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While Obama spokesman Bill Burton reacted in typically nasty fashion, a gracious Hillary Clinton released a statement congratulating Sarah Palin, John McCain’s pick for vice president.
“We should all be proud of Governor Sarah Palin’s historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Senator McCain.”
Hillary went on to say that while the nomination is historic, the policies of the Republican duo would “lead the nation in the wrong direction.”
The point here is that Hillary did the right thing, the gracious thing. Bill Burton and the Obama campaign did just the opposite, once again proving that the politics of the past is more entrenched in their campaign than anywhere else.
Evidently, I was not the first to point out the contradiction between “the change” they talk about and the old politics they practice. Later in the day, like a naughty schoolboy who had to be reminded to play nice, Barack Obama issued another statement belatedly offering his own congratulations to Palin.
For a biography of Sarah Palin, click here.
A Rake's Progress 
I can’t support Palin solely on the basis of her physical anatomy.
She stands for everything I’m against, and the fact that she’s embroiled in her own scandal over Mike Wooten and Walt Monegan after running as a “reform” candidate only two years ago; I mean, what’s McCain THINKING?!?
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Of course then you’d say that the McCain campaign was “typically nasty” with regard to their statement of the choice of Biden— in fact they released an attack ad the day the choice was announced.
You’re not a hypocrite are you? Or will you just rationalize that this if “different”?
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Gripedujour, get your facts straight.
Here’s how John McCain in a civil manner welcomed Joe Biden to the campaign:
In an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric Saturday at his home in Sedona, Ariz., presumptive GOP nominee John McCain had kind words for Sen. Joe Biden, who last night was named presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama’s running mate.
“I think he’s a good selection,” McCain told Couric of Biden. “Joe and I have been friends for many, many years, and we know each other very well, and so I think he’s made a very wise selection.”
Earlier today, Biden ripped McCain during his first joint appearance with Obama, suggesting McCain will “have to figure out which of the seven kitchen tables to sit at” when considering economic issues, a reference to the fact that McCain couldn’t remember how many homes he owned during an interview earlier in the week.
“I know that Joe will campaign well for Senator Obama, and so I think he’s going to be very formidable,” McCain added. “Obviously, Joe and I have been on different philosophical sides, but we have been – I consider him a good friend and good man.”
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I have more and more respect for Hillary. She, clearly, supposed to be a next president of the United States. During her speech on DNC, she looked like Real President (unlike boring and angry Obama). But the Dem.Party “robbed” her. In fact, the Democrats showed themselves very ungracious to both Clintons. McCain? He is genius!!! Today, the race is basically over. Congratulations, Mr. McCain and Mrs. Palin!
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Sarah Palin has my vote. As a life long Democrat, I will vote Republican for the first time. Obama is so arrogant that he didn’t know or care how Hillary supporters were totally disrespected and ignored. We followed and supported her. We telephoned, contributed and voted for her. She won 50% of the vote and still, he ignored her. Hillary is a class act and I will vote for the only woman left in the race. Go girls go.
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Brilliant move by the McCain camp!
Palin is a very good choice.
Thanks to Hillary knee capping the Obama camp with the “PUMA” spin, McCain looks better now than yesterday.
Her aim was to throw the 2008 race to run in 2012, but the success of this, because of Palin, may thrust Hillary into trying to run as a Republican in 2012.
The betrayal of the Democrats worked too well, with Palin in the race, for Hillary.
Blowing enough smoke to stay in the Democratic Party looks harder for Hillary now than winning the primaries.
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Why not Palin. We need a strong women after Hillary in American Politics. Everything is possible. Democracy raigns!
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“Harder than winning the primaries” ?
Hillary got more votes than Obama and barely lost in the delegate count. I understand trying to make a clever point, but at least get your facts straight.
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“A strong women.” These women don’t belong in the same sentence. Palin is not qualified to clean Hillary’s office!!! Personally I think it is offensive that McCain wants to parade this women around like a trophy wife.
