Assessing Palin's Big Speech

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

blarsen — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:23:31 GMT

Sarah Palin gives the impression that her and John McCain are going to fight for the "people who grow our food" yet McCain voted against the Farm Bill. They want to go fight new wars, but don't want to support the soldiers when they come home or give current veterans any more benefits, They claim they want to put America back to work, but they give big tax breaks to corporations who hire their labor overseas. McCain and Palin deserve each other. Neither will support American working familes and neither of them express any vision for our future. Both are vindictive and controlling and distort their records into something they're not., The media seemed enthralled with her speech tonight. I went back and watched Joe Biden's speech. No comparison.

Palin may have taken the gloves off tonight and she proved she can throw a punch. During the debates we'll find out if she can take one.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

tncommenter — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:25:49 GMT

Wow, Andrew. Thanks for the unbiased review of Palin's speech. Why, one can hardly hear your disdain. Substance-free? Really? I was listening and heard numerous specifics. Lies about Obama? When? He was a community organizer and that is one of his own claims to making the case for his "experience". Oh yeah, that and his running for President is also, in his own words, his experience that qualifies him to be President. Will he raise taxes? Yes. How else will he fund all the programs he proposes? Democrats feed big government. Big government requires an endless supply of big money. I'll tell what was "substance free": Your article.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

voter08 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:28:08 GMT

Experience - check

Troopergate - will go nowhere

Reformist - already proven

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

PowayMom — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:33:43 GMT

In reading your blog, it is hard to believe you were watching the same speech. Of course, since you your own background is working for Al Franken campaign and being an intern, I guess that speaks volumes about your own experience. As a woman, I am offended the implications of your blog. If you can honestly believe this woman is insignificant due to her good looks and eloquent speaking ability, then you must instantly disqualify Barak Obama, who has done nothing, said nothing of substance. Obama has proven to be just a pretty face with (empty) but terrific (sounding) rhetoric and when it came to "crunch time" he didn't even have enough guts (balls) to pick the best person to be his running mate (Hillary) because he was too threatened by her persona and experience. Instead, he picked a puffed up attack dog, Joe Biden, who has a record of only being good at self promotion. You need to take a step back and look at Palin through different eyes...she is a dynamic woman with a record of change and ethics. There is no "troopergate"...you need to read about this as well. McCain gets my respect for vetting her, knowing about her daughter and deciding that was personal family business that didn't affect the woman. I watched tonight with several democratic women tonight who actually switched sides to McCain after listening to Palin's speech.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

deeboss68 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:35:00 GMT

All will be revealed when Americans go to the polls on Election Day and it will not matter what the media has said. It will not matter that the lack of real journalism is dying on the vine. I don't need the media to tell me if Gov. Palin or Sen. Obama did a good job of delivering their speeches. They both did a great job! However, after flipping from CNN, MSNBC, PBS & Fox News, I was right to think that the media is now an entertainment venue, along the lines of the "National Enquirer". So all that is said, good or bad is just "poo poo".

Like I said, all will be revealed on Election Day and we will see if the media got it right.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

A.Stevenson — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:39:02 GMT

Wow, that Sarah Palin sure knows how to bring Americans together. Oh, wait. Actually, her speech was the most rabidly negative, cheap-shot insulting, partisan crap I’ve heard in four years.

So she energized her party, huh? Well, that’s great. She also proved to moderates like me that she’s an attack dog with no real direction or solutions for our country.

I’d also like to thank her for insulting community organizers. Nice touch. Since these public servants don’t have any real responsibilities, maybe we should stop relying on them to revitalize the areas of apathy, mediocrity, and decay that Sarah's party claims to be against.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

lukesh_sap — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:40:40 GMT

you Obama sycophants can't give a straight compliment where it is due. No matter people don't listen to MSM. Outside of NY and SF, there is a world that doesn't think you guys do. Get real dude.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Robert E — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:47:57 GMT

I agree with tncommenter about the apparent disdain in this article. Furthermore, Palin spent recent days preparing this speech on her own, and it was not "written Written by former George W. Bush scribe Matthew Scully." I have no doubt Scully and others reviewed and made suggestions, but those in a better position to know have reported that she writes her own speeches. Perhaps the author of this article could use a little more experience as a junior journalist until he learns to verify his claims first. But then, Newsweek is a biased rag anyway, so junior journalist is probably about as good as it gets. I read Newsweek decades ago when it reported the news instead of the ingrained biases of this generation of "journalists." They've taken the fourth estate and turned it into a playground for self-important idealists who are unbalanced by their lack of appreciation of reality. We really need good sources of unbiased information in this country, but journalists are apparently no longer professional enough to offer it.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

View from Here — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:48:11 GMT

Our culture is so steeped in hypocrisy that one wonders whether McCain's real point with Palin was not to connect with us precisely on that level. To celebrate, as it were, the decline of the American republic. Who cares about "judgment" and civility? We will overturn Roe v. Wade, no matter what it takes.

I would submit that this episode is actually quite similar to the case of an NYU department chair who, following allegations of plagiarism, simply continued with the same questionable conduct (to put it mildly), apparently secure in the knowledge that such matters are always discreetly ignored.

See http://tinyurl.com/nyuplagiarist

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

deeboss68 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:50:20 GMT

Michael, what makes you such an expert on assessing a speech? All I heard from your written comments was anger. Both Gov. Palin and Sen. Obama game great speeches. Both were historic. Where is your objective view? I thought that was what real journalist did or has journalism changed so much that you can bare to tell the truth?

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

deeboss68 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:54:10 GMT

My apologies to the author. I meant to address Andrew and not Michael.

Again, I apologize for the mistake.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

skinny703 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:55:02 GMT

Sarah Palin cements my vote for John McCain. She makes promises and delivers. Her initiative to get the ball rolling on a natural gas pipeline here in Alaska has brought to reality the dreams of many in the energy industry. It has pushed oil companies to aggressively pursue a pipeline to supply domestic natural gas. My wife and I were so impressed with Sarah Palin during the Alaska gubernatorial debate. She can take mean-spirited comments from other candidates with poise and confidence. She will shine on the campaign trail and in the VP debate on Oct 2. McCain & Palin 2008.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

joe85 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:55:50 GMT

You missed the most important security blunder she made. As Vice President nominee,she gave the enemy the exact name of the unit and date of her son deployment to Iraq. thus risking the lives of her son and his buddies.

This critical blunder proves once again her lack of experience in national security;and the continued lack of proper vetting the John McCain Campaign is suffering from!!!.

Remember Prince Andrew and his unit was withdrawn from Iraq when the media revealed thier deployment. Here's a Vice President of the allegedly security experienced future administration, Sarah Baracuda announcing on primetime, a very sensitive military deployment.Who is out there in the McCain campaign to tell Baracuda when to shut her big mouth.Is John Mccain again caught sleeping on his watch .BLUNDER!!!.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

deeboss68 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:01:56 GMT

So what Infantry unit is her son in? She did not state it. And her son might be deploying overseas next week, but do you know what deployment entails? It could take days or weeks just to get there. Will there be a train up prior to deployment? Is there stagging areas her son will hit prior to getting to his final AO? Really listen. She states that her son is deploying with an Infantry unit. Is it the 82nd, 10th Mtn or 1/54 Inf? She didn't state it. I'm pretty sure she is up on operational security.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

rcarlos — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:17:13 GMT

I'm a European and I have to say, having just watched her speech, that it scared the living daylights out of me. This lady appears to lack anything resembling tact and sublety. For a 72 year old President to have a VP who is so forthright about "shaking things up", it strikes me that she could be a real issue for your foreign policy. I do agree with a number of the Republican comments below - she does seem like she can get things done. When you are dealing with an increasingly fragile relationship between the U.S and the rest of the world, the bulldog approach is an INCREDIBLY dangerous one. First impressions on whether she could negotiate with the Palestinians, for example, were at best poor and at worst truly terrifying.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

joe85 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:21:25 GMT

What did Sarah Palin give in her speech that should get us independents to rant rave about her ???. Nothing no substance.she didn't touch any policy issues nor offer solutions to the key questions in these election.

