Female DU'er responses only: How do you feel about McCain's pick for Vice President...

...and do you think it will work to siphon voters away from Obama/Biden?

(OPTIONAL: Who you supported in the Primaries.)

for any reason.

and less attractive but more accomplished, and potentially very dangerous if McLoon croaks.

but NEVER gave a thought to supporting McBush!!!! I'm Obama all the way. There's no way Sarah Palin could substitute for Hillary Rodham Clinton. I'm pissed beyond words that McLame thinks women are fungible goods.

I wouldn't vote for her under ANY circumstances.

:evilgrin:

but his pick looks a lot like pandering to me. I think the end result will be neutral - he's going to win a few but he'll lose a few, too.

My feelings about his choice are this:

If by some chance McSame gets elected, I am not comfortable with her being a "heartbeat away from the presidency." As much as I would like to see a woman as VP or POTUS, I don't want to see it at the peril of this nation and his choice today was perilous.

It might draw some interest to the campaign, but folks might look two or three times at where she's coming from, and whether she would be up to being president.

1) How do I feel? Mixed. I like the idea of a woman on any ticket, but I feel that a) she is a gimmck and not truly there out of respect and b) I don't like much in terms of her positions.

As far as what I think her effect will be, I posted on that a bit earlier: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6814057

Palin in no way manifests the values of women: she's anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-environment.
If all McCain and his ilk think is that any woman will buy a woman's vote, that tells more about him than any other decision he's ever made.

is about.

Turn out the conservative base and when elected her husband will sit in at meetings with Big Oil.

other than that I think this whole thing is a publicity stunt to sway votes from upset PUMAS.

No it will not siphon votes away.

No it will not siphon votes away.

She is not a professional nor is she qualified in any way but this is such a typical move for those who know they're sunk. I don't think anyone will be happy with this from that side.

But, more power to him. It's an obvious attempt to get people (especially women) to vote for someone based strictly on their gender. No, I don't think it will siphon votes away from Obama/Biden. It's pretty condescending of him, actually, to think that women are such sheep that they won't think of anything else.

I supported Kucinich in the primaries, then Edwards, and now Obama. Not really sure why that matters in this case, unless you are trying to figure out if Hilary Clinton supporters are more likely to believe that this is a great thing.

and that he could care less about who we are stuck with if, god forbit, he wins and passes away. I did not support Hillary in the primaries, but I feel really insulted that the media is even comparing Palin to her. Hillary and Obama had to prove themselves to the media repeatedly, and I feel like they are being sexist by not asking more questions about her qualifications, when they had been beating us over the head with the "Is Hillary ready to be commander in chief? Is Obama ready to be commander in chief?" memes in the primary. My uterus is very scared right now too. And I hate that it would suggest to people that McCain is "women friendly" , when he has a horrible record.

Lieberman was of Jewish Americans. An embarassment. He chose an religious fundamentalist, with no applicable experience. A total pander to the RW Christians and women.

.

And by the way, I supported Obama in the primary. I have had issues with HRC, but in no way is that any criticism of her experience or ability.

My take, with some slight edits, on this fiasco:


This is one of the most cynical, pandering, and insulting political ploys I think I have ever seen.

If McCain thinks that the ticket will get a free pass on tough questions because he has a woman on the ticket, he's wrong. If he thinks people will treat her like a porcelain doll and not expect her to prove her creds, he's wrong. If he thinks people will excuse her pitiable lack of national political experience because she has five kids -- including a soon-to-be soldier and a special-needs child -- he's wrong. If this is because he thinks that women will respond like Pavlov's dog and immediately fall lock-step behind him, merely because he consdescended to share his limelight with a member of the "fairer sex"...he's wrong. This goes double for his apparent attitude toward Democratic women, who supported Hillary Clinton for much more thoughtful and substantive reasons than what McCain assumes.

As a woman, I really hate people playing me for a fool. And that is precisely what McCain did today -- played all of us as fools: Democratic, Republican, Independent, undecided...whatever our political leanings.

