Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

The bleep on this veep

Senator John McCain just announced his choice for running mate: Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. The following is a statement by Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund.

Senator McCain’s choice for a running mate is beyond belief. By choosing Sarah Palin, McCain has clearly made a decision to continue the Bush legacy of destructive environmental policies.

Sarah Palin, whose husband works for BP (formerly British Petroleum), has repeatedly put special interests first when it comes to the environment. In her scant two years as governor, she has lobbied aggressively to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, pushed for more drilling off of Alaska’s coasts, and put special interests above science.

Ms. Palin has made it clear through her actions that she is unwilling to do even as much as the Bush administration to address the impacts of global warming. Her most recent effort has been to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the polar bear from the endangered species list, putting Big Oil before sound science. As unbelievable as this may sound, this actually puts her to the right of the Bush administration.

This is Senator McCain’s first significant choice in building his executive team and it’s a bad one. It has to raise serious doubts in the minds of voters about John McCain’s commitment to conservation, to addressing the impacts of global warming and to ensuring our country ends its dependency on oil.

Just when you thought things couldn't get worse... What are your thoughts on McCain's running mate?

60 comments:

mudnessa said...

I don't get too involved in political discussions but I had no idea her husband worked for BP. That just makes me cringe even more. . . I am just so dreading what will happen if they win . . . ugh!

Marimoy said...

I don't even wanna go into her anti-feminist attitude. She is just not my favorite person.

Anonymous said...

Wow. And when you think she's a heartbeat away from the presidency... (Sorry but the man is in his 70s and has had four bouts of cancer.) While I haven't had a chance to do much research on the VPs yet, this is truthfully a reason for concern!

ib mommy said...

What I'm most furious about is that so many Hillary supporters are planning to vote for McCain or not vote at all because he chose her. She is so far right of everything I believe in and am fighting so hard for. Unbelievable.....

So, I got off my ass and volunteered for the Obama campaign.

Unknown said...

did you see what the daily kos said about her latest pregnancy?
not sure what to say about that & don't want to sound crazy. Let me know what you think about that if you read it!

Anonymous said...

I love his choice. I enjoy your blog but not your politics.

Crunchy Chicken said...

Lynn - I generally don't discuss my political beliefs outside of environmental issues so that's an interesting comment.

In any case, what do you love about Ms. Palin? I really only hear from the Democratic side of things so I'm interested in hearing what the appeal is...

Anonymous said...

I don't love Palin. I love McCain's choice to pick the unexpected in this case. She is very new to politics. Maybe this is a good thing. McCain and Obama are true politicians in every sense of the word. Has either party really served us? On voting day I need a box that says "None of the above".

TDP said...

I have friends that have long been in leadership in Democratic caucus yet they vote republican every single election because they are staunchly pro-life.I am certain that McCain's selection of Palin will satisfy to keep them voting republican.
I read a news piece several months ago about Sarah Palin as a possible VP choice. When I read it, I was sure that IS who they'd pick. I see her appeal to my friends based on her pro-life stance, and her "family values."
I had heard years ago from many seasoned political types that when America elects a Female President, she will be a republican. Not that I agreed, but it stayed with me, you know? This Palin as VP pick has blown the spokes out of the wheel that all the pundits and planners have been building this year. Negates alot of the arguements each side has about the other, ie, lack of experience, who's an outsider, who's exotic, etc.
I'm not sure Palin will bring to the republican side some of the die-hard Hillary supporters. Kinda like being reminded that your first husband dumped you for a newer version of you, or of being fired and replaced with someone 20 years younger. Might really just piss the feminists off even more!
For me, I will side with Obama. I want our troops home, so they can start healing.

Robj98168 said...

Beauty Queen. Mrs Mclane better watch out. Old Johnnie has a hottie as his number 2.
She is anti feminist, pro oil,anti eviorment. In other word put lipstick on dick cheney and you have Palin.

Anonymous said...

If you really want to be informed and make good choices, read all sides of the news...not just the pro-dem or anti-repub or vice versa on whichever side you land.

If you just think about all of the horrible things you read about one candidate, the other side is saying the same thing about your candidate. And all of the great things you hear your candidate say or what others say about him, the other side feels the same way about theirs.

Be responsible by getting the facts and not just the bullcrap they feed you. Say no to being cattle.

Gretchen said...

