Perhaps Gov. Palin will shortly (be asked to) stage an emotional departure from the ticket to stay home, run Alaska, and be a new grandma, but somehow I doubt it. That would be the best thing to happen to the Republicans though, especially if it were followed by choosing someone such as Gov. Jindal as a replacement VP candidate.

I'm confused. Are you saying Jindal's successes mean Palin will be an automatic success, or that Jindal should have been the VP candidate? If it's the latter, I agree. If it's the former, that's ridiculous.

I think he may have made a huge mistake not picking Jindal. As a woman, I cannot relate to Gov. Palin at all. While I haven't yet decided on my pick, somehow, I'd feel much safer knowing Joe Biden was at the helm, as second in command.

I would have voted for John McCain had he used better judgment and chosen a great leader like Jindal. As it stands, I also trust Biden over Palen any day.

I would have loved to have been listening to John McCain as he debated his choices for VP. Gov Palin seems to have come from left field, but she is refreshing and not a boring white man, as Cokie Roberts called most of the other choices. I do think that Gov Jindal is handling Gustav better than others handled Katrina. I'm sure high level Rep's will be watching.

As a woman, I think there needs to be a woman's point of view at the table for these big presidential decisions. No man can offer that point of view. Kudos to McCain for recognizing that.

IT's. About. Time.

The reason Bobby Jindal fell off the short list is the embarrassment he suffered earlier this summer. The state congress in Louisiana voted itself a 125% pay increase, making Louisiana's politicians some of the highest paid in the nation. Worse than that, their pay was to be tied to the consumer price index, a luxury not afforded to the vast majority of the state's residents.

The people of Louisiana were livid, yet Bobby Jindal refused to veto the bill. Oh, he spoke out against the raise and urged the state congress not to pass it, but he refused to pit himself against Louisiana's senators and representatives. Instead, he chose not to sign the bill into law, legal sleight-of-hand given that if the governor doesn't sign a bill it goes into law within a month anyway. Only after a grassroots campaign to recall several Louisiana politicians - including Jindal - gathered momentum did Jindal realize he had misread the public, at which point he vetoed the bill.

Louisianians were openly speculating that Jindal would be a one-term governor, so angry were they over the raise debacle. His chance of being picked as McCain's running mate was essentially sunk by his actions back in June. It remains to be seen if his handling of Gustav will be enough to reform him in the eyes of Louisianians.

"I’d feel much safer knowing Joe Biden was at the helm, as second in command."

As opposed to having someone with less experience than Palin being first in command?

How many days of Obama's last 4 years have been spent working for the people that voted for him and how many days have been spent campaigning?

Seems the Dems think that being a man somehow adds 10 years to ones 'experience' tally.

Jindal; told Sen. McCain, that he was more interestedin staying where he's at and doing good work there. Once again it appears, that people are saying that a woman, is not able to do anything, that a man can do. If you think Biden, is a good pick, I can't wait till he opens his big mouth, and sinks the Obama Ship.

I voted for DEM. all the time. But this time ... I would rather vote McCain than Obama unless the Dem reverses their nominees as: Biden / Obama.

An inexperienced VP IS much better than an inexperienced President. The SHOW is over. My feet touched the ground.

I see serious issues with Sarah Palin – mostly, how is she going to be able to focus and spend the time on the vital issues of this nation as is required of a vice president while dealing with all the emotional issues of her daughter's situation as well as her own of having a Down's Syndrome child not yet even a year old? I'm not trying to take anything away from her success in a very unique state with unique issues – however, I think she was a very questionable choice and thinking of her as the vice president – never mind the possibility of her being president should anything happen to Senator McCain is very unsettling.
I support Obama – but even if I didn't – I think the nation is going to have to view this choice very critically. I don't think this is Sarah Palin's time.

I agree totally. I really think Jindal would have been a much wiser pick and this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Sarah Palin is a woman.

Mc Cain VP have mess like hell inside her family ....she simply abort family for politics. That Down syndrome baby need special care special treatments how is she going perform ..? Her daughter pregnancy is a answer how she handle family and this way she will handle our Country. AMERICA WAKE -UP!!!!!.Obama HAVE MY VOTE!

Sarah's ideal family has just exhibited they are broken. If Sarah were not governor of Alaska, getting pregnant at 17 would otherwise pave the way to a life of hardship for her daughter. Let's do better for the 2008 election.

I'd been saying for weeks that Bobby Jindal would be a great choice for McCain's running mate; I'd seen him on Glenn Beck's show a few times. When Glenn asked Gov. Jindal if he would accept the offer he said no; that he had just been elected Gov. of Louisiana and that he wanted to get his state in order.

He was also supposed to speak at the rnc, but bowed out to face Gustav with the people who elected him. Hope he seeks a national office in the future. This man knows his priorities and is acting on them.

Wow what a surprise a teenager pregnant in America. Could it be that Sarah Palin's family is truly the typical American family. I think it is far less way out then Obama being associated with terrorists, real estate tycoons and religious radicals. Let's not forget though this is a woman and here we go again in the media and the good ol' boys club. Attack, attack, attack but ignore the faults of the one man that has no experience and has all those awful associations in his life.

I am a Dem and Hillary supporter. I wasn't going to vote for Obama but now Obama look's better ever day! Sarah needs to go back home and take care of her family. IF SARAH PALIN CAN'T KEEP HER FAMILY INTACK HOW THE HELL SHE CAN RUN A COUNTRY!

Honestly I think McCain could have picked a monkey to run as VP and it would have been a better choice than Sarah Palin. Where is this "experience" of hers? Did she get it in the city council of a town comprised of a few thousand people? Does running a town of 8500 people into 20 million dollars of debt prepare her to sit down with Russia and Iran? It's ludicrous to insinuate she has more experience than Obama... who was in his state legislation for 8 years, was a well-respected community organizer in chicago for nearly a decade, and taught constitutional law...

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills

Now I'll be honest and say that I wasn't a McCain supporter before... but still greatly respected the man and felt comfortable with either candidate winning the presidency. But now a woman with no foreign policy experience and no respectable economic credentials from an oversized igloo could be a heartbeat away from the most powerful position in the world.... I'm cringing, and I can't imagine that I'm the only one.

I'm also offended as a former clinton supporter by this obvious pandering for the clinton electorate, and Palin is far too transparent about this cheap political ploy ( I'm going to vomit if she talks about shattering that glass ceiling again). If you want to put a woman on your ticket, that's all good and well... just pick a qualified one.

So back to the original question, was Jindal a better choice.... absolutely... but Lieberman would have given him a winning ticket, or at least a formidable one

I can see why Jindal was on McCain's short list for second in command! He has impressed me with how he is handling this crisis in his state, and taking steps not to repeat what happened 3 years ago. Putting the people in his great state first! Definitely qualities that are needed for VP or even President. I can see why McCain chose Palin. She also has a record of puting the people in her state first, and is not afraid of reform, in her own party. Plus, she is not known for taking the easy road, she is tough and I admire that. .

Let me guess, every politician and new caster here has angels for children. How dare any of you attack a child. Do you know this young lady hears your newscast. Won't it be wonderful if you blast this woman right out of politics with all your negative comments and this young lady has to bear that weight on her shoulders for the rest of her life. Hope it makes all of you feel good about yourselves. Oh and by the way McCain and Palin are busy raising money for the victims of this hurricane. Do you think maybe you could curtail your criticisms until you have a chance to sit down and interview the Vice President candidate????

It's too bad McCain didn't pick Jindal to start with. I'm not aware that there has ever been a VP nom withdraw in election history. Does anyone know? I'm also not so sure Jindal would accept the invitation to be on the ticket with McCain after all that has gone on.

This whole Sarah Palin seems far to stupid to have come from the Republicans. She's not the nominee yet. Last week a hurricane was forecast, McCain needed a game changer, there's a gov. in Alaska with a pregnant daughter and a governor ready to show his abilities during a hurricane. It's the 4th quarter and your way behind – nothing like a play fake to get you some points. Trouble is I'm betting the defense being able to read this one and the crowd could erupt into a steady chant of boos if they used a disaster for political points. But – desperate times call for desperate measures!

All of this just proves the Good Book right on women in leadership roles. Perhaps if she'd stayed home to look after her family the kid wouldn't have got pregnant. Dad obviously hasn't a clue. And what about the fifth child, born so recently? How in the 'heck is she going to manage being vice pres and look after the baby?

I wanted Rommey, but I like Patin. FINALLY WE HAVE A WOMAN IN THE TICKET, a woman who made her OWN WAY UP TO THE TOP.

McCain, you're a smart guy!! You turned the table around and gave us a way more interesting VP.

Hope McCain uses Rommney as a cabinet member dealing with the economy.

Got my vote for sure.

If Bobby Jindal can accomplish what he set out to do, he can run in 2012 or 2016 (at which point he will be only 45). Katrina destroyed former governor Kathleen Blanco's political career for good. Bobby is better off learning a lesson from that and hence, he refused to be VP and is staying put, working to make sure Gustav is handled properly. When he does run, he'll have experience in not only the cabinet, the house and as governor.

