Presidential candidates have a single task to perform expertly between securing their party's nomination and Election Day: the choice of a running mate. Everything else is politics and speeches. (And, by the way, wasn't our guy's just swell?)
Campaign appearances, photo-opportunities, and even debates are grist for Villagers and other rubes who read into them all kinds of sillliness as they fondle and interpret them. But the only thing a presidential candidate actually does that the American people can really evaluate is this: pick a running mate who doesn't embarrass yourself, your country, your dignity and your honor.
Don't pick a candidate whose family and staff leaned on one of her direct reports to fire a guy who had a messy divorce with her sister, then fired the direct report and replaced him with a guy with a sexual harassment history who lasted only two weeks but got a nice severance.
Don't pick a candidate whose foreign policy experience is based on her state's proximity to Russia.
Don't pick a candidate to shore up your rapidly peeling-away base, the Beltway gasbags who enjoy nothing more than dramatic narratives, but who haven't had the country's best interests at heart since the Clinton impeachment drama.
Don't pick a candidate to enrapture the base of your party that's never fallen in love with you: the fundamentalist evangelicals who have captured your party and turned it into a voice for theocracy.
Don't pick a candidate as a cynical sexist ploy because you think her gender will make women who supported Hillary Clinton swoon, especially since Hillary's name still elicits boos at your own rallies. This will really bomb if your Veep's own views are antithetical to liberal progressive feminism -- a creationist who favors state-forced birth, is anti-gay and anti-environment, who may (?) favor The Surge and is pro-gun.
Show good judgment: pick a candidate who is ready to lead the country on day one, especially since you are the oldest-ever first-time candidate for the presidency and a four-time cancer survivor.
Respect your own service to our country and those who've chosen public service alongside you: pick a candidate whose public experience summary needn't highlight her PTA service.
Honor the women, if you want to run with one, whose public service does not prominently feature a current public integrity investigation. Maybe choose based on more than one phone call?
Choose honorably: respect those who stood in battle with you, tested you and made you a better candidate for the office you now seek.
Think of your country first: completely research your choice, so that Americans are not embarrassed by rumors within hours of your choice, stories that reflect badly on your skills as a chooser of talent, someone who could face impeachment at home. America has had enough of poorly chosen, poorly vetted, ideologically pure office-seekers and -holders. Can't you show some contrast with the Bush Administration in that regard?
Finally, do the honorable thing: don't grab the quick news cycle, in an attempt to tamp down enthusiasm for an historic event the previous night with an impulsive wild card choice. Don't leave others hanging if you've really chosen someone else. Don't set your running mate up to tell untruths about the "bridge to nowhere" on her very first day. Don't try to tell us your new running mate didn't really support Pat Buchanan in 2000. Don't look like you are captive to a faction within your party. Don't try to sell America someone you'd only met once. Don't try to tell us she's ready for primetime when her own husband says "she's not wired normal."
Does this choice show good judgment on John McCain's part.
No.
Does this choice acknowledge the experience John McCain's told us throughout his campaign is so important to be President?
No.
Does this choice illustrate John McCain's honor?
No.
Does this choice mean John McCain puts Country First?
Hardly.
Is this choice about Sarah Palin, or is this choice about John McCain?
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Hi Teddy!
The problem with this analysis is that NOTHING he’s ever done shows good judgment or honor.
john mcsame wishes he had honor but his black heart knows he sold it for greed
Honor? Respect? Dignity? Country? POW! POW! POW!
Let’s not be silly. This is Johnny McCrazyOldBastard we are talking about here. He is going to be the same craven, pandering, political opportunist he always has been.
At best, McCain gets a “C” for consistency.
McCain’s wife Cindy Warbucks is as qualified as Sarah Paylin to be the R VP. Cindy would reflect a Bloomberg type on the ticket.
Hi, Betsy, Are you mending well?
Nope. Speaking as an educator he gets an “F” for FUBAR.
Teddy, remember he’s a POW! It’s all good!
We are so bombarded with nonsensical governance and lack of accountability that when (or if) accountability returns, we will be struck dumb by it.
How did we let this become the rule?
Hi, Teddy!
Sorry to drag things off topic so early, like everybody I’ve seen the lines of cars as people flee N.O. but does anybody know if they have done a better job of evacuating non-driving residents this time around?
Hello, all!
Hoping to change the focus here, from Sarah to Choosing Sarah….
She’s rich, she’s rich and doggone it, rich people like Cindy.
Oops, I owe ya a cold one, Doc! ;-)
mcsame’s temper choose her when he was told he couldn’t have hojo
For the most part yes. Still have not attacked the 4 days of dishes in the sink, but my body was quite happy with a restful day at home today. Even got some work done to make up for taking Thursday off.
