[Fumblerooskies]

If this is true...he just handed Obama the election on a silver platter!

DENVER — Speculation about who John McCain would name as his running mate focused on Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin after reports circulated early Friday that two short-listers — Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty — were out of the running.

Adding fuel to the Palin possibility was a report that a charter aircraft from Anchorage owned by a McCain supporter had arrived in Dayton, Ohio, where McCain has scheduled a noon ET rally to announce his choice.

Palin is considered a rising star in the Republican Party. She is the state’s first female governor, the mother of five — and at 44 is its youngest chief executive.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/08/29 ... on-friday/

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

I know... I would be ashamed to be called republican

[Fumblerooskies]

I mean, for crying out loud, I don't think Alaska is a swing state that McCain needs. Obama is right, in the CNN headline...
"John McCain Doesn't Get It." He needs someone he can sic on Obama...someone like Romney!

[flameshaw]

IF it is her, will be a good choice. The woman factor will bring in a lot more votes overall in a lot of states, COULD be bigger than any individual state. Besides she looks like Dr. Melphy on the Sopranos, is a hunter and ex-sports reporter, sounds like every man's dream.

[LUconn]

What's wrong with her? Picking a chick seems like a pretty good strategy.

[TDDance234]

Palin would be a brilliant choice. She's staunchly pro-life, fiscally conservative, and very strong in energy areas. She appeases former Hillary supports and at 44-she wins the soccer mom vote, easily.

The Romney pick would have been torn apart by the Democrats, Huckabee doesn't give McCain anything he doesn't already have...the only other pick that would give him any kind of boost is Tom Ridge and I don't see it happening.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

I just dont think that she brings votes right away... Maybe after some time she will but If we could get a nice swing state and then work on votes or take someone everyone knows it would be a better choice.

[LUconn]

The only thing that the VP is good for is that ONE debate. Now Biden is firey and I think would be a tough opponent. But do you remember what it was like when they picked on Hillary in the debates? She just played the picking on the poor women card and it seemed to work pretty well. It takes some of the fire out of Biden.

[LUconn]

A big question I'd like to know, how does Romney stay politically relevant for 4-8 more years?

[TDDance234]

Her son also is fighitng in Iraq...enlisted on the anniversary of 9-11. Hard to argue with that.

The 18-year-old son of Alaska's governor enlisted in the Army on the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Sarah Palin's son, Track, will report for basic training next week at Fort Benning, Ga., said the governor's spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow. Neither he nor family members are commenting on his decision to sign up Tuesday.

http://alaskanabroad.typepad.com/an_ala ... n-enl.html

[ALUmnus]

Her son also is fighitng in Iraq...enlisted on the anniversary of 9-11. Hard to argue with that.

The 18-year-old son of Alaska's governor enlisted in the Army on the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Sarah Palin's son, Track, will report for basic training next week at Fort Benning, Ga., said the governor's spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow. Neither he nor family members are commenting on his decision to sign up Tuesday.

http://alaskanabroad.typepad.com/an_ala ... n-enl.html

Yeah, but so is Biden's son. He's heading over there soon. Anyways, this chick's name has been on the radar since early this summer. I don't think it would be a bad pick, and I don't really know if Romney would give McCain any of the swing states either. I'd like Romney to be the man, but Palin, Cantor, Pawlenty would all be good choices. Not sure about Kay Bailey-Hutchison, she seems conservative but from what I hear not that dynamic of a speaker. Tom Ridge would have sunk McCain, it's all we need to make the ticket even more liberal. Pennsylvania's not going to win this election.

On a side note, did anyone hear Tim Kaine talking about Biden, how it will help Obama win Virginia because the two states touch each other. First of all, what? And secondly, what? Some of the things Kaine has said during this whole vice-president thing have been completely idiotic. Did this guy win the governorship by not talking? I can't remember.

[LUconn]

KBH is pro-choice from what I've heard. That would be a dagger. And she's super old like McCain.

[ATrain]

I think this would be a GREAT choice by McCain. She's young, she's female...so that takes away Obama's "old" thing against him just like Biden takes away the "experience" thing against Obama. The female part can help bring in disgruntled Hillary voters. She also appeals to conservatives, and is strong on an issue most Americans care about right now: energy.

[Fumblerooskies]

When it comes down to brass tacks...the Hillary-ites will go with Obama or sit out the election before they vote for McCain.

[ALUmnus]

When it comes down to brass tacks...the Hillary-ites will go with Obama or sit out the election before they vote for McCain.

That's not what they've been saying. Hillary and McCain are tight buddies, and the Hillary-ites absolutely hate Obama. I think a Palin choice would just give them a constant reminder that Barak left Hillary off his ticket and destroyed her in the primaries.

[TDDance234]

Hillary successfully villafied Obama during the primaries. Her supporters are still out there to be won.

[Cider Jim]

From Wiki:

Palin was the point guard and captain for the Wasilla High School Warriors, in Wasilla, Alaska, when they won the Alaska small-school basketball championship in 1982; she earned the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" because of her intense play.[3] [4] She played the championship game despite a stress fracture in her ankle, hitting a critical free throw in the last seconds.[3] Palin, who was also the head of the school Fellowship of Christian Athletes, would lead the team in prayer before games.[3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin

[Hold My Own]

It's brilliant....Hilary already had millions of votes and Obama made a mistake not picking her....now the Hilary voters dont know who to vote for. Already polls show that 20% of those voting for Hilary are now voting for McCain (thats unheard of, normally its ALOT less)....McCain winning is her best chance to get into the White House in 4 years when she run's against a 76 year old McCain.

I like this choice and I believe it will take that 20% even higher

[thepostman]

yeah...its not like McCain will lose anybody with this pick...and never underestimate how much women...well, love women...

I have always held the belief that a VP choice doesn't change things THAT much...but picking a woman is a very smart move...especially in this election

[Hold My Own]

It doesnt hurt you unless your VP has made raciest remarks about you and said how your opponent would make an excellent President

[vastrightwinger]

I think it is an excellent pick. She is a "political reformer" that came in and cleaned up Alaska's government. She is staunchly Pro-life to the point where just 5 months ago she had a baby that they knew was going to be born with down syndrome. She is young and good looking which is a good balance for McCain. She will help capture the conservatives that are so-so on McCain but still holds onto the Maverick tag for a broader appeal.

On a side note, Biden's son is not going to Iraq to fight. He is a JAG and will be considered to valuable to fight. That is not to take away from him going over there because the fact that he is in the military means he deserves the respect no matter what job he is doing. Palin and McCain's sons are both on the front lines.

[thepostman]

the more I read about her the more I think she is a great pick...the woman aspect will help as well...but I think she is very solid...

[jcmanson]

yeah...its not like McCain will lose anybody with this pick

People I work with have already stated they're voting 3rd party instead of McCain because of this pick.

[TDDance234]

yeah...its not like McCain will lose anybody with this pick

People I work with have already stated they're voting 3rd party instead of McCain because of this pick.

They were probably Romney supporters to begin with.

[FlamingChick]

Palin will probably appeal to women voters--she sounds like supermom. She just had a baby in April and went back to work in 3 days! I think it's kind of ironic that McCain focuses on Obama's inexperience and goes out and makes a pick of an inexperienced VP. These debates should be interesting