The Lovely and Talented Republican VP Candidate

To understand McCain's choice of Alaskan governor Sarah Palin as VP nom, one merely has to follow the crumb trail from the last Bush election to note the power of the Evangelical vote. And who's hand is rocking that cradle? An organization called The Arlington Group, which is a government lobbying (read as bullying) group with membership consisting of every Christian power player in the US, including Rev James Dobson (Focus on the Family) and Jerry Falwell.

Much like the Pope. if these guys say "jump" 18 million Christians in this country respond, "Off what cliff, sir?"

Dobson was in bed pretty tight with Rove and Bush, but he has never supported McCain. It's been a battle of the wills and egos between these two, but with the polls pretty close between the Democratic and Republican nominees, McCain had to bend over.

Just last year, Dobson proclaimed, "Speaking as a private individual, I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances." Then he initiated a million signature petition of McCain (see below for that text). Talk about positioning!

What he was trying to do was bully McCain into jumping on board his party line, which is simple: 1) No abortion. 2) Homos rot in hell. There's one more thing, I can't remember, but you get the drift.

It's so easy to make fun of these guys, but they are unbelievably powerful in this country. If the LGBT base of voters would only turn out and vote as a group, things would be mighta different, my friend. But we don't. And they do.

I knew something was up the night of Obama's speech when McCain made a lovely statement noting the wonderful significance of his nomination. While watching it I could definitely hear, "Mwaa- ha - ha, wait until tomorrow baby!"

And sure enough in a political race that rivals DAMAGES, THE SOPRANOS and LOST in twists, turns, egos and scandals, the very next day McCain presented a woman he had met only once as his Vice Presidential Candidate.

In her speech, she mentioned Hillary as if to woo the Clinton supporters. Let me tell you something, Missy, Hillary did NOT make 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling so a gun weilding, anti-gay, pro-creationist teaching, hockey mom could waltz through.

I woulda liked to have the concession on xanax at the Clinton home that morning.

Meanwhile, McCain campaign, can I point out to you that you can not replace one woman with another and expect us to vote that way? Palin is not, as you can see from this photo, a member of the coveted Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuit.

Everyone thought this was lunacy - this inexperienced Alaskan Governor until... Dobson finally gave his support to McCain. Come to find out, miss thing is Evangelical. In fact, the entire Christian community gave their support.

When asked about the right-wing’s reaction to the choice of Gov Palin, the New York Times quoted Ralph Reed, the former head of the Christian Coalition as saying, “They’re beyond ecstatic”

But then...the unwed teenage daughter is pregnant! Which us progressives think is hysterical since Palin is against sex ed and for abstinence. Oops, that didn't work too well in your own household, now did it?

I thought about it and wondered, "Gee, how many Christians have tons of children in and out of marriage"? I mean, afterall, the conservative Christians, Catholics and Mormons have always been in favor as MAKE MANY MANY MANY CHILDREN so they can all have a larger base.

Sure enough, the Christian coalition backed Palin even more.

The Wall Street Journal reported "This is the evangelical daily double," said David Brody, a commentator with the Christian Broadcasting Network. "It's actually a plus because it puts the life issue front and center."

"I don't think it [hurts] at all," said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, who hailed Palin's nomination to US NEWS today.

Dobson issued the following statement: "Being a Christian does not mean you're perfect. Nor does it mean your children are perfect. But it does mean there is forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord. I've been the beneficiary of that forgiveness and restoration in my own life countless times, as I'm sure the Palins have."

I don't have time to tell you why Dobson is public enemy number one to every single homosexual, bisexual and transgendered person in this country, but let me tell you I've been tracking this puppy since he wrote a book called The WOnderful Word of Boys (as a psychiatrist, I guess about raising them) and he was creepy as hell on his book tour for it. The book is mainly photos. Ew.

Roy Cohn. Look him up.

Anyway, since we don't vote and we can barely organize amongst ourselves, and the Evangelicals and conservative Christians can, there it is.

Meanwhile, McCain once again rolled over. All bets are always off during the election where alliances are made (Clinton/Obama) and opinions stated merely to win the vote.

So far, I've noted that Obama and McCain have both flip flopped, both gone against previous alliances and formed new ones just to win this election.

I've been promised by certain - I can't say "insiders" as I don't know any, but i do know several "near by-ers" - who have told me the younger Evangelical base is moving away from these conservative platforms and are open to broader issues. Some are even interested in Obama.

Please. Please. PRetty please, universe, I promise I won't ask for anything ever again in my life if you would just make this true!!!

Tonight is day one of the RNC... set your tivoes!

Meanwhile, take a look at the petition Dobson sent out when he was boycotting McCain:

Focus on the Family Founder and Chairman Dr. James Dobson invites values voters to pledge to uphold pro-family principles during this year’s election.

In response to the media’s efforts to minimize the impact of values voters, Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family Action are initiating a nationwide Values Voter Pledge. The pledge is a statement by citizens who are committing to vote only for candidates who uphold the highest pro-life, pro-faith and pro-family principles.

Focus Action is hoping 1 million voters will take the pledge, which will serve as a demonstration of the strength and seriousness of Values Voters in this election.

The pledge itself reads:

As a concerned citizen, I am signing this Values Voter Pledge for 2008 indicating my commitment to stand for the values of life, faith and family during this election year. I am pledging to support candidates who uphold these bedrock values of:

• Life -- I will only vote for candidates who have committed to defend sanctity of life from conception to natural death.

• Family -- I will only vote for candidates who stand for one-man, one-woman marriage and oppose efforts to undermine the nuclear family.

• Faith -- I will only vote for candidates who support the public acknowledgement of God and affirm the religious liberties of all Americans.

I also oppose any and all efforts by the media, organizations or candidates to diminish the role that Values Voters are playing in this year’s election. I authorize Focus on the Family Action to represent my Values Voter Pledge before the media, political candidates or other suitable forums as a demonstration of the strength and seriousness of Values Voters in this election cycle.