Speech of a lifetime for Alaska Gov. Palin
Published Wednesday, September 3, 2008
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Sarah Palin
Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., announced that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was his choice as vice presidential running mate on Friday, Aug. 29, 2008.
ST. PAUL, Minnesota -- Gov. Sarah Palin launched a slashing counterattack on her critics Wednesday night, telling an overflowing Republican convention hall — electric with the anticipated nomination of John McCain — that she had accepted the No. 2 slot on the ticket to serve the American people, not to win "the good opinion" of her detractors.
Palin was met with thunderous and extended applause as she strode onto the stage and declared, "Ladies and gentlemen, I would be honored to accept your nomination for vice president."
The deeply anti-abortion Alaska chief executive took special care in introducing her family members sitting in the audience as they passed from one to the other the Palins' fifth child, who was born in April. The candidate carried the baby to term knowing from pre-natal testing that it was affected with Down syndrome.
Her fiery speech was designed both as a matter of self-defense and to whip up the crowd in the moments before the Republican party was to nominate McCain formally as its standard-bearer against Democrat Barack Obama.
A huge controversy has blown up around Palin, the 44-year-old Alaska governor, since McCain named her his vice presidential running mate on Friday. Disclosures have included the pregnancy of her unwed 17-year-old daughter and a continuing ethics probe in oil-rich Alaska, the United States' northernmost state. She has no experience outside her state, and virtually nothing is known about her grasp of foreign policy or security issues.
Tacitly acknowledging the deep distractions that have arisen around the Palin choice, McCain's senior campaign adviser Steve Schmidt angrily denounced what he called a "faux media scandal designed to destroy the first female Republican nominee" for vice president.
Palin grabbed that theme and raised the stakes.
"I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment," Palin says. "And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone.
"But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion; I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country."
Sliding deftly into the Republican convention theme of "Country First," Palin lambasted Obama as a candidate out for himself.
"Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers," she said. "And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."
Reminding assembled Republican delegates of her humble origins and hockey mom status in a small Alaska town where she eventually became mayor, the feisty Palin scoffed at Democrat Obama's own thin resume.
"Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities."
Before running for political office, Obama served as a community organizer on Chicago's south side.
The two-month sprint to Election Day, Nov. 4, starts in earnest Thursday night when McCain accepts his party's nomination for the presidential battle with Obama, nominated last week by the Democrats.
The vast contrasts in the Republican and Democratic tickets, compounded by Palin's choice as McCain's running mate, have produced one of the most captivating U.S. presidential campaigns in recent memory.
Obama, a 47-year-old first-term senator from Illinois, would if victorious become America's first black president. McCain, a 72-year-old cancer survivor and four-term Arizona senator, would be the oldest first-term U.S. president. Palin adds potential third and fourth historic firsts to the mix. She is the Republican party's first female vice presidential nominee and would be the first female vice president of the United States.
So far it is impossible to tell how Palin's candidacy will resonate with voters nationwide. She is, however, heavily favored by the Republicans' conservative Christian base, a voting bloc that has been wary of McCain. Her credentials as a reformer in Alaska fit hand-in-glove with McCain's political philosophy. That she is a woman has given him hope of winning over some women disgruntled by Hillary Rodham Clinton's defeat in the Democratic primary campaign.
Beyond the ethics investigation and news of her unmarried daughter's pregnancy, questions have arisen about Palin's efforts as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, to gain millions of dollars in federal money. Such actions would be at odds with McCain's message of fiscal reform.
The series of jarring revelations also have raised criticism that McCain's campaign had not fully explored her background, before offering Palin the vice presidential slot last week.
The tidal wave of reporting on Palin and questions about how carefully she was vetted prompted Schmidt to strike out at journalists early Wednesday. The Alaska governor has not spoken publicly since shortly after she appeared with McCain when he announced her candidacy on Friday.
"This nonsense is over," Schmidt declared in a written statement.
McCain's campaign gave speaking turns Wednesday to three of his former rivals in the primaries of last winter and spring as well as other party luminaries.
"Drill, baby, drill," said Michael Steele, former Senate candidate from Maryland, striking the theme of energy independence that McCain also stresses.
"John McCain will follow the fanatics to their caves in Pakistan or to the gates of hell," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said in prepared remarks, referring to the likes of Osama bin Laden. "What Obama wants to do is give them a place setting at the table."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney accused Obama of ducking several questions at a recent joint appearance with McCain, who he said "hit the nail on the head: Radical Islam is evil, and he will defeat it.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani added that Palin "has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket," which includes Obama and Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden, a veteran of more than three decades in the Senate.
Community Discussion
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Outstanding, Sarah! Our prayers will be with you...
