Well stated — the media needs to report the news and not become part of the news.

Ronald Reagan was pro-life and it made no difference. I am pro-choice and am enthusiastically supporting McCain-Palin for the other issues you mention.

Being a staffer of a republican and potentially becoming the president of vice president of the United States is a very different proposition from your argument.

The next president will probably nominate a number of judges to the supreme court. Maybe someone’s position on WOMEN’s choice does not matter in most daily conversations, but it will if someone takes it away from you.

I wonder what Palin would have done if she had found out about the down syndrome reality at 6 weeks pregnant instead of 4 months pregnant. We’ll never know and it is impossible to second guess, event for her as life has moved on.

Her comment to People magazine, says she is glad she had 5 months to prepare, she doesn’t know how a woman could cope if she found out at the birth of her child.

I am glad that I and my daughters have the right to choose and I do not want that to change.

Does Mr. McCain really think he can woo my vote by putting this woman on the ticket. This is really the good old boy mentality. Let’s throw her a crumb and she’ll be happy. One shouldn’t put Senator Clinton and Sara Palin in the same sentence.

Bill Clinton chose Al Gore, very little diversity between the two because he might die in office. Bararck Obama chose Senator Biden because he lacks foregin policy experience and knew he would need advice on this front. John McCain chose Sara Palin because woman will be happy now
and vote for him. Well think again Mr. McCain, we can see blatant trickery when its right in front of us.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The Republicans offer up a token woman for VP and think Hillary Clinton supporters will flock to McCane?! This is an insult and glaring evidence that they just don’t get it. We supported Hillary because she was the most qualified candidate, not because she is a woman. Sarah Palin is not qualified and her nomination is a joke. This will backfire on the Republicans.

Sarah Palin celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary yesterday, August 29, 2008. Her eldest son, Track, is 19+ (DOB unknown).
She and her husband, Todd eloped.
Do you wonder why? Perhaps someone could officially “do the math”?

We’ve seen a concerted effort by the media to marginalize her as a far right-winger, out of touch with moderate and pro-choice women.

Amy, are you so far to the right that you consider teaching religion in science classes the ‘moderate’ position?

The question heading into the Democratic Convention was could the Democrats unite behind their party’s candidates? To all fair observers it appears that the Democrats did just that, aided by time to heal the division between the leading presidential candidates. The question now for the Republicans is can they unit behind their party’s candidates? They have this weekend to heal the divisions between their parties presidential candidates.

As a Clinton supporter, I have decided to give my support to Obama-Biden. Voting for McCain because of his VP choice would be a step back rather than a step forward for women in the United States. Biden has a record of supporting women’s issues. Palin does not.

While McCain operatives are trying to create enough hype that implies Clinton supporters are “flocking to Palin,” I don’t believe that women who supported Hilary are willing to forego all the ideals Hilary represented to vote for someone who supports an agenda that would women back decades. We are not lemmings…..

Any government that dictates how a woman chooses her options over her own body is UNACCEPTABLE. There are too many factors that make up the tapestry of each woman’s life and a broad law that cannot take these varying life’s stories into consideration merely regulate women to the dark back rooms and wire hangers….

Dont’ shove your religious hypocricy down our throats and don’t tell me what choices I must make for my own life….

The truth hurt

MCCAIN has proved his impulsive way of doing business. He chose the possible most important person in the world after 2 meetings.
Rather than a “maverick” he is actually the “ROGUE TRADER” that will ruin the bank by gambling without anyone knowing what he is doing.

About Sarah Palin’s ‘energy experience’, it is becoming clear that it is limited to how to burn more fossil oil, how to drill in Alaska’s wildlife and put the environment in danger. Like Bush she is a global warming sceptic.
She has zero experience with what has to be a comprehensive energy plan for the world.

I am a woman and an African American AND the mother of a special needs child. I actually liked McCain in the beginning, even though I supported Hillary Clinton. But I am shocked by his VP pick because it is such an obvious ploy to attract women voters. They could have offered us someone we could respect. (But I’m not his demographic so I suppose he doesn’t care). I heard a Republican today say that it’s not about the issues (as far as women are concerned), we just want a woman on a ticket. We don’t care that she’s a pro-life, pro-NRA. I am offended that this is what Sen. McCain thinks of me. Gov. Palin is nowhere near the league of a Hillary Clinton or a Barack Obama or a Sen. Biden or a Sen. McCain. He may as well have offered the slot to Michelle Obama. She’s a woman, right? Great speaker, a mommy. Why not? After all, it’s not about the issues…

Amy – I agree with you 100%. And the reason, I believe, that most pro-choice women or men don’t like to be around pro-lifers is that it highlights their own faults and sins. It’s like shining a light in the darkness. They know deep in their souls that abortion is wrong. But it’s “politically correct” these days and that’s their stance. And they think everyone should adopt their beliefs. Most of them think pro-lifers are stuck in the dark ages and are not “hip”. I’m pro-life and many of my friends and relatives are pro-choice, but I still love them and enjoy their company. I don’t understand them, but I still care about them.
Senators like Clinton, Boxer, Schumer, etc. are worrisome because they don’t ever hear the other side. How can they make a decision on anything if all they hear and know about is one-sided?
And I agree with you about Sarah Palin. For right or wrong, better or worse, she sticks to her guns (literally) and what you see is what you get. I think she will be a great vice president.
Thank you for your comments. You are a reasonable and bright voice in a media drowning in “Obamanism”.

McCain’s VP choice….What an insult to the history of the women’s movement in the United States! What an insult to Hillary Clinton! What an insult to the rich array of qualified Republican women who have earned their stripes to honor the legacy of women in politics. There are many of us who are deeply concerned about McCain’s competence and judgment….his VP pick is NO HILLARY CLINTON!

Wait a minute!!! My views about Palin are not limited to her standpoint on abortion. I don’t want an unknown with no foreign policy experience, no national security experience to be president if McCain should pass away. I understand what you are saying about the conservatives but to me, McCain’s judgment in picking a person who has NO PRESENCE on the foreign front is patently absurd.

And what about the fact that she has an infant with Downs Syndrome? It would seem to me that that situation is going to require TWO full-time, committed parents. I know that single parents raise children with disabilities, but it is a full-time job for both parents. I don’t believe she should say “Look how I walk the walk and practice what I preach” and then leave that infant to be raised by her husband.

Give the woman a chance! By the way, was I the only person to hear Mr Obama refer to Pres Clinton as Pres Bush? The very last sound bites from the Wed nite after Obama came onto the stage, in his conversations with Biden etc Pres Clinton walked up and obama thanked him for his speach and then said “thank you Pres Bush” Was obviously a flub and was low volume. Did I mis understand ?

To Cnn,

Choosing Sarah Palin says several things about Mc Caine: a) He made a risky choice for what will be one of the most important decisions he would have to make. That shows he is a risk taker,we dont need a president that makes high risk decisions. b) Considering his age and past medical history, the likelihood of Sarah Palin having to stand in or become president is extremely high, This again shows lack of judgement c) Mc Caine has again and again fired that Obama lacks the experience to be commander and chief. He has totally contradicted his sharpest argument toward the Obama camp by choosing someone with less experience, in fact almost no experience to stand in for president in a time of need.

Socker moms are great but do we need a soccer mom taking over as president. I am a republican, as a result from this I (not to mention a huge embarrassment to the republican party) I have changed my vote to Obama. Mc Caine, to say the least you have greatly disappointed me and embarrassed many republicans. What were you thinking?

For me, it ’s not only Sarah Palin’s pro-life position that would be a problem. (By the way, I have 4 kids and turned down an abortion. However, I strongly believe in choice for women.) I’ve also heard that she is a member of the NRA and is a strong supporter of off-shore drilling. The above three Palin stands are all minuses for me.
I don’t know all her views, but something tells me she supports McCain’s stand on Iraq. This is a big no-no for me. I think we would be making a big mistake to back a ticket that embraced all the above. Her views on abortion are only a part of it.

In response to McCain’s choice of Sara Palin, here is another viewpoint:

John McCain is a man of faith, a man who believes in God and His word. John McCain has never been known to make quick, unpredictable decisions. I would assume, therefore, that he has spent much time researching Sara Palin, her belief system, and her experience in government. I would also assume that John McCain spent time in prayer before an Almighty God who loves this country and wants the best for our nation. Therefore, I do not believe that he made this choice lightly, but rather that he made this choice with great concern for the future of our nation — one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

Amy,
SO very true! The Democrats want to paint a picture of Republicans as intolerant all of the time on every issue. But the reality is that they are some of the most intolerant people ever! They stick to what they believe and if you don’t fit in to that category they shun you like you don’t exist or like their rationalizations matter more.

I think they need to get over themselves and stop trying to classify Reps by one issue that they believe in. At least Reps stick with what they believe and aren’t wishy washy.

Cindy…Ga.

Amy – if they’re as tolerant as you say, why in God’s name didn’t John McCain pick a republican woman for his running mate who is far more prepared for this job, yet pro-choice. The republican analysts can try to cover this all they like but what’s happened is quite clear. McCain folded to RNC pressure to pick a pro-life candidate – Romney and Pawlenty declined the offer in an effort to save their names from being on a losing ticket. So – he picked Palin on the hope he could dupe the American People into thinking he’s ready to move into the future as well. Too bad the executive experience he touts is in Alaska!!! I’m sure Alaska is a great state with many of the problems most state governments face but I can’t in all seriousness consider being governor of Alaska for almost two years a serious resume boost for becoming vice president. I’m sure you can’t either – but you have a job to do and I appreciate your efforts here. McCain put you all in a really tough spot yesterday!
The Republicans want to rally their base, but not for this election. They’re planning for 2012 and couldn’t afford to lose the energy of their base this year by putting up a pro-choicer on the ticket. Come on Amy – you know better than this. I’m sure in political circles their plenty tolerant, but political circles are hardly the Republican’s base…

Whats funny is that Democrats are saying how she has no experience but look at obama.

I was leaning towards Sen. McCain, but, because of his medical history and age, his VP choice was a critical factor for me. He had an abundance of well-qualified options – why in the world would he pick someone who almost nobody south of the Arctic Circle has ever heard about until now? I’m sorry, but regardless of Gov. Palin’s views on abortion or anything else for that matter, there just isn’t enough time before the election to begin to feel confident about someone so obscure for such an important VP role.
Maybe a vote for Bob Barr will send the right message to both political parties.

I’m pro-choice but also respect Palin’s position.

Democrats are slow to realize that they have slowly become the party of intolerance. Their militance in defending their views has left them unable to hear an opposing viewpoint.

If they realized how resistant and close-minded they’ve become, they’d probably be horrified.

as a woman i am offended by the choice of palin, this is the worst type of pandering… to think that putting a weak female candidate will attract female voters .. that is as offensive as when bush 41 chose quayle because he thought he was handsome and women would like him. i’ve liked and supported mccain since 2000, but he’s lost my vote, sadly. i’m pro-choice but mitt romney would have kept my vote.

Every year 4 years around election time all we here about is abortion and the conservative and that we need to outlaw abortion all together ok do it if everyone wants to ban just do it… who cares what people think they will postest a day or two and it will be over. Just like the Al Gore vote count issue. I think the Rep. use this issue a vote getter other wisepeople would not vote for their party …

(the party of big business).

Good Luck America!!!

Amy,

I have watched you and find you respectable. Amy, I know you are not like that horrid, shameful Joe man; but please don’t let them make you feel you have to sell this.

McCain is INSANE and so desperate to have the Presidency that he will use any tact and tactic and that is how he sees Gov. Palin.

I feel that Kay Bailey Hutcheson and Olympia Snow must feel like political party member equivalents of the FIRST WIVES CLUBS. Also, what happened to Elizabeth Dole. These are the women worthy of your promotion and support for the post. I mean why not Dole? Is she too old or unattractive for McCain?

Not only is Palin not qualified to be in a position to be the next president, because of her lack of foreign policy experience, she only has a bachelor’s degree in journalism!!!

Maybe she wouldn’t be so “marginalized” if she had some “more meat” for the critics to chew on. Her being “anti-choice” is what the MCCAIN camp and the spin doctors have put out there in neon lights as a perk in her Republican package.
She seems to be the appeasement card that McCain needed to stroke his “anti-choice” conservative whiners. It is beyond annoying that she is being credited with “impressive accomplishments” in a state where she is “the most popular governor in the USA” that has less residents than a major city and/or major suburban centers across the country. She isn’t going to be measured by the square miles of her state, she is being measured and probed at this moment because NO ONE KNEW WHO SHE WAS and we still kinda don’t.
The McCain camp and the GOP better prepare her, her life is about to be ripped open and examined with a micro fine tooth comb. That’s how it works. And since you are so impressed with her choice to have child with Down’s Syndrome and YOUR WORDS, “Governor Palin put her principles into practice.”, isn’t this the same thing? Aren’t you defining her by her ovaries as part of your rebuttal?
The media labels and the reaction makes it permanent. Stop making it an issue and instead find something, anything else about her character that the McCain campaign has not high lighted or just chosen to ignore before those looking for holes find them. We aren’t going to take it easy on her because she’s the new kid in school.

Unless you’ve been faced with the situation that Sarah has faced, it would be hard to understand her pro choice views, if more people could imagine themselves in that situation and what that must feel like they may be a little more understanding to her pro choice stance. As for your comment about the republicans being more accepting of a pro choice staff member, I find that hard to believe. Being pro life is one side of the coin of being pro choice, it’s just that, your right to choose. The same can’t be said for pro life, there is no other side, so why would democrats who are pro choice discriminate against someone who is pro life?

McCains pick for VP is an insult to all women. We are not that stupid.

Amy

I’m probably not as conservative as you are but the older I get the more conservative I find myself becoming. I don’t care what Sarah Palin’s views on abortion are. She has her right to be pro-choice or pro-life just like I do. I don’t even think of abortion as a political issue anymore – it is more of an personal choice or belief.

That said, I do have a problem with Governor Palin on her environmental stance. She could be described as somewhere to the right of Bush – she is skeptical of Global Warming, she wants to open up the Alaska Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, and she is participating in a court suit against the EPA for the state of Alaska on their placement of the polar bear on the Endangered Species List because the bears present an obstacle to the development of lands that the bears live on. She has also routinely supported the aerial hunting of Alaskan wolves. I doubt she will soften her stance on any of this since her husband works for one of the Big Oil companies.

One of my top issues in this election is the environment and I was hoping up to this VP choice of McCain’s that either candidate would be an improvement on Bush and his climate change non-policy and that the US would finally join with the other countries of the world to help alleviate climate change and the hardships it will bring. Because of Palin’s positions on various environmental issues my vote will now not be going to the GOP. I don’t think our country or our planet can endure 4 more years of irresponsible stewardship of our environment.

I think McCain chose Palin because she comes across as a reformer and a maverick such as himself. I also think he chose her because she is a woman and that the appeal of doing something historic with your vote would not be confined to the Democratic party.

I always enjoy your input on the panels and your blog posts. I hope you will continue to post regularly. You are always thought provoking.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

No disrespect to AK Governor Palin but…

John McCain has insulted the intelligence of millions of American women by choosing AK Governor Palin as his runningmate. This choice shows that his campaign is in serious trouble and grasping for straws. . .

It is no secret that the presidential candidate who obtains the outstanding female votes will obtain the nomination.

I am a 38 year old educated female, wife, and mother of two. Like many, I have views that are conservative (free-market focus, less government) and views that are liberal (pro-choice). I have been a registered Republican and Democrat over the years, and during the primaries, I was fond of McCain, Obama and Senator Clinton. I have deliberated over my choice for President for months, but for me, and I suspect for many other women voters, McCain’s camp has just hammered the last nail in his coffin by choosing AK Governor Palin as his running-mate.

If he honestly thinks that undecided women will vote for him because he has selected a female VP candidate he is truly out of touch with women voters. Yes, I want the glass ceiling to be shattered, but the most qualified woman must shatter it, not just any woman. I am certain that Governor Palin has had a successful career over the years in her various local and state public service positions. However, that success does not qualify her for the role of VP of the USA. She has absolutely no national public service experience and no foreign policy experience. I seriously question Senator McCain’s decision making skills if he thinks she is qualified to fill the number two position of our country. My vote has just been solidified. Without question, I will be voting for Senators Obama and Biden.

I need to correct one statement of my primary comment – I have seen her husband described as working for a big oil company; I also just read in another report that he was a commercial fisherman. So I withdraw the statement about her husband’s employment. Thanks.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

The decision of being pro life or not for me doesnt have ideas of extreme or not, for me you are either for it or not, and as we know in Politics once you have made a stand on something its hard to go back. John McCain’s decision whether good or bad has achieved one thing, brought the spotlight of Barack Obama, exactly what the Republicans need right now, it was looking grey.

I am a independent voter and I am appauled at the irresponsible pick for VP by John Macain. A pick just to share the “historical” limelight.
I commend her on her life and choices but this woman could be president. By her own statements has no idea what the VP does and even with her son going to Iraq has not been keeping up with what’s going on there. I would have supported anybody else, I thought Rice would have been a good pick to share the historical moment but this is lunacy. I am deeped insulted and cant believe the republican media is not critizing this pick. I was voting republican and now feel I have to join and volenteer with the liberals just to protect all of us.
The republican part has once again but us in harms way and we must all fight this.

Amy,

I am a Mod Dem and pro-choice. I view that as a personal choice that hopefully I will never have to make in my life,but still want to know that if I ever have to face that decision that I have the freedom to do so. I have no problem with anyone who feels the opposite of me. My only problem is when it’s a politician and in this case a presidential candidate and his running mate who want to deny women the right to the freedom to make this very personal decision for themselves. McCain said he wants to overturn Roe vs Wade and Palin is against abortion even if you are a victim of rape and incest. That’s just disgusting. I’m sure she is a very nice and intelligent person. I view the decision she made to have her baby her personal decision and none of my business. It’s one thing to be a pro-choice staff person working for a pro-life politician or the opposite,but when it’s at the presidential level and it’s my reproductive right’s and many other women I have serious problem with that.

Amy I always enjoy hearing what you have to say.

Sarah Palin is obviously an enormously competent woman – no, an enormously competent person. However, while politically the choice of Sarah Palin is tactically brilliant, it is morally reprehensible.

McCain has chosen to hide behind a skirt.! He chose her precisely because he can use her image to deflect criticism of “more of the same.” If she ever had to assume the reins of government in mid-term you can be certain that the country would be guided by hidden unaccountable forces, for inspite of her wholesomeness, she could not be a capable president..

Congratulations John M’Cain on your VP choice. If only George Bush selected Sarah Palin 8 years ago our Country would be in a better position both domestically and abroad. With decades of experience, I don’t think Chenney could Govern Alaska and we know his tract record as VP of the United State of America.

Tom Renzi
Conservative Repulblican

I am pro-choice , and women should not be defined by reproduction. I do not believe women should be forced to carry a child. I also do not believe women should use abortion as a way of birth control, So what is the solution, how do we meet in the middle? I do think McCains pic for Palin as a solution for Clinton voters is insulting . It will be interesting to hear her international policy plans. We are in a war, not only in the Middle East, but on a environmental front as well. How can she be more ready then Biden to take over if need be. Our world is in trouble, this is not a time for games, and I for one am sick of it. I supported Hilary Clinton, I will vote for Obama and Biden.

I think Mc Cain is a very clever strategist but he may have put himself and the party in a lot of trouble. Brilliant move but wrong pick, I think there are plenty of woman candidates he could have chosen from the Republican Party, that are already known to the public and had a broader range of experience. I also believe that a man with Palin’s same qualifications and credentials would be laughed at. Republicans especially women republicans are focusing too much on her being a WOMAN making history than they are thinking about this country! I think this is an attempt to marginalize Obama and to gain the Democrats defectors that were lost when Clinton did not get picked for VP. I also think groups like PUMA are strongly misguided and take Clinton’s lose too personal. This is not about you this is about what is best for the nation! I am strongly insulted about Mc Cain’s blind pick to choose a woman to gain Clinton’s supports, other than having the same body parts they are nothing alike! I feel that Obama supporters and Clinton’s supporters have a whole different vibe. Obama supporters pick him for the country while Clinton supporters pick her for her gender, and if you are a Clinton supporter that is jumping on the Republican band-wagon over this stunt shame on you! I feel that Obama supporters and Clinton’s supporters have a whole different vibe. Obama supporters pick him for the country while Clinton supporters pick her for her gender, and if you are a Clinton supporter that is jumping on the Republican band-wagon over this stunt shame on you! The Democrat party has to come together to win this if not we will have another poor Republican president for another 4 more years or longer.

Amy,
While it may be out there somewhere else, you are the only reporter who came close, while missing, an important election issue.
Palin did NOT vett McCain on the questions around life and abortion.
They have drastically different views!
Wait until she is confronted on some of the flip flops McCain has done on this issue. Does he have to follow Limbaugh and Palin’s marching orders on stem cell research, funding abortion clinics, and stopping abortion in cases of rape and incest.
Neither Palin or McCain will be able qualify this issue in a ’straight talking manner’! I predict there first, twisted, responses will be the other is entitled to their own beliefs. That would be pathetic, as the selection of the beauty queen was to make this an issue.
At least the Hillary, Richardson, Clark et al supporters can bite down on the the Biden choice.
What the Romney, Crisp, Ridge supporters must be thinking is beyong the pale!
(was NOT both of McCain’s wives beauty queens??)

Hi Anderson,
I’m a regular viewer of your show. I really appreciate your
sincerity. This is my first time commenting.

Re: Keepimg them honest.
Sarah Palin’s comment that “John McAain is the only one running that
has truly served his country” is a shallow and self-serving definition of
the ways in which we all serve our country. It states that military service is it.

1.Barack Obama and many others have devoted their careers to making other peoples lives better and helping the people of disasters like Katrina. That may just be a higher cause at this point in time along with the many domestic issues that need correcting.

2. There have been many military people who have run or served in
government (John Kennedy, Wesley Clark, John Kerry etc.) who
do not share the pro war persuasion of John McCain.

Thank you for hearing me.
Sincerely,
Michael Anthony

If Sarah Palin is pro-life then she would not be making a choice about whether or not to abort a child with Downs Syndrome. Therefore, her “choice”, as you put it, is not heroic but merely a test of her commitment to the platform she is running on. How could she run as a Pro-life candidate if she aborted a disabled child? I fail to see why abortion and her child with Down’s Syndrome are being so quickly linked. It appears to be almost an attempt to associate abortion with eugenics.

