McCain rolls the dice

Craig Strachan

The national spotlight is now going to turn onto Alaska's Republican culture of corruption.

McCain may well just have stuck Ted "Bridge to Nowhere" Stevens's mugshot on his campaign.

Trafalgar

I think this is McCain's first real mistake.

McCain has tried to outflank Obama politically but she will come across as a lightweight when put under the full glare of the media spotlight.

The GOP VP pick was always going to be more important than the Democrats' as it's very likely that McCain won't last the 4 years. Palin could well have to assume office and there are bound to be massive concerns about her lack of security/defence expertise.

David Lindsay

This one could turn really interesting.

Is the Governor of a state so wedded to the "free" market that it pays people public money just to live there nevertheless a good Republican merely because she is notionally against abortion (not that it will make any difference)?

And while the radical feminist Clinton supporters might balk at a pro-lifer, the far more numerous rural blue-collar whites who preferred Hillary to that guy with the foreign-sounding name probably or certainly never did agree with her about abortion.

A morally conservative believer in big government projects for the common good is right up their street - Main Street, USA.

And after all, the economic things might actually happen. The Republican Party will never commit electoral suicide by delivering on abortion and then waking up to wonder where all their Catholic and white Evangelical supporters went. Home to the Democrat Party, that's where. Mission Accomplished.

But still don't vote for McCain. He won't stop abortion. He won't do populist economic things, not these days. But he will do whatever Robert Kagan tells him to do abroad. Bomb it.

KMcC

Craig - Palin is, of course, one of those who helped demolish the Bridge to Nowhere (figuratively speaking) by insisting on fiscal responsibility in public expenditure

Rosie

This is dynamite. A 44 year old married mother of five, with a downs baby born whilst she was IN OFFICE. Pro Gun, Pro life, son in the military, union member husband. WOW!

Also women are 54% of the electorate in the US. Obama-Biden need to be very careful they can't attack a woman in the way they could go after a man.

Whatever your political persuasion this is fantastic politics from the McCain campaign.

oldtimer

I`ve just listened to Governor Palin (broadcast live on Sky News) on her nomination as McCain`s VP running mate. I must say that, in my opinion, she came across extremely well.

On my first impressions, it seemed to me that she spoke very well and pressed lots of the right buttons. Certainly a breath of fresh air. How well it will work out remains to be seen. But she is certainly a feisty woman.

john miller

Sarah and Harriet - look into the future and be afraid lol

C Powell

I suppose the question is whether this highlights the fact that Obama didn'd even consider Hilary for VP and what effect this choice will have on women voters. It certainly means that the "change" argument is not necessarily just Obama's. But if she turns out to be a Geraldine Ferraro then it could backfire. Interesting times.

occasional ranter

James - I probably live permanently in the gutter but are you aware of the slang meaning of "tapped" ? It strikes me McCain really is taking risks to win if he's "tapped the young, inexperienced Alaska Governor...."

Verity

So, the misogynist fleas come jumping in. When she was mayor of Wasila, she REDUCED TAXES and managed to attract new business to add considerably to the city's coffers. She has worked to better the lot of Alaska's indigenous people. She's been a political animal all her life, meaning she is not going to have any public huffiness or outbursts of "pride". She's got herself well under control.

Her husband still gets up and goes to his work in production on the North Slope, although now he leaves from the Governor's Mansion. She has three grown children, and one still at home.

She's three years younger that the "youthful" St Barack, who's pushing 50 for God's sake. She will be an excellent ambassador for the United States in the rest of the world.

I wish I'd put a bet on her - oh, those well know words of rue ... I had my fingers crossed for her.

THX1138

Who the f**K is Sarah Palin?

She's only got the job because she is a woman. Pathetic

John Miller

Well, if anything were to confirm the death of the Telegraph as a serious newspaper, this is it; McCain picks WOMAN as running mate.

That's her defining characteristic is it? Old Torygraph from 1938 plus leaden headline and sexist to boot. Great stuff.

THX1138

Mel P Won't like it she's a pot head & a believer in man made global warming.

Verity

"Inexperienced" James Forsyth?

Well, she hasn't been a Capitol Hill insider for 90 years like Joe Biden and Ted Kennedy, but a glance at her cv tells you she has been political all her life and she has achieved everythng she sought. She hasn't washed around the sleaze in Chicago and Capitol Hill but this gal is a politician down to her toes.