Way to go Sarah!!!!!!!!!
"'Drill, baby, drill,'" said Michael Steele, former Senate candidate from Maryland, striking the theme of energy independence that McCain also stresses.
Only problem is that we cannot drill out way to "energy Independence", no matter how hard we try! Even McCain understands that now but this Michael Steele apparently does not...nor does Sarah Palin.
"'John McCain will follow the fanatics to their caves in Pakistan or to the gates of hell,'" former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said in prepared remarks, referring to the likes of Osama bin Laden.
What a moronic statement from Gov. Huckabee! Seems like we heard something very similar from GW, did we not?
"'What Obama wants to do is give them a place setting at the table.'"
Again, another moronic and false statement from Huckabee! In fact, Senator Obama said "I understand that President Musharraf has his own challenges. But let me make this clear," Obama said. "If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and (Pakistani) President (Pervez) Musharraf will not act, we will."
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani added that Palin "has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket"
What an imbecile! With Biden's 35 years in the Senate and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, he has more experience in his pinkie than Palin has! His travels around the world were extensive, including the Balkans and the Middle East.......Palin never left the country until last year. The pompous Giuliani just made himself look like an ass with such a statement!
I personally think she missed the point. I wanted to hear her state what she was going to do as the VP. I am a huge fan of hers and was very disappointed.
Thanks Sarah, you sounded like the dumbest redneck I've ever heard. Now when I go to the lower 48 I'm going to have to lie about where I live. People in West Virginia and Kentucky are going to laugh about about how unsophisticated we are.
She did touch on being an advocate for people with disabilities. Unfortunately she used her line item veto to cut loads of grants to cost-effective agencies serving the disabled population. She also cut the money targeted for our local Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption Agency in half. Perhaps the birth of her own disabled child and her pregnant teenaged daughter will make her more sensitive to human needs, whether as vice president or still as our governor. It was a well-delivered speech. I did find the allusions that somehow God favors a military solution in the Middle East to be quite troubling. This sort of radical world view--whether by Christians, Moslems, Jews or atheists is terrifying.
Uhhh.... Support the President....
From what I hear the VP job is pretty boring.
Seeing what she has done for Alaska so far makes me think she will do just fine whatever her duties are.
I wasn't disapointed at all... she's got alot more speaches to make.
Save something for the next one! Go Sarah!
I don't think she's done jack for alaska - but the speech was pretty darn good and America will like it. Not the media, not the critics, but the average joe will.
I gotta go with Hybrid on this one. Never was to excited about McCain but now, Sara just put the smack down on the Dems. I did hear GO BAMA was calling Hillary begging her to be on his ticket now. LOL
Pat says "Only problem is that we cannot drill out way to "energy Independence", no matter how hard we try! Even McCain understands that now but this Michael Steele apparently does not...nor does Sarah Palin."
Did you actually listen to her speech? I think that her response, correct me if I am wrong, to that very comment was 'like we didn't know that already.' and then she went into naming at least three different types of renewable energy. You really gotta listen to hold a discussion, not just talk. Every see someone talking to themselves with no one around? Looks kinda crazy doesnt it?
Cripes!! I was worried about the lower 48 critics tearing her and her family up. I didn't know Sarah had such critics (haters) in her own state.
I think she did wonderfully, I hope her family can stand all the media attention because I know Sarah can. She is a strong, proud Alaskan who happens to be female. A plus in my opinion. She has made great strides to regain Alaskans trust in politicians, i.e. ebay that jet, told the chef to kick rocks, drives herself everywhere, and is very approachable. The last governor who had my respect like that was Tony Knowles.
Mikejmarvin-not cool. I am the one who requested your comment to be removed. Be constructive not destructive.
(This comment was removed by the Newsminer.com staff. Please see our User Agreement for further information.)
What a great person Sarah Palin is.
Sarah Louise Palin did a masterful job at delivering that speech!
Sarah, you blew the doors off of the bailing wire and chewing gum assembled Democrat Party ticket. Congratulations!!!!
GO SARAH!!! NOBAMA
Oh, I can't wait for November 5.
I thought our country was divided during the last 2 presidential elections. In retrospect, that was nothing, compared to now.
Maybe I can wait until November 5. Regardless of outcome, regardless of if the democrats win, or if the republicans win, there's going to be a lot of very angry people on that day.
Scary.
Awesome speech;I love that they are filming from the Peanut Factory in Anchorage too! Just think of all the tourists coming next summer after they take office! Maybe this isn't a good idea! NOT! Go Saracuda, Go!
And Gretchen Wilson, John Rich & Cowboy Troy weren't bad either! I am so proud to be from "the home of the Brave!"
