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'''Sarah Louise Heath Palin''' (born February 11, 1964), the 11<sup>th</sup> [[Alaska]] state governor, is the [[U.S. Republican Party]]'s [[Vice President of the United States of America|vice presidential]] nominee for the [[2008 United States presidential election]]. She was chosen by the party's presidential nominee, [[John McCain]], in August 2008, and addressed the Republican National Convention on September 3 prior to her official nomination on September 4.
Before coming to national attention as McCain's running mate, Palin was elected governor of Alaska in 2006. Her political experience prior to this consisted of two terms as mayor/manager of [[Wasilla, Alaska]] (pop. about 9,000), from 1996 to 2002, and two terms as a Wasilla City Council member (1992-1996). She had also been a chair of the [[Alaska Conservation Commission]] which regulates oil and gas, and was president of the [[Alaska Conference of Mayors]].
==Vice-presidential campaign==
Early media coverage of Sarah Palin's appointment to the McCain ticket focused on various controversies, including: an ongoing investigation into allegations that she [[Sarah Palin#Political ideology and positions|tried to have her brother-in-law fired]] during an acrimonious divorce from her sister; the circumstances surrounding the [[Sarah Palin#Family background and education|birth of her fifth child]]; her [[Sarah Palin#Government reform|initial backing for the Alaskan "Bridge to Nowhere" project and opposition to earmarks]]; her support for [[Sarah Palin#Environment|oil drilling and a gas pipeline in Alaska]]; and her [[Sarah Palin#Foreign policy|foreign policy experience]]. John McCain insisted that Palin had been thoroughly vetted before being offered the vice-presidential ticket, but nevertheless Republican lawyers were sent to Alaska days after the announcement to make a more thorough investigation.<ref>''Independent'': '[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/mccain-denies-hasty-vetting-of-palin-as-lawyers-sent-to-alaska-917024.html McCain denies hasty vetting of Palin as lawyers sent to Alaska].' September 2 2008.</ref>
Palin made her first major address as nominee at the Republican National Convention on September 3. Well-received in the hall, the speech was highly critical of McCain's [[U.S. Democratic Party|Democratic]] rival, [[Barack Obama]], dismissing his experience as a community organizer; Palin contrasted Obama's work with the responsibility of being a governor.<ref>''CNN'': '[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/03/rnc.day/index.html Palin comes out throwing punches].' September 4 2008.</ref>
== Family background and education ==
Palin was born in [[Idaho]] but the family moved to Alaska when she was still a baby. She was baptized as a [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]] but as a child was brought into the [[Assemblies of God|Assembly of God]], a [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] church.<ref>''Los Angeles Times'': '[http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-mccainveepbio30-2008aug30,0,2159346.story Palin has risen quickly from PTA to VP pick].' August 30 2008.</ref>  Ed Kalnins, senior pastor of the Wasilla Assembly of God, has spoken on various political issues from the position that opponents of Republican policy could be punished by [[God]]; Palin now worships at a related Assembly of God church in [[Juneau, Alaska|Juneau]].<ref>''Huffington Post'': '[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html Palin's church may have shaped controversial worldview].' September 2 2008.</ref>  Palin graduated in 1982 from Wasilla High School and received a [[bachelors degree]] from the [[University of Idaho]] in communications-[[journalism]] in 1987.  She has lived in [[Skagway]], [[Eagle River]] and Wasilla. She married Todd Palin and together they have five children - Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig. She has been praised by [[pro-life]] groups for not terminating her [[pregnancy]] after learning that Trig had [[Down Syndrome]] ([[trisomy 21]]).
