Democrat Response to Palin Speech

Greyhawk

Over on NPR's web site they've posted the Obama response to Sarah Palin's speech. There's no additional commentary from anyone at NPR, just the text:

Obama Camp Response to Palin Speech

From Obama spokesman Bill Burton:

The speech that Governor Palin gave was well delivered, but it was written by George Bush's speechwriter and sounds exactly like the same divisive, partisan attacks we've heard from George Bush for the last eight years. If Governor Palin and John McCain want to define 'change' as voting with George Bush 90% of the time, that's their choice, but we don't think the American people are ready to take a 10% chance on change.

No shockers there - if you aren't familiar with the Obama camp's response to everything about McCain, it's that McCain is Bush. That response could easily have been written before the speech, giving Mr Burton a chance to catch up on some sleep. Nothing wrong with that. Likewise it's fine for NPR to publish the response. I like NPR. I enjoy listening to NPR.

But they also have a comment function. Ten of the first dozen comments appear to come from Obama supporters (or at least McCain/Palin opposition). That doesn't shock me either - NPR has a reputation as "liberal". As "intellectual" too.

A couple of those comments are fairly innocuous...

The press are so easily impressed my an actor...She should win an academy award not the Vice Presidency. Sent by sue b | 3:52 AM ET | 09-04-2008

The forcefulness of the speech is notable. Force is not a good thing.
Sent by Sherrie Connelly | 2:56 AM ET | 09-04-2008

...and - to be honest, vague. Unless there's a mailing list they're on but I'm not then I'm not sure why these folks believe I would know exactly what aspect of her speech was "acting" (I assume beyond normal levels for a political speech) or exactly why "force" is bad. (I used force to open a peanut butter jar just the other day.)

"Michael", on the other hand, was disturbed by Palin's unscientific view of global warming, and her lack of an inspiring "aura" like Obama's:

In considering Gov. Palin and her comments, bear in mind that if McCain is elected, she has a good chance of becoming president. The speech was professionally delivered and written by someone else. It was heavy on attacking Obama, with no new ideas (other than drill like a drunken sailor) or original thought. Country first, perhaps, but we are in a very interconnected world, with serious problems. We cannot ignore global warming any more than John McCain could opt to ignore his melanoma. When it comes to medicine we take scientific information seriously. Why not respect science in other cases? It can also be said for Obama that his aura of leadership really inspires. This is important, and I sensed no such inspiration in Palin's speech. Sorry, but I'm not ready to roll the dice on President Palin.
Sent by Michael Rich | 2:58 AM ET | 09-04-2008

And "kyle" is concerned about losing the votes of the "Women not wearing their thinking caps" who could be "brainwashed" if Obama doesn't give Hillary some money to pay off her "dept":

this is a letter i'm about to send via email and u.s. postal to high profile Dems and the Obama staff members, each of them:

As a voter of Obama in the primaries, I have a worry but also a hope:
that if he pays off Hillary's dept, he will further cement needed votes
that McCain plans to steal with Palin on his ticket.

After her speech, it now is paramount that Obama does so.

Women not wearing their thinking caps will be brain washed into voting for a ticket that will over turn their rights, not only a anti choice candidate BUT a potential VP (and president her self) that is even against choice in case of rape and incest.

as McCain has pointed out already,
he may be the one to replace 3 justices on the Supreme Court.

make a copy or send your own message to your senator....the time is now!
Sent by kyle | 3:54 AM ET | 09-04-2008

While "Beth-Ann" has created her own Republican Policies to oppose:

The McCain/Paulin 2008 Domestic and Foreign Policies

1) Economic plan--Sen. Obama is Evil
2) Energy Plan--Obama is a dumb blonde
3) Housing Crisis--Sen. Obama has horns
4) Unemployment-Democrats suck
5) Middle class tax--Obama is socialist
6) Foreign Dictators-Obama's too pretty to lead
7) Social security-Obama is not American, he graduated at the top of his law school class.
8) Medicare plan--Obama/Dems/Europe are the new axis of Evil
9) Global warming-Obama is a teacher's pet
10)Belief in Evolution-Obambi is a ZERO, get behind the McCain HERO
11) Sex Education, STD prevention: Did someone say sex? Sex should be banned, birth-control should be banned. Obstience only eduction.
12) Expansion of Executive Power--Obama is too skinny to lead
12) Religious Testing for Government positions-We are all Americans today (well, except Obambi)
13) Separation of church and state: We have no proof that Obama is NOT a terrorist
14) Role of Supreme court, Congress, and Declaration of War-He will sell Our country to Russia
15) Immigration: Obama hates baseball and says he's "allergic" to Apple pie!
Sent by Beth-Ann | 4:15 AM ET | 09-04-2008

She's very witty - compared to the rest. And I love her call for "eduction". I think Americans can benefit greatly from eduction.

