Palin: The Reactions

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency," - Obama spokesman Bill Burton


"She's exactly who this country needs to help me fight the same old Washington politics of `Me first and Washington second.'" - John McCain

"Governor Palin is an admirable person and will add a compelling new voice to this campaign.” - joint statement from Obama and Biden

“No one knows anything about her,” unidentified GOP strategist, @ Politico


"After trying to make experience the issue of this campaign, John McCain celebrated his 72nd birthday by appointing a former small-town mayor and brand new governor as his vice presidential nominee,” - Former DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel, from Politico

"She will be an ideal running mate for John McCain, and will make a major contribution to our country’s future.” - Fred Thompson

"Sarah Palin is not the right choice. She shares John McCain’s commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade and continuing George Bush’s failed economic policies. John McCain and Sarah Palin will not bring the American people the New Direction they need.” - a gracious Nanci Pelosi, who has not yet named her choice for McCain VP

"Conservatives will be thrilled with this pick" - Greg Mueller, a conservative GOP strategist.

“A Hail Mary pass” - Sentator Chuck Schumer


"She completes a strong ticket that will bring a real record of change and reform to Washington” - Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.)

"Smart pick, she completely changes the narrative." - Senior GOP Senate aide

"Although only holding an executive, state-wide office for less than two years, Gov. Palin has already shown that she is a fierce opponent of equality." - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese


"A woman of faith who has a strong position on life, a consistent opinion on judges," - Mathew Staver, dean of Liberty University School of Law and founder of the legal group Liberty Counsel

“Sarah Palin is a pleasant surprise for those of us who had hoped that Senator McCain would pick a principled and authentic conservative pro-life leader." - Mike Huckabee

"We just can’t afford a gamble like this with our future.” - Eli Pariser, Exec. Dir. of MoveOn.org, speaking of VP nominee Palin, not presidential nominee Obama.


It would seem that the most important thing to consider for the VP pick would be to have someone who was ready on day one to take over as president - not only is this critically important for the leadership of our country, but the press is going to be hammering on this.
I guess McCain felt that getting Hillary supporters was more important. You know, for that feminist-conservative symbiosis!

In many ways though, this is a very shrewd pick - evangelical conservatives, often put off by McCain, now a have a VP pick that suits them. And it makes the McCain ticket very attractive to voters who'd like to see a woman on the ticket. Plus, it's bound to sew-up the Alaska vote!