TOP 10 REASONS McCAIN’S VP SHOULD BE ALASKA GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN
Laurie Morrow • August 28, 2008 • Uncategorized
REASON #10: PALIN’S YOUTH COMPLEMENTS McCAIN’S EXPERIENCE
For months, Obama’s supporters have touted the Senator’s youthfulness as one of his qualifications for office (a strategy they’re apt to scale back on, given their selection of a Vice President nearly as old as McCain). If youth is seen as a plus by voters, then Alaska Governor Sarah Palin fits the bill. At 44, she is 3 years younger than Barack Obama, and the youngest person ever to be elected Governor of Alaska. Palin is also the state’s first Governor to have been born after Alaska achieved statehood, as well as Alaska’s first female Governor.
REASON #9: PALIN PUTS PRINCIPLE AND THE PEOPLE FIRST
After her initial, unsuccessful, run against him for the Governor’s office, former Alaska Governor Murkowski appointed Palin Ethics Commissioner of Alaska’s Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. If Murkowski figured this appointment would pressure Palin into overlooking misbehavior by her fellow Republicans, he figured wrong. Within a year, Palin resigned in a very public protest over the ethics displayed by Alaska’s Republican leadership, filing a formal complaint against Randy Ruedrich, who was not only a fellow Oil and Gas Commissioner, but also the chairman of Alaska’s Republican party.
If Senator McCain wants a running mate willing to be a maverick to Party, but never to Principle, he need look no further than Sarah Palin.
REASON #8: PALIN KNOWS HOW TO RUN, AND WIN, AGAINST TOUGH ODDS
To become Governor, Palin had to defeat both a former Democratic Governor and the incumbent Republican Governor – which she did, and won. Palin defeated Murkowski in the Republican primary, and then her Democratic opponent in the election. She knows how to campaign successfully, against seemingly impossible odds.
REASON #7: PALIN IS A REFORM GOVERNOR WITH BIPARTISAN APPEAL
Palin doesn’t just criticize pork-barrel spending – she slashes it. A few days after she assumed office as Governor, she put the Westwind II jet her predecessor had purchased up for sale, on eBay. The jet eventually sold, in 2007, for $2.7 million, slightly above its 2005 purchase price. Palin canceled roads and construction projects designed to benefit friends of the prior administration.
REASON #6: PALIN IS A FEMININE FEMINIST, WITH HOMETOWN, NOT HOLLYWOOD, VALUES
1960s feminists regarded men as oppressors, and considered marriage a state akin to slavery or rape. They struggled to convince each other, and often themselves, that “a woman needs a man, like a fish needs a bicycle.” They treated with contempt women who married, had children, or violated their strict dress code (no heels, no makeup, no dresses, no color that mud doesn’t come in).
Palin’s is a feminism of a different, newer sort – call it ‘Feminism 2.0’ – a feminism that is not hostile to men, and that respects and honors women who work hard to balance a traditional home life with professional ambitions. Palin works hard to achieve such a balance: three days after giving birth to her fifth child, for example, she conducted a meeting concerning a proposed natural gas pipeline.
Palin met her husband, Alaska’s First Gentleman Todd Palin, at Wasilla High School, where she was point guard for her basketball team, the year they won the championship. A feminist who also enjoys being feminine, she ran for, and won, the “Miss Wasilla” beauty pageant, a race in which she also won “Miss Congeniality,” an award unlikely to be awarded to many feminists of earlier vintage. She is, similarly, a member of Feminists for Life, an organization whose mission would have been inconceivable twenty years ago.
REASON #5: PALIN IS UNAPOLOGETICALLY PRO-LIFE
As the mother of five children, ranging in age from 19 years to 4 months, Palin brings a kind of authority to her pro-life stance that will complement well Senator McCain’s pro-life position.
Palin has also risen courageously to the challenge of having a child diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Her commitment to the sanctity and value of every human life helps highlight concerns regarding Obama’s position on late-term (actually, post-natal) abortion.
REASON #4: PALIN IS COMFORTABLE WITH AND LOVED BY BLUE-COLLAR VOTERS
Though Joe Biden talks a great deal about his blue collar roots (and about pretty much every else), any claim he may have to being just one of the people fell away years ago. Biden’s been a Beltway insider since Nixon was President, having been first elected to office in 1972.
Palin, on the other hand, is blue collar to the core. A life member of the NRA, she hunts and fishes, and the man she loves is an oil rig worker and commercial fisherman, who races snowmobiles for fun.
REASON #3: PALIN IS UNASHAMEDLY PATRIOTIC
Palin loves this country, and has cultivated such a love in her children. Her eldest child, Track Palin, joined the Army last year, at 18. When this fine young man learned that his mother had given birth to a child with Down Syndrome, he sent her a text message, expressing his joy that he finally had a brother.
