An Aussie perspective (on Palin)

What McCain fails to realize is that his choice for VP not only affects the lives of Americans, but of our allies and hell, even our enemies.

Here is a nicely written piece in one of Australia's largest and most well-read and regarded newspapers, The Australian that shows the growing alarm felt by other countries on McCain's thoughtless, absurd choice for running mate.

Title: "Reckless pick bad news for Australia"

Snip: "What McCain has done in selecting Palin is an entirely political decision to win him the general election, which proves again that self-interest always triumphs in politics."

..."This selection shows where McCain thinks the campaign was at - that they faced the prospect of a wipeout in November," a source said."

Money quote: "The comeback from the McCain campaign is that Barack Obama is even less experienced than Palin. As a political argument, this is understandable and worth running, but it is intellectually dishonest.

You don't pull off what Obama has done in the past 18 months and not be qualified to lead. In fact, this is what the whole process is about - testing candidates in the public glare seven days a week for nearly two years so Americans can make their judgment on who should lead their parties."

Full article here - http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24271964-2703,00.html

Australians, much like the rest of the world, think that the U.S. fascination with the private lives of politicians is bizarre, so (thankfully) there was no mention of "Granny-gate" or "Sexy shoe-gate" or any other "gates" that appear to have conjured out of thin air in the last few days and hopefully there won't be. Based solely on the issues, other countries are picking their jaws up off of the floor due to the selection of Palin as McCain's running mate.

Sorry, that's a Murdoch paper with an appropriate reputation (and circulation).

Just sayin'

...irrespective of the merits or content of the particular article.

What, three months?? I've been in Aussieland a few years and this is the paper that everyone reads. I'm sure that you know that too but have no desire to let that affect your urge for contrariness.

Quit picking fights over the dumbest things. The article has merit and reflects what alot of people here think.

:toast:

I hate to even bring it up but there are apparently some folks who feel that Sarah Palin's leanings towards open-toed heels is even further proof of her lack of leadership ability.

Consider yourself very fortunate to not have heard anything about it until now. :)

I wish our papers over here would say something like that... because this is what most of us have been saying all this time. Well at least I have...

Look at the way Obama is running his campaign vs McCain. BIG difference.

Right-wingers and other @ssholes who are determined to pollute our political discourse by saying "Obama's not experienced" should be laughed out of town.

It is glaringly obvious to every thinking person that people don't achieve what Obama has achieved in the last 18 months against bigger, richer and better-known candidates if you aren't "experienced." And for what it's worth, I'd personally take Obama's work as a Constitutional lawyer and scholar over someone being mayor or governor, even of an LA or a NY, any day of the week.