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Readers' forum: Palin is breath of fresh air

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GeeBee | 12:42 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

And people wonder why Utah is branded as backward and stupid...WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE POTUS HERE! The person with the finger on the RED BUTTON! We can't afford to have that person be just some random folksy lady who can charm you with her "gee-gollies". Get real!

Peas in a pod | 12:50 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Palin is a person right out of Centerville. She is very much like how, I view most Utahans. Looking at Palin must be like looking in a mirror.

Are you crazy? | 12:51 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Palin is a farce. She did not answer the questions. She in fact stated that she would not answer the questions at the start of the debate.

We need someone who is smart in the presidency. Not Joe 6-pack, you betcha.

This country is in deep trouble and the current candidates are questionable. But McCain / Palin is not the answer.

Comments continue below

Sid Vic | 12:52 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Please elaborate. How, pray tell, could this woman possibly be "a phenomenal leader for this country". With a wink and a nod?

Palin has cracks in her armor | 12:54 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Palin is a good woman, but I lost degrees of respect for her when she falsely accused Obama of having a terrorist friend, who it turns out was only a passing acquaintence, that he spend some serving on a board with.

Either she lied or she didn't bother to check her facts.

Since then I heard that the polls are going Obamas way, I wonder if other people are feeling the say way I do.

Perhaps in another time | 1:06 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

In better times, someone with homespun common sense and average education would make a good vice president, one heart beat away from being president.

In these times, I don't want someone with an average education/intelligence.

We need someone who has thought through the issues is more sophiscated and highly intelligence.

I think you meant | 4:20 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

a breath of HOT air.

Dirty Tactics | 6:04 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Palin may be a nice and freindly person but that is not enough. She is clearly lacking the knowledge and skill required for the job of VP. That doesnt make her a bad person, just not qualified.

Look for a lot of lies to start coming out of the
McCain camp. His manager said they intend to start making increased negative attacks. And, from what we have seen so far, the truthfulness of the attacks dont matter to McCain and Co. They are starting to get desperate and the truth isnt working well for them.

Anonymous | 6:10 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Palin represents the extreme right. Always moralizing and dictating how people should live their lives even calling in big government to enforce their ideology.
I despise everything she stands for.

Anonymous | 6:15 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

The End of Days is approaching for John McCain and Sarah Palin, and at least one member of the ticket is not likely to greet this development with religious rapture. Their numbers are tanking. Their campaign has had to pull out of Michigan, and they are trailing in most of the battleground states they must hold onto. Even Karl Rove has predicted an Obama win if the election were held today. McCain's hotheaded behavior during the Wall Street crisis and his numerous other erratic tactical swerves have backfired. And his biggest gamble, choosing Sarah Palin as vice president, is increasingly looking like a disaster.

What the? | 6:15 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

John Edwards and Clinton, does this person even know how is running for office?

Personally | 6:46 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

I think he made a big mistake in not picking Mitt. I think Mac the mav would be on top right now. He was told and told and told and told that Mitt would bring him all the battle ground states he is now losing.

And, as far as Obama having a terrorst for a friend, it is MUCH more than a passing acquaintance. He has been strongly associated with him since 1995. There have been many meetings in Ayers home and alot of association there, much more than a passing acquaintance....

To Personally (6:46 a.m.) | 6:54 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Stop listening to Limbaugh and Hannity, and take a look at the real facts. You're dead wrong in what you're saying. Obama and Ayres sat on the board of a charitable institution for a few years, and worked for the benefit of a school. This was all in the eary 2000s. There have NOT been "many meetings in the Ayers home and a lot of association there". Obama and Ayres are passing acquaintances, and that's all.

Too bad the McCain campaign and their associates feel the need to lie. I guess that just shows that they can't win on the merits of their argument. Sad.

Anonymous | 7:02 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

These are The End Days for the far-right and Rush O'Hannity.
Watch for some of the nastiest smear tactics yet.
It's what makes them legendary.

Anonymous | 7:09 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

The man who incessantly talks about "honor" has checked his own at the door. Back in April, McCain -- himself the victim of a vicious, race-baiting smear campaign orchestrated by Karl Rove in 2000 -- disavowed a North Carolina ad attacking Obama for his association with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. "It's not the message of the Republican Party," McCain said. "It's not the message of my campaign. I've pledged to conduct a respectful campaign."

