Poll: Did McCain and Obama Choose Well

[Undesired Walrus]

This is obviously going to break along party lines, and given the voting for president in the sticky section, it's pretty obvious the donks have a majority here.

I continue to be amused at the folks highlighting Palin's relative lack of experience compared to Biden, while ignoring Obama's lack of experience compared to McCain. Consistent, not so much.

It's McCain's sheer hypocrisy a lot of people have a problem with.

 

[Denver]

Looks like the Palin pick may be backfiring.
As she tries to appeal to the Hillary crowd, she's getting booed:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/30/palin-booed-for-mentioning-hillary-clinton/

 

[Tricky]

Looks like the Palin pick may be backfiring.
As she tries to appeal to the Hillary crowd, she's getting booed:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/30/palin-booed-for-mentioning-hillary-clinton/

Well, she wasn't talking to the Hillary crowd, she was talking to Republicans. Going to a Republican event and praising Hillary Clinton? That wasn't terribly smart. Dan Quayle, we have your soulmate here for you.

 

[Denver]

Well, she wasn't talking to the Hillary crowd, she was talking to Republicans. Going to a Republican event and praising Hillary Clinton? That wasn't terribly smart. Dan Quayle, we have your soulmate here for you.

She really had no choice - building on the Hillary vote seems to be the main reason she was picked. So it looks like if she continues that strategy, McCain loses votes. And if she backs off there, McCain loses votes.

 

[gdnp]

So? The question is whether the results of this poll reflect independent thought or simply confirmation bias. If the results are not substantially different than what people have already said their Presidential preference is, the it's an indication that people are going to view the VP picks based on their feelings for the candidate as much as (or more than) any independent review of the choices.

Do you really think that if Obama had chosen a 1st term governor with less than 2 years on the job the Obama supporters would have been calling it a good choice? Or pulling their hair out?

If McCain had chosen Romney or Hutchison I would have called it a good choice. Huckabee I would have reserved judgment. Palin? very weak.

 

[gdnp]

I have started a new poll broken down by political leaning to examine the question of the bias of posters vs. their opinions on the VP choices.

 

[Puppycow]

I do think Palin at least superficially seems like a better choice than Romney (politically).

Because Romney would be another rich white guy, even richer than McCain, who didn't know how many houses he owned. It would be easy to paint them as out-of-touch plutocrats I think. Palin is a bit more down-to-earth, although her weaknesses may become apparant as the campaign wears on.

One thing I'm wondering is how is she going to raise a newborn baby and campaign full-time? She does at first appear to be some kind of superwoman if she can do that.

 

[Upchurch]

I continue to be amused at the folks highlighting Palin's relative lack of experience compared to Biden, while ignoring Obama's lack of experience compared to McCain. Consistent, not so much.

Yep. It's nearly as amusing as the folks who complain that we no nothing about Obama but are saying that choosing Palin is a shrewd choice because she's a clean slate.

Plus, she has all that foreign relations experience being just next door to Russia, like she is.

 

[Gregoire]

Do you really think that if Obama had chosen a 1st term governor with less than 2 years on the job the Obama supporters would have been calling it a good choice? Or pulling their hair out?

If McCain had chosen Romney or Hutchison I would have called it a good choice. Huckabee I would have reserved judgment. Palin? very weak.

I appreciate your honesty and fairness. It is refreshing to see people who don't just repeat the party line about everything. I think we should expect this on a forum about critical thinking.

But as devil's advocate, it must be pointed out that for years Republicans have been attacked for only nominating rich, white guys. I am sure if they had done so again this time, many on this forum (you know who you are) would have repeated that same line again.

As I said before, I still lean toward Obama whom I supported in the TX primary/caucus, but I certainly can give McCain credit for what could turn out to be a good chess move.

 

[gdnp]

But as devil's advocate, it must be pointed out that for years Republicans have been attacked for only nominating rich, white guys. I am sure if they had done so again this time, many on this forum (you know who you are) would have repeated that same line again.

The first question has to be whether the nominee is qualified. Palin does not meet my minimum expectations.

I don't particularly like Condi Rice, but if McCain had chosen her I would not be saying that she was unqualified. I'd be challenging her based on Bush administration policies that she had a role in formulating.

If this is the person that McCain thinks is best able to step in as POTUS should the need arise, I have to question his judgment. She has neither the education, the experience, or the demonstrated grasp of the issues to convince me that she is ready.

 

[gdnp]

One thing I'm wondering is how is she going to raise a newborn baby and campaign full-time? She does at first appear to be some kind of superwoman if she can do that.

Especially since she is breast feeding. Or at least claimed she was going to in April.

 

[Gregoire]

The first question has to be whether the nominee is qualified. Palin does not meet my minimum expectations.

I don't particularly like Condi Rice, but if McCain had chosen her I would not be saying that she was unqualified. I'd be challenging her based on Bush administration policies that she had a role in formulating.

If this is the person that McCain thinks is best able to step in as POTUS should the need arise, I have to question his judgment. She has neither the education, the experience, or the demonstrated grasp of the issues to convince me that she is ready.

I agree you have a point about Palin's experience. (Hey, I personally would have voted for Biden if he had been on the ballot in the TX primary/caucas). But I still maintain that McCain made a good "chess move" from a purely poliltical point of view.

I think subsequent polls which show McCain gaining support have lent evidence to this hypothesis. Of course, you could argue McCain's bounce will not last or that other factors were responsible, but at least I can't be dismissed outright as I was previously.

 

[Gregoire]

The first question has to be whether the nominee is qualified. Palin does not meet my minimum expectations.

I don't particularly like Condi Rice, but if McCain had chosen her I would not be saying that she was unqualified. I'd be challenging her based on Bush administration policies that she had a role in formulating.

If this is the person that McCain thinks is best able to step in as POTUS should the need arise, I have to question his judgment. She has neither the education, the experience, or the demonstrated grasp of the issues to convince me that she is ready.

I agree you have a point about Palin's experience. (Hey, I personally would have voted for Biden if he had been on the ballot in the TX primary/caucas). But I still maintain that McCain made a good "chess move" from a poliltical point of view.

I think subsequent polls which show McCain gaining support have lent evidence to this hypothesis. Of course, you could argue McCain's bounce will not last or that other factors were responsible, but at least I can't be dismissed outright as I was previously.

 

[Wangler]

McCain has shown as much judgement as he has flying skills.

McCain and Palin are both pilots, you know!

 

[dudalb]

Lefty is of the opinion that McCain was not shot down, but crashed his plane.
But then Lefty will say anything he think will discredit McCain or Palin.
Lefty seems to be becoming pretty extreme in his opinions.

 

[BenBurch]

Lefty is of the opinion that McCain was not shot down, but crashed his plane.
But then Lefty will say anything he think will discredit McCain or Palin.
Lefty seems to be becoming pretty extreme in his opinions.

Where did lefty say that?

McCain absolutely WAS shot down. He also destroyed several aircraft trying to land them. Flying is pretty simple. Taking off isn't a whole lot harder. Landing is a bitch, and is where most of the skill lies. And yes, before my blinding/paralyzing migraines began I was a private pilot so I have a clue about this.