McCain's pick for a 'real mistake' for U.S.

Sarah Palin is the "real deal" all right. Small-town mayor and less than two years experience as governor and she has already been whipped into shape by Bush's people. She did prove she could read a speech written by a Bush speech writer, which was weak on issues, and strong on negativity. To protect her from the public the Republican Party has used old tactics to shield us from truly seeing how unqualified she really is.

She refuses to cooperate with an investigation into the abuse of her power as governor. Palin keeps repeating the same false statements in an attempt to inflate her nonexistent credentials to be VP. She honestly thinks that Americans are dumb enough to believe that living near Russia gives her foreign policy experience. Even Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel questions Palin's qualifications and thinks her claim of experience in foreign policy insulting to Americans.

Palin is definitely behaving just like one of the good old boys. Put a dress on Cheney and, yes, lipstick and you've got McCain's running mate. Real women vote on the issues not the gender or cuteness factor. Facts, not fabrication, are what most people want to hear; lie to us enough and people will eventually be fed up.

Palin's extreme views on women's rights believing women should not have a choice even in the case of incest or rape are too radical.

But Palin isn't the real issue, the presidency is, and McCain's decision to pick Palin was a "real mistake."

CINDY AASE

Sagle