McCain whores out an Alaska politician.

[lunadelcorvo]

Oh, come on, we know this is the way of it. There are only two reasons McCain has for this nomination:

1) He has had his balls in a vice for months over his outrageous policy statements regarding women's health issues (when he can manage to actually utter one, instead of fumbling and gaffing even the most basic questions on issues of birth control, sex ed, and insurance coverage for Viagra vs. the pill). N.O.W., Planned Parenthood and other women's groups have been getting a lot of (justified) mileage from this. So McCain plunks in a woman running mate to attempt to recover ground with women after the disaster he created with his ineptitude.

2) We have all heard the controversy over Hillary supporters supposedly defecting to McCain over Hillary's loss to Obama. This is an utterly transparent effort to secure the votes of those who are disaffected not by Obama's stand on the issues, but simply because the woman lost. (Or at the very least, the voters who are perceived as rejecting McCain for this reason). I am sad to say that from what I have heard of Hillary's rhetoric, (which I will admit openly is far from comprehensive - as I have been reminded below!) her lack of a clear call for her supporters to rally to Obama has made this tactic possible.

Nevertheless, these tactics are so crass, so predictable, and so obvious as to be offensive to this woman voter at least. I can only hope that both the groups targeted by this blatant, 'cover-your-ass' pandering will see it for what it is, and refuse to be manipulated in such a fashion. And frankly, were I Palin, I would have refused to accept McCain as my pimp.

Comments

[doctoreon.livejournal.com]

I am sad to say that from what I have heard of Hillary's rhetoric, her lack of a clear call for her supporters to rally to Obama has made this tactic possible.

Oh, come on, now. That's just not true. Anyone who heard Hillary's and Bill's DNC speeches should know by now that they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to unite the party behind Barack Obama.

"Barack Obama is my candidate. And he must be our President."

"Most of all, I ran to stand up for all those who have been invisible to their government for eight long years.

"Those are the reasons I ran for President. Those are the reasons I support Barack Obama. And those are the reasons you should too.

"I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

"We need leaders once again who can tap into that special blend of American confidence and optimism that has enabled generations before us to meet our toughest challenges. Leaders who can help us show ourselves and the world that with our ingenuity, creativity, and innovative spirit, there are no limits to what is possible in America.

"This won’t be easy. Progress never is. But it will be impossible if we don’t fight to put a Democrat in the White House.

"We need to elect Barack Obama because we need a President who understands that America can’t compete in a global economy by padding the pockets of energy speculators, while ignoring the workers whose jobs have been shipped overseas. We need a President who understands that we can’t solve the problems of global warming by giving windfall profits to the oil companies while ignoring opportunities to invest in new technologies that will build a green economy.

"We need a President who understands that the genius of America has always depended on the strength and vitality of the middle class.

"Barack Obama began his career fighting for workers displaced by the global economy. He built his campaign on a fundamental belief that change in this country must start from the ground up, not the top down. He knows government must be about “We the people” not “We the favored few.”

"And when Barack Obama is in the White House, he’ll revitalize our economy, defend the working people of America, and meet the global challenges of our time. Democrats know how to do this. As I recall, President Clinton and the Democrats did it before. And President Obama and the Democrats will do it again.

"He’ll transform our energy agenda by creating millions of green jobs and building a new, clean energy future. He’ll make sure that middle class families get the tax relief they deserve. And I can’t wait to watch Barack Obama sign a health care plan into law that covers every single American.

"Barack Obama will end the war in Iraq responsibly and bring our troops home - a first step to repairing our alliances around the world.

And he will have with him a terrific partner in Michelle Obama. Anyone who saw Michelle’s speech last night knows she will be a great First Lady for America."

"But remember, before we can keep going, we have to get going by electing Barack Obama president.

"We don't have a moment to lose or a vote to spare.

Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hang in the balance."

[raven-moon.livejournal.com]

Fine, fine! LOL *ducks mountain of quotes* I did say from what I've heard - I should have made that clearer. I did hear Bill's endorsement from Denver, but I have only heard snippets of Hillary's, though I know she did come out pretty strongly there, prior to that, the statements of hers that I have heard, and heard commented upon have been - less than unequivocal...

Truthfully, it's one point on which I am happy to be corrected!

[doctoreon.livejournal.com]

My girlfriend is still waiting for Obama to be as unequivocal in his acknowledgment of the blatant sexism that occurred during the primary race. She's still very hurt by that, especially since people were saying it was just women's imaginations during the campaign, but once Obama won, then commentators started remarking about it and Howard Dean sort of acknowledged it. She wants to hear it from Obama, though.