On 1 September 2008, in response to an internet rumor that Trig was actually Bristol's son,<ref>''Daily Kos'': '[http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/30/121350/137/486/580223 Sarah Palin is NOT the mother].' August 30 2008.</ref> Palin announced that Bristol was five months pregnant and had decided to keep the baby and marry the father. John McCain had been informed of this matter prior to choosing Palin as his running mate.<ref>''CNN'': '[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/01/palin.daughter/index.html Teen daughter of GOP VP pick is pregnant].' September 1 2008.</ref> In 2006, Palin had stated that she supported [[abstinence-only sex education]].<ref>''MSNBC'': '[http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/01/1320417.aspx Palin backed abstinence-only education].' September 1 2008.</ref>
== Political ideology and positions ==
Palin is politically [[conservatism|conservative]]; in regard to [[abortion]], she is [[pro-life]]/[[anti-abortion]] and a member of [[Feminists for Life]]. She is also a long-time member of the [[National Rifle Association]].  Although she vetoed a bill to deny benefits to [[homosexuality|gays]], because she felt it was unconstitutional, she believes marriage should only be between a man and a woman, and is in favor of constitutional ammendments to deny gay rights<ref>Anchorage Daily News, "Little play," by K. Hopkins Aug 6, 2006.</ref><ref>''New York Times'', pp. A1 & A10, "An Outsider Who Charms" Aug 29, 2008.</ref>. She presents herself as an anti-[[corruption]] leader, although during much of her vice-presidential campaign she was under investigation for allegedly using her office to fire [[Walter Monegan]], the Public Safety Commissioner she appointed, for refusing to fire her former brother-in-law, Michael Wooten, an Alaskan state trooper ("Troopergate").<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.ickypeople.com/2008/08/palin-brother-in-law-scandal-grows.html|title=IckyPeople.com |access=20080830 }}</ref> An initial report presented to the Alaskan Senate concluded that Palin was at fault for firing Monegan, but a subsequent inquiry by the Republican-appointed Personnel Board cleared the Governor of any wrongdoing, a day before the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
Palin is a pentecostal evangelical Protestant, has been associated with [[dominionism]], and supports the teaching of [[creationism]] in public schools,<ref>Tom Kizzia, "[http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/elections/story/8347904p-8243554c.html 'Creation science' enters the race]", ''Anchorage Daily News'', October 27, 2006.</ref><ref>Wired Science Blog, [http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/08/mccains-vp-want.html McCain's VP Wants Creationism Taught in School].</ref> although hasn't pushed this policy during her governorship in Alaska.  Critics of Palin have expressed concern that her worldview has been shaped in absolutist terms by her religion, and that this has inappropriately influenced her political thinking on important foreign and domestic policy issues.[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html]
=== Environment ===
In spite of being an avid hunter and fisherman, Palin opposed protecting [[salmon]] from contamination due to [[mining]] operations, and as governor she had the State of Alaska file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to overturn Interior Secretary [[Dirk Kempthorne]]'s decision to list the [[polar bear]] as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.<ref>Governor's office press release, "Polar Bear" Aug 4, 2008.</ref>  She is business-friendly and encourages the increased development of the timber, [[mining]], drilling, and fishing industries in Alaska, including the opening of the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]] for [[oil drilling]].<ref>State of the State Address Jan 17, 2007.</ref>
