Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Incredibly stunning to say the least, yet even on reasonably practical reflection, we may be witnessing another Dan Quayle selection moment in American politics. First termer and former beauty queen Gov. Sarah Palin! Was she that fully vetted? Can't wait to read all of her speeches in support of those Bush administration policies McCain claims to have walked away from.

So this is John McCain's bait to dissatisfied Hillary supporters? Sen. Obama was correct... John McCain just doesn't get it. He actually believes Rush Limbaugh who had to have collectively brainwashed the McCain operation that placing a neophyte female Alaskan governor on the ticket would convert the "over 50" Democratic moms to the GOP fold.

To think that McCain turned down far more nationally qualified individuals who have now been relegated to subordinate status in the pecking order of GOP politics:

1. Mitt Romney
2. Tim Pawlenty
3. Tom Ridge
4. Lindsey Graham
5. Charlie Crist
6. Joe Lieberman
7. Carly Fiorina

How must they feel? Dwarfed at the altar by a total unknown. Each rejected candidate now having to gamely march out before the national media to defend this singular act of a political Hail Mary pass. To steal an old adage of former Secretary of State James Baker... putting Sarah Palin into a debate with Joe Biden is going to be like throwing Howdy Doody into a knife fight!

Not to denigrate Gov. Palin the person -- she has a beguiling bio and has strong conservative, western credentials. She did not make any fatal error at her national political debut. After all she did get elected governor of a state. By definition she may be your typical "hockey mom." She may be all McCain claims she is in his introduction of her, but this is the person McCain will entrust to be a heartbeat away from the presidency? To be a commander-in-chief when the nation is fighting two wars???

Give McCain his due and applaud with one hand his audaciousness. Self-indulgence has long been McCain's dark underbelly. McCain's 72nd birthday present to himself... leaping without a parachute into the poltical unknown. It may turn out to be a game-changer. A potentially clever roll of the dice in a high-risk/high-reward to reach out to women and independents. But it appears more rash than rational.

If the McCain campaign was hoping to make the issue of experience a determining factor... it just took that issue completely off the table. McCain's campaign had to have recently concluded that the "experience" argument against Obama was not getting them anywhere, so now McCain is trying to steal away the "change" argument by redefining the race going into the GOP convention. Good luck!

Pure as the driven Alaskan snow... welcome Gov. Palin to the intense limelight of the national stage and the collective sounds of shocked gulps from your own party.

Read more reaction from HuffPost bloggers to John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate

Comments

[Evelyn]

"Palin opposes the Bush administration's decision to list polar bears as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Palin argues there isn't enough evidence to support a listing, and she fears it will harm oil and gas development in prime polar bear habitat off Alaska's northern and northwestern coasts."

Oh my God, this election should be like taking candy from a baby. She's against polar bears, for the love of Pete! Who doesn't love polar bears?? Bring on the Coke ads with the cute bears, and then remind voters that Mrs. Palin opposes polar bears!

[tkondaks]

Yes, let's do that.
And then the Right will bring on the cute and cuddly racist demagogue Jeremiah Wright and the self-admitted terrorist William Ayers and we'll see whether the voters remember polar bears.

[metalpipe]

You are kidding, right?

[TRYKER]

She's suing the feds to stop the listing of polar bears. Though she had a conference with scientists, which was conclusive about the threat, she came away saying there was just not enough evidence.
She was against giving the state's residents their share of the oil revenues in rebate checks.
Sound familiar? More $ for the big wigs and nothing for the citizens.
McCain is already in a melt down, now his "ice-cream-cookie" can join in the melt, right before our very eyes.
They're hoping the hurricane will postpone their convention...in Minnesota? Heavy hurricane country, that land of 10,000 lakes on the Canadian border right by Florida.
Sorry fellas, you're going to have to go a-l-l the w-a-y through your pitiful convention and Gov Pawlenty isn't going to be owing you too many favors either!
Its a BWA HA HA moment.

