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From The Sunday Times
August 31, 2008
Wily Obama beats McCain on strategy
Our correspondent applauds how the Democrat outwitted his rival and neutralised the Clintons
There are two core aspects to fighting wars and winning campaigns: tactics and strategy. Tactics allow you to seize opportunities or maximise your underlying strengths. But strategy matters more for the long haul; without it, you can be brilliantly successful from day to day and yet lose your direction and focus as time goes by.
So far, in the short time that we have had a real general election campaign in the United States, one team has shown some brilliant and daring, if occasionally crude, tactical skills. The other has shown a willingness to forgo sudden decisions or short-term strikes in favour of long-term goals. John McCain has been the tactician and Barack Obama the strategist. McCain has been the risk-taker, Obama the cool conservative.
Last week revealed this contrast again. Obama’s strategic skills have been obvious for quite a while. He is perfectly prepared to hang back in a campaign, to allow attacks to pummel him and to lose news cycles or primaries to a media-centric opponent. Last autumn he refused to shift his message, even as Hillary Clinton’s massive double-digit lead did not budge for months. He focused on a plan based on delegates and caucuses, conceding that the Clintons controlled much of the rest. He took several blows – the Wright flap, the Texas and Ohio primaries, “bitter-gate” – but stuck to his game plan, which had always predicted a very narrow delegate win. And he won, slowly, carefully but unmistakably.
Over the past six weeks, against a Republican opponent this time, the pattern has repeated itself. In my view, Obama lost most of the weeks during July and August after his Berlin speech and before his convention. He allowed McCain to portray him as an inexperienced, celebrity narcissist, constructing a cult of personality on a welter of insubstantial rhetoric. The attacks worked, as they often do. They reached fever pitch last week as rumours of a “Greek temple” hosting the Obama godhead at Denver’s Invesco stadium were leaked to the press.
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However, when you take the long view, you see cunning and method in Obama’s restraint and discipline. His biggest problem after the primaries was the Clinton hangover. That dynasty dominated the party he was leading and demanded respect and deference, but not too much deference, in case they seemed to overwhelm him.
Handling that was an extremely tricky task – but the convention showed how attuned Obama’s emotional intelligence is. He gave the Clintons all they could have ever wanted. In the face of deep bitterness under the surface, especially among older female voters, Obama gave Hillary a night to shine and preen and gave Bill a podium to remind the world how good he still is.
When Hillary personally suspended the roll call and called for Obama’s nomination to be approved by acclamation, she threw the weight of the party behind her rival. When Bill personally vouched for Obama’s readiness for office that night, the deal was sealed. Somehow, Obama had brought the Clintons fully on board even while passing over Hillary for the vice-presidency. He made it look much easier than it might have been. Anyone who can handle the Clintons that deftly is a very smooth operator.
Then the best speech of the week: Michelle Obama’s. Her job was to remind people that Obama is actually from a modest background, as she is. Her task was to dispel the aura of otherness hovering like a cloud of alienation over his candidacy. It was a masterful speech, conversational, patriotic, uplifting – the opposite of the angry woman the far right had tried to demonise.
Joe Biden’s speech – not the attack that was expected – was also oddly effective. Biden oozed classic Democratic culture: Irish-Catholic ethnics in Pennsylvania and Ohio and Michigan. He was the white uncle of the promising young black guy, reassuring the punters in the pub that the kid was all right. And he is a foreign policy heavyweight, a pick which suggested that Obama was more concerned with getting the best advice in office than the most headline-grabbing vice-presidential pick for the campaign.
Then the finale: Obama’s oration to 84,000 people in a football stadium. And again: a strategic decision. After allowing the McCain campaign to portray him as an airy rhetorician, an aloof and insubstantial political version of Britney Spears, Obama gave a detailed, economically focused, traditional Democratic tub-thumper, with aggression and steel and great seriousness. Yes, it was rhetoric of a high order. But it was concrete, it appealed to middle-class Americans on liberal, Democratic grounds and showed a feistiness and aggression that some had not known was part of him. No, he is not Jimmy Carter or Adlai Stevenson. He’s from Chicago. It showed.
From day to day the convention went up and down. It had poor moments and strong ones. But when it was over and you took its full measure, you realised how shrewd it was. The Clintons? Not just defused but energised. Race? Embraced but also transcended. Experience? Biden. Celebrity? Michelle’s life story. Every box was checked. Even the danger of the Invesco stadium speech was deflated by the event itself. It did not look like a Greek temple. And the images of the people in the stands, far from making Obama look like a rock star, drew visual attention to the unconventionally apolitical aspect of Obama’s following. The people in that crowd were not just the party die-hards. They made the process seem less exclusive.
Throughout all this, the McCain campaign remained hyperactive, almost succumbing at times to attention deficit disorder. They kept making somewhat crude appeals to the Clinton camp; they kept threatening to announce the vice-presidential pick before Obama’s speech; they went overboard on the Greek temple foofaraw. And then they unveiled their counterstroke: Sarah Palin as vice-president, a woman whose educational experience is limited to a journalism degree at the University of Idaho, who has no experience or even interest in foreign policy, and who has less than two years of experience as the 44-year-old governor of Alaska, a state with a mere 700,000 residents.
It was a brilliant, attention-grabbing move. It dominated the news cycle in the wake of Obama’s well received speech on Thursday night; it appealed to women and to the Hillary voters; it rallied the pro-life base, as Palin is firmly against abortion rights and has just given birth to a Down’s syndrome child; it offered a fresh face to rail against corruption in Washington; it helped McCain’s maverick image; and it enabled McCain to present himself as the candidate of change, rather than following the Clinton strategy against Obama of representing experience.
It was another tactic – guerrilla-style, clever, nimble, deft. But, one senses, also a little desperate, a little too risky, a little unserious. America is at war with lethal enemies, its economy is teetering, its people are unsettled. And McCain gave us a 44-year-old former beauty queen as the person who could be asked to take over the White House in an emergency if anything happened to the oldest first-term president in American history. Tactically: daring. Strategically: potentially disastrous.
Game on. And, advantage: Obama.
As anyone developed critical thinking...do not get stuck in your ideologic box and think about the country and who has shown leadership and abilities behind the average politician.
I know we are used to Bush and his low standards speeches.
No excuse, check the candidates voting records.
lea, fredericksburg, usa
I'm still perplexed as to how America ended up with the candidates it has for this election? Too much is at stake & we have 4 candidates unqualified for the tasks before them. Michelle Obama's speech was a joke on America. Both she & her husband are chameleons. Biden is notorious for flip-flopping.
Katherine, Central Virginia, USA
Bill and Hillary don’t need Obama to shine; they are real. Obama has a big ego, and he will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Read what he did to Alice Palmer, his former mentor, to become a Senator. America needs a President that puts people first!
Anne, LA, USA
I find it funny that the Republican Middle Class believes the Republican Party is for them. True they give you your social agendas, pro-life, pro-gun, pro-religion. But they take your money. National Debt/ Defiit up, energy up, food up, unemployment up, wages down. Is the trade off worth it?
jay, rancho cucamonga, ca
seems to me the real issue is that in the world outside of america we desperately want some sanity returned to US foreign policy and we've convinced ourselves it needs a democratic president to do that. firm against our real common enemies, but in favour of peace.
stephen, china, china
McCain says that Obama lacks experience.
But when did genius ever need experience?
