First Republican Female VP Nominee

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**Frazzled**

I was hopeful this would happen. Regards of who wins the election now, the US moves forward.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080829/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_veepstakes

McCain chooses Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for V.P. By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer
8 minutes ago

John McCain tapped little-known Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate on Friday in a startling selection on the eve of the Republican National Convention.

Two senior campaign officials disclosed McCain's decision a few hours before the Republican presidential nominee-to-be and his newly-minted running mate appeared at a rally in swing-state Ohio.

Palin, like McCain, is a conservative with a maverick streak who has shown a willingness to clash with others in her own party. A self-styled hockey mom and political reformer, she has been governor of her state less than two years.

Palin's selection shocked numerous Republican officials.

At 44, Palin is a generation younger that Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, who is Barack Obama's running mate on the Democratic ticket.

She is three years Obama's junior, as well — and McCain has made much in recent weeks of Obama's relative lack of experience in foreign policy and defense matters.

In making his pick, McCain passed over several more prominent prospects who had figured in speculation for months — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge among them.

Palin flew overnight to an airport in Ohio near Dayton, and even as she awaited her formal introduction, some aides said they had believed she was at home in Alaska.

She is a former mayor of Wasilla who became governor of her state in December, 2006 after ousting a governor of her own party in a primary and then dispatching a former governor in the general election.

More recently, she has come under the scrutiny of an investigation by the Republican-controlled legislature into the possibility that she ordered the dismissal of Alaska's public safety commissioner because he would not fire her former brother-in-law as a state trooper.

The timing of McCain's selection appeared designed to limit any political gain Obama yields from his own convention, which ended Thursday night with his nominating acceptance speech before an estimated 84,000 in Invesco Field in Colorado.

Public opinion polls show a close race between Obama and McCain, and with scarcely two months remaining until the election, neither contender can allow the other to jump out to a big post-convention lead.

McCain has had months to consider his choice, and has made it clear to reporters that one of his overriding goals was to avoid a situation like the one in 1988, when Dan Quayle was thrown into a national campaign with little preparation.

Palin has a long history of run-ins with the Alaska GOP hierarchy, giving her genuine maverick status and reformer credentials that could complement McCain's image.

Two years ago, she ousted the state's Republican incumbent governor, Frank Murkowski in the primary, despite having little money and little establishment backing.

She has also distanced herself from two senior Republican office-holders, sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don young. Both men are under federal corruption investigations.

She had earned stripes — and enmity — after Murkowski made her head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. From that post, she exposed ethical violations by the state GOP chairman, also a fellow commissioner.

She and her husband Todd Palin, have five children. The latest, a baby, was born with Down syndrome.

**Darrian13**

I am so proud of my party today.

**Valhallan42nd**

Whoever wins, our country will be better served, and history will be made.

This is one for the text books.

**Ahtman**

Certainly an interesting choice. Her kids names are kinda weird (though it should have no bearing on voting one way or the other): Truck, Bristol, Willow, and Piper. Other then that I don't know enough to say if she is actually a good choice, but she is an interesting one.

**malfred**

"What do you mean I'm racist? I voted for the white chick!"

**Mahu**

This is a great choice. Not only politically speaking, but it is about time our country moves forward.

Whatever your political affiliation, McCain/Palin is most definitely not Bush/Chaney.

**sebster**

I don't know, this seems a pretty blatant grab for disgruntled Hillary voters. Why else would you pick a governor with a whopping two years experience? Still, happy it wasn't Romney.

There's a piece of video already doing the rounds of her saying she doesn't know what the VP does, that's pretty funny.

Meanwhile, I'm a little puzzled by the calls of history being made and the like. There's already been a female vice presidential candidate.

**warpcrafter**

Meh, everything's being run by the military industrial complex anyway, so big whup.

**lord_sutekh**

So, does this mean the experience card can now be played both ways? I mean, she doesn't even have FEDERAL experience, and barely any state-level experience. And way more than Biden, she's literally a heartbeat (or stroke, or malignant tumor, or any number of other things) away from the Presidency if McCain wins... Someone who isn't even familiar with the VP's job certainly won't be ready in the worst case.

Yeah, the female VP candidate's been done before... by the Democrats. Geraldine Ferraro, anyone? Only 24 years for the Republicans to catch up, impressive.

**Darrian13**

I am curious why a woman was not good enough for Barrack? Wasn't there a woman that he could have picked that was kinda popular and kinda experienced?

**Ahtman**

Darrian13 wrote:I am curious why a woman was not good enough for Barrack? Wasn't there a woman that he could have picked that was kinda popular and kinda experienced and tried to overshadow him and had her machine plotting his airplane crash?

Fixxed

**lord_sutekh**

#1 - It's BARACK, not Barrack... and unles you know him personally, it's more appropriately Mr. Obama... or Senator, even better.

#2 - Senator Clinton was a wrong choice for so many reasons, but the biggest reason that she was the wrong choice: it's the person that the Republicans wanted him to pick. Senator Clinton comes with her own built-in attack package. It'd be like Senator McCain choosing President Bush as his running mate... or Karl Rove.

