Sarah's Night - Open Thread

You go, girl.  I can't wait to hear from the not-so sad-eyed lady of the lowlands.

MORE:  I am about halfway through the TiVo of her speech and she is waaay helping herself and McCain.  Likable, articulate, cute as a button with a daughter, Piper, who can easily match up with the Obama girls - what's not to like?  And how silly do the media bloviators look now? (OK, how silly do I look?). Beldar must be sky-high, albeit unsurprised.

BIG FINISH - Wow.  Can we agree that talk of her withdrawal was premature?  Maybe Garry Wills should withdraw.  TigerHawk deserves a last laugh, and here we go.

Beldar is delighted.  Bill Kristol finds an unexpected problem with her speech - how can McCain top it?

METAPHOR MADNESS: The red-haired woman on the Fox panel (Nina ....) says that the speech was a home run, but it was a home run in the first inning.

KARL ROVE - makes the point that she emphasized her energy expertise, as well she might.  Ms. Palin can speak from experience on ethics reform and energy (OK, kinda), which are two big topics in Washington.

SONG CHANGE: We are dropping "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" and going with "I'm a Believer".

Comments

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Yay, a nice clean new thread!

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Oh, and ... first!

[Charlie (Colorado)]

"I'm not going to Washington to seek their approval, I'm going to Washington to serve the people."

[PaulL]

One of Bob's best lyrics. Is it the Sara Dylan/ Sarah Palin connection?

LUN

[DebinNC]

"I'm the freaking governor of Alaska" ...
* F-word alert

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I Am Sarah Palin tee shirt.

[Elliott]

It's Sarahndipity!

[Jane]

I heard some excerpts. Sarahcuda is not backing down.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

In Charlie's quote above, the "their" is the elite Beltway insiders.

[hit and run]

A line I want to hear tonight in someone's speech:

"One day maybe the media, the left and the Democratic party can rise to the level of maturity and responsibility of Sarah Palin's seventeen year old daughter and future son in law."

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Thanks Sara, I foolishly thought that was implied. You're right, it needed to be established.

[larwyn]

Ahhh, now I am getting nervous about giving FNC/O'Reilly the benefit of the doubt on O! interview...

HOPE NOT!
fr Newsbusters:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jacob-s-lybbert/2008/09/02/obama-fox-news-tentative-truce

[....]
Update 18:33pm ET | TVNEWSER reports on Howard Kurtz's follow-up to Wolff's Vanity Fair write-up of a meeting between Ailes and Obama. Kurtz's reporting makes the timing of Obama's O'Reilly appearance appear even more shady than before:

The talk turned to "The O'Reilly Factor," and Obama said he would appear on the show before the election. Ailes says he told the senator that there would be no "embarrassing or underhanded stuff" in the interview and that if he had any overall concerns about Fox's treatment in the future, he should call Ailes directly.

Murdoch has a history of mending fences with political adversaries whom his news outlets have strongly criticized, from former British prime minister Tony Blair to Sen. Hillary Clinton. An executive familiar with Murdoch's thinking, who declined to be identified discussing private conversations, said Murdoch sought the meeting because he is fascinated by Obama but that the two still have serious policy disagreements.

This smacks of a news outlet hedging its bets and desperate not to be shut out by an Obama presidency. But the price of placating Obama? One can imagine the Obama campaign saying, 'you want access? Have O'Reilly interview Obama during McCain's night at the RNC.'

We can only hope Fox News and O'Reilly didn't agree to pre-scripted questions in addition to the promise of no "embarrassing or underhanded stuff."

—Jacob S. Lybbert is an editorial associate at NewsBusters.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Biden on the Election: My Opponent is Ready, My Running Mate is Not

[Pofarmer]

Brian Williams coverage of Sarah Palin earlier was contemptable.

[larwyn]

ACE is thrilled with Meagan Kelly going after the Us representative. She outright shows he is lying.

NewsBusters has the transcript, sure they will post video soon too.