We thank America for giving the World a once-in-a-lifetime gift
Dai IRANI, Bournemouth, UNITED KINGDOM
A young teenage girl needs her mother under normal everyday circumstances. This girl needs her mother now more than ever! Pity she won't be there for her.
Mary, Ohio, US
Isn't it right and just that Conservative Republicans and Sen. McCain offer voters a beautiful vote-getter, a career woman, Governor of Alaska, whose 17-year-old daughter is 5 months pregnant. Poor child! She has a mother who thinks she can raise five young children and still serve as vice president
Margaret Hope, Tulsa OK, USA
You want to bring up national security and Obama/Biden in the same article? Hah.
joe, boca raton,
I thought Biden was Obama's strongest choice for VP.
James Canning, Seattle, USA
Sarah Palin is simply a 'good looker'. Full Stop.
jean baker, Guildlord, Surrey
Kevin, fair enough if you don't like or support Obama but please don't lie to other posters. http://www.law.uchicago.edu/media/index.html
A link for a statement confirming Obama as a lecturer and proffesor at Chicago between 1992 and 2004. I'd like to see your evidence about Harvard if possible?
Finn, Dunedin, New Zealand
Obama is a proven leader of the 21st century, and a brilliant executive. He is the one leader who can put this country back on the right track.
McCain and his VP Palin will take us back to the 19th century through their anti-progress views on abortion, environment, etc.
Vasanti, Phoenix, USA
The fact that so many people on this forum think being a lawyer is a great qualification for getting things done worries me; they have clearly never actually tried to do business with one, obviously! I value a pragmatic, can do attitude (Palin) over a waffling windbag any day (Biden, Obama etc)
Guy Thompson, London, UK
McCain gave us a 44 yr old beauty queen when we are faced with serious problems around the world...and she has 5 times the experience of obama with a million times more common sense.
David, indian rocks beach, Florida
A foreign policy heavyweight you say? Biden was against the surge and in April of 2008 said the surge was a failure. If that's how he displays his foreign policy experience then Palin only has to bring this up in debate and he will lose the debate.
Viv, London, England
Some corrections for posters; Obama was never a college professor or associate professor at UC, his title was visiting lecturer. His appointment as editor of HLRJ has been admitted to be AA by Harvard. They were disappointed with his service there. He will not release his SATs or grades.
Kevin Finnerty, Atlanta, USA
The glass ceiling is only intact if those of you who seem so incensed over any criticism of Sarah Palin won't allow "us women" to be judged professionally in the same way that a man is--and you don't have a problem with such judgments being made about a man's education and experience.
DJ, Nashville, TN, USA
Sarah Palin is twice the woman Hillary Clinton is; and twice the man Barack Obama is.
Paul McGinn, Marlboro, MA, USA
Remember this, behind every successful man stands a woman..
Now, they are standing beside the men, and they have always managed the books. I expect great things of her. Cost-cutting and the like. We need the environmentalists like we need a hole in the head.
June Sham, Fresno, CA, USA
Palin has executive experience. Obama has some speeches he gave.
James Parsons, Coventry, USA
Sarah Palin's husband helps with the children. I was under the impression that "progressives" liked working mothers and dads who help with raising children. Suddenly, though, they're sound like a 1950's women's sewing circle. " Tsk, tsk,how can she possibly neglect her children like that?"
Donna , Milwaukee, USA
You have a PhD from Harvard and you make statements like "And McCain gave us a 44-year-old former beauty queen..."
I'm assuming you are trying to be funny otherwise you're tivializing a wonderful woman's career and being intellectually dishonest. You help keep the glass ceiling intact.
Howard Vickery, Newnan, Coweta
America is at war with lethal enemies and the Democrat party gave us a 47 year old community organizer.
Lisa E, Charlotte,
Hey Andrew..wake up..according to those dems..there are no terrorists. Syria just endorsed BO and said Bo and JB understand that there is no threat. My worry is not that Palin can't handle the enemy...my worry is BO won't. Palin won't sleep with the enemy..BO has.
John, Western Pa., Lawrence
And she's AWESOME!!!!!!
A Mitt, Mogadore, USA
How much more experienced is Obama than Palin? Or is the fact that he's a man automatically make him more qualified. Andrew is worried about an someone inexperienced taking over if McCain cannot serve out his term. I am worried about someone taking over from day one if Obama is elected.
Flo, los angeles, USA
I think these boards have been infiltrated by republican black ops, I cannot take seriously the number of people who think that Palin is a 'good pick/great choice!'and that she will mop up all those disaffected Hillary supporters just because she's female, never mind the issues. President Obama!
Sharrow, Beds, UK
Shows the world what kind of judgement McCain has! No thought of America's problems, just trying to get the religious freaks votes. Obama ran the largest, and smoothest campaign that's ever been run. He was a constitutional law professor. McCain was fourth from the bottom of his graduating class.
J. Gannon, brunswick, usa
Govenor Palin is not only beautiful, she's a barracuda. A brilliant choice by Senator McCain.
jvarden, Miamisburg, Ohio USA,
This is the best, most dispassionate analysis I've read on the election.
Steve Raaen, NYC, USA
And McCain gave us a 44-year-old former beauty queen as the person who could be asked to take over the White House in an emergency if anything happened to the oldest first-term president in American history.
Does this sound sexist to you? It does to me.
Bruce, Kelseyville, USA
Your contemptuous statement referring to Governor Palin as "a 44-year-old former beauty queen" is foolish. Misogynistic attacks on yet another female candidate are not going over well. Her experience (compared to Obama? hahaha) Her religious position (compared to Obama? hahaha) PUMA!
LAMusing, Long Beach, CA, United States
Sarah is the Mother of a American Soldier..What have you ever contributed?
CYN, Virginia Beach , USA
Both Obama-Biden and McCain-Palin fade against Medvedev-Putin.. And that's what matters in the post 2008 world..
Go Medvedev-Putin!
Harry, Sunnyvale, USA
We are at war with lethal enemies and Obama gives, "Iran is a tiny country. Iran is not a serious threat to the United States." Psst, Barry, Iran is bigger than Japan. You know, that country that bombed Pearl Harbor, right?
Richard Jarzynka, Pittsburgh, United States of America
This is a woman that could teach Bear Grylls how to survive in the Arctic. Alaska is 5 times the size of the UK with the population of Devon county and she is an able, savvy Administrator. Get to know her because you will be calling her Madam Vice President on her first state visit!
Dave, Wasilla, AK, USA
For those of you who look down on people like Palin, you know, average working people, get ready to be confounded. She will touch people because they will identify with her. She is ready to lead through her experience in business, as a mayor and as governor. She will truly connect with people.
William, Lexington, USA
Let's be fair to Obama... He's never had the chance to hold an executive position in government and his penchant for casting neutral "present" votes in Illinois is well documented. He doesn't know what integrity to a position means and cannot be held responsible for a record of no accomplishments.
bill , branford, usa
Surprising to see someone like you criticizing queens. Go back to Harvard, boy, and leave the national defense to someone who knows how to fire a gun.
bulwark, Newport Beach, CA,
Americans face serious trouble if the Democrats win and achieve a landslide victory. He reminds of the 1980s Labour Party with huge manifestos and no (rational) way to pay for them. Obama has promised the world to the electorate but the country does not have the money to make his vision a reality.
