Palin Gets Some Coaching Before Big Speech

Washington Post: McCain Advisers Prepare Alaska Governor For The Spotlight

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Howard Kurtz.

---

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the presumptive Republican vice presidential nominee, emerged from the seclusion of preparing her acceptance speech Wednesday and joined her husband, five children and future son-in-law on the tarmac of Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport as they welcomed Sen. John McCain to this convention city.

McCain exited his campaign plane just before noon local time (1 p.m. EDT) and greeted his seven grown children, who were lined up next to the Palin family. He then embraced Palin and her husband, Todd, and warmly greeted 17-year-old Bristol Palin and her boyfriend Levi Johnston, who have entered the national spotlight since the revelation Monday that they are expecting a child together late this year.

Bristol and Johnston, 18, held hands before and after greeting McCain, and Bristol could be seen introducing Johnston to the Arizona senator.

McCain also kissed Sarah Palin's infant son Trig, who was being held by the governor's middle daughter, 14-year-old Willow.

Palin, a relative unknown on the national political scene who was chosen as McCain's running mate last Friday, had been holed up in her suite in the Hilton Minneapolis since Sunday night. A parade of McCain's top advisers have briefed her on the nuances of his policy positions, national politics and, above all, how to introduce herself to the national audience she will address Wednesday night at the Republican convention.

Sitting around a dining room table, the McCain team has talked to her about Iraq, energy and the economy but has focused on what she should say in her speech, struggling almost as hard as she has to prepare for what will be, along with a debate in October, her main opportunity to shape the way she is viewed by voters. Not anticipating that McCain would choose a woman as his running mate, the speech that was prepared in advance was "very masculine," according to campaign manager Rick Davis, and "we had to start from scratch."

By all accounts Palin has thrown herself enthusiastically into preparations for her prime-time debut as well as for her first campaign trip without McCain, expected to be next week. On Tuesday afternoon, she practiced her first run-through of the speech before an audience that included strategists Steve Schmidt, Nicolle Wallace and Mark Salter, who all offered suggestions. Early Wednesday morning, she toured the stage at the Xcel Energy Center here, adjusting the microphone and getting a sense of the podium, trailed by several aides.

"She's very engaged, she's very enthusiastic," said Palin spokeswoman Maria Comella, who has attended some of the briefing and speechwriting sessions. "She clearly wants to absorb as much information as possible."

Aides to McCain and Palin were still debating elements of the speech, according to several GOP sources familiar with the process, including whether the governor should make reference to Bristol's pregnancy. In the speech, Palin is likely to emphasize her areas of policy expertise -- particularly energy and political reform -- rather than focusing on her biography or gender. An initial version of the address, which speechwriter Matthew Scully started crafting a week ago for an unnamed male vice presidential pick, included plenty of attacks aimed at Democratic nominee Barack Obama along with ample praise for McCain, aides said. But they said Palin's speech will focus more on substantive matters.

"There's an expectation that she doesn't have a depth of knowledge on issues," said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds. "That's absurd."

The stakes for Palin are much higher than they were for her Democratic counterpart, Joe Biden, who has run for president twice and has served in the Senate for 35 years. Several GOP strategists said Palin, who has been governor less than two years, needs to establish herself as someone who is credible as a potential president. "She's like any new person or product on the scene -- she's got to prove she can handle the job, that she's got the presence and suppleness of mind to be a heartbeat away from the presidency," said Ben Ginsberg, who was a senior adviser to McCain's GOP primary rival Mitt Romney.

[delta5243]

I thought that girl was 17, why to they have them both listed as 18 all of a sudden...is today her birthday, or is it something else....

[tbweb]

Good luck Gov. Sarah Palin, you`ll need every drop of it tonight!

[knoesgaard]

I''m voting for Sarah Palin, because I''m for more unwed teenage mothers, and more 40 year old women with down-syndrome babies. If we get rid of Roe vs. Wade and teach only abstention in ***-ed class, like Sarah Palin wants, these things will be achieved. It will be a beautiful thing, and good for our nation. Also, if my daughter is raped, I want her to have that baby no matter what. If Sarah Palin becomes President, we can all be like her (in fact, we''ll have no choice). Except be President, because while it isn''t out of reach to be mayor of a small town with less than 6000 people, it doesn''t usually qualify you to be President unless you can also be governor of a state as populated as Alaska for at least a year and a half. Be Sarah! The first step is to elect Sarah!

[latrocinor-2009]

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who made a failed attempt to win the Republican nomination for president, defended her in a television interview for the CBS Early Show.

He said she had more experience than Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

"I would say Barack Obama has never governed a city, never governed a state, never governed an agency, never run a military unit, never run anything," he said.

