Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Palin casts herself as Washington outsider

Palin casts herself as Washington outsider

Sep 04, 2008 - 10:57:30 CDT

By TOM RAUM and LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press Writers

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Sarah Palin delivered.

   An embattled vice presidential candidate, a novice on the national stage, the head of a family suffering its ``ups and downs,'' the first-term Alaska governor rocked the GOP convention with a star-turning performance.

   Wielding a stiletto and a smile, Palin belittled Democrat Barack Obama and praised her new boss, John McCain, jolting the crowd of GOP partisans.

   ``Don't you think we made the right choice for the next vice president of the United States!'' McCain said, hinting the controversy surrounding his pick. ``And what a beautiful family.''

   Indeed, the family was on display for the TV cameras — five children, including a 17-year-old unmarried daughter who is pregnant. Their mother lacked the soaring oratory skills of Obama — a man she attacked as a tax-raising, terrorist-coddling, self-indulgent liberal. But the former TV sportscaster spoke in calm, TV-friendly tones reminiscent of Ronald Reagan. Like the former GOP president, Palin warmed the crowd with quips and jokes.

   ``What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull,'' she said, pausing for a beat and a smirk. ``Lipstick.''

   She left the crowd smiling.

   ``For too many times, we've brought knives to gun fights,'' said Chuck Gast, a delegate from Maryland,

   When asked if Palin brought a gun to the fight, Gast said: ``Yes, I think she brings a big gun, like a moose gun.''

   It was the crowning moment of a roller-coaster week in which the first woman ever on a Republican presidential ticket has faced questions about how closely the McCain campaign scrutinized her. She also has heard a wide range of inquiries about family issues, her policy positions and her record of public service.

   ``Our family,'' she said, ``has the same ups and downs as any other.''

   One speech does not a campaign make. Kept at arm's length from the media in the days leading up to the address, Palin now heads out on the campaign trail, where events are less rehearsed, crowds less friendly and the environment less controlled. Even as she spoke, airplanes in Alaska were unloading reporters and political operatives sent to pore through her personal and public life.

   A big test comes at the Oct. 2 vice presidential debate with her Democratic counterpart, Joe Biden.

   But tonight was hers.

   Facing down her critics with smiling resolve, Palin took crowd-delighting swipes at Obama and what she called the Washington elite. ``Here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country,'' she said.

   A new celebrity herself, Palin cast Obama as a little more than a fancy speaker with a compelling biography.

   ``The American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of 'personal discovery.' This world of threats and dangers is not just a community, and it doesn't just need an organizer,'' Palin said, a clear reference to Obama's time as a community organizer in Chicago.

   The Obama campaign had less than a warm greeting, saying Palin's speech was ``written by George Bush's speechwriter and sounds exactly like the same divisive, partisan attacks we've heard from George Bush for the last eight years.'' The speech was written by Matthew Scully, who met Palin for the first time last week.

   Selected by McCain only last Friday, Palin addressed the convention amid questions about her qualifications and relative lack of experience.

   The first-term governor had top billing at the convention on a night delegates also lined up for a noisy roll call of the states to deliver their presidential nomination to McCain.

   Watching her speech were her husband Todd and their children, including daughter Bristol Palin, whom the Palins disclosed earlier in the week was five months pregnant. Bristol's 18-year-old boyfriend and apparent fiance, Levi Johnston, was seated with them.

   McCain shook up the presidential race by picking Palin, a little-known governor less than two years in office. Since then, a bright spotlight has been trained on the life and record of the Republican governor who has bucked the state's political establishment.

   Days after Palin made her debut on the national stage with McCain, the campaign announced her unmarried daughter's pregnancy. Other disclosures followed, including that a private attorney is authorized to spend $95,000 of state money to defend her against accusations of abuse of power and that Palin sought pork-barrel projects for her city and state, contrary to her reformist image.

   ``Our family has the same ups and downs as any other ... the same challenges and the same joys,'' she said.

   Noting that the couple's oldest son, Track, 19, was shipping out to Iraq in eight days with the Army infantry, Palin praised McCain as ``a true profile in courage, and people like that are hard to come by.''

   ``He's a man who wore the uniform of this country for 22 years, and refused to break faith with those troops in Iraq who have now brought victory within sight. And as the mother of one of those troops, that is exactly the kind of man I want as commander in chief,'' she said.

   Largely unknown outside her home state, Palin told the convention: ``I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town. I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better,'' she said, speaking of her home town of Wasilla, Alaska, with a population of about 6,500.

   ``When I ran for city council, I didn't need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too,'' she said.

   Before becoming governor, Palin served as mayor of Wasilla, she recounted, adding: ``And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities.''

   Palin delivered her speech in a firm, cheerful voice. It was her first chance to introduce and define herself to the American public and, after it was done, her family joined her on stage. She cuddled her 4-month-old son, Trig, and waved at the adoring crowd like the beauty pageant contestant she once was.

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Comments

Dew wrote on Sep 11, 2008 9:59 PM:

" Oh, Billy, where, oh where, did you get your info from? Talk about lying to the people! Could you please enlighten us on your inmnformation source? Like Move-on, Huffinton Post, MSNBC, Media matters, etc. lol.....

Oh, here we go again, I suppose complaining that I post to many times! "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 11, 2008 7:45 PM:

" Shhhhhhhhhh....can you hear it? More than 2 million Democrats [were added] to voter rolls in the 28 states that register voters according to party affiliation. The Republicans have lost nearly 344,000 thousand voters in the same states." The silence is deafening. "

Cheffy wrote on Sep 11, 2008 7:09 PM:

" I just watched Susan Serandan on Entertainment Tonight compare Sarah Palin to Pontius Pilate and Barack Obama to Jesus Christ. What in the world is wrong with the Entertainment industry?

I would consider voting for Obama until I see all of the wacko left wingers who would give their first born to elect Mr. Obama. "

wally wrote on Sep 11, 2008 6:28 PM:

" I have daughters, sisters, aunts, women friends, so to say it does not affect me shows what a simple mind you have. I don't view it in the context that is all about me. If you can look at any woman in your life and just tell them that it really is simple, get to a doctor in 10 hrs. and you won't have a problem, just seems ridiculous to me. But then again, if you don't really know, you really don't know. "

SE Forty wrote on Sep 11, 2008 6:09 PM:

" Whatever happened to the REAL Republicans. What I see now is just a bunch of lemmings who follow the main lemming without question. And this word Independant is just another way to say fencesitter, or is it mindless drone or just ignorance. The democrats have a lot of ideas, maybe to many. Hmm "

Dew wrote on Sep 11, 2008 3:22 PM:

" " shhhhh! can you hear it? listen harder ...... I hear it, I hear it..... yes, I sure do and it is getting louder every day, seven gone! I too am anxious for the next 50+ days.... i always hated this but, I am sure that this will be a year to remember! "

Dew wrote on Sep 11, 2008 3:11 PM:

" Wally: Why would a man have a problem with the views of a woman about abortion? It is NOT up to the man nowdays anyway!
Or are you just trying to muddy the waters? "

Dew wrote on Sep 11, 2008 3:00 PM:

" Economic Conservative: I always figured, when a person goes so are Right, they actually met the ones on the far Left! "

Lakeside wrote on Sep 11, 2008 2:48 PM:

" 'seven gone' posted "shhhhh! can you hear it? listen harder ...... it's the sound of a campaign hanging on a rope. wonder if they'll wait the 50 or so days before they begin the autopsy on it, and add it to the carcass pile of dukakis, gore, kerry et al ..."

