Mitchell falsely claimed McCain has not set a "threshold" for his VP to be "ready to step in on a moment's notice"
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SUMMARY: On MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell falsely asserted that Sen. John McCain had not set a "threshold" that his vice presidential pick would be someone "ready to step in on a moment's notice." In fact, McCain has said that the "overwhelming priority" for his selection "is a person who shares my principles, my values, my priorities ... and could be -- immediately take my place."
On the August 29 edition of MSNBC Live, NBC chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell falsely asserted that Sen. John McCain had not set a "threshold" that his vice presidential pick would be someone "ready to step in on a moment's notice." In fact, McCain has asserted that his "key criteria" in selecting a running mate would be that that person was "most prepared to take my place" and that his selection would be someone "who is ready to take my place at a moment's -- you know, immediately."
In an interview with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Mitchell said: "[I]f your threshold -- and this wasn't his [McCain's] threshold -- but if your threshold ought to be, ready to step in on a moment's notice, is [Alaska Gov.] Sarah Palin ready to be commander in chief and president of the United States in some horrible, unforeseen circumstance?" But contrary to Mitchell's assertion that "this wasn't his threshold," McCain has repeatedly highlighted the need to pick a running mate who would be able to "take my place." For example:
- On the April 1 edition of CNN's Situation Room, McCain asserted: "I think about whether that person who I select would be most prepared to take my place. And that would be the key criteria."
- On the April 6 edition of Fox Broadcasting Co.'s Fox News Sunday, McCain said of his selection, "[T]he first and really major and overwhelming priority is a person who shares my principles, my values, my priorities -- as you know, priorities are very important in presidents -- and could be -- immediately take my place. That's, I think, the overriding criteria." He added, "It is who can best take my place and carry on the agenda and the vision that I have outlined and will continue to outline during this campaign."
- In a July 8 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review interview, when asked, "What kind of a vice president do you want?" McCain reportedly responded: "Someone who shares my priorities and my principles. And also obviously who is ready to take my place at a moment's -- you know, immediately."
From the 11 a.m. ET hour of the August 29 edition of MSNBC Live:
MITCHELL: Let me share with you, of course, the latest New York Times/CBS poll, in advance of all of this on who should be the running mate: Mitt Romney with 38 percent; Mike Huckabee, 7; Tom Ridge, 4; Tim Pawlenty, 4; Sarah Palin, at the bottom, 2 percent -- recent poll, New York Times/CBS. Not only that, but if your threshold -- and this wasn't his threshold -- but if your threshold ought to be, ready to step in on a moment's notice, is Sarah Palin ready to be commander in chief and president of the United States in some horrible, unforeseen circumstance?
From the April 1 edition of CNN's The Situation Room:
BASH: One more question on this: You -- when you're asked about who your vice president would be, you say that there are two real roles for the vice president, and one is to check on the health of the president. And you joked a couple of weeks ago in Pennsylvania that that would be especially important in your case.
BASH: What did you mean by that? And I know you don't want to talk about the process of picking a vice president, but in terms of your approach, do you, in all candor -- straight talk -- think about your age when you -- and the fact that you're 71, will be 72, when you are deciding who would be a potential president?
McCAIN: No. And in all candor, I will continue to use humor, and if any commentator chooses to take a humorous remark and turn it into something serious, they are free to do that. But I will continue to use humor. And I think the American people like to have a little humor from time to time --
BASH: Absolutely.
McCAIN: -- and that was what that whole line was about.
BASH: Absolutely. But it -- but, understanding that completely, in all seriousness, when you're approaching who you're picking for the vice president, do you think about your age as a factor? And --
McCAIN: Not particularly, no. I think -- I think about whether that person who I select would be most prepared to take my place. And that would be the key criteria.
From the April 6 edition of Fox News Sunday:
WALLACE: A couple of final questions I'm going to ask you, sir. You said this week that you have started putting together the list of possibilities for vice president. Given that you call radical Islam the transcendent challenge of our age, fair to assume that your running mate must have firsthand foreign policy experience?
McCAIN: I don't know if that's -- I think that the person -- the first and really major and overwhelming priority is a person who shares my principles, my values, my priorities -- as you know, priorities are very important in presidents -- and could be -- immediately take my place. That's, I think, the overriding criteria.
WALLACE: So it could be someone who's, in effect, a foreign policy novice?
McCAIN: Well, it could be someone who has a lot of experience and someone who doesn't on national security issues. And frankly, the process that we're in -- you know, it's so early in the process that, honestly, it's -- the sole criteria I'm looking at is not that. It is who can best take my place and carry on the agenda and the vision that I have outlined and will continue to outline during this campaign.
From the July 9 Pittsburgh Tribune-Review interview:
Trib: How is your vice presidential search coming?
McCain: Moving down along in the process. Now you are going to mention Tom Ridge. Every place I go to we mention the name, and just let me say on the subject of Tom Ridge, he's a great American, he's a tremendous leader, he's an old and dear friend, and he has a great place in America's future and that of our party. But we are not mentioning anybody's name, it's just not appropriate, nor is it helpful to the person or the process.
Trib: Do you feel pressured to pick a woman or a minority vice president?
McCain: No, frankly, I hadn't thought about that. I ...
Trib: What kind of a vice president do you want?
McCain: Someone who shares my priorities and my principles. And also obviously who is ready to take my place at a moment's -- you know, immediately.
Duh! Palin shares McCain's principles.
After he changed his mind about 6 months ago.
And she's not ready, by McCain's assesment of experience, to take over for him at a moment's notice.
Don't give us this she was mayor crap either. Makes McCain look ever more the hypocrite if you ask me.
The great thing about this choice is that it guts the repub. "experience" charge. They can't bring it up any longer.
It also allows Obama to question McCains "judgement" even more.
But, the cable networks today have been giving Palin a free pass more or less, with few opportunities being had for Dems to critique the choice. Instead, we have journalists telling us what Dems might say.
A really insane choice. McCain obviously does not have the country's best interests at heart, and thinks Hillary's appeal was a 'gal' issue.
But, you will have republicans saying, like AA has said on here already, that Palin DOES have more experience than Obama, because she's been a mayor (of a one horse town), and that she's been governor (in a State with 670,000 people), so she has EXECUTIVE experience. Apparently, she's a good republican, because almost as soon as she came into the governorship, she has and is being investigated for possible ethics violations. So, indeed, she does share McCain's views on that (Keating 5 anyone??).
Watch, I would not be surprised that the claim of executive experience didn't come from one of our right wing talking heads this afternoon after McCain announced his choice.
Sean Hannity was gushing about her "incredible experience"
He also described Obama's speech as "dull". "lifeless" and "bitter".
