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Indicted Hometown Senator Poses Problem for Sarah Palin

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August 31, 2008 5:15 PM

ABC News' John Berman and Ursula Fahy Report: It’s clear who Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be supporting when it comes to the presidential race, after all she is on the ticket. The bigger question is who will she vote for in the Senate race in her home state. Embattled Republican Sen. Ted Stevens faces a tight race against popular Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. And as of now, McCain campaign aides will not guarantee that she will endorse the senior Senator. Of course, perhaps more telling is that they won’t promise she won’t endorse him either.though the antithesis of reform, is an icon in Alaska politics.

So what is the problem? After all Stevens is her fellow Republican. Well, the problem is Ted Stevens is under indictment. Stevens, a Senator for 40 years, has come to embody Washington’s love for pork-barrel politics. And this July he was indicted for allegedly lying about gifts he received.

The endorsement issue highlights Palin's complicated, and not always acrimonious relationship with her state’s controversial senior Senator.

At the time of Steven’s indictment, Palin, who likes to wear the mantle of a reformer, said, "News such as this rocks the foundation of our state." But she continued, "Senator Ted Stevens has dedicated his life to the betterment of Alaska. I share Alaskans' concern and dismay at this turn of events."

In that one statement you can see the opposing political forces at work. Palin wants to be a reformer, but seems to have a hard time distancing herself too much from Stevens who,

Palin has not been shy about bucking at least some of the GOP establishment in Alaska. Remember, she unseated a Republican governor in a primary fight. And in the recent congressional primary she endorsed the opponent of longtime Republican congressman Don Young. But all that only highlights her seeming unwillingness to buck Ted Stevens too much. She pointedly did not endorse any of Stevens recent opponents in his Republican primary. It is impossible to know whether an endorsement from Palin would have swung the election one way or the other. Stevens won easily, while in the race where Palin did fight the establishment, they are still counting ballots.

More complicated history: in Palin's 2006 race for governor, after she ousted Governor and former U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary, Stevens withheld his support for Palin. But Palin was locked in what looked like a tight race in the general election, and three weeks before the election, Palin welcomed a Stevens endorsement, even releasing a campaign commercial of the event, featuring Stevens offering support of Palin, with Palin smiling mightily in the background.

One other bit of telling video: in July of this year, Stevens and Palin held a joint news conference, denying that there was any political distance between them. This was at a time before the indictment, but after an FBI raid on Stevens home, and after the scope of the investigation of Stevens was clear.

Earlier, Palin had called on Stevens to be more open about the details surrounding the investigation, but at this joint news conference she said:

"I have great respect for the Senator. He needs to be heard across America. His voice, his experience, his passion needs to be heard across America so that Alaska can contribute more."

When asked about specifically about whether Palin would back Stevens in upcoming race, Ben Porritt, a spokesman for the McCain campaign said, "Governor Palin has a record of reform. It was one of her signature issues when she ran for office. And she has a record of accomplishment in office."

Indeed, Palin helped push through key ethics reform in Alaska. And it is clear she now opposes one of Steven’s pet projects, the so-called Bridge to Nowhere (though past statements show she supported it initially). And it is even clear that Palin is not afraid to fight entrenched Republican interests in Alaska. What is less clear is whether Palin will take a definitive stand for or against Stevens before November.

August 31, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (418)

User Comments

Who cares..

Posted by: Kathy | Aug 31, 2008 5:18:07 PM

She's a nutter! Anti-science, anti-choice, pro-death, pro-oil, and pro-abuse of power. This shores of the Christian radicals in the country, but we will not be duped again. Science and reason will not be crucified for these archaic beliefs.

McCain fails to grasp that Sen. Obama is not the change, his approach to governance is. Obama is, and has been through the continual republican slanderfest, cool calm and collected. He is the product of some of our highest institutes of learning and has demonstrated great judgment regarding foreign affairs, energy, the environment and reform. His economic positions are not based on punishing business, but by bringing balance back to our economic systems. When business rules government and makes their own rules our power, the power of our great citizenry, is corrupted and the nation suffers.

McCain, this election is about vision. It's about harnessing our innovation and intelligence, about aspiring to causes greater than the short-sighted gains of bloated bureaucrats, lobbyists and their constituents. We want to rebuild our electrical grid and develop our renewable resources so that we can free ourselves from foreign energy. We want to renew our standing in the world and reinvigorate world politics because we understand we are not alone in this world and that not only are the world's problems are ours as well, but that they require more than bravado to solve. We want to provide the basic underpinnings of a smoothly functioning democracy; education, health and opportunity. And yes, it will take hard work and sacrifice as we strive towards these goals, but I for one am willing.

