Disclosures on Palin Raise Questions on Vetting Process - NYTimes.com (h/t Americablog)
There are so many things wrong with this, where to begin?
Well, let's begin with how this story is a perfect example of how Republicans say one thing and reality dictates something else, entirely.
They say: McCain's campaign thoroughly checked Palin out
Reality: "A Republican with ties to the campaign said the team assigned to vet Ms. Palin in Alaska had not arrived there until Thursday, a day before Mr. McCain stunned the political world with his vice-presidential choice. The campaign was still calling Republican operatives as late as Sunday night asking them to go to Alaska to deal with the unexpected candidacy of Ms. Palin."
They say: McCain's campaign knew Palin inside and out
Reality: "top aides were vague on Monday about how and when he had learned of [Bristol Palin's] pregnancy, and from whom."
They say: McCain's campaign went through the vetting process painstakingly
Reality: "[McCain] had his first face-to-face interview with her on Thursday and offered her the job moments later. Advisers to Mr. Pawlenty and another of the finalists on Mr. McCain’s list described an intensive vetting process for those candidates that lasted one to two months."
They say: McCain's campaign had the FBI check her out
Reality: "an F.B.I. official said Monday the bureau did not vet potential candidates and had not known of her selection until it was made public."
They say: McCain's campaign did a good job gathering all background information
Reality: "officials in Alaska said Monday they thought it was peculiar that no one in the state had the slightest hint that Ms. Palin might be under consideration" - including the state's GOP chair, state legislative leaders, business leaders, community leaders - leaders of any kind.
They say: McCain's campaign wanted the selection to be a surprise.
Reality: They didn't do their homework.
But the biggest gap in what McCain's camp says and what the reality is becomes clearer once we discover who the main driver was behind the Palin pick.
They say: McCain is a maverick, a reformer beholden to no one.
Reality: "As word leaked out that Mr. McCain was seriously considering [Joe Lieberman and Tom Ridge], the campaign was bombarded by outrage from influential conservatives who predicted an explosive floor fight at the convention and vowed rejection of Mr. Ridge or Mr. Lieberman by the delegates."
And who were these influential conservatives? The Christian Right.
Wow, McCain. Way to stand tall.
14 comments:
A few years ago I had the opportunity to stay home with my young one. I must confess I got addicted to Soap Operas. They were junk! Pure Junk! But nevertheless I would race home at specific times to catch them, I usually get anxious around noon--stupid eh.
The Repub have me experiencing the same anxiety now. What soap opera has this become? A beauty queen a heartbeat away from the presidency. During a time of economic and foreign relations crisis. Then next the rumor of covered pregnancy, then teenage daughter indeed pregant. What's next gay son who wants a sex change, and husband affair? Jeezus, I now addicted to TV and blogs for a new Palin expose.
Just like the soaps, you can't imagine what's next and then it blows your mind with a storyline you couldn't have imagined.
Well, see, the thing with soaps is that they're a good distraction, huh?
And that's what all this stuff about Palin is - a distraction.
If we start focusing on her personal life, we lose the chance to hit McCain in his tender bits - his self-narrative as Maverick in Chief and Man Most Qualified for the Job.
If he's so qualified, how come he let other people tell him who to pick for his number two?
If he's so qualified, how come he didn't get what he wanted?
If he's so qualified, why did his campaign make such a big mistake that the whole world is looking at now?
What other big mistakes is this guy going to make?
(See how I did that?)
Shoot! That's the same thing my husband said too.
But then I go into what ifs. You see what if he's really like screw the repubs for screwing with him that he decided to hand over the election to the democrats case in point the VP selection--- it's the only sane reason I could come up with
See? That's the kind of plain-spoken common sense that can appeal to a guy like your husband.
And that's the kind of common-sense approach the Dems should take if only they'd get out of their frakking way and focus!
Our side so often gets caught up in being ideologically right, we forget how to win. Right now, we have the perfect time to win. We should be applying media pressure on his campaign to force his hand - either dump Palin before the convention ends or he'll keep her on the ticket and we can play this judgment card all the way into November. Cuz you can bet he'll make other mistakes, too.
No nonsense- watching too many soaps has really has affected your thinking!!! Too much TV will do that to you. In her defense and any woman who will be given the chance of running for vp, how dare you point out her past of being a beauty queen, so what! She is pretty anddddd. How dare you talk about her daughter, so what! Welcome to america where stuff life this happens everyday. Thank God she has the support of her family. Many young women in this country do not. If you believe in your candidate then stick with the issues that are important and her stand on them? Is this Palin's faults or the american people fault; our appetities for the looking at other peoples faults and problems. So we can get some satisfaction out it. I hope you have return back to work.