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Thanks for your support.
But that was before McCain faced imminent defeat. His "pledge" has turned out to be about as credible as his sudden incarnation as a lifelong enemy of Wall Street. On Monday, McCain rolled out a new TV ad, "Dangerous," that accuses Obama of being "dishonorable." "Who is Barack Obama?" a narrator ominously asks. "He says our troops in Afghanistan are 'just air-raiding villages and killing civilians.' How dishonorable."

Of course, this is an outrageous smear. Obama was simply pointing out the well-known fact that in fighting an insurgency, over-reliance on air power is counterproductive.

Anonymous | 7:11 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Sarah Palin, confidently pronouncing on Obama's bona fides despite the fact that she has repeatedly revealed herself to a terrified world to be someone who must be kept as far away from the presidency as possible, joined in the smear campaign. Citing Obama's acquaintance with former Weatherman founder Bill Ayers, Palin said about the Democratic presidential nominee, "This is not a man who sees America as you and I do -- as the greatest force for good in the world. This is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who targeted their own country."

Never mind the fact that Palin herself supported, and her husband belonged to, a secessionist Alaska political party that advocated armed opposition to the U.S. Never mind the fact that Obama's relationship with Ayers, as detailed in the very New York Times story that Palin cited as her source, was utterly casual. Facts are for those in the reality-based community. The point is to paint Obama not just as a terrorist sympathizer and America-hater, but as an alien. Hence Palin's description of him as "not a man who sees America as you and I do."

Kevin | 7:23 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

I initially thought Palin was an impressive personality. When I heard her say during the VP debate with tortured grammar how she would like to expand the office of Vice President, I decided McCain-Palin must be defeated.

The executive branch is out of control. It must be reigned in. I don't believe Obama will do that. Obama will have to be defeated in four years too.

But I will not cast a vote for a big-government evangelical.

KM | 7:32 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

after reading the vitriol and hate spewed in the comments today, I am in agreement with the original writer. Palin is unique and novel. She is a breath of fresh air from outside the dirty political system of Washington.
The coolaid drinking liberals on this blog sound so angry and uninformed. for example: The terrorist friend of Obama was just a passing aquaintance.
Then the blinders come on with the so called church he belonged to, it was more like a Democrat action organization.
If Palin is like us (looking in the mirror) then she is what I want for VP. or Pres.

Anonymous | 7:37 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Sarah is a gust of ill wind. We need to do way better than this right now. Yes, I do expect someone to reasonably be able to provide answers to the softballs thrown by Katie Couric. And I expect a whole lot more. Not this time, Sarah.

Anonymous | 7:39 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

To attack Obama because of a casual meeting years ago while she and her husband belonged to a secessionist Alaskan party hating the U.S. is typical of the far-right and their tactics and is probably why they are going away.
Thank God!

Anonymous | 7:53 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Why do republicans want to elect average people to office? Republicans always complain that the government is incompetent, well that is because you keep electing people like yourselves instead of smart people.
Vote for Obama!!

Grover | 7:56 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Ok all you lefties out there, cut it out! Of the first twenty comments only KM manages to find a reason to agree with Jeff. Even he says only she is "unique and novel" (a bad novel?). I think I remember KM a few months back saying that since the rest of the Pubs showed Mitt the door, no way would he be voting for McCain and Huntsman would be "held accountable" for being McCain's man in Utah. As the world turns!

So back off and give all of the folks out there who think that Sarah is just what the doctor ordered (gosh darn it), some space to air their comments.

McCain in Clueless | 7:59 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

I was very disappointed (actually, shocked) that McCain's first big decision was to select a running mate like Sarah Palin. She is an embarrassment! I will vote Democrat this election.

jce0609 | 8:12 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

to JM: outsider she is not, as Mayor she hired a Washington lobbyist to secure 0ver 20 million of your tax dollars for her pet projects in Wasilla. As governor she lobbied enough pork to make Alaska the largest per capita beneficiary of Washington's largesse. No vitriol or hate just facts. To the last anonymous post: selfish, ignorant citizens elect selfish and ignorant politicians.

jce0609 | 8:20 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

To Grover: If the left (lefty) side of the brain controls the right side of the body does that mean that only leftys are in their right minds?

Utah Independent | 8:27 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Sarah is not honest. "I told Congress 'thanks but no thanks'". Just one example.

