McCain, Palin and you. Readers talk about the VP pick

Ever since the pick was leaked made this morning, readers from all over the land-of-the-tubes (thank you Ted Stevens) have been commenting on the big story.

Monitor readers' opinions on the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate have been numerous and all over map - literally and figuratively.

A lot of comparisons, naturally, are to her now-nemesis Senator Joe Biden. Jordan thinks Palin might be a bit undermatched for the vice presidential debate:

I believe what Mr. McCain just proved is that HIS campaign is about substanceless superficiality. This year’s VP debate will actually be fun to watch: I can’t wait to see Biden chew her into pieces.

Infidel is looking forward to the debates as well, but is betting on Ms. Palin:

If Biden underestimates Palin, as many commentators here obviously have, the Barracuda will rip him to shreds.

Not surprisingly, age and experience have been brought up throughout the conversation today. Johnzero leaves a (we think it's sarcastic) comment:

So… the oldest presidential candidate in history, with a medical record that runs to 1,100 pages, thinks it good judgement to put a governor with less than 2 years of experience in public life one heartbeat away from the Oval Office? I feel safer already.

Bernard Moon applauds the pick. He thinks the disaffected Hillary supporters could abandon the fold and jump over:

Brilliant move. Makes Biden boring in comparison. Don’t you hear the footsteps of moderate women and Hillary supporters moving to the right?

Ain't gonna happen, Bernard. So says Mary:

If the Republican machine thinks that the women who supported Hilary Clinton will vote for any woman just because she is a woman they are sadly mistaken. Hilary was supported because we believe in her polices and her ability not just because she is a woman.

Jim believes McCain/Palin is just another version of Obama/Biden:

This is great. Sarah Palin has already endorsed Obama’s energy plan and McCain is now talking about “change” in Washington and giving a thumbs-up on a time table for Iraq. I can’t wait to here what the McCain/Palin team is able to come up with on their own.

Jon was in a complimentary mood today toward another reader:

I actually laughed outloud at your brazen ignorance.

ChiefUSN is comparing Palin to the Iron Lady:

This is the GOP’s Margaret Thatcher... From Palin’s extemporaneous remarks and demeanor, one may rightly concede that this woman will be nobody’s doormat. She is obviously willing to take on the best the opposition can provide. Sorry, Hillary, we hear the sound of the glass ceiling shattering.

Laurie sums it up simply:

Terrible choice. I guess McCain needs a headcheck.

JK believes this was great strategy:

This is the best move I could imagine. Count those Hillary votes headed to McCain!!

Kevin agrees. There was strategy involved. But it's transparent bad strategy:

Yes! What an obvious ploy. Obama has it wrapped up now.

President George H.W. Bush's vice president keeps being brought up. Vince did:

This makes Dan Quayle look like Thomas Jefferson…

In the "didn't see this one coming" department, Dave sends this one in:

Look I am no fan of Bush, but I see Obama as just another Bush in disguise.

Rob H brought up something that the opposition research team for Obama's camp must have let slip by:

Maybe John will want to enter her into a biker beauty contest when Cindy is away. He’s done that sort of thing before, although he said he regrets it.

McCain entered someone in a biker beauty contest? What?

Richard Hed isn't a fan of Geo Beach:

This from the “best columnist.” Brain freeze is an environmental hazard in Alaska.

And it wouldn't be a political discussion without abortion being brought up, now would it? Big Daddy goes all-out Baretta:

Don’t do the crime (sex) if you can’t do the time (parent)!

Finally, a word to our readers. We love your comments. Keep 'em coming. And if you really want others to read your point of view, keep these thoughts in mind:

Keep your message short. Brevity works. If you want to write a manifesto, go ahead but chances are it won't see the light of day.

Is name-calling really necessary? If someone sees "Nobama" or "McSame" in your message, they know exactly where you stand and your chances of getting them to read your post are minimal.

Don't write in all caps. Why do this? No one will read your post. You're screaming. Politics can be emotional, sure. But you can show emotion without capitalization.

You may want to spell-check. Undoubtedly if you spelled a word wrong, you are going to hear about it. Julie found that out when she chastised (or would we call that bullied) someone for a misspelled word. Problem was, she misspelled a word in the process and was then attacked - many times.

Creativity works. We award comedy points here. Make 'em funny. That's a good way to make a point.