Friday, August 29, 2008

Soap Opera Politics Volume 1, Issue 31: McCain´s VP Pick, Lady Gov. of Alaska Sarah Palin

John McCain has selected the Lady Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin as his VP Candidate. Pawlenty and Romney are out!
I do not know very much about Palin. Here is what
wiki says (summary).
Sarah Heath Palin (born February 11, 1964) is the current Governor of Alaska, and a member of the Republican Party. She is the first female governor of Alaska, its youngest, and is the first governor born after Alaska achieved statehood.
Palin was the point guard and captain for the Wasilla High School Warriors, in Wasilla, Alaska, when they won the Alaska small-school basketball championship in 1982; she earned the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" because of her intense play. In 1984, Palin was first runner-up in the Miss Alaska beauty pageant after winning the Miss Wasilla contest earlier that year, winning a scholarship to help pay her way through college. In the Wasilla pageant, she played the flute and also won Miss Congeniality. (Well McCain DOES LIKE his Models and Beauty Contest Winners!!) She hunts, eats moose burgers, ice fishes, rides snowmobiles, and owns a float plane. Palin holds a lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association. She admits that she used marijuana when it was legal in Alaska, but says that she did not like it.
She briefly worked as a sports reporter for local Anchorage television stations while also working as a commercial fisherman with her husband, Todd, her high school sweetheart. Todd is a Native Yup'ik Eskimo. The Palin family lives in Wasilla, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Anchorage.
On September 11, 2007, the Palins' son Track joined the Army. Eighteen years old at the time, he is the eldest of Palin's five children. Track now serves in an infantry brigade and will be deployed to Iraq in September. She also has three daughters: Bristol, 17, Willow, 13, and Piper, 7. On April 18, 2008, Palin gave birth to her second son, Trig Paxson Van Palin, who has Down syndrome. She returned to the office three days after giving birth. Palin refused to let the results of prenatal genetic testing change her decision to have the baby. "I'm looking at him right now, and I see perfection," Palin said.
Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council from 1992 to 1996. In 1996, she challenged the incumbent mayor, criticizing wasteful spending and high taxes. The ex-mayor and sheriff tried to organize a recall campaign, but failed. Palin kept her campaign promises, reducing her own salary, as well as reducing property taxes 60%. She ran for reelection against the former mayor in 1999, winning by an even larger margin. Palin was also elected president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.
Palin has NO Foreign Policy experience. She is strongly pro-life, a supporter of capital punishment. Palin holds a lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association. She opposes same-sex marriage, but she has stated that she has gay friends and is receptive to gay and lesbian concerns about discrimination. While the previous administration did not implement same-sex benefits, Palin complied with an Alaskan state Supreme Court order and signed them into law.
In 2006, Palin, running on a clean-government campaign, executed an upset victory over then-Gov. Murkowski in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Despite the lack of support from party leaders and being outspent by her Democratic opponent, she went on to win the general election in November 2006, defeating former Governor Tony Knowles. Palin's tenure is noted for her independence from big oil companies, while still promoting resource development.
Scandal:
On July 11, 2008, Governor Palin dismissed Walter Monegan as Commissioner of Public Safety and instead offered him a position as executive director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which he subsequently turned down. Monegan alleged shortly after his dismissal that it may have been partly due to his reluctance to fire an Alaska State Trooper, Mike Wooten, who had been involved in a divorce and child custody battle with Palin's sister, Molly McCann. In 2006, before Palin was governor, Wooten was briefly suspended for ten days for threatening to kill McCann's (and Palin's) father, tasering his 11-year-old stepson, and violating game laws. After a union protest, the suspension was reduced to five days.
On July 11, 2008, Governor Palin dismissed Walter Monegan as Commissioner of Public Safety and instead offered him a position as executive director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which he subsequently turned down. Monegan alleged shortly after his dismissal that it may have been partly due to his reluctance to fire an Alaska State Trooper, Mike Wooten, who had been involved in a divorce and child custody battle with Palin's sister, Molly McCann. In 2006, before Palin was governor, Wooten was briefly suspended for ten days for threatening to kill McCann's (and Palin's) father, tasering his 11-year-old stepson, and violating game laws. After a union protest, the suspension was reduced to five days. In response to Palin's statement that she had nothing to hide, in August 2008 the Alaska Legislature hired Steve Branchflower to investigate Palin and her staff for possible abuse of power surrounding the dismissal, though lawmakers acknowledge that "Monegan and other commissioners serve at will, meaning they can be fired by Palin at any time." The investigation is being overseen by Democratic State Senator Hollis French.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have to admit that Sarah Palin is pretty hot (remember she was in the Ms. Alaska Pageant) and MUCH BETTER on the eyes than Joe Biden. Oh and wait until you see the bikini pics!!! NOT BAD for a mother of 5.

http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=5055328

Dee said...

Ummm, just heard the lady talk. She has something in common with Bush. She too cannot pronounce nuclear.

