UPDATED ON:
Thursday, September 18, 2008
18:27 Mecca time, 15:27 GMT
 
FOCUS: IMPERIUM
What Palin says about McCain

MARWAN'S IMPERIUM PREVIOUS POSTS

Barack and Bill

Beyond Sarkozy's visit to Israel

Global hotspots pose new challenges

Give 'em a state!

In the shadow of Hezbollah

Obama: Commander-in-(mis)chief?

Is Obama an Israel appeaser?

Evil in the US elections

From Russia with love?

Obama, Biden bound

If selecting a running mate is a real test of a presidential candidate's judgment, then John McCain's decision to name Sarah Palin as his choice reveals a poor sense of astuteness and serves to underline his desperate political expediency. 
 
Beyond the much taunted image of a maverick, his critics argue McCain's decision has once again exposed his opportunistic tendencies.
 
They draw an unflattering profile of a spoiled son of a Navy admiral who misused the good name of his political guru and predecessor in the Senate, the late Barry Goldwater, and who callously left his first wife and children to marry into a $100 million fortune.
 
And this time, by choosing Palin, he betrayed all of that which he preached over the last 18 months - even 18 years.

"Barack Obama can start writing his inauguration speech," wrote me an informed friend the night McCain held his first appearance with Governor Palin.
 
I am not sure I would go that far.

But I am no longer sceptical about an Obama victory in light of McCain's decision to offer the vice presidency to the unknown and inexperienced governor of Alaska merely because she is a conservative woman.

If the McCain-Palin list survives the next two months with no dramatic surprises, the Republican nominee will suffer in the polls because of his hasty decision. 
 
'Transparent cynicism'

Related



- America and Al Qaeda examines the 'war on terror' seven years on.

- Marwan looks at the progress of America and its Wars on Terror

The politics behind the decision is so "transparent" and "cynical", that it left most female commentators around the country dismayed, bitter, an even insulted.
 
Calling Palin his "soul mate" has only added insult to injury.
 
Women might pay attention to the nomination, one commentator wrote, but they won’t give her the vote.
 
Palin who ran the Miss Alaska beauty contest has been ridiculed as a lucky bimbo.

She is seen as the "Miss Congeniality" governor who held her hair up and put on reading glasses to look serious.
 
Her anti-choice position on abortion will end up distancing most women who supported Hillary Clinton.
 
So why did McCain choose the young governor?
 
Well, she reflects will for fresh change on the part of the old McCain; she is popular in her state of Alaska especially after taking on corrupted officials - some from within her own Republican party.
 
She is an ardent supporter of offshore oil drilling which appears to be supported by three out of every four Americans in a year when energy has become an important election issue.
 
And unlike the other proposed choices, Palin is a Christian social conservative that appeals to most of the hardcore evangelical base of the Republican Party.
 
However, each and every one of those pluses is marginal compared to the downside of her candidacy.
 
Short-sighted decision
 
Alaska is a small state with a population of 540,000 who receive annual checks from the state's oil profits.
 
This week, each Alaskan young or old will receive a check for $1,130, their annual share of the oil wealth.
 
Palin's popularity is best measured by the little over 100,000 votes she received to win the governorship, only a bit higher than the 85,000 that filled the stadium to listen to Obama on Thursday.
 
The offshore drilling, attached to her name, will not make much difference in the short-term and will not help make America energy-independent in the long-term.
 
It is more fantasy than fact to think America can dig its way to more consumption.
 
As for her conservative agenda, Palin is bound to distance women far more than she will attract them to the ticket.
 
McCain reckons Palin will energise the conservative base of the Republican party. But the party is reportedly so unpopular, so uncertain and so insecure that there is little chance of quick recovery.
 
Her supporters’ claim that she is the next Margaret Thatcher has already been ridiculed, while comparing her candidacy to Clinton is bound to blow up in her face.
 
As The New York Times Columnist Gail Collins wrote over the weekend, Joe Biden will easily destroy her chances of exploiting the friction between Obama and Clinton.
 
During their much anticipated debate, he will probably echo Lloyd Bentsen's 1988 deadly response to then Dan Quayle by telling Palin: "I know Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a friend of mine, and governor, you're no Hillary Clinton."
 
Governor Palin is also under investigation and scrutiny for a number of charges that include deception and misuse of public office.
 
It's the policy, stupid
 

McCain may find his VP choice will come back to haunt him in November [AFP]
I just don't think McCain was at all reasonable in his choice.
 
The bottom line? Palin is an inexperienced politician who for most of her career and until merely 20 months ago, was on the council of a small town of 7300 residents.
 
It is not clear how many states on the mainland Palin visited as an adult, but she has never been outside North America except to an American military base in Kuwait.
 
