Of course being governor of Alaska doesn't conflict with parental duties. The legislature only meets 90 days a year. That's 275 days a year where a bill has zero chance of landing on her desk.

Also, her previous constituency, when she was Mayor of Wasilla, was smaller than Obama's State Senate District.

This is naked politicking.

This isn't my preferred VP pick, but it's a good pick nonetheless. A young, energetic straight talker with a hard work ethic and strong family values. She launched her career in small town America while Obama launched his in the living room of a domestic terrorist. I can live with that.

The Obama camp has nothing to stand on here. They can't argue about lack of experience, they can't argue about international issues because they lack this as well. Thi spick energizes the conservative base and puts the Obama camp on the defensive. Oh I can't want to hear what Biden says when he's off prompter.

Why is ABC making a point about McCain's age in every single report. Are they trying to focus the public on something?

Real subtle.

I wish my legislature only met 90 days a year.

As for a smaller constituency.... maybe it helps you get to know the people better.

She has more executive experience than Obama, Biden, and McCain. Good for her.

Jake, you're just jealous that MacCain picked a good VP candidate. Someone who's actually worked toward reform.
Meanwhile Biden's been in Washington for 35 years, has close ties to the failed credit industry and has surrounded himself with lobbyists (including his son!)
The "Change" ticket managed to look both inexperienced and part of the good 'ol boys network of Washington at the same time. Hilarious.

Joemama, McSame is older than Coca-Cola, that is the problem, if he wins these elections which is very unlikely, he has all chances to die in office, that is what people are afraid off. Age is a problem for McSame.

This is obviously SELFISH choice just to win the WH. He just put the country at greater risk, How will she run the country in case of big crisis with Iran, Russia if something happen to Mccain. oooh risky, think about it!

Question:

Was John McCain thinking about the welfare of the country when he selected Sara Palin to replace him as president, should it be necesary?

There's a lot more to being the mother of a special needs child than a breast pump. I hope her husband is around a lot to fill in the gaps.

So mccain picks another beauty queen with 1.5 yrs of executive experience and she's ready to be president?

This is a slap in the face to all women, and will shine the light back on race.

Country First?

No way, No how, No McCain

The time has REALLY come for the press to begin to cover what has long been whispered about John McCain. That he is not emotionally suited to be President. His temper and rash actions are well known. And this choice, considering his age and medical history are further evidence of this. Voters have every right to question if Barack Obama is experienced enough to be President. He, however, was chosen as the nominee by voters. Gov. Pallin was chosen by a 72 year old cancer survivor to be the next in line. Show me the sound judgment in that.

Hey PAULY, how will your boy Obama "run the country in case of big crisis with Iran, Russia", since he doesn't even have anyone in front of him to wait for!!!

Now THAT'S risky. Your experience argument is silly, and only shows how afraid of Palin you truly are. Sheesh... these libs must be scared to be throwing stones blindly in glass houses the way they are.

Some one struck a nerve. :) Way to go PALIN!

get over it obamabots. hillarys gone now so you dont need to bash others. its politics and this is how you play the game to win. your candidate isnt a saint, so keep your bad thoughts to yourself if you cant take the heat.

, How will she run the country in case of big crisis with Iran, Russia if something happen to Mccain

Pauly:

She could always ask Barak to go over and talk with them as he wants to do with Iran now, you know sit down, chat have some mint tea beat the current president to shreds explaining "we know that eveil man made you do this" and we as bad Americans, hated and despised are really just "good ole boys".

No big deal

Good choice, McCain.
I Love Gov. Palin.
She is no nonsense, in-touch with people, and capable.

The GOP is missing the point here. Obama doesn't NEED to attack Palin's lack of experience (even though her resume is thinner than his own). The very fact that McCain PICKED HER after spending months denigrating Obama's lack of experience shows POOR JUDGMENT on McCain's part, undermines all his past arguments against Obama and makes McCain seem like a giant hypocrite.

