Andrea Mitchell: John McCain Only Met Sarah Palin Once (VIDEO)

On MSNBC this evening Andrea Mitchell reported on how minimal John McCain's interactions with his choice for vice president, Sarah Palin, have been. According to Mitchell, McCain only met Palin once.

Watch the clip:

Politico has more on the short history of their encounters:

John McCain on Friday announced a running mate whom he met only six months ago and with whom he spoke just once on the phone about the position before offering it in person earlier this week.

McCain's first encounter with Sarah Palin came at a Washington meeting of the National Governors Association in February, according to a campaign-provided reconstruction of how the little-known Alaska governor was thrust into the national spotlight. The two discussed the position by phone on Sunday before McCain invited Palin and her husband to Arizona to formally make the offer. McCain, joined by his wife, Cindy, did just that Thursday morning at their home near Sedona, Ariz.

And as Think Progress is reporting, McCain Campaign spokesperson Nancy Pfotenhauer appeared on Fox News earlier today and was asked how well McCain knew Palin. Her answer to host Bill Hemmer:

You're running flat into the wall of my ignorance here, Bill. I truly have no indication whatsoever the extent of a relationship that exists with the Governor of Alaska.

Watch the clip.

Comments

[Cookie100]

This 72 yr old man, with melanoma twice, puts a woman, who left her town of 8,000 people, $20 million in debt!
Perfect rethug

[DocJerome]

Wasilla, Alaska had a population of 5,470 at the time she served as Mayor.

[eka]

I think this article is required reading regarding Mrs. Palin. Truly shows Mcain is unfit for the presidency
http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/

[eMJayy]

OH.......M­Y.....GOD!

[HamletsMill]

I completely agree with eka.

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/

This article is one of the very best pieces of writing I have read in a very, very long time. HuffPo staff, you need to put this Alaskan "Mudflats" guy up as a featured blogger here for the next two months at least and maybe permanently. This guy is THAT GOOD. This is a MUST READ. Someone at HuffPo get on the phone to this guy today. Get this article up in the featured blog section and onto the Sara Palin Big News Page. Now.

[DocJerome]

I agree.

[DocJerome]

Unbelievable. Truly a bad joke.

[doctorwang]

Thank you very much for the link. It's amazing. Please keep on posting it. I will do the same.

[DocJerome]

McCain has turned the process into a bad joke. The potential nightmarish scenario and it's devastating, far reaching effects on the United States, at a time of great vulnerability come perilously close to sounding like a doomsday scenario.

If the Republican ticket is elected as is, that will be a signal to the rest of the world that the fall of the great western power has begun. Simply put, JMac is no leader, and far from a great thinker. His decision making process/judgement will certainly be tested time and time again, as he has shown a propensity for catastrophic lapses.

Little to no investment in alternative energies and technology, no education funding, more conflicts, less pay, poor health care, and a crumbling infrastructure compounded by an ignorant electorate will set the tone for a volatile future. 12 years of trickle down economics will, in effect, create a social caste system. Then watch the natives (US citizens) get restless.

[doctorwang]

His pick of Palin shows McC to be only concerned about political ambition..­.and unconcerned with the effects such a pick could have on the state of our nation.

"McCain has turned the process into a bad joke."

McCain is simply following the example (instructions?) of R0ve & Co. They have, indeed, made a mockery of our political system. I sincerely hope they are made to pay for it.

[DocJerome]

I too share in that hope; but, it is difficult under the circumstances. I just heard a woman (Alaskan) say "At least she'll bring Godly values to government­."

[notthistime]

Alaskan Reaction to the Palin announcement
Reaction from the state fair to the announcement that Gov. Palin will be McCain's running mate.

Senator Murkowski -- "I guess we thought because she was not included in the vetting process she was not in the running. How wrong we were."

http://community.adn.com/mini_apps/vmix/player.php?ID=2129729&GID=118

[DocJerome]

"At least she'll bring Godly values to government­."

I have lost all respect. This process has officially become a horrible joke. The sheer depth of stupidity has me confounded as to how the United States is even considered an elite country.

[doctorwang]

"as to how the United States is even considered an elite country."

It based on our extravagan­ce..... no longer our intelligence. After 8 years of B#sh, and the possibility of 4 more, it's understandable.