Preaching to the choir or republican believers is one thing but, to really appeal to moderates and independents require more substance and less mockery and demeaning of your opponents.

I was thrilled at first by the positive things said about her.And hoped she'll bring some positive and optimistic air into the very negative campaign Mccain has been running.Instead, I saw a woman who stabbed her opponent several times in the back with a smile.And I asked where's the positive,loving and caring mother???. All I saw is the "Baracuda", who kept on bitting,drawing meat and blood with a sickening smile and the crowd loved.I didn't.that's not my heroine!!!.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

youmightberight — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:21:56 GMT

Great analysis! This speech was nothing but drivel.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

marshrm — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:33:41 GMT

Hello Andrew. To use our vernacular don't be such a whinger, at least they didn't drop bags of sand on you.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

ang 9 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:07:15 GMT

Well, it looks like the Republicans have got themselves another attack dog. Not something I would have thought they had a shortage of, but at least it's the traditional role of a VP candidate.

If she has any other value, I didn't see it, but she does fine at snide mockery. If her ticket doesn't win, maybe she can be a slightly kind and gentler Ann Coulter.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

marcharino — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:37:19 GMT

Andrew,

Where does one begin to comment on your sexual inferences regarding Palin? It doesn’t surprise me that people are angered by the biased and slanted media coverage from reporters like you with their predisposed political biases.

Just imagine the political party tables being turned on your comments. Change the names from Sarah Palin to Hilary Clinton, and John MaCain to Barack Obama, and instead of Sarah, use Hilary the VP running mate of Obama. What would be the reception of your statements in the light of Hilary’s sex? — probably laughed to scorn right out of the editorial newsroom:

“They’ll (the pundits and prognosticators) comment that being dismantled by a woman will make the Republicans look "weak." They'll analyze the sexual subtext, claiming that middle-American men are attracted to a good-lookin' "gal" (Hilary) who "stands up for her man" (Obama). They'll weigh in on the lack of "policy details" in her speech, saying that her focus on biography and character is the best way for the DNC to to appeal to independents--a group that votes for people first and issues second (and would recoil from her hard-left record). And they'll celebrate how, as a woman and a "reformer," she helps Obama compete with McCain for the mantle of "change." Of course, none of this stuff--all of which I overheard in the media area here at the RiverCentre--would've been a mystery to anyone familiar with Hilary’s spunky, charismatic public persona. But before tonight, most MSMers weren't.”

Ludicrous and ridiculous-isn’t it.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

MasterTheMind — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:00:17 GMT

Barack Obama sits on the following committees:

Member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Chairman, Subcommittee on European Affairs

Member, Subcommittee on African Affairs

Member, Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Member, Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection

Member, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Member, Subcommittee on Children and Families

Member, Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety

Member, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Member, Subcommittee on Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration

Member, Subcommittee on Investigations

Member, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security

Member, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Source:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400629

Following high school, Obama moved to Los Angeles, where he studied at Occidental College for two years.[8] He then transferred to Columbia University in New York City, where he majored in political science with a specialization in international relations.[9] Obama graduated with a B.A. from Columbia in 1983, then worked for a year at the Business International Corporation[10] and then at the New York Public Interest Research Group.[11][12]

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama#Early_life_and_career

Read the rest at the sources. So Let's Talk experience

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

MasterTheMind — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:11:10 GMT

Obama taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years, as a Lecturer for four years (1992–1996), and as a Senior Lecturer for eight years (1996–2004).[23]

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama#Early_life_and_career

Committees Obama Sat On (another source)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama#Committees

State legislator, 1997–2004

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama#State_legislator.2C_1997.E2.80.932004

2004 U.S. Senate campaign

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama#2004_U.S._Senate_campaign

U.S. Senator, 2005–present

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama#U.S._Senator.2C_2005.E2.80.93present

Read the rest at the sources. So Let's Talk experience

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

dahnoo — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:50:35 GMT

Oblama the shmuck sits on committees?? Big friggin' deal. My fat aunt from Cleveland sits on a toilet.

Dave

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

yoeddy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:16:09 GMT

How can someone sit on so many committees and be an effective contributor to all of them?

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

skeptique — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:12:27 GMT

There is an unsettling "look at the feisty little honey I got myself" aspect to this entire bizarre scenario. It will undoubtedly feed the fantasies of middle-aged howling horn dogs and the savvy little tootsies that turn their heads and manipulate their faltering manhood.

Having worked in advertising in NYC for years, I've seen it happen countless times. The big powerful guy annoints a fresh, wiley and "so smart" (btw, attracttive) woman who is not qualified to make the jump to the higher position to which she has instantly been catapulted. On the surface, everyone falls in line - with surface, nodding approval, lascivious chuckles, a tinge of envy--- and resentment as well.

Beneath the party-correct, rousing affirmation heaped onto Ms. Palin following her speech- I believe there must be very real doubts at work. Here we have what would be the oldest person ever to enter The White House, a person with health issues, picking this plucky neophyte to cover his backside. Frightening, to be sure. But then again, frightening effect is the Republican's stock in trade.

Watching Ms. Palin last night, there were times it seemed like a skit on MadTV. Can the Republican Party really be so "mad?" I know the answer and it sends a shutter down my spine. This attack dog in go-go boots would be a wildly over her piled-high hairdo if fate were to plunk her into The White House. But then again, she would have older, wiser horn-dogs "helping" her run things.

She is indeed a symbol-- of all that is wrong with The Right. As a Democrat, I initally applauded the choice of Ms. Palin as yet one more wild misstep. Yet, the Republicans have the uncany ability to create long-running parades out of missteps.

Last night, as always, the Republicans were talking to themselves, whereas the Democrats make an effort to reach outside themselves. In short, the Reps are exclusive, the Dems inclusive.

Hopefully, November will deliver us from the arrogant, devisive, high-handedness

we have all suffered through over the past 8 years. And, hopefully this traverloing ropad show of male meaupsaual mayhem will become a mere footnote to history- and Ms. Palin will return to Alaska, where her ability to "do it all" will be far less crucially tested.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

skeptique — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:21:22 GMT

Apologies for the myriad typos in my post :]

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Concerned Canadian — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:35:39 GMT

Wow....Sarah Palin is the real thing....she's the bomb !!.......I remember watching those tv specials before , " Dean Martin Roasts "....well last night Obama was Roasted and Toasted !!.....Obama was a "community organizer".....but "I had responsibilities"...ooh..that was so priceless.

Rudy..my man Rudy Giuliani...he put Obama on a stick too....hey ," John Biden, better get your VP nomination in writing"....ooooh.....so priceless...everyone is still rolling on the floors laughing....it's bye bye bye Obama...finished...kaputt...finito !!

And oh.." styrofoam Greek columns put back in a Hollywood studio.."......we just burst out....the beer in our mouths spat out cause we couldn't contain ourselves...Sarah Palin's speech was the best so far by any candidate in this election and she also drew the biggest applause of any candidate during either convention.

This hockey mom knocked everyone out last night in that arena.....she can play on my hockey team anytime !

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Concerned Canadian — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:36:59 GMT

This hockey mom knocked everyone out last night in that arena.....she can play on my hockey team anytime !

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Concerned Canadian — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:37:00 GMT

This hockey mom knocked everyone out last night in that arena.....she can play on my hockey team anytime !

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Mwalimu — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:43:35 GMT

Appalled.

That’s the first word that comes to my mind after vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin introduced herself to the American people.

First she claims to be an outsider. Then she brags her status as an average hockey mom who signed up for the PTA and ran for city council.. This automatically makes her qualified for vice president.

What she did not mention was the truth. For example, she didn’t mention her crusade against the town librarian for refusing to remove objectionable books from the library. I found out about that ignoble accomplishment courtesy of Tim Rutten in the September 3 edition of the Los Angeles Times. Also according to an article by Peter Wallsten in the Los Angeles Times (September 2, 2008) Palin frequently on lobbying trips to Washington. As mayor of Wasilla, she netted $ 26.9 worth of earmarks from 2002-2003 As govenor she requested 31 earmarks worth $ 197 million. She also originally supported infamous “Bridge to nowhere.” which McCain uses as an egregious example of outrageous pork barrel spending.

