McCain picks woman for VP slot

[Alta4ever]

This is truly amazing. If John McCain had nominated for his Vice President a cocker spaniel, you would applaud it. It is delusional to think Sarah Palin--of all the people McCain could have chosen--is a good choice, except to the extent it might pander to conservative elements of the Republican base.

Shady, I am stunned at how little you require of the Republican Presidential nominee in order to give him your support.

Please tell me what an 80%+ approval rating means to? It tells me she knows her stuff, what does that kind of a approval rating to say to you?

[Alta4ever]

Are you seriously suggesting that the experience of governor with a BA in journalism who's served only two years in one of the smallest states in the union and before that was the mayor of town with a population of about 5,500 trumps the CVs and resumes of Barack Obama and Joe Biden?

I sure wouldn't want you managing human resources or executive recruitment in my company.

Just for fun, read Sarah Palin's, Barack Obama's and Joe Biden's entries in Wikepedia for an inkling of how odd your comment truly is.

Sorry I don't recognize wikipedia as a reliable source of info.

[Argus]

Please tell me what an 80%+ approval rating means to? It tells me she knows her stuff, what does that kind of a approval rating to say to you?

People can be real stupid sometimes. Seriously, I have my doubts about Obama's experience. I'm not sure who I would vote for if I were an American. I like McCain's experience, but I do think American needs a major change.

This woman seems to have a decent record in politics, but it's a painfully thin resume. A few years in a tiny town and then 2 years as governor of a small state. That's not very bloody much of a CV for a president. And as others have pointed out, McCain is a senior, and not in the best of health. The risk he will die in office is not neglible. The VP is not supposed to be chosen simply to enhance your campaign. The VP is supposed to be able to serve as president if needed. And frankly, this woman would be the least experienced president in American history by a very, very long shot. Biden could certainly step in if some cracker manages to take out Obama, but this woman would not by any stretch of the imagination be capable of being President.

This is a selfish choice by McCain. This is putting his chances of election ahead of the welfare of the nation. That speaks very, very poorly for him.

[Alta4ever]

Are you seriously suggesting that the experience of governor with a BA in journalism who's served only two years in one of the smallest states in the union and before that was the mayor of town with a population of about 5,500 trumps the CVs and resumes of Barack Obama and Joe Biden?

I sure wouldn't want you managing human resources or executive recruitment in my company.

Just for fun, read Sarah Palin's, Barack Obama's and Joe Biden's entries in Wikepedia for an inkling of how odd your comment truly is.

So what are you views on Ralph Kleins career? He was a high school drop out.

Your company must turn away a lot of inovative people, what a loss, what a shame. You must like living in your little box.

Alaska is a huge exporter energy and is going to become a very importent member of the union with all the talk if energy indpendance. Is this something that you have not taken into account?

Joe, & obama are not new or inovative they just repeat the same old tired socalist agenda, nothing new.

[Stephen Best]

Please tell me what an 80%+ approval rating means to? It tells me she knows her stuff, what does that kind of a approval rating to say to you?

Didn't Bush have an approval of that magnitude after 9/11? So an 80% approval means very little in and of itself about competency.

Barack Obama chose Joe Biden. John McCain chose Sarah Palin. That just about sums up everything you need to know about the two presidential candidates.

[bush_cheney2004]

Are you seriously suggesting that the experience of governor with a BA in journalism who's served only two years in one of the smallest states in the union....

Delaware has only a slightly larger population than Alaska. Alaska is the largest state in the union.

[Argus]

Delaware has only a slightly larger population than Alaska. Alaska is the largest state in the union.

It's population is under 700,000 - about the same as a small city.

I don't think my mayor is ready to be President, and he's got more than 2 years experience.

[Stephen Best]

So what are you views on Ralph Kleins career? He was a high school drop out.

Your company must turn away a lot of inovative people, what a loss, what a shame. You must like living in your little box.

Alaska is a huge exporter energy and is going to become a very importent member of the union with all the talk if energy indpendance. Is this something that you have not taken into account?

Joe, & obama are not new or inovative they just repeat the same old tired socalist agenda, nothing new.

