Sarah Palin: Finally A Serious Battler
Against Government Spending

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

February 11, 2010

Palin: Populist with a Pitch

By David Broder

WASHINGTON -- The snows that obliterated Washington last week interfered with many scheduled meetings, but they did not prevent the delivery of one important political message: Take Sarah Palin seriously.

Her lengthy Saturday night keynote address to the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville and her debut on the Sunday morning talk show circuit with Fox News' Chris Wallace showed off a public figure at the top of her game -- a politician who knows who she is and how to sell herself.

This was not the first time that Palin has impressed me. I gave her high marks for her vice presidential acceptance speech in St. Paul. But then, and always throughout that campaign, she was laboring to do more than establish her own place. She was selling a ticket headed by John McCain against formidable Democratic opposition and burdened by the legacy of the Bush administration.

Full article David Broder Real Clear Politics

Reuters

Alaska officials say gas line on track for 2018

Tue Nov 3, 2009 6:30pm EST

By Yereth Rosen

Stocks | Energy

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Nov 3 (Reuters) - As long as energy companies participate in 2010's open season for a massive, yet-to-be-built Alaska gas pipeline, TransCanada Corp (TRP.TO) will be on track in its plan to construct the project and start delivering to U.S. markets by 2018, Alaska officials said Tuesday.

Even if energy producers' gas-shipping offers are contingent on fiscal concessions that do not exist, the open season will have been a success as long as TransCanada wins enough interest and confidence to continue work on the 1,700-mile Prudhoe Bay-to-Alberta mega-project, the officials said.

An open season that leads immediately into financing and project sanction is not a "litmus test" for TransCanada's success, said Alaska Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin.

Full article Reuters API Smart Brief

October 16, 2009 4:00 AM

National Review Online

Drill

Petroleum is a major part of America’s energy picture. Shall we get it here or abroad?

By Sarah Palin

Given that we’re spending billions of stimulus dollars to rebuild our highways, it makes sense to think about what we’ll be driving on them. For years to come, most of what we drive will be powered, at least in part, by diesel fuel or gasoline. To fuel that driving, we need access to oil. The less use we make of our own reserves, the more we will have to import, which leads to a number of harmful consequences. That means we need to drill here and drill now.

We rely on petroleum for much more than just powering our vehicles: It is essential in everything from jet fuel to petrochemicals, plastics to fertilizers, pesticides to pharmaceuticals. Ac­cord­ing to the Energy Information Ad­min­is­tra­tion, our total domestic petroleum consumption last year was 19.5 million barrels per day (bpd). Motor gasoline and diesel fuel accounted for less than 13 million bpd of that. Meanwhile, we produced only 4.95 million bpd of domestic crude. In other words, even if we ran all our vehicles on something else (which won’t happen anytime soon), we would still have to depend on imported oil. And we’ll continue that dependence until we develop our own oil resources to their fullest extent

Those who oppose domestic drilling are motivated primarily by environmental considerations, but many of the countries we’re forced to import from have few if any environmental-protection laws, and those that do exist often go unenforced. In effect, American environmentalists are preventing responsible development here at home while supporting irresponsible development overseas.

My home state of Alaska shows how it’s possible to be both pro-environment and pro-resource-development. Alaskans would never support anything that endangered our pristine air, clean water, and abundant wildlife (which, among other things, provides many of us with our livelihood). The state’s government has made safeguarding resources a priority; when I was governor, for instance, we created a petroleum-systems-integrity office to monitor our oil and gas infrastructure for any potential environmental risks.

Alaska also shows how oil drilling is thoroughly compatible with energy conservation and renewable-energy development. Over 20 percent of Alas­ka’s electricity currently comes from renewable sources, and as governor I put forward a long-term plan to increase that figure to 50 percent by 2025. Alaska’s comprehensive plan identifies renewable options across the state that can help rural villages transition away from expensive diesel-generated electricity — allowing each community to choose the solution that best fits its needs. That’s important in any energy plan: Tempting as they may be to central planners, top-down, one-size-fits-all solutions are recipes for failure.

Full article SARAH PALIN NATIONAL REVIEW ONLINE

Palin finishes memoir, 'Going Rogue,' out Nov. 17

AP

GOING ROGUE: AN AMERICAN LIFE

Palin finishes memoir, 'Going Rogue,' out Nov. 17

AP

FILE- This Sept. 24, 2009 file photo shows former U.S. vice presidential nominee AP – FILE- This Sept. 24, 2009 file photo shows former U.S. vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin arriving …

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer Hillel Italie, Ap National Writer – Mon Sep 28, 7:46 pm ET

NEW YORK – That was fast.

Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate, has finished her memoir just four months after the book deal was announced, and the release date has been moved up from the spring to Nov. 17, her publisher said.

"Governor Palin has been unbelievably conscientious and hands-on at every stage, investing herself deeply and passionately in this project," said Jonathan Burnham, publisher of Harper. "It's her words, her life, and it's all there in full and fascinating detail."

Palin's book, her first, will be 400 pages, said Burnham, who called the fall "the best possible time for a major book of this kind."

By HILLEL ITALIE

AP National Writer

Hillel Italie, Ap National Writer

Mon Sep 28, 7:46 pm ET

NEW YORK – That was fast.

Excerpts:

Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate, has finished her memoir just four months after the book deal was announced, and the release date has been moved up from the spring to Nov. 17, her publisher said.

"Governor Palin has been unbelievably conscientious and hands-on at every stage, investing herself deeply and passionately in this project," said Jonathan Burnham, publisher of Harper. "It's her words, her life, and it's all there in full and fascinating detail."

Palin's book, her first, will be 400 pages, said Burnham, who called the fall "the best possible time for a major book of this kind."

Full article Sarah Palin Book To Be Released in November Instead of Next Spring

Guttersnipe Paul Begala Insults Sarah Palin

For 8 years through every lie and scandal involving Bill and/or Hillary Clintion, Paul Begala looked into the camera night after night and told us either the exact opposite of what the nation knew was the truth or told us something very close to the exact opposite.

It was the most disgusting example of lying/spin that I've witnessed throughout a lifetime.

Now he makes a statement, something to the effect of Sarah Palin being half a whack job.

Just think CNN actually pays him for the garbage he spews and the lies he tells.

Then again, the plunging ratings of CNN tell us what that entity is all about.

WORLD NET DAILY

Palin to feds: Alaska is sovereign stateConstitutional rights reasserted in growing resistance to Washington

Posted: July 20, 2009 11:08 pm Eastern

By Chelsea Schilling

© 2009 WorldNetDaily

Excerpts:

Gov. Sarah Palin has signed a joint resolution declaring Alaska's sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution – and now 36 other states have introduced similar resolutions as part of a growing resistance to the federal government.

Just weeks before she plans to step down from her position as Alaska governor, Palin signed House Joint Resolution 27, sponsored by state Rep. Mike Kelly on July 10, according to a Tenth Amendment Center report. The resolution "claims sovereignty for the state under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution of the United States."

Alaska's House passed HJR 27 by a vote of 37-0, and the Senate passed it by a vote of 40-0.

According to the report, the joint resolution does not carry with it the force of law, but supporters say it is a significant move toward getting their message out to other lawmakers, the media and grassroots movements.

Alaska's resolution states:

Full article World Net Daily

SarahPAC rakes in $733K in 6 months

By JOHN BRESNAHAN | 7/13/09 1:43 PM EDT

Updated: 7/13/09 4:59 PM EDT

POLITICO 44

Sarah Palin’s political action committee raised nearly $733,000 in the first six months of 2009 and has more than $450,000 in cash on hand, according to new filings with the Federal Election Commission.

While Republicans are hopeful that Palin will be a big fundraising help for them, her political action committee hasn’t exactly been a campaign-finance ATM. Since its formation in late January, it appears to have made just two political contributions — $5,000 to Palin’s 2008 running mate, Sen. John McCain, and $5,000 to Alaska’s Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski.

The majority of the money raised by SarahPAC so far has come in the form of “unitemized contributions,” meaning donations of less than $200 each. PACs are not required to name those small donors in their filings with the FEC. The remaining money came through more than 700 different $200-plus contributions made by donors from all around the United States.

Full article John BresnahanPolitico

SF Gate

The San Francisco Chronicle

Sarah Palin, political genius

Willie Brown

The pundits are wrong. Conventional wisdom is wrong. Sarah Palin's decision to step down as Alaska governor was a brilliant move.

Willie's World

Excerpts:

Palin has some of the best political instincts I have ever seen. She became a pop-culture superstar overnight when John McCain made her his veep pick, and she's still second only to President Obama among politicians the public is interested in. Even in liberal San Francisco, she'd be front-page news if she ever came to town.

But that kind of celebrity comes at a high price. What a lot of people don't know is that Palin entered Alaska politics as a reformer attacking the corruption of the state's Republican establishment. As such, she was the darling of the Democrats - until she hooked up with McCain.

After the election, with Palin back home but positioning herself for a 2012 presidential run, it was clear she would catch nothing but ridicule from Alaska's Democrats. It was not going to be pretty.

Full article Willie Brown SF GATE

July 7th, 2009 10:53 am

What is Wisdom?—Sarah Palin and Her Critics

They Say/We Say

The debate over Palin is sort of ossified.

The Left continues to ridicule her accent, family, and middling roots. The Right enjoys such authenticity-but enjoys even more the hysteria it incurs in liberals.

Will it Be Politics or Money?

Excerpts:

But lost in all of this is whether she is up to national politics, or simply wishes to capitalize (an Oprah-like talk show?) on her sizable financial potential. On the one hand, Palin is obviously bright. Few could raise a family without capital in Wasilla, and within a decade end up as Governor of a large state-whose protocols hinged on an old-boy network where politicians accommodated oil and mineral interests.

On the other hand, a mother of five, knee-deep in local politics, without money and leisure, is not going to be reading Gibbon for perspective, or spending the afternoon perusing Foreign Affairs. Nor is she going to remember a quip that her Prof at the Kennedy school once offered years ago. Nor is she going to recall clever repartee at a Georgetown dinner party from one grandee to another.

She has natural gifts-stamina, earthy grit, sensitivity to what most Americans go through raising a family on a limited budget, practicality from working with her hands in a natural world. All that is no small beer. Look at Truman’s various experiences in Missouri.

Full article Pajamas Medias

NY Daily News

By Michael Sheridan

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, July 8th 2009, 10:08 AM

She may have resigned her position as Governor of Alaska, but Republicans still favor Sarah Palin has a candidate for President in 2012.

Could Sarah Palin still run for President? You betcha!

Although some pundits and talk show hosts have pronounced her career dead, a new poll suggests Republicans still love Palin as a presidential candidate for 2012.

According to a new USA Today/Gallup poll, 19 percent of voters would "very likely" vote for her if she ran, with another 24 percent saying they were "somewhat likely" to give her their vote, despite that fact she quit her job as Alaska governor last week.

"For independents and Democrats, she's already not their candidate, and with Republicans, her support is not based on her record as governor of Alaska," Republican consultant Alex Castellanos told USA Today.

Read more: Michael Sheridan NY Daily News

Palin's Move Is Unorthodox, Not Crazy

The Alaska Republican Takes A PR Hit In The Short Term But Gives Herself A Valuable Jump On The 2012 Race

by Charlie Cook

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Excerpts:

The political community's reaction to Alaska Republican Gov. Sarah Palin's announcement that she would resign on July 26 was swift, withering and very nearly unanimous. It's hard to dispute that Palin handled the announcement badly, but was her decision to resign really crazy, or just unexpected, with the press reacting to an unorthodox move by declaring it insane?

First, look at the issue of not seeking re-election in 2010 and work back. A good case can be made that seeking a presidential nomination has become an extraordinarily difficult undertaking in terms of organization-building, fundraising and cultivating the relationships necessary to win. And perhaps doing that well and being an effective governor are mutually exclusive.

Would Palin really get that many more "experience points" for sticking around Juneau, if it meant missing a lot of gripping and grinning at Lincoln Day dinners and other state and local party functions?

Since Bill Clinton won the Democratic nomination in 1992 as governor of Arkansas and George W. Bush won the GOP nomination in 2000 as governor of Texas, the magnitude of building a winning presidential campaign has become greater. Running for president is now a minimum two-year, full-time job. While a senator can pretty much skip out on the job for two years, governors can't do that without exposing themselves to doing at least one task badly, if not both. Plus, running while governing from Austin or Little Rock is one thing -- running from Juneau is quite something else.