Considering that Palin got the endorsement of former crook and indicted Speaker of the House Tom DeLay, I would not be surprised if Palin has found ways to help herself to some of the money she earmarked to Alaska. Like most of the evangelical preachers who cheered her nomination, she uses her religious credentials as a cover-up to steal in the name of the Lord.

In addition, Palin’s energy proposals are also made up of deceptive advertising. Her priorities do not promise clean energy. Instead, they reflect the wishes of the lobbyists for the nuclear power industry who are financing McCain’s campaign,

More drilling will not bring cheaper gasoline; it could pose severe environmental risks. Nuclear power, which Palin promotes, is not renewable. It also has severe environmental risks - and Palin has not come up with a sound, way to dispose of nuclear waste, which will be a multi-billion dollar tax burden for future generations. Palin shows no understanding about the environmental risks of global warming, probably because she refuses to believe that global warming comes from carbon-based, fossil fuels. These are dangerous misconceptions for future generations. Palin again has lied to the American people. Her priorities reflect the wishes of the lobbyists for the nuclear power industry who are financing McCain’s campaign,

Further more according to an AP article by Gene Johnson on Earthlink, last June Palin told a group of ministry students at Wasilla Assembly of God that the war in Iraq “is a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that plan is God's plan."

Apparently for all her religiosity, Palin has forgotten the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus said “Blessed are Peace makers, for they shall see God.”

Nor is she aware of Jesus’s words to Peter in the Garden of Gesthemane, when Jesus angrily told his disciple, “Peter, put down your sword.” And turned and healed the ear of the centurion whose ear Peter just lobbed off

What we saw last night was not an average soccer mom, but a habitual liar - candidate who lies in her first public speech to the American public.

Worse we also seen a mentally-deranged religious fanatic who views wars, and the death and destruction that wars bring as God’s plan. There’s little to distinguish Palin from the Islamic terrorists we want to wipe off the face of the earth

As a Christian myself, I know God is watching us. I am praying that the American public will see through the sham and hypocrisy of the Republican convention and vote a straight Democratic ticket.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

orion12 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:52:14 GMT

Yoeddy, I guess you do not know how things work. Indeed you can sit in many committees and be effective. That is what you are paid to do when you are in politics. I would advise you to use the Internet to educate yourself, before you start to bash Obama. Let us get out of this negative mode.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Territc — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:30:19 GMT

RobertE, some research on your part would be useful before you post nonsense. In an interview earlier this week, the Republicans clearly stated that Palins speech had already been written before they knew who the VP pick would be. All that was required was for the VP to tweak the speech. All she did was add the bits that concern her, her family and her record. The rest of the speech was written by the Republican speech writers and it showed.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

nikchik — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:33:28 GMT

If you like mud-slinging politicians, the McCain/Palin ticket is appealing.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:10:07 GMT

Joe Biden, The American People, The National Enquirer & The People of State Of Alaska will EXPOSE Palin for the Fraud she is !!

ST. PAUL, Minn. ??? Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.

Some examples:

PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."

PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform _ not even in the state senate."

THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.

PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."

THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:13:19 GMT

Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.

He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.

MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.

THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state _ by population.

MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.

THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

THE FACTS: A WHOPPER. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.

--------------------------------

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right _ change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington _ Throw Out the Big-Government Liberals, and Elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."

THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:15:28 GMT

In two different focus groups of Clinton-supporting Nevada women -- married and unmarried -- conducted immediately after Gov. Sarah Palin's Wednesday night speech to the Republican National Convention, a few common reactions quickly took shape.

First, women in both groups were impressed with Palin's speaking ability and poise. But they were hardly convinced that she was qualified to be vice president, or that she truly represented the "change" they were looking for, especially in light of what was deemed an overly harsh "sarcasm" pervading her address.

The (mostly) anonymous proceedings were webcast live to reporters, who were told in a press release that the Nevada focus groups would include "some former Hillary Clinton supporters who are now undecided or are weak supporters of Barack Obama or John McCain." No party identification was made available, though the approximately two dozen women were reportedly between 30 and 60 years old.

In the "married" group, when one attendee kicked off the discussion by saying "she's a good speaker, and a crowd pleaser," the rest of the room articulated their agreement. "I didn't expect to be as impressed as I was," said another respondent. But then another woman added: "Once she started mudslinging, I thought, it's the same old crap as other politicians. McCain used her to get the women's vote. And she's using McCain."

--------------------------------------

"Thank you," another woman responded. "That really upset me; there was no need for that. It was snippy."

The unmarried group also voiced similar objections to the harsh, partisan edge of Palin's remarks. "I'm not impressed with her at all as a person," one said, citing her "finger pointing" and general sarcasm after the group had generally agreed that she was a talented public speaker.

Still not all focus group members thought Palin came off too harsh. "She didn't seem very aggressive to me at all," said one unmarried participant.

But in both groups, narrow majorities said they held a more negative view of Palin after her speech. "She comes off pretty cutthroat," said one.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

HappyDay41 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:23:04 GMT

Omaar says about Obama: "He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise."

And, Omaar, then what?

Don't you think the companies, the corporations, etc. would raise thier prices? Passing the costs onto the consumers (i.e. YOU) and cutting costs in the workplace (i.e. layoffs, downsizing).

Yeah. Seems you haven't thought of all the implicatoins of the obasma Big Idea.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

HappyDay41 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:25:23 GMT

The real appeal of this woman is that she seems like a lot of women I actually know-- and not at all like a politician. I work at a university, met a student just recently who is from Alaska and asked her about Palin. She said, "She's the greatest! She's the best governor we've ever had!"

Well... it seems so.

And she reminds me of my family. My sister, especially, who not only works for and advocates for special needs children, but she also is raising one!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

HappyDay41 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:36:44 GMT

MastertheMInd:

You list a ton of committees that obmasa has never sat on, and then you list your source as (snicker) Wikipedia.

First off... half of those committees aren't listed at Wiki (I checked).

Second... Its Wikipedia. I mean, I can add and delete info there and make up my own entries. Its not a reliable source. When you get to college, they will teach you what reliable sources are and they will teach you to never, never, never, ever cite Wikipedia.

Third...obasa, by his own admission, hasn't had time-- been too busy-- to attend or convene any committee meeting. I mean, think, man. Since 2007 he hasn't even been at work--he's been campaigning.

so... good try. But.. maybe you might want to research Wikipedia (after you alter its content) and let us know what State he has governed? What company he ran? What budget he administered and balanced and produced a surplus ? I look forward to finally having evidence of this man's administrative, executive experience.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

pastor123 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:39:56 GMT

Sarah Hit it out of the Park, Congrats Sarah Palin, Youll be a great Vice President., Or President for that matter. If you want to learn more about Sarah Palin or her Back Ground they have alot of Background Info, Pics, Videos, about Sarah and her Family. http://www.veeppeek.com The Next Big Scadal She will have to overcome will be her daughers, boyfriend. http://www.hotpres.com

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

redredred — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:41:08 GMT

As an Independent business oriented female, Palin's speech and campaign is truly embarrousing.to real moral women. She will put the female liberation movement back 20 years.

She appears to be desperate for personal recognition.

1)However, Palin needs recognition badly, she was spending wasteless time being a "beauty queen", The concept of being a beauty queen is very old news.I am more inpressed by IQ size than boob size.

2) Any educated woman knows Down's syndrome is much more common in older women's pregnancy. What was she doing adding more people at age 43 to our over populated world ? Both of my children have serious handicaps. I would never dream of using them for political gain. How ugly. How terrible.

3) how cruel to be taking the VP canpaign while she spreads words nationwide about her teenager's pregnancy.. How cruel to that young kid and the boy "father".

4)Being atheletic and copying male jock modes is fine if that is your passion as a female.However, I want my president to be extremely knowledgeable and educated about world affairs in this dangerous time.

5) Did you know that every resident of Alaska gets a $3000.00 yearly state check for their oil? This gets them votes from the Republican party, whose top members have had centuries of oilwealth coming from this environmentally dangerous stuff. You can forget new alternative energy being develped in America. Even Boon Pickens knows oil dependence is disasterous for the United States.

