A note from a friend

September 3rd, 2008 5:18 am · 14 comments

Below is a note I got in response to my post Friday praising John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the GOP’s vice presidential candidate.
Note: This friend of mine, a former colleague and talented sports editor/page designer, has moved to the West Coast. What makes his post worth your time, Dear Reader, is that this friend is a true political moderate with a sharp mind, and, although less concerned with social issues than I am, he loves his country. It was good to hear from him, and I was happy to answer his concerns.

Joe,

So I was reading your “Always Right” blog … what are you thinking on McCain’s VP pick?!?! I saw the points you listed, but you can’t really think she’s a good pick. Now, I can’t even begin to comprehend the Republican mind, but why wouldn’t he go with Romney or Pawlenty?

Just looking for a little Republican insight. Drop me a line whenever you get a chance.

Hope all is well back East,

Below is my answer, minus the update I gave him on my kids, etc.

Can’t say I’m a big fan of what the insiders in D.C. call “experience.” In my view, it mostly leads to cynicism and points in wrong directions (anyone elected president can find plenty of staff to provide the “benefits” of such experience).

My problem with Obama has never been that he lacks experience. It’s that he lacks accomplishments. He’s a brilliant, talented guy but WHAT THE HELL HAS HE DONE for the world?

Sarah Palin, at least, has thrown a monkey wrench in the Alaska GOP’s corrupt ways, refused to take money from you and me for the “bridge to nowhere” and taken on the oil companies to raise money her state’s taxpayers now don’t have to pay.

Let’s face it, Abraham Lincoln didn’t have much experience when he ran for president in 1860. His predecessor, James Buchanan, had more than anyone who has ever run, before or since, and historians rank him the worst president EVER.

My opinion: Anyone who’s at least fairly bright, well-grounded and with a bit of life experience is probably better qualified than most of those who have held our nation’s highest office.

If he replies, I’ll let you all know.

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14 comments Tags: 2008 White House race

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Kate
9/3/08
9:37 AM

Joe - your comments are dead on and refreshing to read.

thank you

Kate

Daisy Lee Myers
9/3/08
9:53 AM

EYE-OPENING ON PALIN.. .....

****************************

Palin touts stance on 'Bridge to Nowhere,' doesn't note flip-flop:

Gov. Sarah Palin | adn.com

alaska daily news

http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/511471.html

jhainthaler
9/3/08
10:05 AM

QUOTE (Daisy Lee Myers @ Sep 3 2008, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK. I'm not sure how "eye opening" the story really is.
As I read it, after initially being for it, she said, BEFORE THE ELECTION, that she would consider other alternatives. Then, when the price nearly doubled, she pulled the plug.
Below is a supporting section of the article linked to above:
"Palin spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said Saturday that as projected costs for the Ketchikan bridge rose to nearly $400 million, administration officials were telling Ketchikan that the project looked less likely. Local leaders shouldn't have been surprised when Palin announced she was turning to less-costly alternatives, Leighow said. Indeed, Leighow produced a report quoting Palin, late in the governor's race, indicating she would also consider alternatives to a bridge."
I don't see how this undermines the case that she's fiscally prudent. I read elsewhere that she took a harder look as governor, which seems appropriate.
Now, just because somebody who lost an election to her suspects she did it to raise her national profile, that doesn't make it so.

The Logical One
9/3/08
10:14 AM

QUOTE (Daisy Lee Myers @ Sep 3 2008, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just out of curiosity, why have you posted this thing some many times in other threads? Do you think you are going to sway someone's vote?

Barack is clueless, his speech at the DNC was hilarious.

Daisy Lee Myers
9/3/08
10:25 AM

she did flip=flop!

i give credit where credit is due.. she is no forbes 500 CEO..

***************************

SORRY..

LOGICAL ONE..

UNFORTUNATELY

all the threads are on palin..

SO, i post it!

Wonder
9/3/08
10:40 AM

Daisy. All you do is turn me off to you and your causes. I quit giving to your charity because of your political views, since you convinced me it was a good charity in the first place. You do yourself no favors by turning people off. Just wanted to tell you.

Daisy Lee Myers
9/3/08
10:42 AM

fyi

noted--thanks

:

Politifact: 'Bridge' Going Nowhere Before Palin Killed It - Fact Checker

When Palin says "I told Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that bridge to nowhere," it implies Congress said, "Here's a check for that bridge" and she responded, "No thanks, that's wasteful spending; here's your money back."

That's not what happened. Fact is, Alaska took the bridge money, and then just spent it on other projects. Palin did make the final call to kill plans for the bridge, but by the time she did it was no longer a politically viable project. We rule Palin's claim is Half True

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fact-chec...xaggerates.html

usedmeat
9/3/08
10:57 AM

One only has to see the smears of Sarah Palin at sites like the Daily Kos to know that team Obama is soiling their knickers over this.
Palin trumps Obama in the judgment, experience, and accomplishments department and they know it. What really galls is she did it while raising a family and without the help of a terrorist, a racist, and a crook.

grieker
9/3/08
11:00 AM

QUOTE (Daisy Lee Myers @ Sep 3 2008, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

she did flip=flop!

i give credit where credit is due.. she is no forbes 500 CEO..

***************************

SORRY..

LOGICAL ONE..

UNFORTUNATELY

all the threads are on palin..

SO, i post it!

Daisy, go do your house work and then we'll chat.

Lysol54
9/3/08
11:05 AM

QUOTE (Wonder @ Sep 3 2008, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah yes thats a good Christian attitude there isn't it Wonder. And i thought Mennonites aren't supposed to really care about politics? You know all that not flying the flag and all. Wow you are one huge hypocrite. I thought you'd be a bigger person and able to seperate political views and helping other people out. I thought we were all Americans?? Typical hypocrite. Just wanted to tell you

andy__1000
9/3/08
4:44 PM

Daisy, where you out in the sun too long today? Why do you post with a horrible format and nothing worth reading?

Please go lie down and get some rest. You're boring people.

Lancaster
9/3/08
5:03 PM

QUOTE (Daisy Lee Myers @ Sep 3 2008, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

she did flip=flop!

i give credit where credit is due.. she is no forbes 500 CEO..

***************************

SORRY..

LOGICAL ONE..

UNFORTUNATELY

all the threads are on palin..

SO, i post it!

as long as you do equal time on the Dems....yeah right

ArtVandolay
9/3/08
6:16 PM

QUOTE (Lancaster @ Sep 3 2008, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

as long as you do equal time on the Dems....yeah right

[img]http://elections.foxnews.com/files/2008/09/090308_magazine.jpg[/img]

ArtVandolay
9/3/08
6:18 PM

QUOTE (ArtVandolay @ Sep 3 2008, 06:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[img]http://elections.foxnews.com/files/2008/09/090308_magazine.jpg[/img]

try this one:

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/03/us...ts-a-cake-walk/

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A note from a friend

September 3rd, 2008 5:18 am · 14 comments

Pennsylvania

Nation

13th District-Pa. Senate