McCain's VP is in: SARAH PALIN - AK Governor

Fox News has confirmed that AK Governor SARAH PALIN has been chosen as his pick for Vice President. In an Instant Message a few minutes ago that I had with a high-ranking official in the McCain Campaign, Gov. SARAH PALIN was praised as a Maverick on her own. PALIN is the 1st Woman nominated for VP on a Republican ticket.

Did the McCain Camp fool us all! They sure pulled the wool over ALL our eyes. They sure kept this under the radar screen. Here is the information on SARAH PALIN - the 2008 GOP Vice Presidential Nominee:

Sarah Louise Heath Palin (born February 11, 1964) is the current Governor of Alaska, and the presumptive 2008 Republican candidate for Vice President of the United States.[1] She is expected to be the second female Vice Presidential nominee representing one of the two major American political parties.[2]

Born in Idaho and raised in Alaska, Palin gained statewide recognition as a championship high school athlete and was the 1984 runner-up in the Miss Alaka pageant. After graduating from the University of Idaho and working as a sports reporter at an Anchorage television station, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla, Alaska, City Council from 1992 to 1996, was elected mayor of Wasilla in 1996, and ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor in 2002. After charging ethical violations by state Republican Party leaders,[3] she won election in 2006 by first defeating incumbent governor Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary, then former Democratic Alaskan governor Tony Knowles in the general election.

On August 29, 2008, presumptive GOP nominee John McCain chose Palin as his nominee for vice president.

Pre-gubernatorial political experience

Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council from 1992 to 1996 and became a two-term mayor and city manager of Wasilla, one of Alaska's fastest-growing communities. She was in office from 1996 to 2002.

[9] Palin was also elected president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.[7]

In 2002, Palin made a failed bid for

Lieutenant Governor, coming in second to Loren Leman in a four-way race. After Frank Murkowski became governor (resigning his long-held U.S. Senate seat in mid-term), some considered Palin to be his possible successor. However, Murkowski appointed his daughter, then-Alaska State Representative Lisa Murkowski.

Then-Governor Murkowski appointed Palin Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission,

[10] where she served from 2003 to 2004 -- until resigning in protest over what she perceived to be the "lack of ethics" of fellow Alaskan Republican leaders. Her critics included the state Republican party's chairman, Randy Ruedrich, one of her fellow Oil & Gas commissioners (who was accused of doing work for the party on public time, and supplying a lobbyist with a sensitive e-mail).[11] Palin filed formal complaints against both Ruedrich and former Alaska Attorney General Gregg Renkes (who was eventually acquitted). Palin also served an elected term on the Valley Hospital board.

Governorship

In 2006, Palin executed an upset victory over then-Gov. Murkowski in the

Republican gubernatorial primary. She went on to win the general election in November 2006, defeating former Governor Tony Knowles. Palin said in 2006 that education, public safety, and transportation would be three cornerstones of her administration.[4]
When elected, Palin became the youngest governor in Alaskan history (42 years old upon taking office), and the first woman to be Alaska's governor. Palin was also the first Alaskan governor born after Alaska achieved U.S. statehood. She was also the first Alaskan governor not to be inaugurated in Juneau, instead choosing to hold her inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks. She took office on December 4, 2006. Her Lieutenant Governor was Sean Parnell. Palin was the former mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.

Palin supports holding occasional legislative sessions outside the state capital, and municipal revenue sharing to help local governments.

Energy policies

Shortly after taking office, Palin rescinded the appointment of former chief of staff Jim Clark to the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority, reversing an appointment made in the closing days or hours of Frank Murkowski's Administration.

[12] Clark later pled guilty to conspiring with a defunct oil-field-services company to channel money into Frank Murkowski's re-election campaign. [13]

In April 2007, Palin announced plans to create a new sub-cabinet, to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Alaska.

[14]

In March 2007, Palin presented the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) as the new legal vehicle for building a natural gas pipeline from the state's North Slope.

[15] Only one legislator, Representative Ralph Samuels, voted against the measure,[16] and in June Palin signed it into law.[17][18] On January 5, 2008, Palin announced that a Canadian Company, Transcanada Corp, was the sole AGIA-compliant applicant.[19][20]

In response to high oil and gas prices, and in response to the resulting state government budget surplus, Palin proposed giving Alaskans $100-a-month energy debit cards. She also proposed providing grants to electrical utilities so that they would reduce customers' rates.

