Tuesday, September 2, 2008

NYT's Bumiller Attacks Palin

The New York Times is taking a guns blazing approach to Sarah Palin.

It's no surprise that the hit piece comes courtesy of John McCain's nemesis, Elisabeth Bumiller.


She's acting like a loony Lefty blogger, or an unhinged host of an MSNBC program.

A series of disclosures about Gov. Sarah Palin, Senator John McCain’s choice as running mate, called into question on Monday how thoroughly Mr. McCain had examined her background before putting her on the Republican presidential ticket.

On Monday morning, Ms. Palin and her husband, Todd, issued a statement saying that their 17-year-old unmarried daughter, Bristol, was five months pregnant and that she intended to marry the father.

Among other less attention-grabbing news of the day: it was learned that Ms. Palin now has a private lawyer in a legislative ethics investigation in Alaska into whether she abused her power in dismissing the state’s public safety commissioner; that she was a member for two years in the 1990s of the Alaska Independence Party, which has at times sought a vote on whether the state should secede; and that Mr. Palin was arrested 22 years ago on a drunken-driving charge.

Aides to Mr. McCain said they had a team on the ground in Alaska now to look more thoroughly into Ms. Palin’s background. A Republican with ties to the campaign said the team assigned to vet Ms. Palin in Alaska had not arrived there until Thursday, a day before Mr. McCain stunned the political world with his vice-presidential choice. The campaign was still calling Republican operatives as late as Sunday night asking them to go to Alaska to deal with the unexpected candidacy of Ms. Palin.

Although the McCain campaign said that Mr. McCain had known about Bristol Palin’s pregnancy before he asked her mother to join him on the ticket and that he did not consider it disqualifying, top aides were vague on Monday about how and when he had learned of the pregnancy, and from whom.

While there was no sign that her formal nomination this week was in jeopardy, the questions swirling around Ms. Palin on the first day of the Republican National Convention, already disrupted by Hurricane Gustav, brought anxiety to Republicans who worried that Democrats would use the selection of Ms. Palin to question Mr. McCain’s judgment and his ability to make crucial decisions.

At the least, Republicans close to the campaign said it was increasingly apparent that Ms. Palin had been selected as Mr. McCain’s running mate with more haste than McCain advisers initially described.

In typical New York Times fashion, Bumiller throws a bunch of stuff against the wall hoping something will stick. She gives reaction to revelations about Palin and her family. Much of what's presented in the article comes from unnamed sources and unnamed aides.

Bumiller really appears to be openly campaigning against John McCain, trying to stir doubts among his supporters and the supporters of Palin. She's trying to squash the enthusiasm.

Bumiller suggests that McCain failed to properly vet Palin and that raises serious questions about his decision-making.

(An Associated Press article by Liz Sidoti gives another side of the story.)

Bumiller writes that McCain really wanted Joe Lieberman to be his running mate. He was still hoping to name him as his VP choice just 48 to 72 hours before he announced Sarah Palin as his selection.

That seems like an effort to get all those Republicans and conservatives so energized by Palin's selection to be angry with McCain. That's not going to work.

Lieberman isn't McCain's running mate. Case closed.

About the vetting--

What is this crap about Mr. Palin being arrested 22 years ago on a drunken driving charge?

Why would that disqualify Sarah Palin?


Barack Obama openly admits to illicit drug use, pot and coke. Are we really supposed to get upset about a drunken driving charge for Todd Palin when he was 22? That's ancient history.

First lady Betty Ford's drug and alcohol dependence was not something in her distance past; yet she was applauded for her candor on the matter, not condemned.

The ethics investigation into Palin's activities is no surprise. It's not an issue.

Palin's two years as a member of the Alaskan Independence Party is no big deal. That pales in comparison to Obama's TWENTY years spent as a member of Jeremiah Wright's church and his allegiance to black liberation theology.

How can someone who considered his anti-American, racist, anti-Semitic pastor to be his mentor and dedicated his book to the man be trusted in the White House?

