Vote: Was Sarah Palin's speech effective?

Listen Jauk....The democrats can just coast till November. They are going to win by a double digit spread. The McCain/Palin ticket is borderline terroristic they are so extreme in their neo-con views. The American people can't/won't tolerate another four years of the insanity the Bush administration has given us. Sadly, the Bush administration is child's play compared to the totalitarian rule McCain will bring to the White House. The more Americans get to see of these two clowns the more of a lead Obama/Biden will develop. Just watch and see.

Yeah... I am a girl. The question isn't "bring it"- I think it's a difference in philosophy. Do you see the other party as your opponent or as the enemy? The difference between the Obama philosophy and the Palin philosophy is that Palin thinks "enemy" and Obama thinks "opponent". And at the end of the day, "enemy" is not good for this country. That sort of nasty, negative, take-no-prisoners, burn down the barn on the way out of town kind of tone is not good for this country. Frankly, if my 5 year old daughter talked about people the way Palin talked about people and was that nasty, her little butt would go in time-out. I'm absolutely not interested in someone who is that derogatory to be one more melanoma from sitting in the Oval Office.

How is it ok for Obama to run around the country with a smug and arrogant tone while being ugly towards everybody but if someone raises legitimate issues with him and his campaign she is attacked. Is it that you just want her to sit "ladylike" in the corner and be seen and not heard. Should she just be lucky to be on the ticket?

Obama is thought to connect with the working man and speaks in a way where "common" voters can relate. Guess what...I relate to this woman and she said exactly what I have been thinking ever since Baum pranced onto the political stage.

He is a joke...a sham...THE EMPORER HAS NO CLOTHES!

PS: Your spellcheck doesn't recognize Obama's name as legitimate either :)

Smug? Don't you mean "uppity"? FYI, spellchecker isn't recognizing "Palin" either. I'm not sure what you mean by "common" voters, either. You mean people who decided the last election based on who they'd like to go to a barbecue with? Because that worked so well the last two times. Is that what we are looking for? And how is he ugly? Towards "Everbody"? What "everybody"? Specifically who? I'm at a loss. Does Daily Kos say nasty crap? Sure. That's not Obama. You can't control what people say and write. Except Palin tried to ban books, so I guess it's not out of the question. I am just stunned by this "elite" label when he was raised w/ food stamps and student loans. McCain is married to a woman w/ $100 million and 7-8 houses. I don't care, personally, but it makes it hard to level a charge of "elite" and maintaining a straight face. I mean, isn't Obama's story the one we all want for our kids? We struggle, and they go to great universities and succeed? Only to have people call our children "smug" and label them as "elite". I'm with Newsweek on this one- you are going to get elite- the question is, which elite.

I would have voted for the McCain circa 2000. This McCain... I don't recognize.

Sarah Palin's speech was effective at rallying the GOP base that John McCain was struggling to bring home.

It was ineffective at endearing Americans whose allegiances don't lie with the Republican party, moderate and independent voters who want to hear answers to questions, not mockingly disrespectful puns, thinly veiled insults, fabrications, smears and outright lies.

She had a chance to get everyday people, nuclear households, middle class voters, to relate to her as a person who came from the same place they came from, but I think that anyone who really thinks about the points she was trying to make will come away unimpressed. She offered no new ideas. She didn't highlight any reason that she should be the VP nominee. She didn't express empathy for the struggles that Americans face, aside from pandering to the "drill now" crowd, but I think McCain already has them.

From my standpoint, her speech was despicable. But I know I don't speak for everyone. I think that there are a lot of conservatives who are very happy with Sarah Palin's speech tonight. But I can't imagine that her message will resonate with critical blocks of voters who will decide this election. I think her "pitbull with lipstick" persona won't play well with anyone who knows the facts (Barack Obama doesn't propose an across the board tax increase, as she says he does, he doesn't want to give up in Iraq, and she didn't oppose the bridge to nowhere until she was going to have to pay for it) and wants real substantive debate on the issues (not snarky lines about the difference between a mayor and a community organizer).

It sounded good in front of her base, but it won't sound so good at the debates, when her comments can be refuted and her attacks deflected.

Its debatable whether his tone is smug and arrogant or confident. BIG difference. Just because he's able to answer questions and have a sense of humor doesn't mean he's cocky. Just because he can stand up to adversity and believes in his cause doesn't make him cocky. I think sarcastic remarks like the one Juliani and Palin made come off as elitist and cocky. Watching her reminds me of watching George Bush with a smirk on his face acting like he knows everything. What jackasses, all of em

You guys that are so negative about the speech must have watched something else other than what I saw. She was precise, articulate, she made her points, she did nothing to offend typical American citizens, she answered the questions people wanted to know. So, I don't know what the problem is. I am sure that she will have tough tests ahead of her. She may even struggle a bit in an open forum, but no one could possibly stumble around any worse than the great Fumbling orator-Obama. You may have not liked what she said, but she was definitely not full of herself as Mr Obama was during his show.

You guys that are so negative about the speech must have watched something else other than what I saw. She was precise, articulate, she made her points, she did nothing to offend typical American citizens, she answered the questions people wanted to know. So, I don't know what the problem is. I am sure that she will have tough tests ahead of her. She may even struggle a bit in an open forum, but no one could possibly stumble around any worse than the great Fumbling orator-Obama. You may have not liked what she said, but she was definitely not full of herself as Mr Obama was during his show.

You are exactly, 100% correct. Sarah Palin hit a home run with her speech. I am not talking content necessarily, for that is a political element that is in the eye of the beholder. As an introduction to herself, as a partisan speech at a Party convention, which was after all the point of it, her presentation was outstanding. Leftists have an insurmountable problem with being gracious to the other side. They are slipping ever more irreversibly off the deep end.

quit whining and get somebody that can bring it!

John McCain needs to stop whinning about the media. And same goes for the rest of the Republicans.

Leftists have an insurmountable problem with being gracious to the other side.

Yeah, anything to avenge Hillary's loss. Get over it. I actually donated $20 to her last week. Anyway, too bad the right (which you seem to be in lock step with now) is anything but gracious. I smell hypocrisy.

Bottom line: she rallied the angry right, threw some jabs, but did little else.

Typical liberal jargon. Democrats are running scared! Palin is more qualified to be VP than Obama is to be President. Speaking of which, I have lived in Illinois all my life and can't remember a single thing that Obama did without the consent of Sen. Dick Durbin, so tell me where this "Change" he is talking about comes from? He is following the Democrat railway of politics, following exactly what he is told to do by people that are smarter and more qualified for the position than he is. America needs someone to shake Washington up i agree, but Obama isn't the answer.

Nate,

right on.

tell her don't forget the wolves...which brings me to a conclusion...never been to alaska but the name kind of reminds me of the fictional town on In The Heat of The Night, Sparta, MS. Small town gossip and corruption is a real thing....I believe it happens....that's what make interested to know how this ethic violation is going to play out...

Yes! Pathetic to promote war and proud her son is going there, what normal mother wants her children to even be there and so proud of it????? Oh it helps her climb the ladder, what a pathetic way to climb the ladder and not talk about the hard core troubles Americans are facing in their daily lives.Her body language/ facial expressions speaks louder than her speech, only after stardom & power.

She doesn't care about the struggles millions are going through and the wives that are alone and learning that their husbands are not coming home, or the mother that lost her son to a fixed war, and the ones that come back completely disturbed and are never the same again.The ones that have no insurance for health, the ones that lost their homes....Mr McCain has SEVEN homes, she is partnering with a guy that has one too many...she doesn't believe in sex education...imagine the diseases in the future..Oh yeah Alaska has the highest in aids...if she runs the whole country is doomed.Young mother's jobless, broken homes, which will lead to a more defected society and more crime due to lack of parental guidance. Sarah Palin needs to be educated....how could she succeed at VP or even run a country when what I stated is inevitable....as a Canadian I hope all people make the right choice for society and for the future of the children...

This mom thingy just doesn't fool me...to much on the mom thing " I'm a Hockey mom" stick to Hockey and let Levi go on with his Hockey and don't drag him into your convention at last minutes notice to show the world that they are/ were actually planning to get married. If Palin wanted Kevi their from the get go he would be there, oh but she was advised what to do.

I couldn't care less if they got married or not, it's just the way Sarah Palin went about it....what would worry me is if her daughter caught aids from unprotected sex.Not that this is the case but a mother that doesn't care about sex education I would be worried, period!

Yes! Pathetic to promote war and proud her son is going there, what normal mother wants her children to even be there and so proud of it????? Oh it helps her climb the ladder, what a pathetic way to climb the ladder and not talk about the hard core troubles Americans are facing in their daily lives.Her body language/ facial expressions speaks louder than her speech, only after stardom & power.

She doesn't care about the struggles millions are going through and the wives that are alone and learning that their husbands are not coming home, or the mother that lost her son to a fixed war, and the ones that come back completely disturbed and are never the same again.The ones that have no insurance for health, the ones that lost their homes....Mr McCain has SEVEN homes, she is partnering with a guy that has one too many...she doesn't believe in sex education...imagine the diseases in the future..Oh yeah Alaska has the highest in aids...if she runs the whole country is doomed.Young mother's jobless, broken homes, which will lead to a more defected society and more crime due to lack of parental guidance. Sarah Palin needs to be educated....how could she succeed at VP or even run a country when what I stated is inevitable....as a Canadian I hope all people make the right choice for society and for the future of the children...

This mom thingy just doesn't fool me...to much on the mom thing " I'm a Hockey mom" stick to Hockey and let Levi go on with his Hockey and don't drag him into your convention at last minutes notice to show the world that they are/ were actually planning to get married. If Palin wanted Kevi their from the get go he would be there, oh but she was advised what to do.

I couldn't care less if they got married or not, it's just the way Sarah Palin went about it....what would worry me is if her daughter caught aids from unprotected sex.Not that this is the case but a mother that doesn't care about sex education I would be worried, period!

According to experts in the study of families, (originally in studies of Alcoholic family systems and work with Adult Children of Alcoholics) the simple way to discern between "functional" and "dysfunctional" is that the Dysfunctional family follows an unwritten rule of: Don't Talk, Don't Trust, Don't Feel.

I am thankful to be an American. The fact that we have freedom to vote for whomever we want to vote for is a gift I treasure.

My observation is this:
In much of what I READ from those supporting McCain & Palin, In much that I HEAR from those supporting McCain & Palin as well as in what I EXPERIENCE encountering friends and acquaintances who plan on voting for McCain: I literally have yet to come across a respectful attitude toward my right to vote for Obama.

No discussion is allowed. It is classified as awful, freaky liberal etc...how could I do such a thing etc...
So similar to Sara Palin's speech. Condescending. Sarcastic. Mean. Belittling.

Trying to have a view that is different that hers results in the unfortunately common experience I have had with so many McCain supporters...the sobering message of: Don't Talk, Don't Trust, Don't Feel.

Vote as you wish. Live as you wish for that matter.

The shaming responses you seem to be so good at (perhaps so familiar with in your own family of origin) is not appreciated, not needed, not American, not functional.
Thank You
George Papageorge

Socialism is not working in Europe and someday youll educate yourself and grow up.

Why don't you grow up and debate the facts instead of regurgitating these lame and tired talking points?

I took offense to her remark regarding special needs children. I work in social services and I am an advocate but for her to imply that you have to have someone in the white house to actually be able to care/do something is rediculous!

Telling her FIRST BIG MAJOR LIE in front of millions of people should give you a hint into her character. "I was against the Bridge to Nowhere!" WRONG BABY... you voted for it first until the political backlash got so bad you changed your mind. You accepted those earmarked dollars (i.e. earmarks a thing McCain supposedly hates) and havent returned them... WHERE ARE THEY MS. PALIN??

I looked past all the harraas and yahoo's and what I saw was nothing but a bunch of mean, nasty, belittling comments directed towards Obama.. AND the usual plug for McCain of POW POW POW POW POW POW rehetoric which was changed only so that the exact words "PRISONER OF WAR" was not exactly said but stated non-the-less in many MANY different ways (notice all the speakers refrained from using that phrase POW) - guess the campaign has figured out that it was getting a bit old and stale, but GUESS WHAT KARL ROVE... the public isnt as stupid as you think they are...

It was obvious that the GOP said to her backstage "go out there and give them hell with slander innuendoes, and downright lies" - And being a pandering VP that is exactly what she did. I especially foundering her lisping "S" unnerving...

I saw a performance Average at best when you pull out all the yahoo's and yelling in that she gave a speech any AMERICAN MOM could have given. Utterly devoid of ANY MENTION ABOUT THE AMERICAN ECONOMY (but then again ALL the speakers at the GOP convention have stayed AWAY FROM TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY).... and isnt this *the* major issue of the election instead of OBAMA bashing??

Oh yeah - I forgot all the anti-abortion talk subtly thrown in (thus the panning of the kids at that time)... I *do* think her selection was very crafty and in afterthought, this whole selection process for Palin was to PLAY THE ABORTION CARD which is the SLEASIEST WAY TO TRY AND WIN AN ELECTION... Anti-Abortionists are pretty much a one-issue voter!!

Moving on to the War - how nice Ms. Palin you are having (ON 9/11 NO LESS....) your Son going into the military. (NO, THE WAY YOU SNUCK IN 9/11 WAS NOT MISSED BY PEOPLE... THAT WAS SLICK, SLEAZY, PANDERING TO NEO-CONS etc...) Lets see how long it takes him to get deployed over to where the *real* fighting is occuring.. (lets keep an eye on that one folks, he'll probably get stationed in Hawaii)

THIS WHOLE SPEECH WAS EYE AND SOUND CANDY with not much more substance than DRILL NOW AND NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS... Frankly, I would like to save our oil deposits until the rest of the world is bled dry and then drill and charge the rest of the world $500 a barrell of gas... maybe this is the last legacy we can leave our country to help pay our Children's Children Children debt off to China for all the money we've borrowed.
And for Nuclear Power Plants, I am ambivalent, but we need 10 times the safety factors currently used - remember Chernobyl and Three Mile Island - JUST MINUTES FOLKS FROM A NUCLEAR MELTDOWN... and if you dont know what that is, I suggest you research it because it almost happened TWICE and basically you have poisoned the planet on a level of BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS once it happens ONCE!!!! creating a wide path of poisoned and deadly land lasting for centuries thereafter and covering hundreds if not thousands of square miles of land....

and I think that about sums of MOMMA PALINS speech... Average... A one speech even if you want to call it good, does not set the standards for being a Vice-Presidential Candidate one heartbeat away from President... If we put this woman in office, what little respect we have in the rest of the world is LOST...

Watching her reminds me of watching George Bush with a smirk on his face acting like he knows everything.

Hey, glenn-485489, of course she reminded you of George W. Bush -- one of his speech writers, Matthew Scully, wrote it! Nothing original in it.

