Palin: It Wasn't a Tactical Decision.

Enough with the analyses and assumptions of "electoral tactics" playing a role in John McCain's vice-presidential pick.

John McCain said he would pick the most qualified candidate for the job of vice-president.

John McCain picked Sarah Palin.

Why?

Because John McCain believes Sarah Palin is the most qualified person in America for the job of vice-president.

Stop overanalyzing it.

The End.

Comments

[djarvis]

If John McCain really believes that Sarah Palin is the most qualified person in America to be Vice President of the United States, it shows that he is out of his mind. How can he believe that a person who has served as governor of Alaska for less than two years, has no foreign policy experience (at all), and even admitted to not knowing what the vice president does is the most qualified to be his running mate? How can he say this when he only spoke to her once before choosing her to be on the ticket? Complete nonsense!!

[RumiSouth]

You just listed her qualifications. They ARE complete nonsense...unless your name is John McCain.

[sb250guy]

OK. So what you are saying is that John McCain is just f**king crazy. I can buy that. I hope you are right.

I still think there is something else going on (though I can't figure out what). I, like most other Obama supporters, would have immediately tried to find flaws with whoever he picked (c'mon, you know we would have). However, I continue to be confused by McCain's pick. It seems like such a gift (and that is exactly why I feel so uneasy).

[ivangoldstein]

I thought about Iraq back in 2002 and had a better understanding of what would happen simply by reading a few international newspapers than Mccain did. His choice to be president hasn't even given a thought to Iraq yet....over 5 years in.

I am just a salesperson that reads. But I know I know more about foreign affairs than Sarah Palin.

[TexanJane]

With the selection of Palin, Democrats should DEMAND McCain release his medical records.

It's more important now than ever before.

Does any one doubt that if the situation were reversed the GOP would do otherswise?

[TexanJane]

Did Monica Gooling have the final say?

Palin was chosen for VP with the same reckless disregard for competence as underqualified lawyers were for admittance to the DoJ.

As were UNqualified hacks hired by the Bush administration to oversee the restructuring of the entire government of Iraq.

Proving once again that he is a clone of George Bush, McCain selected a running mate solely for her ideology.

By his own litmus test, I wouldn't be surprised if he's eyeing Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity for Cabinet positions. No doubt Cindy would argue that by living in Florida Rush's close proximity to Cuba makes him an expert on foreign affairs.

[jazzman]

So what you're saying is that McCain believes that Palin is the best choice and what we are seeing is his judgment in action.

I get it and I agree. Now let's talk about his judgment...

[Rog49Thomas]

The choice of Palin makes perfect "sense" if one believes that the "transcendent" issues facing us are
(a) unrestricted and uncontrolled flag burning
(b) the assault on marriage from gay folks
(c) the war on Christmas

If you're one of those folks obsessed with real national and economic security, with social justice, and other issues you just don't get it.

[jcwtts1]

It was a tactical decision. Bad tactics bad strategy. Another monumentally bad decision. The End

[Anastasia]

For a terrific opinion piece on the Palin pick, check out Michael Kinsley's latest column in the Washington Post. He essentially calls McCain and the pundits who are bending over backwards for him on this, liars.

"We all know that modern political campaigns choose their issues from the cafeteria line, after market-testing them and then having them professionally framed. Rarely, though, are we offered such a clear and unarguable example. How could anyone truly believe that Barack Obama's background and job history are inadequate experience for a president and simultaneously believe that Sarah Palin's background and job history are adequate? It's possible to believe one or the other. But both? Simply not possible. John McCain has been -- what's the word? -- lying. And so have all the pundits who rushed to defend McCain's choice."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/31/AR2008083101553.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

[Pupadup4oBama]

Great link!!! thanks Anastasia

[robeson]

Here are some of McCain's reasons.

"McCain, cited Palin's stint as governor of a "state that produces 20 percent of America's energy" as well as her previous membership in the PTA and her time spent on the city council and in the mayor's office in Wasilla, a town of fewer than 7,000 people outside Anchorage."

How he left out Palin's newspaper route can be attributed to old age.

[dudervision]

Palin was a brilliant choice because it succeed in completely diffusing the amazing Democratic Convention. By 10 am (PST) of the next day, NOBODY was talking about Obama and EVERYBODY was talking about Palin. She had taken everybody's eyes off Obama and placed them squarely on her.

As an Obama supporter, we have an amazing opportunity right now. As Hurricane Gustav rolls towards New Orleans and, at the very least, will cause major destruction somewhere along the coast line, if not in NO, everybody has turned their gaze south. Sure, the pundits are still wrapped up in Miss Alaska runner-up but much of the MSM along with most Americans are no longer looking at her.

We can work to first make sure we shift the focus back to McCain. Then, we need to determine how to use Palin and her weaknesses to emphasize what I sense is the heart of your story. John McCain just decided on his own that this woman was qualified based on "his gut". George Bush using "his gut" was what has gotten us into all kinds of horrible catastrophes over the past 8 years. So, we need to use her as a way of emphasizing that McCain makes wreckless decisions entirely on his own and often doesn't listen to experts. In the complex world we live in, THAT IS SUICIDAL!

This is an opportunity

[Shanti]

I agree that Sarah Palin was politically a brilliant choice, but so much for the GOP slogan: "Country first ". We pander to the extreme right would be closer to the truth!

[Svendem]

Oh I dunno about that. If McCain went out naked in public, EVERYBODY would be talking about that too. It wouldn't necessarily make it a 'brilliant' move on his part.

We'll just see how this pans out. Personally I don't think it'll work. Americans may love their 'soccer moms', but at the end of the day, it doesn't mean they want one in the White House.

[Dave24]

Palin is the personification of political pandering. She's going to wag her baby instead of her finger at pro-choice Democrats.

McCain didn't choose her because she's strong; he chose her precisely because she's weak. She won't contribute anything to a McCain administration: except an image. If she proposes something, McCain will laugh at her under his breath and say, "Yea, thanks." And then he'll do what he and his minions want to do.

[RRonin]

You have hit the nail on the head. What is the difference between Palin and all the more qualified Republicans? They have reputations they want to protect and might be motivated to argue against invading Iran or some other pet idea of McBush. Palin is weak and owe's McBush too much to challenge him.

[rayj412]

Nope not tactical. He has no tact.

[mogran]

Yeah! this choice show good judgement, right. I hope all you REPUBS are paying attention. You put this man in office and we all are going to wishing to have Bush back.

[djarvis]

Thats only assuming McCain gets in office. We need to do all we can to keep that from happening!

[ShanniC]

Thanks for summing it up for us.