They knew what a great person McCain had picked. He said the first woman wanting to join team McCain was within 15 minutes of the speech and the phones were lit up for hours with calls coming in.
Someone who used to live in Alaska until a couple months ago called the local radio station and told them that Sarah Palin was Alaska’s Reagan. I’m not sure I can go that far, but she sure is tough.
James Dobson has moved from “I don’t think I can vote for McCain” to “I can pull that lever“. He had been moving that way already, seeing Obama, but Palin secured him. That’s bigger than it looks. Dobson still has a good influence on the far right.
One naysayer I was surprised by was Savage. He likes Palin, but hates the pick saying Romney would be a better pick. Romney would have been a good pick, but he’s a ground rule double. Palin is a home run.
Rodger on C&S has a link to the Hillary Clinton forum. It’s a great read. Start with the first page and go on through. It’s incredible. There are people who were on that site from the beginning, who now have avatars of McCain/Palin by their name and Hillary in their signature line. Several were “presidential level” posters with more than 1000 posts.
Based on all that, and that Zogby says McCain has wiped out Obama’s bounce with this pick tells me that she is resonating. And why not? The Palin family is that family next door. The one you see at the soccer games. The one that helps you when your car won’t start or that you help when theirs doesn’t. Hunters, fishers, sports nuts. They are you and I. The average Jane and Joe trying to make our corner of the world better. Each one of us has muttered “If I were in charge, I’d stop that (bridge to nowhere, corrupt politician, etc)” Sarah Palin DID. She is us living our “If I were in charge”. Limbaugh once said of Clinton that people liked him because he made them feel comfortable with their flaws. Well, people like the Palins because they restore our faith that we, the average American who fights the good fight every day and makes the country run, can make a difference. And that’s a very good thing.
When death came for Chuck Norris, he kicked his rear, busted down the gates of hell and trashed the place. Sarah Palin yelled out “ONE! TWO!…” before she got to three, Chuck had apologized, cleaned up the mess and went to his room…
Aaron's cc: says:
My first choice. Pat Buchanan, in order to scuttle the GOP that rightly booted the Arab-loving antisemite from its ranks, is claiming that Palin supported him. Go read Volokh.
I’m not worried.
I was going to hold my nose to vote for McCain. I’m ready to campaign now.
Noah David Simon says:
she is sexy. glad I’m just glad that heterosexual women aren’t the only one’s who can vote with libidinal juices. that said… I’m a little concerned because the left (unlike me), doesn’t apologize after they make a dirty joke that could be misunderstood. It is getting very nasty out there.
Lord Bitememan says:
Yeah Chris, you sure hit the nail on the head with the media reaction. There’s a definate partisan line divide in the opinions of it. The great thing, though, is that she has energized the base like McCain never could. So, I discount the reactions of the liberal press. Remember Pauline Kael’s famous example of how out of touch with America the liberal press is “Nobody I know voted for Nixon.”
CatHouse Chat says:
Best Sarah Palin fact EVER!!!…
Found over at MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy -…
Larry says:
Savage seems kind of odd with his love of Romney. Although I disagree with him it was funny listening. I liked Palin 5 or 6 months ago, and wish she was old enough to lead the ticket. In a month or two watch Savage change his mind.
Lord Bitememan says:
True to form at Kos somewhat actually ran a smear job piece claiming that Palin’s youngest is actually her daughter’s son. To the credit of the Kossaks, though, most of them are even calling BS on that one. Nevertheless, I think it’s lawsuit time for the Palin family.
digby says:
Make that a grand slam
Caleb says:
I am so excited about McCain-Palin… I had finally decided to support McCain versus just voting for him, but this has excited me about the race. I really think we’re going to clinch this, now. Obama-Biden really stands no chance against McCain’s experience and Palin’s conservatism.
CDavis says:
I was born in Alaska, and recently moved to FL. I voted for Gov. Palin for governor. All I have to say is just wait until the rest of America hears what she is about and what she knows. The Dems are going to try and paint her as too inexperienced to be one step away from the Oval Office. She will take them all head on and WIN!!!
OLdguy says:
They’re furiously trying to find dirt on her.