As a special education teacher and cousin to a severely retarded Downs adult, I am offended a child with Downs Syndrome is being used as the poster child to manipulate the Pro-life community. I am also concerned for Ms. Palin’s child. How will she be able to care for a disabled newborn while running for office and negotiating (as a rank novice who doesn’t even know the VP job specs.) the job of Vice President? That she would consider such a challenge at this time shows she has a complete disregard for her newborn child. Children with Downs Syndrome need intense therapy during their first few years of life and the mother should play a large part in this therapy.

As a woman, I am also offended McCain and his handlers chose a woman with little experience (but who happens to be highly attractive and is married to a blue collar hubby) over many other more qualified Republican, female politicians. This is not only a slap in the face to the women who could have been a better choice, but McCain’s handlers seem to believe Hillary Clinton supporters will mindlessly vote for any woman on any ticket.

Palins choice as VP was clearly a desperate attempt by the McCain campaign to attract certain types of voters to the ticket. Their casual disregard for the job of Vice President and their reckless choice of Ms. Palin as a running mate shows a serious lack of judgment on the part of McCain and his advisors.

I agree with Amy Holmes that a woman’s contribution to the political arena goes much deeper than her social position on abortion. Unfortunately, I may be one who is unintentionally adding to the marginalization of Governor Sarah Palin as a far right wing vice-president candidate.

I admire Governor Sarah Palin to be an epitome of family values in a variety of ways: a devoted wife, a mom of five kids, a common US citizen, and so on. She is a young enthusiastic Republican whose political ambitions are shaped by her religious convictions. To me, that is a positive thing. Unfortunately in a society that is taking the separation of church and state viewpoint to a literal extreme, that could be seen as a negative thing.

I am a social conservative Christian who appreciates her stances on social issues because they are more in keen to my own. My faith in Jesus Christ has taught me that this has to be the foundation of a candidate’s political platform.

After that part is settled in my mind, I investigate other reasons why I should embrace the candidates. I like Palin’s interest to reform governmental offices so that the politicians in them will work for the benefits of the people and not the special interests; her goal to relate to the concerns for ordinary Americans personally and sincerely; and so on. But, it is hard to overlook that my outward enthusiasm in her stance against abortion and other sociopolitical issues are fueling my appreciation of the McCain – Palin ticket. However, I really do like Palin for more than her sociopolitical stance.

The Polling data? Who is being polled? Many people may not personally think that abortion is a the proper course of action that they would consider; However, many would agree that the decision should alway remain the woman’s, and not government. The media is not painting her (Sarah Palin) as an extremist, not yet (it has only been 2 days).
Sarah Palin self admittingly proclaimed her want to gain Hilary supporters by merely mentioning the “cracks in the ceiling”….ahhh what does it matter? The Obama/Biden ticket will win anyway. See you in four years =-P

Appauled republican’s and republican women WILL change horses…
Today’s New York Post headline read: WOW! She hunts, she fishes! Palin, apparently, is the female Cheney (I hope she’s a better shot)! Get real folks—McCain has one foot on the banana peel and he decides that a cross between the Gloucester fisherman and Elmer Fudd with a twist of Andy of Mayberry is good for the country just in case he is temporarily or permanently indisposed? Good lord, it’s surrealistically unbelievable. I am sickened and highly insulted by Palin aligning herself with Hillary Clinton even as a “woman breaking the glass ceiling.” She is NOT Hillary Clinton -in any way- and certainly has not put the good of her country first as Hillary did by bringing the Democrats together. Isn’t it remarkable that Palin did not feel remotely remiss in partnering with a man she knew for a day and went ahead to accept a partnering with him accepting this VEEP position? I would hope an individual with a good conscience would have counseled McCain to choose a woman like Kay Bailey Hutchinson or another proven Republican. Palin is an abominable, abysmal choice. She doesn’t even value the domain of helpless Polar bears, what could she possibly do for this country or Israel?

Why aren’t you commenting on the fact that this candidate is under investigation in Alaska? This is VERY important and newsworthy.

Vote to put McCain into a retirement home in Sedona Arizona and put Palin back to Mayberry USA where televisions were black and white and women were barefoot and pregnant.

Although Palin has some executive experience, it is ludicrous to compare her favorably to Obama because of it. Obama has been privy to foreign policy information and made decisions in his role as a senator related to foreign policy. Although his critics characterize him as elitist because of his Harvard law degree, his attainment of that degree came as the result of hard work (can’t get him there, McCain supporters), and the degree and his books, debates, etc., characterize him as a guy with considerable brain power. He has a broader world view than Palin. That might be important as a commander in chief. Obama also has the sense to put good people around him. Some of you political commentators must have read the Henry plays in college. The measure of a leader is in great part who he chooses to put around him. Joe Biden speaks to Obama’s good judgment. He has also run an incredibly successful organization for the last year and a half, one that likely has a bigger budget and more employees than Palin has managed. We got a new principal (big difference, I know, just like there’s a big difference between one and a half years as governor and being a heartbeat away from the presidency), and she was convinced that she would do many more things more easily in our building than her predecessor, who had done a pretty awesome job. The first year whipped her butt. There was no way that she could have understood the particular demands of a huge school district, much less those of a building with a population triple that of her last school. The crew she brought along with her is about ready to jump ship. The faculty and staff are working hard and held up the building last year, but we need real leadership. So much more so the United States of America. The mistakes Palin makes as a governor might not cause great harm. The same cannot be said of mistakes made in the presidency should John McCain die in office. Palin is NOT the best choice for McCain’s ticket, although I believe he will get a small bounce of excitement out of the pick. I was a Hillary supporter who said I wouldn’t vote. I will, just to defeat this ticket. The Republicans are frightening. By the way, Palin should have more sense than to put herself in the same paragraph as Ferraro or Clinton. There is simply no comparison.

I find conservative social positions interesting because they are so inconsistent. Palen and her family made the choice to keep their son knowing he was going to be born with Down’s syndrome. I applaud their decision. However, if Palen has her way on the question of abortion, then she will deny other women the opportunity to choose their own way. This is quite inconsistent with conservatives’ stance on other issues such as school choice. They often argue that families know what’s best for their children and that government should not be allowed to decide where and how children should be educated. Conservatives are against government intrusion in peoples’ lives unless it is an intrusion that advances their preferred policy decisions.

I absolutely enjoyed this article and I agree. I won’t comment on my position on the issue at hand because it’s just futile to do so. Bottom line, whenever an issue becomes another RELIGIOUS brainwashing exercise where people can’t think for themselves, complete with dogma and hatred attached, then I’ll head to the left of center. Abortion is nothing more than an excuse for religion to try to cross the line into our legal system (remember separation of church and state?).

Very true and you will find that democratic way of thinking when it comes to many other issues.

The problem is that Palin was picked to shore up McCain’s conservative base and suggests he is determined to appoint far right conservatives to the Supreme Court. That is a problem to anyone who supports a woman’s right to choose. Palin is confirmation of McCain’s goal to erode that.

Palin’s selection is great. We need a president that has common sense. Ordinary people becoming president is great. We’ve had presidents who made a mockery of the presidency and lied to promote their morals. John F Kennedy was a womanizer and slept around while getting away with it. Bill Clinton lied to the American people. Jefferson got her maid pregnant. Bush and Carter were the worst as competent presidents. We’ve taken risk on these presidents. It’s about time we do the same to Palin. Vote Palin. My family and relatives are all in the Mccain-Palin ticket. We’re pooling money and we’re going door to door across America till we drop dead.

Pathetic!! Pathetic!!! Pathetic!!!

Since when does pro-choice, fish filetting and gun toting make anyone eligible to lead a country that is fighting 2 wars and has lost credibility on the global stage??? The choice of Palin is an insult to thinking, discerning women!! I have lost all respect for Amy with ths superficial support of Palin.

Look you can paint it in many colors but the bottom line is this – any politician who stands against Roe Vs. Wade speaks volumes of who they are and what they represent. And as a women, that is not a politician I want representing me. Especially in the world we live today, McCain’s campaign wants to emphasize change Washington needs, it’s not only reforming politics but having the foundation to face Global and Domestic Crisis; and I surely do not want two obviously temperamental heads making major decisions that will influence the way I live and the way my kids will live in the future.

It’s difficult not to see McCain’s pick as one primarily dealing with gender. Palin has almost no experience, and the experience she has is in a state with a population smaller than San Francisco. Her biggest political competition involved less than 215,000 total votes.

Everyone knows McCain has been trying to pick up Hillary fans since she lost the primary. Naturally, the FIRST thing that comes to mind with McCain’s pick is that he’s still trying to get Hillary’s supporters. From there it’s a straight line to comparison between the women, and abortion rights is a glaring disparity between the two. As such, the abortion talk shouldn’t come as a surprise. Palin is not comparable to Hillary.

That Republicans are more ok with their staffers holding the majority view (Pro-choice) doesn’t really speak to Republicans tolerance so much as it speaks to the fact that Republicans are aware that their party line doesn’t necessarily mesh with the attitudes of Americans.

McCain’s judgement used to be one of his strongest attributes, but this was clearly a choice in desperation, underscoring how out of touch the republican’s are with the American people.

I’m sure Palin is a good governor, mother and person, but I would of liked the GOP’s first women VP to be a little more of her-own-right. Hillary’s following comes from the fact that women are completely under represented in Washington–Palin simply doesn’t fill this vacuum.

I hope this “hockey mom” proves us wrong, but to galvinize the female vote around the country is way too much to expect out of her in this presidential race.

This ticket seems like forced history and awkward. Poor call McCain.

I am pro-life. I will vote for McCain now that he has picked Palin, because now I feel I will have a voice in Washington.

A “hockey mom” with five kids to become a potential Commander-in-Chief in the times of economical, ecological, political and military crisis in the country and in the world?! Wake up, America! Do not become a pendulum going from one extreme to another – from no voting rights to women to electing a woman with no experience whatsoever in handling problems outside her small state to the second most influential position in the world! I am told she fought against building the Bridge to Nowhere. Really? What about her interview to Anchorage Daily News on 10/22/06: “Would you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges? Yes. I would like to see Alaska’s infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now-while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist.” I was told that she was fighting corruption in her own party – well, was she supposed to participate in it? I don’t care for her achievements – and there are, no doubts in this. She must be a good governor for Alaska – although I am not sure she would be elected somewhere else. But I care that she is not known outside Alaska – even by her own party members – I am not even talking about Americans. Do we have four years to find out who she is? I care that she has no idea about international relations, and that she is a totally new name to the world. I care that she does not give women the right to choose. I care that she is a devoted member of NRA, while there is so much violence going around. I care that she wants to drill in the pristine land of Alaska, the national and international natural treasure, while the climate and depth of petroleum layers can lead to global ecological catastrophe. Alaskans are AGAINST drilling. And is she really such a fighter against the big oil companies?
I care that she would prefer to teach our kids the ideas of “creation”, rather than science. I do not know if she understands anything in science and technology, while they become the most powerful forces in the modern world.
Thanks, but no, thanks. We do not want another project of building a Bridge to Nowhere. We need a project of building a Bridge to the Better Future. Obama and Biden are a great team for starting this construction.

Why would the media do that? What do they have to gain? Does it determine what people the media would hire as employees? Is the media not accountable to certain standards of objectivity?
I must say though that I ( and I can only speak for me) find a lot of cnn ‘contributors’ to be very pro-democrat. Does Time, owner of cnn, endorse a particular candidate?
Even blogs and their reply posts appear skewed.

Well, at least there is Glenn Beck.

Pro-life. Yes. It’s much easier to be pro-lifer in a high-profile job when you have a staff to raise your children. Governor Palin made an educated decision to have a special needs child…made-her-bed, so to speak…now she needs to raise that special needs baby. SHE, Governor Palin herself needs to raise that baby…not her delegated staff. One of the needs that special needs baby has…is the mother who decided to give her life. No matter the degree, by the very definition of the word, every MOTHER is pro-life. Parenting a special needs child is a full time job and every mother who has done, or IS doing it…will tell you that. Even without a special needs child, parenting a child (or five) could be considered a serious full-time-career. And, I might add, a very admirable choice. The bottom line is that John McCain does not really want to be president – because his choice is not going to resonate with mothers – who cross all party lines and who are in-the- majority of grown women. I am signing this as a Republican…who, because of John McCain’s decision…is now going to vote for Obama.

First of all, I love Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. However, women were treated unfairly by the media and the DNC. I have mixed emotions about abortion. I believe that if a women takes the pill that ends a potential pregnancy before the heart starts beating, it is not really an abortion. Abortion to me is when a Doctor forces a fetus or baby out of its mother’s womb and ends the life. I absolutely do not believe in late-term abortions; I believe that is murder.
I do not want to let Senator Clinton down; however, I am totally for this Republican ticket. I have great respect for Senator McCain that he was not afraid to chose a woman as VP. He is very wise and has great insight, probably because of his experience of the long 5 years as a POW; he is not afraid. He is our man and she is our woman (Clinton deserved it; however, our own party let us down). Senator Obama is so arrogant that he didn’t even consider chosing a woman as a running mate (this would have surely convince me of his character which has been in question for some time now). So, Obama, you let us down and now you will pay the price. Way to go Caroline and Oprah.

John Mc Cain and abortions… I am a firm believer that does not believe in abortions. Our evangelical community encouraged us to vote for somebody that stands by God’s principles. I supported George Bush all the way for these reasons. Since then, i searched hard, but i did not see any changes. At the contrary abortions numbers have increased, gay marriages are more and more common. What did Bush do to prohibit these things? nothing.
I do not believe voting for Mc cain will be any different…
Therefore, I am for Obama… at least I am guaranteed some health insurance… plus i can really feel that somebody cares for me somewhere in washington…
Mc cain, by picking an inexperienced woman just proved to me once more that he lacks good judgment, and also he cares more about political strategies than people…

I so agree with you. I, too, am pro-choice and would definitely vote for her. I agree that we democrts need more tolerance on these issues. The only thing that gives me pause is her position on stem cell research — this is more of an issue for me than abortion. I know so many people who would benefit from this and think that it is inhumane to withhold help. So if I can somehow resolve or reconcile that issue with myself, I am a democrat who will be voting McCain/Palin in November

What is unfair is that McCain allowed this woman to accept the offer of VP. With her family values being so high, her Pro Life choice being so strong… when will she have time to be VP? Its been known or said that she took a 4 hour car trip instead of a 45 min plane ride so she could spend time with her family while driving. What will she do in a crisis? Drive to it? Take a boat overseas?
pro choice or pro life doesn’t really matter at all in this election anyway.

To underscore the fallacy of Amy Holme’s comment one needs look no further than the cynical and purely pandering political decision of John McCain to select Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential candidate. With a long list of distinguished women within the Republican party with far more impressive and extensive resume’s than Ms. Palin’s (Cristine Todd Whitman, Susan Collins, Olympia Snow, Carla Fiorini et al), John McCain had to pass over these woman, as well as men such as Tom Ridge, in order to appease to the radical right wing of the Republican party. Hardly the mark of a “maverick” when one gives up principle and caves into the demands of the radical right of his party. While Amy may like to delude herself into thinking the Republican party is a big tent, the litmus test on social issues still stands. Moreover, it is not her position on abortion alone that shows Ms. Palin’s right wing credentials. Her public statements and positions on several issues, including sex education, creationism, skeptisim of science and global warming, only further underscore her being out of touch with the mainstream of the American public and why she is the darling of the Republican right. Rush Limbaugh’s “babe” indeed!

I admire Gov. Palin’s choice not to abort, but if I ever found myself in a similar position, it would be MY choice to make, not the government’s. Palin’s strident anti-choice stance (not even in the case of rape or to save the life of the mother) is out of touch with the rest of America.

And the fact that the next administration is going to appoint 3 or 4 Supreme Court justices, and McCain’s stated intent to repeal Roe vs Wade, makes this ticket anti-women’s rights.

Are there other topics women care about? Of course. But for the sake of our daughters, we have to pay attention to this one.

I believe in general that many pro-lifers may be tolerant of pro-choicer’s, but i do not believe that this is the case of Palin. She is very adamant about here position and I have no doubt that if elected to office she will do everything in her power to reverse Roe v. Wade. The fact is that no matter if abortion is legal or illegal, people will continue to have them and i do not know your opinion, but i do not want to see women resort to third world methods and back alley abortions. These methods not only cause the death of the embryo, but also many times the death of the mother as well.

Amy

Until yesterday morning I had never heard of this woman – I have problems with her being embraced for so many reasons – she supports the war, is anti-abortion, anti-environment and of course we have no idea what she feels about the economy and the problems being faced by Americans- my biggest problem with her is that MCain thinks just because she is a woman those who supported Hillary will flock to her – Mcain’s choice has put this country in peril – this woman was a mayor of an Alaskan town with about 10,000 people – she is not in any position to be a heartbeat away from the most important job in our county

McCain was so desperate for acceptance by the conservatives in his party that he showed in his first major decision in this campaign that he was willing to put a trophy woman ahead of the many more qualifed republicans he could have chosen –

With the problems facing the United States and the world, McCain is being vilified for his choice and her extreme views are critical and should be talked about until every American hears them

Amy, when I was 6years old, my Mother was pregnant, She started hemmoraging and was admitted to a Catholic Hospital and because of religious reasons they would not let her doctor terminate the pregancy. She came home and got weaker by the day. She went back to a general hospital and the pregnancy was terminated. She recovered ,raised three girls and lived to be 91 years of age. You tell me that I would have been better off if my Mother had died due to hemmoraging !!!! I had the priviledge of caring for her in her old age. If Roe vs Wade is overturned, many women could die because life of the Mother would not considered. It could be you, your Mother, your daughter or daughter-in law. I think women should have the right to choose. If you think that life begins at the time of conception, what do you think happens to the embryos that the fertility clinics discard ?
They flush them down the sewer with the rats !!!!

Thank- you Amy Holmes for hitting the nail on the head with your article. Just because a person may choose to be a Republican doesn’t mean they’re narrow-minded. You’d probably be surprised by the number of conservatives that really have an open mind to all the issues! Can the Dems say the same??

I have a unique perspective on the pick of Palin for McCain’s VP. I think McCain has changed his mind and has no interest in the White House. To save face, he has to appear to put up a good campaign but in reality by picking no experience Palin he has set himself up to fail. I believe this is McCain’s self desired ticket out of the White House.

How are conservative families from the right (like Baptists and strict Catholics) reacting to the fact a family woman with 4 children at home, two small, one a baby with special needs reacting to a woman who is putting her political career first over family-ie. working full time. “country first” what happen to the religous right putting “family first”? I am always thrilled to see a woman running for office, but who is minding the children? You can not be the second in command of one of the super powers of the world and raise small children as well. How is the religous right reacting to a more than full time mother working with these stresses with children at home? Her husband works too, so that is not an out.
I would love to see the real reaction of very conservative stay at home moms to a working mother that says she has strong values.

Thank you Amy, I think that this is an issue that is very personal and not one that people in general can make a judgment on, especially if they are men. I was labeled an elderly mother when we found out I was pregnant with my 3rd child at 39. My doctor was concerned, offered testing which I declined. It didn’t matter to me, there was no decision to be made. We were blessed with a healthy little girl that has blessed us in more ways than we could have imagined. But that was our decision. I have every right to be pro-life and be a woman and be respected as those who choose to be pro-choice and are women and are respected. I am disappointed that the negativity is directed at her strength of conviction. Give her a chance!

The baby white elephant in the room has not been brought up by the pundits regarding Governor Palin. As a full-time working mother of two, I find it challenging to give both my work and my family 100%. I can’t imagine taking on the country’s second most demanding job and having small children at home, especially an infant with special needs. I respect her choice to have a child with Downs Syndrome. I do not respect her choice to accept a job that requires 24-hour service. I want my vice-president to be focused on the job 24/7. I feel that her children will get the short end of the stick as a result of her choice. I felt it showed a lack of respect for her husband her children to have her eldest daughter holding the baby. Why wasn’t her husband being a true partner and holding the child during the announcement? Women can have it all, just not all at the same time. I think many conservative traditional women will take offense that she is choosing THIS job at a time when her special needs child needs her most.

I love this pick. Obama talked the talk about “change” and “hope” and McCain (who knew) walked the walk by picking Gov. Sarah Palin as VP.

So excited!

I think that anytime we try to define a person by a single element of their being we do a disservice to that person and to ourselves. The greatness of America is it’s diversity of ideology that allows us to continually grow in the richness of our experience. How boring if everyone could only think and feel one way.

Amy-
You are usually so thoughtful in your comments, your reaction to the selection of Sarah Palin is difficult to comprehend. I’ll admit from the get-go I’m a Democrat. That said, I’ve always had high regard for John McCain and I’ve been open minded about the election. Not any more.

McCain’s choice is hard to fathom and boarders on reckless! This is a man who claims to “put America first.” He’s said consistently he would nominate a running mate ready to assume the highest office in the land if necessity dictated. Does anyone in their right mind think Sarah Palin passes that test? Let’s see — this self-professed “hockey mom” from Alaska has been governor of the state for less than two years — a state, by the way, with a quarter of the population of Brooklyn, NY. Does she know who the President of China is? How many foreign leaders has she met? Could she go toe-to-toe with Mr. Putin? I’m willing to wager there are thousands of American graduate students with more knowledge of foreign nations than Ms. Palin.

Before Ms. Palin becomes Vice President of the United States, maybe she should sign up for a class of Model United Nations! The point is, this is a dangerous and incredibly complex world. America no longer can afford the arrogance or naivete of its political leaders. Amy, let’s be honest — Sarah Palin may be a great person and a wonderful mom, but she is no more ready to be Vice President of the United States than you or I are to perform open heart surgery!

Who’s judgment makes them more suited for the Presidency — John McCain or Barack Obama? Well, John McCain just answered that question beyond a doubt in the minds of many thinking Americans — Barack Obama!

Good luck to you and other conservative commentators given the unenviable task of rationalizing the selection of Ms. Palin — you’ve got some difficult days ahead!