She's perfect for the post.

Marian C

Verity:- I agree with your sentiments exactly.

I think Sarah Palin was a great choice; she will breathe new life into the Republican Party. Yes, I would agree that she does not a lot of experience on national security or foreign policy, however, nor does ‘St Barack’, what he knows about national security and foreign policy could be written on the back of a postage stamp! At least she does have a record of achieving her aims and objectives. I think a lot of Hilary supporters may very well be swayed into voting for John McCain, especially now that he has Sarah Palin as his VP. I would say this is a very smart move on behalf John McCain.

As for all those “misogynist fleas”, who cares what they think, their ignorance knows no bounds.

Verity

THX1138 - Too bad you are so ill-informed about American politics. You love using the lingo to pretend you're American, but clearly, you do not keep up. Everyone had their fingers crossed for her.

DJT

"The TV pundits are already speculating about the stature gap at the VP debate between Joe Biden and her." What about the boredom gap between Biden and, well, the rest of humanity? He may well win it for the pundits but real voters will fall asleep in his monologues...

Outer Circle

Watching her on Fox I was struck by her direct manner. It now looks like Biden could be the Democrats equivalent of Dick Cheney. Palin looks pretty and has a great story. Biden called the Surge badly and was against liberating Kuwait - that ain't a stellar record. Between the candidates Palin is the only one with executive management experience. The two Dems looks like machine politicians. It's getting very interesting!!

Marian C

THX1138 – Your comments show that you are both ill informed and ill mannered; and in all probability a leftie labour supporter, which tell me all I need to know about you!!!!

Tariq

This choice serves two crucial purposes. First, it allows McCain to placate the religious activist base of his party, who have never seen him as one of theirs. And second, it helps block Hillary: McCain could serve one term, then hand over to Palin, who would look younger and fresher than Hillary in four years' time. Remember, the GOP always plays a long game.

Max Kaye

So Sarah Palin, Republican VP candidate has little experience: She's been Governor of Alaska for under two years.

Rookie Senator Obama, Presidential Candidate, has no executive experience at any level. As someone once said: he's an empty suit.

TGF UKIP

Well, Verity, you may not have got your boy, and first pick, Bobby J, but at least you got your gal Sarah P.

And I must say that even as a self confessed misogynist I am highly intrigued by McCain's choice. While, in theory, the foreign and security policy inexperience thing will count against her, the McCain campaign, if they are as smart as I hope they are, will lever this back to highlight the absolute inexperience, in every respect, of social activist Obama. Indeed, as one Republican pointed out tonight on the BBC PM programme her two years as governor alone means she has more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined.

She sounds a tough, feisty and remarkable lady and the Republican aim is to clearly identify and aim her at their target markets as the American Brunette Margaret Thatcher.

I would also point out to some of the other more doubtful Coffee Housers above, that for at least the last couple of months she has been the pick and enjoyed the consistent advocacy of Bill Kristol - nuff said?!

From a UK perspective, though, what was most interesting on the BBC 6 o'clock news was their reluctance to shift away from Obama. Then when they got round to McCain/Palin, Justin Webb characterized the pick as "desperate." Perhaps, we are going to have to refer to it as the B&BBC for the Barack & Brown Broadcasting Corporation from now till 4th November when McCain wins.

Manfredo Felice

What you're missing is that every time Palin's experience is questioned it gives the GOP an opportunity to talk about Obama's lack of experience. Something along the lines of "Palin's been the mayor of a town of 9000 but Obama's never been the mayor, governor, or chief exectutive of anything."

Ultimately this is McCain v. Obama--it's always about the top of the ticket. This actually gives McCain a way to press his greatest advantage over Obama.

THX1138

Verity- actually I'm not sure that "Pot Head"; "F**K" or man made global warming is particularly US "lingo" I think a marijuana smoker would be referred to as a stoner in the US & the F word & mmgw is pretty universal.

I defer to your knowledge of American politics & Palin maybe a competent politician I imagine it's pretty short list when you get down to competent Republican politicians judging by the state of the country they have been running for the last eight years.

I do think that one would have to be very naïve to believe that a large part of her appeal to McCain was based on her gender, to appeal to all those disgruntled woman Hillary supporters perhaps. My sister in law in Tulsa who is exactly that a disgruntled Hillary supporter has already e-mailed me to that effect , I had to remind her of Palins pro life stance that seem to get her back in line.

