CNN

If Britney Spears little sister got so much attention. Being all over the media and magazines about having a baby. Do you really think that media are going to leave the Gov. Palin's family alone. NO WAY!. She’s running for V.P.
The media was trashing Lynn Spears (britney’s mother) for being a horrible mother. People was giving her so much heat for not controlling her daugthers. That had nothing to do with being a republican or democrat. It’s the media. That’s how they work. So eveyone who wants to blame the media for being an “angry left” and not treating Gov. Palin fair, is wrong. If this would have happen to Obama’s family the coverage would be the same. Wake up and realize the media is out there for only stories and it’s working because we’re ALL on here reading and commenting about it.

with a record of accomplishment that exceeds, by far, the governing accomplishments of Senator Obama"

Obama:
B.A in political science from Columbia University, with a specialization in international relations
J.D. in Law from Hardvard, graduated magna cum laude; President of the Harvard Law Review
12 years (92-04) teaching constitutional law
7 years State Senator: sponsored more than 800 bills
4 years Senator for Illinos, a state with 12.8 million people

Palin:
Bachelor's in journalism from University of Idaho
4 years Wasilla City Council (8000 people)
6 years Wasilla mayor (8000 people)
1 year "Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission"
20 months governor of a state with 660,000 people

Do they really think we're THAT stupid?

Its the Republican way, if you don't like the truth, just blame the people who find it, remember... where there is smoke, there's fire.

Since when is it sexist to question a candidates' credentials? There is a reason that the Republicans NEED to pretend that sexism is the reason that Palins' credentials are being questioned. They need this spin because they have no answers to the questions asked of them on Palin by the journalists. I have witnessed it several times over the past few days. Tucker Bounds dodged SIMPLE questions asked of him by Campbell Brown two days ago. It was funny. He later cried about this to McCain who then announced that he was cancelling an appearance on Larry King. That is hilarious!!! Also, the Republicans are blaming the media for even discussing the pregnancy of her daughter. But Sarah Palin and the Reps are making a point to tell the media that they are proud of her choice to keep the baby and get married to the high school boy that is the father. By making this religious/political statement, they are opening the door for debate. They can't have it both ways. By the way, I voted for Hillary and I do not think that she lost because of sexism. But sexism does exist and It is a shame that the Republicans are making a mockery of it.

Palin was a gimmick. plain and simple. I feel sorry for her daughter. She really put her daughter out there for her political gain. She saw how the media went after Obama, Hillary and Michelle. Why would she think that they would not go after her? Anything new or different goes under the microscope for better or worse. Surely she knew that??? McCain knew that. But he did not care. I really feel bad for Sarah and her family.

We the public did not get Palin into two ethics scandals.
We the public did not join an Alaskan Anti-American political party.
We the public did not secure earmarks in the millions for Alaska.
We the public did not lie about a pregnancy.
We the public did not tie ourselves to Abramoff.
We the public did not say global warming was made up.

Don't blame the media. Palin and McCain did this to themselves.
http://www.impalin.com
http://www.therealmccain.com

People - get over it! Palin is condemned for not staying at home to raise her family even though she has extended family support. Wasn't it Hillary who said "IT TAKES A VILLAGE – to raise a child?" Talk about double standards. Bill Clinton's extra "relationships" didn't appear to slow him down from running/ruining the country. But yet Palin is told to stay home??? Perhaps Michelle O should stay at home to raise her two girls instead of relying on her mother to help! Okay CNN, will you publish this!

I don't see the media doing to PALIN NO MORE THAN SEAN HANITY IAND FOX NEWS IS DOING TO OBAMA

Two things:

1 – I'm suprised (well, not that much) that neither candidate picked a running mate that has the experience to take a real run at strengthening our economy and making us energy independent. Those are two huge issues that only seem to be addressed when gas prices are in the headlines. Which brings up the larger question...why aren't we focusing on the issues we face and the policies of each candidate instead of trying to attack each other over political party affiliation. Ignore stupidity and move on!

2 – There are so many illogical and irrational comparisons made in the comments about this article it's sickening. Let's face the truth people, there is a double standard on both sides, both republican and democrat. In the end neither is for the people. It's about controlling Washington, not change, regardless of what politicians tell you.

Quick question....How far are we willing to scrutinize another person's life before it becomes a witchhunt and not a debate.

Won't it be FUN TO see Palin and Hilliary go at each other's throat if McCain wins and Hilliary decides to run in 2016 against Palin? WHAT A HELL OF A CAT FIGHT. I put my money on HILLIARY.

"False" media scandal? You're kidding me. McCain brought this on himself, FAR too many questions about this rabbit out of the hat that need to be asked. To do otherwise would be irresponsibly turning a blind eye.

When asked by charlie rose (in an october interview along with Janet Napolitano) if she knew what bush's economic policy was in OCTOBER 2007 she paused, smiled and said "well sure we all hear about it in the media"... give me a break.

Guess what Sarah Palin said earlier this year to the New Yorker:

"Something's kind of changing here in Alaska, too, for being such a red state on the Presidential level. Obama's doing just fine in polls up here, which is kind of wigging people out, because they're saying, 'This hasn't happened for decades that in polls the D' "–the Democratic candidate–" 'is doing just fine.' To me, that's indicative, too. It's the no-more-status-quo, it's change."

Since your into reporting background of candidates, why don't you bring up the fact that OB has admitted to taking cocaine in his youth or is it more important to know that her husband had a "reported: (not cooberated) DUI 22 years ago. I did not realize he is running for VP but OB is running to be president.

Ah yes, then their is good old pontificating Joe. Has any reporting been done about his son's lobbying ties to his dad. Oh yes, I know, both OB and good old Joe are democrats so we don't want any negative reporting.

More Liberal hypocrisy. It'd be funny if it weren't so sad.

With this ticket McCain/Palin should I feel more safe regarding our national security?

Particularly, if Palin ends up being President because of McCain's health conerns.

This a new face. and, new person being introduced and before the above mentioned reason; America (press or not) will go over Palin's record with a fine tooth comb. DID THEY THINK WE WOULD JUST VOTE FOR HER BLINDLY, OR FOLLOW THEIR SPIN?

Some of us do vote because of policy.

This camp CAN cry FOUL all they want but they have a bigger problem than MSM...the National Enquirer is digging deep and digging wide.

That's one news outlet (and I use that term loosely) they won't be able to put the brakes on, and, and they are speaking directly to the demographic the campaign is targeting. Oh, and they are willing to pay for their info, photos, video, etc.

marryann,
If you were a lifelong Democrat as you ask us to believe there is no way no how would you vote for this McCain Palin ticket....so just another closet Republican.

GOP just admit you made the wrong choice. JUST ADMIT IT! I am a woman and I would love to see a women in the white house but not a woman who Has a disabled child and a daughter whom she is going to have to support., not to mention being there for her other childre. Super woman is just a super hero. AMERICANS ARE NOT THAT DUMB!

I AM WATCHING C-SPAN NOW AND THEY HAVE REPUBLICAN WOMEN CALLING THE MEDIA COVERAGE OF SARA PALIN SEXIST AND SOMEHOW ARE BLAMING IT ON OBAMA. I AM CONVINCED NOW THAT THE REPUBLICANS WILL DO ANYTHING TO WIN THIS ELECTION. I HOPE VOTERS DONT FALL FOR THIS PLOY. WHEN IS IT SEXISM TO QUESTION A WOMANS QUALIFICATION FOR A JOB. THESE AS BECOME A SOAP OPERA. ALL THEY WANT IS SYMPATHY VOTES.

This is Beyond Belief:

John McCain and his Repbulican party are trying to do anything and everything to ensure this campaign is not about issues.

First they take a comment that Obama has been stating well before he won the democratic primaries: Quoting Obama (I get it, I don't look like all the presidents of the past, I have a funny sounding name and big ears) and they say that Barack is playing the race card. As if being Black in America is a net plus for him in his effort to become president.

Next, they focus on the fact that Barack is a celebrity... Have you noticed no issues yet.

Now they are crying sexism because people are trying to find out who his VP choice is. Obviously, if he would have picked someone more known, the media would not have to focus so much on her. But alas if we are talking about sexism we are not talking about the Economy, about the fact that the world over now has great disdain for America and that thousands of U.S men and women are dying in Iraq for oil.

The truth is McCain and his party will ensure that this race will never be about issues. Of course they will make mention of an issue here and there to keep the public off guard, but that's no different than a football team who thows the ball on everydown sneaking in a running play just to keep the defense thinking. Needless to say, if McCain did not want to make this issue about sex he would simply tell his people to eliminate it as one of their most IMPORTANT issues in their talking points to the media. This is a carefully orchestrated strategy that is design to insult the intelligence of every American, Republican or Democrat.

Now after this issue loses its wind, and as we grow closer to November 4th, we shall all be slammed by issues of Rev. Wright, Michelle Obama's first time in my life I am proud of my Country comment and of course the infamous clinging to guns and religion comment. However, at no time will we ever here a true plan of how a McCain presidency will be different than what we have endured for the last eight years or his vision for this country.

I am an independent, thus not for Republican or Democrats and it is for the very reasons mention above that I have escaped from the big two parties.

However, given the insulting nature of McCain's campaign on the intellegence and basic common sense of Americans, there is NO WAY I could ever cast a vote for McCain or Palin who McCain and the Republicans have reduced to simply:

A LADY FOR HIRE!!!!

Palin should show the American People this Trig's birth certificate if she is this child's real mother and not Bristol...they forced Obama to produce his birth certificate...we are not stupid!!! Where are Sean Hannity and Limbaugh on this one?

Obama may be a different kind of candidate – but who is more risky? McCain does not have the judgement nor the thoughtful temperment to be President. It's scary – really. He is stubborn with a don't-confuse-me-with-the-facts mentality and not inclusive at all. We see where that got us for the last eight years. We don't need more of the same. Let's give Obama a chance. We don't need to be the laughing stock of the whole world audience.

Palin is a breath of fresh air. If you are a Republican or not, you must admit she clearly offers a different choice for the American people.

I find her to be the most interesting a genuine of the POTUS/VP candidates. Too bad the Clinton News Network had to try the hatchet job approach out of the gate instead of doing a study of the person and her background.

The only reason that Palin's daughter is an issue is because the MEDIA made it so. Any somewhat objective person that watched the grilling CNN gave McCain's aid and contrasts it with their breathless following of Obama's overseas trip can't help but conclude who gets the more favorable and biased treatment.

New From Mattel:

Caribou Barbie!!!
Comes with helicopter, telescopic rifle and wolf pack
(Snowmobile, pork barrel, DWi Husband and pregnant daughter optional)

WHATS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER. I SWEAR THIS IS SO UNFAIR THAT SHE CAN'T GET THE SAME TREATMENT OBAMA GOT. I SAY DIG IT UP AND THEN PROVE US WRONG. IF THERE IS NOTHING TO HIDE THERE SHOULD BE NO FEAR. I STILL THINK EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE MEANS NOTHING WHEN DEALING WITH WAR, CAN SHE HANDLE THE TASK IF NEEDED?

Earmarked 26.9 Million for a town if 7000
Led Ethics reform but under investigation
Reduced funding for a Museum and stopped a Library expansion but got a popular sports complex approved.

Wow, did she get her scout badge as well?? What a maverick!

"People PLEASE STAY FOCUSED!
This is about the issues, McCain has embraced the policies of Bush. He has actually said that he would vote against his previous bills. I don't care about Palin's personal life, I want to know what is her vision for this country and it is the same ol same ol. She is a right wing nut!"

To be honest, my boy has been focusing on Senator McCain. Is the people in the shadows talking about Sarah. Plus, there are a lot of people living in the United States, is no secret! LOL!!!

Plus, the McCain campaign have been acting very eccentric...

I have been comparing news reports and commentaries across the various news outlets and what I see is a concerted effort to turn any small thing into a scandal. I don't know if this is driven by the newsies hunger for ratings or hunger for taking sides. When you see the usual suspects including the NYT and WP engage in it too.... it smells of media types trying to spin things for their own candidate. Obama may be a talented orator but he has not shown me substance. Palin is at least on par with him experience wise or better. A pregnant teen daughter is hardly a "scandal" in this day and age. I am sick of Wash DC insiders who lie to us and dont represent us. Palin is a breath of fresh air. I hope DC doesn't ruin her.

Politics is a full contact sport for both genders. If you are afraid of getting hit, stay off the grit iron. Obama has been getting slammed for two years....welcome to the big leagues rookie!!

Can't take the heat............... get out of the race........ McCain was not up in arms when people attacked Obama's children........... DEAL WITH IT MCCAIN................

BARACK THE VOTE PEOPLE.................

Is Palin the presidential candidate or John McCain?
That old man still needs someone to whisper in his ears and give him advise. Where is this country going with these two, nowhere that fore sure.
She might have some experience in hunting moose and is just a show case for the rupublicans to bash Obama and take the attention off americas real problems.

Now the ship is sinking and the repubs are still lieing to the people to cover up their failed policies.

What a disgrace.

they put forth a woman with ZERO qualifications to step into the presidency at a moment's notice (with a running mate who would be the oldest president EVER) and they're surprised? come on! She's against stem cell research, ran a town of 7000 people and has been out of the country ONCE. She's our best and brightest? what's happening...

Paranoid much? Now it's all a vast media conspiracy?

The Republicans are losing all credibility with the American public with their transparently hyperbolic claims about Palin's experience. In a word, they're making fools of themselves.

Watching Campbell Brown unprofessionally treat a McCain advisor while questioning him about Gov. Palin's experience was an obvious blatant attempt to demean Gov. Palin, and McCain's decision making. There is no way in hell Obama was treated like that when he first came out to run. A senator only 2 years when he officially announced, with VERY LITTLE foreign policy experience and no executive experience, he was given a free ride. Why? Because media people like Campbell Brown are so infatuated with Obama that they cannot see straight. Her knees quake whenever she thinks about Obama. CNN refused to apologize for Campbell Brown which shows utter ignorance or a conspiracy. Take your pick. Neither one is a very attractive choice, but they are the only choices. Not only does McCain have to overcome the dollars of Obama to get his message out, McCain also has to fight the free positive media for Obama and the negative media of himself and his running mate.

This is comical. I'll tell you what...John Mccain may not know much about the economy, or how many houses he and Cindy have; he may not have known Sarah Palin before last Wed.,or how to complete a speech without using "my friends" as a verbal crutch, but he sure knows alot about how to lose a presidential campaign. He's got plenty of experience doing that. This election is his grand finale. Obama by a landslide....

Palin is the dumbest VP pick in the history of the republic. We should THANK the media if they care enough to point out this fact.

I just love the way the left bloggers and the mainstream media keep bashing this great republican ticket. They are grasping at straws. The American voter will decide who wins on Nov 4. not them.

You republicans are such hypocrites. The way Michelle Obama was treated by the republicans and the media was a disgrace. Not once did McCain say hands off when it comes to family, but Obama defended Palin and her family. And if women should be treated equal then welcome to the REAL world of politics, she deserves the same scrutiny as all the others. The republicans hide behind their so called extreme social views that are suppose to be the gateway to heaven, but you never practice what you preach. After watching that memorial service of a convention last night, I am convinced that it is time to move in another direction! Thanks Repubs for opening up my eyes!

Obama/Biden!

Chosing Sarah Palin was a brilliant move.

Democratic criticism of her in the form of....

1) not enough experience
2) too young
3) children to take care of

....only makes anyone with a bit of reflection realize what a misogynous culture we have. Children were never an issue with Obama or any other male candidate (the Kennedy's, with their hoard of children, comes to mind). Obama was briefly criticised as being too young and inexperienced, yet he won his primary, and his age and lack of experience seem to be accepted. However, for a woman to be too young, too inexperienced...and as a 2nd in command, no less is far less acceptable. I am surprised the media isn't criticising her for being too pretty or too feminine.

Clearly, Obama is TOO YOUNG and INEXPERIENCED....and Palin on the ticket forces everyone, like it or not, to realize we have forgiven these shortcomings in Obama...because he is charasmatic and a MAN.

Given this, I am a Democrat who is changing her vote to McCain. At least #1 will have the experience a president MUST have. Hopefully, Palin will have the time to learn as she goes and be prepared should the unlikely demise of McCain come about. I do not want my president to "learn as he goes", which is what Obama would HAVE to do.

I think Justin Timberlake wrote a good song for Steve Schmidt. It's called "Cry me a river". This is what you get when you vet you VP pick for only 15 mins.

I hope to God the guy she wrongfully fired has some emails or recording laying around.

This is so hyperbolic as to belong more to a Soap Opera.

Does this mean that the press is no longer McCain's 'base'?
Toughen up, Johhny boy.

To the Republicans it doesn't matter, Palin will just be a puppet who will be told what to do by her handlers. She has a background in broadcasting, and hair that will cover the transmitter they'll put in her ear when she debates Biden and makes any kind of public appearance.

Ummm, vetting is what journalists should do. It's their job. Stop trying to avoid answering legitimate questions by calling it "Liberal Media Bashing".

McCain's selection of Sara Palin is an example of his reckless "Hail Mary" tactics.

McCain's pandering to the Right Wing with his selection of running mate has jeopardized National Security.. By choosing Sara Palin, McCain is pandering to the Right Wing. This results in the scary possibility of having a completely unseasoned politician step in his shoes.
1. McCain is the oldest running candidate
2. McCain has had 4 bouts of cancer
3. The VP position is the "heartbeat away"
"Do you want Sara Palin, a former beauty pageant contestant, a mom of 5 children, an inexperienced politician to have to deal with a Twin Towers situation? Would she have wisdom and diplomacy to deal with international crises? Without seasoned, proven advisors (like Biden)?" When McCain chose her for VP, the newscasters had word like "risky gamble". If you vote for McCain, do you want to have a risky gambler as YOUR president?” This is a very scary proposition.

How very Royal to pronounce that:
"The McCain campaign will have no further comment about our long and thorough process. This nonsense is over. ." The importance of a VP who can deal with diplomacy and knowlege is not "nonsense"..and the issue is FAR from "over".

So . . . 10 years of Palin's 11 1/2 years of 'administrative experience' were over cities smaller than most public school districts. And this counts as administrative experience? Really?

Vegas, what are you talking about? I never heard obama say anything against women that could reasonably be construed as an attack. You're making things up.

If Palin said NO to the VP offer, she'd still be the unknown Gov of Alaska. She's the one who brought the media scrutiny upon her family. And if McSame had actually VETTED her properly, no one would be voicing their varied opinions of her and her famiy now. Can't blame the dems or media on this one, repubs. You own this one.

BACHELOR DEGREE DOE THAT QUALIFY FOR VP WITH ZERO EXPERIENCE

WE JUST NEED HER TO ANSWER QUSTIONS SPECIFICALLY THAT ALL I CANNOT BUY AN ITEM WITHOUT SEEN IT

The only person to blame for this scrutiny Palin is receive from the media is John McCain for not vetting her longer than 5 mintues.
She will be a heart beat away from being our next President so all far and game!

Obama will not comment, because his own mother was unwed and pregnant with him at age 17. He is a smart man to stay out of it while the angry leftist media circles around the Mccain camp.

People People, Palin is nothing but a smokescreen. Repubs got everyone in a frenzy over this woman and no one is paying attention to the fact that McCain still hasnt addressed any ISSUES. Not the media, not the bloggers, no one! What is McCain's plan? Im trying to be objective here, and take in everyones opinion, but all im getting is his service to the states. But wait, wasn't it the repubs that trashed John Kerry in 04', never once honoring his service to the states? This is a joke! Palin is a joke, Mccain is a joke, Bush is a joke! and if we aren't careful America will be a SERIOUS joke to all who watch...or are we already? Its so rediculous geeze I can just poke myself in the eye with a pencil!

if there was a media scandal, they wouldn't publish his opinion that it was a media scandal...

funny how he didn't object when attacks at Obama were comming from every which way...

I'm not crazy about quoting Jesse Ventura. But he was right on when he mentioned on Larry King last night how the Repbulicans spent the entire campaign in 2004 trashing John Kerry, a Vietnam War Hero. Now that they have the war hero their argument for anything negative about McCain is that he was a P.O.W.

How come the media is not talking about the church video of Sara Palin, and the video commercial with High School kids that looks like a cult, seems like they are afraid to go after her the way they did Obama and these are word out of her own mouth.

Yes, blame the media, blame the democrats, blame America because they simply will not accept your VP political nominee. Get upset with American woman because all of us "did not fall in love with her story as a mother." An issue the republican party introduced. Get upset with Americans who question her stance on abstinence only education. Get upset with Americans who refuse to accept that her experience as governor is enough when the republican party first ran as the party of "experience."
I will not be chastised by this campaign for seeking out my own information. For too long the Bush administration told the American people not to question, but merely accept their word because they knew what was best. Well, you better believe that this independent will question and will continue to question both parties and at the moment, the democratic party is the only one providing answers whether I like them or not.

Give me a break Mccain, you are alway's whining about media coverage when it does not favor Mccain, Obama has been vilified for all sort's of issue's and I have not heard him complain not once, this is certainly time of change, all of a sudden white people are crying racism (geraldine ferraro) and sexism but for year's have been telling black men and women to stop crying and get over these issue's, for the Mccain camp to say that the media is just trying to destroy the V.P pick because she is a woman is another case of Mccain losing his bearing's and showing he does not have the temperment to be President

Well she does have that non-sexist beauty pagent experience backing her up.

GARBAGE – SIT HER DOWN IN THE SITUATION ROOM WITH WOLF AND SEE IF SHE IS EVERYTHING THE GOP IS SAYING SHE IS ..... MY GUES IS I DOUBT IT

Raising questions about qualifications is hardly sexist. These are the same people who think that because Barack Obama knows a former member of the Weather Underground, he is practically a domestic terrorist. Personally, I'm more interested in knowing how Mrs. Palin could slash funding for teenage mothers' programs and support abstinence-only educations, given the reality of teenage pregnancy both nationwide and at home. Clearly the abstinence program doesn't work, as study after study has proven.

No one in the press is "bashing" Palin. They're just doing their job... finding out who she is, what she's voted for and against... and how she's governed. The Republicans are pulling their hypocritical crap, again. Remember, these are the same Republicans who called Michelle and Barack, "unpatriotic", not to mention other false slurs. I think it's great that we have a woman on the ticket but the question is, "Is Sarah Palin qualified to be VP?" That's a legitimate question. McCain has a history of serious skin cancer, but wouldn't allow the press, like Cheney, to study his health records thoroughly. So far we know that Palin wants to overturn Roe versus Wade; believes in creationism that should be taught on schools; doesn't believe we have a climate crisis; doesn't believe sex education, including abstinence, should be taught in schools and that polar bears, who are dying because of the melting polar caps, should be taken off the endangered list. McCain appears to have picked Palin in a panic after the DNC convention so of course the press and public are going to ask questions to find out who Palin is and what she really stands for, so stop whining, Republicans. The press vetted Obama and Michelle and Palin and her husband will get the same vetting. Stop your whining and use of the patriotic card. We're all patriotic, Democrats, Republicans and Independents and we have a right to know who we are voting for or against!

If you want media to leave family out of it don't bring the Boyfriend along!!!!!

John McCain picked his VP, now it is time for "the Maverick" to stand up for his judgment. (Or the lack of)

Wait until the swarm of journalist decending on Alaska start to find out what the McCain camp didn't bother to find out about her. Somebody has to inform the public. We can't just sit back and swallow the MCain spin. And it's not about Bristol – it's about Sarah and her wacko fundamentalists ideas, abuse of office and complete lack of qualifications for VP.

FACT: Obama is running on "change" but yet the FIRST executive decision he makes after becoming the nominee is to appoint a blow hard Washington insider - WAKE UP Democrats. MCCain/Palin are the two that will demand change. Most Eems DO NOT KNOW THE FACTS - when I ask WHY Dems are supporting him - they say "change" but when pressed they don't even know what that means. Don't just vote for Obama because he gives a good speech. He has NO foreign policy experience and his the running for PRESIDENT - He is going to raise taxes (regardless of what he says) he has LESS experience and ZERO credibility once you look at the FACTS not the empty words. We need McCain/Palin to envoke change.

OK smart people – just what woman would be good – good enough for anyone????? I doubt that there is any one woman that would satidfy anyone of you hateful, disgusting people. You just love to rip em up because you can't face them and look them in the eyes and blog the crap you do on here.

The ghost of Lee Atwater rides again.....

Talk about the party of old ideas, they are running the 1988 campaign all over again. Too bad for them the American people saw it before and are wise to it now.

Hey CNN did this story get sent to you by Faux News, come on guys. There is alot of smoke, aleast go look for the fire.

We all know (whether you are a Democrat or Republican) that the media has pandered to the Obama campaign. WE, the people, are all talking about it. It's been said on the news, etc., so – why deny it? No matter who you are for – Obama has had pretty much a free ride with this campaign. And, for voters like me – I am really, really confused about why both parties could not have put up better candidates. Are we that desperate in this country to put up this group of people for the highest office in the country?

Obama has textbook knowledge but he doesn't have any real world experience. He's all TALK. Which he's very good at btw but he's not ready to lead this country by no means.

Way to go McCain, tell us like it is.

We can vet the candidate for vice president in the voting booth, when we vote for her. Stupid people asking questions.

After all, we already know she's got some skills on the court, is an excellent marksman, and that her daughter is pregnant, all relevant concerns I want answered when considering whose hands to put my life in for the possible next 8 years.

And foreign policy experience? Alaska is near Russia!!!
Palin has been the quiet sentinel of the Bering Strait for 20 months now!!! Cuz let's face it, if we're gonna be invaded, Russia is coming through Alaska. And Canada.

Obama has said he will fire anyone in his campaign who addresses the issue of Palin's daughter. How is he attacking their family ? (directed at "Vegas" above...maybe what happens in Vegas' head should stay in Vegas' head)

Obama needs to hammer home the fact that he's been under intense scrutiny and bashing by the Republicans for 18 months. I think most normal Americans realize this and realize the hypocrisy here. How dare the Republicans protest our need to know more about a potential VP that we know for all of 5 days and seems to have some baggage. How dare they. They make me sick to my stomach.

CNN POST!

It's unfair to focus on "how she will raise her children." I don't recall any MAN running for public office being asked these questions. However, it is also unfair for her to exploit her own daughter for the sake of the right wing agenda.

As a Hillary supporter who splits ticket every election, neither side seems to be working very hard for my vote. The way I see it, the choice is between one side wanting to take away all my money and the other side wanting to take away all my rights. How pathetic in these very serious times.

Am I being weird in asking this? I remember when I had my kids, I never wanted to put them down. My husband and I used to fight over who got to hold the baby! At four months of age, Palin's baby is always being held by her daughter. Certainly when Palin is making speeches, etc. she obviously can't hold the baby, but it struck me as really weird this morning when they took a family photo that the daughter was still holding the baby!!! Is that what happens when you give birth to so many kids? You lose interest in loving and holding them and it becomes natural to hand them off to an older sibling? They say the bond between mother and child is exteremely important, particularly in the first few months. Ancient societies had women strapping babies to their backs and chests in order to keep mother and child together while moms worked in fields. Our modern day backpacks hold our babies close to our bodies while we hike, shop etc. for much the same reasons. Why on earth does this woman not hold her baby? She portrays herself as a family values candidate...and believe me I have serious concerns and issues about her so called values and her parenting abilities, but aside from all that I can't for the life of me understand why she or her husband don't hold the baby and it is always in the arms of it's older sister!

If y'all had done your job, then the media wouldn't need to do it for you. After 8 years of facts being hidden, lied about and covered up in every possible way, do you honestly expect this country to take what you say a face value? It's our job to question. If you were so proud and happy with her values, background, experience, etc. – then y'all should have disclosed ALL of it when the decision was announced. Don't get mad cuz y'all got caught, yet again, with your pants down around your ankles.

So in other words, we're supposed to shut up and not scrutinize her at all, even though she will be the second most powerful person on earth. Why? Oh, because she's a woman. Who is being sexist here?

Can you say unfit mother? I can. If Hillary's daughter would have come up with a bun in the oven all hell would have broken loose. Good Job Hillary and Bill for raising such a fine daughter.