If you listen even harder you can just barely hear the excuses already being prepared. The 'stupid voters', the 'election fraud', the 'media bias', and the 'misunderstood issues' are again being slowly wheeled into position to be at the ready. I don't think we'll hear anything about the 'poor selection of candidates', the 'unsuccessful campaign strategy', or the 'not meeting the needs of the majority of voters' this cycle, either. "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 11, 2008 10:25 AM:

" REX, I swear I'm going to be struck by lighting when a front moves in. There I am waving about a graphite rod, but I'm willing to risk it. Fishing should be great this fall. "

Brad wrote on Sep 11, 2008 7:45 AM:

" Amused, I appreciate the twenty happy years of marriage for McCain, assuming that we can believe him after his affairs prior. Lets see, they came out with that information in the last six months. Who knows what will come out in the next six months. I will be voting Liberaterian this year, no red state voting for me. "

REX wrote on Sep 11, 2008 7:00 AM:

" Bill G-A-R-R, Thanks for the talley. I'm sure there are more things we could agree on. You fish in the rain? "

seven gone wrote on Sep 11, 2008 12:01 AM:

" shhhhh! can you hear it? listen harder ...... it's the sound of a campaign hanging on a rope. wonder if they'll wait the 50 or so days before they begin the autopsy on it, and add it to the carcass pile of dukakis, gore, kerry et al ...

i hope it doesn't begin to smell any worse than it already does.

haha. are you ready for four years of mccain and palin? "

This is nuts wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:04 PM:

" According to http://www.gynaeonline.com/normpreg.htm; It takes an average of 10 hours for the sperm to reach the tubes.

After the terrible crime of rape it is always best to get immediate medical attention. This is for both evidence and the prevention of fertilization.

If this is done abortion is not needed, so this is not an issue!!!! "

wally wrote on Sep 10, 2008 6:00 PM:

" I have a problem with the scenerios for abortion. If you say abortion should be legal only in the case of rape or incest, do you just have to say you were raped or it was incest? Does there have to be a conviction? What if they never catch the guy? And if there does have to be a conviction, then it is probably to late for an abortion anyway. Do you get some kind of card from someone saying you can have an abortion? "

Amused wrote on Sep 10, 2008 4:41 PM:

" Mayors and governors do not have voting records, but looking up Sarah's stance on abortion states she is for abortion if a mother's life is in danger. She is Pro-contraception, Pro-woman, Pro-life. What I found interesting on this site is she vetoed a bill denying benefits to gays as unconstitutional.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_Sarah_Palin's_voting_record
I can't wait for the debates! "

Jim S wrote on Sep 10, 2008 4:09 PM:

" To Palins Rape Incest Insult , show me one statement that Palin has made to back your claim. Just one, show me the link so I can check it out. I think you are full of it. "

Jim S wrote on Sep 10, 2008 4:01 PM:

" Kev Kev Kev, you are delutional. Show me one statement where McCain actually came out and said anything regarding the "pig" anology. I have heard plenty of it from different sources but never from McCain Hisself or his campaign. Can you twist this any more? You are just as bad and niave as the medias that are spewing this. "

Palins Rape Incest Insult wrote on Sep 10, 2008 1:57 PM:

" Palin does not believe women who are raped or forced into incest should be able to abort their criminal child. She would outlaw even the worst case scenario regarding a womens right to choose abortion in these cases. Can you imagine if your daughter was pregnant because of Rape or Incest and on top of the severe trauma ......she would then have to have the child. Its Obscene!!! "

Economic Conservative wrote on Sep 10, 2008 11:21 AM:

" Jim, I feel really sorry for you and your so called political beliefs if you think I am left. The trouble with North Dakota is you are all left, there are no real conservatives here, just religious fanatic and those that think the government owes then a living. I am as far right as you can get when it comes to economic and social issues. "

Paul wrote on Sep 10, 2008 11:15 AM:

" I am PROUD of John McCain and for him selecting a awesome running mate. She is like us. She will be able to pull her weight in Washington. She is a compliment to John McCain and is strong where he may be weak. "

Kev wrote on Sep 10, 2008 11:14 AM:

" Pigs in a blanket.....

The full context of Barack Obama's quote is as follows:

John McCain says hes about change, too except for economic policy, health care policy, tax policy, education policy, foreign policy and Karl Rove-style politics. Thats just calling the same thing something different.

With a laugh, he added: You can put lipstick on a pig; its still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change; its still going to stink after eight years.

We are being asked to believe that he called Sarah Palin a pig. If the people making that accusation have half a brain they know it's not true. This is not a question of interpretation. It is a fact. So we now find out again that John McCain is prepared to tell an absolute lie - in public, verifiable, uncontestable.

McCain does not have the minimal public integrity to be president of the United States. "

surprised wrote on Sep 10, 2008 10:16 AM:

" Keep up all of the attacks and falsehoods, Dems... It just shows how very scared you people are. McCain 08!!!! "

Jim S wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:52 AM:

" EC, you are grasping. You know you are and you know the left is in real trouble and will not land themselves in the Whitehouse. "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:18 AM:

" REX... just for people at home who are keeping record..... We now have agreed on 2 things....... 1) Throw the bums out. and 2) That is not art along the river.

Have a good day. "

This is nuts wrote on Sep 10, 2008 9:05 AM:

" Investigating Palin; Obama has been vetted only by FOX, all of the other liberal media venues have given him a free pass. There are both good and bad facts about all of the candidates, but MSNBC has had nothing but good to say about Obama. It is so bad you would think that Obama owns the network.

There is so much false information stated by both sides that it is pathetic. I think there should be a ten million dollar fine emposed to the networks for every verifiable false claim. Maybe then we could rely on the information sources we are supposed to be able to rely upon for our decisions.

Much of the information that is shared on these forums is just as misinformed. I'm tired! "

To Meagan wrote on Sep 10, 2008 8:54 AM:

" Sorry you are wrong..... She said..."I PUT it on ebay", you need to go back a rewatch it... "

Jim S wrote on Sep 10, 2008 8:49 AM:

" Meagan, wrong wrong wrong. "

JIm S wrote on Sep 10, 2008 8:47 AM:

" Bush/McCain: you are dead wrong on your statement. Would you like to restate your claim, show the whole truth before or have I prove you a liar. "

Amused wrote on Sep 10, 2008 8:45 AM:

" To Megan- Your so concerned about the VP stance on abortion, you better look up JOE BIDEN! He said on Meet the Press he was raised with Roman Catholic values and believes life starts at conception.....tell me what else the catholic church teaches- 1st hint- NO BIRTH CONTROL! 2nd NO ABORTION!
Why do you Democrats want to debate the VP Pick? "

Amused wrote on Sep 10, 2008 8:39 AM:

" Oh Megan, get off the koolaid, PLEASE go to factcheck.org- all the talking heads use it. It is a bypartisan organization to sift through the bull for everyone!!!
I personally watched her speech and the true transcript says "PUT"
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html
The summary- Weve been flooded for the past few days with queries about dubious Internet postings and mass e-mail messages making claims about McCains running mate, Gov. Palin. We find that many are completely false, or misleading.

Palin did not cut funding for special needs education in Alaska by 62 percent. She didnt cut it at all. In fact, she tripled per-pupil funding over just three years. ETC.ETC. ETC.
I can go on and on- is this the best the Dems can do? "

Economic Conservative wrote on Sep 10, 2008 8:12 AM:

" Palin worries me a lot, not because she has rallied the Republican party, but because we know so little about her. I can't help but wonder if this woman can handle the power that comes from political office without aloowing her emotions to blur her vision and choices. After all, her emotions clouded her judement involving her sister and her child custody battle. Compund that with her Pentecostal Religious beleifs and I worry that she could end up involing the US in religious crusade wars the likes none of us have ever seen before. "

Dew wrote on Sep 10, 2008 7:31 AM:

" Bill. Grrr... no internet... I heard it, I saw it...on TV.... it was on one of his stumps!
Go ahead and Googe it!

And to Meagan.... YOU go back and watch it, she tells it : I put it on eBay!
"While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for," Palin said. "That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay."