McCain, you my friend are still looking behind you, and while your choice in Palin is to be acknowledged as a step forward for the republican party, your policies and approaches to governance have failed. Hillary Clinton is a great woman, Palin pales in comparison, and your nod to her as your VP is indicative of your cynicism and disrespect for the American people and women in particular. To use the women's struggle as a divisive political tool is disturbing to say the least, and I have faith in the daughters of America to recognize your long record of sexism in both your political and personal life.

Posted by: A slap in the face | Aug 31, 2008 5:27:59 PM

there is also a deleted video where they appear for her reelection. much has been deleted about her over the past few days, and epeople have been finding it in web archives.

Posted by: kravitz | Aug 31, 2008 5:30:53 PM

John McCaint principal, but foolish, quality in a VP is someone who shares his views. (Not someone ready to be President)

In Pollen, McKeating does find someone who shares his incompetent bush views:

McCaint giggled when Senator Clinton was styled as a 'biacth' by his supporter.

And Pollen ALSO giggled when senator Lyda Green is styled a 'biatch' by her supporter

I cannot imagine Senator Obama entertaining such indignities from a supporter against an opponent and government leader, especially against a female leader.
Can you?

Posted by: Patriot | Aug 31, 2008 5:36:45 PM

What worries me most about Palin is her environmental policy (especially regarding drilling in the ANWR). I think it is evermore important for us, as consumers to support 'green businesses' that benefit the environment. For example, http://www.simplestop.net stops your postal junk mail and benefits the environment.

Posted by: Clark | Aug 31, 2008 5:38:37 PM

Hey ABC idiots, running scared like all other democrats huh?

Posted by: Steve | Aug 31, 2008 5:39:16 PM

Another who cares?....isn't Rezko being sentenced Sept. 2? And where is Rev. Wright.....have they got enough info on Bill Ayers? WHO BLOODY CARES ABOUT PALINS VOTE FOR OR AGANIST STEVENS?
Never B. Hussein
McCAIN/PALIN

Posted by: Debra | Aug 31, 2008 5:39:41 PM

Who cares about her associations? Just look at Obummer's friends. Rev. God damn America Wright, Sleazebag under indictment Rezko, drug use and gay relationship, Michelle I hate America,..
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what a creep Obama is!

Posted by: Ed | Aug 31, 2008 5:40:19 PM

Thank you Ed.....we are in total agreement

Posted by: Debra | Aug 31, 2008 5:41:12 PM

Hey Debra...did you see the time on our last entries? We were thinking pretty much the same thing at the same time!
You know a lot of others were thinking it too!

Posted by: Ed | Aug 31, 2008 5:42:46 PM

Oops...we did it again! c ya later....

Posted by: Ed | Aug 31, 2008 5:44:29 PM

This compares to Ayers and rev wright?

Posted by: Jr Ewing | Aug 31, 2008 5:51:01 PM

"Intelligent design should be taught and let kids debate both sides" Palin 2006

Posted by: doug | Aug 31, 2008 5:52:34 PM

What a bunch of ill-informed blather!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2008-07-24 20:59.
Andrew Halcro did exceptionally well in his campaign. I really don't think he is a sore loser. Andrew just cares about where this State is going and feels the current governor is leading us to disaster. If you would just take the time to study the issues like he has, you would be outraged too. But you don't. You don't think things through which is what Andrew kept saying about Ms. Palin during the campaign. Tony Knowles said the same thing. Ms. Palin could not answer any questions. She never said anything intelligent. Now we are stuck with someone who still can't make an intelligent statement or decision. You should be outraged too, unless you are another of those that think it is okay to lie like the governor.

Posted by: Mr. Coffee | Aug 31, 2008 5:54:17 PM

Kravitz,

Actually the stuff that has gone down the memory hole is on Biden.

I'm still wondering what happened to all of his background info.

Posted by: Jo | Aug 31, 2008 5:54:52 PM

Another poorly vetted VP candidate. You would think by now presidential candidates would learn.

Posted by: DMR | Aug 31, 2008 5:55:29 PM

I'll take Ted Stevens over a Bill Ayers.

Any more silly comments?

Lol.

Posted by: Jo | Aug 31, 2008 5:55:49 PM

The dems are running scared.

One blog actually has the question:

"Did Palin really get enough pre-natal care?"


Bwahahahahaha.....you can't make this stuff up!

Posted by: Jo | Aug 31, 2008 5:56:37 PM

How amazing in less than 48 hrs she's been accused of lying, big oil ties, it's not her baby, no experience, under investigation, putting her career before the baby, not knowing what a VP job is and so-on.
Obama picks Biden and despite 35+ years in congress not a single negative story, no issues, no problems, nothing. Just truely amazing. I guess it really does matter if you have a "D" or a "R" in front of your name.

