Obama/Biden vs. McCain/Palin

[jim]

It's definitely a good pick, and worth whatever talking points they might lose. The governor/senator thing is I think a fair distinction to make. I don't buy it personally, but it's a fair point.

She seems to have very, very solid support from the base (who aren't that concerned by her experience) , and will probably attract some women voters and some Democrats. She's probably a bit more charming to your average American than Joe Biden.

Both her and McCain will have sons in Iraq soon, so that lends some weight to their position, and nobody can hang the "fortunate son" thing on them.

If nothing else, Palin's addition to the ticket really takes this election season to a whole new level. These are easily the most interesting candidates that we've had in decades. The first black presidential nominee. A war hero and former POW. An Alaskan woman. And, uh, an old white guy. (I'm having trouble finding anything interesting about Biden, sorry.)

History no matter what happens.

I think we can all agree (on both sides of the isle) that this election is the best thing to happen to US politics...possibly ever.

Depends on who wins. Wrong ones win, my fishing days are numbered.

[sighyoung]

It's definitely a good pick, and worth whatever talking points they might lose. The governor/senator thing is I think a fair distinction to make. I don't buy it personally, but it's a fair point.

She seems to have very, very solid support from the base (who aren't that concerned by her experience) , and will probably attract some women voters and some Democrats. She's probably a bit more charming to your average American than Joe Biden.

Both her and McCain will have sons in Iraq soon, so that lends some weight to their position, and nobody can hang the "fortunate son" thing on them.

If nothing else, Palin's addition to the ticket really takes this election season to a whole new level. These are easily the most interesting candidates that we've had in decades. The first black presidential nominee. A war hero and former POW. An Alaskan woman. And, uh, an old white guy. (I'm having trouble finding anything interesting about Biden, sorry.)

History no matter what happens.

I think we can all agree (on both sides of the isle) that this election is the best thing to happen to US politics...possibly ever.

Depends on who wins. Wrong ones win, my fishing days are numbered.

They'll float to the top, jim.

[Michael]

They'll float to the top, jim.

I laughed so hard coworkers are looking at me.

[jim]

I just had a moment for tfg's comment to sink in, and at first I was on board with him. But in no time I did a 180. I think the divide is so great in this election, that I'm afraid it could just pull the country further apart.

[letsgocards89]

I'm not quite up to speed on Palin and her career/views yet, but after the little bit I've been able to read so far I LOVE THIS PICK!

[TimeForGuinness]

I just had a moment for tfg's comment to sink in, and at first I was on board with him. But in no time I did a 180. I think the divide is so great in this election, that I'm afraid it could just pull the country further apart.

I was more thinking of the demographic that was running in this election, not the issues themselves.

It used to be an old white man's election...seems like times are a changing, and that is a good thing.

[GatewaySnayke]

When you consider that up until now there have been zero black and only one female presidential or vice-presidential candidate in 200+ years of presidential elections compared with a few hundred white males, I think it's a bit unfair to criticize women or African Americans if they turn out in bigger numbers to support someone based on gender or skin color. I wouldn't vote for Allan Keyes or JC Watts, but I would have voted for Colin Powell and I've never voted for a Republican for anything.

As far as my own support for Obama, it has very little to do with his very obvious strong oratory skills. It is almost entirely based on his content, his positions, his ideas, and what I perceive to be his skills in the role as a head of state.

Not that it's limited to any party, but I'm finding it funny already how Republicans are championing Palin's executive experience of leading a state (for not even 2 years yet), when one of their biggest criticisms of Clinton back in 1992 in addition to his lack of experience (again) was the small size of Arkansas not being a good qualification as an executive.

At the end of the day, I don't think Palin or Biden are going to win many votes for either of their candidates. As the adage goes, you need to try to "do no harm" in picking a VP. I think Palin will probably be a wash on this, but I do think there is a danger that she will be perceived as being grossly underqualified (that was the knock on Ferraro). You could say that Obama is also underqualified, but at least he was elected with people's votes. In Palin's case she was chosen by McCain who has made experience the primary tenet of his campaign.

Well said.

[Jocephus]

Democrats: you are fools if you underestimate this ticket.

fools of a took

[TimeForGuinness]

Democrats: you are fools if you underestimate this ticket.

I don't think they are...it doesn't seem like Obama underestimates anyone.

[jim]

I just had a moment for tfg's comment to sink in, and at first I was on board with him. But in no time I did a 180. I think the divide is so great in this election, that I'm afraid it could just pull the country further apart.

I was more thinking of the demographic that was running in this election, not the issues themselves.

It used to be an old white man's election...seems like times are a changing, and that is a good thing.

Ok, gotcha. Yes that is a good thing.