Question for conservatives on McCain's VP pick.

[Direckshun]

As has been reported many times now, McCain had sent over some folks to look into Palin's record, but she had simply not been seriously vetted.

As I've said before about Hillary and Jake (of all people) has said before about Giuliani, not vetting somebody in depth makes sense if it's an incredibly public figure who pretty much has all his/her skeleton's out of the closet.

Palin, however, is new. We know, in the grand scheme of things, virtually nothing about her. These are the picks you must vet the most, and McCain simply hadn't done it. Apparently he only met with her once, not even for a very long amount of time.

But I'm not asking you if you like the pick or not.

This is potential President McCain's first presidential decision. And it was made after inadequate research, in perhaps a way that was impulsive, brash, and seemingly as (I'm sure most would agree) an overreaction to the fact that Hillary's supporters are still looking for a ticket they believe in.

My question: How does the fact that McCain's first decision was impulsive and poorly researched (as seemingly all of Bush's decisions were) make you feel?

Thanks in advance for any honest responses.

[tiptap]

And a moderator would let only those who have been vetted as conservative talk on this thread.

[Reaper16]

And a moderator would let only those who have been vetted as conservative talk on this thread.
There's no need to be hard on the mods anymore. That issue was resolved hours ago.

[tiptap]

I've been trying to be more humorous since chiefaroo thinks I am incapable. Maybe I am proving his point.

[Reaper16]

I've been trying to be more humorous since chiefaroo thinks I am incapable. Maybe I am proving his point.
Chiefaroo is a drooling simian incapable of tying his own shoes; I wouldn't put too much stock into what he has to say.

[tiptap]

Have you had your beer for Labor Day celebration? Get a cold one and a nice piece of BBQ and come back having thanked the working man.

[Direckshun]

Jesus, conservatives. Where are you?

I mean, really.

[Baby Lee]

I heard corruption buster and fiscal hawk and said . . . Go oonnnnn!!!

That said, I don't know enough about the ACTUAL vetting process to . . . process.

[Direckshun]

I heard corruption buster and fiscal hawk and said . . . Go oonnnnn!!!

That said, I don't know enough about the ACTUAL vetting process to . . . process.
I'm sorry but the overwhelming evidence is that the typical vetting that goes on for picks this serious, which includes an exhaustive debate and counter-debate (http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200808u/mccain-palin) within the campaign for each possibility, was largely absent from Palin's pick.

The Huff Post even contacted Palin's hometown paper (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/31/mccain-camp-didnt-search_n_122823.html) to access its archives (since its full archives aren't available online), and were informed by the paper that they were the first people to ever have made the request. If I'm McCain's peeps to vet Palin, that's the first place I go.

There are some real basic holes in the vetting process for Palin that exist here. I'm just wondering what thoughts you might have regarding McCain's impulsive choice.

By the way, she raised sales taxes (http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2008/08/sarah_palin_and_taxes.html) in Wasilla, and has a trail (http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-earmarks1-2008sep01,0,909566.story) of corruption (http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/511471.html) all her own (http://hatthief.blogspot.com/2008/08/vetting-sarah-palin-irl-stambaugh-walt.html). But I'm not surprised you didn't know that, McCain probably didn't know that.

[Logical]

I am betting Biden got a more serious vetting than Palin.

[ChiefaRoo]

Chiefaroo is a drooling simian incapable of tying his own shoes; I wouldn't put too much stock into what he has to say.

Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week. Don't forget to tip your waitress. :)

[Adam]

This is potential President McCain's first presidential decision. And it was made after inadequate research, in perhaps a way that was impulsive, brash, and seemingly as (I'm sure most would agree) an overreaction to the fact that Hillary's supporters are still looking for a ticket they believe in.

However it was made, it stopped any bump in the polls that Obama was getting from the DNC cold. Sounds like it was an effective one for what McCain wanted.

The truth is, it was also the right one for the rest of us, but don't let that stop the media pundits and bloggers from trying to shred a fine American leader as best they can.

[Logical]

However it was made, it stopped any bump in the polls that Obama was getting from the DNC cold. Sounds like it was an effective one for what McCain wanted.

The truth is, it was also the right one for the rest of us, but don't let that stop the media pundits and bloggers from trying to shred a fine American leader as best they can.Dude she was barely a Governor.

