Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Don't be seduced by TV persona

Don't be seduced by TV persona

Sep 19, 2008 - 08:51:30 CDT

By DIANE CHIELENS/Bismarck

In her column of Sept. 10, Julie Fedorchak praises the qualifications of Sarah Palin for vice president. Fedorchak touts Palin’s experience as a mother of five, a PTO member, mayor of a small town, governor of Alaska and espousal of conservative views as qualities that suit her to the second-highest office in the land.

The initial popularity of the unknown Palin is based on a single speech read from a teleprompter given at a highly-orchestrated convention. Once again, we see many Americans drawn to cast a historic vote based on superficial qualities of a made-for-TV persona that they interpret as being like them.

In the first interview that the McCain campaign allowed her to give, Palin revealed a lack of understanding of world affairs that is truly shocking.. Here is a person who would be in-waiting to a 72-year-old cancer patient in the Oval Office, who says that if Israel were to launch a nuclear strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, the U.S. should not “second guess” such an action.

There are Alaskan politicians now speaking out about about Palin. A highly-regarded former Anchorage mayor and governor from 1994 to 2002, Tony Knowles, states that Palin has demonstrated a pattern of using political office to settle personal scores and gaming the system to pad her lifestyle. It is now known that by claiming Juneau as home, although she lives in Wasilla, Palin has billed the state for $17,000 a year for meals. An investigation is ongoing of her alleged abuse of office for pressuring her safety commissioner to fire her ex-brother-in-law, and she has directed $95,000 of state money to be spent on her legal defense. One Democratic consultant recently told a reporter that he wanted to remain anonymous because Alaska is a small state, and “Sarah takes names and numbers.”

We would do well to closely examine the records of all candidates for high national office, and not be seduced by an unvetted, made-for-TV, telegenic “hockey mom” image.

News > Opinion

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Comments

dante wrote on Sep 27, 2008 10:53 AM:

" WHY???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 27, 2008 12:06 AM:

" Economic Conservative........How dare you attack the media?!?!?! That was pure and simple a hatchet job on Sarah Palin! Did you see how Katie Couric asked those simple questions?!?!?!? .... By asking these questions, it was so obvious that Katie was attacking her! Did you hear those pre- screened questions that Katie was trying to trick her with? it's no wonder Sarah looked so goofy. Enough with the harmless questions that make Mrs. Palin appear to look unprepared. I [BILL G-A-R-R] am going on record, ...This woman is very capable of taking my order and delivering me my fleishkeckla and kenopfla soup, period!!!!! I hope she doesn't leave Krolls for Washinton D.C.. "

Economic Conservative wrote on Sep 26, 2008 3:29 PM:

" Katie Couric exposed Palin for what she really is, an incompetent, unqualified Vice-Presidential Candidate. After watching Palin fumble through the questions on Foriegn Policy and her comparing Alaska's trade with Moscow, if I hadn't felt so sorry for her, I would have been laughing out loud. The poor woman has no business in national politics. She needs to stay a hockey mom. "

Bis. Dem. wrote on Sep 26, 2008 2:07 PM:

" BJB & Dew:
I'm sure both of you have NEVER had a slip of the tongue? I do it daily. But God forbid a Senator could do that. Do you REALLY believe that he doesn't know? Look at DUBYA!! His slips of the tongue have been in the THOUSANDS & THOUSANDS and this idiot if the Commander in Chief?! What a joke.. And Dew.. who's opinion is it that Biden's voting record in the senate has been "the longest running record of being wrong?" Yours & yours alone!! If you truthfully believe that 27 years of working with BOTH Democrats & Republicans in the senate doesn't constitute being experienced, then what does? Don't you think that's a bit of an outrageous statement? Come on.... "

Can someone tell me wrote on Sep 26, 2008 1:03 PM:

" Last night I heard that 125 Million or billion not sure which, was going to farmers in Africa in this bailout. Has ayone else heard this? I'm sick of all the attachments to these bills. For once, just once I really wish that both parties would do something that is right for the people. "

REX wrote on Sep 26, 2008 12:56 PM:

" BJB, my 14 year old doubled up as well. Joe Biden is the victim of a Ted Kennedy educaction bill. "

Dew wrote on Sep 26, 2008 11:56 AM:

" fp.... Me thinks you don'tknow what youa re talking about! McCain picked a very good running mate, one that can out debate Joe Biden by a mile.... he has no clue what is going on! Palin is a Breath of Fresh Air in my humble opinion and my opinion is just as important as yours! Obama has pulled out of ND... that means he has given up winning in ND , since Palin got on the scene.
Obama went to WA to make sure there are billions of $ for his pet preject, ACORN in that Wallstreet Bailout package.... no, his name is not on it but we all know that it was and is one of his pet projects! Money for ACORN in a bailout package? We have to let our ND people that represent us know that we are not for this!
Obama is going to be the worst thing for this country..... Palin is going to help McCain get elected and I am so glad! Google "money for ACORN in wallstreet bailout"
How much money in PORK does Biden have in that bill? How much PORK money does Murtha have in that bailout? "

