It occurred to me as I slouched out of bed at 5:30 Wednesday morning that somewhere in the darkness, at a park in Northern Virginia, satellite trucks and camera crews were already setting up their equipment for the McCain-Palin event. The rally itself wouldn’t start for another four and a half hours, and the candidates themselves weren’t scheduled to appear until 11:00 a.m. But with the GOP’s newest star blowing through towns with all the force of a tropical storm, the media had been instructed to arrive early in preparation for the Fairfax stop of Palinpalooza ’08.
Sadly, my plan to arrive at 8:30--half an hour after the gates opened to the public--hit a snag when, a mile and a half out, the road leading to the event became a parking lot. Drivers trapped in the backup along Old Lee Highway watched in frustration as red-shirted pedestrians trudged past on both sides of the road, weighted down with umbrellas, bags, cups of coffee, and collapsible chairs. I inched along with the herd for 30 minutes, then turned down a side street in search of a back route. Finally, with a half-mile yet to go, I abandoned my minivan on some leafy residential block and began hoofing it. I was far from alone. On the sidewalk beside me, a line of people was forming. The line stretched up the street, around the corner, and on and on toward the park. I stopped to ask a young couple how long they had been waiting. “We’ve moved one driveway in the past 20 minutes,” the guy told me. But he didn’t look especially concerned or perturbed. No one did. It was 8:40. The candidates would not arrive for another two-and-a-half hours. The breeze was cool. The clouds were starting to clear. And the crowd was sprinkled with homemade signs bearing saucy slogans such as “2 Pitbulls, 1 with Lipstick,” “Sarah You Rock!” and, my favorite of the day, “Real Men Like Women Who Wear Lipstick.” Oh, sure, some people had come armed with more pointed slogans like “Drill, Baby, Drill” and “Cling to Guns and Religion.” But clearly far more folks were on hand to offer a warm embrace to McCain’s rabble-rousing new lieutenant. “Palin Power” was the message of the day
Inside the park, the Republican faithful were feeling feisty--especially the women. Rosemary Schulz, a 40-something brunette in a denim shorts-and-jacket ensemble, had spread a blanket on a grassy slope opposite the stage and was busy dishing out breakfast to her two tween sons. The wife of a retired Navy man and a committed Bush cheerleader even now (well, except for his lax immigration stance), Schulz would have voted Republican under any circumstances. But with Palin on board, she is flat-out fired up. “Sarah Palin put the buzz on the party ticket!” she cheered. Any of the other guys being talked about--even Lieberman, who she has a certain affection for--would have meant more of the same. But Palin, now she’s got sizzle. “Without her, we would not be having the kind of event we’re having here today,” said Schulz, gesturing around at the still growing throng. And it’s not just good news for this cycle, insisted her pal Jeannie Couch, seated comfortably in her folding chair at the edge of Schulz’s blanket. Palin will make a great top of the ticket in the future, she said. “She’d have no problem coming up against Hillary in 2012,” agreed Schulz with obvious relish. Couch could not have agreed more: “Sarah will show people what a real woman can do!”
As evidence of how Palin is inspiring the younger generation, Couch and Schulz pointed me down the hill toward a trio of 12-year-old girls who were standing in that self-conscious tween way, looking like freshly scrubbed refugees from a Jonas Brothers concert. That is, until you look closely at the girls’ black t-shirts, self-customized with a rainbow of neon puff paint: “McCain is Beast” read the front of each, with a helpful parenthetical explaining to the unhip that “beast” is slang for “awesome.” And across the back: “Palin is Tight.” The three friends had all taken the morning off from their 7th grade studies at Liberty Middle School to come cheer their new hero. Sophia Lee, the tallest of the group, with a brilliant, brace-clad smile, and long honey-colored tresses, proclaimed herself “so excited” to have a “really strong,” “fresh,” “pro-life” voice on the ticket. And, of course, as field hockey and lacrosse players themselves, the gal pals loved Palin’s whole hockey-mom shtick.
Squeezed up against the press pen were Lori Conklin (requisite red shirt, khakis, shoulder-length brown bob with bangs) and her daughter, a Kindergarten-aged pixie in a pink-and-green tiered skirt. The Conklin gals had gotten up at 4:30 to drive up from Charlottesville for the event, and Lori’s eyes looked a little tired behind her gold wire-rimmed glasses. Of all the people I spoke with, Conklin had the story that should perhaps most worry Democrats. Make no mistake: A native Texan, Conklin is a loyal Republican. She backed Bush in 2000 and has never much cared for McCain, though she would have held her nose and voted for him. But in the wake of the Palin pick, she is committed to actively fighting for the cause and had just signed up to volunteer for the campaign. She doesn’t agree with Palin on all the issues. (For instance, Conklin supports stem-cell research.) But she sees Palin as someone like her, someone who understands her life and her struggles. “She’s a mother of five,” marveled Conklin, herself a single mom working as an anesthesiologist and researcher at the University of Virginia. “I only have one, and I know how tired I am at the end of the day.” (Conklin adopted her daughter from the Republic of Georgia and is in the processing of adopting a second child from Armenia.) Also like Palin, Conklin hails from a tiny town in West Texas. (“We didn’t even have a McDonald’s,” she recalled.) And she admires that Palin “started small” and succeeded without riding anyone else’s coattails. “She is the epitome of the American success story in politics,” said Conklin.