She lacks any foreign policy experience or knowledge. Judging from her interests and record, I doubt she can find a number of countries on the map.
 
For long, McCain derided selfish politics and defended experience as indispensable for presiding over America as it leads in a volatile world. Now, he has turned around and chosen the least experienced person on his list of candidates for strictly narrow electoral calculations.
 
Which begs the question, how could the 72-year-old Vietnam vet with a poor health record choose a running mate with poor experience to be only a "heartbeat away from the presidency"?
 
Is it because he fancies himself a maverick who "thinks out of the box"? Or could the answer lie in his haste, unpredictability, opportunism and recklessness?

In November, Americans need to remember that their answer is a question of life and death for many around the world where the US is militarily active in over 100 countries.

The views expressed by the author are not necessarily those of Al Jazeera.

 Source: Al Jazeera
Feedback Number of comments : 88
 
M Henri Day
Sweden
01/09/2008
Marwan Bishara seems to forget that, in the United States, as the last two presidential elections there demonstrate, as elsewhere, the dictum attributed to Josef Stalin applies - «It's not who votes that counts, but who counts the votes». Not least when companies like Diebold are programming the voting machines used to make the tally.... Henri

Hugh Kendrick
United States
01/09/2008
Bias
Greetings, This is the most biased smear piece I have yet seen in your generaly fair minded publication. I think that you, like most journalists, speak well on behalf of America's left. However, I do not think you speak for the majority of Americans. Hugh Kendrick Sheridan, WY

Christine Spaulding
United States
01/09/2008
Palin is a poor ploy for Clinton supporters!
I was an ardent Hillary Clinton supporter and was very disappointed she didn't win. I, however, fully support the Obama/Biden ticket...as does Sen. Clinton. Sen. McCain has earned respect in the Senate and of course was in a war and imprisoned where he survived torture. I would not want someone with PTSD with his hand too quick to retaliate in these times which demand prudence and restraint, along with diplomacy and force, when needed. Sarah Palin could not lead the country...poor choice.

From Japan
Japan
01/09/2008
Palin
I've been watching the news and I am fairly certain you just repeated every Democratic talking point to date. You left out the conspiracy that she faked her pregnancy for her daughters baby. Maybe you hadn't heard that one yet. If the ME and Al Jazeera are for Obama and against Mccain/Palin, I am for Mccain/Palin. I wish this article and where it was from was posted on every major newspaper in the US. The election would be over tomorrow. God is Great

Daedalus
United States
01/09/2008
Intelligence, Knowledge and Wisdom
I was prepared to vote for either candidate but McCain' choice of Palin reveals bad judgment to me. If the Palin selection foreshadows the quality of his other selections then this country will remain in trouble. You can't equate age with wisdom. Intelligence, knowledge and wisdom are different commodities. After eight years of bad judgment why do I want four more? Pundits are right. People vote for the head of the ticket but the head of the ticket must make a good choice for VP. McCain blew it.

Sam
Iran
01/09/2008
Palin - McCain
Reading these feedbacks by these idiots, it shows that America dose not need anyone but idiot war mongers like Bush, Cheyni, McCain and of Course their barby doll PALIN The result, more terrorism, bad economy and of course more Russian hgemony, Iranian nuclear, and downfall of America, then quench your thistr for more oil, Dig Alaska.... Good luck Americal vote for president PALIN

aspacia
United States
01/09/2008
Palin is awesome
What a great choice? She will appeal tot he Republican base, and has electrified the GOP. There is not way I will vote for Obama, because of his associates. She broke the good ol boys corruption in Alaska, and will probably do so in Washington. What a wonderful, ethical, strong person.

JIM FAWCETT
United States
01/09/2008
Sarah Palin
To Bearsden: Well, I really did know Harry Truman and to compare his experience to Sarah Palin's is invidious, to say the least. Truman had been one of the most successful commanders in WW1 and served almost two terms in the senate. He had also been a judge in Missouri for a number of years. Bearsden's statement was so pathetic and ludicrous, it hardly deserves a comment, but someone that misinformed needs a little history lesson. And well.......'Sarah, you're no Harry Truman."

June
United States
01/09/2008
"What Palin says about McCain"
Re Infidel's comment that someone will say Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton: Of course not! HRC is married to a former president, Sarah Palin is married to a fisherman. Sarah made it on her own, not on hubby's coattails. She's a frontier girl, Annie Oakley, potentially Molly Pitcher, and, with her reforming credentials, definitely Mrs. Smith goes to Washington. The last of McCain's crazy ideas was called "the surge." Think about it...

