Live Blog from the Anchor desk 08/29/08
Good evening folks, tonight marks the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Anderson reports live from NOLA, as residents prepare themselves for Hurricane Gustav. We'll track Gustav as NOLA and the nation remembers Hurricane Katrina three years later...
There's also a whirlwind in the political arena. Take a look at our evening buzz for a complete lineup of tonight's show... an in depth look at McCain's VP Pick, Alaska Governer Sarah Palin. Who is Sarah Palin? Our reporters will tell you what they learned tonight.
Let us know your thoughts.
We’ll start posting comments to this blog at 10p ET and stop at 11p ET.
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Obama has argued that experience does not matter. How can he attack Palin's? It just points out his own lack.
McCains selection of Palin is showing us how to be a maverick and give obama the election without a vote being cast! Thanks, John. Anderson, stay safe in "Nawlins"..
As a suburban woman, I am insulted by McCain's selection... Does he think women are that shallow and stupid that any woman will suffice in a job???????? Has he forgotten that the vice president just might have to run the country if he is incapacitated for even a small procedure?????Can she run this country??????? This is a disgraceful selection and I am even questioning all republicans now if they accept this choice........All woman are not alike........
Republicans need to reject this choice at the convention
I like McCain's choice. She has done more in her limited time in office than Obama has in his 2 years in the Senate. I just find it amusing that the Democrats are suddenly concerned with experience when their candidate clearly lacks it.
I can't believe that Palin actually talked about Hillary's 18 million cracks comment. They're not even attempting to hide their real motives.
I think that most women are going to be offended by his choice. It's completely out of line and I think that Obama is really going to benefit from this.
I don't like that she's pro-life and anti-gay marriage.
McCain doesn't even know her! How does he expect to possibly work closely with her for four years? I just don't get it...
Bill Clinton said in his speech that one of the ways we could tell what kind of president Obama would be was by his first Presidential choice: who his VP would be, and that he "hit it out of the ballpark" with Biden. What does this say about how McCain will run this country???? To me, it says that he's selfish and is solely thinking about how he can win the presidency, rather than thinking of the status of the coutry, both nationally and internationally.
I visited Alaska for a month from Dec. to Jan, and I have several friends who cannot afford to put fuel in their furnaces. September 15, will be a short relief for my family members and friends to get their dividend checks and a surplus check to heat their homes for 2 months. The lower 48 as we call it and Alaska are 2 different worlds I know the life styles and governing skills are different. I don't need a beauty queen I need someone with lower 48 experience.
I am more than bewildered. How could he have selected a running mate whom America does not know? Obama was darn right when he asked how could you select someone by chance of 10%? Very disappointing choice. Won't get my vote on this one.
Are you kidding me? This is not only stupid but it is scary!!!!!!!!
Anderson, you guys in the media better start doing your job and tell the American people the truth. ENOUGH with the fluff. This woman is not ready, give me a break.
i am frantically trying to find out who this person is.
she left her town millions in debt because of her bad adminstration
Lori Ann, I agree and although I have many opposing views I will try to give her the benefit of the doubt. The only trouble is there is not much time for people to get to know her.
I, too, was stunned by McCain's choice for vice president. i will listen and give her a chance. However, i can't help but wonder, if she was chosen because everyone else said NO
Is Obama too inexperienced? I'm surprised nobody in the media has mentioned that the undisputed, most visionary U.S. President of all time, Abraham Lincoln, had served only as an Illinois state senator and one term in the U.S. Congress before being elected President and leading the United States of America through the greatest change in its history.
I think that the first most important executive decision you make is picking your VP and it tells what type of President you will be. In my opinion Sarah Palin is a very risky choice. Senator McCain is 72 and from reports I've seen becoming President excelerates the aging process and I don't see Palin as being someone I would be comfortable with being a heartbeat away from the Presidency.
Hi Anderson,
While I usually favour the democrats, to be honest and realistic Palin can potentially give democrats a run for their money. She has the best of both worlds – young and fresh (something that attracts Barack Obama supporters) while being a staunch conservative (something that will please the base of McCain's party). If Republicans want to temper the momentum Obama is supposed to get after the convention, they can give a lot of credit to McCain's pick.
knock knock....who's there....gustav....gustav who....a gustav wind just blew my roof off!
knock knock....who's there...hanna...hanna who....hanna me my keys, I gotta go!
