By Nitya

Sep 3, 2008 6:28pm

Will Palin Win Ben Stein’s Vote? Stein: ‘She Scares Me’

ABC News’ Lindsey Ellerson and Nitya Venkataraman Report: Political commentator and actor Ben Stein, in a starring role this week as one of the Republican National Convention’s biggest celebrities, told ABC News he has his concerns about Sen. John McCain’s, R-Ariz., vice presidential pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, but hopes it "works out for him."

Stein, a former speechwriter in the Nixon and Ford administrations, expressed doubt over McCain’s VP curveball. "I don’t know if she scares Obama, but she scares me — and I hope I turn out to be totally wrong — but right now, she’s scaring me. He has chosen a very oddball, strange choice and, God bless him, I hope it works out for him.

"What if he wins the election and passes into eternity and she becomes president?" wondered Stein.  "I think it’s quite possible that he’ll win the election.  Whether or not we will be happy if he passes into eternity and she becomes president is a very big question."

Despite Stein’s strong reaction to Palin, he did give her some credit, saying she has "some credentials," just not enough "familiarity with national policy."

Stein may have had Minnesota Gov. and former McCain VP contender Tim Pawlenty on his mind in another reference to Palin when he stated that Palin was "like 52 to pickup, where you just toss a deck of cards up in the air and somebody has to pick them all up. Now the Republicans have to pick them all up, and Mr. McCain basically threw it all up in the air by picking Sarah Pawlenty, now we’ve got to pick it all up again," Stein said.

Given the busy and newsy week in presidential politics, Stein says being a celebrity at the convention feels like, "everything has been turned upside down."

"Movie stars are not stars," Stein said. "Movie stars are paper mache stars.  The real stars are in Afghanistan and Iraq, and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  The real stars are giving their hearts’ blood to defend this country and to suppress the terrorism."

Stein also doled out some advice for Palin in advance of her speech to the RNC Wednesday evening, suggesting she be declarative and stay true to her basic conservative values.

"Look here, I am Sarah Palin from Sandpoint, Idaho, I’m not from Harvard, I’m not from Yale, I’m not from Wellesley, I buy my clothes at Wal-Mart … I don’t have a cook, I don’t have a chauffeur, I don’t have an image consultant … I don’t have a maid, I clean up the house myself … But, I know what’s right and what’s wrong," Stein offered.

Stein recently wrote "How to Ruin the United States of America," with friend Phil DeMuth. The bottom line, he says, is "it’s great being in America." 

User Comments

I like what she’s accomplished in Alaska with that pipeline, amongst other things. She has the “right stuff” to pull this off. I’d prefer her “on-the-job training” to Obama’s anytime.

Posted by: obamamama1 | September 3, 2008, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm

You mean you like that she took the project from a coalition and gave it to a Canadian company instead?
Between Mike Murphy, Peggy Noonan, and Ben Stein, we’re getting a good look at what conservatives really think about this pick.

Posted by: Jonathan | September 3, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm

Why the lowest common denominator. An individual without a world view (recently got a passport), no expertise in foreign affairs, economy, health care, large city infrastructure, poverty, you name it. So she can shoot a moose from an airplane. Give me the one who made it, not because they went to a school (like Bush, or McCain, since they could not have gained admittance without being born into their family), but by their own merit. Obama pulled himself up, is brilliant, is an expert in the only oath the president should take “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” since he has been a professor of Constitutional Law at one of the most prestigious law schools in the world, and actually is respected by world leaders.
When Ben Stein sends his family member to a surgeon does he want the one that graduated top in his class, or graduated in the lowest 1% like McCain did in the Naval Academy? Give me brains and ability and wisdom. Tired of faith-based wackos.

Posted by: lxg | September 3, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm

Posted by: revealed | September 3, 2008, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm

I’m scared too. This right wing extremist is one bad biopsy away from being president should McCain win. There is simply so sense to this. Shame on McCain for putting my life and the lives of my family in such jeopardy.

Posted by: hang | September 3, 2008, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm

Northern Exposure

Posted by: Omentum | September 3, 2008, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm

Northern Exposed

Posted by: Omentum | September 3, 2008, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm

Did you hear the off-camera comments by the conservative commentators Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy (right wingers usually)? They called Palin “Complete Bull*sh**”, “totally unqualified”, “cynical” and “gimmicky”. And this is from the right! (Of course if any left wingers said this they would be “sexist” and evil). Its floating around the web.

Posted by: jane olin | September 3, 2008, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm

Let play the drinking game tonight. Every time Rudy Guliani uses the phrase nine eleven, take a drink! You’ll probably be drunk in in ten minutes! By the way, they just announced that after Sarah Palin gives her speech she leaving to see her son off to Iraq, then, she’ll be off to some sort of boot camp training inside the McCain campaign. Basically, it’s a strategy of Run and Hide. She won’t be available for any interviews with the press. What does that tell you? Run and Hide, Run and Hide!

Posted by: roxanne | September 3, 2008, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm

This whole republican party is getting worse the ones who do run for president are to funny the good ones stay in the back ground.I as an indp most of the time voted republican but people NOT this time…

Posted by: indp voter | September 3, 2008, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm

Only time will tell if Sarah has bigger or more cojones than her male counterpart politicians. She can handle the M16, she has cojones plus woman does not have the problems with premature ejectculations or ED as in male counterparts, so certain man who has such an issue who may feel inadequated to be around her. LOL.

Posted by: mtr2311 | September 3, 2008, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm

Let’s hope she doesn’t have PMS tonight.

Posted by: samurai | September 3, 2008, 7:25 pm 7:25 pm

Would love to sit and chat with you all, but our future vice-president is speaking at the GOP convention in a few hours and I’m getting the place ready for a crowd of supporters!!! Go Sarah!!
God bless, and ps. who cares what Ben Stein thinks?
:)

Posted by: Theresa T. | September 3, 2008, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm

lxg: ‘Brilliant’???? ‘Wisdom’????? You can’t be talking about Obama with those two words!! He may have booksmarts but he has no morals.
‘Respected by world leaders?’ yeah, terrorists.

