Cindy McCain Touts Palin's Experience: The PTA and Proximity To Russia
By Nicole Belle Saturday Aug 30, 2008 2:00pm
Download | play 
Download | play (h/t Heather)
Good God, the Republican Party takes the second highest office in the land very seriously, don't they? First, they play the experience standard with Obama and then seem surprised that we would question it with the choice of the political neophyte Sarah Palin. She has LOTS of executive experience, Cindy McCain would like you to know. After all, she was President of the PTA...and then mayor and then governor. My gosh, what more do you need?
From Wikipedia (I know about its credibility, but Palin's scrubbers have made sure that it's very positive, so if anything, it's giving her more credit)
In 2006, Palin was sworn in as the 11th governor of Alaska, becoming the first woman and youngest person to hold the office. She defeated incumbent governor Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary and former Democratic governor Tony Knowles in the general election. Palin served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska, city council from 1992 to 1996, then served two terms as mayor of Wasilla from 1996 to 2002. After an unsuccessful campaign for lieutenant governor of Alaska in 2002, she chaired the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission from 2003 to 2004 while also serving as Ethics Supervisor of the commission.
Yeah, that's a whopper of a resume: four years on city council, six years as Mayor, one year as an oil commissioner and 18 months as Governor. How silly of us to not see it. Far be it for me to mention that she couldn't pass 18 months as Governor without triggering an abuse of position investigation, something that also plagued her years as mayor of Wasilla, population 6,715.
But then Cindy really goes off the deep end and channels that deep thinker, FOX & Friends Steve Doocy, and touts Alaska's physical proximity to Russia as evidence that she understands the world scene.
And, also, remember, Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia. So it's not as if she doesn't understand what's at stake here.
*Double take* Huh???? I guess for the wife of the man who doesn't remember that there is no shared border between Iraq and Pakistan, this would seem logical. Please tell me that there aren't that many low information voters that buy that line.
transcripts below the fold
STEPHANOPOULOS: You know what Democrats are saying. It's a desperate choice. She's just not ready to serve as commander-in-chief.
C. MCCAIN: No, no, no. I completely disagree, and I know my husband does, too. She is heavily experienced in what she has done.
She was -- she started out like everybody else -- a member of the PTA, small government at home, then a mayor, now the governor. She comes with the kind of experience behind her. And also, I might add, a son who is about to deploy to Iraq. She comes with say more experience than...
STEPHANOPOULOS: What did you tell her about that? Because, of course, you have a son...
C. MCCAIN: Yes, I did.
STEPHANOPOULOS: ... serving.
C. MCCAIN: I did. I asked her, you know, how do you feel about this? Are you -- you know, this is two things you have to do, is not only possibly be a vice presidential candidate, but also, you know, listen, to worry about your son. And she looked me square in the eye and she said, "You know something? I'm a mother. I can do it."
STEPHANOPOULOS: But she has no national security experience.
C. MCCAIN: You know, she -- the experience that she comes from is with what she's done in the government.
And, also, remember, Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia. So it's not as if she doesn't understand what's at stake here.
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The White Witch of Narnia. Cold and calculating.
And, also, remember, Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia. So it’s not as if she doesn’t understand what’s at stake here.
I've heard this comment twice now. Isn't it sad that it may actually have some traction with the public?
Careful Cindy don't praise Sarah too much. McAdulterer dropped one wife for a younger woman it could happen to you next.
Someone needs to go pull up the GOP/Rove/Bush quotes about why the VP slot is so important when Cheney chose himself.
Sorry, there are that many low information voters who buy that line. Would one beauty queen diss another? I mean, really?
Hey! Don't insult the White Witch!
A little ot: Facebook has an application called "Flair". Essentially it is virtual lapel buttons. *someone* was all over it the other day making a plethora of McCain/Palin buttons and some buttons designed to appeal to fundamentalists, emphasis on mental.
The RIGHT is spinning this as hard as they can. They know how stupid and off message this pick was.
Um...cindy...you're a little long in tooth to be trying to sport a Jennifer Aniston do
It's so 90's anyway.
This is so much fun!!!
JHR @ 2:
Neocon right winger Mark Steyn wrote a glowing piece on Palin in NRO and I responed to him with this :
Mr Steyn,
I don't think you really believe that this machine gun toting, bear hyde loving throwback to the gold rush era is ready to be VP. She has less than 20 months experience as gov. of a state with the population of a small mid western city. She's got a ethics violation investigation on her hands The two major newspapers in her home state are questioning her readiness for the position and so are many politicians who have worked with her in Alaska. Her much vaunted 80 % approval level is actually something less and sinking fast. She wants creationism taught in school. What a rational candidate.? I realize that the religious zealots in the US are as radical as any in the Islamic world but that won't garner her the support to win in November.
