Arkansas Blog

Unless someone puts on a stupid helmet and drives a tank or falls off a stage or gets caught cheating on their spouse or says something so dumb it shocks the nation, McCain has won.

Experience:
McCain gets to train the person he agrees with to get her ready for the job.
Biden training Obama gives me the willies and makes me think Cheney-Bush oh wait the young novice was atop the ticket.

Minority:
The black vote has been solidly Democratic for a long time. Obama is like a second nuclear (nuke U LUR) strike moving around the rubble.
The non-black female vote has also been Democratic. If Palin can tick it over with just the same amount as Obama increases the Democratic share of black votes its back to status quo ante.

Doofus Voters:
The doofus voter who wouldn't vote for wimmin or coloreds probably lands in McCains camp because she's not at the top of the ticket but he is the top guy on the other side.

Negativity:
Palin is woefully inexperienced but she's running for relief pitcher and you hope you don't need to use a closer.
We are going to see hours of ads with Biden and Hillary telling us Obama doesn't have experience. It's one thing to make that claim in ads, its powerful when the person telling America that is the #2 on the ticket or the runner-up in the primary that Obama is courting. Give McCain credit he didn't pick someone with a track record of being critical of him.

It's really amazing how many different perspectives this choice is being viewed from. Won't even try to address "the deep one's" points.

She better hope troopergate doesn't nuclear on her (she is claiming executive privilege and misled the public on her actions) and we still have to hope she learns what the veep does before the national press gets a hold of her.

Go ahead, R's make a silk purse out this pretty sow's ear.

I haven't read Brummett yet, but I'll say it again: Democrats always underestimate their opponents--and except for Bill Clinton, always lose.

This hamstrings Biden in the VP debate. Now if he tries to do what he does best, he'll be bullying a woman.

Con seeded and granted!If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all

If the ultimate purpose of grandstanding John's Quiji Board VP choice was to send shock waves of wrenching emotionalism across America he succeeded big time.

Well at least we now know that he is shelving the Bush tactic of cowering the American voter with sustained fear mongering to cowering us with sustained emotional mongering.

So the GOP Bush era of DON'T ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY ask WHAT WEALTH YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU continues.

Personally I'm getting a little tired of the GOP Oxy moronic Pro-Life banner -- as 4000+
of Americas finest, but dead, are.

Moreover, electing to raise a child with down syndrome is commendable unfortunately most people don't have the personal wealth and connections to make that choice and their choice affects us all.

I'm looking for a candidate, any candidate, that puts my America First!

If Biden debates on facts, that's not bullying. Besides, when those with testicles (or were supposed to have them) went after Hillary in the campaign I never heard any cries of bullying.

And you're saying Palin can't be criticized based on facts because she does not have testicles just as Brokaw claimed no one should criticize McCain on anything because he was a POW.

Ahhh, the untouchables! Keep wishing. Besides how else will she break that glass ceiling if she doesn't get in there and fire it up with the guys.

You people are funny.

For the past year the Republicans have been whispering that Obama is some stealth Manchurian Candidate who'll slip into office and starting doing the bidding of some shadowy dark figures standing in the background. Now, we finally see who the Manchurian Candidate actually is...

They find a completely unknown person with no history and slip her into a position where she could easily become the Most Powerful Person On The Planet. She's obviously bright and well spoken, but maybe a little short on policy other than 6,000 year old Earth, and no abortions for rape and incest sufferers. Oh yeah, drill drill drill and ship those pesky polar bears and caribou to Gitmo if they get in the way.

McCain, should he win (gasp) mostlikely will not last through his first administration. Look at the toll it takes on men many years his younger. We're already seeing the first signs of dementia. Should he die in office, we have basically a tabula rasa waiting to take his place. Don't worry People! There will be plenty of very qualified "advisors" standing by to tell her what to do. Hey, it worked for Bush. So, once again, we'll have a government run by people in a secret undisclosed bunker who are never seen, but in total control of the strings. Palin will do her part: Look pretty and toss the occasional bone to the Rabid Right. Meanwhile, the business of government can continue on its course as we invade and occupy countries for resource extraction, imprison and torture those who dissagree, and shread the Constitution.

Is this a great country or what!