Dummys, republicans have to be the dumbest creatures on earth, they treat Americans like retarded kids that cant think on there on, not to mention a publican is a person who collects taxes a republican re-invents taxes and thay constantly say Obama will raise taxes, yes he will but on the rich only, if i was rich and had basically everything i wanted and needed i wouldnt be mad over a couple of more dollars per pay check
so, what? are republicans greedy too, of course..
Your power reign is about to end.

ARIZONA RON FROM TUCSON
ex-republican

I feel that there are quite a few Republican governors out there who would do a great job. I think Jindal or Palin would both do well. I speak for my self and others when I say I am very glad to see Palin on the ticker for VP. It REALLY is about time that we get some of Americas best women in positions such as VP and president. I think it is pathetic and sad that people are bringing up so much dirt on Palin's family, stuff that really doesnt have any thing to do with how well she is going to help John McCain run this country. She is a great lady, and any intelligent person would agree with me on that. She is just what this country needs.

McCain Palin 08'

It really makes no difference.
No one cares.
McCain himself is the worst possible choice for the job.
Enough said.

Jindal has HUGE problems that DO reflect on his judgement. The pay raise mess this past June is a good example. It is not his time, and perhaps he can recover some of his good name through his very adept handling of Gustav.

Palin will do just fine. She is smart, savvy, and tough – as those who have followed her career know. The country is only going to gain respect for her as they watch her in action. Frankly, I prefer her over BOTH of the democratic candidates. And no, not because she is a woman. I'm just sick of "raising taxes" being the answer to everything, while politicians live so high on the hog (read: the constituents). It is really refreshing to see someone REFUSE money from Washington. Palin has already saved me money!

I take it Sarita does not remember Thomas Eagleton who was ousted from the VP candidate slot for having gone to a mental institution several times and having had electric shock treatments, In 1972, McGovern was 1000% behind him until Sargeant Shriver took his place.

Is Jindal's performance really that spectacular? Or is the fact that it is more in line with expectations of someone with his responsibility, as oppossed to those state and city officials who oversaw the debacle of Katrina? Let's not get carried away just because Jindal followed a well laid out disaster contingency plan that was developed and implemented well before he ascended to the governorship. I need to see more from both Jindal and Palin before I would consider either as a candidate for President in waiting.

I like the Palin pick. It's so refreshing to see someone in the Federal government that doesn't have degrees from Ivy League schools, that isn't a lawyer, that has never made more than $125,000 a year and isn't worth millions. We need more diversity in government. She seems like the real deal. Let's see how she does in the campaign before everyone judges her.

I can't BELIEVE McCain picked Palin. He is friggin INSANE.

Obama had eight years in the state legislature getting things done. Before that he addressed real issues that face Americans–unemployment, poverty, housing. And he has been a U.S. Senator for nearly four years addressing issues facing our country. She doesn't even have positions on these issues. He's on the Foreign Affairs committee and the Veterans Affairs committee–two committees tackling issues that are also vital to the country. On top of that he has run one of the most successful organizations in the United States this past year–his campaign. He manages more people than Sarah Palin does and thus has MORE management experience than she has.

I am a congenital Democrat, having voted for every Democratic candidate for the presidency since Hubert Humphrey. But I have been consistently impressed by Bobby Jindal throughout his career, and did enthusiastically cross over and vote for Bobby Jindal for Governor. I would vote for him again, or for any public office he would seek - including President. He is one of the brightest and most energetic public officials I have ever encountered in my 63 years. I wish he had the better judgment to be a Democrat, but, alas, one can't have everything! Regardless of party, this guy is the real deal.

Sarah Palin can't manage her home life let alone our country the rest of the world has to be laughing please don't let whese two talking heads win the election!!!!

We may have to move to third world country!!!

It just shows that there is a lot of strong leadership in the Republican party. I am a democrat who will be voting for McCain/Palin but I have to say that McCain has been looking so presidential through this crisis that I will probably completely switch parties. This whole Obama / Rock Star thing (whether real or perceived) has completely turned me off.

But what did she do next? She fired the public safety commissioner who wouldn't fire her ex brother in law and then hired her old high school class mate who as the police chief of Kethchikan. How's that for ethical violations and cronyism?

Jindal for President, '12 or '16!

I've spent alot of time in Louisiana recently, more than I ever guessed I would, helping with the recovery efforts from Rita and Katrina. Since getting there I couldn't help but see the rising star in Governor Bobby Jindal. He's a fresh new face for a state that was tarnished by bad politics. Jindal said goodbye to the power struggles that hurt Louisiana during Katrina, and has worked earnestly and effectively to improve the lives of Louisianans.

I was here in June, and to respond to Mr. Goodall, the reason the governor had to hesitate on taking on that payraise was that he needed legislators' support for his very proactive plan to help Louisiana's recovery and growth. The angry and greedy legislators were holding his agenda hostage for a pay raise.

Ultimately he risked looking unpopular in order to support the greater good of Louisiana.

Bobby's was a tough decision and ultimately the right choice for Louisiana, and someday he will be the right choice for the USA.

I gotta say, I like her. I like her spunk, I like that she took on corruption, that she hunts (tho i'm support gun control), that she seems to be a remaissance woman. Not gonna vote for that ticket, tho. I'm a thinking Hillary supporter, not some stupid woman who's just happy to see a woman on the ticket. While I have a few reservations about Obama, he's right about one thing – McCain doesn't get it.

Interesting thought David. Unfortunately our electorate just doesn't pick up on these nuances. She has the "street creds" to be a great VP and perhaps take the top job in future. Just think of the heck she'll raise as President of the Senate?

It is obvious that Gov. Palin is a great choice for Sen. McCain.
People are talking.
People are excited.
People are sending money.
The Democrats hit teams such as KOlbermann and RMaddow are getting no traction attacking the Governor.
This is very exciting politics.

She reminds me of Teddy Roosevelt...but better looking!

I am not sure what McCain was thinking when he selected Govenor Palin. They look uncomfortable together. I never heard of Govenor Pallin prior to her being selected. Great she is a women, but that is where the similarities between this registered independent and the Govenor stop. She is way off base with the rest of the main stream American women on the important issues. Let us also not forget that she is under investigation for the firing of her brother-in-law. As a wife, mother, and sister I would probably want my brother-in-law fired if the allegation are true, but as a public figure a person has to remember their ethical responsibilities to the people who elected them to office. This investigation gives me a perception I am not sure the rebulican party can afford. Also Govenor's Palin's daughter's pregnancy raised some serious family value questions. I agree that a family dealing with teenage pregnancy should be a private family manner, but the govenor is a public official. Did the Govenor Palin stop to think about how her accepting the V.P. position affects her family and the consequences. As a mother I could not and would not subject my daughter to the media scrutiny Bristol now faces.

The issue isn't that Sarah Palin is a woman - it's that she has no experience. Even many Republican commentators admit that (as do the newspapers in Alaska - though, of course, they can be dismissed as "liberal"). If state politics gives you experience, then Obama (with 6 years representing a district with 10 times the population of Wasilla, AK) has 3 times more than Palin; if national politics gives you experience, then Obama has a lot more than Palin (how many debates did he participate in during the primaries? 10? 20? I would guess that he has a pretty good handle on domestic and international policy issues - does Palin?) For me, the problem is that this choice demonstrates that McCain is so anxious to win, he will 1. nominate a neophyte in order to make the Right happy, regardless of her qualifications, and 2. ignore his own call to "put country first" by doing so. If elected, she will be A HEARTBEAT AWAY from the Presidency - and, given that the heart in question will be 72 and pumping blood through a body that has had 4 bouts with cancer, that scares me.

Jindal and FEMA have come along way in 3 years. The Democrats definately do not want to bring experience in to the picture when their candidate is a Junior senator with no real substance.
With no bounce in the polls for Obama after the millions of dollars he spent on his grand speech in Denver, the Republicans are in a great position. Its going to be an interesting week and a bad week for liberals.

McCain/Palin – An American war hero/Pro Life Champion
Obama/Biden – Teleprompter King/Plagerist

Lillian, I agree with you that the double-standard lives on. If a male politician had a daughter who got pregnant it would barely be mentioned - it certainly wouldn't be used as a reason to question his credentials as a politician.

But please check and share your sources about Obama's "awful associations". Do you really think he spends his time hanging out with terrorists? As for tycoons and religious radicals, they are all too prevalent in this country, especially DC, don't you think? I'd be curious to hear what your concerns really are here.

Gov. Palin will prove to be the one decision McCain wished he hadn't made. It has nothing to do wit her being a woman. It has to do with the fact that she was not vetted properly. Her ghosts will come flying out of that closet like bats from hell. That combined with her total and absolute lack of experience in foreign affairs or national politics will sink her. It's not her fault. It's McCain's and his advisors who, looking for a "game changer", put the short-temr interests of his campaign over the interests of our country.

