Palin

[goofer]

I think many are questioning his choice of her for that reason, plus McCain's age and previous health issues. I thought that Obama's choice of Biden was contradictory too, since Biden has been in office since he was 29 years old. That isn't change. Now, McCain has done just the same thing. He found a mostly inexperienced person to take VP. Obama's campaign has been talking about Obama not being a Wa(r)shington type. Bill Clinton reiterated Obama's inexerience, relating it to his own lack of experience when he was running. Al Gore talked about Abe Lincoln's lack of experience. So, it will be hard for the Dems to talk about Palin's, second in command, lack of experience in Wa(r)shington.

These four candidates may not be the best people for our Country, as Goofer said. However, they will draw the most ratings to every news channel in the US. Who would have ever guessed that so many people would be watching politics rather than fancy shows like American Idol? I think that just by these four running, it will make Americans take more of an interest in the workings of politics.

For a moment after the announcement of Palin as VP, I thought that may lock up the race for McCain to win. Up until today, I have thought that Obama would have the better chance of winning. Now, I have no idea. I think this could now become one of the closest races ever.

SJ
I think you are on to something. The election season is just another form of reality TV. I don't think the American people will tune in "to learn something" but to watch a more sophisticated form of the Jerry Springer Show. Lots of crazy characters ala Sharpie Sharpton, Anne Colter, James Carville and Mary Matalyn, Ed Koch, Adolf Buchanan, Ralph Nader, Dennis Kookcinich etc. This isn't an excercise in civics or government or democracy in action. This is entertainment pure and simple. Bring back Monty Hall as the moderator and the electorate in crazy costumes and we will have a blockbuster.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Interesting, goofer. That wasn't the direction I was going(sophisticated realty tv), but I think you may be spot-on with that analysis. I thought there may be more basic American Gov't learned by the masses, but I think you are right -- it may be more like people watching Nascar for the wrecks.

 

[TooFarTampa]

You know I am watching Sarah on TV closely. If she ditches the glasses and lets her hair flow down around her shoulders I think she is interesting. ;-)
Was she really a beauty contest winner ??

She was a heartbeat away from becoming Miss Alaska.

 

[goofer]

Interesting, goofer. That wasn't the direction I was going(sophisticated realty tv), but I think you may be spot-on with that analysis. I thought there may be more basic American Gov't learned by the masses, but I think you are right -- it may be more like people watching Nascar for the wrecks.

I forgot about the music as part of the tv program. Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder Jennifer Hudson. For the Republicans we can have old videos of Lawrence Welk and Guy Lombardo....and why not resurrect Liberace. This has incredible possibilities !!!

 

[Smiling JOe]

Goofer, I think I read that she came in second in that Miss Alaska contest, but, it was Alaska we're talking about.

Watch out about that old farts music comments. I grew up on Lawrence Welk. On the subject of McCain's music, I just heard a news story that McCain's camp played a Van Halen song, "Right Now," or something like that, yet they didn't have permission from the band, and the band's comments were, "If he would have asked, we would have said no."

It is also reported that the stage designers for Brittney Spears (or one of those girls), designed the DNC stage. It is truly a theatrical production. If you want to watch your tax dollars and donation dollars hard at work, you should go to some of these victory parties in DC in November.

I continue to be amazed at the depth of news stories, some really deep, yet the ones with the most airplay are fairly shallow. Little snip-it stories here and there, like jabs in a boxing match keep wearing out the opponent.

 

[Chickpea]

I agree with Goofer's first post and with Punzy's one as well - very clever politically (I really feared he would pick Romney and I believe this would have made it harder for Obama to win)

The fact that she is a hard core Republican is good for us - and I will be amazed if she siphons the women who woudl have voted for Hillary

PS: I agree with all the comments about the fact that her giving birth at any age is her business and should not be politicized!!

 

[goofer]

I just heard a very important fact mentioned on FOX NEWS by Professor Larry Sabato of the University of Va. regarding Gov. Palin. Her favorite dish is moose stew. I wonder what wines goes with it when they serve it at state dinners.

 

[Smiling JOe]

The surprise to me comes in that Palin is relatively unknown. This could be good, since many other choices have been dragged through the mud in past elections -- ie - Lieberman, Romney, etc. What those guys do have is name recognition. Palin doesn't. The good side for McCain is that many Americans have been thinking of nothing else today, than getting more info on Palin. The people are have to actively dig up info, giving them more interest in her, maybe gaining more loyalty than had McCain announced Romney as the VP. Most people already have an opinion on Romney.

Romney sounds like a good choice for McCain given Romney's reported skills in economics, but the question is, could he pull the powerful evangelical voters? The answer is likely not. They might stay at home rather than voting for either.

 

[Miss Critter]

Wonder how many google hits for Palin today? Not to mention that everyone she's ever known or even nodded to in the grocery store will be interviewed in the coming weeks.

 

[goofer]

The fact that she is so unknown presents an opportunity for mischief making. Do you remember the film THE CONTENDER ? The mischief makers and the bloggers can manufacture stories that will preoccupy the McCain campaign to spend a lot of time in denials. This campaign could get very dirty if it remains nip and tuck.