She eats moose burgers and rides snowmobiles, and she’s even admitted to smoking pot when it was legal in Alaska, but says that she did not like it. She plays the flute. She’s conservative. She’s pro-life, a lifetime member of the NRA, and she’s cut spending while in office… standing up to some pretty significant opposition.
I am talking about Alaska governor Sarah Palin, the first woman and the youngest person to ever hold the office…
Rumors are buzzing now that John McCain will announce his Vice-Presidential pick this week in an attempt to eclipse Barack Obama’s trip overseas. Robert Novak touched off the fury and talk has spread so fast that there may not be the need to actually announce a name since the pure speculation about running mates is taking up some of the spotlight. Now even the campaign staff are denying that an announcement is coming any time soon.
But McCain’s short list seems to be missing one name.
Former rival Mitt Romney is a popular choice among many who want to balance the ticket. Bobby Jindal would be a good running mate to help win some “diversity points” as well as being a conservative that’s popular with the base. Rudy Giuliani is getting mentioned, but would be a highly unlikely pick. Same goes for Tom Ridge. And while Rob Portman is a well liked guy, he just doesn’t bring enough to the table. He might help a bit in Ohio, but it’s not a game changing choice. And that’s what McCain needs to make.
The polls are painting a pretty clear picture right now. This race is still competitive, but Democrats have a clear edge in the down-ballot races that will probably translate into an Obama win unless things are disrupted. Obama will vastly out spend and out organize McCain. There are only a few factors that can really change things. The debates, the conventions, and the Vice-Presidential picks.
If McCain wants to make a bold choice and pick someone who will make a difference on election day he should consider Alaska’s governor Sarah Palin.
She brings no geographic advantage, sure. But have Vice-Presidents really made that much of a difference in recent years? Jack Kemp didn’t deliver New York for Bob Dole. John Edwards didn’t bring home North Carolina for John Kerry.
There are many other reasons that Palin would make a compelling match for McCain…
- She is a woman. With some Clinton supporters still upset about Obama’s nomination, putting a woman on the Republican ticket would be a masterful move.
- She is a governor. The executive experience would be helpful to balance out McCain’s experience in the Senate. And not only has Palin been a governor for the last two years, but she’s worked in state and local government for the last 12 years. A resume that’s at least as impressive as Barack Obama’s.
- She’s young. Again, she balances the ticket.
- She’s likable and attractive and so is her family. Washington, DC has been described as Hollywood for ugly people, so while good looks are not essential qualities in politics, it never hurts. In fact, Palin competed in the Miss Alaska pagent when she was younger and was named Miss Congeniality. Her oldest son just joined the military. Her youngest child has Down syndrome. Her husband is a commercial fisherman.
- She’s a maverick who has not been afraid to be critical of those in her own party when she feels like they’re doing something wrong.
- She’s (really) popular, with approval ratings in the 80’s and 90’s since taking office two years ago.
If John McCain wants to be the next President of the United States, the smartest choice he could make right now would be to take another few weeks to think about his VP selection. And in that time, he should really get to know Sarah Palin.
She is, I have come to believe, the right woman for the job.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 am
You left off a #7, which is, she’s at the epicenter of the domestic oil/energy/drilling debate — now crucial to a McCain victory. In that connection, a new McCain ad is out today, and if it’s not an announcement that Sarah Palin is gonna be Veep on his ticket, I don’t know what is.
It’s even got the McCain/Palin campaign slogan vs. Obama: “Don’t hope for new energy, vote for it” —–
http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=135403
(You know, when you think about it, Palin not only is the “bold” choice, she’s really the “safest” choice to assure McCain victory in November. McCain/Palin ‘08)
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:19 am
You obviously don’t follow the Alaska news. She is embroiled in a scandal that could cost her seat as Governor…for misuse of an official position for personal benefit.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:28 am
Do you have a link? Could you elaborate?
