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Palin mocks Obama; McCain claiming nomination

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By DAVID ESPO / AP Special Correspondent

Thursday, Sep 04, 2008 - 12:58:22 am CDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin claimed her historic spot on the Republican ticket Wednesday night, uncorking a smiling, slashing attack on Barack Obama and vowing to help presidential candidate John McCain bring real change to Washington. Scarcely known a week ago, she drew tumultuous cheers from the Republican National Convention.

“Victory in Iraq is finally in sight; he wants to forfeit,’’ she said of Obama. “Al-Qaida terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America; he’s worried that someone won’t read them their rights.’’

The 44-year-old Palin had top billing on the third night of the convention. The first woman vice presidential candidate in party history, she spoke to uncounted millions of viewers at home in her solo national debut.

Story Photo
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin pumps her fist during her speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

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To the delight of the delegates, McCain strolled unexpectedly onto the convention stage after the speech and hugged his running mate.

“Don’t you think we made the right choice’’ for vice president? he said as his delegates roared their approval. It was an unspoken reference to the convention-week controversy that has greeted her, including the disclosure that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter was pregnant.

The packed convention hall exploded in cheers as McCain stood with Palin and her family — including mother-to-be Bristol and the father, 18-year-old Levi Johnston.

The audience also shouted in agreement at line after line delivered by the 44-year-old Alaska governor, the first woman ever named to a Republican national ticket.

She had top billing at the convention on a night delegates also lined up for a noisy roll call of the states to deliver their presidential nomination to McCain. At 72, the Arizona senator is the oldest first-time nominee in history, collecting his party’s top prize after pursuing it for the better part of a decade.

Palin drew cheers from the moment she stepped onto the convention stage, hundreds of camera flashes reflecting off her glasses.

If McCain and his campaign’s high command had any doubt about her ability at the convention podium, they needn’t have. With her youthful experience as a sportscaster and time spent in the governor’s office, her timing was flawless, her appeal to the crowd obvious.

“Our family has the same ups and downs as any other, the same challenges and the same joys,’’ she said as the audience signaled its understanding.

In her solo debut on the national stage, she traced her career from the local PTA to the governor’s office, casting herself as a maverick in the McCain mold, and seemed to delight in poking fun at her critics and her ticketmate’s political rivals.

Since taking office as governor, she said she had taken on the oil industry, brought the state budget into surplus and vetoed nearly one-half billion dollars in wasteful spending.

“I thought we could muddle through without the governor’s personal chef — although I’ve got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her.’’

Not surprisingly, her best-received lines were barbs at Obama.

“I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities,’’ she said, a reference to Obama’s stint as a community organizer.

“I might add that in small towns we don’t quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren’t,’’ she said.

That was a reference to Obama’s springtime observation about some frustrated working-class Americans.

By contrast, she said of McCain: “Take the maverick out of the Senate. Put him in the White House.

“He’s a man who’s there to serve his country, and not just his party.’’

“In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers,’’ she said in another cutting reference to Obama’s campaign theme. “And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.’’

A parade of party luminaries preceded Palin to the convention podium, and Republicans packing the hall cheered every attack on Obama.

“He’s never run a city, never run a state, never run a business, never run a military unit. He’s never had to lead people in crisis,’’ said former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani of McCain’s rival.

“This is not a personal attack ... it’s a statement of fact — Barack Obama has never led anything. Nothing. Nada.’’

Palin also jabbed at the news media, which have raised convention week questions about her background and her family.

“Here’s little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion — I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this country.’’

McCain arrived in the Republican National Convention city earlier in the day to accept the prize of a political lifetime. Instantly, defended his choice of a running mate, saying she was ready to serve as commander in chief after less than two years as governor of Alaska.

“Oh, absolutely,’’ he said in an ABC interview.

“Having been the governor of our largest state, the commander of their National Guard, she was once in charge of their natural resources assets actually, until she found out there was corruption and she quit. ...’’

McCain’s remarks dovetailed with an effort by his campaign to depict Palin’s critics as out to destroy the first female running mate in party history.

While she readied the speech of her career, McCain’s top strategist, Steve Schmidt, complained about a “faux media scandal,’’ generated, he said, by “the old boys’ network that has come to dominate the news establishment.’’

Little is known nationally of her views, although a video surfaced during the day of a speech she made at her church in June in which she said U.S. troops had been sent to Iraq “on a task that is from God.’’

Not everyone was quite on message, though.

“I think that Gov. Palin and Sen. Obama do not have extensive experience in government,’’ Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania told reporters. He said she has potential, and judged Obama a “political phenomenon, no doubt about it.’’

Whatever Palin’s impact on the race, McCain’s story was among the most arresting in recent presidential politics.

The son and grandson of admirals, he had a rebellious youth by his own account, running up a healthy ledger of demerits at the Naval Academy. Shot down over Vietnam, he was held and tortured for more than five years before his release. Along the way, he turned down an offer of early freedom from captors eager for a propaganda boost.

