Surprise, surprise. John McCain picks Sarah Palin
By Jimmy Orr | 08.29.08
Everyone should listen to James Carville. The Democratic strategist predicted McCain would surprise everyone - and he did.
John McCain will announce this afternoon that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is his choice as running mate.
She is quite a contrast to Barack Obama’s running mate - Senator Joe Biden - who has served in the U.S. Senate for 35 years. But the McCain campaign says “she’s ready.”
“Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president,” the McCain press release reads. “She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her Administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington.”
Democratic strategist James Carville told the Monitor earlier this week that his choice will be a surprise.
“McCain and I share something in common,” said Carvile. “We’re both craps shooters. And just by nature, craps shooters always want to put their stack in the middle of the table.”
Carville was right.
<< Sarah Palin for VP? McCain pulls a mighty head-fake? | MainComments
6. johnzero | 08.29.08
So… the oldest presidential candidate in history, with a medical record that runs to 1,100 pages, thinks it good judgement to put a governor with less than 2 years of experience in public life one heartbeat away from the Oval Office?
I feel safer already.
8. job | 08.29.08
McCain try to salvage nallow mainded shallow brain Clinton’s woman voters.
For that she is a excellent choice.
9. jet | 08.29.08
I hope she can name which countries border Iraq, which is more than McCain can do.
10. Bernard Moon | 08.29.08
Brilliant move. Makes Biden boring in comparison. Don’t you hear the footsteps of moderate women and Hillary supporters moving to the right?
12. erik | 08.29.08
It looks like McCain just “jumped the shark”…. I expected much more, this is almost a joke… Can he change his mind
13. fred | 08.29.08
Biden is a useless tool. I find it funny that BO supporters would fine HER inexperience a hinder to her serving LOL
14. BDM | 08.29.08
Excellent pick! Since this election is all about superficialities, McCain’s pick of an interesting, hot-looking young female for the VP is PERFECTION. What’s Emperor Dumbo got? A piece of dry white toast who is “the stupidest man in the government”.
Bye bye Barry.
16. erik | 08.29.08
The debates are going to be awesome… I just hope the reporters asking the questions get their act straight.. I swear if I hear a question about why Obama dosent where a American Flag pin sometimes I’m going to snap.
17. Beverly Aldridge | 08.29.08
Has he lost his mind!
Five children! with a 4 month old with Down’s Syndrome!
When would she find time to be Vice President !!!
18. M. L. King | 08.29.08
Bob Jones? Really? Come on… who do you think we are.
I think McCain just successfully insulted the intelligence of thinking women everywhere. What is the compelling reason to have this woman be the President of the Senate and the 2nd in succession? She’s young and a woman. Women will vote for her because she’s a woman? Don’t worry about McCain being old because she’s younger than Obama. Please. At least she’s only married into the oil industry, unlike our current VP who directly collects a paycheck….
19. J.Jay | 08.29.08
My dear sen. McCain,
You sure made it hard for Obama to win but, to be honest, you already lost Nov. election. You may be able to get some unhappy zealot Hillary supporters on your side and some feminists but you should have aimed for wider audience. As Obama and party calls it 18M cracks in glass ceiling, you should have aimed for those 18M not just 2M of 18M. DUDE! YOU ARE OLD.
20. Jim | 08.29.08
This is great. Sarah Palin has already endorsed Obama’s energy plan and McCain is now talking about “change” in Washington and giving a thumbs-up on a time table for Iraq. I can’t wait to here what the McCain/Palin team is able to come up with on their own.
The endorsement (from Google cache):
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:wbCGTUeD1r0J:www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php%3Fid%3D1384+http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php%3Fid%3D1384&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
21. Jim | 08.29.08
This is great. Sarah Palin has already endorsed Obama’s energy plan and McCain is now talking about “change” in Washington and giving a thumbs-up on a time table for Iraq. I can’t wait to here what the McCain/Palin team is able to come up with on their own.
22. Jordan | 08.29.08
BDM,
I believe what Mr. McCain just proved is that HIS campaign is about substanceless superficiality. This year’s VP debate will actually be fun to watch: I can’t wait to see Biden chew her into pieces.
