Palin Did This?!?! | 5:00 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
"Palin said the state will file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington challenging U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne�s decision to grant Endangered Species Act protections to the polar bear. The Republican governor has argued that the ice-dependent polar bear, the first mammal granted Endangered Species Act listing because of global warming, does not need additional protections."

Wow!, Palin did this?

Man, I LOVE this woman even more!!

Extreme tree-huggers, SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!
Pardon Me... | 4:58 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
But I believe Geraldine Ferraro ran with Walter Mondale, not Dukakis. You folks' knowledge of history is troublesome.
relieved its not Romney | 5:00 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I live in Massachusetts and voted for Mitt Romney in 2002. However, Mitt's stunning flip-flops on basic issues like abortion, gay rights, taxes and the environment have led me to question whether Mitt is even capable of truth.

I am greatly relieved that Mitt Romney will not have access to nuclear weapons.
Comments continue below
oh whoa | 5:01 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
what a hilarious choice. It's like McCain just got discouraged and decided to hand the election over to Obama on a silver platter. McCain doesn't really actually want to win, does he? watch him plummet in the poles as people figure out she's a former beauty pageant contestant, and little more. Sheesh, mccain, you could have at least pretended you wanted to win. Oh this is rich. The next couple months are gonna be a ball.
Yikes | 5:05 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
When you take the presidential and V.P candidates of both parties, is this the weakest set of candidates this country has seen in many decades, if not ever? I am worried about this country if this is best we have to choose from.
Anonymous | 5:08 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I am a life long active Mormon. I did not like Romney. Sarah Palin looks good, and has brains. Mormons are going to have to get over the fact that Mitt the flip flopper didn't get picked.
Roger C | 5:11 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I know all of you LDS Church bashers out there think everyone in Utah is now going to crawl in hole and pout because John McCain didn't pick Mitt Romney for Veep. Frankly, I pity you for your blind hatred.

Sorry to disappoint you, but unlike certain people who can't survive for even a few hours without trash talking someone's religion, LDS people will keep living their lives like always. Going to work, going to church, having dinner with our families and finding joys in life that don't involve stepping over other people.

And for you Obama supporters, the comments clearly show your overconfidence of Obama/Biden and underestimation of McCain/Palin. KEEP IT UP! That way on the morning of November 5th, Obama will begin another amazing speech with the words, "A few moments ago, I called Senator McCain to congratulate him on his election."
Sweet Mary | 5:14 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
To vote for McCain-Palin because you "like her" is as foolish as voting for Obama because you "like him." I "like" them both. They are both articulate, good looking, and charismatic. However, neither one is qualified for the position they are seeking.
Tom Paine | 5:15 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
At this critical time in the history of America, we don't need an ex beauty queen, soccer mom, one heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States. Although Republicans are claiming that Palin represents change, she does anything but. She represents Big Oil, is against a woman's right to choose, and is anti-environment. This woman has absolutely no foreign policy experience, has a journalism degree. Putting partisan politics aside, does anyone really want a woman like this with her finger on the trigger of nuclear weapons?
Change? Change? | 5:17 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
How is Sarah going to change corruption in Washington when she is embroiled in it in Alaska.

Seriously, if you can't stay of trouble in Alaska as governor, how are you going to fare in the DC jungle?
DMH | 5:19 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
This pick is the stupidest thing I think I have ever seen!!!! I wasn't going to vote for Obama, but McCain could have had it if he would have picked someone with economic experience. Neither one of these candidates care about us as American citizens. I will be voting for Ralph Nader this year, because at least he makes sense. This country can fix itself if the government will stay out of health care, clamp down on illegal immigrants, regulate oil and utility prices, and keep our taxes at reasonable rates. I am sick and tired of the rich getting all of the tax breaks, and I am being charged through the nose because I am middle class. I pay for my own health care and I do not feel that I need to pay other people's health care. We need to become a self-sufficient nation, not a socialist one. Socialism goes against everything that the Founding Fathers set up to begin with and we need to get back to those basics.
The Obama Paradox | 5:28 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I think Obama chose Biden (experienced but way too liberal for my tastes) to quiet some critics that couldn't imagine him being President at his age and relative inexperience.

Now McCain has chosen a VP candidate with much of the same baggage. Since McCain is 72, we need to imagine that his VP choice could be President. Yes, we might like her conservative politics in Utah but if McCain wanted to take advantage of people's skepticism in Obama's readiness to lead, this is a bizarre choice of a running mate. Like him or not, most people in America could imagine Mitt Romney, for example, stepping in as President. He was a reasonably sucessful governor, a CEO of a multi-national corporation that is highly profitable, and of course his success with the Olympics. He has a proven record and quite frankly good lineage with his father being a top Governor way back when.