[sleepyric]

If you''re smart; you''ll decline the nomination, and go back to Alaska and enjoy the rest of your life. If you accept, I''m afraid you''re in for a living hell. Good Luck! I wouldn''t want to be you. There is a fine line between being a fighter, and just plain stupid.

[latrocinor-2009]

If Sarah Palin becomes President, we can all be like her (in fact, we''''ll have no choice).
Posted by knoesgaard


Democrats, the party of lies, drooling haters and slime spreaders.

Democrats, unfit to govern a nation of diversity and freedom.

[xmanborg]

Alaska Statutory Rape Laws

Statutory rape is defined as sexual activity - without the use of force or violence - with anyone defined as a minor. The thought behind these laws is that a minor is unable to legally consent to sexual activity.

The age of consent is defined as 16 years old, according to Alaska statutory rape laws. If a person who is at least 18 years old engages in sexual activity with a person who is 16 years old or younger, he or she will be charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree. This charge is a felony in Alaska. And remember, it does not matter if you did not force or threaten the other person into performing this sexual act with you. It is still a crime under Alaska statutory rape laws.

Alaska statutory rape laws declare that anyone who is 18 years old or older who has *** with a person who is 16 or 17, or who is at least three years younger than the offender, can be charged with sexual abuse in the third degree. This is also a felony.

Alaska statutory rape laws carry punishments that include imprisonment and fines.

Sounds like the Palin family & Levi Johnston have some questions to Answer and Levi Johnston needs to be arrested and charged with statutory rape and get a fellony charge. ITS THE LAW AND THE REPUBLICANS NEED TO FOLLOW THE LAW !

[shouterguy]

Sounds alot like.... Barrack Obama, the man running for President! Actually, he never traveled to those places until John McCain prodded him. -- Posted by mike071067

Lie. But you knew that. Obama has twice traveled to the scene of the Bush crimes.

I hope he gathered evidence.

[latrocinor-2009]

But you knew that. Obama has twice traveled to the scene of the Bush crimes.
I hope he gathered evidence.
Posted by Shouterguy

Democrats, the party of lies, drooling haters and slime spreaders.

Democrats, unfit to govern a nation of diversity and freedom.

[latrocinor-2009]

THE HOLY ROLLER WAR
Posted by abubaker2


More religious intolerance from a bigot democrat

Democrats, religious intolerance and anti-religious bigotry.

Democrats, unfit to govern a nation of diversity and freedom loving people.

[shouterguy]

Instructions to Sarah Palin:

1) Do not open mouth and vomit on shoes.

2) Do not talk badly about Jews - as your Pastor did.

If you avoid vomiting on your shoes, anything else will be considered a brilliant speech.

Vomit on your shoes and John will hurt you. That''s his schtick.

[vietnam21]

ATTENTION ALL DEMOCRATS AND LEFT WING NUTJOBS:

When will Joe Biden be "up to speed"? Last I checked, he ran for President 2 times and no one wanted him. He urged John McCain, of all people, to run with John Kerry in 2004. What kind of Democratic endorsement is that? He sounds confused...

[fstop100]

What happened to the scum media in this country. Children are off limits but they won''t leave it alone.
All it proves she is a real american and has to go through the same things in life we do.
barry obama is clueless to what American life is really like.
She has my vote.

[latrocinor-2009]

Vomit on your shoes and John will hurt you. That''''s his schtick.
Posted by Shouterguy


You would know about vomiting, smear and slime vomit seems to be your schtick.

[vietnam21]

DEMOCRATS:

Are you sure you are not talking about Obama?
Everytime he doesn''t have a script, he makes "fill my tires" remarks. He can''t even answer a question from a 7 year old without a script.

[jamesetling]

I know I should not vote for Sarah simply because she has pretty eyes and perfect legs. But I''m going to anyway.

[shouterguy]

He said she had more experience than Democratic candidate Barack Obama.
-- Posted by Latrocinor

Wow. Really? I always knew Rudy was a drooler.

The sad fact is, my friend, you can put lipstick on a pig. You still wouldn''t want to kiss it.

Or would you?

Rudy would, it seems.

[latrocinor-2009]

Wow. Really? I always knew Rudy was a drooler.
Posted by Shouterguy


You would know about drooling, drooling hate and slime and smear. Democrats, unfit to govern.

[shouterguy]

I know I should not vote for Sarah simply because she has pretty eyes and perfect legs. But I''''m going to anyway. -- Posted by JamesEtling

Yeah, sounds good to me.

But if she vomits on her shoes, I''ll think twice about it.

Anything short of the shoe vomit and I''m there, my friend.

[realpatriot1]

If the people coaching Ms. Palin are the same one''s coaching McCain on the use of the teleprompter she should be left alone.

She did just fine in speaking for herself last week and they should let Sarah be Sarah and let the chips fall where they may. he can''t do any worse than Mcenile.

