Why Is Sarah Palin Sneering So Much?

And she didn't need to lie about Obama's tax plan.

Link to Palin's speech

A biography followed by one-liners and tasteless jabs. I expected more from her, actually.

I need to find a video. Some of the things she said is not in the text, and the comment she made about Obama healing the earth or rolling back the waters or whatever was uncalled for. I didn't like it when Hillary said something similar, and i still don't like it now.

Now, when the stuff about her daughter came out, Obama said the family should be left alone. Guess she showed how much she appreciated that.

I heard that comment healing the earth. That and about the Styrofoam Greek columns...what the hell was that all about?

Yeah, I'm not getting the lies they're telling. I mean, Lieberman outright lied last night and now Palin.

Right after the speech, JoAnne nominated her for vice president of the national PTA—although she suggested she learn to control her snarkiness. ;-)

"Here's a little new flash ..."

My favorite was the audience: "Drill, Baby, Drill; Drill, Baby, Drill ..."

I expected more from her, actually.

I know, I'm really puzzled. I knew she'd be slick, but I thought she would make people outside the choir like here. Everyone here was pleased at the end.

Golden, those were the parts I mean. She belittled Obama in a very weird way. I'm surprised they let her do that.

I disagree. I sat through the whole thing and tried to listen without my own ears. It was difficult. :P Especially when Rudy was on and I had to restrain my gag reflex. Mitt didn't even bother me as much as Rudy. Rudy made me scream curse words at the television and threaten to vomit and buy floral furniture if The Man didn't change the channel.

I think Michel Martin from NRP summed up my assessment of Palin (after tonight) better than even I. Ms. Martin was on Bill Maher this week and when asked about Palin she said, "I think Democrats underestimate her at their own peril."

After seeing that speech tonight-I agree.

She is polished. She is precise. And, she panders better than anyone I've ever seen. This woman knows what she is doing. Yes, she made jabs. Yes, she lied about Obama's plans. But, think about her audience. Most of these people don't attend the Republican Convention and then immediately go home to check and see if what she said was actually the TRUTH. Unfortunately, neither does most of America.

She is the wet dream of the American middle class. This is only more proven by the veterans in the audience wearing the buttons that say "My Vote Is For The Hot Chick" with her picture.

She got the "mom" vote. She got the "special needs child" vote. She got the "my family is messed up" vote. She got the "my son is going to Iraq" vote.

Minus Cindy's McCain's surgically-crafted facial expressions there were moments in the speech where I almost said, "Damn. If only she were running." Then I reminded myself of her Right to Life ideals.

Guys, I wanted to HATE her...and I didn't.

This must be taken into consideration when we start talking about the opinion of moderate and conservatives in this country.

That and about the Styrofoam Greek columns...what the hell was that all about?

Oh, just belittling a historic moment, that's all. No big deal. And I suppose that there was a styrofoam Lincoln behind Dr. King when he gave his speech.

The whole thing just ticks me off. I can't remember the last time I felt this angry.

Another thing Palin did that I didn't like was that she seemed to belittle Obama's community organizing efforts. I couldn't find it in the transcript L-Dub linked in her post unless I overlooked it, but I'm thinking to myself, why would you criticize someone who tried to organize people at the ground level to make their lives and their communities better on the south side of Chicago. All she's offering is cheap shots.

golden, I'm not sure she understands what a community organizer does. She just insulted a large number of hardworking people.

Here's the quote:

I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities.

She just insulted a large number of hardworking people.

Yes, but that was her point.

She got the faction of the Republican party that has been leery of John McCain. THAT was her point. And, if you look at it that way, she did an unbelievable job.

She goes from being the Governor of Alaska to making an acceptance speech for the VP of the United States that was extremely tough and on point and she didn't freakin' choke? I think that's why Cindy and Rudy were jumpin' out of their seats at the end. She did JUST ENOUGH to make it "okay" for the rightwingers to vote for McCain.

This was a strategy for the Republicans. I have no idea what effect this will have on the outcome of the election. But, I will say that they accomplished what they wanted to accomplish tonight.

Keith Olbermann is interviewing Howard Fineman of Newsweek about this right now (the community organizing deal, that is).

Gawd, that speech was torture for me. Hillary’s voice is bad enough, but Gov. Palin’s Fargo/Francis McDormand twang is like nails across a chalkboard.

I thought it was a good speech, but nothing spectacular. I didn't see the "sneering" that y'all saw but it was definitely salty.

To me it was a standard issue VP candidate speech crafted to present her resume, promote the party and candidate’s platform, and toss out some red meat to the crowd. In fact, she spent so much of her speech with Obama directly in her crosshairs that I’m sure she knocked it out of the park with conservatives. I doubt it will play well with independents and the pro-Hillary/working women crowd that McCain is trying to divide and conquer.

Make no mistake about it, Sarah Palin came ready to play and the Democrats cannot underestimate her. But, I also want to see how she will hold herself up in a vice-presidential debate against Joe Biden.

I doubt it will play well with independents and the pro-Hillary/working women crowd that McCain is trying to divide and conquer.

Yes, because THIS independent is completely turned off.

Yes, the VP debate will be interesting.

Hell, for a political junkie like me, this whole election is fascinating theater.

Golden, those were the parts I mean. She belittled Obama in a very weird way. I'm surprised they let her do that. - ladd

Seriously? You thought they would hold back?

I'm telling y'all, her personal drama aside this was a shrewd pick. While she may not have been *vetted* in the traditional fashion, I think McCain saw something about Palin (besides her boobs) that he knew would resonate with hardline conservatives who really weren't feelin' him and calculated that they would eagerly circle the wagons to support and defend her.

