Sarah Palin for VP: The reactions

John McCain has just announced that Sarah Palin will be his VP.

Here she is in her own words. And here's what the pundits are chattering about.

John Mcintyre in Real Clear Politics:

I think it is a superbly handled rollout and politically a brilliant pick.

Jonah Goldberg in The Corner:

Quick, and provisional bottom line:  The upside: She's the best of the dark horses because she's an exciting, exotic (yet heartlandish) female pick.  The base will love her. She's a true outsider and the only person in the race with serious executive experience. This will have to mean McCain's flipping on ANWR, which will make gas prices a central issue.

Downside: She may not be ready for primetime. The heartbeat-from-the-presidency issue is a real one. 

Chris Cillizza in The Fix:

In picking Palin, McCain is taking a calculated risk. She is totally unknown and untested on the national stage but also has impressive credentials in her short time in public life.

Michael Cooper and Elisabeth Bumiller in The New York Times:

The pick, confirmed by Republicans familiar with the decision, amounted to a roll of the dice, a gamble that an infusion of new leadership — and the novelty of the Republican party’s first female candidate for vice president — would more than compensate for the risk that Ms. Palin could undercut one of the McCain campaign’s central arguments, their claim that Mr. Obama is too inexperienced to be president.

Howard Wolfson in The Plank:

Yesterday I argued that picking a woman for veep would help re-establish McCain's reputation as a maverick. If the pick is indeed Sarah Palin you are going to have a lot of women voters wondering why Senator Obama didn't tap Senator Clinton as his running mate.

Greg Sargent in Talking Points Memo:

If McCain's entire campaign is premised on the idea that Obama lacks the commander-in-chief readiness for the presidency, how on earth can he possibly continue to make this argument when he's chosen Palin, who's been in high office only two years (half the time Obama has been a Senator) as a back-up commander in chief?

Andrew Sullivan in The Daily Dish:

What this means, it seems to me, is that McCain has decided he cannot win without Clinton Democrats, and this is his attempt to win them over. He has decided that he cannot win on the experience card, so he is trying to pick the change card.

The Wall Street Journal:

At a time when the Republican Party in Washington has become deeply unpopular, in part due to rampant Congressional corruption, Gov. Palin is seen as a symbolic antidote.

Joe Klein in Swampland:

In a weird, clever, way, Palin's inexperience serves to illuminate Obama's...and so Democrats, especially Joe Biden, would probably be wise to tread carefully here. The Republicans can easily make the argument that they got their ticket order rightside up--experience over a compelling new face--and the Democrats got their order upside down. They can make that argument...we'll see how it flies.

Comments

[Andy C]

1. It destroys his argument about Obama being inexperianced.
2. She doesn't deliver anything extra in terms of EC votes
3. Biden is going to REAM her in the VP debates
4. There is a very real possibility she could be the next President of the United States.

God help us.

[Bob]

Palin is a disastrous choice, the polar opposite of the experienced and tough Biden.

I suspect McCain made the choice earlier, expecting Obama to choose Clinton.

What an idiotic mistake! Thank God, if you're a Democrat.

[PenguinSix]

The sound you hear is the air going out of the Obama bounce....

[Karen (US)]

I had been undecided until now. Obama gets my vote. I am highly insulted that McCain would so blatantly pander to the female vote in this way. I would have voted for Hillary, but for McCain to slam Obama's experience and then pick this person? Ahhhh, no, doesn't work for me.

[jenna]

Pailin is strictly small town Alaska!!!!!Strange choice.

[Lee Moore]

Surely Joe Klein is right. If the Democrats say she's too inexperienced, that just highlights the guy in the race that's got even less experience. She's actually been in charge of Alaska, Obama's been in charge of zip.

[Bobby Ewing]

You have to admit that Sarah Palin is pretty hot (remember she was in the Ms. Alaska Pageant) and MUCH BETTER on the eyes than Joe Biden

http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=5055328

[Neil]

Is this really the best Republicans can do: a 72 year old presidential candidate and a mother of five with 2 years experience of public office in Alaska?
No personal criticism of Mrs Palin intended, but how could she possibly be considered ready to replace Mr McCain, in case of need?

