…and this is a 
Surprise! McCain doesn't persuade me to switch my vote with his VP choice
Category: Politics
Posted on: August 29, 2008 11:46 AM, by PZ Myers
So McCain has picked Sarah Palin as VP. Supposedly she has some credibility as a good choice for dealing with energy issues, but near as I can tell she's of the drill-in-marginal-areas school, not someone who's going to pursue alternative energy sources, and is going to be a favorite of the oil companies — Dick Cheney with a less evil face. Worst of all, from my perspective, she also has a history of pandering to creationist ignorance, promoting the bogus 'teach the controversy' nonsense in the absence of any real scientific controversy.
Guess I won't be voting Republican this year.
Comments
Posted by: ~Doc~ | August 29, 2008 11:52 AM
What? The most desperate choice in American political history didn't sway you? The selection of a creationist wingnut who hates polar bears because they get in the way of drilling off the coast of Alaska didn't nudge you over the edge? A first term Alaskan governor with one year of experience (not counting being the former part-time mayor of a town with a population of 6,000 didn't make you run down to McCain headquarters and grab a big handful of McCain/Palin '08 bumper stickers?
What's WRONG with you?
~Doc~
Posted by: SES | August 29, 2008 11:53 AM
Was that ever a serious consideration???
Posted by: Ben | August 29, 2008 11:53 AM
Is evolutionist ignorance superior to creationist ignorance? Just wondering. I would believe it all evolved, but I just don't have that much faith.
Posted by: Tom P. | August 29, 2008 11:54 AM
How could you think she isn't qualified? Two years ago she was the mayor of a town of 7,000 people. Of course she is ready to lead a nation of 350 million. So on the serious side, now how do they go after Obama not being qualified? Does anyone honestly believe that if McCain dies in office that Palin is ready to lead the US?
Posted by: freelunch | August 29, 2008 11:55 AM
This is a bit like bringing up a pitcher from Single-A baseball right before the World Series.
Posted by: delosgatos | August 29, 2008 11:55 AM
Ben:
Is evolutionist ignorance superior to creationist ignorance? Just wondering. I would believe it all evolved, but I just don't have that much faith.
Science... yer doin it wrong.
Posted by: Pierre | August 29, 2008 11:55 AM
Sarah Palin is also anti abortion and anti gay rights. Typical republican, I guess.
Posted by: Warren | August 29, 2008 11:55 AM
This has the mark of Rove. By selecting a woman, McCain hopes to rope in all the Hilltards (Shrilltards?) who would be happy to elect Bush to a third term just out of spite, since their Anointed One didn't get the nod.
The part that bothers me is that some of them are probably stupid enough to actually do it.
Posted by: Qwerty | August 29, 2008 11:56 AM
Don't you mean Darth Vader in drag! Isn't she Darth Vader's sister Ella?
Posted by: clinteas | August 29, 2008 11:56 AM
She's a mother of 5 with a firm stance on abortion,that would seem to fit the profile for a rep VP nicely tho.
I guess thats McCain's attempt at appealing to female voters.
I had never seen or heard of her before,but she looks a little creepy.
Posted by: Deepa | August 29, 2008 11:57 AM
I think it was a savvy move on McCain's part. She might help him appear pro-woman despite his policies.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT | August 29, 2008 11:59 AM
This to me seems like an obvious pander to the cross over Hillary voters. IMHO that group is already demonstrating a lock of rational thought so the choice of a female from a state with little to no voting power and relatively unknown to the lay person comes off as pandering to them. I mean look SHE IS A WOMAN.
Now just so someone doesn't get on my case, I'm not saying a woman would automatically mean he was pandering to the Hillaridiots, and that a woman vice presidential candidate wouldn't be a good choice for him, just that this virtually unknown one does. And if I'm right that should anger woman voters, especially the Hillary cross overs, but you know it won't.
Sure she has the energy choice to appeal to some of the Republican base and has her other issues as noted above but how many joe (jane) six packs not from Idaho and Alaska knew who she was before this?
