i'd hit it

she's an attractive older woman, but seriously, i wouldn't describe her as "hot". she's much hotter than Joe Biden though.

i think this is a poor choice on his part. given that he could fall over dead any day now, how many voters are going to want a woman with very little political experience to take over the role of President? McCain is always ripping on Obama saying that he doesn't have enough experience, so why choose her?

i really don't understand what she brings to the table. maybe he's thinking that all of the voters who would have voted for Hillary (feminists) will now be enticed to vote for the ticket that has a woman on it.

"a woman with very little political experience"

What the heck? Obama is running for president and he has about the same political experience as Palin. She is the VP, not presidential candidate.

she's much hotter than Joe Biden though.

Clearly, you've never seen "Vinegar Joe" in booty shorts.

Pumas and Cougars everywhere, unite!

Boniva break!

Did McCain just nominate Laura Roslin to be his VP?

Palin has experience? I'd appreciate some links showing that.

I agree IMGOPH this is most definitely pandering. I actually find it somewhat insulting that McCain chose Palin purely because she is woman, I'd bet her name wouldn't have even been considered if the democratic ticket were both white males. Its like I'll see your minority and raise you my minority.

"As for the prospect of her being vice president, Palin told Kudlow that she could not answer the question of whether she wanted the job “until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day. I’m used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. We want to make sure that that VP slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that we’re trying to accomplish up here….”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25970882/

ms: orly? she's a reformer? just because you aren't as corrupt as the rest of the party honchos in your state doesn't make you a reformer. care to explain away the firing of the state trooper?

I cannot vote for you, Ms. Palin, no matter how much you look like Liz Lemon's popular older sister.

Also, agreed on the pandering. If Hillary supporters actually fall for this cynical ploy, we should consider tweaking the 19th amendment. McCain dangling this woman in front of all the Hillary supporters out there is vaguely reminiscent, I think, of a seal trainer with a bucket of fish.

Direct comparisons of the two tickets on foreign policy experience and expected fiscal relief (i.e., climbing out of the black hole of debt that Bush and Cheney and Rove dug for us) seem pretty simple in light of this announcement.

There can be no question whatsoever as to Biden's value as a veteran statesman with many, many years of foreign policy experience. Palin will never be able to touch that... and with McCain's blatantly hawkish tendencies (imagine how much he'd spend in Iraq, and gearing up in the growing tensions with Russia and China!), it seems certain we'd be in for 4 to 8 more years of military spending in the wrong places, whereas Obama is prepared to fight the return of trickle-down Reaganomics and may live up to the promise of being the second coming (fiscally) of Clinton. Yeah, say what you will about Clinton, but does anyone remember the budget surplus? Surplus.

Diplomacy and fiscal turnaround vs. military spending.

Woah, Dcist, get it right!
Wasilla is just Wasilla .
It's never been referred to as "Wasilla City" (in Alaska we only have municipalities or burroughs...)

And she fired the Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monagan, who was NOT her ex-brother in law. HE refused to fire her ex brother in law, which some people think lead to his firing.

Um, MS, Obama was elected to the US Senate in 2004. Palin won the Alaskan Governorship in 2006. Both have been involved in community-based public service since the early 90's. But the argument that either candidate has more experience than the other misses the point anyway.

Both Senators and governors serve in highly visible positions of great responsibility and influence. The question is not who has the most experience, but who has the right experience. Specifically, the best candidate for President is the one who has the judgment, foresight, and respect for all Americans which will ensure that their future experiences after being elected to office will best serve the common good and needs of this country. Obama has stood for poor families who can not afford to send their children to school or to the doctor, for women who are denied equal pay for equal work, for the troops and veterans who defend our freedom, for workers who have lost their jobs to globalization and a trickle-down system which has been siphoned by the wealthy, for immigrants and minorities who have been prejudged and discriminated into the margins, and for the next generations of patriotic and idealistic Americans who together face new issues and must rise to the challenges that face America today and in the future -- all of whom have largely been ignored by the Republican platform and office-holders whose "values" and priorities are obsolete relics of a sheltered and self-centered past.

Obama has the right experience, and is the best leader to continue building on, strengthening, and securing an even more important measure: the American Experience. The past 8 years are proof of the harm that can be done to a nation by leaders who only represent the interests of a privileged few...the next administration must undo this damage, and Obama and Biden have displayed the wisdom, inspiration, and resolute action that our greatest Presidents have always embodied.

@Flapjack: I really don't know if Palin is any better than Huckabee or Romney as she is very anti-choice.