"As a woman, I think there needs to be a woman’s point of view at the table for these big presidential decisions. No man can offer that point of view. Kudos to McCain for recognizing that."

you are ridiculous to vote for anyone because you think someone of a certain sex, race or ethnicity deserves it. we are all humans and so long as they vote for the common good and peoples best interest, it should not affect if a man or woman, black white red or yellow person is in charge.

republicans right now want to take away rights from people. gay rights, the right to choose, and proper educational standards. i dont understand how someone can agree with them. we are all people. we all have the same rights.

I was commenting on troopergate, sorry my w does not work on the keyboard. Hey where did Bill Bennet go after he tried to trash Kyra P?

Er. As a woman, and a feminist, I disevow and repudiate Sarah Palin with every cell of my (working, well-educated) brain, and (not working so well, but who's complaining?) body. She is obviously both part of 'humanity', and of the half that have two XX chromosomes.

But she's no woman! She's a silly girl. She's ANTI-woman. She's against sex-education, contraception, abortion (even in cases of rape and incest - I have personal experience with the latter), and appears to be a grossly irresponsible mother... Anyone who knows about Down's Syndrome knows that DS babies NEED committed attention from their primary caregiver - and given Palin's politics, SHE should be that person. She went back to work two days after giving birth to him!

The phrases 'criminal neglect' and 'reckless endangerment' come to mind. (Yes, I have worked with abused and neglected kids, and yeah, it made me angry!).

If John McCain wanted a raving social conservative, there are PLENTY in the Republican Party. Bobby Jindal didn't want the VP job. Good for him!

(BTW 'Jindal' is as foreign a name as 'Obama'! )

McCain twisted himself into a knot, trying to make the Republican ticket 'historic', too. (Ahh... the error of envy!)

Sadly, he pulled Sarah Palin out of a hat on Friday, and she'll be rubber-stamped as his VP without the need for any inconvenient questions, in this truncated RNC.

Hey Fred-

Being a man doesnt add 10 years to ones 'experience tally'. But lets see what they were doing 10 years ago. Palin was serving in her first year on the Wasilla city council while Obama was serving on the Illinois Senate. They are both light in the 'experience tally' but lets be serious. Palin's experience is far far less than Obama's.

In 1972 George McGovern tapped Thomas Eagleton, a Missouri Senator to be his running mate. After it came out that Eagleton had sought electric shock therapy to treat his depression. Even though George McGovern said that he would back Eagleton "1000 %", he asked Eagleton to step down and replaced him with Sargent Shriver, Arnold Schwartzenegger's father in law.

So, it's not unheard of for a president to announce a VP and then decide to switch, but it should be noted that the last time that happened, George McGovern lost every state but Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. He even lost his home state of South Dakota. Last time I checked, the Dems viewed Arizona as a battleground state.

Good Luck McCain, you'll need it.

Prior to his announcement, I agreely anticipated seeing who John McCain would select as his VP. I was shocked when he chose Gov. Palin, a selection that is such a blatant attempt to capture the female vote.

As a woman, I'm increasingly disenchanted by Palin, a mother of five children, the youngest of whom is a five-month-old with special needs and the oldest a 17 year old expectant mother. Far from an illustration of the balance between work and family, Palin strikes me as a woman who should devote more time and attention to family, not be Vice President of the United States.

Everytime you criticize Palin for her inexperience you are hypcritical if you do not criticize Obama. I think Palin and Obama are qualified, but I do think there is some elitism and some sexism going on. If the governor of Alaska was a man with a Harvard education with only a few years of executive experience, would we be having the same discussion about qualifications? If so, why is Biden the vp candidate and not the presidential candidate if it's all about experience?

McCain said it best:
Time to take off our 'Republican Hats' and put on our 'American Hats'.

Gee I didn't know the Republicans had this one cornered. They think they do – they think they are the only True Patriots.

They make me sick with their 'Family Values' talk and their abstinence only plan and their anti-science stance. Someone ask this lady how is her husband going to handle dinners with Heads of State, are they going to discuss the one that got away ?? Someone ask this lady if McCain died is she ready to go toe to toe with Putin and the like.

Tell me how being the Mayor of a town of 7000 and the Gov. of a State ( less than 2 yrs ) for a population less than the city of Chicago gives her the right. My wife had to have more education and experience for her job as a professor.

I don't think so America.

I wrestled with this question extensively. If he wanted a young "rising star", why not pick Jindal? If he wanted a safe bet, why not Romney? If he wanted a woman, why not Susan Collins or Kay Bailey Hutchinson or Olympia Snowe or Christine Whitman or Elizabeth Dole or...well, virtually any other female Republican? The only thing I can come up with is that the "higher ups" don't expect McCain to win, and that Jindal is being "saved" for the 2012 VP slot (under Romney). The RNC is generally more crafty than this Palin pick. As a Democrat, I applaud it. Loudly.

Sarah Palin became Mayor of Wasilla with only 909 votes. In many high schools, the student body president needs to receive more votes than that! Becoming governor of Alaska required less than 120,000 votes. No wonder so few people know her.

McCain is trying to get Clinton's supporters by hiring a woman for the job. Unfortunately, he picked the first woman who said I do. Clinton supporters were routing mainly for Hillary as an accomplished politician and not merely for the fact that she's a woman. And Lillian from Michigan, I don't know where you're getting your info about Obama and the terrorists, could it be from the KKK press release?

So less than one year of experience as governor is ok for Jindal, but less than two makes Palin inexperienced?

Did anyone say that Bush was unqualified to be President because of the "Twins Gone Wild?"

I don't agree with Sarah Palin on a lot of the issues, but this level of sexism is disgusting.

A woman on the ticket is a great idea but not just for the sake of having a woman on the ticket. Bush selected a group of people to government-level positions with diverse appearances. Yet they all had the mind-set of George Bush. That's not real diversity.

As a former resident of Alaska, I've seen the challenges Gov. Palin has faced dealing with the state legislature there. But as a woman, I am deeply offended at McCain's blatant pandering to those women angry that Hillary wasn't chosen as the Democratic VP candidate. To tout Gov. Palin's "life experience" as sufficient to possibly lead this nation is laughable. She has experience as the mayor of a small Alaskan town, has been governor for only 2 years, has little national experience and NO experience in the foreign affairs department. Beyond that, she's a 44 year old mother of 5. She's been a small business owner and was briefly a T.V. sportscaster. I hardly think that's enough experience to qualify her to lead the nation should McCain fall ill (or worse.) And yet he questions Obama's experience to lead? To think that to choose her because she's a woman is enough is insulting! And any one of Hillary's supporters who fall for it deserve to have their voter registration cards revoked!

As a woman I am appalled at McCain's choice for VP. I almost fell off the treadmill at the gym and thought it was some kind of joke when the news came out. I had to check with everyone to make sure this was serious.

If this was his ploy to get Hillary voters, I am severely disturbed. This woman goes against the grain of everything Hillary stood for, a NRA gun-toting – anti-choice – decrying climate change – wants to drill in one of the best land reserves in Alaska for her own state's greed. Not to mention that she would have a great chance at the Presidency considering McCain's age. I am cringing with fear that Madam Palin could one day be at the helm.

The worst part of this whole thing is that McCain is trying to court Hillary supporters. Just by picking any woman to be your VP does not make it the correct choice in order to "break the glass ceiling." As a woman, I would love to see the glass ceiling broken, but not at the cost of having someone like her leading us. I am deeply disturbed by her lack of concern that her work may interfere with taking care of her family.

His choice tells me that he believes women will vote for a woman merely for the fact that she is a woman, and not clearly look at her credentials. Before his pick for VP, I would have been happy with Obama or McCain, but his pick for VP has thoroughly insulted my intelligence. As stated before, I could not be more appalled.

Yes, I am sure not every newscaster or person on this board has angels for children. But I am sure none of them have pontificating right wing parents who bump around the poltical arena preaching absitinence only education. Furthermore, I am sure that they also dont have parents who decry sex before marriage in all cases except for her own daughter. I am also sure none of their parents are already under investigation for possible hiring/firing practices after only 18 months as a governor. If Sarah Palin's hard lessons can't even find purchase in her own household, how are we supposed to take her seriously in public life.

Oh, and Barack Obama and his associations with terrorists, please, stop repeating this made up baloney, that is about as serious as his connections with the tooth fairy or the easter bunny.

Maybe you should do some research about John McCain's connection with the Keating Scandal, that is actual fact, not fiction

Of course, if you believed in facts, fair attacks, and werent a big blowhard hypocrite, you probably wouldnt be a typical right wingnut!!

I am sure you weren't outraged as a woman when the McCain people were attacking Michelle Obama everyday.

I feel that the choice of Palin is a blatent ploy to get the women votes that were going towards Hillary. I feel as though this is an insult to women because this is obvious a cheap shot to get the woman vote. It's so obvious because what other reason would you have for choosing Palin as your running mate after only meeting her once? That shows very poor judgement on the part of John McCain.

