Independent groups sound off on Palin

[Curator]

The Detroit Free Press conducted a focus group last night, and found that independents weren't impressed at all.

"Sarah Palin came across as the small town girl who made good. I knew that I disagreed with her on some issues before this evening. After listening to her speech ... it appears that once she makes up her mind, that is the end of it. We live in a gray world, not every answer is black and white." -- Diane Murphy, 42, Sterling Heights independent

"I was completely underwhelmed. She was a Republican novelty act with a sophomoric script. It was not even a speech I would expect for a someone running for the local PTA, much less for vice president." -- George Lentz, 66, Southfield independent

"Who is Sarah Palin? I'm sorry but I still don't know anymore about this young lady tonight than I did last night ... The way it looks to me, she's the Republican vice presidential nominee for one reason: because Hillary wasn't selected." -- Mike Kosh, 38, West Bloomfield independent

"Sarah Palin is a self-described 'pitbull with lipstick.' She spent little time helping Americans learn who she is. She is a cool, poised speaker, but her speech contained few statements about policy or the party platform.... I am not convinced that Palin's experience as a mayor or governor in Alaska meet the qualifications to be vice president much less one stroke or heart attack away from being commander in chief." -- Ilene Beninson, 52, Berkley independent

"Nothing worked for me. I found her barrage of snide remarksand distortions to be a major turn off. She is not a class act. The most important point she made is that she will be an effective attack dog." -- Jan Wheelock, 58, Royal Oak independent

"Sarah got as much applause as Hillary did, and had a friendly, appealing appearance. Her delivery style reminded me of a high school valedictorian who also might have been a cheerleader. I thought she would appear more professional, more stateswomanly. She's no match for Joe Biden." -- Joellen Gilchrist, 64, Beverly Hills independent

The Women's Voices/Women Vote Action Fund sponsored a similar focus group in Nevada, and found relatively similar responses.

No party identification was made available, though the approximately two dozen women were reportedly between 30 and 60 years old.

In the "married" group, when one attendee kicked off the discussion by saying "she's a good speaker, and a crowd pleaser," the rest of the room articulated their agreement. "I didn't expect to be as impressed as I was," said another respondent. But then another woman added: "Once she started mudslinging, I thought, it's the same old crap as other politicians. McCain used her to get the women's vote. And she's using McCain."

"Thank you," another woman responded. "That really upset me; there was no need for that. It was snippy."

The unmarried group also voiced similar objections to the harsh, partisan edge of Palin's remarks. "I'm not impressed with her at all as a person," one said, citing her "finger pointing" and general sarcasm after the group had generally agreed that she was a talented public speaker.

Still not all focus group members thought Palin came off too harsh. "She didn't seem very aggressive to me at all," said one unmarried participant.

But in both groups, narrow majorities said they held a more negative view of Palin after her speech. "She comes off pretty cutthroat," said one.

On other issues, women in both groups said they wanted to hear more of Palin's own policy views, outside the realm of energy. Education, heath care, the economy and Iraq were all cited as areas in which women were hungry for more information -- especially in light of McCain's age. "I think America is concerned, because of McCain's age, that we're gonna have a female president who's maybe inexperienced. The nation needs to know what her issues are," said one married respondent, which prompted another to add: "I don't think she's got what it takes." An unmarried participant said she had yet to hear enough "in regards to her personal views, which could be implicated on us if McCain was to die."

When prompted to respond to Palin's steadfast opposition to abortion -- even in cases of rape or incest -- no woman in either group stepped forward to defend the Alaskan Republican. "I don't dig that," said one married woman, matter of factly.

[Becfola]

The rape/abortion issue will BURY Palin

who wants to bet she flip flops in the next 60 days?

[julia]

The rape/abortion issue will BURY Palin

who wants to bet she flip flops in the next 60 days?

Look at this sad statistic I have found:

(I included its context)

Milwaukee has the 7th
highest teen pregnancy rate in the U.S:

Teen births cost the Milwaukee area $48 million a year.
85% of teen births are paid for through tax dollars.
70% of teen mothers never finish high school.
71% of babies born to teen mothers are fathered by men over the age
of 20, which is considered
statutory rape.
23% become pregnant during
sexual assault.

High teen pregnancy rates hurt families, community - News

[Becfola]

Look at this sad statistic I have found:

(I included its context)

Milwaukee has the 7th
highest teen pregnancy rate in the U.S:

Teen births cost the Milwaukee area $48 million a year.
85% of teen births are paid for through tax dollars.
70% of teen mothers never finish high school.
71% of babies born to teen mothers are fathered by men over the age
of 20, which is considered
statutory rape.
23% become pregnant during
sexual assault.

High teen pregnancy rates hurt families, community - News

If their were ever a serious wedge issue...this will be it

forcing women to give birth to children of rape will bring people to the polls

it's just utterly sick...You'll have to excuse me, I know I sound like a broken record, but I am truly terrified for women.

one reporter has brought up this issue today (that I have seen)

well that and Cindy McCain commented today that she disagrees with Palin on that issue

[julia]

Well, stepford Cindy only has pillow talk influence while Sarah P could appoint Supreme Court justices.

I believe the stat i heard on npr while driving last night was that 20% of VPs have become president.
(Talk of the Nation-Political Junkie)

[Becfola]

Well, stepford Cindy only has pillow talk influence while Sarah P could appoint Supreme Court justices.

I believe the stat i heard on npr while driving last night was that 20% of VPs have become president.
(Talk of the Nation-Political Junkie)

yes...this is a dangerous time for women if McCain wins and then dies unexpectedly

remember Sara's a "pitbull", I guess that means she will stop at nothing to subjugate women to violent criminals


or she'll flip flop for the run, and then try to ruin the lives of women after she becomes VP.

[julia]

yes...this is a dangerous time for women if McCain wins and then dies unexpectedly

remember Sara's a "pitbull", I guess that means she will stop at nothing to subjugate women to violent criminals


or she'll flip flop for the run, and then try to ruin the lives of women after she becomes VP.

I believe that pit bulls are not know for being smart!


I can't wait for my very repub family members to give me their povs on Sarah P-Not.

[RK77]

What bothers me here, just as it did with Hillary, is Palin's disregard and disrespect for women.

ONE WEEK---I have to say it again ---ONE WEEK, after the anniversary of Women's Suffrage this woman stood before america and demeaned the work of each and every woman who made it possible for her to be standing there.