There is also the matter of being picked just because she has a vagina. Now tell me, what does that say about how the Republican party views women?

Clinton was governor of Arkansas for roughly 10 years and had lived/breathed politics since he was a kid.

Bush was governor of Texas and i'm sure most of us wish he still was. he's still not qualified to be president.

true, you can't really prepare anyone to be president, but Mrs. Palin seriously looks very green in every aspect. as Chuck Schumer says, McCain's pick is a "Hail Mary pass".

Fox News is soiling themselves in ecstasy over Palin. You can practically smell the Astroglide.

This pick of Palin with a bear rug has been floating around the internets. Just had to share it.

Dear Penthouse Forum,

You won't believe this, but I was cleaning the Governor of Alaska's pool when she asked me inside for a glass of lemonade...

I cannot vote for you, Ms. Palin, no matter how much you look like Liz Lemon's popular older sister.

Comment of the Week

And Chuck Schumer is the biggest douche in DC.

kippers - I love your Marge Schott avatar.

Oh wait, say what now?

This is pretty fascinating, because this is the darkest of dark horse picks. She clearly has a number of major pluses: 1) she is a woman (whether it's pandering or not, this will be a significant plus); 2) she is a reformer in a state that is very well known to be plagued with corruption; 3) if there is a place in the US that is farthest away from DC it would be Alaska, so she doesn't have to lay claim to being an outsider (it's understood); 4) judging by her speech at lunch, she is a much better speaker than I would have expected from an effective political nobody; and 5)energy issues are about to become a HUGE issue and she can bring that experience (as little as it is) to the table. There are other pluses to that are less understood. For one, this will help Rep. Young and Sen. Stevens in their AK reelections. Having a home-stater at the top of the ticket WILL bring in votes.

There are serious draw backs. Picking someone from Alaska is great to neutralize the Electoral votes from Delaware, but not much else. Also, since she is a true unknown, if she cracks under the strain of a national campaign, that will be REALLY bad for McCain. It's hard to say what will happen with the look of pandering to women voters; this will have to play out more, but could be devastating if it goes against them. As well, she does have significantly less experience than Obama. Mayor of a town of 5500 people for 10 years, then two years as gov of one of the least populous states is pretty skimpy; even comparing it against an IL state senator for 7 years and 4 years as US Senator. Let's remember, if she is elected, she is literally a heart beat away from the presidency, and experience with big issues may not be required, but it certainly is a big plus.

Someone above said you vote for President and not for VP. That's not accurate (or not what your vote really says); you are voting for the ticket of President and VP. Otherwise, VP really would mean nothing. This will be interesting to see how it gets played out.

kippers - I love your Marge Schott avatar.

Marge Schott? I thought that was Hillary.

I too find Gov. Palin physically attractive and would like to engage in sexual congress with her.

These somewhat perverse thoughts need to be shared with the world at large. I would truly be doing humanity a disservice if these thoughts, which are important and insightful, remained only with myself.

Everyone here will take much enjoyment and insight from the fact that I, completely anonymous to everyone here, find Gov. Palin attractive and would like to have sex with her.

To those of you who fear that this will be the only time you'll read of my unfulfilled libido being directed at someone mentioned in a story with zero sexual content, I say to you, do not worry. If I do not find the time to comment on the attractiveness of any interview or article subject, my brethren, like in mind and spirit, will surely carry on the torch for me. For there are many, if given the chance, we would like to have sex with because they are pretty.

I understand if you want to reward me, in some way, for providing you with the insight into what is no doubt an amazing mind. Trust me when I say the fact that my words will make you smarter, happier and more complete is reward enough. For I, boondoggle, would hit that without thinking twice.

It's hard to claim that Obama has more experience than Palin. She has ran a state whereas he has run a campaign. I'd give her the edge there.

Also, Palin has taken on corruption in her state whereas Obama has embraced corrupt Chicago machine politics. She gets a big edge there.

This pick by McCain will be sure to frustrate many on both sides of the aisle (shooting self in foot vs. pandering). But, I was truly upset by NPR and Washington Journal coverage of Democrats considering voting red after Obama's speech last night as if going red was their only recourse.

Let's spare everyone the debate on how people voting independent would feel like their vote wouldn't count, etc. etc. But, I guess I am curious to hear these same people react to the Palin tap. Would they scurry back to Obama? Or are they dumber than we thought and actually believe there's a reason to support a McCain-Palin ticket by virtue that she's a woman.