Also, one of the main points of the Republican campaign has been Obama's lack of experience; however, McCain is 73, and is in poor health(probably even worse than the public knows about). Therefore, if something happens to him, that will leave the country in the hands of Palin who has even less experience than Obama.

Sarah Palin has no experience, living in Alaska what does she know about urban inner city problems? Domestic issues? She herself is under investigation for "firing" or trying to fire her ex-brother-in-law.. Isn't that a fact to all of you republicans out there? You really think getting Mc Cain elected will solve problems? John Mc Cain has always sided with President Bush, and has adopted a lot of his views and ways of handling things.. Now where has that gotten our country?

In addition, Mc Cain has not shown a devotion to listing to the people even if everyone does not agree, he has not made an effort to strengthen our allies, and look for alternative energy. We do not need a dependence on oil, that not only hurts out economy but it hurts our people the most.

We should have started with developing alternative energy a long time ago. We have to change things. And I think by picking Sarah Palin as the VP pick was a bad idea. She has no experience, and just because she is for reform and has worked her way up doesn't mean that if something happens to Mc Cain that she is ready to be President.

TO ALL REPUBLICANS: When your voting for Mc Cain, your actually voting for Sarah Palin for President? Doesn't that scare you? Scares the heck out of me.

Republicans and Democrats remind me of Sears, Roebuck vs Montgomery Ward.-=-in a manner of speaking... Sears thrashes around in the dark, trashes its nice catalogs, acquires a new catalog (lands end) and then goes over to the dark side, economically speaking, by buying Kmart, a loser. Meanhwile, Montgomery Ward watched the way Sears was going, wanting to succeed, be a winner too. ....
.he blind lead the blind......

Years ago, you might remember, Mobile Oil bought Monkey Ward as a tax writeoff. Monkey Ward is ancient history. And Sears -Read Geo Bush and Co . trying to crash our own economy with a billion dollar war. Maybe Geo W is thinking that if he spends enough in Iraq, he can write it off his company''s income to offset his oil profits, Sorry, Geo W, you're no longer in charge of losing money for a third rate baseball franchise. But its too late for Daddy Bush to send you back to Texas.
As was said one time, George, you aint JR, Laura aint Sue Ellen, and this aint Dallas.
and It's not reality, it's actuality,
To the KARL ROVES, DICK CHENEYS, AND OTHER Rasputins and Cardinal Richelieus of this age-–get the Hell of of the US before you take the US to Hell! and take Geo with you. I recommend Devil's Island.

It would appear that the decision to pick Governor Palin is wrought with potential downfalls and that a much safer and saner approach would have been to give the other presidential hopefuls a second glance. As she has not been nominated yet it would probably be in McCain's best interests to re-evaluate her perspective nomination. She could simply back out of the offer and McCain could try again. No matter the choice, things are going to get a lot messier than they are now. McCain's "Hail Mary" looks like it failed, the ball is dropped, and the other team has recovered the ball. It doesn't surprise me.

So you're saying that in McCain's efforts not to politicize this crisis, it would be better if Jindal were on the ticket, so they could "not politicize" it even more? I don't know exactly how the media's mind works–in your minds, apparently, the next best thing for the Republicans would be to have a life-threatening tragedy in Alaska that could be not politicized to Palin's benefit.

All of the politicians are behaving better than the media.

First off I believe a teenager can get pregnant whether her mom is an at stay at home mother or a working mother be very careful how to criticque this. No mother wants to have their daughter or son go through this and so I am sure this has been a gut wrenching experience having this private family matter played out all over the Nation. Temptation is all around for our kids today as well as for ourselves so we need not to be very careful how we judge! It must have been really tough for this 17 year old to be in the public spotlight holding her brother last week when her mother, Sarah Pallin was announced last week. This about being a teenager and knowing what was coming down the road and how she was going to be on every news show in a short time discussing her life.

I feel like the road ahead for Sarah Pallin and her family will be a tough one. A special needs infant and a teenage daughter to become a wife/mother in the next 4 months will not be an easy road. Now you add to this the vice presidency and campaigning like mad. While I think it is noble of Sarah Pallin to help the country in these trying times for the country and the world. I take my hat off to Sarah Pallin for accepting the nomination full knowing what lies ahead for her family.

Carmen,

You do know that Barack Obama didn't exactly have a priveleged background either, right? If you are voting for John McCain just because he picked a woman for Veep, then you are just the type of sucker that the G.O.P. wants. Honestly, the choice says to me, "Women are ignorant and vote with their emotions... who cares about the issues; they see a woman up there and will vote for us no matter what she does." Call me crazy, but I would be incredibly insulted by the pick if I were a female. Not only that, but most of the women I know can think for themselves and understand the issues... not just the gender of a vice presidential candidate. Senator McCain has not done anything to close the "gender gap" and does not support equal pay for women... therefore, he doesn't believe women are equal to men. (Just so you know, I was being facetious there... unfortunately, Republicans use this tactic extremely well. They run their campaigns on the assumption that Americans are idiots; which has been proven correct over and over again.)

Oh well, vote for McCain, have him make the Bush tax cuts permanent, watch our budget and current accounts deficit balloon, the dollar fall, the income gap increase as wages stay stagnant and successful companies keep their profits for trips overseas and all sorts of luxuries instead of investing it back into their companies, creating jobs and doing the sorts of things that exist in the fantasy world of supply side economics. Americans say they care about issues, but it is becoming blatantly obvious every day that they do not... in all honesty, I'm not sure many Americans have the intellectual capacity or independent thinking skills to understand them anyway. Keep listening to Fox News and repeating those ridiculous talking points to yourself. If you feel like educating yourself, find out how our government works... you may be surprised at how naive your current views are.

Palin is a joke. She wants her daughter's pregnancy to be a private matter, and I agree, but she she would invade another family's privacy in a second if they didn't subsribe to her strict right wing moral beliefs. This pick demonstrates that John McCain is not a renegade, but simply reckless. I for one don't want to spend the next four years praying that McCain survive the odds of recurrent cancer lest we be faced with the spector of the former mayor of Wasilla, Alaska trying to run the free world.

The Gov. Bobby Jindal analogy is a good one. Detractors are quick to call Governor Palin anything BUT Governor Palin. She is young and not as experienced as others within spitting range of Washington with all the baggage that fact brings but what we need now, more than ever before, is change. What better way is there to bring fresh ideas to the table than to add a woman to a formerly male dominated game? With Palin we get a person with a great track record of change and bucking the "good old boys". Only she among ALL the candidates, has actual administrative experience, as governor, not city council or PTA or hockey mom club. So stop calling her by lesser terms than she is. She is a governor and a fine one at that. We would do well to have her in the white house in either job! McCain/Palin in 2008 ***Palin in 2012 ***

Quite frankly, you cannot even compare Gov. Jindal and Gov. Palin, because if you look at Mr. Jindal's past, it shows an intelligent, hungry, capable person who has always looked to excel, and always looked at things indepth. I mean, Jindal was running a Louisiana agency that took 40 percent of the state's budget a decade ago, and has been a member of the House, and nearly won the governor's mansion back in 2003. Jindal went to Brown, Palin went to a series of schools, including Hawaii Pacific College, before getting a degree in Idaho, and sitting on the Wasilla city council. Jindal, as well as Tim Pawlenty, have been tested much more than Palin ever has, and trying to say because one is competent the other will be is laughable. I think while Jindal should be recognized thus far (and surely he had to be more prepared seeing the aftermath of Katrina) trying to imply this means Palin will be ready to take over the presidency, is truly poor comentary.

Up until last week, I was on the fence. Jindal would have been a proper choice. McCain's pick for VP only keeps showing me how pathetically he continues to pander all sides. Where is the McCain of old? I have not seen him since his campaign went bust and he began scrambling to make deals with the devil(s) to save it.

Heavily experienced or not, Obama has shown the greatest leadership and integrity during these past 18 months. With all due respect to Hillary and McCain, Obama has been the only one of the Final Three NOT to bankrupt their campaign or to greatly change his/her message in order to gain more public support. It seems more and more Obama has been ahead of the "more experienced" from the beginning,

Did Jindal know the specific duties of the VP before July 31st 2008?

Ms Palin told us she did not. Not exactly instilling a lot of confidence in my independent vote.

McCain's whole campaign slogan is COUNTRY 1st.
So ! If Sarah Palin is asked.... if the country AND her family were both having an emergency at the same time ...What would her response be ? Family 1st or county 1st,
This is not a trick question
Is there anyone out there who can ask her this important question?
wm.

The bottom line is that McCain wanted to trump the DNC's historic nomination of Obama. He succeeded in appointing Palin the next morning. This political move has had positive short-term gains for McCains election campaign, but will have disasterous long-term fall-outs.

to Mariam in Chicago – enough to get her hair restyled!

I don't know if McCain believes all women are shallow in their thinking, but to try and think that by selecting Governor Palin as an alternative to Senator Clinton, he is crazy. They are polar oposits and as a Democrate I can't even think of voting for Him or Her.

