Carl Bernstein Reveals "Open Secret In Washington" About Sarah Palin

[kpete]

Carl Bernstein
Posted October 3, 2008 | 10:03 PM (EST)

What the Palin-Biden Debate Really Told us

As a former White House (Republican) chief of staff said to me, "Palin is evidence of desperation; she is an embarrassment." That is the bottom line. (I generally check in with Republicans -- not Democrats -- to assess how the McCain campaign is doing.) He noted, "She wasn't vetted, really; it's an open secret in Washington, but the details of the negligence are better known to Republicans than Democrats." That doesn't mean she doesn't have a future in the Republican galaxy, lacks star power, or couldn't be a fine Secretary of the Interior in a McCain administration.

more at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-bernstein/what-the-palinbiden-debat_b_131837.html

[babylonsister]

1. It's an open secret-I think a lot of people 'get it'. nt

[Cosmocat]

50. Really, what is fhe Fin point here?

He ONLY TALKS TO REPUBLICANS ...

I am a freakin nobody democrat in central Pa and I knew the day McCain made the announement that the moron didn't "vet" her?

[nam78_two]

56. At this point I think it is safe to say

that save for that stubbornly brain-dead segment (22%) of the populace that still thinks Bush is doing great job, everyone else gets it. The woman is a blithering idiot and an ignoramus. She is intellectually incurious and only has lame platitudes to offer in the place of ideas. This ticket has disgraced even the GOP. And no amount of "vetting" can make up for her fundamental flaws as a candidate. Yet another thing that McCain just doesn't get...

[sad sally]

57. That 22% is who both Palin and McCain are talking to

and their campaign doesn't care if anyone else believes or listens to them...preaching to the choir, not the congregation.

All Obama/Biden need to do is remind the other 78% of America that with the Republican candidates, Bush/Cheney will live on, and if that were to happen...'nuff said.

[Binka]

2. Of Coures She Wasn't Vetted She Was Chosen To Be McLamo's "Gotcha."

That why he is stuck on the "gotcha" thingy. His FAILED!

[dflprincess]

3. I think her biggest asset for the Republicans is that she'd make

a wonderful puppet for the corporate interstes who are really running the country.

Secretary of the Interior? I suppose she couldn't be worse than James Watt (maybe).

[symbolman]

23. I was in Alaska when James Watts was Sec and when he flew in

He was treated to a "21 Chainsaw Salute" right there at the airport :)

He was also a Fundy, they believe trashing the earth has no real consequences since Jaysus will be vacuuming them into space when the Rupture occurs..

Real seriously deranged assholes, just like Palin.

[SwampG8r]

26. what gets me about that belief is

that those of us who jesus leaves will still be here
why are they making it harder for us?we will have 1000 years of satans rule as it is!

[symbolman]

28. Do we get Credit for time served?

Lets take the Eight Bush years right off the top..:)

[SwampG8r]

33. after 8 years of bush

how bad can 992 years of satan actually be?

[TorchTheWitch]

38. wouldn't have to worry about heating the house in the winter

that's sort of a plus since the rates pretty much doubled every year under Bush.

:evilgrin:

[Mariana]

32. You think that bothers them?

They LOVE the thought that everyone but them will suffer. If they can make it worse, so much the better. Have you ever heard them when they fantasize about the people they hate going to hell? They get off on the thought of it!

[SwampG8r]

34. its the same when they do the noah story too

they get to the part where noah wont let anyone on his boat and get all gleeful

[adamuu]

67. hmm i guess they ignore the part where God says he will never do such a thing again.

I guess thats a few pages later, past their attention span. The rainbow is a sign of God's promise that he will never again destroy the world by a flood

Upon exiting the ark, The Lord said to Noah:
"Behold, I establish My covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish My covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh." (Genesis 9 : 9-15 RSV)

[Jokinomx]

53. Welcome to the D.U. Mariana!

I got a good laugh at your side by side mclame pic! What can you say? mclame is a scary dude!

I know you will enjoy your time here....

Jokinomx

:toast:

[treestar]

71. They are so full of Christian love

:sarcasm:

Their religion is a cover for racism.