BJB wrote on Sep 26, 2008 6:15 AM:

" Hey Bismarck Dem: Do you know what is really SCAREY? With all of Biden's 27 years of experience, he doesn't know who was president during the Great Depression or that they didn't have television back then. When Biden made those ridiculus statements to Katie Couric my 12 year old son laughed out loud! "

Mike wrote on Sep 25, 2008 11:14 PM:

" Why bother debating here.. there isnt anything anyone can say that will make you say mccain has done one thing right "

fp wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:16 PM:

" Mike, in case you haven`t noticed this election is THE most important one ever. This is an epic struggle and the fact that McCain is playing tricks is a startling tell on what kind of leader he would be. What has happened to this man? The fact that he chose Palin to be his running mate is nothing short of contempt for the average american.She is the worst choice he could have made. This decision to cancel the debate is akin to bush cancelling his St Paul appearance because of the hurricane. This stinks to high heaven and I think the republicans are finding out that they can`t run and hide anymore. McCain is a disgrace, he should bow out and take "endtimes barbie" with him. They love that power so much it has corrupted them to no end. "

Dew wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:03 PM:

" Bis. Dem. Biiden has the longest running record of consistantly being wrong in the Senate. For how ever long he has been in there. He knows nohting about USA History as I already pointed out! Why would he know anything about anything else? "

Dew wrote on Sep 25, 2008 8:59 PM:

" MamaMia: Will never answer a question. Makes an acusation and then refuses to say what she really means. Of course that is natual of most of the Democrats on here. Grabbing at staws. Why are you so afraid of her? I guess if Obama had been as smart as you thought he was, HE would have picked a woman running mate, hmmmm? "

REX wrote on Sep 25, 2008 5:21 PM:

" I think "dave" has a very valid post. I honestly don't think it is the white people who are not ready for a black president. It is the black citizens who are not ready. "

Bis. Dem. wrote on Sep 25, 2008 4:14 PM:

" AMEN Diane!! Wonderful article... And NO, Palin doesn't "scare" most of us about her recent popularity, what "scares" us is the fact that she could possibly be the 2nd in command of the strongest nation in the world!! Now THAT'S a SCARY thought!!!!! No, Biden doesn't have any experience. Only 27 years in the United States Senate. But who's counting?! "

Economic Conservative wrote on Sep 25, 2008 3:49 PM:

" As this blog clearly shows McCain/ Palin has quickly lost it's luster. ANyone besides me wondering why the Palin is suddenly shunning the media? COuld it be that she is not as polished as we were first led to beleive and McCain is 1) clearly unhappy with some of her outspoken views, and 2) Palin has no skills in forming unreherashed answers to questions she can't see comming. If Palin isn't ready to face the media, how can she possibily be prepared to run this nation? "

Mike wrote on Sep 25, 2008 1:36 PM:

" To BILL G-A-R-R :

The first reaction to truth is hatred. Your comments were filled with it. Ofcourse people like you will always find something wrong. Whats wrong with what McCain said, he wants to postpone a debate on foreign policy to take care of business at home, if it was a debate about economy sure lets hear from the candidates because we are in a dire situation, what is Obama worried about? That he will forget what he studied for next week?. If McCain isnt going to be there what is Obama going to go debate? Probably debate himself and vote present one more time! And yes I would rather have a governor of Alaska be my president than someone who has 1 speech in 04 and some community service to show for as she has 2 more yrs of experience that Obama has! You said leader of the free world, it will never be a free world as long as people think and hate like you do! Learn to love first before you hate!Hatred paralyses life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.(Martin Luther King Jr.) "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 25, 2008 11:14 AM:

" Hey Dew? Is it OK if our brave troops call a ''time out'' when things are going badly? Your candidate seems off message and scrambly of late. Are you sure he's OK? He's just blurting out nonsense at inopportune times and that swelling of his face just doesn't look healthy. Even a $5000.00 make up job can't hide how sickly he looks.
Anyone starting out a sentence with''Guys and Gals..'' better be reading me lunch specials. Are you really ready to have that lady from Krolls Kitchen to be leader of the free world? Thats a gamble you are ready to take? Win at all costs, no matter what? Party before country? "

Dew wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:17 AM:

" Bill: Just proves that McCain is the TRUE leader! He said begore he would rather lose the election than to lose the war.... same goes here!

Obama is still 'studying up' on foreign polidy! I thought he knew all there was to know! Maybe he will get some pointers from Old Joe, since he knows more about forein policy that he does about the USA! Still ROFL "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 25, 2008 8:17 AM:

" Dew: Pick one. Or ask people in Wasilla. "

Dew wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:20 PM:

" obviously, from her speeches, the minister failed miserably.

