phallo - while Obama has certainly held some fancy and prestigious titles, what has he actually done? What is the record of his accomplishments in these various positions?
Of course, if one believes that lawyers are automatically smarter than other people, then I guess it matters that Ms Palin didn't get a law degree. Of course, her life story isn't one of seeking national office, so perhaps she didn't feel it was necessary to get one.
It's somewhat interesting that you seem to feel that actually working for a living, is somehow inferior preperation for office, than an advanced law degree.
And while much is made of the size of Wasilla, what is conveniently left out is that in 1980 the population was only 1,600. In other words, while small in actual size, it was going through a period of rapid growth, and all the problems that are inherent in such growth. And, as I mentioned before, I was living in Alaska at that time, and was aware of the issues surrounding the growth in Wasilla and the entire Mat-Su Valley.
What though is the legacy of each? What, as I've asked before, are Obama's actual accomplishments? And how do those stack up against Palin's record?
Even with only 20 months as governor, Palin has more Executive experience than Obama, Biden, and McCain put together. But anyone who is truely interested can look up the actual accomplishments of either one.
One illustration though of a glaring difference between the two. Obama entered politics by having his rivals eliminated by technicalities, rather than by votes. Palin ran for governor against an incumbent, and won by votes.
__________________
John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
What it doesn't mention, is that Monegan was offered a similar position, in a different area of the administration, before being removed as public safety director. ( I believe it was as head of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission).
__________________
John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
One thing I think Obama already realizes is that Palin energizes the GOP base. Something not only is necessary for McCain, but crucial. There is no way he can win without the base. Period. And Palin gives them a reason to vote FOR McCain, instead of against Obama.
Another thing it does, that so far hasn't really been mentioned, is that it gives the GOP a future. A young, vibrant face, with real conservative creds (unlike Bush, et al), that can be a standard bearer not just today, but tomorrow. Contrast that with Obama/Biden and what you see is a future of everything Obama says he is against. The same old insiders standing in line behind him.
Washington insiders are upset with the pick. To me, that's a ringing endorsement. We need someone who doesn't just make speeches about change. We need someone who has actually done something about it. We need someone who, when faced with an investigation, says do it, not one who tries to hide and squelch the information.
As I said several pages back, Palin would be an inspired choice. And I have no reason to change my mind about it. Time will show if I was right.
__________________
John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
sck5 - do I have to ask once again if you actually read what is written?
Quote:
Obama entered politics by having his rivals eliminated by technicalities, rather than by votes.
That isn't about the presidential primary, it's about his bid for state senate. Entered politics, means first time, not subsequent times.
__________________
John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
I think it shows a serious lack of judgment to choose a running mate he has met only ONCE. He chose her because she is a woman and ONLY because she is a woman. The only thing he gives a crap about right now is getting elected.... not the economy, not the war and not affordable health care. More divisive Karl Rove tactical BS.
Intelligent women will see through his political game and be rightfully offended.
Quite possibly the most inane statement of the last six months here. Let's see; I've never met Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Reagan, or Abraham Lincoln but, were I running for president I'd have to give them strong consideration as running mates. I think I know enough about them. I've never met Mike nor his heroic daughter Courtney either yet I have a deep and abiding respect for them both. You flew off on your honeymoon to meet and stay with a man you'd never met in your life. So much for the lack of judgement argument.
He chose her because she is a woman. Well, it's hard to argue that point. But, what really is the point? In this election we have, on the Democrat side, the two principle candidates that attracted the most primary votes both of whom owe their candidacies to factors other than their accomplishments. As Maureen Dowd of the NY Times has said, Hillary would be running for the presidency of Smith College were it not for her husband's accomplishments and position. And, were Obama not black, he'd just be another Dennis Kucinich albeit without the height deficit. The Democrat voters chose these two candidates overwhelmingly over far more experienced politicians-even one Joe Biden.
And Mrs Palin is demonstrably intelligent; perhaps the most intelligent candidate in the race. You might contrast her accomplishments with Hillary Clinton's. On the one hand you'll find a record of achievement and effective change, on the other, a record of mediocrity (Rose law firm) and ineffectualness (Hillarycare). Or we might even look at Senator Obama's career as well; for a demonstrably intelligent man he has actually accomplished surprisingly little and he's never run really anything. No executive experience at all and a record of no legislation introduced and an attendance and voting record that would be an embarassment on any city council let alone state or national legislature.
Of course she's nominated because she's a woman; sounds like just the type of woman who should be nominated. The left always screams when their actual advocated policies of affirmative promotion are used by the other side. They scream all the louder when the other side actually advances a person of substance versus the clowns typified by the likes of Pelosi, Boxer, Waters, and Hillary.
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“Scientists are people who build the Brooklyn Bridge and then buy it.” Wm. F. Buckley, Jr.
Clue me in here guys... I just spent the afternoon prepping for Gustav and heard the news. I've done a quick run down on her creds, so please explain to me objectively how she has more substantive experience?