[beac]

41. "vacuuming them into space"

:rofl:

[TorchTheWitch]

37. her biggest asset is she has tits

and she'd cheerfully stick them in the camera and shake them so the idiot Joe SixPack Repukes that think with their dicks will vote for her (which is a good part of their base).

[npk]

4. I still find it unfathomable that they wouldn't properly vet her

before selecting her as the VP nominee. Unbelievable. Of course I am not complaining, but the McCain campaign made a huge blunder that they have been paying for every since.

[speedoo]

10. Why? Has the McCain campaign done anything right?

By my scorecard, they have committed one blunder after another.

[npk]

15. I know.

The whole campaign has been a disaster. But not vetting her properly, and allowing the media to do your job, was just so stupid.

[beac]

42. Famous Person disagrees with you.

;)

[symbolman]

45. Someone should change that "Famous Person"

to "Three Legged Wolf".. :)

"Well, it LOOKED like a Star, that light on the airplane as it chased me and my whole family until we were exhausted and then gunned us down.. Yeah, she KILLED alright, me and my WHOLE Family.."

Evil, pure evil..

[Jade Fox]

22. The funny thing about them not vetting her....

is that I bet they all thought, "She's some Hockey Mom from Alaska. How much baggage can she have?", once again demonstrating who is really treating Palin in a sexist manner.

[GrizzlyMan]

24. And who knows what remains undiscovered

Honestly nothing would surprise me. Okay, if you told me she was an alien, that might surprise me. But then again I'm not even sure about that.

[stillcool]

5. She was vetted by the fundies..

and found to be just what god was looking for.

[Hekate]

31. Thank you. I was just about to post that, because Ms Sarah really was vetted by the ultra-right...

Editorials & Other Articles Sept. 1, 2008
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x380446380446

Ultra-Secretive Right-Wing Group Met In Minn. To Vet Palin

Last week, while the media focused almost obsessively on the DNC's spectacle in Denver, the country's most influential conservatives met quietly at a hotel in downtown Minneapolis to get to know Sarah Palin. The assembled were members of the Council for National Policy, an ultra-secretive cabal that networks wealthy right-wing donors together with top conservative operatives to plan long-term movement strategy.

CNP members have included Tony Perkins, James Dobson, Grover Norquist, Tim LaHaye and Paul Weyrich. At a secret 2000 meeting of the CNP, George W. Bush promised to nominate only pro-life judges; in 2004, then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist told the group, "The destiny of the nation is on the shoulders of the conservative movement." This year, thanks to Sarah Palin's selection, the movement may have finally aligned itself behind the campaign of John McCain.
<snip>
The members of the Council for National Policy are the hidden hand behind McCain's Palin pick. With her selection, the Republican nominee is suddenly -- and unexpectedly -- assured of the support of a movement that once opposed his candidacy with all its might. Case in point: while Dobson once said he could "never" vote for McCain, he issued a statement last week hailing Palin as an "outstanding" choice. If Dobson's enthusiasm for Palin is any indication, he may soon emerge from his bunker in Colorado Springs to endorse McCain, providing the Republican nominee with the backing of the Christian right's single most influential figure.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=352178

[lisa58]

59. that makes sense - maverick - I don't think so

[Cleita]

6. She reminds me of a rich guy's trophy wife.

You know just an attractive prop for a rich and powerful man. What she thinks or even if she thinks is irrelevant as long as she keeps up her appearance.

[JeffR]

9. She reminds me of a poor guy's trophy wife n/t

[Cleita]

12. How would a poor guy have a trophy wife?

You know the maintenance is high.

[JeffR]

14. True.

But something about her and the First Dude makes it easy to believe they'll turn up on "Cops" some day.

[lurky]

21. LOL! I want to see him...

drunk, naked and despondent, waving a gun while being chased by cops on his snowmobile. That would make this whole election worthwhile. :D

[Tesha]

75. Think of Palin as a "Bowling Trophy Wife". (NT)

[SwampG8r]

27. oh damn

i call duzy
seriously jeff i am nominating this response and the post above it for a duzy

[No Elephants]

47. Trophy wives typically lack money, but have looks and class, or at least a

veneer of class. Too much class to wink during a Vice Presidential debate, at least.

