Stuart Greenfeld : Shame on the national press corps.......... media reps say that they are objective....... Bullsh-t. Reporters and press corps members were seen in the Democratic convention wearing Obama buttons and applauding his comments in his speech. On the other hand, they have repeatedly and unfairly attacked Sarah Palin and refuse to give equal time to John McCain's campaign. Also, the press corps have not shown Joe Biden's outlandish and unacceptable rhetoric and behavior in the U.S. Senate. I am a Obama supporter, but I do think that the press corps has been highly disingenuine in claiming their so called equal treat and "objectivity" in this election.

Fran : I keep hearing that she's "just like one of us." I have admirable,intelligent, intuitive friends, but I sure wouldn't want one of us to be vice president!

SusanGabriel : Thanks, Steve. It's nice to hear Judy Woodruff's take on this. I agree that McCain has made a "high stakes" choice.

elliott mercer : Re: Palin for VP: I'm more concerned with John McCain's propensity to make quick decisions than with his nomination of Sen. Palin for V.P. One week ago hardly any US citizen could even identify her, much less discuss any of her policies and background intelligently. It appears that Sen. McCain as well has not known her or vetted her very well, which is incredible considering the possibility that she could assume the most powerful position in the world. To compare Sen. Palin with Sens. Clinton and Biden would be laughable if it were not so potentially tragic. If Sen. McCain were chairman of a major corporation, would he risk appointing someone with little experience, education and training as CEO? I expect more from our governmental leaders than this.

JayClay : All Americans should be grateful that the press is finding out that Palin is not the reformer that she and McCain claim she is. In her roles as mayor and as governor Palin fought to obtain millions of dollars in the very types of federal earmarks that McCain has fought against. Before she was mayor Wasilla received almost no earmarks, but she was able to use connections to obtain millions for her small town. She has also received campaign contributions from the people indicted for working with Senator Stevens. This is no reformer. The Republican Party is providing the American people with a false narrative about Sarah Palin. Instead of criticizing the press, we should be welcoming the attempt to provide all of us with the evidence to judge for ourselves.

Kathy : I heard Judy's analysis about Palin rocketing onto the scene, and I think that the intensity with which Palin spoke when she accepted the request to be McCain's running mate is one of the biggest signs we have that she will be dangerous, unpredictable and scary as the person "one heartbeat away...". It just seems to me someone who most of the country doesn't know should have had respect for that fact and had a little more humility and deference to us during a time we need to get to know her and her record. I do not mean by this that assertiveness is not a quality I admire in women. I very much do like to see an assertive woman leader who is confident and speaks from a very grounded and courageous self-knowledge. Sarah Palin does not, so far, seem to do that. Also, I think the attack on the media, is pure "Karl Rove--nastiest and dirtiest tricks campaign without ethics or morals book". If a person says they want to step into the spotlight, believes they deserve to be able to no matter what's in their history or private life, does so knowing what's going on with her children, with challenges to her own use of power, etc., they themselves have given the nod to any level of scrutiny needed to find out if we can trust them. Sarah Palin made a conscious choice to put herself in this position and I don't think we should start thinking she is a victim because those who are surprised and a little worried are going to put any part of her story out there they can find. But Karl Rove's genius is to use language against his enemies(and believe me he looked at them as enemies), about their legitimate behavior so they become apologetic and on the defensive. And it is a top Karl Rove aide and counselor who John McCain is using to lead his campaign. I hope Obama and Howard Dean and any group speaking for the Democrats does not fall into the trap of these kinds of offensives meant to condemn the very people who are taking actions on the citizens behalves. I also believe a very vocal pro-life advocate who refused to fund any kind of school sex education with a component teaching birth control before a conception can happen, who thinks we should praise her for her loving motherly attitude toward the plight of this 17 year old girl is not the model I want for how to parent teenagers in the current culture and society. I'm very skeptical, but I'll listen to her tonight and read whatever I can before the election, but I want the Republicans to know that I for one want the reporters out there who can tell us the whole package, uncensored, that we are buying if we were to vote for this woman and her 72 year old running mate, will keep the legitimately investigated and corroborated news coming.

