Does Millman realize that the Senate would have to approve the VP choice should McCain die in office and Palin want to appoint a new VP? I know that for the most part the Democrats in the Senate are a bunch of pushovers, but still.

I want to know more about Todd Palin.

He's apparently deep in the Trooper firing scandal - delivering a 'dossier' about the brother-in-law to the Public Safety Commissioner and pressuring for a firing. (I think that was over at TPM). I also remember seeing something about state employees complaining about his ubiquity around the governor's office.

Sound's like he's really riding his wife's coattails, or a behind-the-scene player exploiting her position; plus he works for BP (per Wikipedia, FWIW post-scrub, in a "non-managerial position") - not good optics right now.

And on a lighter note - he's named "Todd" - which with her accent and presentation - I couldn't help being reminded of that (before Ezra's time) famous SNL skit by Gilda and Bill Murray - Lisa Loopner and Todd, the Nerds!

Lisa Loopner for VP!!

like i said yesterday,
G-d help us.
there are a number of politicians
that have been more than willing
to throw us all under the bus.

voter registration and phone banking
today...
www.barackobama.com
(G-d helps those who help themselves.)

Every time Obama gets center stage, be it the trip to Europe or his convention, he moves up. McCain's whole campaign is about keeping him off center stage, counting on our national ADD. Look, a shiny object!! And she's a woman!!
I don't mean to demean Palin. She may well prove to be an articulate spokesperson for views I deplore. But it again speaks to what's McCain's big problem. He cannot present himself as something new, not credibly. He went too far the other way to get nominated.

The GOP has long since abandoned the notion of 'governing'.

The question they now ask when they come to a fork in the road is not 'What's the right thing to do?'. It's not 'What course do conservative principles suggest?' By this point, it's not even 'What do we do to win?'

It's down to 'What will piss the liberals off?' and/or 'What will amuse the press?'

This is how a booker for a talk-show approaches his task, not a presidential candidate, or god help us, a president.

A party whose Ausgangsposition is the provision of bright shiny things and middle fingers.

God help us all.

Forget the debate about Sarah Palin's foregn policy / national security experience. It's important, but to a certain degree there is an establishment that can help with that (Pentagon, State Dept.) which provides a sort of base of opinion, and therefore some reassurance.

But remember, this election could determine up to 3 Supreme Court seats. A Supreme Court choice is much more the personal purview of the president. "Who would Sarah Palin put on the Supreme Court?" is a question that really gets you thinking.

Never mind foreign affairs, what does she know about the United States?

Can she name all fifty?

Has she ever been to New York City?

Has she ever been to Washingon DC?

Has she ever been in the same room with an African American?

And questions:

What does she know about the mortgage crisis?

What does she think about immigration? (from Mexico, not Canada)

What does she think about agricultural policy?

What does she think about the future of our industrial base?

These are all simple questions that most serious American politicians have some well-formed views on.

Nothing in her background or experience as governor of the wilds of Alaska suggests to me that she is ready to answer them.

incidentally, I don't think the VP has the power to "appoint" the president

Err...if McCain died, Palin would immediately become president. The vice presidency then being vacate, she could appoint someone as vice president while saying that as soon as that person was confirmed, she would resign, and he would appoint her as his vice president.

This would obviously be absurd, and wouldn't happen, but it is possible.

I hope to heaven the Obama campaign is even now cutting an ad called "The Master." It'd be hysterical.

"[Sarah Palin is] going to learn national security at the foot of the master for the next four years,"

Always two there are: A master and an apprentice.

Why Ezra, I didn't realize you were ALSO running for Vice President. Congratulations!

Obama screwed up big time having his first statement a direct attack on a sitting Governor, calling her a former small town mayor etc. It was completely stupid. A few hours later they realized how dumb that was and turned all nicey nice.

A big time Hillary fundraiser scoffed at Obamas statement saying that the only thing he's ever run is his mouth.

What's next for the Obama campaign, bring in Gore to start may fun of children with Down syndrome again??
Gore can reprise his "extra-chromosome right wing" line.

Man! Are you really 24 Ezra? Wow! I am as highly educated as anyone but I definitely couldn't do what you are doing when I was 24. Good job man.

On the topic at hand, I do think we have to keep in mind that there will be a very low level of expectation for Palin. We are lowering that bar right now. So that if she is able to sound even passably aware of certain key foreign policy matters, which would actually put her ahead of many members of the press corps, she will end up seeming a great deal more impressive than she really is.

Jeebus. A day of an entire chorus of Democrats explaining why the experience issue with Palin is a trap for the Obama campaign, and folks like Ezra still keep walking right into it.