Are you trying to say she IS a witch or that witches are after her?

I think that choosing between the two VPs, I will take the one that knows about the history of the USA... Biden thinks Roosevelt was on TV in 1929 talking about the fall of the stock markets...... lol Get a grip Dems, you got your self a REAL winner there! LOL.... ROFLMAO.... AGAIN! Biden the man of CHANGE! "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:55 PM:

" DEW: And Palin's minister "cleansing" her of witches on TV tonight -- it doesn't get much sweeter. . .obviously, from her speeches, the minister failed miserably. "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:22 PM:

" What an absolute fraud Mr McCain has become. Obama calls him and suggests they come out with a joint statement on the bail out and McCain trumps him by saying it was all his idea. Now he wants a ''time out'' and suspend the debates after falling 9 points behind in the polls. You really picked a winner here. His VP choice now has pastor problems of her own with none other than a witch doctor. She can't be asked the most benign questions without them telling us she is being attacked. In that case she belongs on a shelf with the rest of the glass figurines. And to top all of this off he's as vain as that worm John Edwards. I guess you can put lipstick on a pig, to the tune of $5000.00 make up job. What a fraud. "

dave wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:43 PM:

" wally,

I don't need an excuse....if Obama wins we move forward. In the same breath, if McCain wins we move forward. "

Dew wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:08 PM:

" Ms. Diane, I can see your got all your mis-information from the liberal bloggers on the internet!
I agree we should all check into the people that are running for President! Look at who they deal with. Look at Obama's pastor, his Friend Bill Ayres the terrorist. His good friend Tony Rezko.... on and on it goes..... "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:24 AM:

" REX, I can't tell you how relieved I am that you didn't shoot the poor dog in the butt! Owner, ok, dog, no way!! :>)) "

brad wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:01 AM:

" Wal, watch tv would ya. He has been interviewed several times since taking the nod. Most recently Tom Brokaw. "

wally wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:48 PM:

" dave start practicing your excuses for when Obama is elected
1. it was the mainstream medias fault
2. it was the drive by medias fault
3. it was the medias fault
4. it was the medias fault
5 - 50 it was the media fault "

GOP Corruption wrote on Sep 23, 2008 7:41 PM:

" Thank you Diane Chielens for speaking honestly about this issue. The last thing we need is another ordinary American running the white house like that Cowboy Bush. I remember the GOP saying Bush is someone "we all could relate to and would want to have a beer with". After 8 yrs of failure I think we could use a little more intelligence when picking our president. Maybe someone who was the head of their class at one our nations top colleges.....Harvard Law School. That sounds a little bit better than a below average McCain who graduated 894 out of 899 (beating 5 people out of 900 in academics) at the US Naval Academy. It took Palin 6 years at 5 colleges to get her degree. I'd like to see the grade point average. Don't we have the right to know that? We would if we were hiring them for a job at a corporation. I'm guessing neither McCain or Palin's grades point average is flattering. "

REX wrote on Sep 23, 2008 5:59 PM:

" Mama Mia, That was a very intelligent and tolerant posting from you, I appreciate it. But I never said it was the dog that got shot in the butt. I think the guy was a moderate. "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:17 PM:

" REX: And that's what makes the world interesting. Your life experiences have led you to a certain way of looking at the world, as have mine. Every single thing you write in your post I could easily attribute to Republicans because of my way of thinking and my life experiences. It doesn't necessarily make you right and me wrong or vice versa. It's just that we look at the world differently. Just because we do, though, doesn't mean we have to be enemies or hate or insult each other. (As you and I don't.) My very best friend at the place I used to work was an ardent Republican and oh, what we did together for the good of our organization and our fellow employees! It's amazing what people of differing viewpoints can do when they know how to listen, respect each other and work for the common good! But I'm still mad at you for shooting that poor dog! ;>)) "

REX wrote on Sep 23, 2008 1:20 PM:

" Mama Mia, Precisely why I won't ever vote Democrat. I question their integrity, honesty, patriotism, intelligence, mental and emotional health, motives, common sense, morality. They stand for and represent NOTHING I believe in. After sixteen years of the Democratic party's BS and attempts at sabbotaging this nation, their obvious disrespect for the American citizen and political process, their blatant attempts to lose the war against terrorism, their PATHETIC approval record, their miserable education bill, their quick and decisive action with the econmy which raised gasoline prices from $2.18 a gallon to $4.00, the mortgage crisis and dunder heads like Nancy Pelosi, why ask why? "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:32 AM:

" Dave: I would like to think that if Obama or McCain wins or loses it will be because more people agreed or disagreed with their policies and ideas, and not because of ageism or racism, so give it a rest. "

dave wrote on Sep 22, 2008 4:21 PM:

" Mama Mia, dante and others,

Start practicing your excuses if Obama doesn't win.

