The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

Posted by: racinenativemn on August 29, 2008 8:12AM CST It's funny i mentioned her name a long time ago as one of my favorite choices. and just three days ago to a guy at work. his first response was who is she. I think that'll be a great choice and hope that's his pick.

Posted by: AngelMT on August 29, 2008 8:47AM CST I heard on the radio this morning that if she is his pick its only because they figure this would be the easiest way to cement the support of the Hillary voters (who were voting for her not because of her views but because she is a woman)

Posted by: philosopher on August 29, 2008 8:48AM CST I have been favoring Palin and would heartily support her choice.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 8:54AM CST Beautiful? This isn't a spokesmodel position. The main job is to wake up each day and inquire about the health of the president. Sarah Palin has been governor of Alaska for less than two years. Prior to that, she was mayor of Wasilla. Did you guys seriously think that John McCain, on his 72nd birthday, would pick her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency? I question your judgment routinely, but this is absolutely jaw-dropping. Please go to eBay and search for "clue".

Posted by: racinenativemn on August 29, 2008 8:55AM CST it would probably get some Hillary supporters that vote based on sex. but it also rallies the conservatives that had some doubt over mccain policies. palin would lock my vote for president. im not a woman or a hillary supporter.

Posted by: philosopher on August 29, 2008 8:58AM CST AngelMT - what would you expect to hear from the Dems, a big hoorah? Obama's choice of Biden was only because Biden could help correct for Obama's lack of experience. Biden is the complete opposite of the type Obama would pick if raw political considerations didn't get in his way.

Posted by: philosopher on August 29, 2008 9:07AM CST Mark C - two years as governor of Alaska is two years more high-level executive experience than Obama has. Governing a state is the closet thing to being president that anyone can do. That's one thing Obama can not touch, an argument that her experience is too limited. One of the hottest topics or our time is energy problems, and as governor of Alaska she is a thorough-going expert on that.

Posted by: racinenativemn on August 29, 2008 9:12AM CST yeah Palin is the only one with any executive experience. It's not a spokesmodel position, just a good characterist. hey philo, community organizer is as close to presidential experience as you can get. maybe you should hit up e-bay and search clue.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 9:12AM CST Oh. My. God. The Chicago Tribune is reporting that that McCain's pick may be Miss Wasilla 1984. This is like watching Idiocracy live on TV.

Posted by: racinenativemn on August 29, 2008 9:16AM CST isn't rachael ray,martha stewart, or the view on tv mark?

Posted by: racinenativemn on August 29, 2008 9:19AM CST reading the chicago trib or my newspaper the mn star trib is like reading a steamy love novel when it comes to Obama.no wonder you read it mark.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 9:19AM CST Well, okay, not just Miss Wasilla: "In the Wasilla pageant, she played the flute and also won Miss Congeniality." And not only that, "Palin holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Idaho where she also minored in politics. She briefly worked as a sports reporter for local Anchorage television stations while also working as a commercial fisherman with her husband, Todd, her high school sweetheart." Either the media has lost all ability to reason or John McCain has. I'm betting it's the former.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 9:24AM CST racinenativemn: Apparently you must know.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 9:37AM CST TBV: Oh, I have plenty of fear -- fear that roughly 50 percent of my country has lost all ability to think in any terms except the most immediate and sensational. And if you really believe most women are going to support a completely unqualified person to be a heartbeat away from the presidency simply because of her gender, you're being much more insulting to your own sex than I am, and so shortsighted that it's just astonishing. Do you seriously want Sarah Palin and her bachelor's degree in journalism leading the free world if John McCain suddenly passes in his sleep one night? You guys are so caught up in one-upping and gotchas and flip-flops and swiftboating that you would put your own future and that of your children in jeopardy in order to "win."

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 9:41AM CST Wow. NBC News confirms it now too. I am dumbstruck. Does McCain realize that it's traditional to receive gifts on one's birthday, not give them?

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 9:49AM CST TBV: Yeah, I know. That's the GOP answer to reason.

Posted by: Deo on August 29, 2008 9:59AM CST Mark - "And if you really believe most women are going to support a completely unqualified person to be a heartbeat away from the presidency simply because of her gender" Lets change the word women to blacks and the word gender to race, now ask the same question about the Democratic choice for President.

Posted by: Deo on August 29, 2008 10:06AM CST Mark - One more point about credibility, mainly yours! "As for the Internet, it was not an innovation of the private sector. It was created by the government (ARPANET) and Gore was the key politician:" REALLY ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT? Preliminary discussions of how the ARPANET would be designed began in 1967, and a request for proposals went out the following year. In 1969, the Defense Department commissioned the ARPANET. Gore was 21-years-old at the time. He wasn't even done with law school at Vanderbilt University. It would be eight more years before Gore would be elected to the US House of Representatives as a freshman Democrat with scant experience in passing legislation, let alone ambitious proposals. By that time, file copying -- via the UUCP protocol -- was beginning. Email was flourishing. The culture of the Internet was starting to develop through the Jargon File and the SF-Lovers mailing list. Source:http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/1999/03/18390 From a previous blog which interesting enough when confronted with FACTS that countrary to your bias opinion you never posted on that blog again. You must just hate it when facts get in the way of YOUR opinion!

Posted by: Huck Finn on August 29, 2008 10:16AM CST Inspired. But I see a duality of role playing here. McCain isn't even nominated yet but he has chosen a running mate? Didn't the Right go overboard with venom on this very thing? Where's the outrage? The audacity! Serously though, a person needs to look at their attack and ask if it can be used on them. Mark, are you serious? Saying women will vote for McCain now just because, is like the Right saying blacks will vote for Obama just because..... So Silly. Both sides using the same arguments and neither able to put out a realistic defense. Comes down to nothing but yammering.

Posted by: K2K-Man on August 29, 2008 10:19AM CST Kudos to Deo! Mark, your show was over yesterday, time to move on to real substance. The Jr. senator was out done. A good speech will last only for a day. Time to get back to reality.

