Gov. Palin’s Worldview

As we watched Sarah Palin on TV the last couple of days, we kept wondering what on earth John McCain was thinking.

If he seriously thought this first-term governor — with less than two years in office — was qualified to be president, if necessary, at such a dangerous time, it raises profound questions about his judgment. If the choice was, as we suspect, a tactical move, then it was shockingly irresponsible.

She’s Not Ready

With most candidates for high public office, the question is whether one agrees with them on the major issues of the day. With Ms. Palin, it’s not about agreeing or disagreeing. She doesn’t appear to understand some of the most important issues.

When it comes to foreign policy, Sarah Palin doesn't know what she's talking about.

Judging from the excerpts shown Thursday on ABC's World News and Nightline, there are several appropriate responses to watching Sarah Palin answer Charlie Gibson's questions on foreign policy and national security—sorrow, pity, incredulity, fear.

Gov. Palin was obviously briefed by Sen. John McCain's advisers, and briefed fairly well. She recited what were plainly the main points of these tutorials with an assertive confidence familiar to those who engaged in high-school debate competitions.

But it was painfully obvious—from the rote nature of her responses, the repetitions of hammered-home phrases, and the non sequiturs that leapt up when she found herself led around an unfamiliar bend—that there is not a millimeter of depth undergirding those recitations, that she had never given a moment's thought to these matters before two weeks ago.

Sarah Palin may not know the Bush Doctrine, but she sure sounds like Bush.

Sarah Palin's ignorance about the specifics of "the Bush Doctrine" in her first big network interview does not worry me. What's worrisome is her familiarity—and comfort—with Bush's general worldview.

Palin defends Alaska earmark requests

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin today defended the nearly $200 million in federal pet projects she sought as Alaska governor this year, even as John McCain told a television audience she had never requested them.

Social conservative

While it's exciting to have Alaska's popular governor on the Republican presidential ticket -- and a woman to boot -- Americans can't ignore how Sarah Palin might steer the country on divisive social issues.

Sarah Palin is asking Americans to elect a vice president who is an extreme social conservative. She opposes abortion rights. She favors the teaching of creationism. She preaches abstinence-only sex education. She is open to the possibility of banning books from public libraries. She opposes gay marriage. She personally opposes benefits for gay partners of public employees.

Palin vs. Gibson, Round 1

Without being smarmy about it or unfurling gotcha questions, ABC News anchor Charles Gibson demonstrated that he knows volumes more about national security and foreign policy than does Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

A Timeline on the Bridge To Nowhere

By the time Palin got into office it was clear that not only was the first Bridge earmark killed but that Congress was not going to be ponying up any more money. Palin couldn't say 'No Thanks' because Congress had already said 'Forget It'.

FactCheck.org

All I ask this political season is that voters take just a few seconds to make sure they have their facts straight when weighing the candidates. Both sides will stretch the truth and spin the facts, and it can be hard to figure out what is true and what is fiction. The most unbiased place I have found for learning the real facts is FactCheck.org.

Rather than believe what the talking heads tell you to believe, please take a minute and get the facts. You'll be doing yourself, and the country, a favor.

Sarah Palin is George W. Bush in a Dress

"What scares me most about Sarah Palin’s governing style is that she tries to implement what she thinks that “God” wants. We already had someone in office for eight years who implemented what he believed was “God’s” will. If you love George W. Bush, I can see how Sarah Palin appeals to you. However, eight years of guessing how “God” might rule the country has brought most of us nothing but disaster."

What Chance Of Change Is Enough?

John McCain has voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time. The same study by Congressional Quarterly estimates that Obama voted with Bush during the Bush era 40 percent of the time.

Sarah Palin's war against information

"By avoiding the media and dismissing criticisms as sexist, Sarah Palin hopes to avoid scrutiny of her record"

Anne Kilkenny's Letter about Sarah Palin

I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992.
Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a
first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her
father was my child's favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a
first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more
City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the
residents of the city.

Palin to continue campaigning with McCain

"McCain and Palin traveling together limits her exposure to reporters and gives McCain's top aides more control of her. Palin has not done interviews since the first and only one she gave to People magazine on the day she was introduced as McCain's vice presidential choice.

...

She also is scheduled for an interview with ABC News, but no other interviews with reporters are scheduled, campaign officials said. The campaign repeatedly has denied other interview requests."

National Review: An Exchange on Elitism

"George W. Bush had very slight executive experience before becoming president. His views were not well known. He won the nomination exactly in the same way that Palin has won the hearts of so many conservatives: by sending cultural cues to convince them that he was one of them, understood them, sympathized with them. So that made everything else irrelevant in 2000 - as it seems again to be doing in 2008."

George W. Palin

"The Republicans have found their new George W. Bush.

Governor Palin, Governor Bush -- what's the difference? They're almost exactly the same."