Palin will continue the Republican abuse of power -- she is already under investigation in Alaska.

Why not the female Republican governor of Hawaii? Governor Lingle has 8 years executive experience as Mayor of Maui and has been re-elected as Govenor of Hawaii (7 yrs of executive experience and counting). As the center of America's military power in the Pacific, Lingle has far more international credentials than the few months of national guard experience Palin is bragging about (I'm sure the Hawaii National Guard is bigger than Alaska's.)

I hope the reason McCain didnt choose Linda Lingle isn't because she is NOT a former beauty queen! So far, the three most important decisions in McCain's life have ALL been in favor of beauty -- his first wife who was disfigured in a tragic accident, his adulterous home-wrecking second wife who was also a model (and conviniently the heir to a liquor fortune) and now Palin is the 3rd woman McCain has chosen with former beauty queen credentials!

I've been watching with interest the coverage of Governor Palin and noticed that, fair or not, there is already a discussion about whether or not it is appropriate that a mother of a 5-month old with special needs should be diverting her attention and limited time away from her infant. I recently left my position after the birth of my now 6-month-old daughter, my second child. That was my personal choice and my hat is off to women and all mothers who must juggle demanding schedules. Still, the question pops into my head, that with limited hours in the day, "how will she give her infant the attention he needs and meet the rigors of a vp campaign (not to mention holding the vp office, and possibly the presidency)?"

On a lark, I googled "palin" and "good mother" and there was already some debate, including: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/29/123941/932/967/578725. I think this is an issue may resonate with many women and mothers on both sides, both stay-at-home and working outside of the home. Also, it's an interesting angle because, while Palin is conservative, conservative/family values voters may be troubled by her decision to take on such a time-consuming endeavor considering the new challenges she faces in her personal life.

As McCain/Palin continue to emphasize her family and personal story, this debate will grow, fair or not.

Lynn, perhaps you and all your friends need not stick-your-noses up at this choice. She has an 80+% approval rating among Alaskans. Before you scuff about her experiece, remember, she has MORE experience then Obama. She was anti-corruption and even turned-in people of her own party , something we in Cook County have never seen. And she's down-to-earth. Mother, 5 children, son off to Iraq, son with Down Syndrome, union members, likes to fish and hunt---yet well-educated. Even down-earth to the point she cut waste by not having a chaufferer and cooks, etc. Drives herself around. Cooks for herself and family. And is already into alternative energy for her citizens, with a natural gas project she initiated.

Excellent article by a wonderful journalist Lynn Sweet.

Sarah Palin is a governor with two years of authentic executive experience. This spares this race the specter of an all-senator show. And history shows it's far better preparation for the presidency than other offices. A governor must execute budgets, pull factions together, compromise on tough issues and make the buck stop there. If Palin's short stint as governor calls into question her experience, it's still superior to Barack Obama's two years in the U.S.Senate. The democratic party just may regret making him the nominee and regret not choosing Hillary for V.P.

Randall makes some good points about McCain, but this email is making the rounds...

Getting Ethical At The DNC

I believe the democrats have suddenly developed a keen sense of morality.
John Edwards was banned from making a speech at the Democratic National Convention for having an affair and lying about it.

In his place, Bill Clinton spoke.
---

As for staying home ---would this question even come up if she was a male candidate? Double standards seem to work well for libs.

What this selection of Palin really does is solidify the GOP base--if some disenfranchised Clinton support comes over, it's a bonus. Nobama Union is in favor of Palin.

She has more executive experience than any of the Senators--unless of course Obama wants to elaborate on his exec experience with Ayers in the Chicago Annenberg Challenge.

I was floored by McCain's selection of Palin. Given the seriousness of the world events around us to choose someone who has been a Governor for LESS THAN 2 YEARS. Who just got her passport to travel outside the US recently...is more than a little scary.

Dick Cheney had an incredible amount of influence over GW Bush...now you will have a VP that will have nothing to say when the topic of Russia and Georgia comes up. Who won't have anything but basic gut comments that heck I can offer McCain as a political science major and would likely be more insightful..if the president and his inner circle sit to talk about current events.

Heck..I have more confidence in the actors in the 7 year running West Wing show on domestic and foreign policy issues...than this VP nominee.

Why? Because McCain met her once and only selected her after responding to the success and media blitz around the DNC. Do you think it was a fluke that Leibermann and Plawenty were talked about up and until the Friday after Obama's speech. That Palin was no where in the picture. That a 72 year old presidential candidate who has had health issues decided to make a choice that would garner him media attention and allow him to make history claims...That's sad.

I know there arre other qualified women but none that would energize his base so you have someone that isn't qualified but fits a bill.

OUR COUNTRY DESERVES BETTER!!
SO NO JOHN MCCAIN THAT ISN'T COUNTRY FIRST...THAT REPUBLICAN BASE FIRST.

VA

HE CHOSE HER BECAUSE THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT DIDN'T
WANT LIEBERMAN!
WHEN YOU CHOOSE SOMEONE HE ONLY MET ONCE, HE
WAS TOLD WHAT TO DO, HE ISN'T THE SHARPEST KNIFE
IN THE DRAWER!
HEY AT LEAST WHEN IT'S OVER SHE CAN GO BACK TO
ALASKA!