I didn't expect them to hold back. I just didn't quite expect the childish tantrums throw at Obama's way in regards to his community organizing as well as the Styrofoam Greek columns deal.

I guess Hush, Vannity and the right-wing blogosphere had more influence on the content in these speeches than ever.

"All she's offering is cheap shots." I agree, Golden.

And she kept feeding them to the party faithful in that whiny voice that is bearable only in small doses. Tossing that hair around and looking out at them with that naughty gaze, which they loved. She's mastered it.

However, she has a good excuse for not understanding what a community organizer does; her rapid rise from the tiny Alaskan town to tonight's podium hasn't allowed her much time to delve into that "other people" stuff.

Lots of strange dis-jointed things kept racing around in my mind after her speech: Like the words "mean-spirited" and "we've reached a new low." And, I had the strangest intuition that if she and McCain get elected, we'll need to put the already-eroded-by-Bush Constitution in a locked vault and warn McCain to hire a food taster.

She almost giggled out loud as she threw the jilted p.o.'d right wingers on her snow mobile and drove off with them. They were oblivious to having been scooped up and were cheering and hugging her and felt oh so loved by her. And so so so happy that someone loved them again. And, they didn't ask where they were going. And, don't know and don't care. They know one thing: this wonderful woman did not get an abortion. Anything else she's done or wanted to do doesn't matter. Not getting an abortion means she's their woman.

Hope Obama brings the conversation back to the topic: McCain and Palin are 4 more years of the same thing we've had for the last 8: breaks for the rich; the breaking of the middle class; economic chaos; war forever-$10Billion/month?; broken relationships and lost reputation with other countries; erosion of the Constitution.

Looks to me like ole Rove has his hand in this up to his eyeballs. As well as some of the "good ole boys" that she even defied from the podium. Wonder if they squirmed?

McCain may have bitten off more than even he can chew. Time will tell.

I agree with Lori. I don't like Palin but that's only because I've done enough reading to know what she stands for; reading a Palin speech is no big deal--but her delivery is top notch. Hearing a Palin speech, she sounds like the presumptive 2012 Republican presidential nominee. If Huckabee doesn't get it first. That's the scary thing: The two most viable 2012 contenders now on the Republican side, Huckabee and Palin, are also among the most extreme.

But this year she's second banana to the far less charismatic McCain, and that point will become clearer as the debates come nearer. McCain speeches, unlike Palin's, read better than they sound. His eyes glaze over. His cadence doesn't qualify as cadence. His smile is a rictus. That's not a function of age; that's a function of the fact that he's never been comfortable as a public speaker, and happens to be a non-happy-smiley person who is forced by circumstances to give everybody a big smile all the time. His speech tonight will be so visibly inferior to Palin's in its presentation that it won't even be funny, and his performance in the debates is likely to be painful to watch.

This election isn't Palin vs. Biden any more than the 1988 election was Quayle vs. Bentsen or the 1996 election Dole vs. Kemp or the 2004 election Cheney vs. Edwards. It's McCain vs. Obama. In 2012, against an incumbent Obama, Palin may have her chance to contend with other Republicans for the #1 spot. But this year, her charisma is good (at most) for a slight bump in the polls over the next week or so, and then the narrative will refocus on the presidential candidates.

AP: Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention

Washington Monthly factcheck

Well, easedropping on the "water cooler" talk by fellow co-workers standing just outside my office door, Palin's speech was definitely a big hit with the party loyalists.

Wow, what a shock.

The repugnants republicans unleashed the grand wizard, dragon and klavern on Obama last night. We're not afraid though. Palin might be able to pull a gun out her behind and scare the hockey redneck, as he called himself, into marrying her [snip] daughter, but she doesn't have enough guns to scare us. When you don't have a plan, any real substance or personal accomplishments, you attack the black guy like she did last night.

Did y'all see the audience? I haven't seen that much old and ugly since I visited some of the country's unfunded and underfunded zoos. Hell, I thought I was watching a klan get-back-together convention with a few spots here and there. It wasn't just a Farce on Minnesota, it was a bad Fart on Minnesota.

If you noticed people, Palen was short on any plans of chance. My buddy Bubba I got a good look at Palen last night. I tell you, if she going to do any pole dancing she had better seek out the blind and desperate, for she is ugly inside and outside. Besides if she dances for you and you don't like it therefore refuse to tip her, she's liable to pull out her gun and take your whole wallet.

Obama called Biden last night and asked him what did he plan to do about this crazy-ass white woman, and Biden said tell that _____ I said shut up and that I'm going to kick her behind.

Did y'all see how old the gravekeeper looked last night. He might go on home tonight before he finished his speech.

I really wish Walt had spoke at the Democratic National Convention so we could all see how the average "Democrat-on-the-street" feels.

Thanks Fat Harry. Your continued compliments always affirm my brillance. I repeat, "If you're going to fight the devil you gotta get down in the hole where it lives." Fat Harry I'm not a coward hiding in the bushes or behind George Bush and waiting for a cheap occasion to see whom I can slip up on and devour or kill and take their oil and other essentials of life. I'm not average at all. Know it. Believe it. We can all see the same thing and get different impressions.

You no doubt loves Palen. I'm not surprised or disappointed in you.

Don't be such a fool Walt...have you read anything about Obama's mother?? It's so much fun to watch all 426 leftists in Mississippi get upset by the next Vice President of our country.

Hayes there is only one fool speaking here and you know him or her intimately. "I pity the fool."