I agree with Lynn. I like your blog but not your politics.

Also, I really enjoy being a woman. I am not a feminist. I think it's possible to be both a woman and anti-feminist. I'm not anti-feminine.

And, regarding the environment, personally, I would be okay with drilling in our "protected" areas, considering they are only protected from US drilling there. Some other countries (like China) already have permission to drill.

http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/china_starts_oil_drilling.html

It would really help our economy if a safe drilling procedure could be developed, rather than just letting other countries take our oil for themselves.

Gretchen said...

Oh, to answer your question in the comment section, I like the fact that she is pro-life. That is my most important issue. I like the fact that even though she found out she was having a baby that would be born with Down's syndrome, she did not terminate her pregnancy. And I like the fact that she is very normal, down to earth. She is okay with calling herself a MOM. I consider her to be the anti-Hillary. The one thing that really put me off about Hillary was that she never seemed okay being a woman - she tried so hard to be "one of the Washington boys" (my own words). She just seemed like a carbon copy of Bill Clinton. I like that Palin is not afraid to say who she is.

Basically I think you will NEVER find a candidate who agrees with everything you believe, so you have to find the one that pushes the issue which is MOST important to you. For me, it's pro-life. Thanks for asking for clarification and thanks for the chance to express my opinion. Hope I was not offensive.

Samantha said...

@ Texan Mom: There is absolutely no such thing as pro-life, only anti-choice. Pro-life tries to come off as being the opposite of pro-choice, but it is a complete non-sequitor. For no one who is pro-choice is for killing fetuses. They're for having a CHOICE. Pro-life people are against having that choice, not for life. Afterall, most of the pro-life people are staunchly pro-capital punishment; how is that pro-life? Anti-choice people are extremely illogical.

As for McCain and Palin... They make me actually WANT to vote for Obama, and I don't even like the man, or think he would be a good president.

Anonymous said...

Well I don't always agree with your blog, but I do agree with your politics! That article on Kos - Wow! In any case, should McCain win this thing..I'll be praying for him to be physically able to fulfill his term. The idea of Sarah Palin as president is beyond appalling.

The Simpleton said...

I sense that this conversation could get ugly, so although I have my (strong) opinions, I want to raise up the portrait of my former father-in-law. He and I are on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but he is always interested in my opinion, always listens respectfully to what I say, and he is no one's puppet. He goes out of his way to learn from others, especially those who feel or think or believe differently than he does. He, and people like him (I admire Crunchy's way of opening up the conversation here), are the best hope for this country.

Crunchy Chicken said...

I can appreciate the pro-life vote. Although I suspect that some of you out there are conflicted by the candidates' stance on other issues. The same can be said for the other side as well. I guess it comes down to which issue is the most important one(s) for each voter. You all know what mine is.

Julie - My father and I don't agree on most political issues. He is consistently offended by my stance on global climate change (he doesn't believe in it), peak oil (he doesn't believe it), immigration, economics, international policy and a number of other things I'm sure. So, I definitely hear both sides of the coin whether I want to or not.

Bld424 said...

I am delighted she's the choice. I am pleased by her feminine view of the world, her courage, her leadership - longer than Obama's actually - and her husband as an oil worker... well, maybe public policy she helps make will be more informed because she has actual experience seeing the beauty of Alaska and wanting to preserve it, as well as advice from her friends in the business.

I think this is a new and interesting thing, not some drudgery and mumble grumble. Okay, so the dems had a really fun rockstar event in Denver and than once some interesting VP candidate is chosen, its all doom and gloom anti-Rep? Shame, shame.

J.G. said...

It seems that McCain may have chosen Palin in order to get the "female vote" that may have gone to Hilary Clinton. However, Palin's ideals could not be further from Clinton's. Her husband is involved in oil, she is a member of the NRA - these two factors alone would repel anyone who had previously supported Clinton. In addition, Palin lacks the experience necessary for this job. She has only been a governor for a couple of years, and before that served as mayor to a town of less than six-thousand people. I think McCain's choice is ill-advised and rather transparent.

Anderson Family said...

