WSJ weekend interview Palin

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Registered: 10-17-2008
WSJ weekend interview Palin
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Sat, 11-01-2008 - 5:22am
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Sarah Palin
'I Haven't Always Just Toed the Line'
The GOP's vice-presidential pick says she'd work on energy, government reform and special-needs kids in the White House.
By KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL



  • Cape Girardeau, Missouri





Ask Sarah Palin what she has found most surprising about her campaign experience and she replies, with more than a touch of humility, "the enthusiasm." She's got a point.


Wending my way through the traffic and crowds around the Palin event in this small river city on Thursday morning, I began to wonder if the whole state hadn't shown up. Walking the cold half-hour from the nearest parking space, I passed mobs of disappointed voters who had already been turned away for lack of space. Inside the city's Show Me Center, thousands of roaring, stomping, sign-waving Palin fans were practically hanging from the rafters. It felt like, well . . . an Obama rally.






Terry Shoffner

And there you have the paradox of Sarah Palin. The press has brutalized the Alaska governor, playing gotcha with her record, digging through her family life. The liberal intelligentsia has declared her unfit for office, a rube, a right-wing maniac. The conservative intelligentsia has accused her of being a lightweight, of "anti-intellectualism." Polls suggest a significant number of voters believe she is not up for the job.


Yet her supporters idolize her -- all the more because of the criticism. Mrs. Palin has, for millions of Americans, become a symbol of a reformist average Jane, a working mom, ready to take on the Washington they detest. Talking to Missourians before the event, I heard little mention of flashpoint issues like her religious views, or her experience. I was instead repeatedly, and vociferously, informed that a Vice President Palin would "fix that place" and "shape up the GOP." I also heard a lot about how she would accomplish all this because she was a "real" person.


The governor is one of those politicians with the gift of connecting with her audience, a trait that surely has helped with her quick political rise. "I'm so glad you're here!" she said as I walked in to the holding room, with such warmth I wondered if she might actually mean it. As in her staged events, she comes across in person as confident.


The tasks of "fixing" Washington and "shaping up" the GOP are no small things, whether from inside the West Wing, or depending on Tuesday, from some future role as a party leader. And so, after a firm handshake and an introduction to First Dude Todd, I ask the governor if we could forgo the stump speech and talk about her contribution to this ticket, and the future of the party. Why, exactly, are Republicans as a whole struggling so badly? Are the liberal pundits right that modern conservatism has run its course?


"The planks in the Republican platform are good, they are strong. Economically speaking, Republicans support a uniquely American system that rewards hard work and empowers the entrepreneurial spirit that made this country the greatest country on earth. And on the national security front . . . it is about strength through power, it is about diplomacy across this world, allowing America to lead us toward a more peaceful world. On those planks -- economic and national security -- the Republican Party has the right agenda."


The problem, she explains, is a failure to deliver. "We must prove to the American people that we will live out the ideals and the values articulated in that platform." She says that "in too many cases" the GOP has let voters down, in particular on spending and with the abuse of earmarking. She argues the most effective way to revamp the party is from the top, by putting her ticket in the Oval Office, where it will enforce discipline. "We have a track record that proves we can reform government. And ultimately, that will reform the Republican Party."


I probe a little bit more on this word "reform" -- a favorite of Gov. Palin's, though it isn't always clear what she means. What exactly will she reform? "It's reform of the abuse of the earmark process. There's nothing wrong with governors and mayors and members asking for a share of the federal budget, in order to help a community, but it is the abuse of that process that has got to be reformed. It's reform of federal government spending; they've run up a $10 trillion debt that we're expected to hand off to our children. . . . It's about, ultimately, putting government back on the side of the people. Not to make Americans believe that they have to work for government, but that their government needs to be working for them. . . . This is their government. It's of the people, by the people, for the people."


She also explains that what distinguishes a new generation of reformers in the party -- people like her, or Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal -- is a willingness to learn from Republican failures or successes of the past, and apply them to current concerns, say health care. "We have the luxury of looking back with 20-20 hindsight." She mentions Ronald Reagan, his ability "to win the Cold War without firing a shot" and his focus on pro-growth policies, as examples of those successes. But she also notes that today's global economy and global threats have combined to demand more from leaders.


"It used to be you could choose the president based on one or two things, on strength on national security, or on a view on the economy. Today, everything is interwoven. With globalization and with how quickly the world has changed, we need a president with the experience and leadership capability and the good judgment to handle both." She flags energy, saying that today it is both an imperative for domestic economic prosperity as well as a question of national security.


The vice-presidential nominee took heat recently for talking about the values of "real America" -- a comment some took as an implication that red-state America is more patriotic than other parts of the country. I ask her if the GOP doesn't in fact have a perception problem, that it is no longer viewed as a big tent? What does it need to do to reach out and once again become competitive in places like New Jersey or Connecticut, or the suburbs?


