Troopergate: Will it be an October Surprise?

[ajblaise]

People close to the investigation are saying it will "likely be damaging to her". And the report is due out October 10th. Palin already failed to remove the investigator (who was chosen by a bi-partisan panel, unanimously I believe).

I was surprised when I found out how large and extensive this matter is: Alaska Public Safety Commissioner dismissal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Public_Safety_Commissioner_dismissal)

[Jeffster]

Adding "gate" to the end of words to indicate scandal is the stupidest trend in the history of time.

[ajblaise]

Adding "gate" to the end of words to indicate scandal is the stupidest trend in the history of time.

It's good for brevity's sake. It's easier to say "Troopergate" than "Alaska Public Safety Commissioner dismissal controversy".

[Jack Flak]

If being cool were easy, everyone would be cool.

[ajblaise]

If being cool were easy, everyone would be cool.

what are you talking about?

[Jack Flak]

It's good for brevity's sake. It's easier to say "Troopergate" than "Alaska Public Safety Commissioner dismissal controversy".
.

[ajblaise]

.

It is easier to say that. I still don't know how what you said relates.

[Jack Flak]

It is easier to say that. I still don't know how what you said relates.
Well in a way, that proves my point. To ever so painfully explain:

People do things because they are easy, yes, but the best way is often not the easiest way.

[ajblaise]

Well in a way, that proves my point. To ever so painfully explain:

People do things because they are easy, yes, but the best way is often not the easiest way.

What's wrong with whatever-gate? Everyone knows what it means, it's easier to say...I'm not seeing the big drawback.

[Jack Flak]

What's wrong with whatever-gate? Everyone knows what it means, it's easier to say...I'm not seeing the big drawback.
It's uncool?

[ajblaise]

ah, another case of jack trying to derail a thread with no real point to make. shoulda known.

[Jeffster]

It came from Watergate. Watergate was not a scandal about water, it was a frickin hotel. Therefore whoever started the "Adding -gate to the end of stuff" should have been melted down and fed to an alligator. It goes beyond uncool, it's just stupid.

I hope we don't ever have a scandal involving someone leaving a gate open somewhere. Gategate would instantly make everybody sound like babies.

Wait, on second thought, that would be glorious. *goes to open gate*

[ajblaise]

It came from Watergate. Watergate was not a scandal about water, it was a frickin hotel. Therefore whoever started the "Adding -gate to the end of stuff" should have been melted down and fed to an alligator. It goes beyond uncool, it's just stupid.

I hope we don't ever have a scandal involving someone leaving a gate open somewhere. Gategate would instantly make everybody sound like babies.

Wait, on second thought, that would be glorious. *goes to open gate*

hmm i never knew people adding "gate" to words to indicate a scandal could upset someone this much.

[Jack Flak]

ah, another case of jack trying to derail a thread with no real point to make. shoulda known.
You derailed it yourself, man, in all honesty. I was only briefly witticising!

[C.J.Woolf]

I doubt the report will have much impact on the race because (1) most people will have made up their minds about Palin by then and (2) it's the vice presidential candidate, for cryin' out loud. If the VP candidate was that important, Dan Quayle should have sunk G.H.W. Bush in 1988.

Now, if the media were to re-examine McCain's role in the Keating Five in light of the current crisis in the financial industry, that could be an "October Surprise" that was right in front of us all along.

[ajblaise]

(2) it's the vice presidential candidate, for cryin' out loud.

Palin is just about more popular than McCain right now, she might as well be the presidential candidate.


Depending on the legal repercussions of the investigation (not sure what they are), I think it could be a big deal. If there is no legal consequence, it probably won't do too much.

[pure_mercury]

Seems to be a little bit of smoke, but not much fire.

[ajblaise]

Seems to be a little bit of smoke, but not much fire.

where there's smoke, there's fire.

and that's the point of an October Surprise, no one sees it coming.

[pure_mercury]

where there's smoke, there's fire.

Not always true, especially when it comes to scandals about the newly-famous.

and that's the point of an October Surprise, no one sees it coming.

I heard about this issue the DAY she was announced as the VP nominee. It's not exactly a "didn't see it coming" situation. Besides, how many times in American history has there been an actual "October Surprise" that has thrown an election?

[ajblaise]

Not always true, especially when it comes to scandals about the newly-famous.



I heard about this issue the DAY she was announced as the VP nominee. It's not exactly a "didn't see it coming" situation. Besides, how many times in American history has there been an actual "October Surprise" that has thrown an election?

We all know about it, but we can't know how big of a scandal it will be until the judgment, October 10th I think. And this election should be very close, I can't see it taking that many percentage points away from McCain, but one or two could be enough.

