Posted on 09/01/2008 12:36:38 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
It may be tempting for Democrats to dismiss Sarah Palin, the gun-toting former beauty queen who emerged last week as John McCains surprise pick for vice- president, as a political lightweight unprepared for the national stage.
But while some Alaskan political veterans have questioned whether the popular first-term Alaska governor is qualified for the VP slot, they also say it could be dangerous for Mr McCains opponents to underestimate Ms Palin. So far she has proved to be a tenacious and sometimes ruthless adversary, capable of overcoming charges of inexperience and fundraising disadvantages to win elections and vanquish political foes.
As pretty and as likeable as she can seem, I can assure you there are talons behind the gentle paws, says one long-time Democratic observer.
Friends and foes alike say the mother of five from Wasilla, Alaska, has a knack for using her image as down-to-earth hockey mum and corruption-fighting political underdog to blunt the attacks of more seasoned opponents.
Ms Palin, who earned the nickname Sarah Barracuda as a star player on her hometown basketball team, ran for Wasilla mayor in 1996, promising to shake up the towns good ol boy network. Then 32, Ms Palin came under fire for her lack of experience but beat Wasillas popular sitting mayor by 200 votes after a contentious campaign.
It was a pattern that would repeat itself 10 years later during her long-shot bid for governor in 2006.
In 2002, after a failed bid for lieutenant governor, Ms Palin was one of several candidates considered by Frank Murkowski, Alaskas newly elected governor, to fill his recently vacated US Senate post. But she and other legislators were passed over after Mr Murkowski selected his own daughter, Lisa Murkowski, to fill the seat instead.
(Excerpt) Read more at ft.com ...
Oh, you forgot to mention that she has enjoyed enormously high approval ratings, never dropping below 80%, and was re-elected both times by a landslide.
Guess you just kinda’ forgot that, huh?
The obvious does not haunt the musty halls of the left wing of the mansion. They were hootin’ and hollerin’ here in Denver, thinking rhetoric would carry the day.
Then they get hit with real weight and are left breathless.
hmmmmmm .... Maybe MTV should dig up Julie Brown (not the "Downtown" one, the other one) from whatever oblivion she's been buried in so she can do a reprisal of "Everybody Run! The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun!"
But I'll settle for Tina Fey appearing on SNL as a beauty pageant contestant, in swimwear and high heels ...
Agreed! See post #23.
Also Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel: She was the world’s third woman prime minister, but the first to hold this office without any prior family connection. Meir was often portrayed as the “strong-willed, straight-talking, gray-bunned grandmother of the Jewish people.”
THe articale fails to point out Lisa was the Elected head of the House in Alaska - elected to the House, elected BY the house - and as such would have been a natural pick.
The fact that Daddy knew his little girl would do a good jobs was just a bonus - and one the bigger reason he failed so utterly in his re-election bid.
Now that does change everything. Thanks for that information.
Mee too!
IMO, they know EXACTLY what a tough comeptitor she will be and are scared spitless -- hence these vile attacks on her. They see a slam-dunk accession to power slipping away.
You're so right! You hit the nail SQUARELY on the head.
“I think the whole world is going to fall in love with her.”
Well said! And even moreso after today’s media mud-slinging, feeding-frenzy about her pregnant daughter. ;)
I keep noticing that she’s similar to EVERY Conservative, outdoorsy, take-no-prisoners, git ‘er done, woman that I know; myself included.
And as for the pregnancy? There but for the Grace of God go ANY of us that have teenagers...male or female!
Wish I knew. The TV program didn’t say where to get them.
Rats! There are at least two potential customers out here.
Newt Gingrich told Sean Hannity the Left is desperate to destroy the greatest threat yet to their legitimacy to tell us what to think.
FROM HERE: http://www.bumpertalk.com/bumpertalk/BC011B.html
oops.. Sorry folks, for the double post.
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