CNN

[...] CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive ... By CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart They are the ones misinforming the public. They are the liars. Americans are realizing what this administration is doing and they are ANGRY. The news media can try to censor them all day long. It's not going to work. ... CNN Political Ticker – http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/ [...]

[...] Jeffrey said, "I think it's not proven" she can go toe-to-toe with President Obama. Begala calls Palin 'about half a whack job' Palin's such an easy target it's ALMOST not fair. [...]

[...] CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive ... [...]

[...] CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive ... [...]

From what we, most independents who I know and I, have seen so far that the only thing that Mrs. Palin could do was attacking Obama since day one as the VP candidate. Her way of attacking does not need to be intelligent and requires only finishing middle school. She has been pushing us, the independents, further and further away from the GOP. People who have at least high school diploma might no longer stand with this kind of politicians. It would be very sad if she holds any high office representing the U.S.A. We are wondering if she is being used a tool for getting the dirty job done. We are still waiting to see if Palin can be more professional.

I wish that the media would stop giving voice to the total nonsense being put out by half term governor Palin. Until she is ready to speak to the press in person so that she can be questioned on this stupidity, she should be ignored.

If she really believes whats she's tweeting or putting on facebook, why not come out and have a press conference?

The media is being played and they aren't smart enough to realize it.

This woman is not even a politician anymore, she is absolutely nobody, so why would anybody think she has any right to be involved in politics. She is absolutely nothing and nobody.

Paul's being kind. Sarah Palin isn't half a whack job. She's a TOTAL whack job.

It's hysterical that some conservatives say Liberals are 'afraid' of Sarah Palin. She doesn't scare us at all. It's those who support her that scare us. It's scary that some people are really that clueless.

How will this end? Any takers? I'm voting for a cat-fight meltdown on stage at a political rally half-way through a babbling speech where she gets dizzy and disoriented from six different types of prescription meds and stops. Then, to the lady in the front row, "what? What did you call me? I'll kill you you (beep beep beep) Aaah!" and then the stage dive.

The provision that Grassley took out of the House bill simply said that living will consultations would be paid for; they are not mandated, and the government will not be telling the doctor what to say or recommend.

I think you're confusing this provision with the gag order the Bush Administration pushed through regarding doctors and abortion.

America is about people who value their freedom, who believe in opportunity, who look to leaders for intelligence, forethought and endurance.

Palin and her ilk want to dictate the most private aspects of our lives (religion, sexuality, reproduction), can't name a newspaper they read on a regular basis (and take 6 years and 5 colleges to graduate), open their mouths without thinking ("death panels" – hah!), and quit when they have 1.5 years left on their job.

If my first paragraph describes "elitists" and the second "hockey moms," then I'll take the elitists any day.

54% Say Passing No Healthcare Reform Better Than Passing Congressional Plan

Obama's nose continues to grow.

CNN closed the latest Obama ticker after nine comments.

I wonder why?

Hey man Begala have you taken a look at yourself in the mirror lately?

How smart do think you are..? Not very just the way you look at things.

Remember putting others down does not enhance your image..!!!!!!

The name calling continues on both sides and the facts get lost in the emotions. Fact- The end of life counseling language is the same as what was supported by Republicans in the recent Medicare bill. Fact- Glen Beck condemmed the American health care system (after being one of its victims) before he said now that it is the best in the world. Fact- When judged by overall quality of care and mortality/morbidity the United States lags far behind other developed nations and costs far more. Fact- the Republicans offer no solutions, only fear mongering to maintain the status quo and the obscene profits of their real constituents, healthcare companies. Judeo-Christian values teach us to be our brother's keeper- that isn't Marxist, it's humanist. The country will not be destroyed as we contunue to care for each other!

Human psycholgy being what it is we are often willing to stay with the devil we know, no matter how bad (why GWB got re-elected). There is a core group of Americans for whom change is a frightening prospect and some for whom a person of color as President is repugnant. Therein lies the emotion and susceptibility to the fear mongering.

Palin is a hypocrital two faced talker. She supported advance directives in April 2008 but now she opposes it. Why? She should have to explain this 180 degree turn. Is she wishy washy? Flip flopping politician looking for political posturing? Anti-Obama? Palin is a typical politician. She is not special. The President could crap gold bricks and she would still come up with something to oppose it. Until people on both sides realize that you have to have a middle ground in alot of cases, nothing will be accomplished. No one is right 100% of the time and no one is wrong 100% of the time. I am a Democrat and I don't think Obama is right 100% of the time and I didn't think Bush was wrong 100% of the time. Take off the blinders people!!

Hmm, Sarah and the republican's don't want people to be reimbursed for Living Will consultations?

I wonder why?

[...] seems as though the tennis media (Comebacks galore!) has joined the mainstream media (Oh, those nasty town-hall meetings!) in a one-topic frenzy this past [...]

I continue to be outraged by this Democratic political strategist and sleezeball hack being paid by state-run CNN to put the Dem party propoganda on their site. Anything he says should be immediately discredited and ignored as the deliberate smear campaign that it is.

Begala knows that Palin has scored some huge, substantive points against Obama in recent weeks, especially on health care, arguing with powerful facts rather than rhetoric. Note that he can give NO specific examples. His only weapon is name calling and vicious personal attacks, which the loony libs seem to love. He is that nasty and petty little boy that we all hated on the playground, and who has never grown up. He should seek psychological counseling.

If Sarah Palin and her supporters can dish out her lying about "death panels" and calling her opponents "un-American" and "socialist" and "siding with the terrorists," then they need to get used to having some flung back at them.

Afterall, I thought you guys were just a bunch of pitbulls in lipstick ...

Hey guys take a look at the video from Arlen Spector of three days ago wherein he states "we removed the Death Panels from the Senate bill". Research before you speak is always a good idea.
JOnas M
CO

If this is representative of the strategy that the whitehouse has devised to "deal" with Sarah Palin then they are fools. Sarah Palin wrote a brilliant article that evoked a huge response from the American people and all you can come up with in defense of you policies is to call her names? If Sarah Palin is such an insignificant force then why can't you defeat her in the arena of ideas? You had to send the president out after the administration lackies could't blunt her crticism? Really, sending the president out to defend his ideas when one little girl writes one little article? And you STILL lose?

If Obama cannot beat a girl then he should resign.

