Discuss: Did McCain Make The Right Choice With Palin?

Is McCain an idiot? Picking a VP candidate on merely "shock" value? What a tactic. Never seen that from the GOP before. I'm not saying the Dems don't do the same but not with a decision as important as VP. If Bush/McCain win... I'm moving to Europe.

Let's not kid anyone by saying McCain purposely chose her because she is a 'reformer'. It is clear even HE didn't want her but was pushed into it by the GOP. If it was up to McCain, it would have been Lieberman, or Ridge, or Pawlenty .....she wouldn't even be on the list. So the bottom line is McCain is essentially spineless, he is nothing but Ego (oh, and did I tell you I spent 5 1/2 years in a prison in VietNam?), and he is willing to completely ENDANGER THE ENTIRE U.S. with this choice.

Brilliant choice. She has the lib's spitting anger balls. I am fired up about this choice. He is a maverick and now he has someone with a no nonsense attitude to help him project this image in youthful yet powerful tones. Keep hitting her with all you got and the men and woman of Ohio and Michigan will come to her defense. And vote for John McCain.

McCain made a great choice. It will be nice to have such a real person in office. She is just the type of change this country needs in leadership.

I do believe the Palin pick was a mistake, not because of any of the issues surrounding her, but the fact that she is not, nor will be ready any time soon to assume the responsibilities as President, if needed. Her personal issues do underscore her limitaions for this position. However, what concerns me more than anything is the degradation of qualifications, morals, and character requirements for the highest office in our land. What happened to the days when men spent a lifetime grooming for this powerful, and demanding position. What happened to the days when not only did marriage status matter, but how long, to how many, and the pedigree of the spouse. When education mattered as much as experience. When my character and actions mattered more than a smooth speech. What happened that Americans hearing and sight is so dull that we can no longer decern those qualifications that used to mark our expectations of our country's leaders. WHY do we now require so little for so great a priviledge to serve as President of this once great country.

Palin lacks the experience both on a national level and international level to be the VP of the United States. McCain has made a major blunder in choosing her and what appears to be a hasty one at that. This calls to the direct judment and at times impulsive nature of McCain. Our country is at a crossroads on all levels and requires no distractions or controversies of our elected officials. Furthermore if McCain is the "Maverick" he states he is why did he cave to the party base regarding his choice for VP which by now most know that Palin was not his first choice. Will he cave under pressure as the President. Also as a working and educated mom of two teenage girls Palin does not represent my views, and I find it offensive to think that McCain would get the independent swing votes of women of my and Palins gerneration

I am saddened at the depth to which a candidate would sink. McCain's reckless maverick reputation is validated in his total disregard for the future of our country, should he die in office. He may be satisfying his fetish for beauty contestants - but that's about it!

McCain's pick shows his lack of gravitas and is another example of him not doing his homework (he finished in the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy).

What on earth is going on with the Republican Party? McCain's pick for Vice President has to be one of the most insane acts of political suicide I've ever seen.

Thank you John McCain for choosing the running mate that you did. This will put Obama and Biden in the White House for sure. They are the ones we need to make America whole again and improve our relations around the world. To bad you did not take a page out of George McGovern's book when picking your VP. When will you learn that Marverick style is not what America needs and we can see that clearly by your choice. And trying to get the women's vote with Gov Palin, you really missed the boat on that one.

Am I the only person that has noticed, Sarah Palin only has a degree in journalism??? Are the republicans serious. Even W, went to graduate school. The republicans must be kidding if they think we will allow someone who has less formal education than 10 percent or more of the population to potentially become the president of the United States of America. I am insulted. Sarah go back to school or continue to work for many more years and then maybe you will be ready. Being the mother of 5 does not count. If that is the case, all of the welfare moms, that go to PTA meetings are qualified to be VP. I don't think so!

I am 74, had a pregnant teen-age daughter, a bi-racial grandson, a grandson with autism and a 50 year old daughter who has been a double amputee since she was a teenager. Pick-me, pick me. I watch FOX news and CNN so know what is going on in the world. Pick-me. Pick me, Mr. McCain.

P.S. All of the above is true about my family and I am not making light of race, disability or condition. However, Mr. McCain might do well to select me as I would be a real vote getter and with on the job training would become a perfect MAI. (Made as instructed.)

Sarah Palin is the "female Dan Quayle". She bring nothing
to McCain's campaign. It's laughable to think that the GOP
believes that naming a woman as John McCain's running mate
going to get women to vote for Republicans. Dream On GOP !!

I'm for a new face. Maybe she can't be bought like the ones currently in office. Maybe she won't be a puppet like sooooooo many. Just maybe shes' like the common, everyday person. I like starting from scratch. I'm sick of the "Good Old Boys" politics, of the "Don't do as I do but as I say" crew in government. Her personal problems are the same as many others. Anyone who say the don't have skeltons in their closet are liars or have their heads in the sand. YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!

The VP candidate has my vote. She appears to be a real person with real personal life experiences. I reviewed photos of her, which were taken long before she was propelled into the limelight, visiting active duty soldiers as well as one hospitalized soldier. Most candidates wait until they are sure of making the nightly news before showing such compassion for the average citizen.

