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Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ann Corrigan who wrote (43731)	9/1/2008 10:15:06 PM
From: puborectalis	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 224704

National Review: Saturday, August 30, 2008 Palin Pick [Shannen Coffin] I was travelling on business yesterday, so had some time to reflect on the pick before posting my reaction. My immediate reaction to the announcement was relief. Given the options that McCain was considering, at least he chose someone who is apparently conservative both socially and fiscally. It seemed like a decent political play to undecideds, while at the same time shoring up the base, something that McCain always has to be concerned about. But as the day wore on, it didn't hold up. Palin seems a perfectly charming, All-American success story. There is very little not to like in her story. But the notion of plucking a governor with less than two years of experience that would count for anything (unless your a fan of movies like Dave) to serve as Vice President to a 72-year old President is troubling, to say the least. The pick comes with enormous risk, both as a matter of politics, and more importantly, governance. As a political matter, the Obama camp must be breathing a sigh of relief that it can now run ads that say, "Is SHE ready to lead?" It effectively blunts any criticism that Obama is not ready for prime time, which was only the most effective line of attack that Steve Schmidt had developed for McCain. After all, her career in the "city council" and as mayor of a town few outside of Alaska have ever heard of doesn't exactly prepare her to preside over National Security Council meetings in the President's absence, to serve as a close adviser to the President on counterterrorism issues, or to have the nuke "football" at her side 24/7. And I say this as a guy who 1) grew up in a similar sized town in Louisiana that no one outside of Webster Parish has ever heard of, and 2) spent the 2005-07 as Counsel to the sitting Vice President — so I have some perspective on both from whence she came and what the job can involve. That lack of experience is a political liability for the very reason that it is a real liability. The choice also says a lot about McCain. First, that he is a bit desparate. McCain likely thought it would be difficult to make a splash with a conventional Republican sidekick. Changing the subject from Thursday's Obama-thon would be difficult with Mit Romney or Kay Bailey Hutchinson (who would have been an awful choice anyway) by his side. The choice of Palin certainly gives us all something new to talk about. And she is fresh, smart (as far as I can tell from a brief time studying her), enthusiastic and energetic. But it is a bit of a political Hail Mary pass. Second, that he is one arrogant SOB. McCain is essentially telling the world that he doesn't really need a Vice President. It is hard to imagine Palin playing the same sort of role that modern Vice Presidents like Gore, Bush, Cheney, or Mondale played. Rather, the Office would seem poised to return to the "proverbial warm bucket of p***" category. McCain has thus made a purely political play without regard for the governance concerns. And how could he really have a good idea of how she would govern? My understanding is that he only met with her once before choosing her. Sarah Palin is a remarkable American success story — the kind of person that most Americans would love to befriend. She also is a huge political gamble, one that blunts the most effective line of attack on Barack Obama. There are substantial questions in the minds of many Americans about Barack's ability and experience to lead the country. But if John McCain has said that a year plus of statewide office (plus some small town politics) is good enough, why isn't state legislature and a couple of visits to the floor of the U.S. Senate? There is tremendous upside to the gamble, given Palin's story and charisma. But it will be hard to fend off the experience attacks when they come in earnest.

To: Ann Corrigan who wrote (43731)	9/1/2008 10:15:56 PM
From: puborectalis	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 224704

National Review: Saturday, August 30, 2008 [Rick Brookhiser] I have not had a TV to watch all week, though I have had internet, so I have followed the Palin pick entirely through the medium of the Corner. I have not had a TV to watch all week, though I have had internet, so I have followed the Palin pick entirely through the medium of the Corner. I share the initial reservations of David, and to a lesser extent, Jay. I share the initial reservations of David, and to a lesser extent, Jay. The Palin pick shows a low opinion of the vice presidency, and it shows conservatives in a bad light. The Palin pick shows a low opinion of the vice presidency, and it shows conservatives in a bad light. 1. The Vice Presidency. The Vice Presidency. Either McCain thinks the war on terror isn't serious, or he thinks the vice-presidency isn't. Either McCain thinks the war on terror is not serious, or he thinks the vice-presidency is not. Since the former is obviously untrue, it must be the latter. Since the former is obviously untrue, it must be the latter. McCain is certainly following a very old conception of the job. McCain is certainly following a very old conception of the job. One nineteenth century veep was reputedly so underutilized that he kept a tavern in his home state. One nineteenth century veep was reputedly so underutilized that he kept a tavern in his home state. But that is not our conception. But that is not our design. Vice Presidents have grown in clout and responsibility. Vice Presidents have grown in clout and responsibility. In the last fifty years, four former vice presidents have run for president (Nixon, Mondale, elder Bush, Gore), two of them successfully, while since Carter/Mondale, veeps have been given more and more to do. In the last fifty years, four former vice presidents have run for president (Nixon, Mondale, elder Bush, Gore), two of them successfully, while since Carter / Mondale, veeps have been given more and more to do. McCain, bless him, intends to do everything himself. Good luck! McCain, bless him, intends to do everything himself. Good luck! Perhaps the Palin pick is a sly diss both of Obama/Biden and Bush/Cheney. Perhaps the pick Palin is a sly diss both of Obama / Biden and Bush / Cheney. Palin will go to funerals. Palin will go to funerals. 2. Conservatives. Palin will also be assigned to pacify conservatives. Palin will also be assigned to pacify conservatives. On the evidence of the numerous emails reprinted here, that will be easily done. On the evidence of the numerous emails reprinted here, that will be easily done. Reader after reader said that the base was now energized. Reader after reader said that the base was energized now. You would have thought the base was energized by being in a war. You would have thought the base was energized by being in a war. If not, perhaps we need a new base. If not, perhaps we need a new base.

To: Ann Corrigan who wrote (43731)	9/1/2008 11:12:59 PM
From: koan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 224704

My governor: She fought the oil companies and we will receive 6 billion extra this year and probably every year from here on out. It was about time someone took them on. Murkoski sold us out to the oil comapnies. That is why she beat him. She made a couple of Republican legislators who took bribes from the oil companies and are either under investigation or indictment step down. (all the legislators under indictment or investigation for bribery 10? from the oil companies are Republicans. No democrats. She got the gas line going and did it right as it will run down through Canada and tie in with their existing distribution system. That was smart as it avoids having to mess with LNG and we will make much more money. It will also allow the gas line to pick up gas from the Mackenzie Delta and other Alaskan gas fields in the east. Smart. And Canadians will build the gas line not the oil companies. The oil comapnies wanted to build it and run it down to Valdez, but that would have cost us a lot more money as it would have had to be turned into LNG and shipped. Also the oil companies would have had us in their grasp. Smart again. She also smartly moved up our $2,000 permnent fund one month so people would have money to buy fuel before winter and she gave everyone in the state an extra $1,200 we took in so much money from the high oil prices. That was very astute. Dems wanted to give ou tless, but that was wrong headed IMO. All of those things will greatly help Alaskan's who are going to struggle this year with high heating bills.