Furthermore, how can someone who pals around and is "friendly" with proud terrorist Bill Ayers be trusted in the White House?

How can someone who has financial dealings with Tony Rezko, a convicted felon, be trusted in the White House?

If Palin can't be trusted, surely Obama can't be trusted in the White House.


And the slimiest attack of all -- Palin's 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant. So what? She could have had an abortion. Then would Bristol be a hero to the Lefties?

This reminds me of when John Kerry and John Edwards kept bringing up Mary Cheney, Dick Cheney's gay daughter, during the 2004 campaign. It was a sleazy effort to get the Republican base to turn against Cheney. Naturally, Dick and Lynne Cheney expressed their love for their daughter. The attempted smear backfired, of course, and left Kerry and Edwards exposed as playing very dirty.

The same thing is happening here. Bristol Palin is pregnant so liberals are hoping the values voters will abandon the McCain-Palin ticket. That won't work. She is having her child. She's choosing life.

Bumiller's statement, "there was no sign that [Palin's] formal nomination this week was in jeopardy," is idiotic. None of these things should put it in jeopardy. Good grief.

Liberals like Bumiller don't get conservatives.

Libs don't understand that championing family values does not mean having a perfect family or being perfect.

8 comments:

August Danowski said...

According to ABC News:

"Officials of the Alaskan Independence Party say that Palin was once so independent, she was once a member of their party, which since the 1970s has been pushing for a legal vote for Alaskans to decide whether or not residents of the 49th state can secede from the United States."

This is a big deal because the President and the Vice President are supposed to represent the United States of America first and foremost. How can someone who believes the AIP motto "Alaska First -- Alaska Always" be trusted in the White House.

Anonymous said...

According to the Alaska State Department of Health and Social Services:

"...[P]arents underestimate their own influence on their teens’ decisions about sex. Eighty-eight percent of teens say it would be
easier to postpone sexual activity and avoid teen pregnancy if they were able to have more open, honest conversations about these topics with their parents. The quality of the parent/child relationship can make a real difference."*

That's Mrs. Palin's administration talking - perhaps it says something about her own relationship with her child.

* "Teen Pregnancy and Sexual Behavior in Alaska", April 2007

August Danowski said...

Generally speaking, the children of politicians should be off limits in politics. They are just children, after all, and didn't choose to run for office. That said, it is interesting to learn that Palin's daughter is pregnant, but only because it highlights the failures of Palin's own positions - Palin supports teaching abstinence until marriage and opposes "explicit sex-ed." If such a policy doesn't work in Palin's own home, why should we believe it will work anywhere else?

Mary said...

The Left's smears and attacks on Sarah Palin and her family are absolutely disgusting.

This level of character assassination makes me think of how Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas were treated.

I am pissed. The story today should be about how Lefty blogs, including that Obama favorite, Daily Kos, spread such despicable rumors.

This is a new low by the Left-wing media and it's sure to backfire.

Libs don't understand that championing family values does not mean having a perfect family or being perfect.

I fail to see how respecting life and living her values will hurt Palin's standing in any anti-abortion conservative's eyes.

Mary said...

The Alaskan Independence Party thing is a joke.

Palin can't be trusted?

You're kidding, right?

How can someone who pals around and is "friendly" with proud terrorist Bill Ayers be trusted in the White House?

How can someone who has financial dealings with Tony Rezko, a convicted felon, be trusted in the White House?

How can someone who considered his anti-American, racist, anti-Semitic pastor to be his mentor and dedicated his book to the man be trusted in the White House?

If Palin can't be trusted, surely Obama can't be trusted in the White House.

You can't be serious, though your desperation is amusing.

Anonymous said...

The Lefty's are unhinged. They know they are done for yet again.