Full article Charlie Cook National Journal Online

NRO

National Review Online

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Writing Sarah Off

Victor Davis Hanson

Excerpts:

Conventional wisdom suggests that short-term the Palin decision was unwise — e.g., "quitter," unpredictable, sulking, etc. But what else are her critics really going to say? It's not like a Letterman can trump laughing at her on late-night television as he puns that a Yankees star had sex in a dugout with her 14-year old daughter. Can Andrew Sullivan at The Atlantic's website go beyond his slurs that she did not deliver her own child? How much more cleverly can N.Y. feminist pundits tsk-tsk her that she's a Wasilla trailer-park retread?

In other words, it doesn't matter that much what critics say, but — should she pursue politics — only what she does with her newfound time, especially if she travels widely, studies foreign policy, and helps galvanize the party base.

In the long run, she can lecture, earn a good income through speaking, develop a coterie of advisers and supporters, take care of her family, not have the constant political warring on all flanks, and invest time in reflecting and studying issues, visit the country, meet leaders, etc. She's not looking at 2012; but in eight years by 2016 she will be far more savvy, still young, and far more experienced. It matters not all that the Left writes her off as daffy, since they were going to do that whatever she did; the key is whether she convinces conservatives in eight years of travel and reflection that she's a charismatic Margaret Thatcher-type heavyweight.

Full article Victor Davis Hanson The Corner NRO

See Rush Video To Rush Limbaugh Video

Office of Alaska GovernorSarah Palin

Palin Announces No Second Term

No Lame Duck Session Either

Hi Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly to you, the people I serve, as your Governor.

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine.

I want Alaskans to grasp what can be in store for our state. We were purchased as a territory because a member of President Abe Lincoln's cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches, beauty, strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity. He boldly looked "North to the Future". But he endured such ridicule and mocking for his vision for Alaska, remember the adversaries scoffed, calling this "Seward's Folly". Seward withstood such disdain as he chose the uncomfortable, unconventional, but right path to secure Alaska, so Alaska could help secure the United States.

Sarah Palin

People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska.

Alaska’s mission – to contribute to America. We’re strategic in the world as the air crossroads of the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent. Bold visionaries knew this - Alaska would be part of America's great destiny.

Our destiny to be reached by responsibly developing our natural resources. This land, blessed with clean air, water, wildlife, minerals, and oil and gas. It's energy! God gave us energy.

So to serve the state is a humbling responsibility, because I know in my soul that Alaska is of such import, for America’s security, in our very volatile world. And you know me by now, I promised even four years ago to show my independence… no more conventional “politics as usual”.

And we are doing well! My administration's accomplishments speak for themselves. We work tirelessly for Alaskans.

We aggressively and responsibly develop our resources because they were created to be used to better our world... to help people... and we protect the environment and Alaskans (the resource owners) foremost with our policies.

Sarah Palin

Here’s some of the things we’ve done:

We created a petroleum integrity office to oversee safe development. We held the line for Alaskans on Point Thomson – and finally for the first time in decades – they’re drilling for oil and gas.

We have AGIA, the gasline project – a massive bi-partisan victory (the vote was 58 to 1!) – also succeeding as intended - protecting Alaskans as our clean natural gas will flow to energize us, and America, through a competitive, pro-private sector project. This is the largest private sector energy project, ever. This is energy independence.

And ACES – another bipartisan effort – is working as intended and industry is publicly acknowledging its success. Our new oil and gas “clear and equitable formula” is so Alaskans will no longer be taken advantage of. ACES incentivizes new exploration and development and jobs that were previously not going to happen with a monopolized North Slope oil basin.

We cleaned up previously accepted unethical actions; we ushered in bi-partisan Ethics Reform.

We also slowed the rate of government growth, we worked with the Legislature to save billions of dollars for the future, and I made no lobbyist friends with my hundreds of millions of dollars in budget vetoes... but living beyond our means today is irresponsible for tomorrow.

Sarah Palin

We took government out of the dairy business and put it back into private-sector hands – where it should be.

We provided unprecedented support for education initiatives, and with the right leadership, finally filled long-vacant public safety positions. We built a sub-Cabinet on Climate Change and took heat from Outside special interests for our biologically-sound wildlife management for abundance.

We broke ground on the new prison.

And we made common sense conservative choices to eliminate personal luxuries like the jet, the chef, the junkets... the entourage.

And the Lt. Governor and I said "no" to our pay raises.

So much success in this first term – and with this success I am proud to take credit... for hiring the right people! Our goal was to achieve a gasline project, more fair oil and gas valuation, and ethics reform in four years. We did it in two. It’s because of the people… good public servants surrounding the Governor's office, with servants' hearts and astounding work ethic... they are Alaska's success!

We are doing well! I wish you'd hear more from the media of your state's progress and how we tackle Outside interests - daily - special interests that would stymie our state. Even those debt-ridden stimulus dollars that would force the heavy hand of federal government into our communities with an “all-knowing attitude” – I have taken the slings and arrows with that unpopular move to veto because I know being right is better than being popular. Some of those dollars would harm Alaska and harm America – I resisted those dollars because of the obscene national debt we’re forcing our children to pay, because of today’s Big Government spending; it’s immoral and doesn’t even make economic sense!

Another accomplishment – our Law Department protected states’ rights – two huge U.S. Supreme Court reversals came down against that liberal Ninth Circuit, deciding in our state’s favor over the last two weeks. We’re protectors of our Constitution – federalists protect states’ rights as mandated in 10th amendment.

But you don’t hear much of the good stuff in the press anymore, do you?

Sarah Palin

Some say things changed for me on August 29th last year – the day John McCain tapped me to be his running-mate – I say others changed.

Let me speak to that for a minute.

Political operatives descended on Alaska last August, digging for dirt. The ethics law I championed became their weapon of choice. Over the past nine months I've been accused of all sorts of frivolous ethics violations – such as holding a fish in a photograph, wearing a jacket with a logo on it, and answering reporters’ questions.

Every one – all 15 of the ethics complaints have been dismissed. We’ve won! But it hasn't been cheap - the State has wasted thousands of hours of your time and shelled out some two million of your dollars to respond to “opposition research” – that’s money not going to fund teachers or troopers – or safer roads. And this political absurdity, the “politics of personal destruction” … Todd and I are looking at more than half a million dollars in legal bills in order to set the record straight. And what about the people who offer up these silly accusations? It doesn’t cost them a dime so they’re not going to stop draining public resources – spending other peoples’ money in their game.

It’s pretty insane – my staff and I spend most of our day dealing with this instead of progressing our state now. I know I promised no more “politics as usual,” but this isn’t what anyone had in mind for Alaska.

If I have learned one thing: life is about choices!

And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity. I choose not to tear down and waste precious time; but to build up this state and our country, and her industrious, generous, patriotic, free people!

Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and “go with the flow”.

Sarah Palin

Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow".

No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to build up.

And there is such a need to build up and fight for our state and our country. I choose to fight for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and life... I'll work for and campaign for those proud to be American, and those who are inspired by our ideals and won't deride them.

I will support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the right reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Alaska – or Outside Alaska.

But I won’t do it from the Governor’s desk.

I've never believed that I, nor anyone else, needs a title to do this - to make a difference... to help people. So I choose, for my State and my family, more "freedom" to progress, all the way around... so that Alaska may progress... I will not seek re-election as Governor.

And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn’t run for re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! That’s not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it.

It’s not what is best for Alaska.

I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable.

With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election… I’ve determined it’s best to transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell; and I am willing to do so, so that this administration – with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future – can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success.

Sarah Palin

My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.

Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me – sports… basketball. I use it because you’re naïve if you don’t see the national full-court press picking away right now: A good point guard drives through a full court press, protecting the ball, keeping her eye on the basket… and she knows exactly when to pass the ball so that the team can win. And I’m doing that – keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities – smaller government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when it’s time to pass the ball – for victory.

I have given my reasons candidly and truthfully… and my last day won’t be for another few weeks so the transition will be very smooth. In fact, we will look to swear Sean in – in Fairbanks at the conclusion of our Governor’s picnics.

I do not want to disappoint anyone with my decision; all I can ask is that you trust me with this decision – but it’s no more “politics as usual”.

Some Alaskans don’t mind wasting public dollars and state time. I do. I cannot stand here as your Governor and allow millions upon millions of our dollars go to waste just so I can hold the title of Governor. And my children won’t allow it either.

Some will question the timing. Let’s just say, this decision has been in the works for awhile…

In fact, this decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was unanimous... well, in response to asking: "Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from outside the Governor's office?" It was four "yes's" and one "hell yeah!" The "hell yeah" sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that... I think much of it had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently.) Um, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand that we all could learn so much from someone like Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can offer to set priorities right – that time is precious... the world needs more "Trigs", not fewer.

My decision was also fortified during this most recent trip to Kosovo and Landstuhl, to visit our wounded soldiers overseas, those who sacrifice themselves in war for our freedom and security… we can ALL learn from our selfless Troops… they’re bold, they don’t give up, they take a stand and know that life is short so they choose to not waste time. They choose to be productive and to serve something greater than self... and to build up their families, their states, our country. These Troops and their important missions – those are truly the worthy causes in this world and should be the public priority with time and resources and not this local / superficial wasteful political bloodsport.

May we all learn from them!

*((Gotta put First Things First))*

First things first: as Governor, I love my job and I love Alaska. It hurts to make this choice but I am doing what’s best for Alaska. I’ve explained why… though I think of the saying on my parents’ refrigerator that says “Don’t explain: your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe you anyway.”

But I have given my reasons… no more “politics as usual” and I am taking my fight for what’s right – for Alaska – in a new direction.

Now, despite this, I don’t want any Alaskan dissuaded from entering politics after seeing this real “climate change” that began in August… no, we need hardworking, average Americans fighting for what’s right! And I will support you because we need you and you can effect change, and I can too on the outside.

We need those who will respect our Constitution where government’s supposed to serve from the bottom up, not move toward this top down big government take-over… but rather, will be protectors of individual rights - who also have enough common sense to acknowledge when conditions have drastically changed and are willing to call an audible and pass the ball when it’s time so the team can win! And that is what I’m doing!

Remember Alaska… America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future. It'll be good. So God bless you, and from me and my family - to all Alaska - you have my heart.

And we will be in the capable hands of our Lieutenant Governor, Sean Parnell. And Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will assume the role of Lieutenant Governor. And it is my promise to you that I will always be standing by, ready to assist. We have a good, positive agenda for Alaska.

In the words of General MacArthur said, “We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”

###

MY WAY

Letterman apologizes again for 'bad' Palin joke

Jun 16, 7:14 AM (ET)

By FRAZIER MOORE

Excerpts:

NEW YORK (AP) - David Letterman said his joke about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter was a lousy joke, no matter how you cut it, and he's sorry.

But the late-night host insisted that what's got people really riled is the misconception over which Palin daughter the joke was about.

On Monday's edition of "Late Show," Letterman explained that the risque joke thought by some to have targeted Palin's underage daughter, Willow, was actually referring to 18-year-old daughter Bristol. The name of the daughter wasn't mentioned in the joke, which was part of Letterman's monologue on last Monday's show.

Full article Frazier Moore My Way

My Way.Com

Sarah Palin: Letterman owes women an apology

Jun 12, 10:46 AM (ET)

By DAVID BAUDER

Excerpts:

NEW YORK (AP) - Sarah Palin says David Letterman owes an apology to young women across the country for his joke about her daughter.

The Alaska governor appeared on NBC's "Today" show Friday, continuing a feud with the CBS "Late Show" funnyman over his joke earlier this week that Palin's daughter got "knocked up" by New York Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez during their recent trip to New York.

Palin also said she doesn't believe she should be automatically considered the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.

Asked by Matt Lauer whether Letterman owed her daughter an apology, the former vice presidential candidate broadened it.

Full article DAVID BAUDER My Way

Sarah Palin vs. David Letterman: Overly Sexual Jokes Scandal

Posted on: June 11th, 2009

Rita Pereira

Excerpts:

David Letterman made several very cruel jokes about Sarah Palin and her daughter going to a Yankees game during the former VP candidate’s visit to New York City.

