Readers passionate on ‘Palin effect’

This week ClickBack asked readers about the “Palin effect” and whether it would win over voters here in Maine. Maine is one of two states that could split its electoral votes. If the McCain-Palin ticket wins more votes in the 2nd Congressional District but loses the state to Sen. Obama, the Republican candidates still would earn one electoral vote.

Our question inspired readers who were generally unimpressed with Gov. Sarah Palin, and cynical about whether her visit Thursday would sway voters.

To read complete comments on this and other editorial page questions, find ClickBack under the Opinion menu at bangordailynews.com

Look for new questions in Tuesday’s editorial column, or post your own at the ClickBack page at bangordailynews.com.

I would much rather listen to condescending comments from Obama about how rural people cling to guns, God and religion. “Change you can believe in.”

– ShawnDaily

People who find Carolyn Chute and the 2nd Maine Militia folksy will probably find the Palins equally charming.

Is Alaska similar to Maine? Not very much. I lived in Alaska during the 1970s. Things may have changed since then. The oil money has made Alaska an affluent state. Maine is rich in many ways, but not wealthy. Once you get beyond the snowmobiles and the moose, you might find quite a difference in attitude.

There is a fine line between healthy independence and the radical rejection of our country as a functioning union. The Alaska Independent Party, of which Todd Palin was a member, and to which Sarah Palin gave a brief but enthusiastic keynote address (you can find it on YouTube) seems to me to be over the line.

– MarieLaine

Sending both of the Palins to Maine in an attempt to peel away one electoral vote shows just how desperate the McCain campaign has become. Methinks I hear the fat lady warming up backstage.

– iminmaine

It is the “in thing” to get “down and dirty” with the average people of the land; and by doing this, all you “gotta do” is wink and make “home-boy” or “home-girl” remarks, just like the locals. It’s just an act. Maine folks are too savvy to allow anyone, unless they get star-struck, to influence them into anything. I hope none of the candidates thinks they can do that to people in the Pine Tree State.

– Johninphilippines

Surely we all see what’s going on here. Those of us who live, work, or simply spend time out in the rural spaces, in the forests and on the streams, in the towns and campgrounds of Maine, are being talked down to. This folksy Gosh-and-Gee way of winking at us is based on great denial of what’s really at stake. It is disrespectful of the dignity of the smart, resourceful and hard-working people of Maine. It assumes that we Mainers are little people without political wisdom and whose votes can be grasped from us by cheap shots and charismatic tricks. We should feel sad and embarrassed that a major political party and its candidate for the presidency have chosen to turn our political process into a celebrity popularity contest that treats the huge problems that we face as crude slogans shouted in pep rallies.

– ralphmoore36

Ninety percent of the people going to this rally will be supporters and will cheer every inane comment made by Ms. Palin. If you go, realize that this candidate will be reading off a script written by someone else. It will say nice things about Maine and probably something nice about Bangor, but like the candidate herself it will have no substance. Ms. Palin is unqualified for the office of Vice President. Being able to gut a moose and talk folksy are not qualifications for this position. Maine people are very savvy and will see for themselves that Ms. Palin is a flash in the pan celebrity who in three weeks will return to Alaska and never be heard from again. Amen

– picc2008