Bird Mom
United States
01/09/2008
Palin
I totally agree with your comments and add that it's insulting to women in general for McCain to foist this person off as a substitute for Hillary. She's not competent or honest enough to carry her bags much less her message!!

dogfree
United States
01/09/2008
Lack of cultural understanding
It's apparent that the author of the article does not understand the power of rugged, individualism in the United States. Nor the immutable laws of human nature. Americans love the underdog, love the person who defys the establishment in the good of the people and who connects in a RELEVANT AND MEANINGFUL way to others. It's inellectual understanding, or in this case mis-understanding, vs. emotional intelligence of which Governor Palin is in abundance. We have already fallen in love.

Michael Elwess-Tok, Alaska
United States
01/09/2008
Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin is a good choice because she is not "experienced" i.e. corrupted by special interests. She has the courage to stand by her convictions. That is what the U.S. needs and I dare say the world as a whole. I do not agree with her stance on some issues but I trust her to act on the wishes of the people and uphold the tenants of the U.S. Constitution and our bill of rights. If all the worlds leaders were "inexperienced" we would live in a far better world.

darry baltz
United States
01/09/2008
What Palin says about McCain
The main reason status quo Washington politicos and their talking heads are so intent on bad mouthing Sarah Palin. She has something they have never had, or would never be permitted to have. INTEGRITY! The fact that she is beholden to only the American voter instead of Washington insiders or special interest terrify them. She turned the good ole boy network in Alaska on it's head. Imagine someone like that in the halls of the Capitol.

gentleben
Afghanistan
01/09/2008
What Palin says about McCain
truth hurts. Republicans are so busy trying to sell their lies for a few more bucks, they will try anything to mask the truth. god help us get rid of these half brain, no logic, non human robots.

larry
United States
02/09/2008
Palin, A bad choice?
Sarah Palin was chosen not to entice Hillary supporters. Most would never support a pro-life candidate. Palin was selected because of her ability to energize the republican base, generate buzz in a hitherto less than exciting McCain campaign and to emphasize McCain's maverick and reformer reputation. It was a good choice.... (raised $10M this weekend)

oldbiker1
United States
02/09/2008
What Palin says about McCain
Boy, you guys are really left-wing liberals, aren't you... you have no clue when it comes to what Palin can do... Obama is an empty suit a waste of space and has NO chance of becoming president if that's not obvious to you, then you have your head in the sand. There's no way that the voters will elect an Arab-American freshman senator with NO executive experience to the highest office. It's laughable... what a joke. You'll see, come November 5th. Wake up people... get with the program.

silly-Expat
Canada
02/09/2008
UNREAL!
It's ridiculous to think that Palin will make any difference to McCains run for the white house. 2 stolen elections, 8 years of instability and attacks on the US Constitution, and human rights in the US is enough! The Riots at the RNC are nothing compared to what might happen if McCain wins any election. Obama will send a msg to the rest of the US Gov, that the people have had enough! I only hope the people won't have to send the MSG it might get ugly. I am glad I wont be there.

Chris Engle - Indiana
United States
02/09/2008
Focus Imperium
First off - Ramadan Mubarak! Second, I was amazed at Senator McCain's decision. He had so many excellent choices and he picked a person who has no experience with national or international issues. If he were elected and died in office I don't not trust Governor Palin's Judgement. She is under investigation for crass use of political power for family gain. If this is his first test of executive decision making the senator failed. My Republican friends think it was a dumb move.

Bob Greene
United States
02/09/2008
October Surprise
Who will win the U.S. election? The Republicans, because of the usual "October surprise" shortly before the election, that instills fear in U.S. voters. Fear causes them to seek "safety" by voting Republican. I don't know what the Surprise will be, but you can be sure it will spread fear. All the rest (Palin's qualifications, her daughter, McCain's age, Obama's celebrity, Diebold cheating, etc.) do not matter as much as the October Surprise. Fear decides U.S. elections.

streez
United States
02/09/2008
thank you
I just wanted to thank Mr Bishara for such a fair and balanced article. It's rare that I get to read articles that keep it real as much as this one does. Thank you

Jill
United States
02/09/2008
Palin pick
This was an exceptionally poor pick by mccain on three fronts: first, it is divisive-even more so than our 'politics as usual.' we need unity, not polarization. second, the process of her introduction (as a complete unknown) detracts from debate about REAL issues and finally, this country needs reasonable and thoughtful leaders after the damage the reckless, go-it-alone bush administration has caused. We need responsible government, not an unpredictable 'maverick.'

M. McGregor
United States
02/09/2008
Palin/McCain
I'm embarrassed at the ignorant postings of my countrymen who don't seem to know the difference between news reporting and political analysis. Also, please know that there are millions of us who see the last eight years of Republican rule for what it is a disaster and are doing our best to make sure we don't get another four. With his choice of Palin, McCain has made our job a little easier.

