Not An Onion Headline of The Day: More Americans Believe Palin Ready To Be President Than Not.
Obama supporters might want to put your “Palin is McCain’s last coffin nail” celebration on hold. Liberal/progressive/Democratic-leaning blogs had exploded with glee, hailing John McCain’s choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice President to be the worst political move since Michael Dukakis decided that driving a tank looked presidential and that she would more likely replace Tina Fey on 30 Rock than Dick Cheney at 1600 Pennsylvania.
Arianna Huffington called the move ”clearly a Hail Mary pass,” suggesting “Maybe an anxious nation can offer John McCain a do-over.” Jewish Journal editor, Rob Eshman, advanced the thought that her support for Pat Buchanan’s Presidential run could alienate Jewish voters and “cause ‘Israel First’ Jews, who seemed to be pretty much done with Obama, to take a second look.” Even noted blogger and incessant, self-promoting author/satirist/TV writer/columnist, Steve Young, wrote facetiously of the seeming attempt to attract the female vote, “I can just see the deluge of anti-science, anti-women right to choose, anti-gay, anti-environmental Hillary supporters lining up for this one.”
That’s not an Onion headline, folks. Not even FreeRepublic.com. That was Saturday’s Gallop Poll.
Asked if from what they know about Sarah Palin, do they believe she is “qualified to serve as president it if becomes necessary,” 39% of Americans said yes, while 33%, said no.
While the numbers are highly partisan - 63% of Republicans say Palin is qualified - the more amazing figures offer a snapshot that shows more Independents saying she is qualified than not - 41% to 31% - and as much as 47% of Democrats either think she is qualified or have yet to draw a conclusion.
Certainly, it is far too early to say whether the selection of Palin will help, hinder or do neither for McCain’s election chances. But what you can figure on right now is that while you can always count on the American people, you can’t truly do so until November 4.
Steve
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Well this just proves what I’ve always thought. Most of America is made up of a bunch of cross-eyed, in-bred, mindless, banjo-pickin’, beer drinkin’, NASCAR watchin’, morons. God bless America!
Those numbers don’t add up. If 63% of Republicans said Palin is qualified to be President, and 41% of independents said it, and 47% of Democrats said it, it’s mathmatically impossible that 39% of American said yes, as your article clearly states. Spinning the numbers is one thing, but adding them up is more important. So, are the polls bullshit, or is your analysis bullshit?
Tim,
Probably my analysis. But you are certainly welcome to check the Gallop link.
SY
I read a small blip on CNN.com last night that she was booed in Ohio when she brought up Hillary Clinton. They weren’t booing Hillary, they were booing her placing herself in Hillary’s category.
We’ll see. Right now, Gustav is taking away a lot of the spotlight.
Girl From Texass last blog post..More campaign observations - Sarah Palin
[...] More Americans Believe Palin Ready To Be President Than Not posted on August 31, 2008 at 12:05 pm [...]
I do not believe Sarah’s last name is Palin by mere coincidence - think about it. We know the definition of the word “palin”drome - McSame-Pain has simply added a female version of himself to his ticket, front or back, male or female, it’s just the same (and that may be a good or bad thing - it all depends on one’s perspective). I hate thinking that people still want to vote for a candidate because they can drink a beer, or in this case eat a mooseburger - wtf is going on??? I sometimes have to wonder. I do hope that America makes the right choice - whatever that may be.
I am a big fan of the movie Dave. If you missed this story, it was about a political outsider that got the chance to make America better. In the movie the lifetime politicians no longer understood the problems of the people they represent. Lets talk about experience. Bill Clinton was Governor of Arkansas and was a fine President. Here is how 1987 Arkansas stacks against 2008 Alaska.
Arkansas 1987 Gross State Product was $32.1 Billion in 2008 Dollars
(7 Billion less than Alaska)
Population in Arkansas is 2,356,586 in 1990.
Arkansas is 53,179 sq mi
Arkansas has 105 State run Airports
Arkansas has 1 International Airports
Alaska 2008 Gross State Product was $39.9 Billion
Population of Alaska is 683,478 in 2008.