And maybe, here's why:


palin vs. obama - a side by side comparison
Published Aug. 31, 2008

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Office being sought -

Palen-Vice President

Obama-President of the United States and Leader of the Free World

Full name

Sarah Louise Heath Palin

Barack Hussein Obama II

Nickname

Sarah Barracuda

Barry Obama; "The One"

Public opinion

Palin - Smoking hot in a "naughty librarian" sort of way

Obama - May be The Messiah

Age

Palin-44

Obama-48

Children

Palin-5: two sons, three daughters

Obama-2: two daughters

Religion/Church attendance

Palin-Evangelical Christian;attends Juneau Christian Center when in Juneau and grew up attending Wasilla Assembly of God

Obama-Attended Trinity United Church of Christ for 20 years, a "black liberation theology" church formerly led by Rev. Jeremiah Wright and governed according to the Black Value System

Current Job

Palin-Governor of Alaska

Obama-Junior Senator from Illinois

Previous Public Jobs

Palin-Mayor of Wasilla, AK (1996-2002); President of Alaska Conference of Mayors; City Council member (1992-1996)

Obama-State Senator (1997-2004); Community Organizer
Executive Experience

Palin-Governor for 2 years; Mayor for 10 years

Obama-None

Foreign Relations experience

Palin-Governor of state that borders two foreign countries (Canada and Russia)

Obama-Chaired Senate subcommittee on Europe but never called it into session;once gave a speech to 200,000 screaming Germans
Military Affairs experience

Palin-Commander in Chief of Alaska National Guard;Son is enlisted Infantryman in U.S. Army

Obama-None

Private Sector Experience

Palin-Sports reporter;Salmon fisherman

Obama-Associate at civil rights law firm

Speaking ability

Palin-Beautifully executed initial stump speech in Dayton, OH hockey arena without a teleprompter

Obama-An enter...wait--did you say without a teleprompter??

Spouse's name

Palin-Todd Mitchell Palin

Obama-Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama

Spouse's occupation

Palin-Salmon fisherman; Former North Slope production supervisor for BP Oil

Obama-Vice President for Community and External Affairs at University of Chicago Hospitals;former Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago;former Executive Director for the Chicago office of Public Allies;former Assistant to the Mayor of Chicago;former associate at Sidley Austin law firm

Reaction to spouse's political success

Palin-Quit 17-year BP oil job when BP became involved in natural gas pipeline negotiations with wife's administration

Obama-Promoted and given 160% pay raise by UofC hospitals within months of husband's election to U.S. Senate;Employer received $1,000,000.00 federal earmark, requested by husband, after her promotion


Coolest thing about Spouse

Palin-Tesoro Iron Dog Snowmobile race champion (longest snowmobile race in the world);In 2008, while defending his championship, was injured when he was thrown 70 feet from his machine. He was sent to the hospital but still finished in fourth place

Obama-Sister of Oregon State University head basketball coach Craig Robinson

Most Courageous Moment in Public Service

Palin-Resigned in protest from position of Ethics Commissioner of Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in order to expose legal violations and conflicts of interest of Alaska Republican leaders, including the former state Attorney General and the State GOP Chairman (who was also an Oil & Gas Commissioner), who was doing work for the party on public time and supplying a lobbyist with a sensitive e-mail.

Obama-Gave an anti-Iraq war speech to a crowd of anti-Iraq war demonstrators in Hyde Park in 2002

In Current Office Because...

Palin-Upset sitting Governor in GOP primary due to public support for her efforts to clean up corrupt government establishment

Obama-Republican opponent, who was leading in the polls, was forced to leave race after unsealing of divorce records exposed a sex scandal

Theme:

Palin-Change and Clean Government

Obama-Hope and Change; "Bringing Change from Outside Washington"
What they've done to live that theme:

Palin-Replaced entire Board of Agriculture and Conservation because of conflict of interest;Resigned from position of Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in order to expose corruption among members of own party

Obama-Selected 36-year incumbent Senator as running mate

Family Affairs

Palin-May have removed State Public Safety Commissioner as part of effort to protect sister in messy divorce and child custody battle

Obama-Often says, "I am my brother's keeper";Brother lives in a hut in Nairobi on $12 per year