I am great hope that the American public can now see past this old movie pitch. Haven't we had enough of the Bush- Cheney- Rove- Rumsfeild- Rove- Mc Cain disaster? Hardworking Americans must share in the wealth they have created in America. It must not go only into the pockets of this current neocon type Republicans.

If you care about your own life and your children, decent education job creation and health care must be extended to all citizens. We must be concerned about the welfare of other children and citizens of all other countries, as well.We need friends internationally. The mission of our forefathers must be the reality of our new world..

Communication and pure Coperation between the USA and the world will save us. Pure Greed, only competition Lies, phony PR, invasions and wars will soon kill everyone on earth.

VOTE OBAMA. You have no option if you value a future for yourself and for other beings..

The mission of this current Republican political party is to keep American bucks in Republican pockets forever. If we citizen's are not careful, elert, and intelligent, we are about to enter into semi slavery ourselves.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

gustavion — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:11:32 GMT

I'm a bit worried about the McCain/Palin energy policy. (Especially drilling in ANWR) I think that one of the best things we can do is support 'green' business. For example, http://www.simplestop.net stops your postal junk mail and benefits the environment.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

JamieJamie — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:14:57 GMT

Sarah Palin has every right to run as vice president. It is so unfair to say a woman who recently had a special needs baby shouldn't go out and do what she feels called to do. She was a pregnant governor and just had a special needs baby 4 months ago all the while guiding, supporting and nurturing her other FOUR children. Now if you can't see how that shows a tremendous amount of strength, you are blind, people.

And leave her family alone! She has every right to make her own decisions regarding how to raise and lead her own family. And can't you see what a beautiful family they are? You can tell they're doing a great job!

And give the husband a break for pete's sake. It would be hard to be in his position and you all know it. Besides, he's got his own mind. Just because he has one opinion, it doesn't mean that Sarah ever has or ever will agree with it.

Plus, she does all this while looking great! Her hair and make up were flawless! You get the feeling that once she takes off those glasses, and lets her hair down, she's got something going for her! So wise up people and YOU GO SARAH! Rock our Country!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Mr.tutto — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:25:23 GMT

What Sarah Palin has not learned yet is that you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. She was handed a script and read it word for word. She did that quite well. That's why McCain hired her.... so that she could be his Girl Friday.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

okiedokiepokie — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:41:16 GMT

To Mr. Tutto: Who wrote Michelle's speech or Obama's for that matter? Oh sorry, you wouldn't know because no one ever bothers bringing up the fact that speechwriters are a given at these conventions. Expect for now of course because the lil' mayor from Alaska couldn't write/deliver as well as she did. Of course, if she had bombed no one would have brought the speechwriting argument up.

To redredred: I seriously doubt that you are an independent, business woman by the things you post: Palin according to you should have been at the chess club or debate team rather than at the pageant showing her boobs or playing ball. Wow ok, what else: Palin should watch how many kids she has and how late in life and should especially mind her pregnant daughter because in this day and age that never happens to kids from good parents. If your man Obama can deliver on his promises without taxing me to death and in the mean time keep a balanced budget then he has my vote. You couldn't say the same about McCain so stop saying what a 44 yo woman from Alaska that's a VP nominee is embarrassing you.

Oh and by the way, I'm an independent, business oriented female.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Pansi53 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:52:18 GMT

Great speech!!

However, before she even spoke, the public was advised that she would be ‘tutored and her speeches would be written for her by a team of Bush experts’. Therefore, I consider the rave reviews Palin is receiving for this speech rather like wearing 'stolen laurels'. Guess the public's memory is short and they have all forgotten that this is not really hers.

Oh, if only it was truly hers!! We love and respect when our politicians are able to speak to us from their heart! In this day and age, a potential President of the USA should certainly be able to write his/her own speech. Most of us ordinary mortals can! And she is supposed to capture Mrs. Clinton’s votes? Please, do not insult the American people – this lady is no match whatsoever for Mrs. Clinton.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Pansi53 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:54:29 GMT

If this baby business is so important it can be easily settled. There's DNA testing!!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Pansi53 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:03:21 GMT

Come to think of it, the matter of the baby might really be impoortant. We want to ensure that we can trust the words of the leaders of our country.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

JamieJamie — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:09:31 GMT

Yes, as has already been said, none of the candidates entirely write their own speeches. It's just silly to call Sarah out on this. And besides, I know for a fact that she did ad lib the part about the difference between a Hockey Mom and a Pit Bull is lipstick. I'm sure she added her own touches in other places that we are just not aware of. To me, she really personalized it, I know, because her personality really came through.

No, she is not just a Girl Friday! She could be our next president! I'm sure part of McCain's decision for his running mate was based on balancing his age with her youth and health. YAY Sarah!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

RRuin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:14:35 GMT

It is the sign of our times that a speech filled with lies, delivered with hatred, by a woman who has no place stepping into the job she aspires to, is called a success.

The media once again has not done their job. Instead of exposing the dangerous right wing religious zealot that Palin is, you praise her poise.

Instead of acknowledging her lies, you say she "hit it out of the park".

This isn't a beauty pageant and we're not electing a prom queen.

Nothing less than the future of this country hangs in the balance.

To cover McCain/Palin in this way, not to expose the phony Maverick and his "soul mate' does a grave disservice to America.

The Press has no teeth. You like to roll over and get belly rubs.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

JamieJamie — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:17:57 GMT

Sarah Palin's family is beautiful. The important thing is that she has shown she is able to lead the state and take care of her family with the help of her husband. The other important thing is that they have been open and honest and have embraced the boy who is the father of her daughter's baby. That is all. Sarah Palin is going to be a responsible vice president, just as she's been a responsible governor. That's all we need to know.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Pansi53 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:24:19 GMT

Her speech was spoilt for many of us when we were advised that on account of her lack of experience, hers would be written. At least with the others, if the speeches are not their own we are allowed to dream. I remember reports of Obama writing his own and like I said, most of us can write our own to whatever audience we have decided to address. Usually, we speak to the groups we can handle; otherwise we do not accept the engagement.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

dahnoo — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:26:07 GMT

How many years has Sarah Palin sat in a hate speech church before she exclaimed "I don't find my Pastor particularly useless!!"

Just remember the Pastor of Love and Obama's 20 years of IGNORANCE!!! Now there's presidential material!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

befair — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:29:35 GMT

John McCain sold his soul to the Religious Right last night and they now own the Republican Party. It is no longer the GOP it is the HOLIER-THAN THOU Party and under the leadership of Sarah Palin, they will proceed to tell America what we can and cannot believe and what choices we may and may not make. Her family is beautiful but so is mine and she keeps talking about her choice to keep the grandchild that is soon to be born and in the next breathe she declares that she plans to take away anyone's right to make a choice that does not line up with hers.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Cathhsmom — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:44:10 GMT

They say that there was no substance to Palin's speech. Now who is running for president? Ah yes, McCain. You will get the substance tonight when he gives his speech. Last night, Palin went to answer everyones' concerns on whether she could do the job and also to introduce herself. She is a tiger, and I think she could handle presidency if something tragetically happened to McCain.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

aniknart — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:44:47 GMT

negitive, condesending, devisive, insulting and not even factual.

the extremesist have won the gop

and as a women and a mother of six -this "pit bull" does not speak for me

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

JamieJamie — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:17:07 GMT

My Girl Sarah IS a tiger! She stood up to Oil Industry interests in Alaska already. And with the new tradition Cheney started of the VP having a much stronger role in the executive decision making process, I don't think we have to wait for something tragic to happen to McCain. She'll be in there strong from the start - and looking good while she's at it.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

amtravel — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:27:00 GMT

She indirectly gave herself the perfect nickname PIT BULL PALIN !

Then I understood why she said "Hope is not a strategy"!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Broncho — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:38:05 GMT

I was left unimpressed by Palin's speech - I felt it was very light on any kind of substance whatsoever. But, what I find most unsettling is she is a VP candidate who wants to teach creationism in schools, disbelieves global warming is happening and also wants to limit the reproductive freedom of women.