Posted by: David Roberts | August 29, 2008 11:59 AM
So lets see if I got this straight. In order to woo the "woman " voters who felt left behind because of the Obama V Clinton thing, they chose a woman who is as as far from Clinton as possible. "Those girls will vote for ovaries every time" is thieve logic. Just how shallow to they take women for?
Posted by: Rey Fox | August 29, 2008 11:59 AM
"Guess I won't be voting Republican this year."
D'oh, so close...
Posted by: Qwerty | August 29, 2008 12:00 PM
She's suppose to be good on foreign affairs because (get this) Alaska is close to Russia and the Russia/Georgia conflict is in the news! At least this was someone's take on right-wing radio news this morning! *gag* *gag*
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT | August 29, 2008 12:01 PM
lock = lack
KoT
Posted by: Chiropter | August 29, 2008 12:01 PM
...Dick Cheney with a less evil face.
Is she going to shoot someone in the face? I'm a one-issue voter. I'll vote for any VP candidate who shoots their friends in the face.
Posted by: freelunch | August 29, 2008 12:01 PM
And hers.Posted by: SteveC | August 29, 2008 12:01 PM
Ben: "I would believe it all evolved, but I just don't have that much faith."
This sentence betrays the fact that Ben, deep down, knows that there is something horribly wrong with the entire concept of faith.
Posted by: Mmm Palin | August 29, 2008 12:03 PM
She looks hot.
Posted by: aarrgghh | August 29, 2008 12:03 PM
something tells me that 60 puma votes is not gonna swing the election ...
Posted by: Tom P. | August 29, 2008 12:04 PM
I think what we saw from the convention was that those Clinton voters going to McCain were always a myth. They were mad that Hillary didn't get the nod but when push comes to shove they would rather have the right to choose and protection in the workplace. When the dust settles, Hillary voters wil vote Obama.
Posted by: Woozle | August 29, 2008 12:05 PM
Ben The Troll: Yes, an ignorant supporter of science ("evolutionist") is probably more knowledgeable than an ignorant creationist.
For one thing, any creationist is automatically one up on any "evolutionist" in the ignorance area, in a big way.
/me apologizes for feeding the trolls... but it's been so long since I had fresh troll meat...
Posted by: Northern Virginia | August 29, 2008 12:05 PM
"So on the serious side, now how do they go after Obama not being qualified? Does anyone honestly believe that if McCain dies in office that Palin is ready to lead the US?"
I'm sure McCain's dying in office is not seen as a problem. Don't you worry you're pretty little head. These nice men will take care of everything. You just go to the ladies room and freshen-up - put on some lipstick, and touch up your hair. Just like you're daddy - we'll take care of everything.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT | August 29, 2008 12:05 PM
Fatih ur doin it rong
Posted by: Matt Heath | August 29, 2008 12:05 PM
ZOMG! Can't stay here. Must see what Wonkette have to say
Posted by: Qwerty | August 29, 2008 12:06 PM
Sara Palin was also a runner-up in the Miss Alaska contest some years ago; so, she is already use to playing second fiddle.
And Tom P. is right. McCain's Obama has no experience argument goes out the door with this selection.
But she is a hockey mom! This should play well with hockey moms in Minnesota!
Posted by: Dan B. | August 29, 2008 12:06 PM
Ha, I had just read about this myself, and was coming over here to report back on our new "teach the controversy" VP nomination. There's no beating you to commenting on any news, is there PZ?
Posted by: kid bitzer | August 29, 2008 12:06 PM
#22--
yup. there never was a large contingent of 'clintons for mccain', just a small noise amplified a zillion times by the republican (fox news) echo machine.
this looks like the last throes of the mccain campaign.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT | August 29, 2008 12:08 PM
Yes I agree that most will. But I do believe there is a group that will not or will not vote.
maybe
Posted by: Nick Gotts | August 29, 2008 12:09 PM
(Repost from "Vice-presidential material..." thread)
She's apparently very keen on protecting fetuses (anti-choice), but equally keen on killing actual people (lifetime member of NRA, supporter of capital punishment). Hates gays ("marriage should be between a man and a woman"), anti-environmentalist and prepared to reject science for ideological reasons (uses the codeword "sound science", "rejects global warming hysteria", opposes listing the polar bear as endangered, supports drilling for oil in the ANWR).