Posted by: Kenny Jones | Aug 31, 2008 5:56:45 PM

she is the most unqualified VP candidate ever!!!!!! When will McCain withdraw her name?????? How long will it take????

Posted by: michelinphilly | Aug 31, 2008 5:59:29 PM

Palin was put in office 18 months ago because some bigwigs got mad at her former mentor. Suddenly she's supposed to be all set for POTUS? My God man! She's a scandal-ridden nitwit.

Does McCain really think so little of Hillary supporters that he can put a sportscaster who is against all of Hillary's programs on the ticket and they'll jump because she lacks a penis? McCain is insane.

Posted by: INO | Aug 31, 2008 5:59:31 PM

Is this really a problem for her? I think not, didn't she tell them they didn't need a bridge to nowhere, which Stevens was supporting? Sure one might be torn but seems to me that she will be able to wade through the BS and make a choice whether it is popular or not. At least she isn't giving lame testimony such as "that's not the Ted I knew"

Posted by: david | Aug 31, 2008 6:00:03 PM

Mark Begich is not exactly known as the honest politician in Anchorage. He is not well liked by Anchorage voters but think he could win the state election and he is running against Stevens. Mark Begich and Bill Allen (VECO people) have been tight for years and a force against Stevens.
Hope some of the distortions and lies will be cleared up soon. Who said politics are not dirty and 2008 has been the worst in 50 years.
Sarah Palen may not be perfect but so much better than Obama with his corrupt buddies and background.

Posted by: Mary | Aug 31, 2008 6:00:17 PM

I thought Senator McCain was a man of honor, and I respected his experience and judgment. Now, I'm not so sure. A lot of conservatives will vote for Obama now because he seems like the more responsible and patriotic choice.

Posted by: IdahoNRA | Aug 31, 2008 6:01:21 PM

Yep, here we go again. Does anyone remember that BIDEN was attached the the housing mortgage crisis? NO! BECAUSE OUR LIBERAL WE LUV OBAMA BOY IS THE COMING SAVIOR! (More like anti-christ).

Posted by: kc-213 | Aug 31, 2008 6:03:54 PM

More Problems for Palin

Mother in-law doesn't know what she brings to the ticket. Baby drama and more.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4647965.ece

Posted by: Mr. Unite Us | Aug 31, 2008 6:04:12 PM

Sarah must certainly feel Ted's pain, especially considering the fact that she under criminal investigation herself.

Maybe, they can pose together for mugshots later this year or next.

Hypocrites, one and all.

America can do better than McCain's Backwoods Barbie.

Posted by: Yawp | Aug 31, 2008 6:04:14 PM

I think the Palin pick COULD turn out to be very poor judgement from McCain. Everything I have learned about her so far suggests far right wingnut. If that is so, then the more of the same argument from the Obama side becomes a lot easier to make. (Though I think the Obama camp is going to have to be careful about attacking Palin, maybe they need some female surrogates to be put on woman-to-woman defense.)

Posted by: markymark | Aug 31, 2008 6:06:33 PM

When the media so favors one side over the other , you have to wonder what they're hiding. Thankfully, people are wising up to this in great part due to the internet.

Posted by: another Kathy | Aug 31, 2008 6:06:39 PM

I am a Hillary supported, and as of last Friday morning, I had decided to vote for Obama, (although I still didn't feel good about it). But when Palin was chosen, everything changed.

My vote will be for McCain/Palin and I feel really good about it.

Posted by: Kim | Aug 31, 2008 6:09:48 PM

WHAT ABOUT THE B^%ch WHO DESTROYED Wasilla do to HER EMINENT DOMAIN SCAM! The poor little town is STILL PAYING FOR!

http://www.adn.com/matsu/story/474934.html

Posted by: sam | Aug 31, 2008 6:10:47 PM

OH, and KIM ....you area NUT!


Even RIGHTWING Rasmussen Reports :
WEAK choice among women and moderates, the groups McCain was PANDERING to.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/palin_makes_good_first_impression_is_viewed_more_favorably_than_biden


Posted by: sam | Aug 31, 2008 6:12:15 PM

By the way, do we have any clarification on the rumor flying around Alaska about the little baby with down syndrome being Palin's grandchild and her daughter's baby?

The daughter disappeared from high school for approximately five months last year during the pregnancy. Palin's vague explanation of the absence of her daughter from school was apparently that her daughter had mono for most of the year. Say what?!

Hmmm... Well, if it's fact, it certainly would explain how a woman who gave birth to a baby with down syndrome could be leave the baby at home and get right back to work in 3 days. She left the baby with its real mother. Ahem.

Old Man McCain, what have you done?