Sincerely,
Kurt Haunfelner

I believe McCain picked Palin on order to win women supporters from the Clinton supporters that are uneasy about supporting Obama; however, Palin has minimal experience, is a pro-lifer even when events such as rape and incest occur, and is a gun-lover. How can democratic women rally around this republican women who truly doesn’t have important woman’s issues at heart?

Amy, I’ve gotta say: it seems doubtful that anything “broad” could encompass such a group of narrow-minded people.

I think McCain is brilliant! He could not have made a better move than picking a woman! I also like Sarah”s strong stance on conservative issues and her ability to fight for what is right. I think she is perfectly qualified; she’s a mother of 5, one with special needs and another who is in the Army. Who better to understand the needs of “regular” Americans?

Amy-
The way I look at it Women have the right to say NO & keep their legs closed, They have the right to use contraceptives & insist that their partner do the same. You have the right to take RESPONCIBILITY
for your actions & if you do get Pregnantt Raise the Child Yourself OR
give that Child up for adoption. I disagree with Roe V Wade- In my opinion YOU DO NOT have the right to abort a pregnancy except in the case of rape, incest- In those cases you should have the right to to kill your attacker- ( Look it up GOD said it)

First of all, as a women I am disgusted that John McCain would use the idea of a women becoming the first to hold such a high office in our government as a bargaining chip with the American public. Even Palin herself said that she in no way expected that she would be selected as John McCain’s running mate, considering that she was a hockey mom from Alaska.
Secondly, as a mom with a son born with a disability, it is one thing to be pro-life, it is another thing to actually honor the promise of pro-life. Pro-life means that once you choose to bring a life into this world, that you then choose to also make the sacrifices to ensure that life has every chance and advantage to have the best and most fulfilling life possible. In order to ensure the promise of life, especially for a child with a disability means that as a mom you have to set aside your own ambition and focus like a beacon on the challenges that child will face. I don’t want a possible president ever in a position to have to choose between what is best for their child with a disability and what is best for the country. As odd as it may seem to say this, most jobs that women accept have an end of the day, where you can come home and reflect and focus on your children and family. For the job of president there is no end of the day. When the phone rings at 3:00am in the morning, I don’t want the possible president to have to choose between answering that phone or taking care of an infant with a disability.
Palin should take care of the baby she chose to bring into this world first and finish the promise of life to her downs child.

When you think of pro-life you think of republicans, so that is not the issue. McCain is the issue. He met Palin once 6 months ago and then he met her one more time after Obama did not pick Clinton as his VP. She was not vetted. McCain’s judgement, age, and health is now an issue. I don’t care if she is a woman. There were more men and women he could have chosen that were more qualified. He put winning ahead of our country with this choice. And since Palin called Clinton a whinner, then tried to pander her supporters, Clinton is going to tear her apart.

McCain picking a woman VP (especially one that he does not even know) is an insult and a disgrace to women all over the country. By picking a woman VP what McCain is really saying to us is “You the Women of America do not have sense enough to examine the politics of both candidates and intellectually choose which one will be the best commander in chief and will vote for me simply because I chose a female running mate”. This is what McCain is really saying to us and he should be ashamed of himself. The women of America deserve more honor, respect, and value than this. If the women of America vote for McCain simply because he chose a female running mate, than we will be proving to men all over the globe that we have no more sense than to vote for a “Bush look alike” simply because he chose a female VP. This is indeed a step backwards in the feminist movement, not a step forward. Get a grip women of America!! McCain has a plan and yet again, WE ARE BEING USED!!!!

Signed
“angry woman voting for Obama”

Shortly after taking office, Palin rescinded the appointment of former chief of staff Jim Clark to the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority, reversing an appointment made in the closing days or hours of Frank Murkowski’s Administration. Clark later pled guilty to conspiring with a defunct oil-field-services company to channel money into Frank Murkowski’s re-election campaign.

In April 2007, Palin announced plans to create a new sub-cabinet, to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Alaska.

In March 2007, Palin presented the Alaska Gas line Inducement Act (AGIA) as the new legal vehicle for building a natural gas pipeline from the state’s North Slope. Only one legislator, Representative Ralph Samuels, voted against the measure, and in June Palin signed it into law. On January 5, 2008 Palin announced that a Canadian Company, Transcanada Corp, was the sole AGIA-compliant applicant.

In response to high oil and gas prices, and in response to the resulting state government budget surplus, Palin proposed giving Alaskans $100-a-month energy debit cards. She also proposed providing grants to electrical utilities so that they would reduce customers’ rates. She subsequently dropped the debit card proposal, and in its place she proposed to send Alaskans $1,200 directly.

she is a far right winger – she thinks global warming is a myth! And the”act of love” you describe :bringing a mentally challenged child into the world 6 months ago and then accepting the VP bid? Who is taking care of that child ? Right to life = life of suffering without mom! The conservative press is thankfully at least trying to discover who she is and labeling her as exactly what she – inexperienced, intolerant, abuses power, and someone who could never hold a candle to the brilliance, talent, and experience of a woman like Hillary Clinton. What a joke!

Sara Palin wants to overturn a judgement that allows a woman the right to choose. She had her choice and her choice was life, and I’m happy she made that choice. Nevertheless, there are thousands of females that don’t have the emotional strength nor the financial support…what then? As a woman, the right to choose, the economy, education, and as a veteran at age 25, the war, is my laundry lists of concern. Then palin says she hasn’t been following the war even though her eldest is about to be shipped out! She doesn’t get me and my concerns.She’s no where near HRC, and honestly I think she has too much on her plate. Choose wisely and not emotionally.

Sara Palin wants to overturn a judgement that allows a woman the right to choose. She had her choice and her choice was life, and I’m happy she made that choice. Nevertheless, there are thousands of females that don’t have the emotional strength nor the financial support to follow her path.what then? As a woman, the right to choose, the economy, education, and as a veteran at age 25, the war, is my laundry lists of concern. Palin says she hasn’t been following the war even though her eldest is about to be shipped out! She doesn’t get me and a lot of American concerns.She’s no where near HRC, and honestly I think she has too much on her plate. To the people of America Choose wisely and not emotionally.

Please. Choice issues aside, this decision is an INSULT to women. We are not collectively so stupid as to support an unqualified woman to be ‘one heartbeat away’ from leadership JUST because she is a woman. A largely ignored issue is that in her announcement comments, Sarah Palin violated the military’s operational security before a worldwide audience. She announced the MOS of her son who is honorably serving our country’s Army, including the exact date and country of his planned deployment. She has endangered him and the lives of his unit. This is why more experienced leaders — like Sen. McCain and Sen. Biden — decline to comment on the status of service of their sons. This is the ultimate example of her lack of experience on an international stage. McCain has now played the desparation card.

Since the republicans started the whole “family values” issue is it not fair to discuss how a mother of 4 minor children plans on having the time and energy for them when she is a heart beat away from shouldering the HUGE responsibility of the president of the US? I am not suggesting that a woman’s place is at home, but should a woman who just gave birth to a Down syndrome child and has 3 other minor children be put in a position of such demands? If a woman chooses to have so many children, how can she give the time and energy to each child that only a mother can, if she is trying to handle the toughest job in the world? Are these the type of “family values” that republicans talk about? If a woman chooses to have so many children, does she not owe them the time and energy that each child deserves? Does not a special child require much more time and energy than other children? How can McCain say that this person is the most qualified in the entire nation to succeed him if something should happen to him? Is it not incumbent on the nominee to pick the most qualified person to be VP? How should we Americans think about the decision to pick a person with so many personal responsibilities and so little national or international experience to be placed a heart beat away from the presidency?

Really, who cares? Is it just me or does anyone else see the big billowing smoke screen out there blocking their view of the real issues.
Whether she is pro-life or pro-choice, should not really make a differance and if it wasn’t for the news always bringing these things up, the american people would be able to hear about the candidates veiws on certain policies, or what they are going to do about finding more jobs for people, foreign policies. Experierenced or not most people watch enough news to know some of whats going on in the world. You could probably go to the local high school and ask any of the students. “If it were up to you to fix the country how would you do it?” and while it may not be as eloquent and thought provoking as the professional speech writers would make it sound, it would most likely be a fairly sound theory.
Let’s put it this way: It would be as sound as the one we’ve been dealing with for the last eight years.
So really all the smoke aside, lets look at this for what it is. regardless of who wins, there will be a presidence set in this country and it will say that the United States no longer cares who is in charge, as long as they are looking out for the best interests of its people.

Having lived and worked in Alaska as a DOI employee for 7 years back in the 80s I have some questions I would like to see the press address to the Governor of Alaska.

1. Her husband and his family likely have benefited from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Does she feel that signed treaties and lease agreements with Native Americans in all 50 states should be honoured by the federal government?

2. What kind of health insurance does the Governors staff and Alaska state employees receive? Her views on universal health care? Do her parents and in-laws use Medicare?

3. Alaska has been a state of contrasts. Many rugged individualists, Libertarians and survivalists while at the same time the highest level of Socialism in the country due to the influx of oil money and federal spending (highest per capita in the US). The Alaskan economy, the taxation on its citizens and the states ability to spend is very different than the rest of the country. Is she knowledgeable and ready to address the economy in the rest of the US?

4. Alaska is a state where pot was legal when she was in high school and guns are a fact of life. Booze, which is legal, not drugs, has always been a major problem in Alaska. The MaCains are in the Booze Business! How does this prepare her to deal with the problems of drugs and weapons in the rest of the country?

5. It is hard for most of America to understand life and how things work in Alaska. The press should be interviewing Mike Gravel, Palins political supporters and past opponents, Alaska Public Radio, and the Alaskan press corps.

I am also prolife and admire her for the decision. But it is totally insane for McCain to pick her as his running mate. McCain is 72 and she has been governor for less than 24 months. Given the challeges we face on the economic front, war and foreign policy, I think McCain thinks that the American people are stupid and don’t think for themselves. The excitement I see from many of my Christian brothers is because of hatred for Obama. Huckabee is far more a stronger prolife candidate and well known than Palin. McCain had other choices too. I think McCain is desperate and lacks judgement.

Unfortunatly , Mrs Palin has no bi partisan appeal . People want to know that she can step in and lead this nation.! Not the fact that she was a point guard and is a soccer mom. Apparently that is the only bit of imformation she has put out there to be judged or evaluated on. Furthermore, she has already said she had no interest let alone knowledge of what a VP even is. Then there is her Oil Driliing melee, and the scandal going on in her home state, and last but not least, all in all her party knows absolutely nothing about her, not EVEN Mccain himself.

Palin: Same Product New Package
john mccain’s choice of palin as v.p. is just a gimmick …. he may have succeeded in diverting some of the the attention off of obama’s historic acceptance speech but his choice clearly reaffirms his bad judgement and willingness to put his own political gains over the well being of his country … palin is not ready to lead this country not only does she lack experience in foriegn policy she admits to “not even thinking” about the iraq war and middle-eastern problems which mccain says are the biggest issues facing america… she’s already has shown that she flip flops (she announced in her speech how she was against “the bridge to nowhere” but she supported it at it’s beginning) … as far as her political views and what she’s basically all of dick cheney in a dress without the experience(with all of her support for big oil, refusing to acknowledge that global-warming is being sped up because of greenhouse emmisions,wanting to teach creationism in schools, lifetime nra member… hmmm wonder if she has ever shot any friends while moose hunting????) Palin is just more of the same old republican (bush) ideas just in a new cuter package!!
P.S. oh yeah she’s also under investigation for abusing her political power for personal benefit! she should fit right in!!

If conservatives are so tolerant, then why did McCain feel compelled to choose a far right VP rather than Ridge of PA? Reason – he knew he’d lose his “tolerant” conservative base!

I am registered Republican who is fiscally conservative and socially moderate. I did not vote for Bush. My feeling about the three men, McCain-Obama-Biden, who are in this race is that we can only expect business as usual. I really thought I might have to waste a vote on a third party. BUT Palin has me thinking I might vote for my own party for the first time in over a decade. Finally, we have a person who may very well not be tainted by the politics of the status quo. I like the way she stood up to the politicians of her state whether they were Rep. or Dem. And she let the oil guys have it also. I really hope she is who she appears to be because I’m beginning to feel there may be hope. John McCain may have a winner and maybe some winning ideas if she reflects his vision for America.

first on offend of mc cains pandering secound Pseudoscience that she has forced on alaskans this extremist choice never mind views on abortion make no mistake about it if they are elect will have book burning in this country we had enough these closed mind extermist governent of 8 years have brought this great nation to it knees

I am a big fan of Amy Holmes. As a male Democrat, who supported Hillary and now will vote for Obama, I appreciate her honest and non-partisan viewpoints on CNN. I wish more of the partisans would follow her example of obviously having her own conservative opinion, but being very honest, no matter what party the discussion is about.

I agree with this article as well. It’s true, not all conservatives are pro-life, even though they are assumed to be so, but the question is why. It’s because the people at the top of the Repub. party are so in bed with the religious right of the party, they have to now pander to that group if they want their votes. I hope someone, maybe its McCain and Palin, who will stand up to this small yet very powerful and say, we don’t care about your vote. Maybe then, some of us in the middle might actually change our vote.

Viewing from a far, I have noticed how the global media, overall, sways sharply to the left and anyone holding social conservative values are labelled intolerable and uninformed. “it’s alright to disagree, but if it involves moral issues, the left is right and everyone else is wrong”?

This thinking reminds me of errs quoted by christians, in the national spotlight, who misrepresent their faith by mis-informing a nation of religious understanding on moral issues such a abortion, etc. In a sense, the Judas Iscariot’s of our time.

I think John McCain has picked a running mate that reflects the moral fibre each country still needs to guide a nation in this misguided world we all live in. “To liberate oneself from God’s Commandments and teachings, as can been seen by political parties today, should be a reminder of the road to perdition this leads us on.

I find it very insulting to say that just because Ms. Palin did not have an abortion when she knew her child had down’s syndrome, she ‘lived’ her convictions. There are plenty of women out there who are pro-choice who have decided not to exercise their rights and have chosen to have the child.

My problem is the difference between someone thinking something is wrong, vs. someone thinking said action should be illegal. I know there are many people who believe that abortion is wrong, but would completely consider themselves pro-choice – i.e., abortion should not be illegal just because *they* think it is wrong.

The other problem I have is this: what exactly does one mean when they say that abortion should be *illegal*? Our law enforcement agencies can hardly get the criminals out there *now*. Why would we want to create more laws for enforcement? And what type of punishment are you exactly willing to put out there? Who is to be punished? Doctors? Women? Are you going to put them in jail? It’s already overcrowded in them.

So it really makes no sense to me at all when one says they want to make abortion illegal (obviously, making something illegal does not stop the behavior).

That all having been said, it seems to me unlikely that abortion will be illegal in our country, no matter what anyone thinks.

I am a lifelong republican and a fiscal conservative. Now the party which my family has subscribed to for generations has publicly embarassed me, just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse. I admired Senator McCain, but candidate McCain is an unrecognizeable “politician” of the most transparent sort. I am all for women in politics, equal pay for equal work, and an end to all discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. However, the selection of Governor Palin completely trivialized Senator McCain’s campaign. I have spent more time and investigation in my hiring process for manual laborers than he. And what audacity for Governor Palin to invoke Senator Hillary Clinton’s name at the rally in Ohio. Though I am not a Hillary fan, Governor Palin pales in all comparisons to her. I trust that female voters can see through the desperation in this selection. Mainly I am scared, for unfortunately, anyone eighteen years of age and over can vote in this critical election, no matter how ignorant, uniformed, sexist, racist, or emotional they may be. I fear for my children and future grandchildren who will have to grow up in a country where republican policy intrudes into every aspect of their lives. I want my offspring to be considered more than part of the tax revenue pool and candidates for the military. I don’t want a government that tells my daughters what they can and can’t do with their bodies, e.g. abortion. I don’t want my grandchildren taught fables in school about the earth only being 6000 years old, while all of science and archaeology is ignored. President Clinton got it right in his DNC speech when he referred to the last eight years of squelching science and condoning torture. Our country is going down the toilet, and all Senator McCain cares about is pandering to evangelicals to gain a few more votes. How sad for the rest of us. When will our nation rise to a higher level of tolerance and cooperation?

John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin is a pick for a female George Bush. She is so far to the right, that the only changing her presence will bring to this country is changing baby diapers. It is an insult to women to think that we would just vote for her because she is a chick. The right wing are claiming white mothers will relate to her most…I dont see how very many white mothers are out there shooting and killing Moose. Most can barely afford groceries. If any women can see through the veil of more deception by McCain to pick a VP for his ticket, and have compassion for Palin as she is just a Pawn in the GOP’s game. The only way any Republican would have chosen a woman for high office is when thier feet are held to the fire…and McCain is obviously desperate.

What seems incredible is that the so called ‘religious’ right where you can’t have an abortion for any reason yet a mother of five with a four month old child with a serious handicap, and instead of resigning as Governor to give full time to the two youngest children, she or McCain have no moral concerns about abandoning the obligations implicit in motherhood to pursue a political career that she is no way prepared to do on day one being a heartbeat away from a reckless 72 year old, with a history of cancer. We will never know how this reckless nature contributed his difficulties that occurred during his Naval Service.

Wow, everyone keeps saying that Obama has the “same” qualifications as Palin…Okay, lets agree for arguments sake…Obama has been VETTED by the American people for the last 4 YEARS, we know who he is, what he stands for, this Palin is an UNKNOWN that McCain met ONCE before deciding that she would be a great running mate…does this worry anyone else? We don’t know who she is, what she stands for (other than she is AGAINST a womans right to choose, thinks polar bears don’t need the protection of the endangered species list because it may make drilling oil difficult) One person on another blog stated that she belongs to the same pro-life movement as Palin and they are AGAINST in-vetro fertilization for couples that are trying to have a baby:( Really? YIKES…She is also currently under investigation for “abusing her authority” and firing some guy that wouldn’t do her dirty work and fire her former Brother-in-law?? What is up with McCain? I am SO dissapointed in him!
She was quoted last month stating when asked about being VP…”Well first someone needs to tell me what exactly the VP does and I need to be sure that it would be “fruitful for Alaska?” How about AMERICA LADY! Is this the person we want to put in charge if God forbid something happens to Mr. McCain? Americans are better than this, we all want women to make it to the top but PLEASE make that pick be someone who at LEAST knows what the job entails…I am not knocking her but I am very disappointed in Mr. McCain…Everything that would have gotten my vote he threw away when he picked her and it seems like the polls agree with me…Today they announced the poll for the running mates Palin’s polling numbers were lower than that of Qualye…McCain DID NOT put his country first when he picked her for VP so This is one Independent that will be casting my vote for Obama/Biden come November…I need to know who I am voting for and 60 days is just not enough time! Would you place your child’s life (Military men/women) in the hands of someone you don’t know?…I wouldn’t and I won’t do it to someone else’s child either!

Amy,
You are confused! I’m sure you thought Dan Qualye was the most riveting, and brilliant politician in history also! How do any of these qualities you’ve discussed relate to a VP having satisfactory knowledge of foreign relations, or America’s economic infra-structure?

I am a 30 year Alaskan. I’m disappointed that the news aren’t giving the whole story on the supposed investigation of Sarah. They’re not saying that the trooper in question is a wife beater and treats domestic violence with very little seriousness, instead of the crime it is. His attitude is shared with many of the troopers and we as a state aren’t going to take it any more. Sarah has done a lot to solve the problem…..GO SARAH
Viki Turner

I’m a Democrat woman who voted for Hillary Clinton in the primaries. I am certainly not considering the McCain/Palin ticket, but can tell you it’s not her Pro-Life views that scare me off. It is her support of Pat Buchanan in 2000 that solidifies it for me. A Cabinet position perhaps, but 2nd in command, no way. I’ll now be supporting Barack Obama.

If people are “worried” about Governor Sarah Palin’s lack of experience or decision-making abilities, they must be SCARED TO DEATH by the lack of experience and lack of decision-making abilities in Obama!

Gov. Palin is a bold move for McCain and to all those who say she has no foreign policy experience, she is head of state which is of one of the only states that border no US states at all. Alaska borders Canada and all international waters. Alaska must be overwelmed will diplomatic needs to negotiate international fishing rights, canadian border issues, native american issues, logistical issues with food, energy, and delivery of services. So, i think she is probably well suited for her task at hand.

No-one really knows why there are no pro-lifers on Clintons` etc. staff, but it`s entirely possible that THEY would not WANT to work for someone so strictly pro-choice. I am pro-choice, but that does not mean I endorse abortion. I never had one and don`t think I would have. But I endorse every womans right to choose for herself. Imagining a woman like Palin in a position to take that right away makes me very uneasy to say the least. Pro-choice leaves both options open, while pro-life leaves only one. Now tell me again: which position is more tolerant?

McCain’s appt. of Palin, the part time , no experience gov. of a state with few people shows us all his total lack of judgement. McCain’s next appt. “Brownie” back in charge of FEMA!! God help us!!
PS I am a Republican

I would like to know the source of the statistic that 90% of women choose to abort a fetus with a “disability”.

Also, has anyone addressed the question of who will raise and nurture this special needs child should his mother become the next Vice President of the United States?

Will she qualify to receive protection under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and thus be able to take necessary time off from her job responsibilities to care for the needs of this child? Thank you.

Much has been made of Sen. McCain’s selection of Gov. Palin as his running mate galvanizing the conservative right wing of their party, especially due to her walking the walk vis-a-vis her anti-abortion stance. I think that this is both true and critical to the Republican’s chances to win battleground states, such as Florida and Pennsylvania, where there is a large proportion of evangelical voters who might otherwise stayed at home.
However, there are many, Republicans, Independants, and even Democrats who might not have voted for Sen. Obama for whatever reason, real or imagined, that are equally galvanized to vote against appointments to the Supreme Court that will overturn Roe v. Wade, not to mention the other views that such appointments will bring to bear.
My Independant wife, and Republican father-in-law, and a close (female Republican) friend are all going to hold their noses as the vote Obama-Biden. The question truly is whether Gov. Palin will draw more into the fold than she will draw into opposition because of her radical position on abortion. This trumps the economy for very many voters, and will be a rallying cry to enroll new voters.

Amy,
Although I respect your pro-life position. The concern is the appointment of judges who will make it their mission to dictate to women who don’t share your view how to conduct their personal affairs.

