Outrageous Makeover: Palin as Fashion Diva

I see the Republican party didn’t like Palin’s hockey mom image. Over the last few months they’ve spent more than $150,000 to make her over. Apparently the clothes (listed as “campaign accessories” in the Republican expenses) are to be donated to charity.

No wonder Palin wanted to be the V-P candidate. Any person male or female would love to have a shopping spree like this one. Substance can’t be bought, so they bought appearance instead.

Fortunately after November 4, 2008, Palin can return to Alaska. I wager that a year from now she will just be a footnote in history.  Palin’s selection as McCain’s running mate will go down as one of his biggest blunders. Not because she is a woman, but for lack of substance.

Vice Presidential Candidate Predictions

Before Barack Obama and John McCain announce their choices of running mates I thought I would post my predictions.

Republican Ticket
John McCain and Tom Ridge

Democratic Ticket
Barack Obama and Joe Biden

If this comes about I actually believe they would be excellent choices. We’ll soon see as the conventions for both parties near. Traditionally the VP choices are announced a week or two before the conventions open.

Election 2008: The Contenders

Someone once said, “It ain’t over til it’s over.” Well I believe it’s all over and the candidates are set for the general election in November, vice presidential running mates to be decided soon.

In the Democratic corner is Senator Barack Obama from Illinois trying to become the first African-American president.

Factoids:
Photo: Associated Press

Born August 4, 1961, Honolulu, Hawaii (age when inaugurated would be 47)
Family: Married Michelle Robinson (1992-present); Children: Natasha (2001) and Malia Ann (1999)
Religion: Christian; attends Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago
Education: Columbia University, B.A., 1983; Harvard University, J.D., 1991
1990s: Practiced civil rights law and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School.
1997-2005: Illinois state senator, representing the 13th District.
July 27, 2004: Delivered keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.
November 2004: Won the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois, defeating Alan Keyes.
Author: “Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance” (1995); “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream” (2006) and “It Takes a Nation: How Strangers Became Family in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina” (2006).
2008: presumptive Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

And in the Republican corner is Senator John McCain from Arizona attempting to be the oldest president.

Factoids
Photo: Official U.S. Senate photo

Born: August 29, 1936, Panama Canal Zone (age when inaugurated would be 72)
Family: Married Cindy Hensley (May 17, 1980 – present); Carol Shepp (1965-1980, divorced); Children: Bridget, 1991 (adopted from Bangladesh, 1992); Jimmy, 1988; Jack, 1986; Meghan, 1984; Sidney, 1966; Adopted sons from Carol’s previous marriage: Andy, 1962, and Doug, 1959.
Religion: Episcopalian
Education: U.S. Naval Academy, B.S.
1967-1973: McCain held prisoner by the North Vietnamese after his plane shot down.
1977-1981: Director at the Navy Senate Liaison Office.
1981-1982: Vice president of Hensley & Company.
1983-1987: U.S. representative from Arizona’s 1st District.
1986: Won the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Sen. Barry Goldwater.
1990s: Worked with Democrats on normalizing relations and increasing trade with Vietnam.
March 9, 2000: Dropped out of the presidential race after Super Tuesday losses, and endorsed George W. Bush.
2004: Apparently Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry asked McCain to be his vice-presidential running mate, and that McCain refused.

Awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross after his release as a POW in Vietnam. McCain’s father and grandfather were both U.S. Navy admirals. They were the first father and son to achieve that rank.