[21] She subsequently dropped the debit card proposal, and in its place she proposed to send Alaskans $1,200 directly.[22]

Gay rights and abortion

Palin is strongly pro-life and belongs to Feminists for Life.

[4] She opposes same-sex marriage; but, she has stated that she has gay friends, and is receptive to gay and lesbian concerns about discrimination.[4] While the previous administration did not implement same-sex benefits, Palin complied with a state Supreme Court order and signed them into law.[23]

She supported a democratic advisory vote from the public on whether there should be a constitutional amendment on the matter.

[24] Alaska was one of the first U.S. states to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage, in 1998, along with Hawaii.[25]
Palin's first veto was used on legislation that would have barred the state from granting benefits to gay state employees and their partners. In effect, her veto granted State of Alaska benefits to same-sex couples. The veto occurred after Palin consulted with Alaska's Attorney General on the constitutionality of the legislation.[26]
Matanuska Maid Dairy controversy

Matanuska Maid Dairy was a state-owned business. When the Alaska Dairy Board recommended closing the unprofitable business, Palin fired the board and appointed long-time Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska associates to replace the ousted boardmembers —including influential real estate businesswoman Kristan Cole.

[27] The new board quickly approved raising the price of milk offered by the dairy, in a vain attempt to control fiscal losses, despite the fact that milk from Washington was already offered in Alaskan stores at lower prices.[28]

In the end, the dairy was forced to close, and the state tried to sell the assets to pay off its debts, but no bids were received.

[29][30]

Budget

In the first days of her administration, Palin followed through on a campaign promise to sell the Westwind II jet purchased (on a state government credit account) by the Murkowski administration. The state placed the jet for sale on

eBay three times. In August 2007, the jet was sold for $2.7 million.[31]

Shortly after becoming governor, Palin canceled an 11 miles (18 km) gravel road outside of Juneau to a mine, reversing a decision made in the closing days or hours of the Murkowski Administration.

[32]

In June 2007, Palin signed into law the largest operating budget in Alaska's history ($6.6 billion).

[33] At the same time, she used her veto power to make the second-largest cuts of the construction budget in state history. The US$237 million in cuts represented over 300 local projects, and reduced the construction budget to nearly US$1.6 billion.[34]

Approval ratings

In July 2007, Palin had an approval rating often in the 90s.

[35] A poll the following month had her approval rating at 84 percent, with five percent disapproving.[36] A poll published by Hays Research on July 28, 2008 confirmed Palin's approval rating remains at 80%. [37]

Commissioner firing

On July 11, 2008, Palin fired Commissioner of Public Safety, Walt Monegan.

[38] According to Monegan, he was fired over his reluctance to fire an Alaska State Trooper involved in a divorce and child custody battle with Palin's sister, Molly McCann. Palin claimed that she fired Monegan so the Department could head in a "new direction" and noted that her ex-brother-in-law is still employed by the state.[39] Alaska House Speaker John Harris disputed that claim, stating there is "no different direction we are going in."[39]

The legislature hired Steve Branchflower, a retired longtime Alaska assistant district attorney to investigate Palin and her staff for possibly violating the state personnel act.[40]

Vice Presidential Prospects

Palin has been mentioned by some media pundits as a unique and viable candidate for the Vice-Presidency with Republican presumptive nominee Senator John McCain in the 2008 election.[41][42] Palin has a strong and growing community of online supporters lobbying her Vice Presidency candidacy[43][44][45][46]