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:42 am
That ticket would definitely balance out Obama’s “cool” factor - and unlike him, she actually has substantive experience. Someone should print some bumper stickers.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:43 am
Yah, I’ll elaborate (since its a trumped up nothing):–
All Sarah and Todd Palin, her husband, have done vis a vis a Tooper Wooten (who was married to Palin’s younger sister) and former Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan is bring Wooten to the attention of Monegan BECAUSE WOOTEN WAS A PERCIEVED THREAT TO THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF PALIN AND HER FAMILY after Wooten allegedly threatened to kill Palin’s dad and bring down the Palin family.
As Sarah Palin has reiterated, she does not get involved in personnel and disciplinary matters of the Dept. of Public Safety. The Palins’ were merely reporting concern surrounding their safety and security of their own family. What were Palins’ to do, say nothing, and then be deemed negligent or remiss in doing nothing.
And finally, Palin was careful not to recommend Wooten’s firing. Sarah acted carefully, appropriately and discreetly. Case closed. (Even Monegan was quoted at the police picnic essential saying much ado about nothing and case closed.)
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 am
“And not only has Palin been a governor for the last two years, but she’s worked in state and local government for the last 12 years. A resume that’s at least as impressive as Barack Obama’s.”
haw haw, Mayor of Wasilla is as impressive as Barack Obama’s ?
you must be smokin some of that hillybilly crack that they get out there in Wasilla.
Dude, have you ever been to Wasilla ?
Here’s a joke about Wasilla.
You know that you’re in Wasilla when you let your 12 year old smoke at the table.
In front of her kid.
That’s Wasilla in a nutshell.
Give me a freakin’ break, this woman is NOT qualified to be VP.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:46 am
Here’s a good link on the troopergate allegations:
http://palinforvp.blogspot.com/2008/07/video-response-th-andrew-halcros.html
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 am
Here’s a good link on ‘troopergate’:–
http://palinforvp.blogspot.com/2008/07/video-response-th-andrew-halcros.html
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 am
That would be rich, in light of Obama, that is, to make an issue of Palin’s qualifications.
She’s got more actual accomplishment, qualification and experience than Obama times 10! If the Dems want make an issue of that, I say, bring it on!!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:52 am
And check out this link for more on Sarah Palin and ‘troopergate’:–
palinforvp.blogspot.com/2008/07/video-response-th-andrew-halcros.html
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:56 am
Here’s a good posting re “Sarah and ‘troopergate’” from a commenter on the palinforvp blogsite:
“As a non-Alaskan I find the Monegan affair just plain petty. Governors should be able to fire ineffective employees. How about a little objectivity even if you dislike Palin? A state employee threatens a family and abuses his own son. His immediate supervisor fails to fire the bad employee. The supervisor gets his feelings hurt when he gets transferred and tries to get back at his boss. Then he brings in more people to validate his need for revenge and takes it to the blogs and papers. This type of story is more suited to the soaps on tv than serious news. Gimme a break! And now an independent investigator on the taxpayer dime. Some people need to back off the fried foods!”
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:38 am
I’D HIT IT AWWW YEAAAAA!!!!!!!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
By the way, here’s the theme song when Sarah Palin makes her Veep center stage appearance at the Republican National Convention later this summer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWNtLt-pJik
Oh, and yes it IS gonna be Palin. McCain’s already got this new ad up which essentially announces Palin as his pick (without ever having to mention her name).
It’s even got the McCain/Palin campaign slogan vs. Obama: “Don’t hope for new energy, vote for it.” –-
http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=135403
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Seems like a non-story to me.
She’d still be an A+ pick for VP… I hope McCain takes the chance and goes for it!
And yes, being mayor of a small city is more valuable experience than being a State Senator. It’s executive experience.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
She is kinda hot.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Those shirts are cool looking. I want one.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
She’s a G.I.L.F.