And so it went. Woman after woman, girl after girl shared their excitement about Sarah Palin. Kristina Schnack Aotlus, director of children’s ministries for Del Ray United Methodist in Woodbridge, had gotten up at 6:30 to drop off her four- and two-year old sons before the event. “But I wanted to bring my daughter with me,” she explained, reaching to stroke the duck-fuzzy blonde head of the six-month-old harnessed snugly against mom’s pink t-shirt. “My husband is a Democrat, so talk around our dinner table has been exciting,” joked Aotlus. But even he’s excited by the Palin pick, she says. “And he thinks it was a good strategic pick to help get some of the straggling Hillary voters.”
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COMMENTS (133)
My wife and I attended the rally in Fairfax, VA. I was amazed at the turnout but what amazed me more was the huge number of young people in their late teens and early twenties. I think Palin is going to dig heavily into the youth vote for Obama. IMO, Palin isn't just a Republican phenomenon. She is quickly becoming a cultural icon to the vast number of average people in this country. I love the fact she is self made and her life up until she was elected Governor of Alaska was no different than the overwhelming majority of the population. I think the public has been starving for a person like her and the fact she is a woman just puts more icing on her cake.
She is rattling the Democrat P ... view full comment
My wife and I attended the rally in Fairfax, VA. I was amazed at the turnout but what amazed me more was the huge number of young people in their late teens and early twenties. I think Palin is going to dig heavily into the youth vote for Obama. IMO, Palin isn't just a Republican phenomenon. She is quickly becoming a cultural icon to the vast number of average people in this country. I love the fact she is self made and her life up until she was elected Governor of Alaska was no different than the overwhelming majority of the population. I think the public has been starving for a person like her and the fact she is a woman just puts more icing on her cake.
She is rattling the Democrat Party for the reasons I list above and because she is a severe threat to their belief that only Ivy League educated lawyers are good enough to run this country. I'll go even farther and say she also threatens a lot of Republicans for the same reason. Palin gives the average American a chance to give the government back to "The People" in the most generic of meanings.
The more the left attacks her the stronger they will make her. She is an alien to them and they can't afford to allow her to gain a foot hold on the political stage. The thing they don't realize is that Palin already has a stranglehold on the the public's attention and the public, in turn, has embraced her like a member of their family.
Dick Morris wrote a book right before the bottom fell out in Iraq proclaiming that the nominees of '08 would be Hillary and Condi. I was not surprised by the Condi pick, because I've always assumed that some genius around Bush I choose Condi to groom to be the future Republican candidate who would guarantee Republican dominance of the 21stC by peeling away enough black votes, and white female votes, to wipe the Dems out nationally. Well, Palin threatens herself to accomplish at least the second half of that mission to re-align the electorate with a woman. Who cares if your party can govern, who cares how unpopular its presidents can get, IF you have the kinds of raw political geniuses who ca ... view full comment
Dick Morris wrote a book right before the bottom fell out in Iraq proclaiming that the nominees of '08 would be Hillary and Condi. I was not surprised by the Condi pick, because I've always assumed that some genius around Bush I choose Condi to groom to be the future Republican candidate who would guarantee Republican dominance of the 21stC by peeling away enough black votes, and white female votes, to wipe the Dems out nationally. Well, Palin threatens herself to accomplish at least the second half of that mission to re-align the electorate with a woman. Who cares if your party can govern, who cares how unpopular its presidents can get, IF you have the kinds of raw political geniuses who can find Reagans and Palins to sell to the mob, and who can make the mob believe, TWICE, that George Bush of Andover, Yale, and Harvard is simply a regular guy from Crawford?
The Obama campaign has effectively destroyed their chances for victory by their reaction to Sarah Palin. Last night, on David Letterman, Obama continued his smug, cheshire cat, sexism against Sarah Palin when he said she was the lipstick to McCain's pig.
On this day of honoring the innocent of 9/11, I am happy that this country will remain safe from terrorist attacks by NOT voting for Mr. Barry Soetoro.
A VOTE FOR OBAMA/BIDEN, IS AN INVITATION TO ATTACK INNOCENT AMERICAN'S HERE AT HOME
The Obama campaign has effectively destroyed their chances for victory by their reaction to Sarah Palin. Last night, on David Letterman, Obama continued his smug, cheshire cat, sexism against Sarah Palin when he said she was the lipstick to McCain's pig.
On this day of honoring the innocent of 9/11, I am happy that this country will remain safe from terrorist attacks by NOT voting for Mr. Barry Soetoro.
A VOTE FOR OBAMA/BIDEN, IS AN INVITATION TO ATTACK INNOCENT AMERICAN'S HERE AT HOME
This has been exactly my experience. ALL the women I know LOVE Sarah with the intensity I saw in the followers of Barry, early on.
I like what I see, so far, but the most interesting thing is what the pick says about each candidate.
Barry is very very arrogant not to have picked Hillary. He likely could have locked up the election with her on the ticket and blocked any move to someone like( is there anyone else like her?) Palin. Only arrogance and fear could have caused him to go with Biden instead.
McCain has now shown what a masterful strategic thinker he is and that he is willing to take a huge risk if there is a great enough reward.
He is obviously three moves ahead o ... view full comment
This has been exactly my experience. ALL the women I know LOVE Sarah with the intensity I saw in the followers of Barry, early on.
I like what I see, so far, but the most interesting thing is what the pick says about each candidate.
Barry is very very arrogant not to have picked Hillary. He likely could have locked up the election with her on the ticket and blocked any move to someone like( is there anyone else like her?) Palin. Only arrogance and fear could have caused him to go with Biden instead.
McCain has now shown what a masterful strategic thinker he is and that he is willing to take a huge risk if there is a great enough reward.
He is obviously three moves ahead of both the competition and the media at this game. Does anyone seriously think he picked her out of desperation any longer, as we heard in the first few days after?