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strike that, parade her around like a beauty queen…does it not seem odd that all the women McCain surrounds himself with are beauty queens….wife 1, wife 2, and now maybe wife 3?
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Rake Morgan-
Tincture of time.
Just as you are worked up over the election today, over the next years what you have accepted as true may well change about the entire PUMA episode.
A great deal will depend on who wins this election, but if McCain wins with Palin, and he has a very good chance of doing that now, there is going to be a good deal of clarification of just what has taken place with the Democrats.
It looks like McCain made a very wise choice, and it also looks like the PUMA phenomenon will look very different when the smoke clears.
But that is politics.
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Is this blog some kind of internet cult of one who is out of touch with society.
First off, Hillary Clinton did not receive more votes or pledged delegates – if we’re going by her own word that FL and MI would not be counted. She took part in a process and because of her mismanagement and under-estimation of her candidate, she lost her race. That is how our democracy works.
Our republic, for which now stands in shambles on every front after 8 years of Bush, is in no way better off with the career trophy, McCain has chosen.
She may be a good Governor, but she is not ready to be president or for that matter Vice President.
And to be fair, which this article was not, Obama’s campaign spokesperson spoke the negative words of Palin, not Obama himself. When he found out he retracted them and offered gracious and kind words congratulating her and McCain for his pick.
This is a slap in the face to any woman who thought Hillary Clinton was the best and more experienced choice.
If you look up the word “desperation” in the dictionary, “John McCain” should be the first entry.
Obama is change. And I love how when a black man speaks eloquently and is incredibly intelligent and confident in America, we try to label him as being arrogant.
Obama has included all in his campaign, leaving out no one. He’s made history by working hard, hands on experience and delivering results in every step along the way.
Palin has had her moment in history handed to her, not by merit or work, but by a desperate decision. A decision that was made not by what is best for the country, but by what one man wanted and thought he needed to win an election. That sounds like another 4 years of Bush to me. What McCain wants, McCain is going to get. And that after the past 8 years is scary and his choice today proves it.
I pray this country gets the election in November right. America can not afford another 4 years down a one-way (my way) street.
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I think the “not qualified to clean Hillary’s office” comment is the funniest. Clearly Hillary and her people were much more gracious to the Governor of Alaska. Palin has held elective office since 1992, even if she has worked her way up and not just assumed that she is qualified because she was married to an elected official.
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Having just been reading some of the other comments and am really stunned by Kelly’s “Palin not qualified to clean Hillary’s office.” So, how much credit does Hillary get with her supporters for being female and being famous — and please recall — a little reality check here, folks, — that Hillary’s famous essentially for being Bill’s controversial and much suffering wife.
Palin is a state governor. Running now for VP, she has at least held elective office before.
Palin’s an unknown to most of us, but she’s going to be vetted big time now and we’ll learn more about her. But the success she has, she’s earned. Let’s get that straight. Hillary had New York handed to her — admittedly by New Yorkers — but Hillary’s the “wife” candidate. Palin is the true woman leader here — Palin got there on her own. Obviously, McCain picked her for her credentials since he clearly didn’t pick her for her fame.
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Kelly, are you kidding about Palin? I love Hillary and I love Biden. I totally dislike the Obama arrogance. I am a Roman Catholic, college grad, mother of 5 and also a wife of 37 years. I was a public school teacher and a social worker. I am white but a granddaughter of legal immigrants. I have been a life long Dem but never supported the party’s support of abortion. As to the Beauty Queen comment, lets be real, Palin, Hillary, Ferrara, Pelosi and Cindy are all beautiful. How shallow are you? Do you also hate beauty?
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For the record I wrote (above) that Hillary got more primary votes than Obama and I was including MI and FL. I also said she was “close” in the delegate count; I did not say she had more.
