It’s A Wash
After a few days of pondering the nomination of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for vice-president, that is my conclusion. She brings some big pluses to John McCain’s campaign, but she also brings some baggage as well.
As a woman, she continues to add to the history making moments of this campaign, but I also don’t think she’ll get too many Hillary Clinton supporters because of her positions on guns, abortion and the environment.
She does bring legislative experience to the table, however she was a part-time Mayor and only Governor since 2007 so that may effectively neutralize the experience argument against Barack Obama.
She has a reputation for being a reformer, a maverick and fiscal conservative, which helps John McCain’s reputation. However, as reported in USA Today, while running for Governor in 2006 she backed the famous, or infamous, “bridge to nowhere.” She also spent money on DC lobbyists to get earmarks for her city. She also raised what could be considered a “windfall” profits tax on Alaska’s oil companies.
Palin also excites the GOP base, which was at best cool to McCain’s candidacy. But you could also argue the base was so starved for something to get excited over, that you could have throw them a cracker and they would have thought it was cake.
So in the end, I argue Palin’s candidacy is a wash. But don’t forget, the first rule of picking a VP candidate is “do no harm” and since it’s even break, John McCain and Sarah Palin have done what they needed to do.
September 1st, 2008 at 7:43 am
I think you’re right.
On to the general election and debates.
September 1st, 2008 at 9:07 am
Sarah Palin is NOT RUNNING AGAINST BARACK OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Sarah Palin is running for VP. Maybe you should compare her experience, health, investigations, etc. with Joe Biden.
Biden, by the way, is almost as old as McCain. Maybe Biden shouldn’t be “a heartbeat away from being president.”
September 1st, 2008 at 9:07 am
She’s a conservative, Abdul, so of course you’re not a fan.
September 1st, 2008 at 10:22 am
If Dick Cheany can do it,I’m sure she is a better shot and a better VP.Instead of debates let’s have a duel between Palin and Biden, like Burr and Hamilton.
September 1st, 2008 at 11:17 am
Do some of you people get it? Apparently not. Go enjoy your Labor Day. We can argue tomorrow.
And Rico, you have no idea what a real conservative is. I suggest you look at the Nixon model for guidance.
September 1st, 2008 at 11:34 am
Abdul: Why do I now know more in this blog about detriments to Governor Palin’s claims and record in 3-4 days than in well more than 3-4 months regarding Senator Obama? I favor McCain/Palin at present, but must welcome history on both. With some Illinois experience and access to Obama’s political roots, why have we heard so little except we’re awaiting the availability of Illinois legislature contacts? If USA Today’s a legit source (somewhat tilted- but a source), there are really zero comparable Chicagoland persons and articles regarding Obama’s Chicago political history? He’s really squeaky clean in his political dealings, or we’re obliged to look elsewhere because you’re chosen Obama/Biden? If your mind’s made-up – no problem. History may indeed prove Obama/Biden as the best choice regardless of what happens. However, it appears imperative to group this blog with many major networks, newspapers, and Brian Howey of where we’ll not hear equal journalistic grit devoted to both sides of Senator Obama. You (and Brian) have brought fresh air and (by my measure) journalistic integrity to many topics and I thank you for it. But, if I have mistaken media that I had thought to be journalism for strictly opinion or entertainment, then I must apologize. If I missed or forgot prior info that proves me wrong, my apologies. I would look forward to reading it or downloading it.
September 1st, 2008 at 11:41 am
TP,
As always differing opinions are welcome. But I think it’s necessary to remind people this blog is not journalism, it’s opinion.
I tend to mix some straight reporting with opinion, but it’s still my opinion.
I haven’t been a pure journalist since I started doing talk radio 5 years ago.
I always recommend people get their info from multiple sources to get a well-rounded understanding of the issues.