When your platform is not to teach on safe sex and your own daugther gets pregnant it makes a person wonder about their homelife.

The media can't even interview her. McCain is keeping her in a cone of protection.

Thank God for the media. SOMEONE has to vet this woman. One day (within the next 4 years) she may be our president.

Very Scary!!!!!

All the things that are being reported are true. So what is there to be defensive about. It's not like people are making up lies about her. These are all facts and documented facts at that. McCain did a poor job of selecting a running mate just like he would do a poor job of running the country. And when someone calls you on a mistake you say I'm not talking anymore. Well that sounds just like a guy they call W.

Do you really think that if Joe Biden's wife belonged to a secessionist group we would ever hear the end of it. But Palin's husband was a member of such a group and it barely gets mentioned.

Palin has a lot more skeletons in her closet and they will come out eventually and McSame will have nobody to blame but himself.

I am a moron who voted for bush twice and I will never in my lifetime vote for a republican again. Furthermore I recall John Kerry being a war hero but the lifeless republicans spun him into a traitor, and I felt so bad for him. So here I when I say how is somebody a war hero when they just get shot down over Vietnam by chance? I thought republicans were all about the family and yet Palin must have turned her back on her kid because she went out and got knocked as 17 year old, how pathetic?

People PLEASE STAY FOCUSED!
This is about the issues, McCain has embraced the policies of Bush. He has actually said that he would vote against his previous bills. I don't care about Palin's personal life, I want to know what is her vision for this country and it is the same ol same ol. She is a right wing nut!

Can you say unfit mother? I can. If Hillary's daughter would have come up with a bun in the oven all hell would have broken loose. Goot Job Hillary and Bill for raising such a fine daughter.

The role of the media is to scrutinize the candidates.
Why was Palin a surprise pick? Because she lacks experience.
Why was Obama a dark horse? Because he lacks experience.
But Obama has been managing his campaign brilliantly, better than any other candidate. That takes organization and planning and the ability to delegate to good people.

The campaigns that complain are the ones not getting the job done–poor organization, bad judgement, including poor selection of key people. They try to shift the blame to someone else.

For the president, the buck stop here. No complaints, just get the job done.

Love the Repubs' mis-information/distraction efforts, appear to work for that group in attendance last night.
Steve Schmidt, {a former senior adviser for President Bush's 2004 re-election team} knows that republican voters prefer the "Dumbed down" talk. One thing for sure, he knows how to get dumb guys elected to political office

How many houses do you have John MCCain? "I was a POW".
Great , Just Great!

She is quite a woman with many accomplishments. She is running for # 2 in the nation. If she is as strong as Hilary, she will survive these attacks. Now days if you run for office someone will try to ruin you for life with rummers. She should not be treated as the weaker sex and immune from the type of slander that is common in all political campaigns just because she is a woman.

Steve Schmidt: Another old white guy.
That's all the Republicans are today, the party of old white guys with no new ideas.
Shut up and sit down.
Lead, or leave.
I am in Thomas Jefferson's camp on this. If the government is not responsive, it is the right of the people to overthrow it and establish a new one.
I'm ready to vote for anyone except a Republican.

This is a joke. The hypocrisy of the Repubs.
if Barack Obama say" they are going to portray as someone scary"
you accuse him play the race card
When someone inquire about Palin
You are a sexist,
Even accuse Obama campaign of blogging
Repub leader Palin is a crusader for abstinence, daughter is pregnancy instead of saying we are all human, errors happen
Repubs reply" if it was Obama's daughter , he would aborted it"
Does the GOP take responsibility for anything, instead of blaming others. What cowards

He using Palin as scapegoat to cover up the real issues o f the american people , even Rick Davis say this election is not about issues.
My respect for John McCain had died, his pursuit for presidency outweighs his country first slogan. There is noway Palin even as she is being tutor by the Bush people is ready for North Korea , Mid East, Russia. I know Doochey and Cindy McCain claim Palin has foriegn policy experience due to Alaska being close to Russia.

What I find disturbing about John McCain is his temperament, disrepect to women( calling his wife a c5nt. What kinda of man refers to his wife that way

Oh..and go online and look at the Anchorage newspaper where it says none of the people that should have been were contacted about this VP pick.

It is really amazing how they have been reporting this issue. Even on CNN...putting Jamie Lynn Spears next to a picture of Palin's daughter. Very negative coverage. Commentary is now becoming front page "News" on CNN and other liberal news sources.

If it was a male candidate who had a baby OR a 17 year old pregnant daughter, this would be a story for about 24 hours max. But since it's a woman it's a major outcry. The Democrats and the liberal MSM are NOT so tolerant or diversity-friendly after all. But they are Hypocrites big time!

It's not about Sarah Palin – whoever she is.

It's about John McCain's screwing up the most important decision of his Presidential campaign.

Let's not let the spinmeisters deflect us from what's really crucial to our country.

John McCain is 72 years old with health problems and he picks A VP withe out vetting her. Palin has to be in study hall every day 24/7 for 2 months the to learn about the world she lives in. The one thing we learned about 9/11 was we need A President with good judgement McCcain gets a F for picking a VP with training wheels she can not even do a interview . The F is for putting politics before his country

go Obama

First, after knowing what I now know -

- Palin is an unknown
-Palin's claim to foreign policy experience is that Alaska is close to Russia
- Palin wants creationism taught in schools
- Palin wants abstinence only taught in schools
- Palin has a record of firing people for dubious reasons
- Palin is of the fanatical religious right variety

then I would have to say that IF IT IS TRUE that there are Democratic feminists who refuse to vote for Obama and instead will vote for McCain BECAUSE he has Palin on the ticket, those women are NOT the sharpest tools in the shed. I say "if it is true" because it sounds like something, among a whole lot of somethings, that was cooked up by Karl Rove.

Second, what's the true story about Palin and her claim of garnering the "Ms Congeniality" title in a beauty contest? Did she lie in her bio or what?

Third, can you just imagine what James Dobson, Focus on the Family, the fanatical religious right, would have said if Chelsea Clinton would have gotten pregnant at 17? They would have gone on and on about the moral decay of our country and no family values, etc., etc. I believe children of politicians are off limits, too, but the hypocrisy of the GOP base needs to be highlighted nonetheless.

OBAMA-BIDEN '08

It's only been two weeks , what will happen over the next 60 days if she can't stand this? I feel comfortable meeting her future son in law this lad sounds charming

For those of you who keep claiming that McCain didn't vet Palin, I only say this:

PROVE IT. Show us evidence. Give us a reason to believe you other than, "I don't like her, and I don't like McCain!"

Shrill accusations without evidence do nothing but cloud the issue, and they say more about the accuser than the accused.

Does one or two days qualify as a "long and thorough search"?

The only question is the following: Are John McCain, Barack Obama and Joe Biden subject to the same high ....or low....level of scrutiny by the media. If the answer is yes then it is fair. If the answer is no then it is not fair.

The republican party wants the US media to leave Sarah Palin alone and stop picking on her because she's a girl. What is going to happen when she has to face real problems in the world? Terrorist don't beleive in women's rights. They also don't want her family involved, but parade them around at every chance they get. Her daughter is seventeen, where was the parenting? The conservative religious leaders are turning a blind eye to this.

Are you republicans blind, deaf and dumb?
Obama is not even in this article. Obama is not attacking Palin's personal life or the situation with her children. He said months ago that the candidates families should be off limits for political tools, and he again stated that when the issue of Palin's children came up. He's not attacking her family at all.
McCain is ticked off at the media checking into Palin's troubled political history. She backed and is being backed by dirty politicians that are being investigated. She is being investigated for her own issues.
The Obama campaigns only comments is that McCain has been talking all about experience and blasting Obama for a lack of experience....and then McCain (the oldest and most medically unsound person to ever run for president) picks someone who has virtually NO political history besides charges of corruption and abuse of power.

McCain has not been able to say word one to Obama about Palin because Obama has been a perfect gentleman about the issues sorrounding her. McCain is just ticked off at the media for trying to do their jobs.

Is Bristol in school? Is Levi? Are they going to stay in school – finish high school, go to college? I am just having a hard time dealing with this – I have two kids and I want to encourage them to stay in school and get a full education – hopefully without having babies until after they graduate and get married – is there something wrong with that nowadays? I guess I'm just old-fashioned. It's distressing to me – the Republicans and all hugging and happy. Does anyone understand what I mean? How do you explain this to your kids when they are watching it on TV?

When I heard the announcement that Sarah would be our VP candidate I felt physically sick because my first thought was "What wil happen to us if McCain dies?" Doesn't he care enough about us to make sure there will be a qualified person to carry on? What about US?

Carly Fiorina just said that the leadership of the Democratic Party faied to denounce the media’s gender bias against Hillary Clinton AND THAT THE LEADERSHIP OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WON’T STAND BY AND LET SEXIST ATTACKS AGAINST SARAH PALIN GO UNANSWERED.

It's hard to count the ways in which the Palin choice is so perfect politically…

The leadership of the Democratic Party failed us all.

It is worst that an ambitious Barrakuda as she was called by a Republican will not hesitate to throw anybody and any good idea under the bus just to receive and to keep her power.

PHIL TEXAS – What are you smoking down there? How can you jump on the Palin bandwagon with so little information about her? Is it because she can dress out a moose or shoot a rifle. Important knowledge to have for the jobs you are putting her in.

Please give this matter serious thought and do some research. OK?

To VEGAS..and any body else.... When have you heard Obama attacking women or children.???? Dont believe everything you hear. Tell me a time through out the primary and until now that he's done that? You can't

McCain's camp has to be the most hypocritical, two-faced campaign in the history of politics. When Barack defends himself, he is accused of playing the race card. As soon as people question his ridiculous VP choice, they cry sexism!!! He claims he is putting country first but pulls a rabbit out of the hat to pick Palin!

Even if the Palin selection was not based on her gender, is she truly the best that the GOP has to offer?!?!

So the Dems are running scared, and have pulled out all the stops on this one. They promoted state governors in the past – anybody remember Bill Clinton? But now a governor is not qualified. Puleeze. And what about the Dem's attack dogs memo on Politico, page now pulled, where they documented their attack strategy and even stole (and partially published) Palin's social security number. How low can the democrats go? Why are only Democrat families off limits, but not Palin's?

she's NOT QUALIFIED, that's why for the scrutiny

Its not about the canned speeches written by Rove, its about a broken republican party and platform and its candidates (both of them) decision-making process. They made an decision making and experience an issue not the dems. Careful what you wish for, the American public is not as dumb as Schmidt and Rove think they are. For their sake, they better hope their relationships with those Florida and Ohio voting machine company's holds up.

Palin's first child was born eight (8) months after her elopement.
Apparently that apple didn't fall far from the tree.
McCain married Cindy one month after he divorced Carol.

When did the DEMS become the Values Party?

In response to SERIOUSLY:

You do realize you are comparing the Dem Pres candidate to the Rep VP Candidate? Maybe you should be comparing Obama to McCain, and not Obama to Palin???

Seems like the top of the Dem ticket is lacking, evidenced by Obama's choosing of Biden... Don't you think?

if the shoe were on the other foot i'm sure the r n c would not wish to talk about it.........................NOT

This was to be expected. McCain does not like or care for anyone including the media, that disagrees with him. Questioning him is also something that just isn't done in his world. He has been censoring the media all during his primary and post-primary campaign and on many accounts the media has obliged him. He has not received and equitable amount of negative coverage as studies have shown. Now, he's furious because he is finally getting a feel of what objective media attention is all about. Senator Obama has had every hair on his head reviewed, examined and studied. Now its McCain and Palin's turn. Welcome to the real world.

Obama has spent nearly two years under intense media scrutiny. He has been researched by both the Clinton and McCain campaigns looking for dirt. Despite the attempt by the Republicans to use the "Jedi Mind Trick" on us by saying that Palin is qualified, we need to use what is left of the campaign season to find out who she is.

There has already been so much dirt, I am sure the Republicans are sorry they did not go with Romney or Pawlenty. This dirt is going to dog her into November.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GENDER!

Maybe the GOP should have vetted her a little (maybe alot) more carefully. They took a risk with Palin, hoping to lure disgruntled Clinton supporters. The only problem with that: she is NOT Hillary Clinton and True Clinton supporters find it an insulting form of pandering.

We have a 50/50 chance of having McCain as President. McCain has a very good chance of a return of malignant melonoma (trust me, been there, done that with my mother – who died from that cancer). Who wants to take ANY chance of an unvetted V.P. candidate who recently asked, "What does a V.P. do?", leading our country through economic, international and environmental plight? Not me...I will vote for Obama/Biden.

I guess that this is a complaint that we should all take seriously.

After all, if anyone knows a "faux media scandal" its the Republicans. In fact, its what they specialize in.

Methinks the Republican machine doth protest too much...what are they afraid is out there about Palin? Probably a lot, since none of her colleagues or friends in Alaska were even called about her background and policies. It is also offensive that McCain's people will think that anyone will fall for their carefully chosen phrasing - claiming she has more "governing experience" than Obama. Well, yes, as a governor, she does. All of 22 months. And more than McCain. Her public position has been inconsistent; she is a known supporter of Alaska's secession, yet now wants to be for uniting America. Please. Her nomination was another of McCain's "hasty decisions" and now the RNC has to live with it.

Why do the dems say the vetting was not good enough? Are they saying that a woman with a pregnant teen age daughter cannot be the VP? Rediculous.

go to mediatakeout.com for pictures of sarah palins daughter and her behavior then tell me she can run her family and the whitehouse.

As an independent that left the republican party, they are just covering up a huge tactical error by McCain. He screwed up big time by panicing and nominating someone with so little known about her and her track record.
Executive experience??? Then I should be ruler of the world. Are you kidding me???
The VP for McCain is extremely important. His bad health serves a continual reminder that Palin will likely lead this country during his term in office if elected. If George Bush is unqualified think about the disaster that awaits us.

GOP- out to lunch for the past 8 years and now promises to be "out of touch" for the next four years.

Vote McCain/Palin if you hate this country and want to see it fail. Join the crazy Pumas!

Cindy and Sarah, the perfect women for a cowardly bully who has temper tantrums and lies to the American people. He lied when he said the American people are excited about Sarah. What American people? We don't know Sarah, and neither does he. John talked to her for all of 15 minutes, and while I understand his heart couldn't take more than 15 minutes on the phone with a beauty queen who's (not wife), our standards are different.

I want the media to take her through the wringer, because John doesn't know her. So somebody is going to have to be an adult.

Not that I'm keeping score, but Sarah was selected last Friday, 6 days later we are still talking about her, and not in a good way. I'd say Barack made the best choice and one that Americans can understand.

Obama/Biden 08

McCain/Palin 0-Never

Truth: Palin is a liability. Let's hope she'll drop out! Betting is at 12% chance right now.

Republicans accuse democrats of being socialist. What do you call it when you push moral and religious values on others and call it law? C-O-M-M-U..........

To use Palin's own words about the complaints regarding the examination or criticism of a candidate's background, it is "whining."

How can some Democrats talk about scandal with the likes of Bill Clinton who cheated on his wife in the oval office orTed Kennedy who was involved in a very mysterious cover up of a young woman's death? You may not agree with Palin's politics but she lives what she believes and as a Democrat, I respect that – plus the Republicans listened to what American's want – a woman in one of the top jobs. We almost had that and blew it.

Hmmm...wonder if her speech will mention her involvement in AIP, the separatist group that strives to have Alaska secede from the United States (including her videotaped speech for their 2008 convention–) -Country First, right?

to Seriously! If you want to make sure everyone sees the facts then make sure you have the facts. BO was not a US for 4 years. He has barely been working in the senate for over 100 days before he became a full time presidential candidate. And, no matter how much you want to pretend that his educational pedigree makes him more qualified let me remind you that W has a degree from Yale!! And we all know how that turned out!
McKinney 08

Lol, oh what irony.

The only thing more sad than McCains whining is the fact that people come on blogs and such and defend him and Palin!

Honestly, we know next to nothing about Sarah Palin, yet the GOP operatives are dutifully defending this woman hand over fist. Most of them don't know her, haven't worked with her, anything (and blgo commentors know even less). All they are doing is defending "their team" against "our team".

At what point is someone in the GOP going to step up and say that Palin may not have been the best choice and that trying to spin their way out of it only hurts us as a nation. I don't have a problem with Sarah Palin per-se, I don't know her, but for some to show such fanatic devotion to someone that is so new is kind of scary.

I say let the media do their job. This lady is signing up to have the second most powerful position on the planet, not to run a PTA. If she can't stand the media scrutiny, charter her a plane back to Alaska and be done with it.

In the meantime, spare us the false outrage and the "what about Obama" diversions? If you want to be constructive GOP operatives, stop using talking points and start looking out for the best interests of us a nation. We need competant leadership not a bunch of spin-doctors trying to turn maneur into gold.

Fair game. If you bring a total unknown into your campaign, you must expect that SOMEONE will need to inform the public about them.

Since the McCain campaign believes the public is on a strictly need-to-know basis when it comes to Palin's background and "qualifications", the media is left to do the digging themselves.

Since when has any public figure running for office been off-limits to public scrutiny? Equal rights means equal responsibilities... every candidate faces the same scrutiny.

Obviously, those with skeletons in the closet have the most to fear from the process. It sucks that Palin's family is getting the rake here, but she made the decision to run, and her past seems to be outpacing her.

...and an inspiration to real journalists everywhere.

A lot of folks who pretend to be journalists would be well-advised to stop acting like stenographers and actually ask some intelligent questions like she did.

Everyone of you needs a lesson in civics. The office of the president is, by design, very weak. The real power of the federal government lies in the House and the Senate, while the supreme court hold us all hostage. There is not much difference between the parties when it comes right down to it. Sure they will all say what their respective supporters want to hear during the campaign, then give themselves a raise and go on vacation for five years. Read The Declaration of Independance, the scarriest part is, then as now, the userper at the head of the corrupt government is George the second. To para-phrase...it is their right, it is their duty to throw off such government and provide new guards for their future security... The entire system is broken and those in a position to change it are not willing to do so.
It's been two hundred and thirty years, it's time to update this patheticaly antiquated sestem of government so it can represent the people, instead of the Bankers, and the landed gentry. And by the way neither of the two parties has ever garnered more than thirty percent of the electorate, that fact alone tells you how disenfranchised the American people are.

If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. If the McCain campaign is going to select an inexperienced person whom no one knows to be the VP and potentially be the most powerful women on the planet, they also need to believe the media is going to have a field day. This is America... But I seem to remember when Obama was still in the primary and negative media attention was being thrust on him the Republicans were all for it. You can't have it both ways people. In the end it will be up to the American people to see if she can deliver.

OK GUYS, youv'e had your FUN ? Now let's get on with the election process. It's not about Sarah's family it's about her record and WHAT SHE CAN DO FOR THE COUNTRY AND ALL AMERICANS. Media heads, – go out and get real jobs or try to inform the public about the REAL issues here. We are looking to pick a President who has choosen his running mate. Start thinking about what the candidates have accomplished and what they CAN accomplish in the next term. THINK about the set up of the Senate and Congress and what the relationship with the President will be. Will they be able to get business sucessfully accomplished? That is the REAL issue here.

Since when don't people have the right to scrutinize a WANNA BE Vice Presidential candidate?

How can a person who wanted Alaska to be separate from the Union be a vice-president? She didn't want to be a U.S. citizen at some point. She left the mayor's office in debt while she came into it with zero debt. That shows how she can manage mismanagement. She's under investigation right now for firing a state official over no good reason. She just can't be a VP for this country, and McCain needs to do something else, otherwise this is a free ride for Obama/Biden to White House. McCain team is extra vulnerable now from attacks by Democrats.

p.s....it's okay for the media to bash Obama with lies created by the GOP, but it's not oaky for the media to actually do some incestigative reporting on Palin who has a few skelotons in her closet. It is not okay to vet the POW either cause well he is a POW, so no negative news at all on him. Just keep cranking out GOP lies on Obama...Something is about to come flying out of the closet on Palin and they are trying to attack the media now too quite them down before it makes headlines

O YEA AMERICA THIS IS THE MAN WE WANT AT THE HELM ???

A GOOD DOG CATCHER WOULD MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

YOU MEAN TO TELL ME, OF ALL THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS

PALIN WAS THE BEST CHOICE FOR VP ???

MCNOTHING IS OUT OF HIS FEEBLE SENILE OLD MIND.

The republicans are such frauds. They say one thing and do another, and who is this guy Schmidth to say that he don't want to hear anymore about Palin. He can tell her to go back to Alaska if she want to get away from the heat. Americans have the right to know everything about the person that may end up running our country. I say find out as much as they can and expose it. They did it to Obama and she is no different, no matter how much they whine.

Oboma/Biden 08

Isn't it the Media's job to scrutinize a profile of Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate? The voters need to know everything about an individual candidate so they can make informed decision which candidate they should vote for.

The RNC don't want informed citizens, they want ignorant citizens as usual...

Rubbish! Sarah Palin has a very shady past and was only selected because McCain couldn't get anyone else to join his trip to nowhere. You betcha the media (and the rest of us) are going to scrutinize her. This woman is a fluff piece and nothing more. Even my most die-hard Tepublican friends think that McCain needs his medication adusted. He had so many highly qualified men and women he could have tapped and he went will this? Give me a break!

Totally SAD and totally hypocritical. The media and some factions of the Democratic party want to destroy Sarah Palin for the crime of being a woman and a republican. Come to think of it these same groups destroyed another woman, Hillary Rodham Clinton, for the crime of ?? what? Just being a female? At any rate, Sarah Palin is apparently completely unacceptable to these people based on her gender. Talk about a witch hunt! But it's not going to work. If there's nothing wrong with her background (and I haven't heard anything real so far) then it just shows how far women still have to go within our society – including within the Democratic Party. And that has turned out to be the surprise of 2008!

Vegas: Sorry, I forgot: Palin is maybe just very stupid:against science, education, sex-ed (don't know about Aids), womens rights, but for moose hunting, rifles, sex (obviously), bridges to nowhere, oil, war....
Or she is simply crazy....You choose!

Andrea, don't speak for me! I voted for Hillary, then watched the Dems & media trash her. I won't put up with it again!!

I will vote for McCain, not because of Sarah, but I like her too. I want a proven and capable leader. Someone who has served his country proudly and bravely is a plus. Obama just isn't it.

The media did not create the scandal, the moose hunter from Alaska did. To use a "Bully Pulpit" to tell media what they can cover and disclose is Un-American. Of all people, the little old war hero should know that. AMERICA FIRST!

its so disgusting how many ignorant people are worrying about the fact that she has a baby or too many kids or what she looks like or wears or what her daughter does...WHY WHY WHY are we not concerning ourselves with SOMETHING IMPORTANT! Because the average person is an idiot, I am convinced. Do not forget that Obama has virtually no experience either, just a few years as a state senator, that is it. But because Palin is a woman, she is subjected to all this ludicrous crap.

I don't recall any media outlets firing attacks at Biden who is ridden with corruption. I motered the coverage by the media surrounding the DNC. The DNC was praised, heralded, and spun positivly by the media. Now, contrast that with the RNC coverage which is biased, devoid of any praise, and raising doubts in the minds about Palin. The coverage is not fair and has a definite agenda to advance the DNC. Going after Palin's family, the daughter, the husband's DUI 22 years ago, anything that might look bad, is despicable when contrasted wiht Biden's poor history. Especially going after a poor minor like this is terrible; making her the focus of politics and using this poor minor to ruin Palin.

Please!!!!! I know for one the TRUTH HURTS!!!!!! The media can lie from time to time but ANYONE can SEE whats going on with the RNC!!!! PALIN has alot of skeletons like most people do but most people did not be picked for VP. This hold charade the RNC has going in picking Palin will be brought out by my PICK for PRES. AND VICE PRES> come debate time. Let's let the RNC with their OLD SELVES continue with this CRAP!!!!!!! I am so tired of Most people in this country especially these so-called PUMA crap and OLE REBUPS

Sarah Palin is being prejudged when we hardly know her. Of course, she is being attacked by the media by constantly questioning whether or not she is fit to be both a VP and a mother. This is blatant sexism. Is Barack Obama ready to be President because he is the father of two children? When will he have time for them? Give me a break. This stuff belongs in the same dump as racism. Question: will women who objected to the blatant sexist reporting on Hillary Clinton also protest the sexist attacks on Palin. Or, does principle trump partisanship?

puhLEEEEEEAZE...what a bunch of babies the McCain/Palin team are turning out ot be. After listening to the GOP dish out endless garbage about Obama and HRC (he's a Muslim with terrorist leanings, she's a lesbian who hates America) now we're just supposed to shut up about Palin? Questioning her judgment as mayor and governor is now "nonsense" that "needs to stop"?

Hello, no. Media! Keep asking! Schmidt is a bully whp can't handle it when somebody stands up to him.

If her time as governor & mayor make her more experience than Obama, doesn't it also make her more qualified than McCain since he was never Mayor or Governor of AZ.?? When wwe consider how many aircraft he destroyed we see he was a professional at blowing it.. even at an early age..

Typical republican tactic...never addressing the issues that Americans really care about...they know how to campaign, they have no idea how to govern.

GO CAMPBELL BROWN and CNN!! The American people want to know!!!!

Sen. McCain created this situation. His rush to steal the democratics thunder backfired. Do the republican expect the American public and the media just to accept his unknown choice for vice president and move on without any questions?

I never thought of Sen. McCain as being McSame, but his recent treatment of the media, is starting to remind me of President Bush.

Sure, complain about the media good ‘ole BushMc people! You need a scape goat. What happen to the “moral police” Mrs. Palin coming to this earth for fixing every injustice! When cat came out the bag, crying started; media unfair, its all lies, DWI doesn’t matter, woman is being attacked., etc. etc. Such Hippocrates!!!

As an unbiased Canadian observer, I'm very confused about the media's approach with Gov. Palin. Campbell Brown's interview with the McCain aide the other night was appaling! I watched with my mouth hanging open. She (Campbell) reminded me of a nasty, sarcastic middle school girl, who was coming off of her ani-psychotic medication. Grow up!

The media is just doing what McReckless failed to do - thoroughly vet his running mate.

The media need not destroy Palins miniscule reputation.....she will do a great job of doing that on her own. Check your local television listings to find out when the Jerry Springer show aires starring the Palin family.

This is BS – The Repukelicans and McCain can stuff it – compare the current controversy to if Chelsea Clinton had wound up pregnant at 17 and the savage Republican attacks that would have ensued – she's getting off easy. I'm sick and tired of the Republican's and their "don't do as we do – do as we say" mentality and the "oh well – that's life – things happen" when it's on their side of the court. So – it's okay for a 17 year old girl to commit sin and have a child out of wedlock but not okay for a same sex couple who are as joined as the law will allow to adopt because they are living in sin – must be differnt levels of "sin" huh. Interesting. Lucky for the Republicans the 11th Commandment didn't come down – "Though shall not commit hypocrisy" – they couldn't exist.

Seems it is too hot in the kitchen for the Republicans. Everyone in their sane mind except John McCain knows that Palin DOES NOT have one shred of credentials which will qualify her to step into the role of Vice President.

Forget this nonsense of attacking her as a woman. From one woman to another, PALIN DOES NOT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO BE VP. There, I have said it.

I don't want a former mayor negotiating peace talks. My dog can do better! At least he only barks when their is danger around, and Palin spells danger for the US. Get real America! Palin is going to ruin the opportunity for a truly qualified woman to fill the role of President and/or VP. We want a qualified woman, not a TOKEN.

It is astounding that McCain with his extraordinary judgement looked around and couldn´t find a VP who is more experienced and more gifted.

Funny but just about all of the alligated negative issues referencing Sarah Palin actually in reality mirror Obama, interesting! Reading the post from "seriously" indicats that even when the facts are definately in Palins favor, and are in black and white that the Obama supporters fail to recognize the differance, also interesting! Oh well most people prefer to go all out for the under dog, no matter what's at stake or the outcome....

Palin is an extremist and a danger to our country. The public will be able to see through her last-second schooling!

There is no Faux report. Everything is true. They mean they want the Fox news just to do the reporting for the country.