Mr. Stein I'm from Toronto and of Muslim origin so I know all about your racially charged fear mongering but I still wonder if you really believe in all this hokum or if it's a put on to win the hearts and minds of the wing-nuts or to help those who exploit them stay in power. I have a feeling that your fair lady will unravel rather quickly but I'm not sure. I'm still amazed at the gullibility of some Americans and as proof we have the 2004 election and the fact that a bumbling, muttering "half glass empty" idiot sits as the head of state of the country. The neo con era will end I have no doubt about that as more and more people wake up to their malicious intents.
The only ones to fall for this will be the likes of the Fox news anchor who said Palin really does have foreign policy credentials because she's governor of Alaska a state which is right next door to Russia. That sir sums up the sophistication of the evangelical base and is actually a notch above your fact-free talking points.
By the way if you look at the top academic performers in any Canadian Educational institution you will find a disproportionately high rate of Muslims from South Asia. I'm personally not religious but I do fear the real hate towards middle easterners and Muslims which I see emanating from some American evangelical types. Thankfully I live in Toronto a city I find to be one of the most tolerant and multicultural in the world. A world which I have traveled extensively which is a lot more than we can probably say for Sarah Palin and her supporters
I am very concerned that Sarah Palin only recently obtained a passport. Shouldn't our top leaders have some experience abroad? I am a very "middle" middle class high school teacher from the Midwest and even I have been to Russia (with my high school), Europe and Morocco. (vote for me - I am evidently qualified!) I could assume that Ms. Palin has been to Canada and Mexico (before the passport restrictions took affect...), but if this is the extent of her world travels, what does say about the candidate's world knowledge? Does she know the difference between Iraq and Iran? Sunni and Shiite? Arab and Iranian? Joe L. won't always be at McCain's side to correct him.
I do not believe in learning "on the go" about foreign policy, leaders, and critical world issues. Our leaders should be people who have studied political science at the university level or through actual training experiences, not at PTA meetings. Living next to Russia does not count, either. I live next to Canada, therefore I am qualified.(That makes 2 amazing qualifications so far, vote catherineku!)
I understand that George Bush did not have a valid passport upon entering the White House, and that he had only been abroad twice in his life. The man was rich and he barely explored the world he wished to dominate? Ms. Palin is the person who John McCain trusts to lead us in case of a tragic incident? Previously submitted on huffpo.
Well, she should know.
Didn't Jeremy Irons play her in The Time Machine?
The scariest part is I think that Cindy believes what she's saying. I think she believes her own bizarre rationale.
When she made that statement this morning my husband just stared at me and said, WTF? Is she serious?
2 JHR Says: And, also, remember, Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia. So it’s not as if she doesn’t understand what’s at stake here.
I’ve heard this comment twice now. Isn’t it sad that it may actually have some traction with the public?
__________________________________________________________________
It broke me up.
My GOD did she really say that? And George has got the be the stupid person on T.V. you have to work to be stupid and George is working over time.
Let her keep talking, by all means. Surreal.
"my husband" "my husband"
With Michelle it's "Barack" when she refers to her husband, with Bill it's "Hillary" when he refers to his wife. These Republican are stuck in the 50's with "my husband this and my husband that" even if it's the wife that wears the pants and has all the money. Doesn't your husband have a name Cindy?
I think she's raiding the medicine cabinet again. I'd say they should take this comedy show on the road.....but they already have!!!
Hi Nicole - thought I would let you guys know that we have the "before" and "after" versions of part of Palin's Wiki page here, in case anyone is interested. [/blogwhoring]
Wow - This is great! I have a son who's currently in Iraq, I was on my city council (and my city, which is considered really small, is 4 times as large as hers!)
As a mom, a person with even more foreign security experience, (I've been to Ireland TWICE and not just on a fuel stopover at Shannon airport) - besides since I live in Oregon, I'm almost as close to Russia as Alaska, except of course for Washington state.......................
I AM DEFINATELY QUALIFIED TO BE VICE PRESIDENT!
QG @ 17:
really, doesn't she have a charity to steal from?
Comparing Obama and Palin
Regarding the “equally thin resumes” canard:
OBAMA:
Undergrad degree in International Relations, Columbia University
Law Degree and Editor of the Law Review, Harvard University Law School
Worked for a year at the Business International Corporation and then at the New York Public Interest Research Group.
