Moderate and Liberal women, how important is Sarah Palin?

[63dot]

It may still take a lot for battleground states, but moderate women, and maybe liberal women, may come out in favor of Palin and thus eventually help McCain's chances. The electoral count is 301-224 for Obama.

But with two months left, things can change with the female vote if Palin gets a considerable slice of Hilary voters.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

When will people start voting for the candidate who they feel is better qualified/ a better leader instead of their genitalia or skin color?

[Ntombi]

Liberal women will NOT vote for Sarah Palin.

I can say that with 100% assurance. She stands for everything we are against, and the fact that she has a vagina doesn't change that.

[63dot]

When will people start voting for the candidate who they feel is better qualified/ a better leader instead of their genitalia or skin color?

I believe Obama-Biden is the better pair overall. But that being said, there is definitely a gender based glass ceiling in the President and Vice President slots. It is certainly a big deal that we have had two female Secretary of States, and a female Speaker of the House.

We just got over if a minority (male), or a woman was better suited to be the Presidential candidate in the Democratic party. There is no doubt that Hilary had more experience, but I have heard a lot of comments, even from women, doubting the ability of any woman to lead the country.

[TuffLuffJimmy]

I believe Obama-Biden is the better pair overall. But that being said, there is definitely a gender based glass ceiling in the President and Vice President slots. It is certainly a big deal that we have had two female Secretary of States, and a female Speaker of the House.

We just got over if a minority (male), or a woman was better suited to be the Presidential candidate in the Democratic party. There is no doubt that Hilary had more experience, but I have heard a lot of comments, even from women, doubting the ability of any woman to lead the country.

I'd say Hillary could have been a better leader, she's been in the spot light for a lot longer than Obama and I feel she was far better qualified than he. Having said that I think it'd make more sense for Obama to be president, since much of the country wouldn't get behind Clinton simply because of her reproductive organs.

[63dot]

I'd say Hillary could have been a better leader, she's been in the spot light for a lot longer than Obama and I feel she was far better qualified than he. Having said that I think it'd make more sense for Obama to be president, since much of the country wouldn't get behind Clinton simply because of her reproductive organs.

I remember Mondale-Ferraro and that was 24 years ago. It may be another quarter of a century before the stars line up and there is a woman like Ferraro, Clinton, or Palin to get onto a major ticket.

Liz Dole had a fighting chance and some have brought up the name of Nancy Pelosi, but the field seems quite thin most of the time.

Condi Rice has too much baggage with Bush Jr. and Madeline Albright is probably too old.

My wife and mom voted for Hilary in the primaries and my dad and I voted for Obama. But I was very close to choosing Hilary.

[Ntombi]

I remember Mondale-Ferraro and that was 24 years ago. It may be another quarter of a century before the stars line up and there is a woman like Ferraro, Clinton, or Palin to get onto a major ticket.

Liz Dole had a fighting chance and some have brought up the name of Nancy Pelosi, but the field seems quite thin most of the time.

Condi Rice has too much baggage with Bush Jr. and Madeline Albright is probably too old.

My wife and mom voted for Hilary in the primaries and my dad and I voted for Obama. But I was very close to choosing Hilary.My mother took me out of school to go to a Mondale/Ferraro rally when I was nine. :) Exciting times, those. Until the trouncing. :o

I voted for Hillary, but Hillary and Obama are very very close in policy, and I have no respect for anyone who voted for her who won't vote for Obama. Like she said in the DNC speech: were they voting for her or voting for the policies?

Anyway, there was no question that I would be voting for Obama once he won the nomination. And for me, McCain's choice of Palin was a huge insult. I would have felt better about his pandering insulting patronizing choice if it had been someone like Christine Todd Whitman, Olympia Snow, or Kay Bailey Hutchison. Those women at least have been on the national scene, and he could have at least pretended that he picked her for reasons other than her vagina, but they were too moderate for him (read his controllers/advisors).

Choosing one of them wouldn't have changed my vote, but I wouldn't have felt the outrage and insult at the pick, and outright fear that I feel thinking about her being "one heartbeat away."

[Ugg]

I
There is no doubt that Hilary had more experience, but I have heard a lot of comments, even from women, doubting the ability of any woman to lead the country.