Posted by: Matt Heath | August 29, 2008 12:10 PM
Wonkette actual seems to have crashed under the weight of people rushing to see what they have to say about 2 of their running jokes as running mates
Posted by: amk | August 29, 2008 12:10 PM
And there was I thinking the Conservative Movement didn't like affirmative action.
Posted by: Qwerty | August 29, 2008 12:11 PM
In other news Camp Bar, a gay bar in St. Paul, will be open until 4am during the convention. Bars in Minneapolis/St. Paul usually close at 2am.
This gives all those closeted Republicans another two hours to find the boy-de-juer unless they're still in the stalls at MSP airport!
Posted by: Hans | August 29, 2008 12:11 PM
Not only is this an obvious overture to the Hillary-or-the-deluge crowd, it also defangs Biden in the VP debates. He just won't be able to attack Palin as hard as he would a male VP candidate, because people would feel sorry for her, and he'd come across as a big ole' meanyhead.
Posted by: Matt Penfold | August 29, 2008 12:12 PM
This Palin person may have a pretty face, although I am not convinced of that. But being attractive is about much more than not looking like that back end of a bus, and her policies put her firmly in the not attractive category.
Anyway I suspect she only ever got elected in the first place because people mistook her for Micheal Palin, who IS a nice person.
Posted by: Nick Gotts | August 29, 2008 12:12 PM
I would believe it all evolved, but I just don't have that much faith. - Ben
No faith needed Ben - you just have to look at the evidence.
Posted by: Matt Heath | August 29, 2008 12:18 PM
#36: Marcus Brigstoke had Michael Palin as 10 on a scale of goodness with Jesus at 9. He pointed out that even Christian have to accept that MP is "a bloody nice bloke".
Posted by: caerbannog | August 29, 2008 12:19 PM
Dan Quayle in drag.
It's a hail-mary to get the closeted GOP cross-dressers out to the polls. And given the size of the GOP closet, we are talking about more than just a few voters here...
Posted by: Carlie | August 29, 2008 12:20 PM
Wow, they picked a woman. That's...transparent.
News flash - women aren't that stupid.
Posted by: DB | August 29, 2008 12:22 PM
I wonder how McCain is going to connect this announcement with him being a POW?
Posted by: Brian D | August 29, 2008 12:22 PM
Turns out that Palin's environmental record ain't so hot either.
Posted by: No One Of Consequence | August 29, 2008 12:23 PM
But now the republicans have virtually wrapped up that ever important swings state of Alaska and its 3 whole electoral votes.
uhhh...errr
Posted by: The Chemist | August 29, 2008 12:25 PM
@ Qwerty,
You seem like a sensible person. Why are you listening to Right-Wing Radio? Listen, this hurting yourself thing- it has to stop. There are plenty of people in the phonebook who can help. Just make the call. The wounds on your brain will heal in time.
@ Everyone
I didn't much care for Obama's choice, but McCain managed to outdo him by finding someone I agree with less. Way to bridge the gap for the voters Jimbo.
This voting for the lesser of two evils thing...I don't know, I think I might just stay home, but I'm seriously thinking about voting Nader.
Posted by: JStein | August 29, 2008 12:27 PM
I just love that McCain is trying to secure votes in Alaska. It seems so unbelievably stupid to me.
Why isn't he trying to get Virginia?
Why isn't he trying to get Florida?
These are real swing states with real electoral votes.
If he was putting someone phenomenal onstage against Biden, it'd make some sense to me, but Joe is going to make this woman look like an idiot.
Posted by: Ghost of Minnesota | August 29, 2008 12:28 PM
My first reaction to the announcement was, "Who?"
After doing a bit of research, my next reaction was "Game over. Obama wins."
Posted by: Bro. Bartleby | August 29, 2008 12:29 PM
Let's see, governing Alaska is about as hard as governing Saudi Arabia.
The Alaska state constitution claims common heritage rights of ownership of oil and other minerals for the people of the state as a whole.