Oh yeah, everyone would just assume that's what the caption meant:

FNC: US Weekly Editor Says Palin ‘Lies’ Headline Referred to Liberal Bloggers

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/kyle-drennen/2008/09/03/fnc-us-weekly-editor-says-lies-headline-referred-liberal-bloggers

[Porchlight]

New thread, excellent. Everyone together now...

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Here's a precise quote:

"I’m not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I’ve learned quickly, these past few days, that if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. But here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this country."

[Jim]

OUCH.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I do so hate Shepard Smith.

[Extraneus]

Some have speculated on the reason they hate her, since it seems so irrational to so viscerally hate a seemingly nice lady from Alaska that most people had never even heard of.

Oh, it's because the media was surprised, and, you know, you can't do that!

Etc.

I don't think that's it at all.

86% approval rating in Alaska. 75% of Democrats approve of her.

They fear that she's the future first woman president. They fear that deep down in their bones. And who fears that more than anyone else in the world? The same person who has a plant in the National Enquirer, who went after Edwards last October, hoping to take him out and leave it a two-person race. And now a paper-thin">http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzRiNDZkODEwMzdkMThmOTQ1NjFjOGNlNTUzYzA1NmY=">paper-thin allegation of an affair.

Guess.

[JM Hanes]

Norm Coleman looks awfully gaunt to me. I hope he's well, and is just suffering from that middle aged urge to trim down (with copious exercise, of course!).

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Oh this is rich. NRO has some excerpts from Sarah'cuda's speech.

Example:

'I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town. I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better. When I ran for city council, I didn't need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too. Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities.'

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Oy. I heard that interview. Listen to the video when it comes up.

[MikeB]

Love this from The Corner. New York Times, July 3rd 1984, right after Ferraro was selected as the Dem VP candidate:

"Where is it written that only senators are qualified to become President?... Or where is it written that mere representatives aren't qualified, like Geraldine Ferraro of Queens?... Where is it written that governors and mayors, like Dianne Feinstein of San Francisco, are too local, too provincial?... Presidential candidates have always chosen their running mates for reasons of practical demography, not idealized democracy.... What a splendid system, we say to ourselves, that takes little-known men, tests them in high office and permits them to grow into statesmen.... Why shouldn't a little-known woman have the same opportunity to grow?... [T]he indispensable credential for a Woman Who [sic] is the same as for a Man Who [sic] - one who helps the ticket."

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Extraneus, I find both reasons completely plausible.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Bing, bang, booooooooooom:

On energy policies that the McCain-Palin administration will implement: 'Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's energy problems - as if we all didn't know that already. But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all. Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we're going to lay more pipelines...build more nuclear plants...create jobs with clean coal...and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources. We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers.' On John McCain: 'Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.'

[hit and run]

Charlie:
I do so hate Shepard Smith.

mrs hit and run is joining me (so far!) tonight...and she was getting the Shep rant.

And the rant of just about all tv coverage.

I hate cable news.

[Sue]

Whoa!

I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities. …

Sarah is not going down folks.

[DebinNC]

C-Span is rant free.

[JM Hanes]

Mel rocks!

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

And on Cspan you get to listen to very interesting 2nd tier speakers. Last night's were terrific.

[Jane]

I hate cable news.

It is not possible to hate Britt Hume.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Sue, no she isn't:

' On John McCain: 'Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.'

[JM Hanes]

Make that Abel! And he rocks.

Senator Obama, Come work on our farm!

[larwyn]

Doug Ross has 2 of interest.

Us Magazine is doubling down and now has a poll:

Jan Wenner's US Magazine launches another attack on Palin

[...]
Continuing with its attack today, the "magazine" has a poll that asks "Will Sara Palin's daughter's pregnancy affect your vote?"

The American people have spoken. At the present, 91% of Americans are answering "No".

With that, Wenner, I recommend you pour yourself a big, tall glass of Shut-Up Juice.

Oh, and enjoy your thousands of subscription cancellations while you're drinking it.

