Palin Comes Out Swinging

Sarah Palin got before a frenzied crowd that was foaming at the mouth and lied, over and over again, and the RNC ate it up. I couldn't even watch the whole speech. It was ridiculous.

How could you have watched her speech yet "didn't really get a sense of who she is"? I thought it was pretty clear that she was a gun toting, bible blessed, hockey mom, republican who although is lacking balls, has the guts to stand up for America. She's got my Vote!!

A better question is: Who is Obama?

From Rudy's speech:

"On the other hand, you have a resume from a gifted man with an Ivy League education," Giuliani said of Obama. "He worked as a community organizer, and immersed himself in Chicago machine politics. Then he ran for the state legislature, where nearly 130 times he was unable to make a decision yes or no. He simply voted 'present.'"

Heck even a mayor of a small town in Alaska can't dodge decisions. Is this the influence of a senator that you are talking about Kill? One that cannot even make up his mind on a vote 130 times?

I thought it was a great speech. Very Presidential. She spoke directly, clearly, and pulled no punches. She was not vicious, but rather made clear, decisive comparisons between McCain and Obama. I thought she was charming.

Giuliani was brilliant, of course, but I'm a huge Rudy fan, so in that sense I'm very biased....

The republican party isn't interested in coming together as a nation. I'm beginning to believe that they haven't care about togetherness since Abraham Lincoln. They appear to enjoy the us vs them, black vs white, man vs woman, liberal vs conservative, my culture vs your culture, my religion vs your religion thing. They appear to enjoy the polarization of America. That's what keeps them in power. No wonder we are falling behind other countries.

I knew George Bush would be bad for America. I told everyone within hearing distance. But I also knew that Bush had learned from Reagan that political issues are secondary to pandering to the fears of your average American. If you can tap into this country's fears, your chance of getting elected increases, even if you are a complete idiot.

McCain is no idiot, but his agenda lacks foresight. He will simply retread the same old stuff that hasn't worked. This country is all set to take the next step. Most of us are ready to move to the next level. The Republican party wants to keep us back,. In reality, though they talk about change, they fear it.

I'm tire of all the hate-mongering and fear tactics. Yet, I will have to live with it, because many of you fall for those tactics every time. And it appears as if you are about to fall for them, again.

Let me please clarify: A CONVENTION of white folks.

Let me clarify your statement, white educated folks!! Did you noticed that almost every man at the convention was dressed in suits and ties? Did you see that type of delegates at the Democratic Convention? When I played sports in high school and college our coach always made us dress up when we were traveling. They always thought the way you dress to represent your schools is they way you will play.

Diane-491994; While you cannot possibly clarify MY statement, you have definately proven it. Kudos!

I am a democratic, who supports Obama, but will admit the speech given by Palin sounded good (sounds familiar?). However, several claims against Obama and her executive experiences are inaccurate. For example, she voted for the bridge before opposing it. Her son does not employ to Iraq on 9/11; the ceremony occurs on this day. Furthermore, it is illegal to disclose this type information, for security reasons (foreign policy issue). Additionally, when Palin left her mayor position, she left behind a deficit balance, which is inconsistent with her balance-the-budget argument. I am certain she humiliated many community leaders that work in destitute communities/neighborhoods, by underestimating the amount of responsibilities associated with Obama's position as a community organizer. Her remarks regarding this may come back to haunt and ultimately hurt her and the campaign.

What really astonishes me is Palin barely knew John McCain prior to the VP offer. less than one week ago. Therefore, how is it possible for her to make the claims against Obama, because I am certain she knows him even less than she does McCain? I noticed Palin was intelligent enough not to attack Biden, especially since she is uninformed on international or national policy. She also made derogatory remarks against Jews by suggesting it is God's judgment against the Jews for not serving Christ (Politico.com). Overall, we heard the voice was Palin's, but the words, with the exception of tellings of her personal life, belonged to someone else or other people, such as a professional speech writer or writers.

Like I previously wrote, Palin is not extensively familiar with McCain or Obama. She just met McCain and has yet to meet Obama to ridicule him like she did. But all is fair in love and war. The publisher of the article can't wait on round three of the DNC to occur. I anticipate round one in the debate between Palin and Biden. I hope republicans don't start crying Biden bullied her, because after all, Palin stated she is a bulldog (or some type vicious animal) that wears lipstick.

Furthermore, after all Palin said in her speech, I still don't know her or her stance on issues essential to Americans. But I did learn how very little she actually knows about her opponent.

Labratine,

Let me please clarify: A CONVENTION of white folks.

There were a few specks of others here and there, but the convention did include predominantly "white folks." I can't wait to see the upcoming poll numbers, though they aren't consistent.

I thought the Palin speech was rather sing-song. However, given her lack of experience before a crowd of that size, she did very well.
What do we expect candidates to do, praise each other? This is an important election with much at stake.
All speeches in both conventions were quite good. I am waiting to see how all of their attitudes play out in the coming campaign. It is their attitude, after all, that will get the most done for our country in the end.
I do not want to see Obama create a law that will abolish guns, and neither do I want McCain to create a law that will take away the right of women to choose.

I also didn't get the sense in Palin's speech of how Palin and McCain was going to address the issues that we're facing right now like the Economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

I would like to hear more from Palin regarding how she would tackle these subjects.

News flash for Labratine: 92% of the black people in this country are supporting Obama. For that reason, Hillary Clinton's campaign was also mostly white.

The majority of people in this country are light-skinned. But it is incredible for you to blame them for black separatism. This country fought to end the segregation that people like the Michelle Obama have fought to reinstate.

Blacks have segregated themselves this time and have no one to blame if they choose not to be represented in the Republican Party.

500 comments in 24 hours? Wow. Ok, I'll come back later. I've posted thoughts elsewhere i'll try to share some in here too (and without links - just watch me)

I'd just like to say that I find that whole "Obama failed to vote 130 times" meme absolutely frickin' hysterical. While you're at it, space guy, could you please provide a count for us of the number of times McCain failed to vote over the course of his quarter century in office? How many abstentions? Out of how many votes?

Well?

How many votes has Palin abstained from? Out of how many?

Yeah, that's about what I thought...

iarnuocon,

I'd just like to say that I find that whole "Obama failed to vote 130 times" meme absolutely frickin' hysterical.

It was not only hysterical, but the worse scenario of extreme exaggeration.

What's McCains record?

If Palin didn't get across to you who she is, what she thinks and how she'd govern, you are obtuse.

Palin is a great orator (but then again, so is Obama).

But, where's the beef in Palin's speech last night?

Where are ideas about the economy? Or health care? Oh wait, George Bush's administration wrote Palin's speech. So, of course no economy talk.

Yes, Palin is your every-day woman. You'd rather drink a beer with Sarah Palin (or George Bush) than with most other politicians. And many people voted Bush based upon this kind of logic.

Has anyone learned after the last 8 years that this country doesn't need an ordinary 'guy' or 'gal' trying to handle the most complex job in the country?

When I watched this speech I thought "my God, and she is the vice-presidential candidate?" I am an older woman and I concede that I think a lot more of people who have class and I can forgive some of the rumors surrounding , but is this a person that you really want to represent you outside of the U.S.

She is no Jackie Kennedy, she isn't even a Laura Bush. Probably more like Cindy McCain than people would like to believe. I just can't imagine her being sent to France, Italy or Israel to speak for the US. And if they sent her to the continent of Africa, she would be scared to death and ineffective. I just don't see what people are clamoring about.

This is a woman who is running on being a soccer mom (more like a pit bull but with lipstick) and being one of the people just like me. Give me a break. With five kids, running the state house we all know who is doing the cooking. HER DAUGHTERS. Either her daughters or she has a housekeeper, cook, maid. I remember working and raising my son and it took everything I had to get it done. She cannot tell me that she does not have help and she cooks her own meals. Doesn't wash.

But, where's the beef in Palin's speech last night?

There was more beef there than the sushi spouted by the anointed one and his styrofoam fake Greek facade in a year.

in answer to Spaceman concering Obama's "present" votes. It's been explained before that a vote "present" means that you do not oppose the legilsation but there's something wrong with it... like a typo here or there...or a misstatement somewhere... so instead of just voting "yes" you vote "present" and point out the error. I have never been in senate so i have no personal experience on this point, but tha's what was explained on TV. In which case, what's wrong with a present vote??

Ya know who I want for President? I want someone who's smarter than me, smarter than my wife, smarter than anyone I've ever met. I don't care what he drinks or what kind of salad greens he likes, I want someone who is, as John Stewart put it, embarrassingly superior to me in every way.

