Replies

I know what she can't do. She can't surround her children with role models whom she would be ashamed of or those who would shock the average voter (as Obama did). She can't let corruption in her own party slide by to help her get ahead. She can't whine about problems when she's in a position to actually solve them. And she can't be criticized as unready for office. Four presidents generally ranked in the top fifteen by historians have had experience comparable to Governor Palin’s prior to assuming office: Franklin Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Grover Cleveland.

Sarah Palin spent four years as a City Council Member for Wasilla, Alaska, six years as Mayor of Wasilla, and two years as Governor of Alaska.

FDR spent just over two years in the New York State Senate, eight years as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and four years as Governor of New York.

Theodore Roosevelt spent some time in the New York State Assembly(?), two years as Governor of New York, two years as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and less than one year as Vice President of the United States.

Woodrow Wilson spent eight years as President of Princeton University and two years as Governor of New Jersey.

Grover Cleveland spent two years as Sheriff of Erie County, two years as Mayor of Buffalo, and two years as Governor of New York.

Overall, I’d say that Palin’s background is comparable with that of several presidents considered highly successful, even considering that her state has a smaller population than the other two states on the list.

While Obama has been running for office for as long as Palin has been running a state, I find it hard to consider the two tasks as comparable preparation.

One final note: I will be posting this multiple times because I think it is important to get the word out that that her experience is in keeping with previous presidents. I apologize to those who are annoyed by seeing it too often.