Law firm associate, Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, Chicago
Chicago community organizer
Taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years
Illinois State Senator
U.S. Senator
PALIN:
Undergrad degree in Journalism, PolySci minor, University of Idaho
Briefly worked as a sports reporter for local Anchorage television stations while also working in commercial fishing with her husband.
Wasilla AK City Council
Wasilla AK Mayor
AK Governor since 2006
QG @ 17:
I think she has moved from opiates to glue sniffing.
Is Palin planning on fighting the Russians in Alaska so we don't have to fight them down here in Florida?
Sounds a bit like she's invoking the Russian boogy-man.
I wonder if he wears white suits, open collar black shirts and too much bling around his neck?
Im not fully understanding why C&L doesnt have a section devoted to Steve Doocey and his mental patient son.
BTW, Villanova is a fine school despite Doocey's kid being a student...remember, they also graduated Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (and my dad)
Gotta love the entire GOP ticket hiding behind the skirts of the candidate's wife. More and more desperate every day.
McCain is toast.
They're actually going with the proximity to Russia thing? Seriously?!?!?! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. I don't think we have to worry about Gustav any more. The GOP is doing their part in carrying enough water to drain the Gulf of Mexico.
Gawd, it looks as though the beer heiress' Botoxed face is going to crack open at any time.
Either message control has broken down in the McCain camp or they are relying on their buddies in the MSM to "sanitize" their pick for VP and transform Palin into an "experienced leader". My only question is how the MSM is going to accomplish this feat. Their options are:
1. Discount the worth of domestic and international experience, which hurts McCain's argument that he should be elected because he has the experience.
2. Inflate the experience Palin has. The problem is that you can't inflate nothing (although FOX has been trying for years). They will likely just start making up facts and presenting them as true ("Palin has been on a bunch of super-secret international diplomatic missions for Bush over the last four years and since they were super-secret we cannot talk about them...")
3. Ignore the whole thing and go back to personal attacks.
My money is on the third option.
David Hill @ 25:
Please tell us more about Doocy's mental patient son and why they aren't roommates.
It's those deadly Russian Polar bears that she's talking about. If they remain on the endangered list our country is in trouble. That's why Palin filed suit against the govt. to try to remove them from the endangered species list. Don't mess with Palin cause she's busy keeping America safe from the Russians and the bears.
Maybe that's where the mix up comes in. Cindy has heard about Polar bears in Alaska and she's heard Russia called the Bear.
It don't matter folks...McCain made a calculated, strategic play. He doesn't care whether or not she's qualified (did it even matter for Bush eight years ago?). The fact is, the card he played is the 'media fawn' card. The unknown, photogenic candidate, it sells, and Tthe media is already sucking it up. She's a regular, everyday, "hockey" mom, now she's going to be the Vice-pres...in America, you can do anything., they'll say. Question her quals, and you come off as a bully & elitist...because we all know that Harvard/Yale educate folks are those crazy abortionist, mad-scientist, evolution-loving, flag burning, god-hatin' types. The dems will lose in Nov...good luck America!
This is so pathetic, it's actually sad. I kind of feel bad for Cindy McCain, having to heave such a heap of b-s. And channeling Steve Douchey: ugh!
catherineku @ 10:
Come on........what more do you want? She lives fairly close to Russia; knows a couple of Canadians; once saw a few illegal immigrants from Mexico doing some yard work; and reportedly has eaten sushi. That's all the intentional exposure Republicans need these days!
Sarah Palin isn't Hillary Clinton.
Compare the depth of their resume and experience.
Learn the difference and vote smart.
www.SarahPalinISNTHillaryClinton.com
the proximity to Russia stuff is awesome
dennis @ 301:
Calling it hogwash, Dennis, does not constitute proof---unless you think your opinion is fact, which it is not. If you have any credible evidence to refute anything in post 275---bring it on. We don't need your childish name calling---we need verifiable evidence. Have any? We'll be waiting.
Please:
Compare Palin to Biden in qualification(s) best to the manage/govern the u.s. of america
in foreign affairs/relations.
Thanks
Governor Palin freshman gov. of alaska raised taxes on oil companies.
I know no one reads the 364th comment on an article, but I've just got to say this: THIS IS THE FUNNIEST PIECE OF POLITICAL CRAP I HAVE EVER HEARD. Did she just say that with a straight face? And why didn't George just crack up? Is he taking this conversation seriously? And can anyone seriously criticize Michelle Obama after seeing this? Give me a break, PLEASE. HELP MEEEEEEEE!