Add to that, Palin is also a homophobe, and Palin is also a racist. She hates gays, and she hats blacks.
Meaning that Palin wans to make gays sixth class citizens before seeking their total extermination from the U.S. society, and Palin also favors repealing all the civil rights laws, and Palin also favors the reinstatement or rebuilding of racial segregation.
All we're seeing right now on TV is right wingers. Few Dems have been offered the chance to critique this choice so far. If word is allowed to get out, most people will see this as being a really disastrous, cynical, stupid choice.
Carl,
She's also a celeb:
http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/story/9518196p-9428795c.html
AA, I wonder what Karl Rove will have to say about Palin after he said this on Face the Nation earlier this month;
"With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he's been a governor for three years. He's been able but undistinguished. I don't think people could really name a big, important thing that he's done ... [Kaine] was mayor of the 105th largest city in America. And again, with all due respect to Richmond, Virginia, it's smaller than Chula Vista, California; Aurora, Colorado; Mesa, or Gilbert, Arizona; North Las Vegas, or Henderson, Nevada. It's not a big town."
I am sure O'Reilly or Hannity will ask him..... :)
That ain't the point, Double-A.
Reasonable people can disagree about Palin's credentials or lack thereof. The point, duh, is that Andrea Mitchell was pretending that Palin's resume weren't very relevant, because McCain hadn't set a high standard for his VP pick.
Mitchell was wrong. I won't accuse her of deliberately carrying McCain's water here, but it's clear that she hadn't done her homework. It was misinformation which served the conservative purpose.
That's why it was posted here, duh.
Hughg, I agree with 96% of your post, except in one area.
Republican Hate Hag Lia Andrea Mitchell IS carrying Liar McCain's water, and one reason for that is that Mitchel is herself a right wing Republican, and Mitchell wants Liar McCain to get elected.
Fox News says Palin has foreign policy experience because (and I couldn't make this up) "Alaska is next-door to Russia."
Cross my heart.
Many of the Hillary Democrats were already considering McCain. The Dem's have done it again. They are the ones that should have made such a bold move such as maybe..... putting Hillary on the ticket.
I guess, then, we know why you have 'failed' in your handle.
FAIL
Ooh, ouch, that hurt. You really got me with that one. Whew!!
Why don't you put your anger where it should be, with Obama. This is the Dem's election to lose and we might have done it again.
At least Obama knows where his weakness lies, and that's with foreign policy. He put someone on the ticket with immense foreign policy experience. Foreign policy is a biggie this time around.
By asking Biden to be VP, Obama has shored up his weaknesses. Hillary, as great as she is (screw you, I like her), would not have been the best pick. Those of you stating that Obama should have asked her to be VP to get the female vote is just the same sexism in McCain asking Palin to be VP. She has very, very little experience. She seems like a nice enough woman, but we don't need nice enough in the White House, a heart beat from the presidency. We need strong leadership. McCain/Palin offer none of that. Obama and Biden offer that - and more.
No, the ignorance is on YOUR part. Liar McCain andte Republicans are insulting all women in America by making them think that if he puts a woman on the ticket who is just as or MORE against women's issues than he is (Palin opposes equal pay laws, Palin opposes a woman's right to hoose), and people like you confirm his ignorance when you decide to place your spiteful sour grapes and/or possible racism ahead of not just your own self-interest, but that Palin is 1000% antithetical to, meaning hat she is 1000% OPPOSED to, each and every position on the issues that Hillary has, and that you claim to have. I should let you know that Randi Rhodes, Stephanie Miller, among other progressive women, are already coming out 100% AGAINST Palin, as has Debbie-Wasserman Schultz, and Schultz herself said that McCain insulted her and many other women by thinking that women will vote for him simply because his running mate has the same body parts that she and other women have. Schultz's words, not mine, so take your compalints up with her.
If Liar McCain had chosen an anti-civil rights/pro-segregationist black conservative (male or female) as his running mate to pander to blacks, it would be just as insulting to think that African-Americans would support an anti-civil rights/pro-segregation black conservative Repblican simply because that segregationist conservative is also African-American, and that African-Americans would then all vote for Liar McCain just because he puts a black on the ticket, even though that black man or black woman has positions in opposition to most blacks. If you're asking, in my opinion, Sarah Palin is a right wing racist, Sarah Palin favors the repeal of both the 1964 Civil Rights Act an the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and Sarah Palin favors reinstating or rebuilding Plessy vs. Fergusen.
Same is true with Palin. McCain is insulting all women by selecting an anti-woman's issues right wing female hate hag conservative as his running mate, and beliving that women will disregard the fact that Palin OPPOSES each and every women's rights issue. If you can't see that fact, you and the rest of the PUMA's are even MORE unqualified to vote for the candidates for the office of president and/or all other elective offices than hate hag Palin is to be vice-president.
My opinion, like anyone's, is based on my life experiences, my interaction with others, my intelligence, my research etc. On what do you base your opinions?
Just because you don't like my opinion doesn't mean I have to justify it.
Perhaps the only disturbing news for Obama in the survey is that most Clinton voters (56%) say they are not likely to vote for the Illinois Senator in the general election against John McCain. A month ago, 45% of Clinton voters said they were not likely to vote for Obama against McCain.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_c ontent/politics/election_20082/2008_pres idential_election/north_carolina/north_c arolina_democratic_primary
from
http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/4/5/105810/9153
It's only going to take a few states like this to turn the election in McCain's favor. I'm not going to do any more research for you. How about you just google "Hillary supporters for McCain.
You're laughable. You link a poll from April???
How about finding something more recent... like a poll taken AFTER the DNC... AFTER Hillary cast her lot with Obama? Can you do that?
I might be laughable but who's laughing now? I think it the old dude.
Rabit do you even read or know how to use a computer. Just do a little research if you want to dispute my opinion. I don't have certify my opinion for you.
Sorry your guy was so stupid. It hurts doesn't it.
You MUST be a Righty plant. Sorry, you don't fool me or anyone else here. Go back to listening to Rush or Sean or whoever or go find some toes to suck on, k?
You link a five-month old poll that has ZERO relevance to what is going on NOW as 'evidence' and you try to call yours truly out? Whatever... buh-bye. :)
Since I know where your anger is really coming from, I can look past your comments.
No anger from this lib. I'm all smiles today because your candidate and his idiot VP pick are going down in flames come November.
Have a nice day. :)
Col
Congrats. You made an entire post with mocking the toture McCain went through as a POW. I am impressed. You have been so low class lately, I did not think you could do it.
-- My opinion, like anyone's, is based on my life experiences... --failedbelle
Belle...it's a tough crowd around here...they'll even resort to eating their own if they're perceived to stray one tiny step from the liberal lockstep mantra.
