Minnesotans wondering just who this Sarah Palin character is don’t have to look very far to find a very comparable politician. Michele Bachmann, the Congresswoman from the 6th District, has a very similar profile. Both are deeply socially conservative, have large families and have similar public personas.
Can a Bachmann style politician win a national election? We’ll see.
UPDATE: Another example of Palin’s similarities to Bachmann:
The volatile issue of teaching creation science in public schools popped up in the Alaska governor’s race this week when Republican Sarah Palin said she thinks creationism should be taught alongside evolution in the state’s public classrooms.
Palin was answering a question from the moderator near the conclusion of Wednesday night’s televised debate on KAKM Channel 7 when she said, ‘Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both.’
UPDATE 2: Michele Bachmann agrees:
Rep. Michele Bachmann, a freshman Republican from Minnesota, says Palin brings a lot to the table, even though she’s lacking in executive experience and doesn’t have national name recognition.
“Like me, Palin is a devoted mother of five who understands the importance of pro-life and pro-family values,” Bachmann said. “She’s proven herself to be a strong leader in Alaska, taking on pork barrel spending and making fiscal responsibility a top priority”
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Uh… jinx.
Where do I pick up my prize, I expected this. With Palin out of Alaska, Don Young and Ted Stevens have eliminated their opposition. Lt. Governor Parnell will make a concession speech any minute now.
If we teach creationism in school, do the parochial schools have to teach evolution?
I must admit that it looks like the Republicans are not even trying this election cycle. To give up the one attack that was having actual traction, lack of experience, by nominating a nobody with two years actual experience under her belt is profoundly stupid. If this is an example of McCaines decision making skills h has completely lost it.
Biden’s problem in the debate is going to be not looking like he is beating up a little girl lost. That and not laughing at creationist bullshit or her views on birth control. I mean this election is about over if she needs to carry any freight at all.
Alaska’s Michelle Bachmann is a very good Minnesota look at Sarah Pallin. Makes those Franken ads about lobbyists paying to fish with Norm Coleman under the direction of indicted Senator Stevens to be sort of a premonition.
a wash, at best. Gonna be a good few weeks.
The RNC is gonna be AWESOME!!! I hope everyone in America watches it. It will be a good Dem recruiting tool. I personally hope they pan to Normie again and again. Clap and wave for the cameras! He is still a Republican isn’t he?
Palin admits that she smoked weed (it was legal in Alaska for a time) but says that she didn’t really like it.
“I can’t claim a Bill Clinton and say that I never inhaled.”
Zach (the other one)… you could not tell it from his ads. He doesn’t even use the term Republican in a single TV I have seen for New York Norm. Is he ashamed of being a Republican? Should he be?
Anyone else see a resemblance to Mary Poppins?
Fortunately, most good private schools (regardless of religious affiliation) do teach both. Is it because it introduces something we all know exists (yet some suppress) into the science classroom, or that it would some way introduce a specific religion? Which is it that is so bothersome?
I really think that the reason she was chosen was:
1. She may not know much, but at least she can look pretty (works on American Idol) and say she is the antithesis of Mr. Washington, Joe Biden. Don’t know if that will work, and whether it actually means anything at the VP Level. I tend to think an “insider” at the VP level is a strength. I can’t imagine her over the Senate. Scary thought of the lust that would fill that room.
2. She really makes people believe that you can be the mayor of a town of 9,000 and be a VP candidate within 2 years.
3. Men all over America will be begging for her to remove that hair pin to let her hair down.
Bottom line. RNC has packed this in and doesn’t want to waste a “good candidate” this cycle.
This doesn’t have anything to do with why this threads fear of a higher power somehow should limit our kids ability to know “all the facts”
Governor Palin vs. Congresswoman Bachman?
Palin is the Governor of a purple state who has 80% approval ratings…..
Bachman is a Congresswoman in a purple state who is fighting for re-election, and makes moderates of her own party cringe….
They are both conservative female leaders. The similarities end about there.
I’m not going to fall in line with the party and say she is a perfect pick. I would have liked to have seen Colin Powell or Mitt Romney. While there are plenty of question marks around Palin, comparing her to Bachman is a silly place to start.
