Whoa...

[Kaiser Kronos]

McCain chooses Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for V.P.

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer 16 minutes ago

John McCain tapped Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a conservative who shares his maverick streak, to be the Republican vice presidential running mate on Friday in a startling selection on the eve of the Republican National Convention.
In an announcement, McCain's campaign said that Palin, who has been governor less than two years, "has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of.
"Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today," the announcement said.
McCain and Palin were appearing together in swing-state Ohio later in the day.
Palin has a strong anti-abortion record, and her selection was praised warmly by social conservatives whose support Mccain needs to prevail in the campaign for the White House.
"It's an absolutely brilliant choice," said Mathew Staver, dean of Liberty University school of Law. "This will absolutely energize Mccain's campaign and energize conservatives," he predicted.
With his pick, McCain passed over more prominent contenders like Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, as well as others such for former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, whose support for abortion rights might have sparked unrest at the convention that opens Monday in St. Paul, Minn.
The timing of McCain's selection appeared designed to limit any political gain Obama derives 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.
At 44, Palin is a generation younger than two of McCain's seven children. She also is considerably younger than 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 its formal announcement, the campaign pointed to her powers as head of the Alaska National Guard and the mother of a soldier herself as evidence that she "understands what it takes to lead our nation..."
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 1988, when then-Sen. Dan Quayle was thrown into a national campaign with little preparation.
A self-styled hockey mom and political reformer, Pallin was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, population 6,500, until she became governor.
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.
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.
Her husband, Todd Palin, is part Yup'ik Eskimo, and is a blue-collar North Slope oil worker who competes in the Iron Dog, a 1,900-mile snowmobile race. The couple lives in Wasilla. They have five children, the youngest of whom was born in April with Down syndrome.




Guy's got balls.



Now I'm actually curious as to which tag-team of ****ups are going to occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Dammit.

[godofPH]

Good Lord...a woman...that's a mere 44 years old! She's not an old man! McCain is going against everything the Republican Party stands for! ;)

[SCGamerXX24]

That's one fiiiiiine looking 44 year old.

[Zigra]

Considering I actually live in Alaska, it's amazing that I'm only just now getting this news:O

[Gorjirus]

That's one fiiiiiine looking 44 year old.

Its how they are going to try and win over the undecided 18-35 male category.

[BS Digital Q]

Presidential boobs, mmmmmmm...

[Zigra]

Its how they are going to try and win over the undecided 18-35 male category.

Hey, why do you think I voted for her for governor? ;)

[Zigra]

Sorry to double post, but here's a thought-

John McCain has has been criticizing Obama for Obama's supposed lack of experience, yet McCain chooses a woman who has only been governor of Alaska for about two years as his running mate. No hypocrisy in that, is there? :sarcasm:

[Neo-Crucifer]

Sorry to double post, but here's a thought-

John McCain has has been criticizing Obama for Obama's supposed lack of experience, yet McCain chooses a woman who has only been governor of Alaska for about two years as his running mate. No hypocrisy in that, is there? :sarcasm: Why do you think they haven't mentioned that in the campaign?


(unless they have and I missed it, which would surprise me)

[Kaiser Kronos]

Sorry to double post, but here's a thought-

John McCain has has been criticizing Obama for Obama's supposed lack of experience, yet McCain chooses a woman who has only been governor of Alaska for about two years as his running mate. No hypocrisy in that, is there? :sarcasm:

You care about hypocrisy in politics...

really?

You mean you're....

surprised?

:crazy:

I'm so disappointed in you, Zigs. :sly:

[BS Digital Q]

Because being governor is an executive position comparable to being president in some regards. So technically, she has more experience than Obama.

[Hybrid Gojira]

Bleh...

While I have a feeling this will probably help McCain's chances of winning, I hearby nominate my brother's new dog as president.

Because crapping on your supporters shouldn't be a prerequisite for a politician, but is.

I think he's got a good shot to win.

[Cole Deschain]

Well, see, Obama went and picked a sewage-soaked Washington insider of considerable experience, so McCain had to pick a fresh-faced relatively young running mate just so that NEITHER campaign could make good on its press.


Although, really, she's an excellent choice- here's why.

The Vice-Presidential debates.

Biden will MURDER her... and come off looking like a big old meanie in the process.

The Lady of the North is the political equivalent of a baby seal.

[Hybrid Gojira]

Although, really, she's an excellent choice- here's why.

The Vice-Presidential debates.

Biden will MURDER her... and come off looking like a big old meanie in the process.

