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A First For Women Republicans In Washington

SS Member Image By drodriguez 09.03.08
A First For Women Republicans In Washington
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A few days ago Senator John McCain did something no other Republican presidential nominee has ever done before in the history of the party:  he chose a woman as his vice presidential running mate.  The news of Governor Sarah Palin’s nomination surprised many people following the campaign around the country.  Now, everyone knows the name Sarah Palin and everyone wants to know just who she is.

 

After a quick look at Sarah Palin’s resume one thing is clear: she has become accustomed to breaking barriers throughout her short career.  In 2006 at the age of 42, Palin became Alaska’s first woman governor as well as the youngest governor in Alaskan history.  She was also the first governor to have her inauguration ceremony outside of Juneau as she chose to have it held in Fairbanks instead. 

 

A look into her personal life and history reveals a personality that we don’t think of when we think of politics as usual in Washington.  From former beauty queen runner up to a seasoned moose hunter to mother of five, Palin does not easily fit into any mold.  Her political career began 16 years ago when she joined her local city council.  And from there, she later became mayor of a small town called Wasilla. 

 

Her lack of experience in the political arena is an issue for some who wonder if she is ready to handle a vice presidency.  But others are more optimistic.  June Radintz, a retired nurse and Republican, commented to the Boston Globe regarding Palin’s nomination, “If she is what she says she is, it’d be wonderful.  It sounds like she doesn’t go with the flow.  I’m tired of the same old rhetoric.  She’s refreshing.”

 

As news pours into the media regarding Gov. Palin’s political history, we are also hearing quite a bit about her family and personal life.  MSNBC recently reported about a statement made by the campaign informing the public that Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter is currently 5 months pregnant and planning to marry the baby’s father.  Aides from the campaign said that making the pregnancy public was aimed at quelling internet rumors that Sarah Palin’s infant son is actually her daughter’s. 

 

What do you think of Sen. John McCain choosing Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate?

 

Will this change the way you vote come November?

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  • kenzie45230 By kenzie45230
    10.21.08  

    Governor Palin is fantastic. She's just the kind of woman we've been wanting to see succeed in politics. She's balanced home and career. She's been successful in business and in politics. Those folks in Alaska love her. What politician has an approval rating over 85%? None.

    Tomorrow my hubby and I will be attending a McCain/Palin rally and I'm excited. This is not politics as usual. She's a breath of fresh air, as McCain says.

  • cupid9936 By cupid9936
    10.18.08  

    Palin is a "joke" of a candidate for Vice President of The United States.

    John McCains Skeleton Closet:

    http://www.realchange.org/mccain.htm

    NO SPAM POLITICS *** NO McCAIN-PALIN

  • meowmix By meowmix
    10.14.08  

    I think a woman in the white house would be able to multitask much better than a man, and be able to win over congres to her issues much better since we know how to get our points across better. McCain has no chance wo Palin as he is too dull. NONE of them are up front with us and it is hard to GUESS who would live up to their promises--there is no guaretee that congress would work with them, repub or democrat.

  • Momwithpower By Momwithpower
    10.13.08  

    I can't believe what I hear. I am a republican and yes I am not sure about Sara, but I am not sure about Obama either. This man tells us he can change everything as McCain says also but we should not forget that its really Congress who will pass these bills and not the President like he or she can do a lot, without the Congress and Senate. Sara Palin, well yes she may be green but no one is giving her a chance to prove herself. As soon as she was nominated she was put down by all the news media and they did the same with Mrs Clinton. Get a grip, they are afraid of women who are in charge cause I think the old boys network are afraid that the women would do a better job.

  • meowmix By meowmix
    10.11.08  

    This whole election is kind of scary! Can't trust anyone from the town banker to the pres. My take is why blame Bush and republican party for 4 years of a democratic congress blocking his ideas and voting in their ideas and then BLAMING the failure on Bush. No single one person runs this county, yet people forget it has been a democratic congress running us for the past 4 years.

