Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Palin’s ascension shows GOP’s lack of interest in governing

Palin’s ascension shows GOP’s lack of interest in governing
Jay Bookman - Thursday, October 09, 2008

The Republican Party has held the White House for the last eight years and has controlled both chambers of Congress for 12 of the last 14 years. But if trends continue as they have, that run is about to come to an end.

With less than four weeks to Election Day, polls today suggest that Democrat Barack Obama will sit in the White House come January, enjoying enhanced majorities in both the House and Senate. And if that’s how things play out, John McCain is doomed to be cast as the scapegoat by his fellow Republicans, in part because they never really liked him much in the first place.

Sarah Palin, by contrast, will reign as the party’s crown princess.

You can already see the mythology beginning to take shape. Palin is being positioned by conservative media outlets as the stalwart defender of the faith, the true believer who is fighting the infidel with all her power but lacks a committed partner in McCain.

Palin’s the one making the arguments that conservatives most want to hear, such as accusing Obama of “palling around with terrorists.” When the McCain campaign decided to pull out of Michigan, it was Palin who repeatedly and publicly disagreed, insisting that the cause was not yet lost and that she could turn things around.

Palin’s star will shine even brighter in defeat than in victory, and that would not bode well for her party.

The GOP’s political problems have many causes, but distilled to its essence, it can be stated in one sentence: The Republican Party hasn’t taken seriously the responsibilities of governing.

In fact, if the Republicans could govern as expertly and as diligently as they campaign — if they simply cared as much about governing as campaigning — the country might today be reaping the benefits of great prosperity and global respect, and the Democrats would have gone the way of the Whigs.

But look around: That’s not exactly how things are.

The foundations of Republican success on the campaign trail have been appeals to tribal politics — “they” aren’t like “us” — and the easy answers of ideology. But once in power, tribal politics, fixed ideology and a disdain for the hard work of governance have proved disastrous.

Unfortunately, Palin epitomizes that mindset. Tribal politics, easy ideology and disdain for governance define her as a candidate...

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Palin’s ascension shows GOP’s lack of interest in governing

Cindy McCain Warms Up the Crowd at McCain-Palin Anti-Obama Rally

Cindy McCain Warms Up the Crowd at McCain-Palin Anti-Obama Rally
By Perry Bacon Jr. - Washington Post

BETHLEHEM, Penn. -- The gloves were off, and that was well before Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin even walked on stage.

"The day that Senator Obama decided to cast a vote to not fund my son when he was serving sent a cold chill through my body," Cindy McCain told a crowd of several thousand here, speaking in advance of Palin and her husband."I would suggest Senator Obama change shoes with me for just one day and see what it means to have a loved one serving in the armed services."

At the first joint rally held by Palin and Sen. John McCain in several days, it was Cindy McCain and others who introduced them who delivered the sharpest attacks. The remarks of the Arizona senator's wife lasted less than five minutes, and she used them to focus on her two sons -- as well as Palin's one -- serving in the military, saying Obama should take time to "watch our young men and women deploy."

It was the most pointed attack of the campaign cycle by Mrs. McCain.

Obama voted against a war-funding bill in 2007 that didn't include a timeline for troops. McCain has advocated members of Congress voting against similar bills that do include timelines, which he opposes.

But while Cindy McCain's remarks were pointed, even before Palin and McCain arrived, a series of other speakers at the packed event at the basketball arena at Lehigh University had rallied the crowd by harshly attacking the senator from Illinois.

The chairman of the Lehigh County Republican Party, William Platt, implored the crowd to work hard to elect McCain or wake up November 5 to see "Barack Obama, Barack Hussein Obama," as the president.

He invoked the Democratic candidate's middle name again a few minutes later. (A McCain spokesman, Paul Lindsay, later e-mailed reporters to say the campaign does not "condone the inappropriate rhetoric" that took place in the rally pre-program.)

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Cindy McCain Warms Up the Crowd at McCain-Palin Anti-Obama Rally

Palin galvanizes Democratic Party base

Palin galvanizes Democratic Party base
Wed Oct 8, 2008
By Ed Stoddard - Analysis

DALLAS (Reuters) - Republican evangelicals are not the only political base vice presidential pick Sarah Palin is energizing.

Democratic foot soldiers have sprung into action in response to John McCain's running-mate's personal attacks on their candidate, Barack Obama, her opposition to abortion rights and her endorsement from religious conservatives.

"When Palin's radical and extremist views are combined with her inexperience and questionable record, it makes for an energizing brew more potent than Red Bull," said Colorado Democratic leader Pat Waak, referring to the caffeinated energy drink.

Palin's impact on the left was seen almost immediately after her rousing speech last month at the Republican National Convention, when Obama's campaign reported the next day that over $8 million had poured into it from over 130,000 donors.

More recently, Palin drew the ire of Democrats when she accused Obama of "palling around" with terrorists because he served on a community board in Chicago with former 1960s radical William Ayers.