The Lady of the North is the political equivalent of a baby seal.

BRILLAINT!

:devil:

[Gorjirus]

Presidential boobs, mmmmmmm...

I like how there is already a "I'd bang Palin" group on Facebook.



But totally being serious, if Hilary was that hot, she would have won in a landslide.

[godofPH]

Strangely, I don't think Palin is that attractive...

EDIT: I just hit up Google Image Search because I believed Wikipedia may have just had bad pictures of her up. She was quite the fox when she was younger...but I don't think she is so much now...

[Project Pimp]

What are you guys smoking? Sarah Palin is a true American hero. Her long list of accomplishments, including winning a beauty pageant and earning a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, are exactly the types of things that qualifies one to be a heartbeat a way from the presidency. All in all, I feel this was a brilliant choice.

[Aragorn_Strider22]

From Wikipedia:
In January 1997, Palin fired the Wasilla police chief and library director. In response, a group of 60 residents calling themselves Concerned Citizens for Wasilla discussed attempting a recall campaign against Palin, but then decided against it.[12] The fired police chief eventually sued Palin on the grounds that he was fired because he supported the campaign of Palin's opponent, but his suit was eventually dismissed when the judge ruled that Palin had the right under state law to fire city employees, even for political reasons.

and

Sarah Palin left the finances of her town Wasilla in tatters when she moved on in 2002 (h/t xgz). She wanted a legacy as mayor, it seems, and pushed hard for the town to build a hyper-expensive sports complex. But Palin screwed the process up badly. Instead of buying the land for the complex when it was offered, her administration allowed a developer named Gary Lundgren to snap it up. Then Wasilla tried to seize the land from Lundgren through eminent domain. In the end, what with court costs Wasilla paid at least $ 1.7 million for land it could have bought for less than one tenth that sum - if the purchase had been handled properly. For this incompetence, Wasilla is still paying a steep price: higher taxes and cutbacks in services.



I'm sorry, maybe it's not my place to judge as I'm not from America, but if this is true, I wouldn't want her anywhere near the Presidency of the United States.

[Neo-Crucifer]

Strangely, I don't think Palin is that attractive...
It's not that strange. Gor's standards of attraction are Tony Stark and Orga777, his opinion on such matters is therefore to be disregarded.


Anyway, McCain now has quite the shot. Dude would've been screwed had he picked someone like Romney. Things have gotten interesting...

[Bruticus]

Because being governor is an executive position comparable to being president in some regards. So technically, she has more experience than Obama.

She has a journalism degree, two years as governor of Alaska (I'm sure Zigra could tell you how comparable that is to, say, running the entire USA) and no congressional (?) voting record, and on top of that she was already involved in a scandal. Also, she's on record as saying she has little to no idea what a vice president actually does. Even if she is more experienced, in no way does that make McCain/Palin a more legitimate choice for leading the country than Obama/Biden.

Sorry, but as far as actual politics is concerned, this is a shitty move on McCain's part. Too bad there are so many Oprah-watching soccer moms who'll fall for her immediately - admittedly, hiring Palin makes for a good publicity stunt, and Cole's scenario seems to be all too probable.

[Orga777]

I don't know what to think of this... I really don't..... Voting is going to be hard this year... Due to many reasons... most of which aren't good.

[Raptor]

Considering I actually live in Alaska, it's amazing that I'm only just now getting this news:ONot really, considering the logistics up there. ;)

Because being governor is an executive position comparable to being president in some regards. So technically, she has more experience than Obama.She is also Governor of ALASKA. I'd say that presents some pretty good challenges right there that the average Capitol Hill denizen can't even imagine.

[godofPH]

After looking up some more info on her...she's starting to remind me of my mother...

[Gorjirus]

It's not that strange. Gor's standards of attraction are Tony Stark and Orga777, his opinion on such matters is therefore to be disregarded.


Anyway, McCain now has quite the shot. Dude would've been screwed had he picked someone like Romney. Things have gotten interesting...

Seeing how she reminds him of his mom, his opinion is disregarded.

[Goji Son]

I've never seen such a pathetic grab for votes before. McCain has only met the woman twice and has done little background checks, he's trying to get the Hillary votes yet she is completely parallel to Hillary's politics. She's caught in a few scandals in her own state and is at risk of being impeached. It's like McCain is trying to prove that you can mimic your ill-favored incumbent, spout out tons of presumptive dribble, have absolutely no idea about economics, and hire a VP with little experience in politics and zero idea what it means to be VP and still win an election against an opponent who is a "secret Muslim".

