All Things Palin

I’ve never seen a VP nomination go by that’s dominated the news cycle for so long.

Kerry selecting Edwards was pretty much ho-hum.  Bush selecting Cheney to lock-in Wyoming was a brilliant move.  Gore putting Lieberman on the ticket dominated Jewish newspapers, but that was about it.

But Sarah Palin is still the buzz, and it’s a good 5 days after her nomination.  It’s been a publicity coup for McCain, who’s successfully shifted the conversation from the Greatness of Obama to this mysterious outsider who’s garnered a VP nomination.

Not that it’s all good.  We’ve seen that Governor Plain’s 17-year-old daughter, Bristol Palin, is pregnant, something that the rabid left is eagerly attacking.  Also, it’s been exposed that Governor Palin’s husband had a DUI– 22 years ago!  (You big drunk!)

Probably the biggest concerns about Palin are “Commisionergate”, where she allegedly fired a commissioner for not sacking her sister’s ex-husband (for tasering their 11 year old and threatening to kill her parents) and her hiring of lobbyists to bring in earmarks for her town when she was mayor.

This brings to light one thing the Democrats love to do, and it always hurts them– character assassination.

You aren’t going to turn people against McCain/Palin because her daughter is having a baby with her fiance.  (Btw, careful snapping pictures of that guy– he’s an up-and-coming hockey star who can fire frozen blobs of rubber hundreds of feet with incredible accuracy).  It’s very hard to try and smear people, especially someone who’s a working mother of five children, one who’s special needs.  Her accomplishments to date are astounding, and the biggest story from this whole thing is that her daughter’s pregnant?  That’s not the only pregnancy story.  Sullivan went nuts over a story that Palin was covering for Bristol with the birth of her last child, Trig.  (I’m hoping she has another named Precalc, but that’s just me.)  News flash, Sully– don’t get your news from Daily Kos.  (BTW, Kos has “disappeared” those stories, and Mr. Sullivan has retracted his demands for an inquiry into Trig’s genetic code.)

I’m reminded of the fever CBS had over the “Air National Guard documents” aired by Dan Rather.  These particular documents were supposedly decades old, and painted the young Bush in a bad light.  Somehow Bush’s activities in the 70’s in military service were fair game, although they turned out to be lame forgeries.  There were also the attacks that Bush paid for an abortion of an old girlfriend, and Laura Bush killed someone while she was driving a car (which she did, although it was a complete accident.)

Now the press is digging into Palin’s past, and not only hers, but her relatives’ pasts as well, trying to find some dirt.

To this I must protest.  People should run for public office to present new ideas to the public to promote a better society.  However, the media is treating campaigns like Paparazzi do celebrities– trying to catch some illicit behavior, new or old, and plaster it over the front pages to embarrass an opponent.  Now a pregnant 17-year-old has been publicized to the world, all to try and embarrass her mother.  This has nothing pertinent to do with running government.  It’s a waste of time.  And it’s shameful conduct.

It’s this type of behavior by the Press that makes people reluctant to run for public office.  Can you imagine subjecting your wife, children, brothers & sisters to this scrutiny, all to try and score political points?

We’ve seen Michael Moore relish in the idea of another Katrina just to hurt Republicans.  We’ve also seen an ex-DNC official do the same.  We’ve seen liberal websites calling Palin a “Trollop’ and photoshopping her into a bikini.  Why?  Not for humor, but to degrade a candidate.

It’s become painfully clear that the only way the Democrats can win is if the Republicans look bad, because their platform no longer has any resonance with the voters.

(1st draft– links coming after I run errands)

Busy Weekend

Well, that was a flurrious end to the week.  I’m going to be busy all Labor Day weekend, so bask in the glory of the end of summer, the start of a new school year, the prelude to the Republican crap-fest in Minneapolis, and an epic poem from Iowahawkus.

See you on Tuesday.

Michael Moore: God Sent Gustav to the Gulf Coast to make me happy!