23. Jeff | 08.29.08
When Barack Obama announced for the Presidency I agreed with the Republican Mantra that he lacked experience, yet over the past year I have learned enough about the man to believe that his other qualities (intelligence, empathy, and a willingness to listen) make up for that shortcoming. Does that mean that Sarah Palin’s lack of experience doesn’t matter? After all it’s “just” the VP job. OF COURSE NOT. We don’t know anything about her and there are 67 days until the election. Does John McCain know her that well? I can’t imagine how as he’s been running for President for the entire two years she’s been in office. Picking the VP is the first truly monumental decision America gets to see a Presidential contender make. I’m not sure that Joe Biden is the most inspiring choice in the world, but you can’t argue that Obama had bad judgment for adding him to the ticket, shoring up his own weakness. John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin, on the other hand, has got to make s wonder about his judgement.
25. seany | 08.29.08
As a non American observer, I had always been hoping for an Obama win. However, I just checked out pics and a vid of this woman. Now I want McCain to win. She reminds me of Elaine from Seinfeld, especially the mannerisms.
27. Kb | 08.29.08
Palin:
Resume
City council member and mayor of a town of 8,500 people.
20 months as governor of a state of 650,000 people.
PTA Member
–
Kevin B
I’m saying it now: President Barack H. Obama, Jr., 2009 - 2017
28. WomenAren’tStupid | 08.29.08
First of all, women are not dumb enough to vote for Palin simply because she is a woman. She is strongly anti-choice and wants to teach creationism in schools. She has very little experience compared to Barack Obama and is a pander choice that I find terribly disappointing. What? No qualified women with real experience to have as VP. I find the choice to be insulting. Once again, McCain goes for a younger beauty queen.
29. Bernierone | 08.29.08
Seems like a very nice woman, but no match for Joe Biden when you consider that the VP is but one heartbeat away from the Presidency.
31. SRW | 08.29.08
Gov. Palin has been strong in her limited time in office, and her maverick stands nicely complement Sen. Mccain. It’s great that there are now more cracks in the glass ceiling for women in high office. So, where does she stand on the issues? I share concerns that she should be considered as a possible President due to Sen. McCain’s health and age. So, what might she do to the Earth? how will she impact the Supreme Court? Does she have the Alaska mentality of demanding disproportionate subsidies from the taxpayers? is she another Chicken Hawk when it comes to using warfare to solve disputes? What will she do about the deficit? Will she avoid Bridges to Nowhere in favor of more effective infrastructure investments? and let’s find out how she defines the role of VP! This’ll be interesting.
32. Mozart | 08.29.08
I am ecstatic at McCain’s selection. She is bright, young, articulate, results oriented and an achiever. If the conservatives are unhappy, the **** with them. There are plenty of us moderates who will make up for their desertion. Go, John, go.
33. Vince | 08.29.08
Lol!
Hmm trying a little too hard..
Its like..”Hey we are special.. we are making history too!”
34. Kevin | 08.29.08
God bless you John McCain…for handing this election over to Barack Obama as your first example of your senility! From an outstanding convention to McCain’s off the rocker display of poor judgement, the road to the white house is now clear! OBAMA-BIDEN 2008!
Thanks for the gift repubs. I knew your party was in disarray but this takes the cake! 
35. Hercules | 08.29.08
Sarah Palin is a PLUS to the McCain ticket
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/06/the_vp_case_for_gov_sarah_pali.html
36. Mike Smith | 08.29.08
Well he complained Obama wasn’t ready to lead now he picks a pageant girl with no experience. I can’t wait to see the GOP defend this. As old as he is, he needs a firm second in command. Should have picked Romney.
37. jtom | 08.29.08
Sure, zerro, why risk that you MAY have someone with no experience inherit the office when you can vote in an inexperienced person directly! Good thinking!
38. smallminded | 08.29.08
Wazzamater John? Harriet Miers was overqualified and Condi turned you down?
