NoBama,

Hmmmm…..well Obama's mother nor his grandmother was not running for the VP slot. Therefore a moot point.

I am uncomfortable that children of the Democrat candidate are raked across the coals by those same people who are upset with someone questioning the teachings of a candidate who's own daughter didn't listen to her, and just how well her (Sarah's) judgement is.

I remember just how hateful they were when ripping Chelsea Clinton to shreds and she was just a little girl.

No Moral's in that party. None at all.

Sarah Palin tried to get books banned, hunted wolves by shooting from a hellicopter, being part of a group once that tried to get Alaska separated from the rest of the "United" States". She was elected mayor in a bitty town by getting just over 900 votes total, then fired the police and fire chief immediately after for not supporting her campaign. Now, as governor under investigation for firing someone who would not fire her ex-brother in law.

Sounds like she was vetted fully and will fit right in with the extending Bush policies.

It all boils down to McCain being an uninformed pompus idiot!

McCain is letting the media vet Palin…….. What?……. You mean that's not how it works?
McDude can't use that new fangled internet and doesn't really know where Alaska is (always thought it was part of Canada) – so can't blame him.

Seems kind of a shallow but obvious way to recruit Hillary's followers. Also a nice way for McSame to avoid addressing the issues. Knows Obama will not pick on her. MacGoo is brilliant!

She will be his scapegoat if they lose.

I don't know about ya'll but when my job interviewed me, I had a phone interview, and on-site interview with one person, then I was called back on-site to interview with the team. And I am just an IT Analyst.

"Obama's mother was quite pregnant (3 months) with Barak when she married his Kenyan father ….

Sarah Palin's daughter IS NOT running for VP. Leave her alone!"

Hey!!! My boy already had his say, is not his fault that 75% of the country don't wanna listen….

There is more to Sarah Palin than we know. In researching the paper from the small town she was a mayor in, there are reports from the head librarian that Palin tried to get her to ban several books that weren't to her liking. Ban books? You've got to be kidding … anyone should be spooked here… this women is scary.

McCain is letting the media vet Palin…….. What?……. You mean that's not how it works?
McDude can't use that new fangled internet and doesn't really know where Alaska is (always thought it was part of Canada) – so can't blame him.

Seems kind of a shallow but obvious way to recruit Hillary's followers. Also a nice way for McSame to avoid addressing the issues. Knows Obama will not pick on her. MacGoo is brilliant!

She will be his scapegoat if they lose.

OK. So we have Sara Palin who is un uber-right wing :Barracuda" who believes in being anti- sex education, anti-alcohol excesses, and anti-corruption. And yet her 17-year old, unmarried daughter is pregnant, her husband has been convicted of DWI, and she is under idictment in Alaska for corruption. Way to go John!

Get real McBush. This kind of judgement in the selection of your running mate we can do without . Go Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Do we call her Mother Teresa, or fake iron lady"
She do not have time for her kids and she want to be vp.
she can not run her house but she want to white house.
Here we go again………. America Roll Model.
My 17 years old high school drop out will be having a baby and getting marry. What a looser, she needs to get real…..

ISN'T PALIN THE ABSTINENCE CANDIDATE THE ADVOCATE FOR ABSTINENCE ALONE, NO SAFE SEX EDUCATION, NO EDUCATION ON SEXUALY TRANSMITTED DISEASES ,,, NO NOTHING BUT ABSTINENCE WELL HOWS THAT WORKING OUT FOR YOU NOT GOOD HUH !!! OH WELL THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST!!! ( YES OBAMA SPEAKS WITH ONE FACE)!!! (4 MORE MONTHS) (YES OBAMA CAN)!!!!!!!

She was not vetted at all.

as a mother and woman, i would just like to add – WHAT KIND OF MOTHER LEAVES HER FAMILY BEHIND IN SUCH AN APPARENT CRISIS (newborn child with down syndrome, 17 year old daughter pregnant) TO SEEK POLITICAL POWER?!?! the only honorable thing for Sarah Palin to do now is drop from the race and take care of home – something she OBVIOUSLY hasn't been doing while all of her executive experience (and abuse of power) has been gained.

Sorry my next President Obama, and my VP Biden, with the respect as much as I love both of you, and respect your judgments. I strongly disagree with your statement about the girl not being a public matter, for I think that it is.

She was not vetted enough. McCain was too busy pandering for my vote (Hillary supporter) and the neocon base he is struggling with. He was mistaken on two counts when it comes to vote-getting and chosing Palin – (1) Hillary would run rings around this woman on any issue facing our nation, in other words she is NOT a fill-in for Hil's shoes. (2) it's a slap in my face as a woman for the McCain to believe that just because a person is female I will vote on that ticket. It insults my intelligence and certainly enrages me. Obama had my vote the day Hillary suspended her campaign.

mccain took one look at her, seen that she was good looking, gun slingin', oil supporter, and he was sold. he pandered for votes, to go after clinton votes, and the guy vote with her looks. and isn't funny that the religious folks are backing her, if the shoe were on the other foot they would be screaming from the pulpit. the gop stance on just tell your kids to just wait for marriage works about as good as having a stranger tell them to just wait. when i first heard this i thought to myself, great another bush daughter. but no it was just another bible thumping republican child that turned out just like an average teen ager. this doesn't make her a bad mom, just irresponsible. if your child is on birth control, that doesn't mean you condon the act of sex. that takes the "hey mom, dad i have to tell you something" out of the equation. and if this were obama who's child was pregnant, oh my god, the attacks would be coming in from every direction.

This is a woman who put her political career ahead of her young daughter. How nice for a 17 year old – splashed all over every newspaper in the country and eaten alive by the media. Nice going mom – good judgment there. Just what was McCain thinking??!

Why is it that everytime I see the baby, Bristol's the one holding him? I've yet to see Sarah carrying her proud child with down syndrome. I'm just saying I would be happy as a parent regardless.

I am sick to my stomach when I think of Sarah Palin. Judgment–i don't think so; experience–NO, and on and on. But most important, for those of us who love our country, just think of what might occur if, God forbid, she should ever become President. That's why I am sick to my stomach. The thought of it makes me ill. Is this all the Republicans can offer? Do they still care so little about t heir own nation?

How is McCain going to choose his cabinet after this VP disaster? I have no confidence in his judgment or anyone who advised him on this VP.

Doesn't the Republican party get it?

It is not about having a pregnant teenage daughter.

It is not about haing a baby at 44 who happens to have Downs.

It is about judgement and priorites.
Does a woman who is governor of Alaska think she is really going to be able to take care of her own family as well as be second in line to the president?

Really???
Obama/Biden 2008 2012

He did not properly vet Palin. Let's be honest here McCain, you picked her because she was a woman and you thought that you will get all the women voters. Nice judgement. Liar Liar, pants on fire!!

Fellow Americans, please do not elect this man to the White House. We have another 4 years of gaffs and jokes, we will be the laughing stock of the world. Come on people, vote Obama/Biden.

The McCain has two choices … neither of which is good.

Either they have to admit that Governor Palin was not sufficiently vetted. Otherwise, they have to admit that she was vetted and that they were purposely trying to keep this pregnancy and other issues a secret.

Frankly, the young girl being pregnant is not an issue with me. The attempt to deceive is a big issue. The Governor, as a part of the announcement, has continued to promote her "abstinence only" platform knowing that such a policy has failed within her own family.

Also, I am really bothered by the Governor's personal character. In fact, this started long before learning of her daughter's pregnancy. To neglect spending the time with her special needs baby in exchange for running for public office seems to be an issue of misplaced priorities to me. Throw into the mix now that she is facing her teenage daughter to go through such a touch time in the glare of the national media spotlight makes this situation much worse.

Vetted or not, sadly the Governor's personal conduct makes her unfit to lead in my book.

Sounds like his in love with Palin…!

McCain's choice for VP running mate has made the Republican Party come to life. I like her and she complements McCain. All the negativity out there is coming from the Democratic Party not the Republicans. They are more united than ever.

Why doesn't everybody just give her a chance and get to know her a bit before being so negative? McCain has a proven record, let's trust his judgement.

By the way – Canada is a foreign country – and she has policy experience with us here in the great white north!!!

Thanks!
Linda

Nice one Sbama!

I give Palin credit for supporting her daughter in front of the nation and the way she has handled the situation. Of course, ideally a vice-president with a preganant teenage daughter will cause controversy but I give her props for continuing in her campaign. As a pro-life woman, she has obviously done a tremendous job in raising her daughter, showing in the decsion she has made concerning her pregnancy. Just the mere fact that she has chosen to bring that baby into this world, shows that she is up for the challenge in facing society and battling all of the criticizisms she and her family will be recieving. Also, that she is taking responsibility for her actions and mistakes.

This VP of Mccain is not the best choice. This VP choice have five childrens One of them has down syndrom. One of her children is Pregnant. Sarah Palin clearly need to focus on her family instead of running for VP

I'm a Democrat and will vote accordingly in November.

The only thing I can say is leave the bloody kid alone, and start focusing on real issues. The Republicans and their repressive, Stalinist approach to government have enough wrong with them that we don't need to start picking on kids to win.

Why we should expect Palin to have any sort of magical ability that can control teenagers is beyond me. If there's one thing I've learned from being a parent of teenagers is the best you can hope for is for them to listen to something you say, and hope the fallout from their rebellion isn't too damaging.

How this retarded society can believe that zero consequences for their actions for 18 years, no such thing as failing, trophies and straight A's for turning up can be fixed by parents is beyond me. I struggle with the damage schools do to my kids on a daily basis. Expecting politicians to have magic wands that can prevent teenagers from doing exactly what they want because of this damage is equally beyond me.

Maybe Palin was too busy hunting and Fishing to be a GOOD MOTHER to her children and teach them GOOD FAMILY Values. Sex is fine but respnsibility is BETTER.

Wow! either McCain and his advisers are see something we are all missing or this pick for VP was just a slap in the face of the hard liners in his party who would not allow him to pick who he really wanted "Lieberman"

This is will be an interesting election!

Dems just do not take the bait keep taking the high road on this selection!

As a die hard Obama supporter, I don't mind McCain choosing a woman. That's not the issue. My issue with McCain is the way he selected his VP. Without proper vetting, you are bound to pull some skeletons out of a closet. It's not your fault Palin, its just McCain isn't qualified to be President.

What is even more scary is that if McCain takes office. His selection for Supreme Court will be even worst.

McCryinShame,

You wasted the RNC's money, the GOP's money, and CenileCindy's money on your campaign. Your VP was the worst pick of the Century. All you Repubs are regretting you choose Johnny Jet McBlame to run our country. You Repubs are going to bite it for real if he wins.

Did McCain know that Sarah Palin tried to get BOOKS BANNED? Is he saying that he agrees with that, too? And what about Palin shooting wolves from the air? Or being part of a group once that tried to get Alaska separated from the rest of the "United" States? Is Palin for Alaska or for America?

How long do you think it'll be before we here McCain say…. "I didn't need to do any vetting on Sarah Palin. I looked into her eyes and saw her soul."

Obama's mother was quite pregnant (3 months) with Barak when she married his Kenyan father ….

Sarah Palin's daughter IS NOT running for VP. Leave her alone!

Vetting Process

Rove: What about Palin?

McCain: She was against the Bridge to Nowhere…..

Rove: No John, she really was for it.

McCain: Well at least she has a perfect record of service

Rove: No John, she is under investigation for abusing her powers….

McCain: Well at least she has the experience

Rove: No John, she doesn't

McCain: Well what did Hutchison, Romney and Hucakbee say again?

Rove: They said no John..

McCain: Well she is a woman!

Rove: They are dumb enough to fall for that.

McCain: Ok she is it! What state is she from again? Do I have a house there?

I am male and the whole pro-life vs. pro-choice thing is not something that has any impact on my life. I really think the whole debate is a waste of energy. But, I am also a Liberal, and I believe that the right to make your own personal decisions is important, and I support that right in every case. I would not like for a young woman to be forced to have an abortion or forced to have a child by her parents or by her government.

