So, let me get this straight: Team McCain didn’t bother to have a sit-down interview with Sarah Palin until the day before McCain’s precipitous leap into the badly-vetted void. And I do mean badly vetted, as in McCain associates are saying outright they hadn’t finished looking at all of her issues before McCain announced her selection.
Can you say impulsive gamble? Haven’t we had enough of immature "yee haws!" as decision points?
Hell, even David Frum is mocking this openly at AEI.
But the McCain campaign has decided their failure to fully vet his potential running mate, the fact that she comes with a plethora of ethics and bad connections baggage, a history of shifting her political positions based on the current prevailing winds, and that the National Enquirer has allegedly dispatched a scandal SWAT team to Alaska to do further digging … well, whatever shakes out is someone else’s fault.
Time to play the victim card!
Phyllis Schlafly and Laura Ingraham have already been dipping their lacquered toes in the tepid waters of blame-someone-else-for-our-woes. Because nothing says "martyr" quite like a ratty beehive hair-do and badly waxed eyebrows raised in pique. (Note to McCain: Schlafly is peeved that you thoughtlessly had a low-level lackey call to cancel Palin’s appearance at her shin-dig. Better promise her something quick — chop-chop — or she’ll take her Aqua-net and shuffle home.)
Allow me to resuscitate a phrase that Republicans like to throw at welfare moms and criminals: personal responsibility.
If John McCain wants to pretend that the buck moose stops on someone else’s doorstep for a mess of his own making, the GOP can pretend away. But outside of their own private Oh-No-No, the rest of America is being forced to view the seedy underbelly of a political party willing to woo the evangelical door knocking and phone tree crowd at any cost. And I do mean any cost.
Because without them, they have no ground game.
The dirty little secret about the McCain campaign all along has been that they have no infrastructure or ground game, and Rick Davis has been tap dancing around any and all questions about GOTV efforts for months and thus far Steve Schmidt’s been all bluster. McCain had to come to terms with the religious right somehow, or there would be no ability to rev the base up and get them to the polls. None.
So he sold his Veep pick to the holy bidders. The big question though — was that the only price for admission?
I doubt it, given the two marquee players in this drama are James Dobson and Richard Land, with Ralph Reed no doubt playing handmaid (or desperately wanting to be viewed that way, in any case) to this festering tale of escrow.
(Patty Smyth and Scandal perform Goodbye To You.)
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“The McCain campaign will have no further comment about our long and thorough process. This nonsense is over.
Right.
Love Patty Smyth! Used to pogo dance to Goodbye to You in the, uh, 80’s.
G/morning, Christy.
In choosing Palin, McSame has opened Pander-a’s Box.
Cindy was fuc*ing McCain when he was still married to his first wife who was then recovering from a terrible car accident, and McCain’s VP selection got knocked up – then eloped to get married, only to give birth to her first child 8 months later?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09…..=2&hp
So Cindy was fuc*ing McCain when he was still married to his first wife who was then recovering from a terrible car accident, and McCain’s VP selection got knocked up – then eloped to get married, only to give birth to her first child 8 months later?
Excellent!
No.
This has been another edition of simple answers to simple questions. (h/t Atrios)
For starters, can you say “Attorney General Brownback”?
Moose stops on someone else’s doorstep.
LOL.
Good one.
Anyone even tangentially involved in the process has either opened their mouth to vociferously defend it., or point the blame finger squarely away from themselves by passing the buck to someone else. It’s not even remotely done shaking out, yet. Not by a long shot…and they know it.
Did everyone see Howie Kurtz’ detailed peek at Steve Schmidt losing his temper about journalists daring to ask them questions and trying to make it about the personal stuff when the bulk of what they are being asked is policy and action and lawsuit details? I think they will find that, this time around, their intimidation tactics are about to backfire, because their incompetence has freed the media up from having to worry about payback. They can’t even properly vet a Veep candidate, for hell’s sakes.
I’m glad to see the servers acting happier this morning. I can’t wait for the expected live-blogging tonight of Palin’s speech. Gonna be a great party!
Palin is the best the holy side of the Republics could come up with?
They were working on it all day yesterday. It’s been quite a ride through both conventions, let me tell you!
lol on the video Christy
Would it be appropriate to pass the popcorn as this is getting to be nore fun and less work every day of McSame’s campaign.
Pailin Gate jus sayin.
Mornin Christy.