[zoozey]

Great point!

[GrainOSand]

The selection of Governor Palin as the Republican vice presidential candidate is a case of going beyond the pale in terms of speaking to women’s issues. It is women as electoral object to be manipulated versus human being to be considered in all things America like, pay, choice, equal rights under the law, or the simple acknowledgement that anything a man can do a woman can do just as well or better (with some obvious exceptions).

Beyond the pale means:
An action that is regarded as outside the limits of acceptable behavior, which is unacceptable or improper

Therefore, I arrive at -- The selection of a woman, as the VP choice of the Republican Party is, “Beyond the Palin” in that it is an illegitimate or improper endorsement of woman -- an afterthought, a cheap calculation, versus a deliberate and worthy meditation on the idea of honoring/saluting women. If I were a woman, I would be offended to think that I am thought of as a rube. This is what you would have to be in not being convinced after last night, that Barack Obama is the change we have been waiting for in that he has stated we are the change we have been waiting for. McCain wants to play cheap parlor games instead of addressing the real issues concerning women and the other challenges facing America. Barack Obama has said he wants us all to make America better not his VP choice as gimmick.

[JimReed]

Give the man a break. McCain didn't really have any good choices here.

[Anastasia]

Ah yes, but this is the worst choice.

It's impossible to believe that John McCain would support her candidacy, were she running for president in the primaries. It's the most cynical pick for a VP since Spiro Agnew.

[GrainOSand]

He could have picked someone more credible (man or woman, blue, green, red, yellow Muslim, Hindu, lesbian, whatever) and run on his record and utilized honest above board tactics to persuade voters that he is worthy. Instead, he stooped and forever cemented in the minds of any reasonable people who still held doubt, that he is the wrong man, at the wrong time, with the wrong message.

John McCain -- wrong for American progress and right for American decline!

[wolfgangmo]

I'm sure he had tons of good choices. They just said HELL NO when he asked.

[zoozey]

and remember that she represents what McCain probably thinks of women....beauty queen, soccer Mom, non-stop pregnant.

Did anyone notice how sort of sad Cindy McCain looked? Nothing like the constant group hugging of Michelle and Jill Biden--two women who sincerely looked like the admired and each other and were united in a sisterhood. Cindy McCain had the look of second runner up to the beauty Queen.

[philosopherkingtomas]

Troopergate Scandal for "PERILS" and Keating Five for Grandpa McCain. Are they both POW's????

[GhiaccioPronto]

Maybe when you divorce the Governors sister, you shouldn't taser her 10 year old nephew and threaten to murder her father

[NABNYC]

I think everyone is being a little hard on Sarah. After all, it isn't her fault that every other Republican declined the position, even that Wal-Mart clerk from Minnesota. And I don't think it's fair to blame John McCain either. It's like Thursday night on prom week-end and his girlfriend dumped him, so he's scrambling for a date, goes to all the other schools in the area, in the state, in the continent, no luck, but he finally locates someone. I mean it's better than going alone. Can you imagine the convention if they had to print posters saying Vote McCain And No One?

Besides, whatever happens in November, I'm hot on a children's book series that will probably fund my retirement. Titled "Grandpa McCain and the Beauty Queen." It will be like Nancy Drew, except instead of a young, intelligent, curious female the protagonist will be an old man, but his BFF is a beauty queen. And they'll have adventures, like go to Minnesota. They could do stake-outs in the airport bathrooms. He'll be wearing suits, and she'll be wearing gowns and a tiara. I think this has real money potential.

[rubinoff]

I believe, at his age, he had a 'senior moment.'

[GrainOSand]

Forever the capitalist. Funny!

[rucognizant]

Oh can I illustrate It? I am a professional illustrator, just finished a historic kids book.....and I would ............LOoooooooVE .....................to get into those pictures!
I do satire well.