George - Where have you been for the past six years? Her speech was written by the same Karl Rovian Neocons who are running McCain's Campaign!! They
have done their level best to destroy Democracy systematically, State by State by putting Republicans in office, regardless of their reputation, fill the House and Senate with Republican Neocons and turn this system into a Prliament...Bill of Rights mean anything to you? Restoration of the Constitution mean anything to you? One of Barak Obama's First orders of business as President is to restore these "Truths We Hold Dear..."

Ever look up McCain's voting records on the issues - core issues of American Veterans word for pondering word? I suggest you do so. Karl Rove's plan to Parliamentarize these United States almost worked...the first time. He hasn't disappeared. While he was fiddle farting with our Constitution, Bush and our Bill of Rights China and India have become World leaders in Economics, Industry and soon very soon consumer affairs. Because we are so in debt to China over this Fiasco of a distractor called Operation Iraqi Freedom, we will never pay down the debt quick enough to be able to compete with China in the World Market for Health Care, Pharmacetical Industry and Medical Research. India is a close second. Changes are happening fast and for the better in this World and America is not Super anything except in debt thanks to Karl Rove and buddy Bush and Cheney because they have lacked the foresightedness into the future!

At the very least, Obama has the ability to think quickly on his feet, has the wherwithall to hire a decent cabinet and run an intelligent Presidency....there's a thought? How many thinkers of consequence have we had in office since FDR? McCAin was a flunkie at Annapolis who dated call girls, crashed his plane because his coordinates were off, didn't quite make it to war college. Never really became an officer because of his grades...let's see did daddy have something to do with passing him through? Sound familiar..."Mission Accomplished?"

I will take a brilliant man dedicated to community service who has studied the likes of Thomas Merton, Martin Luther and all the great Philosophers before committing his soul to the Christian Faith. What does McCain worship besides beauty queens and his cadillac and his fortune? I don't know. His father was devout Church of England (Episcopalian).

What do we know about Sarah Palin? First they said her hubby was a commercial Fisherman...now he works for BP. Who pay for her expensive silk suits? Alaska is not that wealthy of a state!????

The Netherlands has been totally green and coal/oil free for ten years and has the cleanest most breathable air in the world. Their public transportation runs on Hydrogen fuel cells with battery backup systems and people who do not drive electric vehicles cycle everywhere! America has fallen behind in the World as far as progressive clean lifestyles are concerned because of old fossilized thinking and corruption!

Pardon me, but I missed the butt kicking! Is it still possible to get one!

Sarah Palin's speech was so boring that I couldn't stay up to watch it all. Sorry!! She wasn't energetic and she needs some practice reading from the teleprompter. I think that McCain's decision to pick her was for competitive reasons and it's backfiring now.

We need Change We Can Believe In!! Go Obama!!!

She compared herself to a pitbull. Aren't pitbulls known for vicious, unprovoked attacks on innocent kids?

No, pit bulls are actually very loyal and kind dogs, but they will be relentless when they have a foe that needs some chewing on. I guess she is kind of how we want our wife's and girlfriends to be, pretty, smart, and when the time comes, we want them to be able to defend herself and the ones she loves - with out loosing. Oh, by the way no one is perfect, so don't exact that level of judgement onto anyone, not even the the man Obama.

Is this the same woman who called Clinton a whiner for getting upset with the news media? Did she think she was going to be off limits ?Stop winning pit bull and lets hear some issues, How about what books are you planning to ban when you become V.P,. With all the lies that are still circulated about the Obamas by the Reps you would think they would be ready for some criticism. Especially since most of the things said are true. I hope the media continues to do it job and reveals everything about this pit bull with lipstick before we make another huge mistake and send this country over the abyss.

The entire time it seemed like she was talking down to me, almost like I was in trouble or something.

Off the bat, she reminds me of the lady where you didn't want to go to that kid's house because his mom might be home.

Ms Spirituality,
So you're saying that you're not proud of the job the troops are doing?
Are you so blinded by hippie smoke that you refuse to acknowledge that
the ability for you to sit at a desk and write pitiful anti-soldier jargon is
a direct result of the security given to you on behalf of their sacrifice?
Maybe it'll take an all-out invasion of our country for you Ostriches to
realize that the reason we have not been attacked YET, is because of the
job OUR military is doing. I am proud of them AND the job their doing.
You RETREATORS may have missed the announcement by Gen. Patraeous
recently about our ability to fully pull-out of Iraq next summer with, are
you ready, VICTORY! I'm sorry for you plebes that you wishes didn't come
true, our troops running home with their tails between their legs in defeat.
But more-so, I'm proud for OUR country that this accomplishment has been
achieved, with no help from the "do nothing" congress. GOD BLESS!

Devinreams,

sounds like you may have some baggage. I am neutral and I related to most of her speech. I felt she through out some shots and had a few delivery problems, but over all I think it was on a level most of us can deal with.

you are an idiot

She brought NOTHING!!! I heard nothing about issues, just sarcastic, and yes, SHRILL negativity. She's a joke and embarrassment to women and mothers, alike (not to mention the office of V.P.). She's allowing herself to be played and is serving as nothing more than a distraction from the issues. As a woman myself, I have not one problem stating this. She cries afoul when she is questioned regarding her stances on mothering skills, abstinence education and her pregnant daughter (whom I truly feel badly for). However, she has absolutely no problem thrusting her special needs infant and military son into the spotlight. This is about political ambition...period. Any normal, American and yes, Christian mother would focus on family first instead of slinging mud. She needs to go back to Alaska and take care of her family. If you're going to promote "family values," then PROVE IT! This is not because it's SEXIST, IT'S NOT BECAUSE SHE'S A WOMAN - GET OVER IT!!! The right-wing would be all over this story, ready to crucify, if this family turmoil were were happening to a Democratic candidate.

wheresreagan2008,

great speech, well said and on the target. I wish there were more thankful people like you and less hate driven people, who can't find good in hardly anything. I even find myself being sucked into that the more I read their postings. Keep it up and never give up.

Caribou Barbie recited a speech that others wrote, in a room full of White, power-hungry, priviledged, selfish, sheeple! When she took over as mayor of her microscopic town she had a surplus. When she left they were millions in the hole! Typical Republican "fiscal conservative". No new taxes but loves to recklessly spend what they don't have in the bank! The Republicans are not representative of America's demographic. How many young people did you see in the audience?? They were all on stage! How many gays, Blacks, Asians, Native Americans, and Hispanics did you see in the audience??? The Republicans are out of touch with REAL America!

"Sarah Palin mocked Obama, small town America, and in turn most of us"

You're only 33.3% correct.

And Obama has EARNED a good mocking. Frankly he had that coming months ago.

Palin preached the benefits of small town life. And you'll find that she speaks for many millions as Obama continues to deflate.

Good to see the true-believing Obamaphiles congregate on one spot now since the infusion of msnbc Obamaphiles into newsvine. Makes for a fatter target.

Pallin Rocks! Obama and Biden are clowns with Liberal rhetoric and mantras left over from the Mcgovern campaign if every actual working American wakes up and listens to the few media people that aren't mesmorized by Obama's pied piper routine we can have an opportunity to send Obama to the same place every Liberal always winds up blocking the freeway while we are trying to go to work screaming throwing rocks breaking windows turning over police cars because some intellectual liberal Democrat got angry and by the way Neo con is made up..... Conservatives are for real.... Liberals are Neo- Americans calling us terrorists and ignoring real attacks Thats Neo

Not only did she mock Sen. Obama but she mocked all of us that spend day after day volunteering for various organizations (without pay or much respect). I have spent most of my adult life which included a full time job and 3 children, volunteering (domestic violence hotline, rape crisis hotlines, neglected and abused children, etc.) and in a few hate spewed seconds she invalidated that contribution. I guess because I don't get paid and do it strictly because they are causes that are important to me and help society in general. She owes all of us who do the thankless jobs (volunteering) day in and day out (we don't have a stage to garner that "oh, how sweet" sentiment) a huge apology. She turned my stomach! I won't forget those comments!

Having lived in DC during the days of the Clinton impeachment, I don't think anyone is welcome in Washington except womanizing presidents and crack smoking mayors.

Sounds like the dems are the ones mocking Americans. I sort of liked Obama until he called us all ignorant for "clinging to our guns and religion"... Why are the democrats all so hateful? "You make me sick?" Wow! Scary that this is the opinion you have of anyone who disagrees with you on policy. What kind of retribution awaits the citizen who disagrees with Obama if he is elected to office?

Obama has done nothing but mock others...he can dish it out so he should be able to take it.

I find it amazing that so many people have such a narrow view of actual facts. The fact is, you have to possess leadership skills and fortitude to be an effective mayor. If she was not an effective mayor, she would not have been elected (by the people) Governor. If she was not an effective Governor she would not have such high opinion poll ratings, again by the people.
Those who feel she spent 20 minutes only talking about her family, again show apparent extreme ADHD by not truly tuning in to the important facts. I am continually amazed at the frequency in which people jump to conclusions and form opinion based on one thing which is twisted to a half truth.
Bottom line: McCain and Palin have done it. Obama only talks about it. It's easy to talk about how great of a parent someone will be or they will only do certain things as a parent when they have no kids. Only to find out after the child (children) come along they were completely wrong.
The people who have the substance to back up their speeches should be the people to continue on to election.
By the way, I am a father of 4 who was born and raised in a small town and now successfully resides in a big city in the lower 48. I've seen it from both sides and been there.

Good grief do you listen with unbiased ears? Did you actually listen to her or are you just repeating some other biased person's opinion? Palin was proud she was from a small town and more than once made statements to the effect that it is and was small town America that did all the work, and fighting ..... her words... It was Obama that criticized small town America when he thought he was off camera by stating that they clung to their religion and small town values.... Get smart, open your eyes and try to view things unbiased. Your comments only show that you do not truly listen or hear what is being said. You are putting words from Obama into Palin's mouth.

WOW....what speech were YOU listening too!?!?!?!?!? She was in no way mocking small towns but praising them and folks who growup, live and survive in them!!!!!! This is the first REAL person speech I have heard from a candidate in a VERY long time. She is not spawned from a rich, elitist family but from the trenches like the majority of America.....she is proud of her state, family, country, etc. and not afraid to admit to her true roots and those of her family members. I would rather hear her speak anyday than Obama who has had years of education to be a "polished" speaker, telling us what he THINKS we want to hear without any depth or conviction behind his words.....he just wants the JOB! Same for Michelle.....you could tell her years of education to the PhD taught her the same. I have nothing against education.....am all for it since I work in the field and have a spouse with a graduate degree but you CANNOT allow it to push aside being a true human for the sake of getting the job. We are no better than our enemies then. Paulin is a real person, with true convictions for small and big town folk and wants to see they are all treated fairly. I would rather see her being the presidential candidate instead of McCain (and NOT because of gender!) but for her grassroot ideals. McCain is good, experienced alot both personally and professionally and IS the best choice for our next president but he is a REAL gem with Paulin at his side!

This LADY kicked butt and is just what we need to bring solidarity to America. I agree with Yorn. Those of you that did not feel energized as American Citizens must have seen a different speech than I did

the directions of this blog say 'thoughtful exchange'. you must not have read that nor much of anything else. At least make your point in an educated way!Who ever said that Obama ticket would win by double digits must be new to politics. Why would anyone be so angry? You don't have to vote for her, but she's smart, well spoken , proven campaigner, manages a budget, but may have some views that differ from you but is a smart politician.

She was terrific. How did she mock small town America? Were you watching the same speech? She made small town America proud. If all of small town America would step up like her some definite change could take place in America, and not by the Media and other Elite which she did mock in her speech. So what if it took 20 minutes for her family. She had only a limited time anyway. Next three months will tell of what she knows. She has managed a small town as mayor for three terms, as well take on big oil and the good ole boys in Alaska. How has she not managed her home. as she mentioned in her speech her family is like any other with ups and downs, hopes and joys. and as with any family just because a family has downs, does not mean she is not managing, for managing means one has to deal with the bad as well as good. The bad in her case a pregnant teenager, as a manager she will deal with it.

Good for her that she did not terminate in her own pregnancy with her last child. it will be a blessing for her family, which the elite in this country does not see as such. much is said about a woman's right to choose. What about a unborn child's right to choose who will speak for them. What about the true value of life? is that not a choice?

Food for thought, so think about it?

She did not knock small-town America, she is small-town America. I live in a small town with soccer moms, hunters and people who are tired of paying $4.00 a gallon for gas. Harry Reid, Pelosi and the rest of the "Hate America" crowd witnessed a woman who has always been proud to be an American. Our hero McCain was a resident of the Hanoi Hilton, when Obama was in a Muslin school being taught how to destroy America. His buddies Farrakan, Wright and Ayers have obv iously warped the minds of many of the left wing radicals who are blind to what Obama really represents. Obama "talks the talk" while McCain "walks the walk".

Sarah Palin is a disgrace to hockey fans. Let's Go Pens!

I am a woman and found Sara Palin's speech very offensive. I am sorry to say that she will promote the old stereotypes about women in power--- she came off as ready to fight (like that's not sooo Bush) and in some instances as b....y. Yes the B word. It is sad for McCain that he thinks just because we are women we will vote for a woman...Tsk Tsk. Why should we vote for a woman who is just more of same of the men in power. Sorry, Sara, not this time, not this way, not this woman and not this country. Beware all you women who plan to vote for her.....She is really more, much more of the same. She will not listen, she will preach. She will not solicit opinions she will tell us what to think and believe. BEWARE!!!

Palin is an embarassment to hockey mom's everywhere. I don't know where she learned that hockey mom's are pitbulls with lipstick, but I don't think it is anything to brag about if that is how you characterize yourself. Actually, I would be quite embarassed if my mom described herself like that.

I like to think that a parent of an athlete would treat their opposition with respect and dignity. Isn't that what we teach our children? But she obviously doesn't play that way. She was dishonest and spewed venom like a snake. And she was completely classless.

What I have seen over the past couple of nights is a party that is still obsessed with rip and shread politics. There are no mavericks in the Republican party. It is just a bunch of very mean spirited angry people. Crucify anyone that doesn't agree with you. Belittle anyone that has a different opinion. And if they stand up for themselves just yell louder and get uglier.

That worked for 8 years. It isn't going to work anymore. People are tired of it. I was so disturbed by the anger I saw in that woman last night that I logged on to Obama's site and donated to his campaign.

Hey WheresReagan,

I love how the Reps blame the last 8 years on the Dems congress. It's time to take responsibility for the mess and not blame it on the Democratic led congress of the past 2 years. For 5 of the 8 years, the Senate had a Republican majority and for 6 of the past 8 years the Republicans led the House. All the while, Capt. Veto was at the helm.

Dee Hoffman

you are a blind angry liberal.