"Her attacks will make liberals see red," added political scientist Cal Jillson of Southern Methodist University.

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Palin galvanizes Democratic Party base

McCain, Palin Intensify Swipes Against Obama

McCain, Palin Intensify Swipes Against Obama
By ELIZABETH HOLMES - WSJ Blog

ESTERO, Fla. -- John McCain and Sarah Palin, facing declining poll results four weeks before the election, intensified their attacks against Democratic rival Barack Obama by raising questions about his character and his ties to controversial figures.

"Who is the real Barack Obama?" Sen. McCain asked at a rally in Albuquerque, N.M., on Monday. "But, my friends, you ask such questions and all you get in response is another barrage of angry insults."

All eyes turn to Nashville for the second of three presidential debates. There are high hopes that John McCain and Barack Obama can put aside mudslinging long enough to outline their plans to fix the rocky economy. Courtesy Fox News. (Oct. 7)

The Arizona Republican attacked Sen. Obama's economic plans, while Gov. Palin criticized Sen. Obama's connections to William Ayers, co-founder of the Weather Underground, a radical group that bombed government buildings in the 1970s. The campaign released a television advertisement proclaiming Sen. Obama "dishonorable" on Afghanistan and describing him as one of the "dangerous" liberals in Congress.

Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor called Sen. McCain "the one truly angry candidate" and called his remarks "another frustrated tirade."

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McCain, Palin Intensify Swipes Against Obama

Palin camp limits media from her own supporters

Palin camp limits media from her own supporters
Posted by: Jason Szep Reuters Blog
October 7th, 2008

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Political rallies are usually ideal for reporters to chat with party activists, but the campaign of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin took an unusual step by appearing to limit access to her supporters.

clearwater-rally.jpgAt Monday’s rally in the battleground state of Florida, reporters were barred from wandering around the area where the Alaska governor’s supporters had gathered.

About 20 seconds into an interview I attempted with Brent McDonald, 52, I was stopped by a Palin campaign worker in mid-sentence. “The press is not allowed out here,” she said.

I asked why. “I”m just telling you what they are telling me,” she replied.

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Palin camp limits media from her own supporters

Sarah Palin should be censured

Sarah Palin should be censured
Mary Mitchell - Sun Times
on October 7, 2008

Sarah Palin should apologize to the Obama campaign and the American people for her role in bringing out the worst in her supporters.

During a campaign rally yesterday in Clearwater, Florida supporters turned on the media after Palin again blamed mainstream media for her shortcomings.

According to a published report in the Washington Post, Palin reporters turned on the press after she blamed the media for her inarticulate interviews. Some supporters used racial slurs, and at one point someone in the audience yelled: "Kill him."

Palin's pit-bull mentality has not only set a negative tone, but a dangerous one. She should be censured.

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Sarah Palin should be censured

New York Times Editorial: Politics of Attack

Politics of Attack
New York Times Editorial
Published: October 7, 2008

It is a sorry fact of American political life that campaigns get ugly, often in their final weeks. But Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin have been running one of the most appalling campaigns we can remember.

They have gone far beyond the usual fare of quotes taken out of context and distortions of an opponent’s record — into the dark territory of race-baiting and xenophobia. Senator Barack Obama has taken some cheap shots at Mr. McCain, but there is no comparison.

Despite the occasional slip (referring to Mr. Obama’s “cronies” and calling him “that one”), Mr. McCain tried to take a higher road in Tuesday night’s presidential debate. It was hard to keep track of the number of times he referred to his audience as “my friends.” But apart from promising to buy up troubled mortgages as president, he offered no real answers for how he plans to solve the country’s deep economic crisis. He is unable or unwilling to admit that the Republican assault on regulation was to blame.

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Politics of Attack

Palin’s Popularity Among Alaskans Continues to Fall

Palin’s Popularity Among Alaskans Continues to Fall
October 7, 2008 - Blogs WSJ.com
Jim Carlton reports on the presidential race.

Sarah Palin remains a big draw on the campaign trail, but the Alaska governor’s popularity back home continues to drop since she joined the Republican ticket as John McCain’s running mate.

Palin’s positive rating dropped to 65% as of Monday from 68% on Sept. 22, according to a survey of likely Alaska voters by Anchorage pollster Ivan Moore. On Sept. 2, her positive rating was a stratospheric 82%, according to Moore’s poll then. The governor’s negative rating in Alaska, meanwhile, has shot up to 30% — the highest since she took office in 2005, according to Moore. On Sept. 2, it was just 13%.

Moore said a big reason Palin’s popularity has taken a hit is that she has taken on partisan attacks against Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his running mate, Joe Biden. Many Democratic Alaskans who once supported her have been turned off by the attacks, he said.

Other factors that could be at play: The governor’s role in Troopergate, the scandal involving her alleged attempts to get a former brother-in-law fired from his job as a state trooper. Many Alaskans have also groused about the presence of many McCain operatives in Alaska since she was named to the ticket.