kwillia : Pandering, plain & simple. Mrs.Palin is 'here' to get the Hillary vote. But she's nothing like Mrs. Clinton. Palin is a right-wing, anti-abortion/choice, pro-gun, pro-oil & big biz, anti-environment, born-again Christian. What is the meaning of young people getting married BECAUSE of an unwanted accidental pregnancy? Does Mrs. Palin really believe this is responsible behavior? As a 17 yr. high schoolteacher, I think that her daughter's pregnancy PROOVES that teaching Abstinence doesn't work. I taught sex education, including contraception options, and can get fired now if I do that. Along with contraception options info, young adults actually got to think, discuss, share ideas about intimacy, sex and love, relationships and what parenting means to them--not from some religious rulebook. That conversation is now dead. Wishful thinking (abstinence)is the 'new' old order and we have more teenage moms (children having children), more STDs & HIV--that people don't even know they have. Let Mrs. Palin's nomination OPEN THE DOOR to real debate about our Constitutional separation of church and state, planned parenthood, sex education-- and the social goals of education. Bring it on! Let's have a real political debate-- in and out of our schools.

Janice Carroll : I am very concerned about Palin's lack of experience. I am shocked that Cindy McCain would include PTA president in her listing of Palin's credentials during an interview with a PBS reporter. I believe the use of this sort of support is very damning; if this is one of their arguments it is obvious that even they believe Palin is not qualified to be vice-president. How could McCain have made such a bad decision? Are there no qualified women Republicans? In addition, I am very disappointed that the social differences that divide us have risen again. I am petrified that this country might elect someone who believes that creationism belongs in a public school curiculum!

carl : Republican party, Why is McCain such a hero, When John Kerry in '04 wasn't nothing? They put him down on all his military career? I'd like to know, why? Why is McCain such a hero? I Personally think his is as dumb as a Rock, If I was offered to leave a prison camp, I'd jump on it!

jerry rubin : We need more information not less, unless you believe the Iraq War and the killing of 100,000 people from Iraq and 4100+ from the US was proper. Or is it the Abu Greib that makes you angry. What about Gooding, Yoo, Addington, DC, the economy, the layoff of workers in the US, Katrina, etc.

Paula : If Sarah Palin were the Democratic VP choice the hue and cry from the Evangelicals and Right Wing of the party would be deafening! Yet, here she is as the Republican nominee and they are all bending over backwards to say what a wonderful example she is; what an experienced leader she is? and how she is the answer to their prayers!! This evening Cindy McCain compared her to Hillary Clinton, just because they are both women. Just rediculous. It never ceases to amaze me how the Republicans can justify any thing they do and pillary the Democrats for everything they do. Alaska is a huge state with a population of less than 1 million; less than 4000 miles of paved roads; and an AVERAGE income of 54K. One last point, she is the mother of a special needs infant. Does she have a full time nanny for that baby? Special needs children require an enormus amount of care, love and attention. Her time will not be her own if elected. Being the mayor of a town of 7000, and the Gov. of Alaska is not the same as (perhaps) being the VP of the United States. John McCain is 72 years old w/ a history of a very aggressive form of cancer--melanoma-on his face. There is a high probability that this woman could be a President in next 4 years. I find that frightening. She has even less experience than George W. and has traveled even less that G.W. Thank you for letting me get this off my chest! Paula Hurricane Country

Jan in MI : To Kathy, well said.....AMEN to your post.

In Fairness : I believe the media has been too "gentle" in questioning Gov. Palin. They are being told to respect her privacy and that of her family, but she doesn't accord that respect to the millions of women to whom she would deny access to birth control, family planning, and sex education. What right does she have to force her ideology on us and hide its consequences?

Don : Elliot, uh, it's Govenor Palan actually. That is the CEO of an entire state if you will. Bill Clinton was a Govenor, as was Jimmy Carter and I'll leave off with a positive example, Ronald Reagan.

JayR : I can only believe that Senator McCain's selection of Governor Palin was reactive rather than proactive, a cynical attempt to woo Clinton supporters away from the Democratic fold. In short, "pick a woman; any woman." No doubt he also was advised to select someone who could engage and excite conservative evangelicals, who--until now--have been relatively lukewarm about their standard-bearer. McCain and his vetting staff have had months to find a running mate whose stature and credentials are at least comparable to his. They failed miserably.

Dr. John : John McCain is continuing in the tradition of George Bush: Take action and let the chips fall where they may. Invade Iraq and don't spend any time thinking through the consequences. Recklessly select Palin for the V.P. slot and let the chips fall where they may. If any backlash is encountered blame the liberal press. Above all else do not assess the competency of the decision makers.