Posted by: Yawp | Aug 31, 2008 6:14:27 PM

Superwoman Palin, Alaska's Governor, oversees a highly corrupted Republican state. She has her own ethics issue being investigated by the Republican State Senate. History shows Palin to be a political opportunist so joining the McCain campaign is simply more of the same for her, and more of the same for McCain. Both are displaying judgments in forming this duo not worthy of holding the office of President.

Posted by: Lou R | Aug 31, 2008 6:15:07 PM

McCain/Palin cannot swim against an anti-GOP tide this November. John "W" McCain is tied to George "W" Bush fate. It is too late to distance himself from a failed Bush administration blunders on Iraq, Katrina & other failed domestic policies.

Posted by: Gaston | Aug 31, 2008 6:16:15 PM

I cannot encourage the L.A.Times, New York Times, ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBS etc.,enough, to continue their attacks on Governor Palin. You elected President Bush twice and you are well on the way to electing another Republican President. Your credibility is lower than Pelosi, Clinton, Boxer and...well, you know the pack! The person on the street is going from anger to laughing at your awkwardness!

Posted by: Whispin | Aug 31, 2008 6:18:08 PM

Wow, you guys bashing Democrats, calling names and hurling insults like you're in junior high school, and then patting yourselves on the back for your performances...

People like you, like Karl Rove and his ilk, and Rush Limbaugh, for example... YOU are what is wrong with this country!!

Let's GROW UP, shall we? At least Obama acts like an adult. And the rest of world can see that, even if we sophomoric Americans can't.

Posted by: mamacita | Aug 31, 2008 6:21:25 PM

New rumor going around she covered up for her daughters pregnancy by pretending herself to be pregnant.

http://boards.blackvoices.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ti-entertainmnt&tid=249824.


Posted by: pdogg757 | Aug 31, 2008 6:21:38 PM

There are two qualification for Palin

1) She is an woman and McCain thinks that is enough to get all the Hillary's supporters

2) She is a Christian fundamentalist radical, and McCain thinks that is enough to get all Christian votes.

Sorry McShame.... Karl Rove has been exposed.

Posted by: mbrane | Aug 31, 2008 6:22:03 PM

Just the fact that she wants public schools to teach about HER god, (I do state it as her god because it is not mine) I cannot ever vote for someone who wants to dumb down my children. If she wants to believe the world is 6000 years old she can. That is not a quality i want in my leader. She want to teach our kids that there is no point in Astronomy/ Evolution/ A-Biogenesis/ looking for life on other planets, pretty much all science , all we need to know is god did it all!...wtf

Posted by: Creamsykle | Aug 31, 2008 6:22:23 PM

Let's check in on what the other world leaders think about Traitor John McBush's VP pick.


Wait..........just another moment.........any second now......


Nope, sorry.........none of them have stopped laughing yet.


It sickens me that Traitor John McBush would pick Elaine from Seinfeld as his running mate. When you put the entire country at risk just to further your political career you meet the criteria of Traitor. Traitor John McBush meets the decription of TRAITOR TO HIS COUNTRY.

Elitest Traitor John McBush is also an adulterer. While married to his first ex-model wife he apparently wasn't settled with owning just two homes so he had an affair with an elitest ex-model who along with being an adulterer herself, for entering into an affair with a married man, owned an additional 6 homes. So now Elitest Adulterer Traitor John McBush should be happy now that he has 8 homes. Although Traitor John McBush's Adulterer wife should be worried....Traitor John McBush's pick was also an ex-model and is almost 30 year younger.

But no, he wants to be president. Traitor McBush is behind in the polls so what does Traitor John McBush do? Instead of picking a qualified Vice President, Traitor John McBush picks the mayor of a town smaller than some US high schools. Then Traitor John McBush tries to say that Elaine from Seinfeld is more qualified than Barak Obama because she ran a town of 6000 people with a budget of $3 million. That by the way is less than half of what Traitor John McBush earned last year. Not only is Elaine from Seinfeld not qualifed to be vice-president she isn't qualified to be Traitor John McBush's accountant. Thats what a journalism degree is worth from the Univ of Idaho.


I guess Traitor John McBush thinks a journalism degree from Idaho trumps Obama's law degrees from Columbia and Harvard Law School (where he was President of the Harvard Law Review), 8 years in the Illinois state senate and 4 years in the US Senate.

And yet there are some Traitor Republicans who will insist on voting for Traitor Elitest Adulterer John McBush. These are the people who hate this country.


Posted by: traitor mcbush | Aug 31, 2008 6:22:26 PM

When I think of "Hillary supporters" who have magically converted to "McCain/Palin supporters" by the lone virtue of sharing a gender and genitalia with his VP...sigh (see Kim's comments above)...I'm reminded of a man named Melvin Udall who once described writing the female characters in his books by saying, "I think of a man and take away reason and accountability."

