WASHINGTON - Republican presidential hopeful John McCain picked social conservative Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate.
Palin, not particularly well-known nationally, was previously a small-town mayor who beat the Alaska incumbent governor Frank Murkowski in the state’s Republican primary in 2006 and went on to win in the general election.
The 44-year-old one-term governor is an opponent of abortion rights, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a fiscal conservative — not to mention an avid sportswoman and a beauty pageant winner.
While some social conservatives have been skeptical about McCain as the Republican nominee, will his choice of Palin help win them over? Will the selection of a woman draw some disaffected supporters of Hillary Clinton who were disappointed she was not on the Democratic ticket? Did McCain successfully prevent a bounce for his opponent Barack Obama, who wrapped up his nominating convention on Thursday evening?
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
- Photo credit: Reuters/Matt Sullivan (Palin appears for the first time as the Republican vice presidential running mate with McCain.)
Trackback
140 comments so far
Previous | 7 … | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Next
I don’t know about Sarah Palin and to me she didn’t represent the American dream and off-course she is out of touch with the problems of average/middle class America just like MacCain. This ticket is still the same old politics of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Following MacCain’s ailing health and old age, can a woman with no charisma, with five kids and got a husband with strategic interest in oil solve get us out of this mess. MACCAIN IS A FAILURE
- Posted by kennedyto Michael, regarding; Women voters who are progressive and pro-choice would have a difficult time voting for McCain/Palin, just because Palin is on the ticket. They would have to be pretty stupid to vote for them.
Only Liberals think they corner the market on being progressive. I personally think standing up for the rights of poor defenseless babies who have their lives snuffed out simply because they’re handicapped, or because their conception came about in less than a loving union, and more commonly because of the irresponsible parents who spawned them in the first place can’t get their crap together is progressive.
I commend Governor Palin for seeing her Down’s syndrome child into the world safely and embracing him for the wonderful baby and spirit that he is. She gets it!
- Posted by Janet JohsnonDemocratic men have a really great fondness for each other. Women understand that Republican Men Love them.
- Posted by kpIs McCain he making fun of us? Is he taking the problems we are faced with seriously?
I am a conservative and nothing scares me more than McCain’s choice. It just does not make any sense.
I am not voting for a personal story of a woman who can shoot and play hockey. For heavens sake, there are so many educated and qualified people who could have been selected.
Reagan would not make such a reckless decision, not even in his dreams.
- Posted by PuffinJohn should retire and quickly support Ron Paul. I am sssooo leaving the republican party and joining the Libertarian party. The republicrats in this country have just ruined it.
- Posted by jasonJust sent the my first contribution to Hero McCain (the max) Thanks, President McCain!
- Posted by kpIt saddens me to see the level of ignorance, name calling and blatant bigotry coming from someone titling himself as “the man” calling Obama a Black Panther, and “Jim” bringing up Obama’s middle name. But, that is what the Republican party has become. The party of exclusion, the party of prejudice, the party of the wealthy elite, and the party of scare tactics. That’s why I have changed parties. Republicans classify themselves as “Christians”, yet the Christ I have been exposed too, was accepting of all. Maybe he was a Democrat!
- Posted by Smokey JoeOMG! Tim
regarding…If McCain “got it”, he would have subtly chosen a candidate that represents Hillary’s values as a person, not one that merely has the same sexual organs.
If you “got it”, you would realize that McCain is a Republican and an honest one. Why would he EVER choose someone with Hillary’s values or more suitably her lack thereof?
You comment was brainless and an insult to all women.
- Posted by Janet JohsnonThank you John McCain for picking Sarah Palin! As a 60 year old woman who is “pro-life”, against “gay marriage” and stands for strong “morale values” and respect for our great nation…..finally, finally, I have renewed hope for our future and feel like there will be a voice out there representing us. I am sick to death of the liberal agenda that promotes the philosphy of “anything goes”. God Speed John McCain and Sarh Palin!!!
- Posted by MelodyAs a conservative I had to duck a lot of mud slinging to get to this part of the discussion. Sheeze.