[Taco John]

She seems pretty scattered. She doesn't appear to be grace under pressure. I'm going to be interested in hearing her speech. My conservative family were scratching their heads this weekend at our family get together. The comment that seemed to stick was "I can't imagine her as president if something should happen to McCain. I don't know who to vote for."

[Adam]

She seems pretty scattered. She doesn't appear to be grace under pressure. I'm going to be interested in hearing her speech. My conservative family were scratching their heads this weekend at our family get together. The comment that seemed to stick was "I can't imagine her as president if something should happen to McCain. I don't know who to vote for."

Just curious - did these people feel alright with John Edwards in 2004? Do they think Obama is infinitely more qualified?

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Just curious - did these people feel alright with John Edwards in 2004? Do they think Obama is infinitely more qualified?

ROFL

[Logical]

Just curious - did these people feel alright with John Edwards in 2004? Do they think Obama is infinitely more qualified?
I will be honest the only entire speech I have seen she does not exude the confidence or swagger that Obama did 4 years ago at the convention let alone now. Nor has she ran a national campaign like Obama has so I feel reluctance to say I feel Barack is more qualified and ready.

[Hoover]

As has been reported many times now, McCain had sent over some folks to look into Palin's record, but she had simply not been seriously vetted.

As I've said before about Hillary and Jake (of all people) has said before about Giuliani, not vetting somebody in depth makes sense if it's an incredibly public figure who pretty much has all his/her skeleton's out of the closet.

Palin, however, is new. We know, in the grand scheme of things, virtually nothing about her. These are the picks you must vet the most, and McCain simply hadn't done it. Apparently he only met with her once, not even for a very long amount of time.

But I'm not asking you if you like the pick or not.

This is potential President McCain's first presidential decision. And it was made after inadequate research, in perhaps a way that was impulsive, brash, and seemingly as (I'm sure most would agree) an overreaction to the fact that Hillary's supporters are still looking for a ticket they believe in.

My question: How does the fact that McCain's first decision was impulsive and poorly researched (as seemingly all of Bush's decisions were) make you feel?

Thanks in advance for any honest responses.
The reports that she was not aggressively vetted are bogus and are simple the creation of some left wing bloggers.

McCain himself said he knew that her daughter was with child.

Seriously I don't think its a good idea for the Dems to attack Palin. It seems to me they took their eye off the ball (McCain) and instead are bashing a 17 year old and a VP nominee who many women identify with.

[Direckshun]

The reports that she was not aggressively vetted are bogus and are simple the creation of some left wing bloggers.

McCain himself said he knew that her daughter was with child.

Seriously I don't think its a good idea for the Dems to attack Palin. It seems to me they took their eye off the ball (McCain) and instead are bashing a 17 year old and a VP nominee who many women identify with.
I don't blame you for rejecting the premise of my question (that she wasn't vetted adequately). Accepting the premise of the question virtually ensures that McCain made a brash choice from the gut rather than an informed choice that was meticulously considered. And I'm guessing conservatives here, as much as they praise Bush, secretly despise that type of decision-making.

My post and my question, of course, had nothing to do with Palin's child issues. Those are none of my business and they will remain that way. Don't confuse all that baby mama drama with the other serious questions about Palin's track record.

Even with all that baby stuff out of the way, there is an entire history there when she served as mayor that has been left unresearched. I suppose the McCain campaign figures that anything controversial that happened back then can be excused as "bah, she was just a mayor!", but failing to fully vet a Veep is not only troubling for your campaign, it's troubling for the way you'd act during your Presidency. That McCain would be this impulsive spells serious trouble for his projected job in the White House.

[Logical]

The reports that she was not aggressively vetted are bogus and are simple the creation of some left wing bloggers.

McCain himself said he knew that her daughter was with child.
...OMG did he actually say that, was he born in the 1800s or is he Omish. I mean I hope to god a future potential President has the guts to say pregnant.

[Direckshun]

However it was made, it stopped any bump in the polls that Obama was getting from the DNC cold. Sounds like it was an effective one for what McCain wanted.

The truth is, it was also the right one for the rest of us, but don't let that stop the media pundits and bloggers from trying to shred a fine American leader as best they can.
Again, this doesn't answer my question, Adam.

I asked how you felt about an impulsive, brash decision by a Republican that wants to succeed a President known for impulsive, brash decisions. Your answer is "she was the right choice."

