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2008-08-31 Home Front: Politix

Sarah Palin's June 23rd letter to Dingy Harry regarding drilling in ANWR

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Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2008-08-31 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 Wow. She's going to rip Biden when they get to energy policy.

Posted by OldSpook 2008-08-31 01:08|| 2008-08-31 01:08|| Front Page Top

#2 That's strange, based on what I read she supported Obama's energy policy just this Aug 4th but removed it from her website just recently.

Palin Pleased with Obama's Energy Plan
Includes Alaska's Natural Gas Reserves Print Now Printer Friendly

No. 08-135

August 4, 2008, Fairbanks, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today responded to the energy plan put forward by the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

"I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska's natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs," Governor Palin said. "The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to supply the energy our nation needs."

In a speech given in Lansing, Michigan, Senator Obama called for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, stating, "Over the next five years, we should also lease more of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska for oil and gas production. And we should also tap more of our substantial natural gas reserves and work with the Canadian government to finally build the Alaska natural gas pipeline, delivering clean natural gas and creating good jobs in the process."

Governor Palin also acknowledged the Senator's proposal to offer $1,000 rebates to those struggling with the high cost of energy.

"We in Alaska feel that crunch and are taking steps to address it right here at home," Governor Palin said. "This is a tool that must be on the table to buy us time until our long-term energy plans can be put into place. We have already enjoyed the support of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and it is gratifying to see Senator Obama get on board."

Posted by Pliny Sleash8027 2008-08-31 01:15|| http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/29/1304936.aspx]">[http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/29/1304936.aspx] 2008-08-31 01:15|| Front Page Top

#3 That story in no way backs up your statement that she "Supported Obamas energy policy"

Go back to making plans for voter fraud with the rest of your fellow donks.

Posted by Mike N. 2008-08-31 03:20|| 2008-08-31 03:20|| Front Page Top

#4 So what if she did support one aspect of Candidate Obama's energy policy? For the rest she's been of the "Drill here. Drill now." school, as evidenced by an interview she had a year or so ago (I think) with Maria Bartalomeo (spelling?), which I watched on YouTube yesterday.

Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife 2008-08-31 05:46|| 2008-08-31 05:46|| Front Page Top

#5 What she supported was using Alaska's natural gas as part of the US national energy policy. What that might sound like common sense (and is) it has been bitterly opposed by Pelosi and other congressional Dem leaders.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 06:36|| 2008-08-31 06:36|| Front Page Top

#6 Pliny,

Congrats for getting posted so early in the queue. But you've got do more than a single sentence easily refuted by a horn dog like Mike N and a non-sequitur paste job. Our client is paying to destroy low-temp red-neck before she can get off the ground. Start popping the zingers or you go piece rate.

Posted by Your supervisor 2008-08-31 07:06|| 2008-08-31 07:06|| Front Page Top

#7 I tend to think that the phrase "Obama's ________ policy" should always be written "Obama's alleged __________ policy". He's unlikely to follow through on any but his most loony left-wing promises.

Posted by AzCat 2008-08-31 10:34|| 2008-08-31 10:34|| Front Page Top

#8 Thanks! I did get that post quite a bit earlier.

However, I think the case that they'll blow away the Dems on energy policy is a weak. No Offense.

If she agrees with Obama, more than McCain, isn't that another problem with McCain's vision of America? Who policy will win out, McCains or Palins?

Also, it was Palin's office that said she agreed with Obama, not Obama agreeing with Palin so I can't fall for that justicfication.

And what's her strong points besides energy and good looks? Baiting fish (big whoop)

I can't find anything worth voting for her and I'm not a pure DEM, I voted for Bush for 2 as a registered Republican. Obviously I'm not the only one disstatified with the GOP.

I think this is an act of desperate by McCain and it's an insult.

If McCain only met her 2 times before he hasn't seriously consider her very well.

Even in July, there is an interview where Palin states that she would be better of running things in Alaska than in DC.

What's the big selling point I'm missing?

Executive experience? In Alaska? Things move a lot slower up there than in the Beltway.

Are we just going to repeat she's great until we start to believe it?