  • haveitoldyoulately By haveitoldyoulately
    10.08.08  

    I was draw back into the 60's today while reading the newspaper, and listening to Joe Biden's pleads to Sarah Palin on GMA...it put a lump in my throat. I never thought that in the year 2008, I would be subjected to a politician inciting a riot. She began her rally telling the people to hold onto their hats as things were going to get rough. She then blamed Katie Couric, and the media for people thinking she was not bright...people in the audience began attacking the media covering the rally. She continued with her rallying saying about Obama..."I am just so fearful that this is not a man who sees America the way you and I see America, as the greatest force for good in the world. I'm afraid this is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to work with a former domestic terrorist who had targeted his own country." Not only were her comments ugly, but extremely dangerous....people began shouting, hateful attacks about Obama, including "treason!" and "kill him!" "off with his head" .....She was on a roll, Never once stopping to calm the crowd, or say, NO, please don't go there. The most un-American thing I've ever heard. Would she like to hear those shouts by an Iraqi toward her son? Shouts like those are shouts you may hear in Iraq against Americans....NOT Americans toward Americans. Hate, Violence and Racism are dangerous. Was this not an act of domestic terrorism against another person McCain camp knows dang well Obama isn't a Muslim or a terrorist, but they're willing to help a certain kind of voter think he is. Is this what the country would be like under their rule? She does not sound to me to be a person seeking democracy. Their own party should be denouncing such behavior. Obama is a husband, and father for pete sake Sarah Palin, pit bull? More like a weak minded follower.... whose winning is more important then anothers life.

  • meowmix By meowmix
    10.04.08  

    I am not sure if I can stand Palin's voice for 4 years or the fact that Tina Fey will be playing her on SNL for the next 4 years!She seems like a fake person to me with all that "perkiness" I do not know any women with pregnant teenagers, handicapped babies, other children, and a husband who can get a shower w/o scheduling it. It seems possible to do it all as some do, but not that PERKY about it! If she can't control the energery of her teen how can she control the energy of our country? (Just kidding).

  • cupid9936 By cupid9936
    10.03.08  

    Palin is NO Hillary Clinton. Does McCain think all women are stupid!

    Well, someone should of told Palin that the VP Debate serious, she acted like she was a contestant in a Beauty Contest, geeez. Some magazines are saying she had an affair. It will come out. And the Court is making the supbeonas STAND for the charge that she abused her power by firing her X-brother-in-law.

    She knew ALL the questions before the debate. That is the way the Republican's wanted it set up. All she did was "read" (after 3 days spent at the McCain house) material that was written for her. Yes, she is a good reader.

    Watch the Katie Couric interview, there you will see how compentent she would be as a VP. Not very.

  • Beaniesmom By Beaniesmom
    09.30.08  

    Everyone who thought they might want to vote for McCain, because his running mate is female, needs to check out that interview with Katie Couric last week. Just go to cbsnews.com and run that video..

  • haveitoldyoulately By haveitoldyoulately
    09.28.08  

    When voting on a bill, many do not understand exactly what may be contained in that one bill. Some times there is no, "yes" or 'no" answer (or vote) Thus, you vote present

    Example: On one bill, you may have, vote for "$200 million for meals on wheels program for senior citizens" ... In the SAME bill, they could also include something crazy like, "Senior who accept the meals on wheels program will have $200 a month deducted from their social security"

    There is no "yes" or "no" vote unless you agree or disagree to both. You're aiding one wayand hurting another.