"The state's jet plane was a major issue in the 2006 election, which Palin won. Then-incumbent Frank Murkowski had defied protests from members of the state Legislature and the public when he bought the jet in 2005 to travel around the state. His political opponents said the jet symbolized his arrogance and free-spending ways. "
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/691/ "

Rasmus wrote on Sep 10, 2008 7:11 AM:

" We watched as Bush/Cheney lied us into a war in the Mideast. Bush called it a "crusade" , Palin calls it "a task from God". Anyone who believes the world will come to an end and that they would be swept up into heaven after a war in the Mideast is as crazy and dangerous as some suicide bomber who expects 72 virgins after his mission. Keep these warmongers out of our government altogether! "

Meagan wrote on Sep 10, 2008 12:21 AM:

" To Dew: Palin did not say she "put" it on ebay, she say she SOLD it on ebay. Sorry, you're mistaken. Go back and watch the speech, it's on youtube. I am completely turned off by this woman. That whole speech was a series of falsehoods and was extremely condescending and smug. I also love how she's anti-choice, but then cuts funding for single mothers in her home state, which no doubt lead to more abortions by desperate poor women!! And what about her "no abortion even in cases of rape and incest"?? That is extremely offensive to me as a women, telling me that if I get raped and pregnant, I have to carry my rapist's child?? And why did she attend six schools in five years just to get a BA in communications? Even Dubya is more educated than this woman! "

Bush McCain wrote on Sep 9, 2008 11:52 PM:

" Bush is McCain. McCain is Bush. There is no difference in their Politics. Maverick? In the past 10 years, McCain has voted with Bush 90% of the time. I wouldn't call that a Maverick, I'd call that a SHEEP following the FLOCK. "

Investigating Palin wrote on Sep 9, 2008 11:48 PM:

" To: This is nuts. Yes we need to vet Palin because the GOP / McCain didn't. Anything less than a full investigation of her is warranted for anyone who could possibly be the #2 in charge of the USA. Anything less would be criminal. Clearly, she has a little known past to most Americans. So, if there is nothing to hide than what does it matter. If she's such a great candidate than she will be exonerated. Obama has been vetted / investigated for 20 months. Thus...that is the risk the GOP / McCain has taken by nominating Palin. Let the Truth be heard from every mountain top! "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 9, 2008 10:40 PM:

" Dew says Obama is talking about Palin..''he said you put lipstick on a pig.... it is still a pig.... " Like I've asked many times before Dew, do you have any kind of gut check before you go off and spew internet rumors. Do you ever think twice before you regurgitate these filthy lies? Why are you allowed to do so on this forum? "

Jim S wrote on Sep 9, 2008 10:18 PM:

" Cause if we got rid of all the boneheads in Congress, we would have nothing to debate. All we are argueing about is who are the lessor of all boneheads. LOL "

This is nuts wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:19 PM:

" Check the facts dudes, I hear Obama and Biden voted for the bridge Palin turned down, WHAT THE!!!!!! "

Vote McCain wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:08 PM:

" Its Simple. If you like President Bush....Vote McCain. If you don't, Vote Obama. "

REX wrote on Sep 9, 2008 8:38 PM:

" ND Conservative, I've always thought that a regular clean sweep of politicians was a good idea. "

Dew wrote on Sep 9, 2008 6:31 PM:

" It seems Obama has reached a new low, calling Palin a pig. He said, in reference to Palin's Lipstick on a Pit Bull... "he said you put lipstick on a pig.... it is still a pig.... " "

Dew wrote on Sep 9, 2008 5:43 PM:

" Keep up the attacks, Dems.... you are only helping McCain, the real Maverick! "

Amused wrote on Sep 9, 2008 5:41 PM:

" Apparently you need some help with the bridge story- try to follow me....
You sent two friends out to by your fishing club a boat. You just wanted a small craft with a trolling motor. It should cost $14,000.00. Your friends had other ideas they added a depth finder, an inboard motor, a wet well, a cool radio and many other items- infact, they turned it into a yacht! They were so pleased they got it for the low price of $520,000. DO YOU KEEP IT- OR DO YOU SAY "THANKS, BUT NO THANKS! Do you understand? It wasn't the bridge she ordered!!!!!!!! "

harpua wrote on Sep 9, 2008 4:02 PM:

" ...and she's buuuying a bridge...to nowhere... "

ND Conservative wrote on Sep 9, 2008 3:27 PM:

" This is nuts; now those ideas are all something we can agree on. Now, the question is, why don't we vote out all the corrupt dems and republicans! "

This is nuts wrote on Sep 9, 2008 2:18 PM:

" ND Conservative;

I agree that there are some republicans as well as democrats that are corrupt and evil. In fact I am sure that most of the Dem's on these forums are good people. "

Notnek wrote on Sep 9, 2008 12:50 PM:

" I thought I was a democrat, however I have to go with Mc Cain.. I really , really do not like his V P choice. Hopefully he will be healthy and fit during his term. As for Palin the one person that is truely impressed with Sarah Palin is Sarah Palin. She is everything an exremist should be. "

Keeping It Simple wrote on Sep 9, 2008 12:21 PM:

" The polls (and eventually the voters) show what people really like and want. so far, the Republican candidates seem to be offering more of what people want than the Democrats; even though more people identify themselves as Democrats than Republicans. Perhaps the Democrats should start offering what people really want if they want to win elections. Pretty simple, really. "

Model T wrote on Sep 9, 2008 10:35 AM:

" I'm for Sarah because she has 5 kids. I hope they all get to live in that big house , clutter it up with thier stuff, make messes, have parties with thier friends, it'll be great,,,,,,,,,, truly American! "

Dew wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:31 AM:

" In her second term as mayor, she pushed for a half-cent raise in the local sales tax to pay for a $15 million sports complex.
The biggest project that Sarah Palin undertook as mayor of this small town was an indoor sports complex, where locals played hockey, soccer, and basketball, especially during the long, dark Alaskan winters.

I guess a sports arena and a hockey rink are two different things!
There is a bit difference between 20 and 15 also, especially when it comes to Millions!
I guess it would help if one posted the real facts iinstead of made up ones! "

ND Conservative wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:21 AM:

" This is nuts: so, you agree than, that republicans are corrupt and evil, as long as the democrats are as well? "

Amused wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:19 AM:

" To: Palin Truth revealed- Boy are a lot of Assembly of God and Baptist Christians going to dislike you! There are more Christians in the US than all the other groups put together. I predict the silent MAJORITY will speak. That is why McCain is ahead in the polls! Let's PRAY he stays there! That ACORN stuff is real- and the media is going to have to address it- Obama is a very scary guy. I believe Fidel Castro was also a bright young man who promised the Cubans a dream life of hope and change. Read history, change came!!!!! "

This is nuts wrote on Sep 9, 2008 8:02 AM:

" PTR and Ramus, Did you know that many if not most churches in Bismarck have members that speak in Tongues, Palins church is not totally relient on Faith Healing and all churches in Bismarck ask for God's help in healing. All Bible believing Christians believe in the End of Times. These are the "VALUES" of most Americans, you secular folk are really the outspoken minority!!

ND Conservative, republicans "corrupt and evil"? I just wish that the liberal press would go after Obama and Biden with the same glass they are using on Palin. By not using the same standards of scrutiny on the dem's as they do on the Republicans shows how truly corrupt and evil they are!! Obama himself sent 30 investigators himself, he's pathetic!! "

harpua wrote on Sep 9, 2008 4:11 AM:

" "Isn't $20 Million an awful lot to spend on a Hockey Rink for a town of 9,000?" "

Palin Truth Revealed wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:16 PM:

" For Decades, Sarah Palin has been attending a church in where the members speak in Tongues, Faith Healing and End of Times. *These are not the "VALUES" of most Americans. Speaking in Tongues....Are you kidding me? Faith Healing is what many ultra religious families believe instead of taking their sick children to a doctor or treating them with modern medicine. Often their children Die because of the proper care. End of Times means these religious Zealouts believe the world is ending. Mrs. Palin's church believes Alaska will be a refuge to Christians once the world ends. Do you American's want to Vote for someone who believes in speaking in Tongues, Faith Healing and End of Times? You be the Judge...VOTE! "

Rasmus wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:33 PM:

" I don't want to burst anyone's bubble but Palin is not running for President, Gramps McCain is. The thought of a Pentecostal (Palin) who believes in "end times", Armageddon, faith-healing and other gibberish ever becoming Commander in Chief is scary even if we weren't in the Iraq War. Bush has already taken us to the edge of Theocracy, Palin would be even worse. That is why the "Religious Right" is so fired up about her. "

Dakota wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:00 PM:

" Wow, McCain ahead in the polls with SOOOOO many unhappy people....l.o.l. it should have been a blow out!
no matter the outcome, it shows you the liberal media protrays different opinions than half of us.... "