I was personally hoping for a McCain Romney ticket but after her brilliant speech and reading about her determination and moral values, I think she is an intelligent, moral woman who exemplifies strength and who will bring back some of what this country has lost to all of the so called “EXPERIENCED” politicians; Republican’s and Democrats alike who have abused their positions in office at the expense of tax payers and who have allowed their own personal agendas to supersede whats best for the American people.
To all the liberal democrats who want to jump on the “experienced” bandwagon, you have one hell of a nerve! You clearly don’t give a damn about experience or you wouldn’t be backing Obama. If that’s the best you can do I think McCain has a great shot!
- Posted by Janet JohsnonThis race is far from finished.
Great pick. McCain is back big time.
Now for the debates……
Biden you are now Bid…. end……
- Posted by RDAmazing how everyone is comparing Palin to Obama. Hello, Obama is running for president. To attack a VP pick as being inexperience while your presidential choice has no experience .. Well, that is a bit hypocritically. Anyway, an executive of 6500 people is better than a Senator with NO executive experience. Also, last I check 683,000 people is still a lot of people. What has obama done since he became a senator?
- Posted by markly_1999I think people are forgetting not only is she a woman but she has an 80 percent approval rating. She will cross party lines to do the right thing and do what needs to be done for the people. Thats what washington needs and the republicans have needed for years.
- Posted by stacyEarly I sent money to the McCann campaighn. Received several requests form other REP’s outfits for support. Tossed them all, But with this “VP pick”my ears picked up too! And for maybe protends a meaningful change. I’m going back on their bandwagon. She’s a refreshing,change and a real woman! Or maybe it’s that We have five kids too and realize what raising a good strong family takes and YES! I’m sending another check! Her acceptance speech was just GREAT !
- Posted by Dan reillyGMT,
Spoken like a typical brainless knee-jerk Republican dolt. Next time try addressing the question I asked. Even the most rudimentary voter realizes that you don’t look at the VP spot as nothing more than some kind of on-the-job training for being President. Or haven’t you studied an American history? It’s a sad fact of the Presidency that many VP’s have had to take over the Presidency.
But keep ignoring the truth, dude. You’ll wake up after the election shaking your head and wondering what the heck hit you!
- Posted by sacto joeMaybe i just me but I don’t think McCain picked Palin to “steal” Hillary fans, he picked her because she’s a DC outsider, one who will not bow to Washington politics. As far as her husband, he’s not an oil company VP, he’s blue collar, a working man. As a matter of fact, Palin has ticked off REPUBLICAN leaders in Alaska because she was busting them left and right for things they were doing that hurt Alaska, sinking their bills and proposals and “pet projects.”
She’s a beauty queen alright but one who was nicknmed “Sarah Barracuda” because of her determination. You libs just keep on thinking she’s a quiet little mother with no experience. She will help McCain prove that it’s the Republicans, not the Dems, that will clean up Washington and bring about REAL change.
- Posted by cobra74Go to CPUSA.org. Obama is endorsed by the Communist Party of America.
- Posted by mtWow. McCain couldn’t have made a worse pick.
1 1/2 as governor, former part time mayor of Wissila - population 9000.
There goes his ‘experience’ argument
Breathless McCain line C-SPAN callers: “She carried a Downs baby to term….I’M DEFINITELY VOTING FOR HIM NOW!!”
The GOP never ceases to amaze…
- Posted by DannyTo assume that Hillary supporters would flock to McCain/Palin is not just insulting, it is uneducated. Sit back and ask yourself, what do Hillary and Governor Palin have in common? If you are a supporter of Hillary and for what she stood for, why would you support a McCain/Palin ticket, which is so ideologically opposite of Hillary?
To quote Lloyd Bentsen, “Ms. Palin, you are no Hillary.”
- Posted by PaulReuters’ agenda is certainly clear. A Katrina rehash is the lead story above McCain picking a running mate. You seem to believe that Katrina hurts Bush. Google images of the Iowa floods. Reuters, will you have a yearly rememberance of the spirit of cooperation and self-reliance shown by the Iowans? No. You won’t. You are transparent hacks. With a clear agenda. All your reporting is suspect.
- Posted by mt