I was about to post this exact same diary- I think I beat you to it on Facebook but regardless someone should do a remix of this video:

to Rove's level. What good does that do? Rove and comp. will just turn it around and say the same thing about Biden- he's from Delaware remember. It's a pretty dumb argument on all parts.

I'm also going to repost a bit of what I just commented in the previous thread that I think is relevant.

... don't buy into the inexperience frame -- you're playing McCain's game, it lets McCain/Palin be the victim. Don't try to minimize her achievements -- it seems condescending to dismiss public service in Alaska due to the lower population; that plays into the GOP's hands w/r/t the elitist frame. Talk about the hypocrisy of McCain's attacks on Obama's experience, use it to emphasizes how he flip flops for political gain. Talk about her ethics issue w/ regard to her sister's ex-husband.

Don't let the McCain/Palin campaign dictate the agenda. Don't do things that are more effective at reminding people of the GOP points, and reinforce them.

Make it a new front that they have to defend, where they are weak, and we are strong.

thought picking Kaine was an excellent idea because it would be exactly the thing he would have done.  As you recall, he said it would be an intensely political choice if Obama did that.  And who better to school us all in intensely political choices that Rove himself?  Of course, he disparages the idea in public because he hates infringement on his own tactics.

Outside of the state a governor sits in, it would be hard for anyone to name a major accomplishment of another governor.  Maybe California or New York because they get so much attention.  But there are a lot of governors I couldn't name a major accomplishment for.  

Though looking at Palin's record, it seems impressive given what she had to work with.  And she had the will to take on the oil companies in Alaska.  That's pretty brave.  She cut out a lot of their favorable tax treatments.  And that is something everyone on here wants to see.  She's got a lot of quick hit pluses racked up in a short amount of time in office.

Just curious, as you really seem to like her.

I am providing some diversity in arguments; otherwise, this would be just an echo chamber.  And they are just points for others to consider because surely I am not the first nor the last person that they may encounter that will bring them up.  If you have already encountered the argument, and you have developed a thoughtful reply.  Then we are all better served as a party.

Out of personal curiosity, I would like make an objective evaluation of Palin's performance as a public servant.  But that may be an impossible task since information on performance is always going to be viewed and reported on through the lens of another observer since I don't live in Alaska.

And no I will not be voting for McCain.  I would not have given money to your employer, Judy Feder, if I planned on voting for McCain.

That's good to hear.

Also, thanks for the contribution to Judy Feder!

Lately,there appears to be a creep on this blog towards what we used to call "Group Think."  I think that the current term in vogue is "drinking the Kool-Aid."  It is more than a little sad to see someone post a thoughtful, well-reasoned opinion that takes a somewhat different point of view and then get slammed for being not politically pure enough.  Folks, we're not talking about trolls here.  We're talking about people who say, "look, have you considered this from another angle."  Or, "look, the facts do not support your assertion."  Is that really such a bad thing on a political discussion board?

If it is, then go put on your cheerleader outfits and start mindlessly chanting while the home team gets clobbered behind your back.

Yes, you are absolutely correct, tx2vadem, there is too much echo in here.

P. S. Go ahead and troll-rate this comment, Green Miles.  Who gives a crap?

Oh, drinking the kool-aid. And you don't even know my flavor!

I just wonder what went through Palin's mind when she accepted the position. Many more women over the course of the day came out very upset about her having a baby and taking on a campaign.

And about her taking on the oil companies in Alaska. You do know her husband works for BP, right? I wonder how that figured in before we say she is a champion.

there's also the issue of the TransCanada pipeline deal.  Suspect that there's probably a pot of gold for some politician at the end of that deal.  

The following blog touches on this issue -- sounds like Todd Palin, the Governors husband, may have some involvement in the issue . . .
http://www.andrewhalcro.com/sh...

Don't you think that it is the least bit sexist to criticize a woman for bearing a child and also pursuing her career.  Did women get upset when John Edwards continued his Presidential campaign after Elizabeth's cancer returned?  Exactly what cave tribe do you belong to?

As for Palin's husband, I understand that he is a member of the BP Alaska collective bargining unit.  That hardly qualifies for management.  He is also a commercial fisherman.  We're talking about a blue-collar working stiff here, not some corporate executive.

Did you bother to read the CSM article that I posted on the other thread?

Take another deep gulp, Tiderion.

in discussion to put a pipeline outside of U.S. territory into Canada?  Based on the link above it's clear that -- even though Todd Palin wasn't elected -- that he's exercising influence in some of the Governor's oil dealings.

This choice is not the eminently mockable one that so many hardcore Democrats seem to think it is.

Palin does a lot to undercut criticisms of McCain that have been getting media play recently, and seems unconventional to most, shoring up his claim to being a maverick.

It sure won't make any of us on this site like McCain any more, and will make some like him less, but I really do think that in terms of appeal to the base, restoring what made McCain appealing to independents, and controlling the message in the media, it was an excellent choice

being a "Maverick" and just simply being nuts.  The pick is unconventional all right, but it's not serious.

