Who is Sarah Palin?

Unless you live under a rock, you have probably heard the name Sarah Palin thrown around...but even those of us interested in Politics were like "Sarah who?" when we heard the VP announcement. So we figured we should probably give you all some info on her before her speech tonight. This way you can read her facts, listen to her promises, and make your own decisions as to whether Palin is your girl, or just A-pallin (get it? apalling? heehee!)

Name: Sarah Louise Heath Palin
Age: 44 years old
Occupation: Governor of Alaska Dec. 4, 2006 - present

Religion: Pentecostal
School : Hawaii Pacific College and North Idaho College
Major: BS in Communications-Journalism, minor in Poli Sci

Previous Politcal Positions:

Chairperson, Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 2003-2004

Mayor of Wasill Alaska (pop. 6,715) 1996-2002

THE ISSUES

Gay Rights

Vetoed bill denying benefits to gays, as unconstitutional. (Aug 2008)
Marriage only be between and man and a woman. (Nov 2006)
Ok to deny benefits to homosexual couples. (Aug 2006)
No spousal benefits for same-sex couples. (Jul 2006)
Top priorities include preserving definition of "marriage". (Jul 2006)

Abortion

Opposes stem cell research. (Aug 2008)

Pro-life. (Nov 2006)
Pro-contraception, pro-woman, pro-life. (Aug 2006)
Only exception for abortion is if mother's life would end. (Jul 2006)

Corporations

Aim to reduce general fund spending by $150 million. (Jan 2007)
Firm believer in free market capitalism. (Nov 2006)

Encourage small business growth by reducing business taxes. (Nov 2006)

Drugs

If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it. (Nov 2006)
No special hate-crime laws; all heinous crime is hate-based. (Jul 2006)

Smoked marijuana when it was legal under Alaska law. (Aug 2006)

Education

Teach creationism alongside evolution in schools. (Aug 2008)
Supports teaching intelligent design in public schools. (Aug 2008)

Oil

Commercialize Alaska's North Slope natural gas. (Aug 2008)
To win, GOP must push energy independence. (Aug 2008)
Lift moratorium on offshore drilling. (Jul 2008)
Convinced McCain to drill offshore; not yet on drilling ANWR. (Jul 2008)
Unlock ANWR; we're ready, willing and able to contribute. (Jun 2008)

Environment

Opposed protections for salmon from mining contamination. (Aug 2008)
Sue US government to stop listing polar bear as endangered. (Aug 2008)
We must encourage timber, mining, drilling, & fishing. (Jan 2008)
Convince the rest of the nation to open ANWR. (Jan 2007)

Foreign Policy

N/A

Gun Control

Supports ending D.C.'s 32-year-old ban on handguns. (Jun 2008)
Lifelong NRA member & champion of right to bear arms. (Feb 2008)
Supports Constitutional right to bear arms. (Nov 2006)

Healthcare

Health care must be market-and business-driven. (Jan 2008)
Take personal responsibility for personal health & all areas. (Jan 2008)

Noteworthy:

- Alaska's first female governor

- First Republican VP female nominee

- 17 year old daughter Bristol is 5 months pregnant and will be marrying the father

Source: Wikipedia and OnTheIssues.org

The End of Ron Paul’s 2008 Campaign

Ron Paul officially ended his run for the 2008 White House today, according to a personal letter on his website (www.ronpaul.com). Paul had originally run for the Republican nomination and after failing to clinch it, determined he would run as an independent. Paul most notably had been able to stir up passionate interest from a small portion of the youth vote through his uncompromising campaign against raising taxes and expanding federal control. Anything but a conventional Republican candidate, Ron Paul proudly noted that he voted against both the Patriot Act and the Iraq War, while asserting that Roe v. Wade should not be overturned by the Supreme Court.

However, Paul has decided to end his bid after 17 months of campaigning. Asserting that the momentum from his campaign must now be channeled into “long-term efforts” instead of a fight for the 2008 Presidency, Dr. Paul stated that the American people “don’t have to live” in the world that the two major parties “have in store for us.” It seems Ron Paul has no plans to silence himself.

www.ronpaul2008.com