Aug. 31, 2008

Joe Trippi: Don't LOL At Sarah Palin

Democrats Risk Letting Their Guard Down By Dismissing McCain's VP Choice, CBS News Consultant Says

  • Play CBS Video Video Comparing V.P. Choices

    Dean Reynolds compares and contrasts the campaign benefits of Barack Obama and John McCain's vice presidential running mate choices of Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, respectively.

  • Video John McCain's Maverick Move

    Bob Schieffer talks with New York Times Columnist David Brooks on whether Sarah Palin was the best choice for GOP VP and what she brings to the McCain campaign.

  •  (CBS)

  • Photo Essay Sarah Palin

    Alaska's youngest and first female governor tabbed to be McCain's running mate.

(CBS)  This commentary was written by CBS News Political Consultant Joe Trippi.
I have seen a lot of commentary on why John McCain’s pick of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is a cynical and transparent ploy to bring disaffected women who supported Hillary Clinton to his cause - and why this ploy would fail.

But I don’t think John McCain and the people around him are that stupid.

Something else in his speech introducing Palin as his choice caught my attention and I believe shines some light on the real reason McCain chose the Alaskan.

McCain said of this pick “I have found the right partner to help me stand up to those who value their privileges over their responsibilities, who put power over principle, and put their interests before your needs...I found someone with an outstanding reputation for standing up to special interests and entrenched bureaucracies; someone who has fought against corruption and the failed policies of the past."

The McCain campaign plans on making an assault on Barack Obama’s strength as a change agent. And challenge, what the McCain campaign will describe as, Obama’s weak or non-existent attacks on corruption within the Democratic Party and other institutions throughout his career.

Like the Swift boat attacks of 2004 on Senator John Kerry, a decorated Viet Nam Veteran -- this assault will be on what is now a strength of Barack Obama's -- his focus on changing a broken system in Washington.

To make this assault, McCain picked in Palin someone who has taken on the corruption in the GOP in Alaska, turned against her own party’s establishment, and fought for reform.

The McCain/Palin duo will challenge Barack Obama’s claim of “a new kind of politics” and chastise Obama and Democratic vice presidential Nominee, Joe Biden, for their “silence” in taking on corruption in their own party in Illinois, Delaware and Washington, DC.

The McCain campaign intends to claim that “more of the same” in Washington means Barack Obama and Joe Biden and will make the argument that if you want to “shake things up” then McCain and his reform minded running mate from Alaska will get the job done.

My initial reaction was that in picking Palin, McCain had taken away the argument that Barack Obama wasn’t ready to be president. I now think my initial assessment on that score was wrong. Over time, the McCain team will insinuate that if you think a first-term Governor isn’t ready for the number 2 slot, are your really sure that a first-term Senator is ready for the number 1 spot?

There are flaws in all these arguments. There is McCain’s own brush with corruption as a member of the Keating Five, as the country was wracked by the savings and loan scandal.

And Barack Obama has withstood the pressure of 19 months in the limelight as he secured the Democratic nomination, and proved he can handle the pressure--Sarah Palin has not. Palin could thrive and strongly help McCain make his case, or she could crumble and damage his candidacy. My first impression is that she is not going to crumble.

She isn’t Dan Quayle, and besides, Dan Quayle was elected vice president.

My take? Don’t LOL. Take the McCain/Palin ticket seriously.

Hurricane Gustav may hit the GOP convention as hard as it hits the Gulf Coast - but somewhere during his convention I expect John McCain to say “I love my party, but I love my country more."

Sarah Palin amplifies that part of the McCain brand, and helps to move McCain further from being identified with the Bush GOP, even while exciting some of the most conservative elements within it.

That’s accomplishing a lot and none of it involves Palin garnering votes from women “just because she is one."

Can the McCain of 2008 morph back to the McCain of 2000? Only if Democrats laugh out loud at Palin, let their guard down, and let it happen.

(Read this analysis and others at JoeTrippi.com)