McCain is 72 and those health concerns are legitimate.  For a while now McCain has been attacking Obama as too young and inexperienced -- yet he opts for someone who is even more inexperienced and younger?  

I think this choice might be sufficient to shore up suppport with some socially conservative voters, but it will hurt him with social moderates in the political center.  Not only is he picking a choice who appears to be strongly ideological, but he's picking a choice who would be entirely reliant on advisers if something happened to McCain.

In the case of Biden, I thought Obama was making a serious pick.  Biden will help Obama navigate Washington -- he will help him navigate the bureacracy -- and if something happens to Obama he will be able to step in immediately.

In the case of McCain though, I can't understate just how reckless and cynical the choice is.  It might work politically, but I think it probably hurts him with truly moderate undecideds.

but we're not the target audience.

McCain is going for his base + independents who aren't very politically involved. Since that is the case for many independents, it may be enough.

I hope it isn't. But I fear it is.

based on purely anecdotal info from a couple undecided friends the reaction was -- "what the heck?"  

The move probably will play well with the base, but I'm still just blown away by this one.  It's a move that will win over the anti-science, social conservative crowd, as well as some Bush voters.  But I don't see this pick offering much reassurance to social moderates concerned primarily about the direction of Bush/McCain's economic and foreign policy -- and with some legitimate concerns about the McCain health issue.  The VP picks matter on both sides this year.

The choice also pretty much puts the lie to every conservative argument marshaled against an Obama presidency.  

There is a reason why governors are not usual VP choices.

The last one before Palin was Agnew.

It's closer to 10,000.  It's big city for Alaskan standards ;-)

The more I think about this, the more I think McCain just killed his chances.  At first, I was obviously concerned about the pumas and similar types.  This just looks the McCain campaign look silly.

Seriously, are there not more qualified women in the Republican party?  This party is so inclusive - you must go all the way to Alaska to find a Republican woman qualified to be VP.

Democrats on the other hand have powerful women throughouth their ranks - Pelosi, Clinton, etc.

If McCain was making a serious play he would have gone for Sens. Snowe or Hutchinson -- rough contemporaries of HRC in terms of age and experience.  

On the other hand, maybe Palin will be less threatening to some voters because she is unlikely to challenge McCain.  She adds absolutely no heft or counter-balance to the ticket -- at least in terms of experience.

The only reason that I might think twice about this one is that voters don't always vote based on rational calculation.  A crazy, desperate choice might resonate with some voters.  Still I'm at a bit of a loss.  This one reinforces the argument that McCain;s judgment is badly impaired.  This choice seems more like a flip of the middle finger -- it's almost like he's saying "yes, I think your stupid enough to swallow this".  

I'm not even a Republican and I'm still kind of insulted.

and it's not for Hillary voters who showed up at the convention.  Read the comments of the Christian Conservative leaders.  Just look at some on the Post.  Remember how we all reveled in the enthusiasm gap between McCain and Obama.  Well, I don't know that will be as much of an issue anymore.  

It was pro-life Catholics and evangelicals that gave Bush the edge in 2004.  And it definitely put him over the top in Ohio.  Remember a scant week ago how Teddy was worried about the lack of organization of the Obama campaign in Virginia.  Well, now that moves from being a minor issue to a major issue.  When the Republican ground operation isn't fired up, it doesn't mean much if we don't have our stuff together.  But when they are all riled up about a pro-life mother of 5 children, it's a different story.

I agree with aznew's and your points about the experience gap and that this was radical (maybe desperate) choice.  But with high risk can also come high reward.  We would be foolish to underestimate the implications of this choice and just laugh this off as a bad decision by McCain.  

This is day one.  And we don't have an idea yet of ultimately what her appeal will be to independents and certain voter demographics.  

the fact that Bush won re-election in 2004 tempers expectations about what voters will do when it comes time to vote -- and what kind of factors they will weigh when making a choice.  We'll definitely have some more data-points over the next few weeks.  

...something he desperately needs, going up against someone as impressive, historic and fresh-faced as Barack Obama.

But as the toddler who throws a temper tantrum or the teenager who crashes the car often learns, there is a big difference between getting positive vs. negative attention.  The jury is still out as to which kind of attention this pick will generate more of.

I agree with those who say that Palin has some positives that could appeal to independents.  But she is just so new to the national scene that she represents a tremendous risk and McCain better pray that she is as skillful in avoiding gaffes as Obama has been.  No wonder his body language while Palin was speaking today showed such tremendous discomfort.  He's rolling the dice and he knows it.

it's not just Palin that has to avoid gaffes.

I wonder whether her staff appreciates the storm they are about to enter, where everything is dissected, where their pasts will be dissected as well.

Her family will come under scrutiny as well.

As will her friends. Her business partners. And so on.

Stuff that seems perfectly reasonable in Juneau, actions that seem at worst quirky in the rough-hewn Alaska, might play differently elsewhere in the country.