John McCain has been working since the primaries to be in a position to throw the election to the Democrats. He gave his all to snatch the nomination from those who might have had a chance to fool us and win. He has since let himself be tied to the policies of the least-admired president in 80 years. He has fooled everyone with his recent insults to the working middle class with his statements about his homes and the $5 million threshold for wealth. And now he has cinched it by his VP selection, a person who even the most die hard republican cannot consider remotely qualified to be the understudy of a 72 yr old commander in chief. Thank you, John.

As much as those who are fearful that either McCain OR Obama will win would like to cut to the outcome of this thing, it still isn't over; in fact, the campaign is just beginning.

Based on the very little we know about Palin, I think she'd be insulted if anyone were jubilant that she'd win a debate with Biden because Biden was forced to refrain from the appearance of "bullying" her.

Another of the very few observations that speaks right now in a world of complete unknowns is that John McCain chose Palin after meeting her only one time. That's the thing to ponder here -- the decision-making prowess, or lack thereof, on Senator McCain's part.

I think that she will be a positive influence in regards to most conservatives and most evangelicals. She is light in experience for a Presidential candidate but she is running as a Vice-Presidential candidate. Considering some of the people who have occupied that office she isn't that unusual experience wise. Due to McCain's age the office of Vice-President becomes more significant. She has been a mayor and a Governor and both are executive jobs. The executive aspect of these two jobs is the same. It differs greatly from a legislative position. Since Vice-President is an executive position, then it is pertinent experience. It could be effectively and logically argued that a purely legislative background is not the most pertinent to being President as is the case of obama.

If she can't stand up to Joe Biden and handle him, how would she handle Putin?

I'm sure this woman is a nice lady. I'm sure she did a great job running a town the size of Elkins. However, for president, I want a player. I don't want the women in my Sunday School class.

Her nickname was 'sarah baracuda'. I don't think that you will be disappointed in her ability to handle joe 'boca grande' biden. I wouldn't have a problem with sharing a sunday school class with any on this blog.

McCain obviously learned a trick from Bush who looked into Putin's eyes and saw what a fine fellow he was. McCain has done the same thing, he meets Palin once, looks into her eyes and pronounces her fit to be president.

So it's fine to pile on Hillary with both feet and a tire tool but so much as frown at Alaska's Joan of Arctic and you're a sexist bullying slimbebag? Who makes these rules and why are people stupid enough to believe them? Guys like Rush defending a damsel in distress? Smitten media morons?

Christamody this country is truly doomed. Or FK'D, as the Deeber so eloquently put it.

And here's a sobering side effect: My mother the lifelong progressive Southern Democrat and very disappointed and disillusioned Hillary supporter who has stated her more than passing discomort with, even distrust of, Obama told me she was "tickled to death" with McCain's pick and finds no fault with this plucky woman, who seems like she's "a lot like me."

How many more women out there feel that way?

Christamody, I gainsay.

24fps your Mother's remark that Palin seems like she's "a lot like me", reminds me of those who voted for Bush because he looked like someone they'd like to have a beer with.

McCain chose this woman, who would assume his position in the clenches were he to become President, after having met her only once. This says more about him than her. This is how he has made such an important decision, having only met her one time.

24fps, does your progressive Democrat mom know that Palin believes in creation science?

The fact that she was chosen after one meeting with McCain seems to point to the chance that it wasn't McCain who chose her.

One little nagging question keeps coming back to me.. Why does John McCain really want to be president? He has no plan, no vision, no real philosophy. He didn't spend two hours with the person who is now his VP candidate. After almost thirty years "experience" in politics he doesn't know or have one person in mind who he could ask to run the USA in something bad were to happen to him?!! He couldn't even announce his VP candidate yesterday without reading his notes at every third word.

McCain defines the old expression "sold their soul to the devil" .. All of his consultants are lobbyists who write each and every position and word he utters. There is sim[ly nothing he wont do to obtain power for the sake of power itself. Is he trying at seventy two years of age to out perform his father and grandfather who. iirc, were both Admirals? is he still trying to win Vietnam?

What we do know is he is not there, he's vacant. About the only consistent personality trait remaining is a very short mean spirited temper which more than few fellow republican senators have been honest enough to warn us about..should we actually be willing to head their warnings.

John McCain may very well be more pathetic and no less insane or dangerous than those mentally deranged loners we all worry about for a few days after they go on a shooting spree.