Alaska is 656,424 sq miles
Alaska has 386 State run Airports
Alaska has 2 International Airports
Maybe the United States could use a person that has children, started out with nothing, happily married her high school sweetheart, owns a business, worked hard and made something of themselves. How about someone that is not a Washington insider that did not come from American royalty. Do you not think she understands healthcare after 5 children? How about our schools? Which one of these fools took on big oil and made them give money directly back to the people and not into the State General Fun? Who in the group is not a multi-millionaire? Who is not an attorney? She brings real world experience first hand to the problems we are facing as a country. Before you talk to me about international experience, remember that our schools, healthcare, roads and economy are in trouble also.
Experience is important but experience has to be on the right topic to matter. A great example is found in our Senate and House of Representatives. You see they represent people from their state and that is why they are called Representatives. Governor Palin is
responsible to govern the people of Alaska and is called the Governor and not the Representative. One is leadership and the other is following orders from the respective political party which our Senators do at least 90% of the time. Senators McCain, Biden, Obama and Clinton all represent other people. They are not leaders, but followers. They do not negotiate treaties, they do not work within any real budget. They did not wield a veto or give pardons to people. They do not command the State troops, police or any state level services and do not respond to emergencies.
Just ask yourself, who gave them so much time to go out and campaign for president for the last 12 months? How many hours did they work? They often don’t show up for votes either and do not read the laws they pass as Michael Moore proves. Out of the 5 of them, who thinks Palin spent more hours working last year on her job and not on her next job.
So who has the experience that we need today?
In regards to the scandal surrounding her firing someone for not firing her ex-brother in-law. Good for her. Her brother-in-law was suspended as a State Trooper because he used his taser on his son, abused his wife (Palins sister) and is now in a custody battle with Governor Palins sister. The same trooper also threatened Governor Palins father. Go Sister, Daughter, Aunt Sarah!
Yukon Dave
Santa Monica, CA
I said in 2004 that if we could not win that election we were doomed because it meant that most people in America were convinced to vote against their own interests. Nothing surprises me now. What is sad to me is that I’ve met a lot college students who are smart and do not fall for Republican tactics but they do not vote because they are too cynical to think they can make a difference.
You said: …that she would more likely replace Tina Fey on 30 Rock than Dick Cheney at 1600 Pennsylvania.
Since Friday and I first saw Palin’s photo, it’s been killing me trying to figure out who she looks like. It’s Tina Fey, I think?
Hey Yukon,
Dave got into office because he looked like the President. Will McCain get into office becuase he IS the same guy?
SY
I don’t know how anyone can really believe that Sarah’s being an “outsider” is a positive thing if she has made it perfectly clear that her position is that of a devoted Republican. So what if she cleaned up corruption. The problem is that the country is in the grip of the extreme Right Wing.
She is clearly partisan. Her views are way to the right; pretty much exactly in line with Bush. She is completely devoted to the platform.
It took the determination and success of a Democrat to even make it possible for her to have the opportunity she has.
Girl From Texass last blog post..More campaign observations - Sarah Palin
Just some answers to educate.
Your comparisons really mean absolutely nothing. If anyone knows anything about Alaska, they would no you simply cannot make those comparisons. Airports? Do you have any idea what many Alaska airports service and why they have more per capita than any state? Do some real research on Alaska before making such inane notations.
Gross pproduct today? and what creates a specific States gross profits? again Alaska is not like any other state and the Governor has very little insight or input in that area. Like Texas with Bush. The Governor of Texas is a rubber stamp compared to states like New York or even smaller degree Wisconsin. Comparisons are not any kind of real barometer unless you have equal perameters.
Population tells alot about this comparison. If you researcjh Alaska government AND FORMS OF INCOME YOU WILL LEARN WHAT YOU TRIED TO DO HERE IS WORTHLESS.
“Maybe the United States could use a person that has children, started out with nothing, happily married her high school sweetheart, owns a business, worked hard and made something of themselves.” That sounds much like Joe Biden!
