PHOENIX, Arizona (CNN) – Sarah Palin's selection as John McCain's running mate redefined how vice-presidential candidates influence a campaign. Unfortunately for McCain, the Alaska governor hurt his presidential bid more than she helped.
Watch: Palin weighs in on 2012
Palin had been unfamiliar to most Americans, aside from some conservative writers and bloggers, who had admired her since she upended Alaska's Republican establishment by knocking off incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski in 2006.
That all changed on August 29 - the morning after Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention - when Palin was introduced by McCain.
It wasn't just reporters who were stunned. Even McCain staffers at the event itself were shocked. Many assumed McCain would tap a GOP heavyweight like Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty. The most daring option, many thought, would be Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat.
But Palin's debut instantly energized the Republican base, which had long been cool to McCain, and the GOP ticket surged in the polls.
From CNN Politics
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McCain thought the woman of this country were idiots and did the lowest of pandering, I don't blame Sarah she was way out of her league and just being used, now she's SNL joke.
Hillary Clinton lost the primary. Get over it. Everyone else has. Over 90% of Democrats voted for Obama.
Palin is not the reason why McCain lost. The story of the last days was about the economy. He didnt exert leadership to calm the situation. He hastily ran without a clear message. If he would have grabbed the leadership and take it away from Obama, he would have won.
Keeping in tradition with what you left-wing loons have been donig for the last eight years – everything wrong that happens after Jan 20, 2009, will be Obama's fault. If there is a natural disaster, its his fault. If America is attacked again, its his fault. If the economy continues to slide, its his fault. If we loose the wars, its his fault. Now the shoe is on the other foot.
By the way, there is no longer any justification for the NAACP, BET, Congressional Black Caucus, National Negro College Fund, Affirmative Action, etc. Now that a black man has attained the highest office in the land, contueing these race-centered traditions is nothing but pure racism!
If I were Palin this is what I would do:
1. I have found out that selling my low IQ to the American people is not going to work.
2. In 4 years America will change for good and I wouldnt have many of my extremist supporters
3. Facing the media again and being prepared and good in foreign policy etc is not going to happen for me
So what I do is just join the Alaska Independence Party and try to become the President of Alaska... hehehehe
The only thing Palin did was polarize the nation. She was the most divisive political figure in the last 40 years. The hatred, racism, and religious fanatical rhetoric was enough to turn off even her own parties delegates. She is not a true representative of the Republican party. If the Republican party embraces her in the future they will be writing their own obituary.
You hateful people... these types of comments are the reason why are country is so divided. You should all be ashamed.
At long last maybe we've heard the last of the fake Joe the Plumber, and his long time friend, first dude Todd Palin. Maybe Todd, Joe, and Caribou Barbie can have a picnic back in Wasilla. Good riddance!
Unfortunately for America, we will have to listen to Palin. She's the new Jerry Falwell for the GOP. The funny thing is Jerry Falwell wasn't liked very much. His wife did a book tour trying to tell the public what a great guy he was, and how he was misunderstood–he wasn't. He was mean spirited and divisive, just like Sarah.
America won last night, and I couldn't be prouder.
Obama/Biden 08
President Obama has a beautiful ring to it. McCain lost a hard run race but America wanted change and America spoke and with a loud voice.
To no Hillary = no Obama, it's people like you that have kept this country divided, go back at look at video from Phoenix and Chicago last night. Chicago represented AMERICA, Phoenix represented the past. Just in case your not sure what I mean or you don't want to hear me, take a look at the supporters Phoenix = all White, Chicago = African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Whites, Cubans, Young, Old etc. NOW THAT'S THE FACE OF NEW AMERICA.
Palin was a willing pon in the game of chess. McCain said to women everywhere that he has no respect for them when he made that choice, essentially thinking that women are mindless and would take any women for VP.
The country chose the best man to lead this country.
Congrats President Obama and VP Joe Biden.
Amazing (irrelevant to Politics), though a simple observation:
Most women who hated Sarah Palin (at my job), you can tell were the "ugly girls" in college, and the guys who are anti-Palin, well, they usually wear more make-up than Palin herself.
Didn not anyone listen to what both candidates said last night....
They said it was time to put the bickering and back biting, away and for us to come together as a antion , to make things better for all of.
The comments here and other places that are so devisive still do not meet those expectations.
I am a 54 year old white male and have been through the 60's and 7-'s protests that tore this country apart...
All of you...NOW is a time to put your country first, ahead of your political views because only by working together can we turn this country back into what it once was.
STOP the nastiness, the partisanship and let us all come together...
Hey Moosekiller If you decide to run in 2012, Get yourself a new brain, a new personality and LEARN TO TELL THE TRUTH, AND STOP LYING YOU ARE A BITTER NASTY SOUL!
I wish the Hockey Mom and the Maverick well.
Now President-Elect Obama and Vice-President Elect Biden can move this country in a positive direction.
this woman COST THE REPUBLICIANS THIS ELECTION! they need to apologize to every voter in america and so should john mccain, shame on them they need to admit their MISTAKE, its not fair to their campaign workers,they were fighting a losing battle.
I never thought she was a bad person or lacking intelligence...however I in no way thought she was ready to be VP or Pres. Although I disagree with most of her ideas I wish her and her family the best and hopefully both tickets find ways to work together to move this great nation forward.
Hey Sarah. Now you know what a community organizer can do.
She ran a smear and fear campaign but it didn't work – not this time.
How can she look at herself in the mirror knowing how much she lied. I heard her say she wanted to work closely with President- Elect Obama. I bet she choked on those words. Oh, one more thing..... We now have Joe the V.P – who cares about Joe the Plummer. Mabe he can go to Alaska with the Palins.
Analysis of Sarah Palin's "contribution" to Mr. McCain's defeat: this is a verdict on Intelligence over ignorance; Inclusiveness over divisiveness; Pragmatism over irrationality; Pride in American values over disdain for American values; Courage over fear; Grand vision over petty pettiness; Hope over despair; opitimism over fear mongering; global citizenship over Wasilla citizenship. Hope she runs in 2012. Thank you America for restoring mankind's faith in democracy.
Rocked or not, she LOST it for McCain. Thank you Gov. Palin! Now you can go home and do whatever it is you do in Alaska and leave constructive governance of this country to the winning team.
YES WE CAN AND YES WE DID!!!
Palin is the reason McCain lost. The interviews with Katie and the economy were tanking at the same time. The interviews are what did it. America took a second look at Sarah and DID NOT like what they saw. Thank God, what if we had picked McCain and he had a heart attack or something. We'd be saddled with a women who was underqualified and did not have the tools to be the president.
I'm all for a woman getting to the highest level, just not that woman.
OMG, what will Tina Fey do now?
Obama/Biden 08
It's over.
Now is the time for Americans to come together – to combine our efforts and help solve these terrible problems.
Palin simply didn't cut it – too many asinine comments about small towns vs. big cities, not to mention that she's WAY too far to the right (why should abortion be illegal in the case of rape? Rapists should be "incinerated" – such filthy people DO NOT DESERVE THE RIGHT TO REPRODUCE)!!!!
Had McCain made speeches during the campaign like his concession speech last night, the outcome might have been decidedly different. Had he not chosen a woman who managed to hurt his campaign far more than she helped it might have been different.
I personally think the correct candidate won. But, without the negative campaign ads, McCain could have beaten Obama by sticking to the issues and choosing a far more qualified Vice-Presidential candidate. You can read that as roughly three quarters of the United States.
I loved Sarah Palin and I thought the media was unfair in their treatment of her. Just wait you haven't seen the last of her.