Citizen dividend checks are distributed every year in Alaska out of the interest payments to an oil royalties deposit account called the Alaska Permanent Fund (APF) created in 1976 after oil was discovered on the North Slope.
Alaska relies on oil for about 80 percent of its revenue and has no sales or income tax. Alaska state government is mandated to invest 25% of its oil revenue into the APF while the other 75% of oil royalty revenue is dispersed to other government funds to finance education, infrastructure and social services.
Posted by: Glen Davidson | August 29, 2008 12:30 PM
I really wouldn't complain about the stance there. Most of what I don't like about it is the suggestion that there is any prohibition of debate when it comes up in class--not that it shouldn't also be ended in a timely fashion.
Mostly, well, she seems a rather safe choice for McCain. I do think Jindal reduced his chances when he signed the Lousisiana dumbing-down bill in his state.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/2kxyc7
Posted by: hje | August 29, 2008 12:31 PM
He couldn't make the obvious and pragmatic choice of Romney, because evangelicals don't like Mormons. Never did, never will.
Right now Republicans are fervently praying that hurricane Gustav transforms itself into rainbows, flowers, and magic unicorns before it reprises Katrina. Jindal is back there trying to exorcise the demonic storm.
Posted by: young european | August 29, 2008 12:33 PM
So they wanted a woman, and not-too-old, and what other criteria? - and she was the best possible choice?
Posted by: Dutch Delight | August 29, 2008 12:34 PM
I actually listened to Al Gore's speech (besides listening to both the Clintons, Obama, Kucinich and a bit of Kerry), he was going for the most secular speech of all, in my view, then ended it "god bless you". Pretty funny to watch, I kept expecting him to go for the religious references but he stayed clear of them all where he had ample opportunity.
Posted by: ppb | August 29, 2008 12:34 PM
He should have gone with Wilford Brimley.
Posted by: Qwerty | August 29, 2008 12:34 PM
I listen to right-wing radio just to hear what the wing-nuts say. Also, it helps with the blood pressure as I usually find myself swearing after a few minutes. Most of the time (especially in the morning) I listen to Stephanie Miller and the Mooks.
I also listen to Christian radio though I no longer believe in the Christ or that trinity thing or Budda or the skyfairy or whatever! But I would go to a FSM church if there was only one in the immediate vicinity! That's caused I've heard the FSM is always sauced.
Odd to think that Stephanie Miller who plays on Air American here in Minnesota is the daughter Goldwater's running mate, William Edward Miller. It's a small world.
Posted by: kid bitzer | August 29, 2008 12:36 PM
they wanted a woman, and not-too-old, and what other criteria?
short. she had to be shorter than mccain. and she is.
Posted by: Matt Penfold | August 29, 2008 12:36 PM
I think this is a little unfair. I suspect the rulers of Saudi Arabia might have a little more trouble sleeping at night given how they treat their populace.
Posted by: notthedroids | August 29, 2008 12:36 PM
I can't believe that hardcore Republicans are at all happy with this inexplicable choice.
From my perspective, I'm just waiting to enjoy the comedic debates.
Posted by: Darth Wader | August 29, 2008 12:37 PM
I can't wait to see McCain's acceptance speech. Obama gave his to a crowd of 80,000 cheering supporters.
McCain will give his to a crowd of 80 awake supporters.
Posted by: jj | August 29, 2008 12:39 PM
It just confirms Obama's point that McCain "just doesn't get it."
As if the disenfranchised Hilary supporters are suddenly going to vote for an anti-choice, creotard with almost zero experience just because she's a woman. McCain's camp seems to think that was the only criterion that Clinton supporters cared about.
McCain choice of VP also destroys his argument about Obama's inexperience. He's now appointed probably the least experienced person in modern US history to a position that if elected would be a (very old) heart beat away from the presidency.
This decision will work out well for Obama; it has made his campaign much easier.
Posted by: young european | August 29, 2008 12:42 PM
short. she had to be shorter than mccain. and she is.
ha ha! just like Prince chooses his band :-)
So is she a good enough player?