I remember just a few years ago when everything was sunny in Bushland.  If she charms reporters, I suspect she won't have too much of a problem.

I suspect she'll get the same type of love-hate treatment afforded other -- if you'll pardon the term -- celebrities.  Something in American culture makes the average person want to spend all their time seeing pictures of beautiful people accompanied by the most gossipy trash imaginable.

And Alaska is a colorful place full of eccentric people with lots of stories to tell.  So, hold on to your hats...

is vapid, lazy, risk-averse and prone to conventional group-think.

But if they smell weakness, forget about it.

In just a few hours this afternoon, bloggers have uncovered a ton of stuff, to wit:

* She was for the bridge to nowhere, but claimed she was against the earmark.

* She is extreme on the abortion question

* She favors teaching creationism in public school science classes

* Just last month, she said, "I have no idea what the vice-president does."

* She recently said she has not given much thought to Iraq

* She is under investigation in her state for misuse of office

She is just getting hammered.

Eric Cantor was befuddled when Wolf Blitzer asked him to say what qualified her to handle national security. He had nothing.

Jack Cafferty just went off on Stephen Hayes on CNN on the qualification issue as well, saying Cantor went all "Ralph Kramden, hummeneda hummeneda" when Wolf questioned him about her qualifications.

Hayes argued her executive experience, but Jack was dismissive.

He pointed out Alaska has 500,000 people, smaller than Austin, TX. "What does she know about inner-city drug problems," he asked. "What does she know about the Middle East?"

He said he has received 13,000 emails today from both Dems and Reps, overwhelmingly against.

He said that many Hillary backers were particularly outraged by the suggestion that McCain apparently believes that they supported Hillary because she was a woman, and for no other reason.

He ended commenting that the choice makes it fair to question McCain's judgment.

As I said, as a tactic to change the focus on the day after Obama's great speech, this worked. As a decision, it is unbelievably horrible.

Um, sorry, aznew, but that's not exactly an unusual occurence!

the department of redundancy department.

Palin is toast. This is the beginning of the end for John MaCain--- his Hail Mary pass bounces into the stands and is recovered by an Obama supporter!
It's over for him and Sarah.
What a nut! No national experience what so ever. A beauty queen, Vogue cover girl as V-P??? What is this guy thinking???
God bless all the Hillary supporters who see through this hypocritical sham.
This is going to be a great fall campaign because the Republicans seem to have already blown it.
Be aware!!

You ask. Did you forget how he treats his trophy wife, calling her c**t in public? Macho flyboy McC does like his eye candy. Will her voice be "scratching of nails on a blackboard" to O'Reilly (like Senator Clinton's)? Will her grooming and choice of lipstick (or not) be subject of endless questions and discussions?  Her hair style? Her glasses? Will the (male) press on the bus have their tongues hanging out when they interview her? This is going to be verry interesting. Then again, we all know how the GOP trivializes government. Who cares who runs it, so long as they hate it and want to shrink it to bathtub-size?

I'll have to google that, but I mean, really?  I hadn't heard that, but it really doesn't surprise me.

here and here.

AK is a very different state from most of the rest of the states. Gov. Palin does not have many positives when it comes to governing. Nepotism is more rampant in AK than in VA, for example.  Here is a perspective from someone who lives there:

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/...

judging by this Ben Smith story at Politico. WTF? A Pat Buchanan supporter?

Uh, Team McCain, the concept is called vetting. Just a little of it could have helped avoid this sort of flap.

Based on what the blogosphere has uncovered on Palin in just a few hours, McCain has just handed Democrats one big caisson of ammo.

The seemingly sudden, impulsive choice of Palin certainly helps reinforce the "reckless, erratic, high-risk gambler" meme on McCain.

but doubtful that a story with so many holes will drastically change the tone. In a couple weeks we can look at state polls to see if there was an assumed change but over all the older generation in Florida likes McCain.

Maybe we might remind them that letting the market fix Florida after hurricane season doesn't work.

to be going on offense. Wexler threw a quick punch today. Biden also should help with the retiree crowd in Florida. I didn't think until this moment that Florida was really in play, but it increasingly looks like a real swing state--unlike in 2004.

From Nate Silver:

But Palin isn't merely playing at being ordinary, the way that Bill Clinton (Rhodes Scholar) or George W. Bush (son of a president) or Hillary Clinton (wife of a president) might. She really, really comes across that way -- like someone who had won a sweepstakes or an essay contest. Her authenticity factor is off-the-charts good; her biography sings. But do Americans really want their next-door-neighbor running for Vice President, or rather someone who seems like one?

How quickly we forget.  Four years ago the Republicans successfully smeared John Kerry as a wine-sipping, wealthy elitist while Dubya was "the kind of guy you'd like to have a beer with."  Neither characterization was even close to the truth.

Politics is all about perception, not reality.  The more authentic, the greater the perception.

Take another gulp of Kool-Aid, Greenie.