I agree Sarah is a JOKE! She has no credentials, no morals and the most important factor NO EXPERIENCE. Joe Biden will eat her alive in the debate. It's nice to read a prepared speech that has NO SUBSTANCE - NOTHING RELATING TO THE ISSUES. This speech was a divisive as it gets - I guess so much for BRINGING THIS COUNTRY TOGETHER. It's all about the oil and money for the REPUBLICANS. They even have poor Levi brainwashed now. This whole thing is soooo very STUPID. Can't wait until the actual election. Until then keep barking Sarah. You are about to get a leash put on you by Biden.

Would the rest of you angry Democrats PLEASE get off my side!!! I'm still not going to vote for a Republican, but she did a great job and we all know it.

In case you haven't noticed our guy isn't all that great either and HE has folks writing his speeches as well.

Really, they scored a point last night, grow up and stop making us all look like children!!!

How could you take what Sarah said as knocking small town life? She was right on the money. At least she stands for something & probably something that we are all looking for. She is a real person with real values. Her friends are her friends and she would not tell the public otherwise just to look better. I think she brings a lot to the table. Many people do not realize the diversity of Alaska and what she has had to overcome as Governor. I am from Alaska & let me tell you that there would have been many people pulling her in many different directions. Anchorage is a melting pot. The fact that she has been down in the trenches with the people that keep this country going gets my vote. She is definitely a fresh face that is needed. I think these people that would trust a person like Obama need to figure out what they are really looking for. I think this nation has found a true leader.

I don't get where you're coming from... I agree she got some digs in on Obama - but none that I felt were not provoked. She has been railed in the media - more so than is appropriate (why does having a pregnant 17 year old mean she's not fit to lead...) As for mocking smalltown Americans and volunteers (another comment, not yours)... how? I didn't hear one bit of disdain for smalltown - if anything, I heard disdain for urban soap boxers who believe that THEIR beliefs are the most important...

In reading the posts on this page it becomes painfully obvious - we do disagree. What you feel is most vital, I feel is detrimental and what I feel is critically important you feel is nonsense. So how can anyone bring such diversity together? They can't.

It is not, nor has it ever been the job of the government to legislate our opinions, our personal choices, or our disagreements. Regardless of political alignments, here are my genuine concerns moving forward through this election:

1) I am sick of seeing Congress waste money on cyclical debates that revolve around trivial issues... for instance, rather than just simply passing legislation to ban HGH or performance enhancers, we spent how many months, how many billions, and how many Congressional Inquiries to figure out if Roger Clemens lied about taking HGH at a party at a friend's house - an act that was never illegal to begin with!

2) I wholeheartedly disagree & am horrified by the suggestion to "seize profits from oil companies and deliver them into the hands of the American people"... would I love a nice fat check, of course - but no one, and I mean NO ONE is looking through the glass ball to see who those profits really belong to: You would not be seizing a bank account from an oil company, you would be confiscating investors' life savings. The profits are divided among all investors (that's where the term dividends comes from) and you would be pulling a Robin Hood NOT on the oil companies, but on the American investor - the real backbone of our economy.

Furthermore, oil production holds (I believe) only the 3rd to 5th largest revenue in this country... do we then go to movie studios and seize their profits as well? What of manufacturing plants? WHere do we draw the line at what is profit and what is exorbitant? Who draws that line? If we seize the profits of corporations (mind you, not government agencies, but publicly traded companies) then what is to keep these idealists from coming to my business and saying, "Oh, we think you only need THIS much money to live off, so we're seizing these portions of your profit as a "windfalls" profits tax... thank you very much."

The instant we impose such seizures on businesses, you will see a massive migration outside of our borders... both of company offices and of company bank accounts... tell me what benefit at all that serves to our economy.

3) I agree that war is abhorrent. But I also believe that to leave a job unfinished is irresponsible and malicious when it comes to the attempt at stabilizing a country. Was the war the best decision to begin with? No - but have we forgotten that democrats AND republicans voted to approve the war (yes there were "no" votes - but we voted for this war - not by electing a president, but by electing a congress). Osama exists BECAUSE we abandoned Afghanistan in the 80's - we were his supporter, his ally - and when we abandoned him to fight the Russians alone - WE created a terrorist with a passionate hatred for Americans who do not keep their word... who's next if we just walk away from Iraq and tell them to clean up their own trash?

4) I am all for environmental protections, but not the kinds that put a higher value on a pill bug (or the possibility that a certain type of spider MIGHT be present) than it does the human who desires to build a home or a business on that plot of land (as just happened outside of San Antonio, Texas in July). I also abhor a stubborn refusal to responsibly take advantage of current resources saying that "it will take 5 to 10 years for those reserves to filter into the system" when that argument is then used to argue for investing in new forms of energy that will require 10 - 15 years before they "filter into the system".

Dear Lord, help me, but for once I agree with Paris Hilton: Do both. Drill now - but responsibly. And invest now in reliable and renewable energy resources (nuclear, solar, wind, water - as they are doing with Niagra Falls & turbine generators). Think smart, not political. Soap boxing and agenda pushing will be the death of this country.

We need intelligent, risk-taking, future minded leaders - not their personal futures, but the future stability of this country.

I had hopes for Obama at the start - but he has yet to be definitive on anything other than claiming that he will develop plans. I don't want to know you will develop plans, I want to know what the plan is. Certainty, not vagueness. Probability, not possibility.

Like it or not, Palin won my vote last night. That said, a president does not control the country. The congress does... that is the backbone of a democratic society - the president SUGGESTS direction and vision, but it is Congress who makes the laws, votes them into being, and even has the power to overwrite a presidential veto. NEVER blame a president for the state of our country. Blame your congressmen and women.

And no, I don't own a gun. I don't have a pit bull. And I am a Smalltown American.

God Bless America.

His,
Brice Allen Reddell

Dems, this "looney tune" has gone a long way toward filling the "enthusiasm gap" with Obama, which means we have a lot of work to do to overcome the anti-rational, anti-science bunch Palin appeals to just to keep us in the twenty-first century, or back-sliding into some previous century, as it seem we have been prone to do lately. These folks are not open to reason or facts, and if that is an elitist attitude, count me in. Call your local Dem HQ now. There is plenty to do. I've been busy all summer and it looks like I will soon be busier. Everyone has a few hour in a week to call, canvass or register voters each week. Remember:"Country First!" I happen to know a family in Sarah Palin position. The 16 year old has jus announced she is pregnant and will keep the baby with her mother's support, not the step-dad's, who favors adoption. This is a disaster for a family until rently temporarily homeless despite my husband's attempts to help financially (which we cannot afford) and now getting aid from the county. They are a working husband and wife/parent/step-parent-not freeloaders. But this is a disaster for the family and, from my experience as a social worker, a disaster for the coming child coming into a very unstable home. Sarah Palin and husand may have the resources to help their daughter and son-in-law to be, but I still question the situation in terms of the yong couple's well being and that of the baby. But that is their decision. OK. But seeing this paraded in public for what seem to increasingly be for political purposes to seem like "one of us" is shameless. It should be kept off the stage, even if it had to be acknowledged. The media would have found it out sooner or later. Makes me wonder if the daughter and her boyfriend knew about birth control, or whether the parents had the good judgment to educate her on the matter. Kids do make mistakes, but they don't have to be at the cost of their futures and thos of unplanned children. Get to work, Dems. Personally. I think Joe Biden now has permission to lay it all out, as a gentleman, with a smile, as he always does, but as firmly as he pleases.

I agree with you, she is a jerk. She never mentioned aging baby boomers, she is a mean spirited, ugly person. She hunts wolves and bears from planes. She never mentioned cancer survivors, the elderly. She will take care of people like her - hunters, drillers, and other nasty people. She disgraced the country.

I agree!!!!!!!

typical Republican divisive mud slinging.... no substance!!!!!

I heard the whole thing, and I missed the part of about mocking small town America. Sounds like she was celebrating it.
I think your alumnium foil hat might have been loose.

And Obama hasn't mocked ???? I seem to remember comments about clinging to our religion???? And what about his church....mocking AMERICA!
Lets be fair..mocking will occur this is a fight you know.

Who wrote that speech for her? I have not heard so much Juvenal snark since the cheerleading tryouts in 7th grade. Besides the outright lies, it was a speech unworthy of anyone who aspires to high office. I know that it roused the Republican base, but then what does that say about them?

What a bunch of whiners! She is a very good speaker! Considering the week she had and the attacks that were thrown at her and her family I LOVED that she came out fighting back!

What speech did you watch?

What, your jealous?

C15084,
"Sarah Palin mocked Obama, small town America, and in turn most of us. She is a disgrace and a joke. This looney toon believes the war in Iraq is a mission from God and has the nerve to sit and poke fun at everyday Americans? "

If you could pay attention longer than a 30 sec. sound bite you would have understood that she was championing small town America. She is from a small town and all of her family is small-town. She wants to put US citizens to work by enabling exploration into clean coal, safe drilling, wind and solar energy technologies. She wants people to work, while Obama wants to tax EVERYONE's paycheck to pay for someone else's "free health care". People who sit on the porch and wave at their neighbors all day. If WORKER's taxes keep getting raised to pay for LOAFERS on the porch, soon everybody will be unable to afford to go to work.

"Raise BIG-OIL's taxes so citizens can get free health care". Who do you think is actually going to pay those taxes? The owners who might work for that company or the people who own stock in it through their 401k mutual fund? The stock value might go down because of "increased operating costs" so everyone who invested in the company looses. If the stock value goes down, the stockholders will complain about the management of the company and demand someone gets fired for doing a poor job.

Do you think the management is going to absorb costs and devalue the stock? NO. They are going to pass the costs to the consumers. Me and maybe you will pay higher prices, unless you're on of the loafers on a porch, with no car to drive. You will still incur higher costs for heat and electricity because Obama is going to raise taxes on the utility companies too. You will unless your utilities are subsidized or paid for by me too. Under Obama all workers who own anything are going to suffer.

NOTHING IS FREE. The only free thing we get is our determination to get up and make something of ourselves. Once we do it, and make some money, we buy stuff. The people who make the stuff get to keep their job and buy stuff, and put gas in their cars. People who make cars get to keep their job and buy stuff. Hopefully, we all live long enough to invest in our 401k so we can retire and sit on the porch, but in the mean time, the 401k money is helping "corporate America" hire more people to research medicine to keep me alive old retired people alive on the porch. When they need to, they can go to the drug store and Wal-Mart to buy stuff so that other people can keep their jobs.

Republicans want everyone to be able to work. People working keep this country working. If companies are taxed so that they can't afford to grow their business, and people can't afford to buy stuff from those companies, then either no new jobs are created, or others loose the jobs they had.

Just think about the whole thing. If you consider everything that it takes to keep you and me comfortable and fed, you would understand what I'm trying to say and why Republicans like lower taxes.

Nicely put!
Did you watch Pallin, the pitbull with lipstick?
If she can't control her "teenage", minor child, it makes sense that she is really capable of controlling men. She has got them by their balls, especially old moldy balls.
I thought having sex with a minor was a crime and in Oklahoma there are plenty of men in prison for having sex with a minor. There are several 18 yr. old men in Tahlequah who are on the sex offenders list for having sex with a 17 yr. old. and the 17 yr. old girl consented. Hum........
If you allow your child (under the age of 18) to drink alcohol, you can be arrested and your child put into foster care. You, as a parent are considered unfit. Point being, parents are responsible for their children and their actions. But, it seems ok for Pallin to be neglectful and allow her daughter to have unprotected sex and get pregnant.
I am ashamed of Pallin as a mother. She must be the Republican Oil Puppet and cheerleader.
Drill baby drill, your daughter and Alaska!
Pissed.

Governor Palin was truly remarkable. She is the first person to hold Senator Obama accountable for his lack of "do nothing" in the Illinois Senate. All I ask is that all of the Obama followers look at Illinois. Look at what a shambles the democratic leadership and the health care initiatives have done for this state. Look at the facts and see if you really want the entire country to be as horrifically set back as Illinois. If Senator Obama wants to hang his hat on what he has done for Illinois then he has a great deal of explaining to do.

Take the emotion out of it and really dive in and take a good look at the state of affairs in Illinois. Ask yourself if you would open a small business in this state. Ask yourself how much more you can afford to pay? When you honestly answer these questions and do your homework, then you will be able to make an informed not emotional decision.

Get a gri[p. Obama-lama-ding-dong is just a Hollybama puppet.

Finally, someone I agree with. Her speech was boring,boring,boring. It became painful to watch.

Don't know what this guy was watching, but it was not her speech. She was good and exposed Obama for what he is. A FAKE

Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air and as a registered Democrat, I'm changing sides and behind her and McCain's ticket all the way! Her truthful common sense speech hit the nail on the head! Yes, Obama has the like-ability factor going for him... a bit on the smug side, but do you really trust him for the long haul trying to maintain that like-ability factor with the rest of the world?...and at what cost? Why do you suppose terrorist groups hope he is elected? This is a time like no other in history...with the US hanging in the balance. There is real evil out there, looking to get a foot hold....we need McCain/Palin strength in leadership. McCain has proved his loyalty...Palin is honest and above board in her leadership abilities. Together they will be a the strong 'no nonsence' team we need to ensure America's future. I guess I'm not as liberal as I thought I was...when so much is at stake!

A disgrace and a joke? This woman is a REAL American! Not the type who sits on her ass and waits for someone else to send her a check in the mail. If we had more like her across the nation and in Washington, we all would be far better off.

I can not wait to vote for her!

Its about time a strong (normal) person is representing America. Sounds like your angry that your losing

You people are blind and deaf apparently. Keep on talking out of your obvious ignorance. It's great entertainment!
Palin as a matter of FACT has more credentials and experience then Obama. This speech is driving the opposition and all those on the fringe nuts and it's great. Biden didn't even know what to say on msnbc or cnn this morning. He didn't seem to know whether he should compliment or slam her....probably coz he just had his legs knocked out from underneath him last night. Keith and Chris on msnbc looked like absolute blithering idiots after that speech....good job guys.
HaHa!

Bottom line: Palin's a strong attractive woman that knows what it takes to lead and has experience making government decisions. If Hillary was on the ticket this probably wouldn't be as big of a deal. She got SHAFTED(mostly by the media) and now there gonna try and play the same sexist game with Palin.
I say GO FOR IT GIRL! I might just end up voting Republican this time around!!

disgusted-474127... do you have children? Because I do and the one thing that becomes painfully obvious when raising children is that - regardless of the training and discipline you give a child - in the end, that child makes their own decisions.

You said - "But, it seems ok for Pallin to be neglectful and allow her daughter to have unprotected sex and get pregnant. I am ashamed of Pallin as a mother."

So, according to your statement, it is every parents' job to literally hold their child's hand, slap that hand when they kiss a boy or girl, and accompany them on every date. How COULD a mother be so irresponsible as to allow her child to make her own choices and live with the consequences.

I've had enough. Enough of this attitude that someone else is always to blame. Enough of this attitude that mistakes disqualify individuals from leadership. And enough of this attitude that the individual cannot be held responsible for his or her own actions and choices.