[Maria]

Actually on experience angle, even though Sarah doesn't have anough experience - McCain compaign can argue that:
1)She is not running for President but for a VP job. So she would have 4 to 8 years to learn on the job. McCain still has most of the experience and he will be the President #1 guy. And she will focus on fight on corruption and US energy independence which is her specialty. Obama is running for President #1 and McCain will still argue US can't afford to have its President learn on the job (while its very much OK for VP). In fact if McCain wins and decides not to run in 2012 - Palin can actually claim her experience on VP will overpower Clinton's senatorial and 1st wife experience claim.
2) She still has far more executive experience than Obama - in her short political career she had spent full term as a mayor of major city, and 2 full years as Governor of Alaska. Obama was political activist, state senator and less than one term as US congressman - of which he spent the last 2 years entirely compaigning not even bothering to show up in Congress most of the times. In case you haven't noticed but in 9 out of 10 elections in US a Governor WILL win over a Senator because Governor actually does some work as opposed to being Senator.

[Richard]

Lucky USA - I wish she was a UK politician

[Carol Sellers]

I think the Senators choice is a great one. I'm a Republican that was going to vote for Hillary and now there is a possibility that politics as we know them can change!!
Yeah!

[Rene Descart]

In choosing a person with very little formal education, ( Bachelor in Journalism) and basically no knowledge of Economics, Law, or Foreign Relations
McCain is simply showing very poor judgment and is disrespecting the American voter.How old is he?

[Gary Smith]

Gun loving, pro-abortion and conservative Palin to attract liberal and pro-abortion Clinton Democrats?
Younger attractive female by the side of 72 year McCain makes him ancient and her inexperienced? Reminds of Mondale-Ferraro ticket, the latter's husband was hounded by the press. Better Mr Palin be squeeky clean!

[sarah]

ah yes, the same sarah palin facing an alaskan senate investigation into whether she committed an abuse of power in using her office as governor in trying to get her brother-in-law sacked as a state trooper and then allegedly firing Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan when he wouldn't play ball? a brilliant choice as far as the democrats are concerned - even disaffected hillary voters are blogging that they're offended by the blatant attempt to nab their vote and have just changed their minds about mccain.

[Tyler]

McCain doesn't care what most democrats think about his choice. He only cares about pulling Clinton voters away from Obama. Since most of them seem spiteful.He will pull millions of them to him.Voting for Obama because he's black is just as racist as voting for MCcain because he is white.

[John Morris]

Gary, you toook the words right out of my mouth. I have said for years now that ultimately the Republican party might fnally be undone by one issue: abortion.

[Margaret Mary]

To all the Obamabots here, all I can say is, Speech? What speech?
Have a nice day!

[Richard (US)]

What kind of judgement is McCain showing here? Is she really the best choice for VP?

If so, may I nominate my trash collector for Secretary of State? Who does he think he is fooling? If my mind wasn't made up before, it is now. I am voting for Obama. At least he is compos mentis.

[Don]

Great choice. Somehow her rise in Alaska politics looks a lot better than BHO's rise in Chicago. Better yet-- she is not a Senator from the Cesspool, and she is not a lawyer. And, nothing like a moose hunter to lay waste to those Dems who think driving a tank or playing bball with the troops makes them a Commander in Chief. Thank god we did not get another lawyer who thinks their new law or regulation is all it takes to change the world.

[Roy]

McCain has lost the election. This choice will not appeace pro choice women. With a 72 year old President would you want as his replacement a person who is running a state with less population than a city of 300,000 people and 2 years in office.

[proud2b4family]

Neil! Are you serious? Have you ever BEEN a mother of five? Do you not realize how much coordination, diplomacy, negotiation, conflict resolution and management, and plain old common sense goes into raising five kids?

After seeing what my wife goes through every day with our four children, I'd vote for her for president over any of the clowns who ran this cycle. Sarah Palin's got five kids. In my estimation, each kid is worth four years of experience in office, hands down.

I say, switch the ticket order around. Put Sarah Palin in as the Republican Nominee and put McCain in as backup. He's gonna expire before the end of the first term anyways.

Go Sarah!

[MIa]

I am a voting American.
Party.
Gender.
Opinion.
Matter little.
We have work to do. Serious work.
Experience speaks. LOUDLY!!!!!
All of us, need to roll up our sleeves and do the work that's needed to save this country. All of US!
Today, the Republicans took the first step. With a lot less "show". With a lot less tax payers money.
Excellent start! Says this Voting American!

[Tasha]

McCain does not care anything about Hillary Clinton. He just want's to use her to get him elected. And his voting record concerning women shows that he really does not care about us either. People, stop being so stupid! This woman he picked has the same views as me does and her husband is in OIL!