Michael Tumer
United States
03/09/2008
McCain/Palin Hypocrisy
I thought your report on Gov Palin was balanced (at least as balanced as what we read in the US) but most media is being just too polite to two biggest hypocrists in the world: McCain and now Palin. Mc Cain has lost control to born-again crowd and is fighting culture wars instead of Al Quada. palin is an albatros which will sink McCain. Goos riddence!

lily
China
03/09/2008
Sarah Palin: Spokeswoman for America
I'm still waiting for the Republicans to say "just kidding" so we can all breathe again and admit that they "almost got us". Wasn't there an Onion article about this? Or was it a Vonnegut short story? Either way I suppose she's perfect for the part in this chapter of America's degeneration. I mean, who could set a better example for the country's youth than an uncultured beauty queen with a pregnant teenage daughter?

madeleine7
Spain
03/09/2008
Palin for President !!!
Marwan, You are totally off the mark..... What biased left-wing rubbish you write. McCain and Palin are going to wipe the floor with Obama. Moreover, Palin will be President in 2112. The left sense how dangerous she is to them ( because she is bright, decent and a fighter) hence all the smear tactics. The Americans are a lot brighter than you think.......

Omar
Kuwait
03/09/2008
This choice by john MCcain is a joke. Its more about getting votes he needs in areas he is weak on rather than selecting someone who in his absence can truly lead the U.S. My comments are in no way intended to insult Palin however she is not ready to lead the united states through its war on terror, economy, healthcare homelessness, etc..

Karl Eysenbach
United States
05/09/2008
Palin is a poor choice for McCain,
and it already shows in the polling data. Swing states of Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio have all seen Obama's numbers go up and McCain's go down. Interestingly enough, the biggest bounces against McCain are in the deep South. I guess Palin's family morality and parading the boy friend and unwed mother on TV offend a substantial number of people. Sarah Palin doesn't sink John McCain's chances, but it puts a big hole in his boat.

Hugh H. Geier
United States
06/09/2008
McCain/ Palin 08
This is one of the most biased piece of journalism I have ever read in Al Jazeera. McCain is not the "spoiled son" of a Navy admiral he was a Veitnam war veteran who spent 5 years in brutal captivity during the war he's a tough SOB. Palin is his conservative counterweight.

Tom Gaeta
United States
06/09/2008
Sarah Palin
You article on the Sarah Palin pick by John McCain is transparent and sounded like a Dem. talking points coffee. Why don't you quit your press job and join the DNC and do the world a favor. No one needs media opions this biased. Tom Gaeta

bs
Afghanistan
01/09/2008
sarah palin
If Barack obama can be President with no experience then why not Sarah Palin , who has atleast got executive experience in the form of Governer Wise up

Ken
Afghanistan
01/09/2008
Palin
This lady beat the shysters in Alaska, which is some achievement. And who said McCain is old at 72? This is the 21st century, folks.

Bearsden
United States
01/09/2008
What Palin says about McCain
And how would you describe the experience Harry Truman had prior to becoming president? Maybe the naivety or the lack of political experience is just what this country needs.

Infidel
United States
01/09/2008
Vice President LLoyd Bentson
The remark that launched Mondale to the Presidency, right? During their much anticipated debate, he will probably echo Lloyd Bentsen's 1988 deadly response to then Dan Quayle by telling Palin: "I know Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a friend of mine, and governor, you're no Hillary Clinton."

Cliff
United States
01/09/2008
McCain has jumped the shark
When a failing TV show pulls some stunt in a desperate attempt to retreive its ratings, they say it has "jumped the shark". That's what McCain has done with this choice. Randolph Churchill (Winston's father) would say: he's "an old man in a hurry". He has no reason to save anything, such as credibility, for next time, because for him there won't be a next time.

Rich Monk
United States
01/09/2008
What palin says about McCain.
McCain has got one foot in the grave already. Palin has two agendas McCain can use, anti-abortion and gun control. That's it! As an Independant I am glad to see McCain make such a colossal mistake in judgement again. The Republicans have destroyed the economy, and reputation of the USA, and it is time to put some of them in prison for their betrayal to the American public, and this includes the current President and V.P..