**Mahu**

He could have always chosen the Kansas Governor who is getting popular.

VP choices are usually about addressing perceived problems with the candidates rather then what is necessarily the best choice (though that factors).

"So you say I don't have enough experience huh? Well here is a VP who has about as much experience as you do!"

"Oh yeah, you say I am not progressive enough huh? Well here is a woman who is as young as you are"

Politically speaking, we won't know how well this choice plays out until the VP debate and, of course, the election.

But the flip side to all of this is the positive aspect. The reason we have a Black presidential candidate and the reason we have a Female VP candidate is because we (as Americans) are demanding progression. If old White guys where what we wanted, we would have had them this year.

So I think the congratulations need to go to the American people. It's about time they woke up.

**Darrian13**

No lord_sutekh, it's Barack.

**Mannahnin**

Darrian, seriously, it’s not about whether a woman was “good enough”. There are certainly qualified women out there. But Biden is an outstanding choice. A genuine straight-talker with a ton of experience, head of the Foreign Relations Committee, also on the Judiciary Committee.

Personally I’m wondering what makes Palin qualified? She seems like a smart and determined person, and has done some good work in Alaska, but she’s got only two years of political experience outside of her hometown of 7000 people. And McCain is much more likely to croak in office, handing the reins over.

**Alpharius Walks**

Mannahnin wrote:Personally I’m wondering what makes Palin qualified? She seems like a smart and determined person, and has done some good work in Alaska, but she’s got only two years of political experience outside of her hometown of 7000 people. And McCain is much more likely to croak in office, handing the reins over.

It is almost too inviting not to pursue her on experience grounds. Of course, it is impossible to do the above without raising McCain's age (and what demographic votes quite heavily?,) going after Palin (as the Democratic primary proved, even if the concerns expressed are legitimate, you may get a backlash for perceived misogny,) and perhaps impossible to do without having the argument boomerang right back at the top of the Democratic ticket.*

Given the weakness of the Republicans' bench this round, McCain's pick may be remembered as a genius selection of a well-baited trap. Or a disaster. Only a few more months until we know for sure . . .

*Try making an effective argument about Senator Obama's experience in national politics within the context of a 30-second to one minute TV/radio spot, while also attempting to go after Palin's experience.

**Mahu**

Which is exactly my point.

Palin filled a perception gap more then being simply the best person for the job.

**VermGho5t**

Palin has more executive experience than Obama, that to me says a lot right there.

Also, she is outside of the "Washington insider" category, which to me is a much more trustworthy and less corrupted position than the rest of the politicians in the capitol.

**Frazzled**

Alpharius Walks wrote:

*Try making an effective argument about Senator Obama's experience in national politics within the context of a 30-second to one minute TV/radio spot, while also attempting to go after Palin's experience.

It is interesting that the Democrats are attacking her on her experience or lack of. Two years as a governor, sounds brilliantly like two years as a Jr. Senator. They would be wise not to push this too much. Indeed, it feels like it should be Biden/Obama, not Obama/Biden (I would have much preferred the former on the same experience grounds).

**Valhallan42nd**

Mannahnin wrote:Darrian, seriously, it’s not about whether a woman was “good enough”. There are certainly qualified women out there. But Biden is an outstanding choice. A genuine straight-talker with a ton of experience, head of the Foreign Relations Committee, also on the Judiciary Committee.

Personally I’m wondering what makes Palin qualified? She seems like a smart and determined person, and has done some good work in Alaska, but she’s got only two years of political experience outside of her hometown of 7000 people. And McCain is much more likely to croak in office, handing the reins over.

Anyone smart enough to avoid Ted "a Series of Tubes/Graft-aholic" Stevens gets a few points in my book.

Mind you, I'm a Barack supporter, but if anything, I want to be realistic in my assessment of the campaign. Here's my take:

The choosing of Palin is a smart tatical move that shores up the McCain Ticket, and allows disillusioned Hillary Voters a chance to break party lines to vote for the same old same old while not feeling guilty about race. And it's not like the religious right is going to suddenly vote for Barack instead. win/win McCain.

The best part is, the Obama campaign can't directly attack her lack of experience without deftly dodging the question of his own relative youth, and accusations of sexism from the GOP/Fox News (same thing). It's a solid move on McCain's part. Look for a surrogate for the Dem's to test the waters in the next few days. Someone prominant, but not running for office, so they have nothing to lose from the gaffe. see also: Geraldine Ferraro's suggestion that race would stop Barack from taking the White House during Hillary's last push to claim the ticket.

I'm looking forward to this. This is the first smart move the GOP has made in a while. It'll be great to see the Dem's counters, now that we actually have a fighter on the ticket.

**Frazzled**

Its already started

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080829171140.5123i228&show_article=1

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign on Friday blasted his Republican rival's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as a running-mate, highlighting her "zero" foreign policy experience.
"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement.

Burton also criticized Palin as a vice presidential pick for her support of oil drilling in the Alaskan wilderness and her anti-abortion stance, referring to the 1973 Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal in the United States.

"Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies. That's not the change we need, it's just more of the same," he said.