A Governor I’d Like to…….. meet.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I’ve been keeping tabs on the Palin/Monegan/Wooten story and it seems to be nothing at this point. Apparently it is Monegan’s word vs. three other (4 if you include Todd Palin, Sarah’s husband) people in government. Monegan claims he was fired/demoted because he was pressured to “Fire” the bully-boy Wooten. Wooten had 36 complaints filed by the Palin family, of which 11 were sustained including tasering his 10-year old stepson (son of his ex Molly Palin, Sarah’s sister), drinking alcoholic beverages in his patrol car, and shooting a moose without the permit, etc.
Monegan is probably sore he got fired/demoted, but the governor can put anybody they want in that cabinet position. My guess is he wanted somebody she could work with better or somebody she has worked with before, but the only evidence that Governor Palin pressured if you could call it that was Todd Palin’s bringing to the attention of Monegan that Wooten was misbehavin and threatened Sarah’s father.
If an independent investigation is approved, I’m guessing not much will come of it. However, I think it is probably a big plus that Palin pushes for an investigation to get it cleared up.
One thing I wonder though is why would Monegan have difficulty in disciplining Wooten. But, then I found out that Wooten is in a union of the state troopers. It could be that due to the union, Wooten was an untouchable for the most part and Monegan decided not to do anything about it. However, there is no evidence that this played a part in the firing of Monegan since the events didn’t just happen recently.
The governor could come out of all this clean and the accusers could look very bad. Or, if evidence comes out that they specifically pressured Monegan to ‘fire’ Wooten, then that would grounds for breaking Alaska law.
Fascinating made-for-TV story. Brian Denahy as Monegan, Bruce Willis as the renegade trooper Wooten, Robert Duvall as labor rep. Cyr, Holly Hunter as Sarah, Kevin Costner as Todd Palin, Fred Thompson as Presidential candidate John McCain, and Denzel Washington as Barack Obama. Dynamite stuff.
One thing for sure. This governor has some cajones. I don’t think I’d want her anywhere near Congress if I was an earmarks Repub/Dem Senator or Congressman.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Now that the Palin partisans have had their say, here’s the truth. This scandal continues to grow on a daily basis. Governor Palin used a flunkie to fire Monegan, failed to adequately explain it, and claims she did not pressure Monegan to fire Trooper Wooten although Monegan claims he was pressured. Here’s a link to a series of posts which provide the bigger picture of this situation
http://alaskapride.blogspot.com/search/label/Walt%20Monegan
In addition, the Palin Adminisration did not properly vet Monegan’s replacement, former Kenai police chief Charles Kopp. It now turns out that Kopp was merely a sexual harasser; he was a full-blown sexual predator. His victim gave a detailed seven-minute interview to KTUU Channel 2 on July 21st; the video is embedded here:
http://alaskapride.blogspot.com/2008/07/governor-sarah-palin-knew-charles-kopp.html
Whether Governor Palin is worthy or not to continue serving as governor is an issue to be strictly determined by Alaskans. However, it is obvious that Governor Palin’s poor judgment precludes her selection as John McCain’s running mate. McCain needs more than eye candy on the ticket; he needs someone who looks and acts more presidential, like Mitt Romney.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:51 am
Romney? ROMNEY?
Unless you want to just call it a day and give the keys to the White House to Obama, then let McCain pick Romney as VP. Romney brings NOTHING to the ticket. I’m not excited by him as VP, nor was I ever excited by him when he was running.
Romney is the worst pick McCain could make as VP.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Palin is McCain’s only hope to beat Obama. McCain needs a conservative voice and her being a woman adds spice to the ticket pulling in some Liberals too. We need to pray that McCain chooses Palin.
McCain Palin 08!
