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A vice-presidential 'Hail Mary'

BARRIE MCKENNA

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 12:54 AM EST 30/08/08

Virtually unknown until now, the Alaska governor is John McCain's choice as running mate. ...Read the full article

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  1. Good Times, my Ladies. from Toronto, Canada writes: Good choice.

    McCain is change from George Bush. And Palin is hot!

    Who knows ... this move just might work, and if McCain was to be in the White House and kick the bucket then a woman would become the President of the USA.

    Very interesting, my Ladies.
  2. Patrick Cummins from Canada writes: 'Mr. McCain's high-risk choice takes direct aim at female voters disillusioned by Hillary Clinton's failure to win the Democratic nomination.'

    'Ms. Palin also boasts many of the attributes that should appeal to the conservative base of the Republican Party. She's anti-abortion and pro-guns ...'

    Seems quite contradictory. Anti-abortion and pro-gun does not fit with the average Hillary Clinton supporter.
  3. Brendan Caron from vancouver, Canada writes: Nice choice. A woman. A young woman. With credentials. And a hockey player in the mix. Wow! I'm impressed ( note tongue firmly implanted in cheek). It is, actually, a wise choice. There is a lot at stake in this election and it requires that a diffrent opinion be brought into the solution. The female voice. Not because they are women but because they are voters that actually have a say and they don't want to make a wrong move because they will, forevermore, be cast in that light. Heaven forbid the suffragettes should be proven to be what the males had suspected. Excellent choice. The reality of the man warrior that fought for the rights of women and Blacks being faced with the reality that they just, as William Penn (think Pennsylvania) said of his children, they don't uinderstand how the wealth was made and they will squander it, eventually. Ah? American politics.
  4. A J from Canada writes: Without a doubt, Sarah Palin is a candidate who will be attractive to social conservatives. Since Alaska is a state with many rural residents and small town people, I bet Palin will be skillful at campaigning in similar areas in other states.

    Since McCain chose her, there must be a reason. These social conservatives are the voters who will love her. I have to conclude that McCain is worried about winning the votes of this core constituency, so he added her to the ticket. If he was confident of his support in this group, why name someone who will turn off many other voters?

    Clinton supporters won't vote for her, I predict. Indeed, many of them will feel offended that McCain is suggesting that they will not be able to discern any difference between Clinton and Palin. Hey, they're both women!

    Indeed, most Clinton supporters would probably say that the last thing they want to see is a female VP with Palin's agenda become the first female President of the U.S. That honour should go to Clinton, or someone very like her. And even though Palin is running for VP, given McCain's health and age, it is entirely possible that his VP would step into the President's job during his first term.
  5. Mo sab from Toronto, Canada writes: I'd love to see Barack go on a hunting/fishing trip with Sarah. I wonder who would survive?......hmmm
  6. T. Rees from Geneva, Switzerland writes: As Mort Sahl used to say: 'It's an American belief that anyone can become president. I just wish we'd stop taking it so literally.'
  7. martha stewart from Canada writes: I've been a big fan of Palin ever since her government took legal action to challenge the junk science used to recently list the polar bear as a Threatened species in the U.S. - a completely political move that was all about reinforcing the global warming movement.

    That case is now proceeding.

    No doubt Al Gore et al are frothing at the mouth about her nomination.

    Given economic climate change, that can only help McCain.
  8. Brendan Caron from vancouver, Canada writes: bobmcd et al... dream on.
  9. Hank M from Hamilton, Canada writes: I thought that they were voting for president, not VP? If McCain will be calling the shots, then this is just a distraction. If he is not calling the shots, then it is a farce.
  10. Watcher 1983 from Canada writes: It looks like McCain is loaded for bear in the battle against a couple of tired old socialists.
  11. He Shoots! He Scores! from Chicago, United States writes: McCain is looking more like Dr. Strangelove than some kind of hunter.
  12. JP W from London, United Kingdom writes: Tiny State? Alaska is the largest state......such idiots at the G&M. Can't beleive that made it into print.
  13. A J from Canada writes: martha stewart from Canada writes: ...No doubt Al Gore et al are frothing at the mouth about her nomination.
    ____________

    You're kidding, right?

    McCain's decision to name Sarah Palin as his VP nominee is good news for Democrats.
  14. martha stewart from Canada writes: AJ - Why?
  15. The Man from United States writes:

    Too bad we might have to sell Alaska and its 800 000 inhabitants to pay down the debt.
  16. Misery No one from Angus, Canada writes: A brilliant move by McCain. Obama could have pulled it off too but he missed the chance and it will cost him the white house, I'm not a republican.
  17. A J from Canada writes: Hank M from Hamilton, Canada writes: I thought that they were voting for president, not VP?
    ______________

    McCain turned 72 today. If elected, he will be in office until he is 76. He has survived several bouts of cancer.

    Many voters, especially those who lean GOP, are thinking that his VP may be required to step into the job of the President before the term ends in January, 2013.

    George Bush is the 43rd President. As I recall, eight Presidents died in office, four from natural causes and four as a result of assassination. That is a fairly high percentage.

