I to am excited about this pick. Everything I hear about her makes me feel better about voting for McCane.

I think Palin's okay, but does anyone else get the feeling she's not going to remain the vp choice? I don't know what it is, but I keep thinking she's going to bow out for some reason before election day. I guess we'll wait and see.

McCain could have picked Daffy Duck and Utahan majority would be praising him for a great choice.

Oh yes, the Obama camp is thrilled by the choice. She hobbles McCain with a whole new set of problems -- ethics probe on "troopergate," her pregnant daughter fit GOP values, husband's DUI (of course, Bush has one too!). Imagine if a democrat VP had these issues -- the GOP would be all over her! While Obama has graciously said these issues are off the table and that we should be focused on real issues, such as energy, economy, and Iraq, all the questions about McCain's judgement (and why Palin wasn't fully vetted) on this VP choice will keep conservatives at home this year... Even Romney says he doesn't want a cabinet position with this mess of a ticket! Oh my heck! I guess all of Palin's woes will become a mute issue after Obama wins the election, and she'll end up as a quirky footnote in American history.

Don't forget that Palin is also a Creationist. She believes that Creationism (I assume Native American stories of the creation since she is from Alaska) should be taught alongside evolution despite the declaration of the Edwards v Aguilar decision that such a false dichotomy serves only to support a specific religious agenda and therefore violates the establishment clause.
Perhaps McCain should have chosen a running mate with a background in Constitutional law like Obama and Biden both have.

Sarah Palin went by a different name a couple of years ago. I believe it was Harriet Miers! I is good she is a rugged individualist from the Alaskan outback since she is in for a wild ride from both sides of the aisle.

The Democrats are running scared. They know that if they focus on issues, that America will vote Republican, so they attack the candidate and the candidate's family.

It's interesting to see the differences between the Palin family and the Democrats. When a daughter got in trouble, the Palins gathered that daughter close to them and loved her. The Democrats threw that daughter to the wolves.

Which approach reflects the values of the voters?

"Democrats are running scared?"

Wouldn't the neocons like to believe that?

Poor, dumb neocons.

Can't see the forest for the trees.

Mike, Mike, Mike. Haven't you been watching the news since Obama became the presumptive Democrat candidate? The Republican Smear machine has been in full swing spreading lies and rumors about him and HIS FAMILY.

One good thing about this, now McLame will have to desist on the 'he has no experience' line. Palin has even less experience than the affore mentioned Daffy Duck.

This isn't about Palin.
It's about McCain.
One and only interview with Palin = job offer 15 minutes later.

He can't use the "time is running out" excuse. He had the nomination wrapped up 3 full months before Obama.

Pathetic!

Utterly pathetic!

@ 8:03,

Let's make some comparisons:

Democrats: Firing Alaska State Trooper illegal
Republican: State Trooper was drinking beer in his squad car while on duty - among other serious offenses.

Democrats: Abort the babies (Sarah and Bristol Palin)
Republicans: Let the babies live (Trig Palin and Bristol's unborn child)

Democrats: Nominate the most liberal and the third most liberal Senators in America to lead the party.
Republicans: Nominate a liberal and a very conservative to lead the party.

Democrats: Tax the wealthy and distribute to the poor.
Republicans: Tax everyone moderately and let the system work to provide jobs to the poor so that they can lift themselves out of poverty with dignity.

Democrats: Ignore terrorists, even when you have Bin Laden in your gun sights.
Republicans: Protect America.

Making lists instead of throwing insults helps to focus on the issues.

Great approach, Mike. But, who's the liberal nominated by the Republicans?? And the GOP pursuit of bin Laden is admirable HOW?

Yes, lets vote McCain into office.

After all, the repubs have done such a great job lifting America up and fixing our problems.

Right, enough said.

"The Democrats are running scared."
"We'll be greeted as liberators."
"Iraq oil revenues will pay for the war."

Vice President Palin? A bit much.
Secretary Of Energy Palin? Better choice.

Maverick thinking is short sighted. The "long term" needed to be considered for a vice presidential pick.

If Sarah Palin were really concerned about her daughter, would she have accepted the VP nomination, knowing it would put her daughter in the spotlight? She cares more about her ambition than her family.

The Alaska state trooper wasn't fired. He received a 1 week suspension after Alaska's process was followed. Palin fired the State's top law enforcement executive. He claims he was fired because he refused to fire the trooper. She denies it.

When you can't get basic facts right, why should anyone pay attention to your rantings?