Any young woman who makes her personal choice has a perfect right to do so, no matter which choice she makes. Any young woman who makes her personal choice does not owe any explanations to me, you, or anyone else on the planet. Her family has no obligation to explain anything about it either.

The phrase "Mind your own business!" comes to mind. I'm sure that the narrow-minded gossips who have had the nerve to post otherwise could look at their own families and find something else – something worthwhile – to do. Shame on you Vera, Old White Lady, Slimsistah, SAME OLD STUFF, EX Republican, and others.

You! mccain guys are crazzy.

OK. Her daughter is off limits. Her husbands DUI is off limits. Can anyone that supports this choice really believe that we would be OK as a country is they win and McCain leaves to meet his maker in the first months of their term? She may be very nice. She may even agree with some of you about certain issues. She may even have been smart enough to go to the best schools but choose to get a BA from Utah and then stop her formal education. She may have felt that going overseas was not needed to make her worldly — who needs to be worldly anyway?

WHEN YOU ARE HONEST WITH YOURSELVES, CAN YOU REALLY IMAGINE THAT SHE COULD BE A GOOD PRESIDENT? Not grow into becoming a good President, but actually be one if we needed her early in her term?

I am no McCain fan, but I will pray for his continued health every day if she somehow becomes our VP.

@David S.

Your missing the point. The reality is this all could of been avoided. This is not an attack on Palin's daughter. Is it ironic that a staunch supporter of abstinence in lieu of sex ed in school now finds her teen daughter pregnant, yes. But the bigger issue is McCain making this choice, knowing the scrutiny that this family would go through. We live in the age of tabloids and the media's constant invasion of privacy. McCain is the one that put this family on trial.

And please stop lumping pro-choice supporters into your arguments. I am pro-choice and do not support abortion as a form of birth control! I am the norm, not the exception.

Regarding his choice of Sarah Palin for the vice presidential nomination, John McCain says that “My vetting process was completely thorough and I'm grateful for the results."

Now the real vetting begins as McCain staffers and the rest of the world press descend on Alaska to track down the truth.

One can hardly wait for the ‘next’ revelation.

McCain has proved one thing about being a maverick: his is not the personality type that is well suited to being the President of the United States.

If you are chosen as VP, your life is under the gun…. either she is dumb enough to not know this and took the job out of glamour or she knows this and rolled the dice.

Nice first decision, McCain.

CNN's attacks on Bristol Palin & especially Campbell Brown's coverage is so desperate that its almost laughable. After all where is the coverage on Joe Biden's son & brother being investigated for fraud for one thing!!

Since Palin has more experience than Obama, the question shouldn't be is Palin quialified to be vice president, but is Obama qualified to be president.

I feel sorry to the innocent children born into this idiotic family, they will be raised with these backwards values. "We're proud of her decision"…to what? Have unprotected sex with a self-proclaimed redneck? The only thing Palin seems good at is getting pregnant and hunting Moose. Ignorance.

Let's ALL investigate and vet obama – what Exactly is he qualified to do??? WHO watches his kids when he works ??
This is 2008 – NOT l970's – women can have a baby – AND a career.
The DNC and media constant bashing of this pregnant girl are a Disgrace! SHAME on you.

Here is the difference between Republicans and Democrates. It sounds like her daughter is taking full responsibility as well as their family and the father and his family. They are having the child and they will raise it. They are not looking for the government to bail them out. The dems side is that there should have been a government program in place to prevent it. Then the goverenment should help to raise the child and help the mother. And if you really don't want to take responsibility, just abort it.

She is a great pick. Down to earth lady, with real life experience.

JUDGEMENT IS THE ISSUE. Sarah Palin knew here daughter will come under scrutiney if she accepted the 2nd highest position in the US. Why would a mother put her 17 year old kid through that pressure, either she care about her own ambition or she does not care about being a mother. I would have never put my own child through that much pressure. I think she is a bad mother. That to me reflects how she will governer, with bad judgement. That is all I am going to say

Sad day in the Republican party when Karl Rove protects Sarah Palin and John McCain…

To Michael in Houston————

Well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Rove is right and they knew it all, then then truly had their heads in the sand. To use this child, and she is a child, as some poster girl for the religious right makes me sick. They are "celebrating" her decision to keep the baby. Somehow in a family of abstinance only teaching beliefs, I doubt she had a choice. Sarah Palin knew her daughter was going to be in the press, and she wants the job so badly she decided to toss her to the wolves. Democrats are sickened by this and won't attack the child, but please Republicans, wake up and get another VP. This one needs to tend to her family, not be running around the country looking for sympathy and votes. She's young, she can spend the time learning the ways of politics, and raising her kids. Then join the wolves in Washington. Yes the religious right is happy, and that in itself tells us why we need less religion in government. Come on repubs, you're supposed to be the smart party, but sure you don't look it!

Well, if you are a liberal who believes that women can manage a family and hold the reigns of any job that a man can do, and do it just as well, if not better, then you should have no objection to Palin. She is simply a mom who is doing it all.

I hope John sticks to his guns. He has already showed his lack of skills picking a running mate. I wonder what's next.
With the tabloid style media reporting on everything the candidates do this kind will keep them on his neck. Go John go.

Thank you, Senator McCain. Your choice of VP has helped gain more voters for the DNC. Keep up the work.

It does not look like Senator McCain or his campaign vetted the good Governor from Alaska. It actually seems more of a strategic pick to win the election, something Karl Rove was accusing Senator Obama of doing before he chose Senator Biden to be his running mate. The fact that she immediatly addressed the 18 million cracks of Senator Clinton indicates that she was put on the ticket in an attempt to appeal to women who supported Senator Clinton's bid for the white house.

What seems to be forgotten is that Senator Clinton actually had issues she felt strongly about that DIFFER than Governor Palin, way different. The republicans, organize crime at its best.

I agree we should not drag this poor 17 year old girl through this mess, which even her own mom apparently didn't think about in her blind ambition.

I really feel sorry for Bristol Palin. She shouldn't have gotten pregnant and I'm glad she is having the baby, but her mother should not have said yes to McCain. They had to know that this pregnancy would come out. They had to know about the other skeletons too. Palin seams to be putting her career over her family. Even without all these skeletons, Palin is not qualified to be VP. McCain should've went with his 1st choice.
I'm glad Obama has said this issue is off limits, but I'm not surprised either.

And another thing…

Does anyone else besides me believe that had it been a pregnant teen in Barack's or Biden's family, or extended but close family, would the repubs have left it alone? I totally agree with the leaving the kids out of it, I just don't think the repubs would have agreed if the shoe were on the other foot. I can't stand hypocracy.

I wish for the best for Bristol and her child.

I don't think the pregnancy per se is the point. The point is the family values platform that the republicans stand on. Pro-Life (that is their choice) however, where is Abstinence Only and Chastity before marriage which is part of this platform. HMMMMMM it seems to be missing in the Palin family starting with Sarah and Todd. However, far greater concern to me is her standing with the Alaska Independent Party. Switching to the Republican Party to better push forward the AIP's agenda is frightening and seditious. Sarah Palin, in good concience for our country, should remove her name from the ballot even before it truly gets on the ballot. She is an accident that has already happened.

McCain's Campaign Slogan – Country First ! He's put his country last and his Election first by choosing Palin! But the latter is going to Back Fire Big Time. No Character, No life Values, No Family Values, a Undergraduate Degree in Political Science and Communications does not a VP make. And it certainly doesn't make a Commander should McCain take ill! I have nothing personally against the woman, I don't know her? Do you? But what I've heard about her qualifications certainly puts me against her being in Command of of American's Safety and Economic well being!

Okay, so Palin has very little experience. Funny how, even Democrats compare her experience to that of Obama, not Biden. Need I remind all you Obama fans that Obama is the Presidential candidate while Palin is second on the ticket.

kay – Bristol is obviously NOT a little girl. It's the media who is dragging her name through the mud and I'll bet she is more mature than you and can deal with it.

Haiku Time…….

Sarah for VP
As a Dem sounds good to me
Gift that keeps giving

No one wants her to step down, but if she is so family oriented, why doesn't she just stay home and do just that? The majority of us don't have 5 children, but if I did I would be inclined to stay home and raise them.

David S. -

"Abstinence only" programs, restrictions on abortion, and the stigma of being an unwed teen mother are the reason babies wind up in dumpsters.

Ah, thats so much clearer – McCain messed up on purpose.
LOL!

To David S.

Accidents happen much less when children are taught about the responsibilities of pre-marital sex and ways of avoiding pregnancy… Bristol was taught about the virtue of abstinence .. you make my point perfectly…Kids are going to have sex…warn them and arm them with the proper education….

By the way they could charge the 18 y/o father with a felony sex offense in Alaska…

One word for Republicans 'HYPOCRITES'!!! If this was Chelsey Clinton or any other Democrats daughter, they would call the Clintons demons!

How about those FAMILY VALUES? How about Palin wanting her ex-brotherinlaw fired? How about we want her talking to world leaders?

What were they thinking?

Maybe there is something in Moose Stew that has effected this.

I love the picture of the executive office where Palin received all that executive experience. I have to disagree with Carville because it looks more like a country diner than a bait shop.

The repugs are Sooooooo out of touch

Obama/Biden 08

No amount of explanation will convince me that Governor Palin was vetted by more than a few phone calls. And if she were vetted, is McCain saying this is the absolutely best candidate for the job? I think not. He claims she's a reformer, but she hired a lobbyist to secure millions in pork projects for her city and originally backed the Bridge to Nowhere "100%". She's an advocate for removing sex education from the schools, but is then willing to sacrifice her pregnant daughter to the blogs and media. And once and for all, her experience does not outweigh Obama — not even close. Add up years as a Senator (11+years), years as a community organizer (5), years as a lawyer and visiting professor at Chicago Law School (9), land you'll see it equals more than her 8. Oh — and he, too, is a member of the PTA.

I don't have a problem with her daughter being pregnant as it is a human condition that many families have to face and at least they are giving her loving support.

But I am sick of hearing about Palin's wealth of not only executive, but foreign policy experience because her state is close to Russia as though her experience outshines Obama's. And a lot of the claims that Palin is a "reformer" are being dispelled as her being for the bridge to nowhere before she was against it. Most of the MSM just goes along. Kudos to Cambell Brown the other night for having some grit!

One last thing, it is becoming more and more apparent that the McCain camp is all about projection. Obama is the "elitist" while McCain owns seven homes, Obama is "not ready to lead" while McCain picks a person of considerably less qualifications, Obama is trying to be "the One" while McCain tries to inject himself every chance he can, Obama was presumptious for talking overseas while McCain did the same in Canada and Colomia, etc…Sooooo tired of the double speak!

Obama/Biden '08!

I am an Obama supporter and I agree with him that the candidates families are off limits!

Ms. Palins daughter's pregnancy has no place in this race. She is not the first teen to become preganant and she wont be the last one either.

But the Republicans need to stop acting like they have the majority on the "Moral High Ground" and they dont.

ATTENTION REPUBLICANS:
Stop persecutting in public those who in private are no different from you.

A secessionists Senator McCain?!?

No way, no how, no McCain!!!!!!!

You can't put America first when you support dissolving the Union.

Benedict Arnold was a war hero too and a far greater one than McCain but that doesn't mean his name is not synonymous with treason.

This is certainly not the kind of change we can believe in my fellow Americans.

Who picks someone they met one time to be Vice President of the United States of America? Do you Repbulicans really want someone with such poor judgement to be President?? Oh yeah I forgot. You gave us George Bush twice and put us in the abyss we're in now.

If Karl Rove says it's true, it must be.

And if you believe that, you deserve four more years of Republican misrule.

