I like to keep politics to myself but I am just too annoyed not to post this. Okay, I'm happy McCain chose a woman. I have to admit that, but did they have to pick someone so ridiculous to make it seem like choosing a woman VP is a joke? She has zero experience, has had some illegal activities going on as Alaskas governor, has five kids (the youngest one just born four months ago with downs), and now they reveal she has a teen daughter who's pregnant!
Are they trying to get the white trash vote? I am sorry but I am confused! How will she care for all those kids and run the country? I have one and I can barely run my blog!!!!
Am I crazy? Do you guys think this was a good choice? I feel like this is insane!!!
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39 comments:
I probably don't have any righ to comment on this - not being a U.S. citizen BUT (I can't resist) - experience and parenting aside - the hunting bears things alone did it for me, that's just wrong :(. Very odd candidate. Sorry Americans who think she's great - please bear in mind us Brits have different sensibilities to you guys!
I am a registered Republican and I think it is a terrible choice. Could be because I walk down the middle, but I was just SHOCKED at this.
Way to get rid of any moderate voters.
I SO agree! I have been trying to figure this one out myself. I'm she she has some amazing qualities, but VP??? My heart goes out to her 17 year old daughter who has all her "dirty laundry" aired in-front of the entire country...what mom would want their child to go through that?
I completely agree...strange choice.
I HAVE really enjoyed reading your blog and wish you would have keep politics out of it. I find it ironic for you to have such a negative opinion about a woman who is a leader and a MOM...a "FABULOUS MOM".
I do agree that her circumstances are undesirable and could not dream of them but...white trash, ouch!
Anyhoo, you asked what we thought and I hope I was not rude.
I pray for a speedy recovery for Landon!
I agree 100%, there has got to be a woman with more political experience!
yeah- I wasn't wow'd by the choice- it seems random....I wanted to ask...REALLY!!??? is this the best person out there? there was no one else that was a better choice? REALLY??????!!!!!!!!!
I never get political, but I looked at it in a similar way. Yes I like that he chose a woman, however you point exactly, how would she be able to run a country and raise her children too? I am not even going to get into the pregnant teen. It happens to families. I don't have a daughter, I never was a teen mom or knew one personally, but I can't imagine how that must be to deal with. I keep thinking about Angelina Jolie...it must be nice to have all these kids because when you have nannies and nurses to do the hard stuff being a mommy is simply delightful. I feel like McCain made a mockery of this campaign.
I'm offended by your use of the term "white trash." And did I get stuck in a time warp and emerge in 1958? This is 2008 people. Women with families work. A lot. If Palin were a man, there would be no mention of him staying home with the kids.
I'm tired of this election, I'm tired of the mudslinging on both sides, I'm tired of politics bringing out the worst in people. What happened to the real issues?
I think she was an insulting choice - does McCain think more women will vote for him just because she is on the ticket?!? That said, I don't know much (only the thing about trying to get an ex-BIL fired) about how she performed as governor. I have a few friends from Alaska that I want to ask for info.
I am so with you on this one!!! There are many other qualified Republican women out there that would be a far better choice. I think this was a sad stunt to appeal to female voters and I don't think it will work.
I, too, am with you on this one. You can not possible care for 5 kids adequately and hold THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES JOB. Not to mention, she has zero experience in foreign policy, and has only been a governor of ALASKA for 19 months. What happens if McCain dies? I mean, he is seventy-something, for goodness sakes. She will be our president. That is so scary.
I'm glad you got political. We can all differe on our opinions and stay friends, right? I know the preppy blogging community is typically Republican - doesn't mean I don't like you all!
Here is my take: it was a really disingenuous choice. Did he really think women were going to vote for him simply because he picked a woman? C'mon! I voted for Hillary in the primary and there is NO way I will vote for McCain. If you look at Hillary's policy stances, she most closely aligns with Obama (like 95%). McCain picking a woman doesn't make me rethink my vote, sorry. And besides that, he picked a woman who has been a governor for TWO years! And from a state with fewer than 1 million people in it. Give me a break! He says that the Presidency isn't an 'on the job' training program and says that to insult Obama's lack of international experience - what does he think about Palin's international experience? She will be ONE heartbeat away from the presidency. COME ON. I don't vote solely based on the VP pick, but I'll tell you that I'm MUCH more comfortable with the idea of Biden as President than her.