Very much looking forward to the Veep debate. I loves me some good old ass-kickin'.

this is a pander, I wouldn't want her a hearbeat away from CIC. This reeks of desparation.

changing my vote because of her. She's horrible. It's Obamam Biden for me.

of sane Republicans. He's obviously put winning the election over the well being of the country. Anyone with half a brain can see through this. If McBush died in office, we would be in deep, deep trouble with Palin. She makes Dan Quayle look well qualified.

It's a laughable pick - imagine the debate between her and Joe - God I can't wait!

If she didn't have a vagina she wouldn't be on the short list, much less on the ticket. It infuriates me to think that they think women voters are so dull that they will line up just because they put a woman, any woman on the ticket.

a lack of understanding of women. We are not fooled.
I'm hurt and angry for Hillary and I was not a support of hers during the primaries.

But she doesn't do anything but shore up the fundy vote. There's no way in Hell she compares favorably with Hillary Clinton. She doesn't deserve to be spoken of in the same sentence as Hillary Clinton.

n/t

I mean.. c'mon.. that's the best female they could find in the GOP? PART-TIME mayor of a 6k town in one of the least populated states in the US? Her only experience is working for a small newspaper, and being a part time mayor, and a newbie governor?

It's like they tried to hit all points... female, NRA, OIL, anti-choice, pro-creationism, hockey mom, son in the military.. but they forgot the most important thing. Would ANYONE feel comfortable with her taking over as president with a ridiculously scant resume? HAs nothing to do with her gender.. but in a way.. it does. If she was a MAN with those "credentials" this never would have happened. Someone give me the name of ONE GOP possible VP choice for McCain that was male and had that lack of experience.

They have already planned this shit out.. having her plagarize Hillary today, and make us all want to vomit with her talking about Hillary only cracking the glass ceiling, while SHE will BREAK thru! Give me a fucking break... Hillary earned the right to be there... this woman is nothing but an Oil Industry, NRA, anti-choice, tool.

And I supported Hillary.. not because she was a female, but because of her qualifications and her intellect, and the fact that she can talk to anyone, without notes or a teleprompter, about any international or domestic issue, and knows her shit.

Palin is an insult. I predict that it will please the hard haired GOP women in their red suits and matching purses, and the evangelical soccer moms, but she's a joke. A tool for big biz.. and oil.

I think it's a typically Republican choice: on the surface they are trying to appeal to certain voters with a marketing ploy and no substance.

she's a woman. That is ALL she is bringing to the ticket.

Personally, I think this is Rove's tactic to #1 Screw McCondo over, and #2 to blame the landslide loss on the fact that there was a woman on the ticket, thus opening up the door to future criticism against Hillary running again.. the republicans will claim that america just isn't ready to have a woman in the white house. I think this is Rove throwing McCondo (and all women) under the bus.

What, exactly does Palin bring to the ticket that will shore up McCain's standing among fellow 'Pukes?? Somehow, I just don't see her siphoning votes away from Obama/Biden, unless it's among evangelicals - and I'll bet the younger ones are not exactly crazy about her either.

FYG, I supported and voted for Obama in the primary, even though Hillary Clinton is my Senator. Nothing personal against Hillary, but I didn't like the campaign strategists around her - thought they brought the same tired old formulas that got Democratic ass kicked in 2000, 2002 and 2004.

But she and Bill kicked some serious butt during the convention!!
No question about their loyalty to the ticket now!

:kick::kick::kick:

she's a woman. That is ALL she is bringing to the ticket.

Personally, I think this is Rove's tactic to #1 Screw McCondo over, and #2 to blame the landslide loss on the fact that there was a woman on the ticket, thus opening up the door to future criticism against Hillary running again.. the republicans will claim that america just isn't ready to have a woman in the white house. I think this is Rove throwing McCondo (and all women) under the bus.

As posted on the :

Tokenism. Can anyone say with a straight face that Palin would have gotten picked if she were a man?

A few notes:

I think she's an accomplished woman. And I, for one, will not be dissing that aspect of her resume.

My presumption is that she's been a successful mother and professional woman. And I, for one, will not be questioning her ability to continue being a good mother AND a professional woman.