The main point was to respond to someone who implied her campaign was a total wipe out. It wasn’t. It was close. And sorry, everyone, 18 million votes is not a pittance. Maybe Joe Biden’s 9,000 primate votes were, but don’t insult 18 million Democrats who did not fall for Obama’s rhetorical smoke and mirrors.
Also, note, I was not here endorsing Sarah Palin. In fact, I have not endorsed McCain, either. I was simply pointing out the chronic hypocrisy of the Obama campaign in which they call for more civility and less of the politics of self-destruction and then do just the opposite. They did it to Hillary and they are doing it to Palin.
As for desperation, why do you think Obama chose Biden? That was a cynical choice, whereas at least Palin is bringing in a new voice and a new type of candidate to the process. No one is more about the politics of the past than Joe Biden.
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I couldn’t disagree more.
Hypocrisy of the Obama campaign? Give me a break. If there is something legitimate you want to discuss – than by all means let’s do so. But arrogant, elitist and hypocrisy are all labels that may stick depending on the group, but they are all inaccurate.
They aren’t doing anything to Palin. Palin by throwing her hat into this arena, naturally comes under public scrutiny. Obama didn’t do anything to Palin except congratulate her and McCain on his choice.
Obama and his campaign didn’t do anything to Clinton during the primary season. Let’s be real – all the swipes have come from people other than Obama and as much as I wish he’d refrain from his “above the fray” campaign and attack on a level we have seen in politics past, he has refrained. We have seen Clinton attack Obama, but she didn’t attack McCain as much as she attacked Obama during the primary season.
Her speech was magnificent at the DNC, but it still fell short in my opinion as well as her actions to unite the party.
I think Obama chose Biden because he is change. Out of wealth, he’s the last of all the senators. When he’s run for president, despite his great resume, he can’t get out of the gate. He is not the same old Washington politician we have seen for the past 20 years. He’s not a member of any political dynasty. And despite of their presidency and vice presidency, Obama and Biden will not profit in the same corrupt way that George Bush, George W. Bush, Cheney and yes, even both Clintons.
Politics have got to change. And I don’t understand why half of the voting population is afraid of that change. If we don’t change we get left behind. And look at our standing in the world on everything – education – energy – health care – our military – we are falling behind and unless we change now, I fear it may be irreversible. The America I know is a super power – a leader to all the world – and we, with our current government and systematic system of government are slowly being eclipsed.
And I’m sorry, but Palin’s city council experience in 1992 does not qualify her to be Vice President at this date and time. Her 2 years as governor of a state with a little over half a million people, does not qualify her to be Vice President.
She may be a wonderful politician – I don’t know – but what I do know is her experience does not qualify her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency today. Maybe down the road she could be qualified, but not this year. Further, she wouldn’t have received a majority of votes to be voted into this type of office (because she is not experienced.)
Palin’s moment in history was handed to her without merit and her own effort. It was completely political – and a decision that shows McCain is not ready to be commander in chief.
Obama has worked hard since college and gotten every vote and canvased the United States to achieve the history he is writing today.
I do not understand how anyone can honestly vote for the McCain/Palin ticket and think they are doing a service to this nation.
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Drew, repeating a lie over and over doesn’t make it true. If you wish to live in a fantasy land in which the Obama campaign never does anything wrong, be my guest. But even Barack Obama himself realized that Bill Burton’s personal attack on Sarah Palin was wrong and issued a statement later in the day doing the right thing and congratulating her on her historic nomination.
If your boss can admit they were wrong, why can’t you?
Second, you are insulting the people of Alaska by minimizing the importance of Palin’s role as governor of that state. I have been there. I take it you haven’t. In fact, compared to Obama, who started running for the presidency about three years into his senate term, she has about the same amount of political experience and is as ready to be president as he was when he started campaigning two years ago.
Finally, with regard to Hillary, which is it? Was her speach excellent or not? Make up your mind. Given the ruthless way that the Obama campaign treated her, if she has not fallen on her knees to worship the Great One, her reluctance is understandable. In fact, Obama and everyone but you seem to agree that she did a great job at the convention.