This is all Democrats in power have left? They haven't a clue how to fix anything other then taxing people, so they attack them. Demonize them and try to convince everyone that a person is evil, bad or a wack job. Your policies are failing and people are finally waking up to your political ways that are going to destroy everything this Country stands for. The Founding Fathers formed America to get away from the Government Control of Europe and now you are trying to create a system just like it. If you are so unhappy with America, then LEAVE and move to a Socialist Country.

We see it in the news when you attack demonstrators for speaking their opinion. You call them a Mob and claim they are Republican Organized. Isn't this the same Republican's that you are claiming are so disorganized? You are lying through your teeth because you are afraid of losing the only thing that matters most to you. Power. Funny thing is, years ago when Democrats stood up and shouted at Bush, that was perfectly ok, but when Everyone, Dems, Repubs and Independents stand up and shout about Obama, they are wrong and need to be stopped.

I know this probably won't be posted, because we all know who CNN favors, but I'm so sick and tired of the way this Government expects us to bend over and take it without questioning anything.

Hello, people! The provision that Grassley took out of the House bill simply said that living will consultations would be paid for; they are not mandated, and the government will not be telling the doctor what to say or recommend.

I think you're confusing this provision with the gag order the Bush Administration pushed through regarding doctors and abortion.

Who scared of Sarah Palin? Me
why? Because she is a divider, absolutely not a uniter.
She is all about negative, fault and misleading information, spewed all the hate and fear mongering tactics
She is Cheny in woman clothing.
The different between Sarah Palin and Cheny is that Cheny is not a quitter.

I have no doubt if Palin was President she would be "cleaning house" and not trying to muddy up AMerica.
We can't interrogate rougly Islamic Terrorists, however we can and they want to get into our cookies on the computer, into our checking accts, send nutcase gov't workers to our house to tell us what decisions to make. That sounds much like Eastern leaders of the past and present.
Gov't Dems are not elistists....look up the word....they are nutcases.
I'm an independent.
Jane J
WI

Sarah Palin is not half a whack job she is a complete whack job without a doubt. On top of that she is not very intelligent. She should just go fishing so she doesn't continue showing the world how much of an idiot she is.
She pulled off duping the citizens of Alaska once but they now have her number and want her to shut her mouth and just go away.

Hahahhaa... Paul Begala taking a shot at Sarah Palin. Scary. Kinda' like Liberace calling Richard Simmons a fruit.

I voted for obama, even though I thought highly of McCain. When McCain chose Palin as his VP choice that convinced me to vote for Obama, due to the fact I was not very familiar with her at the time. Now
when I hear her speak, especially her latest comment about Obama's
health care plan having a death panel where her downs syndrome child might be taken to affirm whether he has the right to live, I am very thankful that I voted for Obama

It's not difficult to have "rock solid principles" when your head's full of rocks!

I’m speaking of the “Complete Lives System” advocated by Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, the brother of the president’s chief of staff. President Obama has not yet stated any opposition to the “Complete Lives System,” a system which, if enacted, would refuse to allocate medical resources to the elderly, the infirm, and the disabled who have less economic potential. [1] Why the silence from the president on this aspect of his nationalization of health care? Does he agree with the “Complete Lives System”? If not, then why is Dr. Emanuel his policy advisor? What is he advising the president on? I just learned that Dr. Emanuel is now distancing himself from his own work and claiming that his “thinking has evolved” on the question of rationing care to benefit the strong and deny the weak. [2] How convenient that he disavowed his own work only after the nature of his scholarship was revealed to the public at large.

The real difference between Liberals and Republicans. Republicans actually READ the bills and know the truth. Liberals watch the blogs and believe all the crap they read and watch David Letterman for advice on government.

To call the GOP a dictatorship is ignorant. Republicans believe in LESS government....it's the center of their entire philosophy. The liberals want to EXPAND government and institute a socialist system where the government takes care of everybody. Hence all the billiions and trillions of tax dollars being flushed down the toilet as we speak.

If people became educated about true facts and stopped relying on liberal blogs and news anchors they might actually learn something Know your history. Read the constitution. Find out WHY we have a constitution. Stop drinking the liberal koolaid and realize your country is losing its freedom.

I hvae worked w/people for 37 yrs, and WHEN SOMEONE WON'T STOP TALKING AND KNOCKING A PERSON THEY ARE WORRIED AND JEALOUS OF THAT PERSON. If Palin was such a "nothing" they would say "nothing" !
Arlen Spector said "we took the Death Panels out of the Senate Bill".....Palin was right again.
I think Palin will be the President in 2012 as an Independent....she's honest and dishonest people don't like that.
Jack C
WA

Begala was right. Did we not learn anything from George W. Bush's presidency? We put a lazy, intellectually limited individual, who felt entitled to the office by reason of birth, directed by a bunch of mean-spirited whiz kids with an anti-democracy, class oriented agenda in power and look what we got.

The founding fathers would turn over in their graves at the very idea that someone of Palin's such obviously limited capability, and knowledge could be seriously considered by so many as a contender for this nation's highest office. It seriously questions whether democracy can work in the information age.

Sarah Palin is just your typical Conservative Republican. Just look at what these people are doing to America. We Liberals endured 8 long years of the Bush regime without undignified shouting matches and behaving, in general, like spoiled children. The Republicans, lead by that rabid communist pig Rush Limbaugh, are destroying the country from the inside out.

Socialism is not the worst thing that could happen to America. It is happening now, and right under our noses. The informative town hall meetings are being turned into rabble rousing sessions. The only civil one I've seen so far is the one that President Obama hosted. Any fool that believes that America would set up, let along tolerate, Death Panels, is too far gone to be helped without shock treatments. I now know why she quit her job – she can now be the real Sarah Palin. Aren't you glad that she isn't the vice president?

Mrs. Pallin says nothing that is of interest to me.
As a "left winger" I would love to see a woman as President, but she is not even close to having the smarts for that.

This is so sexist.

Here Sarah Palin was able to get the POTUS and the WH clueless Gibbs to address her and Begala answer to that is to call her names.

I would call Sarah Palin a political genius.

Just think of it people you would not leave her along. So now Sarah Palin has penlty of time on her hands and guess where she is going to focus that extra time?

It is going to be so much fun so get your popcorn and enjoy what is about to hard this admin and all their wacho czars.