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Want to know more about our little Gidget-coiffed Saracuda? Well, hold your nose, put on your muck boots, and wade in here:
Links to .pdf documents:
Click here for document links provided by the Anchorage Daily News
Click here for document links provided by the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Click here for a link to the letter of recommendation Sarah Palin wrote for Trooper Wooten
Although many of the documents seem to show Trooper Michael Wooten (Sarah’s ex-brother-in-law) as little short of the devil himself, the preponderance of claims were shown to be unfounded or unsubstantiated and even the three that had substance were not as vile as the Heath-Palin-McCann clan would have you believe. To wit:
• At his stepson’s request, Trooper Wooten put a training cartridge in his Taser, adjusted it to its lowest setting, attached one lead to the boy’s clothing and the other to his arm, and discharged the device for a second or two. He did not shoot the boy with a Taser.
• Accompanied by his wife and a Wasilla police investigator and wildlife guide, Trooper Wooten shot a moose for which his wife, not he, had the hunting tag. Since he was there with his wife when the animal was shot, neither he nor the guide believed at the time that he had done anything illegal. They were both mistaken. However, since his wife then (illegally) signed the tag, the incident would have gone unnoticed had his wife’s family not dredged it up several years later in order to injure his reputation.
• As hard as they have tried, the Palin’s family has never been able to provide real evidence that Trooper Wooten has driven drunk. He did, apparently, stop off at a friend’s on his way home from work, have two beers, and continue on home (about a half a mile away) in his trooper vehicle with an opened beer. Also, he once went to a bar to pick up an intoxicated friend, drank some beer over the space of about an hour, and left to drive the friend home. According to the bartender, the waitress, the bar owner, and another trooper, he was not intoxicated at that time.
Now, do some of these actions show occasional poor judgement? Indubitably. Does Trooper Wooten wish he had acted differently? We can’t know for sure, but I’d sure take that bet. Does any one incident, or even all, warrant the firing of a respected Alaska State Trooper for whom Sarah Palin herself once wrote a glowing letter of recommendation (see link three above) praising “his integrity, work ethic, community spirit and trustworthiness.” I think not.
So, if you’ve been able to stomach the sleaze found in the documents in the links above, please keep in mind that almost none of the claims were substantiated, and almost — if not all — of them were filed by Sarah Palin’s family. In fact, you might want to pay special attention the memorandum Sarah wrote to Alaska State Trooper Director Colonel Julia Grimes, which is nothing more than a whiny list of alleged abuses, subsequently disproved — by some of the very people she cites! Also, the graceless tenor of the memo as she speaks disrespectfully of the troopers, the investigator, and the addressee, displays more of her own character than that of her intended target.
I’ve been criticized for using the word “trashy” when referring to this family, even by my very dear husband, who is always a gentleman and considers it over the top. Perhaps it is, and if so, I apologize. But what word can describe the spectacle that unfolds through those documents? Sordid? Tawdry? Vulgar? Classless?
Whatever adjective is chosen, is this a person we want in the second highest position in our country representing us here and abroad? And heavens forbid, if something were to happen to McCain, is this truly a person who could be our President?
I think not. The scandal that she has so unnecessarily stirred up serves only to prove that Sarah Heath Palin is imperious, petty, vindictive, and simply not ready for prime time.
July 24th, 2008 at 1:06 am
The single only drawback to a Sarah Palin pick as VP is that the VP would not be Mitt Romney. Both of them get my enthusiasm. Mitt was the first candidate I’ve actively supported, campaigned for and contributed $$ to since I was in H.S. and I’m a year shy of SSI. Both would bring energy, vitality and proven EXECUTIVE genius to the ticket. But whoever McCain chooses I will actively campaign for. We have never had a worse candidate for President than B.O. He is totally unqualified by experience to lead morally, economically, militarily, socially or even administratively. He is a complete fake and fraud. If Reagan was an actor turned politician Obama is a politician turned actor. I would vote for Obama to win the Oscar but NOT the Presidency. God help us. McCain/Romney McCain/Palin Go! go! go!!!!