You need to understand that Hillary Clinton’s supporters OWE OBAMA NOTHING! We owe him and the Democratic Party nothing. Nor are we owned by Hillary Clinton. Obama has to sell himself to US. Unfortunately, whenever he gets close to closing the deal, either someone in his campaign or some supporter like you says or does something to kill the deal.
You need to get it, brother. Your self-righteous BS is harming your man more than helping him.
Thanks anyway for your comments. You are always welcome to say what is on your mind here.
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I just want you to know that I respect your opinion very much.
Some Hillary supporters have switched to Obama, some became Pumas, some have crossed over to McCain. When Hillary first made her announcement, I was with her, but as the primaries wore on, I kept inching closer to Obama.
McCain’s choice of Palin won’t sway me to his side, I disagree with him on the issues, and Palin is even more conservative than he is.
I apologize for the lack of civility that seems to be running rampant these days. I know Barack isn’t perfect, and I’d have eagerly voted for Hillary in November if she were the nominee.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that not all Obama-ites are jerks.
Thanks
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That’s cool! You do your candidate a great service by saying what you did. You made my day.
Thank you!
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I would like to agree completely with Anne’s New Friend as to Hillary.
The same election that lost Arkansas and Tennessee to Gore gave New York to Hillary. By ignoring the importance of holding down the fort in the South, Gore Lost. Hillary and Bill showed the world that they weren’t in it for the People of Arkansas. They were in it only for themselves, even at the loss of the Presidency to their (supposed) best friend and long suffering vice president. On this level of oportunism Hillary Clinton built a career in Congress as a Senator.
Palin came up by her own strength, and Hillary used her husband as the strength. Palin is going to be more popular, more inclusive, more decisive and more wise in her dealings with people than Hillary would know how to do if she went to Harvard to try to learn.
Remember Hillary is one of the most DIS-liked women in America. Had the Democrats nominated her, they would have lost the general election by driving middle America to the right. She is that unpopular. Sarah Palin will PULL America to the right because she looks safe, fun, honest, and hard-working.
Good choice, McCain.
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Thanks for your comment!
We’ll have to see how the Palin selection works out for McCain. Already the Obama pitbulls — Burton, Axelrod, Plouffe, etc. — are busily tearing her down and digging up whatever dirt they can find. The important thing is how the conservative base reacts to her as a candidate.
My recollection of the Gore campaign is a little different than yours. Al Gore did not want Bill Clinton’s help and made it clear that he preferred to keep his former boss at arm’s length because of the impeachment hearings and the Lewinsky scandal.
There’s still some debate about whether Gore made the right decision strategically. But I would not blame the Clintons for ditching Al; I think it was the other way around.
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Rake,
I believe my facts ARE straight. McCain DID, in FACT, release an attack ad the day of the Biden pick. If I’m wrong please demonstrate otherwise— rather than you know, just saying “get your facts straight.”
Bottom line: my statement is true. My facts are correct.
Thanks very much
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Instead of asking me to prove a negative, why don’t you provide a web link or youtube video of the ad.
Notwithstanding that “proof,” here’s how John McCain welcomed Biden into the campaign. Note, also, the reference to Biden “ripping” McCain.
In an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric Saturday at his home in Sedona, Ariz., presumptive GOP nominee John McCain had kind words for Sen. Joe Biden, who last night was named presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama’s running mate.
“I think he’s a good selection,” McCain told Couric of Biden. “Joe and I have been friends for many, many years, and we know each other very well, and so I think he’s made a very wise selection.”
Earlier today, Biden ripped McCain during his first joint appearance with Obama, suggesting McCain will “have to figure out which of the seven kitchen tables to sit at” when considering economic issues, a reference to the fact that McCain couldn’t remember how many homes he owned during an interview earlier in the week.
“I know that Joe will campaign well for Senator Obama, and so I think he’s going to be very formidable,” McCain added. “Obviously, Joe and I have been on different philosophical sides, but we have been – I consider him a good friend and good man.”
