Pageant Girl for Vice Prez
Friday, August 29, 2008
John McCain announced his pick for VP--Alaska Governor and mother of five, Sarah Palin. But who is she?
Sarah Palin, first female governor of Alaska, is the Republican party's newest rising star. At just 44 years old, she is married to husband Todd--a fisherman of Native American descent--and like some of us, she manages to balance work and motherhood-- being mom to five kids. Her youngest, a newborn named Trig, who was born with Down syndrome.
Sarah grew up in Wasilla, just outside of Anchorage, played basketball and wore the crown of Miss Wasilla--and in 1984, went on to compete in the Miss Alaska competition. She's also reported to eat moose hamburgers, likes to ice fish and ride snowmobiles and owns a float plane--now that's one versatile broad.
Palin was elected Mayor of Wasilla at age 32, after dabbling in a professional career as a television sports reporter and marrying her husband. Party leaders encouraged her to enter the 2002 race for lieutenant governor and-- competing against veterans with much more experience--she finished second by fewer than 2,000 votes. She became governor of her state in December '06.
But where does she stand on the issues? Click here for PAGE 2.
Email14 comments so far | Post a comment now >>
Wow…I have no idea how the mother of 5, including a special needs infant, is going to be able to focus on the pressures of a VP job. Good luck, lady!
- shanna
As a mom, I can’t think about focusing so much on work .. especially with a 4 month old with Down’s at home? Shouldn’t she be focusing on her kids?
- Anonymous
Why can’t a mother work outside the home? So many people are just so close minded on what a “mom” is. My mom worked when she had to, and mom’s should be allowed to work when they want to also. Get out of the 1950s. It will be great for the country to have both a male and female perspective from the top.
- Charles
“Pageant girl”? “Broad”? Oh, my. I am beginning to question your editorial values, Website For Thinking Moms. Charles, indeed. It seems that, no matter what her politics, whenever a woman even has the potential to become really powerful, somebody trots out the old “shouldn’t she be focusing on her kids?” argument. What about all the fathers who have been POTUS or VPOTUS? Shouldn’t they have been focusing on their kids? Sheesh.
- SKE
I think the pick is great and they definatly will get my vote in November!! :0)
- Lee
I am so excited about Palin. She is exactly what Washington needs. Obviously by the success of her children she knows how to manage her home and work life!
- Paula
You forgot to add that she is against a woman’s right to choose even in cases of rape, incest, and risk to the mother. She is against listing the polar bear on the endangered species list because it will impede on oil drilling and is even sueing the government over it. She believes in teaching creationism in public schools. She doesn’t believe in global warming. And she’s being investigated for ethics violations for firing a safety commisioner because he refused to fire her ex brother-in-law. She doesn’t sound like someone I would want helping run the country.
- Diana
I think McCain is choosing her for political reasons rather than whats best for the country. He could have chosen many other highly qualified women. He has only met her once before choosing her as VP. If he is always saying that Obama is not experienced enough, why does he think she is. On the mother aspect, I think it is ok to be a working mother, however I dont think it is ok to put work before your children. She went to work 3 days after having her son, meaning after she got out of the hospital she went to work. Also she got on a plane during her 8th month of pregnancy because she HAD to give this speech in Texas. She does not agree with a woman’s right to choose, but does not make smart decisions herself when it comes to her children. I think she is letting her other children raise she child which is sad. If I was Cindy, I would watch him around her because she cheated on his previous wife with Cindy, whos to say he wont do it again.
- Marquita
There is not currently enough information out there about Governor Palin, but, as an Alaskan myself, I can tell you that she is the BEST person for Washington. She is a woman that makes things happen for the good in Alaska and I’m sure she will be just as effective as Vice President. Yes there is an ongoing investigation but let’s not forget about the crooked (Rezko)& Anti-American (Rev. Wright)people that Obama is involve with. Below I’ve copied some information from our state’s website. Please read it and feel free to visit our state’s site as well http://gov.state.ak.us/bio.html for more information. “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 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 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.” oh… and one more thing… Just because a woman has a child with special needs doesn’t mean that she needs to be a stay at home mom. I’m sure as Vice President Gov. Sarah Palin will have all the resources she needs for help. Besides, a mom with a special needs child is just what we need in the WhiteHouse…maybe she will help us get better special education programs for all children.
- Alaskan Mom
Hillary Clinton didn’t put 18 million cracks in that glass ceiling for a former beauty queen with no interest in women’s issues, environmental or social issues to be the first nominee.
- Anonymous
I tried to add this earlier and it didn’t work so I’ll try again… Sarah Palin is the best choice for VP. She is an ethical upstanding Governor for the Great State of Alaska & she has made many positive changes for our state. Below is section from our state website about just some of her accomplishments. Please take the time to read it and visit our state website. http://gov.state.ak.us/bio.html “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 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 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, 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.” I would also like to add that just because a parent has a child with special needs doesn’t mean that she/he should become a stay at home mom/dad. Would you have this opinion if Joe Biden had a child with special needs? A person with a child who has special needs is exactly who we need in Washington. Maybe she will help get better special education in public schools for all kids that need it not just those
- Alaskan Mom
twice I’ve attempted to put information here on Governor Sarah Palin and her accomplishments in Alaska and not one of my comments are here…. what’s up with that? seems a little suspicious to me…
- ak mom
Here is a link to information on AK Gov. Sarah Palin http://gov.state.ak.us/bio.html Before deciding who to vote for please take the time to learn all that she has accomplished in Alaska.
- ak mom
As for me I’m not supporting any companies that advertise on the channels that gave Sarah an unfair rough time during the campaign!
- Rob
