Actually the correct answer is for Obama to kick out Biden and ask Palin to be his running mate. Wouldn't THAT be cool!

Young Blood, two people whose logic transcends party line nonsense, and no more OLLDDDD GUUYYYSS

Chip

Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 09/8/2008

I think that while the Obama campaign needs to be careful and very specific in their approach, they must attack her outright lies and show that side of her to the American people.

Posted by MajMike at 09/8/2008

You are both wrong. OBAMA SHOULD RE-OFFER THE VP SLOT TO HILLARY!! Got your attention? Now hear why and how... I have been with Obama from the beginning. I was not happy with Hillary. So not a Hillary supporter in primary. But this is about the Democrats winning. Keeping that ticket out of office. I understand why Obama picked biden and had no problem with pick. However McCain picking Palin has obviously changed the race. Gathering the big MO for McCain. Biden is 65. It's about winning. If Obama were to offer Biden a high level cabinet position to step down so that Hillary could be chosen as VP (Reason being that the dynamics of the race has changed and it's about WINNING). I say Biden does this. The explanation of choosing Hillary. Obama promise change from old politics. he can tell Democrats and women he has heard there message and not afraid to change his VP pick. his reasoning is that with McCain's age and 2 supreme court nominees possibly being open next 4 years. He cannot risk Palin helping overturn Roe-Wade. This is why he has chosen hillary to help unite women and the party to win in November. I say that explanation is as good as why McCain chose Palin. Obviously Hillary have to be convinced they could win for her to accept. The bottom line is where does it say a Presidential candidate cannot change his VP pick. If you got everyone on board it is plausible. The explanation why is flyable. Doing what I have wriiten above would totally change the narrative on the race giving Obama back the momentum. Now for the kicker. Making Hillary VP allows for what this country really wants to see: Hillary and Palin debating in the Vice Presidential debate. Is this not the ultimate debate between women at the opposite ends of the political discussion? ThIS IS DOABLE!!! C'MON OBAMA STEP UP AND TAKE THE RISK. If Obama lost after this play I would have noting but respect for him. BTW I am a blue collar 44 yr old white catholic man. But behind Obama!!!

Posted by tjirish34 at 09/9/2008

I think a combination of all the list have to be taken.

Palin's true experience must be displayed to the voters. The reality of it.

Yes, Clinton has to go after Palin. Palin is the anti-Clinton is every way but gender, (and that might be debatable. Ha)

McCain is weak! And his weaknesses must be exploited. Obama must be ultra-prepared to go after McCain during the debates. If necessary bait the guy to show off his temper.

Biden also must be super prepared but has to come off as very professional. He has to resist the temptation to slam this lady, everyone is watching to see if he does. She will bait him! He has to rise above her BS and go right at the facts. He has to keep his cool.

Every talking head who is outraged about McCain's careless choice has to take the gloves off. The Democratic Party, Obama, Biden have go right at them while maintaining stature.

Lay the facts on the table, provide concrete examples of Mccain's flip flop position and poor judgment and make it very, very clear where Palin is coming from. Every aspect of it!

Posted by Hoot at 09/9/2008

Hoot: question Gender? 5 kids...go for it! You will have a hard time getting over her 80% approval rating in Alaska. Keep banging on the family issues, each time you do, she gains votes.

Posted by pyeatte at 09/9/2008

Yes to pyeatte. That is my point. I tell you why can't Obama do what I wrote above. Hillary debating Palin for VP. Look I don't care how it looks... Don't tell me Biden can't be bought off. With Obama's health and his Biden's age it's doubtful Biden ever be President. So you offer him a high level cabinet position and assure him his forte (foreign policy)will have influence. this debate issue is a non-issue. Call me sexist if you want but women are irrational. I tell you if Biden has a perfect debate and shows that Palin is lacking. Women who are supporting her will "rationalize" why that happened. Same with Hillary losing in primary. Her hardcore supporters just won't accept she got beat. Even after she asked them to vote for Obama. Since I am a man and pro-choice although I look at abortion as something I would never want my female partner to have. I would find the ironic, cynical humor in that Mccain/Palin wins because of female vote. Then several years from now Row/Wade is overturned by a conservative court placed by Palin. Wouldn't that be hilarious? Yes, I am a dick but you see how DUMB (LOL) women are. Yes if your female and reading my post and voting for McCain because of Palin. My word to you is DUMB!!! LOL Now this sexist is off to the strip clubs to do some tucking. LOL

Posted by tjirish34 at 09/9/2008

While Palin's ultra conservative views on women’s rights, book banning, teaching creationism, etc. may excite us Progressive Liberals and the Democratic base, will our focus on these issues really help the undecided voters vote for Obama/Biden? I suspect not. Nor do I believe that replacing Biden would be seen as strengthening the ticket but rather as a sign of weakness.