Far more accomplishments than Obama? Oh come on. Source for both candidates is Wikipedia, no challenges to neutrality. Feel free to fill in the blanks with anything I may have missed:
Education:
Obama: Occident College, transfer to Columbia University, degree in Political Science specialized in International Relations, 1983; Harvard Law School, where he served as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review
Palin: College, married 1988, briefly worked as a sports reporter for local Anchorage television stations while also working as a commercial fisherwoman with her husband.[3]
Obama: 1985-1988, Director of the Developing Communities Project (DCP); worked as a consultant and instructor for the Gamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute; 1988, entered Harvard Law; J.D. Magna Cum Laude 1991; law firm Sidley and Austin, Hopkins and Sutter 1989, 1990; provided fellowship from U. of Chicago Law School to work on his book, which become Dreams from My Father; directed Illinois Project Vote from April to October 1992.
>1992
Palin: Wasilla (population 6,715) City Council 1992-1996; Mayor, Wasilla, 1996-2002; Unsuccessful bid for Lt. Governor, 2002; Ethics Commissioner, Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, 2003-2004, resigned in protest of Republican corruption; Elected Governor and took office in December 2006 - 20 months ago.
Obama: Taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School as a Lecturer for four years (1992–1996), and as a Senior Lecturer for eight years (1996–2004); 1993 joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a 12-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development; founding member of the board of directors of Public Allies in 1992; board of directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago, 1993-2002; board of directors of The Joyce Foundation, 1994–2002; board of directors of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, 1995–2002; board of directors of the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Center for Neighborhood Technology, and the Lugenia Burns Hope Center; elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996; reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998 and 2002; lost Democratic primary run for U.S. House, 2000; chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee, 2003; elected to U.S. Senate, 2004; delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Not going to list all the legislation he introduced or supported, look it up.
Now I don't mean to impune Ms. Palin's accomplishments or character, but to suggest that her bona fides surpass Obama's is just subjective, partisan drivel. I know they're not running against each other, but when comparing tickets, this has now become a no-brainer. Had he chosen Romney, now that would be different.
Voted for GW twice but can't run Left fast enough. Move over Joel!
You want to compare a woman who has actually had a real job or two, while raising a family at the same time, against a guy who's never held a real job in his life?
The real question is how she has managed to accomplish so much; it's truly awe-inspiring. Versus a candidate who seemed bent on being a professional college student and, no doubt to the consternation of his in-laws, never really held a real job in his life. The actual record of accomplishment economically in the Obama family is Mrs Obama's. She was bringing home the bacon while then only Mr. Obama was out rounding up dead people to vote in Cook County and ferrying the same voters from poll to poll for ACORN.
The Democratic candidate is nothing more than a Jesse Jackson with better educational credentials and less business sense.
Senator Obama ran for political office and upon achieving it chose to do nothing with it except attempt to advance further his own career. Mrs Palin has a solid record of accomplishment at every level she has served.
You're right; it's a no-brainer.
__________________
“Scientists are people who build the Brooklyn Bridge and then buy it.” Wm. F. Buckley, Jr.
PB - You say he never got votes and consider it irrelevant that 18 million people voted for him? Go ahead and vote for McCain. Most of the rest of us will vote for Obama - But you are entirely free even then to keep on saying he got into politics without many votes or whatever constricted nonsense you have invented to "prove" how awful each and every Dem is.
Sway - Glad to see you are such a fan of her raising a family but most women arent going to like her opposition to abortion all that much. Also, she is one of those people who think creationism is science (it isnt) and that global warming is just a liberal plot (only on the right wing fringes in the USA do people believe that). And on international affairs she apparently knows nothing at all.
But it is truly puzzling that you think Obama "never really held a job" - Truly a masterpiece of refusing to see reality
You rightwingers are fond of comparing Palin's experience with Obama's. Ridiculous as that may be (Palin is obviously better prepared, having been runner up Miss Alaska and having gotten a journalism degree from the U. of Idaho instead of being the top student in his class at Harvard Law and working as a law professor at the U. of Chicago) Mr. Obama has just undergone two years of microscopic examination by the press and public. If Palin can do as well talking about national and international issues then she will have the credibility she needs to be VP. If she doesnt then we will know she is the lightweight many think she might be.
We will see over the coming weeks (unless they keep her away from the press) and especially when she debates Biden. THAT is a matchup I will be happy to see. Biden may not be everyone's favorite but he sure does know about the issues that are important. Palin may but nothing in her history suggests she knows anything more about international affairs than what her handlers told her to say. (and not even much of that)
You really don't read what I actually write, do you sck5? How much clearer can I state it,
I WAS NOT TALKING ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY.
I said, quite clearly, quite plainly, that I was referring to his first run for public office. Please tell me what that has to do with the Presidential Primary?
I made a SPECIFIC statement, not a general one. If you are unsure of the meaning of specific, please look it up.
__________________
John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