Since you're a Hillary supporter...I'd guess we don't agree on a lot of the issues...que sera sera...you're entitled to your own opinion. That's one of the reasons why this is a "comments" section...not a chat room.
Rabbit,
Your argument is that others are intolerant so it is okay for you to also be intolerant. Uh.. okay.
So lib opinions include intolerance?
(It might just be easier to apologize rather than defend being intolerant.)
Apologize for what? I didn't come on here and link a five month old poll and use that as evidence for a ridiculous argument and then proceed to call others here 'angry' when she was challenged.
Sorry, AA, won't happen. Failed-Belle is a troll and she was called out. Tough you-know-what.
Alright you guys, stop it.
Intolerance will NOT BE TOLERATED around here!
failedbelle
The party of tolerance offers none of it here. You rasied some great points, but they will never ever admit it. I heard many women today who were very excited about McCain's pick. Will it change anything, i dont know. But your points were interesting and worth discussing. What you will not find here from most of the radicals is any tolerance.
PoV,
The "intolerance" you cite is mostly for Belle's posting of opinions without much in the way of facts to back them up. Finally, she posted a link to a poll, which is a step in the right direction, but it's an old poll--and therefore of little value. And then she told the liberal who was challenging her to do his own research. That's the last refuge of the lazy internet debater.
I gave a quick look for a poll of Hillary supporters, but couldn't find one. All I found was a recent USA Today poll, which was interpreted by a third party as saying that 50% of Hillary supporters weren't yet sold on Obama. But that's so loose that it's tough to interpret as saying that them's PUMAs ripe for the picking by McCain. More to the point, it was pre-DNC. So Hillary's stirring speech and actions weren't considered.
But...what the WTF. Ain't no poll of no use anyhoo, right now. Only after Sept. 5--after both conventions--will polls have very much meaning.
It's gonna be one fun rollercoaster until then...and maybe afterwards!
Failed,
I am just curious as to what positions you think Hillary and McCain/Palin share that would convince her supporters to jump ship.
Fried
I think you are missing the point. It is not how many positions they share, it may well be how many women feel so slighted, and are so angry, that will vote to finally see a woman as VP.
That's the HOPE of the McCain campaign. Yeah, it's all about winning at any cost. And as usual, nothing about the issues.
Cannot get any more cynical than that.
Of course the Repubs have to frame this election around anger and fear. They have nothing to offer except the same crap we've had to go through for the last eight years.
Boo hoo for the righties. If you actually had some ideas, you might have had a chance...
POV,
"It is not how many positions they share, it may well be how many women feel so slighted, and are so angry, that will vote to finally see a woman as VP."
Do you really think that there are a lot of Hillary supports who will abandon the principles they stand for just to see a woman become vice president? If so, aren't you selling them short?
I can't think of one policy view that Hillary and McCain share. Frankly, I think its insulting to think that women will automatically follow a woman because they are both women, don't you?
Fried.
I think that it is easy to feel that way as a white male, having always had a president and a vice president who were the same. Dont you honestly believe that a percentage.....I dont know how big.....but a percentage of African Americans who registered to vote for this election did so only becasue BO is and African American? Will that make him win....I dont know. I know there will be women on the fence who will go to McCain because ...and only because he picked a woman.
POV,
I don't doubt that a few might see it that way and vote McCain (like maybe 1-2%), but I think your African-American example is a little different. Since 1964, Dems have done very well with African-American voters. Now maybe Obama inspired some to register and vote, but the numbers are still pretty consistent as to a voting pattern for their demographic based on the perception of the Democratic Party by African Americans.
Women who supported Hillary, in my view, go against everything Hillary has ever fought for by voting for McCain.
Having a right wing hate hag woman like Sarah Palin who is just as against women's issues than Liar McCain is, or MORE against women's issues than Liar McCain and other right wing male Republicans are, is NOT progress, it's regression.
It's no different than having an anti-civil rights/pro-segregation right wing black consevrative on the Supreme Court who is just as or MORE pro-segregation than white conservative are.
POV,
By the logic I think I am sensing from you, would Condi Rice have been the best choice for McCain? After all, she is an African-American and a woman. Would she have negated every advantage the Dems had by that logic?
"The only thing that bothers me about this is the intolerance from the supposed party of tolerance." - Faildbelle
You realize that your reliance on this sort of wingnut phrasing is tantamount to a confession that you're a concern troll and a Republican plant, don't you?
Better luck with your next screen name.
Oh please, no matter what, Obama would've been criticized. Had he picked Hillary Clinton as his VP, folks would criticized him that having her along would revitalize the Republican base, causing the Democrats to lose the ticket. Some would've argued that America couldn't swallow an African-American president AND a female vice president -- that's TOO MUCH change! Many would accuse him for being insecure so picking Hillary was a sure bet for him to win the White House, with the Clinton Machine backing him.
I don't think this was a smart move by McCain. It's a big gamble. I just don't think it will sway a lot of Clinton supporters to his camp. Had Hillary Clinton won the nomination and decided not to put Obama as her VP, and McCain added Condi Rice to his ticket, I can assure you that blacks would not be persauded to vote for Republican in large numbers.
Rabbit,
Unwittingly, you just argued against your candidate.
You misunderstood.
Trophy POTUS with almost zero experience simply do not cut the mustard.A Trophy POTUS with almost zero experience simply do not cut the mustard.
(sorry for the minuscule font. I cut and pasted the sentence.)
Let's just start out with these...
Obama - Graduate of Harvard Law School, President of Harvard Law Review, Community Organizer in Chicago, Illinois State Senator, United States Senator, Currently being smeared for debunked charges relating to a house deal and associations with William Ayers - when Obama was EIGHT years old.
Palin - Graduated from UID with BA in Journalism, Mayor of 8,000 population Wasilla, Alaska, Governor of Alaska - 2 years, Appeared in Vogue Magazine, Placed 2nd in Miss Alaska beauty pageant in 1984, Currently involved in scandal involving the sacking of PSC Walt Monegan, does not seem to know what the function of the VP's office is.
Now you tell me which resume is more impressive...
Basically you are saying Obama went to Harvard and is a Senator.
Pretty thin. What has he accomplished in any of his positions that is noteworthy?
Palin went to Idaho St., was a mayor, and now is a Governor. Unless one feels one should be President based on the college on attended, I think Palin has Obama beat in the accomplishment area.
Oh okay, so you're saying that Idaho State trumps Harvard Law School, being a Mayor trumps being a State Senator, and being a Governor trumps being a United States Senator. Yep, got it.
You're insane. Just like your party.