I just watched her speech. *Yawn*

I heard that comment healing the earth. That and about the Styrofoam Greek columns...what the hell was that all about?


posted by golden eagle on 09/03/08 at 10:56 PM

Yeah, I'm not getting the lies they're telling. I mean, Lieberman outright lied last night and now Palin.

Right after the speech, JoAnne nominated her for vice president of the national PTA—although she suggested she learn to control her snarkiness. ;-)

"Here's a little new flash ..."

My favorite was the audience: "Drill, Baby, Drill; Drill, Baby, Drill ..."


posted by ladd on 09/03/08 at 11:02 PM

I expected more from her, actually.

I know, I'm really puzzled. I knew she'd be slick, but I thought she would make people outside the choir like here. Everyone here was pleased at the end.


posted by ladd on 09/03/08 at 11:04 PM

Golden, those were the parts I mean. She belittled Obama in a very weird way. I'm surprised they let her do that.


posted by ladd on 09/03/08 at 11:06 PM

I disagree. I sat through the whole thing and tried to listen without my own ears. It was difficult. :P Especially when Rudy was on and I had to restrain my gag reflex. Mitt didn't even bother me as much as Rudy. Rudy made me scream curse words at the television and threaten to vomit and buy floral furniture if The Man didn't change the channel.

I think Michel Martin from NRP summed up my assessment of Palin (after tonight) better than even I. Ms. Martin was on Bill Maher this week and when asked about Palin she said, "I think Democrats underestimate her at their own peril."

After seeing that speech tonight-I agree.

She is polished. She is precise. And, she panders better than anyone I've ever seen. This woman knows what she is doing. Yes, she made jabs. Yes, she lied about Obama's plans. But, think about her audience. Most of these people don't attend the Republican Convention and then immediately go home to check and see if what she said was actually the TRUTH. Unfortunately, neither does most of America.

She is the wet dream of the American middle class. This is only more proven by the veterans in the audience wearing the buttons that say "My Vote Is For The Hot Chick" with her picture.

She got the "mom" vote. She got the "special needs child" vote. She got the "my family is messed up" vote. She got the "my son is going to Iraq" vote.

Minus Cindy's McCain's surgically-crafted facial expressions there were moments in the speech where I almost said, "Damn. If only she were running." Then I reminded myself of her Right to Life ideals.

Guys, I wanted to HATE her...and I didn't.

This must be taken into consideration when we start talking about the opinion of moderate and conservatives in this country.


posted by Lori G on 09/03/08 at 11:08 PM


See you guys - what you guys are saying confirms my uneasiness with white americas decision making process!? You guys seen with your own two eyes how people were eating up this ladies words!? I seen more excuses for her being a good vice-president than a bad one, on all three major news networks!!!!!

People were even giving this lady a learning curve!? But Barack Obama is not ready!? I hate to say it, but just based on the fact this lady has 5 kids, doesn't believe in abortion, hunts, fishes, thumps a bible in reasoning for going to war - gives those jokers in places like Virginia, Pennslyvania, W. Virginia, Ohio - to vote for someone, because they "relate" to her!!!!!

Come on!!!!! This country is "f***'d" up! It is sad, but this is really going to be a tough election, when it should be a landside!

Donna I hate to say it, but you are giving certain people the benefit of the doubt - I want to do it!? But unless the pull up some more dirt on this lady, this is going to be a very close election!

They say Obama has too much rhetoric, but after what I seen last night from Palin, that is pot calling the kettle black!

2000, if this country is what you think it is, why don't you move?  We live in a world today where someone like yourself who has the ability to move freely about can pick exactly where they want to live.  The JFP has done a better job than anyone of exposing the lunacy of Frank Melton, but he doesn't make Jackson a f*****ed up place to live, just one that needs change in leadership.

I am telling you guys, I felt like I was watching a rerun of Jerry Springer last night!!!! Rudy Guiliani - with 4 wives and a few mistresses - wants to call out Obama on experience.

But John McCain was a US state rep and senator, just like Obama - so what is the point on that.

If you can qualify a person that was Mayor of a town of 5400 people, and Govenor for a state of 690,000 for less than 2 years - then Barack Obama couldn't ever be more ready!!!!!????

I swear up and down, if Obama loses this election to this crap from the opposition! My opinion well be verified!

2000, if this country is what you think it is, why don't you move? We live in a world today where someone like yourself who has the ability to move freely about can pick exactly where they want to live. The JFP has done a better job than anyone of exposing the lunacy of Frank Melton, but he doesn't make Jackson a f*****ed up place to live, just one that needs change in leadership.


posted by Hayes on 09/04/08 at 09:47 AM

I wouldn't give you the satisfaction buddy!!!!! My ancestors were brought here against their own free will! And you are telling me to leave - naw jack!!!! I am a bitter black man, due to that garbage I seen last night!?

Every excuse was given to see this lady succeed, but have seen every excuse why Obama could fail!!! That is the sheer lunacy of it all!! So I am going to call it like I see it!

Dear MoveOn member,
Yesterday was John McCain's 72nd birthday. If elected, he'd be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for "inexperience," here's who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.

Huh?

Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:


She was elected Alaska 's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.1

Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.2

She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3

Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.4

She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.5

She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.6
How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position..7
This is information the American people need to see. Please take a moment to forward this email to your friends and family.

