Posted on 08/29/2008 5:08:06 AM PDT by xjcsa
Based on a couple of key pieces of evidence uncovered by others (h/t to Truthseeker at Draft Sarah Palin), it appears nearly certain that John McCain is set to announce Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. This evidence has also been noted by Kathryn Jean Lopez at the Corner and in a few posts here on FR, although I have not seen both pieces noted together.
So what's this evidence? Flight tracking information from two separate chartered flights.
One of these flights started in Anchorage and flew nonstop to Hook Field Municipal Airport (MWO) in Middletown, Ohio, less than 30 miles from where McCain is to make his first appearance with his running mate. The other airplane also started in Anchorage two days ago, but flew first to Flagstaff, Arizona (near McCain's home in Sedona), and then on to the same airport in Middletown, Ohio (with fuel stops along the way in Seattle and Amarillo).
This is too much for coincidence - it appears certain that Sarah Palin and her family were flown separately to Ohio for the big event. Most likely Palin was on the flight that stopped overnight in Flagstaff and her family was flown on the nonstop flight yesterday.
It's not 100%, but I'd call it something like 98% - Sarah Palin appears to be the pick.
You're kinda wandering off the target.
My original comment was that this was a very good pick, but not perfect.
I noted the political difficulties of the pick, while also noting that the underlying substance of the pick is very good.
You're now saying “popular opinion doesn't change facts,” but that's irrelevant. Popular opinion CERTAINLY is a driver of the politics of the choice - and it is with the politics of the choice that there will be some difficulty.
sitetest
She's the most perfect and the best available and the ONLY pick that will motivate some of us "McCain Bashers" into voting for the ticket.
I wouldn't have voted for McCain given any of the conventional choices, nor would many others as evidenced by the FR threads.
Obama lost the election when he picked Biden. McCain didn't need to do anything spectacular as long as he didn't fumble or throw an interception.
McCain's pick isn't the Hail Mary some are saying it is; it is like a fake spike to toss a long scoring bomb!
This pick gets the Conservatives back in play enthusiastically.
Any other pick would have been Ho Hum at the best.
Free Republic is the best source of news and information on anywhere!
way to go, McCain!!!!
Palin has a great story of accomplishments and she and her close friends can tell the entire story experience as a PTA mom and experience as a mayor relates to heartland America at a deep level being a governor brings executive experience.
Obama stands in stark contrast, the witnesses and friends to Obamas story are people like Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Weight, Frank Marshall Davis, and Bernardine Dohrn, folks Obama doesn't want to tell his own story.....even if he accomplished anything he can't tell it....a senator sitting in congress being in the majority party when congress has a 9% approval rating and doesn't even have one bill with his name on it.
With Obama picking Biden, and McCain picking Palin...
1) Obama’s Marxist speech and Palin’s pick has energized us more then I have ever seen since Reagan. Palin is pro-life, pro-family, pro-moose hunting, pro-drilling, small government, strong defense, fiscal conservative knockout.
(knockout pun intended)
2) McCain/Palin is now firmly carrying the reform/change flag...Biden typifies the Washington good o’ boy crowd, Alaska is far removed from Washington. Palin’s entire political career is built upon removing corruption and reform.
3) McCain picks up ticked off Hillary supporters which could very well determine the outcome of the election.
Any other pick would have been Ho Hum at the best
BUT NOW!
MAN WE ARE FIRED UP.
“She's the most perfect...”
I'd say “best” but would hesitate to use a phrase with the word “perfect” in it.
“...and the best available”
Not knowing the entire universe of potential selections, I'd likely avoid the word “best,” too.
However, I HAVE said, “very good.”
Just, not without political difficulties.
“I wouldn't have voted for McCain given any of the conventional choices, nor would many others as evidenced by the FR threads.”
Myself, I'd have accepted nearly any pro-life candidate, but wouldn't have voted for him if he'd have selected a pro-abort.
Certainly, there are significant upsides to this nomination, and that includes firming up the base in a big way.
I haven't at all suggested that this is other than a very good choice.
It's merely that it isn't without difficulty. There was no perfect candidate to be had this year, nor even someone nearly perfect.
“McCain's pick isn't the Hail Mary some are saying it is; it is like a fake spike to toss a long scoring bomb!”
I haven't suggested that this is a “Hail Mary,” merely that it has some risk attached to it.
That generally happens with any play that is planned to advance the ball down the field.
sitetest
My husband said anytime he would love to stay home and be a house man!
No it would not if you looks at the experience he DOES have. Experience working with terrorists and communist rabble rousers does not qualify one to be president of the US. Iran yes, China suure but not the US. It in fact DISqualifies one.
Sorry, got back from the Minnesota State Fair late tonight & started reading all the threads.
One word for you about Palin:
w00t!
Feh. I was boring, when boring wasn't cool ;-)
Cheers!
Kudos! You nailed it! I never would have expected McCain to pick Palin, but I’m very happy he did!
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