I hope O'Riley asks Obama about Rev. Wright, his stand on partial birth abortions, William Ayers, his 'not my pay grade' answer, how increasing taxes on businesses will increase workers wages and keep inflation low. And force him to admit that the surge worked and made possible for the current withdrawl plan that Bush is working out.

The Republicans want a free ride. In order to get us to believe their fairytale regarding Gov. Palin, they must first get the media in line. And, as usual, the media will stop asking the tough questions regarding their VP pick. If Obama would have picked a similar candidate for VP, the Republicans would be calling for his head on a stick. We cannot lose sight of the objectives of this election; to elect a president that will bring real change to this country. McCain misses being the "celebrity." He misses being the center of attention. He listend to Obama's acceptance speech and panicked. Now he has to sell his decision to his voters and the American people as a whole. Once the convention is over that is when the real fun begins.

Vegas – before you blindly attack Obama remember he was the only one that supported Palin and the privacy of her family. When you repuglicans lie, atleast glance at the facts first so you won't be caught lying in public. I know its hard to do because you hate so much but you can do it, I promise.

And Seriously!?! – thanks for the truth and the logic cause its a fact. Obama is infinitely more qualified than Palin and to my standards even mccain with his lackluster 20 some years as a repuglican puppet that has done nothing for people but fattened up those corporate pockets.

To the one saying "Those who is without sin cast the first stone" bs...too bad it's Palin and her uber rightwing conservatives constantly casting stones at other people who wants the freedom to choose (MOSTLY in the cases rape, a issue Palin still doesn't care for), who wants some type of sex education in schools so their daughters won't be stupid enough to have unprotected sex and get knocked up like her own. And when some unknown teenage girl gets pregnant that same rightwing conservatives have a history of not praising or support but rather bashing and insult. It just so happens that because these stories are of Palin's daughter, it's all fine and dandy by the likes of you. Don't play double standard.

As a democrat watching all of this, these cries of sexism from Palin, the GOP and old bitter Hillary supporters still crying is pathetic. Attacks are going all around to EVERYONE. It's called Politics as dirty as it all is. Obama gets attacked, McCain gets attacked, Hillary got attacked, and if they find someone on Palin (which the media obviously did instead of McCain's campaign) she will get attacked if what they find is deemed negative.

This is to choose the leader of our country and their running mate. We need to discuss their pros AND cons. On the first days that Palin got announced her pros were announced in galore by the GOP, unfortunately for them McCain probably did not vet enough because she obviously has a lot of skeletons in her closet that slowly came into light bringing concerns to the American public hence so much discussions on so many of her bountiful issues.

Please!!!!! I know for one the TRUTH HURTS!!!!!! The media can lie from time to time but ANYONE can SEE whats going on with the RNC!!!! PALIN has alot of skeletons like most people do but most people did not be picked for VP. This hold charade the RNC has going in picking Palin will be brought out by my PICK for PRES. AND VICE PRES> come debate time. Let's let the RNC with their OLD SELVES continue with this CRAP!!!!!!!

Republicans, Stop Supporting Failure; Makes You All Look Foolish! Hypocracy is defined as a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, that one does NOT really possess. The definition of Republicanism! The vetting process is over ..... I think not.

No one is attacking her! You can't just dump an unknown on the American public and not expect people to ask questions. If she can't handle this, how will she handle Putin and Karzai?

OBAMA/BIDEN 08!

Hey, Help the Polar Bear, don't forget, she was also responsible for the aerial gunning down of other species of wildlife. What a nut!

hey mccain, where's your sense of humor – at least these are truths –
how about lets tell lies like you do.

I cannot believe how LOW some people in this country are stooping in order to really slam Sarah Palin. I am voting for McCain and Sarah Palin this November because they are HONEST, COURAGEOUS under fire and really care about our country. The opposite party is doing everything possible to take control of the White House and they are not reputable enough to be there. They are only for their OWN personal gain and not for the good of our country. They are liars and have been for many many elections already and yes, PEDDLING the lies in hopes that they win over TRUTH!!!
I am proud to be a REPUBLICAN and will never go for the democratic ticket ever again. THEY DO NOT DESERVE MY VOTE!!!!

Obama's experience....Palin's experience...looks about the same to me. He's qualified but she's not ?? How does anyone really arrive at that conclusion. I'm having a hard time visualizing either of these two sitting across from Vladimir Putin.

Puh-le-e-e-e-e-e-ze!! What the "media" is doing to Ms. Palin is no different than what the swiftboat guys did through the media to John Kerry or the "impeachment" of Bill Clinton. Get over it1 Isn't it amazing that ,when the shoe is on the other foot, it hurts?? Both campaigns should stop the rhetoric around the candidates. I want to hear ISSUES. Let's face it, no one, and I mean NO ONE, is an angel. These are politicians. What counts is how one candidate vs. another is going to go about solving 8 years of a total mess.

some of the posts are unbelievable on here. just b/c steve schimdt and some people on here say something enough times doesn't make it true. how about you stick to the issues?

I agree with McCain. The media has no business digging up information on his VP pick. He wants her. The conservative base likes her. That should be the end of it.

Where is the media investigation of Resko?

There was nothing to investigate, just tenuous links that Obama had no part in personally.

Where is the media investigation of Ayers?

Ayers was never charged for any crime, first off, and second off, people have looked into this and there is nothing further to investigate. He is from Chicago and donated to Obama's campaign, that is the long and short of it.

Where is the media investigation of Michelle's role in the non-profit?

Where is the media? America no longer has a free press. Wahhhhhhhhhhh.
Watch FOX news if you want lies spoon fed.

Can ANYONE here tell me the age of the VP canidate daughter when she became pregnant???? I know she is 17 now but wondering what age was she when this happened.

Media will not go after some one if teh candidate is qualified and clean. McCain camp is blaming media for their own incompetencies

she was born and raised in the coldest state of the union Obama was born and raised in the vacation haven of Hawaii she worked hard to get where she is Obama as cruised to his senate position hell according to Michelle he won't even plunge the toilet or take out the trash. there is a big diferrence between these two candidates my money's on her

Come on, people!! Its enough to know that McCain vetted her. She is an exceptional governor with a record of accomplishments. You don't need to know what those accomplishments are. That's immaterial. Geez, let's have a little trust here. Yeah, just like we did with those WMD's.

This is getting funnier by the minute. It was OK when the right and their toadies raised all kinds of fake issues about Barack & Michelle (remember the famous whitey tape + terrorist fist bump?) but now, they can't handle any scrutiny so they just stop talking. They'll probably limit all press access to Sarah unless she has a handler nearby.

There's so much more ugly stuff out there about the Palin clan-if it wasn't so bizarre and if our national security didn't depend on it, it has the makings of a great TV show.

Firstly,

Obama stated that going after family members should be off limits, and going after children is ridiculous. This was on all of the news outlets. I am not sure why people are saying that Obama has gone negative.

Next, Sarah Palin is an unknown. Lets face we do not know anything about her and she is now in the position of running this country? I think not.

Furthermore, the Republican party created this media nightmare on its own. Its the media's job to deliver information to us whether good or bad. If McINSANE and Palin can not handle it now then what make you think he can handle it later?

Obama has taken shots from the media scrutiny the crazy pastor and the New Yorker magazine. He didn't moan he took it, called it nonsense and moved on to become the DNC Presidential Nominee.

This BS about Palin being having more experience is SPIN and is ridiculous. RNC you can try to feed it too us but we are not going to eat it....

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

"Faux media scandal" is right.

The Obama-loving media that helped to sink the best candidate we had running this time is now at a total loss as to how to deal with McCain's choice of Sarah Palin.

They're reaching for any scandal. And they'd better watch out lest they've failed to learn from what happened to Dan Rather in 2004...

Would the country still have voted for Hillary if she had been a W clone?

Thank God for Comedy Central, since the Daily Show and Colbert are the only ones I have seen show the clip of Palin openly admitting that she had no idea what it was the VP actually does on a daily basis. And that was 1 MONTH ago.

But wait, she was a fierce highschool basketball player?! Oh ok, I feel better now. Thanks CNN.

So If you say anything about her good or bad it's sexiest?

It is funny John McCain selected her to create a buzz and a frenzy, but now crying because the very thing he was hoping to get-he got–lot's of buzz!! Quit whining! Tough Republicans are really just a bunch of bullies who cry when they get stood up to.

This is not an issue anyone should "forget about" and its shameful to cover it up since it so directly speaks to this candidate's now evident dangerous decision-making process. To me this "non-issue", means either McCain is impulsive and uncomfortably politically-expedient or he is a slave to his Rovian handlers, both of which traits were embodied by current President. I am sad the straight-talk express conversations and access to Mr. McCain (not to mention his new partner) are gone (don't exist for Palin) as they were one of the things I found enderaring and Rooseveltian (word?) about Mr. McCain. As someone who wanted to see real post-partisan unity, I lost hope in McCain's ability to deliver on that promise. I further think talking about "unity" by annointing a little known far right unknown candidate and through ultra comfrontational and party line Republican talking points is laughable, uncomfortable and almost humorous if it was not so condescending and manipulative (talk about words alone). Now strongly favoring Obama who looks more likely to make a real effort to achieve a post partisan/racial/gender environment. Seems like a pretty clear decision.

"This vetting controversy is a faux media scandal designed to destroy the first female Republican nominee for Vice President of the United States who has never been a part of the old boys' network that has come to dominate the news establishment in this country." GO FLY A KITE STEVE BOY, SHE DESTROYED HERSELF AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!!!!!
OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!!!

oh yeah, that's the media's job silly. if you are going to be in the public spotlight then suck it up. if she would just come clean about baby trig, then everyone will go away for awhile. i just feel really bad for her family....it's obvious country first ( or maybe second) since as a former member of the AIP she wanted alaska to withdrawal from the union, SARAH second, and somewhere after that she considers her family. i'm sorry, but as a longtime republican and a Christian, i see nothing about her that displays the love of Christ or the love of a mother.

mcold not check her but he say he can check 20 millions illegal in 24 hours (kennedy m ccain AMNESYTY)

This is so funny. The Dems are showing their true colors. They doi not want a woman in charge of anything. The repubs have more females in charge than the Dems ever did. The media bias no matter the party is so one sided. There is no defense for their actions.

She is a strong candidate and NOBAMA & BIDEN do not have near the experience in running anything as she does. Biden is a suit. NOBAMA is a community organizer. NOBAMA says she only ran a city as Mayor. Of course he wants to forget she is a Gov. Help me for a minute is NOBAMA running against Palin??? Sounds like it. You know they are scared when NOBAMA has to compare his record to the VP choice. Is she perfect – no. niehter are you. Can she lead – ask Alaska.

The media does not like a woman with this type of power. Go compare the Newspaper, Editorials and Mags for yourself and then respond. You will be enlightened.

The media has chosen to put Bristol's pregnancy in the spotlight. I don't need to hear about this private family crisis over and over and over again. Get to the point and get off it. Do you realize what stress you are causing a first time mother in the second trimester of her pregnancy? Turn off the TV, Bristol.

I would appreciate hearing about the issues and leaving the young mother and the future father out of politics. Gov. Palin and her husband should put their family off limits to the press, much as Bill and Hillary did with Chelsea, and Prince Charles did with William and Harry.

As a woman Republican, I am amazed to see my Republican congressman and all of these speakers at the convention talk about her "proven track record as a leader". I am losing respect not only for McCain, but for the whole Republican party. Please do not insult my intelligence. She is in no way qualified to be VP of our country. It is not sexist to say that, it is common sense. My congressman is not helping get McCain's vote, he is losing my vote for his re-election because I now question his judgement too!

We haven't even seen the beginning. She is a radical right-wing idealogue.

Never mind her lies about the bridge to nowhere, her PAC command role for an indicted Senator, anti-Jewish preacher, $27 million in pork received, banning books in her town library, $95,000 charge to the state of Alaska for her troopergate scandal.

I get cold chills thinking about Sarah Palin stepping into the presidency. How can anyone feel comfortable knowing someone so inexperienced could be at the helm in times like these? The width and breadth of America is NOT Alaska!!!

SO, this morning, I hear this woman from the RNC say that the pregnancy issue just makes Palin more real. that it makes her seem like she lives next door and has the problems everyone has.
Her statement was that teenage pregnancy is just like one of those things that just happen.

Wow, I agree with a conservative republican! I was dizzy at the thought. This is what liberals have been saying for YEARS!
So guess what? The abstinence only BS is just that. Teach them sex ed

The very idea of Governor Palin being more qualified than Senator Obama is laughable. If the American people couldn't see through John McCain before I believe they'll find him a little more transparent now. Oh, and we went from having only talked to her once before making the decision to a six month long vetting process....that didn't include her. What a joke. John McJoke

The negative media coverage on Sarah Palin is disgustingly obvious. She is more qualified than Sen. Obama to run for VP (and he's running for President). She has more executive experience as a governor for 2 years with more accomplished during those 2 years than others have made during 2 terms. I do not know enough about her at this point and I am not learning more about her from the media.
From her bare outline, she seems to be a very impressive woman.
The media is spewing tabloid trash and it is over the line. . She deserves fair coverage instead of the "National Enquirer" treatment...and her teenage daughter and infant baby should be left out of it.

GUESS WHAT? WHO IS SARA PALIN? A STRANGER REDNECK IT SEEMS. BUSH in DRAG.

Here we go...unless the news is good don't report on it the same thing they are doing for McKeatingFive. If it's bad and cover it up or barry it. I can seeif reporters were asking petty questions but the questions have bee focused on her foreign policy experience, economic experience etc... pundit and surrogates can't answer the questin or stick to a vague script. And then they claim sexism or soem conspiracy theory that the media is trying to destroy her...no people really want to know about Palin. the sad part is the media will bend for McCain and contunie with the glowing media attention and burrying of info that they give him

Or how about this take: "YOU MAKE YOURSELVES LOOK BAD."

Vegas: When did Obama slander any women? Pay attention! Dont talk, think. Can you?

"the smart" voter, could you not ask the same question about Obama, doesn't he have two daughters, who is going to watch them if he gets elected. Or wait a minute, females should stay home cook, clean, and watch the kids. I am appalled by Obama supporters, I mean this is big time sexism. Its digusting.
I agree media should be free and they should be allowed to report on anything, but they should do it with dignity and fairness. How come CNN does not search into Obama's past and his not so clean relationships from the past. I think there should be some fairness, most of you Obamabots criticize Fox, but if it werenot for Fox we would never know about Wright, I know that for a fact. I highly doublt it "academicly looking" Blitzer would look into that, or "green planet" Cooper.
Looking Cambell Obrien on the day Palin was anounced as VP pick, you would have to be litteraly a moneky not to see a bias in the media.
Advice for Cambell keep a Midol handy and chill out, you have kids as well, I see you more on TV than Palin, somebody must be watching your kids as well.
Now I know how Hillary supporters felt, this kind of sexism in USA its unbeliveable and shocking.
Who knows what people from overseas read the treatment that media are giving to VP pick for GOP.

Obama:
B.A in political science from Columbia University, with a specialization in international relations
J.D. in Law from Hardvard, graduated magna cum laude; President of the Harvard Law Review
12 years (92-04) teaching constitutional law
7 years State Senator: sponsored more than 800 bills
4 years Senator for Illinos, a state with 12.8 million people

Palin:
Bachelor's in journalism from University of Idaho
4 years Wasilla City Council (8000 people)
6 years Wasilla mayor (8000 people)
1 year "Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission"
20 months governor of a state with 660,000 people

Executive experience is never the sole requirement for presidency, if so Neither Obama nor Mccain will be on their ticket. You just look at the resumes above (I hope somebody can post mccains educational record). No wonder Obama's jugement is so sound and is organzational skills is reflected in the way re runs his campaign. its like high school, Obama is the smart "weak Guy" while Mccain and the GOPs are the Dull Bullies.

Mccain does not possess any international relations skill (he does not even understand diplomacy). He sticks to what he knows "WAR".....and some Americans are buying that.

What would Hillary say to all of her former supporters who are now on the McCain bandwagon just because he put a woman on the ticket? Do you think she is proud of the fact that so many of her "supporters" only supported her because she was a woman, and not because of what she has accomplished and what she believed in? Maybe she will vote for McCain/Palin just to advance women towards the White House, but I doubt it.

I would like CNN to cover Todd Palin's afiliation with AIP.
Also her speaches at the AIP conventions.

PALIN IS A THROW BACK TO THE 1700S.

The stage will get crowded with all of John's women. Let's see there's Carol, the first wife he cheated on when he had an affair with Cindy Lou. Okay, Cindy Lou–the bimbo beer princess, and now Sarah, the hockey mom-grandma-heart beat-away-beauty-queen. Wow, John, I can't keep up.

When a McCain Spokemans (Tucker Bounds) can't answer a simple question or provide ONE instance of her making an executive decision while Governor of Alaska you can't sit here and tell me she's at all qualified for the position. That dog doesn't hunt Tucker. My hat's off to Campbell for asking the tough questions and demanding an answer. Ther American people have a right to the Truth!

Yes having a family maybe a full time job but it's nothing compared to being VP of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, if thats the case then you stay at home moms are underpaid and you now have the qualifications to be VP. Lets look at her experience and she is lacking not becuase she's a woman if she was a man I would be saying the same thing.

what nonsense! Every candidate for national office should expect to come under public scrutiny – its part of the process – and if the McCain people didn't understand it or don't like it, too bad. They need to grow up and take their punishment for acting on impulse instead of deliberate judgment. We all know McCain picked Palin because he could not get Lieberman and wanted to shake things up to get some momentum for his campaign. It was never about what is best for America – it has always been McCain doing and saying whatever he thinks will get him elected. Now that he has made his choice, they should live with it and the consequences of her real stance on issues and real past (anti-maverick) coming out into the open.

I think Obama just likes to target women b/c he thinks they are weak candidates.

Case in point, the woman he ran out of the IL race due to technicalities...

Case in point, the treatment of HRC.

Case in point, the treatment of Sarah Palin.

Obama never comes out and attacks the women himself, he just has his surrogates and pundits do it for him.

Blacks want equal rights, and so does everyone else.........

how can you COMPLETELY AND THOROUGHLY vet someone then have the man running for prseident only meet her ONE TIME!!!!!!!!! Give me a break. If this is what his decision making process is then Americans should really be scared if they win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK Tbone says "If they are all upset, just show us how she is qualified. Until I see it, no one is buying it. What did she do as leader of the Alaska National Guard. The question has been asked but not been answered. Why?"

GIVE THEM A FREAKING CHANCE. These idiots have been out for blood ever since they announced her name for God sakes. Tonight is the first time she has a chance to speak to America since the announcement. SO SHUT UP AND LISTEN TONIGHT before you all go condeming her.

To me, she seems quite intelligent and a "Ray of HOPE" for this country. The men in power have used the last 200+ years to screw things up so bad – its probably going to take a few good women a little while to fix it! Give the poor woman a chance to speak on the issues and leave the personal lives of this family (and everyone) where it belongs.....not in the public view. How would you like for the whole country to be digging into every little thing that has ever happened to you or within your family? Things that you prefer to keep private among family. I don't really care if the president or any politician smoked pot years ago, got a dui years ago or has a freaking affair. That does not mean that they can't do a good job at running the country. I don't agree with some of those things, but having an affair, or having a pregnant teenager sure don't have much to do with how they do their jobs.

I was a HUGE Hillary fan, but the media lost her that race also. So let the people make up their own minds and stop nit picking at every little aspect of her life. Let her prove that she can get the job done. I for one, have a lot of respect for her from what I've heard so far. SO LET HER SPEAK BEFORE YOU JUDGE!!!!

I'M A HE** OF A LOT LESS SCARED OF WHAT SHE CAN DO THAN I AM OF WHAT OBOOMA WILL DO TO THIS COUNTRY! BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID if Obama gets in office....think I'll have to find a new, safer country to move to....how's the whether in Austrailia?

GO PALIN....Go show these idiots what a woman can really do!!!!

By the way....how can Obama be a good father and be president at the same time? SEXISM all around us but everyone is scared to death to say anything against Obama because of his race (by the way what is his race? Kenyan/American?) Yea Right!

LOVING IT!! Obama hits a grand slam and mcbush can't find his way out of the dug out. What a pathetic display from the grand OLD party.

Oh okay just because now they are saying she was vetted for 6 months that must mean it's true. Just like WMDs.

If she can't make "abstinence only" work in her own family, how is she going to make it work for the country? More hypocrisy and moral bankruptcy from the Taliban wing of the GOP. That "Adam and Eve Rode Dinosaurs To Church" stuff may play well with the tent show preachers, but real America is turned off by it. We've had an oil company shill as VP for the last eight years. We can't afford another one. Send Grampy McSame and Caribou Barbie packing in November.

Obama-Biden 08

wow the republicans are whining again
never mind that the tactics they complain about are straight from their playbook.
never mind that the playbook is straight from 1938 germany
(read "human smoke")
substitute "democrat" or "liberal" for "jew"
and you have Goebbels exact strategy for
winning the mind(less) war
i belong to no party
but ridiculous behavior from the RICO statute political party must be commented on.
dont you get it?
the republican party can not be trusted
how many lies does it take to convince you?
when you care enough about this country (and not just yourself)
whats good for america will hopefully prevail.
but dont let facts get in the way of your "truth".
the powers that be didnt in 1938 germany

Too Bad...You should have vetted her better. too bad we arent buying your fear and hate Johnnie.... You and your cheerleader are a bad joke...America is moving on.....

What I do not understand is WHY the media continues to allow the McCain camp to define this topic. What did the McCain camp expect when you select a person that could possibly become the President someday, talk less of an unknown? The facts are simple, McCain picked Sarah Palin because she was a woman, and because she was attractive. The first reason was to lure Hillary supporters, and the latter was to counter Obama's good looks that some women seem to like. Pure and simple. It had nothing to do with experience for goodness sake. Have you ever heard of Olympia Snow, Elizabeth Dole, Gov. Whitman, or even Carly Fiona?

Could the media community please do their job and continue to report on Gov. Palin?? Gov. Palin's daughter is fair game because the EXTREME right presented her as holier than thou; her stance on sex ed; and the vetting (or lack thereof) process and judgement of John McCain.

I am Republican who votes in every election, but I will not vote for Gov. Palin.

I don't know what is worse, the fact that she's a fundamentalist who believes that creationism and abstinence should be taught in schools, or that she has no national experience, no idea what a Vice President's job entails and until lately had no idea what the issues are – though her speechwriters tonight will try to make it appear otherwise. She also says she doesn't believe in global warming and hasn't personally seen any signs of it. Apparently, she hasn't noticed the dramatic changes that have been affecting her state, its coasts and the endangered polar bear population.

I can shoot too, that's not so unusual. I am not impressed. My daughter is not pregnant because I taught her well and watch her closely (It's called family values), and if she were, I would want her to have the right to choose – a right which Sarah Palin does not support and would work to take away. I believe strongly in the separation of church and state. I do not believe Sarah Palin does and that troubles me – a lot.

Choosing her to secure the evangelical vote was a terrible idea for this country. Shame on those who did it. Gov. Palin should be focusing on her own messy family's immediate needs and that of her state instead of running for higher office. This country need leaders ready to hit the ground running right after the election, not one who needs to hit the books to learn what she does not know.

Anyone who actually believes Palin is more experienced than Obama was STUPID enough to vote for Bush twice!!

Really, maybe we should have IQ testing as a prerequisite to voting again!

A few years back the Republican party successfully quashed the media for reporting anything that was against the party. They did this by holding a carrot and a stick over them. If your news organization wants to be embedded during the Gulf conflicts, then you better report what we tell you to report was their mantra. Today, after so many negative stories of corruption and moral turpitudes committed by the party, they have less power and this is a blessing. I hope this time the media doesn't bow to them and continues to report the facts as they appear.

Sara Palin's baby will need undivided attention from her. It is not the baby's fault that she has dissabilities. Mothers love is very important. Is she going to leave the baby with nurses. Put politics away now. Please, sarah be sysmpathetic.

CNN, please remind people that Obama VERY STRONGLY urged people not to drag Palin's daughter into this. He pointedly said that he was the son of a teenage mother. Please remind people of this. Please don't try to make it sound like Obama is attacking Palin for her personal issues. Palin is being attacked for her hypocrisy in office: after coming out swinging last friday and saying (noone asked her, she volunteered this in a speech) that she was against the Bridge to Nowhere, and earmarks, and had fought corruption, it turns out that: She was for the bridge to nowhere before she was against it, she hired lobbyists and brought in 20million in earmarks to Wasilla, and she has her own cronyism scandal going. For just under 2 years in office, that's a lot.

If Sara was a man, he would have been laughed off the ticket in five minutes... or probably never even considered.

The real story here is that its less than 70 days to the election, and McCain is trying to firm up his _base_ !!!

The only reason that McCain didn't pick one of the truly "viable" female candidates is because each and every one of them is more intelligent and experienced than he is.

Joan L

*Why did KB Hutchinson not want to run with him?
*He wanted a woman and she has the skills and skins and the ability. He scrambled because they would not accept Joe (no allegiance) Lieberman as his partner in crime. The Media new these answers and did not rush these stories.

Calling a woman on her scandals, reporting her record or is not sexist, it is journalism. All is fair, barring the children. But how do you run a senate of adults when you cant run your town or house with out discord. What is fake is the GOP attempt at throwing her at the country and thinkg nothing will be said. Dont Drink the Koo-Aid,,,,,,

Has anyone actually detailed her "extensive" accomplishments while governing the 3rd least populous state in the union? I don't understand what she's done? And anyway, by the flawed Republican logic, Palin is far more accomplished than McCain even. What a joke. Remember when Palin asked her interviewer, on CNBC, what a VP's job is? Remember when Karl Rove slammed Kaine for his lack of experience as the governed or Virginia (the 12th most populous state)?

The Republican party is more desperate than ever...and they gave us George Bush!

McCain always loses his cool when faced with questions he doesn't want to answer. If he's not ready for scrutiny, he shouldn't be running for president. The selection of a running mate is a telling decision, and rightfully so.

McCain "picked his governing partner after a long and thorough search"–yeah, a long and thorough search of the other candidates on the short list, maybe. The eventual choice, I don't think so. Kudos to the reporters for doing the vetting that McCain and camp obviously didn't do here. And, as for your perceived "faux media scandal.." get a grip. Your obvious attempts to "work the refs" is pathetic and won't fly this go round.

Is McCain suggesting that he didn't think the media would look into the person he picked as VP??? Come on now, every candidate gets scrutinized by the media, and most of them don't whine about it.

Besides, if McCain didn't realize that by picking a VP with no experience the media might ask a few uncomfortable questions aqbout her, then McCain is crazy. He picked her, he's going to have to live with his pick being scrutinized. That's just the way it goes.

As soon as I need a moose field dressed here in Florida I'll consider Palin.

Just because you say you won't talk about it anymore will not make it go away. You blew your VP choice, now admit it!!! When Graham stated we were a nation of whinners, he was talking about McCain and his Campaign!!! CNN if you let McCain get away with pouting and cancelling his interview, just becasue The great Tucker got served, you can turn in your news credentials.

The media is simply asking questions the public wants to know. That's their job and they are doing it well.

Obama was scrutinized just as harshly by the same members of the press. i remember watching an Obama aide sweating bullets as an anchor drilled him with the EXACT same questions.

Does the American public deserve to know what accomplishments Governor Palin has involving the Alaska National Gaurd. Yes. And when the answer comes back as,.. "Well, more accomplishments than Obama has!" – So much for straight talk. I'm sorry, that answer is doing our country a great disservice.

Country First – Answer the questions our media gives you.

No one has yet begun to vet Obama.

yea the libral media just act like 12 yr olds. besides if bill clinton never cut our defense budgets/intel maybe 9/11 would have never happened.

I'm glad to see that Palin's daughter has the support from her family on her upcoming pregnancy. But that doesn't change my mind on my pro-choice views. Unfortunately, many families do not have access to the resources Governor Palin has so she just doesn't represent the majority of voters. I personally would never have an abortion but I believe that until you've walked a mile in someone else's shoes, you cannot judge them. I graduated from a very very conservative University in Texas and I know several girls that got abortions. With abortion illegal, abortions will still continue. They will either go to another country, get it done here illegally where it is unregulated and unsafe, try to do it themselves, or we will find more babies in the dumpsters.