Andre, Portland, USA
It is obvious that PhD dosen't spell S-M-A-R-T . Gov Palin has more excutive experience then the entire Democratic ticket. She has done more in her 2 years as governor then Sen. Obama has done in his entire 173 days in the senate and has done so by a large margine. Point to McCain.
EN Price, Mountain View, CA, USA
McCain just put a 20 Month neocon Governor from Alaska, with literally no foreign relations experience a hearbeat away from the highest office. Remember, McCain is 2 years away from the average life expectancy for a male in this country. He also graduated at the bottom of his class. McCain is toast
Mickey, Chicago,
For those of you 'across the pond' who wonder how the American people feel about Sen. McCain's VP choice, I ask that you read the comments from Americans concerning this article. It appears to me that Gov. Palin enjoys a three to one advantage! The liberal Dems are squirming for a reason!
Matt, Havana, FL, USA
Thank you, Mr. Sullivan, for telling it like it is. Biden is going to slam-dunk her in the debate, and she will alienate the portion of the US population that doesn't spent its time killing moose, plotting to revoke women's rights, and denying the proven theory of evolution.
Dustin, New York, United States
Look at the electoral college map. McCain has a snowball's chance in hell at becoming the next president, and every insider knows this.
I for one say, thank GOD.
GObama.
Mickey, Chicago,
In his final paragraph, Andrew Sullivan could only describe Ms. Palin as a former beauty queen. Does he have a problem with women? Is he just jealous of her affect on men? Or is it that the only issue he cares about is gay marriage and he hates anyone who doesn't support it? Or is it 1, 2 and 3?
Jody, Kissimmee,
Paying for the plans in Obama's speech will be a non-issue once this govt stops spending millions each day on a useless war which is accomplishing absolutely nothing. Obama knows it is absurd to continue the war while there is one American without health care, education, or a veteran without a home.
Dustin, New York, United States
Mr. Sullivan is right, "America is at war with lethal enemies, its economy is teetering, its people are unsettled. And McCain gave us a 44-year-old former beauty queen..." The Democrats gave us a "community organizer" who has been running for the presidency since arriving in the Senate. I say TIE
Greg, Springfield, USA
Obama served 143 days in the Senate when he decided to run. Since then, he's been on the road and not in congress.
Gov Palin, as governor, serves 24/7. No days off.
elena, chicago,
If anyone paid attention to his speech please tell me where Obama is going to pay for all the programs he is promising. The things he mentioned are going to be paid for by the tax payers - this mean increased taxes, wealth redistribution and more government. When is more government beneficial?
Fred McGrupp, LA, US
America has always been at war with Russia, America has never been at war with Russia.
When people say Barack Obama isn't experienced, they're wrong, he's certainly "experienced" when it comes to being a leftist political hack like most other politicians in the country.
Palin seems authentic.
James Watson, Lake Dallas,
By all means lets discuss experience. Has Obama ever seen any project through from start to finish - aside from organizing a law journal? How many days has he spent in the US Senate? What legislation has he sponsored? What's the biggest budget he has ever been responsible for? How much staff?
Melissa, Columbus, US
She may be a beauty queen but she is tough as nails.I think she is a great pick!If biden tries to demean her in their deate she will gut him like an alaskan trout!She is a fierce debater.
joe, tacoma, usa
Community organizer as applied to partially black candidate obama, means he was trained, directed, guided by Chicago thugs. Thugs who mascarade as pastors, businessmen, while forming alliances with known terrorists. All the while taking pride in these mentors. Hillary did mention his speech, right?
donald cantrell, largo, usa
McCain chose Palin because he knows Americans are dumb enough to fall for it.
Kevin, LA,
Thank you john McCain for giving us a "real person" choice for VP. All the chatter about experience - either side - is lost on me. Sarah Palin appears to be an intellegent, thoughtful person, with the conservative mind set. Experience? George Washinton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Experience
Bob, Eagan, USA
So 44 is too young to be veep but 47 isn't too young to be President.
Got it.
What has Obama done in those extra three years? Run for President. He's accomplished nothing else.
Yet somehow, he's experienced enough to lead while she's not experienced enough to play 2nd fiddle.
Scott, NY,
In case you haven't noticed she's the VP and she has 5 times as much experience as the "teleprompter reader" Obama. She's run Alaska as governor and she's done it well. The Oprah candidate has zero exec experience, no qualifications, and no accomplishments other than writing two books about himself!
Mike O'Brien, Clearwater Florida, USA
Lack of Academic Achievment. It appears it took Palin 5 years and 3 schools to just get a BS in journalism vs. Obama who has a Law Degree from the top law school in the nation and as demonstrated by his presidency of the Law Journal was at the top of the class.
E, Atlanta GA , US
Just because someone is beautiful and has poise means they can't be smart, insightful or have executive abilities? Sounds like you want to transport women in America back to the 1950s.
Elizabeth, Los Angeles, USA
A cursory glance at the reply posts suggests that Americans often seem offended that Brits or Europeans have a view on the presidential campaign. If they dont want the european perspective on their elections why are they getting their news from the website of a British newspaper.
Andrew, Exeter, Devon
Obama - Candiate for change, eh?
Explain to me how KennedyKerryBiden and the host of others represent change.
The biggest problem with this election cycle is the press. It was decided many month ago that Mr. Obama was "entitled" to be President and the press is guilty of this.
DanaL, St Louis, Mo, USA
Not to hurt or offend anyone but just because she a former beauty queen doesn't mean she is stupid.
Beauty Queens have to exceptional smart and keep almost if not perfect grades. Be informed before you judge. Please!
Kendra, Aline,
America is at war and the Dems want to give the reigns of the country to a 47 year old community organizer. What is a community organizer? I think he makes sure the hot dogs and beer are allocated for the community block parties.
bill, Charlotte, united states
its your mentality ,as those of lefty liberal,socialistic demogooks,that has put this country in the mess its in.People like you refuse to see past the beauty queen label,to the great gutsyness that Sarah Palin is all about.She can run Alaska,hunt,fish,play,raise a family,you make stupid remarks
L Lucas, Douglas,Ga, usa
Mr. Sullivan worries that McCain has given us a beauty queen, but what has the Democrat party given us? Mr. Obama has little contact with the world as it really is. His approach to every problem is to " dialogue." Governor Palin has the experience to know that in some cases action is necessary
cluelessinky, Union, USA
So, are you saying that a woman can be on a ticket but God forbid she actually be beautiful! Obama is on the ticket because he is a great orator, as long as he has a prompt.but no experiece and vp who could drop dead at minute.. It boils down to who has moral character to lead this country. NOBAMA
Jennifer Boyd, Churchville, USA
Obama has the DIxie Chicks
McCain has chosen the Ditsy Chick
Seriously, what a poor choice of McCain. His claim to have more experience in military and executive experience is flaky, to say the least. Five years as a POW after surrendering to the N. Vietnamese does not make him a military expert.
John Collins, Augusta, Maine, USA
This election is really about creating a new chapter in history. Will you be part of making history by electing Obama? Or are you going to continue to go with the idea that only a white man can be president. Obama certainly can't do any worst than George Bush, who most people agree is not smart.
Glenda Evans, Detroit, MI, USA
What is the saying? You can dress up a pig, but its still a pig. Just keep telling yourself obama did good, obama did good...Maybe you'll actually start to beleive it.