We also asked Alaska MoveOn members what the rest of us should know about their governor. The response was striking. Here's a sample:

She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience. I shudder to think that she could be the person taking that 3AM call on the White House hotline, and the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today. —Rose M., Fairbanks, AK

She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She's a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. She has NO experience beyond Alaska. —Christine B., Denali Park, AK

As an Alaskan and a feminist, I am beyond words at this announcement. Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be. —Karen L., Anchorage, AK

Alaskans, collectively, are just as stunned as the rest of the nation. She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that. She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news. In our office of thirty employees (dems, republicans, and nonpartisans), not one person feels she is ready for the V.P. position.—Sherry C., Anchorage, AK

She's vehemently anti-choice and doesn't care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman. McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary. —Marina L., Juneau, AK

I think she's far too inexperienced to be in this position. I'm all for a woman in the White House, but not one who hasn't done anything to deserve it. There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain's part- and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he'll get our vote by putting "A Woman" in that position.—Jennifer M., Anchorage, AK

So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative.. She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil. And she's dramatically inexperienced.

In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he's made a very dangerous decision for our country.

In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain's vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.

Thanks for all you do.

Fay Harry thinks "the average Democrat on the street" is a criminal defense attorney who keeps up with posts on the Jackson Free Press? Ha Ha.

No wonder it has been so easy for hard working Applaichan Americans to be deceived for the last eight years! The convenient ideas are so simple and so easy!

Oh I got the bitterness part loud and clear. For the record, I didn't tell you to move at all. I asked you why you don't...big difference.

Whitley, I know we're just on a blog, but facts should count.  Without getting into the war, which i understand might generate strong feelings however you feel, the first six years of the Bush presidency provided the country with a very strong economy (just check, you'll see).  It's only been in the last 18 months that things are not going well in the economy.  Some say it's since the Dem's took over the congress, it's probably as simple as cycles in our economy.

Hayes, either way, suggesting someone "move" in response to their critiques is ad hominem. Leave it out and stick to issues, please. That goes for everyone. No personal attacks; it always gets ugly on here between people supporting different candidates, and I'm going to have a zero-tolerance policy this cycle. So talk about issues or go to one of the local trash blogs.

Otherwise, Hayes, we'll be happy to check on that "very strong economy" assertion. And trying to blame Democrats for this one is probably not going to get very far. ;-)

Baquan, my brother, you can't reason with nuts. They don't have a brain. All they can see is white losing its appeal and that scares them to death. Understand it and move on. Only a klan lover can love what we saw last night.

Don't fret, my brother, this is just another obstacle to overcome. You know, like the crap you have to walk through to get to the promise land. We (good and decent people of all races and sexes) will get to the promise land. So it is written and so it shall be done.

Baquan, the repugnants can't stop a moment whose time has come. It will take an attempt at assasination to stop this tide and even that won't work.

I've been trying to tell y'all of late about the crazy white woman lurking. We saw her last night, horns and everything. The beast have to be slain.

Let's get to plotting, working, donating and locked, cocked and ready to rock.

After going up and looking at everyones postings, as long as justice is handed out fairly...I'm all in. I couldn't agree more with getting upset with someone suggesting someone leave because of thier views. It's happened in the past and was very, very, ugly.

And Lori, I don't "hate" Palin at all. I actually find her fascinating and suspect I would like hanging out with her. (I'm guessing she can host a decent party.) She reminds me of my mama's friends -- a lot -- although she's a bit more educated and well spoken. And I loved hanging out with my mama's friends, but I wouldn't vote for any of them for president, which is what this is, essentially, being that one can't know how McCain's health is going to hold up.

As a political strategy, I get it, and it is somewhat of a threat in a country that elected Bush twice. (Consider how much alike they are, although her fews are more extreme right as far as I can tell. She speaks better, though, at least with a Teleprompter and a speech written by the campaign. As David Brooks said last night, she still has a press conference, or two, to get through.)

The saddest part is that is such a divisive strategy in a time when so many Americans were trying to get past such things. (Reminds me of the Southern Strategy after the Civil Rights Movement, appealing to people's worst instincts.) I may be wrong, or have too much faith in the (majority of the) American public's desire to get past culture wars this year, but I don't think it will work beyond making the conservative base gnash their teeth publicly in a roomful of white people as they did last time for the world to see. It will ensure that those people turn out and work for the campaign, but it remains to be seen whether someone with such extreme views can draw voters beyond the middle, especially with her baggage (and lies about telling Congress no on the "Road to Nowhere" and her history of craving pork and earmarks, and the like). I'm not real convinced that voters outside the predictable right is going to go for it, especially over the haul. I don't believe they will, but the public has done some wacky things that we've ended up paying for before.

Funny, I never heard a single pundit mention last night that Palin could get to appoint *three* Supreme Court justices should she become president fairly quickly. Three.

It's also disheartening to hear all the horse-race talk in a time when we should be talking about issues, such as the real facts about the drilling McCain and Palin support, as Adam does in this week's cover story.

So here on our little postage stamp, we're going to continue doing that between now and the election: Write about issues that affect our state and our country, and what the myths and realities are. In time when so many lies are being told, the top priority should be to be straight with Mississippians, even if it's tough for them to swallow. We've been sold too many bills of good to date, and now we're being told to fight the culture wars again so that the Republicans have a chance at the White House.

Please join us on the Issues Express between now and November.

Hayes, no one is asked to "leave for their views"—unless their views are all about ad hominem attacks and bigotry. Anyone is welcome to discuss issues. People usually leave on their own because they can't stand being challenged.

So Walt gets to say..."crazy white woman lurking...The beast have to be slain"?? Wow, I'm obviously not smart enough to get the distinction.

Hayes, you have been hoodwinked. Inequality, the disparity between the top five percent and the bottom fifty percent, is at the highest level that it has been since just prior to the Great Depression. These are facts that you can check! The home mortgage crisis is in large part due to a lack of regulation advanced by the party that controlled both branches of government for six and a half of the last eight years.