The Republicans are missing the point here. Obama doesn't NEED to attack Palin's lack of experience (even though her resume is thinner than his own). The very fact that McCain PICKED HER after spending months denigrating Obama's lack of experience shows POOR JUDGMENT on McCain's part, undermines all his past arguments against Obama and makes McCain seem like a giant hypocrite.

Obama has EARNED his spot by running for this office, voted onto this slot by the people.
This woman was just selected by the old gray haired dude with both feet on a banana peel.
Senator Obama has been in office longer than Palin, so the attempt at discrediting HIS experience is totally disingenuous.

Palin has a bs degree in journalism.
Obama has a degree in political science with a specialization in international relations, JD magna cum laude from Harvard Law, teaching constitutional law at the Univ of Chicago law school.

I can see how all that becomes equal.
Oh yeah, but we forgot one major factor. This is a major insult.

The republicans have me laughing all day..They think women are stupid. This women is not able to be run this country or be the vice president. Also how selfish a special needs child...breast feeding and running all over the United States...who do they think they are kidding..it is the Republicans running scared...thanks for your support..

Oh wow, gee wilikers, she's a hockey mom.

"Sarah Palin’s lack of experience on every front and on nearly every issue, this Vice Presidential pick doesn’t show judgment: it shows political panic.”
I am out! This was just to much to take . I do not trust Mc Cain any longer his pick was very selfish, not in the Countries best interest. If I wanted to vote for a woman, Hillary was there. Gender is not the issue never was do you not understand that MC Cain!! Oh you make me so upset. Playing games with our Countries welfare. You pick a female any ole female just so she can get female votes. It does not work that way. We are smarter than you think Mr. Man we do not just vote for gender.......... Your not ready either to run this Country. I am finished with this election. It is competence that we look for in a Vice President not just a woman. Its a Horror Show! If she was to be President. You do not know what you have just done but will find out veryyyyyy soon.

Undeniable: "She launched her career in small town America while Obama launched his in the living room of a domestic terrorist." You GO girl!!!

SARAH PALIN????

A "green horn" governor of one of the least populous states for less than 2 years, with NO foreign policy experience??

A heartbeat away from the presidency???

When McBush's heart might stop at any time??

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!!!!!

John McCain has just shown he has NO JUDGMENT AT ALL!!!!!

Between Palin, Obama's fantastic speech last night and hurricane Gustov sucking all the Oxygen out of the Republican convention and reminding everyone of the failure of Katrina, it's over for the evil doers....

GAME OVER REPUBLICANS!!!!

Obama/Biden '08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't hear one complaint about that 'domestic terrorist', not one. He teaches impressionable young people, but that is not an issue?

Alaska? Where is her birth certificate? Is she even a US citizen?

Proof positive: Obama/Biden put McSame into a panic. This gaffe was made after the historic speech in Denver.

A hockey mom. aaahahahahahahahahaha

SARAH PALIN??

Can you imagine this woman standing up there next to Joe Biden at the VP debate? Biden will shred her on foreign policy and everything else. It will at best be an embarrassment for her and the Republicans!

This "green horn" would truly be just a "heartbeat" away from being president and the American people won't stand for it. Very, very bad judgment on John McSenile's part!

Say hello to President OBAMA!!!!!

McCain says he puts "Country First". Sarah Palin, his choice fo V.P., shows us what he means by "Putting Country First"? McCain's shows the judgement of a gambler, the leadership of someone playing Russian Roulette with our Nation's future. Are we to imagaine he actually believes Sarah Palin, Governor of a state with an total population smaller than San Antonio, Texas, who has less than 1 1/2 years experience on the job, is the best Republican who could serve as V.P. for this country?

Palin, among the host of eminently qualified Republicans is at the top Republican of the list?

This choice comes as such a surpise to everyone - Democrats, Republicans, and Media Pundits alike - because she was not, and is not at the top of any reasonable person's list of qualified Republicans. No other Republican would place this nation at such risk. McCain is asking us to follow his leadership - we now know what this means - he indents to lead this country right over the edge of the cliff. We don't need to follow this good soldier on what looks like a suicide mission.