Is non sequitur and speciousness all you have? See below for what the real issue regarding McCain's choice is all about:

Commentary: Is McCain out of his mind?

By Paul Begala

CNN Contributor

Editor's note: Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist and CNN political contributor, was a political consultant for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in 1992 and was counselor to Clinton in the White House. Begala is not a paid political consultant for any politicians or candidates. Click here for a rival view

(CNN) -- John McCain needs what Kinky Friedman calls "a checkup from the neck up."

In choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate he is not thinking "outside the box," as some have said. More like out of his mind.

Palin a first-term governor of a state with more reindeer than people, will have to put on a few pounds just to be a lightweight. Her personal story is impressive: former fisherman, mother of five. But that hardly qualifies her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

For a man who is 72 years old and has had four bouts with cancer to have chosen someone so completely unqualified to become president is shockingly irresponsible. Suddenly, McCain's age and health become central issues in the campaign, as does his judgment.

In choosing this featherweight, McCain passed over Tom Ridge, a decorated combat hero, a Cabinet secretary and the former two-term governor of the large, complex state of Pennsylvania.

He passed over Mitt Romney, who ran a big state, Massachusetts; a big company, Bain Capital; and a big event, the Olympics.

He passed over Kay Bailey Hutchison, the Texas senator who is knowledgeable about the military, good on television, and -- obviously -- a woman.

He passed over Joe Lieberman, his best friend in the Senate and fellow Iraq Kool-Aid drinker.

He passed over former congressman, trade negotiator and budget director Rob Portman.

And he also passed over Mike Huckabee, the governor of Arkansas.

For months, the McCainiacs have said they will run on his judgment and experience. In his first presidential decision, John McCain has shown he is willing to endanger his country, potentially leaving it in the hands of someone who simply has no business being a heartbeat away from the most powerful, complicated, difficult job in human history.

[Shady]

This is truly amazing. If John McCain had nominated for his Vice President a cocker spaniel, you would applaud it. It is delusional to think Sarah Palin--of all the people McCain could have chosen--is a good choice, except to the extent it might pander to conservative elements of the Republican base.

Shady, I am stunned at how little you require of the Republican Presidential nominee in order to give him your support.

Nope. I would have denounced a cocker spaniel forcefully and without pause, even though a cocker spaniel would possess only a little less executive experience than Barack Obama.

[HisSelf]

Maybe he thought she'd be onside with oil extraction from ANWR? I agree. It's a strange choice. It's like he suddenly decided in the middle of the night that he needed a woman on the ticket.

[Shady]

potentially leaving it in the hands of someone who simply has no business being a heartbeat away from the most powerful, complicated, difficult job in human history.

If that's the case, then Barack Obama has no business being President, let alone being a heartbeat away. I tend to agree with Hillary Clinton when she stated "I know Sen. McCain has a lifetime of experience to bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002".

[bush_cheney2004]

It's population is under 700,000 - about the same as a small city.

And Delaware's isn't?

I don't think my mayor is ready to be President, and he's got more than 2 years experience.

I assume that your mayor is not qualified to be US president either.

[bush_cheney2004]

If that's the case, then Barack Obama has no business being President, let alone being a heartbeat away. I tend to agree with Hillary Clinton when she stated "I know Sen. McCain has a lifetime of experience to bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002".

I agree...this is an interesting choice if the female and "family values" demographic responds. Obama's zilch experience makes it a moot point now. Historically, the Veep hasn't made much of an impact either way come election time, unless there is a major falling out or unvetted mistake (like with the late Senator Thomas Eagleton).

[Argus]

I agree...this is an interesting choice if the female and "family values" demographic responds. Obama's zilch experience makes it a moot point now. Historically, the Veep hasn't made much of an impact either way come election time, unless there is a major falling out or unvetted mistake (like with the late Senator Thomas Eagleton).

Or unless the old, infirm occupant of the white house dies in office.

[Argus]

And Delaware's isn't?

Don't be an idiot. Where the two candidates came from is not important. It's what they've done. No one is questioning Biden's credentials or capabilities, or his vast experience in American government.