Breaking News Alert
The New York Times
Sunday, August 31, 2008 — 4:19 PM ET
—–
Republicans Suspend Most of Convention Activities Monday
With Hurricane Gustav heading toward the Gulf Coast, Senator
John McCain announced that Republican Party activities on
Monday in St. Paul would be suspended except for necessary
business. He called on his party members to “take off our
Republican hats and put on out American hats.”
Read More:
http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na
Does that mean they can release all the arrestees now?
NOW!!!!!???
Great post, Teddy. McCain wouldn’t know judgment if it bit him in the butt. He’s going to go down to the Gulf and draw resources away from aide efforts just to keep an irrelevant wrinkly old white guy safe.
Goodnight, pups. Here’s to everyone in the Gulf area staying safe.
OT some pictures of Gustav
Current infr-red image (Not permalinked)
http://www.goes.noaa.gov/EVENTS/EG24.JPG
3 day storm cone of where it might go
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refres.....y#contents
Infra-red loop (Takes a couple of minutes to load on dialup. Not permalinked)
Night JimWhite
Per Senator Clinton:
And now, Senator McCain has crossed that threshold back again going in the opposite direction. His ready-fire-aim selection of Palin prior to vetting her, which he is doing only now, shows a propensity to go off half-cocked on important decisions. Definitely not commander-in-chief material. (And I doubt the judgement of anyone who ever said he was.)
Oops. The loop link
http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/flt/t1/loop-avn.html
I am glad things seem well. I hope you can ignore the dishes; I do that pretty well ;)
Also, above: Coverage was pretty clear about bus and train transportation for those without a car + access to operators/etc. to make the requests. The planning was there. I also saw a family where one older member had again refused to leave. Hard choices.
Siri they will find a way to cancel the VP speech night as well.
As a former Hillary supporter, I am absolutely insulted in this choice. Maverick, no. Gambler, yes. An absolute crap shoot.
sleep well jim
g’nite jimwhite
As Bill said last week, in his first decision as president, picking a vice-president, Obama hit it out of the park. McCain just fouled out.
This caught my attention. Asked by Chris Wallace if McCain could honestly say that Sarah Palin was the best person to put a heartbeat away from the presidency, he replied “Oh, yeah. She’s a partner and a soulmate.”
Palin, Putin… there’s no difference if you stare deep in their eyes. Bush really is Bush Lite.
G’nite, JW.
Alaska receives over 80% of its funding from the sale of it’s oil and the remainder from corp fees etc, It gives over 10K/yr to each of its citizens. Palins budgeting and econ skill can more apropriately be defined as a primer for being a Saudi sheik than any thing relevant for the other 299,360,000+ people in this country
I do enjoy the fact that Women aren’t buying it… As pointed out here
Arrgh, should have been McCain is Bush Lite.
Choosing Sarah. Yes. That is the point.
Do we really think he did this choosing?
‘Course I wouldn’t know the back door DC Beltway goings on.
Poor choice for all the reasons you listed above.
I’ve been one of the stragglers on the Obamatrain, but I’ve never considered voting for McCain, but, really I can’t imagine what goes on in the minds of those who will or who are still on the fence.
Thanks you Teddy. This post looks like it took a lot of work. Better you than me. :)
Doesn’t the Vice Commander in Chief need POW experience?
Gustav is a freaking gift to McCane. He will exploit the people suffering this disaster for political gain.
somewhat OT, but aout judgment:
Watching a Nascar race right now.
Obama is advertising here. Goin’ with the commercial about McLame not knowing how many houses he owns.
Good choice for the Nascar crowd, methinks.
Does this choice show good judgment on John McCain’s part. No.
Depends on what you mean by “judgement”. It looks like you had the country’s benefit in mind, and if so you’re correct. However, if by “judgement” you mean finding someone who will appeal to a country full of voters who judge based on appearance more than reality, and who will turn out in droves for someone who shares their prejudices, then it is very good judgement.
McCain’s not interested in progressives. He’s not getting our votes. He’s probably not trying to appeal to “PUMAs”, either. If he were, he should have chosen someone who at least was pro-abortion. He’s after his base, plus those independents who aren’t much into thinking.
Here’s my take on the subject, by the way.
OT: Has there been any MSM coverage of the police raids, etc.?
And he’ll go back to his bro-mance RGJoe when Sarah is taken off the ticket, I predict.
That’s looking really close to New Orleans. Even if the storm doesn’t go over it directly, there’s going to be lots of water around there.
That does not look good. Looks like it is headed straight into NO.