The deficit that has wrecked the dollar and exaccerbates high oil prices and fuels inflation was run up well prior to the last eighteen months!
Where were you for the last eight years? Have you been out of the country and just came back eighteen months ago?

That deregulatory environment was not created since the Dems took over 18 months ago! Every significant economic initiative (except the stimulus packsage) Dems have proposed since they gained ascendancy has been stymied by a lack of enough votes in the Senate to set the agenda.

The failure to implement a strategy to get us off the oil dependency that is wrecking the economy did not occur in the last 18 months did it? I may have missed that part.

p.s. I have a degree in Economics and business admmin. so I know a little bit (enough to be dangerous!).

Actually, Hayes, I've yelled at "Walt" many times, and kicked him off once under another name. He goes too far, especially in his little moments of satire that you have to be a long-time user to recognize, and you should note that I say above that my warning goes to everyone.

So, leave out the "waaa, he did it, too, mommy," nonsense. I'm talking about everyone. So reach down deep, find your inner adult and talk about issues.

Sorry friends, I mean we saw the crazy white woman last night with a hood, horns and everything. I have been trying to tell people for years also that Hillary is the better prototype of a real female statemen or statewoman or stateperson. How did everyone like that predator, wolf in sheep's clothing, barrcuda, panther or bulldog last night.

The repugnant party has fallen so low that it is now putting up a white woman to fight its battle. They assume rather incorrectly that we're unwilling to knock that [snip] out.
I happen to know that all women, white or otherwise, are not like her.

Please note, also, people the majority of the country will not be fooled into believing that McCain and Palen are different than George Bush and Cheney. They're exactly the same with boobs and lipstick added. McCain is so much of a maverick that he played the race and sex games from under the table. We knew he would - he's a republican. What else do they do?

A record surplus was turned into a record deficit in a record amount of time! It didn’t happen in the last eighteen months. It takes YEARS to do that much damage to a country. Hayes, why are your people so intent on destroying this great country that we love?

On telling people to move if they don’t like it here, I paraphrase Fannie Lou Hamer who said “All our feets is tired.”

Oh I got the bitterness part loud and clear. For the record, I didn't tell you to move at all. I asked you why you don't...big difference.


posted by Hayes on 09/04/08 at 10:10 AM

I think you didn't mean any harm, it is all good!

But I will tell you why I went off in my previous post. Well I will!

Me and Donna have been going back and forth about white people and them doing the right thing.

She said - all people needed to be accountable. But I said black folks have been counting on white people to do the right thing for years, and Donna came back and said, no one race should wait on another to do something right - which is basically saying you should be held accountable for your own actions; which in philosophy I couldn't argue more.

But here is my true beef. We have a candidate, that has good common sense, well educated and has a knack for drawing talented people together to make a situation work - with regard for everybody's situation!? Just smart and sensible. After watching the primaries against Hillary Clinton - it couldnt have been any closer!

If you took 90% of black americans that are eligible to vote and they voted for Obama - it would only put a dent into what he needs to get elected.

Most whites that are finacially straped share so much with blacks, but they do not vote in line with their financial situation but with their personal views!!!??? The logic kills me!

So I stay, because I owe it to those people that crossed the Atlantic Ocean against their free will, I owe it to them to show we are a part of this counrty's history and we are due an opportunity just like the Irish, Italians, Spainards, Jews, Russians - that came thru Ellis Island and was documented into this counrty history - while our history was threw out with no regard for family, education and language!

I want Obama to be given the opportunity of learning Curve, just like all those jokers was given Palin last night! That is why I stay - to get my fair shake like everyone else!

Whitley the problem I have with the average republican on here these days is that they have that problem Morgan Freeman described as he played Joe Clark. They don't know sh1t. They're some of the dumbest people I ever met. All they have are feelings. I can't beleive they still have feelings after enduring the crock of bull shickidy they have been served for breakfast, lunch and dinner by a bunch of ole dinosaurs republicans for years.

I might just leave the country to get away from their dumb and diseased behinds.

Walt - I mean that still has me so heated!? It really came out of someone's mouth - that the learning curve for Palin would be so small and she has great potential!?

That is someone giving her the benefit of the doubt!?

I just want to know why Obama is not giving that same benefit of the doubt!?

It just goes to show you, that American dream is just harder for some to come by than others!

This is a scary place, but god knows I walk by him and I praise his glory everyday.

We need real patriots in office not slaves to the oil industry. A summary of the last eight years in a nutshell: A recession from 2001-2002; we had growth after that which benefited mostly the upper echelons of society, not the majority of hard working Appalachian type Americans and now we have a recession at the end.

Oh, I almost forgot the war without end we were lied into that is sapping our ability to marshal resources to fight the real war against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan or invest in our own country to rebuild our infrastructure. I wonder if they were wearing flag pins while they did all this damage? I might feel better if they were.

"Fecal-headed heifer"? "Crazy white woman with a hood, horns and everything"?

So this is what qualifies as "inner adult" on this forum?

Brother Baquan this is America. When you're white - there is no doubt about your fitness or greatness. Haven't you learned this by now as you live in a white supremacist capitalistic culture. Like you and me, Obama doesn't have the complexion for the connection or protection. I can't put it no clearer and truer than that. It's the unalterable facts.

Obama is smarter and more capable than Palin and McCain put together. It doesn't matter because they're white and play the race and sex game. They probably don't need either game. White alone is enough. Don't be fooled about what America is. Don't let a decent job, house and smile from the other man or woman fool you. America is what it is!