    To be sure, modern Presidents have usually completed their terms. One exception that comes to mind is FDR, who died during his third term.

    Perhaps it is unlikely that McCain will fail to complete the term due to illness or death. Nonetheless, voters are evaluating the VP nominees with care this year.
  18. Howdy Hicks from hog town, Canada writes: Let us see what she does on the campaign trail - she has clear beliefs and rises to the occasion The Democrats are fuzzy with their continual bleating for undefined Change - Obama did not handle the Clinton issue well and his running mate is of rather dubious character. Under all the smooth rhetoric polished performances and strong intellect Obama seem to be just a nasty little man
  19. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: I mean like no wonder he chose her as according to the article the three things that will win the hearts and minds of Americans are:

    'Ms. Palin also boasts many of the attributes that should appeal to the conservative base of the Republican Party. She's anti-abortion and pro-guns and her husband is as blue collar as they come.'

    And here all this time we thought it was something complicated!!!
  20. Patrick King from Canada writes: Democrats have started to attack Sarah Palin moments after McCain's announcement. This is exactly what John McCain wants. Every negative commment the Dems make against Palin will reflect on Barack Obama, except that he is on top of the ticket but she is not. Palin is inexperienced, so is Obama. Palin doesn't have an abundance of foreign policy credentials; neither does Obama. Palin hasn't been on the national scene long enough, neither has Obama. But Palin did visit the American troops in Iraq last year, and she has more executive experience than Obama, having been the Mayor of Wasilla and then the Governor of Alaska in the last 9 years. It appears even Palin is more qualified than Obama, even though she is the bottom of the GOP ticket. All criticism about Palin can be found in Obama. Any malicious attacks on Palin will therefore hurt Obama as well. This is McCain's one stone, two birds strategy.
  21. Gord Tolton from Canada writes: This is ticking off so many liberals and democrats, that it must be a good idea. If she's such a lightwieght, what are you scared of. McCain has spoiled the coronation of a candidate and a party that forgot it has to win this election. Sounds like this campaign finally got interesting. By the way, Alaska has the same population and no. of electoral votes as Biden's Delaware. THE GLOVES ARE OFF!!!
  22. Job of the book from Canada writes: why has she been referred to as a congresswoman from a tiny state? Alaska is the largest state in the union. I feel like that's the sort of idiot thing someone should be fired for. I mean what the hell?
  23. martha stewart from Canada writes: Jack Rip - Of course. There are no family feuds among the tony condo dwellers west of Burnaby. Its all total bliss out there.

    On another note, on an American blog I am also reading tonight, the McCainites have come up with a clever term for the possible U.S. future: an Obamanation.
  24. Charles Smith from United Kingdom writes: Sarah has to be the most gorgeous (and I don't just mean external looks) individual US politics has presented in as long as I can remember.

    McCain is a genius!
  25. Duncan Morris from Salmon Arm, Canada writes: Is this entertaining or what? Hillary is doing McCain attack ads, McCain economy bluppers dominate U-tube, religious Edwards is caught with a zipper problem, Bush is playing the elephant in the whitehouse and now a relative unknown gets to play president for a day in the oval office complete with her own button, lunch pail and instruction manual. Perfect! And I was worried about the flagging ratings on fall reality television. This is theatre at it's finest.
  26. martha stewart from Canada writes: About McCain...

    Check out his involvement with the 'Keating Five' scandal.

    Google 'John McCain Keating Five'

    Hmmm. No wonder he's the Wall Streeter's choice.
  27. A J from Canada writes: martha stewart from Canada writes: AJ - Why?
    _____________

    Palin is not a strong candidate for this office. She doesn't have experience at the national level, and that may impair her performance as a candidate.

    Had McCain wanted to choose a female VP nominee, he could gone with one of the Republican women with experience in politics at the national level. Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Christine Whitman come to mind, but I'm sure there are others.

    Palin has a lot to learn by the time of the VP debate in early October. I'm sure she'll do the best she can to learn as much as she can before she debates with Biden. She knows her state's issues, but not the international issues or national issues (federal and state) that are outside her state's experience. Compare to Republicans with more national experience, like Whitman, Hutchinson, or several of the men whose names have been mentioned.

    Palin is not a strong candidate, IMO.
  28. charlie bistro from tranna, Canada writes: Gord Tolton from Canada writes: This is ticking off so many liberals and democrats, that it must be a good idea.

    ...ummm...I don't know if you've been reading these comments, myself especially and many other 'Liberals' are laughing our asses of right now. Think about it, Palin only appeals to the far Right, the people who are voting GOP no matter what. Can't wait to see her debate Biden. Palin is a joke.
  29. uncle rukus from Mississauga, Canada writes: You right AJ this was a pander selection and the news is filtering out that he just met this woman only once before inviting her back for another meeting this week to make the decision. Again it proves what Barack pointed out in his speech last night John McCain's judgment is flawed. Hillary Clinton's woman are not voting for a woman who is pro-life, pro-gun, who home schooled her kids to teach creationism and believes global warming is not man made.