They just found a way to HIDE. They don’t actually have to take the national stage, bluster and bloviate (sp?) while avoiding every single issue and disaster propagated by Bu$hCo, take NO responsibility, not even SHOW UP, and call it PATRIOTISM.
disgusting chicken S*#^!s!!!
The “war” party, hiding in each other’s panties, PROUDLY!
Sounds like an admission that the Repubublican hats are un-American.
John Kerry said today, “John McCain’s not a maverick, he’s erratic.”
I like that one; not as much as Casey’s “That’s not a maverick, that’s a sidekick” but it’s pretty good, especially for Kerry…..
Wallace’ father would smack him upside his head if he was still ali…
Oh, wait…
he (McCain) replied “Oh, yeah. She’s a partner and a soulmate.”
geez, for an old wrinkly guy, he still pulls off a fast courtship. How many times have they met face-to-face now?
And Cindy must just *love* hearing about her hubby’s new soul-mate.
This election may very well be the most important in the history of our country. The Republicans have turned it into the Three Stooges. I have never seen anything like this. I just keep laughing. AmericaBlog has a post about what kinds of earrings you wear to a disaster with a picture of Sarah with her hair down and biiiiiiiig hoops. It doesn’t get any better.
Selection Process:
Mitt, John McCain here. Click.
Tim, John McCain here. Click.
Tom, John McCain here. Click.
Mike, John McCain here. Click.
Bobby, John McCain here. Click.
Who else is on that list?
Sarah, John McCain here.
Oh, Hi John!
The Religious Rightards’ heads would implode…! From pro-life to pro-choice in one fell swoop…! ;-)
LOLOL!
GOOOOD point~
Watch how funny when the “American hats” don’t fit!!!
LOL! ratfood!
i prefer the term maverdick
Sounds like an admission that the Repubublican hats are un-American.
Oh, they’re American all right - made right here in the USA.
Problem is - they’re ass-hats.
You are welcome. It was a day I’d rather have spent outside, at the Bear Fair, but it was important. Now that Andrew Sullivan has run with the pregnancy idiocy, it’s crucial to keep the focus on Choosing Sarah.
Otherwise The Enquirer aspects will swamp the screen.
Judgment
Experience
Honor
Country First
huh?
Jayzus!
Here’s what a really good person (republican) responded with:
Poor guy. And he used to be really smart, but apparently he’s been brainwashed.
Of course the deceit here is the notion that they have anything other than Republican hats. Of course there is always deceit in everything the Rethugs say.
Make pro-BIRTH and pro-choice.
McCain knows he’s in trouble,but if he can distract and confuse enough people ,then maybe just maybe……..
Probably really glad about that prenup right about now.
yep
really. And they will exploit it. All the “country first” horseshit. But it occurs to me that in addition to the obvious benefit of keeping Fucktard & Dick away, by shortening the time of the convention, people aren’t going to get to see so much of that “re-invigorated” JesusFreak wing of the party. That would surely turn off alot of people.
Teddy, you really think she’ll get dumped? How they gonna arrange that, ya think? Another immaculate conception?
You can usually tell when Republicans do something incredibly stupid. They go into overdrive with their spin. All the loony justifications just go to show how unqualified they know Palin to be.
Heh, is Trig really hers…? ;-)
Maybe when McCain talks about catching Osama Bin Laden, he is referring to the number of wives they both have.
i actually like kerry’s better. kerry’s been great lately.
the baby will need her
And she will be taken off the ticket. This is why Gustav is such a gift for the republicans.
Sarah Palin? No comment
And this is why I am in awe of William Rivers Pitt
The best McCain takedown I have seen yet (h/t twain)
None
I would bet 75-25 that he is not.
The worst storm track for Gustav is one that takes it slightly west of NO. This will allow the entire right side of the storm coming straight off the Gulf to hit the city without crossing any land.
agree 100%. enquirer can handle that. there’s so much more important stuff people need to know about her. besides, even if the baby story is true, it’s kinda weird but that doesn’t disqualify her. the fact that this time 2 years ago she was a part-time mayor of Mooseballs , AK, disqualifies her.
I was surprised to see Laura Rozen chime in on Trig…!
I Dugg it, nahant!
OMG, did you see McCain trying to hug and kiss her at the initial introduction? She was grossed out!
can you say thomas eagleton?
And Lake Charles is smack on target. Gonna be some problems.
What does it say that bloggers and the National frackin’ Enquirer will give Palin more vetting than McCain did?
Gustav also helps the Republican convention because it gave Bush and Cheney a great excuse not to attend.
lol
I think I agree with Glen’s take from this afternoon. If he drops her from the ticket he loses the race. He has to keep her on. Depending on just how this thing blows up in his face, he may be able to spin it that there is no substance to the charges and he is being loyal and mavericky in sticking by his pick. Could work. Worst case scenario is no worse than dumping her and best case scenario he picks up some low information voters.