[Chuckles]

Margaret Mary: To you I say, candidate, what candidate. All I see is an old man with a piece of eye candy by his side (eye candy that is quite possibly going to be impeached for abuse of power). Have a nice November Margaret.

[proudtob4america]

I'm so grateful to John McCain for giving PTA Moms and past beauty queens everywhere real hope of actually becoming the leader of the greatest country in the world after a few short stints in small town politics. And being McCain's pick really does put her a heartbeat or a cancer cell away from the presidency. Talk about voting out of fear......Obama/Biden is looking way better right about now...........

I also wish she was from the UK.

[John Clark]

Watching McCain introduce his running mate, and watching her introduce her husband Todd, I truly thought I was watching a skit, a good one, straight out of Saturday Night Live.

[Justin Other Smith]

All I c'n say is...WOW!
McCain/Palin in '08

[Billoo Bhai]

Paris Hilton calls John McCain the "white haired old dude", who simply went off at the deep end. The VP is heart beat away from being a President. McCain demonstrated poor judgement in picking a beauty queen, whose fun times are hunting and fishing, a lifer-NRA member, poor environment philosophy - drill, drill, drill in ANWR - and has an Alaskan State investigation pending in her management practices. Plus Palin is the complete opposite of Hilliary Clinton's liberal politics. McCain's poor judgement assumes that Hilliary's supporters will simply switch sides and vote for McCain\Palin. NO! All women are not the same.

[Barbara Lane]

It is so refreshing to see someone who is not a lawyer. The dems are in a tizzy so this proves Palin is a good pick. Running a household with 5 children can prepare you for anything. This is the change everyone is waiting for. Go Palin go!!

[George]

This is unbelievable. These pundits that think this was a great move (or even simply a 'risky' move) are out of their minds. This is the biggest political disaster I have seen in my life. John McCain has zero credibility right now - how can a 72 year old man that wants to be President argue on the one hand that his opponent is not ready to lead the country, and then on the other hand say that Ms. Palin - WITH ONLY 2 YEARS ON THE JOB AS GOVERNOR OF ALASKA! (POP. 700,000) - is ready to lead in the not so unlikely event he should keel over. And, now Republicans are playing 'identity politics' - does McCain think women are of such limited intelligence that they will vote to put a person with zero qualifications for the job a heartbeat away from the presidency, just because she is a she? Either another candidate emerges, or McCain just handed the presidency to Obama. No doubt about it.

[Dana]

I question McCane's motive for choosing this woman. If he is trying to pull angry female Hillary supporters to his side, then I'm completely offended. Does he really think that we will find these women equal in ability to lead on a national level? I'm not so shallow as to choose a substitute woman just to make a point. I don't want to see a female president, just because her predecessor dies! I want to see a worthy candidate make her case, as Hillary did, and get to the top on her own merit.

[ruselle gardiner Toronto,Canada]

I fear for the World IF anything happens to MCCAIN we'll have a 'hockey mum' with a 6month old baby as Commander.What a prospect with Russia growling and the Taliban getting the upperhand in the ME.What on earth is MCCAIN thinking or has he already got the beginning of dementia?? Yes a woman can do a man's job BUT she needs the credentials and experience like Hillary not a PTA meeting mum with no global political experience.This is a complete disaster for the Republicans and will ensure a Democratic victory and will likely end up with Hillary as Pres.in 2012
if the we can hold the planet together until then.McCain has lost my vote and respect as he's showing he's desperate and already displaying bad judgement like the Bush admin.has done and where did that lead,more wars and more threats from terrorists.

[Jamo]

Mothers of the country will flock to her, and not a few guys, too. My, they grow 'em purty up 'ere in Alaska!

She isn't running for president. Obama dare not play the 'experience' card.

Thank goodness someone running has the clarity of vision to percieve the evil that is abortion.

[all is fine]

An excellent choice. God bless America, and God bless American Mothers ...especially good looking ones.

[Aaron]

Wow what an interesting pick. They have my vote, but I don't know that she can help him win.

[tony]

if you did not know McCain is an avid gambler.
his first president dicision is to pick this lady.
what would be the next.
is the world ready to have gambler in the white house

[Peter]

An inspired choice - balances the Republican ticket in an "out of the box" way.

It's a calculated risk but I think a lot of heartland Americans will think she's got the "right stuff".