John
United States
01/09/2008
Palin selection
Factual errors Alaska is a small state? It is a HUGE HUGE state. Palin was picked because she is a conservative reformer. It has nothing to do with Hillary Clinton. She attracts conservative and Independents Your friend is not very astute. Obama has surely already written his inaugaration speech. Except he will never get to use it. Your friend forgets too the debates which will so America how inept Obama is (as was on display at Saddleback church) and Biden is a loudmouth sexist

Truth
United States
01/09/2008
This article is trasnparently cynical and biased. This is not thoughtful journalism. Palin is likely the best VP pick in the past 50 years. Al Jazerra is not a credible news agency and is an embarrasement to journalism. Any journalist who infuses their work with their political agenda intellectually corrupt and not worthy of the title journalist.

J.P.
United States
01/09/2008
Palin v. Obama - credibility
To anyone who tries to compare Palin's lack of experience and judgement with Obama's, I cordially invite you to take a look at their educational backgrounds. Palin attended North Idaho College and Hawaii Pacific College, while Barack Obama attended Colombia and was President of the Harvard Law Review when he attended Harvard Law School. He is one of the smartest people in the country, and he is a substantially more intelligent person than Sarah Palin.

Frank Selden
United States
01/09/2008
article misguided from the title onward
I clicked on this article curious to read what Gov. Palin says about McCain only to find that the article is what htis author thinks McCain's choice of Palin for VP says about McCain. Words mean things, an idea this author doesn't seem to grasp in the title or article. How does this choice betray what McCain has preached for 18 years? He preaches reaching across the aisle, he preaches pragmatism over ideals. He believes Palin as VP will help him get elected. RIght in line with his ideals.

Jim
United States
01/09/2008
Wow Marwan! This is about the most one sided anti-McCain article I have ever read. Is there any attempt at objectivity here? Spoiled son? I guarantee he is a lot less spoiled than any Saudi, Quatari, UAE or Bahranian citizen, let alone any of the Monarchal leaders in those same countries chosen by Allah and not the people. Thanks for making me laugh and for reinforceing my belief that Al Jazeera is the media wing of anti-americanism around the world.

Anonymous
United States
01/09/2008
Lack of experience?
I don't agree with those who say that Obama has a lack of experience with foreign policy. Yes, he is young, but he demonstrates a lot of knowledge about international events, and he also seems very willing to step in, learn, and take action. Sarah Palin, on the other hand? She's a governor who has only travelled outside the U.S. once. As a Senator, Barack Obama was exposed to lots of foreign issues. As a governor, Palin was not. No comparison.

EJ
Afghanistan
01/09/2008
Palin
Please, if you are going to write an article, present the facts and stop being so subjective. You lose credibility when it is easily sensed in your writing what your political position is. Also, you greatly underestimate that gravity of the abortion issue. Although she will lose some female voters because of her stance, men and women who are pro-life will come out in droves! I was skeptical in McCain's change of victory before, but let me assure you....it has been tremendously strengthened!

geezer
United States
01/09/2008
palin
The governor could be indicted or impeached during the campaign. She will at least have to give a deposition during the investigation concerning her alleged improper use of power and subsequent coverup. She is basically the "anti-hillary" on issues and liberal and moderate women would rather not vote at all than vote for her. There is hardly a more inexperienced governor in the US than Palin. Aside from the shock factor and her puritan credentials, she is more a liability than an asset.

Mike
United States
01/09/2008
Marwan is obviously so perplexed by the Palin choice that he must make up spiteful and inaccurate assumptions that he will later choke on. Mike

gagan deep chaswal
India
01/09/2008
A lady in a run for a top job
The guys who speak that palin doesn't have any experience then its wrong...nobody ever have any experience..everybody starts from the bottom...its infact a very cherished step taken by McCain...she was a reporter..then mayor and then a governor...nobody can challenge her values without any facts...her nomination is not important..what important is the sinful acts done by current govt. which will effect the republicans in the upcoming us elections...A tough fight it will be for republicans.......

Brian
United States
01/09/2008
experience
So, how does Barack Obama's experience qualify him to lead the USA?

Rocky
Afghanistan
01/09/2008
Sarah Palin who?
Picking S. Palin just shows how reckless McCain really is. He is scary. No women will vote for her because this is a "gimmick". Just more pandering from John McCain. Seriously questioning if this man has all his marbles.

Nick Gaglio
United States
01/09/2008
Palin as VP
The last eight years were a disaster. The idea of another GOP Whitehouse is very disconcerting. The last thing we need is an old fool elected, and, another right wing religious freak, a heart beat from being President. God help us!

Alan Dean Foster
United States
01/09/2008
Truman experience
Bearsden Harry Truman's experience? Field artillery officer in WWI. Eight years as a judge. Eleven years in the U.S. Senate. Vice-President. I'd call that fairly experienced. Sarah Palin, leader of the Free World. Sorry...can't buy it.

Michael W. Stowell
United States
02/09/2008
What Palin says about McCain
We'll hear from Hillary concerning Palin, that will give American women a perspective on where Palin lives.