Sarah Palin should have completed her commitment as Governor of Alaska and shown some credibility there. During that time she could have learned about world affairs, the constitution, the economy and many other prerequisites for higher office. Because she is now seen as a "quitter" and is again using the media to spread outrageous, easily disputed lies, she has lost that chance of credibility. She is her own worst enemy. Does she not have handlers and speech writers to help her manage her public relations because right now it is a disaster? If she ever tries now to run for higher office, her opponents have tons of footage of her putting her foot in her mouth. The ads would be priceless. She may have had possibilites at one time, but unfortunately her actions and words have shown her true colours. It scares me to death to think that as VP she would have become President if something had happened to John McCain.

Sarah Palin should have completed her commitment as Governor of Alaska and shown some credibility there. During that time she could have learned about world affairs, the constitution, the economy and many other prerequisites for higher office. Because she is now seen as a "quitter" and is again using the media to spread outrageous, easily disputed lies, she has lost that chance of credibility. She is her own worst enemy. Does she not have handlers and speech writers to help her manage her public relations because right now it is a disaster? If she ever tries now to run for higher office, her opponents have tons of footage of her putting her foot in her mouth. The ads would be priceless. She may have had possibilites at one time, but unfortunately her actions and words have shown her true colours. It scares me to death to think that as VP she would have become President if something had happened to John McCain.

READ THE BILL. Sarah Palin did not make up anything. She is absolutely DEAD ON.

Who in their right mind thinks WASHINGTON has any business whatsoever going anywhere near end of life decisions???

We did not create this country so the government could control every aspect of our lives. We created this country TO BE FREE FROM GOVERNMENT. July 4th...mean anything?

All the Democrats can do is attack people and hate. They are the ones misinforming the public. They are the liars. Americans are realizing what this administration is doing and they are ANGRY. The news media can try to censor them all day long. It's not going to work.

This is NOT news..

On so many levels.

Paul Begala is a idiot. A true numbskull next to serious and intelligent conributors like Bill Bennett and David Gergen. Begala is just deverting attention way from what is truly going on which is that the democrats are being exposed for the buffoons that they are with regard to spending and the health care debate.

begala has been a slime-ball during the scumbags reign and still is,only cnn would have him on!

I love how Obama's success so far has got the GOP and all of their moron supporters so terrified that they feel compelled to fabricate lies to hide their fear of him! Too funny! Oh, and by the way, I'm not afraid of Sarah (cut and run) Palin in the least, I hope the GOP makes her their nominee, nothing would be more satisfying then seeing her crack under the pressure that comes with running a campaign nevermind the pressure of actually being President! The GOP will suffer a blistering defeat of historical proportions if they nominate this mentally challenged, IDIOT! I can't wait!

Section 1233 has definitely been shelved and in no small part due to the overly harsh light shone upon it by Sarah Palin and the fact major liberal commentatotrs were force to admit their own major reservations with the section because of that light. That makes the political score for the week: Sarah Palin 1, Paul Begala 0

For some reason it is only Democrats who can see the Empress has no clothes and for that matter no brains as well, guess you have to be capable of understanding the truth in order to see how flawed this ding bat truly is, such a shame so many in this country live in complete and total ignorance of the truth.

You'd think Palin, after quitting her governorship, would use her time wisely by furthering her education by studying law and the Constitution if she ever wants to be taken seriously in Washington or any place else. Talk is cheap, but without education and credentials to backup talk, Palin is just whistling in the wind and people are laughing. Republicans are distancing themselves from the ignorance of this woman.

Any moron can see that Palin is a wack job. I love the 1/2 wits that say America is filled with hockey Moms not elitists. Does this mean we should hire a hockey Mom instead of a nuclear physicist to design a nuclear reactor? Are we elitists if we hire the nuclear physicist?

Begala is too kind, full whack job would be too kind in describing Mrs. Palin. Both Palin and Newt ascribe to what they call their "principles" but their principles are not what most of the American people believe in.

I am glad Bagala says the truth – Palin is a typical republican idiot liar and misinformed twit.

The progressive liberals have been trying to socialize medicine since Woodrow Wilson. Every decade we go through this. Clinton tried in the 90s. Here we go again. Obama is exploiting a small recession, disguising socialism as "healthcare for all those poor uninsured people". It does not take much brain to figure out you don't take over an entire industry because 15 million people are uninsured. The reason Obama can't get his message out is because he is LYING about his intent. This is about SOCIALISM. This is not about healthcare. There is no logic whatsoever in that bill. He has stormed through every major industry in the country...now he wants the healthcare industry. Every time his message fails he attacks again from a different angle. This week it's the insurance companies who are evil. Remember those evil rich people? Those evil doctors who cut your foot off to make $50,000? How STUPID does he really think people are?

People know a dead fish when they smell it. This is an entire lake full of dead fish.

If the Democrats force this bill on Americans they can join Jimmy Carter in exile.

I laugh at these commenters referring to themselves as INTELLIGENT. If they would pay attention and read and listen.

That's so sweet, she is far worst than a whack job. She need a brain transplant and one reprogram. In a word, she is a crazy lunatic!

Enough about Sara, let's move on to more important things. How's the economy doing? How many jobs have been created over the past two months? What's the outlook like for the third and forth quarters? These are more important than painting lipstick or a Sow.

What makes Palin frightening is that there are people who actually buy into her scare tactics and fear mongering. I believe most Republicans see through her image and agree she is a whack job. What troubles rational thinking individuals are Palin's tactics of inciting paranoia and hysteria. Those shouts of "Kill Him!" directed at Obama during her campaign rallies should have been a serious warning of things to come. I have little doubt the next Eric Rudolph and Timothy McVeigh are out there waiting for Palin's next Facebook post.

Why is it important to some of you on this post whether Trig is her son or not. However, you will blast those that question or would like to see Obama's official birth certificate. I guess what I am trying to convey is it doesn't matter if Trig is her son or not. It does matter what Obama's status is. I personally think he is a citizen and that's not what bothers me. There are FAR GREATER ISSUES.

Begala was being kind. As a young, professional woman, I am embarassed that Palin is given any press or acknowledgement. She is a disgrace.

Since everyone seems to have chosen a "side", why don't we just let the shooting begin and be done with it?