Posted by Pliny Sleash8027 2008-08-31 11:32|| http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/29/1304936.aspx]">[http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/29/1304936.aspx] 2008-08-31 11:32|| Front Page Top

#9 Good grief, Pliny - you're great at parroting Dem talking points, but do you have ANY of your own original thoughts? ~~The kind of thoughts that can be written on a family blog, that is.~~

Sorry, rhetorical question....

Best heed #6-your supervisor's instructions if you ever hope to get out of Mama's basement.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2008-08-31 11:42|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2008-08-31 11:42|| Front Page Top

#10 LOL Those are my damn thoughts, but I'm getting no answers? Use your brain please.

Why is she so great?

I guess I could try to answer, she inspires and brings hope like Obama does for the Dems?

Posted by Pliny Sleash8027 2008-08-31 11:44|| http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/29/1304936.aspx]">[http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/29/1304936.aspx] 2008-08-31 11:44|| Front Page Top

#11 Looks like Pliny's been assigned to Rantburg for the day, folks. Sigh.

"Why is she so great? I guess I could try to answer, she inspires and brings hope like Obama does for the Dems?"

Hope for what exactly? (Other than getting back in power so you can push more of your ~~marxist~~ socialist policies through and damage our country more than you already have.) Inspiration's nice, but what exactly does BO intend to do to improve life for the people of our country? (Raising taxes, promoting class warfare, and damaging our economy are not improvements, no matter how much you claim they are.)

Unlike your empty suit, Governor Palin has ACTUAL EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE (both as governor and as mayor before that - badmouth the size of the locality all you want, it's 100% MORE than BO has). More executive experience than Biden, too. (She also has more executive experience that McCain, though he also has more then either BO or Biden.) She also knows how to run a business - not in theory but in actual fact. BO & Biden have no idea whatsoever.

SP runs a state; BO runs his mouth.

Don't go away mad - just go away. You're boring.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2008-08-31 11:59|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2008-08-31 11:59|| Front Page Top

#12 Pliny Sleash8027 raises points that others are thinking, like it or not. Here's my take:

Up until the announcement, the campaign was in key ways continuation of what came before. McCain, although definitely the maverick he claims to be, has been a senator for a generation; Biden has been a senator for a generation; Obama, although a baby boomer by upbringing, is a continuation of not only the Olde Chicago party machine, but of the ever so tiresome Sixty-Eighters.

Sarah Palin is actually a fresh face and a fresh viewpoint, the viewpoint of those who have actually made equality of the sexes work. In my circle, and in the eyes of the trailing daughters' generation, this is normal and sensible - as long as someone takes care of the homefront, it doesn't matter whether that person's genes are X-only or XY. As governor she worked for her state, including pointing out where the proclaimed policies of the potential winner of the presidential election are in agreement in principle with her own. Of course there is some overlap on plans -- we all have the same basic goals, it's only on details (some of them pretty serious, granted) that we differ, presidential candidates included.

Posted by trailing wife">trailing wife 2008-08-31 12:26|| 2008-08-31 12:26|| Front Page Top

#13 Things move faster inside the beltway than in Alaska, my ass. Congressional actions have to be timed with a phulking calendar.

Posted by Mike N. 2008-08-31 12:39|| 2008-08-31 12:39|| Front Page Top

#14
The state Alaska has the population of Austin, Texas. Less people, less conviving politians, less media, less decisions made, more fishing and hunting time.

And I appreciate trailing wife for neutrality and reasonable counter points, I'm not here to appologize for the dems or bash the gop however I will rant my thoughts.

I was hoping for some "substance" on why Palin is so great.

I agree, Obama and Palin are fresh faces, who give us hope that the corruption in our parties will go away.

I do understand people have chosen sides and won't ever give in to the other side or seem to.

Those people are the worst kind (from either party).

Posted by Pliny Sleash8027 2008-08-31 13:24|| 2008-08-31 13:24|| Front Page Top

#15 FYI Alaska Population: 683,478

Posted by Pliny Sleash8027 2008-08-31 13:27|| 2008-08-31 13:27|| Front Page Top

#16 And that population matters exactly how, Pliny?

