McCain Picks Sarah Palin As Running Mate
By Wyatt Earp | August 29, 2008
A bold choice. I guarantee the choice of Palin will lure some Clinton supporters to McCain, since most of them are still stinging from Hillary’s VP snub.
DAYTON, Ohio — John McCain introduced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate at a noon rally here Friday.
“My friends and fellow Americans, I am very pleased and very privileged to introduce to you, the next vice president of the Untied States, Governor Sarah Palin of the great state of Alaska,” McCain told a capacity crowd of 12,000 at the Nutter Center.
Palin is considered a rising star in the Republican Party. She is the state’s first female governor, the mother of five — and at 44 is its youngest chief executive.
And, in my opinion, she’s pretty hot.
Yeah, that has nothing to do with her policies, but what can I say? The woman is attractive.
Palin won a seat on the Wasilla City Council in 1992 as a new face and a new voice, and by opposing tax increases. Four years later she was elected mayor at 32 by knocking off a three-term incumbent. At the end of her second term, party leaders encouraged her to enter the 2002 race for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. Against veteran legislators with far more experience, Palin finished second by fewer than 2,000 votes, making a name for herself in statewide politics. She was elected Alaska’s youngest and first woman governor in 2006.
And she has more experience (and more executive experience) than Barack Obama. Although, in fairness, Sarah Palin is not The Messiah . . .
Sarah and Todd Palin have five children: boys Track, 19, and Trig, 4 months, and daughters Bristol, 17, Willow, 13, and Piper, 7. Track Palin joined the Army last Sept. 11 and will deploy to Iraq next month.
So, it’s safe to say she’s pro-troops. I wonder if she thought the surge worked? Joe Biden said it would be a miserable failure. How’d that work out for you, Joe?
Palin had kept her pregnancy with Trig a secret as she worked in the governor’s mansion, confirming only weeks before the birth that she was going to have a son who she knew would have Down syndrome. She returned to work in April three days after giving birth. (H/T – FOXNews)
She knew she was going to have a baby with Down Syndrome and never considering having an abortion. Remember that.
So, let’s see: fiscal conservative, pro-unions, pro-life, pro-gun, and a self-described “hockey mom.” Well, I’m satisfied. Oh, and she probably locked up the motorcycle vote, too.
Great Governor Update: Miriam has an eloquent post about another rising GOP star. It’s worth your time.
Topics: Politics | 22 Comments »
August 29th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
For the first time in this election cycle, I’m excited. This is a risky, but awesome choice.
She’s got enough spunk to out-do Biden, as well. This is gonna be goooooood!
August 29th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
The “Nutter Center?” WTF?
August 29th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
This was a BRILLIANT move on McCain’s part. The timing of the announcement was brilliant. There will definitely be women out there who are still mad that Hillary was snubbed who will vote Palin. PLUS, Palin eases some of the feelings of the pro-lifers.
Brilliant!!
August 29th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
The ultimate Hail Mary pass!
“And she has more experience (and more executive experience) than Barack Obama.” – Really!? She has been the governor of Alaska for a whole 2 years (population 625,000). Let’s not forget she was the mayor of the metropolis of Wasilla (pop. 8500). Her political experience and forgiegn policies are truly amazing. The grand duke of Morrell Park would have more experience.
What’s sad is that McCain and his cronies believe that women are just a bunch of lemmings, because that’s the only reason he chose her….trying to backdoor the “woman” votes.
I hope you feel comfortable voting for a small town mayor a heartbeat away from the presidency. I heard she has good opinions regarding the migrating patterns of moose.
Oh, I guess you missed the little note about her abusing her power to get her brother-in-law fired and then firing the Public Safety Commissioner because he wouldn’t do it.
“She knew she was going to have a baby with Down Syndrome and never considering having an abortion. Remember that.” Yeah, because every baby that has down syndrome is aborted. Who’ll be taking care of her 5 kids when she’s traveling the globe as VP?
So, my offer’s still on the table; Anyone wanna bet on the election?
August 29th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
RT – It is risky, but I think it’s a good move. I would have bet the house on Romney, but at least McCain followed the dictum of Senator/Governor ticket.
That is usually successful.
Captain America – Named for Michael Nutter?
Deanna – A true conservative, Pro-Life, NRA member. McCain could do a lot worse.
Randal – 1. So she has two more years executive experience than Barack Obama. She has held elected office since 1992. When did Obama get elected to the Illinois State Senate? She doesn’t need foreign policy experience, since McCain has it in spades.
And, even better, she is not a D.C. insider (like Joe Biden), so she represents CHANGE better than he does. I heard somewhere that Obama is all about change.
