Another reminder we should choose leaders who actually respect the Constitution and the law. HT: Tom.

From the ripe old year of 1988, hair was big, and the Iditarod was bigger. If McCain wins, we’ll have for sure, the only VP who was ever a sports caster…

From Wrapped-in-the-flag.com comes a great visual of the VP selection:



Finally, a view from a blogger up north on Gov Palin and her exploits. Well worth a read – particularly around “trooper gate” – which gives us all a view on her executive experience and judgment…

There is no doubt in my mind that many Alaskans are feeling pretty excited about this. But we live in our own little bubble up here, and most of the attention we get is because of The Bridge to Nowhere, polar bears, the indictment of Ted Stevens, and the ongoing investigation and conviction of the string of legislators and oil executives who literally called themselves “The Corrupt Bastards Club”.

So seeing our governor out there in the national spotlight accepting the nomination for Vice Presidential candidate is just downright surreal. Just months ago, when rumors surfaced that she was on the long version of the short list, she was questioned if she’d be interested in the position. She said she couldn’t answer “until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day. I’m used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. We want to make sure that that VP slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that we’re trying to accomplish up here….”

There is no doubt that Palin has fierce territorial loyalties. When elected governor there was much concern because she came right out and said she would favor her own home town of Wasilla (where she was mayor) and its surrounding environs collectively known as “the Valley” while leading the state. And it’s obvious from her statement that Alaska was on her mind when accepting the VP nod (see my emphasis above).

Read the whole entry.

One has to wonder if McCain will regret this choice…in the meantime, there’s a whole new set of things to poke fun at!

Check out the Buckeye View…a season preview for Ohio State is there, a preview for the YSU game, and a review of the resounding Buckeye victory, check it out!

It’s likely that Sarah Palin is a decent person, though she’s virtually unknown. But setting aside any of the substance of knowing her, since her selection I’ve heard pundit after pundit claim that her selection will cement the PUMA (party unity my ass) Hillary Democrats to vote for McCain.

What do we know about Mrs. Palin? She’s pro-life and pro-gun. On these two issues alone, I can’t imagine that pro-choice, anti-gun Democrats are going to flee an Obama/Biden ticket in any substantial number. I don’t know what these pundits are smoking, but keep it away from the rest of us. That assertion is ludicrous.

Fundamentally, I think the VP choices show a great deal about each candidate’s judgment – in fact, they’re demonstrating publicly their “first hire” in advance of securing the office. Obama’s choice of Biden demonstrated a calculated selection of a running mate that would complement his strengths and weaknesses while he governs.

What exactly does McCain’s choice say? I think it is a “Hail Mary” (maybe better as Hail Sarah?) pass to neutralize three issues: historic ticket of Obama (hey, we’ve got a minority too!), age (notice McCain’s 72nd birthday went mostly without comment yesterday), and having a bonafide conservative on the ticket (which many neo-cons don’t think of McCain.) But was his choice calculated to help govern?

Since 40% of the population would vote Democrat or Republican regardless of the ticket, the remaining 20% actually select our leaders. While the choice of Palin will help secure the 40% base, it will likely hurt the 20% of people who will make a choice (hopefully on the merits.) I remain interested in seeing McCain and now Palin’s speeches at the Republican National Convention next week. I’d like to hear the substance of the ticket and make some comparisons to what we heard last week from the Democrats. But, I have to admit, I’m skeptical.

Via the Inquisitor…

When I saw this in my RSS reader this morning I nearly splut liquid out my nose I laughed so hard. Well done Duncan!