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Since the announcement has been made it has become difficult to get a whole lot of information on her. Most of the official web sites that have any information on her political history has become swapped and difficult to get on. Here is what I could find that is not necessarily a reliable source.



Sarah Louise Heath Palin (born February 11, 1964) is the current Governor of Alaska, and the 2008 Republican candidate for Vice President of the United States. She will be the first female Vice Presidential candidate representing the Republican Party and the second female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major political party. She will be the first politician from Alaska to be nominated for Vice President.

Palin was born in Idaho and raised in Alaska. In 1984, she was the runner-up in the Miss Alaska pageant, receiving a scholarship that allowed her to attend the University of Idaho, where she received a degree in journalism. After working as a sports reporter at an Anchorage television station, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska, City Council from 1992 to 1996, was elected mayor of Wasilla (population 5,470 in 2000) in 1996, and ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor in 2002.

Palin was elected Governor of Alaska in 2006 by first defeating incumbent governor Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary, then former Democratic Alaskan governor Tony Knowles in the general election. She gained attention for publicizing ethical violations by state Republican Party leaders.

Pre-gubernatorial political experience

Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council from 1992 to 1996. In 1996, she challenged and defeated the incumbent mayor, criticizing wasteful spending and high taxes. The ex-mayor and sheriff tried to organize a recall campaign, but failed. Palin kept her campaign promises by reducing her own salary, as well as reducing property taxes by 60%. She ran for reelection against the former mayor in 1999, winning by an even larger margin. Palin was also elected president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.

In 2002, Palin made an unsuccessful bid for Lieutenant Governor, coming in second to Loren Leman in a four-way race. After Frank Murkowski resigned from his long-held U.S. Senate seat in mid-term to become governor, Palin interviewed to be his possible successor. Instead, Murkowski appointed his daughter, then-Alaska State Representative Lisa Murkowski.

Governor Murkowski appointed Palin Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, where she served from 2003 to 2004 until resigning in protest over what she called the "lack of ethics" of fellow Alaskan Republican leaders, who ignored her whistleblowing complaints of legal violations and conflicts of interest. After she resigned, she exposed the state Republican party's chairman, Randy Ruedrich, one of her fellow Oil & Gas commissioners, who was accused of doing work for the party on public time, and supplying a lobbyist with a sensitive e-mail. Palin filed formal complaints against both Ruedrich and former Alaska Attorney General Gregg Renkes, who both resigned; Ruedrich paid a record $12,000 fine.

Governorship

In 2006, Palin, running on a clean-government campaign, executed an upset victory over then-Gov. Murkowski in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Despite the lack of support from party leaders and being outspent by her Democratic opponent, she went on to win the general election in November 2006, defeating former Governor Tony Knowles. Palin said in 2006 that education, public safety, and transportation would be three cornerstones of her administration.

When elected, Palin became the first woman to be Alaska's governor, and the youngest governor in Alaskan history at 42 years of age upon taking office. Palin was also the first Alaskan governor born after Alaska achieved U.S. statehood. She was also the first Alaskan governor not to be inaugurated in Juneau, instead choosing to hold her inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks. She took office on December 4, 2006.

Highlights of Governor Palin's tenure include a successful push for an ethics bill, and also shelving pork-barrel projects supported by fellow Republicans. Palin successfully killed the Gravina Island Bridge project that had become a nationwide symbol of wasteful earmark spending. "Alaska needs to be self-sufficient, she says, instead of relying heavily on 'federal dollars,' as the state does today."

She has challenged the state's Republican leaders, helping to launch a campaign by Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell to unseat U.S. Congressman Don Young[13] and publicly challenging Senator Ted Stevens to come clean about the federal investigation into his financial dealings.

In 2007, Palin had an approval rating often in the 90s. A poll published by Hays Research on July 28, 2008 showed Palin's approval rating at 80%.

Energy policies

Palin's tenure is noted for her independence from big oil companies, while still promoting resource development. Palin has announced plans to create a new sub-cabinet group of advisors, to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Alaska.

Shortly after taking office, Palin rescinded thirty-five appointments made by Murkowski in the last hour of his administration, including the appointment by Murkowski of his former chief of staff Jim Clark to the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority. Clark later pled guilty to conspiring with a defunct oil-field-services company to channel money into Frank Murkowski's re-election campaign.

In March 2007, Palin presented the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) as the new legal vehicle for building a natural gas pipeline from the state's North Slope. Only one legislator, Representative Ralph Samuels, voted against the measure, and in June Palin signed it into law. On January 5, 2008, Palin announced that a Canadian company, TransCanada Corp., was the sole AGIA-compliant applicant.

In response to high oil and gas prices, and in response to the resulting state government budget surplus, Palin proposed giving Alaskans $100-a-month energy debit cards. She also proposed providing grants to electrical utilities so that they would reduce customers' rates. She subsequently dropped the debit card proposal, and in its place she proposed to send Alaskans $1,200 directly and eliminate the gas tax.

cont'd

Social issues

Palin is strongly pro-life, a supporter of capital punishment, and belongs to Feminists for Life. Also has stated hunting mooses for a past time, and promotes rifles as collector's items.

She opposes same-sex marriage, but she has stated that she has gay friends and is receptive to gay and lesbian concerns about discrimination. While the previous administration did not implement same-sex benefits, Palin complied with an Alaskan state Supreme Court order and signed them into law. She disagreed with the Supreme Court ruling and supported a democratic advisory vote from the public on whether there should be a constitutional amendment on the matter. Alaska was one of the first U.S. states to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage, in 1998, along with Hawaii. Palin has stated that she supported the 1998 constitutional amendment.

Palin's first veto was used to block legislation that would have barred the state from granting benefits to the partners of gay state employees. In effect, her veto granted State of Alaska benefits to same-sex couples. The veto occurred after Palin consulted with Alaska's attorney general on the constitutionality of the legislation.

Matanuska Maid Dairy closure

When the Alaska Creamery Board recommended closing Matanuska Maid Dairy, an unprofitable state-owned business, Palin objected, citing concern for the impact on dairy farmers and the fact that the dairy had just received $600,000 in state money. When Palin learned that only the Board of Agriculture and Conservation could appoint Creamery Board members, she simply replaced the entire membership of the Board of Agriculture and Conservation. The new board, led by businesswoman Kristan Cole, reversed the decision to close the dairy. The new board approved milk price increases offered by the dairy in an attempt to control fiscal losses, even though milk from Washington was already offered in Alaskan stores at lower prices. In the end, the dairy was forced to close, and the state tried to sell the assets to pay off its debts but received no bids.

Budget

In the first days of her administration, Palin followed through on a campaign promise to sell the Westwind II jet purchased (on a state government credit account) by the Murkowski administration. The state placed the jet for sale on eBay three times. In August 2007, the jet was sold for $2.1 million.

Shortly after becoming governor, Palin canceled a contract for the construction on an 11-mile (18-kilometer) gravel road outside of Juneau to a mine. This reversed a decision made in the closing days or hours of the Murkowski Administration.

In June 2007, Palin signed into law a $6.6 billion operating budget—the largest in Alaska's history. At the same time, she used her veto power to make the second-largest cuts of the construction budget in state history. The $237 million in cuts represented over 300 local projects, and reduced the construction budget to nearly $1.6 billion.

Commissioner dismissal

On July 11, 2008, Governor Palin dismissed Walter Monegan as Commissioner of Public Safety and instead offered him a position as executive director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which he subsequently turned down. Monegan alleged shortly after his dismissal that it may have been partly due to his reluctance to fire an Alaska State Trooper, Mike Wooten, who had been involved in a divorce and child custody battle with Palin's sister, Molly McCann. In 2006, before Palin was governor, Wooten was briefly suspended for ten days for threatening to kill McCann's (and Palin's) father, tasering his 11-year-old stepson (at the stepson's request), and violating game laws. After a union protest, the suspension was reduced to five days.

Governor Palin asserts that her dismissal of Monegan was unrelated to the fact that he had not fired Wooten, and asserts that Monegan was instead dismissed for not adequately filling state trooper vacancies, and because he "did not turn out to be a team player on budgeting issues." Palin acknowledges that a member of her administration, Frank Bailey, did contact the Department of Public Safety regarding Wooten, but both Palin and Bailey say that happened without her knowledge and was unrelated to her dismissal of Monegan. Bailey was put on leave for two months for acting outside the scope of his authority as the Director of Boards and Commissions.