I don't see how priding yourself in being a mom is being anti-feminism. The best thing I could ever do with my life is raise great kids, which is easier to do the more involved I am.
As for her keeping her pregnancy of a Down Syndrome baby, I think that's amazing. That's a total act of selflessness. Having a child with a heart defect that's already required several surgeries, I can't imagine ever terminating a pregnancy of an "unhealthy" baby. Choices come from choosing to make a child, intended or not.
Although her environmental politics scare me, I feel her family values trump. But really, a president can only do so much without congress' support.

Carmen said...

Crunchy Chicken - I love your blog too. I was very pleasantly surprised with John McCain's VP pick. Like many who posted, I like her pro-life stance, I like the fact that she IS a feminist. I know how hard it is to deal with the "old boys club" in government politics. The impact she has been able to make in her short career really says a lot about her passion and her political prowess. I think describing her as far right is misleading. I think she is much more between right and Libertarian. While I don't agree with her on energy policy thus far, I have to trust that when she is confronted with more information and science she will make the choices that are right for the people of this country.

equa yona(Big Bear) said...

How Carmen or anyone else can describe Palin as a feminist is beyond reason. She is far right, proposes teaching creationism, is in big oil's hip pocket and is under investigation by a bi-partisan committee for abuse of power in her firing of the head of the state troopers who refused to fire her ex-brother in law. Finally, any oil driled in the US is sold on the world market. Drilling and destroying pristine wilderness is not going to solve any of our energy needs.

Mama Mama Quite Contrary said...

Not all politicians are created equal. Anyone who would support Clinton and then turn around and support McCain because of his choice of Palin clearly doesn't care about the issues affecting this country because these women are polar opposites.

If you want to support women for the sake of it, then go volunteer at a domestic violence shelter. Until we make real, thoughtful decisions about whom we support in an election and why we are doing it then we are taking our right to vote for granted.

Voting for McCain solely because he chose a female running mate is the same as NOT voting for Obama because he is black.

Sadraki said...

I was horrified by this choice. I don't have to pick my top issue to be against her as of yet I haven't heard a single issue she supports that I also support.

I also find it very offensive that McCain thinks picking any women--even one with hardly any experience--will please women. I'd much rather see a more moderate, experienced person on his ticket than just trying to get women to vote by picking a woman.

I also find it interesting how people don't connect the pro-choice and pro-environment movements (I am both). Having a baby is a wonderful thing yet also a huge burden on the environment by adding another person. I think we need to support families to have (or adopt or not have at all) children when they are ready. A large part of that support needs to be education and contraception but abortion needs to be available as an option as well.

Maggie said...

My head is still realing a little from his pick. It was surprising to me and I am interested in learning more about her and watching the debates. Also, I have to say this. It really burns my ass to hear any woman say that they aren't feminist. It makes me think that they don't really know what it means. The oxford dictionary defines feminist as "a supporter of women's claims to be given rights equal to those of men." What is to oppose in that definition? The only reason any woman can even vote is because of all the feminists that came before us and did the hard work and suffering to get us the vote. I don't expect to be treated better than anyone one else, just equal. Don't let radicals distract from the core definition of feminist. Sorry to go off. I still have more to learn about Palin.

Maeve said...

People seem to get all caught up in the campaign furor, and forget about how things work once the election is over.

As in, all those campaign promises have to be refined into tangible actions, and make it through the House and Senate, and the federal government doesn't really look all that different from one term to the next, unless the nation experiences some great calamity (such as a war, or the Great Depression).

I'm voting for Obama, because I think he more genuinely cares about ordinary people, and takes the time to --listen to us--.

Anonymous said...

This is a very strategic move on McCain's part. Now, McCain can also claim to 'make history' by having the first women VP if voted in. I am afraid that it might work to pull in Hilary supporters. Although I was for Hilary, I am not gullible enough to fall for McCain's tactics. I would love to see a female leader, but not just anyone.
I am voting for our boys to come home. That is a pro-life choice.

Anonymous said...

That's good Crunchy. It is difficult to do that all around. I will be glad when the election is over...I mean could it be dragged out anymore? They should do a blitz coverage event and then you vote (I'm kidding, of course). :)

Gretchen said...

Um, Samantha, don't know if you'll read this comment or not...

Just one thing... I believe in protecting any person who is conceived. Doesn't matter if that person is one day in utero or 40 weeks. I am not pro-choice because pro-choice does not give a choice to the unborn, only to the mom. I believe both PEOPLE deserve the choice. You may not agree, but I don't really think this was the place to hash that out.