[Stephanie]

Note to Maria:
There is so much wrong in your analysis. To take your points one-by-one:
1) The vice presidency has become an important position in itself. To say that she has four or eight years to learn on the job implies that it is merely a stepping stone to the presidency. Not so.
2) Experience? She was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, which has a population of 6,715 – “major city”? Hardly! And she has been Governor of Alaska for less than two years. By the way, Barack Obama is a senator, not a congressman.
Before today, virtually nobody in the U.S. had heard of Sarah Palin. As an American woman, I am offended that anyone would believe that the Republican ticket will get the women’s vote simply because of her gender and in spite of her positions on key issues and her obvious lack of experience.

[Lee]

At last check she STILL had more executive experience than Obama.

The Republican candidates have led real lives outside politics - that is going to chime with the American people. You have "the lawyers" vs. "the lives".

My money ain't on the Lawyers.

[Debi Drecksler]

A Mother of five for Vice President...That's fantastic. This country could use a dose of "mothering"...As a Mother of four I say..Never underestimate our abilities! You go girl....

[TPK]

I would be afraid to have someone as inexperienced as her going against Russia or Iran in a major conflict if she became Pres.
May God help us.

[Samantha]

Mc Cain has succeeded in pulling away an Obama voter with his choice of Palin: I’ll vote for him now.

It looks like a very clever choice.Obama may be attractive but inspires little confidence. Mc. Cain`s achiles heel was lack of change, innovation, illusion, wich was neccesary to forget Bush. Now in one movement he´s got himself a reliable partner, with a modern image, who´s got at least some experience in real work. Brilliant.
Ani way, I´m not american, but irf I could I would have voted for Hillary. NURIA, SPAIN

[Bob]

It's the Dan Quayle moment.

[lyn]

I would take hillary/margaret t. over palin any day.
At least, hillary has experience and margaret had economic background.
A mother from an isolated state with no foreign or economic experience taking over the presidency is not acceptable.

[Lissa]

I think it was a very, very smart pick. McCain completely took the wind out of Obama's sails; no one is talking about his speech now. True, Palin doesn't have a LOT of experience, but her brief resume is packed with accomplishments so far. I think Troopergate will blow over -- she did not appear to have any direct involvement in firing a man who tasered his eleven-year-old son. She's a Washington outsider (for real, not pretend), she's anti-corruption, she speaks very well and clearly, and she's a magnet for bitter Hillarites (she gave kudos to Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary during her acceptance speech). Well played by McCain.

[Paulette]

I am a 60 year old woman, and I have been following this contest closely. I voted for Obama in the primary. However, over the course of time I have become discouraged by his obvious narcissism and pandering to youth. I was disappointed at his treatment of Hillary Clinton, although I understand why he could not share the ticket with her (too many cooks spoil the pot). This might be the last chance in my lifetime to see a woman in the White House--so I am taking a very close look at his VP candidate, and her views. I am undecided at this point. Certainly her experience in government is better than that of Obama, and his weird choice to be an "organizer" in Chicago after law school never made any sense to me. It seems like everything is about his ego. What kind of self-absorbed person writes his autobiography before he is even grown?

[William M. Lonergan]

Women make up over 50% of our population and arguably have the most important job in the US raising our children. Its about time that one of the major parties recognized their importance.

From the time Governor Plain first entered the political arena, she has been an agent for ethics in government and a refreshing change from the "just get along crowd."

Although prior to today I knew nothing about her, what I have read online in Wikipedia impresses me greatly. Imaging a politician telling the Federal Government that it didn't need a multi-million dollar 11 mile 'pork barrel' bridge to nowhere. Has that ever been done before by any politician?

She will be a welcome breath of fresh air and evidently the people of Alaska give her an 80%+ approval rating. Their loss is going to be our country's gain.

Evidently, Governor Plain talks the talk and walks the walk.

Semper Fi

[Sorta Seattle]

When Palin and Biden hit the debate stage many of you are going to be surprised. Let's see how it turns out. My money is on Palin. Brilliant choice by McCain.

[Jack Fuller]

This is the the female governor who stood up against domestic spousal abuse by firing the State Director of Law Enforcement who refused to fire the State Policeman who abused his own wife. THAT is the basis for the investigation of this woman. Let's get it on you leftist Democrat hypocrits. She has more experiene at actually running something than either the Obama or Biden. Yeah - experience counts.

[badgerusa]

McCain made an absolutely brilliant choice. In one fell swoop, he has enlivened the Republican conservative base. He has also put blue-collar democrats - plus moderate pro-life and feminist - voters into play for the Republicans.

