So now you know....That's a very interesting choice by McCain.
Interesting choice, it will be interesting to see, over the next few weeks, what the voters take is on that choice. She is probably further to the right, and more conservative, than McCain is.
And one smart cookie she is. :)
I suspect Teresa is putting signs in her yard right now. Sarah is very conservative and being from Alaska, you just know she is pro guns and pro hunting. Everybody up there is into hunting and fishing as many still live on what they hunt or catch. This will be fun to watch! :laugh:
:) No I don't put signs up..
But I am pleased about the pick.
Quite an interesting choice. I like Sarah Palin very much. She will play well to independents, and many of the Hillary supporters. Her life story is very typical of Alaska and will play well to many Americans. My friends in Alaska love her. She is big on governmental reform and cleaned up much of the political shenanigans that go on in Alaska. At one time she had a 90% approval rating, highest of any politician in the U.S. (Last I heard it was down to 80%). A great choice for all my old High School friends that still live in Alaska. It also speaks well to us getting a handle on the energy crisis. Here is a tape of her when she was on Charlie Rose, I think most people will find her interview very interesting.
http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2007/10/12/2/a-conversation-with-governors-janet-napolitano-sarah-palin
David
Some info on her.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
Palin is an avid Hunter and sportsman, a lifetime member of the NRA, I would say that she will bring the gun owners over to the Republican side but they were aleready going to vote overwhelmingly for McCain. The Democratic Ticket is definitely anti-gun and with the liberals in control of both houses, the gun owners will be out in force for the Republicans. Howard Kansas has a history with politicains in Alaska, the first attorney general of Alaska was from Howard, John Rader. John and his brother Bill, a Psychiatrist, both went to Alaska as young men and both had distinguished careers in their field.
Intelligent choice :)
What a breath of fresh air to this campaign!!! I had never heard of Sarah Palin before, but she is VERY impressive behind the podium and should bring alot of interest to this race. It should be fun................
OOOOOhhh--- two terms on city council in a town of 5400 people and mayor of that same town. Less than one term as governor of Alaska; where is the experience? Oh, I know, placed second in Miss Alaska contest in 1984, that qualifies her. Too bad.
SDM, you win on that one, Obama has had lots more experience as an understudy of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
SDM I think youu stole that from the guy writing slop for the Republicans about Obama?! Hey I thought you read my poem on Alaska; doen't underestimate anyone from Alaska. The town (Valdez) where I graduated from in Alaska is even smaller than Wasilla and the city government there has permanent fund that has over $100 million dollars in it. Alaska also has a permanent fund in reserve that is even larger than that. Most states and the US government could learn a few things from the people of Alaska.
David
She is inexperienced in Foreign Policy..But that is John McCain's strength.
The HUGE buzz is that she has accomplished more in her 2 years of Governor of Alaska ..
than Obama has in his stint in the Senate.
So inexperience is calling the kettle black.
Nothing like a breath of freshair...........
I was dreading this year in politics............knowing that we didn't have too many options.,
Well, I like what I am seeing now......and you do have to admit......she is very pretty and so is her
family.
What I am seeing is each one of the slates who are running for the office has One old one, and one youngun.......wonder who decided to do that.
Is there a pupper master behind the scene?
Hang on to your hats folks, I think we have a RACE!
JUdy, I love you comments, you make it so interesting with out anything offensive, you have the touch. Keep on keeping on.
WOW what a refreshing bit of sunshine she is!!! A beautiful face and a welcoming smile - and smarts to boot. It doesn't get much better than this, folks.
John McCain and Sarah Palin Visit the Troops
John McCain showed great wisdom in his choice for his running mate.
Congratulations to Sarah Palin, John McCain, the Republican Party, and the People of the United States!!!
well I'm glad y'all finally feel like you have somethin to smile about :laugh: :laugh:
Have to say I was impressed with the Charlie Rose interview. Haven't been home to see any TV yet. Here I thought I might be bored for the next couple of months.
I take Alaska Magazine and the Feb. 08 issue has a nice article in it called Palin's Way, if anyone is interested in learning a bit about her.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on August 29, 2008, 02:14:41 PM
I take Alaska Magazine and the Feb. 08 issue has a nice article in it called Palin's Way, if anyone is interested in learning a bit about her.
Diane I take Alaska Magazine too. It is a great magazine and has fantastic pictures that show the beauty of Alaska.
http://www.alaskamagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=876&Itemid=141
Palin's Way
Written by Melissa DeVaughn
February 2008
She has attracted attention for everything from her appearance to being a maverick Republican, but Sarah Palin says she just wants to straighten out Alaska politics.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stands in her kitchen wearing a black skirt and silver-sequined sweater, dressed for the gala she is about to attend. In front of her are a BlackBerry and a cell phone, devices that rarely leave her side. It's her favorite room in the large but unpretentious home her husband, Todd, designed and built five years ago. In the kitchen, 6-year-old daughter Piper's artwork dominates the décor in an otherwise modern, black-counter-topped room that opens into the rest of the living space.
"I wanted to be able to see everyone, to talk to them from here," Palin says, glancing at her BlackBerry while leaning on the countertop. She quickly pushes a few buttons on the device. It is a rainy Saturday afternoon, but the work of the state's first female governor never stops.
Palin straightens up and walks over to a tall table, taking in the expansive view of Lake Lucille through the wall of windows along the front of the living room. Todd's floatplane is docked just a hundred yards away, at the edge of the neatly mowed lawn. Three grebes float by, and a duck loiters at the edge of the grass.
Across the room, the front door bursts open and Bristol, 17 and the second-oldest of the Palins' four children, rushes in. She's a younger version of her mother, with the same striking, dark eyes and hair that have earned Palin a reputation as "the hottest governor in the country."
It's a moniker that Palin shrugs off. Although poised and confident on camera, she is nonchalant when it comes to the comments on her appearance.
When a reporter and photographers from Vogue magazine came to Alaska in December to do a story on her, Palin was sure she disappointed them. "In the interview you could tell that the writer was trying to get me to focus on the gender and appearance issues, but I kept talking about energy and national security, and not relying on foreign sources of energy," Palin said. "Finally, she stopped me and said, 'I know that's what you want to talk about, but this is a women's fashion magazine.' I don't know about fashion. It's bunny boots and fleece and The North Face. So I tried to talk about that, but it's just not the way I'm wired."
Palin's father, Chuck Heath, said that's simply the way his daughter is. "She's not phony. She never has been," said Heath, who moved his wife, Sally, and four children from Idaho to Skagway in 1964, when Sarah was just three months old.
Since his daughter took office last December, Heath has received several T-shirts proclaiming his daughter the best-looking political figure around. "One says, 'My governor is hotter than your governor,' and the other one says 'Alaska: the coldest state with the hottest governor,' " Heath said, laughing.
And she has gained notoriety online as well. Wonkette.com, a political blog, seems obsessed with Palin, admiring not only her appearance (she's a Tina Fey look-alike, the blog claims) but appreciating the simple fact that she is not, as it reports, "one of those creepy old men" in politics. Another blog, Palinforvp.blogspot.com, likes her so much it has started a grass-roots campaign to get her elected as the nation's next vice president.
The Silver Lining
To be sure, Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air in an Alaska political climate that is at one of its all-time lows and for years has been dominated by career politicians. In the past year, three former legislators were arrested on public corruption charges, and two of them have been convicted. A fourth was tried and convicted of similar offenses, and a fifth has been investigated, although not charged with any crime.
It isn't much better on the national level. The country's longest-serving Republican senator, 83-year-old Ted Stevens, is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, which are looking into who—Stevens or a oil-field services company known to have bribed to state lawmakers—paid for a renovation of the senator's home in Girdwood.
Rep. Don Young, 74, is subject of a federal investigation into his campaign finance practices. Even Alaska's first female senator, Republican Lisa Murkowski, a relative newcomer who was originally appointed by her father, Frank Murkowski, to fill his Senate seat when he became governor, isn't immune. Last summer, she found herself under scrutiny after buying land from a supporter at a price that many considered a gift in disguise. She later sold the land back, claiming the loss of public trust was not worth it.
Such political missteps provided the platform upon which Palin, a former television newscaster, councilwoman and mayor of Wasilla, mounted her campaign in 2006. For too many years, she said, the state has been controlled by the oil industry, which has manipulated legislators like puppets on a string. Old ways had to change, she told voters, promising that if they elected her governor, cronyism—at the state level, at least—would end. It was time, she said, using a term that would be used repeatedly over the next few months, to reinsert "transparency and trust" in Alaska politics.
Palin's appeal as a potential state or national politician began to broaden in January 2004 when she resigned as head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after complaining to the governor and state attorney general about ethics violations by another commissioner, Randy Ruedrich, who was also state chairman for the Republican party. Later that year, Ruedrich paid a $12,000 fine for breaking state ethics laws. In 2005, she joined a Democrat to launch an ethics complaint against then state attorney general Gregg Renkes. The governor reprimanded Renkes, who soon resigned.