... and the GOP goes lower and lower and lower and ...

How about a new rule that only people who haven't made up their mind who to vote for can post here? Oh, that would mean that there would be no posts. No posts and the DNews would have to lay off the censor in the next round of layoffs.

may be true - but they are still above the Democrats (Congress has a lower approval rating than Bush)

I can't believe some of the comments here. Old McGeezer, who has had one foot in his casket several times now, picks a VP running mate who has no Capitol Hill experience and has been governor of a state with only 600,000 people for two years? Good grief!

I am female and would love to see a woman at the country's helm--but not under those circumstances. Gives me the shivers.

@ 10:04,

Yeah, that's what we believe in America, a family member does something wrong and YOU go to jail for it. The logic that you Democrats use is simple unbelievable.

Would you quit your job because a son or daughter made a mistake? Would you turn down a job because a son or daughter made a mistake? Would you fire an employee because their son or daughter made a mistake?

What kind of standards do Democrats have? They believe that a Democrat President of the United States can have a mistress in the Oval Office, but that a Republican mother can't be kind and loving to a daughter that messed up?

Did Hillary resign from all public functions when Bill messed up? Did Hillary demand that Bill abandon the campaign when the subject of "Flowers" came up? For that matter, did Mrs. Edwards abandon John's campaign when she first learned that her husband was cheating on her?

Double standard? No, it's not a double standard. There is no standard when a Democrat messes up.

far more about the decision making ability of John McCain.
What was he thinking????? Obviously, he did not do much thinking about or vetting of his choice.
A tiny amount of background checking would have eliminated Palin, and secured Mitt as the VP candidate.
Oh yeah, old John is experienced alright, maybe a little too experienced - it's time for his geritol and nap.

Palin? Now what kind of American name is that?

I really don't think the GOP knows what the [bleep]it wants or needs.
They can't even agree on what a conservative is.
It certainly isn't conserving the land.

Mike Richards, I know being offensive is part of the majority culture in Utah. Being offensive is why your kind love Limbaugh and Savage.

I'm a liberal. I grew up Mormon. People like you make be feel blessed a stopped attending church. You sanctimonious ignorance repeals me. I'm being civil.

I'm glad when any women choices to carry a baby to birth. When, I was in Utah, girls got expelled for being pregnant. Liberal ideals made it possible for girls to stay in schools while they are pregnant.

I grow up in a culture that expounded "free agency." I've taken many biology courses. Their are always discussions on when life begins. People differ on this subject. Being force feed faith, I feel some questions are personal.

My solution to abortion was to act responsibly. Not to create the need.

If you called me a murder face to face, you would invoke a response. Feel blessed distance separates us.

Way to go!
Neocons like Richards have been pontificating and moralyzing for far too long.
Counter these nasty Limbaughites every inch of the way.

Laura McGann of the Washington Independent reports that Palin ruled little Wasilla with iron-fisted control. "It turns out she had a somewhat different approach. If a small-town mayor ever ruled with an iron fist -- it was Palin," writes McGann. "Eleven days after taking office in 1996, she mailed letters to each of the city’s top managers requesting that they resign as a test of loyalty."

Despite her claims of fiscal discipline, the Politico reports, "she racked up nearly $20 million in long-term debt as mayor of the tiny town of Wasilla -- that amounts to $3,000 per resident. She argues that the debt was needed to fund improvements." (This despite the fact that she managed, as noted below, to get more than $4,000 per resident from the feds in a single year.)

More out-of-touch news from an out-of-touch party.

Palin is no "Maverick", she's just your typical Repubican who is all about drilling now and anywhere (including the National Arctic Wildlife area in Alaska of all places) and who, like BUSH supports taking Polar Bears off the endangered species list when they shouldn't be.

Animal friendly and an environmentalist she most definately is not. She's about making money for her state of Alaska at ANY cost, money being more important than the condition of nature and the lives of animals. Do we really want her a heart-beat away from being President?

I certainly don't.

I'm a lifelong Republican only voter, a registered Republican... but in November I'll be voting for Obama. I urge everyone else to do the same if you want real change in Washington rather than 4 more years of Bush.

"Senator" McCain coulc not have chosen "Daffy Duck" because he is running for President for the Dems.

Let's talk one foot in the Casket, or is that the old "Stroke Ace" Biden? And speaking of health, I wonder what kind of "smoke" Obama is blowing up you to confuse the health Issue? I haven't seen a health check-up on Obama yet, or is there too many problems that he doesn't want to be found out from his smoking problem and drug abuse he has admitted to, when you admit to a little bit, there is more.