In response to Palin's statement that she had nothing to hide, in August 2008 the Alaska Legislature hired Steve Branchflower to investigate Palin and her staff for possible abuse of power surrounding the dismissal, though lawmakers acknowledge that "Monegan and other commissioners serve at will, meaning they can be fired by Palin at any time." The investigation is being overseen by Democratic State Senator Hollis French, who says that the Palin administration has been cooperating and thus subpoenas are unnecessary. The Palin administration itself was the first to release an audiotape of Bailey making inquiries about the status of the Wooten investigation.

Wooten and the police union alleged that the governor had improperly released his employment files in his divorce case. However, McCann's attorney released a signed waiver from Wooten demonstrating that Wooten had authorized the release of his files through normal discovery procedures.

cont'd

Personal life

Palin's husband, Todd, is a Yup'ik Alaskan native. Outside the fishing season, Todd works for BP energy corporation at an oil field on Alaska's North Slope and is a champion snowmobiler, winning the 2000-mile "Iron Dog" race four times. The two eloped shortly after Palin graduated from college; when they learned they needed witnesses for the civil ceremony, they recruited two residents from the old-age home down the street. The Palin family lives in Wasilla, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Anchorage.

On September 11, 2007, the Palins' eighteen-year-old son Track, eldest of five, joined the Army. He now serves in an infantry brigade and will be deployed to Iraq in September 2008. She also has three daughters: Bristol, 17; Willow, 13; and Piper, 7.

On April 18, 2008, Palin gave birth to her second son, Trig Paxson Van Palin, who has Down syndrome. She returned to the office three days after giving birth. Palin refused to let the results of prenatal genetic testing change her decision to have the baby. "I'm looking at him right now, and I see perfection," Palin said. "Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, what is normal and what is perfect?"

Details of Palin's personal life have contributed to her political image. She hunts, eats moose hamburger, ice fishes, rides snowmobiles, and owns a float plane. Palin holds a lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association. She admits that she used marijuana when it was legal in Alaska, but says that she did not like it.

Check mate for McCain?
Fans of family 'electrified' by Palin for VP selection

Pro-family advocates and Republicans are saying presumptive GOP nominee for president Sen. John McCain may have checkmated Democrat Sen. Barack Obama with his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate.

She's a woman, young, has been governor of Alaska for about two years, is pro-life and doesn't believe homosexuals should be granted the special privilege of "marriage" rights, is a mother, has a son in the U.S. military and wants to expand America's energy production.

"Absolutely brilliant," said Mathew Staver, chief of Liberty Counsel, the Liberty Alliance Action and dean of the Liberty University school of law.

"The excitement was palpable among conservative leaders when they heard that Gov. Palin was Sen. McCain's choice for vice president. There is a high level of optimism among conservative leaders that the McCain-Palin combination is a ticket that will connect with values voters," he said.

Bill Burton, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, reacted with criticism.

"John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency," he said.

But an alert WND reader noted, "She would only be 'a heartbeat away' if she actually was V.P., or if she were 100 percent certain to win and take office. You really have to wonder: Was this Freudian slip a concession that the Republicans will win?"

McCain passed over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other higher-profile leaders to choose Palin, but in doing so he stole a considerable amount of momentum from the Democrats who had had Sen. Hillary Clinton as a presidential candidate, seeking to become the first woman elected to one of the two highest offices in the nation.

In her first appearance with McCain today, Palin credited Clinton for leaving behind 18 million cracks, representating 18 million voters who supported her, in the glass ceiling between women and the American presidency, but she also said American women are not finished.

"The selection of Gov. Palin means that this upcoming election will be historic. But beyond making history, Palin brings substance and excitement. She is intelligent, young, attractive and articulate. As a woman and a mother, she can attract women voters, particularly those who feel disenfranchised," Staver continued. "Gov. Palin can work with both parties and has shown she can clean up government corruption.

"Gov. Palin is pro-life and pro-marriage. She is also a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association," continued Staver, who in July organized a meeting of 100 nationally prominent social conservative leaders in Denver to emphasize shared core values. "Gov. Palin has electrified conservatives."

Bryan Fischer, executive director of the Idaho Values Alliance, called the pick "an inspired choice."

"She is unapologetically pro-life and pro-marriage. Those are values which are shared by the vast majority of mainstream Idahoans," he said. "Gov. Palin has called abortion an 'atrocity,' and she helped Alaska pass the nation's very first marriage amendment in 1998."

Further, he said, "When almost 90 percent of all Down's Syndrome babies are destroyed in the womb, Gov. Palin proudly gave birth to her son Trig last spring, even after he was diagnosed with Down's during her pregnancy. The contrast with Sen. Obama could not be greater.

"While Sen. Obama believes that unwanted babies can be put to death while still in the womb, Gov. Palin has shown by her example that all pre-born babies, even those with birth defects, deserve a chance at life," Fischer said.

More than a year ago WND columnist Les Kinsolving suggested she be considered for the VP post.

"We're thrilled," said Karen Cross, the political director for National Right to Life, citing Palin's comment shortly after her handicapped son's birth, when she said, "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."

 "The country now has a clear choice," said Darla St. Martin, co-executive director of the National Right to Life committee, "between an avowed pro-abortion ticket that would continue to push for unrestricted abortion on demand, and a strongly pro-life ticket that will bring us closer to a society that embraces the value and dignity of human life."

"Her admirable record of confronting corruption and living her pro-life convictions shows she is a doer, not just a talker," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, the nation's largest public policy women's group.

"It is particularly significant that a conservative woman was nominated for the nation's second highest office. For years the feminist movement has acknowledged for leadership only those women who embrace a radical agenda," said Janice Shaw Crouse, director of the CWA's Beverly LaHaye Institute. "How refreshing that now we have a woman who reflects the values of mainstream American women.

"Take that feminists – here is a woman of accomplishment who brings a fresh face to traditional values and models the type of woman most girls want to become," she said.

Tony Perkins of the Washington-based Family Research Council continued the theme, saying, "She has a record of advancing the culture of life at every opportunity including championing a ban on partial-birth abortion and promoting parental consent for minor abortions."

Outside of the pro-family movement, there were politicians who jumped immediately to her side. Nevada Republican Chairman Sue Lowden cited her support for alternative energy, ethics reforms and battles against pork barrel spending.

"A dedicated family woman and a mother of five, including a son serving our country now, Palin represents Nevada values well and understands the challenges our families face," she said.

From the other end of the country, New Jersey congressional candidate Roland Straten said he would be proud to work with her.

Former GOP presidential candidate Sen. Fred Thompson said he was "delighted" and described Palin as a "breath of fresh air."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said she reminds women "that they may not be welcome on the Democrats' ticket, but they have a place with Republicans."

Democrats besides Obama reacted with condemnation.

"Sarah Palin is not the right choice," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Obama picked Sen. Joe Biden, a longtime Washington politician, as his running mate.

Roe v. Wade makes campaign comeback
Democrats warn women that high court — and abortion rights — is at stake

The refrain in many of the Democratic leaders’ responses to Sen. John McCain’s choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate: Roe v. Wade, Roe v. Wade.

The 1973 Supreme Court decision nationalizing a woman’s right to get an abortion was a top-of-mind issue for top Democrats.

Voters, beware, the Democrats' message seemed to be: Palin is not in favor of abortion rights.

The Democrats seemed to be concerned that some voters might be under the misapprehension that Palin was a pro-choice woman — or that because she is a woman, it might help McCain get the votes of pro-choice women.

The message echoed and re-echoed:

    * “Gov. Palin shares John McCain's commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade,” said Obama spokesman Bill Burton in a statement issued before McCain had stepped out on the stage in Dayton, Ohio, with Palin.
    * “She shares John McCain’s commitment to overturning Roe v. Wade,” agreed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi two hours later.
    * “Gov. Palin and John McCain are a good match because they both want to overturn Roe v. Wade,” chimed in Ellen Malcolm, a Hillary Clinton adviser and president of the Democratic group Emily’s List, which backs women abortion rights candidates.
    * “The last thing women need is a president — and vice president — who are prepared to turn back the clock on women's rights and repeal the protections of Roe v. Wade,” said Cecile Richards, the president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which backs mostly Democratic candidates.

If McCain were to win the election but not serve out his term, it would be Palin nominating justices for any Supreme Court vacancies.