Yikes!!

George W. Bush (& Palin) invariably pronounces the word "nucular."

http://www.slate.com/id/2071155/

Dee said...

Now she is loving on Hillary! Republicans HATE Hillary.

Hillary supporters will NOT be charmed by this obvious political schmoozing tactic either!

Dee said...

Anon,
You are right!

Sarah Palin is one HOT Chick!!

Anonymous said...

Right off the bat, sexist comments.

Shame.

Dee said...

Dianne,
I am very surprised McCain picked Palin.
Why not Romney, Pawlenty?
If he wanted a woman, why not someone experienced like Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison?

McCain is an old guy. What if he were elected and passes away in office. This young woman with no foreign policy experience would be our president? She was no Harvard grad either. She admittedly is a hockey mom. Nothing wrong with that but we need intelligence in the White House. We need diplomacy, NOT "Sarah Barracuda."

She also is currently under investigation by her state. My gosh.

It seems to me McCain selected someone to help him purposely wants to lose this election!

Very, very strange!!!

Dee said...

I do not believe ANY Hillary supporters will vote for Palin. Here is why:
1. Hillary is a brilliant diplomat, well experienced in foreign policy, ¨Palin is not.
2.Hillary is an excellent, knowledgable speaker and holds her own in the toughest debates. We know nothing about Palins debate style.
3. Senators, Congress,political leaders around the world know and respect Hillary. Not even Kay Bailey Hutchinson knew who Palin was when she was interviewed on CNN this morning.

What a slap in the face to have someone with Palin´s lack of knowledge, skills, experience, so far less than Hillary, in line for President! What an insult to Hillary and to ALL Women!!

Dee said...

Additionally, Palin is ANTI Abortion, Pro Guns, ANTI Gay.

Why on earth would ANY Democrat vote for her??

Dee said...

I still think the Republican Party is purposely throwing the Election. When people like William Kristol applaud Obama´s speech. When McCain picks a young, inexperienced unknown former model. Something is very very suspicious!!

Dee said...

Checking out the Palin scandal. It is very ugly. On another blog, one commenter said: "Leave it to the Republicans to nominate a woman that’s about to be under indictment."
I´ll investigate and post a blog.

If this is out already, I still say McCain is setting himself up to lose on purpose. But Why??

Dee said...

Palin Scandal!

Yikes!!

Anonymous said...

I note you dropped the Obama speech topic, trying to now attack McCaine pick? Talk about diversion. I also note you are nothing more than, still, Talking Points of the DNC. Must be hell being a party faithful to the bitter end.

McCain has stole, yet again, the DNC's thunder.

Now, I don't think she is as well a speaker as Obama, but her points and message were very clear vs. Obama's points and message being muttled. As for her experience, she has more than Obama. As for her currently under investigation, aren't all politicians always under some sort of investigation? Her intelligence coming into question?? Not a Harvard Grad?? So what, intelligence is more then graduating from a college. Someone of your intelligence would, Dee, should know that. (sarcasm) Your referring to her as being a former model vs the Governor of Alaska tells quite a bit about your jealousy and envy of her, she has intelligence and looks, what do you have?? Don't be so obvious with your disdain, Dee.

Dee said...

Readwhat the local Alaskan bloggers are saying about Palin as choice.

Anonymous said...

Oh my God, I actually agree with dee on this one, lol. What was McCain thinking?

Anonymous said...

I disagree however that McCain and the Repubs are trying to throw this race. That is ludicrous and makes no sense whatsover.

Anonymous said...

I think that both Obama and McCain could have made better choices for running mates.

Dee said...

Pat,
For once, we do agree.
Even if McCain didnt like Romney, why wouldnt he pick Pawlenty? And if really wanted a woman, why didnt he pick someone qualified like Kay Bailey Hutchison?

What bothers me most is to have the 1st woman potential candidate for Prez be such a poor candidate!

Just now, I heard Pat Buchanan say at least 3 times "....and she´s a former Beauty Queen."

Sheesh!!!

Anonymous said...

Hutchison would be nothing more than the same old gas bag in Washington. McCain, by choosing Palin, is doing more about and predicting change then Obama is doing. Dems = 2 Senators in office which is the same ol' same ol'. Nothing new, no "change".

Dee said...

And with Palen, you get an inexperienced airhead, close to being indicted (see next blog) whose best attribute, per Pat Buchanana is "and she used to be a Beauty Queen!"

Anonymous said...

"Additionally, Palin is ANTI Abortion, Pro Guns, ANTI Gay.

Why on earth would ANY Democrat vote for her??"

Maybe any exercising free thought?

. said...

OMG! The Blog said it! Well, then it must be the word of god......

Can anyone else smell this?

Dee said...

Arizonian,
You are a very intelligent commenter. You are Republican. Do you honestly believe Palin is the best VP candidate, next in line to be President? Or are you too overwhelmed by her Beauty Queen status?

