Why Are They So Afraid of Sarah Palin???

READ TO THE VERY END! VERY ENLIGHTENING!!! AND VERY DISTURBING!!!

By Dewie Whetsell, Alaskan Fisherman

As posted in comments on Greta's article referencing the MOVEON ad about Sarah Palin.

The last 45 of my 66 years I've spent in a commercial fishing town in Alaska . I understand Alaska politics but never understood national politics well until this last year. Here's the breaking point: Neither side of the Palin controversy gets it. It's not about persona, style, rhetoric, it's about doing things. Even Palin supporters never mention the things that I'm about to mention here.

1. Democrats forget when Palin was the Darling of the Democrats, because as soon as Palin took the Governor's office away from a fellow Republican and tough SOB, Frank Murkowski, she tore into the Republican's "Corrupt Bastards Club" (CBC) and sent them packing. Many of them are now residing in State housing and wearing orange jump suits The Democrats reacted by skipping around the yard, throwing confetti and singing, "la la la la" (well, you know how they are). Name another governor in this country that has ever done anything similar.

2. Now with the CBC gone, there were fewer Alaskan politicians to protect the huge, giant oil companies here. So she constructed and enacted a new system of splitting the oil profits called "ACES." Exxon (the biggest corporation in the world) protested and Sarah told them, "don't let the door hit you in the stern on your way out." They stayed, and Alaska residents went from being merely wealthy to being filthy rich. Of course, the other huge international oil companies meekly fell in line. Again, give me the name of any other governor in the country that has done anything similar.

3. The other thing she did when she walked into the governor's office is she got the list of State requests for federal funding for projects, known as "pork." She went through the list, took 85% of the m and placed them in the "when-hell-freezes-over" stack. She let locals know that if we need something built, we'll pay for it ourselves. Maybe she figured she could use the money she got from selling the previous governor's jet because it was extravagant.
Maybe she could use the money she saved by dismissing the governor's cook (remarking that she could cook for her own family), giving back the State vehicle issued to her, maintaining that she already had a car, and dismissing her State provided security force (never mentioning - I imagine - that she's packing heat herself). I'm still waiting to hear the names of those other governors.

4. Now, even with her much-ridiculed "gosh and golly" mannerism, she also managed to put together a totally new approach to getting a natural gas pipeline built which will be the biggest private construction project in the history of North America. No one else could do it although they tried. If that doesn't impress you, then you're trying too hard to be unimpressed while watching her do things like this while baking up a batch of brownies with her other hand.

5. For 30 years, Exxon held a lease to do exploratory drilling at a place called Point Thompson. They made excuses the entire time why they couldn't start drilling. In truth they were holding it like an investment. No governor for 30 years could make them get started. Then, she told them she was revoking their lease and kicking them out. They protested and threatened court action. She shrugged and reminded them that she knew the way to the court house. Alaska won again.

6. President Obama wants the nation to be on 25% renewable resources for electricity by 2025. Sarah went to the legislature and submitted her plan for Alaska to be at 50% renewables by 2025. We are already at 25%. I can give you more specifics about things done, as opposed to style and persona. Everybody wants to be cool, sound cool, look cool. But that's just a cover-up. I'm still waiting to hear from liberals the names of other governors who can match what mine has done in two and a half years. I won't be holding my breath.

By the way, Palin was content to return to AK after the national election and go to work, but the haters wouldn't let her. Now these adolescent screechers are obviously not scuba divers. And no one ever told them what happens when you continually jab and pester a barracuda. Without warning, it will spin around and tear your face off. Shoulda known better.

You have just read the truth about Sarah Palin that sends the media, along with the democrat party, into a wild uncontrolled frenzy to discredit her. I guess they are only interested in skirt chasers, dishonesty, immoral people, liars, womanizers, murderers, and bitter ex-presidents' wives.

So "You go, Girl." I only wish the men in Washington had your guts, determination, honesty, and morals.

I rest my case. Only FOOLS listen to the biased media.

If you've read this far ...............................................

First Lady Michelle Obama's Servant List and Pay Scale

First Lady Requires More Than Twenty Attendants
1. $172,2000 - Sher, Susan (Chief Of Staff)
2. $140,000 - Frye, Jocelyn C. (Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy And Projects For The First Lady)
3. $113,000 - Rogers, Desiree G. (Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary)
4. $102,000 - Johnston, Camille Y. (Special Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the First Lady)
5. $100,000 - Winter, Melissa E. (Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
6. $90,000 - Medina , David S. (Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
7. $84,000 - Lelyveld, Catherine M. (Director and Press Secretary to the First Lady)
8. $75,000 - Starkey, Frances M. (Director of Scheduling and Advance for the First Lady)
9. $70,000 - Sanders, Trooper (Deputy Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady)
10. $65,000 - Burnough, Erinn J. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)
11. $64,000 - Reinstein, Joseph B. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)
12. $62,000 - Goodman, Jennifer R. (Deputy Director of Scheduling and Events Coordinator For The First Lady)
13. $60,000 - Fitts, Alan O. (Deputy Dir ector of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady)
14. $57,500 - Lewis, Dana M. (Special Assistant and Personal Aide to the First Lady)
15. $52,500 - Mustaphi, Semonti M. (Associate Director and Deputy Press Secretary to The First Lady)
16. $50,000 - Jarvis, Kristen E. (Special=2 0Assistant for Scheduling and Traveling Aide to The First Lady)
17. $45,000 - Lechtenberg, Tyler A. (Associate Director of Correspondence For The First Lady)
18. $43,000 - Tubman, Samantha (Deputy Associate Director, Social Office)
19. $40,000 - Boswell, Joseph J. (Executive Assistant to the Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
20. $36,000 - Armbruster, Sally M. (Staff Assistant to the Social Secretary)
21. $35,000 - Bookey, Natalie (Staff Assistant)
22. $35,000 - Jackson, Deilia A. (Deputy Associate Director of Correspondence for the First Lady)

(This is community organizing at it's finest.)

