Does the Democratic focus on a VP's daughter highlight their nervousness on chosing an unqualified candidate?

Question

Or is it fear that McCain actually picked someone outside of Washington, unlike the Messiah of "change" who picked one of the biggest Washington insiders?

Answer 1

I think it's the big dent he put in Obama's whole platform of CHANGE.  It became the mantra of the DNC, yet they pick an old school Congressional VP.

The real change in getting away from Washington politics and 'buddy system' came from McCain's choice.

Answer 2

Neither.  Let's focus on the person, no need to bring her family into it.  She's ultra conservative and not beneficial to most of the american public.  She's everything Hillary wasn't and won't be thought of even as an after thought once the election is over.

Answer 3

It is a problematical situation for the Republicans, no matter how you choose to spin it.

a) It indicates just how deeply flawed the "abstinence only" position is. Teenagers are having s*x. Even the children of extreme right "abstinance only" Repubicans running for VP. The situation clearly makes the case for s*x education and the use of birth control far better than anything else could.

b) It takes away the hypocritical "family values" argument that the Repubs love to trot out on election years.

That said, I personally deeply believe that this young woman's personal life should be off limits (same position I held when Limbaugh went off on Chelsea Clinton when that poor girl was only 12).

More to the point, what is scariest about Sarah Palin is the following:

* Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest. 2

*She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3

* Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools. 4

* She's solidly in line with John McCain's "BigOil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species--she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.

Sources:

1. "Sarah Palin," Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin

2. "McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate," NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008.

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13660...

3. "Sarah Palin, Buchananite," The Nation, August 29, 2008.

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13660...

4. "'Creation science' enters the race," Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006.

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13660...

Answer 4

Perhaps McCain shouldn't have picked someone who's beliefs made it possible to focus on her minor pregnant child.  Palin - a great mother...yah, sure.

Answer 5

McCain picked Palin to try to get the female undecided vote, plain and simple.  the Democrats have NOT focuses on Palin's daughter - it has been the media that has done that.  Obama has stated time and again that the families and children of candidates should be OFF LIMITS.

Palin is totally unqualified to become President because she has no experience in key areas.  Biden is intelligent and capable to lead if he needs to become President.

Palin assured my vote for the Obama Biden ticket.  McCain is pandering to women.  that is disgusting.  I like Palin, but McCain is using her badly.  

Answer 6

unqualified such as 36yr. on judiciary panel and as a extremely knowledgeable person in foreign affairs or smart as a mayor of a town of 4600 people and gov. for 1/2 a term and nominated in a cynical bid to swing  white women voters and nascar gals, how do you define unqualfied for vice president?