BTW I was surprised to find you of all people playing the gender victim card.

TGF UKIP

PS. Just occurred to me on the theme of the American Brunette Margaret Thatcher while Mr Palin apparently works for an oil company so did Sir Denis who worked for Castrol, and then when it was taken over for Burmah Oil.

kinglear

I love her already. She's just the sort of change that's needed, ie non-partisan common sense and fighting for your own patch.

John Miller

You have to laugh.

Obama's tactic, which he and his team have previously discredited when used against them - using the mantra of "change"- is to say that she is inexperienced.

The fact that she has been an executive, in the way that Obama has not been, means that not only is that argument ineffectual, but also highlights McCains criticisms of Obama. So the better they succeed against Palin (a VP) the more they damage their own candidate (a President elect!). Facile, I think, is the word...

Rory Sutherland

Quote from Wikipedia: Palin hunts, eats moose hamburger, ice fishes, rides snowmobiles, and owns a float plane.[19][79] Palin holds a lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association. In December 2007, Palin posed for a photo spread in the fashion magazine Vogue."

Doesn't sound like a lightweight to me.

John Miller

Sorry, too many comments by me here, but I couldn't let TGFUKIP's comment about the BBC go by.

I missed that, but I do love it when the Left (sorry, the public broadcaster) has to cut their nose off to spite their face. Mrs Palin is the choice of a "desperate" man, but the selection of Hilary by Obama would surely have been "inspired".

And finally, I wonder what the Beeb's internal e-mail censor would have made of any male describing the appointment of a female within the organisation as "desperate". Shot perhaps? Or merely cast off to cover the Notting Hill Carnival in perpetuity?

dearieme

Cunning old fox: "The fox knows many things". Mrs Alaska has more executive experience than Hellary or Barack America. Whether she is less ludicrous than Biden, time will tell.

Ganpat Ram

The Obamites are totally flummoxed.

McCain has done the impossible -he has made Obama seem outdated and faded the very day after his so-called great Convention speech.

As for grey dreary y-a-w-n Biden.....

Think how the Dreary Duo of Wimp Obama Talktalk Biden will now show in big working class rallies in Ohio compared to the dazzling platform presence of America's greatest He-Man Hero alongide its Sexiest Woman Politician.....

And I totally agree with the reader who pointed out that this is a walloping advantage for McCain: every time the Obamites try to talk abot Palin's lack of experience McCain has say: She's got a whole lot more than Obama !!!!!

Wowee!!! The crords will go wild......

Verity

THX1138 "BTW I was surprised to find you of all people playing the gender victim card."

I did't. I said there was lot of misogyny in the first few comments. I didn't say Governor Palin was a victim. i said there a lot of misogynists had rolled in. The notion that they could do any damage is laughable.

Rory Sutherland, never mind a rifle, Obama would never even handle so much as a .45. He might hurt his pinkie.

Austin Barry

Having spent a miserable two weeks in Nome, Alaska a few years ago, I can tell you that Ms Palin with her gleaming American teeth, gravitas specs and neon-lit sincerity does not represent the Alaskan female norm. Most of the women in the Blackfly State resemble Aileen Wournos the I-90 serial killer on a bad-hair day. McCain has, however, trumped Obama in the VP-nominee stakes. His choice looks exciting yet reassuring (Ms Palin is every American kids soccer mom) and makes Obama's VP selection of pompous windbag Biden seem weak and unimaginative.

THX1138

John-M You make a good point about the inexperience card yep of course it hurts the Obama's side to attack Palin on the experience credentials but the other hand it hurts camp McCain to attack Obama on experience too as the grumpy old bastard could drop dead at any time from anyone of the myriad of illnesses he suffers from leaving a totally inexperienced President to run the free world. Sorry I don't think being Governor of Alaska for 10 mins really counts.

Time swampland blog hits on the head.

"McCain's mighty and oft-swung Obama swatting hammer of experience has been instantly changed from steel to rubber. VP examination stakes are a little higher for McCain, will she pass the ready on Day One test with less than two years in a (small) statehouse"

Also Ms Palin also doesn't seem exactly sure what the job entails

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UtilB1teksc&eurl

I can't wait to see this in an Ad

I think it's a score draw on the experience thing and we won't being hearing too much more of it from now on from either side.