[lucretiasheart.livejournal.com]

*pumps fists in air*

You go!

I completely agree, and hope others don't fall for this crap. Unfortunately, people can be stupid. I'm hoping this time they wake up and get a clue in time.

have some pity

[ahrensm.livejournal.com]

I personally feel so terribly sorry for this woman from Alaska. She has been thrust into the middle of the most hotly contested race of this new century. And she has no experience with such an animal! I'm glad I'm not running against Hillary Clinton's favorite candidate. One for whom she has vowed to campaign for. If this poor woman from Alaska comes up against such a champion, it will be a slaughter. There is no way she will be able to win. It would be like having your niblet enter a swim meet against Michael Phelps. John McCain should be ashamed of himself for even suggesting such a thing and this woman has shown her utter ignorance by accepting. As I think about it, this is a good move for the Democrats. Makes me a lot more optimistic for the white house. A lifetime member of the NRA who is against abortion and calls herself a regular hocky mom...good luck lady!

Re: have some pity

[raven-moon.livejournal.com]

I do have some, small amount of pity. Very small. Let's just say that she's old enough to know when she's being pimped out.

How the heck are ya, BTW?

Re: have some pity

[ahrensm.livejournal.com]

Yea, but she's never been out of Alaska! hahaha

i'm great. Had a terrific Obama party last night -- you should have come!!! Much frivolity and hope shared by all. What a speech! wow!

[x3non.livejournal.com]

>> "these tactics are so crass"

Sister, this is politics. Don't be naive. There is a long history of presidential candidates picking VPs with an eye on what will help them win. "Tippecanoe and Tyler too", et cetera, etc.

"Balancing the ticket" is an old political art form. If the P is from New England, get a VP from the South. If the P is seen as old, get a VP that is young. Etc.

(I've always considered it particularly bone-headed that George W. Bush, an oil man from Texas, picked Cheney, an oil man from Wyoming, as his running mate. No balance there!)

Of course you're pissed, I understand that. But keep some historical perspective. McCain isn't trying to win your vote, anyway.

[raven-moon.livejournal.com]

Of *course* it's politics - I think that was rather the point of my post. And I am well aware of the precedent of balancing the ticket. Generally, however, the counterweights have been at least arguably qualified to take up the reins in place of the president should need arise; that IS the point of the office after all.

This is the basest, most blatant, and most gratuitous politics we've seen in a while (and coming from someone as cynical as I am, that's saying something!). I'm not so much pissed as... well, let's see. I'm insulted on behalf of the women whose intelligence is assumed to be so lacking as to make this a credible ploy, even as I know many women will fall for it. I'm concerned about even a breath of possibility of a VP as categorically unfit to govern being second in line behind an ailing 70-year old. I am irritated, though again, unsurprised, that the woman in question is blatantly anti-women's health, anti-choice, and has easily demonstrable dominionist ties. I am sad to realize that there are many voters who will ignore those salient facts, and rally blindly behind the chance at putting a woman, any woman, in the office.

I have plenty of historical perspective; that's WHY I find this as repugnant as I do.

[x3non.livejournal.com]

If you enjoy being in "election hell", fine. I prefer not to get so upset about these things. Politics doesn't change. Palin could be a sign that McCain is desperate, anyway. It wasn't a "safe" choice.

P.S. Attack Palin for being anti-choice, etc. But don't attack her for lacking experience, because when you do, you fall into their rhetorical trap. As Obama's campaign has frequently pointed, many of our notable presidents, including Lincoln, had no experience at the federal level.

[raven-moon.livejournal.com]

I would venture to say that the difference in Lincoln's experience *relative to the times* compared to Palin's still leaves Palin wanting. It's a different world, and even Obama's experience dwarfs Palin's. As far as being upset, I am not sure why this is reading to you as personal misery, despite me quip for location (which I frequently answer flippantly if at all). In this at least, my aim is to pinpoint the issues as I see them - in this case highlighting the blatantly manipulative and CYA BS of this move.

If this tactic gets him elected, THEN you'll be hearing misery from me. That is, when I have time to spare between filling out applications for citizenship in other countries.... ;)

[x3non.livejournal.com]

"which I frequently answer flippantly if at all"

I'm glad. Nobody should spend too much time in election hell.

Anyway, I knew you were fine. It's just the poli-sci minor in me. Sorry for pointing out the obvious.

[raven-moon.livejournal.com]

LOL No worries, doll. I am happy to natter away with you anytime, regardless. ;)