Palin was picked for ONE REASON.

[donco6]

James Dobson laid out an ultimatum: Choose Palin or you'll never get my endorsement.

Presto, the day after, Dobson's on the bandwagon.

Yes, they're spinning for the PUMAs and whatnot, but McCain simply HAD to have the religious right or face certain defeat. I don't think McCain can stand her, but he's putting on the happy face.

This is a sheer desperation move and he had no choice in the matter.

Palin brings with her all the hot-button issues of the RR - abortion, guns, gays, vouchers, and she'll be used to bang out those themes for the rest of the campaign. It's probably fine - it's not like we had many of those votes anyway. But Obama does need to tend to his mainstream religious followers by making sure everyone understands she's not like the rest of them. She's Charismatic (believes in speaking in tongues), and they are not. She believes in modern-day miracles, like faith healing - and most of them do not (at least, not like she does). She's a "life begins at conception" anti-choice whacko, and most of them are not. She has a dominionist view of government (no church/state separation), and they do not. She thinks gay marriage presents a threat to the "sanctity" of marriage, which most think is a bunch of baloney. In short, we need to shore up our religious folk by reminding them that she does NOT speak for all the religious - in fact, she doesn't even speak for a majority.

It's true that this is no time to be smug. These RR nutjobs have batted us around for quite some time. They'll try to again. But we don't have to lose this battle. We are not like them. Obama speaks for the truly spiritual - those whose actions match their faith, rather than mocking it.

[kid a]

1. Cant stand her? They're soul mates!!

[donco6]

2. Oh yeah. I bet eHarmony wouldn't have put them together . . .

. . . in a heartbeat.

:puke:

[Muttocracy]

3. I have a theory I'm not seeing mentioned - turnout for House and Senate races too.

Even if the McCain ship is sinking, if the fundies come out to vote for Palin, will it help the GOP keep any house or senate seats?

[donco6]

5. It was this, or they all stay home.

Which would have killed the Repubs chances to retain any iffy seats they have.

[Muttocracy]

8. glad to know my theory isn't nuts - thanks for your election-related OP. nt

[donco6]

10. I don't think it's nuts in the slightest.

They're terrified of a super-majority Congress and a Dem president.

[Muttocracy]

15. and new senators will be there beyond the next pres. election even. nt

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

4. Another one: She believes creationism should be taught as science in PS

While the majority of Americans disagree with that nonsense...will certainly lose votes in Philly and Pittsburgh suburbs here in PA.

[donco6]

7. Forgot about that one.

We just have to keep shouting out those differences - most religious and/or spiritual people do not believe in literal biblical Creationism. Because mostly they're sane. Well, maybe we should leave off that last part.

[Sebastian Doyle]

6. You think Dobson really wanted a woman on the ticket?

True, she follows the Focus on the Phallus party line to the letter, but she's still a woman. Don't these types believe that women are always in submission to the authority of men? I've heard that many of Palin's decisions as governor were actually made by her husband (a British Petroleum engineer) because she subscribes to that doctrine herself.

[donco6]

9. That's another difference even within the fundie camps.

They don't agree amongst themselves about that. But Dobson has no problem with it. She is to be submissive to her husband AT HOME. Which could be another interesting point to raise - "Sarah, various presidents have been questioned on their allegiances to various religious leaders, and how that could impact their decisions as leader of the United States. If a disagreement arose between you and your husband on some area of governmental policy, how would you make a decision?"

[lapfog_1]

12. There are plenty of rumors that her husband takes a very

large (and inappropriate) role in the Alaska government, sitting in on meetings, sending emails to her staff, influencing administrative policies.

[donco6]

14. I've read some of that.

Creepy.

[lapfog_1]

11. This pick was NOT about PUMAs or Clinton supporters

it was entirely about getting the fundie base on board for the election.

The reason it wasn't Romney is that, while fundie, he is Mormon... and the evangelicals really don't trust the mormons. The reason it wasn't Huckabee was that everyone already knew what a whackjob he was, plus McCain didn't like him.

So they go with Palin, an unknown... but known to the fundies and they like her, plus she doesn't threaten to overshadow McCain... that she is a woman and might appeal to a few democratic women and independent women voters was icing on the cake.

Mark my words... I'm betting right now that IF McCain/Palin win, shortly after inauguration next year... some family thing (or a scandal like this baby magic thing) will "force" Palin to resign... and in a spirit of bipartisan cooperation, Joementum is named to replace her.

[donco6]

13. I agree, except, I wonder if the Jomentum thing won't . . .

. . . happen sooner than that. They'll use her to whip up the fundie base, then something will come out about her past and she'll have to step down, and of COURSE, the only person available will be Holy Joe. They still get their fundie base vote and McCain gets his man. Win win!

[lapfog_1]

16. it has to be after the election

the fundies will never, ever vote for Joementum, no matter what.

And I'm not sure what happens if she is voted in (along with McCain) and decides to not serve.

Anyway, much easier to let things simmer until inauguration and then let her resign.