[Anastasia]

Actually, there is an piece up on WaPO that says that both Mitt Romney and Pawlenty, not only wanted it, but were led to believe it was a real possibility.

BTW - I know someone who is close to the Romney campaign and he was actively seeking the VP slot.

"the Palin pick left bruised feelings among the short-list contenders who were not picked -- and infuriated some Republican officials who privately said McCain had gone out on a limb, unnecessarily, without laying the groundwork for such an unknown. Two senior Republican officials close to Mitt Romney and Tim
Pawlenty said they had both been rudely strung along and now "feel manipulated."

"They now know that they were used as decoys, well after McCain had decided not to pick them," one Republican involved in the process said."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/08/29/palin_pick_leaves_bruised_feel.html

[GRACE727]

You got to be kidding me!! The republicans actually believe that by choosing a woman as their VP it's going to make Hilary voters swing his way. Absolutely NOT! I am a strong Hillary supporter and I really wanted Obama to pick her as a VP. In the end, I am a democrat and I must support Obama to help get my party back in Office once again. Hillary will remain involved and a strong advocate for health care and woman. She will one day be president. This just was not her time. Now, as for this Alaskan woman ( ? what's her name) Sorry, but you will NOT get my vote because you do not stand for what a democratic woman needs. ATTENTION HILLARY VOTERS!!! DO NOT LET THE REPUBLICANS USE US AS PUPPETS BY USING STUPID TACTICS TO GET US TO VOTE FOR MCAIN. IN THE END, HE WILL BECOME PRESIDENT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOSE OUR HOMES, HEALTHCARE AND JOBS. THIS IS THE TYPICAL REPUBLICAN GAME TO GET INTO THE WHITE HOUSE IN THE EXPENSE OF OUR PAIN FOR NOT HAVING HILLARY AS OUR VP. BE AWARE!!!!!!!

[maceG1]

don't forget that she's also against a woman's right to choose!

[metalpipe]

And she doesn't like polar bears.

[wolfgangmo]

I do not think this is about Hillary voters. I think this is about shoring up his lunatic base.

They have computers to take care of the Hillary voters.

[redrobin]

PALIN?

What a HOOT!

McCain thinks he'll swing Hillary's voters over with HER? PALIN'S PRO-CHOICE. Good lord, is the GOP THAT STUPID?

And McCain says Palin's an 'experienced' manager?

What? She's only 'managed' a state for 1 1/2 years that in population, is smaller than MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE! The whole STATE of Alaska is only FOUR PERCENT the size of CHICAGO!

And depth of management 'experience?' Is that suppose to be as a Mayor of a town, LESS than 7,000 population?

Palin's a desperate pick, and if McCain were to be elected, puts our whole country AT AN EVEN HIGHER RISK if McCain expires some time during his term, which is VERY possible considering his very advanced age.

Obama has carefully looked after America's best interest, as McCain says, COUNTRY-FIRST, and NOT for political reasons, making THE best choice for a VP in Joe Biden, because of Biden's deep experience and years of results concerning foreign policy matters, domestic reform, and our national security.

So now McCain wants to give us a hockey mom, one heart-beat away from the Presidency, and all that entails?

Isn't she now to be instead, McCain's Cheney?

PLEASE, this has got to be the biggest joke in political history, and if it wasn't so incredibly serious, it might even be funny.

Now the risk of RISK for American if McCain is elected, has just been hit out of the ball park!

PLEASE, OBAMA! SAVE ALL AMERICAN FROM THIS DIRE POSSIBILITY!

[midknightryder13]

I think you meant to say "Palin's pro-life". Or, as I prefer to phrase it "anti-trust in women's ability to control their own bodies and make their own decisions".

[Overd0g]

Has Obama even managed a lemonade stand?

[wolfgangmo]

To the best of my knowledge, no.

On the other hand, to the best of my knowledge you have never learned to stop peeing your pants in public, so what do I know.