Republicans=ELITISTS

Did anyone notice the sea of white people in that hall last night. Finding a brother in there would be like finding Waldo.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Stop trying to blame Obama for the medias vetting of Palin, someone has too. Plus Obama and his campaign have already said her kids are off limits! So before yuou make your comments about him read up first on the statements his camp put out.

PLUS THERE ARE PLENTY OF WOMEN WHO HAVE FAMILIES AND 3, 4 OR 5 KIDS WORKING BUT THAT DOESN'T QUALIFY THEM TO BE VP OF THE FREE WORLD!!

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF MCSAME'S

LACK OF ANY INTELLECTUAL ACTIVITY.

This is indicative of the bash and slash, fear and smear, control-freak mentality that the Republican Party has come to reflect!

They are out of control!

They are now attacking the NEWS MEDIA for crying out loud!

There is NO question in my mind that the Republicans want to control the Free Press as well as the country.

They scare me.....alot!!!

From what's circulating on the blogs – the media needs to do some more vetting Scott. Unless, you want to say that the growing Palin scandal compendium is true:

1. Lack of experience hypocrisy. McCain spent the entire summer attacking Obama over his lack of experience, and then picked a far less experienced politician for his running mate. McCain's 2008 presidential campaign actually started before Palin took office.

2. A reformer under investigation. Palin is being sold as a reformer, even though she is currently facing an ethics probe (from other Republicans), and recently hired a lawyer to help her with that investigation. She is probably guilty too, considering that she did the exact same thing when she was a mayor. However, it wasn't illegal when she fired people for political purposes as a mayor. While occupying the governor's mansion, I believe it is.

3. Family values: Her 17-year old daughter is pregnant. Not only did Palin thus expose her daughter to endless humiliation in front of the entire world by accepting the slot, but it isn't even clear if Palin told the McCain campaign about the situation before she accepted the slot. Oh, and Palin opposes birth control, even for married couples.

4. Extreme right-winger: Even though she is being sold to moderates, it turns out she is an extremely hard-core wingnut, supporting Pat Buchannan and a whole host of other disturbing things.

5. Deep ties to Alaska pork: Palin claims she opposed "the bridge to nowhere," but she was actually in favor of it for a while. She also loves earmarks and Ted Stevens.

6. Secessionist? Oh yeah, and she also might be a secessionist or at least her husband.

7. Lack of prior relationship with McCain: As it turns out, she only met, and talked with, McCain once before being selected. No wonder Republican lawyers are still vetting her. This is some excellent preparation by the McCain campaign for McCain's first presidential decision.

Republicans have confirmed what we all know - "spin" is a four-letter word. Do they really think we believe Senior McCain Strategists when they count PTA work into Palin's resume' as years of public service? (Tucker Bounds, McCain Strategist)

Or, Cindy McCain and McCain staffers who equate 20 months as governor of a state that "borders" on Russia to "foreign relations" and "foreign policy" experience. Really??!!

These people need to take off both their "Republican hats" AND "American hats" and put on their "thinking caps." They might be able to sell this stuff to the remaining Republicans - but, Independents & Democrats are smarter than that. We are well able to recognize BS when we step in it - or, see it spin by.

Voted for Hillary, Smalltown, NC – Is a pathetic republican..
Hillary and Sarah are exact opposites.. I am not sure any hillary supporters will vote john Mccain because Sarah is VP. No way near to it.

If John McCain becomes president, only god can save america.

We've been too hard on Sarah Palin, after all she is just as cute as a button. Who cares if she her executive experience included a world of 7500 people, she's spunky! Never mind that she's been out of the country precisely once in her life (unless you count driving across the Alcan Highway a couple of times as international travel). Why I'm sure that world leaders will be so busy checking out her caboose (which John McCain is apparently quite taken with) that they'll just forget about war and do whatever they can to please her – she does, after all, have such a sparklingly perky personality. That's right, we need a breath of fresh air. I'm sure she'll do great things with the interior decorating of the Oval Office. If Clinton was our everyman they've answered back with probably the most demeaning version of everywoman they can find. God I love politics!

According to the Rasmussen poll, roughly 50% of the voters think the media has a pro-Obama bias. I've seen nothing in the reporting of this story and the Republican convention in general to counter that belief

This has NOTHING to do with Hillary. This has NOTHING to do with sexism. This has NOTHING to do with child rearing.
Do you think the Good Ole Boys asked Bobby Kennedy how he was going to "raise" John Joe & Caroline in the White House! No I don't think so. Keep the issue of family out of this. This is about strength in leadership, nothing more

Translation: The American public has no business finding out what their possible future Vice President is like. Plus, it not our fault for not properly vetting Palin, it's the media's fault in letting the facts get out.

Doesn't that just have the ring of the Bush Administration's press conferences: Don't you dare question our mistakes!

John McCain, More of the Same

Well lets see facts about Gov Palin

-4 month old with down syndrome
-Govenor onl 20 months
-Mayor of Wasillia 6175 for 2 terms
-Under Investigation for abuse of Power
-Pro Life
-1 month ago did not know what a VP did day to day
-"...concerned about advancing Alaska's issues..."
-For drilling in ANWR
-17 year old 5 month pregnant daughter
-17 year old pregnant daughter Bristol allegedly seen in pictures underage drinking
-17 year old pregnant daughter Bristol allegedly seen in pictures kissing other girls
-Palin did corparate funding for now defamed Alaska Sen Ted Stevens
-Had state commisioner fired(fact) for refusing to dismiss her brother in law(allegedly)
-Palin in 2006 veteod a bill that would have banned Alaska from providing benefits to same sex partners of state employees
-Palins husband is a registered member of the Alaska Independence party(a party that voted in the past to sucede from the US)
-Palin fired the Wasillia police cheif and librarian because they did not support her administration.(1996 the cheif sued and lost the judge said it was legal to fire a city employee for political reasons she was city counsel at this point)
-Palin hired lobbying firm Robertson, Monagle & Eastbaugh to lobby for federal money for Wasillia and they successfully received 27 million in earmarked funds.(15 million $$$ for a rail project going from Wasillia to Girkwood a.k.a. Sen Ted Stevens hometown.
-In 2002 when term limits prevented Palin from running for mayor again the race was Palins stepmother versus Palins cousin. Palin endorsed her cousin and her stepmother lost.
-From 2003-2005 Palin served as a director of Sen Ted Stevens "Excellence in Public Service Inc" a 527 group that served as a republican political boot camp
-Palin objected to listing polar bears as an endangered species because she was worried it would hurt oil and gas developement called it "inappropriate"
-In 2007 the Alaska Creamery Board recommended closing Mantunuska maid dairy an unprofitable state business Palin objected citing concern for dairy farmers and a recent $600,000 infusion of state money, she fired the entire membership of the board of agriculture and conservation. The new board reversed the decision to close the dairy and the dairy was later put up for sale minimum bid $3.35 million no offers the dairy closed sold august of the next year for $1.5 million
-In 2006 received earmark money($223 million) for the "bridge to nowhere" kept the money but scrapped the project(which made her a reformer)
-Plays no role in national defense activities related to the national guard as Commander in Cheif of the Alaska NAtional Guard
-Palin eloped at eh age of 24

Sexism obviously continues to be the strategy of the Obama campaign. The new tactic is to use women to make the sexist comments this time around. Since the big backlash when men did it to Hillary, they think having women do it to Hillary will be okay. Well, news to them, I find this even more offensive.

Sally Quinn, Soledad O’Brien and Campbell Brown are some of the female TV personalities sent out by Obama to ruthlessly attack Palin. I can’t believe it is 2008 when I hear comments that she is a bad mother or incapable of doing the job because she has children. These women have children themselves so maybe they should be fired for it. What about Pelosi who has 5 kids too – I never heard them trying to force her out of office because of it.

Don’t be fooled into believing Obama’s hands are clean and that he is not involved in these attacks. Remember nothing is beyond acceptability in the corrupt chicago political machine that is supporting him.

Sad, very sad … and Republicans have been doing this same sort of thing for years. Very sad.

It is a sad world indeed, when the Republicans scare off the media. What is there to hide? This should make any self-respecting journalist dig a little deeper into Ms. Palin's background.

Everyone should stay on alert when the Republican's start with the scare tactics. It is the only way that they know how to win an election.

Would someone in the media please report on the following –
She has a pastor who dams Jews and says "god will punish the US of A"

She is under state investigation.

She worked for the criminal Alascan politicians in a 527.

She has ties to the Alaska Independence Party.

Her husband has ties to Big Oil.

She accused Hillary of Whinning – now look who is Whinning!!

obama is ahead in iowa.

Why is Sarah and Todd Palin linked to the Alaskan Independent Party?

Why does the AIP website have links to other parties in the South that revere the Confederate Flag?

The Palins are Alaskans First.

It is criminal for John Mccain to put our country in this kind of danger by putting Palin forward.

PALIN COMPLETES JOHN MCSAME'S TOTAL

TRANSITION TO THE RIGHT WING, & HIS

ALWAYS MONEY COMES FIRST CHARACTER.

HE IS FORMALLY BOUGHT AND PAID FORE.

The media is neither RED nor BLUE, they are green as in $$$$. The media will always be attracted to what will attract the most ratings. It was the McCain campaign that made the decision to supprise the Media and draw attention away from Obama.

Well they succeeded.

The problem was that they were not thoughtful in their planning, and were SOOO aggressive in how they pushed her on the public and how they tried to spin the story.

With all the experience they claim to have, they should have known that the media would want to find out more about her. Unfortunately, the spin is falling apart.

Why didn't they mention that Palin was an expectant grandmother last friday when they introduced her. They could have just mentioned that Briston and her "fiance" were expecting their first baby. That would have killed the Springer story before it gained traction.

Instead of blaming the media, the campaign should have enough backbone to accept responsibility for a bad presentation.

A Mayor and Governor must take a stance on everything that comes before them. Senators have the luxury of being able to vote "Present" or just vote with their party.
Since we need so much experience to run for political office, does this mean that politics is closed to the average American?
One of the premises on which this country was built was that "anyone" could run for political office. The call for "experience" is a trademark of those already in the club. The old major networks have nothing to offer as far as unbiased news. Average Americans will rise up and join together and say enough is enough.

I just can't wait to vet your Sarah...
...her family values allow her ti use her children as pawns...to get to the whitehouse...sure..her family comes first..doesn't it? a good reason to have that poor baby..and then drag him around to prove you are a good mother and a good pro-life candidate...shame on you Sarah...

The Republican Party – If you're a P.O.W. (plain old war heros like John Kerry need not apply,) a rich white person, or someone who thinks Christianity means you should tell everyone else how to act, you'll fit right in.

ALL HAIL GEORGE BUSH!!

This is as frustrating to me as it is obvious to see: The McCain campaign chose Palin fully knowing what would ensue, with the pre-meditated intent to spin inquiry into sexism. Palin's selection was made solely to target disenfranchised Hillary supporters. Anything that can be construed, even by the most disingenuous of pundits, as sexism will be jumped on. This ploy stands out as the most chauvinistic, sexist, and morally bankrupt in our nation's history. SHAME on you john. reporters insisting their question be answered rather than responded to with a talking point are not sexist.

Some of you really need to knock it off with the whole "Oh my God... how can Obama attack a mother like that?" crap. Give it a rest. Sexism and racism exist solely because of people like you. You don't like it when people sniff you out for what you are, so you fabricate yourself into a victim. Considering everything Americans have been through these last 8 years, we've gotten pretty good at filtering out your b.s., so don't insult us by acting like your inner child has been permanently wounded or something.

G.O.P. selective outrage is amusing, given the sorts of outright lies they have spread about their opponents.

In that warped worldview, trying to discover the truth becomes an objectionable act.

Unbelievable.

Good for you John McCain. It is none of the media's business about your vetting process. The Governor looks good to us.

Why is that any question of Palin’s experience is the “all boys club” ganging up her? Why is it suddenly sexist for anyone to challenge her limited credentials?
That argument didn’t work for Hillary and it certainly won’t work for Palin.
I keep hearing about this energized base of Repubs…why are they energizing the folks that were already going to vote for the Repub nominee? I thought the focus was on moderates and independents. Palin has no appeal for them because she is such an extreme conservative. McCain may have put the nail in his coffin with this one.

JOBAMA '08!

If Palin is destroyed, she will have done it to herself. It is not uncommon for young people to live in ways of which they later become ashamed. We have not heard whether Palin was pregnant before she was married. After all, she eloped with her husband. Now why would that matter? It matters because government officials like Palin want to stand and lecture America about how other's morals ought to be. The so called religious right has done this for years. Family values, what a joke. Think about it. While the Governor Palin was in the hosptial giving birth, her daughter was somewhere getting pregnant. Some family values. And then Palin has the gall to lecture us. I think she and McCain should just disappear together. Maybe that's already happened.

As a woman nearing 40, I would love to see a woman in the white house, However, I don't think this is the RIGHT woman for the position. Her lack of national exposure, her lack of international experience, worries me greatly. I think the republican party should have expected this type of "research" into a relative unknown. To expect us to blindly accept a VP nomination and not check into her past political doings is beyond reprehensible. We are not blind, nor are we stupid. We just want to know who or what we will be dealing with. At least with Obama, I can reasonably know what to expect. Same with Biden. I can look up McCain records and figure out where he stands on many issues. However, to basically be told that this is his nomination, and to accept it is not going to fly with this lady! I also think to call us sexist because we aren't blindly following a man's decision rather like calling the kettle black. Who is really the sexist here?

PLEASE....can you just let us see and HEAR the speeches. We already know what the talking heads are all about,. They would prefer us to hear THEIR opinions.... just back off and allow the Republicans their time, as you did the Dems.

I am sorry. I didn't know we aren't allowed to ask questions. Gracious, if all the information the McCain camp was putting out weren't so false. She is not a reformer – she gathered as much pork barrel spending as she could using a lobbyist. She was for the bridge to nowhere; she worked for Stevens 527, and had asked for another 200 million in pork barrel funding from Stevens before he was indicted. She has been governor of a state, that doesn't have a capitol building and whose legislature meets for only 90 days A YEAR! So tell me why we shouldn't wonder about the experience of this woman. As citizens, our vetting process is the CAMPAIGN TRAIL NOT THE VOTING BOOTH – that means asking questions!

Just wanted to make sure everybody had a chance to look at the facts . .

Obama:
B.A in political science from Columbia University, with a specialization in international relations
J.D. in Law from Hardvard, graduated magna cum laude; President of the Harvard Law Review
12 years (92-04) teaching constitutional law
7 years State Senator: sponsored more than 800 bills
4 years Senator for Illinos, a state with 12.8 million people

Palin:
Bachelor's in journalism from University of Idaho
4 years Wasilla City Council (8000 people)
6 years Wasilla mayor (8000 people)
1 year "Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission"
20 months governor of a state with 660,000 people

*Oh you forgot about her commercial fishing experience that should really give her a bit of an advantage on foreign policy. Ha!

I hope the mainstream media will have the good sense to keep investigating the Palin story with vigor, and not be intimdated by the hollow Republican posturing. The Republicans tried the same kinds of intimidation tactics in the wake of 9/11 and during the run-up to war in Iraq. They want us to believe that any resonable doubts about their poor decision-making are somehow unpatriotic, or in this case, sexist. My sense, though, is that Americans have had enough. We have the right to know the full story on what now looks like a very poor VP choice by Senator Macain.

First i would like to mention that Nader has the right of any american to have a third party candidacy. The problem Nader has is raising money.

Second:
McCain is crying over his running mate, Palin, getting hammered by the press, to bad. The press is just doing it's job. How do we know who is the really person, trust McCain?

A 6 month vetting process? I find that totally impossible to believe. This woman, although the GOP seems to think otherwise, needs to tend to the business at home and leave the rest of us alone. I find anyone who would first off, go back to work 3 days after giving birth to a child with special needs, totally lacking in any sense of responsibilty. Any mother will tell you that is a very important bonding time between a mother and baby. Nevermind, she doesn't strike me as the motherly type anyway. Way to ambitious and not VP material for any number of reasons

Another question.....why is it that you never see her or her husband hold that child? Looks like the baby gets taken care of by its siblings.

We have enough issues in this country, we don't need the star of Peyton Place (Alaska version) and her brood adding anymore drama.

Man, this just gets funnier by the second.

Even though the corporate press is lazy, dumb and bought, they can smell a story thats going to push ratings. What does Steve Schmidt think is going to happen when they drop a complete unknown with radical views and a checkered past onto the ticket? The surprise nomination might have blunted Obama's bounce from the end of the Democratic convention, but it opened up enough scandal angles that this is going to be in the news for at least a month. Now, the question is, can you stomach it, eh, Johnny-boy?

Ted,

Dems good ole boys? You do realize the candidate is an African American. As for those stating Obama is spreading this mess, he has come out strong stating families are off limits. I stated this long ago. Anybody with a computer could have found this stuff. It is what happens when you run for one of the highest offices in the land. The one thing I take offense to is everytime something negative is said about her, its sexist. That is just not true! The fact is the McCain campaign stated it was not about issues, it was about casting the people involved. To me, that is truly sad. The focus needs to be on what these candidates will do for the American people. So far, we have heard nothing from the McCain campaign except spin.

OH ENOUGH OF YOUR WHINING! SHE IS IN THE NATIONAL PUBLIC SPOTLIGHT AND SHE WILL BE EXAMINED AND JUDGED AS FIT OR UNFIT BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SINCE YOUR FEEBLE MINDED BUSH BUDDY CAN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO VETT SOMEONE PROPERLY... I AM SO TIRED OF THE REPUBLICANS CRYING SEXISM AND EVERYTHING ELSE- THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW- WHAT IS PALIN'S FOREIGN POLICY EXPERIENCE- WHAT DOES SHE KNOW ABOUT THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION AND OUR FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS (OTHER THAN TOTING A GUN!)- WHAT IS HER EXPERIENCE- WHAT IS HER MOTIVATION- WHY DID SHE JOIN A POLITICAL GROUP THAT ADVOCATES SECESSION OF ALASKA FROM THE UNION-WHAT IS HER VIEWS ON SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE- WOMEN'S RIGHTS- THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW AND SINCE WE DON'T HAVE DIRECT ACCESS WE HAVE PEOPLE LIKE CAMPBELL BROWN, KEITH OLBERMAN AND EVEN KATIE CURIC AND ALL THE OTHER MEDIA WORLD WIDE TO ASK QUESTIONS FOR US- DEAL WITH IT OR GET OUT OF THE RACE CUZ WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SICK OF REPUBLICAN SPIN, LIES, FABLES, FAIRY TALES AND FAKE INTELLIGENCE. IN THE WORDS OF THE LATE GREAT JOHN LENNON- " GIMME SOME TRUTH!"

"LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE…."

Really? Since when is THIS a republican value? I wonder what kind of 'unconditional love and support' the daughter would get if she were a lesbian . . .

You cannot destroy somebody who is already destroyed. Family values?

TO: The McCain Campaign, The Reuplican Party and Governor Sarah Palin:

WELCOME TO AMERICAN POLITICS!!!!!

I say let them destroy her. She has no business being VP. She's corrupt, mired in scandal in her own home state and she's trying to run on the platform of political reform? Can you say PHONEY? Everyone who isn't blind knows this was a compromise pick by McCain that wasn't given any thought. He only met the lady ONCE in his life prior to offering her a spot on the ticket. That's the sort of carelessnes we need to get away from.

Let the voters make their own choice. Like every other news event the media has to go drama on us.

It is unbelievable that McCain would question Obama on ALL decisions of judgement, yet his vetting process or lack thereof, can not be questions because he has no answers. So, as usual this is only a democracy when he deems it to be through his heroic effors. How much does the man have to show that he is lacking in several areas before people get wise to this fact.

Stop he nonsense about Obama having no exec experience-Ms. Palin is kitchen table politics vs someone who visualized a campaign that turned campaigning on its ear–he oversees an operation that has several thousand employees and a monthly budget of many millions-far more than Palin and company ever dreamed of. He's smart, educated, believes in his family. Yes, he's not a redneck ... that last thing this country needs at the controls.

The "fear, smear, mock and lie" Rovian strategy once again rears it's ugly head – Only this time the repugs have put the press in their cross hairs.
Don't give in to this old diversionary tactic MSM – keep asking, probing, questioning – that's your job and let the chips fall where they may.
PS: Look who's whining now – It's the neocon repugs!!!

Spin, spin, spin... The GOP and the McCain campaign are having a really tough time defending Deer-Hunter-Palin! According to two 'knowledgeable McCain officials', Palin was not subjected to a lengthy in-person background interview until last Wednesday! So what are they talking about when they say that she went through a 'thorough vetting process"? Come on GOP, admit it, you messed this one up! And stop blaming the Obama campaign and the media. They didn't choose her, McSame did!

Obama/Biden 08

Now the McWhiners are trying to blame the media for the Sarah Shockers instead of taking responsibility for their own dumb moves.

They didn't vet her properly. So they are trying to paint her as some type of heroine. It's hilarious.

Then they fly in the 18 year old baby daddy and put him on the tarmac. What's next? The wedding tonight on the podium following her speech with the ceremony by Jerry Falwell?

It's so trashy. What kind of example does a female nominee for VP set when her own daughter might not finish high school?

Truth is, the Republican party is so degraded Palin is the best they can do. This is not about experience. This is about good judgment - and obviously neither Palin nor McCain has any.

She was an AIP member, there is video evidence. She fired people as mayor because they didn't sponsor her bid for mayor. She tried to have books banned. She was a director of Sen. Steven's 527 election group. She dragged her poor child out into the open KNOWING a frenzy would follow. All of this is proven and shows McCain's lack of judgment. There is no conspiracy its fact, time to own up, oh yeah these are republicans.

Awaiting Moderation, check the facts and report them. Call the Alaska Elections Bureau and find that Todd Palin was an AIP from 95-02

It's funny people sit down and write out their complaints that the media is trying to destroy the first woman republican candidate for VP, stop trying to make this a female issue. Whenever someone attacks a woman on her experience and ability to potentially run this country you people want to say it's sexist.

The media has everyone right to look deep and long into Palin's life professional and personal. Someone has to vet her since the McCain camp didn't.

Well since I am part of the American people, now the McCain camp understand the mess Obama with through, throughout this long campaign process of smears and rumors and flat out lies.

Obama:
B.A in political science from Columbia University, with a specialization in international relations
J.D. in Law from Hardvard, graduated magna cum laude; President of the Harvard Law Review
12 years (92-04) teaching constitutional law
7 years State Senator: sponsored more than 800 bills
4 years Senator for Illinos, a state with 12.8 million people

Foreign Observer- did you see the special that CNN ran. Obama has been a senator for 3 years – a year and a half was spent running for president. In the state senate he spent a great deal of his time being very "political" in his votes and behavior in order to move up to the U.S. senate. I think he met with the godfather? -watch the show- who told him to get friendly with everyone, learn to golf and play poker- I believe Michelle said he was gone so much it strained their marriage. He voted present over 100 times as a political ploy so that he could not be helad accountable for his votes. He has sold himself to America has an outsider and a person of change and it is an absolute joke because he knows and always had played politics. I didn't know also that being a teacher at a super liberal institution was a good qualification for being the president of the United States. Sarah palin has come across so far as a real person who has taken on the hold nonsense of politics and I applaud that. She seems to be what Obama is trying to pretend to be but isn't. That might be why the media is really after her.

Iowa and proud if it September 3rd, 2008 1:51 pm ET

As usual…. all the dims can do is bash this and bash that. No substance, just blogs. No facts, just whining. No solutions, just speeches. No idea, just ignorance. No Bama, just fine for America.
--------------------------------
Actually there is a lot of substance here regarding Palin and the investigations that she is under. The McCain campaign is made up of a bunch of hypocrites because they're the actual sexists. McCain called Hillary's child ugly saying that Janet Reno was the father. He doesn't think highly of women or their rights and his record is clear regarding women. You McCain supporters are also a bunch of hypocrites because you don't mind calling Obama and Michelle names, making false accusations, with no substance, but finally when your candidate is scrutinized with true facts you have a problem!!

Well, it is too late now, but if republicans were actually thinking, they would put Romney as the VP – that way they would still loose, but at least everybody would appreciate that they really tried their best this year...

For those republicans here who still did not get it – get over it – you've lost already – you've got nothing to stop Obama's wave of change! – have you traveled across this great country lately to see what is happening for yourself?!

Still, good luck to you, republicans, trying to rebuild your party in 4-8 years – maybe then you'll have a competitive ticket.

I believe Palin can handle anything the Dems dish out. She is tough and won't whine like the Dems. Obama is a real joke. He stands up there and says absolutely nothing and the Dems fall all over themselves. Good luck in November.

The fact of the matter is that the media is doing their job, period. That McCain and Schmidt are whining about it means nothing and will change nothing. They just don't like seeing their candidate exposed for the small-time experience that she has and the dangerous religious extremist that she is. The media would do the same if a Dem candidate as unqualified as Palin was suddenly thrust into the national spotlight. It's part of their job as watchdogs of America though they often fall short as in failing to pursue the false wmd intelligence that led to the Iraq war.

This is just a risky candidate, period. Palin should not be on the ticket. The McCain camp should regroup and choose again.

So...the mccain camp is getting snarky because they media is doing the vetting for them?

McCain should have taken this nomination more seriously – it seems this was a knee-jerk reaction to being told he couldn't have Lieberman.

If they would have vetted her they would have had responses prepared for anything they found – or he would not have selected her.

His mistake and now he whines....put your big girl panties on McCain, it's gonna be a rough ride.

Why hasn't Governor Palin given any interviews? What is she waiting for? I would pay much more attention to an interview than a vicious attack against your opponents. In regards to her speech, It should be very good considering she has been spending the last two days in hiding.

Extreme religious beliefs that affect your policy decisions do not equal reform.
They keep saying how she "takes on her own party". She is an AIP schill in the Republican party so she is doing exactly what she is supposed to do. Lying about your actual party affiliation and motivations is not reform.

If only the same tough media scrutiny with Obama as they have done with Clinton and Palin then clearly Clinton would have been the nominee. It took them weeks, months to come out on something with Obama and then downplayed as much as possible. All Clinton or Palin have to do is sneeze and they are all over it like a blanket. Hard to believe our own media is so sexist especially with so many of them being women.

"The Dems and the Media are just scared that the Reps are going to win in Nov.

McCAIN/PALIN 2008

PALIN/HUCKBEE 2012}"

Are you implying that McCain is going to die and Palin will become president and run for re-election in 2012?

I believe CNN reported that she has in fact commanded the Alaskan National Guard. They said she deployed them to put out some wild fires in Alaska. Oh, and I thought it was pretty funny when someone says that she stares down the Russians across the Bering Straight every day.

We got them where we wanted , Repulican = hypocrit ..What a shame to blame the media for vetting a VP candidate – If anything you should thank the media for doing your job- - Even to get a job at McDonald you interview for more than 15 minutes....
Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh are worse..

anyone who actually believes that sarah palin has more experience than obama should really take a long hard look in the mirror. to make that kind of suggestion is absolutely ludicrous.

seriously, i wonder about the kinds of people who actually believe that.

and another thing... the mccain camp has got to stop touting how important experience is to them. they selected possibly the most inexperienced choice for their v.p. candidate.

all of you who are blaming the media... grow up. stop getting mad at the people who actually want answers and are asking questions. start getting mad at the mccain camp. the obviously messed up BIG TIME.

go, obama.

From McSame to McSHAME!!!!!!

It's sad to see the ignorance that is out there.
---------–

"You choose – a proven bi-partisan leader, war hero John McCain and the a reform Governor Sara Palin from outside of Broken Washington or a community organizer Obama with no executive experience with less than 150 working days in the Senates with no accomplishments and a proven partisan Like Joe Biden who has come down on the wrong side of history so many times in the past 35 years it isn’t even funny.

I choose John McCain the War hero and Sara the Moose hunter over the Communist Obama and the plagiarist Joe biden"

--------

Palin is un-qualified. Nothing against her but it's true. McCain only picked her to get the women's vote. She is unknown. The only group that knew her are those in Alaska, and there she is not as great as they've made her out to be. By the way this is not sexist, it's true.