Posted by: Poguey on August 29, 2008 10:32AM CST McCain hasn't even been elected yet, and he's already had a "Harriet Myers" moment. Would anybody seriously have voted for Palin were she running for president? Certainly not. Yeah, she's young and an up-and-comer, but the first criteria for any VP candidate (particularly one for a 70+ year old presidential candidate) should always be is s/he ready to be president? She makes Obama look experienced.

Posted by: Deo on August 29, 2008 10:37AM CST Poqey - "She makes Obama look experienced." Read and weep! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin This women even hunts her FOOD!

Posted by: crazy4cars on August 29, 2008 10:39AM CST There is nothing that makes Obama look experienced! He has no experience!

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 10:41AM CST [waves at the frothing Deo] Huck: This pick is a clear Hail Mary. I'm shocked, because I didn't think McCain was trailing by that much. Gambling this big does work every once in a hundred or so tries, but it's really reckless. Sure, it gets Obama's speech out of the news today, but it also destroys McCain's whole attack up until now. I have suffered through many Chicago Bears quarterbacks, but I have never -- never --seen an attempt like this.

Posted by: Poguey on August 29, 2008 10:43AM CST Oh, and before anyone jumps on me, I am hardly a liberal. I do think, though, that McCain's options were really limited. Joe Lieberman would have been his best choice. Why? First, he's qualified, even if I don't necessarily like all his policy positions. Second, he and McCain are tight, and Joe is who he really wanted to pick, I'm sure. Third, no single act would have gone further to point out that Obama's "change" is purely rhetorical, while McCain's "change" is the real thing. Unfortunately, McCain couldn't choose Lieberman because the convention would have been total clusterf. And, yes, Liberman hardly reflects my political beliefs, but McCain doesn't either. The current political climate is left of where it ought to be, but it is what it is and McCain is who he is. How he got the nomination, I'll never know, but he did, so the party needs to let him be who he is, or else he'll look like a fraud (or Bush 3, as he's being portrayed) and Obama will win.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 10:56AM CST TBV: You realize you're running circles around your own arguments, right? Because by your own standard, John Sidney McCain has "no executive experience." Unless you count "beer distributor," in which job his involvement consisted of asking the CEO, "How's business?"

Posted by: Poguey on August 29, 2008 10:58AM CST Sorry, TBV, but I think Mark is completely right. McCain totally undercut his main selling point, and his primary advantage over Obama, namely that experience matters. If he is going to try to run on fluff like cute little VP nomination games and minority demographic group politics, Obama is gonna clean his clock. As far as I'm concerned, Obama has perfected the art of superficial politics. In other words, I hoped that McCain would make the election a referendum on the importance of political substance (whatever it happens to be) over electioneering form. This veep choice wreaks of form over substance, though.

Posted by: Deo on August 29, 2008 11:20AM CST Poguey - Yep a 90% approval rating in her state, and a woman who DIDN'T abort her child with Down Sydrome, worked as a t.v. anchor while also working as a commercial fisherman with her husband, who by the way is a is Yup'ik. She also like McCain has a son serving in Iraq. Yep definetly form over substance. LOL

Posted by: Poguey on August 29, 2008 11:29AM CST Look, folks, she sounds like a quality person, through and through. But I guess I always thought that it should take more than just that to become leader of the free world. Like a track record of actually having governed in some sense, both to show what you believe in and what you're capable of accomplishing. Now, there's an argument to be made that experience is overrated, but I'd much rather force Obama to have to make that argument. I think I'm a pretty quality person, but I would fully expect to be laughed at if someone nominated me for VP. Maybe all the things you point out--hunting her own food, not having aborted her child--make her an excellent candidate for "Extreme Makeover, Home Edition," but not for the presidency. Not yet.

Posted by: Huck Finn on August 29, 2008 11:32AM CST I just had an off hand thought. Does this pick mean Condi Rice told him NO WAY? Knowing McCain's dalyances, it kind of makes sense he'd pick a former model for a running mate. Just don't leave those two alone in an office. Her Hubby is all man and would stomp that poor old geriatric letcher in two seconds.

Posted by: Dr. Awkward on August 29, 2008 11:47AM CST I wonder if Rush thinks Americans would want to watch her age while in office. I hope she loses her shaky voice as the campaign continues.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 11:49AM CST She's a charming speaker, and touched all the bases in her debut. Wisconsin's gonna love her accent, her outdoorsiness, and her snowmobiling husband. Man, this is one exciting campaign year.

Posted by: K2K-Man on August 29, 2008 11:58AM CST Poguey, I respect your opinion, but I couldn't disagree more. It's your life that I look at that can qualify you as the leader of anything. And this woman has them both. As for Mark, he is just another rabid liberal. Nothing but liberal blue will satisfy him. My comment is this; I was not thrilled about voting at all this time around. I consider myself an independant conservative. I will admit that I am a "values voter". Outside of that Politics is what it is and I really don't expect much from our government and it's processes. So when it comes to voting I look at the people themselves, what they say they believe and how they live their lives. With that angle you may see why I didn't want to vote this time around. I see this selection as a stroke of genius. This Gov. Palin is somebody I can get excited about and will definately vote for the ticket. This pick just changed everything for me.

Posted by: racinenativemn on August 29, 2008 12:02PM CST well i sounds like mark needs experience in a candidate...at least he wont be voting Obama.

Posted by: K2K-Man on August 29, 2008 12:06PM CST Dr. Awkward, I wouldn't mind watching her age. Starting at 44 even if she serves in the public eye for say 12 years, she will still only be 56. Not bad.

Posted by: The Original Mary on August 29, 2008 12:12PM CST In an interview with Larry Kudlow of CNBC a month ago Palin stated: "As for that VP talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does everyday. Yeah, thats someone you want on your ticket; one who doesn't know what the job is.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 12:21PM CST racinenativemn: Actually, I don't think anyone has presidential experience before becoming president. I only mention it because it has been the cornerstone of McCain's campaign until this morning, and now he's just blown that all up. As Al Gore underlined last night, Barack Obama has a very similar resume to Abraham Lincoln's. For me, though, the more important thing is that his decision-making style also resembles Lincoln's, while McCain looks amazingly impulsive.