Oh and then she and the President share services of advisor and friend Valerie Jarrett… not in her budget.

There has NEVER been anyone in the White House at any time who has created such an army of staffers whose sole duties are the facilitation of the First Lady's social life. One wonders why she needs so much help, at taxpayer expense, when even Hillary, only had three; Jackie Kennedy one; Laura Bush one; and prior to Mamie Eisenhower social help came from the President's own pocket.

Note: This does not include makeup artist Ingrid Grimes-Miles, 49, and "First Hairstylist" Johnny Wright, 31, both of whom traveled aboard Air Force One to Europe.

FRIENDS.....THESE SALARIES ADD UP TO SIX MILLION, THREE HUNDRED SIXTY FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS ($6,364,000) FOR THE 4 YEARS OF OFFICE????? AND WE ARE IN A RECESSION?????

WELL....MOST OF US ARE. I GUESS IT'S OK TO SPEND WILDLY WHEN IT'S NOT YOUR OWN MONEY?????

Copyright 2009 Canada FreePress.Com

Yes, I know, The Canadian Free Press has to publish this because the USA media is too scared they might be considered racist. Sorry USA!

THE NEXT JACKIE KENNEDY….PLEASE!?! HER TRUE CLASS REALLY SHINES THROUGH!

Is She the Piñata? (Good Thing She’s Not at the Shooting Range!)

Jackie Kennedy had 1 personal assistant.
Hillary Clinton had 3 personal assistants.
Barbara Bush had 1 personal assistant.

Michele Obama has 20 personal assistants (and they still let her get dressed like that!)

----------

Sarah Palin: Women's Rights Groups: Your Double Standard is Showing

Women's Group Clobbered by Palin for Super Bowl Ad Attack

Yesterday at 5:26pm

Women’s Rights groups, like NOW, commendably call out advertisers and networks for airing sexist and demeaning portrayals of women that lead to young women’s diminished self-esteem and acceptance of roles as mere sexed-up objects.

What a ridiculous situation they’re getting themselves into now with their protest of CBS airing a pro-life ad during the upcoming Super Bowl game. The ad will feature Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow and his mom, and they’ll speak to the sanctity of life and the beautiful potential within every innocent child as Mrs. Tebow acknowledges her choice to give Tim life, despite less than ideal circumstances. Messages like this empower women! This speaks to the strength and commitment and nurturing spirit within women. The message says everything positive and nothing negative about the power of women – and life. Evidently, some women’s rights groups like NOW do not like that message.

NOW is looking at the pro-life issue backwards. Women should be reminded that they are strong enough and smart enough to make decisions that allow for career and educational opportunities while still giving their babies a chance at life. In my own home, my daughter Bristol has also been challenged by pro-abortion “women’s rights” groups who don’t agree with her decision to have her baby, nor do they like the abstinence message which she articulated as her personal commitment. NOW could gain ground and credibility with everyday Americans, thus allowing their pro-women message to be heard by more than just their ardent supporters, if they made wiser decisions regarding which battles to pick. They should call attention to and embrace the Tebows’ message, instead of covertly and overtly disrespecting what Mrs. Tebow, Bristol, and millions of other women have chosen to do (in less than ideal circumstances).

My message to these groups who are inexplicably offended by a pro-woman, pro-child, pro-life message airing during the Super Bowl: please concentrate on empowering women, help with efforts to prevent unexpected pregnancies, stay consistent with your message that for too long women have been made to feel like sex objects in our “modern” culture and that we can expect better in 2010. But don’t let your double standard glare so vividly as to undo some of the good to which you could contribute.

And CBS: just do the right thing. Don’t cave. Have the backbone to run the ad.

To the Tebows: thank you. America is listening. We appreciate you.

- Sarah Palin

Palin Waves Off Prez Talk, Hints at Bigger Role

Sarah Palin was greeted like a rock star in Unalakleet, a fishing village on the Bering Sea. She danced with Eskimos in Kotzebue. And she watched grizzlies at a wildlife sanctuary on the Kenai Peninsula.

In all, the Alaska Governor has been on eight trips outside her Anchorage base since announcing her resignation two weeks ago. Is this a farewell tour, the start of a possible presidential campaign for 2012?

Palin insists it isn't, although she still will not say what plans she has after she steps down on Sunday, with 18 months left to her first term as governor.

"I am Alaskan. I've grown up here and I'm going to remain in Alaska," she said in an interview. "It's not farewell. It's more like, thanks for letting me be here and I'll see you soon."

The Republican governor has largely avoided the media limelight during the past two weeks and dodged questions about her future plans. But she hints that she has a bigger role in mind, and she plans to launch her new platform by speaking her mind on the social networking site Twitter.

Palin said she is eager to resume life as a private citizen.

"Once I am 'Sarah Palin, Alaskan,' I can really call it like I see it," she said.

She waves off any talk of running for president.

"I look forward to continuing to work for Alaska and for energy independence and for the contribution that Alaska could and should be making to allow our nation to be more secure and more prosperous," she said.

Some have speculated that she plans to build on her near-celebrity status as a conservative talk-show host, perhaps for Fox News, or launch a lucrative speaking tour. If her reception Friday in Unalakleet is any indication, she has a strong base of support.

More than 100 people packed a community center and bingo hall to greet the outgoing governor as she signed a bill continuing state subsidies for rural electricity.

The town, known locally as the place where the East wind blows, was an unlikely stop during the governor's final days. A remote collection of unpaved streets on the Bering Sea, the town is so remote that it is reachable only by plane, and most residents get around by ATV or by foot. There are few cars.

But this is what Palin loves best: reaching out to Alaskans, no matter how remote. She barely had time to eat lunch — king crab and salmon and a barrage of homemade desserts — as families surged toward her, trying to shake her hand and get an autograph. Pictures of the governor were not enough. Residents wanted to talk to her and pose with her, even as an aide tried in vain to shield the governor and then get her to leave quietly.

Palin smiled through it all, basking in the attention. She nodded sympathetically as a man told her of a relative in Iraq. She hugged a mother whose baby has Down syndrome, as does Palin's youngest child Trig. She signed every postcard and datebook thrust in front of her.

Palin said Alaska's voters have accepted her decision to resign, even as she continues to receive criticism from the national media and even some fellow Republicans who question her decision to leave with 18 months left in her four-year term.

"We don't give a damn how they do it outside," she said, quoting a popular state bumper sticker. "We do it a different way up here. The pioneer spirit runs strong."

Agnes Baptiste, who posed with Palin and other family members Friday, said she was grateful the governor took the time to come to Unalakleet, 400 miles northwest of Anchorage.

"It's remarkable we can have the opportunity to see her in this community," Baptiste said. Palin "has brought a lot to our state. Whatever endeavor she pursues, I know she'll have Alaska in mind."

Davida Hanson, co-owner of Peace on Earth Pizzeria, said she sees a little of herself in Palin: a working mother trying to do what's best for her job and family.

"She wants to be a mom and a family person. It's not a bad thing," Hanson said, recalling that Mrs. Palin won her heart immediately after taking office, when she followed through on a campaign pledge to sell a state jet bought by former Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski. "I love her!" Hanson said.

Not everyone is so impressed. Karen Erickson, owner of the Kuupiaq coffeehouse, said she thinks Palin has "gone Hollywood" since her selection last year as Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain's running mate in the 2008 presidential race.

"She likes her attention with the media," Erickson said, then adds, "She's done a lot for the state. You have to give her that."

The Rev. Pat McCoy, pastor of the Lighthouse Baptist Church, said he understood why Palin is stepping down.

"If I was her, I'd quit," he said. "Everybody just wants her all the time."

Palin said Alaskans appreciate her desire to help the state avoid a situation where the governor is a lame duck for an extended period of time.

Paul Ivanoff III, community development coordinator for the Norton Sound Economic Development Corp., said there are two Mrs. Palins: one before she was picked as McCain's running mate and the current, rock-star version.

"Anybody thrust into the limelight like that will change for good, especially someone as photogenic and popular with the conservative base as Sarah," he said.

Ivanoff said her sudden resignation saddened and angered him because it will cost the state significant money and rob it of one of its most valuable resources: Palin herself.

"In the same breath, you have to respect her position," he said. "No matter what elected position you are in, you have to do what's best for you and your family. I respect that."

© 2009 Associated Press

New poll showed that if the 2012 election was held today… If the match up was between:

Obama vs. Romney

Obama 45%

Romney 45%

Other Candidate 7%

Undecided 3%

Obama vs. Palin

Obama 48%

Palin 42% (even after her resignation and in this uncertain time for her)

Other Candidate 7%

Undecided 3%

Posted: Daily Thought Pad

Palin Quits as Alaska Governor

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said Friday that she is stepping down at the end of the month, setting up a potential run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin shocked the political word Friday by announcing that she will step down at the end of the month and transfer power to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell.

Palin made the surprise announcement from her home in Wasilla, flanked by her husband, Todd, and family and state commissioners.

"I never believed that I nor anyone else needs a title to do this, to make a difference," she said. "I'm determined to take the right path for Alaska, even though it is unconventional and it's not so comfortable."

Parnell will be inaugurated at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks at the end of the month, Palin said.

The announcement came on the same week that one of her top public health officials says she was forced out of office because Palin felt she wasn't in step on social issues.

Palin's decision now allows her to avoid the difficult task of running for president while serving as governor.

Todd Palin told FOX News that his wife will concentrate on "doing the things for Alaska and the country" that she is passionate about and can not do as governor with the limitation and constant opposition she deals with within the state.

Palin, who defeated incumbent Gov. Murkowski in a primary in 2006, gained national prominence when GOP presidential candidate John McCain picked her as his running mate last year. But her approval ratings in the state have skidded in recent months.

Palin has been dogged in recent months by ethics inquiries. Her office last month announced the 15th dismissal of an ethics complaint against her or one of her staff.

On Wednesday, Beverly Wooley, who has worked more than 20 years in public health in Alaska, most of it with the municipality of Anchorage, ended her stint as state public health director.

She's the second top health official to leave within days. The state's chief medical officer, Jay Butler, left in late June after declining to take on Wooley's job along with his own. He now is in Atlanta, overseeing a U.S. Centers for Disease Control task force on a vaccine to protect against the H1N1 flu virus.

FOX News' Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Posted: Daily Thought Pad

Sarah Palin Cleared Of All 14 Ethics Charges Filed Against Her During/After The Campaign – Where Is The Coverage?

Sarah Palin was cleared of all ethics complaint charges (14 of 14) this week. Liberal loons filed the bogus charges against her, as soon as she was named the VP pick for John McCain last year, just to make life difficult. Fighting the unfounded charges has been a ridiculous waste of Alaska taxpayers’ money. (All those fake trumped up charges cost taxpayers approx one-third of a million dollars and helped guarantee the Obama election.)

We heard a lot about the charges being filed AGAINST Sarah Palin on the mainstream media throughout the past several months. But you don’t hear a lot about the fact that Palin has been CLEARED of all 14 charges from the liberal mainstream media. A major feat on her behalf… and it certainly should make you wonder if the media is corrupt, I mean, why aren’t they reporting this big news story on all the TV news channels or major Internet news sources? Maybe they just haven’t heard… HMMM??

Sarah Palin on Sunday at Walk for Autism

Exclusive: Gov. Palin on Socialism - 'That's Where We Are Headed' | The FOX Nation

Related Articles:

Palin fends off ethics charges

Posted: Daily Thought Pad

Newt Gingrich gets standing ovation at AIPAC, demanding America to Lead for Freedom rather then Bow to Saudi King

The American-Israel Public Affairs Committee opted to end its plenary session (after a marathon of telemarketing-style donation appeals) with a speech from Newt Gingrich, introduced as a sort of prophet who been talking about Iran as long ago as 1994.