Obama voted present over 130 times in the State legislature; not taking any position.
Is this want you want from a President

Thanks again Harry. I luv ya.

Walt, Donna's warned you and now I'm seconding. Tone it down and be civil. You don't need to resort to insults to make your points. You're better than that.

I'm going to try to clean up some of your comments, but I will start to delete them soon.

There is a candidate who did not even show up to vote for renewable energy bills or for increases in benefits for our war heros in the past few months. Is that who NWRMAN wants to be president?

NWRMAN, it is an established custom to vote "present" on bills that one does not agree with in the Illinois Senate. Obama did vote affirmatively on bills to help families make the transition from welfare to work, to protect citizens against being coerced into confessions by police and he spoke out against the war before it was a popular thing to do --- before the war began.

Alright, Ronni. While I don't think I'm doing any worse than Palin did last night or any of the republicans, I will just stop posting for a while so the repugs can have their way or moment of joy. Smile. They don't deserve any respect from me. Thanks for not running me off yet. Cheers and high fives Harry, et al.

Just erase my comments altogether since I liked them as written. No hard feelings. I'll be back another day.

Obama voted present over 130 times in the State legislature; not taking any position.
Is this want you want from a President

I know that a new GOP talking point, but I haven't seen an analysis of both of their votes, absences, etc., so I can't comment intelligent on that out of context. I know a "present" vote is often a strategy in itself that members of Congress use. Anyone have more on this that isn't from a partisan hack site?

I will say that I sure would prefer that to a president who has bragged about voted with *George Bush* 90 percent of the time. (Have you seen the video?)

Also, as I understand it, McCain has a very high absentee rate, but I'm not sure how it compares to Obama and Biden.

We'll see you soon, Walt. Otherwise, to everyone, this isn't Romper Room. Don't pretend it is.

WOW, what is going on over here today!!!!! LOL

Just a little two cents from me....I was NOT impressed at all, in any way from Palin. I didn't think she was well spoken. I didn't think she made valid points. As a matter of fact it seemed to me like she was vomitting what had been told to her. Seems like she was repeating what she'd heard and lacking that passion i talk about. I don't care what she brings to the table because in my opinion, she's only in this position as an attempt by the republican party to bring "newness". Since we, as American's have already prooven that we won't have anything else. We want change and fairness. So since McCain has pretty much beat himself over the head with his attacks on Obama, the next best thing to do is APPEAR to be on the side of the American people.

Otherwise, I think she's hot. I think she's a good fit, good look. She has issues and has regular problems...I like that. She actually has a daughter who is pregnant. She's regular. I dont' think that will benefit their campaign int he end, but it's good to see that she is a regular person who has been given an opportunity to shift some of the hype off McCain. I'm sure there are many people in this country who feel victorious that she stands there. I'm sure many people are sure that she can add some fire to McCain and possibly get him heated for battle. I don't, but some likely do.

Have you guys seen this?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080904/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_fact_check

I've been on the net this morning listening to the "response" to that speech and they pretty much echo what is written on this thread. The Repubs just LOVE her (hugs from all the 'hockey moms' that wear lipstick) and Democrats realize she lied openly several times in that speech but she had a great delivery.

I also agree that when it comes down to it, she will overshadow McCain in her public speaking ability.

I am, at the same time, somewhat confused by her avid "outdoorsy" past and her apparent lack of concern for the environment. But, if she thinks creationism should be taught in high schools, I guess its tit for tat.

More than anything, I felt sorry for Bristol's alledged fiance. Did you see when they cut to him? He looked like he'd been hit by a train and was about to cry and vomit at the same time.

This woman has lots of issues. Unfortunately, none of them are really pertinent to the future of America at this time. As stated above, they are all wedge issues. In fact, I don't think another family personifies wedge issues like hers. It is quite scary, actually. How'd she managed to cover that many bases in one family? I told The Man all she had left was to adopt a half-Asian/half-African American baby with a mental illness and she'd have this whole thing buttoned up.

I don't care if her husband is a "World Champion Snowmobiler".

I think the saddest thing was that so far, the RNC, including Palin have taken a very disrespectful and dismissive approach to Obama. This is after the DNC and Obama was very respectful to John McCain at their convention. The RNC was more of the same old, us versus them, we love America, they do not. That is why I did not think much of McCain's ad congratulating Obama. You should not congratulate someone that you think of in ways expressed at the RNC. That was the glaring difference to me. Obama nor Biden have not personally attacked Palin or McCain. But last night Palin made some serious personal attacks against Michelle and Barack that had little to do with the issues. That speech probably played well, there, but I am not sure how it will play with folks that are tired of that kind of thing. Not to mention that Palin has issues of her own and will have to answer questions at some point.

I am glad there are some who still love America and are concerned for its future: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/opinion/04thu1.html?em=&pagewanted=print

Please post one comment made by a speaker at the RNC about "us" and "them" being patriotic. It's simply not the case. I hate to tell you but a great deal of politics is about patriotism. Republicans are patriotic. I believe that Dem's are patriotic as well. Great soldiers and statesmen...(Sonny Montgomery to name one)

The attacks have been on a policy front and while both party's (go back and look at Biden's speech)can slip a little into attack mode...they have been sharp attacks at what people think are Obama's shortcomings. Plus, let's face it, a month from now it will be all Obama v. McCain. That's the way it always is and this election will be no different.

To be "fair and balanced" and present the truths and distortions and/or lies from BOTH parties:

http://www.factcheck.org/

Great post...that group trys to keep everyone honest.