Mistakes are a vital part of the learning process. Choices, and more specifically - consequences, are losing importance in our culture. We see teenagers give into peer pressure - yet we blame the parent, or the teacher, or the principal. We bail our children out. We cover things up for them. We teach them that authority means nothing and that there is always a way out of punishment and consequence.

A high school teacher here in Texas was recently dragged through the media mud because an irate student walked out of her class, stormed past the principal's office and walked home. That child's mother - rather than discipline her child for leaving school - pushed for the teacher to be fired because the teacher did not leave the class and go after the student (we're talking High School here). So the teacher, who DID call the office to notify them of what was taking place BEFORE the student left the room - was supposed to leave her other 32 students unattended to go chase down a bad attitude? Which is more important? Babying the problem child, or attending to the education of the other 32 students?

Forgive me if I'm wrong in this presumption - it is entirely possible that you were indeed a perfect child and never disobeyed your parents... but think back to your own choices - were you responsible for them or do you blame your parents for not "preventing" you from making the wrong choices?

She didn't mock small town America, she was promoting it...Where you watching objectively or trying to pick her apart from the start...She was very comfortable disclosing everything with her personal life. Her slams on Obama were correct (her interp. of Obamas tax plan needs work) but the comment of "writing two memoirs, but not a major bill " was dead on, and so was the reference to the Dems. to cut tail and run about Iraq was more accurate than Dems would care to admit....As a disabled veteran I can say this from experience. Finishing the war in Iraq may cost more lives (most service men see that as an honor), let them finish their jobs there with their honor in tact. MOST of the liberals wouldn't know the first thing about war, and the toll it puts on a human psyche. Honor is what will help them through any PTSD when the job is finished. Her stance and firm belief on finishing this war is exactly what our service men need. Not cut and running...

Sarah Palin is small town America. She is not a Washington insider, or big city spender, or someone who uses change to gain political empowerment and career advancement as Obama is doing. She and McCain are using their careers and backgrounds to implement change. America needs to wake up and see how much the far right has poisoned the minds of millions. It is comparable to what Hitler did in raising fears and making people believe in his theory that he would lead them to victory and prosperity.

Why do supporters of the Democrats continually spew venomous comments, and pretend that "The One" is running against George Bush? McCain is as close to being another George Bush as Nancy Pelosi is to being Joe Lieberman.

Totally agree!

I am not sure how Rudy or Palin believe mocking Obamas work when it was basically charity when Obama could have been off trying to be an "Elitist" on "Wallstreet", as a female I am trying to bite my tongue really hard discussing this woman.. but I truly do not want her or McCain for that matter running this country. I find it funny that woman believe that we have it sooo hard - the women who think that are the first ones crying if a door is not held open for them- we get away with a lot more then men I am really sick of the crying. While I am not black but coming from Canada and seeing the racism that still exists in this country I do not want that for my children.
Had I been here 8 years ago I would have voted for Bush but after seeing what Replubicans have done to this economy and healthcare and education systems this country is in a DIRE need for a CHANGE and that comes with someone who knows what hard knocks are like- and it has to be Obama- at least his VP would be ready to take over if needed....

Leftists have an insurmountable problem with being gracious to the other side.
Yeah, anything to avenge Hillary's loss. Get over it. I actually donated $20 to her last week. Anyway, too bad the right (which you seem to be in lock step with now) is anything but gracious. I smell hypocrisy.

Bottom line: she rallied the angry right, threw some jabs, but did little else.

The left blogosphere came out a few days ago and created a story about this woman to do one thing - smear her personally and professionally. That was the fake pregnancy lies only purpose. We know it was a lie and not a mistake or bad guess, because the date of the photo used to show that the daughter was pregnant was changed from the 2006 date when the photo was actually taken to a date that would fit into the fake pregnanvy time frame.

What do liberals, in ad out of the media do, and here on Newsvine. THEY ARE ECSTATICALLY HAPPY TO PROLIFERATE THIS LIE! OH GOODY!

It got so bad that even Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC, who has drunk Obama koolaid all year, became embarrased by her fellow liberal journalists and felt compelled to come on air and denounce these insane attack lies about Palin.

Of course, Palin was just basically receiving the same treatment from the Kos and Kos like scum that Hillary Clinton had received for the past 18 months.

So many liberals, who are undoubtedly good people in most other ways, are terrified to denounce and ostracize the crazies on the Kos and Move On left. At this point, with these people being used as the point men for the Democratic response to everything a republican says or does, it is flat out embarrassing to have to call myself a Democrat. When are people here at Newsvine going to reject the far left wacko style of hysteria and lies and personal attacks? When oh when.

Apparently you didn't listen to her speech. She did not mock small town America - she praised it.

You should pay more attention before you comment. It makes you look sort of - well - uninformed.

BE afraid, be very afraid all you slanderers and put downers. You are probably looking at the very first female President of the US A within the next ten years. Remember what she said about socker moms and pit bulls..... I love her, she is like a breath of fresh air, and boy do we need that in Washington. I am woman hear me roar........

Wow Jerry! Tell us how you really feel about women! Oh wait. You just did. I'm surprised with an attitude like that, you would even vote for any woman. It's neanderthals like you that have kept women out of office for so long. I applaud a woman running for a high office, if she's qualified. Sarah Palin is not! She has no clue as to government infrastructure and rules, as evidenced by her comments about not knowing what the vice president does. She should at least know what they are supposed to do! Maybe in another 4 years or so, if she spent all the time between now and then finding out everything she could about our national government, she would be ready to run for vice pres. Not now! There are at least a handful of other women McCain could have picked that would have been ready (Kay Bailey Hutchison for one). Not this one, not now!

Dee hoffman,

yes, the republicans have had some big errors when they barely had the majority, BUT the Demos have had it for 2 years YES, the worst 2 years of all time. YES, they have made things so much worse. Don't believe me? Then look at the Democratic congress approval rating, it is at the lowest ever, and may go negative soon. I am horrified to think these same Demos could be in AND have Obama as President. OUCH!

I am a hard and fast Democrat, but as a Toastmaster who's done public speaking for 25 years, I must say fairly, that Sarah Palin is a superb public speaker.

I certainly don't agree with C15084. I don't think she was mocking small towns at all. She was actually slamming big cities -- especially ones like New York, which is very cosmopolitan. Her whole take was that one learns values in small towns. She implied strongly that anyone from a big city could not possibly have 'family values'. I find this very insulting to us 'big city' folk.

Bob-493266 -- You mistake business associates with 'buddies'. Barack Obama says in "Dreams of My Father" that he didn't trust Farrakhan, but found that he was very good at helping the community. I don't know if he knew Ayers was a Weatherman. He was on a community service board with him. Since the Weathermen were active when Obama was a) a small child and b) living in Malaysia, Wm. Ayers activities of 40 some years ago probably was not even on his radar. He met a distinguished professor from Northwestern. Barack probably didn't say, "Hi. I'm Barack Obama. Are you now or have you ever been a terrorist?" Do you introduce yourself that way?

" C15084 " Sarah Palin mocked Obama, small town America, and in turn most of us. She is a disgrace and a joke. This looney toon believes the war in Iraq is a mission from God and has the nerve to sit and poke fun at everyday Americans? Go back to Alaska and kill some more moose because you're not welcome in Washington Palin. You make me sick. "

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE !!!! right on ..!!! She spent the entire time mocking America and Obama .. how about expalining what you could do for America .. instead of talking about your son going to war and the amount of time mccain spent in war. just because you serve your country , it doesnt mean ur ready to lead the country. Ift hese 2 losers win , it will be a very sad day for the USA!!

OBAMA ALL THE WAY !!!

I don't know who you were listening to, but this presently small town gal and former resident of ALASKA didn't hear what you did - goes to show ya, you hear what you want to through the filters you have over your eyes.

What I heard changed my suspicions into genuine interest in hearing more. I used to see "two old geezers and two young upstarts" - I now am seeing a clear team emerge, one that I wouldn't be embarrassed to call my president and vice president. I am watching and reading but I have yet to see a clear plan emerge from the Dems this time.

What I did hear was strategy, not vague rhetoric, a promise backed up with a life of living what you talk to the American people to not be a part of the Washington problem. I heard a record of actual involvement and results rather than vague terms like "hope", "change", "dreams" - not bad words, but if they haven't been - or aren't - followed up by results that you can see, then what good are they? In short, WHERE'S THE BEEF, OBAMA/BIDEN??? All I've heard from Joe Biden's speeches on c-span is negativenegativenegative.

And, oh, by the way, Disgusted - if having a teenage daughter who is pregnant makes you an unfit parent or person, then that would include Obama's mother and grandparents who raised him, too. And I think that would also include Hilliary Clinton whose husband's/president's continual sexual escapades made her incapable of "controlling men" (what is that???), too. And I have the utmost respect for Obama's mom and grandparents as well as Senator Clinton. I am wondering if only a person who has been through what these people have can understand and respond with grace and mercy - and not hatred and lack of understanding. Maybe that's why Obama/Biden have been so gracious toward Gov. Palin as far as saying the family is no man's territory.

I watched it rated it as the best speech ever by a Republican that wanted to get a Democrat elected in the house Seante and The WH. Thank you Ms Palin

Please - before you comment on something - listen first. You apparently didn't really listen or missed everything that was said. Your comment makes you look - well - uniformed at best.

Smalltown268, you bring a refreshing realism to this conversation. Thank you!!!

Mrs. Palin is a lightweight in a heavyweight division.

Being mayor of Wasilla, AK and dealing with the executive management decisions of a town of 7,000 (like loose dogs, wandering moose, bumpy roads) does NOT qualify her to be a national or international leader.

Being the commander in chief of a national guard that consists of less than 4,000 troops does NOT make her ready to step in and command our troops.

Mrs. Palin is a "hockey Mom" who needs much more seasoning before she can effectively deal with the world outside of Alaska. Sure, it is a large state, but most of it is "spruce and moose" and the population is concentrated in 2-3 areas.

She has traveled outside of the U.S. just once on her life. What are we, an "on the job" training ground in these times of economic and political peril?

Putting Mrs. Palin on the national and international stage is like throwing an rank amateur into a PGA tournament. With a lot of luck, some big breaks and a total collapse of other competitors, she might do OK. But I don't want to depend on "luck", "big breaks" or a "total collapse" of other world leaders.

Lastly, to select a VP candidate just because she is a woman is insulting to women everywhere. McCain needed to select the RIGHT woman, not just ANY woman. To think that Hilary supporters would jump for joy because a woman was chosen is a huge mistake. Hilary supporters are highly intelligent, accomplished and informed women and would have welcomed a woman who meets their criteria.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Palin is NOT that woman.

I'm not sure what speech you listened to last night, if you did at all. Even the ultra left wing media disagrees with you.

Alas all you nay sayers and put downers. I think you have just witnessed a truthsayer for the first time in a long time. Lets hope that Washington doesn't corrupt her clear thinking and sassy attitude. What a breath of fresh air, and she has actually done some good for this country. As Governer She wanted Washington to OK drilling for oil and natural gas, and she already is putting the infrastructure in place for the natural gas line. But guess what----the tree huggers are fighting her like crazy. How much does it take to full up YOUR gas tank?? You all need to get the facts before bloviating about her. I think we probably have the first female President of the USA just waiting till all those men get out of the way. YOU GO GIRL!!!

Disgusted... i just want to know if you are a mother? Yes, her daughter did get pregnant and that is obviously a fact. But isn't it your liberal media that is promoting all of the "sex as sport" attitudes that our children are exposed to? As a parent, controlling our children's sex lives is becoming harder and harder even if you are "Mother of the Year"

sounds like all you heard was she isn't and has no intnetion on becoming a DC socialite. She is more American and down to earth than most supperficial americans. The Republicans know exactly what this country needs and who they brought to the VP spot was an extrem;y intelligent move.

Excuse me, SHE mocked small town America? Were you listening to the right speech? I thought that one was delivered by Obama, you know the one about the bitter small town folks holding onto their guns and religion??

Palin came across as confident and provided some background. However, I did not hear much substance other than attack politics. I though John McCain said his campaign would take the high ground after he won the Republican primary. Based on the type of adds and comments from his campaign McCain seems very willing to engage in attack politics. I guess he doesn't have anything positive to say about what he would do in office so he has to attack his opponent (old politics as usual). Palin needs to stop saying she opposed the bridge to nowhere. She was for the bridge before it became a national joke then she (Palin) decided to use the money for other projects. She also lobbied for earmarks while she was mayor, which is something her running mate is against.

You people are blind and deaf apparently. Keep on talking out of your obvious ignorance. It's great entertainment! Palin as a matter of FACT has more credentials and experience then Obama. This speech is driving the opposition and all those on the fringe nuts and it's great. Biden didn't even know what to say on msnbc or cnn this morning. He didn't seem to know whether he should compliment or slam her....probably coz he just had his legs knocked out from underneath him last night. Keith and Chris on msnbc looked like absolute blithering idiots after that speech....good job guys. HaHa!

Bottom line: Palin's a strong attractive woman that knows what it takes to lead and has experience making government decisions. If Hillary was on the ticket this probably wouldn't be as big of a deal. She got SHAFTED(mostly by the media) and now there gonna try and play the same sexist game with Palin. I say GO FOR IT GIRL! I might just end up voting Republican this time around!!

Give it a rest (you're under 30)

Listen Jauk....The democrats can just coast till November. They are going to win by a double digit spread. The McCain/Palin ticket is borderline terroristic they are so extreme in their neo-con views. The American people can't/won't tolerate another four years of the insanity the Bush administration has given us. Sadly, the Bush administration is child's play compared to the totalitarian rule McCain will bring to the White House. The more Americans get to see of these two clowns the more of a lead Obama/Biden will develop. Just watch and see.

The vitriol on this thread is unbelievable... "Borderline Terroristic", "Totalitarian" "Clowns" (BTTCs). I hope Obama uses that in the debates.

Do you really mean that C, or are you just pissed that she directly called out your man?

She was awesome!
The Dems are scarred to death! C'mon you bunch of cry babies, call a foul on Sarah she wasnt nice in her speach. Tell us how she offended you and that you pouted for hours. Ya better get ready for more cauz she is about to unload

The left cries foul any time anyone does not agree with them. There is still free speech in this country, at least for now. There probably will be any soon so enjoy it while you can. The left spent all last week slamming the right in Denver and now it is their turn to get slammed and they are hating it!!!!!!!! MSNBC and CNN are so in the bag for the left it is pitiful. Matthews, Oberman, Blitzer, Cafferty, O' Bryan, Couric and many others will not have any to hate and rant and rave and foam at the mouth over if the left gets in the white house. It was not Sarah Palin's job last night to out line Senator Mc Cains plan, that is his job. Obama never outlined a thing other than change in his speech. But you never see the media reporting on that. Obama's tax cut for the middle class is in fact a tax hike. The business that he raises tax's on are going to raise the price of what ever product or service they provide to the consumer. People just never seem to understand that. If I work hard and save money it will get taxed, how is that going effect people? They will not want to save. The government cannot provide for everyones retirement. And do not get me started on socialized health care. That will drive the economy to ruin. Look at Britian, Canada and many other countries with government provided health care. They pay 60 percent of their annual wages on taxes.