During the opening monologue on Tuesday night (June 9), Dave said: “One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game. During the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez” (watch video above). Bad taste? Yes! Funny? Absolutely!

Sarah Palin took this joke very seriously and attacks Dave Letterman by calling him a pervert for making a sexual joke about a minor (wait! I thought Dave was talking about Bristol Palin!) via the following statement:

“Concerning Letterman’s comments about my young daughter (and I doubt he’d ever dare make such comments about anyone else’s daughter): Laughter incited by sexually-perverted comments made by a 62-year-old male celebrity aimed at a 14-year-old girl is not only disgusting, but it reminds us some entertainers have a long way to go in understanding what the rest of America understands–that acceptance of inappropriate sexual comments about an underage girl, who could be anyone’s daughter, contributes to the atrociously high rate of sexual exploitation of minors by older men who use and abuse others.”

Full article Bumpshack.Com

Sarah Palin blasts David Letterman

From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell

Excerpts:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd have just put out scathing statements directed at comedian David Letterman.

"...The governor's spokeswoman, Meg Stapleton, sent these two statements, the first from Todd: "Any 'jokes' about raping my 14-year-old are despicable. Alaskans know it and I believe the rest of the world knows it, too."

The next was from the governor: "Concerning Letterman's comments about my young daughter (and I doubt he'd ever dare make such comments about anyone else's daughter): 'Laughter incited by sexually-perverted comments made by a 62-year-old male celebrity aimed at a 14-year-old girl is not only disgusting, but it reminds us some Hollywood/NY entertainers have a long way to go in understanding what the rest of America understands -- that acceptance of inappropriate sexual comments about an underage girl, who could be anyone's daughter, contributes to the atrociously high rate of sexual exploitation of minors by older men who use and abuse others.'"

Full article Norah O'Donnell firstread.msnbc.msn.com

Time.Com

Sarah Palin

Ann Coulter

Excerpts:

Sarah Palin was arguably the most influential person in 2008, but no one notices because she wasn't influential enough to overcome the deficits of her running mate and win the election.

Until Palin, 45, burst onto the scene, Obama was headed for a Nixon/McGovern landslide. Palin may not have changed the election result, but she killed what otherwise would have been a rout.

John McCain was so preposterous a candidate (at least on a Republican ticket) that Palin was responsible for far more votes than the usual vice-presidential candidate. The biggest red flag proving her popularity with normal Americans is that liberals won't shut up about her. Palin is a threat to liberals because she believes in God and country and family — all values liberals pretend to believe in but secretly detest. There's a reason there's no "Stop Olympia Snowe before it's too late!" movement.

The American voter can be hornswoggled occasionally, but we can generally spot a real American, and that's what Sarah Palin is. She really was a housewife who went into politics because she didn't like the way her taxes were being spent. She really did take on the old-boy network — the oil companies and her own party — and won. And yes, she really did walk the walk on abortion when she found out she was carrying a Down-syndrome baby.

Full article Time.Com

DRUDGE REPORT

'TOLD YA SO'

Mon Jun 08 2009 10:29:02 ET

Sarah Palin hits FOXNEWS tonight for the big 'Told Ya So' interview, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

Excerpts:

As President Obama vows to spend the 'stimulus' faster, Governor Palin tells host Sean Hannity: 'You gotta quit digging that hole!'

MORE

HANNITY: What do you make of – look at the state of the economy now...

PALIN: Well, when you consider that the federal government is about eleven trillion dollars in debt, and we’re borrowing more to spend more.. it defies any sensible economic policy that any of us ever learned through college. It defies economy practices and principles that tell ya ‘you gotta quit digging that hole when you are in that financial hole’

Full article Drudge Report

COMMENTARY MAGAZINE.COM

The Meaning of Sarah Palin

Yuval Levin

February 9, 2009

Full article Yuval Levin COMMENTARY MAGAZINE.COM

Excerpts:

Two political figures dominated the final months of the 2008 presidential campaign. One was the Democratic nominee, Barack Obama. The other had been unknown to all but 670,000 Americans only a few minutes before she was first introduced by the Republican nominee, John McCain, at a rally in Ohio on the Friday before the Republican National Convention, only 66 days before the November election.

By the close of that first weekend, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska had become a national sensation. Two days after that, she delivered her debut address at the Republican National Convention as the party’s vice-presidential nominee—a dazzling stemwinder, it was all but universally acknowledged. McCain’s dramatic and unexpected bet appeared to have paid off in spades.

But by November 4, the day of the election, Sarah Palin had been transformed into one of the most divisive figures in recent American history. There was almost no middle ground between those who had come to adore her and those who believed she represented just about every dark and dangerous element of contemporary American politics. In choosing Palin, McCain had hoped to shake up the race; but the fault lines exposed by the Palin earthquake were not the ones he had thought they might be. He had wanted to run against the Washington status quo as a reformer with an independent streak. He believed he was picking a fellow reformist politician with a history of taking on the leadership of her own party, and that Palin would prove acceptable to the Republican base because of her social conservatism. Instead, Palin became an instant cultural and political magnet, attracting some and repelling others and dragging a helpless McCain into a culture war for which he had little stomach. Indeed, the overheated response to Palin’s presence on the national stage, from both friend and foe, was oddly disconnected from Palin’s actual actions, statements, and record. It was a turn of events no one could have anticipated, and one that has much to teach us about American political life in our day.

Last week Sarah Palin opened her Political Action Committee.

You can visit that site by going to

Sarah Palin PAC

BIG HOLLYWOOD

John Ziegler

January 9, 2009

Excerpts:

If someone told me five months ago that in early January I would pay over $1,400 for an incredibly inconvenient plane ticket and $120 for a 3 a.m. cab fare to get from sunny Los Angeles to Wasilla, Alaska, I would have told them there was a better chance the Dow Jones would be below 9,000 and a gallon of gas less than two dollars.

If they would have told me I’d be glad to have made the journey (even with a seven-hour, weather-aided stop in Seattle), I would have told them Sarah Palin had a better chance to be John McCain’s running-mate. Of course, as we all now know this turned out to be true. And even though I still have the flu I got just before the trip, I’m thrilled to have experienced minus-eleven degrees in Alaska.

Obviously, I was there to interview Governor Palin for my forthcoming documentary about the media coverage of election 2008. My understanding is that the only reason Governor Palin did this interview (while rejecting hundreds of other requests) is because of her sincere devotion to setting the record straight on what really happened during the campaign and to determine why the news coverage was as dangerously slanted as it so clearly was.

Palin Thwarts The Gas Cartel

INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Energy: Iran resurrected its idea of a "gas cartel" to control gas markets like oil. But even if it succeeds, the U.S. won't be vulnerable. If you wonder why, look to the governor of Alaska.

Full article INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY

Excerpts:

If OPEC strikes you as a bad group, the new cartel for natural gas, led by Russia and Iran, will be even worse.

Russia has made standoffish statements about the plan, but won't repudiate it. "A gas OPEC is an interesting idea," then-President Vladimir Putin declared last year. Based on Russia's moves since, the Heritage Foundation's Ariel Cohen believes it's a stealth move from the Kremlin to keep buyers unperturbed as the cartel slowly forms.

SALON.COM

Camille Paglia

Nobody’s dummy

October 8, 2008

Full article Camille Paglia Salon.Com

Excerpts:

Full article and Video John Ziegler BIG HOLLYWOOD

What a powerful letter — which I am pleased to share with Salon readers. Yes, let us not forget the tragic series of dubious political judgments that led the U.S. to lurch into Southeast Asia after the French had prudently packed up and left. The debacle of the Vietnam War still haunts American politics and has produced deep partisan fissures that have never healed.

However, I would appeal to you and to all Americans to acknowledge that the preservation of our liberties ultimately depends on the enormous dedication and self-sacrifice of our military men and women. I am very concerned about whether our professional class, buffed all shiny and bright by the elite universities, will ever have the will or stamina to defend this nation in a major crisis. As I’ve predicted for years, we’re heading down a path similar to that of the Roman empire — with a sophisticated, self-absorbed upper class enjoying a comfortable lifestyle whose security is maintained by a career military (increasingly foreign or mercenary as Rome declined). Soldiers must do or die by the good judgment or shallow caprice of a nation’s leaders, who are the ones who bear all moral responsibility in this matter.

As I see it, the Palin Effect is a double-headed hydra. On one side you have Todd Palin, who is clearly a vibrant, macho force in his family’s life. Just as clearly, he has effectively embraced the role as a primary caregiver. What does it say that he and Sarah have a mutually aggrandizing partnership/marriage? A successful professional woman who embraces a masculine male rather than castrate him? Heaven forfend! Personally I see it as the benign (and noble) conclusion of the feminist movement. I guess fish don’t need bicycles, but some of them want one. And they’d rather it come with some cojones.

Discussing the Sarah Palin effect is quickly becoming a national psychosis, to which I doubt I could add much. The only thing I haven’t seen discussed is a comparison between her popularity and what Rush Limbaugh hilariously and intuitively called Bill Clinton’s “Arousal Gap.” I think we’re seeing that Todd Palin isn’t the only man’s man out there who has a healthy appreciation for a strong member of the opposite sex. Here is another benign and admirable consequence of the feminist movement.

Sarah Palin still popular, says poll, despite quitting as Alaska Governor

NRO National Review Online

October 4, 2008 12:00 PM

With a Wink and a Smile

A citizen-politician runs for veep.

By Mark Steyn

Full article Mark Steyn NRO

Excerpts:

Back in February, several political lifetimes ago, I was on the radio with Laura Ingraham and she played Stevie Wonder’s campaign song for Barack Obama, whose lyric, in its entirety, runs:

Ba-rack O-ba-ma Ba-a-rack O-ba-a-ma Ba-ra-ack Obama-a...

(Repeat until coronation.)

And Laura and I had a good laugh about it, until it occurred to me that, in politics as in pop, the tune is more important than the words. A guy can run for president with all the right lyrics — on the war, the economy, the social issues — but what matters is whether people respond to the underlying music: not what he’s saying, but how he’s saying it. At the time, I was reflecting on Mitt Romney: The song looked great on paper, but when he stuck it on the stand and started to warble it never quite soared.

That’s where Sarah Palin scored in the vice-presidential showdown. A lot of the grandees in the post-debate analysis reviewed the lyrics and missed the music. Whereas, I would wager, a big chunk of uncommitted voters out in TV land listened to Governor Palin, and liked the tune they were hearing. If you’re one of those coastal feminists who despise Alaska’s sweetheart as a chillbilly breeder whose knowledge of foreign policy is as full of holes as the last moose to make the mistake of strolling past her deck, Thursday night’s folksy performance isn’t going to change your view. But, if your contempt for her wasn’t already chiseled in granite, she came over as genuine, confident …and different. Change you can believe in, to coin a phrase.

National Review Online

October 2, 2008 7:15 AM

Energy Election

Sarah Palin can make a compelling case for plentiful supply.

By Max Schulz

Full article Max Schulz National Review Online

Excerpts:

When the curtain goes up tonight on the most highly anticipated vice-presidential debate in American political history, Alaska governor Sarah Palin will have a golden opportunity to regain the momentum for the McCain campaign. To do that, she must focus on the issue that resuscitated the GOP presidential effort earlier this summer, and that indirectly led to John McCain picking her as his running mate: energy.

As Larry Kudlow pointed out last month, 2008 is the energy election. The past two weeks have seen the imbroglio in the financial markets emerge as a legitimate crisis as well as a potent campaign issue. Still, since the beginning of summer, most Americans have viewed this election through the prism of high gasoline prices and the national debate over offshore drilling. It was this focus on energy, as well as the stark differences between Democrats and Republicans on energy exploration and production, which explain why the weak, hoary candidacy of John McCain whittled down the seemingly insurmountable lead once held by Barack Obama. The candidates present starkly different positions when it comes to energy, and Gov. Palin would be well served in her debate with Democratic senator Joseph Biden to highlight those contrasts.

Take offshore drilling. Nancy Pelosi’s Democrats were unable to keep the congressional ban on offshore drilling from expiring yesterday. That would seem to be a victory for John McCain (as well as for common sense), who called for the end of the moratorium many months ago. Throughout the year, polls have shown large majorities of the American people favoring offshore energy exploration.