Posted by: Toad on August 29, 2008 12:23PM CST WOW, Instead of saying "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego" we can say Who the heck is Sarah Palin?

Posted by: Toad on August 29, 2008 12:30PM CST She absolutly HATES dishonesty in the Republican Party. How will she ever deal with that?

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 12:38PM CST You can hear the Letterman joke already: "Putin: Palin; Palin: Putin."

Posted by: ThatsWhatSheSaid on August 29, 2008 12:49PM CST I am extremely excited and pleased with this pick. Just AWESOME. I agree, Democrats seem nervous...

Posted by: K2K-Man on August 29, 2008 12:51PM CST OM, That comment is petty and beneath you. No matter what the job, nobody really knows what it entails until they actually take the job.

Posted by: K2K-Man on August 29, 2008 12:52PM CST Mark, your comments are getting weaker and weaker..

Posted by: Dr. Awkward on August 29, 2008 12:54PM CST HA! I was only joking. But Rush just said "I want to see this woman age in office." I guess that answers that question.

Posted by: ThatsWhatSheSaid on August 29, 2008 1:09PM CST TBV- That's how I feel! I was feeling down, with my daughter starting kindergarten and my son starting preschool. And I had to take both of them to get shots this morning.... I was just feeling down when I woke up this morning. Now I am just so STOKED. I could not be happier right now. I agree, it's Miller Time! (well, after the kids go to bed tonight...) So, so happy.

Posted by: DobberDeeDee on August 29, 2008 1:15PM CST TBV - I know!!!! Isn't this just the best? I already wrote the check!

Posted by: Underdog on August 29, 2008 1:15PM CST Two days ago, BO was being compared to JFK, and now he's being compared with Abraham Lincoln?!!!! I DON"T THINK SO! The dems and OTHERS are running the spin machine is defcon 5 mode today. This was a brilliant move by the white hair dude! When BO looses in November, you are not just looking at the first female Vice-President, but you potentially the first female President-Elect in 4 years. If Hillary had any aspirations of trying again with what could be her last attempt in 4 years, this markedly reduces her chances. With all the nice things she had to say about BO, her blood has to be boiling now.

Posted by: DobberDeeDee on August 29, 2008 1:18PM CST Oh, and have you seen Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC? I can't remember ever seeing anyone so deflated. That woman seriously needs a martini.

Posted by: Stinky on August 29, 2008 1:28PM CST This was a wise decision by the McCain camp. He HAD to pick someone with proven conservative chops. The problem they had was energizing the conservative republican base. This pick should help solidify the base and at least keep them from staying home on election day. Coupled with the fact that they needed someone young and fresh to help with younger voters. You may say she is inexperienced but being a hands on govenor for two years still beats a Senator for two years that has been mostly spent campainging. She may be a heartbeat away from being Pres, from what I've seen/heard so far of her, still looks better than Obama You'd be naive to think that the fact she is a female and that there are a lot of disguntled Hillary supporters out there deciding who they are going to support had nothing to do with it. I say good job.

Posted by: Cheers on August 29, 2008 1:31PM CST I haven't read all the comments yet...but I will. Last night I told my husband who had just returned from a Union party celebrating Obama's nom - that I was nervous about McCain's choice. This race is already so close, with no predicting possible. I feared his choosing Lieberman. I felt that would get many of the Dem votes who have an Obama chip on their political shoulders. I honestly do not follow politics enough to have known anything about Gov Palin, so that wasn't even a worry. But when I heard the news this morning I did get that gut fear. Because you know what? As sad as it is...people do vote based on some asinine and superficial reasons. Palin is young, BEAUTIFUL (she is a hottie, isn't she?) and also has a freshness about her. There are so many pissed off Hillary Nazis out there that I feel would honestly vote for McCain simply because his VP is a woman. And I feel some half baked men out there would vote due to her hottie factor. Yes, it goes both ways. I know that people are supporting Obama because of his race and did because of his gender. But now I see this more neck and neck than ever. And yes, TBV, I do feel fear. I know you love that - there is my early Xmas gift to you :) I know in my heart that between McCain and Obama that Obama is the very best choice. Much the anxiety this will bring for 3 more months is going to drive me batty. Wake me when it's over. Or...maybe not.

Posted by: Underdog on August 29, 2008 1:35PM CST "he's a charming speaker, and touched all the bases in her debut. Wisconsin's gonna love her accent, her outdoorsiness, and her snowmobiling husband. Man, this is one exciting campaign year." Marc, I know you are besides yourself this morning, and I feel your pain (not really). But if you knew anything about Alaska snowmaching is not a just funzy thing as you seem imply, it becomes a winter necessity. And for the many that live outside Anchorage, the "outdoorsiness" isn't a fad, it's means sustenance and survival!

Posted by: Poguey on August 29, 2008 1:36PM CST For good or ill, I think we've now crossed into the land where political experience is not only not a requirement for the highest political office in the world, but actually a detriment. After all, the more experience, the more things there are for people to pick apart. INexperience is actually preferable because it allows people to project their own hopes and dreams onto the candidate without any annoying reality getting in the way. The flipside, of course, is that we're now effectively hiring a president "sight unseen," not really knowing how s/he would handle any given situation, but it seems like that's a trade-off that people are willing to make. If not, Hillary's "3 am" commercial really should have won her the nomination, because it was absolutely true--no one knows how Obama (or Palin) would react. In any event, it seems that neither party is now in a position to argue that significant experience is a prerequisite for the job, the dems because Obama has none and the GOP because McCain chose someone as his hand-picked successor who has none. We've now entered the land of the 'People' magazine Presidency.

Posted by: Iconoclast on August 29, 2008 1:54PM CST Palin is a great choice!

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 2:11PM CST Underdig: The guy races snowmobiles. He's won the Iron Dog four times. For "sustenance and survival," he's a commercial fisherman and works for BP on the North Slopes. Wait -- why am I arguing this ridiculous point with you again?

