Sunday Snapshot -- Toning It Down

Two topics dominated the Sunday shows: Hurricane Gustav's impact on the GOP convo and John McCain's choice of AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R) as his running mate.

McCain was on "Fox News Sunday," and he was asked if there are circumstances under which he would consider suspending the GOP convo.

McCain: "I'm afraid that we may have to look at that situation, and we'll try and monitor it. I've been talking to Governors Jindal, Barbour, Riley, Crist. I've been talking to all of them. ... It wouldn't be appropriate to have a festive occasion while a near tragedy or a terrible challenge is presented in the form of a natural disaster. So, we're monitoring it from day to day, and I'm saying a few prayers, too."

More McCain: "Our prayers are that it doesn't hit, at least in heavily populated areas. It's pretty clear, at least at this moment, that it's going to hit somewhere. ... Might I say, I think that we are far, far better prepared than we were the last time."

Much more after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Fox's Wallace: "What do you hope to accomplish at the convention? If there is one or two central messages that you want to get across to voters about the choice between you and Barack Obama, what would they be?"

McCain: "Reform, prosperity, and peace. We'll reform the way that Washington does business. Senator Obama has never taken on his party or had any real reform agenda. Prosperity, get jobs back, keep taxes low, invigorate our economy and get it moving again, and peace, I know how to secure the peace. I hate war. I hate war. Most veterans do. All veterans that I know do. And we can secure the peace. This is a very dangerous world we live in and I know how to do that. Senator Obama has been consistently wrong on national security issues. I have been consistently correct."

Wallace: "Are you going to carve up Obama at your convention?"

McCain: "I think we'll try to draw the differences. But I think the message of hope ... and restoring trust and confidence in our government and our best days are ahead of us, I am convinced that America's best days are ahead of us in these very difficult and challenging times" (8/31).

MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R): "The folks who are organizing the convention are thinking of contingencies ranging from mildly altering the schedule, all the way to fundamentally changing the convention and everything in between. So they're going to monitor this very closely and make changes as appropriate. Of course, we're not going to have a big party or festival here if there's problems or concerns facing the Gulf Coast" ("Meet the Press," NBC, 8/31).

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): "We're not going to do anything here inappropriate. To use this convention to raise money to help people who are going to be affected by the hurricane, and to make sure that we send the right signal to the people in harm's way. ... The goal is to make sure that you take the conservative approach, that we're not seen to be out of touch with people who could have everything they worked for lost. And no one here, no one in Senator McCain's inner circle, wants to do anything to be insensitive to what is coming" ("This Week," ABC, 8/31).

FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R), asked if he will be able to participate in the GOP convo: "Well, it's looking less likely. It all depends on what happens with these storms. I mean, you know, first things first, and that is protect the people of my state and make sure that we're doing everything we can to support them, give them care and comfort and be there for them. ... First and foremost, we need to be here for the people, and that's what I'm going to do" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

Fred Thompson, asked if he recalls a time when a convo has been postponed or consolidated because of a natural disaster: "No, I don't. It just reminds us, I suppose, of the importance of events and the importance of things that haven't happened yet in our lives and certainly with regard to politics. And, you know, we just have to take them as they come and try to do the right thing. ... It's unfortunate, of course, a lot of wonderful people and good workers coming from all over the country to a great expense to come here and celebrate together. But, again, we've got to keep our priorities straight."

Thompson, asked if "this a particular matter of sensibility for" GOPers, "given the mismanagement of Hurricane Katrina": "No, I don't think so. The administration received a lot of criticism last time, no question about it. So did state and local government, you know, and there's enough blame to go around there, but that's kind of all in the past now. ... My point is there's no carry-over there as far as Republicans are concerned now, because they have got a leader now who has been critical when criticism was called for, and who is always about, you know, service and sacrifice and leadership, and that's what you're seeing now in his reaction to what's happening there" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

Chris Dodd, asked what would be appropriate for GOPers to do right now: "Had the Bush administration not let this city drown basically three years ago, we wouldn't even be talking about this. It's a major storm coming through obviously and a lot of concern about it, but it was the failure of the Bush administration's actions three years ago that are creating all of this conversation, including the discussion about canceling or modifying the convention. ... It's a reminder ... that the Republican ticket here is one that really causes a lot of concern for people because this candidate has said over and over again he wants to have four more years like the eight years of the Bush administration. And candidly, that's one of the marks of that administration, of course, was the total failure to respond to a major American city in trouble."

