Palin Is Ready? Please.

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  • Posted By: sandycminnesota @ 09/29/2008 5:06:26 PM

    Mr. Zakaria,
    Thank You!!! You are absolutely right and I have been waiting for someone to stand up and say what needs to be said. Sarah Pallin needs to step down. John McCain's political "stunt" was shocking. It is appalling that he put his campaign before the country. It is incredibly scary that this woman could be President. It is no longer funny. Everybody needs to wake up. I can't believe everyone is just a) ignoring the interviews b) pretending that they don't matter c) not demanding that John McCain change his running mate to a viable candidate.
    Thank you! again for saying what I've been thinking!!!

  • Posted By: Diahni @ 09/29/2008 4:58:53 PM

    Kenan Thompson, of the SNL cast, did a hilarious skit called "What is that (rhymes with witch) talking about?
    More TV imitating life. I hope he does a sequel for obvious reasons. Palin's response to the bailout question is just wild. When McCain's campaign people gave Palin her list of buzz words, they forgot to tell her that she was supposed to put them together in complete sentences. I refuse to believe that she majored in communications. How could this be possible?


  • Posted By: henry325 @ 09/29/2008 4:05:28 PM

    Castle Rock makes a great point about health care. If we reformed the system, perhaps he could afford his meds.

    • Posted By: Castle Rock @ 09/29/2008 4:29:26 PM

      Hey Henry, you must be a girl ! I think you are the one who needs meds. Is this a blog only for Liberals??? What about Independents, can you take what they have to dish out?? Probably not.

  • Posted By: Krismann @ 09/29/2008 2:10:58 PM

    I feel very fortunate that my application for citizenship (thru marriage) to a European country has been approved. The concept of McCain and that vapid nothing Palin in charge at such a delicate time in US history scares the hell out of me. Especially after watching McCain sell his soul to Bush's campaign people (sticking to a rigid line of talking points, becoming as unavailable as possible to reporters, trying to completely distract voters from the issues by using scare tactics, i.e. "Obabma wants your guns!!!") I had respect for John McCain until he became a viable candidate, and changed the way his entire campaign was run. Right now, his campaign is being run the same way the Bush administration is - uninformed, ignorant, incredibly secretive, bullying, and full of lies intended to scare the hell out of their base. Listening to Palin is worse, as the only bit of consistency she has shown is just how much of a bully she is, that she is fond of patronage and cronyism (as mayor, she unabashedly told the assembly in her town that the very people petitioning the assembly were personal friends, and that she favored them), and that she has virtually no understanding of either economics, domestic policy, or foreign policy. How the hell did she get elected Governor, anyway? I ferverently hope they don't win the election, either by popular vote, electoral vote, or another Florida-type "win". I'd hate to give up my military career and move to Europe with my wife and family to avoid the impending McCain-Palin disaster. (Did I mention that I saw several lawn ads in my city yesterday .... with the name PALIN where McCain's usually is ... do these supporters even know that McCain is the PRESIDENTIAL candidate? His name was not on the ad at all......)

    • Posted By: John suncityca @ 09/29/2008 2:33:44 PM

      Please, send me an e-mail from your "European" country. (I'm still laughing)

      • Posted By: zetakitty @ 09/29/2008 4:28:47 PM

        The reason McCain's name wasn't on the sign with Palin's is because the entire country knows McCain has one foot in the grave. Should that Repub ticket erroneously win, and Palin becomes prez because McCain's health fails him (among other things), then I'm moving to Europe, too!

  • Posted By: IonaTrailer @ 09/29/2008 12:30:09 PM

    I think McCain picked Palin because he's throwing the race. Word is he wanted to ask Lieberman or one of his other old friends, but was prevented and forced to pick Palin by shadowy Right-wing Republican decision-makers.

    And I think SNL should send Palin a check for such hilarious comedy writing.

    • Posted By: Rose Black @ 09/29/2008 4:24:15 PM

      I agree, Iona. It's very telling when a comedian can use exactly the same words that Palin used in an interview. Can someone say, "duh"?

    • Posted By: Brother Steve @ 09/29/2008 3:22:07 PM

      It would be funny if it wasn't so freaking scary

    • Posted By: Brother Steve @ 09/29/2008 3:21:54 PM

      It would be funny if it wasn't so freaking scary

  • Posted By: sparky716 @ 09/29/2008 4:21:18 PM

    Sarah Palin is NOT qualifed to be VP or President...how she got to be govenor of Alaska God only knows...She is not qualified for that job also.....

