Saturday, September 20, 2008

Mudflats Asks the Right Question: Is Palin McCain's Albatros?


FROM MUDFLATS

Is Palin an Albatross?

20 09 2008

Is Sarah Palin becoming an albatross around the neck of John McCain? Two weeks ago, the thought that we would be asking this question seemed unlikely at best. Alaska’s own ’hockey mom/beauty queen’ governor had become the overnight darling of the political world. She had everything - spunk, principles, smarts, beauty, ethics, and an attitude that was just plain “maverick”. Right?

Never mind that the hearts of progressive Alaskans (and even some Republicans) were gripped with an icy fear that made breathing alone difficult, nevermind shouting, “Noooooooo!” The rest of the world loved Sarah. Lipstick became an iconic symbol of political girl power. Her recent stint as a small town mayor, and her journalism degree from the University of Idaho showed us that ”anyone can be president”. Her eyeglass frames were sold out at retail outlets around the land almost instantly. Pitbulls gained an unlikely place in our hearts. And all of a sudden John McCain didn’t have to grovel, and offer to bus people in from miles away to make his rallies look not so embarrasingly empty. It was a Disney movie - Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington, Cinderella and The Mighty Ducks all rolled into one.

But now, it’s the morning after, and America is starting to have some regrets. Sarah, it seems, has been our “rebound girl” after our escape from a disastrous and abusive long-term relationship with our soon-to-be ex, Dick Cheney. Rebound relationships are normal, but no one expects them to last.

FULL BLOG POST

Hmmm . . . Even her Fans Have Questions About Her


Here's an interesting item from an op-ed piece in today's New York Time's. Turns out Republicans like Sarah for her personal qualities, but not much else. Hard to see anything here that commends her for national office.

From the New York Times by Charles M. Blow:

In a New York Times/CBS News poll conducted this week 77 percent of Republicans said that they had a favorable opinion of Palin. But when asked what specifically they liked about her, their top five reasons were that she was honest, tough, caring, outspoken and fresh-faced. Sounds like a talk-show host, not a vice president. (By the way, her intelligence was in a three-way tie for eighth place, right behind “I just like her.”)

When those Republicans were asked what they liked least about her, they started to sound more like everyone else. Aside from those who said that there was nothing they didn’t like, next on the list were: her lack of experience, her record as governor and her lack of foreign-policy experience.

FULL PIECE: Lipstick Bungle


Friday, September 19, 2008

New Doubts Raised About Palin's Claims

From abc.com:

EXCLUSIVE
from ABC News


An internal government document obtained by ABC News appears to contradict Sarah Palin's most recent explanation for why she fired her public safety chief, the move which prompted the now-contested state probe into "Troopergate."

For the Weekend: Women Against Sarah Palin

Thursday, September 18, 2008

More Evidence that the "Palin Effect" Has Failed



What could have been predicted when Senator McCain appointed an unknown, under-qualified, skeltons-in-her-closet hockey mom, who readily admits the only real difference between her and a pit bull is lipstick; that's it, just lipstick; is pretty much turning out to be true. She is becoming yesterday's news. Worse for the Republicans, she is becoming a drag on the ticket.

Check out the latest:

from Telegraph.com.uk

"After an initial burst of support among white women, the shock choice for Republican vice-presidential nominee of an inexperienced governor who hunts moose and has five children has solidified the female vote in the party's base, but has not so far attracted new women voters in significant numbers, a new poll by the New York Times-CBS suggested.

At the same time, her strong anti-abortion views and withering put-downs of Mr Obama seem to have galvanized Democrats. Mr McCain led in the category of white women under 45 by three percentage points before Mrs Palin's introduction, but now trails by 14, according to the poll. The survey was conducted before the bank failures of the past few days which are only likely to push Mrs Palin further into the shadows."

The Sarah Palin Prophecies: Part 2


Just in case you don't get a chance to read through the comments on Rev. Sheets' claim that the Bible has foretold the coming of Sarah Palin, I've printed a few of juicier pieces below.