Why was experience such an ongoing debate regarding senator barack obama and now it's no longer an issue when discussed in reference to governor palin?
like i said palin raised taxes on oil companies
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=a13e84JyS2B8&refer=home
hey help me out. identify one policy or accomplishment palin has with russia...since she is qualified
because of the proximity of russia to alaska........ridiculous.
bmw 528 @ 362:
Dennis don't need no stinking proof! He's a Republican and facts and proof don't mean anything to them... like science... they don't need no science either!
Rasputin @ 369:
Yessir---that's what happens when you think you are the great and powerful oz---silence whippersnapper! My authoritarian power trumps your ability to speak truth to power anytime! Nice work on your post at 275. The truth shall make us free.
McCain just has this thing for younger women and drilling if you know what I mean. It's as simple as that.
How else would you expect an old fart obsessed with bombing, blasting, drilling, explosions etc to think?
I swear I saw him at local high school football game "just hanging out" with his izod shirt with the collar up, shorts and thongs trying to pass out wine coolers to the young ladies.
dennis @ 323:
Probably someones who pissed he had to wipe all his lovey dovey poems to Jeff Gannon over on FR.
Not to diminish her achievements, but the real population of Wasilla was between 4,028 and 5,469 during Palin's terms as councilmember and mayor; roughly equivalent to the number of Americans killed in the Iraq venture.
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&_name=...
Rasputin @ 276:
typical repug, isn't she?
Just goes to show you don't have to have brains to be rich , imagine her as first lady and Palin as VP , unfriggin believable . What's truly mind boggling is that people in this country are ignorant and stupid enough even after what's gone down these last eight years to vote McSame McCain ,a Republican ,and that he could actually win . Will the stupid and ignorant prevail ... again ?
Holy shit! Hypocrisy is gushing out of every Neo-Nut-Sacks orphus. Some one just needs to go pimp slap these ass munches.
Cindy McCain makes Paris Hilton look like Rosalind Franklin. I have a Middle Eastern neighbor, I guess I should just take over for General Petraus.
you all scare me.....more worried about the fact she entered a beauty pagent when she was young (which is something most young girls dream about) then the fact she is a smart, hard working woman who managed to make in to govenor of the largest state in the union. Instead of looking at the big picture you want to disect an interview given by the wife of a presidential hopeful, not even someone who really has any governing power! Are you that bored? I don't blog or comment very often but some of the ignorant comments I just read pissed me off enough to in my busy life tell you liberal, hypocritical, whiney, dems to grow up and stop the childish name calling and bashing of a woman you are really just jealous of.
378, yes a great mind she being an evangelical anti gay anti abortion creationism apologist who's running alongside John McCain for the republicans in the NeoCon/NeoFascist era. She's fit for the new dark age that emerges shortly into nuclear winter. Call me dogmatic if you want but i'm not buying. A great mind is not good enough or the only criteria and I could care less how hard she works considering her association. It's great if she helps people and is conscientious about her job, I will question her judgement and ideology given a choice.
All of these people are idiots. Everytime a republican speaks you end up thinging god what a doofus!
I was hoping that McCrazy would pick Lieberman for his VP running mate,but, as the days pass since picking Palin this will be an even bigger fuck-up than Joe! it's only been 3 days since McCrazy's pick and Palin's baggage is already starting to pile up on McCrazy's door step!Thank you John "McCrazy""McBush""McLame"McInsane" "mcSame" "McPow" McCain! More nick names for McCrazy? Please feel free to add your own, it's good therapy!!!
I guess John McCain was right about his wife...she is a dumb c**t.
OMG , Cindy gets her talking points from Fox & Friends. Alaska is close to Russia therefore Sara has Foreign policy experience? I guess she's close with Santa is well at the North pole like Jon Stewart says.
No, no, no. I completely disagree, and I know my husband does, too. She is heavily experienced in what she has done.
She was — she started out like everybody else — a member of the PTA, small government at home, then a mayor, now the governor. She comes with the kind of experience behind her. And also, I might add, a son who is about to deploy to Iraq. She comes with say more experience than…
Well, I for one am glad to hear Ms. McCain inform us that she is certain her husband agrees, that Ms. Palin is heavily experienced at what she has done. I would have been worried if she had not been very experienced at what she had done; if for no other reason that every other person on the planet is heavily experienced at what they each have done.
Thanks so much for the geography lesson, Cindy...I always thought Alaska bordered Iraq!
It's fun to watch the trolls try to make the argument that McCain didn't make a huge mistake picking Palin. I tell you, try hard enough and they can spin anything.
is it just me or does she sound and look like a Laura Bush with straight blond hair?
Pathetic.
Cash in that pre-nup now, dear.
Honestly, I can't decide who is stupider...Cindy, Palin, or Grampy.