CNN's J. King: "You honestly believe that John McCain ... would have a four-day political party, a balloon drop, a 'so what, I don't care' convention had Katrina not happened, even with Gustav bearing down on the coast of the United States and another tropical storm, Hanna, potentially following behind it?"

Dodd: "John was critical of the Bush administration, but there's a concern about whether or not this administration, the Bush administration, one whose policies he has endorsed, will handle this appropriately. If there was a lot of confidence that those in authority today would respond to this as they should have, then frankly, I think the convention would go on. There would be concerns about it, they would be talking about it, but they wouldn't be talking about canceling a convention" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

House Min. Leader John Boehner, on Dems saying the GOPers' tone at the convo will change more dramatically because of the political damage on the Bush admin. from Katrina: "I think everyone learned a lot from Katrina. Clearly, the federal government wasn't ready. A lot of the state governments weren't ready. And, frankly, I don't think the people in America were ready for such a horrific natural disaster. And so I think what we see now is that we're all more sensitive. We're all more prepared for what could occur. And, clearly, if you look at the precautions that are being taken today in New Orleans, they're light years ahead of what happened prior to Katrina" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

Rudy Giuliani: "There's no question that Senator McCain will make sure the focus is on the South and on Louisiana and Mississippi. ... It's really good that he has Governor Palin with him, because she's been a governor and a mayor. And you can't have better preparation for dealing with emergencies than having those two executive positions, no matter where you are in the country" ("Face the Nation," CBS, 8/31).

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), asked what the GOPers should do: "Well, since I'm a Democrat visiting the Republican convention, that's probably beyond my pay grade to say and inappropriate to say. But knowing John McCain as I do, I'm sure that he will want to be respectful and focused on the crisis that may occur on the Gulf Coast. But the convention has important public business to do. I mean, this convention has to nominate the Republican ticket so that the election can go forward in a timely way. And I'm sure that Senator McCain will find a way to do that. And I think a lot of the partying may be curtailed" ("Face the Nation," CBS, 8/31).

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA): "There's no question, though, that this will change the tone of the convention. We must and should be focused on the folks in the gulf region that are facing once again a life-threatening hurricane. And this is a time when our country really shuns politics and wants to focus on the most important thing, which is making sure that the people of that region survive and escape this horrific storm heading for them. ... [McCain will] make the right call as to how we're going to proceed in St. Paul. He's made the right call every step of the way during this race. And I'm confident that the same will occur this week and that the country will have its priorities straight, making sure that the people in the gulf are safe" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

SC Gov. Mark Sanford (R): "It's a national convention. This sort of thing happens every once four years. And what needs to be remembered about any storm is we certainly send thoughts, we certainly send prayers. We're already in the process of sending aid. But this is a part of a national debate that we're having, a national conversation that we're having as Americans as to what comes next come the elections in November. And so whether it's moved back or whether it's held at, you know, the date that's planned, I don't know. But what I do know is this is part of a much larger debate that can't be disrupted at the end of the day by a storm, a tornado, a flood, you name it, because that election is going to take place come November" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

I'VE BEEN WATCHING YOU

During the "Fox News Sunday" interview, McCain and wife Cindy were asked about Palin.

J. McCain, asked if wanted C. McCain's approval: "Oh, yes. Very necessary."

Wallace: "And you gave her the thumbs up?"

C. McCain: "I did."

Wallace, to J. McCain: "Of all the people you could have chosen, of all the Republican leaders you've known for years, straight talk, can you honestly say that Sarah Palin is the best person to put a heartbeat away from the presidency?"

J. McCain: "Oh, yes. She's a partner and a soul-mate. She's a reformer. I don't particularly enjoy the label 'maverick,' but when somebody takes on the old bulls in her own party, runs against an incumbent governor of her own party, stands up against the oil and gas interests, I mean, they really are so vital to the economy of the state of Alaska. I mean, it's remarkable. It's a remarkable person. And I've watched her record, and I've watched her for many, many years as she implemented ethics and lobbying reforms. And I mean, she led on it. She didn't just vote for it. She led it. I've seen her take on her own party. ... And so I'm so pleased and proud, because this is a person who will help me reform Washington and change the way they do business. And that's what Americans want."