I just happened to be watching MSNBC and Countdown and Michael Moore showed up, saying “There is a God because he’s sending Gustav to the Gulf Coast [at the same time of the Republican convention].”

Way to be classy, wishing thousands to be displaced and many hurt and possibly killed, all for a political response. Just more proof that anything that’s bad for America is good for the Democrats.

Hello to Hot Air readers.  And if you’re searching for video, that’s where you go to see Michael Moore and Bathtub Boy talking about it.

More on the Palin pick

I hate beating a dead horse here, but the more I think about the McCain campaign, the more I think that it’s probably one of the best political machines to hit the beltway in a long time.  This Palin pick was pure genius, and the teases from the McCain pick were perfect in making sure everyone was paying attention to his nominee.

McCain floated several trial balloons to see what kind of reaction he would get.  He floated Meg Whitman, to see if people would be OK with a powerful woman.  He floated Tom Ridge, to see if a pro-choice candidate would work.  He floated Lieberman, to see the reaction to a hawkish liberla.  I think he did this with Palin in mind.  Knowing that the base would go bonkers if a pro-choice, liberal, inexperienced VP was named, he purposefully made people think Rudy, Whitman, Ridge or Lieberman were in the finals.  But in getting these names out there, people were paying attention.  More than that, they cared.

“I’m not voting for Liberman!”  “I’m not voting for a pro-choice guy!”  “I’m not voting for a philanderer!”  The base was angry, thinking McCain was going to soil their Wheaties again.  But he didn’t.  In fact, he picked someone the polar opposite– a pro-life, conservative, woman with executive experience.  Not only did everyone breathe a sigh of relief, they were overjoyed– “McCain listened to us!” say the Evangelicals.  And it’s true.  He did.  And he teased the heck out of you to make sure you really enjoyed this great present he had in store for you.

Congrats to McCain and Palin.  If we see more campaign machinations like this, November should be an easy ride.

Prediction:  8-10 point bump for McCain, pre-convention.

The Obamamplosion

Obama’s campaign criticizes Palin for lack of experience.

I wish I could make this stuff up.

More on Palin at Hot Air, and then there’s my brief analysis here.

The Palin choice has conservatives very happy, and it’s likely to attract the disillusioned Hillary supporter. Obama just got thumped with the 20 pound sledge, and it’s going to take a lot for them to recover.

UPDATE: McCain’s well-organized campaign eviscerates the Obama criticism of Palin’s experience:

McCain aide Jill Hazelbaker:

It is pretty audacious for the Obama campaign to say that Governor Palin is not qualified to be Vice President. She has a record of accomplishment that Senator Obama simply cannot match. Governor Palin has spent her time in office shaking up government in Alaska and actually achieving results — whether it’s taking on corruption, passing ethics reform or stopping wasteful spending and the ‘bridge to nowhere.’ Senator Obama has spent his time in office running for President.

Ouch!

Who’s McCain’s VP!? WHO!? TELL ME NOW!

I don’t understand it. Everyone, calm down. Take a breath. He’ll tell you within a day.

Geez, it’s like my 4-year old and her birthday presents. “What is it? What is it? Can I hold it? Can I shake it? Can I just have a little peek?”

Look, any female is going to be a great choice. Let’s face it, the disgruntled gender identity crowd over in the DNC were pretty steamed that Joe Biden got the VP nod, and Hillary was pretty much steamrolled. If McCain picks a Palin, or a Whitman, or a Dole, he’ll be doing well for acquiescing to the need of those for a woman in the White House.

Personally, I’d love to see Duncan Hunter as VP. He’s been a favorite of mine all election, but just didn’t have the recognition. But he’s got conservative cred in spades. But he has no executive experience, which is something Palin has. She’s a conservative, she’s got (a little) executive experience, and she’s got two X chromosomes. It’s a crafty pick, although it’s a little Quayle for me.

He could do worse than Palin. But I’m not going to be staring at my phone, waiting for some political messiah to deliver a text message of his Vice-Messiah. I’ll work, get my classes in order, and check Drudge to see who it is at the end of the day. I’ve got to much to do to waste my day fawning over the person selected to attend state funerals.