In 2008, Palin signed a contract for a [[natural gas]] pipeline linking Alaska with the rest of the U.S., to a mixed reception.<ref>''CNN'': '[http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/080308/loc_312976901.shtml Senate gives Palin pipeline victory].' August 3 2008.</ref><ref>''CNN'': '[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/05/palin.profile/index.html Palin's swift rise is the talk of her Alaskan town].' September 5 2008.</ref> Her speech at the Republican National Convention in September explained the reason: "...we began a nearly $40 billion natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence." However, the project remains on the drawing board and could take a decade to complete, with no firm committments to begin construction as yet.<ref>''MSNBC'': '[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26550336 Palin’s pipeline exists — but only on paper].' September 4 2008.</ref>
As governor, Palin allowed [[Chevron_Corporation|Chevron]] to triple the amount of toxic waste it dumped into [[Cook Inlet]] waters, despite concerns that [[beluga whale]]s in surrounding waters have reduced from 1,300 to 350, the point of extinction.<ref name="Doyle">Leonard Doyle, "Palin: the real scandal", ''The Independent'', 6 Sept 2008. [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/palin-the-real-scandal-920803.html Available online.]  [http://www.webcitation.org/5aeQEW9mT Archived.]</ref>
Trish Rolfe of the [[Sierra Club]]'s Alaska branch has stated that Palin's policies have been a disaster for Alaska's environment, saying "the idea that she stands up to the oil companies is a joke."<ref name="Doyle"/>
Palin has [[tax]]ed oil company profits to give every man woman and child in Alaska a $2,000 entitlement check each year.  [[The Independent]] states that this has served, in effect, as "a vote-buying machine" for Palin among Alaskans.<ref name="Doyle"/>
=== Government reform ===
As governor, Palin presented a wide-reaching ethics reform bill to the Alaska Legislature on January 24, 2007, that focused on tightening ethics rules for the executive branch.  The bill tightens employments restrictions after leaving office, increases disclosure of conflicts of interests, enhances financial disclosures, bans gifts from [[lobybying|lobbyists]] and improves electronic access.<ref>Governor's office press release, "100th Day in Office" Mar 13, 2007.</ref>  She favors cleaning up the Republican Party. In a July 2008 interview she stated, "It seems to me the GOP has just got to cleanse itself of all the pork barrel, corruption, lobbying, cash-for-favors that cost them the Congress back in November 2006."<ref>CNBC "Kudlow & Company" Interview Jul 31, 2008.</ref>.
Although initially supporting the now infamous $400 million "Bridge to Nowhere" to the town of [[Ketchikan, Alaska]] during annual trips to [[Washington, D.C.]], she is now against the bridge and all Congressional [[earmark|earmarks]].<ref>''New York Times'', pp. A1 & A10, "An Outsider Who Charms" Aug 29, 2008.</ref> However, the state of Alaska has requested 31 earmarks, worth nearly $200 million, for the 2009 federal budget.<ref>''Los Angeles Times'': '[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-earmarks1-2008sep01,0,6108885.story Palin relied on earmark system she now opposes].' September 1 2008.</ref>
Palin has had some association with the [[Alaskan Independence Party]], a group that seeks [[secession]] from the rest of the country. Palin attended a convention in Wasilla as mayor in 2000. The party claims that the Palins were members of the organization in the 1990s, despite records showing that Palin's membership of the Republican Party goes back to 1982.<ref>''ABC News'': '[http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/members-of-frin.html Members of 'fringe' Alaskan Independence Party say Palin was a member in 90s; McCain camp and Alaska Division of Elections deny charge].' September 1 2008.</ref> One other contact that Palin has had with the party was in 2008 when she recorded a goodwill message for another convention.<ref>''Youtube': '[http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvPNXYrIyI Sarah Palin and the Alaska Independence Party. Palin addresses AIP convention].' August 31 2008.</ref>
=== Taxes ===
Palin favors reducing or eliminating taxes that hinder business and "nuisance taxes", such as the tire tax. As governor she stated "I will propose reducing or eliminating burdensome taxes on our citizens like business license fees and the tire tax."<ref> State of the State Address to the 25th Alaska Legislature Jan 15, 2008.</ref>  As mayor she cut property taxes, increased the city sales tax by half a percent and put more money into public safety. 
Critics, however, assert that the narrative of Palin as a tax-cutter does not account for all of the evidence.