Warnings from Clinton and Gore

But well before the Palin news broke on Friday, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Al Gore had reminded Democrats at the Denver convention that while some say “it’s the economy, stupid” is the defining issue of the 2008 campaign, no campaign is ever entirely dominated by one theme.

For a slice of the electorate, social issues are likely to be decisive.

“The Supreme Court in a right-wing headlock,” Clinton said in her Tuesday night speech.

The implication was clear for veterans of the Senate battles of the Bush era over Supreme Court nominees: Democrats have waited since 1994 to see one of their own nominated to the high court.

To see the prize of future high court appointments slip out of their hands now would be agony for them.

The first Clinton high court appointee, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is now 75 years old, three years older than McCain. Ginsburg is second in age on the court only to liberal Republican Justice John Paul Stevens, who is 88.

Gore reinforced this high court concern in his warm-up speech for Sen. Barack Obama on Thursday night at the Invesco Field event in Denver.

“When as many as three Supreme Court justices could be appointed in the first term of the next president, and John McCain promises to appoint more Scalias and Thomases and end a woman's right to choose, it is time for a change,” Gore declared, referring to Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.

Scalia and Thomas believe that Roe was wrongly decided and that nothing in the Constitution protects a right to get an abortion.

Thirty-odd years ago, early in his congressional career as a House member from Tennessee, Gore, too, opposed abortion rights, as did and do many Democratic House members from the South. But Gore had become pro-choice by the late 1980s. Pro-choice forces now are dominant in the Democratic leadership.

A reassuring message
While Palin would not likely have any role in choosing Supreme Court nominees if McCain wins the presidential election, his choice of her as a running mate sent a reassuring message to anti-abortion forces in the Republican Party.

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council noted that Palin and her husband had learned while Palin was pregnant with her son, Trig, born in April, that the baby would be born with Down's syndrome.

“In an era when over 80 percent of Down's syndrome babies are aborted, the Palins feel they have been extremely blessed by God to raise 'an absolutely perfect' son,” Perkins said. “Gov. Palin continues to use her testimony to advance protections for unborn children.” 

The question of whether McCain's nominees to the high court would move to repeal Roe v. Wade is by no means clear.

Nominees are not asked for an explicit commitment on Roe, said former Reagan Justice Department official Doug Kmiec, who supports Obama.

For a president, Kmiec said, the question is: “Will I get a nominee who will keep his word to me in the vetting process, if any word is actually given?”

Overturn Roe — or a diversion?
Kmiec scoffed, “We all know that dance: Nobody actually admits they ask the (Roe) question and the question doesn’t get asked and it doesn’t get answered, and therefore the nominees get on the bench and they do what they want.”

So is Roe really likely to be reversed if McCain is elected? Kmiec thinks not, and thinks the “whither Roe?” debate is a tiresome diversion.

“This is an issue that is enormously distorted in the public mind,” Kmiec said as he attended the Denver convention Wednesday.

Palin puts instant charge in GOP ground troops
Party leaders see vice-presidential nominee, abortion platform signaling 'conservative' path

While Republicans are respectfully easing into their national convention in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, they aren't holding back their enthusiasm for the party's new superstar, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, regarding her not only a catalyst for victory in November but as a transitional figure, reflecting a more "conservative" future course.

Presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain has conceded to a party platform calling for an outright ban on abortion, with no exceptions, and Minnesota GOP leader Michael Barrett says the 44-year-old VP pick has instantly awakened his campaign ground troops and put his "blue state" in play for Republicans.

"I haven't seen the base this motivated," said Barrett, the party's state executive vice chairman. "It was just instantaneous, People who were a little uncertain on McCain, all of sudden they're calling and asking me, 'Where can I get signs, where can I get signs?'"

"I mean it just changed everything overnight," he told WND.

Gary Bauer, former head of the Family Research Council and a 2000 presidential candidate, believes the reaction to the VP pick he saw Sunday at his Northern Virginia nondenominational Bible church is reflected nationwide.

"Before this week, there was a, 'Oh, yeah, I guess I'll vote for Sen. McCain,'" he told WND. "But there was an electricity when I arrived there. I was immediately set upon by people in the church saying, 'Oh, this is exciting, I'm on board.'"

Ken Blackwell, a Republican leader in Ohio who ran for governor and was secretary of state during the state's crucial vote count in the 2004 presidential election, told WND he was with conservative groups Friday, Saturday and Sunday before arriving here.

"The enthusiasm is off the charts," he said, calling McCain's choice a "brilliant" pick. "This has really energized the based."

The support for Palin on the convention floor didn't appear dampened by news reports dominating mainstream media yesterday of Palin's 17-year-old daughter's pregnancy and an ongoing probe into the firing of her former brother-in-law. McCain responded today to questions about his selection process at a campaign stop in Philadelphia.

"The vetting process was completely thorough, and I'm grateful for the results," he said.

Red state, blue state

Bauer pointed out the news in recent months has focused on which "red states" – states held by Republicans in previous presidential elections – will flip into the blue, or Democratic column.

"I'm not sure they're going to flip any," Bauer said, "and I now think there are a number of blue states, like Minnesota, like Michigan, perhaps Wisconsin, that are going to be in play."

Barrett believes Palin could swing Minnesota's crucial 10 electoral votes to the GOP.

He explained that in order to win a statewide race, a candidate must carry Minnesota's rural western third and southern third by at least 55 percent to counter the Democratic vote elsewhere.

Palin appeals to the 40 percent of voters in Minnesota's "L" identified as populists and independents, "simply because of her personal qualities," Barrett said.

"She's a lifelong National Rife Association member, a working mother; she understands the working class, people can relate to her and she's just honest and genuine," he said.

As a candidate, "she's designed perfectly for the male hunters there and the females, who tend to be conservative," Barrett explained. "She's ideal for the western ring of the suburbs, for the soccer moms, which were a critical vote for Hillary and who already are expressing a lot of support for Palin."

Bauer, alluding to recent attempts by the Obama campaign to brand McCain as a rich, elitist, focusing on how many homes he owns, says that "for all the talk on the left that they represent the little guy, really they are so far out of touch with average Americans it's not even funny."

One generation to another

Barrett already sees Palin as a transitional figure in the party.

"We're going through a transition from one generation to the next, from the Bush and McCain era," said Barrett. "We're going to the next generation and whose going to determine what the Republican Party's values are.

Already one of the party's most important values, the protection of the unborn, has been set on more a more conservative path in conjunction with Palin's rise, with the approval yesterday of a platform that calls for banning abortion with no exceptions..

McCain wanted exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother, but he has shown exceptional deference to Bauer and other like-minded leaders.

Bauer said McCain asked him to come to the Twin Cities last week to help complete the abortion platform and was please to find the draft was already "amazingly strong."

"As delegates began offering amendments to strengthen it even more, Bauer said, "the attitude of the McCain people was, 'Well, you need to understand that's not where the candidate is, but we need to understand the platform is a statement of principle for this party long beyond the election, and you know, we certainly will not fight you over these things.'"

"I thought it could be a little bit of an awkward week," Bauer told WND, "but in fact it was an incredibly cooperative week, and to me was one of the signs that Sen. McCain very much knows that he can't be president without the conservative base."

Ronald Reagan Jr: I doubt my father would back Palin
But when brother Michael looks at Alaska guv he sees dad in 'a dress'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: September 06, 2008
4:48 am Eastern

2008 WorldNetDaily

SEATTLE – When Michael Reagan watched Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin thrill the Republican Party faithful Wednesday night, he saw his father "reborn" – Ronald Reagan "wearing a dress."

But Ronald Reagan Jr. told WND yesterday he knew Ronald Reagan, too, and Sarah Palin, he insisted, is no Ronald Reagan.

The two brothers – talk radio hosts who live at opposite ends of the political spectrum – reflect the sharp divide across the nation over John McCain's running mate. Echoing the polarized reactions to President Reagan during his two terms in the 1980s, it's hard to remain indifferent to the hockey mom from Wasilla, whose meteoric political rise has taken her from the PTA to the governorship to a national ticket at the age of 44. Either you love her, it seems, or she epitomizes what's wrong with America.

WND met the youngest son of President Reagan awaiting a flight to Seattle following the GOP convention in St. Paul, Minn.

Ron Jr. told WND he cannot speak for his father, who died in 2004, but doubts the 40th president would approve of Palin if he were alive and well today.