Palin should withdraw. She's putting her personal political ambitions ahead of her young family in turmoil. WHO is going to care for her youngest – apparently that task has been delegated to Bristol, as she was the one holding the child, and conveniently masking her own pregnancy. and WHO is going to mother Bristol in her time of need? Her shotgun husband? And is she going to pull all the kids out of their schools and away from their friends and support systems to move them all to DC? So much for Republican family values. NOT to say a woman can't do it all, but perhaps in stages and at this stage Palin needs to stay in Alaska as governor, take care of her family and slowly build her political career. Obama/Biden '08

If Senator McCain can not vet his running mate properly, he does not deserve to win the election on November 4, 2008. Obama/Biden 2008

Where was the fact check express when Palin was being chosen for the VP spot? She should have never been given this position,especially since she's carrying soo much baggage.

I TRULY BELIEVE SHE IS A GREAT CHOICE ! WHAT EXPERIENCE DOES OBAMA HAVE IN; GOVERNING, IN FORIEGN POLICY, IN FAMILY ISSUES. WHO CAN PERDICT WHAT CHOICES OR MISTAKES HIS DAUGHTERS WILL MAKE. AT LEAST WE KNOW THAT SENATOR PALIN WILL STICK BY FAMILY AND EMBRACE HER DAUGHTER AND THE BABY THATS ON THE WAY INSTEAD OF ABORTING IT WHICH IS THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS MINDSET.

HEY CNN HOW ABOUT POSTING SOME OF THE POSITIVE COMMENTS IN FAVOR OF SENATOR PALIN AND NOT ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF OBAMA.

This whole plan the liberals (including the news media) have to try and destroy Sarah Palin, will only backfire on them, just watch.

pathetic left. this will come back to haunt you. mccain/palin.

Of course she was fully vetted. McCain figures to get the pro-life vote by showing that Palin's unmarried teenage daughter is keeping the baby rather than having an abortion, and — as frosting on the cake for evangelicals — she's even marrying the father. On top of that, of course, is the fact that Gov. Palin kept her Down syndrome baby, rather than having an abortion when she found out, while pregnant, that her son had Down's. Looks to me like a very calculated political move on McCain's part.

Experience is talking hahaha Mccain. You are in a deep hole!

I don't think she was vetted at all, because I don't think she was who McCain wanted as the VP.

Pregnant daughter aside, what experience does she bring to the ticket. None that I can see.

Also, how much did we hear in the media. that the first display of Presidential leadership would be how and who Obama and McCain chose their running mates. Not hear that talked about much anymore, are we???

well even if McCain now realizes he picked the wrong VP do you really think he would admit it !!!!!!!

Ok so his first major decision on the road to the white house is a flop.. what does that tell us about what all his other decisions are going to be like?

great job setting the tone, mcpain.

first impressions count.. that was a real bad one

If Mccain had properly vetted this woman she would not be getting the vetting process in the media now.
The storieson her keeps coming, and I know there are more.
Mccain's judgement stinks . This is his first major decision, and it looks as though he's failing miserably.
All I can ask now is…………. DOES JOHN S. McCAIN HAS THE RIGHT JUDGEMENT TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY?
People please think about that when your in the voting booth?

You are all making me sick! I'm a former undecided swaying to McCain because of the attitudes of all of you people.

CLEARLY she was vetted, just like anyone else. Clearly there are some issues because no one is perfect (including Obama, by the way!). YOu can say "McSenile" as much as you want but come on people, be realistic. He has a staff just like any other candidate – do you think they'd all go with a 'let's not vet her' approach?

Seriously – did you know the brother in law who was fired was in trouble with the department for threatening to kill people and tasering a kid? Let me see….if you were in charge wouldn't you can a chief of police who wouldn't fire a guy threatening to kill people? I think that was part of her JOB, to insure the safety of the citizens first and foremost, even if she was loosely related to the psychopath.

Betcha CNN won't post this – heaven forbid people actually have facts.

And I am SICK of everyone saying the family is hypocritical (note the proper spelling) for having a member of the family pregnant. Family values means accepting and loving your family with their mistakes, so I think she is showing excellent family values.

Palin's daughter getting pregnant isn't the issue, the issue is Gov. Palin is a woman that preaches abstenence and doesn't believe in sex-ed….if her daughter had a little sex-ed, maybe she would have known what a condom is for. It's a hypocritical travesty!!

All the Democrats can do is attack! attack! attack! It's just disgusting the crap that is being said right now about a good family. She has as much executive experience as Clinton had as governor when he ran for president. This is just dirty mud slinging and ugliness. The Democrats are experts at picking out a lie and repeating it over and over …but the American people who are intelligent aren't going to buy into it. If all you liberals can do is attack a 17-year-old girl then you need to take a look at your own morals. Obama has less experience than she does and he's running for President! They VETTED her people!!! Stop drinking the Kool-aid. You all look like idiots.

McCain is not being honest, he's trying to save face now. He wanted Ridge or Leiberman for his VP pick but did what he thought was best to help him win (pick Palin as VP). It's starting to look like a stupid and rash decision. He's defending his pick, but what else can he do, things are desperate now.

As a democrat and an Obama/ Biden supporter, this is all just laughable to me, comparing the two campaigns. Obama/ Biden have what it takes to run to country effectively and produce positive change hands down…I hope America sees this!

Wow-As stated in the the movie "Undercover Brother", "White woman–Black man's kryptonite." How could the GOP be so naive as to think we wouldn't see through this one?

It is obvious McCain knew of all these horrid things about Palin… but he didn't care, he just needs to pander. FAIL!

I agree with Joyce in Florida. The McCain camp believed all the hype about the Hillary supporters planning to throw a fit at the convention, and he thought they'd vote for him if he chose Palin.

Unfortunately for the Repubs, Hillary stepped up to the plate and gave a great speech. Obama also gave a great speech and the Dems are coming together.

Sorry McCain – I know your opinion of women is low, but we are not as dumb as you think we are. We are not falling for this crap.

Thanks McCain !!!!!

For destroying this young girl and her boyfriend's lives by thrusting them into the national media spotlight for your selfish political pandering!

Look, "liberal blogger" or not, Governor Palin is a poor choice compared to Senato Biden. And that doesn't even deal with the issue of FLIP-FLOPPING by Senator McCain in choosing a person with little experience after lambasting Senator Obama for far more experience!

Senator McCain will obviously say or do anything to get elected!

Lying to the public as usual. Thanks!

just another of mcains dumb picks is really who we want and need as president if you liked last eight years then vote mcain paulin its simple as that and ENOTHER THING I DONT LIKE BUSH TALKING TO REPUBLICAN CONVENSION FROM OUR HOUSE either go to convension or crawford tx

—- PALIN REPRESENTS CORE REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE VALUES — VOTE FOR PALIN FOR HER VALUES AND HER QUALIFICATIONS — SOUND JUDGEMENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EXPERIENCE — NO ONE WINS ELECTIONS ON EXPERIENCE ALONE! — MCCAIN SERVED THIS COUNTRY WITH DISTINCTION AND WAS A POW. — WE CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER 9/11 SO ELECT REPUBLICANS. REPUBLICANS KNOW ABOUT WAR.

What kind of dumb questions is that. Of course he didn't vet her. If he did why did he just send 12 lawyers to Alaska.

I am curious to know what the age of consent is in Alaska. Is it possible that Ms. Palin became pregnant at the age of 16? If so, legal ramifications could be part of the equation.

"I see nothing wrong with Gov. Palin. She has executive experience."

Yeah as mayor of a town of 9,000 and as governor of a state of 660,000. Saying that is executive experience is like saying shift supervisor at McDonalds is managerial experience.

She can't successfully manage her house, her town, or her state, and Republicans want her a heartbeat away from the presidency? Are you kidding me?

I have been listening to the Republicans praise Sarah Palin for "making the choice" to have her developmentally disabled child. Ironically, if Sarah Palin is elected, she wants to take that choice away from other women.

People say that this shows hypocricy on Palin's part. I disagree. It shows that she's on the wrong side of the argument when it comes to abstinence-only education. It doesn't work, and this is a typical result of abstinence only education.

People say this shows McCain's poor judgement. I disagree. The fact that McCain is a republican shows his poor judgement.

It's not her experience (or lack there of) that is a problem it's her jdugement. As a woman, I am insulted by the choice of Palin, due to her lack of experience and/or judgement and because she is determined to speak for me (as a woman) and dictate the choices I am able to make. I defend her right to make the choices she's made even if I disagree with them. She, I fear, will not return the same respect to me.
Obama '08

Does anyone else besides me think that maybe John McCain really does not want this presidency? I mean this veep pick is waaaaaay off the chart for bad judgement. I'm just saying….

Just wondering…If Gov Palin and Reps stand on a platform of abstinence only,no sex ed in schools,no discussion in schools re stds, no birth control ,no abortion.no condoms…..how do they feel about Vascetomy?Can you imagine how men (and woman) would react if there was government interference surrounding that issue? What is Gov Palin's position on that form of birth control and on a man's right to choose the big V?

canada

Everyone Knows You Did Not Vet Her Mccain! Now The News Media Will Do It For You And You Will Regret That For Sure! The Cover Up Group You Sent To Alaska Is A Few Days Late! You Lack The Judgement It Takes To Be The President And You Yourself Have Proved It!

Hmmm….

Let's see, less than two years as governor of the least populous state in the country.

Being investigated for firing a state commissioner who refused to fire her ex-brother-in-law.

Run out of the town where she was mayor with a $20,000,000 debt.

Promotes abstinence but can't get her eldest daughter to buy in.

Likes to shoot animals after chasing them in a helicopter.

(And this in just 5 days).

Sounds like someone with lots of executive experience that every republican would want as the 2nd in command.

OK, enough on this Palin woman.

What are McCain's plans for the country, other than another hundred years in Iraq?

Interesting that Rove is now openly speaking for McCain….like no one would care

Seriously doubt it, because even the idea of her being a reformering is being questioned.

Leaving her town 26 million dollars in debt, the earmarks she took, being for the bridge to no more in the beginning, wanting Alaska to be split from the U.S.?

Are you serious? That was known is was still the best pick out of all his choices?

McCain is truly losing his bearings. Obama had it right all along when he first said that months ago, even though he wasn't speaking about his aged state. But now, in so many ways, it's becoming crystal clear that something is amiss in his decisionmaking. It's scary.
I don't want his "experience." I don't want his "judgment," or lack thereof. McCain should be retiring, not running for the highest office in the land. He's just no longer up to the task.

If she was fully vetted as they say its scary to think they still wanted her after they found out all of her cons

1. Supported the bridge to no where until others denounced it
2. Approves earmarks for her state but does not approve earmarks for other states
3. Has clearly stated she'll favor alaska if she is vp
4. Teaching abstinence only -that worked for her daughter huh
5. Troopergate
6. baby gate
7. Wants to drill ANWR and have polar bears removed from endangered species list just to drill… what about alternative energies
8. left her town 20 million dollars in debt
9. Have you seen the pictures of her town hall? running a campaign is more complex than running that town

Come on she obviously was not vetted and is a terrible politician good luck with her

John McCain would rather win an election than to make sure Americans are safe in the event something happens to him. He had a great short list to choose from but went outside the box to someone with absolutely no proven experience. McCain used reckless judgement in picking Palin. I though this election would be close with McCain losing by 5, but now because of his reckless judgement, he is going to lose by a landslide.

I think it's funny that some republicans are saying that Palin has more experience than Obama or Biden. Executive Experience. Well then, here is a nice list of Republican Presidents for you;

1. Abe Lincoln – Served in the Illinois House of Reps and the US House of Reps – NO EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE.

2. Ulysses S. Grant – War hero and general of the Civil War – NO EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE.

3. James Abram Garfield – Served in the US House of Reps – NO EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE.

4. Chester Alan Arthur – A lawyer before appointed VP. Took over for Garfield after he was shot. – NO EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE.

5. Warren G. Harding – Ohio Senator and US Senator – NO EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE.

6. Herbert Clark Hoover – NO EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE

7. Gerald Rudolph Ford – US House of Reps, took over for Nixon after he resigned. – NO EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE.

Do you still think EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE matters? OK, how's this:

George W. Bush – Governor of Texas and a COMPLETE AND TOTAL FAILURE.

Seems to me, that your argument of how precious executive experience is, doesn't really hold any water. Try again, Buh-Bye.

