John McCain needs what Kinky Friedman calls "a checkup from the neck up."
In choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate he is not thinking "outside the box," as some have said. More like out of his mind.
Palin a first-term governor of a state with more reindeer than people, will have to put on a few pounds just to be a lightweight. Her personal story is impressive: former fisherman, mother of five. But that hardly qualifies her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.
For a man who is 72 years old and has had four bouts with cancer to have chosen someone so completely unqualified to become president is shockingly irresponsible. Suddenly, McCain's age and health become central issues in the campaign, as does his judgment.
In choosing this featherweight, McCain passed over Tom Ridge, a decorated combat hero, a Cabinet secretary and the former two-term governor of the large, complex state of Pennsylvania. iReport.com: 'McCain pick might be a gimmick'
He passed over Mitt Romney, who ran a big state, Massachusetts; a big company, Bain Capital; and a big event, the Olympics.
He passed over Kay Bailey Hutchison, the Texas senator who is knowledgeable about the military, good on television, and -- obviously -- a woman.
He passed over Joe Lieberman, his best friend in the Senate and fellow Iraq Kool-Aid drinker.
He passed over former congressman, trade negotiator and budget director Rob Portman.
And he also passed over Mike Huckabee, the governor of Arkansas.
For months, the McCainiacs have said they will run on his judgment and experience. In his first presidential decision, John McCain has shown he is willing to endanger his country, potentially leaving it in the hands of someone who simply has no business being a heartbeat away from the most powerful, complicated, difficult job in human history.
Note: For the very first time I completely agree with Begala. I say job well done.
Begala - Is McCain out of his Mind?
Palin trying to court Clinton's vote but
Here is what she had to say about Clinton;
Once onstage, together with Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, Palin talked about what women expect from women leaders; how she took charge in Alaska during a political scandal that threatened to unseat the state's entire Republican power structure, and her feelings about Sen. Hillary Clinton. (She said she felt kind of bad she couldn't support a woman, but she didn't like Clinton's "whining.")
And also she is aggressive Pro-life. What does this say to those so called Hillary Voters?
Answer: we will have to play how this plays and what Denver did to DEMs.
Its Palin
Sen. John McCain pick Sarah Palin as his running mate and here is her introduction by Sen. McCain
"She's exactly who this country needs to help me fight the same old Washington politics of me first and country second," the presumptive Republican nominee said at a Dayton, Ohio, rally of about 15,000 supporters, who welcomed the surprise pick of the relatively unknown politician with cheers and flags.
"She's got the grit, integrity, good sense and fierce devotion to the common good that is exactly what we need in Washington today," McCain said.
Well, McCain's choice reflects that he is trying for so called dis-franchise Hillary Clinton vote and that was prover right by the VP pick.
Palin made an immediate play for support from Democratic women, mentioning that she followed in the footsteps of Geraldine Ferraro, who was the Democratic vice presidential running mate in 1984.
She also referred favorably to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who drew 18 million votes in her unsuccessful run against Obama for the Democratic nomination.
Sen. McCain has been trying to make case against Sen. Obama, that he is not ready to be President but will that argument disappear from McCain's stump speech?
Obama camp Response:
“Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency.
Governor Palin shares John McCain’s commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush’s failed economic policies — that’s not the change we need, it’s just more of the same.”
And here is McCain's camp (simply hillarious):
“She has a record of accomplishment that Senator Obama simply cannot match. Governor Palin has spent her time in office shaking up government… Senator Obama has spent his time in office running for President."
She does not have any experience what so ever, either foreign policy, domestic policy, energy crisis (she was a chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission - sounds familiar?). Yes she has experience of leading a town of 9000 people as a Mayor.
She was elected mayor of the town of Wasilla (population 9000) when she was 32. After she lost a bid to be lieutenant governor in 2002 -- by less than 2,000 votes, raising her statewide profile.
Palin is currently under legislative investigation herself, accused of firing the state's public safety commissioner for not firing her former brother-in-law.
"A legislative panel has launched a $100,000 investigation to determine if Palin dismissed Alaska's public safety commissioner because he would not fire the trooper, Mike Wooten," the AP wrote earlier this month. "Wooten went through a messy divorce from Palin's sister. Palin has denied the commissioner's dismissal had anything to do with her former brother-in-law. And she denied orchestrating the dozens of telephone calls made by her husband and members of her administration to Wooten's bosses. Palin said she welcomes the investigation: 'Hold me accountable.'"
Above all she even does not know what VP does. Check it out yourself.
In an interview just a month ago, she dissed the job, saying it didn’t seem “productive.”
