Attacking Palin on experience is a losing proposition

[kristopher]

Attacking Palin on experience is a losing proposition as it is instantly (and effectively) turned on Obama.

However, from what I've seen so far the temptation is proving irresistible for the Dem pundits on TV. They are getting their heads handed to them in what should be a hands down win.

My thought is that a better approach is to turn the right wing's own meme back on them - "we don't know enough about her" should be the lead in to the discussion. That should be followed up with a recitation of the 18 month campaign that has put Obama under the microscope and shown his mettle as he EARNED the nomination of his party. HE WASN'T APPOINTED!!!

Closing argument: How on Earth are we going to get a true sense of this Palin person in just 66 days??? We don't know enough about her and there are serious questions that need to be answered about her abilities and character. We don't know enough about her and John McCain has placed political expedience above the right of the electorate to make an informed decision.

We don't know enough about her and there isn't time to learn, will she be doing interviews or talking on the stump?


etc, etc, etc...

[BeyondGeography]

1. Attack McCain's judgment and inability to make a good decision

Leave her alone.

[kristopher]

2. That is an attack on McCain. nt

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

3. Bingo

[AlCzervik]

4. i think after a few interviews and the inevitable "Press the meat" segment she'll

do her own self in. She sounds like a gaffe machine.

[WeDidIt]

5. mainly because half the people I was with believed it until I explained the situation to them

[jgraz]

6. We need to attack McInsane on his recklessness. He only met her once.

[Stop Cornyn]

7. Agreed, The better plan is to point out McCain's hypocrisy because his statements about Obama's

level of experience were totally political and 100% disingenuous.

[vaberella]

8. Attacking her on qualifications is extremely important. The President of the PTA means nothing. n/t

[FrenchieCat]

9. Aye!

That's what I say!

Many in the media, especially GOP operatives are attempting to play up Gov. Sarah Palin's executive experience as something that she has that the Democratic Obama-Biden ticket does not. I believe that this is grossly incorrect.

It is my duty to remind us all that Barack Obama started his campaign from scratch, and in so doing, created the best political organization our history has ever witnessed. For nearly two years, using vision, innovation, intelligence, endurance, tactical genius, and a strong macro management style, Barack Obama has shown us all exactly what his executive skills are, and they are far superior to those of Ms. Palin.

We should also not forget the early executive experience that Sen. Obama gained as the President of the Harvard Law Review. As well, his singular role in the successful Project Vote, in where he spearheaded an unprecedented registration drive which would help elect Sen. Moseley Braun back in 1993. http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/January-1993

And most recently, the Democratic Convention; the yet unsung crowning glory showcasing the overall executive brilliance of Barack Obama. The cable media tried hard to ruin it with their dedicated 24/7 instigation for disunity. Yet, in spite of cable and the network commentators, it came off without nary a hitch. Certainly there are many people who participated and did a fantastic job led by none other than DNC Chairman Howard Dean. But it is important to give credit to the current leader of the Democratic party, who is the same person who would get the credit had the convention failed-Barack Obama.

The truth is that Barack Obama, in his calm and collected manner consistently provides a preview of what will be the Obama executive style; tactical adept dexterity without the drama. ...
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/diarypage.php?did=8911

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Remember that there are layers of surrogates doing different things.

I would caution DUers from concluding that the only thing that Dem surrogates are doing is discussing the VP pick. Obama & Biden, as well as their higher level stumpers, ARE discussing the issues, with actual people, at the rallies, town halls, and small venues. The TV surrogates are merely providing balance to counter the RW media's spin, leaving our candidates to stay on-message and not have to stop to address the nonsense.

[progdonkey]

11. are any of the national Dems even doing that?

All I've seen from the campaign is focused on pointing out the hypocrisy of McCain lambasting Obama's "lack of experience" while choosing as his running mate someone with even less experience. It's not really saying "Palin's inexperienced, so she's unqualified" but "Republicans say experience is all-important, but how does she qualify?" It's holding Republicans to their own stated criteria, but Dems only bring it up to answer the Republicans.

Besides, there's a big difference between being inexperienced and having 18+ million Americans vote for you after a year-long campaign, and being inexperienced and being picked by one man (whom she really might have to replace) two months before the election.

[CatsDogsBabies]

12. Does she even know how government works on the federal level?

She doesn't even know what the role of the vice-president is. I am comfortable attacking her and McCain in any way. I have no clue why people are so concerned about this. She has almost no experience and no educational background to qualify herself to be VP or President. Palin (or McCain) is not qualified - Obama and Biden are both qualified. Why not make that clear?

[Bobbie Jo]

13. Exactly...Obama has made his case.

Gov. Whatshername needs to put up or shut up.

[Canuckistanian]

14. Please.

They can't turn this on Obama. Not even a fair comparison. A 4-year Senator trumps a small-state Governor EVERY TIME.

How can they say that Palin is even CLOSE to Obama?

This was a MAJOR blunder by McCain.

Roll with it.

[Clear Blue Sky]

15. Good points. But the election is between McCain and Obama.

Our energies and scrutiny should be directed in that direction.

[regnaD kciN]

16. I think it's quite appropriate to point out...

...that her experience (such as it is) leaves her unfit to step in as President. To wit: no foreign-policy experience, very little time running a small (per capita) state, and several years as mayor of a small town which she managed to run $20 million into debt.

Barack has had much more experience representing much larger constituencies right down the line (State Senator from Chicago verus Mayor of Wasilla, Senator from Illinois versus Governor of Alaska). Plus, his work in the Senate involves him in matters of both foreign policy and the national economy -- neither of which Palin has ever touched with a ten-foot pole.

There's experience and there's judgment. Obama has demonstrated he has both. McCaniac has demonstrated experience but not judgment. Quayle-in has shown neither. The fact that she may have X years of government service as a small-town mayor doesn't even come close to comparing to the experience Obama brings with him.

[BlooInBloo]

17. That's just stupid.

[FVZA_Colonel]

18. We can use it as a response to claims about Obama's "lack of experience."

We need to keep it in reserve for that. But as an offensive weapon, I don't think it would be a good idea.

[dansolo]

19. I disagree

McCain has already resorted to citing her time on the PTA as evidence of her "experience". If it doesn't get brought up, then they will just gloss over it, and the media will just play up her "maverick" credentials. We need to point out the hypocrisy of McCain's attacks against Obama, and at the same time highlight just how ill-equipped she is to handle the responsibility of being Vice-President, and very possibly President if McCain dies in office.

[nyccitizen]

20. AGREED. STAY ON MESSAGE! It's about JUDGMENT...

And regarding her judgment she is further right than GWB and McCain. She's Cheney in a more media-friendly package.