[pure_mercury]

We all know about it, but we can't know how big of a scandal it will be until the judgment, October 10th I think. And this election should be very close, I can't see it taking that many percentage points away from McCain, but one or two could be enough.

Sounds like wishful thinking to me. A really bad VP nominee can hurt a presidential candidate, perhaps even cripple him/her, but this "scandal" is a non-scandal at this point. The fact that people are even trying to call it "Troopergate" smacks of desperation, unless/until something REALLY juicy comes to light. Besides, there are plenty of legitimate concerns about Palin that hammering her about would resonate better with the American public. This brother-in-law thing, her pregnant daughter, the Down Syndrome baby, all of this will make her look more sympathetic. If I were on Obama's team, "tread lightly" would be the motto. Hit them with policy shots and rehearse like madmen for the debates.

[Ivy]

I don't think people who add "gate" to every other political scandal think Watergate was about water, they just think it's funny or clever. It's not, but it can be shorthand, if you don't care that it's not funny or clever.

Beyond that, it doesn't seem like it will be that big a deal. It sounds like an unfortunate family situation that Palin brought into the public realm which seems to be a pattern with her, but I wish we could just get the spotlight off of her for two seconds and focus on the actual candidates.

[ajblaise]

I'll admit I only used the term because of it's negative connotation, and of course because it's most succinct way of getting the idea across.

[lowtech redneck]

This brother-in-law thing, her pregnant daughter, the Down Syndrome baby, all of this will make her look more sympathetic. If I were on Obama's team, "tread lightly" would be the motto. Hit them with policy shots and rehearse like madmen for the debates.

I heard that the trooper in question actually tasered a ten-year-old boy. If true, I think that fact alone would make any high-profile Democratic attempts to capitalize on this issue almost as counter-productive as the impeachment of President Clinton was for Republicans.

[pure_mercury]

I heard that the trooper in question actually tasered a ten-year-old boy. If true, I think that fact alone would make any high-profile Democratic attempts to capitalize on this issue almost as counter-productive as the impeachment of President Clinton was for Republicans.

The Republicans held a majority in Congress and won the Presidency within two years of impeaching Clinton, but I kinda see what you are getting at. It will actually make people sympathize with the politician at the center of the supposed scandal.

[The_Liquid_Laser]

I think the Dems were frustrated that so much stupid crap was thrown at Obama, so now they are trying to get their revenge by dumping a big load on Palin. This stuff is mostly crap unless it's actually policy related. (i.e. The "bridge to nowhere" is actually policy related, while the teen pregnancy stuff is mostly just juicy gossip.)

I think adding "gate" to everything was started by the Republicans during the Clinton administration, e.g. Lewinskygate. I can't remember if they called the Whitewater stuff "Whitewatergate".

[pure_mercury]

I think the Dems were frustrated that so much stupid crap was thrown at Obama, so now they are trying to get their revenge by dumping a big load on Palin. This stuff is mostly crap unless it's actually policy related. (i.e. The "bridge to nowhere" is actually policy related, while the teen pregnancy stuff is mostly just juicy gossip.)

It's pure politics. It goes back to the beginning of elections and the media.

I think adding "gate" to everything was started by the Republicans during the Clinton administration, e.g. Lewinskygate. I can't remember if they called the Whitewater stuff "Whitewatergate".

It's been going on almost since Watergate. France had a "Winegate" the same year Nixon resigned. "Koreagate" during the Carter administration in 1976 was probably the first time it was used in the U.S.

[Ivy]

Polit Tsk Tsk Tsk: Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator (http://politsk.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah_13.html)

I'm Goalie Bearcat.

[pure_mercury]

Polit Tsk Tsk Tsk: Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator (http://politsk.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah_13.html)

I'm Goalie Bearcat.

Yeah, I saw that yesterday. I believe I was Stake Shed Palin.

[C.J.Woolf]

I'm Shaver Razorback Palin. Classy!

[The_Liquid_Laser]

Polit Tsk Tsk Tsk: Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator (http://politsk.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah_13.html)

I'm Goalie Bearcat.

LOL, I'm Seam Marauder Palin.

[Magic Poriferan]

I'm Fog Piles Palin. That's hard to beat.

[Jack Flak]

I think adding "gate" to everything was started by the Republicans during the Clinton administration, e.g. Lewinskygate. I can't remember if they called the Whitewater stuff "Whitewatergate".
Whitewater-gate might have been the first time I heard the bastardization. But I don't think I've ever heard the phrase Lewinsky-gate.

[htb]

I heard the governor called one of her children "snuggle-bugglins" in a divulged e-mail. Lethal.

[Lateralus]

Commando Coalfire Palin! (real name)

or

Hose Hotrod Palin (Lateralus)

[AllAboutSoul]

Rake Trinket Palin. :laugh: