- Posted by Christopher Estep on September 2, 2008
Many conservatives have cheered the selection of Sarah Palin of Alaska for VP by John McCain, myself among them. Because Gov. Palin is a genuine reformer as well as a genuine conservative (unlike McCain) the hope is that she will bring Sen. McCain a little more to the right.
There is one way to tell if Palin genuinely has any influence with McCain and we should know the answer soon.
ANWR is going to be the real test. Palin has direct and personal knowledge and can speak to McCain authoritatively on why drilling should be allowed in ANWR. The only people who oppose this are environmentalists who don't want drilling anywhere to begin with.
So the real question of Sarah Palin's influence will be answered shortly. If McCain continues to oppose ANWR drilling then it will become clear that Palin is little more than an ornament and in no way an advisor.
ANWR is the biggest difference between Palin and McCain and Palin knows far more about it than McCain. So we soon shall find out whether McCain listens to advisors or environmentalists.
- Posted by Christopher Estep on August 29, 2008
Some very interesting comments indeed, most notably that she feels that many former hillary supporters have been looking for a woman they can support and are angry at the way Hillary was treated by Obama, the Media, and the DNC:
- Posted by Christopher Estep on August 29, 2008
After Rush played a clip from Palin's speech today, Limbaugh summed it up pretty well:
Sarah Palin. Babies. Guns. Jesus. Hot damn!
- Posted by Christopher Estep on August 29, 2008
All of the networks are reporting that Pawlenty & Romney aren't McCain's VP pick. Governor Palin has landed in Dayton so all speculation is on her.
update: ABC is reporting that she's still in Alaska.
I'll give the McCain camp credit, the hype is good and it's not stretching over a week.
update 2: Palin is still traiding at 80 on InTrade. it's a crap shoot at this point.
update 3: CNN & Fox News are confirming that Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska is McCain's running mate! I suggested this months ago and this is WONDERFUL news!
- Posted by Christopher Estep on August 28, 2008
As far as Romney being qualified and capable to be President of the United States (POTUS), I think he's the most qualified and capable of any of the candidates of either party, including my own first choice of Fred Thompson. The only other candidates that come close as far as qualifications are Mike Huckabee and Bill Richardson, with Richardson's qualifications being the best (even better than Romney). I'm not saying I'd ever want either one in the oval office, just that both are qualified.
Having said that, I sincerely hope that McCain doesn't choose Romney as his veep choice. I think that would be a mistake on a variety of levels. It's an unfortunate reality that "ready to be President" is so easily overshadowed by political considerations. In order to BE vice-president, you have to get elected vice-president, and Romney is unelectable.
Boring White Guy
I realize that any white guy that is selected by McCain will fit the "boring white guy" mold. It's just that Romney is the poster-child for "boring white guy".
Class Warfare
The democrats have already started the "out-of-touch rich guy" theme and Romney would only add to that perception. It's more than a little ironic that it is the fact that he's a rich guy that makes Romney a good candidate and at the same time a bad candidate. The democrats and their media puppets are good at painting republicans as out-of-touch and let's get real here. Middle America really isn't going to easily relate to the rich white Mormon from Boston.
Mormonism
Romney's religion is the elephant in the room that people wish they could ignore. Being a
Latter-day Saint (
Mormon) myself, I understand better than most that it is BECAUSE of his faith that he would be a good POTUS. Mormons are raised being taught the value of serving your fellow man and have been loyal patriotic Americans for over 150 years. Likewise we are taught to respect diversity of opinion, even if some in Utah and elsewhere forget that from time-to-time. As a bishop and a stake president, Romney has worked with people from all stations and walks of life it triumph and tragedy and on a very personal and individual level. So make no mistake, Romney's religion helps his qualifications even though many don't see it. However...there's always a however...
Mormonism is still widely misunderstood and maligned by others who think they do understand it. Without turning this into a list of reasons why people oppose us, it's sufficient to say that these misunderstanding lead to us being called racist, cultist, polygamist, anti-christian, brainwashed, and so forth. Whether these characterizations are accurate or not (they are not), is wholly irrelevant.
Whether we like it or not (that is, Mormons or Romney supporters), the perception is there and the controversy is there. In the land of politics, truth amounts to a retraction on page 5 of section C while the damage of the front page headline has already done it's work. Every rumor, slur, accusation or wrongdoing that has ever been alleged against the LDS Church or a leader will be thrown out. There are religious bigots in the conservative movement, too. Some are just misinformed, others are wilfully bigotted. Regardless, the numbers are not inconsequential. We, as a party, cannot afford to have a candidate who will drive
away parts of its base, any more than it already has.