Well....., naa I will resist the obvious. Smart is not the be all and end all. Character counts just as much, compassion and heart count just as much. It is my experience with incredibly smart people, that if they do not have character and heart, they end up just being mean and condescending, something that Mr. Obama has had in evidence. If he was so smart and with a heart, he would have never made that "bitter, guns, and God" comment.

Sorry Kill but being smart, while very important, is not all the game. Intelligence did not get John McCain through torture in prisoner of war camp, heart and character did. Sarah Palin exhibited that she is smart, compassionate, and with a heart. That is going to be tough to beat.

in answer to Spaceman concering Obama's "present" votes. It's been explained before that a vote "present" means that you do not oppose the legilsation but there's something wrong with it... like a typo here or there...or a misstatement somewhere... so instead of just voting "yes" you vote "present" and point out the error. I have never been in senate so i have no personal experience on this point, but tha's what was explained on TV. In which case, what's wrong with a present vote??

And Biden's got the whole damn field beat as far as warm fuzziness and having heart... Biden and his train-ride.

Biden has a heart? Are you kidding me? He is known in congress for just the opposite.

Smart is not the be all and end all. Character counts just as much, compassion and heart count just as much.

Oh yeah, someone's life story is much more important than what they know. What a joke.

Last time people like you voted for character (the guy that you could have a beer with) we got the most unintelligent, and well-failed President of all time.

So when you Kool-Aid drinkers want character, find the smartest of your bunch who has character, then maybe, just maybe, your party will quit destroying this nation piece by piece.

I just want someone who is smart enough to know that they can't fix the entire world, and wise enough to know that they are not smart enough to tell others how to live their lives. But that's just me ;-)

First,
I'm with Jon Stewart in wanting someone superior to me.

Second, I thought her speech was good as far as delivery...

Although I think the expectations for her were set artificially low.

Third, I think she did sound smug. It reminded me a lot of the hate speech convention where Buchanan had his last hurrah - lots of bashing, lots of negatives, lot cheap shots.

Did others get that impression?

I just want someone who is smart enough to know that they can't fix the entire world, and wise enough to know that they are not smart enough to tell others how to live their lives. But that's just me ;-)

Adam, You and I don't agree on a lot but that was a very wise statement that bears repeating.

Good for you.

Apparently the Repubilcans are not too pleased either. They are floating the thing that the teleprompter broke

Sorry Kill but being smart, while very important, is not all the game. Intelligence did not get John McCain through torture in prisoner of war camp, heart and character did.

Actually, not dying or going bat@!$%# crazy got John McCain got John McCain through being tortured as a POW. While being alive and sane are certainly qualities I look for in a President, I set my bar a little higher than that.

Smart is not the be all and end all. Character counts just as much, compassion and heart count just as much.

Maybe so, but I don't see us getting any of those qualities out of today's GOP. Not for the last 8 years and not with the current ticket.

Maybe so, but I don't see us getting any of those qualities out of today's GOP. Not for the last 8 years and not with the current ticket.

Then I would respectfully submit that you are not paying attention.

Killfile

And Obama graduated top of his class at Harvard Law and yet went into community organization rather than a partner-track at a major law-firm.

And Biden's got the whole damn field beat as far as warm fuzziness and having heart... Biden and his train-ride.

I am so tired of hearing about Obama's Law Degree and he finished in the top of his Class. We don't need someone to run this Country with a Law Degree, and finishing top in their class, we need someone who is not only smart but has enough common since to get things done.

And why wasn't Obiden staying at home looking after his children? He could have found another job that didn't take him away from them. Tsk Tsk Tsk......

I am so tired of people finding fault with Palin and saying she isn't smart. She is smarter and more capable than Obama and Biden put together. His community organization, Well his first meeting was held in his Buddy William Ayers' living Room. Now that is a GREAT place to start.......

And Obama graduated top of his class at Harvard Law and yet went into community organization rather than a partner-track at a major law-firm.

Yet, if he had, you can just bet that those who criticize him for *not* going on a "partner-track" would now be mocking him for being a trial lawyer.

Eh, whatever.

You know that line Palin used last nite (and on prior occasions) about pitbulls and lipstick? Yeah, well, it's not her line, according to the Washington Post

And maybe the guy she borrowed from isn't the best one to be stealing from, namely John Hagee.

And remember, Hagee also called the Catholic Church "the great whore" and suggested in a sermon that the Holocaust was God's will. His last faux pas, in which he called Hitler a "hunter," forced John McCain to reject Hagee's endorsement of the GOP presidential candidate.

here, you compare:

Sarah Palin's now famous "lipstick" joke from her acceptance speech Wednesday night is generating lots of buzz in Democratic circles and the liberal blogosphere. Not because of how funny it was, but because of its similarity to another (in)famous one-liner delivered by controversial evangelical pastor John Hagee.

Palin, who, like Hagee, is an evangelical Christian, had Republicans inside St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center doubled over laughing when she said, "What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick."

Hagee, in his book "What Every Man Wants in a Woman," wrote, "Do you know the difference between a woman with PMS and a snarling Doberman pinscher? The answer is lipstick."

I doubt it was originally Hagee's line either. It sounds like something any resolute misogynist would say.

Coming from a woman, it sounds funny, especially to women who have been this kind of woman or have been the beneficiaries of a pit bull with lipstick.

However, I've met quite a few women who could be characterized in that manner, and they are usually brutal, single-minded bullies with a narrow agenda.

Ah, good point, Viki.
Though I have to say of the all the lines to use and re-use is that really the best one?
It's like the chant about drilling for oil - of all the chants they could do is that really the best one?

And here's the thing - I'd complained this morning that she'd recycled that line by which I meant that she'd used it on prior occasions (something I knew because I'd copied and pasted that quote by her when she was announced on Friday) not knowing she HAD recycled it but from another source.

The most interesting part about the Post article is - as if often the case - the mystery it sparks, namely who leaked this info to the media. or was the thinking that it's better to come out now?

ADemocratic operative who asked to remain anonymous alerted us to the striking similarity between Hagee's joke and Palin's.

With double the number of American deaths in Chicago from gunfire this summer than in Iraq I think we need a surge to go in and fix the problems that Mr. Obama's community organizing has created.

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/chicago.summer.shootings.2.810166.html

Ya know who I want for President? I want someone who's smarter than me, smarter than my wife, smarter than anyone I've ever met. I don't care what he drinks or what kind of salad greens he likes, I want someone who is, as John Stewart put it, embarrassingly superior to me in every way.

I am sorry, KF, I shall not seek and will not accept the nomination of your party for President of the United States.

Wow!!!.......What a great choice!....I love Hillary....but she [Hillary] is a piece of ice compared to Sarah!
What a speaker!
She's smart an savvy...and you can't take your eyes off her!

Superman2001

Sarah Palin got before a frenzied crowd that was foaming at the mouth and lied, over and over again, and the RNC ate it up. I couldn't even watch the whole speech. It was ridiculous.

Geez! Why does that remark not surprise me?....Yea...We all wonder?

Mr. Obama's community organizing has created.

Sorry, space guy. You're going to have to go a lot further to connect Senator Obama's activities on the South Side over twenty years ago to the number of shooting deaths this summer.

"Created?" Really?

Palin is a great orator (but then again, so is Obama).

Oh! I thought Obama was runnin for President?

If you still don't know who Sarah Palan is...Just keep listening.

We still don't really know who Barack Hussein Obama is, so let's all keep listening.

The word Assume - " makes an ass out of u and me". Suggestion...We all need to be careful be of what we assume. Whomever coined the word "Obiden" made me give 'em a thumbs up!

"McSarah" looks good to me though! Go "McSarah!" "YAY, McSarah all the way!"

(Who knew that being a high school cheerleader would come in handy now, in a Presidential Election?)

Mac, Sarah, "We the members our Republican Base give you the GREEN LIGHT, 'cuz YOU'RE exactly what this great country of ours, NEEDS! Also, we invite anyone who is disgruntled with the Democratic "business as UNUSUAL" to join US!"

Listen, read, think, assimilate, then decide and vote your concience...VOTE!

GG

Swinging? as in Sarah the swinger? Like that affair she had with her husband business partner?

Heck even a mayor of a small town in Alaska can't dodge decisions. Is this the influence of a senator that you are talking about Kill? One that cannot even make up his mind on a vote 130 times?