It’s not all bad news for Palin: The Moore poll still shows the McCain-Palin ticket trouncing Obama-Biden, by 55% to 38%. Before she was named to the ticket, Alaska was in contention. “Alaska is still a strong McCain,” Moore said.

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Palin’s Popularity Among Alaskans Continues to Fall

Alaska to review per diem payments to Palin

Alaska to review per diem payments to Palin
By BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE
September 7, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska's top finance officer will review payments made to Gov. Sarah Palin for nights she charged the state for staying in her own home.

Finance Director Kim Garnero said she must determine whether the payments made to Palin in the future should be considered income.

Garnero said, "That's something we need to confer with the governor's office on."

Palin has received more than $17,000 in per diem payments since taking office in December 2006 for 312 nights she stayed in her Wasilla home about an hour's drive from Anchorage. The state provides a home for the governor in Juneau.

Garnero said her review would look at future payments, not those already made.

Palin is the Republican vice presidential nominee.

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Alaska to review per diem payments to Palin

"A Steady Hand at the Tiller"

"A Steady Hand at the Tiller"

Both candidates used the cryptic final question in the second debate tonight to essentially make closing statements. McCain got the last statement of the debate and closed in the worst way possible. His last line was about America needing "a steady hand at the tiller" in these tough times.

There are 5 key problems with this closing:

1) By closing with a blatant attack, knowing that he got the final word, McCain came across as the angry, bitter man that he is.

2) What's a tiller? OK, I know what a tiller is, but the phrase is antiquated in the computer age. Using that phrase made McCain seem old and out of touch.

3) Speaking of old, when I hear the phrase "steady hand", the image that pops into my mind is NOT of a septuagenarian.

4) A "steady hand" has never been McCain's trademark anyway. He is known to be something of a hothead, so selling himself as the "steady hand" is a hard sell.

5) After watching Obama give a steady, calm, and presidential performance for the previous 90 minutes, the line of attack was not going to work anyway.

"That one" may be the phrase that gets the most attention in the next few days, especially if McCain is forced to deny that it was in any way racist. It was the low point in the debate to be sure. The "steady hand" line wasn't as bad as referring to Obama as "that one" but it more clearly illustrates for me just how out of touch McCain really is. For me, "steady hand" trumps "that one" simply because his angry reference to Obama clearly illustrated that McCain does not have a "steady hand".

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"A Steady Hand at the Tiller"

Sarah Palin: Palling Around With Secessionists

Palin Continues Hammering Obama on Policy and Character

Palin Continues Hammering Obama on Policy and Character
October 7, 2008, 12:34 pm

Elizabeth Holmes reports from Jacksonville, Fla., on the presidential race.

Sarah Palin continued her routine of attacks-with-a-smile Tuesday, hitting Barack Obama repeatedly at the first of her three rallies.

Unlike recent days, the Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate mixed her shots at character with hits on policy. She drew ample contrasts between him and her running mate, John McCain.

“I think that the phoniest claim yet in a campaign that’s been full of ‘em has been Barack Obama’s going to cut your taxes,” she said.

To a rowdy crowd of thousands at Jacksonville’s The Landing, Palin boasted that McCain was the best equipped to handle the current economic crisis. She promised to cut taxes, balance the federal budget and eliminate wasteful spending. And Palin also outlined her own accomplishments as a small town mayor and then as governor of Alaska.

“I eliminated personal property taxes and eliminated small business inventory taxes and annoying little things like business license renewal fees,” she said.

There was also plenty on the McCain-Palin energy policies, providing multiple opportunities for the crowd to chant “Drill Baby Drill!”—the most common refrain of late.

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Palin Continues Hammering Obama on Policy and Character

DAVID BROOKS SEES SARAH PALIN AS A 'CANCER'

DAVID BROOKS SEES SARAH PALIN AS A 'CANCER'

The New York Times' David Brooks appeared at an event this afternoon, alongside The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg, and had a few provocative things to say about the presidential race. Specifically, the columnist described Sarah Palin as a "fatal cancer to the Republican Party," and compared Palin's anti-intellectualism to the president's.

"[Palin] represents a fatal cancer to the republican party. When I first started in journalism, I worked at the National Review for Bill Buckley. And Buckley famously said he'd rather be ruled by the first 2,000 names in the Boston phone book than by the Harvard faculty. But he didn't think those were the only two options. He thought it was important to have people on the conservative side who celebrated ideas, who celebrated learning. And his whole life was based on that, and that was also true for a lot of the other conservatives in the Reagan era. Reagan had an immense faith in the power of ideas. But there has been a counter, more populist tradition, which is not only to scorn liberal ideas but to scorn ideas entirely. And I'm afraid that Sarah Palin has those prejudices. I think President Bush has those prejudices."

Brooks added that Palin is "absolutely not" ready for national office.

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DAVID BROOKS SEES SARAH PALIN AS A 'CANCER'