Sarah Palin

The constant partisan rancor that stops us from solving these problems isn't a cause, it's a symptom. It's what happens when people go to Washington to work for themselves and not you.
~John McCain's acceptance speech

It is fascinating to see the reactions to Sarah Palin. A few short weeks ago she was an unknown, today she is a celebrity. People who know little about her are vehemently extolling her virtues, or criticizing her ability to serve as Vice President. Bloggers who recently declared the virtue of giving up college and career to raise families are now screaming that she should not be criticized for pursuing her career despite her young family. People who jumped on the disappointing news that John Edwards had an extramarital affair, are adamantly denying that Ms. Palin could possibly have been subject to the same human weakness.

Why? Why has Sarah Palin become a hero? Her acceptance speech is in direct contradiction to McCain's statement that the bipartisan rancor is what is wrong with our country. Her speech, which electrified the convention, was divisive and not at all in line with McCain's proposal to unite the country despite party affiliations. Her jabs at Obama were not backed up with facts, and the most often quoted element of her speech is the "Pitbull with lipstick" reference that seems to be very apt.

I thought that Sarah Palin was a brilliant choice. Her selection could easily have won the Hillary supporters who do not want to vote for Obama. I watched her acceptance speech with anticipation, but was terribly disappointed by her mean-spirited approach. This is not a woman who sees both sides of an issue. This is a person who's mind is made up, and you or I cannot change it. I don't care much for pit bulls, and don't find this a good analogy for someone in office.

She says she has stood up to Big Oil. How? She wants to lay another pipeline and start drilling in the wildlife refuge. She has voted against wind power and solar energy. While I understand her perspective on producing our own oil, I don't see how this is "standing up to Big Oil". US drilling won't make a significant difference for many years.

She promotes abstinence only sex education for our youth. Apparently, that is not sufficient to keep our adolescents from becoming parents too soon. Not only is her daughter pregnant, it seems that she herself was pregnant before getting married. Does this make her an unsuitable VP candidate? No. Who really cares? Life happens, and this is not what makes a Vice Presidential candidate qualified. Or not.

Once again, we see a situation where voters are reacting emotionally, without actually looking at the facts. Sarah Palin's speech was delivered flawlessly, with all the appropriate pauses, winks, smiles and nods (as were all of the convention speeches). This alone does not make a good candidate.

I encourage each of us, as voters, to identify the important issues that are facing our country, and to vote based on those. Consider John McCain's statement, and let go of party labels and knee jerk reactions. Reread the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Take another gander at the Declaration of Independence. THEN decide how to vote. Race, gender, and family members should not be our concern. We should be looking for a candidate and running mate who can and will reverse the tragedy of the last eight years and restore us to the internationally respected status that we have deserved for more than 200 years.