Elected to Congress in 1982, he moved to the Senate in 1986 as a Reagan Republican. Soon singed by the “Keating Five’’ scandal, involving the savings and loan industry, he shifted course.

He began carving out a maverick’s role, championing legislation to reduce the influence of money in politics and fighting wasteful government spending.

Increasingly over the years, he parted company with fellow Republicans on issues as diverse as tobacco, health care, immigration, judicial nominees, a commission to investigate the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the use of torture in interrogations and more.

He first ran for president in 2000, but lost the GOP nomination to George Bush in a bitter struggle.

As the early front-runner eight years later, he watched helplessly as anger with the Iraq war drained him of the support of independents while conservatives deserted because of legislation giving illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship.

Out of money — but not hope — he pared back his campaign and persevered. When Huckabee defeated Romney in the leadoff Iowa caucuses, it opened the door for McCain to win the New Hampshire primary five days later.

He did, and despite a chronic shortage of funds, methodically dispatched his rivals, one by one, before clinching the nomination with a series of big-state Super Tuesday wins on Feb. 5.

Never a favorite of conservatives, he worked slowly to draw them to his side, and his selection of Palin was a surprising stroke.

Social conservatives greeted her pick enthusiastically — support that coalesced in the ensuing days as her daughter’s pregnancy became known.

While McCain himself appeals to independents, strategists said they hoped Palin’s presence on the ticket would gain a second look from conservative Democrats who sided with New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton during her failed candidacy earlier in the year.


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Rachael wrote on September 3, 2008 3:01 pm:
" Lets hear some straight talk about Israel's influence on Washington and lobbyists who are already meeting with Palin. While Obama and Biden support Israel the pro-Israel lobby is already meeting with Palin to strengthen relations with Israel through political and student activism in campaigns and elections. No doubt a favor to Lieberman. Should candidates be influenced by foreign interests and their lobbyists? "

 Husker_ wrote on September 3, 2008 3:22 pm:
" give me a break.... She would not have been selected for VP if Hillary had been Obamas VP choice. This brings into question the motivation behind her selection. As far as her history and family issues, if she were a Democrat, the GOP through its propaganda machine (FoxNews) would be all over her and broadcasting the dirt they dug up 24/7. Any Democrat who objected would be accused of trying to hide the truth...

Are we supposed to just sit and take the party line and vote for a ticket where we know nothing about who is a heartbeat away from the Presidency? McCain is too old to not take a serious look at the second person on the ticket. "

 Maverick wrote on September 3, 2008 9:03 pm:
" LJS you should also point out in your bio of McCane that as a self-described Maverick he voted 90% with Bush and the Republicans. Sounds more to me like go along to get along not a maverick but he is very consistent with the Bush administration in believing that if they tell us anything enough we will believe it. describe their own reality that is not reality.

from dictionary.com. Maverick: a lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates. "

 twhite wrote on September 3, 2008 10:40 pm:
" Palin did a good job speaking tonight when it was not clear to anyone, including her, that she would be speaking at the RNC less than a week after she was selected. But the message was not good. How can you advocate for change when your party has been in power for the past 8 years. How can you pass yourself off as a reformer when what you would be reforming is your own parties policies? So do you support the President or are you going to change everything he has done? "

 JB wrote on September 3, 2008 10:48 pm:
" She did good speaking off a "script". Will have to see how well she does in a debate. Biden will have to keep a hand behind his back inorder to not look like he is beating her up. I would vote for her as PTA President. Alaska the largest state, I wonder what California thinks of that. Nebraska twice as many people. Most of Alaska's area is controled by the federal government so it is much smaller there too. "

 Joshua wrote on September 3, 2008 10:49 pm:
" I wasn't really all that polarized one way or the other last week. I felt I would probably vote for Obama because the republican party just makes me sick to my stomach any more. But McCain didn't really bother me much either. Last week I felt like...."at least we'll have either Obama or McCain, and that's 10 times better than Bush". But after hearing more about Palin, I'm starting to get sick to my stomach again. She reminds me A LOT of George Bush. Does anyone else see the similarities? Running as a "washington outsider", "strong on national defense", "family values". Those are the three stratagies Carl Rove used to get Bush into office. And so now the McCain ticket makes me ill to my stomach. And why was she so bitter, making personal attacks on Obama and Biden? Obamah has always taken the high road. I'm a registered Republican, but the party honestly makes me sick with all the anger and hate they spew out into the media. "

 JD wrote on September 3, 2008 11:03 pm:
" Excellent speech. One upped Obama's attacks and came out on top. Too bad for the dems. They must be in full panic mode now. "

 Yeah wrote on September 3, 2008 11:23 pm:
" it was a speech to nowhere.Thanks but no thanks-you can keep it! "

 Yup wrote on September 3, 2008 11:37 pm:
" Good speech Gov Palin. I'm very happy John McCain selected you as his running mate. Finally someone who is bring excitement to the campaign. "

 j wrote on September 3, 2008 11:51 pm:
" It is amusing that Republicans are turning to culture issues in order to distract from their failures in foreign policy and economics. Just because their hasn't been a terrorist attack in the United States does not mean that Al-Queda isn't stronger. Just because the U.S. has seen economic growth, doesn't mean that the majority of people have seen such economic growth (in fact income for families may have decreased). Just because a vice presidential candidate has experience running a state government, this doesn't mean that she has the skill to advise or even conduct foreign policy. Just because "the surge" has won some battles, that doesn't mean the war is won, particularly when the real enemy in an entirely different part of the world.