More J. McCain: "By the way, in the last day-and-a-half, or whatever it has been, we have raised $4 million on the Internet. I wish I had have taken her a month ago."

Wallace: "You have criticized Obama as being, quote, 'dangerously unprepared to be president.' In the sense of national security and foreign policy specifically, isn't Sarah Palin even more dangerously unprepared?"

J. McCain: "Oh, no. Look, she has got the right judgment. ... She doesn't think, like Senator Obama does, that Iran is a minor irritant. She knows that the surge worked and succeeded, and she supported that. Senator Obama still, still to this day refuses to acknowledge that the surge has succeeded. She has been commander-in-chief of the Alaska Guard. ... In fact, as you know, she has got a son who is getting ready to go. ... She has had 12 years of elected office experience, including traveling to Kuwait, including being involved in these issues."

Wallace: "But, Senator, you talked about her years of experience. Ten of those years were as a city councilwoman and mayor of a town of 9,800 people. And in terms of foreign policy, in March of 2007, two months after the surge had started, she was asked about it, and she said: 'I've been focused on state government. I haven't focused on the war in Iraq.' Understandable for a governor; not understandable for a vice president."

J. McCain: "Well, by the way, also she was a member of the PTA. I think it's wonderful. But the point is she has been to Kuwait. She has been over there. She has been with her troops, the National Guard that she commands, who had been over there and had the experience. I'm proud of her knowledge of these challenges and issues. And, of course, as governor she has had enormous responsibilities, none of which Senator Obama had."

Wallace: "For people who aren't persuaded, at least initially in the first 24 hours, about her experiences, especially on foreign policy, doesn't this raise even more concerns about your age?"

J. McCain: "I don't know. Look, it was an issue in the primary, as you know. I've got to show them the vigor. ... But I also think that you've got the next generation of leadership of America who is committed to good government, to ethics, a wonderful family, a belief in the future of America. Look, I'm so excited about this person, Governor Palin, I can't tell you. And her family is marvelous, also."

Wallace: "The choice of a running mate is the first presidential-level decision that you've made. Why shouldn't we think that this is really about politics, about reaching out to women, especially to Hillary Clinton supporters?"

J. McCain: "Well, I think that I had to do what I think is best for the future of the country. That's the point here."

Wallace: "Whether this was the reason or not, do you think she will help you with women and especially with disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters?"

J. McCain: "I think she's going to help me with all Americans."

Wallace: "Let me see if I've got the chronology straight. ... You talked to her on the phone last Sunday. And you met with her face to face for the first time to discuss the vice presidential ticket Thursday morning, and then you offered her the job. Must have been a heck of a meeting?"

J. McCain: "Well, the fact is, I've been watching her. ... The pork barrel project, a $233 million bridge in Alaska to an island with 50 people on it. She, as governor, stood up and said, we don't need it, and if we need it, we'll pay for it ourselves. Now, that's guts. I saw that, and I said, this, this is what we need in Washington" (8/31).

ABC's Stephanopoulos also caught up with C. McCain on the trail in PA 8/30. The interview aired on "This Week" 8/31.

C. McCain, on the McCains' first bus trip with the Palins: "It was a lot of fun. As you know, we're a large family, and they have a large family. We had a lot of fun with kids yesterday and had a lot of fun getting to know each other, the families. And I'm so proud of my husband. I think he's made a marvelous choice."

C. McCain, on why Palin was a good choice: "They're a perfect match. ... Because she's a reformer. And she thinks outside the box, the way my husband does. They think about what's best for the country and what's -- you know, Washington is just a quagmire. It's a mess right now. And both of them have been serious reformers. ... There couldn't be a better match for my husband."

C. McCain, on Dems saying Palin is not ready to serve as commander-in-chief: "No, no, no. I completely disagree, and I know my husband does, too. She is heavily experienced in what she has done" (ABC, 8/31).