Biden is going to completely destroy her come debate time but I doubt she is going to get much sympathy.

[Gorjirus]

have absolutely no idea about economics

I don't think that either candidates have much of an idea about economics.

[godofPH]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26496189/

Well, McCain's VP is the mother of a pregant teen...

[Goji Son]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26496189/

Well, McCain's VP is the mother of a pregant teen...

And the best part? She's supports abstinence only sex education in schools! Sheer. Brilliance.

[Raptor]

Sheer. Brilliance.On the kid's part, yes. :dozing:

[Cole Deschain]

Biden is going to completely destroy her come debate time but I doubt she is going to get much sympathy.

Your faith in the public, while touching, is misplaced.

[Hybrid Gojira]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26496189/

Well, McCain's VP is the mother of a pregant teen...

And the best part? She's supports abstinence only sex education in schools! Sheer. Brilliance.

You're low.

Very low.

I get people ripping McCain for losing counts of houses. I don't get people's personal lives getting brought out when it doesn't matter. At all. Her daughter made a mistake, not her. You want to rip her for her own mistakes? Fine.

But keep in mind that while your anti "abstinece only" bullcrap tirade looks like it migh actually have a point here, it doesn't count the kids who actually listen. If you want sex ed taught a certain way, that's cool. But just because someone makes a choice and happens to be a daughter of a politician doesn't mean jack. Really, it doesn't. Unless of course you think that parents are accountable for their children's every action. Yeah, her situation is ironic and unfortunate, but you're prick for bringing it up.

So shut up.

[Godzilla]

You're low.

Very low.

I get people ripping McCain for losing counts of houses. I don't get people's personal lives getting brought out when it doesn't matter. At all. Her daughter made a mistake, not her. You want to rip her for her own mistakes? Fine.

But keep in mind that while your anti "abstinece only" bullcrap tirade looks like it migh actually have a point here, it doesn't count the kids who actually listen. If you want sex ed taught a certain way, that's cool. But just because someone makes a choice and happens to be a daughter of a politician doesn't mean jack. Really, it doesn't. Unless of course you think that parents are accountable for their children's every action. Yeah, her situation is ironic and unfortunate, but you're prick for bringing it up.

So shut up.
Cool your jets HG. No need to blow such a little comment out of proportion. She's not the first nor the last to have their personal lives used against them. And GS wasn't the first nor last to use it against her. You may not like such personal attacks, but for now suchs attacks are apart of politics whether you agree with them or not.

[Hybrid Gojira]

Cool your jets HG.

So he can bash some prenant girl and express his opinion but I can't?

No, that's not happening. Goji Son is entitled to his opinion and we get along just fine. I disagree with him often but he's someone I respect very much. He's not the type to get offended easily nor one with thin skin, so when or if he responds I'm sure it'll be with his usual witty banter and attitude. I have no problem with that.

No need to blow such a little comment out of proportion.

Respectfully speaking, I didn't. Kids shouldn't matter in politics, not in this manner. Her mom has plenty of other issues, so why focus on this?

She's not the first nor the last to have their personal lives used against them. And GS wasn't the first nor last to use it against her. You may not like such personal attacks, but for now suchs attacks are apart of politics whether you agree with them or not.

Obviously, I don't agree with them and I'm inclined to say just that without feeling bad for it. It shouldn't be a part of the game, end of story.

[Gorjirus]

Orc, I'm pretty sure you have way to many images in your sig.

[godofPH]

So he can bash some prenant girl and express his opinion but I can't?

No, that's not happening. Goji Son is entitled to his opinion and we get along just fine. I disagree with him often but he's someone I respect very much. He's not the type to get offended easily nor one with thin skin, so when or if he responds I'm sure it'll be with his usual witty banter and attitude. I have no problem with that.



Respectfully speaking, I didn't. Kids shouldn't matter in politics, not in this manner. Her mom has plenty of other issues, so why focus on this?



Obviously, I don't agree with them and I'm inclined to say just that without feeling bad for it. It shouldn't be a part of the game, end of story.

Ummm...I was the one that brought up Palin's prego daughter...I take blame...

EDIT: I just remembered I was also the one that brought up McCain not remembering how many houses he has...

[Goji Son]

You're low.

Very low.

I get people ripping McCain for losing counts of houses. I don't get people's personal lives getting brought out when it doesn't matter. At all. Her daughter made a mistake, not her. You want to rip her for her own mistakes? Fine.