Her record and her promises struck a chord with voters. In the Republican primary, Palin crushed Frank Murkowski, the embattled incumbent who had enraged the public by largely ignoring its sentiments on issues ranging from the elimination of a longevity bonus for Alaska seniors to the purchase of a private jet for government use. Palin collected nearly 51 percent of the votes to Murkowski's 19 percent.
She went on to handily win the general election with more than 48 percent of Alaskans' votes compared with her opponent, former Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles, who collected 40 percent. Winning the election not only made her the first female governor in Alaska but, at age 42, the youngest. "I think those actions that I took in the past ... established that I would be an Alaskan first before my chosen party, the Republican Party," Palin said. From an ethics standpoint, the move gained her favor among the masses, and citizens praise her openness.
Alaska's political bigwigs, though, seem wary of her. "The hindrance, some would say, is that because I have done things like calling for Ben Stevens to step down as our national Republican committeeman, I don't have those communications with the party's hierarchy. "I don't think of it that way, though. I consider it a freeing and independent position I'm in to do what I believe is the right thing for Alaska They're not telling me who to appoint, or how to make a decision."
Thinking For Herself
It is the last day of the 25th Legislative session, and Palin sits in her office watching lawmakers at work via a television mounted in a mahogany-colored cabinet. She watches with the intensity of a fan watching a football game, knowing the clock is ticking. Many of the issues she has been working on—municipal revenue sharing, reinstating the longevity bonus for seniors and education funding—languish in committees. She is particularly concerned about a measure that would limit the deductions oil companies can claim when making necessary safety repairs.
"Just put it on the floor for a vote," she says to herself, clearly frustrated at the number of bills being held up so late in the session.
"This is a good bill," she continues, speaking to no one in particular but to everyone in the room. "If they can make these (tax) claims, we'd be on the hook for 52 percent of their costs. It's ridiculous."
To hear such talk come from a Republican, a party known for its guardians of big business and proponents of paving the way for more oil production, comes as a surprise to many. Palin has been called a maverick Republican for her unconventional views, but she steadfastly maintains that she has the best interests of Alaska—and big business—in mind.
Despite her occasional differences with the party's mainstream ideas, she fits the mold as a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association who is pro-life and opposed to gay marriage. But she seems to appeal to Democrats as well as Republicans.
"She has not been partisan," said Rep. Les Gara, a Democrat from Anchorage. "Anybody that comes to Juneau and says, 'I'm not going to do my party's bidding' deserves credit. We had some very dark years under Frank Murkowski, and it has been nice to see something different."
In her office, Palin continues to pace near the television screen, watching the legislators while she conducts her usual, day-to-day business. An aide brings a letter for her to sign, which she does after reading it closely and clarifying one point. Representatives from the National Education Association present her with a framed promotional poster that shows the governor sitting in a chair, reading a story with Piper on her lap. Later, she has an impromptu meeting with the British consul from San Francisco, here on a cruise vacation with his wife.
"Are you having a great time?" she asks the couple as she sits on a sofa and sips coffee. Her staff appears antsy for her to move on to other matters, but Palin gives the couple her full attention. Although the meeting is meant to be casual, there is an agenda. Every meeting has one, and Palin knows it. The NEA folks reiterated their need for education funding. The consul, after several minutes of chitchat, reminds Palin that something must be done about global warming. Palin listens intently and responds with patience that, according to many in the Capitol, is refreshing.
"She's got this even keel to her, and it's pretty amazing," said her deputy press secretary, Sharon Leighow, who shadows Palin most days. But Palin's style has critics, even among those who like her.
While Gara said he and Palin have met halfway on many issues—such as taxing oil companies—there are other challenges ahead.
"While I like her, I don't think we have the same vision about how to uplift those born without privilege," Gara said. "Alaska is still one of only 10 states that doesn't have universal pre-kindergarten education. All the studies show it works, and we should be educating those kids better. That's been a frustration for me. We just have different visions. In that sense, this is still a very Republican state."
Palin said she appreciates the need for pre-kindergarten education, but it is kindergarten through 12th grade that she is most intent on helping. "Constitutionally, we are mandated to provide public education and, traditionally, we are talking K-12," she said.
In December, Palin's staff unveiled an education plan that would put an end to the year-to-year seesaw of budgeting that school districts are faced with as they wait to see how much money they will get from the state. Under her plan, educators would know years in advance how much money to expect from the state, and it would be more than ever before—$5,500 per student, Palin said.
"It was always a very nonsensical budget process, but with forward funding, it will no longer be about fiscal funding," she said. "We have to shift that debate from 'how much are we going to fund' to 'what innovative ways will lead to a better education system?'"
Going Her Own Way
About lunchtime, Todd Palin enters his wife's office wearing a dress shirt and tie. He throws his jacket over a chair and sits down by a large coffee table littered with Girl Scout cookies and a floppy, stuffed-animal polar bear.
Having such a high-powered wife does not seem to faze Todd, who refers to himself jokingly as the "First Dude." While Sarah does the work of governor, Todd remains the quintessential Alaska man. He stays busy with his week-on, week-off job with British Petroleum on the North Slope. He's also one of the state's best snowmachiners, and has won the grueling 2,000-mile Tesoro Iron Dog race four times.
In the summer, Todd fishes a commercial site in Bristol Bay and spends time flying his airplane, a hobby he has enjoyed for 20 years. Having his wife become governor changed the Palin household, he said, but not in a monumental way.
"Her schedule dictates my schedule, but with her being mayor for so many years, we were already used to it," he said. "The kids are very adaptable. There are thousands of Alaska families that adapt, whether you're a contract guy who's gone for the summer season, a sloper or in the military, we have a lot of families who don't have the 9-to-5 schedule."
On this day, Todd Palin is preparing to change into work clothes and help oversee construction of a community playground in Juneau. As First Dude, he is a champion of vocational education for Alaska students. "I'm a product of on-the-job training that was offered to me in 1989. And growing up in the high schools that I attended, we had great shops, mechanic shops and carpenter shops. In recent years, that has not been a high priority but that is coming back. So I've told the commissioner of labor, 'Wherever you can use me in that role, I am there for you.' "
Gov. Palin said that goal is much more in line with her husband's skills as a laborer than those of first ladies, who have traditionally been tasked with choosing linens and flower arrangements for social events.
"I think I have the first working spouse working outside the home with a normal job," Palin said. "That, in its first year, has taken getting used to for people."
The playground project has brought together hundreds of community members, and Todd's presence—thought not as coveted as that of his wife—will bring welcome attention to the effort. It also gives Todd a chance to tout his cause.
"My slope job has provided for my family," he said. "When an opportunity is given to an individual, it is what that person does with it that matters. As I travel the state, that's a big concern, getting kids motivated. I am meeting kids that can't read a tape measure or just don't want to work, so it's the same message wherever we go. Step out. Once you step out and are given an opportunity, you can change a life."
Back in her office, Gov. Palin seems to no longer be able to stand it. She wants to know what is holding up the bill that she has been watching. Since taking office, she has been told repeatedly that doing business in state government is not as straightforward as it might seem, and today she is getting a lesson in that frustrating reality.
"There are a lot of political practices in Juneau that would turn your stomach, and it's something I still fight," Gara said. "A lot of practices caught her by surprise—the fact that one committee chair could hold sway over so many legislators. It was interesting to see someone come in and see it for themselves."
"Nothing has really surprised me since I got here," Palin countered. "As a member of the public I already was observing the obsessive partisanship that was getting in the way of doing what is right for Alaska (such as) a Republican's refusal to listen to a Democrat's proposal just because they were a Democrat, and vice versa. That sort of behavior was something that I knew we had to make a commitment to change, and I think it has pleasantly befuddled lawmakers and some don't know how to take it."
Just such a moment occurs as Palin walks out the door and heads for the office of Rep. Mike Chenault, a Republican from the Kenai Peninsula who is holding onto the tax measure. With looks of disbelief on their faces, a bevy of colleagues follows her as she approaches Chenault's office and speaks to a legislative staff member. Chenault is meeting behind closed doors and doesn't emerge.
Eventually, Palin tires of waiting, then turns around and walks back to her office on the third floor. In the final hours before the session closes, the bill will fail, a development Palin reluctantly accepts but promises to revisit (and does, successfully adding the tax requirement to a bill that passes in a special legislative session she calls later in the year.)
Staff members whisper among themselves, surprised at Chenault's lack of courtesy and equally stunned that Palin marched to his office unannounced.
"I think it was an unconventional thing to see the governor just come down and chat about an issue," Palin said. "For me it wasn't devastating or surprising that he didn't come out to talk to me. I'm just Sarah Palin walking down the hall from the third floor to ask a question. But it is a new ballgame for these legislators (who) were used to doing things a certain way. I don't begrudge them in their hesitancy. It will just take some time."