"Sarah Palin," he said, "has nothing in common with my father, a two-term governor of the largest state in the union, a man who had been in public life for decades, someone who had written, thought and spoke for decades about foreign policy issues, domestic policy issues, and on and on and on."

But many introduced to Palin this week say she excites them like Ronald Reagan did.

"I think they ought to start using their brain, instead of viscera," Ron Jr. said in reaction.

Isn't the excitement, however, simply over a charismatic candidate for national office who espouses conservative values and ideas without apology and already has successfully put them into practice?

"That may excite them," Ron Jr. said. "But many of those values are hypocritical and dishonest, and, frankly, scary."

Creationism is one of the scary beliefs Palin advocates, he said.

"It doesn't bother some people, I know, but, frankly, somebody like that has no idea what kind of planet we live on – literally has no idea what the planet is all about," Ron Jr. said.

"It's such a profoundly anti-intellectual, anti-science stance," he asserted. "I don't see how you can hold high office and believe something like that."

Some critics have charged Palin opposes the teaching of evolution in public schools and would mandate teaching creationism. But she has kept a pledge from her 2006 campaign for governor to not press for creation-based alternatives or seek creation advocates for the school board.

Asked what his mother, Nancy Reagan, thinks about Palin, Ron Jr. said he cannot speak on her behalf. But he related that when he briefly discussed Palin with her this past week on the phone, "she was a bit mystified by the choice." She previously announced her endorsement of McCain.

Michael Reagan, in a commentary piece, praised Palin as "a red-blooded American with that rare, God-given ability to rally her dispirited fellow Republicans and take up the daunting task of leading them – and all her fellow Americans – on a pilgrimage to that shining city on the hill my father envisioned as our nation's real destination."

The elder brother said he's been trying to convince his fellow conservatives they have been wasting their time looking for a new Ronald Reagan to emerge. But no more.

"I insisted that we'd never see his like again because he was one of a kind. I was wrong. Wednesday night I watched the Republican National Convention on television and there, before my very eyes, I saw my Dad reborn; only this time he's a she. And what a she!"

Two Americas

Ron Jr., who debuts a show Monday on the left-leaning Air America talk radio network, was asked his overall impression of the GOP convention.

"It's a little depressing to me, because I think, you know, John Edwards was right in the sense about the two Americas," he said. "But, you know, it's not just liberal and conservative, rich and poor, it's rational, and as Rachel Maddow, my colleague on Air America, put it, post-rational."

John McCain and Sarah Palin after the Republican presidential candidate's acceptance speech Thursday night in St. Paul, Minn. (WND photo)

McCain's selection of Palin was "post-rational," he said, "one of the most irresponsible choices I have ever seen a presidential candidate make."

"It's clearly a tactical, political decision," he said. "It has absolutely nothing to do with governance. The woman is clearly unqualified to be where she is right now."

Ron Jr. said it was "right around puberty" when he began to realize he didn't agree with his father on many issues.

"There were some issues we did (agree on), of course," he said. "I thought standing up to the Soviet Union was a good idea. A totalitarian government, and who likes that? Tell them the truth. You know, want to call them an evil empire? Go ahead, stick it to 'em, get up in their grill a little bit. You don't want to take it to a military level, but speak the truth, speak the truth at heart."

On the other hand, he said, there was "vehement" disagreement over the environment and some social issues.

"We'd discuss it all the time over dinner," he said. "We'd have some good old arguments about it – always civil, but, nevertheless, spirited."

 :o :o :o :o :o

I didn't need the image in my mind that one drew up.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Seriously I must agree with Michael in the fact that much her stance and mannerisms do reflect those of Ronald Reagan.

I'm lovin' it. American Flags were found in the trash at the DNC. These flags were rescued by some republicans that were filming at the DNC and they are now being displayed in the front row at the RNC. At the end of each day there has been no American Flags found in the trash at the RNC.

It is said that these flags will be handled appropriately now. They will either be resigned from use according to correct procedures or if still in good shape will be donated for further use at Veterans events, funerals etc.

 ;D

Somehow I think it would have been a big problem getting Ronald Reagan into a dress. I could be wrong, but I doubt we'll ever see another politician like Reagan. He was one of a kind, and it will be difficult for any conservative to get into his league. As of now, I think it would be a huge victory just to preserve what decency there is left for a little while.

By the way, I didn't hear about the disrespect shown to the flag at the DNC, but that doesn't surprise me at all. I don't understand why there isn't more outrage about things like this. Most of the terms that relate to decency are foreign, and that includes basic respect for GOD, country, and flag. I don't understand how Obama and his ilk get by with this and have any remaining respect. If one looks at the entire Obama laundry list, it's a mystery how he offers any competition. It's a BAD and SAD joke to talk about vetting! I wound't have a clue how he could pass any kind of background investigation.

The disrespect for the flag hasn't made it into the mainstream media until it hit Fox News today and it barely got a mention there during a reporting of events at the RNC. It has been all over the internet blogosphere and forums though with pictures and videos of it. It caused quite a stir on the net.

WND finally picked up the story.

Dems trash U.S. flags
at DNC convention
McCain scoops up garbage
to recycle Stars and Stripes

Following their national convention in Denver last week, Democratic organizers heaped up thousands of unused U.S. flags, allegedly to throw them away, but the McCain campaign has since salvaged the Star-Spangled Banners for reuse at a rally in Colorado Springs.

A Denver Post blog reports that a vendor at Denver's Invesco Field discovered the discarded flags following Barack Obama's nomination speech at the mile-high stadium last week.

Democratic organizers have claimed that the flags were not meant to be thrown in the trash, but according to a Fox News report, McCain supporters claim the vendor found the bagged flags in and around garbage bins following the Democratic National Convention.

A group of Boy Scouts brought 84 garbage bags full of the discarded flags to the site of a Republican rally in Colorado Springs today, where veterans distributed them throughout the assembled crowd. McCain supporters waved the recycled flags and chanted "U.S.A." as they welcomed Republican candidate John McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin.

The Post blog reports an estimated total of 12,000 small flags and one, full-size 3'x5' flag were discarded.

Damon Jones, spokesman for the Democratic National Convention Committee, released a statement claiming that McCain supporters has swiped leftover bundles of flags from the stadium "to play out a cheap political stunt" calling into question Democrat patriotism.

Patriotic symbolism has been a thorn in the side of the DNC and Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama throughout the campaign. As WND reported earlier, credentials for the national convention drew attention for portraying the elements of the U.S. flag upside down.

Earlier in the campaign, Sen. Obama was photographed with Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin at a steak fry for Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin during the playing of the national anthem. Richardson, Clinton and Harkin placed their hands over their hearts, but Obama is standing casually with his fingers laced in front of him.

He also previously said he doesn't wear an American flag lapel pin because it has become a substitute for "true patriotism."

To an Iowa television station, the Illinois senator explained he stopped wearing a flag pin following the 9/11 attacks.

"I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest," he told the station. "Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great."

Brothers and Sisters,

I made and kept copies of web pages from Obama's church, mainly because they were shocking and indicated no love, respect, or loyalty to this country. These things were reserved for mother country Africa. Along with it came hatred for people of other races and the type of slams against America that made Rev. Wright INFAMOUS! This was more than just a hint because of a 20 year association with this church by Obama, his family, and others. It was one of the worst examples of racism I've seen in a long time.

The revelations that were to come about Obama indicated he was in the perfect church for what he believes. Further, this church blasphemes one or more of the Holy Trinity and is a church in name only.

The revelations yet to come were even worse, so he's now the DNC nominee for President in a country that he doesn't love or respect. If Obama was running for office in a country that he has loyalty and respect for - it wouldn't be this one. So, there is little wonder that terrorists support him. He has another category of supporters that are against the traditional values of this country, but they still want to be here. I think that the final category of supporters are simply deceived and dazzled by a pretty candidate who can talk. Many have made matters worse by referring to Obama as the ONE, the MESSIAH - BUT only the opposite could be true. He even made the mistake of trying to quote Scripture from the Holy Bible. He butchered the meaning and doesn't have a clue, but he was pretty and delivered the butchered content with skill. Any support is evidence for how far this country has fallen. I will hope and pray that Obama doesn't reach his goals. If he does, I'll consider it a sign of the times.

Oh shut up and sit down for cry out loud!