Jingo
United States
02/09/2008
Truman
Yeah, Harry Truman only had 10 years in the US senate so that's no experience. Obama has 4 years as US senator. As Governor, Palin has less than 2 years experience running a state that has about 1/20th the population of the city of Chicago. The jobs do differ. For example, Governor Palin makes budgetary decisions, but Senator Obama sits on the Foreign Relations Committee. Which is more important for a president? Granted, Sarah looks good in a bathing suit, but didn't Truman as well?

David
Guatemala
02/09/2008
Martyr
If a debate turns ugly/ridiculing Ms Palin it will backfire and create a feeling of underdog and establish Palin as a martyr, which will rally folks to her aid...I believe because of this she stands a good chance to avoid any really aggressive attacks...Her real weak side is McCain, he is predictably unpredictable...

Moubarack LO
Senegal
02/09/2008
Sarah Palin
Tony Blair came to power without any experience and his ternure was mostly excellent. Then, beside experience, one should look at character and knowledge. Barak Obama seems to have both. Sarah Palin does not seem to match any of these critical factors. The author is right: Mc Cain made a huge and incredible mistake, and American Citizens should not make another one chossing his pair with Sarah Palin. Even Bush and Cheney, his follow Republicans, are not happy with Mc Cain's choice.

Bob
United States
02/09/2008
Palin is a joke. This Rep will vote Dem this Fall
This pick of Palin as VP was the most irresponsible thing I have ever seen in U.S. politics. Get real John McCain. This is a selfish political pick, that put country last! This republican will be voting democrat this fall. Palin makes Obama look like Eisenhower by comparison.

Susan
Canada
02/09/2008
Bill Clinton at least Waited Awhile
She makes a good bumper sticker for the aging McCain. Lots of old men like to have pretty chicks around. It makes them feel younger.

SC
United States
02/09/2008
IMPERIUM
Ok for starters the uneducated rep's need to know, this news site is not run in the United States. So dont call them liberals. Second they do homework unlike fox news, which by the way is a joke. To think that you actually buy into the Neo-Con ploy is alarming. Do your research, Sarah is just a poster child. She is anti-choice and her 17yr old daughter is pregnent. She is also very inexperienced. So you have no business calling Al-Jazeera liberals. Get educated, no wonder no one likes the US...

George E
Canada
02/09/2008
What Palin says about McCain
It is obvious Palin is totally lacking in experience and knowledge about national and international affairs. In the event she assumes the presidency, we need to ask is who will be really running the country? In the case of President Bush who was totally incompetent we later learned that the people really running the government were Cheney, Rumsfeld etc. Unfortunately the American people never got a chance to learn what these men stood for. The elections were just a cover for a neocon agenda.

toby
United States
02/09/2008
What Palin says about McCain
Neither McCain or Palin are lawyers. That alone is enough reason to vote for them. -). Neither Obama nor Biden have had any management or business experience. Dems are in favor of a weak foreign policy.

Gabriel
Ireland
02/09/2008
What Palin Says...
This article by Marwan Bishara is is simple propaganda: an outright unsubstantiated, ill-conceived, and unfactual smear piece. Fortunately, this election will be decided by USA voters ONLY. You may have heard that Sen McCain is strongly in favor of building nuclear power plants in the USA Sen Obama also refered to this positively in his Denver DNC speech. Both recognize that is time for the USA to close the curtain on the oil problem in the Middle East, and the Middle Easterners.

sameen
India
03/09/2008
Her attitude towards Muslims
Most non- US Muslims will be least bothered about what is being said about her. They just want to know what will be her attitude and policy towards the Muslims. Will she moderate McCain's anti-Muslim policy or further aggravate it?

Carol
United States
03/09/2008
You are all missing something
McCain is 72, with a recurring deadly malignant melanoma. Palin is a pretty, plucky, but is inexperienced young woman. Neither McCain nor Palin is up to the job. Neither was GW Bush, no problem, Cheney and the neo-cons ran the White House. Were McCain and Palin specifically chosen by the GOP so the neo-cons could stay in place and run a McCain-Palin White House?

Jane
United States
03/09/2008
have you ever been to America?
Has Marwan ever been to America? As the latest campaign contributions show, the Palin nomination has gone down well with a broad range of conservatives, especially evangelicals, who delivered the Bush presidency despite similar claims of inexperience and global ignorance. Although many of us may find that fact horrifying, any analyst of American politics who fails to recognize the importance of this demographic is not much of an analyst at all. Focus Marwan, stop rambling on and on!

Tom Forenz
United States
03/09/2008
What Palin says about McCain
Perfect... You are exactly correct Marwan. Thanks for expressing the truth.