Posted by: Mrs. R. | September 3, 2008, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm

So Sarah Palin, a strong women who goes after corrupt politicians and wins is a scary women. Good for her. Corruption is the middle name of the so-called Democratic (Socialist) Party since Obama took over. He belongs in jail with Rezko and other south Chicago hoodlums.

Posted by: Mary | September 3, 2008, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm

Mary: The singular of women is woman, Sarah Palin is a woman.

Posted by: samurai | September 3, 2008, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm

Just give me two honest, loyal
Americans not Socialist/Marxist
ideals of terrorists, black ideology,
communist radicals like Obama and
his terrorist friends Bill Ayers,
Jeremiah Wright and Tony Rezko. With
that kind of Community Organizer,
America will suffer.

Posted by: lou011 | September 3, 2008, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm

Poor Obama, his handlers tell him what to think, say, and do. Watch him without a tell-a-prompter– its Barrack Ostammer.
Sarah Palin is the real deal. No matter
how the media slams her, she has more class than all the dit reporters you can cram back under the rocks they crawled out from under.
Most don’t have enough collective brain cells to share a headache.

Posted by: Tiny | September 3, 2008, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm

Stein, if Stein is scared of Palin he should be frightened out of his wits by Obama. What the media does not want you to know about Obama.
“It seems Obama has occupied the executive chair two times in his life, one directing the Law Review and the other chairing the CAC. There’s nothing to show for the first and the second remains a mystery. All we really know is that $110 million (including over $60 million in public funds) was spent on a project that yielded no discernable result. To whom and for what was that money spent and how much of it, if any, might have been used primarily to grease the wheels of a political career?
What doesn’t Obama want us to know? That he was incompetent in his oversight? That he was merely a figurehead, his appointment a political favor made for resume enhancement purposes? That the one time he had both the opportunity and the means to make significant reforms in inner city education, he failed utterly and completely? What? Inquiring minds demand to know and have no intention taking the excuses proffered thus far for an answer.”
Posted by: Kyda Sylvester | August 21, 2008 02:48 AM

Posted by: terry | September 3, 2008, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm

Stein cried when Nixon resigned on national tv. Who gives a rats for what he thinks!?!

Posted by: argh! | September 3, 2008, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm

–samurai–You are correct. Sarah Palin is a woman but she has the guts to be three of Obama’s women. She believes in decency, family, country and duty.

Posted by: Mary | September 3, 2008, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm

Please help me understand how McCain buying the farm and Palin becoming Prez is of more concern than Obama being elected the Prez…Palin is the VICE Pres candidate not the Prez candidate. Shes being treated as though shes in the #1 spot, shes not. Obama;s getting a free pass on his utter lack of qualifications and he’s a breath away from being Pres, God help us…. I am scared to death of this phony, Obama, being anywhere near the Oval office.

Posted by: Schlomo | September 3, 2008, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm

Ben Stein looks and intelligence reminds me of those old TV programs such as All in the Family and Archie Bunker. He makes you laugh but you know he is just ignorant and not well informed.

Posted by: Martin | September 3, 2008, 8:49 pm 8:49 pm

I am happy she scares Stein and the spineless little liberals trying to ruin her. As for Peggy and the ilk, yapping like cowards, they will suffer for their own stupidity. They can’t even learn to hold their tongues after the Jesse Jackson incident.

Posted by: Africanus | September 3, 2008, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm

Sarah has EXECTUTIVE experience *running a government* (something NONE of the other candidates can actually boast, even John McCain as Governor of Alaska and got there by defeating the *incumbent* Republican Governor, who was definitely part of the “old school” and who WAS very much in the pocket of the big oil companies. We in Alaska wanted change – and we got it in the person of Sarah Palin!
Sarah Palin is everything she looks to be and more. Her approval rating as Governor of Alaska has been as high as 95% and is currently leveled out consistently in the upper 80 percentile throughout the state (and in both parties) – the HIGHEST approval rating of ANY sitting Governor.

Posted by: GoUSA247 | September 3, 2008, 9:05 pm 9:05 pm

Didn’t know if Ben Stein was still alive…good to hear he is. Loved him in “Farris Bueler’s day Off”. “Bueller…Bueller…Bueller”..ha classic!
Thanks for the update ABC…remember the red-headed guy who played the pricipal? What’s he think about Palin, he was great in that movie, he really cracked me up!!

Posted by: Joe | September 3, 2008, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm

Scare is understatement.

Posted by: ROME | September 3, 2008, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm

Ben Stein Washington insider. Palin scares all of them. Ford’s WIN button scared me

Posted by: geevill | September 3, 2008, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm

I’m betting McCain will live out his 4 years in office with great health and vigor and Gov. Palin will do a better job of learning from a pro, than Obama would do (with his celebrity ego) learning from Biden. Millions of Hillary supporters and bitter gun and bible hugging folks READY AND WAITING FOR A McCAIN/PALIN TICKET!

Posted by: Debra | September 3, 2008, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm

Excuse me, but is John McCain’s superior National Security experience from when he crashed & burned his plane on the aircraft carrier (& many shipmates died); or when he was shot down, captured and under torture made a propaganda tape against the U.S. I forget………..which one of those experiences will make him the best President???

Posted by: carefree | September 3, 2008, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm

People who buy the Peggy Noonan bit on You toobe are crazy if they don’t think that thing was doctored….did you see how few hits it had? C’mon – this would be all over the 3 cable networks as was the Jessie hot mic film. Never saw faces with words coming out….do you think this wasn’t tampered with?
Wake up…..McCain/Palin!

