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What do you all think of her?With this RNC speech she just won the election for McCain IMHO.”The landscape is littered with the bodies of those who crossed Sarah,” says pollster Dave Dittman (Republican pollster from Alaska). She's gonna eat Obama alive!!
Honestly, I thought it was only alright. I was expecting a little something different, though. I was hoping it would have some more concrete vision of the future and policy rather than so many attacks on the Obama camp. Then again, she's been attacked herself quite a bit of late. That said, the reactions I have heard from the pundits (mainstream media which generally slants to the left) have actually been pretty positive, saying she did a good job.I thought that Huckabee had the best speech of the night, and Giuliani's was pretty good as well.
Yes, Huckabee and Giuliani's speeches were great. I thought Palin DID state specifics. She was very clear about her energy policies and taxes. She started off weak, but when she began talking about her opponents (and especially the media), that's when she shined. She was sarcastic without being mean, and they deserve to be attacked anyway after what they've said about her all week. She had to answer them. I loved the comparison between mayor and “community organizer” her and Giuliani used. 😀 Not using too many of the typical Republican talking points either was a plus. I just get this feeling she won't back down from anyone or anything. She'll be McCain's backbone.Were you there, Phid?
Well, in perusing a lot of the Left-wing web sites like Daily Kos and Democratic Underground, there is (big surprise) really nothing of substance to their “complaints” and criticisms of Palin.
Yes, I was there – actually I gave one of the earlier speeches that night. The crowd was great….er, ok, transparent (dumb) joke. No, I was not there, and I don't know if the general public could be let in or if it's only for delegates. It would have been very fun to be there on such an historic occasion. But I'm thinking of heading down there to take some more photos/videos and maybe hold up a sign behind the MSNBC booth that says “Don't believe the liberal media” or something like that. ;DBut reading some of the articles on Palin today it looks like the media is generally pretty impressed…aside from that Politico story that scoffs at a suggestion the media apologize. I tell you, it will be interesting to see her debate against Biden in the Fall. Oh yeah, and whereas the media was all over Obama just a few weeks ago, they're now all over the Republican camp. Not quite the same positive coverage, but coverage nonetheless. I wonder if McCain had anticipated this reaction.
As a woman, I'm not too hot about Palin – at least not right now. Her approach seems a bit too much “bull terrier-like” for me. But, I'm not on the McCain bandwagon either… Another issue about Palin that has me concerned is her inquiry about book-banning as a newly elected mayor. Not good. Whether it's because of language, content or whatever, free speech is free speech.
Another issue about Palin that has me concerned is her inquiry about book-banning as a newly elected mayor. Not good. Whether it's because of language, content or whatever, free speech is free speech.
I don't know the issue offhand but I think it would pertain to the kinds of books the state would buy as part of educational programs. In her power she would not be able to “ban” books and people would be able to read them on their own, but she would be to “discriminate” in the state's choice of books. The state, after all, is a “patron” and can choose how it wants to spend its money. I think this would be perfectly legitimate and likely happens in many states at some level.
Actually, I believe her banning inquiry was in regards to the public library in town. Either way, this leaves a “bad taste” in my mouth about her. Anytime I hear that a person or organization wants to ban a book(s) for whatever reason, I cringe.
Her “VP Candidate Strikes Back” speech at the RNC may have simply been to quiet (or soften) the critics who pounced on McCain's intelligence in picking her, and I wonder if the McCain Campaign will soften her image somewhat in coming speeches. She's definitely got a different magnifying glass on her than male candidates do. Just now I was reading this:Sarah Palin's style: the issue at handHere's an excerpt where they analyze her hair:
Her hair is a study in contrasts, carefree and “done” at the same time. The untidiness of her updo has a can-do spirit that says, “I have more important things to do than worry about my hair, so I just twirled it into this clip so I could get to the real business of governing and shooting caribou and having babies and taking them to hockey practice.”
BG, I admit the book banning request rubs me the wrong way too, but is there anything else about her stance on issues that you disagree with?If she comes on strong, she has to. She was up against a male-dominated government in her home state and to accomplish what she did, she had to fight harder because she's a woman (with updo hair).
Having read an article on the issue, it really does not seem to be quite the “scandal” it's cracked up to be.Palin asked Wasilla librarian about censoring books From the article about Palin's mere questioning to the town librarian:
Palin herself, questioned at the time, called her inquiries rhetorical and simply part of a policy discussion with a department head “about understanding and following administration agendas,” according to the Frontiersman article.