Rabbit
I love how you twist it. Anythig about Obama is a smear and an attack. Against Palin you believe it to be fact. You are such a hack, it is un real
You have nothing to offer to show Obama's competence either legislatively or his private life after law school.
McCain has years of successfully passed legislation to show his.
I can't believe you set yourself up to be shot down so easily. Oh wait. Yes I can. :-)
Rabbit,
Again you are mistaken. Follow the thread. This particular discussion started off when someone above argued that Obama was competent and McCain was a bumbling old fool.
Don't worry. It happens to the best of us. :-)
Courtesy of Rabbit:
Obama - Graduate of Harvard Law School, President of Harvard Law Review, Community Organizer in Chicago, Illinois State Senator, United States Senator. And I'll add he's not beholden to lobbyists.
Vs. Gramps who is in bed with the lobbyists, has Phil Graham as his economic advisor (same guy who aided Enron and the mortgage meltdown), doesn't know that Czechoslovakia doesn't exist anymore and thinks Iraq is safe when he goes shopping for prunes in a Baghdad market protected by a brigade of marines w/helicopters.
Gramps' flip-flops on every issue shows he can't be trusted. And his choice for VP does nothing but show that he, and not Obama, will pander to any group in order to win.
Fried,
That is a different topic than the discussion, but you make a good point.
Sorry for the multiple posts. Are you really saying that McCain doesn't need to stand behind what he authored?! Passing legislation that he doesn't believe in is an accomplishment these days, eh? If he no longer believes in what he put forth, what has he accomplished?
"McCain has years of successfully passed legislation to show his."
Those years include Liar McCain writing an immigration bill, and then voting AGAINST the very same bill he wrote? I think that's called flip-flopping and/or lying, so McCain is bascially a liar. Why do you support McCain's blatant lying?
"Bumbling old fogey"
the only bumbler in this race is St. Barack Obama who -- unless he reads a teleprompter like last night -- can;t get THREE words out of his mouth without stuttering and stumbler and saying "ah..um..y'know" He's a moron
What you're describing is McSame when he IS reading from a teleprompter. You're supporting a guy who finished fifth from the BOTTOM of his class at the Naval Academy, while Obama was an academic superstar, and is also a law proffessor.
The only thing that you got right in your post was when you signed it as Moron.
Rabbit
Dont forget....Obama is a community organizer. That alone is enough to run the free world.
Yeah. And John McCain was a POW. A Vietnam War survivor. That's it. That's all he has.
Being an ex-POW will not help to turn this country around, to undo the horrendous damage that your buddy W has wreaked upon this country.
I'm not sure if you come from a large metropolitan area, but being a community organizer is a way for minorities to get a foothold on a political career because they usually do not have the financial means to run campaigns.
So your criticism of Obama in this instance is greatly misplaced. How about this - let's rate the candidates on their ideas for once and not on stereotypes or LIES. Obama wins hands down when you do it the right way.
Face it!! We're screwed!!
LOL
Actually, YOU'RE SCREWED!
I'm going to work my butt off to get Obama elected because I'm smart enough to know that no one with a brain wants another 4 years of McBush.
You may sit in the corner and be screwed, you sound like you need it.
Mr Obama
Brain work again. It's SENATOR OBAMA!
Mr. Obama is proud to know he has Pearl and all in AARP kniitng club behind him.
LOL
POV, still having a temper tantrum?
Just so you know, this is how you spell KNITTING. Twice you've tried to insult me and couldn't spell.
Tell your sitter it's time to change your bib, it's wet from all your drooling.
Pearlene,
I never thought I'd see you stoop to that level.
I never thought I'd see you stoop to that level.
AA, I will do EVERYTHING in my power to make sure our next President isn't a Republican!
Now if it that offends your sensitive feelings, you need to get over it!
Pearlene,
I think you exuberance is actually working against you. Insulting those with whom you disagree seldom convinces them of your position. We are simply discussing Obama and Palin and McCain, (where's Joe?) and have differences of opinion.
Did you see how many posts in this thread talking about anything but the topic?
They always flood the threads they find the most threatening!
Oh, and the new poster? Science101.
I think you exuberance is actually working against you. Insulting those with whom you disagree seldom convinces them of your position. We are simply discussing Obama and Palin and McCain, (where's Joe?) and have differences of opinion.
AA, I'm insulted by those who make stupid remarks like "lady parts may be enough" and I have no problem saying it.
And WHO made to the monitor?
If people don't like what I have to say, they don't have to respond, And that includes YOU.
Preston
You may be right in everything you say. I am just not sure that it takes "large numbers" of women....or African Americans in the Obama/Rice example you gave to turn the election. A simple change in one or two states may do it.
I think female voters, especially pro-choice female voters, will vote for Obama. Gov. Palin seems nice, but nobody knows anything about her, she has little experience, she's a fundie (Assemblies of God) and pro-forced birth (i.e. against abortion - sorry, I refuse to use the word 'pro-life' when describing the anti-abortion crowd). Pro-choice women and pro-choice republicans all over the country should see this as a warning sign.
IMHO, McCain made a bad decision by picking Palin, which will cost him the White House. And thank G-d he made that bad decision now, instead of later, possibly as president.
"I don't think this was a smart move by McCain. It's a big gamble. I just don't think it will sway a lot of Clinton supporters to his camp. Had Hillary Clinton won the nomination and decided not to put Obama as her VP, and McCain added Condi Rice to his ticket, I can assure you that blacks would not be persauded to vote for Republican in large numbers."
Preston, you called it exactly right! McCain has INSULTED women, as Rep. Debbie Wasseran-Schultz of Florida said today.
Mentioning the Rice as VP example, had Liar McCain picked Rice if Hillary were the candidate after turning down Obama, most African-Americans would have voted in LARGER numbers AGAINST McCain, since Rice is seen by most African-Americans as a war criminal, and because Rice had denounced MLK and other civil rights leaders as "troublemakers who upset the good white people of the South", and that Rice is pro-segregation and pro-Plessy, among other indictments.
Lady parts might just be enough.
Only a Republican male or a moron would think that "lady parts" would be enough!
Sorry that you have to be so wrong. I'm neither. And since you're wrong, what does that make you?
Sorry that you have to be so wrong. I'm neither. And since you're wrong, what does that make you?
A fool for wasting my time with a moron. Bye Bye!
Pearl
I can only hope......perhaps even the audacity of hope, that when you call a poster a name and say bye bye that you mean it. Perhaps you will leave and never come back. And please dont mention your 80 year old butt again. The thought of you working that thing off made me miss out on a good meal tonight.
And please dont mention your 80 year old butt again. The thought of you working that thing off made me miss out on a good meal tonight.
LOL
POV, didn't your momma teach you any manners? Oh, sorry I forgot about your momma.
Well, I lost that one.