Well, at least the next two months won’t be boring…
39. Infidel | 08.29.08
“I can’t wait for the Biden and Palin debate.”
Me either.
If Biden underestimates Palin, as many commentators here obviously have, the Barracuda will rip him to shreds. His 35 years as an esteemeded Senator will do him squat then.
40. mediahack | 08.29.08
McCain’s pick is a game changer.The media had it all figured out.They had all the story lines ready for a Romney pick. They were poised to continue to gush over Obama’s TelePrompter reading for days on end.
But now McCain had thrown them off their course. By the time they finish covering who Palin is, the Republican convention will be in high gear. And Republicans know how to stage a convention. Obama’s spectacle Thursday night is fast becoming a political footnote. On so many levels this is a bold and brilliant pick.
41. altoranzo | 08.29.08
I have watched in horror the past 4 days of Democratic communists pounding thier chests and nashing thier teeth about the past 8 years.
The zealots wailing thier affirmations about McCain, I’m glad McCain picked this lady, maybe she’ll point out that it is the present congress who is guilty of not showing up for work.
42. KYJurisDoctor | 08.29.08
John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin is a SOLID one for REAL Conservatives, and announcing the pick today is a strategic masterpiece, knocking out Barack Obama/Joe Biden’s after convention euphoria!.
Did I mention that I loved EVERYTHING she said after being introduced by John McCain? OsiSpeaks.com
43. Peble | 08.29.08
A very smart move. I am an independent, and found Mr. Obama’s speech last night to be outstanding as a piece of classical oratory. It was well-presented, powerful, and most importantly from a classical standpoint, subversive of his opponent. Nonetheless, McCain’s pick today has overshadowed that speech dramatically. I have done some reading on Palin and find her quite impressive. It will be hard now for Obama to push a vacuous message of change while opposing a Senatorial maverick and an relative unknown that makes Mr. Obama’s claims of “outsider” status look like Dick Cheney’s.
44. Ray | 08.29.08
I dunno, I’m still caught up on this age thing…& now he goes & picks someone who is younger & even more inexperienced than Obama for his veep. Just doesn’t make sense to me…actually, I didn’t realize quite how old John McCain was until I saw this video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_FvFi4Vm3M. It really put his age into perspective for me. I’m still a fence sitter, so I guess we’ll just have to see where things go though….
45. pb | 08.29.08
We need leaders who innovatively move beyond Bush-Cheney-McCain’s absurd, 19th century energy policy (of which Palin could star as a poster queen), and creatively get America beyond the fool’s-level-chess foreign policy, broken alliances, and lost repsect that this administration
is world famous for.
At the highest offices of the land we also need active intelligence rather than paranoid soothsaying and the reflexes of privilege masked as religion. Bush’s frat-boy Hegelianism (”I represent the will of something big, vague, and ineluctable”–apparently his pappy’s friends) is the very nightmare of recent history.
Have those dismissive of Biden looked beyond his hair color and listened to his critical assessments of Bush foreign policy for the past eight years? He’s a man of wit and intelligence. I don’t need a figurehead for “values” in the White House. The job is not teaching Sunday school; it is leading the free world.
46. J.Jay | 08.29.08
“McCain: Obama Lacks Experience Running 5,000-Person Town in Alaska”
McCain has gone insane with this comments. If he is trying to paint Obama a childish politician, that is not how this message is coming across.
47. ChiefUSN | 08.29.08
This is the GOP’s Margaret Thatcher. If the DEMS want to bring up experience, what business, city, or state has Obama run or even had responsibility for? What executive decisions has he authored? His real accomplishment is merely punching holes in the air with his purported rhetorical brilliance. From Palin’s extemporaneous remarks and demeanor, one may rightly concede that this woman will be nobody’s doormat. She is obviously willing to take on the best the opposition can provide. Sorry, Hillary, we hear the sound of the glass ceiling shattering.
48. Leon Williams | 08.29.08
Palin is a wonderful choice. I hope she asks congress to take a pay cut similar to the one she took as mayor. If she cleans house in DC like she did in Alaska, we will soon have a clean slate.
