McCain Veep Is Woman

[adamdavid80]

Because the politicization (is that a word?) of life has gone too far.

"Has" gone too far?  Hello?  Nazi Germany?  Pol Pot?  The Inquisition?  Politics have always been about dominance and fear, as much as anything else.

[Florestan]

"Has" gone too far?  Hello?  Nazi Germany?  Pol Pot?  The Inquisition?  Politics have always been about dominance and fear, as much as anything else.

I thought we were discussing contemporary politics  in the civilized world to which US belong. Or do you imply that the difference between the politics of Hitler and that of an American president is just in degree, not in essence?

[(poco) Sforzando]

Because the politicization (is that a word?) of life has gone too far. One does not appreciate somebody anymore on her / his moral, intellectual and spiritual qualities or her / his personal achievements or her / his service rendered to the community. It's "us" (the always smart and honest) against "them" (the always dumb and dishonest). If "we" win, then the world's going to turn instantly into Paradise on Earth. If "they" win, it's going to be Hell on Earth. Partisan politics have swallowed everything and the society is extremely polarized. If you take a moderate, centrist ground, then you'll be a Leftist for the Right and a Rightist for the Left. The poison of partisan politics has pervaded all arteries of social and personal life. It's a sad, mad and dangerous situation.

There is a lot of truth to that, and I believe that if McCain had not picked Palin, and if he had run a more disciplined campaign, the choice would have been harder for many people including myself. There is also too much of a belief in some quarters that Obama will be the next Messiah, when in reality he is bound to make a number of mistakes just like any other starting President and will have many constraints that will force him to scale back some of his ambitions. Unfortunately I fear also that the slightest mistake on his part will be sufficient for the extreme right to scream "we told you so!" and do whatever it can to undermine his presidency.

Oops - he hasn't been elected yet, has he? 

[adamdavid80]

I thought we were discussing contemporary politics  in the civilized world to which US belong. Or do you imply that the difference between the politics of Hitler and that of an American president is just in degree, not in essence?

It is a matter of degree to soem extent, but this is all an abstract (and this time i apologize for derailing the conversation to a periphery).  I think...my natural inclination...if obama wins, now reality sets in.  He has to deliver.  he's proven he can "lift" the national mood, that he can be a role model for many who feel disenfranchised or feel left behind by "the system", but rhetoric is one thing, now it's time to see what it all means and how it plays out.  this is for all politicians.  Campaign promises are all nice, but, as well know, "If wishes were leaves, then trees would be falling".

[(poco) Sforzando]

The update is brilliant:

http://www.palinaspresident.us/

[(poco) Sforzando]

And the fun never stops:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/167581

NEWSWEEK has also learned that Palin's shopping spree at high-end department stores was more extensive than previously reported. While publicly supporting Palin, McCain's top advisers privately fumed at what they regarded as her outrageous profligacy. One senior aide said that Nicolle Wallace had told Palin to buy three suits for the convention and hire a stylist. But instead, the vice presidential nominee began buying for herself and her family—clothes and accessories from top stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. According to two knowledgeable sources, a vast majority of the clothes were bought by a wealthy donor, who was shocked when he got the bill. Palin also used low-level staffers to buy some of the clothes on their credit cards. The McCain campaign found out last week when the aides sought reimbursement. One aide estimated that she spent "tens of thousands" more than the reported $150,000, and that $20,000 to $40,000 went to buy clothes for her husband. Some articles of clothing have apparently been lost. An angry aide characterized the shopping spree as "Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast," and said the truth will eventually come out when the Republican Party audits its books.

A Palin aide said: "Governor Palin was not directing staffers to put anything on their personal credit cards, and anything that staffers put on their credit cards has been reimbursed, like an expense. Nasty and false accusations following a defeat say more about the person who made them than they do about Governor Palin."  [Yeah, right.]

McCain himself rarely spoke to Palin during the campaign, and aides kept him in the dark about the details of her spending on clothes because they were sure he would be offended. Palin asked to speak along with McCain at his Arizona concession speech Tuesday night, but campaign strategist Steve Schmidt vetoed the request.

[mn dave]

The update is brilliant:

http://www.palinaspresident.us/

What's supposed to happen?

[(poco) Sforzando]

What's supposed to happen?

It's what doesn't happen. Click the link to view the original site, and enjoy.

[Joe_Campbell]

McCain himself rarely spoke to Palin during the campaign, and aides kept him in the dark about the details of her spending on clothes because they were sure he would be offended. Palin asked to speak along with McCain at his Arizona concession speech Tuesday night, but campaign strategist Steve Schmidt vetoed the request.

Man...they had good chemistry . I imagine McCain might be thinking it's Palin's fault he lost. Unfortunately, he just has to swallow his pride and remember who elected Palin.

[karlhenning]

. . . and aides kept him in the dark about the details of her spending on clothes because they were sure he would be offended.

Ouch! The Straight Talk Express doesn't even make it out of the freight yard!

[Homo Aestheticus]

I imagine McCain might be thinking it's Palin's fault he lost. Unfortunately, he just has to swallow his pride and remember who elected Palin.

Why Republicans Won´t Matter

A great many Republicans are about to learn Kepler's Fourth Law of Planetary Motion: The World does not revolve around you. In a way, it's sad as the closing chapter of the GOP reign is marked by recession, corruption, war and a compromised constitution.

The Republicans are about to go through a period of self absorption and will think it is all that matters. They will only recover when they start to understand that no one is watching and that no one, except them, cares.

That realisation will be more painful than the battles themselves.

http://timesonline.typepad.com/comment/2008/10/the-morning-aft.html

*********

0:)

[(poco) Sforzando]

Fox News - Fox News, mind you - has reported that she thinks Africa is a country. 

[karlhenning]

. . . about to go through a period of self absorption and will think it is all that matters.

This is quite funny, posted by you, Eric.

Fox News - Fox News, mind you - has reported that she thinks Africa is a country. 

I'm sort of hoping the Republicans advance her as a candidate for 2012 . . . .

[Florestan]

Fox News - Fox News, mind you - has reported that she thinks Africa is a country. 

I have a great difficulty figuring out why McCain chose her. Or was she imposed to him?

[karlhenning]

I have a great difficulty figuring out why McCain chose her.

Indeed, because it was such a tomfool idea.

Or was she imposed to him?

I shouldn't think so;  my impression is that it was a cleft stick of his own cutting.

[(poco) Sforzando]

I have a great difficulty figuring out why McCain chose her.

Because he is a great man.

[Florestan]

Because he is a great man.

Could you be more explicit, please?

[Shrunk]

I have a great difficulty figuring out why McCain chose her. Or was she imposed to him?

I've read that she was partly imposed on him, in that he had preferences (Lieberman, for example) that were vetoed by the GOP.  I've been unable to find any explicit sources on this, though, and I don't think it would be accurate to say he had no say in the process, just that it wasn't his choice alone.

Anyway, we shouldn't forget what a galvanizing effect she had on his then-moribund campaign when she was first selected.  For all we know, he might have suffered a defeat of Mondale-esque proportions without her. 

[Florestan]

Anyway, we shouldn't forget what a galvanizing effect she had on his then-moribund campaign when she was first selected.  For all we know, he might have suffered a defeat of Mondale-esque proportions without her. 

Do you imply that had he chosen another VP, he would have been defeated more severely?

That's strange because I've had the impression that she's been a shot in his own foot.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Could you be more explicit, please?

Could you recognize when someone is pulling your leg?