I just thought a little humor could be used around here in NOLA. It is an amazing sight...neighbors cooking up hotdogs for neighbors...trying to relieve the stress of everything. Proud to be New Orleans!!!!!
k, plenty of time to report on McCain's VP choice, lets get to the hurricane, those of us south of I-10 want to hear what cnn has to say about it. 🙂
Let's not forget who is top of the ticket, and who is not. Palin has more executive experience than Obama. Obama has never run anything in his life.
Everyime Republicans are asked whether Palin is more qualified to step in as Commander in Chief than any others on the VP short list, they totally evade the question and start ranting about what a great governor she is. Obama has served on the Foreign Affairs comittee w Biden, and has excellent diplomatic instincts – as proven by the change in the Bush strategy. She hasn't been into the Iraq thing !!!
Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous to have a candidate that has never even served in either of the legislative branches of the US....a part time mayor of city with a population of 6000, and under investigation by her own state; a full time mother with a infant who has special needs....yes she would be up at midnight...... to get her infant a bottle....Is this wisdom or is this just a political ploy by the republicans to upstage the democrats.
As a woman who does not believe that Obama is capable outside the 'rock star' arena, I am thrilled with Palin's selection. Her resume is one of being courageous in housecleaning the politics of Alaska. I learned more about her character today that is positive than I learned about Obama in over a year of his inspirational messages. Thank you McCain.
Palin seems to be a fine mother and governor, however, her positions on issues do not match where I think the country should be. A woman's right to choose, the economy, the war etc are far more important than electing a woman just because she's a woman. It's nothing personal against her, it's just her politics.
A woman is what this country so desperately needs! Everyone knows a woman can handle more than a man-in every aspect of life. She is one tough cookie (and I thought Hillary was at first) and she will put this country back in shape the way it should be!!
It's about time–talk about change–Washington will indeed get the much needed change it so needs and deserves! Go Pailin!
Have you not seen a woman in action? Have a seat and enjoy the ride!
how insulting to women that a political trick is supposed to garner our vote? i am not comfortable with this tactic nor the choice of sen. mccain to seek votes from sen. clinton.
McCain proved he doesn't get it. It wasn't just about having a skirt, or pantsuit: it's for choice, against war, for gun control, etc. etc. And the demographics aren't even there: she's too young, McCain! More a daughter to us who handed out petitions in the 70s for the ERA than a peer. You don't get us!!
I don't know John McCain went with his gut after meeting her one time, maybe he knows what he's doing.
Loved the final night of the Democratic convention. Democrats made through a difficult summer.
My main issue is McCain, and his judgement. He picked someone who has less experience than anyone on his shortlist. After criticizing Obama, who has more experience than her. He hired the wrong person. I think she's great, I can't wait to see what she does in the future, I found her inspiring in her speech- but it shows McCain's lack of judgement right now. He is not putting the country first. He could have had a ticket full of experience, a very strong one, but he chose not to do that.
I think that even John McCain has now realized by Obamas magnificant speech, ideas and policies that he is the best choice for president so he has made his ticket so horrible that nobody will vote for him! Its his own way of supporting Obama!!
WOW, and this comes from an Independent who really wanted to watch BOTH conventions and really do my homework before voting this time. I never heard of her . But no, John had to go and insult my intelligence, as if all he needed to do was place a woman on a ticket to get the woman's vote. But, to even try to convince me this is another Hillary is even more insulting.
Oh well, no need to watch the next convention now.
PS. Hi Obama, what can I do to help you out.
Anderson please tell me this is a McGimick!!! I am a woman and I am offended by this to say womanare stupid.
As an ardent Hillary supporter (and a self-proclaimed feminist), I wouldn't vote for McCain Palin because of a woman VP candidate. I wouldn't pick a completely different platform because of a candidate. After all, Obama is part of the Democratic Party. Technically, the public chooses the party behiind him. Obama might be charismatic and inspirational, but he represents his party, after all.