But, of course, she is the VP for John McCain who admits to not using the Internet in 2008! I find this lack of intellectual honesty and curiosity eerily similar to the Bush administration and think the big choice this election is does this country move forward with Obama or backward with McCain.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

tiredoflies — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:43:15 GMT

About Obama’s “bitter” comment. It was totally misunderstood from the beginning. The media heard it and did NOT understand what Obama was saying as often happens when you hear only part of something.

The group he was talking to in San Francisco understood what he was saying. Once the media ran with it, all Obama could do was distance himself

What Obama was trying to say to people was this:

Referring to the Upper Midwest region:

You had your jobs, your pensions, your health care, your livelihoods ripped away from you. So the things you have left (your most valued possessions): your faith your families, your guns (because you’re a hunting community) your friends, you don’t want to have them taken from you as well so you hold tight to those. Holding on to these valued things are what helps get us through the tough times.

WHAT HE WAS REFERRING TO WERE THE FIRST AND SECOND AMMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION. THE AMMENDMENTS THAT REFER TO “FREEDOM OF RELIGION” AND “THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.” HE WAS SHOWING THAT HE FEELS THE PLIGHT OF THOSE IN THIS SITUATION. HE WAS SAYING WHEN YOU LOSE EVERYTHING ELSE, YOU HAVE THOSE BECAUSE THEY ARE GUARANTEED TO YOU AND THEY CANNOT BE TAKEN AWAY.

He was sympathizing with them and his comments were taken the wrong way by the MSM and that was the story from that point on, the misinterpreted story. And now the REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO INSTILL MORE HATE WITH IT

Obama is the one who has suffered here just because he sympathized with them and the MEDIA GOT IT WRONG.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

NewsWkDickG — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:45:14 GMT

Gov Palin's speech was a well written, well presented George W Bush style speech aimed to mislead and misrepresent impressively. Kudos to the writer and shame to the Republicans. Gov Palin is really arrogant, cocky and dishonest, which is consistent but are qualifications only for rejection. And the Republicans have been trying hard to coerce the media, calling them sexist, biased, etc., to have them stop exposing the truth so she can lie with impunity. That is crazy but it is much like the arrogance and self-serving dishonesty we have seen for the last eight years and is what the Republicans have become. Trusting McCain-Palin is asking for trouble just as trusting Bush-Cheney has been. We desperately need real change!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Jurr — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:20:46 GMT

McBUSH strikes again!

"The McCain team has hastily assembled a team of former Bush White House aides to tutor the vice-presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, on foreign-policy issues, to write her speeches and to begin preparing her for her all-important Oct. 2 debate against Sen. Joe Biden."

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

SEA Observer — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:40:58 GMT

Would you care to explain or point out the "Policy Details" from Obama's speech? I thought that there was none!!!!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

saurak88 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:49:56 GMT

I do not see how you can be an attack dog WITHOUT knowing any of the relevant ISSUES. Anyone standing on a streetcorner can shout insults!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

saurak88 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:52:48 GMT

From what I say the GOP was advocating Teen pregnancy the last few days by putting Palins daughter and her "HUSBAND" out there for the world to see! Good job GOP!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:19:10 GMT

Obama has had Laws Confirmed, with his Name on them...

Has Sarah Palin ? Nooo Name One executive Order or Military Command by the Alaskan National Gaurd...you can't, Neither can McCain, his Spokesman John McCain or the rest of those clowns Last Night.

--------------------------------------

For a Jr. Senator and a Person as Un-Informed as Sarah & Rudy "Mr.911" Giuliani, who called Obama a "Social Activist" & "He's Done NOTHING..NADA"

The Jr. Senator will PROVE, he's done Much More than What Sarah Palin & R. Giuliani Described & Demeaned last Night !!

---------------------------------

109th Congress

Obama took an active role in the Senate's drive for improved border security and immigration reform. In 2005, he cosponsored the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act" introduced by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

He later added three amendments to the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act", which passed the Senate in May 2006, but failed to gain majority support in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In September 2006, Obama supported a related bill, the Secure Fence Act, authorizing construction of fencing and other security improvements along the United States–Mexico border.

President Bush signed the Secure Fence Act into law in October 2006, calling it "an important step toward immigration reform."

Senate bill sponsors Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Obama discuss the Coburn-Obama Transparency Act.

Partnering first with Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN), and then with Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), Obama successfully introduced two initiatives bearing his name. "Lugar-Obama" expands the Nunn-Lugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons, including shoulder-fired missiles and anti-personnel mines.

The Lugar-Obama initiative subsequently received $48 million in funding.

The "Coburn-Obama Transparency Act" provides for the web site USAspending.gov, managed by the Office of Management and Budget. The site lists all organizations receiving Federal funds from 2007 onward and provides breakdowns by the agency allocating the funds, the dollar amount given, and the purpose of the grant or contract.

In December 2006, President Bush signed into law the "Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act," marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.

As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

In August 2005, he traveled to Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan. The trip focused on strategies to control the world's supply of conventional weapons, biological weapons, and weapons of mass destruction as a first defense against potential terrorist attacks.

Following meetings with U.S. military in Kuwait and Iraq in January 2006, Obama visited Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. At a meeting with Palestinian students two weeks before Hamas won the legislative election, Obama warned that "the U.S. will never recognize winning Hamas candidates unless the group renounces its fundamental mission to eliminate Israel."

He left for his third official trip in August 2006, traveling to South Africa, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Chad. In a nationally televised speech at the University of Nairobi, he spoke forcefully on the influence of ethnic rivalries and corruption in Kenya.

The speech touched off a public debate among rival leaders, some formally challenging Obama's remarks as unfair and improper, others defending his positions.

110th Congress

In the first month of the newly Democratic-controlled 110th Congress, Obama worked with Russ Feingold (D–WI) to eliminate gifts of travel on corporate jets by lobbyists to members of Congress and require disclosure of bundled campaign contributions under the "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act," which was signed into law in September 2007.

He joined Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in sponsoring S. 453, a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections, including fraudulent flyers and automated phone calls, as witnessed in the 2006 midterm elections.

Obama's energy initiatives scored pluses and minuses with environmentalists, who welcomed his sponsorship with John McCain (R-AZ) of a climate change bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds by 2050, but were skeptical of his support for a bill promoting liquefied coal production.

Obama also introduced the "Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007," a bill to cap troop levels in Iraq, begin phased redeployment, and remove all combat brigades from Iraq before April 2008.

Later in 2007, Obama sponsored with Kit Bond (R-MO) an amendment to the 2008 Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality disorder military discharges, and calling for a review by the Government Accountability Office following reports that the procedure had been used inappropriately to reduce government costs.

He sponsored the "Iran Sanctions Enabling Act" supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, and joined Chuck Hagel (R-NE) in introducing legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.

A provision from the Obama-Hagel bill was passed by Congress in December 2007 as an amendment to the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill.

Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries.

After passing both houses of Congress with bipartisan majorities, SCHIP was vetoed by President Bush in early October 2007, a move Obama said "shows a callousness of priorities that is offensive to the ideals we hold as Americans.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:21:06 GMT

Barack Obama:

A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. Following an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, he announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in January 2003. After a primary victory in March 2004, Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004. He was elected to the Senate in November 2004 with 70% of the vote.

As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, he helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability in the use of federal funds. He also made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. During the 110th Congress, he helped create legislation regarding lobbying and electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for returned U.S. military personnel. After announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama emphasized withdrawing American troops from Iraq, energy independence, decreasing the influence of lobbyists, and promoting universal health care as top national priorities.

-------------------

For a Jr. Senator and a Person as Un-Informed as Sarah & Rudy "Mr.911" Giuliani, who called Obama a "Social Activist" & "He's Done NOTHING..NADA"

The Jr. Senator will PROVE, he's done Much More than What Sarah Palin & R. Giuliani Described & Demeaned last Night !!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:25:48 GMT

Sarah Palin is a..... FAKER .... An Don't You ...MISTAKE HER !!!

----------------------

Joe Biden, The American People, The Media, The People of State Of Alaska will EXPOSE Palin for the Fraud she is !!

ST. PAUL, Minn. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.

Some examples:

----------------

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right _ change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington _ throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."

----------------------------

-----------------------------

------------------------

MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.

