McCain picks Alaska Gov. Palin as running mate

[Dirty]

By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press Writer
Friday, August 29, 2008
DENVER — John McCain tapped little-known Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate on Friday in a startling selection on the eve of the Republican National Convention.
Two senior campaign officials disclosed McCain’s decision a few hours before the Republican presidential nominee-to-be and his newly-minted running mate appeared at a rally in swing-state Ohio.
Al Grillo / AP
First-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin talks in her office in Anchorage, Alaska on Aug. 14. Palin was John McCain’s choice for vice president.

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Palin, like McCain, is a conservative with a maverick streak who has shown a willingness to clash with others in her own party. A self-styled hockey mom and political reformer, she has been governor of her state less than two years.
Palin’s selection shocked numerous Republican officials.
At 44, Palin is a generation younger that Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, who is Barack Obama’s running mate on the Democratic ticket.
She is three years Obama’s junior, as well — and McCain has made much in recent weeks of Obama’s relative lack of experience in foreign policy and defense matters.
In making his pick, McCain passed over several more prominent prospects who had figured in speculation for months — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge among them.
Palin flew overnight to an airport in Ohio near Dayton, and even as she awaited her formal introduction, some aides said they had believed she was at home in Alaska.
She is a former mayor of Wasilla who became governor of her state in December, 2006 after ousting a governor of her own party in a primary and then dispatching a former governor in the general election.
More recently, she has come under the scrutiny of an investigation by the Republican-controlled legislature into the possibility that she ordered the dismissal of Alaska’s public safety commissioner because he would not fire her former brother-in-law as a state trooper.
The timing of McCain’s selection appeared designed to limit any political gain Obama yields from his own convention, which ended Thursday night with his nominating acceptance speech before an estimated 84,000 in Invesco Field in Colorado.
Public opinion polls show a close race between Obama and McCain, and with scarcely two months remaining until the election, neither contender can allow the other to jump out to a big post-convention lead.
McCain has had months to consider his choice, and has made it clear to reporters that one of his overriding goals was to avoid a situation like the one in 1988, when Dan Quayle was thrown into a national campaign with little preparation.
Palin has a long history of run-ins with the Alaska GOP hierarchy, giving her genuine maverick status and reformer credentials that could complement McCain’s image.
Two years ago, she ousted the state’s Republican incumbent governor, Frank Murkowski in the primary, despite having little money and little establishment backing.
She has also distanced herself from two senior Republican office-holders, sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don young. Both men are under federal corruption investigations.
She had earned stripes — and enmity — after Murkowski made her head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. From that post, she exposed ethical violations by the state GOP chairman, also a fellow commissioner.
She and her husband Todd Palin, have five children. The latest, a baby, was born with Down syndrome.




McCain picks Alaska Gov. Palin as running mate | ajc.com

[Cooper]

Obviously countering the "Hilary" effect.

Pathetic and desperate move in my opinion.

She's 44 years old, and has very little "real" experience.

McCain is 72 years old and has all kinds of health problems and we could end up with this lady as President of the United States because they needed a few extra votes.

It's insulting to me, especially considering she's EVERYTHING they have attacked Obama for.

[janus]

wow. i mean... wow. how can anyone respect such obvious posturing? all thinking republicans must be fucking furious right now.

[Cooper]

of course they aren't. Well, I AM, but I seem to be in the minority.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER.

As long as you have divided RIGHT AGAINST LEFT, people don't care what their own party does and they will defend it to the death because it's them against the other party.

People have lost the fact that they should be loyal to their COUNTRY, rather than their political party.

The Republicans have done what they think they needed to do to win VOTES, rather than what is in the best interest of the country.

Not long ago McCain HIMSELF was stating the importance of an experienced VP pick for his ticket due to his age and health concerns. And age and experience is exactly what they've been ripping Obama apart for. But hey, hypocrisy is the name of the game when nobody holds you to your word.