This is oh so true but no one is supposed to point things out that the democrats do that's wrong. They're the only ones that can point fingers at anyone. Remember it's only free speech when they are doing it.

THE FLAG ON SARAH PALIN'S WALL

One more perspective on Sarah Palin: that of former Israeli Air Force fighter pilot and current Los Angeles-based director Elan Frank. Frank shadowed Palin for three days earlier this year for a documentary he is making about extraordinary women around the world. I believe he is referring to the flag he found on Palin's wall in the governor's office when he says: "I saw something amazing there."

YNet News reports:

    "She had an Israeli flag, of all the things, mounted on her office wall, and I have that on film," he said. "I was very surprised to see that and when I asked her about it, she said that she loves Israel and that she had friends who visited the country and brought her the flag."

The video can be seen at:

http://alaskapodshow.com/index.php/2008/02/20/my-visit-to-juneau-alaska/

About 1/2 to 3/4ths of the way through the video look by the window just behind Sarah Palin and you can see the flag hanging there.

Brothers and Sisters,

This speaks volumes for Sarah Palin in my opinion. Anyone who reads the Bible understands that Israel is GOD'S People, and GOD isn't through with them. The Bible tells us that those who harm HIS People will be damned and those who help them will be blessed. It doesn't even matter if Israel doesn't want or appreciate our help - it's the right thing to do according to the Bible. Believe this - JESUS CHRIST is the Anointed KING of Israel, and HE will take HIS Throne soon in Jerusalem. Jerusalem and Israel belongs to GOD, and this is nothing to negotiate or debate. It belongs to GOD on HIS Terms alone. Christians should know this and pray for Israel. It really is just this simple. We know that most of Israel has rejected CHRIST, but GOD isn't through with Israel - AND GOD has Promises HE Will most certainly keep with Israel. I will love and help Israel in any way that I can, most certainly including PRAYER.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Brothers and Sisters,

One of the latest things is an announcement from Oprah that she will not allow Sarah Palin to appear on her show.

I've already decided that it doesn't matter how much money Oprah offers me, I won't be appearing on her show either.    ;D   ;D

All kidding aside, I already don't watch or buy anything associated with Oprah because of her associations and promotions of false religions on her television show. I wasn't an Oprah fan anyway, but I did watch some outrageous news spots about her television guests from various false religions. PLEASE - this has nothing to do with gender or race.

Now there's a new boycott being organized by Republican women because Oprah won't allow Sarah Palin on her show. I'm not Sarah Palin, but I wouldn't want on Oprah's show for fear that someone might associate me with false religions. I would consider appearing UNPAID if I could talk about false religions and give the GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD! Don't hold your breath waiting for anyone like me to be on Oprah. Those who appear on her show will PANDER to her beliefs and her money. I know she's rich and powerful. I just wished that she would use her money and power for GOD and good.

I think it would be much better for Sarah Palin to appear on a show like Bill O'Reilly. Bill O'Reilly has some respect and decency.

The more I hear of Mrs. Palin the more I love her!  Even when the left or secular news is trying to dis her, they are dis-ing her for the very reasons that make me think highly of her!

THE BOLDED PARTS WERE EDITED OUT OF THE INTERVIEW

GIBSON: Governor, let me start by asking you a question that I asked John McCain about you, and it is really the central question. Can you look the country in the eye and say “I have the experience and I have the ability to be not just vice president, but perhaps president of the United States of America?”

PALIN: I do, Charlie, and on January 20, when John McCain and I are sworn in, if we are so privileged to be elected to serve this country, will be ready. I’m ready.

GIBSON: And you didn’t say to yourself, “Am I experienced enough? Am I ready? Do I know enough about international affairs? Do I — will I feel comfortable enough on the national stage to do this?”

PALIN: I didn’t hesitate, no.

GIBSON: Didn’t that take some hubris?

PALIN: I — I answered him yes because I have the confidence in that readiness and knowing that you can’t blink, you have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we’re on, reform of this country and victory in the war, you can’t blink.

So I didn’t blink then even when asked to run as his running mate.

GIBSON: But this is not just reforming a government. This is also running a government on the huge international stage in a very dangerous world. When I asked John McCain about your national security credentials, he cited the fact that you have commanded the Alaskan National Guard and that Alaska is close to Russia. Are those sufficient credentials?

PALIN: But it is about reform of government and it’s about putting government back on the side of the people, and that has much to do with foreign policy and national security issues Let me speak specifically about a credential that I do bring to this table, Charlie, and that’s with the energy independence that I’ve been working on for these years as the governor of this state that produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy, that I worked on as chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, overseeing the oil and gas development in our state to produce more for the United States.

GIBSON: I know. I’m just saying that national security is a whole lot more than energy.

PALIN: It is, but I want you to not lose sight of the fact that energy is a foundation of national security. It’s that important. It’s that significant.

GIBSON: Did you ever travel outside the country prior to your trip to Kuwait and Germany last year?

PALIN: Canada, Mexico, and then, yes, that trip, that was the trip of a lifetime to visit our troops in Kuwait and stop and visit our injured soldiers in Germany. That was the trip of a lifetime and it changed my life.

GIBSON: Have you ever met a foreign head of state?

PALIN: There in the state of Alaska, our international trade activities bring in many leaders of other countries.

GIBSON: And all governors deal with trade delegations.

PALIN: Right.

GIBSON: Who act at the behest of their governments.

PALIN: Right, right.

GIBSON: I’m talking about somebody who’s a head of state, who can negotiate for that country. Ever met one?

PALIN: I have not and I think if you go back in history and if you ask that question of many vice presidents, they may have the same answer that I just gave you. But, Charlie, again, we’ve got to remember what the desire is in this nation at this time. It is for no more politics as usual and somebody’s big, fat resume maybe that shows decades and decades in that Washington establishment, where, yes, they’ve had opportunities to meet heads of state … these last couple of weeks … it has been overwhelming to me that confirmation of the message that Americans are getting sick and tired of that self-dealing and kind of that closed door, good old boy network that has been the Washington elite.

GIBSON: Let me ask you about some specific national security situations.

PALIN: Sure.

GIBSON: Let’s start, because we are near Russia, let’s start with Russia and Georgia.

The administration has said we’ve got to maintain the territorial integrity of Georgia. Do you believe the United States should try to restore Georgian sovereignty over South Ossetia and Abkhazia?

PALIN: First off, we’re going to continue good relations with Saakashvili there. I was able to speak with him the other day and giving him my commitment, as John McCain’s running mate, that we will be committed to Georgia. And we’ve got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable and we have to keep…

GIBSON: You believe unprovoked.

PALIN: I do believe unprovoked and we have got to keep our eyes on Russia, under the leadership there. I think it was unfortunate. That manifestation that we saw with that invasion of Georgia shows us some steps backwards that Russia has recently taken away from the race toward a more democratic nation with democratic ideals. That’s why we have to keep an eye on Russia.

And, Charlie, you’re in Alaska. We have that very narrow maritime border between the United States, and the 49th state, Alaska, and Russia. They are our next door neighbors.We need to have a good relationship with them. They’re very, very important to us and they are our next door neighbor.

GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?

PALIN: They’re our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.

GIBSON: What insight does that give you into what they’re doing in Georgia?

PALIN: Well, I’m giving you that perspective of how small our world is and how important it is that we work with our allies to keep good relation with all of these countries, especially Russia. We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it’s in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.

Sarah Palin on Russia:

We cannot repeat the Cold War. We are thankful that, under Reagan, we won the Cold War, without a shot fired, also. We’ve learned lessons from that in our relationship with Russia, previously the Soviet Union.

We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it’s in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.

GIBSON: Would you favor putting Georgia and Ukraine in NATO?

PALIN: Ukraine, definitely, yes. Yes, and Georgia.

GIBSON: Because Putin has said he would not tolerate NATO incursion into the Caucasus.

PALIN: Well, you know, the Rose Revolution, the Orange Revolution, those actions have showed us that those democratic nations, I believe, deserve to be in NATO.

Putin thinks otherwise. Obviously, he thinks otherwise, but…

GIBSON: And under the NATO treaty, wouldn’t we then have to go to war if Russia went into Georgia?

PALIN: Perhaps so. I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you’re going to be expected to be called upon and help.

But NATO, I think, should include Ukraine, definitely, at this point and I think that we need to — especially with new leadership coming in on January 20, being sworn on, on either ticket, we have got to make sure that we strengthen our allies, our ties with each one of those NATO members.