Dew wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:48 PM:

" Brad: Did you ever stop the think that the time McCain served in a POW prison just did things to his mind for awhile after he returned? No man would be the same anymore. Sometimes things just do not turn out the way one wantd it to turn out. Is this man the only man that ever cheated on a wife? I can name a few Democrats that did that also! That happened how many years ago? Is that as bad as what Ted Kennedy did? And look how they put HIM on a pedistal during the DNC in Denver! He not only cheated on his wife, he killed a young lady, not only killed her but, let her there, alone while he went home to sleep off his drunkiness! And then first called the police in the morning. I am surprised you people do not think of things like that before you attack someone on the other side! I know Kennedy is not running for president but, THAT is the only reason he never has! But, he should not even be in the Senate! He should have been in jail! "

ND Conservative wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:19 PM:

" This is nuts- maybe if republicans can actually start doing some good instead of being corrupt and evil than your comment would make a little sense. Until than--see you at the polls! "

This is nuts wrote on Sep 8, 2008 5:18 PM:

" ND Conservative, You're almost right!!!! It is many of us republicans who constantly associate ourselves with God's law? You know, always mixing up religion, government and all things in life? "

JIm S wrote on Sep 8, 2008 5:03 PM:

" Brad, you only wish you could get so lucky. Whats your point? That is no different than anyone from any party. Spitzer, Clinton, Kennedy, etc....... Can't you find something else to cry about. "

Amused wrote on Sep 8, 2008 5:02 PM:

" ND Conservative - in everything I have watched, I think only Obama has promised to part the seas and give you the moon. "

Amused wrote on Sep 8, 2008 5:00 PM:

" Brad- please add that John has been totally devoted to his present and long time wife Cindy. I praise him for not going on National TV and saying " I DID NOT HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH THAT WOMAN!" Or that other woman.. oh, and then their was that other woman.....
Give me a formidable pick of "we've been married 20 years and he's still my guy" .... anyday! "

ND Conservative wrote on Sep 8, 2008 4:28 PM:

" Isn't it the republicans who constantly confuse themselves with the messiah? You know, always mixing up government and religion? "

Brad wrote on Sep 8, 2008 2:34 PM:

" Of course McCain picked a woman, he slept around with several while married to his first wife and he openly admits it. In fact he had a marriage license with this wife before he divorced the first wife. I am not a Democrat or a Republican but that doesn't impress me much. "

This is nuts wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:11 PM:

" R.I.P. Mathews and Olbermann, back to your old jobs, you were the most unfair and unbalanced reporters of this political season. It amazes me that a liberal network could figure that out. Oh ya, ratings says it all; does that mean most of the dem's get their information from FOX, or don't they watch TV.

That's a laugh for you B-Grrrr, FOX is where you all get your info, then you must change it and redistribute it, we're on to you!! "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:10 PM:

" If laughing at right wing rants is squirming, then I guess i'm squirming.

''Abc news radio 6:am- McCain ahead by 4 points and gaining speed!'' If this is what ABC news radio really said then I would have to believe there is no liberal bias in news reporting....''and gaining speed?'' LOL

Lets have a debate before we coronate any one shall we? "

JIm S wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:04 PM:

" Bill GRRRRRRRR, On CNN this morning two polls were shown and McCain was up by one pt in one and 7 in another. Women voters have McCain up by 12 pts. Not my poll but your loved CNN. "

Dew wrote on Sep 8, 2008 11:21 AM:

" Julie and M of 3.... I see all these 'women, that supported Bill.... as the Best President ever! The BEST! and yet you ddn't support Hilley.... remember all the women that went to GF to aee THE Messiah? Jsut telling it like it is.... I guess to M of 3 and Julie, I DID hit a nerve!

I want to ask you all how Obama could claim, for the last 4 months that he was the 'underdog'? Because he is Black? He told us that often enough! He brags about all the 'experience he has... then how can he be the underdog? He took a 'rockstar' trip to other countries (to gain support from them??) and he still claims he is the underdog. OK Obama, what is it.... are you so experienced and we know so much about you or are you the 'underdog'?

Right now, I think he can begin to clim that title! Go Women! Go Palin! "

This is nuts wrote on Sep 8, 2008 11:14 AM:

" Mama Mia, :), Quite a humerous comparison, unfortunately there are some realities tied to it. Obama and his supporters do think and treat him as a god, you know columns and all, and without a doubt he will fall due to the power of Palin.

Too bad though, he won't come back to life in three days, he's finished!!

It ammazes me how the democrats say the republicans lie and FOX News lies but in reality you can't even keep up with the distortion of fact the Dem's create.

This is so fun, the dem's are a squirming now!!! "

Julie wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:27 AM:

" Dew- How come your so upset? Did mother of three hit a nerve? "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:07 AM:

" Heard about a great tee shirt the Dems have put out to counter the sneering by Palin and the snickering by Guliani in their convention speeches about Obama's community organizer career. It reads: "JESUS IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER. PONIUS PILATE WAS A GOVERNOR." That says it all. I watched a great deal of the Republican convention and my big question is why are these people so angry? I've never seen anything like it! They've been in power for over 7 years. What the heck to they have to be angry about? (Maybe it was the crummy country music they had to listen to. . .) "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:46 AM:

" No thanks gg, another hit piece on Barack by Stanley Kurtz who is tied to Bill Kristol's Conservative Think Tank. Arent these the same guys who lied us into this war? 12 Billion of yours and my money per month. I'd rather read about ''The Maverick's'' involvement with the ''Keating Five'' and this new george bush with a bee-hive from Alaska who actually ''didn't'' sell that jet on E-Bay. Drink some more Kool-Aid gg! "

Sam wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:46 AM:

" To PoeticJustice: You make the comment:
"I don't know a single person -- Democrat, Republican or fence-sitter -- that thinks it a good idea to turn over the world's largest military to some unknown hockey mom from the back woods."
Is it because she's a woman? Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer and a one term governor, unknown to the US population, and we turned it over to him; as we did to Bill Clinton, also an unknown governor.
Also, I believe McCain is the candidate for president anyway, and no one seems to doubt his qualifications to lead the military. "

Amused wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:07 AM:

" Newsflash for Democrats- If you didn't see Meet the Press Sunday, you may want to watch the Re-run. According to Biden, Obama is "not" bringing your sons and daughters right home from war!!!! Talk about more of the same. Let the debates begin! "

Amused wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:15 AM:

" morning BILL G-A-R-R
Abc news radio 6:am- McCain ahead by 4 points and gaining speed!
Everyone with questions should watch Sarah's documentary- I pedict even Geraldine Ferraro (D)is going to vote for "her" "

harpua wrote on Sep 8, 2008 2:56 AM:

" Jesus camp revisited... "

Engr wrote on Sep 7, 2008 10:27 PM:

" Facts -

I just watched an interview by Conrad and Pomeroy saying Palin was a good Gov, but questioned her experience to be VP. It's just the same election year bs.

Rugby Reader -

Can you tone down your rhetoric just a little? What would you suggest we do? Just up and leave Iraq? Just leave Iran to spark more trouble? Let Al-Qaida and other terrorist groups over run a fragile Iraqi Government?

The debate if we should have gone into Iraq or not can be decided by the historians in the years to come. We are there, face it! We have a job to do, and we will be out of there in a timely manner WHEN THE JOB IS DONE, and President McCain pulls us out.

Oh, and one more thing, you might consider watching your use of "occupation." Some of us less critical and more patroitic Americans might call it a "liberation".

God Bless our Troops and God Bless the United States. "

gg wrote on Sep 7, 2008 9:36 PM:

" newsflash rugby reader, the troops are coming home and iraq is being turned over to the iraqi's province by province. bill gaar the polling data from two polls today show mccain leading. Now would anyone like to discuss mr. obama's political action with a group called ACORN? Look it up sometime, just google barak obama acorn. It seems mr. obama got his start community organizing with this group who on top of being anti capitalist and extremely left wing also practices fraudulent voter registration, registering of illeagals, registering dead people. So, this is the dem's candidate? A person who rather than let the will of the people speak will lie and cheat to get what he wants for his backing group? same old washington politics. Give me the war hero and the lady who sold the jet on ebay any day. "

PoeticJustice wrote on Sep 7, 2008 9:32 PM:

" The good-old Democratic congressional boys from ND have probably said about Palin what everyone else has said:

Who is this woman?