Go Governor Palin! I am so jazzed!!! I'm more excited about her as President then Senator Obama as President!

She has more executive experience then all of the others combined!

Senator Obama has lost... there is no way he can catch this show!!! Not even close! Senator Clinton supporters are switching over in droves!

Come on! Wasn't Democrats supposed to be the leader in bringing women on board? What happened? Why didn't Senator Clinton get picked as a VP? What happened Democrats? The Republicans beat you to the punch?

This will be a landslide win! Just watch! Hey, no women politician has moved me like this one! This is great!!!

OMG - McCain's VP pick has sucked all of the oxygen out of the room for Obama. It is McCain's VP choice that is the headline story on every newscast. Reporters are now making just passing references to Obama's "great" speech last night.

McCain, with his VP selection, has not only energized the Republican Party, but he has also pulled a lot of Hillary Supporters into his camp.

I would have loved to have seen Pelosi, Dean, Brazile, Obama and Axlerod faces this morning when they found out the news.

Chris Matthews is worried about the PUMAs. Hmmmm, last week he called us whacked out nutjobs. :D

Hillary is probably somewhere laughing her a.. off!

First, the Old Master cleaned Obama's clock Live at the Forum, today, he ate Obama's lunch. ROFLMAO!!!

PUMA!

Using her power to get rid of her ex brother in law, to fire him from his job?
Yep, this is a real game changer.

=========

Question:

Was John McCain thinking about the welfare of the country when he selected Sara Palin to replace him as president, should it be necesary?

==============

Did Obama think of the country's welfare when he launched his hijacking campaign?

Looks like the Daily Kos kids have gotten their talking points....

This must really have them rattled. Heh.

And....anyone's heart can stop at anytime.

RIP Tim Russert. I sure am missing him this week.

"OMG - McCain's VP pick has sucked all of the oxygen out of the room for Obama. It is McCain's VP choice that is the headline story on every newscast. Reporters are now making just passing references to Obama's "great" speech last night."
---------------------------------------

LeeLee07,

You got that right, everyone is talking about how inexperienced she is and how bad of judgment that McCain has shown!

All the talking heads are using words like desperate, politically motivated, pandering, etc.!!

Yes all of this is really great for McCain!!

GAMEOVER REPUBLICANS......

Can you say President Barack Obama?

Im proud of our country now that we will have black leadership, black govenment,black power in the White House, and the whites, the spanish and indians will not count any more.

Sarah Palin is obviously lacking the experience. What she needs to do is be a community organizer for a few years, than she'll be qualified.

Davis - Try again. The only people talking bad about her is Obama Supporters and they don't count.

The Republicans, unlike the Democrats, are supporting their female candidate.

Obama has lost. You might as well start playing "Taps."

PUMA!

Perhaps if she, instead of Biden, had suggested giving the Iranians $200 million to be nice with no strings attached, she would have enough experience.

McCain just undermined his own argument. Ole pappy's judgment just went out the window.

He needs a woman to win? Can't do it on his own merit? Can't do it on the issues? This is clearly exploitation of women.

Republicans are STILL sad.

@Obama-Yah-Wright
=========
Question:

Was John McCain thinking about the welfare of the country when he selected Sara Palin to replace him as president, should it be necesary?
==============
Did Obama think of the country's welfare when he launched his hijacking campaign?
======================================

1. Obama did not hijack any campaign - he won the nomination. More to the point, he has now been tested in the line of intense political fire for two years, under severe scrutiny he has laid out his positions, show his composure, and demonstrated his temperament in multiple debates. Whatever we think of Obama's politics, whatever we think of the importance of his prior political experience, eveyone now knows his judgement, we know he can think on his feet - We know who he is.

No one, not Republican, not Democrat, not anyone - not even John McCain - noone (except for Alaskans) know who Sarah Palin is. Its not that she is a know nothing - she may or may not be - its that she is an unknown. In these rather terrifying times, her appointment as VP - one heartbeat away from Commander-in-Chief - would INCREASE the national level of insecurity. This is a terrifying choice, and I don't care what party you belong to.