We have got to make sure that that is the group that can be counted upon to defend one another in a very dangerous world today.

GIBSON: And you think it would be worth it to the United States, Georgia is worth it to the United States to go to war if Russia were to invade.

PALIN: What I think is that smaller democratic countries that are invaded by a larger power is something for us to be vigilant against. We have got to be cognizant of what the consequences are if a larger power is able to take over smaller democratic countries.

And we have got to be vigilant. We have got to show the support, in this case, for Georgia. The support that we can show is economic sanctions perhaps against Russia, if this is what it leads to.

It doesn’t have to lead to war and it doesn’t have to lead, as I said, to a Cold War, but economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, again, counting on our allies to help us do that in this mission of keeping our eye on Russia and Putin and some of his desire to control and to control much more than smaller democratic countries.

His mission, if it is to control energy supplies, also, coming from and through Russia, that’s a dangerous position for our world to be in, if we were to allow that to happen.

cont'd next post

Sarah Palin on Iran and Israel:

GIBSON: Let me turn to Iran. Do you consider a nuclear Iran to be an existential threat to Israel?

PALIN: I believe that under the leadership of Ahmadinejad, nuclear weapons in the hands of his government are extremely dangerous to everyone on this globe, yes.

GIBSON: So what should we do about a nuclear Iran? John McCain said the only thing worse than a war with Iran would be a nuclear Iran. John Abizaid said we may have to live with a nuclear Iran. Who’s right?

PALIN: No, no. I agree with John McCain that nuclear weapons in the hands of those who would seek to destroy our allies, in this case, we’re talking about Israel, we’re talking about Ahmadinejad’s comment about Israel being the “stinking corpse, should be wiped off the face of the earth,” that’s atrocious. That’s unacceptable.

GIBSON: So what do you do about a nuclear Iran?

PALIN: We have got to make sure that these weapons of mass destruction, that nuclear weapons are not given to those hands of Ahmadinejad, not that he would use them, but that he would allow terrorists to be able to use them. So we have got to put the pressure on Iran and we have got to count on our allies to help us, diplomatic pressure.

GIBSON: But, Governor, we’ve threatened greater sanctions against Iran for a long time. It hasn’t done any good. It hasn’t stemmed their nuclear program.

PALIN: We need to pursue those and we need to implement those. We cannot back off. We cannot just concede that, oh, gee, maybe they’re going to have nuclear weapons, what can we do about it. No way, not Americans. We do not have to stand for that.

GIBSON: What if Israel decided it felt threatened and needed to take out the Iranian nuclear facilities?

PALIN: Well, first, we are friends with Israel and I don’t think that we should second guess the measures that Israel has to take to defend themselves and for their security.

GIBSON: So if we wouldn’t second guess it and they decided they needed to do it because Iran was an existential threat, we would cooperative or agree with that.

PALIN: I don’t think we can second guess what Israel has to do to secure its nation.

GIBSON: So if it felt necessary, if it felt the need to defend itself by taking out Iranian nuclear facilities, that would be all right.

PALIN: We cannot second guess the steps that Israel has to take to defend itself.

GIBSON: We talk on the anniversary of 9/11. Why do you think those hijackers attacked? Why did they want to hurt us?

PALIN: You know, there is a very small percentage of Islamic believers who are extreme and they are violent and they do not believe in American ideals, and they attacked us and now we are at a point here seven years later, on the anniversary, in this post-9/11 world, where we’re able to commit to never again. They see that the only option for them is to become a suicide bomber, to get caught up in this evil, in this terror. They need to be provided the hope that all Americans have instilled in us, because we’re a democratic, we are a free, and we are a free-thinking society.

GIBSON: Do you agree with the Bush doctrine?

PALIN: In what respect, Charlie?

GIBSON: The Bush — well, what do you — what do you interpret it to be?

PALIN: His world view.

GIBSON: No, the Bush doctrine, enunciated September 2002, before the Iraq war.

PALIN: I believe that what President Bush has attempted to do is rid this world of Islamic extremism, terrorists who are hell bent on destroying our nation. There have been blunders along the way, though. There have been mistakes made. And with new leadership, and that’s the beauty of American elections, of course, and democracy, is with new leadership comes opportunity to do things better.

GIBSON: The Bush doctrine, as I understand it, is that we have the right of anticipatory self-defense, that we have the right to a preemptive strike against any other country that we think is going to attack us. Do you agree with that?

PALIN: I agree that a president’s job, when they swear in their oath to uphold our Constitution, their top priority is to defend the United States of America.

I know that John McCain will do that and I, as his vice president, families we are blessed with that vote of the American people and are elected to serve and are sworn in on January 20, that will be our top priority is to defend the American people.

GIBSON: Do we have a right to anticipatory self-defense? Do we have a right to make a preemptive strike again another country if we feel that country might strike us?

PALIN: Charlie, if there is legitimate and enough intelligence that tells us that a strike is imminent against American people, we have every right to defend our country. In fact, the president has the obligation, the duty to defend.

GIBSON: Do we have the right to be making cross-border attacks into Pakistan from Afghanistan, with or without the approval of the Pakistani government?

PALIN: Now, as for our right to invade, we’re going to work with these countries, building new relationships, working with existing allies, but forging new, also, in order to, Charlie, get to a point in this world where war is not going to be a first option. In fact, war has got to be, a military strike, a last option.

GIBSON: But, Governor, I’m asking you: We have the right, in your mind, to go across the border with or without the approval of the Pakistani government.

PALIN: In order to stop Islamic extremists, those terrorists who would seek to destroy America and our allies, we must do whatever it takes and we must not blink, Charlie, in making those tough decisions of where we go and even who we target.

GIBSON: And let me finish with this. I got lost in a blizzard of words there. Is that a yes? That you think we have the right to go across the border with or without the approval of the Pakistani government, to go after terrorists who are in the Waziristan area?

PALIN: I believe that America has to exercise all options in order to stop the terrorists who are hell bent on destroying America and our allies. We have got to have all options out there on the table.

Sarah Palin on God:

GIBSON: You said recently, in your old church, “Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God.” Are we fighting a holy war?

PALIN: You know, I don’t know if that was my exact quote.

GIBSON: Exact words.

PALIN: But the reference there is a repeat of Abraham Lincoln’s words when he said — first, he suggested never presume to know what God’s will is, and I would never presume to know God’s will or to speak God’s words.

But what Abraham Lincoln had said, and that’s a repeat in my comments, was let us not pray that God is on our side in a war or any other time, but let us pray that we are on God’s side.

That’s what that comment was all about, Charlie. And I do believe, though, that this war against extreme Islamic terrorists is the right thing. It’s an unfortunate thing, because war is hell and I hate war, and, Charlie, today is the day that I send my first born, my son, my teenage son overseas with his Stryker brigade, 4,000 other wonderful American men and women, to fight for our country, for democracy, for our freedoms.

Charlie, those are freedoms that too many of us just take for granted. I hate war and I want to see war ended. We end war when we see victory, and we do see victory in sight in Iraq.

GIBSON: I take your point about Lincoln’s words, but you went on and said, “There is a plan and it is God’s plan.”

PALIN: I believe that there is a plan for this world and that plan for this world is for good. I believe that there is great hope and great potential for every country to be able to live and be protected with inalienable rights that I believe are God-given, Charlie, and I believe that those are the rights to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

That, in my world view, is a grand — the grand plan.

GIBSON: But then are you sending your son on a task that is from God?

PALIN: I don’t know if the task is from God, Charlie. What I know is that my son has made a decision. I am so proud of his independent and strong decision he has made, what he decided to do and serving for the right reasons and serving something greater than himself and not choosing a real easy path where he could be more comfortable and certainly safer.

ABC News Edited Out Key Parts of Sarah Palin Interview  (http://marklevinshow.com/gibson-interview/)

I think she did well.  Considering they were trying to paint her into an answer.  I mean Gibson pretty much badgered her on several instances.

This is not the first time that Charlie Gibson has done something of this nature. He is well known for changing statistics, facts and editing interviews to reflect that which helps the democrats look better and republicans to look worse.

Yes, Sarah Palin did do quite well in this interview. It is evident that she handled herself well when the entire interview is seen.

Yet that seems to be the thing to do today. Any thing that pertains to issues are not important because they know that they would lose on those. It reminds me of those that try to refute God's word.