I don't know a single person -- Democrat, Republican or fence-sitter -- that thinks it a good idea to turn over the world's largest military to some unknown hockey mom from the back woods.

After the foreign policy fiasco and financial flops this nation has suffered during the last 8 years under George Junior, a wildcard 'maverick' spinning the dice is the last thing we need. "

Matt wrote on Sep 7, 2008 9:20 PM:

" A lot of criticism has been made of Sarah Palin's lack of experience. There are many CAREER politicians in Washington that I,m sure add up to lifetimes of experience altogether, so the way I see it, the way things are now with all that lump sum of experience, having a little or a lot doesn't matter very much, does it?

On foriegn policy, what is there to know? Treasure your friends and allies around the world and know who your enemies are, and make darn sure they know you know who they are! That shouldn't be too hard. "

Wolf wrote on Sep 7, 2008 8:53 PM:

" We are all multiple home owners now. Privatize profits and socialize losses, its the Republican way. The U.S. government just added $6 trillion in mortgage backed securities to our national debt to make the Chinese happy. That's great leadership. Republican or Democrat, vote them all out. "

Dew wrote on Sep 7, 2008 8:24 PM:

" Mother of three: Is Bush running for President? I din't think so but, apppartently you think so! I like the way the women on the left posting here always say, mother of three or mom of teens or mamamia, mom of three girls....as though that really cuts some ice! But never support a woman!
I still ask you all and none of you will tell me why you did not supoort Hillary Clinton when YOu knew that Her time in the WH would be the exact repeat of Bill's time? I guess one woman did answer me, she said she supported Hillary until Obama won... do I beleive her? Not really! How can you switch over to Obama when Hillary Clearly said Obama is NOT READY to be President! Heck, Obama said Joe Biden is not fit to be President.... and he picks him to be VP?
Hypocrites, all of them! "

Facts wrote on Sep 7, 2008 8:15 PM:

" Does anyone know what the good-old Democratic congressional boys from ND have to say about Palin? Or have they trashed her as well because she has a "R' after her name instead of a "D"? "

wally wrote on Sep 7, 2008 7:20 PM:

" Where's Sarah? "

ND Conservative wrote on Sep 7, 2008 10:41 AM:

" Mother of three you are right about that. "

ND Conservative wrote on Sep 7, 2008 10:33 AM:

" Dew; You can call democrats whatever you want. Just because I question the logic of constanly defending the republican party, regardless of what they do, does not make me a democrat. The fact is, alot of republicans seem to blindly follow the party.
In regards to "practicing what I preach," I do not understand how most republicans (or at least the evangelical arm) complain about government interference, than turn around and belittle other faith or even push a government endorsement of one religion.
I know there are plenty of conservative christians out there. What I refer to is the fact that today's republican party seems to attempt at holding a monopoly on christianity at the same time they place alot of value on war. Do you not see the inconsistency with the two ideas? "

mother of three wrote on Sep 7, 2008 10:03 AM:

" Are we better off than we were 7 or 8 years ago? John McCain didn't even mention President Bush by name in his acceptance speech. What does that say? Are the Republicans ashamed? McCain picked Palin because he wants to win not because she was the best pick for the job. I think our own Govenor Hoeven would of been a hell of a lot better pick than Palin. Our Govenor has served longer than any other U.S. Govenor and has done a great job. "

Dew wrote on Sep 7, 2008 8:34 AM:

" NDC ... so it is all right if we all say... Dumb-o-cats?

I guess your 'spelling' and your 'attitude' shows that you do not practice what you preach!

I think you are the one that calls some peopele 'Neocons' also. Here is the defiinition of a neoconservative:
neoconservatism
Version of conservatism that emerged in the USA in opposition to the liberal social and political attitudes of the 1960s. It advocates a narrow, patriarchal approach to morality and family life, extols the virtues of Western capitalism as a system that encourages individual initiative and freedom, and attacks the notion of the state as the promoter of equality and as a provider of welfare.

So how does that differ from your brand of conservatism? "

dante wrote on Sep 7, 2008 1:13 AM:

" the republican party has killed the common man..... stop the ignorant madness. regardless... all we want is to be... "

ND Conservative wrote on Sep 7, 2008 1:02 AM:

" To: wow-No, I spelled it correctly. "

Dew wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:35 PM:

" REX..... It seems not many people agree with you, the polls now are:
McCain ... 42%
Obama.... 42%

Why did Obama lose his 51% so soon? "

REX wrote on Sep 6, 2008 6:27 PM:

" 380 million people in this country and this is the best we can do? That is genuinely frightening. "

wow wrote on Sep 6, 2008 5:15 PM:

" To: ND Conservative
quote..." These rethuglicans are all the same. They are not conservative, they are not moral, they are certainly not christian."

How DARE you judge and categorize Republicans (you should learn to spell while you are at it!) as being not moral and not Christian.
Who ARE you to judge anyone? You are no better than them with an attitude like that!!
Heaven help us if this is the arrogant attitude we have to face in the Dems. And No, I am NOT Republican. "

ND Conservative wrote on Sep 6, 2008 3:22 PM:

" These rethuglicans are all the same. They are not conservative, they are not moral, they are certainly not christian. However, they will bring about the greatest religious intolerance that this country has ever seen. They somehow think they are smart enough to decide who is christian and who is not; even though they go off the old testament far more than the love and tolerance of the new testament. "

Rasmus wrote on Sep 6, 2008 2:01 PM:

" I've seen Sarah Palin before. She used to go by the name of Phyllis Schlafly, I think.
Seriously, these are the same "agents of intolerance" that McCain criticized 8 years ago before he went over to the "dark side" and sold his soul to Beelzebub Rove. The Republican dream of a theocracy is alive and well. As soon as we have a solid Republican majority on the SCOTUS, the US Constitution can be ignored and replaced by the King James version of the Bible. The Bill of Rights is easily shelved. McCain/Palin will decide who the "enemy combatants" are and if a trial or legal representation is needed. We have the laws in place for any Fascist wannabees. "

dante wrote on Sep 6, 2008 12:26 PM:

" and this letter from the Times-Dispatch, considering that McCain-Palin ALSO have adapted the "change" slogan...... who was it a warning against? ...and "change without asking"? things are going so well, now? if that's what they want you to swallow, i guess you'd think it. most know better. "

DANTE wrote on Sep 6, 2008 11:39 AM:

" dew, yeah, i know about cuba and castro. also about bush-cheney and THEIR imperial power grab. their new rule style must end with the ouster of the party they have defiled, along with their many enablers and partisans. recent history must not continue or be forgotten. eject the current occupiers of the white house., for the good of America and its law-abiding, freedom-loving citizens...... (how was that for AN "historical" comparison and analogy?.... was it just as good as yours, maybe better?) "

To Barbie wrote on Sep 6, 2008 11:21 AM:

" I was stating,I am a business owner and maybe I should pass on hiring women who have children.(from your comments,they probally won't be able to focus and give me 100%.) now what?
Dakota "

Dew wrote on Sep 6, 2008 10:41 AM:

" dante, Do you even know anything about the history of Cuba of how the dictator came into power? I do, I have read enough to know that Castro was a young man that promised the people 'change' .... and the people believed him! This is not just one man's story, this is the story of legions of people! That is why we have to learn history in school, did you sleep through history classes? "

Dew wrote on Sep 6, 2008 10:36 AM:

" Wally, again you put falsehoods out there.... just like Daily Kos and hand Huffington post! RE: 27 Million? Yo9u are just nmot too good at figures aare you?

The Plane was 23 years old! I don't know what the state paid for it, if they bought it new or if it was 10 years old when they bought it. Palin did not buy it!
Palin herself never claimed that the plane was sold on eBay. She SAID she put it on eBay. And she did. She listed the plane on eBay three different times, but unfortunately it failed to sell so in order to unload it she sold it to a local Alaskan businessman. The 23-year-old 10-seat Westwind II was sold in August 2007 for $2.1 million to a Valdez, Alaska, entrepreneur; thats about $300,000 less than a brokers asking price, according to news accounts.