JT, Houston, TX
Mr. Sullivan, the fact that the only Palin accomplishment to which you choose to allude-beauty queen-is another example of the pettiness of liberals. As a conservative I am told often by liberals that I need to be more "open" to their arguments. Why? Liberals lack common sense, courtesy and wisdom.
Trish, Pueblo, USA
If Andrew Sullivan thinks Sarah Palin appeals to women and Hillary voters, he's as thick as McCain. We are pro Hillary for her record - fighting for women, children and healthcare. To assume we will vote for any woman is insulting. The choice of Sarah Palin is one of desperation, not inspiration.
alexandra Brown, windsor, UK
Former beauty queen? Alright, 18 million people wanted Hillary to be the president--not VP--and she is a former...a former...uh, a former First Lady, a former law partner. Is a Senator, fine, but she never ran a government. Never had to head up an administration. So Palin has the drop on her.
Jack, Springfield, VA, USA
Sullivan can only think of sex and women. Women are bright, usually the smartest among writers.
After you read the Democrats Blog....try reading what the person is about and you will see how good she is. She has an approval rating of 90 %...... Obama and Biden 18% in the Senate !
Denny Johnson, Rockford, USA
The Democrats gave us a Marxist south Chicago used car salesman and a semi-retired political ghost to lead America into a dangerous world.
Political correctness prevents me from using the terms most Americans describe Hussein Obama and Bye Bye Joe.
John Dodge, Church Point, LA, USA
Palin is an excellent choice as Governors usually are. They have had to run things. McCain ran things in the military and challenged the status quo throughout his career. Obama and Biden are just partisan leftists. Neither Obama nor Biden have ever run anything except their mouths.
Jon Samuel, Atlanta,
It's patronising to assume a politician will appeal to women voters just because it's another women. In Britain, someone who carries a gun and believes the earth is 4000 years old would be considered a bit bonkers - and certainly not considered for high office. But things are different there
Susan, Chester, UK
I trust John McCain as President.
I like Sarah Palin as VP
I like Barack Obama as President
I do not trust Joe Biden at all. He gives me that creepy feeling.
Demarcus, Dallas, USA
It is important to note that Gov. Palin has a CV almost identical to Obama's, except that she has far more executive experience...a critical skill that Obama clearly lacks! It would seem then that Andrew should be bemoaning the fact that the Democrats have nominated an 'empty suit'!
HC Pitts, Tallahassee, USA
If formerly being a beauty queen is objectionable, think part of America might be just a tad taken aback at a Presidential candidate that won't renounce William Ayers, or whom had Reverend Wright as his preacher for 20 years? I'd rather gamble with Palin as back-up vs Obama on day one.
Dave Crutchfield, Indianapolis,
Yes, America is at war with her enemies, her biggest one being the democrat party.
Marty, Fargo, USA
And she has my vote. She'll stare down our enemies carrying a m-16 sending her own infantry son out to fight for us.
turhan, clearwater, fl,
Lets the sexist comments begin. By the way don't you think calling her a girl is a little condecending and just for your info if you dared called Obama "boy" you would be deemed a racist. Do not underestimate this pick. It just awakened the huge political machine which is the right.
Tracey, Orlando fl/Dewsbury England, Us/UK
Your first and last mistake to to under estimate this woman as a "beauty gueen"!
joe , ATL,
So she's an ex beauty queen. If that's all that you see in her than YOU my dear man have the problem.
steve, brevard, USA
The more you liberals complain about the McCain vp pick, the bigger my smile gets.
Also, don't even pretend you would have been pulling for McCain if he would have chosen Lieberman for vp.
Michael, Chicago,
Bang on, as always, Andrew. Obama's speech was transformative, McCain's VP pick interesting but short-sighted.
I'll be watching the RNC this week to see if McCain can even begin to approach what Obama accomplished this past week.
Rick, Halifax,
I'd have to agree with Norm from Boston. What is Obama but a beauty king. He has less executive experience than Palin, and he is less decided on the issues. She has her mind made up and is more ready to act than Obama who has a hard time saying he is pro-choice without using some crazy language.
Doug, Kunming, China
Shallow is as shallow does
Kevin, port st lucie,
Andrew seems to have a problem with a strong,white, straight female being a VP pick. At least Mrs.palin knows which end of a rifle to pick up. The two democratic choices are elitist snobs that try to portray themselves as working men. Anyone with sense can see through Obamas lies.
Kurt Wolffe, Atlanta,
Once again stupid Americans hide bound by religion may vote for a President and vice president whose skills could lead us into a third world war. What a slap in the face to republicans who aspired to the vice pesidency with qualifications greater than the lady from Alaska. God help them and us!
Derek, Mebane, USA
Mr Sullivan is a Roman Catholic - does that make him a Biden supporter?
Ib, Dalston, UK
I can see why you Dems don't like Palin b/c she's a former beauty queen b/c most of you look like trolls.
Franco, Little Rock, USA!
America is at war with lethal enemies and the Democratic Party gives us a 47 year old presidential candidate with three and a half years in the Senate, two of which were spent on the campaign trail? I'll take my chances with McCain/Palin any day.
Rick, Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA
I just cannot grasp how anyone regardless of political affiliation or idealogy, could assess the Palin nod as anything other than a blunder. McCain had a number of excellent options from Tom Ridge to Bobby Jindal. Compared to Biden, Palin is the Junior Varsity. Game, set, match Obama.
David, Milwaukee, USA
Alaska is at least 25yrs behind the rest of the US and that needless to say does them no great benefit or some may argue that it does. If you cannot mine, clearcut, drill or fish it out it is not worth thinking about. Let us " harvest a bear " it is great eating. As you can see I am a great Neo Con.
Derek, Mebane, USA
With lethal enemies in our world, a "community organizer" with a background in law and scant legislative experience does not compare favorably with a seasoned legislator and military veteran. Face it Libs: the vote is for the President. And Obama is the Beauty Queen in this race.
Nan, omaha, USA
A former beauty queen that just got the largest construction project in North American history contracted. One accomplishment that is alone more impressive than Obama dutifly towing the party line, and one that her male counterparts with 40+ years of political experience couldn't get done.
Ed, Red Lion, USA
America is at war with lethal enemies and the Democrats gave us a community organizer with no real identity ready to trade our sovereignty away. America is at war with lethal enemies and McCain gave us an executive with principles and an uncontested record Alaskans believe in and who believes in US.
Quesney Davis, Detroit, US
Mr. Sullivan, of all the accomplishments and experiences in life that Palin has had why concentrate on her "beauty queen" status? The woman I've seen hunts with her dad, fishes with her husband. Cares for her children, and has led local and state government. Obama has less leadership experience.
Rick Martin, Farmington Hills, Mi., U.S.A.
Obam's specifics were nothing more than the same liberalism the Democrats have offered for years just repackaged and spoken by, in Joe Biden's words, "a clean, articulate" black guy. Nothing new or hopeful about class envy or tax increases.
Palin's decisiveness will kneecap Biden's blowhard nature.
K, Allegan, USA
And the Dem's give us two defeatists, She may be a beauty queen but she is tougher than anyone on the other side.
Jonathan Kelley, Houston , Texas
does it bother you that a former beauty queen could run this country better than you or your celebrity?
Mike Nixon, Hoschton, USA
She's an accomplished woman, who is doing it all. Andrew she can outshoot you, out run you and probably beat you in a game of one-on -one. She's got my vote and you don't.