Obama has been saying “hands off the kid.” And it’s a luxury he can easily afford. This rednecks-on-acid clownshow will self-destruct without his having to raise a finger. For the rest of us it’s schadenfreude buffet the likes of which comes along every other blue moon — so DIG IN!
ALL the tabs, not just the Enquirer, are going after Babymommagate full bore. How can they resist? It’s got it all: teen preganancy, hypocritical newly-celebrified Mom, and plot that’s right out of Desperate Housewives.
Store up on popcorn, everyone!
Meanwhile, Christy, is it just me or is that convention hall a tad light on attendance?
top shelf tequila night
we have to pick out the shots word
As for tonights speech…
I appreciate all the hard work you folks put in, both on the front pages and behind the scenes. This madness would be absolutely unbearable without the Lake.
“…their intimidation tactics are about to backfire, because their incompetence has freed the media up from having to worry about payback.”
What’s the word I’m looking for?…Chum (as in shark food), that’s it!
Better still, “Filling in as a last minute replacement will be Marcia Cross.”
executive experience
(I know, that’s two words.)
If I had to guess, I’d say it would be “traditional” — Bill Kristol has started tossing it in every other sentence these days. As in “she’s a traditional conservative, whose traditional values uphold traditional Republican principles.” I kid you not. Sad, really.
shots word?
Responsibility?
Pawlenty just said it twice on WJ
lol!
we’ll be drunk in no time.
One positive thing: The repubs now have a new poster child to celebrate the success of their abstinence only program.
Perhaps the rovian hidden agenda is this: McCain’s going down like a jet without an engine, but the repubs need someone to blame (besides those pesky liberal Democrats) so Palin drew the short straw, leaving the remaining repub wannabees the open door to 2012!
Just a thought.
McBush warming up the ‘gang’ backstage before “Mommy’s” big speech tonight.
http://s174.photobucket.com/al…..8c2d08.flv
I think that if she does drop out, she’ll be the one to do the dropping out saying that with her daughter now pregnant, that is just too much on her plate for her to handle and she needs to focus on her family now.
In second chair Palin likes to bump off the no 1 chair. Does Mcshame have a food taster
Is there enough tequilla in the universe to make her voice not seem grating? I’m getting that nails on a chalkboard feeling just thinking about tonight.
That kind of talk “offended” Mika as sexist.
That is what we really need as a country “traditional change” /s
I’m just delighted that McCain/Rove and their entire political machine have arranged for television coverage of the complete implosion of the Republican Party… LIVE, on multiple networks, in prime time no less!
You can’t make this shit up!
Way funny!
Hey Karl:
yes, shes is hard to take, but so’s Thompson & Lieberman — they too have grating voices (not to mention what it is they were actually saying)
I’m learning a lot from these young Republicans on Washington Journal this morning. For one, they are open minded and have finally accepted feminism.
Did you see that red-headed youngster saying that it’s not fair to say Palin should stay home with her family? He said no one is calling Obama a bad father for not staying home with his two daughters.
Is it too early for a headache?
Did everyone see Howie Kurtz’ detailed peek at Steve Schmidt losing his temper about journalists daring to ask them questions
How in the world does a Rove protege not understand that pissing off the national media (aka ‘their base’) is not such a smooth move?
Even ABC/Disney and Mrs. Greenspan are showing signs of defecting.
someone’s gonna be soooooooo wasted
Mika is becoming a nodding Yeah Joe! simpleton.
-G
http://firedoglake.com/2008/09…..oopergate/
Wha?!?!?!?
He’s shoring up his base by attacking the media. Isn’t it weird that they are still working on that in September?
Oh Karl, you have really outdone yourself this time:
I gotta admit that in the 40 years I have watched political conventions nothing has matched this year’s. The DNC had some suspense in the Clintons coming out strongly for Obama and the fact that an African American is the nominee. And now the circus of the RNC where the stoopids have taken over and everyone except the fundies are pissed.
an OT request:
Would you please either re-post that blown-up-large family picture of the Paling family (with Bristol in the dark print dress) standing at the rail in front of some mountains or mail me the link at foster7833 at yahoo dot com?
thank you.
From Huff Post:
Levi Johnston, a high school hockey player for Wasilla High School, is not listed on the team roster for 2008-2009, and his mother wouldn’t say if he graduated. She said simply he’s no longer a student and any further information would have to come from him.
and every night is improv night
John McCain meets the real Sarah Palin:
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/b…../shark.jpg
If McCain dumped Palin, the donation $ from the fundies would not only immediately dry up but they would probably demand back what they fell over themselves to give since she got the vp slot.
this one? http://gov.state.ak.us/photos/…..de_v01.jpg
Republicans get away with everything.
