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.
Hey Democrats...Is it possible that this might not even be about you? I know that would be a novel concept for you guys to accept.
As a conservative, I was not thrilled with this choice either and had to eat a lot of crow about saying "even if he thought that a woman or a person of color was qualified, he couldn't tap them because of all of the backlash about pandering". BUT the more I learn about her, I realize that this might make some sense.
I am breaking rinks and voting for McCain. PUMA
McCain has my vote! Women need to stick together!
Hillary once again shines. But what does not shine is the VP that McCain has chosen. Does McCain not get it? We are not women of the 30's. We are women of 2008. I find it an insult to Hillary and all other Hillary supporters to think this will guide us to vote for him.and his new VP. Get real! I find this very disgraceful to all women!
Palin is vastly more experienced in all areas than Obama or Clinton or Biden. There will be no fascist dictatorship visa a via Obama, so get the CNN crowd can do what Obama told Hillary's supporters to do, "just get over it".
how can a woman even think of running with mccain in the first place? he voted against equal pay for equal work. if she truly is a reformer, that should be one of the things she takes on if they win.
The absolutely best criticism McCain had about Barack Obama was "lack of experience." Then McCain chooses for the office that is just "a heartbeat away from the Presidency" someone who is ENORMOUSLY under-qualified by picking "Sarah Who?" He's just nuts!
Great pic!
Even Clinton recognizes the historical signficance of a woman VP.
Palin has more experience than Obama and has real solutions to the economy problems, unlike Obama's speech rhetoric. No disrespect to obama, who seems like a good guy.
If in this election Hillary supporters do actually vote McCain and Obama loses, do you PUMA supporters really think the rest of us will support Hillary? She ran a disgustingly dirty campaign, and at the end fabricated charges of sexism and the idea that she won the vote (note: she didn't). Then she deliberately divided the party for her own political future and ambition. I have yet to hear one concrete example of sexism she faced, I would love a PUMA to enlighten me to one.
Shame on the Republican party again. You think we support Hillary because she is a woman? Don't be so smug about your selection...we're not buying it!
Her qualifications are admirable but how is she going to help run the country with five kids and a baby with Down syndrome? And to think if something unfortunate were to happen to McCain that SHE would be president is scary!
Palin is perfect for the GOP ticket, she's for destroying ANWR drilling for more oil, she's under investigation for abuse of power in Alaska, yep sounds like the perfect choice for McBush's VP. My God America wake up, this may be a historic choice but I would certainly hate to see this be the first woman president of the US, what a sad selection.
This was a terrible choice by McCain...I'm going to enjoy watching it backfire.
BOYS DROOL
Palin v. Hillary in 2012!
Its about time!
Great choice for McCain! Women are independent thinkers and we won't forget how the "Men's Club" of the Democrat Party "brushed Hillary aside" to put Obama in.
McCain/Palin '08
McCain wants to drill in Alaska and that's why he picked Sarah.
The choice seems somewhat insulting to women if it is a ploy to get Hillary Clinton voters, but I don't really think that is the biggest problem. Given that the main appeal of Sarah Palin is supposed to be to pro-life pro-family voters, I would think they would have a really hard time with a woman who would leave her 4 to 5 month old Down's Syndrome child to go out on the campaign trail. Given that a great deal of press has been given to her decision to keep the child, knowing it had Down's Syndrome, it then seems incongruous to leave it behind, or to take it with you. This is not to say that a mother can't be Vice-President, or President for that matter, but I would not personally run for office with a four month old special needs child. Doesn't the child's welfare come first at that early age?
McCain tricks will not work with me! This woman Palin is not a Hillary Clinton who championed for women rights. This Clinton supporter & a lot like me will vote for Obama/Biden.
I will not be tricked!
Can't wait to see how Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh spin this one!
It makes me want to throw up just thinking about either one of them.
Ugh!
Clinton's already hinting at sending her supporters McCain's way in that statement.
I must say it is hillarious to me that all these Obama supporters are wondering why Mccain didn't pick one of the well known establishment picks male or female. I am not a Mccain or Obama supporter but at least me consistent!
What is John McCain thinking! It all to obvious he is out to get the women's vote! I never heard of Gov. Palin...this is one sorry election and nothing to be proud of! On just what do we base out voting preferences??? It all comes down to political ideology: anthing to be elected! Shame, shame, shame.
Hillary, we have your back…
@ McCain/Palin '08 for Clinton '12
If you are supporting this ticket b/c Palin is a woman. Then you are confirming one of men's worst false (mostly) sterotype that you just support on gender. Let's see Sarah Palin is: A proud member of the NRA, a war hawk conservative, best friends with Big Oil (she supports drilling in Anwar), currently under investigation for firing someone for her sister, I could go on and on. So if you supported Hillary on the issues then you can't support Palin. If you want to see the issues Hillary cares about murdered by a McCain veto pen then by all means vote for McCain/Palin.
Absolutely insulting! Sarah Palin may certainly be up and coming but she in no way gets close to the experience and leadership of a woman like Hillary Clinton, let alone any of the many well respected, experienced potential GOP VPs, male or female. Goes to show how stupid McCain and the white male dominated GOP are to believe American women are shallow enough to bite on this token effort.