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August 29, 2008
John McCain's VP Pick Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin ~ Fantastic!
Announcement to be made by McCain at noon EST
Gov. Palin grew up in Wasilla, where as star of her high school basketball team she got the nickname "Sarah Barracuda"
Her rise is a great (and rare) story of how adherence to principle--especially to transparency and accountability in government--can produce political success. And by the way, Palin is a conservative who only last month vetoed 13 percent of the state's proposed budget for capital projects. The cuts, the Anchorage Daily News said, "may be the biggest single-year line-item veto total in state history."
As recently as last year, Palin (pronounced pale-in) was a political outcast. She resigned in January 2004 as head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after complaining to the office of Governor Frank Murkowski and to state Attorney General Gregg Renkes about ethical violations by another commissioner, Randy Ruedrich, who was also Republican state chairman.
State law barred Palin from speaking out publicly about ethical violations and corruption. But she was vindicated later in 2004 when Ruedrich, who'd been reconfirmed as state chairman, agreed to pay a $12,000 fine for breaking state ethics laws. She became a hero in the eyes of the public and the press, and the bane of Republican leaders.
In 2005, she continued to take on the Republican establishment by joining Eric Croft, a Democrat, in lodging an ethics complaint against Renkes, who was not only attorney general but also a long-time adviser and campaign manager for Murkowski. The governor reprimanded Renkes and said the case was closed. It wasn't. Renkes resigned a few weeks later, and Palin was again hailed as a hero.
Palin, 43, the mother of four, passed up a chance to challenge Republican senator Lisa Murkowski, the then-governor's daughter, in 2004. She endorsed another candidate in the primary, but Murkowski won and was reelected. Palin said then that her 14-year-old son talked her out of running, though it's doubtful that was the sole reason.
In 2006, she didn't hesitate.
She ran against Gov. Murkowski, who was seeking a second term despite sagging poll ratings, in the Republican primary. In a three-way race, Palin captured 51 percent and won in a landslide. She defeated former Democratic governor Tony Knowles in the general election, 49 percent to 41 percent. She was one of the few Republicans anywhere in the country to perform above expectations in 2006, an overwhelmingly Democratic year. Palin is unabashedly pro life.
With her emphasis on ethics and openness in government, "it turned out Palin caught the temper of the times perfectly," wrote Tom Kizzia of the Anchorage Daily News. She was also lucky. News broke of an FBI investigation of corruption by legislators between the primary and general elections. So far, three legislators have been indicted.
In the roughly three years since she quit as the state's chief regulator of the oil industry, Palin has crushed the Republican hierarchy (virtually all male) and nearly every other foe or critic. Political analysts in Alaska refer to the "body count" of Palin's rivals.
"The landscape is littered with the bodies of those who crossed Sarah," says pollster Dave Dittman, who worked for her gubernatorial campaign. It includes Ruedrich, Renkes, Murkowski, gubernatorial contenders John Binkley and Andrew Halcro, the three big oil companies in Alaska, and a section of the Daily News called "Voice of the Times," which was highly critical of Palin and is now defunct.
One of her first acts as governor was to fire the Alaska Board of Agriculture. Her ultimate target was the state Creamery Board, which has been marketing the products of Alaska dairy farmers for 71 years and wanted to close down after receiving $600,000 from the state. "You don't just close your doors and walk away," Palin told me. She discovered she lacked the power to fire the Creamery Board. Only the board of agriculture had that authority. So Palin replaced the agriculture board, which appointed a new creamery board, which has rescinded the plan to shut down.
In preserving support for dairy farmers, Palin exhibited a kind of Alaskan chauvinism. She came to the state as an infant, making her practically a native. And she is eager to keep Alaska free from domination by oil companies or from reliance on cruise lines whose ships bring thousands of tourists to the state.
