Palin to try to score high national approval
Focus
Channing Barker
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: Opinion
Who is Gov. Sarah Palin, and what makes her a good choice for Sen. John McCain?
Before Palin was announced as a vice-presidential candidate, she had to work her way up the ladder in politics. Palin earned experience by serving two terms on the Wasilla City Council. Wasilla, Alaska, the town where Palin graduated high school, is one of the three cities in which Palin has lived. She has also lived in Skagway and Eagle River.
After serving on the City Council, Palin served two terms as mayor of Wasilla. This time as mayor allowed for change, and Palin delivered reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business-friendly environment, which brought in new industry.
To add to her resumé, Palin was elected to serve as president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. Here she was given the opportunity to work on a political level to help solve Alaskan communities' problems.
Many politicians think McCain picked Palin to end the U.S. oil crisis. This might be true if the U.S. begins drilling in Alaska. This issue clearly is important to Palin - she served as chair of the Alaska Conservation Commission, where she regulated Alaska's most nonrenewable resources: oil and gas.
Regarding other issues, Palin extremely opposes abortion - even in the case of rape - and only finds abortion acceptable if the mother's life were expected to end as a result of the pregnancy.
And Palin's view of gun control sounds the same as the views of many Texans: "I am proud to join the state of Texas in support of the Second Amendment. We need to send a strong message that law-abiding citizens have a right to own firearms, for personal protection, for hunting and for any other lawful purpose."
Because of her beliefs and attitude, the majority of Alaskan residents have, no doubt, embraced Palin.
But why did McCain choose her? Why not Rudy Giuliani or Mike Huckabee?
Huckabee should have been the choice. Huckabee - being as openly conservative as he is - would have helped McCain, who has been accused of being too liberal for the Republican Party.
Palin, though, might draw some liberal voters who wanted to see a woman - Sen. Hillary Clinton - in the White House.
Also, Palin will attract a group of undecided voters with her all-around good taste. She has allowed Democrats, Republicans and Independents to work together to accomplish certain goals - something Obama and McCain are talking about.
Palin has enjoyed an 80 percent approval rating as governor of Alaska, which is pretty good for a young governor. However, she hasn't had all that much time to mess up her approval rating, either - she's only been a governor for 20 months.
We'll just have to wait and see if the American people agree with the residents of Alaska.
Channing Barker is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Wednesday.
Before Palin was announced as a vice-presidential candidate, she had to work her way up the ladder in politics. Palin earned experience by serving two terms on the Wasilla City Council. Wasilla, Alaska, the town where Palin graduated high school, is one of the three cities in which Palin has lived. She has also lived in Skagway and Eagle River.
After serving on the City Council, Palin served two terms as mayor of Wasilla. This time as mayor allowed for change, and Palin delivered reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business-friendly environment, which brought in new industry.
To add to her resumé, Palin was elected to serve as president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. Here she was given the opportunity to work on a political level to help solve Alaskan communities' problems.
Many politicians think McCain picked Palin to end the U.S. oil crisis. This might be true if the U.S. begins drilling in Alaska. This issue clearly is important to Palin - she served as chair of the Alaska Conservation Commission, where she regulated Alaska's most nonrenewable resources: oil and gas.
Regarding other issues, Palin extremely opposes abortion - even in the case of rape - and only finds abortion acceptable if the mother's life were expected to end as a result of the pregnancy.
And Palin's view of gun control sounds the same as the views of many Texans: "I am proud to join the state of Texas in support of the Second Amendment. We need to send a strong message that law-abiding citizens have a right to own firearms, for personal protection, for hunting and for any other lawful purpose."
Because of her beliefs and attitude, the majority of Alaskan residents have, no doubt, embraced Palin.
But why did McCain choose her? Why not Rudy Giuliani or Mike Huckabee?
Huckabee should have been the choice. Huckabee - being as openly conservative as he is - would have helped McCain, who has been accused of being too liberal for the Republican Party.
Palin, though, might draw some liberal voters who wanted to see a woman - Sen. Hillary Clinton - in the White House.
Also, Palin will attract a group of undecided voters with her all-around good taste. She has allowed Democrats, Republicans and Independents to work together to accomplish certain goals - something Obama and McCain are talking about.
Palin has enjoyed an 80 percent approval rating as governor of Alaska, which is pretty good for a young governor. However, she hasn't had all that much time to mess up her approval rating, either - she's only been a governor for 20 months.
We'll just have to wait and see if the American people agree with the residents of Alaska.
Channing Barker is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Wednesday.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 11
nrobyar
Linda Rayborn
posted 9/17/08 @ 10:18 AM CST
I agree that Mike Huckabee should have been McCain's vp pick. He had everything McCain needed to balance the ticket plus the added EXPERIENCE and clear leadership strength for that ticket. (Continued…)
Lynn Morris
posted 9/17/08 @ 12:28 PM CST
I'm a conservative woman. I supported Huckabee in the primaries. I voted for and donated (for the first time ever) to his campaign. I really wanted Huckabee as the presidential nominee: I cried when he dropped out. (Continued…)
Mrs. P
posted 9/17/08 @ 7:34 PM CST
Huckabee would have been best, but Palin was my second choice.
McCain/Palin '08!
Palin/Huckabee '16!
Ted M.
posted 9/17/08 @ 11:33 PM CST
I thought Huckabee would have been the best pick for VP as well, but Palin is a pretty good chose too!
Totally Weak Writer
posted 9/18/08 @ 5:31 PM CST
This article was on par with the Biden article, poorly written, under-researched, and no supporting details to back up any opinion.
One sentence says Huckabee would have been better. (Continued…)
Carla Brewer
posted 9/18/08 @ 11:48 PM CST
Sarah Palin popular? Her last rally in her home state only drew 1,000 attendees, while the anti-Palin supporters numbered over 1,500. Go figure.
DFCSTech
posted 9/19/08 @ 10:33 PM CST
I'm a huge Huckabee fan. I'm glad that McCain listened to his base and picked someone that we could get behind. Huckabee may not have preferred not taking the job, if it wasn't necessary. (Continued…)
Natural Cures
posted 9/21/08 @ 5:58 PM CST
You mentioned how Palin was chair of the Alaska Conservation Commitee. But she was up against some corrupt officials and she resigned to show her disgust with them. (Continued…)
nrobyar
nrobyar
posted 9/21/08 @ 6:18 PM CST
Mike Huckabee is employed at Fox News. He is a political analyst and he is starring in his own political show starting next month! He speaks both nationally and internationally and he is campaigning for McCain and other conservative state candidates. (Continued…)
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