September 2, 2008 7:36 AM
Palin's political record - Alaskans love her!
From my Inbox this morning - a forwarded letter from Wasilla, Alaska, Sarah Palin's hometown:
Sarah Palin is the US's answer to Margaret Thatcher! Anyone who thinks she cannot handle the job or deal briskly and efficiently with ANY issue, including foreign governments ... well, they haven't met our Sarah. As an Alaskan resident as well as a resident of Wasilla, AK, where Sarah Palin was at one time Mayor ... I can speak with confidence. Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska is exactly what she portrayed during her introduction this morning and exactly what our US Government needs. She is ethical to a fault (if there is such a thing), a refreshing change to the status-quo and as smart and determined a PERSON (gender really isn't an issue here as far as I'm concerned) as anyone could ask for at the head of government.
Sarah is no naïve "small town mayor" - she just *started out* there. Btw, as Mayor of Wasilla, she brought this "small town" through a lot of GOOD changes and left it at the end of her term having grown to the 4th largest CITY in Alaska - a lot of growth and a stronger economic base than ever before.
She has EXECTUTIVE experience *running a government* (something NONE of the other candidates can actually boast, even John McCain
) as Governor of Alaska and got there by defeating the *incumbent* Republican Governor, who was definitely part of the "old school" and who WAS very much in the pocket of the big oil companies. We in Alaska wanted change - and we got it in the person of Sarah Palin! Sarah Palin is everything she looks to be and more. Her approval rating as Governor of Alaska has been as high as 95% and is currently leveled out consistently in the upper 80 percentile throughout the state (and in both parties) - the HIGHEST approval rating of ANY sitting Governor.
Sarah has been turning around corruption in the Legislature of Alaska - turning things on their ear for that matter; cutting spending in spite of the increased income the state is currently receiving due to the high oil prices - she has insisted on putting a huge amount of the "windfall" into savings for the future rather than spending, spending, spending - and has insisted from the get-go on what she refers to as "honest, ethical and transparent governing" - no more closed door meetings and dealings - the big oil companies thought she would be a pushover and have learned better to their chagrin.She understands the "real people" and the economic issues we all face (Alaskans along with the rest of the country) - she was one of "us" not long ago. Rather than passing useless "laws" or throwing money at pet projects, she (most recently) temporarily suspended the state gas tax (on gasoline at the pumps, fuel oil and natural gas for homes, etc.) and has ordered checks
issued to ALL residents of Alaska this fall in an attempt to assist with the burden of high fuel costs for the upcoming winter. I could go on and on, but that's enough for now. She isn't doing these things to be popular - she is doing it because her constituents are HURTING financially and she can help. She became Governor of Alaska by defeating the Incumbent Republican Governor and doing it *without* the money or the support of the Republican Party, which was amazing in itself - and she won by a landslide. The "powers that be" at that time totally underestimated Sarah and learned better the hard way. She has done exactly what she claimed she was going to do and is just as popular today as the day she was elected - perhaps more so since even the Democrats up here seem to like her - she works well with both sides in the Legislature here.
Sarah "belongs" to us (Alaskans) ... and although we are going to be terribly sorry to see her leave before she finishes the job she started here (two years ago) straightening out OUR State
... we understand she is needed for a bigger purpose and hopefully her Lt. Governor will be able to fill her shoes here and continue the job. As for worrying about what would happen if McCain were to die or step down or whatever ... up here in AK we've only been wondering how long we would be able to KEEP Sarah in Alaska and have seen her as our first woman President of the USA from the start. It's always been a matter of whether she would wait until the end of her TWO terms as Governor (no doubt at ALL that she would be re-elected if she ran for a second term at the end of her current term) ... or end up in Washington sooner. She could do the job TODAY.
Personally, I feel a lot better about McCain now that I know he has someone as savvy, as strong, as ethical and as steady as Sarah at his back. She will be an excellent Vice President ... and my guess is will be our US Republican Presidential candidate in four years - AND by then the country will KNOW her - will love and respect her as we do here - and she'll win by as much of a landslide as she did here in Alaska. I only wonder if McCain has a clue what he is unleashing on the US of A
. She is going to be a fresh wind, but also a strong wind. Is that enough of an endorsement? If not, I'll add this ... Jerry and I have for many years felt the best "vote" was to vote for the lesser of two "evils" and hope they didn't do too much damage. Two years ago during our State Governor's race was the first time EVER that we actually asked for not just a little sign to put in our yard showing our support of our candidate (something we've never felt the desire to do at all before) - we asked for a full 4' x 8' "SARAH PALIN FOR GOVERNOR!" sign and were proud to have it. She hasn't let us or Alaska down. She will do the same for the USA if given the opportunity.
Feel free to pass this on to anyone who may be interested (and spam those who aren't!).
-Deb Frost in Alaska
Posted in Campaign 2008 | Permalink
Comments
Selfishly, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Palin as a VP pick. I think her record in Alaska and Alaska (and other state's politicians I've heard that have observed her in action) backing her so fully. I love that there is finally a woman in politics that actually represents me in so many ways. Hillary and any of the other usual public female figures just haven't done this for me, so I have been excited by the breath of fresh air and real-ness and honesty she brings to politics.