However, I can see how this would be used by the left to promote the image of Palin as being some book burning zealot. There was even an e-mail sent around with a supposed list of books that she wanted “banned”….the e-mail was a lie, but notice how it included a variety of classics and contemporary works, from Shakespeare to J.D. Salinger to Harry Potter books. http://www.snopes.com/politics/palin/bannedbooks.asp
BG, I admit the book banning request rubs me the wrong way too, but is there anything else about her stance on issues that you disagree with?If she comes on strong, she has to. She was up against a male-dominated government in her home state and to accomplish what she did, she had to fight harder because she's a woman (with updo hair).
You are correct that it's pretty petty to scrutinize her hair and appearance. Unfortunately, women in the public eye will never escape this problem. In general, the public never contemplates a man's hair cut or his choice of tie with his suit. I'm not thrilled with her stance on the Pro-life/Pro-choice argument because I'm completely Pro-choice. The government has no business telling me or my daughters how to handle anything that governs our bodies. And I'd like for her to explain what she considers “explicit sexual education” in schools that she's against. Her 17 year old unwed daughter is pregnant so the argument could be made that given better and more detailed sex ed in school (and the home) her predicament MIGHT have been prevented. I tend to snicker – because I'm a mom with daughters – when I see all those “all American hockey mom” signs held by the public at the McCain/Palin rallies. With the disclosure of her daughter, I question where was Sarah when her daughter was out doing what she shouldn't have been doing. And yes I know a parent cannot control in absolute what your kids are doing BUT this certainly entertains the question of where were the parents. My next problem is her issue with guns. Though I know many on this website would disagree, I believe tighter gun laws are needed. Guns are falling into the wrong hands each and every day. When I was a kid, my parents didn't have to worry about my siblings and I heading off to school. School was a safe zone. Not now. No matter how secure you may think your school system is, there is some kid (or an adult for that matter) out there who's not playing with a full deck and unfortunately has access to guns. The gun control/law issue has always been a sore spot with me for those who argue against it not only for the above reason but I've been on the wrong end of a gun in a bank robbery. It's a very surreal feeling to look at a gun pointed at you and realize that a) you have absolutely no control over this one moment in your life and b) will this hurt and will I live?
My next problem is her issue with guns. Though I know many on this website would disagree, I believe tighter gun laws are needed. Guns are falling into the wrong hands each and every day. When I was a kid, my parents didn't have to worry about my siblings and I heading off to school. School was a safe zone. Not now. No matter how secure you may think your school system is, there is some kid (or an adult for that matter) out there who's not playing with a full deck and unfortunately has access to guns. The gun control/law issue has always been a sore spot with me for those who argue against it not only for the above reason but I've been on the wrong end of a gun in a bank robbery. It's a very surreal feeling to look at a gun pointed at you and realize that a) you have absolutely no control over this one moment in your life and b) will this hurt and will I live?
Not as much tighter laws but tighter enforcement of the ones we have on the books. While I've not been on the wrong end of a gun nor expect to be I do agree that those not playing with a full deck should be pre-empted gun ownership.I apologize if my attempt at humor (bitter gun owner sign) was offensive; I am a life-long gun owner and shooter and expect my gov't (and elected officials, sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution) to protect my 2nd Amendment Rights along with all the others.
Good points, BG, and you backed them up very well. I disagree with a few things though. I would like to see abortion made illegal because in my own beliefs, it is murder. But I can understand the choice issue and whether or not the government controls the choice. I would rather see parents teach morality than the government forcing it.I also don't disagree completely with you about guns and gun laws. The 2nd gives citizens the right to bear arms, but WELL-REGULATED stands out to me loud and clear. Just letting anyone have access to a gun with no regulation (which it seems some people want) is just plain foolish, IMO.As far as her family, what really attracts me to her and her husband is they are a real modern American family with real modern problems that most every family has. I think to assume they aren't around is just an assumption. They both have huge families and get lots of support from aunts and grandparents (and I believe Todd is mostly a stay at home dad when he's not racing or working the oil fields). As a single parent myself, I had to work. What my children did during the time I was at work was out of my control. My daughter would sneak out a lot in the middle of the night without my knowledge. She got pregnant at 18, my granddaughter is almost 2, and they are still not married. Does that reflect on me being a bad or neglectful parent or disqualify me for any job I want?
