Progress Illinois

Come on American let's get serious. This is no joke here. We have been talked about and laughed at for 8 years. It's that enough. We need to demand that the Republican Party stop this madness. They are trying to shove this no name, no experience person down our throats. We should be mad has hell and let it be known we will not take it anymore.

ENOUGH!! We want our dignity back. We want our high quality of standing in the World back. We want respect back. This is no joke. This is the real deal. John McCain is playing with our future. Please don't take this nonsense. Demand better than an unknown Governor from Alaska as VP (who at any time could become President) of the most powerful nation in the world. Republican lesaders give us a break. We are not as dumb as you think we are. And I resent that fact that you think we are stupid enough for you to pull the wool over our eyes. ENOUGH!!!!

Ms. Palin is unqualified, was not vetted, has no experience, is under investigation, and goes against everything that I personally believe in.

What really struck me, after she was forced to acknowledge that her 17 year-old daughter is pregnant, was how could a mother put herself in a position where she must expose her daughters mistake to the world, her daughters boyfriend, and allows her son who has Downs Syndrome to be used as a trump card in a political process??????? What kind of person would put herself first to the detriment of her family? Is this who we want in the White House? A person making decisions for us as a nation, when she has made such poor decisions for her own family?

The appropriate response to the offer as VP would have been, “I am flattered that you would consider me, however I have many family issues that I am currently dealing with and would not want our family exposed to the certain media attention that would result.”

In the meantime, we haven’t heard a darn thing about the issues, the ideology, the differences between the parties, how they are going to make this country a better place. Isn’t that grand? McCain has managed to avoid having to deal with what truly matters by throwing in this huge distraction that is laughable at best, dangerous in the worst.

The Republican said that Obama has no experience; however, there is a timeline in Iraq, everyone is talking about Iraq's government becomming more accountable, he began the process of repairing America's relationship with its allies-200,000 supporters in Berlin and positive presence by foreign leaders.

All this from a newcomer and inexperience guy. Now compare it to Bush, Cheny, Rumsfeld and Collins with their vast years of experience.

What is even more frightening is that all presidential candidates and their running mates will begin to receive security briefing...does Sen Mc Cain realizes that this also includes Gov. Palin.

I for one am livid that the Republicans think that the American People are so ignorant and sheeplike that they will believe that a hockey mom can be President of the United States. It is an insult to every man woman and child that they are still touting this fugitive from a Jack London novel as "ready to serve". What must our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan think when they are told that Sarah Palin may become their Commander in Chief. But the Republicans have made a career out letting our fighting men down so what else is new.

This is the most absurd claim I've ever heard. Is Hastert seriously arguing that somehow Palin's family values, and her family itself, are superior in any way, shape, or form to those of Obama and Biden, both exemplary spouses and parents, as are Michelle and Jill. The Republicans have a real problem this year which the Democratic Convention made obvious: They don't have the Clintons to kick around anymore for their creative family life. Instead, they have to face two superb American families, one black and one white. The American people were clearly drawn to these beautiful and moving families during the Democratic Convention, which is why Obama move to 50% and 51% in the three national polls released today. America is moving towards Democratic family values now, not those of Palin's Desperate Housewives brand.

Pathetic. Why does the GOP insult us?

This is the classic ruse of those who are devoid of ideas and principles. I would not wish to impose my views on Sarah Palin's family life (although she cannot say the same about her wish to meddle in yours). Nor would I be so cynical as Mr. Hastert as to judge the extraordinary family stories of Barack Obama and Joe Biden -- or even the less appealing story of John McCain's families. But this is not about Sarah Palin's family -- it is about her lack of experience, knowledge and, to all appearances, forthrightness. More than that, it is about the breathtakingly bad judgment Sen. McCain shows in placing short-term political advantage over the nation's best interests.

Who cares what Hastert says? The man is a disgraced, lying PIG.