I really dislike the policies of anybody that uses religion as a basis for public policy and or law. That being said immediately comparing Palin to Bachmann is the same as comparing Obama to Sharpton. It is interesting how two guys from Publius had the same reflexive response to compare Palin to another woman.
An even deeper reach than Geraldine Ferraro, even farther than Dan Quayle, McCain has managed to choose the least qualified and most right wing of all the potential running mates. What a gift! Is Ron Carey involved in the McCain campaign?
When there is no “there” there, what are you supposed to do? Sarah Pallin is referring to her PTA experience in a town of 7,000 as a rationale for her to be a heartbeat away from being the leader of the most powerful country on the planet… this is politics as imagined by a complete idiot. Republicans should be ashamed of the old man and the princess they are about to try and foist on the electorate. Next week is going to be fodder for the commedians like no other convention in our history.
Comparing Bachmann to Pallin is rationale… they are peas of the same creationist whack-job princess pod.
So Rick,
Describe what qualifications a VP should have, and please indicate if your criteria should apply to President as well.
Palin’s sister was married to a state trooper. While the sister and her trooper husband were going through a divorce and a custody battle, Palin asked the head of the Department of Public Safety to fire the trooper. When he refused, the head of the Department was then fired. Palin is now being investigated by an independent prosecutor.
Saying she is a perfect pick is an endorsement of Republican corruption - which is pretty rampant with the Alaska Republicans. You better hope she doesn’t get indicted before the election.
How about not being a wing-nut fundamentalist whack job ? Your attempts to compare Palin’s experience level to Obama’s are ludicrous.
How about these for qualifications for President (or VP):
1 Intelligence
2 Understanding of Foreign Policy
3 Belief in the Scientific Method
4 Sound Judgment
5 Even Temparment
6 Cares about those less fortunate than themselves and does something about it
Short list off the top of my head, but one where YOUR ticket is sorely lacking.
Rick: I think you nailed it on all points.
The Palin pick is absolutely absurd. 18 months as Governer os the second smallest state and the only job she held till term was mayor of a town with a population of about two city blocks. Why is McCain trying to throw this election???
OK - let’s compare Obama and Palin:
1 Intelligence - they both have it
2 Understanding of Foreign Policy - neither as it to the leve of their running mate
3 Belief in the Scientific Method - loaded point. I think they both have it.
4 Sound Judgment - we have less than 1 term to evalute each, but no red flags
5 Even Temparment - they both have it
6 Cares about those less fortunate than themselves and does something about it - they both have it, one through bureaucracy and one through innovation
Let me add three:
7. Not afriad to stand up to their party — Palin kills Obama on this one.. ain’t even close
8. Has run something — been singularly accountable for it — Edge to Palin
9. Approval rating > 60% of those they actually represent today - Palin 80%, Obama 55%
LOL. DantheMan, in one post you have managed to destroy any credibility you ever had on this blog. You are a shameless Republican apologist who makes Brodkorb look honest by comparison. Palin has belief in the scientific method? Wow. Just wow.
Palin pick shows that McCain may have early Alzheimers. I mean really, this pick is patently irresponsible. Ever looked at the actuarial tables for a guy with the health of McCain. he has a high probability of not making it to the end of a term. This is an election for President of the USA not the student council.
Ms Palin I’m sure is a nice person and pretty and all but come back in a decade with some experience. Jeez…
The hardest thing about being Governor of Alaska is how to redistribute the oil and gas royalties. Alaskans pay no income tax. The state pays you!!!!!
I think this was a GOP pick, not McCain’s. It’s possible that McCain would have preferred the other Joe. The GOP knows this is not their election to win, hence the choice of an expendable VP candidate, one that spares their rising stars from the “damaged goods” label in the future. At least we’ve heard the last of the “experience” issue. McCain’s campaign would never dare accuse Obama of inexperience when their own number 2 pick is subject to the same criticism, right?
Dan -
I took your point to be that a President needs to use the current scientific knowledge to make decisions. Read the story of Gov. Palin choosing to keep and carry to term her baby who she knew, through testing, was going to have Down’s Syndrome. It is a stirring account of using medical knowledge and research to decide your future. If Bioethics isn’t part of the scientific process that is going to affect us greatly, then I guess we’re talking about two different things. Palin has also increased the funding for the University of Alaska system including bolstering funding of its research and scientific capabilities.
