Shays shows up... in defense of Palin

Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:42 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans

From NBC's Chris Donovan
Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), who is in a tough re-election fight back home, had not planned to attend the convention in St. Paul. But as he exited the convention tonight, he said he decided yesterday that after hearing the “gross attacks on Sarah [Palin], I had to be here.”

He said he had seen the attacks on Hillary Clinton and didn’t want the same thing to happen to Sarah.

Saying he “felt guilty” for not being at the convention, he flew in this morning and watched Palin’s speech from the floor.

Calling it a “terrific speech” he said, “She nailed the guy.”

EMAIL THIS

Comments

John McCain's presidential campaign is threatening a lawsuit against the National Enquirer over a print edition story the tabloid ran today alleging that Gov. Sarah Palin has had an extramarital affair with her husband's business partner.

The allegation would normally be dismissed by political observers as the random musings of a supermarket tabloid -- indeed, the McCain campaign said as much in its statements on Wednesday -- except that the paper has built up a reservoir of legitimacy following its earlier reporting on the John Edwards affair.

In a statement to the Huffington Post, a spokesman for the paper, who promised a larger report next week, tapped into that pool of quasi-respect.

"The National Enquirer's coverage of a vicious war within Sarah Palin's extended family includes several newsworthy revelations, including the resulting incredible charge of an affair plus details of family strife when the Governor's daughter revealed her pregnancy. Following our John Edwards' exclusives, our political reporting has obviously proven to be more detail-oriented than the McCain campaign's vetting process. Despite the McCain camp's attempts to control press coverage they find unfavorable, The Enquirer will continue to pursue news on both sides of the political spectrum."

Clearly, this is a touchy matter. Already, rumors that Palin's youngest son was actually the son of her daughter were batted down. And the McCain campaign has strenuously insisted that the current crop of insinuations is not only false but also potentially libelous.

Capt. Smash Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:47 PM)

But racism? Racism is okay at a Republican Convention right? 'Party of Lincoln'....rigghhhht.

"Georgia Republican Rep. Lynn Westmoreland used the racially-tinged term "uppity" to describe Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama Thursday.
Westmoreland was discussing vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's speech with reporters outside the House chamber and was asked to compare her with Michelle Obama.

"Just from what little I've seen of her and Mr. Obama, Sen. Obama, they're a member of an elitist-class individual that thinks that they're uppity," Westmoreland said.

Asked to clarify that he used the word "uppity," Westmoreland said, "Uppity, yeah.""

Brian, Altamonte Springs, FL (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:47 PM)

Yes, she nailed him with sarcasm, innuendo and lies.

Here's the one line out of Sarah Palin's long acceptance speech that scared me the most. "Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America ... he's worried that someone won't read them their rights?" She was referring to Obama, of course. He wants to abide by our laws and our constitutional rights. She wants to arrest "suspected terrorists" and not afford them any legal or constitutional rights. We only just got Habeas Corpus and Posse Comitatus nominally restored over the past year after a very long fight on the part of a number of lobby groups including the ACLU. I really don't want to see anyone else in office that wants to overturn them again. Adding that to her wanting to teach absolute stupidity to the next generation (creationism and abstinence only) and her desire to reverse most of the hard won progress women have made in the last 200 years (Roe v. Wade) and she's undeniably the worst possible candidate I've ever seen. If you take her speech at face value, under her and John McCain's administration anyone could be arrested, held without benefit of a phone call or a lawyer, and incarcerated for an unlimited period of time before even being read their rights. Freedoms that have made America great and that every American should fight to defend are being taken away by the Bush administration, and Sarah Palin is OK with that! Oh Yeah, this is the woman I would like to see a heartbeat away from the Presidency --- NOT!

Linda, Allen, TX (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:48 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Let's make something real clear, the attacks on Clinton have nothing in common with the honest criticism leveled at Palin.

twocanpete (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:51 PM)

Sarah Palin can handle herself. The people who need defending are the ones who TRY to get in her way.

Roustabout (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:51 PM)

"He said he had seen the attacks on Hillary Clinton and didn’t want the same thing to happen to Sarah."

If Clinton was the candidate he'd be trampling his own grandmother to beat hillary down. He's not fooling anyone

GP Chicago (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:52 PM)

I am just so sad and sorry that not one man ,except for Bill Clinton,stood up to the vile filth that was thrown at Senator Clinton.Ed Schultz,Matthews,KO,Eugene Robinson,Tucker Carlson,Jack Cafferty,and a lot of the women such as Brazille,Pelosi,and Howard Dean,and their leader Obama.How do they plan on defending this country when they did not even defend one of theirown.Truly disgusting.The msm sucks---big time

MIvoter (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:52 PM)

Many people are embarrassed by the attacks on Sarah Palin. The liberals of the country only know one thing though when they are threatened, and that is to attack and attempt to define someone that they are threatened by, and to tyr and do it on their terms. The problem is that what the liberals are doing is not working. Instead it is galvenizing the country against the liberals. No one wants these types of haters in charge.