Don't think Democrats are 'attacking' Palin or choice of her, matter of fact Obama has been very supportive of keeping family out of media. Instead of bashing Obama or McCain, get facts. The election should be about issues, not personal lives of the candidates and Obama continues to tell reporters that, I respect that. Part of elections I cannot stand is the personal attacking, I just want to hear issues.

The problem I have with Palin has nothing to do with experience or her daughter getting pregnant, other than the fact that it makes her seem very hypocritical in her views. You cannot preach on view on an issue yet show something totally different.....preaching that all kids should not be taught sex in school, parents should teach abstinence; and then your daughter becomes pregnant is very hypocritical.

So, before attacking someone for their opinion, perhaps you should give them a chance to explain, could have a reason other than "just because' Thank you for listening.

This Palin for VP has all the makings of Bush's Harriet Meyers for Supreme Court justice fiasco

Sarah Palin paints herself as a maverick who stood up and stopped the "Bridge to nowhere" project. Unfortunately, she campaigned for governor on the promise that she strongly supported the project,, even if the state of Alaska had to foot the entire bill. Then when it became such a national joke backed away from it. What really makes this insulting is she took the $300 million anyway and used it for other state purposes. If she really meant "thank, but no thanks" she would have given the money back!!!

McCain and company could push Palin to back out... and replace her with Jindal, Pawlenty or Romney... a "do-over", if you will. But he'll never recover from what will always be viewed as an impulsive, irresponsible and incompetent decision. This is NOT the kind of leadership we need to replace Bush.

It's impossible for me, as the mother of two successful young adults, to imagine that Sarah Palin can be both the Vice President and the mother of a teenage mother and a 4 monrh old downs syndrome child. If she really believes in family this is absolutely no time foir her to be in such a time consuming role. If she really plans to be a "heart beat away..." she cannot possibly be devoted to her family, let alone a family with these challenges. .It's time to make a choice Sarah...your family, or yourself and your personal ambitions. If you choose the vice presidential nomination, think of what that means for the first 4 years of life for your downs syndrome child.

Let's review some of the life choices Gov. Palin has made since being governor:
1. Become pregnant while governor at the age of 43, even though she had 4 kids already. I guess having 4 kids and being a governor wasn't enough. Mother's over 40 have increased risk of complications..everyone knows that (especially women that age).
2. Decided to continue her pregnancy even though she knew the child had down's syndrome during pregnancy (while still trying to be governor of Alaska).
3. Her daughter become pregnant about the same time as her down syndrome child's birth (hmm, doesn't seem to have a grip on her own family matters).
4. Promoted abstinance until marrage...a fine cause but obviously doesn't apply to her own family.
5. Wanted to discontinue sex education in schools. Sex education in schools is there because most parents want it.
5. And despite all this, she wants to be vice president.

If she doesn't have a grip on her own family, how is she possibly going to have a grip on being vice president? The wisest choice for her (if she really has her family as top priority) would have been to step down as governor once her special needs child was born. It's really sad to see her putting her own career ambitions above the needs of her family. I am the father of 2, so I'm well aware of the challenges in raising a family. I was going to vote for McCain, but Palin's irresponsibility has changed my vote.

You republicans are kidding yourself. I like McCain but I refuse to give the VP of the US to someone who knows less about the real world then I do. Palin was governor for two years in a state that has a smaller population than most American cities. Alaska is so remote how do you possible think she can relate to anyone besides Alsakans? Absolutley absurd...Michele Obama, who is a very successful Chicago lawyer, is way more qualified then some poduk ex-mayor of a town that has less people then my neighborhood block. Do you think the mayor of your town could be president in two years? I strongly doubt it.

I am a strong Obama supporter ... because of the qualities of his mind and his policy positions. His pick of Joe Biden reflected those qualties ... and created a great team that I am happy to vote FOR. That said, this move by McCain is politically very clever, because it is a blatant appeal to the PUMAs and other disaffected Hillary supporters. And, given what we have heard from many of them, it could work. This choice does many things to complicate the presidential race: It takes Obama’s supposed lack of experience off the table ... and puts McCain’s age and health directly on the table. It will motivate the Relgious Right. And it will make it more difficult for Obama/Biden to appeal to a constituency they should absolutely own ... women, and particularly younger women. For women, this is a clear line in the sand about reproductive choice ... a vote for McCain/Palin is a vote to repeal Roe v. Wade and maybe even to make contraception illegal because it is a form of abortion in the eyes of some people in the GOP (Bush’s ‘health’ people have already made moves in this direction.) Bottom line ... this is a purely political decision which is an attempt to play women into voting for a ticket that will be against their most personal best interests. It will be interesting to see if the women of America will be taken in by this ploy. If they are, one result will be a right wing Supreme Court majority that will set back women’s rights for my granddaughters and their children. One other thing is sure ... Obama now needs Hilary’s support more than ever.

The republicans have out done themselves with this move appointing PALIN as VP. How can a republican or any american fall for this. Think about it... Also, this woman did not just have a four month old baby..who's baby is it? I could be VP, I have more experience than her. How can the republicans defend this and why are they going along with a man that obviously has mental problems in pulling off one of the biggest jokes in AMERICAN history...JUST THINK ABOUT IT... bY the way, I'm a democrat. She throws around the million broken glasses like it's a punchline to her...I wonder if she knows what it really means? Ahh!!! I guess the rest of the world is laughing at the republicans just like I am. Someone please help me understand how this mental case pulled this off on millions of educated people...that includes the MEDIA.

Jindal has handled this hurricane well. But Catrina was the one that taught everyone a valuable lesson.
As for Palin, she needs to go back to Alaska and take care of the family. I can't imagine the "moral majority" thinks this is all good. Palin is a good example of having it all at her family's expense. Yes teen agers are having babies every day in America but most if those teenagers don't have a mother who could be vice president. Palins daughters pregnancy is off limits but I question a women who wants to be vice president but can't controll her own home life. She sure ain't no Hillary!!! Hillary's a women who can have it all and raised a child who made good choices in her life.

Maybe the VP debate will sound something like this:

"Governer Palin, I know Hillary Clinton personally. Hillary Clinton is a friend of mine... and Ms. Palin – You're no Hillary Clinton!"

Palin can't even run her own family. That's obvious now.

McCain should back out of his poor choice and pick a leader for VP to govern with rather than a token to campaign with.

And it never occurred to you that Bobby Jindal and Sarah Palin are two completely different people and what Jindal does has no bearing on Palin whatsoever?

I appreciate women getting excited that they can be represented in politics by another woman, but that's like saying well, "a white guy should only vote for a white guy." I can't believe my ears when I see some women come out in support of Palin when they were supporting Hillary Clinton. I appreciate everyone's will to be able to vote who they want, but polticians count on the ignorant to help them win elections, not the intelligent. And any woman who supported HIllary and now supports Palin, is ingorant. They could not be any different politically across the board. I feel bad for those who contend they are intelligent and have swung from Hillary to a McCain vote because of Palin (or even in part because of her). She offers nothing for a Democrat and little for Independents. I myself was a registered Republican and am now an Independent, but goodness people, let's not let ignorant people make more decisions for us.

I have just turned off CNN in disgust for the last time. I will not be returning to your station for your version of so-called news. After a weeklong coverage of the democratic convention in which all of your reports were starry eyed with love, I know sit down with eager anticipation of seeing the republican convention. I expect to see the same kind of love fest coverage I have watched the previous week.

What do I get instead? Campbell Brown's relentless attack of Sarah Palin for daring to run as VP when her unwed daughter is pregnant and will be exposed to the scrutiny of our blood thirsty press and her equally relentless attack on John McCain for picking a VP with almost as paltry experience as the democratic Presidential nominee, Barrack Housain Obama.

Here's a little education for you Campbell. Sarah will be working along side a saavy, experienced leader. She will learn her job from a pro. Who will be training Barrack???

So, this kind of blatant hostile coverage (if one dare call it that) is what I can expect all week from CNN?

Nope. I have options too. Its called "TURN THE CHANNEL".

CNN can hardly call itself a news station.

I am really surprised by some of the comments suggesting that Sarah Palin should "go home and raise her family right." I wonder if a man's teenage daughter became pregnant if people would tell him to go home and take care of his family instead of running for president. Perhaps things haven't changed so much in America after all....

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Didn't anyone notice that Sarah Palin just had a baby, four short months ago? Set aside the fact (for now anyway) that this baby has Down Syndrome; he is a baby, requiring and deserving tremendous attention and care. And I think it matters who provides the care. Regardless of our position in the world, we each get 24 hours. Hours spent doing one thing necessarily precludes doing something else. What if the "one thing" is being President of the United States (or even, Vice President of the United States)?

I read or heard that Sarah had to change the baby's diaper on the way from the green room to the media frenzy at her acceptance speech. Sorry, Mr. Putin, I have to change the baby's diaper. And the breast pump – we won't start talking about that time consuming, never-ending (at least for a long time) activity.

