Political Hippo Circle Jerk - America, farg YEAH!

[PhillyPhreak54]

OURIC: Why isn't it better, Governor Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families who are struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries? Allow them to spend more, and put more money into the economy, instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?

    PALIN: That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, were ill about this position that we have been put in. Where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy. Um, helping, oh, it's got to be about job creation, too. Shoring up our economy, and getting it back on the right track. So health care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions, and tax relief for Americans, and trade — we have got to see trade as opportunity, not as, uh, competitive, um, scary thing, but one in five jobs created in the trade sector today. We've got to look at that as more opportunity. All of those things under the umbrella of job creation.

[Cerevant]

I love the "its about health care reform...whoops, wrong talking point...its about job creation..."  I think this is a case for the distinction between being able to surround yourself with smart people, and the ability to do something intelligent with what they say.

[MadMarchHare]

You see, this is why lawyers don't put their clients on the stand.  Once the questions are asked by an impartial person, all bets are off.

She's actually dumber than I thought.  Christ.

[PhillyGirl]

[Cerevant]

If Palin was a legitimate pick, they would have told her that she was on the short list, and that she should start brushing up on her national politics.  This just reinforces that she was a last minute panic move.

[ice grillin you]

i would bet almost anything that if the mccain campaign finds itself in the position of almost certainly not winning a couple of weeks out that they drop palin and bring in a new veep nom....it would dominate the airwaves and give them a bump across the finish line

[PhillyGirl]

I don't know IGY...the knee jerk reactions are turning off MANY a Republican that i know.

If they were to "flip flop" like that AGAIN and do that, I think it would make MORE people pissed than even now.

[rjs246]

IGY is exactly right. It's been their ace in the hole this whole time. The great thing about picking someone with zero credentials is that they have a built in excuse to drop them if and when they fail. I don't know that it would give McCain a bump, but it would definitely dominate the airwaves and be a major distraction as the election approaches.

Also, I'm laughing at PG's assertion that Republicans are getting turned off enough to vote against McCain. We've discussed this repeatedly... Republicans vote republican. They are the most loyal and consistent voters in this country. There are the occasional outsiders who will vote democratic, but the republicans' greatest strength is that their base is unwavering no matter who gets marched out in front of them.

[Cerevant]

I have to agree - it fits in perfectly with their overall strategy of avoiding the issues by constantly changing the subject.  This "suspending the campaign" stunt does the same thing. 

The real finale will be to roll out a massive lie about Obama a day or two before the election.  Hillary won a few primaries using that tactic with some pretty tame material, so I can see the McCain campaign coming up with a real whopper that will take a couple of weeks to disprove.  

[ice grillin you]

If they were to "flip flop" like that AGAIN and do that, I think it would make MORE people pissed than even now.

who cares if they are going to lose anyway...clearly dumping a vp nom this close to an election would be a desperation nothing to lose move...obviously they wouldnt do it if the polls say they are leading or right in it

and rjs is right it wouldnt be for the republicans it would be for the undecideds or the reagan democrats or anyone in the middle who is as horrified of the prospect of palin as most people are

that being said there is the prospect of alienating some of the base who love palins strong christian conservative background...but again what would they ahve to lose really

[Cerevant]

It never made sense to pander to the christian right, because when push comes to shove they will vote pro-life.

McCain's only hope right now is to keep the chaos flowing.  As soon as the media can latch on to a story line (like the economy is doing now) they start drawing comparisons.  McCain has to keep the voter's decision emotional, not logical.

[PhillyGirl]

My point is that this latest bit hasn't helped him in the polls at all. Not like the Palin choice has. It was a failed attempt.

[rjs246]

CNN just changed it's electoral map. MI is no longer a tossup.

[PhillyGirl]

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDZiMDhjYTU1NmI5Y2MwZjg2MWNiMWMyYTUxZDkwNTE=

Even Kathleen Parker has changed her tune.

[Cerevant]

Some good quotes in that piece:

Palin's recent interviews with Charles Gibson, Sean Hannity, and now Katie Couric have all revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate. Who Is Clearly Out Of Her League.


No one hates saying that more than I do. Like so many women, I've been pulling for Palin, wishing her the best, hoping she will perform brilliantly. I've also noticed that I watch her interviews with the held breath of an anxious parent, my finger poised over the mute button in case it gets too painful. Unfortunately, it often does. My cringe reflex is exhausted.

Palin filibusters. She repeats words, filling space with deadwood. Cut the verbiage and there's not much content there.