That being said, whatEVER her qualifications, she was not chosen for that reason.

She was chosen because she is a woman.

And, to me, that's just as bad as rejecting someone because they're a woman.

I think Dee Meyers also said it well:

"It's such a transparently political decision, a double-X Dan Quayle. McCain made the decision to double down on his credentials as a take-no-prisoners reformer. But he did so at the expense of the more important qualifications for a running mate.

It's not political to say that John McCain turns 72 today. That he's a cancer survivor. That he spent six years being tortured and abused in a Vietnamese prison camp. Those are the physical realities of his life, and pure and simple, they demanded that he chose a running mate who is ready, really ready. That he put country first. Today, he failed that test.

Worse, when Sarah Palin falls short--and I hope I'm wrong but I think in important ways, such as her debate with Joe Biden, she will--some people will conclude that women can't cut it. That's unfair to Sarah Palin--and it's certainly unfair to the rest of us.

went for Obama early but love Hillary (just didn't think she understood the "Fierce Urgency of Now"). Hillary has done so much for women: Abortion rights, EEOC, Contraception, Family Medical Leave Act, Women's Offices in every federal agency, Violence Against Women Act.

Palin is like Elaine Chao, a republican hit woman against women. Our beloved Secretary of Labor Chao has uprooted as many labor protections for women as she could...but ain't she a woman, too?

Sorry...but we're onto tokenism.

This is a pathetic and desperate move on mcsame's part. It will not siphon votes away from Obama/Biden. I want the nightmare of the last eight years to be over. Palin as a heartbeat away from the presidency is a frightening nightmare.

and I just looked at each other and said Sarah who?

Weeeiiiird. plain weird.

the wacko fundy crazies will like her, and men with big ol guns like her, but were for McCain anyway.
male or female, crummy choice McGramps.

he might have chosen Britney Spears instead?

but insulted as a woman.

and call her the "c" word like he did to his wife.


check out YouTube

I supported Hillary during the primaries, but I wouldn't dream of voting for McCain just because he put a woman on his ticket. It's really an insult to women that he believes we can be so easily manipulated. Most women will see through this.

First I think her being picked is mostly a reaction to Obama's VP pick.

Mostly I just can't respect her, she made five consumers, that's all I need to know about her. For her family selfishness she doesn't mind raping the environment and obliterating other species forever.

It is unbelievable.

It's a condescending choice. One made in desperation.

I've been raging all afternoon about how insulting it is and hadn't hit on the condescending aspect of it yet. You're absolutely right. It's like he's saying, "Obama wouldn't give you your woman VP so here, let me give you one. Ain't I great?" The man must have a very poor view of women, indeed, to think any of us would slide from Obama to him when he chose a woman with these kinds of "credentials".

Btw, hello to everybody! I've lurked on DU for years and this news today finally made me decide to join up just so I could find some folks to commiserate with over this.

:hi:

I think the cynical, pandering ploy is typical of how they operate and its revolting. That unqualified creationist doesn't represent me. She's an insult to women everywhere. And she's not fit to shine Hillary's shoes.

I voted for Hillary. As time progressed I found myself liking Obama better. I wasn't drawn to Clinton because she's a woman. At the time, I simply felt she was the best candidate for the job of president.

When I vote for Obama in November, it will have nothing to do with the color of his skin. It won't have anything to do with his running mate choice. I now believe Obama is the best candidate for the job, and I trust his choice for VP, because it's obvious to me that Barack has a clear vision of what his presidency needs to accomplish, how best to achieve those changes, and who will comprise the best possible team to implement his ideals.

Palin impresses me as a typical hypocritical rethuglican...lots of gab about "ethics" while she's under investigation herself...pro-big-oil, anti-environment (both stances highly unethical). I have a feeling there will be a lot of fundies who approve of her because of her anti-choice stance.

Any pro-choice woman who votes for McCain on the basis of Palin is just plain stupid.

I was not a Hillary fan, but knew I was okay with her being president if she had defeated Obama. I do not feel comfortable with Palin being President. And as a SAHM, I guess I am pretty conservative on leaving a 4 month infant with Downs Syndrome behind.