-------------------------------

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

------------------------------

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

stevoo — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:40:44 GMT

This speech had no substance whatsoever. It was 20 minutes of Obama bashing. She did not make a single point as to what her policy is, though she definitely promised more vetos (no thanks George W).The only thing she's got going for her that no other candidate does is a kid in the military. The truly sad part is that Americans are actually embracing this woman. Personally it boggles my mind. She's a woman with a marginal education, zero foreign policy experience, a first term governor of a state with a population rivaling the population of Milwaukee, WI!!!1.3 caribou to every human being! Her husband voted for the seccession of Alaska from the United States for crying out loud! Not to mention the farce that is her pro-abstinence in schools position. McCain had a chance with a strong VP, for the sake of our nation i hope he doesn't with her.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:41:38 GMT

COUNT HOW MANY TIMES MCCAIN UTTERS THE WORDS..."MY FRIENDS"

COUNT HOW MANY TIMES MCCAIN SAYS "MY FRIENDS"

IN HIS ACCEPTENCE SPEECH !!!!!

COUNT HOW MANY TIMES, MCCAIN UTTERS THE WORDS "MY FRIENDS"

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

the superjuice source — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:44:01 GMT

- Palin's husband was a member of a fringe right secessionist group that would rather burn flags than salute them.

- She claims she's a reformer yet the town she governed received 27 million in earmarks that she paid lobbyists for, courtesy of Ted Stevens, under indictment. Alaska under her is first in the nation with pork barrel shady spending.

- She tried to ban books and fire her librarian.

- She believes global warming doesn't exist even as the northern part of her state sinks into the ocean.

- She wants creationism to be taught in schools.

- She has said, "The war in Iraq is God's Will."

- Troopergate. Investigators just uncovered today emails from her personal account demanding to know why her brother in law was still a cop.

- She wasn't even miss congeniality in the Miss Wasilla contest. Another woman came forward to say that she was the real winner.

- She sold the state owned Alaska diary off to her personal friend for pennies on the dollar and the friend bankrupt it within months.

That's all that has come out in the last few days, I shudder to think what tomorrow will bring.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

ObamaIsDone — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:45:44 GMT

WOW is the left scared or what? Looks like the right trumped your "different" kind of canidate card. I am happy to say that the republicans will hold the office of the President and Vice President for the next 4 years.

Eveyone is attacking Palin and I find it rather funny because if you new her personally you would look up to her. She did great in her speech and she will prove her intelligence when she makes Biden look bad as well.

Can anyone answer why Obama turned down the town hall meetings after agreeing to them at first? Actually no need to answer it I already know that it is just because he is a puppet. Obama, don't get me wrong is very intelligent and is a great speaker but that is where it stops. McCain made him look sick the last time they went head to head without a script to read.

My vote is for John McCain a PROVEN leader not a PROVEN puppet.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

ObamaIsDone — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:50:09 GMT

Omaar there is no need to be so outlandish. Your are just like the rest of your liberal friends, you can't handle being beaten nor can you handle not loosing your head.

In a political argument all you have to do is come up with facts and they run away with their tale tucked between their legs because a liberal runs on emotion. Its ok Omaar once you get a little older you will grow wiser like most do.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:57:59 GMT

Superjuice Source....

Palin also said...

"The War In Iraq is for Oil"

"The War in Iraq, is for Natural Resources"

She also siad that she "Like or Agreed with Sen. Obama's Energy Plan"

She also Thanked Obama for the "Stimulus Checks The Alaskan People and Americans Recieved this Summer, Because the Alaskan People were really being hit hard by the High Price of Gas and other Expenses"

How is this Witch going to be able to AVOID these Contradictions...How in the He!! will she be able to dance around her own Words !!!!

She was for the so called Bridge to Nowhere, until it was politically expediant to be Against it.

The People of Alaska surely did not feel that way and are Pissed at Palin for demeaning their Towns People !!!

You know "The Little Guys, she Champions, the ones she Promised she would help"

This Witch is a FRAUD !!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:19:17 GMT

ObamaIsDone: I Agree with You... Obama is "The One"

I'm an independent Moderate A!! Hole...

I'll Choose whom I wish, unlike your Programed A!!

Conservative my A!!

Theres a Thin Line Between a Democrat or Republican... A!! Hole

Palin Preaches Abstinence, Limbaugh & Cindy McCain Preached Hate, Against Drug Addicts, but are 2 of the Biggest Drug Addicts out there !!

Cindy McCain, Conveniently had her hand Broken, by a Man simply Chaking her Hands !!!

An Excuse to have her Oxycontin or Viacontin ?

The Witch is a ...JUNKIE

Larry Craig Homo Sexual Stall Codes, in Mens Restroom, Former NY Sen. Spector, with his Prostitute & Sex Addictions, while Persecuting Prostitutes, The Former Gay Governor of NY now living with his Lover, yet his constant Speaking Against Homosexuality.

The HomoSexual Conservatives: "The Log Cabin Republicans" just gave John McCain their Endorsement, after he Courted them, 1 Month ago...

I thought that it was the Liberals, that were in fact Homosexual Supporters...

Small World...Huh..HYPOCRITES

---------------------------------------

John McCain: Pro-Life, Yet Pro-Choice....

1. Rape: with No Time Limits

2. Incest: with No Time Limits

3. Mother's life is Threatened: No Time Limits

4. John McCain: The Whore Monger, I see John does not Mention Adultery, Fornication or Coveting another Man's Wife....Hmmmmm

Conservative- Liberal....

Anyone who Subscribes to therse Tags are Low Life Slugs.

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BOTH PARTIES HAVE THEIR AMPLE SAHRE OF PERVERTS, SCANDAL AND ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLES...

IT IS THE REPUBLICANS, THAT PROJECT AND PREACH THEIR PURITY, ETHICS, MORAL UPRIGHTNESS...

NOW LOOK YOURSELVES IN THE MIRROR AND THE MIRROR IS SARAH PALIN AND MORE IS COMING OUT ON THAT FRAUD, TRYING TO CAPITALIZE OFF HILLARY CLINTON'S HARD EARNED VOTES ...

SARAH IS A FAKER...DON'T............ MISTAKE HER !!!

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re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:26:49 GMT

Sarah Palin is a..... FAKER .... An Don't You ...MISTAKE HER !!!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

kimberlyp — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:49:10 GMT

The rights of women are not served by having a single ideology, in which all women are subscribed. Defining women’s rights in such a way denies the many voices of women, and their diversity of views. Ideology is the power of slavery and the enemy of independent free thinking.

Palin is labeled as anti woman because she does not support abortion. I think the right to choose, is the right to say that you can be feminist without supporting abortion. That you can be for responsibility, for birth control, that there are other options besides abortion.

On the issue of gay rights, there is civil marriage which is a legal contract binding two citizens together in a partnership. I can see no legal reason for anyone to restrict this right to enter into a partnership as long as one can enter the agreement with a sound mind as in any legal contract. As for the religious definition of marriage that should be left to religious groups to define.

The democratic ideals sought by the founders of our country embraced the idea, of freedom, by granting freedom to others with whom we have opposing views. Our collective freedom is guaranteed only by allowing the other to have freedom to oppose our views.

As a nation our greatest strength is the diversity of voices and opinions we have as citizens. In this election, I choose to embrace diversity by supporting local democrats, while supporting the Republicans in the Presidency. Why? I think the democrats, and the mass media at large, have subverted the voices of middle class, working families. Democratic leadership with help from the mass media has injected their opinions, and desires, for those of whom they represent. They have the opinion, that they know what is best. After all, we are a republic, not a true democracy. The problem as I see it is that we have the worst of both. We elect our leaders in a popularity contest, which we call democratic, while we are governed as a republic.

The democratic leadership, made a political calculation in which they felt that they could ignore the will of middle class America, and women in particular, because what choice did they have but come back and support the candidate they chose, due to issues such as abortion, and gay rights. The democrats have played the fear card that they have stated is reprehensible, complaining that the republicans have used fear in past elections to win.