You broke your promise...you are back again. Your 80 year old butt still haunts me and will probably ruin breakfast as well. Where are the rolaids when I REALLY need them.
Well, I lost that one. You broke your promise...you are back again. Your 80 year old butt still haunts me and will probably ruin breakfast as well. Where are the rolaids when I REALLY need them.
Nah, once again,you can't read.
I said bye to failledbelle, YOU I like.
The thought of you tossing your breakfast, lunch or dinner thrills me to no end.
POV, don't think I'm ignoring you but it's Friday. It's time for this nursing home, AARP old lady to enjoy a glass of wine and bingo.
Bye bye, for now!
FailedB,
You nailed it. I've talked to other women who share that feeling.
RTW,
Unlike the formerly revered John Edwards, I do not attempt to channel the unborn children.
Both women who were ardent Hillary supporters, felt they once again a woman was denied her place at the table because of her gender. Not geriatrics but they had plenty of experience in the work world. Both worked in managment. One in the schools, the other in a very liberal non-profit organization.
You might as well not deny it. That feeling is out there among many professional women.
You nailed it. I've talked to other women who share that feeling.
LOL
AA, tell the truth! You talked to your wife and sisters.
I talk to my wife and sisters all the time.
Both women I spoke with are ardent liberals and consider themselves feminists.
ps. My wife said last night, "Why is it I never like any of the candidates?"
I've decided.
You're dumb.
Welcome back Preston!
Thanks for remembering me while you were gone! :-)
Preston, you were missed!
Now all that's missing is Lynn & Solon.
What's up, Pearl, glad to see that you're still around!
Awww, I'm sad to hear that Lynn and Solon hasn't been posting here lately, those two are some of my favorites! By the way, what did you think about Obama's speech last night? WOW! Now you know I've been pretty critical of him in the past, but that speech really impressed me. He's given better ones in the past, for sure, but he hit so many right notes I almost jumped out of my seat and said, "Amen, brother!" Lol.
Preston, it was a "come to Jesus moment" good!
My friends and I toasted Obama with champagne, no wine for this special occasion, screamed and clapped so much, I was afraid my neighbors would call the police. I've lived through some tough moments but no matter how this turns out, I wouldn't have missed THIS moment for anything!
Pearlene,
Even though I disagree with Obama on just about everything, his nomination is a great event in our country's history and the progress we've made these past 45 years. Congratulations to "the dream" and the Democrats!
Fog,
I have disagreed with him on his 'cut and run' strategy before we started winning with the surge.
I disagree with him on his tax plans.
I disagree with him on his opposition to drilling.
I disagree with him on his government handout proposals.
I think his judgement and inexperience shows through in his foreign policy pronouncements.
I agree with him on Afghanistan. I like the idea of being independent of foreign oil in 10 years. I'd like to see how he can accomplish that.
I do not believe he has done anything to suggest he would bring the country together. Instead he has taken the far left position on most issues.
I was amazed at his rhetoric, promising everyone everything. I don't think he can match it.
I hope that gives you enough to chew on.
If Barack Obama's views are in the mainstream why is it that Democrats have won only THREE presidential elections since 1968? They are not mainstream and in fact are far left.
Liberals -- of both parties -- have bankrupted this country with entitlement programs which amount in most cases to luxuries to people who really don't need them. It goes far beyone helping people who "need help"
This has trickled down to the local level where many liberals rule the day and has resulted in an effective tax rate that approaches 50 percent for MIDDLE CLASS people. The left is for more taxes from everyone so they can control your lives. This is not mainstream. Most Americans still distrust centralized government. Sadly it is a shrinking majority. One reason you never hear many specifics from Obama is because those specifics are quite unpopular.
AA claims: I have disagreed with him on his 'cut and run' strategy before we started winning with the surge.
Fact: The surge has NOT WORKED. Iraq does not have a unified government.
AA says: I disagree with him on his tax plans.
So you must be in the wealthiest 3% or whatever because everyone in the bottom 97% gets a bigger break than Gramps' proposal.
AA says: I disagree with him on his opposition to drilling.
Obama has agreed to limited drilling, caving into the oil junkies like yourself.
AA: I disagree with him on his government handout proposals.
What are those "proposals"? And how are those different than corporate welfare or welfare for the wealthy? Oh, that's right, they don't help regular working folk.
Aa: I think his judgement and inexperience shows through in his foreign policy pronouncements.
How?
AA: I agree with him on Afghanistan. I like the idea of being independent of foreign oil in 10 years. I'd like to see how he can accomplish that.
By bringing competency to the White House. You've been accustomed to utter failure for so long, you don't remember what good govt. can do.
AA: I do not believe he has done anything to suggest he would bring the country together. Instead he has taken the far left position on most issues
But as stated below, his positions are mainstream with most Americans. You are the radical.
Finally, you must really believe the lies you hear. Please, do some research.
Irony,
Tansparent? Yes.
Brilliant? Also yes.
I think that's about as deep as it goes, Pete. The same as the Repubs excitement over Bobby Jindal. They've self hypnotized to the point where they believe in their own BS, that people are excited about Obama just because he's Black, and Hillary supporters only saw a woman.
Yes, She's all that. And more. She is a governor and has some executive level experience. Fly over country will love her. So will soccer moms. She energizes the Republican base and counters Dems appeal to independents.
I think her candidacy shows that Republicans are willing to put a woman on the ticket when the Dems wouldn't.
I thought it a tremendous political error by Obama not to pick Hillary. Biden didn't gain him any voters and he lost a bunch by not picking her. Obama tossed out any pretense to actually moving toward a new style politics by picking Biden. Biden only illustrated Obama's lack of foreign policy experience. Obama's speech last night solidified his abandonment of a new style he promised when he offered not one example of how he would unite the country. He simply offered a litany of old tired liberal ideas bundled up in platitudes.
Palin also offers a story that is inspiring only she doesn't have to downplay associations, colleges attended, preachers, and voting record in order to get elected. Yes, Palin is inexperienced at the national level, but to criticize McCain for it only comes back to highlight Obama's inexperience.
That argument is cancelled out.
If they pull this off, they can write their own tickets in the Republican Oligarchy. Three months ago, Conservatives were vilifying John McCain and swearing that they would never support him. Now they're falling in line, drooling like Pavlov's dogs.
AA, in case you didn't know, when you put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig.
She, been a governor LESS than 2 years (WOW) and before that she was a mayor for a town of 9,000 (WOW) and prior to that she was a member of the PTA (WOW). Does foreign policy experience come with the Miss Alaska title?
She had her 5th child in April and if you think a pro-life, pro-gun WOMAN will appeal to women you're more clueless than I thought.