McCain is insane if he thinks we believe this for one moment. It doesn't matter Sen. Obama and Sen Biden already has this one in the bag.

MY FELLOW DEMOCRATS LETS WIN THE WHITE HOUSE BACK!!!

OBAMA 08-16
HILLARY 16-24

LETS DO IT!

GOP Congressman Tom Davis of Virginia said it best: "The Republican brand is in the trash can. If we were dog food, they would take us off the shelf."

It is so bad that more than 10 percent of the GOP members of the US Senate aren't even bothering to attend their own party's convention. They recognize BAD dog food when they see it.

Everyone else turned him down cold. Palin said 'yes.' Not even Jeb Bush would run with him. So now it's the Amateur Hour!

I don't get it. Years ago, when my cousin became pregnant at 16 no one was running around saying how great it was. My aunt felt because she wasn't around enough because of work, it was somehow her fault.

I just don't get the moral majority. Are they now stating that because they back Bristol that it is fine for their sons and daughters to become sexually active? Bristol and her mother are no roll models for my daughter and I don't want her to look up to them.

So much for abstinence “education.”

I can't believe a mom (Sarah) would toss aside her son for political gain. I would NEVER allow my 17 year old to take my place in taking care of my young children.

Politics or family, Sarah chose the former.

We saw the clip about Obama's preacher about a million times. Let's play that clip once more when McCain said the number one priority in chosing a running mate is for him/her to be ready to be President on day one. Given who he selected, that ought to give Independents pause as they consider his judgement to be President.

I think it's funny that the republicans continue to throw out the "executive experience" line in defense of Palin's VP slot….no one so far that I have seen/read is asking them to define that, i.e. what has she done as an "executive" and/or how that compares to the bills, challenges and decisions Obama has made during his time in public office…..It seems obvious to me that this pick was not made by McCain; rather he was told by those on the extreme right that if he wanted their support this is who they wanted him to pick…..

Didn't he say that's not what he was doing, vetting her? Another lie?
Seriously. A man that doesn't at ~least~ look into if their VP has any ongoing investigations before choosing them? Will he attack other nations without really being sure they are our enemies? Will he sell weapons to countries without being 'sure' that they are on our side?
This man is completely naive.

It is painfully obvious that Palin was the wrong choice., and so is McCain.

Vote for Obama!

I love how he put her on the ticket just so the extreme right would be happy. I'm a Republican and there is no way I can support a VP candidate who wants to dictate what I'm allowed to do in my own bedroom (ie. her support to ban condoms and other forms of birth control). I want LESS government, not MORE!

OMG! I HAVE to stop watching the news from down there! I just heard a woman on CNN Headline News say that she thought because Palin had raised a daughter strong enough to handle a pregnancy in her circumstances, that she just knew, should the need arise Palin would be able to handle the PRESIDENCY! What in the world is happening to the USof A? Believe me, it's very scary for the rest of the world.

McCain has shown that he has no judgement when it comes to decisions and yet wants to make harder decisions as president (I DON'T THINK SO). Sara Palin was not vetted and all evidence points to this. McCain I used to have respect for you, but you have fallen off the deep-end.

WOW! …This is wonderful, great choice John McCain!!

….OBAMA/BIDEN '08!

McCain…..who's got bad judgement now??

I thought the interview usually came before the hiring. What a joke!

Obama / Biden '08

IF, IF the McCain camp really knew that this girl was expecting before he asked Palin to serve with him then why did they mishandle the story so badly? They should have rolled this information out there when they introduced her. No secret then no big shocking story. It's not the media's fought for reporting the story it's the McCain camp's fought for trying keep it covered up. When did thet think it would come out? By their own accounts she will be 7 or 8 months along by November.

Dear CNN commentators:
I hope you guys will be fair and grill the Republicans just as much as you grilled Obama for months and months.

Palin is a lot more qualified than Obama.

Sure … and this will look really foolish as more revelations roll out. He has two choices now: dig in and fortify his defenses, or bail out of the battle to have a chance of winning the war. It appears McCain is digging in.

Let us not talk about someone who is irrelevant in this election. A VP is required to complete the ticket; Republican gave us someone who does nothing more than that,

Republicans are refereeing Hillary so many times that McCain has become irrelevant in this election. Let’s follow Hillary’s lead in electing Obama the next President.

Let’s not talk about someone who does not deserve America’s attention, democrats are going to takeover Whitehouse for at least 16 years – 8 years for Barack and 8 years for Hilary.

Palin needs to go home and raise your kids…….She has to many things against her to be VP…Its a scarey thought that if something happens to McBush she would be second in command….

Poor Choice…..

I am very curious if she we still be the pick at the end of this week. She has, reportedly, energized the pro-life base which was very calm on McCain. While she seems nice, she does not appear to be ready for the role for which she has been selected. Moreover, McCain does not seem ready for her to be in the role – it raises huge questions about his judgment. Perhaps I am mistaken and the current discussion was entirely his intention (it avoids having to discuss his platform which in broad terms seems to be continue the Bush tax cuts, continue the Bush war, and rapid offshore drilling). If this was his intention, I would like him to come out and say that he is supportive of her and knowing everything he knows about her he still would have made this decision and that he stands by this decision.

If blacks can vote for Obama, then women can vote for Sarah.

Whats the difference, neither is fully qualified!

Sarah Palin is the best thing to show up on ANYBODY'S presidential ticket in a very long time, that's for sure. And, when you compare her background to Obama's, she is pristine and squeaky clean…..as clean and refreshing as a breath of fresh Alaskan air compared to Obama's South Chicago roots, where the sooty, smoggy air is hardly fit to breathe.

And Palin has more experience than Obama. He only has the staggering total of 143 days in the Senate plus a handful of years in the Indiana legislature where he seems to have set a record for "Present" votes lest he offend anyone or damage his future political aspirations by making yea or nay decisions. He was as vague and fuzzy then in his voting as he is now in his telepromter speeches.

Also, Palin has run a state for a while…..Obama has run nothing. And yet Obama wants to become president and run an entire country. I don't think so. Not my country.

In short….Palin is is not perfect, but she is light years ahead of Obama in terms of expeience, character, judgment, and life choices. I'd much rather see her as president than Obama.

McCain-Palin – 2008

Oh, well if Karl Rove says so, then it must be true.

I'm VERY excited over his Pick!

She comes to us from a State as far away from the same "OLD WASHINGTON POLITICS" as you can get both physically and intellectually.

She is ready to be a "Maverick Girl" to his Maverick Boy"

Together they will be able to affect the kind of change we need.

McCain/Palin 08-By a Landslide!

McCain's judgment has proven to be lacking. He has a legendary temper, he makes impulsive decisions, he has a weakness for choosing pretty women just for window dressing and he's been wrong about every major decision he's made over the past few years.

He chose a political rookie who has been outside the US once to be second in command for a 72 year old cancer survivor. That's rediculous.

With Russia, China, North Korea and Iran watching our every move this is not the man we want with his finger on the big red button.

Question? What happen if Mrs Palin is found guilty of abused her power in the firing of the state’s police chief for refusing to fire her ex-brother-in-law, a state trooper. Who would Sen McCain chose next or can she still run for VP. The state legislators investigation is not over yet or will the State of Alaska will put the investigation on hold now that she is Sen McCain VP. Go Obama

I AM JUST WONDERING WHAT CRITERIA CNN'S BLOG WATCHERS, EDITORS, REPORTERS, JOURNALISTS , JOURNEYMEN USE TO "MODERATE' OUR BLOGS . MY COMMENTS HAVE BEEN TAGGED ' YOUR COMMENTS ARE AWAITING MODERATION' AND UNDERLINED MY SCREEN NAME. I AM REMINDED OF THE McCARTHY-ISM OF THE PAST PARTISAN POLITICS OF RABID ANTI COMMUNIST PURGES WHICH USED
RUMORS AND GOSSIPS FROM PANDERING GOSSIP COLUMNISTS TO DESTROY THE REPUTATIONS OF WELL KNOWN
AMERICANS AND HOLLYWOOD ACTORS AND OTHERS IN THE FILM INDUSTRY DURING THAT ERA.. I AM AN AMERICAN AND PROUD OF IT . I SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND OUR DEMOCRACY
JUST AS MUCH AS ANY AMERICAN . I DO NOT CURSE NOR USE PROFANITY NEVER OBSCENITY OR CRUDE LANGUAGE ON ANY BODY.. WHY THEN CNN ????

Has anyone asked the father of the baby if HE wants to marry her? Does he want to move to Washington DC (she will want to stay near her mother with a new child). What if he doesn't marry her? They sure are taking a lot for granted…I've seen more of the "disappearing boyfriend" trick in these circumstances than I can count. Nobody can "make" him marry her. Only pay child support, maybe. First, he's got to finish high school.

if you want to talk about a stupid vp pick, obama picked the MAN with 9000 votes, over the woman with over 18 million votes! mccain/palin08, hillary 2012!

Actually they all knew back in Jan who the VP would be.

They registered the following domain Jan 08. It's all a game to win your hearts and minds.

mccainpalin.com

McCain we question your judgement..

So if you croak, you expect us to believe Palin is the best suited to run the country?

She is underinvestigation for abuse of power. She has no experience and you said that was your major qualifiyer for VP. She lobbyied for over 26 million in earmarks. And her major claim to fame is a wash: She was before the bridge to nowhere before she was against it.

And am I supposed to trust your off the cuff decision making while running the country..?

I think not

I don't believe he truly vetted Palin – another example of McCain's lack of judgement and impulsive behavior. But just as bad as his bad judgement is her bad judgement in accepting the VP offer. My concern/outrage is not about her daughter being pregnant, it's about how a mother could make the choice/accept the offer to run as VP when she's got an infant baby with Down's Syndrome and a teenage daughter who is 5 months pregnant. I would think her priorities would be her family first. It seems she's putting them second behind her political ambitions. Being VP is different from other typical jobs where women can juggle (easily or not) work/life balance.

When you're VP (or President), let's face it – you don't get much family time. I would think she'd need/want to be there for her infant child as well as her daugther who is pregnant. It's as if she had no regard for her daughter, who I'm sure is having a difficult enough time without being thrust into the limelight and put on display to all of America.

As a single professional working mother, I can say that this doesn't seem to speak very well of her family values or priorities. McCain had/has lots of VP choices (better than Palin) – it's not as if the country wouldn't be just fine if she wasn't a VP. I don't think she can say the same thing of her family (daughter and infant baby) if she isn't there for them.

Wait….Palin believes that the government has the right to tell me what I can do with my body. She believes the government has the right to dictate who I can marry. AND…the government should not allow our schools teaching about sex.

BUT…her children are off limits?!?!?! I respect Obama's comment — and generally agree. But the RNC saying that her daughter getting pregnant is not a political issue is the case of pot calling the kettle. How come my body…love…and education IS a political issue? How come her personal privacy and decisions are more important than mine?

I will vote for Obama 08!

She didn't even win Miss Congeniality!

With her unadulterated support of the oil industry, her ability to tell bald-faced lies and her Creationism view of Religion, she obviously was well-vetted.

Good judgement, Songbird.

I would never personally attack a 17 year old. But keeping the candidates' families "out of politics" is not reality within the political arena. Specifically when the family dynamics tells something about the candidates policies. Does Palin still believe in abstinence only education?

It is also patently ridiculous to me that GOPers are calling for a cease fire claiming that this type of politics is somehow unfair. Does anybody remember these same individuals ruthlessly attacking Michelle Obama a few months ago and Hillary Clinton in 92? What goes around comes around. Something to think about.

(By the way you can not seriously equate Palin being the mayor of a town of 9,000 with Obama's experience in the state of Illinois which is populated by millions.)

________________Self 1st_____________

Let me see you wiggle your way out of this one McCain.

If you do, then it will be proven that the american people are a bunch of . . .