Republicans For Change (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:56 PM)

And that's what it's all about: Nailing the guy. Not policy, ethics, leadership, reform, governance. But sticking it to the enemy. Yay for Sarah!

Nicky, NYC (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:57 PM)

What a joke.

Then again, he is a Republican.

CitizenJ (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:57 PM)

Whoopi!!!
Are they talking unemployment or retail sales yet? anything about the economy? not yet? maybe later?

Jen,MI (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:57 PM)

Sarah Palin is even more of an empty suit than John McCain.
The republican party as a whole is a joke. Anyone who votes this ticket, deserves exactly what they are going to get:

War, war, and more war

More corporate controlled government where bills and laws are past for their benefit and not for the best interest of the the tax-paying citizens.

More lies, deceit, and cover-ups, especially with the corporate controlled media.

The rich get richer at the expense of everyone else.

The economy will continue to suffer.

No health care reform

Tampering with Social Security, etc.

This country will continue to be despised around the globe.

But the hockey-mom and the senile-senior will be giddy with their new found power.

http://www.thepresidentialcandidates.us/about-sarah-palin-a-letter-from-anne-kilkenny/741/

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Es5aIJl1g

Lyn, MD (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:58 PM)

A terrific speech? Oh, really? Were there any facts in it? Find out here:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/156981

Linda, Allen, TX (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:58 PM)

Obama is sounding more and more shrill as the GOP convention completes it's run tonight. He doesn't like be ignored, and will do anything to get attention.

Doris Shrill (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:58 PM)

The Republicans should not only loose in November, they should be soundly beaten as that is really the only way for the American people to tell both parties that they won’t put up with anymore of this crap. Politics in America has literally sunk to the lowest level ever seen and runs rampant with dishonesty, arrogance, self-indulgence and consistent very bold efforts to deceive and manipulate the voters. The Republican Party has aggressively developed these negative characteristics into their standard operating procedure and has clearly demonstrated they have no conscience or real concern for their responsibilities to the American people, rather only a total focus on disguised self-interest. For them it is all about money and ego and more money. As Bush-Cheney have continually demonstrated and as McCain-Palin are poised to follow suit, they concentrate on only providing benefit to Special Interests and a select few who return support (overtly and covertly), contributions and promised after office kickbacks and they give the average American only apathy, the costs and a substantial amount of subterfuge. Obama’s and Biden’s clearly stated and consistently demonstrated honesty, integrity, quality and sincere concern for all of the people, even if it was all they offered which of course it isn’t, should by itself be enough to have them elected. The Democrats are not pure and innocent but the Republicans are totally out of control and completely belligerent about it. The people should literally close their eyes and ears to the extensive subterfuge they are constantly being bombarded with to avoid once again being manipulated. As proven in the past, whatever the GOP offers is simply not to be trusted, shouldn’t even be accepted without complete cynicism as the Republicans really only offer more of the same. Should they win, they would be emboldened and then the last eight years would be only a sample of what was to come.

REG in AZ (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:59 PM)

Yet Shays never spoke out against those attacks on Hillary Clinton.

Oh well, either did Obama and he and his sleazy campaign were behind many of the attacks.

Yet she got 18 million votes - more than anyone ever received in the history of presidential primaries.

csh, IL (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:59 PM)

This sight is so hard to get onto. It drives me nuts. Why not let there be an open ended discussion of the isues you guys are presenting. You have to rush from one aticle to the next and then half the time you comments don't make it on here. By the time comments are posted noone gets to have any continuing feedback.

Dand1212, Vancouver, Wa. (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:59 PM)

"He said he had seen the attacks on Hillary Clinton and didn’t want the same thing to happen to Sarah."

So, where was he when the Repug's attacked Hillary? Oh that's right, nowhere, he is a Repugnant...Double Standards!

Angelica (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:59 PM)

Politics is a funny thing. I mean, just what would the GOP be saying about Sen. Clinton had she been the nominee or vice-nominee? Just how many bad words can we think of? Now, they are sucking up to her support.

I do like the reformer-nature of Gov. Palin, but I don't like how she is playing the victim. Moreso, I suppose, it irritates me that everybody is buying into the notion that she is a victim. I don't see it glaring, maybe it's just me.

When the McCain campaign's slogan is 'Country First', this style of campaigning is not helping the country. Maybe it should be 'politics first'. A politician should try to appeal to women, should certainly make overtures to women, but what the McCain-Palin campaign is doing is ugly (effective yet ugly).

