Clinton congratulates Palin
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/08/26/clinton.delegates/art.clintongeneric.gi.jpg caption="Sen. Hillary Clinton praised the choice of a female for McCain's vp."]
(CNN) - Hillary Clinton praised the historic nature of John McCain's vice presidential selection in a brief statement released Friday that was eagerly anticipated by both presidential campaigns.
“We should all be proud of Governor Sarah Palin's historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Senator McCain," Clinton, the first woman to win a presidential primary, said in the statement. "While their policies would take America in the wrong direction, Governor Palin will add an important new voice to the debate.”
The McCain campaign has made little secret of the fact the selection of Palin - the first woman to appear on a Republican presidential ticket - was in part designed to court supporters of Clinton's White house bid, some of whom feel the New York senator was treated unfairly during the primaries because of her gender and remain wary of supporting Obama.
Palin directly mentioned Clinton by name in her acceptance speech earlier Friday, saying, "Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America. But it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all."
Clinton's statement reacting to Palin is markedly different than the Obama campaign's initial reaction which made no mention of the historic nature of the Alaska Republican's VP candidacy - instead painting her as woefully inexperienced to be commander-in-chief. The Obama campaign later released a joint statement from both the Illinois senator and his running mate, Joe Biden, praising Palin for making history.
It remains unclear just how many former Clinton supporters Palin may attract, but California Sen. Barbara Boxer said Friday that McCain is "badly mistaken" if he expects backers of the New York senator to break ranks with the Democratic party because of Palin.
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mccain lost in November. thank you mccain i love it you are on right tack. i am voting Obama now
Remember a few months ago she called Hillary a whiner! Now she is flip flopping to get your vote she is no Hillary and she already has scandals under her belt.
Hillary cracked the ceiling, Governor Sarah Palin will break it for all women in this country.
McCain/Palin 08!!!!
PUMA
Thanks McCain, great choice. That decision has the democrats wondering how can they can overcome this decision. Bet the polls will reflect a positive jump for the McCain camp. American women would be crazy not to pull for Palin
The idea behind Palin's selection for VP pick is not entirely as noble or as groundbreaking as it seems. While Gov. Palin's selection IS truly a historic moment, it comes as a shameless and transparent attempt to court supporters of perhaps THE most formidable candidate for the top office who happens to be a woman in Hillary Clinton.
While I am sure some people may be convinced to switch over because of Gov. Palin's gender, it is an insult to the hardcore supporters of Hillary to even begin to compare her with Hillary Rodham Clinton. Not only does Gov. Palin's views look to limit women's rights to choose for themselves, but she is also such a PARTISAN and DIVISIVE choice that at the end of the day, all the McCain camp has done is further alienate those of us who have been put off by inexperience, negative and partisan politics - all of which are highlighted by this selection.
With all due respects to Gov. Palin, there are far more qualified candidates – FEMALE candidates on the Republican side than she is. Her presence on the stage only highlights McCain's AGE, HEALTH, and his recent FLIP FLOPPING that makes Sen. John Kerry look like the most resolute politician in all of history.
To suggest that Hillary supporters and independent women and voters out there would switch over just because Gov. Palin is female is a definite slap in the face and really underestimates America's ability to think for themselves.
How is this history? Wasn't Geraldine Ferraro a vp nominee?
Why is this historic? Because she is a woman? So was Geraldine Ferraro. Because she is a woman AND a republican? So what. This is a pathetic bit of political shenanigans from an obviously desperate campaign. If only McCain worried more about actually learning what is wrong with this country and finding ways to fix the problems then is simply getting bogged down in finding a way to beat Obama.
Obama said Sarah isn't ready to be president so what makes him think that he is.
i would love a woman president but it has to be the right woman; not someone who was a beauty queen and has less than 2 years of government experience. plus she is running as a "family values" candidate, yet she just had a baby with down's syndrome. who is going to care for that baby while she is busy learning the ropes in washington?
McCain's choice is outright laughable, and a real affront to all Hillary has worked for. Can't imagine her supporters will fall for it, especially those who value a woman's right to choose. This is Karl Rove's latest way to attract the religious right.
Palin = final nail in the coffin.
Clinton does whatevery she can to bring down Obama so she can run again in 4 years.
Its obvious McCain just thinks Palin is attractive. She is just his type. And she's shorter than he is. That's not easy to find when you are 5'7.
Secretary of State Clinton........announce it Obama!
McOld got it all twisted. He must be held and very well questioned and criticized for this political decision. This is a man whose theme of his convention is "PUT COUNTRY FIRST". Then pick a non qualified candidate for his VP in order to win an election. What happened to all the experienced candidates who were vetted? I guess thats the price the Americans pay for having Evangelicals decide who they want for president instead of the pocket book issues and policies.
Really the only thing that McCain got of this pick is that people are talking less about Obama's brilliant, and most inspring message to date. Too bad McCain looks super risky now.
I'm a natural born lover of chaos, so I would love to see a hot soccer mom get one step from becoming the leader of the free world!
Voting for Palin because she is a female is like voting for McCain because he is a mammal.
Bad move. Very bad move.
Majority whip Jim Clayburn ...and Obama supporter affraid for
Sen McCain ? saying risky choice while looking very angry..Go-go
McCain/palin winning ticket Novermber 4,2008....The Dems are
enraged by your choice...and that means it is the right choice....
:::::::::::::::::::::America votes McCain/Palin:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I was throwing my full support for McCain up until now. I will be voting for Obama
Once Hillary supporters realize how conservative and right-wing this beauty-pageant runner-up really is, I can't imagine they'd be tricked into this ticket by Rove and others... but, this election has been quite a surprise, so anything is possible 🙂
The truth about Palin will be exposed!
This Hillary supporter is voting for McCain/Palin. Sorry Senator Boxer you are gravely wrong. This is truly a historic moment and this is truly the CHANGE WE have all been waiting for.
Palin has high approval rating as governor in Alaska.
Bush had high approval rating as governor in Texas.
Palin is known as a bipartisan governor.
Bush was known as a bipartisan governor.
Palin is a big oil governor in Alaska.
Bush was a big oil governor in Texas.
Palin is a female version of Bush. McCain has gone old man crazy. I think he thought he was picking one of his daughters as VP since he has two children older than Palin. Palin's nickname for McCain is Grandpa.
I agree, Palin is no Hillary Clinton, but if McCain could pick a woman, why couldn't Barack pick Hillary? If Obama talks about change, an African-American man and a White woman would be change. McCain brings about the change Obama talks about.
Palin as the GOP V.P. running mate has made me very excited!!!
McCain/Palin '08
Clinton/Rendell '12
OMG – could a woman really run the USA? To quote the Dem rock star "YES WE CAN"!!!!! Brilliant choice!!!!!