Sarah Palin

McCain/Palin Visit Cities

tptadmin — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:09:31 -0500

Almanac political reporter Mary Lahammer sizes up John McCain and Sarah Palin's visit Friday to Blaine.

Inside McCain Event

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:11:53 -0500

John McCain told the thousands of supporters packed in an Anoka/Blaine airport hanger "with this kind of suppport and enthusiasm we will win Minnesota." Palin picked up a baby on her way in and mixed policy and personality in her remarks. She took on Iran saying they should not have nuclear weapons. Palin also said she will have new responsibilities on government reform, energy and kids with special needs.

First Lady Mary Pawlenty said her husband would haved loved to be here but he's in northern Minnesota for groundbreaking of a billion dollar steel plant, an "economic shot Minnesota needs."

McCain and Palin puppets

Inside it's packed and people are excited.

Senator McCain leaving for the bus.

Day Three at the Republican National Convention

tptadmin — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 09:00:43 -0500

Day Three of the Republican National Convention was Alaskan governor and Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s time to address the convention crowd while protesters tried to disrupt the proceedings.

Palin Puts It 'Out of the Park' & Security Knocks Around Protesters

Mary Lahammer — Wed, 3 Sep 2008 23:58:46 -0500

We were just feet away from Gov. Sarah Palin as she delivered the most important speech of her life. The Minnesota delegation repeatedly said "she knocked it out of the park." The anticipation was huge. The mood was electric. Her tone was friendly, tough, passionate, emotional. It played perfectly in the hall.

Some of the more experienced Minnesota delegates said they hadn't seen that energy at a convention in decades. Minnesotans went nuts again when Gov. Pawlenty delivered the roll call touting Minnesota's lakes, fishing and people. I'm hearing from several sources that Pawlenty could be introducing John McCain tomorrow night in prime time. That would be a well-earned spot for McCain's good soldier.

But what many viewers, delegates and media didn't get a good look at was anti-war protesters dressed in pink being forcefully removed from the hall during Palin's speech. A security official appears to strike the woman in the face. Not a great image as protesters continue to distract from Republican's delivering their message.

McCain's Surprise Choice

tptadmin — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:23:27 -0500

We have extended clips from Friday's dramatic developments in the John McCain Veep sweepstakes.

Pawlenty Not VP

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:10:24 -0500

Republicans and Democrats I've talked to so far think Tim Pawlenty is still going to make a run for president in four years and is still well positioned to do so. Gov. Palin is a surprise and people like Tim Pawlenty can't really question Obama's experience with Palin on the ticket. Big nod to my dear friend and colleague Eric Eskola who broke the story this morning that Pawlenty would not be traveling to Ohio.

Here's some reaction I've gotten so far:

Gov. Sarah Palin

Agent Of Change With Proven Results

St. Paul – Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Ron Carey released the following statement regarding Sen. John McCain’s selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

“Gov. Sarah Palin is a bold and energetic choice for Sen. John McCain's running mate. In her time as Alaska's Governor, she has been a solid conservative, true reformer, and a powerful voice for families. She will be a dynamic addition to the ticket and will speak to Minnesota's hockey moms, outdoor sports enthusiasts, and independents.”

Pawlenty’s Record of Failure Derails His Ambition

McCain snubs failed Minnesota governor in favor of rival Alaska governor

St. Paul (Aug. 29, 2008) — Senator John McCain today will announce his choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. State DFL Chair Brian Melendez released this statement:

“Senator McCain’s choice of rival Sarah Palin is a slap in the face to Governor Tim Pawlenty, who campaigned at McCain’s side even in McCain’s darkest hours a year ago, when even McCain’s staff deserted him. But the Democrats’ nomination of Senator Joseph Biden, together with Pawlenty’s record of failure, made his rejection all but inevitable. Governor Pawlenty would have embarrassed the Republican Party in any debate against Senator Biden.

“More to the point, the Pawlenty governorship has miserably failed Minnesotans, and that record of failure would have become a major stumbling block with him on a national ticket. On Pawlenty’s watch, Minnesota’s jobless rate has surpassed the national average for the first time in the 31 years that records have been kept. His failure to invest in infrastructure has resulted in crumbling roads and bridges. His cuts to local-government aid have jeopardized police and fire protection, forcing municipalities to hike property taxes by double digits so that they can meet the shortfall in state aid. He has vetoed more legislation than any governor in living memory, including even the most necessary bipartisan bills, and has almost single-handedly gridlocked state government.

“Hopefully this rejection will end Governor Pawlenty’s national ambitions. But I’m not counting on it. Pawlenty has already begun positioning himself for a national run in 2012, after the McCain‑Palin ticket goes down in defeat in 2008. Meanwhile, Minnesotans can look forward to two more years of an absentee do-nothing governor while Tim Pawlenty curries favor with the privileged elite who can anoint him as their darling in the next race for the White House.”

Below is a statement from Obama Campaign Spokesman Bill Burton on Senator McCain choosing Governor Palin

"Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency. Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies -- that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same," said Bill Burton, Obama Campaign Spokesman.

The Selection of Gov. Sarah Palin Has Electrified the Electorate

Minneapolis, MN – “Absolutely brilliant,” Mathew Staver exclaimed when he heard the news that Sen. John McCain chose Governor Sarah Palin as his choice for Vice President. Staver is Chairman of Liberty Alliance Action, Chairman of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law.*

Attending a meeting of national conservative leaders in Minneapolis, Staver said, “The excitement was palpable among conservative leaders when they heard that Gov. Palin was Sen. McCain’s choice for Vice President. There is a high level of optimism among conservative leaders that the McCain-Palin combination is a ticket that will connect with values voters.”

“The selection of Gov. Palin means that this upcoming election will be historic. But beyond making history, Palin brings substance and excitement. She is intelligent, young, attractive and articulate. As a woman and a mother, she can attract women voters, particularly those who feel disenfranchised,” said Staver. “Gov. Palin can work with both parties and has shown she can clean up government corruption. She has not merely talked about the energy crisis, she has actively worked to create solutions,” Staver continued.