The latest is that she conspired to pretend have her last child to cover up the pregnancy of their high school aged daughter.
All speculation but you know how the conspiracy nuts like to take the ball and run.
Idiots.
Philo T Phlegm says:
Ever notice that the “females” who support “Obomba” are usually uglier than shit. Not only were they the pigs that never got any dates in High School, but were also the ones that no guy would even want to be seen wasting oxygen talking to, let alone ask out.
Today was no exeption. I passed a Labor Day yard sale that was advertised as an “Obama yard sale.” I kid you not. Normally I would rather step on a live land mine than set foot on any property that bills itself as this, but curiosity got the better of me. I also woke up in a bad mood, and decided to have some fun with liberals. Not surprisingly, the pig who was running this liberal lovefest couldn’t have fit the mold any better. Short, ugly, smelly, and sweaty, with thick coke bottles adorning her beedy eyes, something that looked like a more portly Yeti waddled over to me. Wearing a stupid smile which revealed ugly buck teeth, she was carrying numerous Obama 08 bumper stickers under one of her flabby arms. I half expected to see the ink running off them due to her armpit odor. It wasn’t easy fighting the unrelentless urge to vomit, especially when I saw another half dozen female pigs, who looked as though they could’ve been cloned by her, stomping around with Obama posters of their own, chattering away to one another.
The first monstrocity actually had the audacity to ask me if I wanted to contribute something to “The Obama Campaign.” Well when a door is opened like this for me I have to take full advantage of course. I politely told her that I would rather make a contribution for Jack The Ripper than Obama. I then asked if she had any circular saws. Needless to say, her goofy smile quickly vanished, and the startled look on her face made her reach a new zenith of ugliness which I hadn’t thought possible.
She squalked something about having no tools out there, her voice as thick as sandpaper. I then asked her (tongue in cheek of course) if she would care to make a contribution for a life size statue of Richard Nixon in the heart of Woodstock. Naturally she didn’t know whether to shit or go blind, and neither did the rest of the oxen who quietely ambled around their …”leader”.
An equally stupid looking guy suddenly materialized. He also fit the requirements of the typical male Obama supporter to a tee. Skinny, solemn looking (actually pained looking would be a more accurate escription0, with John Lennon type glasses, and a crew cut which looked as though someone held a lawn mower with several missing blades over his head. Being the dyed in the wool liberal he obviously was, I knew he wasn’t planning on riding in to the rescue. Instead he just whined, “is there was anything you need sir?”
I had a little more fun with them for several minutes, sending them scurrying around for imaginary items I didn’t want or need. What the hell? I was having fun irritating them. I could tell they were both relieved and glad to see me finally go( having brought nothing of course).
I just live for giving these “let’s all hold hands and skip off into the rainbow singing ‘we are the world’” types a badly needed dose of reality sometimes!
Harry says:
She’s damaged by all the controversy about Palin’s daughter having sex before marriage. And now a child out of wedlock. McCain and Palin simply don’t have a chance now. I’d say they throw in the towel pretty quick rather than wasting taxpayers money and the expense of running an election. They should quit NOW!
Harry says:
I really feel sorry for Sarah Palin. I really do. She doesn’t deserve all the negative press she’s getting. She’s too vulnerable right now. This isn’t to say that she wouldn’t ever be a good candidate. It’s just that she’s got too much on her plate. Poor woman. A pregnant daughter. A son going to Iraq. And now having to run a state and run for the presidency. That’s too much. It’s sad to see her get slagged in the national press. McCain should have done his homework before choosing her. They’re both fundamentally decent people, but he chose her at the wrong time, and she’s the wrong choice for McCain. He should have selected someone else.
Chris says:
Yeah, Harry, I know what you mean. No one has daughters that have sex before marriage. That never happens. I’m sure you’d love us to pack it in, but here’s the thing: Obama sucks and is going to be beaten. And there is nothing the libs can do about it. Sorry…
Chris says:
Please Harry, you don’t feel sorry for anyone. As for your comment that “she has too much on her plate”, that didn’t stop Bill and Hill. That didn’t stop JFK. Didn’t stop Carter either. Heck, it didn’t stop Edwards either. Sorry, as much as you’d like us to pack it in and save the expense of an election, we’re not going to. Elections are always decided on the quality of the presidential candidates. If Quayle didn’t kill GHWB, Palin won’t hurt McCain. And if the Hillary forums are an indication, she may help a lot.