Abortion is the least of my concerns regarding Sarah Palin. This was an irresponsible decision by John McCain which could have very serious consequences.

I just watched Gov. Palin and Sentor McCain in PA, I thought she was supposed to show America who she is…instead she spent the majority of her speech praising McCain. We know McCain, we need to know who this woman is he has chose to be Vice President. I know she is a mother, so am I, she has son in the Military, so was I, she was raised in a middle class family, so was I…Can I be Vice President! Monay from Edmond, Ok

Sarah is like a breath of fresh air. The beauty of this women’s life is a great example of care for family and country. She shuts the mouths of so-called patriots and shows by example what a woman can be in America. Compare her life to the liberal babes of Hillary.

The democratic killing machines (abortion clinics) are a testament to their lack of value for humans. Their voices are loud when it comes to using abortion to kill future Americans and calling it….pro choice! It is such a disgrace to listen to such tripe from those who claim to want change…! Change their own views on abortion, rights to bear arms for self protection, promotion of homosexuality…all destroying families and society.

go sarah! what a breath of fresh air……..you are truely something different in washington…..you break that glass ceiling and as a democrat ill be there to help you……

By picking Sarah Palin as his running mate John McCain has certainly assured his base. However Gov. Palin is so conservative she is unlikely to appeal to disaffected democratic women or independents. Everyone knows the “real game” is always between the principles. More importantly McCain by making this choice has shown us all something about his method of decision making. He’s a “go-it-alone-cowboy” like our present commander in chief.

Ms. Holmes,
I think you’re spinning the Sarah Palin story by shifting the attention away from the overshadowing obvious point: Ms Palin is a complete neophyte and truly unprepared for the awesome responsibility of the Vice Presidency. John McCain just seems like a nut, not a maverick, for putting her in this position for his own ends. If he were to die, do you really think that this young, self -proclaimed hockey mom should be the leader of the free world? And, please, I hope you won’t argue as so many nervous Republicans commentators have, that Barack Obama has less experience than Ms. Palin. Barack Obama is a phenomenon in American and International Politics—a once in a lifetime candidate who is already changing the world. Try saying Ms. Palin is more qualified with a straight face on! I’ll be watching.

Just a word of advise to Ms. Amy Holmes.

Do not get too attached to your data. I ASSURE you…women are dead set against the idea of the justices McCain would have picked. Palin’s position on abortion just put a hot coat of steel on the already hardening concrete around his ankles as it pertains to the Hillary supporters his campaign was CLEARLY trying to get by making this very odd Veep selection. She is a good woman. I am certain of it. She is not the woman that is going to appeal to the segment of voters McCain is trying to get to.

You data is not going to accurately reflect the sentiment among that bloc.

But to the contrary to your arguments, John McCain and Sarah Palin, are the very same people trying to sell her gender to disgruntled Hillary supporters!!!.
The McCain-Palin paradox is riddled with self-inflicted contradictions and outright lies. Can you trust the lives and ecurity of your children to a woman you only met once let alone the security of 200 milions Americans???.
Is sarah Palin the most qualified republican on the “short-list” of potential candidates(Mitt Romney,Powlenty,Tom Ridge,Charles Christ, and the ost senior woman senator)???.
Did McCain really and honestly put “Country” first and seriously considered the national security implications of his choice???.
The real issue once again like his judgement to go to war with Iraq; is McCain’s terrible and reckless misjudgement which carries once again terrible consequences should he win!!!.
With three cancer attacks to date, Palin is just heart-beat from the presdency.Unknown and untested, will Palin be able to meet the challenges of the 21st Century our country faces!!!.

I am a mother of five, who believe that life is precious, even in times of war. But let me disrobe abortion as it has been dressed and used as a tool of division among God’s people. Acoording to the Word of God, the taking of any life is wrong, regardless of our reasoning, but we have yet to determine when God has breathed the breath of life into the fruit of the womb.
There are those that says that life begin at conception, which can not be truth. If it is truth, then there would have to be life in the sperm, while it lie dormant in the quiver of the male. So with that said, lets go back to the first human being (Gen. 2:7, And the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.)
As we can plainly see, God’s first work was to form the body, and his second work was to breathed life into the already formed body. With that being said, let us discuss the time frame of the completion of God’s first work, of forming the child within the womb. According to study, it takes tweleve weeks for the completion of the first work, therefore, if this hold truth, then there is no life breathed into the fruit of the womb, until the completion of the formation at the end of the twelfth week.
And since God’s method of operation do not change, then it is safe to say that the breath is the last work, and is not given until the completion of the first work-the formation. So what we are basing our stand against abortion on, is our own compassion of knowing that should this completion be allowed to run its course, a child will be born.
We are also neglecting to look at the broader picture: Abortions come out of hurt, pain, and negligence of love, and all of these give place to the devil; which brings it back to the Church. Who did God tell to heal the wounded spirit, and mend up the broken hearts-His Spiritual Leaders. What we might want to turn our attention to, is why is it that these poor souls go to Abortion Clinics for help, and not the Church? Why is it that they are seeking Counsel from the secular world, and not from the Spiritual Leaders?
If we are not going to honor the Commandment “Thou Shalt Not Kill” when it come to wars, then we stand before God, guilty of all; for these lives have also been aborted, because we know not the intended time frame God has set for each of their lives.

This article by Amy Holmes is ridiculous as it relates to the two parties, but especially as it relates to the present nominees. Conservatives are more tolerant of other views? By definition that is wrong. Not because of a traditional caricature, but because of the definition of the conservative party as defined by the conservative leadership … not to mention by the name itself.

Those who are more liberal, are by definition open to more ideas. Conservatives like to use the word liberal as a negative, but if you look up the word liberal in any legitimate dictionary, one of the synonyms you will find is “broad-minded”. Conservative, on the other hand, will say “resistant to change”. This names are not coincidental.

More significant to this election is the close mindedness that McCain has shown on the very issue about which Amy Holmes is writing. McCain said himself, very directly, parsing no words, “I have a 25 year record pro-life record in the Congress, in the Senate, and as President of the United States I will be a pro-life president, and this presidency will have pro-life policies. That’s my commitment. That’s my commitment to you.” That doesn’t sound very open to other ideas to me.

I am a registered independent who happens to be pro-life. Still, I understand that it is a complex question, and that people have different life situations and advantages. Obama’s idea about abortion is to help improves the situations and lessen the disadvantages that lead to a greater number of abortions. Bush is “pro-life” (though it amazes me that “pro-lifers” can also be pro-war and pro-assault weapons). Yet, with Bush in office poverty rose, and as a consequence, so did abortions. As someone who is pro-life, I am for policies that lessen the pressures that lead to abortions. I am also for making sure that, once a child is born, they have an opportunity for a life worth living.

I am an independent who loves my country. I have been extremly upset with George Busg’s decision to go to war . His decision has destroyed Iraq , thousand of American and Iraqi lives have been lost and It has put U.S economy in recession. I am sick of good old boys clubs, who have been fighting with each other as far as I can remember. In my opinion they do not put American people’s interest first.
It is time that America people start encouraging women in politics. I am extremely disappointed that Obama for not selecting Hillary Clinton as his Vice President.
Now that Senator McCain has selected Governor Palin, who seems to be breath of fresh air in a corrupt GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB, who has made tremendous reforms in his state, balanced the budget and send extra money back to the people in form of checks. She has much more Executive experience than senator Obama.
Now, these political PUNDITS have started a new compaign( how can you put an inexperience woman heart beat away from Presidency). They did not raise this issue about senator Obama. Are they scared because she is woman?
Anderson, I watch your show every night and like what I see. I hope you put these questions to bitter polital pundits.
Sincerely,
Kamran

Sarah Polin is pro life? Why than she is not with children who needs her mother. What kind of life is that when she give-up her children for political career!! She maybe have postpartum depression….is she still breastfeeding that Down Syndrome baby? I’m so floor by that move !!She should be on Maternity leave since her 5 months old boy is with this syndrome. Now Mc Nasty can use in his speech”"We need change!!!Diaper”

I am a woman Republican but deeply disappointed with McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin. She appears eloquent and bright but this doesn’t qualify her to become heartbeats away from the presidency. I am also a pro-choice voter and might have voted for McCain had he chosen someone like Tom Ridge, but to pick someone so far to the right will backfire on McCain. I want to see a woman on his ticket but a qualified one. I feel Palin is not and many of my friends feel the same. McCain lost our vote. We will be voting for Obama who seems less rash and less risky in his choices. He is really wise, while McCain proves every day that he is really capricious with bad judgment.

If the media has labeled conservative Republicans as intolerant, it’s thier own fault. They are too often ready to align with pro-life ministers who are content to define who is Christian by one issue. As public figures, political leaders on both sides have ample opportunities to express their tolerance in hiring practices and other areas. But, all too often both sides tend to argue toward the extreme. Notwithstanding, I actually agree with your basic point about the gender test.

Amy,

Thank you for your thoughtful piece; which is unusual for CNN these days. Obama supporters are frantically flailing for reasons why women wouldn’t support a McCain/Palin ticket. How women, especially us Moms, have been treated by the DNC and Obama’s campaign and blog “thugs”, is enough for me. McCain cares enough about my vote to stick out his neck and do something strangely refreshing and enlightened. Put that in your pipe and choke on it, media pundits!

Sarah Palin is much more than her genitalia, and Amy, you hit it right on the money. I thank you for your insightful piece. I hope you the media continue to look at the totality of her candidacy. She is a heck of a lady.

Amy, this article has increased my respect for you immensely. Previously, I had thought you were just a gushing Obama groupie based on your reactive commentary on CNN, but this essay shows you have enough character to be kind and objective.

The frequent description of Sarah Palin as “inexperienced” is biased and unfair. She has administrative experience at two government levels. Obama has NO administrative experience which you fail to mention. In comparison, Governor Palin is more qualified related to administrative/executive experience than the Democratic selection for president. Be fair!!!

It is clear that John McCain picked Sarah Palin because he thinks she can get him votes, maybe women’ vote, Pro-life vote, NRA vote etc..

I think the decision has very little to do with assisting in governance. John Mccain like Bush makes his decision by himself without much consultation or what the experts say, which has gotten us in trouble.

It is the first decision as Presidential nominee and look at his decision. Do we want such shocking decisions to continue from our President?

In contrast, look at Obama, he picked his VP based I think on who he feels comfortable to work with, and can help him Govern, someone who’s opinion he would consult. Obama is likely going to Govern with a lot more consultations and listen to various view points than McCain.

President has to make bold decisions, but also the decisions have to be the best, not just bold.

Mc cain have cancer -he is very old . How he can gamble USA future??Removing Mather of 5 children for political career is so stupid move. Who like to have 44years old woman in charge of USA if Mc Cain will pass away? Not me. I think Mc Cain have dementia related to age.

If we care so much about abortion and right to life; then why is there so many homeless people and children not adopted. God does not force anyone to make a decision; but people have grown so much on the that to make people do what they believe. A women right to choose should not be a debate for that choice is between her and her maker. Instead of getting on the band wager to make the children all over the world are fed and clothes properly we would rather make decision on what a women does with her body. The many children here in america that go to bed without food and the many in africa that are starving to death–let argument with politician to ensure 1st that unwanted pregnancy are reduced and 2nd and foremost that every child has a full stomach to go to bed on and a place to live and not on the streets.

Brilliant, just Brilliant, and the game is on; I mean the election poker game! Democrats, I see your “inadequate Washington experience” and I raise you no Washington experience at all. I see your historic candidate and I raise you yet another historic candidate! What else can be more brilliant? I guess by picking Sarah Palin, McCain is saying to America; “You got to make up your minds” Experience or no experience and which historic candidate do you want; the first black man, or the first woman?

Either way, Americans would be as divided again in this election, if not more than before. Never underrate the old man; he sure knows how to fight.

No I dont like the idea of McCain playing shaky tactic to get a vote. He has been crying that Obama has no experience and now saying even a governor in office for less than 2 years has more experience. He put this Alaskian women on the ticket simply for politics-he is not the straight talk–he is truly a politician.
He resented the idea of not being on the level of other membes in his WAR life and being told that he was not up to standard and now he will do anything to get to 1600 Pennsylvian Ave just to pat his self on the back and feel good about what other have told him as being a let down as a Solider.

I totally agree with you. Great article.

Sarah mentioned Hillary in Ohio to Boos! And then finished with they were on to Victory!

You and McCain on to Victory in November Sarah? Uh Nah No Way, No How, No McCain, No Sarah. You don’t mention Hillary Clinton a woman of vast Political experience, compassion, justice, and a winner of 18 million votes as a comparison to your credentials (none) at a Republican Meet for YOUR interests! Check Point Sarah. Your No Hillary, You’ll never be Hillary or even come close. There’s one Hillary Clinton and no one can fill her shoes! Exit.

Is she pro-life when she wants to and is succeeding at exterminating the wolf population in Alaska? Doesn’t all life have value. I know many people who have had (and known) they were carrying children with disabilities. Most of these woman did not have the financial means that Sarah Palin does. Maybe she should stay in Alaska and take care of that beautiful baby. He will need her more then ever and if anything happens to McCain…her child-rearing time will be very limited!
It seems to me this woman is a real shark!

With all due respect, I am a liberal who is pro-choice. I’ve always resented pro-lifers referring to my stance as “pro-abortion”.

Why is it that during the years when a Republican was in the White House and both House majorities were of the same party, nothing was done to change this? Why is this an issue that surfaces only every four years? Now, I’m not saying that it’s never been discussed, but it seems like the only time I hear about it is ever four years. Why is it the Republican Party focuses so much attention on this issue , even though some people of the same party are comfortable with a pro-choice position?? Could it be that some people will be inclined to vote for someone on this one issue alone?

I don’t believe the media is labeling anyone, nor do conservatives appear to be intolerant of women. Remember, there are many in the party that are pro-choice as well. I think your statement about a caricature is somewhat odd–perhaps this is a perception you have about your own party? Why would it only refer to women—men have their opinions too!

Pro Life v Pro Choice should never be the reason for anyone’s vote. Unfortunately, the truly ultra right wing of the republican party has made it a major issue over the years especially when Supreme Court seats are coming up.
People should vote for the candidate that they share the most views. It is impossible to belive 100% of a candidate’s views. We are not apostles. This is what makes America great.
It is unfair though for the right to conveniently discount her position when ipro-choice candidates have always been highlighted on the left.
When it comes to Palin, there are far more issues why she is not fit for this position nor the presidency should, God forbid, anything happen to McCain. He is 72, lived through hell and cancer. He may live to 100, but this is highly unlikely.
To pick a candidate to get elected is very un-American to do. We ask Americans to vote as a duty and privilege and to take care to do it responsibly. Many have blogged to talked about the chance of some moron taking a shot at Obama. He chose a number two that is clearly ready to lead the free world. Let us hope the country does not embarass itselff in this manner. On the flip side, McCain should have chosen a leader that is ready should something happen to him.
Shame on him. Shame on those supporting her when they do not know anything about her.
Tell me this scandal does not look bad in her home state. The commissioner was fired, but the staffer that told himt o fire Palin’s sister’s ex-husband is not. Please.
This is a farce.
I tried to be not to be bias in writing this, but my disdain for what McCain has done is too much.

It really does not matter one way or another whether Ms. Palin is pro-life or pro-choice. The key issue is her monumental inexperience. I think another key issue is that everyone knows this was a desperation move by a GOP campaign that is already in deep trouble. Moreover, I believe the choice of a female running mate was cynical pandering to women in the form of—”only a beauty queen and her conservative vagina can save us now.” I was offended by that alone. I think most women would be, especially when you consider the many truly qualified GOP women that McCain could have selected instead.

The GOP was slipping badly already but still had some chance of fighting back and winning by a nose in November. That chance is gone now—gone forever. I know it. I know you are smart enough to know it too.

However, Ms. Palin is the least of the GOP’s problems right now. Its biggest problem is hurricane Gustav bearing down on New Orlleans at Category 5. If it hits New Orleans with the disasterous consequences that are expected, it will rip the crusty scab off that giant GOP Katrina wound of 2005 and bleed all over the American people between now and November 4. If the levees hold and the evacuations work this time, they will say that the GOP can only “get a disaster response right” when there is an election in dire need of salvation. Either way, hurricane Gustav is going to be a massive LOSE-LOSE situation for the GOP.

I absolutely LOVE this article! I think you just put into writing what I honestly feel.

I do not believe in abortion personally, but I do have several close friends who do. This does not make me love them any less. My friends do not think I am an over the top conservative. In fact I have liberal views on pretty much everything else I can think of. The same friends are against gay marriage and I am 100% in support of it.

Its ok for people to have different views, as that is what makes this country so great. We get to actually say them out loud. However, having tolerance of each others views is something we all need to practice and preach.

McCain has promised a pro-life administration and the GOP is already working to make birth control unavailable through health insurance and abortions harder to get. This is a woman’s issue. Our ideals define us not our ovaries. Also, someone who wants to drill in environmental reserves is to the far right. I think it would be hard to marginalize Palin. Great she’s a woman, I feel like this race is about so much more than gender.

Amy,
I just want to say bravo on this article. As a conservative woman in America, I think people only hear your stance on pro-life or pro-choice and nothing else you believe in matters. Personally, I have never been put in that situation so I can’t really say what I would do, but I don’t think it is up to a male to determine what I can and can’t do. In the scheme of things, this issue is on the back burner compared to the Economy, Health care, Illegal Immigration, Iran/Iraq, and much more. I really appreciate you letting people know that there is much more to Sarah Palin than this one issue. I think those on the Obama-Biden train are scared because she relates so well to the middle working class citizens in America. I belive Sarah Palin is only getting started and that she won’t have a problem defending herself.

Hmmm, So I wonder, this is Pro Choice

her admirable decision to carry to term a child diagnosed in utero with Down’s Syndrome is trumped by her decision to futher her political ambitions and forgo her motherhood duties by taking on the VP role. Admirable to say the least, Farming out her child in need to further her career.

Looks more to me it fits in with Obama’s speach the other night outlining the differances between the two parties. Born with a disadvantage, your on your own.

If the shoe fits

I’m sorry, let me correcet myself. I meant to say she s a fine example of Pro Life philosophy, pardon me.

You say that an anti-abortion position isn’t extreme by hinting that polling figures show that there is a high number that support it (I would appreciate a link to those figures btw) but then you state that 90% of parents carrying a disabled fetus terminate the pregnancy — don’t those two statements contradict one another?

If actions speak louder than words, as you have said by respecting Palin’s decision to act on her beliefs, then shouldn’t we be focusing on that 90%?

I would also argue that there are multiple facets to both sides of the abortion debate, and Palin’s particular brand would be considered extreme.

*
BTW I commend you for using the language “90% of parents” because so often it is reported just as ‘women’, as if they make decisions in a vacuum without consulting partners and loved ones.

I have to tell you, I’m a little disapointed in you. It is not just the fact that she is PRO-LIfe, but she is also anti-gay, anti-environment, pro-gun….When I think about all of that, and the fact that McCain is old (72) and she would be just a heart beat away from being presidant, it’s very scary!

When us Democrats talk of change it is not change in the sense of gender and race replacements. Its change in how governments views and serves the people. McCain has made a mockery of the change we the people are asking for. Additionally, his pick is insulting to all those individuals who were qualified for the the VP spot. I guess looks do get you far!

This woman, Sarah Palin, has very poor judgement. She has 4 kids and decides to have a fifth at 44 years old. She had to have known there is a 70% chance of down syndrome or birth defects. Wow!!!

I think the women’s vote is a Democratic party phenomenon. Many midterm election cycles ago and before there were any dents in the glass ceiling, I was press secretary for a Republican Delaware Congressional candidate – a mother of four, an attorney and member of the Reagan administration, and wife of the governor. At the time, she was one of only four women running for Congress. She was personally against abortion but had a more open mind when it came to public policy. Yet, she was shunned by NARAL and Emily’s list. She had conservative support, but was never a shoe-in for the women’s vote. In fact, she did not carry the day. Two years earlier, I worked for a women’s organization that had thrown its hat in the ring with the DNC and organized labor to organize a “Get Out the Women’s Vote” campaign nationally – when the gender gap was first identified as a factor in national elections – which was about turnout to the polls. The DNC had just identified issues of concern to women: peace and war, jobs, pay equity and other pocketbook issues, education quality, reproductive freedom and the Supreme Court lineup – to drive women to vote Democratic. Unless things have changed radically in the electorate, I am not sure we are looking at gender gap in favor of Republican women even today…but I am sure that the evangelical voter drive and fundraising power will count. So, if Sarah Palin gains traction, it will not be due to her gender but her positions appealing to the strong conservative organizations backing her.

Meanwhile, another interesting factor in the race has just reared itself, and I have not yet heard any of the commentators noting this fact: this will be a Western U.S. versus Eastern U.S. election. McCain and Palin are skewing the conversation to issues of concern to matters facing the West, and not as much in tune with those problems that concern the industrial East and Midwest. Let’s look at the questions of oil drilling and water conservation versus aging infrastructure and unemployment. Not that that’s a bad thing – just a new wrinkle in the national conversation.

Hi Amy, I am a fan of feminism and of you as well, and I am a conservative as well.

The critics who attack Palin for her pro-choice stance, being a woman, wanting Hillary’s female voters, and being a mother to an infant, are just trying to lessen and mold her to a role they feel more comfortable for Palin to be in. It is sad to know that some of these critics are feminist as well, and of course, women who don’t know or have faith that a strong willed, intelligent, former beauty queen can be VP or President of the free world. Being past president of my college Philosophy club, I helped a woman to become the first president of the club. Germany, Great Britain, and Israel, has or had female leaders, so what is taking the US so long?.