Buchanan drools every time he says her name!!

Dee said...

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense.

The ole boys like the young hot chicks (or hot studs).

Drooling Buchanan kept repeating "former beauty queen". The ole boys are so predictable!

Dee said...

McCain only met her ONCE before he placed her on the ticket! ONCE!!

What was he thinking?
Does he think so little of women that he believes ANY WOMAN will produce the female vote?

Sheeeesh!!!

Dee said...

Two weeks ago when Palin was asked if she was in line for VP said NO. She was just a Hockey Mom.

Even SHE knows how incredibly ludicrous this choice was!!

McCain is either:
1. Senile
2. Hates Women
3. Hates the American People
4. Is purposely presenting the American Public a ticket that will LOSE!!

. said...

Dee,
I am not a Republican, no sense drawing lines.

Also, She isn't that good looking to me, maybe I'm just weird...

As far as the "best" VP pick, I can't really comment on her, for I don't live in Alaska. I have heard some good things about her though. You are the first to mention anything negative that I have seen so far.

. said...

And maybe, just maybe, he doesn't care about: female, "hispanic", "black", "asain", senior, military, or moderate votes. In the sense of, maybe he actually thinks that the person he picked to run aside him in the election would do a good job.....?

Not everyone is so shallow to target pseudo-voter groups.

Anonymous said...

I don't know there AZ, look to Bills speech in the DNC, talked about what he did and then said Obama would be the right man for the job. But Dee is a straight party ticket voter, one punch ticket, who has seen the light in the messiah, unable to do anything on her own without government saying its ok.

Dee said...

Oh Liquid, I have never been a straight party voter.

You know me. I study the issues. I go over them and go over them. Then I talk about them. Then I painstakingly make a decision. Then I change my mind. Then I start over!!
Ad nauseum!!

Then I vote!!

Anonymous said...

It seems you have already made your decision, you have studied nothing. You have done nothing but hit the DNC talking points. You have made no case for or against. You keep referring to Governor Palin as 'the beauty queen', disdain anybody?

Dee said...

Liquid,
I do not use DNC talking points. I use my own thoughts. If they happen to correspond to what you think are DNC talking points then so be it.

I referenced "beauty queen" because Buchanan got on my nerves today when he said those words several times in her support on Hardball today.

. said...

Oh Liquid, I have never been a straight party voter.

From Thursday, January 31, 2008
Mainstream Media´s Slobbering Over Obama Takes Votes Away from Obama!!

As I have stated a NUMBER of times, I am NEUTRAL between Obama vs Hillary. I will vote for the Democratic Candidate in November, 2008.

But of course Dee isn't following the party line......

Dee said...

Arizonian,
I am opposed to Bush and for more years of the same under McCain.
Therefore, from the beginning of this campaign season, I knew either Hillary or Barack was the choice, and though I would have preferred Hillary, I am voting for Barack.
Other candidates I am voting for will be based on their record and not on their party.

Anonymous said...

Dee, doesn't like lower taxes, her change involves paying more to Uncle Sam, more Govt. involvement in her life because sh can't do it for herself, she likes politics as usual with 2 lawyers/Senators running the country.... I could go on, but you get the point.

Anonymous said...

At the bottom of the image of the Vogue magazine cover, there is a reference to a web site called TheKoKon.com

Did anybody happen to look it up? They admit there that the photo is a fake. It was photo-shopped in!!!

. said...

Other candidates I am voting for will be based on their record and not on their party.

Every single candidate I ever voted for was based on their record, ideas, plans, and beliefs. I plan to continue that trend.

Which is why I am not voting this year....

I don't choose the lesser of two evils, Dee. I choose no evil.

Dee said...

Liquid,
I ask you and all Americans, are you better off now than you were 8 years ago, before the reign of GW? Are gas prices higher? Are your health care charges lower? Are you making more money (take into acct cost of living)? Are you safer? Were we in War then as we are now? Is there more violence? More local unrest? More people crying out in anger? Are we on the verge of a race war?

The American People WANT and DEMAND a change!!

WE ARE NOT WILLING TO PUT UP WITH 4 MORE of the last 8 years!!

Dee said...

Arizonian,
That is commendable. Dont vote.
That way you influence no one.

Anonymous said...

Actually, Dee, I am better off now then I was 8 years ago. I have made more and more money year after year. My health care costs have stayed the same. Gas prices going higher, I ask again, how can that be contributed to Bush??

While Slick Willie was in Office, I lost my business and ended up filing for bankruptcy.

Safer?? YES!

More people crying out in anger?? Yes, simply due to Illegal Immigration, anon says it quite clearly.

Race war?? You have got to be kidding me!!!!

. said...

Dee,
I chose not to vote for President. The person I felt was best qualified, and would do the best job, didn't make the cut on either side.

How dare I take an independent stance on politics.....

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