I don't look too much at the family. I don't think it's exactly fair to penalize her for having children - we wouldn't do that if she were a father. Also, my mom got pregnant at 17 (and married the baby's father) so I don't feel right to judge the daughter. But when she's a republican who champions ABSTINENCE, well, I guess we see how well that's worked.
Also, she is the BEST republican out there? Again, give me a break!
Experience? She has much more executive experience than Obama. He's shown up in the senate 148 times - that's it.
I'm psyched about Sarah Palin - she's a real American - a strong woman - self sufficient. She got rid of the security detail and governor's jet cause they weren't needed anymore. Finally - common sense!
And if someone finds a way to control 17 yr olds, let me know.........
I agree with you 100%! I posted about it too today, I just couldn't hold back.
In addition to what you've mentioned, and the fact that she looks like a character from SNL, I just can't get past her updo. I mean really! Somebody bring the lady out of Alaska and into 2008!
(No offense to my stylish Anchorage lady friends with decent hair.)
I see someone else posted that she's a "real American" and to that I take HUGE offense. This is to say that Barack Obama isn't? Or that Joe Biden isn't? I'm SO sick of Democrats having to defend their patriotism but Republicans get a pass. Newsflash: We're ALL REAL Americans. Republicans don't have the sole ownership of patriotism.
Also, I'll take Barack Obama's experience against Palin's any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Sorry, but this election has just upped my blood pressure.
This will be the first election that I am voting in; while I am not old enough to remember it, I have heard of Geraldine Ferraro as a VP Candidate in 1988 and with Hilary Clinton crushed by Obama, sure while McCain picking a woman is a very strong message, I think it got a bit lost on the candidate chosen - especially since Hillary not being chosen as the presidential candidate shows how hard it is for a female, regardless if they are VP or Mme. President.
There were probably many female Republican senators that are highly qualified for the job and may be able to get the moderate Republican vote as well...I think she may have been chosen for 2 reasons: 1. she is female and 2. she is more conservative than McCain which will get the conservative vote that the Republicans have had a hard time trying to get with the lack of "qualified" and conservative candidates, so they pick a VP candidate to fill that hole.
As for wooing the female vote, especially for the hard-core Hillary fans, I don't think there is a shot in hell that that will happen. During the primaries, my house was a "house divided" - I was for Obama and my mom who just became an American citizen after 30 years here just to vote for Hillary as president was for well, Hillary. But I doubt she would vote for McCain on the basis that his VP is a female and the campaign would be underestimating that particular crowd alot. What bothers me more is her lack of experience; I don't remember my AP American govt class that well, but rarely were state governors picked for the Presidency (especially from "smaller states", which does show a bit of hypocrisy on the part of McCain's campaign; and Palin is a heartbeat away, especially with McCain's health problems. It sounds as if the conservatives are just biding their time and hoping that ::knock on wood::: something happens to McCain (not that I wish it on him, I have actually met him and got his autograph) and then they will have the conservative that they want in the White House.
Ok, off the soap box. I should bring this over to my neck of the blog world, lol.
We all got us a lil' Hillbilly inside us...mine's named Jed, he was going to be my twin.
-The Mr.
I couldn't disagree with you more on this one...Why not vote for a fabulous mom of 5 kids who can juggle it all. As for experience....Are you kidding me? Obama????? What is America thinking? I have much more faith in a PRESIDENTIAL candidate with lots of experience, who chooses a much more down to earth "mom" without the warped, corrupted views that years in politics can do to a person than trust the relations with the world, and our own well being to someone with so much inexperience. Why are we damming her and calling her "white trash" for having a teenage daughter that made a bad decision? It could have been any of us, or our daughters in the future, I don't think that makes her a bad mom or a bad VP candidate, it makes her "real". Come on ladies, this woman holds a powerful positon, is the mom of a soldier, her husband is a steel worker, she's raising a child with down's syndrome, seems like she is pretty damn good at juggling things! I will definetly be voting McCain/Palin this time around!
McCain's choice has given us all a lot to think about!
I completely agree. Just one of those life changing events is enough to handle. How can you nurse an infant and be on the campaign trail? I have raised 4 teenagers, and I know stuff happens, but teenagers get pregnant at home. What was McCain thinking? She has no foreign policy experience either. They have lost my vote. Sad day.
