I tried to watch, but the "content is unavailable".

Yeah, but Heather: She's so ... so .... *folksy*!

Here's a good summation:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-seitzman/sarah-palin-naked_b_12586...

Yeah. Not going to cut it!

Wow. I think that's the first time really watching her speak. That was slightly painful...

It won't play!

I expect a lot more out of a vice presidential candidate than that, uterus or no uterus.

I have been a Republican my entire adult life. I feel the VP selection was done for political reasons.

Thanks, Heather. I've been hoping you'd float one of these clips for discussion. I think we're at the point now where Palin's incompetence speaks for itself--you don't even have to say anything that might incur your mom's ever-so-elegant middle finger.

And just think, there's like a 3 out of 4 chance that McCain will die during his term, and then she would be the PREZ! OMFG.

But she's just like you and me!!

Did she actually have anything to say? Am I mistaken in believing that someone other than the governor of Alaska negotiates trade agreements with and air patrols of Russia? Help me understand how that has anything to do with foreign policy. Please.

WTF is she rambling about?

I went to the CBS site to see it... by these standards, my 3-year-old son in speech therapy is an eloquent genius.

Just Wow.

I would also like to encourage Palin supporters to come forward and voice their opinion. A couple of times now I've searched the internet for voices of support out of pure curiosity, and have struggled to come up with little more than "I like her glasses" and "What a pretty Pit Bull". Anyone who can shed some light would be appreciated.

And to Lisa, #11, I absolutely agree.

That’s Tina Fey, right? There’s no way the real candidate for VP could be that vapid, is there? Is there?

As a follow up to my previous comment, I thought I'd post the link, just in case anybody has not already watched it 800 times, as I have.

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/palin-hillary-open/65...

You're welcome.

Best thing ever.

I think she was picked because she's a woman. I don't necessarily agree with EITHER of the candidates however I really think McCain picked her because she's a woman and to counter the fact that Obama is African American (That might sound bad I don't mean it to at all!) Eeks!

I am beyond appalled that she was allowed to speak at the UN. People in other countries may actually begin to believe that she is representative of our citizenry.

I wonder if there's enough room for all of us in Canada, should McCain win. Eh?

Agreed. However, maybe there was more to her interview than just that? Though I can't say I like either candidate, I do think that this video may have been a little biased.

Oh jeez. I babble like that. I am a Dork with a capital D in interviews. I stammer. I don't make sense.

I'm also not in a position that requires that I sound intelligent and prepared and poised in public interviews. I will not be president of a large nation if the older man that I work with dies.

I don't think you're going to get a lot of women/men writing in to explain why they support Palin. I heard something on NPR the other day--some poll they took and the reasons those interviewed were giving included:

1. She seems just like you and me!
2. She's down-to-earth (in my mind, that's a nice way of saying that she's not very educated or experienced)
3. She...uh, she's...I like her glasses.
4. She loves Jesus.
5. She's McCaine's running mate.

It's a joke. And a really really really bad one if McCaine wins.

I'm Canadian -- I can only get my US citizenship middle of next year -- so I can't vote yet. That's a shame, really, because not only was that video uncomfortable to watch, I fear she might be retarded. And I'm not throwing that word around gratuitously -- she really sounds like she doesn't know her elbows from her knees.

I hate to quote the movie Billy Madison, but the following quote immediately came to mind:

.."Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."

Since I live in Florida, please feel free to consult me on any crisis regarding Cuba or the Caribbean. Sign me up for south of the border, too - a lot of residents here are Mexican, so I'll be sure to keep an eye out to make sure they don't cross into my yard-space and threaten our security as red-blooded Americans.

I find her logic (?!?) extremely flawed and will be voting the Democratic ticket.

Palin in full-on scary. She's a total hypocrite (opting to have testing done before her down syndrome baby was born - a right she would deny her fellow women if she had her way) and completely inexperience. Anyone that goes after an innocent librarian that didn't like the idea of banning books needs to actually spend some time in said library and read about the values this country was built on.

*Vote Obama 08*

Not that I am pro Palin by any means, but with some fancy editing, and time to prepare your questions, you can put anyone on the spot and portray them any way you see that will fit your goal.

My issue is that most of us choose our vote by stereotypes of our two parties. We vote for who our friends vote for, or whom our parents don't vote for. It is all based on perception, and who gets the right kind of PR. We can't really know our candidates by watching the press. You need to get online, and research what your candidates have voted for and pushed for.