Ralph C., Staten Island, USA
Sorry for you Andrew on 2 counts. First, Camille Paglia already gave the honors of best political speech by a woman ever to Sarah Palin. Second, Sarah Palin is not only a former beauty queen....like my wife, she is a smart, and a crack shot
not afraid to shoot. She is our next Maggie Thatcher.
J.W., Annapolis, USA
The world is facing lethal enemies and the Democrats giv us Obama!!
Fred McGilicutty, Chicago, Il, USA
Am I to assume beauty equals dumb? Palin has more
executive experience than all three male candidates. You
can't attack her credentials without condemning your own
candidate, so you pick on her looks? Is that what a Harvard
education buys these days?
Tommy Houston, Conroe, TX, USA
At least the Republican party is appealing to women voters. And the fact is that the Democratic Party's choice for the #1 position has almost no experience and absolutely no executive experience in politics. I liked what Palin had to say and how she said it. This woman is taking another look.
mauren, orlando, usa
You just keep your eye on Sarah Palin.
She actually has twice the experience at running government than Obama. She is the CEO of a state, is commanding a National Guard and is actually forcing corruption out of her government!
Of course we know the affiliations of Obama, Tonie Resco,
W Aries.
John T. Smith, Brunswick GA., USA
Palin is the perfect person for the job. She will fight for the common good and aid John in tearing down the wall we have here in America that the Dems work so hard to keep up!!
Shane, Decatur,
"a journalism degree at the University of Idaho, who has no experience or even interest in foreign policy," - this is the key point. I don't know if Sarah Palin has the intellectual curiosity to be in national politics. Look what happened the last time we voted in someone similar.
Deb Klein, Verona, WI, US
Anyone who knows anything about politics (obviously not some of the above) would know that Clinton rode off the back of Reagan and Bush and Bush 2 had to clean up Clinton's mess.
But a blind man will never see that.
If the dems really are concerned about our lethal enemies they would want Obama?
Norm, Boston,
The Dems crying "former beauty queen" and "former mayor" are showing their brazen lack of honor. That nonsense only flies due to the heavy Liberal bias in most MSM, and can only be believed in Obama's Fairy Tale.
Fact: The current Governor of Alaska has 100% more Executive experience than Obama.
wsc, Austin,
Andrew---I made a donation to your column when you were just getting started online with NRO. Things have changed. I would like my money back--seriously. How do I apply for a refund?
Dale Garner, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Obama is not a great strategist by choosing Biden.
He is now stuck in Clintons mud as Biden represents everything what Obama said he will change.
He can not be for the change and have a VP who is like a clone of McCain.
This election will be waste of time for Democrats so next time Billary will win.
savo, london, uk
This is the socialist-feminists worst nightmare: a woman VP who once drove a camero, played high school basketball, kills deer in order to eat them, has 5 children, crushed the male establishment running the Republican party in Alaska, and lives by her conservatives principles. Poor Andy Sullivan.
Peter M, Telluride, USA
Yeah, America is at war with lethal enemies (Obama included) and John Mccain is the best man for the job!
Shawn V., Charlotte, NC
Much is constantly made of Senator McCain's age.
Death can occur suddenly at any age.
Let it be noted that Senator McCain's family history appears to favour long life and Obama's a much shorter one.
So either could most certainly die in office.
Prudence Eely Bond McGuire BA, LONDON, ENGLAND UK
Andrew, what do you mean "lethal enemies" ???
Isn't Iran a "tiny country" as the Lord Barack pronounced?
As to your "beauty queen" , I take her ANY DAY over
the snake oil salesman Apollo Obama and the "hate
himself", angry Biden.
Lutzito, Los Angeles, USA
You seem to think that if we don't vote for Obama, it's because he is black, and if we vote for Pelin, it's because she is a woman. Oh, please, give the American voters more credit than that! I will look forward to Pelin's honesty...now SHE represents change, not Obama and the tired Biden
lawhite, Idaho, USA
You call Michelle's speech the best of the week? Heck, young fellow, you need some discernment in your repertoire!
Harvey, Geneva, Switzerland
Good try Andrew but no dice when you say advantage Obama. The advantage is clearly McCains now, or did you forget that this great country (by the way Obama has said it isn't great) is still 75% Christian?
Shawn V., Charlotte, NC
8 yrs of Bill & USA is the wealthiest; 8 yrs of W spent it all plus all your decendents will ever earn. DR Paul could have saved us, but now we have the evil of two lessers. Do you really want more of Bush’s madness with McMoron? I guess we’ll get whomever the media decides we the sheeple deserve
coco, Honolulu, USA
There must be serious and mature politicians in the Republican party who are now chewing the carpet at this evidence of McCain's cynicism and irresponsibility. If Governor Palin possessed mature judgement, she would have turned this proposal down flat.
mary rose, windsor, uk
Andrew you seem like a very smart guy so let me please pose a question to you; how can all the Obama gaffs and flip flops not scare any of the Obama followers away? Youtube is littered with his own contradictory videos. And 57 states?
Seriously, this guy can't function without a teleprompter !
Shawn V., Charlotte, NC
wow the GOP have their propagandists out in force on this board! Karl Rove said Obama would choose a VP that would help get him elected rather than one that is best suited to being second-in-line to the Oval office - and lo and behold see what the wrinkly old man did! Desperate, just desperate.
Harry Harinodiquy, Miami,
Palin is way smarter and more qualified that Obama! Look at the merchandise the dems are trying to peddle, a guy who didn't even mention how he will protect america from our enemies in his suppsed 'landmark speech! Sarah has more experience as gov. of alaska than obama has in the senate!
Laura, St. Petersburg, USA
Two years of experience as an governor isn't enough for a VP? Obama announced his run for the top spot after being in the senate only 143 days; 37 fewer days than a first grader spends in school. I'll take a woman with an attitude to protect the US over a community organizer from Chicago any day.
Jim, MI, USA
Enjoyed the 'Dotes on a Small Island' feature in the magazine this morning but for one thing. The contributors were ALL men.
Would it have stretched the imagination to have included women, or are you of the opinion that a woman's favourite view is inevitably the one from her kitchen window?
Julie Carson, Coventry, UK
Better a beauty queen than a street thug.
Reuel, Jackson, TN
In modern and developed systems of governments, individuals matter little. The selection of Sarah Palin will not jeopardise US foreign policy. She will bring fresh perspective to policies. It also meets the demand of a large part of population to have the right to vote for a female to high office.
Adil Saleem Khan, Lahore, Pakistan
America is at war with the world and the Dems gaves us a first term senator. Hide the unborn babies!!
Butch, Bloom, USA
Using that argument you could say the manager at the local walmart has more management experience....but you wouldnt want her running the country!!!!
He is on the veterans affairs committee.....he has met with leaders all over the world.....he deals with NATIONAL issues at home and abroad..
James, Merrillville, USA
I will take an honest, upstanding, person who loves this country and puts the people of the country first over a closet Marxist who is for redistribution of wealth and the destruction of the principals that made this country the greatest in the world.
One is a real person the other is an unknown.
Dan, Pliladelphia, PA, USA
Andrew,
I adore you and I am usually captivated with your brilliance.
I strongly disagree with Palin's stance on Gay issues. But you are wrong for brushing her and her accomplishments off.
