Is Sarah Palin, the ardently pro-life Governor of Alaska, set to become the Republican Vice Presidential nominee? The answer is a resounding YES!!!!!! As you can tell, CMR couldn’t be happpier.
The editors of National Review wrote this afternoon a piece that points out the plusses and possible pitfalls of Palin’s candidacy.
By picking Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, John McCain has wowed the public and enthused the Right. He has reinforced some of his winning themes — that he has the mindset of an outsider and a fighter against corruption. He has also reinforced his appeal as the candidate more in touch with traditional values on moral issues.
None of McCain’s possible choices was perfect, and attention is being paid to the way that Palin undercuts other McCain themes, such as the importance of experience in foreign policy. Palin will have to reassure voters of her steadiness when she speaks at the Republican convention and when she debates Joe Biden. McCain, meanwhile, will have to carry most of the foreign-policy load himself and showcase his good health…
This nomination presents an opportunity for all those wannabe history makers to vote for something historic without handing the reigns to Barack Stalin Obama.
Palin is enormously popular in her home state and among conservatives of all stripes. She has only been governor for two years but that is more qualification than the dog catcher from Illinois has.
Is this potential veep pick a game changer? We shall see.
Stay tuned!
CMR wrote a story on the recent birth of Palin’s fifth child called “Alaska Governor (And Possible Veep) Punished by Baby.”
Update: From NRO “They say it’s confirmed by high campaign officials”
Update Update Update: Laura Ingraham is reporting that the choice is Palin. CNBC is reporting the same. Stay on it!
Update Update: According to The Corner, Pat Buchanan on MSNBC just said “She Just Is Not Ready to Be Commander-in-Chief.” That will surely be the MSM talking point on her…if it’s her.
Also, I’m surfing all the news channels and they’re all talking about this. Palin, Romney, Lieberman? McCain has done one thing very well. He’s taken Barack Obama off the news the night after the biggest speech of his life. The men and women running McCain’s camp seem to know what they’re doing…unless the pick a pro-choice Veep and then I’ll say they’re as dumb as chickens.
Update: ABC is now reporting that Palin is still in Alaska. Who knows?
August 29, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Uhm… is that my imagination, or does Pat sound annoyed that he was never offered the job? He’s like a more homely Hillary at this point, isn’t he?
If she’s not ready, then how exactly is the Dalai Obama? Besides, Palin would only potentially be C-in-C, whereas Mr. Hopenchanger would start Day One in the big chair.
August 29, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I like Sarah Palin, even though I know little about her. But something bothers me—would she actually set aside the needs of her newborn special-needs baby to actually campaign and become VP? As a mom, it just doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t know–maybe others aren’t so bothered by it.
August 29, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Now they’re saying it’s not Romney, not Pawlenty, not Huckabee. Ridge, Lieberman, and Palin remain in play. If it’s not Palin or some dark horse, this could be a not-good afternoon.
August 29, 2008 at 3:19 pm
The MSM are begging that McCain pick a pro-choice Veep precisely because they know it will sink his candidacy. McCain already is moderate – so to curry favor with the conservative side of the party, a pro-life conservative Veep would provide a solid ticket, IMHO. I’m not on his advisory team, but that would be my advice – pick someone conservative and pro-life. That would make good on his “pro life administration” line from the Saddleback Forum.
It’s only an hour and 45 minutes before he makes his announcement – it’s like the stinkin’ night before Christmas.
Good point, Pat, on how McCain has taken Barack out of the MSM spotlight the morning after his big speech. It’s almost as if they have Rove on their team.
August 29, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I think that Sarah Palin is an absolute angel, and so much better than a pro-abort candidate, but I am worried that she doesn’t have the experience to take the reins from McCain if, God forbid, that should be necessary. It makes you think that the Obama campaign is really calling the shots; this would be seen as a reaction to their rejection of Hillary, but it does give a new spin to their hope and change mantra. I am praying hard for God to give McCain the wisdom to do the right thing here. Kit.
August 29, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Sarah Palin is the perfect VP candidate. I was going to settle for someone else but when I heard about Sarah, I knew she would be the perfect fit. She is also somewhat of a maverick who has taken on corruption in Alaska. As far as experience, she is currently the chief executive in her state. She is more qualified than Obama!!
Sarah Palin is a Pro-Life leader who walks the walk. Abortion was recommended to her when it was determined that her son had Down syndrome but she said no. Did we need any more affirmation that the Republican Party is the party of life. The battle lines are clearly drawn.
