Honest question for the Palinistas

[Ma'ake]

Originally Posted by FMCoug

Elitism is at the very core of the liberal belief system. They can't let go of it. Their whole concept is that "we the people" are too stupid to take care of ourselves so we must get smart people like Obama to do it for us.

And that is why Palin scares them so much. Just about ever middle class family in American can relate to the Palins. She is "everymom".

Do you believe Mitt Romney is more qualified to lift the economy than you are? If so, you're a self-defeating elitist.

The Palins are in every way an ordinary American family, compelling, and Sarah's accomplishments - the hockey mom to VP candidate - are inspiring & impressive.

Do you believe - based on a "gut feel" assessment (that everyone does, all the time) - that she has the capacity to be President? How does her educational track record suggest she possesses the needed intellectual capacity for the job? (Or would that kind of background now make one suitable for being CEO of a large corporation? Or medical school? Or an astronaut?)

[Ma'ake]

Originally Posted by FMCoug

Elitism is at the very core of the liberal belief system. They can't let go of it. Their whole concept is that "we the people" are too stupid to take care of ourselves so we must get smart people like Obama to do it for us.

Evidently were many of those who supported the founding fathers. How un American.

And that is why Palin scares them so much. Just about ever middle class family in American can relate to the Palins. She is "everymom".

Which qualifies one to deal with Putin or Ahmadinijad. I always wondered why we don't send truck drivers to negotiate things like arms treaties.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by Ma'ake

The Palins are in every way an ordinary American family, compelling, and Sarah's accomplishments - the hockey mom to VP candidate - are inspiring & impressive.

The Palin story is mythology, in the same way that McCain's cross-in-the-sand-man-of-his-word POW history is mythology, and Obama's whitemom-and-blackdad-inspired-by-MLK-worked-his-way-up-from-poverty is mythology. Their histories are reinvented, and when it comes down to it, all three of them are just regular politicians.

[Ma'ake]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

Their histories are reinvented, and when it comes down to it, all three of them are just regular politicians.

You nailed it. Biden has a compelling story, too.

[LA Ute]

Originally Posted by Ma'ake

What about Palin? Beyond the rhetoric, debate & entertainment we enjoy here, do McCain supporters believe she truly measures up & is ready to be President? Brilliant campaign move, for sure... Presidential caliber?

If McCain ends up winning, I'd honestly pay $1000.00 to have Romney somehow step into the Veep job, though I dislike Mitt.

I don't know. I am not an ardent McCain guy, and I was dismayed that he chose her (I am very deep in the tank for Romney, but would have been OK with several others as veep). But I suspect (hope?) Palin will be fine.

I have an honest question for you: What about Biden? I truly think he is one of the lesser lights of the Senate, and I have lots of company in that view, among both Democrats and Republicans. Frankly many of us thought Obama choosing Biden was too much to hope for, and we could not believe our good fortune when that happened. And that is not just political smack. Don't Biden's frequent dopey statements on the campaign trail give you some pause?

[Ma'ake]

Originally Posted by LA Ute

I have an honest question for you: What about Biden? I truly think he is one of the lesser lights of the Senate, and I have lots of company in that view, among both Democrats and Republicans. Frankly many of us thought Obama choosing Biden was too much to hope for, and we could not believe our good fortune when that happened. And that is not just political smack. Don't Biden's frequent dopey statements on the campaign trail give you some pause?

Foreign policy experience, no ghosts, compelling personal story, fairly safe pick. Better candidates out there for sure. I think Obama might have gone too "safe". High charisma with excellent engineering can overcome some ghosts and weak spots. Still 6 weeks left, we'll see.

Schmidt's electioneering has been brilliant.

[LA Ute]

Maybe I am just getting old but these guys look more human than ever to me.

[Venkman]

Originally Posted by Ma'ake

Can everyone agree that Obama is a pretty sharp guy, has been battle-tested in the primaries & now the general election?

As an Obama supporter, I have no problem admitting McCain has the mettle & mental horsepower to be President. I think Obama could grow into the job very quickly, the guy is sharp. Certainly he'd come up to speed faster than Bush did, I think he'd be comparable to Bill C in terms of raw capacity, seems to have more integrity.