Obama better be advised well right now.
Anything he does will be criticised as either
too this or too that.
What is McPain/Pain’s plan to help America?
More guns, more tax cuts for the rich, more
vouchers… .
We need the best minds around Obama now, including
Hillary.
Isn’t it weird that they are still working on that in September?
I think it’s weird that they would find ’shoring up the base’ (which is called “the base” for a very good reason) more important than attempting to use the media, as per usual, to aid them in going after on-the fence-voters.
Much as I dislike the TradMed, that is still where a huge percentage of the country gets its news.
Piss *them* (media) off at your
perilinevitable regret.I am curious as to how this Palin selectionis playing with independents. Have any polls come out on that?
Yes!! thanks so much twolf. Shows not just a bump, but bulging thickness around her side. Bookmarking.
thanks again. Now I gotta figure out how to blow it up even bigger, believe it or not.
Looks like Rove wants to get the investigation out of the state legislature and have the “Personnel Board” investigate. Shrewd move-Rove can delay/control it if the Board investigates and appear as if they’re aboveboard. Here’s hoping the legislature can tell him to go fuck himself.
In the evangelical community there is a teaching spread far and wide…Practiced? Not so much, but taught nonetheless…Here it goes:
The definition of maturity is: putting off immediate gratification for future gratification.
This is from the fdl newsbox. While it seems crazy the object is to duck a deposition under oath for the state legislature investigating her. At the very least, it would probably kick any action to after the election. What a reformer!
She has pissed off the People for the American Way (and probably a lot of librarians):
“People can disagree about a lot of things, but censorship is completely beyond the pale. Our democracy was founded on the belief that government shouldn’t tell people what kinds of books to read or what kind of beliefs to hold. No one with that kind of history should be anywhere near the White House. Sarah Palin needs to clarify her stance on freedom of speech immediately, and John McCain needs to explain why he chose a running mate with so little regard for the Constitution.”
http://site.pfaw.org/site/Page…..evelations
She is DANGEROUS! However much I might want her on the ticket for the amusement value, I now think she MUST be removed.
Bwa-hahahahaha!!! I was fucking right!!!
They pulled this out of their behinds when they realized that any Democratic candidate who can pull a crowd of 85,000 — over capacity — into football stadium and a television audience of 38.1 million, 4 million bigger than the Olympic’s opening ceremonies that they’d LOST.
THEY LOST. THEY KNEW IT. AND THEY WERE DESPERATE TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT.
And they pulled this Hail freaking Mary out of their butts, somebody that they hoped was so remote that we couldn’t vet them, somebody so unknown that it would be a Trojan Horse.
BWA-HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
How’s that Google thing working for you, McSame?
Because they are looking to their new “base” the Christian Right.
There has been a conscious change in strategy (again, I might add) to stop kowtowing to the media and treating them with hostility; the interview with Time last week in which McCain was openly hostile and combative is an indication of this.
This goes part and parcel with the Christian Right’s persecution complex. As Christy says, they have figured out that Obama’s ground game needs to be matched and have sold out in order to mobilize the ground forces.
There is an interesting final shift going on right now with people that were on the fence now openly coming out for their candidates, on a lot of levels. Here in Maryland 10-term (R) incumbent, Wayne Gilchrest, who was defeated in the primary by winger and Club for Growth backed Andy Harris openly endorsed the Democrat Frank Kratovil in an R +10 district, while Hillary backer money man John Coale (sp?) openly has come out for McCain and is holding a fundraiser for him. Are more of these things happening around the country now? [I’m asking]
I still think that McCain, after the convention, will be showing up on SNL and the late night talk shows to court low information voters and show what a nice, normal guy he is. He is walking a very thin line since pissing off the media doesn’t help that image – it will be interesting to see how Letterman treats him.
Good Morning Christy and Firedogs,
let’s talk about that for a minute.
even IF through some miracle this trainwreck lasts the week and McCraven has indeed locked in all those ‘righteous boots on the ground’, these orgs have been sitting out and pouting the last 18 months – sure, they continued to keep those e mail and telephone trees updated for their own purposes, but in terms of coordination with the RNC on a national level – feh, not so much.