By Joe Trippi
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Add a Comment See all 118 Comments
by tireslinger September 3, 2008 10:58 AM EDT
I''ve said all along, that a politician''s personal life is none of our business, and why does anyone care??! This woman may or may not, have made some bad choices. Which one of us, can say that at some point in our lives, we have not done the same thing?? It also seems that she has made some choices in HER personal life, that I suspect were the best choices she felt she could make at the time. Again, which one of us can say that we haven''t had to deal with that issue?? She hasn''t broken any major laws, to the best of my knowledge.
Politicians, doctors, clergymen, lawyers, and yes, even Christians...etc., aren''t perfect, just HUMAN. Ms. Palin is as real and human, as any or us. Can''t she just be judged on her political merits, and/or shortcomings, and leave her personal life, out of the picture????
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by sly_64 September 2, 2008 5:42 PM EDT
As soon as her hubby loses his hair-piece, she''ll gain more respect from me. LOL
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by noloyalisti September 2, 2008 5:35 PM EDT
McSame-Failin'', perfect representatives of the Greasy Old Pervert party, the party of death and spending. Endless war, no right to choose, prayer in schools and end of science, torture, spying and taxes on the middle class to benefit the rich. Perfect for America.
Reply to this comment
by standlee5 September 2, 2008 5:07 PM EDT
Sarah Palin; the new face of feminism.
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by irliberal September 2, 2008 4:31 PM EDT
Thanks McSame, for selecting Palin, and guaranteeing a democratic victory. I really appreciate it. Thanks again! 8-)
Reply to this comment
by random_radar September 2, 2008 3:46 PM EDT
"There is McCain%u2019s own brush with corruption as a member of the Keating Five, as the country was wracked by the savings and loan scandal."

Finally, someone in the media has noticed the elephant in the living room. McCain didn''t just brush with corruption, he is drowning in it.

I don''t understand why the Democrats don''t want to talk about McCain''s past unless they have their own skeletons in the closet. Oh, come to think of it, I guess they are all corrupt. Professional courtesy.
Reply to this comment
by leroy0007 September 2, 2008 3:31 PM EDT
excerpt from the upcoming book WHY BARACK OBAMA WON MY VOTE, By Texas James:

Why Barack Obama won my vote; for the first time in my life and out of desperation to the last eight years of President Bush, I decided to explore in depth all candidates for the 2008 Presidential election. Knowledge is the key to any wise decision, regardless of the unforeseen outcome. Knowledge comes as a direct action of your pursuit for a better understanding of what you know nothing about; RE: 2008 Presidential nominees, %u2212what they stand for, track record, morals and beliefs. The sad truth is that many Americans decide in as little as thirty seconds who they will vote for and as a direct consequence of influence by others, rather than from knowledge they obtained themselves. The knowledge I gained in my research of the candidates influenced my own personal vote for Obama as President of the United States of America.
This book is dedicated to the next President of the United States of America, may he unite us as one nation and build a better America for all of us. I hope this book inspires you to become a better American for the good of all mankind. To all my fellow Americans, I urge you to inquire about the candidate you intent to vote for; ask questions and get better informed."

-TEXAS JAMES (Leroy Tapia)

www.leroytapia.com
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by Syndicate September 2, 2008 3:07 PM EDT
I think Sara Palin is one of the most inspirational people to be named candidate for VP in a very long time. I like her because she reminds me of me. That makes it hard to attack her. When they attack her they are attacking me. When they go after her for being from a small town well I''m from a small town. When they go after her for not being experienced they are saying I''m not experienced, yet I know I could do a better job than the last several presidents. When they attack her Husband for that DUI, well lets just say I totally understand ;) She shares my history. I think she is an inspiration because for the first time ever there is some one running for VP that I can relate to.
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by talkingham September 2, 2008 2:55 PM EDT
Palin''s oldest girl is rumored to have actually been the one who had the last baby, the one with Down%u2019s Syndrome. She was taken out of school the last 4 or 5 months of her mother%u2019s pregnancy. On March 5th, 2008 Alaska%u2019s Republican Governor, Sarah Palin, announced to the media that she was 7 months pregnant with her 5th child. She is currently 44.

Palin%u2019s daughter Bristol is 16 and attends an Anchorage high school. Students who have attended class with her report that she has been out of school for months, claiming a prolonged case of mono.

Palin does not appear pregnant in any recent photographs. The announcement came as quite a shock to people who had worked closely with her, and have been quoted as saying that she did not appear pregnant whatsoever during the prior 7 months.

God, I hope this is true, it''s bad enough that these republican hypocrits constantly preach "do as I say, not as I do." U have to wonder if they are willing to lie about anything that would hurt their poltiical career, and I believe they would.
Reply to this comment
by johnpatrick9 September 2, 2008 11:14 AM EDT
Face it she is just White Trash with a knocked up 16 year old daughter and a drunken husband. She herself is just a conniving politiician and a vengeful one at that. Farce of a nomination by a farcial John McSame. America deserves far better than this foolish women.
Reply to this comment
by sean5002 September 2, 2008 10:39 AM EDT
####################

I know its silly to compare barack to Miss palin MY FRIENDS , but i have to try anything .I know barack was involve with community politics locally and state when he finish school.
While Miss palin was busy doing beauty pageants and at the news station pointing that news thingy around at the weatherman My FRIENDS.

