Are there any McCain supporters who are concerned about Sarah Palin's qualifications?

Oh yah, there certainly are some notable folks who feel uneasy.

Ah….great link. One side of my family is all for McCain. I have a feeling that they would blame the reporters, and not Palin, which makes me nervous.

There certainly are some. Here is another one.

I will answer this honestly and hope that no one hates me afterwards…

I have been on the fence as to who to vote for. From what I understand of McCain’s take on things, I like his approach to economic issues and I have thought that he would go against his party, if necessary. I respect Obama and think that he is a decent person that wants to do what is right, but I have concerns about what he views should be government’s roll in issues that I think should stay in the private sector. I can not agree with either candidate over 70% of the time. However, I am seriously concerned now that McCain has chosen Palin. Even if McCain thinks she is the best choice, I don’t see how he expects the rest of his supporters to think she is too, rather than just taking his word for it.

I am voting for McCain for president. I do like Sara Palin. I like her more than Obama or Biden. Although many of you will jump down my throat for saying this, I think she could do a good job.

Those who blame it on reporters are the ones who have already made up their minds. Even if God tells them to vote for Obama they will not do so. For Heaven’s sake how can somebody blame it on reporters when she talks like this:

“Couric: You’ve cited Alaska’s proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and, on our other side, the land-boundary that we have with Canada. It’s funny that a comment like that was kinda made to … I don’t know, you know … reporters.

Couric: Mocked?

Palin: Yeah, mocked, I guess that’s the word, yeah.

Couric: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials.

Palin: Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there…

Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/25/eveningnews/main4479062.shtml

Marissa- How can anybody hate a friendly person like you??? Regardless of the difference in our political views you have always been a great friend to me and I appreciate your friendship.

@mz—thanks for sharing. I’m wondering if you have seen any of the interviews that have been referred to. I think Palin has a very likable personality, but when it comes to experience and knowledge on the issues, that is where the real concern comes in. Normally I don’t personally put a ton of emphasis on a VP, but when the pres. is very old and has survived cancer numerous times, it makes it much more likely that the VP may become commander in chief.

@mzgator, I, for one, will not jump down your throat. Please understand I’m not trying to get into semantics, but this really struck me, you said “I think she could do a good job”. I agree with you, I think she ‘could’ too, but I just don’t know enough to really believe that she wouldn’t do a terrible job. With the other candidates, I also believe that they ‘could do a good job’, but of course, I don’t think anyone knows for certain how they will do, until they are elected and are President. That is part of the nature of politics. Here is my problem, with Biden and with McCain, I don’t think either candidate will do a terrible job, even if they don’t do a good job. With Obama and Palin, I could see either candidate doing a good (maybe even great job), because they are different from the ‘politics as usual’, but I could also see them miscalculating a situation due to lack of experience in the national/international political arena and really doing a ‘terrible’ job. So what do I do?

@bonusquestion, thanks, that’s very sweet of you

@mz—- hoping my comment didn’t come out as “jumping down your throat.” Not sure if Marissa was suggesting that or not. I’m just genuinely curious what people are thinking.

@emilyrose, sorry, if I sounded like I thought that (now reading, “I, for one,” I can see where you might have thought that). I was just making a general comment, certainly not directed at you or anyone else in particular. BTW, I agree with you that given McCain’s age and health, I think that his VP pick has to be seriously considered.

All I can say is “God help us all if they’re not!”.

Two things I would never use to judge the worthiness of a candidate:

1. The opinion of a reporter.

2. The candidate’s debating ability/comfort in front of a camera.

I am a McCain supporter who is very interested to see Palin as VP, much more so than Joe Biden.

I am a McCain/Palin supporter. I actually think I like Palin better than McCain. I have no concerns about what I have seen in her qualifications. Obamas list is not that impressive either and he wants to be the President. If one were to only compare Obama and McCains quailifications McCain would have the easy win.