Hey Chris.............your comments about Palins speech to those that don't agree with your opinion are out of line and out of touch. Did you know that ADHD is a learning disability. Wonder what your candidate would think about you putting down so many American's with learning disabilities. Nice One.

Obama 2008

No offense, Holly - but I agree with Chris - it's not inappropriate to mention ADHD - I have it - I take the maximum dosage - and I laughed at his statement.

What he meant was - people aren't paying attention long enough to catch the whole thing and people are latching onto small bits and pieces... and that is a stone cold fact.

As far as the whole learning disability thing - well, I graduated with honors at the top of my class, 3.98 GPA (and only because one teacher refused to give out 'A's. While there are genuine learning disabilities, I believe most circumstances in life are simply opportunities to overcome.

People like you make me sick, You have absolutely no idea what she was talking about because all you know is what the media tells you and you fall for it HOOK_LINE_and SINKER. You, my friend, are just one of the Dumb Masses!!

Sarah Palin, A REAL LIFE Dolores Umbridge, Need I say more...Right out of HP book 5

I agree, she is a joke and belong back in the woods. This pick was so irresponsible of McCain and show such poor judgement. I just can't believe there are people out there that praise his selection. It makes me sick. Although I never thought he was all there anyway. I can't imagine anyone would think this is good.

Are the American people THAT dumb? After 8 years of the worst policies in our history? We are now bankrupt after Clinton had that HUGE surplus. Hey, I have no kids. Let YOUR kids and your kids kids pay for this mess, and they will. Shut it all down, which is going to happen w/ the anti-worker, anti middle class neo cons. They are a bunch of plutocratic anti-democracy phoneys.

PEOPLE GET THE GOVERNMENT THEY DESERVE

@!$%# IT ALL DOWN- AN ECONOMY BASED ON THE CONSUMPTION OF FIXED RESOURSES WILL CONSUME ITSELF ANYWAY

How can you be a hypocrit and say Palin is derogatory when Obama, and the drive-by media blasted Hillary all through the primaries? If Obama wasn't so egotistical, along with his militant wife, it would be a shoo-in with Hillary as vice-president pick. I hope McCain/Palin win. They have more substance and executive experience than the history seeking dem.candidate and old-time congress Biden. You are all jealous and frankly scared that the "messiah" is going to lose. Reality doesn't set into who believes Obama is going to correct all the problems in 10 years. Well maybe Obama needs to refresh his memory that a 2 term president is 8 years. However, he thinks there are 57 states.

At least she mocked him to his face and not behind their backs like he did us backwoods folks who are clinging to our guns and church...

Sarah Palin mocked Obama,

I believe she mocked the media and drew comparisons between herself and Obama. Succinctly, I might add.

small town America, and in turn most of us.

What speech were you watching? At what point did she mock small town America?

She is a disgrace and a joke.

Please elaborate.

This looney toon believes the war in Iraq is a mission from God

I do not recall her saying anything of the sort.

and has the nerve to sit and poke fun at everyday Americans?

Once again, she did not.

Go back to Alaska and kill some more moose because you're not welcome in Washington Palin. You make me sick.

Well now you are just being absurd.

I'm not sure I saw mocking.. but I didn't see a small town that I recognized. Maybe soccer moms are not hockey moms... but "pit bull with lipstick" isn't the way the small town women I know operate.
In the small town I know, we generally try and take care of each other. We are more interested in the graduation rate of our high school than having a new 15 million dollar gym that saddles the town with debt. We don't have prayer meetings to "save gays through prayer."
Regarding the references to Palin as a "breath of fresh air" -- that tends to indicate truth. And truth was not a big part of her speech. Yes she was mayor, first one to mobilize partisan politics in Wasilla I'm told. First one to hire someone else to actually DO the administrative work rather than the mayor doing it him/herself. First one to use wedge politics at that local level. And she left the town in multimillion dollar debt that is still with it.
The bridge issue is clearly misstated ($$ accepted, no bridge), the airplane issue is misstated (plane sold, not on ebay and NOT at a profit). And, from my Alaskan friends, she's never actually given an order to the guard.
Why was Olympia Snowe (Vermont?) or Kay Hutchinson (sp; from Texas) not considered or nominated?

The speech's logic was 'they don't think I'm qualified, I was mayor of a small town and therefore I'm qualified and if they don't accept that then they are dismissing small towns'
VERY WEAK but clearly it worked in some ideological areas.... and that is interesting though disconcerting.

If I hear from Obama, one more time, what everyone else around him has accomplished, I think I'm going to puke.

I would hope more people from Alaska would tell us the whole truth. Maybe I am wrong, but being from a small town, I.ve seen her kind many times. Someone with a little money they decide they need a favor and they get this person into a position to do their work for them. This person then begins to believe they are all their being tauted to believe. There are too many holes in this "story" and I for one would love to hear it. She can not have the knowledge or experience that is being claimed. Does she and her husband even have a clue what being the vice president or president intails? I think not !!!!! She is govenor of a state that has fewer people than many U.S. cities and the problems in rural Alaska are in no way similar to that of the lower forty eight.

Also, she has put her family out there so why shouldn't we be able to question her decision making processes? If she can't manage her home affairs how can she manage the affairs of our country?

tell us about her....

I would hope more people from Alaska would tell us the whole truth. Maybe I am wrong, but being from a small town, I.ve seen her kind many times. Someone with a little money they decide they need a favor and they get this person into a position to do their work for them. This person then begins to believe they are all their being tauted to believe. There are too many holes in this "story" and I for one would love to hear it. She can not have the knowledge or experience that is being claimed. Does she and her husband even have a clue what being the vice president or president intails? I think not !!!!! She is govenor of a state that has fewer people than many U.S. cities and the problems in rural Alaska are in no way similar to that of the lower forty eight.

Also, she has put her family out there so why shouldn't we be able to question her decision making processes? If she can't manage her home affairs how can she manage the affairs of our country?

Please "she is a babe"... I'm a blond babe & popular too, should I run for VP?????

Wow! What is this world coming too?????LOL

Sean-492003
I am in a deep quandary, I thought at one time I would vote for Obama. then I did some research on him and changed my mind, now you have given me information to verify about a lady I thought I might want to have as the top of the ticket. I have seen people operate in the manner you describe.I hope you are wrong. These two parties have not offered us any real leadership! I guess Jesse Ventura is right. Time for a revolution!

Sean - just to show you *other* people can be long winded also:

Telling her FIRST BIG MAJOR LIE in front of millions of people should give you a hint into her character. "I was against the Bridge to Nowhere!" WRONG BABY... you voted for it first until the political backlash got so bad you changed your mind. You accepted those earmarked dollars (i.e. earmarks a thing McCain supposedly hates) and havent returned them... WHERE ARE THEY MS. PALIN??

I looked past all the harraas and yahoo's and what I saw was nothing but a bunch of mean, nasty, belittling comments directed towards Obama.. AND the usual plug for McCain of POW POW POW POW POW POW rehetoric which was changed only so that the exact words "PRISONER OF WAR" was not exactly said but stated non-the-less in many MANY different ways (notice all the speakers refrained from using that phrase POW) - guess the campaign has figured out that it was getting a bit old and stale, but GUESS WHAT KARL ROVE... the public isnt as stupid as you think they are...

It was obvious that the GOP said to her backstage "go out there and give them hell with slander innuendoes, and downright lies" - And being a pandering VP that is exactly what she did. I especially foundering her lisping "S" unnerving...

I saw a performance Average at best when you pull out all the yahoo's and yelling in that she gave a speech any AMERICAN MOM could have given. Utterly devoid of ANY MENTION ABOUT THE AMERICAN ECONOMY (but then again ALL the speakers at the GOP convention have stayed AWAY FROM TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY).... and isnt this *the* major issue of the election instead of OBAMA bashing??

Oh yeah - I forgot all the anti-abortion talk subtly thrown in (thus the panning of the kids at that time)... I *do* think her selection was very crafty and in afterthought, this whole selection process for Palin was to PLAY THE ABORTION CARD which is the SLEASIEST WAY TO TRY AND WIN AN ELECTION... Anti-Abortionists are pretty much a one-issue voter!!

Moving on to the War - how nice Ms. Palin you are having (ON 9/11 NO LESS....) your Son going into the military. (NO, THE WAY YOU SNUCK IN 9/11 WAS NOT MISSED BY PEOPLE... THAT WAS SLICK, SLEAZY, PANDERING TO NEO-CONS etc...) Lets see how long it takes him to get deployed over to where the *real* fighting is occuring.. (lets keep an eye on that one folks, he'll probably get stationed in Hawaii)

THIS WHOLE SPEECH WAS EYE AND SOUND CANDY with not much more substance than DRILL NOW AND NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS... Frankly, I would like to save our oil deposits until the rest of the world is bled dry and then drill and charge the rest of the world $500 a barrell of gas... maybe this is the last legacy we can leave our country to help pay our Children's Children Children debt off to China for all the money we've borrowed.
And for Nuclear Power Plants, I am ambivalent, but we need 10 times the safety factors currently used - remember Chernobyl and Three Mile Island - JUST MINUTES FOLKS FROM A NUCLEAR MELTDOWN... and if you dont know what that is, I suggest you research it because it almost happened TWICE and basically you have poisoned the planet on a level of BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS once it happens ONCE!!!! creating a wide path of poisoned and deadly land lasting for centuries thereafter and covering hundreds if not thousands of square miles of land....

and I think that about sums of MOMMA PALINS speech... Average... A one speech even if you want to call it good, does not set the standards for being a Vice-Presidential Candidate one heartbeat away from President... If we put this woman in office, what little respect we have in the rest of the world is LOST...

p.s. Palin's performace was nothing LIKE A HILLARY SPEECH... this woman is dellusional is she thinks she can get Hillary's voters... Just the opposite... she flat insulted Hillary voters in her Pandering to the woman voters... never once attacking Hillary, she fooled no-one.. I am sure it was top on the speech writers list to avoid attacking Hillary... NO WAY NO HOW NO MRS. PALIN... TO THINK YOU HOPE TO ATTRACK HILLARY VOTERS who vote on principals instead of voting for a skirt is just PATHETIC...

and DID ANY ONE ELSE CATCH THE PRE-VIEW PALIN SPEAKERS CONSTANT REFERENCES THAT MS PALIN HAS MORE POLITICAL EXPERIENCE THAN MCCAIN, OBAMA AND BIDEN COMBINED?? HAW HAW HAW.... ROTFLMAO... no way in hell...

And just because some people thought it was cute..... I thought the little girl plastering spit on the babies head to re-arrange its hair was more disgusting than cute... (that was thrown in because I was just disgusted with the whole FAMILY PANDERING BIT) - WHAT has this election become a vote for who has the best looking family? Did I see any class on stage... no... I saw an average family who has come into money and doesnt appear to have any sympathies for less fortunate families...

ALSO SHE LIED ABOUT OBAMA SAYING HE WAS GOING TO RAISE TAXES ON EVERYONE... he only wants to raise taxes on those making over $250,000 a year - someones got to pay off our debt.... and McCain is going to lower taxes??? then who is ever going to pay off our National Debt - lets enter reality here folks...

Gee - she fired a Cook and got rid of a Car - WOW, THEN SHE MUST BE THE SECOND COMING, NOT OBAMA!!! AND OH YEAH - WE ALL DID CATCH THE MESSIAH bit&h comment... another crappy nasty comment - I think during the debates we WILL SEE THAT PALIN AND MCCAIN are two peas in a pod - he found an equally nasty person to run on his ticket with him... STRONG WOMEN DO MORE THAN SLANDER A MAN...

gosh, I could go on and on but sleep calls...
nite folks - hope you all enjoyed the horse and poney show... or more like A$$ and Jacka$$ show at the GOP... Oh yeah - it was a nice touch showing the protester being hauled away - that gave you like ZERO sympathy from me... it was probably some MOM who lost her SON in this insane war...

Wow, Sean-492003, thanks!

I just did some online research into "Anne Kilkenny" from Alaska and while I believe the post above may have originated in some form from her, I do not believe Sean-492003 "Anne Kilkenny" but someone who posted what she originally wrote in an email and asked that it not be posted on web sites without her permission. Did you get her permission, Sean? Anyway, if you want to know more about her and why she has written about Palin, click on the following link from a journalist who investigated the email and found it be authentic:

Behind the Viral Email on Sarah Palin

Gipper1 - thanks for the links. It brings up a question of 'who is Anne Kilkenny?'

Sean, wow, thanks for all of the info.

The issue in which Palin tried to fire a librarian because certain books were in that library is particularly frightening for me. Who is Palin to decide what I can and can't read.

I thought Palin's performance was very good, but she said nothing that appealed to me.

Not long ago, I thought McCain would win by a landslide. No more.

Obama/Biden to win!!

She was likely PICKED by Karl Rove; I'm sure it wasn't McCain's idea...he didn't even know her, for heaven's sake. Wake up, people! What sheep you are!

Am a babe too and mouths everything Karl Rove gives me, just like Bush. Please pick me for VP !!!
I can create wars, bomb small countries, finance Georgia and Israel and send old meat to Korea which made the Koreans very angry ! Thats what the Bush administration does and I shall also try my best .

Grabanidiot,

grab yourself. Your no babe!

You guys that think the Bush administration set up 9/11 are some of the most far out people ever!!! The war was not made up, THEY attacked us.

The Iraq government did not comply with resolution after resolution AND were aiding terrorists.

Next time we will bomb a bigger country if you would like.

Finance Georgia. They just got whacked by the new Soviet union and you want us to not help?

The old meat thing...all I can say is they made a mistake. We should have sent it to grabanidiot.

you are an angry liberal. 80% approval HMMM I guess you are one of the MINORITY

she is beautiful. it is apparent that the women, mainly fat ugly and unemp[o9lyable , are the ones throwing stones at her She is lovely elegant and smart. You ugly knuckle draggers seem to be unhappy

It brings up a question of 'who is Anne Kilkenny?'

After reading what she wrote and a couple of articles about her, I think Anne Kilkenny is a courageous woman who wants to get the information she knows out.

Actually, what I think you meant was, direct, truthful and forthright. But explain where the arrogant and rude has been by President Bush. Finally, you certainly are entitled to your opinion, but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating; no matter which candidate wins.

To the Alaskan citizen, I'd would like to hear what Alaskans think about her.

I thought Sarah Palins true colors showed tonight. She was arrogant and rude just like the Bush administration has been. I don't think she would be good for this country at all.

Agreed. Just another angry rightwinger, like the three stooges who preceded her.

Actually, what I think you meant was, direct, truthful and forthright.

Oh yeah, really direct, truthful and forthright when she mentioned the Bridge to Nowhere, the one she was for before she was against. By the way, when is she going to give that money back?