Posted by: Underdog on August 29, 2008 2:35PM CST "The guy races snowmobiles" BIG PHRICKEN DEAL MARX!!! What does that have to do with his wife being the VP pick?!!! People race cars but they still use them out of necessity! " For "sustenance and survival," he's a commercial fisherman and works for BP on the North Slopes" Again Marx, BIG PHRICKEN DEAL!!! There are alot of people the are both the employer and employee and hunt. But again please explain to us all with your profound wisdom, how does that relate to Sarah Palin being a the VP pick? Oh yes here's the relationship, he works for a big evil oil company drilling in pristine wilderness causing great havoc to the caribou, therefore his wife is evil too. Face it pal, this selection has hit you right were your legs come together and you can't deal with it!

Posted by: MC on August 29, 2008 2:42PM CST Funny to watch those on the left here try to play down Sarah Palin's "experience" as not much or according to Poquey "none"! They are all jealous of her experience because it is so much more than BHO's. As someone said, she is running to be VP where there is room for OTJ trainning. But it goes beyond just experience (which is defined in so many different ways), to attitude, style, policies, beliefs, values and character. SP has very high marks on these points IMHO. JSM may have just aquired about half of the 18 million votes that Hilllary got in the primaries. Wise choice.

Posted by: DobberDeeDee on August 29, 2008 2:44PM CST The left wing talking points are so funny. I love how choosing Palin now takes experience and foreign policy "off the table." It is like they are trying to make it OFFICAL - we may no longer talk about these subjects. Yeah, right. Good luck with that.

Posted by: Iconoclast on August 29, 2008 2:48PM CST C'mon libs: Who would you rather have lunch with, Biden or Palin? You've got to admit, it's not even close...

Posted by: Blogometric Pressure on August 29, 2008 2:52PM CST Hilarious to think that just because this woman has my anatomy that I would vote for breasts in the White House. Qualified, ha! NO way. I am not nervous in the least. We have been talking to over 100 people today about Obama and when McCain choice came out, we had more than one "republican" say that McCain has made a desperate move. This is going to backfire big time. Assuming that intelligent Clinto women would vote for Palin because she has a uterus is stupid. She is against everything Clinton has worked for. It takes more than a pair of pantyhose to fill.....well, nevermind.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 2:52PM CST Lots of Americans identify with The Simpsons, but wouldn't necessarily vote for them. Generally, you want your president to be more informed and astute than most of the people on your block. I think even moose hunters would prefer a president who understands the world, knows the Constitution, knows history, and understands economics better than they do.

Posted by: MC on August 29, 2008 2:53PM CST Oops, make that OJT.

Posted by: MC on August 29, 2008 3:00PM CST Mark, if you break your shovel I'll be glad to send you another one pal.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 3:00PM CST Underdoh: I was actually complimenting the woman on her fine presentation this morning, and remarking that Wisconsin voters might like her and her family. Somehow, you have gotten off the trail and become lost in some bizarre spinout regarding snowmobiles. I'm hoping you recover your bearings, but I'm going to have to excuse myself from the debate because that white foamy stuff on your lips is icky.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 3:06PM CST TBV: Careful -- the hated banking industry is awfully similar to the hated savings and loan industry. You wouldn't want to remind people of John "Maverick" McCain's history as a reformer.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 3:15PM CST TBV: By the way, nice job on appropriating the "change" and "hope" themes that so irritated you in the past. That's an almost McCain-like grabbing of whatever seems like it might work today.

Posted by: Dr. Awkward on August 29, 2008 3:19PM CST Palin is currently under investigation. I wonder what its conclusion might do to her squeaky-clean image?

Posted by: great dane on August 29, 2008 3:21PM CST Sarah Palin was quoted as saying 50 years ago, when they were made a state, one of the deals was that they use Alaska for untapped oil and clean gas. Our federal government has refused to let that happen. The FEDS want the foreign oil dependency, and that's all there is to that. Gov. Palin governs a state of a little over 600,000 people!!! We, in FL have over a million people in Orange County! Oh, her favorite dinner, is "Elk Stew" I thought you would like to know that Mark!

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 3:27PM CST Dr. Awkward: That investigation is not going hurt her. Palin looks good in that story compared to her state trooper ex-brother-in law who allegedly threatened to kill Palin's father, tasered his own 11-year-old stepson, and violated game laws. I hope someone brings Northern Exposure back to TV now. That was a great show.

Posted by: Blogometric Pressure on August 29, 2008 3:27PM CST Well, Sarah Palin is an outstanding pick for conservatives: she's anti-choice (even in the case of rape), anti-science (supports creationism and denies global warming), and has a Watergate-style corruption scandal brewing back home. Brilliant! Not! I like what GOP strategist Alex Castellanos said yesterday after Barack's acceptance speech: Whoever didn't get picked for Republican VP today may be a lucky Republican.

Posted by: Blogometric Pressure on August 29, 2008 3:32PM CST Here is some of the scandels she has to deal with yet: she has her own ethics concern, the subject of an investigation of whether the governor’s office was involved in the firing a state trooper who was in the midst of a nasty divorce from Palin’s sister — Troopergate with a bit of Alaska Gothic thrown in. And McCain’s selection -– a woman who looks young enough to be his college-age daughter -– makes it hard for Republicans to criticize Barack Obama for his in inexperience. Palin is an inoculation for what may be the biggest rap against Obama. That’s a huge risk.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 3:32PM CST Great Dane: Thanks. I've never eaten elk, but I have cooked a lot of venison -- often pairing it with wild rice, cranberry, and an inexpensive zinfandel. Palin's position on drilling in ANWR conflicts with that of John McCain, who has long opposed drilling there. I thought you would like to know that.

Posted by: Blogometric Pressure on August 29, 2008 3:42PM CST The drilling views by McCain and Palin clash. Sorry, but this pick is like picking George Bush in drag. I guess I value the office of VP a bit more than McCain and at 72 he should have gotten someone with a bit more experience. Good lord what was that man thinking. If someone thinks Karl Rove was behind this, I have to wonder if he lost his mind too. As a woman this makes me furious that McCain thinks he can skim and scam the Clinton voter. I hope Hillary comes out swinging on this one.

Posted by: Underdog on August 29, 2008 3:44PM CST Marx, You were the one that crammed your foot in your mouth with the disjointed "outdoorziness" and snowmobile post. Sorry, but I'm not buying your comeback. It was obvious your crack was to associate a stereotype of backwood hicks with ignorant cheeseheads. Try again.