Crunchy asked why *I* like Sarah Palin, so I told her. She didn't ask why YOU don't like pro-lifers.

Sorry, Crunchy. I tried to e-mail Samantha directly to pass along my words but my browser would not support the message.

TDP said...

News flash - McCain annouced that VP's daughter is currently pregnant. Check your news feeds, folks. It is very important for all of us to keep our heads in this election year. We may have passionate views on either side, and some of those issues are so hot that we cannot remain objective and rational- our convictions are too strong-yes, I am talking about abortion. Both sides pro and con can be over the top nasty with their heart-felt beliefs. BUT,hear me now, we must see that WE ARE now BEING USED, that our passions about one subject has now been tapped by the Republicans as a below the belt effort to win. Are we as a people, no matter how we feel about abortion, going to allow others to manipulate us like this? The bullfighter has brought out the red cape.
Pro-life sisters, Pro-Choice sisters don't take the bait.
We're all better than this.

Anonymous said...

McCain and Palin appear to be the kind of people which makes the rest of the world roll their eyes and say "Americans..."

Squrrl said...

You know, I'm not a black-and-white type person, but this time I'm gonna be, and it's gonna piss people off, and I think it's really weird that this isn't already part of the discussion. The woman has a SPECIAL NEEDS INFANT and she's running for vice president. NO. Do not talk to me about family values when you're going to turn your tiny baby over to a nanny so you can play politics. I'd say that if she was the dad, too...I'm not being sexist or trying to play mommy wars, here. I just think that is unacceptable, and I am not going to help anyone get a high-pressure, high-stress, high-travel job when they have a freakin' four month old baby with down syndrome.

Rebecca said...

I haven't heard any mention yet of the on-going investigation into her ethics. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26499411/

I agree with a lot of the above mentioned comments (nominating a woman with no experience practically only because she IS a woman, is not fooling anyone). But I have to agree 100% with Squrrl. I don't have kids, but I have many nieces and nephews, and all of my sisters would give anything to be full time moms. And none of them have 5 kids, much less a special needs child.

Palin as a VP pick is just another example of how the US is moving yet again in the wrong direction (and another reason to vote Obama. The thought of this woman being 2nd in charge to run the US is, well, terrifying). I went to a fascinating lecture last night by Emeritus Professor William R Catton (who has several books, one from 1980 which discussed how the world was overpopulated and our dependence on oil will be incredibly detrimental). Main points being: There are already too many people, and the resource wars have already begun (Iraq, anyone?). Life in the 21st century is going to be very different from what we all are accustomed to now. Do I think Obama will create the drastic changes I hope for? No, I'm not that naive. But I do hope he might get us moving back towards the right path.

knutty knitter said...

OK I'm rolling my eyes already! Where do you find these people - is there a special place that contains idiots just for elections? Anyhow where's the point in being pro life if there's nowhere safe left to live?

viv in nz

Jenn said...

I'm just shocked that he picked someone who is so inexperienced -- she is not ready to be president if the need should arise. She's clearly been selected as a polarizing element and I agree with the other poster -- we're being PLAYED, people.

Lynn, the Democratic party has clearly served our country -- look at the *budget surplus* and the jobs we had under Clinton, and tell me why we have such a screwed up economy under the Republicans?

My vote goes to the Republicans (one day, maybe we'll get Dennis Kucinich - the person I think could really make a qualitative difference).

Pen of Jen said...

I wrote a post titled mothers needed apply within...so that is how I feel.

Anonymous said...

On this rare occasion when you get into politics, Crunchy, I have to say that everything about Palin is great --if she were my neighbor or even just living in my town. The hunting, fishing, absentee mothering, it's all good. But I don't find very much to like about her policies.
I am amongst those that think she may not make it out of the convention as the nominee. But predictions are not my job, so we shall see.

Anonymous said...

Where to begin.... I have a 6 year old Downs Syndrome godchild, her parents have a part-time job, it's her. They do this "job" gladly so she can have as normal of a life as possible. Either Palin and her husband are incredibly naive or they are planning on pawning their special needs child off on a bunch of nannys. Whatever the case it doesn't speak well to her ability to lead.

Go to YouTube and listen to her chatting with 2 dimwitted deejays on the Bob and Mark Morning Show. OMG! This woman could be our VP. That's just plain scary. If McCain thinks he's going to attract Hillary voters with this woman, he's nuts! In fact he's made the picture totally clear for a lot of us............ OBAMA&BIDEN!