You gotta be kidding. THat speech is not worth interrupting my evening shower. Heck. Am a babe too and if my husband wins the snowmobile race, we´re heading straight to the White House.

Ooooooo, can I go, too? I have long brown hair and....oh, wait, I'm not Stepford Veep material....guess I don't qualify after all...but ALMOST! I had no idea it was so easy to be Vice President of the US! Wow! Telling your children they can grow up to be President has taken on a whole new meaning!!!

CNN apparently had a female reporter with focus group of women watching the speech and the reporter wrote:

"A focus group of white married women who watched the speech didn't care for her sarcasm."

The CNN article is seeded at: GOP struggles with identity on Palin's big night

How can anyone on the Demo side raise question about speech quality. Yes, when Obama is speaking a writen speech he is good, but put him in am=n open forum (like Saddle back debate) Crash and "......well...I.....well......you see....." BURN!

Sorry, Yorn, you don't do nuance. You must have the attention span of a 2 year old. At least Obama owns his words. I doubt Palin -- or McCain for that matter -- write any of their speeches. They're puppets.

Christian areas,

I'm much older than 2, but thanks anyway. What do you mean that "Obama owns his words". Tell me really what that means to you. Does it mean to you that, he writes his own speeches, and has no outside influence, and acts as his own man, no one has any influence over him, and has a track record of success to back him up? If so, spell it out for us all. Do it so a 2 year old can understand it though. Thanks.

By the way, did Obama stutter and stumble a thousand times at the Saddleback debate or what? Have the courage to watch the video and see for yourself and be honest in your assessment. IF HE CANNOT WRITE HIS "OWN" WORDS AND HAVE THEM THERE WITH HIM, HE IS NO BETTER ORATOR THAN A 2 YEAR OLD (me).

Yorn, you have got to be kidding. McCain can barely string together a sentence when he's off the printed page. How many houses does he have? Which side is which in Iraq? And about twenty other examples.

Talk about glass houses.

I actually liked him at Saddleback. I think that he was insightful and thought before he spoke. And John McCain just blurted out answers. I prefer someone who thinks before he speaks. I also agreed with him on the evil issue. Americans are so quick to locate evil all over the world but they don't realize that we haven't dealt with the evil in our own country. The Bible says that you should first take the plank out of your own eye before you can remove the speck from your brothers eye. I really was suprised Christians ate up McCain's "defeat it" response. How the heck can man defeat evil? I thought that was for Jesus to do? Also why are Christians so hard on Democrats on abortion issues when they are for the death penalty? When the woman was caught in the act of adultry which carried the penalty of death, Jesus told her to go and sin no more. Jesus also asked us to turn the other cheek.

Snappy come back there, how many houses does he have. I wish I had the family ability to make money like Mrs. McCain. WOW. If everybody could do that, we wouldn't have any poor. I wish EVERYBODY had more houses than they could count.

I'm much older than 2, but thanks anyway.

Reading comprehension not your strong suit? I said you have the attention span of a 2 year old. Didn't say you were actually 2.

What do you mean that "Obama owns his words".

Um, he writes most of his major speeches himself, and he is the driving force behind the message. Sure he has a staff, but they don't write his speeches for him like they do for McCain and Palin.

If so, spell it out for us all. Do it so a 2 year old can understand it though. Thanks.

I think you just need to do your homework.

By the way, did Obama stutter and stumble a thousand times at the Saddleback debate or what?

No, he didn't. He paused and gave the questions thought.

Have the courage to watch the video and see for yourself and be honest in your assessment.

Yawn. I watched the interviews live, thank you very much. Never mind that he was in Republican territory.

IF HE CANNOT WRITE HIS "OWN" WORDS AND HAVE THEM THERE WITH HIM, HE IS NO BETTER ORATOR THAN A 2 YEAR OLD (me).

Yeah, that makes sense. Seriously, I want a President who doesn't think and barks whatever talking point comes to mind first. Give me a break.

What on earth makes you think he writes his own speeches? He just like EVERY Politician Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, or Republican (yep he is a politician) he has speech writers, they may not actually write his speeches, but they provide input and critique his delivery. That is exactly what happened with Mrs. Palin's speech last night. Several people worked together to come up with the speech. (again just like Obama)

As someone who makes a living speaking in front of very large groups (obviously not on the level as Obama and McCain) I can tell you anyone who doesn't prepare before facing an audience ends up making foolish mistakes at some point in their career.

Obama speech defenders:
how can you defend a guy who has to think every answer through, word for word before he says the "right" thing? It goes along with the lack of voting record Obama has. I want someone who has knowledge combined with previously well thought out positions. Sure McCain's answers came out quick, that is because he knows who he is and does not need to think it through first. He is rarely changed by anyone=I like that. McCain does not just blurt out stuff, these are things he believes in. If he was slow to come out with his answer, you liberals would say "there is proof he is too old to lead, he can't even come up with an answer". You know you would say that and even believe it.

Christian areas,

I was asking you if you watched the Saddleback debates. I was referring to Obama's stumbling around with out a prepared and practiced speech to guide him. That is when you see how someone is aligned with a policy and how sharp they are, Obama failed on that one badly. But he has done well at other times (IF it is prepared by him and others and practiced and critiqued by others previously).

Yorn:

Obama speech defenders: how can you defend a guy who has to think every answer through

Ah, thinking bad, blurting good.

BTW, I wonder how McCain would have done if he had actually been in that sound-proof room instead of listening to the questions and Obama's answers while stuck in traffic in his motorcade? He had plenty of time to "craft" his "quick" answers.

Sure he did, if that makes you feel better. Well, I think the next format should be McCain first and Obama 2nd then. It will make no difference. McCain (no matter if you like him or not) believes in certain things and he is committed enough to them that he does not need to think through every answer. Fact.

Obama= a great speaker or orator=yes. So, let's make him our public speaking and communications leader. Qualifications meet.

McCain=a great man, leader, American=yes. So, let's make him our our leader, our President. Qualifications meet.

Obama speech defenders: how can you defend a guy who has to think every answer through

Another anti-intellectual I see. Burn any good books lately?

I was asking you if you watched the Saddleback debates.

Um, there were no such "debates." They were interviews. And yes, I saw them live, as I already stated.

I was referring to Obama's stumbling around with out a prepared and practiced speech to guide him. That is when you see how someone is aligned with a policy and how sharp they are, Obama failed on that one badly. But he has done well at other times (IF it is prepared by him and others and practiced and critiqued by others previously).

You're entitled to your own assessment. Doesn't mean you're right. Not even close, if you ask me.

McCain (no matter if you like him or not) believes in certain things and he is committed enough to them that he does not need to think through every answer. Fact.

O'rly?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOCV3j6piBg&feature=related

All I know is, she didn't raise my taxes. Go girl!

All I know is, she didn't raise my taxes. Go girl!

No, she'll just leave you in debt -- big time, a la Bush!

But the Republicans will contintue to do so. See, the tax cuts they talk about are for the upper 2% of the country's wealthiest, while the middle and lower classes contintue to support and ever increasing deficit in the trillions now. This doesn't even mention the millions of Americans trying to survive on social security, that republicans want to get rid of -- so , especially today, they continue to pay taxes on their fixed incomes hardly getting by, and the rich get richer. And the tinkeling down still isn't happening. You see, Obama wants the corporations and the wealthiest 2% to stop being financed by the huge government they have created, and actually pay their fair share. Wow, what a concept.
They haven't answered their failures during the past 8 years, the ways they have actually turned their backs on everything republicans hold dear, like smaller government, and let go of oversight and deregulated corporatations, so we have "Corporations gone wild!" in this country, sending all working people's jobs overseas. And the Republican leadership has actually made that easier for them to do. We're in a fine pickle, and, sorry guys, the republicans get the credit. And they aren't presenting anything about how they actually plan to do anything but perpetuate the problems. So far, they are making the DNC look like they got it right! And that snide comment about the ineffectual Senate -- it's been ineffectual because of the republican senators' inability to cooperate to get anything done, not to speak of all the presidential vetos.
So the delegates can go on and cheer, that's their job. The rest of us are watching the double standards and hypocracy that is the tone of the rhetoric of the RNC.

Man alive. You are repeating every talking point for the Democrats. Take a look at who is paying what in taxes. Sure the wealthiest 2% may get a tax break, but they are paying the vast majority of the taxes now. That is not fair. No one should have to shoulder 4 times the percentage that the rest of the folks have to pay. Look into it sometime.
I think we can both agree that no matter who get;s in office, there needs to be some major cuts in wasteful spending and some relief to the masses. Yes???

You are repeating every talking point for the Democrats.

Funny, because you're doing the same for the right. The tax system is rigged for the rich, and it's no surprise the gap between the rich and the poor has grown under Bush.

christian areas,

you are nuts! The tax system is not rigged for the rich, it is paid for by the rich. You only have to go ask any accountant and have him show you the income limits and the tax brackets. Do it. Stop talking about things you have know idea about. All you have is anger. After you do that, you can right back an appology to every hard working, tax paying American that you slammed unfairly. Facts!

ChristianArea,
I hate to break this to you but, no politician writes their own
speeches. I know, it's hard to accept but true. For you to say
Barry owns his own words is pretty pathetic as well. Do you
remember the speech earlier in the campaign when he stole
a former politician's speech titled "Just words......"? It's okay,
I know it's devastating that you Messiah is false, but their will
be another one hoisted up in four years. McCain/Palin 2008!

Yes, he does write his major speeches. He doesn't write them all obviously, because he's busy running for President. But the major ones are his.

Do you remember the speech earlier in the campaign when he stole a former politician's speech titled "Just words......"?

You mean his buddy who suggested he use that line?

It's okay, I know it's devastating that you Messiah is false

Sorry, I never envisioned him as such. In my view, he is an intelligent, pragmatic leader with a good vision for this country. Can't say the same for the McCain/Palin ticket. Just more of the same tired old BS.

I can't wait for another open forum for Obama to "shine"in. He was so wonderful and precise in the last one. NOT!

I hope you're right, but think....this country "voted" twice for an idiot with the IQ of a zit that can't even pronouce nuclear.....(did you notice that in Palin's first speach, she also pronounced it nucular?????) Very disappointing...

Funny you should ask Laura...has Obama? That answer is a resounding no.

Actually, Obama writes his own speeches. Maybe you wan't to check your facts next time. But if I'm expected to believe Republican sympathisers, fact checking is sexist.

Yes, nothing but two best-selling memoirs.

She belongs on Saturday Night Live. Can't stand her!!

She belongs in Alaska

It's funny that MSNBC (inadvertently?) showed the teleprompter during Sarah Pallin's address but didn't during Obama's, then made it a big issue about her using it. Bill Maher was right. Keith Oberman does want to have sex with Obama.

Get over your love fest for Obama. He can write and give a good speech. OK, we got it. So let's give him the highest office in the world. When he is sitting there in the midst of other world leaders, he will be on his own (scary). He is very poor with out the prepared, written by whomever speech.

Keith is a TOOL!

Obama wrote his own speech. He didn't have a speech writer do it for him. Palin had Bush's speechwriter write her speech. She just got to practice and read it. Obama didn't need a teleprompter because he believed in his words and they came from him which is probably why more people had a positive view of Obama after watching his speech than before, unlike Palin who will get great reviews fro the neo-cons but probably scared regular folks.

Angela,
Didn't you mean to say Keith is a FOOL?

Gulianni is not a stand-up comedian...his speech was hateful and sarcstic. He's so typical of Republicans...so quick to throw stones while they are doing worse deeds! I loved all the shots of his mistress turned wife! I get so amused at Republicans that say they believe that marriage is between a man and one woman.....they need to add "one woman at a time!"

I used to be a huge fan of Keith Olberman. But since he "fell" for Obama, I can't even tolerate his show.

I never really took Keith seriously, as his show is primarily "National Enquirer" type stuff, but it's just no longer entertaining.

Countdown is just an Obama lovefest.

Greg,

I agree. His "news" show is one of those that you know the theme, content and punch line before the show even begins. I am OK with that, but please don't try to pass it off as "journalism". The same goes for any other left, right or middle "news" show. Disclose your bias and move on with the show.

I'll bet you guys are O'Reilly Factor fans, right? Too funny!

Keith shows......is just an Obama love fest

No value to this --as FOX is the McCain lovefest.... (??)

yes, that's true.

Fox is a McCain lovefest and Countdown is an Obama lovefest.

No, don't consider Countdown as journalism....I compared it to National Enquirer, for goodness sakes.

No, I am not a fan of O'Reilly. (I can't even stand to have loofahs in the house anymore, know what o"Reilly liked to do with his....)

However, I do like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.

Actually, he didn't damn America. He was quoting a Fox News report. That clip was just edited to make Obama look bad. Oops.

Actually, she sits in church alot and condemns the rest of us. My God will get 'er for that!

If you do not believe in God, then don't worry about it. She has never "condemned" you. She condemns the acts of sin, the wrong choices, not the person. There is a huge difference. But the fact remains, her church does not preach anti-American, anti-government and anti-white trash every week. Have any of you ever been to Rev. Wright's church? I did not think so. Then stop your defense of it, with your so called "knowledge" of it. It is an angry, hate filled venue.

See, people who "sit in church and condemn" aren't actually practicing what Christ taught. He forgave, and told everyone to forgive 7 times 70. People face hard realities and face really tough choices, a process that we've already found to be constitutional. That's the other big difficulty here, the presidential opportunity to choose supreme court justices. We've had enough and seen the results of enough Supreme court ideology. We actually need justices who are not ideological first, but are constitutional first. One would actually hope that that would be a Republican bias, but sadly, it's not. I hope Lincoln isn't rolling over in his grave. Since McCain wants more of the same ideologically dominated justices, he loses my vote. And if Palin were in the position, well there's no question there, is there?

This real person's husband sat in membership of an organization which has for decades tried to suceed from the US, and whose leader continuously damned America.

And you really should check out the hate-filled stuff coming out of HER pastor before you hang yourself with your own rope.

You must be talking about Biden?

another averagejoe. There is not an ounce of hate that comes out of Biden. He is a good religious man. The problem us Catholics have is possibly we always forgive everyone. He is very experienced in foreign policy and makes an awesome VP candidate that could easily step into the Presidential role. Not like Palin who spends her Sundays condemning everyone not like her.

No but she sure got up and spoke in a church saying that God has called us to die in Iraq. She also said that God has punished jews because they don't believe in Jesus. I would rather have someone sit in a church and hear something outrageous, than stand before them and say something outrageous.

Renata: Palin was not the one saying God has punished jews...it was the guy that heads up Jews for Jesus. Although it was reported that she was present for that speech in August.

You know - all of this is really ironic. Why does it matter if Palin was associated with a party that talked about seceding from the Union - Texans brag about that right every day (for instance, Texas is the only state authorized to fly our state flag equal to the US Flag- and in some cases - dare I say it? BY ITSELF and - again, dare I say it? Higher than the US flag!)