So thumbs down 100%.

and i am a obama supporter since jan.

this is like they are saying to america we see how stupid you are, that you don't pay attention most of you and will just vote on gender and we are counting on that.

know that most americans will only watch a few speeches and in those like today have her say good things about hillary to trick voters into thinking they are the same.

sick sick sick...and if america falls for it...i won't even go there...i can't!

campaign and dissed her on her wonderful gestures this week. She never said that Hillary herself was intelligent or worthy.

:puke:

And I was a Hillary supporter.

John wants window dressing for his campaign and his totally dismissive ideas of the intelligence of women has been proven by his choice. She is a Stepford Wife, is against every issue that matters to most women, just another Barbie doll like his own wife. I don't want a woman that is a "yes dear" and consults her husband before blowing her own nose as a VP to someone his age, with his health.

one with some kind of qualification for the office.

Former "beauty queen" isn't really the qualification I'd like to see.

Governor of Alaska for almost two years doesn't really cover it either, nor does small town mayor before that.

I don't think it will take votes away from Obama/Biden because people who support them are unlikely to vote for more of the same, no matter who he chose as his running mate.

I do wonder how the evangelicals will take this though....they think motherhood should be exclusive of work outside the home, so some may not like this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6816894&mesg_id=6816894

I doubt she will get any Obama votes, especially after people learn more about her.

gaining new uncharted ground. But look at Condi Rice, she is as bad as Dick Cheney as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes I think that in compensating for being a woman, some women are worse than men. I've seen women make it to a nice administrative position only to stomp on the fingers of her sister as they try to climb up the ladder behind them. I think this candidate for Vice president is a ploy to compensate for McCain's failings and limitations. They know they don't have a chance. I always thought Margret Thatcher was a conservative nightmare.

But he didn't do that and, as a result, his choice was an insult to Democrats, who do regard the women in their party as equals.

I could be insulted to think that they think this will rope in female Hilary voters, but hey, the joke's on them.

I have nothing against this woman, she just doesn't seem all that qualified, and the two of them are going to look ridiculous together. I doubt this will pull in women, if for no other reason than Palin looks like a beauty queen. Beauty queens aren't real popular with women. Of course, it is no surprise that Repubs would pick a babe if they picked a woman VP, because they have no idea that there is a point of view other than their own, white male, point of view.

Overall, I find the choice astounding, but I ain't complainin'. She makes Obama look like a grizzled old timer by contrast. Obama/Biden now look like the serious ticket, while McCain/Palin look like a Daily Show skit. She makes McCain look old, Obama look experienced, and Biden look wise. She puts McCain's age front and center, defuses the "Obama is inexperienced" issue, and will probably piss off any female Hilary supporters who may have been tempted to vote for McCain in protest (if there are any such thing, they may be a media creation). What's not to like?

I've disliked her for a long time before now.

best qualified Republican woman in the nation. Furious that he thinks ANY women will just vote for ovaries, no matter what. If the PUMAs are not insulted, they're brain dead.

As a Democrat, I am so thrilled it isn't even funny.

Biden is a man who believes in the equality and value of women.

That leads me to believe that in a debate - he will treat her JUST as he would treat a man. And she's about to get her ass handed to her.

Wonder if she'll :cry: in the first debate?

Let's face it - she got her job based solely on her gender. In the oddball chance that Jobama doesn't win (and I think it's highly unlikely) - and McSame dropped dead (likely) we as a country would be totally fucked. She's just worthless. Totally right wing radical wingnut.

Hillary primary supporter.

But it isn't going to bring in any Hillary supporters and will probably alienate a lot of Olympia Snowe type Republicans.

given the fact that she will be a heartbeat away from the presidency. It was also contemptuous and revealing. Women really are all interchangeable to McPain.

They want to be part of the historical nature of this election.
They can only win in an affirmative sense. They have to make history rather than deprive us of history.
But, they are doing it "right" - in the eyes of the privileged class that is giving up some power. The lesser candidate is in the number 2 spot.

This appeals to white men. It reaffirms the natural order with an inch of "progress." It keeps the white men who were tempted to be a part of history. They will, only in this case they preserve their spot.