Now the Republican machine has really lauched its SMEAR machine. I wish they'd just try for once to conduct an honest campaign, but that's asking too much of these liars.

When you felt that 'breath of fresh air', you were upwind. Had you been downwind, you'd be experiencing the cool chilling wind from the crypt, where Sarah is spending all their time planning which lie to spew today.

@jce0609 | 8:33 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

I am not sure anyone in this country is in their right mind regardless of political affiliation. I think we all have mad cow desease or sucked on one to many lead painted toys when we where kids.

re: Grover | 8:34 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Grover is following the orders from the high post command office of neocon guru when he says: "all you lefties out there, cut it out!"

Translation: The Right is panicking. (as they should be)

Keep it up. REAL America is on the move and it is a beautiful thing to behold. We've defeated fascism overseas - we can do the same thing here.

Grover | 8:35 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

jce0609: Nice! Now we are getting into substantive debate at a higher level! I do notice though that both candidates are "left" handed (as was the arch-fiend Bill Clinton) what do you think we should make of that fact? I'm calling on Mukasey to investigate!

huh? | 8:38 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

GeeBee
Your "I hate intolerant people" attitude does your cause no favors

BLJT | 8:42 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Here's a contrary, but honestly held view:

Honest? The bridge to nowhere and plane sold on ebay stories she tells have been proven to be untrue. She continues to say that "Obama will raise your taxes" when his plan is to cut taxes for 95% of people. With her latest smear attack on Obama's patriotism she reveals herself to be just like the rest.

Common-sense? She thinks merely living in Alaska gives her foreign policy experience because it is close to Russia. Surely the writer has more common sense than that!

Washington-outsider mom: Surely she has personal appeal that a lot of people can relate to. But she could potentially end up as president. This is an incredibly tough job and the country is facing so many complicated, difficult problems. Surely we need more than just an average mom for the job.

Edwards and Clinton aren't on the ballot.

To KM: | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Very few of the posts on here match the vitriol in Gov. Palin's recent attacks on Obama. Do you think with all of the problems facing the country it is right to ignore those issues and instead run a a campaign that merely attacks Obama's patriotism and insinuates that he has terrorist sympathies? Will anyone except for the extreme Obama-haters believe this?

A. H. Laney | 8:54 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Sarah Palin the cute lady from Alaska has quickly learned the deceptive ways that has so characterized the present administration that led us to war in Iraq. She connects Barack Obama's meeting with a professor in the college of education at the University of Illinois, known for urban educational reform and labels Barack as an extremist (guilt by association) It is true the William Ayers was part of the extreme groups that protested the Vietnam War (Obama was eight years old at that time) Tens of thousands protested this war. Ayers first arrest came for a sit-in at a local Draft board. His memoir, "Fugitive Days", mentions his involvement during the 1960s and 1970s. Ayers' reaction to those days was:"You could not be a moral person with the means to act, and stand still...To stand still was to choose indifference. Indifference was the opposite of moral" That was then but now professor Ayers is active in educational reform and holds the honor of Distinguished Professor.

Tiresome | 8:59 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

How people can defend the choice of an airhead to be a heartbet away from the presidency with a 72-year-old president is beyond me. I am so tired of people who support anything a Republican says or does. This woman is dangerous and tiresome. She's a combination of the Chatty Kathy/Barbie Dolls.

While Bill Clinton was not upstanding morally, she was able to surround himself with advisors and statesmen who kept the country on course. Remember when there was no national debt? Look what 8 years of being Bushwacked has done for America.

My other major gripe with Utahns is the worship of Shawn Hannity. I've heard him raving about Palin's shock and awe debate. Come on. I don't know whether to barf, cry, or laugh. Thank goodness this will soon be over.

Anonymous | 9:25 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

She's like a total clown, eh!

WHAT? | 9:33 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

I thought Obama was supposed to be the "Breath of fresh air"!!! That buzz-phrase is already taken! You can't use it for Palin! Only Obama is the breath of fresh air! Only Obama! OObaamaa! OObaamaa!

You have to come up with something else for Palin! Maybe "Folksy breath of freash air", wait, that is reserved for Obama too. Anything associated with "Fresh Air" is trademarked by the Obama campaign. I'm afraid Palin supporters are going to have to go a whole different direction on this.

