Sarah Palin’s Philly Approval Rating: Somewhere Between Owens and Carter

In a highly predictable turn of events — something that anyone reasonably in tune with Philadelphia sports fans, and perhaps the city in general, could’ve seen coming — vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin encountered an impressive amount of vitriol from the sold out crowd at the Wachovia Center tonight when she took the ice prior to Saturday night’s Flyers home opener to drop the ceremonial first puck. Palin’s appearance, orchestrated by Flyers chairman and Republican supporter Ed Snider, was made under the auspices of a tie-in to the Flyers’ search for the “Ultimate Hockey Mom.” (In a brilliant bit of foreshadowing, the press release identified Palin as “the nation’s most popular hockey mom” in much the same way one might identify Paris Hilton as the nation’s most popular hotel heiress, George W. Bush as the nation’s most popular President of the United States of America, or H5N1 as the nation’s most popular pandemic threat.)

So here’s how that turned out. First, how it looked on television:

And then, how it was in reality, from several angles (more after the jump):

What does the latest McCain Camp’s Ad Reveal About Joe Biden: Absolutely Nothing!

I’ve had a running conversation with several of my friends regarding the delivery John McCain gave during the 2008 Presidential Debate last Friday from Mississippi. A recurring observation that many have pointed out is the republican’s conviction-laden, substance-lacking performance. Many of the points given had strong tones with no meaning behind it.

With that being said, who better suited to rinse and repeat the same bullshit nonesense than the conservative base.  Only a republican could truly transfer the same packaged message TWICE!  The latest attack ad, released the day of the Vice Presidential Debate, attempts to rattle the cage of the Delarware senator.  But anything less than a Scorsese calibar ad will do little, if any, damage control, brought upon Sarah Palin’s train wreck interview with Katie Couric. Watch as the McCain campaign try to stick it to Joe Biden.  And by “stick”, I mean play clips of him talking.  And by “it”, I mean nothing.  Empty cookie car nothing.  Bachelor refridgerator nothing.  Palin’s common sense nothing.

Get it?

[via Huffington Post]

McCain and Walters Spar on Palin’s Earmark Spending Issue, Punches Pulled Due to Arthritis Pains

John McCain took a seat on the comfy “View” couch earlier today, and proceeded to get the “picking on” of a lifetime. Much like a teenage slumber party makeover to the helpless little brother, the Republican presidential hopeful took heat from both sides of the sofa, particularly from fellow fossil-woman Barbara Walters.

McCain decided to ditch talks of outlining solutions to the nation’s economic struggles, needs of health care for the un-insured, and a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq: you know, that “View”ish girl stuff.

Instead, the Arizona senator used his coffee talk spotlight to dispel the vicious rumors perpetuated, of course, by the leftist liberal-puppy-killing media, of running mate Sarah Palin’s acceptance of earmark spending by the government. Watch the internal restraint of utter rage on the part of McCain as Walters and Joy Behar nag him to no end.  Funny, I thought the only show you can see a man’s soul and very being crushed was this.

McCain made a calculated error on this.  It’s not so much that everything he said doesn’t stand well with the facts.  He should have just had Tyra Banks do another horrible Michelle Obama tribute. Nothing gets the heat off your own running mate than that Titanic-sinking celebrity endorsement.

Palin’s Experience in National Security? McCain says, “Energy”?!

In yet another stop on his “Perpetually Vague Press Tour”, John McCain answered questions from a Maine Reporter who specifically requested examples to address the Republican’s claim of his own experience and good judgment, as well as running mate Sarah Palin.  There have been numerous reports of McCain’s unwillingness to face the press on issues within his campaign,which this interview seemingly restores a bit of credibility into his campaign.  However, it is quickly dashed to bits by his confusing response to the reporter’s question regarding Palin’s experience with national security:

Reporter : Well, you say you’re sure that [Palin] has the experience. But again, I’m just asking for an example: what experience does she have in the field of national security?

McCain : (slight pause) Energy…she knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America. She is the Govenor of the state that 20% of America’s energy supply comes from there. And we all know that energy is a critical and vital national security issue. We got to stop sending 700 billion dollars to countries that don’t like us very much.  She’s very well versed on that issue. And she happens to be Governor of a state that’s right next to Russia.  She understands that Russia and their newly aggressive behavior in the world, which is something we also have to be concerned about.

In McCain’s infinite and ancient wisdom, the saving grace Palin can pull out on doomsday will be knowledge on turning off a light switch when leaving the room, and where Russia is on a map?  The reporter had tremendous momentum until he basically took that money shot of response to the chest.  How can you call yourself a reporter, and not ask McCain to ELABORATE?!  And shouldn’t he have his cronies spew the ignorant “Alaska is near Russia” argument for him?

Video is below.  To see all the perplexing goodness, fast-forward to 4:34.

[Interview via Ben Smith @ Politico]