I would hope that people should think about politics in greater detail; however, recent history would prove otherwise. "

 Randy wrote on September 4, 2008 12:06 am:
" Lord Obama, the messiah, the most high, the chosen one, is in trouble after the pit bull with lipstick just hit a home run. Finally I have someone I can vote FOR, not against. "

 MarkyMark wrote on September 4, 2008 12:22 am:
" Still no real message of what a McCain presidency would mean. Instead most of the convention was filled with negative attacks.

This can only hurt the Republicans. We want to hear about the issues, not the cute little negative spins. We have serious problems and won't even talk about them. "

 Theresa wrote on September 4, 2008 2:12 am:
" I have been looking forward to her speech since she was nominated for VP, mostly because I didn't know much about her (besides the quick talking points right after she was nominated). I was hoping to gain more insight on her perspective but for me it fell short. It's not that I doubt that she has done great things for Alaska, like taking on the corporate R's, but I guess I was hoping for a more regional perspective than just Alaska, which is overall a comfortable state to live and grow up in. She'll have to do better in the debates, but I'm sure she's up to the challenge. "

 whatever wrote on September 4, 2008 5:09 am:
" It was a good speech and she may be a tough candidate. But she totally misrepresented the tax proposals Obama has on the table. For 95 percent of Americans Obama will offer a tax cut. And I'm all for becoming energy independent and for developing our oil resources but it's naive` to believe the relatively small amounts of oil in Alaska will have a meaningful impact on prices and supply based on the publically available information. All in all a good debut that may be hard to live up to. "

 Cat wrote on September 4, 2008 6:15 am:
" Finally, a politician who brings grace and dignity back in a world that desperately needs it. You back stabbers must be democrats who are running scared! "

 Parent first politician later wrote on September 4, 2008 6:23 am:
" Sounds like Palin should have spent more time raising her daughter and helping her understand that abstinence thing she supported. Is it now part of the Republican family values to have pre-marital sex in your teen years? Who will support this child? Maybe Palin has a plan for a program that supports Republican teens who get pregnant because their mother is out running for vice president? MAybe this, coupled with John McCain's unfaithful behaviors during his first marriage are signaling a moral flexibility amongst the conservatives. A refreshingly liberal position for them to take! "

 Football season has started wrote on September 4, 2008 6:28 am:
" Palin sounds like a coach trying to rev up the team. US politics are really more like football than a honest political process. We choose our team and defend them not matter what. We talk trash at each other to try and prove we support the winning team (not the right team. Winning is the goal, not good government). I am leaning towards Obama at this point. Seems the Republican candidates are not walking the walk, simply talking the talk. They do not seem to be the people that they represent themselves to be. "

 Interesting wrote on September 4, 2008 6:31 am:
" While Sen. Obama tells his workers to not attack Palins family, Palin launches a slew of cheap and out of context attacks on Sen. Obama. One candidate seems to have class, the other is just crass. "

 DOC wrote on September 4, 2008 6:36 am:
" Actually, I enjoyed Rudy's speech, too. The audience picked up on the fact that Barry has had no experience running anything except away from voting in the Illinois senate. It was interesting to hear the audience chanting the first letter of 0-bama's name, zero, zero. "

 Rhodesia wrote on September 4, 2008 7:02 am:
" Normally, my Republican friends and I would be engaging in some good-natured ribbing about the conventions, but McCain's choice of Palin is so stunningly bad that I don't even have the heart to say anything to my already-shellshocked GOP pals. The official Republican rhetoric about Palin is so strained that even I would meet their definition as having more 'executive experience' than Obama or Biden. At 72, McCain is too close to the average male life expectancy to get my vote, and this newbie nobody he's chosen just seals the deal. "

 jb wrote on September 4, 2008 7:25 am:
" Even though I was a Republican until Bush,I find the Rep's choices as nauseating as Bush, God show mercy on this country if they get in office "

 Comm UnSense wrote on September 4, 2008 7:45 am:
" For those complaining that the speech had no specifics, perhaps you should go back and re-read Biden's speech from last week. I don't think you'll see many specifics there either. That's not what these national conventions are for. They are for getting the base supporters fired up. I believe Sarah's speech last night succeeding to that respect. The libs are looking for anything and everything this morning to point out flaws. They are running scared and have no real response to what she said. "

 topaz wrote on September 4, 2008 8:02 am:
" I thought both Rudy and Sarah were mocking and sarcastic. As someone who has worked on community issues at the ground level, I resent being told that I (and others like me) are not leaders. Leadership does not occur solely at the executive level.

It's hard to accept the Republicans' rant against Washington and their new-found call for change - haven't we had a Republican President for the past 8 years?

