All About McCain

[Alex]

I have seen no solid documentation in the press that she abused her position in regards to her ex-brother-in-law. I have seen plenty of documentation that there are accusations she has.

As I'm sure we're all aware, legislative "independent investigations" are easily spawned for purely political reasons with little merit in reality. I have no idea if the accusations have been true, I just haven't seen any strong evidence either way besides gleeful liberals saying "it's been accused, and since I oppose the candidate, it must be true!"

[Alex]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

Biden would be wise to lay off discussing experience or qualifications.......Palin has more executive experience(and the office of President is an executive position) then Biden, McCain, and Obama combined

What I've found most interesting about this line of argument that has solidied in the last couple of days is that everybody is trying so hard to sell it that if bought into one must inevitably come to the conclusion that Palin is the most qualified presidential candidate on ticket. To that I ask, if rather than being selected for VP she had actually tried to campaign for president, would a single Republican anywhere in the country have bought the idea that her mayorship and 18 months as governor were great qualifications?

Now, I am fine with her qualifications because I don't think there is any such thing when it comes to being president; and generally the definition of suitable experience changes from person-to-person to magically align with whatever candidate they are currently supporting. I just think the facility with which Republicans are (on average) buying this line is a particularly amazing example of the art.

Sorry to quote a Democrat but I think Michael Kinsley said it well yesterday (and I apply this to both sides):

The whole "experience" debate is silly. Under our system of government, there is only one job that gives you both executive and foreign-policy experience, and that's the one McCain and Obama are running for. Nevertheless, it's a hardy perennial: If your opponent is a governor, you accuse him or her of lacking foreign-policy experience. If he or she is a member of Congress, you say this person has never run anything. And if, by any chance, your opponent has done both, you say that he or she is a "professional politician."

[scaeagles]

So ABG implies that Palin is weak (she said that Hillary supporters like strong women, not this Palin), but you WB say she is strong but likes to pretend she isn't.

If she is taking a backseat to her husband, who do you suppose wants it that way - Palin herself, who is obviously wanting leadership in that she is the Governor of a state, or her husband, who may not want to appear as weak? I would suppose it would be her husband (if indeed thisis taking place), who is, I've read, a democrat. But wait! I thought only republican men thought in such ways!

What is her hypocrisy in the whole family values area?

MBC, I haven't read the account of which you speak, but that would definitely be seriously poor judgmet on her part.

And that was very well put by Kinsley.

[Alex]

Thinking about this more I wonder if sleepyjeff and others would agree that David Paterson, Governor of New York for these last 5.5 months is more qualified than John McCain, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden to be president since he has executive experience?

[scaeagles]

I would argue that McCain and Biden are the most "qualified", with Obama and Palin running so far behind that it's tough to tell who would be third and fourth.

And while what I'm about to say is good for Obama and should be a talking point for him, no one person has enough experience to be President. Not possible. Too many things to be expert on. One must surround ones self with smartt, trusted, and knowledgable people in various areaa of expertise. With that being said, I do regard foreign policy credentials as the most important thing for a head of state.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Alex

Thinking about this more I wonder if sleepyjeff and others would agree that David Paterson, Governor of New York for these last 5.5 months is more qualified than John McCain, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden to be president since he has executive experience?

Yes, I would.

Then again, I am still stunned that we have to choose between 2 US Senators(one of which chose another US Senator for his running mate) for President. .....and they have the gaul to say they are agents of "change".

[wendybeth]

I've no doubt Palin is a strong woman- no way she could have gotten this far without being so. She is weak because she allows herself to be perceived as something less than she is. Some women may be content to be the power behind the throne, so to speak, but if you are putting yourself out as a leader of people it's going to go over very poorly with a good segment of the population. It's dishonest and it propagates that sort of old world attitude. There is no doubt Hillary is her own person, as was Thatcher and Meir and nearly all the other great female leaders that come to mind. (I don't have to agree with them politically to acknowledge their role in women's history). Even Benizir Bhutto, who hailed from one of the most patriarchal of societies, was a strong woman. Palin is not.

I find her family values skewed from my perspective due to the above- the willingness to be submissive in order to gain power is sad, and a bad example to her girl and others as well. Now, her child is with child, and luckily she has a family who will support her in this ordeal- I'm sure she will be fine, but what of all the other girls (and boys) who engage in unprotected sex? Is she going to help them out as well? Not with the party she's affiliated with- they are well known for cutting social services and casting unwed (or even young wed but poor) kids in a negative light. I agree with Obama- the best way to end abortion is to educate kids and provide access to birth control. Just hope you don't get a pharmacist who is sure Jesus doesn't want him/her to dispense said controls.

I could go on and on, but really- you don't care about my opinion, and this could just be yet another thread where we all do the same dance ad nauseaum. Suffice it to say that this is one woman who does not consider Palin a role model, in any way.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I've no doubt Palin is a strong woman ..... Even Benizir Bhutto, who hailed from one of the most patriarchal of societies, was a strong woman. Palin is not.

Not trying to be a putz about this, but you start off saying you have no doubt she's a strong woman, then a few sentences later say she isn't a strong woman. Granted, after you say this you say is she is weak because she doesn't want to appear strong. I don't understand that, but OK. I dont' understand how she is trying to appear weak....obviosuly she's the governor of a state.

Like Alex has alluded to, I think those who dislike her politically will find all sorts of reasons to slam on her, and those that so will find all sorts of reasons to praise her.

But you're right....no one is going to convince anyone of anything here. I do care about your opinion, though. Why would I continue to question what you think if I didn't care why you think it?

[wendybeth]

You are being a putz, or disingenuous- you know perfectly well what I mean and are nitpicking to elicit a reaction. I reiterate: she is a strong woman, but she is allowing herself to play a role antithetical to her character to achieve her aims. No doubt a hangover from her beauty pageant days, but it makes me ill. Oh, and your silly 'Gotcha!' regarding her husband does not provide support to your position. Perhaps she would not be where she is at if he were a Republican. Seriously, though- I mean how she projects her image outwardly- obviously they have a relationship that works, but she would have you and everyone else believe that they have a very different relationship: a good old fashioned Hubby rules the roost one. Do you seriously think that is the case? (Especially if she is elected VP, but even when considering her current job). If he were to tell her "No way you're going to that work related event- you're fixng me dinner, woman!" do you really think that would go over well? I get the feeling she's kick his ass from Juneau to Ketchikan.

[scaeagles]

Whatever, WB.

Apparently she was gaining notice 13 months ago.....quite a write up about her (I know, I know, doubters will shout Weekly Standard, blah, blah, but the facts are the facts).