-----

"see Fallows on this"

Taking political advice from Carter alums like Fallows, Chris Matthews, and Rick Hertzberg is like...

Actually, I don't know how to finish that sentence, the concept is so loony.

I second Chris O.'s congratulations in your run for the VP. When can we expect the Paris Hiltonesque ad?

Does anyone know why women have stopped fainting at Obama events? That seemed to happen everyday during the primary, and then bloggers caught onto it, it went to you tube and then the mainstream press, and it appears to have stopped happening.

Any word on why the fainting has ceased?? And why was it always women?

By my calcualtions, at least 1,000 women should have fainted at Invesco Field.

Frankly I would prefer President Ezra Klein to President Sarah Palin.

Aaaannnd... Tyro wins the thread!!

All candidates have to study up on policy issues when running for national office the first time.

Usually the time-frame is servaral months (as opposed to days).

It's hard to see why the McCain Campaign went with this person other than they're in a panic and are grasping at straws.

Incompetent nincompoops is how the history books will judge their campaign.

Tyro: "Always two there are: A master and an apprentice."

Not with Democrats, then its a master and an intern.

Blue Dress, stained it is...

If I remember the 25th Amendment correctly, both houses of Congress must confirm a nominee for Vice-President.

great post, ezra.

Again, I don't know how the politics of this are going to play out. It may well be brilliant. But it's shocking to me how blase people are about the governance implications of the Palin pick. The ultimate criterion of the VP pick MUST be someone clearly qualified to take over and be President at a moment's notice. Palin FAILS this test. What does that say about McCain, who picked her? And what does that say about the future of the country, were McCain to die in office and this dangerously unprepared person became the leader of the free world? It's deeply frightening.

P.S. That Noah Millman post was one of the most embarrassing I've ever read.

OMG, Pat, did you actually just go to Monica Lewinsky as a contrast to Sarah Palin?

If you see Palin's position as being basically that as an UNELECTED INTERN, then it's no wonder you think she's qualified. Hopefully people will realize that this is what the Republicans really

I want to see more on the fact that she taxed oil company profits. That's a huge contradiction with McCain's energy policy--that's basically the only thing he's ruled out of his "all of the above" approach. (Of course ruling out new revenue means ruling out alternative research, but never mind.)

She should be forced to explain that. It would be fun.

On foreign policy, the "experience" trap is utterly avoidable. Just stick with the Obama "judgment" theme. McCain has a record of bad judgment. Palin has absolutely no record of foreign policy judgment whatsoever as of today, two months from election day. She's not merely "inexperienced" like Obama, she simply has no foreign policy interest at all.

Of course Palin can't just "appoint" a president. My understanding of the line of succession is that, should McCain die and she refuse the office, the Speaker of the House would become president and Palin would have to ask her very nicely to re-nominate her for VP (which is, uh, not terribly likely). Would Millman be thrilled with President Pelosi?

Are McCain supporters seriously using this as a defense of the Palin pick? If so, not only is it a hell of a stretch as a defense, it's not based in any sort of reality.

It's not the years, it's what you do with them. I'd expect Ezra to know more about foreign affairs than Gov. Palin, with the possible exception of fishing rights with Canada, of course, but Gov. Palin certainly has the edge in experience when it comes to beauty pageants, small-town government, and moose hunting.

When the Russians send their trained moose armies against us, we'll be glad to have Palin, believe you me.

"So is the new argument that Palin is more experienced than a 24-year-old blogger?"

Yeah, Ezra, Obama really blew it when he picked you as his running mate.

Of course Palin can't just "appoint" a president. My understanding of the line of succession is that, should McCain die and she refuse the office, the Speaker of the House would become president and Palin would have to ask her very nicely to re-nominate her for VP (which is, uh, not terribly likely). Would Millman be thrilled with President Pelosi?

I think the scenario is not that she refuses the office. She accepts the office, takes the oath of office, and then appoints a vice president on the understanding that she'll resign and let him take over, and then he'll reappoint her as VP. Constitutionally possible! but not very likely.

I think the scenario is not that she refuses the office. She accepts the office, takes the oath of office, and then appoints a vice president on the understanding that she'll resign and let him take over, and then he'll reappoint her as VP. Constitutionally possible! but not very likely.

Except that if everyone knows you're playing this game, then what was the mere formality of Congressional confirmation of the VP will suddenly have vastly higher stakes.

Depending on the circumstances under which McCain is no longer able to be president, this could start to look like 24.

You notice not a single left winger will actually offer any concrete comparison between Obama and Palin. How many years in an executive position? How many people have they had working for them in any government position, how many soldiers they have had under their command, how mny budgets they have executed, etc. etc.