Yahoo!News

Palin stands her ground in VP debate with Biden

By JIM KUHNHENN

Associated Press Writer 40 minutes ago

October 2, 2008

Full article JIM KUHNHENN Associated Press Writer

Excerpts:

ST. LOUIS - Under intense scrutiny, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin stood her ground Thursday night against a vastly more experienced Joe Biden, debating the economy, energy and global warming, then challenging him on Iraq, "especially with your son in the National Guard."ADVERTISEMENT

The Alaska governor also noted that Biden had once said Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama wasn't ready to be commander in chief, "and I know again that you opposed the move that he made to try to cut off funding for the troops and I respect you for that."

Biden responded that John McCain, too, had voted against funding, and said the Republican presidential candidate had been "dead wrong on the fundamental issues relating to the conduct of the war."

CBS NEWS

Exclusive: Palin On Foreign Policy

Katie Couric Interviews The Candidate About Watching Russia, Her New Passport And Her Opinion Of Obama

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2008

Full article CBS NEWS

Excerpts:

Katie Couric: As we stand before this august building and institution, what do you see as the role of the United States in the world?

Sarah Palin: I see the United States as being a force for good in the world. And as Ronald Reagan used to talk about, America being the beacon of light and hope for those who are seeking democratic values and tolerance and freedom. I see our country being able to represent those things that can be looked to … as that leadership, that light needed across the world.

Couric: In preparing for this conversation, a lot of our viewers … and Internet users wanted to know why you did not get a passport until last year. And they wondered if that indicated a lack of interest and curiosity in the world.

Custom Search

Washington Post.Com

By Juliet Eilperin

Wednesday, September 24, 2008; Page A08

Full article Juliet Eilperin Washington Post.Com

Excerpts:

Palin, who met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, engaged in small talk and policy discussions as part of her effort to augment her foreign policy credentials. Palin, who has traveled outside North America once, also met with former secretary of state Henry Kissinger at his New York office.

The campaign of Sen. John McCain sought to highlight the sessions with several photo ops, though they limited the news media's access, at one point barring print reporters from observing Palin's initial exchange with Karzai.

Shuttling from one meeting to another, Palin traveled across New York with the buzz of a high-profile personality. Her motorcade shut down traffic, and for a time police barred entry to her Midtown hotel. Tourists pulled out video cameras to film the Alaska governor, prompting several police vehicles to drive onto the sidewalk to protect the SUV in which she was riding. Traffic backed up, crowds gathered behind the barricades and a supporter yelled, "We love you, Sarah!"

THE HINDU

Why liberal Britain just loves Sarah Palin

Hasan Suroor

September 24, 2008

The gun-toting, anti-abortionist Sarah Palin is a hit across the gender and political divide. Men find her glamorous, women admire her for putting “misogynists” on notice.

Full article Hasan Suroor The Hindu

Excerpts:

Notwithstanding what happens to Sarah Palin after November 4 (whether she returns to shooting wolves or is propelled into being a “heartbeat” away from White House), Britons are unlikely to be in a hurry to forget this audaciously un-British woman with a taste for moose-hunting and snowmobiling. Strangely enough, a country which is not known to warm easily to outsiders with raving right-wing views seems to have fallen in love with Ms Palin after her gritty performance at the Republican Party convention last month as the running-mate of John McCain, the party’s presidential nominee.

Since that “electrifying” and “barnstorming” speech, she has been the only show in town with self-styled experts showering praise on her for everything from her finger-jabbing rhetoric and media-baiting one-liners to the choice of her dress that evening (in “contrast” to Hillary Clinton’s “frumpy” trouser-suits) and her “hypnotic” rimless glasses which have become the subject of some rather breathless internet chatter.

Britain is in the grip of a “Palinmania” with much of the debate on the U.S. presidential race focused on a woman who may have difficulty even spotting Britain on the map. And here’s the paradox.

Hugh Hewitt

Townhall.Com

A fisking of David Talbot's assembly of Alaska's defeated candidates and felons to whine about "mean girl" Sarah Palin

Posted by: Bill Dyer at 11:04 AM

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Full article Bill Dyer Townhall.Com

Excerpts:

David Talbot, the founder of Salon.com, has accomplished an amazing journalistic coup on his website today: In a breathless report entitled "Mean Girl," Mr. Talbot reports the stunning news that the Alaska politicians whom Sarah Palin has either directly beaten herself, or else has seen driven from public office for corruption, don't tend to like her very much!

Stop the presses! (In other stunning news, the sun rose this morning in the east, and Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.)

Mr. Talbot's narrative begins with Gov. Palin's first run for mayor of Wasilla against incumbent John Stein. We're assured that ex-Mayor Stein is "an eminently reasonable and reflective man" — or so he appears to a San Francisco online journalist like Mr. Talbot, who doubtless spent many, many hours coming to know Stein intimately enough to vouch for him.

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

September 22, 2008

Palin and Obama--What Really is Wisdom?

By Victor Davis Hanson

Victor Davis Hanson RCP

Excerpts:

Palin vs. Obama

The race unfortunately has been framed the last two weeks by Democrats as one of Obama versus Palin. That will stop as Obama realizes he loses should it continue. Nevertheless, the comparison of the respective experiences of a McCain and Obama is so much in favor of the former, that it requires no discussion. So I turn to Palin, given the charges that she is unfit and clueless.

Is Palin Tough?

I have been asked by many why I have such confidence in a rookie Alaskan governor, given the rigors of the campaign to follow. (Many Republican pundits apparently do not.) I think we are starting to see the answers to that question. The proverbial "they" hacked into her private email accounts. They swore that her daughter was the real mother of her Down Syndrome baby. They sent legions of reporters and lawyers to Alaska to dig up dirt. They wrote columns suggesting that she was stupid, uneducated, dishonest, a liar, and worse still. All this was the work of moralists, who, in their more extreme manifestations, tried to flood a Chicago radio station to disrupt guests, who doctored photos of McCain to subvert his portrait, who disgraced the Atlantic brand by trafficking in pregnancy rumors, and who now publish the private email of Palin.

And? She is still smiling and apparently unmoved. Had they done this to Biden, he would have gone berserk. Wait--they didn't do this to Biden, and he seems near berserk in his daily gaffes.

The Boston Globe

The drilling bill that bans drilling

By Jeff Jacoby

September 21, 2008

Q: Says here the House of Representatives approved a bill to allow offshore oil drilling, but nearly all the Republicans voted against it. Weren't Republicans the ones chanting "Drill, baby, drill!" at their convention last month?

A: Yep. That's why they voted against this bill. It isn't a drilling bill, it's an anti-drilling bill. If it becomes law, nearly all the oil and gas in the Outer Continental Shelf would be off-limits forever.

Q: Huh? The story says the bill "would allow offshore drilling as close as 50 miles from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts." It quotes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "It's time for an oil change in America, and this bill represents that." That's anti-drilling?

Full article Jeff Jacoby Boston Globe

Excerpts:

WALL STREET JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 16, 2008

Palin and the 'Experience' Canard

Brett Stephens

Full article Brett Stephens Wall Street Journal

Excerpts:

If nothing else, the media meltdown over Sarah Palin's candidacy for the vice presidency has exposed the not-unsuspected truth that, when it comes to historical ignorance and political amnesia, our cultural panjandrums are in a class by themselves.[Global View] Ismael Roldan

ABC's Charlie Gibson is only the latest to offer himself upon the altar of self-parody with his pop-quizzing of the Alaska governor during their interview last week.

Gibson: "Do you agree with the Bush doctrine?"

Palin: "In what respect, Charlie?"

Which was a sensible answer, given that no higher authority than Jacob Weisberg of Slate has counted six versions of the thing (including "absence of any functioning doctrine at all"). Further pressed on the subject, Gov. Palin explained that "what President Bush has attempted to do is rid this world of Islamic extremism," which better sums up the gist of Bush policy than Mr. Gibson's cramped definition of the doctrine as "anticipatory self-defense."

TOWNHALL.COM

Friday, September 19, 2008

Palin blames Dems for withdrawn rally invitationBy BETH FOUHY

Full article Beth Fouhy Townhall.Com

Excerpts:

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin told supporters Friday that "Democrat partisans" had pressured organizers of an anti-Iran rally in New York next week to withdraw an invitation for her to appear. "This should be an issue that unites all Americans. Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, period," Palin said at a rally here. "Unfortunately, some Democrat partisans put politics first and now no elected official can appear. This should not be a matter of partisan politics."

Palin had been set to attend the rally protesting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad organized by major Jewish organizations and sponsored by the National Coalition to Stop Iran Now. New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton also had been scheduled to appear at the rally, but canceled after learning Palin would be there, too.

The former first lady, who suspended her own presidential bid in June, has sought to avoid any appearance with Palin, who has emerged as the new female star of the 2008 campaign.

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

Sarah Palin's Interview with Sean Hannity

Part 1

Hannity & Colmes

Full article Sarah Palin Interview RCP

Excerpts:

HANNITY: Governor, thank you for being with us.

PALIN: Thank you so much.

HANNITY: All right. You said when you were asked to be Senator McCain's running mate that you didn't hesitate, you didn't blink.

Tell us about the call when that came.

PALIN: Well, I found out about the actual selection just a couple days before you guys all did. Getting that nod was quite an experience, of course, because I knew that Senator McCain and his team had been doing a heck of a lot of research and vetting of many names.

So, of course, just the utmost honor is what I felt when he actually said, do you want to help me do this, and I said absolutely. Let's get in there and let's reform. Let's shake some things up.

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

September 17, 2008

The Problem with the Media's Palin Coverage

By Robert Tracinski

Full article Robert Tracinski RCP

Excerpts:

Sarah Palin's selection as John McCain's vice-presidential running mate has changed the shape of the general election campaign. It has invigorated the Republican "base"--with very material results in terms of fund-raising and volunteers--and it has won the McCain ticket an edge in support among the independent voters who are likely to decide the election. Palin's "skirttails" have even helped close the gap in congressional races across the country, possibly keeping Democrats from gaining a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

But a vice-presidential selection is about more than just winning an election. Today, vice-presidents tend to be more active than they were even a few decades ago in contributing to the actual work of the administration once it is in office. And even more significant is the fact that a vice-president tends to become the incumbent president's successor as his party's candidate eight years from now, with the potential to shape the direction of the party for decades to come. That is particularly true of Governor Palin, who has been received with such enthusiasm by Republicans that some have even begun to wonder if the wrong person is at the top of the ticket. No matter what happens this November, Palin is suddenly a top contender as the Republican presidential nominee four or eight years from now.

So if Sarah Palin is potentially the future of the Republican Party, it is vitally important to ask: who is Sarah Palin? What does she stand for? In what direction will she take her party?

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

September 16, 2008

The Gibson Doctrine

By Dennis Prager

Full article Dennis Prager RCP

Excerpts:

Sarah Palin's reputation survived her interview with ABC News' Charlie Gibson.

The same cannot be said for Charlie Gibson.

On my radio show last week, I twice defended Barack Obama. Once, against those conservatives who took a comment made by Obama in an interview with George Stephanopoulos out of context and suggested that Obama had inadvertently admitted he was a Muslim. And again, when I contended that Obama did not imply that Palin was a pig in his now famous "lipstick on a pig" reference.

I mention this only because I want to assume that people of good will on both sides can still be honest about what transpires politically. And in this instance what transpired was that Gibson intended to humiliate Palin.

Why Feminists Hate Sarah Palin

WALL STREET JOURNAL

By CATHY YOUNG

September 15, 2008; Page A21

Full article Cathy Young WSJ

Left-wing feminists have a hard time dealing with strong, successful conservative women in politics such as Margaret Thatcher. Sarah Palin seems to have truly unhinged more than a few, eliciting a stream of vicious, often misogynist invective.[Why Feminists Hate Sarah Palin]APToo strong for the cause?

On Salon.com last week, Cintra Wilson branded her a "Christian Stepford Wife" and a "Republican blow-up doll." Wendy Doniger, religion professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School, added on the Washington Post blog, "Her greatest hypocrisy is in her pretense that she is a woman."