That mindset just blows me away.

Maggie did a pretty good job in England and Merkel has proven to be a very adept negotiator.

I voted for Hilary because of her experience and I think a lot of others voted for Obama because of his youth.

[it5five]

Liberal women will NOT vote for Sarah Palin.

I can say that with 100% assurance. She stands for everything we are against, and the fact that she has a vagina doesn't change that.

My girlfriend would agree. She sees the Palin nomination as a step back for women, and I'd probably agree with her.

[SMM]

It may still take a lot for battleground states, but moderate women, and maybe liberal women, may come out in favor of Palin and thus eventually help McCain's chances. The electoral count is 301-224 for Obama.

But with two months left, things can change with the female vote if Palin gets a considerable slice of Hilary voters.

[ ... ] " moderate women, and maybe liberal women, may come out in favor of Palin" [ ... ]

About zero chance with liberal women, and moderate women will probably turn out to be an insignificant percentage. These women are smart. Not many are going to embrace someone who is a contra to the issues which concern them most. Several of the largest (NOW, NARAL) and most influential women's groups, are actively campaigning against her already. I know because I have taken 3 of their calls (for my wife).

[EricNau]

She stands for everything we are against, and the fact that she has a vagina doesn't change that.
I've gotta share... http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=183521&title=john-mccain-chooses-a-running

:D Absolutely hilarious, but also very apropos.

[Peterkro]

That mindset just blows me away.

Maggie did a pretty good job in England and Merkel has proven to be a very adept negotiator.

I voted for Hilary because of her experience and I think a lot of others voted for Obama because of his youth.

Thatcher was a bloody disaster in Britain, which to me at least proved one thing,whilst I've always known women could be every bit as effective as men at any job Thatcher proved they could also be as terrible.

[Ntombi]

I've gotta share... http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=183521&title=john-mccain-chooses-a-running

:D Absolutely hilarious, but also very apropos.
:D I actually thought of that clip when I was writing that. Hilarious.

[és:]

Maggie did a pretty good job in England

Taking the piss, surely?

[pooryou]

^^ I was thinking the same thing LOL.

[Cromulent]

Maggie did a pretty good job in England

LOL.

You mean by destroying entire communities?

[Peterkro]

Looks like we've find a subject to unite the Brits (although there's bound to be a diehard thatcherite along in a moment).

[WinterMute]

Looks like we've find a subject to unite the Brits (although there's bound to be a diehard thatcherite along in a moment).

Nah, we got the last one in 1997, he was hiding in an old air-raid shelter near Portsmouth...

[dukebound85]

When will people start voting for the candidate who they feel is better qualified/ a better leader instead of their genitalia or skin color?

considering this is the first presidential election where a woman or african american have been on the ballot, i think its a valid question....

[pooryou]

Ever heard of Geraldine Ferraro?

[TuffLuffJimmy]

considering this is the first presidential election where a woman or african american have been on the ballot, i think its a valid question....

It really shouldn't matter, nor should it be a reason for why people vote for any candidate.

[63dot]

Being a baby boomer, I was sure that a minority (male) would be at the top of the ticket. There is no doubt that on the other side, former Secretary of State Powell was a real possibility and not too long ago there was always talk about him.

I just think with the United States, a female VP pawn is all the American people will be ready for. Personally I am ready to see a female as a likely Presidential candidate but I doubt I will see it in my lifetime.

In business, there have been major company CEOs that are minorities and that ceiling was broken decades ago. I used to read the Black Entrepreneurs magazine back when I was an MBA student before the advent of computers in the dark ages but the magazine, which profiled high level leaders in business were all men. It's only in the most recent years that women have gone past the CEO barrier. There seems to be a three decade gap there.

Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Dole are probably the most possible chances for President that I will ever see in my lifetime and that, could, be because they are related to powerful politicians.

[yrsonicdeath]

I was under the impression that a majority of the people that are hyped up about Palin are people who would have ultimately voted for that ticket anyway, but just have perhaps been less enthused about it.

[Sky Blue]

I have not yet lost sufficient faith in this country that liberal women would vote for Palin just because she's a woman.