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Rake, sure.
Here you go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch
v=RDVUPqoowf8&feature=user
Are my facts straight now?
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That link just brings me to the main YouTube page. Do you have an actual link to the ad?
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you know what, forget it. If you’re to stupid to find out for yourself OR to realize the link I posted is broken due to WordPress and are unable to “copy and paste” you deserve to stay stupid.
You know full well that McCain posted a negative ad (two, in fact) the day of the Biden announcement you’re just too small to admit it.
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Don’t blame me! The link does not work. If it worked I would watch the ad. Given your lack of persistence in actually coming up with the ad, I am beginning to doubt its existence.
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I think Palin is the strongest and best women yet. You see woman want women and there is more of us, however when they see a strong and successful one they turn like cats. Why is that? She is the furthest from Washington, 5 children, husband in the union, pro life, keep politions straight… Everything Obama wanted is CHANGE. So Obama she is not on your ticket.
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What Hillary did is just a display of political and social respect and modesty, but that does not prove if she really was true to herself when she congratulated Palin, though it appeared to be a very good gesture.
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An Urgent Message for Hillary Clinton:
It’s obvious even to an eleven year old seeing Barack’s poll numbers falling that he’s going to lose because he isn’t fighting back hard enough,
the fool. Someone must attack Sarah Palin continuously, and relentlessly. We believe Hillary Clinton is the person to do so. My Grandmother, Ruth Calabria, has posted this message on numerous boards and blogs.
My name is Angel T. I am 11 years old and I approve this message.
An Anti-Sara Palin Evolution Antidote to Mindless Evangelical Babbling
Dear Friends,
Evangelicals have been denying evolution with the greatest vigor especially since the turn of the 21st Century and the arrival of George Bush on the scene. Now, so tightly intertwined with the Republican Party as to be indistinguishable from them as evidenced by the hoopla and shouting and talking in tongues up in Minnesota, they are denying all truth to a degree that should be alarming to any thinking person. Join with us in considering a new ideology that is neither conservative nor liberal but is based on the straight scientific truth of evolution put together with mathematical precision and clarity. Now is the time when America must make its stand against these lunatic, double talking, control mad, war mongering fascists who want to enslave the country and conquer the world for God, up to and including waging nuclear war to satisfy His Divine will in their suicidally juvenile and unhappiness driven desire to all die and go to Heaven, and take us with them. Are you on the hit list to be activated the minute the election is over and McCain has won?
Dr. Peter V. and Mrs. Ruth Calabria
Read more and help us organize at http://www.matrix-evolutions.com
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Hillary did the right thing? With all her criticisms of Obama she obviously could not say much differently, but why did she release a statement at all? Palin is a nightmare. As a woman who recognizes Senator Clinton’s intelligence and experience, I’m embarrassed she praised Palin. It really came off as a giant, transparent “F-you” to the Obama camp.
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And yes, McCain did release an attack ad the day of Biden’s nomination. It was an ad showing Biden critiquing Obama on the campaign trail. Remember he was the one who said Obama was “clean, articulate, etc.”- among other things. The McCain camp had obviously had it planned for some time.
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lastly, Rake, you stated that Obama withdrew Bill Burton’s statement, realizing that it was “wrong.” Why don’t you state that in your initial entry instead of a comment response? That would be a great deal more honest, wouldn’t it?
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Angel-
Great, you are 11 years old, and I admit I am 7 years old, but gifted.
As to your proposal to pit witch craft against Christianity in debate with Hillary, nah I say.
The two parties are both working for the New World Order, which is luciferian (a branch of satanism) therefore the focus on your religion of evolution is aimed against Christianity regardless which party obtains power.
No one beyond 8 years old, if gifted of course, can take the evangelizing of the religion of evolution as a valid attack on Christianity as other than promotion of the agenda of luciferian string pulling of both parties.
