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McCain's Surprise V.P. Choice (Alaska's Gov. Palin Targets Those Stung By Clinton's Loss)
Wall Street Journal-Online ^ | August 30, 2008 | LAURA MECKLER, ELIZABETH HOLMES and JIM CARLTON

Posted on 08/30/2008 8:41:07 AM PDT by bobsunshine

Sen. John McCain chose first-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, little known on the national stage, as his vice-presidential running mate -- a surprise stroke aimed at attracting Hillary Clinton supporters, but which could undercut the campaign's key theme of experience.

Sen. McCain passed over many high-profile, more conventional choices for the job, turning to a woman whose solid conservative positions thrilled the Republican base. Her reputation as a reformer in Alaska dovetails with Sen. McCain's image, too. As a small-town mayor, she took on her own party elders to run for governor in 2006, as an FBI corruption probed rocked the state's political establishment.

But the 44-year-old's thin political résumé also thrilled some Democratic strategists, given Sen. McCain's criticism of the experience of his opponent, Sen. Barack Obama. They were quick to note that Sen. McCain turned 72 Friday and would be the oldest person to enter the White House, yet he is trying to put a heartbeat from the Oval Office a woman who has spent less time in the governors' mansion than Sen. Obama has in the Senate. Just two years ago, she was mayor of Wasilla, a town of 9,780 people.

(snip)

The McCain campaign professed no concern about Gov. Palin's experience. Senior strategist Steve Schmidt said she is "one of the most exceptional governors in the country" with reform credentials that fit perfectly with Sen. McCain's message. "We are happy to have that debate with the Obama campaign and we'll win the argument with the American people," Mr. Schmidt said. "By any objective measure, Gov. Palin is more qualified for the presidency than Barack Obama."

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2008veep; alaska; elections; hillary; mccain; obama; palin; puma; sarahpalin; vp; womensvote
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To: Vaduz
I think you are wrong about that. Have you seen the financial contribution totals since the announcement? Four times McCains previous best 24 hour period.

Obviously failed with you, but overall is highly energizing the base. Take care.
21 posted on 08/30/2008 9:13:04 AM PDT by Codeflier (We just had 8 more years of a democrat president in office, we already know what happens!)
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To: chaos_5
They know as a fact that most of Hillary's supporters who were dissed by Obama will support MCain/Palin, and they know for a fact now that McCain/Palin will win and that ( Hopefully John McCain will appoint strict constitutional judges ) John McCain will appoint strict constitutional judges.
The conservatives need to remind John McCain of his promises before and after the election to keep his promise.
We need to find some big time conservative who holds some weight and say to send a open letter to the McCain/Palin campaign to keep his promise on his supreme court appointments.
22 posted on 08/30/2008 9:15:03 AM PDT by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
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To: Question_Assumptions
I don't think that was the main objective. I think that McCain needed to energize the conservative base and he's done that.

Probably. As pro-life as she is, I don't think Palin will attract any more of the Clinton supporters that hadn't already switched to him. How she'll play among female independents, time will tell. It'll all depend on how she does on the campaign trail.

23 posted on 08/30/2008 9:15:51 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
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To: bobsunshine
which could undercut the campaign's key theme of experience.

What a load ...... She has MORE experience than Obama Shes more qualified to be President than Obama and shes not a Communist like Obama !

24 posted on 08/30/2008 9:16:10 AM PDT by ATOMIC_PUNK (Drag The Waters some more like never before !)
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To: Question_Assumptions

Spot on, see my tagline. All Palin threads need pics, just like Malkin or Coulter threads.


25 posted on 08/30/2008 9:32:01 AM PDT by steve8714 (Sarah was picked for the base. Period.)
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To: Codeflier

I’m sure the Chamber types and most Paulistas aren’t thrilled, but Bob Barr just took a big hit. Many who were wavering, thinking of a “principle vote” for the Libertarian just fell in line with the party.
McCain has been much smarter in this campaign since about the first of June.
Selling the plane, and the hatred of the Alaska Pubbie establishment say a lot.


26 posted on 08/30/2008 9:36:39 AM PDT by steve8714 (Sarah was picked for the base. Period.)
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To: pabianice

“The Left has gone psychotic over Palin, heaping foul language and false charges upon her for “daring to ursurp Hillary’s place in history.” In my experience, the louder they shriek and the fouler the language, the better we are doing. LOL!”

In the words of Ann Coulter, “I wear their insults as badges of honor.”


27 posted on 08/30/2008 9:36:59 AM PDT by Forgiven_Sinner (For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not die)
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To: steve8714
Spot on, see my tagline. All Palin threads need pics, just like Malkin or Coulter threads.

Sure, I can help you with that:

Sarah Palin in Kuwait touring a military base with Alaska's National Guard deployed there.

28 posted on 08/30/2008 9:45:33 AM PDT by Question_Assumptions
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To: pabianice
“In my experience, the louder they shriek and the fouler the language, the better we are doing. LOL!”