Indiana Barrister is just one of them. Granted one of the best ones in Indiana, but still just one. :-)
September 1st, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I agree, what are the accomplishments of Barack Obama accept being elected to 2 public offices in the State of Illinois and graduating from Harvard University? The Democrats must think all Americans are studpid not to ask these questions. Inquiring minds want to know. Palin should be compared to Biden as Vice President and not Obama. More tricks and rumors circulated by the Democrats1
September 1st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
So, now that the news has broken this morning that her 17 year old daughter is pregnant, I gotta say: So Much For Abstinence-Only Sex Education she so strongly favors!!
If she can’t keep her own daughter in a family values conservative college educated home-schooling “intact” family, how is that Abstinence-Only supposed to work on urban teenagers who are born into sometimes multiple generations of unmarried teen mothers lacking education??
September 1st, 2008 at 2:26 pm
As much as I favor Sen. Obama and dislike John McCain (I think he’s an opportunist and not real bright), and as much as I think the Pallin choice is dumb:
Hands off the minor kids. Completely. I am a parent, and I wouldn’t want my parenting judged on the national stage. Who knows what happened with the daughter? It could be many things.
Again, as much as I dislike the Pallin choice, if the daughter is pregnant, and the family chooses to have the baby rather than abort it, I respect the consistency of philosophy.
Her views are out of touch with a majority of America, and that will come out in due time. Her views are completely fair game, but the kids…
Well…there but for the Grace of God go I. It could happen to any of us.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:34 pm
And oh my, she shoots caribou –dead. My heart be still. From her record seems like she has nerve, something that has disappeared in leadership since political correctness arrived. No wonder we are reduced to news on the daughter etc. Good for her since the men abandoned tough stances long ago. She actually has said “no” and let them yell…..
The focus should be on the marxist Obama….
September 1st, 2008 at 2:42 pm
“If she can’t keep her own daughter in a family values conservative college educated home-schooling “intact” family, how is that Abstinence-Only supposed to work on urban teenagers who are born into sometimes multiple generations of unmarried teen mothers lacking education??”
Like these same kids are going to use condoms every time? Are you offering to stand-by to rush over and provide the condoms free of charge, even put them on to make sure they wear them?
Abstinence-Only education is a joke, but the schools are no place to teach even small groups of kids about sex. Considering test scores in say IPS, how many of these kids do you think will actually listen, or even comprehend the sex talk? A few classes about exactly what happens during sex is fine in schools, that is where it should end and the parents should take-over. Until this nation, and its parents, get over the awkwardness of talking about sex with their kids, having weeks long talks about sex in the schools won’t do much good. As long as it is a taboo thing, and high school kids getting drunk, then having sex, it would be a waste of time.
September 1st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Thanks for reply AH-S, & TA’s honorable stance on kids. Taking sound advice to enjoy rest of holiday. Thanks for this forum.
September 1st, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Thanks, Taxpayer.
Gov. Pallin is patently beatable on multiple issues. Her kids’ conduct just shouldn’t be one of them.
I’ve listened to two speeches and her introductory press conference. Granted, she’s poles apart from me politically. But I respect and admire many who are ultra-conservative. I’ll watch her convention speech closely, but so far, this woman is out of touch with mainstream America–BIG time.
Still, my heart aches for that family right now. A special needs baby and a grandchild within a few months…what a load to bear.
September 1st, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Food for thought: some Democratic anchors are conservative in nature, and there are Republican viewpoints that (technically) are liberal.
September 1st, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Contemporary “liberals” aren’t liberal at all; ideologically, they’re socialists & communists. Liberals, in the classic (definitional) sense, are for less not more government; favoring a much reduced, bureaucratic footprint on Liberty’s landscape.
September 1st, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Abdul,
Sorry, but you’re mistaken.
This is a brilliant move by McCain.
See my post here for details on why:
http://chrisofrights.blogspot.com/2008/08/palin-is-not-game-changer-or-act-of.html
And a piece of cake would not have energized the base. Pawlenty or Romney would’ve been greeted with a collective yawn.