We could also cite figures on the oil and gas reserves there, along with the other natural resources.

From my perspective, two aspects of Palin that are particularly impressive are her reform work and her actions on domestic energy production.

In the former she broke up and defeated an entrenched political group that was complacent, self-serving and corrupt. A huge amount of pressure was put on her by people in her own party not to do that -- pressure that has particular impact in a smaller population, by the way.

She did it anyway, beat one of the most powerful governors in AK history, and then went on to uproot more of the same elsewhere. She jerked the reins on Ted Stevens re: the Bridge to Nowhere - and Stevens is one of the most powerful senators serving in Congress, not to mention in the history of that state. Obama talks the talk about change. In just a few short years Palin has created it. Oh yeah - she made bipartisan appointments to important positions in her administration too.

On the domestic energy front, she has struck a consistent and effective position regarding commercialization of Alaskan resources. On the one hand she took a tough negotiating position with the big oil companies, ripping up a sweetheart deal they'd cut with the prior administration, raising taxes on the windfall profits they had accrued as a result of that deal and distributing those back to Alaskan citizens who had subsidized that sweetheart deal with their tax dollars. Having torn up that deal, she negotiated a competitive deal for a gas pipeline. That entailed negotiations with Canadian business and political leaders.

Finally, a third point that hasn't been made much yet. Alaska is on the forefront of ballistic missile defense and borders on Russia. Another article here at Rantburg talks about the unique and permanently active duty role of an Alaskan national guard unit in BMD. As commander of the Guard she has been involved in those issues. But BMD isn't the only defense issue facing Alaska. Over the last year+ as Russia became more and more militarily aggressive, Russian military planes have challenged the edges of US airspace just outside of Alaska multiple times. Although we played it down in the press, Alaskan air fields scrambled military jets in response. Those are real homeland defense activities she has been involved with that go beyond the usual duties of your average governor.

Palin brings a lot to this ticket. Obama's an empty suit and Biden, well .... what Biden is is pretty apparent. Palin - the VP candidate - has more credentials than Obama the Presidential candidate.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 13:41|| 2008-08-31 13:41|| Front Page Top

#17 Ah, I think I see your argument now.

That people in small population states aren't qualified to serve in the White House.

You from large state - on a coast, perhaps?

Btw, what was the population of Illionois when Lincoln took office?

Posted by Mike N. 2008-08-31 13:44|| 2008-08-31 13:44|| Front Page Top

#18 You're so much nicer than I am, tw. ;-p

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2008-08-31 13:51|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2008-08-31 13:51|| Front Page Top

#19 The state Alaska has the population of Austin, Texas. Less people,

The state of Alaska is not Austin, Texas. The population may be the same, but the scope of duties and responsibilities of a state are somewhat larger and more diverse.

Population of a state isn't necesarily a qualifier of what makes a governor 'good' (see Governors Elliot Spitzer (NY) and James McGreevy {NJ))

less conviving politians,

Read up on Alaska politics, please.

less media, less decisions made, more fishing and hunting time

Less media, perhaps. I'll disagree on whether less decisions are made.

Let me run an analogy: A mine-countermeasures (MCM) ship and an aircraft carrier are two different sized vessels. The latter has a population about 100 times larger. The missions are different. The carrier actually may have 2-3 subordinate commands.

But both are commissioned warships. The commanding officer of each ship was selected based on his record and potential. Each has the same responsibilities and duties, makes the same reports on the condition and operation of the ship and its crew. Both will lose their jobs if they run aground, hit another ship, or foul up by betraying their responsibilities and the trust placed in them. So far this year, seven or so COs have been relieved.

True, the CO of a carrier is in the spotlight more, and will likely make admiral before the CO of an MCM. But neither of them will go anywhere if they don't live up to the trust placed in them.

Now, let's run this analogy into the present political scene. Governor Palin has been tapped as a vice-presidential candidate. Population size or not, she is head of a state that has very much the same issues, functions, and responsibilities as any other state in the Union. By all accounts (which are easily researched if you bother to make an effort) she's done rather well during her two-year stint. And governors have traditionally done better in the Executive branch than legislators.

