Gov. Rendell: You'd Impeach Me If I Acted Like Gov. Palin

[Richard Tafoya]

Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/08/rendell-if-i-was-palin-yo_n_124879.html

Gov. Ed Rendell decried a double standard in the treatment of Sarah Palin on Monday, saying that if it was he who was at the center of the "troopergate" investigation, the press would be calling for his head.

"She [claims to be] a reformer," said the Pennsylvania Democrat. "And yet she is being investigated on the charge that she used her power as governor to fire someone who was going through a messy divorce with a relative of hers. Could you imagine if I was doing the same thing in Pennsylvania? You would be calling for my impeachment."

The remarks came at the end of a long list of criticisms that Rendell, one of the foremost supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary, launched against the Republican vice presidential nominee. Ignoring the directive of the Obama campaign to focus attentions on McCain, Rendell called out Palin on everything from ethics to earmarks.

"[The McCain camp] has tried to again obscure the facts about Gov. Palin. 'She is a reformer and against earmarks.' No she isn't, when she was mayor of that town she hired a lobbyist to get earmarks... 'She was against the bridge to nowhere.' No she wasn't. She was for the bridge to nowhere first... She is a budget balancer. But she left the town in greater debt then when she became mayor, so she is not a budget balancer."

"I like her," Rendell concluded. "She is a good person, she has tremendous potential but in no way shape or form is she ready to be president of the United States."


...


"First of all, let me say it should be embarrassing for the Republican ticket that Rick Davis, Sen. McCain's campaign manager, said 'this election is not about issues.' Good lord, with all the challenges facing America it has to be about issues...They don't want to talk about issues because when the truth comes out about issues the American people will favor Sen. Obama tremendously."

The Republicans, he added, "would make the all time all-star team for spiders the way they can spin."

[FOJ]

I live here in Pennsylvania; I voted for Rendell, and I like him. But I have to disagree with him here. The verdict is not in yet on what Palin did or didn't do in the trooper investigation. Second, if he really wants to talk readiness to be President, let's look at the TOP of the Democratic ticket, rather than the BOTTOM of the GOP ticket.

[Richard Tafoya]

The working assumption is that in a McCain/Palin White House, the medical odds are that McCain won't live out his term.

And the McCain campaign has made his ticket about the VP. She's doing the speeches and drawing the crowds. She's pulling in the surge of white females, according to this week's polls. Without her, he'd be trailing badly.

So they've made the story about her.

[tiger_rascal]

I have a feeling its all going to be about Palin for the next 2 months.

McCain who?
Obama who?

[Annoyedlistner]

I live here in Pennsylvania; I voted for Rendell, and I like him. But I have to disagree with him here. The verdict is not in yet on what Palin did or didn't do in the trooper investigation. Second, if he really wants to talk readiness to be President, let's look at the TOP of the Democratic ticket, rather than the BOTTOM of the GOP ticket.

More than anytime in recent history the GOP VP nominee is extremely important. If McCain is elected he will the oldest President on inauguration day in the history of the United States, couple that with that fact that he has had numerous bouts of skin cancer.

Who the GOP picks is extremely important, if McCain is elected we need to have someone in office that is ready to lead this country.

I dont feel comfortable with Palin doing so.

If you want to compare experience fine go for it. Obama has been in the US Senate for 4 years, and served 8 years in the Illinois state senate.

Joe Biden has been in the senate since 1973.

Sarah Palin has been gov for 2 years and before that Mayor of a city with less than 25k people for 6 years.

Oh wait i forgot, she was the president of the PTA as well.

She also believes that the US Army is performing God's Will in Iraq........

[DoubleEdgeSword]

I live here in Pennsylvania; I voted for Rendell, and I like him. But I have to disagree with him here. The verdict is not in yet on what Palin did or didn't do in the trooper investigation. Second, if he really wants to talk readiness to be President, let's look at the TOP of the Democratic ticket, rather than the BOTTOM of the GOP ticket.

Rendell said "the press would be calling for my head." It's important to read critically.

When voting for a president, I research the issues on both sides. Of course, I will be more strongly drawn to the candidate who shares my views on the issues; however, another maybe even more important factor is my gut feeling about whether or not I trust a candidate's experience, decision making and leadership abilities.

On the first count, McCain fails my litmus test. I do, however, believe he would be a capable leader. Obama scores two for two.

But, if I were leaning toward McCain, I would have to consider Palin. It would be negligent for a voter to do any less. On both counts above, she fails miserably in my book. I truly believe that too many voters are caught up in the social issues with Palin and ignoring the second part of the equation.

