My thoughts on Sarah Palin
In a nutshell: I like her, but not nearly enough to make me vote for McCain. She has a much more pro-freedom view than McCain, but she still has a lot of blind spots.
Experience
I’m a little wary of her lack of experience (just as I am wary of Obama’s even more pronounced lack of experience). Experience is a tricky thing. Not enough, and you’ll be out of your depth. Too much, and you run the risk of being corrupted by the political system.
Maverick-ness
I like that she’s independent, and isn’t afraid to tell Republicans to buzz off when she thinks they’re wrong. I’m encouraged that she’s willing to work with Democrats and Independents towards common political goals.
Bridge to Nowhere
Not good. She supported it. And then there was national outcry, and she switched sides. Good to end up on the right side, but bad to only do so because of national pressure.
Family Life
I couldn’t care less about her daughter’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy. It simply doesn’t matter. Why are we talking about this?
Abstinence-only Sex Education
Palin supports it. Abstinence-only sex education is a really malicious idea. “I don’t think you should have sex, and even though I know you’re likely to do it anyway, I’m going to withhold information from you that might prevent some of its potentially life-altering consequences.” I don’t think the government should be in the business of education in the first place, but if it is going to be, it shouldn’t be withholding information based on a fairy tale of how we expect teenagers to behave.
Teaching Creationism in Science Class
Palin sent mixed messages here. First:
“I am a proponent of teaching both.”
Sarah Palin
Then later, in an attempt to “clarify”:
Palin said she meant only to say that discussion of alternative views should be allowed to arise in Alaska classrooms:
“I don’t think there should be a prohibition against debate if it comes up in class. It doesn’t have to be part of the curriculum.”
She added that, if elected, she would not push the state Board of Education to add such creation-based alternatives to the state’s required curriculum.
Members of the state school board, which sets minimum requirements, are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature.
“I won’t have religion as a litmus test, or anybody’s personal opinion on evolution or creationism,” Palin said.
I’m okay with that clarification. It would be better if she said that Creationism belongs in a class about religion or philosophy, and has no part of any science class, but I’ll settle for a neutral position.
War
I support President Bush’s efforts to stop terrorism by taking the fight to the terrorists. In the Iraq war, I would like to see the president develop an exit strategy to get our troops home.
A nice, safe, Republican position. I would like to hear more about that “exit strategy.” I was thinking that we could use Humvees to get the soldiers to planes, and then use planes to fly the soldiers out. But I’m open to suggestions. Maybe some armor-plated Segways?
Guns
She likes guns. I like guns. On this, we can agree.
Her Gender
I don’t think gender should be an issue itself, but I don’t think that any downsides related to her gender should be imagined away. Out: “We can’t have a woman president!” Okay: “Will her duties as a mother restrict her ability to perform the duties of her office?”
I think she can handle it, but I don’t blame anyone for bringing up the question.
Drugs
She has smoked marijuana (and inhaled!), but supports its prohibition. Maybe she can start off her term by voluntarily jailing herself for such a horrible crime against… wait, who was harmed by her marijuana use?
Anything else?
Any other bullet points to address?
No doubt she is a fair lady… I don’t have her ideas and I still get astonished every time I see how the American electorate is different from the European counterpart. Perhaps politicians with her ideas would get a 2-3% here.
Great list.
Palin seems to exude a powerful individualist/frontier/self-sufficiency vibe. It is an incredibly attractive quality in a candidate.
She personally pushed me over the hump. I plan on supporting the McCain/Palin ticket. Nevertheless, it is a shame that McCain is the top of the ticket.
You’re not the first one I’ve heard say that. I think she’s a net benefit to McCain’s campaign.
Agreed.
Tonight, we (conservatives) will be excited as she speaks to the convention.
Tomorrow, we will again be reminded that we have to vote for McCain on the top of the ticket.
Heh.
Chalk me up as another undecided independent voter pushed over to the McCain side by Palin. She seems genuinely honest, normal, and decent. I do confess that I wish she was at the top of the ticket.
I’m at best lukewarm about McCain…both he and Obama are too elite for my liking.
“Maverick-ness”
No. That’s because Bush was so wrong that any Republican candidate will have to be watchful of the negative associations with Bush.
“Teaching Creationism in Science Class”
Forget about it, I am converting to Buddhism!
“War in Iraq”
Bush was intending to hunt down terrorists and destroy WMD in Iraq? What a laughing matter. The war in Iraq has become the biggest recruitment campaign for international terrorism.
“Anything else?”
She can be pretty and talky, but she is still a Republican following Bush’s trail to a dead end.
Stupak/Palin or bust! Otherwise it’s Stupak only, and No on Prop. 2 in Mich.
We couldn’t care less about her daughter’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy. It simply doesn’t matter.
I thout that I still get astonished every time I see how the American electorate is different from the European counterpart. Maybe politicians with her ideas would get about 3% there.
In case you still feel that way, here is a recent account of her at work: http://www.andrewhalcro.com/a_day_in_the_life