Sarah Palin: Did The Blogs Create McCain's VP Pick?

Slate:

According to both the Aug. 29 Anchorage Daily News and the June 13 Colorado Springs Gazette, Sarah Palin became John McCain's vice presidential candidate largely through the machinations of someone even younger and less experienced than herself:

The hype can probably be traced to the Web site of a 21-year-old college senior majoring in political science at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Adam Brickley, a political buff who will graduate in May, started a "Draft Sarah Palin for Vice President" blog last year and has relentlessly promoted the idea ever since.

Brickley has never been to Alaska or met Palin. But while researching potential vice presidents, he stumbled on Palin and thought she would be a good No. 2 to just about all of the major Republican candidates in the race at the time. ...The "Draft Palin" movement picked up momentum in more mainstream media, including a column last summer by Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard. Others followed, including talk over the past couple weeks from conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. [Actually, Limbaugh's been chatting up Palin since Feb. 2008; Brickley created his blog in Feb. 2007, during his sophomore year.]

Read the whole story: Slate

Comments

[Jurisgator]

Do you have any tips for the investigation into Gov. Palin's handling of the Wooten matter? Call them in! [phone]

[nicholasclaxton]

yeah - she's in with the Bush - Cheney - McCain - Rove Peeps now - they should just give up as it will get 'swept away'.....

Accountability!
O n JOE '08

[nicholasclaxton]

Instead of imagining the day when a black man or a woman could be in the white house -
Why doesn't everyone collectively imagine the day that would be even more glorious than those choices - Imagine the day when we have 85%+ voter turnout based on the ISSUES and POLICIES!

O n JOE '08

[BBackSoon]

osted this a while back. I didn't see it being a woman.

"There is no way the repugs actually think they can get this guy elected. As I have stated before, health issues will arise just prior to the General Election that will force McSame to drop out. Some charismatic right wing nobody will take the stage and will generate that same Obama-esk buzz and we will get 4 more years of Bushco rule. The Neocons led by Rove play to win and there is no way they expect McSame to finish this campaign.

posted Aug 07, 2008 at 14:23:13"

[philosopherkingtomas]

Palin "whaling is a source of bio-fuel and oil"! really, did I mention McCain was a POW ???

[KIMBER]

McCain's Harriet Meiers moment. If he thinks any woman who supported Hillary is going to buy this he's nuts because she's diametrically opposed to all of their values.
Of course, we're going to have a crop of PUMA's (the 2008 version of the Brooks Brothers brigade) who are going to pretend to support McCain for this, but they don't exist as a group outside of the Rethug's stable of attack-bots.
Go Obama/Biden - the best ticket of my lifetime.

[NYC07]

Vice President or Home Care Attendent ?

[AnnieinOR]

Former Republican Congressman and host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough said, "If John McCain's campaign thinks he can get Hillary Clinton voters by choosing Palin it is condescending and insulting to women and it is a terrible political faux pax."

[RabidRightRebel]

Did McCain just pick Marge Simpon as his Vice-Presidential running mate?

[zull2]

Hah, remember, no matter how stupid the decision, you'll always find a person who supported it if you look. It's just easier now with the Internet available.

[Daniboy]

A 2 year governor beats a 4 year senator who has been running for president all four year in the experience category. Please, please attack her on the inexperience, Barrack !!

[Sumocat]

Maybe you haven't been paying attention, but it's been everyone but Obama who've been trying to make experience the deciding factor. Obama need not attack Palin on experience. It's McCain who can now no longer attack Obama on being "unprepared".

[Pamela1961]

Obama's campaign has done nothing but bash her on her lack of experience all day. I don't think that was a smart move on their part. I could be wrong. In any case no matter who wins we will have a historic winner, it shall either be a multi-racial President or a woman with multi-racial children as Vice President. So barriers have been broken.

[nicholasclaxton]

you seem to be forgetting his time in the Ill Congress, the vast difference in the populations, the work he has done on several committees, and the fact he also has joe biden behind him....

the point that is being made about experience is: what happens to US if something happens to McPODubya -- we this NATION will be relying on someone who has not the experience to run a country in shape or form regardless of running a town. Shes been a gov for barely 2 years and is already facing investigation and let us not forget Alaskan Politics and the corruption that it breeds.

Experience on many levels does count but its the TYPE of experience you bring and she doesn't have it. Period.

[LeftLeaner]

Thank you, John McCain.

I thought you were going to swallow yor pride and pick a running mate who could bring you Minnesota and many of the Evangelical votes, who are not very happy with you.

Now, all you have is an experienced woman, who, unlike Hillary's followers, has a right wing agenda.

To summarize, you can now NOT even tout the "EXPERIENCE" card any more (which was questionable at best).

I'm sooooooooo­oooooooooo­oooooooooo­ooooo looking forward to the VP debates - LMAO!

Again, Thank you, John McCain.

I'm sure Barack and Joe are pleased with your choice as well.

[LeftLeaner]

Obviously, I meant "IN"experienced woman.

[garrylee]

ENOUGH-- of the bullcrap. As a woman and a supporter of Obama I reject being called ignorant. Women, such as myself are interested in the issues. Yes, Clinton was absolutely a contender who happens to be a woman. Are we reduced to voting for the anatomy? Enough. Impress me Ms. Palin; Obama had to give a speech on race relations--Lets her your speech about women in this society. Please do not fall on the cliche its about time. Since the American Indians were here first they can make a better claim. ...Also, how is your relationship with the Aluetians????

[notthistime]

larger than that, here views are the same as McCains. She now supports 4 more years of GW Bush

[gevan]

Does this mean that the Republicans will sweep all the states that begin with "A"?

[merle7]

Now the disgruntled Hillary women voters have a woman they can vote for . Even though it is not Hillary they don't care she is still female.. Her republican value system doesn't matter she is still female. She brings history to the ticket as the first woman on the GOP ticket. Her pro-life values won't stand in the way of Hillary women supporters who claim to be pro-choice. At least they finally have a good excuse other than Barack Obama stepped out of line and took Hillary's spot to vote for John McCain. If Hillary supporters voted for Hillary because of what she stood for this choice will probably not matter,but if they voted based on gender then McCain/Palin is their ticket

May God Bless them all !!!!!!!

[mama mac]

Hoping this is sarcasm....

Real supporters of Hillary know better than to be taken in by this pander.

[edwarvir]

Yes! He did. The Puma's helped him to make a F$$$ of himself.
WHERE IS THE BEEF ? METHUSELAH You let the Puma's play you!

[mama mac]

PUMAs are all Republican plant people anyway. He just got confused.