    Thus, the probable reason why Obama hasn't been called out on his "present" votes, 130 times out of 571 issues from 2005-2008

    And too why, McCain hasn't been called out on his "NV" (not voting) which he did 201 times out of 571 issues from 2005-2008 ~shrug~

  • jbelote By jbelote
    09.22.08  

    I wasn't sure if I would be voting for McCain until I heard Palin speak. I think she is a fantastic mother and can still be one and still be a VP. I thought this is what women's rights were all about. No one is questioning if Obama can be a good father and still be President. Speaking of being clueless on the economy and the bail out; Obama is still not come up with a plan and no one seems to care. I can't believe how the media and press have let him slide on this one. Also, how in the world can he vote present on issues and not be called out for it. If this was Palin and McCain, the press and everyone else would be all over them. Can't believe people cannot see through his glibe words and phony facade. As for Joe Biden, he wanted to divide Georgia into three sections; one for each religion. How stupid an idea is this. Isn't that the same as a segregationist? Everyone knows that Obama was allowed to slide by on the issues and Hilary was called to account for everything she said and did. He should have offered her the VP so I guess you see what he thinks of women and their value. I am voting more against Obama than for any other reason. I hope when others really see what he actually says and stands for, they will also vote against him.

  • cacconsu By cacconsu
    09.22.08  

    For me Palin is just a scary choice. The only subject I have heard her speak intelligently about is energy and even that I did not agree with her on. She is clueless when it comes to foreign affairs and the economy. For someone that is truly a heartbeat away from the presidency that is a scary thought. We need two people who understand how to get the U.S. back on track both at home and in the international community. McCain/Palin are not that team.

  • dame By dame
    09.21.08  

    message for haveitoldyoulately:

    I agree 100% and you should be telling us everyday!

  • haveitoldyoulately By haveitoldyoulately
    09.20.08  

    Of course I would really like to see a woman for President or VP...I voted for Hillary in the primary.

    When first announced Palin would be McCain's choice, I thought it a ploy. But decided to remain open-minded and see what she is all about. I have come to learn, she opposes just about every issue that women support. She states, "I strongly endorse the separation of Church and State in our government"...But does she?

    She believes that creationism should be taught in public schools

    She wants to criminalize abortion by overturning Roe vs. Wade, she says that if one of her daughters were impregnated by rape or incest, she should bear the child

    No sex education. Palin believes in abstinence only sex education..McCain has voted to end federal family planning funding, and against teen pregnancy prevention programs

    Alaska's rate of sexual assault against children are six times the national average. its per-capita rate of women killed by men is the highest in the nation. 30% of Alaskan women have no access to victim services where they live. While Palin was mayor, women had to pay for rape kits.

    These all undermine her claim that she represents a step forward for women. Her record in Alaska makes clear that her chosen style of governing often means choosing to save a dollar rather than save a woman's life.

    Palin believes health care should remain just as it is? no changes needed...sure, taxpapers pay for her's

    They ask her what is it exactly that the VP does every day?...she replies: "I still can't answer that question until someone answers for me"

    When asked about Iraq, she said, "I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq"

    I don't want to hear how much taxes she has cut in Alaska. We all know Alaska has no state or sales tax...except for the sales tax she placed on food.

    As a firm believer in, if you have nothing to hide, come forward. I'd like to see Troopergate dealt with before the election. Palin keeps saying "Hold me accountable," is hiding behind the McCain camp not avoiding accountability.

    They're trying to cover up many truths and facts with (ok, I'm gonna use the word)lipstick....and we all know lipstick can do just so much.

    Let's not forget the most important fact....we are voting for McCain or Obama....not just PALIN(the woman)

    McCain hasn't been too genious with women either. He voted against helping women achieve pay equity. Repeatedly voted against funding to fight and prevent domestic violence. Voted against extending insurance coverage to pregnant women and infants. Voted against $214 million for breast cancer research

    John McCain caved in to his Republican handlers. He used the gender card to distract voters from real issues, not issues that really matter to us and to the nation... I want to be one woman who tells him he made a huge mistake. Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Clinton...She's the complete opposite on issues that matter to women.

  • agranote By agranote
    09.20.08  

    I am very interested to see how the elections ends up. It is nice to have minorities be able to have a chance to be elected. I agree that having a middle aged white president is not necessarily best. As a fellow women it is great to see Pallin as a VP hopeful.

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