Mrs. Palin, again, suggests that implementing reform is the best way for the party to connect with the broader electorate. This was her approach in Alaska, where she at one point boasted 90% approval ratings. "My concentration is on bettering our country. I've never been known as an obsessive partisan. In fact, I've taken on my own party. I've run against members of my own party in order to reform at a local level and a state level. And on a national level I'd do the same thing and so will John McCain. And McCain, he's got the scars to prove that independent streak, that comes from making the right decisions for the people he was serving, putting country first. So my concentration is on how do we make this country as a whole better, stronger, safer."


The governor herself has also been attempting to retool the GOP's message to broaden the party's appeal with key voting groups. In a largely unnoticed policy speech in Nevada last week, Mrs. Palin pitched to women. Flanked by feminists -- including Democrats and members of the National Organization for Women -- the governor argued that the GOP's free-market policies were particularly important to women. Women need changes in rigid 40-hour-a-week labor laws to obtain more flexible work schedules; women own millions of small businesses that would be hurt by tax hikes; women need entitlement reform to provide security for their long retirement years.


"Every woman that I know works so hard, because they have a couple of extra hurdles, obviously, that they have to jump over in order to succeed. . . . Of course we want and deserve equal pay for equal work. But we also want to be able to afford good health care for our families. John McCain's plan for the $5,000 tax credit will allow us to make our own decisions, to be able to afford health care, to erase these state lines that prohibit a competitive environment to purchase a good health-care package. . . . That's an issue that is important to women."


All of this, says Mrs. Palin, undermines suggestions by conservative critics that she represents an us-versus-them streak in the party. She bluntly suggests they are missing the point. "I think those who would criticize what I believe I represent -- and that is, everyday, hardworking American families who desire and deserve reform of government -- I think they are out of touch with what the rest of the nation is talking about today. It's a reflection of some elitism that assumes that the best and the brightest of this country are all assembled in Washington, D.C., and I beg to differ. You can walk out in the rally that we are going to attend in a minute, and you talk to anyone there, and I believe you will hear the same thing. Enough of that arrogance. Enough of that assumption that unless you are a part of that Washington elite that you aren't worthy of serving this great country."


She is equally blunt in her retort to those who say she's not up to the job. "I'll tell you, some within the party who have criticized me -- or John McCain's pick of me -- I think some of this underlying criticism is again coming from the hierarchy. It is because I haven't always just toed the line in the party. I'm not wired to do that. I want reform of our party, I want to be able to prove that our party is worthy of leading this country. And I'm not going to just go along to get along. I've never been able to do that. It bodes well for someone's character, I believe, and is a strength."


I ask if she's already discussed with Mr. McCain what her portfolio would be as vice president, and she enthusiastically ticks off her responsibilities: "Energy independence -- and that is just key to our national security and our economic prosperity. Reform of government -- put us back on the sides of the people. And helping families who have children with special needs -- ultimately, allowing every family to know that they have a friend and advocate in the White House, but specifically families who have worked so hard to make our nation a more welcoming place for children with special needs."




Related

Main Street: Palin Shows How to Transcend the Culture Wars
A society should be judged by how it treats its weakest members.
By William McGurn


Mrs. Palin doesn't mention her youngest child here, who was born earlier this year with Down syndrome -- but she doesn't need to. It's clear this is a subject on which she feels passionate. "They are special. We will elevate this whole issue, letting families know that children with autism, Down syndrome, with physical disabilities, these are special citizens of the United States of the America and they will be made to feel that way, not excluded, but included and provided equal opportunity."


As we wrap up I thank the governor and she asks a few questions about me. Then I am whisked out to the rally. Within a few minutes, the speakers start to blare Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," and Mrs. Palin steps out on to the stage. Listening to the crowd go bonkers, it's hard not to think that -- whatever happens Tuesday -- Mrs. Palin may yet have a long political future.

 

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2008
Sat, 11-01-2008 - 6:16am

"The press has brutalized the Alaska governor, playing gotcha with her record"

That is just a myth. She has not shown herself to be ready.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2008
Sat, 11-01-2008 - 6:24am

She has not shown herself to be ready


What are your criteria for "ready", and do you believe Biden is?

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2008
Sat, 11-01-2008 - 6:36am

Whoa, nice try to change the subject, which you picked by the way.

What is my criteria for readiness? Do you really care? I have a feeling you won't listen to me.

Instead why don't you listen to your own Republicans, especially those from the last decent Republican Presidency in Ronald Reagan's time:

A key Republican says McCain's Palin pick falls two interviews short of the McDonald's hiring test.

"Says former Reagan Chief of Staff and longtime GOP insider Ken Duberstein of John McCain's VP selection: "Even at McDonalds, you're interviewed three times before you're given a job.""