There may be some conservative women who are attracted to the ticket. It will depend on how the rhetoric evolves. Things like equal pay are becoming an issue. If it is possible for Palin to sneak that into the platform, then it may appeal to some pro-life women.

We need to work hard. Keep volunteering and pushing our own message.
Any man who has been a candidate against a woman will tell you that you will lose if you attack. The language applied to politics smacks of violence. "Attacking" brings up images of abuse.

They are hoping that the author of the VAWA will be perceived as "beating up on a woman." Joe Biden is not that stupid.

I think that it was a smart pick on their part. They saw how many people were wanting to get in on history over the course of the convention and last night. They noticed that even the media was jubulient.

They want to compete, they want to be "first, too" and as a bonus they made a selection who is more difficult to attack.

The best way I have found to handle it is to get off the computer and hit the office to volunteer.

>> supported Obama in the primary

female swing voters, or white quasi-feminist women who don't worry as much about the state of the world as they might, and see this as a great chance to elect a woman.

Probably not a lot of votes but unfortunately, elections have been really close lately even when not outright stolen.

Are you kidding me?? She is anti everything that Hillary stands for and has worked for. The only thing they have in common is a vagina. I'll smack down any turncoat who says different. She's a neo-con, anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-endangered species, anti-environment whack-job. Any "Feminist Democrat" who thinks different needs to have their head examined.

fondly,
Mrs. Martello

until the night before the primary. I have never been a Hillary fan, but Hillary was qualified to be president; Gov Palin is not. She's about as qualified as Bushie boy was for the job--and look what happened.


The choice indicates to me that there are puppeteers pulling the strings on McCain. If there ever
was any doubt of it, this selection should erase the doubt.

He's pandering to wingnuts and using a woman to burnish his credentials as a maverick/change agent.

Not an option and not qualified in any way, shape or form.


She's not in Clinton's league, no matter how one feels about Senator Clinton, Palin isn't even a birthday candle to her flame. If the repuke point was to have a female that's about the only thing Palin does qualify for.

I supported Democrats in the primaries. Clinton and Obama were ideologically close in my opinion. Clinton had more baggage, although I still think she'd make a great president, that's not to be at this time.

No, I don't think it'll siphon off votes, anyone who'd vote for a forced birth extremist would vote repuke in the first place. Palin has no redeeming qualities for progressives.

The pick should have been "the best Repuke for the job", whether male or female, and I can't believe she's the most qualified member of the Repuke party to hold the office of Vice President.

I'm horrified that there is a possibility she could become President. Just outraged, really.

Undecided as to how many voters it may siphon away.

Optional: I've been an Obama supporter since the beginning. :hi:

Palin is just Duncan Hunter in a dress, and if the GOP wanted Duncan Hunter, they would have picked him in the primaries. If I remember right, he got a whopping 3% of their votes. I don't think we have to worry.

But it's pretty funny seeing the Pubbies embrace affirmative action, after swaggering up and down as the anti-affirmative action party.

she can be an advantage to this area.

Edit: Oh sorry!!..., I didn't read the "only woman". I really really didn't see it. :blush:

This woman is against abortion in ALL circumstances, she's against any benefits at all for gays, she's all about opening ANWR, and she basically has no real views on anything else. This is one breath away from the presidency? Are they kidding? She hasn't even given any thought to the war in Iraq. I mean they are talking about how exciting, she eats mooseburgers. Has this country lost its mind??

Add that in and you've read my mind and then some... mooseburgers? seriously?? uhg.

He wanted a woman, any woman that would do! Period! Just so it would look like he supports their rights. Really, McCain is such a jackass!

and I'm truly horrified by this. Not only is she not ready to take over if something were to happen to McCain but if she DID take over? She is an extremist.


McSAME has never applied more than it does now, only it's now McWORSE. Unbelievably bad call on McCains part. He has proven today that he does not have the judgemnet needed to be President of The United States of America.

Good post. All too sadly true.

She is not for women's rights at all. I do not feel this will siphon any votes from Obama/Biden since they are the only ones that stand up for women's rights. If anyone switches to McCain/Palin just because she is a woman is completely brain dead.

