I think Palin is a good pick for a lot of reasons and the fact that she's a woman is just icing on the cake. When you read her credentials, its obvious that her being a woman was not the main motivator in choosing her.

I agree Cab.

Can't say for sure if she is a good choice (as I had never heard of her until an hour ago), but this certainly made things that much more interesting.

I disagree cab. I think it was one of the main motivators, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing.

It's on.

I think she's an awesome choice for McCain. However, I won't be voting for the McCain/Palin ticket due to her pro-life stance, among many other social and environmental issues.

It looks like she has huge ties to oil and gas, which is cool but not exactly what I want. We need to deal with the oil situation, but solving just that will not solve our economic crisis.

The fact that she's female is great and all but what the Republicans have to offer as far as solving our nations problems are simply not enough to sway my vote at this point.

Only time will tell how effective this pick will be, but for now I'll say it's an interesting choice.

monday you just completely confused me. I thought you were pro-life? Does that mean that you aren't voting or just writing someone else's name in?

I think McCain was looking for a woman to push his vote up and to edge him closer to the "historic" edge of this election. To me she seems like a terrible choice, but of course I am what would be considered a liberal democrat to the political world.

I'm not sure, but it was definitely a good move on McCain's part. The news is all over this and off Obama's big speech.

Agreed with Cab. Of course we are going to hear a lot about him picking her just because she's a woman. The thing is VP candidates are always chosen for strategic reasons and it seems that she could have been chosen for many, many other strategic reasons than being a woman.

And Cab, I found your icing on the cake comment funny. Perfect metaphor for you!

I think she's a great pick. I'm definitely voting for mccain.

But HF how can you say that? If you take her gender out of it, she's still a great pick.

Now if she was grossly unqualifies and had nothing in common with McCain, then I could see how it would be a political posturing move. But I just don't think thats the case. I'm not saying her gender has nothing to do with it, but I'd say maybe it had 10 or 15% to do with it, instead of say 50%.

interesting to be sure... and smart. i can't WAIT for the debates. too bad she's pro-life and follows the party line on the environment. a woman in the white house (even as #2) is excitingm but if she's not going to speak for my concerns, she might as well be a man. i don't support obama just because he's black and i certainly wouldn't switch my vote because she's a woman.

HA Mandy that didn't even occur to me!

Sometimes my true love for cake just shines through!

Palin believes in conservation when it comes to the environment and has shown that in her own life, she lives it. I don't understand how thats anti-environment?

"too bad she's pro-life and follows the party line on the environment. a woman in the white house (even as #2) is excitingm but if she's not going to speak for my concerns, she might as well be a man. i don't support obama just because he's black and i certainly wouldn't switch my vote because she's a woman."

well-said, yesteryear

cabaker doesn't she support drilling ANWR?

I completely agree that she seems extremely qualified. I just think...I mean come on...they're politicians and the race is close. I think it had more that just 10 or 15% to do with it. It's what I would have done if I was in his shoes. But of course I'm a little sly...so there you go. It's totally my opinion...and honestly it doesn't make me think of him in a bad light. I was more like.... ooooh that's smart.

No, HF, I've never been pro-life.

From what Ive read about her, she seems sort of like the female McCain in that she's a straight shooter and comes through with what she says she will do. She stood up to party leaders to kill legislation that wastes money, etc etc... I like that. I like people who do what they say they will and live it in their own lives. Very genuine.

None of those options reflect what I think. First of all I'm not voting for McCain so either way I'm not going to jump up and down or rip my hair out because he picked her because it doesn't change my vote. But I think it IS because she's a woman - he's trying to lure in the "angry Hilary Clinton supporter" vote, which I think has been blown out of proportion by media (the PUMA turnout at the convention was really meager, wasn't it? Can't remember), and because he wants to offset Biden. Popular belief being that Biden was picked to pull no punches in criticizing McCain so Obama can still look good, and in choosing Palin I'm sure the strategy is to make Biden look like a bully if he goes after her in the debates or to make Biden pull his punches.

But, for the Republican vote, I think this may hurt them. When you think about how a lot of straight-ticket voting GOP loyals are boomers and older, this non-traditional choice of picking a female, combined with McCain's problem of not seeming "conservative enough" to the hard right, may cause them to stay home from the polls. I'm not sure the risk will be worth the reward, especially when she's already been mentioned in the press for a possible scandal!

I just think it's funny that his main argument for Obama is his experience... now he's picking a a running mate who has even less experience. It's clear to me he's trying to recruit Hillary supporters.

So because she supports drilling in ANWR that means she hates the environment?

She does support drilling ANWAR, lawchick. One of many reasons I'm not interested.

Sorry monday...my bad.

I don't think any candidate HATES the environment, cabaker. I just think they put "development" first.

No worries HF.

First off, Palin has more executive experience than Biden, McCain, and Obama combined. She is a govenor, they are senators. Totally different.

Second, the far right loves Palin because she's very conservative and has been consistently so. So in that respect, she's an excellent choice to bring them more into McCain.

Well McCain doesnt support drilling there, so I wonder if he will change his opinion on that since he picked her. Or maybe not.

Cab!

I certainly wouldn't say Palin is highly experienced, but then again neither is Obama and he's running for Pres. not VP.

I think Palin balances out McCain.

yes, i was referring to ANWR, thanks lawchick. we have to stop putting band-aids on our energy and environmental problems. and yes, they are connected. it's been said over and over again that ANWR wouldn't solve our energy crisis - so why even go there? people are ready for alternatives - hybrids, hydrogen, electric cars. we have to stop using 20th century solutions to solve 21st century problems.

We're agreeing cab. I think she's an excellent choice. Highly qualified for what he needed. I think it was a move no short of brilliant.

I disagree with Palin not being a good choice for the conservative vote, annebreal. The fact that she's a woman isn't a factor in those circles. Her voting record is exactly what makes her a great candidate for those that feel McCain isn't conservative enough. At the same time, her fight for what's right attitude when it comes to economic princples meshes very well with those that are looking for change in Washington.

Oooh, I'm so excited he didn't choose Romney! I think Gov. Palin is a great choice for him. She's got a lot of superficial appeal but also will appeal to McCain's base. This race is getting interesting!

No, cabaker, he just supports drilling everywhere else.

I will have to do more research because I am not overly familiar with her. I do think that a large motivator was the she was woman and McCain was looking for a way to entice new voters. I am not sure she is the best choice for the 2ND in command but I will hold final judgement until I learn more. Her pro-life and drilling in ANWR positions, if true, will great affect my personal and political opinion. My 3 big issues will always sway my vote.

YY more drilling and more development of alternative energy sources are not mutually exclusive. You can be for both.

There's no reason not to pull out an umbrella to stop from getting wet in the rain as you look for more permanent shelter.

Palin has been governor for less than two years, which weakens McCain's strongest argument: that Obama lacks experience. It will be interesting to see the debates for sure.

I agree with both cab and Harmony. I think the fact that she's a women swayed McCain, but I don't think he would have considered just any old woman who didn't possess other qualifications. I also think the fact that Biden is experienced swayed Obama. Neither one is necessarily a bad thing. Picking a VP is so difficult because you have to consider so many things. Do I agree with this person politically? Is this person ready to lead? Will this person help me get elected? It's a balancing act, really.

I know its motivational and everything, but its so annoying when they always say "the next president of the united states" ALL THE TIME....

Awww cute her and her hubby are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary today!

lilkimbo I'm happy to say that I agree with you.

Great analogy, cab!