REASON #2: PALIN SUPPORTS TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE, BUT DEFENDS GAY RIGHTS
Palin supports the traditional definition of marriage, and opposes same-sex marriage. Unlike many conservatives, however, she is sensitive to gay concerns about discrimination. Palin’s is the first administration in Alaska’s history, to provide benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian employees.
AND THE #1 REASON SARAH PALIN WOULD BE THE IDEAL RUNNING MATE FOR SENATOR McCAIN?
TWO WORDS: RICK LAZIO
Joe Biden was chosen to be Obama’s VP, because of his “attack dog” reputation. Biden can get away with that kind of nonsense if his opponent is a man, but if he goes after a woman, especially a woman 20 years his junior, he’ll lose blue-collar men and every woman to the right of Nancy Pelosi.
Remember the Rick Lazio/Hillary Clinton senatorial debate, back in 2000, how outrage erupted among the Democrats, when Lazio stepped over to Mrs. Clinton’s podium, and tried to hand her a piece of paper? (“Brandished” was the verb used in Salon.) Lazio was accused, baselessly, of trying to intimidate Mrs. Clinton.
Biden has a history of getting himself into trouble by speaking without thinking, and is proud of – and knows he was chosen in large part for – his ability to treat his opponents with abuse, including those who, when convenient, he calls his friends. Biden is a one-trick pony – he’s a bully – and he lacks the intellectual detachment and self-discipline to keep his mouth shut, when the cameras are on him. If he tries to bully the small-town beauty queen young enough to be his daughter, the blowback in an age of Youtube will be impressive.
In 1980, many Democrats crossed party lines, and helped elect Ronald Reagan President. Palin would encourage such a move, on the part of disaffected Democratic feminists.
By selecting Joe Biden as his running mate, Obama energized rather than neutralized, Hillary Clinton. We can feel sure that, when “Don’t Stop Thinking about Tomorrow” was played tonight at the Democratic Convention, Hillary hadn’t. She will almost certainly make another run for the Presidency, irrespective of the outcome of the 2008 race. We can expect to see Mrs. Clinton’s name on the ballot again.
Were John McCain to choose Sarah Palin for his Vice President, and were he to win the election, we could well soon witness the first Presidential race in American history between two women – between Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, feminists of distinctly different generations, experiences, and values.
Thomas R. Marshall, who served as Vice President to Woodrow Wilson, once observed, “There once were two brothers. One ran away to sea. The other was elected Vice President, and neither was heard of again.”
If Sarah Palin were chosen to be John McCain’s running mate, she’d be a Vice President who didn’t disappear. One way or another, we’re sure to hear more from her in the future.
Comments
31 Responses to “TOP 10 REASONS McCAIN’S VP SHOULD BE ALASKA GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN”
Leave a Reply
Beautifully written and well thought out. If chosen, she will be the next President after McCain, and our country’s first woman President (tough luck, Hillary).
[...] are ten reasons Palin would be a slam dunk. I can’t copy all of them, as much as I want to, so here’s a few: REASON #10: [...]
[...] are ten reasons Palin would be a slam dunk. I can’t copy all of them, as much as I want to, so here’s a few: REASON #10: [...]
[...] Source: 10 Reasons why [...]
[...] 10 Reasons Why Palin Is a Good Choice (Democracy Project) [...]
[...] Ten reasons to like her. [...]
Palin is NOT pro-gay rights. Her administration enacted the laws granting certain benefits to gay couples NOT because she believes them to be right, but ONLY because she was following the law as set forth by the Alaska Supreme Court in a decision they rendered. See this press coverage for her real position: http://dwb.adn.com/front/story/8508726p-8401181c.html and http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=5843150 . Stated simply, your #2 reason is wrong
#2 is correct – #2 did not say “is pro-gay rights”
Palin “defends” Gay rights. As you said it is required by law. Since when do we do we practice “thought police”?
[...] Top ten list worth reading, written before the [...]
[...] By Doug Yesterday, before McCain’s VP announcement, the Democracy Project blog put put their top 10 reasons why she should be VP. Definitely worth a look. My favorites ones are 9, 7, 5 and 2, but read the whole list. [...]
I am ready to vote for this woman as president after seeing her for the first time and listerning to her talk.
I need to learn more about her but I do know many evangelicals who take the Bible seriously will not like her feminist ideology and affiliations, e.g. Feminists For Life, even if they are more conservative. Why not wait till she raises her family until she focuses on a 24 hour a day career with her hubby turning into Mr. mom? (but then again, Politicians nowadays have lots of free time..so I may be wrong about that) Regardless, Christianity has freed up women like no other religion or philosophy worldwide, but feminism goes overboard and ends up hurting women in the long run. Negative outgrowths of feminism like political correctness and new age occultism and divorce and abortion and STDs and anti-judeo-Christian multiculturalism are just a few examples.