Sarah Palin's Church is questionable. They have anti-semitic views. It will be interesting to see if the media covers this as part of her "vetting process". I doubt they will.

For someone who claims to have endured years in a prison camp he sure does cry and whine a lot.

Does McCain remember how the Bush campaign destroyed him and beat him to be the GOP candidate 8 years ago? DO the Republicans want a candidate that couldn't even beat Bush? Really? McCain is second string and his VP Palin is a patsy and a tool who is being used for their agenda.

Wake up Republicans! You ar eall being played!

A first lady that is a drug addict, plastic surgery junky and a VP who abuses her power, encourages underage sex and can't manage her own family and a president that doesn't even know how many homes he owns wants to manage this country? Come on!

Ah yes – blame the liberal media – the same liberal media that runs negative articles about Obama 72% versus 28% positive for Obama. And runs negative articles on McCain only 43% of the time and 57% positive.
I thought the Republicans were used to watching Faux News anyway.

Obama is going the same route as Loser John Kerry and his fake war record. The american people will not vote for a left wing liberal. Liberals are un-american.

McCain 08

He picks someone he met ONCE.... and NOW we can't ask any questions? This is a SERIOUS RED FLAG AMERICA....BEWARE.

just saw the box in the right that these are not post that are put on all that writing for nothing you would never put what i wrote up. or will you

it has been five minutes and nothing...............not surprised just like the cnn demy channel!!!!!!!!!!

Nobody but the Repubs are talking about the daughter. The items that need to come out is the report on how Palin fires and replaces people that she does not want. That sounds familiar, since Bush and his administration have replaced, and fired people that Bush did not want . We do not need another person like that, one (McCain) is enough. Lets get back to the real issues. The repubs can give it but can not take it. The resume for president is more than motherhood and winning a beauty contest and religion.

McCAIN, YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING: After they scrutinized Obama as far back as his schooling at age 4, they should not be surprised that Palin's recent leadership record and personal character are evaluated

You call it a SCANDAL.
I call it holding our leaders ACCOUNTABLE!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

The media and the public digging into Palin's life is completely warranted, as she is virtually unknown to America. What the conservative right is really worried about is not that Palin is being victimized by the media, but rather further public discussion of her daughter's pregnancy might lead to a meaningful conversation about how the conservative right's policies (abstinence only education) are rarely effective for their own families, let alone the American people at large.

Don't bring Hillary into this. Palin doesn't come close to Hillary Rodman Clinton. More Republican Bush/Chaney Politics. Unite Dems – Great convention now it time to raise the roof and take back the White Houe.

Unfair to woman? Really? I am a woman and I don't think any of this is unfair or sexist. She's a candidate running for the second highest office in the land. We deserve to know the good and the bad.

Unfortunately in their hasty decision to select this candidate to be their VP choice they selected a lot of baggage as well. If the shoe were on the other foot, believe me, R's would not hesitate to hammer home the faults. But I guess McCain wants to forget the 2000 primary fight between he and his Buddy Bush.

All is fair in love and war. And believe me this party loves war. I watched bits and pieces of the R convention and it look to me to be all about war. What about the economy, the housing crisis, the loss of jobs. The missing elements are so obvious. I guess they can't run on issues because they have none. They seem to like things just the way they are.

And yet, They picked a Pres/Vp ticket that are, supposed to be, about bucking the party? Why do their candidates 'have to' buck them? What's wrong with the party that their candidates have to 'Buck Them."

It seems that the arguments are fighting themselves. Or is the 'Republic Party' fighting itself?

It seems to me that The 'Republic Party' is so desperate they will say anything to convince America (or maybe themselves) that they will be different this time around. Why should we believe them? What have they done as a Party to makes us believe them?

They had control for 6 years; Executive, Senate and House. Doesn't anyone remember that? What did they do with all that power? Nothing for the country. They did it all for the party. They were so drunk with power they couldn't see straight. And now, we're reaping the result of their power hungry folly today.

Do we really want to go back there? Is that what the American People really want? I know their are many who are happy with the country's state. The rich, the business CEO's, China, the people who live in fear...

The baggage surrounding Palin is the not the fault of the Media or the Dems. It's the fault of a desperate candidate who hastily selected his VP. She was selected to shore up a lack luster base who didn't like their candidate, no matter what they're spinning. And boy are they spinning...and so is my head.

I know their are more hypocrisies to point out, but I am tired. I am tired of the 'Republic Party' "Win at any cost, even if it's not in the Best Interest of the Country." Winning is more important than anything.

They are selling old themes, old attacks and old rhetoric. They need a new tune, this one is getting warn out.

Obama/Biden '08

If you go hunting with this potential VP, I just hope that she is a better shot than Cheney!

Thats funny, the Same Ole Dirty Smear Party is complaining that the media (implying they are all Democrats) is trying to smear Palin. Every canditate, espcecially one applying for such an important position, can expect that their past will be examined.

Who cares that her daughter is pregnant. Thousands of teens much younger than she is having sex. I wonder why her mother would accept the position knowing that the job would require so much of her time that she would not be there for her daughter at a time like this.

What is more alarming is that she may have abused her position while claming to be an ethics reformer or that she MAY have been part of a group calling for Alaska to seek independence from the USA.

I dont see how you can say that someone who has only served as Gov for a year and a half has more experience then a Senator who has served on the Security Committee and has actually travelled outside the US.

The media has the right to ask these questions and expect more than the dodge and spin of the GOP.

Besides. If the opposite of PRO is CON what is the opposite of PROGRESS?

How is Palin going to run this country if McCrypt always speaks for her?

What if he is not there?

Obama is the best man for the president of United States of America.Sound man in a sound body.Highly intelligent.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08

GO CHINA.

*Cue violins*

*Flashback*
Democratic Primaries, spreading lies about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

GOP Hypocrites.

I agree. Enough already. The Obama cult has driven me away from the Democratic Party and I doubt that I will ever return.

Common' whiners!!

By the way, a vote for McCain is a vote for quick, shoot from the hip let's go to war and WIN, McCain.

its funny to me how they say Palin is more qualified than Obama because she has executive experience. According to that logic isn't she more qualified than McCain too?

My university was bigger than the town where she was mayor, my student government had more staff than she did (she had 50 people under her as mayor), lets thing people. Because someone is a mayor or governor doesn't make them qualified. Abraham Lincoln had similar qualifications to senator Obama I'm sure back then they said he was unqualified too. Or even JFK, he wasn't a governor but you cant say that they were not good for the country.

How is it that it's ok for Sarah Palin to exploit her youngest son's down syndrome and her oldest son's enrollment in the military to show her devotion to pro-life causes and the military, but her daughter's pregnancy is somehow off limits even though Palin is vocally anti-contraception, pro-abstinence only and anti-sex education? Can someone please explain this?

In the words of my favorite person on CNN, "Republicans – grow up and stop whinning" Roland gives it to you straight up!

Wait till the real pictures come out.

The vetting process IS the issue because it reflects directly on McCain's judgment and decision making. Forget Palin's policy positions for the moment - he chose a running mate he barely knows and it's abundantly clear the process was less than rigorous. This old "blame the media" game is pathetic. If they can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Look, every candidate who endured the lenthy primary seasons was vetted by the press and the public for 20 months. Based on one man's judgment, Sarah Palin could be a heart beat away. She hasn't been vetted by the public or the press, only by the McCain campaign and they've only allowed her to speak to People Magazine since she was named. The McCain camp knows they blew it big time but they will look to blame anyone but themselves. Sounds ike a certain incumbent president. The buck stops somewhere else.

Why CNN, why?

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
This is ridiculous, and the first two posters to this ticker item are delusional. Obama's been raked over the coals, the smear ads from the McCain camp have been played for free by the media, and yet now the Republicans are crying foul because people are RIGHTFULLY questioning the qualifications of this right-wing nutjob Governor??

PALIN DOESN'T EVEN BEGIN TO IN ANY WAY

EARN MY VOTE. IN FACT I, AS A WOMAN, AM

INSULTED BY MCSENILE'S CHOICE.

SHE IS NO HILLARY. SHE IS NOT ME. SHE IS NOT

MY SISTERS, NOT EVEN MY MOTHER IS THAT BACKWARD

THINKING.SHE IS A FEMALE VERSION OF MCWORSE.

SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT FOR THE 1820S, MAYBE.

NOT NOW AND NOT HERE.

McCain camp–please STOP with this faux outrage! Your boy screwed up! He couldn't stick to his guns and make a logical decision when it mattered and now he wants the media to ignore this? Please! I would have more respect for him if he would have chosen Lieberman; I may have even considered that ticket. This just shows he has very bad judgement and doesn't need to be awarded for it. Obama/Biden all the way!

But McCain's own aides say in a Washington Post article today:

"Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was not subjected to a lengthy in-person background interview with the head of Sen. John McCain's vice presidential vetting team until last Wednesday in Arizona, the day before McCain asked her to be his running mate, and she did not disclose the fact that her 17-year-old daughter was pregnant until that meeting, two knowledgeable McCain officials acknowledged Tuesday. "

Perhaps Sen McCain should have gone with first first choice for VP rather than having to deal with the mess caused by having to find an acceptable alternative at the last minute. A true leader would have picked his own VP and not deferred such an important decision to right wing radio commentators.

The reason the majority of the media focus is on Sarah Palin is becasue she is the new, unknown quantity. The media has had 18 months to dig up every skeleton in the closets of John McCain, Barrack Obama and Joe Biden since all three were running for President in that time frame. They are now going to do the same thing to Sarah Palin. That is not sexist, nor an organized attempt to destroy her, it is the same think each of the other three candidates had to endure and she will have to as well. By choosing a relatively unknown wild card, the McCain campaign should have expected this.

let see if I got this right McCain picks someone at the last mintue to be his veep choice and she is a mother of a special neede cnewborn and who 17 unwed daughter is expeting if Palin was a Dem they would have burned her at the stake by now.

Decrying media scruitiny of Palin as sexist seems like a poor strategy. McCain has elevated a political unknown to the national spotlight and people have valid concerns over her professionalism and her politics. "No more comment" from the Straight Talk Express? Sorry, that's not going to win my vote.

very poor decision making on McGook's part.

It appears Nancy Pelosi thinks a woman like sarah Palin is very qualified to be VP. Check out the her interview in this months Ladies Home Journal.
LHJ: Do you think we'll have to wait as long again for another potential female president?
NP: No, I don't. First of all, Hillary Clinton is still here and young enough to run again in a number of years, but there are also women in the House, in the Congress, and in the governorships. It won't be long before it won't be unusual for us to have viable, strong women candidates for President of the United States. And I take great joy in that thought
LHJ: You are a mother of five and were a homemaker for many years before entering politics. You say in your book that the skills you honed doing those things were the same ones you needed when you got to Congress. How so?
NP: Absolutely, and this is what I want women to know, so they recognize the value of their own path, their unique experience. I've been in politics a while, over 20 years in the Congress of the United States, and this is a very rough-and-tumble.... I shouldn't say 'rough,' let me say a very challenging arena to be in. But as challenging as it is, nothing is as challenging as raising a family - nothing. That experience forced me to be disciplined, diplomatic, focused, and successful, and I brought that discipline and focus to the Congress. Also, having a family keeps you focused on the future, which is the biggest inspiration in politics. In order to do what it takes to succeed in politics, you have to be inspired by your constituents, the power of your ideas, and the fact that you speak on behalf of children and their future, whether you have children of your own or not. It makes all the difference in the world.
LHJ: Women since the dawn of time have struggled to balance their careers with their families. What advice would you give to women who are trying to achieve that very elusive balance? Do you think it's possible?
NP: Yes, I think it is, and what I tell women is, you are doing the best you can, even if it's not the best you know how. You can't control every aspect, so don't worry about not measuring up. Just know that it's the best you can do, and know that if you succeed in being a mother, you can succeed in any arena. There's nothing to compare it to. And I always say know your power. That's how I got the title for my book. Mothers have so much power. They have the power to make a difference in the lives of these little people they're raising, and the power to make a difference in the world in which they will grow up and then live. That's a key message of my book. I want women to recognize the value of their unique experience. And in Congress, I've made it my special mission to be a voice for young working women.

Oh after 50 plus years on this earth,I finally get it.When we are ALL told She's qualified too be the VP of the United States ,Thats It ,Just believe US !!!Even if you don't know squat about her,just believe us!!We got it handled for You.LOL very funny!!! I gave up being a blind sheep long ago.SORRY. We are entitled too know who the heck she is!!

The woman can not manage her own family, she has 20 months as a governor under her belt, lives in a remote party of the country and has barely traveled outside of the country and you think McCain showed his great decision making skills off by choosing her. I am a woman and would love to see a woman in office, but seriously someone that is in touch with American women not just the right wing religous finatics. She wants to teach creationism in our public schools let me remind you of one the fundamentals that our country was founded on, the separation of church and state, what she proposes and stands for is quite frankly unAmerican. I am very saddened that McCain made such an irresponsible "political" decision, he is hoping to rally all these right wing people that stood behind Rove, DIck, and George in 2000 and he shoul be absolutely ashamed to be pandering to them now. Seriously disappointed!!!

Sarah Palin needs to go through the same "vetting" process that Barack went through. If she is such a great candidate, why is the McCain campaign getting so defensive when simple questions are asked ?

I'm not so disingenuous as to suggest that gender didn't have something to do with why Sen. Obama hasn't been asked about juggling raising children and running for public office. But really, Sasha and Malia aren't going to require the type of attention that Trig will, and they aren't going to make grandparents out of the Obamas for several years. Bristol is a baby having a baby. Asking how she will allocate her time is a legitimate question for Gov. Palin, the flag bearer for family values.

Here! Here!

The media is just panicking because the GOP is fired up!

I do believe that the media is trying to destroy her just because she does not fit the norm. I am a woman and I juggled two kids and a high level job, long hours, and traveling. It was not easy. However, she deserves respect. As for her daughter being pregnant; it takes two to tango. I would be more embarressed if an adult married male fathered a child then scoping and probing into her daughter. I do believe that she is what we need. Someone that is not like the majority of the politicians who speak and do not deliver and do not want to challenge anything that they feel is not right. Maybe she will bring some respect back to the Whitehouse; she is a strong female and that is what we need not someone who bites the bullet for self satisfaction and still stands by her man.

Yes, how DARE we question the GOP? If they say she's ok, she must be and we have NO business questioning their decisions.

"faux media scandal"??? "liberal media"???? Haaaa! Good belly laugh again from the specialists at Karl Rove Damage Control Center, Inc.!!! There is still time to dump the suspect Mrs. Palin, now that would demonstrate character & sound judgement. The circus they've got going in Minnesota is absolutely hilarious...

Now that the shoe is on the other foot we see just how whining the Reps are ..LOL! Stop the whining people. Take the truth like big boys & girl & move on!!!
Don't try to blame the Dems for this one...the last time I checked Palin is a conservative & it takes only 2 to make a baby..who are REP!!

I think the repubs might want to stop 'whining' about this woman's treatment.

The woman sticks her head in the sand about birth control, surprise – her kid gets knocked up and no one is supposed to notice? No one is supposed to criticize? She cannot manage her own household (by the way where was hubby while daughter was catting around?) and she is picked for vp?

Trust me, Hillary women will not vote for this person just because she's female.

If John McCain is serious about winning, he needs to try again for a VP.

Now we know McCrypt was not in the "cone of silence", but Palin sure is.

Can this loose cannon not speak for herself!

This is hysterical... The G.O.P is using the "ole boy" argument for their notorioiusly one sided political view.

Carly Fiorina just said that the leadership of the Democratic Party faied to stand up against the gender bias in the media that so harmed Hillary Clinton AND THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LEADERSHIP WON'T STAND BY AND LET SEXIST ATTACKS AGAINST SARAH PALIN GO UNANSWERED.

It's hard to count the ways in which the Palin choice is so perfect politically...

The leadership of the Democratic Party failed us all.

Mr Schmidt has made a costly mistake on this one, completely underestimating the intelligence of the American people. Executives are not necessarily politicians and Sarah is not my idea of a new president dealing with international emergencies in the absence of McCain. They simply cannot hard sell Sarah into a leadership position of this magnitude. They have introduced another fear factor.

And, by the way, Democrats can keep babies out of wedlock too. The difference is they can choose.

fox news has been dedicated to destroying sen obama since january. write a memo about that.

Wasn't it this Schmidt guy who just said yesterday that this campaign was not going to be about issues?

What do you expect when you take issues off the table, which clearly the democrats are leading on, and want to talk about the person. You get people scrutinizing the person and their principles.

My second point is this. If they hadn't have rolled out an unknown candidate 60 days before the election people wouldn't be scrambling to learn about her. It's completely their fault that the media and everyone else is trying to dig hard and fast to learn about her. I'm sure not liking what I'm learning.

BTW, I'm also from small town NC and the idiot with the first post in no way represents small town anywhere. I can not stand it when some people try and represent a whole block of people. ( i e picking Palin to court the female vote as if she has done anything FOR women). I'm pretty confident that the folks in small town NC will take a look at the fact that the Republicans have done NOTHING for small town NC or anywhere else and realize that we, as much if not more than Americans in other areas, can not afford to have another 4 yrs of George Bush policies.

The media is ruthless, but what they (media) does not realize is that they are drawing more people to support Gov. Palin. There is a difference when you scrutinize a candidate for inexperience. And when you scrutinize a candidate's family. The liberal press only wants to destroy Gov. Palin!!!!!!

McCain is right! Since announcing Palin as vice president, media outlet wanted to know more about her past. The liberal media should investigate Obama's background with the same intensity.

As far as her daughter being pregnant, most parents teach their children about right and wrong and eventually it comes down to the individual kid to do what is right when no one is watching.

Oh, what shoould we do, just be quiet while he loudly goes into the Presidency with a complete unintelligent, conniving, know nothing about managing a 5000 person mayoral office yet wants to be VP of an entire nation. Well, this is just a cover so his crony, VP Cheney can quietly go to Russia's neighbors and talk with the international OIL execs to secure their future compensation. All the while inciting Russia into a cold war stance. Unbelievable! WAKE UP voters, this is being done to instigate more military situations before the elections to enhance the fact that McCain spent most of his war time locked in a cell (which we are grateful for). But now he is out and wants to be your President that leads you valiantly to WAR. OMG....please look under your nose to see what the Repubs are up to. What is VP Cheney doing in Europe (giving away $1 billion we do not have) while we have major DOMESTIC economic issues here. Want more of the same vote for McCain!

The attacks on Obama's wife were due in part to her opening her mouth and saying stupid things. That is his wife and possible First Lady. However, the daughter of the VP Republican is only 17 years old and will be nothing more than the possible VP's daughter. There are big differences in that. I would be disgusted if the Republicans attacked Obama's children as well. As far as I know they have not, only the comments of the Obamas's that were directred at their own children were commented on.

But never the less, the Re-VP has more experince than Obama does and he is going for the actual President spot of the United States... quite laughable if you ask me... and if you didn't, it is laughable none the less.

Republicans are pathetic. They tried the same thing with Dan Quayle (blaming the media for negative perceptions) and it worked. I forget if Quayle ended up proving himself to be smart or not. "I stand by all the misstatements I have made" – Quayle 89'.

Hey.....IOWA AND PROUD OF IT........

Okay, lets talk issues:

OBAMA/BIDEN:
Right to choose
Equal pay
Healthcare for all Americans
Getting America off of foreing oil using all available options
Foreign diplomacy
Bring our troops home safe and sound
Going after Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan
Keeping America Safe
Stabilize Social Security and Medicare
Fair Taxes
Reduce our national debt
Educate all Americans would like to go to college

So, it is your turn. What does McCain have to offer besides a claim to keep America safe???

You Republicans know good and well that if Obama or Biden had an unmarried teenager out there boning having unprotected sex and getting pregnant and than trying to cover it up, it would be over for them. You Republicans are hyprocrites.

John McCain suffers 5 different degenerative diseases...he is 71 years old...is more likely then any other president b4 to die during presidency...just look how old bill Clinton and george Bush got after 8 years of presidency...

McCain chose as vp a woman he met once, a woman who:

has 20 month experience in a state who doesn't even have its own budget to manage...has a BS in journalism...was last miss Alaska...
Used her political influence to have the brother in law fired...

IF MCCAIN DIES ( not wishing him to...but it could happen)..SHE WILL BE THE NEXT US PRESIDENT...

you people better think about it...

jesus what a mess !

It has been custom that when a vice presidential candidate is introduced, they are completely available to the press and are out there like Biden. Palin has been holed up in in a hotel room. Why? Lack of experience dealing with the awful truth and making up some lie to try to cover their errors. This is bush league and the Republicans are protesting too much because they messed up big time. This is a circus at best or a whacked out storyline from Jerry Springer.

With all the how

This whole Palin story is not about the press doing their job but the unprepared McCain camp trying to score some points and having it blow up in their in the face. It is about a mother who should be dedicated time to her children and putting her family first.

Let's face it, folks. Sarah Palin was foisted on McCain for her appeal to the "values" voters in the uber-conservative Republican base that McCain wasn't grabbing. If anyone's responsible for sloppy vetting it's the RNC. Once in the game, she is fair game. Both McCain and Palin, as the purported "against the flow" mavericks they claim to be, should be used to hearing opposing views. MSM is helping to make a circus out of a process that should focus on issues rather than anecdotes. Let's get real – the outcome of this election is a little more important than all this crap.

No weapon forged against you [ Sen. Barack Obama ] will prevail, and you [ Sen. Barack Obama ] will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their [ Sen. Barack Obama ] vindication from me," declares the LORD. -
Isaiah 54:17

It's time for REAL change in Washington, it's time to elect Barack Obama for president. It's the Obama-Biden ticket that's needed at this defining moment in our history because this team is wiser and stronger to meet the challenges this nation faces at home and abroad.

Amen.

McCain is just upset they had this big "look at the mother fo 5!" media roll-out planned for this week, taking big, happy photos for People MAgazine and such...and their thunder was stolen by the literally 20 horrendous facts about Palin that SHOULD HAVE BEEN found during vetting.

McCain lacks the judgement to be president.

The only thing in question here is...McCain's judgement.....Other than not sharing any of her political views(which is all that should matter), I have nothing against this woman, however she is in no way, shape or form prepared to run this country should she be pressed into duty. She does however seem to be a perfect candidate to run your local PTA or fundraiser..

Republicans will do anything , anything
to win. Crybabies!

Jeffrey: Creationism bizarre? You need to read your Bible, son.

This group of Republican's are the biggest bunch of cry babies I have seen in a political party.

They always try to blame others but won't blame themselves.

They certainly don't project an image of what America stands for in the world community

This from the party that did everything it could to convince the American Public that Obama is Muslim. As recently as last week in Seattle a McCain supporters were handing out $3 bills with Obama in Muslim headdress on the bills. Now that's just laughable.

McCain's judgment is seriously flawed. It is the news media's JOB to
uncover and report on stories about his VP pick. I agree that her minor children should be off limits. I do however EXPECT the press to tell me everything about her political record, as they did when the exposed the "anti pork" Gov. as mayor secured a $15 million buy in from DC to build a rail system from the town where she was mayor to the town where she had a vacation home. When the RNC throws around the word experience they have to be ready for a full review of her political and personal past in FACTS not in the fairy tale they are trying to ram down America's throats.

I LOVE THIS! Just keep buying bigger shovels Republicans! That hole is getting deeper and deeper – sooner or later you are ALL going to fall into it.

And you know what? I have NO PITY for you. I have friends risking their lives for your war that we didnt need to wage. People are dying and you say to stop picking on your candidates – AFTER you threw the kitchen sink at ours!!! You are terrible people Republicans........terrible TERRIBLE people to be so TWO-FACED! You've destroyed this country and yet you blame the democratic congress who's only been in office for two years......BLAME BLAME BLAME!!!! YOU are to BLAME! YOU = REPUBLICANS. YOU are the problem the LAST 8 YEARS!!!!

Get over yourself Republicans....you've had complete power and screwed it up. Face the truth – your armegeddon is already here

And you're on the wrong side!

Dems are ruthless and not the type of people I want running our country!

Yeah, That's the ticket! As someone said many years ago, "If she wants to be a Lumberjack, she has to be able to carry her end of the log.". If she wants to be in that spotlight, why should the media treat he differently. First, it was Hillary using the experience argument. Then it was McCain using the experience argument. Now it is the RNC saying "she has more experience then him". The whole thing sounds pretty lame.

I think that there is no way this lady is qualified to be Vice President. McCain is 72 now, and has had cancer 4 times. But, the democrats need to be very careful with this.

What they really need to do is get Hillary out there and let everybody know that just because Palin is a woman, that's not a reason to vote for McCain just to see her in the White House. Hillary should be out front on this, letting everybody know that Palin is a woman, but does not stand for anything that Hillary stood for.

Honestly, I am not a big Hillary fan, but if you compare the two, Palin would still be considered to be an infant in world politics, and I've see a lot of infants throw fits and do stupid things. I don't want an infant in charge of my country.

The media wants Obama to win. Its that simple. They can't help themselves. Palin was a surprise to them and upset their stereotypes. They are afraid a fresh new female face on the Repubs side will derail the Obama. Anything that gets in Obama's way must by the media be derailed.

Vegas.. you're an idiot. You're another one of those idiots that blame Obama for any kind of objection that ANYONE has about the republican ticket.

Obama was the first to step up and say that family was off limits, and he's never attacked anyone's family. On the other hand... McCain's ads HAD attacked Michelle in the past... and have personally attacked Obama as well... in just about EVERY ad he's put out.

You must live in a cave.. or just have your eyes and ears closed and need to spew some hate.

And by the way... to all the feminists (this includes the whipped men as well)... any of you crazy whack jobs screaming that Obama's campaign is sexist see that video of McCain introducing Sarah Palin... I think his eyes spent more time on her back side than on anything else. Check it out.. they have it on the videos here.. and on YouTube.

mccain aides do not have anything solid to say.so they cry loud and blame media for their ignorance.i am sick of people who call mccain a maverick

Linda, You are a liar. Are you even a woman?

Yes, the attacks are over the line, especially John Roberts's and Campbell Brown's comments about Palin being a bad mother for accepting the VP nod. However, I will defend Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, John King, and Dana Bash, as their coverage has been pretty fair.

Call the WAAAAHMBULANCE.

No one knew anything about Palin when McCain introduced her, so the media did it's job in attempting to educate us about her. Nothing More, Nothing Less. McCain wants to control her image and feed us Propaganda, but this is a democracy with freedom of the press –not China! If he had taken proper measures to get her name out in advance, or have info available, that might have slowed some of the chatter.

They have dogged every part of Obama's life, including his wife and former pastor, but finds it offensive to have the tables turned. Get over it!

maybe if McCain had spent a few hours checking her out before trying to foist her on the American people ther would not BE a scandal. What a joke. THIS WOMAN, not all women, is a train wreck. I Evangelical poser who cannot even keep her own life in order. This speaks volumes about McCains judgment. There are a lot of VERY qualified, non-wacko women out there that would be great VPs. Sarah is not one of them. period.

Vegas, you are an idiot!

the stories are not lies, but truths.

Lieberman is the one telling lies

and Palin wants to destroy America

I'm a woman who loves my country, and would love to see a woman as President some day. That said, Palin is an unknown, and there are some serious questions here I for one would like answered. Is she a religious fanatic who hides behind God to justify hate? Was she or her husband part of a group that wants to see Alaska secede from the US. These are some serious allegations, folks, and I'd like answers, not just a put-off by McCain, et al. She could be our President if he wins!

jSuggestionj: Count the actual days that Obama was sitting on a chair in the Senate and listeningto US Govt Business. Then - Along with the number of times he voted on Gov,. Stuff–not for a cookie and coffee –then compare that number to the opportunities he had to vote., When he was absent, where was he promoting himself for President ?

So who has more experience? AK Gov. or OBama?

What GALL these Republicans have ! They can spin fake facts and tales about Obama, but when people question Palin's past they cry FOUL. A double standard here for sure. Where was/is the fairness when Obama is accused of being a Muslim, etc. ???