Utah Cheap Shot Artist @ 1:17,

What an apt name!

I've read your post several times trying to see how it ties in with Sarah Palin being needed by the GOP.

Regardless of the personal attacks on her family or on her, or the attacker, Sarah Palin remains a Lady. She doesn't lower herself to being coarse or obscene. She doesn't make subtle and not-so-subtle threats. She doesn't hide behind a pseudonym. She's a Republican and Republicans don't do those kinds of things.

Mike Richards tells us "Republicans don't do those kinds of things" (nasty politics).
LOL!

To the fake orion:

Do you like my posts so much you have to steal my moniker? Can't think for yourself? Just want to ding someone? How many other identities have you stolen? How pathetic.

Mike Richards,

"The Democrats are running scared. They know that if they focus on issues, that America will vote Republican, so they attack the candidate and the candidate's family."

You damn hypocrite. Michelle has put up with your crap from day one and now you want to accuse us of starting it. I'm sure her daughters love to read about it and hear about their mother on TV from Republican hacks.

"It's interesting to see the differences between the Palin family and the Democrats. When a daughter got in trouble, the Palins gathered that daughter close to them and loved her. The Democrats threw that daughter to the wolves."

No, you just go after Michelle Obama because she's the wife off Barack Obama and then you want to say hands off when it comes to the Palin family.

What's interesting is how this is getting out of hand. I hate you, your family and will defend the Obama family from Sarah, her family and your family. Malia and Sasha have been put through more of your garbage then the loser daughter of Sarah Palin has. I hope she feels the same way that Sasha and Malia have felt jerk.

oh yes, Sara Palin with her illegitimate grandchild, her shotguns and her beauty pageants. Just what america needs.

Obama's 6 year old daughter saw news coverage of an ad about her father and a model and was hurt by it. This is what Obama had to say about it:

"I guess it's too much to ask, but you do wish people would think about what impact their actions have on kids and families," and

"This is part of the process of politics that can be difficult, (that) is making sure that your kids and your wife and your family are insulated from both things like this and what I suspect will be at some point some negative campaigning..."

Every day Sasha and Malia are forced to listen to the hateful, mean-spirited and hateful comments of John and Cindy McCain and now Sarah and Todd Palin are behaving just like them. Why should those of us who respect the Obama's put up with it? The Obama's have to endure it in silent pain while you people protect the Palin family from the same. Obama does not want them to go through what his family has but some of us know he is an optimist and we must do to the hateful Palin family what they do to others.

To 8:03,

Do you have any idea what jeopardy you have placed on the Deseret News with your post? The DN has a written policy stating that they will not publish abusive posts.

You wrote to me personally, "I hate you, your family". You can say whatever you like to me personally, but not via a publication that has a written policy outlawing that kind of hate speech.

This thread is about Sarah Palin and the GOP. You don't have to agree with Sarah Palin or the GOP and you have the right to state your disagreement, but your right to threaten and to use hate speech is limited by law. Let's keep this venue an interesting and safe place to visit.

Do yourself a favor and calm down before posting before you spoil this forum for everyone.

The ability to talk freely and discuss various viewpoints, even with passion, is far more valuable than using this forum to threaten harm to others.

Mike Richards,

"The ability to talk freely and discuss various viewpoints, even with passion, is far more valuable than using this forum to threaten harm to others."

Please, Mike, enough self-righteous drama. The other commenter's words were pretty strong, but no one was threatening you, and your constant moving of the goalposts for your team and your continual shifting of the rhetorical standards really are becoming predictable and odious.

You can't honestly claim that Obama's the one that lowered the level of discourse in this campaign, can you?

Also, I'm genuinely interested in what you think of Palin's connection to the AIP. No parallel to Rev. Wright there?

We should be ashamed of our so called press corp in America. The so called " news ", asks the question, " Did John Mccain vett Governer Palin properly"? The question should be " Did the press vett Barrack Hussein Obama enough"? the press is more worried about the tiny details of Gov. Palins daughter,husband and her sister.The real questions should be about the candidates moral character. Questions like, What has Barrack Hussein Obama achieved as a senator,state legislator and so called "Community organizer"? why has the press avoided asking questions about his relationships in the past?

Grimble,

I expect an editor to not be so obtuse.

All I am trying to find out at this point, and it has been impossible, exactly what church does Sarah Palin and family attend now or in the past. All I find is that she is a Christian which can be many many things. Anyone know?