The Republicans appeared to be doing much of the same thing they've been doing for years...pushing for war and playing on fear, wanting people to feel "safe" with them and in danger with the Democrats. McCain and Palin don't make me feel safe at all, on an international or national level. "

 Rob wrote on September 4, 2008 8:06 am:
" Wow. The RNC last night was full of it. Two women, CEO's of BIG CORPORATION spoke, as no one really cared, and now a backwoods NRA freak for VP pick showed that she is completely partisan to the republicans with demeaning and empty attacks on other politicians. And since she's a govenor of a state the size of Baltimore, it makes her qualified to be VP. Whatever. "

 Hey Whatever wrote on September 4, 2008 8:06 am:
" Keep holding your breath waiting for that tax cut that 95% of American families will get under Obama. The liberals are in panic mode, this election is not over even though NBC and CNN would like to make you think it is. "

 Independant at heart wrote on September 4, 2008 8:10 am:
" Gov. Palin made a great speech last night, but like last week, we will see the other side of the story. I must say that I was a little disappointed that the RNC was all about taking cheap shots and mocking the other side last night. Although it made for good laughs, I wonder if it will play well with moderates. It almost bordered on being childish. Not sure I want someone in office that can't have tough talk about the issues without making fun of their foes. I know, I know - I just need to lighten up, but these are hard times for a lot of people. "

 jo gale wrote on September 4, 2008 8:29 am:
" sarah P for VP? lol.

i'm starting to think the GOP has made such a mess the last 8 years that they are trying to throw this election. so that the dems will have to deal with the mess the GW & Cheney made of this country. Good strategy.

if the GOP wanted to win all they needed was The Huck he would have reeled in the same right wing fanatics as Sarah and he has the credibility the GOP would have needed for the VP spot.

sorry to tell you die hard vote for the repubs at all costs people but your party wants to lose. "

 musicmaker wrote on September 4, 2008 8:32 am:
" Oh No not another 'cheer leader'...we just had 8 years of one and look how he messed up both the nation and the world!!!Seriously, if that speech was any indication how the country would be led, we are in for deep do-do and more of the same! "

 To Comm Unsense wrote on September 4, 2008 8:36 am:
" I am not running scared about anything this morning..what I am is SICK!!! I could not believe the divisive and personal attacks. There is no place for that type of leadership. I support Obama 100% and she not only offended my candidate but she REALLY offended me. I will be sending another donation to the Obama campaign today as he is a candidate about bringing people together. "

 Curious wrote on September 4, 2008 8:39 am:
" "Taken on the oil industry"? How so? Palin might have a connection to that industry that isn't what she alludes it is. When you compare Biden and Palin, there is no decision to make. This country doesn't need someone who is a heartbeat from the Presidency that has NO clue as to what is going on within the DC beltway and in the rest of the world. What are her qualifications as far as dealing with foreign governments? "None" would be the defining word. Biden, on the other hand.......

If there are debates that include both Biden and Palin, it will become apparent that she isn't qualified for the job of Vice President of this country. Biden will make short work of her. Her "experience" and the lack of meaningful dialog on the part of the Republican ticket will be her, and McCain's, downfall.

Obama and Biden don't scare me near as much as McCain and Palin do. "

 DP wrote on September 4, 2008 8:49 am:
" It was a great speech! The hardcore democrats here would critique a republican speech even if Jesus himself gave it. If she was a democrat you would be loving it. There was more substance in her speech than all of Obama's combined. All he says is 4 more years of Bush and how he's going to raise taxes on the rich to boost the economy. Yeah, that's gonna work. "

 Hil supporter wrote on September 4, 2008 8:51 am:
" As a female Hillary Clinton supporter, and now a supporter of Obama/Biden, I am offended the Republicans think they can get my vote by simply selecting a woman on their ticket. I thought Palin's speech was well-delivered, she came across as likeable, and I'd enjoy a cup of coffee with her. But that's as far as it goes. Her negative tone against Obama and her positions on the issues keeps me in Obama's camp all the way! "

 JR wrote on September 4, 2008 8:54 am:
" As a moderate to liberal, I was impressed with how well Palin delivered her script. She seemed at ease. Used her beauty pageant looks to flirt with the camera, even winked at a couple of guys which I am sure set their hearts a twitter. So, as a speaker, she did well. The speech on the other hand was well written as a "sniper attack". This is where a speaker sets up a position, takes a shot, then runs to another position, thus not allowing the opponent or anyone else time to really think about what just happened. So it was a good speech for a political convention where you are speaking to a friendly crowd who will cheer at pretty much anything you say.