I would submit that some of the major issues that the Nation is currently facing include: a) Massive deficit spending b) A national healthcare crisis c) Unemployment/Trade Policies/Increasing inequity d) Global warming e) Our failed energy policies f) Our failed foreign policy (are you feeling safer with the Bush/Cheney policies?) I imagine that Nation readers could come up with others.

I would suggest that Democrats should be looking at how Palin stacks up against these issues.

Let me offer two specific examples: Regarding, a) deficit spending, according to Anne Kilkenny, a Wasilla resident, Palin inherited a city with zero indebtedness, and when she left the position of mayor after six years the city was $22million in debt. Not exactly the kind of experience that we need to reign in our massive federal debt. (I wonder how many have actually stopped to contemplate how much of that $4.00+/gallon gasoline is due to the fact that the US dollar is in the toilet?) Regarding b) healthcare, while other states are making some attempts at "healthcare reform," and covering the uninsured/underinsured, Palin appointed a "Healthcare Planning Strategies Council" that reported back to her this January. She has taken no initiative on any of their recommendations...so er I guess that is a big nothing for healthcare.

Ok, I hope that you get my direction. Hey I am as outraged by the lies and deception from the McCain/Palin campaign (but not particularly surprised), and I find her religious fundamentalist zealotry and her willingness to impose it upon others absolutely repugnant, I do not believe that these are the issues that will convince the unconvinced to vote for Obama/Biden. I believe that if we focus upon these (the lies the fundamentalism, etc.) we have bought into the old Republican bait and switch. I really would rather see the Democrats addressing issues that are the concerns of a broad number of uncommitted voters.

Posted by MarkM at 09/9/2008

Hoot: question Gender? 5 kids...go for it! You will have a hard time getting over her 80% approval rating in Alaska. Keep banging on the family issues, each time you do, she gains votes.

Posted by pyeatte at 09/9/2008 I didn't say go after her gender. Gender means nothing to me as far as this subject goes. There is plenty, like her public record that can be targeted.

It is funny however that regardles of which road you take the republicans cry gender bias.

That she is not taking questions from reporters should be enough to make the voters question this whole situation.

I welcome women to be president or vp, it matters not to me. America matters.

Bottom line; Palin views both personal and public are far right. After 8 years of this, it should be obvious to American's that we can not afford this.

mccain's choice is a sham and an embarassment to America. It shows little respect and a win at all costs attitude that the last 8 years have proven are disasterous for our country.

I hold out hopes that American's are not going to be fooled by this and will bring level heads to the voting booth.

I have little doubt however that the extreme right wing would vote for mccain without thinking and support his running mate who is to the right of Attila the Hun.

Posted by Hoot at 09/10/2008

Attack both hard! Blanket the media with her extremism and hypocrisy and his cynicism. Then SCARE the wits out of the public with thoughts with what it will take to GOVERN a nation when such incompetents are entrusted with the kind of executive power they will NEED, especially considering that the world will know that they are in control not because of their qualifications or commitment, rather because of their Machiavellian willingness to suspend their principles in favor of extremism, hypocrisy and cynicism.

Posted by WeldonRobeson at 09/10/2008

I do not know how many times the GOP has to hit you on the head before you realise who is hitting you! We Democrats make up the better part of humanity and are the party that has been responsible for every progressive programme that we Americans enjoy today. But what we are not very good at lately is our inability to come together for the broader goad and getting into the mud to defeat the GOP. Into the mud because that is where the GOP is, like it or not. If the Democratic Party is to win this and other elections in November they better roll up their sleeves now and start hitting McCain -- not Palin who is only a distraction -- very, very hard. We are on the defensive now, just where the GOP wants us to be. They are, like Joe Biden said, talking about us, because they have nothing else to talk about except 8 years of failed policies, war, death, fiscal irresponsibility and pandering to the rich. We cannot hope that the almost 0ne-half of Americans who support policies that harm themselves and do not get it, we have to speak to the other half and to independents who do get it. What can we as individuals do? Get the loony left to understand that they get zero if McCain wins, and have a voice and chance to move America in the right direction if Obama does win. Speak to at least five friends and ask them to do the same. Help get elderly and young people to register and make sure they vote. Then start hitting McCain. Write letters to every publication you can think of, Send e-mails to John McCains web site telling to knock off the crap. Act, don’t just sit there.