"picked his governing partner after a long and thorough search"

Oh, so it wasn't a rushed mistake.... that does show a VERY worrying lack of judgment by McCain then.

"The American people get to do the vetting now on Election Day – November 4th."

Yes they will!

Obama/Biden 08/12

I cannot believe the Democrats slandering Palin the way they are after they just got through watching Hillary Clinton be taken down by the media. What hypocrisy.

I happen to think Sarah Palin is a GREAT choice for the Republican ticket offering a more clear message of Change than Obama who chose a washington insider for VP.

Furthermore, if Gov Palin were a 44 year old, up and coming, Republican white male Gov of a small state – everyone would be applauding McCain's decision to choose "the future of the Republican Party".

By stating that Palin has "no experience" all the Democrats are doing is highlighting the fact that it is the TOP of their ticket, Obama, that has even LESS experience. What makes Obama ready to lead? He has overseen NOTHING.

Bringin up Palin's husband's DUI from 22 years ago is sexist – why not investigate Obama's admitted cocaine use?

I voted for Hillary Clinton because SHE was qualified and experienced and could get the job done.

But when the Democrats decided to "crown" King Obama at the top of the ticket – that was when I made up my mind to support the More Qualified, Experienced Candidate – John McCain. The fact that he chose Sarah Palin as his running mate is simply icing on the cake for me.

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

This is how the media vets political figures. It is silly that the repubs are appauled now. This was done to Obama. This was done to Hillary. It hasn't been done to McCain, because he is always offended when anyone asks tough questions. Unfortunately, this is what happens and they should get over it. I say, we need to know all we can about this unknown governor. She maybe a great leader, I just don't know it yet. So media and everyone else, please keep digging! THANK YOU!

Please Post CNN. This is a valid and fair comment.

Stop the nonsense: I want to know: What makes Gov Paley more qualified than Senator Hutchinson, or any other mainstream Republican? What did she do to impact America on a large scale? Someone please tell me & stop the BS. We know when we are being drug along on the McCain Plane... or is she nothing more than eyecandy for McCain and the Rpublican Party as a right-wing potential Hillary replacement? I guess the Repubs now feel like there is no difference between not sacking a ho getting knocked up by a soccer babydaddy while mama-wanna be VP is in the front seat playing soccer mom and a Repub in the bathroom with a wide stance. why was one sacked and the other is being toted as family values? Lots of probs in that family: daddy of VP pick is an alcoholic, and mom has a kid with genetic issues, while little girl has a problem crossing her legs, coupled by Mama-VP pick who abuses power while in office.

This is the media's job. Sarah Palin is not known by 99.9% of Americans. Who else is going to vet her publicly for us, the Republicans?? I don't think so.

Barbara September 3rd, 2008 1:52 pm ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
I believe Palin was brought in (with her family) to be a distraction from US Citizen's issues.

Notice the real issues have fallen by the wayside? We're being played by the Rovian/Limbaugh play-book.

No more wars.

Censoring an AMERICAN again rebecca? You do it every time.

McCain is causing Pain (palin) to Americans.
McStupid has stupid judgement.
POW card and pathetic female card.
Talk about sexism.
When so many qualified people, he picks the least qualified.
McShame & McPain.

Isn't this the Steve Schmidt that started the "swift boating" gang in '04 ?What else can people expect from the scumbag.
I guess her journalism degree qualifies her to be the Repub VP. That's about the average education of most Repubs.

So long as you're complaining about the unfair attacks on your candidate, then following it up with "...with a record of accomplishment that exceeds, by far, the governing accomplishments of Senator Obama," I guess it would be completely ridiculous that people would question her.

But seriously now. Republicans need to stop acting like victims here. People have every right to question who's going to lead them at this crucial time, especially if it may be someone from the same party that got us into this mess.

Only in Republican America can the black candidate who knows and understands scripture front to back and has a fully functional and scandal-free family, a strong, educated wife and 2 well behaved, smart kids along with a VP who lost immediate family in a tragedy and has military sons be considered "not of their values" while the white self-admitted philandering divorcee who cheated on his disfigured ex for months before settling on a woman 20 years his junior and the 44 year old mom of a pregnant 17 year old who lied directly to America during her first press conference be considered the "moral elite".

Hypocrisy.

Palin has been critical of Hilary Clinton, calling her charges of "sexist" news coverage - whining.

"When I hear a statement like that coming from a woman candidate with any kind of perceived whine about the excess criticism or maybe a sharper microscope put on her, I think, man, that doesn't do us any good," Palin told Newsweek magazine in March.

Isn't it interesting when the tables are turned, it's suddenly unfair. Who's whing now.

Typical Republican hypocrisy.

Mother Nature is not the only one raining on their parade. Instead of having a grand old party they have to be spending time bashing Obama and defending Palin in one gasp. No time for the issues affecting us. NO SIR!

After reading a few comments and how they were worded, it is sad that many of you sound uneducated and will grasp at anything to make you feel better about your decision.

How about listening to all the parties and making an "informed" decision as to who you will vote for in the upcoming election. The media sickens me with their bashing. (I do mean bashing on both sides). Stop listening to commercials and actually listen to what each candidate has to say!

Let us prove we are adults and stop "bashing" children and family. It amazes me that we wonder "why" people have become blasphemous and violent. Let us just look to the media coverage of politicians and you have a start!

Chip,

I'm not a Republican but I also knew Palin was a candidate for months. And every time she was mentioned, the idea was labeled a long shot because she has too much baggage. It's not the media's fault she is a phony and a liar. She might be a good mother, but she is a dirty politician obsessed with power. Her track record shows it. I applaud the media for letting the public know. And I hoep the rest of her skeltons are out in public soon enough, and believe me there are many.

What the Dems need is for Hillary to come out fighting for Obama. She needs to go on live television or on the record somewhere and challenge Palin to stop invoking her name and start living on her own experience and knowledge! Let's see how well Palin does when she stops trying to liken herself to Hillary. Also, Palin is a pcik for Vice President, and actually has a chance at becoming President sometime before McCain's term would be over. Sorry to say it, but he really could die. Just because his mom is 96 years old doesn't mean he'll make it that far, especially not with his medical history. I think it's funny also that the Republicans are trying to argue sexism when they were the ones leading the charge against Hillary during the primaries. This do as i say and not as I do mentality has got to stop. It's not sexist nor offensive to ask real questions about someone that has put themselves in this position. Sarah Palin, if you can't stand the heat then get out of the kitchen....and for God's sake, you are not, never have been, and never will be Hillary Clinton so quit using her name and get along on YOURS!

I find it infuriating that he's playing up the woman card so much. People aren't stupid, it doesn't matter whether she is female or not, she is tremendously underqualified, ran her small town into $20 million of debt, has hypocritical social policy stances (even though she is staunchly pro-life, she slashed funding to a charity which houses teenage mothers while she was governor), and has troublesomely evangelical stances to a government which, by constitution, demands a separation of church and state. It has nothing to do with her being female, and everything to do with her incompetence when it is highly likely that McCain could die, leaving the VP in charge of the country. I don't care about Bristol, she can do what she wants, but the country is in a time of crisis right now, and we need someone with good policies, not a figurehead who has proven several times over in the past that she is terrible with economical issues and leading.

How is her experience not relevant since she is very close to being our next President? And how do they say SHE has International experience, because Alaska is the closest state to Russia, but Obama's travels around the world mean nothing? And if not running a budget disqualifies Obama, doesn't it also disqualify McCain?

The hypocracy that comes from the Red Right is ridiculously insulting, to say the very least.

The media leftist bias is readily apparent. Look how eagerly they are trying to find anything about Palin. Look how they ignored the story on John Edwards when it was staring them in the face for months.

Faux my behind! This person should NEVER have been put up for President. The baggage is substatial, even if you leave out the radical nature of her political and religious life.

She believes that the Iraq war is God's war!

That's all we need to really sink this country – a HOLY WAR!

Pretty much, the media is finally turning on them.

Iowa and proud if it – I see your post is filled with great ideas. Your convention is filled with great ideas as well. Please enlighten us with facts.

Sarah Palin qualifications have little or NOTHING to do with why McCain selected this person he barely knows. Furthermore, I trust American women to have the good sense to realize they have been insulted by this choice. She was selected for two reasons and two reason only, to wit: 1. McCain is hoping to attract female votes and perhaps a few disgruntled Hillary supporters; 2. He desperately needs the far right evilgelical votes and she is extreme far right including anti-abortion, even for rape and incest. He is committed to overturning roe v. wade and Sarah and one more supreme court appointment will do it. I would hope that American women who wish to have control over their own bodies will give serious consideration to the potential consequences of this pairing when they step into the voting booth. I think it is long past time to stop the discussion of her down syndrome child and pregnant daughter. If you do not believe in abortion then don't have one. This is the choice Sarah made for herself and apparently she made the same choice for her daughter but do not forget: SHE HAD A CHOICE!!!!!!!

This entire episode has turned the Republican Party into a bigger joke than before. How can these people stand in front of thousands and a TV audience and say she is qualified? Blows my mind!

Obama 2008

Experience is highly overated. Bush has been President for 8 years and he isn't qualified to be a dog catcher. Cheney and Rumsfeld had decades of high level experience between them but made the worst strategic blunder in US history. McCain has lots of Senatorial experience but he has been on the wrong side of every issue.

Life experience, character and wisdom are more important. Obama has tons of that.

Kennedy anyone? Lincoln?

The McCain campaign continues to deny that they chose Palin simply to attract women voters. So why then do all of their statements in defense of her seem to be trying to play on the sexism theme? Using the term "old boy's network" surely is designed to remind women of the discrimination many of them have probably experienced in their lives. The ironic thing is that Palin called Hillary a "whiner" when Hillary complained about sexism in the media... This is just more of the two-faced McCain Palin ticket. It is already well documented how McCain has reversed his positions on a host of issues in order to attract the republican base. Palin has done the same. She voted for the "bridge to nowhere" until she realized she might be under national scrutiny, then decided she was against it. She claims to be against earmarks and overblown spending, yet she retained a federal lobbyist to lobby for millions in earmarks for her community when she was the mayor of Wasilla. At least McCain and Palin have one thing in common: They are both two-faced panderers.

People that believe that Sarah Palin is being "abused" are crazy....if you can't handle the scrutiny get out of the race. For the McCain campaign to think that she should be expempt from this is outrageous. She could some day be the President. Toughen up McCain supporters, and quit trying to come up with lame excuses to cover up the concerns about your candidate.

John McCain chose his Vice President. And Sarah Palin does have some political baggage. Male or female she is fair game. I am a female. I would be offended as a woman if I received special treatment because I am a woman. I support my rights, and the rights of my male coworkers as well. I have been subjected to gender bias, I know what it feels like. Woman support equally among men and women. Women do not want to be accused of reverse gender bias. Women respect men and their right. Women support all men and woman rights equally.

As a professional woman I am insulted John McCain Campaign is using gender bias when no gender bias statements are made.

Sarah Palin last spring during TV interview call Hilary Clinton a "whiner." As a woman I am insulted because Sarah Palin is now using gender bias all the time. John McCain claims "gender bias" for anything and everything. Sarah Palin you are not who you claim to be!!! John MCain you are insulting all women and harming all the progress women have made!! Sarah Palin you are not helping!! You are hurting women causes!!

I have researched Sarah Palin and I do see "red alarms." John McCain chose her. Sarah Palin is free game. As a woman I would welcome the questions and would expect no different.

The McCain campaign is trying to distract voters from the real issues - so we're going to focus on what they're trying to hide.

They've come out against the life-saving possibilities of stem cell research.

They don't even mention protecting equal pay for equal work.

They support huge tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans.

They've almost completely ignored the $10 billion we're spending every week in Iraq.

And they make zero exceptions for a woman's right to choose - even in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother.

The McCain campaign made FOOLS of themselves by canceling an apperance by JM because CNN asked a legitimate question they couldn't answer.
When asked what decisions had been made by Caribou Barbie concerning the Alaska National guard...they first tried to change the subject (typical for Republicans) and then just avoided the question all together.
Turns out...she had in fact activated the Guard to battle wild fires.
A missed oppurtunity to lend some credabilty to JM's choice of VP and they blew it!!!

And then tried to blame CNN. (another hallmark tactic of Republicans in general)

Note to the McCain Campaign: This kind of stuff is why you won't receive a vote from me.

@Frank in Deerfield, IL September 3rd, 2008 12:21 pm ET

I'm thinking you are dead on, and at some point they will withdraw her and place one of the other top men on the ticket. Remember the tactic and then decide if it was all blatant publicity and taking the american citizen for granted if/when it happens.

I think the selection of Palin is a horrid mistake, and believe it or not, I won't say I think the republicans are even stupid enough to have her on the ticket. I see a slimey underhanded move to pull her and replace her somewhere when the election is closing in on voting time.

Just remember, if it happens, it has to be obvious that either McCain is a moron, or the GOP will ALWAYS use and abuse the citizens, fooling them for their own benefit!

To Never Again.

Yes, indeed, never vote for a winner again. Sounds absolutely wonderful to me.

Its 3am and a phone is ringing in the White House – who's gonna answer it?

Not Sarah Palin – she will be out moose hunting!!!!

To say this lady is qualified and has been vetted for 6 months is a joke – who in their right minds would select such a person, with all the baggage she apparently has, above many other better qualified candidates.

This was done as a knee-jerk reaction when the republican party refused to agree to Lieberman or Palenty. Says an awful lot about McCain's judgement.

Just think for a minute about what damage they could both do if allowed to run this great country.......

one thing important to remember to both republicans and democrats is that Obama was popular enough to win his parties support. Palin has had no such scrutiny

This woman is not qualified to be vice president of the United States. Anyone who says otherwise, John McCain and his bald adviser included, has a serious judgment problem and shouldn't hold a position of power in government.

Obama supporters, stop whinning. One senses that you're all on the defensive side; and it's not smart. Get with the program. McCain/Palin '08.

I echo what was said by a brilliant observer:

"With a record of accomplishment that exceeds, by far, the governing accomplishments of Senator Obama"

Obama:
B.A in political science from Columbia University, with a specialization in international relations
J.D. in Law from Hardvard, graduated magna cum laude; President of the Harvard Law Review
12 years (92-04) teaching constitutional law
7 years State Senator: sponsored more than 800 bills
4 years Senator for Illinos, a state with 12.8 million people

Palin:
Bachelor's in journalism from University of Idaho
4 years Wasilla City Council (8000 people)
6 years Wasilla mayor (8000 people)
1 year "Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission"
20 months governor of a state with 660,000 people

Do they really think we're THAT stupid?

Voted for Hillary, Smalltown, NC – how is a war hero someone that spent his whole military career captured? Is he going to talk to our brave soldiers and tell them how to turn when being tortured. Will that be his great military strategy? He is pathetic. He didn't fight for me or my interest. Do you know the reason why we fought in Vietnam? Probaby not. My grandfather was in the marines and my great grandfather is in politics. My grandfather is a war hero. Not some captured military man who was too dumb to know how to fly his plane to out manuever himself from being shot down.

Your post doesn't make sense – you spew vote for Hillary but her policy issues are much different from McCain. Please explain what policies does McCain support that Clinton supports?

Its not over yet from what I hear. Wait till th other shoe drops. Stay tuned.

OBAMA....08

The RNC plays well the offended card, is all theatrics. Now they are on fire over Campbell brown over the interview. She did nothing wrong. A journalist finally doing her job. Cable news is not a magazine with nice pictures in it. You need to challenge the spin. But I feel that the bullies always get to intimidate and finally journalist will tone it down. All the sudden we should know and love Pailin, after months of hearing that we cannot vote for Barack because we do not know enough about him.

The author of this article should be ashamed. What terribly biased reporting. The McCain campaign "spent the summer" complaining about media coverage. What a misleading statement, which makes the author's personal views all too obvious.

C'mon, we're Americans. We'd trash ANY candidate, man, woman, or Martian that carried more baggage than experience.

Of course they do...

Palin has more executive experience than their messiah and.., she's hot!! Progressive liberals are running scared and it's showing in their hate filled rhetoric...

Alaska has less than 700,000 residents. Illinois has over 12.5 million. Chicago by itself has more than 2.5 million. Palin's longest tenured job was mayor of a city with less than 9,000 residents. Palin has never dealt with a comparable and competitive number of people to be prepared to possibly be the President. We have already witnessed Palin being unknowledgeable in how the media will scrutinize you and your entire family once you run for national office. When she speaks, it sounds like she is in a PTA meeting with about 100 folks. There is no way she is ready to run this country.

Politics is a tough game......sound familiar? It's what the republican machine used when leveraging the media to slam Obama the past year and more.

Get over it. Quit whining. If you can't take the heat, don't run.

Repubs don't like it when you question them. Bunch of cry babies.

What is good for the goose s good for the gander!

This is the most outrageous example yet of media bias and liberal nastiness towards conservatives. Why don't we talk about Chelsea Clinton or Biden's kids as well? Biden's daughter was arrested for obstructing an officer at a bar and has a drinking problem. Biden's son was arrested for DWI. Should we start investigating all the candidates children now? Disgusting! Oh, Arnold Schwarzeneggar has four children, should he be a governer?

Where McCain could have shown one of his greatest strengths only shows his greatest weakness. leadership

The repubs can give it but not take it.

Scary how McCain likes to make "quick" and "gut" decisions over thought out ones – I can't live with that. (no wonder he did terrible in school)

If she were "fit" to lead a country of 300 million, there'd be far less problems.

Besides, I thought republicans were "excited/energized" about this pick? If that's true, then what's the problem?

Why hasn't it been more widely mentioned that Palin is also trying to have the polar bear taken off the "threatened species" list in order to continue drilling for oil on the North Slope? ABC News recently reported that Palin "sued the Bush Administration in federal court recently, charging it was too accepting of climate change studies which overstated the phenomenon's impact on polar bears. The result, she argued, would be a negative impact on her state's businesses, including oil and gas extraction." It also goes on to state that "Palin has led her state's efforts to block protections for the world's estimated 25,000 polar bears, of which roughly a fifth are believed to reside in Alaska" saying that it "will deter activities such as commercial fisheries, oil and gas exploration and development, transportation, and tourism". I think people should really consider who they want to run the country. We need to vote for our own pocketbook, not theirs.

Edward R. Murrow is rolling over in his grave right now, seeing what has become of American journalism.
One can not tell the difference between TMZ and CNN.

This is a joke. Ok so how is this different from the last 8 years. The person believes we should outlaw abortion entirely regardless of the circumstance, doesn't believe in global warming, wants creationism taught in public school, has 0 international experience, no real economic experience, doesn't believe in sex education, and on and on and on. You have got to be kidding me.

I certainly want a hockey mom who can fire an M16 on automatic to lead our country. Mcain could have picked any number of qualified running mates. Wow what does this choice say about the decision making of Macain. Here is one vote in this swing state that will go for Obama.

Oh yeah did I say my 50 year old wife was completely insulted by the choice. Whhops one more vote Mcain just lost in Colorado.

"The liberals have such arrogance to think that because THEY did not know Sarah Palin, that she came from nowhere and was not "properly" vetted. I'm just a dude who reads the news and even I knew about Sarah Palin being on the list of possible VPs for months! And she was one of my favorites! Perhaps I just pay attention."

Uhmm....71% of the population never heard of this woman before her pick as VP according to the most recent gallup polls.

Guess that the nasty side of McCain he has been long rumored to have...is starting to rear its ugly head. hahaHAHA

She was an AIP member, there is video evidence. She fired people as mayor because they didn't sponsor her bid for mayor. She tried to have books banned. She was a director of Sen. Steven's 527 election group. She dragged her poor child out into the open KNOWING a frenzy would follow. All of this is proven and shows McCain's lack of judgment. There is no conspiracy its fact, time to own up, oh yeah these are republicans.

McLIAR needa to be happy the media IS not asking him why he left his first family...
The reason the 'media" is questioning Ms.Sarah about her commitment to her children is because those were the frist words out of her and McLIAR'S mouth!!! "she's the "mother" of 5"!!!
She has a special needs child, and a pregnant teen-ager,seems that she has more pressing issues than running for VP of the United States of America. A heart beat away from the President...which if elected is a 72 year old man.I just hope when she speaks tonight,she doesn't sound like a Barbie doll.
OMG...wonder how boring McBush's acceptance speech is going to be???? LOL!LOL!LOL!

What the McShame camp calls,"nonsense" is far from over. It has just begun. Media spot light on. Roll tape. Play back all tape. Everyone be Very careful .......wooops........stuff is already on tape and in the news. The investigation has started......keep tuned in for the next chapter.

You can't shut us up. You opened the door on the "experience" flack when McCain said that the number one job of the VP is that he/she can step in and be President on Day One.

It's not clear to America that she can. We don't know her. You can't compare her to Obama with whom America has been exposed to for over a year and a half. If Obama's still considered "new" by your standards, then she is "definitely green".

**

John's campaign sound like a bunch of WHINERS>>!!

Ok, Pick up Your Barbie and GO HOME...

John forgot to say faux media coverage and I'm A POW...!!!

John did NOT vett her and JUDGMENT is the name of the game..!!

You didn't do yuor home work for the second most important job.. !!

NO VETTING was done..!!

**

Obama/Bidne, 2008/2012

CONGRATULATIONS to the Republican party! They have successfully distracted the American media to focus on Governor Palin and her "abilities and qualifications" rather than that of Senator McCain. VERY VERY successful indeed. So, while everyone's talking about "moms working, tenn pregancy, etc." NO ONE is talking about John McCain and his similarities to Bush and his lack of connectedness with the struggles of average Americans.

Great Job, Once again, for being the party that has mastered the art of "red herrings"

This is "SmokeScreeGate" there must be more about Sarah and let's not forget about Todd, who receives copies of state business emails!

Ugggh, Schmidt and these people that continually pull out 'sexism' like a card up their sleeve at any time you don't agree with a female politician on her beliefs, background, or stance on issues is making me nauseous.

Everyone questioning her experience/background and McCain's quick pick of her as a running mate have a complete right to do so. I'm sorry, I think someone with a law degree from one of the best universities in the world, and has devoted his professional career to roles in law, politics, and the community of a predominant city in this country does have more background for a high level political position then someone with a bachelors in journalism and who ran what was practically a bait/hunting shop for the first decade plus of her professional life after college. That's nothing more then common sense.

Who also picks someone to be their running mate who is in the middle of an investigation for abuse of power at that time. This is not something she can cover up, that's in her past. There's a complete possibility she could be indicted for this and loose her current position and she's only had it for 19 months. What the heck is that?? Am I taking crazy pills her people? That's just plain stupid.....not maverick....stupid.

What happened to this country and it's politicians (ALL of them) that don't stand for democracy anymore but their own personal ideals, pandering to the public when they need it, but never putting their money where their mouth is (accountability for their promises, speeches, and what they 'say' they believe in), and spinning everything out of control instead of actually taking some responsibility by being truthful about what they said/did (everything that they seem to say or do, is not what they meant because the media and public are not viewing it correctly)???? This all is getting pretty sickening.

you republicans blew this one big time...

Well, this is just a cover so his crony, VP Cheney can quietly go to Russia's neighbors and talk with the international oil execs to secure his future compensation. All the while inciting Russia into a cold war stance. Unbelievable! WAKE UP voters, this is being done to instigate more military situations before the elections to enhance the fact that McCain spent most of his war time locked in a cell (which we are grateful for). But now he is out and wants to be your President that leads you valiantly to WAR. OMG....please look under your nose to see what the Repubs are up to. What is VP Cheney doing in Europe (giving away $1 billion we do not have) while we have major DOMESTIC economic issues here. Want more of the same for McCain!

John McCain suffered as a P.O.W. He served this country honorably. Nobody is trying to dispute that. Barack Obama and almost every other leading Democrat I've heard say great things about McCain when it comes to that.

But McCain also has a rebellious nature and is quick to lose his temper. That sounds exactly like George Bush to me. We can't afford four more years of a 'maverick.' Do you want our next president throwing a hissy fit every other day like McCain's doing now with CNN?

I wonder if anyone thinks Obama should wait until his kids are grown to run for President? He should be there to guide his girls as they grow up. There is such a double standard in this country. If Tim Palin were on the ticket, instead of Sarah, this wouldn't even be an issue. The Dems need to stop pretending to be thinking of the kids and just come out and say they don't want a woman to be in the White House. They blackballed Hillary and now they are trying to do the same to Palin.

Why was Campbell Brown released (fired?) from her position with NBC? An answer may be found in the unprofessional way she badgered the McCain/Palin staff worker. Did she honestly think he had Palin's appointment calendar with him, or the list of documents Palin has signed as Governor of Alaska? This line of questioning is a joke. Then to later reluctantly admit that investigation revealed that Palin had indeed made decisions regarding the Guard shows the shallowness of the interview. Get a life.

A Mayor and Governor must take a stance on everything that comes before them. Senators have the luxury of being able to vote "Present" or just vote with their party again and again.
Since we need so much experience to run for political office, does this mean that politics is closed to the average American?
One of the premises on which this country was built was that "anyone" could run for political office. The call for "experience" is a trademark of those already in the club. The old major news networks have nothing to offer as far as unbiased news. Average Americans will rise up and join together and say enough is enough.

I've heard from some repubs that there is not way Joe Biden will be able to go after her in the debates because he will look like a bully. THAT'S sexism to me.

Why do the McCain supporters have such thick skulls?
This is not about Sarah Palin and this is not about Barack Obama. This is about John McCain.
This is about John McCain trying to scare the country into voting for him because he says we are living in dangerous times. This is about McCain, acknowledging his age, admitted he would pick a VP who was ready to PROTECT us on day one. If Sarah Palin were a man would she have been selected…NO! THAT is sexism. McCain is a liar with bad judgment and this New Hampshire Republican wants nothing to do with him.

All of this pushback by McCain is calculated. It is about as much a "media scandal "as his protestations that Obama is a "celebrity". Palin deserves as much scrutiny as any candidate, especially one who is actually qualified to hold the second biggest office in the world, espcially if it's with an older man with 5 bouts with cancer, ya think?

We have seen all of this Rove-style stuff before. Attempt to intimidate the media into parroting Republican talking points. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

McCain was just grinning last week trying to step on Obama's day......he was DETERMINED to get the media attention, now let's see if he can handle it....

Excuse me...just watching the RNC convention delegates vs. the DNC convention delegates is all voters need to see. We don't even need to hear the b.s. speeches. Nothing but a sea of elderly folks in their stupid hats and sunday-go-to-meeting suits. You think these people really care about the future (i.e., medicare, healthcare, the draft and another war) they'll all be dead by 2012. The youth of this country is the future and Obama/Biden are the leaders to take us there and most of the country know it!!! McCain is a political panderer (Lieberman is his best friend, don't forget) and Palin is very, very scary with her right wing evangelical, we are the chosen few, policies. Everyone needs to watch her speaking at her Christian, Pentacostal church. Video is on Huffington Post. Very scary. The media is doing their job and needs to keep doing it. They also need to bring out McCain's history of corruption, i.e., Keating Five. The reason Bush has served 2 terms is because these are the "sheep" who put him there. NOT THIS TIME!!!

Obama/Biden '08

This is how the republicans and right wingers operate. They accuse the media ("liberal") of bias in the hope the media will stop reporting the facts. Unfortunately this tactic has worked in the past. I hope the media will continue to do it's job. The public is entitled to know about the candidates. The controversial minister at Obama's former church was fair game and so is the life of Palin. We don't always like what we find out, but it is the media's job to present it.

Calm down, people. "Obama the Communist?" Why would anyone take what you have to say seriously when you make statements like that? Please. In the global scheme of things, 21st century American liberals and conservatives are all pretty liberal.

Quickly: Palin is a woman, I'll give you that. But she's a woman who got a journalism degree and has held a significant office for less time than McCain has been running for president. Michelle Obama is more qualified than Palin to run the country. She's anti-abortion, anti-gay, her pastor is anti-semetic, she is anti-birth control, and her son trafficked cocaine. She's not even qualified to be the executive of her own family.

McCain is throwing the election.