After such a gaffe by the McCain camp, there's got to be more reason than ever to reconsider a movement toward breaking the two party mold..

boondoggle, well done. Hmm, you say men do thing Just because they're attracted to a woman? Hmmm, tell me more...

Following on that logic does leave me wondering: is McCain "advertising" his campaign by virtue of an attractive woman? Hmm, I wonder where he would've come up with that? ...You don't think his wife thought it up... Yup, this smacks of beer commercial selfpromotion alllll over it.

oh! And, she plays the flute. Make of that what you will. ;)

Corruption? Well, if firing a guy who drives his own state patrol car drunk and tasers his 11-year son is wrong then I don't want to be right.

What would have been worse is if this screw up wasn't fired because it would have looked political. Besides the tapped conservation between Palin's aides and the state troopers supports Palin's story.

"Kudos, McCain, you have just tanked your campaign. I LOVE it! "

Careful, democrats, you were SO sure that Kerry was going to win the election in 2004 too! Anything can happen in politics.

And for the pandering "we're not stupid" feminists on this board ... McCain isn't trying to sway your vote! You'd shave your armpits before you vote Republican, but there are plenty of middle of the road soccer moms who liked Hillary because she was a fellow strong woman ... not because they were flaming liberals. They might be swayed...

Absolutely brilliant move on McCains part!

You could see his fear and "holy shit I can't believe I had to pick this lightweight" face during the announcement, but it will pay off. The elder statesman picks a PTA member from the hinterlands, you know he is in dire straits. Someone pulled the “Pander, pander, pander now!” alarm at the GOP. From the looks of it they said, “we need a GOP woman stat!” and someone hopped on a seaplane and literally pulled her off of an elk carcass outside of ANWR mid-feeding.

She is a WOMAN, OMG the GOP is progressive too! Awesome! Not only is she a woman, but she is a pretty, white, god-fearing, pro-life, sports-mom, military-man-marrying, over-breeding, gun-loving, beauty-pageant running, oil-loving (takes sexy bubble baths in crude), fishing, hunting, “hell, I still have moose blood on my face" woman.

Which we all knows is America's favorite type of woman! Heee yaaaw!

This is going to be HUGE.

Oh, and people of all genders, persuasions, and dalliances, would like to tap that. I remember seeing her on Charlie Rose a year ago (or so) and an entire room of mixed genders agreed that yes, we would all engage in national scandal inducing acts with that.

omg, FR has made the most sense of anyone on this thread!

that experience is going to come in real handy. at least she may not shoot a fellow hunter like Cheney did.

Yeah, but remember, it was the other guy's fault. He got in the way.

I had the impression from the moment i heard mcCain's announcement that he was shoring up Christian Right wing backing - not so much pandering to the women voters.

"Obama and Biden acknowledge the difficulty and complexity of successful government, and approach the issues with open minds, critical thought, astute judgment, open minds, compassionate hearts, unyielding patriotism, and commitment to the common good and the needs of America"

Time will tell ...maybe. They sure seem to talk the talk. But when the time comes we are going to expect whoever we elect to make appropriate decisions in a NY minute with little time for indecision.

The most fun part of the day has been watching Obama supporters so vehemently claim they do not feel threatened by the Palin pick, then proceed to flip - the - fuck - out.

If you're really not worried by it, your reaction would be like the Republicans to Biden: "meh"

@TLB

I see what you mean, but I think the "meh" was because Biden was seen as a safe, predictable and competent choice.

Having a total newbie be that close to the Presidency of an older guy with a history of health scares...well, it gets a reaction.

But can she attack dog? She was "Miss Congeniality" in the 1984 Miss Alaska contest.

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/mccain-picks-another-beauty-queen/

"Hillary was an amazing candidate" That's the funniest thing i've seen all week ..thanks for that!

>"Hillary was an amazing candidate" That's the funniest thing i've seen all week ..thanks for that!

Almost as funny as 'Hussein would make a good President'.

I think what's more important here is what this says about McCain.

He's taking a huge gamble on his VP pick. And so far his entire argument against Obama has been Obama's lack of experience.

Then he goes and picks a VP with no experience? And, more troubling, one that he doesn't even know? If he knew her for years at least he could claim the he knows for sure that her judgement is top-notch, overcoming her lack of experience. But he can't make that claim, since he doesn't know her.

McCain is 72. There's a pretty good chance he'll die in office. And this is his pick? Why? Because she's hard core anti-abortion and is a woman? That's more important to him than Commander in Chief credentials?

To me this pick shows his cynicism more than anything.

But, still, I'd do her husband.