In the primaries I originally supported John Edwards and then switched to and voted for Barack.

I am not getting any great feeling about her because she is female. I was very excited about Hillary, but only partially because of gender. I am equally, or actually even WAY more enthused about Obama. She is going to appeal to the hard right, but honestly it would seem that some of them may be taken aback also because of her inexperience. But I think in general that she may excite the Repub base, because of her idiotic ideas, i.e. creationism, guns, etc... I am just thoroughly disgusted that McSame is trying to get some of that vibe of "making history" and all that crap, when he could care less about that. I think the women she will appeal to would have voted Republican anyway. My worry is about the moderates, especially women, who could go either way. I think most women are not going to be super excited about this particular woman. But we should not be overconfident as they will play the "she is a mommy" deal to the max. I will have to see more of her to assess..... NOT excited strictly because of her gender. It would be a real insult for the first woman to make it to the White House were her with all of the amazing and accomplished women in politics.

going to change their minds just because this REPUBLICAN is female! We are not that dumb. The low info voters are not even that dumb.

This just shows how cynical and shallow the republicans are.

And she did not run for President! Hillary did. Biden did. That proved there is some significant number of people who wanted them to be President. No one thought of this bimbette becoming President until McRoyallyScrewedUp bestowed it upon her!

I was for Kucinich and then for Obama.

I supported Edwards (sigh).

There is no way in hell this will take even a single solitary vote from Obama / Biden.

- is anti-choice

- is SUING the federal government to take polar bears off the endangered species list.

- supports a pipeline project which will cost American jobs.

- is anti-science (believes in creationism)

I could go on...


Kucinich then Edwards then Obama.

She's Dan Quayle in drag. And I wasn't a Hillary supporter, either.

This is a disastrous mistake on the GOP's part. Disastrous. Let's enjoy it for the gift it is. The Gods are smling on us these days.
Obama gave us the speech America needed to hear.
And now this.
Enjoy, people.
We've fought hard. We've withstood a horrible administration and a cowardly media.
And, finally, we're winning.
Don't worry. Be happy.

It's rash and reckless. To think that he would pick someone that inexperienced because he needed a woman to spice things up is pitiful. And frankly it scares me because Americans may be just that dumb to fall for it.

primaries. I think this is a slap in the face to HRC and many other more qualified republican women (Gasp, it's true). This is a fucking sham, and everyone knows it. How anyone defends this is beyond comprehension. If ANY WOMAN votes for McCain solely based on the fact that Palin has a vagina, they should be smacked upside the head: this crazy person is about as anti-woman as any woman out there and can only do harm to women's rights.
Fuck this shit. I'm bent. Sorry for the plethora of cuss words, but I'm mad.

It just seems to me, she's got no experience, right wing ideology, her only worthy experience is 2 years as governor (with an operating budget of I don't know what), and prior to that, mayor of a very small town. Combine that with a total lack of foreign knowledge, even economic knowledge of the Nations overall economy... I really have a hard time fathoming the entirety of the story. The fact that THIS scenario could wind up our next President after McCain doesn't get through his first term just horrifies me, well, McCain horrifies me too, so why should his pick be any different.

And yes, it bothers me greatly that she has 5 kids and that one is just 4 months old. It also bothers my friend who has a 2 year old and is due next week. I say the total number of kids plus a special needs 4 month old is just far too much of a family burden when seeking the highest office in this land, or, the second highest office, however you want to look at it.

As a headline grabber, it's going to dominate.

As an attention getter for young Republicans, it's going to work.

As an appeasement to MODERATE REPUBLICAN WOMEN who wanted a woman but didn't like Clinton's politics, it's going to work.

For all of the Republicans who have previously seen experienced conservative Women Republicans do a good job in office and aren't worried about her, it's going to work.

For the pro-life crowd, it's going to work.

For the pro-gun crowd, it's going to work.