Posted by: Greg | August 29, 2008 12:42 PM
Glen, I don't think she's a safe choice at all for McCain, since his age and health are concerns in this election and everything about her is underwhelming. It was clearly a calculated choice to bring in a young face, start fighting the challenges levied by the democrats that McCain is more of the same, and to bring in the disenfranchised Hillary supporters who refuse to vote for Barack because of what happened in the primaries.
I don't see how McCain is going to spin this into a positive thing for his campaign. I agree that it may *seem* like a safe choice, but there is just too much room for the Democrats to knock her (and them) down. At least Barack had a multi-year history of good judgment, despite "absolute" experience. With Biden as his VP, they make a /formidable/ opponent, and I would (being a commie liberal) be more inclined to use the word "laughable" for this combination.
Posted by: Josh | August 29, 2008 12:43 PM
If anyone has some spare time, I would like to see the creationism business PZ linked to on her Wikipedia page. It'll probably be deleted in seconds by the campaign, but it's worth a shot.
Posted by: RobertC | August 29, 2008 12:43 PM
"I think this is a little unfair. I suspect the rulers of Saudi Arabia might have a little more trouble sleeping at night given how they treat their populace."
Yeah...and I bet in Saudi Arabia, if you use your office to carry out personal vendettas, you don't get investigated like she is:
http://www.ktva.com/ci_10026165
She's under investigation in the most corrupt state, largely due to its oil ties, that is run by the party that just sent up Ted Stevens (going to trial for illegal oil dealings) from their Senate primary.
Posted by: patrickhenry | August 29, 2008 12:44 PM
Nice lady, but look what I found (and put at my blog): Sarah Palin: Creationist?
Posted by: Andreas Johansson | August 29, 2008 12:45 PM
Maybe he wants to give the impression he picked his running mate on merits rather than electoral mathematics?
Posted by: Mrs. Peach | August 29, 2008 12:45 PM
Hang on about the Hillary crowd. I don't doubt that she still has some followers, but that whole PUMA crowd is a bunch of republicans trying their best to not only draw away some Hillary voters, but also create a huge rift where there isn't one. Great for the media! At the same time they have the bonus of making Hillary fans look irrational and shrill. After seeing a video on them, I checked out their puma pac blog. It was so obvious when they talked about Michele Obama's speech. All the typical republican talking points (liberals, lesbians, Chappaquiddick Ted) besides a reverence for Fox News, Glenn Beck, and Pat Robertson. And it was all started by a housewife who's only donation, Hillary lover that she is, to John McCain. Just more republican dirty tricks. They learned well from Nixon.
Posted by: Carlie | August 29, 2008 12:46 PM
campaign button
Posted by: Nick Gotts | August 29, 2008 12:47 PM
I think there's some misunderestimation of Palin here. I get the impression she's an unscrupulous political panderer rather than an actual creotard or convinced AGW denialist; though if anyone knows different, I'm prepared to be convinced. Certainly a nasty piece of work on social issues, but that will enthuse the Rethuglican base. It's also a far more imaginative choice than Obama's.
Posted by: octopod | August 29, 2008 12:48 PM
Huh. So, yeah, it looks like they're trying to rope in Clinton fans who don't like Obama by...
...picking a VP candidate who disagrees with her pretty much exactly on every policy point? Come on, this lady's a member of Feminists for Life, lol.
It's official: McCain Just Doesn't Get It.
(Also, as someone points out at Shakesville: "She's also under investigation, like all the other Alaska Republicans."
Posted by: norman conquest | August 29, 2008 12:49 PM
What a bunch of whiney leftist snots. Game over. You lose. Another four years of adult leadership awaits us (eight, almost certainly).
Posted by: Dee | August 29, 2008 12:49 PM
Yeah, Obama gave his speech to a crowd of thousands with cheers and tears...but why is that? Because he's a damn socialist, that's why. He's almighty, the "savior" of a world fallen attack to the dreaded Republicans. Give me a break. All I know is that if Obama gets into office, we may as well as move to a communist country, cause that's where we're headed. And Heaven forbid we have a woman in office who has more common sense and morality in one eyelash than most of the posters here! Where is America headed if this is the majority of the so-called citizens? I, for one, applaud McCain's balls in choosing a female VP. If Faux-Bama had had half a brain, he'd have done the same...would have insured his vote. Now all he has is empty promises to throw at the dazed, delusioned masses.