Ignore # 29 and please continue with the political commentary on this website. It is nice to know that not everyone in Utah bows to the throne of the Republican party. If more disented, maybe a presidential canidate would take the time to look at some of the Utah issues. I've actually been to Canada; and Mexico, I guess that I am more qualified to be V.P. I also have going for me the fact that I know what the Bush Doctrine is. Thanks Heather.

everyone that i've talked to who likes palin always says she approachable. but i don't want a soccer mom to be put in charge of the well-being of our country. i would like someone who is more informed, more intelligent, more logical, etc. basically someone who's going to do a better job than i would which is why i'm appointing them that power.

also, a big concern is firearms. if firearms become banned, or "regulated" (which is the democratic stance), that's a problem (ex: there is more violent crime in states where firearms are regulated or banned {like NY or Chicago} than in non-regulated states).

Oh Great Goodness. I am so embarrassed for this country right now. I'm reminded of those BS beauty queen surprise impromptu questions, where their answers always suck and they're so nervous and ill-informed that you have to change the channel to avoid the awkwardness. She also reminds me of Peggy Hill, but where Peggy's faults and egomania are weirdly lovable, Sarah Palin's are set to destroy any remaining shred of hope the rest of the world had for us.

Can we please have those Ben Bernanke/"Spencer" kids for co-VPs instead? At least they're comfortable in front of the camera, and have a sense of irony.

#39 Burbank Fox-I was thinking the same exact thing! I was looking forward to Palin "fan" comments.....well? Where are they?

L

Tory, those were my exact thoughts. Im not American, I dont live in America......AND SHE SCARES ME!

I'd rather wake up on fire than have that woman in office.

Geesh, I almost felt sorry for her the way she was tripping over herself constantly. So, let me get this straight Russia and Alaska are by each other? Does she think we didn't get it the first 3 times she mentioned it? See she already thinks less of the American people! and you know what this whole, "She's just like us" and "she's so pretty and a mom and I think I would totally be best friends with her" Yeah,well, my best friend is pretty and a mom but there is no way in hell I want or think she should be president. Does anyone vote by experience these day's? Or by the way I choose my dogs when I'm betting on them at the races..."Um, I like that one because he/she has really neat markings and it's groomed so nicely." WAKE UP AMERICA OUR DOOM IS NEAR IF MCCAIN IS NOMINATED! Thanks, Heather I needed that.

What's not to like. She has the liberals in complete hysteria (see nearly all comments above). :-)

The woman is dumb and now she is working for a man slightly dumber. A joke that explains it all:

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year old Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Sarah Palin and her bid to be a heartbeat away from being President. The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, Palin is a post turtle.'

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.

The old rancher said, 'When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a post turtle.'

The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain. 'You know she didn't get up there by herself, she doesn't belong up there, she doesn't know what to do while she is up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put her up there to begin with.'

I think the gal in THIS video would have been MUCH better suited than Palin as McCain's VP pick!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww
Seriously, I think Palin's popularity stems from the fact that she comes across as being less of a slime-ball than most career politicians. I am a registered Republican but still can't say who I will vote for, they all scare me...I've been around long enough to know that campaign promises and rhetoric are a bunch of hot air and our political system is such that not any one person has the ability to dramatically change anything without a bunch of the typical partisan resistance...so most campaigns are a bunch of hooey when it comes to what people promise to do if elected...you really just need to go by the candidate's track record to get an idea of their integrity and ability. How they act "when no one is looking", so to speak. Then vote accordingly.

"Like a bad Disney movie..."

http://rickyvanveen.com/post/51748798/after-hearing-matt-damons-brillian...

I am a registered republican, but I suppose I should be an independent because I never vote with my party, I always vote with the issues however I usually lean right. This time around I have no clue what I am going to do. I am looking hard right now at a few independents, Bob Barr, Ron Paul, because I don't know where my vote is going. I can tell you one thing that I do know. I am tired of snarky politicians wrapped in red tape, and I am tired of all the mud slinging. I appreciate that you are asking for Palin supporters to voice their opinions, that is awesome. It sucks to go to a blog and read "Obama/McCain sucks....vote for this person because I said so"....That kind of ignorant bullshit is getting a bit exhausting. Its refreshing for someone to ask for discussion instead of whine about why they hate the candidate they aren't voting for. I love my country and we are facing some tough times.I have a lot of thinking to do before election day.

I think it's ok to like Sarah Palin, she's one heck of an interesting story. I think that if your political views are so centered on being pro-life or other religious issues, I can totally see why you would vote for her. And if there wasn't the oldest candidate for President in history running with her, I would just go ahead and say that this is a move by McCain to pander to the religious right and laugh it off and probably not care too much one way or the other.