My Recommendation
As odd as this may seem, I think the most sensible choice for a VP would be Mike Huckabee. Huckabee may not be conservative enough for many, but he's more conservative than McCain and he's definitely pro-life and pro-second amendment. He also isn't rich, which takes away one more reason to criticize the ticket. He's a "typical white guy" but Huckabee has something that a lot of politicians don't have and that's an easy rapport with average people. Huckabee also has a quick mind and a great sense of humor. Yes, it gets him in trouble at times (like at CPAC) but as a VP candidate that can be brushed off.
Huckabee can do something that no other potential prospect can do and that's bring religious conservatives on board. He's an excellent speaker and I think can really help at the grassroots level. While he may not be the fundraiser that Romney is, he can excite people.
It won't happen, but that's my take.
- Posted by Christopher Estep on August 25, 2008
Here in Georgia, we're being hit by the residual effects of Tropical Depression Fay. On insurance forms and school handbooks, this type of event is referred to as "an act of God." Well, God left a message for former president Jimmy Carter:
A family member says an oak tree struck the Plains home of former President Jimmy Carter as Tropical Storm Fay moved through southwest Georgia.
One of the former president’s sons, Jeff Carter, says the tree
struck the house Saturday night just above the living room. He says
both his father and his mother, Rosalynn Carter, were at home at the
time but neither was hurt.
Clearly, this attempted assassination by God was initiated by Dick Cheney and his croneys at Haliburton as well as G. H. W. Bush's old friends at the CIA. Where was the secret service when this happened? Why did they do nothing to stop this storm? Obviously, they were called off by Bush himself. That evil man! Certainly, it was only The Anointing received by The Obamessiah that protected Carter in his time of need. Is there nothing that Barry can't do?
The former one-term governor and one-term president will be speaking tonight at the democratic National Convention in Denver entitled, "I am a senile, bitter anti-semite and so can you."
Ex-president Carter, don't you think you need to talk to God face-to-face and work this out? I'm just saying...
- Posted by Christopher Estep on August 23, 2008
It was a year and a half ago that I pointed out just how big a dummy Joe Biden is:
As you can see above, there is undeniable proof that Senator Biden is nothing more than a ventriloquist's dummy belonging to the great Jeff Dunham. When you think about it, this does explain why Senator Biden plagiarizes speeches. He's already used to having someone talk for him.
And "big surprise", Biden officially threw his hat into the overcrowded ring for the democratic nomination for president in 2008.
And now Obama has chosen him has his running mate. I just have one thing to say…
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And why did Obama select him? Well, it’s obviously a reward for Biden’s unwavering support and the lengths that he’s gone to convince the voters that Obama is prepared to lead the free world:
What Biden REALLY thinks of Obama
Of course, the slOwBama campaign is saying that it’ll be a minor distraction, but won’t cost any votes.
Oh, really? There’s already concern that ‘bama boy isn’t ready to be President. How can they town Biden’s judgement and at the same time dismiss something that was said just a few months ago? But that’s exactly what the campaign is saying, “That was months ago”.
This was dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb. I heard myself on CNN that they’re hearing from some democrats that Biden will be good for about 6 gaffe’s before the election.
So now it’s up to McCain to take this gift and use it. He needs to select a running mate that will contrast Biden as a VP. I’ve got a notion of who that should be, and it’ll surprise most of you. I’m writing on it today and will post it sometime tomorrow. But this selection of Obama’s is not going to give him a bounce. The convention will give a slight one, but choosing an old white guy from Delaware who thinks Obama is unqualified will bounce like a half-inflated basketball.
NOW things are fun!!!
And just in case you can’t sleep tonight, here’s Joe “Dummy” Biden’s book:
- Posted by Christopher Estep on August 22, 2008
The only way Barack Obama can rescue his Veep Show would be to name Hillary Clinton. Of course, Obama isn't doing that.
I think an Obama/Clinton ticket would unify the democrats and lead to a victory. But Obama's too much of an egomaniac to do that because he doesn't want someone to get more attention than him, ever. Hillary would get attention from time to time.
Look who the potential veep choices are. They're all boring. Not a single one of the mentioned choices would energize democrats.
Chet Edwards will be as stupid a decision for VP as Dan Quayle was for Bush.
- Posted by Christopher Estep on August 22, 2008
Oh, they'll never admit it, but they do. Michelle Malkin took some pictures in the convention hall and to be honest, it looks like a flag factory exploded. Go over to look at the pictures. Michelle's going to have some great coverage, I'm sure.
The centerpiece is this behemoth, Hollyweird-esque podium display with
a bank of 8,000 square feet of video screens and three huge, high-def
plasma TV screens. It’s all about the image. Just like the Dem
presidential candidate:
One last tidbit:
Every person inside the Pepsi Center has to have a badge with a bar code. You scan it to get in and out.
One of the few instances where the Dems believe in, and practice, tough border enforcement.