“A world that will destroy Israel will surely destroy the United States,” Gingrich intoned, asking for a “serious, adult conversation about reality.” That would be a comparison between the way the international community talks about Israel and the torture scenes from “1984″ and a very self-aware tour of 20th century history: “I would carry you back, as a former history teacher, to three other years that ended in nine.”

Those years were 1909, 1939, and 1979, years when the hard-headed who “described evil as evil” were right and the appeasers were wrong. About 1979: “I just released a movie about it, called ‘Ronald Reagan: A Rendezvous With Destiny’.” If Americans followed the “Reagan model” of toughness, Americans will be surprised at “the speed at which those evil regimes disappear.” If America shows leadership “it could happen without firing a shot,” like the end of the Cold War–sorry, Afghanistan.

People need to look at the model of what happened when Pope John Paul II went to Poland, “as we will do at the end of this month, we’re making a movie called ‘Nine Days That Changed the World’.” The big ideas: • “De-funding of Durban II and any future effort to organize hatred.” • “Suspend Iran’s right to vote in the United Nations.” • “Disrupting gasoline supplies” to Iran until a new regime is installed. • “Growing in Gaza” an alternative to Hamas.

This led into Gingrich’s call for what his group, American Solutions, calls for most days: more energy exploration, an “all-points system to maximize American freedom from the Middle East,” doing this “rather than bowing to the Saudi King” — which got a tremendous standing ovation

 

MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT 2012      

 

SARAH PALIN FOR PRESIDENT 2012

 

BOBBY JINDAL FOR PRESIDENT '12

 

NEWT GINGRICH FOR PRESIDENT '12  -  MAYBE?

Posted:  Daily Thought Pad

Related Articles:

• [Pic] Obama bows to Saudi King *update* Video added
• The Humbling of a Superpower
• The Elephant in the Room: Obama vs. United States

Sarah PAC Update

As Washington, D.C. partisans continue to fight and bicker over "politics as usual," Governor Sarah Palin is working every day to reform government in Alaska and fight for the conservative values we all cherish.

It's been a busy few weeks for Governor Palin. Like many Americans, the Governor is praying for the many families in Alaska that are struggling in a difficult economy. Not content with waiting for the federal government to sort through the mess, Governor Palin is working each day to restore Alaska's economy and put people back to work. That's why she recently proposed legislation that will provide relief for Alaskans struggling to heat their homes and generate the power they need.

Recently, Governor Palin was joined by Franklin Graham as she traveled to Western Alaska. Together, Governor Palin and Mr. Graham toured the region and met with residents of the area. Many of these Alaskans have recently received additional assistance through a partnership between many state agencies and several faith-based, non-profit groups, such as Mr. Graham's Samaritan's Purse.

As you can see, Governor Palin is working each day in Alaska. Her bold actions have helped thousands across the state and is the example of strong, conservative leadership needed throughout the country.
SarahPAC supports leaders and candidates that share Governor Palin's vision of government reform, low taxes, and personal freedom. Governor Palin will soon be traveling the country and working to support leaders who share this vision.

But we can't do it without you. Will you join Governor Palin's team and make a contribution so SarahPAC - the official Sarah Palin PAC - can support the Governor's efforts to reform government and help elect leaders who share our conservative values?

Thank you for being a part of our team. Governor Palin believes our brightest days are ahead and she is honored to have you by her side.

Sincerely,

P.S. SarahPAC supports leaders and candidates who share Governor Palin's vision of government reform, low taxes, and personal freedom. Your contribution today will help SarahPAC support Governor Palin's efforts to reform government and help elect leaders who share our conservative values.

SARAHPAC

Dear Fellow American,

Last week, I launched a new political action committee called SarahPAC, dedicated to building a better and stronger America. I thought long and hard before taking this step. So friends, let me tell you about it.

As Alaska's Governor, I've been blessed with the opportunity to work on issues that affect every Alaskan family. Of course each one of those issues - energy independence, fiscal responsibility for taxpayer dollars, affordable health care, protecting America's security and supporting a culture of life - are real matters that affect us all.

Throughout my political career, I've fought for these issues. I built my public life fighting corruption and working for smaller and smarter government. Now I want to continue this work through SarahPAC, and I am asking you to join me.

My goal for SarahPAC is to begin building a better future for every one of us, and for our children. Right now, we are all hurting because of unchecked greed and irresponsibility. The solutions for these challenging times lie in the knowledge and faith that America's better days are ahead.

Today, I hope you will take a few minutes to join me and show your support by joining SarahPAC. With a generous donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, $250 or more, you will be standing up as a strong voice for our shared ideas and values. Your donation will allow me to help support candidates who share our ideas about the future of the United States of America.

Each and every one of us has a responsibility as an American to get involved as our country faces an unprecedented economic crisis. You know I will speak out. And you know I will speak for you.

So, please join me in my efforts today by following this link to join and support SarahPAC by making a donation. Every dollar raised will go a long way in advancing our shared goals and ideas.

I look forward to working with you in the future as we build a community of supporters to confront 21st century challenges with integrity, innovation and determination.

With an Alaskan heart - indeed with a servant's heart - I thank you for allowing me to ask for your support.

Sincerely,

Governor Sarah Palin

P.S. SarahPAC, my new political action committee, will support candidates who will do what they have promised on the campaign trail. SarahPAC will be efficient and careful with every single penny. I promise to be a good steward of your generous contribution. SarahPAC can accept personal donations up to $5,000 per year. I look forward to hearing from you!
 

Bipartisan Buddies: Sarah Palin and Barack Obama

While most everyone was watching the attempted bipartisanship on Capitol Hill this week, some of it broke out successfully in an unlikely place elsewhere.

It seems that Alaska Republican Gov. Sarah Palin, the unsuccessful GOP VP nominee, was worried that the Army was going to cut off pensions to the state's old-timers long-retired from the Alaska Territorial Guard. So she sat down and wrote a letter to the new big guy himself, DemocraticPresident Barack Obama,who's vowed to take extra special care of veterans.

