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Mush!
September 03, 2008 11:53 PM
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin brought her rhetorical dogs over the finish line of the political Iditarod tonight, delivering a winner of an acceptance speech, despite whatever obstacles of doubt existed before tonight.
"It was just a year ago when all the experts in Washington counted out our nominee (Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.) because he refused to hedge his commitment to the security of the country he loves," she said, setting the stage for a "how-dare-you-you-media-snobs" address. "With their usual certitude, they told us that all was lost -- there was no hope for this candidate who said that he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war. But the pollsters and pundits overlooked just one thing when they wrote him off. They overlooked the caliber of the man himself -- the determination, resolve, and sheer guts of Sen. John McCain. The voters knew better."
Palin talked movingly -- and in a way, many women, and men, can certainly identify with -- about her family. "Our son Track is 19," she said. "And one week from tomorrow -- September 11th -- he'll deploy to Iraq with the Army infantry in the service of his country. My nephew Kasey also enlisted, and serves on a carrier in the Persian Gulf."
The speech, well crafted and largely written by former Bush White House speechwriter Matt Scully, was effective.
"I was mayor of my hometown," she said. "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," she said in a clear jab at Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., "I might add that, in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening. We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.
"I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. But 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. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people."
Palin was very much tonight the local-mom-made-good, the take-charge woman underestimated by the clueless local boys in their last mistake before losing power.
"I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing," she said. "And today, that ethics reform is the law. 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. That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay. I love to drive myself to work. And I thought we could muddle through without the governor's personal chef -- although I've got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her."
Not everything she said was as it seems. She said she told Congress "thanks, but no thanks" on the Bridge to Nowhere, but the truth is a little more cloudy.
She was an attack dog tonight. "We've all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers," she said of Obama. "And there is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs, but not a single major law or reform -- not even in the state Senate. This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word 'victory' except when he's talking about his own campaign.
"But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed ... when the roar of the crowd fades away ... when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot -- when that happens, what exactly is our opponent's plan? What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet? The answer is to make government bigger ... take more of your money ... And to give you more orders from Washington ... and to reduce the strength of America in a dangerous world."
Palin said that, "In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change. They're the ones whose names appear on laws and landmark reforms, not just on buttons and banners, or on self-designed presidential seals."
- jpt
September 3, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (370)
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Woody, read the post on this Political Punch-blog "Michigan Independents Cold to Alaska Governor".
Two posts down the line
Posted by: Willem van Oranje | Sep 4, 2008 11:18:18 AM
Woody: "The line item for the AK Challenge Youth Academy line item was simply moved"
I stand corrected. That appears to be the case. I'd like to know why it was moved.
Posted by: Willem van Oranje | Sep 4, 2008 11:11:59 AM
For those that don't get it, this is not about being a female Candidate. It is about leading the greatest and most powerful Country in the free world. A Country with tons of Enemies that are waiting for the appropriate time to strike.
A country with declining economic fortune, a Country with Mortgage crisis, a Country that is unprecedentedly more vulnerable than ever.
There is no sexism in this, it is only commonsense.
I could remember that the same Gov. Palin said of HRC during the Dems Primaries that HRC'S whinning about sexism disgusts her.
Now the table has turned and she is shamelessly complaining of the same thing she accused HRC of doing.
Posted by: owen jacob | Sep 4, 2008 11:08:14 AM
To owen jacob:
Check all the blog sites in America and the world? Can you please be a little more specific? Which blog sites, please? I'm anxious to see what the world thinks.
Thanks in advance!
Posted by: Woody | Sep 4, 2008 10:51:25 AM
All the talk on the morning shows is how Palin SUCCESSFULLY hit Obama where he set himself up to be toppled. Obama is the JOKE OF THE DAY!
Posted by: irma | Sep 4, 2008 10:38:09 AM
concerned in OH,
You are not making much sense.
What Upper-cut?
I urge you to continue to live a world of deception. Check all blogsites in America and around the World and see the fool your party has made of itself by giving such an hateful and gutter speech.
My heart actually went out for all those People in that hall cheering while such Speech was being read from the Telepromter.
It makes me remember battles between Rappers. I had to pinch myself to realsie that it was actually a political Speech I was listening to.
It is so pathetic that with her degree in Journalism, she allowed President Bush's Script writer to write such a dumb speech for her at this time when Americans are hurting from the maladmnistration of G.W Bush and Cheney.
Posted by: owen jacob | Sep 4, 2008 10:31:48 AM
To Willem van Oranje :
The Special School spending was in no way cut 62% from 2007 to 2007. The line item for the AK Challenge Youth Academy line item was simply moved from the Special Schools sub-group to its own line item under K-12 Support. The money is still being spent on the same programs, it's just in a different area on the spreadsheet. But hey, don't let facts and sloppy research get in the way of your idealogy.
Posted by: Woody | Sep 4, 2008 10:09:05 AM
Hazel Johnson is the community activist who got the asbestos removed in Chicago. Obama just took the credit for her work. Obama is an empty suit AND a liar.
Vote Sarahcuda and McMaverick for REAL Change!
Posted by: marylou | Sep 4, 2008 10:06:45 AM
To Albert:
Let's see ... shrill, harsh and divisive. Reminds me of similar criticism for a different female politician we've heard in the past. And heaven forbid anyone criticizes Barack Present Obama (I know we can't use his middle name so I'm using something "neutral"). Seems like when a woman is critical she's shrill and divisive, when a man does it he's tough and resolved. Same old cliches.