After reading an essay from Naomi Wolf, she quickly won me over. I wrote that many men fear the perfect woman, a woman who not only has the beauty with brains to match, but a woman who can fill the roles which most men feel solely entitled to; leaving men feel they have less worth in society due to a female who is their equal intellectually, if not physically as well. Some men don’t want to be humbled by a woman nor do they want to be embarrassed by one. I don’t know if the Illinois senator is a chauvinist or not, but I didn’t particularly like when he said about Hillary that he didn’t know how she does it in heels and when he referred to a woman as sweetie. Was the remark of Hillary a swipe at the intelligent, independent mother? I respect a woman’s right to choose, but when Sarah Palin chose to keep her baby, she made a courageous choice that women like her would make. Sure she could afford to raise a child with special needs, and her family accepted the challenge as well, but it is emotional challenge she is willing to confront which makes her a hero to many. I have no doubt that Palin will have no trouble dealing with both motherhood and vice presidency, and even, the presidency of the United States. The critics who attack Palin for her pro-choice stance, being a woman, wanting Hillary’s female voters, and being a mother to an infant, are just trying to lessen and mold her to a role they feel more comfortable for Palin to be in.

It’s 2008 – Women should have the right to make choices about their bodies. Many agree that abortion is not a good choice but it’s not for Republican white men to decide. It’s that simple. So 21st century women who believe in freedom of choice for women, gay men and women and all other U.S. citizens, make sure you adhere to your ideals before picking a woman just because she is a woman.

Amy, I actually agree with everything you said. The problem that I have is that a lot of Republican voters go to the polls every four years and despite all of the MANY challenges this country faces, they cast their vote on one issue and that is abortion. Where are the anti-war Republicans? Republicans need to wake up and stop letting Rush Limbaugh, James Dobson, Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity tell John McCain who he should pick for V.P.! God forbid if Sarah Palin were actually Pro-Choice, she wouldn’t have been picked by McCain and she would have no future in the GOP! Where are the Republicans who are upset about this country’s treatment of vets? our failing educaton system? I do believe that Liberals try to put conservatives into the anti-abortion box and Conservatives are far too willing to get in.

i understand your point amy, but you have to acknowledge that conservative republicans and evangalists are thrilled about palin for the same reason that you criticize us for being skeptical of her. roe v. wade has been threatened over the past few years, and obviously, someone that’s pro-life adds to that threat.

on another note. hillary clinton must be thrilled at mccain’s choice– she’s no longer the most polarizing figure/woman in politics. sarah palin, i guarantee, will end up being someone you either love or hate. no doubt, palin will unite the democratic party. i’m more grateful for hillary after hearing palin speak. i’d love for clinton to be the attack dog against her since the men will be criticized for doing so. hillary will be able to win this election for obama and make up for all of the drama during the primaries!

I think choosing of a running mate should be like chosing a spouse. This is a person that you will have to work with daily, confide in, trust, count on, depend on. It needs to be someone that you know everything about and you like and want them anyway. I would never chose a mate after meeting them ONE time, especially one with the HUGE responsibility of VP. Palin was picked for one reason – she is a gun toting, republican with reproductive parts – period. She should feel used. The Rep. party is just using her. There is NO way any of them can have any faith in her abiitity to lead at a national level when she hasn’t held one single position that requires her to do anything at all that would in any way whatsoever affect the nation. McCain is a joke.

As a woman, and a supporter of Hillary AND Obama, I am ashamed of the the way the Republican party is pulling Palin out of thin air to try to win Hillary’s voters, and more ashamed still that for some women it may actually work. How embarrassing to be so ignorant, so misinformed ,and so bent on having a female VP that you would vote against everything that Hillary stands for just to soothe your hurt feelings that she didn’t make it. Would Hillary want you to vote for McCain over Obama because you couldn’t get over it? God no! She suppports Obama wholeheartedly and if you supported Hillary, it is simply criminal to sit this one out, or worse yet, cast a vote for McCain because he chose a female VP. Hillary and Obama are THE SAME on every issue out there- womens’ rights, healthcare, education, economy, end to the war, rebuilding America’s place in the world that has been battered under Bush. What is McCain? More war. More hurricanes and global warming. More guns. More tax breaks for big oil and the rich. Nothing for the common person, the middle class. No healthcare. No maternity/paternity leave. No increase in the minimum wage or improvement in our children’s education. This man is simply reckless, dangerous, downright scary picking this woman who has no expereince and is so right-wing conservative and could become our president- a woman who doubts that global warming even exists despite mountains for scientific evidence. Terrifying! If you are woman and you wanted Hillary, god forbid you should waste your vote by not voting for Obama. We need change in this country desperately. Don’t take the bait and vote with your gender. This is an disgusting and bald-faced attempt to win Hillary’s voters. See it for what it is and walk away. There is too much at stake here, and history will show that going the Democratic way is the only option for our families, our nation, and our planet. Wake up. The time is NOW. We must get behind Hillary- and all the Clintons are firmly behind Barack Obama.

Amy isn’t Senator McCain, the current Republican Nominee for President against Roe vs Wade? If so, I wouldn’t consider him as being a tolerant Republican on the issue. And Hillary Clinton and Obama are certainly Pro Choice with the added concensus that reducing the number of abortions and providing more assistance would be more pro-active.

However, my primary concern with Sarah Palin is her lack of Political and Foreign experience not the abortion issue. Her term and experience is short and minimal regardless of her record and/or approval ratings. Preivous to that, her experience as Mayor and her position with the Alaska Military Base can hardly be viewed as qualifications for a VP. Especially given John McCain’s age and health problems and the great possibility of her having to act as President. I also see McCain’s decision for the same reason as being very irresponsible and having little regard for Americans safety.

With regard to being a mother of a Dow’s Syndrome Baby, my view is somewhat different. These children require a great deal more care, love and attention than a healthy child. I’m somewhat surprised and perplexed that a mother of a child with such a great disability would consider such a demanding position. My first priority would be to ensure I was there for my child full time and as a VP that will harldy be possible. Even part time mothers of healthy children find it difficult to juggle less demanding careers and motherhood simultaneously.

Amy Holmes to me she made a chioce to keep it or terminated thats what po choice is all about I know her Dr. ask her, but in PA the woman has 3 months to make up her mind from what I heard she found out 4 months later but I don’t know Alaska. Amy I watch you on cnn your good looking if I was running I will pick you, even I don’t know anthing about you and when I’m and old man I like to surrond myself with good looking woman to it not sexest you know thats the is and always will be, because there were better and more experiance than her she has an atitude. but love to hear you talk you do make sense sometimes Wayne D. PA

You are correct Amy. We should give Sarah Palin more time to define herself. My opinion is that this was a brilliant albeit desperate ploy to hit the segments that Senator McCain is having so much trouble with.
Will this recent rush turn out to be irrational exuberance or the most brilliant gambit in recent American politics? Only time will tell.

My opinion is that he would have done better with picking Bobby Jindal

Registered independent San Leandro California.

What a difference a day makes!

The selection of Governor Palin as J. McClain’s VP made my vote crystal clear. I felt the Democrates erred in their judgment in not picking Senator Hillary Clinton as Senator Obama’s VP.

J. McClain made a gutsy move and the presidency needs a gutsy individual at its helm. I was an undecided voter as I was behind Hillary Clinton but I admire J. McClain’s selection and that has made the difference – the McClain/Palin ticket has my vote.

We need a gutsy leader in the White House and McCain is it.

I cast my first presidential vote for Jimmy Carter. I have pretty much equally distributed the intervening votes between the Democratic and Republican candidates. In hindsight I am not sure I got it right much of the time. That being said, I am perfectly horrified at the Palin selection. Skipping over the experience issue (and it is more of a huge leap than little skip), but setting it aside, this is a woman so far to the right, I am shocked, embarrassed, and ashamed for the Republican party, the media, the American people. . . .Global warming is a myth? She supported Pat Buchanan over Bush the Elder, creationism should be taught in public schools, the natural gas pipeline plan she supported went through Canada, outsoucing hundreds, if not thousands of jobs. Does she really represent American values, or simply more of the same destructive, devisive right wing evangelical? I am completely horrified and see the press, like the jesters in the halls of the courts of power creating a meaningless din over which the voices of the vast moderate middle of reasonable folk can no longer be heard. I am horrified.

You can talk all you want about who hires pro-lifers vs pro-choicers but the fact is McCain had to choose a Pro-Lifer to satify the Chistain Right; Rush, Hanney and other like them saw to that – otherwise McCain would not of had a chance. He’s playing the card to get elected; the marketing of Country first, and reform is putting lipstick on a pig. Palin showed her inexperence again today in in PA: 1) she claimed she wasn’t use to the temperature and that’s because she’s never travel the US to understand the different needs of the middle and underserved class; 2) she claims to have just met Gov Ridge for the first time today – she doesn’t even have relationship or direct knowledge of the players or even the environment she is said to want to reform. At least Dan Quayle knew people.

How can someone go to Washington and reform it if you don’t even know the system?? what specifically is she going to reform? don’t give me a speech – give me specifics!

John McCain claims there is corruption in Washington – provide specifics. Most of the corruption I heard of in the least few years involved Republicans and when they were found guilty they got pardoned!! Who is corrupt? he needs to provide details not give a speech!

I’m a lif long republican, I first voted for Reagan in ‘80. I can’t vote for McCain – he’s to scripted and a phony. his own record of ethic issues speaks for itself.

I must say that I truly appreciate this article. I am tired of hearing people say that Palin being picked as a VP candidate by John McCain is an insult to the intelligence of women. I have to say, that is a very “dumb” statement. Women are intelligent human beings who can make decisions about people based on many factors. We certainly are not limited to vote for anyone based on one factor only. Palin has much to offer this country and should be admired for the things that she has accomplished in her political life. She is bold and tenacious in her fight to stand up against corruption and has made some hard decisions that have helped the people over whom she governs. Now that’s the kind of leader that people want! Leaders that “listen” to the needs and desires of the people! As a woman I was so excited about Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president. I video’d a few minutes of her first speech knowing that we are in a very historical time as women. Even though she was knocked out of the running (but not for lack of votes), the resurgence of another intelligent and experienced woman onto another political ticket speaks loud and clear that this truly is a time for women to rise up and finally break the “glass ceiling” once and for all! Palin will make history for women everywhere. I am a mother of 3 daughters and have always told them that they could be anything that they truly put their minds to do! Palin is a fine example of exactly that!

No it’s not abortion only, Govenor Palin also wants creationism taught in public school… and so much more. She is anti enviroment, going so far as to sue the Federal Gov. over listing polar bears as a protected species. She makes John McCain, who she did not support at the beginning of the primaries, look like a Kennedy liberal. I do love how you try to stand up for her though. All the Republican leaders, right down to Newt have been saying, she is so wonderful!!! I really trust them all.

Dear Amy,
Frankly I am not concerned with any opinion poll on the topic of abortion or whether either the pro life or pro choice faction is in the majority or minority. All that is irrelevant to me as the constitution, gives people the right to individual freedom.
Therefore the woman who chooses ( maybe along with her families support) to have an abortion should have that right and freedom. Politics or law have no place in taking away that basic right and freedom.
Those people whose genuine religious views are pro life will not have an abortion nor should laws make it illegal for medical practitioners to deny that service while still allowing doctors and nurses who are pro life not to be forced to give thier services.
I paraphrase from a great philosopher:-
I may disagree with everyhing you say (or do) but will defend until my death you right to say (or do) it.
You can play the semantic difference between say or do as long as you do not want to make it law.
Like it or not republicans get 75% of the evangelicals who are for sure pro life . Democrats to me simply try to deal with awful social consequences for those who say they are pro choice but in the end cannot back up what they say and actually do not abort the child , but they still have the right to choose for themselves. It is not a law or politics issue, or rather should not be.
Regards,
Hodgson.

“But the truth is the conservative tent is much broader than that caricature”

How delusional are you?

Any woman who would deny the victim of a violent crime (rape!) or incest an abortion is by far the most extremist of the conservative right wing!

Sarah Palin does not represent in any way, shape or form the average American woman. She will not have MY vote!

Republican elected officials are mainly smarter with the rich and not necessary the middle class. Governor Palin has a child who’s will need her mother’s love; now there’s your real pro-life? Bring the child into the world and takeon one of the most important offices in the world? Let’s the home nurse raise the child? Some mother you are? Mccain, is using you as his token? To sad you can’t see this.

Sara, don’t be stupid. He’s doing whatever it takes to win. Going from managing five kids and a state of about 9000 people to 9000000 people daily lives.

I will be voting for Obama, after voting republican and the past. I think Governor Palin is a nice person but i am not ready trust her with foreign policies, something happen to Mccain and we are all up the creek.

Mccain real change should have been Condoleezza Rice or Hillary Clinton what are you thinking.

The fact that she did not terminate her down’s baby is no reason to have her as VP. Actually, that may be one of the more stronger reasons that she shouldn’t be..Family values, family comes first. This child will need her attention more and although she doesn’t know what VP does, someone needs to let her know that it’s quite a busy task.

It’s amazing to me that what ever nonsense is thrown out by the McCain campaign, people blindly follow. Can’t you see he’s laughing at how far we are letting him go? Wonder what’s next before the “kool-aid” gets passed around?

What a difference a day makes!

The selection of Governor Palin as J. McCain’s VP made my vote crystal clear. I felt the Democrates erred in their judgment in not picking Senator Hillary Clinton as Senator Obama’s VP.

J. McCain made a gutsy move and the presidency needs a gutsy individual at its helm. I was an undecided voter as I was behind Hillary Clinton but I admire J. McCain’s selection and that has made the difference – the McClain/Palin ticket has my vote.

We need a gutsy leader in the White House and McCain is it.

I have share views with many republicans, but i cannot get past the fact of what John McCain is doing. I truly feel that he is using Palin as his V.P. choice to get into the white house. He has had to face groundbreaking presidential nominee possibilities that came from the democratic party. Clinton could have been the first female president, and Obama the first African-American president.

To me this is a trump card for him. Being a white male he needs someone to push the marker for him; to battle against a monumental part of American history…. for the youth of America… he is trying to bring something different to the table.

I believe what he is doing is dishonest… but what politician truly is…

Obama was well accepted by the European countries. and we need someone who can better our world standing.

if you truly believe he is less qualified then McCain. I believe is more qualified the Bush. and if you voting McCain, then you probably voted Bush last election…. and look where that got us.

Amy , you were in a staff position under Bill Frist so your views didn’t matter because you weren’t in a position to dictate policy. This woman, if elected, will definitely be in a position to change policy. So yes we need to know what her views are on abortion and they are extremely draconian. Personally I don’t agree with abortion but to even suggest that victims of rape and incest are not allowed to an abortion is beyond intolerant it goes against our human rights!

I am waiting to see who is going to have the brass to ask the question that must be on a lot of people’s minds. Governor Palin walks the walk as well as talking the talk when she brings a baby with Down’s Syndrome to full term — for that, she has my admiration.

BUT, I can’t understand why the Christian Fundamentalists and Eagle Forum types in the Republican Party are not upset with this brand new mom, with a newborn infant, one with very special needs, will now be criss-crossing the country over the next couple of months campaigning. And if McCain and Palin win the election, she will then be in Washington, and traveling all over the world, before the baby has reached a first birthday.

So who is going to raise this child? Who is going to nurture it. How is she going to bond with it? In an era when we are asking employers to provide family leave time for new additions, isn’t this going mean she is going to have to make some compromises in the attention she gives to her new special needs child? Who will be nursing the baby?

I am a little confused by the coronation of Sarah Palin as Queen of the Pro-Life movement.
To the best of my knowledge, there is no prenatal screening test that would reveal the presence of Down’s syndrome in an early-term fetus that is not conducted for the sole purpose of allowing parents to decide whether to terminate a pregnancy because of a genetic defect. In other words, the only reason to have such a screening test is because abortion is an option that the parents are considering.
Sarah Palin had this test. She wanted information that would allow her to make an informed choice about whether to carry the baby to term. That choice is the essence of the Pro-Choice side of the debate – a woman’s right to choose whether or not to have an abortion.
She (and, presumably, her husband) made the choice not to abort the pregnancy. But it was unequivocally a choice. It was a choice not many women would have made, but it was still a choice. A true “pro-lifer” would never have had such a screening test.

Pro-lifers are tolerant of people who choose to abort their fetus? That I did not know.

what a desperate move by John McCain to chose an inexperience woman for a running mate. would she be prepared to run the country if necessary? i think not. this move(for fear of a loss) should bring an end to the notion that Obama does not have enough experience to be president.

What a stupid choice for running mate. My jaw dropped as I watched. It seems like he walked out on the street and grab a random person. What if McCain gets elected and he dies in office…??? She is so weak a choice. A complete unknown. Honestly, it’s like he picked a random person and said here you go — you’re VP ! you won the VP lottery — like Publishers’ Clearing House at teh Super Bowl Half Time.

Obama/Biden is the stronger ticket now. I think McCain just lost the election on tha VP pick.

Even if there was any truth to your assertion that there are “negligible, if not zero” pro-lifers among the staffs of elected Democrat officials, it would be more likely due to pro-lifers not seeking employment by Democrats, rather than the reverse. Inherent in their name, pro-choicers respect EITHER choice; whereas with pro-lifers, there is NO choice. The predictable result is that pro-choicers work for officials regardless of their stance on abortion and pro-lifers work for officials who share their views. Nothing wrong with it, but I think you are pinning the small-mindedness on the wrong people. I think the fault lies with the folks in the right wing of your broad conservative tent.

And in terms of voting issues, I think the same premise holds true. Even if a pro-lifer feels other issues are important in an election, when it comes down to casting their ballots, they will vote for the candidate who shares their pro-life stance. I come from a family of Christian conservative women who are absolutely thrilled with the choice of Palin for many reasons, but mostly because she is pro-life. To them, Sarah Palin IS “defined by her pro-life position.” With so much hanging in the balance with this election, I think pro-lifers would vote for a billy goat as VEEP, as long as it announced that it was pro-life.

Also, I honestly don’t get all the media hoopla surrounding her “decision to carry to term” her baby with Down’s Syndrome. I’m sure it was a difficult time for her, but she’s pro-life….there was no decision. Obviously she is a good woman and mother, but the story would only merit coverage were she pro-choice and had actually made that choice.

Finally, I agree that the media should focus on other issues when it comes to Palin. They should write more about her additional conservative pursuits, such as her NRA membership, her desire to drill in the Artic Wildlife Refuge, her opposition to protect the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act, the current investigation of her for alleged abuse of power, her advocacy of teaching “creationism” in schools, or her anti-gay rights stance.

As a woman who loves the environment, “believes” in evolution, wants more gun control, demands alternative energies, and thinks gays deserve the same rights as heterosexuals, I could care less about her pro-life belief.

We also are not foolish enough, I hope, to put one with such little exposure and experience in a positon for the top seat in the White hOuse..I changed my mind to vote democratic after this selection!!!!

Politico reported Senator McCain’s new pick for VP grew up Pentecostal, so did I, and this is the MOST extreme fundamentalist denomination there is…everyone beware! They believe in the apocalypse in the extreme and at the core of the Pentecostal denomination are fear based beliefs. Yes, they are saying she is Catholic now, but I promise everyone, this type of indoctrination based in fear shapes those individuals. The rightousnous and judgment of others that come from that upbringing can be clinical. If she has not healed from this indoctrination (brain washing) and McCain wins, and should something happen to him! God help us all. This is the most dangerous thing I have witnessed in politics in my lifetime! I don’t think the senator has done his homework on this one! Someone needs to do their homework on this one!

This is gonna be fun … Gov. Palin’s VP candidacy has completely blind-sided the dems and left-leaning media. Experience? Hmmm. Well I’d like for folks to consider a person’s judgement. I personally am more concerned about trusting a person’s judgement when it comes to making decisions for what is right (not popular) for America. I believe good judgement might trump experience. I have the feeling we won’t be finding the likes of Antoin “Tony” Rezko, Rev. Wright, Ayers, who is next? You ever hear the saying “you can tell a lot about a person by the friends he keeps”? What little we know of Gov. Palin, she actually seems to stick to her principles, which includes sticking up for the people she was elected to serve.

Anderson — Andy — The best thing for America now is to hold Gov. Palin to the standards should would have to attain if she becomes POTUS. No punches can be pulled..she has to PROVE she can succeed against the intensity and pressures that the commander in chief will face in dealing with the likes of Putin, or PAKISTAN –A WMD country where customs justified murder of five women because they wanted to choose their own husbands. The world is a colder place than Alaska.

To say that Republicans are more tolerant than Democrats is almost laughable. What is the stand of Gov. Palin on guns, gay rights, torture, protection of the environment, pro-choice (of course we already know her views on that), the death penalty and human rights? When the American people know her stance on these issues, then they will decide how tolerant she is. If McCain chose this woman to get the Hillary Clinton vote, he is in for a big surprise in November. Is the Senator even taking this election seriously when he chooses this woman as his VP? This country has been led into one war by a president who demonstrated poor judgment. How do we know this woman, who the American people know very little about, will lead this country into another catastrophe? McCain’s age is really beginning to shine through!

Well I think I’m going to a bar and pick myself a vice-president. McCain met her once. I cannot believe McCain pick a nobody. Wake up, we in the 21 century McCain. You that desperate.Stop looking in the past. Today V.P. are very important. The world in different now. For Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton. Clinton work hard to get were she at, Palin don’t even compare.

The number of pro-lifers working on the staffs of Democrats “is negligible, if not zero”: that’s a pretty bold comment to make with no evidence of its validity (other than Ms. Holmes being “certain”). I do believe there are fewer pro-life democrats than pro-choice republicans. The reason being, if one is pro-life the issue is life or death. If one is pro-choice the issue is individual freedom.

Go Palin!! My family is a life long democrat but we are switching for the first time to Mccain/Palin

Sharon
Florida / New York

I have watched CNN for quite some time, but must say that I’m a little unsure of what Amy Holmes reports. I find Amy to be like a chameleon who changes position and stances at the drop of a dime. She proclaims to be a registered independent, but her views are very conservative and very much in line with the Republican Party. If this is what she believes then I value her choice; however, when on various shows Amy seems to waiver in her beliefs, which makes think that she’s really not sure of what she believes. I recently saw her on the Glen Beck show and the comments that she made about Senator Biden were very krass and typical coming out of the mouth of a Republican; however, when addressing the same topic on CNN she tended to veer off of the subject. So, the question is Amy are you scared to confront who you are and what you really believe? Or, are you trying to please other people by looking the part and temporarily acting the part so you’ll be accepted. Now, as far as Governor Palin is concerned here is an issue that clearly concerns me. I just wanted to bring up a notable fact between VP candidate Biden and Palen. Isn’t it amazing that when Biden was to take oath to office during the term his wife and child were killed in a car accident – his response was that he needed to be a Father to his children. He was willing to quit, and they even had to swear him in at the hospital because he didnt want to leave his children’s bedside. In comparison to Palin who is a Mother of 5 and has one child with down syndrome who seems to be choosing her career over her children. This tells me a lot about Governor Palin. They paint the picture of her being a hockey Mom, and truly involved with her children, but she has a newborn who requires much attention, and if people think she’s courageous to subject her children to this – then something is seriously wrong. I mean she brought the baby to a rally where the music was extremely loud and people were shouting – all this for a show. She wasn’t even attentive to the baby, while parading around and thinking only of her self image. It’s mind boggling that the media hasn’t given any attention to this, but could send psychologists to a meeting to view Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton’s non-verbal gestures.