Let's see the results of this poll: is HybridAlaskan drunk when he/she comments. LOLOLOLOLO. Maybe they are a drunk teenager. LOLOLOLOLOLOl. Awesome.
InupiaqDiva - did you get all your information from her speech? Try looking elsewhere and not being a parrot. She did do a great job at the convention. She should have had that speech writer come up with something on abstinence for her family.
Sara totally ROCKED at the RNC! How that must stick in the craw of all you Palin scoffers! Good bye Obama! Don't let the door slam you in the arse on the way out.....
bigchinasean, what an ignorant comment. "have her speech writer come up with something on abstinence for her family." How do you know she didn't. Obviously you don't have a clue that teenagers will do what teenagers want to do, no matter how many road blocks you put in front of them. Guess you practiced abstinence while you were a teenager, kudos to you. But welcome to the real world, it is a sad state of affairs that the majority of the flack about Sarah is about her daughter's unplanned pregnancy. Wow, we really have come a long ways, baby.
I think she deserves a chance, and we need to focus on the issues.
The rest of the US, we get a $1,200 energy rebate check next Friday. What have your Governors and leaders in your State done to help you with the high cost of fuel? That is not per family, that is for every resident who meets the requirement, even two year olds. By the way we don't pay State income taxes either.
Do you people down there have any concept about Alaska? Alaska is the future for the start of keeping money in this country instead of sending it over to foreign countries to buy oil. If 260 Delawares could fit in Alaska, are you beginning to understand how big this State is. We are not a tiny bitty thing on the weather maps. Seems to me LA has oil pumps in yards, why aren't you complaining about that?
And here I thought the job she had accepted was to serve the people of Alaska. What exactly has she done as Gov? The best job yet of doing nothing and looking good while you do it. And she's not going to stick around long enough to do anything...unless of course she looses. Another slick politician doing what politicians do, firing up the rednecks by talking a lot of trash about beliefs and doing nothing about facts. Classic Alaska
She's done a GREAT job as governor. Those who can't see that must be living under a rock. Sure, she's had setbacks, like that whole "bridge to nowhere" debacle. But for the most part she's been able to tell the republican party where to shove it-- as far as not allowing for scandals within the state. She's helped get rebate checks out AND give the Alaskan residents their PFDs a whole month early. We're building a natural gas pipeline--one of the first major moves to finding an alternative fuel source!!! It's about time! My vote is definitely going to McCain/Palin, not just because Sarah is the VP, but with them together I believe we'll have a better future. These two have have proven they will work for the people, through their past actions, NOT just through fancy speeches.
Some of you sound like you don't know what a convention is for. Sarah did everything she needed to do with that speech. It wasn't the time or place for answering questions. Her job is to support the president. Assuming she doesn't choke on the campaign trail, that speech will go down as having changed the face of American politics. It will open doors for small-town Americans to get into national politics in a way we haven't seen for more than 100 years.
That said, the over-all tone of the RNC is nasty. Conservatives are already going to be voting for McCain, so at least on paper McCain's camp are going for fence-sitters. I don't think belittling Obama is going to draw many of those fence-sitters to their side of the fence. I think Sarah was amazing, but Mitt, and particularly Rudy, went a little too far I think. Obama may be a little ignorant about what makes America really work- as evidenced by his pie-in-the-sky proposals- but he still deserves a little respect. As conservatives we can never afford to give up the moral high-ground.
It's amazing how many old friends from the lesser 48 want to get in touch with you after your governor accepts the nod for VP. I had the same thing to say to all of them after they called last night...She is a good governor, not a great governor, but a good one. She hasn't royally screwed anything up, which in this climate is an accomplishment in itself. However, I think she is still underqualified to be Vice President. Waay to abrasive, way to flippant and condescending. The VP debate will be interesting...
She needs to contact all the t/v networks, and make sure they save her a copy of the speech, so she can watch it, during the harsh winters in Alaska.
I was so proud to be an Alaskan last night when I watched her. She was incredible, like she had been speaking to millions of viewers all her life. Who woulda thunk it? Someone from a place the where the majority of the lower 48 doesn't even realize is a state. When the speech was all over last night, my daughter and I both looked at each other and all we could say was "WOW!" Way to go Sarah. Way to go McCain.
I am just curious about the DNM lack of ability to cover one of the biggest events in Alaska and our Nation's history on their own instead of scouring the associated press for stories. In recent days, I have seen nothing but stories cut and paste on to this website. It is sad that I have to search the internet to find good unbiased journalism (which is hard to find).
MCAIN/PALIN 08
@aksince62
Sometimes it seems like it's Alaskans who don't realize Alaska is a state ;-)
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