Oh, and for all you Dems, she got a state tax increase on oil company profits.
She wants to have Creationism taught along side Evolution in High School science classes. ‘Nuff said. She’s an insane fundie.
What is wrong with informing students of a worldview that is held by at least 1/3 of the people on this planet? You’re not saying “this is the way it is”. You’re not saying “you can only pick one, and the bible trumps science.”
I’m surprised that people who pride themselves as intellectual elites want to be so controlling when it comes to our students being informed about the different theories in the world.
If we teach them effectively, they’ll come to their own conclusion that scientific evidence cannot be discounted (my personal belief as well).
I can’t wait for the VP debate - it’ll be like a buzzsaw through butter.
And btw, I’m all in favor of teaching the Bible - as long as it’s done in literature class or a religion class - but not in science!
Baracks Speech was great democratic red meat. Im sure he spoke to the hearts and minds of hillarys people. By the way did anyone hear Chris matthews of msnbc? He basically endorsed barack obama on air. Whats up w that? Anyone who thinks NBC is unbiased is smoking large amounts of crack. Read that in the http://fargpophantom.com
Lets see what the Goverment Channel has to say at FOX News tonight. Looks like a successful Speech and will prove to be a strong force of change.
Your Loving Neighbor in North Dakota
She CHOSE to have her child after all of the testing. CHOICE is GOOD! All women should have the CHOICE to make their own decisions with the respect and privacy of their families and doctors.
I applaud her for her decision, and hope all women retain the right to make CHOICES that are right for them in their own lives and circumstances.
DtM, I generally try to refrain from the whole name calling thing but if you actually believe what you just posted, you are a freaking idiot of the highest order. You want to teach Creationism in a High School Science class? Great, show me the science. Show me the incontrovertible evidence that a magic guy in the clouds created the earth in 6 days. Too high a standard? Okay, show me a scintilla of evidence that would lead one to believe that a magic guy in the clouds created the earth in 6 days. Extreme right wing ideologues, like yourself, have no place in civilized society.
And btw, I’m all in favor of teaching the Bible - as long as it’s done in literature class or a religion class - but not in science!
Not even. First of all, which bible? Second of all, if you want to waste time in school, do it on your own time and don’t involve my kids.
“What is wrong with informing students of a worldview that is held by at least 1/3 of the people on this planet? “
Not in “science” DtM. Social Studies? No problemo; stick it into the “camparative Religions” class.
But thanks for pointing out again, that the GOP isn’t interested in science; they’re interested in “beliefs”.
Creationism could be taught in Philosophy class. It is a religious philosophy, after all.
I have no problem teaching evolution as part of a science curriculum and creationism as part of a social studies class. The important thing is to expose students to diverse viewpoints. Both views should be taught.
Here is the thing — to understand the world that our children are about to walk in to, they need to know what the Bible said and its place in the world. From a historical context. There is no doubt it is a historical book that has (for better or worse) altered the history of mankind. And while they are at it, I think they should teach the main points of the Qur’an and from the Bhagavad Gita. Should our kids go into the world not knowing what the people who hate us have read, and why they believe what they do? And while we’re at it, let’s exose them to Cicero and Marcus Aurelius.
Oh, and I think all of that should be done via school choice :)
Oh geez… let me point out that I don’t believe people who have read the Bhagavad Gita hate us. I meant that some - some - followers of the Qur’an do.
Whatever the case, we’d all be better of by reading all three books. Then, we could better understand each others.
And yes, I’m still a conservative.
OMG, the Republicans chose the mayor of Hooterville to be VP of the USA. We’ve entered bizarroworld.
The problem is morons like Palin want to teach it as science, not literature. And no one doubts that someone as dishonest and pro-ignorance as you is still a conservative, DantheMan.
So DtM, no evidence? Didn’t think so. It’s not science. Case closed. You’re still an idiot.
Thanks for the civility, guys. With the exception of someone named “rm” and the occasional jab at TFRGW, I’ve managed to refrain from personal attacks or name-calling.
Review what I said about Biden when he was named. I pointed that that he has been an Washington insider for 10 years longer than McCain (fact). I have said that while I would never want Biden to be casting votes on my behalf, I respect him and his personal story. I respect his public service, even though I disagree with many of the planks on his platform.