This will still be a tight contest for both parties, but John McCain just scored a couple of goals in one move - nominating Palin as his Veep!

[Jeff]

Experience? Not even two years as governor, and even that little time hasn't shown her in a particularly good light. She is now under investigation by the state legislature for her firing of state police chief, involving family matters. Reformer? Main Alaska political figures thought to be corrupt- Sen Ted Stevens, Congressman Don Young, were renominated by the party this week for election in the fall. She has battled with republican party chair Ruedrich over alleged corruptuion- he won, she lost. Not experienced, ineffective.

[Herb]

To those who say that Joe Biden will eat Palin's lunch in a debate, well, frankly, all she has to do is let the bloviating, self-congratulatory, gas-bag talk and he is sure to generate his usual gaffe-a-minute...

[Ganpat Ram]

To all hose who talk about Palin's lack of experience: what experience has Obama got?

To those who say she has only run small Alaska: what has Obama run?

This is a brilliant move by McCain, making mockery of Obama.

Totally upstaging him.....

[David]

Wow. Unbelievable. An executive who actually gets things done. A governor who cut her own pay. A woman called into politics because of a sense of calling, not a career pol. A non-ideological leader with common sense who talks straight. A woman who has succeeded on her own merits, not because of the man she's married to! WOW!

[Chuck the Czech (USA)]

My apologies to the writer of the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme....

Barack Obama had a fake wall.
Barack Obama's lead's in free fall.
All his horse arses.
And all his girly men.
Will never make him attractive
To voters again!

[james]

She had six years as mayor and two as goverenor.(American governors control the national guard, by the way.) She is the only person in the race - including her boss - who has executive experience.
Joe Biden has thirty-odd years in the senate. You need to understand that is not thirty-odd years of experience; it is one year of experience thirty times over.

[pete uk]

my god- this woman is pro-life , anti -abortion...and no doubt believes Darwinism is a crazy fantasy - god help America, god help the world

[kbbl]

I'm more-or-less a Democrat. Obama-Biden was the ticket I was jonesing for. And I think Palin was an extremely clever pick.

Yes, she risks alienating those who think that her gender is pandering, but but if there were ever a female VP candidate that dove right for the disgruntled male swing voters in middle america, she's it. Pro-gun, anti-taxes, solidly pro-family' ... and easy on the eyes never hurt anyone. McCain's gunning for male swing voters, and he could very well be on to something.

[MCD]

Obama is nothing more than a 'made' candidate from the Democratic Machine in Illinois. He did NOTHING in Illinois (oh how I wish we had Palin here).

Put Palin's (VP) political accomplishments next to Obama's (President) and Palin wins hands down.

Whatever little executive experience Palin (VP) has, it's more than Obama (President).

She took on her own party in the name of doing what's right, THAT'S "change" I can believe in.

And the LAST thing we need is another lawyer. Judgment, leadership and the ability to get things done trumps a Law degree. The President surrounds him/herself with advisers who are qualified in their field. Palin (VP) has a better resume than Obama (President) in bi-partisanship, leadership, management, and reform.

From top to bottom, McCain/Palin is a better choice.

[Chris (US)]

This was a brilliant political ambush. She has been the darling of the press for several years with her campaign against corruption, even in her own party. She gets things done. Obama has spent just over 100 days as a Senator. She has been running the largest state in the Union for over 2 years. While managing a family, and having a baby while in office. How many other politicians come back to work 3 days after giving birth? Not only does she appeal to the Republican base, she will pick up a great many former Hillary supporters who are fed up at the Democrats only paying lip-service to women's issues and equality. Any bounce Obama was expecting has been destroyed by his lack-luster speech last night and this pick this morning.

[Andrew]

My money's on Clinton v Palin in 2012.

[george]

This choice is inspired - at last, someone who actually speaks and thinks about politics like a normal working taxpayer does.

She doesn't promise heaven on earth - but pledges hard work, service and decency. She doesn't approach the electorate as if they are children, and reel off a list of grievances. She is such a contrast to the Anointed One who comes over, more and more, like a man who possesses a sense of entitlement alongside a deep pessimism about his own country.

I was pretty sure Obama could and would win before today. Not now. I hope he is stupid enough to carry on with the same sort of mysoginist attacks that he used against Hillary. Given that he is the Messiah, he is a very poor strategist.

[SD]

This is a ridiculous choice - the Dan Quayle of the 21st century.

The former mayor of a town of 9000 people, with basically no education, is going to be literally a heartbeat away from leadership of the free world? With a 72+year old president?