In fact, she said she doesn’t know what the vice president does.
Larry Kudlow of CNBC’s “Kudlow & Co.” asked her about the possibility of becoming McCain ticket mate.
Palin replied: “[A]s for that V.P. talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the V.P. does every day? I’m used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. We want to make sure that that V.P .slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that we’re trying to accomplish up here for the rest of the U.S., before I can even start addressing that question.”
And here are few reaction from pundits, specially from Pat Buchanan and Joe - Priceless.
Chuck Todd
They really wanted to pick a woman, and there were no obvious choices.
Pat Buchanan
Biggest political gamble I believe just about in American political history...that is not hyberbole. I can think of no choice of VP that approaches this.
Joe Scarborough
I can't imagine a woman that's been a governor for a year and a half, but to debate Joe Biden on GEorgia, a remerging Russia, an emerging China and India, on the Middle East, my God, how does she do that?
She also praised Sen. Obama's Energy Plan, and it wont take long for her to say Sen. Obama's Energy plan is wrong, now she is a VP pick.
August 4, 2008, Fairbanks, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today responded to the energy plan put forward by the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
"I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska's natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs," Governor Palin said. "The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to supply the energy our nation needs."
In a speech given in Lansing, Michigan, Senator Obama called for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, stating, "Over the next five years, we should also lease more of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska for oil and gas production. And we should also tap more of our substantial natural gas reserves and work with the Canadian government to finally build the Alaska natural gas pipeline, delivering clean natural gas and creating good jobs in the process."
Governor Palin also acknowledged the Senator's proposal to offer $1,000 rebates to those struggling with the high cost of energy.
"We in Alaska feel that crunch and are taking steps to address it right here at home," Governor Palin said. "This is a tool that must be on the table to buy us time until our long-term energy plans can be put into place. We have already enjoyed the support of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and it is gratifying to see Senator Obama get on board."
But there is a similarity in Sarah Palin and Sen. Barack Obama, they both played basketball in High School.
Stay tune.. more to come
Buchanan - This was a manly Speech
Last night Pat Buchanan shocked the pundits around the world and this morning he was all praising Obama.
Even Joe is praising Obama's Speech.
Joe: Houston we have a problem (speaking of republicans).
THE AMERICAN PROMISE"
Barack Obama yesterday stood in front of more than 83000 in Invesco Field and millions around the world to accept his historic nomination, his speech was one of the greatest and I think he did what he was suppose to do, re-introduce himself, draw differences between him and Sen. McCain and look like presidential. Pundits around the world had set a standard for him as what he should be doing and what needs to be mention, but clearly he not just reached the goals set by others but also defined himself as who is he and what he is going to do.
To my surprise, even Pat Buchanan praised the speech and I think that should tell what he did last night.
And here are few reactions from pundits.
Andrew Sullivan:
It was a deeply substantive speech, full of policy detail, full of people other than the candidate, centered overwhelmingly on domestic economic anxiety. It was a liberal speech, more unabashedly, unashamedly liberal than any Democratic acceptance speech since the great era of American liberalism. But it made the case for that liberalism - in the context of the decline of the American dream, and the rise of cynicism and the collapse of cultural unity. His ability to portray that liberalism as a patriotic, unifying, ennobling tradition makes him the most lethal and remarkable Democratic figure since John F Kennedy.
What he didn't do was give an airy, abstract, dreamy confection of rhetoric. The McCain campaign set Obama up as a celebrity airhead, a Paris Hilton of wealth and elitism. And he let them portray him that way, and let them over-reach, and let them punch him again and again ... and then he turned around and destroyed them. If the Rove Republicans thought they were playing with a patsy, they just got a reality check.
TPM's Josh Marshall:
I thought this was a very strong speech. About exactly what was needed. It was a strong speech. He made the case for himself; he laid out clear policy goals; and he aggressively set forth the stakes of the campaign. He made the case against John McCain while not attacking his character -- which makes a clear contrast with McCain's aggressively personal, denigrating campaign strategy.
I've heard a few people say that he seemed to hold back from giving the soaring speech he might have given. But I suspect that was intentional and I think a good decision. Meta-themes and tonality form the deeper structure of political communication. And the aim of this speech was not eloquence but strength.
Washington Post's Chris Cillizza:
The optics of the event - the first national party convention to be held outdoors since John F. Kennedy accepted the Democratic nomination at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1960 -- were breathtaking. Television screens filled with images of Obama supporters dancing in the aisles to the tunes of Stevie Wonder and Sheryl Crow; a blazing orange sun set on an arid Colorado night as Obama prepared to take the stage. The speech ended with fireworks and confetti, as Obama, his runningmate, Sen. Joe Biden, and their families stood together waving to the crowd of delegates and supporters, at the climax of the Democratic National Convention.