Apparently, the public has not taken so long to convince.
In two polls conducted last May, Palin's approval rating ranged from 89 percent to 93 percent, making her perhaps the most popular governor in the country. The ratings came from both Republicans and Democrats who said they liked the fact that Palin has followed through on the promises she made during her campaign.
One of the larger issues was the construction of a natural-gas pipeline from the North Slope, which many say would bring renewed vigor to the state's economy. Soon after taking office, Palin introduced the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, which in Alaska has taken on its own identity. The act, which passed last spring, calls for competition among those with interests in building a natural gas pipeline to tap Alaska's reserves. The state would be the driving force behind the competition, and there would be inducements to create it. As of December, five companies had made bids for the gas-line construction, defying critics of the plan who said it would scare away big business.
There are other criticisms, too. Some say she is playing a popularity game, and that she simply says what the masses want to hear. Others worry about the record-high $6.6 billion operating budget Palin passed in June and the near-record $1.6 billion capital budget she approved, despite making more than $235 million in cuts. After the cuts, some lawmakers said they hadn't received clear guidance on what could be put into the budget. Others seemed confused by her seemingly random cuts.
"The importance of having a grasp of facts, figures and policies continues to be the same as when (Palin) was on the campaign trail: No it doesn't really matter, just smile and talk about trust and transparency," wrote former state representative Andrew Halcro, who failed in his 2006 bid for governor against Palin and now writes a blog related to state politics. "The fact is, both the operating and the capital budgets came in at a combined $350 million higher than what she promised."
That's not the fiscal restraint she promised, Halcro pointed out.
"Criticism, when you're in elected office, of course, it's expected," Palin said. "I will take the criticism that is constructive, that is helpful. If it needs to be listened to, I don't mind."
But criticism like Halcro's is not constructive, she said.
"The irony with Andrew is, I am the same person with the same positions I had when he so wanted to work with me in the administration," she said. When Halcro was not hired for a job, she said, his tone changed.
"There is certainly bitterness now," she said. "But I hope for his sake that he can find something to be happy about."
A Family Foundation
Todd and Sarah Palin are driving to Chuck and Sally Heath's house for a short visit before they head into Anchorage for the gala. Seeing her parents, who live less than 10 minutes away in a beautifully kept home, was once an everyday occurrence. These days, it is an uncommon treat, squeezed in between public appearances, meetings and travel.
Inside the Heath home, there are walls covered with photos showing the Heath children —Chuck, Jr., Heather, Sarah and Molly—at various ages doing childhood things. From a young age, they hunted, fished, hiked and camped.
"They had to go do these things because they had to go with me," Chuck Heath says. "Enjoying the outdoors and making the most of it is what you do in Alaska. Alaska is a participant-type sport place, not a spectator-type place."
In one photo, Sarah is pointing a rifle at a distant caribou. She took it from 300 yards out, her father says proudly.
"She's a good shot," Heath says. "We were up on the Denali Highway for her first one, and she shot one up out of Cantwell with Todd. Don't pin me down on how many she's shot, but there's been a few."
Contrasting the hunting shot is one of a well-coiffed Palin, smiling as Miss Wasilla 1984. Her hair is bigger, her cheeks plump with youth, but it's still the same person. Palin pretends not to see that one—she has endured so much grief over her brief stint as a beauty queen that it has become a tiresome topic—and instead points to one of her brother shirtless and flexing his muscles.
Around the room is more evidence of a lively childhood. Stuffed birds, mounted animal heads and bear hides cover the walls. On every shelf and tabletop is some sort of Alaska artifact—mammoth teeth, tusks from a steppe bison, fossils and rocks of various sizes.
Near the back doorway are two giant, dried-out snakeskins hanging the length of the doorway. The Heaths had boa constrictors during Sarah's childhood, a fact the girls in the family were never too thrilled with, Chuck points out.
"Remember that turtle, too, that we had?" Palin says. "It disappeared and we never found it again. I wonder what happened to it?"
Then there was the albino skunk, yet another of Heath's specimens used for science lessons during his years as a teacher. Perhaps when you grow up in a household knowing anything is possible—one day it's a skunk, the next a 9-foot snake—you grow up knowing no limits. It's a trait Palin has carried with her to Alaska politics.
Down to Earth
The Heath-Palin connection has created a large and wide-reaching family tree. Todd's family is spread from Bristol Bay to Homer, and Sarah's siblings all still live close to home in Southcentral Alaska. Todd and Sarah have four children of their own: The oldest, Track, 18, graduated from Wasilla High last May and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. Next is Bristol, who is staying in the Valley to finish high school. Willow, 13, and Piper attended school in Juneau during Palin's first year in office, which made the transition easier for the whole family. But despite her fame and new job requirements, Palin is still a mom first.
"She can be on the phone with Dick Cheney and have (Republican Senate President) Lyda Green right outside her door, and her kids call and she goes, 'Oops, hold on,'" said Leighow, the deputy press secretary. "Her kids trump everyone, and I think that's pretty neat."
Watching her everyday life, it's easy to forget Palin is the governor, a quality that unnerves her security detail. She likes to go running alone. She often walks down the road to meet Piper's school bus. And although she could have a driver with her at all times, she often prefers driving herself.
"I know I don't need a chauffeur, that's for sure," she said. "Their time can be better spent elsewhere. I watch people slogging through a slushy parking lot to get to a building and I know I should be doing the same thing. Also, I do like getting to just chill for a 10-minute drive into (Wasilla), or my commute into Anchorage. It's nice and quiet, and private.
"Besides the home life with the kids—and offices in Juneau and Anchorage are so busy—that's the only time that I'm alone."
Leighow said in all their years of government detail the security personnel, mostly retired state troopers, have never had a governor who drove himself.
"It drives them crazy, keeping up," she said.
At a July governor's picnic, held on a greenbelt in Anchorage, Palin stood behind a grill, flipping burgers and talking to the people lined up with plates in hand. The hordes wanted to talk, shake her hand, tout their latest cause or make a plea on some issue.
Leighow stood nearby, watching as the crowd grew closer and closer, enveloping Palin. She kept a keen eye on the governor, watching for potential signs of trouble. Palin seemed oblivious to it; Leighow was nervous.
"You just have to be really careful," Leighow said.
Perhaps it's Palin's everyday normalcy that the public appreciates. She presents herself more as a PTA mom than a political force, someone just as likely to trade tips on scrap-booking as discuss public policy. But one thing is clear: The public is ready for this sort of leadership.
In the end, Palin is a practical, real-life person applying the rules of everyday life to government. When she laid off the chef at the governor's mansion, it was not because of poor performance; she simply didn't need one.
"She told me, 'I get home from the capital at 9, 10 o'clock. I can warm up something myself,' " Heath said. "The lady was a good cook, but the kids would rather have a hot dog than a gourmet crab cake."
Bristol, upon returning from a shopping trip in Anchorage, received Palin's nod of approval for the $15 dress she bought for the night's gala they were about to attend. No need for a $300 gown, Palin said.
But when Bristol revealed she spent $30 on leg waxing—"That was supposed to be gas money," Todd Palin said disapprovingly—the governor wasn't too happy, either.
"That's a waste of money," she said. "You have razors."
When they married in 1988, Sarah and Todd were coming off a mediocre fishing season in Bristol Bay. She didn't want to burden her parents with the costs of a lavish wedding, something the young couple felt was unnecessary.
So they took the practical approach. One day in August, they simply drove to the Palmer courthouse and bought a marriage license. But they still needed two witnesses to stand for them at the ceremony.
"So they went to the senior center there in Palmer and got two old people as witnesses," Heath said. "They didn't know them at all. I'd love to have seen that. When Sarah came home, she said, 'By the way, we got married today.'"
It's that kind of attitude that seems to have gotten Palin where she is today. She has been a practical person since before her future even hinted at a career in politics, and she's bringing practicality to Juneau. As Palin sees it, for too long the state has been waxing when it could have been shaving. She acknowledges that there is still much work to be done to reduce state spending, improve business growth and create an open and honest state government.
But, she maintains, it can happen.
"We've said all along we are going to be open and honest," she said. "We're certainly going to have to continue to let our actions speak louder than words. Some lawmakers just need to feel more comfortable and confident that our part is to work with them, not against them. Instead of pessimistically believing things can't get better, we need to help them see they can, and will, get better."
David, good article. If all else fails I can at least say to my Democrap friends, our Vice-Presidential Candidate is prettier than yours. In fact I will probably tell Herb that when I call your Mother, the next time.
Credit goes to Diane Amberg she brought up the article. I missed it back in Feb. and had to go pull out my back issues. I don't think I would want to be around when you and Herb talk politics. As much as you are a Republican he is a Democrat. ;D I think I will stay out of that conversation.