"She's as Alaskan as you can get," says Dan Fagan, an Anchorage radio talk show host. "She's a hockey mom, she lives on a lake, she ice fishes, she snowmobiles, she hunts, she's an NRA member, she has a float plane, and her husband works for BP on the North Slope," Fagan says. Todd Palin, her high school sweetheart, is a three-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race from Wasilla to Nome to Fairbanks. It's the world's longest snowmobile race.
Alaska governor sees 'perfection' in son with Down syndrome
The results of Gov. Sarah Palin's prenatal testing were in, and the doctor's tone was ominous: "You need to come to the office so we can talk about it."
Palin, known for a resolve that quickly launched her from suburban hockey mom to a player on the national political stage, said, "No, go ahead and tell me over the phone."
The physician replied, "Down syndrome," stunning the Republican governor, who had just completed what many political analysts called a startling first year in office.
The doctor's announcement in December, when Palin was four months pregnant, presented her with a possible life- and career-changing development.
"I've never had problems with my other pregnancies, so I was shocked," said Palin, a mother of four other children.
Once her husband got the news, he told her: "We shouldn't be asking, 'Why us?' We should be saying, 'Well, why not us?'"
There was never any doubt the Palins would have the child, and on April 18 she gave birth to Trig Paxon Van Palin.
"We've both been very vocal about being pro-life," Palin said. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."
Wild Thing's comment........
Brilliant move!
I LOVE this heh heh "she got the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" ". Out of the park, game changing home run Senator McCain.
She is a governor and has been a mayor, so she has executive experience—right there is more experience than B.Hussein Obama.
This choice will cause the dems to self-destruct.
Also pro-life! Five children, the last of which is a Downs Sybdrome child. God bless her. A hunter, pro drilling, she is also a hockey player.
"We've both been very vocal about being pro-life," she told the Associated Press. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."
Gov. Palin loves to get up in the middle of the night to go moose hunting! Now it’s a female clinging to her guns and religion!
Lifetime NRA Member
Oldest Son Joined Army on 9/11 and will be deployed to Iraq this September!!
giggle....she eats moose burgers, ice fishes, rides snowmobiles, and owns a float plane!
From CBS News’ Ryan Corsaro:
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s parents were called early this morning at their home in Wasilla and told to “listen to the radio” by Palin’s husband, Tim.Palin’s father, Chuck Heath, says he and his wife were caribou hunting when they were told to come home and tune into their local radio station to hear “exciting news,” but said he did not know if his daughter was the choice for John McCain’s vice president.
“The river was swollen, so we almost didn’t get back,” Palin’s mother, Sally Heath, told CBS News.
The two said they said the call was “a wonderful surprise.”
Posted by Wild Thing at August 29, 2008 11:14 AM
Comments
Great news. It is critical how McCain announces his choice, presents her to the public including her role as VP. Yes, she is light on full experience to take over as President in the near term if necessary. However, she is no less qualified to be President now then Barack Hussein Obama the TOP of the Democratic ticket is. She, in fact, has accomplished more on her promises than Obama's non-accomplishments to support his long list of promises, promises, and more promises.
Let Biden be Obama's attack dog obsessed with personally attacking Bush, Cheney, and McCain. Sarah Palin can talk the issues and solutions with authority and make Biden look like the angry chronic complaining, part of the problem and not part of the solution, Washington insider that he is.
Sarah Palin is an achiever with solid conservative values who can relate to both women and men on the real issues of the day. If McCain takes her on as a real partner and sounding board she can present his (and her) case to the public in a very understandable and believable way by someone who practices what she preaches.
I'm excited. Hopefully, McCain constructively exploits his choice for all it's worth as it is worth a lot.
Posted by: Les at August 29, 2008 11:55 AM
Yes, yes, YES!! Now I can be optimistic. If McCain wins we have a successor, a conservative one. So many pluses here with Palin.
She really has a decent amount of experience and that experience is varied. I especially like her ability to attack the crooked and inefficient power structure of her own party. She may be just the ticket to clean up the RNC in Washington, DC.
