Posts
Now that John McCain has apparently won the Republican presidential nomination, interest turns to who will be his vice presidential running mate. One of the more promising contenders is Sarah Palin, the very popular and successful governor of Alaska. Her approval ratings of 90% or more are among the highest of any US governor. She’s also a lot better looking than Sen McCain.
Gov Palin graces the cover of the February issue of Alaska magazine. The cover story is not available online, but I bought a copy in downtown Whitehorse, so here's a snippet.
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 finding—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 has 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 [former Governor] Frank Murkowski, and it has been nice to see something different."
If McCain chooses Palin as his running mate, the GOP ticket will consist of two maverick Republicans. Hmmm. "Two maverick Republicans." There's a country-music campaign theme song in there somewhere.
Click here for the Draft Sarah Palin for Vice President blog, whence came the bumper sticker below. Gov Palin’s official website is here.
Previous related posts:
Palin for VP?
Are you serious??? Oh please, stop!
Mmmmm…let’s see. She was on the city council and mayor of Wasilla (population 5,469 in 2000), an Alaska Oil and Gas Commissioner for 9 months, and now Governor of Alaska for a little over a year.
National experience and expertise? None.
International experience? None.
Let’s see whether that pretty face is coupled with the competence to run the state.
It might be, but it’s a bit early to tell. Good intentions are a great start, but if the GOP are seriously looking at Sarah as a VP candidate, they are really desperate.
Oh yeah, the Democrats love her! I wonder why?
-Palin promised to cut the budget, but the budget grew $350 million.
-Palin introduced a $700 million tax hike, but signed a $1.5 billion tax hike.
Fiscal conservative, my a$$.
Dear Dennis:
Sounds like her qualifications are at least as substantial as Mr. Obama’s.
Well you were right. And given that McCain seems to think that experience is NOT important to be in line for the presidency, he had completely undercut his best argument against Obama. Obama could not have asked for a better choice.
YES! good job. I love her. she is more talented and principled than hillary. McCain made the best choice….obama the worst. Fresh air from Alaska…or ol’ blo-hard Joe from the beltway. No comparison
Dennis,
Think you are eating crow ’bout now!!
You Go Girl!!
-Travis
lol you were right…
A “Home Run” Senator McCain. No A “Grand Slam”!! Great Choice
What an AWESOME pick. She IS beautiful, and smart, and conservative. Obama? I bit of a tard, a bully, no experience, LIBERAL to the nth degree… oh man, don’t get me started. BRING ON BIDEN!
Hey Dennis, open your mouth and insert your foot.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25970882/?GT1=43001
SHE GOT IT!!!
WooHoo!!!
Well – you picked it!! Good job!! I bet Denise is recanting her words now:-)
looks like the gop scrambled to bring something to the old white dude ticket — it will either completely pay off or blow up in their faces. bottom line though is the glorious admission that the last eight years were a complete disaster and something needs to CHANGE.
I was a male Hillary Clinton supporter. I thought she was the best candidate in either party. Obama is a lot of flash and little substance. If he would have picked Hillary as VP, he would have won hands down. If she was willing to run with him and he picked Biden instead, he has only has himself to blame if he loses. I’m a pro choice Democrat but I think character is more important than anything else. Obama let Tony Rezko give him money (indirectly) to buy the mansion in Hyde Park. Ombama said–when he was caught–that he was “boneheaded.” I think he was simply crooked. Both McCain and Palin have character.
I think that the speech tonight by Fred Thompson said it all America first. And that is more important than all the other crap!!! McCain is the right man for the JOB not Obama!
You certainly picked it. What an incredible pick, and a brilliant speaker. She is going to put Obama back in his Senate seat for a few days before he has to begin in ‘12 campaign.
Jesus Christ was a Community Organizer.
Pontius Pilate was a Governor.
Nuff said.
Wrong on both counts: Pilate was not a governor, nor was Jesus a community organizer.
Pontius Pilate was the Prefect of Roman Judaea meaning he governed Judaea, which makes him a governor.
“Prefect” is not “Governor”. Moreover, even accepting your contention for the sake of argument, George W Bush and all Congressional representatives are “governors”. That would include Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and John McCain.
Jesus was a carpenter, The pharasies were the community organizers!
Sarah Palin may be a fine Gov of Alaska but she is wayyyyyy out of her league in running for Vice President. I truly believe you are all deluding yourselves that you want a Joe Six Pac running the country. We have had a Joe Six Pac running it for 7+ years and look where it has gotten us. Going to church, wearing a flag pin, being pro war, listening to country music does not mean you are the only people who are proud to be Americans. I respect Gov Palin for her accomplishments and for her tenacity. Many folks say they like her, she’s a nice person. That may be true, but that does not make her a good candidate for Vice president or President of the United States.
So….how’d that whole Sarah Palin for VP thing work out for ya? Seems like America, in her great wisdom, said “Thanks…but no thanks.”
Peace. Out.