For the Old Guard military men, it won't work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This makes me think about all of the times when the critics pan a movie but the American people decide "to hell with the critics, this is a d*mned good movie!" To "intelligent Democrats", she's a horrible choice. To pundits, she's an "absurd" choice. But to those who don't scratch more than the surface, she's going to be JUST FINE!

Trust me, I want to be wrong, but... I'm scared and I don't want to lose.

yet to meet a truly moderate republican woman.

I don't agree with their politics. It's insulting to women for a half-dressed magazine cover poser to be chosen OVER a qualified candidate who happens to keep ALL her clothes on for magazine covers. It's insulting to women for a YOUNG little cutie to be chosen over an OLDER, MORE QUALIFIED candidate.

So, as a woman I am pissed off.

As a democrat, I'm not surprised at ALL that McInsane would do this. As a democrat, I'm pretty much laughing my ass off at that batshit crazy McLame. He is SO scared that he thinks he has to try to get like 2 fucking idiot voters who might vote on gender rather than issues. For that, I'm tickled absolutely PINK.

As a democrat, I'm also tickled pink that he thinks he has to choose little miss half-naked hottie, who happens to have a child with Downs Syndrome, to ward off attacks from our wonderful VP, Joe Biden.

As a human being, I'm pissed off that he would USE a baby with Downs Syndrome to get sympathy and prevent little miss procreation creationist from being grilled like ANY VP pick would be grilled.

So, I think both McCain and half-naked Palin are trashy.

This won't change smart women's minds. It may be a solidification of their conservative base, but that might not work either.

But it is going to a delicate thing to tear her apart without looking like bullies. I think we should stay focused on Bush/McCain. That is where we can lay heavy blows in this fight.

This won't change smart women's minds. It may be a solidification of their conservative base, but that might not work either.

I thought it was all about "experience" for McCan't. If McCan't wasn't 180 years old with a history of cancer, it might not look QUITE so ridiculous, but it's undeniable that people are going to HAVE to imagine this runner-up beauty queen with a journalism degree in the oval office when they contemplate a McCan't presidency.

Harriet Meyers all over again, just younger and prettier. It's so effing stupid it's actually insulting. I can't wait to see how it plays with conservatives and especially independents. I for one have been giggling about it all day.

I think if it's going to siphon votes, it will be hardcore PUMA votes only. JMHO.

In other words, a monster.

Not cool. If he wanted to "soften the ticket" he should have tried to pick someone less deranged than he is, not more. Her barely concealed glee at the thought of the aerial massacre of wolves, and the destruction of polar bears is a little Dahmer-esque in its depravity. "All other species be damned. They are competing with my 3789475904723480 kids for food and resources. As long as I can continue to pop out kids like a tennis ball launcher, I don't give a damn what other living things suffer and die. More for me, me, me and mine, please."

She's a greedy creep in the utmost form.

Pumas, real pumas, are a very small group and on their own wouldn't have much effect. So that effect is negligible.

If a certain contingent of people in the netroots can't contain themselves, and owners of the largest sites don't crack down on the misogyny ans sexist attacks, it will threaten the coalition with Clinton's female voters - like myself - who already plan to hold our noses and vote Dem. Many will just stay home.

It also threatens the coalition with female voters who were behind Obama all season but were fed up by that same misogyny. If those people in the cable news media use sexist terms against her, it will hurt Obama when they stay home.

But more than Obama, I think the target is the netroots. WE are the greater threat to Republican rule and policies, by far, than Barack Obama or any other Dem, in the long run. I wouldn't be at all surprised if McCain is intentionally throwing it, as a sacrifice, in order to fracture the netroots.

And an insult to any liberal woman! Any Hillary supporter who votes for this ticket is really not supporting Hillary and is DINO!

I voted for Obama, but I had a hard time deciding between him and Hillary, so my feelings have nothing to do with him or her, except that I am offended that she dared to mention Hillary in her speech, as if Hillary had paved the way for her to be VP.

I'm absolutely livid and insulted by McCain's transparent pandering with his VP pick. As should all American women regardless of who they supported. Shit, Republican women ought to be outraged also, considering the far more qualified Republican women who were passed over.

I think it may give some of the subconscious racists an excuse to vote against Obama but I don't think they ever intended on voting for him anyway.