Posted by: Debra | September 3, 2008, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm

What’s really scary is after Republicans voting Bush into office twice and him lying us into war is, they are now trying to get us to believe that a woman with no foreign relations experience and had to ask exactly what are VP duties, will be ready on day one. Only Republicans are this dumb. No wonder this country has 2 wars going on and America is the laughing stock around the world. Republicans are demostrating time and time again poor judgments and they have the audacity to want 4 more years. NOT!

Posted by: vote4peace | September 3, 2008, 9:50 pm 9:50 pm

I too am tired of having undereducated people elected to run this country. We have some of the smartest people in the world, but not running the country! Why? Why do we elect presidents with C averages in college? Why do we nominate people who graduate in the bottom of their class, and who pick a running mate who only has an undergraduate degree in journalism?
We have the chance this year to elect someone who has shown he is very intelligent, having a law degree and graduating with his juris doctor magna cum laude from Harvard. Having graduated with my MSIA cum laude I can tell you how hard an accomplishment that is. His undergraduate degree was in political science. The man is a perfect choice to be president.
America, as one of your own, I am begging you, please wake up. Please stop buying what they are selling you. This isn’t a position about who you want to have a beer with. Show the world we are serious about our politicians. Show them we can elect someone to represent us with intelligence and character, not someone who doesn’t understand the economy and the modern world. Not someone with a bad temper who throws tantrums when he doesn’t get his way. Not someone whose running mate wants to destroy science education, and return us to the middle ages when the church was in charge of education.

Posted by: Stan | September 3, 2008, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm

Greetings Theresa,
“who cares what Ben Stein thinks?”
LOL, well I sure don’t … but you know what, YOU should. There are a LOT of Ben Steins out there. Even MORE independents. And I don’t care how “energized” the GOP base is, you CAN’T win the top job in this country with only 40% of the vote …

Posted by: truth seeker | September 3, 2008, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm

carefree,
There are a LOT of things wrong with McSame and the things he stands for … but his time in the Navy fighting for his country is NOT one of them.

Posted by: truth seeker | September 3, 2008, 10:12 pm 10:12 pm

As an outsider, not a citizen of your country, I would like to say that most of those ‘criticizing’ Ms Palin are misogynistic neanderthals who don’t understand the difference between analysis and ad hominom. Keep it up guys, you make great showcases for the intellectual prowess of your side.
Bwahahahahahaha

Posted by: Enkidu | September 3, 2008, 10:25 pm 10:25 pm

THE RNC TONIGHT LOOKED LIKE A HILLBILLY
FAMILY REUNION.
I REALLY NEEDED A GOOD LAUGH!
POOR REPULICANS!
PLEASENT DREAMS TONIGHT.
BOO

Posted by: JEFF W | September 3, 2008, 10:58 pm 10:58 pm

ben stein is and always was an arrogant foolish fairy. his family thinks he’s a passive homo but he hides it. he also likes little vietnamese boys – strange huh?!

Posted by: edgar hoovenprool | September 3, 2008, 11:54 pm 11:54 pm

I loved the speech tonight. Balanced budget appeals to me. The government is bringing in record revenue despite the tax cuts. We need smaller government and to quit spending so many stupid dollars. Pork barrel spending kills me and is stealing from our future. We need a republican ticket committed to smaller government and low taxes.
Obama promises everything to everyone and the only way thay works is crazy taxation. He promises tax cuts to 95 percent of Americans. Over 10 percent of taxpayers make over 100k for a family income. I have a really hard time believing he will cut taxes for the guy making 125k. The rich now pay a higher percentage of overall taxes than they did before the tax cuts. The rich are the ones who provide the jobs. No incentive to become rich is a set-up for people like me to stop with 3 employees rather than grow my business to 10 or more because the after tax reward is taken away. I am not wealthy yet, but that incentive is huge for me to want to grow my business. When I have more money my employees have more money too. They directly benefit from our success.

Posted by: Dave M | September 4, 2008, 12:08 am 12:08 am

McCain’s choice of Palin is completely logical. The McCain/Palin ticket is a clear contrast to Obama/Biden. Contrast Obama’s verbal flatulence with Palin’s accomplishments and successes.
The hypocrisy of the liberal Obama is underscored: while touting the equality of women, his minions rail against a successful woman. The Straight-talk express clearly contrasts with the corrupt Chicago machine influence peddling to crooks like Rezko and Ayres for cash and votes. Underpining this seamy gang of thieves is the corrupt MSM who dragged their feet over any mention of John Edwards, yet tripped over each other to villify Palin’s 17 year of daughter. We haven’t seen this much hypocrisy since the party of Women’s Liberation was in the tank defending the debauchery of Cigar Willie Clinton

Posted by: Marcy | September 4, 2008, 12:56 am 12:56 am

I hope Stein goes on a “voyage of personal discovery” so that he can figure out who he is — then let the rest of us know.
A lot of ‘conservative’ pundits were not kindly disposed toward the GOP nominee in 1980, as I recall — he was ‘a cowboy’, ‘too belligerent’, ‘dangerous’, ‘not very bright’, etc. Oh, the very different tune they sang just four years later, let alone eight years on.
There is a reason why our national leaders are chosen by the people and not by a cadre of ‘elites’. The founders’ vision was thoroughly vindicated in 1980 and 1984, and will be again this year.

Posted by: Craig | September 4, 2008, 1:36 am 1:36 am

This Ben character was as funny as a crutch Ralph in his so called commercials…biggest word he used was ‘WOW”..Is talent so difficult to find now a days this not funny individual gets attention from the media like this one..when I had a moron in class I would first give em a look,then ignore him.finally send him to the deans office for being a nuisance..wheres my pencil?

Posted by: Nino | September 4, 2008, 1:41 am 1:41 am

Ben Stein is an intuitive and wise man. This night we got to see an aggressive and ambitious women who is unappreciative of anyone getting in her way. Palin may have appeased her Evangelical Christian community associates, but what she relates to is a silver of the U.S. population so what she has to offer is of little interest to the majority. McCain has now become an Obama’s major vote getter.