[liberalme]

Are you sure you are not talking about Obama?
Everytime he doesn''''t have a script, he makes "fill my tires" remarks. He can''''t even answer a question from a 7 year old without a script.

Posted by vietnam21 at 03:42 PM : Sep 03, 2008

Are you sure you''re talking about Obama? Every time I see McCain, his head is down reading notes--hardly see his face-that is except when he was ''watching" Sarah speak. LOL

[latrocinor-2009]

Anything short of the shoe vomit and I''''m there, my friend.
Posted by Shouterguy


You would know about vomiting, smear and slime vomit seems to be where you already are.

Posted by Latrocinor

[vietnam21]

Joe Biden just blew another today, didn''''t know the difference between battalion and brigades. GUESS HIS 5 DEFERMENTS ARE CATCHING UP WITH HIM..LMAO OLD PLAGERIZING JOE
Posted by airmanc5

DEMS. EXPERIENCES...????

[callurfears]

ALL of ALASKA has less population that FORT WORTH TEXAS. Palin was Governor for ONLY 19 MONTHS!

Wasilla AK, where Palin was mayor, had a population of 6000 when she was mayor.

Not ready to be President.

[shouterguy]

See, the thing is this: lowering expectations for your candidate is a G.O. Pee kinda thing.

It worked or Bush.

He didn''t vomit on his shoes.

He was a brilliant debater.

He didn''t vomit on his shoes.

"Mission accoomplished."

He didn''t vomit on his shoes.

"I are a economist!"

He didn''t vomit on his shoes.

Mensa candidate.



Ought to work for Palin, too.

Unless of course she vomits on her shoes.

Or on McCain''s.

That might be even worse.

But that''s what vetting is for.

Shoe vomit.

[latrocinor-2009]

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who made a failed attempt to win the Republican nomination for president, defended her in a television interview for the CBS Early Show.

He said she had more experience than Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

"I would say Barack Obama has never governed a city, never governed a state, never governed an agency, never run a military unit, never run anything," he said.

[jmurrieta1]

they''re going to have to pump up Palin pretty hard! Of course the Repug convention is no test--it''s a love fest of fascists--but let''s see her toe to toe with Biden.

Or Charlie Brown.

Or Alfred E. Newman.

I want to hear more about how her church is going to get airlifted by angels in a flying saucer once she and McCain start World War 3.

[hawksprings]

You Libs realize that Biden''s state of Delaware has about the same population as Alaska, don''t you?

[erasmus81]

"I thought that girl was 17, why to they have them both listed as 18 all of a sudden...is today her birthday, or is it something else...." Posted by delta5243 at 03:31 PM : Sep 03, 2008

Hmmm, we''re talking about the MEDIA here. You know, the ones that never get anything RIGHT.

[docpeter-2009]

So let me get this straight, Palin has someone to write her speach for her and McCain states, "There''s an expectation that she doesn''t have a depth of knowledge on issues."

So John, if she has so much depth why then does someone else, a GOP talking-point writer, have to write her speach. Could it be that non of this comes from her heart and vast experience.

I know there are many who have speaches written for and with them, but this sounds like more GOP setting an agenda to me. Usually a speach writer gets a handle on all of your talking points and ideas that you want to make and then organizes them so the speach flows smoothly and has some form of coherence.

Doesn''t sound that way this time, at least not from the above article.

[callurfears]

Every time I see McCain, his head is down reading notes--hardly see his face-that is except when he was ''''watching" Sarah speak. LOL

Posted by liberalme at 03:47 PM : Sep 03, 2008
----------

It''s hard to tell what he''s looking at. His eyes wander "all over" when he watches her speak.

[pta-mom-4-vp]

You Libs realize that Biden''''s state of Delaware has about the same population as Alaska, don''''t you?




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by HawkSprings at 03:49 PM
======================================================
And?

[shouterguy]

She didn''t vomit on her shoes.

Brilliant speech!

She didn''t vomit on her shoes.

Doesn''t she look...composed

She didn''t vomit on her shoes.

Executive experience galore!

She didn''t vomit on her shoes.

Earmarks? What earmarks?

She didn''t vomit on her shoes.

Secessionist? Who? Me?

She didn''t vomit on her shoes.

Aw, that trooper-lover had it coming.

She didn''t vomit on her shoes.

Hopefully.

[talkingham]

Oh excuse me, I thought this thread about McCain''s little girl not Joe Biden.

Palin looks like a child standing next to McCain, and certainly she is young enough to be a daughter from his 2nd marriage.

[latrocinor-2009]

Pee vomit vomit vomit vomit vomits vomit
Posted by Shouterguy


Yes, you seem to be quite competent at being a good Democrat.

Unfit to govern

[callurfears]

I''m sure her "handlers" will write her a very good speech. She sure as h*ck can''t write one about national issues on her own.

