Rebutting the Palin choice

Again, apologies as this thread rightfully belongs in the Politics forum, but it is posted here by necessity and through no fault of my own. Some of the political regulars do peruse the PB from time to time. If they do so today, they will be amply rewarded with yet another of Matador's lucid and perspicacious bolts of wisdom.

First of all, I'd like to express my admiration for the McCain campaign's shrewdness both in the genius of the selection, and in the particulars of the build up. They certainly figure to attain their objective of squelching Obama's bounce, which could have gotten out of control by Monday without effective counter programming. The timing and staging are spot on, and while there may be long term issues with the Palin selection, a Pawlenty selection would have been met with a collective yawn at a crisis point when a strong pushback is desperately needed.

At any rate, here are three basic strategies:

1. Stress Palin's staunch conservatism. "Staunch" is the key buzzword here; it carries very strong negative connotations.

2. Ethics. Palin faces investigation in her own state. Without expressing a judgment about actual guilt or innocence, connect her with Ted Stevens, and extend the connection to Republican corruption in general, particularly financial scandals involving other staunch Republicans, like Tom Delay for instance.

3. Contrast her with Hillary Clinton. Paint her as an obvious political choice cynically aimed at stripping away Hillary voters. This is an angle to attack her inexperience indirectly. The inexperience angle needs to be finessed since of course Obama faces a similar challenge in regard to how he is perceived, but taking the "I know Hillary Clinton, and Governor, you're no Hillary Clinton" tact is an end run around the problem.

There is more, but this is a just a discussion starter.

Interestingly, just as I finish up typing, I am watching MSNBC and Rep. Wasserman Schultz is making exactly these arguments (number two and three at least). She even used the exact words: "You're no Hillary Clinton." So the campaign agrees with me. Sounds like they're on the ball and in good hands.......

fwiw - axelrod is already quoted as saying he didnt expect a bounce (the spin begins)

pawlenty is a yawn and romney is a cringe (for enough to matter). palin, cantor, jindal are the only WOW choices

1 - staunch conservative is a good connotation for conservatives... the opposite of mccain

2 - if they want to talk about her investigation, i'm sure someone can find more evidence of Biden's plagarism out there. non issue...if it was, mccain wouldnt have picked her

3 - what experience is more valuable, junior senator or state governor?

Alaska offiacials
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i think it was mostly ted stevens

But don't kid yourselves, this is a ploy for those middle ground Hillary backers.....100%.
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agreed but being that mccain could do it with a conservative woman with executive experience is what makes it a home run

1 - staunch conservative is a good connotation for conservatives... the opposite of mccain

Yes, but conservatives would vote for him no matter what. It has a negative connotation for most of the swing constituencies in swing states.

2 - if they want to talk about her investigation, i'm sure someone can find more evidence of Biden's plagarism out there. non issue...if it was, mccain wouldnt have picked her

If plagiarism is the best they can attack Biden with after 30 years in the Senate, that's pretty weak. Hell, they had Obama red-handed on plagiarism and the country yawned. Allegations of official malfeasance are a much thornier problem.

3 - what experience is more valuable, junior senator or state governor?

Again, this is where finesse comes in. At worst, it hampers McCain's ability to hammer Obama on the issue. It becomes an issue that cuts both ways.

That is a very good and subtle point......

One more detail on the Hillary comparison front: She is an ex-beauty pageant contestant. That emphasizes the very obvious point that she is much younger and VERY MUCH more attractive than Hillary. While good looks probably would have worked to Romney's advantage, and certainly figures to help Palin among most of the electorate, in a perverse way that night not play very well with the over 40 feminist crowd.

Are you saying the over 40 feminists are ugly? Do tell

1 - not in the bag. mccain isnt a conservative. the only way most vote for him is out of fear of having obama in the white house

2 - there's more, im sure but that one is common knowledge

3 - i think the words will be "not prepared to lead" as opposed to "inexperienced"

 

 

 

3 - i think the words will be "not prepared to lead" as opposed to "inexperienced"
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That's an awfully tight rope to walk.  Every time this has come up, the two have been linked.  Trying to separate them now would be quite the accomplishment (not putting it past them at all, however). 

its not a black thing, its a socialist thing

google michael steele, i would vote for him tomorrow...heck i would even campaign for him

does robert byrd have experience?

is robert byrd prepared to lead?

Of course the Media will bash the Republican party, this should not be a shocker to anyone.