Sarah Palin: Compelling VP Choice

I guess this is Alaska Governor Sarah Palin week on Camp2008VictoryA. Several important bloggers have endorsed Sarah recently. One of them is the absolutely wonderful Jean Avery, who manages http://moms4mccain.blogspot.com. Jean is one of the brightest political activists in America (along with Sharon Caliendo), and I urge you to visit her site. (Sharon blogs at: http://democratsforsale.blogspot.com). You also want to visit the site of the individual, Colorado's own Adam Brickley, who founded the "Draft Sarah Palin Movement." He blogs at: http://palinforvp.blogspot.com. Two years ago, he was the only member of the movement. I was the third. Now, Sarah Palin is a national fiigure with an army of supporters. It would be a bold, imaginative step for John McCain to pick Sarah as his running mate, but boldness and imagination are just what we have come to expect of the Senator from Arizona. If you want to read just one article that captures the essence of Sarah's appeal, see Fred Barnes' Weekly Standard piece ("The Most Popular Governor") at: http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/851orcjq.asp. Thanks also to Cindy at The Pink Flamingo, one of the most popular blogs, for her continuing support of Sarah. And a salute to the irrepressible (and almost unpronouncable) FullosseousFlap, a big-time blogger, for his endorsement of Sarah this week at: http://flapsblog.com/?p=7028#comment-87351. If you haven't yet seen my HillarySupportersforMcCain blog, one of the most unusual going, well, what are you waiting for? McCain's chances for the presidency rise and fall on the basis of how effectively he can attract Hillary Supporters.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Heath Palin, mother of five, including a U.S. Army infantryman, and McCain's best choice for V-P

BLOGGERS AND OTHER ONLINERS: IF YOU HAVE A BLOG OR WEB SITE, PLEASE REPRINT THIS NOW! The points made by "Ted" are so important I'm putting this up on all my blogs.

Ted has left a new comment on your post "Sarah Palin Belongs to America":

Here's an important piece of advice: If it looks like it's going to be McCain/Palin anyway (and that should be a "no brainer" for Team McCain), McCain should announce NOW or VERY SOON, rather than later towards the convention. There's currently a growing chorus for Obama/Hillary (as VP) ticket (in fact the Dems are likely aware of the Palin phenomenon).

If the GOP waits while movement for Hillary as VP grows -- even worse until after it is solidified that Hillary will/could be VP pick -- selecting Palin will be portrayed by Dems/liberal media more as a reaction by GOP selecting its own female (overshawdoing Palin's own remarkable assets), rather than McCain taking the lead on this.

Selecting Palin now or early (contrary to the punditocracy) will mean McCain will be seen as driving the course of this campaign overwhelmingly, and the DEMS will be seen as merely reacting. And, there's absoultely no down-side to this because even if Hillary is a no-go as VP for Obama, the GOP gains by acting early.McCain the maverick. Palin the maverick. Do it now!

There's no reason, and actually substantial negative, in McCain waiting to see what the Dems do first insofar as his picking Palin as VP, because, no matter who Obama picks, Palin is by far (and I mean far) the best pick for McCain and the GOP, especially in this time of GOP woes. The GOP can be seen as the party of real 'change' (albeit I hate that mantra, change, change, bla bla), while not really having to change from GOP core conservative values, which Palin more than represents.

In light of the current oil/energy situation, as well as the disaffected female Hillary voters situation, and growing focus on McCain's age and health, Palin is more than perfect -- now.(Perhaps Team McCain is already on to this.)

My comment: Ted, you said it all. John McCain needs to understand that choosing the usual suspects -- two older white guys with silver hair -- is not a winning combination this year. Few people who know about Sarah and her stellar career doubt she will be President of the U.S. someday, so let's get her front-and-center NOW.

Note: To find out more about the remarkable Sarah Palin, please vote Adam Brickley's site at: palinforvp.blogspot.com. Adam is the founder of the "Draft Palin for V-P Movement."

Sarah Palin Supporters: Adam Brickley on Political Pistachio Tonight

Dear Palin Supporters,

I will be appearing TONIGHT (Wednesday) on Doug Gibbs' internet talk show Political Pistachio at 10:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Pacific (6:00 PM Alaskan). Be sure to listen live, and call in if you can, but the show will be archived on the web until if you can't. Political Pistachio is one of the best online talk shows, drawing guests like former presidential candidate Gov. Jim Gilmore and big-time bloggers like "Atlas Shrugs".Hope to talk to you tonight.

Adam Brickley
Founder, "Draft Sarah Palin for Vice President"
palinforvp.blogspot.com

Note: Please listen to Adam and Douglas tonight. Adam is perhaps the most fascinating young political activist in the country. I've facetiously called him "Karl Rove, Jr.," but frankly, Adam is better than Karl. Adam understands that Sarah Palin is one-of-a-kind, an individual whose character, intelligence, and personal history will bring many important groups into the Republican fold.

Taxes, Plus Giuliani, Clinton Soar, Thompson Flounders

If you'll look below at the October 14 column, you'll find it's titled Republican Truth Serum: What You "Know" About Income Taxes Isn't True. I used the word "you" because it refers to the fact that most people are misinformed about who pays taxes -- and who doesn't. As you'll notice, the top 1% of income earners -- we're talking Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Oprah types -- have 21%-plus of the income in the U.S. However, they don't pay 21% of total taxes. In fact, they pay nearly 40%.

It's critical that Republicans -- candidates and we plain ole activists -- get across solid information about taxes and other issues. Most people believe individuals with relatively modest incomes pay most of the taxes, while the "rich" have access to CPAs and a host of "loopholes."

The truth is far different from that assumption. In fact, half the income earners in the U.S. pay little or no federal income taxes. They do shell out PAYROLL taxes for Social Security and Medicare, but income taxes are another matter.

How can we get these points across? And should we even try? Frankly, many people are satisfied living in a cocoon of misinformation.

I've been reading an outstanding book called Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. It's by brothers Chip and Dan Heath and published by Random House. It offers suggestions on how to get ideas to stick -- to take hold in people's heads and hearts.

Tomorrow, I'll discuss the way we get people to accept and act on ideas. Hint: We can't do it by statistics alone, because too many citizens either don't understand statistics -- or don't believe them. Take a look at the October 14 column, and return tomorrow for more discussion.

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CNN announced today (3:40 p.m. ET, October 16, 2007) that a new national poll has come out with implications for Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. "I think I have the best chance of defeating Hillary Clinton." (Rudy Giuliani)

Republican Poll Results

Rudy Giuliani -- 32%

Fred Thompson -- 18%

John McCain -- 14%

Mitt Romney -- 10%

Democratic Poll Results

Hillary Clinton -- 50%

Barack Obama -- 21%

John Edwards --13%

It appears highly probable -- of course, in politics little is certain -- that the nominees will be Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton.

For the Republicans, Fred Thompson is floundering like a beached whale. The Economist said this week that he is amiable and conservative but apparently NOT a "heavyweight." Frankly, it's time for the candidates who have not achieved anything like a national standing to consider seriously an endorsement of Rudy Giuliani.

Candidates like John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sam Brownback, and Duncan Hunter have fought the good fight. Now, they should begin to think about the real task: supporting a candidate who can win in the general election. For the Republicans, that candidate is Rudy Giuliani, "America's Mayor."

Tomorrow, I'll talk about steps Rudy should take to strengthen his standing with social conservatives. One of those steps, which should occur shortly after Super Tuesday (Feb. 5, 2007) is the naming of a vice-presidential nominee who would have strong national appeal. I believe that person should be Gov. Sarah Palin, Alaska's favorite daughter, America's great hope.