Not fooled : After watching Sarah Palin speak tonight, Dems beware. This hockey mom, a/k/a "a pit bull with lipstick," threw out the one-liners like the Gipper. Democrats, Joe Biden especially, dismiss her at their peril. Right or not, she's staked her far right positions and will not back down. She even threw in locations abroad to appear knowledgeable in foreign affairs. Voters will have to decide if they want a possible future president with her judgment and values. I cringe at parents who would commit a seventeen year old to a shot-gun marriage.

joc : Big omission in Sarah Palin's speech. Her daughter's husband-to-be, right there with her family, but she didn't mention or introduce him.

disgusted : Is it just me or was there a lot of mocking, disrespect and dismissive language on the part of both Palin and Mayor G. Both mocked his role as a community organizer but I have not heard either Obama or Biden mock Palin as a PTA mom. On that note, with Palin making so much reference to being a hockey mom, the difficulty of raising 5 kids (including one going off to Iraq)etc. isnt her ability to raise those kids in question? Not knowing that your junior in high school is sleeping with her boyfriend doesnt really demonstrate she knows what is going on in her own family. SHE has made family values AND her own family part of her "resume"

Stunned : I was horrified by what I just saw at the Republican convention; this is playing to the lowest common demoninator in the American psyche- fear-based, belligerent, sentimental patriotism that disguises a deeply mindless, narcisstic aggressive attitude this is truly scary. Palin/Mc Cain are a terrifying possibility. Yes, the stakes are indeed high; the planet cannot afford a self-centered, resource-plundering, trigger- ready, war-mongering USA. Obama is the voice of sanity, vision and wisdom that is desperatley needed on this planet- not only in the USA!!! This great country has fallen so far from its potential- its time to make the USA a respected and powerful nation again! America is ready for President Obama!

Lahrk : I listened to Sarah Palin's speech last night. As an independent voter and mom, she does not speak to me and I will do all I can to keep her out of office as I do not want her to think she speaks FOR me.

You're Kidding : I'm questioning Woodruff's balanced zeal in her coverage of both conventions. "Sara Palin under investigation for firing....." versus "Sara Palin under investigation for firing..... because he tased his 11 year old son." Looking for some balance here, PBS.

Evan : This is coming from a lifelong republican, the umpteenth consecutive generation of republicans... I have never been so embarrassed for my party, and just when I thought things in the party couldn't get any lower. John McCain has completely trivialized his campaign. It is disgusting to see those delegates fawning after Palin simply because she is someone new, energetic, attractive, or simply not the same old boriing John McCain. How many more thousand times are they going to use those hollow words, "executive experience", to defend her? And how can they applaud her speech, so riddled with lies, sarcasm, and degrading the accomplishments of her betters. How juvenile.

S : I would like to know how the Hillary supporters really feel about Palin. McCain thinks that by chosing a female for VP will garner him those 18 million votes--not! Hillary supporters want her to be the first female President or VP. I think it's an insult to women to think that we as women would vote for someone just because of their gender.

cmc : This is more of the same. i cannot believe that once this lady is scrutinized she will stand up. Do americans really share her values? I think once it all comes they will not. care to shoot a wolf from plane? destroy the environment,? have God on your side in war?

Anita : While I respect that Sarah Palin's 17 year old daughter deserves some privacy I also believe we need to hear Sarah Palin and all of the candidates views on abortion and sex education directly. I hope that we get some good information in the upcoming debates on this subject. I agree with Obama's statement that we can surely all agree that there should be less unplanned pregnancies. The decision of whether to keep a child, give it up for adoption or abort a pregnancy is a deeply personal and difficult choice. I for one would like to see less women having to make that choice. Some women who have children young or by accident are successful, but much depends on individual circumstances and support networks. I think most parents will agree that a pregnancy at 17 is not the type of challenge they hope their children have to face. Too many children in this world are neglected and abused while so many other adults dream of parenthood yet fail to conceive or adopt. While the economy and the Iraq war take center stage in this election, let's not forget to discuss some core American family issues and not forget about the importance of parenthood and parenthood decisions.

S : If Barack Obama had a pregnant teenager, he would be crusified, especially by the Republicans. He would probably have to pull out of the race.