All things considered - when the US Government begins seizing state funds & lands for federal protections & projects that the state & it's people never approved of - OR when the US Government steps in and forbids the state government from governing its state as the people see fit - then why WOULDN'T any reasonable state government at least mention the idea of secession? The whole foundation of the FEDERAL government is to unite the states - to represent them and their interests to the greater whole. Not bend the states into the will of the FEDERAL Government!

Alaska wants to use a piece of land for oil exploration. A piece of land equivalent to a postage stamp. A piece of land that is literally flat wasteland not marshland - wasteland - not the green mountainous beauty that the media has showcased - wasteland. A piece of land that has oil exploration all around it - but for some reason the FEDERAL government has set it's foot down and said "NOT HERE". Why?

So Alaska files an injunction against the US Government for interfering in state matters. Go Alaska - run your state - after all, you live there!

So people have talked about secession in Alaska... who cares? Like you've even ever been to Alaska... would you even notice that there was one less star on the map? Hmmm...

Go Latino's

Why should we forget the last 8 years? You appear to have succumbed to the hate Bush campaign and bought into the BS about how bad our country is and how bad our economy is and how we have lost 100's of thousands of jobs, etc. The truth is that our country is not bad, is not thought of as "bad" by other than our enemies and adversaries in the world (and anti-war activists and those brainwashed by the propaganda of the party not currently in power), has had net gains of 100's of thousands of jobs (millions more working than when Clinton left office), is not and has not been in a recession in the last 8 years (except for the new homes industry), and 50% (non-DNC followers) of the country are not the Bush haters/blamers that the DNC has propogated. Just as many of the colonists during the revolutionary war were Tory's and swore loyalty to the "stay a colony" side, there are always substantial numbers against every war fought for our country's independence and safety. It doesn't necessarily mean those people are evil, But it does make them adversaries and, if undermining is propangadized/promoted against the current elected leader and commander in chief at every step or attempt at anything, they become anarchists and allies of enemies and even should be viewed as traitors.

Bush has increased the national debt by over 3 trillion dollars. He lied to get us into a war.

Not bad?

My house is worth 50% less than it was 4 years ago
My pension is just... gone
We are in a war (why are we there this week?)
3 Trillion dollars in debt (when we had a surpuls of 1.2 billion to start with)
Zero job growth
Negative real income

And I do travel overseas allot... Europe, Canada, South America, Asia, Middle East I can tell you as a matter of FACT that the rest of the free world is absolutely perplexed with the US. They don't "hate" Americans at all, but they can't understand how we elected such an obvious idiot. It is the question I am asked the most...

You may think that is my view, but it is the truth! Anybody that travels can tell yoiu the same thing

There is nothing wrong with Sarah Palin giving a strong speech but the speech lacked real substance in my opinion. So what she's tough, lots of women are, but what did we really learn about her tonight?

Small town America Sarah sacrifices the privacy of her own children, exploiting her infant son's handicap, her oldest son's military service, all to advance her own career. She is no 'mom" to admire for any reason. She is an ignorant follower in an extreme right wing effort to hold onto power and privilege at the expense of the American people.

Why would any Good Mother bring a special needs small baby to a room full of noisy, germ filled people. Not a very good example of good mothering.

"Sacrifice the privacy of her children" . . . "bring a special needs baby to a room full of noisy etc., etc., etc.".

Weren't the Obama girls at last week convention . . . what about their privacy?

If she hadn't brought her infant, you'd be condemning her for being neglectful.

The bottom-line is you would criticize her no matter what she did.

These are some of the silliest comments I have see yet.

She must have really struck a code . . . LOL

It's a "cord", VA Don, and yes she struck one alright, the one that makes me sick of the tactics of the Mc Rove Bush team. What a bunch of lowest common denominator pandering hacks.

Yorn, you are a moron, Iraq had as much to do with the attack in our country as Mexico did. You and the rest of the morons that follow that logic are unreachable.

Absolutely, using a special needs child to get votes is pretty darn sad.

BUT, even sadder are the people who might fall for it.

It was a 10 minute Attack add...

I prefer not to have a timid, humble VEEP. Please explain Republicans wanting to get into all parts of private lives??? Constitutionally it is not the responsibility of government to take care of all the needs of society. As a general, but valid statement, government cannot afford to remedy social ill. And where is it written that society must take care of the poor? We have universal education. Opportunity abounds for those who wish to work for it. And, if misfortune should occur, there are ample programs and faith-based initiatives to offer a leg up until solid footing can once again be realized. The poor will always be with us.

Jerry, are you joking about republicans wanting to get into our private lives? One area is that of a woman's right to make her own decision as to whether or not to keep a baby. Palin believes that a woman, even if raped, should be forced to have to that baby. I feel it is not the gov't business. Republicans also want to get in on people's choices about death. (remember the terri schiavo case?) I live in a state where we have the assisted suicide law, and the repub. have tried 3 times to squelch that law. Areas that used to be considered state's rights( gay marriage, civil unions, adoptions) are also areas that the republicans want to legislate. Live and let live is only ok if you agree with them.
RE: taking care of the poor, you are right, no constitution requirement. Maybe you think there are ample programs to take care of those who are struck by misfortune...i see lots of people who fall through the cracks. I'm just one who think we, one of the richesp nations in the world should do more. People should not have to lose everything because their spouse gets cancer and they do not have insurance...stuff like that. respect your right to disagree.

Respect your opinion as well. But let's hear it for the baby. It may be the woman's body, but it is not her life. It's a tough call that you bring up. And there are situations that are extremely intense relative to pregnancies. However, the slippery slope has allowed abortion on demand, abortion of convenience and abortion because of irresponsibilty (on both parties' parts). Who is ther arbiter? Arguement maintains that "the girl didn't just get herself pregnant". So if the male has a hand in it why is it only the female decision?

Next topic. Help the helpless. YES. Create, support, augment, promote generation after generation of hand out dependency. Not appealling to me.

Guess we have to agree to disagree on gay rights etc. I feel they have the "right" to be treated like any other person, no more no less. And I believe in the sanctity of a man and woman marriage.

Lastly, assisted suicide. Have a hard time with suicide so I guess I am at odds with assisted suicide. I recognize I am probably not going to change the mind of someone more liberally-minded than I am. But over time I think I might make some interesting opposing thoughts for you. Thanks.

Jerry...neither of us will probably change each other's minds, but nice to at least talk respectfully. Regarding the suicide thing...my mother died of ALS, a horrible disease which strips one of everything except your ability to think. Even my doc, a very religious man said this was the one disease he thought legit for this. The thing about this...if you don't want to, don't. But for me, when there is not 1 part of my body that I can move....I will check out...probably a few other things as well.
Abortion thing tough....even if raped, you think the person should be forced to have the baby??? You would want that for your child, your wife? I know some do.
Ok the gay thing...so if treated like everyone else...do you support their ability to adopt, to have civil unions, same as everyone else except for marriage???
I don't support handout dependency either,, but we sure have got to figure something out, esp health insurance. thx.

Abortion thing tough....even if raped, you think the person should be forced to have the baby??? You would want that for your child, your wife?

How is that baby any less a child than one conceived of love, or from incest, or an accident, or whatever.

Now, I happen to abhor abortion, although I'm old enough to remember abortion being illegal. I do not want to go back to the days of back room surgeries, and all that that brings. But while I will support it being legal for the first trimester, I will continue to support it being illegal after that time, and I will continue to support sex education for all teenagers.

Jerry

Abortion is the birth control of the irresponsible. They feel its their body but only want to protect it after getting pregnant. It is their body until it is shared with their baby. The killing of the baby to protect the woman from the inconvenience of pregnancy is simply wrong. They will never get it. And its above Obama's pay grade, along with everything else.

The Dems say McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time. Obama voted with McCain 90% of the time. That makes Obama more like McCain than McCain like Bush. They don't get it.

Of course, the whole problem could be eliminated if we could simply have that pill for the day after...it would prevent someone from being pregnant. But the far right opposes that too...apparently the possibility of the pregnancy is still more important than the woman being rapedhaving the choice of preventing it. I also abhor abortion on demand and see way too much irresponsibility on the part of many. But I can not get behind the forcing of this on someone who is raped.

And personally, i think Obama's response about the pay grade was right on. The question was...when do you think life begins? He basically was leaving that up to the higher powers, and I see no irresponsibility in that at all.

Rape is an exception and is not the result of an irresponsible woman. And few rapes result in pregnancy. A realatively weak argument. And the government should take some of the burden from the rape victum. And I support free contraceptives. They are readily available.

There are many options for women who want to prevent pregnancy, even if raped. Women need to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy. Period.

We have the equivalent of the morning after pill. Its the days before pill, aka the pill.

Who knows how many great minds were never given a chance to live. Some may have cured cancer and who knows what else. Termination of human life should be avoided. Its funny to me that the same people who want to terminate a pregnancy are agianst the war. I guess the issue is who kills and who dies.

Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame, Republicans. Sarah is such a lightweight. Reformer? NOT

Dr Jon, What was your doctorate in?

Did you actually attend a recognized educational institution?

What does that have to do with small towns?

I have a very good friend who believe it or not has six doctorates and they were easy for him after the first one. He has never left the University and now is 67 years old. He is the smartest, most useless person I know, but I love him all the same.

Oh! By the way, did you and I listen to a different speech?

Wrong Doc!!!!

What about the big coke snorting idiot sitting in the Oval Office right now?!! Who is he supporting and what does that say about McSame and Palin? If you want leadership and integrity in the White House, why did you vote for this same coke-snorting alcoholic two terms in a row? What does that say about your intelligence and ability to discern leadership experience and integrity?

Are you angry?

Damn right I'm angry and you should be too, if you have any sense. This country has gone to hell in a hand basket over the last 8 years. I don't care if you're Republican or Democrat, you would have to be a fool not to see that. If things don't change, this country won't be worth a damn for my children or my children's children, and that makes me very angry.

Renee
Bush is out, or nearly. Stop whinning! You look, well, rather petty and living in the past.

The issue is change and who will bring it. As a long life liberal....Obama looks silly to me. Naive at best. Overly optomistic and foolish. Its about issues.

Experience? According to the constitution, they are all qualified. Now make the judgement as to who is most qualified.

Stop hating. I know that's what Obama is all about. I mean, with 20 years of hate and racism programmed so effectively he didn't even notice.

On the Presidency is all above his pay grade. He said it, and its true.

Just remember she is running for VP NOT Commander in Chief. That forerunner is still a lame duck.

You should stop watching tv and go to your local library. you don't even know where she lives.

That's exactly the problem. Where does she live.

Wasilla, Alaska...not Wassina.

It's in the Matanuska Susitna Valley.

I've been to Wasilla. It is a great example of all small towns in America. As far as what goes on in the oval office, it has changed since Bill and Monica left. They actually do Presidential stuff there now. How nice.

"it has changed since Bill and Monica left. They actually do Presidential stuff there now. How nice."

hhahahahaha, it sure has changed. they do Presidential stuff... like lie to start wars and leave large metropolises to drown in flood waters!

Eric,

No, they did not make up the war. Why don't you go see the huge holes in the ground in NY. Go visit the families who have lost loved ones that day and tell them it is all fake. Yes, there are some bitter folks you'll find, but for the most part you'll find they are supportive.

And when Obama can control the weather, I will vote for him. Until then, he like every other human which cannot control the weather, so they cannot control where hurricanes go, or floods go. But the people in New Orleans can live "above" the sea level-that would help. It is like the folks that live on the San Andreas fault. If an earth quake leveled their house, how is it any humans fault?

Eric you are an idiot. New Orleans went smooth as hell during Gustav. Oh wait, maybe you forgot about that you libral noob.

I would like to say that I as an american citizen am not a stupid person. I would really love it if the news media would just give the american people the Facts when reporting the news and keep there personal opinions to themselves as I for one am not interested in Their opinions. I am quite capable of making up my own mind.

Yorn, Back off.

I live in NYC. I resent Bush hijacking a national tragedy in order to get his long-desired war with Iraq. Where was the mention of Afghanistan or Pakistan in Pretty Sarah's deluge of Limbaugh one-liners? Do you think the 2800-plus victims of Osama bin Laden were laughing? Do you think they are proud that we got Saddam, who did NOT attack us but bin Laden & Co. have been de-facto pardoned?

I really hope the Dems find our backbone once Obama-Biden win and lead in controlling majorities in both houses of congress. Bush & Cheney are war criminals and traitors. They have sent thousands of our children to fight an unjust war. They do not give those who are "lucky enough" to survive the fighting the medical and mental care they need when they get home. We HAVE used torture. I want to see Bush & Cheney prosecuted.

UDbmas,

OK, what would you have done after 9/11? No, really what? What do you think would have worked? What would have kept us from getting attacked again? What could you have done? What would you have done to figure out ALL of the entrance and exit strategies possible? What crystal ball would you have used? You live in NYC, I really cried that day for you and all of America. Everyone asked how could this have happened. We must never let this happen again. It has not since! When Bush stood up in front of the whole world and said he was going after everyone that was not on our side, I along with 90% of America cheered. Give Bush his due, he has the courage to take on evil and he said it would be a long fight, decades even generations maybe, but I am willing to fight and pay for that fight, than have more 9/11's. Don't blame Bush either. If Gore or Kerry or Clinton would have been in office, the attacks on 9/11 would have still occurred. You know it and so does every rational person, in this country or not.

Yorn, unfortunately with people as willing to be lied to as you obviously are, there is very little we can do. And you don't know how much it comforts us to know that you "cried" for us. And I would like to give Bush his due: Gitmo vacation then a seat inside the cage at the Hague. Perhaps if I had had access to the August PDB of August 6, 2001, and Richard Clarke and his dept., and been willing to listen to informed American advisers rather than his good friends-the Saudis and the "Project for a New American Century", MAYBE I could have had the imagination and the powers of logic to make a difference. But I wasn't POTUS, Bush was. He chose to take us into Iraq where the terrorists were NOT. I am a rational person: I did not vote for Bush in 2000 (and the majority of Americans were rational that year, and we still got Bush). And I am not insane: i did not vote for Bush in 2004.

As predicted, the repugnant, insensitive, disgusting prostituting of our nation's tragedy was rolled out yet again last night. How can any "rational person" not be repulsed by this continual exploitation of the devastation of innocent lives, used time and again by resentful people who show NO compassion for lives lost. Especially by the party who's answer to that day was to throw a military under-prepared, under-equipped and deliberately mis-informed, at THE WRONG MAN? And yet Bush-Cheney gets off scot-free handing off this illegal, lethal farce to McCain-Palin who promise more of the same, in more countries?

Pathetic, disgusting, tragic, and heart-breaking. Par for the (stay the) course.

Nice sexist remark from a typical, non thinking Republican.