  • Posted By: Tal Zlotnitsky @ 09/29/2008 4:18:50 PM

    Fareed Zakaria, as always, gets it and isn't afraid to say it. In most nations, it is speaking truth to power that scares the media. In our nation, The media has a critical responsibility here to TALK TRUTH TO THE PEOPLE, since the power rests with us. I hope my fellow Americans see the Palin pick for what it clearly was -- a country last, me first pick by a desperate candidate who has agreed to sell his soul to try to win a presidency that will be devoid of meaning if he wins it on these terms. For me and many other Americans who support the Obama/Biden ticket, a McCain/Palin victory in light of the clear contrast between the mix of intelligence, judgment, and experience of these two presidential tickets in these trying times, will sting worse than the Gore loss in 2000.

  • Posted By: jennifer Fasciano @ 09/29/2008 4:04:26 PM

    Thank you Mr. Zakaria for your candor on the issue of Sarah Palin's qualification to be president. I hope the voters consider your words carefully.

  • Posted By: "We the people" @ 09/29/2008 1:02:46 PM

    If it weren't for Ms. Palin, I would be voting Republican for only the second time in my life ....

    • Posted By: John suncityca @ 09/29/2008 2:10:18 PM

      If it weren't for Mr. Biden, I'd be voting democrat for only the second time in my life.

      • Posted By: Rose Black @ 09/29/2008 4:04:16 PM

        John, I have no doubt that you voted for Bush twice as well. I hope and pray the majority of Americans have more sense and will come together to help dig us out of this hole Republican leadership has put us into.

      • Posted By: NH Independent @ 09/29/2008 2:29:38 PM

        @John: Really? You think Palin would be better then Biden? I know Biden is a 'gaffe machine'; he runs his mouth too much in his stump speeches & gets 'gaffe-y' (?) But when he's asked a serious question, in a serious setting (eg MTP, FTN) he answers coherently. It is clear he knows what he is talking about, regardless of what side of issue he's on. Can Palin do that? If so, WHY hasn't she? (no MTP, no FTN)
        I'm no liberal, but I'm not about to vote R automatically either. That's why I registered IN. I vote the person, not the party. Looks like another Hobson's choice: no fan of Obama either, but McCain has lost my vote.

  • Posted By: Arcady @ 09/29/2008 12:31:08 PM

    "Can we now admit the obvious? Sarah Palin is utterly unqualified to be vice president."

    Can we now admit the obvious? Barack Obama is utterly unqualified to be PRESIDENT!

    Just what we need: a foreigner like Zakaria telling us what is patriotic. And to lead the nation: someone raised in an overseas Asian world by an anti-American Marxist; someone mentored for 20 years by a raving racist Afrocentic and a terrorist bomber; someone who has spent his entire scant term in Congress running for President.

    • Posted By: fastwriter @ 09/29/2008 12:41:47 PM

      You are obviously white and after this mess you've created still think you own this world. Zakaria is an American as all of Americans are immigrants. That's why we have this mess because of the power whites think they have and own this world. YOu have no credibility now. RUN AND HIDE. No one wants to hear from you anymore.

      • Posted By: John suncityca @ 09/29/2008 12:56:59 PM

        Not that I agree with the other guy's original statement but I agree with your statement as long as you substitute the word white with black and apply the statement to yourself.

        • Posted By: Johnsonium @ 09/29/2008 1:33:37 PM

          That makes about as much sense as Palin's responses to Couric. According to the right-wingers, you are qualified to be president.

          • Posted By: John suncityca @ 09/29/2008 2:23:07 PM

            Let me get this straight: if a person doesn't vote for Obama they are racist? If 95% of white Americans vote for McCain would they mostly be doing it because they are racist? If 95% of African Americans vote for Obama would it they mostly be doing it because they are racist? I look forward to your objective response:)

            • Posted By: Johnsonium @ 09/29/2008 4:04:02 PM

              Your comment still doesn't make sense. You told the poster to switch black and white in his post. So, his first sentence becomes "You are obviously black and after this mess you've created still think you own this world." So you are assuming the poster is black? Maybe be a bit more clear in your critique next time, if you want to be taken seriously.

    • Posted By: marksgershenson @ 09/29/2008 2:44:32 PM

      Bigot alert on line

    • Posted By: Johnsonium @ 09/29/2008 12:55:03 PM

      We got it. Obama is not going to win the paranoid, racist demographic. That's ok. People like you are tiny minority.