But as a political speech, it sounded more like something President Bush would have given. Relying heavily on barbs and jabs. but never giving the viewer what they really wanted. Depth. She talked about fighting corruption ... but failed to mention it was her own party who was corrupt. She talked about being a fiscal conservative, and yet she, and Alaska, take in more pork barrel percapita then any other state in the union. She talks about being the Governor of the largest state in the US, well, Alaska has fewer people than Lancaster and Douglas counties combined.
The true test for me though, was my wife. A dear sweet woman who was raised by a strong Republican family who considers herself an independent. She was totally turned off by Palin's speech. Said it was just more of what we already have in office. I guess when I look at it in depth, I would have to agree. "

 Seriously wrote on September 4, 2008 8:59 am:
" "Maybe Palin has a plan for a program that supports Republican teens who get pregnant because their mother is out running for vice president?" Are you serious? You do understand that her daughter is FIVE months pregnant, and that Palin was just selected last week, right?
It's offensive that this is even part of the argument against her. If she were a man this wouldn't even be an issue. "

 ted wrote on September 4, 2008 9:04 am:
" If all the commentators here had to actually live in a state run by Democrats, like California, New York, Illinois, etc, they could see the effects of bad public schools, high crime, terrible roads and medical services, unions bankrupting cities, etc. Is this the change they want? "

 Dr Juan wrote on September 4, 2008 9:33 am:
" Sarah Palin hasn't paid her dues. Mitt Romney paid his dues. Mike Huckabee paid his dues. So what does a lifetime of service and party loyalty get you in the GOP? Why be loyal when your hard work and dedication get played off in the final round by a prom queen in glasses?

The Republicans are not offering anything serious in Sarah Palin. They've chosen a marketing campaign over a political one. Lets all do Sarah's kids a favor and send her back home. They need her more than we do. "

 flip wrote on September 4, 2008 9:44 am:
" Palin shakes her finger at Democrats and wants her kids and family off limits, but she sure doesn't hesitate to use them herself. Parading her pregnant teen daughter and future teen hubby, her son in the military, her part Eskimo husband, her special needs baby - the references and photo ops were endless.

Palin is using her family, and McCain is using her. "

 Tim Regler wrote on September 4, 2008 9:45 am:
" "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities"

I'm a community organizer working to reduce teenage alcohol use in my county. Ms. Palin's quote now hangs on the wall above my desk and will remain there until she and McSame are defeated in November. It's not surprising that the GOP faithful don't know what we do, the hours we work, and the commitment we have to the betterment of our communities, but to have us mocked and laughed at for it is pretty low rent. I want to that Sarah Palin though. Thanks to her, I'm going to work even harder to be Obama elected! "

 I dont know wrote on September 4, 2008 9:45 am:
" I don't think we should have a VP who said us invading Iraq is God's Will and that a gas pipeline in Alaska needs to be built because it is God's Will. "

 rah rah wrote on September 4, 2008 9:50 am:
" Sure, it was a "good" speech I guess ... but since she was sequestered for three full days with the writers of the speech I guess I was hoping for something a little more sophisticated. The delegates went wild, for sure, because it was the most compelling GOP speech of the election so far. At 7 pm I watched Dr. Elena Rios give a substantive speech about health care reform and the growing Hispanic population in the US and hardly a member of the audience at the convention even looked her way. The murmuring of their talking to each other almost drowned her out. There was barely a smattering of applause when she finished. It was really shameful and I felt embarrassed for her. Oh boy, but did they cheer when Sara Barracuda called herself a pitbull with lipstick. I guess we know what they really care about - not real reform of any kind, but attacking the other side. "

 Pat wrote on September 4, 2008 9:54 am:
" JD, are you serious? What would the Democrats be panicking about? Everyone sees through the McCain idea of stealing small town voters, Hillary supporters and disillusioned women. Get over it. McCain was already in a tough spot and he just gave Obama the presidency.

Did her "missions from God" frighten anyone else? I was a little disturbed. "

 To Where were all wrote on September 4, 2008 9:56 am:
" There's a reason for the convention being homogenous white:
"In an interview with Washington Post reporters and editors Tuesday morning, McCain campaign manager Rick Davis outlined a strategy in which his candidate targets women and white working-class voters and essentially cedes the black vote" (I guess the subtext also includes ceding the hispanic and Asian vote).Very Inclusive huh! "

 Barry Walker wrote on September 4, 2008 9:57 am:
" Nominating Palin as VP is a blatant and pathetic attempt by republicans to get votes. They picked her because she's a woman thinking they'll pick up a lot of the Hillary Clinton votes. They also picked her since she's from Alaska and they still can't get over ANWAR. They're tyring to fool people that if she's elected this will help with gas prices-it won't. The republicans seem to want to focus more on getting more oil, while the DEMS want to focus on new technology and renewable energy sources. Pretty sad state the Republicans are in. Guiliani even tried starting a chant of "Drill, baby drill". What a bunch of clowns. "

 nemo wrote on September 4, 2008 10:00 am:
" Those were defensive jabs at Obama, you just want her to turn the other cheek and look like a weakling, something she is not. Can't believe anyone is still saying she should stay home and take care of her kids, least of all demos. She would not have been my choice but I cannot vote for a man who said he will take money from my employers(Obama). It's a personal thing. You hurt them, u hurt me. "

 oh yeah wrote on September 4, 2008 10:06 am:
" Palin is SO prolife that she endangered her baby's life back in April by continuing on and giving a 30 minute speech after her water broke, and then spending hours flying home to Alaska (rather than giving birth in TX). Wow. That's putting family first.

