It's Palin! | Philly

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Friday, August 29, 2008

It's Palin!

I'm shocked, my money was on John Cleese.

Seriously, my first reaction about McCain's pick is that...it's a great pick. What little I know about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is that she is a highly principled conservative, a fighter of corruption and government waste, including killing the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. She's the mother of five who's oldest son is shipping off to Iraq -- she has a quite a story to tell. I think the debate between her and Joe Biden will be an elevating moment for American democracy.

Politically, she's going to get slammed for her age and inexperience, and she will surely highlight McCain's own age on his 72nd birthday, not something I think he wants. What's more, this is a huge roll of the dice -- which makes it a reality check on how dire the GOP's position really is going into November.

UPDATE: Well, there is this.

Also, forgot to note that I'm taking a well-deserved day off today, so this is your open thread. Talk about anything....except the Phillies.

Posted by Will Bunch @ 11:01 AM Permalink | 285 comments

Comments

Posted 11:06 AM, 08/29/2008

jeffreyg61

Her first impression and speech next week will be key. Don't know much about her either, but it looks good on paper. I think the republicans will welcome the 'experience' conversation.

Posted 11:09 AM, 08/29/2008

Politburo

"Aug 4, 2008 ... Palin Pleased with Obama's Energy Plan ." --- Reportedly scrubbed from the Governor's website (the website is down at the moment).

Posted 11:09 AM, 08/29/2008

bon

Great pick. I would alos note that for me, personally, it is very nice to see a pro-gay Republican on the national ticket.

Posted 11:13 AM, 08/29/2008

Leron

Me likey.

Posted 11:18 AM, 08/29/2008

Politburo

Pro-gay as far as republicans go.. she doesn't support gay marriage (voted for Alaska's hate amendment), but she has gay friends! It appears the pro-gay legislation in Alaska is all due to court orders.

Posted 11:18 AM, 08/29/2008

jfar86

Knowing little about Palin, I think that this is a fantastic pick for McCain. Politically, I really think that he is pretty close to Hillary Clinton. And adding Palin to the ticket really makes it easy for the Hillary supports to jump to McCain.

Posted 11:19 AM, 08/29/2008

GreyHippie

I think it's a very couragous pick on McCain's part. She's ruffled alot Alaskan Republican feathers, as well as Big Oil feathers, so it will be very, very interesting to see how this plays out. I personally think she is the future of the Republican party if they want to save their brand.

Posted 11:19 AM, 08/29/2008

doorspj24

Good pick. A seemingly intelligent but not obnoxious woman. Much more likeable than Hillary.

Posted 11:22 AM, 08/29/2008

tdoc

jfar86, your right about one thing, you know little about Palin...She is NOTHING like Hillary.

Posted 11:24 AM, 08/29/2008

palmyra21

if bunch thinks it's a great pick, then the GOP is doomed!

Posted 11:24 AM, 08/29/2008

Gibba Mang

who?

Posted 11:25 AM, 08/29/2008

Red Wright-Hand

Palin, eh? "Nobody expects the Alaskan Governor!" Seriously, this looks like the first really sharp move by McCain in this campaign. At the very least, this effectively neutralizes Biden during VP debates, he'll have to work hard *not* to be seen as savaging or patronizing Palin. And McCain resuscitates his "maverick" cred.

Posted 11:25 AM, 08/29/2008

bon

Politburo: She is as pro-gay as Obama. (That is to say, she is against gay marriage, but otherwise gay friendly.) She vetoed a bill that would have stopped the state from giving benefits to gay couples. Not many politicians stand up for the gay community at all, let alone Republican governors in Republican states.

Posted 11:25 AM, 08/29/2008

Shabba Rommel

Smart pick by McCain. She will divide Obama's female support (especially Clinton supporters) and Biden CANNOT use her lack of experience against her because she has as much experience as Obama has and he is the Presidential nominee. If Biden or the Dems bring up her short tenure, the Rep can use that to attack Obama's short tenure. Well played McCain, well played.

Posted 11:26 AM, 08/29/2008

LeChance

jfar86 - do you mean "politically" as in her appeal to voters? Or do you mean her stance on issues? Because in that regard, she couldn't be further from Hillary Clinton. She is against abortion rights, against equal pay for equal work, etc. She will bring over those who were voting for HC because she was a woman and that's all.

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About Will Bunch

Will's book: Learn about it here and purchase it here.

Will Bunch, a senior writer at the Philadelphia Daily News, blogs about his obsessions, including national and local politics and world affairs, the media, pop music, the Philadelphia Phillies, soccer and other sports, not necessarily in that order.

E-mail Will by clicking here.

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