I am totally with Paul Begala and I think all democrats need to drive the message and doubt to voters that if something were to happen to Mccain at this age,there would be a void in the White House with this inexperienced woman.
David and Paul are right! This was a very wreckless and poor judgment choice! If he wins I will be extremely scared! Obama may not have a lot of experience but he has surrounded himself with someone with great experience and also he has proven himself with how well he has conducted himself through his campaign!
Once again we see what type of Judgement Mccain has. This is scary...Paul you could not have said it better....
Since John McCain has voted against equal pay for women. I wonder how Gov. Palin feels about this issue?
Let’s give her a chance to make her case.
I find it curious that most of the compairisons are between Palin and Obama and not between VPs…or Ps for that matter.
Frankly I am just at lost for words about McCain pick.
This is supposed to be a man that thinks of his country first.
Putting someone in the second most important place of our lives is just crazy.
He doesn’t know her, just of her.
I feel more safe with bush!
As a woman I am highly insulted by McCain's VP pick.This is an obvious ploy to get the women's vote.I am truly afraid as a woman because Palin is an extreem pro-life person.She want's to outlaw abortion even if a woman is raped or if it's incest.McCain is against equal pay for women and Palin is also against gay rights.This is truly frightening to me to have two people who are so non-inclusive.How dare she tell any woman who might be raped or the victim of incest what to do with their body.This is taking us back to the dark ages.
This wil certainly be the most interesting election in history. I hope our you people can really appreciate living history, this will be in history books in great detail.
It's clear that John McCain picked his VEEP to win this election -not the person who would work well with him and certainly not be the best person for the job.
I don't understand why he would undercut his strongest argument against Obama (experience) while raising the previously taboo subject of his age.
Watching the Republicans try to sell Palin is rather funny......just not that effective
Cindy: Do you feel comfortable about supporting a candidate you know absolutely nothing about as a legislator? What is her stand on health Care? does she support Georgia? What does she propse to do about Iran?Does she want to reduce nuclear arsenaols? What about Darfur? What are her experiences outside of Alaska?? to name a few......
I was very impressed with McCain's bold move today, but could you just imagine if the unthinkable happened and after all the "blood and guts" that Hilary put into her campaign, Sarah Palin turned out to be our first woman president!!!!!!!!
As a woman smack dab in the middle of the demo McCain is shooting for (sorry for the bad pun), but this just isn't working for me. While I'm sure Palan is a fine govenor, not so sure about VP. Please don't insult me by putting a woman as VP just to have a woman on the ticket. I deserve better than that. Especially given McCain's medical history and age. I'm pretty sure this undecided vote has swung Obamas way.
David Gergen, I agree whole heartedly with your thoughts, and Paul Begala, I absolutely feel your emotions and frustration. My sister and I were just talking about what a joke this is. But none the less, what a scary joke if god forbid, McCain wins. I can't think of one good reason I would vote for McCain. What concern me is people like my mom, who were huge Hillary supporters so much that they will turn to McCain. When asked what she will do now, after learning about Palin, my mom said it made her even more sure she would vote for McCain. Like Paul, I am petrified!!!
John McCain has just proven that his age does matter because he has just contradicted every thing he has said about Obama. McCain has just showed his judgment can be persuaded. Obama showed strength and judgment when he did not fold from the pressure to pick Hillary as his VP because truly Biden is the strongest choice. Likewise McCain has let Rush Limbaugh and the gangs force him into a bad decision for his VP selection. And by the way, Hillary supporters are to smart to fall for this under minding gimmick.
Eric
Albany, Ga.
I am pissed Sarah is no Hillary by a long shot and McCain is selling us a McGimick!!!
This is crap. As a woman, I am completely offended by McCain's choice. If he thinks that THAT woman would appeal to Hillary Clinton-ites, then that just proves that he is unqualified to make decisions for our country. That woman could not be more OPPOSITE than Clinton. NRA member? Hunter? Pro-life? Socially conservative? This is just ridiculous.
McCain's VP Pick: No Way – No How – No Who?