If Mrs Palin continues to not blow it over the next 6 weeks ( and that's all she has to do) McCain looks brilliant ( and he is!) and Barry is sucking wind!
The bigger question is whether the country can handle the genie named Obama. This is a man who cocooned and nurtured himself in the most divisive and hateful elements of the country, who has a clear problem with women (witness Sarah Palin getting into his head so fiercely), and who consistently misrepresents his record and associations. You want post-partisan healing and leadership? Go to an Obama rally and see the love. Or not. Soros and Markos type hatred abounds. They have pulled the wool over the eyes of American liberals with leftism. And Obama has pulled the wool over the eyes of African-Americans. He would be worse than Jimmy Carter.
The bigger question is whether the country can handle the genie named Obama. This is a man who cocooned and nurtured himself in the most divisive and hateful elements of the country, who has a clear problem with women (witness Sarah Palin getting into his head so fiercely), and who consistently misrepresents his record and associations. You want post-partisan healing and leadership? Go to an Obama rally and see the love. Or not. Soros and Markos type hatred abounds. They have pulled the wool over the eyes of American liberals with leftism. And Obama has pulled the wool over the eyes of African-Americans. He would be worse than Jimmy Carter.
People have suffered the same standing in line for Obama. It's funny how it's an inconvenience for so many when folks jam up the rodeways for Mccain/Palin. Me thinks sour grapes are appropriate here.
People have suffered the same standing in line for Obama. It's funny how it's an inconvenience for so many when folks jam up the rodeways for Mccain/Palin. Me thinks sour grapes are appropriate here.
The left just doesn't get the whole Sarah Palin thing, does it, Michelle? Part of Palin's appeal has to be her considerable moxie and some liberal voices are picking up on this. Kathleen Parker wrote that "Republicans...nominated a woman whom Democrats would call a 'Stepford Wife', except she'd beat them to a bloody pulp with a moose antler." Gov Palin is one tough and smart woman, and the left's clamoring for her to "meet the press" will fade when she deals with the 4th estate as nimbly as she handled the frenzy surrounding her rollout at the Republican National Convention... A classic case of being careful of what you wish for. Senator McCain has somehow managed to completely alter the tra ... view full comment
The left just doesn't get the whole Sarah Palin thing, does it, Michelle? Part of Palin's appeal has to be her considerable moxie and some liberal voices are picking up on this. Kathleen Parker wrote that "Republicans...nominated a woman whom Democrats would call a 'Stepford Wife', except she'd beat them to a bloody pulp with a moose antler." Gov Palin is one tough and smart woman, and the left's clamoring for her to "meet the press" will fade when she deals with the 4th estate as nimbly as she handled the frenzy surrounding her rollout at the Republican National Convention... A classic case of being careful of what you wish for. Senator McCain has somehow managed to completely alter the trajectory of this election campaign and, unfortunately for Democrats, the Palin genie isn't going back in the bottle.
What genie is that, MC?
What genie is that, MC?
The idea that Paranoid Palin "represents women" is so far beyond absurd as to merit inpatient psychiatric treatment for anyone who believes that. She's a beauty-contest bimbo also-ran, an arrogant and vicious bitch, and probably didn't even know her 16-year-old was pregnant until the press pointed it out -- she has full-time, taxpayer-funded nannies to do "that mommy stuff."
As a woman engineer, I am insulted that anyone even considers that incompetent slut a woman, much less any kind of stand-in for Hillary Clinton. The only "experience" Palin has is in bed.
The idea that Paranoid Palin "represents women" is so far beyond absurd as to merit inpatient psychiatric treatment for anyone who believes that. She's a beauty-contest bimbo also-ran, an arrogant and vicious bitch, and probably didn't even know her 16-year-old was pregnant until the press pointed it out -- she has full-time, taxpayer-funded nannies to do "that mommy stuff."
As a woman engineer, I am insulted that anyone even considers that incompetent slut a woman, much less any kind of stand-in for Hillary Clinton. The only "experience" Palin has is in bed.
Michelle,
Is the Democratic party ready to confront the genie loosed by its rejection of Mrs. Clinton?
Michelle,
Is the Democratic party ready to confront the genie loosed by its rejection of Mrs. Clinton?
At first I thought it was only me. John McCain had just announced Sarah as his running mate and as she began to speak I found myself standing (alone in my living room). Yes! Yes! I shouted. I haven't felt this way since I first heard Ronald Regan speak almost 30 years ago. Semper Sarah!
At first I thought it was only me. John McCain had just announced Sarah as his running mate and as she began to speak I found myself standing (alone in my living room). Yes! Yes! I shouted. I haven't felt this way since I first heard Ronald Regan speak almost 30 years ago. Semper Sarah!
Sarah Palin is totally unqualified. On 9/11 it was Cheney who handled things, not Bush. Can you imagine Palin in such a position? We all ought to be expressing outrage. Are there no patriotic republicans who can admit this? Our very national security is at stake. She has no foreign policy experience. She has been governor 21 months of a state with a population the size of Memphis TN. When she was mayor of Wasilla 1996-2002, it had a population of about 5,000. Miami has a high school bigger than that. And then they even had to hire an administrator, so she didn't really have a lot of executive experience. For all of you who berate Obama's experience, he was a senator in Illinois, ... view full comment
Sarah Palin is totally unqualified. On 9/11 it was Cheney who handled things, not Bush. Can you imagine Palin in such a position? We all ought to be expressing outrage. Are there no patriotic republicans who can admit this? Our very national security is at stake. She has no foreign policy experience. She has been governor 21 months of a state with a population the size of Memphis TN. When she was mayor of Wasilla 1996-2002, it had a population of about 5,000. Miami has a high school bigger than that. And then they even had to hire an administrator, so she didn't really have a lot of executive experience. For all of you who berate Obama's experience, he was a senator in Illinois, a state 20 times the population of Alaska, 8 years before his last 4 years as a US senator. And unlike McCain, who graduated at the bottom of his Naval Academy class (894/899), Obama graduated with a doctorate from Harvard Law School near the top of his class--magna cum laude. He worked as a professor of constitutional law among other things. He chose Joe Biden, who has immense foreign policy experience, to be his running mate. I'm just an ordinary Joe, so I wish more famous people like Ed Koch and Matt Damon would express their outrage at this choice.