And she's unqualified to be VP because she's only travelled overseas once in her lifetime? How often did Bill Clinton travel overseas before he was president, not counting the time he didn't inhale at Oxford? What about Obama? I know he was recently shamed into going to Iraq on his way to his European campaign, and I know he went to Africa in 2006 but apparently could not find his long lost brother. What other stamps are on his passport and what's the significance? What's the point?
Posted by: Woody | Sep 4, 2008 9:59:25 AM
"The whole world is in love with the Palin family. God bless America!"
Hahaha.
It's pretty clear that you have no idea how our allies in Europe think of fundamentalist christian right-wing family as the Palins...
What me struck, as an American who spent 9 months of his life fighting a senseless war in Iraq, is that NO ONE at the Republican mentioned talked about our war in Afghanistan, or even mentioned it...
Republicans, shame on you!
Your leaders are cynical, populist, hollow puppets of Big Corporate Interests and REALLY nothing else.
In the meantime friends of mine are fighting the Taliban and Al Quaida in Afghanistan, risking their very own lives for the security of the US and the rest of the world.
And Palin, Giuliani, Romney?
THEY DO NOT CARE ONE BIT!
The only good thing about it: the millions of Americans that are the movement that brought Obama to where he is today, are FURIOUS after this horrifying GOP convention and more than ever FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!
Posted by: hank | Sep 4, 2008 9:50:13 AM
Willem van Oranje, if you really want change in Washington D. C., then push for term limits. As long as we have senators and representatives who remain in office 20-49+ years, you will never really have change. These "old dogs" are set in their ways.
Posted by: James Danley | Sep 4, 2008 9:47:36 AM
Obaman writes:
"Sarah's talking to you won't bring America out of the ditch w'ere in with the mortgage crisis,inflation and overall quality of life.Perhaps you've inherited a heirloom thats why you don't feel the pain of the angry guy on the streets,even in small town America.It just won't cut it.Not now.Not tomorrow.Not even a mere wish."
Why so angry, Obaman (or should I say Olberman)? When I graduated high school I had $100, a deceased mother, an out-of-state father and an acceptance letter to the state university. I also had a plan to get that college degree even if it meant working three jobs while doing so, which I did. You need to ask yourself what you can do to improve your own situation. I'm not saying it's easy. Sometimes you have to work really, really hard for something if you believe it's worth it.
Posted by: Woody | Sep 4, 2008 9:45:57 AM
Marylou:
Sarah talks to you by talking down on Obama and deeming the role of community organizers everywhere. She is not ready for the white house, period. She is too naive for the job, having only travelled overseas once in her life. That won't cut it.
Posted by: Albert | Sep 4, 2008 9:41:00 AM
I think she's great. As far as i'm concerned, anything or anybody who can keep Oblahblah out of the White House is great.
Posted by: clarabow | Sep 4, 2008 9:40:58 AM
To Brooklyn Democrat:
Thanks for the reminder. Immediately after the Palin speech Obama's camp released a statement about McCain voting with Bush 90% of the time, blah, blah, blah. It's the exact same line they've been spouting and repeated here for about a week. That tells me they were certainly caught off guard by tone and content of the speech and couldn't muster a substantive retort on the spot. They couldn't turn the words of an unqualified hockey mom and mayor of Podunk, Alaska against herself. Doesn't that concern you?
Posted by: Woody | Sep 4, 2008 9:36:09 AM
Owen jacob, you wrote: "Can you see the hypocricy of a Governor, who was against the teaching of Sex Education..." Actually GOVERNOR Palin said that she was against "explicit" sex education and the distribution of contraceptives in schools.
Now then you say that GOVERNOR Palin was not the best pick for Sen. McCain's running mate. Was Sen. Biden the best pick to be Sen. Obama's running mate???
Finally, you say that Sen. McCain did not consider the future of the country in selecting GOVERNOR Palin. Actually he DID. Sen. McCain strongly believes that he is the right person to be president the next four years. You can agree or disagree with that, but that IS what he believes. And in order to become president, he must win the general election. Sen. McCain selected GOVERNOR Palin because she will energize the Republican Party which increases the odds that he can win the election. Clearly he was right on the first part. Yhe Republican Party is, indeed, energized. We will have to wait until November to see if an energized Republican Party is up to the task of turning out the vote.
Posted by: James Danley | Sep 4, 2008 9:35:18 AM
I agree with Palin on some issues (smaller government, lower taxes, energy policy) and disagree with her on others (social issues), but last night I liked her. She's feisty and real. This Clinton supporter has a lot to think about...
Posted by: Nancy | Sep 4, 2008 9:34:32 AM
ObMan:
Her speech was indeed shrill, too harsh and very divisive for a newcomer to the political scene. She brands her self a bulldog. We need more of unifiers than bulldogs in Washington. The necons did a lot of bull dogging, where did that land us? McCain won’t win with her on his ticket. She sounds very vindictive. That's not good
Posted by: Albert | Sep 4, 2008 9:33:37 AM
"Sarah's talking to you won't bring America out of the ditch w'ere in with the mortgage crisis,inflation and overall quality of life"
Sarah sent $1200 to the citizens of Alaska. Obama just keeps asking us to send him more money. He won't even let us have tax relief for gas prices calling it all "gimmicks", but it's not a gimmick if we send it to him.
It's pretty clear who the Candy Man is in this race.
Posted by: len | Sep 4, 2008 9:29:23 AM
Marylou,
Sarah's talking to you won't bring America out of the ditch w'ere in with the mortgage crisis,inflation and overall quality of life.Perhaps you've inherited a heirloom thats why you don't feel the pain of the angry guy on the streets,even in small town America.It just won't cut it.Not now.Not tomorrow.Not even a mere wish.
Posted by: ObaMan | Sep 4, 2008 9:24:01 AM
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