Just because she has a vagina doesn't automatically means she's acceptable to women!
Pearlene,
You are 100% correct about lack of foreign policy experience.
Obama has little more. Yes he made a trip or two and served on a committe. So he wins that one.
He loses on executive experience. He has zero, zip, nada, zilch. So Obama is missing the lions share of experience expected to run arguably the largest organization in the world and wants to run it, while Palin is missing foreign policy experience which she will not run, and can help with the running of the executive branch. Looks to me the lack of experience argument hurts Obama more than Palin.
You are correct that not all women will vote for McCain/Palin just because she is a woman. But 95% of the black voters look like they'll vote for Obama. Why is that?
You are correct that not all women will vote for McCain/Palin just because she is a woman. But 95% of the black voters look like they'll vote for Obama. Why is that?
If I'm not mistaken, AA, black voters have always voted for Democrats in high numbers like that. I believe I read one poll back in 2004 where black voters supported John Kerry 87%. Clinton also gained huge support among black voters in the 90s, and I believe the support reached to 90% as well.
Yes, it could be. And it could be many blacks (and whites) are voting for Obama because he is black. The same is true in reverse about McCain.
Same is true with Palin and her gender. I don't doubt a good number will vote for McCain because Palin is on the ticket. I believe many women will feel having a woman at the veep spot is sufficiently notable to override their pro-abortion stance.
I would not expect the NOW crowd to vote for Palin, but I do believe, (and correct me if I am wrong,) most women are not as militant regarding abortion rights.
"Same is true with Palin and her gender. I don't doubt a good number will vote for McCain because Palin is on the ticket. I believe many women will feel having a woman at the veep spot is sufficiently notable to override their pro-abortion stance."
Apparently, that is the gamble that Karl Ro... whoops John McCain has made with this choice. If McCain thinks he's gonna get the PUMA crowd - the last 12 members remaining after the DNC ended - then he's in for a November surprise.
At least he will still have his US Senate seat waiting for him.
Obama has little more. Yes he made a trip or two and served on a committe. So he wins that one.
AA, stop hitting the stupid button! Obama has MORE experience period! Remember, lipstick on a pig is a pig.
He loses on executive experience. He has zero, zip, nada, zilch.
THIS is "executive experience"? Sarah Palin's resume: she's the former point guard and captain of the Wasilla (Alaska) High School Warriors who went on to become Miss Wasilla 1984 before working as a local news sports reporter who then served as city councilwoman and mayor of the town of about 9,000 before being elected governor of her home state just two years ago. You have the nerve to call THAT executive experience?
You are correct that not all women will vote for McCain/Palin just because she is a woman.
Women who are pro-choice DO NOT vote for a pro-life candidate simply because she’s has a vagina. Women who are FOR gun control do NOT vote for a pro-gun candidate simple because she has a vagina. The sex of the candidate is NOT as important as where SHE stands on the issues!
But 95% of the black voters look like they'll vote for Obama. Why is that?
The 95% of African Americans voting for Obama are voting for MORE than his color. How do I know that, you ask? Because in EACH and EVERY election the Republican party cannot get above 8% of the African American vote. It's not like THIS years is any different. The GOP makes it clear year after year, they have no desire to acquire more African Americans voters. They'd much rather use African Americans to acquire more Southern white voters.
This election is like the last election, except the GOP will receive 1% of the African American vote. Face facts, NOTHING about the GOP appeals to 95% of the African American population and no matter who the Dems run as a candidate, Republicans will continue to receive 1% of the African American vote.
"I think her candidacy shows that Republicans are willing to put a woman on the ticket when the Dems wouldn't."
But it also proves they aren't willing to put a black man at the TOP of their ticket. Democrats WOULD, COULD and DID.
Your analogy fails. Since almost all blacks are Democrats, it is rarer to find a black Republican.
Obama cast aside Hillary when she won half the votes. That is denying a woman a spot on the ticket. Republican's had no black candidate to turn aside.
Had Colin Powell wanted the job, he'd have had it in a walk.Had Colin Powell wanted the job, he'd have had it in a walk.
Had Colin Powell wanted the job, he'd have had it in a walk.
AA, I heard that Colin Powell and Condi were voting for Obama for historical reasons. Do they count?
AA, Democrats (the people, the voters) put a woman very close to the nomination, through a hard-fought primary. The GOP( the party masters) placed a token in as VP in a calculated desperate move.
These are two very different things.
Col.
All the more reason to give Hillary the #2 slot on the Dem ticket. He offended a lot of people by not even vetting her.
Don't get me wrong. I'm glad Obama didn't. However I think it was a gigantic political miscalculation that could cost him the election.
You are in serious denial. Then again, I really cannot blame you. It must be tough to come to terms that McRelic and Snowflake Baby are on their way to oblivion.
I suggest you rewatch the entire DNC with an open mind and pay attention to the intelligent analysis that went along with it. Then again, I'm not expecting that to happen either.
Don't you just love concern trolls who suddenly stop being devoted to helping their own cause - the defeat of every possible Democrat and every potential liberal inititiative - and suddenly care such a great deal about our party's best interests, and proceed to tell us what we should have done that would have made our party much more powerful?
What, you mean you don't think that AA was sincere in his concern trolling? Wow. You mean that him saying that Hillary should have been the VP choice can be fairly translated into he thought Hillary would have been the worst choice we could have made, and that he's simply trying to sow doubt and cause division? Tell me it ain't so!
Yeah,BB, it's just for entertainment purposes. The entire righty media is 24 hours of clucking their tongues about the other sides decisions,and so naturally the puppets who post here are repeating whatever they hear.
It's just fun to see how far they'll take their "concern" before they explode into the raging hate that really drives them.
"Since almost all blacks are Democrats, it is rarer to find a black Republican. "
Well, since the pool of potential minority candidates is so much smaller in Repub circles...wouldn't that make it MUCH easier to find someone well qualified? Just look at the huge numbers of great people of ANY race that Obama had to overcome. Of course, the overwhelming white old man majority in R circles does pose something of a barrier to a minority candidate trying to convince them to vote out of their comfort zone. Maybe that's why no minorities even TRY for the R nomination.
Not even remotely does this cinch anything for McCain.
There are plenty of women who voted for Hillary because she was a woman, AND because they shared her views and her political ideaology. What is it that makes you think that Palin has any views even remotely similar to Senator Clinton?
Let me give you the answer. They don't have any of the same views. And aside from that, I thought that white male middle class voters were going to win this election, at least this is what I keep being told. And do you think white middle class republican voters are going to want a woman for VP? I. Think. Not.
Independent voters were going to win this or lose this for McCain. None of them vote for McCain now that weren't going to vote for them before. And there aren't enough evangelicals who were going to sit out the race that are now going to vote to win it for McCain.