Honestly, it was a strategy. by not voting, he planned to ensure his voting record couldn't be used against him as he ran for president. He had a game plan EXTREMELY early in his career. Ivy League schools teach you all the little tricks that us "dumb folk" may not catch on to. Well I'm not "dumb folk" and I certainly caught on. I am voting for the more decisive of the two.

She reminded America above all else why an amateur like Palin PALES in comparison to Obama / Biden - I love it. The Republican Theatre Production (Aka RNC Convention) continues to fail. Rudy Guliani, who I remind you attempted to exploit 911 for his political purposes shouldn't be allowed on any national stage. Mit Romney a devout Mormon Nutcase, Caroline Fiorina, the woman who's Failed leadership nearly RUINED HP Computers. Joe Lieberman, the fony, fake, hypocritic coward who can't even admit he's really a republican ( Also forgets he works for the American people not ISRAEL).

Oh yeah, the Republicans definately SWUNG but MISSED the mark ( as has become the norm for them).
OBAMA / BIDEN 2008

NOTE TO REPUBLICANS : Pomp and Circumstance is not sufficient evidence of worth. Just admit it, you are scared silly. You know the 'expiration date' on the Republican brand is long since expired. Time for Change.

heading out on a limb here but I'm guessing you weren't undecided going into the speech tonight...just a wild guess...
Just my point, her speech was good but isn't going to start the Obamites or the RNC haters rushing to the ticket.

Really... Could she have said absolutly any thing to make an Obamite change their vote? No. Duh! Just as there wasn't a darn thing Obama could have said the other night to change my vote.
BUT she certainly reinforced to me and other republicans that McCain made the right choice & probably won over some undecided. I think that was the goal too!
She had a sucessful & wonderful speech!
McCain/Palin '08!

agreed, nothing changes for the staunch supporters. Its the people in the middle that matter, the undecided and I'm guessing they aren't on this discussion board...

The only other way this helps is to energize the republican base in hopes to stir them to vote at all.

I am for Obama.

I thought she came across as attractive, smart, and tough.

However, when I noticed the tele-prompter in front of her, I wondered just how much she was coached and prepared for this speech. And, Yes, I know they all use tele-prompters and prep for speeches.

Still, since the country will ask so much of her attention, she has to answer how she's going to divide her attention between family and VP duties. Why? Because traditionally, wives automatically handle childcare. We are the ones who handle the actually physical birth process. Apparently, this means her husband will handle childcare or a surrogate mother or both.

There should be no harm in asking and having her answer these questions since this will be a first.

"Pomp and Circumstance is not sufficient evidence of worth"
Teapot meet kettle!! LOL!
That makes no sense comming from a Democrat when you've got Obama as your nominee!

McCain/Palin '08

"fake hypocrite" Really? Again- Pot calling the kettle black!!!
And didn't Obama say to lay off Palin's daughter? Mind your leader!...and your manners! Your ugly comment is quite offensive.

McCain / Palin '08!

I could give a darn about her pregnant daughter other than if we must respect their right to choose what to do about their pregnant daughter then you darn well better respect my right and don't try and gain public office so you can deny my right to choose a different path for my child. You cannot have it both ways. Having said that, we are foolishly arguing about gender and identity politics while our nation falls down around us. They call our parents "The Greatest Generation" they are going to call us "The Stupidest Generation" because while we have been foolishly drawn into gender and identity politics at a time when we could least afford it. We have abrogated our civil rights out of fear, left an enormous debt for our future generations, decimated our educational system and allowed our infrastructure to decay while happily transferring 700 Billion Dollars of our national treasure to our enemies so we can drive our SUVs to Starbucks for our Latte's. We allowed George Bush to tell us to go shopping rather than ask us to give any sacrifice and we bought it hook line and sinker because we have become people who will try all the easy solutions we know won't work before we finally if we ever actually do the hard thing that will actually solve the problem. Wake up people this is a stupid debate and the cynical GOP has actually said that this election is about personality vs the issues. What are we morons?

Well, you'll be able to sacrifice alot if Obama gets elected. Like alot of cash, and freedom, he wants lots more cops on the streets remember. And you can sacrifice our security, economical and military. You can sacrifice your childrens college funds, and your retirement 401k to higher taxes, you can sacrifice more for your death tax, and sacrifice any inheritance you wanted to leave your kids, you can sacrifice any hope of being your own boss, or opening your own shop, or starting your own business of any kind. etc etc etc

I'm perplexed: what is a "fake hypocrite?" Why would someone pretend to be a hypocrite?

The part I found amusing was Palin ripping the established DC elites. Look at the older gentleman standing beside you. "Awkward!"

Liking speech writers is what you are showing. The delivery by a novice like Palin leaves a lot to be desired. Palin really hasn't a clue about national politics. She will do everything she is told to do.

Wow, Mark Albuquerque NM, yours is probably the best post I have ever read.

You touch on every single issue in this country.

Finally, someone talks about what a shambles our economy is in. Certainly the republicans want to avoid that subject, since the Bush Administration is the ones who put us here.

And, Mark Albuquerque NM, thank you for also addressing the $3 trillion dollar deficit that the republicans have put us in, and that our children's children will be forced to pay.

To Federalist in response to 3.11, under the Bush administration and GOP policies I have already sacrificed all that you listed would be supposedly sacrificed under an Obama administration.
And the admin hasn't been to kind to our vets, but thats another issue. There does seem to be some discord coming out of the military, when I hear that I HAVE to question the commander in Chief's performance and policies.

My family economy, (lost job to overseas outsourcing), Health care coverage, lost it with the job and hubby's employer doesn't offer it, too expensive. Sold the 401K, so no future savings, had to pay current bills.
Couldn't afford to send my daughter to Sonoma State College where she was accepted, so her future in doubt.
Don't have anything to pass on for an inheritance (and besides the tax free limits on that is fairly high anyway, so those taxes are not an issue-it really only hurts the very wealthy).
As for my lifelong dream of owning a house or my own business, doesn't look like its going to happen in this economy. And from what I have heard, mine may be the first generation that may not have that as a dream that is attainable.
So, it seems to me, the McCain administration is more of the above.

To Anthony B below. Obviously you did not watch this speech. Not only did she swing and connect, she hit it out of Yankee stadium into New Jersey. Pomp and circumstance? You are kidding right? After the "bling bling" seal Obama introduced that lasted a minute before even his media disciples ridiculed it. The germany rock concert speech. The stadium speech with the faux cloumns. I mean come on, seriously, you are kidding right

I love it, our friends on the other side are in full on denial mode. That's perfect, Carter did the same in 1980.

:)

In response to fisherman144 above, if Palin was really going to "do everything she was told" she would certainly have never dared to attack the media, her opponent, and the congress the way she did. No image-focused politician would ever dare to do that - it caught me off-guard. I loved it, as did thousands of other Americans fed up with the "good old boy network" - no matter whether that network contains Bush or the Dems. That she showed such guts just a week into the national political scene proves to me that she is certainly NOT going to be a tool in the hands of the old cronies. I hope the Washingtonian political fixtures are shaking after that speech.

As for her delivery: the speech itself was a medioacre piece of writing if you analyze it. It was Palin herself who breathed some life and substance into it, and thus rocked St. Paul.

so did you listen or didn't you? Sounds like you did. Just a reminder, the DEmocrats have controlled congress for the last few years, some good they have done for the country. 9% approval rating - nice. If the best you have is she's a finger pointer I think you will lose a lot of arguements.

So remind me, how many "change" bills have congress submitted to the Pres that he has vetoed? Keep in mind, they can override his veto... The fact is they have been so mired in their own self-importance they haven't been busy doing the work they promised to when they were voted in.

That's a very nice try but while Congress does have the Constitutional ability to override a Presidential veto, a veto requires a 2/3 vote in both houses. The Democrats may hold both houses but they do not have a 2/3 majority.

If that's the best you have, I think you'll lose a lot of arguments.

Thank you master of the constitution. I get it. So the Democrats have simply decided not to try? What are we paying them for? Seriously, they came to power in Congress and promised to change things, they have changed nothing. They can't get away from the same special interests that hamstring both parties. I'm not saying I have answers but to blame everything on the President is a little disingenuous. Why not simply disband the entire legislative branch if, as you offer, they can't change anything.

Thank you master of the [C]onstitution.

You're welcome.

Get Smarter Here

Not sure how smart I am but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night....

I think staying in this hotel just gets me frustrated...

Unless I am mistaken, it was January 2007 when the Democrats got control over congress. That is only a year.

Fear mongering? Where are you? Did you sleep thru the USS Cole, 9/11, and every other terrorist attack? Those came on the closing moments of a Democratic presidency, where we downsized our military, ignored foreign policy, and let people who hate us come right at us while we held our arms open for them.

