Update: McCain Selects Gov. Sarah Palin as Running Mate

She just gave an incredible speech and even gave credit to Ms. Clinton for furthering the progress of women. She told about her accomplishments of holding people accountable in government, her great experience and qualifications, and how her son joined the army.

She is infinitely more qualified than Obama with all of her executive experience and she has a strong set of morals on top of that. She;s a great speaker too and did nothing to trash her opponents.

McCain looks like a genius now.

She did indeed give credit to Senator Clinton, with the reason being obvious, and the irony delicious. Since 1992, continuously topping the conservatives' hate list has been Hillary. Hillary is their undisputed "we hate" champion. And yet, what has become abundantly clear to Republicans is that their success in this year's general election is hinged on their ability to persuade those people who wanted HILLARY TO BE PRESIDENT (!!!) to vote for their ticket. Indeed, this makes McCain's choice of Palin a very smart one, with the "straight talk" philosophy he championed eight years ago being at the heart of this choice--"I'm not making any bones about this; I want Hillary's voters." Yup, for lovers of irony, this is a very good day.

Come on though, people. I know this announcement, and the Biden announcement are both hot off the presses, so it gives people something to talk about.

But in the end, does anybody really vote based on who the VP is? I know I don't. Even when a candidate is 72 years old, I still don't. The probability of McCain dying in office is not that high (ask me again if he's running at age 76, I might feel differently).

The guy is in great shape.

In the end, you all know you're going to vote based on Obama vs McCain. If you're an Obama fan, the biggest reason to vote for him is not going to be "because McCain might die and leave a 44 year old with little experience in charge." You're going to vote for Obama because you want us out of Iraq, or you want tax changes, or you want changes in foreign policy.

Palin and Biden don't change much. This is still about McCain vs Obama. I don't think either VP pick is going to significantly sway the vote.

She did indeed give credit to Senator Clinton, with the reason being obvious, and the irony delicious. Since 1992, continuously topping the conservatives' hate list has been Hillary. Hillary is their undisputed "we hate" champion. And yet, what has become abundantly clear to Republicans is that their success in this year's general election is hinged on their ability to persuade those people who wanted HILLARY TO BE PRESIDENT (!!!) to vote for their ticket. Indeed, this makes McCain's choice of Palin a very smart one, with the "straight talk" philosophy he championed eight years ago being at the heart of this choice--"I'm not making any bones about this; I want Hillary's voters." Yup, for lovers of irony, this is a very good day.

As politically brilliant as I think the selection is, I'm not buying the whole "it will sway Hillary voters" bit.

Anyone who was a Hillary supporter is going to have so many problems with Palin that the only thing Hillary and Palin will have in common is that they're both women.

If that fact alone is enough to completely ignore differences with respect to EVERY other area of policy and approach, then those voters could have been swayed with the promise of cupcakes and the Palin selection was unnecessary.

What I find funny is the reaction to this. Does anyone really expect die-hard Obama fans to suddenly change their position with the Palin selection? Please.

The selection really just fortifies his voting base and is a really good grab at a lot of the independent swing voters. Anyone expecting massive upheaval or for lifetime Democrats to suddenly vote Republican are sorely mistaken.

Come on though, people. I know this announcement, and the Biden announcement are both hot off the presses, so it gives people something to talk about.

But in the end, does anybody really vote based on who the VP is? I know I don't. Even when a candidate is 72 years old, I still don't. The probability of McCain dying in office is not that high (ask me again if he's running at age 76, I might feel differently).

The guy is in great shape.

In the end, you all know you're going to vote based on Obama vs McCain. If you're an Obama fan, the biggest reason to vote for him is not going to be "because McCain might die and leave a 44 year old with little experience in charge." You're going to vote for Obama because you want us out of Iraq, or you want tax changes, or you want changes in foreign policy.

Palin and Biden don't change much. This is still about McCain vs Obama. I don't think either VP pick is going to significantly sway the vote.

Pretty much sums it up right here.

Come on though, people. I know this announcement, and the Biden announcement are both hot off the presses, so it gives people something to talk about.

But in the end, does anybody really vote based on who the VP is? I know I don't. Even when a candidate is 72 years old, I still don't. The probability of McCain dying in office is not that high (ask me again if he's running at age 76, I might feel differently).

The guy is in great shape.

In the end, you all know you're going to vote based on Obama vs McCain. If you're an Obama fan, the biggest reason to vote for him is not going to be "because McCain might die and leave a 44 year old with little experience in charge." You're going to vote for Obama because you want us out of Iraq, or you want tax changes, or you want changes in foreign policy.

Palin and Biden don't change much. This is still about McCain vs Obama. I don't think either VP pick is going to significantly sway the vote.

I disagree. I think this is the one time in history the VP is the most important choice for the campaigns. I pray Obama isn't assassinated, and I also pray McCain doesn't expire.. but I think both could very well happen, making the VP VERY important.

I disagree. I think this is the one time in history the VP is the most important choice for the campaigns. I pray Obama isn't assassinated, and I also pray McCain doesn't expire.. but I think both could very well happen, making the VP VERY important.

Those are both emotional/superficial thought reactions though, there's not a whole lot of thought behind it.

The probability of a successful assassination attempt on Obama is so small. I get that he's black and there are crazies out there who may try it, but it's insanely hard to get it done. The secret service is incredibly good at their jobs; and they do an awful lot more than just jump in front of bullets.

As for McCain, check his health records. He's in tremendous shape, despite the previous bouts with melanoma. While melanoma can be deadly, and you'll hear about that in the media, it is easily treatable and near harmless if detected in time. Given that he sees a dermatologist regularly, the chances are nil that skin cancer will be his downfall. There's no sign of heart trouble, no sign of orthopedic, nervous system, or muscular problems. The guy's in great shape and can easily handle four years.

I think after Cheney a lot of people are more interested now in who the next VP might be. For me, I've always found it intriguing since Mondale chose Ferraro.

As for McCain, check his health records. He's in tremendous shape, despite the previous bouts with melanoma. While melanoma can be deadly, and you'll hear about that in the media, it is easily treatable and near harmless if detected in time. Given that he sees a dermatologist regularly, the chances are nil that skin cancer will be his downfall. There's no sign of heart trouble, no sign of orthopedic, nervous system, or muscular problems. The guy's in great shape and can easily handle four years.

Strangely, this feels like I'm making the case for trading for Jason Taylor.

Yeah he's old, but check his health records, he's fine! LOL

I think after Cheney a lot of people are more interested now in who the next VP might be. For me, I've always found it intriguing since Mondale chose Ferraro.

Does it prominently factor in deciding your vote?

If Obama is inexperienced, Palin is woefully inexperienced. How is McCain going to play the experience and national security card? Seriously, at 72 he has one foot in the grave and his VP was nothing more than a mayor of a small town one and half years ago. Palin is also batshit crazy...no abortion in case of rape and incest! She'll get the Hillary vote alright.



I'm looking forward to the VP debate.