[63dot]

I have not yet lost sufficient faith in this country that liberal women would vote for Palin just because she's a woman.

ABC news radio reported that Palin could possibly get up 25% percent of Hilary's voters and if that number stays, it could mean that McCain-Palin picks up a battleground state or two.

Now, after Palin being introduced, it's 281-230 for Obama (September 10, 2:21 a.m. est) with a massive 20 point drop for Obama in the last few days and a respectable 7 point pickup for McCain.

Of course most of the time, Obama has had an extremely slim lead in both popular vote and electoral vote since the beginning of the year. It's only part of the summer where Obama was way ahead of McCain.

My fear is that now the conventions are over, both sides will change their stances and go moderate as is the case right before November to get the majority in the middle.

Palin is going to start touting her liberal to moderate side (siding with gay partner benefits in Alaska and fighting the reactionary oil rich right wing old boys network, which she hid at the convention, and that could mean Ohio and Virginia for the GOP, states that a few days ago were leaning for Obama by a narrow margin.

The only thing that could haunt her is that during the debates, there is no way she can talk about her experience vs. Obama or Biden. She will lose political credibility in the next two months, but that could backfire as people genuinely feel sorry for her and could relate to her being a PTA mom and mother of a teenage mom to be.

Anyway, this will be a very interesting election.

With Palin in the mix, Florida has shifted more towards Obama-Biden and it will be interesting to see if she had a negative effect in that state.

[dukebound85]

It really shouldn't matter, nor should it be a reason for why people vote for any candidate.

well yea i agree but the fact is that it most likely will matter to some degree

[63dot]

ABC news radio reported that Palin could possibly get up 25% percent of Hilary's voters and if that number stays, it could mean that McCain-Palin picks up a battleground state or two.

Now, after Palin being introduced, it's 281-230 for Obama (September 10, 2:21 a.m. est) with a massive 20 point drop for Obama in the last few days and a respectable 7 point pickup for McCain.



Now it's 273 to 238 in favor of Obama and his lead has been falling since Palin entered as VP choice. If the GOP grabs New York or California, they can seal the deal. It won't matter if Obama picks up four or five small formerly red states as it looks like will happen if McCain-Palin grab the golden state or the empire state. Outside of the urban centers in NY and CA, there are fairly loyal GOP voting blocks. The only factor that comes to mind are angry Hilary supporters who are moderates.

[yojitani]

Maggie did a pretty good job in England

Don't spread lies!

[Ntombi]

Now it's 273 to 238 in favor of Obama and his lead has been falling since Palin entered as VP choice. If the GOP grabs New York or California, they can seal the deal. It won't matter if Obama picks up four or five small formerly red states as it looks like will happen if McCain-Palin grab the golden state or the empire state. Outside of the urban centers in NY and CA, there are fairly loyal GOP voting blocks. The only factor that comes to mind are angry Hilary supporters who are moderates.

McCain isn't going to come close to winning California. They've rightly written off this state and Palin hasn't changed that. New York may be closer, but with both Clintons there, they won't get that either. I'm not saying there won't be close races, but not in NY or CA.

Don't get me wrong: there are definitely conservative parts of both states, but not enough for this election.

[donga]

Now it's 273 to 238 in favor of Obama and his lead has been falling since Palin entered as VP choice. If the GOP grabs New York or California, they can seal the deal. It won't matter if Obama picks up four or five small formerly red states as it looks like will happen if McCain-Palin grab the golden state or the empire state. Outside of the urban centers in NY and CA, there are fairly loyal GOP voting blocks. The only factor that comes to mind are angry Hilary supporters who are moderates.

McCain isn't going to come close to winning California. They've rightly written off this state and Palin hasn't changed that. New York may be closer, but with both Clintons there, they won't get that either. I'm not saying there won't be close races, but not in NY or CA.

Don't get me wrong: there are definitely conservative parts of both states, but not enough for this election.

yeah i agree, if you think mccain can pick up ny and/or ca, you just don't know your politics.

i know when i cast my vote for mccain or obama or someone else, az will go mccain, 100% guaranteed. the people deciding the election are in the swing states. there is a reason why there is so much campaigning going on there.

