In Palin, working independents see themselves (Another good read from the UK!)

The Globe and Mail (UK) ^ | 9/12/2008 | John Ibbitson

[GVnana]

In Palin, working independents see themselves by JOHN IBBITSON

September 12, 2008 at 8:33 PM EDT

WASHINGTON — At some point during the past week, the Republican ticket flipped. Sarah Palin became the principal candidate in the general election, with John McCain her much-diminished running mate.

“It's an astonishing and unprecedented development in American presidential politics,” MSNBC's political journalists blogged Friday on their First Read website.

And it has crystallized this election into a single, defining phenomenon: the embrace of Ms. Palin by white working voters.

Republican vice-presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is greeted by her daughter, Piper, left, after arriving for a welcome home rally in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Wednesday. (Eric Risberg/Associated Press)

[Ciexyz]

What an adorable photo. First time I noticed the 'famous red heels'.

[GVnana]

None of that might matter. Back in 1980, a pollster discovered that most Americans disagreed with Ronald Reagan's stand on major issues, but they planned to vote for him anyway, because they liked him and identified with his core values.

And in a way, Ms. Palin's appeal is even greater than was Reagan's. She doesn't just identify with the average voter, she is the average voter.

[GVnana]

Not as good as the open-toed pumps she wore when McCain introduced her!

[Ciexyz]

The article, unfortunately, takes a lot of swipes at her and is pro-Obama.

[avacado]

What an awesome photo!

[possumdawg]

I agree. Gov. Plain comes off as a kind and honest person and as someone that would be cool to be around. Now, Obama and Biden are a different story. I just watched Obama/Bidens latest ad about Senator McCain- how do you belittle a person's handicap? And the fact he is limited and cannot send emails because he was tortured is heartless to me. I know if they will attack Gov. Palin through her children why not make fun of McCain's disablities.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

SHE’S GOING TO STRANGLE THE POOR KID! THE HORROR! < /HYSTERICAL LEFTISTS >

[EDINVA]

omg, could the White House use a shot of Piper!

And that is a fabulous, so totally natural photo of mother and child after a few days apart.

[paudio]

the attitude of white women voters, who now prefer McCain-Palin over Obama-Biden 53 per cent to 40 per cent. If minority women are added in, Mr. Obama moves into a five-point lead

OK. This just doesn't make sense for me. How many 'minority' women are there? In order to make a switch like that, 'minority' women have to be in the majority. Am I wrong?

[goldstategop]

I suspect a lot more Americans will pull the lever for McCain-Palin than are telling the pollsters, since even though they may not agree with her on everything, they trust her on core values - called "voting with your guts." So in a way, the polls if anything, are underestimating the extent of her popularity with the American people.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[caveat emptor]

The Globe and Mail is a widely read snotty liberal paper in Toronto.

[KarlInOhio]

OK. This just doesn't make sense for me. How many 'minority' women are there? In order to make a switch like that, 'minority' women have to be in the majority. Am I wrong?

If white women are split 53/40 and minorities are split 0/100 (yes, it's silly), then a 16% minority wound change the total split to 44.5/49.6. A more reasonable split among minorities of 20/80 would require a 25% minority amount to give a 44.75/50 total split.

[GVnana]

You’re right. My apologies. It’s getting late!

[goldstategop]

Obama will never get 100% of the black and Hispanic vote. Its politically impossible. He could get 90% of the former and 70% of the latter. And 90% of the Democratic vote. That's more attainable if he's perceived as a shoo-in. That's all gone now.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Chet 99]

Correct. If Obama is not perceived as the winner, blacks may not bother to turn out in the record numbers some have projected.

[paudio]

If white women are split 53/40 and minorities are split 0/100 (yes, it's silly), then a 16% minority wound change the total split to 44.5/49.6. A more reasonable split among minorities of 20/80 would require a 25% minority amount to give a 44.75/50 total split.

Thank you for the reply. I guess it also depends on how we define 'minority', especially whether we incude the Hispanics or not.

[jocon307]

“This just doesn’t make sense for me. How many ‘minority’ women are there? “

I don’t think you are wrong, that sentence seemed screwy to me too.

I did think it was a pretty fair article all around, compared to most of the swill the media has been spewing about Palin.

[jocon307]

Thanks for doing the math.

And it is time for me to change my tagline.

[seoul62]

I liked the closed toe pumps. Notice the hyprocrites are all for choice when it comes to those that fall lock step with their brand of ideology. Wait, someone pinch me, are we in North Korea, where is the Dear Leader?????/Just Asking - seoul62........