Fergus Pickering

It was surely, as they said continually in The Godfather, the smart move. And aren't you being a little sexist yourself in supposing she won't be able to cut it? You could well misunderestimate her. Remember how Reagan wiped the floor with Carter and George Dubbya ditto with Gore? Oh, and Callaghan could never take Mrs Thatcher eriously, but who wants to put up a statue to him?

Dennis

The experience issue would matter if she were at the top of the ticket like Obama. But, she's running for VP here, not President, so her "lack of security/defense exeertise" is a non-issue. McCain doesn't need a foreign-policy hand-holder like Obama. It genuinely is an issue for the Obama campaign, because the candidate himself lacks any such experience, as does his VP, who, for all the media's attempt to portray him as a foreign policy heavyweight, has never served in any diplomatic or military capacity, or any other executive position that required him to make foreign actual policy - and thus take responsibility for those policies (unlike in the Senate where he can bloviate and change his mind and come up with insane plans - like his immiediate post 9/11 plan to give Iran a $200 check - without doing any real damage most of the time). Biden's only "foreign policy experience" comes from serving on a Senate committee, at the hearings of which he makes speeches, berates those called to testify, and generally preens before the C-Span cameras. He's a dmie a dozen as far as his level of "expertise" and "experience" goes.

Furthermore, McCain, unlike Obama, is enough of a heavyweight in his own right in terms of experience that he didn't need to balance his ticket the way Obama did. Obama essentially needs a hand-holder to be there to guide him when the going gets tough, especially when he encounters his first foreign policy crisis, but McCain doesn't. McCain needed a candidate to complement him, not complete him.

As for the so-called "culture of corruption" in Alaska, that is exactly what Palin was elected to fight, and that's what she has fought, successfully, throughout her political career. She is not a creature of corruption, but its opponent.

Add to that her obvious graps of serious energy policy issues. (check out interviews with he available online where she talk about these and many other issues).

Also, the notion that Mccain likely "won't last 4 years" and needs to pick someone obviously ready to take over from day one is silly. He's had no major health problems - a few spots of skin cancer a few years ago is about it - and there is no reason to suspect that McCain is not robust enough to serve a full term. Since when did age and experience become a liaility in our culture? The cult of youth is just absurd.

Craig Strachan

KMcC - Palin was for the bridge to nowhere before she was against it. And for a supposed crusader against corruption, she's sure been cozy with Grizzly Ted.

Joe Camel

John McCain, president for one term, 2009-2013.

Sarah Palin, president for two terms, 2013-2021.

Of course it's a very rash forecast. But I'm prepared to bet on it. What odds am I offered?

Craig Strachan

Dennis:

"She is not a creature of corruption, but its opponent."

So why is she under investigation by the Alaska legislature? And why was she for the bridge to nowhere before it became a national emblem for egregious pork, at which point she turned conveniently against it? And why is she so reluctant to break with Stevens?

Hysteria

i'm with Verity and others on this - just got back to the States today and watching the mainstrean media - not only does she come acros extremely well, but the timimg is brilliant - the coverage is all about Palin and not Obama's speech.

If she can live up to her potential she is a future president - and still just 44 ! Good pick by the GOP.

James

I think Palin will make McCain look very old beside her. His body language during her acceptance speech was very strange and he looked uncomfortable next to her. From a image perspective it looks a bit like an updated advert for Worthers Originals - with a nurturing grandfather and his grand-daughter.

Obama may be inexperienced - but he has come through a rigorous selection process and is popular. Palin hasn't and isn't. Those who argue that Obama will lose out by not being able to attack her inexperience by highlighting his own are wrong - because this line of attack was McCain's not Obamas. Obama can ignore her - and given her lack of recognition and experience she will struggle to land any blows.

The top of the ticket is what Americans will make their decision on - but they need a safe pair of hands at the bottom of the ticket. If Palin becomes VP - any serious health problem for McCain (which is perfectly possible given his age) could project her into the Presidency. I'm not sure the American people are going to be happy with that - there are plenty more qualified candidates (male and female).

I think this is a huge huge misjudgement by McCain. But time will tell.

BrianSJ

Joe Camel
Ladbrokes are offerin 16/1 for Palin as president in 2012.

Conservative Cabbie

If the GOP are clever, they put Palin into supermarkets, shopping malls, bars and veterans clubs in the blue collar swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia. Ordinary people will relate to her and she wins McCain the election.

I've been tired of the Obama love fest, but depending on her performances over the next few weeks, I am a now a provisional Palinomaniac.