McCain showed poor judgement in choosing Palin. "I don't know what a VP does" It would be pretty scary if she were to take over as President, especially in these challenging times. Although it generates some buzz, and may have been a good publicity ploy, It will prove a disadvantage overall. McCain compounded the error with a sloppy introduction and mismanagement of the negative information that, according to him, he knew about. I don't think the American voter is as dumb as McCain hopes.

This just goes to show that McCain thinks women are dumb. Does he really expect any woman with an ounce of common sense to change her mind and vote for him because he has a female running mate? What an insult to women's intelligence.
As far as her daughter being pregnant, that is not my concern nor should it be anybody's. What really bothers me is that she is putting her political aspirations before her youngest child who has special needs. That is not the trait of a good mother, that shows she is a mother who doesn't care.
I'm sorry McCain, but please wake up and admit women are NOT dumb as you seem to think!

A big mistake!!

In response to Mildred: Is Mrs. Palin ready to take over as Pres? You don't think so. But, you failed to mention Obama's LACK of readiness! You didn't say if you backed him or not but she has at least SOME executive experience. She is known for NOT being an "insider" or "Washington regular" or "Good 'ol boy," that's obvious but lets grow up and get past having to watch our every word. Obama just keeps saying "Uh, this is just the Republicans showing us that this is just business as usual, just the same old Bush politics. McCain will be just four more years of Bush policies."
AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS NOTICED THAT OBAMA PICKED AN INSIDER, WASHINTON REGULAR GOOD 'OL BOY - OLD GRAY HEADED WHITE GUY THAT HAS BEEN IN WASHINGTON FOR 35 YEARS TO BE HIS VP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW WHO IS DOING THE SAME OLD THING????????
Washington is BROKEN and needs new faces to fix it. Oh yeah, the "IT" is our LIVES!!!!!!!
There is actually only 545 people that run this country!!!! WE elect them!!!! THEY need to be changed OUT!!!!
Shiela White. Have you seen Obama-n-Biden (sounds kinda like Osama bin Laden doesn't it?) in public together? Biden interrupts and over-rides his potential boss in casual and formal conversations!!!!!!
YOU DUMBOCRATS THINK CHENEY RUNS THIS COUNTRY WHAT IN THE WORLD DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN WITH "NO EXPERIENCE HAVING LITTLE BOY" AND THE PERSON WHO HAS TRIED TWICE TO BECOME PRESIDENT?!?!?!?!?! Do you not think Biden would run-amok over Obama? Talk about useless figurehead.
Wat we need is someone that is NOT Bush or someone that is self involved!!!!!!!!

hey all of you but gaye fox need to go drink so more koolaid. what experience does barry(obama) have? he is just a tool of the right wing nuts

No, Sheila you're not the only one who noticed that she just has an undergrad in Journalism. I made this exact same argument on Friday to my peers. They're (my peers) are convinced that he made this choice to try to capture the disgruntled Hillary supporters. I told that that that was perhaps the most insane reasoning I've ever heard. Clinton has not only the education but experience to be a viable candidate for Pres/VP. I am confused.

Palin's experience and judgement far outshine that of either Obama or Biden. She has had to make more Executive decisions than either one of them and I think McCains choice was brilliant. To say she can't be an effective leader because she has a child with special needs is obsurd and very sexist, you certainly wouldn't question a man if his offspring were challenged. Palin has a very commited husband and good father for her children and frankly its about time the men of America take an active roll in the daily needs of their children. Palin is an excellent choice and just what this country needs and change she and McCain will deliver, how many times has Obama crossed party lines for the good of the country and not just for his own political gain, I can tell you ZERO. He's a hard core liberal with socialist ideas and frankly desperatedly trying to unionize the country and if that happens watch what happens to unemployment, see how many times you have to walk the picketlines. Its ridiculous to think someone that talks the talk but hasn't walked the walk can take you all in like the pied piper. Not to mention all the hoopla of the dnc, if he spends that kind of money just to make a speech and accept the nominee, what makes you think he will curb spending as an elected leader? This was all for him, the one who compares himself to the all-mighty. GOD BLESS America

I am all for her to support John McCain in the White House! Anything is better than someone that wears a towel on his head that is NOT what the American People stand for. Our for fathers stood up for this country that God created for us! We as American's better stand up for God and our Country also. God Bless McCain and Palin all the way to the White House. As far as her daughter goes at least she didn't have an abortion. Democrats will support Obama and abortions but yet won't support taking care and getting rid of the terrorists??? What is up with that? We call that hypocrites in Missouri!

Suzee, yes people (not just women) are DUMB. When I was 14 and began paying attention to politics I was listening in on a conversation regarding our states governors race at my grandmothers church. Of the 8 elderly ladies involved ALL of them said that they had NO IDEA of the issues but they were voting for a certain candidate because he "did it for them!" Appearantly he was HOT.
Last time I moved I was re-registering to vote and stood in line behind a lady who didn't even know which party Bill Clinton represented but wanted to make sure she was registered propperly to be able to vote for him. You see, in her words, he was a "player" and that man could shake her tree any time he wanted to."
Years ago when one of the Dem. candidates came out with a mistress my father-in-law voted for him in the state primary because, "Damn, that girl is hot. If he can get that he must be good."
PEOPLE, PULL YOUR IDEALISTIC HEADS OUT OF THE SAND!!!! This stuff happens!!!!!