Let's think about this...we let the kids (Rep) borrow the car for the last 8yr's and when we get it back it's with an empty tank, need of a tune up, and several new ting's and bangs on the body !
And they want to borrow it again....Hum?.......No.

It isn't just that Sarah Palin couldn't go toe to toe with President Obama. She couldn't go toe to toe with either of his daughters. She is a nitwit, and Republicans who treat her as anything else just further drive down the image of their party to the American people.

We're not afraid of Palin. We're afraid of the mob who are all too willing to buy into her mis-informed, racist, fundamentalist, anti-intellectual, lies.

Terry Jefferies? That sqeaky-voiced moron? Here is the big problem for the Republicans: it all aobout opposition – "needs to be more agressive in opposing the president's policies". Is that the whole purpose? Opposition? What about a plan of their own? If Palin does not have a feasible "Plan B", then pipe down! The Republicans have no plan! Show us your detailed plan and show us how it is superior! Lead, follow or get out of the way

Only "about half"? Paul Begala is being pretty nice to Palin. The only people wackier than Sarah Palin are those who think she is capable of a job that requires intelligence and analytical abilities...ya know, like the Presidency.

Begala's candor is a little brutal; yet, right on target. Palin is not presidential material.John McCain has created monster whose only weapon is arrogance. What a crackpot !

The day after McCain picked Palin as his running mate, Paul Begala had a column right here on cnn.com titled "Is John McCain Insane?" or something along those lines, arguing that Palin was too inexperienced. In the year since, Mr. Begala has been proven correct over and over again.

Unfortunately, no amount of facts or evidence will convince Mrs. Palin or her followers that she is way, way, way out of her league.

Sarah Palin must go away–and the only way to accomplish this is for the media, including CNN, to stop bringing her into American living rooms. As Begala aptly noted, she is a complete lightweight in every sense of the word. The views of the Republican Party don't reflect my own; however, but my skin doesn't crawl and shiver when I listen to an intelligent, informed, and reasonable Republican such as David Brooks. But every time Palin speaks, regardless of the issue, her incoherence combined with her desire to foment class war (e.g. "educated elites" vs. the "real Americans" such as herself) results in lots of skin crawling and shivering. Let her rail on Fox and Facebook–but stop covering her elsewhere.

People are getting tired of Democrats calling them every name in the book. Everyone is a wack job, or an extremist, or a lobbyist.
Palin had the same concerns as every other American regarding this bill.
Try putting together a health care bill that people can support and save the insults for another day.

The day after McCain picked Palin as his running mate, Paul Begala had a column right here on cnn.com titled "Is John McCain Insane?" or something along those lines, arguing that Palin was too inexperienced. In the year since, Mr. Begala has been proven correct over and over again.

Unfortunately, no amount of facts or evidence will convince Mrs. Palin or her followers that she is way, way, way out of her league.

I think the best way to describe Palin is a moron...., intellectual light weight is too much for her... … I wish she get the spot so we see how the USA is doing in the world face.... lol…

What kind of insane logic even THINKS the government has ANY PLACE whatsoever even discussing end of life decisions???

The government works for ME. I will not allow the government to take over the healthcare industry. PERIOD. Americans are upset and angry because this is obvious what is going on. Obama has given his intentions clearly. People cannot be shocked to learn he is a socialist liberal. This is what he is doing. He is destroying free enterprise in this country and the liberal news media is distorting the facts to fool the people.

WAKE UP. This is not Cuba. We did not create this country to be duped into socialism. We created this country for freedom. I refuse to allow this to happen. The government has NO BUSINESS in the healthcare industry or ANY industry for that matter.

To all the conservative 'whack jobs' out there like Palin... I need to say – GET OVER IT – we won. Go ahead and believe all of the ridiculous propoganda and bs about Health Care Reford – but we WILL pass it. This President wants to help this country – and have some respect for that. Give him a chance. Keep on digging your grave, Republicans. You're already likely out of power for the next 40 years or more.

I wonder how Palin reconciles her so-called religious views with her constant lying. How can anyone take her seriously when she has been lying to the American people since she was nominated for the VP spot? Obama wasn't palling around with terrorists. There are no "death panels". God did not "give us energy" as she stated in her resignation speech.

CNN has a policy to "Your Comments are Moderated (Censored) by CNN, but they haul Begala out everyday to trash public figures without moderation. CNN the State Run NewsMedia!

Please leave Palin alone

She doesn’t know where is Africa so we know who she is

If she want to run for 2012 let her run then we can have more fun with late night shows

"Rock-solid principles"?

Sarah Palin?

I may never stop laughing at that one.

Yes, resigning half way through your term because "some people just ride out this lame duck period" but she's too principled for that, she tells us. When in fact it's clear it's to escape criticism and go make money on the book circuit.

Criticizing comedians for mentioning her children and calling them "off base", and then using them herself at every turn like the recent "death panel" insanity in which she evoked her child, putting him front and center in the controversy, all by herself.

This is the least principled politician I've ever seen. Ever.

Wow,
I wonder who told Begala?

As Barney Fife would have said, "She's a nu-aht."

Since "Goober" left the White House, I haven't experienced painful laughter and I can't decide whether I miss it or not. Should Palin run for any national office or position, I will again experience that painful laughter. And the rest of the world will, once again, view America as dumb and dumber.

"I'd take Palin over that whack job Bozo you folks put in the WH."

Uh, Scott in Tuczon? Did you suffer from amnesia the past eight tumultous year? What's in your metamucil?

This is not about Sarah Palin. This is about the progressive liberals instituting SOCIALISM. CNN likes to play the Sarah Palin card thinking it can sway public opinion by using her to incite hatred. That's ALL the Democrats do...Hate and attack.

The healthcare bill is about socialism. It is one mroe piece to their little puzzle. The banks, car industry, insurance industry, wall stress, mortgage companies, energy companies and now healthcare. They are EXPLOITING a recession to get their socialist skeleton in place. Americans KNOW this is happening and they are AGAINST IT. The liberal media is covering for the president.

I can't think of ANYTHING more deceptive than to have the news media in the tank for the president. Sounds a lot like COMMUNIST countries doesn't it???

The American people will UNITE and defeat this bill. If the Democrats think they can ram it through against the will of the people they are going to find themselves in exile a lot longer than the Jimmy Carter years.

I applaud Begala for being politely generous in his description of Palin.