They can't do it because Obama has no experience. They can't point to anything he has ever done in government.

Once again, Hillary's girl is right, the only thing Obama and apparently his supporters have ever run is their mouths.

Palin = Bush.

Not necessarily in their experience levels and backgrounds, but in how they fit into the Republican power structure. If Palin ever did become President, her Republican handlers would decide everything for her, just like Cheney is the real force behind the Bush presidency.

After Bush, Republicans have made it obvious that they believe the actual person that is President doesn't matter. That person is only there to collect votes and win elections. They don't need any real governing experience, because the people actually governing during a Republican administration are behind the scenes.

PALIN DOESN'T SKIP THE TROOPS:

Palin versus Obama at Landstuhl
Some politicians only bother to undertake good deeds when they can bring their campaign reporters and photographers. Others are more decent and less craven.

In July 2007, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) traveled to a U.S. military base in Kuwait to visit Alaska National Guard soldiers who support our operations in Iraq. On her return trip, she stopped to visit wounded troops at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

SAYS ALOT ABOUT THE PRIORITIES OF THESE TWO CANDIDATES.

Pat: Hillary's "girl," eh?

You notice not a single left winger will actually offer any concrete comparison between Obama and Palin

There's a reason for that. Part of it has to do with the fact that voters are choosing between Obama and McCain, not Obama and Palin. We already know that voters are disinclined to vote for McCain.

So, this Millman guy is saying, don't worry, if McCain dies in office, we'll end up with President X, the identity of whom we don't know yet.

Why not just skip the formalities and vote for President X? Or is the lure of the unknown supposed to be the real attraction in Millman's scenario?

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Ezra. It just struck me as funny, that's all.

Oh, and she's more qualified than both the 24-year-old blogger AND the 47-year-old freshman senator. [ducks hail of rotten vegetables]

Whoops, sorry to be a pest, but it looks like you accidentally truncated my quote. Here's the full context:

"Putting aside the humor value of a child like Ezra Klein pontificating on the lack of experience in a woman nearly twice his age: How exactly is Palin less experienced than Obama? How many states has HE governed?"

And again, sorry about the cheap shot.

Hi everyone, after careful reflection I realized that I have been acting like a prick recently. Rather than participating in a reasoned debate I have been Anonymously posting things I clipped from other web-site.

For Example:
Palin Doesn't Skip The Troops!

I posted this above but it can be seen at literally dozens of other sites around the web.

http://beldar.blogs.com/beldarblog/2008/07/palin-versus-ob.html

Now I realize that John McCain prepared two ads in advance; in one he criticized Obama for visiting the troops and using them as a prop, in the other for not caring about the troops. You will notice in the link I posted Palin used a visit to wounded troops as a photo op. Now I see the internal contradiction of my criticism.

I have made many, many, many, similar statements over the past week. I deeply apologize for the trouble I have caused and promise to reform in the future. Comments are a place for people with differing views to engage in a civil discourse and not meant as a place to vent my personal anxieties.

I love you all,

Anonymous

Personally, I think McCain waited too long to make his pick and by the time he got back to the various candidates (post DNC speeches), all of them decided they weren't wearing enough asbestos to go near the McCain campaign; no need to waste time and effort being part of a campaign that's so obviously screwed when they could better be spent trying to get re-elected Governor of Minnesota or wherever.

So McCain went through his Rolodex and Palin was the first one to say, "yes". Well, good luck to her. I'm sure if there's a sports round at the VP debate she'll totally leave Biden in the dust*:

http://jockfiles.blogspot.com/2007/02/jock-of-rock-sarah-palin.html

As for the other questions about real issues, she can use the standard Republican defense when faced with anyone who's more knowledgeable about any given subject: just call them elitist and out of touch.

*The best line from that interview seems to be, in answer to the question, "what's one of the greatest moments of your life?": "Taking State [in women's basketball] in 1982". Other than that it's dull as ditch water and you'll coming away saying, "That's 30 minutes of my life I'm never going to get back". Don't say I didn't warn you.

jim, howzabout this for a cheap shot: by your standards, palin has more qualifications to be president than john mccain.

actually, that's not a cheap shot: it's a stupid frickin' argument.

Actually Pat they dont compare Obama to Pallin because hes the candiate for president and shes the candidate for VICE president. The two are rarely compared.

I know this will blow your mind, but you need to be comparing Biden with Palin since they are actually going for the same position.

When it comes to Obama, he has more experience on the national stage then she does by far. He was a senator for 2 years, and a state legislator of a major state (not mayor of a 5600 person town) for a long time before that.