I live in Illinois and I hate to say it but Obama hasnt done anything for our state while he has been state senator. I am not sure what he would do for our country as president because he hasnt done anything as senator. I am still waiting for him to tell us what his "change" will be. And by the way, Obama's mom had him when she was 18. Teenagers do get pregnant...Jamie Lynn Spears...
I admire Palin and all that she has done in her short 44 years on this earth. I admire McCain even more for choosing her as his running mate.
Go you! I am glad you are posting your opinion, this is YOUR blog.
Wow, OFM you got a lot of traffic with this one...Ralph Nader has my vote, he'll never win but he's honest and hard working, back in the day I voted for Ross Perot...I might have a thing for the underdog.
I'm so a-political right now...ick!
I got my package...look at my blog! :)
It's ridiculous and insulting. I love how conservative Republicans want their beliefs to govern the entire free world, but as soon as one of their own is involved with a scandal that proves they don't practice what they preach, all of a sudden the person in spotlight is elevated to sainthood status for "persevering" and anyone that dares raise an eyebrow is slandered for getting involved in private family business. Keep the government out of my private family business if you want the public out of yours!
She got her passport a year ago, her teenagers are pregnant, drunk and partying, her husband had a DUI, she's already involved in scandals up to her eyebrows...I see why Bush's third term is so excited to have her.
I wasn't brave enough to post your post. But I agree 100%. You go, girl.
I love that you were brave, and posted how you felt. I was also surprised by McCains choice of Sarah Palin as VP. I would have loved to see Joe Lieberman on the ticket! And I am all for mommies being successful, and maybe this makes me a bit sexist, but I cannot imagine carrying for my special needs child and being able to hold down the very demanding job of VP. I wouldn't be able to let my husband take over, that's for sure.
I love you for opening this up - and I am with "Polly" on this one - and if anyone asks me for advice about children I will give it - otherwise I am not pointing fingers because I know how fast lives can change - in the blink of an eye.
I get what you mean when you said "white trash". I wouldn't call her WT but I wouldn't really look up to her. She is a joke. She is a horrible choice for women's rights. She has no experience to qualify her to be VP. She will be horrible with foreign affairs. I would be mortified to have her represent our country. She makes GW look like the president of Green Peace. Lastly, I hate that her daughter has to be in the public eye but her parents chose that for her. Bristol Palin is the perfect example of how abstinence only teaching is a huge failure and why the US is the leading industrialized country in teen and unwed mother pregnancies. Bristol could certainly afford the pill or condoms. If birth control is against their "beliefs" then it is a safe bet pre-marital sex is too.
I think her experience isn’t Washington status quo if that’s what you mean… she has one of the highest approval ratings for a governor (out of the 50 states while being the first women and the youngest to hold that position), reduced taxes, reduced government spending, she was the commander of the Alaskan National Guard (commanding over 4,000 troops), she’s worked with a 10 million dollar budget, managed 20,000 employees and has over seen 20 percent of the nation’s energy. And…she’s a reformer and has questioned her own party. Isn’t that what it’s all about, making change in Washington & America instead of showing up and just voting present for no more than 150 days of work! Personally, I’m assuming that some very tough decisions and sacrifice were made to accomplish all of that while also raising children. I have many friends with 4 & 5 kids and they run circles around me. It amazes me what some women are capable of and what they can accomplish and I think Palin is one of them. I’m continually inspired by these women. I always say; if you want something done right, give it to a busy mom! Plus, would having 5 children even be an issue if she were a man, I think not.
Unlike what some people think…I don’t think John McCain picked her to get those Hillary votes, any intelligent person knows that's not happening! Many of those women will most likely be writing in Hillary’s name (which BTW I think is fantastic). I also don’t his decision was intended to get the white trash vote. The true trash (white and any other color for that matter) are the people who are berating this young girl and her family for the poor lack of judgment made on her part. These types of pregnancies happen all across America and transcend all race, economic class and political lines. Personally, I think children should be off limits no matter what party affiliation, period. It’s the high road to take and I wish they would leave the mud slinging for the candidates only! I have to say; at least she is doing the right thing and facing the music. The high road isn’t always the easiest. It’s hard for some people to stomach since it’s a new concept in Washington and the political arena and we aren’t really used to seeing someone deal with the consequences of their actions. It’s much easier to push it under the rug, run into a public restrooms to hide or denounce it entirely. I do think Palin will relate to the many hard working middle class Americans that might have been on the fence. She is refreshing and people can relate to her. Is she the most qualified? We will see as it remains to be seen. She sure has people fired up! I will be peeled to my TV tonight, that is FOR SURE!