Which Democrat came from american royalty? Obama certainly did not as his life story spells out loudly and has been told many times over by now. Again research, read and learn before making some statement that are absolutely,totally and ridiculously false. Biden right now has a NET WORTH a total net worth of $150,000. He is one of the true hard working accomplished statesmen who simply has not benefited financially all these years. He also has children, All four have children. what kind of comment was that? Try reading more about where Obama came from and how he made his place on his own through hard work. Biden even more so, more than anyone anywhere has. Big Oil? Again Obama and Biden both have, are and plan to.Big Oil is a Democratic staple thaT HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE FOR THEM NO ONE HAS GONE AFTER BIG OIL MORE THAN bIDEN. NOW OBAMA HAS MADE HIS NAME A STICKLER FOR THAT CAUSE. What she did was something she really had to do at the time. Research this and get the facts as to how and why. Find out what else came of this and who benefitted in the end.
“How about someone that is not a Washington insider that did not come from American royalty.” Do you not think she understands healthcare after 5 children?” The idea of an insider would be a person who has benefitted in major ways over years of working inside that forum. Biden has the years but no benefits to establish him in anyway as an insider. Obama as Republicans try to state as an issue are that Obama himself is somewhat of a newcomer, takes him out then as well. Mc Cain qualifies if you consider the issues that came out and damaged him as well as his personal wealth growth over the years in the senate even before his wifes money entered in.
“How about our schools? Which one of these fools took on big oil and made them give money directly back to the people and not into the State General Fun? “Who in the group is not a multi-millionaire?” Joe Biden and thats it. Check out all four and it seems a bit soon to be making statements about a person no one yet has much on. You will soon find out if she is what your being told she is. These are Republican talking points your spewing. You certainly didn’t know any of this before or there would be more than just what talk shows and pundits have said. Who is not an attorney? Attorney? What does that have to do with anything? Most Senators, Congress people and such were attorneys. Nature of the beast!
“She brings real world experience first hand to the problems we are facing as a country.” SAY WHAT”
Before you talk to me about international experience,” PLEASE tell me what her “world experience” is? I hope not just because she resides close to Russia as Steve Doocy said and meant seriously. Thats pitiful and grasping at straws for answers. ”
“remember that our schools, healthcare, roads and economy are in trouble also.” These are all Democratic issues. Republicans cannot lay claim to social issues and generally do not particularly these. Who, what party put us in this mess with budget issues and jobs lost.
What about union and Republican Party issues? To say and even include the fact that her husband and her both are Union affiliated is an absolute wierd issue in that Republicans and Mc Cain have voted in major bills against any union situations. Again thats a good item to research and find just what bill was voted on the past year about Unions and where Mc Cain stood and what was said.
Experience is important but experience has to be on the right topic to matter. A great example is found in our Senate and House of Representatives. You see they represent people from their state and that is why they are called Representatives. Governor Palin is
responsible to govern the people of Alaska and is called the Governor and not the Representative. One is leadership and the other is following orders from the respective political party which our Senators do at least 90% of the time. Senators McCain, Biden, Obama and Clinton all represent other people.
“They are not leaders,”? Again, research the backgrounds before you make broad statements. By the way, does this list include any Repubilcan “representatives, or are they different since you failed to include any. but followers. They do not negotiate treaties, they do not work within any real budget. They did not wield a veto or give pardons to people. They do not command the State troops, police or any state level services and do not respond to emergencies.
Just ask yourself, who gave them so much time to go out and campaign for president for the last 12 months? How many hours did they work? They often don’t show up for votes either and do not read the laws they pass as Michael Moore proves. Mc Cain is guilty more than any if you again research and check the votes he missed. Being a Veteran as i am, where was he on the most important Vets bill to date? No show, he was instead vacationing and having a long weekend at a cookout and party with fellow Republicans and used it as a fundraiser as well. Out of the 5 of them, who thinks Palin spent more hours working last year on her job and not on her next job.
So who has the experience that we need today?