A mayor and a governor throwing out the corrupt.. Compared to an "Acorn" Volunteer & a Chicago Politician.
Patricia , Saint Marys, GA
And whats Obama, a 47 year old community care worker?
Scott Millar, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Mrs Thatcher had no foreign policy experience when she became PM. From what we have seen of Palin she is a very strong & determined character and has so far not shrunk from any political fight and went on to win. You are all making snap judgements on this woman while overlooking Obamas inadequacies.
Viv, London, England
Andrew Sullivan says "America is at war with lethal enemiesw and McCain gave us a 44-year-old former beauty queen." Are you saying that beautiful women are not qualified for office? What an incredibly sexist thing to say! Shame on you!!!
Thomas, Cleveland, United States
Mr. Sullivan, are you reading the comments? Appears that you missed the mark. Obama is a media creation - a political televangelist. American voters will select McCain and Palin because they both have substance and character. And Americans do not want European socialism. You've become weak.
Frank, Detroit, USA
Many have made the argument that Alaska is a small state and that Gov Palin came from a small town and is an approachable Political CEO. Dont we want down to earth politicians that the electorate can approach or Rock stars we cant touch?
Barry, Moneterey, USA
Obama is an inexperienced, celebrity narcissist, constructing a cult of personality on a welter of Substantial rhetoric.
Steve, Redlands, CA, USA
Sarah Palin has more executive management experience as mayor and governor than anyone on the Democratic side (including Hillary Clinton who would be an unknown lawyer if she hadn't married Bill Clinton). Palin has gotten where she is with her own efforts (including 5 children) Wow1
Erik, Oslo,
Palin is a 'beauty queen'. Reagan was a 'B-movie actor'. Liberal snobbery insists that nobody who is anybody could possibly think of voting for such lesser mortals. Intolerance, conceit and self-deception will defeat them again.
John B, Middlesbrough, UK
Andrew, are you really paying attention? .
Obama, running on "Hope and Change"", has offered neither. Biden isn't change. The Liberal, American-hating rhetoric (that can't be hidden by the flowery presentation) isn't change.
It's the same leftist pablum that's led to past Democrat defeats.
David Beall, Warsaw, IN, USA
Sarah Palin was chosen for her character rather than her experience, although her actions as Alaka´s governor reveal quite clearly her depth of character. She is transparent and incorruptible, and will be a breath of fresh air in Washington.
Ron Tucker, Atenas, Costa Rica
Obama: Zero foreign policy experience. Zero executive experience. Former "community organizer". Candidate for _PRESIDENT_
Palin: Minimal foreign policy experience (negotiated treaty with Canada). 2 Years executive experience. Former Mayor. Candidate for _VICE PRESIDENT_
Eric B, Minneapolis, USA
With the US economy about to die from republican waste and ill-use it would serve America right if they elected another group of morons. Then again, should Obama win, he might well be the recipient of one very poisonous chalice - a total U.S. market collapse before November would ensure it.
William Jorgensen, Noraville, Australia
As a matter of fact Sarah Palin, current Governor of Alaska for almost 2 years, has more experience of executive office (i..e either President, or a Govenor) than Biden, Obama, and McCain combined, none of whom have ever been a political CEO of any description.
Bertie , London,
Unfortunately for the rest of the planet, knee-jerk tactics seem to sway the bulk of American voters more than thoughtful strategy.
Sandra, Brisbane, Australia
Was it not Ronald Reagan considered a celebrity when he began his political career? or the fact that he was a Republican did not qualify him as a celebrity?
Levi, Tampa, USA
A thoughtful, insightful analysis.
Your distinction between tactics and strategy is very enlightening; it shows clearly the difference between the Obama and Mccain campaigns and sheds light on which campaign is likely to be the more successful, come November.
EX-PAT, MZ, CHINA
what exactly is biden's foreign policy expertise? he is a 36 year senator with no accomplishments.
palin appears a btter candidate for prezz than obama and she has more time in political office than hillary.
deroy, west palm, USA
Sarah Palin has been governor of Alaska for over five years. Barak Hussein Obama is a US senator for a little less than six months and then decides that he's fit to run our country by transforming it into a western European style socialist state. That's his brand of "change". No thanks, Barry.
Marty, Chicago, USA
Isn't America great? If you don't like the 44 year old "beauty queen" VP candidate you can opt for the 46 year old "rock star" for President.
Oddly, the VP candidate has more Executive experience then the entire Rock Star ticket. Look it up.
George, New York,
How presumptive Mr. Sullivan. And just what are Obama's wonderful qualifications? You would have us to believe that voting for Mrs. Palin for Vice President is more dangerous than voting for Mr. Obama for President??? It seems to me that you swallowed the Harvard liberal swill.
Dr. Tim, Nashville,
a very shallow appraisal of this woman. I for one think that she is up for the task and will most likely vote for this ticket because of this VP pick. She is the only Washington outsider running for office on a major ticket in the 08 election. I for one want this type of change...
ann, monterey, USA
Sure America is at war, but that beauty queen you are referring to has just as much experience in the senate as Obama does. Are you simply downing her because she is a woman? Do you down Obama too because of his race? Do you down McCain because of his age? McCain/Palin all the way!!!!!!!!!
Rex Raw, harvard, usa
McCain is 72 years old, has survived mind and body bending torture as a POW, and has survived cancer. Can he survive for 4 more years in the most stressful job on the face of the earth? A vote for the Republican ticket is a vote for a 44 year old housewife without any experience or knowledge!!!
Charles Orsburn, Little Elm , USA
Sarah Palin was a great choice. First, she is outside the beltway. We need someone who can relate to "us". If you think Obama and Biden do, think again. For you that doubt her abiltiies, she became mayor and a very successful governor in short time. She will be able to stand on her own. WATCH.
Derrick, columbus, ohio, USA
John McCain's 'Family Values':
Then: Cheats with a wealthy heiress 17yrs his junior while still married to his first wife...
Now: Asks the 44yr old mother of a newborn child with Down's syndrome to ignore her child for the rigors of a 2 month long, 24/7, political campaign...
e f, Alameda, USA
America is at war an the democrats give us a former "community organizer" who thnks Iran is a "little country" that poses no threat? I'd trust Palin over Obama any day.
Charlie Masterson, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Obama in the senate for 2 years -spends 75% running for presidential nomination. Palin in office about the same, vetoes 300+ pork barrel bills, busts the corruption imposes a windfall tax on big oil and returns the proceeds to Alaskans produces results. Now who is the change agent? NOT OBAMA
Fred Page, Ponte Vedra Beach, USA
Obama had 140 days of Senatorial experience before he ran for president of the US. Sarah Palin had two years as Governor. And unlike being a Senator, Governors don't get to take the weekends, holidays or summers off. They are responsible 24/7. Palin is more qualified than Obama by any measure.
Oliver Currie, Primerton, USA
I think it's wonderful that America is ready to be led by Obama. A rather vapid, weak-looking unknown with no track record, and from a minority. Recent elections have all been really close. If I was Mccain, I would give thanks for the democratic choice. But personally, I'd take the beauty queen.
Jim Brodie, Odessa, Ukraine
As a governor she has had more responsibilities and duties than a senator. If she does not have enough experience to be VP how can Obama run for the top job, his experience pails to McCain. Let's not use race, sex, or age it about the policies and that's what should matter.
Jorge Duran, Yonkers, NY, U.S.A.