Posted by: K2K-Man on August 29, 2008 3:48PM CST Dr. Awkward, Your on the late show....the liberal slim-media already started to throw this mud 20 minutes BEFORE her speech. Who in high office these days aren't being investigated? Fortunately or Unfortunately anybody in this country can claim anything and start an investigation. Unless you think an investigation means someone has done something wrong. Give it a rest and just admit, BHO & company got slammed today!

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 3:54PM CST TBV: Oh, I'm sure McCain will "learn" something about drilling in ANWR very soon. Exactly when he'll flip would make a good office pool. Tuesday? Wednesday?

Posted by: Blogometric Pressure on August 29, 2008 3:54PM CST She isn't exactly loved up there, we have family up there too, they are laughing their heads off. She got elected because they wanted a change, not because she was really good. As for Maria's interview, she spoke mainly of oil and Palin knows how valuable oil is to Alaska, not a brain thrust by any means. Less than impressive interview, Maria isn't a hard hitter.

Posted by: K2K-Man on August 29, 2008 3:54PM CST Blgo, In lite of the good speech BHO gave last night I could see why Alex Castellanos said what he said. I also think he also was caught off gard with SPs name. I'm sure he would like to take back what he said. By the way your posts show your nails are showing.....touchy touchy when a real LADY enters the room aren't we?

Posted by: Blogometric Pressure on August 29, 2008 3:59PM CST ....most republicans were being investigated up there, she was the less of the evils. She is a Dan Quale all over again. McCain took a gamble based on drooling over the possibility that women would be so hungry to have a uterus in the White House, any one would do. Wrong, Hillary is in tune to women's issues, Palin is a lightweight conservative, a Bushette. Hillary supporters aren't going to throw an opportunity to have 3 supreme court judges to be named in the first term of the next president to McCain Palin. Sorry, Clinton Women aren't as dumb as Debra who allowed herself to be used in a McCain commercial. It is about the issues, the experience and not about the anatomy.

Posted by: Blogometric Pressure on August 29, 2008 4:02PM CST TBV would be gushing if McCain named Mr Bill to the ticket. This ex-beauty queen is totally inexperienced and foreign policy to her means flying to the lower 48. We can't wait for the debates.

Posted by: Underdog on August 29, 2008 4:02PM CST William Ayers

Posted by: MC on August 29, 2008 4:15PM CST It's people like B.P. who make the liberals the brunt of so many jokes nowdays with her spin and distortions and inuendos of the facts. Even Mark is not that unfair. Bottom line = she can't bring herself to admit that Sarah is a darn good choice for McCain whether she likes it or not..

Posted by: Blogometric Pressure on August 29, 2008 4:22PM CST Wrong about the Fear Factor. Wrong about admitting she is a good choice. In fact, from my perspective, Danielle Quale, Bush in drag Palin is a perfect choice for dyspeptic McCain. I am more than pleased with his choice. I was worried he would pick Romney who was a huge favorite and quite qualified to go toe to toe with Biden. Now it will seem almost unfair for Biden to blast the ex beauty queen. But, politics are politics so I hope Biden doesn't hold back. As for the bottom of the ticket think again, McCain is 72, tempermental and going senile. He actually has 8 houses, not 7.

Posted by: Blogometric Pressure on August 29, 2008 4:26PM CST As for distortions and inuendos, I just call it as I see it. A huge waste of a campaign that may have had a chance with Romney. For those who declined, they are breathing a huge sigh of relief. There is going to be a huge confidence gap that would not have been here at Mitt been picked. It would have actually been a race.

Posted by: MC on August 29, 2008 4:28PM CST P.S> If it is "not about anatomy" B.P. then why do you keep refereing to all your parts? We all know what is in/on a woman, so you're not impressing anybody.

Posted by: luejutz on August 29, 2008 4:29PM CST The Dems are beat !! The election is over!! Go mcCain/Palin

Posted by: great dane on August 29, 2008 4:31PM CST CNBC sucks, you might as well be watching O'Reilly, OMG did I just type that name, now I'll have to go wash my hands! Back.....Mark, I wasn't slamming you; I seriously thought you would be interested. Oh well! No one has said anything about Alaska suing the U.S. Government because of Polar Bears.

Posted by: Blogometric Pressure on August 29, 2008 4:31PM CST Exactly my point about the female anatomy. To go for a veep because she is female isn't a good enough reason for those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling to swing their votes to someone who stands for everything Hillary stands for. Discussing the female anatomy made you stutter with your spelling. You are right,we all know about what it's about. Gone for the weekend as of now.

Posted by: great dane on August 29, 2008 4:43PM CST Didn't you mean "sealworker?" When the plane from Alaska landed, everyone at the airport was astonished. They had never seen a plane from Alaska before!!!!!

Posted by: MC on August 29, 2008 4:55PM CST B.P you are the only one saying Sarah was chosen for her anatomy. You make the dumb statement and then jump all over Republicans for your idea. Typical lib attack style. Your disrespect for a good man just because he is 72 speaks loudly about your character or actually lack thereof.

Posted by: K2K-Man on August 29, 2008 4:58PM CST His parents own a fishery and he worked in the family business for a while. I believe he works for BP courrently. Good thing Blogo is gone for the weekend. She really needs a break.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 5:03PM CST TBV: Union people, as a matter of fact.

Posted by: ThatsWhatSheSaid on August 29, 2008 5:19PM CST I'm loving how upset this is making the libs... LOVING it. What a great day.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 10:19PM CST Hey, even John McCain barely knows who she is. As David Frum asks, "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?"

Posted by: great dane on August 29, 2008 10:27PM CST Mark, wasn't she a small-town mayor before she became a big-time Governor of a state of 600,000 people? WOW, I'm impressed! I think McCain is going for the religious and pro-life people!! I wish the nearly dead would stay away from the voting booths; they always screw things up. Especially in Florida; they just can't figure it out. What do they have to lose anyway???

