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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 8, 2008

Re-Energized By Choice

Sen. John McCain's pick of Gov. Sarah Palin for his running mate is a winning, unstoppable ticket. So many people that I know have been re-energized by this impressive woman and her accomplishments and, yes, experience. Those of us who had many doubts about McCain as our only choice this year have a new hope and new solid reasons to pull the lever for the Republican ticket.

The McCain/Palin ticket is, I believe, an answer to so many prayers for a leader who could go to Washington and "be in it, but not of it." It's about time we had a fresh face, someone we can believe in to get the job done right.

God Bless McCain and Palin, and God Bless America - and with this pick, I believe He already has.

BRENDA VELLIA

Indian Lake Estates

Better Female Choice
John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin shows he is not of clear mind and cannot be charged with making decisions, especially for our country. Palin is nothing more than a trophy. If he wanted a woman as vice president, why didn't he pick Kay Bailey Hutchison, the U.S. senator from Texas?

Doesn't he know Bailey played a vital role in shaping defense policy? That she is the ranking member of Appropriations Subcommittee of Military and Veterans Affairs? That she has helped pass national defense reforms as chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation; that she is a champion for tax relief for working-class families; that she graduated from law school?

She helped pass the National Intelligence Reform Act; was instrumental in establishing the Academy of Medical Engineering and Science of Texas; is a ranking member of the Aviation Operation Safety and Security Subcommittee; a ranking member of the Committee of Science and Transportation; was the Texas state treasurer, and that she authored and co-authored two books on women?

Clearly McCain's decision shows his judgment is poor, and he is too old to be president of the United States.

JOHN TISCHNER

Dunedin

Need True Leadership
We don't need one more day of the Republicans' smarmy arrogance and divisiveness engineered by Karl Rove, adopted as policy by Bush, and now personified by Sarah Palin. We need some true leadership to address crucial issues, not one-liners that demean the very system that made it possible for her to be at the podium. I'd rather vote for a pit bull.

TIMOTHY SMITH

Tampa

Many Good Traits

Finally we have some thing to look forward to in politics this year. All I could say was "wow" when Sarah Palin was named John McCain's running mate.

What excites me is the fact that she is not that well known, is a woman with five children and that she is not a lawyer. She lives by her convictions and goes for broke on her decisions. I feel that her "inexperience" is one of her great traits. She has not had her common sense influenced by the "good ol' boys" inside the beltway.

I just hope the media does not try to tear her apart, as they do in so many cases.

F. R. PLANK

Zephyrhills

No Hillary Replacement

I find it sad that Republicans believe a conservative woman is a replacement for the far more progressive Sen. Hillary Clinton. Do they believe women supported Clinton simply because of her gender?

With Sen. McCain's choice for a running mate, the Republicans are sending a loud message to women everywhere that their politics do not matter - just make sure the gender is correct. How sad.

DANIEL MOON

Land O' Lakes

Is This A Joke?

My first reaction to McCain picking Gov. Sarah Palin for V.P. was, "You've got to be kidding me!" Is this a joke?

I am outraged and insulted that John McCain would have the total disregard for the American people to put this person "one heartbeat away from the presidency." It is truly terrifying to think Palin could be entrusted to be commander in chief, to set the nation's policy for Iraq and Iran, to manage an economy in trouble, and to reform energy policy.

If McCain believes this pick is the best he could do for America, then we all surely have to question his competency and total lack of judgment. I will be voting for Obama/Biden. It's the only sane choice.

DEBORAH GREEN

Sun City Center

Refreshing Addition

Wow! What a tremendous pick for VP. Sarah Palin is a refreshing addition to the national political scene.

I know Barack is a great speaker, but in my opinion, Sarah has outdone him. I can't wait to see her debate Joe Biden.

Take the gloves off, Joe, she can take it - and I don't think you have a chance unless you do.

GEORGE FLOTO

Hudson

Death Of Conservatism

Having voted Republican for decades, I have been reluctant to acknowledge how flawed and dead the conservative movement has become; that is over now. No more excuses, no more clinging to old visions of rational discourse and principled debate. I really have witnessed the death of conservatism and its replacement by a kind of toxic sludge which would be just laughable or cringe worthy if it were not also so extraordinarily dangerous.

This election year has been a series of revelations and disillusionments for me. I believed McCain to be at least a patriot, sincerely concerned with issues of national security. His nomination of Sarah Palin ended that illusion, too.

No remotely serious politician - no honest patriot - would think of placing this individual a heartbeat away from the Oval Office, however admirable she may be, however lively her biography.

RUTH BETHINGER

Tampa

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