    I see some republican operatives on CNN even using the fact that her son is going to Iraq as experience for her being named VP. What a stretch!! That shows how bad a choice this is there are up to 4 Republican woman who would be better choices. Ethics Reform will not create jobs in middle America. John McCain has is trying to shake up the dynamic as he feel he cannot win with a traditional pick.
  30. Charles Smith from United Kingdom writes: I really like what I see in Sarah Palin; however, one thing does not add up. She calls herself an Evangelical Christian and has five children; what is she doing in politics? How is it possible to be a mother to five children, and a wife and run for Vice President of the US? It does not seem to be in line with Christian principles - I believe she would be called to devote her life to nurturing her children and not delegating this task. Ultimately it is her choice and she is free to make this choice, but it does say something about her heart - I wonder how sincere it really is. Considering all the candidates that could fill the VP role; why rob five kids of their mum?
  31. Duane Freemantle from writes: John McCain was looking for a female running mate. It was his number one priority. It could be suspected that many prominent female Republicans/conservatives did not want to be considered for the Republican vice-presidential nominee. John McCain has a great desire to get as many Clinton supports as he possibly could, which would increase his chances on winning the election. Also, he need someone with strong conservative values. He definitely has succeed on the second point, but appears not understand importance of the first.

    Palin is not of the same generation of Hillary Clinton, and many of her political views are contrary to those of Clinton's. Generally, vice-presidential picks do not help a candidate, but they can harm the presidential candidate. Both Obama and Biden are great speakers, McCain has some great moments. McCain must have confidence that Palin is the political speaker that one expects for a person that can become president. We will have to wait to listen to her speech next week see she if she is the political star that McCain needs, or a dud that could damage his chances.
  32. Wayne Walker from Canada writes: I love the match up. Joe Biden and McCain have been 2 of my favorite politicians because they are both independent thinkers and not afraid to get in trouble with their own party. Now the experienced mavericks have 2 new faces. The lady sounds like another maverick and Obama talks like one. She seems to have accomplished more in getting legislation passed than Obama and there is certainly nothing elitist in her background. Just heard James Carville express surprise that the Republicans would put a novice a heart beat away from being commander-in-chief but have the Democrats not put a novice just a vote away from being commander-in-chief? Every attack on her inexperience will just remind everyone of Obama's. After Carville spoke Obama was on declaring that unlike Bush he would actually pursue Osama into the caves 'between Afghanistan and Pakistan'. Would he risk offending Pakistan, the only Muslim country being of any help in containing radicals? Does he think the US could do this without asking Pakistan and does he think that the US has not already broached the possibility with Pakistan? I hope that Joe Biden will get him to tone down the aggressive and useless rhetoric in this one area. Obama has probably made fewer blunders than McCain so far but sending the military into Pakistan is not too bright.
  33. Tyson Stiege from Vancouver, Canada writes: I don't think tapping Palin as the VP nominee is McCain's 'hail-mary' at all. While she is undoubtedly a poor choice in comparison to others whom McCain might have given the nod, like Mitt Romney who has plenty of relevant experience and graduated Harvard Law School cum laude (to Obama's magna cum laude), it is a mistake to think that U.S. presidential elections are won on the basis of candidates' qualifications. Factors like the character of a candidate's past voting record, how many letters appear beside their name at the top of their C.V. or can the candidate get on well with the French, while important to that narrow constituency of coastal cosmopolitans who are historically staunch Democratic Party loyalists, Joe Sixpack couldn't 'give a hoot'. Let us suppose that voters are looking to vote for someone they identify with.

    In Barack Obama, the Dems get the youth vote to the extent that it shows up (much like Howard Dean did), they get to continue to rely upon the African-American vote (which was already 90% Dem), they get the intelligentisa, and they get the blue-collar voters to the extent that Joe Biden can make inroads in that demographic. Latino voters are a wildcard, but will likely skew slightly in favour of Dems (they tend towards liberal fiscal values but conservative social values). The second wildcard is women. On the Republican side, Palin will succeed in capturing some percentage of female voters that would otherwise have voted Dem. Her religiousity will assist, along with McCain's cynical purloining of that cross-anecdote from Solzhenitzyn, to sew up the massive evangelical vote. Republicans will lose many moderates and libertarian voters intent on punishing the party, but many of those voters will stay home rather than cast one for the Dems. Palin's soccer-mom story will play fantastically to the party's middle-American base - it is here that the election will be decided. The rich will do what they have always done: vote for low taxes.
  34. The Iconoclast from Canada writes: Charles Smith from United Kingdom writes: Sarah has to be the most gorgeous...

    Bad taste, bad choice...
  35. Lorraine Singer from Anytown, Canada writes: martha stewart from Canada writes: I've been a big fan of Palin ever since her government took legal action to challenge the junk science used to recently list the polar bear as a Threatened species in the U.S. - a completely political move that was all about reinforcing the global warming movement.

