Sarah Palin for VP 2008

PERSONAL LIFE

Date of Birth: February 11, 1964
Parents: Sarah Heath and Charles R. Heath
Spouse: Todd Palin
Children: Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, Trig

Sarah Palin began her life in Sandpoint, Idaho. Sarah was the third of four children of Sarah Heath and Charles R. Heath. Her mother was a school secretary and her father was a science teacher and track coach.

When Sarah was still in infancy, the Palin moved to Alaska from Idaho. Sarah has a very active childhood as her family would often join 5km and 10km races. She would also join her father on moose hunting trips.

Sarah Palin attended Wasilla High School in Wasilla, Alaska. She was an active student and was the head of the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter. She is also a good athlete and starred as the point guard and captain of the Wasilla High School basketball team. She earned the nickname, "Sarah Barracuda" for her intense intense play.

Sarah was also active in other activities. For instance She was awarded the title of Miss Wasilla when she won the town's pageant. Sarah Palin graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in communications-journalism at the University of Idaho.
After her graduation, she worked as a sports reporter for KTUU-TV in Anchorage, Alaska. She also spent time managing her husband's commercial fishing family business.

POLITICAL CAREER (prior to US VP campaign)

Sarah Palin took a major step towards a political career when she became the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. She also served a second term as Mayor. However, she had started her political career as a member of the Wasilla city council.

In 2006, She won the gubernatorial election to become the governor of Alaska. Her term as governor was eventful. Her are the highlights of her career as governor of Alaska.

* Selling of the Westwind II jet that was purchased by the prior administration

* State visit in 2007 in which she visited members of the Alaska National Guard at several bases in Kuwait and visited injured soldiers in Germany

* withdrawing her support for "Bridge to Nowhere" hen Alaska's share of the cost increased. She initially supported $223 million in federal funding for the project.

Sarah Palin's political career reached a highlight when she was chosen to represent the GOP as the vice presidential candidate in the 2008 US election. This unexpected development was announced by Dayton, Ohio, Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate.

McCain's campaign included Palin as one of the prospects for the VP seat after She met with McCain in a National Governors Association meeting. Palin apparently impressed McCain on this meeting enough to convince him to choose her as his running mate.

Some reports say that McCain chose Palin because he wanted to reclaim his "maverick Republican" image. Choosing Palin certainly shook up the ticket.

Palin was chosen over other VP prospects such as, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, United States Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, and former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge.

Reactions to her Being Chosen as VP

Palin's selection seems to be a good move for McCain because his decision raised US$7 million in contributions in a single day.

Many major figures in the GOP party also received her selection well. She was described as a good choice because she is strong, capable and articulate.

Rudy Giuliani even stated that Palin is more qualified to be president Barack Obama because she has served in an executive position.

However, there were also some negative reactions to her being selected as McCain's running mate. Some GOP politicians questioned her readiness and experience. For example, Alaskan State Senate President Lyda Green, remarked, "She's not prepared to be governor. How can she be prepared to be vice president or president?"

Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post also made an interesting comment on Palin being chosen for the VP position. Krauthammer wrote, "The Palin selection completely undercuts the argument about Obama's inexperience and readiness to lead.... To gratuitously undercut the remarkably successful 'Is he ready to lead' line of attack seems near suicidal."

ABORTION

Palin opposes abortion except to save the life of the mother.

She does not support:

- embryonic stem cell research
- use of public funds for abortions

Education

Sarah Palin supports:

- teaching of creationism alongside evolution
- strong education, including morals
- charter schools, home schools, & other alternatives
- Faith-based materials in homeschooling
- back to basics, plus patriotism & ethics.
- parental choice for what is best for their children

Foreign Policy

Sarah Palin believes that:

- a Nuclear Iran is a danger to whole world
- Russia's invasion of Georgia was unprovoked
- US should not war over Georgia, but pressure Russia
- US troops in Iraq keep Americans safe at home
- Bush's efforts to stop terrorism

Tax Reform

Palin believes that:

- Raising taxes his bad for small business and jobs
- a seasonal sales tax is better than income tax
- taxes that inhibit business should be eliminated
- "nuisance taxes" should be repelled

Health Care

Sarah Palin believes that:

- Health care must be market-and business-driven
- Doctors should manage health care
- Flexibility in government regulations to allow competition
- affordable health care via competition

Energy & Oil

Sarah Palin believes that:

- more domestic oil & gas production improves national security
- we should consider pipelines, nukes, coal and other alternatives
- GOP must push energy independence to win
- Windfall oil profits tax prevents investment
- moratorium on offshore drilling should be lifted

Click here to see Sarah Palin talking about her positions