Search for the story, or go to:
http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/sarah-palin-broken-water-and-h.html "

 Trey wrote on September 4, 2008 10:11 am:
" The selection of Palin as VP is a joke. Obama/Biden's poll numbers have jumped. Check out Peggy Noonan off the mic comments about Palin on You tube. "

 Sarah S. wrote on September 4, 2008 10:12 am:
" Thanks, Gov. Palin. Your speech reminded me that I need to send another $50 to the Obama campaign today.
Anyone that can mock community organizers--people who do low paid work in order to truly affect change "on the ground"--is a bottom feeder, in my book. "

 Lifelong Rep No More wrote on September 4, 2008 10:27 am:
" Maybe I'm off base here, but a few years ago, didn't Bush claim a victory in Iraq...and then last night Palin said "victory in Iraq is finally in sight"? So, major contradiction there. I'm a lifelong Republican from an actual small town (her 8000 is huge compared to mine), now in a large city. I still have my small-town values but did not have any respect, at all, for how she and Rudy G. bascially gave a stand up comedy routine to battle it out with the Democrats. In my opinion, it ridiculed the system and showed a lack of respect. If you're going to attack, attack with substance. And, after agreeing that all candidate's children are "hands off", don't be a hypocrit and basically use your children and their "special issues" for political gain. She so did that with regards to her son, Trig, and appealing to all parents of special needs children. I have special needs children in my family and found it appauling that she'd say "you'll have an advocate in the White House" when in reality no programs will be created or funded specifically for this issue because that would take taxes to fund and they claim they'll cut taxes. I'll still give everyone a fair shot to tell their stories during debates and actually look forward to hearing some substantive conversations on issues...not that lipstick is the only difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull. "

 Jeff wrote on September 4, 2008 10:30 am:
" Great speech. Really great speech. Now.... what about actual ideas that solve problems, like healthcare. And please avoid mischaracterizing the opponents plans, such as the tax cuts Obama proposes for 80% of Americans. That only insults my intelligence. and I'm not impressed by your personal attacks, satire, and attempts at humor based on tearing the the other side down. And I know we're supposed to somehow forget the last 8 years of ineffective leadership by the GOP representative. This just indicates to me that we are moving closer to the sound bite era of politics and away from real solutions. We have a stand up comedy and satire routine - now what? "

 Raymel wrote on September 4, 2008 10:31 am:
" I honestly don't see how you can accept a position as a VP of a country of 330 million people when you just gave birth to a 4 month child that has a serious disability and un-married daughter is 5 months pregnant at 17? Come on...don't get me wrong, we all face problems in life but you don't abandon your families needs to take on any political responsibility or duties. Her child is 4 months...not 4 years old, how can you possibly say you are ready to lead when you are faced w/some serious problems in your own home. She is in no position to lead a country. It's unfortunate that she has to go through that and honestly I do not wish that on anyone and I wish her children and her family the best. Any child w/a mental disability require a lot of attention from both parents I do not think she is prepared to handle a special needs child, how would she know…she’s given herself 4 months? Come on guys get real! Any parent republican or democrat will put their child first before any election. I'm not bashing the republicans on this one but I thought it was very unfair to place Palin in this situation when she should be more focused on her family and the challenges she has to come. I think that was a very dangerous, careless, and selfish decision. Obviously there were motives behind it and I have lost every once of respect for the current Republican Party and there are a few Republicans that feel the same way I do. (A practicing Democrat) "

 Oklahoma wrote on September 4, 2008 10:36 am:
" Palin had an interesting performance. But I wonder if she realizes the majority of 9/11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, a nation never declared a “terrorist threat”. And recently it was disclosed a scientist associated with the Defense Department (USA) was the alleged source of the anthrax terrorism that shook Washington and the nation. Or the Americans who plotted and successfully bombed the federal building in Oklahoma City. Yes, we have known of Islamic terrorists, but the threat too comes from domestic individuals and groups who live among us, not always “Islamic”. The threat of terrorism is not isolated to Islamic extremists, our nation is less safe when that positiojn is taken and politicians, like Palin, distort or seem to be confused about threats to our national security.. Obama has it correct, Palin is not. We cannot afford or risk our security with inaccurate assessments. "

 JM wrote on September 4, 2008 10:37 am:
" No doubts here that Sarah Palin is a talented politician. I thought she looked uncomfortable during the speech, but if that is due, as I've heard elsewhere, to her Teleprompter failing, and she finished with notes and memory, that does strike me as quite admirable.

What is not admirable, however, is that her speech was a pack of lies, insults, omissions, and spectacle. I did not appreciate her following up on Giuliani's despicable sneers about community organizers. It was my understanding that Obama's tax plan would lower the tax burden for most families; she claimed the opposite. She was before the bridge to nowhere before she was against it; another lie there. To suggest that Alaska has enough oil for the nation is laughable at best. To suggest that Obama has no plan for governing is also laughable. His ideas are there on his website, for Pete's sake. She conveniently omitted the fact that she left Wasilla with a huge budget deficit, when it had previously had a surplus. And last but not least, I did not appreciate her whoring out her family for political purposes. That poor baby of hers with Down's Syndrome, being passed around like a prop! I counted four people who held the baby - Cindy McCain, Todd Palin, Bristol Palin, and the younger Palin daughter whose name escapes me right now. Unbelievable. And all this from a woman who cut funding for special education in Alaska.