Thank you for your article. As a white, male GOP faithful, I would answer your question about my willingness to have a female as Pres or VP with an unqualified yes. I don't care one whit about a candidate's gender or color. The fact that Gov. Palin is a mother makes her story even more compelling. I respect the lucid disagreements with policy that some on the left have with her. Despite that, I think it only fair to recognize her accomplishments as a strong, proud female.
Thank you for your article. As a white, male GOP faithful, I would answer your question about my willingness to have a female as Pres or VP with an unqualified yes. I don't care one whit about a candidate's gender or color. The fact that Gov. Palin is a mother makes her story even more compelling. I respect the lucid disagreements with policy that some on the left have with her. Despite that, I think it only fair to recognize her accomplishments as a strong, proud female.
Ms. Cottle, You really amaze me. You can't even write a story about regular American women without resorting to using some made up slang writing to attempt to make them sound like backwoods, uneducated, nitwits. You are right on one point, Democrats had better stop pretending that everyone that lives in the middle of the country or in small towns are idiots and we can't help but vote for such horrid people like Senator McCain and Govenor Palin. Your condescension is showing as much as your fangs!
Ms. Cottle, You really amaze me. You can't even write a story about regular American women without resorting to using some made up slang writing to attempt to make them sound like backwoods, uneducated, nitwits. You are right on one point, Democrats had better stop pretending that everyone that lives in the middle of the country or in small towns are idiots and we can't help but vote for such horrid people like Senator McCain and Govenor Palin. Your condescension is showing as much as your fangs!
How long does it take for comments of dissent to appear????
How long does it take for comments of dissent to appear????
Obama is a victim of affimative action. All his life he has been told he was special and pushed to the front and not questioned too much by a friendly supporter group.
Now that he has to face open unflinching competition he is folding up lke a house of cards.
Obama is a victim of affimative action. All his life he has been told he was special and pushed to the front and not questioned too much by a friendly supporter group.
Now that he has to face open unflinching competition he is folding up lke a house of cards.
I live in Portland Oregon. This is a very liberal place. However, since the Palin pick I have seen some very vocal fights lately about her among women. I can honestly say I will be voting for McCain/Palin this year. I never thought I would vote for a republican. The Democratic primary debates convinced me that Obama was not qualified. I trust the opinon of Hillary Clinton & Joe Biden. They both said he lacked experience, and Chris Dodd took Obama to task for his candor to speak to our enemies and invade Pakistan! They all smile and back Obama now, but I can see & hear that they are really stressing reason shoring up Obamas weaknesses. Every time people attack her experience it onl ... view full comment
I live in Portland Oregon. This is a very liberal place. However, since the Palin pick I have seen some very vocal fights lately about her among women. I can honestly say I will be voting for McCain/Palin this year. I never thought I would vote for a republican. The Democratic primary debates convinced me that Obama was not qualified. I trust the opinon of Hillary Clinton & Joe Biden. They both said he lacked experience, and Chris Dodd took Obama to task for his candor to speak to our enemies and invade Pakistan! They all smile and back Obama now, but I can see & hear that they are really stressing reason shoring up Obamas weaknesses. Every time people attack her experience it only makes Obamas experience seem very very bad.
Wow, Die Hard, you are PRECISELY the reason McCain/Palin will win. You're incredible viciousness, reflected up until now in the mainsteam media, is exactly what proves to voters that Obama inspires hate, not hope. Bitter women like you don't inspire anyone. Sarah Palin inspires everyone (except bitter people like you who cling to their hate and godlessness.
Wow, Die Hard, you are PRECISELY the reason McCain/Palin will win. You're incredible viciousness, reflected up until now in the mainsteam media, is exactly what proves to voters that Obama inspires hate, not hope. Bitter women like you don't inspire anyone. Sarah Palin inspires everyone (except bitter people like you who cling to their hate and godlessness.
You really all are. "Cling to Guns and Religion?" And you wonder WHY the U.S. is being attacked? You are just as bad as the Muslim extremists. You all should be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves. if you could, you would probably catapult the entire U.S. back into the Dark Ages and the rest of us (the majority, by the way...just in case you have forgotten how truly insignificant the U.S. is in the greater scheme of things) right along with it.
basically, either vote for sanity (Obama-Biden, not my dream team either but saner and much more rational than your two right-wing idiots) or vote for isolationism so the rest of us can relax and not have to fear whatever idiocy and stupidity comes out of ... view full comment
You really all are. "Cling to Guns and Religion?" And you wonder WHY the U.S. is being attacked? You are just as bad as the Muslim extremists. You all should be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves. if you could, you would probably catapult the entire U.S. back into the Dark Ages and the rest of us (the majority, by the way...just in case you have forgotten how truly insignificant the U.S. is in the greater scheme of things) right along with it.
basically, either vote for sanity (Obama-Biden, not my dream team either but saner and much more rational than your two right-wing idiots) or vote for isolationism so the rest of us can relax and not have to fear whatever idiocy and stupidity comes out of the U.S.A. We are tired of you, capeesh?
