Palin Dissenters

Not all conservatives are enthusiastic about Sarah Palin.

Kathleen Parker: Palin Problem.

Rod Dreher: The ‘Let Palin be Palin’ dodge.

(Hat tip:Chuckles)

Palin Has Not Pushed Creationism as Governor, who Cares!

Palin now has Charlie’s approval

One of the smears being circulated against Sarah Palin is that she is in favor of teaching creationism in public school science classes, but as I pointed out last week this simply isn’t true. Apparently, she has a rather confused attitude toward evolution (an attitude she shares with about 50% of the US population), but when asked explicitly whether she would support teaching the pseudo-science of “intelligent design,” her answer was “No.” And today even the Associated Press has to admit that Palin has not pushed creationism as governor.

And by the way, John McCain is also on the right side of this issue.

Palin said during her 2006 gubernatorial campaign that if she were elected, she would not push the state Board of Education to add creation-based alternatives to the state’s required curriculum, or look for creationism advocates when she appointed board members.

At a GOP presidential debate in May 2007 in Simi Valley, Calif., McCain said he believed in evolution. “But,” he added, “I also believe, when I hike the Grand Canyon and see it at sunset, that the hand of God is there also.”

Palin’s children attend public schools and Palin has made no push to have creationism taught in them.

Neither have Palin’s socially conservative personal views on issues like abortion and gay marriage been translated into policies during her 20 months as Alaska’s chief executive. It reflects a hands-off attitude toward mixing government and religion by most Alaskans.

“She has basically ignored social issues, period,” said Gregg Erickson, an economist and columnist for the Alaska Budget Report.

UPDATE at 9/3/08 9:17:07 am:

On the other hand, another rising GOP star (who has signed a bill in Louisiana designed to sneak creationism into classrooms) has a much more problematic attitude: Questions for Bobby Jindal – The Convert.

Did you always want to be in politics? It was not something I anticipated doing. I always thought I’d go to medical school. I got accepted into medical school and did not end up going.

Where were you accepted? At Harvard.

Wow. Why would someone with so much knowledge of biology sign a bill allowing the biblical story of Creation to be taught in science class? I don’t think that schools should be run by bureaucrats. I think these decisions need to be made by local school boards. In terms of teaching my own kids at home, I do believe there is a Creator. Catholicism doesn’t teach authoritatively on evolution or the origins of life, but we do believe that God is our Creator.

There’s an interesting point here. The proponents of the Louisiana “academic freedom” stealth creationist bill have loudly insisted that it has nothing to do with the teaching of creationism — but Jindal doesn’t even deny it.

(Hat tip:Charlis@LGF)

Breaking: Palin’s 17-Year Old Daughter Pregnant

Fox News just announced that Sarah Palin’s 17-year old unmarried daughter is pregnant… she plans to marry the father… developing…

UPDATE at 9/1/08 9:28:55 am:

The McCain campaign knew about it:

Senior McCain campaign officials said McCain knew of the daughter’s pregnancy when he selected Palin last week as his vice presidential running mate, deciding that it did not disqualify the 44-year-old governor in any way.

This comes right after James Dobson and other far-right Christian conservatives enthusiastically endorsed McCain’s choice. It will be very interesting to see the reaction from that quarter.

(Hat tip:Charlie the loser@LGF)

Biden on Palin: ‘She’s Good Looking’

Just a little offhanded sexism from the Democratic candidate for vice president.

“There’s a gigantic difference between John McCain and Barack Obama and between me and I suspect my vice presidential opponent,” Biden said.

“She’s good-looking,” he quipped.

(Hat tip:Chucky the LGF Cult leader)

Biden to Israel: Get Used to Iranian Nukes

srael’s Army Radio is reporting that Obama’s running mate Joe Biden told Israeli officials they would have to learn to stop worrying, and love the Iranian bomb.

Security officials expressed concern Monday over statements reportedly made by US Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Biden regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Army Radio reported that the Delaware senator was heard saying in closed conversations with Jerusalem officials three years ago that he was firmly opposed to an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Biden, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reportedly claimed that Israel would likely have to come to terms with a nuclear Iran. He reportedly expressed doubt over the effectiveness of economic sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic and said he was against the opening of an additional military and diplomatic front, saying that the US had more pressing problems, such as North Korea and Iraq.

Change!

(Hat tip:Nacy@LGF)

TIME’s Palin Interview

TIME Magazine has an interview with Sarah Palin that’s worth a read: Transcript: TIME’s interview with Sarah Palin.

(Hat tip:Cult Leader@LGF)

It’s Palin and Charles is upset!

Johnh McCain’s vice presidential pick: Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

Here is the cult leader’s opinion about this:

#36

Charles 8/29/08 9:00:42 am reply quote

1

Ugh. I’m not thrilled. Sarah Palin is a creationist

Oh no McCain, you didn’t consult with Charles Johnson. How dare you pick someone who believes in Intelligent Design! Charles will now support Obama and you will lose. Charles decides who can run for office. He is our all knowing leader!

LOL! Too Bad Charles, go vote for Obama. We don’t need your cult to win this election.

 

Obama’s Angry Veep

The McCain campaign couldn’t have asked for a more angry, arrogant Democrat as Obama’s VP: Breaking: Obama selects Joe Biden as his VP running mate.

So the recent events in Georgia involving Russian troops sent shock waves all the way down Chicago’s Michigan Avenue to Obama headquarters. He decided to call in one of the Senate’s top foreign policy experts to counter another of the Senate’s top foreign policy experts.

Sen. Barack Obama, the Democrats’ about-to-be presidential nominee, has chosen a fellow senator, Joe Biden of Delaware, as his about-to-be running mate for the Nov. 4 general election.

Two high-ranking Democratic Party officials have confirmed the choice of the veteran to The Times. Republican reaction is included at the end of this item.

(Hat tip: nancy@LGF)

Veep Announcements Imminent

TIME’s Mark Halperin has “two Republican sources” who say John McCain has decided on Mitt Romney for veep.

On the Obama side, Politico’s Mike Allen says Hillary was never even vetted.

(Hat tip: Nancy the Cry Baby)

McCain-Lieberman 2008?

The Politico headline says it all: McCain weighs a Lieberman surprise.

John McCain is seriously considering choosing a pro-abortion-rights running mate despite vocal resistance from conservatives, with former Democratic vice presidential nominee Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) very much in the mix, close McCain advisers say.

Under strong consideration: former Pennsylvania Republican Gov. Tom Ridge, and Lieberman, who was Al Gore’s running mate in 2000.

Multiple GOP sources say that party officials in Washington and in the states have been contacted by the McCain campaign in the past two weeks and asked about the fallout from such a choice. One person familiar with the calls said the party was being instructed to prepare for different candidate prototypes — including one in the mold of Lieberman, who is an independent but still caucuses with the Democrats.

(Hat tip: Obama operative Charles Johnson)