And the largest state's small congressional delegation got involved too.

And, what do you know? According to the ever-vigilant Sarah Palin for President blog, the Army suddenly decided it didn't really need to cut off those payments after all

It found a special fund to pay them, while Sens. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, and Mark Begich, a Democrat, together shepherd the proper authorizing legislation through Congress.

Amazing when it works.

And speaking of Sarah and Barack, this weekend they're both attending the off-the-record black tie dinner of the Alfalfa Club, one of those fraternity-like get-togethers that Washingtonians schedule throughout the year to convince themselves of their eliteness. Palin, who as The Ticket reported, formed her own SarahPAC this week, says she's attending to pitch the interests of Alaska.

And?

According to Paul Bedard over at Washington Whispers, Palin's presence in D.C. has sparked an interview bidding war between CNN's Larry King, who's had seven wives and almost as many heart attacks, and ABC's George Stephanopoulos, who hasn't.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Vogue

Chambliss Sweeps to Victory in Georgia

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss has won re-election in a runoff, dashing Democratic hopes of capturing enough Senate seats to thwart Republican filibusters. Chambliss, who fell just short of the majority vote needed to win re-election in November, prevailed in a one-on-one rematch with Democrat Jim Martin. With 92 percent of precincts reporting, Chambliss had 58 percent of the vote to Martin's 41 percent. Chambliss' victory thwarted Democrats' hopes of winning a 60 seat filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. It came after a bitter month long runoff against Democrat Jim Martin that drew political luminaries from both parties to the state and flooded the airwaves with fresh attack ads weeks after campaigns elsewhere had ended. Minnesota — where a recount is under way — now remains the only unresolved Senate contest in the country. But the stakes there are significantly lower now that Georgia has put a 60-seat Democratic supermajority out of reach. With 70 percent of the precincts reporting, Chambliss captured 60 percent to Martin's 40 percent. Chambliss' win is a rare bright spot for Republicans in a year where they lost the White House as well as seats in the House and the Senate. "It's been a hard and tough four weeks," Chambliss said at a victory party in Cobb County. "We had a hardcore campaign on both sides and while things look good right now, we're going to continue to follow the returns as they come in." Chambliss' mantra on the runoff campaign trail was simple: His re-election was critical to prevent Democrats in Washington from having a blank check. Chambliss, 65, had angered some conservatives with his vote for the $700 billion bailout of the financial services industry and his early support in 2007 for the guest worker provision in President Bush's immigration bill. But fearful of unchecked Democratic dominance, some came back into the GOP fold Tuesday Martin made the economy the centerpiece of his bid, casting himself as a champion for the neglected middle class. He also linked himself at every opportunity to Barack Obama and his message of change. The Democratic president elect was a no show on the campaign trail in Georgia but did record a radio ad and automated phone calls for Martin. In the end, Martin, a 63-year-old former state lawmaker from Atlanta, wasn't able to get Obama voters back to the polls in large enough numbers to overcome the Republican advantage in Georgia, which has become an increasingly a reliable red state since 2002. Turnout was light throughout the state Tuesday. A spokesman for Secretary of State Karen Handel predicted between 18 and 20 percent of the state's 5.75 million registered voters would cast ballots — far less than the 65 percent who voted in last month's general election. The runoff between the former University of Georgia fraternity brothers was necessary after a three-way general election prevented any of the candidates from getting the necessary 50 percent. Chambliss came to the Senate in 2002 after defeating Democratic Sen. Max Cleland in a campaign that infuriated Democrats. Chambliss ran a TV ad that questioned Cleland's commitment to national security and flashed a photo of Osama bin Laden. Cleland is a triple amputee wounded in the Vietnam War. He was a loyal supporter of President Bush and, as a freshman, rose to become chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. the former agriculture lawyer from Moultrie has been the ranking Republican on the panel since Democrats won control of the Senate. Some 3.7 million people cast ballots in this year's general election, and both sides have since tried to keep voters' attention with a barrage of ads and visits by political heavy-hitters. Former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore both stumped for Martin. President-elect Barack Obama recorded a radio ad for Martin and sent 100 field operatives, but he didn't campaign in the state despite a request from Martin to do so. Several ex-Republican presidential candidates made appearances for Chambliss, including GOP nominee John McCain, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Chambliss brought in Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's vice presidential pick, as his closer. She headlined four rallies for Chambliss across the state Monday that drew thousands of party faithful. © 2008 Associated Press

'Disgusting' Bias for Obama, Time Writer Admits

These admissions of extreme-bias beginning to surface by their own admission should be a raised flag for all future reading and listening to "so-called mainstream media" coverage and for future elections.  It should also be a lessen well-learned, for everyone.  Media bias is unacceptable in a free-society, and even if it went you way this time, it won't always. The mainstream media's support for Barack Obama's presidential campaign was so biased that even major insiders are now admitting they were shocked by its depth and depravity. Last week, Time magazine's Mark Halperin called the media's performance during the campaign simply "disgusting." Halperin told a panel of media analysts at the Politico/USC conference on the 2008 election, "It's the most disgusting failure of people in our business since the Iraq war." He added, "It was extreme bias, extreme pro-Obama coverage." According to the Web site Politico, Halperin, who edits Time's political site "The Page," zeroed in on two New York Times articles near the end of the campaign that profiled both Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama. "The story about Cindy McCain was vicious," Halperin said. "It looked for every negative thing they could find about her and it cast her in an extraordinarily negative light. It didn't talk about her work, for instance, as a mother for her children, and they cherry-picked every negative thing that's ever been written about her." But the Times gave Michelle Obama red carpet treatment, "like a front-page endorsement of what a great person Michelle Obama is." Halperin, a former ABC News political director, allowed that some of the press coverage simply reflected the extreme efficiency of Obama's presidential campaign. "You do have to take into account the fact that this was a remarkable candidacy," Halperin said. "There were a lot of good stories. He was new." Obama also had a lot of money and outspent Republican John McCain by more than 2 to 1. The press never bothered to hold Obama accountable for reneging on his promise to use public financing. McCain kept his promise to do so. During the campaign, conservatives criticized the pro-Obama coverage, but it had little effect. Columnist David Limbaugh noted: "Never has that been clearer than in the 2008 presidential election, during which they are covering up rather than covering Barack Obama's shady past and alliances, his knee-deep involvement in corrupt practices threatening the very core of our democratic system, and his many policy misrepresentations." Limbaugh noted that the press went into a tizzy over Sarah Palin's wardrobe, but ignored extravagances like Obama's "obscenely idolatrous million-dollar Greek coliseum mirage." Now that the election is over, Halperin is not alone in admitting the bias. The Washington Post's ombudsman recently conceded that the paper’s coverage was skewed strongly in favor of Obama and against the McCain-Palin ticket. Posted:  NewsMax