Senator Hillary Clinton:
"Barack Obama's speech tonight laid out his specific, bold solutions and optimistic vision for our nation and our children's future.
"His speech crystallized the clear choice between he and Senator McCain. Four more years of the same failed policies or a leader who can tackle the great challenges we face: revitalizing our economy and restoring our standing in the world. I am proud to support Senator Obama, our next President of the United States and Joe Biden, our next Vice President of the United States."
Radar's Charles Kaiser:
It was the perfect culmination of a convention that was just as well-choreographed as the campaign that preceded it. Obama's speech was a splendid blend of stagecraft and substance. If you read the text, it hardly jumps off the page. But in Obama's hands it came alive, particularly here:
* We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe.
And here:
* If you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters.
The cumulative effect of the words of Michelle, Teddy Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Obama himself should give the him a noticeable bounce.
MotherJones' David Corn:
It was a historic speech on a historic night--in a remarkable setting. A crowd of tens of thousands of Americans, filling an entire stadium in the middle of the country, waved American flags and signs calling for "Change." Never in the nation's history had more Americans attended such an event. Never before had an African-American accepted the presidential nomination of a major party in the United States. And the speech of Barack Obama matched the moment.
He connected his own history--the history of a not-quite-ordinary American family--to the mythical promise of America. His rhetoric soared--as usual--but it was tethered to reality: in particular, the stark differences between how Obama would approach the challenges the nation now faces and how John McCain would do so. Obama laced his criticism of the Bush years and the possible McCain years with a dose of populism, which gave portions of the speech a sharp edge. And he brought his pitch for hope and change down to the ground with a succinct description of policy ideas he would work for as president.
Obama's speech by numbers
Total words: 4,786
America and American: 52
Democrat or Democratic: 9
Republican: 7
McCain: 21
Bush: 8
Hillary: 1
Clinton: 3
Biden: 9
I, my, me, mine: 92
You/your: 65
God: 2
Hope: 4
Promise: 32
Iraq: 7
Iran: 2
Afghanistan: 3
War: 9
Women: 5
Economy/economic: 12
Jobs: 8
Health/healthcare: 6
Child/children: 10
Robin Golden and his story!
Robin Golden
Autoworker from Michigan scheduled to lose his job
He gave a great touching story of his in his speech yesterday and I think its worth watching.
Here is his prepared speech.
Good evening Denver. I am Robin Golden from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am president of UAW Local 2344. Ten years ago, I started working for an auto parts manufacturer. I am an end-of-the-line inspector: I make sure our products are safe before they get into the cars that Americans drive.
When I first took my job, the economy was growing and business was booming. It looked like I had a great future there. I believed if I worked hard and did good work, I would have a job until I retired.
In two weeks, I will be unemployed. My job is being shipped to Mexico, along with the jobs of most of my 430 hourly co-workers. That means every single member of my local will be unemployed in two weeks. I am not just losing my job; I am losing my union—and all the benefits it has brought me. I feel like I am losing my chance to get ahead.
Meanwhile, in Washington, Senator McCain voted for tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs. Senator McCain voted against supporting those companies whose products are made by American workers like me. It’s time for a change.
I’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes and my health insurance runs out three months after I lose my job. Paying for it out of pocket will be one-third of my unemployment benefit. It’s time for a change.
Gas and grocery prices keep going up, and everyone’s paychecks are buying less. Families all around us in Michigan are losing their homes. I’ve sent out resumes to try and find a new job, but I haven’t even heard anything back. I can’t even think about retirement any more. It’s time for a change.
I have worked hard my entire life. My wife works hard as a librarian. We clip coupons. We make sacrifices. Because we love America, we want to protect and strengthen the American dream. We want a fair chance to get ahead for all who work hard. I want a president who represents working-class families, not big oil companies. I want a president who knows that organized labor helped build the middle class, and that organized labor helps keep our middle class strong. I want a president who will keep American jobs here at home.
The change we need is Barack Obama for president. Americans, unite! Let’s come together to send someone to Washington who will work for American jobs, American energy independence and the American dream. Let’s come together for Barack Obama!
video here
Kucinich: WAKE UP AMERICA!
As always Dennis Kucinich gave a fierce speech last night in Denver urging America to Wake up and fight for the right cause. It was brilliant wake up call.
Sen. Clinton's speech
Here is Sen. Clinton's speech from last night
Women React to Senator Clinton's Speech
Matthews, Olbermann, Maddow - Speech Analysis
Denver Day 2 Hero
Montana governor Brian Schweitzer.