Doug's post link
http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2008/09/jan-wenners-us-magazine-launches.html

And this from Sarah:http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2008/09/line-o-day-community-organizer-vs-mayor.html

Line o' the Day: The Community Organizer vs. the Mayor

Sara Palin (via Blue Grass, Red State):

Results of Obama's "Community Organizing"

I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town. I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids’ public education better. When I ran for city council, I didn’t need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too. Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities.

Labels: Democrats, Obama, Palin

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

I want a McCain "terrible" towel.

[JM Hanes]

Whenever I start worrying about impossibly high expectations for Sarah Palin, I try to picture the crowd erupting when she just walks onto the stage.

[hit and run]

Jane:
It is not possible to hate Britt Hume.

Oh, no, you're right. As always.

But the format itself is not to my liking. No matter how badly I want to mud wrestle you.

For Brit.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

NEWSWEEK PRAISED PALIN IN OCTOBER OF 2007

[Elliott]

I try to picture the crowd erupting when she just walks onto the stage.

Palindemonium!

[M. Simon]

Sara,

Do you think Obama will be dropping out soon?

I keep getting hints.

[JM Hanes]

How delightful that the farmer's wife is pregnant. Do you suppose she was cynical a last minute addition to the program?

Norm Coleman's wife seems to answer the question I was asking. He's probably just been spending a lot of time at the gym.

[hit and run]

I'll be erupting.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Do you think Obama will be dropping out soon?

LOL.

[hit and run]

Simon:
Do you think Obama will be dropping out soon?

I keep getting hints.

You too? I wasn't going to say anything, but yeah, I think it's inevitable.

Probably within the week, according to what I'm hearing.

[Elliott]

It took three days from the time Sarah Palin was announced as McCain's running mate for the news, which I have heard Time called an open secret in her hometown, that her teenage daughter was pregnant to make it into the pages of the New York Times.

There are 9,000 people I would like to recommend for employment at the NSA, CIA, and other American intelligence agencies.

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

Barack shot hoops with the troops. Sarah got down to business with them.

[larwyn]

Noonan "'splains" open mike:

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=M2IyOTRlNGIxNTY4OTZkZjllZWYzYzkwNDRhOTYwYTc=

[Ann]

"It's Sarahndipity!"

"Palindemonium!"

Bravo Elliott, you are on a roll tonight!!

[M. Simon]

Sara,

How about a NRO link?

[tina]

From TV Newswer (LUN)

Leaked footage from a commercial break during the NoonET hour of MSNBC showed up on YouTube this afternoon. After Chuck Todd tossed to a break with guests Mike Murphy and Peggy Noonan on set, all three can be heard expressing surprise over the Gov. Sarah Palin VP pick with Murphy and Noonan dismissing the pick as "cynical," and "about narratives."

This doesn't surprise me coming from Peggy, but I'm surprised at Murphy. But apparently, Todd decides to throw in his opinion as well. The Political Director, you know the one responsible for no bias, is playing right along.

This is MSNBC, so no one is watching anyway, but CNN has already referenced it on air once.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Via Jay Nordlinger at NRO:

Jay Nordlinger

Did anyone ever consider that maybe Bristol wanted him here in St. Paul? That maybe she needed him -- the father of her child and her fiancé -- at her side, so she would not have to face the spotlight alone, unmarried, and pregnant? Did it occur to anyone that it was an act of kindness, chivalry, and responsibility for him to come here -- so that the mother of his child would not have to be completely "embarrassed" (which is how you say "pregnant" in some languages)? My goodness. America has seemed a monumentally insensitive, cloddish, and vulgar nation in recent days. And who knew the Left could be so Puritanical -- I mean, about sex?

[M. Simon]

hit,

So my spidey sense a couple of days ago was right.

Simon

[Jane]

Do you think Obama will be dropping out soon?

Now that's a rumor worth starting.

[Elliott]

Thank you, Ann. How did you like the extension of my golf analogy?

[M. Simon]

hit,

Do you have any thing more definite you can say? Why? When?