[Dirty]

I believe I have just been convinced to Vote for that quack Bob Barr. He is from GA and a frootloop but he is a Libertarian and better than any of the Candidates for President of VP the major parties have running

[Reno Paul]

Just heard that Palin is pro-life and is totally against abortions for even rape and incest. That alone once that word is out will turn off many women voters......She's attractive, but Biden will tear her up in the VP debate.....Think this move may backfire on McCain.

[Reno Paul]

I believe I have just been convinced to Vote for that quack Bob Barr. He is from GA and a frootloop but he is a Libertarian and better than any of the Candidates for President of VP the major parties have running

I may join you Dirty

[Cooper]

even for rape and incest? If true, definitely a turn off.

I wouldn't vote for Bob Barr if he were literally the only option simply because his running mate is freaking WAYNE ALLEN ROOT. Are you kidding me? Wayne Root? GTFO with that BS.

If Root can run, I ought to be able to get freaking elected without ever even leaving the house. That's just freaking ridiculous.

[Dirty]

Just heard that Palin is pro-life and is totally against abortions for even rape and incest. That alone once that word is out will turn off many women voters......She's attractive, but Biden will tear her up in the VP debate.....Think this move may backfire on McCain.

don't underestimate this woman. She has unseated two vets entrenched in politics so far... They knew what her stance was up front and they don't think it will be a problem I would imagine

They Must think women are not going to vote for a Black man with an Idiot running mate.

even for rape and incest? If true, definitely a turn off.

I wouldn't vote for Bob Barr if he were literally the only option simply because his running mate is freaking WAYNE ALLEN ROOT. Are you kidding me? Wayne Root? GTFO with that BS.

If Root can run, I ought to be able to get freaking elected without ever even leaving the house. That's just freaking ridiculous.

Maybe Root can let Barr give out his Millionaire club Picks at the end of Debates to drum up support

[janus]

of course they aren't. Well, I AM, but I seem to be in the minority.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER.

As long as you have divided RIGHT AGAINST LEFT, people don't care what their own party does and they will defend it to the death because it's them against the other party.

People have lost the fact that they should be loyal to their COUNTRY, rather than their political party.

The Republicans have done what they think they needed to do to win VOTES, rather than what is in the best interest of the country.

.

i intentionally said "thinking" republicans; you clearly belong to that group. you hit the nail on the head -- it seems like these elections have become like a football game and most people are flat out homers for their side.

this pick is not good for the country, regardless of its impact on the election. if mccain should win & knock off dead 2 months into his term, we'll have a soccer mommie who 2 years ago was the mayor of a town with 8000 people (and before that a sportscaster) trying to fix the problems in iran, russia, afghanistan, iraq & the sudan. i've seen her speak, she sounds like a soccer mom, not a leader. that may fly getting someone elected to office in podunk alaska, but probably not as well trying to wield influence and instill confidence in war torn parts of the globe dominated by dictators.

the fact that mccain made this pick shows he doesnt care about the strength & leadership of his team or its impact on the country; he just wants to get his team elected by pandering to feminists with an obvious ploy.

sad.

[Dirty]

Coop and janus.. both with great posts... damn shame what the republican party has become and I am ashamed I was a member... I told them as such when I did not renew my Membership almost 3 years ago. I am now a proud card carrying Member of the Libertarian party... Still a little fringe loony for me on some issues, but at least they are on the side of Individual freedoms and smaller government

[Cooper]

I like her political opinions for the most part, other than her stance on abortion in cases of rape and incest, but having the right political stance and being able to do the job are two completely separate things. We'll see how she fares.

She just had a kid, and has five of them. Her oldest will be heading to Iraq soon. She's a hunter and a member of the NRA. I like those traits.

[Reno Paul]

Read that Palin said that she is opposed to any expansion of gambling. She also seems to cater to the religious right.......Got a good feel on her views of online gambling right there.

I believe if McCain gets elected, it would be a detriment to online gambling.