Posted on 08/17/2008 5:40:22 PM PDT by Josh Painter
I'm not talking about the mere physical attractiveness of Alaska's governor, though she has been blessed with an abundance of that gift. Palin was a competitor in the 1984 Miss Alaska beauty pageant after being named Miss Wasilla earlier that year, where she also won Miss Congeniality honors.
No, what I'm dicussing here is beauty in the political sense - as in the beauty of what John McCain, if he's smart and willing to make a really bold move, could accomplish by naming Governor Palin as his running mate for the presidential election.
Those making the case for Palin as GOP VP nominee include Jack Kelly on Real Clear Politics, American Spectator's Thomas Cheplick, Bill Krtistol and Fred Barnes of The Weekly Standard and Anchorage Daily News columnist William Ruger.
A number of bloggers have added their voices to the chorus in praise of Alaska's governor. Just a few examples can be found here, here and here.
There are websites devoted to promoting Palin for the Republican vice presidential nomination - Sarah Palin for America, Palin For VP, and Draft Sarah Palin for Vice President. There are even web ads made independently on her behalf. You can view them here, here and here.
There no need for me to echo all of the arguments made by those cited here for Sarah Palin. But I would like to add some perspective.
With energy and oil prices at the top of the nation's current domestic concerns, and with energy independence tied closely to national security at a time when Russia, America's old nemisis, is again on the rise, it is critical for McCain to have someone on his ticket who can speak with authority about energy. Palin demonstrates her command of the subject in this video clip from Glenn Beck's TV show.
Also, in one of the most under-reported news stories in recent weeks, Gov. Palin has accomplished a feat which has eluded the U.S. Congress for many years. She has pushed through the Alaska legislature a natural gas pipeline project which will bring new supply and price relief to the lower 48:
On Aug. 1, the same day the call for a vote on drilling began on the House floor, the Alaska state Senate approved a package of measures to license a new natural gas pipeline. House Bill 3001 lets Palin award the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act license to TransCanada Alaska, a pipeline builder that cast a winning bid of five.With the voters seeing nothing being done but congressional bickering on the energy front, Sarah Palin can point to this accomplishment to show that she's a "can do" leader on energy, something no other potential GOP vice presidential nominee can boast of right now. That's what the electorate is looking for, and this would make Palin a valuable asset to McCain's campaign.The legislature had been trying for 30 years to authorize something like this and, up until now, had blown it. Palin got it through. Getting it off the ground, the state says, will be the biggest construction project in U.S. history.
Palin considers the $26 billion project her biggest accomplishment as governor. "It was not easy," she told IBD. "Alaska has been hoping and dreaming for a natural gas pipeline for decades. What it took was getting off the dime and creating a competitive market in Alaska."
The 1,715-mile gas line would stretch from Alaska's North Slope to Fairbanks and down to Alberta, Canada. Then it would take existing gas lines to Idaho. In 10 years, Palin says, the lower 48 states would receive 4.5 million cubic feet of natural gas a day. By 2030, according to Energy Department estimates, Alaska's annual natgas production would quintuple to 2 trillion cubic feet.
But I've saved the best for last. The Democrats can hardly criticize Gov. Palin's resume as being too thin without calling attention to Obama's own limited experience. And that perhaps, is the real beauty of Sarah Palin.
- JP
No, you’re wrong. I’m not fuming. And I too believe that McCain will win.
It's refreshing to hear someone who's plain spoken. I don't know how long that will last, but it's a welcome contrast from the usual political broken records and pap.
Both parties have the experience "problem." The difference is that with the dems it's at the top.
On the other hand, those who want to harp on experience might tread cautiously and remember two words, Abraham Lincoln.
I’m still thanking the Lord he didn’t pick Lieberman.
And that Hillary didn’t get nominated.
Palin’s only inexperienced, that’s easy to fix. The other two things, not so easy. :)
Or today either........(8/29/08)
You posted it,now clarify it? How and why is she a lightweight compared to the odiferous BO?
And just to clarify this election process for you, she isn't running against the BO, John McCain is.........../
That photo a few pictures down is the cabinet I would like to see in Washington............LOL!
Well Mr. Silverback, the ladies on FR won’t mind looking at her husband for 8 years. :-)
Geez...give me a break and rethink your choice in spiritual advisors. It’s rubbing off on ya.
It’s a stupid argument given the experience of the opposition. As a solid conservative I like the pick.
I don't think the corrupt publ;ic officials she helped to put in prison would agree.
ROFLMAO! Of course it is!! Everything about this election has become opinions!!! LOL! In fact...this comment did not strengthen your argument at all....in my opinion.
Do you think I should move, considering the next door neighbor?
Truthluva, it is no longer up for discussion, and I will not be provoked to attack McCain’s choice. I don’t care for McCain himself, but he is our nominee and she is his running mate.
I’ve already contributed financially to this ticket today. Have you?
Well that would be up to you. In America we can live where ever we want....for now.
Absolutely I have contributed.
I know what I will call him, but what’s the formal title for the male spousal unit of a VP or a female one for that matter?
I wouldn’t mind looking LIKE her husband, truth be told.
Palin made a good first impression in Dayton, in contrast to Dan Quayle who looked the fool the first time he spoke publicly.
Let’s see how she does. She has certainly energized John McCain . . he was practically beaming ear to ear yesterday.
A rendezvous with destiny.
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