However, I think there will be huge backlash from this, far bigger than the Pukes could imagine. I freely admit the sexist antics of the DNC had me ready to sit this election out in disgust, but Sen. Voldemort put me back in the game by this sick, sad, transparent attempt to try and convince me Bellatrix LeStrange is the same thing as Minerva McGonagall.

Oh, it's on now, motherfucker. It's on. Where is that donate to Obama link?

Fuck her and the oil rig she rode in on.

edited to add: I was for Obama, then Edwards (whew! glad we dodged that bullet), and then back to Obama. I'm not a Hillary fan at all, and haven't been for many years.

"Pro-life", my ass.

There are other creatures worthy of life besides the ones that slither out of her birth canal.

If she had any respect for life, she'd be anti-war, pro-woman, and pro-environment.

Being anti-choice does not make her or anyone else "pro-life." At all.

Love her, love McCain for picking her. It's like Christmas in August.

Do we really even have to have an election now? Shouldn't McCain just go ahead and concede and save everybody a lot of time and money??

I don't think it will siphon any voters away from Obama/Biden or any Democrats or thinking independents.

Look, if there are people currently supporting Obama and Biden who are more in line with M & C that's one thing. I somehow don't see too many of those people supporting our guys.

Let's look at the real people last night. Many of them Republicans who switched because they woke up. They WOKE up.

I think there are more of the people waking up who will support Obama than their are people who will switch now that McCain's got a woman on the ticket.

And, look, I will not slam her mothering choices. Her work choices. Her appearance. (Publicly anyway -- what I say in private is another matter.) However that doesn't mean I'm not infuriated by McCain's/GOP's choice for VP. The line she said about how she was going to break through the glass ceiling made me want to vomit. Seriously vomit.

Obama offers real change. (At least we all hope he does.)

McCain, with his choice of Palin, offers superficial change. Look, she's probably a power-hungry politician who saw this as her chance to become a national figure. But, if we're going to talk about experience here, she fails. I'm sorry, being the mayor of a small town in Alaska doesn't equate to real executive experience. She's malleable. Moldable. She's someone the GOP can make who they want. She might claim to be a maverick now ... but we'll see how maverick she is by November.

She will not be ready on Day One. How could she be? Could you imagine her talking to Putin? Or Brown? Or Angela Merkel for that matter?

The voters this choice might siphon away will be people who still don't get it. Or people who can't vote for a black man so go with a woman VP.

It just makes me so ... angry.

I supported Edwards and then Obama in the primaries. Would have supported Hillary had it not been for the machine that seemed to eat her alive at times.

(Edited to add a sentence left out.)

She is so unqualified for this position that it is setting any gains the Women's Lib movement have earned back thirty years. It's obvious McCain thinks this will help him with women voters. I believe it will have the opposite effect. It will backfire on the campaign. Yes, we want to see a woman attain the highest office one day, but we want a qualified woman with proven achievements.

When Geraldine Ferraro was the V.P. candidate, I remember how proud I was to see that happen. I still have the cassette tape I made of her debate. She was qualified for the position. An attorney with six years of legislative experience in Congress. (I'm not happy with her recent comments in this political season though).

It will not take voters from Obama. I believe it will take voters from the GOP. I think many women in the GOP are very surprised at this move and they aren't happy with it especially if they are moderates. I can't imagine too many Independents being happy with this pick either.

I supported Kucinich and then Obama in the primaries.

she was a woman and nothing more....If McCan't really genuinely respected Hill (which he doesnt) dont ya think he would have picked her as VP (or at least offered the spot to her publically before going for another woman) instead of some unknown who is being brought up in charges?

To me i get the impression this is a big time insult to women..at least for most of them who thinks about this. McCan't better be careful...it is very risky....The moment Palin is looked as, as different from Hillary (e.g. in debates vs Biden -- Palins issues are veyr different than Hill) her pander-glow will be lost. It is a mistake by McCain to think short-term....the worst thing of all is that he did not vet her...the skeletons in her closet are growing hourly and the repubs have voiced it


Obama et al. is smiling.