Has this woman ever even been to New York? Has she ever travelled outside the US? Don't get me wrong, she sounds like a nice lady, and I'd certainly vote for her as city councillor - possibly even MP. But for President of the United States? Do you honestly want this woman representing your county across from Vlad the Impaler Putin adn the ever inscrutible Chinese Communists?

I assume that your mayor is not qualified to be US president either.

Then what makes you think she is? My city has a lot more people than Alaska in it.

[Riverwind]

Do you honestly want this woman representing your county across from Vlad the Impaler Putin adn the ever inscrutible Chinese Communists?

I am not sure why Obama is that much better....

[bush_cheney2004]

Don't be an idiot. Where the two candidates came from is not important. It's what they've done. No one is questioning Biden's credentials or capabilities, or his vast experience in American government.

I was responding to the "Alaska is small" assertion by another member. Senator Biden represents Delaware, the land of convenience for coporate headquarters.

Has this woman ever even been to New York? Has she ever travelled outside the US? Don't get me wrong, she sounds like a nice lady, and I'd certainly vote for her as city councillor - possibly even MP. But for President of the United States? Do you honestly want this woman representing your county across from Vlad the Impaler Putin adn the ever inscrutible Chinese Communists?

She is not a "Washington insider", if that be so important for "Change"...LOL!

Then what makes you think she is? My city has a lot more people than Alaska in it.

WTF? What does your city in Canada have to do with constitutional requirements to be US president. You guys really get into this, huh? Amazing!

[Argus]

I agree...this is an interesting choice if the female and "family values" demographic responds. Obama's zilch experience makes it a moot point now.

Zilch? Come on. I'm no great fan of Obama, but the guy has a lot more relevent experience than this woman, so how is it you think she's a great choice while he has "zilch" experience?

A graduate of Harvard law strikes me, just from the start, as a lot more capable than journalism degree from Idaho. I might not like lawyers but I recognize that law school prepares one more for the job than a journalism degree.

He was president of Harvard Law Review while she was - a beauty queen contestant.

He served 7 years in the Illinois assembly while she served 2 terms on the city council of a town which would need to quadruple in size to fill a hockey rink.

Then he taught constitutional law while she was mayor of the same little council.

He spent 4 years in the US senate while she spent 18 months as governor of a state with a tiny population with zero international interests beyond, perhaps Canada.

I agree that he has a lot less experience than a candiate for president ought to have. But hers is considerably less than that.

[Argus]

I am not sure why Obama is that much better....

He is a lot better. I agree that he doesn't have enough experience. He should have spent another couple of terms in the Senate before running. But even given that, he's got more relevent experience than this woman.

[Alta4ever]

Didn't Bush have an approval of that magnitude after 9/11? So an 80% approval means very little in and of itself about competency.

Barack Obama chose Joe Biden. John McCain chose Sarah Palin. That just about sums up everything you need to know about the two presidential candidates.

Yep its sure does, Barack Obama, same old socialist who chooses washington insiders, McCain, stays true to government reform, and is still the real Maverick.

[Stephen Best]

Yep its sure does, Barack Obama, same old socialist who chooses washington insiders, McCain, stays true to government reform, and is still the real Maverick.

Yeah, whatever.

[Stephen Best]

Nope. I would have denounced a cocker spaniel forcefully and without pause, even though a cocker spaniel would possess only a little less executive experience than Barack Obama.

Could you remind what John McCain's "executive experience" is again?

[Wilber]

This is going to be a free-for-all.

I think so. This is going to be one hell of an interesting election.

[bush_cheney2004]

He is a lot better. I agree that he doesn't have enough experience. He should have spent another couple of terms in the Senate before running. But even given that, he's got more relevent experience than this woman.

"This woman"? Is that the issue here, with experience being the cover story? Look, anybody who is a natural born citizen of 35 years age can be US president or vice president. She is very light on experience, but her job is to deliver voting demographics come election day.

How much experience did Bill Clinton have in Arkansas (good and bad)?

[guyser]

How much experience did Bill Clinton have in Arkansas (good and bad)?

Depends on your definition of "experience" .