Call me a skeptic, but I fail to comprehend how someone (Palin) so religious, can stand in front of the American people and knowingly spew factually false statements.
McCain talks about honor and country first. Then he fails to honor his country by avoiding the issues and produces Carl Rovian style attack ads.
I can hardly wait for the Debates!
Call me a skeptic, but I fail to comprehend how someone (Palin) so religious, can stand in front of the American people and knowingly spew factually false statements.
McCain talks about honor and country first. Then he fails to honor his country by avoiding the issues and produces Carl Rovian style attack ads.
I can hardly wait for the Debates!
You need help! It's delusional thought to think the Dems have "destroyed their chances for victory" because of their reaction to Sarah Palin. Stick with some facts, my Friend and you will come back to reality. Let's talk about what the Republicans have done for the past 8 years to this country and how we will cannot take the chance and put another Republican "group" in charge for another 4. To address another statement made by you....that Bush has kept us safe while he's been in office. Well, Clinton kept us safe while he was in office.... we were attacked on Bushes watch...remember? And we are less safe now that we've ever been.
You need help! It's delusional thought to think the Dems have "destroyed their chances for victory" because of their reaction to Sarah Palin. Stick with some facts, my Friend and you will come back to reality. Let's talk about what the Republicans have done for the past 8 years to this country and how we will cannot take the chance and put another Republican "group" in charge for another 4. To address another statement made by you....that Bush has kept us safe while he's been in office. Well, Clinton kept us safe while he was in office.... we were attacked on Bushes watch...remember? And we are less safe now that we've ever been.
I did the same thing...cried and yelled "Yes!..YES!...Brilliant!". And I am a dyed in the wool Democrat! It is McCain/Palin for me this time.
I did the same thing...cried and yelled "Yes!..YES!...Brilliant!". And I am a dyed in the wool Democrat! It is McCain/Palin for me this time.
The Die Hard comment is the typical hate that leftists spew. Shameful ... move to Europe.
The Die Hard comment is the typical hate that leftists spew. Shameful ... move to Europe.
Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air in the McCain campaign. His choice is simply brilliant and shows leadership and a desire for real change, not just words. The bitter personal name calling by the left is just evidence of their being caught flat footed. How can you beat up on Sarah when the top of your own ticket is such a neophyte.
Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air in the McCain campaign. His choice is simply brilliant and shows leadership and a desire for real change, not just words. The bitter personal name calling by the left is just evidence of their being caught flat footed. How can you beat up on Sarah when the top of your own ticket is such a neophyte.
Women that feel insulted need to get over it. It's not about you. You can and probably will vote for the pen*s ticket. I don't want to and I don't have to. Palin does represent ME and ALL of my female friends and female family members. So to the person above who called Palin "paranoid" go back to your Obama bubble b/c we don't need you.
Women that feel insulted need to get over it. It's not about you. You can and probably will vote for the pen*s ticket. I don't want to and I don't have to. Palin does represent ME and ALL of my female friends and female family members. So to the person above who called Palin "paranoid" go back to your Obama bubble b/c we don't need you.
I think its interesting how Mccain hides behind Palin to get an interested crowd. I also think its interesting that we would consider Palin for such a level of office when we arent allowed to ask her a question. Are we that desperate to see someone who is a woman in the white house?
I think its interesting how Mccain hides behind Palin to get an interested crowd. I also think its interesting that we would consider Palin for such a level of office when we arent allowed to ask her a question. Are we that desperate to see someone who is a woman in the white house?
Would you choose a CEO or VP for your company, hockey sports complex, or country---after a months old hand shake and a three hour conversation? If your honest answer is 'yes', I wouldn't want you on the board of directors...let alone, president of the USA.
Would you choose a CEO or VP for your company, hockey sports complex, or country---after a months old hand shake and a three hour conversation? If your honest answer is 'yes', I wouldn't want you on the board of directors...let alone, president of the USA.
The Palinistas don't even know this woman. No one outside of Wasilla does very well. She's been sequestered since her carefully rehearsed attack speech. Pluck and pretty sure, but her views, as far as I can see, are extreme. And everyone needs to ratchet down the absolutes. Palin came out swinging in her convention speech, she, and her supporters, should expect her adversaries to swing back. I'm guessing once the electorate figures out that she's as much of a politician as the next fellow things will simmer down. You can't go back folks. This is a very multi-racial country. Reagan humming over small town living isn't but a tiny piece of the whole picture now. And please, be aware, ... view full comment
The Palinistas don't even know this woman. No one outside of Wasilla does very well. She's been sequestered since her carefully rehearsed attack speech. Pluck and pretty sure, but her views, as far as I can see, are extreme. And everyone needs to ratchet down the absolutes. Palin came out swinging in her convention speech, she, and her supporters, should expect her adversaries to swing back. I'm guessing once the electorate figures out that she's as much of a politician as the next fellow things will simmer down. You can't go back folks. This is a very multi-racial country. Reagan humming over small town living isn't but a tiny piece of the whole picture now. And please, be aware, you'd be electing McCain, the man who basically follows Bush. How did that go for you the last eight years.
The comments by "Diehard" exemplifies the continued detachment from the hard left. Her comments are shrill, condescending and devoid of any reason. Ad hominem attacks don't win elections, ideas do. By the way, Palin has more executive experience than Obama or Hillary (unless managing bimbo eruptions qualifies as executive experience). In closing, the left hates Sarah Palin because she is a Republican and has done it all on her own. She did not ride her husband's cocktails like little Miss Hillary.