For fun, check out Jon Stewart and Colbert's take on Palin, it's a hoot.

Anonymous said...

I have kids and work. I do question why she would choose to throw her pregnant daughter into the spotlight like she has. Teens get pregnant all the time, I get that. To make hers a national issue just doesn't seem to be in the child's best interest. Having had a special needs child, I would think that she would want to focus on that child right now. Not saying women shouldn't work, but her choices seem to be more about her then her children.

Anonymous said...

Just ask yourselves this: would you say the same thing about a working parent of a special needs child if that working parent was the father?

Sexism sucks!

Crunchy Middle said...

I guess the thing which gets me is the continual reference to her abortion stance as pro-life. Its not pro-life its pro-birth. Pro-life would be for caring for the sick. Pro-life would be against the forced sterilization of women and men by big polluters. Pro-life would stop the birth defects that are caused by mercury and other pollutants. Pro-life would compare the abortive effects of big industry by looking at the abortive effect of pollution versus that of doctors. Pro-life would not hesitate to give up a big SUV and larger house to care for one's neighbor, to help kids live without asthma, to live closer to work to spend more time with one's family. The problem is that those type of things would ask industry and the wealthy to also sacrifice. The conservative pro-life movement is wrapped in a political party that worships death and the almighty dollar. They who demands sacrifice from the many who have few, rather that the few who have many.

Anonymous said...

@Julie,

Yes, I would. My friends both work full time and they both "work" a lot with their downs daughter. I've worked on a number of political campaigns. Politicians don't work 40 hour weeks, they work all the time. A special needs child requires much more attention then the average child so Trig is going to get short-changed if Sarah Palin becomes our VP.

Jenn said...

I'm with other folks on the time she can or can't spend with Trig -- it seems she and her husband both work (is he a fisherman or does he work for an oil company?) -- and it doesn't seem like the kids get much over sight anyway.

Crunchy Middle - excellent points. One thing that has always frustrated me about the anti-abortion folks who claim to be "pro-life" is that the same conservatives are often pro-death penalty and anti-public assistance of just about any form.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Obama and his wife both work, but I don't hear anyone asking about his ability to be a good father to his two young daughters if he becomes President.

Sarah Palin has a significantly larger family than Obama, too, with her own parents and siblings who are closely involved. Unlike Obama's wife, Sarah Palin's husband has shown a commitment to putting his career on hold for his wife's career and the best interest of his children.

It's very clear from these posts that you folks just don't know anything about Sarah Palin.

Anonymous said...

I'm amazed at the willingness to equate abortion with the death penalty. Since when did any fetus commit a heinous crime worthy of the death penalty?

There is not comparison.

Anonymous said...

Let's get the comparison straight here.....

Obama began his political career in 1997 while Sarah Palin began her career in 1992. Sounds like Palin has 5 more years of experience as an elected official.

As Mayor or her city, Palin reduced the Mayor's salary and reduced property taxes by 40%. Did Obama ever reduce his salary? Did Obama ever reduce taxes?

Prior to running for Governor, Mayor Palin was elected President of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. Sounds like the other mayors of Alaska had a very high opinion of Mayor Palin.

Palin chaired the Alaska Gas and Oil Conservation Commission from 2003 to 2004.

In 2006, Palin defeated the Republican Governor of Alaska in the primary and defeated another former governor in the general election. As governor, she has had an 80% approval rating.

Gov. Palin has several years of executive experience while Obama has no executive experience at all.

Not only did she balance the previously deeply red budget twice as soon as she took office, but she returned the surplus to the taxpayers. She sold the state's private jet on eBay because she thought it was wasteful. About that same time, Obama was having his campaign plane repainted, specifically having the American flag replaced with his big "O" logo. (I'm just sayin')

Of course, the problem here is that Obama is trying to run for the top of the ticket. Palin is just running for VP. Frankly, between his lack of experience, his questionable associations, and his foggy biography (such as the previously undisclosed revelation that he lived in Pakistan for three weeks - which was news to the FBI), Obama wouldn't pass the vetting process to be VP.

Oh wait... he's a man. Nevermind.

Anonymous said...