Posted by: Lou R | September 4, 2008, 1:59 am 1:59 am

I 100% agree. The RNC looked sounded like something out of Deliverance, actually. I can hear the guitar strumming now.
What a backasswards, completely average, hillbilly, armpit of America VP candidate they have.
It’s so sad that out of every, single politician the Republicans have, they had to pick her as their “best choice”. And, I’m a female, by the way. If she weren’t so low-class, I’d have to consider, but I don’t want her second in command in my country!!!!!

Posted by: RepublicanHater | September 4, 2008, 2:24 am 2:24 am

STFU Ben Stein! You’re a moron. Typical DC insider who just got pinched by McCain. Go back to your buddies at the CFR and give a strategy report. One less person in your pocket you weasle. I love it!

Posted by: mojo | September 4, 2008, 2:29 am 2:29 am

Well–
Frankly, since the right wing of the Republican Party supports ‘abstinence only’ sex education, without anything explicit–like how and when to use contraceptives–Sarah Palin’s daughter was pretty much ‘set up’…
And so was this 18-year-old Johnston guy. Given the circumstances–he’s 18 and his would-be mother-in-law has firearms, plus..she knows how to use them–that should influence his viewpoint towards marriage…eh?
I suppose Barack Obama had a point. His Mom was 18 when he was born; and that marriage lasted…Oops–wait a minute…
Never mind.
PJO

Posted by: Pat | September 4, 2008, 2:57 am 2:57 am

BEN STEIN, WHAT DOES SHE SCARE YOU ABOUT, THAT SHE CAN STAND UP TO GUTTER TRASH LIKE YOU AND THE REST OF YOUR LEFT WING DEMOCRATIC SLIME BAGS??????

Posted by: ROSE | September 4, 2008, 3:28 am 3:28 am

Hm, as the only one of you folks commenting here who actually knows Sarah and her family personally, I know most of you are all a bunch of ignorant and stupid people grasping at straws and guessing about a candidate you only just heard about. You really have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Listen to yourselves for once and realize just how stupid you really sound. It’s just amazing to watch the entire country act so immaturely based on so little information. I’m glad none of you are running for this office. Sheesh – get a clue, and get a grip.

Posted by: ArcticWatcher | September 4, 2008, 3:36 am 3:36 am

Stayed up late to watch Sarah.
She’s GREAT!

Posted by: Sam Deakins | September 4, 2008, 4:21 am 4:21 am

Every last comment I’ve read here reads like the product of an imbecile. What a pathetic pack of cretins.

Posted by: Jerry Burkowitz | September 4, 2008, 4:23 am 4:23 am

Jerry, you’re right. These people are vile.

Posted by: LongleDongle | September 4, 2008, 4:25 am 4:25 am

Ben, I wish you naysayers in the party would just shut up! Governor Palin has more executive experience than Barack Obama and Joe Biden combined.
There muslim terrorists out there, some probably homegrown, who must be done away with. You and I both know the empty suits from the other side will not do the job….unless we discover that the terrorists will surrender if we raise their taxes.

Posted by: Sundance 44 | September 4, 2008, 5:30 am 5:30 am

Stan
Absolutely NOTHING you mention makes a person qualified to be President.

Posted by: zeb | September 4, 2008, 6:51 am 6:51 am

Ben has always been a closet Democrat. He doesn’t like low marginal tax rates and still insists that high rates = more revenue – history be damned. Sarah scares him but BO doesn’t – he wants experience – like Joe Biden – Joe could live to be 200 and still be an idiot. I’d personally take my chances with a random pick from the phone book to a Joe Biden presidency. And who needs BO? Just invite Fidel to take over and you’ll have a guy with lots of experience. Why elect an amatuer commie when you can have a real pro?
McCain is bad news but miles ahead of the other two bozo’s. Sarah is the only one that doesn’t scare me.

Posted by: jose goldfinger | September 4, 2008, 6:53 am 6:53 am

Are ye so easily fooled by the so called two-party system? They both serve the same master and it’s NOT the people!
VOTE ALAN KEYES – if you really want CHANGE THAT COUNTS! “Restoring government of, for and by the people”

Posted by: Mister Political | September 4, 2008, 8:40 am 8:40 am

“Excuse me, but is John McCain’s superior National Security experience from when he crashed & burned his plane on the aircraft carrier (& many shipmates died); or when he was shot down, captured and under torture made a propaganda tape against the U.S. I forget………..which one of those experiences will make him the best President???”
You moron. He was sitting in an airplane on the flight deck, ready to take off when a missile from a DIFFERENT airplane accidentally fired and struck his.
And how long could you continue to give the names of the Green Bay Packers offense instead of your flight mates under torture?
It’s a suprise you’re allowed to walk the streets by yourself. I wish people were required to take an IQ test before being allowed to post online or vote.

Posted by: Frank H | September 4, 2008, 9:58 am 9:58 am

“I 100% agree. The RNC looked sounded like something out of Deliverance, actually. I can hear the guitar strumming now.
What a backasswards, completely average, hillbilly, armpit of America VP candidate they have.”
Yeah, and city boys like you think meat comes from the grocery store, and the world stops at the city limits.
Wise up boy, don’t forget the last two demoncratic presidents came from “hillbilly country”.
This hillbilly could out think, out shoot, out fight, out debate, out hunt, outsmart, and do a better job than, any of the morons that you think are appropriate for the presidency.