The comments by "Diehard" exemplifies the continued detachment from the hard left. Her comments are shrill, condescending and devoid of any reason. Ad hominem attacks don't win elections, ideas do. By the way, Palin has more executive experience than Obama or Hillary (unless managing bimbo eruptions qualifies as executive experience). In closing, the left hates Sarah Palin because she is a Republican and has done it all on her own. She did not ride her husband's cocktails like little Miss Hillary.
"Die Hard" take a deep breath.
Now, take the meds like your doctor prescribed.
Then maybe you can express a cogent argument instead of spewing vile insults like most liberal bloggers.
"Die Hard" take a deep breath.
Now, take the meds like your doctor prescribed.
Then maybe you can express a cogent argument instead of spewing vile insults like most liberal bloggers.
How come Democrats are upset by Palin's lack of experience, but not Obama's?
They point out that Biden has lots of experience, and say that Obama will rely on Biden for making some of the decisions.
Then the Democrats criticize Bush for relying on Cheney's vast experience.
What's the difference?
It's all very disingenuous.
How come Democrats are upset by Palin's lack of experience, but not Obama's?
They point out that Biden has lots of experience, and say that Obama will rely on Biden for making some of the decisions.
Then the Democrats criticize Bush for relying on Cheney's vast experience.
What's the difference?
It's all very disingenuous.
More sneering...Go right ahead with the snobbery...It is destroying your Cause far more surely than the Hollow Man is wrecking his own candidacy...Sarah Palin caught on instantly because long-neglected American populism is easily recognized in her persona...She is a symbol, I grant you, but a very effective one indeed as she genuinely adheres to the set of shared values symbolized and is not just a false front for your brand of champagne socialism...The historic dishonesty of you and your fellow travelers is at last revealed with all your insults and sneering at the folks you pretend to care about...If you were truly smart you would shut up about Annie Oakley and Pigs in Lipstick, keep up th ... view full comment
More sneering...Go right ahead with the snobbery...It is destroying your Cause far more surely than the Hollow Man is wrecking his own candidacy...Sarah Palin caught on instantly because long-neglected American populism is easily recognized in her persona...She is a symbol, I grant you, but a very effective one indeed as she genuinely adheres to the set of shared values symbolized and is not just a false front for your brand of champagne socialism...The historic dishonesty of you and your fellow travelers is at last revealed with all your insults and sneering at the folks you pretend to care about...If you were truly smart you would shut up about Annie Oakley and Pigs in Lipstick, keep up the fake, and hold your smirking to your cocktail parties...But you can't, can you?...Some superiority.
For those of you who question Gov. Palin's "qualifications" for the office of vice president, I remind you of her negotiation of the Trans-Alaska gas pipeline. To get this project approved, Gov. Palin had to negotiate with several big oil companies, the federal government, the Canadian government, several Canadian provincial governments, and inuit tribal governments. In the end, she negotiated an agreement in which the funding from the project is coming from the private oil companies, and not from the tax dollars of Alaskans.
Now who do I want negotiating with foreign governments? The lady who can pull this off, or a former Constitutional Law Professor? Sorry guys, but Governor Palin has ... view full comment
For those of you who question Gov. Palin's "qualifications" for the office of vice president, I remind you of her negotiation of the Trans-Alaska gas pipeline. To get this project approved, Gov. Palin had to negotiate with several big oil companies, the federal government, the Canadian government, several Canadian provincial governments, and inuit tribal governments. In the end, she negotiated an agreement in which the funding from the project is coming from the private oil companies, and not from the tax dollars of Alaskans.
Now who do I want negotiating with foreign governments? The lady who can pull this off, or a former Constitutional Law Professor? Sorry guys, but Governor Palin has demonstrated that she can play in the big leagues in a way that Prof. Obama can't even approach. And I couldn't care less about Prof. Obama being magna cum laude. Those who can't do, teach.
Check out post number nine above. The comments are very typical of many Democrats/Lefties/Liberals when things aren't going their way. Vicious name calling is all they have when they have no facts to support their arguments.
Check out post number nine above. The comments are very typical of many Democrats/Lefties/Liberals when things aren't going their way. Vicious name calling is all they have when they have no facts to support their arguments.
The Die Hard - You need to get a life. You are so off the mark and the pitiful thing is that you don't have a clue. Your hateful post will only help the McCain-Palin ticket.
On second thought - keep up the vitriol.
GO SARAH - WE LOVE YOU!!!!
The Die Hard - You need to get a life. You are so off the mark and the pitiful thing is that you don't have a clue. Your hateful post will only help the McCain-Palin ticket.
On second thought - keep up the vitriol.
GO SARAH - WE LOVE YOU!!!!
There is a very clear reason for Obama not picking Hillary for VP. It is his inner, well hidden chauvinism against women. I know many Islamic men and one thing they all have in common if their disregard for women. Just look at how women are treated in Muslim countries to know this is the norm. Now you may ask what this has to do with Obama. Well it is widely known that children are very susceptible to indoctrination of a given belief system. The Muslims know that by getting to children young and indoctrinating them in the ways of the Koran keeps them i the fold as they grow older. Obama received this vary indoctrination as a young student in a Muslim school located in Indonesia. This ... view full comment
There is a very clear reason for Obama not picking Hillary for VP. It is his inner, well hidden chauvinism against women. I know many Islamic men and one thing they all have in common if their disregard for women. Just look at how women are treated in Muslim countries to know this is the norm. Now you may ask what this has to do with Obama. Well it is widely known that children are very susceptible to indoctrination of a given belief system. The Muslims know that by getting to children young and indoctrinating them in the ways of the Koran keeps them i the fold as they grow older. Obama received this vary indoctrination as a young student in a Muslim school located in Indonesia. This indoctrination he received is now manifesting itself in the fact he passed over Hillary for the VP slot. Any normal thinking politician would have never passed over a candidate that garnered 18 million votes. Can you image McCain passing over Romney if he had received the same number of votes as he did in the primaries? Of course you can't. IMO, the claims of sexism against Obama are probably more truthful than anyone can possibly believe.