Welcome to Sarah Palin's world:



The Comments

I have, like countless numbers of people, many thoughts about Sarah Palin’s nomination to be VP, but I will only make a comment regarding the mainstream media’s treatment of her. It has been cruel, vicious, and for the most part, venomous. One can almost hear the cries of “Crucify her! Crucify her!” (Sound familiar?) I believe the reason for this is simple. Sarah Palin carries the anointing of Yahweh, God Almighty, and the ungodly hate that. Darkness despises the light.

It has been asked if Sarah Palin is another Esther. I think she has the opportunity to be greater than Esther. She can, by the anointing, be a key part in the shaping of the history of our country, this world, and the Kingdom of God.

*****

When I heard Sara’s speech I was convinced, when I heard McCains “testimony” I was moved, I think her pro life example, her professional experience as a Govenor, and now what I know is God’s annointing because God’s Grace is on the USA. Our term is extended with Sara Palin in office! I will be praying for this word to manifest according to HIS will.

*****

A cousin called to turn on the TV as the announcement was being made by Sen. John McCain. I laid hands on the set and cried. I believe God said to me: “She’s your last chance for this nation to rise again”. I believe He was speaking to us as the body of Christ.

*****

We believe that Sarah Palin is going to be used by God to be stuck in the “craw” of the conscience of liberal America, especially when it comes to the abortion issue. Truly 2Chron. 7:14 is coming to pass!….A “suddenly” has burst on the scene and our prayers are vital!

*****

I do not usually watch the garbage on TV regarding the election, or anything else for that matter. I find it all to be what the “world” wants us to hear and the Enemy is exhaulted in just about everything you hear. So I did not watch the coverage when McCain made his announcement.

I did however see her (Palin's) picture on the front page of Yahoo as I was logging in to check my email. My spirit lept inside me as I noticed the Glow about her. I knew then that this was the one God has chosen to take the helm and take our country into the path that is should have been in all along. God has heard our cries and he will answer our prayers.

Thank you Jesus! Thank you Lord! Hallelujah!

*****

McCain has been put through the fire and withstood the crusible; his character has been honed and he has been humbled to be used of God. The Lord has provided a helper and will accomplish His will through them.

*****

When John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his running mate an excitement and thrill welled up on the inside of me. I believe it was the Holy Spirit shouting confirmation that Sarah Palin is annointed to lead this country into God’s blessing. She is going to raise a standard that has not been seen here before and that will change the destiny of our nation.

I believe that George Bush deserves honor and respect for keeping our country safe from terrorism and for being a just and courageous leader but that God is going to use Sarah Palin to bring us to a whole new, higher, level of influence and blessing as a nation. God bless the United States of America and it’s leaders for surely He isn’t finished with us yet.


Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Sarah Palin Prophesies: The Bible Tells Us So


It turns out that there are at least two reasons why the fundamentalist few have embraced Palin as one of their own. It's not just that she has the proper credentials (although she does have those), but that her elevation to the position of presidential lady in waiting was foretold in the Bible. That, anyway, is what a letter posted on a fundamentalist blog says.

I actually wasn't going to post this as it came via a friend looking suspiciously like one of those viral emails that Snopes.com warns us about. So I did some checking and, sure enough, it's the genuine item.

Turns out a couple who attend a Fundamentalist Bible church in Colorado Springs called Freedom Church ( home to Dutch Sheets Ministries) , heard the pastor (that would be Rev. Sheets) claim that the Bible told him that Sarah Palin would make it to the White House. It all has to do with the number 444 and Alaska being the "alpha and omega" state, and other such predictions that will have the prophetically challenged saying: "huh?"

It's important to read this if for no other reason than it gives a glimpse into the religious subculture out of which Sarah Palin has emerged. This isn't to say that her church would embrace this. Fundamentalists are an independent lot. What one off the wall preacher says isn't necessarily endorsed by them all. But it does offer us a window into a world with which Governor Palin is well familiar.

Most importantly, you now know the reason why you need to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket in November. The Bible tells you so.

(Be sure to visit the blog from which this excerpt from the full letter is taken. The comments following this are almost as enlightening and entertaining as the piece itself).