Palin did a GREAT job despite the media hounding, and the media BIAS towards Republicans in general. It's amazing how the media has to pull their "facts" from bloggers who have no clue, and then willingly leave out the the important facts that would diffuse every single slam they put on the Republicans, ESPECIALLY Sarah Palin. Talk about a propaganda machine...

You want to talk experience? Lets talk about Sarah Palin, who completely changed the political face of Alaska, crossed party lines, and got something done.

Now let's look at Obama, who's been in the Senate for two years. Look at his voting record, he's a man who doesn't stand for anything, a majority of his opportunities to vote, he abstained! What kind of leader is that... All those issues must have been above his pay grade!

you're correct, they took over control of the House in Jan '07, but that's nearly two years. How long does it take?

PS - If the Raven in your user name is a salute to the Baltimore Ravens, then anything you write is ok with me. :)

I am a Clinton democrat, and I have been following her since she became Gov. I find her refreshing and honest, she is a great VP choice...I like her style of talking, down to earth, I do not like what happen to Hillary with the 'good ole boy's network, I watched all the debates and I was digusted at the way they went after Sarah and her family, I am a woman first and it is time that women fight back against sexist behavior, we vote we paid taxes and we work, and we won't be told who to vote for ever. I will be casting my vote for a great American and his strong VP, and that will be Sarah Palin and John Mcain.

Scott your complete lack of understanding of our government is quite frankly sickening. First of all Democrats hold a majority by 1 seat (Joe Lieberman) that's it. That's not enough to stop filibusters let alone override a veto. You want to know how many times the Democrats tried to bring the troops home no less than four times, each filibustered or vetoed.

Cap and trade which would have given carbon emissions monetary value again vetoed. Bush didn't veto one bill during the republican congress... not one. Guess how many he vetoed during the democratic congress? So far 18 I believe (it could be higher).

So when you ask rather ignorant questions like "how long does it take?" Do us all a favor take a civics class before you form an opinion that way when you stumble upon a political blog your statements won't come off as small minded and ignorant.

The damage George Bush and the Republican congress has done to this country will take more than a year or two to correct.--the war, the economy, the energy crisis, the immorality issues, and the countries image abroad. These are things he either messed up or did not take care of during his watch.

George Bush is tap dancing out of the White House and already others are being blames for the mess he failed to clean up before leaving.

Bush also vetoed the Children's Health Bill - very much a change policy. I must admit I don't remember if it was called that exactly, but that is the gist.

I actually think Scott has a decent point. What I would have liked to see the Democrats to have done over the past year or so is to have constantly and consistently introduced legislation on important issues and forced the current administration to veto every single one. Then, I would have been VERY vocal about it. I remember exactly three things that the Dems made any noise about, SCHIP as HMike pointed out above (by the by, a very successful Dem/Repub joint bill), war funding, and impeachment. There could have been, and should have been, many many others. I would liked to have seen them draft the legislation, send it to the floor for a vote (or a filibuster), force the President to veto the bill, and then hold a press conference describing exactly what happened and why it was bad for the country (won't someone please think of the children)? That's EXACTLY what the Republicans did before the Democrats took the House and Senate, and it was incredibly effective. The Democrats simply do not play this game very well and it's annoying the @!$%# out of me.

She has more than he does, and more substantive. Actually, that's wrong on both counts.

SouthernDem, would you mind enumerating for us what substance Palin offers that has cemented your opinion of her?

Balanced budgets with surpluses

Turning a surplus into a deficit is not balancing it.

CourtsThank you master of the [C]onstitution.

It's certainly a step up from warmonger.

SouthernDem:

The LA Times (certainly not a right leaning publication) reports that she "asked the question" about banning books because residents had complained about language and content. No report there was any follow through.

Perhaps you would care to explain the recall campaign that took place as a result of her wanting to fire the librarian for not banning those books, then? Sounds like plenty of follow through, if the voters thought they had to recall her from office to stop it.

I think the negative media attack also pissed off a lot of women voters too.
McCain/Palin '08

uh?

Palin has been attacked and smeared in the media for being a mom, a mom of a special needs child, a mom of a pregnant daughter, etc... & Her ability to be a VP and mother at the same time.
Many women voters I'm sure were offended by these attacks and smears. Rep or Dem a lot of women voters don't like mom bashing.

TXMOM, I am a mom of four and I am for women's rights and all of the above. It is not about that. thats not the issue, and when it was i did not agree, however, the media, (repub's) have bashed everything and the Repubs greatest challenge is to distract as many people as possible from the real issues facing America today. Not once has these jerks spoke of Education (the future of our society to allow us to grow and become stronger, also a mom issue if you want to discuss mom issues), what about our economy (it sucks, thats all I got to say about that), jobs (so our children will have one in the future),, must I go on because I really don't feel like writing a novel!

But you like dad bashing.

no, I was saying "mom issues" in hypothetical terms. Because TX mom was suggesting that the media attack Palin as a mom, of course everthing this new figure does will be an issue and that is the fact.

Really, old news say something new.

Oh, wait a minute.......nope, there isn't anything.

Everything the GOP has thrown at Obama, he has been able to discredit.

Well we could, but it's not February anymore.

Because it is not February these lapses of judgement are not pertinent to the character and history of Mr. Obama? Nice dodge, but it is.

satisfactorily dealt with.

I am curious, in what way have they been dealt with?

Supporting him is one thing, parlaying his lies is another.

Hmm. Right back atcha, SouthernDem.

Supporting her is one thing, parlaying her lies is another.

You're doing the exact thing that you're accusing all those who disagree with you of doing. You have been nothing short of absolutely and consistently combative in this discussion. You've not bothered to provide links to back up anything you've asserted about Palin or McCain.

I wish these people could see just how out of touch with America they really are.

I truly wish the same for you.

Is it also possible, ming, that you need to get OFF your medication??

The next Vice President of the United States of America came to the podium, took names and kicked butts!!!!!!!

Actually, Ming, it is you who probably needs to take the meds and go to bed. That is your punishment for making such a lame, trolling, statement. Couldn't you come up with anything wiser? I've said my bit, I won't respond to you anymore so please don't try to bait me.

Amen! She showed she's tough as nails, and not going to back down by attacks or turn from a fight. She's in it to win it! Americans need this fighter!
McCain/Palin '08!

uh?

Murphy- is all you can say is uh? I'm a Real Texas Mom, and although my words may not be eloquently spoken, at least I can get them out of my mouth!

McCain / Palin '08!

So does that mean Biden can attack her back. Or is sexism a one way street?

Tx, mom,

thats all I feel like saying. I am too really too sick to say anything. But for now thats all I got. I am on NYQuil and I just got back from Grad school. I have already did too much thinking for the night to waste my intellectual capacities on Newsvine this evening, Sorry for the miscommunication. But I was waiting for an answer such as yours!

Ging,
you are 100% right, it seems as though I am ashamed to be a women because if women are put into politics , the media questions her just like all the guys then it becomes sexism. It is interesting because, when I was in High School I loved playing sports, but I especially loved playing softball, but I love baseball as well, anyways, my highSchool (which is Southern Cali school...alot of people) offered girls a chance at a position on the Baseball team with the guys and i decided to try out...guess what...I made it.

I played baseball. I loved it. The media brought attention to the handful of us girls on the team. I was more then happy to interview for the media because I played with guys and I knew there were no special rules for us girls competing against guys in a guys sport.

Na! I don't like dad bashing either. Even though I don't like Obama, I'd still have to say shame shame if someone was questioning his ability to be president & dad at the same time. & credit where credit is due- I think Biden has done very well.
I think all family bashing should be off limits.

And on education- Education & the Economy are very serious issues, but I think they must take a back seat to America's desperate need for Energy Independence. Education and the Economy are both going to be in the toilet if we have no electricity! and with out drilling, adding nuclear power plants, and trying to develop alternative energy- no electricity is a very real possibility!!! ...Especially since America's has to buy all it's oil from our enemies because we can't develop our own Oil fields.
I LIKE ELECTRICITY!!!

txmom

Without education, where do you suppose the ideas and solutions to these problems are going to come from. There may be a kid out there who will figure out what to do with the hazardous waste created by nuclear plants (those pesky spent rods that some would bury in the desert or shoot into outer space) but without the education, that would be lost.

The economy, education and energy independence are tied together. It will take education - science, math, etc - to produce the ideas, create new businesses, and trained employees to get the work done.