So not only did Palin not lie, she did put the plane on eBay, her larger point about downsizing government for Alaskan taxpayers is absolutely true. She got rid of the plane.

And good on her for that.

Its this sort of shallow, baseless attack that is causing most Americans to rally behind Sarah Palin instead of join the liberals and the media (same thing) in their attacks on her.
Apparently the people of Alaska are happy that she sold the plane as she has about 76-80% favorable rating... "

what wrote on Sep 6, 2008 10:16 AM:

" To Dante - "anonymous" sources"? The story Jim S. provided was sourced well, not sure what more you wanted. It was a well written letter to the editor about one person's thoughts, no different or less worthy then your thoughts and opinions. "

nd wrote on Sep 6, 2008 9:56 AM:

" Propoganda comes from both sides.
How a person interprets it is ultimately up the individual. We are all being fed propaganda with the upcoming elections.
It is doubtful that all of the dirt dug up on Palin in the past week is factual either. "

dante wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:00 AM:

" JIM S---nice "find"....more cut and paste propaganda from "anonymous" sources.... who feeds this stuff to you? i worry about you, too. "

Jim S wrote on Sep 6, 2008 2:07 AM:

" Found this in the Miami Herald. Very scary

From Richmond Times-Dispatch, Monday, July 7, 2008 ~

Dear Editor, Times-Dispatch:
'On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba, and a few months later, I was
in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on
Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.

'I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year
rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In
the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were
right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least
receptive.

'When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the
old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his
friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the
farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all,
everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all,
everyone said, 'Praise the Lord.' And when the young leader said, 'I will be
for change and I'll bring you change,' everyone yelled, 'Viva Fidel!'

'But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns
went silent, the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone
was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time
everyone received their free education, it was worth nothing. By the time
the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him.
By the time the change was finally implemented, Cuba had been knocked down a
couple of notches to Third-World status.
'Luckily, we would never fall in America for a young leader who promised
change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will
it cost America?

'Would we?' "

wally wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:34 PM:

" Ok Dew, if the only thing you are going to argue with me on is the $197, let me correct that to $197 Million. Apparently you agree with me on the rest, since you did not go off on one of your rants about the mainstream media. "

Rugby Reader wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:53 PM:

" No way, no how, no McCain, no Palin.

No Republicans.

I am not a democrat. I do not support Obama/Biden. "

dante wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:39 PM:

" DEW-----go to sleep. you're starting to worry me. you're freaking out WAY too much over all this.. live your life, just give them your money and vote. LOTS of money. "

dante wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:35 PM:

" i hear Courtney Love was mccain's first choice. she refused. at issue over scruples or something like that. and she has the qualifications. NOW, nearly everybody does----- mccain is using the BUSH-Cheney Guidebook of New Bogus Political Protocol. first edition....Section 5----"Wool Over The Eyes of the Groupies" "

Dew wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:28 PM:

" wally:

$197 is not an awful lot of money! "

Kastromy wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:25 PM:

" What was up with the background while McCain was giving his speech? Why did he choose to have Walter Reed Middle School as the backdrop?

Oh, by the way, Obama ROCKS!!!!! "

Dew wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:21 PM:

" Obama's, GREAT SPEECH had 38 M viewers

Sarah Palin's had 37 M viewers

McCain's had 38 1/2 M viewers

Joe Biden had a whooping 24 M!

http://www.nysun.com/national/palin-speech-draws-more-than-40-million-viewers/85238/ "

Dew wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:12 PM:

" Jim S and Vetter and Arnie .... so nice to see you (and others) pushing the pins into the dems on here!
I am really enjoying this election season! It is going to get good! I dreaded it because I knew it was going to be nasty but, Sarah Palin did bring a 'breath of fresh air' into the picture!
Of course the Debs and the Dems and the Bills and the Amys hate her already! They just HATE.... just like they do Bush!

BTW.... Obama did not write his own speech! "

PoeticJustice wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:44 PM:

" As a dedicated Democrat, I'm delighted by mean, old McCain's V.P. pick of fresh, young Sharon Palin. This perky, pretty politician's sudden power grab announces to the Republicans in power the fact that . . . the Good Old Boy's Network just isn't any good anymore.

Sounding more like a loony liberal lefty than a Limbaugh fan, Ms. Palin wants to bust up Big Oil's monopoly on our economy. She believes the citizens deserve a share of those profits -- in the form of a timely rebate check! Can you dig it? And Gov. Palin has no patience for staying the course of a failed military mis-adventure.

Her political positions are so anti-establishment and consistently against the grain, it's mystifying that anyone could call this feminist a conservative in any sense. But even more amazing, Ms. Palin's plain-spoken, spunky determination to bust up the old guard is so pleasantly presented, Republicans coast to coast are actually cheering the little lady who heralds the death of their own grand, old party. "

wally wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:41 PM:

" "Thanks, but no thanks to the bridge to no where" - was for it before she was against it, but accepted the money and is building the road to this nonbridge.
"I sold the plane on ebay" "She sold the plane on ebay......and made a profit" she put the plane up on ebay but did not sell it on ebay, it was sold to one of her campaign contributors. Oh, and it was purchased for $27 million and sold for $21 million, profit? Must be republican accounting.
She claims she is a small town person, but her small town received $27 million in earmarks when she was mayor, thanks to Ted Stevens. And as Gov., she requested $197 from Mr. Stevens, just this year for 31 different earmarks.
Yup, she is going to change Washington. "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 5, 2008 5:23 PM:

" Garr is my last name. I got it from my father Francis who every time he said his name he would spell it G-A-R-R, whether you asked him to or not. "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 5, 2008 5:12 PM:

" Arnie, ''she will some day become the first female President of the U.S. She's that good. " Need I remind you Arnie, you just met her!!!!! You all knew McCain was in a free fall come Nov.4th and now your all jazzed because some little fibber got an hour of un refuted zingers and cheap shots off on national T.V.? Lord have mercy. Did you fall in love with the first girl you met Arnie? Take a deep breath lets get to know her a bit. Geez,...... President? "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 5, 2008 5:02 PM:

" Oh Siouxsy, I never whined that there weren't any lefty blogs. I simply pointed out that there are a plethora of warm and fuzzy stories about our new little fibber.

The paragraph on my last post was straight from your right wing nut job Dr. Laura herself.

And furthermore, It's not a rug! It's a very bad hair transplant! Get your facts straight O.K.? "

Home of the Sioux wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:52 PM:

" What does the G-A-R-R stand for anyway? I have an idea, but the Right wing Trib probably won't post it. Billy, no false report being pulled here, just merely a factual observation. Need I remind you of your post to the trib whining that there weren't any lefty blogs? Anywho, Palin obviously seems competent enough to put the GOP neck and neck with Hussein/Biden in the polls. And geez, your right BG, she should be barefoot and pregnant, in the home, cooking for her husband! What kind of person is she to try and advance her career? WOW man, you're really digging deep aren't you BG? I guess we'll see how much character she has when she mops up the floor with Biden's rug during the debates at the end of September! That is a rug he wears, isn't it? "

Arnie wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:22 PM:

" Let's face the facts. Sarah Palin gave Obama and Biden a swift kick in the groin, and they are still bent over in pain. The best response (very lame) they can muster is someone else wrote her speech (they all have speech writers). They'll recover eventually, but she stole their momentum and made this a real race. It will be very interesting. I didn't know anything about her, but she blew me away and I believe she will some day become the first female President of the U.S. She's that good. "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:15 PM:

" Oh Siouxsy, Are you really pulling that old canard out of the Rove playbook....."Oh the media is picking on me, it's not fair''. The only ones picking on her is Fox news and Dr. Laura.......

