McCain Surrogates Struggle To Defend Palin's Experience

There is, it seems, a dearth of effective talking points on Sarah Palin's lack of foreign policy experience. On Monday, McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds went on CNN to defend the vice presidential pick, only to come up blank when asked to name one specific decision Palin has made as commander of Alaska's national guard. Democratic operatives quickly circulated the video.

On Tuesday, Sen. Jon Kyl, another McCain confidante, was given his turn. And the results were equally problematic for the presumptive Republican nominee. Asked by Fox News' Chris Wallace whether Palin was "ready to be president" Kyl's response was, basically, "in time."

"Obviously, in terms of national security decisions over the first months of the McCain administration, that will be done by John McCain," he said. "But also she is a quick study. I suspect that very soon the American people will believe she has got what it takes to be in any situation, even a tough national security situation."

There is, it seems, a sense of glee within Democratic circles that the Palin choice has effectively made the experience argument moot. But, despite an absence of solid talking points on the matter, McCain's camp is clearly still invested in painting Obama as the one wet behind the ears. Earlier on Monday, they sent out an email to reporters lambasting the Democratic nominee for citing his own presidential campaign as an indication of executive gravitas. Bounds called it "desperate circular logic."

And yet, at least right now, the abundance of attention is going to Palin's resume. Asked whether the Alaska governor was ready from day one to take over for McCain, Kyl again was something less than assertive.

"First of all, in a McCain presidency, John McCain will be calling the shots. I think he believes that, through the campaign and the early part of this administration, she's a very quick study and she is tough. And I think he sees her as someone that could clearly step into his shoes should be necessary. She brings other things that relate to the economy, oil exploration, to the kind of issues that John McCain tends to talk about less. Therefore, they complement each other very well."

Comments

[rangem]

what s to defend she cant even lead her own familly how will she lead anything else

[MyAudacity]

But, how will she help him govern, or does he not need help? What will she bring to the table coffee and donuts, or assessments on handling foreign affairs of which she has not previously been involved. Should we be concerned as to what the "Master" will teach her, or concerned that he usually respond to the last voice heard. Is she another puppet brought on board. Somehow, I think Sara Palin will get the last laugh, and the Republican's may have bitten off more than they can chew with this very ambitious woman.....when she gets her toe in office, it may be McCain who will sit at the feet of the "Mistress", and learn of her. If this wasn't so dangerous for America, it would be comical.

[brod]

sorry I couldnt help it - I had to dip Sarah Palin in the Chocolate!

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v338/198/14/698285146/n698285146_4082191_8248.jpg

[Bubba Gump]

Sarah Palin's experience is almost non-existant. Yes, she was mayor of a small town (less than 9000) for a few years. So that qualifies her to assume command of the United States if "Older Than Dirt" McCain dies? No, it doesn't. I'll give her the year-and-a-half as governor of Alaska. But let me ask you, would you expect a college sophomore to be ready to jump up to graduate school, if her mentor should die? That's the load of BS the GOP expects us to choke down as a truth; I don't buy it! And as for McCain -- what does this reckless choice prove to us about his leadership?

Vote Obama/Biden!

[lovethesinner]

Here's something I wasn't expecting...

Not only has McCain sent out the PALIN TALKING POINTS to the Washington Republicans, but he's got the new mayor of Wasilla in on the act. Listen to this quote from POLITICO:

“My personal opinion is that Sarah Palin has more executive experience than anybody on the ticket,” said Keller. “She was the mayor for six years, and as I shared with you it is a strong mayor form of government, which means you are the mayor for the city. You do make decisions on a day-to-day basis. She has been the governor for about 1½ to two years and I think that Sarah Palin is a very articulate individual. I think she shares the values that I share. And I think that she is a very quick study.”

Sounds like Karl Rove called her personally and coached her over the phone.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13104.html

I think "a strong mayor form of government" was all hers though.

[rankola]

"strong mayor form of government?"

Hmmm...the person who said this obviously does not know who Mayor Richard Daley is! Daley wields more power as mayor of chicago than any of the governors in the state since he's been in office (that includes 3 republican governors--thompson, edgar, ryan--and one democrat--blago).

[emory]

THEIR STRUGGLING TO KEEP A STRAIT FACE

[leaenforcer]

If you are a police officer or a loved one of an officer, if you want to get some idea of who Palin is and the kind of folks she will have around her go to the Anchorage Daily news website and listen to the recording of a phone call between her staffer Frank Bailey and an LT. in the Alaska State Police.

She released this as evidence she wasn't pressuring anyone in the troopergate investigation. The amazing thing is that for half of the call Bailey is asking this Lt. to devulge info on contract negotiations with the union (PSCA) that he may receive as a union member. Clearly Bailey thought (incorrectly) that this Lt. was a union member when asking this. The Lt. responded well.. In fact, the Lt. had to educate this staffer on the difference between managment and labor.

Still it makes you wonder what does this say about Palin's attitude about unions and cops represented by unions? Here it for yourself and make your judgments. It creeps me out.

[Ninja]

Will you please post the link? Thanks.

