Wasn't John Kerry a "strong white male Dem"?

Yes he was, Jack. But at that time the USA was in the grip of a media inspired mania and the various anomolous economic realities had not made themselves felt through much of America. Interesting however what happened to the House of Representatives (Congress): one Nancy Pelosi (Dem) took over as speaker. And the Dems came into majority. As they do in the Senate, of course. And that's one of the sheer idiosyncracies of the US political system: the country can elect GOP leader, Dubya, but have both houses with a clear Dem majority! Bush, of course, had to use presidential decrees to foist his major expenditures onto an idiot American public!

McCain picks female running mate Interesting development... could well have mixed blessings for McCain.

She's been variously described as a 'conservative' and an 'anti-abortionist'.

Is that your precis of the article I linked to? :lol:

No, I was just watching television when I read your post! Let's be honest here. The yanks now have a really poor choice for President and Vice President.

I think that she's been picked because she's an 'alternative Clinton', no other reason so the women who don't like Obama can vote GOP without feeling so guilty. To me it's cynical and an obvious ploy... so the Americans won't see it at all and McCain should win. Yeah, what a shit choice!

But it is going to be interesting, nevertheless. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/04/uselections2008.sarahpalin1

Watched her late last night. She did well, credit given where credit is due. BUT! She has next to no experience, and as they keep pointing out over there, she is a heartbeat from the presidency if McCain gets elected... that is McCain's last heartbeat. That would worry a lot of people.

Heard the silly bitch this morning on TV; she has a most annoying and prototypical Post Modern American woman's voice: whinning and shrill. Awful. The thought of that banging out of the idiot TV for the next few months is too horrible to contemplate. What is truly amazing though is the sheer amount of media coverage the US election is receiving this time around. As if it is really important to UK voters and taxpayers! Methinks the media clowns have confused politics with celebrity! I also find totally obnoxious how these politicians keep going on about "Our great country!" Time they woke up! It isn't; it's now a shit tip. She also went on about "Our brave boys in Iraq fighting for our country!" What bollocks! Why can't she be honest and state unequivocably, "Fighting for our major oil companies and the Bush Consortium's pension fund!" Silly me: be honest - politician. Classic oxymoron. :roll:

whinning Do you mean whinnying or whining? Both could be appropriate! I was not wanting to appear sexist by referring to her grating voice and accent, but I have to agree, it is truly irritating! She handled the situation well and I can see that she will be tenacious and a tough opponent for anyone... but the same can be said of a pitbull terrier. It is that which makes it a terrifying prospect for the future because, like a pitbull, she has limited ability in other spheres and her abilities will be limited to that of her handlers. She's a 'point and shoot' politician... don't think too much and then do it. Is that the ideal quality for the presidency? After 8 years of that shit from Bush, she could well wind up being the female version... scary indeed.

She is a cosmetic foil to a stumbling old fool. That said, I still maintain he will win: Obummer cannot: only since he is seen as black. We shall see.

I agree that it is unlikely that Obama will win. He played too safe with Biden and that was a massive mistake. McCain has done something that may just prove to be a masterstroke and may just guarantee him the presidency... but there is a long way to go between now and Nov 4th and many head to heads in which Palin is going to go head to head with Biden and I suspect that his experience may give him the best of it... but never underestimate the fighting ability of a pitbull... or a barracuda. Having dived with barracuda I know what that feels like... very safe unless you want to get in with a feeding frenzy!

Crikey Tony, you sound as though you quite fancy her!!

I'd rather stick pins in my eyes... to rephrase a a Paul Newman statement on fidelity: Why go out for roadkill when you've got fliet mignon at home?