  • Posted By: sfkeating @ 09/29/2008 4:03:10 PM

    Mr Holmes:
    Are youy really that far gone? This column said NOTHING about the rape kit charges, Down's Syndrome or any other slur against her. It only stated the obvious fact that this woman does not own a thought worthy of the national dialog in matters of national or international importance. It is not that she is prevented from speaking, but whenever she DOES speak, she proves herself vacuous and ignorant. If the GOP wanted a woman to enter the race, WHY were they soooo stupid in ignoring Elizabeth Dole, Olympia Snowe, Christine Whitman, and others who have proved their outstanding knowledge, skills and abilities?
    To say that Palin is disturbingly unprepared is not the same as any other candidate to fill her shoes- EVER. Even Dan Quayle was a better choice, as he was well practiced in the US Senate. Ms. Palin has NOTHING to offer at this time, save the fear that she may actually have to rise to a position she clearly cannot handle.
    Hollywood could not have made up a more disturbing, or offensive choice. I also RESENT the insult to the other, VERY qualified Republican women across this nation.

  • Posted By: henry325 @ 09/29/2008 4:02:26 PM

    Spot on. After McCain loses, I cannot wait for the books on how his campaign hit so many trees so fast.
    I've been voting since Kennedy/Nixon and I have never seen anything like this. Or her.

  • Posted By: leochar18 @ 09/29/2008 2:23:32 PM

    Who would you rather have, a VP who has little experience or a President who has NO experience??? I would rather have well-decorated war hero and politician, Middle of the road Republican rather then a guy with catchy slogan and some " great ideas" for change which he will not be able to implement. Obama has a dream, and as ideal as it is, it is just that; a dream! The path to reality is scary and we are in the midst of that reality check right now, I personally don't think that the Clinton economic advisors ( who are now Obama's ) are best to run this country. Let's not forget that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the direct result of these same advisors....of but it's all the Republicans fault...right? McCain for change and Palin for a VP in training is better any day then a hot head VP Senator who is full of tall tales and a Presidential Candidiate who needs 4 more years of real experience before he is the one truely qualified for the role that is most important here- the President!

    • Posted By: DGlenn @ 09/29/2008 4:01:59 PM

      No experience? Doesn't Obama have more experience than Republican hero (well, hero to most of us, not just Republicans) Abraham Lincoln had when he was elected president?

    • Posted By: Johnsonium @ 09/29/2008 3:47:50 PM

      You can vote for McCain if you like. Meanwhile, the rest of us who are rational will continue to go to the Obama camp in droves.

      Republicans need to put to rest the "Obama has no experience" canard. It isn't working. On top of that, your candidate picked someone with far less experience as VP. Find a new attack and you might gain some ground. Hammering the same ineffective point over and over isn't working.

  • Posted By: jhubers @ 09/29/2008 4:00:22 PM

    Finally a mainstream journalist who is willing to do what the "straight talking" John McCain isn't. Tell the unadulterated truth.

    Thanks, Fareed!

  • Posted By: suziedundas @ 09/29/2008 4:00:21 PM

    I agree with Castle Rock. I'm a democrat, but he wrote things in CAPS. So you know it must be true.

  • Posted By: matrixnov @ 09/29/2008 12:48:21 PM

    John Puentas writes: P.S. You might want to compare how Obama has been running for President for the past two years and how Palin has been running for Vice-President for the past month.

    P.S.S. I wonder if you have the sack to post this with your response.

    Respectfully,

    Mr. John Puentes
    Sun City, CA

    What an abject moron - did you not watch any of the McCain vs Obama debate...Obama can drill down on the topics of McCain's supposed expertise foreign policy, further than McCain can - by far...you have no credibility whatsover, go away...

    • Posted By: John suncityca @ 09/29/2008 1:24:28 PM

      Enter Your Comment Again, another example of someone who lacks any objectivity and is a slave to partisanship. Your name-calling shows your lack of intellect. Your lack of understanging of the issues is typical of those who are more concerned with perception than reality and fact.

      • Posted By: Johnsonium @ 09/29/2008 3:59:04 PM

        OK. Let's take the word of the independents polled regarding the debate. They picked Obama the winner 2 to 1.

  • Posted By: terrificworld @ 09/29/2008 6:16:58 AM

    STOP saying Palin is not qualified to be Vice President when the truth is OBAMA running for President is the one unqualified, inexperienced and a TRAITOR for the USA, specially in the Economy, his been saying for over a year on a 24hs basis that the USA economy is a slam ( not a islam!) a slam! and slaming,slaming,slaming the economy and President Bush without a drop of respect to ou President.

    So, as the saying goes: YOU TELL LIES CONVINCLY ON A 24HS BASIS...bang,bang on the stone till the stone breaks-up !

