Sarah Palin

**raycarey** · 02-09-2008, 12:12 PM

for those here who are (comically) trumpeting gimmick's national security experience because she's 'in charge' of the alaska national guard....well, governors play no role in defense activities of the national guard. none.

Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard Palin (said Palin) has no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.

The Associated Press: GOP cites Palin's skill, but how relevant is it?

but hey, i think she used to read the lotto numbers on the local news.

**pai nai ma** · 02-09-2008, 12:15 PM

^ And proximity to Russia. Laughable.

**britmaveric** · 02-09-2008, 12:18 PM

^^^Bering Strait????

**raycarey** · 02-09-2008, 12:23 PM

^
yeah great brit....but what does that have to do with her 'national security' experience. she's not even briefed when the national guard is engaged in national defense activities.

Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard Palin (said Palin) has no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.

**AntRobertson** · 02-09-2008, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by britmaveric

^^^Bering Strait????

She's been nominated as MCain's running-mate, not for a spot on Discovery Channels 'Deadliest Catch'.

**Bugs** · 02-09-2008, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by sabang

What if Michelle & Baraks daughter were to become pregnant? Specifically an out of wedlock, teenage pregnancy?
Can you just imagine the ruckus that would erupt from the Republican Right?

Well if the either one of the Obama girls turns out to be pregnant I think it would be a bigger deal - they are pretty young to get pregnant.

But if either of them were 17 and pregnant there is no doubt this would be made into a much bigger issue by the far right.

I doubt the McCain team really had time to vet Palin that deeply, but it seems this was not a big secret and that many in the community knew about it already. The McCain team saying they knew in advance is one thing, as they could just be attempting to cover their asses. But from what I have read it would have been really difficult for them to have not known.

Some of the footage I have seen of the Palin announcment as the VP candidate, with her family all around, shows the daughter holding the youngest child. Looks like some effort was made to cover her tummy. Not only by holding the child but with the baby blanket as well. Looks to me like some handelers were aware of the situation at that time as well.

Picking someone that is not the well known makes things all that much more difficult because pretty much everything even remotely negative will be new information to the general public. Whereas with someone like Biden his dirty laundery has already be aired. Think if Biden where some governor from NH instead of a 30+ year senator. All the plagirism stuff would be new information for most of the public and would be a much bigger issue. As it is it killed his '88 run, but now is considered old news. Kind of interesting that it was bad enough to kill his run for president, but now it is not bad enough to keep him out of the VP slot.

**raycarey** · 02-09-2008, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Bugs

I doubt the McCain team really had time to vet Palin that deeply,

why would that be?

**Bugs** · 02-09-2008, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by raycarey

for those here who are (comically) trumpeting gimmick's national security experience because she's 'in charge' of the alaska national guard....well, governors play no role in defense activities of the national guard. none.

Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard Palin (said Palin) has no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.

The Associated Press: GOP cites Palin's skill, but how relevant is it?

but hey, i think she used to read the lotto numbers on the local news.

Another quote from the same General in the same artical:

Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, considers Palin "extremely responsive and smart" and says she is in charge when it comes to in-state services, such as emergencies and natural disasters where the National Guard is the first responder.

**Bugs** · 02-09-2008, 12:48 PM

Palin got pretty good press about the pipeline before she was picked for the VP slot:
IBDeditorials.com: Editorials, Political Cartoons, and Polls from Investor's Business Daily -- Palin's Gas Pipeline Isn't Hot Air

On Aug. 1, the same day the call for a vote on drilling began on the House floor, the Alaska state Senate approved a package of measures to license a new natural gas pipeline. House Bill 3001 lets Palin award the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act license to TransCanada Alaska, a pipeline builder that cast a winning bid of five.

The legislature had been trying for 30 years to authorize something like this and, up until now, had blown it. Palin got it through. Getting it off the ground, the state says, will be the biggest construction project in U.S. history.

Small wonder, then, that Alaska has one popular governor. If only congressional Democrats could also get off the dime.

**barbaro** · 02-09-2008, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Bugs

I doubt the McCain team really had time to vet Palin that deeply, but it seems this was not a big secret and that many in the community knew about it already.

The article I posted above on this page is worth reading because of the vetting, IMO.

Apparently (according to the article), McCain wanted Lieberman or Ridge.

When both names were floated, the right-wing Xtians were very vocal and adamantly opposed, because of the pro-choice positions of both. They even threatened a fight on the floor of the convention.

Therefore, McCain seemed to scramble, picking Palin.

Why didn't he have other pro-lifers in line? Romney?

I don't know.

**Bugs** · 02-09-2008, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by raycarey

Originally Posted by Bugs

I doubt the McCain team really had time to vet Palin that deeply,

why would that be?

Timing.

**sabang** · 02-09-2008, 12:55 PM

^^ Very interesting MM.

Maybe it is time for a split in the GOP, between the right wing & religious loons- or the 'Idealogues', and the old style conservative Republicans. The latter must be quite unhappy at what has become of their party this century.

**britmaveric** · 02-09-2008, 12:58 PM

Vetting process is rather extensive - they knew the plus/neg of all the potential running mates for sometime. He didnt arbitrarily just pick her - she was on the short list and she fit what he needed best at that time. I'm sure if situation was diff - he may have chosen another candidate. I think this will work well for him and ultimately might snatch the election for him. We'll see what happens when she debates Biden.

**barbaro** · 02-09-2008, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by sabang

^^ Very interesting MM.

The article is worth scanning form the link I put up.