Sarah Palin reminds me a bit of Jeanne Kirkpatrick who I had always hoped would be a Veep pick. Sarah is far more than just eye candy, but she and Cindy McCain would certainly by nice to watch. That should piss off the Koran sucking(but porno loving) Saudis and other islamists.
McCain and his advisors did well with this selection. If they make the White House, I will have some hope, even though I know McCain will keep me angry and disappointed. And, I don't think Palin is a "compassionate" conservative.
Posted by: TomR at August 29, 2008 12:51 PM
"There was never any doubt the Palins would have the child, and on April 18 she gave birth to Trig Paxon Van Palin.
"We've both been very vocal about being pro-life," Palin said. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."
What a contrast to the pro-life, kill 'em after their born, Obama. He probably had to call Rev. Wright for solace today.
Posted by: jim warren at August 29, 2008 01:09 PM
Oops. meant to say "pro-choice" in the last post
Posted by: jim warren at August 29, 2008 01:12 PM
Alaska Gov PALIN is BEST SELECTION BY MC CAIN. CHECK OUT HER BACKGROUND AND WOW! She has IT ALL! What a super pick by GOP! TOTALLY AMAZING WOMAN. DOES IT ALL AND IS A FIGHTER FOR FREEDOM! HAS A SON ON WAY TO IRAQ. How many people in government can say that? Has a child with down syndrom. Loves sports and is not a wimp like others. All CLASS, this lady. What a GREAT and TERRIFIC PICK! I feel better already. She is one TOUGH COOKIE! This is TERRIFIC! GO SARAH GO!
Posted by: Peter Goddard at August 29, 2008 01:15 PM
The more I find out about her the more amazed I am. I have been hoping McCain would pick her, and he did.
Back to what Jim warren said, He son was born on April 18, which is really significant in its ownself. Paul Revere's ride , April 18, and more in our time, the Doolittle Raid, the first offensive action of World War 2.
I just heard her acceptance speech on Fox. and she is everything I, just knew she would be. This girl is an American first, and her take no prisoners attitude is just what we need.
One story I heard when she became Govenor of Alaska, she sold the Jet the former Govenor had, saying , we don't need this kind of expense...She sold it on E-bay and made a profit.
She is articulate, smart and...My God ...she wears a skirt not a pantsuit.
We will win this election. It is the right time and the right place and the right people in place.
Posted by: Mark at August 29, 2008 01:20 PM
Oh, yeah!! For the first time, I listened to a speech which involved John McCain, and felt good about it.
These two can beat the Kerry Redux ticket of Obama and Biden. Obama has Kerry's self-love and Biden has Kerry's brain.
Posted by: Rhod at August 29, 2008 01:54 PM
Two interesting items comparing Sarah Palin and Barack Obama.
Palin versus Obama at Landsduhl
http://beldar.blogs.com/beldarblog/2008/07/palin-versus-ob.html
McCain camp pushes back: More qualified than Obama
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0808/McCain_camp_pushes_back_More_qualified_than_Obama.html
Posted by: Les at August 29, 2008 02:31 PM
I am impressed. Originally, I was disgusted with McMaverick/McAmnesty/McClimateFraud, but he (or whoever is running his campaign) is showing much more than I ever bargained for. I may actually send them some money now.
McCain's choice shows much more spirit than the predictably safe (but OK) choices of Pawlenty or Mitt Romney, and much better than what I had feared (Lieberman or some RINO).
Posted by: Nick Byram at August 29, 2008 03:55 PM
All the time the media kept insisting on McCain picking Lieberman, Romney or even Pawlenty who is the most boring one of them all.
I answered all the polls and all the names were on it and everytime I would vote for Sarah Palin, but the most she'd ever get was at best was 15 %.
So I figured it'll probably be Romney or Pawlenty or even Kay Bailey Hutchinson, who I thought I could agree with.