1. Everyone who didn't vote for Obama is racist.
2. Republicans didn't let all the black people in the inner city vote.

Ready, begin. "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 22, 2008 1:06 PM:

" Dew, if we had a qualified woman VP candidate from North Dakota who was also a Democrat, I would vote for her. I won't vote for a woman who does not reflect how I think and how I see the world. "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 22, 2008 12:50 PM:

" Dew, I was only quoting what my friend wrote me. I didn't read an article about it. It's still good to see that good people are telling her in no uncertain terms that she does not speak for them. "

Dew wrote on Sep 22, 2008 12:47 PM:

" MamaMia: and Diane, (whom is not from ND) I guess if we had a woman from ND that was running for VP.... That had been asked by a very strong memeber of Congess that felt this woman was a good person to work with him to lead the USA, (on either side of the party) don't you think most women would be proud of this woman and be proud that our state produced such a strong leader? Would it not be an honor to have the first woman VP from this state? Just wonder. "

Dew wrote on Sep 22, 2008 12:37 PM:

" dante: I guess they lowered the bar for Presidents when they allowed Clinton and Cater to run! I don't think you have to worry about being asked to servein any capaacity as Obama is not going to win. Trying to pretend you are a Republican would not work.... Dem is writton on your forehead!

MamaMia: Where did you get the notion that "thousands" showed up? I think you better email your friend and tell her she lied! I hope you do notice the word
HUNDREDS in the article:
Anchorage Daily News: http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/525008.html

"Hundreds" of people protesting the policies of Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin lined a busy street on Saturday, waving signs and chanting, "Obama!"
The protest came about two hours after Palin delivered a rousing speech at Anchorage's new convention center before leaving the state to return to the campaign trail. "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:06 AM:

" Dante: Would you please consider this my application for Secretary of Education? I have a baccalaureate degree in English. But I can't see Russia from my house! "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 22, 2008 9:03 AM:

" I just got an email from a friend in Alaska. A few women over coffee decided to have an anti-Palin rally in front of the Anchorage library. They put out the word as best they could and thought if they could get 25 people they'd be doing well. Apparently, rallies aren't big up there. Well, thousands turned up-- men, women, childern alike with all kinds of homemade signs. One of my favorites was "Bush in a skirt". Another was, "Voted for her once. Never Again!" Interesting that she is getting that much animosity from her own state. It will be an interesting election to follow. "

dante wrote on Sep 21, 2008 6:58 PM:

" im seriously thinking of taking off my MC Hammer pants and posting under a different name, kissing up to the Mccain-Palin camp(in the event they win) so i can get me one of them cabinet posts or advisor positions that I NOW seem to meet/EXCEED with my exquisite qualifications i have outlined earlier. my wife works in the local motor vehicle dept, she would make an EXCELLENT Secretary of Transportation. and i WILL bring Courtney Love with me as a personal advisor. yeah, thats the plan.... "

Economic Conservative wrote on Sep 21, 2008 1:24 PM:

" Dew, Drew. Dew, your emotions are overshadowing your good judgement, ala Sarah Palin. I agree that it's none of our business what her daughter does, but when running for national office, you and your family are under a microscope. So, Palin knowingly threw her daughter into the public eye. Great family values. As for the rest of it, it's public record. "

dante wrote on Sep 21, 2008 12:46 PM:

" rasmus----Spears for VP? .....i'd take Courtney Love over her anyday......EXPERIENCE......... "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 21, 2008 12:06 PM:

" Hi Dew, why do you make me do such asinine things such as this? here are 6 sites out of 100 that you can go to see how bad McCain and Palin are at misstatements. Geesh give it a rest.
www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11939.html - 177k - www.baltimoresun2.com/talk/showthread.php?t=158941 - 126k www.debatepolitics.com/bias-media/33841-cbs-scrubs-secod-mccain-flub-interview-broadcast.html - 95k www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=23602927559&topic=5419 - 24kwww.ireport.com/docs/DOC-83487 - 94kdigg.com/
politicsdigg.com/politics/Top_10_of_McCain_s_Misstatements_and_Outright_Deception "

Dew wrote on Sep 21, 2008 10:45 AM:

" Economic Conservative: You can throw all this mud without even knowing the truth! If I had done this to Obama YOU would be the first one to scream! If 'someone' had hacked into Obama's email.... you certainly would have been the first one to yell! But, you can put lies out there, as though it were fact! Shame on people like you!
As for her daughter being 'thrown into the limelight' It is NONE of your business what she or her daughter do with their private life! I guess you never had sex at 17, hmmmmm even though you knew your parents would not approve? I bet you didn't smoke or drink or do drugs either? (Like Obama did) The records are there for the people to investigate, they don't even need to have all these people there. It has always been open but, when politics comes into the mix, it is a different story! The Democrats are so afraid of Sarah Palin they WILL stoop to using dirty tricks! "

Economic Conservative wrote on Sep 21, 2008 9:26 AM:

" Let's look at Sarah Palin now that we know a little about her. Family values: will throw a 17 yo child with questionable decision making skills into the public limelight for personal gain; emtional stability: allegedly used her public power to have her ex-brother-in-law fired from a state job due to a custody battle with her sister, law abiding values: is now refusing to cooperate in an investigation into her using her public office for personal gain, economic policiy: favors using lobbiest to secure millions of tax payer dollars for small town benefit. Palin is just another "tell the public what they need to hear" corrupt politician. If this is change, we are all in for another four long years of Bush politics.On the other hand if tax and spend is the answer, Obama is the choice. Either way we all lose with these two choices. "

Dew wrote on Sep 20, 2008 9:11 PM:

" Liberals: If the Dems don't have anything to worry about, why ARE you attacking Sarah Palin?

If any of you want to watch a very funny video,,,, Google:

Barack Obama - Gaffe Mania I
Barack Obama - Gaffe Mania II
Obama lost without a teleprompter
Don't worry, does not way a thing about how Obama thiks there are 60 states in the USA.... Those words only comes from people that attend Harvard, right?
Here is that one, Google:
Obama Claims He's Visited 57 States "

Rugby Reader wrote on Sep 20, 2008 8:15 PM:

" Let's throw our support behind the Nader/Gonzalez campaign. The TV media is completely ignoring them.

Nader/Gonzalez 2008 http://www.votenader.org

http://ivaw.org "

wally wrote on Sep 20, 2008 7:13 PM:

" You sure can put it out there, but you can't take it. A little panic setting in? "

Rasmus wrote on Sep 20, 2008 4:44 PM:

" Dew, Sarah Palin is the best thing to happen, to Dems, this season. McCain can drop the argument that experience is crucial now. Palin comes across as just another Repub, refusing to testify, when first saying she would. The Palins sound like Bush/Cheney the way they pried into personnel files to get dirt on her former brother-in-law. People are tired of Repubs who ignore subpoenas. The idea that a anti-choice, creationist, right-winger would be an acceptable choice for women who backed Hillary is ludicrous! Brittany Spears would have been a better choice for VP. "

IT HAPPENS wrote on Sep 20, 2008 4:10 PM:

" HUH? thats funny the polls dont seem to show the Dems have anything to worry about. McCain popped up in the polls for a whole 2 weeks because of Palin and the convention thats no doubt, but ONLY because she was so unknown. The more people learn of her the bigger that lil poll gap will get for the Dems..In case you missed in they are up by 3-5 points in most polls AGAIN... For that whole 2 weeks some people were like a kid with a new toy, but like most kids they get bored easily and the novelty wears off. "

Dew wrote on Sep 20, 2008 4:07 PM:

" Meagan wrote on Sep 19, 2008 10:13 PM:

" Gov. Palin is an inspiration to under achievers everywhere, just like Dubya! Six schools in five years to get a BA in journalism...that's what it takes to run the country! "

I guess when Meagan becomes Governor of our state .......lol

Meagan I have seen a lot of Educated Fools!
(4) "

Dew wrote on Sep 20, 2008 4:02 PM:

" Bill, I did explain how the switch to Dew came about, and I know you read it, Because you said you took your meds! (3) "

Dew wrote on Sep 20, 2008 3:01 PM:

" Fear is showing up in all the Democrats faces and letters! FEAR of Sarah Palin!
They all thought Obama had it in the bag.... and now it is just fading.....
Obama was a 'Rising Star' two years ago and no Sarah Palin is one they just cannot stand it! Just keep up the attacks on Sarah Palin.... It is only helping her, not hurting her! The fact that Sarah Palin does have an 80% favorable rating in Alaska as their governor means nothing to people like Diane Chielens.

' The Star' picked, for his VP an old white man, who has been in congress for 36 years... and Obama's message is: CHANGE LOL!

BTW ... if Bill is counting this is 2 "

News editor wrote on Sep 20, 2008 2:54 PM:

" Dew is correct; the DW post came from a different IP address.

I believe there has been a fair amount of harassment on both sides, so please keep it civil. Submitting posts you know we're going to delete is just wasted effort for everyone. "

Dew wrote on Sep 20, 2008 2:41 PM:

" BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 19, 2008 2:10 PM:

" DW, are you changing names again? First it was Dewdrop, then it was Dew now it's DW. Pick one and stay with it., you aren't fooling anyone! Same old rhetoric same old hyper hate, same old misspellings, Same old DEW! "

On- line Editor: I request that you check to see if my posts come from the same computer as the DW post did! I am tired of Bill harassing me all the time! I did not even read this comment section until just now! I would politely ask you to tell him he has no right to harass me constantly!
Just a note to Bill, get over it.... I am here to stay! "

IT HAPPENS wrote on Sep 20, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Oh kenny you mean kinda like how all the lil George Bush oil people make TRILLIONS right? I have actually heard about that lil story and frankly it sounds like a bit of a stretch by the McCain camp but I dont see how one has to do with the other. Hes not standing in the way of any investigation IS HE? Besides I think McCain has his own demons to deal with, Let us not forget his connection with Keating in the S&L scandal and disaster, and now with Phil Graham in banking deregulation. For every scandal issue the that the Reps bring up they seem to forget their are 5 scandals pointing back at them "

GMAR wrote on Sep 20, 2008 2:11 PM:

" When I first read the tltle of this letter I thought it was going to be about Obama.