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:03 PM)

I just heard thata person who was to be a key witness in the Palin case has dropped out. Wonder how much money the GOP paid this individual? Anyone who believes that this is a coincidence is seriously lacking in mental faculties.Sick of the coverups.

Cindi in Louisiana (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:03 PM)

If by nailing Chris Shays meant 'lying', then yes, she did. She also insulted everyone who has heeded the call to community service.

Sarah Palin, the gift that just keeps on giving...

Todd, Ashland, Oregon (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:04 PM)

Still no interviews by Palin though?

Guess its easier to talk when you know there won't be any questions afterwards.

Billy, Texas (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:04 PM)

Snakes posing as Mavericks and Lipsick wearing Pitbulls.

SuperD Newberg OR (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:05 PM)

Thank you Sarah Palin.

Thank you for being exactly what you and your party think Senator Obama is.

An inexperienced young person who can read a teleprompter. A talker who gives a speech with no content.

Much like Huckabee, Guiliani, and Romney before you, you made a great cheerleader for John McCain. You threw your GOP delegates a lot of red meat. You bashed and mocked Obama. You made fun of his speech and the columns behind him. You made fun of his comments about people clinging to religion. You made fun of his lack of experience, and you got a standing ovation.

Congratulations.

However, I must point out that in fact in your speech you offered nothing. You offered no depth, no vision, and no plan for the future. You support John McCain. We get it. But what are you going to do with your role in the Vice Presidency (that is, after you learn what the job entails)? What are your thoughts on the economy, on healthcare, on the war in Iraq (which your son is about to go fight in). What are your plans for the mortgage crisis, the emptying of social security, and most importantly what are your thoughts on National Security?

You claim to want to fill Hillary Clinton’s role in this campaign. Well Governor Palin, Senator Clinton you are not. I know where she stands on issues and I know what she believes in, and from what I can tell it is everything you stand against.

Perhaps this was not the time for you to let us know your plan on any of these issues. Perhaps this was a speech for you to tell us who you are. You are a Hockey mom. That’s great. But what are you offering my country. Why are you running for office?

Perhaps we have to wait for your debate with Joe Biden so you can actually tell us anything of substance. For your sake I hope you are ready. You said you are ready for a challenge. And a challenge is what you will face.

To comment and for more:
http://lastofourkind.blogspot.com

LoOK (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:05 PM)

The only "gross" personal attack I have heard on Sarah Palin for running for VP with a small child and 4 other children to "take care of" --was launched by a Vocal and Staunch Republican -- Dr. Laura.

Mel (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:05 PM)

If your gonna "nail the guy", better be prepared to "get nailed".
p.s. I literally saw the "spotlight" on Palin's kids. On stage. At the convention. With her standing next to them. Like they are props.

justobserveID (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:06 PM)

"she nailed the guy?" is that what the speech is about? is that what being vice-president is about? oh, that's right, she isn't quite sure yet what the vice president does.

Tommy, Cambridge, MA (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:06 PM)

Who cares?

'She nailed him'

Anybody can make a snide remark. Ann Coulter has made a living of it, but the number one issue on Americans mind is the economy and the Republicans have yet to address it.

It's because they don't have any ideas. All they can do it attack.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:12 PM)

Rep Shays is the only Republican I've ever voted for. He just lost my vote.

holly allen, westport, ct (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:14 PM)

It's a shame that the only reason he attended the convention was becuase of the attacks on Palin and not to support of John McCain.

Confused, Largo, MD (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:14 PM)

How can these die hard Republicans say with a straight face or without laughing that Palin is a good pick for a possible future President ? They know it was a pick to get votes and was not a pick that would better our country. It just goes to show that they can not be trusted by the people to make sound decisions.

ffoffeds, Seattle, Washington (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:14 PM)

She nailed a guy who he noticeably and obsequiously praises in one of his campaign ads? Bet that'll go over well back in CT.

Von Bloom, NY, NY (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:16 PM)

They have called obama everything but the N word and that was no doubt used a few times on the floor this week. If the woman can't take the heat maybe she needs to be back in that kitchen in wasila

Another Woman sick of sarah (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:18 PM)

McCain, who by the way will be the Republican PRESIDENTIAL candidate was not worthy of his attendance? But the (according to Repubs) less important office of VP IS worth his attendance? Doesn't this point to the fact that he thinks the Republican presidential candidate is not the right one for the job?

Barbara Munson, Brainerd, MN (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:19 PM)

Aw, whats the matter...can't little Sarah take playing with the big boys and girls...aw shucks I feel bad...not

Rick, NC (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:20 PM)

And forgot about the american people. Is there a message here?

sandra, phoenix, AZ (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:21 PM)

Calling it a “terrific speech” he said, “She nailed the guy.”

Nailed? LOL. Does this mean Shays is sexist too?