Rustier than shit, with an 04 mindset, going up against the Obama ground game juggernaut – stay tuned
The Marquis outside the Excel Energy Center has just been changed:
http://mctiowa.org/Season%20Bi…..rovLrg.jpg
No, because I think it is part of a conscious and calculated effort.
Enjoy the shadenfreud, but we can’t let our guard down.
I think the best case scenario (for us) is that Republicans will try to blame the “liberal” media and equate their attacks on this poor, defenseless 17-year-old girl as attacks by Obama surrogates — not true, but that doesn’t matter to the Reich.
Worst-case, is this is all part of some larger plan that will unfold over the next 6-8 weeks. The way the media turned on a dime from being so unflinchingly pro-McCain, to suddenly being so critical makes me a little wary.
So she is willing to commit conflict of interest and obstruction in order to avoid testifying under oath. Yet she’ll play the, “I’m trying to come clean and be responsible.”
The better choice would be to owned up to it and step down from office.
We have to make sure that college kids vote and
don’t just party up that day.
She’s good at being a sex symbol. That’s about it.
Excutive experience. McCain doesn’t have any.
Brilliance. Neither McCain or Palin does
National security. More Bush or else they don’t thing about it.
Economy. More tax cuts for the wealthy.
Tried to work my way through long-ago Latin learning to figure this out. Illustrative of how our fine minds are being f’d-up by dizzying RNC.
Doesn’t work – wasn’t she vetted? Surely they asked her a simple question like that… can you keep a traditional family while executing your duty.
They are all going down and likely knew it some time ago and are working on long term themes – or perhaps rolling the dice maybe even thinking that if the media attacks her they might be able to make hay out of it (evil media is one of the few “issues” they have).
For Palin they must have already bought off the investigation…how do you pick a VP that might be in jail during the election….umm thats pretty f’ed up. Especially when there is no need to pick her and there is no vendetta against her. In fact troopergate does not smell good at all so the fix must be in. Anyway there are a ton of other isssues as well and while during the first day their media story went over pretty well even then there were cracks showing.
The biggest f’up was releasing the pregnant teen story on the morning of the start of the convention…how f’in stupid do you have to be. If they were smart they would have come out with it Friday night or Saturday morning and at least have some of it be absorbed into Gustav before it hit (it seemed pretty clear it was not going to be a huge storm so the media could only generate hype on it before it hit (and off Katrina and RNC juxtaposition).
That and her lack of experience which they thought they could shove this theme down everyones throat that her inexperience was an op to insert talking point on Obama inexperience. Keep in mind though that the majority of R voters will not see any DNC or RNC or anything like that, they will get a letter or email that says something like at the DNC Obama said he “going with an all gay military” or some such pack of lies.
In any case at least Palin is not a war criminal yet, so they have that going for them.
Mike Barnacle, on JoeScar, talking about Mrs. Palin. “She might be great tonight, but with all of her ‘executive experience’, three years ago, you might have been going to see her to get an ice-fishing permit”.
Ding!
you wary because of something like this?
Okay, so what else is going on right now that Republicans are trying to distract us from?
A good magician will get you to focus on the right hand while the other hand is palming the quarter (or starting a war, or what have you).
While this feeding frenzy is going on around Palin, what are Republicans trying to get away with while no one’s paying attention.
I guarantee it’s something.
You write: “Rustier than shit, with an 04 mindset, going up against the Obama ground game juggernaut – stay tuned”
You see, this is Rove doubling down as well. Steve Schmidt is his guy. They are running a campaign according to the Rovian model. It will certainly prove whether 2006 was an anomaly or not.
I personally think that reality came to bite them all in the ass in 2006, as running an executive office purely on campaign strategy has to fail at some point – it’s how Enron, for example, ran into the ground as well.
the modern campaign for POTUS seems to be all about perception and nothing to do with substance. :(
Because they are looking to their new “base” the Christian Right.
That’s the old, existing base. I always thought it was wishful thinking to assume that the percentage of the Christian Right would stay home, in a race where abortion is already starkly framed looking solely at the presidential candidates.
McCrazy isn’t gonna win this one unless he pulls off a huge number of independents. And if the TradMedia is simultaneously, and gleefully, trashing the McCain campaign, it’s a net loss, imo.
Check on over at Marcie’s place and there’s your answer…..
The interview that McCain gave Time Magazine was disjointed and odd. When Jay Carney (I think that’s who it was) giggled and asked “Do I know You?”, it was apparent that he was concerned about the candidates demeanor. The MSM have been covering up on the senior moments for months. I like to think that the MSM have decided to put country first.
