After all is said and done in November, John McCain will (hopefully) be looking on back on his failed campaign and point to the moment he announced Sarah Palin as his running mate as his biggest mistake. From her rightfully critiqued interviews to her now demonstrating she doesn't know the constitutional role of the vice president, the more exposure she has received by virtue of unscripted TV interviews and youtube clips the more the evidence proves she is not qualified for the job of second in command. It doesn't matter how many plunging necklines $150,000 will buy her, her favorability rating continues to plunge at a faster rate. The New York Times magazine is set to publish an article on the innerworkings of the McCain campaign and the article gives some behind the scenes insight as to what went on in his selection of Sarah Palin. It is now clear that it was a rushed choice pushed upon McCain by his staff and made strictly for strategic purposes. Along with that misguided strategy, McCain has made several missteps along the campaign trail (suspended campaign anyone?). Should Obama's lead hold up, the Palin selection as his running mate will be remembered as the single greatest contributing factor to McCain's defeat in November as well as his single greatest regret.

Agreed. Palin is a disaster that should have been predicted by smarter people.

I also agree that Palin was a horrible decision. I thought so at the time as well. I'm actually still somewhat surprised he did not drop her from the ticket.

But I think Obama would have won anyway. The Winds of Change are blowin' this fall. McCain does not look like "change" in any sense of the word. He's just the wrong candidate for the Republicans in 2008. Any Republican candidate would have struggled against a good Democrat, either Clinton or Obama. Perhaps if the Republicans had had another Ronald Reagan or even a George W. Bush they might have had a better chance but it still would have been tough for an R.

I think once people got to know a Obama a little they were comfortable supporting him; that's why the polls were so close for a while.

Andrew

All the politicians running for president are promising change to the American people. We send them billions and billions of tax dollars and they send us the change.

They all promise change. How about if they run on a promise of restoration rather than change.

A restoration that would take us back in time to a place where things ran better, smoother and life was more enjoyable. Change? That, in truth, is what they have been giving us all along.

We used to have a strong dollar ... Politicians changed that.

Marriage used to be sacred ... Politicians are changing that.

We used to be respected around the world ... Politicians changed that.

We used to have a strong manufacturing economy ... Politicians changed that.

We used to have lower tax structures ... Politicians changed that.

We used to enjoy more freedoms ... Politicians changed that.

We used to be a large exporter of American made goods ... Politicians changed that.

We used to teach patriotism in schools ... Politicians changed that.

We used to educate children in schools ... Politicians changed that.

We used to enforce LEGAL citizenship ... Politicians changed that.

We used to have affordable food & gas prices ... Politicians changed that, too. ... and one could go on and on with this list.

What hasn't been changed, politicians are promising to change that as well, if you will elect them.

When, oh when, is America going to sit back with open eyes and look at what we once were and where we have come and say, enough is enough?

When will we wake up? Tomorrow may be too late. When will America realize ... Politicians are what is wrong with America?

What is needed is for the constitution to be amended to limit all Senators and Representatives to two terms.

PASS THIS ONE AROUND FOR A CHANGE

DT, how true!

The 2nd to last line is something I've been in favor of for a long long time.

Everytime I bring it up all I get is "Well, do you want to override the will of the people" crap.

The President has a 2 term limit. ALL politicians should have the same limit.

Put it up for a national vote. Let the "will of the people" decide.

If you want lobbyists to run Washington, vote for term limits.

A cynical person could believe that the final political mission for John McCain was to make sure that no woman ever sits behind the desk in the Oval Office. By picking the least qualified, least educated, and least vetted candidate in modern times, he has sealed the deal with many voters.

If she spews vitriol like a bigot, he pretends not to hear. If she says something really stupid, he chuckles and makes excuses for her. If she is dragged down by her checkered past and paltry record, he accuses the fact finders of being sexist or partisan or worse.

Whether it is 1984 or 2008, America deserves the best and brightest women in power, not just a gender based ploy. There are far too many women with something concrete to offer the American people to waste political capital on female candidates without merit or potential.

In the end, McCain can rest assured that few Americans will take a traditional female candidate seriously again. The kind of woman who rises to power on novelty, not substance, should be a thing of the past. If we move beyond that kind of pol, that in itself is very good. I never ever want an election decided by a token ticket again. Ever.

So Sky what is it about Palin that makes you want her President?

The people have spoken. No term limits. The people keep electing the very same people they bitch about.

So how about knocking off the bitching and let election results speak for themselves. If the same old politicians get re-elected then there you go -- the people don't DO what they SAY.

As for me, I don't want restrictions on who and how often I can vote for this person.

I never complain in forums about "politicans" because good or bad they are the DIRECT RESULT of the will of the people.

Instead of bitching about politicans, let point fingers at the voters, ESPECIALLY the ones that complain yet vote for the some old politicans over and over again.

