Analysis: Palin rocked campaign
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/11/05/palin.campaign.anatomy/art.palin.afp.gi.jpg caption="Palin, at McCain's concession Tuesday night, boosted the GOP ticket at first but ultimately became a drag on it."]
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.
Buh- bye lipstick Fido. Take your smirks, folksy sayings, and stupid winks back to the Yukon. Say hi to the sled-dogs, the polar bears and moose (before you shoot them of course) and get used to being back in obscurity
Dear GOP,
Can the Thumpers and go back to the Conservatives.
"Thanks but no thanks", please take the bridge to nowhere back to Alaska where you can watch Russia from your house!
Palin was a drag on McCain because she exemplified the worst of Republicans: divisiveness, racism, anti-intellectualism and straight-faced lies. She could attack Obama all she wants but it must be the truths, not twisted truths. Unfortunately it seems that is the way politics is playing in Alaska with its corruptions and narrow-mindedness as business as usual.
Independent Hoosier.
Hoosier female here. I have no problem with a qualified woman running for president.
I have major issues with a woman who spouts ignorance and flip comments being even near the Oval Office.
Now that Obama is President its time young black men in America honour his time in office by looking up to him and pulling their pants up. Stay away from petty crime and and be pillars of society. YES WE CAN!!!!!
To the sore losers...
it was NOT a close race – it was a LANDSLIDE!
The people (smart ones) have SPOKEN!
I am really surprised to see Sarah Palin still wearing the $150,000 outfits that she was supposed to give to charities just after the election. Has she changed her mind and decided to wait until 2012 to run for presidency with these clothes?
I always suspected she'd end up hurting more than she helped – an early indication was when Obama had a record fundraising day after her convention speech.
Good to see that suspicion confirmed.
Sarah Sarah Sarah, we hope you come back in 4 years to help the democratic ticket once again defeat you and your hairbrained ideas and ideologies. Your about as informed as a rock, bye bye.
Goodbye!!!!!
I still wonder if other, more qualified, VP candidates turned down the offer. Smart ones would, after the past 8 Republican years.
I have it on good authority that all of the moose and wolves in Alaska voted for her.
She shouldn't have "taken off the gloves". Once she did, by going with division over unity and prejudice and fear over hope, that's when people took off their gloves too. If she hadn't done that, she would have faired much better.
See you in 2012 Governor Palin – that is if we are still America.
Hokey manm dont use that statement when you're running against a person of color in politics, this is a code , how many black woman hockey manm u know? Dont be on defensive, stay cool u have nothing to prove, we know that u smart intelligent charismatic. The RNC used u to do the dirty job, hope u make a come back, you will b missed.
Some people posting here today seem to think that Sarah Palin got a "raw deal" because she is female. She may have been selected for the GOP ticket because she was female... but the ridicule that came about over her lack of knowledge and the extreme right wing stance she took had nothing to do with gender. Does anyone remember Dan Quayle? The GOP took a lot of heat for him being unqualified and generally ridiculous; she reminds me of him. I really think her gender was not the target.
I can't believe anyone is seriously considering Sarah Palin for any national office in the future. Does anyone remember Catherine Harris?
Well she still has a promising career on SNL! I think she makes a great actress/comedian/game show host.
Sarah Palin is an atrocious human being. She race-baited and charged up hate rallies. I never want to see her face again.
Gov. Palin stated that the God of your understanding will make the choice of President & Vice President. Well like she stated, the choice has been made! See ya! Wouldn't want to be ya!
Watching your whole race, Palin was good for the McCain ticket as the GOP had a hard time settling on who would get the top spot themselves. Palin faced the same wrath of the media onslaught with total negativity against her from the moment her name was announced. It was the same for Senator Clinton. In the theme of electing the first African American President, both women were treated with considerably less respect than they had earned as elected officials. It appears that the media want to appalud themselves on the US race related issues but could not see that they were crucifying both women to get there.
Just goes to show how much farther we need to go for gender equality in this country. All the women in this race were treated terribly. Palin should be respected regardless if you disagree. And just because she is not a democrat female doesn't mean she doesn't doesn't represent woman. I am ashamed at how my former party has treated her and not taken a higher road. And this "she started it..." 4 year old attitude is ridiculous. If you disagree, respectfully disagree. If she says something that you consider out of line and then say "hey, that's not appropraite" or, "that is not correct because here are the facts and sources to back it up" and move one.
This is "supposed" to be the party of feminist who stand up for equal treatment of women and of everyone. Not the party that viciously attacks innocent children because you disagree with parents' politics. What is wrong with you? I've seen so much hatred even directed at her children, AT HER BABY for Christ's sake. And then you talk about unity???
the woman should be happy she has a job in Alaska–shes not qualified for much