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/1008/Duberstein_backs_Obama_whacks_Palin_pick_on_way_.html

You've got to watch this. This is not the media. This is not a left wing conspiracy. This is not even a Democrat.

This is Reagan's former Chief of Staff for goodness sake. This was after the following:

"Earlier this week, Sen. John McCain noted that he had been endorsed by a number of former secretaries of state, including Lawrence Eagleburger, who served briefly at the end of President George H.W. Bush's term. But in an interview with NPR's "Talk of Nation" yesterday, Eagleburger could not bring himself to endorse Sarah Palin.

When host Neal Conan asked Eagleburger if he was "entirely comfortable" with the selection of the Alaska governor as the GOP vice presidential candidate and whether she was prepared to be president if McCain died in office, Eagleburger responded candidly, saying she was not qualified but perhaps would be "adequate."

"It is a very good question," he said. He paused, and then added: "I'm being facetious here. Look, I don't think -- of course not."

"I don't think at the moment she is prepared to take over the reins of the presidency,'' he continued. "I can name for you any number of other vice presidents who were not particularly up to it either. So the question, I think, is, can she learn and would she be tough enough under the circumstances if she were asked to become president, heaven forbid that that ever takes place?

"Give her some time in the office and I think the answer would be, she will be" -- Eagleburger paused here, searching for the right word -- "adequate. I can't say that she would be a genius in the job. But I think she would be enough to get us through a four-year -- well, I hope not -- get us through whatever period.""

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/31/eagleburger_palin_not_ready_to.html

Eagleburger later said, appropriately, on "Fair and Balanced" Fox that he had made a terrible mistake in telling us . . . the truth about Palin on NPR.

Even McCain could not bring himself to say that Palin might be President - instead of saying the word President McCain laughed and moved on. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#27480158

Palin is not just unqualified. She is way short. She is so bad that the McCain campaign is calling her a "whack job", a "diva", and a "rogue" at great personal cost.

How did she get here? McCain never vetted her. It's not so much her fault for taking the job, as it is his for offering it to her when a little diligence would have revealed she is clearly not qualified to be VP let alone President. And the thought of President Palin is really scary. Do you want to take this risk?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2008
Sat, 11-01-2008 - 6:55am

"What is my criteria for readiness? Do you really care? I have a feeling you won't listen to me."


Oh never mind then. Forget I asked a genuine question.


"Instead why don't you listen to your own Republicans"


I don't have any.


Have a nice day.


 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2008
Sat, 11-01-2008 - 7:50am

Maybe the main stream press has painted a "not ready" picture of Palin, but she is MORE ready and has more REAL experience than Barack Obama. I wouldn't want her to take the job as president right away. I personally be more comfortable with a little "on the job training" first. Needless to say, I'm EXTREMELY uncomfortable with the inexperienced Obama being my president from DAY ONE! As Joe Biden has said, "The presidency DOES NOT lend itself to "on the job training".

Joe Biden has also warned us, should we elect Barack Obama, HE will be "tested" in the same way John Kennedy was tested. I'm sorry, but in these dangerous times, WE CANNOT AFFORD to have a NUCLEAR CRISIS like Kennedy faced with a weak, inexperienced man at the helm. Please think long and hard before voting to put our country into this kind of UNNECESSARY danger!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2008
Sat, 11-01-2008 - 8:55am
Great article - thanks for posting. I think the author hit it on the head when she wrote about the Washington that people detest. THAT is why Palin is so enthusiastically supported. We believe she will get in there and make the changes our govt so desperately needs.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2008
Sat, 11-01-2008 - 10:31am

"Have a nice day."

And you too friend. Keep thinking Palin is a great VP candidate. You are entitled to your POV.

Best, SD

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2008
Sat, 11-01-2008 - 10:44am

"Keep thinking Palin is a great VP candidate"


Goes to show that you are clueless about what I'm thinking.


"You are entitled to your POV."


Oh I know, and thank you for acknowledging my 'entitlement', eventhough I haven't expressed it.

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Sat, 11-01-2008 - 11:29am

Go Sarah Go!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2008
Sat, 11-01-2008 - 12:15pm

""Keep thinking Palin is a great VP candidate"

Goes to show that you are clueless about what I'm thinking.

"You are entitled to your POV."

Oh I know, and thank you for acknowledging my 'entitlement', eventhough I haven't expressed it."

Wow, you sound like you are angry. It's okay. Really. You are entitled to your POV.

If you think you are up to taking a peak at what prominent Republicans think, catch this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#27480599

By the way, off topic, sort of, I saw an exxon ad before the clip I linked to - it was interesting by the way that exxon is advertising on this site. I guess even exxon sees that the foul Fox winds are blowing out and the winds of truth are blowing back in.

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