Palin

[Rita]

I am going to ignore all sexist and racist remarks - it matters zero to me that Obama is part african american and it matters zero to me that Palin is a woman - I care about policies and judgment and the way McCain has handled this and what the Alaska legislature are saying about a virtually non-existant vetting process speaks volumes about McCain.

He went his gut as he saw a reformer in her and she reflected back to him what he used to be (a maverick who loved to combat against the establishment) and that is it - either one is comfortable with that or not.

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I'm ready for some governing from something besides the gut. We've already had 8 years of that.:roll:

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[GoodWitch58]

I have to shake my head at people who are willing to exploit a baby and a pregnant teenager...and most of what I've read and heard is attributed to members of the Republican right--they are saying things and are willing to be quoted, so I can only assume they believe it is somehow helpful to their cause.

None of this had to be an issue if it had been properly handled inthe first place. I would have liked to see Governor Palin share it with McCain and get a commitment from him that he would take a firm stand that it is private and off limits...handled in that way, the story would have been less of a story--now, the question on every reporter's mind is what else is there? And they will dig until they find it.

My heart goes out to these children.,

 

[Cheering472]

The ultra conservatives were using one of Palins children (the baby with Downs) as a badge of honor for her delivering him instead of aborting him. They had no problem using that baby to further Palins reputation. This bothered me for her child. They then complain when ultra liberals single out her older child for behavior that usually doesn't sit well in church. This bothered me for the child as well. Sorry but you can't brag on one and ask everyone to look away from the other. I personally felt using either child as an example of good, or bad, was wrong. The accolades for not aborting the Downs baby or the opposing criticism of her teen daughters pregnancy have no impact on me except to make me feel uneasy that these are suddenly the issues.

I feel the same way regarding the experience argument. The big argument used against Obama has been his level of experience. When the GOP brings out someone with little experience, a step behind an elderly cancer survivor from being president, everyone is supposed to ignore that. I'm not all surprised that it was turned on them. Take it off the table if you don't want it used against you. You can't complain when you get hit in the dodgeball game if you were the one who brought the ball.

 

[Miss Critter]

I have to shake my head at people who are willing to exploit a baby and a pregnant teenager...and most of what I've read and heard is attributed to members of the Republican right--they are saying things and are willing to be quoted, so I can only assume they believe it is somehow helpful to their cause.

None of this had to be an issue if it had been properly handled inthe first place. I would have liked to see Governor Palin share it with McCain and get a commitment from him that he would take a firm stand that it is private and off limits...handled in that way, the story would have been less of a story--now, the question on every reporter's mind is what else is there? And they will dig until they find it.

My heart goes out to these children.,

There is no way in America in 2008 that the pregnancy of the teen daughter of a vice presidential candidate is not going to be fodder for news. No matter how it was handled, there is no way it would be ignored, regardless of party. Rove most certainly did not invent dirty politics, but he by many accounts perfected it. To hear Republicans crying "no fair" would be ludicrous if it weren't so sad. And yes, I would be saying the same if the shoe were on the other foot. I have no party affiliation. But what I do have is a level of frustration that won't allow me to ignore what appears to be a continuation of the lack of good judgment that has permeated our highest office for the past several years.

 

[Miss Kitty]

Bravo to the wise women that have posted their opinions here! I am still confused by this choice of McCain's. The small group of moderate Republicans I have conversed with have all "knee jerkly" said that they will vote for Obama now. Don't know if this will hold on election day, but it was stunning. I am reading from some of you that this was all to appease the far right...once again, that scares the bageesus out of me.

 

[Rita]

Bravo to the wise women that have posted their opinions here! I am still confused by this choice of McCain's. The small group of moderate Republicans I have conversed with have all "knee jerkly" said that they will vote for Obama now. Don't know if this will hold on election day, but it was stunning. I am reading from some of you that this was all to appease the far right...once again, that scares the bageesus out of me.

You and me both!..


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[GoodWitch58]

There is no way in America in 2008 that the pregnancy of the teen daughter of a vice presidential candidate is not going to be fodder for news. No matter how it was handled, there is no way it would be ignored, regardless of party. Rove most certainly did not invent dirty politics, but he by many accounts perfected it. To hear Republicans crying "no fair" would be ludicrous if it weren't so sad. And yes, I would be saying the same if the shoe were on the other foot. I have no party affiliation. But what I do have is a level of frustration that won't allow me to ignore what appears to be a continuation of the lack of good judgment that has permeated our highest office for the past several years.

I was not suggesting it would not be a story--but, that, handled differently, we would not have the constant "drip-drip" of details...and would probably not have energized the media in the way it has.

Agree that the judgment question needs to be in the forefront.

 

[30ashopper]

You are missing the point, IMHO. I have no problem with Moms that work. I do that myself. I have no problem with Moms who stay home. I did that, too. While I know it's a nice trigger to try to make the argument about that -- it's not the point.

It's just that when you are in the middle of a 2 major family crisises -- a 4 month old special needs baby (who will need more time and attention than the rest of her babies) and a daughter going through the most challenging year of her life. It just seems to be bad timing for her family. If it was 2 years ago, or 2 years from now I would feel much differently. And quite frankly if she were a man, I'd feel the same way.

I really can't get past the fact that she has pushed her daughter into the national spotlight. I feel terrible for Bristol and I really hope that the nation will be kind to her.

Actually, this whole thing got kicked off when an author over on the DailyKos published a long winded conspiracy theory claiming Sarah was never pregnant, and that Bristol was the mother of Trig. I'd link to it, but for some reason it seems to have disssapered off their site. :roll:

 

[scooterbug44]

1) I love that a woman was chosen as a major party VP candidate, but (just like Hilary) it's unfortunately not a woman I can vote for based on her stated positions and politics.

2) I feel very sorry for her pregnant kid (I don't care how old grandma was when she got preggers, 17 is a kid in modern times). Yes, babies are a blessing, but unplanned teen pregnancy typically isn't a recipe for success - even without massive media scrutiny.

3) Abstinence only education DOESN'T work and teaching kids about health risks and contraception DOESN'T encourage sex. The sooner we figure that out and get the church out of school curriculums, the fewer young people's lives will get ruined.

That is all!

 

[goofer]

Bravo to the wise women that have posted their opinions here! I am still confused by this choice of McCain's. The small group of moderate Republicans I have conversed with have all "knee jerkly" said that they will vote for Obama now. Don't know if this will hold on election day, but it was stunning. I am reading from some of you that this was all to appease the far right...once again, that scares the bageesus out of me.

is this a sexist comment giving kudos " to the wise women that have posted their opinions" ? I don't think it is but I am not as sensitive as some. I agree wholeheartedly with your observations, Miss Kitty, but I would not limit the bravos to just women.