Say what you want about about John McCain. In picking Sarah Palin as his running mate, the guy schooled Barack Obama hard and showed him up for the beginner that he is. The selection of Palin, made public on McCain's birthday less than a day after Obama's DNC presidential exception speech, has totally dominated mainstream news--even if most of that reportage consisted of plaintive wailing--and pushed the Democrat nominee for president to the periphery. "Happy birthday to me," says the old man.
Since the resurrection of his presidential campaign, this phoenix quality of McCain's (no pun intended) shouldn't be a surprise to observers, but one can't help but admire the skill by which the man stays alive and sets his opponents--sometimes his fellow Republicans--to gnashing their teeth.
It's a gift.
ONLY RELATED BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT PALIN: Like the pretty, new girl in every situation, Governor Palin's name is on everyone's lips--much like Senator Obama's has been. And, as was and continues to be so with Obama, there are tons of rumors floating around regarding the governor. So it is that Charles Martin puts together a comprehensive list confirming some rumors, debunking others and, most fun of all, reaffirming that the "professionals" in Big Media are less than diligent about getting to the truth--at least when there's a Republican involved.
(Thanks to Marty)
It wasn't just McCain's birthday, it was also the Palin's 20th wedding anniversary.
Posted by: Tully | September 06, 2008 at 08:50 AM
It was also my birthday. :-)
Posted by: baldilocks | September 06, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Well, Happy belated Birthday, Juliette!
Posted by: Tully | September 06, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Happy Belated Birthday!
I am really enjoying your blog.
I hope that Team Obama keeps underestimating McCain, and finally figures it out...Nov 6th.
Posted by: LoveMyMarine | September 06, 2008 at 10:43 AM
I really like the booby-trap quality of the Palin pick - the liberal media is doing itself in by going after her.
The criticism of her ability to be a good mother just reminds people that these same pundits have been delivering sourpussed lectures about glass ceilings for decades.
The sneering at her family just reminds people that these same pundits have been urging women to look for just the same kind of "life partner" and "active parent" that Todd Palin seems to be.
They're doing it to themselves - reminding The Rest of Us that the behind the hope-n-change fluff, the O-team are really the same
elitists we've been enduring all these years... and that they're hypocrites.
Very elegant.
Posted by: Ben-David | September 06, 2008 at 11:18 AM
- and Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Ben-David | September 06, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Double Maverick, I love it.
Posted by: Dick Stanley | September 06, 2008 at 11:26 AM
What I love about the liberal media, and I mean "love" as in "hate", is that in all this talk about "what about her kids?" (add whine sound there) they don't ask how she's been taking care of her kids in the years she was mayor and governor? Also, what about her husband? Again, the media completely miss that they are a family with two parents, and the parents (I'm just guessing here from what I've seen and heard) share in the raising, watching, disciplining the kids.
The liberal media is some much fun to watch, I"m getting no reading done... It's gotten so (much more) exciting since last week!!!
And happy b-day J...what's this now? 29? big 3-0? ;)
Posted by: IronMike | September 06, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Oh hardy-har-har!! Just love it when the libs are "hoisted on their own petard."
Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall in Hillary's house?- Oh my God!! To see your "legacy" go into the crapper and be "bested" by the old "Maverick" and the new "Barracuda" babe is too much. RIP Hillary;it was worth the price, wasn't it? Wasn't it?! Hillary? Hello!! Anybody home?
Oh my, the Feminist Pardigm has taken a major,seismatic shift- Mojitos anyone?
Posted by: Lady Di | September 06, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Hey, Juliette,
Happy birthday! Mine was yesterday. I'm a 62-year old white guy out in flyover land. I spent the afternoon setting up my ex-wife's computer with links to blogs that I read routinely, and yours, along with La Shawn Barber, The Anchoress, Dr. Sanity, Neo-Neo Con and Villainous Company were among them. She is vision impaired with glaucoma but has been supplied with software that should allow her to read OK. She's not very computer savvy, but I think I got her set up so she can get some input about the news other than the MSM. She is a devout Christian and I think she will benefit immensely from reading you site along with the others. Thanks for all you do.
Posted by: Suds46 | September 06, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Wow, Suds46. You're a lot nicer than my ex-husband. :-) Happy Birthday!
Posted by: baldilocks | September 06, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Happy 25th Birthday!
Posted by: Chris Muir | September 07, 2008 at 12:07 AM
No way Chris. Baldi can't be more than 24, because if she is that would make me... um... nevermind.
Happy Birthday Baldilocks!
Palin just tickles me pink. I can't wait for some company to come out Palin Pink lipstick.
Posted by: Donna B. | September 07, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Happy Birthday! ^_^
Posted by: Habitat Hermit | September 07, 2008 at 07:15 AM
Yes. This is too much fun. Let fly with my crack about Palin being like Tina Fey, but without the vegeterian bullshine in my favorite bar the other night, which is in deep blue country. I think I'm gonna need a new favorite bar.
Posted by: Cappy | September 07, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Looks like this is the birthday thread for the folks that buy cards from the Belated slot.
Happy birthday Juliette! And thank you for the work you do here to keep so many of us informed and thinking. I've got a long list of blogs that I check regularly, but I'm struck by how different each one is in terms of approach, viewpoint, and focus, yet each one feels vital to me. Without all of these different voices, my sense of the world would lack dimension and shading.
So thank you for your distinctive voice, and many happy returns of the day.
Posted by: Rebecca | September 07, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Palin represents real change... and not just in the marksmanship in the office of the Vice-Presidency (remember Cheney's hunting trip? :) )
Posted by: Mike O | September 07, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Whether Gov. Palin's pick was a well thought out pick or momentary TIA, it's working.
Posted by: Tim Hebert | September 08, 2008 at 11:39 AM
The O-campers are in full panic mode, while trying to sound aloofly (snobbily?) unimpressed by M-P's new 4 point (10 points per CBS) lead. Failing mizzerably. :)
BTW, Baldi, in your excitement you short-cut with your tank and ran over the curb above. I'm pretty sure Oblabla made a "presidential nomination acceptance" speech, not a "presidential exception" speech. Not that he doesn't think he's an exception to all rules and precedents. (He'll learn, very soon!)
Posted by: Brian H | September 08, 2008 at 12:17 PM