Why did McCain pick Palin???

[Alaska DogCat]

If John McCain had picked up a newspaper in August, he would have known that Sarah Palin was under investigation by the Alaskan (Republican controlled) legislature. He would have known that Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was getting ready to go on trial on Federal charges. He should have known that Sarah Palin was a Director of Ted Steven's 527 Fundraising committee, that she was elected Governor only after he endorsed her and she used the endorsement in a heavy blitz of television and ad in the last week of her campaign and that the two have had a mutually beneficial relationship.

Now, in the final week of his presidential campaign, he is faced with:

- Sarah Palin having been found to violate State Ethics laws;
- Ted Stevens guilty of abuse of office and his running mate (the Governor of Alaska) so far refusing to ask Stevens to step aside from office
- Questions about the Stevens/Palin relationship to continue through the week.

McCain did not need a crystal ball to see this as a distinct possibility. What strengths did Sarah Palin bring to the ticket that outweighed the baggage she brought to the campaign with these issues.

 

[singingpixie]

Simple- she appeals to the conservative base, and picked up on the buzz Hillary generated as far as having a female candidate.

Do I think it was a logical choice? Of course not. But those were likely the biggest reasons why she was chosen. I also don't think McCain himself did much but rubber stamp the selection- he'd only met her briefly before she was announced his running-mate.

 

[dvcgirl]

He chose her because he needed a big surprise to even have a shot at winning. (This worked....for awhile).

He chose her because he needed a Christian fundamentalist to rile up the base. (Clearly, this worked).

He chose her to try and appeal to the Hillary voters. (This never worked).

But his campaign didn't properly check into her background.....and so Palin ened up being the "October Surprise".....and not in a good way.

 

[mumom95]

Simple- she appeals to the conservative base, and picked up on the buzz Hillary generated as far as having a female candidate.

.

I agree, I think these were the main two reasons.

 

[Aristomommy]

I can think of several reasons why Palin was picked:

-woman: since Hillary was not picked, this may appeal to some women voters
-conservative: appeals to those who feel McCain is not conservative enough
-"outsider": someone who is not "from Washington"
-background: I read somewhere that a person from McCain camp saw her on tv and was impressed by her and put her on the "short list"

I think Palin was a calculated risk that may or may not work for McCain. She is said to be a quick study and a good speaker. She certainly didn't have enough time to get "up to speed" on a lot of issues and had to resort to talking points. People who have interviewed her regardless of their own political views have commented that she is extremely personable and smart.

 

[djm99]

As I have stated in other threads, Palin was suppose to put the nail in the coffin, close the deal, bring it home (or any other metaphor you can think of). McCain has the perfect ticket on paper. He is the moderate Republican that supposedly appeals to Independents and Reagan Democrats. Palin was the base. She would also pick up a few of Hilary’s 18 million. She was supposed to reel them in. In reality she did her part. The problem with Palin unfortunately she was not vetted (by media) and she became polarizing. Many republicans (not considered the base) were turned off. She actually pushed many away (ie Collin, Eisenhower's granddaughter - even Republican Newspapers have endorsed Obama). Some would say she is the ticket (Palin/McCain). The news media went crazy trying to "know her". She had a few bad interviews that many questioned her intelligence and her readiness to be President (if needed). McCain in short, needed her. If she was a far right vetted woman, McCain would be ahead. Palin was unknown to most. Most of America has only known her like 10 weeks. It’s kind of scary when you think about it. People are voting for McCain just because of her. 10 weeks and she could possibly be VP.

 

[Macca1111]

The Daily Show's theory is that if McCain's campaign is really poorly run (insert the many gaffes in clip form here), then we'll feel bad for McCain and he'll win with the pity vote. Makes sense to me.

 

[bimshire]

Now that Stevens has been convicted, does this mean that Palin pals around with FELONS? ....... tsk, tsk.

 

[DISUNC]

She energized the Republican base. This she did!

I dont think McCain calculated that she may loose the "Reagan Democrats" that were going to side with him, which I think she has done too.


HOWEVER we really wont know until next week the full scope. This whole election is a BIG Gamble for all.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

Now that Stevens has been convicted, does this mean that Palin pals around with FELONS? ....... tsk, tsk.

I like this but she was a friend-o-felons long before Stevens. My former state representative (from Wasilla) and pal-o-Sarah (for 30 years, that's thirty folks), Vic Kohring is currently serving time in the big house for corruption (he was a member of the Corrupt *******s Club). Check out Tom Anderson and Pete Kott two more Alaskan republicans who recently obtained the Alaskan-in-vogue status of "convicted felon". Coming soon to jail near you, Ted's son Ben another local Alaskan "politician" currently under investigation. Everybody's doin' it.

 

[yeartolate]

Now that Stevens has been convicted, does this mean that Palin pals around with FELONS? ....... tsk, tsk.

OMG that was flipping funny.

 

[yeartolate]

Check out Tom Anderson and Pete Kott two more Alaskan republicans who recently obtained the Alaskan-in-vogue status of "convicted felon". Coming soon to jail near you, Ted's son Ben another local Alaskan "politician" currently under investigation. Everybody's doin' it.

Sarah is gonna need to buy that jet back.

 

[moon]

Simple- she appeals to the conservative base, and picked up on the buzz Hillary generated as far as having a female candidate.

ITA. But couldn't they find another consevative female who was a better choice?

I wonder what Republican women like Codi Rice, Olympia Snow, Kailey Bay-hutchinson and others really feel deep inside to have been ovelooked in favor of Palin.

 

[allison443]

Now that Stevens has been convicted, does this mean that Palin pals around with FELONS? ....... tsk, tsk.

 

[JennaTX]

ITA. But couldn't they find another consevative female who was a better choice?

I wonder what Republican women like Codi Rice, Olympia Snow, Kailey Bay-hutchinson and others really feel deep inside to have been ovelooked in favor of Palin.

I'm not even a Republican and I think he would have been much better off picking Kay Bailey Hutchinson (even though I don't agree with her).

 

[bicker]

Snowe would have been a great choice. I perhaps would have voted for McCain/Snowe.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I think Palin was a calculated risk that may or may not work for McCain. She is said to be a quick study and a good speaker.

I heard a news blurb the other day (missed the full report though) that made me laugh. It was something like "Experts call Palin out of touch, uneducateable about issues, and says she stubbernly refuses to stick to scripted materials. Are these Dems? No, it's insiders from McCain's campaign..."

 

[Tomader]

Why did Oprah pick Obama?? We all make mistakes. One we will probably soon have to live with.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Why did Oprah pick Obama?? We all make mistakes. One we will probably soon have to live with.

IMHO voting for someone is never a mistake. I may not agree with someone else's choice, but that doesn't mean it's wrong.

Picking someone who is supposed to help you gain support, when it might possible do the oppsite, is a mistake.

 

[dcentity2000]

Shock value.



Rich::