You are absolutely right. This is sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Thanks for posting that Elliott. Palin must be the bright object…
Yeah, something like that or perhaps something like this.
OT – I just got a call from a reporter asking about our barn — there’s nothing special about it yet, but we volunteered to let someone paint a HUGE Obama on it and I guess words already getting out.
From your AEI linky (can’t *believe* I went there!) -
*shut mouth; lift chin from floor*
I totally agree with you. By “new” I meant that the old base was the media and “new” means his friends on the Christian Right. I am already seeing some e-mail chain mail going around how McCain found baby Jesus while in captivity in Vietnam, while previously I saw a lot of e-mail, especially during the primary season, that he was a “traitor” along the likes of Jane Fonda.
I therefore really don’t think it was wishful thinking that they were going to stay home – it is one of the reasons Bob Ehrlich lost here in Maryland – he lost the real wingnuts here by trying to court the middle – they ended up staying home according to polling data.
Check your e-mail.
It goes back to the Rove concept of crating new realities while we are judiciously studying previously created realities.
Too bad Rove and the GOP have become so morally bankrupt that they have lost all concept of what is an acceptable reality.
They were too used to living in their own bubble and thought they could shove unrealities down peoples’ throats ad infinitum.
Maybe the GOP Kool Aid Kidz will accept the new line about how great it is for teens to get knocked up but most people remember the decades of moral wagging, of blubbery Bill Bennett and his virtue whoring, Dan Quayle and his lectures about Murphy Brown.
Who can stomach such lunacy?
Maybe the 27%-ers, but not much more.
-G
Anther good point from MSNBC (taking as an aside Tweety’s near complete filly-buster on R Maddow on much of this part of the discussion).
Can the Republic party be the traditional orthadox/conservative party and be the mavricks at the same time. They are opposites, y’all can’t be maverick otherwise it “the new conservative” (and that is alraeyd taken “neo”). And if their platform is going to be their new try they will not be sniffing the white house until people have a decent chance to be fed-up with Democrats (especially considering the R’s total lack of talent…I mean if Freddy is your best politician speaker so far that aint saing much as he is un-electable). Of course getting fed-up with the dems might be a short cycle depending on when this recession ends and the next one starts (or any other events in the meantime) as the R’s will still have most of the money and be a better bet for bizness & will of course retain their dirty tactics.
No they can’t destroy the government, be the government, and then magically be the party that changes the governement. Sure its possible depending on the political climate but not in this one without an event.
The other thing the entire episode shows is how well the Dems are using their new found wealth pouring in from businesses that know the horse is changing for a while. They use it for killer ground game, to have counter-punch ready, for op-research, great theatrics at the convention, etc. Without money the wheels really start to fall off and you have a catch-22. That being said the conventions are a sepearte money orgey so the Rs should at least be pulling off a better convention.
I think they may be happy with their long term themes, a small shot at winning, and the chance to bash in reports heads and hit people with big sticks during protests. And of course the trillions of dollars that have been stolen in the last 8 years as well as tons of Federal judges, and plants all over the government and retaining most of their plants in the media. Again even in a big election where there is a huge 10% swing in the congress only a handful of people lose their jobs, less when you consider all the people that are “independent” or “blue dog” or who will put on a Dem face for a few years. This election might be a bit more of a swing after the criminal overreach including things like the K-street project. But like Sheldon Whitehouse asked … what the f do you do with the residue left over? Gawd and America was in a tizzy over a stained blue dress…
creating…..
That is why she’ll get dropped from the ticket. AEI didn’t vet her.
This is the private thinking in the wingnut think tanks who couldn’t give two flying hoots about the Christian Right.
There has always been a chance that the GOP would implode on itself at one point as there are two diametrically opposed interests within the party, the Christian Right and the monied interests. The monied interests don’t really care about that the Christian Right does since they can fly to Europe or pay their way out of any nasty stuff those guys impose.
It is fascinating that a private thought like this came out in the open. They are really grasping at straws – this morning Avedon Carol over at Atrios’ place noticed that they’re using the “Ken Starr was an overzealous prosecutor” defense on Sarah Palin.
she was too vetted :D
DJ: “Sarah from Anchorage, you’re on the air !”
Caller: ” am I the 9th caller ?!?!?!”
DJ: “yeah hon, you’ve won!”
Caller: oh my gawd ! oh my gawd !!, (crying) my family has really needed some good news, especially my oldest girl, they are gonna go crrrazy when I tell them, oh my gawd! oh my gawd!
