Why Sarah Palin?

As we go into the second of four possible VP choices I have chosen to highlight Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Elected in 2006 Sarah Palin is the first woman, and the youngest person at 44 years of age, to hold the office of governor in Alaska. Nicknamed "Sarah Barracuda" while she was leading her High School basketball team to the State title. She has gone after corrupt politicans on both sides, supports drilling in ANWR and drilling off-shore, is a strong fiscal conservative, and a devout Christian. She currently has around a 90% approval rating. Let's start with looking at how she has attacked corrpution in her state.

Governor Palin has passed ethics reforms in her state and is ethical to the point where it almost cost her a political career. She is refered to as, "A crusading corruption buster". She has gone after corrupt Republicans as well as Democrats in Alaska. "The landscape is littered with the bodies of those who crossed Sarah," says pollster Dave Dittman, who worked for her gubernatorial campaign. It includes Ruedrich, Renkes, Murkowski, gubernatorial contenders John Binkley and Andrew Halcro, the three big oil companies in Alaska, and a section of the Daily News called "Voice of the Times," which was highly critical of Palin and is now defunct." (Hard to sell papers critizing someone with a 90% approval rating.) It is now a crime in Alaska for public servants not to report bribery that they know about. http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/851orcjq.asp?pg=1

Another issue where she would be a plus is on Coastal drilling as well as drilling in ANWR. With high energy prices and American's screaming for congress to act Palin will help highlight one of Obama's biggest weaknesses. Also being from Alaska Americans may be more interested in her opinion about drilling there than they would a politican who may have visited once or twice in their lifetime.

Governor Palin also has a record has a strong fiscal conservative. She believes that people can handle their money better than government, an overriding conservative principle. Palin cut property taxes while at the same time increasing services as a Council Member/Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. As Governer She has vetoed 1/3 of earmarks put into legislation, including several put in by Republicans. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/vassilaros/s_517252.htmlGovernor

Palin is a devout Christian. This can only help McCain with the social conservative base of the party. Who, for whatever reasons, do not believe he shares their values. Palin is pro-life and believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman. However she failed to sign a bill outlawing Gay Marriage due to the fact the Alaskan Supreme Court had said the law would be unconstitutional. She refers to her State Constitution as "my bible in governing."

Let's see did I forget anything why else would this young woman be a good pick for VP. That's right, because she's a young woman. Having a energetic young woman on the ticket would help McCain with the women's vote and Palin could also do a great job on energizing the base. Also with a nickname like "Sarah Barracuda" you have to believe she could fill out the traditional role of the VP has an attack dog very well. I would not want to be on the other side of a debate with her.http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/06/the_vp_case_for_gov_sarah_pali.html