IMO, Palin has neither great looks nor even a veneer of class.

She was very pretty when she was Ms Wassila, not now. Sorry to run counter to the conventional wisdom, but I just don't think she is even especially nice looking for her age. Plenty of women her age are drop dead gorgeous. She is not homely, by any means She is okay for her age. That's all. Without all the hype of being runner up in the Miss Alaska contest, I dont think her looks would be getting anywhere near as much mention as they are. That said, I don't think they should be mentioned at all. She has enough other problems. We aren't discussing how handsome or not Biden is.

[treestar]

72. And Alaska is a low population state with more men than women

so the competition in the Miss Alaska pageant is not much compared to other states. :rofl:

[jazzjunkysue]

54. I'd like to run her pic through one of those aging programs to hillary's age.

I'd like to know what she would look like if she were attempting this at Hillary's age.

Anyone got that thingy?

[crazylikafox]

64. I'd love to see that. Hillary looks great for her age. Don't think Sarah will look so great at 60

Payback for that tanning machine is gonna be nasty

[jazzjunkysue]

65. That's what I'm thinking. Bitter rots you from the inside. The Tits and Ass crap

only flies when you're young.

At Hillary's age, she's really de-clawed.

[FrenchieCat]

7. Great piece.......

Tragic indeed!

[Gregorian]

8. Nothing more than the republican hood ornament.

Shiny and useless.

[msallied]

11. There ought to be a punishment for what McCain did. Oh wait... he's losing the election.

That's fair enough. :)

[ej510]

13. Alot of repukes want to fuck her. Especially Hannity, Buchanan, and Dobbs.

[Jane Austin]

17. And . . .

Rich Lowry!

[City Lights]

19. Roger Simon too. He could barely contain himself last night on Hardball. nt

[MindMatter]

16. Republicans should be more concerned that MCCAIN wasn't vetted

That's the reason they are losing. The guy is proving to be a real dick and a hothead, incapable of either:

a) assembling a halfway decent campaign team; or

b) taking their advice.

I don't know which, but either way, I don't think we have seen a campaign run this poorly for a very long time. Their messages are all over the map. Their movements make no sense. Their strategic decisions are not well conceived, and their execution is lousy.

On the other hand, the Obama campaign is proving to be one of the greatest ever, a true textbook case. With all the built-in advantages that Republicans have with the media, access to money, and influence over the election systems, McCain should have been very competitive, especially running against an "inexperienced black guy".

And it is not over yet. But still the ineptness of the McCain team is really staggering. Bush and Rove would not be lowing this election -- at least not to this degree.

[crossroads]

20. Their campaign is going so bad, I am waiting for Palin to dump her running mate... lol

I agree... it has been blunder after blunder... and I don't feel they can recover lost ground! Thank God!
CR

[lisa58]

60. lol - dump her running mate - too funny

[Cosmocat]

49. WHY ???

do they REPEATEDLY manage to nominate the biggest dipstick they can, then spend 8 years desperately spinning to make them out to be 1000 times better than they are.

In my adult life, the democratic nominee for president has been Clinton, Gore, Kerry and Obama, to a MAN, SMART, decent, honorable and highly capable men.

Bush I was actually competent, if nothing else, but Bush II was the biggest moron the presidency has seen, and the only thing that can be said about McCain is he isn't Guiliani or Thompson. HOW, these idiots, in mass passed over someone like Romney, or even Huck, to nominate McCain is mind bending.

[abumbyanyothername]

68. Recall that McCain "won" the primaries by

"winning" less than 5 contests with less than a third of the vote in many cases. Huckabee was never a serious opponent because he didn't have money or organization.

This was the dems huge advantage in winnowing the field quickly to three, then two . . . then running hard all the way to the end.

[Cha]

18. Last night was another of a long line of

mccain's desperate grasps at the brass ring played out on the national stage a la Dave Letterman.

It was a total insult by john mccain who puts himself first.

[symbolman]

25. Im confused..how could she be appointed as a Sec of the Interior..

in a McCain admin when she's running for Veep?