I even finish at the bottom of my class at the naval academy while mr. showoff Barack went to harvard. i have NEVER run anything in my life; And not even educated to run for the Oval Office. but i have the P.O.W card that i can use every time.... and it shut people up.

You can say i am living a charm life MY FRIENDS .think about it with my education if i was to go on WALL STREET to look for a BOARD job they would laugh me right out the office ,

No doubt Mr . Obama and his law degree from harvard can get HIRED anywhere anytime.. and is question more than me into being President , you got to love America MY FRIENDS.

Without my P.O.W card i would really be screwed; and people would actually challenge my education and resume.





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by franknyc2 September 2, 2008 9:30 AM EDT
Sarah Paion is brave enough to disclose Bristol''s pregnancy. John Edward, who conspired with barack, not to disclose his sexual affairs even before the start of the primary election, thereby sucking up the votes from Hillary, was a coward to assume his responsibility. He did say that he had *** with that woman, but disowned that he was the father of her child! He will not even go for DNA test, to prove further!
Reply to this comment
by franknyc2 September 2, 2008 9:24 AM EDT
Sarah Palin''s life and that of her family will serve as
events day by day that will give beneficial impact to the candidacy of John McCain. Media attention will be less likely focus on Barack, but to Sarah. She will attract them and issue statements that will repel
the candidacy of Obama, thereby energizing the republicans, single teen-age mothers(millions of them in the cities and villages) and independents, mostly women in battleground states, mostly white folks. That''s good enough to catapult them to the White House!
Reply to this comment
by franknyc2 September 2, 2008 9:17 AM EDT
So much have said against Sarah Palin. Mostly from bloggers endorsing Barack Obama. It is not surprising that the remnants of Ayers are back to put him in the White house. Yesterday, they attacked Bristol''s pregnancy. Early this morning they are floating the
gossip that Sarah posed nude under different name while working in Hooters. Tomorrow, they will call her as a political ***!
Reply to this comment
by andylance1 September 2, 2008 7:57 AM EDT
You trash talkers are doing a wonderful job. The more you talk crazy trash, the more sympathy is developed for Sarah Palin and McCain.

Keep it up. You guys are going to help McCain win the election.
Reply to this comment
by messiahx4eve September 2, 2008 6:55 AM EDT
I hear there are nude pictures of Sarah Palin on the internet under a different name and that she used to work at Hooters in her college days. I also heard she uses a lot of Alum powder to keep herself "toned".
Reply to this comment
by samthetvcat September 2, 2008 5:54 AM EDT
PS And besides, who on the Dem ticket has executive experience? Nice try of Barack to claim he''s been in charge of his campaign budget - the budget of Alaska is over $6 billion, and Palin''s accountable to the public.
Reply to this comment
by samthetvcat September 2, 2008 5:53 AM EDT
---"SO PALIN LIES. She''s a weak token candidate- an insult to the much more qualified Republican women McCain could have selected."---
Posted by allurfears

But McCain had the luxury of picking somebody qualified enough. Because if something were to ever happen to McCain, Palin could just do what Barack had to do to shore up his inadequacies and that''s pick somebody with experience.

Not sure what''s with the chicks bashing a fellow chick - I guess misery loves company (?) Not impressive ladies . . .
Reply to this comment
by samthetvcat September 2, 2008 5:34 AM EDT
allurfears=left-lars

:D
Reply to this comment
by franknyc2 September 2, 2008 5:23 AM EDT
Joe,

Sarah Palin is a sacrificial lamb in the over-all candidacy of John McCain. This is a masterful stroke of having an opportunity in adversity. The evangelicals are rallying behind him and the millions of teen-age mothers all over America.

The bloggers and the scrutiny of the media, will and in fact evoke revulsion, hatred to Obama and sympathize to 17-year old pregnant Bristol.

Common sense, why should Sarah parade her kids in the limelight, with Bristol holding a baby with Down /syndrome, knowing pretty well, the conditions of her daughter, and the scrutiny of the national press and
her political foes in Alaska. Remember, Obama won in Alaska by a big margin.

McCain is not stupid to depend on Sarah''s card without knowing all these revelations that will generate negative publicity!
We are almost 30 days away from the so-called October surprise!

In this stage, President George Bush will lay down his royal plus card! The capture of Bin Laden! And days
after that, the massive return of our soldiers, marching in major cities in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa, NH, Nevada, NM, and in all other major states. There is a budget for that allocacted for the soldiers grand homecoming. That will change the tide of public opinion favoring George Bush and then, the massive bombings of targeted nuclear sites
of Iran. Presto! McCain-Salin in the White House!

I don''t want to wake up!
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