Im stunned - couldnt the Republican Party find one competent female with adult children to run for Vice President with McCain? I realize his advisors probably didnt want a mature woman, as the Democrats keep harping on his age. But really, what kind of role model is a woman whose fifth child was recently born with a serious issue, Down Syndrome, and then goes back to the job of Governor within days of the birth? "

Home of the Sioux wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:43 PM:

" LOL! Oh razor, you've got me in stitches! Are you sure you're in the right forum? I think you're looking for the Mountain Lion Spotted in Mandan blog a few stories down. Good luck my man! "

Razors Edge wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:23 PM:

" Jim S and Vetter:

You know Obama will win. He's promising to lower 95% of peoples' taxes, and give them more "free" money. Who wouldn't vote for that? Isn't the saying something like "As long as I don't have to pay for it I'll take it"? "

Home of the Sioux wrote on Sep 5, 2008 2:55 PM:

" What's the matter Billy G, a little bitter that your belove B-Tribune has a right wing bias. I'll tell you its refreshing considering that every other media outlet, ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, USA TODAY, Washington Post, New York Times, etc. has just an itty bitty tinge of a left wing bias! Try picking up the San Francisco Chronicle, you might find it a bit more your speed! "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 5, 2008 2:45 PM:

" Hey Tribune, Can you possibly cram even more warm and fuzzy Gov. Palin stories in your paper. Why don't you just come out and call the election already. "

Jim S wrote on Sep 5, 2008 2:04 PM:

" HEY VETTER, glad to see ya around. Can you believe the crap from these left blogers? Now more than ever I can't wait until November. McCain/Palin will bring the change that America needs and if things go well, that will all but guarrentee thr right will have the White House for 12 years. Just heard that McCains speach last night had 38.7 million veiwers to Obamas 38.4 million veiwers. If that is any indication of how the election will turn out, Obamas team can consider that a little moral victory because it will not be that close. "

Vetter wrote on Sep 5, 2008 1:53 PM:

" Amy wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:27 PM:

" Republicans worship the flag and ignore people.
Democrats support all of us. It is the communitarian standard vs. the single person on their own.

Amy; You spelled it wrong, it's communism... or Socialism....or Marxism...Take your pick,,,,, Obama will take you there for a personal tour.... "

Buzz wrote on Sep 5, 2008 1:30 PM:

" Who needs Comedy Central when you have the Republican convention to watch. The only "change" Republicans know is the kind they can put in their pockets. And the only "values" they're concerned about is the value of their money, and how to make more regardless of who they hurt in the process, poor, working class, children and the elderly. "

Home of the Sioux wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:02 AM:

" Harpua, its kind of tough to tell, but I assume you're speaking of the rhetoric (crap) that BHO (The Messiah) pitches to the masses (disciples). Would I be punctilious in my assumption? "

harpua wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:05 AM:

" Throw enough crap at the people and you'll get something that everyone will vote for "

NoDak John wrote on Sep 5, 2008 1:29 AM:

" Amy: There are honorable Democrats and there are honorable Republicans. The problem we have is with those of any party who are in it for all they can grab. If you are stuck on party labels, you are in for a very nasty experience because there are individuals in both parties who are evil beyond your wildest imagination.. I will give you a clue as to how to identify the creeps. Anyone who promises you something for nothing is a liar, a cheat and a thief. "

NoDak John wrote on Sep 5, 2008 1:21 AM:

" fp, Biden is a nasty little entity, and he revels in his evil, but he has met his match. She wont stand there like a stunned ox the way Dan Quayle did. When dealing with consummate evil, one needs to know the enemy and slap that creep down to its knees. Biden was foisted upon Obama by the East coast Bright Boys. Biden has his reward, and you want no part of it.
He has a track record, check him out. I find your comments a bit disturbing in that surely you are more able to think much more clearly than you have expressed. "

Dew wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:47 PM:

" Deb...Ol' Joe, is so brain dead..... I cannot wait to see Sarah eat him alive! I am going to enjoy this election like none other I have ever seen and, young lady, I have seen a lot of them!
Also what don't you undertand about the article that says Jon Favreau is Obama's speechwriter?
Here is another article: Note, the~ 'speechwriter' ~in it:

Jon Favreau has the worst and the best job in political~ "speechwriting"~. His boss is a best-selling author who doesn't really need his help, having written the 2004 speech that catapulted him onto the national stage. At the same time, the same boss also happens to be capable of delivering a speech in ways that can give his audience the goosebumps.

But Barack Obama is more than a little busy campaigning across Iowa and New Hampshire right now.
So it was~ "Favreau who led the team" ~that wrote Obama's victory speech in Des Moines last week
a moment that prompted the TV pundits to drop months of skepticism about Obama's candidacy to make breathless comparisons with the Kennedy era.

Now if you really read it you will see that Obamas did write his speech for the 2004 convention..... it took him months to do it!

"Four years ago Obama spent months " taken from this site:

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1837368,00.html

It took him MONTHS and YOU expected Sarah to write her own speech in 4 days time? "

Dew wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:30 PM:

" fp: Actually the people you saw outside the Xcel building running around in the streets were war-protesting Democrats! They were stupid kids, with nothing better to do than to try to disrupt the RNC. The DNC had them at their convention also.... or didn't you watch that? They looked the same, they just were more destructive here, and even tried to kidnap some of the delegates!
Keep trying to put untruths out there .... I will be here to despell every sinle one of them! i am going to sit on the computer and slam you and every other liberal or Bush hater or McCain/Palin hater everytime you tell a falsehood! "

fp wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:39 PM:

" Biden is going to eat her up like a chicken wing. There is nothing goin on in her head that is not fed to her by a group of writers. Can`t you see how phony this is?Look at these cretins,ghouls and gravediggers at the convention. Just a bunch of angry, rich white folks. They are so transparant. This is not the america I want. You have to remember these miscreants have held their power for 8 years and what do they have to show for it? Nothing..... Can`t you see this? "

Amy wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:27 PM:

" Republicans worship the flag and ignore people.
Democrats support all of us. It is the communitarian standard vs. the single person on their own.

If you have never needed anybody for anything then you are blessed. If you have never needed medicare for elderly parents, educational support for your children going to college, vet benefits, mortgage support (hello fanny mae!) then you are wealthy. The middle class and the poor survive because of the Democrats. The really rich take their money offshore and hide it from the IRS.

Jesus was a Community Organizer, and Pontias Pilate was a Governor. "

Barbie wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:42 PM:

" To: to DEW: I'm not condemning Palin, but as a woman and a mother, I am putting myself in her shoes and I just can't imagine trying to do it all when you have a newborn baby...especially a special needs child. I'm not trying to set women back, but there's a huge difference between a woman owning a business as you said, and running for the second highest office in the country. I'm all for women getting out there and doing their thing (I'm one of those that own my own business), but I personally couldn't have done it...and wouldn't have wanted to when my kids were tiny babes. Just thinking aloud, not trying to offend anyone...especially women. "

Impressed... but not swayed wrote on Sep 4, 2008 6:14 PM:

" As an independent voter, having watched much of the Democrats show and most of the Republican show, I can honestly say there is little about the show in St Paul that gives me any reason to believe in anything coming out of any of their mouths. If Meg and Carly are the best they can do on that front, I'm sorry ladies, you should stay in whatever boardroom will have you. As for the self-indulgent attacks, its more hubris in the absence of anything of substance... oh, except John is a war hero. Rah, rah, rah. We all respect that about him but its been said ad nauseam and, frankly, it is really irrelevant now anyway... besides it isn't like he volunteered to be captured and become a POW. Its part of the job description and a real risk every enlisted man in a combat zone faces. Thank you John for serving our country, but lets talk about what your possible presidency would mean to the country. By your own boastful admission you've supported more than 90% of Bushes policies... if you're a leader, why would you embrace failure?
Anymore, I don't know what you stand for... in 2000 running against Bush you were a totally different man (and perhaps even a "maverick") than you are now. You've conflicted yourself so much to the right wing extreme of the Republican party, you can't be trusted. As for your running mate, Sarah Palin: there's no denying she's a rabble rouser, but unfortunately, other than slinging the same slime that Rudy and the others in the bitter cadre of also-ran neo-cons and pompous celebrity right wing media, she really had nothing substantive to ad to the argument that John McCain is fit to be president. Fact is, I just can't see (and certainly wouldn't want) a hockey mom (lip stick and all) sitting across the table from the Putins, Ahmadinejads, Jintaos, or Olmerts of the world negotiating arms, proliferation, trade or peace, on my behalf. Girlie... you're Bush league in their company.
You're cute, spunky and admirable... but, presidential you are not. "

To Amy wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:33 PM:

" your comment."At least the Democratic Party kept it upbeat and hopeful." Did you watch the same convention I did???? I sure didn't see the Democrats chanting USA --USA---USA, at all...it was all about themselves and how Bush was the same as McCain (Carter = Obama)..
Did they even honor the flag at their convention?
Dakota "

Deb wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:31 PM:

" Regarding the debates: sure, she'll have a few well crafted notes & one liners (written for her) to glance at, but there's no way that she'll hold a candle to a man who has been debating for almost 40 years.