    And, of course, global warming isn't a fact , is it Martha?
  36. Duane Freemantle from writes: Lorraine Singer from Anytown, Canada writes: 'And, of course, global warming isn't a fact , is it Martha?' One thing that is not touted about Palin is that she is a creationist, so it is no surprise that she doubts global warming.
  37. Lorraine Singer from Anytown, Canada writes: Absolutely true, Duane - Why worry about the environment, when Jesus is going to come back any minute now and take the 'chosen 'up to an unpolluted Heaven?
  38. Misery No one from Angus, Canada writes: Biden was worse choice for Obama. He flip flopped on the Iraq war just to save his skin. Who needs more of that.

    McCains choice was brilliant and out maneuvered all of Obamas plays in one foul swoop.
  39. National Action Committee on the Status of Elvis in Canada from Ottawa, Canada writes: Charles Smith from United Kingdom writes: 'How is it possible to be a mother to five children, and a wife and run for Vice President of the US?'

    And Sarah Palin gave birth in April to a child with Down Syndrome! That some expression of good, old family values. Man or Woman. Someone else can be Vice-President, only you can be a parent to your child. Always the same with these right-wingers: it has nothing to do with religion, nothing to with the family, it's always about justifying meanness or raising the 'fear of brown people' (all kinds, take your pick).
  40. Timber Wolf from Richmond, BC, Canada writes: A risky move for sure, but considering the albatross known as Dubya hanging around McCain's neck, it makes sense that he would go for an Washington outsider. While she buttresses the socially conservative base, it is also perhaps McCain's way of saying ** you to the Republican establishment. Mitt Romney would have been a worse choice given his croessian wealth and business background, which would have played into the Democrat's assertion that McCain is out of touch. Nevertheless, it is an all or nothing gamble.
  41. Bobby the K from Bogarttown, Canada writes: *
    Get over this idea that McCain is a 'maverick'. Does voting along with Cheney/Bush over 90% of the time make one a maverick?

    I never thought I'd feel sorry for McSame, but he's in for a rough couple of months. If he thought that nominating Palin is going to give him the chick vote that would have gone to HRC - then he is more nutty than I thought.

    The Republican convention will be a bust compared to the Dems. The ratings were as high as the most popular Super Bowls. They won't get near that. They'll be lots of protesters, more than they expect.

    And Ron Paul, who would actually be the best president in a long time, is holding a convention across the river. They're expecting over 10,000 of his supporters.

    At the same time, hurricane Gustav will be hitting. Reminding everyone of the ignorant, weak and dishonest response of the Bush43 administration to Katrina.

    This will be a Republican train wreck.
  42. Gardiner Westbound from Canada writes:
    I expected trendy Obama to select a female running mate, except Hilary.

    Presidents typically ignore their Vice-Presidents confining them to ribbon cutting ceremonies and second tier state funerals. Ability is important because they occasionally they assume the presidency. There is no evidence Palin is less equipped than Gerald Ford or Spiro Agnew were.
  43. Norm Albert from Canada writes: Scary thought but 40% of HRC supporter who were identified as Democrate still say they would support McCain over Obama because she was defeated by him. Tokenism is not yet dead.
    I wonder how far down the list the republicans had to go to find a 'suitable candidate' for VP and how many potential candidates are now stewing over this. The straw that broke the donkey's Back?
  44. Norm Albert from Canada writes: Sorry lost my focus. These are the same folks that elected GWB.(Twice) What was I thinking?
  45. John Smith from Ottawa, Canada writes: I was hoping for Tom Ridge. In the VP debate, Mr. Ridge could match Joe Biden perfectly. This choice is bewildering and rather desperate.
  46. Paul Byer from Canada writes: Charles Smith from United Kingdom writes: I really like what I see in Sarah Palin; however, one thing does not add up. She calls herself an Evangelical Christian and has five children; what is she doing in politics? How is it possible to be a mother to five children, and a wife and run for Vice President of the US? It does not seem to be in line with Christian principles - I believe she would be called to devote her life to nurturing her children and not delegating this task.

    ................................................................................

    Yep, keep her in the kitchen bare foot and pregnant. Maybe get her husband to run instead. After all, men aren't expected to be the stay at home parent to five children like women are. Women shouldn't be allowed a choice. Thatcher should have stayed home. Ghandi and all those powerful religious women, maybe even Joan D'Arc should have stayed home and raised kids. She was religious. What is Michelle Obama doing on the campaign trail? Is she not an Evangelical Christian? Oops. I guess that is different?
  47. john meissner from Wakefield, Canada writes: from Wakefield. I know that McCain has been on the Daily Show with John Stewart 10 times. Maybe this nomination decision was an attempt for McCain to give his old friends more possibilities to work with.
  48. Timber Wolf from Richmond, BC, Canada writes: I've heard that McCain initially wanted to have Liebermann, but that was deemed anathema to the religious base of the Republican party. Tom Ridge would have been a good choice, except he is too identified with Bush. Heck, he could have gone for Condolezza, but again, too associated with Bush. As I stated earlier, McCain has been handicapped since the campaign started.
  49. Don Adams, The Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: McCain just used the BIG stick on the Obama campaign....no one saw it coming. They'll be scrambling now.
  50. Tom Araxias from Chatham, Canada writes: Desperate people do desperate things. Palin now completes a team that knows nothing about the economy. This election will be won and lost on one issue: the economy. The FED is trying desperately hard to keep the house of cards collapsing before the election and exposing the biggest disaster in the US economy since the great depression. This, and the trillion dollar war in Iraq, will be Bush's legacy. A legacy that McCain wants to continue. Palin brings nothing to the table in turns of giving the American electorate hope that someone can help them with their financial problems. The majority of Hilary's supporters have already being turned over to Obama at the Democratic convention. It wouldn't matter anyways. They are NOT for guns and they ARE for women's choice. Palin's position couldn't be further away from what Hilary's supporters stand for. Biden will expose her for what she is during the debates, a complete lightweight.I thought the election probably ended last Thursday when Obama gave that brilliant speech. Any doubts I had were erased on Friday.
  51. National Action Committee on the Status of Elvis in Canada from Ottawa, Canada writes: Gardiner Westbound from Canada writes: 'There is no evidence Palin is less equipped than Gerald Ford or Spiro Agnew were.'