He fired up the crowd in Denver’s Pepsi Center with his pre-Clinton speech and often finished many of his sentences by breaking into pro-Obama chants, with the crowd happily falling in line.
On McCain:
If you drilled in all of Senator McCain’s backyards…even the ones he doesn’t know he has…that single proposition is a dry well.
Wednesday night - all eyes on Pres. Clinton
As Former Pres. Bill Clinton preps for his Wednesday speech to the Democrats in Denver the real question is What will he say and How will he say? Last night's speech of Sen. Clinton was slam dunk or electrifying, will he deliver in the same manner or will he just read out the speech and keep the anger leaving the podium?
We really don't know the answer but we will see tonight. Is UNITY on the way or do we leave Denver as we came in?
With yesterday's brilliant speech by Sen. Clinton and expected another electrifying speech from Former Pres. Bill Clinton, the pressure is in Sen. Obama to deliver another speech which ought to be better than his 2004 convention keynote speech.
I think Sen. Clinton did what she was suppose to do and I hope Pres. Clinton will do the same tonight, now its upto Sen. Obama how he will use the Clinton's going forward after Denver.
No Way! NO HOW! NO McCain! - Reviews
Tom Brokaw:
Hillary Clinton did tonight what she needed to do.
John King:
She passionately endorsed Barack Obama... She's a big game player, that was a big-game speech... she did what Obama wanted.
Keith Olbermann:
A grand slam.
James Carville:
This is what a major-league fastball looks like.
Anderson Cooper:
This speech has electrified everyone in this crowd.
Bill Richardson:
She couldn't have been clearer... She hit a huge home run, a 500-foot homerun. The best news is Democrats are unified.
David Gergen:
Perhaps her finest hour in politics.
Rachel Maddow:
Anybody who could be persuaded would be persuaded by that speech...She nailed it.
Wolf Blitzer:
Exactly what Barack and Michelle Obama wanted to hear.
Dems RED MEAT moments
GOV. SEBELIUS:
I’m sure you remember a girl from Kansas who said there’s no place like home. Well, in John McCain’s version, there’s no place like home. Or a home. Or a home. Or a home. Or a home.
GOV. STRICKLAND:
George W. Bush came into office on third base… and then he stole second. And John McCain cheered him every step of the way.
SEN. CASEY:
John McCain calls himself a maverick, but he votes with George Bush more than 90% of the time. That’s not a maverick, that’s a sidekick.
GOV. RENDELL:
The only thing green in John McCain’s energy plan is the billions of dollars he’s promising in tax cuts for oil companies.
GOV. PATERSON:
If [McCain is] the answer, then the question must be ridiculous.
Sen. Clinton:
It makes sense that George Bush and John McCain will be together next week in the Twin Cities, because these days they’re awfully hard to tell apart.
Democrats in attack mode
Nat. Press Secretary for Obama, Bill Burton, said that Richardson, Bayh and Kaine might go after McCain in their speeches.
Pelosi: Two cents in Ten years crowd
House Democratic leaders and protesters waving McCain signs had a war of words Tuesday at a press event outside an old train station. The demonstrators interrupted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with chants of “Drill here! Drill now!”
Pelosi paused and asked the group, “Right here?”
Seeming to enjoy the back and forth, she followed with another question: “Can we drill your brains?”
She went on to refer to the protestors, who continued to chant sporadically, as “handmaidens of Big Oil.” Arguing that increased offshore drilling would only reduce gas prices two cents in 10 years, she referred to the demonstrators as the “two-cents-in-ten-years-crowd.”
Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer swiped at the demonstrators, too, saying that “sophomoric chanting” won’t solve the energy crisis and that “all thinking Americans know” — stressing the word "thinking" and looking at the crowd — that America doesn’t have a quarter of the word’s fossil fuels yet uses a quarter of the world’s energy.
James Carville - where is attack mode?
As the Day 1 in Denver wrapped up Democratic Strategists like James Carville and David Gergen left no time to criticize Day 1. They think, attacking GOP and trying to tear down them from Day 1 is a excellent strategy, but what they failed to understand was the theme of the day "ONE NATION", they should have understood the direction Democratic Party is going. How can you achieve "ONE NATION" if you start attacking those who disagrees with us. Like Sen. Obama said
We can disagree without being disagreeable
Well, they are right that we need to differentiate between Democratic Party and GOP, Sen. Obama and McCain + Bush but yesterday's theme was not to divide the country and voters but rather was delivering message to unite the country for a cause. But today is a different day and different theme "RENEWING AMERICA'S PROMISE", I think today is the day to draw the differences and let voters and America know whats on stake in this Election and whats in stake for our Future. I thought he was a great adviser for President Clinton, but after hearing him last night, I might have been wrong. This is different election that previous ones and for sure this time is not as 90's, politics of fear worked in past, but i dont think it will work this time, politics of swift boating worked in 04 but it wont work in 08 (i think).