CS they probably want the investigation to take place after the election for the same reason Obama wants troops to remain in Iraq until after the election; it makes them look better. Call it what you will but if she laid down the left would say she is too weak...she stands up and fights and the left says she's the same as the other republicans. We're all learning that she isn't a patsy - she'll give Biden a run for his money in the debate. "

kenny wrote on Sep 20, 2008 12:26 PM:

" To it happens:
That is the problem Obamas scandels don't get publicized by the way left media.
The media has picked there candidate and that is all that is to it. Nbc cnn would never report on the facts of obama. Do you know his top economic adviser made 90 million dollars in six years at fanny may oh and by the way he was appointed by clinton. Bet you didn't here that fact. "

IT HAPPENS wrote on Sep 20, 2008 11:04 AM:

" When it comes to Palin, you can't ignore the Facts, Palin is NOT cooperating with the investigation and now anyone who is involved with it has shut their mouths too. Same ole game plan from the right side. I love how they cry that shes being attacked. Ummmmm lets see we've had almost 2 years to dig up stuff on McCain and Obama. Now 60 days before the election we get a little known Sara Palin? And you don't think its ok for the media to be in a rush to find out everything they can about her? Get a grip! If she can't deal with the scrutiny she has no business even being in there. You Reps didn't care who she even was, didnt take the time to find out anything about her. They just slapped a big red "R" on her back and you all stood up and cheered "OMG SHES THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD!" As an independant neither side impresses me but the McCain/Palin ticket doesn't impress me at all. Can you imagine if Obama had a scandle like this going on and wasn't cooperating? OH MY GAWD you would all have him crucified by now. You can almost hear Rush and his ditto heads having a hayday with it but because shes a Rep she gets a pass, RIGHT? "

kenny wrote on Sep 20, 2008 10:05 AM:

" to Diane:
Your letter says don't be seduced by T.V. persona. The way that your letter is written sounds like your a big cnn and nbc watcher. Talk about depressing networks and spinning the truth. "

REX wrote on Sep 20, 2008 8:40 AM:

" Don't watch TV. Period. "

CS wrote on Sep 19, 2008 11:46 PM:

" You can put lipstick on the Republican party and it is still the Republican party! Why is Sarah Palin and the Republican party saying to hold the trooper gate investigation until after the election? The public deserves the truth before the election. I get a kick how the elephants tout her executive experience and the two senators on the other ticket have no leadership experience. Well then why is the just the VP canidate, she evidently has more leadership skill than the old man she is hiding behind, just give her the presidential nomination! Vote for McCain because he backs our president Bush! That's a winning combination! "

Independent Conservative wrote on Sep 19, 2008 11:16 PM:

" Rugby Reader, I believe I just found common ground with you per that last post. Let's bring our forces home from foreign soil we've no business on. "

Rugby Reader wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:42 PM:

" By the way, we occupy foreign land such as Kosovo because the current occupant's administration is following the Clinton play book of foreign policy. The best hope for the United States is to remove our military forces from foreign soil.

Ron Paul advocates this, and so does Ralph Nader.

McCain and Obama both support status quo, war as usual.

http://ivaw.org "

Rugby Reader wrote on Sep 19, 2008 6:37 PM:

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

Nader/Gonzalez 2008 "

Halatbis wrote on Sep 19, 2008 5:27 PM:

" To Momof2: You don't see any vitriol coming from the Left and Democrat side? What do you see in the very letter to the editor that accompnies these postings? Perhaps you see these as truths; whereas anything said about Obama are viscious lies and dirty ads?
What will you think when the details about Obama's relationship with Ayers (the 1960's terrorist/bomber), or the money people who financed his "education", or the nice house and land deal from Rezko? Take a look at it. "

Momof2 wrote on Sep 19, 2008 3:26 PM:

" I am just curious as to why some people keep referring to Obama as the Democrats' "messiah". I don't believe Democrats themselves came up with that comparison. I have heard the "messiah" references only in the media and from Republicans. Amongst my many republican and democrat friends, I have yet to hear a democrat refer to Obama as the messiah, or anything to that effect. Trying to walk the middle road here and make an educated and informed choice, I have to say I see far more mud-slinging from the Right side. It's amazing. It never ends. In addition, I don't see much fear at all (of Sarah Palin) from my democrat friends. It seems to me more that they are shaking their heads and laughing, than running scared! "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Sep 19, 2008 2:10 PM:

" DW, are you changing names again? First it was Dewdrop, then it was Dew now it's DW. Pick one and stay with it., you aren't fooling anyone! Same old rhetoric same old hyper hate, same old misspellings, Same old DEW! "

factchecker wrote on Sep 19, 2008 1:58 PM:

" Just so you all know. The current Federal regulations for collecting per diem from a government job is that you must have travelled at least 50 miles from your office and remained away from your residence/office for a period of ten hours. Then you would qualify for a three quarters (3/4) of a day's per diem rate. I don't know what the Alaska per diem rate is but would guesstimate it would be around 60 dollars per day. At 3/4 rate that would be approximately $45.00 per day. More that likely the Alaska state system has a similiar per diem rate. Being a State Governor she probably traveled often and would have qualified for the rate. While I'm sure Obama's people are hot on this story and the facts will emerge, I'm guessing some are coming to the too early conclusion that this was an improper billing of the state. I would caution all to with hold judgement until you have the facts. "

The other side of the coin wrote on Sep 19, 2008 1:34 PM:

" NDGuy and others, my information is based on several recent polls taken yesterday Thursday September 18, 2008. These opinion polls were conducted by CBS News/New York Times; NBC/Wall Street Journal; Washington Post/USA Today. Further information comes from a variety of national newspapers. Obviously the only polls that will matter will be the one taken in November when we vote for Electoral College votes. Right now the polls seem to be very volatile because of the ongoing Wall Street debacle and McCains two-decade support of deregulation; something that he has now changed his tune on and Palin has lost the bounce she had during and after the Republican Convention. "

NDGuy wrote on Sep 19, 2008 11:56 AM:

" Sarah Palin a liability? Then why the acid attack from the dems and their buddies in the media? If she weren't getting to you and if she weren't making a major positive difference in the campaign, the Democrats would be ignoring her just like the Republicans ignore Joe Biden (most of the time unless he comes up with a whopper like he did yesterday). OH, we're going to remain positve in this election and character attack and race, and family and gender are all out of bounds for campaign rhetoric, so says lord Obama the great. Unless of course it's directed at the Republicans. "

Grumpy Old Republican wrote on Sep 19, 2008 11:48 AM:

" MamaMia, you made me spew Mountain Dew on my computer and monitor with that one. Good thing it's still working hours or it would have been beer...and we all know alcohol abuse is bad. "

SE Forty wrote on Sep 19, 2008 11:45 AM:

" You people will still vote for whomever the repubs put in there. It just happens to be an old man and a woman. I said this in 1999 and now it happens again. Now when your child comes home in a casket from an invasion of another third world country that has NOTHING to do with terrorists or when your 401k is nothing but a few cents then I will tell you again that you deserve this because you will not look at FACTS but simply listen to limbough and fox news. "

Razors Edge wrote on Sep 19, 2008 11:25 AM:

" Wait you want to talk about image? This from the same people who say "Jesus was a community organizer. Pontius Pilate was a governor", and then say Palin is the religious nut? "

MamaMia wrote on Sep 19, 2008 10:48 AM:

" No, Grumpy, I don't think she's quite up there with Obama and the miracle worker thing, but I did hear that screechy voice of hers has been known to open garage doors up and down the streets of Wasilla! ;>)) "

Rep wrote on Sep 19, 2008 10:46 AM:

" To wal
You should watch tv more. Biden stated in an invertview that he and Obama want to take money from the rich. That is any one making more then $250,000 a year and give it out to the poor. Whne asked why. He siad it is time for the rich to show thier patrism for the country. This letter shows how worried the Dems are. Palin is an unknown and it scares them. If you watch the news you will see that they are all for Obama and do not give balanced time to the Republicans. They find everything bad they can out about McCain and Palin and put it onthe air. This news paper in even unfiar. "

Emily wrote on Sep 19, 2008 10:41 AM:

" I think that Palin's popularity "scares the crap" out of Democrats because it is shocking that such a gimmick has been this successful. She is not remotely qualified for the position, and just because she is a cute hockey mom doesn't make her a good candidate for VP. "

DW wrote on Sep 19, 2008 10:40 AM:

" Of course the Democrat wanted to remain anonymous he doe snot want his foolishness to be exposed when they figure out that these left wing smears are false. Why did you not report that the invesitgators also uncovered thousands of dollars of expenses that she could have claimed and charged the state for but didn't? BECAUSE YOU ARE A SHAMELESS SHILL FOR THE DEMONCRATS! "

dave wrote on Sep 19, 2008 10:05 AM:

" And yet, with all of the alleged scandals you speak of ......she is cleaner than your buddy Biden. "

The other side of the coin wrote on Sep 19, 2008 10:03 AM:

" It is looking, as Sarah Palin is becoming a liability not an asset for John McCain. Polling has indicated she has helped McCain only among Republican base voters; there has not been any evidence of any significant increased support for McCain among white women in general. Creating enthusiasm among the base is not much of anything, as these voters would have voted for McCain anyway. A more moderate selection of VP would have improved McCains standing among independents. Polling indicates that voters who like her do not think she is necessarily qualified to be President upon the very possible death or disablement of McCain while in office. Also more then one-third of the people who like her think she was a cynical pick intended to help McCain win the election instead of, in an emergency, becoming President and performing the task well. Finally McCains pick of Palin totally wiped out his argument that Obama was too inexperienced to hold the office of President. Now I notice that some in his campaign are referring to the Republican ticket as the Palin/McCain ticket. That has to be terribly shattering to McCains ego. Then there is the problem of Troopergate and how Palin is handling it. She and her husband have refused to testify to the state of Alaskas senate judiciary committee, even when subpoenaed. This will only remind voters of the shenanigans of the current Bush administration. "

give us a break Diane wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:58 AM:

" Another Democrat trying to "educate" everyone else. I think we can make our own decisions, attacks like yours are uncalled for and sounds like you might be running scared for your candidates. The people will decide and it won't help your cause to write this kind of garbage. "

paladin wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:44 AM:

" One would hope that we here in ND could have avoided this nonsense, but such is not the case. How about just a few fact checks. A "highly regarded former Anchorage mayor and governor, Tony Knowles" is a tried and true Democrat. No wonder he would have unkind things to say about Palin. Perhaps the letter writer could have disclosed that political association. Next, Palin claimed expenses she was entitled to under state law, did not claim some expenses to which she was entitled, and claimed fewer expenses than her predecessor. Next, saying Palin directed $95,000 in state money to be spent on her legal defense is intended to imply wrongdoing. In fact, outside counsel was initially hired to represent the Governor's office to avoid a conflict with the state AG's office. This is not an unusual thing to occur. And last, there is no, repeat no, evidence that Palin "pressured" her safety commissioner to fire the (ex-brother-in-law) trooper. In fact, Monegan (the commissioner) said exactly that one more than one occassion. The story has changed now of course given the extensive political and media attention. Monegan was a at-will Cabinet appointee of the Governor and could be fired for no reason or any reason. It is documented that he refused to cooperate with Palin's budget directions, conducted press conferences with the opposing political party leadership, and independently pursued his own department objectives. Imagine what the public would think if that were to occur here. And as for the trooper - which is an unfortunate sidelight to this whole story. That would be the trooper, still on duty, who tasered the Palin's nephew, threatened to "put a bullet in the head" of Palin's father, and engaged in illegal activity while on duty. Again, all documented and part of the public record. So, please. If you're going to tell a story, as Paul Harvey would say, tell the "rest of the story" too. "

NDGuy wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:34 AM:

" Biden was interviewed yesterday and basically said if we don't pay more taxes we aren't patriotic. Keep 'em coming Joe. Shows where the dems are coming from. Tax and spend the old liberal Kennedy philosophy is still alive and well in the Democratic Party. I'm tired of sending my money to DC with nothing to show for it in the end except a few more scandals and lying hypocrites spending my money on pork barrel projects back home. "

Independent Conservative wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:30 AM:

" As an independent, I must say that, based on her lack of experiece, I am disappointed Palin is apparently considered the "best" choice for a veep pick. Nonetheless, Ms. Chielens, you've a lot of nerve making this an issue about Palin while failing to say the same about Obama. You tip your biased hand in failing to make his even greater lack of experince than Palin's an issue. "

Halatbis wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:17 AM:

" Diane: Let me guess; you are pro-choice, you have never voted for a Republican or Independent, you believe that government has the solution for all social problems, and that Republicans and Conservatives are just a bunch of meanies who are bent on keeping the "little people" down.
Oh, and one last thing---you read the Left and Liberal blog sites and believe. "

Grumpy Old Republican wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:15 AM:

" More fear from the left. If Palin's popularity didn't flat-out scare the crap out of the Democrats and their howlers, there wouldn't be this type of a feeding frenzy going on. She has energized the GOP, much like the new messiah has done for the Democrats. However, I don't think the GOP has Sarah walking on water and healing lepers just yet... "

wal wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:14 AM:

" When is Joe Biden going to be interviewed? Are the Dems afraid of what he might say? :) "

excellent point wrote on Sep 19, 2008 9:12 AM:

" I agree entirely with your basic point. Found this sentence very interesting: "The initial popularity of the unknown Palin is based on a single speech read from a teleprompter given at a highly-orchestrated convention." Hmmmm.....who else does that remind you of? Perhaps Obama at the 2004 Democratic Convention? Truth is, all of our candidates are too much image and too little substance. Obama, in particular, is the most slickly-packaged candidate I've ever seen. It's all marketing. His message of "change" is completely hollow, yet people are falling for it. Neither of the two major parties will actually change Washington. "

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