We are going to have to learn a whole new language, folks.

reasonable man (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:21 PM)

When did pitbulls start needing defenders???
Republicans can fill their latest Barbie doll with venom, plunk her on a stage, wind her up and let 'er rip, but that will never make her Vice Presidential or Presidential material. This gal so far has the likes of Rick Davis, Steve Schmidt, Mark Salter and Matthew Scully, Bush's speechwriter to prop her up. She's got Nicole Wallace and that other mean blond to push her on American audiences as the Last Great Hope For American Women. This Palin is indeed a "pitbull with lipstick" and she has the soul of a pitbull, too. But let's have pity on her, or try to, and realize she's just a pawn of the forces of evil who have lorded over this country for the last eight years and will do anything to maintain their control.

Chuck Todd, whom I had previously touted as "the next Tim Russert," erroneously compared this Palin person to Barack Obama. Chuck, it is time to go back to kindergarten. You are a little fool and someone should have washed your mouth out with soap!

AMG --- Richmond, CA (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:22 PM)

The headline should actually read "Shay caves to the right just like McCain"

TX (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:23 PM)

That's great if "nailing the guy" is all that was required.

But WHERE'S THE BEEF? There was no policy in her speech. She did not address any of the issues relevant to my family or my town.

I don't want a pit bull in lipstick as VP. I want a thinking person with a firm grasp of policy.

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:23 PM)

What a pathetic opportunist!

Doug, Renton, WA (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:25 PM)

Palin REDUCED support of "special needs children" by 62%. That does not sound like an advocate to me.
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/08_OMB/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/09_omb/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

Jane, Missouri (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:25 PM)

I can't wait until sarah is president and signing executive orders to jerk the nations social progress back 50 years.

Can signs directing certain members of the population to the back of the bus be far behind in Sarahs America?

I wonder if her parents get SS? I hate paying taxes so old republicans can get a check...I really do

Ralph Malph (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:25 PM)

Ed,

I see Chris Shays is now going to the convention He must of like what he heard.She is too right for me but it will play good with the middle class.I just love to see the big L's like my sister start to get nervous.

richard modica (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:26 PM)

You absolutely know that the republicans are using Sarah Palin. She fits what they need to keep the presidency republican. Don’t get me wrong, she will be dumb to turn it down, i mean look at the exposure she is getting from her cheery family to the daughter's boyfriend who was flown down to come celebrate the limelight. They went to her not for what she can do to move the country forward or to fix problems but the image she presents to sucker us into electing a republican. Now if that works, well that will be really be a great strategy, but the real kicker is that we are back to square one with failed policies, no plan for economic recovery and oh yea! The war in Iraq continues whether Iraqis like it or not. John McCain will finally be rewarded for being a POW and the people who were truly running the failed policies of George Bush will start their engines once more and we will have dictatorship by proxy. A guide book will be patented by the republicans on how to win an election - Fool the masses. I think the Palins should milk and enjoy the attention they are getting right now because after the election, win or lose, they will be driven back to oblivion it is not even funny. The sad part will be that everybody who got excited about her will have their hopes dashed win or lose. I have a feeling you all know what a McCain presidency will be like, but have you asked yourself this question. What if Obama ends up being the most extraordinary President we have ever had in our lifetime? At the least you can say that you were part of it. Vote with your brain this time.

C, in PA (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:27 PM)

So, Shays admits the right attacked Hillary.

Apparently he gets it. Both sides are guilty of these tactics . . . I wish the other Republicans and right-wing talk radio had the nerve to admit that.

However, with Palin's sarcistic and insulting attacks on Obama, he's may have to S-T-R-E-T-C-H his reasoning that it's only the left who does the attacking.

Tom Kaye (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:28 PM)

Doesn't Shays mean that, "speechwriter Scully nailed the guy". To credit Sarah Palin for any political bravado at this stage is so ridiculous, we all know that the republicans are crafting Palin into a mouth piece or pit bull with lipstick as Palin prefers to be known. This is the year of republican sexism and POW excuses for cowardice and stupidity.

LJ (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:28 PM)

this is hilarious!!

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card

scott (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:30 PM)

Sarah Palin reminds me of George Bush 2000. Popular Governor of a huge oil rich state with no national or international exposure or experience.

frank, NC (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:38 PM)

"He said he had seen the attacks on Hillary Clinton and didn't want the same thing to happen to Sarah."

Question? And what in the h--- did you do about the attacks on Hillary? Did you call for an immediate stop? Did you let Hillary know you were in her corner? What do you know about this lady that would make you rush to her side? P.S. the repubs holler sexism by the democrats and media et al riddle me this why did they have signs talking about how "hot" there veep was? Is that not sexist?!

margaret,baltimore,md. (Sent Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:41 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=1349229