Whatever do you mean - "Especially since America's has to buy all it's oil from our enemies because we can't develop our own Oil fields."? Big oil currently has thousands of leases that have not been developed - why not? Are you suggesting that oil be nationalized? Who are those enemies that America buys ALL its oil from? Something's missing here.

As an ex repub now independant, it scares me how naieve people are. This is a soccer mom for God's sake with PTA included in her resume for vp. Clinton's women will never buy this woman unless they are stupid. She is appealing to the conservative suburbanite that wants everybody to share the same values. Get a grip people. You can't be that stupid.

Wow I'm not sure what you just said.

Harry Truman was a Democrat and his greatest achievement was the integration of the American military. That was really a dumb reference on her part- H-E-L-L-O.

But then again, the Republicans always steal the Democrats' ideas, principles, and language because they have nothing new or original to offer.

Well... I'm not sure what was just said either... but I think you need to take your meds as well and go to bed. Sarah is not Clinton... No way... no how... no moose meat. And I don't really like Sen. Clinton, but I do respect her for the things she did, went through.. etc.
Americans aren't going to be this stupid to substitute that respect for this PTA Soccer mom.

Wow I'm not sure what you just said.

Are you addressing goodspeed-464363 or ming-315743?

I'm with you on the former.

Seriously people, is it unreasonable to expect articulate comments?

Ming:

PTA mom? Is that all you got out of it? How about Mayor, Governor, small business owner, mother of 5, mother of a soldier, and oh yeah, someone who has actually had responsibilities to the average voter and SUCCEEDED. She has over an 80% approval rating in Alaska. Now, let's look at Obama...He's written 2 books, but no legislation of consequence. He's been a community organizer (admirable), but never managed a budget at a local or state level. Her husband is an oil field worker who is also a union member. Obama's wife is a VP of a hospital that he tried to direct a $1 million earmark to, and she got a raise that doubled her salary. Obama's first introduction in his start in politics came at the house of an ADMITTED domestic terrorist.

Lastly, but certainly not least, for those who question how she can be a good mother and a good VP, did you ever ask Joe Biden that question when he was tragically forced to be a single dad? Double standard with a heaping dose of gender bias that even I can see. This woman was authenic and direct in her speech. The "nattering nabobs of negativism" are out in full force...

goodspeed-464363-
it is hilarious to sit here and listen to a speech that was written for her and still undelivered by her, be touted by you and others as such a great thing. she was AWFUL!!!!! i was so eager to hear her speak tonight, hear who she is-meaning what she stands for, and what her plans are if elected. i heard so much about her personal life- meaning her family and her background, which i could have gotten on the google blogs, that i almost fell asleep. and to see the audience cheering and jeering at such rediculousness. her joke about being a pit bull with lipstick??? really???? then why didnt she stand up for the foolishness that the party she represents pulled in nominating her???? tonight solidifies the fact that she was a political pawn. if she were a man with her same qualifications he never would have been looked at. i am a feminist who decided at the very beginning that i would give palin a chance to prove herself to me, since we didnt know anything about her. everyone talks about her experience, and shockingly they include the pta and mayor of a town of 5000 people, and boast that this is more executive than an "organizer" of hundreds of thousands. apples and apples- meaning we can say they both probably have the same amount of exec experience. but the difference is obama has quite a few more credentials to stand on, and i was hoping she did too. i am glad that i got the chance to hear her speech tonight because she has definitely made me strongly believe that she is not the candidate who deserves my vote, strictly based on her credentials alone. i dont know what you were listening to.

cool, I like you conservative independent. By the way what makes a conservative independent? Because I am independent but I am not sure what makes individuals conservative! I believe in conservative values and liberal values, is there an inbetween? I think I may come up with my own definition! Peace!

There's alot more to Palin than PTA mom or she wouldn't have been on that stage tonight! She was quite fabulous!
...and I agree with others- She is no Hillary. (Thank God!!) She is SARAH PALIN! Future Vice President of the United States!!!!!
McCain/Palin 08!

l murphy-
since everyone loves labels, i just gave myself a label. i am an independent who has conservative views, but they are that just that, my views. i think that you should give yourself your own label and not let others define you. its saddens me how wrapped up we are in labels, so that is why i decide what i am, and not wait for others to decide for me!!! come up with a good one and make sure you tell me!!!!

txmom8336, i didnt forget about you-
like cambell brown asked the repub analyst the other night, please enlighten me as to what qualifications she has that make her a viable candidate for vp? at this point we all know that if she were male her qualifications would not be good enough to be on the ticket. period. and please dont compare her qualifications to obama. i am asking you about her qualifications, since you say she is qualified.

She was on the PTA!! LOL! (Sorry couldn't resist!) She was also mayor, she worked for the AOGC, and she's a Governor. Her resume is about as good as Obama's and he's running for president!!

McCain / Palin '08!

It's funny how Republicans forget how Obama successfully managed and is still managing his campaign. He has fundraised millions monthly as well as managed personel and volunteers in the thousands(unlike his primary opponent who went bankrupt). He was able to campaign against 2 opponents at the same time with Hillary and McCain while refraining from the sleezy tactics used by both. We talk about how Palin can be a mother of 5 while be a governor, but try being a father of 2 daughters while running a next to flawless campaign, being a Senator while receiving death threats daily because of his skin. We talk of McCains courage or 30 years ago well how bout in 2008. Obama is running for President knowing today could be his last speech. His campaign head quarters has been ransacked. His life has been threatened. He has received threatening phone calls and letters. Just last week officials arrested people suspected of plotting an assassination, and you would never know it from his demeanor. He has kept a cool temperament unlike McCain. With McCain's physical afflictions from being a POW, I question his mental capacity.

Ok well how cool TX mom discussing the media's discourse; however, Plain I am Palin has a Journalist degree. Comparing Obama with Palin is Absurd. His credentials are obvious and there really should no be question coming form Plain, sorry I mean Palin.

Poor Poor Obama!! Waah!!!

I've got no sympathy for him. He's had lots of help with his "flawless campaign" and he's not the first candidate who's faced opposition or threats. I admire him for pulling himself up by his boot straps and becoming the man he is today, but I'm not going to give him sympathy. Nor does he probably want sympathy.
I've got no sympathy for Palin either. She hopped on the waggon & it's up to her to hold on. BUT I do wish the media would lay off on her family, but she's just going to have to stand up to them. ...And I think she definitely did tonight!

McCain / Palin '08!

the label issue is true....it is called Sociology. Because everyone is always givin a label. it is ashame and sometime confusing to live in society. I guess that is why I Majored in Sociology.

Okay, I think they (Obama, Palin) have roughly equivalent, although very different experience. The campaign thing though is a hard sell for me. They have a person who manages the campaign, generally referred to as the campaign manager, not the candidate.

I believe the campaign manager is normally hired by, and answers to, the candidate. Not the other way around, despite how McCain's campaign treats him.

courts, I think the apparent answer is yes that is too much to ask - don't you wish you could grade some of these people's remarks like you can term papers?

well, the Obama camp will be classy as usual. The media will be attacked as sexist and left leaning by the McCain camp if they say she is a @!$$^%$ and then will pout and punish the press by cancelling a few more interviews.

seriously, do you think they will say things about such an attractive woman? Will that buy her a "pass"?

Does anyone seriously think that the Obama camp will hold back now?

Nope. If there was any hope of civility at all left in this campaign, it's officially gone. Tonight the gloves came off. The funny thing is, both sides are running against the last eight years of Bush policy... guess which side will win that "brawl?"

Good point Killfile--but, though I expect a position driven attack, I don't expect personal attacks on a woman from Obama. He just can't go there, and he knows it.

It will be interesting to see how Obama's camp deals with this.

I did not watch it, but read the speech as prepared--almost gagged when I read the part about turning down the "Bridge to Nowhere"---whatever...

Obama's camp classy. Didn't anyone hear about her social security number this morning and the dems. Or what about the reporter that was arrested last week in Denver for taking pictures of dems and some of the big corp representative at the hotel holding a meeting. One station showed film on it and it's definitely a good indication of the corruption the dems did not want us to see. The officers were way out of line pushing the reporter into traffic on a busy street and at one point an officer had his hands around his neck. If it was a legit meeting why did they feel so threatened? After all that has gone on I've changed my mind on who I'll vote for. I know awhole bunch of others who have always voted dem that are doing the same.

I read that she voted for the "Bridge to Nowhere" before she voted against it.

Did you see the article in the NYT about how she had books burned at the Wasilla library and fired the librarian?