You'd think that, whether or not they agree with her politics, feminists would at least applaud Mrs. Palin as a living example of one of their core principles: a woman's right to have a career and a family. Yet some feminists unabashedly suggest that her decision to seek the vice presidency makes her a bad and selfish mother. Others argue that she is bad for working mothers because she's just too good at having it all.

Dick Morris and Eileen McGann :: Townhall.com Columnist

Why She Really Scares Them

by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

Full article Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

Excerpts:

For two weeks, Democrats and their media allies have leveled scorching fire at Sarah Palin. It's not having much effect, but they keep at it anyway.

The latest Fox News poll shows Palin with a 54-27 favorable/unfavorable ratio, which compares well with Barack Obama's 57-36, John McCain's 60-33 and Joe Biden's 51-29. (Of the four, she's the most popular).

Why do Democrats feel so threatened? They've even stopped attacking McCain and President Bush to launch a vicious and sexist barrage at her that would normally make a feminist angry and a Democrat blush.

Basically, it's this: John McCain only endangers Democratic chances of victory this November, but Sarah Palin is an existential threat to the Democratic Party.

Friday, September 12, 2008

TOWNHALL.COM

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Jubilant Alaskans welcome Gov. Sarah Palin home

By STEVE QUINN

Full article Steve Quinn Townhall.Com

Excerpts:

Gov. Sarah Palin arrived home to a chanting, cheering crowd, a blur of smiling supporters eager to embrace her after a whirlwind of national scrutiny since she was named Republican presidential nominee John McCain's running mate.

"It's been an amazing couple of weeks," Palin told the crowd of more than 2,000 gathered inside an airport hanger. They chanted, "Sarah, Sarah," waved signs that said, "Palin Is great."

Palin offered the crowd much of the same campaign speech she's given since McCain named her to the GOP ticket on Aug. 29, including her reference to listing the state plane for sale on eBay after she became governor.

WALL STREET JOURNAL

Yes, Palin Did Stop That Bridge

By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY

Sarah's Skirt Tails

September 12, 2008

Election '08: Is a dazzling damsel about to save fellow Republicans in distress? Polling finds that Sarah Palin's energetic message of freedom, and her record fighting corruption, may save GOP congressional candidates.

Full article INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY

Excerpts:

All year long, Republicans running for Congress have been facing impending disaster. Gallup polling showed collective GOP support in congressional races stagnant at 40%, while Democratic support between 51% and 55%.

But all that changed with the naming of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to the national ticket by Sen. John McCain. A new Gallup poll asking voters which party's candidate they would vote for in their congressional district gave the GOP their first gain all year, up to 45%, while the Democrats' support has diminished to 48%.

In another hopeful sign for Republicans, a Rasmussen poll shows a recent increase in those identifying themselves as Republican. After hovering below 32% for most of the year, those calling themselves Republicans rose to 33.2% in August, highest since last year. Gallup found that self-identified Republicans rose from 26% just before the GOP convention to 30%, while Democratic identification slipped to 35% from 37%.

By JIM DEMINT

September 10, 2008; Page A15

Full article JIM DEMINT WSJ

Excerpts:

"But, you know, when you've been taking all these earmarks when it's convenient, and then suddenly you're the champion anti-earmark person, that's not change. Come on! I mean, words mean something, you can't just make stuff up." -- Barack Obama, Sept. 6, 2008

In politics, words are cheap. What really counts are actions. Democrats and Republicans have talked about fiscal responsibility for years. In reality, both parties have a shameful record of wasting hundreds of billions of tax dollars on pork-barrel projects.

My Senate colleague Barack Obama is now attacking Gov. Sarah Palin over earmarks. Having worked with both John McCain and Mr. Obama on earmarks, and as a recovering earmarker myself, I can tell you that Mrs. Palin's leadership and record of reform stands well above that of Mr. Obama.

Let's compare.

Mrs. Palin used her veto pen to slash more local projects than any other governor in the state's history. She cut nearly 10% of Alaska's budget this year, saving state residents $268 million. This included vetoing a $30,000 van for Campfire USA and $200,000 for a tennis court irrigation system. She succinctly justified these cuts by saying they were "not a state responsibility."

Meanwhile in Washington, Mr. Obama voted for numerous wasteful earmarks last year, including: $12 million for bicycle paths, $450,000 for the International Peace Museum, $500,000 for a baseball stadium and $392,000 for a visitor's center in Louisiana.

WALL STREET JOURNAL

###

By LAURA MECKLER

September 9, 2008; Page A6

Full article Laura Meckler

Excerpts:

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. -- Sarah Palin has become the new phenomenon on the campaign trail, at times overshadowing her workmanlike running mate, John McCain, with a pugnacious, sarcastic speaking style that whips up crowds and wins over voters who had never heard of her two weeks ago.

The Alaska governor's stump persona has been on display in the four days since the ticket took their show on the road after the Republican convention in St. Paul.[Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stands onstage with Sen. John McCain at a campaign rally in Dayton, Ohio, on Aug. 29.]See photos from Gov. Palin's hometown, family and career.

While social conservatives have rallied behind Gov. Palin because of her views on abortion and gay marriage, she never mentions those issues, or invokes religion in her speeches.

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

September 08, 2008

A Feminist's Argument for McCain's VP

By Tammy Bruce

Full article Tammy Bruce RCP

Excerpts:

In the shadow of the blatant and truly stunning sexism launched against the Hillary Rodham Clinton presidential campaign, and as a pro-choice feminist, I wasn't the only one thrilled to hear Republican John McCain announce Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. For the GOP, she bridges for conservatives and independents what I term "the enthusiasm gap" for the ticket. For Democrats, she offers something even more compelling - a chance to vote for a someone who is her own woman, and who represents a party that, while we don't agree on all the issues, at least respects women enough to take them seriously.

Whether we have a D, R or an "i for independent" after our names, women share a different life experience from men, and we bring that difference to the choices we make and the decisions we come to. Having a woman in the White House, and not as The Spouse, is a change whose time has come, despite the fact that some Democratic Party leaders have decided otherwise. But with the Palin nomination, maybe they'll realize it's not up to them any longer.

Clinton voters, in particular, have received a political wake-up call they never expected. Having watched their candidate and their principles betrayed by the very people who are supposed to be the flame-holders for equal rights and fairness, they now look across the aisle and see a woman who represents everything the feminist movement claimed it stood for. Women can have a family and a career. We can be whatever we choose, on our own terms. For some, that might mean shooting a moose. For others, perhaps it's about shooting a movie or shooting for a career as a teacher. However diverse our passions, we will vote for a system that allows us to make the choices that best suit us. It's that simple.

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

September 07, 2008

Sarah Palin Rises Above "Shrill" Media

By Ruben Navarrette

Full article Ruben Navarrette RCP

Excerpts:

SAN DIEGO -- Anyone who heard Sarah Palin's rousing speech at the GOP National Convention should now understand why Democrats have been trying to destroy her. And why, luckily for the country, they've failed.

You mess with a hockey mom -- and even go after her family -- and you're bound to lose some teeth.

Such as when [ Sarah ] Palin drew a distinction between "candidates who use change to promote their careers," and "those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change." Or when she said that "a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities" and small-town folks don't know what to make of candidates who talk about them "one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco." Or when she described Barack Obama as "a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or even a reform" and someone who "can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting and never use the word 'victory,' except when he's talking about his own campaign."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Our values reflected in those of Palin

Jim Wooten

September 5, 2008, 07:46 PM

Full article Jim Wooten The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Excerpts

Country music legend Loretta Lynn, the coal miner’s daughter, captured the America that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin touches in Lynn’s 1971 hit, “One’s on the Way.”

The song contrasts the glitzy world of celebrities with the routine of the ordinary life of a woman in Topeka where: “The rain is a fallin’. The faucet is a drippin’ and the kids are a bawlin’, one of ‘em a toddlin’, and one is a crawlin’. And one’s on the way.”

Though dated, it speaks to life removed from the spectacle of television, where unimportant people engage in celebrity and important people play games with incomprehensible purpose and rules, while, for the rest of America, “the screen door’s a bangin’; the coffee’s boilin’ over and the wash needs a hangin’,” and the routines of ordinary life prevail.

There is a frustration extant in this country. It’s the frustration that, while we play by the rules and manage, as a family, the routines of life, Washington betrays us. Betrays us in the sense that we are made strangers from our government. We can’t make it be responsible. We can’t make it reform. We can’t make it understand — we can’t make them, the celebrities and insiders, the important people, understand.

Sarah Palin

That’s what’s most refreshing about Palin. She is one of us. Her family is the one where the rain falls and the faucet drips and, no matter what, the family deals with it. These families go to work every day, send their sons and daughters off to fight the country’s wars, nurse their children through crisis, and walk proudly together to face the troubles that come their way.

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George:

You truly do not know what you're talking about with this one--first article of yours, in my lifetime, I've come remotely close to that opinion. Sarah would lose 44 states?? I think you've been Al Frankened, Jeanine Garofoloed, and Rosie O'Donneled, on this topic.

Like most Washington insiders/political class-thinkers, because of where you exist, you cannot separate your own elitist mentality and that of fellow D.C. inhabitants.

Sarah Palin might have the best record of making decisions that were best for her constituents and against her own party of any politician I've ever followed, including, taking on the whole state political power structure of Alaska, then Big Oil, following a great start with her local constituents in Wasilla. You must be unfamiliar with that history.

Then again, your persona suggests you'd only be comfortable with types imitated recently by Glenn Beck, satirizing Joe Klein's elitist thinking and style.

WALL STREET JOURNAL

By KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL

How Palin Beat Alaska's Establishment

September 5, 2008

Full article Kimberly Strassel WSJ

Excerpts:

If you've read the press coverage of Sarah Palin, chances are you've heard plenty about her religious views and private family matters. If you want to know what drives Gov. Palin's politics, and has intrigued America, read this.[Potomac Watch]Martin Kozlowski

Every state has its share of crony capitalism, but Big Oil and the GOP political machine have taken that term to new heights in Alaska. The oil industry, which provides 85% of state revenues, has strived to own the government. Alaska's politicians—in particular ruling Republicans—roll in oil campaign money, lavish oil revenue on pet projects, then retire to lucrative oil jobs where they lobby for sweetheart oil deals. You can love the free market and not love this.

Alaskans have long resented this dysfunction, which has led to embarrassing corruption scandals. It has also led to a uniform belief that the political class, in hock to the oil class, fails to competently oversee Alaska's vast oil and gas wealth, the majority of which belongs to the state—or rather, Alaskan citizens.

WALL STREET JOURNAL

September 3, 2008, 10:31 pm

Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s speech in St. Paul, Minn., at the Republican convention.

Mr. Chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens: I am honored to be considered for the nomination for Vice President of the United States…

I accept the call to help our nominee for president to serve and defend America.

I accept the challenge of a tough fight in this election… against confident opponents … at a crucial hour for our country.

And I accept the privilege of serving with a man who has come through much harder missions … and met far graver challenges … and knows how tough fights are won - the next president of the United States, John S. McCain.

Sarah Palin

It was just a year ago when all the experts in Washington counted out our nominee because he refused to hedge his commitment to the security of the country he loves.

With their usual certitude, they told us that all was lost - there was no hope for this candidate who said that he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war.

But the pollsters and pundits overlooked just one thing when they wrote him off.

They overlooked the caliber of the man himself - the determination, resolve, and sheer guts of Senator John McCain. The voters knew better.

And maybe that’s because they realize there is a time for politics and a time for leadership … a time to campaign and a time to put our country first.

Our nominee for president is a true profile in courage, and people like that are hard to come by.

He’s a man who wore the uniform of this country for 22 years, and refused to break faith with those troops in Iraq who have now brought victory within sight.

And as the mother of one of those troops, that is exactly the kind of man I want as commander in chief. I’m just one of many moms who’ll say an extra prayer each night for our sons and daughters going into harm’s way.

Our son Track is 19.

And one week from tomorrow — September 11th — he’ll deploy to Iraq with the Army infantry in the service of his country.

My nephew Kasey also enlisted, and serves on a carrier in the Persian Gulf.

My family is proud of both of them and of all the fine men and women serving the country in uniform. Track is the eldest of our five children.

In our family, it’s two boys and three girls in between - my strong and kind-hearted daughters Bristol, Willow, and Piper.