July 24th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Mary McCurry Says:
July 24th, 2008 at 1:06 am
The single only drawback to a Sarah Palin pick as VP is that the VP would not be Mitt Romney. Both of them get my enthusiastic endorsement. Mitt was the first candidate I’ve actively supported, campaigned for and contributed $$ to since I was in H.S. and I’m a year shy of SSI. Both would bring energy, vitality and proven EXECUTIVE genius to the ticket. But whoever McCain chooses I will actively campaign for. We have never had a worse candidate for President than B.O. He is totally unqualified by experience to lead morally, economically, militarily, socially or even administratively. He is a complete fake and fraud. If Reagan was an actor turned politician Obama is a politician turned actor. I would vote for Obama to win the Oscar but NOT the Presidency. God help us. McCain/Romney McCain/Palin Go! go! go!!!!
July 25th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I just finished spending a couple hours on the adn (Anchorage Daily News) website and a site called andrewhalcro.com and I have to say, stunning. I had become very interested and enthused about Palin for V.P. but after reading the news reports (and also I read the blogs under Alaska Politics on the adn site and the comments in the Andrew Halcro site). Very disturbing and not at all the image of Palin that I had come to believe. If what these two sites say is even partially true, I can’t image McCain choosing her. It’s such a shame. The Alaska State House and Senate will appoint a special investigator to look into potential ethical wrongdoing of her firing of the state’s commissioner of public safety. This appointment is expected Monday. McCain can’t choose someone who is under the cloud of an ethics investigation. Shocking.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Please, please pick her! She would represent all of us republicans perfectly!
July 27th, 2008 at 4:57 am
Vice President SARAH PALIN !!! Sounds great! About the so called scandal. Read the stories critically. The charge was made by someone who got fired by her full authority and right to do so without reason. That was the nature of that office. This could very easily be a case of ‘disgruntled employee or appointee’ - fairly common these days. The appointment of an independent investigator is prudent and common practice which I’ve no doubt Sarah Palin welcomes to keep all above board. The fact is that when any public official attempts and succeeds to clean up as much dirt and graft as there was in Alaska politics as Sarah Palin has done she is bound to incur a vengeful backlash. Same goes for Bobby Jindal whom I have no doubt has Louisiana’s old guard keeping him under the microscope and perhaps even planting blemishes for the future. When you clean a filthy house you inevitably have to get at least a little dirty. Let the investigation proceed and keep an open mind. My hunch is that she will be cleared of any wrong doing. John McCain - Pick SARAH PALIN for VP!!!
July 29th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Grab some popcorn, take a listen….
Gavel to Gavel; Retain Investigator in response to Sarah Palin and “Abuse of Power”
Blog for John McCain
http://blogsforjohnmccain.com/blogs/syrin
Sarah quote-
“We would never prohibit, or be less than enthusiastic about any kind of investigation. Let’s deal in the facts, and you do that via investigation.”
Come on’ Palinista crowd let’s see your enthusiasm, i told you she’s a fraud! Sarah is in trouble, send her a text message. Check out my Wednesday Rant audio documented.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Varmitt Mittler is a boneheaded phoney who wants torture and an expanded Guantanimo, who was once ‘devoutly’ pro-choice and now says he’s ‘devoutly’ pro-life, who was Pro-Gay Marriage and now is pro-family - inspite of the fact he was a ‘devout’ Mormon. To betray the family life groups in Mass as a ‘devout’ Mormon is Judas-like. Let’s face it, it is a cult - they think they’re the only way, were started by a nutty polygamist, and in their loony doctrine believe in taking over the usa.
For a candidate who daily lied, its delusion to go for him.
July 31st, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Sarah Palin for Vice President.. Watch our new web ad Sarah Palin for VP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFjqZ_vvLNc
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Well, we might find out soon enough…
August 13th, 2008 at 9:34 am
I’d have to say she would be a bad choice. After reading about how she is going to redistribute wealth in Alaska I couldn’t vote for any ticket she would be on.