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 10:35PM CST Great Dane: I was quoting David Frum. The indications for this would include Mr. Frum's name, and then also the quote marks bookending the quote from him of his words which he wrote. I also included a hypertext link which one could click to see that those are indeed Mr. Frum's words that I quoted inside the quotation marks that I used above following the hypertext link.

Posted by: Give Me a Break on August 29, 2008 10:39PM CST Mark, why don't you just admit you are sexist? If this were a man who only had a few years experience, and NONE on the internation stage, would you be saying the same crap? No, you'd probably say something like I don't think anyone has presidential experience before becoming president. Instead you are pointing out sexist, superficial things like Miss Wasilla. Everything out of your mouth today has been negative, but ironically almost everything can be turned around and pointed right back at your current love affair, Obama. Do you seriously want some Chicago bred lawyer running the country? Which would you rather have - a politician that has actually fought against corruption, or someone that uses political ploys and legal manuvers to avoid fighting a fair fight?

Posted by: great dane on August 29, 2008 10:46PM CST Mark....you are a unctuous prick!

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 11:02PM CST JAK: And what do you know about her? She fought against corruption, you say. Today she made a big deal about how she turned down Alaska's "bridge to nowhere." But that's just not true.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 29, 2008 11:25PM CST Great Dane: I don't think "unctuous" means whatever it is you think it means -- or do you in fact feel that I flatter you excessively? In any event, sorry, but I'm taken. Besides, I simply could not stomach your crude Crock-Pot pot roasts night after night.

Posted by: AngelMT on August 30, 2008 12:01AM CST Mark ~ Though I usually do not agree with the majority of the things you post here, I do enjoy how you write. You almost always make me laugh. I also enjoy your web site, and Amy's Mustard and Rosemary roasted potatoes were awesome. Thanks for posting the recipe.

Posted by: great dane on August 30, 2008 12:26AM CST Unctuous; from Webster's Dictionary: "revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spirituality." I don't own a Crock-Pot!! The fact that you are "taken" makes me want to hurl. Are you the pitcher or the receiver? That is a rhetorical question. That's all folks!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 12:52AM CST JAK - If this were a man with the same credentials - he wouldn't BE the nominee. He might not even be considered for a cabinet post. This choice is all about ONE thing and ONE thing only: independent women voters. McCain had to capitalize on the "Hillary got passed over" theme. He needed a woman and she was the least risky Republican woman. But does he really think women voters are stupid? Who votes for a ticket because of the gender of the VP candidate? That would be as ridiculous as voting for a candidate for president because of his race. Republicans don't think anyone does that now do they? Any Hillary supporter would cringe at the political views and ideology of this woman. Seems like a risky pick to me. A reach. Not sure why a guy would go with a reach with a 5-point lead in the polls. But - hey - it does add another component to this election. Race. Gender. Generational differences. Its all in there now. Now - let's sit back and watch as the GOP convention tries to run and hide from its own president and vice president and become the party that will change our nation.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 30, 2008 5:55AM CST Great Dane: Yeah, see? I'm plenty smug, I'll give you that, but ingratiating? Hardly. False earnestness? No way, José! If you want real unctuousness, think about your typical TV preachers or car salesmen or governors of Alaska. Me, I'm just insolent and contumelious. AngelMT: Aw, thanks very much. Maurice: Exactly right.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 30, 2008 8:34AM CST Speaking of minefields: On the plus side for Palin, she does want a plan in place to exit from Iraq, which is another policy conflict with her running mate. I wonder whether John McCain discussed that in the total of two conversations they had before he chose her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?

Posted by: DobberDeeDee on August 30, 2008 9:18AM CST Mark - you are one angry guy. Lighten up! Why do you care if she doesn't agree with McCain on some issues? Its no big deal.

Posted by: DobberDeeDee on August 30, 2008 9:25AM CST Also could we list all the liberal cliches we are hearing about this pick? (I'm sick of them already) - one heartbeat away smalltown Dan Quayle double down Those are my "favorites" from the Obama strategists' talking points. Does anyone else have any favorites?

Posted by: Toad on August 30, 2008 9:26AM CST Remember What's her name? the Gov. of Louisiana during and after Katrina? That is where we would be if John McCain were elected, and something happened to him early on. That is just common sense. He's OLD, FEEBLE, FORGETFULL, not to mention having one of the WORST cancers you can have. I don't think she was a good idea for some reason. Perhaps she is someone to get them through the convention, and DROP like a hot potato afterwards when they can come up with someone better? Wouldn't that be something. We already know she "Can't stand the heat in the kitchen" (resigning from her post on the former Gov. staff because of corruption) go figure.

Posted by: Give Me a Break on August 30, 2008 10:05AM CST Maurice, Thank you for confirming that Obama is only where he is because he is black. A white man would already be home watching his TV with the same resume as him and would never have gotten the nod from Oprah. Apparently the stupidity of voters only extends to Democrats when their candidate is black. Toad, Blanco was a female democrat. McCain is a male republican. How is that the same thing? And great age discrimination BTW. Way to believe in people older than us.

Posted by: Mark Czerniec on August 30, 2008 10:21AM CST Dobber: Sure -- a trillion dollars blown in Iraq dragging our economy into the toilet, four thousand dead American troops, 90 thousand civilian deaths, the whole mission based on lies and forged documents, and McCain, whose entire campaign is founded on his devotion to this idiotic war, chooses a successor who wants to exit it -- after meeting her all of once in February and talking to her once more on the phone last Sunday. "Lighten up," you say. "It's no big deal." I cannot think of a way to show the shallowness, superficiality, and carelessness of your judgment any better than you did right there. "It's no big deal." Wow.

Posted by: racinenativemn on August 30, 2008 11:03AM CST Iraq is a huge success. the surge worked and business there is starting to boom. get over it. by the way our country is a huge success too and the best place to live despite the dems constent display of sad stories about how bad we are.