Dutch Sheets on Sarah Palin

September 6, 2008 · 25 Comments

(an excerpt)

Dutch (the pastor of the church) was traveling to Texas on Friday , and when he landed in the airport, his wife called and told him to get to the TV asap. He watched McCain introduce Governor Palin, and said he began to weep, even though he knew nothing about her. (I experienced the very same thing and we have had reports of many others including Newt Gingrich).

He asked what the significance of this 44-year-old woman was, and he saw the clock said 4:44. He asked the Lord what that was, and the Lord said, “Ezekiel 44:4.” “He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; so I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD; and I fell on my face. NKJV (New King James Version of the Bible) North gate representing Alaska.

A few years ago Dutch and Chuck Pierce went on a 50-state tour prophesying over the state their part in God’s purposes for the U.S. At the meeting in Texas that evening Dutch was relaying his experience about the Governor to Chuck, who said, “Do you remember what the word was the Lord gave us for Alaska ?” The Lord had shown them that Alaska is the alpha and omega state. It is the place where things begin and end.

You may realize that some of the Alaskan islands are on the other side of the Dateline, meaning that the day begins and ends in Alaska. The Lord said that Alaska is a gateway for the Ancient of Days to come into the nation. The Lord told Dutch (back in Alaska ) to tell the people of Alaska to look forward into their destiny. Alaska has an assignment to open doors and a place where prophets and intercessors were trained. It turns out that the Governor, who was raised in a Pentecostal Church, according to our newspaper, founded the prayer movement in Alaska .

We will be having the last of our 90 days beginning in a major gathering Sept 11th. The significance of this is that Chuck Pierce had prophesied that there would be 7 years of war and Sept 11 marks the end of that time and the entering of the 8th year. Someone said that 44 = 4+4 or 8.

Dutch asked why he and Chuck were in Texas for this announcement, and the Lord reminded him that the word for Texas was that it is a prophetic state - that the Lord’s purpose for Texas is this prophetic function.

Dutch then decreed that she will enter the White House. Now, if you don’t know him, he is cautious, has his feet on the ground, and never goes off “half cocked” when it comes to prophecy. He said that he believes, as of Friday, the U.S. has come into a new level of alignment with the Lord and His purposes. By the way, the Governor will be the 44th Vice President. He continued to declare that she will be the Margaret Thatcher of America, including that she would be President one day. Many other things came forth. I literally thought I would explode because the Lord had shown me many of these same things yesterday.

I believe we especially need to rally prayer for the family and children of the Governor. They will be targeted by the enemy and I believe we need special prayer for the oldest daughter. Please take this seriously in your prayers.

Below is an important correction from Dutch Sheets website.

IMPORTANT CORRECTION FROM DUTCH SHEETS

“There has been an email circulating with quotes from Pastor Dutch regarding Senator McCain and Governor Palin. This was NOT an email sent by Pastor Dutch. Someone took notes during a Sunday service and sent out this email. There are several inaccuracies within its content that warrant this statement.

The comment about Sarah Palin starting the prayer movement in Alaska is incorrect. She did not start the prayer movement, however, she is a woman of prayer. Pastor Dutch did not state that she is Pentecostal; the media has published that.

Lastly, the statement about Sarah Palin being the 44th Vice President is wrong. If elected into office, Governor Palin would be in the 44th administration but would be the 47th vice president.”

Photo of the Day (from Mudflats): A Message for Senator McCain




from Mudflats:


The Silly Season has Begun: The Latest in the Trooper Gate Scandal


Our friend the AKMuckraker with the Alaska-based blog, Mudflats, has just put up the latest in the increasingly surreal comi-tragedy which is Trooper Gate. This entry is by an Alaskan state senator who, like most Alaskans, is getting a taste of the hard ball politics played by the Republican National Committee who are not only attempting to put a stop to the investigation, but are doing their best to discredit anyone who wishes it to continue.