References

↑ Sarah Palin's inaugural speech sets an interesting tone by Chris Boese, Chris Boese's Weblog, serendipit-e.com, Dec. 7, 2006
↑ GILF Update: Gov. Sarah Palin As Miss Wasilla by Ken Layne, Wonkette, Dec. 6, 2006
↑ Alaska's Governor Is Tough, Young — and a Woman by Elizabeth Arnold, National Public Radio
↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Same-sex unions, drugs get little play by Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Daily News, Aug 6, 2006
↑ Mr. Palin goes back to Prudhoe publisher by Mike Ross, KTUU-TV, Aug. 21, 2007
↑ 6.0 6.1 Alaska Gov.'s Son Enlists in Army Associated Press, WTOP-FM, Sep. 13, 2007
↑ 7.0 7.1 About the Governor Official biography, State of Alaska
↑ Alaska Superstation aksuperstation.com
↑ 2006 CAMPAIGN TIP SHEETS: Alaska Governor
↑ Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission - Homepage (Redirect)
↑ adn.com front : Palin explains her actions in Ruedrich case
↑ Palin Sacks Murkowski Crony Clark Alaska Report, Dec. 07, 2006
↑ Murkowski staff chief pleads guilty by Richard Mauer & Sean Cockerham, Anchorage Daily News, Mar. 05, 2008
↑ State aims to reduce emissions by Tom Kizzia, Anchorage Daily News, Apr. 12, 2007
↑ Governor Palin Unveils the AGIA State of Alaska News & Announcements, Mar. 02, 2007
↑ Palin to sign gas pipeline plan today Alaska Legislature News & Announcements, June 6, 2007
↑ Gov. Performs Ceremonial Signing of AGIA State of Alaska News & Announcements, June 07, 2007
↑ Bill History/Action for 25th Legislature: HB 177 BASIS, Alaska State Legislature, June 07, 2007
↑ Palin picks Canadian company for gas line: Gas Pipeline adn.com
↑ KTUU.com Alaska's news and information source Canadian company meets AGIA requirements
↑ Cockerham, Sean. “Palin wants to give Alaskans $100 a month to use on energy”, Anchorage Daily News (2008-05-16)
↑ Cockerham, Sean. “Palin expected to drop energy debit card plan”, Anchorage Daily News (2008-06-18)
↑ Gay partners of state employees win benefits by Bill McAllister, KTUU News, Dec. 20, 2006
↑ Palin to comply on same-sex ruling by Lisa Demer, Anchorage Daily News, Dec. 21, 2006
↑ Gay marriage decisions ripe in 2 courts by Christine Vestal, Stateline.org, Mar. 1, 2007 (Updated Sep. 20, 2007)
↑ Alaska governor won't block partner benefits Gay.com, Dec. 29, 2006
↑ State board votes to replace Mat Maid CEO by S.J. Komarnitsky, Anchorage Daily News, July 4, 2007
↑ Creamery Board approves milk price increase for dairy farmers by S.J. Komarnitsky, Anchorage Daily News, July 10, 2007
↑ State to put Mat Maid dairy up for sale by S.J. Komarnitsky, Anchorage Daily News, Aug. 30, 2007
↑ State gets no bids for Matanuska Maid Anchorage Daily News, Dec. 8, 2007
↑ Jet That Helped Defeat an Alaska Governor Is Sold The New York Times, Aug. 25, 2007
↑ KTUU.com Alaska's news and information source Palin cancels contracts for pioneer road to Juneau
↑ No vetoes here by Rosemary Shinohara, July 16, 2007
↑ http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/070807/hom_20070708005.shtml
↑ The Most Popular Governor by Fred Barnes, The Weekly Standard, July 16, 2007
↑ Stevens may have work cut out in reelection by Bill McAllister, KTUU News, Aug. 13, 2007
↑ Alaska Statewide 'Opinion Counts' Survey Results, www.haysresearch.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-29
↑ Monegan says he was pressured to fire cop by Megan Hollan, Anchorage Daily News, July 18, 2008
↑ 39.0 39.1 Legislature may appoint investigator in firing by Sean Cockerham & Wesley Loy, Anchorage Daily News, July 22, 2008
↑ Branchflower to lead Monegan firing review: Top Stories adn.com
↑ Top 10 stories of 2007: The rise of Sarah Palin by Bill McAllister, KTUU, Dec. 21, 2007
↑ Baehr, Richard (July 10, 2008). "How McCain Could Win" realclearpolitics.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-11
↑ Palin for America Supporter website
↑ Brikley, Adam (August 08, 2008). "[1]" draftsarahpalinforvp.blogspot.com. Retrieved on 2008-08-08.
↑ (August 08, 2008). "[2] "McCain Palin 2008". Retrieved on 2008-08-08
↑ Task Force Palin(August 08, 2008). "[3]" Task Force Palin. Retrieved on 2008-08-08