Senator Mc.Cain picking Sarah Pahlin as VP is an insult to all women and an offense to all American Patriots. Its clear as day that Mc.Cain is only in it to receive and deceive voters and nothing about moving the country forward. Sarah Pahlin should be ashamed of herself and and realized that she has set the women movements back another year for allowing Mc.Cain to use her like that. If he really wanted to hit two birds with one stone; moving the country forward and dividing the democratic party he should have choosed Condolezza Rice.

People keep saying that Sarah Palin so salt-of-the-Earth American. What does hanging buoys, eating moose stew and riding snow mobiles have to do with anything? What could she possibly know about the problems we have (and we HAVE TO SOLVE) in the inner cities? What about crime and punishment across the country? If McCain dies in office, which is a REAL possibility, and Palin the is our president?? That sounds like a horrible sit-com!

As a mother of a 14 month old who has endured 3 open heart surgeries I am appalled by Sarah Palin’s decision to run for Vice President. Not only is she a mother of 5 but she is a mother of a 4 month old baby with Downs Syndrome. Every child requires and deserves the love and attention of it’s mother but this child even more so. Who is going to be there day to day to raise him? A nanny? He doesn’t want a nanny, he wants his mom.

She obviously made a conscious choice to have him despite his diagnosis yet now she is basically abandoning him in favor of what? A political career? I know the day to day struggles of being a working mother and hate how much time my job takes me away from my son. Unfortunately because of his medical needs we no choice but for me to work – he needs health insurance and we need the extra income to help pay for what insurance doesn’t.

A child with special needs requires so much more time and they need the commitment of both their parents to raise them. Not just for the obvious reasons but they usually have more doctors appointments as well as developmental delays which means spending more hands on time with them so they have the best chance of not falling behind other kids their age.

I feel her choice to run for Vice President was an extremely selfish one and for the sake of her children and family I pray she doesn’t win. McCain’s decision to select her only reinforces in my mind that he truly doesn’t care about women or children – if he did, he would of never selected a woman who so obviously should be raising her family and not running for the office of Vice President.

I honestly believe that John McCain saw her for nothing more than the fact that she was a woman as well as the “sympathy” vote. He’s using her and worse he is using that child who doesn’t care if his mom is vice president – he’s only going to care that she isn’t there.

Amy, you and Palin are taking the women issue too far. A mother’s first duty should be to her children. How do you rationalize a mother with a child with down syndrome or any other condition leaving her child to run off and run a country. She might as well have aborted. Shes not there for the child.

I think it was very irresponsible for Mccain to nominate her and for her to accept. How selfish can they be. The republican party going for this desperate act is not much better.

This counrty has too many serious issues without having to worry about a president that may die in office and a mother that may not be available because she’s attending to an infant. GET REAL

I have listened to the charges against palin of inexperience. As I understand it she was mayor of an admittedly small town of 9,000 for 5 years and has been Alaskas Gov for 2. This is 7 years of executive experiance which is 7 more years than Obama, Biden and McCain put together can claim. She just might be the most qualified of all three to be president.

Rick McLaughlin

If the conservative tent was broad they would vote on something other than abortion. The chances of overturning Roe v Wade is a long shot. It’s been 30+ years and the Republicans haven’t done it yet. There are many other huge problems in this country and Ms Palin has no credentials to solve any of them. If America elects John McCain we will get exactly what we deserve.

Amy-
I have been an admirer for a long time. I think you are bright, interesting, and always provide a very educated point of view. You are right, this is much more than an issue on pro-choice, it is indeed about the definition of women and equal rights. We care about many issues. As a woman, I am however concerned about what defines experience, or rather life experience. Sarah Palin has limited executive experience. Having five children and being a soccer mom does not qualify as experience sufficient to lead this country if she were to become VP. Would she have been chosen had she been a man? I doubt it. A stay-at-home dad, member of the PTA, council member and mayor of a small town, recent Governor, would not have been selected to run as VP. I am neither a democrat, nor a republican, but do not for one second believe that the republican party is much broader than the democrat side. It is alarming that you would buy into this hook, line, and sinker.

You are blaming the “media” for a lot. But you are part of the “media.”; aren’t you?

I can think of many positives with Palin:

-Gov. Sarah Palin is much easier on the eyes than Joe Biden

-Gov. Palin is far outside the Washington Beltway, therefore has not been contaminated by 27 yrs. of “Washington insider” stuff as Biden has. How’s that for change?

-Sarah Palin and John McCain’s ages total 116 years, so vote for the ticket with the most experience and not Obama and the insider.

-Gov. Palin is a much better shot than VP Dick Cheney, so go with the straight shooter.

-Sarah Palin likes moose meat, and it has less fat than most beef sold in America, so support a candidate with a healthy diet.

-Gov. Palin was voted Miss Congeniality, so she is more likely to get along with foreign leaders.

-Sarah Palin favors drilling in Alaska, so vote for the candidate who will deliver you lower gas prices immediately.

Why is no one pointing out that Sarah Palin — as most Alaskans — does not have the same experience as everyone else in the US when it comes to paying taxes? Except in specific circumstances, they do not pay income tax, sales tax, or property tax PLUS each resident receives an annual “allowance” of hundreds to thousands of dollars from oil …. and families like Sarah Palin’s whose husband is Native American get $$ help from the feds for health care!!! How is she suppose to represent us or even understand us, people who pay taxes at every turn of daily life and whose costs for health insurance are through the roof?

A very simple challenge for TRUTH in political broadcasting:
Who IS more able to lead our country on day one, Obama or Palin? Who has the most experience as an effective executive, leader of the people, and commander in chief?

CHALLENGE: Take a legal pad. On the left column, make a list of Obama’s accomplishments as they relate to governing our country.
On the right, do the same for Palin. If you are at all honest and do not allow your predetermined prejudices to enter the lists, there is NO comparison. Palin’s list is far longer and far outweighs Obama’s.

Then, uphold TRUTH in broadcasting: SHOW AMERICA THE LISTS!!!!

You can’t build a resume on lies and Palin should have enough respect for herself to stop these lies.

Now Obama probalbly feeling realy stupid now.

He is probably saying, I should have pick Hillary.

Well, too late, you have Biden now, they say that he was accused of plagirizm just like you Obama. So you are the same. Good in copying people stuff.

Vote McCain/Palin.

If Sarah Palin can’t do a good job, then I guess having five kids and being a governor is just not enough. It cracks me up as an Independent that Obama’s lack of experience is “ok” and his Harvard education somehow makes him fully qualified. Obama is still neat, but let’s not get carried away. What is weird is that Biden , who spent 36 years in the Senate, couldn’t solve any of the problems he says he wants to fix. He is the consumate “white guy”. A lot of this sounds like classic sexism toward Sarah Palin. I’d bet Sarah Palin could handle Putin better than anyone. When you’ve had five kids, those maternal genes would kick in and she’d shred him! The hypocrisy of the media talking heads is just amazing in this election.

I am curious, now that word is getting around about governor Palin, when is CNN going start asking the tough questions about her like why she is in the nomination for VP when she is currently being investigated for Ethics violations that could lead to her Impeachment before the Presidential Election begins?

Why is this woman even being considered?

To sum up McCain’s choice, I quote Obama ‘It’s not because John McCain doesn’t care. It’s because John McCain doesn’t get it. ‘

Just wanting to let you guys know that we are paying attention! We know the new baby could be her daughter’s! And is it possible that she is hiding that fact from the american people? So when do you plan on keeping them honest? Do you want to look like fools again just after the John Edwards episode? People in Alaska are talking, it’s just a matter of time.Check daily Kos and the Anchorage Daily News they have pictures of the daughter looking 7months pregnant and the gov. not!

Gov. Sarah Palin brings much to the Republican ticket. Having a reputation as a reformer, she also brings to the table a wealth of knowledge on one of the top issues facing this country in regards to Energy. Sarah Palin is a true inspiration to many women and has the reputation of being a “Champion of Women”. This election year is truly a historical one. Whether America celebrates the first African-American President, or the first woman VP, all of this demonstrates that America has come a long ways. We can all be proud.

I keep seeing on TV and reading here how bad of a choice this is. McCain wanted someone OUTSIDE of DC and that’s what he did. Blitzer and others keep saying, how about Kay Bailey Hutchinson? She is in DC. And the way the CNN broadcasters constantly ask every Republican guest that comes on the same question is getting VERY OLD.

I am a life long Republican and former soccer Mom. I cannot believe that this woman would be someone we could aspire to. She said she is pro life…She proved it by giving birth to her 8 week old infant that she knew would have Down’s Syndrome. Over these next weeks, she will have to be in the public eye almost non-stop. When she will have private time, she will have to spend hours and hours “studying,” in order to prepare for the debate and questions from the media. When will she have time to bond and be with her precious child? There are only so many hours in a day. She does not speak to me, or for me. I think she represents the worst form of abortion…the “after-birth” abortion. I will support and vote for Obama.

I’m very disappointed in John McCains VP Choice. What makes McCain feel that Hillary Clinton supporters will vote for a woman just because she has breast and a V@*ina? This politcal move is very reckless. It’s the experience that counts!! Palin is probably a very good Governor, but she is definately no Hillary Clinton!!!

I’m not arguing with y’all today. This is a Hail Mary pass and more of the same to divert and con the citizens of the United States. If you fall for this 11th hour pass then you get what you deserve and the innocent will suffer right along with you. Stop voting race and vote for a better future for all not some. Why isn’t anyone talking about what Alaska is saying about this woman, or the fact that she is currently under investigation. Enough, no more of our money on continued scandals and investigations unless we are charging the current administration with war crimes. I’m a woman and I’m not falling for this, this woman is no HILLARY CLINTON, she ain’t even Chelsea! This thing has DESPERATE/FEAR written all over it except this time they aren’t scaring the democrats, they are scared of the democrats!
DON’T FALL FOR THIS TRICK…And now he is running to the area that will be hit from Gustav to deliver his acceptance speech!!! Wow, DESPERATE, WHERE WERE YOU DURING KATRINA!!!!!

I don’t think Palin is a better choice than Romney. What the country needs now is not a mom who knows how to give birth to 5 children, but someone who could bring back the economy so we could feeding our family with decent foods, taking family for vacation, sending children to go to school in short….next government is preparing and helping American to fullfill their American dream.

I am pro life, but that’s my personal choice, my daughter also was diagnosed with a DS. But it doesn’t mean I should stop others while they choose not to carry on with theirs. They should have their own reason behind, either personal, economical or health problems…who knows.

What bothers me about the issue of “her choice” to go to full term with a child known to have Downs Syndrome lies with her politics of being PRO LIFE. It seems inappropriate to laud her for her choice when she would remove the choice for every other woman. It is only laudable in the face of actually having had a choice.

In the event that Palin’s Pro Life point of view prevails and the courts and laws change to once again make abortion illegal and making criminals of those 90% of mothers who choose to terminate known Downs Syndrome pregnancies, Palin’s circumstance would be no more than just bad luck, and she would simply be “… on her own…” to deal with the impacts which flow from her bad luck.

I do respect her for her choice, but she did make a “CHOICE”. A choice she would take away from every other woman. It seems to be another example of Republican Policy making to tell everyone else what to do but believing the rules should not apply to themselves. She is happy with her choice. She should allow every other woman to make individual choices.

McCain/Palin:

McCain says he has the judgement and the experience to lead this country……One of his first major decisions…as it relates to this country is picking a VP canditate. HE HAS FAILED TEST #1.

Choosing a woman that he doesnt even know, a woman who is under investigation for abuse of power in the state of Alaska for getting two people fired for political reasons, re-starting the aerial gunning program of alaska wolves, she is anti-environment, anti endangered species act, strictly pro-business, pro oil, pro mining, with no regard to environmental quality and for adamantly being against a womans right to choose…..for these reasons and the other reasons such as her lack of experience, and her right wing extremist policies is not only dangerous to america….it is quite frightening that she could become our sitting president should McCains Health eliminate him from doing his duties….

AMERICA….WAKE UP…vote against McCain/Palin either by voting for Obama…..or just stay home…..either way….this is a dangerous Presidential duo….should they get in.

I am all for a woman…with qualifications to become our president…..but not this extremely…dangerous and extremist female to get in charge of this country…..It will be not in Americas interest

I am so sick of the anti aboration people calling themselves pro life I was 18 when I had became pregnant. Knowing I couldn’t have supported my baby financially or emotionally, I made the choice to place the baby for adoption HOWEVER it was my choice. So I guess I’m a prochoice prolifer. I think the terms should be Government choice vs Individual choice. Sorry Sarah – no way no how will I ever support government choice even if the republicans call themselves “less government”. Thanks but no thanks McCain… I’ll keep my rights. I’ve made the switch to the Dems, and will be getting heavily involved!

By the way Repubs… saying she has more experience doesn’t make it so. She didn’t even know what a Vice President did just a few short weeks ago… check out her pre-selection interviews.

What’s this I hear that about Sara Palin son is really her grandson? That her 16 year old daughter Bristol Palin was pregnant and was taken out of school for eight months to cover it up. That Plain supposedly gave birth at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, right outside the small village of Wasilla where she used to govern as Mayor and had the smaill staff help her cover it up.

Tomy G.

Actually, Michelle Obama would have been a better choice than Sarah Palin. First of all, she’s more in tune with everyday women and the issues that are important to them. Second, she is a well-educated working woman. She graduated cum laude from Princeton, then went to Harvard. She is listed as one of Harvard’s most influential alumni. She serves on many committees, and sits on the board of directors for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Sarah Palin is the 1984 runner-up in the Miss Alaska pageant. She has a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Idaho. She’s a first-time governor of Alaska, the state that is infamous for its corrupt politicians. Oh, and she’s already under investigation after only 18 months.

Honestly, which one would you choose? I think McCain’s list grew very thin and this is what he was left with. Honestly, I can’t believe she was his first choice.

To know that you are pregnent with a retarded child and to go ahead with the birth is a selfish act. To add the burden of tax payer care to another retard is in itself retarded. Let the survival of the fittest strengthen the gene pool, not make us all retarded. Seems to work well with mother nature.

getting awfully dizzy from all the “SPIN” being put on McCain’s choice for VP, by a slew of Republican Pundits, who are endorsing this obscure political figure with over-the-top enthusiasm…jeez, I didn’t know Republicans were such optimists!

But please, save your breath…you might, in this case, “sell ice to the Eskimos”, but most sensible Americans will not be taken in

I am a previous Clinton supporter and Sarah Palin has my vote! We desperately need someone in Washington swho is not an insider and has a record for being a “mover and shaker”. Biden, on the other hand, has been in Washington many years, including the last two in which many Democrats were voted into power because they promised to make changes we have yet to see impact average Americans.

I just spent some time looking at the Alaskan State Budget on line only to discover that 60% of the total state revenue in 2007 came from oil revenues when oil averaged about $63 a barrel. The report went on to say that the entire Alaskan budget depends on increasing oil revenues. My next surprise was that 25% of the entire state revenue came from federal government sources.

If Oil this year has been averaging above $100 a barrel, the state of Alaska has been as much of a abuser of profits from high gas prices as any of the oil companies, as Alaskan state revenue from oil is almost double from seven billion in 2007 to over thirteen billion this year while we pay $4.00 a gallon and also send them an additional 25% of their state budget from federal coffers (our tax dollars).

Sarah Palin is a token woman.

I am sure I am not the only woman who reacts with horror to the news that a mother of 5 which includes a very young disabled child, is to be Mc Cain’s VP candidate. He lost my vote with this stupid move.
When did it become OK, even admirable, for American women to abandon their responsibilities at home and seek out a job that requires 24/7 responsibilities? I suppose a low paid nanny will take her place….
She would be more of a useful citizen if she stayed home and looked after her children.

Somewhat interesting that when we read about this mom of five, we only hear about her two sons – the brave Track, who enlisted in the armed services to defend his country (and not, of course, for the $20,000 bonus we taxpayers are now paying those who enlist); and young Trig, who may have Down’s syndrome, but will at least have the devotion, support, and attention of his mother, whenever she is not busy doing whatever it is a Vice President does (something Palin recently admitted she had not quite figured out.) Since she is supposedly shattering the glass ceiling, I’d just like to take a moment to mention her three daughters, Bristol, Willow, and Piper, who apparently have no qualities or accomplishments worthy of recognition other than joining their mom in a Vogue photo shoot. Keep it up girls – if you continue to be as undistinguished and inexperienced as Mom, someday you may be President!

Ann, why would he need help with the military? That’s HIS strong point. He needs help with other areas, sure, but not the military. Therefore, TX Senator Hutchison really would bring nothing new, would he? Picking somebody who’s been in Washington with experience…well, isn’t that exactly who McCain already is. Maybe he wanted to add some fresh ideas to his campaign to reach out to those who want some change in Washington. And how dare you say Sarah Palin is not smart?! Ignorant comment if you ask me. And the fact that you claim her to be “unqualified” proves you have not done your research. In addition, I wouldn’t go there…Barack Obama has less executive leadership experience than Palin, and isn’t he at the top of the democratic ticket?

Ah, yes, I’d wait and give the woman a chance. She’s going to prove you very wrong, my friend.

Bottom line is that Sarah Palin is a wonderful choice. She brings new ideas and change to Washington, she has experience as an executive leader. She is from a state that is crucial in the oil debacle. And she happens to be a woman who many can relate to. She can be the voice of all those military families who have children over seas. She can relate and represent those families who have ill family members and have to deal with the price of health care. I think the problem might be democrats are afraid of her, and their only defense is to make ignorant and false claims against her.

And if Alaska is profiting from the oil crisis, isn’t that a little bit better than a mid eastern country profiting???? Isn’t that what we want…for America to depend on American oil, so WE benefit…and ultimately can lower prices for Americans?

Palin is an excellent choice for the Republican ticket. She has the same goals as McCain where other possible republican women do not. We certainly do not need to return to the party that allowed the attacks on our country while they had their heads buried in the ground regardless if Bush did a poor job in the followup in Iraq. McCain and Obama want change, but Obama’s change will destroy the the US in favor of a socialist agenda. Who needs foreign enemies when we have democrats!

Sarah Palin is a woman of values. Mccain is a man of values. Our country was built on Judeo-Chritian values………If you don’t have the original values of our country, the country will fall. Look at what happened to Rome back in history. God is watching over our country, and Pro-life and pro-gay are not values that will send this country to a moral, healthy place.

In my last comment, what I meant to write was………Pro-choice and pro-gay are not values that will send this country to a moral, healthy place…..It hurts to even write out the term, “pro-choice.”

Lauren

We don’t need to do a little bit better on oil, we need to do a lot better. To put the leader of the Alaskan Oil Profiteers in as VP only assures the focus will continue to be toward policies that keep prices high and profits high and feed Palin’s state’s appetite for welfare based on oil prices. A sick system to my way of thinking.

This gun-toter is supposed to sway a lot of people? Sorry, but I don’t see it. Is this 1908 or 2008 I keep wondering?? Do women need to join the NRA now to be accepted? No one is happy about how many abortions there are. But I don’t agree with no abortion even in rape cases.

Palin may appeal to some little town in AK but her life experience did not reflect mine. It is hard to raise children with a full time job nonetheless, a 24/7 one. I agreed with others, if she is courageous enough to bring the child to the world she should be courage enough to stay by his side at his crucial stage of development.

“Who needs foreign enemies when we have democrats?”
Bill, I suspect many Democrats feel the same way about Republicans…and I suspect that “cold Civil War” is at the root of America’s problems. We have increasingly become a divided nation during the past eight years, under the leadership of a President who is far more concerned with furthering his right-wing agenda than with finding common ground upon which all Americans can stand.
As Democrats and Republicans rip each other to shreds, we make surprisingly little progress toward solving our nation’s problems.
Leaving aside the issue of inexperience, Sarah “Barracuda” Palin is a fiercely competitive, strongly opinionated person. She will not help McCain represent all Americans; instead, she will pull him in the direction of staunch, inflexible conservatism. And by picking Palin, McCain has signaled that his administration will, like the Bush administration, put conservative values before American values.
Joe Biden, on the other hand, will help Barack Obama be a President for all Americans. I do not expect that if Obama is elected President, Democrats and Republicans will suddenly link arms and start singing Kum-ba-yah. But I believe that our best hope for a United States of America, as opposed to a Torn and Conflicted States of America, lies in the Obama-Biden ticket.

Comparisons between Palin and Obama are absurd. Obama has spent the last 19 months making his case to the American people and demonstrating his command of the issues. In the last 19 months, he has brilliantly managed a massive operation (counts as executive experience in my book), beaten the powerful Clinton machine and inspired millions of Americans. This campaign has tested him and proven his leadership at a national level. And Sarah Palin? Americans have known her since Friday.

I watched the candidates revealed. McCain was a selfish, narcisstic party animal who used his pilot status for womanizing and adultery. McCain cares about McCain and his career, not helping real people. When did “cocky” and “arrogant” translate to the definition of maverick. As a POW he did his job and focused on surviving. Upon his release, he resumed his narcisstic behavior including adultery. Plus his trip to the gulf coast and selection of Paiklin is strictly to increase photo ops for himself.

I am an active soccer mom. I work full-time in an executive role in the financial services industry. I am a single mom, not by my choice. I am heavily involved with my child’s PTSA as well as our homeowner’s association. We have traveled extensively and are active in our church. I am no more equipped to be in the second place of our country, and potentially RUN the most powerful country on earth than Sarah Palin is.