Posted by: Prof MTH | August 29, 2008 12:50 PM
McCain is just pandering to the lowest militant sexist base. Lots of female Hillary supporters were already casting their dumbfuck vote for McCain either because Hillary did not win the primaries or chosen as VP under Obama. McCain is betting that some of the slightly less sexist Hillary supporters who would have still voted for Obama may now switch to McCain because he selected a woman and for no other reason. Many political talking assbots suggested that McCain would select a woman if Obama did not.
This selection weakens McCain. He constantly criticizes Obama as being too inexperienced. He can no longer make that criticism since his VP choice has even less experience. Not that this will stop McCain from actually doing so.
Posted by: David Roberts | August 29, 2008 12:50 PM
But you know, if they were serious about this, wouldn't Ms Rice be a far better choice? That way they could get two shallow factions: people who vote by gender only and people who vote on race only. Does the GOP actually think.... whoa! I'll stop there.
Posted by: octopod | August 29, 2008 12:51 PM
@#69: Your stunning display of logic has overwhelmed and defeated us, William the Bastard.
Seriously, why do people do this? I really don't understand.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT | August 29, 2008 12:54 PM
hilarious.
Posted by: Davet | August 29, 2008 12:55 PM
The only thing I know about Sarah Palin is that she has a screechy voice. I can't believe I have to listen to THAT for the next two months, till this is over.
Posted by: BlueIndependent | August 29, 2008 12:56 PM
Well, at the very least, he surprised probably everyone with this pick. I had never heard of her before, but her resume doesn't impress, whether she's young or not. I understand why he picked a female VP nominee, but I'm already thinking he'd pull more votes had he gone with Pawlenty.
Posted by: Dutch Delight | August 29, 2008 12:57 PM
Doesn't McCain have the Ron Paul crowd to worry about?
Posted by: Pete Cockerell | August 29, 2008 12:58 PM
So in Palin's 40s, a pretty risky age for any woman to get pregnant, she decided to have her *fifth* child. Or at least neglected to do anything about preventing pregnancy. An test in the 1st trimester would have revealed the presence of Down Syndrome, but she went ahead and had the baby anyway (not a big shock given her anti-choice stance, I guess). By what stretch of the imagination does this episode indicate that she exercises good judgment?
If by some fluke McCain wins, I can only hope his ticker holds out for the first term.
And to whoever said Palin's hot: you need even bigger glasses than she wears.
Posted by: Qwerty | August 29, 2008 12:59 PM
"Posted by: norman conquest | August 29, 2008 12:49 PM
What a bunch of whiney leftist snots. Game over. You lose. Another four years of adult leadership awaits us (eight, almost certainly)."
Yea, and I am sure your party will also control Congress! Win or lose, McSame has made a pathetic choice, but I am sure you won't read this as you've posted and run.
Vote for your beauty pagaent VP! See if she wins. Creotard!
Posted by: Nick Gotts | August 29, 2008 1:01 PM
Dee,
If you really think Obama is a socialist, your degree of disconnection from reality is dangerous - you could find yourself walking out of a tenth-floor window, thinking you can fly. Get urgent psychiatric help.
Posted by: phantomreader42 | August 29, 2008 1:01 PM
Ben the brain-dead creationist troll @#3:
Nick Gotts @ #37:
That's just the problem. His faith is much too pitifully weak to survive a look at the evidence. That's why he hides in abject terror from reality. It's a common affliction among creationists, they know the facts don't back up their myths, so they have to pretend the facts don't exist. Deep down, they know they don't have a leg to stand on in the real world, so they wrap themselves up in their delusions as tight as they possibly can.
Posted by: jj | August 29, 2008 1:03 PM
Nick Gotts said,
From the article linked to in post #63:
If it quacks like a creotard and thinks like a creotard...it's a creotard.
Posted by: The Chemist | August 29, 2008 1:05 PM
@ JStein
Um, hate to point this out, but Biden is from Delaware. Delaware also has a measly three electoral points.