This is not about the girl, it is about bad parenting and silly defense of a lame mother!
I am very troubled by the latest developments related especially with Paulin’s teen pregnancy. Despite the fact that no one in the campaign acknowledges it publicly, this is a very sticky issue for many conservative and independents.
I am even more troubled by the positions this religious leaders have taken than Paulin’s teen pregnancy itself!
They would only tarnish the maverick and independent stature for McCain by shilling too hard for Paulin's poor parenting record.
Paulin and these evangelicals are supposed to represent the new moral values for this country and the young generation. Instead the republican change theme becomes more like an abdication from the values that guided this party for decades.
Just remember the Lynn Spears teen pregnancy outrage or how babies were removed from teen FLDS members just some months ago.
Everyone was up in arms condemning those immoral acts, but today suddenly is not just OK, but also encouraged by the very same fanatical clergy.
I am puzzled by the judgment and values of this kind of leaders and I definitely don’t want them as spiritual mentors or examples for my daughter.

What else can he say?

He can't admit he made a mistake in selecting her as that would really show that his judgement in people is lacking.

He will have to live with his choice.

Maybe he will be the godfather of the child

I don't believe McCain.He didn't vet Palin completely! He only met with her once! I'm sure he's put more thought into the purchase of a Car! And his Platform is County First! In What? How do you put a country first when you meet only once with the person who will be second in line as Commander of a Nation in War in Iraq and with the situation between Russia and Georgia ongoing!!!! I view that as putting your Country Last and your Election First! But the latter is going to backfire on McCain big time. The woman has not got the experience required to lead this Nation! I'm very dubious that McCain has the mentality and judgement to lead his Nation! And he's only made me more dubious with his choice for VP! No Way, No How, No McCain, No Palin!

I bet McCain wishes there was a "morning after pill" ……for stupid political decisions !!!!!!

Which VP would you TRUST your future with? Which VP do you think would keep you Safe? Biden vs Palin

You Obamaniacs are terrible. You rant and rave without knowing any facts. What kind of country would this be if all Americans were like you? Can't we wait for facts and talk about them in a civil way?

McCain/Palin – 4 years of real change that we can now see possible. OB has empty words that he has to tell to adoring crowds. McCain and Palin speak to americans face to face and act on what the american people want. Sarah Palin is the most popular governor in the whole USA, that is because she cares about her constituants and cares about the american tax payer.

I was a republican until last week. This is very sad especially when I have been Republican for over 16 years. I even worked as a volunteer for both father and son Bush. McCain has really messed this up for the Republican. He did not do his research. Immediately after selecting Palin, he and the party and constantly defending her qualification. If he wanted a women, he could have chosen 5 others more qualified. If he wanted someone with executive experience, no one better than Mitt Romney.

This pregnancy issue although it is private issue. The moment you run for the 2nd office in the US, there is no privacy. Everything will be and should be scrutinized. I want a presidency that I can look up to. If Palin can't run her own family, how can she run the country.

For the first time, I will not be voting for GOP. Obama looks more mature and experienced that any of the other candidates.

In the end, who cares about Biden and Palin-they are only pawns to get the blue-collar, catholic voters right now and possible next up for president in the future. I'm for Obama, but in the end, the VPs answer to and support the president's policy's, agendas, etc. They can paint whatever picture of Palin they want in that she's a reformer, maverick, etc…but that doesn't mean a hill of beans in that she won't be against McCain on any of his issues or legislation-she will, just like Biden, support their president and chief.

I will always be a Hillary supporter. Up until this past Friday I refused to vote Obama. Now I refuse to vote McCain. I couldn't be more insulted that he thinks that it was simply about a woman and not substance.

Karl Rove was a trooper for Bush,McDumb did'nt even get him in the game.Mitt Romney was the best pick for V.P if not Mitt,Then Mike Huckbee, I don't care about Hillary supporters our party did great the last 2 election's with out them! I say we save our money now,and trash this election, then hit them hard in 2012.

People on the right are spinning faster than a top!!! THIS IS THE MOST BLATANT FORM OF PANDERING EVER RECORDED IN POLITICAL HISTORY!!! Voters on both the Right AND Left should be insulted and outraged!!! Obviously McCain picked her ONLY because she's a woman!! She has even LESS experience than Obama and has NOT been thoroughly vetted…charges that the Right REPEATEDLY made against Obama…..This is at the very least pandering and at the worst hypocrasy!

Only in Republican America would a BLACK man with a law degree from Harvard, 12 years in politics, four years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and manager of one of the most impressively flawless and forward thinking presidential campaigns be charged with not being ready for the presidency while a WHITE female evangelical former beauty queen with 19 months in national politics and a bachelors in journalism is considered "ready on day one."

My vetting process was completely thorough and I'm grateful for the results," McCain told reporters in Philadelphia. Is this the kind of judgment that we need from a commander-in-chief? This VP pick Sarah Palin is just ludacris.

Republican voting for Obama/Biden 08

In the four years she was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, population 6500, Sarah Palin secured 27 million dollars in earmarks from the Senate Appropriation Commitee, chaired by Ted Stevens of Alaska, currently under investigation for corruption.

The earmarks for Palin, who's personal worth grew to over 10 million dollars in the same period, came rolling in shortly after Palin employed Stevens' lobbying firm.

To put that figure in perspective, the town of Boise, Idaho, population 169,000, recieved 6.7 million in earmarks during the same period

John McCain and Sarah Palin are not mavericks, they're sidekicks of the lobby and oil industry up to their necks in muck.

Haven't we had enough of politics as usual?

It would not be unusual for Ms. Palin to retain a lawyer in connection with the ethics probe against her. However, the investigation has been ongoing.

The first indication that she had retained private counsel was on August 29, the day her candidacy was announced. Her lawyer sent a letter claiming that there was no jurisdiction for the investigation–a position directly at odds with Ms. Palin's previous statements. He also demanded copies of all witness statements, an act that the State responded would be "highly unusual."

The letters to and from the lawyer are public records and available at adn.com. However, this raises serious issues–why was this lawyer retained when Ms. Palin previously saw no need for one? Who is paying his fees? And who is directing his strategy of attempting to disrupt and delay the investigation until after the election?

Callie – VERY well put. I echo your concerns about the demonization of intellectualism in this election cycle.

Re: Palin, if McCain is telling the truth and his campaign truly vetted her appropriately, then this pregnancy was probably discovered during the vetting process. Think about it – this poor girl. She's obviously not toeing the family line on abstinence/etc. Now she's trapped because her mother's political career cannot be derailed. Gift from God indeed. How about putting your professional aspirations ahead of the interests of your own children? Obama may not say it – but I will. That girl should have been ALLOWED to have an abortion and get her life back on track. As it stands now, she'll be married and have a baby before she graduates from high school. I guess it MIGHT work out – after all, at least her family has money and they're going to do their best to make it look like the uncompromising anti-abortion position the Guv takes is good for everyone concerned.

We shall hold McCain to those words! I hope that he will never come back next time and said that he misspoke! We leave it at "My vetting process was completely thorough and I'm grateful for the results," and one who tries to alter that must be call a habitual LIAR we cannot believe in or rely on!

I understand the republicans motto this week is "Country first". Obviously this is what Gov. Palin is thinking about. I would not want my daughter to be faced with all the public abuse she's getting ready to endure.

Gov. Palin is being very selfish…Family second – Country first.

If the Palin’s have such great Family Values – why aren't Bristol and Levi already married? I mean the girl is 5 months along!!! Even if they are teenagers but immediately got married, maybe there would be some credibility to this, but as it is now, it's just a sloppy coverup overflowing with hypocrisy.

Obama has more experience and better judgment in his little finger than McCain and Palin have together in their empty brains and untrue hearts.

Democrats–Listen to yourselves! I love the words of James Carville's wife, Mary Matlin–"when men have nothing intelligent to say, they say something dumb" this would also apply to all of the women liberals posting here. Love it!–McCain/Palin 2008 and Palin 2016

Argh, he knew, he knew, he really just DOESN'T GET IT.

There is more. There is a blog with pictures of UNDER AGE DRINKING from this girl. Now that is all I am going to say about her b/c families should not be attacked… but McCain did a poor job on this one. This republican will vote for obama.

By having vetted Palin thorougly and knowing that her teenage daughter is going to have a baby you wanted to put her on your VP ticket.

By doing so, you are sending an outrageous message to the teenagers of this world and encouraing them to have babies when they are teenagers,

McCain should be ashamed of himself of making such a decision and letting the world know that when he gets elected he is going to take this country back in civilization.

So did he know that she doesn't believe in GLobal Warming or that she doesn't care about the fate of the polar bears, she probably would like to see them extinct, after all she wants to drill in ANWR, and thinks that there are too many of them anyway. (though they are actually an endangered species) and how well does the abstinince first preaching work, well ask her daughter about that. Does she even believe in birth control??

one thing that bothers me about Bristol being PG, it's not that she's PG but the fact that they USED the baby with down to hide the girls condition…looking back at Palin's introduction you see Bristol holding the baby, a blanket not draped over the baby but her belly…a deliberate attempt to lie to the people…they used the baby, what else are they capable of doing?

'He without sin shuld cast the first STone"! McCAin made a wise choice is his selection of the VP. He kept his workd for "CHANGE", by not putting a VP who is part of the problems we have had with Congress and the Senate. Lets Give her a chance.

Don't worry McCain–nobody cares and nobody is lsitening.keep it up McCain–your looking America in the eye and lying to our faces

What is all the fuss about? Republicans never do anything wrong. Our perception of reality is clouded. God told them so.

McCain sure do have a very bad judgement. If this woman could not even raise her own kid right or educate her about unsafe sex and the end result, how can she be a good vice president? And now he's going to force this boy to marry her daugther, oh well I guess that will make it right. Those kids are not ready for marriage.

This choice of Palin is a glaring example to McCain's poor judgment. There is no maverik in this decisions; he wanted to upstage Obama and he walked on the landmine he layed. Palin is under investigation and she is reportedly not the reformer he is making her out to be. People are saying she has more experience than Obama. Lets not forget that Bush had executive experience and he destroyed our economy and send American to a war he invented. His father who was also experienced did not do any better. McCain is committed to following the Bush policies, so common sense should tell us the McCain/Palin is a dangerous ticket for our nation. Experience does not mean good judgment! Wake up America!

I think McCain is tanking this election.

After 14 months of campaigning only on weekdays and only one stop per day, he is exhausted!!! His senior advisors are going to make the election close enought to look good on paper, but they know that he is running on empty.

When the vetting process for a potential VP consists of a Google search, the end is near. Especially considering that the top 4 men on McCain's short list did not want the job and would not accept the offer to be VP.

Somebody wake me up! Is this guy Mccain for real?

The way you guys are going, you would almost tell my daughter to get pregnant before marriage. Even the Bible would like my evangelical friends to call sin sin. If you cannot rule your own house well, how dare you think you can lead. Remember what happened to Eli because of his children? I think God has a different standard than the evangelicals of these days.

If McCain is spending time DEFENDING his choice rather than bringing the fight to his opponent, then Palin would seem to be a liability. I can imagine that her conservative credentials might shore up his campaign among his base, but at a significant cost.

And why on earth, if the McCain camp knew about these issues before hand, didn't they disclose them on their own terms? They responded to bloggers who had outed the issues and lost "control" of the story. His first "presidential" decision does NOT reflect well. I only hope he didn't "look her in the eyes and see her soul."

This really has nothing to do with the price of tea in China BUT the hyprocrisy of the Republican party is astounding. For instance, the Repub talking points exude and praise Bristol Palin for choosing to keep the baby and marry the father. But, now try to wrap your brain around this, the Republican party wants to take that choice away! So their praise of Bristol's 'choice' is nothing more than empty rhetoric.

Way to alienate Ron Paul supporters, RNC…way to go!

As a parent of teenagers (and a conservative pro-lifer), I find it absolutely horrendous that anyone would link Palin's ability towards being VP with the fact her teenage daughter got pregnant. You can be the best parent in the world but biology still occurs and accidents happen. I guess all of those who are critical never were interested in the opposite sex when they were teenagers.