I want to be wrong and hope that if McCain wins that she would be a good VP and good President God Forbid something happened to McCain. And I also want to be wrong that her choice is a "maverick" stunt that just cost McCain the election.
Henry Drummond | 5:30 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
My inclination is to learn more about Palin before joining the chorus of naysayers. I do have an honest question I hope supporters could answer. I think the idea of putting a woman on the Republican presidential ticket is long overdue. With so many women with great experience and conservative views however, why pick someone with such scant experience? What would this person bring that someone like Senator Dole for example would not?
To Grimble | 5:33 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
You need to get your facts strait, Obama was a player in the Ethics bill but he wasn't the driver. I believe that was Reid and Pelosi.

I am sorry but Alaska is a lot more complex than most people think. In her short time there she proved that she can get things done. She worked her way up from Council Woman, to Governor. Obama befriended a Pastor and a felon who helped get him elected and then tossed them when they became a liability.

Name one decision Obama has made that is the final decision that affects anything. I will save you the trouble, nothing. 2 years executive exp as Gov still trumps 4 years and 1 year of actually working in the US Senate and doing little.

Taking away that Obama didn't spearhead the most sweeping ethics reform (fact check if you don't believe me) he still pails in compairson to Palins accomplishments. Palin actually walks the walk and Obama just talks. Just look at his flip on campaign finance reform which he championed when it was convenient.

As far as Diplomatic crisis, Obama isn't really qualified either and he is the top of your ticket.

Steve T. | 5:42 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
Gov. Palin has been hit for firing her sister's ex-husband as a state policeman.

It actually shows her strong sense of right and wrong. This ex-husband was charged repeatedly of committing domestic violence. Gov. Palin determined that a wife beater shouldn't be an officer.

She was right.

Some Alaska Dems charged her with violating the state's employment rules. In essence, they think it is appropriate for an abuser to be a state policeman.

Sarah Palin is a gutsy lady.

She has actually lived a pro-life lifestyle, carrying a downs syndrome child to term.

She stood up to corruption on the state oil commission, leading to the indictment of her own state party chair.

She beat her own party's governor in a primary when he supported oil companies in the bribery of state officials.

She supports drilling in ANWR on 2000 acres out of an area the size of Connecticut to help reduce U.S. oil dependency.

Yeah. She hasn't done much foriegn policy. BUT, neither has Barack Obama. At least she'll have Sen. McCain to tutor her. Obama thinks he knows what to do.

She is an unorthodox choice --- a regular American. I think she'll be a great V.P.
John Pack Lambert | 5:50 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
TO 3:44,
Technically the answer to your uninformed question is no. Sarah Palin went to a University. In fact she attended the flagship university in Idaho, the University of Idaho. Not only did Palin attend a university but she graduated.
The distinction between "college" and "university"
is one I have picked up living north of Canada, here in Metro Detroit.
We are glad someone has finally picked another candidate who can go south to get to Canada.
Anonymous | 5:58 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
She is governor of a state with perhaps the greatest resources in the country (oil). I like her and McCain won my vote today. Before today I didn't like either choice. She seems to be a fighter. SHe has worked on commercial fishing boats, she hunts (animals AND politicians), refering to Barrack Osama's speech last night I think that if her and Barry BOTH had Osama in their crosshairs she would hit the target while Obama and Osama compared turbans.
Hypocrisy! | 6:01 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
McCain calls Obama an unexperienced "rock star" and then chooses an unexperienced beauty queen to be our president if he is unable to perform his duties.

What a maverick!


Foreign policy | 6:04 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
Palin does too have foreign policy experience. What other governor can claim to live next door to Russia? McCain wanted a pretty face, who would not upstage him in the campaign. He got it. However, the most important role of the VP candidate nowadays is to perform well in the VP debate. As far as that goes, Biden will torch Palin and make McCain look like the idiot that he is (not to mention the crankiest senior citizen in America).
Just Thinking | 6:05 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
Clinton was a governor from Arkansas, wasn't he? Did his resume carry a load of experience?? America wanted someone who understood the middle class. Sounds like Palin may be able to do just that, without all the deceit and dishonesty. I always have believed a person could not run a country if they could not get a little control in their own personal life. Obama doesn't have all that experience either. Have you listened to all the college students who are voting for O'Bama simply because he is Black. I don't want a White Supremist as our president, but I don't want a Black Supremist either. Go McCain and Palin!
janetkwalker@yahoo.com | 6:04 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
People wanted a Hillary because she is qualified. Women are not stupid, this makes it a gender issue. Forget that! Now I will vote for Obama.
Sarah Palin is not a Mormon | 6:17 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
This question is troublesome because it further reveals the widespread narcissism and sense of inferiority in Mormon culture that was apparent during Mitt's run.

