Monday, September 1, 2008

Alaska Girls ROCK!

I've contemplated writing this post since the big announcement last Friday about Gov. Sarah Palin being selected as the running mate to presidential candidate John McCain. To be honest, I hesitated for a couple of reasons.

1). I really don't know very much about her, although I voted for her (absentee, of course).

2). I hate for the readers of our blog to be force fed my political views.

But my friend Emily and my husband have both encouraged me to share my thoughts so I'm going to. I should also mention that Scribbit posted about Gov. Palin last week and had a great discussion in her comments... from BOTH sides of the issue.

I know that Gov. Palin has spent almost all of her life in small town Alaska. She was a typical "hockey mom" (which is what we call soccer moms in Alaska) and decided to get involved in the PTO. From there, she was elected to serve on the Wasilla city council. She was elected Mayor of Wasilla. She was appointed to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after her terms on the city council, where she chaired the Commission from 2003 to 2004, and also served as Ethics Supervisor. She resigned in protest over what she called the "lack of ethics" of fellow Republican members. She became Alaska's first woman, and youngest Governor, in 2006 soundly defeating an extremely popular Tony Knowles.

I like a lot about her. She is no-nonsense. She gets things done. She fights frivolous spending in government. She is well spoken. She is the mother of an enlisted Army soldier. She opposed same-sex marriage. She is a life-long member of the NRA, but also strongly supports gun-safety education for children. She is pro-life, in word AND in action. When she and her husband discovered that her youngest child would be born with Down's Syndrome, they welcomed him with love into their family. Her husband, a commercial fisherman who also is a foreman on the North Slope, stays home to care for their family.

The only mar I can find, is that she controversially fired a Public Safety Commissioner after some people allege he refused to fire her sister's husband (who was a state trooper) for using his issued taser on his 11-year old child. Hm.

So there you have it. She's an Alaska girl, and she rocks. I don't really know if she will help John McCain in the long run, but I know she makes my ballot choice a little easier to swallow.


I hope we can all still be friends.:-)

18 comments:

Emily N. said...

Thanks for your thoughts! I was kind of shocked by the announcement last week because she seems like such an unknown, but McCain always does like to take a gamble. We shall see what transpires...

Our Complete Family said...

Of course we can still be blogland friends :) You crack me up! I think it's wonderful to see women in politics~ GO GIRLS, right?!? Your new header is adorable, too. September is here!!!

Montay said...

OKay Amber here goes and let me say yeah we can still be blogging buddies .

WHAT THE &*^%!!! Was he thinking. Yes I love what the girl stands for and all but, Obama had a good point as much as I hate to say that! This "girl" has no foreign affairs experience. And well McCain is not a young chap he could kill over and we would be left with a person with very little political experience as our President!! Yikes

Shannon said...

Yay! I am not the only conservative on the web ;)
I am very excited about Sarah Palin and think she is a great partner for McCain!
I didn't know a whole lot about her when they made the announcement but ending the "Bridge to Nowhere..." was a pretty big accomplishment I thought...

condiefamily said...

You are my organizational hero and Palin is my political hero. I have a new motivation to vote now. She is the perfect choice!

Leenz said...

She may not be well known, but she has spent more time in elected office than BARACK OBAMA.
Thanks for your post, she is an inspiring woman!

Cammy Aller said...

Just want to say I love HER!! Im totally happy with John M pick. I think everyone will get to see what she can do once the debates start. I cant wait and Im very excited about the VP choice.

Scribbit said...

It cracks me up when people like Montay say she has no experience, she's been working with the big oil companies and foreign governments for this natural gas pipeline and probably has more foreign experience than any other sitting governor--Mr. Romney included. She's been in an executive position where none of the other candidates have and frankly I'm thrilled she's had no part of life in the beltway (Washington). I've lived there--it's not a nice place and is full of who you know politics and big-headedness over where you went to school and how high you are in the government. Give me someone who is actually a real person and I'll vote for them any time.

Gets me all riled up, people saying she has no experience. That's the mantra of the Obama camp which is hypocrisy personified.

Sherri said...

I adore your blog... I found you through a friend's blog and now I can't stop reading. I feel like "my cup runneth over" today from having learned so much from you... thanks for letting me view.

Holly Ogden said...

I was wondering if you were going to share your thoughts on this hot topic. I too am very excited to see what this woman can do. I think she sounds awesome!

Garrett Gang said...

Love It!!!!! THANK YOU for sharing!

BeckyRuss said...

I like her a lot and think she'll be great as the VP. I am kind of sad to hear about her daughter being pregnant. How embarrassing for the daughter to be thrust in the spotlight while in the thick of pregnancy. I think the whole situation in that regard is sad--but she seems like a wonderful person--I still think Mitt Romney should've been the pick though--just my opinion.

Eloise said...

I am so glad to read your thoughts on Sarah Palin, Amber. You're the only Alaskan I *know* and I was curious what you thought of her. I respect and value your opinions. Thanks!

Sonja said...

Amen, Scribbit.

I totally agree with you Amber, she makes the whole thing a little easier for me to swallow.

My favorable personal feelings for Pallin aside, I'm still in awe over the strategical brilliance McCain showed in her nomination.

Big Toe Mom said...

i like her too. and she seems so very REAL and normal... ( whatever that is)
thanks for sharing.

the dahle family said...

Glad you were willing to share your thoughts. Love Scribbit's comments also. It was fun being in AK last week when the announcement was made and to witness all the excitement up there. Katie

Anonymous said...

I too am soooo glad McCain picked her, thanks for sharing!

Liz

TheReader23 said...

I loved reading your comments especially since you know first hand what she's done. And I agree with Scribbit in loving the fact that she's not part of the "Washington elite" or the old boys' network. Perhaps we'll finally get someone in Washington who comes to us with no political baggage so to speak and doesn't owe anyone anything.