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Other pols weighed in on the Palin pick. We'll start with the good reviews:

SC Gov. Mark Sanford (R), on the reaction in SC: "Across the board, a lot of people are elated and excited. It's interesting. My wife was talking to a couple of girlfriends yesterday, and they were all keyed up about a woman they've never heard about, but very much loved her life story. The fact that you have somebody who begins in the PTA and cares about different things, and ends up governor of Alaska and now a vice presidential nominee is an exciting story, whether from a woman's perspective or from a policy person's perspective" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

Pawlenty: "She's a maverick with a record of reform. And if you look at her background, and I know her a bit as a fellow governor, she's an individual who is smart, she's strong, she's capable, she's dedicated, she's diligent and she has executive experience. ... She's running for vice president. She has as much or more experience as Barack Obama, who's running for president."

Pawlenty, asked if McCain is going directly after Clinton voters: "I think Senator McCain has picked a candidate here who complements and amplifies his strength. A maverick with a record of reform, somebody who's willing to take on the establishment, even if that means the Republican establishment, and she's done that. And if you look at the Hillary supporters, people who are -- men and women who are concerned about the economy, places like Ohio, Pennsylvania, the Midwest and other places, you know, what kind of candidate are they going to relate to? Somebody who has walked their walk, have lived a life like them, understands their needs and concerns and their family? I think they're going to look at Governor Palin and say, 'You know what? She's somebody I think can relate to my challenges, my concerns, because she's lived a life like that.'"

Pawlenty, asked if it was important for McCain to pick someone not in favor of abortion or choice: "Well, I think Senator McCain said from day one he wants somebody that is with him on the ticket that reflects his priorities and values for the country, and he has spent an entire career being pro-life, so I don't think that comes as a surprise" ("Meet the Press," NBC, 8/31).

Giuliani: "Maybe it's my own background as a mayor and United States attorney, but this whole idea of executive experience to me would really qualify her. ... She already has more executive experience than [Joe] Biden and Obama combined"

CBS' Schieffer: "You really do think that she is more qualified than Senator Obama would be? I mean, she's been the governor of a state with very small population. ... The mayor of a town of 9,000 people."

Giuliani: "Sure. You know why? She had to make decisions. All Senator Obama has had to do is talk. That's all he does. ... She's vetoed legislation. She's taken on corruption, and in her party, and won. She took on the oil companies and won. She administered a budget successfully. ... So this is somebody of accomplishment. Senator Biden's major accomplishment, according to Hillary Clinton, was one speech" ("Face the Nation," CBS, 8/31).

Boehner: "I just find this conversation that has gone the last two days almost appalling. And it comes from liberal Democrats who want to criticize the selection of Governor Palin. And it's almost like, if you're not a Washington insider, you don't count. You can't possibly know what it's like. Listen, she has got more executive experience than Barack Obama and Joe Biden put together. ... And when you look at the job, the job of being president or vice president, it's an administrative job. She actually has made decisions. When you're a senator, you get to decide yes or no. You get to go out and make some statements. But when you're the governor, you actually have to make decisions that have consequences. And for them to belittle this very accomplished woman, I think they're doing so at their own peril" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

Thompson: "I was surprised and delighted. I think it was an absolute -- you know -- great thing. She is the kind of person that all of us in the Beltway and outside the Beltway are always talking about that we want, you know, an outsider, somebody who will not get sucked in by the political process, somebody who is independent, somebody who will stand up to corruption and all that kind of thing. Well, guess what, that's exactly what you got. ... And in many cases, she is a mirror of John McCain in that regard."

Thompson, on critics saying Palin has limited experience and not any nat'l security or foreign policy experience: "I hate to break this to you, but you don't get national security experience by being on Sunday talk shows, and that's where a lot of these fellows get theirs. And you don't get national security experience from sitting on the floor of the Senate or the House and listening to what goes on there. ... She's been in public service for about 13 years now, state and local government. She is a reformer. She has experience not only in politics but in life. She's a mother of five children, and from an infant to a young man going into the military. And she has more experience than Barack Obama. So I think as long as we can continue to compare her experience with the presidential nominee of the Democrats, we're going to be in pretty good shape" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

Graham, asked if McCain's criteria was someone who could lead the country if something happened to him: "I think what he was looking for is a partner to tell a story about what he wants to do in Washington. The idea of Washington being broken is accepted by most Americans. ... What she's done in Alaska is what we would hope to do in Washington. That's why he picked her."