So the fact that McCain plucked a VP that wasn't meticulously researched does not bother you in the least? Why not?

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Again, this doesn't answer my question, Adam.

I asked how you felt about an impulsive, brash decision by a Republican that wants to succeed a President known for impulsive, brash decisions. Your answer is "she was the right choice."

So the fact that McCain plucked a VP that wasn't meticulously researched does not bother you in the least? Why not?

She makes him tingle in his chastity belt.

[Adam]

Again, this doesn't answer my question, Adam.

I asked how you felt about an impulsive, brash decision by a Republican that wants to succeed a President known for impulsive, brash decisions. Your answer is "she was the right choice."

So the fact that McCain plucked a VP that wasn't meticulously researched does not bother you in the least? Why not?

First of all, I believe she was researched. Second of all, any lack of "meticulousness" in this research is offset by the fact that McCain actually picked a strong-willed conservative reformer instead of some lame, party-line, big government Republican.

Obama has been "vetted" by the media during his campaign for president. It's turned up all kinds of nasty stuff. Biden has a laundry list of embarrassing gaffes, but he is considered a "proven" commodity. Apparently familiarity is the number one criteria for being on this stage. That's a load of B.S. It's the reason a guy like Ted Kennedy can have a 40 year Senate career after killing a girl and fleeing the scene. Scandal? Oh well, we all know who his brother was. It's all good!

[Hoover]

My point is you don't know if she was meticulously researched or not. The only people who are in the know are Palin and the McCain campaign. Having worked in the political business for years, I'm certain that the McCain campaign did their homework. I tend to think that even with her daughters pregnancy, and the troopergate allegations they thought Palin was an asset to the campaign. I tend to agree with them.

McCain's pick of Palin humanized the Republican ticket.

[Direckshun]

First of all, I believe she was researched. Second of all, any lack of "meticulousness" in this research is offset by the fact that McCain actually picked a strong-willed conservative reformer instead of some lame, party-line, big government Republican.

Obama has been "vetted" by the media during his campaign for president. It's turned up all kinds of nasty stuff. Biden has a laundry list of embarrassing gaffes, but he is considered a "proven" commodity. Apparently familiarity is the number one criteria for being on this stage. That's a load of B.S. It's the reason a guy like Ted Kennedy can have a 40 year Senate career after killing a girl and fleeing the scene. Scandal? Oh well, we all know who his brother was. It's all good!
Well you pretty much have to believe that Palin was seriously researched. If you had to face the facts that McCain failed to adequately research his running mate it would automatically disqualify him for the presidency. So I don't blame you for rejecting that premise because it undermines McCain's entire candidacy, which is based on savvy experience versus the naive upstartness of Obama. Trust me, I wouldn't want to answer the question either.

(By the way, comparing Palin to Obama is ridiculous. Obama earned the nomination, he was plucked onto the ticket like Palin was. Compare her to a VP or something.)

[SBK]

I am betting Biden got a more serious vetting than Palin.

That's because black people don't trust white people. :)

[penchief]

The reports that she was not aggressively vetted are bogus and are simple the creation of some left wing bloggers.

McCain himself said he knew that her daughter was with child.

Seriously I don't think its a good idea for the Dems to attack Palin. It seems to me they took their eye off the ball (McCain) and instead are bashing a 17 year old and a VP nominee who many women identify with.

The democratic party and it's nominees aren't doing anything here. They ARE focused on McCain. This is a distraction for the McCain campaign, not the Obama campaign.

[tiptap]

Just curious - did these people feel alright with John Edwards in 2004? Do they think Obama is INFINITELY more qualified?

Set the bar pretty high huh.

[BucEyedPea]

Biden probably didn't need much vetting to begin with.
He's been in DC too long and his stands, accomplishments and de-merits are already known by his opposition. As far as being an opposition though, he said he'd be honored to serve with McCain. What does this tell us? There is not going to be any meaningful change in DC—but more of the same.

Meanwhile, I hear the Georgian situation is worsening.

[BucEyedPea]

First of all, I believe she was researched. Second of all, any lack of "meticulousness" in this research is offset by the fact that McCain actually picked a strong-willed conservative reformer instead of some lame, party-line, big government Republican.
That's why this complaint about how much she was vetted reflects the big govt line. It's coming from those who think we not only need govt officials and bureaucrats to run our affairs and take care of us, but since they must they need experience to make big govt and nanny-statism to work. The truth of the matter is if you truly want liberty via small govt it wouldn't matter who was up there. We'd be left alone and freer to run our own lives.
:)

[penchief]

Biden probably didn't need much vetting to begin with.
He's been in DC too long and his stands, accomplishments and de-merits are already known by his opposition. As far as being an opposition though, he said he'd be honored to serve with McCain. What does this tell us? There is not going to be any meaningful change in DC—but more of the same.

Meanwhile, I hear the Georgian situation is worsening.

That was before McCain went Stepford Wives on us.

[Baby Lee]

Well you pretty much have to believe that Palin was seriously researched. If you had to face the facts that McCain failed to adequately research his running mate it would automatically disqualify him for the presidency. So I don't blame you for rejecting that premise because it undermines McCain's entire candidacy, which is based on savvy experience versus the naive upstartness of Obama. Trust me, I wouldn't want to answer the question either.

(By the way, comparing Palin to Obama is ridiculous. Obama earned the nomination, he was plucked onto the ticket like Palin was. Compare her to a VP or something.)


So your question is basically, "you must accept that this is a shitty decision and how does this empirically, metaphysically, undeniably shitty decision affect your estimation of his decisionmaking abilities."

That's productive.

[patteeu]

First of all, I believe she was researched. Second of all, any lack of "meticulousness" in this research is offset by the fact that McCain actually picked a strong-willed conservative reformer instead of some lame, party-line, big government Republican.

+1

I'm a big fan of this pick and if it's representative of the kinds of decisions that McCain will make as POTUS, I'm happy.

[Chief Henry]

+1

I'm a big fan of this pick and if it's representative of the kinds of decisions that McCain will make as POTUS, I'm happy.

The libs will fight her, smear her to no end, because she threatens liberal ideology more than McCain. McCain made a great joice here.

[PRIEST]

The libs will fight her, smear her to no end, because she threatens liberal ideology more than McCain. McCain made a great joice here.



Are you serious ? You have a 72 year old President who has fought cancer & wants war with Iran or any other oil baring nation Dies in office .( god forbid) Now we have Palin as the President. The MILF of the free World This kinda scares the hell outta me .I have kids that need a better rep then this .It's Not a issue of right or left its a issue of right & wrong Mc Cain choice & selection process was wrong Playing on the Clinton card plain & simple, the old goat thought he would pull one over the American (women) people.

[BigRedChief]

Palin was a member for two years in the 1990s of the Alaska Independence Party, which has at times sought a vote on whether the state should secede.



Is this true or a BS rumor?

[Chiefnj2]

It seems like her family needs her more than the country does. A four month old with Downs syndrome and a pregnant teen daughter. Put your family first and be there for them.

[Direckshun]

So your question is basically, "you must accept that this is a shitty decision and how does this empirically, metaphysically, undeniably shitty decision affect your estimation of his decisionmaking abilities."

That's productive.
Hey, don't blame me. I'm not the one who can't accept the premise here.

I think the fact that this reflex is so strong among the present conservatives says something.

[Direckshun]

The libs will fight her, smear her to no end, because she threatens liberal ideology more than McCain. McCain made a great joice here.
Absolutely!

Because if you're going to try to win independents and credit your ability to reach across the aisle for more bipartisanship, the choice you want to make will threaten to destroy the politics of half the nation.

[Pittsie]

Palin was a member for two years in the 1990s of the Alaska Independence Party, which has at times sought a vote on whether the state should secede.

Is this true or a BS rumor?

If you believe the party's vice chairman, it's true.

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/09/the_alaska_independence_party.php

[Direckshun]

Palin was a member for two years in the 1990s of the Alaska Independence Party, which has at times sought a vote on whether the state should secede.

Is this true or a BS rumor?

She was a member for two years over a decade ago. I believe it is a non-issue, but it's probably going to come back to bite her in the butt.

Hell, if you could make a built-by-association attack on Obama with Rev. Wright, you have to admit this is fair game, too.

[Direckshun]

I'm just in constant disbelief about the ability of conservatives around here to believe that she was properly vetted.

NO SOURCES verify that she was properly vetted, except sources from within the Republican Party itself. None on the national scene, and (even more surprisingly) none from Alaska.

This was a reckless pick, and I'm almost sure it's killed McCain's campaign.