Sarah (Wasilla) Palin.

[shouterguy]

"I would say Barack Obama has never governed a city, never governed a state, never governed an agency, never run a military unit, never run anything," he said.


Except it was a lie...or, maybe, like John, he has a "disremembering" problem.

I wonder if he vomits on his shoes?

[docpeter-2009]

But in all their effort to destroy Palin before she even gives her first speech, it has already worked against them: Her speech tonight might be the most watched EVER during a campaign.

Posted by mike071067 at 03:49 PM : Sep 03, 2008
________
I know I am not leaning toward Johnny, but I/we all owe it to ourselves to see both sides before we reject McCain.

[gangesdak]

McCain, talk to her. Polish her up. Start with, "Rain in Spain...". But she will remian what she is- cupcake bimbo.

[latrocinor-2009]

And?
Posted by PTA-Mom-4-VP

Your ADD bothering you today, forgot your meds again?

[rafterman1]

===Wow! The Democrats, especially those that report the news, are crappping themselves over Palin. The GOP did what the Democrats have never been able to do: put a woman on the ticket who is a) not despised by half the country, and b) actually LOOKS like a woman. Most Democrat women are actually men with vaginaz.===
Posted by mike071067

You know, people bluster and such and no one ever admits they are wrong or worried or whatever.

But you know, this is the honest truth. We are not worried about Palin as we Dems genuinely think she''s as weakness on the ticket. Her inexprerience, even more than Obamas, makes McCain''s health and age an even bigger issue now. Her own record, including some ethics problems and hypocrisy (being for the bridge to nowhere before she was against it) are a problem for McCain.

So, "crapping ourselves"? Hardly. We are encouraged.

[shouterguy]

And on the GOP convention floor, the favorite pastry combo is deep-fried elephant earmarks and baked Alaska.

Followed by a nice dish of humble pie.

Mister McCain said he''d just sit in the corner and eat crow while waiting for his goose to cook.

Should be done right about...NOW.

[latrocinor-2009]

Anything short of the shoe vomit and I''''''''m there, my friend.
Posted by Shouterguy


You would know about vomiting, smear and slime, vomit seems to be where you already are. Must be a Democrat.

[latrocinor-2009]

Pee vomit vomit vomit vomit vomits vomit
Posted by Shouterguy


Yes, you seem to be quite competent at being a good Democrat.

Unfit to govern

[callurfears]

THE REAL ISSUES ABOUT PALIN

_PORK-GATE-1: As mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Palin HIRED A LOBBYIST to help the tiny town secure at least 14 EARMARKS, worth $27 million.

_PORKGATE-2: Under her leadership THIS YEAR, Alaska asked for almost $300 PER ALASKAN in requests for pet projects (EARMARKS). THAT''S MORE PORK THAN ANY OTHER STATE RECEIVED, per person, from Congress.

_TROOPER-GATE: The state legislature is investigating whether she had Alaska''s public safety commissioner fired after he refused to dismiss a state trooper who had divorced Palin''s sister. Lawyer Thomas Van Flein said he is representing Palin both PERSONALLY and in her official capacity as governor. He is being paid with TAXPAYER MONEY.

_ENVIRONMENT-GATE : Palin opposed the U.S. government''s listing of a variety of animals as endangered, including the polar bear and the beluga whale, both of which inhabit areas also rich in oil and natural gas.

_INHALED: Palin previously acknowledged she smoked marijuana but said in a 2006 interview she no longer used the drug. "I can''t claim a Bill Clinton and say that I never inhaled," she said.

_RESIGNATION-GATE: When taking over as mayor of Wasilla, she asked top officials to resign, including that of the police chief who claimed it was because he supported her opponent in the mayor''s race.

_SECESSION-GATE: Her husband, Todd, twice registered as a member of the SECESSIONIST Alaskan Independence Party. She attended the 1994 CONVENTION with her husband.

[docpeter-2009]

Eighteen months. That''''s it. That''''s her total state government experience. Posted by notelatu at 03:51 PM : Sep 03, 2008
_____________
Her experience is working closely with Stevens and associates.

[pta-mom-4-vp]

And?
Posted by PTA-Mom-4-VP

Your ADD bothering you today, forgot your meds again?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Latrocinor at 03:53 PM
======================================================
Go away child........your Conservative professors are calling you back to class....LOL!

[shouterguy]

"Unfit to govern"


Sarah Palin -- from Mukluk!

[hawksprings]

It''s going to be fun watching Palin and Biden debate.
The big question is going to be, will Biden be sober or not?

[erasmus81]

"So John, if she has so much depth why then does someone else, a GOP talking-point writer, have to write her speach." Posted by docpeter at 03:50 PM : Sep 03, 2008

Well, if the one I heard was anything to go by, she SUCKS bigtime at speech writing. Or at least I thought it did.