[screengoddess]

this is the link. http://www.adn.com/monegan/story/493360.html

[JonG345]

CRAZY NEWS!!!!!

--On March 6, the governor announced she was seven months pregnant, to the surprise of everyone.
--Sarah Palin's water broke a month before Trig was due, but she kept a speaking date in Texas, then flew eight hours, direct, home to Alaska.
--Upon going into labor, instead of heading to an Anchorage medical facility that could best accommodate a premature birth, she drove 45 minutes to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, outside Wasilla, where she was mayor.
--On April 18, 2008, Trig Palin, who has Down's Syndrome, was born a month premature. Sarah Palin returned to work after just three days.
--Bristol Palin was taken out of Anchorage High School due to "mononucleosis." She was absent from school for 5-8 months. IT WAS DURING THIS TIME OF ILLNESS THAT SHE WOULD HAVE HAD TO BECOME PREGNANT FOR CURRENT STORIES TO BE TRUE.

[112985]

WHATS DOES THAT HAS TO DO WITH ANYTHING!!!!!

[DRaymond]

Well, the surrogates may be having trouble, but the whip teams are right on board. Notice how Sarah Palin got huge and long cheers every time her name was mentioned? That's the whip teams. There job is to essentially act like conductors. To make sure that the crowd cheers at the right places, cheers the right things loudest, starts the right chants at the right times, and make sure that they do not go over long. They help frame the message, let the speaker get in whole sentences without interruptions, and keep the convention on time.

And it was very very clear that their marching orders on the first night was to make sure that there was absolutely no doubt about the enthusiasm of the party for Palin. Even to the point that it may have left the listener of viewer thinking 'don't these guys read the papers, or what do they know that I don't?'

[emory]

IT'S CALLED AN APPLAUSE SIGN

[dotmafia]

Sarah Palin at SIX-MONTHS pregnant on Super Tuesday in February 2008:

http://media.adn.com/smedia/2008/03/09/01/307-3504041.standalone.prod_affiliate.7.jpg

Palin family photo during holidays. Palin should be FOUR-MONTHS pregnant. NOTE: the arm positions of her daughter Bristol:

http://media.adn.com/smedia/2008/03/09/01/687-3504039.standalone.prod_affiliate.7.jpg

Anything appear strange to you?

[JonG345]

CRAZY NEWS!!!!!

--On March 6, the governor announced she was seven months pregnant, to the surprise of everyone.
--Sarah Palin's water broke a month before Trig was due, but she kept a speaking date in Texas, then flew eight hours, direct, home to Alaska.
--Upon going into labor, instead of heading to an Anchorage medical facility that could best accommodate a premature birth, she drove 45 minutes to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, outside Wasilla, where she was mayor.
--On April 18, 2008, Trig Palin, who has Down's Syndrome, was born a month premature. Sarah Palin returned to work after just three days.
--Bristol Palin was taken out of Anchorage High School due to "mononucleosis." She was absent from school for 5-8 months. IT WAS DURING THIS TIME OF ILLNESS THAT SHE WOULD HAVE HAD TO BECOME PREGNANT FOR CURRENT STORIES TO BE TRUE.

[bartonfink]

go to dailykos for updates on this (for now) static thread. unfortunately, the nat'l enquirer is probably gonna break any new info about this seemly business. no one else is interested

[gtalkspolitics]

Who listens to anything Republicans has to say? ore MSM? They prove how fiscal conservative they are!!! how well they ran this country ......Oh Yeh American you all voted for GB/DC twice...

[Granmapat]

Sarah P is terrible for women. She become what she is on the coat tails of women who worked hard for women to become what they can today. Now she is going to turn this backwards for women. She is against all that women fought hard to be. That is terrible for women. I am truly alarmed that what she will do to women of the future. She used us then turned against us. She fought her way to the top then threw us all away on her quest. She is not a sister. She is a traitor. Please remember this when you vote.

[FirstShirt]

"She is against all that women fought hard to be. "

As a guy I defer to your knowledge on this but I do want to observe that a strong woman who defeats men at their own game and has her own way of doing things seems to me to be a self actualized woman who would gain your respect.

And, I will remember it when I vote. I'll remember the women who fought for equal rights were not only left wing radical bra burners but right wing civil libertarians who believe in the right of the unborn to live.

[gtalkspolitics]

Someone please name something this lady had done on a National (US) level that would make her ready to lead... The state of Alaska is NOTHING like the mainlands in the US these are the same people that voted for George Bush and Dick Chaney ... Twice>>>>>> who would be dumb enough to began to listen at MSM or anything a Republican has to say????

[swift goat pet for truth]

Do not underestimate this woman. She is tough and she is smart.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/insider/politics/july-dec08/carey_09-02.html

And she really knows how get things done.
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/09/02/the-case-against-the-case-against-palin.aspx

[DCinFrance]

Clever, maybe. Smart? As in intelligent? I hear stupid in her voice. Detecting stupid in people's voices have served me well.

[FirstShirt]

Then you must have been getting incredible vibes at the DNC convention.

[lippy33]

McCain calling the shots? LOL!! He isn't even calling the shots in his own campaign, hence Sarah Palin.