Overriding the will of the people isn't crap. One only think so when one doesn't get their way at the ballot box.

In fact, it would be GREAT if Bush was running for a third time -- he'd be forced to explain his behavior or simply quit "in the middle of a war he started." Term limits gives him an easy out.

Anger.

Not so. Just pointing out the obvious.

I was referring to why Skybill wants Palin to be prez, not your post. I agree with you on term limits.

Oh, ok.

So Sky what is it about Palin that makes you want her President?

100% because it would chap Hillary's ass so bad that she's not the first woman President!


If you want lobbyists to run Washington, vote for term limits.

That is another sore point. Lobbyists and the groups they represent should be prohibited from giving money to politicians (Yes, even the NRA lobbyists). If their point of view can't stand on its own merits then in essence all they are doing is buying the politician.

100% because it would chap Hillary's ass so bad that she's not the first woman President!

This is not some schoolyard prank. This is not dipping the long haired girl's ponytail in the inkwell.

To trade a week of Hilary being pissed off for four years of Palin in the big chair is petty and ridiculous.

Sky..
Are you still in 3rd grade?

Nope. Just can't stand the Wonder Witch.

Yep, cut off the nose to spite the face. A proven method of achieving one's goals in life.

Sky- so you're willing to put Palin in the White House just to chap the ass of Clinton?

Ladies and gentleman the true side of the GOP!!

Since giving a damn doesn't seem to be your better side maybe you should sit this ballot out because not caring about what happens to our country seems to be your best vote.

"This is not some schoolyard prank. This is not dipping the long haired girl's ponytail in the inkwell.

To trade a week of Hillary being pissed off for four years of Palin in the big chair is petty and ridiculous."

Amen Entre Nous!

By the way Bill, EN has many more years of executive experience than the Governor of Alaska and a far higher IQ. She also knows the Constitution inside and out. She doesn't need $150,000 dollars to make her attractive to the American people, just a good sized vanilla latte.

Hey, maybe she should run for office in 2112 - 100.

I would rush to the polls. I am sure EN could handle the limelight. :0)

I would vote for her ... to me, that election would be a bit Closer To The Heart.

I'd nominate Neil Peart for VP (Geddy's still Canadian), and our rally tunes would include 2112, one of the best examples in music of what happens when people become sheeple.

Tukes on every head and backbacon in every skillet!

And Alex can see Alaska from his house!

Will you give a tax credit to all those who do not live in Subdivisions?

Our highest priority will be the Working Man, along with the dreamers and misfits.

"Conform or be cast out" will have no place in our Administration!

---

quote:

I'd nominate Neil Peart for VP

---

Ok, the last few posts made me chuckle a bit. I am a big Rush fan and the tongue and cheek tie ins to politics are quite refreshing.

That said. Palin, or as Mrs. M put it best Bible Spice, has been asked 4 times what the role of the Vice President is according to the Constitution. ALL four times she got the answer wrong. No, it's not the head of the Senate. No, it's not given more authority. No, wrong. How about:

Article I, Section III, Clause IV:

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

No more authority and definitely not the head of the Senate, governor. What a bippy-twat.

She's been reading Dick Cheney's Clif Notes, not the real Constitution.

One more reason to send her packing, also, you betcha.

( I couldn't help it! )

I've finally become a Clintonite.

You guys crack me up! I thank you for your consideration of me for Pres, but I'd be 148...almost as old as McCain!

Thanks for your patience with our digression, Moman74

I'd vote for EN before I'd ever vote for Hillary.

From reading her posts on the board here on the board I hold her in much higher regard than Hillary.

The Best Way To Explain Sara Palin I Have Seen Yet:

http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/sarahpalin/ig/Sarah-Palin-Pictures/Palindrome .htm

There I go, workin' both sides of the aisle to get things done

You would get my vote before any Repub on any ticket, Skybill. Thanks for not taking my words as an "ad hominem" attack.

Peace

Do you put butter on them hominem grits? I like mine with honey!

Both, with raspberry jam, if there's no honey.

Learned that one in Biloxi, Mississippi (spelled it out so I could say the rhyme in my head) LOL

I don't remember what the "M" is but I can remember the rest.

M..straight letter, crooked letter, crooked letter, straight letter, crooked letter, crooked letter, straight letter, hump back, hump back, straight letter!

Mountain letter.

Mountain letter, dotted letter, crooked letter, crooked letter, dotted letter, crooked letter, crooked letter, humpback, humpback, I.

I don't recall a thread ever veering off course this badly.

That's the one!

Just us shaking hands and sharing a giggle, making peace in the virtual realm. You should see it when we add alcohol...pure comedy!

Sorry, Bookemdono.

What were we talking about before you guys started all this tomfoolery?