I think that McCain knows he doesn't have a chance, and this nomination is an attempt to groom her for a future race.
Oh sure, because, y'know, the girls will certainly overlook the months and months of institutionalized misogyny.
yeah, this pretty much cinches it. With this pick Maverick will win narrowly, by reason of the support of many independent women. Smart move by Maverick. Withstanding all the pressure to pick Romney or Pawlenty, Maverick yet again showed his independence of mind and dedication to doing what's best for the country.
Steve - who is 'Maverick' and what party is he/she running under?
yeah, that's right. All those gals who supported Hillary, they'll just move over and vote for another gal, because that's what it was all about....
This is typical of the cynicism and stupidity that surrounds all republicans these days. A horrible, HORRIBLE choice.
Not so bad ... for dems.
Carl,
By your reaction it looks to me to be a pretty good one.
Failed, I don't get it: You say: "Many of the Hillary Democrats were already considering McCain". GOOPers are certainly claiming this though I haven't seen any real evidence of it happening in large numbers. Maybe you can post some evidence.
However, I'll admit that I myself, a yellow-dog conservative democrat and Hillary supporter, considered McCain for a few minutes one day. McCain put himself out of the running for my vote for a couple of reasons:
1) as was pointed out to me here at MMfA, McCain has flip-flopped on his anti-torture stance, and now sides firmly with Bushco torture-r-US policies. That was clearly part of the price McSame was made to pay for Bush's endorsement, so ... he paid it. McSame can now describe his POW experiences in the light of being an apologist for USA torture (uhh, yeah I was beaten and sleep deprived, but ... it was a time of war so it was really OK). If elected, I'm sure he'll have no trouble keeping a straight face as he swears to uphold the Constitution, but I personally no longer trust him to keep faith with that great document.
2)
3) How do you figure Palin is any kind of a substitute for Hillary Clinton as Veep (or Pres)? Just cuz she's a chick too? Huh? Palin wants to overthrow RvW, and wants creationism to be taught in schools and although she's only been Alaska's gov for 18 months or so, she's already under investigation for abuse of power.
I think, Failed, you may be a GOOP shill posting here.
It wouldn't surprise me.
Yeah, another Karl Rove failure. He certainly lost his Midas touch after 2006. This pick has his fingers all over it... and once again he blew it.
Rabbit,
Whether Palin draws the Hillary voters to the GOP will be known shortly... that is if you can trust the polls.
U R welcome, truly my pleasure (I take every available opportunity to post that hug pic)
Many of the Hillary Democrats were already considering McCain.
Let's use a brand new Fox News tactic here. Change "Many" to "Damned few" and you have a correct statement.
Many of the Hillary Democrats were already considering McCain. - failedbelle
No, a small number of them were doing so. That small number was scattered across the country, reducing their significance. An even smaller portion of that small number is likely to throw their support to an ultra-conservative, anti-choice VP candidate simply on the basis of her gender.
The vast majority of female voters are intelligent enough to look at the issues and choose the candidate who best represents their own views. Among Democratic women, that isn't McCain.
This is McCain taking a hard look at his chances, not liking what he sees and throwing up a hail mary. And it's gonna fall short.
Fox News says Palin has foreign policy experience because (and I couldn't make this up) "Alaska is next-door to Russia."
Cross my heart.
- Easy to refute wingnuts
I wouldn't have believed you, but just as I was writing this post, a guest told Andrea Mitchell, "well, Alaska is very close to Russia, so maybe that will count for something."
Pray, pray for America. We are truly doomed if these people are elected.
Indeed. The infamous Beringia death march.
That's where his Seal training was first put to the test.
I don't know much about Palin, but she seems like an OK choice when you consider that McCain was severely handicapped by having to select a Republican. And one who could survive the vetting process - not too brazenly criminal, not secretly gay, never acknowleded a good idea.
But, keeping in mind that McCain - and I hate to say this - is very, very old, it does seem to blow any "Obama is too inexperienced" argument out of the water.
Or maybe McCain cares more about winning an election than about what is best for the country.
No. Even though I disagree with just about every McCain policy position out there, I truly believe that he, like Obama, wants to do what is best for our country. At least, what is best in their minds. I don't even believe for a minute that neither of them want what is best, although, they will go about it in severely different ways.
She's not a good choice, because as you said, for months on end, we've been hearing from McCain how Obama is not experienced enough, and now we have McCain picking someone who is less experienced than Obama. Nice choice. Thanks for the present.
I agree it's bad for McCain. It seems to me that anyone who has argued that Obama is too inexperienced has a choice to make in dealing with the Palin pick.
1. Admit that McCain made a bad choice because of Palin's lack of experience, and that, by their own reasoning, McCain put his political ambition above the best interests of the country.
2. Admit to arguing about Obama's experience disingenuously in the past.
I'll be interested to see which one the McCain campaign goes with.
Craig,
You conveniently left out a third choice:
It could be that McCain feels that Palin is both a good pick for the country and Obama does not have the experience needed.
Craig,
I have mentioned it elsewhere. Yes I agree that zeroes out the experience argument for McCain and Obama.
Craig,
I simply said you left off a third option.
Whether I agree with McCain or not about Palin is immaterial to your list of choices.
Preston,
I was hoping for KBH. With that he would have kept the "experience" argument. He tossed that out the window for SP.
I was hoping for KBH.
Isn't KBH pro-choice?
AA,
What about all of the "experience" arguments that you and others have made throughout the campaign?
Should we forget about them?
Craig,
Apparently we have to as both sides now offer inexperience so it is now a moot point.
I think there is plenty to criticize McCain for. He is the consummate politician. His Machiavellian mind is very formidable.
I've said before I believe he is the best of two bad choices.
I wasn't the one arguing about lack of experience. But don't you have to reevaluate your support of McCain based upon this clear example of his poor (by your standards) judgment?
Just one of many possibilities.
Approximately 2 dozen times in the past 15 minutes on MSNBC, McCain has been called a Maverick, and we have been told he chose Palin because she is a Maverick. They are the "Maverick team". Does this make her ready to step in a president if needed, and has anyone asked this? No.
Marsha Blackburn told Andrea Mitchell, that is she had to choose someone who was a senator and headed a committee in the senate, or a hockey mom in Alaska, mayor, mother of five, etc. it would be the mom because she has more life experience than a senator.
Huckabee; "Governor Palin ... will remind women that if they are not welcome on the Democrat's ticket, they have a place with Republicans," he said.
Oops.......
Does Mr. Huckabee also believe then, that a black candidate on the Democratic ticket, and not the Republican ticket will remind Americans that blacks do not have a place with the Republicans????