The best excerpt from this piece , which AK has sub-texted: "Part Karl Rove, Part Laurel and Hardy," and which demands a full reading, is what this senator says about the audacious move made by Palin to investigate herself only to declare herself innocent. Imagine if our judicial system followed the same pattern - letting criminals investigate themselves. It would certainly ease the crowding in our jails . . .

It just gets interestingner and interestingner . .

Here's what he says:

"Last week the Attorney general’s office promised state witnesses would comply with subpoenas issued by the Legislature. On Tuesday the Governor’s Attorney General flip flopped, and announced that state witnesses wouldn’t comply because, well, and I’m paraphrasing here - he’s changed his mind. And in what has to be an idea hatched after a 4th Martini at Chilkoot Charlie’s, Governor Palin’s attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss the ethics claim she filed against herself two weeks ago. Yup. She really filed a complaint against herself. Tuesday she said she’s discovered, after a thorough investigation of herself, that she’s done nothing wrong.

Does anyone know how to get a hold of Jon Stewart and Tina Fey?"

FULL ARTICLE HERE


The Sarah Palin Effect Effects What?


It's been interesting watching the networks fall over themselves hunting for formerly Democratic white women who are so infatuated with Sarah Palin and angry with Obama for not choosing Clinton that it proves the power of the "Sarah Palin Effect." I saw one they interviewed at a Palin rally this past weekend who claimed to have been a former Democrat, only to throw that into question when she admitted she has never been very political.

The fact that the press has to look so hard to find these people makes one wonder how effective the Palin effect is. From what I've been reading it's had the opposite effect on many women who are appalled by what Palin stands for. The fact that she is also ill prepared for the position, almost embarrassingly so, hardly sells her to Clintonites. There's far too much to swallow here for whatever disappointment they may still feel over Clinton's loss to translate into a vote for McCain. The point is, most intelligent, reasonably well-read women, which is the vast majority of them (as opposed to men, where the "reasonably well-read" part would have to be modified), are not taken in by Sarah Palin. My wife, who fits this categorization, is certainly not alone in being able to spot a phony a mile away.

Let me go out on a limb and make a prediction here. The Palin effect will not be very effective come election time, especially as we find her continuing to stonewall the press as she repeats the same memorized lines over and over and over again. She will, in fact, become an irritant to many people, reminding them (as she reminds me) of that former cheerleader, student council president, miss straight A'ed, perfect toothed, goody two shoes who made high school such a hell for so many people. (She is irritating that way, don't you think?) The effect in this case will be to push more people into the Obama/Biden camp. And the Democrats will win the election. By how much I'm not certain. But they will win.

After the electionSarah will go back to Alaska, but having made so many enemies by lying about the bridge and sending high power Washington lawyers up to smear the reputation of the former police chief and state senators, she will be voted out of office. Finding this door closed and the "not welcome" sign out for the Wasilla mayor's position, she will move with her family to Washington to work as a high power lobbiest for the NRA.

Just see if I'm not right . . .

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Palin Assassinates Bullwinkle! (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)

Trooper Gate: the Plot Thickens

Here's a contrast worth noting. First is an excerpt from a piece from Reuters News Service announcing the (surprise, surprise) attempt on the part of Republicans to stop the "trooper gate" investigation of Sarah Palin . Immediately following is an excerpt from a piece written by an Alaskan politician ruminating on how the insertion of national politics into the investigation (by the Republicans) introduced a brand of politics Alaskans are unused to.

Make note of the fact that up to this point Palin has only known Alaskan politics.

First the piece from Reuters:

Alaska Republicans sue to stop Palin trooper probe




By Yereth Rosen

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Five Republican state legislators filed a lawsuit in Alaska state court on Tuesday seeking to block Democrats from investigating whether vice-presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power in firing a state trooper feuding with her family. (full story)

* * *

Karl Rove Comes to Alaska

Now an excerpt the piece from the Alaskan politician named Les Gara (from Mudflats), filed under the headline: "Karl Rove Comes to Alaska" last week (before the Republicans invented their fiction about Democratic control of the process):

To get their way, and prevent sworn testimony from leaking out on what I suspect was probably a minor breach by Governor Palin, McCain’s operatives have come to Alaska to add invective in a state where people generally get along. They’ve chosen to vilify: 1) one of the state’s most respected public officials, Senator Hollis French; 2) the state’s most respected law enforcement official, Walt Monegan; and 3) a highly respected former DA and Victims Rights advocate a legislative committee voted 12 - 0 to hire to conduct the investigation, Steve Branchflower.