The stakes cannot be higher. If the democrats prevail, it will signal to Democratic leaders that middle class Americans can be taken for granted. It means that your power to influence government is diminished. This result must be avoided at all costs. Defeat means an America, ever more divided, further separating from the middle and moving toward the extremes. If history is to be a teacher, then we should look to Rome. Rome's strength was her middle, and when it was lost, Rome was lost.

Voting for McCain/Palin is a matter of voting country first. It is stepping outside of us and doing what is best for the whole. A large group of people today have grown up in an innately selfish world. They have little experience in relegating themselves to the common good of all. If America is to once again regain her luster, we must once again place ourselves as servants to the idea of America.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

ObamaIsDone — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:49:11 GMT

Omaar you sound very uneducated. You are just like I would expect you to be. Keep throwing out your emotional non relevant garb.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Walter Mitchell — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:07:46 GMT

While the Republicans in charge of running the RNC have obviously tried to relegate Bush and Cheney to minimal roles, if any at all, it seems apaprent that their tactics are desperate...that ultimately they cannot distance themselves from the Bush/Cheney stigma, even as ardently as they try.

It was interesting to watch the Republican's parade of speakers only to find the majority of them are "former" office holders of some sort or another...a.k.a Mitt Romney, Rudy Guiliani, Fred Thompson, etc. And the most alarming common denominator found in their rhetoric was their arrogant denial of the shambles this country finds itself in today. These "former" governors, mayors and senators, offer no reasonable solutions or plans...all they seem poised to do was orate desperate ad hominems at Barack Obama.

How about Fred Thompson, the keynote speaker--no less-- stating something to the effect that with McCain in office America would have no need to apologize to anyone (note; the remark received thunderous applause). This is one egregious example of the denial I alluded to previously.

It also strikes me as quite alarming to watch the nearly incessant military propoganda and nostalgia that the Republicans are waging every chance they get. The Republicans are not only in denial of the deleterious throes this country is experiencing from its greedy, self-righteous imperialism abroad...they are perpetuating the image of America as arrogant and impervious war mongers...

As for Sarah Palin's speech, I was hoping she would break the mold so to speak...I was hoping she would offer a persuasive and heartfelt expose into the origins and current manifestations of her values...I was hoping that her rhetoric would trancend partisanship...and that she woud talk to us about her goals as a reformer...and what is means to be an American woman and mother in today's world.

After all, Sarah Palin is a fresh new face on the scene and I, like millions of Americans, was intrigued with her nomination. My instinct told me that her nomination was yet just another desperate ploy from a fractured Republican party wallowing aimlessly in denial...but, I was ready to listen...to learn and to be enlightened.

Instead, I was deeply disappointed in her...she had the opportunity of a lifetime...a genuinely historic opportunity...to galvanize and elighten a nation...to give us all a fresh new outlook and perspective...but, alas, she succumbed to Republican peer pressure and delivered yet another smug, arrogant and sarcastic ad hominem. In short, she simply "followed suit."

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Nina2008 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:41:43 GMT

Sara Palin’s Speech: The Good & Bad From a Business Person Perspective.

Good: Coachable, very well read, brilliantly scripted, I’d say she did a fantastic job of

Rallying the Republican Crowd up. Personal touch, I loved the feisty hockey

Moms analogy, a lot of women can relate to that, I can relate to her. Adorable kids.

No doubt she’s a great mom. Agrees with a lot of what the Obama/Biden

team said about Washington.

Bad: Confrontational, offers sarcasm instead of solutions. Makes it clear,

She’s not an approachable person, might not be a team player in any corporation.

Works better as an individual if placed in the job pool. Perfect for running a State like

Alaska, not a large nation. Shows good Administrative skills. I say let her get more

seasoned, build up her skills in the Senate and a few short years from now - I’d vote her

for a higher position. Not Executive material.

If this where a job bid and two teams came to me to offer their services and goods.

Here’s the choice:

Team One: Is Innovative, amiable, fresh, get’s me fired up, inspired and motivated.

Shows me possibilities and positive change. Lays out clearly their game plan, instead

of harping about their competitors. Uses visualation sales method. Shows youthfulness

and Maturity. Has Diverse appeal, more Diplomatic and Negotiable. An Open club.

"We are all in this together" approach, e.g. everyone is an American, strenth as a whole.

Plays on Leadership material.(e.g. JFK, Ronald Reagan, FDR, MLK)

Team Two: Confrontational, Rebel, not open to negotiations "my way or the highway" approach.

offers me sarcasm instead of solutions. Vague.Can relate closer to the seniors and retirement pool but is out of touch with many. Uses fear-of-loss sales method. Is defensive or hostile. "Us v.s. Them" approach, e.g.the liberal media, 9/11. Has more Traditional appeal, not much diversity, more Steadfast and Indignant. An Exclusive Club. Plays on sympathies like (e.g. sexism or P.O.W. our troops, or persecution) Victim material.

I’d hire the Obama and Biden Team.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

CoffeeeCandy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:50:15 GMT

ObamaIsDone, Concerned Canadian

No one is *SCARED* where do you get this mess from ..This little lady with the 5 children comes onboard with a speech that was given to her and you say Obama is running scare.. You should be scared if you are a McCain supporter. and Concerned Canadian you can't even vote in this country so *HUSH UP! * To sit there and listen to this crap that was thrown 8 years ago and counting. We have heard it before. Girlfriend better get the book * VP for Idiots* before Biden gets a hold of her in that debate Hahahaa!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

neos — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:14:59 GMT

McCain blew his chance to roll out his VP choice in a positive light. Geat for the right-wing Limbaugh listening base, but not so great for the majority of Americans who are tired of divisive Rove style partisanship and gridlock. After a brief attempt at an upbeat bio, someone cried havoc, and released this self-described pitbull with lipstick.Palin came across as stubborn, narrow-minded, mean-spirited , sracastic, smug - well, essentially a female George W. Bush. Speaking of W., his party kept him at satellite length and gave him less than eight minutes of their time - how pathetic is that.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Omaar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:38:47 GMT

Obamasdone: I Agree with You yet again..."You are Uneducated"

Uneducated as Sarah Palin....

Attended 5 Different Universities in order to get a Degree in Journalism and her Grade Scores cannot be or will not be ...RELEASED

See, You too can become a VP without earning the Right, just be White, Female an Governor in one of the lowest populated states, have a husband that was a 7 Year member of a Seccessionist Group" that still wants to be a Sovereign Nation SEPERATE from the USA, attend the Meetings and Support their Efforts by sending them a Congratulations and show of continued support, while governor of the state of Alaska...

Knowing full well, their agenda and objectives...

An that is to become Seperate from the USA and their party is the 3rd Largest Political Power in the State of Alaska, otherthan the Republican & Democratic Parties..

Who decided to have some of their members become republicans and Democrats, to Push their Agenda...

All that was needed , was for her to be White, Semi-Educated, Attractive, Speak Religiously, Against Homosexuals and be Pro-Life, Oh yeah Preach Creationism in Public Schools..

Obamasdone: See, You can be a VP someday

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

tkjer — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:48:11 GMT

I am really bothered by Palin’s playing the mom and woman card, yet she doesn’t want anyone to question how these roles qualify her for VP. Vote for me ‘cause I’m a hockey mom? Vote for me ‘cause I’m the woman? Frankly her credentials as an outstanding mother are very disappointing. If I’m going to vote based on good parenting I will vote for a parent who has raised their teenage daughters with more intelligence than to allow for an unplanned baby. There are millions of great parents who have teenagers with great personal values and self control who have not succumbed to drugs, sex, tobacco or alcohol. I find her bragging very insulting to these mothers and fathers who successfully nurture their children into healthy adulthood. I realize that everyone makes mistakes and Miss Palin is a minor. Therfore the responsibility clearly lies with her parents who seem to think nothing is wrong with this situation. Maybe the Alaskan frontier isn't the best training ground for a national leader. If teenage mothers are so commonplace I would say that atmosphere has created a warped perspective of life that is out of sync with the rest of our country. It's not something to be proud of and certainly not a model for our nation to follow. Sarah Palin doesn’t demonstrate respect for intelligence, education, public service, civil liberties, freedom of speech, freedom from religion and many other important American values. She seems reckless and unstable.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

secondthoughts — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:54:49 GMT

Palin connected with republicans. McCain and Palin will give Obama a run for his money. I personally think they make a stronger case for their election. We'll see how it goes.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

secondthoughts — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:06:53 GMT

Practicing hate will manifest into the body after saturating your soul.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Phinneus — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:13:11 GMT

A cheap shot Romano, who in the **** has not used a teleprompter in the last forty years of electons. How about our talking heads network newscasters..professional speakers...think they might use a teleprompter?