    And, thats what OBAMA HUSSEIN BARRACK has done! NEGATIVELY talking to USA public and even go to Europe to talk bad about USA, it's economy, it's President, it's Foreign Policy...everything so so Negative talk of the Nation he is wishing to CONTROL !

    He,OBAMA, talked so much and so badly...people all over started to LOSE CONFIDENCE, lose trust in USA and all that what USA is, so much so this bastard who call himself a patriot has done to our beloved AMerica.
    This Barrack Hussein Obama is a traitor!

    After all USA economy was not bad at all, at all...up to a year ago, not bad at all. But he kept slaming it till people LOST CONFIDENCE! LOST TRUST! Not only in AMerica, but all over the world. He, this Obama forgets that now a days Satelite Tv's, Cable TV's are everywhere...so whatever is said in USA right at this second can be known all over the world on in real time. And, this "Mixture-of-something" still wants to be the President of the very Nation he keeps slaming? This is a Joke!


    ANd, now...there you go: You tell enough lies enough times and people starts to believe you!
    This Traitor should be tried for treason!
    He is not a Patriot! He is a monster! and people are believe this monster!
    So, God help AMerica and do not allow this man ever to become the President of this most venerable NATION.
    He is not a true American. He is a Traitor! He not even BLACK he is not ! He is a certain mixture ...God knows what! half-this, half-that! So, God help USA! do not let this most precious country falls in the hands of such a
    Traitor!
    Not a Patriot ! Not even ever served in the Military!
    He SHALL NEVER BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

    • Posted By: Jennifer9397 @ 09/29/2008 10:19:24 AM

      Wow. Obama just talked about how badly the country was doing and everyone lost confidence? That's an amazing power. Maybe he could use it to make Sarah Palin an intelligent woman.

      • Posted By: WhaHuh? @ 09/29/2008 3:57:37 PM

        Umm .. Isn't Sarah and her 1st Dude the ones that want to sedede from The United States of America? They "were" members of the Alaskan Indepence movement. So we elect someone to help run the country that didn't want to be a part of the country in the first place? Kewl !!!

    • Posted By: Brother Steve @ 09/29/2008 9:54:17 AM

      Adolph could have used some enthusiastic little creeps like you in '39. Aren't you the ideological one? The man ought to take notice of you now, you're the kind of bloodthirsty robot who might be able to do some dirty work for them." He shall never be president of the United States Of America?" Sounds like you have plans James Earl. I think the light of your burning cross has blinded you though. Obama will be the President and you will remain a joke.

    • Posted By: marksgershenson @ 09/29/2008 9:40:50 AM

      OMG when did you leave your trailer? Bigotry plus tsk tsk, . Go to Hannity and company and enjoy posting there.

    • Posted By: Braes @ 09/29/2008 9:22:47 AM

      Hi bigot, nice to smell you.

    • Posted By: chris666 @ 09/29/2008 8:07:45 AM

      You hit the nail on the head!!!!! I only pray that the other 50% of Americans put thier hatred and bitterness aside and start thinking with their brains instead of thier torso. Regardless of what the leftist want us to believe, America is still the most generous, powerfull, caring nation that the world has ever experienced. B.HUSSEIN Obama belongs in JAIL.

  • Posted By: bmacveg @ 09/29/2008 3:55:22 PM

    Mr. Zakaria - you are wonderful. Your interview with Wen Jiabao was exceptional and I continue to be impressed with the depth and clarity of your column. Thank you.

  • Posted By: CharlieV @ 09/29/2008 1:09:42 PM

    All this talk abiut her not being qualified to be VP or to be President, but how do you judge qualifications - what would be GOOD qualifications? Many governors became presidents, and people from both sides of the aisle will argue they (Clinton and Reagan) were great presidents.

    So instead of characterizing and attacking her experience, let's start by defining what our criteria and method of evaluation are - and especially what would constitute "good" experience.

    Charlie Volkstorf
    shymathguy99@aol.com

    • Posted By: NH Independent @ 09/29/2008 1:59:31 PM

      How about being able to speak in complete, coherent sentences? Would that do? Even if she has unusual views, at least she ought to be able to, well, TALK about them, wouldn't you say? If we can't expect possible VP of USA to stand up and speak intelligently, we will get Palin. Think about it, please...

      • Posted By: PattyJ3 @ 09/29/2008 2:09:38 PM

        I think in the past Obama hasn't been able to speak in clear, intelligent sentences either. The telepromter is his great friend.

        • Posted By: Johnsonium @ 09/29/2008 3:52:30 PM

          Tell that to the people who watched the debate, a majority of which felt Obama won handily.