I seriously can't wait to see it. "

Deb wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:29 PM:

" Dew: Favreau is Obama's editor. That means that Obama writes his speeches and Favreau suggests changes and sends them back. It's a 2 way street. Palin doesn't write her speeches. "

To Dew wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:28 PM:

" Good job on trying to keep ND Conservative in check, way too much CNN for these folks, where do they get the mislead info from? I'll say it again, sometimes smart people say stupid things when they don't have anything else to say...
Barbie, is your comment aimed at setting women back 100 years?, maybe as a business owner I should avoid women for the same purpose as you stated in your comment..now what?
Dakota "

Razors Edge wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:27 PM:

" Does no one remember the "West Wing"? I always thought they did a good portrayal of what happens in the White House. I believe in the show Bartlett had two full time speech writers with many more who critiqued. You don't think the same thing happens in the Obama camp or the McCain camp?

I don't care if a candidate writes one word in a speech or all of it, and neither should you. What you should care about is if its about the issues, and if the candidate believes what they are saying. I see a lot of hypocrisy on both sides. That's what should worry you. "

harpua wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:08 PM:

" I'm convinced now that republicans would vote for a block of cheese if it was presented to them. "

Dew wrote on Sep 4, 2008 4:37 PM:

" DEB: DEB.... Obama had no problem reading off HIS teleprompter! But, Sarah did, as the teleppromter was not working! Did you see the coverage? She had no notes in front of her when she began to talk! I understood that they had not gotten it all set on the telepromter because of everything going on, speeches being switched around, etc with the problems with Gustav in LA and MO.
Did you notice that half way through the speech, she had pages in front of her, not pages that looked like they were kept in a file all day but, they were kind of wrinkled. If she was reading off the telepromter, why did she have notes in front of her? She had to ad lib a few times, like when she joked about the Hockey Moms: What is the difference between them a a Pit Bull? 'lipstick'
She did a great job and any one tht says she didn't should try to step into that spot..... It is easy for Omama, he has been talking in front of people since he first decided he was going to run for president12 year ago!
Here is a link to what happened: ttp://www.redstate.com/diaries/redstate/2008/sep/04/breaking-sarah-palin-winged-her-speech-bec/
Of course we are always going to have the lefties come out and attack this also just as they have done Palin and her 17 year old daughter! What else would one expect!
Did Sarah look like she was afraid to take on either Omama or Biden? NO!

I cannot wait to see her take Ol' Joe down! "

JIm S wrote on Sep 4, 2008 4:37 PM:

" To NDC, 1/2 the time I DO live in a trailor house. Except they are my perminate fish house and my 5th wheel camper. If I had it my way, I would live in then full time. That would mean I could camp and Ice fish 365. "

Jim S wrote on Sep 4, 2008 4:07 PM:

" Amy, this is the world we live in, get over it. What scares you libs more, a real woman in real power of last night your "rock star" was outted. Obama is nothing, Hillary and Biden said it best before they all the sudden desided otherwise. Oh and yeah, so she red off the teleprompter. So what. It wasn't even working and she has to ad lib and the way she delivered it, do you actually think they just gave her a speach and said here? get real. "

Dew wrote on Sep 4, 2008 3:59 PM:

" ND Conservative: Barack Obmas did not write his own speech.... NONE OF THEM DO AND ANYONE THAT THINKS THEY DO DON'T HAVE ANY BRAINS!
Jon Favreau wrote the speech and here is the link:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/84756
So, now I do not want to hear one more time that Obama is so smart that he wrties his own speeches! If you have ever heard him talk one on one.... listen to him on Bill O tonight: It would take him 6 months to put a one page speech together and make it sound like something he didn't just drag out of the garbage !
In fact I will do you one better, here is the part that tells it was a TEAM that put the speech together and Jon Favreau led that TEAM!
"But Barack Obama is more than a little busy campaigning across Iowa and New Hampshire right now. So it was Favreau who led the team that wrote Obama's victory speech in Des Moines last weeka moment that prompted the TV pundits to drop months of skepticism about Obama's candidacy to make breathless comparisons with the Kennedy era."

OK all you Obama worshipers what you got to say now? "

Amy wrote on Sep 4, 2008 2:36 PM:

" She Scared me!
Could she have been any more contemptuous or snide?
She overtly lied about the bridge to nowhere and wasn't inclusive in the least.
Am I the only person who is tired of infighting and parties going to the basest behavior? At least the Democratic Party kept it upbeat and hopeful.

Could Giuliani have been more hateful? Is this this world you want? "

Barbie wrote on Sep 4, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Like I said before, I really liked her, but it does make me stop and pause to think about how she's going to juggle a newborn baby, a 7 year old, plus three other kids and the campaign trail. I know some say it's sexist to even bring it up, that it's never an issue with men, but I remember my kids at that age, and there's nothing that would have made me want to spend so much time away from them. I guess it's all about priorities and it does appear that she has a very supportive husband who will most likely pick up the slack where the kids are involved, but I can't imagine doing something like that when my kids were that little. "

ND Conservative wrote on Sep 4, 2008 2:25 PM:

" Obama actually wrote his own speech, which is why he will make a better President. "

Deb wrote on Sep 4, 2008 2:20 PM:

" to "to Deb" : the big difference being, of course, that Obama can stand behind what he orates as being his own ideas and words, and moreover, what he says can be backed up in fact. Palin, not so much. "

Sarahr wrote on Sep 4, 2008 2:04 PM:

" Nothing but, the same old BS---last week and this week ...nothing but, bashing each other....don't talk about any of the issues...just trying to talk and act big in front of the voters....neither one of them have proved to me yet why i should vote for either one of them. Hopefully, talking about issues before November...or i will just have to vote for everything else and leave the presidency blank or do a write in. "

To Deb wrote on Sep 4, 2008 1:42 PM:

" Sounds a lot like Obama if you ask me "

Deb wrote on Sep 4, 2008 1:33 PM:

" as a friend said "she sure is really good and reading a teleprompter"

I cannot WAIT for the debates. She will be chewed up and spit out by Joe Biden "

Razors Edge wrote on Sep 4, 2008 1:28 PM:

" Tribune:

"She cuddled her 4-month-old son, Trig, and waved at the adoring crowd like the beauty pageant contestant she once was."

I think that's a little bit of a low blow. I mean that's the best you had? But I will agree that we don't know enough about her past. So everyone don't get too caught up in her yet. If she's legit I'd vote for her. But then again she is a politician, and they've all let me down. "

Loved her wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:25 PM:

" She was like a breath of fresh air in the world of politics. Everyone wants change and she is a step in that direction. Intelligent, excellent communicator and experience as a mayor and a Governor. All great qualifications for anyone running for office. "

Barbie wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:19 PM:

" I was somewhat skeptical of McCain's choice of a running mate, but was blown away by her speech last night and the way she handled herself. She's a very likeable down to earth person and that's what McCain needed in this election. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. It's exciting that history will be made in this election whether it's the first black president or the first woman vice president. "

JIm S wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:32 AM:

" CAn't wait until Novemeber. Now more than ever I can't wait until all the debates. I look foreward to haveing McCain in the White House and Palin next door. America will stay a great place to call home. The left has no answer for Palin and this could be the start to another 12-16 years of Republicans in the White House. OH this is So exciting!!!!!!!!!! "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:04 AM:

" She is a Washington outsider and will remain one because she will be residing in her home state of Alaska for a long, long time. "

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