Yes, a simple, sexist retort for a simpleton, sexist tart.

Posted by: Yawp | Aug 31, 2008 6:22:46 PM

Hi "Kim" (or should I say paid RNC blogger?) -- why would you cast this vote exactly? Sarah Palin herself is against equal pay for equal work, is ultra-conservative, is 100% against a woman's freedom of choice, etc. Sounds like a step backwards for women in the US to me.

Posted by: John | Aug 31, 2008 6:24:01 PM

Wouldn't it be nice if one of the qualifications for being President was honesty?

Posted by: joseph | Aug 31, 2008 6:24:08 PM

Christian rightwingers were praying for rain and flood during the DNC convention prep. RNC plans canceled due to STORM. Ironic?

Posted by: Yuri | Aug 31, 2008 6:25:46 PM

And the GOP self-destructs before our very eyes. The pundits and the paid GOP posters on here are straining so hard they are gonna pop a vein.

Someday John McCain will be hailed as a hero by selflessly destroying the GOP from within. Now there's a Maverick!

Posted by: SWMissouri | Aug 31, 2008 6:27:48 PM

At least McCain surrounds him self with good looking women. That seems to be a campaign strategy, then the Britney Spears and Paris Hilton ad. His comments about the topless beauty contest for his wife. He left his first crippled wife for a younger rich women to pursue politics. What has McCain done for women's rights over the last 40 years? Nothing! What does this say about his view of women?

Posted by: Perspective | Aug 31, 2008 6:28:01 PM

Check this out too even her staff was surprised.


http://www.adn.com/front/story/336402.html

Posted by: pdogg757 | Aug 31, 2008 6:28:14 PM

O.K.Sarah....Let's make a deal. I'll give you TWO Reszkos for One Stevens. I'll even throw in a Rev. Wright. Oh, wait a minute guys...I wanna' be there to cast the first stone. Come on Sarah...show us your reformer qualifications. Call Stevens the thief that he is. You'd rather be right than Veep...right ?

Posted by: thorninurside | Aug 31, 2008 6:28:43 PM

If Palin is too inexperienced to be VP, then Obama is way too inexperienced to be Prez.

Period.

As for praying for a storm, here's a headline: Michael Moore: Hurricane Coming During GOP Convention 'Proof There Is a God in Heaven'...

Now, who are the haters in this country?

Posted by: ster | Aug 31, 2008 6:31:51 PM

I was just reading she is fit to be president for her state is close to Russia...Let me ask what the hey does that have to do with this subject????Russia up until now has been great...No problems like they re not about to invade Alaska.This is to funny Mc Cain made a BIG mistake and I hope his butt is kicked like no others....

Posted by: indp voter | Aug 31, 2008 6:33:37 PM

It may be true that the only reason Hillary was there was because of her gender (and possibly Palin).

Then again, Obama is only where he is because of race. I mean, the guy has less experience then Palin.

Think before you type!

Posted by: ster | Aug 31, 2008 6:34:36 PM

Bad pick? Destroys the GOP?

LOL!

You guys are great. Just wait and see what happens when people get to know her. BO goofed in not picking Hillary.

Give it another week or two, and then see what's happening. I only wish she could debate Obama.

Oh, sorry, Obama is too chicken to do a townhall or more than the almost required three debates. Sarah would wipe the floor with him. Heck, almost anybody could.

Posted by: ster | Aug 31, 2008 6:36:53 PM

ATTN: ALL MUSHBRAINS:

Follow after Obama and Biden but keep your hankies handy because you are going to weep (and complain)when you realize what a mess you made in contributing to McCain and Palin's victory with your false accusations.

Posted by: Wonderment | Aug 31, 2008 6:37:33 PM

John McBush makes his first presidential decision.........and the whole world laughed at him.


"I don't even know what the vice president does." - Sara Palin less than 6 weeks ago.


Sure! Yup Yup! - Sarah Palin's entire response when asked today (8/31/08) if she would be ready to step in as president if something happened to McBush

Palins education: BA Journalism Univ of Idaho.


The world is watching. The world is laughing at McBush and the whole Traitor REpublican party. A vote for McBush is a confirmation of your hate for America.

Wake up America!!! Use your common sense.

Vote Obama/ Biden in Nov.

Posted by: traitor mcbush | Aug 31, 2008 6:37:55 PM

The IM--PALIN--ATOR, Sarah is a self-proclaimed gun toter. What she didn't say is that she is beholden to pro-aerial hunting lobbyists that hunt from helicopters and chase down the animal by plane or helicopter until the poor animal is exhausted, then they either shoot point blank from the sky or actually land so the "fearless" hunter can get out and walk up and put a bullet into the animal that is half dead from exhaustion. YES, THIS IS TRUE!! Sarah is in real tight with the officials cause she practically gave her whole family and friends official titles but no experience. Alaska's State Wildlife personnel staked out a wolf denning area, which is a practice that is illegal according to their State Laws!!! Using helicopters, they gunned down 14 adult wolves from the air. when they landed they found 14 helpless pups and shot each one in the head. 28 Wolves dead.

