Clear Winner of Vice Presidential Debate?

The debate just ended and the spin has started. Billed as sort of a David versus Goliath match up, it was the folksy, straight-talking hockey mom versus the seasoned, smooth talking and charismatic senator.

Who won?

As expected, both sides are claiming victory. The people will weigh in over the next several days via numerous polls and we'll start to see if the electoral map budges any.

But the bigger question was not who won but did Gov. Palin do enough to shore up the Republican base and bring a new wave of enthusiasm. After a few weeks of major interview gaffes, she not only had to prove that she was not an embarrassment to the McCain ticket but someone who'd actually be an asset.

Did she accomplish that? The consensus among the pundits is that she gave a strong showing and redeemed herself on the issues.

Biden needed to demonstrate a solid command of the issues and do it without sounding condescending or making a gaffe. There was no doubt he was well-spoken and pounded home Obama's agenda.

VP debates don't historically have any bearance on the elections. Do you think this one will be a game changer?

Clear Winner of Vice Presidential Debate?

http://politics4moms.blogspot.com/2008/10/clear-winner-of-vice-presidential.html

Palin vs. Biden

Tonight is the only debate for the vice presidential candidates. Of course, what would be politics without a few pre-debate questions to ponder.

• Is it a conflict of interest for Gwen Ifill to moderate tonight's vice presidential debate? Ifill has written a book on Sen. Obama that is set to release around the election.
• Can Palin overcome her dismal interviews with Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson to put forth a strong showing tonight?
• Will Biden say something outrageous or insult Palin directly?
• Will the outcome of this debate have any real bearing on the election?

Unlike the last debate which was not watched by many people, I have a feeling tonight's debate will be must see TV in most homes tonight.

So what do you think? Any opinions on the four questions above? Are you going to watch the debate?

Palin vs. Biden

http://politics4moms.blogspot.com/2008/10/palin-vs-biden.html

Fact Checking Palin's Speech

A reader asked if I was going to fact check Sarah Palin's speech from last night's convention. I said 'no' because I didn't do that for Obama's or Biden's speeches. Ironically, I stumbled across an article from The Huffington Post that broke down a number of Palin's assertions. Here's one:

PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."

THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.

Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.

He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.

You can read the rest here.

Fact Checking Palin's Speech

http://politics4moms.blogspot.com/2008/09/fact-checking-palins-speech.html

New Political Contender Born

Pundit after pundit, especially those who disagree with all McCain policies, could not gush enough about Palin's speech tonight at the DNC. Poised, pro, confident, political star, hit it out of the park, amazing, spellbound, energizing and the best speech by a VP candidate ever were all words used to describe Gov. Palin. But you are the ones who really count.

What did you think of Sarah Palin's nomination speech? Home run? Missed opportunity? Should she have addressed the rumors/scandals in more detail? Should Biden be shaking in his boots? Should the entire Obama campaign not get any sleep tonight?

New Political Contender Born

http://politics4moms.blogspot.com/2008/09/new-political-contender-born.html

Open Season on Women?

As a woman, I'm finding it frustrating that the first or second word pundits use to describe Palin is "hot" and "attractive." You would never say that about a male candidate. I'm certainly not a femininst, but that kind of talk is demeaning to me.

It's also in poor taste for another reporter I heard say that he's glad to finally have someone who wears a skirt and not a pantsuit. Again, would those types of commentary on clothing ever be said about a man?

As a mom, I am also not fond of the discussion that's starting about how she should stay at home and raise her disabled and troubled kids. We already carry so much guilt as moms...especially when it comes to working and not working. It's bad enough when your family and friends question your decision, but imagine having to answer to an entire nation. Would I be running for vice president if I was in her position? Probably not. But I respect her decision

I guess those 18 million holes in the glass ceiling didn't really mean much.

Open Season on Women?

http://politics4moms.blogspot.com/2008/09/open-season-on-women.html

Big Revelations out of McCain Campaign Today

Sen. McCain's camp reported today that Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. The daughter plans on keeping the baby and marrying the father.