Maybe it is time for a split in the GOP, between the right wing & religious loons- or the 'Idealogues', and the old style conservative Republicans. The latter must be quite unhappy at what has become of their party this century.

Seriously, this selection goes to show how influential the Xtian-right is. But not everyone is happy.

The Xtian-right is the minority of the GOP and always has been. But there are very organized at the grassroots level.

McCain's VP selection of Palin is a direct result of having the Xtian-right demand and threaten, over such issues.

And again, remember that the VP doesn't do much.

**pai nai ma** · 02-09-2008, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by Milkman

And again, remember that the VP doesn't do much.

or they do it all!

**ChiangMai noon** · 02-09-2008, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by pai nai ma

or they do it all!

quite, one has to seriously consider the very strong possibility of mcAin either carking it or becoming senile during the next 4 years, though senility hasn't necessarily affected the Bush term.

**sabang** · 02-09-2008, 01:08 PM

^ Dunno- the State Dept thinks Cheney is barking mad.

**Norton** · 02-09-2008, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by britmaveric

Vetting process is rather extensive - they knew the plus/neg of all the potential running mates for sometime.

Wonder if they knew about this.

"John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, dealt with two startling disclosures Monday. She announced that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter is pregnant and plans to keep the baby. And Palin has hired a lawyer as Alaska investigates the firing of her public safety commissioner."

Obama's response of which I full agree.

"Let me be as clear as possible," Obama said. "I think people's families are off-limits, and people's children are especially off-limits. This shouldn't be part of our politics. It has no relevance to Gov. Palin's performance as governor or her potential performance as a vice president."

Obama says Palin's family off limits - CNN.com

**chinthee** · 02-09-2008, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by sabang

^^ Very interesting MM.
The latter must be quite unhappy at what has become of their party this century.

Yes, I am.

**Bugs** · 02-09-2008, 01:19 PM

Palin seems to have been fairly progressive in regard to energy in Alaska. Basically doing what both candidates have proposed, gas tax holiday (McCain) and energy rebates via oil taxes (Obama). And she has not turned a blind eye to the environment either. She created via administrative order a Climate Change Sub-Cabinet in Sept ’07.

Climate Change Sub-Cabinet:
Alaska Climate Change Strategy

Governor Palin signs Administrative Order 238 creating the Climate Change Sub-Cabinet on September 14, 2007. The Sub-Cabinet advises the Office of the Governor on the preparation and implementation of an Alaska climate change strategy.

Oil tax and rebates:
Local News | Windfall tax lets Alaska rake in billions from Big Oil | Seattle Times Newspaper

Over the opposition of oil companies, Republican Gov. Sarah Palin and Alaska's Legislature last year approved a major increase in taxes on the oil industry — a step that has generated stunning new wealth for the state as oil prices soared.

Palin's administration last week gained legislative approval for a special $1,200 payment to every Alaskan to help cope with gas prices, which are among the highest in the country.

That check will come on top of the annual dividend of about $2,000 that each resident could receive this year from an oil-wealth savings account.

Gas tax suspended:
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

It also suspends the state’s motor fuel tax on gasoline, marine fuel, and aviation fuel for a year and strengthens the Power Cost Equalization Program. HB 4001 is the appropriation bill.

This is in addition to other energy efficiency funds availible in Alaska signed in by Palin:
AHFC Announces Energy Cost Relief for Alaskans | Reuters

AHFC'S board of directors on Wednesday approved an emergency resolution authorizing the implementation of regulations for distributing $300 million authorized by the legislature and Governor Sarah Palin this year. $200 million of this money will be used to expand AHFC's nationally recognized home weatherization program, while $100 million will provide home energy rebates to homeowners making energy upgrades to their homes.

**benbaaa** · 02-09-2008, 03:23 PM

It doesn't seem to be a VP vetting foul-up.

Advisers to the McCain campaign said they had known about the pregnancy before offering Mrs Palin the vice-presidential nomination.

From the BBC website here BBC NEWS | Americas | Palin's teenage daughter pregnant I think the dems are right not to make a song and dance about this. The ironies are simply too obvious to be pointed out. For example, from Wiki:

Palin is a "firm supporter of abstinence-only education in schools" according to CNN in 2006. When running for governor in 2006, Palin wrote, "Yes, the explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support," in response to a questionnaire.

Sarah Palin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**ChiangMai noon** · 02-09-2008, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by benbaaa

It doesn't seem to be a VP vetting foul-up.

they are undoubtedly lying about their foreknowledge.

**Rattanaburi** · 02-09-2008, 03:44 PM

Sorry lost the link!

**raycarey** · 02-09-2008, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by Bugs

Originally Posted by raycarey

Originally Posted by Bugs

I doubt the McCain team really had time to vet Palin that deeply,

why would that be?

Timing.

what do you mean 'timing'?

word form the mccain camp is that they've been vetting all potential candidates for months....or don't you believe them?

**Bugs** · 02-09-2008, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by raycarey

what do you mean 'timing'?

word form the mccain camp is that they've been vetting all potential candidates for months....or don't you believe them?

Because someone like Palin that has not run in any other national compaign has not been exposed to the national dirt diggers, and thus her dirty laundery has not been as deeply exposed already. Meaning that much more time is necessary to vet someone like that, leading me to believe that she probably has not been vetting enough to expose every possible issue.

I do think the McCain team were aware of the pregnancy and the issue related to the firing of Walt Morengan - one time public safety commissioner.

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