Beyond experience Obama has the ability to speak about policy without openly fabricating facts. (see polar bears and Pallin's claims that their populations have been rising for 30 years, in direct contrast to every study including those by Alaska Fish and wildlife.)

Reading that the wingnuts think that merely because the liberal commentators are in an uproar about this choice that she must be a good one. They fail to realize theres a big difference between laughing with someone and laughing AT them. The commentary isnt about her because the left is so afraid of this ultimate candidate. Their laughing at his rediculous, woman pandering, hypocritical decision.

Hey, Ezra, don't be dissuaded by hits on your experience. You're almost as qualified (pundit, policy wonk) to be President as Pat Buchanan, who Sarah Palin supported. TWICE.

Reading through Palin's various interviews last night, I'm struck by how few opinions she appears to have uttered on topics with any national relevance.

Didn't you read Being There? Not having any opinions on matters of national importance is correctly assessed by John McCain as being a decisive advantage.

There is still time for Nobama to step aside and let the cream rise to the top of the Dem ticket (no skin-color pun intended there). Sure, Biden's a blowhard, DC insider, wheeler-dealer, anti-reformer, hawk with insane plans for Iraq, but only the most partisan hack would argue that he's not tolerably well qualified for the presidency.

david b

Perhaps you should revisit your claim about Obama's aversion to fabricating facts when he did three times in one sitting at Saddleback.

(1) Claimed that abortions have been on the rise the past eight years.

(2) Stated the Born Alive Act that he voted down in the Illinois State Senate was not identical to the federal version that protected a woman's right to choose (it did, proving his political opponents correct despite his whining that they were liaring about his record).

(3) He misled the public to think that he effectively worked with McCain on ethics reform, when in fact Obama was disingenuous from the start prompting a scathing letter from McCain.

And if we're going to ask Palin to name all fifty states, perhaps Obama can name all fifty seven.

"jim, howzabout this for a cheap shot: by your standards, palin has more qualifications to be president than john mccain."

She does have more executive experience than him, yes. Which is A qualification, not THE qualification, of course.

Then again, she's yet to write a single autobiography. So that's 2-0 for Obama.

david b:

Don't forget that she's already lied about being for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it.

Didn't 2000 teach us the dangers of setting expectations so low that virtually and idiot could out perform them? Not that it means much, but Governor Palin certainly seems more impressive to me than did Governor Bush did in 2000. Let's not forget that playing the game of exceeding low expectations got that fool elected twice.

Jim Treacher -- if you are going to insult and try to belittle a guy on the internet, you should probably have the sense not to then come his blog and try to apologize, or make him think you're cool, or just be cute, or whatever it is you are trying to do.

"Didn't 2000 teach us the dangers of setting expectations so low that virtually and idiot could out perform them? Not that it means much, but Governor Palin certainly seems more impressive to me than did Governor Bush did in 2000. Let's not forget that playing the game of exceeding low expectations got that fool elected twice.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 30, 2008 11:53 PM"

Bush also had the entire campaign season to prep. He had Condi Rice and the Young Turks (nickname of a group of foreign policy wonks like Dan Drezner) prepping him on foreign policy. Texas also has the benefit of being part of the contiguous US and having many issues similar to the rest of the US (like agricultural policy, immigration, etc.) that Alaska does not. Palin has a little over two months to brush up on how the rest of the US works and on foreign policy.

"Jim Treacher -- if you are going to insult and try to belittle a guy on the internet, you should probably have the sense not to then come his blog and try to apologize, or make him think you're cool, or just be cute, or whatever it is you are trying to do."

Sounds like you think you know already. Well then, I apologize for apologizing.

Jim Treacher: I think you mistook amusement for offense. There's no real need for you to apologize for making amusingly silly arguments that happen to mention Ezra's age.

If McCain were to die in February 2009, Palin's obvious choice for Vice President is that steady hand who has already had the job: Dick Cheney.

"There's no real need for you to apologize for making amusingly silly arguments that happen to mention Ezra's age."

Well, how magnanimous of you. Salutations.

Moptop here, just over from Treacher's place and I have a couple questions.

What is the crime involved, or scandal for that matter, in firing an "at will" employee?

How is Palin less qualified than Teddy Roosevelt?

How is Obama more qualified than the least qualified President of the United states since Lincoln? In answering this question, you get to pick the president you wish to compare Obama to.

Why is Obama so proud of having the luxury of time to lay around and pen his airy thoughts and upset that a busy executive who oversees an 11 billion dollar budget and 15000 employees doesn't write her own speeches?

Don't bother answering these questions, I know you can't. I am just taunting you.

Like you page very muck!

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