Mimi stated that Sarah Palin is "anti-feminist" and that she isn't Mimi's favorite person. To call Sarah Palin "anti-feminist" is hilarious! She is the personification of equality for women. Sarah Palin may not speak feminism - she lives it. Seems like Mimi isn't in a position to judge Palin as a person - favorite or not.

On another topic that has been discussed here, the "pro-life" or "pro-choice" discussion is an interesting topic until it hits home. Here are relevant quotes from the two candidates that help me understand their perspective:

"If my daugher makes a mistake I don't want her to be punished with a child." - Obama

"As our daughter faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support." - Palin


Abortion versus love. You choose which most closely reflects your view.

Anonymous said...

Samantha: Your references to "pro-life people" is condescending at best, but regardless of tone, your comments show a disdain for the opinions of those who disagree with you ...not unlike that which is consistently displayed by Obama.

As someone else stated, equating abortion with capital punishment for horrific crimes is ridiculous. I know of no unborn child who committed any crime worthy of the death penalty.

States with the death penalty in place have clearly demonstrated that it is a strong deterrent against pre-meditated murder and gang violence versus those states without capital punishment. Sounds like a pro-life position to me. Perhaps the term shouldn't be Pro-Life, but Pro-Innocent-Life.

But you went off the deep end before that. You stated that "...no one who is pro-choice is for killing fetuses. They're for having a CHOICE." Well if you only choose not to abort, then that's not really a choice, is it? The point of what you call "choice" is that some do want to choose to have an abortion at some point. That's the whole point of calling it a choice.

Anonymous said...

Samantha states that no-one who is pro choice actually wants to get an abortion, but they want the choice. Well, I'm in favor of the death penalty, but I certainly don't want to have to execute anyone. No, I'd rather the killers, rapists, and child abductors stopped doing their thing. But I'd they don't, I also want the CHOICE.

Oh wait, but that doesn't fly for her.

Believe me, Samantha, after you're done being a 22 year-old part-time student and grow up to have the responsibility of a family to provide for and protect, you'll understand. I just hope all the starry-eyed fanatic Obamabots like you don't saddle America with the burden of His Incompetence.

Jenn said...

Crunchy, given the ad hominem attacks of "anonymous" and "nicolethe kid" on Samantha, I'd like to recommend that you suspend anonymous commenting when you start getting heated debates going like this.

a centrist - since when does a 3 week visit equate with "living" some place? I know people who have gone to Hawaii for longer but that certainly doesn't mean they were living there! Don't confuse with misleading language.

Linda and all the other anti-choice folks -- there's a big difference, to me, in being able to make a health decision for myself regarding abortion and in supporting the death penalty.

I will not support any candidate who is going to take away any woman's right to choose.

While we're at it, though - let's talk about the competition -- how about Biden as a VP choice? One of my friends has a blog entry about it...

Anonymous said...

The irony of the justifications presented by pro-abortion crowd is that they are often the people who shouldn't be propagating anyway.

Jenn said...

Hello, Pot? This is Kettle calling!

Crunchy Chicken said...

Oh dear, there's so much to work with here. Where shall I begin?

First off, I'm not touching the pro-life issue with a ten-foot pole. As it stands now I don't think whoever makes it into office is really going to affect the Roe v Wade decision. Sure, there may be a few more Supreme Court justices thrown in there on the pro-life or pro-choice side but it's something that just isn't worth fighting about election-wise.

What I'm saying is that it is very unlikely that no matter how you vote that it will really influence the status quo regarding the abortion issue. There's too much tied up legally between state's rights and a number of other precedences to result in a turnaround. There are bigger and more influential issues at hand that deserve more contemplation.

As for Palin's ability to do the job as VP as a mother? Well, of course it's preposterous to doubt her because she's a mother and not apply the same sort of stringent critique to the fathers in the race.

The glaringly obvious difference, however, is the fact that none of the other candidates have infants. And none of the other candidates have special needs infants. The argument that Palin has a large network of family help seems disingenuous to me - is the whole family going to move to DC? So, in this case, I do believe there is an issue in play.

Someone (her child) or something (the country) is not going to get the attention it deserves. I'm sure Todd is a delightfully helpful father when he's not busy working two careers or racing snowmobiles, but what I've been struck by is why are the daughters always the ones holding Trig in the photo ops or during speeches? I have yet to see him holding his own child during this campaign. I hope that Trig hasn't been relegated to be raised by teenagers. They are going to be busy with their own kids soon.