2. You mean like the millions of African-Americans who are gonna vote for Obama because he’s black? Please.
3. I am much more comfortable with voting for the governor of Alaska than for Joe Biden. I would much rather have her a heartbeat away from the presidency than a loose cannon like Joe Biden.
4. I didn’t miss it. The investigation is still in the early stages, and the brother-in-law still works for the state. Of course, you already have her convicted. There’s impartiality. I wish she didn’t have any possible scandals looming like Barack Obama – *cough* Tony Rezko *cough* – but what are you gonna do?
5. Her husband will. He is a stay-at-home father now as it is. And I don’t remember saying every Down Syndrome baby was aborted – I guess you’re breaking out your Jump to Conclusions Mat again – but since Barack Obama has no problem aborting babies – he opposed the Partial-Birth Abortion bill and voted “Present” on the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act.
Besides, you said it yourself: “Plus, it’s the VP, who really gives a shit?” Or, is it only an issue when it’s the Republican?
And for the umpteenth time, I’m not betting on the election, since I have said a million times Obama will win in a landslide. Too many people will vote for the African-American, no matter how socialist his policies are.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Heh..
Personally I would have voted for Palin at the head of the ticket over McCain simply because she understands (proof is her signing of a state ‘windfall profits tax’ on oil companies) that balanced budgets come before tax cuts.
Plus being pro gun, pro life, and hot looking don’t hurt either.
But since McSame’s swallowed the Bush economic Kool-Aid wholesale, I’m casting my vote for Obama, who at least has a slight grasp of reality.
McCain has none.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
It is a great choice, Everyone will see it their own way.
I find it ludicrous that anyone can defend a person who supports abortion.
August 29th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Can we have a “Do-Over” for babe of the day Alaska?
August 30th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Last blog I am checking tonight, thanks for the fine picture of Sarah on a motorcycle (yes, I know she is modeling for the Elks). I am ready for her to become President – but I really think we need to move the Nation’s Capital into the middle of the country – and outlawing lawyers and lobbyists in the new place. Or bring back dueling (which will never happen, oh, Andy Jackson!).
August 30th, 2008 at 12:40 am
While I lean against it, abortion simply isn’t my ‘hot button’ issue, so I guess we’ll have to ‘agree to disagree’ here.
August 30th, 2008 at 1:28 am
First, I know all those old southern nuts who will not vote for a woman, at least according to the MSM. The only ones not thrilled to have Palin as the VP nominee are the few nuts who don’t register to vote anyways, because they think it isn’t Christian.
Second, while the libs think they are feminist, we nominate a woman who is a bright, working mother, who as always been able to balance an incredible career with an incredible family. She also does masculine things like hunt, fish, and shoot guns, without sacrificing her feminine charm. Feminist can only play in a man’s world by loosing their female charm, and refusing men the right to do masculine things.
Finally, she shoots guns. McCain is really old. There is a real chance that with her as the VP nominee, we could have a president who actually respects gun rights, as something other then something as the weird taste of the nut vote. Don’t get me wrong, I hope McCain gets to live out two full terms, then some, it is just nice to know that if the worse thing about his age does come to pass, Palin will be in charge.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Not once have I ever voted for a vice-president, so it is really not that important. But if Republicans think that picking someone with a vaginal will get some of the Hillary voters, they must consider women to be failry stupid. Palin is the exact opposite of Clinton in almost every position. There are women who may be bright enough to figure that out.
And remember that she kept her baby? Why? She hada choice to make, and she made it. She should force that decision on everyone else?
And what’s with all the ‘change’ bashing? McCain is 4 more years of Bush policies. Or at least 90% of them. And 100 more years of war.
One good thing about Palin- She is qualified to shoot people in the face like the current VP.
August 30th, 2008 at 10:40 am
All right she is not ‘Pro Choice’ and that’s her choice. She is not very bright as the states for having a DS baby is 1 in 126 average.
She knew he had DS through tests and decided to keep him (that’s’ her choice) But WHY WHY WHY was she getting pregnant at 44???
She may have brought a child into this world that will suffer its entire life. The life span has increased but not without more problems.
It they are in their 40,s, they start getting ‘Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
MY opinion is she is stupid to get pregnant at that age in the first place. She surely knew the ‘risk’ yet she preferred to take a chance and now she does have a DS baby.
They all have different problems! Some die in their teens.
Why would a woman 44 want to take this chance? She did and we don’t know how bad this baby is?
She should have used good sense and not got pregnant in the first place.
August 30th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
The more I hear about her the better I like her. This is the first time I have hope that republicans might win.
P.S. I got the avatar to work thank you for your help.
August 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Some people bleed Kool-Aid.
When the war started I heard estimates of 7-10 years. Hmm….weren’t you listening?
Wherever we go we need to keep some form of presence; in fact, we have had some form of presence in the Gulf for a number of years.