A.H., you're on the | 9:41 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

right track. Obviously, the University of Illinois must be a terrorist-University, because they hired Ayers as a professor, and then they gave him the title of "Distinguished Professor", and they let him teach about "social justice".
Oooeee! He must be one bad dude.

Palin fits perfectly in that republican smear machine.

IQ test | 9:55 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Now come on. Who would be dumb enough to take Palin with a serious second look.

With her talking like a hick, and winking, and talking about Joe six pack. What a hoot.

Somebody would really vote for her to be VP?

Grimble | 9:57 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

It stands to reason that the letter writer likes Palin. She doesn't even know what she's running for, and he doesn't know who she's running against.

Did you see how today at a rally she got the crowd worked up into a hateful rage against the media, blaming Katie Couric for her stupidity, to the point where the crowd starting yelling at the reporters and camera crews present, and one man started yelling racial slurs at an African-American camera man.

Yep, you stay classy, Republicans.

oh no! | 10:03 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Actually I think George Bush is the first right handed president we have had since Carter. I see a pattern emerging. I smell a conspiracy!

Isnï¿½t it nice to talk about substantive issues for a change?

Lost Respect for Her | 10:04 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

She repeats the accusation that Obama was buddies with a terrorist, when in fact he was only a passing acquaintence.

Either she is dishonest, or doesn't bother to check her facts.

Oh Please | 10:07 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Now Sarah says that Obama is a bomb-throwing terrorist. How far will the intellectually challenged Palin go to look stupid?

No chance | 10:10 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

She'll never be elected now. McCain blew his best chance at asserting his maverick credentials when he voted with his Senate cronies in the worst piece of legislation ever crafted. It stinks. He threw one too many hail Mary passes in this campaign and that's as simple as it is -- game over.

@Grimble | 10:16 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

its called when desperation turns ugly and people's true self's show through.

The rest of the story | 10:16 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Just wait until Palin is contesting Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 and she attacks the religious "sect" he belongs to. Then will her Utah supporters be surprised.

Re Lost Respect For Her | 10:29 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Documents just released from the University Of Ill. show that Ayers applied for and received fifty million fron the Annenberg Foundation. Ayers hired Obama for five years to distribute this money. The money was supposed to go to Chicago Schools. But instead Obama gave the money over five years to radical groups around Chicago including ACRON.

No wonder Obama wont admit his association with Ayers.

Thanks, but no thanks | 10:33 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

The more we hear Sarah Palin speak, the more clear it becomes that she's unqualified to be anywhere near the White House and a serious threat to our democracy.

She's willfully, blissfully ignorant about foreign policy, science, the constitution and the role of the VP and isn't troubled in the least by how unqualified she is to be a national leader. She's also a Pentacostal "end times" religious nut and and dangerously petty and doctrinaire in her decision making.

She lies, get's caught lying, acknowledges she lied, then turns around and in front of another audience tells the exact same lies - and she's completely OK with that. Where's her moral compass?

Anyone who's not terrified at the thought of her being a heartbeat away from the Presidency isn't paying attantion.

By choosing Palin as a running mate, McCain has demonstrated extremely poor judgement.

mark | 10:42 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

A phenomenal leader?
The bar has been set very low for what some people consider "phenomenal."
This country has had some amazing leaders. Who in their right mind could think Palin could be one of these?
But I guess that people that would vote Bush in for two terms would think Palin could be a great leader.

James Thomas | 10:47 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

I guess instead of Sarah Palin, I would prefer someone who is actually running for office (not Clinton or Edwards).

Gus Talwynd | 10:47 a.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Perhaps after Sarah Palin has undergone the scrutiny focused on John Edwards or Bill Clinton can one really determine her honesty and common sense. It is very difficult to say that this friendly, folksy lady will serve the public trust better than any other candidate.

Of course, her handlers are carefully crafting her presentation to the public, giving her the opinions and views they have determined best serve the interests of the campaign. As many conservatives of the Barry Goldwater/Dwight Eisenhower brand of conservatism has stated in various op-ed pieces, Sarah Palin is not ready for prime time.

However, the test for honesty and integrity in the letter writer's view appears to be whether that individual is a Republican or a Democrat. Apparently, any female Republican will do, particularly one of a more fringe Right-Wing position who can appeal to the evangelical base.

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