Anyone who believes the most important issues facing our country right now are abortion and gun rights (which is downright interesting when used in the same sentence – one is I’m going to TELL you what to do; the second is – leave me the he** alone I can do what I like) are obviously out of touch. This is a critical time in our history. Can anyone seriously say they would feel comfortable with Sarah Palin sitting down in front of Putin or other world leaders, including the Middle East, to resolve issues? This is pandering to the real powers behind the Party. I had been an undecided voter and consider myself an independent. After this poor and reckless decision, I CANNOT vote for McCain/Palin this fall. This risk is too great, and the reward too little. Nothing to do with ProLife/ProChoice, other than our politicians really need to understand what is most important to the people.

I was shocked to see some of the ignorant statements that some individuals have made about Palin having had amniocentesis to detect birth defects prior to birth. They actually stated that a true pro-lifer would never have had such a test in the first place because the only reason to have a test like that would be to have the choice to abort it!!! How can anybody be that dumb to make a statement like that!! Some birth defects can be detected and surgeries performed while the child is still in the womb. Also, “knowing” that a child has down syndrome “before” hand helps to prepare how to care for such a child. Knowing about “any” type of birth defect is helpful in preparing not only yourself and your family but ALSO the medical staff at the time of birth. Preparation for a special needs child ahead of time makes you stronger and more knowledgeable in caring for the child after birth. So stop being so judgmental about things you so obviously know NOTHING about!! Maybe that’s why you are judgmental in the first place, you just don’t have the proper knowledge to make good judgment. So hopefully this will help you.

. . . and not one comment in this blog about the inevitable Supreme Court justices to be picked during the next four years . . . this ticket is the Gustav of disasters for women’s rights. Talk about a dysfunctional pro-life/pro-family message, this one is the eye of the storm. Moose burgers and Bud Lite–ah, the America we’ve come to love.

Obama/Biden 2008

I watched you on CNN Friday night from LAX as I was waiting to board the Red Eye to Orlando. I appreciated your thoughtful and insightful comments on Senators McCain’s choice for a Running Mate. I think Gov. Palin is a great choice and to hear the Liberal Wacko’s struggle to find any legitimate arguments against her was a comedy show! Paul Begalla called the President a “Moron” on National TV and stated he would not have dinner with someone he never met. BS I bet he has had countless dinners with people he was meeting for the first time. His comments about President Bush being a “Moron” show that he has no respect for the office of the President……but what do you expect from a man who served the one President who turned the Oval Office into his own personal Strip Club. I have one word for Begalla..SCUMBAG!! As for Carville, he is not worth my time responding to his Vitriolic, Weasel Faced, partisan hack mentality

I think you are overlooking several pieces of the arguement with regards to her position as pro life, anti abortion, call it what you may. Mrs Palin is not just pro life, she is a Conservative Christian with a pro life postion. I believe that the Conservative Christian postion along with her gender garnered her the spot on the ticket. And that scares me. It has been my experience that the average Chirstian knows little to nothing about Islamic, Hindu or Buddahist tradtions. (let alone a real understanding of the St James version of the bible they so often like to quote) Today more than ever, in international politics an understanding of those traditions are extremely important. President Bush the 1st may have gotten away with a relative unknown, Dan Quyale but he was also basking in the glow of the Regan years. McCain doesn’t have that luxury.
My second concern with her pro life postion is that it appears that as Gov. she has had as little concern with health care or education issues beyond her immediate situation as “Hockey Mom”. The Conservative Christian gang are quick to say no to abortion but slow to come up with a plan, other than adoption and abstinence to support their postion. So what is their plan for other women who may find themselves in Mrs Palin;s position; a mother with a DS or autistic or other special needs child? If she is elected, “We the People” will be paying for her childs care since mom will be busy with other matters of state. Is she and her Conservative bunch willing to pick up that tab for other mom’s who HAVE to work? Who will pay for it?
The problems that we are facing now are alot more complex then a 30 second sound bite. Being politically astute & aggressive is helpful to Mrs Palin’s personal political aspirations but offers little in resolving the economic and international problems created by the last 8 years of mismanagement by George the 2nd..

The Hillary supporters complain to much!!!!!
If you did a little research you would know there are 113 million voting eligible women in the United States. The Hillary supporters only represent 16% of potential women voters. John Mc Cain made a brilliant move by adding an intelligent women on his ticket to take over Washington. The Democrats only play to women emotions and the good old boys never had any intentions to let women take a rightful role in moving this country forward.
Go John Mc Cain & Sarah Palin

Amy,
Palin is not running for the PTA. She feels she is qualified to possibly be commander and chief of the United States of America. She has been mayor of a town with the population of Apple Valley Caifornia and govenor of a state that has the population of San Bernardino California. and a govenor for 24 months I might add. She has 5 children one has challenging disabilities . she has thrown her hat into the job that is very demanding and stressful, not to mention a culture shock. I am looking forward to the debates. I would like to know why she feels she is so qualified and just what does she feel she could do for the country, immigration,economy, energy, war,enviroment, endangered species

What a joke!

Gov Palin has the highest approval rating in the country at about 80%…is that an SAT question:

In terms of popouation, Alaska is to the US (less than % of the total population), as I am to my extended family (including 4 or 5 generations)…. with that logic, I could be VP too…I have a 90% approval rating in my family.

She has foreign policy experience because, as we were reminded by Cindy McCain — Alaska is the closest state to Russia….I spent 12 years living in Germany…that doesn’t make me German, nor does it make me a foreign policy “expert.”

She is pro-life because she “CHOSE” not to abort her Down Syndrome child ….wait, that sounds like PRO-CHOICE to me.

However, I do not think Gov Palin was selected for me…a conservative woman. I actually think she was selected to target conservative white men…she’s smart and sassy, a great appeal to white, blue-collar men. I think this was a brilliant pick by McCain for that reason…while Democrats are spending the next weeks scratching their heads, Gov Palin will be winning the hearts and minds of Joe Blow from Ohio. Don’t say it can’t happen…remember Dan Quayle?

As for me…I’m voting for Joe Biden.

First I will state that I am a Republican turned Democrat but I am glad at least that there is finally a woman on the Republican ticket. I am, however, quite miffed by the actual choice. I’m quite sure that there are many Republican women with much more political and international experience and knowledge that could certainly been tapped to fill that post. I wonder if the rest just don’t want to be too closely affiliated with John McCain/G W Bush. I most certainly couldn’t blame them. Eight very long and hard years of Lie after Lie and Failure after failure on the part of the Republicans could make anyone a bit ‘gun shy’.
Let’s face it for the women and men that I know McCain’s being a women and being pro-life is a side show. The REAL issues that affect this nation are our Foreign Policy, Developing a meaningful long term energy policy for energy independence, reaffiriming our commitment to human rights and people and not torture, re-building a national industrial structure which will provide decent high paying jobs for those who have been trown out on the street by ‘Free Trade’ instead of ‘Fair Trade, an effective policy to protect our environment instead of exploiting it for short term profit.
With these things in mind I am very sorry to say that John McCain once again has shown his lack of good decision making and common sense in his choice of Sarah Palin. She is squarely on the WRONG SIDE of everyone of those issues and thats what every voter regardless of race or gender or religious belief shoudl carry with into the voting booth on election day. John McCain is a nice guy and a war hero but my God how can we honestly put someone in charge of this nation for another 4 years who seems to be incapable of making the choices necessary to make our nation a better more secure place. Everything he does these days seems like nothing more than the same old G W Bush/Carl Rove shallow showmanship for political gain putting just about every right wing principle above whats best for the United States.

What an odd blog entry…doesn’t really do much except try to start an argument regarding the hiring practices of pro-choice democrats…do we REALLY need to bring up the Justice Department?

Amy,
I watch you frequently on CNN, I admire your independent view on issues. A women on the ticket will bring in a view into government that has never been at that level. I for one do not care what color of skin a person has, as I have worked with many of all colors and have found it is the integrity inside the person that makes the person. Not the height, weight, color of hair or skin.
The key to our success as a country is Negotiation. Women know how to negotiate, to look at the situation and LISTEN to others and then make a decision. This is what I see in Gov. Palin. She is a strong independent person, who has care and compassion. I commend Senator McCain for his choice. Thank God he did not bring in someone else from Washington DC. To me Senator Biden has baggage, Senator Obama, well he is still a man.
I for one will be voting for McCain/Palin and I am excited about it.

I’m Hillary Supporter.. Very disappointed in dem party I’m 37 year.. All I every seen Men First.. Men Run the house.. Obama.. What’s does he do .. Pick an Men as VP.. Liked Same old Government..

I been watching McCain and Palin..I did not Pick Hillary because of abortions.. I’m a Vegertain.. I’m total against abortions.. I don’t believe in killing any animals.. That My choice.. Some one else I might see something different..

I Liked what i see in Palin.. A Women raising children.. and Working in government everyday.. It’s very Hard.. I think it will be good in out countries to have a VP..

She can understand what us Mom goes through.. Im a single Mom.. raising a 14 year old daughter making 7.75 an hour.. very hard.. Men always make more the Women..

McCain and Palin has my vote in Nov..

I see no changes in Obama same old government Men World.. Talk about change.. Biden been here for 36 years.. nothing new……

thank u

Joann

I don’t care about right or left or concervative–I just think a 44 year old mother of finve children is not a good choice. There are so many experienced people around, I feel he was just pressured to pick a woman. He looks silly ! I know when people are running for office, they ignore their responsibilites. The Senators running haven’t done much in the Senate, but she has a state to run. I think so anyway. Now she will ot be there for the next four months.–huh? Must not be much of a job–anyone can do it. Leaving young children is not my idea of a good person. She is young and has plenty of time to run for higher office later. I am a life long republican, but if this is the kind of decisions McCain is going to make, I must rethink thengs. I wanted to vote for Mitt Romney, but here in Pa we din not get a chance. It was all decided by juat a few states. The system is broken. Most of us had no choice at all. Think I will write in Mitt!!

The Palin choice provides much needed “executive” experience to the debate.

At first glance, the Palin selection has seen the Obama camp scrambling to re-define what experiences are important. As after all, in their eyes this “nobody” governor from AK can’t have more experience that Senator Obama, …, or does she??

We seem to forget, that members of the senate or congress have very little “executive” experience (i.e. actual decision making rather than by committee) when compared to a town major or state governor. When you think about it it’s no surprise that it’s rare for a senator to become president, as having DC inside know-how – won’t help you to make a snap-decision at 3AM when the call comes in!

If you therefore consider executive experience as your yard-stick, McCain’s choice of Palin (a former mayor and governor), has brought possibly more of the correct type of experience to the fray than that provided by any of the other three gentleman …

Is it me or does Palin look an sound more like Obama. She goes against bad republicans, she wants to put people first, she has little or no experiance, shes a devoted parent, she started from nothing an became a politition, shes for changing the way old politics work. So if that makes her so great to be a heart beat away, why not just give it to OBAMA right?

McCain and Palin compliment each other. Obama chose Biden to make up for the lack of military and global experience he does not have. McCain did not have to do that. McCain is already strong in that area. You can tell that if anything did happen to McCain in office, that Palin is a take charge woman with a great deal of character and will rise to the challenge. Obama said McCain just doesn’t get it. In truth, it is Obama who just doesn’t get it. He doesn’t seem to understand that health, education, social justice, etc., is impossible without the strong structure of the family, human dignity and respect for the basic value of human life. Does he think that you can construct a happy and peaceful society on homoeroticism, baby murder, manipulation of human life, and other unmentionable horrendous practices that the democrats speak with such natural calmness and acceptance? The dems have lost all sense of balance, common sense and morality.

being a maverick is one thing, but being an idiot is another. this woman cant even speak in public!!!!!! this has got to be a huge joke, we are talking about the presidency of THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA….. she needs to be home taking care of her small child with special needs. and being a woman i too agree in PRO CHOICE!!!!! men have no vote in that at all….. and when all of you republicans said our unity was fake, so to is yours. you just dont know whether to laugh or cry!!!! and she is is a nice lady, but she is no hillary!!!!! GO OBAMA AND BIDEN!!!!

One thing we as American’s can agree upon is that McCain clearly understands the the word and definition of EYE CANDY. He first introduced us to Barbie and now we have the pleasure of meeting Bambi!!

I miss the days when campaigns weren’t drilling catch words and phrases into the minds of the press. In the hours after McCain’s announcement, his supporters in the media kept repeating the word “belittle” to describe what the Democrats were doing to Palin. Seriously, if you listen to the footage again you will hear it over and over again.

Amy, I respect your opinion and, honestly, Gov. Palin sounds like a great role model and person. McCain’s choice of VP doesn’t say anything to me about the Governor, but it sure speaks volumes about the reckless decision-making skills of the Presidential candidate.

Anderson:

Your point was very well stated. So many women I know are so afraid of Roe Vs. Wade being overturned, if McCain/Palin wins in Nov.

I am Pro-choice & voting for their slate.

Five of the Supreme Court judges are Catholic, if they agreed with the Pope; Roe vs. wade would have already been overturned.

Amy:

Gov. Sarah Palin is gutsy !!!! We are suffering from a lack of guts in Washington, and that is why we are always left with the status quo. We need a shake up!!!!! This is CHANGE I can believe in!!!!!

Susan
Phoenixville,PA

I can only imagine what all of our foremothers are thinking right now…all that work to arrive at a place where this woman is nominated because she can fish, hunt, give birth five times, believes in God and is a beauty queen to boot. Come on….if John McCain was serious about wanting to make a statement to women in America, he would have nominated a woman with the credentials to serve. Sarah Palin is the governor of a state with a population smaller that the City I live in in Upstate NY, and the town she was the mayor of had a population of 6,000 people. By that measure, half the mayors and school board presidents in the US are qualified to serve.

Look at what we are facing as a country — two wars, a deficit that will take 20+ years to reduce, an economy that is fallling apart, declining graduation rates across the US, an international reputation that has been squandered by 8 years of bad diplomacy- the list goes on…and John McCain thinks that we are naive enough to believe that given all that, he made the best choice in a VP candidate?

I am relieved in reading the blog that so many others are responding much like I am…in total disbelief.

And to Christina in Indiana…you believe Obama let you down when he didn’t select Hillary “and now you’ll pay”…if you were truly in support of Hillary the candidate, there would be nothing in the fiber of your being that would suggest to you that you vote for McCain. Keep that in mind when you go to the voting booth…this election, unlike any other in my lifetime, is about US – and our Country – NOT HILLARY, NOT BARACK, NOT MCCAIN and surely not SARAH PALIN.

David August 31st, 2008 3:38 pm ET

the brave Track, who enlisted in the armed services to defend his country (and not, of course, for the $20,000 bonus we taxpayers are now paying those who enlist)

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David:

You were kidding about this , right? A $20,000 bonus in exchange for giving your life for one’s country!

The last job I had signed me on for a $15,000 bonus. Believe me it was not worth the bonus. I stayed the lenght of time necessary, to collect it & then resigned. So, trust me, he didn’t sign on for the bonus. He is a very brave man!

Amy,

Hi. I am a white guy who grew up in the Nashville area like your former employer Bill Frist. I am going to vote for Barack Obama in November. I am also a Christian discerner. You may be fooling other people, but you are not fooling me. When you step into that voting booth in November, you are going to pull that lever for Barack Obama too. I do not care what you conservative background or credentials might be. The moment is too historic, too momentous, too important for black people in the United States. To not be part of it would be like not wanting to travel back in time for an hour and actually witness the signing of the Declaration of Independence. You need to think about that and do the right thing—which is to vote for Barack Obama.

Hoosier August 31st, 2008 3:32 pm ET

Sarah Palin is a token woman.
When did it become OK, even admirable, for American women to abandon their responsibilities at home and seek out a job that requires 24/7 responsibilities? I suppose a low paid nanny will take her place….

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Not admirable?…..I think this woman is phenomenal! This is the 21st Century, Hoosier. You might want to get with the program. Many, Many women have jobs that require 24/7 responsibilities. Motherhood requires 24/7 responsibilities. Maybe her husband or parents (or all three) will help her out. Also, I think it would be great to see young children running around the White House again! Would a high paid nanny from the White House staff make you feel any better?

Deborah August 31st, 2008 1:42 pm ET
I’m very disappointed in John McCains VP Choice. What makes McCain feel that Hillary Clinton supporters will vote for a woman just because she has breast and a V@*ina? This politcal move is very reckless. It’s the experience that counts!!

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Because she is equipped with something more Deborah…..a brain!

She also, has more excecutive expierence than Sen. Obama or Hillary, for that matter.

Amy, I have to point out some significant problems in your blog.
The media making gov. Palin as an extreme right wing conservative is because she is. She is very prolife including cases of incest and rape. She is trying to push for drilling in ANWAR, and fighting to have the polar bear taken off the endangered species list, sounds like she may be related to James Watt, remember him? She wants creationism taught in schools, seperation of church and state still mean anything to anyone. And she comes from a family supported by oil, sound familiar to anyone? Oh and she is already being invertigated for abuse of power, despite McCain stating that she prides herself on cleaning up the unethical government of Alaska. Seems like the republicans are always the moral voice of the country with family values and the such, until it serves their needs. And now that she is in the running for a fderal position i would like careful monitoring of that investigation with full disclosure of it’s “independent investigation.”
So is she far right? find me some moderate, or left winger with these characteristics and I’ll change my mind. Until then I would put her as far right on the scale as posssible. The fact the religeous right, the talk show circut, and the NRA are jumping for joy makes your arguement very weak that she isn’t.

Oh and just in case some of the former Hillary dems are thinking of voting for McCain keep in mind that there is the possibility of 3-4 justices stepping down over the next 4-8 years. This could swing the court in a strong way towards making your choice the government’s choice not your own. And while i am usually one to lean towards prolife adoption and family planning, i would never think to make that choice for any other women, I am not walking in their shoes, and the thought of a return to back alley abortions for women even in the case of rape or incest scares the heck out of this medical professional.

One last comment on a side note, To the writer who refers to her son as the R word and states that he is a burden to the state. Try vounteering with the special olympics and see if you hold to your ignorant views.

I LOVE Sarah Palin! She was a fabulous choice! I am proud to be a pro-choice Republican WOMAN.. Yes, it does exist! I personally have been offended by Democrats that are so ignorent to belive because I am a woman, who happens to be Pro-choice that I would vote for a Represenative, Senator, or President based on one issue alone… As far as experience goes, is Obama not using his lack of experience as a “Washington Insider” as a positive?? If we expected our Presidents and Vice Presidents to carry all the skill for running a country with them to office we would not need a Cabinet.

The liberals hate Sarah because she is something they can never be- authentic. Obama puts a Catholic on his ticket (Biden) but the Catholic “does not get it” What does he not get? The fact that he, being pro choice and a catholic ,is a walking talking yelling paradox . Perhaps an audience with the Pope might help Mr Biden understand that his verbiage is not only a paradox but an abomination to God. Obama is not authentic either: his half brother lives in a tin hut in Africa! Obama does not care about him. If he does not care about his own blood, do you think he cares about anything? Sarah is the real thing- her life and beliefs are integrated. Obviously Sarah will bring more Catholic voters to the GOP ticket. And Obama has no loyalty- witness what he did to Hillary. Ego, showoff, disloyal and total disregard for what half of his party wanted- a dream team. Pride before Fall.

” A child diagnosed in utero with Down’s Syndrome ” I admire Mrs. Palin because it takes much needed strength – time – and effort taking care of a child who is disabled ., However, after all the ‘ complaining ” about Obama not having the experience ” I find McCain contradictive in terms by his ” Choice ” pick as vice president …

I am one of those 18 million who say no thanks to Palin because this is a desperate attempt by McCain to ” crash a good party united in the cause of a concerned nation ” . over the bad policies McCain voted for 90% of the time … McCain made error in ” choice ” what next ?

After seeing again how people were treated during Katrina and the picture of McCain & Bush laughing it up in Arizona on the very same day, it boggles my mind that any black person would even consider voting Republican.

I know that education is scoffed at by the Republican party. They may pay lip service to the idea of education, but their policies are abysmal. This attitude shines particularly brightly when it comes to their candidates. GWB speaks at commencement ceremonies and brags about “bein” a C student”, John McCain made it though the academy by the skin of his teeth, at the very bottom of a very large class. And now we’re presented with this Palin woman whose intelligence is unknown, but whose academic accomplishments consist of a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

I am sick of idiots in charge. I want the very brightest , most well informed people at the helm during treacherous times, and I want them to surround themselves with bright, well-informed people.

You in the media have fostered this idea that any politician who can be a “regular” guy ( or gal), throw back a beer, shoot a gun, and not put a coherent thought together automatically understands us and our problems. Anyone who gives thoughtful, intelligent answers is aloof and arrogant.

No wonder the state of our educational system is such a disaster! It is obvious to me, in his pick of Ms Palin, that John McCain would rather endanger our country than lose an election, and yes, I am questioning his patriotism.

Michelle in Ca., HOOSIER and those who know the truth: You have in right. I am a mother of a 22 year old Down sydrome son. I have three daughter that I to had to spend time with as welI. I was a P.T.A. president for my son school as well as during my daughters school years I was the treasurer of the P.T.A. I knew that as a parent you have to put children first.Raising a son with Down sydrome is not easy.I had to work weekends to have a day off through the week to have my son at therapy during the week. We would be there four to five hours a day so that he could get all he needed. I guess Palin will have a nanny during her work but sees herself as a mom handling it all. I am afraid that John Mccain pick is about what he Wants!!!!! and Palin is what she can Get!!!!!.Isn’t that just like the Republican Party Selfish and Greedy…..I am glad to know that in 2008 American’s can see and read that this was not planned by MCSAME( as I saw on a bumper sticker). He apparently think that women are really eager for power and family comes second!! Those who keep comparing Barack Obama to Governor Palin you CAN’T he is running for PRESIDENT NOT VICE PRESIDENT!!! He Knew what he needed for his campaign and he has Joe Biden!!!

don’t you people get it: McCain, did exactly what Obama, said he was going to do, but didn’t. Obama, could not bring himself to put the next best person, on the ticket with him. Obama, has been preaching this message of CHANGE. But, what does he do he picks, Biden, who has been in The Senate longer than McCain. So how, is that getting away, from the way THE SAME-OLE THINGS, are done in Washington. Now McCain, had no problem having a woman, on his ticket. He is not the PIG, that Obama is. and McCain, goes outside of Washington, to find someone, who is not involved in The Good-Ole Brand of Politics. I think McCain has done exactly the thing Obama, has preached about for 18 months, but was not man enought to do. You people, are actin like someone Obama’s age couldn’t just up and have a Heart Attack tomorrow. Blacks, have a higher rate, of high blood pressure they have a higher rate of sugar. So you don’t know what GOD’S plan for either of these people are. Because McCain’s pick was risky, I am a HRC supporter, who will be voting for him.