David
Quote from: sixdogsmom on August 29, 2008, 11:50:25 AM
OOOOOhhh--- two terms on city council in a town of 5400 people and mayor of that same town. Less than one term as governor of Alaska; where is the experience? Oh, I know, placed second in Miss Alaska contest in 1984, that qualifies her. Too bad.
Oddly enough... being the governor, she has more experience actually
running a government that any of the other guys.
Wonderful article.. Thanks.
Photos of Sarah Palin with the troops:
(http://bp2.blogger.com/_L2DBb_zR1rs/Rn8LxS2w3TI/AAAAAAAAAEw/x2OnQo3EhTQ/s400/Sarah+with+troops+(and+tank).jpg)
She's the one behind the gun
(http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05dz37k0nDdnh/610x.jpg)
(http://bp1.blogger.com/_L2DBb_zR1rs/Rn8MLC2w3UI/AAAAAAAAAE4/h6f-ChBvS4E/s400/sarah+with+troops+3.jpg)
(http://bp3.blogger.com/_L2DBb_zR1rs/Rn8Lri2w3SI/AAAAAAAAAEo/J8R-cqR9RfE/s400/sarah+with+troops.jpg)
(http://www.beldar.org/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/09/palin_landstuhl.jpg)
(http://bp3.blogger.com/_L2DBb_zR1rs/Rn8MTi2w3VI/AAAAAAAAAFA/mgE-e5axNWA/s400/sarah+with+troops+4.jpg)
Sarah Palin shoots a caribou:
(http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/palin.jpg)
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/02/palin_for_vice_president.asp
Sarah Palin fishing:
(http://www.beldar.org/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/08/palinfish.jpg)
Obama talks about change and picks one of the oldest good old boys in congress.
McCain picks a newcomer, mother, Alaskan, all of that. Hillary voters have somewhere to go. It removes the bigotry argument. It is also historic to some degree. It also negates the republican= white guys argument (reverse racism).
Her lack of experience can be held up to Obama's GREATER lack of experience, plus she's only VP. She's a reformer, a mover and shaker.. a fighter against corrupt government... a mother of five (one kid with Downs syndrome).
She's married to a native American, who is a Steel Union Member..and she is tough!
One journalist was quoted as saying that, "The political landscape is littered with the bodies of those who have crossed Palin". Oh yeah...and a life member ... a REAL working life member of the NRA.
Oh yeah..!!!!!
......
this is AMERICA at her best.........we never take anything for granted......let alone the outcome......but
isn't it fun.........
We have something new to talk about besides old buildings and mowing grass and I for one am very happy.
I know the time between now and election is 3 months, but if this doesn't give us a shot in the arm, I don't know
what would.
Oh, need I say, we ( well different people) said that if a woman were in the white house........(VEEP is ok) she would know how to sweep up and to straighten things out.
No, I haven't decided who I am going to vote for...........still to early and of course, we need to watch how things progress over the next little while.....
It does feel good.
Judy
Oddly enough... being the governor, she has more experience actually running a government that any of the other guys.
[/quote]
Lest you think so, the population of Alaska is approximately the same as Austin, Texas. There is a tad difference between operating a state that is incredibly rich with oil revenue and operating a national government that is currently deeply in debt. We are in war on two fronts and have war threatening on a third and fourth front. We have inner cities with high crime rates
and rural areas that are in starvation because of the energy crunch. I think the republican party is in deep do-do and we are in deeper do-do yet should McCain be elected. Soembody said this week---- No Way, No How, No McCain!
Quote from: sixdogsmom on August 29, 2008, 05:14:04 PM
Oddly enough... being the governor, she has more experience actually running a government that any of the other guys.
Lest you think so, the population of Alaska is approximately the same as Austin, Texas. There is a tad difference between operating a state that is incredibly rich with oil revenue and operating a national government that is currently deeply in debt. We are in war on two fronts and have war threatening on a third and fourth front. We have inner cities with high crime rates
and rural areas that are in starvation because of the energy crunch. I think the republican party is in deep do-do and we are in deeper do-do yet should McCain be elected. Soembody said this week---- No Way, No How, No McCain!
[/quote]
LOL, uhmm she's 100 times more qualified than a senator that hasn't even logged 143 days at work. She's a awesome pick.
I like this kind of change! She's a good woman for the job!
SDM, the Democrats have been in control of both houses and have done nothing at all to help the energy crisis, for now or the future. In fact Nancy Pelosi has refused to even bring anything to a vote that would help now or more important in the future. You can blame the Republicans all you want but the energy, economy, trade imbalance problems go right back to Clinton and his big push of NAFTA, which has made China, India and the rest of the world our biggest suppliers and the biggest users of oil. Our energy problems are due to China fast becoming the biggest energy consumer in the world plus china has so many of our dollars because of the trade imbalance the dollar has been devalued and it takes more dollars for us to buy anything we need. The problems of today are not all Just Republican and they are not all Democrat. We have lots of problems and it is going to lots of cooperation among the President and the both Houses of Congress and the people, and I don't think the attitude that Barack Obama has is going to get us there. In all my years I have never seen a Presidential Candidate with so many Communist/Socialist ideas, and so many Ideas that will split the country right down the middle, his hints about the 2nd Amendment and doing away with some guns( if he gets started he will try to take all of them) will cause a major revolt. I think we all better do some more praying no matter who wins the election.
And to me as a consumer, I am appalled at the ties that the republican ticket has to big oil and big money. During Dubyas' first term he had republican control of congress and all he could accomplish was giving his buddies big tax breaks and getting us into two wars. McCain voted with him 95% of the time, so you know there won't be any change from the last eight years. NoWay! NoHow! NoMcCain!
To all the media the pronunciation of the town Wasilla, AK is wah-SI-luh.
Quote from: sixdogsmom on August 29, 2008, 06:24:22 PM
And to me as a consumer, I am appalled at the ties that the republican ticket has to big oil and big money. During Dubyas' first term he had republican control of congress and all he could accomplish was giving his buddies big tax breaks and getting us into two wars. McCain voted with him 95% of the time, so you know there won't be any change from the last eight years. NoWay! NoHow! NoMcCain!
You do realize that Bush didn't get us into two wars. We were ATTACKED on 9/11. THey started the fight, not bush.
Actually, he did get us into one of them. I believe the attack against the Taliban in Afghanistan was completely justified because of the terrorist attack. However; the Iraq war was set in motion with false information and a chip on Bush's shoulder.
Quote from: gina on August 29, 2008, 07:35:51 PM
Actually, he did get us into one of them. I believe the attack against the Taliban in Afghanistan was completely justified because of the terrorist attack. However; the Iraq war was set in motion with false information and a chip on Bush's shoulder.
No actually he didn't get us into iraq war, Sadam did by refusing to abide by the ceasefire agreements he accepted in 1992 along with his refusal to abide by the 17 some odd un resolutions aka extra chances given him to comply. There comes a time when enuough is enough and you have to go in and take care of business. I blame his dad and congress for us going into iraq since their the ones who left it unfinished.
OK, dudes...I realize I'm going to get screamed at for saying this...but McCain shot himself in the foot when he picked a woman as his proposed VP who is a relative unknown. Yes, she brings in far more experience than the DNC candidate. However, if McCain were actually serious about getting elected, he would have taken on a Washington heavy-hitter instead of the latest 'cutest little trick in shoeleather' who, according to the people being interviewed on public television tonight, seems to be the variety who has a great many detractors...most of whom are within her own political party in Alaska, according to the woman Legislator who was being interviewed. I (ohmigawd...Warph...am I about to say this?) was beginning to think that I would have to vote for McCain...but now am back to square one again.
By the way...I have a sneaking suspicion that part of the reason that he chose her is that her youngest (aged about 3 months) has Down's Syndrome...she'll bring in that heart-jerk portion that McCain is not personally able to deliver on the ticket. I hate to sound so cynical...but people are really swayed by that stuff. It'll be interesting to see whether she's running on her own steam (i.e. we won't see her youngest child at all) or if she brings in that trump card for maximum effect (i.e. she's just a common, low-brow, nuckle-scraping politician). The BBC was just commenting on this very topic, regarding her youngest child. Doesn't take the vultures long to start circling, does it.
And...did anyone notice...if you screw around with her last name, you get Sarah Plain (but not tall). Hmmmmmmm. Just an observation. lol Actually, McCain has shown his usual good taste in horse flesh. I'll bet she photographs beautifully.