Joanie @ 206:
In light of this morning's report about Palin's pregnant kid, this quote kinda made me chuckle.
BennyP @ 11:
SNAP!
unfortunately for everyone throwing their panties at "the chosen one" the main things they are forgetting is that 1 Obama is the first on the ticket... that means the president. gov. Palin is V.P. most people with a fraction of common sense should realize thats slightly more important. point 2 which makes point one a little more important, although Palin doesn't have decades of experience like HER running mate McCain she is on par with, if not slightly above par with Obama who carries along a whole what 140 some odd days actually in congress... yeah he's definately a better pick for V.P. oh wait he's running for the actual presidency my bad. atleast she has some experience in an executive office, that's oh say I don't know about a year more experience Obama.
Everyone is forgetting to mention Sarah Palin's extensive foreign policy experience: every time she flies from Alaska to the lower 48, she travels above Canadian territory.
I haven't seen any pro-Obama folks on this website mention anything about our sniveling community organizer's experience. Oh, that's right, Obama is only running for President, while Palin is running for that top job of Vice-President. Regardless, Palin's experience far exceeds Mr. Obama's as community organizer, part-time state sneator and absentee US Senator. The changes Sarah Plain has accomplished expose Obama's Chicago Machine politics for what they truly are, the same old politics that are present in Washington and his all talk and no action motus operandi.
Always remember, one cannot build themselves up by knocking someone else down. Kindly tell me at least one thing that Obama has changed or one think that Obama has accomplished. Just one!
Cindy is a SKANK and her hair stinks! Try washing your hair once in a while Cindy or maybe I should say wash your straw.
ysbaddaden @ 7:
With all the money cindylou has, you'd think she could do SOMETHING with that godawful bleach job and her thinning hair.
Hey, cindylou, youre not 18 anymore!!! Try for a hair style more suitable to your age. For the thinning hair, try some Rogaine for women. Or maybe some extensions. JUST DO SOMETHING!! YOU LOOK AWFUL!
Steve Doocy
I live a few blocks away from a hospital ; you will now all address me as Dr MCMetal - Neurosurgeon .........................
BobbyG @ 21:
Thanks for posting such a succinct list. Palin deserves some credit for what she's done (as well as a lot of blame, especially for selling out to the oil industry), but it's absolutely ridiculous for Republicans to say she's just as qualified to be President as Obama is. In any case, they're the ones who opened up this particular can of worms; now they're eating it.
And, also, remember, Alaska is the closest part of our continent to Russia. So it’s not as if she doesn’t understand what’s at stake here.
I once owned the complete collection of General Mills International Coffees. I know it broadened my horizons. Perhaps Ms. Palin also has them in her kitchen. I liked the ideas about neutrality I got from Suisse Mocha the best.
BobbyG @ 21:
The above qualifications don't mean a damn thing when compared with his actual
voting record on things like FISA.
Nicole, how dare you pick on poor Ms. Maggie O'Connell (or whatever her names is)! I'm sure that all the residents of Cicely Alaska would happily swear that if you can survive there, you are more than qualified to run this great country of ours!
Linda in Oregon @ 19:
Back off, dear. I've served in plenty of offices in my day, I am exactly the same age, my hair is also brown, I wear glasses, I have *two* kids, and I am perky and feisty. That office is MINE!!!
OH MY! She has a son deploying to Iraq and that's relevant to her credibility as a VP???
I guess my mom should have no problem managing a technology firm since I'm an engineer.
What really happened? How did Palin get chosen??
Conservative Ire Pushed McCain From Lieberman
Maybe ask some with more cred than Cindy.
FG @ 38:
Thanks. And, the broader point is this: Obama has been vetted to date by millions of primary voters, however imperfectly we might view the vetting process. The more people learned about his life and track record and ideas, the more they came to support him. Palin was vetted by no one comparably. Mr. McCain summarily decided for the GOP voters that she’s proper, absent any rational measures of relevant national experience. This is [1] an insult to women, [2] an insult to the intelligence of GOP voters in general, and [3] a dangerously expedient tactic transparently executed solely for the purpose of winning the Presidency — the public good be damned.
Billy @ 40:
It also doesn't include a federal investigation for abuse of power ; can Palin claim that ?
to many stupid people @ 392:
What in the hell are you drinking? Go away and dont come back until youre sober, fool!!
I guess Obama 'vacationed' in Hawaii so he could get some international experience with the Chinese.
Billy @ 40:
Look, don't think I am still not pissed about that. Read my blog (wherein I tend to serious detail). But, we have a choice to make. McSame would be a total disaster.