I am a conservative first, republican second.

As such, I am finding it harder and harder to support McCain. There were already troubles because of his "maverick" (which really means screw the GOP, I'm going liberal) tendencies such as McCain/Kennedy, McCain/Feingold, McCain/Lieberman. Note how those are very liberal Democrats he decides to team with.

But to find out that it was McCain's intention all along to further stick it to the party by picking Lieberman or Ridge is just another straw on the conservative's back. So he makes a rush choice of Palin and presented her as a conservative poster child to make folks like me happy. And now we see she is anything but that.

I will not vote for Obama because he is for all those things I listed that I am against. Plus, his tax policies (just as McCain's initial opposition to the Bush tax cuts that greatly helped my situtation- and I am the definition of middle middle-class) are wrong for the country.

It is McCain that blew it. That and his little pit bull Huckabee during the primaries taking the conservative vote from Romney.

I call on the delegates at the RNC (and I was a county and state delegate) to not approve Palin. Not because of these "scandals", but because we need to hold McCain's feet to the conservative fire or he will either lose in November or he will ruin the party for years to come.

McCain screwd up BIG time.

I'm shocked by McCain's choice. Is this the best VP candidate out there? I don't think so. So, why did he choose her? I've heard that McCain he did so because she is a reformer. That he sees her as a duplicate of himself. If his plan is to reform Congress, how does he intend to do that? Is it through a line item veto privilege? How does he intend to "change" the Republican and Democratic Congress? Perhaps if we could get some coverage about that instead of Palin's pregnant daughter.

It is about time that msm finally ask real,legitimate, non-superficial questions about McCain's campaign, after many,many gaffes, after many, many cover-ups, after many, many lies that were evident. John McCain does not have the executive judgment to be President.

When you review some of the qualifications of the President below, even a illiterate, blind and cross-eyed wilderbeast will know that in some of the major categories, JOHN MCCAIN lacks:

Desirable knowledge, skills, and abilities

The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in leadership, public service, management, international relations, and national security. He or she will also bring personal integrity, a strong sense of ethics, and the wisdom to exercise good judgment in times of uncertainty.

Leadership

The ideal candidate will have:

* A vision that inspires citizens and nations - and the ability to articulate that vision. Exceptional communication skills are required.
* The ability to attract and develop a strong team of advisors
* An aptitude for building coalitions and negotiating compromises, across parties and among nations
* The facility to assess complex situations, envision alternative outcomes, and make wise decisions

Public service

* A demonstrated commitment to public service, with clear dedication to the democratic ideals set forth in the constitution
* A deep understanding of government processes, preferably acquired through senior-level government experience
* Clear priorities and well-informed positions on national issues

Management

* Executive-level skills in strategic planning, team building, and budget management
* Experience leading a complex organisation that delivers large-scale programmes and services
* An in-depth understanding of economics; proficiency in constitutional law

More tools and resources for US voters and non-citizens alike:

US Electoral College - the office of the US National Archives and Records Administration contains material on election history, voting systems, guides for election officials and resources for teachers

Project Vote Smart - a non-partisan, non-profit US political research organisation; its 2008 presidential candidates section provides information on candidate backgrounds, issue positions, voting records, and campaign finances

ChooseYour Candidate - from the Washington Post, an interactive quiz that compares the individual's views on national issues with those of the top presidential candidates

Core Documents of US Democracy- from the US government printing office, an archive of texts of current and historical government documents, including the US constitution

PublicAgenda - a non-partisan, non-profit organisation that provides detailed issue guides to help citizens "know more about critical policy issues so they can make thoughtful, informed decisions"

The Savvy Voter- from the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), an election guide that includes information on how to dissect an ad, analyse a poll, evaluate a platform, assess a website, and view news critically.International relations

* An exceptional talent for diplomacy. The president must be able to foster relationships and influence positive outcomes in international affairs
* Expertise in foreign policy and knowledge of alternative approaches to governance
* A well-grounded view of America's role in an interdependent world

National security

* A full knowledge of the structure and capabilities of the US armed forces
* Direct experience of the reality of war and military power, often demonstrated through personal military service; and of the requirements and mechanics of intelligence as a means of protecting the country and its people

Personal qualities

Finally, the candidate must have the physical stamina, strength of character, and emotional resiliency to meet the demands of a high-pressure job that could affect the stability of the country, the balance of world power, and the quality of life of millions of people for generations to come.

McCain has just given up the experience argument. They look ridiculous saying that she defended our borders against Russia. Even taking away Obama's State Legislature and US Senate experience, he has shown that he has been able to run a tight ship in his Presidential race for a longer period of time than Pallin was Governor.

Personal details are insignificant except they give a mirror into the subject. Obama honetly wrote about his past indiscretions - showing it's better to preemptive if you're not a Republican. This goes to McCain's Judgment - his motto is Country First - yet Palin belonged to a secession group; McCain's against earmarks yet Palin lobbied for them - but now claims she's against them -- more of the same -- yes. I don't care that her daughter is pregnant - but I do care she and McCain want to make that decision for other woman young and old. Interesting how Republicans lectures minorities on unwanted pregnancies and how they are bad parents -- yet the conservatives view the Palin situation as something to celebrate?