Amen. I rather liked where Tavis Smiley asked Newt Gringrich if the same 'overwhellming support and enthusiam' for the Palin family would extend to an African American family that had a teenage daughter who was pregnant. Okay - I've got it Dennis. White, hunt, fish, believe creationism is science, no birth control for anyone, burn the library books you don't agree with and maintain invading Iraq was part of God's plan - a Holy War. Good grief. You're right it's serious. And fortunately in spite of paying attention to the nonsense many Americans are registering people to vote, calling voter lists to encourage people to turn out to vote, correcting addresses and phone numbers, getting ready to canvass and talking to EVERYONE they meet about the importance of electing Obama/Biden in 2008. And fortunately Americans are not as dumb as the Republicans would like you to think - although the dumbing down has been rather serious. I'm writing a letter to Mr. Hastert tonight and to my local paper to echo Obama's statement - and yours - ENOUGH! The world is laughing while the Republicans set out to destroy their country. Who knew all that flag waving and patriot songs and the importance of the National Anthem and 'justice and liberty for all' was just another campaign slogan. Wake up. Get up. Stand up America.

"Real American family" means no scary African negro in the mix. Just nice white folks with guns and Jeebus, not too gosh darned smarty-pants and definitely not "elitist". Just secessionist reactionaries thank you very much.

While I understand where you are coming from with the "how could a mother put herself in a position where she must expose her daughter's mistake...". Certainly that would be hard for any girl to have made public. But I'd ask you to consider the other side of the coin, if Palin were to decline the opportunity because of her daughter's pregnancy as you suggest she should have done. Whatever the consequence of "exposing her daughter's mistake" are to her daughter, wouldn't that pale in comparison to the emotional burden her daughter and grandchild would have, knowing that their mother/grandmother had to turn down the chance to be VP because of her "daughter's mistake"? I think that would be a terrible message to convey to any child: "I could have had this incredible, once in a lifetime career, but I gave it all up, because you got pregnant." Sorry, I couldn't do that. Besides the terrible guilt trip the girl would certainly have, it would also tell her that she is more important that her mother's career.

Your opinion seems to be a common one I have seen expressed. I wonder what other special family circumstances you believe we should consider as disqualification for political office? A pregnant teenager is one, but what else? A drug using or alcoholic child? A drug using spouse? A handicapped child?

I wonder, if Palin were a man, would people like you have the same opinion about declining the VP slot. Is there a special obligation to her children that she has that is any different than what her husband has to them? Without any clarification on the husband's role when you express these opinions, you and others with your opinion seem to imply that he can't handle the needs of the family while she is busy being VP. Granted I am assuming he would give up his job to handle family matters when they moved to DC.

Finally, if you want to hear more about the ideologies of the parties and the candidates plans, just visit their websites and quite posting about things that are irrelevant. If you really believe this is somehow a "huge distraction" managed by McCain, then why give it any more life by writing your opinion on it? You are only adding to the distraction that you are complaining about.

maybe Hastert refers to the Reality TV-era American Family - the Wasilla Snowbillies are gonna treat us to the first national shotgun wedding. after all the whining about privacy, McSame and Palin will trot out the baby daddy at the RNC tomorrow night. ain't it grand!

The Republicans want to talk about anything but the last eight years and how the next four will be the same if McCain is the next president.

Hastert is not qualified to speak on much of anything beyond his nose. Remember he and his esteemed minion, Shimkus (IL-19), helped protect Foley (R-FL) a KNOWN sexual predator in Congress.

He is the last person in the world to say anything on families or values of ANY kind. He needs to slither back into the inky black depths of his favorite rock.

ALISON, MPA
http://philosopheforum.blogspot.com/
"Responsible Leadership Serving the Public Trust"

Yes, I would say the same thing if it were a man. I think a special needs four month old and a pregnant, unmarried daughter who would deliver on my innaugeration day would hold me back from just about ANY opportunity. Country First? I guess they mean this literally.

Another thing that colors my view on this is the sort of person Todd seems to be. I see Cindy McCain as being able to balance things. I see Michelle Obama and Cindy Biden being able to balance their spouses careers and family needs. I've never met the guy but I'm guessing Todd isn't much of the hands on type. Half of the rumour that Trig was actually Bristols kid came from the fact you just don't see Todd holding that baby. I don't see them putting Todd up on that stahe like all the other spouses.