Then Palin’s name comes out, and on this thread alone, you’ve called her a “whack job”, a “princess”, a “lost little girl”, “wing nut”, “insane fundie”, the “mayor of hooterville”, and “moron”. Lots of respect shown for someone whose story you have yet to hear.
Meanwhile, I’ve been called an idiot, ignorant, and undeserving of a place in this world.
So much for a big tent. No wonder your party is impossible to work with in Washington. As much as your Presidential candidate has high rhetoric, I’d rather be with a party who takes the high road. One is words, the other action.
From the Weekly Standard:
“The triumph came in Alaska where Sarah Palin, a politician of eye-popping integrity, was elected governor. She is now the most popular governor in America, with an approval rating in the 90s, and probably the most popular public official in any state.
Her rise is a great (and rare) story of how adherence to principle — especially to transparency and accountability in government — can produce political success. And by the way, Palin is a conservative who only last month vetoed 13 percent of the state’s proposed budget for capital projects. The cuts, the Anchorage Daily News said, “may be the biggest single-year line-item veto total in state history.”“
DTM, The point is that there has never, never been a less qualified person nominated for national office. In additon to that, Ms. Palin is so far to the right of the political spectrum that she in no way reflects other that the radical right wing of the Republican party, you know the ones who brought us the Iraq war, Dick Cheney, Alberto Gonzolas, Don Rumsfeld, etc. Been there, done that and its been an unmitigated disaster. 4 more years of NeoCons in the White House? The nation resoundingly will say no thank you.
OK now, which town has a larger population, Cicily Alaska, Hooterville, or the village that Ms Palin was may of?
You’re in for a big surprise — Palin is more of a maverick than McCain. She left quite a toll of the Republican Old Guard in Alaska when she took office. No croneyism from this leader.
She is as qualified as Obama. Seriously. Oh, I forgot Obama gave a speech in Berlin and gained all that foreign policy experience. So give Obama a slight edge.
Qualified as Obama? Sorry, not even close. Palin’s foreign policy experience? being close to Russia.
Sorry, but she is a throw away candidate, the big boys of the party will fight it out in 4 years.
DtM,
The party that takes the hight road??? You can not be serious. Are your related to Karl Rove or what? I’ve never seen more smears, slanders and lies than what comes from the Republican party.
I like that McCain picked Palin. He can’t bang on Obama anymore about inexperience.
Gee, just a week ago the republicans were trashing Obama because he bypassed Hillary Clinton and those 18 million voters to pick Biden.
Now McCain bypasses the millions of voters who supported Huckabee and Romney for an unknown and all is okay?!
“She is as qualified as Obama”
Wikipedia
Obama
He graduated with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) magna cum laude from Harvard in 1991
Palin
In 1984, Palin won the Miss Wasilla beauty contest, then finished second in the Miss Alaska pageant,[4] which won her a college scholarship.[3] In the Wasilla pageant, she played the flute and also won Miss Congeniality.[5][6]
Palin holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Idaho, where she also minored in political science.[7] She married Todd Palin, her boyfriend since high school, on August 29, 1988. She then briefly worked as a sports reporter for local Anchorage television stations while also working as a commercial fisherwoman with her husband.[3]
Dantheman
I have become a fan of your thoughtful posts with respectful tone. I agree with you 100% about teaching (about) religion in the schools.
Your symmetry of experience argument about Obama and Palin, is not nearly as sound, although it seems like it might be at least somewhat effective. The race has become more interseting as we watch to see if Palin can portray herself as a credible candidate in terms of knowledge and judgement on foreign policy and progressives await the big gaffe.
Palin is no Hillary Clinton either.
Can’t wait to hear her in the debate….
Oh, my daughter just came home. She was out with friends, wearing her Madia shirt. 5 people came up to her and asked her if she knew how they could get OBAMA BUMPER STICKERS for their cars! One senior citizen told her he was a lifetime republican who for the first time will be voting for DEMOCRAT BARACK OBAMA. He said he couldn’t support McCain’s pick because she was a CROOK. My daughter asked me what he meant by that, since she didn’t know.
We live in a republican area….so much for that this time around!
Go Barack!!!
I’m surprised that people who pride themselves as intellectual elites want to be so controlling when it comes to our students being informed about the different theories in the world.