As Palin's more personal stories have played out though, I've become increasingly concerned for her family. This was before the news of her daughter's pregnancy or her husband's DUI [note from Barbara - this DUI was in 1986 - 22 years ago!!!! Haven't most of us changed a lot in 22 years? The important thing is that we learn from our mistakes. I normally don't interrupt comments but I can't believe that we are going to judge Sarah Palin's character based on a youthful indiscretion on her husband's part before they were married] was announced. The more I think about what cost her family has paid to have their mother and wife be away from home (mentally or physically), the more I worry about how they will be able to handle the DC life if McCain is elected. Her daughters are at such a very tender age in their teenage years and to have a very active, present mother in their early years be likely more absent in the past two years as Governor and even more absent as VP, has to alienate those girls from their mother to some extent.
I am NOT blaming Palin for her daughter's choices. I am wondering though, we as Republicans, talk so much about being there for our kids, ESPECIALLY in their teenage years to listen, to talk, to be observant and to guide. How can Palin do this really well AND run a state or our country? Can she really do it all? I have NO doubt that she has the experience to balance budgets, cut unnecessary spending, weed out corruption and more (her experience as a mother in general, to me, gives her plenty of credibility). But at what cost to her family?
When they announced her daughter's pregnancy, they said something along the lines that this is a reminder to "talk with our children" about things like pregnancy and the consequences of our choices, etc. Was Palin there to talk to her daughter when her daughter needed her?
I know kids make their own choices at some point regardless of parenting decisions, and I don't believe if we do everything right our children will do the same. I don't think either is possible. Which means (to me) that as parents, we're not going to do everything right and because that's the case, it's possible it might affect our children's ability to do everything right.
So again, while I REALLY LOVE Palin and all she's done in Alaska and the effect she could have on our country, I am really worried about the effect it might have on her family. I'm really, really worried about her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend and the impact on this new little life. They didn't choose this public life and I'm not sure the consequences of such scrutiny from an entire country should be what they pay for their choices.
You don't have to publish this comment if you don't want to, because in no way do I mean this as a bashing of Palin, mothering or parenting in general. But I am worried about her family. We should PRAY PRAY PRAY for them - for their marriage, protection over their kids' hearts, the young babies about to be thrust into history and the life long effect it could have on all of them.
[I agree prayer is needed. I can't repeat often enough that God's story line is not the same as ours. If we'd been judging his choices since the beginning of time - What? She put her baby in a basket and floated it down the river?] - and if He had given our judgments and analysis the time of day, He could not have accomplished what He accomplished.
I think this is a divine appointment.
Posted by: Laura | September 2, 2008 8:29 AM
i love palin too.
Posted by: Ruth | September 2, 2008 10:39 AM
I hate the news. When I heard of the DUI, it was made to sound like it was a recent thing. Thanks for the clarification. And for your thoughts. I'm not denying that this isn't something God isn't fully in the middle of, but the human side of me, the mother in me, worries for her children and for her marriage. Kind of how the media attention and reality shows tend to ruin marriages and families, I worry too that the effect could be the same for the Palins. I will be praying as they move forward that God truly is right in the middle of all this and with each of them every step of the way. I can't imagine what Bristol Palin and her boyfriend must be experiencing right now.
Posted by: Laura | September 2, 2008 10:39 AM
I think if anybody dropped the ball here it might have been Mr Palin. Generally speaking it is the fathers that have the most influence over their daughters opinion of themselves, and maybe Todd just didn't know there was anything lacking in his daughters judgment. If he had, he might have been a tad bit more hands-on and I am sure he will be with his other children after this.
I am one of those old-fashioned types who believe children need their *mother* a lot in the first 3 years, particularly the first 1 year. But after that I am not convinced that the mom is a more significant influence than the father. Maybe even less significant.
As far as Bristol- I have tried putting myself in her shoes. And to be honest, I am not sure what would be worse. Being a pregnant teen in the spotlight of the world or being the reason my mother turned down a spot as the vice president, and possibly the future presidency. I am inclined to think the former.
Posted by: paigeu | September 2, 2008 11:11 AM
As I recall, Sarah Palin's children have TWO parents. No one is complaining that Barack Obama is taking time away from his young daughters to run for president. No one seems concerned about what growing up with their father as president could do to them. And while Mrs. Palin is certainly busy, those children have a father, too, who presumably loves them as much as their mother does.
Yes, it's disappointing that their daughter is pregnant. However, they knew about it before Palin accepted the nomination. I'm pretty sure she checked with her family before accepting this position, too. And they are doing the right thing (although I'm personally more in favor of adoption for teen pregnancies, I think there's a distinct possibility they grow 'em a little tougher in Alaska :) ), even with knowing the embarrassment and ridicule that would come. The young Miss Palin is very brave, indeed.