Frank put it pretty well so I don't have to reply but I do need to reply to this:
Quote from: sixdogsmom on August 29, 2008, 05:14:04 PMWe have inner cities with high crime rates
You can thank the anti-rights (gun) people for that (i.e. mostly democrats). Its been proven time and time again that allowing the people to keep and bear arms (our right provided by our constitution) decreases crime rates. I'm going to make a new thread on the gun stuff so that we don't get too off topic here: The Top 40 Reason FOR Gun Control (http://www.cascity.com/howard/forum/index.php/topic,5549.0.html)
McCain camp claims $3 million poured in by 6 pm ET 08/29/08, after Palin pick.~http://thepage.time.com/2008/08/29/palin/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Team Obama Lashes Out at Palin by Jim Geraghty
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YzAxN2RjNjE4ZDZkNzc5Y2Q5YjQ5OTkxMjczMTA3ODc=
Team Obama cannot even say, "Congratulations, Governor Palin, we look forward to a spirited race." Nope, first thing they do is attack, attack, attack:
Barack Obama's campaign is blasting John McCain for putting "the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency."
The scathing description of Sarah Palin, from Obama spokesman Bill Burton, comes as Democrats scramble to gather a response to a selection that nobody in the political world expected.
"Governor Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade, the agenda of Big Oil and continuing George Bush's failed economic policies — that's not the change we need, it's just more of the same," added Burton.
Democrats will likely push the inexperience line against Palin as they race to comb oppo files from Wasilla to Juneau.
First, after spending the entire campaign talking about how experience isn't everything, Barack Obama, who's never held a full-time job for four years, cannot start hitting her on inexperience.
Rove just called the response "petty and small," and boy, this is going to just further convince the Pumas that sexism drives the Obama campaign.
UPDATE: The guys on Fox News note that the Obama campaign can't even bring themselves to call her "Governor Palin." That response is going to blow up in their faces.
ANOTHER UPDATE: To clarify, in the release, they call her "governor", but they don't even deal with it, calling her "the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency."
By the way, mocking the size of the town — I guess that town is full of bitter clingers, clutching guns, religion, xenophobia, opposition to trade deals...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hmmm... so Sarah Palin, before she was governor, she was mayor of a city with a population of a mere 9,000. That's the attack from Obama (attack, attack, attack, without even a welcome for their opponent).
Barack Obama's campaign is blasting John McCain for putting "the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency."
Just curious: Before Obama was a junior senator for sixteen months, before he decided he knew enough to be President, he was a state legislator. How many people did he represent? What was the size of his district? 15,000? 20,000?
And note, once again, that Palin's experience was as the executive of that small town, the leader, the top dog, the decider, the chief law enforcement officer, whereas Obama was... a backbenching nobody in a body of hundreds, none of whom had ultimate responsibility for anything they did.
She governed that town; Obama merely represented his district in committee.
Oh, and he was corrupt. She wasn't.
I do admit he has more experience dealing with terrorists first hand... but we don't need to talk about William Ayers and his Manson-enthusiast wife Bernadette Dohrn right now.
Oh yeah.... Oddly enough, Barack Obama at age 47, has enough experience at this age to be President.... but the woman, age 44, doesn't have enough seasoning to be Vice President.
And McCain?
Quote from: Catwoman on August 29, 2008, 08:59:04 PM
I (ohmigawd...Warph...am I about to say this?) was beginning to think that I would have to vote for McCain...but now am back to square one again.
Let's get you off square one and back where you were when you really felt, in your heart of hearts, that you wanted John McCain to win this crazy election. The following issues should do it. ;)
The issues on which McCain and Bush differ (to quote Dick Morris):~ McCain fought for campaign finance reform — McCain-Feingold — that Bush fought and ultimately signed because he had no choice.
~ McCain led the battle to restrict interrogation techniques of terror suspects and to ban torture.
~ McCain went with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) on a tough measure to curb climate change, something Bush denies is going on.
~ McCain opposed the Bush tax cuts when they passed.
~ McCain urged the Iraq surge, a posture Bush rejected for years before conceding its wisdom.
~ McCain favors FDA regulation of tobacco and sponsored legislation to that effect, a position all but a handful of Republican Senators oppose.
~ McCain's energy bill, also with Lieberman, is a virtual blueprint for energy independence and development of alternate sources.
~ After the Enron scandal, McCain introduced sweeping reforms in corporate governance and legislation to guarantee pensions and prohibit golden parachutes for executives. Bush opposed McCain's changes and the watered-down Sarbanes-Oxley bill eventuated.
~ McCain has been harshly critical of congressional overspending, particularly of budgetary earmarks, a position Bush only lately adopted (after the Democrats took over Congress).
Oh Yeah..... SDM....?
Quote from: sixdogsmom on August 29, 2008, 06:24:22 PM
McCain voted with him (Bush) 95% of the time, so you know there won't be any change from the last eight years.
When Obama's people claim that Bush and McCain voted the same 94 percent of the time, they forget that most of
the votes in the Senate are unanimous........ Warph
Sarah Palin seems no better or worse to me than any other politician, but..........McCain is 72 years old, a cancer survivor, like it or not he could kick any time. Is she really ready to be PRESIDENT? If Obama kicks Biden at least knows what he's doin...........if Obama gets elected he's gonna do some things I'm not gonna like....................If McCain gets elected he's goin to do some things I won't agree with. Hell, George still has time for a catastrophe so he use his presidential directive and cancel the election because of national emergency, take over and make this all a moot question!
Oh NOZ!!! Pam, say it isn't so! :-\ :-\
What ain't so?????????
An extended Dubya term! ;)
Lol, yeah there is a provision in the patriot act for that in case of national emergency. Wouldn't THAT be great :P You can read the whole thing at the homeland security site.
NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/NSPD 51
HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/HSPD-20
Subject: National Continuity Policy
Purpose
(1) This directive establishes a comprehensive national policy on the continuity of Federal Government structures and operations and a single National Continuity Coordinator responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of Federal continuity policies. This policy establishes "National Essential Functions," prescribes continuity requirements for all executive departments and agencies, and provides guidance for State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector organizations in order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated national continuity program that will enhance the credibility of our national security posture and enable a more rapid and effective response to and recovery from a national emergency.
Definitions
(2) In this directive:
(a) "Category" refers to the categories of executive departments and agencies listed in Annex A to this directive;
(b) "Catastrophic Emergency" means any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions;
For those interested in knowing more about Sarah Palin here is a link to the first chapter of a book written about her.
(How a Hockey Mom
Turned Alaska's Political
Establishment Upside Down
by Kaylene Johnson)
http://www.epicenterpress.com/pdf/firstchapter.pdf
David
As far as I'm concerned we haven't had a decent foreign policy since Reagan, so I don't see where experience has done much good. She surely couldn't be any worse then our last 3 presidents. I haven't heard or read much about Sarah Palin but so far this 'cutest little trick in shoeleather' seems to have her "big girl panties" on.
Well when faced with a communist/obama party taking control, or with the possiblity of a soccer mom taking over,
i'll take my chances with the soccer mom.
You should always wear your big girl panties. From where she lives they are probably red long handles with footies. I don't think we need to worry about experience with the second half of the ticket since we have that covered primarily.
I am sorry so many of you feel that you are not capable of being President of the United States. I for one am not happy with the last 30 years of career politicians. From what I know of myself and the people on this forum (and elsewhere) we are capable of leading the country. If we had the information that politicians do and didn't have to sell our soul to get elected, I know many people that could set this country straight. Off my soapbox.
I read more about Mrs Palin. The more I read the better I like her. Maybe we should put McCain on the ticket as VP?
That would send the PAC scrambling for new hockey outfit endorsements. I bet there would be rifle scabbards in pink and blue by the end of the week with drug company names on them.
Sean Penn would probally make a new movie. He has never been in drag before has he? Maybe black face...He could play Obama.
Whoa there, David...I never said that this feline couldn't rule a nation! I rule a little microcosm of national pride every day that I teach...but...I draw the line at ruling kids. I've never found adults to be part of the trainable population! lol
You should try a sharper pencil.
I like her.......A LOT...
The liberals have scrambled to try to dig up whatever they can that they think is negative about her..
http://www.breitbart.tv/
Well, I would think an unplanned pregnancy on the part of her teenaged daughter would fit that bill...I would hope that both parties will do each other the favor of leaving their children out of it, no matter how juicy the material might be.
The more I read about Sarah Palin, the more I watch and listen to her, the more pleased I am about McCain's choice for Vice-President. I am really happy for her and her family, having a grandchild is one of lifes greatest rewards and it makes you think more about the future and how you want a better world for your grandchildren. As an example of how great and special having grandchilderen are, especially the first one I will relate what it did for me. I was a 40 year smoker and liked JackBlack as well, I had tried to quit smoking hundreds of times, but to no avail, I took the Gillete School of Nonsmoking course,I went to group "No Smoking" sessions at the Church, I tried the pill, the patch, nothing worked until; my oldest son and his wife were visiting us, neither of them liked cigarette smoke or smoking, I fired up a cigarette, and my Daughter-in-Law stomped her foot and said" I cannot believe you are going to keep smoking them old nasty cigarettes and shorten your life where you can't enjoy this Grandchild that I am carrying for you and that you keep telling everyone you want so bad". Well that really made me think, and shortly after that I threw my cigarettes away and I have not smoked or had any alcohol in the 10 years + since that time.
