Analysis: McCain sidekick grabs the limelight

AP via SFGate ^ | 9/12/8 | JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

If there were any doubts that the sidekick was stealing the show, they were put to rest when Sarah Palin took off for Alaska with a wave from the tarmac by John McCain.

His crowds suddenly dwindled. The exuberant cheering heard day after day during two weeks of joint appearances went away. And the Republican presidential candidate's schedule began to resemble the lightness of May instead of the full throttle of September.

Meantime, Palin's campaign plane taking her home to Alaska was so crowded it had to let off some cargo to get the weight down.

This was a striking week to see the contrast between McCain and Palin together and the dimmed wattage around the nominee when they are apart.

[rightinthemiddle]

Excerpted from an old thread:

Jennifer Loven is the AP reporter responsible for the over-the-top biased article “Bush, Kerry Twisting Each Other’s Words” filed today.
As noted in that thread, she is also author of a hit piece back in June pretending that the Bush Administration was being damaged by Richard (Yellowcake Fraud) Clarke:

“Bush not able to dispel questions”

What is not known is that she has NO BUSINESS covering the Presidential campaign or the Presidency in general for the following reasons (hat tip to PowerLine Blog):

1. Her husband, Roger Ballentine, has donated over $7000 to various Democrat candidates and the DNC in the past 10-plus years, including $1250 to the Kerry campaign:

2. Her husband is not only a Democrat contributor, but also a former Clinton Administration official(!):

Washington Life Magazine-May 2003: Real Estate News (scroll down):

Extract:
Roger Ballentine is president of Green Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in energy and environmental issues, and was previously deputy assistant to President Clinton for environmental initiatives and chairman of the White House Climate Change Task Force. He also sits on the board of directors of Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF)along with actors Ed Begley, Jr. and Larry Hagman.

[NormsRevenge]

Yup, time to let McCain go..

he’s a drag on the ticket.

Palin / Coulter ‘08

[johnnycap]

Meanwhile, has anyone seen either Joe Biden or Michelle Obama? Would Joe or Michelle please pick up the white courtesy phone? Joe? Michelle? ....Buhler? Anyone?

(crickets).

[FlipWilson]

I was wondering when they would get around to this angle. In reality, however, Palin has been doing exactly what a good VP pick should do, namely, draw fire away from the top of the ticket.

[FlipWilson]

Quote “It’s pretty breathtaking how deeply in the tank for Obama the press is.”

And even more breathtaking that the press doesn’t think anyone notices.

[crymeariver]

I just got word from a NY DNC insider that O will be on Saturday Night live tomorrow. Should be fun.

[The Shrew]

Inside the OODA loop, indeed.

Thanks for making me look it up! Check it out Boyd's OODA Loop

Regards,

TS

[JRandomFreeper]

I grew up on it. ;) McCain's campaign is doing a wonderful job managing the battlespace.

/johnny

[The Shrew]

It was a little after "my time". While I have used "Decision making Circle" in conversation it's very nice to have such an eloquent summary.

Regards,

TS

[Oldexpat]

One sign of a good leader is that they select good people and recognize them. If McCain does his job right she will be prepared to take over.

[The Shrew]

One sign of a good leader is that they select good people and recognize them. If McCain does his job right she will be prepared to take over.

Great point! The confidence of a truly great leader is show in the quality of his/her subordinates. That's the ideal of what our military does. The opposite is "Darwinian Staffing" which is what the Democrats and many businesses practice.

[Miss Marple]

Yes, I did! I made a point of saying so on the Sunday Talk Show thread, and encouraging people to go to wherever he is appearing. Otherwise, this will be the meme over the next few weeks.

I would like to point out that when they separated, McCain’s appearances were at Shanksville, Pennsylvania (pretty big crowd there for 9/11 ceremonies), New York to visit Ground Zero (again big crowds because of 9/11), and an appearance on The View today (tickets pre-sold and a full house).

So where, exactly, did Miss Loven spot these dwindling crowds? Today is September 12. McCain and Palin separated on the evening of the 10th, he went to a hotel, and she went to Alaska. The next day contained the events I listed above. There was nowhere that he appeared that there wasn’t a crowd. I do believe Miss Loven has jumped the gun on her narrative, allowing us to see that FACTS won’t get in the way of her determined effort to portray McCain as unpopular.

By gosh, the media and the democrats have done something I never thought possible: they have made me LIKE John McCain! In fact, I feel very affectionate towards him, and somewhat protective. And so, Miss Loven is going to hear from me.

[goldstategop]

Jennifer Loven admits Sarah is no lightweight.... I thought the MSM thought she much ado about nothing when she was announced as the McCain veep pick? Yeah, right! (laughing)

"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