In any case the Clintonistas are not going to flock to an anti-choice former beauty queen from an oil state. She is no Hillary.

[Renuka]

Palin's got more executive experience than Obama, and she is running at *bottom* of the ticket, remember.
As David Brooks said yesterday: All of Obama's accomplishments are in the future. Landslide, McCain.

[Bullfrog]

I am confused by Democrats who rail on Palin's "lack of experience", in particular on foreign policy, based on the possibility she could actually need to step up and lead the country if McCain is unable to fulfill his duty as President.

Those same people are scratching and clawing at the chance to put Obama in the #1 spot?

Do you hear yourselves?

[Warren]

McCain just lost the Presidency of the US and he did it to himself. This choice is an absolute disaster. McCain showed very poor judgment. This lady would become President if McCain dies in office and she is very inexperienced and very much not Presidency material. What was McCain thinking?!!

[SHAY KING]

As a Brit (and possibly more right wing than liberal), I do say this lass Palin, is gorgeous, which man wouldn't want to have children with her?
However, one hopes that Americans vote on merits of the candidates rather than looks. Its depressing to note that the religious nuts have such a grip on American politics.

[duncann]

McCain is not trying to get Clinton women, he's trying to get Republican and swing-voting women - they will be energised by this. Those leftie Clintonites will not actually vote Republican but they will be really hacked off now that Obama didn't pick a woman and McCain did. I think people are patronising about Palin - she's been on TV a lot when I've been on the West Coast, so she does have some profile. She knocked out some big players in Alaska, she runs a huge state and has 90% popularity. Americans generally prefer governors in the White House to senators. Obama is a very liberal choice for downhome America, she ticks a lot of boxes.

As VP she :
1. Supports making ANYWOMAN who has a termination of pregnancy liable to prosecution including rape victims.
She opposes vehemently all gay/same sex marriages.
She has no foreign policy experience and says she 'hasnt paid much attention to the war in Iraq'.
She has a scandal hanging over her head concerning firing or getting a former family member fired which is due to be under Federal investigation.

She makes for a nice photo op but apparently as Mc Cain doesnt know much about economics either by his own admission America and the world better tighten your belts and prepare for more war if they get elected.

[mac]

This is an insult to women. Mccain had qualified women to select but what we now have is the condencending decision of a 'old' school politian.

[Peter Southampton]

McCain being supported with a pretty woman is exactly what he needs?
I would love to see Mrs Palin stand up to the Russian President if and when she becomes President.
US would look sheepis against the bear! What a humilation of the greatest democracy!
But both might just be puppies for the influential Neocons.

[MKN]

Those who think either Hillary supporters nor women won't get on board the McCain-Palin ticket need to take a look at this --

http://tinyurl.com/56c2sp

I think it's a brilliant choice.

McCain did NOT choose her to "pander" to disaffected Clinton supporters, although the above link clearly shows they're in the bag. He likes the cut of her jib. Both of them have made careers out of pissing off the establishment, and that's just what we need, thinks me.

So what if she's inexperienced? I don't hold that against either her or Obama. What matters is whether they've proven they can lead, regardless of the scale (local/state vs. national). Leaders will always adapt.

I was an Obama supporter until he started flip-flopping so egregiously. With the choice of Palin as VP, I'm sold on McCain.

[elisabeth]

....so, President Palin ( this is probably going to happen, considering McCain's age and state of health) leading our country and the western world?! I bet the neocons are having a field day: another airhead without experience and ready to do whatever they want her to do. Get it?

[Mary Fernandez]

The flop sweat from the Obamamaniacs says it all, really.

[HappyHappyJoyJoy]

Great pick. Palin was my second choice after Bobby Jindal. Either would have made a great VP (and President-in-training). Palin is no show horse. She's an impressive lady: immensely popular in Alaska, tough, smart, and honest -- a breath of fresh air in politics. I'm not worried at all about the so-called "scandal," which is political. It's about firing the person who wouldn't get rid of a drunk state trooper for cause, the trooper happening to be her ex-brother-in-law.

[eva]

Congratulations Sarah! :)

[James]

Surprising choice, but the maverick we saw in McCain in 2000 is back which is obviously what he saw in Palin. Don't underestimate Palin, Alaskans are a tough lot, and that goes for the women as well. Biden and Obama are in for a tough fight. My bet is on Palin to win.

[Stan]

McCain may have hit one out of the ballpark! In spite of all the sour grapes in certain quarters, Sarah Palin is a quintessential American. November 4th will prove the point.

