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Thursday, September 04, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #59: Why I like Sarah Palin


Thirteen Things about why I like Sarah Palin


I know, *gasp*, I never get political or talk politics on my blog. However, I happened across her speech last night, and I have to say, I was impressed. Here's why:


1. Going to make a lot of Hillary comparisons here, so here's the first. As far as I can see, she is the complete anti-Hillary. Where Hillary is cold, grasping, and someone I absolutely cannot relate to, Sarah is warm, genuine, and I can relate to her.

2. She's funny. Some of the commentary I heard talked about how they were turned off by her sarcasm. I disagree. I thought it showed she actually had a personality, as opposed to most of the politicians out there, who I think are made of wax.

3. Love this line: "We met in high school, and two decades and five children later he's still my guy."

4. Her smiles seem genuine. Maybe that doesn't seem like a big deal, but to me, the fake smiles of most politicians make me sick.

5. Another great quote: "I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better." The reason this impresses me is that I was a political science/history major in college. My favorite prof used to say that his ideal presidential candidate was one who wasn't looking for the job. I believe that while Palin obviously wants the job, she didn't go looking for political power. Contrast that to Hillary, who has made her quest for power very obvious. In my opinion (and something that my prof and I always discussed), it's the people who seek power who are the most dangerous to a democracy.

6. More evidence of how she's not power hungry: "I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people." AMEN!

7. This, I think, is the great irony of the election: "Sudden and relentless reform never sits well with entrenched interests and power brokers. That's why true reform is so hard to achieve." We always think that the Democrats are the ones who push for reform. Certainly, in this present age, we often think of the Democrats as those who seek to shake up the political status quo. But in this election, if McCain/Palin win, the Republicans are going to do it. And I, for one, am very much looking forward to it.

8. "Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's energy problems - as if we all didn't know that already. But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all." This highlights my biggest problem with government in general. If we can't solve all the problems we sit and debate it rather than do something that will ease it. I like the fact that she's got the attitude of "let's do something until we can totally fix it."

9. "We've all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers. And there is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate." Now... I don't know how true this is, and this will be something I'm researching. However, given that many of the attacks on Palin are her inexperience, I think it really makes me think about whether or not Obama is experienced enough to lead a country. I appreciate that she's given me this to research and think about.

10. "Our nominee doesn't run with the Washington herd. He's a man who's there to serve his country, and not just his party. A leader who's not looking for a fight, but is not afraid of one either." Again, rousing applause from me. My friend and I were talking about McCain the other day and how he doesn't consistently fall in line with the Republicans. Neither does Palin. And you know, that's what I want in a leader. Someone willing to look at what's best for the country, not necessarily what's best for the party.

11. Her family. She's got a beautiful family. I'm frustrated that some of the attacks on her are about whether or not she can be a competent leader given that she's got a young family. Um... hello? Did anyone say that about JFK? He had babies in the White House. Was he unable to do his job because of it? The reality of what I see in Sarah Palin is that she is a regular mom, struggling to raise her kiddos just like the rest of us, who, just like the rest of us, wants to hand our children a better world than what we were given. And she will be in a tremendous position to do so.

12. Her daughter's pregnancy. I know, weird thing to say here, but you know? I respect her for how she's handling it. She didn't lie or make excuses. The fact of the matter is, as much as you try to raise your kids right, they make their own choices. And as a mom, you have to just love them through it and do what's best. To me, the example of having a mother with less than perfect kids, traveling through life, trying to figure it out with the rest of us, that's the kind of person who represents me.

13. This promise... this is what I will hold her to if they're elected: "But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and ... a servant's heart. I pledge to all Americans that I will carry myself in this spirit as vice president of the United States." Truly, my hope, and my prayer, is that every leader in America would be willing to make this promise- and keep it.



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8 comments:

Jan Parrish said...

Danica, wonderful post! I loved all the quotes. I wrote about Palin as well. She rocks - and I think she will rock the 2008 vote.

Jana said...

Excellent post, Dreamy!

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure how I feel about drilling but re #8, I have to agree with her point about doing SOMETHING. I've become a huge proponent of T. Boone Pickens' wind energy plan and the yahoos in Washington who say "Oh I don't think it'll work, blah, blah, blah" but don't come up with any alternatives make me want to SCREAM.

Anonymous said...

Yes, but she still represents the party that despises the poor, drools over and is controlled by the rich, jettisons the sick, regards the environment as irrelevant and was opposed to every bit of civil rights legislation of the 20th century, and that started an illegal war that has wasted over 4000 American lives. Can anyone honestly see this parochial, reactionary woman as another Angela Merkel, Margaret Thatcher or Golda Meir?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Danica Favorite said...

Deleted the duplicate comment. :)

Wow, talk about being reactionary, Nicholas. I have to say, I completely disagree with what you've said, and find it lacking in factual basis. So we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

Jan, I think so too.

Thanks Jana.

Tori, I'm not sure how I feel about drilling either, mostly because I've spent the few years looking at alternative sources as well, so I don't know enough about it. But I'm definitely for doing SOMETHING. And that's what I appreciate. Things get debated to death and nothing gets done. Let's just do something.

Momstheword said...

I agree with most of what Ms. Palin said. I felt better about Mr. McCain after I heard her.

Anonymous said...

Hey Danica, first time here.

Sarah has five children, and so do I, except she's in way better shape than I. I went jogging yesterday after watching the convention. LOL.