Let's face it: the man is senile, and his choice proves it.

Well, Dems, I hate to break it to you, but Palin's selection has electrified our base, like no other pick would...which proves that she was the right pick. Get to know Governor Palin, and you'll see why. It's hard to take you seriously on resumes when you nominated a peanut farmer, mmkay?

Funny people think that nominating Palin for the 2nd spot is playing Russian Roulette, yet they have no problem daydreaming about the fairy tale candidate as the CIC of the US.

Good pick for McCain. She will attract the Evangalicals (strong Protastant background) and female voters (the Clinton crew). Watch out Obama Biden.

I refuse to vote for a woman just because she is a female. This is the same mentality that we accused the blacks of. I can not stand it when women just blindly support based on gender. You people don’t know this woman and 90% of you never even heard of her, yet you support “her”. What is “her”, who is “her”? One speech and you people are doing the exact same thing you accuse of Obama supporters………sipping kool-aid, but what makes this worse is that you are doing it after only a few hours. PATHETIC.

McCain: decision-making by dementia.

Michelle Obama appeared jealous of Hillary Clinton and now she has Sarah Palin to be jealous of. Poor, poor Michelle. No wonder she feels so sorry for herself and is angry. She is actually outwitted by other women.
And now we have a contest between a war hero and a complete zero. Oh, did I also say a socialist with big ideas, pretty speeches and the need for grandiose attention. What an election.

lol delusional Mary

I hope Palin won't make racist comments about other cultures like Biden did when talking about Indians in Delaware.

LeeLee07,

I suggest you turn on your TV, get your head out of these blogs and tune in to something other than FOX Noise!!!

CNN just announced they have received over 30 thousand e-mails and 95% of those were completely negative on Palin...

The only ones talking positively about Palin are the Republicans out in full force "wildly spinning" this disastrous pick of McCains, running for their lives!!!!

McCain just committed political suicide today. He says country first and picks somebody that knows nothing about foreign policy! These are dangerous times and he is a old man that may die in his first term...

Country first my Ass! This is a joke!

GAME OVER REPUBLICANS!!!

SAY HELLO TO PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!

It's a GOOD day for Republicans in every way.

It energizies the base, gives an attractive and youthface face for Repulicans, and emphasizes that we have the true mavericks (meaning real reformers) on our ticket.

And judging for the hysteria on the Left we hit a grandslam right out of the park.

McCain/Palin '08..an historic run and a winning team.

Gotta love it!

"This is the same mentality that we accused the blacks of"

Not an accusation. A fact. 93% or more of black voters chose Obama. Now White women should vote McCain/Palin over Obama/not Clinton

Foreign policy was extremely important, until today.

Really? it seems like the only ones saying good stuff about Palin are Republicans, and the only ones saying good about Obama are Democrats. I never would have thought that.

Nothing like googling and we have done it, just like we did Obama. That's why we are not voting for him.

Palin is wayyyyy more qualified than Obama and she has the record to prove it.

BTW, where is Obama's senatorial records, educational records, medical records and that elusive birth certificate? The REAL birth certificate, that is.

Shouldn't you have checked those things out before blindly choosing Obama as your candidate of choice?

PUMA!

Good JOB McCAin - anybody BUT obama - FRAUD!

Funny how the obama gang says SHE is not ready - obama is NOT qualified to lead our country - SHE is a GOV of our largest State - WHAT exactly is obama head of - or qualified to do other than read from the teleprompter!

This is the best the Republican party has to offer the nation? This is supposed to reassure the nation that GOP can govern and protect this nation?

The party of Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, Sam Brownback, Huckabee or (just to mention some leading Republican women) Kay Baily Hutchinson, Olympia Snowe, and Elizabeth Dole.