After all, the next president will be appointed, not elected, as the last two elections have shown us.
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In case everyone forgot, my complaint is that the Obama pitbulls (no lipstick) immediately tore into Sarah Palin moments after McCain announced her as his running mate. This was the post:
“I certainly don’t expect the Obama campaign to endorse Sarah Palin. But last night I thought I heard Barack Obama eloquently appeal for a new kind of politics, one that transcended party affiliation and ideology. While Obama was speaking, John McCain ran an ad congratulating Obama for his historic achievement as the first African-American presidential nominee by a major political party. I thought that was a class act from McCain. That was exactly the kind of civility in politics that Obama says we need.
I cannot say the same about Obama’s staff as they immediately tore into Sarah Palin, literally trying to wipe her off the political scene as a nobody. Here’s the first reaction to Palin by Obama spokesman Bill Burton, as reported in the New York Times:
“Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency,” Bill Burton, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, said in a statement. “Governor Palin shares John McCain’s commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush’s failed economic policies — that’s not the change we need, it’s just more of the same.”
Doesn’t that sound like more of the same? Doesn’t that sound like the old politics? Does that really sound like the change we need?”
It’s also important to note that McCain did two very classy things: 1) He ran an ad congratulating Obama for his historic selection as the Democratic nominee, and 2) Instead of attacking Biden, he made a generous statement about the Delaware senator coming into the campaign.
This is what he said to Katie Couric:
COURIC: “Senator, first of all, what is your reaction to the selection of Joe Biden as Barack Obama’s running mate?”
MCCAIN: “Well, I think he’s a good selection. Joe and I have been friends for many, many years, and we know each other very well. And so I think he’s probably made a very wise selection. I know that Joe will campaign well for Senator Obama, and so I think he’s going to be very formidable. Obviously, Joe and I have been on different philosophical sides, but we have been — I consider him a good friend and a good man.”
Not one to show McCain the same courtesy, Joe Biden, whose NH campaign was managed by a convicted felon, assaulted McCain the day Biden became the vp nominee: Read Out of the gate, Biden Strikes hard at McCain
The point is that all you Obama fans refuse to rub the fairy dust out of your eyes to see that your candidate and his staff are the dirtiest group to play for the presidency since Richard Nixon and the plumbers.
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ha! What’s so hypocritical about what you’re saying is that you are comparing McCain’s statements to the Obama CAMPAIGN’S statements, when in fact, McCain’s campaign has run plenty of ads ripping into Obama- go to YouTube and type in” McCain ad Obama.” There are half a dozen ads tearing into Obama including his stance on education, likening him to Paris Hilton, his choice of Joe Biden,etc.
I’m rather confused what this site is really after? Is Hillary still running for pres? Oh, wait, she is! Good work, Rake! I see you have your eye to the future. Definitely a good use of your personal energy injecting whatever venom you can into Obama’s campaign. What is the point, man? This is so ugly. Talk about more of the same. I’m done with this page. There are so many important things to think about and discuss.
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LOL. Take a pill “citizen.” Yes, I am making a distinction between campaign advertising and what the candidates and their staffs personally say and when they say it. Is that too fine a distinction for you?
However you want to mask the dirty play of the Obama staff, their behavior first with Hillary and now with Palin has been condescending and sexist. And it does seem that whenever I feel ready on matters of policy to continue my lifelong support for Democrats, Obama, his staff, or some loud mouth supporter dissuades me by showing me they are not the politics of change. It’s the same old dog food but in a new container. I am not fooled and I think there are millions of other Americans who aren’t fooled either.
You would rather hear your music directly from the Obama choir? Fine! Go listen! I am trying to offer honest, personal assessments of what I see and hear happening out there. I know it gets confusing for anyone who likes their ideology without ambiguity. But it is not all black and white, good guys versus the bad guys. I don’t see it that way. If you are confused or angry about that point of view, perhaps you should read someone who always tells you what you want to hear.
Thanks for your comments, and good luck.
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