Graham, asked if Palin is ready to serve on day one: "I think so. Compared to Barack Obama, absolutely. She has done things that Barack Obama would never dream of. To go in her state and say, 'I'm not going to build a bridge to nowhere' ... and for her to say to the citizens of Alaska 'we're not going to do this because this is not necessary and it's wasteful.' ... I'm in politics. I voted against the bridge to nowhere. I was one of 14. Scared the heck out of me, because I knew what was going to come my way. I can't imagine being the governor of the state and telling the people who were able to secure the bridge, 'we're not going to do it.'"

More Graham: "Compared to Barack Obama, I think she'd make one hell of a commander-in-chief. ... Whether you think she's a good choice or not, I can tell you, she's got a resume of taking on hard issues and standing up to tough people. If you can take on Ted Stevens and that crowd in Alaska, you can handle the Russians" ("This Week," ABC, 8/31).

Lieberman: "I'd say that John McCain made a bold choice here which makes a lot of sense. And it goes right to the heart of what's on the minds of most people in this country: They want to see change in Washington. If this is a change election, it's about changing Washington so that it works again, so that this alliance of partisan political power-brokers and special-interests peddlers is broken. And that's been McCain's history. He's never hesitated to take on the lobbyists or the big corporations or his own party. Senator Obama has no record like that. And in Governor Palin, John has found a maverick who's done exactly the same thing at the state level that he's done at the federal level. So I think what Senator McCain is saying with this choice is, we're serious about shaking up the status quo in Washington to make it work for the people of our country again. ... Bringing her onto the ticket is a little bit like opening a door and letting some fresh Alaska air into Washington, which needs some fresh air."

Lieberman, asked if it was McCain's choice: "Well, of course, this is a process that, if it's talked about, should be talked about by John, but he made his own decision. ... Here he wanted to send the message, get somebody fresh, somebody really who represents the other America outside of Washington, where people don't care whether you have an 'R' or a 'D' after your name. They just want you to get something done to help them deal with the problems they have. And Sarah Palin comes from that other America" ("Face the Nation," CBS, 8/31).

McCain camp members defended the decision:

McCain Victory chair Carly Fiorina, asked why Clinton supporters would vote for Palin: "I've been receiving messages from a lot of those women ever since John McCain named Sarah Palin. And they are ecstatic over this pick. They are ecstatic, because this is a person of great accomplishment. This is a person who can identify with the challenges that they face as women in every conceivable way, as a mother, as a woman trying to balance her work life and her family life, not to mention her incredible track record of reform and taking on, as she said, the good-old-boy network. So I have heard from many women, and they are truly excited by this pick."

CBS' Schieffer: "The ones who are still for Hillary Clinton, I would say that they are about as pro-abortion rights as you could be. This woman is anti-abortion rights. Despite all of her compelling life story -- and no one doubts that -- so how would they be willing to flip on that issue?"

Fiorina: "Yes, you see, I think, frankly, the Democratic Party has done a disservice to women by trying to hold women hostage to the issue of Roe v. Wade. The truth is the most important issue to women -- all the polls say this -- is the economy. Women are not single-issue voters. Yes, there are some women for whom the issue of reproductive rights trumps everything else, but the truth is most women are not that way."

Fiorina, asked if Palin is the most qualified woman McCain could have picked: "I think she is a terrific pick, because she is, like John McCain, a real reformer. She is clearly a maverick. She has a personal sense of how difficult it is to get through life every day with a family. I think she's a wonderful pick. And I think she will not only energize our party, but I can tell you from my personal experience with the messages I'm getting from Democratic women, she is going to energize women in this country" ("Face the Nation," CBS, 8/31).

McCain adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer, asked why Palin, with no real nat'l security or foreign policy experience, is ready on day one to become commander-in-chief: "She's just had a remarkable journey. She has actually challenged the status quo. She's a reformer with a record of reform, and Senator McCain respects that. ... To get points on the board with John McCain, you have to prove that you're willing to do something when it's difficult and unpopular. And if it's the right thing to do when it's difficult to do, then he has respect for you. She earned his respect."

CNN's Blitzer: "But on a basis of one meeting he had with her earlier this year in February, she's a finalist to become his running mate?"

