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McCain picks Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for VP

Posted 29 Aug 2008 in 2008 election, John McCain, Sarah Palin

sarahpalinI’m stoked that John McCain has picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate!

Palin, 44, is the second woman to be picked as vice presidential candidate and the first in the Republican Party. She is widely popular in her home state, with approval ratings hovering above 80% since she took office in 2006.

Like McCain, Palin has developed a reputation as a political maverick who doesn’t always toe the party line. As governor, she’s pushed ethics reform and challenged the old guard of Alaska’s long-dominant Republican Party, earning the ire of GOP elders but support from most voters.

“A maverick with a record of reform picks a maverick with a record of reform,” an official in the McCain campaign said. “John McCain is putting Washington on notice that there is a shakeup coming”

The internet is buzzing this morning over the trivial “she came in second place at the 1984 Miss Alaska pageant.” Personally, I don’t care about that (but a Midweek Peek, perhaps?). I want to know if she’s a solid conservative and from what I’ve read so far, that seems to be the case. Just a few highlights:

Palin made her name in part by backing tough ethical standards for politicians.
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Palin has focused on energy and natural resources policy during her short stint in office, and she is known for her support of drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.
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Palin chairs the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a multistate panel “that promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment,” the biography says.
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She is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and takes part in two of Alaska’s popular pastimes — fishing and hunting.
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The biography touts her other achievements as governor as the investment of $5 billion in state savings, overhaul of educational funding and implementation of a program to help low-income elderly Alaskans.

It should probably come as no surprise, but it looks like Gov. Palin already has far more legislative experience and accomplishments than Barack Obama.

And from the perspective of beating the Democrats at their own game of identity politics, she’s a smart choice. There’s no doubt more than a few disenfranchised Hillary voters that will give McCain serious consideration now.

Posted by FullMetalPatriot
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT

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