Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
What I’d Do If Left Alone In A Room With Sarah Palin The Eight Questions I'd Ask Palin, Including the Big One About John McCainby Sherry Baker
(libertarian)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
What's not to like about the phenomenon, the rising political rock star named Sarah Palin?
She's beautiful, funny, seems to be a straight arrow, isn't one of the good ol' boys (or girls) mired in politics-as-usual, and , good grief, whether agree with her politics or not, she's the proverbial breath of fresh air this campaign needed.
So, again, what's not to like about her?
Two words: John McCain.
But more on that later.. right now, I'd like to share what I'd do if given a few minutes alone with Palin.
Here are the questions I'd love to ask her. I hope someone does.
And I'm open to hearing her answers.
Convince us, Sarah. Explain. We want to believe you.
1. Governor Palin, when you were mayor of a town with a population, at that time, of about 5,000, isn't it true that you turned over the actual running of this little city to a paid administrator?
2. And is it true you were forced to hire this administrator by Republican bigwigs to save your job because a recall campaign was started over what some saw as your willy nilly firings of other folks when you were mayor of Wasilla? Can you explain those firings, please?
3. You campaigned -- and continue to do so -- as a "fiscal conservative". But I've heard that in your six years as Wasilla's mayor , you increased general government spending by over 33%. Is this true? Can you explain why it is or isn't?
4. I've also read that when you took office as mayor, Wasilla had no debt zero, nada, zilch. Is it true that when you left the mayor's office, you left that little town saddled with over $22 million in debt because you had encouraged the voters to borrow, borrow, borrow to build a park and a multi-use sports complex on land which the City turned out not to even have clear title to ( and that cost a bundle in legal fees over seven years of court wranglings)? If it's not true, staighten me out! I want the facts, Sarah.
5. As a writer and strong supporter of free speech, this next question is very important to me: Did you really attempt to fire the highly respected Wasilla City librarian when you were mayor because you unilaterally decided certain books should be banned from the library and the librarian said your demands were not appropriate? Are you for censorship based on your personal opinions and tastes?
6. I know you pack a gun and like to hunt and shoot. I support our Constitutional right to bear arms and I'm delighted you support it, too. I don't understand yours or anyone's great pleasure in killing wildlife -- but if it is legal, it is your business. However, is it true you are pro shooting polar bears from helicopters? That doesn't sound like sport to me. Say it ain't so, Sarah!
7. You have every right in the world to your opinions and beliefs. I understand you are against abortion for any reason including rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. But what I don't know is this: are you for making this a law of the land, for outlawing all abortion for any reason?
8. And now the biggie: Do you really know the man you are running with, John McCain? Does his hot-headed temper, his admitted ignorance on the economy, his support of the war mongering Neocons bother you? Bottom line: if you and McCain were elected and you found out he was lying to the American public a la George W. Bush and company, would you stand up to him? Do you have that much of the street fighting momma in you? Can we count on you to do what you believe and reason is right for the country, not the political party, not even your boss, the president?
A whole lot of us hope so, Sarah. We are getting desperate out here. We want to hear your answers. We want to believe you are who you say you are. We want someone, some leader, to finally be authentic and honest and accountable.
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Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2008-09-05 04:28:38
I like a lot of your questions. I'd like to add two more.
First, did you really use your influence as Governor to try to get a state trooper dismissed because he was getting divorced from your sister?
Second, why do you believe that it's okay for you to flip-flop on whether it's a good thing to push for Congressional funding for local projects such as your famous "bridge to nowhere"?
Posted By: Daniel Elliott
Date: 2008-09-05 08:39:01
None of these questions really matter except for the last question, of the ...last question; Will thee Sarah Palin keep a strong voice in the debate for policy to help reduce spending both taxes&debt, put into place a sound energy policy and do it all by keeping us safe? We are facing an assault on who we are as a nation far beyond any petty concerns put forth by petty minds. A serious leader is needed and if you think the McCain/Palin ticket is that leader then vote for them. The true boobeoisie is this race is the brobdingnagian swell of herd mentality for the empty suit called Obama. Dan
"What I’d Do If Left Alone In A Room With Sarah Palin"
Excuse me for being a bit crude, but that sounds like the title of a story that doesn't have much to do with politics.
Anyway I'd ask her if she would support all of the constitution, including freedom of speech, habeas corpus, due process, the right to a trial by jury, the protections against warrantless searches, and prohibitions on cruel and unusual punishment. In other words would she work to overturn the BCRA act written by McCain? Would she release prisoners detained by W without legal basis? Would she work to overturn the warrantless search laws pushed through by W? And would she end torture?
I would ask, "Do you know the difference between a trade deficit and a hole in the ground? Because if you do, then you'll agree that your boss does not. Indeed, if you are that type of politician who is 'trade deficit aware,' could you teach your boss to also be trade deficit aware? (And if not, then I can't vote for you, knowing that America will go farther off the cliff under the policies advocated by McCain.)
Wow, John! Good one.. in fact , these are all good. I have a feeling they are better than the questions the MSM will come up for the debates. Keep it up, folks! What questions would YOU ask Palin ?
Sher, I don't mean to rain on your parade, but a lot of your questions sound like the Democrat character assasination that has flooded the leftist blogs since Palin's nomination was announced last Friday. The country's excitement over Palin has sent the Dems into a nearly blind panic, and they are trying to blow "troopergate" up as large as they possibly can. They've even gone so far as to claim she faked a pregnancy to cover her daughter's out of wedlock pregnancy, which is preposterous BS when you consider how visible a sitting governor would be. I'd advise moving forward carefully and thoughtfully on such questions. Trooper Wooten is not the nice guy the Dems are portraying him to be. He has a history of professional reprimands and other personal indiscretions--such as electrocuting his 11-year-old step son with a taser. He has admitted to doing this, but claims he was only trying to teach the boy a lesson. Wooten is also alleged to have threatened the life of Gov. Palin's father, and a State Trooper internal investigation concluded that he did.
Mike, Your comment couldn't be more off base. In fact, not ONE of my questions mentions Palin or her daughter's pregnancy or "troopergate".
I'm not afraid, by the way, of askin anyone - Palin or Paul - any relevant questions whether someone thinks -- gasp -- they "sound like" a Democrat,or Republican, or Communist or Socialist or Martian would ask them.
Sher, I'm a retired CEO of a communication company and I would always try to ask in various ways, what motivates you to do what you do. And I would always know the answer to the question before I asked it. It would either be money/power or righteousness/God. Now I know it is a sliding scale between the two but those that were more prone to do the right thing were the ones that ended up being my friend. I f I was alone in a room w/ Shara Palin I would ask what motivates her and the answer would be righteousness/God. This race is about trust and character, we should trust those who are bound by righteousness and who's character has been proven. What else is there because any specifics are based on the variables of the current situation and are vunerable to "Change". Dan
Sher, it wasn't my intention to suggest your questions don't need answers. I was just cautioning about the real Leftist feeding frenzy that is out there and not being part of that. An example of the need for caution is demonstrated by one of your readers who DID bring up troopergate. For the most part, though, I think your questions deserve answers. Many people are trying to paint Palin as a libertarian--or at least someone with libertarian leanings--but I think that characterization will prove to be false. I too was initially excited about Palin (although I despise John McCain) but on further reflection I believe we of libertarian stripe should stick to "real" libertarians. Or at least candidates who are making an honest effort. I think Bob Barr is making an honest effort, though I certainly don't agree with all of the positions he's taken.
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