    Gardiner Wetbound, Gerald Ford was a Congressmen for 25 years (1949 to 1974) and House Minority Leader before he was appointed Vice-President. There's no comparison. And Spiro Agnew was, uh...a lowlife.
  52. Jim Saxon from Canada writes: This is a celebration of mediocrity and a sign that John McCain is too insecure to have chosen a person of stature. As Begala says, Palin needs a few pounds to be lightweight. But Obamiden ticket has to be very careful and politically correct in cricising her lest they should be called blonde-haters........oops anti-feminists.
  53. Chuck Berry from Canada writes: Among Obama, Biden, McCain, and Palin, who has the least direct experience to be president? OBAMA! Good choice, McCain. By the way, Biden comes from the tiny state of Delaware. Why does it matter what state you come from? G & M, you are being sexist in calling this a 'Hail Mary'. She has more life experiences than Obama. She may be more credible than Obama. This is shoddy reporting by the G & M again.
  54. Mary Smith from United States writes:

    Lorraine Singer

    Submissive to their husbands?

    You very clearly know nothing about Palin. And your unbelievably ignorant first rant is followed by asking another about 'facts'?

    HILARIOUS!

    Jack Rip

    Perhaps you should enlighten yourself about the 'feud'. The trooper was suspended, was caught drinking on the job, tasered his step-son (among other things), and the Dept. had internal problems.

    Bob MacDonald

    Obviously, YOU are clueless about the ability to comment on US news sites. There isn't one online paper I read that I'm not able to comment on. And the Chicago Tribune (among others) allows automatic 'links', which is sooooo much better.
  55. A good Canadian from Canada writes: Brilliance. Pure political brilliance.
  56. an astute commenter from Canada writes: A 'Hail Mary'? Hardly - more like, lazy typically biased crap passed off as journalism from the g&m.
  57. A S from Toronto, Canada writes: Nice try Rove, acting stunned. He's behind every move made by the Reps. Re: Palin: I don't think garnering 'Hillary votes' his her top priority, as much as they'd like us to believe that. Those possible votes are just the icing on the cake which is the working/middle class Christian group that abandoned McCain. If she lures their core constituency back in the game she's done her job. Have to admit though, I was not overwhelmed by Obama's speech. I actually wouldn't mind seeing McCain get the top job as long as he moves back to his moderate position (he's still on good terms with many high-profile Dems). This election is not the same without Hillary.
  58. john chuckman from Canada writes: It just does not get more cynical than this choice.

    John McCain does not even know the woman. How on earth can he say she's a stand-in for himself?

    There is only one big reason for this choice, and that is to appeal to the disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters in what is expected to be a close election.

    How immensely ironic that McCain dangles a woman he does not even know just to get the votes of certain women.

    That is a genuine form of sexism.
  59. C. M. from Ontario, Canada writes: Another G&M article today had this to say: 'If the presidential campaign is a competition of compelling storylines, Ms. Palin's tale can go head-to-head with them all.

    Her story holds its own against that of John McCain, a Vietnam prisoner of war; Barack Obama, the biracial son of a single mother; and Joe Biden, a politician who commuted to Washington for decades so he could raise his three children after his wife and a daughter died in an automobile accident.'