Once again Liberals are mean and hateful. Remember you guys have had only one two term Prez since Rosey in the 40's. The American people don't like your idea's.
But I guess once you run out of ideas you start calling names. You guys run out a long time ago.

"Liberals rare mean and hateful"?....PLEASE!!! Did you not watch your own convention? I was embarrassed for all of you...and the crowd was lapping it up like a bunch of ravenous dogs. It was disgusting!

I watched the convention. I didn't see any "ravenous dogs". I saw folks genuinely excited about their candidates, same as the Democrats during the ObamaShow Retrospective.

I suspect the real problem is that Obama finally got called out on his thin resume and his muddled calls for hope...change...more taxes....more govt.....

Palin's presence alone places individual responsibility back on the table. I know that ticks off Leftists to no end.

Of course you saw folks excited. She is a very good speaker, and probably connected with a lot of people who could not connect with McCain. However, there was very little actual substance in the speech. And what I found very distasteful was that she actually "used" her baby with Down's to try and pull over votes from other people in the same situation. i thought family especially children were supposed to be off limits. Well, they should be off limits not only for critical comments, but also for being used as pawns in a political battle. How now can she say leave my other child out of this, when she has herself brought her baby in? She came in initially as a breath of fresh air, but her speech yesterday has put her in my book as "politics as usual". As for the "victory" in Iraq part. Here is a newsflash for you Gov. Palin: "Sometimes victory can be achieved by putting an end to the invasion far better that stubbornly sticking to what was a mistake to begin with." So if Obama plans to get our troops back, it is not in defeat, but with an understanding that his is the way to victory, not only for America, but for Iraquis too! After all, it is their country, they want us out, if the same situation were reversed, would the opinion of Americans who wanted someone to leave not be important to you??

P.S. Sean, whoever you are, if what you wrote is true, I am more scared of the "Look only at my war-hero record McCain" and "See how I can cover-up Palin" ticket than I was of the "Dunno what to do Bush" and "Just kill 'em Cheney" ticket.

Maybe you could watch another showing of the convention.....every sarcastic, bitter, hateful remark was greeted with wild applause, toothy smiles and drools....The Democratic convention did not use its time for personal attacks...the Dems stayed on the issues with intelligent speech...not hate-speak!

Krissa, It's people like you who have held women down for centurys. You must be the type of woman who thinks women are only good for mopping floors & other so called female jobs! If you had a Downs baby, you'd probably hide him away in a closet. Get modern woman & out of the stone ages!

I am registered Democrat (for now)

I have seen no intelligent speech from the Democratic ticket. Have you seen even one advertisement approved by Obama that has not had a stab at McCain. When I joined the team for Obama, I thought he was going to bring change to Washington. I am not sure that mudslinging is change. I just want to hear the actual process by which the Obama leadership will improve our country. I like the idea of health care for all, but how is this going to be paid for? Will it further inflate prices at hospitals?

Palin actually gave numbers, specifics. I am not sure if I can cross the party to vote for McCain, but even though I am an athiest, male, professional, I could vote for a ticket that followed the ideals of lower goverment cost of which Palin spoke.

Proten, maybe you just tuned in to the race. Mccain has launched ad after ad attacking Obama. Obama has to respond in kind now with less than 2 months to go. Btw, I've been defending Sarah Palin the person all morning today, but I'm not sure what speech you heard which would make you cross party lines to vote for a conservative with right wing ideas. You can't think of voting for Mccain, but Palin can make you cross party lines...and you are a registered democrat? Are you sure?? Something doesn't make sense.

Orchid, I am a working woman, with a business of my own and two kids. And no, if I had a Down's baby I would love and care for him or her as much as any other of my children. And all my children would be off limits (criticism or sympathy wise) if I were running a political campaign.

Proten, I agree with you somewhat..

If Gov. Palin was a MALE do you think John McCain would have picked her over 1) Tom Ridge, 2) Mitt Romney, 3) Joe Lieberman, 4)Gov. Pawlenty? NOT to mention there are FOUR far more qualified Republican FEMALE Governors to chose from with MORE national and foreign policy experience (i.e., Hawaii, Connecticut, Delaware and Arizona). These women have been Governors LONGER than Sarah Palin AND Govern states with 12+ million voters as compared to Sarah Palin's 600,000+.

Honestly, I'm starting to get this gut feeling deep down in my gut that this was a "political" pandering to Hillary Supporters by John McCain. After taking a good look at the facts on WHOSE more qualified. I'm PROUD Democrat and find it very disturbing that I did NOT see any "diversity" on the faces at the RNC. I did NOT see any Latinos, Asians, African Americans AND Native Americans. Is this a true reflection of our country?

I listened to her speeches too. When did she give numbers and specifics and how do they plan on accomplishing lowering government cost ( remember she left her state owing 22 million dollars)? She never said how they were going to accomplish anything just ideas that were tossed out and left dangling. I loved the way she would say "dill" instead of drill and they way she hissed when she talked. Her speech was pretty good but she left me with more questions than answers. The thing that creeped me out the most, is that her baby stayed asleep through out the whole session without so much as a whimper. Especially when he was handed from person to person, loud whistling and applauding, foot stomping and loud cheering all around him. He even slept through Piper's slobbery hair combing. So why didn't he wake up or even whimper when all this loudness was going on around him? He may be a "special needs" baby but he is still a baby. Was he deaf or drugged, personally as a mother, I would have left him backstage and brought him out after the completion of my speech. It was too loud for an infant his age. She may be a great speaker, a pretty face but she is a little shaky on "parenting" 101, infant care. I like her but I am voting for Obama. Republican but voting Democrate Peace be with all of us, remember Vietnam, we were told we were winning there as well.

I was sitting on the fence until last night. I am a Hillary supporter and I was disappointed when she was not nominated. With that said I have been concerned about Obama. Last night I was insulted by several of Palin's comments as well as some of the other Republicans. I thought that demeaning the grass roots groups that Obama has been involved in insulted not only all those folks in IL who were helped and involved with the effort but there but by the grace of GOD goes any one of us. I also was appalled by the lack of diversity of the Republican audience. It appears that no effort was made to appeal to groups across the nationalities making up the US population. I am a retired civil servent and a high school social studies teacher, what occurred last night goes against what we attempt to teach our students. The republicans missed the mark last night and Hillary supporters will not be impressed.

I love your post Vanessa, and I believe that most non-republican feel the same way after watching last nights speeches. Gov. Palin only succeeded in united the conservative base around their ticket, but the majority of Americans outside the Republican Party probably feel alienated after last night.

I was originally planning on watching McCain's acceptance speech tonight, but I now think I will go to the gym instead. After last night there's nothing he can say to change my mind.

Yes, I too saw Palin's speech but did not hear anything specific as to numbers and solutions. Sounds like Proten is an elephant dressed in a donkey costume to sway some votes. I don't think anybody with any political awareness would cross party lines to vote for a VP. Strange.

Obama's grass roots... Never helped a white person. Now he's gonna help US?

Sitting for 20 years in a church with radical racist views and never noticed them?

Preaching hate and racism and blaming US for all that is wrong in the Black comminuty and the World? Are you nuts?

Not attacking? Where have you been? Just arrived here on Earth? Obama has been attacking the whole time. Acting as if McCain is VP to Bush. Are you kidding? McCain is not Bush. And Obama is not Clinton. Too bad there. Clinton's third term would be great.

Beware the man with the bobbin head and crocked smile. He hates US. So does his wife, his church, his pastor, his friends, his advisors. We are doomed if his is elected. Taxes, handouts, hatred, and war on our shores. That's the result of the Obama Presidency. You'll see it too if you stop looking for the light.

as if we're not doomed already? duh. you want more republican years?

it's people like you who say "white person" in your words that continues racism in America.

as if bush & the republicans have helped the US.

such ignorance.

V0R,

How do you know he hasn't helped "white" people? Seems like your just spewing prejudiced comments to justify your ignorance. One could say that "white" people only want to be racist bigots without being called on it. But it wouldn't be fair nor accurate and the same goes for you.

Unlike you I understand McCain's positions in fact, his skin color has absolutely nothing to do with it. There are a whole host of reasons from his rejection to the GI bill to his disdain for universal healthcare to his reluctance to hold corporate greed accountable. Actually let me lay out a little truth on you and attack in a graceful way of what I find appalling about your post.

So your mad because Obama's former pastor said some things that in your view you feel as racist and intolerant, what about the many years of lenching, and denial of rights, wrongful prosecution, and police brutality that lasted from this countries inception until 1969? Some of the latter points still happen today. Let me be as blunt as possible without calling you names. What your so angry about is that this country has done some very very disgusting things to other human beings. Your sticking point is you don't want to be reminded of it. You don't want to be held accountable for it and you don't want to do anything to change it, but you also want to have a pass for all of it.

Using the Holocaust as a reference, this country not only relocated a group of people, but we have supported Israel with military and monetary benefits that far outstrip anything that they have done for African Americans, and WE LIVE HERE. How's that for irony?

While Obama's former pastor was definitely old school in his delivery and definitely did say somethings that were over the line, there is basis that his comments spring from. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study comes to mind.

The Holocaust brings visceral reaction to Jewish Americans within this country and likewise the many years of lenching, and denial of rights, wrongful prosecution, and police brutality that lasted from this countries inception until 1969 is equally visceral to African Americans. The difference is unlike the the plight of African Americans, the Holocaust is something that unifies the entire country because the ugly parts of humanity existed elsewhere. We played absolutely no part in it at all and in fact during those horrible examples of the worst parts of humanity we exemplified the best parts of humanity and that makes us all feel good. However, we have been the antithesis of this country at it's best as well. It's easy to look in the mirror and see the beauty. It's much harder to look in the same mirror and see the ugly.

.......and that's the truth.

Its funny how any time a person says White or Black they are called a racist. BHO is very proud of his black roots an how he has helped the people on the south side. I am proud of him for that as well. But very few of those South side people are white. Thats not racist, its fact.

It is also funny how much you think you can tell about a person from a post or two and how little you actually know. Stay in the fog. Drink the Obama-aide and continue to hate. The Rev Wright will be proud of you. He lives in the past and you hate in the now and tomorrow. Leave the hate behind and have an intelligent discussion, if you can.

BTW its not Obama's color that is offensive. Its his character. I would vote for a black person and have voted for a black because she was the best candidate for me.

V0R It's funny that you think you can make racist comments and not be held accountable. You need to stop lying with the "my best friend is black" rhetoric. You said the Obama hasn't done anything for white people. How is that not racist????

I can tell a lot about you as well. I know that you aren't educated. African Americans are only majority in the District of Columbia.... that's based on 2000 Census. Thanks for showing how non prejudiced you are. Why don't you do your ignorance a favor and read a book.

Our government has done terrible things to blacks. That is true. They have done it to others as well. That is true too. But the furture is what we can control.

Hate based on the past has a place, but its not a good foundation for the future. If you want to stay in the hate mode, go ahead. Its your choice. Yes, choice. Step beyond the hate and get to a better place. Together we can make a better tomorrow for your kids and mine. Thats what its about.

My answer isnt McCain either. But he's closer for me than McCain. I understand the color thing is a big thing for the black community. Its huge! We can be proud of where we are and how far we have come. Its truely a great thing.

And if the character and content was different, Obama could be my candidate too. Till then, I will vote for the best person in my mind, regardless of color, religion, sex, etc. You are free to hate me for being white. I get that. Thats racism.

Where do I say that I hate you??? I don't do I. Again your making stuff up. First it's your belief that African Americas (a minority) hold a majority in any state within this union. Now you think I hate you.

Oh I get it your playing the victim. You think you can say some hateful bile then hide in the corner that has all of the resemblance of someone's mouth writing a check that it's owner can't cash.

Now that doesn't mean I don't agree with some of your statements

Hate based on the past has a place, but its not a good foundation for the future.

I agree with that. However, if you think that any African American is going to let anyone just pretend or belittle the wrongs done in the past you are sorely mistaken.

yo, dude
blacks are a majority in Obama's distict. Not the state.

Obama is a SENATOR... he along with Durbin represent the whole state.

His district in Chicago was primarily black. I should have said he had not helped many white people. But regardless...

You imply you hate me by calling me a racist. or do you like racists? I doubt it. I dont like racists and dont think of myself as one. And no, my best friend aint black. But I have helped many black people in the recording studios I own. I understand more than you might think I do.

But , I encourage love and kindness to all. Yes, I live in CA and dig flower power. I teach my children not to hate and to be good to all.

B4 he was elected to the senate. Come on!! when he was a congressman.

Yeah you "should" have said that but that's not what you said by a LONG SHOT. Your grasping for innuendo to give traction to the claim I hate you and validity to your remarks.... sorry pal never said it nor will i say it. You however did say:

Obama's grass roots... Never helped a white person. Now he's gonna help US?

That's not a statement that you can sweep under rug by saying you helped some black person in your music studio, which would be your business would it not? That's like saying well I gave a -->insert ethnic background here<-- a free soda in my convenience store so I don't have any prejudices.

Dude, ur wrong.

I dont have to work with any client and I turn down plenty. ur assumtions are incredible. dont back down. i like that. you stick to it no matter what. you go far im sure. time for me to go now. goodluck with all and my god bless you. peace out

Come on you shouldn't belittle his past and generalize his history as though he moved through Illinois, making use of some sort of telepathic ability to skip over every Caucasian living in the south side of Chicago.

and god bless you as well.

You must have missed the democrat convention, especially Joseph Biden!

Why would anyone want a person as president of The United States Of America, that
hates his own country? He's never said he is proud to be an American. His wife has certainly let it be known how she feels. The man is so smug and arrogant. Come on, two autobiographies? He is so above everyone my neck gets sore every time he is on TV. He has yet to tell us what kind of "change" he is going to make. All I know is, he is going to raise taxes and we will be supporting more people on welfare, putting more immigrants through school, etc. Bottom line people, WAKE UP! What are you thinking wanting this radical hater into being our president. I want to feel safe every night when I go to bed and not have to wake up to what I did on Sept. 11, 2001. You people are worried about Sarah Palin not being able to take care of her motherly duties? That's none of your business, worry about your own family. That she won't be able to take over as prez if something should happen to McCain? What if something happens to Biden? Obama certainly has no experience to run a country, so then we're all screwed! McCain and Palin are very cut and dry, no guessing games. Palin has more experience than Obama already, we don't need a prez trying to gain his experience in the white house. What am I not seeing in this man? Can some please tell me some of the great things he has accomplished in his career? What has he done as a community organizer? You people are so quick to defend but can never actually say what type of changes he will be making and what he's actually accomplished in his career.
As for you people that think Palin is a horrible, wicked person, look in the mirror. She is a beautiful person that keeps me proud to be an American.

Hogwash! He, and his wife keep saying it over and over in a thousand ways. Only ignorant fear mongers such as yourself think otherwise

and you on the other hand are insightful and dig right into the issues... LOL!!!

Give me the pit bull lady any day, you can have the lap poodle "orator" (that's Obama for those who are not taxed very much).