My daughter just came hoe after being out with friends. She was wearing her Madia shirt today. 5 people stopped her and asked her if she knew how to get OBAMA BUMPER STICKERS for their cars. Mind you, we live in a republican area. One senior citizen told her that he was a lifelong republican who could NOT vote for McCain/ Palin.
So much for the republican surge….YEA BARACK!
My daughter wants a bumper sticker too! Anybody know how to get bumper stickers for OBAMA/BIDEN?!
thanks, south metro dem.
Good point — foreign policy will be where she is likely weak. While Obama recognized his foreign policy dearth and chose Biden to compensate (much like Bush did with Cheney in ‘00), McCain is the foreign policy expert on the ticket and Palin is the domestic whiz kid.
Where you cannot dispute McCain knocked it out of the park, though, was in getting someone from outside the beltway. You literally cannot get farther from DC than Alaska in the continental US. He demonstrated by this move that he is committed to being his own guy. Had he chosen, say, Condi Rice, can you imagine how Obama would have repeated his “4 more years of Bush” mantra even more?
The fact that Palin has Executive Branch experience, to me, offsets the fact that Obama has a couple years of run-time on her. In fact, had Obama not given one speech at a convention in 2004, he would have been new to all of us in the past 18 month. How many junior senators from states other than your own can you name?
DTM, McCain hit it out the park because Palin was from far outside the beltway?? Really, by that measure Vladamir Putin would be an even better pick…
I can’t understand why he picked her. He only met her once before he called her to be VP. His first executive decision and he blows it. I would have perfered the Mormon. At least he could fix our economy. If John dies in office we will have Karen from Will and Grace as the leader of the free world. GGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr so angry!
Don’t know lot about Palin but she sounds like a normal american maybe that is the change we realy need.I believe she is the best of the bunch
Seems all of Alaska is a twitter with rumors of Mr. Palin being a notorious skirt chaser… maybe she does have some similarities to Hillary Clinton after all. I wonder if a bimbo eruption would help or hurt the McSame/Palin ticket?
How old was Cindy when John dumped his first wife? Are we looking at a pattern here?
I especially enjoy that Palin left her city of 6,000 residents 20 million dollars in the red at the end of her term. It seems that aside from her obvious weakness on foreign policy, she is a fiscal ignoramus.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/palin_makes_good_first_impression_is_viewed_more_favorably_than_biden
One day after announcing each VP candidate, the view of Palin today is 10 points more favorable than it was for the more familiar Biden at the same point in time.
Palin is riding the crest of a high approval rating because she is currently a blank slate. And a pretty one, at that. Let’s see how she fares after a few weeks of spouting off about global warming being a fraud, gun control being unnecessary, and loss of reproductive rights for women. Oh yeah, and her argument for teaching kids the story about the naked lady and the talking snake in science class.
WOW — and what about that interview she gave just last month where she asked what a VP does, and why would anyone want that job anyway?!
Yesterday on Fox and Friends, Steve the Dufus (he deserves it for this one) stated that she had foreign policy experience because — “why she lives up there in Alaska and everybody knows that is right next door to Russia!”
Can’t make it up…
It’s cowardly for politicians to support teaching Creation alongside Evolution. They’re only pandering to a religious belief, which Creation or Intelligent Design is. It’s the fear of offending the Religious Right that keeps this issue alive. If Creationism didn’t hold the potential promise of eternal life, it would have been laughed off the political stage long ago.
Neither Creationism nor ID (which has been proven to be Creationism deceptively disguised) can ever compete with Evolution. Neither can our children be expected to compete in a global scientific arena if we continue to pretend it is science.
Picking Palin is akin to picking George Bush…with female sex organs…and not as goofy-looking.
::big grin:
I thought this was a riot!!
“I must admit that it looks like the Republicans are not even trying this election cycle. To give up the one attack that was having actual traction, lack of experience, by nominating a nobody with two years actual experience under her belt is profoundly stupid. If this is an example of McCaines decision making skills h has completely lost it”
Obama has a lot of experience?? Ya think?? At least Palin has been through the “buck stops here” experience.
sorry kerosene hat but our country founded on a religiuos basis
This country was founded by people escaping the very thing conservatives are trying to impose.