That seems like an odd statement in what otherwise is great info.. And Bernstein I'm convinced did the majority of the work in All The Presidents Men, because Woodward seems just too goddam Dumb :)

[4lbs]

29. Not trying to justify the McCain campaign not vetting Palin beforehand, but...

maybe they thought that because she was a Governor, and had participated in gubenatorial debates, she was already sufficiently vetted by her opponent and the state media.

Man, how wrong were they!

[PassingFair]

62. If McCain doesn't win this thing, he will be responsible for ruining her life.

And her political career.

She is NOT ready for prime time.

She coulda been a contenda.

In 4 to 8 years....

[GoddessOfGuinness]

30. Sorry, but we haven't had a "fine" Interior Secretary since Stewart Udall

But she might make a good PTA scretary.

[Jackpine Radical]

35. What did Bernstein actually contribute to the discussion? One thing.

He confirmed that the Republicans know what desperate straits they face here.

Everything he says about Palin is common knowledge among us; our only remaining task in this regard is to get the word out to those "low-information voters" that she is a thoroughgoing idiot. The problem with low-information voters, of course, is that they lack the information--one is tempted to say the wit--to recognize Palin's deficiencies. They tend to depend on the talking heads for their opinions because they are quite properly uncertain of their own. And of course the talking heads are in the business of actively misinforming them.

[Shine]

36. Thank you, Mr. Bernstein.

:thumbsup:

Great post.

[No Elephants]

39. Yes, but Bernstein will vote McCain Palin, no matter how embarrassed he is. He is trying to have

it both ways. "I am way too smart for this," but "I vote Republican, no matter what."

[Disturbed]

40. Gov. Palin is a Sociopath, charming,viscious, inept & corrupt .

Alaskans should be mortified. Gov. Palin needs to be Impeached.

[Marsala]

43. Huh?

I thought Bernstein is a Democrat. A Hillary supporter in the primaries, but surely not a PUMA?

[Delphinus]

51. Wasn't he for Hillary?

I would have sworn he was a Democrat, faithful to Hillary. Can't imagine him being pissed off enough to vote Republican.

[Imagevision]

44. Palin is evidence of Mccain's desperation

[polichick]

46. To win or to enjoy a few good woodies?

[old mark]

48. She is also evidence of the contempt McCain has for the

USA. He cares so much about winning and so little for anything that comes after. He really does not give a damn for the country - his motto should be winning first, last and always.

mark

[Scurrilous]

52. K & R

:thumbsup:

[jazzjunkysue]

55. 2 great Maher quotes about the debate from the video on the Huff site:

"The vice president isn’t supposed to sound like the host of romper room."

"I haven’t seen anything that corny since they cancelled Lawrence Welk.”

[lisa58]

61. romper room and Lawrence Welk - you have to be of a certain age....

...I, of course, am of that certain age and laughed out loud.

[adamuu]

70. I would rather see the host of Romper Room running for VP, than Sarah Palin. Here's why

At least the host of Romper Room has respect and sensitivity to children, and strongly values education.
Palin, on the other hand,
doesn't respect her own teenage daughter enough to educate her about contraception
she inquired 3 times about banning books from the local library
I don't know how the host of Romper Room feels about teaching religious narrative in the science classroom, but I know Palin supports it.

So, I think that joke is an insult to the host of Romper Room.

[adamuu]

74. The host of Romper Room had an abortion rather than risk having a flipper-baby.

If the wingnuts are justified in voting for Palin because she was pro-life enough not to terminate her down-syndrome child, then I am justified in voting for Romper Room host on the basis that she did what she needed to do not to condemn a child to a life of flippers.

[lisa58]

58. what secret?

[Hekate]

63. Why doesn't Bernstein talk about the actual secret of her being vetted by the theocratic cabal?!...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7308549&mesg_id=7310670
See my post #31

[MoonRiver]

66. "or couldn't be a fine Secretary of the Interior in a McCain administration."

Except,there won't be a McCain administration. McCain blew it by putting this idiot on his ticket. Well, the economy and Iraq war also contributed to his impending defeat, but Palin hasn't helped.

[Imagevision]

69. "She wasn't vetted" (?) how about a background check?!

[GalleryGod]

73. Her TAX RETURNS alone should've DQ'd her.

Pop-Pop just can't RESIST a STRIPPER!
Not even an OLD STRIPPER!