[Bryan Beyer]

The VP pick ultimately comes down to one question: Who do you want taking the helm if the president is unable to perform his duties? John McCain is 72 years old and has melanoma. I say that with no smugness or glee whatsoever.

Americans must consider this above all.

[Walter]

Well, as a principled radical, committed to the philosophy of Ayn Rand, I have asked myself: how important is experience versus the right principles? Lyndon Johnson had vast experience; he enacted the welfare state, now bankrupting us (e.g., Medicare) and dragged out the war in Vietnam by accommodating, accommodating. The highly politically experienced tend to be hacks and compromisers, like Biden, who never took a stand where their politcal future was at stake. Dick Nixon had been congressman, senator, twice vice president, presidential candidate, gubinatorial candidate, and twice president. I actually admired much of what he did, but in the end lack of principle did him in. The problem with Obama isn't that he is inexperienced; the problem is that he is a left-wing liberal, with the standard themes of class warfare, completing the socializing of medicine, attacking investment by doubling the capital gains tax, and proposing all the politically correct but in the end rather secondard solutions to the energy crisis. Also, he pandered to the anti-war Democratic far left, and would have wasted our hard-won victory in Iraq.

[Garth Rex]

She is, no doubt, a very nice girl...very pretty! However, the unknown and inexperienced cannot help the hopeless, clueless and BUSHwacked.

[glenn schaefer]

Will Rees-Mogg called it.
if you can't win on the issues -change the subject

[Ed]

As a voting American, I don't have a clue who's going to win, but I think it's going to be mighty interesting.

[steve]

The people who were wrong about weapons of mass destruction, unprepared for a an attack on our largest city, brought us the sub prime crisis, do not understand global warming, think torture is a fine public policy, think you are rich only if you make 5 million a year,do not know how many home they own, have proven once again that they are ready for retirement

[William R. Bauer]

This is ridiculous. This woman is manifestly unqualified to be President. All it demonstrates is that McCain is equally unqualified. Bah on them both.

[Thomas Anonymous]

Un-enrolled & uncommitted to either party, this one got my attention. She seems to talk the talk & walk the walk.

[bridget]

If this was the kind of decision McCain makes and considers good judgement, frankly, it scares me. It scares me even more that so many people actually believe her to be a good choice. I have been impressed with neither candidate and was undecided until now. This woman could quite possibly become the next President given that no matter who wins, they might not survive their term in office. I find it insulting that McCain thought he could pick a former beauty pageant contestant with a college degree and less than two years experience as governor of a sparsely populated state and think women everywhere would jump on board. This only serves to impress upon me that it is imperative McCain not win this election.

[W.SENNIT FORD]

It seems like McCain almost deliberately bowed out of the chance of being President in choosing Palin because of the negatives she brings including her obvious age difference reminding us how ill,older,and prowar Mc is while her background is our least populated,largest state. The pluses for her, should McCain become infirm or worse,is she would become President and Republicans are just salivating to begin oil drilling in Alaska; her nest of power. Bush and his advisors happy.It is so odd and conspiritorial. My conclusion is that she was picked on a longshot. Democrats clean up the Bush mess which to most, is unfixable.But, should McCain win..Alaskan oil.
If not,Obama begins the worst job ever fought for in politics.

[Merry Brandybuck]

If she was a "man", there would be no discussion of her lack of experience. Precisely what was Mitt Romney's foreign policy experience...running around France with his Book of Mormons? Palin is a natural leader. We gain experience by doing.

[Josiah]

Fascinating choice. She's no Dan Quale; today she was in command of the occasion and not at all intimidated. Don't count on Biden beating her in the debate. She may expose him for the stumbling windbag that he is. Also, the camera loves her.....

[bco]

Barak Obama has been "in charge" of a phenomenally well-run and successful Presidential campaign, one that has already done several "impossible" things. It is too bad for America that our current President has not been nearly as successful while "in charge" of the US government.

Sarah Palin has been "in charge" of a hamlet, and for eighteen months the governor of one of the least-populated US states. As such, she has had exactly none of the "foreign policy experience" that was so important to the McCain campaign as recently as yesterday.

Barak Obama has worked with politicians, organizations, citizens, and causes across the US over the last two years. He has met with world leaders from Afghanistan to the UK. The Prime Minister of Iraq publicly endorsed his timetable for a US withdrawal from Iraq.