Her husband works for BP (formerly British Petroleum) now that might be why McShame/McSame wants this nobody as a VP!!! And what about good ole Norm Coleman who went on a "fishing trip that was paid for by the big oil mongers like Sarah's hubby!!! Coleman is from MN and is intertwined with the Senator from Alaska that just got indicted. According to John McCain he states he only met the IM--PALIN--ATOR, six months ago, and was so impressed with her. Of course, she has an oil monger hubby, and she openly slaughters animals from helicopters or airplanes!
I think it was about six months ago that good ole Norm went on his fishing trip also. Anyone as suspicious as me.
You to can see this information for yourselves by going to the website
actionfund@defenders.org SEE WHO SARAH PALIN AND HER HUSBAND REALLY ARE!!!
DO YOU WANT HER IN CONTROL OF OUR COUNTRY????

Posted by: sue | Aug 31, 2008 6:38:08 PM

The IM--PALIN--ATOR, Sarah is a self-proclaimed gun toter. What she didn't say is that she is beholden to pro-aerial hunting lobbyists that hunt from helicopters and chase down the animal by plane or helicopter until the poor animal is exhausted, then they either shoot point blank from the sky or actually land so the "fearless" hunter can get out and walk up and put a bullet into the animal that is half dead from exhaustion. YES, THIS IS TRUE!! Sarah is in real tight with the officials cause she practically gave her whole family and friends official titles but no experience. Alaska's State Wildlife personnel staked out a wolf denning area, which is a practice that is illegal according to their State Laws!!! Using helicopters, they gunned down 14 adult wolves from the air. when they landed they found 14 helpless pups and shot each one in the head. 28 Wolves dead.

Her husband works for BP (formerly British Petroleum) now that might be why McShame/McSame wants this nobody as a VP!!! And what about good ole Norm Coleman who went on a "fishing trip that was paid for by the big oil mongers like Sarah's hubby!!! Coleman is from MN and is intertwined with the Senator from Alaska that just got indicted. According to John McCain he states he only met the IM--PALIN--ATOR, six months ago, and was so impressed with her. Of course, she has an oil monger hubby, and she openly slaughters animals from helicopters or airplanes!
I think it was about six months ago that good ole Norm went on his fishing trip also. Anyone as suspicious as me.
You to can see this information for yourselves by going to the website
actionfund@defenders.org SEE WHO SARAH PALIN AND HER HUSBAND REALLY ARE!!!
DO YOU WANT HER IN CONTROL OF OUR COUNTRY????

Posted by: sue | Aug 31, 2008 6:38:11 PM

Speaking without a teleprompter is above Obama's pay-grade!

yeah, too chicken to debate anybody.

Posted by: sandy | Aug 31, 2008 6:38:37 PM

Hey Joe Biden how's the the plagerim
business going?

Posted by: Jpeg | Aug 31, 2008 6:42:04 PM

Yes, ster, Obama is exactly where he is because of race...the DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RACE.

Moron.

Of course, like Kim (see magic genitalia connection above) I'm only voting for Obama because we both have HUGE... ;)

Posted by: Yawp | Aug 31, 2008 6:42:19 PM

You zombie Democrats are foaming at the mouth now, so you will be in deep depression after the election of McCain/Palin. Sarah Palin has more character in her little finger than her opposition has in total. She has more real decision making experience in her resume than Obama has as a Freshman Senator who cannot claim any accomplishment of significance and who's claim to fame is that he is a smooth talker and he is "so inspiring". I would rather elect a Vice President who may need some on-the-job training than a President who is inexperienced and is making life and death decisions from the get-go. Sarah Palin is a gutsy gal who has shown her ability to make difficult but right decisions. She is not afraid to fight even the "good ole boys". Joe Biden was chosen by the Dems as their attack dog but we will see that Gov. Sarah Palin will out-smart him, out-debate him on any subject, and if it came to that would out-fight him. People love an underdog and in the end Sarah will have the crowd on their feet. Go get-em Rockie !

Posted by: John | Aug 31, 2008 6:42:33 PM

Could he not pick anyone better that this? I guess I was for Obama anyway, so I am happy with his pick. I seriously do not understand how any woman would base a vote on Palin. Use your brain and show McCain you are too intelligent to fall for his cheap ploy for votes.

