On August 29, 2008 Senator John McCain picked Governor Sarah Palin from Alaska. This was the day after Senator Barack Obama accepted the nomination. After a nearly flawless democratic convention Obama was poised to receive a significant post convention bounce. The Palin pick minimized it. In fact it almost overshadowed the democratic convention. In 3 days she became a household name thanks to the MSM and the internet. On Aug. 25, 2008 this is what was said about Sarah Palin (celebrity #1)
When I first saw this I immediately phoned my brother who expressed shock and concern. I was very suspect of all the hoopla and attention this pick was getting, in just 72 hours! I had only seen her on television 1-2 times, no speeches just visual. I was also suspect of the instant credibility she was receiving. People were professing unwavering support for her like they have known her for years. I felt like we were getting bamboozled...again. Back to my brother who during the week of the republican convention became very uneasy about the Palin pick. I quietly assured him. I told him to pray that she gets nominated because as a prognosticator, I knew this would be the republican Achilles heel. McCain and Biden had been on the national stage for over 20 years. Obama had been in the national spotlight for 4 years, the last 20 months as a presidential candiddate. Palin is a total newborn (eight weeks). But then she spoke at the convention. I was in shock. She had good stage presence and delivery. I started feeling like my brother! The republican post convention bounce putting them ahead of the democrats did not help. I remained steadfast in my predictions. I felt the nation did not know enough about Palin.
Sure enough after the conventions came the press interviews. Her downward spiral (outside the republican base) started. Her knowledge of pertinent issues and world view aptitude is adolescent at best. By the time of the VP debate the bar for her was set so low, all she had to do was show up, smile, say a few quips, and leave without tripping on the carpet, and this would be viewed as a success. Meanwhile she is energizing the base and drawing moderately large crowds.
At the second presidential debate, McCain mentioned Joe the plumber (JtP) 21 times. Obama mentioned JtP 4 times. Overnight celebrity #2 was born. JtP had become a distraction for both candidates. Two days later JtP’s credibility was gone; his name and occupation a fraud. Sarah Palin turned into a smear, slash, and burn candidate, turning this election into a cultural rather than issues based election. We don’t need this especially during these depressing economic times and national security uncertainty. Mean while back comes JtP (now officially with the McCain campaign)with no credibility but continues to give his 2 cents of opinion on foreign policy.
Celebrity #2 speaks about Obama on Israel
More words of wisdom from JtP
It's all a part of Joe the Plumber's "Maybe I'm A Foreign Policy Expert, But Anyway, You Should Go Out And Get Your Own Opinions On Things Instead Of Listening To Mine, Even Though I'm Going To Keep Opining If You Give Me Half A Chance, And Anyway, I Don't Even Really Know What John McCain's Position Is On Anything Anyway, And Probably I Should Be Snaking A Sink Trap Or Something, Instead Of Dragging Myself All Over The Country Making Statements Which I Then Sort Of Disavow A Few Minutes Later Anyway, Who Knows?" Tour of 2008!
People this celebritizing has got to stop during our presidential elections. The wrong words, deeds, or actions can cause irreversible damage to our electorate and national security. Lets keep our attention on the candidates. One other piece of advice; please vet these people!