I absolutely agree. Harord Wolfson (Hil’s former campaign manager) was interviewed on Fox immediately after Pailn’s introduction. He was crestfallen, upset as he haltingly acknowledged this could be a good move for McCain. Immediately after that, the attacks began in earnest.

This was a great move IMHO and it allows me to go to the booth and vote for McCain without wincing...

29 posted on 08/30/2008 9:50:00 AM PDT by IMTOFT (At least I'm enjoying the ride...)
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK; FelixFelicis; Condor51; Junior_G
Exactly. They really need to ramp up the talk about how Obama only spent 143 working days in the Senate before he officially started running for president, how he hasn't convened his committee at all, how he hasn't done a darn thing in Washington for his constituency. How can anyone think he'll do anything for America when the only thing he has done for Illinois is run for president? And let's not forget the nothing he did in the Illinois Senate and before!

And he's totally a Washington insider. Just because he's a first-termer doesn't mean anything. How many first-term senators get to chair a committee, for example? How many first-term senators are so close to so many other politicians? His fame brings all the Beltway bigwigs to his yard!

Since Obama has nothing to show for his "work", I wonder if we could start using the liberals' line that Cheney was pulling Bush's strings on Biden!

Ah, Felix, you beat me to the "We Can Do It!" poster!

30 posted on 08/30/2008 9:50:25 AM PDT by brython (Barack Obama: Freedom of FAVORABLE speech)
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To: Condor51

“Sooooooooo, anyone up for comparing Time Cards?”

Rush said yesterday that Obama’s only spent ~140 working days in the Senate - why the GOP is not hammering on that is a complete mystery to me. Anyone know the actual number?


31 posted on 08/30/2008 9:53:18 AM PDT by IMTOFT (At least I'm enjoying the ride...)
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To: brython

Ya snooze, ya lose! :-)


32 posted on 08/30/2008 9:55:20 AM PDT by FelixFelicis
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To: Sig Sauer P220

I’m missing exactly what is meant that Hillary should “pull out all stops against” Obama now? Thanks !


33 posted on 08/30/2008 9:56:38 AM PDT by Edgewood Pilot ( My Gratitude to American Forces everywhere.)
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To: bobsunshine

“It’s time for CHANGE, CHANGE we can believe in. Let me introduce you to my running mate, consumate Washington insider and 35 year Senator Joe Biden.”

In one stroke, McCain has completely nullified Obama’s campaign theme. Sarah Palin has demonstrated CHANGE in her 13 years of elected office.


34 posted on 08/30/2008 10:05:51 AM PDT by Bryan24 (When in doubt, move to the right..........)
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To: bobsunshine
A rough, back of napkin assessment of the Palin pick:

Democrats make up approximately 30% of voters. Half supported Hillary- that means approximately 15% of voters. If the Palin pick moves 20% of the Hillary voters from the Democratic party to McCain- Palin ticket, that is: .2 x .15 = .03 = 3%. But this is 3% from the Democrats to McCain- that works out to a 6% swing in the polls. That could make any state where McCain is down by 5% to being up by 1%. This could make states like Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania potentially in play, and currently close states like Ohio, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, Nevada and Virginia out of reach for Obama. Add in independents and there may be an additional 1%- 3% move to McCain.

Take into account the energizing effect Palin will have on the Republican conservative base, and the weak bounce Obama got from the Democratic Party convention, and the result of the Palin pick may be a shift in the current state of the race from roughly tied to a clear McCain lead.

If Obama has to conduct the remaining campaign from an underdog position, the tenor of his campaign will most likely change from promoting his vague idealistic vision to attacks on McCain and Palin. This has the potential to alienate his core base and particularly the fickle younger voters who secured his primary victories.

Bottom line: the Palin pick represents a Sea change in the Presidential election campaign, and may result in a McCain electoral college landslide victory.

35 posted on 08/30/2008 10:12:03 AM PDT by Lamchops
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To: Question_Assumptions
I don't think that was the main objective. I think that McCain needed to energize the conservative base and he's done that.

There is a two-step process for the GOP to win the White House. Hold the base. And draw pro-life and pro-gun and pro-national-security Dems. Palin helps as a draw for all those constituencies.

36 posted on 08/30/2008 10:14:10 AM PDT by dirtboy
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To: Vaduz

Your assessment = CLUELESS


37 posted on 08/30/2008 10:14:47 AM PDT by dirtboy
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To: FelixFelicis
Actually, that was exactly what I was doing between thinking of it last night and seeing you post it! :P
38 posted on 08/30/2008 10:24:36 AM PDT by brython (Barack Obama: Freedom of FAVORABLE speech)
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To: Question_Assumptions

Wait...so when she goes to see the troops, she doesn’t stand them up and go to the gym instead? Incredible!


39 posted on 08/30/2008 10:24:36 AM PDT by brython (Barack Obama: Freedom of FAVORABLE speech)
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To: Sig Sauer P220

That’s an interesting comment. Perhaps we can expect some major scandal leaks, but I wonder if Hillary has anything left this late. I guess there’s still the ‘natural-born’ issue.


40 posted on 08/30/2008 11:35:04 AM PDT by expatpat
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