And that is TRULY hilarious. Somebody ask Ol’ Garbage Bag Ken his opinion of all this!
As I remember the Nielsen report, the 38.1 million was for the 6 networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox) and did not include PBS or CSPAN. The PBS number was released late, and I think that it was over 3 million. So a 41M or more number is the best one to circulate into the public domain.
Also the NYT today has a report on Palin’s election and tenure as mayor. It is a frightening article in some parts. She got elected by emphasizing her church-going Christianity, ousting a non-church going Lutheran who was unhelpfully (for him) named Stein.
Lindsay’s upstairs with more on the protests
Nope, they got told “this is what we’re going to do and TS to you!”
Palin is not going to get dropped. Christy makes the very astute observation in this post that Steve Schmidt and Karl Rove have noticed that Obama’s ground game, which has been largely ignored by the media is far superior to McCain’s. They need the Christian Right. The e-mail reports that I have seen by said Christianists are “enthusiastic” about Palin.
As an aside, did any one see that Pastor from Palin’s church this morning? What an absolute loon!
They can whine about the media all they want, but how can anyone NOT cover a 20-car pile-up on the I-Five with a jumbo jet crashing into it? That’s the closest equivalent to this disaster that I can think of.
Here is a little teeny tiny items for the minute:
Stein says that as mayor, Palin continued to inject religious beliefs into her policy at times. “She asked the library how she could go about banning books,” he says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them. “The librarian was aghast.” That woman, Mary Ellen Baker, couldn’t be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving “full support” to the mayor.
Susan at Kiss My Big Blue Butt has a link to the 2006 Alaskan Democratic oppo research on Palin. http://www.kissmybigbluebutt.com/
It’s a little over 60 pages, well organized and covering lots of past history. If a part time blogger in Texas can get a hold of this, what does it say about the McCain camp’s competence?
Howie Kurtz said yesterday that there’s zero chance of Palin getting dropped. And seeing that Howie’s married to a high-ranking Republican operative named Sheri Annis, I believe him.
Past history is the only kind of history there is.
oooo, Christy – i hadn’t thought of that!! The Base, as in al qaida! Both fundies.
Absolutely no way they are going to drop her unless something even more catastrophic than all the other crap comes spilling out. McCain would have to admit he’d made an error, and he’s even worse about owning up to mistakes than Bush and Cheney are.
Nah. Gah. Ha. Pen.
the new Mail Pouch!
You are right.
Rather than dropping her, McCain may adopt a surge strategy and name the current Mayor of Wasilla his presumptive Secretary of State.
This article from Sara Robinson (from January 2008) has it exactly right:
http://www.groupnewsblog.net/2…..ircus.html
“Somehow, between now and August, the Republicans are going to have to choose one candidate to stand in the center ring. The three-way split is so strong that it’s quite possible that it will only end in a very contentious brokered convention. And the odds are good that, even then, whoever ends up with the job will have only half-hearted support at best from the other two factions. In fact, whoever wins, it seems possible that at least one of the remaining acts will strike the set and sit this tour out entirely.”
Actually, I agree that it’s very unlikey Palin will get dropped. The GOP’s three ring circus would rather implode than admit its mistake.
is it me, or would a VP choice withdraw nomination and go home if child announced she is preggers, and NOT tell the world? Is it OK to embarrass the child and baby daddy like this?
MSNBC reported yesterday (and I can’t remember their sourcing on this off the top of my head, so will try to find a link) that Sarah and Todd Palin had not even told their children why they were going to Ohio. Apparently, the kids thought they were going on some sort of anniversary trip with their parents. So Bristol may not even have known until right before the announcement. No idea if this is typical or not of how their family does things, but Mr. ReddHedd and I would never, ever do something like that to The Peanut. Ever.
DIGG opened. Let’s DIGG it for Christy and FDL.
sheesh, that’s effectively child abuse. I mean we’re talking about running for the Vice President of the United States
“Surprise kidz! life as you knew it is over.”
“Levi Johnston, a high school hockey player for Wasilla High School, is not listed on the team roster for 2008-2009, and his mother wouldn’t say if he graduated. She said simply he’s no longer a student and any further information would have to come from him.”
Levi, who is an 18 year old JUNIOR, has been called a “smart kid” by some acquaintances in Wasilla. 18 years old and a Junior? Seems that he was “held back” at some point in his educational career.