Palin on Ahmadinejad: 'He Must Be Stopped'

Governor Palin, the Republican nominee for vice president, was scheduled to speak today at a rally in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza to protest the appearance here of President Ahmadinejad of Iran. Her appearance was canceled by rally organizers who sought a nonpolitical event. Following are the remarks Mrs. Palin would have given:

I am honored to be with you and with leaders from across this great country — leaders from different faiths and political parties united in a single voice of outrage.

Tomorrow, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will come to New York — to the heart of what he calls the Great Satan — and speak freely in this, a country whose demise he has called for.

Ahmadinejad may choose his words carefully, but underneath all of the rhetoric is an agenda that threatens all who seek a safer and freer world. We gather here today to highlight the Iranian dictator's intentions and to call for action to thwart him.

He must be stopped.

The world must awake to the threat this man poses to all of us. Ahmadinejad denies that the Holocaust ever took place. He dreams of being an agent in a "Final Solution" — the elimination of the Jewish people. He has called Israel a "stinking corpse" that is "on its way to annihilation." Such talk cannot be dismissed as the ravings of a madman — not when Iran just this summer tested long-range Shahab-3 missiles capable of striking Tel Aviv, not when the Iranian nuclear program is nearing completion, and not when Iran sponsors terrorists that threaten and kill innocent people around the world.

The Iranian government wants nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran is running at least 3,800 centrifuges and that its uranium enrichment capacity is rapidly improving. According to news reports, U.S. intelligence agencies believe the Iranians may have enough nuclear material to produce a bomb within a year.

The world has condemned these activities. The United Nations Security Council has demanded that Iran suspend its illegal nuclear enrichment activities. It has levied three rounds of sanctions. How has Ahmadinejad responded? With the declaration that the "Iranian nation would not retreat one iota" from its nuclear program.

So, what should we do about this growing threat? First, we must succeed in Iraq. If we fail there, it will jeopardize the democracy the Iraqis have worked so hard to build, and empower the extremists in neighboring Iran. Iran has armed and trained terrorists who have killed our soldiers in Iraq, and it is Iran that would benefit from an American defeat in Iraq.

If we retreat without leaving a stable Iraq, Iran's nuclear ambitions will be bolstered. If Iran acquires nuclear weapons — they could share them tomorrow with the terrorists they finance, arm, and train today. Iranian nuclear weapons would set off a dangerous regional nuclear arms race that would make all of us less safe.

But Iran is not only a regional threat; it threatens the entire world. It is the no. 1 state sponsor of terrorism. It sponsors the world's most vicious terrorist groups, Hamas and Hezbollah. Together, Iran and its terrorists are responsible for the deaths of Americans in Lebanon in the 1980s, in Saudi Arabia in the 1990s, and in Iraq today. They have murdered Iraqis, Lebanese, Palestinians, and other Muslims who have resisted Iran's desire to dominate the region. They have persecuted countless people simply because they are Jewish.

Iran is responsible for attacks not only on Israelis, but on Jews living as far away as Argentina. Anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial are part of Iran's official ideology and murder is part of its official policy. Not even Iranian citizens are safe from their government's threat to those who want to live, work, and worship in peace. Politically-motivated abductions, torture, death by stoning, flogging, and amputations are just some of its state-sanctioned punishments.

It is said that the measure of a country is the treatment of its most vulnerable citizens. By that standard, the Iranian government is both oppressive and barbaric. Under Ahmadinejad's rule, Iranian women are some of the most vulnerable citizens.

If an Iranian woman shows too much hair in public, she risks being beaten or killed.

If she walks down a public street in clothing that violates the state dress code, she could be arrested.

But in the face of this harsh regime, the Iranian women have shown courage. Despite threats to their lives and their families, Iranian women have sought better treatment through the "One Million Signatures Campaign Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws." The authorities have reacted with predictable barbarism. Last year, women's rights activist Delaram Ali was sentenced to 20 lashes and 10 months in prison for committing the crime of "propaganda against the system." After international protests, the judiciary reduced her sentence to "only" 10 lashes and 36 months in prison and then temporarily suspended her sentence. She still faces the threat of imprisonment.

Earlier this year, Senator Clinton said that "Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is in the forefront of that" effort. Senator Clinton argued that part of our response must include stronger sanctions, including the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization. John McCain and I could not agree more.

Senator Clinton understands the nature of this threat and what we must do to confront it. This is an issue that should unite all Americans. Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. Period. And in a single voice, we must be loud enough for the whole world to hear: Stop Iran!

Only by working together, across national, religious, and political differences, can we alter this regime's dangerous behavior. Iran has many vulnerabilities, including a regime weakened by sanctions and a population eager to embrace opportunities with the West. We must increase economic pressure to change Iran's behavior.

Tomorrow, Ahmadinejad will come to New York. On our soil, he will exercise the right of freedom of speech — a right he denies his own people. He will share his hateful agenda with the world. Our task is to focus the world on what can be done to stop him.

We must rally the world to press for truly tough sanctions at the U.N. or with our allies if Iran's allies continue to block action in the U.N. We must start with restrictions on Iran's refined petroleum imports.

We must reduce our dependency on foreign oil to weaken Iran's economic influence.

We must target the regime's assets abroad; bank accounts, investments, and trading partners.

President Ahmadinejad should be held accountable for inciting genocide, a crime under international law.

We must sanction Iran's Central Bank and the Revolutionary Guard Corps — which no one should doubt is a terrorist organization.

Together, we can stop Iran's nuclear program.

Senator McCain has made a solemn commitment that I strongly endorse: Never again will we risk another Holocaust. And this is not a wish, a request, or a plea to Israel's enemies. This is a promise that the United States and Israel will honor, against any enemy who cares to test us. It is John McCain's promise and it is my promise.

Thank you.

Amen. I have seen war up close and personal. I don't like it in the least bit. It is horrible beyond most peoples imagination. I don't want to see it ever again. I also don't want to see what would happen if someone like ImANutJob is allowed to continue in the manner that he is for it will be much worse than any war. It is complete insanity for anyone to think that they can just talk to someone like him and expect it to do any good. While that person is talking he is planning and preparing for the next step to take to destroy anyone that he thinks is against him.

Dems Threaten Anti-Iran Rally Organizers With IRS Attack if They Let Palin Speak

News has emerged that the organizers of that anti-Iran rally that famously got snarled up in Senator Hillary Clinton’s ire at Governor Sarah Palin last week were threatened by New York Democrats with IRS action against their tax-exempt status if they allowed Palin to speak. CBS local NY news reported this little fact and so did NBC but most of the national news has ignored this outrageous threat to use the IRS to silence Governor Palin.

Accusing New York Democrats of using “McCarthyism” to shut Palin down, Democrat Assemblyman Dov Hikind was flabbergasted by the behind the scenes threats against the rally organizers. “It’s an absolute shame that this has happened,” CBS quoted Hikind as saying. “To threaten organizations … to threaten the Conference of Presidents that if you don’t withdraw the invitation to Gov. Palin we’re going to look into your tax exempt status … that’s McCarthyism.”

The charge was that inviting only Palin and not also Democrat VP candidate Joe Biden is somehow a violation of “equal representation of candidates” (As NBC claimed in its report). But, this is not a certainty. After all, the appearance wasn’t a campaign stop nor was it a venue to advertise Palin or engage in presidential politics. Besides, as HotAir notes, of the political speakers that were invited to speak last year, few were Republicans.

The real story here, though, is that Democrats immediately leapt to using the IRS as a weapon against the rally organizers. Along with the attacks on talk radio host Milt Rosenberg it is becoming clear that Democrats are not interested in free speech, but will turn to threats and attacks to get their way to silence dissenting views or opposing party representatives.

It should be remembered that this rally was a pro-Israel rally meant to highlight the oppression and evil of Iran and its president Ahmadinejad. This was NOT a forum for American politics, but a show of support for Israel. Additionally, how is it this organization’s fault that Hillary canceled her appearance? After all, the rally folks did invite Hillary and Palin. It isn’t their fault that Hillary didn’t have the guts to show!

It would seem to me that the news of a political party trying to use the IRS to shut down their opponents would be somewhat newsworthy? Yet, we haven’t heard this story on the national scene at all. Would we have heard about it if it were Republicans trying to use threats of the IRS in such a manner?

What do you think?

