Yes. She is clearly not cut out for the position and if McCain gets elected and something happens to him in office it would be a tragedy to have her as our president.

I think she is being over coached, over sheltered, and over battered by the media. Everyone on one side wants her to fail, while the other side just wants the McCain campaign to just let her be her. Let her speak to the press. Don't shelter her.

I picked other. There's no doubt I dislike this women and think she should bow out, but this would be a bad move by McCain. Alot of women were fired up (for the Rep and the Dems) by her nomination and her bowing out will look more like another stunt then a sincere move. But at this point I would not be surprised if this is the latest stunt the McCain campaign pulled days before the VP debate. I do have confident she won't be as bad on the debate as she was on Couric. I think our expectations will be set so low that she may surprise us.

You can't ask someone to step aside just because you don't like them.

I'm surprised to hear that Bristol and Levi are getting married on Nov.4... that's interesting.

But seriously that would not be good for McCain if she were to bow out now. That would be a punk move on her part and a "gosh why was i so stupid" move on his part. No she shouldn't step aside.

adren - i think we posted at the same time, but after reading the first sentence of your comment i want to make sure that you know my comment wasn't directed at you!

I feel like it is very hard for a person to be asked a question, and have to answer it not of your own opinion but that of the "team" you are now on. I see the challenge. At the same time, I feel if she was more invested in global politics earlier in her life (as opposed to being so focused only on Alaskan politics) she would be having an easier time with this. Heck, I could probably parrot McCain's talking points by now!

I do think she is vastly under prepared for this job, but I also think that she is a smart woman. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

I don't think she should step down, though. That would make McCain look very bad.

haus....LOL! I never even thought that, so no worries.

just wanted to be sure!

i also agree that they might be setting the expectation really low so that she looks even better on thurs night.

No, she shouldn't step aside or be made to. McCain made his choice and he has to stick with it even if some conservatives are having second thoughts.

So rumor has it that CBS has more un-aired footage from her interview with Katie Couric. Supposedly it's even more embarrassing. I'm not sure how it can be any worse than her saying "As Putin Rears His Head..."

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/29/12221/4907/302/613984

My answer was not based on the fact that I don't like her. It was based on what I have seen of her in interviews and her lack of knowledge on many topics. She just does not seem up to the task.

Just read that Romney basically said the same thing on NBC today about Sarah Palin and the low expectations for her to perform at that debate. I have feeling that will be the spin we'll hear all week from the McCain camp.

The McCain camp can set the expectations as low as they want but as long as Biden doesn't appear condescending ("Gov. Palin you just don't get it.") I think the debates will be nothing but good for Obama's camp.

Palin never should have been on a national presidential ticket to begin with.

I think the presidential race would be very different if Romney was on the ticket. In hindsight, with all the economic news the past few weeks, Romney looks good (in more ways then 1 ). I definitely think I would be less vocal about this race if he was on it.

Don't you think we should wait until after the VP debate to ask this question?

adren - i agree.

No, we shouldn't wait. We know enough about her now.

One, the registry is a gag. You should look at it, it's hilarious. Popped up on ontd_political last night. They have them registered for, among other things, camouflage bedding.

Two, I was tempted to pick "I want her to stay because the worse she does, the better it is for Democrats." but I chose other. I think with Obama, McCain, or Biden on the Oval Office, we'll have someone competent at the wheel. Things might not go how I would like them to go, but it will be fine. I don't think the same about Palin. The idea of her being the President is scary.

That registry cracked me up. It's gotta be fake, right?

I agree with Steph--she shouldn't have been picked in the first place. But asking her to step down now? I don't know...

Interesting comments from Kathleen Parker. This kind of made *me* cringe--"She was the antithesis and nemesis of the hirsute, Birkenstock-wearing sisterhood — a refreshing feminist of a different order who personified the modern successful working mother.", but eh...guess she didn't get the memo that some feminists, uh, like to shave and wear heels, and--surprise!--wear lipstick.

...forgot to say asking her to step down would look bad for McCain, and what would happen if she did? What's the process? Someone educate me

Oh too bad I have a camouflage scarf that I was going to donate to them.

Not a fan of Palin at all, however:

Why should Palin step down!?! Was she not chosen for the job for some core reasons!?! Wasn't she the best that McCain could pick from!?! Wasn't she properly vetted for this position!?! Isn't she the best person for the VP job!?! Aren't the Republicans all for their ticket being "historic" as well!?!

And seriously how sexist of Kathleen Parker to say that Palin should step down because "she wants to spend more time with her newborn".

As for the November 4 "quickie marriage to inevitable divorce"...

Of course they would be registered at JC Penney's......

see, that's the elitist in me coming out!!!

I think people need to ease up on her, after all, never before in her life has she had so many people against her. She is thrust into this limelight and as a public relations professional, I know that some people need a lot of training and just aren't good in interviews or with cameras shoved in their face. She has had her life turned upside down, is mocked daily by so many people...and anyone who was not in that position before, suddenly having it in thier face needs time for adjusting. Many candidates and candidates wives and families are primed for years for these things. So I think we just need to let her come into her own before we demand she step down. CLEARLY she was selected for some reason, McCain has a force of hundreds who must see something in her....now is the time for her to show it to us

I think that if she were replaced, it would be evident that McCain messed up on the single biggest decision that he has made in this campaign. I don't think changing his mind is even an option. He would certainly lose if he gets rid of her, and some Republicans actually really like her. So he just needs to make the best of the situation that he has put himself in. If he doesn't and decides to get a new VP, it would just support the notion that being a maverick sometimes means making impulsive decisions without thinking them through.