[...] TOP 10 REASONS McCAIN’S VP SHOULD BE ALASKA GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN [...]
[...] TOP 10 REASONS McCAIN’S VP SHOULD BE ALASKA GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN : Democracy Project [...]
Palin’s a token choice. I can’t imagine McCain even consulting her once he’s elected. His smile looked strained when he had to be on stage with her.
[...] brand of feminism is to the right, you might wander over to the Democracy Project’s “Top 10 Reasons” why Palin should be McCain’s VP choice (posted, to their credit, a day before the [...]
Sounds like the right fit to me. Finally made up my mind tovote for in November.
Mccain should not get away with this new game he is playing choosing some one he does not even know. He would not even know if she is ready to take over for him if he passed. I think allot of people will like her, but she has not paid her dues yet.
Mccain should be severely critisized for choosing her, this is not a game, this is serious bussiness.
She comes from a simple, small non complicated State where she has lots of time to fight the simple Alaskan fight.
So what she is for drilling for oil in Alaska, thats only because she wants money for “Alaska” not because she cares about the rest of the country, she would charge the drilling co. and take thier profits for Alaska. this does not make her a hero only a simple person who wants money.
Fine drill there,but dont make her VP and definetly dont make Mccain President.
The real problem with America is that Military “like other Empires” is too expensive, $10 bil a day for a false war, 700 other billion dallor a day bases around the world, all sponsored by congress and Mccain. eliminate the 700 bases, get our of Iraq and take the 30 billon a day and stop taking our taxes, give us health care so we dont have to file for bankruptsy, pay teachers more.
Hey if surges work so great how about a surge for health care.
Remember we did not start paying taxes until 1913, American time for another revolution and take your company back. Oh, I just cant find anything made in America anymore, I used to be proud, how about you
hey, listen to Sarah Palin in her own words in this NewsWeek Video that was done back in March 2008! Its very telling!
http://www.newsweek.com/id/156190
Your comments about “simple” Alaska are insulting.
She is currently the commander in chief of the 4000 strong Alaska National Guard, some of which are currently serving in Iraq,
Alaska has 3 army bases, 3 airforce bases, 2 coast guard air stations, 3 coast guard marine offices, totalling over 24,000 military personnel in Alaska,
Alaska is 2.5 miles away from Russia, Alaska is 1/3 the size of the ENTIRE continental US, and larger then all but 18 sovereign nations, Alaska has one of the top 20 national security site (NSA will not say what or where it is on the list, [I figure Alyeska pipeline, top 10]), Alaska has more tidal coastline then the entire rest of the United States, nearly 34,000 miles, Annually Alaska deals with Forest fires, floods, earthquakes, and temps ranging from -60 to +90 degrees. None of which you hear about because we deal with them all internally. Alaska has 22 indigenous languages, not to include Russian, Spanish, multiple asian languages, oh yeah, english. Alaska has the lowest individual tax burden in the United States, with no state income tax or state sales tax. Additionally, Alaska produces 20 percent of America’s energy.
Sarah Palin has been in an elected administration position for 12 years, taking on the big oil companies and government corruption. She took on the most powerful senator in the US House, who happens to be in her own party, and from Alaska.
She is the ONLY person in this race that has administrative experience, the only one who has commanded the military, the only one who has taken on Exxon Mobil, ConnocoPhillips, and BP and won each and every time.
By the way, ANWR is on Federal Land. The money goes to the federal government, not the state government. At 2 a.m. she’ll do fine.
Some say they are ready to pick her after hearing one speech? This is insanity. Has Bush/Cheney lowered our standards for both offices to such low levels? Maybe Palin is a great mom. She is not Presidential material. If that has to be explained to you, then you are going to vote based on her religious values and not her resume anyway. Along those lines, she is not a reformer — she is a reverter. Let’s revert back to the 50’s when racism and bigotry were even more prevalent in our society. What great times lie ahead for us!
My wife, a U.S. Army captain, deployed to war 14 months ago leaving me in charge of the house and kids. Over the past 8 years I have home schooled our kids. We love Jesus and consider ourselves on-fire for God evangelicals. We also support the home church movement, though we attend services from time-to-time. Taking care of a home and raising children has very little to do with my XY chromosomes or my anatomy. Instead, it’s about heart and dedication. Professionally, I’ve also been a soldier, I’ve taught and I’ve held managerial positions. Being a stay-at-home parent is by far the hardest job I’ve ever held.
Downrange she has made many friends. Her fellow soldiers are overwhelmingly great people. Among her friends are numerous other CPTs, LTs and MAJs. Many of those are also women. In general, these women are not militant feminists, but committed Christians. They love their families (my wife is by no means the only mother), and they love their country. I’ve heard many, many of them lament that Hillary Clinton does not speak for them. In the past three days I’ve received email from many of them to the effect that Sarah Palin DOES!