[Syl]

"Former McCain adviser Mike Murphy and the Wall Street Journal's Peggy Noonan were caught on a hot mike today..."

LOVE IT! We out here in the 'sticks' have known for a while now that we need NEW blood in the inner circles in Washington.

Now it's assured that we will get it!

Bye-bye Peggy!

[TCO]

I think they might as well change the ticket and put Palin at the top. We know that this is going to be a primal fight between Obama and Sarah anyhow. Plus I like her better than John.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

M.Simon:

Excerpts from Palin's Speech

[DebinNC]

Peggy Noonan explanation link

[M. Simon]

Shields is worried about media attacks from the campaign.

He says it will not resonate with the general public.

[Pofarmer]

Hmm, according to these folks, the theme of reforming govt is not a "substance issue".

[Syl]

"But apparently, Todd decides to throw in his opinion as well. The Political Director, you know the one responsible for no bias, is playing right along."

Todd used to be trusted by both sides. He's changed since Russert died. The whole place is coming apart.

[hit and run]

Simon:
Do you have any thing more definite you can say? Why? When?

All I can say is trust your spidey sense....

That and, he had it coming.

[DebinNC]

I saw video today of Obama claiming the Rep convention isn't talking about the issues. But watching it unfiltered on C-Span, it's nothing but issue after issue being addressed in some detail ... certainly beyond the Obama laundry list manner.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Stacy McCain thinks attacking the media is a bad move. I (in my "Seneca" persona) disagree.

[M. Simon]

hit,

What have you been hearing.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Hmm, according to these folks, the theme of reforming govt is not a "substance issue".

But "hope" and "change" are.

[Ann]

Touche Elliott, LOL

I must of missed it in the jungle thread. Very, very, good!!!

[hit and run]

Syl:
LOVE IT! We out here in the 'sticks' have known for a while now that we need NEW blood in the inner circles in Washington.

AMEN!

And let me put in a word of Syl love with this from Byron York:

Tonight's Speakers [Byron York]

In the program leading up to Sarah Palin's speech tonight, who will be the most effective surrogate for John McCain? We'll hear Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, among others. Looking at excerpts of the speeches and having seen them all speak a bunch of times, I wouldn't count out Huckabee.

I was as hard on Huckabee as anyone ---- but I hope it was alway clear that it was in the context of presidential candidate.

As spokesman and surrogate and representative -- he is a talent you want on your team.

As Syl told us repeatedly!

Lots and lots of Syl love!!!!!!!

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

I watched this live.

SMACKDOWN by Megan Kelly of US Weekly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjQhiarIQaw

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I saw video today of Obama claiming the Rep convention isn't talking about the issues. But watching it unfiltered on C-Span, it's nothing but issue after issue being addressed in some detail ... certainly beyond the Obama laundry list manner.

They've lost situational awareness: they think the attacks and defenses have to come through the legacy media, and so if they flood the zone with their fire that protects them. But I suspect the insurgency is coming over the wall behind them.

[Pofarmer]

I love the subtle diggs in these speeches.

I love that my 8 yr old and 6 yr old can watch them without me explaining that the U.S. is not actually a terrible place.

[Captain Hate]

This is MSNBC, so no one is watching anyway

The Witness Protection Network

[hit and run]

Simon:
What have you been hearing.

He has a funny name.

[M. Simon]

Michael Williams just hit one out of the park!

[M. Simon]

hit,

Yeah. I have heard that too. In fact I blogged it.

Didn't I say that he did not get what he wanted in Hawaii?

What a fraud.

[clarice]

Sally Quinn is repulsive. I remember her when she was a young reporter here. It's clear she's just pissed because she didn't know about Palin. Hate her. Hate her. She is everything I hate about this town.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Hard to resist quoting this from Jay Nordlinger (who I usually think is a buffoon):

People have been saying today: Gee, I wonder how Sarah Palin will handle this, this little backwoods girl in the national spotlight. And I’m thinking: Well, that’s not how she is in her own mind. She actually thinks she’s governor of a state and a big deal — someone who has succeeded all her life.