Posted by: Frank H | September 4, 2008, 10:08 am 10:08 am

Geeze, Sarah Palin and her husband belonged to a fringe group the Alaska Independence party, that wants the state to secede from the US. So much for patriotism! She has also been quoted as saying that God sent the US to Iraq!! Whatever happened to separation church and state and isn’t that what the jihadis think – that they’re on a holy mission against the Crusaders. Palin just helped them make their case.
Amazing that some Americans want someone who graduated at the bottom of their class at Annapolis (and a journalistm major) over a Harvard trained constitutional lawyer (who cares about things like separation of church and state!) and Biden who is extremely bright.
Oh and George Bush is the poster child for “executive experience is WAY overrated and doesn’t trump intelligence or good judgement”.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080903/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_palin_iraq_war
god sent US to iraq war

Posted by: Kelly | September 4, 2008, 10:14 am 10:14 am

Sounds like Stein is basically afraid of women in general. Stein is like the left wing media. They have bashed Bush for the past eight years, then they bashed Hillary Clinton and now they are bashing Sarah Palin. Obama claims he wants to take care of the least of his brothers. Caring starts at home yet he doesn’t care if women kill little babies and allows his brother to live in a hut on twelve dollars a year. Maybe it scares Stein that Palin won’t kill her babies. If Obama doesn’t help his own flesh and blood, please tell me how he plans to take care of you? Obama thinks that people who cut American’s heads off should have special treatment and wants to cut spending for our soldiers instead. Obama appears to be afraid of women too. He avoided Hillary and played the race card. Jeremiah Wright taught him well. Our enemies think women are second class people and tortue them. I haven’t heard Stein say Jeremiah Wright scares him. Maybe Stein goes to the same church Obama went to for 20 years. Jeremiah Wright made fun of Michelle Obama when he said she just might sleep at the white house legally. Wright down graded all black women in America just in that one statement. Please tell me how many black women slept in the white house in the past 8 years illegally? The only thing Obama has told me in the months I have watched him on television is that he is going to raise every working man’s taxes and he is going to decide what to do with that money. America is at the turning point. Our soldiers have fought a good fight and freed millions of people. The cost to free those people isn’t cheap folks. It costs people’s lives and billions of dollars and if Obama starts charging us taxes now we might all have to go on welfare. Our soldiers stopped Saddam Hussein from brutally killing, maming and raping his people and taking his people’s money. Not to mention the millions of dollars he stole from the “oil for food program”. Hussein took from his people just like Obama plans to do and if you disagree with him he will have his army come after you. He wants to destroy our military and have his own police force when he gets in office. If you vote for Obama you will vote for the destruction of America and if that happens, the destruction of the rest of the world will follow. This November is that crucial and the left wing media wants to make you think everything will be just fine. It’s obvious that the left wing media doesn’t understand our enemies don’t give a damn if we are democrat, republican, black, white, christian, jew, gay, straight, man, woman or child. They want our heads and Obama will invite them to the white house for lunch. The only people left will be muslims and how many American blacks have become muslims in the past 30 years? Wake up America, our enemies are at the front door. I have never been racist my entire life, until I heard Jeremiah Wright with my own ears and when I see the left wing media treat him as a super star for their own agenda, all Americans black and white will suffer. The left wing media better wake up, because if they don’t, they better be ready to die. Obama’s preacher told the whole world our chickens have come home to roost on national television. If that doesn’t wake someone up, nothing will. It’s interesting that Obama didn’t scare Stein when Obama blantanly removed the American flag from his airplane when he made his famous European tour and bashed Americans overseas while our troops are still fighting. If Obama is elected, wonder what our new flag will look like? I’m sure it will have a picture of Obama, no doubt. Wonder what Louis Farrakahn and Jeremiah Wright will be doing at the white house? It was very interesting how Michelle Obama suddenly stopped talking in public. Not sure what happened to her in the last few months, but her whole demeanor changed dramatically at the democrat convention. Why didn’t that scare Stein? If he thinks Obama is ready to lead this country then he thinks Jeremiah Wright is too. If Palin scares Stein and Wright doesn’t scare him then Stein doesn’t have a brain. This is not a fight between black and white folks, this is a fight for truth and freedom. When the left wing media corrupts people’s minds and lie day after day and then claims ignorance, they are either scared to death or have already been bought and sold to our enemies. There’s no other explanation for the corruption the left wing media exploits every single day.

Posted by: debbie | September 4, 2008, 10:15 am 10:15 am

One more thing, I may be an independent but I definitely don’t agree with saying anything negative about McCain’s military service.

Posted by: Kelly | September 4, 2008, 10:19 am 10:19 am

Ben Stein certainly has nerve to call anyone else “oddball” or “weird.” He’s one of the oddest individuals that ever walked the face of the planet. What these media types don’t understand is that we really don’t care what they think. Most of US(Americans) didn’t go to Harvard and don’t have chauffeurs….We’re regular people. We identify with HER, Ben, and not with you snooty media types. And, by the way Ben, what experience do you have to make such a judgement? Zero. You’re a typical “insider” and your opinion means nothing to the average person.

Posted by: But Seriously | September 4, 2008, 11:35 am 11:35 am

Sure, Palin has some radical views, but its McCain who scares me.
He’s well known as Senator Hothead. A guy who tried to have a fist fight with a 95-year-old Strom Thurmond, after being interrupted during a speech. A guy with a pathological hatred of Russians and who single-handedly tried to reignite the Cold War last month (a guy who made the Bush Administration look measured and reasonable by comparison with its reaction to Russia).
I’ll take Miss Congeniality over Senator Hothead anyday.
She might think we were doing God’s work by invading Iraq, but he was the one promoting the invasion more than a year before Bush made the decision… on the David Letterman show of all places.

Posted by: Paul | September 4, 2008, 11:43 am 11:43 am

Liberals are all for opportunities for women, right? But they have to be ugly lesbian women. If they are intellegent, good looking, strong, and have morals; that cannot be tolerated by the left. Look at Hillary Clinton. Even she did not fit the mold for the far left. Hillary was swept out with the rubbish after the Democratic convention, off the radar screen for good as far as the left and the media is concerned.