Even with one lil' george cannot utter threee words in a row without a stumble.

If that is all you can say about that fantastically DELIVERED speech than you are grasping!

You sound like a sixth grade girl trying to find something bad to say about a rival. Are you a sixth grade girl?

By the Way Palin has more administrative experience than either Obama, Biden, or McCain! Of those four she is the only one that ever worked up a sweat on a low paying job for years! No typical blue-blood Republican dowager here!

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

dmjones — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:59:31 GMT

Romano, I think your article was right on.

In response to the teleprompter remark, the reason Romano stated that is because Palin will not have a teleprompter to help her through any press statements, her VP debate on October 2nd, etc. Why do you think the Republican Party is delaying the press from having a moment with her? She wouldn't know how to respond to questions asked of her. She does not have the knowledge and experience needed for issues on the federal level.

In response to her speech on Wednesday night, it had no political substance. It consisted of her talking about her family, praising McCain's war service, and bashing Obama. She through red meat to the crowd of Republicans, but didn't bring any real meat, i.e. substance, to what she will do as VP. And the reason, because at this point, she doesn't know.

And I'm glad so many Republicans think her speech was fantastically delivered. All that shows is how easily people will accept what a person is saying and not search out the facts for themselves. Her speech was full of misleadings, not just on Obama, but on her own record. Maybe she spoke well and the speech timing was on cue, but who cares if it is not the truth.

I have always voted Republican, but not this time. I think we all, as Americans, should be insulted over the decision to have Palin be the VP.

I believe in Obama. I believe he will bring about the changes he stated in his acceptance speech and will help this country be the best for all Americans. Also, he has handled himself with a lot more class than the Republican party.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

envirogal — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:28:38 GMT

The one thing that stuck out from Palin's speech, and Guiliani's for that matter, was their ridicule of the community organizer. The community organizer is the backbone of care for small groups of people in need or for the person who has cancer and doesn't have the money for a bone marrow donation or some surgery or families that suffered from Hurricane Katrina. They not only belittled Obama but they belittled every person that has been involved in community organizations. Talk about out of touch and elitist. Sure hope they don't ever have need of community help to raise money for a sickness or tragedy or some such thing - because it's obvious they have no respect for that kind of work.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

jbleezee — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:37:10 GMT

Only in America, can you raise money for a worthy cause. Why? Because the majority of Americans are giving people. Do people around the world use fund raisers in their own country to raise money to feed their starving children? NO! Americans ask Americans to raise money to help out these individuals. America is blessed for many reasons. Palin wasn't criticising community organizers, she was criticising Obama's qualifications, since she seemingly has more than he does in the political arena. Whether you are community organizer or you're trying to help people in other countries by raising money for that help, God bless all of you.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Mysticalsister — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:38:35 GMT

Sarah Palin is an opportunist whose career in politics is a long road littered with the bodies of those who have displeased. People see what they want to see when they look at her pretty face -- they don't see the bodies of the 800 dead wolves she's responsible for killing, or the special needs children in Alaska that have had their funding removed because Sarah redesignated them so that she can use the Title 1 funding for other purposes. They don't see banned books, creationism, the end of stem cell research, and the many other extreme views she holds. Many people in Alaska are afraid of Sarah Palin because it has a small population and she can get you fired from your job if she doesn't like you. She surrounds herself with young, inexperienced people who are unqualified for their jobs, and who are loyal and grateful because they don't know any better. This apparently is the way the republican's rule, whether it's in Washington DC or Alaska.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Gregan — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:41:03 GMT

Palins BIG SPEECH was NOT HERS...the news media is misleading us by calling it HER SPEECH....one more media repeated LIE for the Repubs...Has anyone noticed that Sarah is still giving the SAME OLD SPEECH 3 days later....THE MEDIA is LAZY and will be partly responsible for the 4 more years of the BUSH policies which will send America into a REAL DEPRESSION......Sarah wants to BAN BOOKS...HITLER BURNED BOOKS.....

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan.".......SARAH PALIN June 2008 ENOUGH!!!!! Separation of Church and STATE = BIG PROBLEM for PRESIDENT PALIN

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

qudrcps — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:55:21 GMT

"Written by former George W. Bush scribe Matthew Scully"

Well, why are we surprised.

It contained all the standard Bush material, including that same irritating smirk. Bash the opposition, impugn their integrity, provide almost nothing of substance for complex issues (energy, including conservation, foreign policy, economic recovery, ill-effects of deregulation, etc.)

All I'm hearing is a resurrected Karl Rove, George Bush and the same old *$*&%

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

gazzed — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:02:51 GMT

I was a democrat for 25 years, but no longer like the way the DNC handles things, I will be voting for McCain and Palin, you people can blog sll you want no one knows the outcome of the election but god, so we will have to sit and wait until Nov.4, 2008

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

jmiller583 — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:11:05 GMT

And yet, with all the previous comments "left" in here, pun intended, Palin enjoys an 80+ approval rating in Alaska, with the very people she governs and who obviously know her best. That rating is the highest of the 50 states. Gosh folks, that doesn't seem to reconcile with all of these non-informed, jealous, sexist comments. She's good, and you people just cant handle it, cant reconcile it. All I have to say is, choke on it. LOL. Go Sarah....McCain/Palin '08.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

qudrcps — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:58:13 GMT

If I lived in a state that has no income tax, no sales tax, and every resident resident gets a yearly "dividend" check from a state funded by oil revenues, it's hard to imagine you wouldn't get an 80% approval rating unless you got your nose very dirty like Murkowski.

Under those conditions being Governor in Alaska should get about the same approval rating as Santa Claus.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

easleyt — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:08:49 GMT

If she's doing such a great job in Alaska then let's leave her there. She's even more of a Bush twin than McCain. All attitude, no meat.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

easleyt — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:14:11 GMT

And while I'm at it, right on Posted By: qudrcps (September 8, 2008 at 5:58 PM)! Why weren't those oil revenue dollars considered US dollars rather than Alaskan dollars?

Caught a disappointing quote from McCain this weekend, saying since Palin controls AK Natl Guard, and AK borders Russia, then obviously Palin is single-handedly defending us from the red scare.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

camcfarlane — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:16:15 GMT

Pitch perfect maybe, but sad when you think of the fact that she was pitching rather low - do we want, as Americans, to be thought of and seen as people who don't think, who are unsophisticated and care less. Worse, was she pitching those 'zingers' - oneliners - to people who are perceived as unable to chew on more?

It's disgusting of her and her party, that all they have is a Strategy to gain the White House and not a Plan for the People of America and the world. It's unscrupulous of 'them' and shortsighted of those of us who are 'eating this up' - don't we want brilliance in the White House, something more than street smarts, along with integrity?

She was totally predictable, as a representative of her party, and exactly what they wanted, but how sickening.

As someone remarked to me yesterday, John McCain has looked increasingly uncomfortable standing beside her, his own beautiful wife mute behind him, as he almost wrings his hands during Palin's speeches.

I hope and trust that Obama and Biden will get us out of this horrible mess - this lack of class, statesmanship and integrity, and this lack of a real Plan for the people of America and the world.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

camcfarlane — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:20:45 GMT

She was totally predictable, as a representative of her party, and exactly what they wanted, but how sickening.

I hope and trust that Obama and Biden will get us out of this horrible mess - this lack of class, statesmanship and integrity, and this lack of a real Plan for the people of America and the world.

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Fred a — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:02:35 GMT

Is Washington ready for the first dude" better yet is America ready for "BARAK HUSSEIN OBAMA" and the "first Ho". Think about it America you can"t be that stupid. Barry hip hop may be the new messiah to alot of really over-educated and unemployed dummies but one thing he is not is a leader now or any time in the near future

re: Assessing Palin's Big Speech

Fred a — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:03:47 GMT