The problem is that McCain isn't particularly healthy, has outlived the entire male lineage of his family already, has cancer, and (lest we forget) suffered 5 years of torture. And he wants to have the most stressful job in the world. This is a woman who isn't just a "heartbeat away from the presidency", but she will LIKELY need to assume executive power at some point during his term. And for some Americans, that would be a literal Godsend, because a Palin presidency is a Christian conservative presidency with the same agenda and outlook.

Anyway, that was all a long-winded way of saying, "yeah, I get why some people like her, but holy shit wtf?"

I echo 57's sentiments.

I think it's ok to like Sarah Palin, she's one heck of an interesting story. I think that if your political views are so centered on being pro-life or other religious issues, I can totally see why you would vote for her. And if there wasn't the oldest candidate for President in history running with her, I would just go ahead and say that this is a move by McCain to pander to the religious right and laugh it off and probably not care too much one way or the other.

The problem is that McCain isn't particularly healthy, has outlived the entire male lineage of his family already, has cancer, and (lest we forget) suffered 5 years of torture. And he wants to have the most stressful job in the world. This is a woman who isn't just a "heartbeat away from the presidency", but she will LIKELY need to assume executive power at some point during his term. And for some Americans, that would be a literal Godsend, because a Palin presidency is a Christian conservative presidency with the same agenda and outlook.

Anyway, that was all a long-winded way of saying, "yeah, I get why some people like her, but holy shit wtf?"

Honestly, McCain wasn't much more articulate than this in his Couric interview but I think the difference is that he was struggling to articulate what he thinks everyone wants to hear without backing himself into a corner, while Palin's struggling simply because she's clueless and hasn't learned how to respond to questions she doesn't know the answers to or ones she has no answers for as artfully as more practiced politicians do.

Please tell me there's no way they're going to win this thing. Please?

I'm equally as terrified.

If you live next to a hospital does that mean you can practice medicine? That's basically what she's saying.

Seems to me she would have looked less short bus if she just fessed up and said "I don't have a lot of foreign policy experience but I'm fast learner" I would respect her more. Now she just looks like a moron. I can just imagine the Russian Government giggling like school girls that she is a vice president candidate. Nothing worse than a know it all who knows nothing.

there's a poll http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html
what i don't understand is why.

sometimes during presidential elections i think we should have the option to secede.

I'm going to have to take a guess as to why she's popular because I'm not a Republican or even an American.

I think some voters will find her likable (the folksiness, the hockey-mom factor, her naughty schoolteacher looks etc.) and actually appreciate her rough-around-the-edges interviews because they separate her from "slick" or "cagey" career politicians.

I think many people will vote for her because they are Republican and she is on the Republican ticket. And that is enough.

If there are any actual Palin fans in the house, maybe you could take it from here.

It scares me that people would vote for them because Governor Palin is" just like you and me". First of all, I am not qualified to run this country. Let there be no mistake, although I have significantly more education, was a soccer mom for longer, ran the PTA for longer, was involved in local politics for longer, and have never had any ethics investigations against me - I am not qualified to run this country! This woman repeatedly misstates her accomplishments - she went to five institutions before getting a bachelor's degree! She has active ethics investigations going on...
Where are the Republican women politicians?! Although, I am a dyed-in- the- wool liberal, I believe that there are plenty of well-spoken, well-educated and highly experienced Republican women potentially qualified for this position. Why are they not speaking up? Where is Christine Todd Whitman? If we, as women, want to be represented, then put forth a brilliant candidate.
Professional values? Does it only take a low-grade bachelor's degree and a couple of years experience to run a country? Complexities of economics, science, cultural history demand more - don't they?
Moral values? Wouldn't you expect to have no ethics conflicts if you wanted to be in charge of a prominent nation? Wouldn't you expect to have spiritual beliefs that are distinctly personal, not professional? We don't all agree with each other's spiritual beliefs in this country. Isn't that the reason this country was founded?
I hope that this candidate is not a gender representation. What a mistake to have such an under-qualified and illiterate person represent the women of this country.
Nope, this is representation of the desperate nature of the Republican Party.
She is not "just like us".

I agree completely! Here's something great Glenn Greenwald wrote today:

"Sarah Palin's performance in the tiny vignettes of unscripted dialogue in which we've been allowed to see her has been nothing short of frightening ... One of two things is absolutely clear at this point: she is either (a) completely ignorant about the most basic political issues -- a vacant, ill-informed, incurious know-nothing, or (b) aggressively concealing her actual beliefs about these matters because she's petrified of deviating from the simple-minded campaign talking points she's been fed and/or because her actual beliefs are so politically unpalatable, even when taking into account the right-wing extremism that is permitted, even rewarded, in our mainstream. I'm not really sure which is worse, but it doesn't really matter, because with 40 days left before the election, both options are heinous."