But keep in mind that while your anti "abstinece only" bullcrap tirade looks like it migh actually have a point here, it doesn't count the kids who actually listen. If you want sex ed taught a certain way, that's cool. But just because someone makes a choice and happens to be a daughter of a politician doesn't mean jack. Really, it doesn't. Unless of course you think that parents are accountable for their children's every action. Yeah, her situation is ironic and unfortunate, but you're prick for bringing it up.

So shut up.

Fair enough, I know her daughter is her own independent person and that what she does is not completely reflective on her parents but I just found it ironic. At least it wasn't the now debunked rumor that her latest son was really her daughter's and Palin was claiming him for herself. So, I guess it could have been worse.

I am also not saying that abstinence is bad, just that it should not be the only option available.

[Gorjirus]

The thing I don't get it, what does is matter what kind of pregnancy prevention is taught in schools?

Is it really that hard to figure out how a condom works? I don't see why they need someone at school to tell them about condoms.

[Archaic_Avenger]

Even if she is more experienced, in no way does that make McCain/Palin a more legitimate choice for leading the country than Obama/Biden.

Oh come now, I think we all secretly know there is no such thing as a legitimate choice in true politics. That's the point of democracy; that's what our ancestors fought for so bravely on the war fields of early America. To try and actually make sense and do something responsible in politics goes against everything this country stands for.

This is now officially the most interesting Presidential race ever. Come to think of it, she's in a very good position should her team be elected. Imagine what it's like being the VP to someone who's 72 years old. And she's got a lifetime membership to the NRA. We might be a quail hunt away from the first woman president.

[Hybrid Gojira]

Fair enough, I know her daughter is her own independent person and that what she does is not completely reflective on her parents but I just found it ironic.

Absolutely true, sadly.

At least it wasn't the now debunked rumor that her latest son was really her daughter's and Palin was claiming him for herself. So, I guess it could have been worse.

Yikes, yeah that would've sucked royally.

I am also not saying that abstinence is bad, just that it should not be the only option available.

I see both sides, but in my previous home state of Ohio it didn't seem to matter. People were educated on condom use and still failed to use one, mostly because in the heat of the moment, you don't wanna stop and go, "Eh baby, I forgot the rubber. Can I run to Walmart?"


Ummm...I was the one that brought up Palin's prego daughter...I take blame...

I think it's a waste of a news story, and the fact that most mainstream websites/news sources made it a priority to sprawl it around is just sickening.

EDIT: I just remembered I was also the one that brought up McCain not remembering how many houses he has...

That's comical and I find it pretty funny. How many people can lose count of houses because they have so many? While I think it's lame a guy could have so much and lose count of it all, he actually has it all and then some. Whether or not that detracts from him as president is up to the voter, but I can't think of anything good about it aside from the fact he's rich.

And to some, being rich is not a good thing. ;)

[Cole Deschain]

And to some, being rich is not a good thing. ;)

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised....

Because the damn reporters will be the first ones against the wall!

[Gorjirus]

That's comical and I find it pretty funny. How many people can lose count of houses because they have so many?

The reason he lost count, is that some are his now ex-wifes, while still kind of "his".

[Burkion]

Ah, ExWives.

Screwing over math and casulty.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I think it's a waste of a news story, and the fact that most mainstream websites/news sources made it a priority to sprawl it around is just sickening.

This wouldn't be worthy of mentioning if she wasn't running on a platform of "Down home Americanism". You know, conservative value bullshit, ect. But she is. This makes it an issue. Her daughter is preggers! Illegitimate child! Sex before marriage! Jesus Christ!

Her credibility has been nigh destroyed. The only way this could turn out good for the McCain campaign is if the thing is born too early to live.

[Gorjirus]

Her credibility has been nigh destroyed.

Not really. If anything, her daughter will get sympathy from non-traditional Republican voters.

Republicans are going to vote for McCain anyway. This only makes Palin (and thus McCain's camp) more "human" and "likable" to undecided voters.

The conservatives aren't suddenly going to jump camp just because someones daughter had sex.

[Cole Deschain]

The conservatives aren't suddenly going to jump camp just because someones daughter had sex.

Perhaps, but the real hardliners may not go to the polls this year.

Which is about the same, in the long run.

[Project Pimp]

I don't know what to think of this... I really don't..... Voting is going to be hard this year... Due to many reasons... most of which aren't good.

Well, see, if you and the other 299,999,998 Americans would all stop being wieners, and realize there are more than two options... ;)

[SuperXAsh]

Pfftt... yeah... but too bad the Third Party options usually suck more than the two main party options. :p

[Dr. Strangelove]

Well, see, if you and the other 299,999,998 Americans would all stop being wieners, and realize there are more than two options... ;)
You're not one of Ron Paul's blowjob brigade, are you?