All that to say, I loved reading this endorsment of Sarah Palin. I'm sure there are others who aren't so wild about her, and I'm sure they'll make themselves heard. But so far, every so-called "controversy" has only made her seem more real, more "in touch" with real people, and more like a person of integrity and fortitude. She has a lot on her plate and needs a lot of prayer. But God was not surprised by any of this. His desire is always for us to be holy and to be like him, regardless of the circumstances. That's always the challenge, whether you're a VP's kid or a pastor's kid or a police officer's kid or a data analyst's kid.
I read a lot of things in the media and lot of assumptions are being made about her in both camps, good and bad. That's a lot of pressure. With McCain, most people's expectations are so low that we're occasionally pleasantly surprised. We need to be wary of not treating Sarah Palin the same way the Dems have treated Obama - like a second Messiah. On the other hand, to be second-guessing her choices simply because she's a woman and a mother seems condescending. It just seems like maybe these things wouldn't be issues at all if Palin were a man and she had a wife who was taking care of everything.
Posted by: Lucy | September 2, 2008 11:16 AM
If other moms are out there concerned about little Trig and Palin's other children...what kind of care and life experience do you think the V.P. of the U.S. is going to get for her kids?
Feel sorry for the working bank teller or the hairdresser or delivery person, they aren't going to have highly trained nannies and chefs and whatever Trig needs as far as any special care goes. Those kids are going to meet heads of state and travel to other parts of the world and be introduced to some great opportunities.
The White House has always taken good care of the kids of the President/VP. I can't think of any presidential kids getting left to suffer through publicity/media etc. They always seem to be properly shielded, even when off "on their own" at University.
Posted by: Kelly | September 2, 2008 11:57 AM
Ok, I am so angry about the way the media is "reporting" that "some women" are upset that Sarah might not be able to raise 5 kids and be VP. Can we not see that they are USING us to unfairly paint Mrs. Palin with a sexist brush? It is infuriating and, honestly, we would not be asking these questions of Obama, so why are we asking them of her?
Also, let me just get this off my chest for a second. 17 is not that young, and is hardly a national catastrophe. Her daughter obviously has the support of her parents and will in all likelyhood be just fine.
I don't know about y'all but my grandmother got married at 14 and has her first child at 15. Somehow that child grew up just fine. I think the bigger problem than teen pregnancy is the lack of maturity we expect from teenagers. If Bristol was raised to accept responsiblity for her actions and taught about the realities of family life, she'll be just fine.
I don't believe that we should be out encouraging teenagers to have children, but honestly, I think we are doing our world a disservice by telling them that they should stay "teenagers" all the way through their 20's and then become "adults" at 30 and THEN have children.
If our society could recognize the value of young people, I think it would be good for everyone.
And just one more little thing, you really can't blame the parents if their daughter gets pregnant. How many girls of "good parents" do you think have abortions because they don't want to disappoint their parents? I'd venture quite a few. I think it is wonderful that Sarah and Bristol had the sort of relationship where Bristol felt she could come to her mother and tell her of her prenancy and not feel the pressure to sneak off and get an abortion because it would be "better for everyone".
If anything, this whole situation shows how truely pro-life the family really is.
Posted by: Lauren | September 2, 2008 11:57 AM
Yes, we Alaskans do love our Governor! I'm sad at the possibility of losing her as our governor, but if it means gaining her as our vice-president, I'm all for it.
It's a shame that there are those dragging her, and her family's, name through the mud, but I pray that they will overcome the situation. Thank God for raising up Palin, a true conservative and a Christian leader who is very effective and brave!
-Laura in AK
Posted by: Laura | September 2, 2008 1:13 PM
I plan to donate to McCain / Palin when I get home tonight - in the name of Bristol and Trig (and I am not a big fan of McCain).
As for Bristol's situation - there but for the grace of God go I (My daughter is Stubborn!). The family is handling the situation as well as they can - love your kid and do your best for them.
Posted by: Lily | September 2, 2008 1:53 PM
Lauren,
I'm coming into this conversation late, but I want to address what you said about 17 not being "that young."
The United States has decided, and rightly so, that a 17 year old is not mature enough to vote nor to have a glass of wine with dinner. In Alaska a 17 year old cannot get married without the consent of both his/her parents.
17 year olds should not be parents. Is it a national catastrophe? No. Is it responsible? No. Is it the best case scenario? No. Is it even an ok scenario? No.
The sky isn't going to fall down because a 17 year old got pregnant, but let's not down play the gravity of the situation by injecting the qualifier that "17 isn't that young."
(And I'm not going to touch the whole "my grandmother" arugment. My grandmother did a lot of things too, but that doesn't mean that is the right way to do things in 2008.)
Posted by: Anna | September 3, 2008 2:32 PM
Sarah,
You will win the election for John McCain...
Tell your children, the new media are monsters..I think we should investigate their pasts...Make them accountable for their bad behavior.
Hugs from Seattle
Diana Erickson
Can't wait for you to get rid of the trash in D.C.
Posted by: Diana Erickson | September 4, 2008 11:31 AM