It's not half, Begala.....She's completely gone.....She is a hctiw from the naciW order....Her Christianity claim is baseless....God is love....She is full of hate.....She, like the serpent, has managed to beguile her baseless party.....God help them...As for me and mine....We chose America the beautiful.....

Half a whack job? Mr. Begala is too diplomatic. "Sarah Palin is half a whack job" is the understatement of the century. What surprises me, saddens me and find scary is that, on this very page, there are people who are obstinate enough, intellectually dishonest enough or ignorant enough to defend her "political fitness" on the national scene. .....or maybe their motiviation is something else that they realize they cannot express publicly in this dawn of the era of inclusion.

Whatever the case, it motivates me to continue to provide my unrelenting support for the Congress and the brightest President we've had in quite some time.

Begala got it half right.

Can jst ONE of the liberal responders provide some comment of a small amount of common sense??? I guess that is asking too much of the followers of the teleprompter king.

Gingrich, like Rove, is a brilliant strategist because he has no character and lies alot.

Paul Begala is the wacho, not Palin. He wishes he could have at least half the intelligence of Palin.

A significant number of Republicans voted for Obama. Why? Because the GOP ticket was "Dumb and Dumber." Sarah Palin keeps proving that. She only appeals to lemmings like the rabid clueless mobs who have been programmed by health insurance operatives to show up at health care debates and disrupt any chance at actual debate on these serious issues (sorry for insulting actual lemmings).

Begala is so stupid . . . why would anyone consider his statements anything but Obama type of lies and hot air. The liberal dummies have a consistant way of calling people with decent ideas bad names and trying to degrade them. The primary reason is the dems and libs do not have any common sense ideas of their own. So, to act like a liberal and pprovide their type of comment . . . Begala is a dumb dork!!!!

Oh yes Paul, you are the smartest person in the world. You have done so much for our country. Oh wait, no you haven't. Very professional calling people names. While I don't agree with Palin's rhetoric of calling Obama's program 'death panels', it doesn't excuse you to call her a 'whack job'. Two wrongs don't make a right. Raise your standards Paul if you're going to be on CNN or you might as well go to work at msnbc/obama central.

Once again, no one is asking the question...Where is the National Organization of Women? And why do they continue with their deafening silence every time someone attacks former Governor Sarah Palin?

You don't have to like her or her politics, but this woman has been dragged through the mud while the N.O.W. has sat silently and let it happen. She was a Vice Presidential candidate...only the 2nd woman in history to appear on a national ticket (for the 2 major parties). The N.O.W. is proving their hypocricy and have set equal rights back 40 years with their silence.

Who pays these "strategists" to go on CNN and say "Sarah is bad, Sarah is bad, Sarah is bad?" zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz I'm sure they make mega-bucks. I'm hoping he makes more than $250K so he can pay for my health insurance next year. Thanks Pauly.

Palin can't run her on family what makes any one think she could run our country. Did anyone really even know who she was until she ran for vice president? The republicans were just trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat trick. It is obvious she was chosen because she is a woman. I am definitely for women being in office just not this one. She's a quitter on top of every thing else. When things get tough she gets going! She should just write a book make some cash, stay home, and raise her kids/ grandkids.

Palin and her supporters are a clear indication of how little the republican party has to offer America. We are moving on, and their time is over.

Ms. Palin lends credence to the saying "It's better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and confirm it!"

Anee, did your preacher man tell you that? Is your soul to be saved because you paid up your tithe, as he gets nice health insurance, and the christain doctrine of love and care for your neighbor he ignores and lets god's creatures suffer unneedingly? You sound like the blind being led by the blind or the blind being led by the greedy who only care about themselves. Either way you have been duped, and the devil decieves, you think he is god as do the majority of people on Sunday.

How nice that Palin can just sit in the quiet of her quitter's cave and launch salvos via Facebook. How do we even know she's writing them? Now that you've got all this time on your hands, why not come up with some constructive conservative answers to the problems facing us today? Newt is standing ready to help you! Oh, I forgot, it's because the only problem the GOP sees right now is that the Democrats are in the majority.

How about some leadership, people??????? And to the media: how about covering rational discussions rather than hysterical tirades? I'd love to hear some different views on these important topics, but all we hear is the tin foil hat brigade spouting conspiracy theories.

Oh come on now, how can we call Sarah Palin a whack job? I mean after all, she used to be able to see Russia from her house... LOL... {:o)

Sarah Palin, Dear, you really need to put the Fruit Loops away... You are a 110% ALL OUT LOONEY TOON, NOT JUST A WHACK JOB !! Andy Kauffman was known as the 'Man on the Moon'...Sarah Palin should be the 'Woman from Uranus'....LOL...{:o)

I’m speaking of the “Complete Lives System” advocated by Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, the brother of the president’s chief of staff. President Obama has not yet stated any opposition to the “Complete Lives System,” a system which, if enacted, would refuse to allocate medical resources to the elderly, the infirm, and the disabled who have less economic potential. [1] Why the silence from the president on this aspect of his nationalization of health care? Does he agree with the “Complete Lives System”? If not, then why is Dr. Emanuel his policy advisor? What is he advising the president on? I just learned that Dr. Emanuel is now distancing himself from his own work and claiming that his “thinking has evolved” on the question of rationing care to benefit the strong and deny the weak. [2] How convenient that he disavowed his own work only after the nature of his scholarship was revealed to the public at large.....SP

Get it straight from her FB.

The truth hurts...He's right!

Anee, Sarah Palin supported death panels in Alaska. In 2008 she declared a health awareness day in Alaska, including advance directives so if someone had something happen where they couldn't speak for themselves their wishes would have already been know. So why is she against it now? Hmmmm....Maybe because it is part of Health Care reform that the president supports and heaven forbid she can't support anything the President the does. She is typical politician, posturing for position.

Losers, the last I heard the Dems are still in the White House and controlling congress. And even though the President's approval ratings are not as high as before, Republican support is less than 30%. So Repubs are still the losers and their goal is to oppose the President on 100% of anything he proposes or supports. They don't give a crap about you, they only care about regaining power so they can push take cuts for their buddies.

It is amazing to me how Americans continue too want idiots to run this country. UNREAL! UNREAL! UNREAL!

'Whack jobs' are everywhere in our society, they are coming out of the woodwork. They are also working their influence on their congressional leaders as they form the majority of their constituent base... ultimately making their Congressmen and women 'whack jobs' too.