Union affiliation

Palin-Union member, married to Union member

Obama-Endorsed by a union

Iraq and Troop Support

Palin-Formerly (pre-surge) critical of apparent lack of long-term strategy for Iraq;Visited wounded U.S. soldiers in Germany;visited AK National Guard soldiers deployed to Kuwait;Son deploying to Iraq on 9/11/08 as Army infantryman

Obama-Gave an anti-Iraq war speech to a crowd of anti-Iraq war demonstrators;almost visited wounded troops in Germany, but decided to go shopping in Berlin instead
Bipartisan/"maverick" credentials

Palin-Married to a non-Republican;Exposed corruption within own party;Campaigned for Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell against corrupt GOP congressman Don Young;Called out Sen Ted Stevens (R-AK) to "come clean" about financial dealings that are under fed investigation

Obama-Talks about bipartisanship

Legislative Record

Palin-Passed a landmark ethics reform bill;Used veto to cut budgetary spending;Prevented "bridge to nowhere" that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.

Obama-Voted "present" over 100 times as IL state senator

How they dealt with corrupt individuals in home city/state

Palin-Exposed legal violations and conflicts of interest of Alaska Republican leaders; Campaigned against corrupt GOP Representative;Ran against and defeated corrupt incumbent governor in GOP primary

Obama-Launched political career in home of unrepentant domestic terrorist Bill Ayers (and still refers to him as a part of "mainstream Democratic Chicago";Purchased home with help of convicted felon Tony Rezko
Guns

Palin-Lifetime member of NRA and avid hunter;video can be found on YouTube of Palin firing an M4 at a military firing range

Obama-Worked to pass legislation in Illinois that would prevent all law-abiding citizens from owning firearms

Earmarks

Palin-Opposed "Bridge to Nowhere" project;Said Alaska should avoid relying on federal money for projects;Campaigned against porker Don Young (R-AK) in 2008 primary

Obama-Secured federal earmarks for wife's employer and for campaign bundlers

Abortion

Palin-Pro life;gave birth to 5th child knowing that he would have Down's syndrome

Obama-Pro-choice; only IL state sen. to speak against the Born Alive Infant's Protection Act, which required medical care to be given to live infants who survived abortions
Energy

Palin-Believes energy independence is a matter of national security;For drilling in ANWR, which is in her state

Obama-Says Americans should "get tune-ups" and "check tire pressure";Says "we can't expect the world to be okay with" our use of heating and air conditioning
Environment

Palin-Chair of Alaska Conservation Commission (2003-4);Announced plans to create sub-cabinet group of advisors to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in AK

Obama-Talks about the environment a lot

Athletic prowess

Palin-Runs marathons

Obama-Has reporters tailing him to the gym

August Danowski said...

It turns out the whole Palin/AIP thing was a lie, so I won't hold that against her.

However, in revisiting this post, I have one other thought - when Obama had financial dealings with Rezko, Rezko was not yet a convicted felon. Yes, he was under investigation, but then so is Sarah Palin, so his being investigated, in itself, obviously can't mean Obama should have stopped working with him, otherwise McCain shouldn't be runing with Palin (unless you want to apply your usual double standard here). And after Rezko was convicted, Obama gave all of the political contributions he had ever received from Rezko to charity. How does any of that reflect poorly on Obama?

Mary said...

Well. That's awfully big of you to not hold a LIE against Gov. Palin.

You're missing the point about Rezko. Obama had shady dealings with this shady guy over nearly twenty years.

Now Rezko is a convicted felon, but his illicit activities go way back. Obama himself admits that he used poor judgment when he befriended Rezko.

“It was a mistake to have been engaged with him at all in this or any other personal business dealing that would allow him, or anyone else,” Obama said, “to believe that he had done me a favor.”

(I can't provide the direct link to the source of that quote because the page is no longer available. Here's the link to my post.)

Again, you're comparing to apples to oranges. No double standard by me.

If Obama thinks his relationship with Rezko reflects poorly on him, I'm not going to argue.