I think to quit smoking you have to be mentally ready. I think Sarah Palin, is very intelligent, tough and will do a great job as Vice-president and as President someday. Some of the worlds greatest leaders have been women, Golda Meir and Margaret Thatcher as examples, and I think Sarah Palin could join that distinguished list.
Sarah Palin as reported by the Anchorage Daily News. The good and the bad as reported in Alaska for those of you that like to know all the little details. The articles and coverage go way back and have been put in one spot.
http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/
David
Thanks David!
I personally received this from a good friend. who got it and told me that he couldn't vouch for the validity ..but it sure seems to go hand in hand with all we are hearing on this fine lady.
Teresa
This is what we just received from our very savy friend, Judy, who lives in Florida . She has a friend, Deb, who lives in Alaska and she asked what Deb's take was on Sarah Palin. We were so worried before we saw her speech today...and so impressed afterwards...very strong and confident. This makes us feel confident McCain made the right decision. I hope it will ease your minds, too.
Judy, Sarah Palin is the US 's answer to Margaret Thatcher! Anyone who thinks she cannot handle the job or deal briskly and efficiently with ANY issue, including foreign governments ... well, they haven't met our Sarah.
As an Alaskan resident as well as a resident of Wasilla, AK, where Sarah Palin was at one time Mayor ...
I can speak with confidence. Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska is exactly what She portrayed during her introduction this
morning and exactly what our US Government needs. She is ethical to a fault (if there is such a thing),
a refreshing change to the status-quo and as smart and determined a PERSON (gender really isn't an issue here as
far as I'm concerned) as anyone could ask for at the head of government.
Sarah is no naïve "small town mayor" – she just *started out* there. Btw, as Mayor of Wasilla, she brought this
"small town" through a lot of GOOD changes and left it at the end of her term having grown to the 4th largest CITY in Alaska – a lot of growth and a stronger economic base than ever before.
She has EXECTUTIVE experience *running a government*
(something NONE of the other candidates can actually boast, even John McCain ) as Governor of Alaska
and got there by defeating the *incumbent* Republican Governor, who was definitely part of the
"old school" and who WAS very much in the pocket of the big oil companies.
We in Alaska wanted change – and we got it in the person of Sarah Palin!
Sarah Palin is everything she looks to be and more. Her approval rating as Governor of Alaska has been as high as 95% and is currently leveled out consistently in the upper 80 percentile throughout the state (and in both parties) - the HIGHEST approval rating of ANY sitting Governor.
Sarah has been turning around corruption in the Legislature of Alaska - turning things on their ear for that matter;
cutting spending in spite of the increased income the state is currently receiving due to the high oil prices -
she has insisted on putting a huge amount of the "windfall" into savings for the future rather than spending,
spending, spending - and has insisted from the get-go on what she refers to as "honest, ethical and transparent governing" -
no more closed door meetings and dealings - the big oil companies thought she would be a pushover and have learned better to their chagrin.
She understands the "real people" and the economic issues we all face (Alaskans along with the rest of the country) - she was one of "us" not long ago.
Rather than passing useless "laws" or throwing money at pet projects, she (most recently) temporarily suspended the state gas tax
(on gasoline at the pumps, fuel oil and natural gas for homes, etc.) and has ordered checks issued to ALL residents of Alaska this fall in
an attempt to assist with the burden of high fuel costs for the upcoming winter.
I could go on and on, but that's enough for now .
She isn't doing these things to be popular – she is doing it because her constituents are HURTING financially and she can help.
She became Governor of Alaska by defeating the Incumbent Republican Governor and doing it *without* the money or the
support of the Republican Party, which was amazing in itself - and she won by a landslide. The "powers that be" at that time
totally underestimated Sarah and learned better the hard way. She has done exactly what she claimed she was going to do
and is just as popular today as the day she was elected - perhaps more so since even the Democrats up here seem to like her -
she works well with both sides in the Legislature here.
Sarah "belongs" to us (Alaskans) ... and although we are going to be terribly sorry to see her leave before she finishes the job she started here
(two years ago) straightening out OUR State ... we understand she is needed for a bigger purpose and hopefully her
Lt. Governor will be able to fill her shoes here and continue the job.
As for worrying about what would happen if McCain were to die or step down or whatever ... up here in AK we've only been wondering how
long we would be able to KEEP Sarah in Alaska and have seen her as our first woman President of the USA from the start.
It's always been a matter of whether she would wait until the end of her TWO terms as Governor
(no doubt at ALL that she would be re-elected if she ran for a second term at the end of her current term) ...
or end up in Washington sooner. She could do the job TODAY.
Personally, I feel a lot better about McCain now that I know he has someone as savvy, as strong, as ethical and as steady as Sarah at his back.
She will be an excellent Vice President ... and my guess is will be our US Republican Presidential candidate in four years -
AND by then the country will KNOW her – will love and respect her as we do here - and she'll win by as much of a landslide as she did here in Alaska.
I only wonder if McCain has a clue what he is unleashing on the US of A . She is going to be a fresh wind, but also a strong wind.
Is that enough of an endorsement? If not, I'll add this ... Jerry and I have for many years felt the best "vote"
was to vote for the lesser of two "evils" and hope they didn't do too much damage.
Two years ago during our State Governor's race was the first time EVER that we actually asked for not just a little
sign to put in our yard showing our support of our candidate (something we've never felt the desire to do at all before) -
we asked for a full 4' x 8' "SARAH PALIN FOR GOVERNOR!" sign and were proud to have it.
She hasn't let us or Alaska down. She will do the same for the USA if given the opportunity.
-Deb Frost in Alaska
Slick Willie Clinton will probably secretly vote for Sarah Palin just so he can watch her on TV .
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich did what conservatives have been waiting for someone to do since Sarah Palin was announced as John McCain's running mate: take on someone in the media claiming that she lacks the qualifications to be vice president.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2008/09/03/gingrich-slams-msnbcs-allen-concerning-palins-qualifications
Awesome!
Why is it that when a reporter asks a tough question it is considered an attack? Then the reporter is expected to defend the other party? This makes no sense to me. I read this article and Newts response is strong until he starts wanting the reporter to defend Barack Obama. Also at the top of the page is a by-line showing Campell Brown 'attacking' a McCain representative. I have seen this interview; she asks some tough questions, none of which are out of line. Not every question is an attack for petes' sake! Maybe the candidate for VP should have been a little more 'vetted'. I am disappointed that John McCain felt like he could not find a conservative to give the democratic ticket a little run for the money. Libby Dole comes to mind, and there are many others.
Frank, in case you missed it - NEITHER of the Clintons are running for ANY political office and NEITHER of their names will be on the ballot. GET OVER IT - MOVE ON - quit stirring the turd cause it is really starting to stink. AND time for me to get out of politics again.
Flo you post what you want and I will post what I want. If I am posting something wrong I think Teresa will tell me. Go pick at someone else for awhile. My post was meant for a joke. You didn't read it very well it said nothing about the Clintons running for office.
Barack, she was on city council and mayor of wah sill aaaaah . Two terms by the way. Also, spent more time as Gov. than you have been an active Senator. Why did you forget to mention the Govenor part and always mention only the mayor part. You should also be able to pronunce the name of the city correctly. Off my cranky pants podium.
David
Quote from: Catwoman on August 31, 2008, 08:50:34 AM
Whoa there, David...I never said that this feline couldn't rule a nation! I rule a little microcosm of national pride every day that I teach...but...I draw the line at ruling kids. I've never found adults to be part of the trainable population! lol
Catwoman I was not referring to you. When my comment is to a specific person and not to the topic in gerneral or the universe at large I direct it to the specific person. I think you could rule the kids in Congress. After the election Congress should be all of our target. They are the ones that will have to facilitate the changes we are talking about during the POS elections. Plus I know better than to cross Catwoman I grew up on Batman after school! ;D
David
David, you're too funny. :laugh: :laugh:
Quote from: sixdogsmom on September 03, 2008, 04:24:06 PM
I am disappointed that John McCain felt like he could not find a conservative to give the democratic ticket a little run for the money.
That is just remarkable that you could even say that. A little run for the money? You have got to be kidding me!
I do believe that the minute she was announced as VP running mate she started to give the Liberal ticket a "run for the money".
Seems that they are panicked like beheaded chickens and have no idea what to do or say to discredit her... so they are throwing sand at any little thing that they can find. What ARE they afraid of?