[SparkleHugs]

Annoyedlistener, the population of her city wasn't even 10k. :o

I live in a really small town in CA. 13,552 people live there, I would not deem our lovely mayor capable of running the entire country. Much less a city of 5000+ people. it's ridiculous.

executive experience is not the same, just because you run a city doesnt make you qualified. and she's been govenor for 20 months.

I think Obama has exemplified himself as he said in his speech to have the temperment to be in that office and make those decisions. I do not trust Palin has the same temperment.

[FOJ]

It is my opinion that being a governor is much more relevant experience than being a state senator. And while he's been in the US Senate for four years, he's been running for president since the day he was sworn in. That four years has done little to prepare him for being the President.

I understand the "Palin is a heartbeat away"; but she is a heartbeat away - she's not the President. Obama will be the president from day one, and if he's not qualified, we're in for a whole different challenge as Americans.

Personally, I think both are qualified. But I don't agree that Obama is qualified with his experience, but Palin is not. In my mind, they're either both qualified, or neither.

[tiger_rascal]

I think they should mix it up. Give Palin to Obama, and Biden to McCain.

Has any democrats and republicans ran together in US politics? Or is it always like that game of dodgeball in jr. high, all the athletic kids on one team and the weak ones on the other.

[Annoyedlistner]

It is my opinion that being a governor is much more relevant experience than being a state senator. And while he's been in the US Senate for four years, he's been running for president since the day he was sworn in. That four years has done little to prepare him for being the President.

I understand the "Palin is a heartbeat away"; but she is a heartbeat away - she's not the President. Obama will be the president from day one, and if he's not qualified, we're in for a whole different challenge as Americans.

Personally, I think both are qualified. But I don't agree that Obama is qualified with his experience, but Palin is not. In my mind, they're either both qualified, or neither.

She has more experience because she's a Governor and Obama is a Senator?

If your going by that statement, then she has more experience than McCain as well..............

Lets not forget the last person we elected as President was a Governor....look how ****ty of a job he's done.

[SparkleHugs]

I would tend to agree that govenor is a more proper job for executive training. However, Palin has only been govenor for 20 months. she hasnt completed a full term. I am not saying that Obama necessarily has more experience or better experience, i am just saying she does not. The GOP's ability to pull the experience card is not greatly deminished by their VP choice.

I would say that most politicians are running for the Presidency from the time they were in college.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

I understand the "Palin is a heartbeat away"; but she is a heartbeat away - she's not the President.

What specifically makes you believe that Gov. Palin is qualified to step into the office of President from day one? She has to be, given your statement above and our Constitution.

[db44]

Being the executive of Alaska though? How diverse is Alaska, not as people, but resources and such? I can't imagine Alaska, isolated and seemingly similar all around, offering all the various angles from from all 49 other states.

[pinky]

Not only is Alaska not as diversified as the rest of the country, it also has the advantage of oil company money to help the budget. As governor, Palin has had the luxury of running a state with more than enough money to fund its budget (and yet still lobbies for earmarks, which McCain opposes). What in her experience leads anyone to assume that she would be capable of running the federal bureaucracy, which employs more than 4 times the entire population of Alaska, and which runs at huge deficits?

Nothing in her experience in Wasilla or Juneau has prepared her for that.

[FOJ]

What makes anyone think that Obama is qualified to do the same? Has he ever handled a budget? For that matter, what experience handling a budget does Joe Biden have? Being a member of Congress is not the same as being at the reigns like the President is.

Alaska has unique challenges such as its geographic location, widely dispersed and very diverse population, environmental concerns, and of course, ENERGY! Before becoming governor of that state, against some stiff competition, she had to show the voters that she had a command of these issues....and she did.

What makes Delaware, a smaller state in size and population, so much better a training ground for Mr. Biden?

And I keep having to remind everyone, MCCAIN will be the president.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

What makes anyone think that Obama is qualified to do the same? Has he ever handled a budget? For that matter, what experience handling a budget does Joe Biden have? Being a member of Congress is not the same as being at the reigns like the President is.

Alaska has unique challenges such as its geographic location, widely dispersed and very diverse population, environmental concerns, and of course, ENERGY! Before becoming governor of that state, against some stiff competition, she had to show the voters that she had a command of these issues....and she did.

What makes Delaware, a smaller state in size and population, so much better a training ground for Mr. Biden?

And I keep having to remind everyone, MCCAIN will be the president.

I asked you to give specific reasons. Base those reasons on the duties of the President. I've heard all the generalities. I want specifics.

[Annoyedlistner]

What makes anyone think that Obama is qualified to do the same? Has he ever handled a budget? For that matter, what experience handling a budget does Joe Biden have? Being a member of Congress is not the same as being at the reigns like the President is.