She and Rudy had some fightin' words tonight--came across as smug, superior and yes sarcastic. Let see if they (Palin and McCain) can handle getting a little back. Should make for a nice petty fight in the mud.

The gauntlet has been thrown, so much for an honest discussion on the issues.

Barb- she never voted for the bridge to nowhere. She was in the town and told them (the townspeople in a speech) their town was not nowhere, but she never state she was for it or against. After finding more about it she voted against it despite Stevens pushing for it which caused alot of controversy since she went against him.

From Reuter's, Sep 1st 2008, after her first speech where she said she opposed the BTN (Bridge To Nowhere).

"During her first speech after being named as McCain's surprise pick as a running mate, Palin said she had told Congress "'thanks but no thanks' on that bridge to nowhere.""

"In the city Ketchikan, the planned site of the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere," political leaders of both parties said the claim was false and a betrayal of their community, because she had supported the bridge and the earmark for it secured by Alaska's Congressional delegation during her run for governor."

As for the book burning, according to reports, there were supposedly books that she wanted out of the library and was ready to sack the librarian but when the towns people backed the librarian, Mrs. Palin backed off...no word on which books were found to be offensive.

well, ok this is greeeeaaat! Wait a sec, Tony the Tiger said that! Sorry. Who is Palin anyways To question Obama? And these people who come up with this stuff, the People Wake Up individual is weird, that person made no sense.

I agree with Chelli because so much needs to be discussed. Where are the 80,000 people watching the RNC tonight...pretty bear. No one can stand and watch those hypocrites, liars, and contractors of the American people! This all pathetic.

"As for the book burning, according to reports, there were supposedly books that she wanted out of the library and was ready to sack the librarian but when the towns people backed the librarian, Mrs. Palin backed off...no word on which books were found to be offensive. "

Sounds like Palin did what she was supose to do- Listen to the people! People backed the librarian, Palin backed off. Makes sense to me. I wish more of our leaders would put aside their personal feelings on issues and listen to the people and back off when we say! She's deffinatly the VP I want in the White House!

McCain / Palin '08!

uh????????????

I don't know if the books and librarian thing is true but to the argument that backing off due to pressure from the masses is a good thing; once again it is selective morality at its best.

Think about it. If your elected official said they wanted to do something repugnant and if the person they ordered to do so refused and the same official wanted them fired, would you stand up and demand it stop? I hope so. And, I would hope that you would then remember that this person wanted to do this in the first place and would have if you hadn't intervened. To somehow make not going through with it after a public outcry heroic is almost laughable, in my opinion, of course. You reward terrible behavior because the person stopped doing it when threatened with repercussions (i.e. loss of public support, loss of future election, etc.)? Not logical.

My time line might be off but I believe they had already looked at or were thinking about trying to recall her so backing off the librarian who had a lot of supporters to me sounds more like a duck and cover move vice a I have listened to my constituents and agree move.

She lobbied Stevens very hard for funding for the "Bridge", when she thought the Fed would pay the bulk of the costs. However, the Fed put that burden on the state and she backed off keeping the earmark the the Fed did appropriate.

She DID NOT have books burned. She did insist on them being removed from the library and only attempted to fire the librarian for refusing to to do so. She backed off when a petition for recall of her mayorship (is that a word?) started to circulate. The librarian was never fired.

so let's see..I guess that means Palin is a flip-flopper. She wanted one thing, and then she wanted something opposite. How can someone who doesn't have the courage to stay with their convictions possibly be a candidate for mayor of an Alaskan town, much less for Vice President? Oh, I forgot, only Republicans are allowed to change their mind.

I guess it's only OK to be an unmarried pregnant teen if you are a white upper-class country girl. Heaven forbid if she was a poor black girl from the city. Fox News would be in an uproar.

I like the bar room brawl analogy. At least Hillary will have something to do...LOL I think she gets Rudy in that fight though. He ran from her once... Bill can be to work on Palin, we'll see how that works out. ;)

I love how Republicans can't seem to get through their heads that "change" and "status quo" are opposite principles. You can't have both. So we either have to change the way we going about things, or we have to stay on the same track. Which isn't working, and really never has worked. McCain's idea of change is to continue on the same track, but facing the opposite direction.

And who's more Washington elite than McCain?

thats a compliment southern Dem, saying I am classy, although, I am NOT! I am far from that...its great that these fake people are portraying us as ritzy and classy......how not elitist these individuals are! How not elitist I am and I did not know it. i Guess I forgot how Mccain will raise taxes on health care although my husband and I cant afford the health care we have.

We cant afford a $500 deductible and 20% of everything that we are seen for. I have had a major lump behind my ear that has gotten bigger in the past year and I can't afford to see a doctor and I have been anemic for a year and can't afford to see a doctor. I guess I will die instead and leave my three children behind. I guess that is ok to the U.S. society.

That must make them tougher than the Moose Machine of Alaska then. All they have to do is rub noses...

Just like the Bush Foreign policy specialists is giving Palin a crash course, gee oh my....if Russia decides to nukes us, I feel secure that she had a crash course by the Bush Admin.

And the Chicago gangsters sign up the dead to vote in elections..oops, wait a minute, that was during the Capone years :)

I was half expecting to see "Applause" signs flashing in a camera shot. The speech felt really canned and very safe. Nothing made me love her any more or any less. She obviously felt the need to control the mood of the crowd more. I did not notice any of the Republican talking points being thrown around the room. And yes, we know that drilling will not solve all of our problems, but neither is what I perceived as a heavy handed managerial style.

She may have energized the Republican faithful, they may think it was a home run, but watching it at home, it felt more like a solid single.

vote for a candidate with a non terrorist middle name

That's what's keeping you from supporting the Democratic nominee for President? His middle name?

JUAK
You are up a little past your bedtime? That type of imature vitriol will not work with smart people lol. I encourage you to grow up. Tonite was VENOM, VENOM, and more of the same. Middle of the road Americans see clearly The revisionist position the RNC is taking. They are trying to SPIN the last 8 years of Republican Leadership into a positive... Not happening. America is far worse off having met George W Bush. My substantiation for this strongly worded assertion is:
1. The Economy
2. Jobless Rates
3. Illegal Wars
4. Further Threats of Ilegal Wars (Iran)
5. Gas Prices ( Republicans in bed with Big OIL)
6 Mortgage Nightmare ( Greedy Republican elected officials suckered by Lobbyist)
7 The recession America "IS" murked in.
The case for Barack Obama's ascendancy to the Oval Office is substantiated in the immense field of Republican incompetence. They are drownding in a SEA of mistakes, law breaking, and what is more, NO RESPECT FOR MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WORKING CLASS AMERICA - LEAVE IRAQ. Joe Lieberman / John Mc Cain (all surrogates of G.W. Bush) are essentially MURDERERS for sending our young men and women to die a pointless death in Iraq.
ENOUGH REPUBLICAN INCOMPETENCE - OBAMA / BIDEN 2008

Jauk,
i guess one day when you have me as your senator or some other title that requires me to make authoritive decisions you will call my middle or first name and say that it is related to an illegal alien from Mexico, because my name is sure in the heck as Mexican as it comes and i was born, raised and recieved my masters degree in the United States of America....it is individuals like you that make the world go around....does anybody have a problem with that?

Anthony B- Get your facts straight. Jesse Jackson pushed to get lending requirements lighten saying it was to hard for minorities to be able to purchase homes the American dream. So they lighten requirements and now we are seeing the repercussions with the mortgage problems. GDP is up compared to what it was when Clinton left office-.049 then. Gas prices are not the republicans fault as you would believe, it's called WORLD supply and demand and our lack of having our own resources tapped and working for us so we are not held hostage by the Middle East. Jobless rate think its bad- trying taxing big business and watch how fast they all move overseas? Then see how long before it affects alot more jobs. Your statement illegal wars - what do you think we live in a dictatorship? One person can not be responsible and it took a majority vote. We have checks and balances to prevent this thanks to the founding fore fathers.Even if a President Veto's a bill it can be overridden. You have bought into the media hype. Congratulations. Study our government and how it was set up, then get the facts not just one side view they want you to see.all politicians are corrupt. their positions used to not be a full time job, it was an honor to serve the people and very little to no compensation. Just think it probably would not of become so corrupt on BOTH sides if it was still like that and we held them more accountable. The two sides can even try to work together cause they are so self absorbed about what is in it for them not the people.

that is an aggregious fairy tell. Do not be a rush limbaugh dittohead for toomuch of your life. No one person has that much power, if that were the case american would have been thoroughly ruined by G.W. Bush as he on his quest for world domination through murder (aka war).