    What a scream. This lady has got nothing to offer. An undergrad in journalism, a fisherwoman, a mayor of an Alaskan hicktown of 6,000 and a couple years as Governor of a state that's got more reindeer than people. And John McCain with his age and long sundry list of health problems.......well we can also now add that the man has lost his bleeping mind. He just gave the White House to the Dems !!
  60. J C from Canada writes: martha stewart from Canada writes:'I've been a big fan of Palin ever since her government took legal action to challenge the junk science...' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes...She doesn't believe that polar bears are endangered (but their habitat is) Palin doesn't believe that global warming is occurring (even though the Arctic ice cap is melting and is forcast to melt completely over the summer within the next 4-5 years. A first in recorded history.) She does believe in drilling in the wildlife preserves...that will destroy the habitats of many northern species. (But we need the oil! WE have to keep those prices down...people can't be inconvenienced today.....even thiough it will affect the lives of our children and grandchildren in the future.) Ah yes...and her experience....such a long list of credentials...NOT. But she has those wonderful Republican values...that will make other Republicans happy! (So does my neighbor down the street...maybe we should conscript her!) ...And she's a WOMAN...she'll attract that female vote...and don't forget...SHE'S ATTRACTIVE! Now those are all great credentials. I'd vote for a qualified , politically vetted woman in a heartbeat...but Ms. Palin does not fill that bill. I listen to the hype generated over this young lady and I am appalled by the opportunism displayed and the lowering of the bar (IS THERE A BAR??) regarding experience required for the highest post in the US.
  61. Gerry Dunnhaupt from Toronto, Canada writes: The horrifying disregard for the national security demonstrated by McCain betrays everything he pretended to stand for. Many Americans had actually fallen for his line that having been a prisoner automatically makes you a patriot and national leader, and predestines you to be the defender of the country.

    And now we get to know the real McCain: a cheap, callous, sleazy politician who sells the the succession to the Presidency to an unvetted ingenue he only met once last spring -- solely for political gain. The security of 300 million people apparently means nothing to this cancer-ridden old man.
  62. J L from Toronto, Canada writes: Palin is a terrible choice - there's nothing worse than a female Republican. It's understandable for a man to be a cold-hearted warmonger (we are the inferior sex) but when a women takes on that role it's just so un-appealing. Whenever I think of a Repubclian woman I think of that freak Ann Coulter.

    Obama is the next President... That speech in front of 84,000 people was extremely impressive.
  63. Oswaldo I from Canada writes: I think it is an inspired choice. The Obama campaign always insiststed that experience doesn't matter. Then, yesterday, they started criticizing her experience, highlighting Obama's biggest weakness. It is interesting to note that her actual acomplishments in government far outstrip Obama's.
  64. I. Con O'Clast from Canada writes: Poor ole stumblebum McCain still can't resist a pretty face. After George Buss I selected Dan Quayle in '88, McCain commented: 'I can't believe a guy that handsome wouldn't have some impact.'
  65. The Man from United States writes:
    Gustav upstages McCains publicity stunt.
  66. Mo sab from Toronto, Canada writes: Hey JC ... Generated hype?? lowering of the bar?? lack of experience??... sounds like the Obama campaign.Enlighten us all and give a list of Barack's accomplishment's up to now.
    Oh and by the way, Osama's theme is change, yet he has a 30 year Washington 'old boy' by his side.. talk about CHANGE.
  67. Festina Lente from United States writes: It's flattering to observe all the Canadian denizens commenting on the US presidential election. Could it be that Canada is mesmerized with their neighboros to the south? Yes, so it seem.

    American just can't wait till the Guv/Gen dissolves parliament to observe the liberals and conservatives duke it out. You can bet the Americans will be glued to their television sets to keep abreast of the exciting (?) reports from all the ridings.
  68. Moe Labelle from Canada writes: Even David Frum get's it:!
    Sarah Palin may well have concealed inner reservoirs of greatness. I hope so! But I'd guess that John McCain does not have a much better sense of who she is, what she believes, and the extent of her abilities than my enthusiastic friends over at the Corner. It's a wild gamble, undertaken by our oldest ever first-time candidate for president in hopes of changing the board of this election campaign. Maybe it will work. But maybe (and at least as likely) it will reinforce a theme that I'd be pounding home if I were the Obama campaign: that it's John McCain for all his white hair who represents the risky choice, while it is Barack Obama who offers cautious, steady, predictable governance.

    Here's I fear the worst harm that may be done by this selection. The McCain campaign's slogan is 'country first.' It's a good slogan, and it aptly describes John McCain, one of the most self-sacrificing, gallant, and honorable men ever to seek the presidency.

    But question: If it were your decision, and you were putting your country first, would you put an untested small-town mayor a heartbeat away from the presidency?

    http://frum.nationalreview.com/post/?q=M2VhOWE0N2VkOWI3MDdlODRlZWE4ODljMDc2NjliZDk=
  69. C. M. from Ontario, Canada writes: Lorraine Singer where have you been hiding ?? Hilarious but only because it's so true !! Write a book dear or at least start writing for the papers. I'll take 10 copies !!
  70. Mo sab from Toronto, Canada writes: Finally, middle America has its first lobbyist in Washington.
  71. Benoit Evans from Quebec, Canada writes: As a social conservative, evangelical Christian, Palin is in the 'right' demographic for the job. However, for a person who is quite likely to be called on to assume the office of president, she is simply not qualified. She has no public record whatsoever on foreign policy, national security, or other major issues. They tout her experience in public office as mayor and now governor. Let's put that in a Canadian perspective. She was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, a city whose population is slightly larger than that of Cantley QC and the same as that of Kapuskasing. As governor of Alaska (population 670,000), she is chief executive of a STATE that has the same population as the CITY of Edmonton AB. And she is commander-in-chief of the Alaska National Guard, a 'superpower army' of 1,850 soldiers. It is reported that McCain saw her once at a political gathering and like the cut of her jib. It is said that he was met with her only ONCE, for about an hour, a week ago, at which time this highly qualified woman asked him 'What exactly does the Vice President do?' It is not in the best interest of the U.S. to have such an unqualified person waiting in the wings and it is not in the best interest of Canada either. Her experience and qualifications for the job can be likened to that of a woman who ran a convenience store for a few years, then become the manger of a Wall-Mart store in a small town and who has been the patron of a militia batallion.
  72. kevin o'connor from Canada writes: Norm Albert from Canada writes: Presidential stand-in or poster child?
    If she were homeless and Jewish he could adopt her, Buy her a live Panda and chinch for the most powerful position in the world.