The bigger issue is - we are a country made up of people who love their reality tv shows and this is one of the biggest ones going. Two beauty queens will probably rate higher than intelligence, unfortunately. I dunno… I’m scared for this country, I truly am. If the Dems loose it this time then that signifies America is now a fascist country run by right wing, xtian morons who want everyone to think and act the way that they do. Has anyone seen the movie or read the book “A Handmaid’s Tale?” That’s where we’re headed…
That’s a great essay, all right.
Sarah Palin? No comment
Well, ya gotta admit - Joe Biden could never get away with wearing that outfit. *g*
another gift from all the distractions of Gustav…. in an interview tonight when mcCain was going through Palin’s credentials, he mentioned her service on the PTA. that would have been a source of ridicule for several days. i expect olbermann and Maddow to run with it. and Bill maher is back and definitely in obama’s corner.
Well, they are vetting her now, so who knows what they’ll find.
Wonkette had a story yesterday that Too-odd, her husband, has a John Edwards problem times 1,000. I don’t know how a guy can pay $400,000 for a haircut, but there you are.
Check out KOS for Palin/Trig/Teen Daughter updates. The child is the daughter’s.
Another viewpoint on that episode, from Shannyn Moore.
I have an issue with the idea that Sarah Palin is going to energize the fundamentalist base…..I think that is a crock…. This is a woman who is a working mother, who is willing to accept the #2 slot and participate in a national campaign…. the traditional fundamentalist christian view of women is to stay home, take care of their families and children and put their families first…..
So my question is one both of a former working mother of three children and a professional woman…… Palin is the mother of a 5 month old infant…. when she is VP who and what is she going to put first….. AND does that fit with her fundamentalist christian views?
IS she going to drag her baby on international trips?
What is she going to do when family does need to come first but we are a nation at war?
Will she risk a high risk infant to the riggers of travel & the possible health risks?
I only had to balance work and home life, I wasn’t THE #2 to the leader to the free world….. If I took a family leave day…. I didn’t f*ck up critical negotiations with international leaders…
Inquiring minds want to know?
did you watch the rebroadcasts f McCain’s 2004 RNC speech this weekend?
all militaristic and George Bushitistic.
frightening.
But discernible difference, imo, in cognitive ability between then and now for McCain.
[after telling Jay that they’re going to check the “hot sheets,” Kay pulls up to a newsstand and buys a pile of supermarket tabloids]
Jay: *These* are the hot sheets?
Kay: Best investigative reporting on the planet. But go ahead, read the New York Times if you want. They get lucky sometimes.
From Men in Black I
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119654/quotes
I dunno, I think anybody who can keep a firm grip on Mooseballs deserves a little respect…
Alaska is a beautiful state but it is unlike any other state in the union. It’s largest city, Anchorage, is 250k it has no farms or ranchs. it does not provide any relevant experience in dealing with a single problem that faces the US. What the hell was this clown thinking? This whole nomination is just perfectly illustative of the fact tnat McShame doesn’t know shit from shinola. He is so totally out of touch with this country - he really doesn’t want to be president just warlord.
No way a guy with McCain’s ego will admit to making a mistake, anyway. And you’re right, his standin’ up for the little lady will appeal to less informed voters.
i remember that. i was thinking about that year seeing how magnificently the dems choreographed their convention. ‘72 was a zoo and mcgovern didn’t get to give his speech til about 1 in the morning. It was a good speech, too. “Come Home America.”
what up, soooze?
How can you tell if someone likes Moosehead?
By the antler marks on their belly.
Tell me that’s a photoshop.
Can’t wait to see what John Stewart does with that. 8-)
sez he’s a dick.i gotta think of somethin’ better.
I don’t see how we can go there, as feminists. Or how I can, anyway.
OK, what happens if she is ACTUALLY nominated and then drops out? What happens then? Eagleton dropped out BEFORE the convention.
That kiss had way too much tongue for an introduction. Could have been worse, though, at least he’d remembered to put his dentures in.
I’ve seen her in quite a few photos with that baby in her arms.
Nothing about her views on religion, abortion, or science convince me that she’s anything other than just what they want in a leader, aside from gender. They seem to like Anne Coulter OK. They can probably learn to like Palin.
Egad, that took an ugly turn.
well, to me the big issue is what with all this vice president stuff, will she still have time for PTA?
Have to say, she actually looks worse if it really is her kid.
Is that a pic of Palin or Dukakis, I cannot tell.