I feel like the small child in "The Emperor's New Clothes" who cries out when the Emperor walks down the street with the non-existent clothes, "But he has nothing on." H E L L O – as the kids say in that melodic way – this woman, the one who was just named John McCain's running mate, the one who will be flying around the country in the next two months, when that baby is five then six months old, the one who will be stopping in a different city every night, has an infant.

All this talk about whether she meets the qualifications (e.g whether executive experience is achieved by being in the PTA) for the job of VEEP – a heartbeat away from the most powerful position in the world – is looking at her past. I'm more focused on her present situation – a family of five, a working husband (not a stay–at-home dad), and a four month old infant – and it sounds like a pretty full plate to me. Add to it: governor of Alaska. Oh, I guess her dance card will open up since she will no longer have to run that state.

I just don't get it.

When she delivered her acceptance speech, the baby (after she changed his diaper and disconnected him from the breast pump on the way to the microphone) was carted around in the arms of one of Ms. Palin's teenage daughters. Even before this recent news about the 17 year old being a new mom herself in four short months, I wondered how those two teenage girls could be expected to take care of this baby when they have a full high school schedule after Labor Day.

What I don't get is why no one, in either party, has raised this concern. Perhaps everyone is afraid of being accused of being politically incorrect. To suggest that caring for an infant is more important than a career is not exactly in vogue these days. After all, Sarah Palin is being touted as the model mom – balancing work and home. Isn't she amazing, they say, she can do everything. A modern woman. Yeah, stretched beyond belief, no sleep, juggling, fast food/mooseburgers, BUT, she has a career. Isn't she terrific. Sure, she – and all the modern moms of today – would have no difficulty fitting in President into her packed schedule, right after target practice.

I, for one, feel sorry for the young women today. They feel the pressure, all kinds of pressure, to do both, family (of five) and career, as if this is really possible without something (or someone) suffering. I recognize that pressures, including financial, are many, requiring all kinds of choices, sacrifices, adjustments, But, don't let anyone tell you it's easy, fun, or without cutting corners somewhere. I'm willing to say it, if no one else will: this woman, Sarah Palin, is too busy to be VEEP, let alone President, and frankly, I'm amazed she can handle the five kids, let alone running Alaska.

Frankly, I don't understand the term, pro-life, when that baby will barely see his mother. In my view, pro-life extends beyond birth.

I guess that's what makes horse races, or presidential races.

scs

Jeez, can we just stick to the facts. She called the public safety commissioner a couple of times as well as numerous contacts from her staff urging the commish to fire her ex brother in law, trash his career, he wouldn't do it so she fired him and replaced the commish with an ex high school class mate. How's that for cronyism and ethics? This is why she is CURRENTLY UNDRE INVESTIGATION. 1st time i've ever blogged. i have enjoyed reading all of your responses.
I'd rather be lucky than good.

On Friday when John McCain introduced Gov. Palin as his VP pick, it was such a well-kept secret that the media reported even the family didn’t know why they were coming to Ohio. Now we hear that Sarah Palin’s 17-year old daughter is five months pregnant.

This leads me to wonder if the Palin’s gave their daughter the opportunity to “weigh in” on the momentous decision about whether to run for VP, a decision that would thrust the daughter’s personal life into the public domain. Since this daughter will soon be married, taking on the adult responsibilities of a wife and mother, I would think that one of the first steps toward this would be for the family to include her in such a decision.

Jay said:
“I’m confused. Are you saying Jindal’s successes mean Palin will be an automatic success, or that Jindal should have been the VP candidate? If it’s the latter, I agree. If it’s the former, that’s ridiculous.”

I totally agree. If it is the former than it is indeed foolish, something that i don’t expect from journalist of mr. cooper’s calibre.

Yeah, Bobby Jindal would've worked, but this was a knee jerk pick for McCain. He really thought those pissed off Hillary voters were Democrats that were up for sale. Not so McCain, you LOSE!

WAKE UP!!!!

The one thing that nobody has seemed to grasp in this WHOLE election is that NOBODY on either ticket has the "experience" to be president of the United States and as some would say..the free world.

Im not supporting one side or the other, i just think its absolutely false to think that someone who has never been president a day in their life knows EXACTLY what to do on day one

Lets face it, Bush and Clinton couldnt handle ALL the duties of office and they both had 8 years!

So what do we have to decide on?? You guessed it....THE ISSUES...

And issues that a young, wealthy, successful CEO might care about the most might be different than a married couple of 3 with health problems....

so just leave your pointless comments in your pocket and vote on what YOU think is important...thats the best thing you could do for yor country right now...

As an independant voter, but an avid Bush (both) supporter, I was disappointed with McCain as the GOP choice. Remember, President Lincoln freed the slaves as a Republican. Admittedly, I had some leftover angst over McCain's reluctance to support Bush and the GOP in his Senate voting history. Then came the FORUM, and I am solid in my McCain support. Then, after building an anxiety over his impending choice of VP candidate, I noticed CNN's hint and keyed in Sarah's name on Google to find an overwhelming support for her selection. She is everything I hoped for, but didn't dare expect. The more I see her in action, the more I approve of her choice. For you young Democrats,there's a lesson to be learned in how that junior Senator from Missouri (VP Harry Truman) rose to the occasion when he assumed the Presidency after the death of our beloved FDR, and became a GREAT President.. If you love your country enough to feel a sense of responsibility for all those who lack our good fortune and freedoms, do yourself a favor and study the qualifications of all candidates before showing your ignorence by bashing those who deserve better.

Palin so blatantly unqualified. I'm a woman, have worked for over 40 years and feel more qualified than her to run and no one ever considered me for VP. There are so many more qualified women than her. McCain is obviously slipping into senility at his age and she will take over as President. Scariest thing since the bombing of Pearl Harbour. Palin is like a soap opera; just has one crisis after another.
Good for Obama though. Cindy no match for Michelle. She looks good though on Johnny's arm so guess that's why he has Palin–more drama!!

This is insane!!! How do you people not see through this ridiculous choice! The GOP is soooo lucky this hurricane came along so they dont have to deal with the fact that they chose an extreme right wing, gun-toting, anti environmentalist, who denies global warming whose only significant experience in 18 months is attempting to bring a 30 billion dollar pipeline to alaska that wont be ready for almost a decade. I know the American people are mostly stupid because McCain believes that there's enough stupid women out there who will vote for him because his running mate is a woman. Shame on you!!! Shame on you single-issue Evangelicals who put all your eggs in the Pro-Life basket am ashamed of all these women and ignorant-tunnel-visioned Evangelicals who only see the "Pro-Life" issue and only see "life" in terms of abortion; nevermind the war, death from poverty, or lack of adequate healthcare. You've got your pro-life candidate but if your life is at stake some day because of a tough birth, Palin would rather you die over your baby. Shame on all you stupid "abstinence-only" eduction proponents. See what it did for her 17 year old daughter. This is a clear hail mary pass by a desperate candidate. And many of you will fall for it. Well, if you get your candidate, guess what? Your taxes will go up and I will get a nice fat refund! Hope you enjoy my rich behind making even more money. It's sad that I care more than you to vote for Obama so all you middle and poor class can give your money to me. Do you people not realize this? Maybe I should to Republican and make even more moola!

Palin should decline the nomination for the good of the United States of America. She's a joke and is only making America look more ridiculous with each passing day.

McCain switching to Jindel now would look ridiculous. If he had done it earlier, he would be looking good right now. But by switching, he would look indecisive and also people would be mad at how he treated poor Sarah. They may switch to someone else, but they are in a jam now no matter what. Wednesday will be the roll call, so we will find out then for sure. The republicans have made this bed for themselves, I say let them sleep in it.

Has anyone ever declined the nomination for VP? Now would be a good time.

I love sitting here and watching all of you CARVILLE clones who think Biden over Palin is a win. Joe Biden was very vocal about Sadaam and his quest for WMD's long before George Bush invaded Iraq. So was Clinton, Reid, Pelosi, and a bunch of other Democrats who are now totally burying it. But its all available in archives of Meet The Press. Carville, on Meet The Press this morning, as much as said that Palin had no experience but Obama had plenty. Excuse me, but Palin has been a Mayor and a Governor while Obama has been a candidate. Obama has never done anything. First he savaged his fellow Democrats and now they are going after a woman. Yep, nothing more moronic than a DEMOCRAT. Hope you all enjoy the tax hikes if those losers should happen to win.

Given that Jindal was a runner up but not the THE BEST pick for VP, shows the star power of Sarah Palin. Democrats are simply doing all they can to lambast Palin because she's GOP and dems don't have a woman on the ticket. Plenty of room for both Jindal and Palin and others in the McCain Whitehouse!

Has anyone ever declined the nominsation for VP?

As much as I respect Senator McCain’s service to the U.S. – and I mean that, having grown up during Vietnam – this candidacy is a sad legacy for him. Palin isn’t a “Hail Mary” pass. It’s a desperate and clumsy attempt by an old man to prove he gets it (i.e., women have the same smarts as men). Choose anyone – qualified and vetted or not – as long as it’s a woman. Oops.