Entertain this thought. You are dropped in a remote wilderness or deserted island with nothing to aid your survival, but one person. You can choose either Sarah Palin or Barrack Obama. Which one are you going to choose to help you survive? I know my gal.
Mia, Beacon ,
Palin is perfect. She has more administrative experience than Obama and Biden combined.
Obama's level of experience s ZERO. He hasn't done anything except run for president since he was elected to the Senate from a safe (for Democrats) state. He was elected by the Chicago machine.
Gerry, Bangor, Maine, USA
I think McCain is more interested in winning the elections than ruling the country. He appointed Palin to win over the Clinton supportes who are mostly women while ignoring the fact that Gov. Palin hasn't got the education and experience to steer the country in case the aging McCain died or ?
Abu Bakarr Bangura, Sydney, Australia
It seems life for Mrs Palin begins at conception and ends at birth. I guess raising them isn't that important.
Richard Crane, Nashville, Unitied States
America is at war with lethal enemies, its economy is teetering, its people are unsettled. And the Democrats gave us a 47-year-old former "community organizer" and illinois state senator who started running for president as soon as he arrived in the US Senate.
Emily, Carlisle, USA
Jason Stone, how do you come up with the figure that Gov. Palin is twice as experienced as Obama?
Baleke, Oxford, UK
We all agree that she has achieved a lot and she is popular in Alaska. However, the question is, of the the republican leaders, male or female, would she be the best to take over as Command in Chief should McCain die in power?
Baleke, Oxford, UK
It is funny that liberals are supposed to be for "women's rights", that is until a conservative woman does something. It is funny, Did any of you know that Bill Clinton did not have any national experience? She has little experience. Obama has little. She wants to be VP, He wants to be president.
Lee , Rome, United States
Sara Palin might be beautiful, smart and may have achieved great things. What people fail to realise though is that Alaska is such a small state and you cannot compare the responsibility of that state to the rest of the united states combined. Be wise people Obama/Biden will be a better choice.
Agnes, lanham, united states
One poster indicated that not picking Hillary would alienate a lot of blue collar women?
Really, As a former Hillary supporter I have NEVER been so insulted...McCain is basically handing over a WOMAN and saying she has the "parts" vote for her...NOT LIKELY!
Jilery, Harvard, USA
Thank you very much ! Your analysis is absolutely brilliant!
Svitlana Kroll, Seguin, USA
Additionally Mrs Palin is also AGAINST PRO-CHOICE even in the case of RAPE & INCEST! I have also read on another blog that she is part of a pro-life group that is AGAINST in-vetro fertilization for couples that CAN"T have kids without it...Are you kidding me? NO WAY, NO HOW, NO McCain! Go Obama!
Jilery, Harvard, USA
the Repbs are damned whatever they do;first it's we dnt really face enemies but it's all a neocon conspired farce so we should engage in dialogue.then it's the republicans promise no change but establishment politics and now,despite choosing an average US mum, it's oh she cant take on US enemies.
Stephen Harrison, London, UK
A US President is not required to complete any particular set of accomplishments to qualify for the office.
Americans elect the man who best reflects the mood of the electorate at that point-in-time.
Obama is a statesman, former constitutional law professor,
critical thinker, & inspiration!
Elizabeth , Del Mar, CA, USA
I am a Duncan Hunter woman. I certainly wasn't going to settle for a liberal panderer like McCain. But I WILL vote for Palin. Not because she's a woman like me, but because she's a CONSERVATIVE like me.
I am not insulted by McCain's pick at all. I em elated to finally have someone to vote FOR!
Heidi, Houstonq, USA
Palin has twice the experience of Obama? Twice of nothing is still nothing! As for the "surge" working? The same way the "invasion" of Iraq liberated the world from all those weapons of mass destruction and curbed terrorism.
The US needs better leaders but a country gets what it deserves.
Michael, Sydney, Australia
"And McCain gave us a 44-year-old former beauty queen as the person who could be asked to take over the White House in an emergency if anything happened to the oldest first-term president in American history."
Er... isn't this the argument against Obama? Biased and logically flawed article.
reniam, Durham, NH, USA
Jason, not only did you say 'trifling' 4 times, but Sarah Palin isn't more experienced than Obama. She was mayor of a tiny town in Alaska, & has spent less than 2 years as governor of a state with 8% of New York City's population. She's never studied law, but at least she's more educated than McCain
Eric, Laguna Niguel, CA, USA
I bet this former "beauty queen" could take Andrew Sullivan out any day.
Nic Esquivel, Odessa, USA
mccain and palin are personality candidates, upon examination their substance is nonexistent. Good thing then that US voters too busy for an examination, they vote for "the guy I'd like to have a beer with". if republicans will start a war to support mccain, i bet they have a couple more suprises.
tony, Rochester, usa
McCain picked another maverick, which is perfect. A woman who has opposed her party multple times, stood-up to the oil companies and not only balanced her state's budget (which had run a deficit for years) but is rebating every resident $1,200 from this year's surplus. One word for this, "Brilliant"
Smitty Wheeler, Franklin, USA
“Sarah Palin as vice-president, a woman whose educational experience is limited to a journalism degree at the University of Idaho….” I really hadn’t thought of that before, that a person is disqualified for high public office because of where he or she went to school. Thanks for informing me.
Chris Hogg, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Even though she is a former beauty queen, she has more executive experience than both Obama & Biden put together. When you actually have to run a city & then run a state is altogether different than attending the senate for 2 years, voting PRESENT and taking responsibility for nothing.
Kristen, Wheaton,
I'm just wondering about her 5 kids!! Taking care of kids is a big job and she has a BIG family. What does it say about her that she is tackling a HUGE commitement when she still has very young kids. For someone PRO Family she seems to give her own the back seat!
sandy, new canaan, usa
As an independent voter I was looking for someone who could take over from John McCain or Obama if something happens. Right now Biden is a know entity but Palin is not. I will wait until I find out what Palin is really like before deciding who I will vote for in November.
P. Brooks, Palm Bay Florida, USA
A 44 y/o woman with 5 children, the youngest <1 year old with Down's (big surprise)!! As potential president of the US! Someone's going to get short shrift, and I'm thinking it would be the country if McCain was elected, to say nothing of if he died.
Vera Byers, SF, CA
It is touching to hear the argument of experience coming from the Obama Camp considering their candidate is the most inexperienced presidential candidate in the entire history. As for his organizational skills. It is very easy when you have almost the entire media in the tank with you.
Frederik, Oregon, now Cent. Europe,
All of Andrew Sullivan's articles are subjective in the extreme.
This latest one is no different.
Prudence Eely Bond McGuire BA, LONDON, ENGLAND UK
Sullivan exposes himself as a sexist when he calls a very accomplished successful woman a "former beauty queen". Does he mention that she was also a former commercial fisherwoman? No. Former city council woman? No. Former mayor? No. Former ethics commissioner? No. Typical sexism from Sullivan.
Gordon Perute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
McCains choice of Sarah Palin was the correct choice! She represents my values and has a proven track record. In fact, she is the only one with past and current executive experience! McCain was right on once again!
Simon Hall, so pasadena, usa
The author know nothing about American politics. What B.O. did in not picking HRC was a blunder. What McCain did was steal B.O.s thunder from the Dem. Convention and give women a candidate. The selection and timing was genius.
T, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Glass houses Mr Sullivan.
r thomas, Texas, USA
This is a smart move by McCain which will electrify his base, who he needs to win the election. Many Conservatives saw the ticket as having no red-meat and Palin delivers in spades.
Brett Wright, Irvine, USA
As a proud American, a Republican and a woman, I am not the least bit insulted. On the contrary, I am positively thrilled. I have actually looked into her record and I am very impressed with her resume, which actually sports impressive accomplishments. Obama has a few present votes in the Senate.
Pamela, Nashville, USA
Thank you for your excellent essay! I think it's really about the question if Americans are able to elevate their country (through BHO) once again- or not- this is fascinating to watch. Although I'm not sure that most Americans even have a clue of what is at stake.
I wish them luck! M. EUROPE
Marius Mollin, Lünen, Germany
Sexist indeed, if Palin were a male rather than a lady, she would not have a change get picked. In this case, many more qualified guys are been discriminated.
Michelle, Chicago,
Barak has the least experience of all four candidates. He spews forth rhetoric from the Saul Alinsky playbook. He counts as his friend Bill Ayers, a former member of the weathermen, a domestic leftwing terrorist group. That's his strategic advantage over McCain and Palin? This was a bad hit piece.
Adrian, Chicago, USA
Palin has more executive experience than Obama.
And grit.
While the metrosexual appreaser /absolver of the Great White Guilt Trip is too weak to lead even a congregation against a racist preacher, and his only real political advantage is the melanin content of his character.
Sarah smile.
Edo, Dordrecht, The Netherlands
Obama touts Hope and Change, and he takes on a six-term Senator as his running mate? And, has ex-Clinton advisors?
This is "change?"
I'll take the Alaskan Governor, over the ACORN community organizer.
RogerCfromSD, San Diego, USA
I think you described things perfectly using the tactician/strategist metaphor. The most scary aspect of the Palin choice, is that it just may work.
Chris, Sarasota,
Last week Andrew said McCain's angry rhetoric was the problem, not Russia's aggression. This week he says Russia is "lethal" and Palin is nothing but a "former beauty queen," a put-down of her gender. He plays the threat both ways for affect; the reason he has becom an Obama publicist, not reporter.
Carson, Leatherhead,
This is McCain under pressure. Willing to do ANYTHING to get the spotlight on him. One little heart attack and it's President Sarah Palin. The ultimate betrayal of duty to his country. Is this what he meant by Country First? Hard to believe that this could come from a decorated war hero.
Liz, San Diego,
May I know what experience Obama has? After two years in the Senate he ran for President. How's that for a leader in wartime?
Palin has run a state with 80 per cent approval ratings and massive revenues. It abuts on Russia. Her son is headed for Iraq.
Ganpat Ram, London, UK
Andrew is correct. Obama Is aware of the 2-D thinking of many Americans. He realizes that the sub conscious is what
many Americans rely on to inform their rational decisions, rather than informed empirical observation and deliberation.
Most US media squeeze facts from truth then discard it.
Joe Maleon, Tivoli, NY, USA
Exactly why an Obama victory will win the hearts and minds war and turn the tide in this war on terror.
Ruben Kannan, Leicester, UK
what an outstanding write up. one of the best i have seen in TIMES. Game on!
Lincoln, camberley, UK
Excuse me? Former beauty queen? She's the mother of five children. You think mothers don't have enough intestinal fortitude to stand up to anyone who threatens the well-being of their children - or in this case, our nation's children? If Palin is like my wife, the Oval Office will be in good hands.
Robert, St. Louis, USA
This article by Andrew Sullivan contains precisely the kind of misogeny that is going to lead a critical number of women voters over to the McCain camp. Palin is the only one of the four with executive experience. Obama is at the top of his ticket, and has an even thinner resume than Palin.
John, London, UK
Palin has two years experience as Governor of Alaska, a state that is only in session 90 days of the year----- her two years in Alaska would be equivalent to 1 year in most other U.S. states. How can McCain slam Obama for his lack of experience, and then turn around and pick Palin as his VP?
Chris, Seattle, USA
I think this pick does abandon strategy for tactics. He simply can't win this election on his own merits. With this move, the Republicans decided that, instead of running John McCain for President, they will run Palin for Vice President. With 60 days left, there is no more long term. "Hail Mary"
David, Morton Grove, IL, USA
Must say the democratics did a good job of changing who Michelle Obama is.....what a joke. She likes to say whatever comes to her head. How dare Homsetead, FL. say Sarah Palin is an insult. I think we are ready for "change" from a non-Washington insider.
Robert, Dearborn, USA
It has got to be a joke! She answered her first press presentation like a beauty contestant faced with a question by giving an "airhead" response. Her voice is strident and full of hysteria...we want that a "heartbeat" away from the presidency. Are we headed for royalty control again.
Bob H., Washington ,DC, USA
How exactly is she supposed to appeal to women? She's against a womans right to choose, anti-gay, an 'avid hunter', pro-war....am I missing something here? If McSenile and her do get in, watch America slide further in to the toilet.
Annabel, cheltenham, UK
I find it very strange that no one speaks up about Obama not voting 40% of his time in the Senate. Instead he is given credit for great wisdom and experience.
Palin on the other hand has attended to her work, has shown great wisdom, and has more actual experience in government than Obama.
Nona, New York City, USA
Now we shee the bigoted left coming out in full force. As long as they have their boy doing what they dicate, things are fine. As soon as a woman or a minority dares to step out of line and be republican, they give him/her the Clarance Thomas, Condi Rice, Sarah Palin treatment. Oh Brave New World
Paul, Buffalo, USA
This article nailed it. I'm undecided about this election, but I can tell you that the defensiveness of the McCain/Palin supporters tells me the Republicans are indeed scared and are ready to lash out at any cost. Indeed, Palin's nomination just seems toooo strategic and wanes my trust for McCain.
Ryan, Brooklyn, NY, USA
A potentially brilliant move by Senator McCain. The Democrats should have picked Hilary Clinton. They did not, hence alienating a lot of blue collar women, who will now vote for McCain.
Roger Ferguson, Prenton, U.K.
I am a female Alaskan, and believe me, Sarah Palin is a smart, politically savvy woman who is a fine governor with a very high rating among Alaskans. She may be "inexperienced" but the "experienced" of Washington aren't doing such a great job, now are they? Smart & beautiful-what a combination!
Karen R, Chugiak, USA
Do we sense a sexist and ageist hang-up about Sarah Palin? The 44 year old woman has achieved something more than only having been a beauty queen? Why not investigate and do some proper research?
Herbert Kristen, Stockholm, Sweden
McCain's pick is an insult. To women, to Republicans, to all Americans who expected him to pick someone who is ready to take over "just in case." He's just handed the election to Obama. Go Obama!
ericmiami, Homestead, FL, USA
Palin potentially disastrous? She is much less potentially disastrous than the Obama-Biden ticket. Take your pick. Obama voted against the surge and still cannot admit it worked. And then there's Biden who favored partitioning Iraq and now has amnesia about his ill-suited plan.
Elissa, Porterville, USA
Trifling Sir, Your article is Trifling but that's what you'd expect from the Obama camp. To reduce Gov. Palin as, "just a former beauty queen" is trifling. Gov. Palin has twice the experience of Obama and has shown up for work more often. She is as much a activist as Obama. Simply Trifling.
Jason Stone , Fuquay-Varina , USA