Chester stated: "It's very clear from these posts that you folks just don't know anything about Sarah Palin." What I think is perfectly clear is that nobody knows anything about Sarah Palin. And that's the problem.

Here's something totally anecdotal so take it however you like:

I did discuss briefly the VP choice with a friend of mine who is from Alaska and who's father worked under her in a top management position (as a biologist) with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. His comment was that Palin had zero interest in international issues regarding the State's ecology and consistently pushed those issues back to ADFG to deal with without consideration. Oh yeah, and the term "nutjob" may have made it's way into the comments. Anyway, it seems that a lot of Alaskans are happy about the nomination. "It will be a good thing for Alaska". But, only because it means she'll be gone.

Anonymous said...

Crunchy: Your friend's anecdotal comment aside, Sarah Palin has the highest approval rating of any sitting governor. She is exceedingly popular in Alaska, and even democrats consistently give her positive marks in the high 60% range.

I'm a dem who recently returned from a 4 year stint in Anchorage, so I am very familiar with the sentiment up there.

As to your comment that nobody knows anything about her, every person in my LA office knows her policies and political history very well. Perhaps the MSM has just been so obsessed with Obama that you've missed the considerable coverage of her meteoric rise. That's not surprising. Many youth in Germany that were interviewed after Obama's speech in Berlin were shocked to hear that he wasn't the American president.

Anonymous said...

Dude, if she's elected......... I don't know.

Anonymous said...

"...what I've been struck by is why are the daughters always the ones holding Trig in the photo ops or during speeches? I have yet to see him holding his own child during this campaign." - Crunchy

I've seen dozens of pictures with Palin's husband holding the baby.

Crunchy Chicken said...

Anonymous - I was referring to the campaign in the last few days. Clearly, last night he was shown holding Trig so I'm glad he's not pushing him off on Cindy McCain the whole time.

TDP said...

George W.Bush had extremely high approval ratings in 2001 and 2002. 9/11 and the aftermath, prior to the Iraq invasion, had Bush getting high marks. But what a difference a year makes. Palin is in the honeymoon period of her first term as Governor. Shoot, Jesse Ventura's first year as Govenor of Minnesota had pretty high approvals, too. Bush and Ventura's levels fell pretty hard and fast. I'm not saying that it's inevitable that Palin's will, too. Just pointing out that high marks sometimes are fleeting for people with
strong views. Obama's popularity makes me nervous too. Law of gravity - what goes up, must come down. I think popularity/high approvals are not a convincing arguement for why someone should be in office, no matter what team their on.

Anonymous said...

Nice string of free association comments...there's some good colorful language and imagery in there. I can see her appeal to folks who don't really understand the stakes. There's a lot to like about her, but we definitely don't want her in office. If you are reading this blog you must care about the environment, and as crunchy pointed out, there's not a great choice here, but the Obama/Biden ticket will do less harm for certain. For me while I have a lot of admiration for all Palin represents and all she's accomplished for herself, and while I firmly believe and would fight for her right to believe whatever she wants to, there's no way I want to live in a country with laws that match her philosophies. Shall we ban books? teach creationism in public schools? reverse hate crimes legislation? let the polar bears die off (and the symbolic cruelty that represents)? stick our heads in the sand about how our actions impact the planet, favoring instead solutions that will rape more natural resources and beauty from our lands to feed an insatiable appetite for oil?-- ("drill, drill, drill" was their chant at the convention when she spoke); force rape and incest victims to bear a child born of the crime against them? If these sound like good solutions to the challenges that face us as a nation, by all means stand behind the McCain Palin ticket, but if this sounds wrong to you, no matter how appealing you find Ms. Palin or admire John McCain for all of his strengths, you must vote for Obama/Biden. These are powerful positions folks, it's not a beauty contest or popularity contest or demographic battleground. Our choices here will impact the future of our planet. Pay attention to the issues and take action, even if it's simply to become informed about the issues and vote. Thank you Crunchy, for giving us all food for thought and a place to express ourselves.

Anonymous said...

Here's what scares me the most...

I live with 2 people who are liberal. They are in grad school, and yet I overheard them discussing all the good Palin has done for Alaska. How they LIKE her.

that terrifies me.