It’s the ghost of Karl Rove. Say something untrue enough times - like that Al Qaida is training with Saddam

Hussein’s help - and people will believe it. Not this time. I’m not sure if I mentioned a few important facts.


Did I mention that no one ever attacked the Troopergate investigation by Alaska’s Legislature - started long before Governor Palin was placed on McCain’s ticket - until August 29? That was the day Governor Palin joined the McCain bid for the White House.


Did I mention that before the McCain camp got involved, the Governor stated

of the Legislative investigation: “That being the route they choose, so be it. I’m happy to comply, to cooperate.” (KTUU.com, July 24, 2008). She repeatedly stated she’d comply, and that it was the right thing to do.


Did I mention the personal attacks against our local public officials only started after Sen. McCain sent his flacks up to our small state on August 29? They came with a mission to make America believe a Republican-initiated investigation, started with a unanimous committee vote of 8 Republicans and 4 Democrats, was a “partisan” plot. That’s only a tough sell if people know the facts.


Did I mention they now claim the Legislature cannot legally proceed with an investigation into government misconduct (I thought Republicans didn’t like attorneys who made frivolous arguments), and that they are threatening to to go to court to stop it? The Governor’s attorneys started writing those letters on - you guessed it - August 29. Before then they agreed the investigation was proper.


Oh, and what about this. Last week the McCain camp put our Governor in a bizarre position. They told her to file an ethics complaint against herself! Yup, again after her VP nomination. Too weird? What’s behind this move? You guessed it. Lawyers. (FULL STORY)


* * *

And now, as Paul Harvey says, here's the rest of the story. (the latest from AKMuckraker at Mudflats):


Blizzard Warning. Palin Halts Traffic.

16 09 2008

STORM WARNING! The legal paperwork blizzard has arrived. Today we are expecting accumulations of 10-12″ of legal stall tactics, creating hazardous conditions for those trying to navigate through the Palin scandal we have come to know as “Troopergate”. So, before proceeding, make sure you’ve got your studded tires on, and a good shovel. Ready?

Today, five Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit against not only Democratic Sen. Hollis French, who is overseeing the investigation; not only Juneau Democratic Sen. Kim Elton, who heads the Legislative Council, and not only independent investigator Steve Branchflower, but the bipartisan Legislative Council itself. The suit seeks to delay the infamous ethics investigation until after the election on November 4, or to remove French and Elton.

FULL STORY HERE

She's Slipping Fast


This requires no elaboration nor explanation.

Be sure to read the whole story.

From the Stumper Blog by Andrew Romano at newsweek.com


"Since Sept. 13, Palin's unfavorables have climbed from 30 percent to 36 percent. Meanwhile, her favorables have slipped from 52 percent to 48 percent. That's a three-day net swing of -10 points, and it leaves her in the Sept. 15 Diageo/Hotline tracking poll with the smallest favorability split (+10) of any of the Final Four. Over the course of a single weekend, in other words, Palin went from being the most popular White House hopeful to the least."

It's Official: She's Yesterday's News


Well, it's official. Sarah Palin is old hat. Yesterday's news. Passe. Her bloom has faded.

Evidence? I just went to Google News' top headlines and she was no where to be found.

So now, finally, we can get back to the business of a serious presidential campaign. Good thing, too. The economy is about to collapse. Who said what about lipstick on pigs is probably not going to be all that beneficial in helping us make up our minds about who to vote for come November.

It may be good for everyone to have Sarah fade from our memories. We've got more important business to take care of.

Suckers!

Back in the '70s there was a popular evangelist named Marjoe Gortner who drew large crowds to tent meetings. And he knew how to whip them up into a frenzy.