Huckabee; "Governor Palin ... will remind women that if they are not welcome on the Democrat's ticket, they have a place with Republicans," he said.
Limbaugh: I told you that the Republicans would place a female in the White House before the Democrats
Who is feeding them their lines? Does anyone not remember Hillary Clinton, and 1) how scared the Republican base was of her? 2) How close she actually was to receiving the nominee instead of Obama?
I mean, goodness, now all they're harping all the things they criticized Hillary supporters for doing!
This is going to be fun!
I can just hear the MSM now....
......how her voice is whiny, and sounds like nails on a blackboard, remarks about the size of her thighs, and the cut of her neckline, her laugh sounds like a snort, how we would never be able to stand listening to her talk more than five minutes, or how her monthly visitor is going to mess up her thinking, or............
......wait a minute..........sorry, just informed by those in the MSM that McCain chose a Republican woman, mother of five, hockey mom, mother of a military son, mother of a Down syndrome baby, mooseburger eater, pro-life, life time member of the NRA, Christian, expert on energy and Russia, devoted wife, first woman Alaskan governor, lots of nice hair, and dang....a snappy, tenacious, Maverick who is just cute as a button.
BREAKING NEWS ON MSNBC: McCain Palin pick shows that old political barriers are dropping.
This is DEMS first Black American too...
How can you blame the Repubs ?
We did get it first, but we have had the black vote for a long long time and this is our first.
I certainly hope that's not the case.
McCain has pretty good odds on that bet. (totally kidding)
According to them, Hillary supporters were only supporting her because Hillary was a woman. So, applying that logic would totally justify voting Palin as VP.
Now, in order to see the effect (McCain-Palin poll increase), we'd have to take a look at the cause (How many people were going to vote for Clinton purely because she is a woman).
And while I'm on wingnut logic, how does Palin have more XP than Obama?
I kind of doubt it. I think Karl Rove and McGrampy spent a couple hours in a damp room with a car battery and some gator clips after that little gaffe.
Easy Conger ... easy.
The goopers will find out in early November how wrong-headed was their assumption that "the girls" were gonna flock to Palin.
Let's save it for a surprise.
MSNBC-NBC news article today:
[...]....During one debate before the primary (race for governor, my insert), Palin said she was in favor of capital punishment in especially heinous cases such as the murder of a child. "My goodness, hang 'em up, yeah,” she said. Palin opposes abortion rights............[...]
.........She received a degree in communications and journalism from the University of Idaho in 1987.......
Fellow Dems... wanna good analogy? Compare Palin with this guy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiro_Agnew
More:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/29/123623/259/991/578717
For me, this is the bottom line:
Because of his advanced age, there is a very real chance that McCain could be stricken by a disabling medical condition or, God forbid, even die in office.
Who would then be commander in chief and in charge of national security? A totally unknown and untested political rookie, a young woman who was selected by the president, not by anyone's vote.
It's utter insanity. And as dangerous as it gets.
I feel sick....
They only need to get a very small slice of my group IN MY OPINION, NOT FACT, just my opinion from what I hear from friends of mine. I'm NOT stupid to all for it, Barack has my vote no matter what, but if 3 to 5% goes McStupid, we are in trouble IN MY OPINION.
It's AGAIN my opinion from looking at the POLLS THAT HAVE BEEN RIGHT THE LAST FEW ELECTIONS, that this is gonna be RAZOR close again...
If anyone here thinks it's NOT gonna be tight, IN MY OPINION, depending on the debates, we might not want to "laugh" too much...
The glass ceiling: and the screaming silence on the web and TV news.
There is something very wrong. I can’t exactly put my finger on it, but I am waiting for someone to start saying something. We are afraid. The glass ceiling….it might crack and maim the person who says the things that need to be said. What is wrong with this picture?
Let’s look at Hillary. Hillary was an active mother. She had one child. I don’t know why she thought to have just one; maybe she couldn’t have anymore? But one, you can keep track of if you have a career. I had four. The youngest was 2 before I began to get political. I ran for an office, knowing I wouldn’t win, but I got something done with the running. I then went back to school, at 40 to get my degree in physics at 41, so I could teach. I remember the toll it took on me and the family. My kids were healthy. But studying physics was time consuming and I missed a lot of stuff. My daughter-in-law decided that one child was enough. She liked to work outside the home a couple of days a week, and she thought she could devote enough time to one, but maybe not any more.
I know that after having one child that the thought of ending a pregnancy is mostly out of the question. Even if you know that the child will need special care, more care than other children. Mother’s know how to do that, and mothers can adjust their perspective to take on the most incredulous tasks, out of love, out of duty…
Special needs child….what does that mean? It means a lot of one-on-one care. It means hours of repetitive teaching. It requires multi-tasking to be able to keep the family together, healthy, and loving. Other children might get resentful of the extra time needed for the special needs child…it takes painstaking juggling of time, smiles, hugs, and patience.
If you have a special needs child at age 44, say, when the child is 21 you will be 65. That’s ok…almost done…Not quite. When the child is 31 you will be 75….almost done? I know that my 25 year old just left home and I still worry…
So when someone who lets say has a special needs child at age 44, that someone is going to need a plan for way in the future….like social plans and group homes and things run by the government. The care of the child from 4 months to 4 years the developmental years is paramount. That time of development the most important if the child will have independence later.
But you know, that is not the point I am trying to make here…although I think someone should. My point is, that if I had a political job that took me away from my kids a lot, but my kids are doing ok because I have the community and relatives to help keep them in balance….my question is why in the world would a person like that not plan. Why would a person like that not have the foresight to know that more children would mean less time per individual child….more children would mean either less time at the job, or less time with the kids.
My point is that there seems to be a judgment problem here. This judgment problem looks a lot like starting a war without having a post attack plan…and then taking on more.
There is also another point that needs to be made. Anyone who would choose a green person, or a purple person, or a man, or a woman, with so little experience…who you didn’t know very well, is playing a psychological game with the public. It is not for the betterment of our country…it is not kind to that mother…it is using her and that lovely family to play a game. I find that despicable.
We have some pretty important problems ahead of us. They begin with Sustainability which means population, air, water, energy, atmosphere, and temperature to name a few. The other social problems are distrust, unfair economic favoritism, a planet that is ready to fight in about 5 different places and a war of our very own.
I am afraid that we need to refocus and remember what needs to be done here or we may not need to worry about elections in 40 years. This is not a game…We need people with good judgment, honor, and the energy needed to start us in the right direction.
Please someone start talking.
She didn't falsely claim anything.
She told the truth.
McCain may have said that he was going to pick someone "ready to step in on a moment's notice", but he didn't do that.
He lied.
I'm surprised that anyone with at least half a brain doesn't get this.