And you know what else is totally pathetic??~~
On Bill Riley tonight they had this judgmental far left liberal Sally Quinn on and she had already written that Palin is a bad mother.. and *Gasp*.. she has 5 kids and one that is 4 months old and.. *another gasp* she is nursing. And "shouldn't she be concentrating on being a mother.. and what kind of mother would run for VP and have 5 ( soon to be 6 kids) because her daughter is pregnant" ((insert snicker here) and she is NOT a good mother ..yada yada yada..
What happened to the liberal womens almighty sanctimonious roar about juggling motherhood and a job and
""I am woman ,hear me roar"", speeches.
Isn't it funny that when a woman on the other side of the non Liberal fence, like Sarah Palin, accomplishes all that she has with her life we suddenly hear panic wails all throughout the Demo Land...the Liberals whining and spouting the 1940 conservative values for women?
Oh yeah and the " We are so disappointed that McCain couldn't have found someone more..... ...more.... "
Ahhhh .......More what, Sixdogsmom?
Palin has to deal with issues like education, energy, economy, health care, and the Alaska National Guard head on. She has been a member of a city council, mayor of the city, and governor of one of the great states of this union. Small accomplishment that have lead to bigger and better things and now has earned the trust to be running mate of one of Americas most decorated military figure and politicians. It almost sounds like you are trying to discredit the achievements of this woman because she isn't running on your liberal ticket.... But of course she did not attend Princeton or MIT, and doesn't meet Oprah's approval.
You know..... that as a governor of any American state, whether it is New York, Texas, California or Hawaii, Idaho, or Rhode Island, these individuals deserve the respects of every day people like you and I.
They make executive decisions that try the character of that person. Mr. Obama has succeeded with his own accomplishments as well.( Enough to get the attention of the MTV and You Tube crowd.)
The reason I will not vote for him for President is on the basis of his ideology and political view points. Obama could very well talk the panties of a preacher's wife, but in my humble opinion will not be able to talk Iran out of nuclear ambition, Russia out of further aggression, or Terrorist into a Kumbaya gathering.
Even Ronald Reagan did not use his great "Communicator" skills to end the Cold War. He did not negotiate. It took a passive aggressive action to bring down the USSR (war had to be avoided, or it would have been the last war).
So back to the topic at hand.... after Obama was unofficially proclaimed the greatest political figure of all time by the "Obama Girl" video, many people were blinded by his shining stardom. Call me blond and crazy, but I thought John McCain was the Presidential Candidate.
Why is everyone running around in a panic exhausting themselves with redundant requests for the VP credentials?
Is it for the "what if" factor?
What if he gets sick? What if he doesn't make it? Well, what if there is another attack on the U.S.? What if there is a nuclear threat from Iran? What if Israel gets added aggression from a non-friendly nation?
Are we going to have a leader in office with years of Senatorial and military experience backed by a VP with governing experience? Or will we have a new Senator backed by an experienced Senator both with Liberal mindsets that will appease to the world demand of a less proactive America.
When they start to list accomplishments of Sarah Palin, don't try to down play them. She does more by 10:00 AM every day as governor than you and I do in a month.
McCain and Biden have a record. Agree or disagree with them, they've earned their spot in political history.
Now, it's up to America to decide between McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden on all the topics. NOT OBAMA AND PALIN.
My fingers are sore from typing so fast and my stress level is peaking... I'm going in and grab myself a cup of green tea and watch Sarah Palin talk to the United States of America.
Please Drive on Through to the Next window.. :D
vaaaarrroooooommmmmmmmmm vaaarrroooooooommmmmmmmmm,(that's me gas guzzler) putt putt putt (that's me conserving me high priced gas) - okay here I am at the next window and believe you me, this is gonna knock Teresa off her chair. Teresa, I fully agree with everything you said. And it's high time to GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS AT HAND AND THAT IS WHO IS GONNA BE IN CHARGE OF OUR COUNTRY FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND DO IT WITH THIS COUNTRY AND AMERICANS IN MIND AND NOT JUST . . . forget that. . . I haven't watched RNC tonite, gotta see who in America has talent. ;D and besides that I said I was getting out of politics.
As I write this I am watching the RNC. For those that see the minute details you will know what I mean. Watch out for little Piper!
David
I thoght Palin was absolutely awesome tonite. I just hope all of America got the message. If there is any chance of avoiding a complete energy crisis, it is McCain and Palin. It will be interesting the next few weeks.
Because of my Alaska connections I need no convincing that Sarah Palin can do the job. I have followed her since she became Governor due to me having graduated from an Alaskan High School and my contact with friends still living in Alaska. The speech was mediocre and nothing special. It did show that the mayor of Wasilla\ Governor of Alaska can compete with the media savvy big boys.
David
The only hope of avoiding an energy crisis is the government as a whole. The president OR the vice can't do anything Congress won't let em do. Obama ain't the messiah and neither is McCain or Palin. They are all politicians who TALK a good game, until I see some action instead of a bunch of wind blowin up my you know what I reckon I'm not gonna worship at the alter of Obama OR McCain.
I hate to be the one to break it to ya but speech writers wrote her acceptance speech Frank. McCains campaign manager was on the news talkin about how they had to change it because they wrote the original one for a man..............imagine that :P reckon they coached her? I saw her on tv practicin this afternoon.....but maybe that was media spin.........or a Democratic conspiracy to make her look bad.......or a republican conspiracy to make her look GOOD.......AHHHHHHHHHH what's real?!!!?? what's memorex!? ( in case you can't tell since I'm writin....I'm bein a smart alec :P, little sarcasm never hurt anybody lol)
Pam the tone of your post is basically na na na na boo boo. It is a taunting post the type ding-dong complained about. (Ding-dong correct me if I am wrong.) Your good points are lost in your tone. Sorry Frank I know you can defend yourself. I am not without sin myself just trying to make a positive change.
David
Lol, I said i was bein a smart alec! I wasn't attackin anybody! Yeah I was takin a poke at the tone of a lot of the past posts about the democrats, geez if you're gonna dish it you oughta be able to take it, at least I"M jokin!
The whole country has lost it's mind as far as I'm concerned. All you hear is how the other side is makin stuff up, have people doin their speech writin, coachin them on what will make the most points for em! Well duh, it's all salesmanship! They are gonna tell you it's a real sweet deal, not that there's sawdust in the rearend and 90 weight in the motor to quiet down the rods! Politics is all about a fancy paint job to take your attention off the big oil leak in the mains and the clankin u-joints!
I'll remember from now on..........no sarcasm, they take it serious
Sarcasm or not poor choice considering ding-dongs post. Many of us could make a change taking ding-dong, Wilma, Dale Smith, and Tobina's comments on the posts in politics to heart. Again I am not without sin just turning over a new leaf.
David
Well.........I am me, used to be I wouldn't say boo to a goose but luckily I got over that finally, don't see myself goin back to it anytime soon so...........I was taught to respect my elders, so out of consideration for my mother and the fact she lives still lives in that neck of the woods, I'll just leave y'all to it without any dissenting opinions to ruffle your delicate sensibilities.
your opinion is not the problem Just your tone. I will say no more if you don't get it you don't get it. I still look forward to your post as I said earlier.
David
Oh I get it, just don't agree with it. Might I say YOU all don't get it. Ever since I started in here I have listened to how evil the democrats are, how evil obama is, how everything that's happened in the last four hundred centuries or so is somehow ONLY the fault of the democrats or the scary liberals! I listened to y'all pokin fun at everybody who made a speech at the demcratic convention, said a few things but nothin rude. I am a democrat, I would probly be a democrat just out of contrariness if nothin else just because I have always jumped in on the side of the one gettin all the abuse whether they deserved it or not! I'm not ashamed of being a democrat, I'm not ashamed of having more than a few liberal opinions! I've also got quite a few very conservative opinions! I'm not ashamed of them either.
On the other hand, I haven't trashed the republicans speakin at their convention, I've said Sarah Palin seems like a good choice, I said her daughter should have been off limits and the people who drug her into it were pretty classless themselves! I don't care about what the republicans are sayin at their convention, or whether or not somebody else wrote the speeches they are givin or not. I admit there have been a few times I got upset, which ain't the word I was gonna use, but can't be offendin anybody y'know, and gave a little bit of tit for tat. Guess what I'm human, I have a tip point just like everybody else.
Short and to the point, I talk like I feel, I use so-called salt in my language sometimes, sometimes when I'm out workin and hurt somthin I can turn the air blue! Guess what I'm not ashamed of that! I'm 49 years old tomorrow, I've been raised for awhile now, and raised well I might say. I've lived rough, somtimes I talk rough. I ain't ashamed of that either.