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 11:22AM CST JAK - You clearly didn't understand my post. I do not feel people only vote for Obama because of his race. I was being sarcastic. LOL. I confirmed nothing for you, except that you didn't understand my point. I will try to clarify it for you. Throughout the last 3 months Republicans and people who call themselves conservatives have been claiming that people are voting for Obama because of his race. Remember the posts saying that blacks and liberals are voting for Obama and don't even know his views (I can go cut and paste hundreds of them). So - they conclude - his race is his only asset. So - if that is what Republicans were so disgusted about - why are they so enamored by a choice for VP that uses the same logic - but in terms of gender? Does anyone doubt that this choice was made with only one purpose - get the women vote? Talk about hypocrisy. "They vote for him because he is black - not his views or leadership style or experience". But - hey - let's nominate a woman for VP because that will help us get disgruntled Hillary Clinton voters. Isn't that strategy using the same logic - views and experience don't matter, but hey - she's a woman? How offended would a Hillary Clinton supporter be when someone assumes she will vote for this ticket which stands AGAINST just about everything Clinton stands for - simply because of her gender? So JAK - I was pointing out the double talk there. To me - its all about issues, experience, and solutions to our problems. No matter what the race or gender is of the candidates. If you are saying Democrats are "stupid" to vote for a candidate due to race - wouldn't this pick be "counting on" that same stupidity from Republicans or Independents or Democrats if McCain feels they will support this candidate because of gender?

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 11:39AM CST racinenativeman- Stop trying to say that Democrats talk down America. That is election year and talk radio garbage. Old. Yes - this is the best place to live. Great. So - lets just sit back and do nothing right? Elections are about WHO to lead us in the future - not who can pat us on the back for the last 200 years the loudest. To say that we have squandered opportunities and not lived up to our potential as a nation in the last eight years is NOT saying "how bad we are" - it is questioning the leadership we have had for the last eight years. And - unfortunately - there are too many "sad stories" as you call them in this nation. The middle class (not the $5 million making middle class that McCain categorizes them) is becoming working poor and the working poor are falling into poverty. I guess I'd rather have leadership that acknowledges these as more than "sad stories" and sees the real problems that real Americans face every day rather than leadership who's own advisors say that Americans just "whine too much". You are satisfied saying "our country is a huge success" and keeping the status quo. I guess I feel more supportive of a party that recognizes the problems and looks for ways to make us even stronger and make this nation better for everyone. Don't equate patriotism or "love of country" with political debates. To question and be skeptical and protest and look for problems that need addressing is to be patriotic and to show love of country - not just a flag in the yard.

Posted by: AngelMT on August 30, 2008 11:39AM CST DobberDeeDee ~ double down is actually a blackjack term. A double down allows you to split one hand into two separate hands that you play at the same time without having to increase the amount of money you have bet. When you can double down depends on the rules in the casino where you are playing. At Cactus Petes in Jackpot you can double down when you have 2 cards over 8. "How offended would a Hillary Clinton supporter be when someone assumes she will vote for this ticket which stands AGAINST just about everything Clinton stands for - simply because of her gender?" Maurice ~ correct me if I am wrong but I do believe that there was a delegate from WI who was for Hillary and has now decided to throw her support to McCain because Obama is the Democratic nominee. because things didn't go the way she wanted she has decided to vote instead for a man who is opposite of just about everything Hillary stands for. McCain's camp has obviously figured that a maverick female republican will hopefully cement the support of people like her.

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 11:49AM CST Exactly my point Angel. That particular delegate said that she felt Obama was not experienced enough to be president. Hmmm - wonder what she thinks of the VP pick of McCain. Less experience, but a woman. Makes me question whether experience was the real reason she had problems with Obama. I would say that is exactly what Republicans are counting on. If female voters who stood for Hillary now support McCain despite disagreeing on every issue with the GOP ticket (she actually is MORE conservative than McCain) - it would be clear that the overwhelming issue to them was simply the gender of the candidate. I dunno - it didn't work for Democrats in 1984 with Geraldine Ferraro - but that was a much bigger hill to climb. So - the bloggers here who consider themselves conservative derided and blasted Obama supporters as backing him only because of his race (as they saw it) are now counting on that exact idea (that they claim is beneath politics) in regard to female voters and gender. I think that is ironic. We will see if it works.

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 11:57AM CST Simply put - If all women vote for a woman - she will win. There are more women in this nation than men. If all white people vote for a white person - he or she will win. There are more white people than people of color. I think its more complicated than that. I think the pick does highlight that McCain felt he needed to take a risk and not go with a "safer" pick. I always thought politics was more about ideas and leadership and choices we make. At least that is how i vote. Who addresses our issues the best. I still think that MOST voters DO NOT just vote for or against someone because of race or gender (although I'm sure some do) - that it will come down to experience, leadership, style, issues, and proposals. I think both parties have to make their case with ideas for the future. The next two months will allow for that - debates and all.

Posted by: shamuplease on August 30, 2008 1:04PM CST Why is her experience less than Obamas. He has yet to show his experience. I have not heard one report boasting about Obamas Vast Experience. He Has None.

Posted by: great dane on August 30, 2008 1:26PM CST I just read a posting in another Blog that I want to share with you folks: "Do they sell Mooseburger Helper in Washington, D.C.?" Also, did anyone see her house with all the animal heads hanging on the walls? Do you think PETA will be at the RNC????

Posted by: DobberDeeDee on August 30, 2008 1:30PM CST Mark - I didn't say the war in Iraq is no big deal. So quit being a typical liberal by putting words in my mouth and deliberately misunderstanding what I wrote, which was that if she disagrees with McCain on some issues, its no big deal. TBV is right - you are very afraid that this VP choice is very good for McCain and it has left you very shrill. So I stand by my earlier advice. Lighten up. There are over 60 days left in this campaign; you don't want to give yourself a stroke.

Posted by: great dane on August 30, 2008 1:40PM CST Please let him give himself a stroke; the world would be better off without him! These Czech and Slovak Federative Republic people love to argue politics. They don't even know who they are? I'm a communist, no, I'm a republic; no, I'm a Slovak; no, I'm a Czech! Goenzback to CSFR, and make a machine!!!!

Posted by: nm on August 30, 2008 1:46PM CST She looks fabulous in that suit!