GOP Rebuilding

Gingrich Says Palin  Won't Lead GOP Watch CBS Videos Online  Newt Gingrich told Bob Schieffer on CBS' Face the Nation that there  will be many more contenders for 2012 than anyone thinks.

Sarah Palin Won’t Rule Out Run for Senate

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin declined to rule out a bid for the Senate if Sen. Ted Stevens wins re-election and is expelled or resigns. Republican Stevens was convicted last month on seven felony counts. He trails Democrat Mark Begich in the ongoing vote count, but if he does win and then leaves the Senate, Palin would be able to call a special election within 60 to 90 days. She said she would consider running if she believes Alaskans want to send her to Washington, according to Roll Call. “I just don’t want to close any doors at this point,” she said on Sunday. Palin also used the “door” metaphor last week when discussing a possible run for the White House in 2012 or 2016, saying: “If there is an open door in '12 or four years later, and if it is something that is going to be good for my family, for my state, for my nation, an opportunity for me, then I'll plow through that door.” By: Jim Meyers © 2008 Newsmax.

Palin urges GOP governors to keep Democrats honest

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON 

MIAMI (AP) — Sarah Palin called on fellow Republican governors to keep the new president and his strengthened Democratic majority in check on issues from taxes to health care as she signaled she'll take a leadership role in a party searching for a new standard-bearer.

Addressing the Republican Governors Association meeting Thursday, this year's GOP vice presidential nominee — and an oft-mentioned candidate for 2012 — revisited some aspects of the bitter campaign and talked about the role of the governors in the coming year. After losing the White House and several seats in the Senate and House, the party is engaging in some soul-searching about its direction.

"We are the minority party," Palin said at a session on "Looking Towards the Future: The GOP in Transition." "Let us resolve not to be the negative party."

Still, she took a swipe or two at President-elect Barack Obama. She said with governors, "the buck stops on our desk. ... We are not the many voting yea or nay or present." While an Illinois state lawmaker, Obama often voted "present," a practice the GOP criticized during the campaign.

Palin noted that Congress is led by the likes of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Rep. Barney Frank, and said it was incumbent upon GOP governors to ensure that the federal government doesn't take over the health care system. She said if Obama and the new Congress "err on the side of excess taxes, we have to show them the way."

"Let's reach out to Barack Obama," Palin said. "Show him how lower taxes provide opportunity for the private sector to grow."

Palin also displayed a sense of humor, telling the governors at the beginning of her remarks that she wanted to catch them up on the developments in her life since they last met.

"I had a baby, I did some traveling, I very briefly expanded my wardrobe, I made a few speeches, I met a few VIPs including those who really impact society like Tina Fey," she said to loud laughter.

Facing the prospect of being out of power at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue for the first time since the 1992 election, Republicans are looking to their governors to fill the leadership vacuum. Speculation has centered on the telegenic Palin despite her tumultuous two months on the national political scene. She likely would have competition for a possible 2012 bid from Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal — all in attendance at the three-day meeting.

Republican governors acknowledged that Palin would be a party leader.

"She is somebody who is going to be one of the voices in helping to lead the party in the months and years ahead," Pawlenty said. "We're going to need a whole team, but she's clearly going to be one of the voices that people are going to look to for some perspective on various issues."

In a series of national television interviews, Palin did not rule out seeking the presidency, saying, "It's crazy to close a door before you know what's even open in front of you."

Before briefly taking questions from reporters Thursday morning, Palin said, "I, like all of our governors, we're focused on the future. The future for us is not the 2012 presidential race. It's next year and our next budget, and the next reforms in our states and in 2010 we're going to have 36 governors' positions open across the U.S. That's what we're focused on."

Governors showed their support for Palin, who critics have said was ill-prepared to be vice president and may have cost Republican nominee John McCain support from independent and moderate voters. Undermining Palin's credibility and hockey mom image was her $150,000 wardrobe bought with GOP dollars and her halting interview performances.

Six in 10 Americans said Palin is not qualified to become president, according to exit polls of voters in last week's election. That included nine in 10 Democrats, nearly two-thirds of independents and a quarter of Republicans. The exit polls were conducted for The Associated Press and the television networks.

Twelve of Palin's peers joined her for the news conference, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the head of the RGA, praised before she made her remarks, describing Palin as "a governor who has led her state boldly, inspired a nation with her optimism, her frank talk, her unashamed embrace of bedrock conservative principles. She represents us, Republican governors, as well. And I can assure you, she's just getting started."

