Yes, but at least 17% of that remaining 60% have parents that are PhD's(this is AMCAS info).

Keep in mind, MD's aren't the ONLY "Doctors". :rolleyes: :p

Dear Aurora, that is not what "I got", I shared my first impression of her immediately following her speech. I am carefully choosing not to present too many of my political opinions here. Furthermore, I have been giving Sarah Palin an opportunity to speak for herself (at least to me) and am not going to discuss her positions based solely on third-party reports. That is why yesterday was important for me - I wanted to hear her present her own opinions and positions, I wanted the intangibles (not facts/tangibles like the names of her family members and their occupations, which can be verified from other sources without too much danger of misrepresentation). However, if you would like the long list of issues/questions/concerns which preoccupied my mind during and after her speech, I will be happy to present them. Are you truly interested in my thoughts and opinions?

wow, what a great discussion! I don't mean to break the flow but I had to chime in I'm not sure who I'm voting for yet. I hate admitting that because people usually flame me for it. "How could you NOT know? The candidates are SO different!" Well, I don't. It's only my second presidential election after all.

So thank you to all of you debaters! Your posts and their accompanying facts and links are helping me to get a clearer picture of the candidates. I'm still trying to figure out if we're supposed to vote based on the issues, who we think will be the best leader, or whose personality we like the best. No, those three things are not always wrapped up into one person. Does anyone else wish there were a few more people running? Considering our diverse perspectives it's such a shame having to narrow it down to two. Sigh.

nonny, I'm not sure if you're referring to me. I think I used the word "handout" somewhere back there. If you'd like to know, I grew up in a rural area plagued by meth and crack. I then moved to the ghetto of Oakland with my single mom and little brother. I didn't graduate high school and dropped out when I was 15. My family didn't once take a government handout. Am I proud of that? I don't really care. It wouldn't have made a difference to me. I accepted a small need-based scholarship to my CC and now accept minimal financial aid at my undergrad. I'm married, I'm going to be a doctor. I understand bootstraps and how small and slippery they can be. I've had people invite me over to dinner because they knew I couldn't afford to buy groceries. Since then, I've worked hard. I'm better off for my struggles and I've learned a lot.

I think that the government should provide HELP when it's needed, but there are some ridiculous abuses of the system. Accepting that they are always SOME flaws is entirely different than throwing money at a broken welfare system.

Well, if you don't feel we're paying enough taxes by the time you're making "that much," I understand that the IRS accepts donations above the required amount.

Well, I meant the comment as more of a general statement, but I suppose whatever part of my intention that was directing it at you misinterpreted your prior posts. I apologize.

Sweet - I thought near identical things and repeat that what we got last night was a horrible job interview from Palin. They tell you not to cover things in your resume that you will report on a job application and well there was nothing "new" added to her resume last night - I know people are zealous with the "Palin Love Fest" and I had liked her, I didn't agree with everything she stood for but on some fundamentals I found enough reasonable common ground but she was a skeleton of herself last night trotted out for a dog and pony show - shame on the GOP, shame on her for allowing it to happen

Sweet (thanks for the "dear". Not sure if you were being polite or condescending, so I'll leave it out of my salutation),

The purpose of the convention speeches is not to throw down a detailed list of the VP's viewpoints. The purpose was to engage the base (which, BTW, LOVED her speech), introduce herself officially, and kick off the campaign for John McCain. I think she did a fantastic job on all three of those. In addition, she showed us her response to the vile personal attacks of the extreme left-wing bloggers (including some members of the media). She fought back, but instead of spreading ridiculous rumors about who gave birth to little Sasha Obama (that's his youngest, FYI) or playing a victim, she focused her offensive on political/campaign issues. After Obama's campaign belittled her job as major of a small town, God forbid she take a jab at his hallowed resume.

Sarah Palin has been the nominee for 6 days now. Please give her a little more time. You'll hear her stuff at the debate in October and in countless interviews between now and then.

And as for sharing your opinions, do whatever makes you comfortable. I didn't ask for any, I was responding to your reaction. I notice that you have "issues/questions/concerns" but it doesn't sound like you have anything positive to say. Obviously you are disappointed. You said that in your last post. So if you want to share more disappointments, go ahead.

For the general audience: I couldn't be more happy with Palin's performance, and I can't wait for the debate. But then again, I guess I'm "one of them."

I loved the speech, and agree with aurora on the purpose of convention speeches. I loved the line about selling the Alaska governor's private plane on EBay, which she apparently actually did. One thing that absolutely amazes me is that liberal feminists have been telling all of us for years that we can have it all, be moms and be successful in business, politics, medicine, or whatever we want to do, and when someone like Sarah Palin actually proves that it is possible, she gets shot down as being unfit or as neglecting her family by the very women who have been telling us all along to go for it. She is standing up to the critics with grace and grit and I love it. Did you know that her teleprompter went out on her just before she started the speech and apparently cut in an out all throughout the speech? You couldn't tell at all. In addition, I thought little Piper Palin was just too cute for words while holding her little brother and smoothing out his hair.

Seriously, can I clone little Piper? She's adorable. She's got her mama's spirit.