She's like that person, when you're working the suck shift at the Gap, who asks you in the most condescending voice ever, 8 different times, for stuff that can be found right behind her. Every time.

so just to throw it out there...who else feels like we're in the movie "idiocracy"? it is SAD to hear people here in memphis going on and on about how tough, well-spoken (HA), and firm she is, and hot dang i like her glasses, i'm gonna get me some. can we please go back to what it actually takes to be a real leader in the world? i am so terrified.

on the plus side, her candidacy is SO scary and SO awful, it's doing something i didn't think possible: forcing my boyfriend to actually vote this year, for obama.

As a Palin/McCain non fan, here's my theory.

Republicans are feeling battered. GWB didn't turn out the way they thought he would. Despite the chest thumping, there are still boys getting killed every day in Iraq and Afghanistan. America has zero goodwill abroad today - this in spite of the fact that after 9/11, the entire world loved America. That goodwill was squandered by this administration. Add to that the financial crises and the fact that the government is going against every right-wing grain in bailing out private business, and you have a pretty down in the dumps bunch in the GOP.

So McCain, the maverick, comes along and he is the only candidate who can say with any veneer of legitimacy that he's different than Bush. He is indeed, a maverick. But he's still a Republican, and the left will not forget that. And he doesn't appeal to the broad GOP base.

Enter Sarah Palin, someone from the middle of nowhere, someone who's not afraid to stand up and utter crowd-pleasing phrases like "lipstick on a pitbull", and the GOP thinks, hallelujiah. She's just like us. She's Christian and Conservative, which is what I want, but she's also not from the DC old guard. She hasn't been corrupted by years of the Beltway. She's a fresh hope, she's new, and she's saying all the right things when she's allowed to speak.

After this week, though? After yet another interview where Palin scrambles for answers because she feels she has to say *something*, rather than the right answer which would be "I don't know but I will find out", after McCain's hijinks around the bailout and the debate, after all of this reactionary stuff? I suspect even the GOP is starting to wonder. And they will simply just not vote, and go make preparations to hide under the blankets for the next four years.

I'm from The Netherlands, so I'm not exactly eligible to vote, but I must say that both candidates - Obama AND McCain - are heaps of leaps forward compared to Bush. I mean, like, OMGPWNIES!!! ahead. I favour the Democrats, but at least McCain isn't a total brainless moron, so I could live with him being president.

That being said - Palin scares the living daylights out of me. I believe in a strong separation between church and state, and Palin represents everything that I do NOT believe in in that regard. America was instructed by God to invade Iraq? God promoting war? If I were religious, I'd find that offensive.

And yes, what if McCain dies? Palin in office? She doesn't appear to have much of a brain, and having such a religious lunatic with access to The Red Button (nuclear weapons) seems like a ticket to an annoying case of LOTS OF DEAD PEOPLE.

But I do reiterate - she is physically attractive. Which, coincidentally, might explain people defending her.

Hence the new comment around our house every time she and/or McCain or one of their campaign lackeys speaks:
"That is CRAZY! It's BEYOND THE PALIN."

this election is the lesser of two very lame choices.
By the way Obama has fumbled his way through many an interview.

You are right though her in-experience is frightening.
What you need to realize though is that to many of us, so is Obama's.

His in-experience combined with his socialist leanings makes him the weaker canidite in my vote.

Some like, love, crave socialism and it's ideals.

Call me old school but I happen to hold dearly what has set us apart from other countries...our freedom. We thrive as a nation because of it.

Yes, we are FAR from perfect but we have something unique and wonderful that no other country has achieved. As we lose sight of that we inch closer and closer to becoming a socialist country.

Once that happens I may have to move to Europe where at least the art is better.

Until then VIVA THE CONSTITUTION! Call me crazy but I'm writing in Ron Paul!

ps

I love how each side feels so strongly that the country is doomed if one or the other is elected!
Our media has succeeded at creating this pointless artificial warfare where we bash one another over the head and fail to actually cover any ground with one another.

It's very profitable for them to have us all hating on one another.

Also I like the Dooce better when it spares us the thinly veiled endorsements via photos of dog with husband in obama shirt.

I can't wait for the election to be over already so I can get a break from my favorite blogs trying to take on politics.

~melissa

I tried to watch it, but I felt really lightheaded and needed to stop looking at her face in order to feel better. Her presence on television makes me physically ill.

I can't believe this has happened.

99: I thought Heather was referencing herself, not Palin. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

I'm horrified as well, and very pained every time I hear this woman open her mouth.

