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 wom