Michael Reagan Slams Palin Critics

By: Rick Pedraza

Michael Reagan says that despite reports in the media about bad blood between the Sarah Palin and John McCain camps, Palin is not the reason McCain lost the presidential election to Barack Obama. The radio talk show host, Newsmax columnist and son of President Ronald Reagan, says several of McCain’s top aides, who have been making a lot of noise of late, are wrong in accusing Palin of causing the GOP candidate’s defeat. “Palin is not the reason that John McCain lost,” Reagan tells Newsmax. “The reason John McCain lost is because of George Bush and his lack of leadership in Washington, D.C. with his own party — his lack of leadership in reaching out to conservatives members of his own party to get their help and be able to talk with them to move this government forward.” VIDEO: Michael Reagan Slams Palin Critics

Reagan says responsibility for McCain’s loss — as well as the overall trouncing of the GOP Tuesday night — lies more with President George W. Bush.

“This goes on George Bush, not on Sarah Palin,” Reagan points out. “She should not be blamed. If anything, she helped the McCain candidacy by, in fact, bringing the base together to support someone on that ticket. I’m mad that they did not allow Sarah Palin to be Sarah Palin maybe as much as she should have.”

Reagan says he was not surprised by the results of the election and admits he expected it: “I think most of us really did expect Barack Obama to win the presidency over John McCain.”

Reagan, who says “it’s great” that America elected its first black president, disagrees with the policies Obama spoke of during the campaign and hopes much of what Obama campaigned on will turn out to be a lie just to get elected.

“The Democrats have been saying for a long time that Bush lied and people died. And we’ve been fighting back saying, ‘no, Bush didn’t lie,’” Reagan says.

“In the case of Barack Obama, I hope during the whole campaign, all the things he promised to do I hope was a lie. I’d hate to actually see him put these things into place… and I’ll fight tooth and nail to stop him from putting these things in place.

“But, do I think it’s good for America that a black man was elected president of the United States? Absolutely. I just disagree with his policies.”

Reagan says that with the most left-wing president in history, coupled together with hard-core liberals controlling Congress, America is on the fast track to socialism.

“If Barack Obama is allowed to institute all the things he talked about, we are in to socialism. But let’s be honest, the Republicans under George Bush have been ‘socialism lite,’” Reagan explains.

“If you really look at what’s been going on in Washington — a $700 billion dollar bailout, nationalizing of this, nationalizing of that — [you find] we have gotten away from where Ronald Reagan was. We have gotten away from the roots of the Republican Party. We [the Republican Party] have moved toward socialism. Maybe that’s why we recognize it in Barack Obama.”

Reagan says the Republican Party needs to get back to its roots and rebuild the party from the bottom up.

“It’s time for [the GOP leadership] to leave and allow a new group of conservative leaders to go to the top of this party and lead this party into the future under the banner of Ronald Reagan and true conservative politics. Not the conservative banner, if you will, of George Bush, who is more like Rockefeller than Reagan.”

Reagan says with a Democratic president, House and Senate, bringing back the Fairness Doctrine — which can be used as an insidious effort to muzzle conservative radio talk show hosts like him — concerns him greatly, but is all but a done deal.

“The Republicans can’t stop them,” Reagan says. “The Republicans can’t stop them at all. You’re talking about 176 people in the House, and barely any of us can breathe in the Senate of the United States with the great gap between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate. No, if they [the Democrats] want to pass it, they will pass it. And the president of the United States will, in fact, sign it.”

Reagan’s great worry is not Barack Obama as much as it is Harry Reid [D-Nev.] and Nancy Pelosi [D-Calif.] controlling the House and Senate.

“Everything that they’ve ever wanted to do to get back at conservatives they have in line to pass,” Reagan says. “They now have a president after January 20 of next year who will most likely sign these laws into law, which will hurt us, in our business, to be able to speak out against the policies of the leftist, radical government that’s going to be taking over. And it’s been radical for a long time with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barney Frank [D-Mass.], Maxine Waters [D-Calif.], Christopher Dodd [D-Conn.], and what have you. Now they have a president who will, in fact, rubber stamp their radicalism. That worries me.”

© 2008 Newsmax

Wondering What Sarah Palin's Future Holds...

A few readers have asked whether I think Sarah Palin will run for the Senate in the future. I think that would be a mistake, for several reasons, not the least of which is that, if successful, the decision would take an unique and popular outside-the-beltway executive and put her inside the Beltway as one of 100 legislators voting on every bill that comes down the pike.

For now, I hope Sarah Palin gets to take a vacation and spend some much-deserved time with that beautiful family. Her experience these past four months must have been simultaneously exhilarating, supremely frustrating, and thoroughly exhausting.

I hope Palin runs for a second term as governor and is reelected. This seems like a likely scenario.

Beyond that, her future is a blank slate. If she decided, after this rollercoaster experience, that she was no longer all that interested in national office, I could not blame her. But I suspect that she realizes the strengths she has and the opportunities that will await her.

The Republican base loves Sarah Palin. Many Democrats instantly loathed her, at least partially because they sensed an almost unparalleled threat; a few couldn’t help but like her even if they disagreed with her. Independents concluded she wasn't ready — not that she wasn't likeable, and not that she wasn't an impressive person, but that she wasn't ready. This flaw can be overcome with time and useful experience.

If Palin wants a future in national office, I hope she takes some time to deeply contemplate where she wants to take the country. I suspect she'll write a book about her experience on the campaign trail; I hope she writes a separate one, when she's ready, about her vision for the country.

She indeed could be the next Reagan; the challenge this time was that she was running as the Ronald Reagan of about 1969, after about two years as governor. It’s easy to forget how much time Reagan spent touring and speaking at General Electric plants, a thousand radio addresses, newspaper columns, etc. He familiarized himself with every major economic, social, and foreign policy topic under the sun, and figured out what he wanted American policy to do and how it should go about doing it. Very, very few political figures think through these key questions so thoroughly. A lot of the Palin criticism was unfair, but the Peggy Noonans of the world have something of a point when they say she has as-yet incomplete political philosophy. Until the end of August, Sarah Palin didn’t really need one; her natural instincts were sufficient to successfully navigate the treacherous world of Alaskan politics.