[metalpipe]

He has expertly managed this country's most historic primary campaign, which by the way was longer than Sarah's entire time as Gov of Alaska.

[Heartlight3]

He managed a well organized and well conducted primary campaign which succeeded against one of the most beloved and experienced opponents in the Democratic Party. He also successfully designed, organized and flawlessly executed a spectacular and complex convention, which in my opinion demonstrates an uncommon talent and ability for management. Could you have done that? If he manages the country half as well as he has managed his campaign and convention he will be the best thing that could possibly happen to this country. I don't see particularly credible management skills in John McCain. I would risk Obama's demonstrated management ability for this country against McCain's any time.

[LeftRight]

He managed the most successful Presidential Primary campaign in HISTORY!! He took on the Clinton name and background, and he WON. In addition, his campaign employs more people than live in your Palin's state!

[timinhi]

Ambassador:

You're assuming that

1. Mitt Romney
2. Tim Pawlenty
3. Tom Ridge
4. Lindsey Graham
5. Charlie Crist
6. Joe Lieberman
7. Carly Fiorina

wanted the job. Maybe each of them was offered the veep slot by McCain and they turned him down flat. I would.

[tbirdalum]

You know what, this is an example of McBush's sense of humor. I'll bet he's sitting back and laughing his butt off. Mainly, because he knows that if he won by some far-reaching stretch of the imagination that he would leave us all in good hands, my friends in case he bites the bullet.

[Clois]

This is too funny... A partial scholarship! LOL

[wbramh]

I agree.
Why would Romney want to be part of a losing ticket and tarnish his chances in 2012?
Or any of the others on your list, for that matter?
The ex-beauty queen Palin probably looks at it a different way.
She thinks the runner-up gets a partial scholarship.

[Ozarks]

Lieberman woulda taken it in heartbeat

[Mildmannered]

I think Romney want it, wanted it bad.

[talljohn777]

Incredible how all of you are so misinformed and blind.....

Sarah Palin has more executive experience then all three of the other men in this race combined. She is also the only won of the four that has had to deal directly with foreign governments, Russia and Canada. She is the only one that has cut taxes and reduced spending. She is a reform governor…..She talks the talk and walks the walk.

And all of you that are talking about Biden dismantling her in a debate. This woman’s nickname is the Barracuda. She also hasn’t been a serial plagiarist….. Biden is going to be in trouble…..

Just keep being smug and stupid and you will never see it coming……

[CostaMesaJoe]

LMFAO.
She got the nickname from playing in high school basketball team you twit! WTF!

The GOP's GED brigade is just way too fun to watch....

[NatteringNabobs]

Being mayor of Northern Exposure and being called the barracuda pales in comparison to the onslaught she's in for.

I find 18 months as gov of Alaska less experience than Obama's meager 3 years as a community organizer. She's got a BA from Idaho in journalism vs to lawyers, one from Harvard Law.

She's a guppy in a shark tank.

[Evelyn]

Are you for real? 20 months as governor of the 47th smallest state by population, versus 35 years in the US senate, and chairmanship of the Senate foreign relations committee?

[tuttlemsm]

"Are you for real? 20 months as governor of the 47th smallest state by population, versus 35 years in the US senate, and chairmanship of the Senate foreign relations committee?"

Her state is younger than McCain.

[tkondaks]

35 years in the Senate? Barack only got elected a few years ago.
Look, she is more qualified than Barack and she's better looking than him, to boot!
I am woman hear me roar...(and I'm a MALE singing that!)

[bimplebean]

"More executive experience" than Biden? More than McCain? I don't think so. Or, how about 'political' experience? Life experience?

"Dealing directly with foreign governments." Over what? Fishing rights? It is to laugh.

"Cut taxes and reduced spending." Gotta give you that one. Good for her.

"Serial Plaigarist?" Serial?

Now you're just slinging the hyperbole hash.