One point that went unaddressed: If Palin is the one with more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket, what is she doing at the bottom of the Republican ticket? By the same reasoning, isn't McCain also unqualified? Why is no one asking this question? Why is there a double standard here? Oh, that's right - McCain is a POW. That answers it all, I guess.

I suppose the speech was a home run to some. I think those people must have been watching some other speech. For my part, I came away convinced that Palin is a mean-spirited liar.

Obama and Biden have been the far more civil campaign, and far nicer to the Republicans than the Republicans have been to them. I always thought that the worst thing about the Republicans in the previous years was their willingness to resort to wedge issues that stir up all sorts of nasty passions. This proves to be another attempt at doing so. I'm sick of that, and I've made up my mind to vote for Obama and Biden. "

 Terrible speech wrote on September 4, 2008 10:37 am:
" Ok... forget all bickering about this and that, 17 year olds and being an NRA member shooting an automatic M16.

There is one simple question that you have to think about to make your decision. After McCain croaks due to his continued bad health on many fronts, Palin would become the President of the United States of America.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?! Seriously people. Use your brains, or McCain should have used his and had a running mate who could take over and be one of the heads of foreign policy. Because that is what most VP's do is take many of the trips on small foreign policy issues that come up. "

 Josh wrote on September 4, 2008 10:47 am:
" I am still waiting for some substance from the republican convention. I've yet to hear any proposal or policy statement from any of the speakers. I have heard (about 30 times) McCains lame pow story, but that doesnt make me want to vote for him. And by the way - Palin's earmark comment fell a little flat when you read about how she hired a lobbyist to get earmarks and that she was for the bridge before she was agaisnt it.... "

 CS wrote on September 4, 2008 10:56 am:
" State the size of Baltimore? If that is reflective of the state of education under the last 8 years I think I should put off retirement in a few decades. There is no way that someone with so little basic geographical knowledge could possibly get a job that can support themselves AND all the old people on SS, if it still exists at the time. By the way, Alaska is the size of about 3.5 Californias and stretched out from East to West would span the entire United States, if you include the archipelago. "

 Outside the Box wrote on September 4, 2008 11:07 am:
" I have been a strong opponent of the ballot initiative to eliminate affirmative action. However, after seeing what Mrs. Palin has of offer, I cannot possibly believe that she is the most qualified and best candidate for VP. "

 Dan wrote on September 4, 2008 11:07 am:
" She talked about how bad the oil companies are and then told everyone her husband works for an oil company and they need to expand oil in Alaska. Something doesn't make sense here. "

 Josh wrote on September 4, 2008 11:13 am:
" She definitely brings energy to a very dull ticket, but as others have mentioned in that whole speech she really said nothing, besides attacking the opposition in a very low-class sarcastic way. And what about the very low-class, almost redneck way the crowd was acting at times? The loud frequent chants of "drill baby drill"- how embarrassing! And the "USA, USA" chants- what is up with that, they act as if they are at an Olympic sporting event cheering on our national team- last time I checked all political parties are a part of the USA, so why start chanting your country's name at this convention? Again, quite embarrassing, even for my Republican family members who I was watching this with.
And also she keeps talking about reform and change- so does that mean she is against most of what her party's leadership have done in office over the past 8 years? Because most of what she and the others have talked about so far are in support of the ridiculous things Bush has gotten us into- that doesn't sound like change to me. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on September 4, 2008 11:26 am:
" "a prom queen in glasses?...
Lets all do Sarah's kids a favor and send her back home. They need her more than we do. "

Yeah, out of the Governors office and back in the kitchen, Ms. Palin. Gotta love those enlightened Democrats. ROFL! "

 Yup wrote on September 4, 2008 11:49 am:
" While we're at it, didn't anyone think Biden should have dropped out of politics and stayed at hom when his wife died and he was left to raise his children by himself? Or does this only apply to women. I find it refreshing that Gov Palin hasn't paid her dues. Why do we need career politicians with all their baggage. Both McCain and Biden fit that category, can't we have fairly newcomers to the political scene like Sara and even Obama? "

 Loving it wrote on September 4, 2008 11:54 am:
" You liberals are in a panic and I LIKE it. Keep being short sighted. Obama should be far ahead, and he isn't. Obama's politics aren't change, they're similar to FDR's politics, which kept us in a depression. If that's what you want, you can have it. "

 reply to Gerard Harbison wrote on September 4, 2008 12:07 pm:
" there are probably 50 comments written below this article. And 1 of them mentioned "send her back home". Do not lump everyone together as making that comment. That's cheapening the conversation that's going on here. You have one bad comment, but that doesn't mean you can stereotype all "dems" as supporting that comment. Fact is, it looks like 80 to 90 percent of these comments are in support of Obama. Looks to me like that's an indication of how things are going to go for McCain in November. And we live in Nebraska where everyone votes for Republicans just because they're Republicans. "

 Hey wrote on September 4, 2008 12:56 pm:
" You may be "Rolling On Floor Laughing" but I bet you her children are not. They just lost their mom, for all intents and purposes. Can you imagine how much attention that 4 mo. old baby is going to get in the next few months?...or years, if she wins? These are VITAL MOMENTS in an infant's life when bonding and attachment take place. They cannot be replaced in a time and place more convenient for mom.