Posted by: Jerry | September 4, 2008, 11:44 am 11:44 am

If Ms. Palin scares even many Republicans (who are really no longer conservatives) then I KNOW she is the right choice for VP!!!!
Stein is, and always WILL be, an idiot!! Pretty bad when you’re more known for uttering “Bueller” or doing eye wash commercials than you are for your supposed political acumen.

Posted by: Nick | September 4, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am

I don’t want an average anything as POTUS or next in line to POTUS. How about someone who is exceptional?

Posted by: xmarks | September 4, 2008, 11:57 am 11:57 am

You like the right-wing ticket? Don’t worry; your kids won’t ever be from Yale or Harvard, either. They can believe creationism is a form of science, and spend all their time trying to pass rote-learning tests.
The boys are needed for cannon-fodder in Iraq.
The girls are needed to poop out more babies — whether they like it or not — for the wars and the cheap labor, and the high taxes you don’t even get health care or infrastructure for; they need that money to pay off oil industry CEO’s and for the oil wars. You won’t even get decent bus sytems.
In the meantime, you stay home, keep your mouth shut, and buy at Walmart like the good little serfs and trailer trash the Repubs expect you to be.

Posted by: Dood | September 4, 2008, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm

Ben Stein scares me more than Sarah Palin ever could.

Posted by: dornooc | September 4, 2008, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm

Experience???? If Obama is elected and a city needs a “Community Organizer” WHO YOU GONNA CALL? OBAMA!

Posted by: William Reinson | September 4, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

I was wondering…if McCain/Palin wins in 2008, then McCain decides not to run for a second term, in 2012 it would be Palin and Clinton running for President!
Vote for a Democrat or Republican in 2012–either way we’ll have the first woman President!

Posted by: Deborah | September 4, 2008, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm

What?????? Michelle Obama dosen’t scare you , but Sarah Palin does. ….really Ben…… get real. Sincerely, Sharon S

Posted by: ssoldie | September 4, 2008, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm

and what was McCain going to do choose Lieberman, a pro-war neocon jew.
We are already afraid of McCain because of no child left behind (teachers union Weigarten a jew)
We are already afraid of prolonging the wars started by the Israeli Lobby, Israel and american jews in Afghanistan and Iraq….and afraid McCain will continue into Iran!
Our country cant handle these wars thanks to the bubble that Greenspan (jew) built. Our government and population are insolvent with debt.
Our economy is rife with immigrants and hollowed out thanks to Milton Freidman (jew) who like the pied piper preached free trade, free markets and free movement of labor. None of which has turned out to be free and hasnt diversified our economy but hollowed it out.
Like Rome when someone cut off the aquaducts….it someone cuts off our Supply Chain the US will fall in days.
While I like Ben Stein, but its very clear that it was the jews that destroyed this country at the alter of Israel.

Posted by: chris | September 4, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm

William Reinson | Sep 4, 2008 1:23:46 PM
Experience???? If Obama is elected and a city needs a “Community Organizer” WHO YOU GONNA CALL? OBAMA!
_____________________________________
Obama graduated at the top of his class at Columbia and Harvard unlike McCain who was 894 of 899 in his class at Annapolis. Guess that’s what happens when you’re a legacy admission. Obama could have written his ticket with a high paying job on Wall St. or in law but instead he took a job helping disadvantaged people.
He’s also worked as a civil rights lawyer, professor of constitutional law (yeah, we know Repubs don’t care about little things like the constitution),
State Senator and US Senator. That’s plenty of experience. George Bush had “executive experience” and we know how THAT worked out.Besides, “executive experience” running a fishing town of 6,000 and people wanted her recalled (LOL!) and then a 20-month governor of a thinly populated state. Spare us.

Posted by: KP | September 4, 2008, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm

jews do this country a dis-service when they demand to be treated individually but act as a group to dominate media, finance, etc….and act as a group to dominate our government and its foreign policy.
especially when the majority of the last 50 years since jews came into the inner circle of power they have not been loyal to our country but to Israel and their have had a multi-prongued attack against our nation. What multi-prongued attack.
-using civil rights for blacks to wage a war against anti-semetic whites
-exploiting sex and violence and anti-american propaganda in hollywood. Hollywood and media are dominated by jews
-beatniks and hippys came from jews.
-wife swapping, drugs, communes, orgies and pornography came from beatniks and hippys
-birth control and abortion came from jews
-anti-male, anti-husband, anti-father, anti-family feminist came from jews
now couple that with Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia and Gulf War all proxy wars for Israel
now couple that with immigration, free trade, etc destroying entire segments of our economy
now couple that with loose money to wallpaper it all over by treasury and federal reserve
oh and the last point Ben buddy, remember that at the same time we are saying that we dont have money for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans….Israel is getting $3 billion a year!
Yeup. thats what our country needs more jews running our country

Posted by: chris | September 4, 2008, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm

William Reinson | Sep 4, 2008 1:23:46 PM
Experience???? If Obama is elected and a city needs a “Community Organizer” WHO YOU GONNA CALL? OBAMA!
_____________________________________
Obama graduated at the top of his class at Columbia and Harvard unlike McCain who was 894 of 899 in his class at Annapolis. Guess that’s what happens when you’re a legacy admission. Obama could have written his ticket with a high paying job on Wall St. or in law but instead he took a job helping disadvantaged people (not something “compassationate conservatives” can relate to we realize).
He’s also worked as a civil rights lawyer, professor of constitutional law at a top law school (yeah, we know Repubs don’t care about little things like the constitution),
State Senator and US Senator. That’s plenty of experience. George Bush had “executive experience” and we know how THAT worked out.Besides, “executive experience” running a fishing town of 6,000 and people wanted her recalled (LOL!) and then a 20-month governor of a thinly populated state. Not to mention all the troubling reports about Palin’s record in Alaska (abuse of power investigation, lying about the bridge to nowhere, big fan of pork). Quite the reformer!