In regards to the scandal surrounding her firing someone for not firing her ex-brother in-law. Good for her. Her brother-in-law was suspended as a State Trooper because he used his taser on his son, abused his wife (Palins sister) and is now in a custody battle with Governor Palins sister. The same trooper also threatened Governor Palins father. I somewhat agree. The guy is a nut. BUT, this is very simole legally. The Governor jumped the gun and in a way unbderstood. BUT that is abuse of power mand abuse of discretion. He was as all government employees forwarded his right to speak and defend himself. This was a case that would be handled by the board in charge of that area and has a formula and procedure to follow. She was suppoed to allow this to go through the system and that would have secured her and fellow troopers that this kind of person does not fit and belongs dismissed permamentally. Now he can sue the state you know for wrongfull discharge. again, research. I consider myself a very astute researcher. I specialize in it , in my profession. as a p[aralegal, I do legal Research for attorneys and judges alike. I found that no one should give answers about anything or make comments unless or until the issue or subject is thoroughly researched. By the way, there will be some vetting here. It will be very detailed and will bring about anything that mayy be difficult to see or find at first search.Vetting is an art and there are those out there who love it and live it for what it is and what it does. I would love to be in some of peoples league and know how hard they work to bring out true and fair information. wishe her luck. I mean it sincerely. If she is truly as she is being portrayed, she sounds like the Saviour of the republican Party for 2008
rw Go Sister, Daughter, Aunt Sarah!
Yukon Dave
Santa Monica, CA
Gov Sarah Palin made more important decisions on a daily basis than BHO has made all the short time he has been a very ineffective do nothing but run for President junior senator. She proved her integrity, character and Patriotism by going after corruption in her own party. When she took over as Governor she sold the Governors jet she just inherited on eBay to show she was not in office for special treatment and also fired the chef saying thanks but no thanks I can make my kids sandwiches myself. Senator John McCain could have not done a better job choosing his V.P. He has fired up his party like it has never been fired up and the far left wing dings cannot stand it. They know they are in trouble now, and all they are doing is showing their true sexist colors and what despicable excuses for human beings they really are. I know the truth does hurt…Get over it already.
Happypappys last blog post..Obama And Campaign Are Hypocrites
Yukon Dave, though the role of Senator may not be a “leadership” role, you’d be very hard pressed to say that neither Obama nor Clinton are leaders. They led America to the point that we could actually visualize ourselves voting for a Woman or a Black Man into office. Something for which there is no precedent. If that’s not leadership, then I don’t know what is.
Sarah was absolutely not selected with the long term in mind. You can state whatever case you like, I’m not biting.
She is expected to go into Washington and go head to head with people who have far more education than she; Women in D.C. who did not run in Beauty Contests. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, knows that she skipped all sorts of steps to get into the role she’s in and that the success of the Democratic Party’s advancement of minorities is truly why she has this opportunity. If Hillary had not done as well and proven that America truly is ready to elect a woman, do you think the Republicans would have taken this chance? Not even Condoleezza was the first woman in her current position.
Here’s what’s not being said, Sarah has been handed an opportunity she didn’t really earn. How is she going to gain the respect of her “peers” in D.C. Do you really think that Dick Cheney is looking at Palin as a good replacement? I may not agree with the man’s politics but I will tell you he is one very intelligent man.
She tows the party line and since she’s young, she’s very idealistic about it. And I sincerely doubt she’ll be able to win over the cooperation of her Democratic peers. She will help to continue to polarize and already polarized system.
Girl From Texass last blog post..More campaign observations - Sarah Palin
Having worked with Barracuda Sarah, as she is known here in the State of Alaska, one will tell you there is a difference being a Maverick and a Collaborator. She always wants her way. The Governor doesn’t know how to play well with others. She fights, not in the reformer way they describe, but rather in a head butting aggressive way. Sarah just “kicked our state to the curb” and all that talk about women in the 49th state supporting her now is not true. We are not that stupid to think that just because McCain chose a woman, it is a good choice. Sarah ain’t no Hillary. Just three years ago she was mayor of a small town of a few thousand people. What is her experience with urban housing issues, immigration, foreign policy or government affairs. Being responsible for the Alaska National Guard cannot be compared to international defense and diplomacy with world leaders. Her popularity has declined since the State investigation of her abuse of power case begun. She touted transparency, but STILL has not answered exactl why she fired the Commisioner of Public Safety. Now with rumors that her daughter was the one pregnant and not her (with her 5th child), time will tell what the truth is. Do your research before you vote!