According to ABCNews.com, "Democratic nominee Barack Obama Monday said his campaign will not make a political issue of the Palin daughter's pregnancy. He told reporters while campaigning in Michigan that a candidate's family is 'off limits and people's children are especially off limits,' pointing out that his own mother gave birth to him at 18."

The McCain campaign reports they knew about the pregnancy while Palin was being vetted but didn't believe it should disqualify her from seeking the vice presidency.

Also being reported today is that Gov. Palin's husband, Todd, was arrested on a drunk driving charge when he was 22 years old.

So, to all the McCain supporters, does this revelation today change your mind about Gov. Palin? Does it make you like her as a candidate more or less?

Big Revelations out of McCain Campaign Today

http://politics4moms.blogspot.com/2008/09/big-revelations-out-of-mccain-campaign.html

A Historic Day For Motherhood

Guest Blogger: Jeff Porter, Obama Supporter

John McCain has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his choice for Vice President. Who is Sarah Palin? In many ways, she's an impressive figure.

Palin, 44, is a first-term governor of Alaska, taking office on December 4, 2006. She is the youngest person and the first woman to hold the office. As governor, she signed two major pieces of legislation -- an overhaul of the state's ethics laws and a competitive process to construct a gas pipeline. Under her leadership, Alaska invested $5 billion in state savings, overhauled education funding, and implemented the Senior Benefits Program that provides support for low-income older Alaskans. She created Alaska’s Petroleum Systems Integrity Office to provide oversight and maintenance of oil and gas equipment, facilities and infrastructure, and the Climate Change Subcabinet to prepare a climate change strategy for Alaska. Alaskans like her. She has an 80-90% approval rating.

Before governor, she was the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, population 6,715, located about an hour's drive north of Anchorage, and served on the Wasilla City Council.

Her personal story is quite interesting. She is an avid fisherwoman and lifetime member of the NRA. She has 5 kids - Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig, a 4-month old with downs syndrome. She won the Miss Wasilla beauty pageant, then finished second in the Miss Alaska pageant. Her husband is Todd Palin, a lifelong Alaskan and four-time champion of the Iron Dog, the world's longest snowmachine race. Governor Palin has a bachelor of science degree in journalism from the University of Idaho. Her religious affiliation is Assemblies of God and she enjoys hunting, fishing, running (she runs marathons) and plays flute.

On the issues, she is anti-abortion rights, pro-gun rights, supports the teaching of creationism in public schools, opposes same-sex-marriage, and has a strong record of ethics reform. She is considered a fiscal conservative and is credited with slashing millions of dollars in state spending. She initially supported the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere", but cancelled the project when some federal funding was lost. She supports responsible drilling in Alaska's ANWR and helped pass a tax increase on oil company profits. She also has expressed skepticism about man-made global warming. Her views on immigration, trade, foreign policy and national security issues are unclear, but I'm sure we'll learn much more in the coming weeks.

One final note of interest. Palin is currently under investigation for potential abuse of power related to the firing of the state's former public safety commissioner Walt Monegan. It is alleged that Palin pressured Monegan to fire a state trooper who was going through a messy divorce with Palin's sister. It's hard to imagine McCain selecting Palin without fully vetting this issue, but the investigation will continue.

Overall, Palin is a fascinating choice. McCain's age and health is sure to become a bigger issue in the campaign with Palin on the ticket. She complements McCain's reform/maverick message and should appeal to religious conservatives on the social issues. It remains to be seen if she pulls broader support from women, especially pro-abortion rights women.

Palin is obviously a strong modern woman and not afraid to go up against the "big boys." Democrats should be careful to not underestimate her. This campaign just got a lot more interesting. The media must be in heaven right now.

A Historic Day For Motherhood

http://politics4moms.blogspot.com/2008/08/historic-day-for-motherhood.html

Sarah Palin - A Heartbeat Away From Commander-In-Chief

Guest Blogger: Jeff "Married to my Daughter's Mom" Porter, Obama Supporter

Can someone please explain to me how Obama isn't experienced enough to be President but Sarah Palin is? I guess the inexperienced argument only applies when it's the other guy.

Sarah Palin - A Heartbeat Away From Commander-In-Chief

http://politics4moms.blogspot.com/2008/08/sarah-palin-heartbeat-away-from.html