Finally a Dem spokesman that has the nads to say what a majority of people think and know to be true. Hats off to Paul! Palin=Retard

Begala critizing a republican? Say it ain't so!!!

I think my sister,TCM,or which ever of the hundred names shes using today can at least type more words per min.,not that shes much smarter though.hahaha

I am so glad that someone finally had the nerve to call palin a wack job I've thought that ever since she came on the scene.

Sarah Palin is a hypocrite, and a liar In April 2008 she created "Health Decision Day" in Alaska!

Healthcare Decisions Day is designed to raise public awareness of the need to plan ahead for healthcare decisions, related to end of life care and medical decision-making whenever patients are unable to speak for themselves and to encourage the specific use of advance directives to communicate these important healthcare decisions."

Not only did she promote "death panels" in Alaska, she dedicated a day to it. Why does Sarah Palin want to kill Grandma? Calling her half a whack job is a compliment

Isn't it nice for someone to finally call Sarah Pallin what she is – A WHACK JOB. From where I live in Canada I continually here about her future in US politics. I wonder what Americans she has lulled into this fantasy world where they still believe in this poor I repeat poor chose for poor John McCain. Go back to Alaska and fade to black – PLEASE !!!!

I'm not a fan of name calling by either party. It's counterproductive and detracts from the issues.

With that being said, I don't understand Palin's popularity. She's feisty and she stands up for what she believes. Fair enough, but that doesn't mean she's a good leader. To call the health care bill a "death panel" is irrational. To say she has concerns that the current wording might be misinterpreted or abused is reasonable.

The world would be a better place if people would stick to the facts and not presume to know what other people are thinking. If you don't like the implications of an idea, there are ways to get your point across without trying to convince everyone that your opposition is the devil himself. That takes intellect.

It appears the game is up! These fool lib/dems have been demonizing America(ns) for 40 yrs and this being their only strategy simply proves how wrong and lost they are. They can't provide anything of substance because they live in fantasy. Why are they scared of Sarah Palin? Because America is about hockey-moms not elitists. These people are the reason America operates at about 10% of its potential. COMMON sense based on the culture that founded this country is the only guidance a politician needs. Enjoy the backlash in 2010 and stop our Marxist "president."

I said it before and I will say it again, couldn't say it any better...Thanks Paul....In my neck of the woods we would say, her cheese is starting to slide out of her sandwich.....

I don't like Mrs. Palin but that was rude to call her names. I am sure she believes the stuff she tries to sell us. I am not buying but you don't have to call her names.

About the "death' panels, another media ploy, have you read her rebuttal with references.

As a doctor your words have much influence, and when you suggest palliative care, a patient agrees. As a health care professional, we are NOT going to be told when to do such a thing.

Finally, someone who sees Palin for what everybody, except extremists and dirty old men, a lightweight. Someone needs to ask who's ghostwriting for her. Her facebook rants are not her words...she doesn't talk in complete, coherent sentences. Her previous writings reflected that as well. All of a sudden, she, although lying, is forming complete sentences on facebook. Hummmm!

It is amazing to me how Americans continue too want idiots to run this country. UNREAL!

Congrats Begala,,,Sarah was a real charmer in the beginning,, then of course, she spoke.....

Awe come one, who in the heck is Begala and what is a Political Strategist and what is his background and what are his biases to become a judge? What has he ever done? We know him well. He is a CNN robot. Liberalism extremiust.

I think Terry Jeffrey might be just a touch bit confused! The only people that Sarah Palin appeals to are the slackjawed, knuckledraggers with single digit IQ's who aren't capable of thinking for themselves! They'd rather be fool's and let the Republicans do all of the thinking for them! Just more proof that I live in a world surrounded by idiots!

Funny, not a word from the Obama-adoring mainstream media about John "hairboy" Edwards and his bastard child that he fathered while his wife was being treated for cancer. Yet the liberal press can't stop demonizing Palin and her family. Liberals are a pathetic breed...and when the civil war does come, we conservatives will be the ones with the guns.

Amen to that Shame on you Mccain for releasing this monster to the Lower 48 Should of left her alone where she was In Alaska now we are tortured with this woman daily

This is her "higher calling?" If I were her, I would no longer trust the voices rattling around inside my head . . .

ya know what...this is insane...i mean...to continually see palin in the news is nothing short of stunning...; the republicans have absolutely NOTHING to be hopeful for, so they (somehow) try to revive whatever tiny pieces of their past hopes they can...
its both a wonderful and bizarre thing...to continually hear about palin from the GOP now and then...
wonderful, because she is obviously the "best" they can do in finding a single conversation about their broken, loser Party....
Bizarre, because calling her "half a whack job" is not only accurate, but probably characterizes most of the GOP at this point...
THEY, and.........THEY alone....got america into our current mess!

scott in NH

I think shes just as smart as Goober,Gomer,and the three Stooges.

Wow that is really the way to go to attack someone: They are a whack job and an intellectual lightweight. Without his deep voice and his handlers, what is Obama????

As much as I dislike to agree with Democratic strategists and Democrats in general, I think that Begala is right on the money. The Republican party destroys its credibility when it backs people like Palin who clearly don't have what it takes to even run a reasonable campaign, let alone the country. I had been hoping that Sanford was going to be the next great Republican candidate, but he has also clearly demonstrated himself to be significantly short of the requirements.

Actually, I think Gingrich has all the qualifications and experience, and he doesn't suffer from fits of idiocy and self-embarrassment. Why isn't he being slotted?

GOP= Politics of FEAR

The far right "religious" conservation is against health care for all? Was Jebus more of a socialist or capitalist? The far right are the modern day pharisees who were against Jesus teachings.

I couldn't agree more. Why would anyone take this idiot seriously? She's so obviously pretentious. She only says what she thinks will have political impact. I don't think she really believes the nonsense she has tried to make us believe.

You people are letting the state run MSM lead you around. The death panels are not the "end of life" the death panel Sarah Palin is talking about are the ones that will be set-up to ration health care. There is not enough money to pay for government health care so boards will be set-up to decide who gets what treatment. It is called ration care. Death panel was used to get your attention. Just think anyone of use will go before these panels and they will decide if you are worthy of the care or not.

She's a liar (death panels) and a quitter.

