Thank God for Palin

[bmc]

This election would be pretty boring if we didn't have the Palin fluster going on.

Check out this Palin website:

http://interviewpalin.com/n2

[Hedley]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Quayle

He was the forty-fourth Vice President of the United States under George H. W. Bush (1989–1993).

There was much criticism of Quayle after the campaign's televised vice-presidential debate ... played and replayed by the Democrats in their subsequent television ads as an announcer intoned: "Quayle: just a heartbeat away."

Throughout his time as vice president, Quayle was widely ridiculed in the media and by many in the general public, in both the USA and overseas, as an intellectual lightweight

Sound familiar? You youngsters with your complete lack of
knowledge of history and perspective are hilarious.

Plus ca change, plus c'est le meme chose.

[bmc]

I'm older than you.

How many posts away are we from hearing how rich and smart you are?

[Hedley]

I'm older than you

How embarrassing for you. If you were an uneducated
youngster, at least you could plausibly claim to be ignorant
of recent events because you hadn't experienced them.

[Rockie]

Quayle was an idiot too. Your point Hedley?

Are you saying because Quayle was an idiot it's OK for all Vice Presidents to be idiots?

You make a big deal out of people's disregard or lack of knowledge of history just because you happen to know about Dan Quayle. Do you think you're the only person in Canada who knows about Dan Quayle? Stop congratulating yourself for your encyclopedic knowledge of recent history and get with the program Hedley. This is 2008 and Dan Quayle is not up for election, Sarah Palin is.

[Hedley]

Incredible.

The US Financial system is melting down, and the most
important thing to you mental midgets is the next VP?

Christ, the White House chef probably would have a bigger
influence on McCain, if he is elected President.

[bmc]

I'm not sure about the relevance of Quayle in this discussion, other than to point out that this party continues to believe that anybody off the street is qualified for the top two positions.

Hedley, why do need to attack people on this forum? Can you not just click on the link, have a few laughs and join in the fun. Why do have to throw comments about age, and history and intelligence at people? You come across as someone who has been successful in life, yet feels the ned to be the loudest, beligerent know it all in front of an audience. Maybe that's why you like to show off in your little red airplane. The need for love and attention.

I have read many of your posts in other forums and learned a lot. You are an experienced, quilified, sharp pilot. I look forward to reading those posts. I do not have access to guys like you to read and learn from. But, when I see you attacking us, it just sours the milk. Can you try and tone it down a bit?

[Rockie]

I guess you haven't been reading the news or giving this a lot of thought Hedley. The US economy is in meltdown along with many, many other serious problems that the next President MUST fix. McCain is 72 years old and there is a better than scary chance that he won't see the end of his first term if he is elected. In the US system that you admire so much that means the VP automatically becomes President. Do you see where this is leading yet?

Some people have the ability to see the future consequences of an action Hedley, and in this case they don't like what they see. Sarah Palin as President would make the current state of affairs nothing by comparison.

[bmc]

Incredible.

Christ, the White House chef probably would have a bigger
influence on McCain, if he is elected President.

I think you're right. And I think that should be some cause for concern for American voters. It has no impact on my life.

[sugarfree]

guess you haven't been reading the news or giving this a lot of thought Hedley. The US economy is in meltdown along with many, many other serious problems that the next President MUST fix. McCain is 72 years old and there is a better than scary chance that he won't see the end of his first term if he is elected. In the US system that you admire so much that means the VP automatically becomes President. Do you see where this is leading yet?

Some people have the ability to see the future consequences of an action Hedley, and in this case they don't like what they see. Sarah Palin as President would make the current state of affairs nothing by comparison.

My My still believe that the President runs the show in the US ???

SF./

[Rockie]

Incredible.

Christ, the White House chef probably would have a bigger
influence on McCain, if he is elected President.

I think you're right. And I think that should be some cause for concern for American voters. It has no impact on my life.

Of course the other thing is McCain's judgement and ability to do the job himself. It stands to reason whoever runs for President thinks they are the most qualified to run the country. Along with other considerations it stands to reason they think the VP they choose is the second most qualified. Or at least it should be. What does this say about McCain's judgement?

[Hedley]

Sigh.

You probably think Harry Truman was FDR's first choice, too?

Following months of uncertainty over the president's preference for a running mate, Truman was selected as Roosevelt's vice presidential candidate in 1944 as the result of a deal worked out by Hannegan, who was Democratic National Chairman that year.

Although his public image remained that of a robust, engaged world leader, Roosevelt's physical condition was in fact rapidly deteriorating in mid-1944. A handful of key FDR advisers, including outgoing Democratic National Committee Chairman Frank C. Walker, incoming Chairman Robert Hannegan, party treasurer Edwin W. Pauley, strategist Ed Flynn, and lobbyist George E. Allen closed ranks in the summer of 1944 to "keep Henry Wallace off the ticket."[41] They considered Wallace, the incumbent vice president, too liberal, and had grave concerns about the possibility of his ascension to the presidency. Allen would later recall that each of these men "realized that the man nominated to run with Roosevelt would in all probability be the next President. . ."[42]