That is the kind of statement that these people have been making for some time now not just with this event. Our democrats are moving more rapidly to a communistic government each and every day. I think this action is a better comparison to I'mANutJob, Hugo Chavez or even Hitler than to McCarthyism. At least Senator Joseph McCarthy was attempting to expose communism not support them.

I really Love Sarah Palin, because she is Pro-Life and I Like the Israel Flag is her office and Pin on her lapel.  ;D

Can you believe this.......dog doo!  (Sometimes it's hard being a Christian  ;D)
I don't think a cock fight would be as vicious as watching what the democrats are doing these days!  I think I'm out of words to describe what is going on here.   It's just unbelievable.  I wonder how many recounts the dems are going to want if McCain wins, and I pray God that he does!  They won't settle for Obama losing.  I cannot put it past them to still cheat him into office somehow.  This is a horrifing thought, but it's entirely possible.  We can already see what lengths they are willing to go to.
God help us all and save this nation.  Amen.

Yes, I do believe it completely. It is easy to see that the tactics of Hitler's Brown Shirts is here amongst us.

Experts: Palin's religion misunderstood
 
An unusual video showing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, being blessed by a Kenyan bishop against witchcraft has rattled liberal bloggers and fueled scorn among her detractors, but religious experts say the matter has been blown out of proportion by ignorance and intolerance.

The 2004 video, which began airing on the Internet last week, shows Kenyan Bishop Thomas Muthee calling Palin to the front of a church to lay hands on her and pray to keep her safe from “every form of witchcraft.”

“Make her way, my God. Bring finances her way even for the campaign in the name of Jesus...Use her to turn this nation the other way around,” Muthee said while placing his hands upon Palin. “Talk to God about this woman. We declare, save her from Satan.”

The “witchcraft” line in particular caught the attention of liberal pundits and bloggers. Keith Olbermann, host of MSNBC’s “Countdown,” called the video “terrifying” and said it made the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the much-criticized ex-pastor of Barack Obama, look “pretty mainstream” in comparison.

But religious experts said there was nothing untoward in the video, which they said shows a fairly routine religious ceremony. Misunderstanding over it has grown because of the McCain campaign’s refusal to comment on the video, suggesting that the campaign was on uncomfortable footing with Palin’s religion, the experts said.

Jacob K. Olupana, a religion professor at Harvard, said the campaign appears to have been caught flat- footed when trying to answer questions on Palin’s faith. “I’m not sure they understand it,” he said.

“What you saw was something very basic that happens in a Pentecostal church,” said Anthea Butler, a religion professor at the University of Rochester. “You would see this in any Pentecostal church on any given Sunday.”

But while the practice may not have been unusual for Palin’s faith, the McCain campaign did not push back very hard against media’s coverage of the video, which has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on YouTube and got prime placement on top liberal blogs, including The Huffington Post, Daily Kos and Talking Points Memo. Instead, the campaign has highlighted Palin’s “nondenominational evangelical” beliefs, while rarely mentioning her many years in a Pentecostal church.

“Why can’t the campaign articulate what she is about?” Butler asked. “I don’t think they knew,” she said, or else they were “trying to mask” Palin’s true views.

The McCain campaign has not addressed Muthee or his blessing of Palin and declined to comment on the video for this story.

 

All of this because it's not politically correct to say anything against witchcraft.  ::)

Yeah oh hail the mighty Wiccan's....oh wait...they do not like to be called witches...or at least equated with the common imagery of witches and warlocks....shoe fits sorta thing.

Oh right, ..... like that could ever happen.  At least not with people who know the Truth and dwell in the Truth.

Palin did a great job in the debate. She covered Biden's lies quite well, very boldly and without hesitation. Each time she did Biden would smile and look down at the podium in front of him. He reminded me of a kid that got caught in the cookie jar.

Brothers and Sisters,

I got to see most of the Biden and Palin debate, and to say that I'm PLEASANTLY SURPRISED is an understatement. I thought that Palin won the debate hands down, performed like an OLD PRO, and came off like an HONEST genius. I think some of her previous problems were them trying to make her something that she wasn't. They just needed to let her be herself, and they need to let her be HERSELF from now on. I am more impressed with her than ever and say YEAH!

'Mentoring' for prof who said, 'Undermine Palin'
But university says no policies violated in assignment

Mentoring has been recommended for an English instructor at Metropolitan State College in Denver after he assigned students to assemble criticisms of GOP vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin that "undermine" her.

According to a report in the Rocky Mountain News, Metro State president Stephen Jordan confirmed that instructor Andrew Hallam did not violate college policies in assigning an essay on Palin.

But the college said in a prepared statement, "The investigation concluded that Hallam must learn to curb the use of vulgar language in class, and that the introduction of controversial topics must have a substantial relationship with the subject of the class."

"While discipline is not warranted, appropriate mentoring is recommended," the report said.

College spokeswoman Cathy Lucas said Hallam, 36, will be assigned another faculty member who will serve as his mentor for the rest of the semester.

The newspaper also said Lucas confirmed the college would add an all-day session on the subject of maintaining political balance in classes to orientation programs for faculty members, both part-time and tenure track.

Several students had complained about the apparent bias in the classroom.

"This so-called 'assignment' represents indoctrination in its purist form," said Matt Barber, director of Cultural Affairs with Liberty Counsel, whose sister, Janna, is taking the class.

The instructor also, according to students, has been harshly critical of President Bush during his classroom English presentations. He reportedly has allowed students who identify themselves as "liberal" to deride and ridicule those who identify themselves as "conservative" or Republican.

"So much for critical thinking. What's happening in that classroom represents a microcosm for what's happening with the angry left around the country," Barber told WND at the time. "The visceral and even abusive reaction Hallam and some of his students are having against Sarah Palin and Republican students in the class is occurring on a much larger scale among left-wing elitists throughout the media, academia and the larger Democratic Party."

Hallam's assignment about the Republican National Convention said: "Arguably, the entire event was designed to present Sarah Palin in an idealized – indeed, as if her life is like a fairy tale in which America could be included if she is voted into office with John McCain. Note her body language, facial expressions, the way she dressed, what she said and who she pointed out or talked about in her speech. How do these elements form a 'fairy tale' image about Sarah Palin as a person and as a politician that the Republican Party may wish its members and the American public to believe? How may the story 'Sleeping Beauty' and/or Tanith Lee's 'Awake' be used to compare the image of Palin with fairy tales, especially as they portray women, their behavior, and their lives?"

The students also had documented a series of incidents in which Hallam reportedly told his class, "Bush-bashing is one of my favorite things to do."

In another class, the students report, Hallam said he loved swearing and the f-word was his favorite word.

"He used the f-word a few more times that day," they reported.

Well now.  That's a "positive".

 ;D   ;D

I'm hoping that the mentor is an English teacher. Something should be done to make this man at least appear to be more intelligent. However, this would be assuming that they have an intelligent English teacher capable of speaking in a manner appropriate for a learning environment. Maybe this is asking for or expecting too much.

Ooooooophs! - Never mind! - He's supposed to already be an English teacher.

Palin breaks silence on border debate
'There is no way that in the U.S. we would round up every illegal immigrant'

Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin has finally broken the silence in the immigration debate.

In a Spanish-television network interview aired Oct. 21 on Univision's "Aquí y Ahora" (Right Here and Now), reporter Jorge Ramos asked Palin if she thinks all illegal aliens should be deported.

"There is no way that in the U.S. we would round up every illegal immigrant," she replied. "There are about 12 million of the illegal immigrants – not only economically is that just an impossibility, but that's not a humane way anyway to deal with the issue that we face with illegal immigration."

Ramos asked Palin if she favored amnesty for 12 to 13 million illegals.

"No, I do not. I do not," she said. "Not total amnesty. You know, people have got to follow the rules. They've got to follow the bar, and we have got to make sure that there is equal opportunity and those who are here legally should be first in line for services being provided and those opportunities that this great country provides."

Palin told Ramos she supports a path to citizenship for illegal aliens and that she believes they should follow the rules in this country.

"I understand why people would want to be in America," she said. "To seek the safety and prosperity, the opportunities, the health that is here."

Palin explained her strategy to win the Hispanic vote.

"I will tell you, I wish that there were more hours in the day so that we can get out there and to more of the communities with such the strong Latino vote that is out there and really tell them that we desire to work for them," she said. "We are asking them to hire us and let us work for them."