Maybe it would have been ok if she had run out and gotten an abortion without her mother's consent which is so loved by those on the left. Its Palin's conservative values that will give this baby life and a family instead of winding up in a trash can. Any conservative out there who would condemn Palin for this issue is truly sorry.

I think Obama hit it dead on and I congratulate him for hitting the high road, much more than his supporters (and the neo-conservatives). Shame on those who actually want Palin to step down because of this.

Mr. McCain, do you think we as Americans are complete idiots? Mr. McCain please don not insult my intelligence. You cannot justify this blunder, you can't hide behind your so called Maverick personality regarding this one. You and your moronic advisors were trying to play up to the pissed off Hillary supporters, it back fired, and now you are trying to save face. Now I know Mr. McCain you rely on your people around you. YOU NEED TO FIRE EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT TOLD YOU THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA CHOSING PALIN! Say you did something out of haste, say you listened to bad advice, say you are trying to balance out the ticket because your were losing, BUT DO NOT SAY SHE WAS YOUR FIRST AND BEST CHOICE! All Repubs, I would leave that waste of a party and create your own. Myself as an Independent supporting Barack, I have supported Republican Candidates on a local level, I have even said in 2000 if McCain got the nomination I would vote for McCain because I thought Gore was and still is an idiot. I know you die hard Repubs are trying to put on a good face for this circus side show you call your convention but deep down inside, you got to be really pissed at McCain. McCain I would not vote for you now even if Stalin was running on the Dem ticket. You sir, Mr. McCain and you staff are freaking idiots and ought to be ashamed of yourselves making a mockery of our political system.

America should call out McCain for his deception, selfishness, dangerous ambition and reckless behaviour.

So, McCain knew about this little girls situation and decided that only her Mom out of Million of republicans is best suited to be Vice President of United States of America or even President should something happen to him.

This is serious. So, if Britol was McCain daughter He will be willing drag her name through the mud of politics just to get elected. How shameful

Nothing will convince me McCain knew about Palin's daughter. The Governor hid her own pregnancy until she was 6 or 7 months along,

Everybody knows he wanted Leiberman. Whether she was vetted or not, McCain wasn't allowed to pick who he wanted.

I think the McCain campaign should release their vetting records for Sarah Palin. Show us exactly how complete the process was so that we can understand what McCain actually means. If they did their job then they should have no problem doing that imo.

McCain has done as good a job vetting Sarah Palin as he did helping Bush figure out if there were WMDs in Iraq.

Heck of a job Johnnie!

Why on earth would McCain pick someone who wanted to pull Alaska out of the United States? Wow, that is a sure fire way of building unity.

way to go McCain..Palin is a great choice and the conservatives are proud of your pick…You have guts to go out on a limb, and that is what will WIN in November

McCain: "My vetting process was completely thorough and I'm grateful for the results," McCain told reporters in Philadelphia.

So he knew she had no family values, an alcoholic for a husband and experience confined to a town of Reindeer and Carribou, and is 'grateful' for the results. This man has the WORST judgement ever seen by a mammal, and his running mate is a morally bankrupt and incompetent beauty pageant bimbo.

What vetting?

Lets be honest, when you send a team of 10 vetters to Alaska AFTER you announce the choice, you did not vett.

This was a poor choice and most likely one made out of anger after the right wing refused to have Delay or Lieberman, McCain first two choices.

The fact that McCain did not hold his guns is sad.

Then he went for the least experienced, most baggage candidate in the field.

What a mess you created John.

if he vetted her, as he says ,then he simply made a very bad judgement. not a presidential one.

obama'08

SLIMSISTA September 2nd, 2008 12:56 pm ET wrote:

IT'S NOT ABOUT HER DAUGHTER BEING PREGNANT…BUT I THINK A BIGGER MESSAGE IS "UNPROTECTED" SEX….

And you were there when no condom was used??? Really, the level of superiority you guys are displaying is as bad as any ultra-conservative.

Tell me again how Rove could KNOW someting specific about the campaign and the vetting process and yet be on Fox news as an independant analyist?

hahahah mccain is tosted. mccain you are a crook and your experiance is war thats it nothing else. warmonger

So slap us in the face with good judgement and ready to lead qualifications, Tell us how this team is ready because one was a Governor of a State with a population of little over 600,000, the size of many middle size citys, tell us about the team with international experience. For 18 months we have been slap in the face about the other team not have experience and no one knows them, but in 2 months we are to be convince of how this new team member is known and more qualified than even Joe Biden 36 years of service. American do not fall for all tricks. the WORLD is watching again.

Please don't come on here touting her 'executive experience'. By the GOP's definition that entails keeping a budget and managing people. Pretty much any homemaker or small business owner is therefore comparable.

If her experince was with a larger state with actual fiscal issues rather than oil dividends then I would consider it more a boon to her. Now it seems she's a liability.

Swing and a miss McCain.

Maybe she was the only one left of the younger Republicans willing to risk her career on a losing campain.

Palin claims to have said "thanks, but no thanks" to the Bridge to Nowhere. But (a) she was a supporter of the project before she was against it (her quotes in support are all over the place); and (b) she didn't save federal tax payers a dime! The money was re-directed to other pork barrel projects!

Two years ago, she was the part-time Mayor of a small town. If she was a man, would she EVER have been considered?

David Brooks claims McCain picked his political soulmate. Then why did he really, really want to pick Lieberman? The Maverick caved when the hard right said "no way." He then put politics first by picking someone at the last second, who he spoke with exactly once, who had not been thoroughly vetted, all in an obvious effort to placate the hard right and, perhaps, pick up a few Hilary votes (which is shocking, considering this woman's record and (lack of) experience). Country First??? I think not.

I keep hearing Republicans say she is a mother when being asked about her qualifications. That's fine for the PTA not for the country. Just shows that McCain does not have good judgment!!

If his vetting process was complete then why had no one involved with Palin been asked any questions prior to McCain's decision (fiscal, criminal, personal or otherwise)? This is a normal process of vetting and he simply didn't do it. Great first decision McCain. She's exactly who America needs leading us if you die in office. Irresponsible, ignorant and insulting.

I will be watching the Weather Channel for the rest of the week since there is nothing else of topical interest.

If Mrs. Palin was chosen with the aim of wooing some of Hillary's spurned supporters then I guess the Repubs are saying: "Hey, look at the face, and don't worry about the issues".

What a sad comedy!

I think McCain has a lack of competency.
It took him 3 tries to get his economic plan in place. He ran his campaign to the ground, he screwed up the war big time by saying "we will be seen as liberators". And now this.

Experience is nothing without competency..

If Sen McCain knew that Gov Palin's unmarried teenage daughter was pregnant before tapping Palin to be his VP, does this indicate that he knowingly chose this 'Second Family' to symbolize his view of Conservative America? What does this say about McCain's judgment that he purposefully promotes promiscuity and unsafe sex among unmarried teens? And what does this say about Palin and her values? I don't blame the daughter, but I certainly question McCain and Palin….

You democrats coupled with CNN should go a head and dig any dirt you think you can find on Palin. If you guys think that she does not have enough experience to be a white house deputy, then the same disqualifies Obama. You guys are so narrow minded it’s not funny anymore.

So Palin has more executive experience than Obama and Biden combined? I guess that also includes McCain since he has never "managed" anyone either. Someone with a BS degree has more "experience than a Harvard Law grad and former professor of constitutional law? Someone who was the mayor of a small town has more experience than a former 7 year state senator of Chicago, Illinois? Someone who has been Governor of the third smallest state has more experience than a US Senator who has served on the foreign relations committee and traveled the world? Someone who preaches family values and abstinance has a 17 year old unmarried daughter who is pregnant? I don't think so.

You know what kills me? When Obama started his vetting process, even his vetters were being vetted and one of his vetters left the team so as to not become a distraction. But here we have McCain and the GOP who apparently did absolutely NO vetting and I'm speechless. If Obama had tried to pull something like this the Republican party would have had ads out on this 24/7. This is the first big decision a presidential nominee makes on his way to becoming commander in chief and McCain has proven once again that he does not have the judgement to lead. Country first – HA!

There is no defense. After ALL the Negative Press released about Obama from this campaign…………the very idea of chosing a candidate with the resume of Palin …regardless of gender etc….is insulting to his party and to the American voter. I would have expected better …….especially when you consider the excellent candidates available to him………probably deeper than the Democratic choices. A lost opportunity for this campaign. NOT MUCH TIME LEFT FOLKS.

The Socialist Party is looking too desperate! Don't let the media be your spokespeople anymore if you really want to win. All the criticism in that primary debate for bringing up Obama's past is going to come back full circle if Palin's daughter's pregnancy is front page. Wow, if you don't look desperate then you look majorly arrogant and above regular people, not to mention brainwashed. The McCain camp isn't stupid enough, sorry!

Actually keep it up. I can't believe I just gave a pointer to you people.

This is a Rove/Schmidt trick to energize the base – the religious fanatics – by rewarding the pretty woman who chooses life (not nasty abortions) with votes. Once she's in, she'll say the Wash DC pace is too much for her beloved family and return to Alaska a genuine GOP heroine. McSame then gets to pick one of his cronies: Lie-berman or Lindsay and life goes on for the rich and famous…

Wake up America!

Obama – 8yrs as Illinois Senator, 4 yrs as US Senator, is a Constitutional Law Scholar and Professor and has run an undisputed brilliant campaign. John mccain hounded Obama as inexperienced yet Sara palin has 1.5 yrs as governor of Alaska. Bachelors in journalism. mother of 5, currently under investigation…uh, am I missing something here???

Politics is like driving. To go backward, put it in R. To go forward, put it in D.

Huff post is reporting that Palin in the 90's wanted Alaska to be a separate country..

Vote Palin!! Alaska First!!

A pregnant daughter is the result of the ignorant sex-ed policy of many christians. When you teach anbstinence only it is no real surprise that someone doesn't use a condom.

I guess if it were just about the pregnancy I might not mind that much…accidents happen. But earlier today I saw pictures of the same 17 year old daughter clutching bottles of Captain Morgan rum and tequila. Would seem Pailen's "experience" managing a family of five children isn't all its cracked up to be.

The Obamacrats have McCain dying within the next 4 years and and saying Palin is not qualified. IF the VP becomes president she will be surrounded with advisers just like Bill Clinton on everything from the economy to military matters so whats the big deal!

Leave McCain to his decision. It is the same judgement question- we have discussed over and over again.

Just what we need — another president who thinks with his gut rather than with his head.

wow McCain's VP pick sounds like 4 more years of the last 8.

making an important decision for purely political reasons before having all the facts. McCain = Bush

I think she is beautiful. That alone is enough for me to vote for her.

Palin's better than HRC!

Simply incredible. CNN, make more inquiry about the firing of two staff members when Palin was mayor. She also raised earmarks for her village, was for the bridge to nowhere before she was against, and so on. How come we don't hear she was for an secessionist party in the 90′ies. great Patriot. What about the team of 12 lawyers flying to Alaska to bury the scandal. Or the fact they try to slow down the whole inquiry so she can run for her vp bid.

Hopefully, US can now see what som nay said before. McCain, with his temper, his impulsivness, is unfit to be President.

Yep the process may have gone well, but the conclusion to have Palin as your running mate is off the wall. Guess you can't use Obama's "lack of experience" as a weapon anymore John boy. Palin, you need to stand by your conservative ways and stay home in Alaska with your family. Your daughter needs you more than the country does right now. She should be your top priority, not your own gain!!!

Obama/Biden 08/12

If this is John's idea of a thorough fact finding mission before making a decision, no wonder he thought Bin Laden was in Iraq. This man is pitiful. He just shoots from the hip and covers it later with B.S. , just like his mentor Bush.

I don't doubt McCain is satisfied with his choice. To this voter it means:
1. This exemplifies what I can expect from a McCain Presidency. This tells me his judgment is questionable, at best. Looking at his record in the Senate (not counting his personal life decisions) I find him to be a candidate who is weak and lacks depth and does not possess sensible judgment.