Now he is dropping out before his Senior year. His wife to be was absent most of her Junior year with mono…and looks likely to miss most of her Senior (or retaken Junior) year as well.
Have to say…there are some very poor decisions being made (or forced) upon these kids.
I am afraid that for the country at large she might be like a beached whale: first attracts and then repels. Hopefully, the latter occurs before November 4th.
I think this is why Palin’s lawyer is ducking and weaving to avoid a deposition where Palin will either have to commit perjury or acknowledge previous false statements.
Yes, I admire Sarah’s (and Dave Niewart’s work, who featured her over at Ornicus)
As you can see at #85, I concur wholeheartedly with her theory. I would say that they have decided to tell the economic cons, as Robinson calls them, to take a flying leap. It is therefore no surprise that they hold the views that is found in that AEI link privately. The surprise is that they actually are talking about them loudly.
When McCain loses in 2008, then you will see the real implosion of the GOP – that is why Rove is doubling down along with McCain. There is a real chance what happened in Britain in 1991, where John Major and the Conservative Party were thoroughly discredited, will happen in the US as well.
I saw that too, but on the Internets somewhere – I think over at Josh’s empire :)
Yes, nothing guarantees a successful teenage marriage and soon to be family like a high school dropout who doesn’t want kids and whose goals in life are hangin’ out with his male friends and kickin’ ass.
My son and his wife took the grandkids on a surprise trip to disneyland. They didn’t tell them where they were going till they were almost there is that a bad thing?
This Palin in church video creeps me out a little bit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..re=related
“Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right also for this country, that our leaders — our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God. That’s what we have to make sure that we are praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God’s plan.”
There was a report on the 7:30 hour of the Today show about this kid. They showed screen captures (with the F-word whited out) of his blog and MySpace page before it was taken down yesterday afternoon. I guess the GOP thought it might not be a good idea that this kid was popping off and gave him a free ticket to see Minneapolis for his troubles.
Did you catch the image of McCain moving in on Sarah for the open mouth kiss?
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/…..er-3-2008/
Yeah, as I said yesterday, my wife TIVO-ed that “reality” show about the teenage couples that were placed in a cul-de-sac and made to be different stages of life of parenthood.
Every single teenage couple ended their romantic relationship after the show, while most of them said that they were not going to have kids for a long time.
I realize that it is “reality” TV and has no empirical bearings, but it still is pop-culture “evidence” of what we are talking about in this instance.
Bush and Rove’s success was being all things to the various segments of the Republican party: Big Business, the religious right, and the neocons as well as libertarians and fiscal conservatives. This time around the fissures among these groups is showing. But like with progressives and Obama, do conservatives have anywhere else to go?
I think surprise trip to Disneyland is a bit different than “pregnant, unwed teenage child, you are about to hit the harsh media spotlight without you even being given an opportunity to ask that we not do this to you because it’s hard enough to be a teenager, let alone facing life-altering circumstances not once, but twice, in the same year.” But maybe that’s just me.
Mr. McSame’s Wild Ride
eeeeuwww
Who would the Clintons have picked as VP? Imagine that nightmare. Thomas Eagleton reportedly did not disclose his electric shock treatments to Mc Govern and was dropped for Shriver. Who supposedly vetted Eagleton?
At least the Republicans don’t have a VP candidate who lied about landing under sniper fire in Tuzla or who claimed that the presidential candidate was unqualified to act as Commander in Chief
But like with progressives and Obama, do conservatives have anywhere else to go?
No, but they can stay home. In swing states that can make a big difference.
I made this point upthread somewhere – here in Maryland one of the main reasons Ehrlich lost is because too many really right wing conservatives stayed home.
Along with Obama signing up record numbers of new Democrats, that is the issue, it’s a numbers game.
Another blip on the Palin list from someone over at the Great Orange Satan:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…..364/584429
“impulsive gamble” are the two very words I would use to describe McCain’s recklessness. And the very quality this country doesn’t need. If this POW really puts country first, he should concede the race now.
I agree with you too – see the reaction of the Mr. Johnston until the McCain campaign got to him – he was none too pleased.
no tongue! not now!
I agree with you about discussing things that are going to significantly impact the childs life
I put this in the next thread but it probably is more relevant here. I found this to be an excellent response to the Bristol Palin story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09…..ref=slogin
There was a Newsweek reporter who made a very interesting point on the Young Turks while I was driving to work this morning – Judgment might be a much more important characteristic of an executive than experience.