Quote from: pam on September 03, 2008, 10:51:56 PM
Oh I get it, just don't agree with it. Might I say YOU all don't get it. Ever since I started in here I have listened to how evil the democrats are, how evil obama is, how everything that's happened in the last four hundred centuries or so is somehow ONLY the fault of the democrats or the scary liberals! I listened to y'all pokin fun at everybody who made a speech at the demcratic convention, said a few things but nothin rude. I am a democrat, I would probly be a democrat just out of contrariness if nothin else just because I have always jumped in on the side of the one gettin all the abuse whether they deserved it or not! I'm not ashamed of being a democrat, I'm not ashamed of having more than a few liberal opinions! I've also got quite a few very conservative opinions! I'm not ashamed of them either.
On the other hand, I haven't trashed the republicans speakin at their convention, I've said Sarah Palin seems like a good choice, I said her daughter should have been off limits and the people who drug her into it were pretty classless themselves! I don't care about what the republicans are sayin at their convention, or whether or not somebody else wrote the speeches they are givin or not. I admit there have been a few times I got upset, which ain't the word I was gonna use, but can't be offendin anybody y'know, and gave a little bit of tit for tat. Guess what I'm human, I have a tip point just like everybody else.
Short and to the point, I talk like I feel, I use so-called salt in my language sometimes, sometimes when I'm out workin and hurt somthin I can turn the air blue! Guess what I'm not ashamed of that! I'm 49 years old tomorrow, I've been raised for awhile now, and raised well I might say. I've lived rough, somtimes I talk rough. I ain't ashamed of that either.
Whew, Pam.... I'm sure glad you're not running for office anytime soon or we republicans might be in a world of hurt :laugh:
Happy Birthday, girl.... sure wish I was 49 again..... ah, the good times I had at that age.
Pam, love reading your posts. Of all the people that post, yours are the ones I relate to the most. I am also one of those evil democrats that want to turn our world into some socialist society. LOL!! Actually when I registered, I chose democrat because I didn't relate to the republicans. Yes, I have some liberal views on certain issues; but like you I am conservative on many things also. This whole election business has not only turned the candidates into a bunch of finger pointing, name calling, fools but it seems to have extended to the citizens who vote. Don't take that comment personally, I am not attacking anyone in particular. It is just my observation through the media and day to day life. It's a pretty sad state of affairs when we start nit picking one another simply for our views. My personal opinion on the matter is that if you are a republican you should be very proud of Sarah Palin. She is truly an admirable person. You have every right to have the opinions you have, the is your country too! I completely respect that! But let me have my views also without calling me evil, or communist, or marxist. I'm not running for office, I am just an American trying to make it through life.
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Quote from: gina on September 04, 2008, 06:20:16 AM
My personal opinion on the matter is that if you are a republican you should be very proud of Sarah Palin. She is truly an admirable person.
I don't think you have to be a republican to be proud of a woman who has went from PTO, to Mayor, to Governor, all the while keeping a family, a household, and raising children. Sounds to me like someone anyone could be proud of.
Thanks Jo, appreciate it :)
I enjoyed Sarah Palin's speech; I expected nothing less from a professional broadcaster. I still want to know more than just about family and energy. Maybe McCain will expand more tonight.
What about social security, runaway prices, (especially on essential drugs, and health care costs.) How about our country's obscene debt. Is every company we have for sale to other countries? How do we take our jobs back from other countries? What about the illegal alien problems? What about Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea, Russia and China? What about this country's failing infrastructure, stinky economy and the poor value of the American dollar. What about trucks and trains coming in from Mexico? What about drug wars at our doorstep? What about the terrorist threat? Being able to dress out a moose is fine, but what does that translate to in Washington? We have bits and pieces in place, but big chunks are still missing, the ideas don't link up. Our falling dollar was suppose to bring lots of tourists here this summer from other countries. Many couldn't get visas because of back up in the system.
I need to hear more "action words" from both sides. I don't want to have to vote for the person or team that will do us the least damage. I want to vote for somebody, not against somebody! ~stepping down off soap box~
I'm with you Diane, those are the things I would like hard and fast answers on.
I would like to see made in america on a tag again instead of hecho en mexico of US materials :P or get this, hecho en CHINA for cripes sake.
I would like to call a company and talk to somebody who can speak english! I don't have anything against foreign languages but geez when I'm callin a so-called american company I oughta be able to get my request across and understand the answer!
I would like to see trucks and trains from mexico takin things BACK across the border to be shipped TO china instead of the other way around.
I would like a politician to say "If you haven't paid into social security, you ain't gettin any"!
Stop people from fakin their way into a government check!
Start goin after the bigtime dealers instead of the users! Legalize the drugs and tax the crap out of em, just like alchohol! Can you imagine how much money that would put in the government cash box to start with? Wouldn't last long cause if you take the money out of dealin drugs nobody will deal drugs.
I haven't heard anybody say HOW they are gonna keep jobs here. They all say it needs to be done but no practical ideas are comin out of either party.
I want to know how either party is gonna rebuild the respect we have lost in the last 30 years or so. Nobody takes us serious anymore, look at the troop numbers from our "allies" in these wars, they are a joke. I would like to know when they are gonna kick the deadbeat countries off the gravy train called US foreign aid!
I need a politician to tell me what actual steps they are gonna take to fix the value of our currency,
how they are goin to make it affordable for people who make under 30 or 40 grand to go to the doctor when they need to.
They all have these buzzword issues that grab peoples attention; taxes, abortion, same sex marriage seem to be big this time around. To be quite honest out of the three, taxes is the only one that really interests me, the other two are individual morality questions that each person has to take responsibility for on their own. You can't legislate morality. But people get caught up in those buzz topics and the politicians slip on past without really committin to anything that is really goin to make a difference.
obama has said things that sound good to me, Palin has said things that sound good, McCain not so much, haven't heard Biden say much of anything. But none of them are talkin in definites or givin actual plans about things that matter. Anyhoo........ gettin longwinded again :P sorry
Excellent questions from both Diane and Pam..And I don;t think you are alone in wanting to know all of that. There are many of us begging for them to "tell us" something that can be realistically done.
That's why I like Palin. She has talked the talk and she has proven that she can walk the walk. It might have only been for one state.. but give her a chance to go for the other 49 and make a difference. :)
Hopefully our next Vice President of the United States.
I watched the RNC last night and watched (with fascination) Sarah Palin. I was totally prepared to dislike her and completely discount whatever she had to say. Uh...dare I say it out loud...I LIKE HER. She is a consumate extemporaneous speaker who obviously thinks on her feet. Yes, it is obvious that she had prepared diligently for last night...but that is completely to her credit. She left nothing to chance. And, her ability to deliver a skewering speech left me pumping my fist in the air, going, "YOU GO, GIRL!!!" Gods, I wish SHE were the one running for El Presidente. And, on the subject of the media questioning her ability to lead while being a mother...why the blazes aren't they asking the same question of Obama? They NEVER ask a question like that of a man...they just take it for granted that the child(ren) subject won't be an issue.
ABC plans prime-time Palin special
September 10, 2008 6:00 PM EDT
NEW YORK - Charles Gibson's interviews with Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will form the basis of a special prime-time edition of "20/20" Friday, ABC said Wednesday.
Gibson is traveling to Fairbanks and Wasilla, Alaska, for the first TV interviews with Palin since she was selected as John McCain's running mate. The first excerpts of the talks will be shown on "World News" Thursday.
Gibson is having three separate interviews with Palin, ABC said. Parts of the interviews will be spread around other ABC news programs, including "Nightline" and "Good Morning America."
The prime-time special, at 10 p.m. EDT, will also include a bio of Palin by ABC's Kate Snow and a round-table discussion on the presidential race moderated by George Stephanopoulos.
The Alaska Republican has proven to be a ratings-grabber during her short time on the national political scene. Her speech to the GOP national convention last week was seen by more than 40 million people, according to Nielsen Media Research.
A Fox News Channel documentary, "Governor Palin: An American Woman" last Saturday was the highest-rated prime-time documentary in the network's history, with 2.7 million viewers.
CNN is also planning a Palin special this weekend.
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What Justifies The Firestorm On Palin Pick?
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=305764170622381
Teresa, that is awesome and really is well put together. Obama's big problem is he thumbed his nose at the female vote and now it's biting him in the butt. McCain out manuervered the Dems and the only way that Obama sees to correct it is make up trash and lies abouit Palin. It seems to me the more crap Obam/Bidden puts out there the more it helps McCain/Palin and hurts the SocCom Ticket.
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Quote from: Teresa on September 15, 2008, 11:27:11 PM
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:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Can she spell tator?
I imagine she can spell it, peel it, cook it and eat it.. ;)
I don't think that is her natural teeth color.
I think she is using fake whitin' just to add to her appeal.
She is trying to out teeth the democrats.
Quote from: Teresa on September 16, 2008, 07:16:51 PM
I imagine she can spell it, peel it, cook it and eat it.. ;)
That reminds me of the shrimp boils that they used to have over in AUGUSTA, ks......