McCain chooses the Governor of a state that, unlike the rest of the country, is NOT confronted with the energy crisis that is crippling our economy. Sure, she gave around $1,000 in refunds back to the citizens of Alaska - the tax base in Alaska IS the price of oil. The more the price of oil goes up, the more Alaskan citizens benefit. She has experience? This is exactly the WRONG experience the rest of the country needs. The citizens of Ohio, Michigan, Pensylvania do not get windfall tax cuts when the price of oil goes up - the pay higher heating costs.

Senator Barack Obama being selected as the affirmation action candidate at the convention is an insult and tragedy in American politics. America needs someone with experience in administration and both domestic and foreign policy. Domestic policy training for Obama was learning to turn on the dishwasher and foreign policy training was telling those German
people how important he was and he needed a big stage for his speech.
NO WAY, NO HOW, NO OIBAMA, NOT NOW, NOT EVER.

Bless You, Davis -

I have been TV channel surfing all day. Even Chrissy Matthews sounds respectful when talking about Palin. Who knew????

I also have been doing the same with talk radio. Yup, the news have been mostly good about Palin.

As far as McCain dying (!!!???), I am sure he has good doctors. They most likely can keep him on life support indefinitely. ROFLMAO!!!

PUMA!

I watched Obama's speech yesterday in Australia and I was moved,I thought this man is going to win. Today, with the announcement of Palin as VP and after reading her bio and other essays I am impressed. In her short career she has done more positive things for the Alaskans than Obama has done for Chicargoans. The fact Obama chose not to select Clinton says a lot about his charactor.Obama and Clinton were a sure win,however Obama too wants a genuine break away from the Clinton cronyism and chose Biden. This is one of the most exciting US elections I have seen in recent history and I hope you choose the right couple as the US really has to get away from the Bush/Cheney Cheney/Bush administration.

The Presidency is an Executive Office, not a legislative one. In her two terms as mayor and her 20 months of service as the Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin has far more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined. She also, unlike Obama, has a list of several accomplishments in her time as Mayor. Obama can't run on his accomplishments because he simply does not have any.

I also find it hilarious that Obama supporters here are blasting Palin for her lack of experience and what a danger that could be if she had to step into the Presidency... You guys are supporting Barack Obama, who spinelessly switched his vote over 100 times in the Illinois State Legislator, often votes "Present" on big issues, and has spent exactly 143 days present as a United States Senator - far less than that when he started running for President a year after taking office.

And Obama is on TOP of the ticket, and will have to take office with less experience than Palin, who would almost certainly have her time as VP to train for that office. Also, she DOES have Executive experience already. So experience is a big deal for the VP pick, but not for the President? Are you guys nuts or just hopelessly partisan?

--BC46--No, I am not delusional, just truthful. Don't you know, ignoring the facts does not change the facts.
And we each have the right to express our truths or opinions. OK
And people, Obama's campaign is falling and flailing and sagging and dragging and whining and losing.
Senator McCain's pick for VP seems to upset the Democrats so it must be a good choice.

Sarah have a short neck,so she will be an extraordinary good VP.

The Obamabots are freaked! Good goin' Johnny boy!!

McCain, 'I think that Sarah appeals to a lot of voters.' He doesn't care about who could help him govern or who would be a worthy successor to the presidency, only wooing votes away from women. This is a sad state of affairs. To think that Hillary's efforts are being so baldly mocked hurts. No way, no how, no McCain.

Definitely makes sense for Obama "fans" (cuz that's what they are) to criticize Palin on experience, because 143 working days in the Senate is precisely what made him choose Joe "The Plagiarist" Biden.

I wonder what the Dim party will offer to the electorate if they manage to win this year, in the next election. This election, we're giving out free Pre-K childcare, free healthcare, and free college. I think the next round of giveaways will include cars, and houses, maybe.

Laugh at hockey moms at your own peril. You obviously don't know us well. Palin rocks! Go McCain-Palin. I am thrilled at McCain's choice.

Sorry Mary, but you are delusional. Its funny how experience to YOU was a big deal yesterday, but today its not. So no, we're not flailing and failing and whining. We are thanking John McCain for his fantastic pick!
You now attempt to again discredit Senator Obama and all his accomplishments and experience. He was voted at the top of the ticket, and I'm sorry you have a problem with that.