After meeting personally with the party leaders, FDR agreed to replace Wallace as vice president; however, Roosevelt chose to leave the final selection of a running mate unresolved until the later stages of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. James F. Byrnes of South Carolina was initially favored, but labor leaders opposed him. Roosevelt also opposed Byrnes, but was reluctant to disappoint any candidate and did not want to tell Byrnes of his opposition directly; thus the president told Hannegan to "clear it [Byrnes' nomination] with Sidney", meaning labor leader and Byrnes opponent Sidney Hillman, a few days before the convention.[43] In addition, Byrnes' status as a segregationist gave him problems with Northern liberals,[44] and he was also considered vulnerable because of his conversion from Catholicism.[45][46] Reportedly, Roosevelt offered the position to Governor Henry F. Schricker of Indiana, but he declined.[47] Before the convention began, Roosevelt wrote a note saying he would accept either Truman or Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas; state and city party leaders preferred Truman. Truman himself did not campaign directly or indirectly that summer for the number two spot on the ticket, and always maintained that he had not wanted the job of vice president. As a result, Roosevelt had to put a great deal of pressure on Truman to accept the vice presidency. On July 20, the party bosses summoned Truman to a suite in the Blackstone Hotel to listen in on a phone call that, unknown to the Senator, they had rehearsed in advance with the President. During the conversation, FDR asked the party bosses whether Truman would accept the position. When they said no, FDR angrily accused Truman of disrupting the unity of the Democratic party then hung up. Feeling as if he had no choice, Truman reluctantly agreed to become Roosevelt's running mate.[48]

Truman's candidacy was humorously dubbed the second "Missouri Compromise" at the 1944 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, as his appeal to the party center contrasted with the liberal Wallace and the conservative Byrnes. The nomination was well received, and the Roosevelt-Truman team went on to score a 432–99 electoral-vote victory in the 1944 presidential election, defeating Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York and Governor John Bricker of Ohio. Truman was sworn in as vice president on January 20, 1945, and served less than three months.

Truman's vice-presidency was relatively uneventful, and Roosevelt rarely contacted him, even to inform him of major decisions. Truman shocked many when he attended his disgraced patron Pendergast's funeral a few days after being sworn in. Truman was reportedly the only elected official who attended the funeral. Truman brushed aside the criticism, saying simply, "He was always my friend and I have always been his."[9]

On April 12, 1945, Truman was urgently called to the White House, where Eleanor Roosevelt informed him that the president had died after suffering a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Truman's first concern was for Mrs. Roosevelt. He asked if there was anything he could do for her, to which she replied, "Is there anything we can do for you? For you are the one in trouble now."[49]

[bmc]

I think that we are at risk of putting far too much emphasis on the effective role of a president and a VP. Perhaps we expect and want someone with presidential experience to step and fill the role. And what is the real role of these positions? There are teams of advisors, experts, strategists that guide, craft, strategize, etc. At the end of the day, the figureheads are briefed and they become the talking pieces. Sugarfree is probably right.

I think we just get to drawn into the media spin and whirlwind bombardment of Entertainment Tonight style of new presentation. Qualye and Palin do have voter support. They relate to them and give them comfort in being being capable leaders. In the end though, how effective are these positions anyway?

[Rockie]

Of course Presidents (and PM's too) have a small army of experts to draw advice from, although in reality only a few really trusted ones. And the smart leaders listen to them. But the ultimate decision always rests with the elected leader. They choose who their advisers are and can follow or ignore their advice at their discretion.

Lots of people think GWB is just a puppet for behind the scenes people and that may or may not be true. But if he is it's because he lets himself be a puppet. Once in office he could cast them all off into the wilderness if he chose. The President is called the National Command Authority for a reason.

[bmc]

Rockie...that's fine. The ascention to the top post has been assisted by large donations from influential people. At some point, usually after victory, payment happens. Making decisions to appease those that assisted the ascent

[Rockie]

Of course, that's politics. But again, once in office it's his choice (unless Exxon has pictures of him in a compromising position with a donkey or something).

[. .]

I'm older than you.

How many posts away are we from hearing how rich and smart you are?

haha if only it wasn't so true.

[Hedley]

Yes, compared to you, it certainly is true

[Rockie]

Just watched the Palin/Biden debate (sorry, I know I'm a bad Canadian) and I have to admit, Palin did not too bad. At least it wasn't the complete meltdown I expected. But you could tell she had been strictly coached and was pretty much repeating someone elses words verbatim except when she showed her dimples and adopted the folksy Alaskan mom routine.

Biden was great though. I knew nothing about him before but he seems like he could step into the big chair and keep things together if necessary.

[Topspin]

Incredible.

The US Financial system is melting down, and the most
important thing to you mental midgets is the next VP?

Christ, the White House chef probably would have a bigger
influence on McCain, if he is elected President.

I would like to hear a life insurance companies estimate on McCain's life expectancy. I don't think the Pallin is entirely relevant at this point, although Cheney kind of reinvented the VP office. I would'nt put that scenario as out of the question though.

[cyxe]

I don't know what happened to this thread, but has anyone actually read some of the answers that come up on that page?

Funny stuff



I knew I heard her answer somewhere before!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qppZnw9nEGw&NR=1

[. ._]

That is CHOICE at 1:10!

hahahahahahhahahaha

-istp

[North Shore]

[bmc]

You're such a Maverick, North Shore.

[JakeYYZ]

I believe Obama is a socialist with Marxist ambitions. If you have read his web site all this is plain to see. He believes in redistribution of wealth, command and control of the economy, and raising social consciousness through state run propaganda.

If elected I predict that he and the Democrat Congress will:
1. Raise taxes on all who make over $75,000.
2. Raise taxes on capital gains and dividends.
3. Raise taxes on businesses.
4. Re-instate the inheritance tax.
5. Bug out of Iraq as quickly as possible.
6. Badger NATO to carry more of the load in Afghanistan. When they do not he will pull out of Afghanistan.
7. He will subordinate foreign policy to the UN and the cornerstone of policy will be "Walk Stickly and Carry a Big Soft."
8. He will try to abrogate or renegotiate trade agreements, resulting in less trade.

I could go on but I think the picture is pretty clear.