49. AWBilinski | 08.29.08
Having read the preceding 47 comments it’s kind of hard to add to the breadth and depth (always wide, some shallow and generally a fair depth) and I can only say thank my fellow citizens for the entertaining an informative read!
I guess the thing that strikes me most is that John McCain (and his advisers, I wold presume!?!) must figure this to be a truly close election if they feel the need to target the disaffected Hillary voters with Ms. Palin.
Make sure you get out the vote!!
50. chartguy | 08.29.08
I’m a Libertarian, so I don’t have a dog in this hunt.
The tone of the Democrats’ responses has been quite shrill. I smell fear. I don’t agree with all of Sarah Palin’s positions, but I appreciate that she states them clearly and plainly. You know what she wants to do, and you believe that she won’t give in to political pressure. She was the ethics commissioner of the Alaska Oil & Gas Commission, and helped clean that up. The State Republican Party Chairman “admitted to violations of ethics rules and paid a $12,000 civil fine” as a result of her actions. She did what was right, not what was good for the Party.
She reminds me of Reagan. She says what she means, and means what she says.
53. Andrew | 08.29.08
Obama JUST won. It’s over now. Romney could have help McCain win the economy(which is going to be the biggest issue). Now he’s got nothing. He maybe gains some fringe hillary voters (who might have gone to him anyway). But he now has now turned of the conservative base completely. How can the GOP be so stupid?
54. Daniel | 08.29.08
I’m an Oregon independent who leaned Hillary but ended up preferring Obama by Spring. The inexperience issue got me, too, until I saw what an incredible job Obama was doing running his campaign — no small executive feat there. Between that and the intellect and courage with which he speaks to the American people as (gasp!) *adults* (Google his speech on race earlier this year), I’m satisfied that he has both the good judgment and good character to be an effective President.
Like many, I was interested in McCain in 2000 and have been very disappointed to see the 2007/08 version of this once fine statesman. His VP pick of Gov. Palin is just the latest in a string of poor performances by McCain. Seriously, this election is ultimately about realigning our foreign policy and our energy policy for the 21st century. Obama may be a relative newcomer, but at least he’s had a few years working on these issues and building relationships at the national level. McCain’s choice of an utter lightweight like Palin to be “a heartbeat away from the Presidency” is not just confusing, it’s dangerous.
55. Laurie Kruczek | 08.29.08
Since Palin and Obama are roughly the same age, someone needs to do a timeline of their experience and accomplishments throughout their adult lives. I have a feeling Obama would make Palin look like the competitive snowmobile riding-ex 2nd place finisher of Miss Alaska busybody that she really is.
Terrible choice. I guess McCain needs a headcheck.
56. Cristina | 08.29.08
Let’s see now, she’s the beauty queen who fired her brother in-law from the State troopers as governor of Alaska..
This is this crazy old man’s pick? cut me some slack, this is awful.
57. Rich | 08.29.08
I’m an Alaskan. I know Palin. She is a winner. Strategically, McCain could not have made a better choice. When America gets to know her, they will wonder why she is not at the top of the ticket…someday…in the mean time, I hope she pushes for as many VP debates as possible - she steals the show in that venue. This will change the race as much as Clinton’s focus on the economy vs Bush 1. She is the best representative women could have. This is not a political hail mary, but a shrewd and wise choice for VP. It fundamentally changes the nature of this race, and makes the Obama/Biden call for ‘change’ look superficial and weak. Palin is the real deal and is not being taken advantage of by Republicans - McCain is lucky to have her…that’s why Obama said, “the race is about McCain” in response today…hmmm…I think Obama is about to get Obama’ed…by a very capable woman.
58. Chuck Conway | 08.29.08
Has anyone thought to ask why Ms. Palin, a confirmed anti-abortionist, chose to determine through prenatal genetic testing that her most recent child, Trig, had Down Syndrome? Amniocentesis, for example is not without risk to the fetus. If abortion was not an option, why would she have undergone such a procedure?