Posted by: KP | September 4, 2008, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm

If McCain wins and something happens to him ,she will be President. So she just gets a VP with experience and will still be way ahead of what Obama/Biden bring right out of the gate. Geesh, grow a brain.

Posted by: ray | September 4, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm

Palin and McCain don’t share the same values. Palin shouldn’t be joining a team she can’t play ball with. And if she does play ball, it will be at the expense of her principle. Palin should sit this one out.
McCain’s just using her for window-dressing, anyhow.

Posted by: ConservativeGal | September 4, 2008, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm

Kelly @ 10:19 — Of course, you are a dupe who believes everything you read — Sarah Palin was NOT a member of the Alaska Independence Party — that LIE has been completely debunked.
Most of the crap you’ve eaten this week about Sarah Palin is of course also shot through with innuendo and arrogant elitist sneering.
Millions of us are fed up with the elitist insiders and their enablers like you who think rich snobs talking down to the rest of us are the only ones qualified to run the country.
I trust Sarah Palin’s common sense, her courage, her discernment, her connection to mainstream America and her clarity of mind far more than I’d ever trust the fraud Obama or (God help him) one of the biggest hypocrites in Washington in Joe Biden.

Posted by: Ed | September 4, 2008, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm

I like Ben Stein, but I have to disagree with him. Sarah Palin is an awesome choice for VP. In fact, I’d rather see her as President than as VP.
The Obama/Biden ticket is what scares me. God help us all if they get a chance to ruin this nation with their insane policies and tax-hiking. It will be the worst 4 yrs of our lives…worse than anything we have ever experienced before in this country since it’s inception.

Posted by: Anne-Marie | September 4, 2008, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

When I hear the comments about the inexperience of Mrs. Palin, it makes me so so upset when the truth is Obama has none. Obama scares me about the inexperience in any cases of having an idea how to fix our economic problems, the inexperience of knowing how to handle the energy problems, the inexperience of straightening out a corrupt government, and what scares me the MOST is idea of playing paddy cake with the terrorists and the radicals that want us and any free country to be wiped off the map.
Obama’s rock star type of presentation and coyness is not what we need in charge of any American issues. He belongs back in Chicago doing his ORGANIZING that he is so excellent at that we are told. At least some one there would be able to control his radical thoughts.
A General just said on FOX that Obama’s character is more then enough to make up for his experience. Another fantasy from his followers. They are full of fantasies and warped ideas of what leadership is.

Posted by: dadminnesota | September 4, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm

How in the world do you people rationalize that everyone but you is elitist and a liberal? How do you do that?? More, why do you do that?
Okay, let me ask two more questions. How many of you Sarah supporters actually even knew her name five days ago; and, how many of you actually knew anything about her five days ago? I had never even heard her name five days ago, and I know as much about her in the last five days as any of you seem to know, and you all seem to be Sarah experts, so I must be a Sarah expert too.
Here in the midwest we call that a big dose of hocus-pocus [a.k.a, you're all so full of it!]

Posted by: collin | September 4, 2008, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm

ps.. the sky is purple. Repeat after me, the sky is purple. Repeat after me, celebrity. repeat after me…

Posted by: collin | September 4, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm

Hey, Fox news guy… we’re all laughing at you. Specifically. You’ve been singled out by Liberals everywhere, and we’re all laughing at you.

Posted by: collin | September 4, 2008, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm

here, I’m going to pull a conservative republican move… I’m going to singularly dominate this discussion group and make fun of you and laugh at you and prod you and turn everything you say into what weak little sissies you are.

Posted by: Collin | September 4, 2008, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm

Hey, look, it’s working. It’s all mine [insidious laughter].

Posted by: collin | September 4, 2008, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm

We’re the new Liberals, baby!

Posted by: collin | September 4, 2008, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

Fraudulence. Look it up. Oh, also, neurosis… here let me spell that for you again, n-e-u-r-o-s-i-s. Look it up.

Posted by: collin | September 4, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm

Oh, and one last one. Repeat after me… he has no experience. Repeat after me… he has no experience. repeat after me…

Posted by: Collin | September 4, 2008, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm

Hey, where’d everybody go?

Posted by: collin | September 4, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm

Oh, right, the convention is on, I mean brain-washing central is on.

Posted by: collin | September 4, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

Remember that Ben Stein also got it wrong when he said, at the start of our current economic problems, to ignore the housing crisis and everything would soon be right as rain.

Posted by: Chuck | September 4, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

Ed | Sep 4, 2008 3:39:04 PM
Let me get this straight. I shouldn’t believe the information that’s reported from the MSM’s vetting of this candidate but I should go on your say-so, nasty namecaller that you are? Try again. I’ll verify whether it’s been debunked for myself but that still leaves a slew of problems with Palin’s candidacy.
About the sneering, that’s rich considering Palin’s juvenile trashing of Obama last night. You bet I disdain ignorant people who even ridicule his middle name Hussein like that’s a big deal – how un-American!
So go ahead and trust a candidate who has spoken to the American people twice and lied both times (bridge to nowhere). And God help America and the rest of the world if Palin is elected.

Posted by: Kelly | September 4, 2008, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm

Sarah Palin scares you? Maybe you can call the warm and personal Hillary for comfort.

Posted by: Petero | September 4, 2008, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm

I have heard it all and what the months of Obama’s swooning I know what and where he is completely. Obama is a character that changes with his audience. Obama is wrong, grandstanding with nothing to back it up and zero experience. If he can not handle Sarah, the VP, with out the help of Obama’s media cronies how would he handle an attack and killing of Americans by our radical enemies. He would get scared and run for Chicago. He does not know what confrontation is.

Posted by: dadminnesota | September 4, 2008, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm

Um… Obama is a CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER?? LOL Now, THAT is funny!
I need not say another thing!.

