Posted on 08/29/2008 7:24:51 AM PDT by TitansAFC
Few have been more critical of Sen. McCain than I, both here and on my radio show. And I have long said on my radio show that his selection of a running-mate will be key in determining my enthusiasm for his candidacy. If McCain has, in fact, chosen Gov. Palin, then count me in with both feet. It would be a terrific choice.
Palin is by all accounts a principled conservative and government reformer who can contribute mightily to the decision-making that occurs in the White House. She has more executive experience in her two years as governor than Obama, Biden, and McCain combined. She is a mother of five in what appears to be a loving and functioning family. And she is someone Republicans, conservatives, and others can rally behind in the future.
From a purely tactical aspect, Palin would knock the legs out from under Obama's monopoly hold on "change." And attacks on her "inexperience" will only highlight one of Obama's greatest vulnerabilities and he's at the top of the Democrat ticket. And because Hillary Clinton spent months telling women voters that they are being dissed by Obama, some percentage of women who normally would not vote for McCain will take a second look if Palin's on the ticket. There is no question that a Palin selection would cause the Obama camp headaches.
I should add that if Palin is the choice, this also suggests that McCain may not be as stubborn as portrayed and that's a good thing given his positions on a number of issues that have given conservatives heart-burn. At least it gives us some hope in that regard.
If Palin is, indeed, McCain's choice, I will have more to say, as will most everyone else. If it is not, he may have created - or some in the media may have created - a situation in which hopes were raised and then dashed. We shall see. There are other solid candidates out there to be sure. If it is not Palin, here's hoping it is one of them.
August 29, 2008, 10:12 AM
Palin’s Parents Told To Listen To Radio
Posted by Ryan Corsaro
From CBS News’ Ryan Corsaro:
Alaska Governor Sarah Palins parents were called early this morning at their home in Wasilla and told to listen to the radio by Palins husband, Tim.
Palins father, Chuck Heath, says he and his wife were caribou hunting when they were told to come home and tune into their local radio station to hear exciting news, but said he did not know if his daughter was the choice for John McCains vice president.
The river was swollen, so we almost didnt get back, Palins mother, Sally Heath, told CBS News.
The two said they said the call was a wonderful surprise.
I am shocked! said Mrs. Heath.
Ping the list! Thank me!
Ever since I heard it might be Palin, my breath has been taken away. Wow, this is an incredible pick by McCain.
If it is Sarah, I will write a check for her today....this would be a reason for me to vote for a ticket....not just against one.
grandma mac
The Rats are playing checkers. The Reps are playing chess.
Charles Meek
www.offgridblogger.wordpress.com
Fox says its Palin, via sources backstage in Ohio!
Can we all declare that John McCain deserves the label Maverik today?
In a good way!
What a way to hit it out of the park!!!
Great line! LOL
Meanwhile, back in Hawaii, Obama's white grandmother has been tied up in a straightjacket to keep her from talking with the press while her son is being worshipped in his Temple.
You can't make this stuff up.
I'm in with both feet, too.
I’m with you, Mark. :)
I’m on board with Palin all the way.
Thank God it’s not that phony Slickster from MA!
I’m a bit of a skeptic on Palin. She has the Bio. She has the right positions. Thin on experience, but better than Obama.
Still, one of the things you want from a VP pick is to fire up the party base. McCain hit a homer. Obama fouled one off.
MC CAIN CAMPAIGN CONFIRMS! SARAH PALIN IS IT!!!!!!!!!
I ditto everything Mark said! And Fox has confirmed Palin as McCain’s pick. Whoo Hoo!!!
Fox Confirmed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh. I love this. I have McCain’s website up to contribute. I truly believe this is going to energize the base!
I don’t care if she is a woman, I don’t care if she is green with purple polka dots. Is she a solid conservative that cares about America?
“If it is Sarah, I will write a check for her today”
Ditto!!!
This is terrific. WOW!
From the Corner:
Palin?! [Jonah Goldberg]
As something of a Palin booster, I’m having some flop sweats at the idea it’s actually happening. You’ve heard all the usual pros and cons, here are a few added thoughts off the top of my head.
The way she talks. She has something of a native Alaskan’s accent/speaking style. When I heard her speak last month, I was stunned by how parochial she sounds, not substantively, but stylistically. She refers to herself not as a mom or mother but as a “mama.” If she’s the pick and it sounds like she I think this could be both an advantage and disadvantage. The disadvantage is that the press will make fun of her for it. The folks at Slate and New York magazine will titter at the rube from the provinces. Look at what sophisticated talkers Biden and Obama are compared to this bumpkin! (You’ll get a similar but more shrill line of argument from feminists who will immediately claim she’s not a real woman for whatever b.s. reason). This in turn could be a great advantage for her and the ticket because she’ll play well in Peoria as an authentic American woman (and man, oh, man will the Nascar crowd love her husband). The cosmopolitanism of the Democratic ticket will stand out in even starker relief. But remember: at the end of the day all of the scorn and ridicule visited upon Bush for his cowboyish way of talking probably helped him.
What about the debates? The immediate response from lots of folks is, “Can she stand up to Biden?” I think this is an open question. She will certainly have to do a lot of homework on foreign policy. However, it’s entirely possible Biden would go into a debate even cockier than usual and, like Hillary Clinton in her debate with Rick Lazio, she could make things far more difficult for him than a man would. She’d have to seem very confident and know her stuff, but Biden would all of a sudden have to be very wary of seeming condescending.
Quick, and provisional bottom line: The upside: She’s the best of the dark horses because she’s an exciting, exotic (yet heartlandish) female pick. The base will love her. She’s a true outsider and the only person in the race with serious executive experience. This will have to mean McCain’s flipping on ANWR, which will make gas prices a central issue.
Downside: She may not be ready for primetime. The heartbeat-from-the-presidency issue is a real one.
Trivia Bonus: My wife used to play basketball against her!
08/29 10:42 AM
The gun grabbers and eco-extremists will NOT be pleased! LOL.
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