Reactions to story from The Washington Post

• 

  The buzz at APSA

  http://www.mcentellas.com/archives/2008/08/the_buzz_at_apsa....
  91 days ago in Pronto* · Authority: 20

  Im in Boston, attending APSA (the largest American political science conference) & no one here seems to understand the Palin choice either. At least the buzz around the floor seems to be one of I dont get it (though probably mostly because no one
• 

  Lying or just not that bright?

  http://thedaftdem.tripleventi.com/2008/11/lying-or-just-not-...
  20 days ago in The Daft Dem · Authority: 2

  I could use the old line of “How do you know when Sarah Palin is lying? Her lips are moving.” But I am not yet convinced that she is bright enough for that. It could be that she just can’t separate fact from fiction. And yet she still bumbled and couldn’t quite get her facts straight. Obviously she couldn’t handle the “rough grilling” and “tricky questions” like “What news sources do you read? Can you name one?” from Katie Couric, so she moved down to Matt Lauer. (Note: Emphasis in all quotes are added) To answer Matt’s question she says: PALIN: We have a great relationship. Had from Day One. Had from the first time that I met him, last year, he and his wife But even that simple statement just doesn’t right true. Why? Well.. From msnbc First Read The tick-tock from McCain communications director Jill Hazelbaker: “John McCain first met Governor Sarah Palin at the National Governors Association meeting in Washington in February of 2008 and came away extraordinarily impressed. OK, OK so it was really earlier this year and not last year, but it was February and probabaly seems like more like 2007, because they have had such a close and warm relationship since then, right? uh… from The Washington Post The trip provided valuable bonding time for two people who acknowledge they barely know each other. McCain met Palin at a governor’s conference in February, and did not see her again until she secretly flew to Arizona on Wednesday night. After a phone interview with the senator on Sunday night, she arrived in the state three days later for a session with McCain’s two top lieutenants. So basically, either she is lying or it is like one of those cases back in High School where somebody claims to be friends with somebody just because they spoke to them once or twice, and that person is trying to prove just how popular they are. And then the tough hard hitting Laurer threw her a curveball by asking her to explain one of her answers, when she said that it was the campaign staffs and not McCain and Palin that were butting heads. Sarah said: You know, I don’t even know. That inside baseball stuff regarding the way a campaign works on that level, I certainly didn’t get bogged down in any of the potential skirmishes or perceived problems… She knows that this was the “reason” was “butting head”, but just who or why, well that is beneath her. I guess maybe she should have had some sort of understanding of the inner working and paid attention to some of the “perceived problems” since according to those staffers the problem was Sarah Palin. But then again as I pointed out yesterday, William McGurn of the Wall Street Journal already explained that by saying In the treatment of Mrs. Palin by some of the McCain staff, there is the clear whiff of condescension. That’s something a sitting American governor might understandably find hard to stomach coming from a bunch of young professional Republicans who have never themselves run for office. Funny, even while defending her, it sort of explains why the staffers found her to be “rogue” and a “diva” she was simply annoyed that she felt she was above them. Explains a lot when you think of it that way. Share and Enjoy:
• 

  The Palin effect

  http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2008/10/th...
  32 days ago in Democracy in America: our blog on US politics | The Economist · Authority: 288

  PRIOR to August 29th of this year, polls showed that most voters didn't much care who each candidate chose as their running mate. And while that is still true, a new New York Times polls shows that those who do care broadly favour Barack Obama. At this point, there can be little doubt that the choice of Sarah Palin is hurting John McCain's campaign. Any number of "Obamacons", Republicans who have endorsed Barack Obama, have cited Mrs Palin as one of their reasons for crossing party lines. This newspaper also noted Mrs Palin in its endorsement.The choice of Sarah Palin epitomised [Mr McCain's] sloppiness. It is not just that she is an unconvincing stand-in, nor even that she seems to have been chosen partly for her views on divisive social issues, notably abortion. Mr McCain made his most important appointment having met her just twice. In the latest poll, 59% of voters say Mrs Palin is not prepared for the job (up 9% from last month thanks to an increase in Republican and Independent disapproval). And, consequently, fewer people think Mr McCain will appoint qualified individuals to administration positions than Mr Obama. This election has not yet been decided, but if the result is close on Tuesday, historians may look back and wonder if a choice of Mitt Romney or Joe Lieberman, instead of Mrs Palin, would've made any difference. (It is one of the many second guesses that will accompany defeat for either candidate.) With the unpopular George Bush in office and the economy tanking, Mr McCain was always going to be running against a strong headwind. But he seems to have done himself no favours with his selection of Mrs Palin. (Photo credit: AFP)
• 

  McCain Selects Running Mate

  http://usetheoxgoad.blogspot.com/2008/08/mccain-selects-runn...
  84 days ago in Use the Oxgoad · Authority: 5

  McCain Selects Running Mate John McCain has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his VEEP running mate. I think it is a masterful decision. I backed Huckabee for the nomination, but I belive he would have been an abysmal VEEP choice. I was first introduced to Governor Palin and her family by Albert Mohler via his blog and radio program. Click here and here to respectively read and listen to that material. Here are some of the current reactions and reports to the announcement: The New York TimesWashington Post Anchorage Daily NewsNational ReviewThe Corner (NRO Blog)I'll say it again, I believe the pick is a good one. Sarah Palin is a sitting Governor and a former mayor. Translation: she has more executive experience than both Biden and Obama combined (and McCain). The experience issue is moot, even though the Obama campaign will (try to) make an issue of it. She is a definite Washington outsider. You cannot get further from the Beltway than Alaska. Palin is change, and she reinforces McCain's maverick style. Governor Palin is an National Rifle Association member, an avid outdoorswoman, a former high school basketball point guard (that's a plus for me), a wife, and a mother of five. She is also a former beauty contestant, which is neither a plus or minus for me, but I mention it because the DEMS will likely endeavor to make much of that fact. Fiscal conservatives will like Palin because the Club for Growth does. Social conservatives will like her too, because she is staunchly pro-life, and the the Al Mohler links will provide more depth to that argument. I've already mentioned that she is a sportswoman and NRA member. She also has a son serving with the Army in Iraq. I should point out that Joe Biden, Senator Obama's running mate also has a son serving in Iraq. Speaking of Biden, many in the Obama camp will spin Palin's selection as hypocritical. They will say that she lacks experience, particularly in foreign policy, and that has been the GOP's line of attack on Obama (not to mention Clinton's strategy). Let them spin. Obama has waxed eloquent about change from the beginning. Last night in his acceptance speech he ran McCain down the road for being in Washington since the early 70's, pointing out that not much good has been accomplished in that time frame. Well his running mate is a career politician who has been inside the Beltway as long as McCain. Was Obama playing the hypocrite in selecting Joe instead of another (inexperienced) change agent? No. He made a smart political move. Just like McCain. Palin is the best choice the Arizona senator could have made in my opinion. I'm looking forward to the Vice Presidential debates already! Posted by Travis

Advertise on Technorati