Next, Palin is an evil danger to our country:

This woman is evil. Our country is in danger. someone PLEASE stop this before our country gets out of control...oh wait..it has already been out of control for 8 years. Do I have to move to canada if Caribou Barbie gets elected?
Sent by eileen dorn | 2:26 AM ET | 09-04-2008

They never keep that promise. A few minutes later "Kathleen" starts out okay, but can't keep her sanity beyond 1.5 sentences:

McCain's choice for running-mate shows complete distain for the people outside his own party. Palin is no fence-builder who can be trusted to lead the entire nation; instead I fear she would dance gleefully around a fire upon which burned all the liberals and Democrats, environmentalists, women's rights advocates, and non-Christians of this nation. If Obama becomes President, I know he'll be respectful of the beliefs of those who now support McCain. It's not a mutual respect. If McCain wins, I'll be applying for citizenship in Canada as a political refugee.
Sent by Kathlean Wolf | 2:31 AM ET | 09-04-2008

Canada is awful close to Alaska, though.

"Valle" seems to combine all the feelings of hate expressed by the others with the imaginary positions technique employed by "Beth-Ann":

"Saint" Palin shoots wolves from the sky, guts moose publicly and gleefully, treats her opponents (Lydia Green) cruely and without regard, yields power abusively, wants to tear up the alaskan wildlife refuge, thinks global warming is the name of a beauty salon, lies about her political activities, beleives Alaskas proximity to Russia gives her foreign poicy expertise, and beleives no woman has any right what so ever to choose her reproductive destiny. And worst of all, she and MCinsane will probably win. It makes my heart sick. And by the way, how can she be so pro life and so hell bent on killing everything else?
Sent by Valle | 3:32 AM ET | 09-04-2008

But perhaps - after all that - the most amazing comment is this one from L. Schexnider, who assures us that the liberal-burning, hell bent on killing everything but babies, global warming-causing, evil, dangerous Palin and her Republican cohorts have only one weapon to use against real Americans - FEAR!

It is so unfortunate that the Republicans have but one weapon: fear. Fear Obama because he's a Muslim; fear Obama because he's eloquent; fear Obama because he's got an Ivy League education; fear Obama because he speaks of hope and change! Um, I may be wrong, but arent' those the same qualities our forefathers possessed when they proposed our separation from England? Maybe the Republicans should take their own advice and be fearful of no change at all.
Sent by L. Schexnider | 2:32 AM ET | 09-04-2008

I'm not sure either, but if "L" is right I imagine our Ivy League educted, eloquent Muslim "forefathers" might be turning over in their graves (and perhaps annoying our foremothers in the next casket over). Or maybe "L" didn't mean what "L" wrote.

Finally, if "Judy Smith" is arguing in favor of Democrats, she might want to read her comrades' comments next time before adding her own thoughts:

Haven't we had enough "force", name calling and demeaning of people who do not agree with you? It has been 8 years of this and it hasn't worked. We need real change.
Sent by judy Smith | 3:14 AM ET | 09-04-2008

This isn't from the keyboard kommandoes at the Sniffington Post or Daily Kooze. Again, that's ten of the first twelve comments, unedited, from NPR readers. (The other two appear to be from Republicans). Perhaps NPR commenters aren't representative of "mainstream" Democratic thought and are merely a lunatic fringe of the Party. I've got nothing against against NPR and don't hold them responsible for that content - and I'll repeat, I enjoy NPR radio myself. They simply posted the Obama response and let others have their say - a big reason I love America.

But I am thankful that Mudville commenters - regardless of their political leanings - are a much more thoughtful, intelligent, and freethinking lot than this strange and sad crew.