I pointed out to Yukon Dave, when he copied and pasted the same comment at OpEd News, that Palin’s experience at governing does not mean she is successful at governing. Americans need to stop using the GOP talking points and do their research as I have done. Last year, Alaska had the 5th highest rate of unemployment. The FBI ranked Alaska among the 7 most violently crime-ridden states. Alaska’s record on K-12 education is barely mediocre, and the state ranks in the top 5 in largest numbers of homeless and highest infant mortality rate. She not only lacks the experience to be VP, but it appears she also lacks the experience for her current job.
People are too easily fooled by a lazy media which either reports McCain talking points verbatim, or fails to correct assertions the campaign makes about Palin which are not true. She was not against the Bridge to Nowhere when she was running for governor. She has not fought against earmarks, requesting 54 in 2007 to the tune of $550 million and has requested 31 earmarks totalling $200 million for 2008.
I hope against hope that the press will inform the American people about the many reasons Palin is unfit for the 2nd highest office in the land. The media has let McCain slide because of his former POW status. The least they can do is be honest about his unqualified and inexperienced running mate.
People, it’s been like 3 days. No one knows jack squat about Palin, so pols like this are MEANINGLESS. We’ll see where she is in a month, how many gaffs she’s made, how she does in the debate, how much the abuse of power scandal has legs, how the media digs into her past positions. All we know is that she’s an ex beauty queen, mayor, neophyte governor who shoots moose, and has 5 kids. At a shallow level, she has a compelling story, we’ll see if it stands the test of time.
“In regards to the scandal surrounding her firing someone for not firing her ex-brother in-law. Good for her. Her brother-in-law was suspended as a State Trooper because he used his taser on his son, abused his wife (Palins sister) and is now in a custody battle with Governor Palins sister. The same trooper also threatened Governor Palins father.”
Yukon, that’s what the Palin family Alleges happened, none of this has been proven true. At the heart of this is a bitter custody battle, where people will say and do anything. The Palin family brought 15 reported grievances against Wooten, the Police investigated and found that 5 had merrit, and they were all on the mild side of things, which resulted in a 10 day suspension reduced to 5 for Wooten.
Then when Palin got into power, she started pressuring The head safety officer of the state to fire this man. Because it had been investigated and closed, with disciplinary action already taken, there was nothing he could do within the bounds of the law. That didn’t stop the Governor from continuing her pressure. She then fired him.
That, plain and simple, is abuse of power. And it could seriously bite her in the tush at the end of the day.
This woefully underprepared and ill suited choice for the VP is going to have toothmarks all over her tushie before this is done.
A bachelors degree in journalism. That’s her education.
A small town politician who was recently elected governor of a state not much bigger than a small town in population. That’s her career.
What does she bring to the ticket? If Joe Biden calls President Putin on the phone he’s going to get respect. If Sarah Palin calls President Putin on the phone she’s gonna get hung up on.
Let’s just say McCain get’s himself elected, there’s going to be a Democratically controlled congress that will give her all the respect she deserves and has earned. None. She’s a loser, She’s a nobody. A has been beauty Queen and a small town girl. Washington will eat her alive.
Gybayoo:
Yep. Plain know heathcare alright. Let’s examine why.
Her husband belongs to the steelworkers union. So, even before she became a government employee, the 7-member Palin family never had to worry about medical bills or about her husband losing his job because he had the great good fortune to be protected by a labor union.
But conservatives believe that no one is entitled to health insurance or job security, and they hate labor unions.
So she can’t be a true conservative, otherwise she wouldn’t allow his employer or the Alaskan government to foot the bill for her big family’s health insurance, and health care, and educational needs.
It’s so easy to say you’re conservative when you’ve always had Democratic policies underwriting your family’s basic needs, isn’t it?
Can you please refrain from posting these long Repunlican Talking points, please? No offense, we hear them all day and night. Go ahead. Keep the country divided- I guess we’ll all go down together right?