And in April, my husband Todd and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig. From the inside, no family ever seems typical.

That’s how it is with us.

Sarah Palin

Our family has the same ups and downs as any other … the same challenges and the same joys.

Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge.

And children with special needs inspire a special love.

To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.

I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House. Todd is a story all by himself.

He’s a lifelong commercial fisherman … a production operator in the oil fields of Alaska’s North Slope … a proud member of the United Steel Workers’ Union … and world champion snow machine racer.

Throw in his Yup’ik Eskimo ancestry, and it all makes for quite a package.

We met in high school, and two decades and five children later he’s still my guy. My Mom and Dad both worked at the elementary school in our small town.

And among the many things I owe them is one simple lesson: that this is America, and every woman can walk through every door of opportunity.

My parents are here tonight, and I am so proud to be the daughter of Chuck and Sally Heath. Long ago, a young farmer and habber-dasher from Missouri followed an unlikely path to the vice presidency.

A writer observed: “We grow good people in our small towns, with honesty, sincerity, and dignity.” I know just the kind of people that writer had in mind when he praised Harry Truman.

I grew up with those people.

They are the ones who do some of the hardest work in America … who grow our food, run our factories, and fight our wars.

They love their country, in good times and bad, and they’re always proud of America. I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town.

I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids’ public education better.

When I ran for city council, I didn’t need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too.

Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown.

And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves.

I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a “community organizer,” except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don’t quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren’t listening.

We tend to prefer candidates who don’t talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.

As for my running mate, you can be certain that wherever he goes, and whoever is listening, John McCain is the same man. I’m not a member of the permanent political establishment.< br>And I’ve learned quickly, these past few days, that if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone.

But here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people.

Politics isn’t just a game of clashing parties and competing interests.

The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it.

No one expects us to agree on everything.

But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and … a servant’s heart.

I pledge to all Americans that I will carry myself in this spirit as vice president of the United States. This was the spirit that brought me to the governor’s office, when I took on the old politics as usual in Juneau … when I stood up to the special interests, the lobbyists, big oil companies, and the good-ol’ boys network.

Sudden and relentless reform never sits well with entrenched interests and power brokers. That’s why true reform is so hard to achieve.

But with the support of the citizens of Alaska, we shook things up.

And in short order we put the government of our state back on the side of the people.

I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is the law.

While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor’s office that I didn’t believe our citizens should have to pay for.

That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay.

I also drive myself to work.

And I thought we could muddle through without the governor’s personal chef - although I’ve got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her. I came to office promising to control spending - by request if possible and by veto if necessary.

Senator McCain also promises to use the power of veto in defense of the public interest - and as a chief executive, I can assure you it works.

Our state budget is under control.

We have a surplus.

And I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending: nearly half a billion dollars in vetoes.

I suspended the state fuel tax, and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress.

I told the Congress “thanks, but no thanks,” for that Bridge to Nowhere.

If our state wanted a bridge, we’d build it ourselves. When oil and gas prices went up dramatically, and filled up the state treasury, I sent a large share of that revenue back where it belonged - directly to the people of Alaska.

And despite fierce opposition from oil company lobbyists, who kind of liked things the way they were, we broke their monopoly on power and resources.

As governor, I insisted on competition and basic fairness to end their control of our state and return it to the people.

I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history.

And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly forty billion dollar natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.

That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart.

The stakes for our nation could not be higher.

When a hurricane strikes in the Gulf of Mexico, this country should not be so dependent on imported oil that we are forced to draw from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

And families cannot throw away more and more of their paychecks on gas and heating oil.

With Russia wanting to control a vital pipeline in the Caucasus, and to divide and intimidate our European allies by using energy as a weapon, we cannot leave ourselves at the mercy of foreign suppliers.

To confront the threat that Iran might seek to cut off nearly a fifth of world energy supplies … or that terrorists might strike again at the Abqaiq facility in Saudi Arabia … or that Venezuela might shut off its oil deliveries … we Americans need to produce more of our own oil and gas.

And take it from a gal who knows the North Slope of Alaska: we’ve got lots of both.

Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems - as if we all didn’t know that already.

But the fact that drilling won’t solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all.

Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we’re going to lay more pipelines … build more new-clear plants … create jobs with clean coal … and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources.

We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers. I’ve noticed a pattern with our opponent.

Maybe you have, too.

We’ve all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers.

And there is much to like and admire about our opponent.

But listening to him speak, it’s easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate.

This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word “victory” except when he’s talking about his own campaign. But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed … when the roar of the crowd fades away … when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot - what exactly is our opponent’s plan? What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he’s done turning back the waters and healing the planet? The answer is to make government bigger … take more of your money … give you more orders from Washington … and to reduce the strength of America in a dangerous world. America needs more energy … our opponent is against producing it.

Victory in Iraq is finally in sight … he wants to forfeit.

Terrorist states are seeking new-clear weapons without delay … he wants to meet them without preconditions.

Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America … he’s worried that someone won’t read them their rights? Government is too big … he wants to grow it.

Congress spends too much … he promises more.

Taxes are too high … he wants to raise them. His tax increases are the fine print in his economic plan, and let me be specific.

The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes … raise payroll taxes … raise investment income taxes … raise the death tax … raise business taxes … and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars. My sister Heather and her husband have just built a service station that’s now opened for business - like millions of others who run small businesses.

How are they going to be any better off if taxes go up? Or maybe you’re trying to keep your job at a plant in Michigan or Ohio … or create jobs with clean coal from Pennsylvania or West Virginia … or keep a small farm in the family right here in Minnesota.

How are you going to be better off if our opponent adds a massive tax burden to the American economy? Here’s how I look at the choice Americans face in this election.

In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers.

And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.

They’re the ones whose names appear on laws and landmark reforms, not just on buttons and banners, or on self-designed presidential seals.

Among politicians, there is the idealism of high-flown speechmaking, in which crowds are stirringly summoned to support great things.

And then there is the idealism of those leaders, like John McCain, who actually do great things. They’re the ones who are good for more than talk … the ones we have always been able to count on to serve and defend America. Senator McCain’s record of actual achievement and reform helps explain why so many special interests, lobbyists, and comfortable committee chairmen in Congress have fought the prospect of a McCain presidency - from the primary election of 2000 to this very day.

Our nominee doesn’t run with the Washington herd.

He’s a man who’s there to serve his country, and not just his party.

A leader who’s not looking for a fight, but is not afraid of one either. Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the current do-nothing Senate, not long ago summed up his feelings about our nominee.

He said, quote, “I can’t stand John McCain.” Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps no accolade we hear this week is better proof that we’ve chosen the right man. Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can’t stand up to John McCain. That is only one more reason to take the maverick of the Senate and put him in the White House. My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of “personal discovery.” This world of threats and dangers is not just a community, and it doesn’t just need an organizer.

And though both Senator Obama and Senator Biden have been going on lately about how they are always, quote, “fighting for you,” let us face the matter squarely.

There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you … in places where winning means survival and defeat means death … and that man is John McCain. In our day, politicians have readily shared much lesser tales of adversity than the nightmare world in which this man, and others equally brave, served and suffered for their country.

It’s a long way from the fear and pain and squalor of a six-by-four cell in Hanoi to the Oval Office.

But if Senator McCain is elected president, that is the journey he will have made.

It’s the journey of an upright and honorable man - the kind of fellow whose name you will find on war memorials in small towns across this country, only he was among those who came home.

To the most powerful office on earth, he would bring the compassion that comes from having once been powerless … the wisdom that comes even to the captives, by the grace of God … the special confidence of those who have seen evil, and seen how evil is overcome. A fellow prisoner of war, a man named Tom Moe of Lancaster, Ohio, recalls looking through a pin-hole in his cell door as Lieutenant Commander John McCain was led down the hallway, by the guards, day after day.

As the story is told, “When McCain shuffled back from torturous interrogations, he would turn toward Moe’s door and flash a grin and thumbs up” - as if to say, “We’re going to pull through this.” My fellow Americans, that is the kind of man America needs to see us through these next four years.

For a season, a gifted speaker can inspire with his words.

For a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds.

If character is the measure in this election … and hope the theme … and change the goal we share, then I ask you to join our cause. Join our cause and help America elect a great man as the next president of the United States.

Thank you all, and may God bless America.

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

September 02, 2008

Sarah Palin: Deeply Threatening to the Left?

By Andrea Tantaros

Full article Andrea Tataros RCP

Excerpts:

..."The Daily Kos (or as I like to call it, The Daily Gross) has stooped to a new low by repackaging a plot line from last season’s “Desperate Housewives” and publishing it as a disgusting hit piece alleging Palin’s special needs son is really her grandson. — And that she pretended to be with child to cover up her teen daughter’s underage pregnancy. Now, we’ve just learned Palin’s teen daughter Bristol is pregnant, debunking this awful rumor, yet still igniting the attacks of angry liberal bloggers.

Custom Search

This could only mean there must be something about Sarah Palin that is deeply threatening to the left, a constituency that has long believed they have cornered the working mother market. Five kids? She should be at home begging Democrats for a handout. A husband in a union? He should be on the picket lines.

Liberals like to pretend they are tolerant and accepting of those who are different but when it comes to anyone not ensconced in their progressive, elitist dogma they mock and attack their lifestyle to inspire hate. But because governor Palin is endearing, authentic–and with this latest revelation–easy to identify with, she invokes panic in the left. Why else would they assail a very popular, promising lady and her children?"...

Sarah Palin September 1, 2008

Sarah Palin-Barack Obama--Some Comparisons

Executive Experience

Palin Governor for 2 years--Mayor for 10 years

Obama None

Foreign Relations experience

Sarah Palin Governor of state that borders two foreign countries (Canada and Russia)

Barack Obama Chaired Senate subcommittee on Europe but never called it into session

Once gave a speech to 200,000 screaming Germans

Sarah Palin August 31, 2008

TOWNHALL.COM

August 30, 2008

Palin could complicate energy debate

By H. JOSEF HEBERT

Full article Josef Hebert Townhall.Com

Excerpts:

If Democrats hoped to portray John McCain as captive to the oil industry, their task became more complicated with his selection of Ms. Palin as a running mate.

Sarah Palin is an ardent advocate for more drilling _ off Alaska, off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the off-limits Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Yet she also not shied from confronting Exxon Mobil, BP and ConocoPhillips.

As the presidential campaign moves into high gear, McCain and Democratic nominee Barack Obama will duel over two overriding energy issues: whether to expand offshore oil drilling into areas long off-limits and whether to impose new taxes on oil companies enjoying tens of billions of dollars in windfall profits.

Sarah Palin: McCain Picks Strong Savvy Woman For Veep

Sarah Louise Heath Palin was born on February 11, 1964.

Sarah Palin is the current governor of the U.S. state of Alaska and the presumptive Republican vice presidential nominee for the 2008 United States presidential election.

She has a B. S. degree in journalism from the University of Idaho.

Sarah Palin served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska, city council from 1992 to 1996, and was elected mayor of Wasilla in 1996 and 1999.

Sarah Palin was elected governor of Alaska and took office in December 2006, after defeating incumbent governor Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary and former Democratic governor Tony Knowles in the general election.

Sarah Palin was the youngest person, and the first woman, to be elected governor of Alaska.

On August 29, 2008, Republican presidential candidate John McCain made the stunning announcement he had chosen Palin as his running mate, making her the second female vice presidential candidate representing a major political party after Geraldine Ferraro.

In her introductory speech Sarah Palin made what many thought was an electrifying speech citing highly impressive accomplishments in the area of energy development controlling, even reducing, big government excessive spending.

Sarah Palin also dealt with nepotism resulting in some highly placed individuals being able to manipulate certain action in the oil industry.

Sarah Palin was instrumental in getting concessions from the oil industry which resulted in sending residents of Alaska checks in the amount $1200 per household.

But there is at least one Republican for whom ethical governance is more than just a theory. Meet Sarah Palin, Alaska's rockstar governor.

Early on in her career, the result was a losing primary for Lieutenant Governor in 2002. However she Palin was soon sought after by then Gov. Frank Murkowski for various jobs in his new administration.