The only way she’s anything other than a net positive is if she gets caught by an obviously antagonistic press corps. They’re going to be working extra hard to trap her in a “gaffe” by asking her questions about the leadership of Uzbekistan, for example. Nevermind that not one candidate has been asked about Uzbekistan once in the last 18 months. That won’t be important. What will be important it finding something that Palin doesn’t know as well as she “should”.
September 1st, 2008 at 11:07 pm
I don’t know of any area journalists who would have tackled the topics of Kernan-Shepard, the Phoenix Apartments, or City-County council corruption at all, let alone with the vigor and valor of Brian Howey, Abdul Hakim-Shabazz and Matthew Tulley. It’s again with gratitude that I thank them for their service to our community. It’s my unfortunate error to have associated their vigorous pursuits on our behalf with a perception of fairness, with a mistaken notion that they wished to serve their community with an even-handed and equitable unearthing of facts, so we might distill them to choose the best path- whatever it might be. My mistaken expectations were of “opinion”, perhaps “entertainment” writers and broadcasters, not of “journalists”. Despite national economic quakes in debt, banking, housing, and inflation, an antagonistic Middle Eastern regime going nuclear, and resurgence of an expansionistic Russian, the American electorate apparently must be content with knowing little about the political experience of one of our Presidential candidates. We managed to find out about the pregnancy of the daughter of Governor Palin within four DAYS. Yet, we can’t get national or local, media or newspaper coverage of Senator Obama’s Chicago political ascendancy in four MONTHS? The fourth estate is dead: Technology, competition, complacency of the electorate, and a final slewing as a byproduct of the arrogance of George W. Bush. It no longer matters who he is or isn’t. All hail President Obama.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:15 am
Democrats must be paranoid and desperate to have a women running for vice president, a missed opportunity for Democrats. They had Sen. Hillary Clinton on the hook and did not select her. First, Palin’s experience to lead and now to attack her children is off limit. How dare the supporters of Barack Obama drag Governor Plain’s teenage daughter’s pregnancy into the middle of this campaign? I am more interested in the accomplishments of each of the four candidates seeking the top offices in this country. How low will the Democrats sink in an attempt to sway voters in this election?
I don’t hear Senator Obama or the main stream media responding to Larry Sinclair allegations against him as a bi-sexual man and cocaine user. A rumor in campaigns does not have to be true, merely believable. It is time to discuss the real issues in this election. List the platforms for each and their individual accomplishments: President: Sen. Barack Obama {D) vs Sen. John McCain, (R) – Vice President: Sen. Joe Biden vs Gov. Sarah Palin
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:43 am
Taxpayer 834512-that was brilliant, concise and clear. The entertainment media has usurped all of American life. So once again I will try–Obama is a marxist who speaks well with a glib tongue. Read his voting record and what he says he intends to do. Then hope he isn’t elected by the force of the leftists behind the scenes with the power of the media manipulation.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 am
TA
I have seen you state in a couple places that Palin’s views are out of touch with the majority of America. I believe that is absolutely wrong. I believe her views as being a social conservative are more in line with America than you think. They are definitely against the views of the left leaning in our country but this country is hardly just left leaning. She has the exact values of small town America those very towns that have helped Indiana go for Republicans every single year since LBJ. And very well help the state go that way again against Obama’s best efforts. I do not think it was a dumb pick whatsoever it was a gamble of a pick that may end up blowing up in his face sure. But he had to make a pick that was different than more of the same. Romney, Pawlenty would have recieved a mere yawn compared to the attention Palin is recieving. She can in no way shape or form be tied to the Bush administration which the Dems are doing their best to do to everyone that has an R by their name. With everyone that is a beltway insider having a very low approval rating this pick may in the end looking either genious or foolish only time will tell on that. But to call the pick dumb isn’t really thinking the reasoning through it clearly.