It is a shame that instead of showing the interlligence to make the right pick by choosing a VP that would have added Economic & CEO Experience to the Republicican Ticket and to give America hope that if John McCain were to be able to lead on Military and Foriegn Policy front, that he would have chosen a VP that would have possessed the knowledge and experience to help turn the economy around – and that pick should have been Mitt Romney. Instead McCain picked a woman who is so the opposite of what Hillary Clinton is and stands for that he has lost his chance in hell of capturing those dienfranchised woman, by probably pissing them off with his choice of Palin, a pro-choice, pro-gun and anti-higher thinking candidate.

No matter what the promaries yielded in pitting candidates against candidates, both McCain and Obama have shown themselves both to be so vain that they could not reach out to their final competitor standing during the primaries. Hillary Clinton for Obama and Mitt Romey for McCain. Is all was a true democracy and both parties believed in putting their top 2 persons on their tickets, Clinton and Obama and Romney and McCain should have all been paired together.

Had Obama chosen Hillary Clinton as his VP and McCain chosen Mitt Romney as his VP – America would have gotten the best choice it could have had for this election. Instead, America has to choose from 2 subpar Presidential Candidates with their subpar VP picks that add nothing to balance out Obama’s or McCains shortcomings. It will end up being a lesser of 2 evils type of election. And unfortunately, that does not bode well for the return to excellance and propserity for the American people.

Sarah Palin is an excellent choice for Vice President and with McCain picking her as his running mate it only strengthens my support for him. I am pro life and I see all abortion as murder. Abortion is not a form of birth control and an innocent child shouldn’t have to suffer because the parents made an irresponsible decision prior to getting pregnant knowing they didn’t have the financial means to support a child. However Democrats of course want to support abortion rights because that’s who their supporters are people that have made irresponsible decisions all throughout life. At some point an individual has to be able to make reasonable and honest decisions in life and not look to the government for help for every thing that goes wrong in their life. If a person drops out of high school and can’t obtain employment for their entire life then that’s just tough luck don’t blame your failures on everyone else. Barack Obama has no experience in foreign policy and no one is saying anything about his lack of knowledge but everyone is ripping Palin. The entire democratic party is nothing but a bunch of crooks and frauds.

The Palin pick is an indication of McCain’s decision-making process, as is the Biden pick for Obama. When GW picked Dick Cheney, I knew what we were in store for and voted accordingly…. in two elections. As I assess candidates in this election I am tasked with choosing from the one who was the least frightening from one party versus the one who was the most charismatic in the other.

This year again I will vote on what I think the administration will look like under our new president’s command and not from some sophomoric, pseudo-intellectual analysis of, among other things, how many pro-choicers or pro-lifers are staffed by each party.

Why are so many bloggers anti-female? I am so proud of being one!

All this discussion over being qualified for President…….Abraham Lincoln was only a Congressman when he ran for President. Harry Truman only had an eighth grade education .

As long as they demonstrate a large degree of common sense & goodwill…..this country will be fine.

Andrew Johnson was Lincoln’s VP. He was a very bad man & set the Civil Rights Movement back 100 yrs. because he was a racist.

It took until LBJ….(a very good man), passed the Civil Rights Act into law. He did in memory of JFK. It could never have been done without Lyndon Johnson. He had the most influence with the Southern Politicians.

So, I think we have to listen very carefully to these candidates duriing the next 2 months.

Also, I might as well state at this point that I think President Bush is a truly great man! My grandson asked me the other day, why everyone hated him so much? I asked him if he knew that Abraham Lincoln was the only other President that was hated more than Pres. Bush.
He said…..no Nana, you’re wrong, everyone loves him! I said they didn’t while he was President. They even shot his horse & killed him before his assasination. He was very surprised.

It’s very hard to stand up & do the right thing, when so many people diagree with you….but I believe history will be very kind to President Bush!

First, I have to say that I am totally overwhelmed by the unfolding of
events. As an environmentalist first, I challenge Sarah Palin’s claim to being pro-life. She and John McCain and Mr. Bush are pro-life until the time of birth. George Bush, as governor of Texas, executed more incarcerated criminals than any other governor in the history of the United States. Sarah Palin claims to be pro-life. Pro-life to what? She should be more specific to her claim. She is anti-abortion. Pro-life to me means that you cherish ALL life, including the lives of animals who have just as much right to be inhabiting this planet as descendents of humans. She has invited hunters and sportsmen to her state to engage in helicopter hunts where they ride in helicopters to gun down animals indiginous to the area for sport. Is this someone who espouses pro-life views? She is not pro-life! She is only anti-abortion; a subject that deals only with humans. What about our environment? She is in favor of drilling our pristine environments even though there should be a push toward alternative solutions. This whole scenerio wreaks of dishonesty. I feel insulted that John McCain would even entertain the idea that women would flock to Sarah Palin (whose name couldn’t even be pronounced without reference to VanHalen) and compare her to Hillary Clinton as a leader in the national and international spotlight. Fie on you John McCain.

As far as having

2 OIL MEN GOING OUT AND 2 OIL MEN WANT IN.
Palin is suppose to support ANWAR drilling and bring in women voters.hmmmm.obvious pandering to women but I believe willl be supported by REP men. shes attractive, shes for drilling, shes for not giving women a choice.

Wow! Whether we think Palin is a good VP or not there is a much bigger issue at hand. He only met her ONE time and it was not to be vetted! Then he calls her, has a conversation and then offers her the position. I really loved the comment made by Lynda Z. ” I would also assume that John McCain spent time in prayer before an Almighty God who loves this country and wants the best for our nation.”
Could you be more ridiculous? First of there is only One God. Also, let’s be clear it is pretty obvious that all parties involved love this country!

Anyway, I think the pick had a much deeper meaning to it than meets the eye. McCain’s choice says to me that he is so desperate to knock African American history that he would make a rash decision when picking his back up. Is this the way he makes important decisions? With that being said, God’s will be done!

I think that Gov. Palin is a wonderful choice since she is the only one that has Executive experience. She has more qualities that pro life. I think she brings new ideals and excitement to the race now. We need to remember McCain and Obama are running for President and why is Obama being compared to Palin. Palin one ups Biden by far, and also Obama. I love McCain’s choice and now has my vote. Difference is good, might make people open their minds to new ideals. Personally I feel Hillary is Happy with McCain’s choice and rooting for them.

I am Democrat but My vote goes to John McCain and My hat is off to him for electing a female to run as his running mate!!! I think it’s awsome!!!!! Good for him!!!!! I’m from Kansas and we usually vote for the Republican’s and I don’t see any reason why that will change this time!!!! In my opinnion the Democrat’s made a bad decision to elect Obama over Clinton cause I would have voted for her!!!!!! My reason for voting for McCain? because he had the experience and he’s been there!!!!! Our Men and Women fighting in Iraq need him!!!!! Because? He know’s what’s going in over there!!!!!

Kathy,

You are right – it is not my place to question Track Palin’s motivation for enlisting. I don’t know him. However, it is a fact that many of the young soldiers who found themselves in Iraq enlisted in the army primarily for the educational benefits – free college tuition. Most of them probably never dreamed that the most powerful nation on earth would ever find it necessary to invade a desert kingdom for its oil; then waste an indefinite amount of time, an enormous amount of money, and far too many young lives occupying that country.

Apparently, the young people of America have learned their lesson. The Army was unable to meet its recruiting goals without offering a handsome bonus. Again, I won’t call Track’s courage into question, but the bonus certainly may have factored in his decision. Twenty thousand dollars is a lot to an 18-year-old recent high school graduate.

Bonus or no bonus, I pray that Track does not have to give his life “for his country.” I think it is pretty well established that his country is not benefiting in any way, shape, or form from the supreme sacrifices that so many of its soldiers have made in Iraq.

Ms Holmes, you, Limbaugh, Hanity and your other mushy-headed friends have placed this country in great jeopardy by encouraging the election of an old man and a moose eating, gun-toting airhead. What a joke! What a joke! But it ain’t funny.
We will be the laughing stock of the world if we elect that pair. I can see Putin and other world leaders laughing now. And to think I risk my life for this country on a daily basis. If you and others like you think that John McCain’s approach to the current war and other potential wars is correct, get yourselves over there. You don’t have a clue about anything pertaining to the real world. How much do the republicans pay you. Or are you simply brainwashed?

Excellent piece, Amy.

As a full disclosure, I’m neither a democrat nor a republican but I strongly agree with you that reps(prolifers) are more tolerant than democrats(pro-choicers). Most democrats are willing to give Obama, who’s on top of the dems ticket, a pass on experience but are vigorously attacking a fine lady(bottom of reps ticket) who’s got some amount of excutive experience. Obama is inspirational, smart and well-spoken, which is admirable, but where is the tangible evidence of all the work he claimed to have done for the people on the south side of Chicago. I think it would be wise to have some of the people he helped to speak out. I’m afraid that the anti-Bush sentiments has blurred the objectivity of most democrats. They chose Obama over Hillary(with more experience) and are blindly believing that Mccain and Bush are the same, completely ignoring the fact that no two individuals can ever be the same. Please go beyond the rhetoric and vote for what you think would be best for America. Both Obama and MCcain are good people. And like everyone, they have strengths and weaknesses. We need to weigh the pros and cons of each ticket objectively and vote for the ticket with more pros then cons. Do not simply dismiss Palin because she’s not a Harvard grad nor a Washington insider. An ivy league or Harvard credential does not necessarily makes one an effective leader. Have the Obama-Biden ticket delivered more for their families, and the people they’ve represented in the past than the MCcain-Palin ticket? What tangible things have they done for the progress and prosperity of others? A good leader must have a servant’s heart. Which, of the two tickets, would be willing to give it all in the interest of the American people?

Let me ponder this.

John McClain accused Obama of not having the experience to be ready on day one. Hmmm, that not a problem for Palin. Hell, she has had 14 years of administrative and executive experience. She is not a Washington insider. Well, maybe that mean she does not has a clue about the issues of bottom 48. Palin most enduring quality is she does not believe in abortion even in the case of rape, incest or the health of the mother. What admirable qualities for the Pro-life agenda. She doesn’t believe that global warning is man made, that polar bears should have federal protection, that wolves are fair sport from the air, that she can adequately raise her down syndrome child while running for vice president, that she is not under indictment by the Alaskan legislature, she understands the magnitude of the office of the vice president, she is blessed with international experience, and believes the biblical explanation of the world’s origin should be taught in school. Too boot, she’s a flip flopper concerning the bridge to no where.

I ponder no longer. She appears to be a nice person and brought attention to herself as a one-issue candidate. I can see why women would vote for the McClain/Palin ticket!

McCain picked Palin so he could have a VP to order about … Sarah, sit , stay, smile, wave, speak, don’t speak.
Doesn’t anyone else see how controlling he is? Thats why he didn’t pick someone more qualified, they all have opinions.

I wish all social conservatives, religious, right wing voters out there would think carefully about where their “values” votes brought to the country: 4,000 plus dead in a misguided war. Thousands of veterans back at home physically and mentally injured, without the medical assistance they need. Millions of jobs shipped overseas. A CIA agent outed. The blatant disrespect of the Constitution.A dying economy. .. I cringe every time I hear “so and so shares my values”. Can you please put the country first? Can’t you understand how much damage you have inflicted by electing a completely unqualified president not once, but twice? Why are you going to make the same mistake all over again? Why conservatives insist on controlling peoples’ personal lives?

While I am personally pro-life I don’t think overturning Roe v. Wade is the answer. Amy, I think you’re right; the Repubican Party has made more room for the pro-choice than the Democrats have made for the pro-life. As someone who has been physically challenged since birth, I have some personal hang-ups about abortion.

If my parents had looked at a sonogram in 1979 and said either ‘no, we can’t do this, we’re aborting’ or even worse, ‘no way, we are not having some handicapped child,’ I wouldn’t be here and neither would thousands of others just like me. Right or wrong, many people will be asking Sarah Palin ‘how are you going to help run the country when your youngest child is so severely handicapped?’

Chuck, I am NOT a lesser person than you just because I’m in a wheelchair. Stuff happens and it can happen to every one of us(like car accidents or heart attacks). If you think that your are immune to ending up like me, Christopher Reeve, Teddy Pendergrass or Terry Schiavo, well then, you are way more retarded than every physically and mentally challenged person on Earth!

Ok.

All, wake up and smell the java under your nose here. Amy Holmes and all of the other commentators/wannabe pundits are merely looking to get more air time and draw a bigger check during this season of Presidential Election.

She is going to flip flop. She is going to be offensive to some and loved by others, only to have those turn on her the next time she utters a phrase.

You have to do the homework yourself. Do not rely on the media for any of your info. Watch, listen, ponder….make YOUR choices.

Her above commentary is proof positive that she is one of the crowd that followed Hillary around and that will follow Palin around, only looking for a reason to complain about being offended by the men of the world for not “respecting” her opinion.

Know what? I do not have to respect your opinion. I served the military for 11 years. I am a three time combat veteran. I did so to protect your right to have an opinion. I DID NOT serve to be forced into accepting it or respecting it. You like Palin? Great. You are on your own sister. She was a huge mistake for McCain. Just watch. He is going to get his rear end handed to him in the General Election.

Come to think of it…Palin can take him home with her….he can stick it in a snow bank to cool it off!

Good Grief. This one is not the medias fault. Stop whining and smeel the coffee. She is a hardliner that is not going to respect the rights of other women that do not think like she does. Actually….i think she might just have trouble being TOLD what she thinks by the “Maverick Boy”.

I agree with you that we should not choose our politicians based on their views on abortion. For one, no one will agree with all of our views and since most folks both democratic and republican would agree that it would be good to reduce abortions, it seems we should focus on that. What bothers me with this selection is we ( the voters) know nothing about Sarah Palin, we know nothing about her views on the middle east, nothing on her views of the Georgia Russian conflict, nothing on her views of immigration issues, nothing on her views on social sercurity, nothing on the Iraq war and we are at war.

All we know is that she is well liked, personable, has taken on republicans in her state, and is pro life and pro teaching of creationism. It is not even clear to me about her ideas on taxation. We know she supports drilling and is suing the federal government over polar beers.

So to think that this a reassuring choice for the voters, right, left or moderate, I just don’t see it. We are supposed to vote for her assuming she is just like John McCain on the issues, how realistically can I decide if I share her views of how goverment is run, how we can deal with the middle east, terrorism, the Iraq war etc?

This seems like an insult to the voters, a just trust me excuse. Now if folks start to compare to to Obama, come on, We know Obama opinions in detail, maybe too much detail, we have seen him in action, running a national campaign, in the senate, etc. We know nothing about this women.

I am a Hillary supporter who feels “left out in the cold” with the choice between the 2 men left….I REALLY believed Hillary was the best, most experienced, toughest and most compassionate candidate of the 3. Now I am completely bewildered as to who (if anyone) I will vote for.
Palin seems nice and likeable, but I have no more respect for her paltry experience level as I do for Obama”s. Biden also is likeable and has experience but he is’nt the guy we are actually awarding the job to….
And McCain: I love that he is a true hero….but the idea of his 7 unknown houses reminds me of the very wealthy, very out of touch President Bushes (Jr and Sr)…one who tried to deny extending unemployment benefite to us in the middle of a recession, and the other who congratulated/slapped-on-the-back the ex-FEMA director after Katrina.
This may be the 1st election ever that I just don’t vote in….I wish someone would do a poll and find out if I am the only one.
Kate, Holyoke MA

I am completely befuddled by people that think SP would be a good commander in chief….She claims to be the CIC of the Alaska National Guard (which i believe all Governors are so that doesn’t make her “special”). Can you even imagine her going to Europe and getting the reception from the “people we desperately need to bring back to our side” that Obama did? Maybe some of the soccer players might come by looking for oranges….Why would a mom who cares about family values let her down’s child be raised by someone else??? I don’t understand this whole thing. McCain truly is losing it……I have been a republican my whole life (I’m 55 yo), but this is the straw that broke the camels back. Just becasue she is a women doesn’t mean I will vote for John (lack of judgement big time) McCain….too scary for me…….Obama/Biden get my vote!!!!

I, too, am pro-life but I can’t get excited about the McCain-Palin team up because I find them both very odd. I mean, McCain is this guy who looks like a lot of people’s grandfathers who should be enjoying his retirement years instead of chasing after the toughest job on the planet, and it doesn’t help that he looks and sounds dazed or shellshocked during his speeches. To many of us outside the US we already know we’ll hate him as US President simply because we can’t stand the idea of watching him and/or listening to him for the next 4 years in the news or in gatherings of world leaders. Sure, the job of a US President is mostly leading right not looking right, but still, looking right helps greatly in helping to inspire, reassure and command a nation and even the world. As for Palin, she looks to me like an actress playing a US Governor who seems to think that to look the part she needs to wear glasses and a frumpy hairstyle or maybe that’s a minibeehive she’s wearing, and with her shrill voice she’s every bit as uninspiring, unreassuring and uncommanding as McCain. Come to think of it, they’re not such an odd couple after all because he seems to stand for an ageing America while she seems to be an advertisement for the 1960s.

Mother or grandmother? Is Sarah Palin lying? I trust someone will look into this. Where has Bristol Palin (Sarah oldest daughter)been for the past year?

They are saying Sarah is lying that the newborn is not hers, but her daughter. This is the reason no one at her office knew she pregnant. That they could not understand why she would leave TX to hop on a plane after claiming her water just broke. But first she finish her meeting.

Why did the flight attendants on the trip home say she bore no signs of being pregnant?

This will be something especially since McCain didn’t get a chance to interview her for the job.

Kathy you are a great exsample of how bush pulled of some of most infamous capers. History will be kind to bush. If you would read a book called lies my teacher never told me. You might find out the our history books are full of Lies. That often take losers like Bush and change as much as possible. I think you like being brain washed by a pro like bush. But you shouldn’t try it out on your grandson.

The only reasons Sarah Palin is on the ticket is because

1) She took on the big Oil Corps and is all for drilling in Alaska and couldn’t care less about the Alaska Wastelands, unique wildlife, or environment. Sound Familar? Chip off the old Bush/McSame block indeed.
2) McSame thinks she will snag the Hillary Supporters. He thinks having a Woman on the ticket is the same as having any Woman! Does that tell you anything about how this party respects women and gender issues. McCain doesn’t believe in equal for equal work and neither does Palin. Great Fit if you like giving tax dollars to Oil Corps, and you feel women are worth less than men in the work force!

Palin has a Bachelor Degree in Political Science and Communications -Stop. Two terms as Mayor of a Town with a Pop of 2,000 and a few and two terms of Govenor – Stop
Check out the Obama and Biden Credentials I posted them here but they stayed in Moderation Box!

Having spent the morning reading these comments I am most certainly feeling a bit better about the competance of at least many American voters in making a rational coice in teh voting booth.

What does give me cause for serious concern are those voters that will vote for the McCain ticket simply because Sarah Palin can fire an AR15 semi-automatic rifle or because she is a ’soccer mom’ or because she can hunt and fish or because her husband likes to drive snow mobiles or most importantly simply because she is a woman.

It is one thing to feel some comfort that our Democratic system has finally broken down some racial and gender barriers when it comes to choosing candidates but we are electing leaders of our nation here folks. No election should be decided on the myopic and just plain ignorant viewpoints that I have mentioned above. Those viewpoints have absolutly nothing to do with leading our nation into a better and more stable future or even remotely relate to the ability to effectly lead.

I guess the news media is somewhat to blame for this. There seems to be a propensity on the part of the media to play to the most irrelevant base nature of America’s emotions. It tends to confuse the electorate and causes many to focus on things which have little or nothing to do with the governance of outrnation. It may be good for ratings but I don’t believe it is good for our country. The risk in any Democracy we must rmember is that an ill informed or mislead electorade can bring the whole house of cards tumbling down. We have come pretty close to this happening over the last eight years. I pray we have the wisdom to not make the same mistake for another 4 years.

Palin’s only major political experience has been as governor
of Alaska for only two years.George W.Bush’s experience was
four years as Governor of Texas need I say more seeing the mess
we are in today?!!! Ex governors are not necessarily qualified to be
leaders of our country!

Palin is not experienced for the Position of VP. McCain’s judgement is scarry and his Bush Mentality more scarry. Obama served on the Foreign Relations Committe including policy in Iraq, Environment and Public Relations Committee, Veteran’s Affairs Committee,. He graduated from Columbia University Undergraduat Degree in Political Science, Graduated Magna Cum Laude, Harvard Law School, Eight years as Senator Ilinois, Two years United States Senate. Palin two terms mayor Wasilla Population 8,471 – Total Area12.4 square miles – Govenor of Alaska two yrs. population 670,053. Bachelor of science in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho. I’ll take Obama and Biden a 36 yr tried and proven Politician. Abortion Rights is the furthest issue from my assessment for a President! Nothing to do about Gender!

Mc Cain choice is One big mess!!! If Mc Cain will be president this country respect will be gone forever for many people

Regarding MCain’s pick- I’m a Hillary supporter upset about obama winning and I had been seriously considering mccain. That is until Mccain made is vp pick. Look, I’m angry but I’m not stupid. Obama gets my vote.

On March 5th, 2008 Alaska”s Republican Governor, Sarah Palin, announced to the media that she was 7 months pregnant with her 5th child. She is currently 44.

Palin”s daughter Bristol is 16 and attends an Anchorage high school. Students who have attended class with her report that she has been out of school for months, claiming a prolonged case of mono.

Palin does not appear pregnant in any recent photographs. The announcement came as quite a shock to people who had worked closely with her, and have been quoted as saying that she did not appear pregnant whatsoever during the prior 7 months.

Everyone says they admire her choice with regard to carrying her baby to term.

CHOICE is the operative word. Enough said.