LYT's Weblog

The number one talking point on Obama is that he lacks experience, and this choice would make further such claims laughable. The Hillary diehards are very bitter, but I'd really hope that would fade over the next few months.

The way I look at it is that Palin was on his short list to counter Obama if he woulda picked Hillary, but when he didn't I think there was still good reason to select Palin. Regardless of how akward she makes the debates, personally the only thing Biden should say is "She doesn't even know what the Vice President does. Now BOTH Republicans on the ballot are out of touch.

That was a stupid, stupid choice. It just makes him look manipulative and sexist - yes, sexist.

The GOP needs to STFU about former Hil supporters voting for McCain just because of this VP pick right now. They are basically saying women understand nothing about politics and are so stupid they would vote for a female vice president that totally disagrees with thier political beliefs just because she's a woman. That's like saying Obama will get all the African American votes just because of his race. It's ridiculous and insulting. I'll admit I've seen some women's magazine articles that make me shake my head (vote for Hilary or Condi - sure they are complete freakin' opposites poltiically, but they're both WOMEN! Whee!) - but I really don't think enough Hilary supporters are dumb enough to make that up.

It is also a sad statement that this is the most qualified female VP candidate they could find - If I was Obama I'd point out he could have picked from a strong handful of women in the Dems court to be his Veep, but he chose a VP that balanced him out well, not for stupid manipulative reasons.

McCain has been a manipulative bastard this whole election, but done it in such a laughably obvious way it's baffling to me that he has much support as he does.

Julie, I consider you and David to be among the few honest-to-goodness genuine centrists I know (as opposed to all those who say "I'm a reasonable moderate, but those moonbats on the other side are all nuts!"). So I think (and in this case, hope) that you are in fact the bellwether for the country on this.

I think McCain made a huge tactical mistake by not picking a Southerner. You know who IS a Southerner? Bob Barr.

I actually don't think it's a mistake. Pandering is a sad, sad part of political life and those who think the electorate is above it have yet to learn the lesson I learned this year. I still can't quite understand how HUckabee did so well or how McCain won.

p.s.,

they would vote for a female vice president that totally disagrees with thier political beliefs just because she's a woman.

versus

I'll admit I've seen some women's magazine articles that make me shake my head (vote for Hilary or Condi

Nuff said, i think. ;)

I still can't quite understand how HUckabee did so well or how McCain won.

I can.

Huckabee did well because he was Southern, and religious, and damn likable. I think his beliefs are bugfuck insane, yet when I see him on TV, I like him as a human being.

McCain won for the same reason Kerry won the Dem primaries 4 years ago -- opposition canceled itself out (Huckabee and Paul too extreme, Romeny's a Mormon, Thompson's a tired old guy), and the majority decided that "war hero = victory."

I personally hope they turn out to be as wrong as the Dems who went with Kerry.

I'll say again: ruling the South out of this election is a HUGE risk for the right. Post-Reagan, every election I've watched has been "pontificating blowhard versus charismatic Southerner," and charismatic Southerner has won every time. Obama's the closest to that this cycle, but race is the X-factor.

Huckabee did well because he was Southern, and religious, and damn likable. I think his beliefs are bugfuck insane, yet when I see him on TV, I like him as a human being.

That may be the answer, then. I don't watch much TV, so I'm oddly filtered from questions of charisma or charm. I don't think I've ever seen Huckabee speak, just seen some r-e-a-l-l-y corny commercials.

McCain won for the same reason Kerry won the Dem primaries 4 years ago -- opposition canceled itself out (Huckabee and Paul too extreme, Romeny's a Mormon, Thompson's a tired old guy), and the majority decided that "war hero = victory."

Heh, good point. But with Kerry it wasn't like he'd gotten whoooped like the last three elections. THough then again, exhibit A: Bob Dole.

Man, I hope he doesn't win. Obama might even win my surely much-coveted endorsement at this rate. ;)

Dole is incredibly similar to McCain, as I learned from a recent doumentary I saw.

Both are war heroes. And both, in their first major presidential campaigns, were nastily smeared by a man named George Bush, whose campaign managers lied about their record.

Ultimately, Dole got his run four years after his Bush left office, and came across as a crazy and clueless old man, losing the election.

I hope McSame follows suit.