This Republican ticket absolutely personifies the Republican values we've come to love: Grossly out of touch with reality and, like so many self-proclaimed "Christian" leaders... "Do as I say, not as I do."

In particular, a woman who puts her political ambitions ahead of family says volumes for the party of family values. She virtually abandoned – within days – a Down's Syndrome baby who needs her attention. And, as any Psych 101 student could tell you, a daughter who, consciously or not, becomes pregnant to finally get Mom's attention.

The Palin family off limits? A nice sentiment I wish could be true for Bristol’s sake. But under the circumstances it's not going to happen. And, all the Gov. Palin had to say was, "No thank you. I have more pressing family obligations." What we're likely to see instead is a highly-choreographed dance of classic (and pitiful) denial…and a shotgun wedding.

This is a family and mother who need some serious intervention and counseling. Republicans want to put someone with this kind of very questionable judgment and priorities a heartbeat away from the presidency? And when will she finally succumb to a meltdown?

Some of these comments are simply amazing!

Palin has a 17-year old ,unmarried daughter who is pregnant, and people are gloating about her. Is she the role model for our country? Where are the family values that the Republicans are flouting.

Some of you actually like the fact that she graduated from University of Bah Humbug instead of an Ivy league school ... that's ... didn't we already have 8 years of not-so-smart Pres and VP... do you really feel comfortable only if you have a President with a low IQ ... may be this idea of giving everyone the right to vote may not be a good things after all ...

Earlier, a poster named Bonnie said, "I see serious issues with Sarah Palin – mostly, how is she going to be able to focus and spend the time on the vital issues of this nation as is required of a vice president while dealing with all the emotional issues of her daughter’s situation as well as her own of having a Down’s Syndrome child not yet even a year old? "
Why, Bonnie? What if were Obama's daughter that was pregnant & Obama also had a small baby of his own? Would you be saying the same? Somehow, I think not. Obama does have two little children of his own. ALL families go thru emotional times, including Obama, Biden, McCain & Palin. Don't single her out in this.

McCain lost my vote for 1 simply reason....he lied. He picked Sarah Palin to win...not what was in the best interest of the country. I saw an interview where he said something like....I will pick a VP that can step in day 1. How can someone ex-Military who really knows what we face domestically and internationally feel this way?

Sad news is I am a Republican but simply can't take the lies any longer. You were wrong about Iraq and won't admit it. You were wrong to pick Sarah Palin and won't admit it. If you think I am an idiot you won't be getting my vote.

I think there are millions of people like me (life long republicans) who have simply had enough.

Palin is his choice. Make the best of it. I already see the anchors ripping the RNC reps apart trying to get an answer about her foreign experience. I would say it is looking pretty bad.

If he does decided to go with another VP, it is political suicide.

Here is what I see, If the phone rings at 3 AM, will the president say, ......"Let me think"....OK, "unilateral negotiations"........ah "UNICEF"....ah....".hold on"..."er"....."no wait"....."send cruise missles"....."no no"....." lets mobilize the national guard on the border of Iraq/Pakistan". There is a hurricane where?

I am not being sarcastic here. There is some serious SH** this guy can get us into and God foirbid if anything happens to him, can Palin run with the ball.

Hear me out....Obama was voted in.....Palin was not, she was picked for the obvious reasons, not because she is quailfied, only because it makes McCann look good. That is typical B.S. politics.

Palin has a wonderful family, three young children that will need her to be a mother. She has a great job in Alaska that affords her to be a mother, wife, and still have a career. The fact that she accepted this Veep job makes me wonder if she makes rational decisions.

What next????

Just thinking out loud ..... Whats wrong with America and what have you done to change it?

I for one, like Governer Palin's politics, but get one thing straight; The Republican spin machine is working full time on this one.

More executive experience than Obama? Perhaps...but 18 months as Governer of an oil rich state during an oil boom, who wouldn't have a high approval rating. It is easy to reduce taxes and increase services when the state coffers are filled with oil tax revenue.

Her previous experience? Running the town of Wasilla, AK. Here are some of the Wasilla facts; Population 6,700. Staff 117. Budget $12.7MM. This makes her qualified to lead the largest economy in the world and become commander in chief of the world's largest armed forces? Sorry I don't think it does.

This reads like a bad Hollywood script, where some average Joe/Jane is taken off the streets and invited to join a presidential ticket. I am sure that Governer Palin is a capable woman, but this does not make her ready to lead and puts great doubt in the decision making capabilities of Senator McCain.

He had my vote before last week, but should Governer Palin become president in her first term as VP, we will have no idea who will be leading this country.

im sorry but i have to say this. Any women who is voting for McCain because he choose a woman as VP should move out of the country or not vote at all. I can can understand if you support McCain on the issues but wanting to him to be president because he picked a female is so stupid. i guess you all wouldve voted for someone like tyra banks if she had ran just becasue she was a women. for the love of god before you go spouting off stupid stuff about how its a womens turn to be in office (and i agree i was for hillary) look at the facts. she is a female version of john. allowing yourselves to be swayed because McCain picked Pallin is absolute stupidity on so many levels that it kind of makes me want to kill myself knowing that some one can change their mind because something they want instead of something thats good for all of us.

It's funny to see how people are so sure of things. How people are so "sure" Palin was picked as a blatant attempt to pander to women. How people are so "sure" of her inexperience. How people are so "sure" Palin can't manage her home life. I'm not saying she was a wise pick, but it's funny how there are so many experts all of a sudden. It's easier to listen to network "analysts" than take the extra time to dig a little deeper.

As for the arguements about McCain's judgement and her daughter's pregnancy, it's funny how Bill Clinton's judgement in the Monica Lewinsky was somehow "okay". Wasn't that a personal matter, like a lot of people cried at the time?

Anyway... it all makes for a great international reality show the rest of the world can tune into.

I could not agree with Sabina anymore. I was planning on voting for McCain, and I think I'll vote for Obama at this point.

The pick of Palin illustrates the lack of judgment on McCain's part. PTA experience is not executive experience that prepares you to be the VP. Having a law degree from Harvard is a little more applicable.

Seriously. Sarah Palin has no place as VP (let alone President).

The suggestion in your commentary that because a Louisina Governor is managing Gustav that perhaps Palin isn't far off the mark and can indeed, be a good choice for VP is simply ridiculous. Palin is not even halfway through her first term as Governor and although it is reported that she has a 80% favorable rating, I managed to find the opposite – straight from the mouths of Alaskans that her approval rating dropped to 68% AND that the only reason she won the governsgip in Alaska is because the man before her was abhorred by nearly the entire Alaskan population and she was the only one running against him. Naturally, she won. Alaska is 1/30th the size of many congressional districts in other states when you look at the population. In fact, in state stats there is 1.1 person per mile in Alaska. Come on! Get a brainwave.

well...here we go again. the party that insisted on bringing you a moron president that you "could have a beer with". is now insisting that having a vp with a degree in journalism, who loves running around the woods with an ak47 and is the model of the modern women with family values (even though her own daughter apparently didn't buy her abstinence garbage) is the way to go this time around.
little rebecca of sunnybrook farm should take her dysfunctional family and go back to alaska

I have decided not to vote at all. I am fifty years old and have come to the conclusion that human beings have no business governing themselves. I guess I will let those who think otherwise choose. I will feel less guilt by staying out of it.

I do not believe being mayor of a town pop. 6,000 has any merit. I was a member of student government at my univeristy which had about 20,000 students....3 times that amount of Wassalia. As soon as Palin becomes Governor of Alaska (smaller than Chicago!) she's involved in a scandal. Also you have to honestly take in to consideration she has a 13 week old child and will have a baby grandchild who her daughter who is not even an adult herself will be asking for assistance. Thats a recipe for disaster and am not willing to take that risk.

Obama has experience working within the community of Chicago, pop. 7,000,000 dealing with issues with the steel plants and more. He has been overseas and is well respected among Americans, our allies, and our enemies.

Also judgment is more important than experience and Obama has shown over and over again his judgment is far superior to McCain and/or Palin.

We cant risk havin Palin as CoC when McCain suffers a fatal health issue.

Why is it that there are about a dozen comments on here that sounding EXACTLY like the comments on a number of other message boards about Sarah Palin? Are people constantly cruising these message boards using fake names and fake email addresses but repeating the same thing?

As far as I have been able to tell, most of the messages from people supporting Obama sound unique. The messages supporting Palin sound repeated. There are a few unique sounding Palin messages and I can respect your arguments even though I disagree with them.