For those palin supporters who take offense when others call palin a whack job, sometimes honesty hurts, get over it.

And I'm supposed to care about what Begala Thinks..

As has been said, if Palin looked like Golda Meir, would we still be talking about her?

She should run for President. For the same reason we gawk at accidents on the highway and train wrecks on the tracks.

You betcha! Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge...

"think we are stupid, we have a lot in common with Pailn."

Anee, that is just priceless. and yes, we do. Palin is half a whack job, probably because she did not want to go all the way and become a lame duck whack job. There were no death panels in the proposed bill, nothing has been taken out of it, as congress is not even in session. This exact same provisiion was in proposed Medicare (you know that socialized medicine that we have) legistlation back in 2003, and the repugs supported it then.

Does the Republican party have any spokespersons other than Rush and Sarah? There must be someone else out there that has something pertinent and rational to add to the debate.

The republicans just stay and critisize. Nothing to offer. no solution on the table. they cant even go on diplomatic rescue of u.s citizens. paul begala is far smarter and wiser than bill o reilly and sean hannity of fox news. sarah palin remains the biggest joke of the new mellinium. every sensible person should thank God that john mccain lost.

phil

Finally, someone with political clout has said what most intelligent people have known for a while. I still cannot comprehend why the McCain campaign selected Palin unless it was her appearance. Now she is making a spectacle of herself with false information and mindless comments. To say she is not a serious thinker is the understatement of the century. What worries me most for the future is that there are people who think that she is intelligent and listen to her, please tell me that they aren’t intelligent enough to know how to vote!

All right, who let this slimeball Begala climb out from under his rock again? Come on, fess up. Who did it?

Sarah Failin'. She doesn't even hold an elected office anymore, why does CNN continue to talk about her?

Same with Newt Gingrich.

Lets see, the lunatic fringe of the Republican Party, folks like Rush and Glenn, can say the most outrageous and treasonous things about the Dems but when a voice of reason tells the truth about their 'messias' well just read some of the comments posted here.

almost half as flakey as you Paul !
I am assuming that you read and approved those emails sent out by the DNC signed by you.

btw . . I didn't vote for the total wack job in office right now. ARE YOU PEOPLE seriously happy now? Obama will put this country into it's next civil war soon.

Dare we assume that John McCain regrets foisting this wretched woman on the nation?

"Strategist"? Is that the same as "hack"? Either way, mention to the yokel that it's "has proven".

About the only thing Palin can go toe to toe with is an Alaskan moose and maybe not even that...

Sure wish that they would just let it go, she is – yet another -Right Wing Nut case.

I wonder which insurance company whispered "death panels" in her ear? She took the bait and ran with it. God help us if this whack job comes anywhere near the presidency, She is gods gift to the DNC.

Good old dems doing what they do best name calling.

Poor dumb Sarah Palin, is getting ready to take down the entire 0bama administration and their lousy health care death panel.

Begala is a joke in and of himself. How childish. He knows she's a threat to the democratic party in the next election so he does what typical left wingers do ... start calling names. I hope he chokes. It would be no loss.

And there Was NEVER any "death panel" language in the health bill, there is language allowing for paid, optional end of life counseling for those who choose it. Funny, Palin was FOR this same kind of counseling at the state level back in 2007, when she was governor of Alaska. Wonder what changed her mind ... could it be POLITICS?

Thank you Mr. Begala ON THE NOSE! – About time someone said what so many of us have known since last September. Palin makes former president Bush look smart. She is that opinionated neighbor or aunt we all know who hasn't the intellectual curiosity or ability to combine research and fact with her opinions. How sad for all of us that she has been given a national forum for her unsubstantiated comments and that annoying smirk!

If Palin was not able to convince the American people to elect her when she was the best and brightest the GOP had to offer, why should it be otherwise in 2012? She is still the same mean, vapid, intelectual nonentity we are all so familiar with. And the hullabaloo of the so called "death panels" is the most ridiculous and, in the long run, harmful political strategy (for the GOP). They will find it out to their cost, like their opposition to judge Sotomayor's which has alienated all Hispanic voters. Anybody who believes such rubbish–well, I have a bridge that I want to sell to you.

Paula Begala is 100% correct in his opinion of Palin. He couldn't have said it better.

Terry Jeffrey's opinion that Sarah Palin has rock solid principles doesn't mean a thing if the rock solid principles make no sense. Such as Obama having put into his health care plan "DEATH PANELS."

Come on Anee, get your facts straight. It has been shown and proven over and over. Obama is not for death panels. Stop spreading crap that isn't true and believing in people who claim to speak the truth, but don't.

I don't often disagree with Begala, but this time...

Paul – she's a total whack job. No halfway. From head to toe – a complete whacko.

And I truly hope that the ticket is Gingrich and Palin.

begayla is a WHOLE WHACK JOB!

Her interlect Grade; D-

She may be but she just successfully got the End of Life provision removed from the healthcare legislation. I do not think it has anything to do with his intellectual superiority based on most of posts I see from most Democrats.

LOL! So Palin is the reason that Death Panels are now out? They were NEVER IN!

And the Dem's don't have a monopoly on name-calling. I don't have enough space for examples of GOP slander.

Face it, both sides call names. I'm sick of the conservative goons complaining about "hateful liberals." Know what? We DO hate you. Because you are stupid and wrong and just plain selfish and ignorant. Who doesn't hate that?

The frightening problem is, being a whack job is now a criteria for rising in the Repubican Party, and does not seem to disqualify one for serious consideration for high public office.

There were NEVER death panels in the health care plan. What there was, was needed information and advice on living wills, dignity
and choice.
Palin is a loose cannon who will spout, rant and rave about anything to get the headlines.
Go to Alaska newspapers. Her popularity has gone from 80% to
low 40's and decreasing every day. She left Alaska in total
chaos. First state ever that had services of health care for the
elderly called to halt because of dangerous mismanagement.
This woman will self destruct, just give her time. No one with her
ego, extreme ambition, is a chronical liar and lacks intelligence
can survive when they continue to make fools of theirselves.

The truth hurts Sarah!

Begala's right! Palin's incredibly flighty and ignorant and over-self-entitled. How can anybody take anything she says seriously. Stop giving her equal time and focus on real news items.