Sarah Palin rejected most of the initial offers before accepting chairmanship of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

Only several months later she resigned but not before exposing ethical improprieties within the Commission. This led to a battle with the Governor's attorney general/campaign manager, resulting in that individual's forced resignation.

In 2006, at age 43 and while mayor of Wasilla, she challenged Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary, winning in a three way race.

Sarah Palin's effort as ethical crusader did not end upon winning the election. She immediately rescinded many of Murkowski's midnight appointments, and forced some of the largest budget cuts in the state's history. In a discussion with the Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes, she said "Alaska should be self-sufficient and not subsist off "federal dollars."

AMEN!!!

She is given credit by some for "singlehandedly killed the leading symbol of Republican spending excess in Washington: the Bridge to Nowhere."

The Bridge to Nowhere was a state project, to be built with an earmark by the state's powerful U.S. House dinosaur and lifetime pork barreler, Congressman Don Young. If saying she did it single handedly is too strong, she certainly was highly instrumental in killing the $398 million bridge to Gravina Island.She wisely declared that the money be spent on more "fiscally responsible" projects.

Visit the site of Pat Gray Cary Wesberry Pat Gray,Com

PAT GRAY.COM

By Cary Wesberry • August 31, 2008

Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska, and now future Vice President of the United States, has been at the forefront of the fight against corruption in her own party. Her tax plan in Alaska directed at the oil industry is a testement to her ability to take action and reverse the corruption of her predecessors.

Former state Representatives Pete Kott and Vic Kohring have been convicted taking bribes from oil company executives in Alaska. Using the oil profits tax passed in 2006, these politicians literally used their offices to steal money from the citizens of Alaska. Governor Sarah Palin would have none of it, and set to work to correct the problem and return that money to Alaskan residents.

Read below from the Anchorage Daily News in October, 2007:

A crowd of about 250 showed up on a drizzly Sunday afternoon in Anchorage to hear about Gov. Sarah Palin’s proposed new oil tax.

Legislators, administration officials, lobbyists and oil industry representatives were among those who came.

But mostly there were regular Alaskans, curious about how Sarah Palin wants to revamp the now-tainted oil profits tax passed in 2006. Two Veco Corp. executives have pleaded guilty to bribing four legislators to get a version of the tax favored by North Slope oil producers through the Legislature. Former state Rep. Pete Kott has been convicted, and former Rep. Vic Kohring goes to trial in a week.

“We own the resource, and we’re getting gouged,” Javen Ose, a 50-year-Anchorage resident, told the governor.

Ose, now retired, said his Permanent Fund dividend probably pays only for one-third of his electric, heat and gasoline bills. He questions why people in New Jersey pay less at the gas pump than those in Alaska.

“I’m glad more and more Alaskans are recognizing this nonsensical situation,” Palin responded. “Look at the people in Fairbanks. They are 400 miles away from the world’s richest reserves and look at what they are paying to heat their homes.”

[...]

The public is showing a lot of interest in the oil tax, she said. Contrary to what some legislative leaders are saying, she said, people definitely care that the current tax was passed under a cloud of corruption.

“We need to go back and do it again,” she said.

Rep. Mike Doogan, also a Democrat in his first term, said that he needs to learn more too.

“I couldn’t pass a test on it,” he joked. The way to go may be a two-tier tax with different structures for well-developed legacy fields vs. new, high risk ventures, he said.

Rep. Anna Fairclough, a freshman Republican, said she comes from a pro-business bent. She said the administration tells the story in technical terms but she wants to know the answer to a basic question: How does the tax proposal encourage development?

As to that, the tax proposal includes improved credits for exploration, officials say.

For those attacking Governor Palin for raising taxes on oil companies in Alaska, the facts tell a much different story. After rampant corruption was stopped and criminal politicians, along with oil executives, fined and/or thrown in jail, Sarah Palin set out to reverse the damage done. Here is the Palin tax proposal before Alaska’s legislature got a hold of it. This is what Sarah Palin is responsible for on the issue of oil industry taxes in Alaska:

The basic elements of the Palin tax proposal, called Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share, are:

• 25 percent tax on net profits, or the value of the oil minus operating expenses and pipeline and tanker charges. That compares with the 22.5 percent Petroleum Profits Tax passed in 2006. The tax rate rises when oil prices are high.

• Protection when oil prices are low. The big fields of Kuparuk and Prudhoe Bay would pay at least a 10 percent gross tax on the oil’s value. This tax on the gross — before operating expenses are deducted — would be instead of a tax on net profits, not in addition to it.

• Changes in allowable tax credits and deductions. Producers no longer could write off the cost of replacing deteriorating pipelines.

• Higher salaries for oil tax auditors.

• More information for the state from oil producers and better sharing of information between state agencies.

What you see above is where the $1200 tax rebate came from that sent to the people of Alaska who were robbed by politicians convicted of taking bribes from oil company executives. When you read the actual proposal instead giving a knee-jerk reaction to a tax increase, it is clear this isn’t a tax hike near as much as it is returning stolen money back to taxpayers. Not only was there bribery, but her predecessor was giving special breaks to oil companies as Palin stated in this report from FoxNews referencing both McCain and the Governor:

Palin supports offshore drilling like McCain, but they diverge on drilling in the off-limits Artic Wildlife National Refuge. She’s for it and he’s against it, although he’s said he is willing to re-examine the issue.

They both oppose a national windfall profits tax on oil companies, saying it would hinder domestic production. But she raised taxes on oil companies in Alaska last year, arguing that her predecessor, Frank Murkowski gave them too many breaks.

When asked by FOXNews.com whether McCain’s criticism of Obama’s similar proposal to tax oil companies was a contradiction to Palin’s actions last year, McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds batted the question away.

Governor Palin did what any conservative worth their own soul would have done. She gave tax dollars that were literally stolen from Alaskan taxpayers right back to them and appropriately reversed corrupt tax policy. Not only did she bring ethics back to the tax policy in regards to the oil industry in Alaska, she improved the policy itself in her proposal.

The tax raises when oil prices are high, and falls when oil prices are low. This give amazing incentive for the oil companies to produce more oil, which increases supply, and lowers prices for everyone including the taxes they themselves pay the state. When oil prices are low the tax moves to a 10 percent tax on the gross, instead of the net tax of 25% when prices are high. Instead of, not in addition to. The oil companies in Alaska with the Palin proposal pay the state minus their operating expenses along with pipeline and tanker charges. In this way, the oil companies are not taxed for the cost of doing business.

As for the oil companies in Alaska no longer being able to right-off the cost of replacing deteriorating pipelines; complain to someone else besides me because I could care less. Governor Palin was not able to return all that stolen money back to the taxpayers by giving the oil companies more breaks which they should have never gotten in the first place. Write-offs are not to be brokered in a dark room behind closed doors while bribes are being exchanged under the table with zero accountability under the noses of the people of Alaska! If that is your idea of ethics I suggest you vote for Barack Obama and Slow-Joe Biden whose liberal national windfall profits tax is nothing at all like Palin’s tax proposal in Alaska. Conservatives don’t do business that way, and that includes Governor Sarah Palin. The government is not in place to bail out a business when they have to replace their own equipment due to inadequate maintenance or the normal wear and tear of time itself. The Governor’s tax proposal already gives the oil companies a break by not taxing them on the cost of doing business along with not taxing them on pipeline and tanker charges. It is unethical beyond belief to give them two breaks on the exact same thing while cutting other businesses out of the loop. The people of Alaska did not vote for it and they don’t want it. Period.

Governor Sarah Palin put the decisions on oil company taxes back into the hands of the people of Alaska where it should have been from the beginning. The corrupt Republican administration which Alaskans elected Palin to replace put dirty money into their own pockets to make decisions which were not up to them in the first place. Alaska may border Russia, but it is part of the United States of America and here representation of the people takes precedence over bloated criminal politicians and corporate executives convicted of illegal activity.

*Thanks to Landon for providing the links giving the facts on Gov. Palin’s tax proposal in Alaska.

Sarah Palin: Recent Action As Governor August

Governor Signs Administrative Order 242DNR to Provide Support in Gas Development

No. 08-144

August 20, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today signed Administrative Order 242, directing the state Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Revenue to work cooperatively with any organization or entity committed to commercializing Alaska’s North Slope natural gas.

“This solidifies our commitment to facilitating an LNG project that is a product of market interest,” Governor Palin said. “By committing both project capital and natural gas resources to a pipeline that would transport North Slope natural gas to tidewater, an LNG project can remain an integral element of the state’s effort to deliver Alaska’s gas to market.”

Specifically, the Administrative Order instructs the two departments to provide specific kinds of support to those pursuing development of an economically and technically viable liquefied natural gas project. That support includes permitting coordination, fiscal and economic analysis, and facilitation of meetings with federal agencies.

Sarah Palin

About the Governor

Governor Sarah Palin made history on Dec. 4, 2006, when she took office. As the 11th governor of Alaska, she is the first woman to hold the office.

Since taking office, her top priorities have been resource development, education and workforce development, public health and safety, and transportation and infrastructure development.

Under her leadership, Alaska invested $5 billion in state savings, overhauled education funding, and implemented the Senior Benefits Program that provides support for low-income older Alaskans. She created Alaska’s Petroleum Systems Integrity Office to provide oversight and maintenance of oil and gas equipment, facilities and infrastructure, and the Climate Change Subcabinet to prepare a climate change strategy for Alaska.

During her first legislative session, Governor Sarah Palin’s administration passed two major pieces of legislation – an overhaul of the state’s ethics laws and a competitive process to construct a gas pipeline.

Governor Sarah Palin is chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a multi-state government agency that promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment. She was recently named chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) Natural Resources Committee, which is charged with pursuing legislation to ensure state needs are considered as federal policy is formulated in the areas of agriculture, energy, environmental protection and natural resource management. Prior to being named to this position, she served as co-chair of this committee.

Prior to her election as governor, Sarah Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council and two terms as the mayor/manager of Wasilla. During her tenure, she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business friendly environment, drawing in new industry.

Sarah Palin has served as chair of the Alaska Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaska's most valuable non-renewable resources: oil and gas. She was elected by her peers to serve as president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. In this role, she worked with local, state and federal officials to promote solutions to the needs of Alaska's communities.

Sarah Heath Palin arrived in Alaska with her family in 1964, when her parents came to teach school in Skagway. She received a bachelor of science degree in communications-journalism from the University of Idaho in 1987. Palin, who graduated from Wasilla High School in 1982, has lived in Skagway, Eagle River and Wasilla.

She is married to Todd Palin, who is a lifelong Alaskan, a production operator on the North Slope and a four-time champion of the Iron Dog, the world's longest snowmachine race.

Todd and Sarah Palin fish in Bristol Bay with their children – Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig. Through Todd’s Yup'ik grandmother, Alaska’s Native heritage plays an important role in their family. Track enlisted in the U.S. Army on Sept. 11, 2007.

Prior to taking office, Sarah Palin served on numerous boards and commissions throughout the state. She was active in her family’s pursuits – including serving as a sports team mom and school volunteer. She also runs marathons.

Sarah Palin is a lifetime member of the NRA and enjoys hunting, fishing, Alaska history, and all that Alaska's great outdoors has to offer.

Sarah Palin September 15, 2008

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

September 15, 2008

It's Not Just Palin -- Its the Message

By Joe Trippi

Full article Joe Trippi RCP

Excerpts:

There is no question that John McCain's pick of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has changed the dynamic of the 2008 Presidential campaign, moved the current wave of polling to the GOP's favor, and altered the terrain the rest of the election will likely be fought on.

The Obama campaign's ability to recognize the shifting ground, understand that it is real, and adjust accordingly will determine the outcome. And the outcome, for the first time, is in doubt.

The Obama campaign went into the Democratic National Convention believing that the race would be fought out on Washington experience and "more of the same" vs change. This was essentially the same frame of the race the Obama camp had sustained for the first 16 months or so of the nominating fight with New York Senator Hillary Clinton. It worked in the primaries until the Clinton campaign shifted from "35 years of experience" to a much more "woman for change" oriented message in the later stages of the fight and nearly came back to win the nomination.

Bridge Information

The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has received numerous calls from residents understandably concerned about Alaska’s bridges in light of the media coverage of the Minneapolis I35W tragedy. If you are allowed to drive on a public bridge in Alaska, you can do so because it has been deemed safe.