Ian C

I think that most are missing the point. The GOP is unpoular but McCain is not.

He has brought in the next generation of Republican to the ticket bypassing the corrupt 50 and 60 somethings who have brought the GOP into disrepute along with Bush's failings.

By bringing in Palin now, who has more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined, he is saying that 'the GOP you are being asked to elect is not the same one that you trashed at the polls 2 years ago' under my leadership.

If McCain does not win the presidency the GOP in Congress will not lose as badly as it might by this move. And it will have momentum for being able to hit an Obama presidency at the elections in November 2010.

It is both a smart election 2008 and 2010/12 move. Lots to gain and very little to lose.

Verity

Hysteria and Ian C - I agree tha it was a coup and was startled at the political wilinss. McCain is one helluva fine poker player. Allowing all that talk to build up about Biden and Pawlenty. Leaking that his people would be leaking the name of the nominee at midnight on Thursday. Then not leaking it, "not wanting to spoil Obama's tariumphant evening".

The interest was immense.

Then, on Friday, BAM! Obama blown out of the water. Memories of his rally for himself gone with the morning dew.

No one talking about Obama - who was getting to be a real bore in the minds of everyone but fanatics, anyway. Fizzled. Yesterday's news.

McCain had the discipline to hold his fire. The temptation to play his hand on Thursday must have been great. But he's an experienced fighter.

I see over on Little Green Footballs that a website pretending to be of the far right are issuing hysterical warnings that Sarah is for "gay marriage". LGF's owner, Charles Johnson, knows all the tricks and on his site, takes us through the steps from what appears on your screen to where it originated. Obama's people.

Frank Pulley

Fergus Pickering

"Oh, and Callaghan could never take Mrs Thatcher seriously, but who wants to put up a statue to him?"

Baroness Jay?

Sixty and more

Re: Dennis - "Since when did age and experience become a liaility in our culture? The cult of youth is just absurd."

I agree. Does it come with the Marxist ticket? They've brainwashed the young - the older ones: i) seek out falseness where it lurks behind masks and posturing ii) know what freedom and independence are about (among other things) iii) think for themselves iv) don't all like Marxists v) are Baby Boomers.

We are, therefore, both inconvenient and many; and we're not dying off fast enough - euthanasia notwithstanding.

Palin though: she's neither old nor young, is she? And she's positioned to care about both old and young, isn't she? And she's not as strident as Hilary was getting (though whether Palin has quite the intellect remains to be seen)...

Brilliant pick, anyway. This Republican combination gives me something I might vote for on age, experience, gender-balance, and non-Marxism! [To say nothing of the oil-knowledge and war-knowledge, etc. mentioned in various posts above]

Craig Strachan

Verity: "I said there was lot of misogyny in the first few comments"

Oh, come on.

Understand that Palin is someone who fired the Alaska Commissioner for Public Safety because he wouldn't fire someone who had crossed one of her kinfolk.

Then understand that my problem with Palin is not that she's a chick, but that she's a hick.

Verity

Craig Strachan - Abraham Lincoln was a hick. Andrew Jackson was a hick.

American hicks have a habit of surprising the effete in the drawing rooms of the NE and Britain and Europe.

I have a feeling Sarah would not be offended by your soubriquet in the least.

Craig Strachan

Verity: "Abraham Lincoln was a hick. Andrew Jackson was a hick."

By provenance, maybe. But not by conduct in office.

Palin's conduct in firing Alaska's Public Safety Commissioner appears to have been motivated by small-town spite.

She should have left that behind in Wasilla.

Zenobia

But Craig - seeing you know so much - what about him tasering his own child?

Know about that? didn't think so, you just lash out with hope in your heart. Sorry but Palin has the experience, is known to be a fighter of corruption and extremetly popular in her state.

Craig Strachan

Zenobia: "But Craig - seeing you know so much - what about him tasering his own child?"

Yes, Cokie Roberts aired some of the rumors about the behavior of the state trooper in question on the Stephanopolous show yesterday morning, including the rumor that he tased his stepson at the stepson's request. (Strange place, Alaska!)

It seems to me that there would be proper channels and disciplinary procedures to follow if there were legitimate questions about the conduct of a trooper. They shouldn't be short-circuited because the governor has a personal problem with him.

And if that's basically what Walt Monegan told Palin, and she fired him for it, she's unfit for public office, IMO.