If there really is a feminism 2.0, it’s not to be found in our universities or the news media, but in the military and in the upwardly mobile career tracks in which women not only do as well as men, but perhaps do better. Every soldier I’ve ever met with a female commander (perhaps around 100) is very loyal and committed to his/her commander because those women are outstanding leaders. At the risk of making a few generalizations, women generally have better attention to detail than men, they seem to have more stamina, I see less selfish action among women, they tend to listen better and communicate more effectively, and finally, they don’t tend to be nearly as impressed by rank as men which allows them to maintain poise and intellectual detachment while the boys are falling all over themselves when a general or VIP is in the AO.
Sarah is a breath of fresh air. Neither she nor McCain will endanger our troops needlessly. They represent my values. They will be great for America. Most of all, they will not be more of the same.
DO NOT BELIEVE MEDIA LIES! DO NOT FALL PREY TO THE DECEPTIONS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!
G O D
B L E S S
A M E R I C A ! ! ! !
She’s a great choice. I’ve been rooting for her all year. I’m pleased McCain was clever enough to pick her.
I have deep faith, but I cannot respect Sarah Palin. Someone who leaves their special needs baby at THREE DAYS OLD (mother or father) does not display the kind of family values that I respect. I want someone who truly understands family values, and the kind of sacrifice and respect for children that this entails.
Nina
http://mominfaith.blogspot.com/
I think she is a great choice, because McCain couldn’t win without her and is even less likely to win with her. The country is realizing that no matter how small a lie you tell (” Thanks but no thanks ” when she took 27MM dollars and built a road to nowhere with it) you are still a liar. All you God loving people, examine her witch hunting pastor. We stopped witch hunting in the 1700s in Massachusettes, only to be resurected in 2008 in Alaska. Maybe she can shake some chicken bones and cure the economy. Guess what Sarah, besides Russia,you can also see the moon from Alaska. Does that make you an astronaut?
GREAT CHOICE – God help us if they get in.
It was a good choice. It seems the left loves a free thinker only if they think the way they do. When a Dem shouts the praises of Obama we should all bow down lest we be thought of as a racist. Palin does represent the views of a very large number of Americans who have strong faith, support the troops (until victory is won) who speak their mind regardless of how unpopular her opinions are and see Obama and Biden for what they are another set of nicely packaged, nicely polished Dem party machine company men. If you think you are gonna get change think again. Start saving up you tax dollars folks because you wont get rich under a pseudo socialist system.
I am a disgruntal republican who is fed up with how the party seems to embrace ignorance. I will probably just stay at home on November 4th. Sarah Palin was a pathetic choice. How can anyone accuse Obama of having limited experience and then turn around and claim Palin is better? While Obama and Biden will answer any questions from the press, our party has chosen to shield Palin from the same. Why? If she is so brilliant, why can she confront the media like they do? Let’s admit it; her answers are frightfully shallow. No wonder the left accuses us of celebrating ignoramuses. You know, intellectuals are actually pretty good. If you have to have a surgery you better hope the surgeon isn’t an ignoramus, unaware of the latest and greatest in medical science. When you build a structure, you better hope the structural engineer isn’t an ignoramus, unaware of the latest and greatest in the science of engineering. When you fly commercially you better hope the pilot isn’t an ignoramus, unaware of evasive flight maneuvers that might come in handy should something fail and could save your life. But why is it OK to have an ignoramus in control of the White House? Bush has shown less than acceptable intellectual abilities, and now, of all the good minds in the republican party, McCain has chosen an ignoramus in Palin. A VP has but one purpose – to take over the helm should the president become incapacitated. She is not fit. We seem to embrace ignorance and its time for us to change course. What a mistake.
Hi!
Sarah Palin is great and I wish the media would allow us to see who she is and not all the stupid hype they push at us.
If people say that you are a racist because you don’t like Obama, then EVERYBODY that votes Obama is a SEXIST..where are the women’s rights groups now?!
@Scott: Dear Scott,
Please forgive my being so long in responding. I only discovered your kind comment this afternoon.
First and foremost, thank you to your beloved wife, for her service to our country, and you, for supporting her. Both of you are engaged on noble endeavors. Anyone who thinks a father cannot be every bit as nurturing and loving as a mother hasn’t met my father, my husband, my cousins, many of my friends, or you!
RE: your comment that “If there really is a feminism 2.0, it’s not to be found in our universities or the news media, but in the military” — I think this is extremely insightful, ad believe you may well be correct. It has been my privilege and pleasure to meet Gen. Martha Rainville, and she is exactly as you describe the women in our military.
May God bless you and keep you and your family. Thanks so much for writing.
Laurie
Sarah Palin is a woman with a very strong character and personality that is why i like her. ~