In an interesting move earlier today, John McCain introduced his 2008 Vice Presidential nominee, Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin. As a registered Republican, I am deeply surprised at this decision, but am anxious to learn more about Palin.
To be honest, this is something I would have expected from my home state senator Barry Obama. After all a rockstar guitarist needs a bassist sidekick. In Obama’s case, my youthful senator has chosen something of a Rolling Stones Keith Richards. Joe Biden a political insider addicted Washington instead of coke.
Biden is to Obama, as Richards is to Jagger
On the Republican side, I’m not quite sure just what to make of this yet. Though I must admit, there is no denying even from a strong conservative standpoint, not to say this wasn’t a direct blow to Obama. Obama preaches the message of “new politics” (from a Washington to more Chicagoan politics) but chooses an “old politics” kind of guy in Biden. While McCain who’s been around the block chooses a women literally as far away from Washington as you can get.
I think to the vast majority of Republicans this is an interesting move. It takes a fairly moderate right-winger and shifts him a little further to the right with a firm conservative women. While Palin is new(er) to primetime politics she has had an interesting political history.
Running in 2006 for the executive office of Alaska on a “clean government” base, Palin ran against an defeated a member of her own party, corrupt 1 term Republican incumbent Frank Murkowski. While in office her most notable action was the passage of the Ethics Bill and opposition to wasteful economic spending on special interests project such as the infamous Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) project, Alaska’s “bridge to nowhere” (which Obama supported).
On the same issue, Palin had this to say (via CNN)
” Gov. Sarah Palin said Friday the project was $329 million short of full funding.
We will continue to look for options for Ketchikan to allow better access to the island,” the Republican governor said. “The concentration is not going to be on a $400 million bridge.”
Palin directed state transportation officials to find the most “fiscally responsible” alternative for access to the airport. She said the best option would be to upgrade the ferry system.”
Later the project was canceled after a House committee blocked funding for the project.
More recently Gov. Palin has opened up on the flak cannons, calling for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) to cooperate and disclose all malicious financial dealings since the beginning of his political career, indictment, and investigation (via AP, USA Today).
“During her first year in office, Palin distanced herself from the old guard, powerful Republicans in the state GOP, even calling on tightlipped, veteran U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens to explain to Alaskans why he was being investigated by federal authorities.”
When it comes popularity she was 2007’s most popular governor with an approval percentage of about 90% (via The Weekly Standard), and dropped slightly to just above 80% in 2008.
When it comes to more meaty matters, those of national interest such as energy Palin is not afraid to take risks, even within her own party. In 2004 Palin resigned as head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission after complaining to the office of Governor Frank Murkowski and to state Attorney General Gregg Renkes about ethical violations by another commissioner, Randy Ruedrich, who was also Republican state chairman (The Weekly Standard). Palin has also strongly promoted oil resource development and conservation in Alaska (even in ANWR), but also helped pass a tax increase on oil company profits.
On abortion, all I can say is Palin is very pro-Life. I personally find this to be more a personal moral issue, in which there is little persuasion to converting others points of views to yours on the issue. So decide for yourself.
When it comes to the Economy there is no doubt, she is a fiscal conservative who will hunt down and eliminate wasteful spending. Selling the private leer jet of former Gov. Frank Murkowski for $2.1 million on eBay (via NY Times). Reversing Murkowski’s decision Palin canceled a contract for the construction of an 11-mile (18-kilometer) gravel road outside Juneau to a mine (via KTUU, Alaskan NBC Station).
At first glance, the selection of Palin has quite a sparkling shimmer but I think it is still early to make a final decision, but then again this is just for VP after all.