In the absence of a clear cause for the Minneapolis bridge failure, the Federal Highway Administration asked all states to inspect similar deck truss constructed bridges in their inventory. While FHWA indicated that Alaska has seven such bridges, actually only six remain in use. All of these bridges will be inspected by September 1, 2007. They are:

Kuskulana River Bridge on the McCarthy Road

Robertson River Bridge on the Alaska Highway

Susitna River Bridge on the Denali Highway

Nenana River Bridge at Moody on the Parks Highway

Big River Center Crossing Bridge in Icy Bay (logging road)

Big River West Crossing Bridge in Icy Bay (logging road)

The four bridges found on our National Highway System or Alaska Highway System have been deemed in good condition according to their last inspection reports.

DOT&PF is responsible for inspecting all state-owned and local government owned public bridges every two years. Federally-owned bridges are inspected by the federal government.

The DOT&PF Bridge Section inspects half of the approximately 1,000 public bridges every year. Here are some highlights of our bridge inspection program:

Routine Bridge Inspections

Inspections are performed by two-person teams, usually led by a licensed professional engineer from the Bridge Design staff.

Various equipment is used to test specific areas that show significant deterioration.

Soundings are taken at water crossings to monitor streambed elevations and potential scour or erosion.

Concrete decks are sounded with a chain drag to identify damaged areas

Observations are recorded and necessary repair recommendations are logged.

There are two requirements that must be met before a bridge is eligible for federally-funded rehabilitation or replacement.

Rehabilitation funding is available if the “sufficiency rating” is less than 80 percent.

Replacement funding is available if the “sufficiency rating” is less than 50 percent.

A bridge must also be designated as functionally obsolete or structurally deficient.

The term “functionally obsolete” speaks to the compatibility of the bridge with the road surface that it serves and not the condition of its components. In other words, a two-lane bridge that serves a four-lane road would be an example of a functionally obsolete bridge.

A bridge is deemed “structurally deficient” if the condition of its deck, superstructure (girders) or its substructure (abutments or piers) are rated 4 or less on a 0-9 scale.

The term “structurally deficient” is really just intended to determine if a bridge is eligible for federal bridge rehab or replacement funds. It does not mean they are unsafe.

The Bridge Section also performs several types of “special inspections” each summer

Fracture Critical Inspections This is an inspection of bridge components that are deemed so critical to the structure that a failure of this component would likely cause a catastrophic failure of the entire bridge. Fracture critical inspections require the inspector to visually inspect the so-called “fracture critical member” within an arms length. DOT&PF performs some of these inspections either using our under-bridge inspection truck or by hiring bridge inspectors with specialized climbing skills.

Underwater Inspections are performed by certified diver/bridge inspector firms hired by the department. Damage Inspections are performed on affected bridges following a major event such as flood, earthquake or vehicular collisions.

Taking Action

Bridge inspectors have the authority to close a bridge immediately if they find unsafe conditions at the structure and the department has numerous examples in its bridge inventory where it has done so.

More likely, a deficient bridge may only need to have new load limits applied – Signs installed Bridges that are adequate for legal loads are not load posted If a bridge is unsafe, it will be closed or have severe load limits applied

The department has also provided two FHWA documents that are informative for motorists. You can link to them below.

Leo von SchebenCommissioner DOT&PF

September 27, 2008

Governor Palin Names Public Safety Commissioner

September 12, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today named Joseph A. Masters, security director of Doyon Universal Services and affiliate professor at University of Alaska Southeast, as commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

“Joe Masters brings more than two decades of Alaska law enforcement experience to the Department of Public Safety,” Governor Palin said. “Both the department and all Alaskans will be well-served by his professionalism and knowledge of all facets of the organization.”

Masters, 44, of Anchorage, has 24 years of public safety experience. He has more than 20 years of service with the Department of Public Safety in various roles including supervising trooper recruitment and training. Masters served as deputy director of the Alaska State Troopers from June 2003 through May 2005. Prior to his service with the Troopers, Masters was a commander in Fish & Wildlife Protection.

“It is an honor to be entrusted with this responsibility by Governor Palin and I look forward to working with the Department of Public Safety, and in cooperation with other departments, in a continual quest for improved delivery of services,” Masters said. “The members of the department are hardworking and dedicated to the protection of the citizens of Alaska and I am equally honored to provide direction and leadership to these everyday heroes.”

Masters is a 1986 graduate of the Alaska State Trooper Academy. He serves on the board of directors for the Alaska Native Justice Center, the Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers and other organizations, and serves on working groups of the Alaska Rural Justice Commission. He lives in Anchorage with his wife Michelle and their three children.

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Speaking Out in Support of OCS Drilling

Governor Palin Submits Comments to Feds Print Now Printer Friendly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 08-158

Governor Palin Speaks Out in Support of OCS Drilling

September 15, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin submitted the state of Alaska’s comments to the federal Minerals Management Service (MMS) on the preparation of a new five-year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. Governor Palin praised the MMS for embarking on this effort to update the five-year leasing program, and confirmed the state’s support for the proposed oil and gas leasing programs in the Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, and limited areas in the North Aleutian Basin, as well as for the special interest sales for the Cook Inlet planning areas.

"The oil and gas resources within the state of Alaska and in the federal waters off our shores can contribute greatly to the natural gas supplies of this nation, as well as diversify the nation’s oil and gas supply areas,” Governor Palin said. “My support of the five-year OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program, and specifically the development of those resources off the shores of Alaska, is directly linked to promoting the nation’s energy independence from foreign oil and gas.”

Included in Governor Palin’s letter is her support for MMS to work closely with residents and local governments within the leasing regions, oil and gas companies, and other stakeholders to minimize conflicts, especially with subsistence activities, fishing activities, and fish and wildlife resources.

Governor Sarah Palin

Palin Calls for a Halt to Offshore Fish Farm

Proposal by the Federal Government Print Now Printer Friendly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 08-155

Palin Calls for a Halt to Offshore Fish Farm Proposal

September 12, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today expressed her administration’s objections to elements of the federal government’s proposal to allow decommissioned oil and gas platforms in federal waters to be used for fish farming and other forms of aquaculture.

“Alaska’s natural wild fisheries have been well managed on a sustainable basis for years, and are critically important to our state’s economy, especially in our coastal communities,” said Palin. “Disease, parasites, and escapement of non-native stocks from fish farms are just some elements of the threat that aquaculture can pose to wild fish stocks.”

Governor Palin’s comments came in response to a Minerals Management Service (MMS) proposal that would allow offshore oil and gas platforms to be utilized for aquaculture. The Governor outlined several specific concerns, including:

• Marketplace confusion about Alaska’s healthy, wild seafood resulting in lost fisheries value to the state;

• Disease and parasite transmission;

• Escapes/releases of farmed fish possibly leading to colonization by non-native fish species and genetic impacts on native species; and

• Environmental effects.

The state of Alaska has consistently requested that authorization of offshore aquaculture be considered only after establishing comprehensive biological and socio-economic baselines that will allow for a meaningful evaluation of its effects. The proposed rule does not include such provisions.

In a letter to Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, Governor Palin requested that offshore aquaculture be removed from a list of authorized alternate rights-of-use for decommissioned platforms. In a separate letter, Governor Palin asked that the MMS schedule of public hearings in coastal states on the proposed rule be expanded to include public hearings in Alaska, where the potential for expansion of oil and gas development activity is great. In addition to concerns about potential impacts of offshore aquaculture, Governor Palin objected to MMS’ regulatory authorization of offshore aquaculture when Congress is considering two bills authorizing such activity.

“This issue is of such importance to our coastal economy and environment that it deserves a thorough and comprehensive review by Congress and should not be authorized through regulation by an agency whose primary expertise is energy, not management of marine resources,” said Palin.

If Secretary Kempthorne were to move forward with a proposed rule change allowing aquaculture activities in offshore federal waters, Governor Palin urged him to prohibit farming of certain species such as salmon, halibut and black cod. She further asked the secretary to allow each individual state the ability to decide for itself whether aquaculture should occur in federal waters off its shores.

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Governor Sarah Palin

2008 Permanent Fund Dividend is $2069

Energy Rebate $1200 Print Now Printer Friendly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 08-152

2008 Permanent Fund Dividend is $2069 Energy Rebate $1200

September 5, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell today announced the amount of the 2008 Permanent Fund Dividend.

According to the Department of Revenue, 610,768 eligible Alaskans will receive a 2008 Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) in the amount of $2069. Resource rebates of $1,200 will be sent out with the PFD. Eligible Alaskans will receive to total of $3269.

“The Alaska Legislature and the Governor, along with her administration, worked together and passed legislation to distribute a special Resource Rebate this year, before the arrival of winter, to assist with rising energy costs,” Lt. Governor Sean Parnell said. “Governor Palin is sensitive to the fact that high energy prices have had a negative impact on Alaskans’ wallets.”

Sarah Palin

Half a million (493,000-plus) qualified Alaskans will receive the 2008 dividend directly deposited into their bank accounts on September 12, historically early. The Department of Revenue’s PFD Division will be mailing checks to all remaining eligible Alaskans on September 30, with those checks expected to arrive within two weeks.

Seven out of 10 Alaskans (456,795 out of 641,000) used the internet to file for this year’s dividend. Many Alaskans have said that the dividend itself has allowed them to acquire a computer in their home and to become connected to the rest of the world, whether they live in a city, town or remote village.

$17.2 billion has been distributed to eligible Alaskans since the dividend program began in 1982. The first dividend was $1000, covering three years. Individual Alaskans eligible for all 27 dividends have received more than $30,000.

Sarah Palin

Dividend Information Offices are located in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau and are responsible for assisting applicants who need help completing their applications or need information about the dividend program.

Please remember that the Alaska PFD and the new Alaska Resource Rebate are taxable income for Federal Tax Returns. Be sure to set aside enough to cover your tax bill, or consider making an Estimated Payment when you get your PFD. For more information on how to report the Alaska PFD and Rebate income on the Federal Tax Return contact the IRS at 1(800)829-1040 or visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov and input the key words Alaska Permanent Fund or Estimated.

Sarah Palin

Governor Palin Announces Randy Ruaro as Deputy Chief of Staff

o. 08-151

September 1, 2008, St. Paul, Minnesota – Governor Sarah Palin today appointed Randy Ruaro as her Deputy Chief of Staff.

“Randy is a vital member of our team whose work in and out of government has been a great asset,” Governor Palin said. “He works hard and communicates well. His experience in state government in various roles will continue to help us accomplish our goals.”

Sarah Palin

The liberal brain fears and detests risk & reward: seeks government forced rewards, free of competitionLiberals fear & detest risk & reward: seek government forced rewards free of competitionLiberals fear, detest, competition, risk, reward: seek government forced rewards free of competition

The liberal movement is dominated by those who lack the courage to risk.

Thus they turn to government to even things out, free of the hard work, perseverance and heavy lifting, and resulting risks from which the greatness of America has evolved.

This is what has led to their zeal and fanatasism with vilifying traditional values, including, often the Founding Fathers

They first do this for their own benefit, then justify using government to force this sick philosophy, which then becomes a religion, on the rest of us, under the guise of compassion, caring and "truly knowing what is good for the rest of us."

The earliest settlers took one of history's awesomely large risks by leaving the heavily advanced and highly civilized European Continent to take their chances in the wilderness. Starting over in a new land was risk enought but with the added burden of the unknown factor, which, of course, the courage displayed is sometimes hard to grasp.

Looking back, their courage was almost indescribable.Prior to serving in his current position as a special assistant to the Governor, Ruaro served in the legislature as a chief of staff for Rep. Kyle Johansen, and as a staffer and House Finance Committee aide for former Rep. Bill Williams. From 2004 to 2006, he worked as a drafting attorney in the legislation and regulations section and then as the legislative liaison at the Alaska Department of Law. Ruaro also worked for nine years as a clerk/intern and then as a practicing attorney with the law firm of Keene & Currall.

He received his bachelor’s degree in political science with a course emphasis in economics from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1990, and his juris doctorate degree from Willamette University School of Law in Salem, Oregon, in 1994.

“It is an honor to continue working in public service and for Governor Palin in an increased role,” Ruaro said.

Sarah Palin

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Sarah Palin To Editorials