Certainly the likes of Jessie Jackson isn't that powerful. So you'll have to come up with a better fallacy to divert attention away from failed GOP ledership. For that last attempt, was juvenile at best.

First of all, your living in fairy tale since you seem to be the one hell bent on blaming one person Bush for all the problems with nothing to back it up. Now you want to say one person can not hold that power. Seem that what I just told you. Go check out the facts Jesse Jackson STARTED the push for easier lending because minorities could not get loans for the American dream. He wasn't by himself. For you information just because someone doesn't agree with you has nothing to do with to with Limbaugh. It's known as being educated, studying the government system we have and looking at all facts not just what is crammed down your throat by the media. I'm still waiting for either party to tell us what they're really going to do and how are they going to pay for it. Plus get off the issues that are not as pertinent to our economy right now. Anyone can make statements, but where's the action.

Seriously? You think mortgage companies and lenders were not influenced more by greed than anything Jesse Jackson said? That is another right wing con job created to attempt to explain away a failing that occurred during the last 7-plus years. I am not saying Bush personally orchestrated it; I and many, many other economists are saying that the climate induced and propagated by the current administration helped it flourish - and then fail.

Look at Fannie May for example. Their CEO made multiple, multiple millions personally during this time-frame and instituted policies that were doomed to fail. His consequence? A bailout from the Federal government (corporate welfare). He is still CEO today.

A Presidential Veto cannot be overridden without a 2/3 vote - unlikely with a one vote majority in the Senate (especially if that vote is Lieberman). Gas prices are up in large part due to the loss of exports from Iraq. Drilling locally would have next to no impact on our dependence on foreign oil. Actual independent experts in that field agree. The war was not only one person's fault; it took a number of people to create blatantly false and misleading "intelligence" to sell it first. Simple bottom line: How many of the so-called reasons we had to invade turned out to be true? One, Saddam was an a-hole. That's it. And, you can try to spread the blame but (since a couple of posters mentioned Truman), whatever happened to "The Buck Stops Here?"

people

Doesn't really matter who pushed for what. Any lending institution has the final say on any loan. All those institutions had to say was NO when those applying for mortgages did not have the income or resources or credit history of one who could repay the loan. Instead, because of the greed of lending institutions and their evident inability to make good loans, the government (taxpayers) has bailed them out - talk about hand-outs and entitlement programs.

Seems like the republicans are the ones that need to get 'off the issues that are not pertinent to our economy right now.' as they are the ones who have, once again, tied up the process with bedroom issues and personalities in an attempt to appease the base and further divide the country.

Anthony:

What recession? Have we have ANY quaters of negative growth let alone two? Is the dollar back on the rise, is oil coming back down (even when a hurricaine is bearing down) Granted we have a long way to go to get back to where we are supposed to be but inflation does not equal recession. If anything, america is finally relazing it should save some money cause good times don't always last.

Also, the economy woes are not all the presidents fault. He has some blame (war w/ tax cuts usually doesn't work). However, the housing and credit crisises that we are now seeing are due in a large part to the american public's greed. So let's make sure we point fingers in all the right directions.

You should research a bit more on how GDP and unemployment rates are calculated. The people crunching the numbers are manipulating them by leaving out very pertinent numbers. Namely, lying with statistics. (making things look very different than what they actually are) read the wall street journal's article about calculating unemployment.

WAKE UP PEOPLE? I'm going to need you to wake up.

Since when did the banking industry start listening to Jesse Jackson???

The President of the United States has "The Power to make war", without the approval of congress. However, congress must appropriate the funds to carry out such an incursion.

The gas prices are a side effect of poor republican policy not world demand. The republicans borrow money from China to buy middle eastern oil which weakens the dollar and drives up oil prices in the U.S., while our oil companies sell the oil they extract from our borders overseas for the "obcene profits" we hear so much about. Don't you remember what the Saudi king told Bush when he tried to get them to increase production? Selective memory aside, Bush was told that there was enough production taking place and that our problem was our weak dollar.

I can see how you'd be confused though, all the logic of republican policies is convuluted! LOL

Do you smell the coffee, yet???

Oh, make the ignorance of macro-economics stop! Oil is a commodity - supply and demand - prices go up, prices go down. Supply, demand and refining capacity all play an integral part in the "cost" of oil.

Hate to burst your bubble, but "Big Oil" despite the "obscene profits" has pretty low profit margins. Truth is, oil industry profits are in line with the rest of American industry. In 2007, a record year, they earned 8.3 cents per dollar of sales. Beverage companies and cigarette makers, by contrast, earned 19.1 cents. Drug makers, 18.4 cents. Indeed, all manufacturers, 8.9 cents on average, made more than "Big Oil." In addition, according to Ernst & Young, from 1992 to 2006 the U.S. oil industry spent $1.25 trillion on long-term investment vs. profits of $900 billion. That's a wee bit of a loss...don't ya think?

U.S. refining capacity is severely limited because environmental regulations and "Green" lobby groups have impeded every effort to build refining capacity. There hasn't been a new refinery built in the US in more than 20 years. Guess where they are building refining capacity? In the Middle East..just think all those jobs...now in the Middle East. I digress...anyhow, please do a little research on a topic before spouting off what the media wants you to think.

Score keeper - It's not the first time Jackson pushed an issue- Affirmative Action!
And before your ignorance shows again Look at Casey13 at least someone else can see through the BS media hype.

Casey 13--Who the heck do you think paid for the differential between profit and loss of the oil companies? Tax credits. No company would be able to operate on that margin without it.

The good ole boy network worked for her long enough to get what she wanted and then she squashed it and went on to say look at me I'm a reformer. Can't quote sources, but I've read that when she was mayor, the firm she used to get so many Federal funds had cronies who worked with Sen Stevens and another individual who is also being indicted for taking bribes, she even supposedly worked on some 527 (a tax code thing) group for Sen Stevens.

She has come a long way from what I have seen of her bio, but it seems that she does a lot of turning on those who have helped her get where she is and has a tendency to use the cronyism method for key positions, which politicos do, but I wouldn't say she is a reformer, more like business as usual.

As for watching from home, after one of her Dem jabs, the camera was panning the crowd and I noticed a few people with concerned looks on their faces.

My thinking was that they may have felt Sarah went too far. Just making an observation.

I wonder when they will bring out the fact that Alaska still got the money for the bridge deal...
She just didn't want to use it to build the bridge.

They also need to point out that she was first in favor of that piece of legislation.
These things will now finally trickle out because of her sarcasm tonight.. Thank God.
She has a lot of baggage... and she wasn't properly vetted and it will come back to bite them.

Wow, think the Dem's just found out their litter box has been soiled.

Palin "bridge to nowhere" line angers many Alaskans

Sarah Palin supported Ketchikan 'bridge to nowhere' during 2006 race for Alaska governor

"I championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress," Palin said at her first campaign appearance. "In fact, I told Congress — I told Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that bridge to nowhere. If our state wanted a bridge, I said we'd build it ourselves."

That is not how Palin described her position on the Gravina Island bridge when she ran for governor in 2006.

On Oct. 22, 2006, the Anchorage Daily News asked Palin and the other candidates, "Would you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges?"

Her response: "Yes. I would like to see Alaska's infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now — while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist."

Palin's support of the earmark for the bridge was applauded by the late Lew Williams Jr., the retired Ketchikan Daily News publisher who wrote columns on the topic.

Williams wrote on Oct. 29, 2006, that Palin was the only gubernatorial candidate that year who consistently supported the Gravina Island Bridge, the Knik Arm Bridge and improvements to the Parks Highway.

Two months earlier, while campaigning in Ketchikan, Palin made a positive reference to the bridge, while also joking, as a resident of the Mat-Su Valley, about Sen. Ben Stevens' slap at Mat-Su residents as "Valley trash."

"OK, you've got Valley trash standing in the middle of nowhere," Palin said on a stop in Ketchikan, a quote reprinted in the Juneau Empire Friday. "I think we're going to make a good team as we progress that bridge project."

brilliant point I love it. Right on the money.

We all know Obama can ONLY speak when he is teleprompted.

We do? Would you mind providing further information on that point? I've frankly never heard that theory put forth.

elsje- Why do you like this guy. He can't even make a yes or no vote on issues in the senate????? Wake up! Drilling let's see what drilling would bring our country. More jobs! More of our money staying in our country and in our pockets.. MOre independence from other countrys. And yes health care does need an overhaul - but SOCIALISM- doesn't work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 You do know that Russia collasped right???? Wake up!!! Vote for what is right! Oh- and sorry but I am not having more of my tax dollars go to some more federal programs that my own family will never benefit from - but that i will struggle to pay. There is plenty of that out there now- people can take advantage of that. And it is the left that makes everything about race not the right.