At least dan quayle should be happy, since he will no longer be the "worst-vp-pick" ever.

Someone need to review ABC's tape of the "Hookers N' Blow" party at the RNC. I swear that I can see Sarah Palin on stage in the background at approximately -1:02 in the video. But I guess that would be of no surprise to anyone, much less the republiCONS.

The double standard here is UNBELIEVEABLE... Edwards fathers a love child and nobody says anything and a 17 yr old girl is pregnant and soon to be married and it's the end of the world and John McCain? Not to mention Clinton/Cigars/Interns/Lies in the White House and "that's his business not ours" You Liberals are an IN-CREDIBLE group.Use your brain and TRY to think outside the liberal media box for once! WOW!

McCain has also just given up the "Country First" argument. They look ridiculous saying that she is the best choice for the country. No one in their right mind thinks that Pallin was picked as the most qualified person to run the country. She was picked because she was in lock step with the religious right, and she is a woman. I hate Lieberman and Ridge, but even I would not make the claim that picking them would be picking someone that was unqualified.

What argument is he left with?

POW POW POW POW. Does he really think that we will elect someone because of something heroic that happened 40 years ago? I pray not.

Even as an Obama supporter, the news that Palin's husband got a DUI a million years ago is pointless and shouldnt make any headlines at all. Its a non-issue, even moreso with all the other material we are reading.

I am stunned however, that McCain supporters cant just say "wow what is he doing". If Obama picked a Palin-equivilent, I would be pissed and qould question him big time.

The news media are saying that Biden will have to be soft on her or we would see him as picking on a woman... I am a woman, I think he needs to be Biden and let them debate... If she can't take the heat then she needs to get out of the kitchen...

If McCain's camp did not not do a thorough vetting of Palin shame on them. If McCain's camp did do a thorough vetting of Palin and still moved forward with this abysmal pick, also shame on them. I don't know which position is worse.

Where are the exposes on Obama's ties to Tony Rezko and his other friend Ayers, the terrorist? Is this another case of selective amnesia?

Where are the reports od Biden's son the lobbyist and of Biden's ties to the financial mess we are going through?

Cher FL: not sure but you are out of touch right along with McCain... Edwards career has ended or did not see that part?

That's because Palin is a great pick. her record is outstanding. She fought corruption where Obama bathed in it. Palin is not anti-American like Obama and his associates.

George really needs to ask about the ethics of earmarking a cool $1 mil for the employer who gave the "honorable" freshman Senator's wife a 260% salary raise soon after he was elected to the US Senate.

Well there we go again. Those on their high and mighty horses, as recently as yesterday, saying that teen pregnancy is a social disease brought on by a myriad of issues that the democrats don’t just seem to see as a problem. Now look at what they are saying: Governor Palin’s family is like any other family and should be supported. Hello, one day you are saying that the right way to support a family is to be there with your children, support abstinence education, and act the “Christian Way”. The next day, OH! it’s OK to have a 14 year old date a 23 year old, a 17 year can get pregnant, a 16 year old who can get birth control (with her mother at her side?), a mother that can return to work within 3 days of giving birth to a beautiful, but challenged child, and a husband that can continue to be, pretty much, a unengaged, not too interested or non-supportive fatherLet’s look at the Republicans, while it is OK to be critical, don’t throw stones when you yourselves live in glass houses. Let;s name a few folks over the last year or so with some problems, and then the Republicans, can sit back and allow at least 30 Democrats the right to misbehave, without recourse:Vitter, Craig, Stevens, 2 sex perverts and 1 crook to name a few. If you want to stand the higher moral ground, then clean your own closets first. And yes Larry Craig is still in there, or so he believes!Palin is as unqualified as any one could be. Children that have no moral guidance (or if they did, they had lousy teachers, another reason she is a bad pick), a working mother that cares only for her job (3 days after giving birth she is back at work), a disengaged husband, a supporter of “Pork” (just ask the town of Wasilla how much return they got for the lobbiest they paid for - It was millions, not to mention her support for the “Bridge to Nowhere”, which she stilll supports but in a less expensive mode. Flip flopper, she is, as she has changed her position on several things as she has risen to the rank of Governor of a pretty backward state. What is McCain thinking, 3 electoral votes? Women’s votes? Yeah his senility is showing, Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney would have been much better picks and they bring along many more states. The candidate for the Republicans has made a poor choice, and I for one, will not vote for a small town/time local politician who has never had a national leadership job, probably can not spell Darfur or Chechnya, let alone even been oversaes vacationing, where she shops at the local dock to pick up dinner off the boat. What in the world does Palin know about biofuels and the impact on food availability, the financial markets and where they are located, let alone how they are run and what impact there is on just the tiniest things happening, etc. Prove to me that she has a global knowledge and can show us where Tbilisi is located and what concern Russia has there, then I might think to vote for the Republicans. NO I THINK NOT. Someone needs to be gentle and tell her to go home for the good of the country.
bischo4 5:27 PM

Do you think McCain would have chosen Palin if she was male? This should be about qualifications, not gender. She's a terrible choice for the second in command.