Barrack has issues, too. If you going to follow your leader then take his example. Pay attention to how he leads. Did you hear his comment about Palins personal life? Follow it! Now, if you want to discuss her qualifications for vp versus Barracks qualifications for president, then that is a different story. And leave the soaps alone. They ARE affecting your thinking, big time.
A True Obama Supporter
Ding, you so right about our side we forget how to win and that is what ticking me off about this whole Palin annoucement. Let's focus people.
anonymous1 - slow your roll, a little bit. i think it's ok to say that this is a GOP campaign that is totally different from others - and the inclusion of a VP candidate that strays so far from their tight image and habits is worthy of surprise.
no one here is attacking palin because of her family life.
i think the dems need to make more of an effort to align her with the evangelical crazies, that's all. that has nothing to do with her family life.
anonymous2 - i watched a little of the convention last night and all that anyone could talk about was palin, palin, palin. pat buchanan was practically squealing in glee.
i'm begging democratic strategists to get their act together and move on this!!
Uhm... this is what she said,
The Repub have me experiencing the same anxiety now. What soap opera has this become? A beauty queen a heartbeat away from the presidency. During a time of economic and foreign relations crisis. Then next the rumor of covered pregnancy, then teenage daughter indeed pregant. What's next gay son who wants a sex change, and husband affair? Jeezus, I now addicted to TV and blogs for a new Palin expose.
No-nonsense is judging. Yep, she is.
BTW.. Barrack has threaten to fire anyone from his staff who picks on Palin. You got to love this man.
Anon 1 and 2- I really need to get a blog name.
Anon 1 & 2 if you go blogging with such saucy retorts you should call yourself something.
I stand behind everyword I wrote. And you think I'm judgemental read what you wrote.Let's not get started here because Ding will kick us off in a snap!
I find it hypocritical that the Repub have such a high and mighty stance on everything yet their house reeks! I am LMAO at how Sarah Palin's story unfolds like a cheesy daytime soap opera---and then have the nerve to talk about family values. I do believe her daughter is off limits and should have been off limits but nooo Palin bought it right into the spotlight hence the frenzy. If McCain camp vetting process is flawed, then it's fair game for all to do his vetting.
Now today we are finding out that she has another court case pending by a mother with an autistic child. Like I said yesterday what's next with her?
And incidentally I can sound however I want even if Barack say we shouldn't. Why,cuz he ain't my Daddy. Besides don't think for minute that Barack and his people aren't glad that this hits the fan while they can take the high ground and admonish
PS: Anon since beauty queen offends you, does small town Sportscaster, wannnabe on ESPN, Mayor of a small town and 20 month Gov sits better with you
(blowing whistle!)
ok, ok. let's be careful about anything that edges too closely to sexist stereotype. (some of my best friends have been beauty queens!)
To be accurate, N2 (that's your nickname now, No Nonsense), it's a tad unfair to say that Palin dragged her daughter into the spotlight. There was no way to avoid it, you know? So I'm not going to throw the onus of this story all on her (again, we need to focus) - it's McCain's failure.
Who wouldn't be dazzled and flattered to be asked to be VP? I would. And, caught up in the moment, I'd probably even say yes.
Then I'd remember this blog (and others) exists and my journals are awfully detailed and all the men in my life are still alive and...then I'd be stuck when the fit hit the shan.
So let's give Palin the benefit of the doubt and direct our contempt and disbelief at McCain, a man who should have known better.
(blows whistle)
Carry on!
Anonymi - yes, I'm impressed with Obama's principled response to the whole Palin story. He continues to take the high ground.
Too bad the GOP isn't up there with him. No, instead they'd rather be in the mud with the crazy radical Christian Right.
See, No-sense is hating on Palin. Did you see Palin's speech today? Uh oh!!! What will the haters do now? Hopefully we can move on now that we know she is not a dumb hockey mom ex beauty queen. She's got spunk! We must know, John McCain is not a fool! May the best man win!!! Vote smartly.
I know I need a name.
I'm glad she gave a good speech. The stuff she said about the private jet and personal chef? Nice touches. Selling the jet on eBay? Very nice. She acquitted herself well.
Palin proved she could hold her own last night. So, if she wants to be on equal footing and hold her experience up as a value-add then I say Ok. Let's bring it.
Clearly, she can handle it, right?
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