Posted by: Julie | Aug 31, 2008 6:43:43 PM

If you want to debate policy difference so be it. But if you want to debate experience, I'm sorry but Palin (the VP candidate) has more than Obama (the Pres candidate). And Obama has dedicated more time to running for president than he has doing his duties in the Senate (which he bailed on).

Next topic: the reformer mantle. Obama talks a lot of game about reform, but what he's accomplished is one ethics bill that now requires lobbyists to eat with those they are paying off only by standing up. What a mileston! LOL

Palin, on the other hand, has started to clean up the corrupt politics of Alaska left and right. Taken on big oil. Used taxes generated by oil profits to give back to people, and so on. Obama has done zilch, nada, 0. Hence the 0-bama.

You might be pro-choice, anti-gun, a softie, a misogynist (like the entire Obama campaign), and so on, in which case Palin is probably isn't for you. But please, don't compare Palin's experience and proven track record to Obama's lesser experience and lack of a track record.

Posted by: JA | Aug 31, 2008 6:43:55 PM

Cindy McCain said that Palin has Foreign Policy experience since she lives next to Russia, LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

McCain cheated on his wife and kids for this Bimbo and want to run with one on his Ticket??

He is punking you Republican racist morons..

He just wants this skirt to show her boobs for votes!!


lmao!!

Posted by: Kip | Aug 31, 2008 6:44:34 PM

Let's check in on what the other world leaders think about Traitor John McBush's VP pick.


Wait..........just another moment.........any second now......


Nope, sorry.........none of them have stopped laughing yet.


It sickens me that Traitor John McBush would pick Elaine from Seinfeld as his running mate. When you put the entire country at risk just to further your political career you meet the criteria of Traitor. Traitor John McBush meets the decription of TRAITOR TO HIS COUNTRY.

Elitest Traitor John McBush is also an adulterer. While married to his first ex-model wife he apparently wasn't settled with owning just two homes so he had an affair with an elitest ex-model who along with being an adulterer herself, for entering into an affair with a married man, owned an additional 6 homes. So now Elitest Adulterer Traitor John McBush should be happy now that he has 8 homes. Although Traitor John McBush's Adulterer wife should be worried....Traitor John McBush's pick was also an ex-model and is almost 30 year younger.

But no, he wants to be president. Traitor McBush is behind in the polls so what does Traitor John McBush do? Instead of picking a qualified Vice President, Traitor John McBush picks the mayor of a town smaller than some US high schools. Then Traitor John McBush tries to say that Elaine from Seinfeld is more qualified than Barak Obama because she ran a town of 6000 people with a budget of $3 million. That by the way is less than half of what Traitor John McBush earned last year. Not only is Elaine from Seinfeld not qualifed to be vice-president she isn't qualified to be Traitor John McBush's accountant. Thats what a journalism degree is worth from the Univ of Idaho.


I guess Traitor John McBush thinks a journalism degree from Idaho trumps Obama's law degrees from Columbia and Harvard Law School (where he was President of the Harvard Law Review), 8 years in the Illinois state senate and 4 years in the US Senate.

And yet there are some Traitor Republicans who will insist on voting for Traitor Elitest Adulterer John McBush. These are the people who hate this country.


Posted by: traitor mcbush | Aug 31, 2008 6:45:13 PM

The premise of this story is incredibly stupid. Either she endorses the guy - which means that she supports him in a public way and is asking others to support him - or she doesn't endorse him - which doesn't mean anything one way or the other.

If I confess to a crime, then I am saying I am guilty. If I don't say anything it doesn't mean anything. I could be guilty. I could be innocent. Who knows.

Can we at least be just a little bit logical, folks? Even just a little?

Posted by: Andrew Austin | Aug 31, 2008 6:45:45 PM

MISOGYNIST: See comment above by Kip.

Posted by: JA | Aug 31, 2008 6:45:56 PM

"Christian rightwingers were praying for rain and flood during the DNC convention prep. RNC plans canceled due to STORM. Ironic?"
Posted by: Yuri | Aug 31, 2008 6:25:46 PM
===================================
Lol I was thinking the same thing. But only a simplistic and hateful mind would even attempt such a thing in the first place.

Posted by: Creamsykle | Aug 31, 2008 6:45:57 PM

The issue is not Palin’s experience, but rather McCain’s judgment. He spends months and months, and millions of dollars saying that experience is the end-all, be-all factor in this election. Then he chooses a governor with 20 months of experience. What are we to believe from him?

Second, this VP pick is so transparently political that it’s sad when people buy it. I understand that this is an election, and that political moves sometimes win the day. Obama chose his VP based on a perceived lack of experience. However, McCain has been preaching that he would rather win a war than lose an election – country first! The choice of Palin clearly is looking only to November, and not to a better presidency.