Posted by: lew | September 4, 2008, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm

Um..not to make Lew look stupid or uninformed but here’s an interesting quote and article about Obama as a constitutional scholar (see link):
*******
Erika Walsh, an ’02 grad practicing family law in Chicago, called him “an extraordinary scholar on the law.”
“I can’t imagine there is somebody out there smarter than he is,” she said. “Many of our professors are so brilliant they are eccentric. But Barack Obama has an ability to reach across differences and communicate with people effectively.”
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/palins-speech-a.html

Posted by: SP | September 4, 2008, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm

I wonder how many of you kook liberals are left out there.I have never herd such retoric. It does not take a IQ higher than your age to see Obama does not have the experience Palin has much less McCain. Also you people who think just because he graduated from Harvardsomehow makes him wiser and better than the rest of us, get real. This shows how elete you people think you are. This shows the real Obama and his supporters. Go back to Havard,back to your ivory tower

Posted by: ACE500 | September 4, 2008, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm

Ironic that people from the party of Lincoln say Obama doesn’t have enough experience. There are other presidents who had similar experience as legislators.
Lincoln was a lawyer, Illinois State Senator and Congressman before becoming President.
Obama was a lawyer, Illinois State Senator and is a US Senator.

Posted by: Lori | September 4, 2008, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm

ACE500 | Sep 4, 2008 9:37:08 PM
“Also you people who think just because he graduated from Harvardsomehow makes him wiser and better than the rest of us, get real.”
If Obama went to the University of Kansas or Oklahoma, that’s what people would say. But he went to Columbia and Harvard, they’re still American schools aren’t they? What’s wrong with saying he went there? So now you’re going to hold it against him that he went to an american school that you don’t like?!!

Posted by: CSI | September 4, 2008, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm

GOD help the United States of America if we have citizens that do not know the difference between experience and ignorance. I know several well educated people with honors and there are a few just as ignorant as Obama when it comes to using common sense and being truthful to us and himself. They think they know it all and have proven they don’t. We will not survive with artificial leadership.

Posted by: dadminnesota | September 5, 2008, 1:44 am 1:44 am

I don’t know what part was funnier, when Stein states:
That Palen doesn’t have a maid and cleans that house herself – SHE LIVES IN THE GOVERNORS MANSION!
or when he describes himself as a movie star!

Posted by: Socialist Jew | September 5, 2008, 3:31 am 3:31 am

SCARY INDEED! The woman is even against Polar Bears and doesn’t beleive in global warming! SHe is TOO far right….I don’t even think she is on the radar. I hope BIDEN can show the country what she is REALLY made of during the debates.

Posted by: Darla | September 5, 2008, 7:34 am 7:34 am

Bless her little heart. She’s got a lot on her plate with the upcoming VP debates not to mention the scandals and babies and baby scandals.
It’s a good thing her handlers aren’t letting her speak with the press, ever. It will give her more time to attend to her family.
I can’t wait to see her go all pit bull on Biden. She’s supposed to be one of the best debaters in the country.

Posted by: ray ray | September 5, 2008, 8:16 am 8:16 am

By the way, 45 year olds DIE too. Oh, but I guess people think blow-hard Biden will be a good back-up to Barack? Both are horrible. Biden runs the CRAPPIEST State of the Nation. Basically, no one else wanted the job of running Delaware. Delaware should be absorbed by Maryland. Barack should be absorbed by Palin!!!! I hope she kicks his and Biden’s asses clear out of the ball park. She scares Ben Stein? Imagine what fear she’ll put in Al Queda. That woman has guts and tenacity that this Country needs is a bad way.
Typical sexist catch 22, can’t get the job without experience, can’t the experience without the job!!!!!
Screw the people who are afraid. I would prefer a Governor from Alaska over a Senator without any experience anyday of the week.
WIN WIN WIN Palin. Knock them dead.

Posted by: sararogers | September 5, 2008, 11:20 am 11:20 am

Artificial leadership? What spaceship do you live in folks? We Republicans have been running things the last eight years, and you’re blaming Obama!? Do you even recognize that McCain last night was apologizing for the last years!? Do you recognize he was talking as if he was coming into office after a democratic eight years!? Are you at all incensed by this? Or do you just not get it?
You know, it’s not that “liberals” are elitist or see themselves as intelligent. It’s really not. It’s that so many of my fellow Republicans are just so divorced from reality we deservingly are viewed as ignorant.

Posted by: collin | September 5, 2008, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm

Okay, that’s it for me. I’ve juts read back through these comments, and I’m not paying attention to this stuff anymore. You folks are just hardwired for dumbness. If you could only see yourselves.
Obama isn’t experienced? And Palin is? I want some of whatever is your on! Ignorance MUST BE bliss. You folks are so high you can’t see straight. And God forbid you’re parents no less.

Posted by: collin | September 5, 2008, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm

Based on the lightness of her resume I too quite concerned when McCain first chose Palin (actually I thought he had lost his friggin’ mind), but much to my surprise, she really hit one out of the park Wednesday night.

Posted by: Venti | September 5, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm

What are you people talking about Palins vielws are socialists/marxism if any ones are she wants everyone to have one believe’s hers.one choice hers,remind you of any one be very afraid of what this woman stands for and it is no strictly the christian view!!!!

Posted by: jojobo1 | September 5, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm

Based on the lightness of her resume I too quite concerned when McCain first chose Palin (actually I thought he had lost his friggin’ mind), but much to my surprise, she really hit one out of the park Wednesday night.
______________________________
Sorry but it takes more to impress me than having a former sportscaster give a speech that someone else wrote. While Obama probably has speechwriters, he does write some of his speeches like the outstanding one on race. Now THAT’s hitting it out of the park.
I want to see how Palin will perform in the debates and I don’t mean just in terms of snarling.

Posted by: Palin's Snarky | September 5, 2008, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm

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