Obama/Biden photo from New York Times 
McCain/Palin photo from Reuters
My jaw hit the floor this morning when Senator John McCain announced that Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin will be his Vice Presidential running mate. I immediately picked up the phone and called my mom.
“McCain picked a woman running mate!”
“What?!” I could hear her flipping channels. “Oh, that’s the one with 5 kids.” (See serious politico)
“Well it looks like she has only 3 and that one of them has a baby.” (One of Palin’s daughters was holding a baby boy) “I wouldn’t have brought a baby into that loud room.”
“Me either. I knew he would do something like this.” (I’m leaving out the part of our discussion on how much Cindy McCain looks like a Stepford wife and how she broke her wrist because of a pair of super high heels and how come the higher the heel is the more expensive the shoes are… )
“Like what mom?”
“Something sneaky. He was either going to pick a minority or a woman. I can’t stand female Republicans, they are so hypocritical. Did you know McCain will only allow himself to be photographed from his right side? He has had so many cancers removed from the left side of his face that it has left him with a lot of scarring.” (How does she know this stuff?)
“Wait! That baby is hers!”
“The dad should be holding him. See, Republicans.” Her life long dislike of Republicans etched into her words.
“I agree. If she hadn’t introduced him as her son I would have thought her very young looking daughter had had the baby. And that’s not good.” I couldn’t help but laugh, “That sneaky old bastard is probably saying, ‘Who’s change now be-atch!’. Obama missed a HUGE opportunity by picking a running mate that looks the least like a change.”
“Biden was Caroline Kennedy’s pick.” (See she knows everything)
“He should have picked Hillary. I wonder if he regrets that now.”
What do you think of the canidates’ choices of running mates? Who do you think is a more effective example of change?
The young child has downs-syndrome, so that may have had something to do with it. But your question is a great one.
I don’t know gotea, I still don’t think I would take a baby to a huge noisy rally like that. I was surprised at how he could have slept through it all. My kids would have been screaming.
I know in my limited experience with downs children, they sometimes feel more calm with one parent than the other. That is in no way scientific, but only my limited experience. I agree that a noisy rally is no place for a baby.
Don’t hate all Republican women! Don’t forget me and no, i am not Republican because my father is, I have a mind of my own. Dad and I don’t agree on all topics by any means. I am still unsure about this lady, I have yet to have enough time to do any deep studying of her. I read a few things but am still unsure. This was a smart move, McCain is a sneaky boy. If he kicks the bucket, we have a female President for all those feminists out there! So this will be a historic election no matter which way it goes!
Ah, Obama faces the problem of (likely) not trusting his gut. He picked the safe choice and has been upstaged. I liken this to writing the book of your heart versus trying to be commercial. He should have picked the VP of his heart (whoever that may have been, I think it would have been Bill Richardson).
Now McCain’s choice did keep me riveted to the radio before going to the hair salon this morning, but it seems like a big political choice to me.
Dear Cousin-
It’s not me that dislikes Republican women (Republicans in general) it’s your aunt. Although I think she will make an exception for you since she changed your diapers!
It was a brilliant move if you ask me. And you’re right, we would have a woman president if he should kick it. Interesting…
Miss Sylvie-
I agree. He should have gone with the VP of his heart. McCain really upstaged him a a BIG way. I swear this is the most exciting election in a long, long time.
Personally, I think Obama made a good choice in Joe Biden, and McCain would have stolen the spotlight by announcing his VP pick this morning no matter who he chose. I think it’s a blatant attempt to pick up independent women who supported Hillary, but if they care about the issues, they’d better take a close look at where Palin stands on things like choice, equal pay, etc. I understand she’s been pretty popular as governor of Alaska.
Linda
Good point Linda. Really it all comes down to the issues and the canidates’ record, their experience and what they will do for us.
It’s insulting. It’s obvious he chose her in an attempt to woo the disgruntled Hillary supporters. What’s also obvious is his clear disdain for female intelligence. Women don’t support Hillary because she’s a woman, they support her because of who she is, what she’s done and what they believe she will still do. A pundit on CNN said it best – “Women are not Lego’s. You can’t substitute a blue one for a red one, and say they’re the same.”
The latest on this woman is her belief that creationism, not evolution, should be taught in schools. No separation of church and state there. That and the independent investigation of her – and possible impeachment – from her own state legislature points to another bit of ‘obvious’. More of the same.
~Debbie
Debbie-
I love the Lego line! I have to admit that during her speach he didn’t look too happy to be there. There were no ear to ear smiles like Obama had standing next to Biden, but then again McCain isn’t what I’d call a cheerful guy. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few months. Like you and Linda, I hope voters will vote on the issues and not be awed by this bit of Lego switching. (I think we just created a new phrase!)
Palin opposes the use of abortion even in cases of rape or incest and supports the death penalty. She opposes same-sex marriage. She supported a non-binding referendum for a constitutional amendment to deny benefits to gay couples and supported the 1998 constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. When she ran for governor in 2006, she stated that she supported teaching creationism alongside evolution in public schools, but the next day clarified her position saying that debating alternative views should not be restricted. Palin is a life member of the National Rifle Association, and is popular among gun rights activists.
Palin has been critical of the lack of a long-term strategy on the war in Iraq, her only know foreign policy position.
Palin has strongly promoted oil and natural gas resource development in Alaska. In May 2008, Palin filed a lawsuit to stop the listing of polar bears as an endangered species because it would hurt oil and gas development in the bears’ habitat off Alaska’s northern and northwestern coasts. She said the move to list the bears was “premature and was not the appropriate management tool for their welfare”.
She believes that “a changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state” but she would not “attribute it to being man-made”.
I don’t think true Hillary supporters will be pleased with this so-called substitute and if they vote for Mc Cain Man (as in Rainman) they should have their feminist card pulled. The reason I dislike some Republican women is that they fall for the lie they are told by Republicans, especially if they are “lifers”, that Republicans want to over turn Roe v. Wade. If that were true it would have been done long before now.
I lost all respect for Mc Cain. He has shown that he will say and do anything to get elected. Even trying to start a war with Russia over Georgia! Someone questioned his sanity because of his age and his long captivity as a POW. He has anger issues and scares some of his friends in the Senate because he is so volatile.
Wow you get some really hate filled libs on here! Both canidates promise change but in their very first decision one picked an outsider and one picked a 30 year washington insider. By the way. separation of church and state cant be found in the constitution but religious freedom and free speech are both there. Why do you fear open discussion?
George-
I have plenty of love for those that wave the blue, the red or even the purple flags. I especially love strong opinions and fiercely held beliefs. All are welcome here.
They were fascinating VP choices, weren’t they? This has to be one of the most interesting presidential elections in my lifetime. I can’t wait to see how it all shakes out.