If experience was so important, that would mean that Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld were the most competent members of the Bush Administration. Cheney was certainly competent at secrecy and cronyism, but Rumsfeld?
Carl Bernstein: GOP insiders “awfully worried” about Palin.
Okay Christy, I live right next door to you, in Ohio. How on earth do parents pitch an anniversary trip to Ohio? I mean, I’ve celebrated many anniversaries in Ohio but come on, if I am going on a plane trip THAT LONG, it would not be for an anniversary in Ohio unless it was for a first class Riverboat Cruise down the Ohio to Ole’ Mississippi River…even then? Not so sure.
WHAAAAT???
I have had the past six days of shaking my head think, “What IS wrong with these people?” I am starting to feel motion sickness from the head shaking in disbelief…
BTW, did Addington leave Cheney’s side? Palin has some wonderful executive priv attitude and a lawyer to assist her to boot…Wow(not in a good way).
OTOH, if one faction is dead set against something, they would rather eat nails than give in. Compromise is not a gop virtue.
LOLOLOL this morning. great video on top and great video of McBush warming up the Palin and the Hanson Bros…
new Christy goodness
Here is a scary thought: There is a one in three chance, she will succeed McCain.
Thank you for that reference, DB. I’m very glad to hear it. :]
I’ve heard Obama make that point earlier in his campaign esp. with regards to Iraq. I hope it is a theme that gets emphasized in the weeks ahead.
I thought according to world of Schafly and Kate O’Beirne types, women should not even be allowed in the military and should stay at home and play out traditional roles. Can’t help but remember that ugly cover of Ole Grit’s, “women who make the world worse”, e.g. women in pantsuits like Clinton and Barbara Streisand. But I guess it’s all okey dokey if the women in the pantsuit makes some concession to femininity by claiming to be miss congeniality and is a republikan./snark
“Okay Christy, I live right next door to you, in Ohio. How on earth do parents pitch an anniversary trip to Ohio?”
Actually, isn’t there a creationist theme park somewhere near Cincinatti? You know the one where they have sculptures of dinosaurs walking around with cave men and stuff.
Yep. That just screams anniversary trip. I’ll tell MrKlynn that I have the perfect anniversary celebration for our 20th.
Yeah – I only made it halfway through the video over at TPM of that paragon of compromise Joe Lieberman talk about how John McCain was such a bi-partisan and put country first, while laughing at his own, very unfunny, jokes.
The reaction of the crowd was tepid at best, except for the part where they were yelling “USA.”
Compromise and the GOP are two diametrically opposed terms.
Let me clarify – Palin, among other things, has espoused “intelligent design” in schools in Alaska. Also, according to a report I saw, Alaskan public High Schools only allow “abstinence only” sexual education. See how well that worked out for the Palins.
Yeah, I know. Again, I have been shaking my head so much the last few days, I have motion sickness. It’s surreal…And yet, SO real.
She actually would like to get rid of science education all together. I’ll try and re-find the article and link.
Seems Jeralyn/TalkLeft lifted the family ban talk after:
More follows . . .
I personally don’t feel interested in the daughter. I am wildly curious about all Ted Stevens and Jack Abramoff type connections though. Plus investigations. Those are too good to be true.
Are you in some alternate universe where Clinton is the candidate? Get over it already.
I don’t know what all you all are in such an uproar about – Palin will make an excellent VP. That is as Vice Preacher.
I kept Holy Joe on mute and watched some of the closed captions, and then decided it was all pretty unbearable.
What part of Laura Bush I watched sounded like she was being defensive. Like: “My husband has done lots of great things, yes he has, he really has . . .” Touched by the x*n*x fairy no doubt, reaching for that pie in the sky.
My impression: Eagleton was a great man. Shock therapy can mess with memory. But I feel inclined to defend those who suffer from mood disorders. Winston Churchill apparently suffered from mood disorders as well.
That preacher is the loonie-tunes who was on the Today show this morning.
So did Abraham Lincoln
When Obama is elected, I can park the Clintons and the Bushes. Until then it’s not over.
We are well and truly through the looking glass when David Frum is the voice of reason.
I’m wondering what God looks like in a military uniform. Does He wear lots of sparkling medals?
Winston Churchill was more than a bit fond of liquid spirits as demonstrated by this legendary exchange with an aristocrat whose name I do not recall.
Lady X: Winston, you’re drunk!
Churchill: Yes, but I shall be fine tomorrow. You, however, will still be ugly.