McCain defends vetting of Palin
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/02/art.mccainpalin.ap.jpg caption="McCain is defending his choice of Palin."](CNN) - Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain defended his campaign's vetting of newly named VP candidate Sarah Palin Tuesday, amid a stream of revelations about the Alaska governor that could potentially harm the GOP presidential ticket.
"My vetting process was completely thorough and I'm grateful for the results," McCain told reporters in Philadelphia.
The comments come a day after Palin announced her 17-year-old daughter was pregnant and news surfaced the Alaska governor had hired a lawyer weeks ago to act on her behalf as state legislators investigate whether she may have abused her power in the firing of the state’s police chief for refusing to fire her ex-brother-in-law, a state trooper.
Watch: McCain defends vetting process
Speaking on Fox News earlier Tuesday, former top Bush aide Karl Rove echoed McCain's comments that Palin was fully vetted.
"They knew all of it," Rove said of the recent revelations on Palin.
McCain has previously faced fire from Democrats over the fact the Arizona senator only met with Palin once in person before offering her the No. 2 slot on his ticket.
Related: Top Republicans defend Palin and vetting process
UPDATE: Speaking with reporters in Ohio Tuesday, McCain reiterated his support for Palin.
"I just want to repeat again how excited I am to have Sarah Palin, the great Governor of Alaska, as my running mate," he said. "America's excited and they're going to be even more excited once they see her tomorrow night. I'm very, very proud of the impression she's made on all of America and looking forward to serving with her."
From CNN Politics
- Trump's legal team seeks to throw out special grand jury report on 2020 election interference in Georgia
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freed
- Why a Trump indictment would have huge political and national implications
- Untitled
- House GOP requests Manhattan DA's testimony as they seek to discredit investigation into Trump
Ah, thats so much clearer – McCain messed up on purpose.
LOL!
David S. –
"Abstinence only" programs, restrictions on abortion, and the stigma of being an unwed teen mother are the reason babies wind up in dumpsters.
No one wants her to step down, but if she is so family oriented, why doesn't she just stay home and do just that? The majority of us don't have 5 children, but if I did I would be inclined to stay home and raise them.
Haiku Time.......
Sarah for VP
As a Dem sounds good to me
Gift that keeps giving
kay – Bristol is obviously NOT a little girl. It's the media who is dragging her name through the mud and I'll bet she is more mature than you and can deal with it.
Okay, so Palin has very little experience. Funny how, even Democrats compare her experience to that of Obama, not Biden. Need I remind all you Obama fans that Obama is the Presidential candidate while Palin is second on the ticket.
McCain's Campaign Slogan – Country First ! He's put his country last and his Election first by choosing Palin! But the latter is going to Back Fire Big Time. No Character, No life Values, No Family Values, a Undergraduate Degree in Political Science and Communications does not a VP make. And it certainly doesn't make a Commander should McCain take ill! I have nothing personally against the woman, I don't know her? Do you? But what I've heard about her qualifications certainly puts me against her being in Command of of American's Safety and Economic well being!
I don't think the pregnancy per se is the point. The point is the family values platform that the republicans stand on. Pro-Life (that is their choice) however, where is Abstinence Only and Chastity before marriage which is part of this platform. HMMMMMM it seems to be missing in the Palin family starting with Sarah and Todd. However, far greater concern to me is her standing with the Alaska Independent Party. Switching to the Republican Party to better push forward the AIP's agenda is frightening and seditious. Sarah Palin, in good concience for our country, should remove her name from the ballot even before it truly gets on the ballot. She is an accident that has already happened.
And another thing...
Does anyone else besides me believe that had it been a pregnant teen in Barack's or Biden's family, or extended but close family, would the repubs have left it alone? I totally agree with the leaving the kids out of it, I just don't think the repubs would have agreed if the shoe were on the other foot. I can't stand hypocracy.
I wish for the best for Bristol and her child.