Why is it that Mormons fall in love with candidates just because they are Mormon. Does it make you feel better about yourself when you see other Mormon's find success or be recognized in political circles?

If you really examine Mitt Romney's record, you will see that his character is not up to the standards expected of a Mormon. He is dishonest, lacks integrity, prioritizes money and political position over other values, and will do anything to be accepted by mainstream society, even going so far as to deny and misrepresent aspects of the LDS faith.

Utah is not the center of the world. The vast majority of the people in this country are not Mormon. Yet Mormons invariably feel like they have some divine destiny.

Let's pay more attention to the political positions of candidates rather than their religion.
VM | 6:27 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
Americans are in bad shape financially because of their own choices. Americans are so greedy. Don't blame Bush for your problems. Obama blamed Bush for sending works overseas. Short memory! Clinton is the one who signed NAFTA. Americans stop whining.
Marie Devine | 6:44 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008

Governor Palin could be beneficial for John McCain; she will get the anti-abortion voters. We need real change for all candidates.

Rebuilding the military, building alliances to fight other people's wars, enticing more people to enlist and prepare for war, and giving better benefits is not change. If we turned from our employment lifestyle that causes stress, pollution, disease, accidents, afflictions, wars and conflicts, we would not need universal health care, social services like welfare and pre-kindergarten child care. The families would be at home.

Alliances would not be need if we turned from our lifestyle of building military weapons, manufacturing, processing, and transporting food, goods, and people around the world to creating a garden paradise that supplies our needs in our communities. God's original plan is ours when we want it and release the past polluting, bondage and stress producing lifestyle behind.

If John McCain and Governor Palin don�t bring change, we will still be working away from families, buying insurance, dealing with daily stress of child care, college tuition, sons in military, conflicts over abortion, homo-sexual marriages, and religion. There is no change we can believe in here. We need to change direction.
Oh, how Brilliant! | 6:49 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I love how conservatives call the Palin pick "brilliant," like McCain cured cancer or something. There is no nuance here.

It's a simple equation: McCain is male, old (72), and a DC insider, thus he needs a female, who is young and a DC outsider. Enter the plucky beauty queen from Alaska. Pure paint-by-numbers. At least Obama picked his running mate based on skills and experience. McCain choose his based on gender.

Palin is a "brilliant" choice for conservatives like the economy is in a "slight" downturn and the war in Iraq is "successful."
Anonymous | 6:56 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
She's the governor of a pot-smoking state that has a BS degree from the U of Idaho and thinks McCain wants to pull out of Iraq as soon as possible. She was a PTA president before she was on the city council of a city with 6K citizens before she became the governor of 700K citizens.

That's about 2.5x the size of Salt Lake City!

And McCain has had 5 bouts with melanoma which is a fatal disease.
brandon | 7:02 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
Foreign Policy 6:04 pm:

Are you serious about thinking Plugs Biden will torch her? He's in love with his own voice! People can tell a phoney.

Experience: Who has more, her or Obama?

Silly democrats.
djt | 7:03 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
Whine about the washington insider problem, whine about business as usual, chant that we need change, change, change. Then when someone from outside washinton has an opportunity to shake things up, whine about a lack of experience?
I think that there are hundreds, if not thousands of men and women in this country that could do a good job as president.

As for those who pout and say "I'm not going to vote," my vote is a whining license. Those who do not vote have zero moral right to complain. I am serious when I say that if you do not make that minimal effort, I fully expect you to shut up about issues for four years. No postings, no lunchroom talk, zip about political issues until another election rolls around.
Baby Trig | 7:01 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
For those worried about her being both a mom of a special needs baby and a busy politician - does anybody think that Dad is going to stay in the oil fields if she gets elected? The Secret Service is not going to follow him around Alaska if she does. Baby Trig must have a nanny now with both parents working. Vice presidents don't have nearly as much to do as governors - he may see more of both his parents if she gets elected than if she loses.

