Sarah
Palin has been characterized by some observers as Ronald Reagan in a skirt and
by others as an airhead.
Reagan
also was ridiculed for his ideas and values. Throughout his years on the
national political scene, the media portrayed him as a stupid and doddering old
man. However, he was anything but the low-IQ idiot his detractors made him out
to be, and living and leading by his bedrock moral and ethical principles, he
won the Cold War and transformed America in the process.
Sarah
Palin, who has been drawing crowds of thousands as she campaigns around the
country, is having much the same effect. The Republican conservative base has
been waiting for a return of Ronald Reagan, and they believe they may have
found it in Sarah “Barracuda,” with her reputation as a “maverick” in Alaskan
politics. She has been an equal opportunity reformer, taking on both Democratic
and Republican scofflaws alike.
She has
been compared to Margaret Thatcher, and although it may be a bit early to say
for sure, Sarah seems to be headed down the same path as the “Iron Lady.” It
seems that she will be a factor in national politics in the years to come.
As for
her qualifications, or lack of qualifications, to be vice president, a mere “heartbeat”
away from the presidency, she is far better qualified to hold the highest
office in the land than both Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Much has
been made of Obama’s experience as a political organizer or Biden’s background
in foreign policy matters, but neither one of them has ever actually run an
organization of any size or complexity, especially when compared to running a
state. It’s fairly easy to measure: virtually no experience running any
organization of any size versus having been in charge of a state that has
29,000 employees with a $7 billion budget.
Although
Sarah Palin may not fit the model that liberal America has in mind for the
nation, her values are clearly on the side of middle-America. She comes from a
small town with small-town values, and is tough and resilient enough to mix it up
with her political adversaries. She also represents American women in general,
who are often called upon to serve their families and communities at the same
time.
In
addition, Gov. Palin has the advantage of having been involved in the country’s
national defense. As governor of Alaska, her responsibilities have included
serving as commander in chief of the only National Guard unit on permanent
active duty in the U.S. She routinely is briefed on highly classified military
issues, homeland security and counter terrorism. She also has a higher
classified security rating than both Obama and Biden.
Sarah
Palin’s many accomplishments as governor of Alaska include having taken on the
oil industry, forcing it to increase its contributions to Alaska’s coffers,
which she promptly distributed to residents of the state. She negotiated a $40
billion pipeline to carry gas to the “lower 48,” substantially cutting the
state’s budget at a time when Alaska’s revenue increased. Her approval rating among Alaska’s residents
has consistently ranged from about 65 percent to 80 percent, the highest of any
sitting governor.
The fact
that Sarah Palin is so roundly criticized by liberals is actually one of her
most endearing qualities.