Palin's fellow travelers here love to chalk up Begala comments to typical Dem rhetoric. Funny thing is, large swaths of the real thinkers in the GOP agree with him. So it's virtually all Dems and Republicans with the sack to voice their opinions who think Palin is a bean brain.

I'd take Palin over that whack job Bozo you folks put in the WH. What have Obama acutually accomplished in his first six months other than a growing list of screw ups by him and his administration.

I HOPE Palin is the GOP candidate in 2012, Mr. Obama would be a shoe in!

Sarah Palin is objectively an idiot, just like healthcare reform is objectively needed, just like Republican claims about healthcare are objectively wrong. CNN should report as such.

Palin a "flaky and an intellectual lightweight." is so true to a point - BUT that is 'mild' compared to what a 'NIT' she actually is - Thank YOU Begala, - WE appreciate YOU ! ! ! Why, oh Why does CNN or any other network even mention her???? Enuf already ! ! !

The relentless attack on Palin by the Dems, clearly indicates they are afraid of her. It amazes me how terrified the Dems are of decency and honor.

OMG- Enough about Palin- proven a non issue- When will the media realize this?

Thank you Paul for speaking the truth, Sarah is a wantta be and the public has found her out. How she got elected for mayor and governor is unbelieveable, maybe because it was only several thousands people in her small town.

This lady is really dumb, and she incites hatred. I still would like to see her medical records to see if in fact Trig is her son. Someone please tell me how she was pregnant and no one knew it, not even her mother.

The democrats think everyone is a wack job but them.

Begala believes his own press clippings. He's an elitist without a moral high ground (along with the rest of our inept and lying government). Must be why he is so disgusted with Palin. She's got rock solid values and speaks the truth. Truth? Begala and his ilk wouldn't know truth if it bit him in the butt. The American people see what's going on, and they're a lot smarter than Begala et al think. They may not be intellectual giants like he is, but they get what's going on, and are sick and tired of it.

Well anyone who can take a provision that allows for reimbursement via medicare for end of life counseling on such things as living wills and medical proxies so that families and medical practitioners can know a persons wishes should something happen and then say with a straight face that it's a death panel with the government deciding who gets to live or die is a whack job. Guess what, we already have death panels, they are called medical insurance companies. Honestly, how people can think the current system where insurance companies make money on denying your claims and dropping you from the system as soon as you get sick is a great system and better than one where such things can't happen is beyond me.

haha Palin supporters....most of them if given the choice would prefer to live under a military or religious dictatorship. Seriously, Palin has shown herself time and time again to be a complete moron on every issue imaginable. Calling her an "intellectual lightweight" is generous because it implies some level of intellect in the political arena. The reality is, a high school student could probably outwit her on most political issues. The idea that she could win the GOP nomation is so laughable....i am sure even among serious Republicans.

she is the biggest idiot alive..Begala is being too nice..

Just watch. You should be able to predict the outcome of the "Sarah Story". I agree that judgement should be withheld. Let her think she is capable of running for office. Sensible people regardless of political party recognize that she is narcissistic and naive. As long as she keeps speaking, she guarantees her own failure. Keep up the effort Sarah and make yourself the leading prospect for the dying GOP.

RIP GOP

And this is coming from another" Whack Job" on TV.

Not a fan of her but Begala is a turd.

to call Resigned ex Gov. S. Palin and intellectual anything is an insult to those who strive for knowledge and rational thinking.

Does anyone really think think she's not a whacko? That's like trying to prove the world is flat! Adherence to principles in spite of reality isn't a virtue, it's a mental illness.

She's not half a whack job. She is a whack job through and through.

Sarah Palin: modern day cultist.

It's about time someone in the media tell the truth about Palin. Not only is she a whack job she is danerous.

Paul Begala is a great man and is bang on. When has palin gone toe to toe with the President? Another right wing lie.

I have nev er heard one Idea or Plan from her....its all about Negativity and being devisive, merely Opposing everying the Obama administration tries to achieve. This like most of the GOP. However, I think we saw the Dangers of a Palin or Cheny personality during the Presidential campaign. Pure Hate being spewed and just purposely misleading statements being said just like her latest Death Panel lies. She's a dangerous person and so are those alligned with her

Paul Begala is not fit to speak the name of Sara Palin. Paul Begala like Nancy Pelosi, Dick Durbin, and others in the obama administration all lean in the direction of nazi style governing and would not hesitate to get rid of Mrs. Palin. I think back to the Vincent Foster incident during the Clinton fiasco, things never change with these democrats.

Well, she is not a "half a wack job". She is a total wack job. Get it right Paul.

begala is the typical whiny liberal if he wants to talk whack job pelosi is a real head case pick up and take your marbles paul you crybaby

Paul Begala's comments about Sarah Palin reveal much more about him than they do about her.

Thank you, Paul, for speaking for intelligent America.

Begalia is a typical Dem, when things get tough and you're losing just call everyone names who disagrees with you.
Yeah, right Palin is such a whack job that she was the reason "death panels" are now out of Obamacare, sounds like she's quite a heavy weight.
The more the dems hate her, the more the public loves her. Because the dems hate the american people, call them names and think we are stupid, we have a lot in common with Pailn.

Democrats should hold fire on blasting Palin for a number of reasons. She is quite possibly preparing to run for president and this definitely a good sign for dems to see her try to go toe to toe against obama in 2012. Let her become the front runner for the GOP as romney and others are greater threats in any election cycle. Once she takes them down, let the dogs loose. She may be able to win a republican primary but there is not way independents and moderates will flock to her radical religious right ideas.
Additionally, if she is indeed an intellectual lightweight, (which she is) let her point that out herself with her actions and words. There is no need for democrats to point it out. Let the republicans figure it out themselves.

well.. he's just stating the obvious. she's a whack job, all right

At least we (Rep.) don't have the trifecta of "Wack Job's" Harry Reid, Nancy (I am the dumbest women in America" Pelosi, and the messiah Barack "I lie through my teeth every time I speak" Obama.
Oh yeah...then there's Murtha and Barney and Crissy Dodd...and and and and and...

Funny how a lot of poeple are speaking there minds now that she is not Gov. goes to show u what they were really thinking about her when she was Gov. and they really couldn't speak how they felt..

He was being kind. She is a complete whack job who does anything and everything she can to get the headlines. Truth, integrity, honor are immaterial to her.
And the media glorifies and supports her 100%. Especially Fox
and CNN.

This is news?