I was amazed with David Gergen's comments as well. He said
We waisted few hours of attacking GOP.
Tuesday night - all eyes on Clinton
Clinton stressed anew Monday that she supports Obama and wants the 18 million people who voted for her in the primaries to transfer their allegiance as well.
"We are here for one purpose," she told supporters at a Denver hotel Monday, "to give the party momentum going into the general election so that come November, Barack Obama will become the President of the United States.
Pundits say Democratic Party is still divided and Clinton's supporters are not yet behind Barack Obama. Analysts say
If he wants to win the election, he needs to get the vast majority of Hillary supporters. Her strongest support is where he's weakest: white, working class men and women.
The next question is will Sen. Clinton release her all delegates, we heard a deal was under way, will this help unify the party (I think we are getting there), as I heard yesterday in NPR from one of Clinton's supporters and was proud of her. She said:
I came to Denver wearing "Hillary Clinton for President" and will leave Denver wearing "Barack Obama for President"
Will this passion lasts until Thursday when Mr. Obama will give one great hell of a speech in front of 75 Thousands supporters. I hope so.
I know Obama has to do a lot to convince Clinton supporters but I also think Clinton has to do their part.
So I will be watching carefully what Clinton has to say and what will she do tonight and specially tomorrow night when the ROLL CALL is done.
Pat Buchanan - Michelle's speech scripted
Michelle's speech was simply awesome, some reviews are already in and pundits gave average of an "A". It was a ONE NATION day and I think Michelle nailed it on the theme. Most of the pundits said it could not have been any better than what she did last night but I am always amazed with Pat Buchanan, I was shocked, outraged and mad when i heard Pat say, that was scripted, well Mr. Buchanan when you give a big speech it ought to be scripted or rather well prepared. I don't know what you did when you ran for office or may be you never got the nomination because you never had you speech well prepared or Scripted.
Your own guy can't even read properly from well prepared speech or rather in your own own SCRIPTED speech.
Later on Keith made fun of "Scripted" comment saying Chris hide your scripted paper and said, we will be back after a break from kind of scripted show.
As always Rachel did a great job fighting back with Mr. Buchanan on the McCain's gaffe on "How many house do you own"? and their POW CARD. My hats off to Rachel.
Denver Day 1
Kennedy:
The Hope Rises Again And The Dream Lives On
Caroline Kennedy:
Everywhere I go in this country, people tell me that Barack Obama is making them feel hopeful the way they did when my father was president.
Tribute to Ted Kennedy
Ted and Caroline Kennedy
Michelle:
An Obligation To Fight For The World As It Should Be
Pelosi:
Republicans say John McCain has experience. We say John McCain has the experience of being wrong.
Sen. Claire McCaskill:
They did tax cuts for the wealthiest. They did everything big oil asked. And look where we are. Come on America, let's call on our common sense
Republican Rep. Jim Leach:
This is not a time for politics as usual. Obama will recapture the American dream and be a truly great president.
Barack Obama greets family via Satellite
take care of mom and sleep tight girls, I will see you on Thursday.
McCain ad featuring former Clinton Delegates
We have been talking a lot about party unity for a long now, what will Clinton's 18M + voters will do, will they support Barack, are they behind McCain? Really there are so many questions and not so definite answer. The Convention will kick off today and in 4 days we might be able to get some idea as to what they are going to do. Recently MSM is behind Obama-Clinton story that they are not happy with each other, this might be true in a sense after having a brutal primary between two camps, but at the end it comes down to the issue i think abortion, Iraq, middle class. I watched the McCain ads featuring proud Hillary Clinton but is she really for McCain on the issues like abortion, taxes, war, health care I dont think so, and a million dollar question - above all does her voice speaks for the remaing 18+ Millions of her primary voters?
Having said that will she still support McCain after the convention is over and the democratic Party comes out United. Will the same Hillary Democrats comes up with another ad pounding McCain on Social Security, Health Care, TAXES, WAR, Middle Class, I hope she does.
"F" word Fox News
Demonstrator in Denver had some bad things to say about FOX NEWS when a reporter tried to interview the demonstrator. Some said its all about "STOP TORTURE, STOP WAR" and most of then had a unified message to FOX NEWS. Check it out yourself