I think Sarah Palin has done a fantastic job of getting her party re - energized again. Which, for me as an outsider, is an example of how the Americans like a good ole American success story.
However, I cannot help but wonder at the political survyness of the McCain/Rove/Bush crew. And when you think of it, there has been no apology or what could even be called remorse at the biggest deficit and debt they have bestowed on the Americans and their children and their children's children ...
I think Sarah Palin has done a fantastic job of getting her party re - energized again. Which, for me as an outsider, is an example of how the Americans like a good ole American success story.
However, I cannot help but wonder at the political survyness of the McCain/Rove/Bush crew. And when you think of it, there has been no apology or what could even be called remorse at the biggest deficit and debt they have bestowed on the Americans and their children and their children's children ...
I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I am a 66 year old woman, mother and grandmother I am not impressed by Sarah Palin. So she can hunt, take kids to hockey games and make babies big deal I am not impressed a lot of southern rural women can do the same thing but they and they don't pretend to be smart enough to run this country. I shutter at the thought of her across the table from foriegn dignateries and making decession that affect the future of our country and children.
I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I am a 66 year old woman, mother and grandmother I am not impressed by Sarah Palin. So she can hunt, take kids to hockey games and make babies big deal I am not impressed a lot of southern rural women can do the same thing but they and they don't pretend to be smart enough to run this country. I shutter at the thought of her across the table from foriegn dignateries and making decession that affect the future of our country and children.
Wbat's America's true leadership doing now that the Power in this country have elevated a woman to a power position on our ticket? Palin may be a stellar example of a conservative, but it's not guaranteed that once she's been in office, The Power and Right can continue on it's righteous course to protect America from it's true heritage and destiny if women are allowed into power. Whether The Power like it or not, this choice will destroy us sooner rather than later.
Wbat's America's true leadership doing now that the Power in this country have elevated a woman to a power position on our ticket? Palin may be a stellar example of a conservative, but it's not guaranteed that once she's been in office, The Power and Right can continue on it's righteous course to protect America from it's true heritage and destiny if women are allowed into power. Whether The Power like it or not, this choice will destroy us sooner rather than later.
There is a very clear reason for Obama not picking Hillary for VP. IMO, it is his inner, well hidden chauvinism against women. I know many Islamic men and one thing they all have in common if their disregard for women. Just look at how women are treated in Muslim countries to know this is the norm. Now you may ask what this has to do with Obama. Well it is widely known that children are very susceptible to indoctrination of a given belief system. The Muslims know that by getting to children young and indoctrinating them in the ways of the Koran keeps them i the fold as they grow older. Obama received this vary indoctrination as a young student in a Muslim school located in Indonesia. ... view full comment
There is a very clear reason for Obama not picking Hillary for VP. IMO, it is his inner, well hidden chauvinism against women. I know many Islamic men and one thing they all have in common if their disregard for women. Just look at how women are treated in Muslim countries to know this is the norm. Now you may ask what this has to do with Obama. Well it is widely known that children are very susceptible to indoctrination of a given belief system. The Muslims know that by getting to children young and indoctrinating them in the ways of the Koran keeps them i the fold as they grow older. Obama received this vary indoctrination as a young student in a Muslim school located in Indonesia. This indoctrination he received is now manifesting itself in the fact he passed over Hillary for the VP slot. Any normal thinking politician would have never passed over a candidate that garnered 18 million votes. Can you image McCain passing over Romney if he had received the same number of votes as he did in the primaries? Of course you can't. IMO, the claims of sexism against Obama are probably more truthful than anyone can possibly believe.
"The Die Hard" proves the statistic - that unhappy women with screwed up lives vote Democrat and married, happy and stable women vote Republican. Nice diatribe. Is the Democrat party the new hate party? I'm beginning to think so. Also, TNR should just rename their website to "DNC Newsletter."
"The Die Hard" proves the statistic - that unhappy women with screwed up lives vote Democrat and married, happy and stable women vote Republican. Nice diatribe. Is the Democrat party the new hate party? I'm beginning to think so. Also, TNR should just rename their website to "DNC Newsletter."
I'm so disgusted and appalled when Democrat faithfuls go after Sarah Palin with vitriol.
Somebody named "diehard" wrote her only experience is "in bed?"
I'm sure diehard feels oh so clever and superior with that comment.
I see that and think Diehard is an idiot. Obama supporters are petty and mean. Those kind of supporters are afraid and have nothing to add, but ad hominems for Sarah Palin - always the path of the least intelligent.
I will say though, when I see those kind of rude, stupid comments I grin a little because I know it pushes people to root for Sarah and drives people away from Obama...
which makes the diehards of the world the dumbest supporters ever.
Good work, diehard. You l ... view full comment
I'm so disgusted and appalled when Democrat faithfuls go after Sarah Palin with vitriol.
Somebody named "diehard" wrote her only experience is "in bed?"
I'm sure diehard feels oh so clever and superior with that comment.
I see that and think Diehard is an idiot. Obama supporters are petty and mean. Those kind of supporters are afraid and have nothing to add, but ad hominems for Sarah Palin - always the path of the least intelligent.