Alaska has unique challenges such as its geographic location, widely dispersed and very diverse population, environmental concerns, and of course, ENERGY! Before becoming governor of that state, against some stiff competition, she had to show the voters that she had a command of these issues....and she did.

What makes Delaware, a smaller state in size and population, so much better a training ground for Mr. Biden?

And I keep having to remind everyone, MCCAIN will be the president.


Your right McCain is running for president...but if your going to ask those questions about budgets and being in congress in regards to Biden and Obama then you cant give McCain a free pass either.

You can not sit here and say that McCain has more experiance than Biden does as Biden has been in the Senate 12 years longer than McCain has.

If you want to talk about budgets please take a look at the Wasilla budget that Palin ran into the ground when she was mayor.

she was mayor of a small town for 6 years and has only been gov. for 20 months...in my book she is NOT qualified to be president if something happens to McCain.

[pinky]

McCain might be President, but for how long?

Biden, Obama, and McCain have all been responsible for studying and approving the federal budget.

[LesterX]

Alaska has unique challenges such as its geographic location, widely dispersed and very diverse population, environmental concerns, and of course, ENERGY! Before becoming governor of that state, against some stiff competition, she had to show the voters that she had a command of these issues....and she did.


Unique challenges, huh? How do those "unique" challenges translate into her being qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?

Please explain Alaska's "very diverse" population. I've looked at the Census data and diversity is not the first word that comes to my mind. I see lots of homogeneity in terms of race, language, educational attainment, etc.

[FOJ]

No one will convince those predisposed to reject her. I've laid out that I think her experience is relevant and why. Keep in mind that I think Obama is qualified. I make hypothetical arguments to the contrary because I think its a joke that someone firmly believes he's qualified, but Palin is not.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

FOV, the other three candidates are known entities. They have been in the public eye long enough for the country to pretty much know who they are. This is not the case with Gov. Palin.

She came out of nowhere, gave a few scripted speeches and has since been kept away from the press. The voting public has a right to find out who this woman is and we don't have much time.

You really have spoken in generalities, as has the McCain spokespeople. We'll learn more when she starts doing interviews. I really hope this Charles Gibson interview isn't window dressing and then, that's it. I hope she's not sequestered again, away from the press; that would be a monumental disservice to the American voters. We'll see.

She very well may be qualified. At this point, we don't know. There are many questions she needs to answer.

[Annoyedlistner]

No one will convince those predisposed to reject her. I've laid out that I think her experience is relevant and why. Keep in mind that I think Obama is qualified. I make hypothetical arguments to the contrary because I think its a joke that someone firmly believes he's qualified, but Palin is not.

why do you think its a joke that people think he's qualified and she's not? Obama has more experience than she does on both a state and federal level. That is a proven fact....not an opinion.

[LesterX]

No one will convince those predisposed to reject her. I've laid out that I think her experience is relevant and why.

You've laid out the Republican talking points. When asked specific questions, you elect not to answer them.

[FOJ]

why do you think its a joke that people think he's qualified and she's not? Obama has more experience than she does on both a state and federal level. That is a proven fact....not an opinion.

State legislator experience does not qualify one to be president. The two roles have nothing in common. Being a half-term US senator who's been campaigning since arrival in DC does little more to prepare one for the Oval Office.

It may be proven fact that Obama has been in government longer than Palin, but it does not prove that his experience is salient to the office he now seeks.

[db44]

However, he has his finger on the pulse of this nation.

Palin, in her limited time, does not. Her comments about not knowing about Iraq and such are proof of that.

As such, Obama's experience is much more valuable than Palin's.

[Annoyedlistner]

State legislator experience does not qualify one to be president. The two roles have nothing in common. Being a half-term US senator who's been campaigning since arrival in DC does little more to prepare one for the Oval Office.

It may be proven fact that Obama has been in government longer than Palin, but it does not prove that his experience is salient to the office he now seeks.

laughable.

Being Maylor of a city with less than 6k people and being a gov. of a state that ranks 47th in population for less than 2 years makes her fit to be president if something happens to McCain?

[db44]

Nevermind that that stat, number 47 as you said, is an oil lobbyist unto itself.

McCain talks about being anti-lobby, then brings in someone from of of two states that can be considered part of that lobby? And after eight years of the governor of that other state has screwed up this economy?

[Annoyedlistner]

Nevermind that that stat, number 47 as you said, is an oil lobbyist unto itself.

McCain talks about being anti-lobby, then brings in someone from of of two states that can be considered part of that lobby? And after eight years of the governor of that other state has screwed up this economy?

Palin has been gov of a state with less than 700,000 people.....

I can not grasp how people think Palin is qualified to be our VP or President...it blows my mind.