McCain's VP pick - Sarah Palin

I heard on the radio this morning that a private plane from Alaska landed in Ohio today ahead of John McCain's announcement of his VP choice.

Speculation abounds that he may have chosen Sarah Palin, first term governor of Alaska (kind of a female republican equivalent to Tim Kaine of VA AND she's best known for supporting drilling in ANWR.)

Boy wouldn't that mix things up!

Some people are still saying they think it will be Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

We don't have to wait long to find out, eh?

Original Post by nomoreexcuses:

Speculation abounds that he may have chosen Sarah Palin, first term governor of Alaska (kind of a female republican equivalent to Tim Kaine of VA AND she's best known for supporting drilling in ANWR.)

Boy wouldn't that mix things up!

Indeed - although I can't imagine why they would nominate her while simultaneously criticizing Obama for lack of experience.  

I heard a little about her on NPR this AM. hmmm. Very interesting.

McCain needs to prove that he is the party maverick he says he is. Selecting a woman for Veep would help do the job.

well, they just criticize wherever they can find a criticism, I think -- seems like everybody does -- it's become almost entirely who can spin things most effectively -- throw as much **** as you can and see what sticks

like they criticized the Biden pick because they said all his experience was inconsistent with Obama's change message (ignoring the logical conclusion that all John McCain's experience must be inconsistent with HIS change message)

but you make an interesting point here, santo, in that if he picks her, it has to mean that he thinks she's qualified to be president, and so he can't make the case that Obama isn't qualified or experienced enough to be president

no doubt he'll try to have it both ways - everyone does, don't they?

i hate the spin - i really do

I'm a bit shocked that Romney is out, but pleasantly surprised at who is left!  I'll comment more in a couple hours who the nomination is officially announced, but I'd be ALL for Sarah Palin if she is the nominee. 

In terms of experience, McCain has it, and quite a bit of it.  So, experience is not an issue with him.  Frankly, if the Obama campaign would even try to hit him with that, he would be opening up a can of worms.  Palin would be a fantastic choice, imo.  But, I’ll comment more in a couple hours.  :)

Original Post by kathygator:

McCain needs to prove that he is the party maverick he says he is. Selecting a woman for Veep would help do the job.

If he wants to show he's a "maverick" (how voting against your party 10% of the time makes a person a maverick is beyond me...) maybe he should nominate someone who is actually not an ultra-right-winger for a change? There are some GOP women - Katherine Harris, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Jean Schmidt, etc. but most of them are far-right-wing harpies.

How about someone like Olympia Snowe?

 

(not that even it could ever get me to vote GOP.  Hell, I can barely stomach a ticket as far to the right as Obama/Biden)

Hey udo! long time no see!!  :D

welcome back!

In my vp fantasy thread I think I may have picked Olympia Snowe for McCain - I like her.

well, i think a woman on his ticket will help him not look so ... old and outdated

I think she would be a great choice...we shall see.

Apparently Pawlenty confirmed he is out yesterday.  He said it was a fair assumption that he won't be in the VP slot because he will be at the MN state fair today and not in Ohio.

ETA:  Special Report on NBC said it is for sure Alaskan gov.

CNN says it's Palin

It's official. I think she is a good choice. This will shake things up for sure.

I'm amazed that someone as old as McCain (could die in office) would pick a woman, for VP, and also one as young as Sarah Palin. I don't really know that much about her, just read Wiki, but geez, it seems an odd choice to me... She is Christian though... Maybe to appeal to the Christians that don't like him??

santonacci - I totally agree with you.  It'll be interesting to see how they attack Obama now that they have an inexperienced party on the ticket.

I think it's a completely obvious move to try to get the Hillary-fans to vote McCain/Palin.

Drudge and Fox news are reporting that it's Sarah Palin.  I'm excited about this pick.  I think it a pick that is certainly unexpected.  She's supposed to have an interview with Glenn Beck soon and the McCain campaign called Glenn Beck after he announced this asking Beck’s people, “You have an interview with Sarah Palin??  What’s going on?”  If that isn’t conformation, I don’t know what is. 

Things just got fun!

I wouldn’t say that it’s an odd choice, but I would say it is unexpected!  If any one is interested, she will be speaking with Glenn beck within the Hour.  He is on many local stations, and on XM 165 right now. 

Original Post by crazineko: 

In terms of experience, McCain has it, and quite a bit of it.  So, experience is not an issue with him.   

You don't think the VP needs to be qualified to be president too?  I mean that is kind of the whole point if you're interested in governing -- that if the president dies in office, the VP is qualified to step in and take over.

I don't know too much about politics but my officemate listens to NPR all day so I've been hearing a bit about it... and while I'm all for powerful women I'm just not sure this woman is quite right. She's very young and not very experienced. I read her wiki page to get some info on her, and I am impressed with all that she is done, but 2 years as a governor and she has a baby with Downs syndrome (as well as an 18 year old son about to go to Iraq) I don't know if she can handle what she's getting into. And I'm not saying a mother can't be a president or handle a career and children, its just a large committment. The radio was also saying that McCain is turning 72 and if elected would be the oldest president. And he may be fit and healthy but there is always the liklihood that his VP will have to take over... which needs to be considered with any election.

And of course, not to mention, attacks on Obama's inexperience.. this woman may be even less experienced!

Original Post by crazineko:

 Frankly, if the Obama campaign would even try to hit him with that, he would be opening up a can of worms.   

Yeah, but so would McCain if they continue with the "is he [Barack] ready to lead" campaign - they pretty much have to take that strategy out of their arsenal now.

But, of course, now they can say that they did what Obama's camp didn't do - nominate a woman.  That will go long way with Hillary supporters that were on the fence.

Now is where it gets interesting, for sure.  It's time for some campaignin'!

Original Post by figurethefat:

I'm amazed that someone as old as McCain (could die in office) would pick a woman, for VP, and also one as young as Sarah Palin. I don't really know that much about her, just read Wiki, but geez, it seems an odd choice to me... She is Christian though... Maybe to appeal to the Christians that don't like him??

 So, if he dies or temporarily disabled, we're stuck with an inexperienced governor of a not exactly mainstream America state, who has not one shred of experience in the lower 48, in Washington or in the rest of the world? She has no foreign policy experience, no diplomacy experience, and no national domestic policy experience.  God help us.