On his last "crusade" he invited a film crew to do a documentary on his life and work. The film showed him working the crowds. Then it panned to him in his hotel room after the show was over rolling on his bed in the money he had taken off the unsuspecting crowd. "Suckers," he said as he literally rolled in the dough. It was a sham. The whole thing was a sham.

For some reason that film keeps popping into my mind every time I ponder the "Sarah Palin effect." Here, too, it feels like like we're being played for suckers.

Out in public we've got this charming, charismatic figure who says all the right words (carefully chosen by her handlers) to work the crowd into a frenzy around the theme of "reform" and "no more politics as usual." Behind the scenes we've got a pol who rose to the top of Alaskan politics because she plays political games so well, a chameleon-like figure who does whatever it takes to get elected, including running roughshod over any and all who oppose her. And that's to say nothing about the way this self-proclaimed anti-ear mark crusader sucked up our tax money to buy the favor of her constituents.

In public we've got a polished speaker claiming to be able to speak with authority on national and international affairs. Behind the scenes we find a former sports announcer and small town (really small town) mayor who claims foreign policy experience because she vacationed in Canada and Mexico and on a clear day can see the Russian border from the border of her state.


If what was at stake was less serious this would be good material for a comic novel. But the stakes are too high for comedy. This is tragedy.

What I fear is that we will wake up on November 3rd and say what we've been saying for the past four years - how did this happen? How did we let ourselves get suckered yet again?

That's my fear. My hope is that it won't happen again.

You Do the Math

No need for any commentary on this. This is direct from Mudflats. Be sure to visit the site.

==============================


Rally vs. Rally. Do the Math.
15 09 2008


I’ve been asked a couple times for comparative images of the Pro-Palin rally and the Anti-Palin rallies. So, here they are.

Here’s the pro-Palin rally in a room with a capacity of 5000 people. If you don’t count security, secret service, staffers, and media, I’m guessing a maximum of about 800-900 people.



The first third of the Alaska Women Reject Palin rally.



The last third of the Alaska Women Reject Palin rally. There were also people on the other side of the street and a chunk between the two photos I didn’t get.


There were between 1400 and 1500 rally-goers, and about 90 at the counter rally according to an observer who went through the crowd with a counter. Anchorage police estimated “more than 1500″.

All photos were taken with the same lens.

***Feel free to repost or circulate these pictures. Links please.***

Monday, September 15, 2008

Another Video the Governor Doesn't Want You to See: Alaskan News on "Trooper Gate"

Is She or Isn't She Stonewalling? You Decide

Two conflicting narratives are developing around the allegations of Governor Palin's abuse of office in the "trooper-gate" scandal. The latest is that the whole thing is just one more element of an Obama conspiracy against Palin. The Democrats are "politicizing" it. The other is, well, the actual narrative which is that a Republican dominated Alaskan government initiated the investigation with Governor Palin pledging full cooperation. The politicization in this case began when the Republicans entered the picture dead set on distancing Palin from the scandal. That's when she started stone walling.

Rather than argue one way or the other let me share both sides of the story - the one reported by CNN, the other by the Alaskan blogger, AKMuckraker in his blog, Mudflats. So you decide:

from CNN:

Palin Aide Says Obama Backers Politicizing Alaska Investigation





Palin Refuses to Cooperate with Ethics Probe. What a Surprise.

Bush in a Skirt


It didn't get on the news, but should have. According to AKMuckraker, our favorite Alaskan blogger, the largest political rally Alaska has ever seen took place when Governor Palin left the state this past weekend. It wasn't the rally covered by the national news networks. It was the one that wasn't. It was the "Alaska Women Reject Palin" rally.

Below is the video of the rally. Here's what AK had to say about it:

"Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage. The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrators). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned. The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn’t honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn’t happen here."


Sunday, September 14, 2008

Videos the Governor Doesn't Want You to See

And now for your viewing pleasure, here are a few videos (including two from Alaskan TV stations) the governor probably would prefer you didn't see.

Make sure you check out the Karl Rove video to hear him make the case against the Sarah Palin choice for VP. Unwittingly, of course.











 
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