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, James Fallows, 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, Spin Cycle, Washington Post, The Strata-Sphere, Change & Experience, TIME.com and Wall Street Journal
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, Guardian, BeldarBlog, AMERICAblog News, TIME.com and Agence France Presse
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
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.
Steve Benen / Washington Monthly:
QUOTE OF THE DAY.... I'm not sure if the McCain campaign has thought this line through. … First, it's not an especially good idea for top McCain aides to joke about whether McCain is going to survive four years in office. — Second, it's not an especially good idea to describe McCain as …
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, American Street, The RBC, Washington Post, The Corner, MyDD and NewsMax.com
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, National Review, The Huffington Post and Eschaton
Michael D. Shear / Washington Post:
Palin Selection Surprised Her Staff, Too
Palin Selection Surprised Her Staff, Too
Discussion:
Matthew Yglesias
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.
Hindrocket / Power Line:
THE BRIGHT SIDE — Paul and I have already voiced our concerns …
THE BRIGHT SIDE — Paul and I have already voiced our concerns …
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice, Maggie's Farm, TigerHawk, Pam's House Blend, The Daily Dish, Midwest Voices, Open Left and Associated Press
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 …
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.
Glenn Thrush / The Politico:
Dems armed with Palin opposition — Sarah Palin may be a complete stranger to most of the American public, but there's an important subset of the population that's doubtless already very familiar with John McCain's surprise vice presidential pick: Democratic opposition researchers.
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CNN:
Police raid headquarters of RNC protesters — ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) — Police raided a rental hall used by a group organizing protests at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Friday. — The RNC Welcoming Committee, which describes itself as “anarchist/anti-authoritarian …
Discussion:
LewRockwell.com Blog
The New Republic:
Where We Stand: Advantage Obama — Where do things stand? — The Democrats had an incredibly successful convention. The storyline coming into the week was Democratic division — going out it was Democratic unity and the strength of Senator Obama's speech.
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.
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.”
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