Posted by Kanamachi at 09/10/2008

Holy shit!

HTML tags are back!

Posted by b_kool_66 at 09/10/2008

Uh.......

maybe not.

Posted by b_kool_66 at 09/10/2008

Test, test, test

Posted by b_kool_66 at 09/10/2008

Okay, now if we can get the links working and available at all comment boxes, we'll be golden!

Posted by b_kool_66 at 09/10/2008

Until then, here's some light comic relief to help pass the painful days ahead:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=v59mXowK2t8

(Sarah Palin: Exposed!!!)

Posted by b_kool_66 at 09/10/2008

The question is, "Who has been swayed to vote for McCain by his selection of Palin, and how do we reach those voters?" Republican women who were not enamored with McCain and were thinking of voting for Obama, are now in the McCain camp. Dissing their new darling will not win their votes. Obama might win them back by continuing to share his message with passion and and clarifying his policies for change. Let's face it, the folks who picked Palin are SCARY SMART.

Posted by joy-full at 09/11/2008

they need a woman to attack a woman...remember how crazy it got when barack attacked hillary's policies? now we're dealing with hypocritical crazy people (republicans) . the claim for sexism can't be made if the attack is coming from a woman. then, of course, hillary needs to reiterate how barack's policies are so similar to her own that a vote for him is a vote for her policies.

Posted by saphire916 at 09/11/2008

This election is about the future of our country and we can not afford more of the same by McCain. This election is about the 10 million plus unemployed americans, the millions with no health coverage, the 10 billion plus being wasted in Iraq, the many people loosing their homes due to foreclousure, the high price of gasoline, the high prices of groceries, the high price of college education while the bush/mccain waste billions in Iraq-a war created by lying to the american people. The only people helped by Bush/McCain were the rich wall street people-Bear Stern, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac. So dont be fool by mccain's mantra of change. This is the same McCain that got plenty of money and trips from convicted rakateer Charles Keating and not too long ago was spotted with another convicted criminal Rafaello Folieri in Monte Negro. McCain is more like the chameleon- not to be trusted.

Posted by lagrsh at 09/11/2008

Replacing Biden with Hillary would be a terrible idea - it would signal the Democrats' defeat, that the Republicans have Obama on the run. It would look pathetic. And it would be wrong. Ain't gonna happen. But I agree with George Lakoff's article now posted on Alternet - that the Obama campaign has to come up with their own way to frame the debate and not just defend themselves against McCain's attack. That the race is, in part, about superficialities like charisma, making connections, telling a story, promoting a symbol (just read the article) which is what the Republicans do race after race and keep winning with despite having no policies anyone in their right mind would agree with were they paying attention. The Obama campaign should directly challenge all McCain lies and distortions. I think the Dems keep losing cuz they try to take the high road and that doesn't work.

Posted by bluebirdella at 09/11/2008

Don't ignore this gal, but she is a joke. A character right out of Blazing Saddles. Paint her as what she is George Bush on steroids,and in a skirt.

Posted by lachatte at 09/12/2008

I'm from Alaska and Governor Sarah is doing herself in with her stories that are blatant lies or distortion/exageration of the truth. Either way, she is becoming an embarassment to those of us who are straight shooters..All puns intended! Aside from her eventual fall from grace, I think that Obama chose incorrectly for his veep. Hiliary? Ummm, no. Hiliary has too much to offer than be someone's second. She will hopefully run again, and this time, win.

Posted by MarcelMarso at 09/13/2008

Keep giving them more rope with which to drill, drill, drill. McBush&Palin equals Big Oils Failin message.

Posted by David James at 09/13/2008

Link test:

(tinyurl.com/5qbx7g)

Posted by b_kool_66 at 09/13/2008

No dice.

C'mon Nation, I know you can do it.

Posted by b_kool_66 at 09/13/2008