Hillary Clinton, though I dislike her, has the capacity for the office. Is there doubt on this point? (If it was McCain v. H Clinton, I'd vote for McCain.)

What about Palin? Beyond the rhetoric, debate & entertainment we enjoy here, do McCain supporters believe she truly measures up & is ready to be President? Brilliant campaign move, for sure... Presidential caliber?

If McCain ends up winning, I'd honestly pay $1000.00 to have Romney somehow step into the Veep job, though I dislike Mitt.

1. Obama is a sharp guy.
2. Obama is weak. He'd be eaten alive by someone like Putin.
3. I'm not sure whether or not Palin is ready to be President, but fortunately, she's not running for President. I think she could get there though; she seems to be a strong woman.
4. I'm pretty sure Obama isn't ready to be president. I don't think he ever will be. (see point 2)

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Ma'ake

Can everyone agree that Obama is a pretty sharp guy, has been battle-tested in the primaries & now the general election?

As an Obama supporter, I have no problem admitting McCain has the mettle & mental horsepower to be President. I think Obama could grow into the job very quickly, the guy is sharp. Certainly he'd come up to speed faster than Bush did, I think he'd be comparable to Bill C in terms of raw capacity, seems to have more integrity.

Hillary Clinton, though I dislike her, has the capacity for the office. Is there doubt on this point? (If it was McCain v. H Clinton, I'd vote for McCain.)

What about Palin? Beyond the rhetoric, debate & entertainment we enjoy here, do McCain supporters believe she truly measures up & is ready to be President? Brilliant campaign move, for sure... Presidential caliber?

If McCain ends up winning, I'd honestly pay $1000.00 to have Romney somehow step into the Veep job, though I dislike Mitt.

I think you're reading too many press clippings.

None of these men or women would have been given the time of day in the old days.

Qualified by virtue of campaigning in air conditioned buses and planes?

I want some celebrity death matches and I bet Palin kicks Biden's wimpy white ass.

Ever see Obama on a bike? He's a wimp too.

None of these are qualified, none.

Obama has the approbation of the media and of the LEFT because he has Harvard on his name. but so did Mitt and more impressively so if you compare credentials.

I'd be impressed with a governor of California or New York who served eight years, or the head of the CIA and VP, but these politicians are lightweights.

Obama will get eaten alive by despots. Neville Chamberlain is the politician Obama most reminds me of.

He may be bright, but he's not a leader, just a bright lawyer.

McCain is a guy not good enough to make Admiral. Why should that impress me?

Biden is a sleazy lightweight in the Senate, and Palin is interesting but untested.

[ERCougar]

Originally Posted by Ma'ake

Sexism? Did you read my post? (Ah, yes, it's now the GOP that is the authentic party of feminism. Impressive electioneering for us to get to this point, by the way)

What is more elitist than the sophisticated - and brilliant - manipulation of the media to spin heavily distorted negative political claims into poll results? What is more elistist than avoiding statesman-like discussion of the issues in favor of carefully crafted political and PR maneuvering?

Yours truly,

Ma'ake - sexist/elitist

1) I wouldn't consider myself Republican. On certain issues, yes, on others, no. So my opinions are not representative of the GOP.
2) I'm not accusing you of anything. You're asking valid questions, and to my knowledge, haven't jumped to the conclusions that I've seen others make.

With those two points in mind...

I think that there is an element of sexism in all of this. GWB didn't face nearly the same level of scrutiny or assumed incompetence that Palin, despite having a similar lack of experience.

I don't think elitism has anything to do with manipulation of the media or PR maneuvering. Call that smart politics, salesmanship, whatever, but in my mind, it's not elitism. Elitist describes the person with the "right" education, job experience, and resume who assumes that anyone outside of this mold is automatically inferior and less capable. They'll never admit to these feelings of superiority, but occasionally their well-meaning comments on the tendencies of those of the inferior classes ("clinging to guns and religion", for example) betray them. They're often frustrated that those they are trying to help are so easily manipulated into voting against what is so obviously in their own best interest.

Sound familiar?

Sarah Palin doesn't fit what many on the left consider the "right" mold for a VP candidate. I don't have any problem with raising questions about her capability, but I see far too many automatically assuming that she's either stupid or completely incapable because she didn't go to an elite law school. Elitism at its finest.