Is McCain playing politics by having chosen Palin?

Question

Kevin, I don't support parties, but individuals. Calm your nerves, dear.

And you are mentally capable of answering a simple question without making it personal, right?

Answer 1

That was my immediate reaction - and I maintain it.  I'm sure he thought that, perhaps, he could absorb all those votes from the Hillary camp - those who refuse to vote for Obama.  But sadly, I think he will alienate many of his own Republicans....lets face it, we all know he isn't young, and he doesn't look too healthy - and I don't see Republicans wanting a woman taking over - particularly one they've never heard of!

Answer 2

yes, maybe he wants to attract more women to his side ( hillary supporter whose vote based on gender, not the plans her made)

Answer 3

Uh, of course. Every candidate's choice of VP running mate is political.

I'm guessing that McCain thinks he'll win over those who want to see a woman P or VP, more than they want what is good for our country. He's thinking that the Clinton supporters will want to vote for a ticket with a woman on it.

But then, Obama picked Biden to counter the "lack of foreign policy experience" charge -- that's a political motivation. I'm not saying it's a bad one, just that it was "playing politics" in the sense of being a politically-motivated decision.

That's what candidates DO.

Answer 4

Well , he is after all a politician ,so why not ?

Answer 5

Carl Rove did a fine job picking her for McCain... doing what he does best, smoke & mirrors, playing the American Public...  

Answer 6

Of course he's playing politics. They both are. These last couple of days they've made some smart political moves.

Obama, a young, inexperienced, biracial man picks Biden, a slightly over middle aged white man with tons of experience.

McCain, an old, experienced POW picks Palin a young, inexperienced, fresh and relatively clean woman.

They're both trying to stigmatize two large groups of people in order to gain votes.

If that's not playing politics then I don't know what is.

Answer 7

A politician playing politics!  *gasp!*  No!

Seriously though, even Obama is nothing more than a very smooth politician, no matter how great he may sound.

I don't think playing politics is necessarily a bad thing for a politician to do, so long as he doesn't s***w us when he gets in.

Note:  Personal political preferences not included.

Answer 8

Of course.  

Answer 9

All politicians are playing politics, and if anyone thinks Obama is different,  they're kidding themselves.  That's what politicians do.

Her stance on abortion is the same as his.. so I don't see why that would be a shock.  There are numerous pro-life women.  It's actually not an issue for me personally.

I think that there were a number of factors that played into it.  She is a woman, yes, that will attract Hillary supports that still have a bitter taste in their mouths when thinking of Obama.

Also, she's a staunch conservative.  That appeals to his party's base.  She also has a military son on his way to Iraq.  A plus with his party and with a number of military families (not all will be swayed.. I say "some").

It's all about getting the votes.

It's always about getting the votes.  Same way for every politician.  That's why you have to look at the person's voting record, and not how eloquently they speak.

You gotta pick the candidate that votes like (or closest to) how you would vote and go from there.

Answer 10

It's politics of course he is playing politics, did you think he would switch to football.  

Answer 11

McCain, and Obama, are not "playing politics" they are very serious and involved in a contest for  the presidency of the most powerful country on earth.

What if McCain chose Palin because she is, in his opinion,  the best person for the position? Let's at least wait for his and her speeches before you try to guess why he did it.

Do you think a woman is incapable of being VP?

Answer 12

No more than the Dems picking Biden. Of course you guys say this. Mad mad mad. I can feel your anger. The Dems also played politics by choosing an African -American Jr. Senator with no experience. So tell me, how does it feel. How does it feel to have us play politics in choosing a beautiful intelligent and most important, squeaky clean woman? This is what your party does for a living. Turnabout? You're F#$%^ng d**n right! Super smart pick on our part.

Im very proud of my party this morning. Way to de-rail the BS express.

Quel: Well "dear" I do support my party. I'm very proud this morning. I sense your fear and anger in "personally" pointing me out and asking if ican answer without being personal. LOL.  Let's examin that for a moment. I did not mention anyones name. By that I mean I was not being personal. You called me out by my name. Who's being personal here? Calm yourself. Don't hate. You're the one who asked this question now quiet yourself and accept the answers you get.

We can aree to disagree. I respect that. I respect you. But please acknowledge that at no time did I say you were a Dem. Your question obviously points to you being not for McCain. Dem or not my answer was to ALL who question this pick as political in a negative way. Of course it's political. No question. But it is a very slick political move that has caused anger in those who are agianst McCain. I did mention the Dem's but would never assume you were one. You could be green for all I know. Perhaps your question was completely non-biased. If it was I'm sorry for mistaking it for anger. However my answers in the political side of Y/A is meant for those also answering as well as the person who asked the question. I agree I'm a little over-excited right now and can see how that comes off as pathetic. But I can live with that.  Respectfuly.

LOL! Ninjas. I like you even more now. :)

Answer 13

It's a political decision, but made based on the amount of disrespect Obama has shown Hillary and her supporters.  It's also a restatement of McCain's position of being a maverick.  As to her experience with foreign affairs, didn't she start the ball rolling to get a natural gas pipeline through Canada yo the lower 48?  Is Canada a US possession now?  I guess Siberia is too then.  As for Biden's record, he was on that senate committee when Osama Bin Laden was turned loose by Bill Clinton, and he was one of the louder voices urging retaliation after 9/11.  And what does he say now?  The answer is yes, it's all politics, so who do you want?  I happen to think Palin would be a breath of fresh air who has a record of reform, not just talking about it.

Answer 14

Of course his puppet master is (because McCain is most likely dead already) playing politics...because it's politics. I wonder if Republicans and Clinton supporters will get upset since they have deliberately gone with a woman. Black people were accused of voting Obama simply because he is Black, but I suppose now it's simply "strategic" because he picked this woman who would not have been picked had this been any other year.

Answer 15

Sure he is. You can tell that it's for the purpose of attracting some Hillary fans who still can't get over themselves.

Answer 16

to be honest... maybe we should all turn off the tube and radio and focus on the issues via researching the voting records of our Presidential & VP candidates... not that there isn't a time and place to evaluate the personalities of these candidates, but I feel that far too many people get caught up in the political hype and show of the campaign trail... both sides.

Answer 17

He wants to pretend he's more liberal than Obama and to attract former Clinton supporters. Like that'll work ;D

I'm actually pretty surprised that he deigns to appoint a woman, given his stance on birth control and contraceptives.

Answer 18

Arnt all politicians playing at politics?  Isnt that what a politician does?

As to was it a smart move...well kinda need to know more about her to know that.