When a woman who has an unwanted pregnancy decides to keep a child I can understand why many believe this was a positive choice for the child's sake. But when that same woman, in this case a 17 year old child herself, chooses to keep that child and pretend to be at all prepared to create a home for that child to live and grow in, this is not pro-life AT ALL. This decision is a terrible assault on an unborn baby's life. Every child deserves a home where they are wanted, where the people who will be parenting them are prepared for this enormous task in many different ways... ways that no 17 year old can ever step up to. So let's be clear, there is little to celebrate when a woman chooses to selflessly keep the baby of an unwanted pregnancy only to turn around and choose the next worst possible thing for the child by refusing to give that child a complete, loving home which the adoption option offers any child born into that circumstance. Sarah Palin appears proud of her daughter's choices regarding the unwanted child. This reveals a person who really doesn't understand or care about what really is best for children. She may be anti-abortion but she IS NOT PRO-LIFE. To be truly PRO-LIFE, one must give children the best possible options for life.

I'm a centrist. For the first time, I like both candidates (and I would have been happy with Hillary too). Had McCain picked Lieberman, I might have voted for him. I'm sure Palin is a capable person but I can't get over the fact that her limited experience is in state government in one of the most remote and least populated states. Bush's experience was limited to state government and look where that got us.

Palin was active in the Alaskan Independence Party, an organization that advocates Alaska's seceding from the Union! The group is trying to infiltrate major political parties (hence Palin's entry into the Republican party).

HOW CAN PALIN be Vice-President if she doesn't want to be an American?

I admire John McCain for picking a woman, although his candidate was a disastrous pick. I am not so much concerned about Palin's private life. Her inexperience is frightening. But her AIP involvement is unforgivable. I think anyone who is vice-president, and hence a heartbeat from the Presidency, must at least love the country.

Sorry, but when your name enters the political arena at this level, you are subject, unfortunately or not, to intense scrutiny of yourself, your family, your associations, your beliefs, and your past. This is probably why a lot of qualified people would never consider running for president or VP, which is sad. Do I think it should be this way, no, but that is the way it has become. Were we to apply the present standards, most likely most of our past presidents would never have qualified. Palin has presented herself as a champion of the far right and espoused evangelical views, so I think when cracks in the facade are discovered, as they invariably would and will be, it is now fair game.

If Jindal were on the ticket, Democrats wouldn't be acting like Christmas came early. They'd be nervous. As it stands, everyone's worrying about 72-year old, 4-time cancer survivor McCain might kick the bucket and leave Sarah Palin to watch over the big red button. As much as Tucker Bonds might (hilariously) try to equate being Gov. of Alaska for less than a term to experience running a military, the people of the US are not stupid. They will vote for Obama whether they like him or not – it's just irresponsible to leave open the very real possibility that Sarah Palin could be president.

I love McCain pick! As a former independent turned republican, small female business owner – I say again, I just love it. Palin – YOU GO GIRL!!!! Palin style is like mine – I'm 44 too! As a side perk sometimes your unawareness of everything you step into make you FEARLESS and she's FEARLESS. I heard want she ACCOMPLISHED in the short period of time and I love it!!!

I hate Obama sense of reality – I wasn't exited about McCain before, but now I am! I hear she be a great fund raiser via thru support of the oil and gas industry too! So she can bring it to the table!

I'm amazed by the few comments from women who seem to be happy to just see a woman on the ticket – no matter how bad the choice. Maybe they would have been happy even if Eva Braun was alive to be a choice (for those who actually know anything about politics and don't just vote based on the color of someone's skin, their gender, whether they're cute, or what religion they practice – you'll know that was Hitler's wife). It is people like that which make me think a Democracy doesn't work unless the majority of people are intelligent. Sadly, with the last two elections, and the fact that people would even consider 4 more years of incompetence because they naively buy the Republican scare tactics and bible thumping, I'm questioning whether the majority of Americans are smart enough to be given this responsibility. I have spent my life working to help communities and trying to help others. For the first time, I'm beginning to wonder why. Maybe I should have just sold my soul to the devil while praising God, and bought more houses than I could remember I owned. I could really have lived high off the hog by then picking a hypocrite as my business partner, and manipulating the weak-minded masses to give me more wealth and power. Alas, I can't – and I just pray to God that he forgives our foolishness and people will come around before we become yet another "once glorious" country that is weakened to the point that we have lost any real clout on the world stage.

I tell you what, Gov Jindal is definitely making himself look good...

This whole election is terrifying. There are no good choices, whatsoever. I personally think the country should split up, soon. The parties will never live in peace, and it will only get worse with time. I cannot sit in the same room as my ultra-liberal brother-in-law at family events. We have split the family into two seperate groups, and we have our own holiday parties, based on who we want there. I see this in the workplace, as well. The days of unity in this country are forever over, and it is time to face it. Other countries have been formed\split over a lot less.

I am amazed at how many women are attacking this woman (Palin) for taking on her job and not staying home with her children. As a stay- at-home dad, I thought we had put these idea to bed. What about her husband? Doesn't he have any responsibility to help care for the children? Why can't he care for the new baby? And as someone who has at least on teenager in my extended family get pregnant, trust me – it happens all the time.

Biden seems more qualified than Palin, but all the candidates seem more qualified than obama, and at the end of the day he is the guy on the top of the democratic ticket....

God bless her courage and her integrity. Boy, our country can sure use these qualities in leadership. May Sarah Palin and her family withstand all the negative comments about them. I pray the McCain/Palin ticket is successful.

One unexpected thing out of the Palin situation–I have to say something positive about G W Bush–he was more qualified when elected than she is.

Even though I am strong Clinton Supporter, I would have voted for John McCain. However with the pick of Palin I just don't see that happening now. I would really like to see a break down of this Republican ticket so a new VP candidate could be selected. I don't think that Palin was a good selection.

This was supposed to be a dialogue about Gov. Jindal handling Gustav. He was professional in handling a rather run-of-the-mill hurricane. For all the talk of "storm of the century" from a press hoping for a Republican embarrassment, Gustav hardly measures up to Katrina or Hugo, much less Andrew. I fail to see how Gustav and Jindal have anything to do with Palin other than someone trying to make a story out of nothing.

In my opinion, this was a terrible choice for McCain. This election should be more than just about winning especially with the country in the turmoil that it is in. McCain selection was about picking a "pretty young woman" that will sway Senator's Clinton's supporters to jump on his bandwagon. I was a supporter of McCain's but you can not tell me that Governor Palin could step in immediately as President of this country should something happen to him. Was this really the best qualified candidate he could have chosen? I don't think so.

Need everybody to google Alaskan Independence Party, which Palin was an active member of before and during her Mayoral term in Wasilla. AIP advocates secession from the US, taking back all federal lands, and keeping their oil and gas for their sovereign nation. Seems they thought the "Occupying troops" got to vote on whether or not Alaska became a state, so they think it was not legal.

She was no Hockey Mom, joining the PTA and then becoming political, she was political first in the AIP. after googling the AIP, find all of the youtube videos of Palin addressing the native american population groups, the Calgary meetings, the AIP secessionists meetings. You'll find out what Palin really is.

Sarah Palin gets no sympathetic support from me. She opened herself up for this when she accepted John McCain's offer. Now let the chips fall where they may. She is certainly no Hillary Clinton. I think it's an insult to even compare her to Hillary. McCain once again has proven that he did not thoroughly check this woman out. He only met her once! She may be a good person, but this is clearly not her season for such a position.

News flash for those who admire Sarah Palin for 'turning down' the $223 million for the 'Bridege to Nowhere.' She got to keep the money, even though she didn't build the bridge. Alaska just spent it on other transportation projects. So she really didn't save any money.

Does McCain's pick of Sarah Palin remind anyone else of George Bush's pick of Harriett Myers for the Suprem Court. Yes, the motives are different. Bush's was cronyism which doesn't apply to McCain. Still, the desperate selling of inexperience has a familiar ring.

Anderson, give me a break on the sexism. Man or woman, a parent's decision to run for such a high-profile office thrusts their entire family into the national spotlight. Palin had to know that an enormous amount of attention would fall on her daughter, yet she chose to subject her daughter to that scrutiny in the name of personal ambition. If it was a man in the same situation, who was running on family values, you bet they'd get the same treatment.

No matter who becomes the next president, I just want all Americans to close their eyes to race and look at the grave issues facing this country. Just pretend that both candidates are neither black nor white, but the same color "blue". Then weigh their agendas in getting our country back to where it needs to be both on the homefront and internationally. Now after you have done that honestly, you can make your decision. I just don't want people basing their vote on color instead of the real issues. I hear too many people bringing up all kinds of excuses not to vote for someone, but could it be because of that person's skin color? And please never start a sentence..."I am not a racist or prejudiced...but..." That alwas speaks volumes. Just be honest with yourself.

As a Mom of a handicapped Child myself, I applaud Ms. Palin choice to have give birth to her son and choose to raise him. However what is seldom mentioned is that this lady had a choice and so had her pregnant daughter. And it is this choice that she and thousand like her want to deny other women, who because of personal c
ircumstances may not be able to wachoose the y Ms .Palin did.
Pro-choice Michigan Mom

So far, I'm not very impressed with Palin. McCain's time was 8 years ago when he made the mistake of running an honorable campaign against the slimy GWB and K. Rove. He could've had several more qualified people (man or woman). I think this choice will seal his fate.