Pfotenhauer: "She won it on the merits. He wasn't selecting who he was going to want as a drinking buddy or a pal. He was selecting someone who has the proven reform record to come in and help him shake up this town. And, frankly, that's not somebody like a Joe Biden, who has spent more time in government than out. ... Our number two on the ticket is more qualified than Barack Obama is, the number one on the Democratic ticket. And Senator Biden, I mean, they threw over change right off the side of the bathtub, if you will, with Senator Biden, because he is, if not a creature of Washington, he has spent more time in government than out."

Blitzer: "In fairness, Senator McCain has spent, what, 26 years in Washington, so you're implicitly criticizing your boss?"

Pfotenhauer: "No. What I'm -- but Senator McCain has during that period of time challenged his own party when they were wrong. He has taken on the status quo. He has worked across party lines to do things that were difficult. And we all know that, because this is our town" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

MYSTERY, ALASKA

The Dems, meanwhile, were not as thrilled:

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA): "We've been warning against the third term of George Bush. With the choice of Governor Palin, it's now the third term of Bush-Cheney, because what he's done is he's chosen somebody who actually doesn't believe that climate change is manmade. He's chosen somebody who has zero -- zero -- experience in foreign policy. The first threshold test of a president of a nominee in choosing a vice president is to prove to the American people that the person that you've chosen can fill in tomorrow, that they come with the requisite experience to lead the nation in foreign policy and in national security. ... I'm sure she's a terrific person. I'm not attacking her. I think John McCain's judgment is once again put at issue, because he's chosen somebody who clearly does not meet the national security threshold, who is not ready to be president tomorrow."

Kerry, on GOPers saying Palin is more experienced than Obama: "That's just ridiculous on its face. ... Barack Obama has been in the United States Senate. He has not been absent more than he's been there. She's been a governor for, what, the two years now? ... Moreover, Barack Obama has traveled abroad. Look at the trip Barack Obama took. I mean, it is remarkable to me that the Republicans would try to denigrate a trip that a candidate for president takes where he attracts more attention, more support, if you will, than a sitting president of the United States of America. That's what you need in leadership for a president. You need somebody who can go to Europe and say to them, 'We need more help in Afghanistan.'"

Kerry, on ex-Clinton comm. dir. Howard Wolfson saying the pick might just work to draw women to the GOP ticket: "I have much more respect for the Clinton supporters than that sort of quick-blush take with -- I mean, how stupid do they think the Clinton supporters are, for Heaven sakes? Do they think Clinton supporters supported Hillary only because she was a woman? For Heaven sakes, they supported Hillary because of all the things she's fought for. ... The people who supported Hillary Clinton are not going to be seduced just because John McCain has picked a woman."

More Kerry: "John McCain wanted to choose Tom Ridge. He wanted to choose Joe Lieberman. He wanted to choose another candidate, but you know what? Rush Limbaugh and the right wing vetoed it. And John McCain was forced to come back and pick a sort of Cheney-esque social conservative who's going to satisfy the base. What John McCain has proven with this choice is that John McCain is the prisoner of the right wing, not a maverick" ("This Week," ABC, 8/31).

Dodd, on Thompson saying Palin has more executive experience than Obama: "It's a ridiculous -- of course, Fred is my good friend, and he does a great job on 'Law and Order,' and he's a great prosecutor. But I think of Elizabeth Dole, I think of Jodi Rell, the governor of Connecticut, I think of Kay Bailey Hutchison, I think of Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe. I can recite off the top of my head a number of Republican candidates, women who were far more qualified, with all due respect to Sarah Palin. So, again, John has made a choice here, but the suggestion somehow this is a wise choice -- this is the choice of [James] Dobson, [Pat] Robertson, and [Rush] Limbaugh. This is a real sop to the extreme conservative elements of the Republican Party. John McCain's knees buckled, because he was fearful of what the extreme right was going to say about this ticket. That's what this comes down to" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

Ex-Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD): "The choice is somewhat mystifying to me. It's inexplicable. John McCain, for the last year, has basically said one thing. The next president of the United States is going to have to have the ability to focus the experience and all of the resources it's going to take to be a strong person in foreign policy and make the decisions necessary to get us through this very, very difficult challenges we face. So who does he pick? Somebody who has absolutely no experience in that regard. The only explanation to me is that he buckled, he knuckled under to the extreme right-wing pressures that he was feeling these last several weeks. That's the only real explanation I can think of."