    I don't get this 'Jewish' reference at all norm, but I don't like it. Hard to believe you're an anti-semite, perhaps it's your own background and you feel free to use it, but the reference is even stupider than your spelling of cinch. The whole comment is too clever by half, faux-PC warrior, inside joke-ish and basically juvenile, kind of like a G M version of teenage trash talk.

    As for Palin. Shows McCain will put politics before substance, like all of them. In the end it won't matter a bit, Obama will defeat him handily on the issues, charisma, and the desire for change of an electorate that is far worse off than they were eight years ago, and desperate for change. VP choices rarely make a difference at the polls, positive or negative, and I doubt this one will either.
  73. john chuckman from Canada writes: She's a boring soccer mom who sounds like she just got off the bus from the Midwest.

    Her gushing acceptance was almost embarrassing, and with good reason.

    She never expected this.

    It's just pure cynical dangling for disaffected Hillary supporters.

    Use of a woman as a lure. Nothing about her merits whatever.

    And see this:

    http://www.grizzlybay.org/SarahPalinInfoPage.htm
  74. Kia Raju from T.O, Canada writes: Palin has given the best speech so far, it was like a real human talking to other real human who live in the real World. Not some rich $100M worth individual or some Yale,Harvard and Princeton person trying to act like he is one of the middle class.

    Brilliant move and this gives a slam dunk facial to the Hillary supporters.
  75. Moe Labelle from Canada writes: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's surprise vice-presidential pick, is the subject of a legislative probe into claims that she abused her office by trying to get her former brother-in-law fired from his job as an Alaska state trooper. Palin is likely to be deposed soon in the case, according to State Sen. Hollis French, who leads the state Senate's Legislative Counsel Committee. French's committee unanimously authorized an investigation into the dismissal of the state's public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan.
    http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=5687512&page=1
  76. Edmond Dusablon from United States writes: Moe Labelle - 'If it were your decision, and you were putting your country first, would you put an untested small-town mayor a heartbeat away from the presidency?'

    Actually, she's a governor just like many US presidents have been lately (Bush II, Clinton, Reagan, Carter, etc.).

    The real question is why the Democrats think a 'community organizer' -- whatever the heck that is -- with next to no legislative record of accomplishment and just a couple of years in DC is fit to lead the nation. It takes more than the ability to give a decent speech but, unfortunately, that's all BHO offers.
  77. E A from Canada writes: John Chuckman, I totally agree.

    As an (admittedly irrelevant) Hillary supporter, I admired her intelligence and her years of public service work. She has fought to establish herself, on her own merits, for decades.

    To choose a 'hockey mom' and former beauty queen is just insulting. Palin was chosen because she is a woman, not because of any intellectual or political merit. That is sexism at its lowest.
  78. Kia Raju from T.O, Canada writes: She sound way more qualfiied then Jean Cretien and Steven Harper!

    Both could not run a Walmart Store maybe a Quickie store!

    Benoit Evans from Quebec, Canada writes: As It is not in the best interest of the U.S. to have such an unqualified person waiting in the wings and it is not in the best interest of Canada either. Her experience and qualifications for the job can be likened to that of a woman who ran a convenience store for a few years, then become the manger of a Wall-Mart store in a small town and who has been the patron of a militia batallion.
  79. Jo L from Moncton, Canada writes: I think McCain wants Obama to win with this choice. Does he really think Hilary supporters are going to switch over for Sarah Palin? An inexperienced, pro-gun, anti-abortion, Alaskan govenor, being investigated for corruption after 2 years in office?! Hilary supporters aren't just girl power nitwits. They supported Hilary because of her experience, her hard work, her policies and because she was the best female candidate for the job at this point in history.
    McCain lost any credibility to his portrayal of Obama-Biden ticket as an inexperienced ticket. Anyone shaky about McCain's age and heath will be worried about his VP's inexperience.
    People who are attracted to the youth, energy and message of hope and change Obama offers will not be swayed back by this young gun totting, mother of five, beauty queen.
    Not to mention She has an infant with Down syndrome, that needs care and attention! How are the American conservative family values people going to view her decision to leave that responsibility to become VP?
    Plus Alaska is not a significant State that is likely to influence other major swing states... I think it shows how much McCain makes choices on a whim. I think it also shows he's trying to hard to play by the ground rules Obama created.
  80. Peter Bojkov from Vaughan ON, writes: A brilliant strategic move (probably after analyzing quite a number of focus groups) that relegated The Messi-uh-uhum and the Dem convention into a yesterday’s bagel. Mr. McCain consolidates his Rep base and attracts independents. A number of disgruntled Clintonian ladies will come as a bonus.