Jeff Chrumka
Canada
03/09/2008
Stunning
How can McCain say Obama lacks experience and then pick this 'tart' as a running mate? Did he receive some money to throw this election? Does he really think Hillary's supporters will vote for the inept bunglers the Republicans have become because a woman could now become president? Just how sleazy is this guy and how much cancer has reached his tired old brain? For the first time in my life I am cheering for the left. Perhaps one should vote for Monty Brewster and vote for 'none of the above.'

Shafiq
Bangladesh
03/09/2008
Republicans
America will be doomed if it choses to elect these extremist republicans for another 4 years. Bush has created enough chaos and terror around the world. Peaceloving civilised people around the world have no appetite for more of the same.

1984
United Kingdom
03/09/2008
palin
how on earth can someone be pro life and pro gun at the same time - they are a contradiction in terms ! ... how can someone profess to be religous with morals and principles and yet be incapable of teaching that to their daughter ? ... how in this day and age of enlightenment and education can you not believe in the evolution of the human race ? ... what a vice presidential candidate, god help america !! ... ( and the world if she should end up with her finger on the button !! )

nodi
United States
03/09/2008
Palin
She is so democrat that it's pittyful. What republican in his right mind chooses some women for vice president that has a daughter that is pregnant out of wedlock? That is so democrat that it's a shame. It's like she's some hollywood actress rather than a candidate for the us's 13th top position. this tells us that the republican party has this nationalist/christian fundamentalism attitude rather than a faith based christian fundamentalist attitude.

Ted Heath
New Zealand (Aotearoa)
03/09/2008
Gov Palin
I really think if Americans have any brains at all they will see through this charade. Why would most women vote for an anti abortion person? Why would most of non religious usa want a conservative bible basher? Who wants a gun freak as a vp? She is An Alaskan version of an Australian ex politician Pauline Hanson. Barack start selecting a suit for for your inauguration.

nick
United States
04/09/2008
Republican Convention
All you die hard Republicans, go ahead and enjoy your few days basking in the limelight.That will be your high water mark. It's over. Go to u tube Peggy Noonan and Murphy. These are LONG time Conservatives.Listen to what they just said (open mic)

kevin - nyc
United States
04/09/2008
irony..
i believe i read palin is a staunch supporter of abstinence education in american schools. is that not hilarious? why do i keep laughing? condoms are for satanists and sailors! true this article is quite biased but for those of you who don't know...the entire american campaign system is as well. if your looking for any type of media coverage to be unbiased i'd suggest drawing irrefutable a prior conclusions and not comment or participate.

heather
Afghanistan
07/09/2008
what alaska says about palin
Please disengage from the personal attacks and get some hard facts about palin's ability to govern. Go to -mudflats.wordpress.com, & check out the vetting documents. This 36 page compilation of alaskan news headlines gives the real story of sarah palin. "Palin Left Behind Almost 19M In Long Term Debt, Compared To None Before She Was Mayor" "Gov't. Administrative Spending Increased 48% Under Palin" (Wasilla Comp. Ann. Financial Report 2003) Get the facts, share the facts, then vote Obama!

Jack Ruby
United States
08/09/2008
McCain/PalinNOT
I live in the heart of BUSH Country.It is incredible how locals eat up everything he says. We have a lot of oil wells in my county that have been drilled, then sealed. Dont know why but they still generate checks for locals. If you read several papers daily, you will see that the dirt on Palin is only now surfacing.If the oil companies did NOT DRILL in their first choice of lands leased to them (the have not), then why think that giving them more leases will cause them to drill?

Ali
Kenya
04/09/2008
Suprised! Hahaha
It might be wrong to charge the king, but the reality is when you see someone is going crazy on monday, he prepares to be crazy on sunday. Now America is on its way of preparing to their down fall. I just want know how many countries will USA be, may be 53 countries? We'll welcome when they too downfall in Africa.

Simon
Morocco
05/09/2008
"What Plin Says about McCain"
Given his unrivalled war experience, nobody will succeed in teaching "the old dog," McCain, novel tricks of opportunism. The Machiavellian McCain opts for Palin, who delivered a family centred-centred, not a politics-related, acceptance speech, a sheer sign of simple-mindedness ("an American value" is family!) to appeal to the feminist vote. Feminists, to "the would-be president," are au fait with how women are instrumentalised in politics that a zero, McCain, can be a hero, Mr. President.

Stan Moore
United States
05/09/2008
Palin & McCain
This article shows a surprising ignorance of America and the election process. Bringing in new blood has energized the GOP base. It will also take some of the edge off of Obama's appeal as a "first". Obama hadn't better start on his inauguration speech yet because this one will go down to the wire.