59. Rich | 08.29.08
I’m an Alaskan. I know Palin. She is a winner. Strategically, McCain could not have made a better choice. When America gets to know her, they will wonder why she is not at the top of the ticket…someday…in the mean time, I hope she pushes for as many VP debates as possible - she steals the show in that venue. This will change the race as much as Clinton’s focus on the economy vs Bush 1. She is the best representative women could have. This is not a political hail mary, but a shrewd and wise choice for VP. It fundamentally changes the nature of this race, and makes the Obama/Biden call for ‘change’ look superficial and weak. Palin is the real deal and McCain is lucky to have her…that’s why Obama said, “the race is about McCain” in his response today…hmmm…I think Obama is about to get “out Obama’ed”…by a very capable woman…
60. wendy | 08.29.08
Thinking forward to the debates, which apparently McCain didn’t plan on, I cringe because although she is a perfectly nice family woman, and dedicated if new public servant, Gov. Palin is likely to be bloodied (figuratively) with Sen. Biden.
I suspect the same will happen with Obama and McCain. Hopefully people can put aside their personal ideological stubborness and begin to understand that America is at a crossroads, and we need real leaders, with genuine substance, not just personal likeability.
Our future is more important than that!
61. Jane Young | 08.30.08
I am a politically moderate woman, and a strong Hillary supporter. This choice offends me; though she is a driven and accomplished woman, Ms. Palin’s views re. ANWR, the NRA, Roe vs. Wade, and her positioning of creationism on par with science in Alaska’s schools stand in stark contrast to everything that I so admired about Hillary.
This appointment cinches it for me. McCain has caved in, lost his principles, and has allowed his baser instincts (choosing “I need to win at all costs” over what is the most responsible choice for our country) to guide this very critical decision. He is not the man I thought he was; though I did not agree with him on many issues, I always thought him to be a man of integrity. But not any more!
Obama-Biden all the way!
63. davidw | 08.30.08
I think a Governor and Mayor gain more experience in the things that matter as President than a US Senator does in a lifetime.
Great pick McCain. You’ve just won over a left leaning independent (me) and 2 Hillary supporters (my daughters). We believe this ticket can actually get something done in Washington rather than be bought off by lobbyists and big business. We’re quite happy to offset the votes of 3 “everything by the democratic book and call it change” Obama voters.
I don’t really think it matters how the executive branch sees abortion. In order to change the law, the supreme court would have to rule that there were errors in the way the current law was determined. They’ve refused to take the case again because that can’t be done. That’s not likely to change in the future either, no matter who’s in office.
64. B. David | 08.30.08
Needing to crank up the spinworks to full-speed before your VP pick is even nominated might be an indication that you and the ‘Pooch’ have had a close relationship.
65. Krista | 08.30.08
McCain met her ONCE in a meeting and spoke to her a second time last Sunday. I do look forward to the debates…should be interesting.
67. CarolN | 08.31.08
I just heard the most revealing story about Sarah Palin, told by a Republican
operative who thought it showed her great character. As you may know, she chose
not to abort her youngest baby (now 4 months old) when she found out it had
Downs, a position I can certainly honor and respect. Here’s the story
She was flown down to give a speech at a Republican energy conference in Texas
this Spring. Before the meeting she approached one of the organizers and said
she needed to fly back right after the meeting. She gave her speech, then flew
back. They found out later that she realized she was going into premature labor.
Now, let me just ask you, if you thought you were going into premature labor
(the baby was months early) and you really cared about that baby, would you give
a speech and then fly all the way to Alaska or would you, perhaps, find the
nearest hospital?
Sarah Barracuda (her high school nickname) indeed!
68. Aaron | 09.02.08
Palin finds being Governor and VP nominee more important than her role as a mother and housewife? Because of that I find her judgement questionable. Isn’t she meant to appeal to my values? She is a superficial conservative. She’s says that she is ‘pro’ all the right things and ‘anti’ all the correct things, but then doesn’t really live her life based on those positions, except maybe for guns. Sorry but that ain’t enough.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. dsw | 08.29.08
Omg, what a terrible pick!