Third, this is the opposite of “breaking the glass ceiling.” Breaking the glass ceiling means that you overcome prejudices and stereotypes in order to rise to the top. I will not belittle Palin’s struggle to the top of Alaska’s entrenched political system – I admire it. However, her selection as VP is not because she is the best choice, but because of her ovaries. McCain wants to use her feminine characteristic to play to his political advantage. It’s usurious. It’s objectifying and patronizing.

Ask yourself this question: if Hillary had not been a factor in this election, would McCain have chosen Palin? Republican die-hards would probably say “yes,” but I would say “absolutely not” – not after trumpeting the need for experience so much. How can McCain criticize Obama as not being the type who can “stare down dictators” when Palin has hardly left the country?

Finally, despite his alleged wisdom and experience, Mccain has with this selection, and with his blind and immediate backing of Georgia, shown that he is more than willing to make rash, instinctual decisions based on little rumination and insight. McCain is right about one thing (now, at least). You don’t have to be old to be wise, and you don’t have to be experienced to have good judgment. Obama has been stating this for months. I suppose the opposite is true – our elders can make rash decisions, and the experienced can show poor judgment. This whole thing makes me sick.

Posted by: Dan in Austin | Aug 31, 2008 6:46:53 PM

Hey, Bush, how's see and say going?

Hey, McCain, is "maverick" just a cute euphemism for "insane, old bastard"?

McCain's first wife was a swimsuit model.

Cindy was a "rodeo beauty queen."

OMG!!

Does Cindy know that she's been replaced, yet?

Posted by: Yawp | Aug 31, 2008 6:47:15 PM

It wouldn't matter who McCain picks for VP...you would not like them! Obama crys for change and then picks some old fart who has been in DC forever. I think he was around when the Mayflower came over wasn't he? Is Rev.wright still Obama's daddy? Does bi@#$hy Michell still hate America? Is Ayers trying to blow up our country? Is Rezko going to trial soon? It must be tough to support such rotten sleazy criminals!!! Well, good luck with that!!

Posted by: Ed | Aug 31, 2008 6:48:22 PM

GOOD JA! GOOD SHEEP. KEEP TELLING THE LIES. SPREAD THE LIES. IF YOU KEEP TELLING THE LIES THEY WILL BELIVE LIKE A GOOD SHEEP. YOU ARE ALMOST READY TO HAVE THE RING REMOVED FROM YOUR REPUBLICAN SHEEP NOSE. BAAAAA JA BAAAAA. GOOOD TRAITOR SHEEP. DESTROY AMERICA TRAITOR JA.....GOOD TRAITOR REPUBLICAN SHEEP....BAAAA BAAAA

Posted by: ALMIGHTY GOD!! | Aug 31, 2008 6:48:25 PM

"What does the VP do?"......Sarah Palin. John McCain, it won't be long before you'll need to make a new selection! Howard Gallas, Reno, NV.

Posted by: Howard Gallas | Aug 31, 2008 6:49:18 PM

Is McCain purposely torpedoing his party.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/08/31/152331.php

Posted by: SWMissouri | Aug 31, 2008 6:49:32 PM

To all you nuts jobs that say Obama doesn't have any experience..

Well he created Six very important laws that made him the most Liberal LAW MAKER in the US Senate..

With high regards to LAW MAKER!!

Obama/Biden 08'

Stop this GOP Bafoonery and Jackassery!!

Posted by: Major Ted USMC | Aug 31, 2008 6:49:40 PM

Last time Bush left the Gulf Coast to Brownie while he and McCain chowed down on birthday cake.

Now, Bush would rather be in the path of a hurricane than in the middle of the McCain's train wreck.

Posted by: Yawp | Aug 31, 2008 6:51:44 PM

Incredible. Why doesn't ABC just change their name to OBC and get it over with?

McCain's campaign doesn't want all the Hillary supporters. It's better to lose than to have that baggage.

He's obviously going for the Republicans who were going to stay home or vote for someone else out of protest, and probably women undecideds. There may have been some talk of a few PUMAs, but we won't know for a long time what they actually discussed.

That's pretty rich...Dems attacking the GOP candidate by implying sexual immorality concerning McCain after we've been inundated with the likes of Spitzer, Bill Clinton, Studds, Daniel Inouye, Brock Adams, Gus Savage, Fred Richmond, Wayne Hays, John Young, Barney Frank, Mel Reynolds, Teddy Kennedy and I've read that Hillary may have had an affair with Vince Foster when they were working for the same law firm.

We could start the Republican list with Foley.

But the point is, there is no point to this. Such things run across party lines. One party isn't going to be more chaste than the other.

On the other hand, I though Liberals were always about sexual freedom and thought that marriage and fidelity is so old fashioned and designed to maintain industrial nuclear family units in order to maintain capitalism?