    Meanwhile, here’s what the in-the-tank-for-The-One AP has to say on his “policies”:

    http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i1hZ6MCY9bPGOk4ueYvwwlZ1_QD92RM6303

    http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jMO6-6RgRfYeZmtGaJR90dT1QfKgD92RM3M80

    The Dems and the drive-by stooge media in complete panic mode! Who would have expected. Poor G&M has to hide this article away from the top news, and where's poor Mr. Ibbitson, The Messi-uh-uhum apologist?
  81. Rufus H from Canada writes: Well, I'm still a US citizen, and this pretty much sealed my vote for Obama. Glad to know that so many of my Canadian neighbours (still getting used to that spelling!) think she's hot though.
  82. He Shoots! He Scores! from Chicago, United States writes: 'Patrick King from Canada writes: Democrats have started to attack Sarah Palin moments after McCain's announcement.'

    The attacks fall on McCain.
  83. Peter Bojkov from Vaughan ON, writes: As of Aug 30, according to Gallup and Rasmussen, The One has been able to garner a historically measly 4% bump out of the pompous DNC (and that's before the shock introduction of Mrs. Palin). His numbers in terms of electoral college votes are down to a 10-vote lead, with dramatic slump in a large number of battleground states (oh Ohio, Colorado, Wisconsin, etc.). The beginning of the end?
  84. J L from Toronto, Canada writes: 'What is it exactly that a VP does every day?' Palin on CNBC last month.

    What a classic line.. utterly hilarious.
  85. Dr Demento from Canada writes: martha stewart from Canada writes: 'I've been a big fan of Palin ever since her government took legal action to challenge the junk science used to recently list the polar bear as a Threatened species in the U.S. - a completely political move that was all about reinforcing the global warming movement.'

    Actually Palin is a firm believer in AGW and has enacted laws in Alaska to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and she was one of several U.S. governors who signed a wide-ranging pact with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, establishing the Pacific Coast Collaborative initiative which is focussed on climate change issues.

    I suspect she is more concerned with the hunting and gaming aspects of having polar bears listed as an endangered species - her husband is a native Yup'ik Eskimo.
  86. Kent Lewis from Canada writes: I've never understood evangelical Christians who hunt and kill God's creatures, for fun. Completely bizarre.
  87. He Shoots! He Scores! from Chicago, United States writes: 'Wayne Walker from Canada writes: Just heard James Carville express surprise that the Republicans would put a novice a heart beat away from being commander-in-chief but have the Democrats not put a novice just a vote away from being commander-in-chief?'

    There is a major difference between Obama and Palin. Obama ran a stupendous campaign and knocked off a potent political force in the Clinton(s). Palin, on the other hand, did nothing to seek federal office. Obama has earned his shot while Palin is merely an unwitting pawn caught up in things that are bigger than her scope of experience. Let's remember that not much happens in a state that has the same population as Des Moines. The tussles that she's been involved in amount to no more than petty city council skirmishes.
  88. He Shoots! He Scores! from Chicago, United States writes: 'Mary Smith from United States writes: Perhaps you should enlighten yourself about the 'feud'. The trooper was suspended, was caught drinking on the job, tasered his step-son (among other things), and the Dept. had internal problems.'

    So you are saying that it is OK to use elected office to settle personal scores? Sounds typically Republican if so.
  89. david latner from Toronto, Canada writes: The same people who say the very inexperienced and untested Obama should be fine as president, are beating up the very experienced and well-tested McCain for choosing a in inexperienced running mate.

    If I were an American, I'd prefer an experienced president and an inexperienced vice president, to an inexperienced president and an experienced vp.

  90. Edmond Dusablon from United States writes: He Shoots! He Scores! from Chicago: The fact that American voters and the TV talking heads are discussing who is 'less experienced' -- Obama or Palin -- is priceless as it merely puts the exclamation point on the fact that Obama is an empty-suited blowhard who demonstrates no leadership or governmental skills other than the ability to give a good speech. Jesse Jackson said it best, '(Obama) ain't run nothing but his mouth.' BHO was a backbencher in Illinois and a do-nothing senator in DC for a whopping two years before he decided he had what it took to be president. Yeah, he'll do great against Putin... As for him defeating the Clinton Machine as proof of his 'qualifications' to be president, please note that BHO got his butt kicked by Hillary in every large, industrial state. And all those angry, bitter voters are now McCain's. Ya gotta love it!
  91. Dr Demento from Canada writes: 'Mary Smith from United States writes: 'Perhaps you should enlighten yourself about the 'feud'. The trooper was suspended, was caught drinking on the job, tasered his step-son (among other things), and the Dept. had internal problems.'

    Sarah Palin dismissed the Public Safety Commissioner for not firing her ex-brother in law (He had suspended him instead). She is presently under investigation for abuse of power in this case.