Hope
United States
05/09/2008
Senator McCain and Culture Wars
Senator McCain is the embodiment of the culture wars. Being a POW in an unpopular war seems to have changed him permanently in a warped way. There are hints that Senator McCain has not gotten over the fact that the United States lost despite the fact that it was unwinnable from day 1 Vietnam. What we are left with then, is a candidate who remains so bitter and angry that all he can do is draw upon their suffering. Drawing upon personal suffering, no matter how great doesn't win elections.

Mary
United States
06/09/2008
McCain and Palin
It's not enough to be likeable like McCain or pretty like Palin or even to mention God a lot in speaking, I want someone that's good at running the country. Also when I watched Palin speak during Republican convention she sounded the same as Bush. I don't think that I can handle another 4 years.

terry
United States
07/09/2008
b/s
the article is B/S. both parties are pathetic. however McCain has served his country, no debate there. it's still a coin toss.

yodamom
United States
07/09/2008
Palin
You are correct about Palin and her experience level, and i suspect the reasons for nominating her are correct, but you need to add that her son in in the military - the message to voters is that McCain and Palin will be strong enough to keep America safe. This tatic has worked in the past when Bush ran for reelection, and the Democrats ran Kerry - also because he was in the military. (It didn't work for the Democrats). It is Obama's campaign, however, that has enriched the electoral process.

lgasco
United States
07/09/2008
great article
This article sheds all the light that so many people fail to see (esp. in the Repuplican party). People will soon learn they can't keep making excuses for the poor decision that this party makes. Why do American citizens continuously fail to recognize that under the Clinton Administration that we had better foreign policy, a balanced budget, A LITERATE President AND Vice President, and legitimate concerns for OUR PEOPLE??? Can't your blind people see the FAILURE of the past EIGHT years?

Sam
United States
08/09/2008
Experience
So many people are mentioning her inexperience. Why is Palin's experience being questioned and not Obama's? She would be vp, not president. Compared to McCain, Obama is still in elementary school when it comes to experience.

Garbo
United States
14/09/2008
good for the goose
Another comment avers that Americans "love the underdog, love the person who defys the establishment in the good of the people and who connects in a RELEVANT AND MEANINGFUL way to others". As if were a uniquely American trait. Not so. Depending upon perspective, any number of persons meet this vague "value". How about Sadat? Even Bin Ladin can be truthfully said to connect in a "connects in a RELEVANT AND MEANINGFUL way to others" - his followers. That argument for Palin is false.

Virginia Gentleman
Afghanistan
15/09/2008
What Palin Says About McCain
You completely misjudge the average American female. They are tough, protective of their families and bright. Don't believe the image of them portrayed by the major media Governor Palin is closer to the attitudes and aspirations of most American women. As for Senator McCain, one person's "opportunism" is another person's "tactical brilliance." In case you missed it, the latter is what defines great leadership.

John Dofart
United States
15/09/2008
Obama for President?
The Arabs would like Obama to win. Osama Bin laden would like Obama to win, the insurgence, terrorists, America's enemies, and Iran. Saw him on Cable News Obama, eloquent but lacking in substance. He didn't always gave straight answers, 'beat around the bush' going round circles' when answering questions. America would be vulnerable to terrorists attack and the world will be dangerously unsafe if Obama wins.

tomschroeder
United States
18/09/2008
wrong again
It is obvious that your knowledge of America is lacking insight. Almost everything stated in your editorial is not occurring in the States. Barack Obama keeps falling in the poles only because Americans are not easily fooled by Hollywood appearance and no substance. I know that Barack is YOUR horse in the race but most Americans see Palin as a fresh, educated, well spoken and quite capable of the job at hand. We believe that women can lead and not just follow, contrary to many beliefs.

The Rational Bystander
Canada
22/09/2008
Palin is just an irrelevant footnote
Regardless of who is elected, Democrat or Republican, both parties have similar platforms that continue to advocate war abroad (Obama has already announced his willingness to attack Pakistan, McCain will bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran) and continue to interfere with Israeli-Arab relationships. The feedback responses read like the political equivalent of People magazine's gossip column talking about Paris Hilton. Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.

K. Richardson
United States
23/09/2008
Palin?
I was undecided as to whom to vote for. However, McCain's decision to snatch up Palin has completely swayed me to vote Obama/Biden. As a woman, there is no way I can support a woman who seeks to reverse years of progression for women.

Bugged
United States
07/10/2008
What Palin says about McCain
use teh Google Bishara "Mudflats" is an Alaska blogger who is busy proving, with photos uploaded at protests, that Palin isn't that popular in Alaska with the people

 
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