VP Picks: Karl Rove Swings and Misses Big Time

[meegbear]

On August 10, Karl Rove went on “Face The Nation” to argue that Senator Obama would make an “intensely political choice” for Vice President without regard for the “responsibilities of president.” At the time, Rove believed Obama would choose Tim Kaine, and argued against him by saying this:

With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he’s been a governor for three years, he’s been able but undistinguished. I don’t think people could really name a big, important thing that he’s done. He was mayor of the 105th largest city in America. And again, with all due respect to Richmond, Virginia, it’s smaller than Chula Vista, California; Aurora, Colorado; Mesa or Gilbert, Arizona; north Las Vegas or Henderson, Nevada. It’s not a big town. So if he were to pick Governor Kaine, it would be an intensely political choice where he said, `You know what? I’m really not, first and foremost, concerned with, is this person capable of being president of the United States?

As we now know, Barack Obama chose Joe Biden as his VP, probably the least political choice he could have made, and probably the best governing choice he could have made. John McCain, on the other hand, is the one who made the “intensely political choice” by choosing Sara Palin — a political newcomer and self-described “hockey mom” who has less than two years of governing experience and ZERO foreign policy experience — all because the political winds dictated that “change” was going to trump “experience” this election.

Rove argues that Kaine’s mayorship of Richmond (pop. 200,000+) is insignificant and that his 3 years as Governor of Virginia (pop. 7,712,091, GDP $383 million) has been “indistinguisahable.” If Rove was intellectually consistent, wouldn’t that mean Palin’s mayorship of Wasilla (pop. 8,000+) and 20 months as Alaska governor (pop. 683,478, GDP $44.5 million) makes her even less qualified than Kaine?

Barack Obama chose Joe Biden because he knows his way around Washington and knows how to get stuff done. His selection mollifies virtually no voting block or constituency.

McCain, on the other hand, chose someone eminently unqualified for the job (seriously, can you see Sara Palin sitting down with Maliki or Karzai or any other world leader?) for the sole reason of appeasing the right-wing lunatic fringe and hoping to pick off a few die-hard Hillary holdouts, as well as assuaging voters’ concerns about his septuagenarianism.

So, Karl, who made the “intensely political choice”?

What can we take away from this episode? When Karl Rove suggests something — in this case, Obama would make an “intensely political decision” — always assume the opposite will happen. Remember, Rove predicted, according to “the math,” that the GOP would pick up seats in 2006.They of course were swept out of power in an historic landslide.

Remind me again why the punditocracy heralds this guys as some sort of political genius?

<snip>

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/08/29/vp-picks-karl-rove-swings-and-misses-big-time/

[liberal N proud]

1. This will all be swept under the rug

as the M$M fawns over the Point Guard ex- beauty queen from Alaska

[yellerpup]

13. I'd like to know the context of her "point guard" credits...

I lettered in basketball, volleyball, and track because there were fewer than a dozen girls in our whole high school. You don't have to be athletically gifted to make the first string if you're all they've got!

[liberal N proud]

16. I know that very well coming from a small midwest town

Alaska towns are very small and the picking surely are slim.

[yellerpup]

17. It sure is fun getting to play, though!

:hi: Oh, yeah--ALSO, I went to 13 schools between K & 12 and won tiaras 4x in HS. I'm okay...but same system applies! :rofl:

[liberal N proud]

18. I played both Offense and Defense on the football team for 4 years

Yeah, from Alaska, she most likely was the only choice

[yellerpup]

20. One of my friends from OK is coming to OH to help register voters

for Obama. I don't know what his assignment is yet, but I hope you get to meet him! Palin is a joke. Dems will win! :dem:

[Epiphany4z]

2. jeez laweez

Palin can't even meat Kain's records and yet she is just oozing with experience and is ready to be president should McCain get cancer again...statistics say he will and most likely should he win ..while he is in office...no worries here folks..nothing to see.....grrrrrr

[SoCalDem]

4. His buddy Charlie Black hinted that he might not live the whole 4 years..

this is a purely vanity run for him.. bastard.

[yellerpup]

3. Given the response to Palin's nomination.

I think she's going to have to withdraw to spend more time with her family. I hope she stays in, of course, but the GOP backlash has to be fearsome.

[KharmaTrain]

5. A Big Question About What Kind Of Mother She Is...

Here's a woman who has an infant with a serious handicap...and she didn't take any time off after the birth to spend time to care for her newborn...and now wants to transport the family 4,000 miles into the fishbowl of the beltway? It shows how opportunistic she is and could pull her away from caring for this child during its early, critical years.

Last night I saw a picture that showed Gramps & VicoCindy along with Palin, her oily hubby and that child in a picture (that appears to have been photoshopped as yesterday seems to be the real first time these people met) that is already exploiting the "hockey mom" and the baby. Shamefull.

Also, it's a cynical slap at the popular response to Senator Obama's children who all but charmed the socks off not only Democrats, but the nation on the whole.

From one who raised two very healthy children, my wife and I put our careers and ambitions as secondary and our children first. I also have a mentally handicapped family member (who I'm now a guardian for) and saw how much attention, love and devotion it takes in tending to the needs of her child...I sure don't see this in Palin.

Cheers...

[Epiphany4z]

6. I have a special needs

child...and 4 other kids ...and it gets insane here....but hey maybe she is just that much more of woman than me ...


But this the attack the republicans want us to make.....they are screaming sexism before anyone main stream has said anything like this...they want this..they saw that sexism attacks beat up Obama a bit..they are banking on this and trying like hell to get us to go there....fortunatly there is enough to bitch about with this woman that we really don't have to go there...