Just because she isn’t a shrill hag, that doesn’t make her incompetent.
Obama gave a good, scripted speech in 2002 and he is good at helping the needs of the inner city (finding the government programs to help folks–some good, some a waste). He views the suburbanites/rural folk as gun-huggers and such. Hmmm….seems a bit provincial in his ideas of others to me.
Biden is a crass, plagiarizing, lying sack of crud. Plain and simple. In my book, he’d make a great Philly Democrat. I wonder what racial gems he’ll have for us this election cycle? (For those not from the area…that’s not a compliment.)
So, I like the choice of a confident woman that holds a lot of the same beliefs and ideologies as me. I wasn’t totally liking the other choices. I’m not entirely all fired up about McCain, but I’ll be damned if I am voting for someone who answer a question and says it is above his pay grade. Wuss.
August 30th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Oh Six – Palin probably wished for a DS child to garner the sympathy vote, too! You sir, are a wise man. I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Oh, and my mother was pregnant with my (very healthy) sister when she was forty, so sell that crap somewhere else. Idiot.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
“When the war started I heard estimates of 7-10 years. Hmm….weren’t you listening?”
Yes. Unfortunately they weren’t listening to me when I said it was a bad idea. Guess who else didn’t listen? -
“Vice President Dick Cheney: “I’m confident that our troops will be successful, and I think it’ll go relatively quickly…Weeks rather than months.” [3/16/03]”
“Wherever we go we need to keep some form of presence; in fact, we have had some form of presence in the Gulf for a number of years.”
Our presence in the gulf was for Sadam. He’s dead now. Also, the Iraqis are making it clear that we are done around 2011. We are arguing with them to stay longer. Yet Dr Rice says;
“I do not mean that we will need to maintain a military presence in Iraq as was the case in Europe.” [8/7/03]
“Just because she isn’t a shrill hag, that doesn’t make her incompetent”.
Nor does being the Governor of a state with a poplulation lower then most major cities make you competent. It’s like comparing the little girl running the lemonade stand to the head of Starbucks. Please. If she didn’t have tits, she wouldn’t be on the ticket. McCain should ask Mondale how that worked for him.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Grimjack – And yet, Barack Obama is trying to become POTUS. What has he done?
And picking a doddering old racist who has been in the Senate longer than John McCain is not an accomplishment,
August 30th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Everyone in the United States should have the opportunity to become POTUS, Wyatt. Not just the old white male establishment. Why do you think that only being a long time politician should be the criteria? The fact that Palin has ZERO experience is not the issue. The issue is that she was picked by the party attacking Obama’s lack of experience. Then attacking Biden for having too much. You guys are in a tailspin. And I don’t think speedboating will work this time around.
August 30th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Grimjack – So it’s Whitey’s fault. Got it.
I must have missed where I said that only certain people should run for President, but thankfully, you’re back to re-educate me. I’ve missed that. I also never said that experience should be the only criteria, but POTUS should not be a learn-as-you-go job. I am sure you would be crucifying someone like Bobby Jindal (and his lack of experience) if he were running.
My problem with Obama is not that he has ZERO experience. He doesn’t, by the way. My problem with Obama is that his policies are a goose-step away from socialism.
I love it when you libs praised McCain for “crossing the aisle” as a senator, then immediately said he was George Bush II when he dared to run against The Messiah. According to factcheck.org, McCain votes against the Party more often than Obama does. But The Messiah is a uniter, right? Stop it.
August 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
It’s Whitey’s fault? You must be smoking some evidence if you saw that in my little text box. POTUS is almost always a learn as you go job. Wouldn’t the CEO of a major organization have just as much experience as a Governor?
The Messiah? How melodramatic. After 8 years of George Bush I would take anyone. Or anything. Like one of those magic 8 balls you ask questions to. Or a carnival genie. And that includes McCain. But McCain will not get my vote unless he starts agreeing that the absolute disaster of the last 8 years will be erased by him. It is unfortunate that in order to get votes, he will be unable to do that. He can’t run around for the next two months yelling that he was a POW and The Surge worked. Cause the POW thing was a long time ago, and in case people hadn’t noticed, The Surge wasn’t all it was made out to be. Just ask all the people killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan lately. Which is EXACTLY what people like me said would happen when “THE SURGE” was shoved down our throats. I mean sure Iraq is better. You can walk down the street without a flack jacket and gun, and hang out at the local police station in safety. Right?
And wouldn’t he be George Bush III?
The Messiah is the great uniter? Who said that? After the past 8 years, I wan’t to see all Republicans swept aside. Just ignore them, like the Republicans did for the first 6 years of Bush II
August 30th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Grimjack – You win. I have seen the light: I’m voting for Obama!!! Where do I change my registry?