I really feel sorry for Bristol Palin. She shouldn't have gotten pregnant and I'm glad she is having the baby, but her mother should not have said yes to McCain. They had to know that this pregnancy would come out. They had to know about the other skeletons too. Palin seams to be putting her career over her family. Even without all these skeletons, Palin is not qualified to be VP. McCain should've went with his 1st choice.
I'm glad Obama has said this issue is off limits, but I'm not surprised either.
I agree we should not drag this poor 17 year old girl through this mess, which even her own mom apparently didn't think about in her blind ambition.
It does not look like Senator McCain or his campaign vetted the good Governor from Alaska. It actually seems more of a strategic pick to win the election, something Karl Rove was accusing Senator Obama of doing before he chose Senator Biden to be his running mate. The fact that she immediatly addressed the 18 million cracks of Senator Clinton indicates that she was put on the ticket in an attempt to appeal to women who supported Senator Clinton's bid for the white house.
What seems to be forgotten is that Senator Clinton actually had issues she felt strongly about that DIFFER than Governor Palin, way different. The republicans, organize crime at its best.
Thank you, Senator McCain. Your choice of VP has helped gain more voters for the DNC. Keep up the work.
I hope John sticks to his guns. He has already showed his lack of skills picking a running mate. I wonder what's next.
With the tabloid style media reporting on everything the candidates do this kind will keep them on his neck. Go John go.
Well, if you are a liberal who believes that women can manage a family and hold the reigns of any job that a man can do, and do it just as well, if not better, then you should have no objection to Palin. She is simply a mom who is doing it all.
If Rove is right and they knew it all, then then truly had their heads in the sand. To use this child, and she is a child, as some poster girl for the religious right makes me sick. They are "celebrating" her decision to keep the baby. Somehow in a family of abstinance only teaching beliefs, I doubt she had a choice. Sarah Palin knew her daughter was going to be in the press, and she wants the job so badly she decided to toss her to the wolves. Democrats are sickened by this and won't attack the child, but please Republicans, wake up and get another VP. This one needs to tend to her family, not be running around the country looking for sympathy and votes. She's young, she can spend the time learning the ways of politics, and raising her kids. Then join the wolves in Washington. Yes the religious right is happy, and that in itself tells us why we need less religion in government. Come on repubs, you're supposed to be the smart party, but sure you don't look it!
To Michael in Houston----
Well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sad day in the Republican party when Karl Rove protects Sarah Palin and John McCain...
JUDGEMENT IS THE ISSUE. Sarah Palin knew here daughter will come under scrutiney if she accepted the 2nd highest position in the US. Why would a mother put her 17 year old kid through that pressure, either she care about her own ambition or she does not care about being a mother. I would have never put my own child through that much pressure. I think she is a bad mother. That to me reflects how she will governer, with bad judgement. That is all I am going to say
Here is the difference between Republicans and Democrates. It sounds like her daughter is taking full responsibility as well as their family and the father and his family. They are having the child and they will raise it. They are not looking for the government to bail them out. The dems side is that there should have been a government program in place to prevent it. Then the goverenment should help to raise the child and help the mother. And if you really don't want to take responsibility, just abort it.
She is a great pick. Down to earth lady, with real life experience.
Let's ALL investigate and vet obama – what Exactly is he qualified to do??? WHO watches his kids when he works ??
This is 2008 – NOT l970's – women can have a baby – AND a career.
The DNC and media constant bashing of this pregnant girl are a Disgrace! SHAME on you.
I feel sorry to the innocent children born into this idiotic family, they will be raised with these backwards values. "We're proud of her decision"...to what? Have unprotected sex with a self-proclaimed redneck? The only thing Palin seems good at is getting pregnant and hunting Moose. Ignorance.
Since Palin has more experience than Obama, the question shouldn't be is Palin quialified to be vice president, but is Obama qualified to be president.
CNN's attacks on Bristol Palin & especially Campbell Brown's coverage is so desperate that its almost laughable. After all where is the coverage on Joe Biden's son & brother being investigated for fraud for one thing!!
If you are chosen as VP, your life is under the gun.... either she is dumb enough to not know this and took the job out of glamour or she knows this and rolled the dice.
Nice first decision, McCain.