Daschle, on critics saying some Dems have moved dangerously close to being sexist in their criticism of Palin: "This has nothing to sex at all, or sexual -- you know, just the fact is, you've got a lot of very strong women. Kay Bailey Hutchison's name has been mentioned several times. You know, she would have been a perfect choice. ... There are a lot of other Republican women who could have easily filled this role, if that's what he was looking for. I think they have to be concerned about what message it may send about being too patronizing with regard to the transparency of this choice, as well. ... It's really a question of, how much is John McCain going to listen to the right wing as he makes these critical decisions? And at least so far, it's pretty clear: 100 percent of the time. ... In addition to the right-wing concerns that he might have had, I think the other issue is, do I need to shore up the West with a nominee from the West? And that may have been part of his calculation" ("Late Edition," CNN, 8/31).

ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP

The "Fox News Sunday" roundtable discussed discussed McCain picking Palin as his VP, as well as parts of Wallace's interview with the McCains.

Wallace: "Bill, I have to say, when I was interviewing Senator McCain, that I mentioned the fact that you had been pushing Sarah Palin for some months now. And his reaction -- and I hope you won't be insulted -- is in a very growly voice. He said, 'Even a blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while.' So I want you to know that the senator sent his best to you."

Weekly Standard's Kristol: "I'm flattered. It's not every day I get compared to a blind hog, but I think ..."

Wallace: "Well, actually it's every other day."

Kristol: "I think it's a term of endearment."

Fox's Hume, on whether Palin is a good choice or a risky choice: "I think both, risky and a good choice. In your interview with Senator McCain, he really didn't -- and for political reasons, probably couldn't mention the most conspicuous benefit that Sarah Palin has been to him and that is that she has electrified his base. Look, the Democrats went to school on what happened to them in 2004. ... The Democrats are going to have a better effort this time, and McCain needs a better one that Mr. Bush had. And he didn't have the foot -- he really didn't have the enthusiasm of the foot soldiers needed for that. So that's one example. She has fired these people up. ... I must say, I thought that the least important decision of this period would be the Republican vice presidential nominee. Boy, was I wrong" (8/31).

The "Late Edition" roundtable discussed what the GOP should do about its convo.

CNN's Borger: "I think everybody understands that there has to be a tonal shift. Conventions are celebrations, they're parties, people wear silly hats and buttons and everything else. And I think, you know, when you have a crisis going on in the country ... turn this into some kind of telethon or fund-raising opportunity."

Bill Bennett: "John McCain is a guy with a right sense of mission and purpose. The whole theme of John McCain's life is live for something larger than yourself. He was bugging George Bush about this after 9/11. He was bugging George Bush about this after Katrina. And he has been doing this for years. So I don't think there's any posturing in John McCain's standing up and saying, now it's time for all of us to pitch in. This is what his life has been" (CNN, 8/31).

The "Meet the Press" roundtable discussed discussed McCain picking Palin as his VP.

CNBC's Bartiromo, asked if Palin would describe herself as a feminist: "I don't think she would describe herself as a feminist, but I think that she would describe herself as a champion for women. You know, her comments when she accepted the role from John McCain that, you know, 'We're not done. We have more work to do,I think were very telling. ... She is trying to be a champion, I think, for women, and talk about breaking through the glass ceiling, but not coming across too strong, and using words like awesome, really trying to appeal, to being a regular folk. I think ... that she really is attractive to the working class. Her husband works for BP, an oil company, up on the North Slope, and is called a Sloper, you know. And then she referred to him, which I thought was really cute ... as Alaska's first dude. So she comes out with these references that sort of immediately unnerve you and put herself in with the masses. But no, I wouldn't call her a feminist."

GOP strategist Mike Murphy: "I think she is very strong in charisma, but as a strategic pick, she's very fragile. ... One bad gaffe, or two in a row, I think maybe a pile-on starts, and she's in big, big trouble. ... McCain made a big bet on her. If she can exceed expectation, she could be really good. A couple of bumps along the way, and a crisis could be that bump, if she has a gaffe, could be devastating" (NBC, 8/31).

BIG NOTE: See On Call for our interview with Chris Wallace following the 8/31 edition of "Fox News Sunday."