As mayor, Palin increased taxes to fund a controversial sports complex that is still mired with legal troubles, which resulted in charges of localist favoritism.[http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/matsu/story/9362341p-9276004c.html]  As governor, she increased the basic tax rate on oil company profits from 22.5% to 25%, and included a windfall profits provision so that when oil prices went over $50 per barrel the tax rate would rise 0.2% for each dollar.  In addition, she included a tax floor of 10% of the gross price of the crude.[http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2008/08/sarah_palin_and_taxes.html]  Palin uses a portion of these taxes to give every man woman and child in Alaska a $2,000 entitlement check each year, which has been describes as, "in effect, a vote-buying machine" for Palin among Alaskans.<ref name="Doyle"/>
=== Budget reform ===
In 2007, Palin used her veto as governor to cut $237 million from the Alaskan state budget in order to make it sustainable. In one case, this involved cancelling funding for electrical upgrades to the Canvas Art Studio in Juneau, run by a charity for people with [[special needs]]. Palin defended her decisionmaking as an example of her fiscal conservatism.<ref>''Juneau Empire'': '[http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/070107/sta_budget001.shtml Palin budget cuts dismay legislators].' July 1 2007.</ref>
=== Foreign policy ===
==== Iraq ====
Prior to becoming the vice presidential nominee, Palin stated in a 2007 interview that she had not focused much on the [[Iraq War|war in Iraq]] but wanted assurances from the [[Bush administration]] that an exit strategy existed. She also did not give a firm opinion of her position when visiting Alaskan troops in [[Kuwait]]<ref>''Salon.com'': '[http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/08/29/palin_iraq/index.html Gov. Palin and Iraq].' August 29 2008.</ref> (a trip that first required her to obtain a [[passport]]<ref>''New York Times'': '[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/us/politics/30veep.html McCain chooses Palin as running mate].' August 29 2008.</ref>). However, when addressing the Assembly of God in Wasilla in June 2008, she told the congregation that "...our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [American troops] out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."<ref>''Huffington Post'': '[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/02/palins-church-may-have-sh_n_123205.html Palin's church may have shaped controversial worldview].' September 2 2008.</ref> In August, Palin referenced her son Track's deployment to Iraq as a U.S. infantryman in a further comment demanding a clear plan for the U.S. presence in the country:
<blockquote>
"I’m a mom, and my son is going to get deployed in September, and we better have a real clear plan for this war. And it better not have to do with oil and dependence on foreign energy."<ref>''New Yorker'': '[http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2008/09/08/080908ta_talk_gourevitch Palin on Obama].' September 8 2008.</ref>
</blockquote>
=== Death penalty ===
Palin favors the [[death penalty]], declaring:
<blockquote>"If the legislature passed a death penalty law, I would sign it. We have a right to know that someone who rapes and murders a child or kills an innocent person in a drive by shooting will never be able to do that again..<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palinforgovernor.com|access=20081106|title= Campaign website, "Issues"}}</ref></blockquote>
=== Drugs ===
Palin admits that she smoked [[marijuana]] when it was legal under Alaska law, but not U.S. law, and stated "I can't claim a [[Bill Clinton]] and say that I never inhaled".<ref>Anchorage Daily News, "Little play," by K. Hopkins Aug 6, 2006.</ref>  She now favors strict drunk driving laws and opposes the legalization of marijuana and other drugs, and finds particular trouble with methamphetamines.
== Business experience ==
== Business experience ==
From 1987-1989, Palin worked as a [[sports]] reporter. She has owned two businesses, a commercial fishing coperation from 1988-2007 and a sport vehicle rental business from 1994-1989.  She has also been part of two failed start-ups, a marketing business and a car wash, the latter of which she failed to disclose in gubernatorial disclosure filings.[http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/02/palin_scrubbing_car_wash.html]
From 1987-1989, Palin worked as a [[sports]] reporter. She has owned two businesses, a commercial fishing coperation from 1988-2007 and a sport vehicle rental business from 1994-1989.  She has also been part of two failed start-ups, a marketing business and a car wash, the latter of which she failed to disclose in gubernatorial disclosure filings.[http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/02/palin_scrubbing_car_wash.html]
== References ==
: http://gov.state.ak.us/bio.html
{{reflist|2}}

Revision as of 10:35, 4 November 2008

Business experience

From 1987-1989, Palin worked as a sports reporter. She has owned two businesses, a commercial fishing coperation from 1988-2007 and a sport vehicle rental business from 1994-1989. She has also been part of two failed start-ups, a marketing business and a car wash, the latter of which she failed to disclose in gubernatorial disclosure filings.[1]

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