Hayes,

Cindy McCain mentioned having been ALWAYS proud of her country, in reference to Michelle's comment. Palin and Rudy also said similiar things. All of which was intended to say that the Obamas do not love this country as much as WE do, they are not as patriotic as WE are. That was the purpose of bringing up those comments and that is how people there took it. Honestly, if you can not see that the speeches last night were belittling and disrespectful, you probably will not. Also, this entire time, folks have shown McCain a lot of respect inspite of his past activities. No way Republicans would not be mentioning it if Michelle had abused drugs like Cindy. Or if Obama had a period of multiple affairs like McCain. Especially if one of them was with his current wife. Obama has personally shown a lot of class despite not being shown much from McCain.

Hayes, even David Brooks, bless his heart, pointed out that Palin's huge weakness is that she didn't discuss policy. That's not a direction Republicans want/need to go right now.

I did factcheck.org; we promoted them heavily, and quoted from them, in the last election. Unfortunately, not enough people followed them. Would love to feed them; do they have an RSS? (Guess I could look myself.)

Donna, after eight years of the Bush administration, that's the only direction they have left, isn't it? If they talk about policy, they're basically asking for a third term of Bush and they know almost nobody wants that.

True, Tom.

Meantime, great stuff on factcheck.org. All we need is C-SPAN and Factcheck to keep up! Tell all your friends so we can keep these people honest, or at least know when they're lying.

Did John McCain cheat on his first wife?
He courted his current wife, Cindy, for months before divorcing Carol Shepp in 1980. He recently called the breakup of his first marriage "my greatest moral failure." But Shepp has been quoted as saying "we are still friends."

August 29, 2008
Does Barack Obama have Kenyan citizenship?
No. He held both U.S. and Kenyan citizenship as a child, but lost his Kenyan citizenship automatically on his 21st birthday.
August 27, 2008

Did a Billy Graham team member say Obama should be defeated "to save America"?
No. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association says a widely quoted anti-Obama screed wasn't written by anyone associated with the organization.

August 26, 2008
Did Obama say we "are no longer a Christian nation"?
He said we are no longer "just" a Christian nation, but a nation of many other faiths as well. A chain e-mail drops that key word and thus changes the meaning.

More you can go read:

Maverick Misleads
September 4, 2008
A McCain ad comparing Palin to Obama isn't all above board.

GOP Convention Spin
September 3, 2008
Lieberman and Thompson make misleading claims about Obama on Day Two of the party in St. Paul.

Hit the Brakes
September 3, 2008
An Obama ad running in Michigan claims McCain didn't support loan guarantees for the auto industry. In fact, he does support them.

A New Stitch in a Bad Pattern
September 2, 2008
A McCain ad wrongly claims Obama plans "painful tax increases" for working families. And who's talking about deficits?

FactChecking Obama
August 29, 2008
He stuck to the facts, except when he stretched them.

Context Included: Obama on Iran
August 27, 2008
McCain ad cherry-picks Obama remarks on Iran, twisting his meaning.

The slogan of the Republican convention is "Country First". McBush, I mean McCain, has stated that Obama would "lose a war to win an election" while McSame would lose an election to win a war...their theme is that Obama cares more about winning the election than protecting America --- that he does not put his country first like McSame allegedly does. Is that why they lied us into this unnecessary war --- because they put "Country First" or was it Exxon and Halliburton first? I am not sure and am open to education.

Oh, and it's Snow MACHINER in Alaska, Lori. Don't sound like you're from the lower 48 now! ;-)

More than anything, I felt sorry for Bristol's alledged fiance. Did you see when they cut to him? He looked like he'd been hit by a train and was about to cry and vomit at the same time.

Yeah, me, too. I really can't fathom how that whole thing has been handled, as I write in my editor's note this week. I feel sorry for Bristol, too.

If Republicans run on foreign policy and the economy they WILL lose, no doubt.

Their strategy, as usual, is to use social and cultural values, personalities, and gameplaying with race and gender correctness to drive a wedge into the electorate.

Of course they will not focus on the issues. What is also interesting to me is that if you wait long enough a Republican will do a complete 180 on something they said. What were they saying about experience and Obama? Or experience if Obama picked Virginia Governor Tim Kaine? How are they going to react to the Palin Pastor issue? I doubt they would be praising the Obama girls for being pregnant. They want to say Palin is ready because of her speech, but remember, speeches are not that important when Obama gives them. Of course it is not about issues, it is about winning. McCain picking Palin after meeting her once makes a serious statement about his judgement and how he does things. Gut instinct should not be used like one of those black eightball prediction things. Whenever possible a person should make informed decisions. Especially when they are of this magnitude.

Alright, everyone, I'm back, cleaned up and converted. My apology for that Palin-like hour or two I had this morning. It was as ugly this morning as it was last night. We both enjoyed it but it can't go on.

I missed you Goldenae. Welcome back!

Walt - oh-six, I feel you though!!!

I am just glad someone feels me on this subject.

When it is as blatant as it was last night, that is what makes it so scary!? When it is clear cut on the choices. So brotha, on this subject and topic, I understand!

Alright, everyone, I'm back, cleaned up and converted.

Well, honey, that just ain't no fun. I prefer you dirty and unconverted. ;-)

Or experience if Obama picked Virginia Governor Tim Kaine?

Here's some footage of what was said, along with some other tidbits that will tickle your funny bone.

Thanks, Lori. I'm getting ready to start my own schickity so I can be as dirty as I wanna be until the FCC runs me off. I'll be offering rewards to any of my enemies who dare to tread that way. Lori, I know we're kin people.

Lori, I know we're kin people.