Liveblogging the Crapfest in Denver

Dick Durbin has just started speaking. He keeps saying our troops are Nazis. Oh, sorry.

A comparison of Obama to Lincoln. Unity and change. How is being uber-liberal bringing a message of “unity”?

So, just how many powerful old white men have given speeches at this convention?

Barack Obama had the wisdom to not risk our troops in the wrong war? Oh, that’s right, he opposed the surge.

Risk our freedoms to the overreaching hands of government? So, stop eating foods with trans-fats, stop smoking, and eat organic healthy foods. That’s not overreaching!

Oh brother. “Yes we can!”

Worst. Intro. Speech. Ever. Thanks Dick.

VIDEO INTERLUDE!

“We can make what we want of our lives.” And if you’re successful, we’ll tax the crap out of you! Hey, thanks, Barack!

“His childhood was like any other.” Yeah, my friends and I travelled all over the world, Kenya, etc. Being born & raised in Hawaii to an interracial family. Just like any other!

He’s just like you and me! Oh, except for being a Harvard elitist lawyer. But he’s just like the rest of us!

Cute wedding pic.

Tax cuts for people who work. Oh, but they don’t pay taxes anyway… He believes in the fact that you can buy votes.

Everybody’s falling asleep with this slow video.

Not the lobbyists? Like all those DNC donors that had hotel security manhandle an ABC reporter? Niiice.

He’s here! I just wet myself!

It’s BARACK OBAMA! Standing in front of the acropolis. Tears are streaming from my face from this incredibly hot habenero pepper I just fired down.

I do believe my lympathic system is on fire! Egads!

He just needs to stop saying “thank you” and say, “Shut the hell up, peons!”

To Chairman Dean, Dick Durbin, and Joe Biden– you’re the best white men I know and thanks for letting me accept this nomination! (What, no thanks to Hillary?)

Ah, there’s the thanks to Hillary. Very good. Keep those delegates happy, Baracka!

To Ted Kennedy, who didn’t drive here, and we’re all thankful for that. And, “Vice President” of the US, Joe Biden (he got that right).

Is that a flag pin?

The American promise has been threatened?

More of you are poor. And George W. Bush is to blame! (He made you buy that Cadillac Escalade!)

Sits on its hands while New Orleans drowns? I don’t know any singular disaster that garnered more attention, aid and volunteerism than the Katrina disaster.

McCain = 4 more years of Bush! “Eight is Enough!” I just want Dick Van Patten to come out and kick his butt. “Lay off my legacy, Obama!”

He’s equating McCain to Bush. A good tactic, but the attacks are weak. And Phil Graham talks about a “mental recession”. Um, GDP growth of 3.3%? Did nobody get this guy a newspaper today?

He’s talking about autoworkers (aka. union employees) who are having their jobs outsourced. Bear in mind that union unwillingness to budge on key issues has forced companies out of the US.

And now he says McCain is giving tax breaks for the rich. Of course, those 100 million pay nothing in tax, so you can’t give them a tax break. Logical conundrum, but it doesn’t make for riveting speaking.

As for an Agent of Change, he’s not doing so well. No tax breaks for the rich, redistribute money to the poor, hurt Big Oil and bad Big Business. We heard this all 4 years ago.

Talking about education. I don’t think McCain is planning on taking these things away.

“I don’t know what kind of lives John McCain thinks celebrities live” says the man speaking in front of 75,000 people in front of a facade of Greek pillars.

I’m not hearing much as far as a platform, but more platitudes.

Oh here we go. What change means!

Tax code– stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas. “Listen now”. I will cut taxes for 95% of all working families. What? Who’s not working? The Kerry’s?