Delaware might be a small state, but it still has more people than Alaska. Plus, look at how many national and even multinational corporations are incorporated in Delaware. Representing Delaware in the US Senate for 35 years is not experience that should be overlooked. Biden is not a gamble.

And as far as Hillary being an amazing candidate, yes...she was amazing. Both she and Obama energized millions of new voters to register and in many cases contribute their time to political advocacy and grassroots campaigning. And both of them have staked their entire careers on helping Americans everyday, and progressively reforming the government so that it can best serve the people. They have reignited a spark in many Americans to expect more from our government, and work together to make good things happen. As proud I am to have Obama as our Democratic nominee, I am equally grateful that Hillary contributed her ideas and efforts to this election process. Obama would not be as strong without the primary process, and even though Hillary's campaign was not perfect (gas tax holiday, FL/MI, 3AM ad, etc.) I still admire and appreciate the bulk of what she stands for. Not just Obama and Clinton, but several of the Dems including Richardson, Biden, and probably even Dodd were strong and qualified candidates, and I'm proud of that. If only the Republican primary pool also had as many decent and qualified candidates to pick from. Although if I have to say something nice about a Republican, I'll grant that Fred Thompson was also an amazing candidate:P

Hillary was a great candidate. Not because she was a woman, or because she was another Clinton...but because she stood for so many of the causes that benefit Americans from all backgrounds, and clearly has what it takes to get the job done in office. The primaries were so close because we really did have two excellent candidates, and two excellent potential presidents. While the Penns, McAuliffes, and Slick Willies surrounding Hillary Clinton may have missteered her campaign now and then, as a candidate she was amazing and inspiring as someone who would work so hard for the common good of her country.

And for those who can appreciate a little un-PC humor, enjoy:

"John McCain Chooses a Running Mate
As a proud Vagina-American, Samantha Bee is voting for McCain in November.
(The Daily Show, 8/29)

@Indie while i respect some of your beliefs your statements remind me of the true believer Reagan(a)uts or a zealot.

Using your word "amazing" it seems to me that Obama is an amazing motivator, while HillBilly has an amazing machine or an amazing drive to get what she wants.

You also btw seem to place the blame of Hillaryous's failed campaign on her backers or choice of friends ... Those types of decisions (and some others) show me exactly who she is. Well as my grandfather told me years ago show me your friends and i'll tell you who you are.

Also, I think you make a good point...I am trying to develop a more journalistic, neutral, and evenhanded way to make my political arguments. But I don't think you can seriously do that in a post that uses the eponym "Hillaryous" in a neutral voice, either:)

And to counter your final point, "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are." (Brillat-Savarin). Who am I...my friends or my food?!? Or should I be eating more of my friends in search of reconciliation? :P

are you f*cking kidding me? (re: the pick, not the comments)

this is a pathetic attempt to pander to hardcore right-wingnuts

also - experience is a totally legitimate question still;

harvard law v. idaho sportscaster?
conlaw prof at U Chicago v. any executive position in Alaska?

This ticket is a joke and I'm embarrassed for the Republicans.

I want my candidates elite. Take away the governorship and my resume is stronger for the position than Palin's.

The only thing more pathetic than sending up a wildly unqualified token candidate would be to have the Democrats bungle this up or turn back on their offensive in the slightest.

They will send Hillary - after the whooping she took in the primary, you can bet that she will be out for blood.

Miss Congeniality cannot have the key to the nukes should El Johannes kick the bucket. If the dems have any sense whatsoever, they'll wait until after the convention and send Hillary out with a copy of Palin's lifestory - political issue positions and voting history highlighted. They shouldn't even hire a PR firm - they should just record her on a handheld reading McCain and Palin's votes and stated positions. Call it indie-campaigning.

Since when is picking a legitimately conservative candidate pandering to conservative voters? lol

You know that the left wingers are worried when they start whining and slinging mud. Republicans on the other hand look at Biden and go "eh"...

As far as anyone on this board's resume matching this lady, the mere thought had my crying I was laughing so hard!

Obama is a farce. The more he opens his mouth, the more he shows his ignorance... The best thing he could possibly do is just shut up and let Biden do the talking!

Don't forget immigrants. This country's been going down hill since we started letting immigrants in.

I blame Leif Eriksson and his lutefisk-eating ilk. Go back to Norway, you smorgasbord-eating neutrality monkeys! And take your lousy Ikea furniture with you! You're taking jobs away from hardworking American particle-board furniture makers!

We can keep the aquavit. And the meatballs. But they have to take back Ibsen.