        • Posted By: Rose Black @ 09/29/2008 3:51:03 PM

          Obama has been put throught the media grill during the primaries for 18 months. Throughout this election he has held press conferences and taken unscripted questions from reporters. There is no comparasion! McCain's gamble in picking Sarah Palin is tanking fast and I'm very relieved. We're already world known for our stupidity in putting Bush in the White House and look where that has gotten u. People had better start voting for the person who is the most overall qualified candidate to deal with our issues and stop voting for someone they "can identify with". I want someone much smarter than your average American in the White House this time.

    • Posted By: Johnsonium @ 09/29/2008 1:23:58 PM

      How about "good" basic knowledge of key national issues? She had the chance to show her stuff and her responses are more than embarrassing.

  • Posted By: SlpAwy @ 09/29/2008 1:14:23 PM

    John - suncityca,
    I would not consider myself liberal, but I am really tired of the overuse of phrases like, "the liberal media." Liberal this or liberal that...as if this, in itself , is an effective argument. "Hey, I don't have any real constructive, or even logical, points on a subject, so I'll just throw out "liberal" and that is enough to prove me right." Yes, John, of course Palin is being attacked for her perceived weaknesses because she DOES have many. Should these be ignored? If she didn't and was being unfairly attacked, then I could see your point, but this is not the case. And why is it bias? Let me guess...because it's the "liberal media." I got news for you, the conservative media (and there is plenty) has frequently attacked her too. Why? Because she IS very underqualified, just as this article states. To make the comparison to Obama, as you have done here, is ridiculous. First of all, he is a Senator and has been for a number of years. Obviously, this in itself would garner him far more experience than a governor of Alaska would. Also, did you watch the debate? As the overwhelming majority of news outlets are reporting; Obama more than held his own with McCain on all issues. He looked very comfortable, spoke well, and proved himself very knowledgeable, unlike Palin and her canned response, completely ignorant style. John, you mention "glaring" but you provide nothing to back this claim. Also, so what if Palin has been only running for VP for two months. This is a "glaring reason why the McCain campaign should NOT have picked her. His "experience" should have told him this I would think, but he chose to take the gimmicky route to try and gain the presidency in a time when this country needs no part of gimmicks. This ploy is now backfiring and for good reason, Palin is a bad choice. This article was excellent, and it had nothing to do with "liberal." It simply stated the facts and should be commended. Good job Mr. Zakaria.

    • Posted By: John suncityca @ 09/29/2008 1:57:48 PM

      Please get your facts straight. Your argument that "First of all, he is a Senator and has been for a number of years. Obviously, this in itself would garner him far more experience than a governor of Alaska would" First: Obama was elected to the Senate in 2006. He has made relatively NO impact in the two years he's been their. Your confusion may stem from his stint as a state senator from 1996-2004. Of course he's never held an executive position like governor. Palin has been mayor of a small town from 1996-2002 and Governor of Alaska since 2006. In between 02 and 06 she worked in state government. So again, he woefully lacks in experience, similar to Palin.

      Your assertion that you are somehow non-partisan is laughable. You made the assumption that I somehow have a conservative bias by my statements concerning Obama's and Palin's qualifications or lack there of. Touch a nerve did it? Please get your facts clear before you make anymore emotional outbursts as to my objectivity.

      REALITY ONLY OFFENDS THOSE WHO ARE DELUSIONAL.

      • Posted By: Rose Black @ 09/29/2008 3:43:45 PM

        Even with his limited time in the Senate, Senator Obama has had more experience and exposure to national and international issues. You can say whatever you want; however, everytime Palin opens her mouth she provides proof of this statement. Even some conservatives within the Republican party have to state the truth about her and can't support her. I'm thankful they're honest enough to do so. Voting her and McCain into the president's office will put the final nail in America's coffin.

      • Posted By: summer4077 @ 09/29/2008 3:20:38 PM

        A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. Following an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, he announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in January 2003. After a primary victory in March 2004, Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004. He was elected to the Senate in November 2004 with 70% of the vote.

        As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, he helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability in the use of federal funds. He also made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. During the 110th Congress, he helped create legislation regarding lobbying and electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for returned U.S. military personnel. After announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama emphasized withdrawing American troops from Iraq, energy independence, decreasing the influence of lobbyists, and promoting universal health care as top national priorities.

        ...Ok, so he's not qualified? He's an extremely intelligent, level headed man which is exactly what we need. McCain admits he has a hot temper. Do we need another yahoo idiot in office with a quick temper, with things as precarious as they are right now? NO!

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