And there is really no deadline for her interest in national office.  Palin is a strikingly young 44 years old. If she runs at Hillary's age, she will be running in 2024. You’re going to hear a lot of buzz about her as a 2012 candidate, but I don’t think that she needs to run in four years. (For now, life will keep her busy – she has an infant to take care of, a son in Iraq, a grandchild on the way and a day job.) I don’t think that love from the Republican base is going to dissipate in four years. She stepped up to the plate and hit the ball as far as she could this time around, and for about two weeks, she helped achieve the near-impossible: putting McCain ahead in a Democratic year.

Every once in a while I think about working on a political campaign, and almost always conclude that I like what I do on the outside too much to ever want to accept the inherent limits of working on the inside. But after the joy of offering a line that ended up in her convention speech, Governor, I’ll make clear the exception. I’ll answer that call anytime.

By Jim Geraghty/National Review

Sarah Palin... Record vs. Rhetoric

“You Are Here To Serve, But You Don’t Have To Be The Main Course!” 

...Dr. Christiane Northrup, M.D. & Author

Prejudice against Palin?

Sarah Palin: Record Versus Rhetoric

Apparently there is something about Sarah Palin that causes some people to think of her as either the best of candidates or the worst of candidates. She draws enthusiastic crowds and provokes visceral hostility in the media.

The issue that is raised most often is her relative lack of experience and the fact that she would be "a heartbeat away from the presidency" if Senator John McCain were elected. But Barack Obama has even less experience — none in an executive capacity — and his would itself be the heartbeat of the presidency if he were elected.

Sarah Palin's record is on the record, while whole years of Barack Obama's life are engulfed in fog, and he has had to explain away one after another of the astounding and vile people he has not merely "associated" with but has had political alliances with, and to whom he has directed the taxpayers' money and other money.

Sarah Palin has had executive experience — and the White House is the executive branch of government. We don't have to judge her by her rhetoric because she has a record.

We don't know what Barack Obama will actually do because he has actually done very little for which he was personally accountable. Even as a state legislator, he voted "present" innumerable times instead of taking a stand one way or the other on tough issues.

"Clean up the mess in Washington"? He was part of the mess in Chicago and lined up with the Daley machine against reformers.

He is also part of the mess in Washington, not only with numerous earmarks, but also as the Senate's second largest recipient of money from Fannie Mae, and someone whose campaign has this year sought the advice of disgraced former Fannie Mae CEO Franklin Raines, who was at the heart of the subprime crisis.

Why then the enthusiasm for Obama and the hostility to Sarah Palin in the media?  (Especially since Obama is the top of the ticket and actually has less executive experience than Governor Sarah Palin!)

One reason of course is that Senator Obama is ideologically much closer to the views of the media than is Governor Palin. But there is more than that. There are other conservative politicians who do not evoke such anger, spite and hate.

Sarah Palin is the one real outsider among the four candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency on the Republican and Democratic tickets. Her whole career has been spent outside the Washington Beltway.

More than that, her whole life has been outside the realm familiar to the intelligentsia of the media. She didn't go to the big-name colleges and imbibe the heady atmosphere that leaves so many feeling that they are special folks. She doesn't talk the way they talk or think the way they think.

Worse yet, from the media's perspective, Sarah Palin does not seek their Good Housekeeping seal of approval.

Much is made of Senator Joe Biden's "experience." But Frederick the Great said that experience matters only when valid conclusions are drawn from it.

Senator Biden's "experience" has been a long history of being on the wrong side of issue after issue in foreign policy. He was one of those Senators who voted to pull the plug on financial aid to South Vietnam, which was still defending itself from Communist invaders after the pullout of American troops.

Biden opposed Ronald Reagan's military buildup that helped win the Cold War. He opposed the surge in Iraq last year.

Sarah Palin will not be ready to become President of the United States on the first day that she and John McCain take office. Nobody is.

But being Vice President is a job that can allow a lot of time for studying, and everything about Governor Palin's career says that she is a bright gal with her head on straight. The country needs that far more than it needs people with glib answers to media "gotcha" questions.

Whatever the shortcomings of John McCain and Sarah Palin, they are people whose values are the values of this nation, whose loyalty and dedication to this country's fundamental institutions are beyond question because they have not spent decades working with people who hate America. Nor are they people whose judgments have been proved wrong consistently during decades of Beltway "experience."

WONDERFUL MSNBC VIDEO ON SARAH PALIN, SERIOUSLY

By: Thomas Sowell, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.

Palin's Pipeline Counters Natural-Gas Cartel  - And Palin Deserves Some Recognition

“Whatever the shortcomings of John McCain and Sarah Palin, they are people whose values are the values of this nation, whose loyalty and dedication to this country's fundamental institutions are beyond question because they have not spent decades working with people who hate America. Nor are they people whose judgments have been proved wrong consistently during decades of Beltway "experience."

Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber Costumes In High Demand For Halloween

Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber costumes in demand ahead of Hallowe'en

Sales of Sarah Palin fancy dress costumes have risen strongly ahead of Halloween.

 

By Ben Leach 
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1488655367/bctid1871635838  

Across the US, Americans have been snapping up Palin masks, wigs and glasses, complete with Miss Alaska sashes.

"It's been phenomenal. We're selling out like crazy. It's been one of our best selling costumes to date," said Jason Sandlofer, of Ricky's NYC fancy dress shop.

Although sales of Obama costumes are outselling McCain ones, according to Mr Sandlofer, Palin is still ahead in the costume stakes.

"Obama to McCain right now Obama's outselling McCain. But Sarah Palin's taking the cake," added Mr Sandlofer.

Dianne Avery, a customer at Ricky NYC's, said: "I think she [Sarah Palin] has a particular look that's easy to copy and she also has some opinions that a lot of people don't agree with."

Fancy dress shops have even been stocking up on Joe the Plumber costumes, complete with blue jumpsuit, plunger and name badge.

Meanwhile Saturday Night Live actress Tina Fey has said she glues her ears back for her popular television impressions of Palin.

But she added it took her a while to accept she was almost a perfect double for the Republican vice-presidential candidate.