Top Items:
Washington Post:
Exclusive: Chief Fired by Palin Speaks Out — The July firing of Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan by Gov. Sarah Palin, who was announced as John McCain's running mate on Friday, has unearthed a stream of soap-opera-like details about Palin, her husband, her family and top state appointees.
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David Frum:
Palin — The longer I think about it, the less well this selection sits with me. And I increasingly doubt that it will prove good politics. The Palin choice looks cynical. The wires are showing. — John McCain wanted a woman: good. — He wanted to keep conservatives and pro-lifers happy: naturally.
Discussion:
The Corner, Electoral-vote.com, marbury, The Other McCain, Jack & Jill Politics and The RBC
William Yardley / New York Times:
Palin, an Outsider Who Charms — Her father shot the grizzly bear whose hide is now draped over the sofa in her office. She, too, hunts and fishes. She runs marathons. She delivered her fifth child during her first term as governor. They call her husband, the reigning champion …
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, The Swamp, The Strata-Sphere, Change & Experience and Washington Post
Ben Smith / The Politico:
Buchanan: Palin was a ‘brigader for me’ in '96 — Perhaps Rep. Robert Wexler's instincts were right here, and the Obama campaign will likely drive this one home with the Jewish community in Florida and Ohio: Palin (along with her husband), says former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan, was a “brigader for me in 1996.”
Jonathan Martin / The Politico:
The story behind the Palin surprise — John McCain on Friday announced a running mate whom he met only six months ago and with whom he spoke just once on the phone about the position before offering it in person earlier this week. — McCain's first encounter with Sarah Palin came …
Discussion:
Yahoo! News, Associated Press, THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS, BeldarBlog, AMERICAblog News, TIME.com and The Swamp
Jonathan Martin / The Politico:
How McCain picked Palin — The McCain campaign shares the start of the back story on how McCain came to make his stunning selection today:
Dan Balz / Washington Post:
With Pick, McCain Reclaims His Maverick Image — John McCain's advisers predicted weeks ago that the presumptive Republican nominee would use his national convention week to try to recapture his image as a maverick reformer and shake up the presidential race.
David Frum / National Post:
Palin the irresponsible choice? — Through this campaign season, John McCain has faced two ugly problems. — Problem 1: The Republican voter base is shrinking. In percentage terms, fewer Americans now identify as Republicans than at any time since 1980. The “rally the base” strategy of 2004 won't work in 2008.
Akmuckraker / Mudflats:
What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan's Perspective.
What is McCain Thinking? One Alaskan's Perspective.
Discussion:
TBogg, MSNBC, Spin Cycle, The Daily Dish, Washington Post, The RBC, The Corner, The New Republic and MyDD
Media Matters for America:
With morning announcement of Palin pick comes morning sexism on cable news
With morning announcement of Palin pick comes morning sexism on cable news
Discussion:
Stop The ACLU, Lance Mannion, Political Radar, The Huffington Post, National Review and Eschaton
Josh Marshall / Talking Points Memo:
Right On Time — At TPMMuckraker we've been on the Palin/Trooper-gate story for a while.
Right On Time — At TPMMuckraker we've been on the Palin/Trooper-gate story for a while.
Michael D. Shear / Washington Post:
Palin Selection Surprised Her Staff, Too
Palin Selection Surprised Her Staff, Too
Discussion:
Matthew Yglesias
Christopher Hayes / The Nation:
Sarah Palin, Buchananite
Sarah Palin, Buchananite
Discussion:
JammieWearingFool, The Politico, rjchq.org, Wonk Room, Alas, a blog, Feministe, American Spectator, Harry's Place, Lonewacko, Liberal Values, NARAL Pro-Choice America, The Reaction, Climate Progress, American Street, Taylor Marsh, Daily Kos, The New Republic, The Huffington Post, Kevin Drum, Open Left, DeSmogBlog, TPMCafe and Boston Globe
Celticdiva / Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis:
BREAKING: McCain Campaign heading to Alaska to investigate — A very reliable source overheard Republican spokesperson McHugh Pierre state TODAY that he had spoken to the McCain Campaign. They are coming to Alaska tomorrow to check out the “Troopergate” investigation.
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Lisa Demer / Anchorage Daily News:
‘Troopergate’ inquiry lurks — The first serious scandal in Gov. Sarah Palin's administration has roots in a family feud. It erupted into public view with the July 11 firing of the state's top public safety official. — Some call it Troopergate. — Palin's abrupt dismissal …
Andrew Sullivan / The Daily Dish:
Three Words — Think about what the Palin pick really says about how McCain views this campaign and how he views his potential responsibilities in national security. — Think about what it says about the sincerity of McCain's own central criticism of Obama these past two months in foreign affairs.
Suzanne Gamboa / Associated Press:
Ron Paul followers gathering for own convention — Featured Topics: - John McCain - Barack Obama — WASHINGTON - There's no room at the Xcel Energy Center for maverick Ron Paul, so his acolytes have packed their cars, hitched rides on “Ronvoys” and will pitch tents at Ronstock '08 …
Discussion:
Donklephant
Jonathan Martin / Jonathan Martin's Blogs:
Obama tiptoes around Palin in new ad — They may have run the “Bush is still is his running mate” ad regardless of who McCain picked, but this spot from Obama's camp reflects just how careful they're now playing the Palin selection. — Unlike what Team McCain had with Biden, there are no obvious video or soundbytes to use.
Discussion:
BeldarBlog
Steve Benen / Washington Monthly:
KARL ROVE'S BRILLIANT ANALYSIS..... Looking back at Karl Rove's campaign analysis from earlier this month, this might be the single funniest thing I've read in a long time. … Yes, the real problem with Tim Kaine is that he's only been governor of a large state for three years, and before that, he was only the mayor of a mid-size city.
John Fund / Wall Street Journal:
Obama Should Come Clean On Ayers, Rezko And the Iraqi Billionaire — Even as Barack Obama gave his soaring speech Thursday night, his campaign was playing hardball with its critics. — Team Obama has launched an offensive against WGN, the Chicago Tribune's radio station, for interviewing Stanley Kurtz.