McCain knew he was losing and made a desperate pick. So he chooses a women, BECAUSE she's a woman, hoping that women will vote for her, and he will win on THAT alone. Not on his own merit, not on the issues.
Senator Clinton didn't slide into position of cracking that ceiling, she worked hard to do it.

McCain might have done better picking Brittany Spears. lol

Well I am stunned by this choice and don't know what to think. ON the one hand, her resume is paper thin, BUT I prefer inexperience in the number 2 slot --- not first on the ticket. To her credit, she will and already has got the right wing excited and they will work hard to get McCain in. But McCain needs Clinton voters and Indep's. What Clinton voter would have the same (economic/social)agenda as Palin?? I can't wait to see her interviewed on policy, see how she manages under intense scrutiny, and debate Biden before making a judgement. McCain's choice is either brilliant or absolutely mad.

To the Clinton supporter - Governor is a much better training ground for President than Senator. They are both executive offices, where Senator is legislative. This is why it's been basically exclusively Governors elected President for the last forty years.

And Clinton rode to her position on her husband's coat-tails. She didn't ascend to a position of national prominence on her own. Palin become governor of a state ON HER OWN.

Her resume is much "thicker" than Obama's, who has only spent 143 days present as a Senator and has zero executive experience. Palin has been a two term mayor and now a Governor, and has accomplished things you can actually point to, such as corruption and ethics reform, unlike Obama, who has absolutely no accomplishments to point to. This is why you didn't hear people talk about Obama's accomplishments at the convention - he just doesn't have any!

McCain's job as Commander-in-Chief would be to choose the most qualified people for his staff. He has chosen Sarah Paley.

Is Sarah Paley the most qualified REPUBLICAN for the job of V.P.? What does this, his first, most important choice tell us about his judgement?

He wants us to vote for him, to trust him as a leader - but as we now know, he made this decision last week after only having met her ONE TIME!

Not only do we know nothing about her, but not even McCain knows anything abouto her! This is an example of the kind of decision making we can expect from a President McCain?

Yes, she needs to become a community organizer, do some cocain, (how did he get into Harvard when he was on drugs at columbia, from his own book?) go to a black liberation church, help rezco and ayers 8 years in the state senate and run for US senate win and immediatly run for president...

Sorry, I should have written Palin, not Paley - but then the name is rather new.

Just for the record - Palin has been under investigation for misuse of her position and power, has cut funding to important programs, and has implemented ideas that may or may not be successful. She has not been in office long enough for anyone to know. As a governor, I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt - but as a Vice Presidential nominee!!! - you have got to be kidding!!

I can't believe how ABC allows the sexist comments to stay up on this blog when the racist ones are taken down so quickly.

I hope the sexist bloggers are blocked.

For the record, The Rezko deal and the Williams Ayres plot will be investigated in full force in the falls. Palin's limited experience ? I wish the libs don't go there since Moses gets NONE. The libs are in panic mode. Watch out for their dirty plays.

so, now the skirt from the tribe.
Well ,is it any level, GOP could not fall below????

How is it possible to balance the enormous needs of a Down Syndrome infant, who must have all sorts of therapy and attention in order to reach his potential, with the demands of a vice-presidential campaign? As the mother of a child who had a special needs baby, it is flabbergasting to me that a woman who makes such a big deal about her "family values" would take that baby on the road with her and act like the biggest issue is 3 a.m. feedings!! Not to mention her other kids' needs. I know several women who have special needs babies, and ALL of them left their jobs in order to devote themselves to helping their children, who need extra attention and lots of therapy. What sort of attention could Sarah Palin possibly give her baby? It's not enough to congratulate yourself for having a Down Syndrome baby. Now, it is incumbent on her to do everything she can to help that baby learn, and I for one don't think it's possible to do that and be vice-president of the United States. That baby needs her more than we do.

@josh,

If Palin were instead the FATHER of this special needs baby, would you be asking him the same question?