Posted on 09/04/2008 6:05:14 AM PDT by library user
Sonoma County voters called Sarah Palin a risky as well as a brilliant choice for the Republican vice presidential nominee when the selection was announced Friday.
On Wednesday, making her first major speech on a world stage, Palin issued what local viewers said was a rock-solid performance, earning the respect of local Republicans and Democrats alike.
"I thought she was dangerously persuasive," said Laura Goldenberg, a 58-year-old marriage and family therapist from Sebastopol and avid Barrack Obama supporter.
"Governor Sarah Palin tonight has shown her personal courage in standing up against those elites who have hypocritically questioned her ability to serve as our vice president," said Michael Erickson, chairman of Sonoma County Republican Party.
"If anyone thought she couldn't do it, they were disabused of that notion this evening," said Brian Sobel, a Petaluma political consultant.
"I actually have more respect for her now after the speech. It makes the McCain vote a stronger vote for me," said Republican Jessica Jauregui of Windsor, a 31-year-old human resources manager and mother of two.
They all agreed Palin's cutting rhetoric, nods to economic policy changes and troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and portrait of herself as an outsider without a real stake in Washington politics made an impression.
Palin did not mention the controversy surrounding the out-of-wedlock pregnancy of her teenage daughter, a topic Goldenberg, Erickson, Sobel and Jauregui said was not appropriate for the acceptance speech of a vice presidential candidate.
But Goldenberg said Palin should have spoken on issues related to teen pregnancy and specific policies she would support if elected to the No. 2 position.
"She talked about how she vetoes, but she didn't say what she vetoes," Goldenberg said. "She didn't say she's vetoing sex education for teenagers or housing for unwed mothers. It's misleading but effective."
Other specifics impressed Jauregui.
"I was very impressed that she touched on the economy and Iraq, obviously, and energy," she said. "Those are the things that are important to most Americans."
Palin's debate of Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden this fall promises to be an interesting debate, members of both parties said Wednesday night.
"If I'm Biden right now, I'm thinking that this is not going to be easy, that this is no slam dunk," said Sobel, a Republican.
Palin's speech added heat to the race, with some voters now considering joining campaign efforts.
"She seems really tough, and it seems like she's someone who's really committed to what she believes," Jauregui said. "If I had time, I would be involved."
After Palin's speech, Goldenberg said she hopes to sign up with the Obama campaign.
"Her delivery was very strong, which makes me uncomfortable. . . . I'm going to somehow get involved (with the Obama campaign)," Goldenberg said.
Leaders are born. For too long, the Republicans have been trying to manufacture leaders, with devastating results.
I am glad the manufacturing process has rubbed off on the Democrats, the leaders the Democrats have manufactured, Obama, doofus-Obiden, Pelsoi and Reid, and let’s not forget Dean, how can you top that?
“”I thought she was dangerously persuasive...”
You bet. Dangerous to the Dem’s giant power-and-money grab. Dangerous to the inside-the-beltway fatcats.
Not entirely true you partisan hack, she merely reduced the funding for another bloated agency...
This woman is obviously a strong feminist and (like most people voting for Dems) is a one-issue (abortion-rights-wacko feminism) voter. According to her housing for unwed mothers should naturally be at the top of the list for what presidents should do. You want to ask this women why she thinks government should provide housing for unwed mothers instead of their own families. It's insane, but this is the way these people think.
Sounds like she's getting nervous. LOL
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