Posted on 09/02/2008 4:53:26 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
ST. PAUL–A Canadian politician who has met Sarah Palin – Republican Senator John McCain's vice-presidential choice – says her pro-family values and pro-life beliefs have energized the Republican base. In the United States, issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion are hot buttons in elections, and through Palin, they've jumped to the top of the radar.
"She believes in social conservative values, family values – she lives it," said Yellowhead, Alta., Conservative MP Rob Merrifield, referring to Palin giving birth to her fifth child, Trig, knowing he had Down Syndrome. Palin's 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is five months pregnant and intends to have the baby, a choice applauded by right-to-lifers.
"(Delegates) are ecstatic. They believe she reflects a lot of their values, perhaps more than Senator McCain. I see a re-igniting of energy here," said Merrifield, who, in his role as co-chair of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group, has met Palin twice.
(It's believed McCain, who will be officially nominated as the Republican presidential candidate this week met her only once before choosing her to run as his vice president.)
Palin was very impressive at her first governors' conference in South Dakota a year ago, Merrifield said. She spoke rarely but when she did the room went quiet to listen, he said.
"I wouldn't underestimate Sarah Palin given my personal experience with her," he said of his chats with her last year and at a conference this past spring in Washington, D.C.
"There are no airs, she's just a genuine person."
More importantly the Alaska governor gets Canada, which may help the Canadian government when it enters into talks with the U.S. to delay, alter or scrap their plan to force anyone crossing the Canada-U.S. border to have a passport by next June.
"She really understands Canada and Canadian issues. She understands the problem of the border issues and the implementation of the (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative)."
That's exactly what Merrifield and others in the group, including Liberal Scarborough MP John MacKay, are at this convention to talk about.
"Slowing that trade down when the U.S. is going through an economic slowdown already would be a disaster for them," Merrifield argues. "So our message to them is let's take a sober second look at this and perhaps there's something we can do that's a little more intelligent."
It's a message many congressman and senators agree with, he said.
They're also very receptive to his message that Canada – through a gas pipeline from the North West Territories and the oil sands in Alberta – can help the U.S. achieve energy independence, he said.
"We're one of the only countries that they are importing oil from that can actually turn up the tap," Merrifield said, referring to the vast oil sands in Alberta.
Both McCain and Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama have talked about the need to wean America off Middle East oil.
Merrifield said he made the same pitch about how Canada can help America on the energy file and the importance of changing or scraping the passport requirement at the border in Denver last week at the Democratic convention.
It was well received there too, Merrifield said.
"There are some opportunities for Canada on the border issue if Obama wins and there may be, I'm now seeing, the same opportunities if the Republicans win."
Unlike any other State ALL of Alaska’s borders are international boundaries. And unlike any other State Alaska has a boundary with an enemy nation (Russia).
But I thought Canada was one of our 57 states.
“There are no airs, she’s just a genuine person.”
PING!
I hope they scrap the passport requirement for travel to Canada because otherwise I cant afford to pay the passport fee, not on a retiree income. And it galls me to feed the government pig with the increased fee.
“Alaska has a boundary with an enemy nation (Russia)”
I am dead certain that our lovely Mrs. Palin has been routinely and extensively briefed at ‘whatever’ hour on ‘top-secret’ & delicate matters of national defense/diplomacy; especially considering the Rooskie penchant for sovereign air-space violation. Unfortunately, these matters must stand mute out of deference to national security and the left understands this concept well.
Nevertheless, I don’t think it matters since we ultimately win. . . with COATTAILS!! You heard it hear 1st!!!
However, do not underestimate their ability to shotgun start the lemmings’ pilgrimage. Thanks a pant-load, Saul, et al!
The libs are attempting to diminish her international bona-fides, but just ask, how long is the Canadian/Alaska border and when was the TransCanada pipeline legislation passed?
July 22, 2008 is the date.
By the way, check energy prices. Which way are they going? I’ll submit to my fellow FReepers that Gov. Palin has ‘already’ had a significant, positive impact upon the economy; even before entering national office. She got the pipeline ball rolling far before and any Veep-talk and we are now reaping the benefits of her yeoman’s work.
The left’s argument on her lack of experience vapid at best.
‘I think I’m falling in love with our 45!’
the Deets
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Interesting. And I mean both your take on gas prices, and your cramming three analogies into one sentence.
Clive! Good to hear from you, my cyber friend.
We should be so lucky....
Guess I can't trust them, can I, eh?
Stupid ass comments like that piss me off on the best of days but coming on the heels of news of the death of 3 of our soldiers while fighting for Canada makes my blood boil.
I hadn’t seen the news, so piss off, goof.
And if you hate the US so much then why are you on here?
You do not listen to Air America!!!
Next you’ll tell me you listen to the CBC!
Joker!
;-D
(I may regret this, but....)
Stop it, CC.
Kanawa does not hate America.
Kanawa, I’ve joked for years that I’d like to be part of the States, but I love Canada, being a Canadian, and am very proud of our troops.
Everyone take a deep breath.
I don't hate the US and I don't feel the need to denigrate my own country to make the point.
k, I’ve made my point about the comment and will leave it rest there.
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