Although, as a former Alaskan myself, I *do* have to point out that it's very dangerous there. One must constantly be on the watch for Canadian poachers in the woods, Russian smugglers at sea, and for Mexicans who want to steal your weed crop. Sometimes the French were even a threat with their food! Very dangerous.

Does anyone else feel the MIND CONTROL the media is spinning? Thank you people like Katie Couric and Barbara Walters, and other skeptical mainstreamers.

when it comes time to vote it will mean voting for the lesser of two evils, just like it always does.

frankly, i don't trust any politicians. they all eventually screw up one way or another. never fails. as my grandpa liked to say "dems get in trouble over women and republicans get in trouble over money."

in this case though, even if i wasn't a dem she'd scare the living crap out of me. the country has come too far to risk the chance that mc cain will die and she'd be in charge.

betsy - to defend dooce, she insults everybody, she's pretty even handed and if you read her stuff you gotta be willing to take a little flack.

#113
is a perfect example of what I mean...when someone does not agree with you they are thought to be an idiot!?!

Oh Heather. Don't you know by now your funny little website is a humorous retreat for most of your fans!!!

Keep the politics out of your site...please.

I think of you as an intelligent and funny woman. Not so much when you post your political view. Do you really think Palin supporters will honestly put their own take/view so that you can just re-hash it again?

Please go back to talking about hitting snooze and how fucking wonderfully irritating your family is...if I need political insight, I'll just turn to the eighty channels that broadcast their own bias opinions.

While I do think it is "good" to see a woman succeeding in politics and it is nice to see more women involved in this election, I find it offensive as a woman that this is the best that the Republican party could do.

I am mostly a liberal with a few things falling into the more moderate range and the occasional right-wing leaning, but there is just too much at stake to gamble with this election.

I am more concerned about the potential changes to the Supreme Court and that is why I am voting Barack Obama.

While I mostly agreed with your previous post, I think that it is very commendable of you to open things up in a civil manner for debate. The only way an intelligent conversation can ever be had is if both sides are calm and agree to keep things calm. So kudos to opening things back up in a way that fosters intelligent debate, particularly after the myriad comments that cannot have been easy to read. I'll say that I was most offended by people that supposedly support this country and want "what's best for this country" while simultaneously telling you to write about your dog and your kid and nothing else. As if this isn't your website to do what you wish with... it's your site, you pay for it, they don't have to visit it and if you want to say something, well, then... you can damn well say it.

So thank you for saying what you mean, meaning what you say, but also having the courage to say "Well, what do you have to say?" to the other side of the debate.

Watching that made me feel the same level of awkwardness as when I watch Michael Scott from The Office try to have a staff meeting. The only difference is: Thats! Not! Real!

My only wish is that Tim Russert would have gotten his way with her. That episode of MTP would have been one for the ages. I miss him.

So she isn't the brilliant generalist like Obama, how refreshing. Obama is the same way except he just makes it sound better - there is no content, just words. That's what scares me about him - and all democratic presidents in the recent past. They over promise with triumphant speeches and underdeliver.

The last thing we need right now is more government and that is why Obama CANNOT be president.

Men like her because she's hot and conservative women like her because she's "pro-life". And moms like her because she's a mom. I was unfortunate enough to attend a Republican party party (long story how I ended up there, God forbid), and it was in Arizona, and most of the women there were voting for the McCain ticket not because of McCain, but because of "Sarah". She's "such a breath of fresh air" and represents "our values".
Personally, I think most conservatives are not really conservative in their everyday life but carry around a bunch of guilt and think by voting conservative they somehow become conservative. It's a crazy ideal.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2008!!!!

I love the way people tell you what to post on your blog. "I just come here for the purdy puppy pictures. Not politics!" God forbid you express your own opinion on your *gasp* OWN BLOG.

Sarah Palin has boobs. This is why people like her, I think. Goooo boobs!

This really isn't complicated, so let's just tell the truth, shall we? Palin's support only exists because she:
1. Wants to make abortion illegal.
2. Wants to prevent gay people from getting married.
3. Thinks we should teach religious dogma (creationism) in taxpayer-funded schools.

The people who support her have a worldview that goes exactly as far as those three issues and no further. Every other justification you hear for supporting Palin is a cover for one of those three things.

I think it is sad that everyone is on here bashing her. Dooce asked for supporters to tell her why. Is there no one that reads this blog that can articulate their reasons for support. So far, no supporters. We all understand, very clearly, why we should not vote for her, but, why do others see her as a future world leader. Why do some people see her as one that inspires them to go to the polls and tell the world that this is the person that we want to represent our nation the the global community?

Why, why, why?