Ulysses S. Grant once made the comment that the office of the vice presidency was worth a "pitcher of warm spit."

GeriAnne, I'd be happy to give her more time if this were July or maybe even August, but we are 35 days out. One month. I will get paid three more times, pay rent once, see four more episodes of Grey's Anatomy before I'm supposed to be well informed enough to know if this woman is ready to assume the presidency if need be, and she's granted three interviews and given a handful of speeches someone else wrote. This is not partisan: I'm happy to admit McCain would be a capable president, even though he wouldn't take the country in the direction I want to go.

cageyme I was eating when I read your comment. Ew!

I think it would be political suicide for McCain to drop Palin or for Palin to step down. It would just be a perfect example for the Dems to latch on about McCain's poor judgment.

I am curious to watch the debates this Thursday. Though, there seems to be some implicit sexism here. McCain was often condescending to Obama during the debate, calling him naive and saying that just didn't get it. And yet, if Biden does that to Palin he's going to be looked at as the big bad guy? *Sigh*

I chose "other" realizing it would look really bad for McCain *and* the Republicans to at this point pull her out. And regardless of how nuts I think the woman is, there are those idiots out there that will vote based on looks or gender, (same as the ones who will vote for Obama based on race) rather than base their vote on the issues and how the candidates are offering solutions, no matter what piece of drivel spews forth from her mouth. I'm really tired of all this nonsense and ignorance.

I thought McCain had poor judgment to agree with Bush on 90% of everything...and then he says, OK America if I die or get impeached I'm leaving you in her hands. It's like getting a ten-year-old babysitter to watch a sixteen-year-old. Makes no logical sense. How could I have an ounce more respect now?
Step aside, No way. She's helping Barack Obama win.

Nov 4th seems like a strange date for the wedding.

I think the mother of the bride might be a bit busy that day.

I think people need to ease up on her

I don't think so. She is running on a BIG TICKET. There is no taking it easy. Politicians (specifically Presidents and Vice Presidents) are "made fun of" all the time. She should have been prepared for this. And when she provides the source material, of course people are going to run with it. I just wish people would stop with the babying and pitying of this grown woman. She's IS a VP candidate...she came out with all these "cahones" at the RNC, now folks want people to be soft on her...NOPE!!!

I don't think she should have accepted to begin with.

I keep thinking to myself, "This is the best McCain could do?" every time I think of Sarah Palin. If he really wanted a woman on the ticket there are so many better more qualified choices in the republican party.
And on the point made about how she hasn't been coached like the others, isn't that just another 'con' in her vetting list? I would hope that her lack of media prowess would be outweighed by some substance but I see nothing like that from her background or the little we have learned about her at this point.

She should not step down! Absolutely not. She needs to stay on board. Because then the Republicans, God-willing, won't win.

"keep thinking to myself, "This is the best McCain could do?" every time I think of Sarah Palin. If he really wanted a woman on the ticket there are so many better more qualified choices in the republican party."

I think Sarah was the prettier than the other women.

Hey, don't knock JC Penney

I will keep my opinion on her as 'undecided' if she's going to help or not w/ the ticket.
So far, it has been bad w/ the 2 interviews w/ Gibson and Couric. I kind of wish she were more out there so I get to see her make either more mistakes or do more good.
I'm going to reserve my opinion on her on the upcoming debate, she either is going to come out looking awesome or looking really bad.

I hope you're kidding

hope my comment wasn't directed at you btw

Gov. Romney characterized Gov. Palin as an ordinary person with great capacity this morning on the Today show. I turned towards the TV as I was putting on my tie and said well hell so am I.

There is no doubt in my mind that Gov. Palin is an extraordinary person/women/politician and as much as many of us may disagree with her policies we can not diminish her accomplishments. However, IMO she is simply not ready and again I don't base that notion on a measure of experience but an analysis of her answers to questions asked.

If she were to drop out now there is a good chance that she will go the way of the Dan Quail when she is so much better and has so much more potential than a Dan Quail. Her replacement would have to be one who is equal with Sen. McCain in the public's perception and not only an equal but popular as well.

popgoestheworld...no threaded comments here . Who was your comment #39 supposed to be addressing.

Tiabia, I registered At Penneys, tell me, why is that funny? and i know you said you were just being elitist but I am curious as to why it would be looked down upon or funny.

I agree 100% with True Song on your 1st post!

Sorry tia, you are right. It was about this comment: "I think Sarah was the prettier than the other women."

Not that that sentence even makes sense.

Ssserting that she was chosen because she's hot is a little ridiculous, imo.

Er, *Asserting.

Actually I don't want her to step down because she has made the race fun, funny, and interesting! The most recent SNL skit about her and the phone a friend was hilarious I spit out my soda!

I think it's hilarious. The only person who I know that shops at JC Penney is my mom, and she calls it Penney's, too!

And I think it's funny that whoever made it knows the Palins don't shop at snooty liberal elite stores like Nordstrom or Crate and Barrel, or even more affordable but still more hip stores like Target. No, it had to be JC Penney. It's really just perfect. Where else can you register for luxury goods (like a camo diaper bag, American flag mugs, and a wii fishing rod) at everyday low prices?

Please, my grammar was off but someone wrote why did McCain pick Palin over other women and I think it's because she was the prettiest.

and she was the youngest.