Republicans like to shove terms like "personal responsibility" down our throats all the time... then we see this example from Republican leaders. How can she present herself as a pro-family, pro-life individual and then throw her baby and special needs child under the wheels of her political ambition? Even progressive Democrats have a heart. We just have a brain to go with it. "

 MOMS FOR MCCAIN PALIN wrote on September 4, 2008 1:00 pm:
" As I read thru all these comments, it becomes very clear who watches the very liberal biased media. The comments or claims they are making on here are the same ones I heard the panicked liberal media making last night (or everyday) when I changed the channel to laugh at the direct hit they took.(and by they I mean the Obama campaign because ultimately they are campaigning for him which is the only reason Obama beat Clinton) I am tired of the media telling us we should vote for Obama whose ideas are one and the same of communist

Now John McCain & Sarah Palin on the other hand are exactly what this country needs. She intends to reform ALL corruption, Republican as well as Democrat, we can only hope media too. . "

 M wrote on September 4, 2008 1:06 pm:
" I think you missed the point of that comment and got caught by the rhetorical jab common in political squabbling. The point was - to me - that Ms Palin's presence on the GOP ticket has more to do with image and marketing than it does politics. Since she is next in line to be President should a) the Republicans win in November and b) John McCain die in office, I personally would have rather seen someone with more political depth in her position. The "marketing" comment the aforementioned write made appears to have been -sadly enough- a more accurate description of her role in this election. "

 Vern wrote on September 4, 2008 1:17 pm:
" Nebraska isn't a bad place to live, except for all the annoying backward thinking Republicans. "

 James wrote on September 4, 2008 1:35 pm:
" The fact that there are so many negative comments on this page shows how well she did last night. All of the democrats are trying to shoot her down when the normal, everyday people I talk to today think she was outstanding. I thought everyone wanted change from the "old Washington ways" that Obama keeps talking about. I guess you only want the change of higher taxes and more government control. I can't wait for the debates when Obama and Biden actually have to answer real questions. "

 Good and Bad wrote on September 4, 2008 1:59 pm:
" Well, it was entertaining. I got lots of little laughs out of her jabs at Obama and Biden. But, what did she tell us about herself or her positions? Very Little. Doesn't sway me one way or the other.

Also, both Palin and Guliani focused a lot of effort on the fact that McCain is a veteran and former POW. I respect that fully and admire him for it but does that make him a better candidate than anyone else? I don't believe so. It makes him brave and patriotic but it does not mean that he is qualified to lead this country. Focus on things that will matter and bring greatness back to this country. "

 Barry started it wrote on September 4, 2008 1:59 pm:
" After the way Barry and the liberal press has attacked this woman I don't think her speech was harsh enough in her criticism of the libs. I call for more of the same until the final vote on election day. It's time the Republicans fight like the libs have for years. "

 Chris wrote on September 4, 2008 2:12 pm:
" According to Guliani, there are more than a few presidents that "...Never led anything, nada."

Among them, President Lincoln and President Kennedy.

What bunch of bull.

Here are some facts, Mr. Guiliani: John McCain is 72 years old and has had cancer three times. Sarah Palin has been a governor for as long as Barack Obama has been a presidential candidate. Sarah Palin's education is a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Idaho. Barack Obama's education is a Bachelor of Political Science degree from Columbia and a Juris Doctorate, magna c*um (seriously, you can't type c*um on ljs blogs?) laude, from Harvard Law. As long as we are dealing in facts, lets lay them out. "

 JB wrote on September 4, 2008 2:51 pm:
" Only in Nebraska would the Republican propaganda be believed. Obama already has a lock on the Electoral College and might even get a vote from the smart people of Nebraska. "

 hey HEY wrote on September 4, 2008 2:56 pm:
" Last time I checked Palin's kids had a father. Aren't fathers capable of raising their kids, too? Do you honestly think that as a husband and wife and family they have not discussed this? Furthermore, Obama has children. Is he abandoning his little girls? Nooo? So a mother's place is in the home then? The whole abandoning kids thing is getting a little old. Why? Because it's a stupid argument. You might as well be holding up a sign that says "Hey Palin, Iron my shirt". Very progressive thinking on your part! "

 what wrote on September 4, 2008 2:58 pm:
" I thought all you libs would be loving the fact that a working Mom with 5 kids would be making history as possibly the first female VP. Where is NOW and the other civil rights orgs? What is wrong? Oh yeah, she's a Conservative and not a liberal. I guess NOW should be re-named LOW for liberal Organization for Women. Just shows what kind of hypocrites the dems and the press really are. "