This VP candidate reminds me of Janet Huckabee. The GOP didn't even vet her properly. Trooper Gate has been going on for a long time.. yet only today is the Mccain campaign (in the fashion of Tom Delay in the Florida election 2000, no doubt) storming into Alaska to supposedly investigate the investigation. The incompetent Mafioso's are dangerous.. why are we pretending it's anything less than that? I'll bet the whole farm right now.. McCains team is not about to investigate... ut they have large amounts of cash with them in order to buy out (and or threaten)those who might cause trouble. It's what they, the party of bullies, do.

BTW, Nice to Mr Brummett actually write about and publish on a topic the morning after the story broke. Welcome to the 21st century, JB.

Very simply put....if you can vote for McCain after 8 of the worst years in our nation's 232 year history, there is something wrong with you. If you are a Democrat and you vote for McCain as some kind of protest vote for what happened to Hillary....GET THE FK OUT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY! You are no Democrat.

One thing we'll find with Miss Wasilla is that she is 100% crazy Christian wingnut and she's 100% a tool of Big Oil. Her husband pretends to be a oil & gas middle manager of some sort and a commercial fisherman, something we don't understand here in landlocked Arkansas. If you've Googled Palin as much as I have, you'll find her husband pops up in a whole lot of Alaskan politics and legislative decisions. Are the voters electing her or her husband? Neo-cons are smart enough to make sure Mr. Plain isn't the CEO of BP in Alaska....he's hidden on down in the ranks. Smart move!

So while all eyes will be on her....it's him we need to investigate fully. She has no record, but as her rerun editorial on today's NY York Times (click my name) proves, she is a very stealthy tool of Big Oil. You have to read the editorial very carefully to see that her real reason for not adding the Alaskan polar bear to the Endangered Species list is ALL ABOUT OIL. In cute little kitty cat words she wants to keep the polar bear off the list so Big Oil can FK with every inch of Alaskan soil. Out of the way you big Panda wanna be....we gotta DRILL DRILL DRILL.

She no hockey mom.....she's a tool of Big Oil. This is more Cheney-Bush, 4 to 8 years more of Cheney-Bush. Check down the list......anti-science like Bush, creationist, like Bush, Big Oil like Bush, anti-abortion rights, like Bush, DRILL DRILL DRILL, like Bush, petty and vindictive like Bush (re Valery Plame). All this woman needs is a smirk and a total loss of the command of the English language.........like Bush to be BUSH. Go ahead....throw a pretzel at her and watch her face smack the table.

If you can't vote for Obama, then follow the lead of our friend strangelove......just don't vote at all. Giving Hillary 4 years of McCain is no reward for her years of service. Giving Hillary 4 years of this No-Choice creationist is no reward for Hillary. Giving the country another loony anti-science Bible thumper is no reward for Hillary.

If you have a family member dying today....look at them and tell them you're against stem cell research. Tell them not to worry, the God of Bush & Palin will make their cancer all better. Or just tell them to tell Jesus HI when they see him in a few months.

You can't vote for McCain and be a good American.......period.

EXPERIENCE . . . OR . . . CHARACTER

As usual the lemming herd of the media, chivvied by the habitual pundits' "talking points", are flooding down the path of "EXPERIENCE" toward the cliff of viewer/voter interest exhaustion. Unfortunately, the Democratic "strategists" have totally missed the chance to focus on the major problem of their opponents, the Republican Party, Bush Administration, McCain campaign and associated political interests groups (i.e. "religious right," "neocons," conservatives, etc.).

What have they ignored? CHARACTER!

We have become so inured to the Bush Administration lying at every opportunity, whether necessary or not, and the seemingly endless scandals of power abuse and partiality for greed that we have become calloused and numb to deficiencies in character. This calloused numbness has extended to all Republicans and groups allied to the Bush Adminstration.

The Constitution of the United States defines the requirements of the President and Vice-President.

" . . . No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States. . . ." Article II, Section I Constitution of the United States

But that assumes that the person is honest and will fulfill the oath of office freely, without any mental reservation or evasion; and will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office. So there should be a premium on reviewing the candidate's performance in previous positions and offices. It used to be that we focused on character as an attribute in a presidential/vice-presidential candidate, but our recent history of office holders from Kennedy to the present, excepting Carter, has presented character deficiency after character deficiency. Although popular culture still extols, good character as a trait of the "good President".