A point on her anti abortion stand and choosing to keep her special needs baby....she is lucky enough to have the kind of insurance where she did not have even consider choosing between financial ruin or having her baby..

[KharmaTrain]

9. Very Valid Points...

Yes, they are trying to goad attacks on Palin's gender...and we're already seeing it here on DU...in hopes to get sympathy for her and to allow Gramps to hide behind your skirt.

I definitely believe neither Senators Obama or Biden should attack her at all...keep the guns trained on Gramps. If there's anyone who should take on Palin, it's Hillary...whose campaign is now being exploited in a desperate move by a campaign that keeps pandering and dogwhistles sexism and racism...and as you aptly point out would love to portray Democrats at trying to dump on a woman...portraying her as another victim. It's cynical and one would hope that many of Hillary's supporters are already seeing through this ploy and should feel insulted as well.

Here's a salute to you for the strength, endurance and love you share with your children and to put your children, especially your special needs child, above all else. I feel that growing up around special needs and handicapped people made me a stronger person as I became very sensitive to problems these people fight to overcome...both with their own "shortcomings" and the stigma many in our society have towards those who are "different" than the rest of us. I feel it made me a better parent as each day I am grateful for my healthy children and to the plight of many who suffer quietly...having their funding cut and their needs neglected over the past 7 1/2 years.

I'm actively involved with a center for those with mental disabilities...attempting to give them a safe place where they can feel both wanted and cared for. We've seen the federal funding for this center all but dry up in recent years (going to the war for profit in Iraq) and placing a bigger burden on the state to replace the funding. We're constatly going into our pockets (and fortunately I can afford to do it) to maintain a decent quality of life for these people. These are the most forgotten in our society and it just irks the hell out of me if this woman attempts to exploit her child's situation to gain sympathy while chasing her own political ambitions.

Cheers...

[meow2u3]

8. Question is, who's looking after Baby Trig?

Does Gov. Palin have extended family available, such as her sister, mom, or in-laws? Or are the older sisters stuck having to put their childhood or adolescence on hold to care for him?

I'm raising this question because it's common in poor families for older sisters and brothers to look after their younger siblings while their parents are working.

[KharmaTrain]

10. She Had Her Older Daughter Holding The Baby Yesterday

I was appauled that she had the child there, period. I would imagine the family had to quickly pack up, hop on a plane and then were paraded as props at the Dayton rally. This opens questions of who cares for this child overall...seems like mom is too busy with her career and I wouldn't be surprised if the GOOPers attempt to milk this "compelling story" as some sign of strength...I see it as a major personality weakness.

The other point that needs to be raised is that she is fortunate to have both the resources and some kind of support system that will enable her to run all around the country for the next couple months (that's all I hope) while she neglects not only this child, but her other ones as well. I salute Senator Obama and Michelle who moved a majority of the campaign to Chicago so Michelle can allow her children to live as "normal" a life as possible and keeping them out of the spotlight. IMHO, that's what made their apperance last Monday as more charming.

The cynicism goes further here as Palin is "Pro-Life" (let's call it what it really is...Anti Choice) who considers "all life sacred" yet have cut funding for the special needs of all children...especially those from the poor. As George Carlin once said on how the GOOP has dumped on the poor and minorities and supports the death penalty...and said "it's all a matter of timing".

Cheers...

[yellerpup]

14. You and Ms. KharmaTrain sound like great parents.

I'm in no position to judge Palin for her reproductive choices or mothering skills as I have no children. I'll trust your take on the situation, though, because you are obviously speaking on behalf of the child who is being exploited and from a wealth of experience. Good job! :loveya:

[Warpy]

7. Most of the women I've talked to on both sides are insulted

by this choice. The Democrats are insulted because they smell pandering and are outraged they're being considered so brainless they'd vote for any woman they're offered. The Republics are insulted because there are so many qualified GOP women in office to choose from and this beauty queen was shoved out ahead of them. They know she didn't earn this, that the choice is inappropriate.

I no longer know any fundies, so I can't take the political temperature there. However, I think a few of them might be offended once the choice has a chance to sink in: Magoo is not in the best of health and his departure would put a woman in dominion over all the men in this country and that is abomination to them.

There is going to be some blowback from this cravenly political choice of an unqualified running mate. That's really the bottom line, IMO.

[stubtoe]

11. Oh, that is HILARIOUS! Open mouth, insert foot, Karl!

Nice catch, meegbear. K&R for Republican hypocrisy at its very finest.

[jasmeel]

12. "If Rove was intellectually consistent"----nuff said. n/t

[Flabbergasted]

15. Appeasing the right-wing lunatic fringe.....?

Great post except I don't understand how this appeases the righties. This was obviously a choice to draw in disgruntled Clinton supporters and indies.

[northernlights]

19. she appeases the fundies

because she is as right a windnut fundie as they come. Creationism should be taught in school as science. The pill is abortion. Only rhythm is not abortion (I think they still allow rhythm). True Christians are supposed to rule the world until the 2nd coming. Armageddon and the Rapture. The whole nuttie shebang.

[jazzjunkysue]

21. "appeasing the right-wing lunatic fringe." n/t.

[bklyncowgirl]

22. Could be Straight Talk Johnny blindsided the Rovester.

Everything was pointing to Pawlenty or maybe Mittens but all of a sudden this plane comes down from Alaska carrying Governor Gidget and the true believers go wild.

Problem is it kind of upsets all of Rove's previous posturing regarding Obama's pick. I'm guessing McCain did this on his own since the fundies wouldn't let him pick the veep of his heart, Joe Lieberman.