[63dot]

McCain isn't going to come close to winning California. They've rightly written off this state and Palin hasn't changed that. New York may be closer, but with both Clintons there, they won't get that either. I'm not saying there won't be close races, but not in NY or CA.

Don't get me wrong: there are definitely conservative parts of both states, but not enough for this election.


I am very hopeful and quite confident that CA and NY will stay in the democrat's camp.

There was a point, according to Gallup and Rasmussen, that Texas and Florida were in jeopardy. The only state completely for McCain is Arizona, with Utah a close second.

My prediction is that McCain will lose the election but pull of a strange victory either in NH, MN, MI, or God forbid, PA.

Anybody who thinks they know exactly how this election is going to end up will probably be right, but not 100 percent. I watch all the polls everyday and over the last seven months, when McCain was ahead and lost his lead, some surprising things have happened.

In the end, Obama may pick up one medium sized state, and three or four small states once considered red states. McCain may pick up one blue state, perhaps two. But by electoral standards, Obama will win handily, but by popular vote, it will be close.

But with the anger over not choosing Clinton as VP and the unknown effect Palin will have on moderate and independent women voters, no state is a "for sure" thing for either candidate.

In 1992, just months before the election, Ross Perot held a 20 point lead in likely voters over his next closest rival, Bill Clinton. People forget how strange the last six months can be before an election.

I know Obama will win and I hope he does it with Florida and Ohio as newly minted blue states. :)

btw...McCain is still riding the bounce after his convention and leads 270-268. But there is always a slight letdown after the bump, and we have the debates coming up. This is where Obama will probably regain his summer lead. As for the VP debate, Palin will probably lose some of the shine she gave McCain, and the rise of McCain may be more from the convention than from Palin, but it's hard to say for sure. But after the debates, the clear winner tends to lose a few points. Still, I think this will only be a landslide as far as electoral votes and most Americans won't be embracing or expecting the democrats to fix everything overnight.

[atszyman]

There was a point, according to Gallup and Rasmussen, that Texas and Florida were in jeopardy. The only state completely for McCain is Arizona, with Utah a close second.

I'd reverse the order of Utah and AZ I think AZ would sooner go to Obama than UT.

According to the aggregated polls at Pollster (http://www.pollster.com) AZ is only about a 6% lead for McCain, while UT hangs in at the 40% range.

[63dot]

I'd reverse the order of Utah and AZ I think AZ would sooner go to Obama than UT.

According to the aggregated polls at Pollster (http://www.pollster.com) AZ is only about a 6% lead for McCain, while UT hangs in at the 40% range.

What is pretty consistent are the national polls, but the state polls vary wildly. Fox news seems to pull out polls that show the best leads for McCain, but many on that network try and spread the fear that the democrats will have the house, the senate, and the White House. I think the damage the Bush administration has done will have hurt the GOP to the point they won't have any of the three this time around.

I think the sizeable anti-GOP movement started with the 2006 elections. 2008 will give at least two out of three to the democrats and thus the balance of power. After Pelosi became speaker and voiced what a lot of us, me included, believed, Bush has been pretty much a lame duck hiding out. I have never seen any two year period where a President was so absent and not in the press, or if he was, in such a negative light.

[Sky Blue]

My prediction is that McCain will lose the election but pull of a strange victory either in NH, MN, MI, or God forbid, PA.


If McCain wins PA, he wins the election.

[solvs]

I don't know 1 moderate or liberal woman who will vote for them. I don't know anyone who wouldn't have already voted for them who supports them. I actually know some who won't because of various things she's said or done who was going to vote for McCain. She won't be voting for Obama probably, but she won't be voting for McCain now. All the bad press must be getting through to some people. And while they did bounce, they are getting all this press, I have to believe that the more people learn about her the more they won't like. At least, I'd hope. You never know.

[Iscariot]

Now, after Palin being introduced, it's 281-230 for Obama (September 10, 2:21 a.m. est) with a massive 20 point drop for Obama in the last few days and a respectable 7 point pickup for McCain.


As much as I would enjoy for those polls to be accurate, I think the Bradley effect precludes a low level of poll accuracy.