Posted on 09/03/2008 6:11:07 AM PDT by crazyhorse691
McCain's choice for vice president already seems fraught with problems Wednesday, September 03, 2008 The Oregonian
I n her first appearance with Republican nominee-to-be John McCain on Friday, Sarah Palin was a fresh and appealing figure.
In the three days since, the doubts about her qualifications have grown.
Not, it must be stressed, because of her daughter's out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Her children's lives and choices ought to be left out of the political debate. Barack Obama was exactly right when he insisted Monday that her daughter's situation "has no relevance to Gov. Palin's performance as governor or her potential performance as a vice president."
But the situation highlights Palin's staunch opposition to women's reproductive rights, which deserves a front-and-center place in the presidential debate. This became the case instantly when McCain selected her as a running mate. Her opposition to abortion, even in cases of rape or incest, is a stark reminder that the next president may well be called upon to nominate two justices to the Supreme Court who would likely be hostile to Roe v. Wade, and the established law of the land.
As we all have learned more about Palin's record, other questions have arisen. What will the investigation into "Troopergate" reveal about her use of executive power? What are we to make of her enthusiasm for federal budget earmarks, as evidenced by her hiring of a lobbying firm to help her small Alaskan town gain federal pork when she was its mayor and by her initial support for the "Bridge to Nowhere"? What does it mean for her to say she won't support "explicit sex-ed programs" in the schools? Does her eagerness to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge amount to a serious energy policy? Does she really want parents to have their children "opt out" of textbooks they find offensive?
And perhaps most to the point, what are Americans to make of her experience as a mother, wife, churchgoer, PTA member, mayor, ethics commission member and, finally and briefly, governor? Is this sufficient for someone to be elevated to the vice presidency, not to mention potentially the presidency? Has she ever held an executive job at a time when revenues weren't rising and difficult choices couldn't be avoided?
Palin's career has traced its trajectory, raising her quickly to prominence, but limiting her exposure to some subjects crucial to governing the nation, such as foreign policy. So, yes, just as voters should carefully examine whether Barack Obama's experience qualifies him for the presidency, they should ask themselves what, beyond political cynicism, in the experience of a small-town mayor and governor of sparsely populated Alaska qualifies her for the job she seeks.
Palin deserves the same sort of examination and criticism that McCain, Obama and Joe Biden have gotten and will continue to get. But unlike the others, Palin hasn't been under the microscope for long. The more that is revealed about her, the more her choice as running mate will say about McCain's judgment. It's entirely likely that voters will conclude she was chosen to help McCain win, but not to help him govern, much less to be governor-in-chief.
Interesting to see the “progressive” liberals attempt to shame and hang the Scarlet Letter on Palin’s daughter.
Which is why the author leads with that bit of information?
The campaign for Sarah Palin fraught with problems? Just another word for “opportunities”, and a series of wonderful “teaching moments”.
The culture wars have been reignited, just when the left had thought all was quiescent on that quarter.
MAJOR ERROR:
“But the situation highlights Palin’s staunch opposition to women’s reproductive rights...”
CORRECTION:
Sarah Palin in NOT opposed to the reproductive rights of women. She is also NOT opposed to the right to LIFE of unborn women.
This is Clarence Thomas Mark II.
I’m disgusted.
Hold on here...I heard the libs crying just last night that the economy is in the toilet. Everybody is losing their jobs, can't afford to buy food, gasoline, etc.
Which is it?
I agree. Every McCain/Palin yard sign should be equipped with a picture of a child at a few months in the womb with the caption at the top reading "When does life begin?" and at the bottom saying "This is 'above Obama's' paygrade?".
Yep. Front and center.
>Has she ever held an executive job at a time when revenues weren’t rising and difficult choices couldn’t be avoided?
Has Obama ever held an executive position at any time? If this is a criticism of Sarah, then it had better be squared and cubed at Obama.
>Palin deserves the same sort of examination and criticism that McCain, Obama and Joe Biden have gotten and will continue to get.
Correction. The examination and criticism that McCain has gotten. Biden and Obama have been given a free ride by the left.
Better title: “Scrutinizing Sarah Palin’s daughter, Sarah Palin’s daughter’s boyfriend, Sarah Palin’s daughter’s child, Sarah Palin’s husband, Sarah Palin’s fourth cousin twice removed, Sarah Palin’s dentist’s receptioninst, and some random guy who once appeared in a photograph with Sarah Palin”
My, these little lefties regurgitate right on cue, don’t they?
Excellent point,NN.
I guess they are trying harder at scrutinizing since they did such a poor job with Obama bin Biden...guilt will make you try harder the second time around, don’t ya know. Insert heavy sarcasm tag here.
If it isn't "sufficient" for Palin, then this "Obama campaign supporter" ( certainly isn't a journalist) should ask what qualifications does Obama have that top Palins besides reading a teleprompter?
Exactly. It's amazing how little independent thinking there is in the MSM, they are like robots regurgitating the moonbat talking points no matter how stupid, ridiculous, and untrue.
These hit pieces have become one great big bore! But, they are serving a purpose - to energize the Republican Party. Thanks Barry! The gift that keeps on giving.
Like heck it does. Palin is all for reproduction of human beings.
Abortionists are those who hold a staunch opposition to womens reproduction rights.
Just one example of the lunacy of the left.....I sometimes visit to see what they are saying on the other side, and it is getting beyond preposterous:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6898371
This article just goes to show that all of their attempts to drudge up mud have come up dry. Even this article which would love to smear her can’t really come up with anything that she has done which was wrong or unethical so it resorts to implying that her pro-life views somehow causes a question about her candidacy.
Ann Coulter calls womens reproductive rights the right to have unprotected sex with men you don’t particularly want to marry. I think that sums it up.
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