I am not so concerned about how well she does in a television interview as I am on where she stands on key issues like abortion and creationism and a few others. Her political stance could set the country back fifty years.

I understand the politics behind the choice of a VP candidate. It is usually someone who can bring in voters because they represent a different segment of the party than the Pres. Harry Truman was considered as a place holder who would not be as anti-New Deal as Garner and not as liberal as Wallace, a ‘Missouri Compromise”. He was not even considered important enough to be included in the inner circle. However he was a good president when his time came. However he was a moderate man personally and politically. He didn’t have the temerment to be an attack dog. The person who could become president under the worst circumstances cannot be divisive and must be able to lead the entire country.

Gov Palin will have to show that on Thursday or she is going to scare the bejesus out of voters. We don’t want to have 4 or 8 years of namecalling and stirring up trouble. We can’t have another Spiro Agnew with his constant and foolish attacks and charges.

Gov Palin only has to catch up on world affairs this week so that she doesn’t make any serious mistakes like making it sound like the Russians are threatening invasion. And she will look foolih if she tries to use outdated propaganda like blaming Iraq for 9/11. And she can’t go farther right than the president. I will be interested to see if she can pull it off. If she doesn’t it may be too late for McCain

@ basp that’s exactly what I am hoping for. A time when life was simpler, gas was less than a dollar and people still had morals.

I am against for Obama and Biden. I am more against McCains campaign than him. I am afraid I am completly against Palin. I couldn’t support someone who isn’t out there this close to the election.

Thank you all for speaking about this. I truly want to hear from people like you guys!

Ps. Don’t hate me either

Gooch,
Life may have been simpler but I an not willing to give up the progress we have made scientifically, medically, or educationally for the sake of a politcian who has demonstrated her inability to grasp domestic and international issues and who uses her position to grant favors. We’ve had enough of that kind of leadership.

EDIT: I am for Obama and Biden.

Sorry, typing on a iTouch after 13 hour migraine.

I can’t say I am critical of her lack of knowledge because I am not sure I have seen her truly respond. I can’t help get the feeling we are not seeing her but someone the campaign is putting forth.

McCain thinks media underestimates Palin!! He compares Palin to Reagan and Clinton! Why do I think it is way beyond silly? Maybe we are all missing something!!

“This is not the first time that I’ve seen a governor being questioned by some quote, ‘expert,’ ” McCain told CBS’ Katie Couric as Palin looked on. “I remember that Ronald Reagan was a ‘cowboy.’ President Clinton was a governor of a very small state that had ‘no experience’ either. I remember how easy it was going to be for Bush I to defeat him.

“But the point is I’ve seen underestimation before,” McCain added. “I’m very proud of the excitement that Gov. Palin has ignited with our party and around this country. It is a level of excitement and enthusiasm, frankly, that I haven’t seen before. And I’d like to attribute it to me. But the fact is that she has done incredible job. And I’m so proud of the work that she’s doing.”

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/30/mccain-palin-the-next-clinton-or-reagan/

Why should we be worried about Palin. Sure she might not have all the foreign relation experience that McCain does, but she was a Governor. Im personally more concerned about the junior senator who’s running for PRESIDENT. Two years after becoming a junior senator decides to run for president. Sounds like hes less qualified than Bush…now isnt that a disturbing thought.

@ grayreason – So your not a fan of Bush?

Depends on the issue…
civil liberties no.
Expansion of government no.
War in Iraq yes
War in Afghanistan yes
Foreign Policy yes
economy no

ok, thank you. Wanted to make sure I followed you.

Sarah Palin ran a tiny state with almost no diversity, which depends on its oil. It is much like a large state, and she has been there for less than 2 years. Her previous job was running a city which is more like a big high school!

Obama ran a campaign that defeated an established and favorite candidate of the party. Brought a lot of new people to the campaign. You certainly can’t ignore the fact that he ran such an extraordinary campaign, defeated Hillary and is now ahead in polls against McCain.