August 29, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Pat Buchanan on MSNBC just said “She Just Is Not Ready to Be Commander-in-Chief.” That will surely be the MSM talking point on her.
Umm…is that something we’re concerned about in this election? Her advisors should just tell her to talk about “change” and start throwing down platitudes as fast as she can, and it’ll be fine.
August 29, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Just heard here speech….she is awesome! Smart, tough, womanly, pleasant, good communicator, Commander in Chief of the national Guard of Alaska… wow! She is the new next thing.
August 29, 2008 at 6:04 pm
if they start comparing Sarah Palin’s “lack of experience” to Obama’s, then doesn’t it show that he is more suited to be a Veep on a ticket than Pres? I think they will stay away from that, entirely. I think it will show that she in fact has more executive experience than he does.
I think this is a lock for McCain!
August 29, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I’m thrilled with Sarah Palin. Pro-life. Conservative. COuldn’t be happier.
August 29, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Marie Duchesne said: “But something bothers me—would she actually set aside the needs of her newborn special-needs baby to actually campaign and become VP?”
I respect and understand your concern. However, I think Dad, can pick up the slack. We Fathers can really step up when called upon to do so.
Mrs. Palin, I am confident, has thought this through a bit and is comfortable that her husband can indeed pick up the slack. I bet her children will be well taken care of while Mom is out on the campaign trail.
Respectfully.
August 29, 2008 at 7:16 pm
“But something bothers me—would she actually set aside the needs of her newborn special-needs baby to actually campaign and become VP?”
Speaking as a stay-at-home dad with three special needs kids all under the age of five, I can say that a determined man can pick up the reins from mom whenever theres a need.
August 29, 2008 at 7:28 pm
“Uhm… is that my imagination, or does Pat sound annoyed that he was never offered the job?”
–nightfly
My thoughts exactly, night. Buchanan still sells some books and makes it into print, but he’s pretty much of Saturday’s hero, but on a Saturday back in the mid-1980s.
The choice of Sarah Heath Palin is a masterful stroke. Obama has no foreign policy experience either. In fact, he is absent so often from the Senate, that he actually has almost no legislative experience either–except to stake a lead position of being in favor of infanticide.
Just pray for Governor Palin–she will be tested between now and election day severely. Right now, she’s as good as they get.
August 29, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Buchanan had his betting money on Tom Ridge on MSNBC this morning. Didn’t look like his heart was in the choice. Apparently not his head either.
Palin’s a good choice. Real Catholics can work with this one.
August 29, 2008 at 8:19 pm
The Joe-bama camp already issued their statement saying that “a former mayor of a city of 9,000 doesn’t have foreign policy experience”. As if a street advocate has more.
Palin is a smart pick and has me energized. Any woman who hunts moose is ok in my book.
August 29, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Marie – It bothers me too even though I do like her and she seems to be a woman who is out and about doing good works. However, those of us who are bothered by it are few and far between. Yes, we know dads can take over child-rearing responsibilities but I have yet to meet a dad that even do a remedial job nursing a baby 🙂
August 29, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Mostly Young, if necessary that is what a ‘breast-pump’ is used for – it’s not that difficult for Dad to hold a bottle and a baby at the same time. If you add chewing gum, we might have a problem. 😉
Also, I might add, she has older daughters who can help out as well.
August 29, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I didn’t want to start a debate here about SAHM vs. SAHD. Of course men are perfectly capable of doing this. But it is a fair question. Her husband is also a working Dad. Many people may dismiss it, but I still think it’s fair. Campaigning is grueling—that’s all I’m suggesting. I just have to ask if this is really the right time. Excuse me for not just jumping on the John McCain bandwagon because he chose someone pro-life.
August 30, 2008 at 2:05 am
After having learned a little more about Sarah Palin today, I can see that she will be able to take the heat. If she had to be President I think she could do it. I never had any doubt about the sincerity of her prolife and conservative views. I am totally thrilled with this. This ticket is what the country needs. They not only should win, but I think they will win. Kit. P.S. I think there are only a few more days to donate to the McCain campaign, because of campaign laws. (I don’t work for the McCain campaign, really I don’t – although I am thinking about volunteering).
August 30, 2008 at 5:50 am
I hope McCain/Palin wins, but if they do not, I am still delighted that Mr. & Mrs. Palin's choice to let their baby with Down Syndrome live is discussed nationally. I have been heartbroken to discover over the years that over 80% of our children who are "screened out" for DS are killed. Mothers and fathers are misinformed and frightened into the decision to abort them, and I am grateful that McCain's decision has the potential to enlighten others on this critical matter.