What hogwash. Of course no one is "out to destroy Sarah Palin." The GOP spokespersons act as if she should be immune from criticism because she's female, and that no one should be looking into her past actions. As if she and the Republican Party didn't know that comes with the territority of being the VP nominee of this country?... This is a tired old strategy long used by the GOP, which unfortunately works on plenty of uninformed voters. Palin is fair game, as she should be. And, while I agree with Sen. Obama that her daughter should not be criticized, I think it's fair to form an opinion of Gov. Palin for choosing her own ambition over protecting her daughter. And it's not a flattering opinion. I would also think less of the candidate's "family values" because of that choice if it were Mister Palin.

IF YOU THINK ITS BAD NOW....WAIT TIL MAINSTREAM POPS OPEN BRISTOLS UNDERAGE DRINKING SCANDAL.....TSK, TSK....JUST GOOGLE IT....YOU'LL SEE ALLLLLL THE PICS

How dare the McCain campaign belittle the accomplishments of Senator Barack Obama. This is just a Republican scandal to destroy the first black presidential nominee. It's racist to question Obama's experience. And what flat out bigotry to raise questions about Obama's business dealings, political affiliations and his bipartisan record. Racist! Racist racist racist. (See how this works everyone?) You are witnessing the key piece of the Palin package. Use a woman to paint the entire media as sexist in the hopes that woman will be dumb enough not to see through this obvious pandering. Rallying your party base might have worked. Grabbing PUMA's ten members probably worked. But this will not work. Eat your own mooseburgers GOP. Cause I've had ENOUGH!! Anyone but McCain '08!

For all those critical of Campbell Brown-she did her job. It is her job to ask the McCain campaign to put their money where there mouth is. If, as there say, Gov. Palin has so much more experience as commander-in-chief of the Alaskan National Guard, then provide us with one decision that shows that!
The real disgrace-they couldn't. Of all the tremendous Republican women to choose from (Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Christine Todd Whitman to name a few.. this is who he picks). If I were a Republican, I would be more offended.

I think it's amazing that now the right wing, moral values, republicans now think unwed teen pregancy is perfectly okay. What a double standard! If this was Obama's daughter or one of Biden's grandchildren we'd never hear the end of it from the McCain camp. It would be attack, attack, and more attacks. That's what we'd get if this was Obama's daughter. And it was perfectly okay for the McCain campaign to attack Obama at every turn yet no one is supposed to say anything about this unknown VP pick. Go ahead media, vet her. This woman would be one heart beat away from being the President of the U.S. I want to know what her qualifications are other than being a mayor of a small Alaskan town and govenor of Alaska (which is sparsely populated) for 18 months. Post this CNN.

All the righteous indignation and spin from the GOP won't change the sad truth. She was a poor choice for Vice-President. Period.

LOOKS LIKE TO ME THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE THE NERVE TO SAY THAT ALL THE REPUBLICANS TALK ABOUT HILLARY, WELL TIME ABOUT IS FAIR PLAY. NOT SAYING THAT TWO WRONGS MAKE A RIGHT BUT JUST TO PROVE A POINT, THE REPUBLICANS ARE JUST GETTING THEIR FACTS CORRECT AND THEIR RIGHTS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THE TRUTH. I AM CERTAIN HILLARY IS NO PRIZE PACKAGE TO TALK ABOUT. HER NAME IS NEVER BROUGHT UP IN MY HOUSEHOLD AS WE HAVE BETTER THINGS TO TALK ABOUT. THANK YOU.

To the "Smart. i.e., sexist Voter" "I thought it was interesting that the theme of the RNC was "country first" because I think your family should come first. Palin has a newly special needs baby and now her teenage daughter is pregnant, is it really the best time to run for VP? She should take care of her home first!"

Obama has two young daughters - why isn't he thinking about THEM? He should stop running immediately, return home, shuffle them from day care to soccer and remember that FAMILY COMES FIRST.

I love the sexism. The more we hear it, the more we think Palin rocks!

Palin was the best choice that McCain could have made – for the Democrats! She is such a liability to the Republicans that, should she remain on the ticket, she will help to breathe new life into Obama's campaign. Originally, I though that this would be a horse race. Now that McCain has selected a horse's posterior as his running-mate, the race is virtually over.

What does it say about a presidential candidate when he choses his VP candidate after meeting them ONE TIME??? This is the same type of logic that had Bush saying of Putin, " I've looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy."

McBush? No thanks.

Palin,

you're being used and abused by the ol boys of GOP.

you'll never get respect or get heard,

even if you have any good ideas to hear, which is unlikely.

go back and take care of your baby that you brought to this world.

Please what a joke. Even when asked McCains Aide couldn't even list Not Hillary's record in the national guard. We have every right to put her under a microscope if she wants to be second in command of this great country. It all comes down to is does she have the right judgment to run this country and so far she hasn't won me over.

Grow up Republicans and stop your whining....The RNC had no problem calling Obama unpatriotic and unchristian (Obama's a muslim remember) both absolutely unsupported and false but the "liberal" media can't point out the obvious, substantial and substantiated flaws in Ms. Palin? Oh yeah and how about the Swift boats – wasn't that the granddaddy of all faux media scandels concocted by none other than a conservative media/journalist working to "uncover the truth" haha of John Kerry?

Though this may be a frenzy. it is certainly not faux and is certainly not filled with lies and false accusations such as the RNC is flagrantly guilty of in this and past elections.

Palin should go home and take care of her kids. Give me a break.
RNC whiners.

They attack Obama for his minister, they attack his wife–and yet, asking legitimate questions about the track record of someone in line to become the POTUS during a time of two wars is a media witch hunt?!?!?!

These Republicans put me off my feed. No principle but hypocrisy.

My question is this. How can she be an effective vice president of the U.S.A. and be pregnant. It is only a matter of time. Her husband and she do not use birth control and she is still at an age where she could get pregnant. How pretty will that be? McCain has made the poorest choice ever for someone to be a heartbeat away from becoming our President.

As usual.... all the dims can do is bash this and bash that. No substance, just blogs. No facts, just whining. No solutions, just speeches. No idea, just ignorance. No Bama, just fine for America.

I think it was your campaign to put her out there as Veep, so deal with it! These cries of 'sexism' are absolutely absurd. She is mother and should be able to deal or answer 'mother' questions. I think it is more sexist that your campaign is hiding her from reporters and media and answering questions for her. Can a woman not think for herself or answer questions for herself in 2008? Then can be candidates for Veep and President. Hillary would never hang out behind the curtains.

This is exactly your strategy in picking Palin. Haven't you noticed the media talking more about her then the real issues of the same with 'McCain'. You should be thankful.

List of possible VP'S????

She wasnt even on the short list@ the poster above

just because McCain is picking a woman as his VP doesn't mean that women that supported Hillary will vote for him...nobody buy it...
Republicans keep saying that she has experience in foreign politics and she can be a good commander in chief...they really think that people are so stupid?

McCain may have more experience then Obama but his VP pick confirms that years and experience don't necessarely translate in better judgment...

Oh please! Palin is destroynig herself. Her views, her policies are not what the majority want. They want change, they want healthcare, they don't want an evangelical to write policy. Women want access to contraceptives and sex education.

Faux media scandal for faux presidential candidates! John McCain and Sarah Palin. Guess that goes along with the recession that's all in heads eh whiners? Yeah right. Get a job, John McCain. Or better yet, apply for Social Security...That hiding behind a woman crap is so see through like her dress that you were looking so hard at. CIndy out and Sarah in. Well at least you do great in some areas, eh John?

ALL YOU IDIOT – OBAMA AND HIS SUPPORTERS WERE SO BIAS AGAINST HILLARY CLINTON AND NOW THEY WILL GO AFTER PALIN. REMEMBER ANN OAKLEY. ASK OBAMA ABOUT THIS STATEMENT AND MANY MORE . AS FAR A MICHELLE OBAMA – SHE DID IT TO HERSELF. ESPECIALLY WHEN ASKED IF SHE WOULD VOTE FOR HILLARY CLINTON AND ANSWERED NO, NO, NO.

COME ON GET A LIFE. I WILL PROBABLY BE ONE OF THOSE AMERICAN WHO WILL NOT VOTE.

Sarah Palin has far more executive experience than either of the dems good ole boys do. The media witch hunt is well beyond journalistic guidelines, but what should we expect when we find reporters and anchors competing to not report the news, but rather create it? As someone else has pointed out, what happened to our free press?

I blame Bill Clinton. He is responsible for every bad thing that has happened since 1992, right?

Interesting that the McCain Campaign would use the word whine.
They call American's whinners. The McCain Campaign whined about not getting equal media coverage. Soooo the media shifted to give them more coverage. Then when Cambell Brown (CNN) tried to get some answers from a McCain spokesperson re: Palin yesterday, The Campaign started whinning and pulled the interview from Larry King last night. They don't want us (The public to know them.) The seem to just stomp their feet, step on everybodys toes trying to get they want. When they are accommodated, they want more of "thier way".

I love it...

Obama again is doing something he said he wouldn't... and taking it to another level... he's now attacking mothers and their children...

This is great... this vile attacking by the Obama campaign is exactly what's needed to motivate the undecided... especially women.

The DNC is stupid enough to let this go on too... nobody is remembering the other negative attacks... this is front and center all over the country... this mornings poll showed 87% believe these attacks are sexist and vile in nature... and based on rumor.

Good, Good, Good.... Keep it up Obama... Slander those women!

McCain/Palin

LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE....as parents we raise our children the best we know how, we cannot oversee their every move. I thought i was a very strict parent and my oldest daughter had a baby at 16. We can only hope they do the best they can, their actions are their own. Governor Palin is just like the rest of us, facing everyday problems. The only ones who have a real problem is the media. She knew what it would be like and she is facing it boldly. I am a longtime democrat but I will support the McCain/Palin ticket. Shame on anyone who tries to put this family down.

Simply a Joke the McCain campaign has become. This is more clarification on why Sen. McCain does not have the temperment or judgement to be President of the USA. Picking a person with no experience other than being governer of a state of 600K people and the mayor of mayberry to be in line for the #1 job in the land is reckless and puts his campaign first. NOT COUNTRY FIRST.

LIEberman and MCSAME as BUSH are truly two peas in a pod. MCSAME, YOu are a sellout. I can't believe you didn't make your own decision and go with TOM RIDGE. Thank you for giving Obama PA. Tom Ridge might have won the election. Sarah Palin will win it for Obama.

Republicans for Change
Republicans for Obama/Biden

Republicans are soooo..Hypocritical..when they were running the celebrity adds, they didn't care if it was negative, or when the Republican 527's attacked Michelle, did they say it was unfair?...NOPE...What comes around goes around.
And tell all of those old farts at your convention to look alive. They put me to sleep last night.

Karen-Pheonix, you need to get a life babe; because you are living in an alternate reality.

Enlightened Voter, you can join Karen. If I hear you describe the amateur as brilliant again, I think I'll puke. He's the most unqualified candidate of either party in 100 years. Palin has more leadership experience than Obama. What has Obama run? He rattles of figures about his 2500 person campaign. Well Palin manages 15,000 state employees and a budget of $12 billion. Name one major bill Obama was primary sponsor for in either the US or IL Senate. You can't. He was too busy voting 'present' when he bothered to vote at all.

I don't understand the R's claiming it's sexism to want to know everything about the unknown VP pick of a 72 year old candidate! Especially when Sarah herself said Hillary was not doing herself any favors and was whining sexism during the primaries? You can believe if all the experience and family history was the same but it was a man...the media would be all over it and worse! They are afraid to say what they really think and ask the questions they really want because they will be accused of sexism and bias. Sounds like the R's protest too much.

And by the way...if McCain/Palin would happen to win (in a bizzaro universe somewhere) – you can all take solice and feel secure that your VP can field dress a moose! W to the T to the F!

"Faux media scandal"???? Nominating an under-investigation creationist with a secessionist history, naked photos, and a raving "abstinence-only" pixie dust lunatic with a 17YO knocked-up daughter?......One who thinks that proximity to Russia counts as foreign policy experience?? One with two failed businesses on her resume, one of which was "involuntarily dissolved" by the state for non-payment of taxes and non-filing of corporate reports, with the letter of disolution to her on HER DEPARTMENT'S letterhead?........Wow, that's some faux scandal. What a senile, demented old fool.

I like to Thank Campbell Brown for grilling the Mc Bush advisor Tucker the sissy. The Mc Cain camp is a bunch of Republican whiners and wimp. Campbell Brown did a good job!

Campbell Brown is a disgrace for the reporting community. I wonder if she has ever questioned any OOObama people like the way she questions Mccain's campaign regarding Sarah Palin's experience.

Months aga if they had asked such questions to the Obama campaign, Hiliary would have won the nomination.

Media was solely responsible for Hiliary's loss and now they are trying to do the same for Sarah Palin.

McCain was desparate for votes, got a woman, any woman to be his vp thinking all the women are so stupid they would fall for it and he would get there votes with no questions!! Well the average American voter is not stupid and does want honest answers, has a right to ask. The republicans sure tried to rip Obama. This isn't sexism any more than it would be racism when you ask Obama questions, and he doesn't whine and say it is. The last 8 years with Bush has really wrecked this country and I don't believe we can survive with 4 more. McCain is too old and out of touch. All he talks about is war and being a POW, which was awful for him and I give him all the deserved credit for that. But he needs to think ahead instead of concentrating on the past and using that to run for president. Now he's scheming putting an unknown woman on his ticket.
VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN

You would think that any intelligent group of folks, having supposedly vetted Palin for six months (SIX MONTHS??) would know some of this stuff would show up – would have checked back issues of her local newspapers, would know that not only is there a concern about Troopergate, but that she tried to fire a county librarian who wouldn't ban books she wanted banned.

Either they are totally clueless as to how people would react when they found out some of these things, or they were stupid enough to think we would continue to swallow the misdirection and misinformation the Republican Party has become known for ever since they sold us a bill of goods in Iraq, lying about why we needed to go in, and then changing the reason for the invasion every time their reasons got shot down.

McBush is wondering how to Dump her off the ticket....What a snub to Rommney,,,,,bet Mitt is rubbing his hands together jsut waiting for the call.

women are not that stupid

Has anyone noticed the difference in composition of those delegates actually attending the RNC and DNC conventions? The RNC version appears to be over 90% white and wealthy-attired. The DNC version seemed to have people from every color and background. The contrast is startling to me. One version seems to show our presnt and future, the other is a throwback to the past.

Poor baby ...... that is so unfair! It is not like McCain people were out for blood with Hillary ....

Fair is fair ..

They complain about Obama's inexperience!!!! Well, now who is inexperienced? Obama has been playing hard ball in the big leagues and Palin has been playing softball in the sandlot! It's not about her being a female. She's the WRONG female! But again, you have to search awfully hard to find a political beauty queen in the boonies so you have something nice to look at in the Oval Office!

The McCain camp has no one to blame but themselves. They are the ones who threw out this unknown person with almost no information. The void of hard facts gives room for rumors to grow and has caused a media frenzy to find out the truth.

Looks like Chip on the above post knew Sarah Palin better than McCain himself. Chip? As in ice chip? As in the size of the "town" in which she was mayor? As in the total human population compared to wildlife of Alalska?

It's funny how there is no comment link for the Reid story. CNN know's there is nothing good to say about Reid, so they don't provide the ability to add comments.

Can't touch McCain because he's a "war hero," and can't touch Palin because she's the first female Republican nominee.

Isn't it a shame that in 2008 we're just getting the first female Republican VP nominee?

what he meant to say was 6 months vetting process IN DOG YEARS.

The reason the media are looking for a vetting "scandal" is because they and everyone else in this country can't believe McCain knowingly chose not only a political unknown, but a person with an unmarried pregnant teenage daughter, sketchy firing of a state official in her past, and ties to a group that advocates a state seceding from the U.S.

This is pretty laughable. Typical Republican rhetoric... the media is bad if they actually do some digging (which they should have been doing back in 2003 before the war in Iraq). Lets see... next thing they should be doing is getting "offended" and saying that her patriotism is being attacked... etc.. etc...

I will agree though... the DWI with her husband should really be a non-issue. Happened 20 years ago... what's the point? Her pregnant 17-year old daughter.. now that is a valid issue. This has nothing to do with her being a "bad" mom or anything like that. Or even the "family values" thing (although there can be so much you can write about that...) This brings into focus the issue of some of the conservative policies. Abstinence-only education vs. sex education. Sorry to say... all too perfect example of that policy not working... here's a woman who touts that policy yet see the results.

COUNTRY FIRST? WHICH COUNTRY? THE WHITE COUNTRY? I DID NOT SEE MANY IF ANY PEOPLE OF COLORS AT THE RNC!!! LOOKED LIKE A SEA OF RICH, OLDER AND WHITE TO ME! SO IS THAT THE COUNTRY WE SPEAK OF?

I think everyone should question McCain's pick of Palin for these reasons.

1. This was a rushed pick. She was not properly vetted by the McCain campaign. McCain does not know this woman as he had only met her once and only spoken to her twice. Nobody knows who she is.
2. McCain had 3 other people he would have rather chosen, but chose Palin for polictical reason which suggests this was not McCain's choice. This choice was made so he could cater to the far right of the party- like most of the issues he's altered his position on.
3. Palin's lack of national and international experience. The people who suggest she's is more qualified than Obama are the people who made the choice and would look foolish admitting she may be underexperienced. The reality is that Mrs. Palin was the mayor of a town of 8000 people and the governor of a state with less people than most large cities in the US. She has no experience with most issues she'll face as VP. Her executive experience as the RNC suggests is vastly overrated.
4. There are dozens of more qualified republicans that round out this ticket. (MN Senator Norm Coleman was mayor of St. Paul, and has two terms as a US Senator- by far more experience.) Why was she chosen over all these other qualified people. If she was a man would she have been picked.

If you are going to post about experience, at least don't compare apples to oranges... Obama isn't running against Palin...

Its McCain/Palin vs Obama/Biden and that breakdown looks like this

Dem Nominee Obama:
B.A in political science from Columbia University, with a specialization in international relations
J.D. in Law from Harvard, graduated magna cum laude;
12 years (92-04) teaching constitutional law
7 years State Senator:
4 years Senator for Illinos

Dem Vp Nominee Joe Biden:
School: University of Deleware (history poli sci) and Syracuse (law school)
2 years New castle county council
35 years US senate

Or you have the Republican ticket

McCain:
School: US Naval Academy

21 years US Navy, POW, Naval liaison Officer to Washington

4 years US House of Representatives AZ 1st District

21 years US Senate

2000 Presidential Candidate

Palin:
Bachelor's in journalism from University of Idaho

4 years Wasilla City Council (8000 people)

6 years Wasilla mayor (8000 people)

1 year "Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission"

20 months governor of a state with 660,000 people

This is exactly what they wanted. They want to hide behind the fact that she is woman and not talk about the issues. We need to be informed because this lady has a high change of being a president with John McCain being 72 and having had cancer 4 times.

I don't care about her daughter pregnancy, but I do care that she is for abstinence only. What about SCD's?

I don't care about her executive experience, but i do care about her foreign experience. She could easily be president and we are in 2 WARS!

Does she even understand the law? How well does she know the constitution? How well does she understand our relationship with other countries?

She may be a great lady and a reformer, but give her a job working with the budget, no vice president of the free world! This is a critical time and McCain/Paln do not seem to have a plan.

Thank god the media is doing the vetting thta Mc Cain did not. Palin could be a heartbeat form the presidency and I see no experience so far that qualifies her for that job. I will not vote for McCain because of his VP choice...clearly a political decision....I ask, is this putting country first?

"The McCain campaign will have no further comment about our long and thorough process. This nonsense is over. .The American people get to do the vetting now on Election Day – November 4th."

In other words, this is over because I say it is! Who does this thug think he is? News Flash buddy, something doesn't just go away because you say it does.

And we can make up our mind about her and McCain on election day?

Personally I'd rather know about someone BEFORE I vote for them.

I am a Republican woman, mother, grandmother, and a rape victim at the age of 20. That was in 1970. Roe v. Wade had not been decided. I had a Catholic doctor that did not even discuss the option of adoption with me, he just encouraged me to have the child. I did, and I raised her. I was made to feel that if I talked about being raped, that it was my own fault. She is now 37 years old and she will agree that for any mother to say that she would insist on her own daughter to have the child that was conceived during a rape doesn't deserve to even be a mother. My daughter and I survived and we love each other, but we both have lived throught it and would never put another woman, especially a young teen girl through it. At some time, when you decide to bring a child into the world, you make a commitment to protect that child after it is born. If you believe as Sarah Palin believes, you only protect that child until it is born.

Mike in Columbus September 3rd, 2008 12:20 pm ET

It seems clear now, the Palin pick was also intended to create an untouchable candidate. Any an all attacks are simply boiled down to attempts to "destroy the first female Republican nominee for Vice President of the United States".

Tricks and Gimmicks, that's all McCain's got.
------------

This seems to hit the nail on the head. Well put.

Why didn't you vote for McCain previously?? Because he was veiwed as an idiot!! Guess what?? Nothing about him has changed. He is preaching the same old stuff military hero, maverick, etc... I didn't buy it before why buy it now. The only reason why is he beat a list of dead beats with health or moral issues that dropped out of the race. We don't need another WAR hungry individual looking to make a name for himself; this is the reason we are in the mess that we are currently in. Mrs. Palin didn't have time to watch over her kids because she was pregnant and Gov of Alaska; what is going to happen now that she has a sick newborn and a teenage kid about to have a baby? this is reckless. I have a sick kid and it is very hard, so thing or someone is not going to get the attention that it need. I hope and pray for all of US that it is not our country that gets set aside in the bid for self promotion. I think it is a shame that this woman is considering this position at this point in her life. If she is the great candidate that the GOP wants us to believe then she should wait for her turn. RUN on her own not as a side show.

You Obama's lover,tell me Obama done one thing really good. Noting. He is fraud and just bla bla bla.

Attn:Small town NC

Your dumb and dumber comment that Obama the communist is exactly why he will win in November. The American people are much smarter than you obviously give them credit for

This campaign is consistently trying to use the "gender prejudice" card in Palin's favor - the media is exposing and unexperienced and poorly vetted candidate - and trying to ruin the "first FEMALE VP candidate" has nothing to do with it. McCain please next time, do your homework and you won't have to pull out ridiculous arguments in your defense; it just looks pathetic!!!

This is obvious. The media could not stand that this VP pick upstaged the Dems VP pick.

When I watched the rublicans last night, I noticed the crowd. Yes, suited white men, older Americans, fewer minorities, fewer smiles. then Liberman came out and just smiled and lied...alot. It even makes me nervous that he was even considered VP material.

Our leaders have to have intregrity and honesty. Who can be Pro Life and Pro War? Who can promote sexually abstinence when education is the only thing that will empower people to change? Who can leave a small govenorship and step into the spotlight exposing her kids? Not the kind of leader I want.

The phone rings at 3am. Who do we want to answer it? We'd really better think about this again and this time for real.

The people vetted Obama by electing him. Last time I checked, this is democracy at work. Gov Palin was CHOSEN by McCain and the only vetting that is going to have to take place is by the media since it does not seem that McCain didn't really do it himself and even Republicans in Alaska will tell you this. And by the way, why are all these vetters in Alaska now?

The media destroyed Clinton in the primaries and now their sights are set on Palin. Shame on them. Shame on the DNC and Obama.

Thanks for not posting my comment!! I didn't say anything wrong!

American Politics are so amazing; it appears to me that McCain Knew exactly what he was doing selecting Gov. Palin. he has the spotlight and he is controlling the news and on top of that the incredible bad job the media is doing in handling her has let to energize the Republican party to energize behind her and McCain. Brilliant in his part. Naive on the Media's part to have been played like this. Now McCain has level the plain field; we will continue to see coverage of Gov. Palin and the Republicans have accomplished a lot by taking away from the historic message Sen. Obama delivered last week. this move was almost as good as picking Sen. Lieberman for the ticket it has that kind of impact. Sen. McCain and the Republicans are ready to play ball, the question is: are the Dems ready?

Facinating! we still have 3 debates and a VP debate and 60 days before we vote... stay tune. this is going to be close.

all I hear is "whining" coming from the RNC. pathetic...I made the mistake of voting for Bush in the past. I'm not going to make the mistake again.

They have to be nuts!

If she was properly vetted and the McCain camp know all of this stuff they were morons for choosing her.

Who would shoose someone with so much baggage and so little experience.

The republcan party and McCain who have been on the wrong side of every womans right issue in the last 30 years crying sexism, give me a breat. McCain who attacked Chelsea when she was a teenager – what a bunch of crazies.

If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

PRO-LIFE...Unless you're in the military or a moose

And they says she is more qualified than Obama with a straight face...be real....

»GO McCain/Palin!...GO!...CONGRATULATIONS to the great man JohnMcCain:-HE CHOSE WELL!...Sarah Palin= WONDERFUL!... HURRAH for America!...HURRAH for Sarah Palin!...All right.

One of the first and most important decision's a candidate can make is to pick a running mate that is qualified and make sure that choice is ready. John McCain and the RNP fish bowl blew it.

If McCain's aid Steve Schmidt really believes that they did a rigerous 6 months vetting of sarah palin< Why ? then, Are there so many questions . If Steve Schmist is so smart then maybe we should all remove the signs on our foreheads "STUPID" and put one on his.

I wouldnt call this the straight talk express, it's more like the slieght talk express.

With the McCain republicans it 's the same smoke and mirrors show we been subjected to the last 8 years, Nothing differant, no changes

I DO NOT LIKE THE WAY THE MCCAIN CAMP IS HANDLING THE THE ISSUES SURROUNDING SARAH PALIN. SHE MAYBE A VERY SMART SWEET LADY, HOWEVER, SO ARE MANY MORE. LEVI JOHNSTON'S MOTHER SAID SHE HAD TO ACCEPT THE ISSUE OF THE PREGNANCY BUT KNEW THAT IT WOULD BE HARD. I AM A TAD CONCERNED IS TO WHY BRISTOL TRANSFERRED SCHOOL LAST YEAR DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. ALSO, WHY DOES PALIN'S HUSBAND ALSO GO BY THE NAME OF PELIA? THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS THAT STILL MAKE WOMEN NERVOUS.

She is not a Hillary Clinton. I'm actually insulted the Republican party thinks I'll support any women candidate. Palin does not have the experience needed to be President if called upon. This VP pick isn't getting my vote. I'm writing in Hillary and voting for a Democratic congress.

I don't believe the media is being unfair – no one knows much about her and it is apparent she was not his first choice.
I believe the bigger issue is the situation surrounding the police commissioner and the firing or non-firing of her former brother-in-law due to a messy divorce, bridge to nowhere and lobbyists money when McCain specifically stated she was against.
I can not fathom the GOP feels being mayor of a small town and a one term govenor gives her executive experience. This choice was an appeasment to the evangelical base and now we need to move on to the debates and the election in the fall.

Only people like her are in the Republican Party; its most unfortunate.

I am so sick of this woman and her baby and pregnant daughter. Where are the issues? who give a flying fig about her baby and daughter. This woman is a time bomb people, give a it a rest she will blow this race for mccain for sure.

I cannot believe the feed back last night from you media people. You tried to down play the democratic first night but the reps did not even discuss the #1 issue economy. You prejudice big mouhths think you know everything you morons make me sick, especially David Gergen, what a joke he is.

Obama /Biden

The media would NOT be doing the vetting if the CANDIDATES TEAM had done it before she was asked!
How easy was it proven to be by the average Joe or Jane American to type her name into a search engine?
The questions will continue until YOU ANSWER THEM!

This is another example of a campaign not being well run...
We have not seen such mishandling of an important decision like this with the Obama camp because they VETTED their VP pick...
We the public DEMAND answers..You want OUR VOTE...you OWE us answers Senator McCain

So whats up with the 32 propaganda tapes that McCain made as a POW? I would like to hear more about that

When I weigh the tickets, I ask this question–what if something happens to Sen. Obama (God forbid)? Joe Biden is an excellent VP choice–loads of experience. What if something happens to Sen. McCain (God forbid)? Miss Alaska is the Prez? Do what? If Obama has no experience, then this lady had less than none. The Republicans are making huge blunders on a daily basis. And to you folks who say her personal life is a non-issue, then don't run for the highest office in the land. The GOP better hope the pregnancy scandal stays front and center–sounds like Miss Alaska should stay in her home state to take care of business, both personally and professionally. As soon as she was announced as McCain's VP–I asked if he was serious about losing the Presidential race. Doesn't seem like he wants to win. And, BTW–I'm a registered Republican and I think my party has been sold down the road to the Oral Minority Neo-cons. Palin is an awful choice for VP. And it has nothing to do with being a woman.