In 10 years we’ll stop using oil from the middle east?! Specifics please, Senator. “McCain’s been in Washington for 26 years!” (Biden’s been there for 30+). Natural gas, coal, nuclear? (Psst, natural gas and coal are CO2 emitters!) Solar, wind power! 5 million new jobs! All created by government by taxing! So far, all I hear is more efficient cars and biofuels. That’s not going to work, not in 10 years, Senator. But hey, so long as you’re talking about getting new teachers, how about kids getting to college prepared in mathematics?

Uh oh. Single. Payer. Healthcare. Protect social security! Equal pay for equal work!

Many of these plans will cost money. Tax industry more.

Wait, he’s going to reduce bureaucracy? Really? Well, he can’t be any worse than the Republican Congress.

Foreign Policy time. Temperment & judgement? More like experience and knowledge of world affairs. Obama’s ready to have it, so long as Biden’s giving signals from the side.

“I opposed the Iraq war” from my job in the Illinois Senate. Way to go, dude.

Did Obama just say we’ll invade Pakistan?

You deter Iran by putting the US between Iran and Israel.

So, Georgia wouldn’t have been invaded had we been nicer and happier to Russia?! Obama needs to read my blog.

Oooooh. Tough, direct diplomacy! ‘No more flat screen TV’s Putin!’

And Chris Matthews wept openly.

And so did his leg.

(Psst, gang members don’t buy their AK-47’s at gun shops.)

Stale tactics to scare voters? John McCain is George Bush! Boo, hiss, said the crowd…

Don’t fit the typical pedigree? A rich lawyer from Harvard who’s been in politics since college?

He’s deflecting the Celebrity image. I’m awfully confused as to what he’s offering. Change goes to Washington, he says. Change is embodied by Joe Biden and Dick Durbin, and John Kerry and Bill & Hillary Clinton, and Nancy “Drill your brains” Pelosi. They have nothing to do with a broken government.

And now he’s invoking MLK Jr. with a good introduction. We cannot be divided by race. (Then why are people accusing McCain of being racist?)

It’s OVER (Just like Teen Girl Squad!)

The last bit of his speech was the best, and very dynamic, but it was only the best when he was delivering inspiration and not specifics. He talks a bunch about Change, but I can’t help notice he keeps saying the same things that Kerry, Gore, Clinton, Dukakis, Mondale, Carter– they’ve all be using the same tired rhetoric. Blah.

Well, here ya go:

UPDATE: Matthews is weeping, literally, on MSNBC as he repeats parts of the speech to a crowd outside of the MSNBC DNC policy booth. I mean, their news desk.

Update: Michelle Malkin’s FEMA death camps

She’s OK.  Alex Jones didn’t physically assail her.  But I’ve got an idea.  Maybe I’ll turn it into a T-Shirt:

Kill Michelle Malkin! She wants to put us in FEMA camps!

Not my words, but it’s what some of the protesters in Denver started shouting when they found out she was there.  Nothing like a guy who’s about 150 lbs bigger than she is starts chasing her down, yelling at her, and shouting ‘facts’.

Exit question:  just what was Michelle chowing on?  And how can she retain that figure?

What really happened in Georgia

That’s Asian Georgia. Someone notify Sky News.

Michael Totten has an excellent roundup on what happened. It’s a very long read, but if you want to stay informed, Totten is great about going places and doing independent reporting and photojournalism.

An excerpt:

Virtually everyone believes Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili foolishly provoked a Russian invasion on August 7, 2008, when he sent troops into the breakaway district of South Ossetia. “The warfare began Aug. 7 when Georgia launched a barrage targeting South Ossetia,” the Associated Press reported over the weekend in typical fashion.

Virtually everyone is wrong. Georgia didn’t start it on August 7, nor on any other date. The South Ossetian militia started it on August 6 when its fighters fired on Georgian peacekeepers and Georgian villages with weapons banned by the agreement hammered out between the two sides in 1994. At the same time, the Russian military sent its invasion force bearing down on Georgia from the north side of the Caucasus Mountains on the Russian side of the border through the Roki tunnel and into Georgia. This happened before Saakashvili sent additional troops to South Ossetia and allegedly started the war.

This leads to my next post on the influence of the media and how it’s impacting the world.