2. McCain won't back down from a bad decision. He is another Bush who will stay the course even if it is the wrong one.

It shows that even when he is dead wrong, John McCain will continue to push in the same direction no matter what because he will never admit he's wrong. He thinks that lying about it and sticking to his idea will make it become the truth. John McCain said he never want's to lose a war, therefore that probably means that he would rather throw nuclear bombs on a country than admit no succeeding in it's conquest.

It's a good thing the Palin letters will be easy to remove from what I see on the picture.

Everyone is saying that this is a private, family matter.

I could not disagree more and here's why:

This is the party that runs on the platform of moral purity.

This is the party that touts traditional family values.

This is the party of the Moral Majority, Focus on the Family, and the Family Research Council.

SO – how dare anyone, McCain, Palin, pundits and bloggers claim that this a private, family matter.

Hypocrisy!

This is the party that has been wagging their finger in my face for years (I'm a gay man) telling me I'm morally bankrupt.

The height of chutzpah!

All if fair game when you're a heartbeat from the presidency, ESPECIALLY when you run on a platform of morality.

I bet Mitt Romney is wishing he had gotten a BACHELORS DEGREE IN JOURNALISM! Apparently that's all it takes to be VP.

This underscores the philosophy of Bush and McCain; make judgment based on hearsay, and later try and justify it. This is the same philosophy that landed us in Iraq.

My dog has more foreign experience then this woman. At least he's been out of the country more then once. What a joke.

There was a posting on TMZ of the daugher's boyfriend's MySpace page this morning – pretty incriminating – now it's GONE. Is this the "vetting" that is now being done?

The photos show the daughter in various stages of under-age drinking. (and other not very religious right behaviors) Yes, underage drinking, etc., occurs; but have the savvy to keep it out of the public eye (not on MySpace) when someone in your family is running for national office.

I would have thought McCain's "team" would have found this when they vetted her and confiscated it sooner.

Check out the recent national polls (CNN's being totally out of whack with everyone else)…seems the voters may be vetting Mrs Palin.

I think in the next few days, she will step down citing family reasons. Too much dirt, and McCain can't afford the 24 hour news cycle on the unknown Mrs. Palin…

I am from the left, but my question is how the heck does Palin's numerious "family issues" represent the "family values" of the right??? And did you lead by example when you flew more almost a half of a day knowing she was in labor with her Down Syndrome child?? What kind of judgment and leadership does this show? More importantly, I am from the left, and 'we' have much higher standards for family values than this.

This just keeps getting better.

McCrypt cannot admit the vetting process was incomplete therefore casting doubt on his judgment(?), which would be a fatal blow.

Palin cannot back out due to family issues without making the entire Republican party look like hypocrites.

So, McCrypt is stuck with the Clampett Clan which has more baggage than Barnum & Bailey!

McCain's selection of Palin highlights his reckless, shoot from the hip leadership style AND his lack of judgment. Palin is totally unqualified to be VP and has extreme ultra-conservative views.

Senator…I will bet you that you don't even know this woman personally. I'll bet you, how much??

Senator, you talked to her once before making an announcement. How am I gonna believe you?? And let me go further. When it was the last couple of hours before you made the announcement, I knew that somehow Pawlenty was gonna be in there. And I really thought you were gonna pick him. And not to mention that Joe Liberman was somehow in there and Karl(Rove) called him up to tell him to not get involve of the party??

Is that simple GOP, this is what you want, and this is what you're gonna get…

Don't say I didn't warn you because I did…

I am a Hillary supporter who is pretty excited with McCain's pick. She seems to be a pretty amazing woman, and i would estimate about a third of Hillary voters are up for grabs, so pretty smart on McCain's part if you ask me.

McCain – Palin to insignificance '08

McCain is lying. He is doing whatever his campaign heads are telling him. If Mr. McCain wants to really win on honesty, he really has to be honest with himself and the American people. Personally, I think that by him choosing a woman says something about him. That is, he is not looking at the issues American people are facing, but just trying to get votes. That's not right and that's not maverick, nor a judgment of a war hero.

Don't forget her 4+ year membership with the Alaska Independence Party, a political party that among it's agenda items/party platform calls for Alaska to declare its independence from the US.

Why does Palin hate America?

I can't seem to understand how any of the GOP "runner-ups" in the Veep Stakes could even support this guy. He turns down talented, qualified, fully vetted candidates such as Romney, Jindal, and even (God forgive me for this one) Huckabee. This hockey mom from Alaska may be the worst nightmare in GOP history.

John McCain: either you're lying, and your vetting process wasn't thorough; or, you're telling the truth, you did properly vet Palin, in which case you are a complete idiot for picking her.

Take your pick.

It was completely thorough and you still chose her? Even with the troopergate scandal? Even though this person wanted her state to secede from the union? Even though she preaches abstinance only with a pregnant teenaged daughter? YOU STILL CHOSE HER? After all of that you still chose Palin? Why did you send a "jump" team to her hometown? So they can jump on any new skeleton that falls out of closet? Maybe?

DO YOU BELIEVE?
I DON'T

OBAMA '08 DEMOCRATS '08 AND FOREVER

I am proud of the fact that McCain is standing by Gov. Palin. The media is nitpicking and looking for a reason to degrade her. Her daughter being preganant,her husband getting a DUI over twenty years ago and things of that nature do not have anything to do with what kind of leader she will be. I believe that leaders are born not made. You are either a natural leader or a follower and if nobody is going to bring Obama to task as the Dem's nominee, than they dont need to nitpick over Palins background. Realistically, Joe Biden is ten times more qualified and Obama knows that. On the other hand, McCain has been qualified for years and maybe he is doing his part to make a positive change in American history.

I'm speechless …

C'mmon CNN! No need to censor comments – just do your work and report the news instead of trying to shape it!!

He pick her to create drama after Obama's speech to steal his bounce.

He dug a ditch for Obama and fell in it.

The republicans have no specifics to say about Palin. They divert every question to talk about Obama. Does she have any specific qualifications or not?

Interesting remark.

Is it me, or does it suggest that McCain had little to no say in the process? This strengthens my belief that they have thrown this rising star under the bus. Who wants to be on a 3rd Bush ticket anyway?

Uh, I appointed her because she's a wom…uh…wonderful parent…and..uh…fisherman…uh..or…fisherwoman…yea

McCain was juat as shocked as the public with this VP choice! If it was up to McCain Joe Lieberman would be his VP choice. If McCain was the true "Maverick" he would have went out of the box instead of going with this hand picked unqualified nobody. James Carvile was On Larry King last night and he showed us a picture of what Palin's City Hall looks like and I could not stop laughing, it was the size of a friut stand! I think that they should do a recount of how many people actualy live in this town.

Can I direct fellow citizens to the Anchorage Daily News (www.adn.com)?
My guess is that Palin will be bumped from the ticket not long after the convention, if not before its end.

By picking Palin as his running mate, John McCain has clearly demonstrated that he is completely and totally clueless. She is definitely not qualified for the position and carries a lots of baggage

The fact that none of his advisors had a hint that McCain was going to select Palin; the fact that he has only met her once, 6 months ago, and the fact that all sorts of alarming facts regarding Palin are coming to the surface through the media and not through the McCain campaign confirms that she was a desperate pick, and not thoroughly vetted.

I am so disappointed with John McCain's VP pick! His moto is "ready to lead", but he picks someone who is woefully under-qualified just to pick up a few vote. Well he may pick up some from the far right or the man-hating feminists, but this moderate Republican is staying home in November.

The only reason they picked Palin because she is a woman and can get woman votes. If it was a guy with same credentials, there is no way he would be picked for VP spot.

McCain + Palin's "journalism" degree = 0 economic fixes!!

Obama 2500+ staff, $30+ million monthly budget
Palin 50 person staff, $12 million annual budget

Palin's qualifications; female, pro-life

This is an INSULT and poor judgement!

McCain – putting himself and the election B4 COUNTRY!!!

Wow so many negatives from Palin that have come out. The pick already did not make sense but now we need to focus on McCain.

Is this the way he will handle things in the White House?

We need a more stable & smart president. 8 years (feels like more) with Bush was way too painful!

Small time mayor for VP = McCain's judgement in action

I care most about the fact Governor Palin doe not believe in sex education;only in abstinence.I also would never vote for someone that is in favor of making abortions totally illegal for everyone.I am a registered Republican that is totally disenchanted with Senator McCain because of the choice of Vice President.I am proud to say that I will vote for Obama and Biden.My whole family and many friends all feel the same way!!!!!

Yeah, like he's gonna say "Oops, we screwed up!" Everyone knows the republicans aren't good at owning up to their mistakes.

What do you expect for this old man McCain….He didnt pick Palin with top head but his bottom

considering Obama's camp picked Caroline Kennedy as one of their vetters, I would say Obama's vetters were not vetted. Being a Presidents daughter who did not even have all of her molars yet when he was in office is hardly vetting qualitied, now is it. We know why Obama picker her, her NAME, because when many Americans say the name Kennedy, guess what they think of MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dont make me go to Ted Kennedy's famous bridge to nowhere

I guess that is why he just sent a dozen folks up to Alaska so that when the Democrats try to investigate her all of the tracks will be wiped clean.

I live in Las Vegas so this is my comparison.

Sarah Palin was Mayor of a town the size of one of our medium casinos.

Sarah Palin is Governor of a state that has less population than the city of Las Vegas.

Her only foreign experience is when her plane few over Canada.

She could be our next president.

When will I wake up from this nightmare?

Doing things backwards as usual! This man needs to stop going with his gut and impulses, and make rational judgements instead. McCain is a nut!

Who cares? Anyone has to be better than Obama and his sidekick Ol Joe.

If you thought Bush was dumb, Obama has shown us that he has a hard time putting 2-3 words together without the aid of an telePronter.

Shows ya how very bad ol' Hillary must've been if she was vetted and got rejected.

T H E——V E T T I N G——-W A S——-R I G H T ——–O N———-

N O——P E R S O N A L—N O R——-F A M I L Y—I S S U E S——–

P R E S E N T——–T O——-D I S Q U A L I F Y——-T O—–T H E——–

C O N T R A R Y——-S H O W S——A—–R E A L——–A M E R I C A——-

S I D E——-N O T——B R O A D W A Y——O B A M A——A N T I C S

liar , liar, pants on fire…

This woman was not vetted. I heard on CNN that McBush wanted either Lieberman or Ridge (no surprise). McBush decided on Palin that first day of the DNC. He only met her ONCE! She was not a serious contender!

I wonder how many more surprises we are going to hear from the McCain camp regarding Palin. If this is his plan to try and steer the political and media focus off of Sen. Obama, he's doing a good job. This is allowing the public to see how bad his judgement is. Keep up the bad work McCain camp.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

If this is the kind of judgment that McCain if elected president will exhibit, we are in DEEP trouble. Is he going to push the red button and THEN think about it ?

I question a coach that throws in a 6th string quarterback into the biggest game of the year and "prays for the best". I scratch my head when people double park and get mad when they get a ticket. But this choice just leaves me flabbergasted. Sound judgment? Really? Unbelievable.

We love you Sarah! You're the scorn of the Liberal Party and we wouldn't want it any other way!

It's amazing how someone who is wholesome and stands up for what is right strikes terror into these poeple.

Looking forward to hearing you speak on Wednesday!

McCain/Palin '08

You nominate before you vet. County First My Foot.

He would defend his Vetting Position, but was he thorough, NO if he was he wouldn't be defending her time and time again. She has No Experience to be our president if anything happens to McCain. I don't think I want to risk my familys future on a Big IF or Maybe or even a ? I was supporting him until his judgement came in to play about picking her. Obama has my support now.

Does McCain know that in 2006, 3 years after the invasion of Iraq that Palin thought we invaded for oil. Does McCain know that they are still collecting evidence against her in her case. Does McCain know she wanted to secede from the U.S. Does McCain know she was charged before for abusing power. The list goes on and on. Im sure McCain knows, Im just wondering why he took this risk adn why he is putting our lives at risk.

Of course, it completely thorough because Palin would replace McCain if he dies.