[wbramh]

Right. Right.
We were all just sitting around saying that same thing.
This woman is obviously a cross between a young Winston Churchill with a pinch of Teddy Roosevelt and Ghandi.

Must be the moose meat.

With Sarah Palin as his adversary, I'm sure Senator Biden is already considering dropping out of the race for the good of the Democratic Party.

[baseball101]

My favorite new talking point that is out there with the McSame VP pick is : "Well Sarah Palin has more 'exeuctive experience' than Obama so any new experience argument becuase of her in the race doesn't matter because she has more executive experience." See here is the flaw in that logic. What I guess you are telling me than is that to be President, you must have executvie experience somewhere. I understand that she was a mayor and now governor and that, in Alaska anyway, she is doing ok, but this means, by this new goalpost of "exeuctive experience" that out of the 4 Pres. and VP candidates we now have, only she would be qualified to be president. You see becuase John McSame's entire political experience (from his own website, look it up) is 4 years in the House begining in 1982 and then taking over Barry Goldwarter's Senate seat in 1986. So yeah, by the new goalpost you have set, Palin technically has more "experience" than McCain. So nice try trolls and rethug pundits. Not gonna work.

[becky]

LET THE SEXISM BEGIN!

[jb1983h]

The Hillary votes who vote for McCain would do a disservice to Hillary. If McCain gets elected, forget Hillary for 2012 or 2016. Palin will be the Republican nominee, with more experience in 2012 or 2016.

[sociocanuck]

Yup, I totally agree. If PUMAs vote for McCain/Palin out of spite, they will be the own undoers of Hillary's potential comeback in 2012. Nobody else, though they'll find a way to deflect yet again I'm sure.

[lemonyashes]

Pumas do not give any support from Hillary voters since they are repug trolls and never would've voted for Hillaary had she won. So PUMA votes have always been republican votes for republicans. Their boss is Rush Limbaugh, it's a 'Charlie's Angels' type relationship.

[optech007]

She is the only person on either ticket with any executive experience. The problem for McCain, as I see it, is that she has even more experience than him.

[lisasolodwarren]

NOT pure as the driven snow. Under indictment. check your facts.

[bimplebean]

Check YOURS. Under investigation, maybe, not indictment. An investigation she is fully cooperating with -- check her WikiPedia article.

If you're going to weigh in on this battle, regardless of the side, check your ammo.

[LongBeachDave]

Yes, and that investigation found that she was less than truthful in her initial recounting of the facts.

[purgatini]

Wikipedia is not a legitimate source. High school seniors know this.

[JesustheLiberal]

For six months the republic party has been telling America that a woman cannot handle the job and Obama is too inexperienced.....

Now they pick a woman who is younger than either Hil or Obama, from a state they were going to win, and all that dirty political baggage of Alaskan politics and they think Hil supporters and women in general are stupid enough to fall for that.....

for that matter, will old conservative men be happy knowing that a 44 yo woman with virtually no executive experience and zero understanding of world issues is their back up to an old man who's only slogan is " Vote for me, I was a POW"...is this what they mean by national security????

That is really good thinking there Karl! I guess the advice you gave your party in 06 was so good they brought you back to finally kill off the remains of a once decent party before the religious freaks and neocons hijacked it. I

[LeftRight]

Yeah, because we all know that wikipedia (especially after something like a nomination for veep!!) is SO accurate!

[LeftRight]

Technically under investigation, not indictment..... Still bad, just less likely to go to trial in the next couple of months.

[milo44]

you are so right about Hillary ,orianna. she is the first person that I thought of...

[UrbanInterloper]

This pick is a head-scratcher, but here's one of several theories floating around my head today: maybe no other Republican survived the scrutiny of the vetting process. The party has been having challenges these past few years with things like corruption, cronyism, incompetence and bathroom stalls. Maybe Palin's actually got the fewest skeletons in her closet.

[gigi09]

She's got attitude!