Barak Obama's running mate knows most of these world leaders on a first-name basis, having chaired the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, as well as the Senate Judiciary Committee. There is no doubt in any corner that Senator Biden would be ready to be President of the US on a moment's notice.

John McCain's running mate was chosen in a transparent attempt to simultaneously pander to anti-abortion rights groups, and to any remaining disgruntled Hillary Clinton supporters. The anti-abortion groups are apparently easily pleased, since McCain himself does not share their position. But the first read of Democratic women's responses has been disgust over such a shallow gesture as to try to lure women's votes with an anti-women's rights candidate.

And, a wide range of Americans are disgusted that the man who would be the oldest person elected President of the United States has chosen a running mate who is completely unqualified to be President, in order to try to compete with a very good show at the Democratic Convention.

Great choice! McCain wants to win Florida with Sarah.

[Bob Evans]

That bloody McCain is a shrewd bridge player, and just both finessed and trumped Obama while faking him out of his jock!

Hopefully, people will NOT vote for her because she is a woman, but because she has in only two years shown to be a gutsy, no-nonsense maverick like McCain. How many politicians, for example, have told the Federal Government to keep its money because they don't want or need it.

With the two of them, the Yanks would be getting what they have so long wanted...fiscally conservative management, with a concern for what is best for the U.S., not with what is best "for the party", be it Democrat or Republican.

[tRUTH tELLER]

Palin is pitiful. I love Alaska, but come on! After 7.5 years of the worst president ever, McCain not only echoes Bush's appetite for war against Russia, but puts up a girl who bragged in her debut that she was in the Wasilla Alaska PTA and her husband rides snowmobiles. Jesus! So if the old McCain goes, we would have THIS become president?
I can see the Chinese leaders laughing their asses off as we speak! What has happened to the United States that the people are so brain dead this has even become possible? And why are the rank and file Republicans who have worshipped at the feet of Bush for 8 years and been tricked, lied to, manipulated, laughed at and, in some cases, sent to their deaths in Iraq and sneered at in their caskets by Bush STILL not woken up to this gang's childish bag of tricks? YOU ARE BEING PLAYED AGAIN, REPUBLICANS. You are being treated like idiots again. *** A man, McCain, who for weeks has been telling us Obama is too young, too inexperienced, and just a pretty face who makes a good public appearance, is NOW doing a 180 and saying this beauty queen who is 44 and looks 35 and who fluked into the governors job 21 months ago due to Republican corruption IS QUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT, despite the fact no one, including McCain, knows what she even knows about the major issues. Let alone what she believes about them.

[deborah]

This is a GREAT pick - I am so jazzed! I had decided to sit this one out as I couldn't stand either one of them. Then I decided to wait and see who McCain's VP pick would be. Bam! Home run!! Out of the ballpark! Not just any woman but one with integrity - she took down the leader of her own party in Alaska (Ted Stevens) on ethics charges. She isn't afraid of a battle nor of telling Washington to back off. And she has more foreign policy experience than Obama In dealing with Canada, she has shown she can deal with the best. Not only am I going to vote in November, I might just campaign too! :)

[DP]

Another great story of the middle class making good, she's beautiful and smart, but she is with a loser-John McCain. At least she can still be the governor of alaska when Obama defeats the hero Mccain

[Are You Kidding?]

As an educated women, in my 40's, a mom, politically active and somewhat hot, I am incredibly insulted to think that this woman, with about as much experience in politics as a kindergardener has in school, is thought to be able to run our country. So, again, Mr. McCain proves he is so out of touch with reality that he thinks he can pick this "soccer mom" cutey pie and all the women in this country will be so flattered they will just jump on board. Because heaven forbid that we can actually think and assess a persons credentials. Unfortunately, what I have learned, is that this country is full of ignorant, lost souls, unable to think beyond a pretty face or fancy headline...so his ploy will probably work. How pathetic is that.

[Michelle]

The ballgame has started and I hear fear in the demo's voices.
Richard if you want to nominate your trash collector for Secretary of State, please do so...maybe then I could change my vote. What Palin does for us...as of today my mother an extreme Hillary supporter will now be voting McCain. Not because she is a women but because she understands womens needs.

[Angell]

The choice of Palin is insulting to the intelligence of women who supported Clinton's agenda by assuming they'll vote for a "lifelong NRA member" who is against reproductive choice just because she's a woman.

Just look at India Knight's blog to appreciate how difficult and rewarding caring for a child with special needs can be. But who will be taking care of her infant with Down's syndrome?