Besides, just having looked it up - she'll get a pay raise from 125K as governor to 208K plus 10K travel expenses as vice president. :-)
This is insane!!! | 7:03 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
It really doesnt matter who you like for President, but what if either of them died.............. which VP would be best for America. This is an absolute no-brainer!!!
Just Thinking....Not | 7:07 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
A Black Supremist? White supremist? Man, that is proof that the human brain will get sick after listing to AM radio and or lack of education.
Statements like that are nothing but unsubstantiated lies and hyperbole. How can some people actually live with themselves?
But thats how the average Utah christian votes I guess. Dont believe facts, and for sure dont educate yourself on the facts.
Just make up crap, and try and spread it around, like the past Rove people.

Look what that has done to America.
Oh, thats right, that just dont matter. Yuk.
What minds.
They blew it! | 7:08 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
McCain sadly chose politics over substantiality and considering the country first and who could actually CHANGE anything. No one in there can do that now. I'm so disappointed as it's America's loss. Why? for bios of a Mormon. I cheer for Obama reaching a new height for equality but would NEVER vote for him. But I can only vote for Mitt as in my heart he was the one who could have helped our economy, heath, trade, values, foreign, intellect. I'm not inspired by McCain. Romney inspired me and gave HOPE which would actually get done. It's our loss and a huge one! She's a really nice lady but sad who the other's gave so much of their lives for this party and McCain and he is the only one who could have WON this race. Needed to vent as I can't even believe it. It's more important to politicize and try to win votes than putting in the right person. Mitt should have been on top. Mitt was the BEST and proved himself! It's our loss everyone (much because of bios) Sad. A white Mormon can't make it who is more qualified. McCain blew it and we all pay!
Tom Paine | 7:11 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
Palin is currently under investigation for ethics violations.
cesqy | 7:11 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I feel like I will be voting for rerun of Ellen on the Seinfield TV show. Anybody else see the resemblance. LOL
Mormon | 7:17 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I don't care if she is a Mormon, Catholic or whatever, I love her already. Look at her stand on the issues. She has a backbone and stands her ground on everything.
Suburbs of SLC | 7:27 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I might have liked her, if I hadn't listened to Rush Limbaugh this morning, who sounded like he was in love. Made me want to throw up a little bit.

As much as I dislike Romney (and yes I'm Mormon), I do think it would have helped McCain more to pick him. He pretends to be from so many states, he could have actually helped McCain in the west and in Michigan. And I think that many of the voters who wouldn't vote for a Mormon are already not going to vote for McCain because they think he is too liberal. Either way, he won't win.

And for those out there claiming that Mormons are going to be clear-minded and understand the logic behind not picking Mitt, good luck. I've already encountered members of my faith moping over Mitt's lost chance. If one more person paints him as a martyr whom everyone is picking on, I might break down.
Confidence | 7:31 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
This choice results in my complete loss of confidence in McCain's decisionmaking abilities as President and zero confidence in her as President should it come to that.
4 years of dem hell | 7:44 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I'm going to vote dem for the first time in my life. The religiose bigotry of the republican party is just too much for me to handle now. We'll have to let BO destroy the country for four years until we can wise up as a country and elect a true leader. McCain and his mother are bigots!!
Ridgerunner | 7:47 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I wish Palin was the Presidential candidate and McCain was the V.P. candidate! McCain is no conservative
My Money Says (2 of 2) | 8:04 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
So everything that Palen has, Romney has, or has more of.

And yet.....sadly, so many Americans don't see Romney's success or abilities as something to be emulated. Instead they are either envious or distrustful of him. Before this election I have never seen such jealousy from Americans. Previously, Americans emulated those who were successful but nowdays they instead react with jealousy and cry "You don't deserve it! You must have done something dishonest and somehow STOLE what you've got, from ME!"

Palin's not bad, not bad at all. But Romney was even better. And yet, due to the incessant whining of short-sighted, impatient Americans, they put out vibes to McCain (do the Primaries ring a bell?) that they didn't want "smart" or "qualified" if it meant someone who came from a minority Christian church whose members wore "funny underwear". (Now there's real intelligence for you. This, despite the fact that Jewish men wear "funny hats" or Muslim women wear scarves over their faces, etc. NO ONE attacked them for THEIR religious beliefs).

So unfounded pressure and the fear of losing, I suspect, likely resulted in Palin.

She's a good pick. Romney would have been even better.

McCain 2008!

ROMNEY 2012!!!

Romney 2012 | 8:09 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
Man, do I hope he decides to run!

(Ah, libs, someday it will all be explained to you...)
Barry | 8:35 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
Hah Hah Obama's lost!!!
LDS Texan | 8:39 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I was hoping it would be Romney, but I'm very pleased with Palin. So impressed WOW a mother a 5!! Put Romney in as Sec. of Treasury and turn this country around. GO MCCAIN/PALIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James from Utah on 2nd thought.. | 8:45 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
Wow
the crow I'm eating isn't half bad....
As I learn about more this lady, I am very impressed!
She is capable and has that rare quality of SCRUPLES!
Which is more important that a slick tongue!