The choice of Palin was seen as a bold effort by McCain to attract disgruntled Democratic and independent supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton, who was defeated by Obama in the race to be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee.

Palin, a telegenic conservative, has led the oil-producing northwestern US state since December 2006 and was the first woman and youngest person to hold that state's top job.

**Mahu**

As a Republican (in name only) who voted for McCain in the Primary (back when it mattered), I do feel a little justified in my choice.

I am with Val on this one though, this race will be interesting to watch now. If McCain had chosen anyone on the media's "for sure" ticket, it would have most likely resulted in an Obama Presidency.

Now, the future is a little less certain. I retain my final decision until I have seen the debates.

Having seen the media coverage on Palin though, the VP debate will be a good one (I think Obama has McCain though in a debate).

**Frazzled**

Does make things interesting. Actually I think McCain is better in debates, in comparing the two's previous performances. Obama is better on the speech front-few politicians I'm aware of are at that level.

**Ahtman**

Mahu wrote:The reason we have a Black presidential candidate and the reason we have a Female VP candidate is because we (as Americans) are demanding progression. If old White guys where what we wanted, we would have had them this year.

Uhm, no. While there are people that are going to vote for a black man because he's black but we have a VP female candidate because she is a good strategic choice. Many people are going to vote for Senator Obama because they like his character and what he says, and the same is true for Senator McCain. The fact that a candidate running for president is black or a woman not making a difference, now that would be progress. At this point it is historic becuase we aren't at that point and because it is the first. Though it isn't the first female VP candidate. Just throwing any random jackass into office because of ethnicity or gender is not progress.

**sebster**

Mahu wrote:He could have always chosen the Kansas Governor who is getting popular.

VP choices are usually about addressing perceived problems with the candidates rather then what is necessarily the best choice (though that factors).

"So you say I don't have enough experience huh? Well here is a VP who has about as much experience as you do!"

"Oh yeah, you say I am not progressive enough huh? Well here is a woman who is as young as you are"

There's an important difference between balancing a ticket, picking someone with strong credentials in an area you're lacking, and picking someone to target a demographic.

The former is pretty solid, the latter, such as picking woman to target the disgruntled Clinton supporters, doesn't work too often.

**sebster**

jfrazell wrote:It is interesting that the Democrats are attacking her on her experience or lack of. Two years as a governor, sounds brilliantly like two years as a Jr. Senator. They would be wise not to push this too much. Indeed, it feels like it should be Biden/Obama, not Obama/Biden (I would have much preferred the former on the same experience grounds).

It's a little sad that people can't see the difference between eight years state legislative and four years federal experience, and two years as a governor. That's two budget cycles.

**Valhallan42nd**

Ahtman wrote:
Mahu wrote:The reason we have a Black presidential candidate and the reason we have a Female VP candidate is because we (as Americans) are demanding progression. If old White guys where what we wanted, we would have had them this year.

Uhm, no. While there are people that are going to vote for a black man because he's black but we have a VP female candidate because she is a good strategic choice. Many people are going to vote for Senator Obama because they like his character and what he says, and the same is true for Senator McCain. The fact that a candidate running for president is black or a woman not making a difference, now that would be progress. At this point it is historic becuase we aren't at that point and because it is the first. Though it isn't the first female VP candidate. Just throwing any random jackass into office because of ethnicity or gender is not progress.

I think it is better said that we have progressed as nation enough that a black male is not just a throw away/lesser of two evils candidate (cough, cough, Kerry, cough), but considered a serious contender for the control of the White House.

**MagickalMemories**

Mahu wrote:He could have always chosen the Kansas Governor who is getting popular.

VP choices are usually about addressing perceived problems with the candidates rather then what is necessarily the best choice (though that factors).

"So you say I don't have enough experience huh? Well here is a VP who has about as much experience as you do!"

"Oh yeah, you say I am not progressive enough huh? Well here is a woman who is as young as you are"

Politically speaking, we won't know how well this choice plays out until the VP debate and, of course, the election.

But the flip side to all of this is the positive aspect. The reason we have a Black presidential candidate and the reason we have a Female VP candidate is because we (as Americans) are demanding progression. If old White guys where what we wanted, we would have had them this year.

So I think the congratulations need to go to the American people. It's about time they woke up.

That just OOZES win.

You hit the nail on the head.

I'll go so far as to say that I think McCain had a couple choices and who HE chose depended on who Barock chose (Yes. I know it's misspelled. Ain't I a stinker?). McCain chose a young woman because he had to show that he was willing to be as progressive as the liberals and he needed a "minority" to offset the minority.

Now, we have Young Minority with OWG (old White Guy) vs OWG with Young "Minority."

Eric

**groz**

Willow and Piper...it sounds like someone likes Buffy and Charmed. That's good because I vote based on my candidates' television preferences.

**Stelek**

All this means is:

We're electing a woman or a black guy.

Excellent.

What, you don't think McCain will last 8 years do you? lol

Now when Clinton gets to run again in 4 or 8 years, she'll still be the first female president "elected" but she won't be first in the big chair (if McCain wins).

Someday I hope to see a Mexican, a Jew, a Black, and their white male vice presidental hopefuls all vying for the big ass kiss.