Mike TX
Resko is in jail what do we still need to investigate

Why doesn't the Mcain camp say anything when FOX news continously lie about Obama? It hurts now, doesn't it?
What happened to Palin telling Hillary to stop whining? Palin toughen up!

Where are the Checks and Balance of the media?
The media no longer strives or prides itself in unbiased coverage.
Instead it seeks to spin, feed conflict, sensationalize information in a way that promotes distrust, and promote agendas that are counter to a civil society.
They are feeding a beast that has an unquenchable appetite for victims and conflict.

please... you're blaming the media for vetting your candidate... they're only doing the job you neglected to do...

When are the media going to be asking Obama about his long history of drug use? That's more relavent than whether or not Palin's daughter is pregnant, by anyone's standards.

The Republican's need to call out the names of the media who are Obama aides, and do it during the convention and through election day.

whereas fauxnews is the Republican mouthpiece and msnbc is at times too liberal, I think of the MSM only CNN is left of being balanced.
They grilled Obama for weeks and weeks, and I was really getting angry and looking forward to see if they will be balanced and grill the McCain campaign the same way.
I am glad and thankful they do.
Thanks CNN for being fair to both sides.

If the ol' boys club of both political parties could defeat Hillary Clinton, they can easily destroy Sarah Palin. With them it's "No Woman, No Way, No How". They're probably hoping Palin will withdraw her name and Romney will step in. We need to change the sexist attitude of this country or we'll just hurt our nation in the longrun by denying some higher qualified women the position of leadership.

Sarah Palin seems like a nice lady from Alaska.
Lets just wait a while longer for a final report.
But I did hear that she knows all about Russia
as its only 90 miles across the straits of Alaska, hows
that for foreign experience.

It's funny to watch Republicans have to defend their experience...they can't do it. I'll give it to McCain, he picked someone who is new to the scene and isn't part of established politics. But, this is what happens when you do that.

Get used to it. The people have a right to ensure that the person who will replace their president if god forbid something were to happen them is qualified. I think the pressure the McCain camp is feeling is called "buyer's remorse".

By the Math of the republicans they are saying she is more qualified then McCain since McShame was never a Governor..

Gimmie a break.....All the Republicans agenda is bash bash Obama...and they don't even say how they will fix anything...I saw Joe (Benedict Arnold ) Lieberman and other spewing the script that she is qualifies and then trash Obama....gees tell us how you will solve the issues!!! and then to not do any research about this woman...she is fair game and she deserves it...my god this woman views take us way right off the cliff...back in time....Women will lose their right to choose for themselves and so any woman that gets raped will have to have the child.....Repulicans don't care about our country...if they did look at our schools and our roads and all the jobs going over seas to China...

NO TO MCCAIN/ PALIN

What on earth kind of coverage did they expect after announcing this vastly underqualified VP choice with a colorful background. The fact no one knows who she is would prompt instant media coverage. The fact she has no business being considered for the second most important job in the world is another. These republican schemes will backfie. This is nothing personal and is not sexist. Sarah Palin is a terrible choice and a gamble by McCain. Do we expect the media to ignore this fact. Get Real.

It's good to see all the Feminist groups standing up for Sarah Palin in the face of these sexist and disgraceful attacks.....wait..what? They are leading the charge against her? Nancy Pelosi can have 5 kids and handle Speaker of the House duties but Palin is stretching too thin with her 5 kids and VP? Egads the double standard!

Feminism = Liberalism

Media = DNC part duex

You people are pathetic. It is none of your business who McCain picks for a VP. WHY ISN'T SOMEONE LOOKING INTO OBAMA'S DNA HE HAS HAD MANY NAMES? He could be anyone. No one knows his background it is grounded in Kenya and Indonesia. What is Joe Biden's kid who has been in many incidents, where is his interrogation? Where is the fairness there? Of course you are not interested in being fair. Americans will not fall for this crap. You are angering the 50% of Americans who don't vote and when they do it will be for McCain

You know, for an alleged maverick and supposedly strong candidate who will fearlessly lead us in to the future, according to the Republicans, McCain's campaign has whined constantly about not getting enough press attention, which seem more like the actions of a lonely teenager on facebook. Can anyone recall a presidential campaign in which a candidate's campaign complained more about press coverage? I saw Campbell Brown's interview with Tucker from the McCain campaign and it boiled down to the simple fact that he utterly refused to give a straight answer to a direct question. He gave the impression that he simply did not have an answer, and for McCain to cancel an interview in response, again, seems like the actions of a petulant child and not a presidential candidate. So first they complain that they aren't getting enough coverage, and then they use petty reprisals when they don't get the cushy coverage they want? This is just absurd.

we need to send the Right Wing political machine a message and vote in Obama. unless we do that they'll continue with their politics of divide and conquer. Obama will unify the country.

I certainly agree that the McCain camp has plenty of legitimate arguments regarding how the Elite Media has covered both his campaign and Sarah Palin... it is now the voters in America turn to VET and ELECT John McCain in November and by doing so really tell the LIBERAL MEDIA WHERE TO GO!

I used to respect McCain when he ran against Bush in the 2000 primaries. Now with Palin he sounds just like Bush picking Brownie to head FEMA and Harriet Miers for Supreme Court, both woefully inadequate for those positions. Palin is just as pathetic. I would have respected him if he had made a decent thoughtful choice, but he didn't..
Obama 08

Vote for McCain and put an Alaskan Hillbilly family a 72 year old heartbeat away from the oval office and the Red Button.

If McCain can't get the message back to himself as President, rather than having his questionable pick as VP the subject of attention the battle is lost and so is the Presidency.

Red, Red WHINE

LOL, you're right Joey – John McCain of 2000 would NOT even think about being buddies with the John McCain of 2008!

Wow. McCain is upset because he can't pull a quick one this time. The fact is that Palin is not qualified. McCain would be the oldest 1st term president and he already has had cancer two times. For anyone to say that his VP pick is not important is absurd. McCain must have realized this but still chose to put politics over our national security and best interests. National politics are very different from state politics, especially when your state is the most isolated and most sparsely populated state in the union. McCain has already blundered his first presidential decision.
Also, Palins daughter and the rest of her family is an issue because the Republicans are making it an issue by flaunting them on stage tonight. What message is this sending? Teen pregnancy is good??? What about your abstinence programs and stance against premarital sex? You can't have it both ways!
I peronsally think the DWI is irrelevant. But what about Palin and her husbands ties to the AIP??? We want a holder of a public federal office to be part of a seccession coalition? That is not very patriotic soudning to me and almost sounds like it could be walking on the line of treason.
No how. No way. No McCain.

It is pretty clear that the Democratic Media has been sexist during the election cycle. They were elated that Hillary went down and now want Sarah to go the same way. So much for the fair left wing media.

If McCain can't handle the media, how is he going to protect our wonderful country from terrorists, wars, and other disasters?

"The nonsense is over." Over?? Anyone else uneasy with the kissy- huggy greetings between McCain and Palin? Cindy did, tapped him on the shoulder, and told him to move on. He looks like a giddy schoolboy! The whole thing is ludicrous. Even though I'm a democrat, I believe that McCain had much better choices for VP than this woman. One more piece of insanity for the 2008 elections.

Okay, this whole thing of BOTH SIDES accusing the media of bias is becoming old very quickly.

NO Obama NO Obama No Obama.

McCain you might as well get used to the barrage that the media is going to toss at Palin. They did their best to ruin Hillary and I would have to say succeeded at least enough by rook and crook of the DNC to get OBAMA elected as their candidate. You and Palin need to stay with them and fight tooth an nail or we will have an unfit couple of Democrats as President And VP of the United States. The shame of all this that there are so many Americans who can't see the lightening for the rainbow.

As a family physician, and registered republican, I am VERY
concerned about the choice of Sarah Palin,...
Family does come first, and so does our country.

I honestly think Sarah Palin could be great in time.
But this is not her time.. NOT based on exeperience. Not based on her family needs.

OUR country means to much to accept her as a heart beat away from McCain.!!!!

To: PHIL / TEXAS The only way you corrupt republicans are going to win the election this year, you're going to have to CHEAT like your corrupt party did in 2000 in Florida and 04 in Ohio. Throwing people votes out, not letting people vote in their district, putting broken machines in some areas, setting up road blocks in some areas so people can't vote, rigging voting machines so when you vote for Obama it goes to Mcsame, having died people voting, thats right dead people voted down in Florida back in 2000 for Bush.

Well know they know how Obama felt when they did this to him as the first black candidate. They did him the exact same way. It is not the media, the media is nobody's friend, black, white, woman, man, boy, girl. This is the media's job. This is what they get paid to do. This is how they make a living. If you give them a story they are going to run with it. Obama made his way through and now she must make her way through if she is tough enough. Obama has made his way through it.

i think this strategy by the mccain campian should be nipped in the bud. he first accusation fo media bias got him the attention he needed and what did he do with it....bash obama and come out with the celebrity ad. without making any mention of his plans for his "country the he loves" and now he's using the same technique so as to get the people and media to overlook the fact that his pick of sarah palin is in deep disregard for the situation facing american today.

IT WAS NOT ALL THE MEDIA. IT WAS JOHN MCCAIN AND HIS
BIG SURPRISE. HE SHOULD PUT SOME OF THE BLAME ON HIMSELF!

Americans are tired of being surprised, and tricked by this Government!!!!

John McCain reminds me of a man with a bag of tricks and
when it works, he smiles and smirks. I can't stand the man.
Or the rest of the clan.

»Sarah Palin is soooo WONDERFUL!...SOOO LOVELY!...So SMART!...HURRAH!...HURRAH!...She will be a GREAT VP!...Yes. This is the way,in USA!...All right.HURRAH!...

Ready for change

Michelle Obama probably has a 9-5 job, both her children are in school and she Does Not have a special Needs child. Your arguement here is totally stupid. It's Palin's experience that sucks.

The claim is absurd!! The Republicans are now playing the gender card. "Do not criticize me because I am a woman." - Jenny

OH say it ain't so !!! obama on the O'RIELLY FACTOR ?!!! , OH NO, whose bright ideal was this ? obama ! where a flax jacket, bring a gun your gonna have to shoot this fool !!!

Media is like sharks, they smell blood and fresh meat.

dont

Why do the RNC need to compare her record to Obama’s this is not about a comparison she has only been a Govr. For 18 months. Period! What does that have to do with Obama? NOTHING!

Chip Chip (my friend).......I also knew she was being considered. I still need to know more for myself.

And please stop using those code words like liberal and media bias, they may work on your people since it seems like they operate like a herd just by listening to a couple of code words so they can be steered into a given direction. It doesn't work on more intelligent people.

My God, could the possible whine any more????? It's the media's fault, its the angry left's fault, it's the American people's fault......

"Her selection came after a six-month long rigorous vetting process where her extraordinary credentials and exceptionalism became clear."

So this 'rigorous process' began before the primaries? Pretty cocky, especially for a campaign that was about to go broke. Also – what kind of 'long rigorous vetting process' entails meeting with a top candidate only once?

Republicans need to quit getting mad when the media does their job. They are trying to find out more about Palin, good and bad. You're basically asking all of us to believe exactly what camp McCain wants us to believe about her. No one is perfect and we deserve to know, just like everyone has looked into the past of Obama and brought to light some of the 'dirt'. Now holding her daughter's situation against her is wrong, but taken as a whole, these mini 'scandals' can tell part of the story of who she is, how she operates, and how she deals with adversity. To me, she hasn't impressed me with her handling of these issues, it just feeds into the idea she's not ready. As an American, I just can't see her meeting with Putin or handling delicate policy matters. She may have done well in Alaska, but this is clearly a different animal being vice president. I happen to support Obama and likely wouldnt have liked any of McCain's choices, but there are very legitimate concerns here that these side stories feed into.

Obama
-No executive experience except for this campaign
-2500 employees
-$21 million "income" per month on average to run campaign

Palin
-20 months of executive experience which has netted her an 85% approval rating
-77,000 state employees under her supervision
-$1.2 billion monthly budget for the state

Who do you trust? I trust Palin...

btw... degrees do not matter. Ask Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Jackson, and Franklin what their degrees were. IF that is your basis on elections, then that's sad.

A leader is a leader and cannot be taught in a school.

I'm curious as to when "the media" choose Gov. Sarah Palin as Sen McCain's runningmate? Was Sen. McCain unaware the public figures are subject to the media scrutiny? Did it occur to the Republican presidential nominee that he and his staff should have spent some time finding the answers to the questions both the media and the public might ask? Is anyone concerned that, when Tucker Bounds cannot answer legitimate questions posed to him by Campbell Brown, the Republicans stomp off the media field crying FOUL? Does anyone in the GOP get it?

What was it that Hill's folks said?

IF YOU CAN"T TAKE THE HEAT, STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN!!

So, Gov Palin, IF YOU DECIDE TO STAY IN THE KITCHEN, THEN YOU BETTER DUCK BECAUSE THE KITCHEN SINK IS COMING AT YOU!

But hey, you hunt Moose right??!!

Nobody wants to address how Obama is more qualified. I had to laugh last night when one of the MSNBC "reporters" questioned Palin's credentials with Newt. Newt when on to blast the report and named off a series of accomplishments in comparison to Obama, and then asked the "reporter" to name one Obama accomplishment. The reporter gave a smile and send it back up to the hatchet men.

So, what are Obama's accomplishments. Name just one.

Excuse me while I throw myself of my chair through the window in my 6th floor office.
You mean to tell me that it's the media's fault that her office fired the man who did not want to fire her ex-brother-in-law?

You mean to tell me that it's the media's fault she tried drugs?

You mean to tell me that it's the media's fault that her husband is a member of the AIP?

You mean to tell me that it's the media's fault that she wanted pork money to build the bridge to nowhere before she was against it?

You mean to tell me that it's the media's fault that she found her little city with zero debt and left with over 20 million in the red?

You mean to tell me that it's the media's fault that she doesn't know anything about the war in iraq because it was of no interest to her?

You mean to tell me that it's the media's fault her daughter did not adhere to the abstinence only policy taught at home?

Sir, I am no fan of the media either but come on how absurd are you?

Who want some of this kool-aid?

Maybe if you vetted your VP you wouldn't have a problem with the media. Reps are missing the point and Obama should have included all Reps as the people who "just don't get it." It's not about Palin character or her record. The point is McCain really wanted Lieberman, was forced to chose Palin at the last minute after having met her only once and now all this news about her being investigated, her daughter's pregnancy etc. What did you expect the media to do?
The McCain campaign deserves to lose because they have run a horrible campaign and the media had nothing to do with it. They are not fit for the White House!!!

Two things have escaped the public's attention. Senator McCain said she had been properly vetted and even said the FBI did a background check and so far NOT one person has reported any evidence of either. IN fact, there is more evidence that HE LIED about the vetting and didn't even know the 17 year old was pregnant, let alone all the other news that has come to light. He took a big risk because he was agitated with what was happening to him again. He was losing, even after he went out on a limb with the whole surge idea that he insists succeeded. Succeeded in what we don't know yet. My family has lost all respect for Senator McCain. We supported him in 2000 and thought he was a real maverick, which he may have been more of at that time, but is certainly NOT anymore. The second issue which continues to dumbfound me, is how all these conservative right women would support a woman who is obviously NOT ready to be Vice President in any way. These are the same women who won't stand up for a woman in their pulpits, on their elder boards in their churches. The ONLY conclusion I can draw is they have been so repressed in their freedom of expression and opinions, that NOW they will jump at any chance to champion the cause of women's increased rights. Anyone who has supported "Family values" for the past number of decades has to know that more children die of poverty related issues in this world than anything else because their mothers didn't have access to birth control and weren't prepared for more children, to say nothing of teen pregnancies. I am glad that EVangelical leaders now have come to the conclusion that everyone makes mistakes and the child isn't the mistake and they can respond more forgiving and graciously, but what about providing for ALL the children of teen Moms, single Moms and impoverished Moms that don't have a wealthy, powerful family to support them. What would Jesus want us to do for them? Senator McCain is NO Christ follower. He cheated on his wife, left her for another, makes offensive remarks about his own wife and women who have been raped. He is NOT to be trusted and anyone who calls themself a Christian and would vote for him should seriously consider how they will account for their hypocrisy!!!

Give me a break! It was purely a gimmick pick so that they could have a "historical" ticket (first female Republican on a ticket) to compete against Obama's historical ticket. Her extremist positions appeal to the far right, a blok needed by McCain to shore up the base. And, if they pick up some disaffected Hillary voters in the process, that's icing on the cake (even though her positions are totally opposite to Hillary's). McCain wanted to pick Lieberman, but kowtowed to the far right, because he knew he wouldn't have any chance of winning if he picked the much more qualified Lieberman.

watch O'Reilly interview Obama

Pu-leese – Republicans have put in place the most vicious attack media network on the planet. Palin is arrogant/callous enough to put herself in the national spotlight despite all of her warts and now she doesn't want anyone to notice??? Well, the empress has no clothes!!!

Ohh.... these questions are unfair! The media is no good! Whaaa.... someone took my binky... these Republicans are just like Bill Clinton... a sad state of affairs to be sure...

If you cant stand the heat get out of the kitchen

Obiden 08

This is SPIN...............what do you think that the Republicans have done with Obama ? Have they not attempted to destroy The Dem nominee by accusing him of lacking experience??? Attacking his religion not to mention fasely accusing him of a non-Christian believe?? Pretraying Obama and his wife as unAmerican !!!! How dare they !!! What PHONIES. God gives back two-fold what has been shelled out !!!!!! This is just the beginning...........much more to follow. UNLESS, the McCain campaign gets to issues as opposed to unjustified attacks..........Nov. is going to be a Republican trouncing !

What HYPOCRITE'S! After the attack add's on anyone and everyone Obama may have come across, after the attack ad's on his WIFE, they have the nerve….

I swear these republican hypocritical scumbags disgust me by the minute

YOu must have forgetton all your bS negetive ads against Obama. and he has NOt run even ONE negetive against her. like you did with Joe biden and your Gaff meter. on YOUR site. amazing

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA, "We don't get enough press coverage". How's that working for you now?

IS THIS TRUE, I'm counting on the investigative reporters to find the truth!
Sarah Palin is suing the Bush Administration over its decision last week to place the animal under the protection of the Endangered Species Act, claiming that climate models predicting the continued loss of sea ice – the main habitat of polar bears – are unreliable.The Governor of Alaska – a state whose residents overwhelmingly support oil exploration – Sources: TIMESONLINE, May 23, 2008
Is this the back door the Rep. are going totake to open ANWAR?

She's self-destructing just fine on her own, thank you.

First they complained about too little media coverage. Now they complain its too much. This is getting to be funny.

To be truthful, if you happened to click around the Sunday morning weekly news show, you would have seen a number of republican talking head including Giuliani equipped with the same talking points. These talking points were designed to draw in an inquisitive viewer and host then lash out at them with a comparison of Obamas accomplishments or lack there of. What they were not prepared to answer is 18 million voters agree that Obama has accomplished enough to be the leader of the free world while no one but McCain and his supporters believe this Gov of a state with 600,000 and a approval rating in the 60's is fit for the presidency.

John McCain, because you didn't vet her properly, the media has too. Barack Obama had the same issue. Hillary Clinton raised this issue repeatedly, but Barack Obama was elected. We choose good judgment is far more important than years in Washington. His VP pick is good, I think.

John McCain, is contrast, despite his long years of experience, shows poor judgment in his VP pick. Picking his VP from one conversation? This is dangerous.

If the McCain campaign can't take the heat, then they should get out of the kitchen.

what's good for the goose is good for the gander - sorry, repubs!

Beware of the Obama-aid. It tastes sweet going down but then it sours your stomach.

So the "Liberal Media" is run by the "Old Boys Network"???

It is simply the opposite – The media is not scrutinizing her track record at all – instead of focussing on absolutely red herring issues such as abortion or teen pregnancy.

1. She denies that Global Warming is man made. She says the "science" that she has seen does not support it.

2. She is fighting the federal government on declaring the Polar Bear as endangered.

3. She used a lobbyist (a former Ted Stevens staff member) to wring out every last penny in pork barrel projects ensuring her county got more dollars than the city of Idaho

4. She was a governor of Alaska for winter when most of the state shuts down.

5. She believes in and encourages Creationism to be taught in schools.

Absolutely sickens me to the stomach that such a person could be the next president of this great country.

Republicans will do anything (including whining about media) to defend their lousy VP choice. I can't believe McCain selected someone so immature, with hardly any experience in foreign affairs or economy (other than saying drill in ANWAR and running itsy-bitsy govt. of Alaska) to be heartbeat away from Presidency. All McCain wanted was to woo the evangelical right conservatives. From now till Nov. all we will hear when we question Palin on anything is either we are sexist or out there to destroy a first time woman republican VP choice. Why don't they talk about her extreme rightist conservative views on everything in life rather than whining??

obama on fox new – o'reily...is this true?

Republicans are nothing but whiners and hypocrites. Criticism is fine as long as it's directed at someone else. Well let's look at the record. John McCain is an admitted adulterer who applied for his marriage license to Cindy before he was officially divorced from his first wife Carol yet no one brings up that aspect of his character. Yet Bill Clinton had consensual "second base" sex with an adult woman and was impeached and nearly convicted. Now the "holier than thou" Sarah Palin wants to preach family values to us while her teenage daughter is getting pregnant. If she can't watch her daughter do you expect her to watch out for Al Qaeda?

Do you want to talk scary, sense scaring people is the Republican way of getting elected:

-Sara Palin handling the Russian Georgia Crisis
-Sara Palin handling Iran's growing nuclear program
-Sara Palin even having an opinion about what we should do in Iraq

Sara Palin as VP and as President = Scary for America

I think this also says something about John McCain's judgement, in the sense that he didn't even know this person and didn't really vet Palin before putting her one heartbeat away from the Presidency. Is this how he's going to make other decisions?!?! Think about it.

It was okay to equate Obama to Britney Spears, but when Britney's mom, dad and sister shows up in his house, any comment is a "plot" to destroy? I hope McCain keeps underestimating the intelligence of the average voter.

The fact is Sarah Palin, John McCain and the republicans have finally taken the wind out of the celebrity sails of the Obama camp, and they are scared. Barack said he had more experience because of the way he has run his campaign over the last 2 years with his 2500 workers and 12 million per month budget. Wake up Kool Aid drinkers. Palin is the Governor of a state with 77,000 state employees and a state budget of over 1 billion dollars. She has at least just as much experience as Barak and she was picked for the VP spot, not Presidential candidate. If McCain's pick was so bad, why are so many Obama supporters upset? They should applaud it. Maybe it's because the republicans have them wondering if they supported the wrong person.

Dear CNN,

Please, please, please do not listen to this crap again. It's the media's job to ask tough questions of both parties. It's what you are supposed to do. If it's a non-issue, let the answers show that. Don't let them cow you into not asking in the first place.

The Republicans realized a long time ago that if they yelled long and hard about negative media attention, they wouldn't get negative media attention. They realized that they don't need to focus on policies, they only need to focus on media manipulation. Eventually, the democrats will realize the same thing, and then we won't have any substance to our politics at all. The only way to stop this cycle is for the media itself to call it what it is: whining and griping because they can't answer the questions you're asking.

Remember, if there is a fair chance to respond, then there is no such thing as an unfair question. Don't fall for this again. I'm begging you.

Me thinks they doth protest to much

Repub's are arrogant and hypocrites. They use Obama's children for an AD and then say children are out of it. They attack Obama on experience then says, don't attack Palin. No way... we are tired of fear, war and bad economy. We need something new.

The media coverage of Gov. Palin is disgusting and a disgrace. If you didn't know CNN is for Obama, then you haven't been paying attention. Solidad OBrian has been hammering on her all morning. She is agruing with everyone that says anything good about her. Lets not leave out Campbell Brown, Anderson Cooper, David Gergen, Carville, and Bagalla. John King has also been very disappointing I always thought he was fair, not now. Then they let Roland Martin [Obama's attack dog] on there to continue the belittlement of Gov. Palin.

Someone should do something about this. I have never seen anything like this.

It is indeed sexist to believe that women should not be subject to as much scrutiny as a man.

Questioning the Governor's qualifications is now considered sexist? When McCain isn't hiding behind his POW status, he hides behind the charge of sexism against Palin.

Enough.

Obama, 2008.

Wow, who's whining now?

The media is not destroying Palin, she did that on her own. And am I supposed to believe she was thoroughly vetted? That's a laugh. Being a neighbor to Russia and Canada does not atomically qualify one as having international experience.

As a woman, I will not be voting for McCain/Palin, I will vote for Obama/Biden. I want this country to go forward, not backward. And that's what will happen if the Republicans win. If this happens, ladies, you can kiss your freedom to choose goodbye. Any chance of getting equal pay – not going to happen with McCain in charge. You want a Supreme Court that is balanced, McCain will make it an all conservative Court. Vets, you want benefits? Just look at his voting record, that speaks for itself.

If McCain had picked a qualified running mate in the first place, none of this would be happening. And if he thinks I'm going to vote for him just because he picked a female running mate, he's crazier than I thought. I'm NOT stupid.

It's funny who the McCainers lean on to spread the news that the media are mean to them.... looks like it's the media. Lol.

The squeaky clean Republican Party would never nominate someone without a perfect family. Someone lied and now they are all lying.

Palin is parading her pregnant daughter and her boyfriend out tonight since it's polled well with her wingnut base.

McCain is mad because the press is asking questions that they cannot answer and leaving the pregnancy issue alone.

How many years are we going to put up with this nonsense?

Sorry Senator McCain but your VP pick's husband wanted to secede from the union. That's a pretty big question that needs to be addressed.

How many pro-choice independent women and how many pro-choice Republican women will vote for the Republican vice president candidate?

Sometime ago I remembered hearing that significant support for Hillary's came " uneducated " white voters. If this was true, Sarah should do quite well because people in this category of voters wouldnt know the difference between Hillary and Sarah. It would be really interesting to see who the " uneducated " white women support today.

I'm curious about the campaign's unwillingness to speak in further detail on this "six month long in-depth vetting process" in light of the memo leaked to the press that they had only had one interview with her (two days prior to the announcement that she would be the VP nom), McCain had only met with her one week prior to choosing her (in his ridiculous hope that he might be able to bring Joe-Mentum on board), the people of her community and those areas which she governed in Alaska had heard NOTHING of her even being in the running (and had met no one from the campaign or been interviewed at all) and the FBI stating they hadn't had any sort of background check on Palin requested by the campaign.

What exactly was the campaign DOING for those six months?

BTW....I love Campbell Brown! That was a totally legit interview she did. She was no way near aggressive as the Good Ol' boys club on Fox have been on dems. Isn't it crazy that anything questioning Palin is considered "sexist" by the republicans? It was said in many interviews but most notably between Carville(who was the biggest Clinton supporter) and a GOP congresswoman. So is anything questioning Obama "racist"? GOP you can't have it both ways

Of course, because for them, there was going to be only one "different" golden boy this campaign season–Obama.

Once they destroyed Hillary, they thought it was over, they did not expect Palin. Now they are using her personal problems to tear her down, which, just might backfire given her problems are ones many Americans face.

If Palin (both a mayor and a governor ) is unqualified to be vice president then how is the Community Organizer qualified to be president?

Unfortunately to the liberals of whom largely live in cities with a population of 100,000 or more, this country is a nation of Wasillas, not Chicagos.

Smells like the Dems are scared.

Hypocrisy, thy name is GOP

It sounds to me like vetted Ms. Palin like they researched the invasion of Iraq. A quick sloppy affair made using dogma and ideology rather than fact and substance.

Welcome people. Our NEW CELEBRITY.

"exceptionalism" is not a real word.
Just saying...