Posted by: MC on August 30, 2008 3:02PM CST I see you are making more new friends Mark with your charasmatic personality. Maurice, are you in denile? Surely you saw the many poles indicating there were many disgurntled Hillary voters who said they "MIGHT" just vote for JSM. Having Sarah on his ticket now could be the incentive to make them actually do it. They would feel less guilty about voting Republican. Granted we are talking about a small number of votes and I hardly think for that reason that it was a major incentive for JSM to choose her. These are just thoughts (and hopes) of conservatives that such a thing might happen. You try to blow it all out of proportion saying that is the "ONLY" reason JSM picked her because she is female. Very narrow minded thinking IMHO.

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 9:35PM CST MC - I posted this in the other blog - but please answer this question: In your opinion - If she had the same credentials and experience but was a male - would she be on the ticket?

Posted by: DobberDeeDee on August 30, 2008 9:50PM CST Maurice - If Obama had the same credentials, but was a white or black woman, would he be on the ticket?

Posted by: DobberDeeDee on August 30, 2008 10:06PM CST Remember - Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did - only backwards and in high heels. We women have always had to do more to be considered equal. Lots of governors have been elected President (not just VP) with absolutely NO or as you libs like to say ZERO experience in foreign affairs. So what? Do you think McCain is going to die on Day 1 of his presidency? If he makes it a year or two, she will have WAY more experience than Obama has now.

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 10:22PM CST Dobber - You are confused how this works I think - Obama was ELECTED by Democrats during the primaries. I think the Democratic Party is made up of whites and blacks and Latinos and probably even some Asians and Native Americans. You'd have to ask the millions of people who VOTED for him whether or not they only voted because of race. Sounds like a stretch to me - maybe they saw something they liked. Palin was SELECTED - CHOSEN if you will - by John McCain (and maybe a handful of advisors). You'd have to ask him if gender was a factor. But if you really have to ask - then I've got some great land for you.

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 10:25PM CST Dobber said : "Lots of governors have been elected President (not just VP) with absolutely NO or as you libs like to say ZERO experience in foreign affairs. So what? " So - are you as comfortable with a candidate who was a member of Congress and a U.S. Senator being elected president - because there were a few of those throughout history as well. And can you please list the "you Libs" names here so we know who should read the post and who should not.

Posted by: DobberDeeDee on August 30, 2008 10:43PM CST Maurice - You are right. Obama was elected by people of all types and Palin was selected by John McCain, who was elected by people of all colors and types. (We handed him the authority to choose his running mate, just as Obama was given the authority to choose his.) I'm just saying that would Obama have been ELECTED if he was a white or black woman, with the lightweight credentials he has? See if you are going to play the "what if" game, you don't get to make the rules. I don't have to idenify the libs. You all use the same talking points and jargon. You all know who you are. You can call me a feminist. And don't start up with the abortion stuff.

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 10:59PM CST Dobber - No disrespect intended - LOL, but Whooa - u r makin a few jumps. I don't even know your stance on abortion and you most certainly don't know mine. This was not a "what if" game - I was simply challenging MC's notion that he felt Palin was not chosen because she was a woman. Does anyone really believe that? No - really? As far as the lightweight credentials - you must not have read any of my posts on the topic. This is not about my personal views of how important foreign policy experience is - it is about other bloggers' views and how those views seem to have - uh - changed since McCain announced his VP choice. A long time ago I posted a blog that I thought "experience" was being used as an odd factor to discredit Obama's candidacy (at the time by Hillary Clinton) and I had a quote that compared James Buchanan (who had 30 years of high level experience) and Abraham Lincoln. Check the blog out and check out the responses. I feel that it depends what kind of experience you are looking for in a candidate and BOTH sides will spin the candidate's experience in a positive light each election. But many of the responses in the blog and others since have talked about needing experience at the national level and in defense and national security issues to be commander-in-chief. Those SAME bloggers now are "adjusting" that view I think when they say that Palin does "need" that kind of background as well. I just find things like that annoying about political bloggers. Don't change your convictions on something because your candidate doesn't fit that. I could care less that she doesn't have that kind of experience - but I have NEVER said that it mattered to me above other factors.

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 11:01PM CST oops - should have read 'they say that Palin does NOT "need" that kind of background as well'

Posted by: MauriceH. on August 30, 2008 11:05PM CST "Talking points" and "jargon" ? Please point that out in my posts so I can clarify them in a more specific way. I most definitely am sensitive to the idea that my views are not mine or are an attempt to not be accurate. Disagree all you want, but do not accuse me of using someone else's spin without giving credit. Not sure where "we Libs" (your label - not mine) would get any talking points - there is no "Fox News list" of the day and no talk radio shows to take cues from. Slight tongue in cheek here. Relax.

Posted by: DobberDeeDee on August 31, 2008 12:31AM CST Maurice - you are correct. I do not see much jargon or the daily liberal talking points in your posts. You have not used "one heartbeat away", "hail mary", etc. If you think some people have changed thier minds about the importance of experience because circumstances have changed, then I think you must acknowledge that people are not so concerned about the VP having that kind of experience as long as the president has the necessary background. In McCain's case, since he is so old and has had serious cancer, I can see why people would say that it matters more. However, I stand by my earlier statement that if McCain lives out even only a year of his presidency Palin would still have more experience than Obama does now. So the comparison, while looking like apples and apples, isn't really the same. Nice arguing with you. Logging off.

Posted by: Toad on August 31, 2008 11:15AM CST ya, probably her husband.

Posted by: MC on September 1, 2008 1:55PM CST There you go again Maurice, saying I said something I did not say. "..MC's notion that he felt Palin was not chosen because she was a woman." Let's hope it was not on purpose. I NEVER said that SP being a woman was NOT a reason she was chosen. Of course it was one reason. I said, that to think that is the "only" reason (as you said) is narrow minded thinking and I sited other additional reasons for her choice.

Posted by: MauriceH. on September 2, 2008 7:48PM CST I am making the case that her being a woman IS the only reason if all the other factors you cited existed, but in a male candidate.

Posted by: MC on September 4, 2008 11:58AM CST I trust you heard Sarah's speech Maurice. Can you honestly still say she was selected ONLY because she is a woman now?????