I'm back with McCain !!!!!!
Suburbs of SLC | 8:48 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
To 'My Money':

You're right, everything that Palin has, Romney has more of, including money.

Palin was in a union, and her husband is currently a union member, a group of people who have been flocking to Obama, something rather unbeneficial for McCain. Romney, on the other hand, is the big business owner who can at least be portrayed as being against unions (whether he is or not is debatable). There's one group where he doesn't help McCain.

Furthermore, Biden was specifically chosen to help Obama with white, middle class voters. Choosing Romney would have been the equivalent of McCain telling Obama, we don't want those voters, you take him. McCain doesn't need a big time business owner to convince other business owners to support him. He does need a middle class family to help him get working class voters to support him.
Electoral College | 8:47 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
It is funny all the I am voting Obama and I am voting McCain... do the math people. How many votes is Utah worth in the electoral college? 5 electoral college votes (the popular vote does not count - sorry if this is news to all of the Des News readers).

Utah does not, has not and never will choose the President of the United States. Let's stop kidding ourselves that our vote for President matters.

Alaska by the way has 3 votes, great choice McCain!
Suburbs of SLC | 8:49 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
To "Barry":
How has Obama lost? Many Clinton voters have already noted that this does not make them want to vote Republican, which was McCain's primary goal with this selection. Furthermore, while Palin is a rallying point for the conservative base, it does not appear likely that she will spend her time trying to sway independents in general, which is the group most in need of wooing, considering their old maverick pal McCain has eschewed them for the last few months.
Mimi | 8:50 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I think some of you are showing bias and short sightedness. How do you KNOW she isn't qualified. By listening to a 2 minute sound bite from your favorite biased newsperson. Listen to the debate with an "open mind" (unheard of position) and then come back with intelligent reasons. An uninformed voter is worse than a no voter. Think with your head not your emotions and talk with sense.
Phil | 8:53 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
I was a staunch Romney supporter, but the more I find out about Sarah Palin the more I like her. That was a smart pick on McCain's part. As far as her "inexperience", what better way to prepare for a future presidency than to serve as a vice president. I'd much rather have an experienced president (McCain-Palin) and rather unexperienced VP than the other way around (Obama-Biden). Sarah will make an awesome VP. I wholeheartedly support McCain-Palin now as much as I supported Romney. Also, I'd much rather have as VP a good person who has their head in the right place, even with little political experience, than a person who may have alot of political experience, but who is a seasoned "politician" with all the baggage that often comes with it, or who may have views with which I disagree. Sarah's views seem to be in agreement with mine in every way - much like Romney's. And with her we won't have to worry about the stupid, rabid, annoying Mormon-haters.
AL | 8:56 p.m. Aug. 29, 2008
To all those people jumping Ruth about asking if Palin is a mormon. Maybe she is asking so she can discriminate against her based on her religion either way. She how redicilious bringing religion into this equsion is. This is a great lesson in not bringing religion into politics. It has no place one way or the other. I have read plenty of inserts here tearing down Mitt Romney because of religion. It should have no voice. You can't have it both ways. Mormons love because he is mormon. Non-mormons hate him because he is mormon. I feel like I just attended a BYU vs. Utah sporting event. Same ol', Same ol'. That's probably the mentality of the people comenting hear!!!!

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

Image
Mario Tama, Getty Images

Republican presidential nominee John McCain stands with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin onstage at a campaign rally Friday in Dayton, Ohio. McCain announced Palin as his vice presidential running mate at the rally.

previousnext

Latest comments

Religion in politics is tiresome

@ S. Reno, Are you saying that abortion is not a religious issue? When...

I don't remember any Utes chasing George. The only Utes in the picture...

2 citations issued at Y.-U. game

MY experience is just the opposite. I have been insulted and mistreated in...

Nutty Putty Cave will close

Adult thinking: The man who died in the nutty putty cave deserves respect...

BYU says Hall incident resolved

Mendenhall and Whittingham need to take a stand and cool this thing down....

No to the bridge! Thanks, Utah Valley Sierra Forum, for your forward...

I cant believe South Sevier is not in the top 20. This is crazy. they took...

All I hear is my team this, my guys that, but continue to see consistently...

Letters: Hatred is uncalled for

possibly be because you LOST could it? If you had won, everyone would just...

Juan Diego was not runner up last year, Logan was.

Advertisements