Trish says:
Are you guys kidding me? This was a home run for McCain. It’s Obama who now has no chance. Palin has already, even in these first days, proven herself to have grace under fire, in spite of all the vicious smears against her.
I find the negative press disgusting, but neither surprising nor damaging. I don’t in the least feel sorry for her; she can handle it.
And that’s why she was the perfect choice.
Chris says:
Trish, I was being sarcastic with Harry. I agree with you. Always look to the donations after a decision. Palin delivered Obama style money in just 3 days to McCain. A record month, most of which appeared Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Harry, tell me again how people don’t think she’s any good?
Lord Bitememan says:
They might have been able to make an issue out of it, had Kos not screwed the pooch for them. But, Kos tried that ridiculous story about the partentage of Trig Palin, and forced Obama to take the issue of Palin’s family off the table lest he be associated with that slimey attack. Then Dobson came in and gave the family a pass on the teenage pregnancy issue. That means the single damaging thing to come out about Palin since the announcement of her as running mate has now been effectively neutralized.
The fact is, this pick has, with all it’s possible risk, gone from being outstanding to merely well above average, and that’s probably the rock bottom it hits.
mark says:
Hey at least this VP candidate doesn’t have a Lesbian daughter with a wife and child like Cheney…But I do remember the GOP Family Values stand means for the rest of America to do as we say, not as we do.
Palin has a credibility issue with her payment to lobbyist to secure $27M in pork/earmarks for her town of 8,000. She shows the maturity to force a government employee to fire her sister’s ex in the middle of a nasty custody battle…
Good stuff!
Harry says:
Truth is, I like Sarah Palin. In fact, I really like her. She’s very appealing. But being popular & beautiful like a movie star doesn’t make her qualified to be VP. Otherwise, Angelina Jolie and Brad would be ready to step into the White House. Truth is, I’d rather much see Palin step down gracefully, than get plastered with mud like that.
There’s nothing wrong if she steps down. Could do it and I think most people would understand. Just give the spot to someone, male or female who’s not so burdened.
It’s not healthy for her or her family. Palin shouldn’t have accepted the VP spot if she had a daughter who is 5 months pregnant. BTW, I’m not against pre-marital sex. I think sex is good as long as it’s done right and doesn’t end up in unwanted pregnancies.
Lord Bitememan says:
mark: That’s okay about the Cheney reference and all. Liberals only like to pay lip-service to treating gays like equals, but Kerry dumped gay marriage like so much albatross around his neck and took pot shots at Cheney’s daughter too. And, let’s not go to the well of Max Baucus stoking homophobia in Montana to beat Mike Taylor. When it works for them, Dems and other liberals too will claim God hates fags.
Are there some things we don’t know about her in Alaska? Sure. For all we know Tony Rezko had some property to unload up there too and Barack and Michelle weren’t interested in purchasing a second below-cost house from a crook, their first one suited them just fine. Of course, the neighborhood isn’t that great up their either. When you fire a cop who tazers kids and makes threats against innocent people they launch an ethics investigation against you, but that’s okay, Obama hasn’t served a day in an executive roll so he doesn’t have to worry about making decisions like that.
Harry: Palin step down? Now? Yeah, ’cause that worked out so well for President McGovern when he forced Tom Eagleton out in favor of Vice President Shriver. Oh. . . wait. . . McGovern lost. . . badly. It’s really, really, really bad if she steps down, especially now that she’s been named. That would make McCain look irresolute and call his judgement into question.
And no, there is nobody else capable of doing what Palin does for the ticket. Palin has energized the base. Palin avoids the “rich white Republican” stereotype. Palin strips the Obama campaign of the “historic first” angle. No other serious contender has this going. Name Lieberman, and the right revolts. Same thing if you name Olympia Snowe or Susan Collins. Name Romney and it’s two rich white men. Name Hutchinson and you name the only woman in the Republican party who looks older than McCain himself. McCain made the right pick, and the fundraising numbers don’t lie on that.