". . . I can tell you without hesitation: Being President of this country is entirely about character. . . ."
Aaron Sorokin dialogue for Andrew Shepherd from "The American President"

I would have voted for John McCain in 2000 or 2004, if I had been a Republican. However, being on the rebound from a misguided vote for Nixon in 1972, I didn't. Being a fellow Vietnam Veteran, I've had a connection with and overlooked or did not delve into the Keating Five scandal too deeply. However this will be his last chance to run for President of the United States, unless he wins, and the choice of a Vice-Presidential running mate is one of the most critical choices of his last campaign.

His choice should be an exemplar of character, ability and Usonian(American)/Republican values. That choice should reflect more than any John McCain's, and his staff's, ability to reason and select the best solution to a problem, both of politics and governing. Governor Sarah Palin is that choice.

In many ways, she is an ideal candidate, young, female, a "maverick" Republican, pro-choice, pro-NRA. However, the media is missing the most import aspect of her choice. Governor Palin has a scandal on her hands.

The current Alaska Legislature is a Republican majority in the House and Senate.
The Legislative Council, a permanent interim committee of the Legislature, responsible for conducting the business of the Legislature when it is not in session, is composed of the president of the Senate and five other senators appointed by the president, and the speaker of the House and five other representatives appointed by the speaker. On July 28, 2008 the Legislative Council unanimously voted to authorize a special investigation and $100,000 funding into the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.

Palin fired the public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, on July 11. Several days later, Monegan said he had been pressured by members of Palin's administration and family to fire state trooper Mike Wooten. Wooten, is the ex brother-in-law of Governor Palin, current embroiled in a custody battle with her sister.

Before she was governor, Palin pushed for a trooper investigation of Wooten over a number of matters, including using a Taser on his stepson, illegally shooting a moose, and accusations of driving drunk. At one point, Palin and her husband hired a private investigator. Troopers did investigate, and Wooten was suspended for 10 days, later reduced to five. That took care of it, according to Monegan, but the Palin administration and Todd Palin wouldn't let go, he said.

Perhaps the October 31, 2008 report will clear Governor Palin of any abuses of her power as Governor. However, John McCain's choice of a Vice-Presidential running mate under investigation for abuse of her powers as Governor for personal gain is curious. One expects the Presidential candidate to select a running-mate without a whiff of scandal, the media and zealot opposition supporters will find something, even if it is a failure to spell "potatoes" correctly.

But more importantly, it is a poor reflection upon McCain and staff's ability to investigate, reason and find solutions. Either he knew of her possible indiscretions and ignored them or he's acting as the Senate Ethics Committee characterized him in the report on the Keating Five scandal ". . . exercising 'poor judgment' when he met with the federal regulators on Keating's behalf, although ". . . McCain's 'actions were not improper nor attended with gross negligence and did not reach the level of requiring institutional action against him.'"

It is an interesting choice, will be an interesting campaign, but is sadly illustrative of how calloused we have become at expecting our candidates to exhibit character. Couldn't the political parties find just one competent candidate with unimpeachable character for a change?

Click

Barack who?

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One thing interesting about Palin now being included in the presidential race, she brings to the forefront information about Alaska. She stated that the overwhelming wish of Alaskans is to drill in Anwar. She pointed out that the pictures that have been shown in reference to Anwar are NOT of that area. It is not a beautiful meadow with mountains and gorgeous scenery. It is rather barren and hardly the Elysian fields.

Let us remember that the mass IQ of Alaska is a notch or two below that of even Arkansas. Let us also remember that citizens of Alaska have for years got yearly bonus checks from the state, their share of all the oil running down the pipline to the lower 48. Let us remember that every man woman and child in Alaska will soon get a check for 1200 dollars from the state. I have no doubt that the dim bulbs of Alaska would be happy if every square inch of the state was being DRILLED DRILLED DRILLED.....mo money for them!

What I'd like to know is where's my FK'ing Wal-Mart state check? We're home to the biggest company in the Universe and I've got no damn share the wealth Wal-Mart check!

well, dbi, I heard none of that oil is coming to the lower 48.
It should be!