Posted by: bunnycatch3r | August 29, 2008 1:06 PM
What would it have taken for you to have voted Republican?
Posted by: Steve_C | August 29, 2008 1:06 PM
Dee. I call poe!
Posted by: KC | August 29, 2008 1:08 PM
When I read the announcement in my paper this morning, I inwardly groaned. I generally like Palin - she's way better than the alternatives - but a) she's going to make a shitty VP (and eventual president, when McCain kicks it) and b) her being on the ticket is going to drag my home state of Alaska through the mud. We're already getting referred to as some po-dunk, permanently intoxicated wasteland where we subsist on welfare and PDF cheques. And it's not even been two hours.
Posted by: varlo | August 29, 2008 1:09 PM
m I mistaken, or is this not the first time in modern history when the two candidates of a major party came from two such low-population, hence low Electoral College, states?
Posted by: Dave Eaton | August 29, 2008 1:10 PM
"Those girls will vote for ovaries every time"
Maybe not, but I want to wait for data before dismissing this. Her pro-life stance is probably more likely to affect her than being a creationist, and might well chase women away. But many are smarting over perceived chauvinism, and might not sit still for a woman, even one they disagree with, being dissed.
The only thing I know about Sarah Palin is that she has a screechy voice.
I think is exactly where Obama supporters need to be careful. Some women felt like there was a lot of misogyny coming from Obama's people (See the blog TalkLeft for examples). Committed feminists might not vote McCain/Palin , but any whiff of sexism could have them stay home.
Anybody who expects either side to waltz away with the presidency is kidding themselves, so it makes good sense not to alienate support casually.
Posted by: Nick Gotts | August 29, 2008 1:10 PM
jj@82,
I dunno - I'd seen what you link to already, and it seems quite consistent with the pandering hypothesis to me. Indeed, the fact she mentioned being a science teacher's daughter could be taken as a coded signal to Rethuglicans who happen to be sane on this one issue: "Of course I don't believe that creationist crap, but come on, we need the creotards on board to keep the libruls out."
Posted by: Aaron | August 29, 2008 1:10 PM
Any takers on a bet that he picked a woman VP to possibly gain some pull among women voters who were otherwise swooned by Obama's suave ways?
Pretty smart on his part, although it kind of seems like a gambit.
Posted by: Rob in Memphis | August 29, 2008 1:14 PM
Good news! McCain just lost a big portion of the Southern Baptist vote, because even though they agree with her on their pet issues--anti-same-sex marriage, anti-abortion, etc.--if McCain dies in office it'll put one of those... those women in charge and according to Gawd and Jebus that would be the worst thing ever.
"I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent."--Timothy 2:11
This is one instance where instead of decrying decisions made on the basis of religious ignorance and intolerance, I'm all for it. (And having to live down here in Fundagelical Plastic Jesusland, I'm also completely in favor of anything that pisses off the Southern Baptists.)
Posted by: Brownian, OM | August 29, 2008 1:16 PM
Like almost all republicans, she's a fucking liar, since she supports abstinence-only sex ed.
Oh, and Octopod: people like norman conquest and Ben show up to deliver content-free soundbites because that's what the No Intelligence Allowed party has taught them to pass off as 'thinking'.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT | August 29, 2008 1:17 PM
But Biden has HUGE Pennsylvania ties. He's even referred to sometimes as PENN's third senator.
And beyond that Biden is way more well known and has a much longer public track record than Palin so his being a Delewarian (is that even a word?) doesn't play as much as Palin's Alaskinianism (/shrug)
Posted by: Matt Penfold | August 29, 2008 1:18 PM
Dee,
You seem to have been absent when where ever you went to school did politics.
Socialism is not the same thing as communism. Indeed some of the most vehement oponents of communism have been socialist. Did you never study George Orwell (Eric Blair) at school ?
And the idea that Obama is a socialist is simply laughable, and only someone totally ignorant of politics would think that.
Why did you bother posting what even you must have known are such idiotic comments ?
Posted by: Brownian, OM | August 29, 2008 1:21 PM
Why bother moving? Conservatives love corporate welfare and corporate handouts--they just don't admit it.