Just what we need – another trigger-happy Republican who acts first and asks questions later. I hope McCain vetted Palin better than Bush vetted Iraq before we broke it and bought it.

Republican Family Values V1.01 vs. Democratic Family Values V1.00

The RNC platform appears to require a rather abrupt update to the Far Right and Conservative family values plank.

Democratic Family Values V1.00

My oldest niece completed high school, earned a college degree, married and is currently expecting her first “blessing” in November and my brother and his wife are thrilled and looking forward to being Grandparents and are very “proud” of this accomplished young woman. They have promised to be “supportive” as long as the required duties are occasional baby-setting!

Updated Version Republican Family Values V1.01

This updated version was sanctioned by all the Republican Party leaders and the Far Right and the Conservatives effective September 1, 2008.

All parents are encouraged to teach “abstinence only” as birth control and never teach kids sex education in public schools. Then, when your 16 year old daughter partakes of pre-marital unsafe sex, which could have resulted in her catching a STD, in addition to the expected “blessing” . Advise her to marry the father, whether or not she actually loves him and do this all while both parties are only 17.

Choosing a role model:

Call me old fashioned, but when my other two nieces make such decisions, I hope they use their older sibling as an example, complete with the now outdated Democratic V1.00. Of course, should one or both chose the new Republican version V1.01 I am not sure “proud” would accurately describe my reaction, but I would be both loving and “supportive”. I just would never encourage them to adopt the Republican V1.01, they may miss a lot of the youthful experiences they would encounter using the Dem V1.00.

Another Republican mockery is in progress. This time around McCain is replacing Bush as he blesses and hand-holds the lying and the hypocrisy. His vetting team went to Palin the day before he nominated her and went through their conservative credential check list with her. Palin isn't the brightest contender in the field, but even she knew the answers. What a joke-joke-in-progress this convention has become.

WOW! it's only been what, a week and theres already tons of scandals? This should be interesting. OMG is there going to be a bastard child in the white house??!??!?

In the event that Palin withdraws, let's not forget the horrendous judgment that McCain demonstrated with this pick. If this is the sort of low-information, knee-jerk reaction we can expect from him as POTUS, we should all be very very afraid.

Not sure how many of us are buying McCain's story about the vetting process . . . he met her once and just now has sent a team to Alaska to check her out. . . .after all this stuff has been uncovered by the media – not the GOP. I agree kids are off limits, but the Bridge money (which I understand was not returned), trooper-gate, lobbyists for earmarks, etc., are all fair game.

I still get a laugh whenever I read republican criticism of Obama by leveling a charge of elitism. To me, elitism means that he's an intellectual (a good thing in my book). We know what happens when an imbecile sits in the oval office. It would be refreshing to have someone who understands what he's talking about, who understands detente. When some backwoods yahoo says "elitism" as if it's a dirty word, I'm reminded of Nazi Germany, where intellectuals were targeted for abuse and singled out for slaughter because they could see through the government spiel. So when you read in these posts some Republican rant about elitism, picture them in brown shirts, a swastika, and a glazed and frenzied look in their eyes.

I see nothing wrong with Gov. Palin. She has executive experience. But if McCain wanted to pick an impact woman he may have been better served with Kay Bailey Hutchinson.

KEEP DEFENDING HER

YOU ARE A SORE LOSER MCSAME

YOU SHOULD HAVE VETTED THIS WOMAN BUT BECAUSE U
ARE AN IDIOT YOU DECIDED NOT TO.

YOU PUT POLITICS FIRST, INSTEAD OF COUNTRY FIRST.

AND PALIN, U PUT POLITICS FIRST INSTEAD OF YOUR FAMILY.

YOU SHOULD BE OUT THERE TAKING CARE OF YOUR FAMILY

THEY NEED YOU MORE WOMAN

His campaign stated there had been an FBI check of her. The FBI has stated there was no such check.

Shocking isn't it that Obama was the first to come out in defense of Palin. What was McCain waiting for? Maybe for his Puppet Master K.Rove to decide how to proceed? McCain continues to show Bad Judgement and it's hightime the MSM starts calling him out on this!!!

America is in trouble if we elect a president who can look you in the eyes and simply lie.

McCain is a Shameless lair. His campaing could not even print a single banner with McCain/Palin on friday when she was introduced.

Please, take a look at how Obama organised his campaign and forget this shameless lair.

IT'S NOT ABOUT HER DAUGHTER BEING PREGNANT…BUT I THINK A BIGGER MESSAGE IS "UNPROTECTED" SEX….

WITH THE AIDS EPIDEMIC IN THIS COUNTRY AS WELL AS OTHER SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES, WETHER YOUR PRO-LIFE OR NOT….

McCain

Ready…Shoot…Aim

Time for us to do a little math. I see that McCain met Palin in Feb. The newborn Trig was born on April 18. Wouldn't she have been very preg at that time? Just curious

Obama / Biden 08

Okay McCain, how can you fully vett someone if you have only met this ONE TIME. What did you do? Give her a credit check? Its so obivous McCain is politically pandered this VP pick and didn't get the information he needed to feel 100% sure about his pick. So my question to McCain is…so who is Sarah Palin? She didn't wear a flag pin on her suit yesterday.

Thorough indeed. That's shows how the sort of judgement Mc cain would make. My fried, this is desperation and means he would be ready to do anything to achieve his own egostic goal, even if it puts the country at risk. What a shame.

They haven't even had time to investigate why she belonged to a group that advocates the secession of Alaska from the United States.

"I didn't mistakenly make a horrible decision, I did it purposely."

I don't think McCain has checked facts about Palin properly before making the choice. he probably has something else in his mind. Looks more like a judgemental error of a senile old man.

S A R A H ,,,,,,,,,,,S A R A H,,,,,,,,,,,S I,,,,,,,,,,,,S E,,,,,,,,,P U E D E

OK. It was thorough. We'll take his his word for it. So, knowing what he knew last week, Palin was the most qualified GOPer in the nation? WOW! What does that say about McCain's judgment and ability to hire talent?

Good enough for me.

enough about palin i am voting for obama

Thank God General Palin has been leading the Alaska National Guard for the past 20 months. Why during that time period, not a single Russian invader has dared cross the Bering Sea to take over our oil wells and Polar Bears in Alaska.

General Palin is a member of the separatist Alaskan Independence Party. That means she has plenty of foreign experience; she’s been running a foreign government at the national level the last 2 years.

Palin's momentum is stalled.

Now she is a drag on the ticket.

McCain's pick is "Palin" in comparison to Biden.

Vetted … As in two conversations in a 6 month period? We'll at least we know JohnnyMac will have someone with diaper-changing experience to fill in when Cindy, Joe LIE-berman and Lindsey Graham aren't around to change his Depends!!!

From the fact that nearly everything they've touted about her, save her extremely socially conservative credentials, have not only been false, but nearly direct opposite of the reality of her positions, I can't say I terribly believe him.

But hey, Ron "Keep up the Good Fight" Fournier's AP said they vetted, so I guess they vetted. I mean, they even got Liz "With Sprinkles" Sidoti to write that they did.

If the vetting process was done before she was selected, then why did McCain sent a team of 12 people to Alaska on Sunday to discover if there are more skeletons in her closet.

The word I hear from friends in Alaska, is "there is much more than what the mainstream press is reporting.".

and don't forget….

…leaving the town in which she was mayor with a 20 million dollar deficit and nearly being recalled as mayor, being a member of the successionist party…

…hmm..and that's all come up in less than a week since her nomination….bets are being placed as to her nomination being withdrawn…

What did you expect him to say. A nominee with his first decision showing a lack of judgement and decision making.

He met her once.

Unacceptable for the second biggest job in the world.

McWar is unpredictable, unprofessional and in the decline of his life.

Sara Palin's judgement is question. Who in their right mind would think it is okay for a 17 year old to get married. Does she want to get married, or is this just something to avoid having a child out of wedlock, for those evangelicals who think this then makes it okay are seriously mistaken, the child is conceived out of wedlock. But the main concern should be for the welfare of the child and the mother. And she shouldn't be forced into marriage.

McCain's V.P. pick is not going to make me vote for more of the same. It is a ploy to get Hillary Clinton supporters to rally to McCain's side. Not fooling this Clinton supporter. Will vote for Obama/Biden in November.

The process might have been fine, but the choice itself was insane.

So McCain, you stand by your words of calling Chelsey Clinton ugly because Janet Reno was the father??? Or is it ONLY reTHUGlican kids that we should stay away from???? HYPOCRIT!!!!!

I defend it too! HAHAHA…

Obama/Biden'08

Major problem McCain..Your judgement stunk either way

Not any woman can do. Palin needs to focus on her daughter instead of Washington. If she paid as much attention to her own child as she does politics and beauty pageants maybe her daughter wouldn’t be pregnant and looking for love in all the wrong places.

Mc Cain wants to tap in Alaska’s oil and that is the only reason why she is picked to be his VP. He is not for women. He is only for himself and is using Palin for woman’s votes.

Sorry McCain, this true Clinton backer will now backs Obama.

OBAMA 08’

Shouldn' t this have been done before appointing her as his VP?
Yet another example of McCain's poor judgement and incompetence.

Al Sharton would be a better VP then Palin.

McCain has just started his vetting!

Hey CNN!

why aren't you mentioning Palin's membership of the Alaskan
Independence Party? ABC has been headlining it since yesterday?
Chicken?

Yep.
FOUR MORE YEARS.
FOUR MORE YEARS.
FOUR MORE YEARS.
FOUR MORE YEARS.

Is that why a pack of RNC lawyers are just now getting to Alaska? Why do people there say no one asked them about Palin?

What's he going to say, "Whoops, you caught me – we didn't look into her at all?"

V I V A—-L A S——-M U J E R E S——-V I V A———S A R A H—— ! ! ! !

(Go, women, go, go Sarah )

I respect senator Obama’s view that children are off limit, but there is another issue here and that is judgment.
The issue everyone is missing here is this is a perfect time to discuss the most important topic here. This family is poster perfect as an add for birth control. No not aborting as the GOP is trying to spin this situation, but prevention. Any intelligent person knows when you choose to have unprotected sex at 43 you have a very high probability of having a child with Downs Syndrome. Sarah Pahin used poor judgment not using birth control. Abstinence is fine but a parent should use good judgment and also tell their teens that if they do not choose abstinence they should consider what the ramifications would be if they do not use birth control. If you prevent conception you do not have to consider abortion.

For all you republicans who are blindly following mccain…the above article says it all…

Oh boy. Evidently McCain's "google" strategy for the vetting process wasn't quite up to par …

That's why members of the vetting team are back in Alaska looking for stuff they didn't find the first time…

50 years in the Wasi-whatever town hall will never compare to one day in any State Senate. McCain you let down Southerners with the pick of a woman who's kids are as pregnant as her.

8 years was enough

HAHA. He didn't vet her hardly at all. What a joke.

This is copied directly from a transcript of Glenn Beck's Show on 12/19/07

"But first, this time of year, of course, brings to mind this story. It`s a story of a young, unmarried woman, teenager really, who suddenly, quite unexpectedly, found herself with child. If we were only talking about the Virgin Mary, but no, no, we`re talking about Britney Spears`s 16- year-old sister, Jamie Lynn.

Jamie Lynn Spears, the star of a show on the children`s network Nickelodeon, has confirmed now that she`s 12 weeks pregnant. Oh, good for you. You go, girl. The father of her child is her boyfriend of two years, and they said in the paper today that it was, quote, "a shock to both of them".

Really? That`s weird. That`s usually what happens when you put those two parts together. But don`t worry. They`re good church-going people. They met at church, I hear.

Whether it`s a pregnant teen or Jamie Lynn or the custody of her no- show rehab relapse sister Britney Spears, there seems to be a disconnect between the values that most of us believe are important and the actions of our public figures and in some cases our own families. "

Public Figure – Sarah Palin – Family Member – Bristol Palin
So Glenn – how come no one at the RNC has the problem with Bristol Palin and Sarah Palin that you had with Jamie Lynn Spears. I guess our public figures should be held to a higher standard, huh?