I think it's great to talk about politics. We all are passionate (or should be) and for good reason, we want the best future for our county & children! :)
ok here i go:
I think once again, America has picked the two worst possible candidates for the job. Mac has experience but he's good ole boy politics- I think it was smart for him to choose a woman and I take offense at people saying 'she's a mom, she can't help run the country'- give me a break- this glass ceiling is made possible thanks to people who think this way.
Obama? I can't stand his wife. She creeps me out and I don't believe that he has given any clear directive as to what he'll do. He's a great speaker...as long as there is a teleprompter in front of him. Look at what happened when left to his own devices- introduced Biden as the next president...whoops! and if Obama wants change- why pick a good ole' white boy with politics as usual? Why not pick a woman? Either way I think we have 4 years of shitty politics- I kinda hope Mac wins so that we can hurry up and elect Hillary. Yes I said it.
Her speech confirmed my worst fears - she was selected to be the sweet little hockey mom who is also a pitbull. The insults she made at Obama last night were beyond the pale. She actually insulted community organizers and got laughs. Shameful. Community organizers do a lot of good in lower-economic neighborhoods. I guess that's something to laugh at if you're a Republican. Poor people with real problems is pure comedy! Her smugness was palpable. She was mayor of a town of 9000 people and governor for all of 19 months and has the audacity to be smug about Joe Biden? WTF?
I suspected, and was proven right last night, that the Republicans will trot out the fear factor once again. Vote for us or if you don't, Obama will put us all in the hands of terrorists! It really sickens me.
Oh, and she IS a redneck. But then so is the current president, and his speechwriters wrote her speech so I guess this really will be a 3rd term.
So glad you brought this issue up! Sarah Palin's stance on social issues alone is alarmingly scary and the thougt that this conservative nut could be possible president....who is she to say only abstinence should be taught in? creationalism in public schools? and to think homosexuals should live as second class citizens? Her speech was merely an attack on Obama. I want to hear what she has to say about health care, foreign policy, and a realistic plan for energy.
Sarah Palin makes me sick. How can she do this to her teenage daughter??!!! She needs to focus on her children right now! Cmon ladies!!!!!
I echo your sentiments exactly. I've been really upset since she was announced. This was the ultimate insult to all women in this country, but yet she seems to be succeeding! I am very scared for this country if this is what we're all about -rednecks and white trash. She is being used by the GOP and so are we. This is a Hollywood script. BTW, I am a 46 y/o college educated mother of 4. I want my Presidential candidates to have better education and credentials than me!
wow, lots of comments on this:)
I totally agree about how she was even able to give her acceptance speach. when bradley was four months old i was still so tired, i'm not sure that i was able to get showered everyday. really weird choice and i am totally for some mommies to run the world. but it did seem weird!
I have to say I was a bit miffed about McCain choosing her at first, but now I am totally on board. I'm a life-long Republican and support the McCain-Palin ticket. People would never a question a man running for VP with kids, and I think in this day and age we've come far enough to be able to accept working women in these types of roles. I always think that maybe with all the support and help she will get as VP it might be easier for her than, say, the average working woman who doesn't have a paid-for chef, house, staff, secreatary, etc. Think of all the staff that comes along with the VP job. Besides, I vote for the person and their abilities and not for what I assume their home life is like. (And I don't consider myself to be a redneck or white trash, but then again that's just my opinon).
Wow - way to be PRO MOM. Not. Obama is inexperienced and he could be President! Palin may be inexperienced, but she would be VICE-President. Not quite the same. Name a Vice-President in recent history that really mattered and did important things. Nobody!!! Palin is a true conservative, Obama and Biden are both ultra-liberal(that means creating a nanny-state where the govt. will try to run our lives and our individual choices in life will be reduced. Also the Robin-Hood approach will really take off... take from the rich and give to the poor. For those of us who worked hard enough to be the former, including you seemingly based on your blog). I don't think we will progress doing those things. I have a feeling that Palin could be the greatest potential politician to show up since Reagan left office.
AND, I might add that I do not think we should worry about McCain dying in office. It is highly unlikely to happen and if it did, it would not be worse than Obama-Biden ALIVE in office... it's four years. ....and we are already battling a Democrat congress....what could be worse....better to get nothing done---that's NOTHING ----then to go backwards.
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