I will say though, when I see those kind of rude, stupid comments I grin a little because I know it pushes people to root for Sarah and drives people away from Obama...
which makes the diehards of the world the dumbest supporters ever.
Good work, diehard. You lunkhead.
makjocs you noted "For all of you who berate Obama's experience, he was a senator in Illinois, a state 20 times the population of Alaska, 8 years before his last 4 years as a US senator." And what did he do during his term which he won in unopposed elections? Let me count the ways. Oops, too many fingers on one hand. HE DID NOTHING! Oh yes, wrote two memoirs about himself. Yes Miami may have high schools bigger than her home town, but she was elected by the people, and she severed the people, not herself. And you are concerned about the ivory academic ivory tower Obama was schooled in, how about the school of real life the McCain/Palin are from? He cannot hold a candle to their past ... view full comment
makjocs you noted "For all of you who berate Obama's experience, he was a senator in Illinois, a state 20 times the population of Alaska, 8 years before his last 4 years as a US senator." And what did he do during his term which he won in unopposed elections? Let me count the ways. Oops, too many fingers on one hand. HE DID NOTHING! Oh yes, wrote two memoirs about himself. Yes Miami may have high schools bigger than her home town, but she was elected by the people, and she severed the people, not herself. And you are concerned about the ivory academic ivory tower Obama was schooled in, how about the school of real life the McCain/Palin are from? He cannot hold a candle to their past experiences/successes. Oh yes I was really moved by Matt Damons comments. What a joke.
This is ludicrous. The same people who were condemning Obama for style without substance are now playing the same card with Palin? Say what? Come on.I just hope we can get past the lipstick, Paris Hilton, and all of this other nonsense and back to the issues --- on BOTH sides.
This is ludicrous. The same people who were condemning Obama for style without substance are now playing the same card with Palin? Say what? Come on.I just hope we can get past the lipstick, Paris Hilton, and all of this other nonsense and back to the issues --- on BOTH sides.
Sarah Palin comes off as a real person who just happens to be in politics. Everybody else in this campaign, and in politics generally, hardly even seem human next to her. The same goes for the media elites. That's why their attacks on what they perceive is her weakness (mocking her as a small town "hockey mom") bounce off harmlessly and damage their boy Obama.
Sarah Palin comes off as a real person who just happens to be in politics. Everybody else in this campaign, and in politics generally, hardly even seem human next to her. The same goes for the media elites. That's why their attacks on what they perceive is her weakness (mocking her as a small town "hockey mom") bounce off harmlessly and damage their boy Obama.
I liked your story but I don't think it was fair to call McCain a "boring old white guy." That manages to be ageist, sexist, and racist in 4 words, while belittling the excitement some feel at having an actual moderate in office. With a black man on one ticket and a woman on the other, can't we move beyond obsessing over race and gender?
I liked your story but I don't think it was fair to call McCain a "boring old white guy." That manages to be ageist, sexist, and racist in 4 words, while belittling the excitement some feel at having an actual moderate in office. With a black man on one ticket and a woman on the other, can't we move beyond obsessing over race and gender?
Insults are the refuge of the mental midget.
Stay classy
Insults are the refuge of the mental midget.
Stay classy
Michelle writes, "...Palin has not simply energized her party, she has transformed its nominee from just another boring old white guy into a shining champion of women."
Actually, he may actually be that. When you listen to his feisty, funny, tough 95 year old, she seems cut from a cloth similar to Palin's.
McCain may well like women better than Obama, son of a single mother, a situation that can cause a boy to have serious resentments against the mother for seeming to have denied him a father.
Meanwhile, Obama is on record as having made several snarky remarks against Hillary. Understandable. But similar hostility against a woman has not been publicly demonstrated by McCain.
Michelle writes, "...Palin has not simply energized her party, she has transformed its nominee from just another boring old white guy into a shining champion of women."
Actually, he may actually be that. When you listen to his feisty, funny, tough 95 year old, she seems cut from a cloth similar to Palin's.
McCain may well like women better than Obama, son of a single mother, a situation that can cause a boy to have serious resentments against the mother for seeming to have denied him a father.
Meanwhile, Obama is on record as having made several snarky remarks against Hillary. Understandable. But similar hostility against a woman has not been publicly demonstrated by McCain.
"...and who can make the mob believe, TWICE, that George Bush of Andover, Yale, and Harvard is simply a regular guy from Crawford?" -- No different from the Democrat propagandists that make a Harvard-trained law professor and canny player in the notoriously corrupt Chicago political machine look like a "new kind of politician."
"...and who can make the mob believe, TWICE, that George Bush of Andover, Yale, and Harvard is simply a regular guy from Crawford?" -- No different from the Democrat propagandists that make a Harvard-trained law professor and canny player in the notoriously corrupt Chicago political machine look like a "new kind of politician."
Oh come on, makjocs. while I can't say I'm thrilled with palin or mccane, is being a college teacher, graduating magna cum laude and picking joe biden is the best you can do in listing obama's qualifications? he did nothing in the senate except run for president, he did nothing in the state legislature that would set him apart from anyone else. come to thnk of, maybe teaching, bragging about his college grades and picking someone more capable, experienced and accomplished that himself is the best thing that can be said about obama.
Oh come on, makjocs. while I can't say I'm thrilled with palin or mccane, is being a college teacher, graduating magna cum laude and picking joe biden is the best you can do in listing obama's qualifications? he did nothing in the senate except run for president, he did nothing in the state legislature that would set him apart from anyone else. come to thnk of, maybe teaching, bragging about his college grades and picking someone more capable, experienced and accomplished that himself is the best thing that can be said about obama.