That's not entirely it. There are fanatical supporters who don't give a damn about either party. They simply support the party that gets them what they want.

- abortion
- gun ownership/control
- gay marriage for/against
- global warming
- corporate welfare
- social welfare
- prayer in schools
- hockey stadiums
- right to die
- medical marijuana

FOX NEWS is balanced? None of them are balanced. Ever heard of CSPAN? I do not need anchors to interpret what candidates say. Spend more time on the government web-sites. Read the House and Senate bills that are about to pass and see for yourself what your constituents are voting for or against. That's what's wrong with America. We want the news to be given to us and believe whatever these news stations are telling us. Sarah Falin spoke well, but for me she did not come up with much about the economy, but confirmed that they do not have any change. If McCain wins we will have another 4 years of the same.

I am voting for O B A M A!!

elizabeth w-
can i ask you what station you watched the speech on? because i saw none of what you saw. i saw no issues addressed, unless the issues are sarah palin, john mccain, or attack obama. other than that, she didnt address any issues relevant to the issues of america. but seriously, can you forward me the link to the speech you saw, because maybe i saw a different speech

depends on what the definition of BALANCED is ?

I apologize in advance for saying this, but I'm repeating a disbelieving realization from my wife while we watched Palin - "Oh no, she's Bush with boobs." (4 more years?)

Rich ~ you are too funny!! Ha!

I am afraid we will never find politicians like that, that really care. Politics is not about the average American anymore. It is who can get the most money and scratch the most backs and the Republicans seem to be experts at that. Bush and his cronies will go down in history as the worst ever, and if McCain gets elected, God forbid, we will deserve everything that happens to America.

I was also insulted by the crowd chanting USA USA, is this means that if you are not republican your are not american? I am an independant and proud to be american,

Negative speech? Not any worse that Hillary's "No McCain". Besides... Democrats deserved what ever they got after all the BS they've been dishing on her this week.
Palin's a fighter and that's what this country needs!
Oh... I Dems need to quit comparing her to Obama!!! It makes you look bad. She's running for VP not President & she's still kicking his @ss.

I hear you NA

After listening to Gov. Palin's speech, one thought immediately came to mind. This candidate is being presented by the Republican party as a mom who has the best interests of average Americans at heart. How many more elections or for that matter entire generations will pass with the Republicans pressing the great American lie. The Republicans have consistently been able to fool middle class, female, disabled, minority, and working class voters with the myth that the top one percent of Americans (the wealthy) will allow the rest of the population to benefit as they have. Most wealthy folks are wealthy by inheritance and pay a very low percentage of their actual income in taxes. They did not become or remain wealthy by trying to help the remaining ninety-nine percent of Americans. Non-wealthy Republicans need to wake up and quit voting against their own and the country's best interest. Gov. palin may sound like an average American, but does not represent average America.

Steve S

There are also Republicans that have been hard working men and women who became well-off by investing their money in businesses of their own and worked 12-18 hours a day to grow their businesses. They took risks.

This was how they had the money to leave to their heirs.

GG

Steve -

Most wealthy folks are wealthy by inheritance and pay a very low percentage of their actual income in taxes. They did not become or remain wealthy by trying to help the remaining ninety-nine percent of Americans.

No, they became or remain wealthy by either doing something to earn the money, or by inheriting it from someone who did something to earn it - and who paid taxes while they were earning it. And if they inherited and aren't earning it, then they don't have a lot of actual income to pay taxes on if I look at it through your viewpoint.

Why should they give their money to me? It isn't a matter of them "allowing me" to benefit as they have. So I wasn't fortunate enough to have rich ancestors, and I have never taken the risk of starting a company, I've never invented something, or made a brilliant investment decision. That doesn't mean those who are rich owe me anything.

I just don't understand all the people who resent the rich and think they owe us their money. If your parents had been rich, would you think they should give their money to me instead of leaving it to you?

I thought the community organizer line in her speech was just plain offensive (even more so the way Rudy and Mitt hammered on the same issue)

I mean look at Killfile's seed of the photo of city hall and tell me who had the harder job, organizing people to be politically or running a town that seems smaller than the one on Northern Exposure?

Why should they give their money to me? It isn't a matter of them "allowing me" to benefit as they have. So I wasn't fortunate enough to have rich ancestors, and I have never taken the risk of starting a company, I've never invented something, or made a brilliant investment decision. That doesn't mean those who are rich owe me anything.

I just don't understand all the people who resent the rich and think they owe us their money. If your parents had been rich, would you think they should give their money to me instead of leaving it to you?

The problem comes in when the wealthy continue to receive larger and larger tax cuts in the hope that the money that they would've paid in taxes is now going into the economy and as a result that money trickles down to individuals like ourselves who work hard for a living. Yet trickle down economy only works when that money is put back into the economy.

Given the state of our infrastructure, healthcare, education system, etc. I'd rather they pay taxes as well.

battered, well said. Trickle down only works if they put the money into the economy, the rich instead generally keep it in their own wallets.

if you thought that was "more excitement" shown than for anyone at the DNC, then you did not watch the Democratic National Convention. It was filled with energy and with people that believe in their candidates.

Maybe you were on the wrong channel- could you have been watching Ron Paul? Nader?

Angie-

I watched the DNC and I watched the RNC, I didn't not see the Welcoming for any other speaker that Sarah Palin received last night. A lot of great speeches were given Joe Lieberman, Mayor Gulliani, and a host of others, all gave great speeches. No one has really heard Sarah Palin speak, but she exceeded a lot of expectations......and to further add she is just getting started.

Just gettin started is right. When you have to bring up your experience on the PTA as executive experience then something is missing.

The real stinger for the repub's last night was when Guiliani actually said that Palin had more experience then Obama and Biden put together. Huh???

Also bringing up 9/11 in every speach that we have heard. Do people still get on board with these stupid fear tactics? Bunch of Kool-Aid drinkers I say.

redsky,
I do disagree with the sum total of experience of Obama and Biden is an exaggeration, but Obama's real experience pales in the background of Palin's experience. Obama is intelligent and charismatic. That is all!

I do not understand how so many people can suggest that the PTA and Hocky Mom is qualified as experience, but community organization is not.

The fact is that BOTH Obama and Palin have some experience in the political arena, some experience with making hard decisions and standing up to opponents who might not agree with them. Neither has been a Vice President or President.

George Bush wrapped himself up in a blanket of executive experience for his run 8 years ago. He claimed that being the Governor of Texas was experience enough to be President of the United States. That didn't do so well.

We need to remember that none of the candidates have experience running a country. At least McCain, Obama and Biden have seen the inner workings.

We need to quit arguing about her experience and focus on the details of how she thinks we can improve our economy, get the healthcare issue dealt with, improve our international standing and protect ourselves from those who would do us harm.

I haven't heard any of that from her yet. Looking forward to her ideas.

Obama is intelligent and charismatic.

Which helps more when meeting with foreign leaders than semi-attractive and sassy.

Redsky-

Just gettin started is right. When you have to bring up your experience on the PTA as executive experience then something is missing.

That is not even an intelligent statement. You are just using empty words to form a paragraph, not words with any meaning. I can see now that you are not too well informed. But it is people like you who vote for people who shouldn't be in the White House, like obama-biden So do a little more research on this lady named SARAH PALIN and then do some posting.

BB-375952, would you mind providing some links to some of the research you've obviously already done on Governor Palin, in order to help make some of those whose opinions you deride smarter?

I've frankly been unable to locate anything of substance that allows me to see her differently than I am right now, and I would be most grateful to be pointed in the right direction.

Yeah I want to see it too.

in your dreams, a strong woman is always scary, don't worry she wont hurt you much

i so have to agree with you, the alternative. she was AWFUL!!! and as a strong woman, who knows many more strong women, i am insulted by the fact that ivonne-411507 would try to put palin in the category of strong women. she is not by any means a strong woman. maybe in the next 60 or so days i will see more from her that may change my view, but at this point she is nothing but a political pawn who was used by the party she represents, and there is nothing strong about that!!!!

I agree, she is a political pawn. She has a lot at stake with her family. I hope she sees through all of this hoopla and digs deeper for answers to America's problems. She may be a "pitbull" in her comfort zone, but on the global scene she may find herself surrounded by sharks.