This reminded me of an episode in Davos: John Ashcroft was there (when he was attorney general), and a reporter from a big, big American newspaper said, “Gee, how can he show his face around here, boob and clod that he is” (basically). And I said: “Don’t forget, he may be ridiculous to you, but he’s not ridiculous to himself. As far as he’s concerned, he’s one of the most important and successful people in America — who went to Yale and Chicago; who became a state attorney general; who became governor; who became a U.S. senator; and who finally became attorney general of the United States. Again: You may think he’s an embarrassment. But he is hardly that way to himself.”

To his credit, the reporter from the big, big newspaper said, “Hmm — good point. Never thought of it that way.”

[Captain Hate]

I love that my 8 yr old and 6 yr old can watch them without me explaining that the U.S. is not actually a terrible place.

You'd think those morons would figure this out after 8 years but wtf; that's why they're morons.

[Pofarmer]

Shields is worried about media attacks from the campaign.

He says it will not resonate with the general public.

This is the same guy who thinks attacking 17 yr old Bristol Palin does.

[Captain Hate]

btw: morons = donks

[M. Simon]

hit,

If that is true it will be a rout and the Rs could take the Senate.

The Rs will run on "they are a party of frauds". Woooo Hoooo!!!!!!!!!

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

Hey look, finally something for TM to enjoy - they're exercising.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Now there's a favorite Garth song.

This might be Sarah's theme song.

"You've got to be tough when consumed by desire,
It's not enough just to stand outside the fire."

[Neo]

The Democrats best chance was to claim that McCain was helping out the fat cat party bosses in Alaska by getting Palin out of there, but they've screwed that narrative up now.

Any attempt to use that now will look mighty lame ..
she's not competent to be VP .. but .. she's competent to be Alaska Governor fighting corruption

But in this case, the Dems have screwed the pooch.

[Jane]

Meg Whitman on talking about successful women.

Gawd her mother said the same thing mine did. Why don't I have her bankroll?

[JM Hanes]

Jeez, I hope NRO is publishing excerpts from a speech Palin has already given, because if they're leaking quotes from the speech she's going to make, shame on them.

[larwyn]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/09/04/do0404.xml

Sarah Palin gets the spiteful Margaret Thatcher treatment

By Janet Daley

Thanking Surber for linking to this one.

[Elliott]

JMH, I think those were released by the RNC to everyone.

[Pofarmer]

Michael Williams just hit one out of the park!

Absolutely great speech.

[Sara (Pal2Pal)]

JMH: These are small excerpts the Campaign has passed out to give a taste of what is to come. Not a leak.

[DebinNC]

watch Megyn Kelly destroy lying US mag weasel

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Hmmm. Another Clinton supporter is supporting">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLnuzABKivI">supporting Sarah. She mentions that she heard Sarah was on the list in June, just by the way.

She thinks 5 million will move to McCain. (Which matches my 30 percent of the primary/caucus votes, by the way.)

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Not that I'm bragging or anything.

[tina]

O'Reilly defends Obama tonight on his show when Morris says that Palin has more experience. The suck-up begins for the big interview that O'Reilly is having with Obama tomorrow night (McCain's night). A deal was struck, O'Reilly sold out. Brit is retiring at the end of this year, and who can blame him?

[hit and run]

Doood. Gallup just called.

But taking a poll about beverages?!!?!!!?!?!?!!?!?!?

I screamed, "I love Sarah!!!!"

And he hung up.

That sux.

I'm thinking of *69ing and asking for their political department.

[Syl]

Hit

::blush::

Thank you!

[wishin' my tv and pc were in the same room. I have to turn the tv off when I come to the pc 'cause if I take my hand off the remote, the cable goes out. weird.]

[Charlie (Colorado)]

JMH, these are the excerpts distributed to the press ahead of time. I got the same ones, see my post way up top.

[Sue]

I am boycotting O'Reilly. Maybe forever.