Yep. We got us a great-great granddaddy somewhere way back there with a killer sense of humor, amazing good looks, and the brains to make it all seem too good to be true.

Fortunately for us, he passed all that down to his kin. :)

They want to say Palin is ready because of her speech, but remember, speeches are not that important when Obama gives them.

Amazingly good point.

Sho you're riigghht, Lori.

Comparing McCain to Bush is just plain ignorance. It was McCain who ran agaist Bush 8 years ago and it wasn't pretty. The only thing substantial McCain has agreed with Bush on, is the war and the surge. Thank God, we might actually win.

As Dick Morris basically put it, if Democrats continue to try and compare McCain to Bush,(which they are) they will end up losing miserably, because his record obviously speaks otherwise.

Also, the speech was light hearted and funny. Face it, it's impossible for anyone on this site to watch a speech such as hers without some bias. Sneering???? Who sneered. She had the people laughing. Did you not see the regular working class folks they'd show in the bar in Alaska laughing and cheering her on. That, my friend, is the every day working class.

As for her daughter (as dispicable as the media has been about that) what did you guys think she should have done, lock her in a cage. NO, you stand by her, support her and show you are proud. That guy, as uncomfortable as he may have seemed, is her boyfriend and father of the child. What's the big deal.

eagle1, I don't think John McCain would appreciate having 16 of the 18 issues he describes on his campaign web site--where he agrees with Bush--described as non-substantial. (The only two where there might be any substantial disagreement between the two are climate change and ethics reform, and even that's iffy.)

Also, the speech was light hearted and funny.

Actually it was sneering, snarky and sarcastic. How many times did she scrunch her nose up like she was looking down at Democrats, and especially Obama?

She had the people laughing.

You mean the angry white folks in the arena? True. Rudy was laughing his ass off, especially.

It remains to be seen how well it went over with undecided voters, though.

Comparing McCain to Bush is just plain ignorance

Eh? McCain himself bragged on camera about voting with Bush 90 percent of the time. What better barometer is there than that?

If I were you, I'd look beyond Dick Morris for sound bites. He's, well, gross.

What is wrong with McCain being associated with our fine President? The Christian thing to do is to stand by your friends when times are tough, not act like you don't know them anymore (Bush who?). Palin's former pastor has preached that if you are critical of Bush, you may not get to heaven. Now, what could be wrong with that?

" . . .the speech was light hearted and funny.. . "

Eagle1, did we see the same speech? I didn't catch either of those qualities.

But, maybe it was just because as a middle class woman, I saw her without the lipstick and realized that McCain was siccing her on me and my fellow middle classers--not on Obama/Biden. And, I realized that it was a low down sorry thing for him to do, because, though I really like having a good watch dog to keep the yard around me safe, I have never seen a watch dog make a good President of the United States. And, McCain knows that, too, but his priority is siccing her to try to get votes for himself--to hell with the interests of America.

And, though her twangy hollow manipulation of those in the audience who so wanted to be manipulated to feel good about themselves, again, had a certain irony to it,I just didn't get a laugh out of it. I felt sorry for any woman or Christian of any kind in that audience who saw her as the savior. For they were being duped.

You are right about one thing, Eagle1, Dick Morris is savvy, but I can't get your comment to hold water: how can McCain vote more than 90% of the time with Bush and not be bringing the same with him to the White House if he is elected.

So, as I see it, here's the deal: if Bush/McCain/Palin get elected, we have 4 more years of Bush with the added horror that if McCain croaks, we have a Chaney in bulldog's clothes wearing lipstick, with zilch international experience and domestic experience as a mayor, less than 2 years as a governor of a state with a population smaller than that of many cities, who is in bed with big oil. If only such a scenario only made the Democratic ticket the loser, it would be one thing. But, the way I am seeing this, all Americans, and even the world, will be the losers. And that just is not funny.

So, I just can't perceive the speech as lighthearted or get a laugh out it or find anything about the future of the free world being in her hands very humorous. But, that's just me.

It appears as Palin hit a nerve. 37,000,000 million watched Palin last night, only 24,000,000 watched Biden. 38,000,000 watched Obama. Before her speech, a CBS/Times poll has the candidates tied. Mark my words, after polling is done after her speech, they will be ahead. We'll see. Also, it appears as Obama will concede tonight on O'Reilly, that the surge worked. Interesting stuff.

Obama voted with Bush nearly 50% of the time.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/513/

Numbers shmumbers. You have to look into the details behind them...I watched also, as did my mother. We thought it was a bunch of nonsense. The key thing you want to know is how many of those people were just curious folk like many of the people on this site who watched and were offended.

Obama voted with Bush 50% and McCain voted with him 90%. Hmmm...I wonder what your point is.

Obama has already stated that the surge was one of several factors that contributed to an improvement. The "Sunni Awakening" preceded the surge and was a big factor. Has McCain conceded that timetables are useful to spur the Iraqis to assume responsibility for their own country and that we should talk to Iran as the Bush admin is doing?

Obama voted with Bush nearly 50% of the time.

So, does that make him a centrist? If so, do you consider that to be a good thing or a bad thing?

Unfortunately for McCain, last night was probably the climax for the RNC convention. NFL opener tonight.

Giants vs. Redskins!

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL????!!!!!!

What channel, Jeff? I'll be there.

Eagle1,I think what you said was interesting also, I watched out of curiosity myself and I am not voting for McCain/Palin. As for the surge, it was a military tactic which was part of an ill-advised mission. Success of the surge would be like putting an extra 2,000 temporary cops on the streets of Jackson and turn around and say you solved crime, and fixed other social issue. The surge has not fixed the overall mission because that requires a political solution.