[InformedVoter08]

they weren't included because rove took care of that

[deadcustodian]

McCain-Palin
Dumb-Dumber
check it out:
http://www.cafepress.com/mccainpow_palin

[iseebs]

Sarah Palin was not picked by Mc Cane, she was picked by Carl Rowe.
After a sorrow decision analysis, he came to the conclusion that this will bring a few percent more votes in November.

[GeoLee]

And James Dobson, Tony Powell, Sam Brownback, Pat Robertson and Robert Reed.

[apoyo]

And gave Rush a rush.

[BlueOnBlue]

I disagree. Rove doesn't gamble. McCain does. Lots.

This decision was pure McCain.

[Topfeeder]

Wrong. Rove wanted Romney.

[JJeff88]

There was an interesting "walk down memory lane" newspaper account by George McGovern about the 1972 VP selection process.

The gist of it was that he asked least a half-dozen people if they were interested in becoming his running-mate (including Edmund Muskie and Hubert Humphrey) and, one by one, they said "thanks but no thanks." He finally relied on recommendationa by a few influential party leaders and settled on Tom Eagleton. The rest is history.

You've got to wonder whether or not McCain may have faced a similar situation before settling on Palin.

[David19]

We have to stop debating expeince - we'll lose that debate. Start debating hypocrisy, and how McCain just turned his back on everything he's said to this point.

[lornejl]

I don't see it. A lot of independents are turned off by fundies.

[Growmiller]

Does Palin even know that she isn't in the Miss USA pagent? She is nothing but a last minute gimick. Calculated. Women? check, Young Mother? check Looks good on TV? check Insulting to Clinton supporters? check Unknown tool ready to be programed? check.
First McCain focused on Bimbos in his attack ads and now he added one to his losing ticket.

[KOisGod]

spot on!

Bimbo tix, oh, oh the irony

[MikeGuy]

This is the most cynical element of "Country First." There is no justification for picking Palin other than "elect us no matter the cost to the nation." The Republican Party will stop at nothing. Do not underestimate the tactics of the thugs in power and fundamentalist right to railroad this election.

[aznurse]

What happens if by some God forsaken reason McCane wins, after a bit , she quits.
How does new VP get picked?? Does McC get whoever he wants in the job or is there some kind of hearing?

[grumpygranny66]

It won't get that far he will be found unfit to hold office before. I can guarantee,

[CyrusBeaucephus]

Bush IS unfit to hold office, and should be behind bars right now--so I wouldn't count on that too much

[aznurse]

Yeah, but what if?

[dodosong]

This VP appointment is a clear confirmation that McCain is even more like Bush than I thought! How many ideological and incompetent appointments have we watched Bush make at the expense of the country? Remember FEMA, Iraq, the Justice Dept, EPT, FDA, etc.? I knew McCain's policies were the same as Bush, but I had honestly given McCain more credit than he has shown he deserves. I am even more shocked by this action than I was by Bush appointing Gonzales and Monica Goodling! But, I am not the only one who has been further disillusioned by McCain. It can only be good for the Dems.

[CaliTLC]

As an attorney with 20 years experience, I can say that I have NEVER been offered a job after only 1 casual meeting 6 months earlier. It usually involves 2-3 pointed interviews. It might, and I said might, be different if McCain actually knew Ms. Palin for years and decided to talk to her about the job 6 months ago. But he met her for the first time 6 months ago IN PASSING AT A CONFERENCE/MEETING and he decides to entrust this great nation to her. He has no judgment. I would not entrust my dog to a stranger that I'd met only once 6 months ago. Surely he could have put more thought into this choice. Frightening.

Obama-Biden 2008-2016

[grumpygranny66]

He's not looking for a VP , he is seeking a companion. He had his eye on since he saw her
six months ago.

[CaliTLC]

You're right. He knows he'll need to bring her along. I noticed that he stood close enough to read the text of Ms. Palin's remarks along with her yesterday. He acted like a dad on Easter Sunday watching his little daughter read her poem to the church. He was prepared to whisper her lines if she botched them. He smiled proudly when Ms. Palin was done. WOW! Again - frightening.

[flymic]

Palin campaigned for Pat Buchanann in 1996.

Here are some famous quotes by Mr. Buchanann:

www.fair.org/index.php?page=2553

Does Palin Agree with them?!

[420usir]

Why is John McCain looking at her boobs in the photo, I guess we know where his mind is.