Then I went to Drudge and he's saying it might be Palin, and I'm thinking dream on, Drudge was wrong on Biden so I figured he was just pulling my chain. I came back later and he is saying CNBC has predicted Palin as the VP pick but McCain Camp is not answering it. By this time I am going nuts. I go to Michelle Malkin and she's got McCain-Palin on a campaign button and Fox News has just confirmed it. I can't believe it.
Talk about long shots. She has been my choice since I found out about her about 4 or 5 months ago.
This is just awesome. We got a winning ticket and long coat tails.
Posted by: Mark at August 29, 2008 06:09 PM
Les, I agree, Palin is an excellent choice. I too hope McCain will treat this as a real team, a sounding board for his thinking too and listen to her as well as share with her about things.
This choice gives America a chance again, like a bright light shining through dark clouds that have been looming.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 29, 2008 07:21 PM
Tom, AMEN and a HUGE DITTO!
This give our country a chance, a real hope not the fake use of the word hope like the left uses all the time. But a chance to know that Sarah Palin is on board and a conservative.
I am realizing that what Rush said once is true. We c an be ticked now, upset now in this election, but there are good men and women on the horizon that are conservatives and we need to remember that. He listed Palin when he said this and also several others as well when he was thinking of the next Presidential run.
Rush is excited too. haha I think all of us that are conservative can smile in our hearts again.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 29, 2008 07:28 PM
Jim, I do that too, haha I know what you mean also. I feel the same way and I can just imagine Obama calling Wright like you said too...... whispering into the phone so no one knows....help me..... hahahhaahhahaha
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 29, 2008 07:31 PM
Peter Goddard, yes isn't that something. Both she and her husband and John and Cindy both couples have a son serving now.
This is just such GREAT news that he picked Palin. He puts a whole new life into this election, I agree with you.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 29, 2008 07:33 PM
Mark, thank you for the information about April 18th. That is really interesting and how neat to have it on that day. Very special.
I agree so much!!
"It is the right time and the right place and the right people in place."
I feel good about this so much, I think we can win this too.
LOL love ohow you said this........hahahahahaha
"My God ...she wears a skirt not a pantsuit"
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 29, 2008 07:40 PM
Rhod, yessssss I agree. What a difference this decision has made.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 29, 2008 07:44 PM
Les, thanks for the image, yes she went to visit the wounded troops and Obama went to the gym. sheesh.
Thank you for the links. I agree she is much more qualified then Obama. Eat your heart out Obama.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 29, 2008 07:49 PM
Nick Byram, I know what you mean, it feels like in the last month or so McCain has a whole new team. The awesome ads he has been running hitting Obama right where it hurts. And now this decision. Plus McCain did do a fantastic job at the Saddleback debate. It is all coming together, thank God for this choice.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 29, 2008 07:53 PM
Mark, thank you so much for sharing about that. I was doing all the polls and seeing her name at the bottom of the list. I kept voting for her and hoping but if I had to bet on it no way.
Back in May I posted about her, first because I was posting about ANWAR and that is how I found out about her, then I read about her and was so impressed. When all of you on here said yes she would be great for VP I started to hope and pray she would be picked. But reality told me no way Chrissie.
Whew life is good, and I loved hearing her say today " God bless you and God Bless America". That was great.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 29, 2008 07:59 PM
What an enormous historic day for all of us! For my first time voting Elly, wow! She is going to be on the forefront of a new stepping stone in American History! There will either be a black man or a woman in the White House in a position of extreme power!
I had it in the back of my mind that McCain would pick Palin to counter measure Obama's pick. It's good to see this happening for all us girls. She's someone we can look up to. A mother, A wife, a mayor, a governor, a trend setter, an outdoorswoman, the list goes on and on. She has a heart the size of Alaska I think and her intelligence is limitless. Just because she's pretty, don't think she's not a shrewd intellectual.
Us girls will shatter that glass ceiling in the near future. It's time. Time for equal pay and equal opportunities for everyone, not just the elite, chosen few.
I know how I'm voting now. Thank you McCain for choosing wisely.
Posted by: Lynn at August 29, 2008 08:29 PM