[godofPH]

You're not one of Ron Paul's blowjob brigade, are you?

I thought they went extinct when Dr. Paul found out internet buzz does not equal turnout in Primaries...

[Gorgozilla]

I voted for Ron Paul in the primary (Idaho held it in May) and I plan to vote for Bob Barr in the general election. I understand Paul pulled ~25% in Idaho, making it his strongest state. Some might say I'm wasting my vote, but it doesn't really matter since the GOP always takes Idaho. My vote doesn't count outside my home state, since we're not really electing the President. Our votes just determine which party's electors from our home states get to vote in the Electoral College.

Anyone wanting more info on Barr should go to www.lp.org.

[Dr. Strangelove]

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card


...

Hahahaha. Hahahahahaha.

[Project Pimp]

I voted for Ron Paul in the primary (Idaho held it in May) and I plan to vote for Bob Barr in the general election. I understand Paul pulled ~25% in Idaho, making it his strongest state. Some might say I'm wasting my vote, but it doesn't really matter since the GOP always takes Idaho. My vote doesn't count outside my home state, since we're not really electing the President. Our votes just determine which party's electors from our home states get to vote in the Electoral College.

Anyone wanting more info on Barr should go to www.lp.org (http://www.lp.org).

Same here.

Barr is not perfect, but when it comes to being a conservative, he is infinitely better than McCain. People need to wake the hell up and vote on principles, rather than going "Oh, gee, well, this guy is a total dick, but I sure don't want a Muslim as president so I'll just pretend my vote will count more if it's thrown away to a major political party."

The fact that people are going to make a choice between war and socialism is freaking mindboggling to me. And did I mention both come with a huge helping of amnesty and Zionism? To hell with that. Both major candidates are going to continue our country's course on a downward spiral into debt and deficit. How stupid can you be to throw away your future over some stupid gas tax holiday? Oh, to hell with the future, right? To hell with freedom and personal liberty. Wiretap away. And every retarded shmuck who flips burgers for a living deserves a kickass dental plan, right?

[Gorjirus]

continue our country's course on a downward spiral into debt and deficit.

You do know that those numbers: debt doesn't really mean anything, and the deficit has actually been improving for the last couple of months, and when you take out oil, the deficit isn't bad at all.

[godofPH]

I voted for Ron Paul in the primary (Idaho held it in May) and I plan to vote for Bob Barr in the general election. I understand Paul pulled ~25% in Idaho, making it his strongest state. Some might say I'm wasting my vote, but it doesn't really matter since the GOP always takes Idaho. My vote doesn't count outside my home state, since we're not really electing the President. Our votes just determine which party's electors from our home states get to vote in the Electoral College.

Anyone wanting more info on Barr should go to www.lp.org (http://www.lp.org).

Then why not just stay home on Election Day and save the time you would have taken casting that wasted vote? ;)

[Project Pimp]

You do know that those numbers: debt doesn't really mean anything, and the deficit has actually been improving for the last couple of months, and when you take out oil, the deficit isn't bad at all.

Do you work for MasterCard?

[Goji Son]

Ah **** it, let's just do away with the US of A and have every state become it's own country with their own laws. It's pretty clear that the clash of cultures and ideas will never be solved because we can't learn to co-exist! Europe is starting to banned together now, let them become the next big economic powerhouse while we just live our lives of freedom... that is until the Republic of Texas begins conquering nations. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts.

[Gorjirus]

Do you work for MasterCard?

No, but I am an economics major. A federal governments debt and an individuals are two totally different things.


Europe is starting to banned together now, let them become the next big economic powerhouse

That isn't really that bad of a thing. We can do just fine, even if we aren't the top economic dog. You can share that and still do really well because of specialization.

[Gorgozilla]

Then why not just stay home on Election Day and save the time you would have taken casting that wasted vote? ;)

Well, they always say, "If you don't vote, don't complain." As much as I ***** about the govt. I BETTER vote! At least this way, I can feel good about my vote.

[Zigra]

Here's what I look for in a candidate-

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/no_values_voters_looking_to

[godofPH]

Well, they always say, "If you don't vote, don't complain."

How might that apply to someone who'll be too young to vote come November? :look:

[Gorjirus]

How might that apply to someone who'll be too young to vote come November? :look:

You can complain and it will matter even less than those who voted and complain.