Comparing Governor Palin with Senator Obama is a bit of a stretch but it can be done. We have the governor of a state- with executive experience- tapped as a candidate for the vice presidency - an understudy role (and one that does not usually lead to an automatic presidential-candidate slot).

We have a Senator tapped as a candidate for the presidency. Little or no executive experience, and his past two political positions are as short or shorter than the governors. What's more the Senator's record of accomplishment is not notable.

Do I think Governor Palin will make a good vice-president? I don't know. But I do know that a governor, regardless of the state demographics would, by their duties as governor, be more qualified to higher officer in the Executive branch than a senator.

(and if that wants to be interpreted as a smack again Senator McCain, I'll let the reader judge for themselves).

Posted by Pappy 2008-08-31 14:00|| 2008-08-31 14:00|| Front Page Top

#20 It's a mutual admiration society, Barbara dear. But it really is important to address concerns upfront, when posed politely. I would not have replied in a similar vein to nonsense like Garrison Keillor on this weekend's "A Prairie Home Companion," where he talked about "Sarah Palin, the beauty queen"... or claims that her last baby was really her illegitimate grandchild.

Pliny Sleash8027, I don't know that Governor Palin is a great choice as Candidate McCain's running mate. I do, however, think she is a good one, and that McCain/Palin is a much more qualified team to run this country than Obama/Biden, for all Candidate Obama also came without a national reputation. But then, I fall for knowledge and accomplishment -- which is why I hang out here -- and I haven't seen much of either from the first term, junior senator from Illinois.

Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife 2008-08-31 14:16|| 2008-08-31 14:16|| Front Page Top

#21 My apologies. The honourable senator has published two autobiographies celebrating his first almost half century of life. Granted, I don't like the person he portrayed in their pages, but people tend to present what they see as their best side in such things.

Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife 2008-08-31 14:18|| 2008-08-31 14:18|| Front Page Top

#22 I know I'm a little late to this debate.

However, Pliny, I remember a governor from a very small state with a very small population (Vermont) running for president back in 2004. It has even less population than Alaska. His state borders on Canada, and he might have had some "foreign relations experience" based on that. I know it's not one of the largest media markets, although I am not qualified to comment on the hunting and fishing opportunities or the contentiousness of party politics in the Green Mountain State.

By that logic, Howard "The Roarin' Metrosexual" Dean was also not qualified to be President of the United States.

Just sayin'.

Posted by Swamp Blondie in the Cornfields 2008-08-31 14:38|| 2008-08-31 14:38|| Front Page Top

#23 As Alaska Paul pointed out,she recently got a $100 million energy fund set up for alternative energy sources in Alaska to get Alaskans off of high cost fossil fuels. There is an energy source inventory being done for every community in Alaska. Everything is on the table--hydro, biomass, coal, nuclear, wind, solar, tidal, etc. She got the ball rolling.
Neither Obama or Biden have ever actually done anything but talk about alternative energy sources.

Posted by Deacon Blues">Deacon Blues 2008-08-31 15:06|| 2008-08-31 15:06|| Front Page Top

#24 "Neither Obama or Biden have ever actually done anything but talk ~~about alternative energy sources~~."

Fixed that for ya', Deacon.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2008-08-31 15:09|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2008-08-31 15:09|| Front Page Top

#25 Thanks, Barbara. :<)

Posted by Deacon Blues">Deacon Blues 2008-08-31 15:10|| 2008-08-31 15:10|| Front Page Top

#26 You know me, Deacon - I live to serve. :-D

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2008-08-31 15:14|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2008-08-31 15:14|| Front Page Top

#27 Then there was Kerry/Edwards. Of course, Palin can't hold a candle to Edwards.

Posted by KBK 2008-08-31 15:18|| 2008-08-31 15:18|| Front Page Top

#28 I'm not sure that's fair. It's possible - not certain, but possible - she uses as much hairspray as he does.

Posted by lotp 2008-08-31 15:46|| 2008-08-31 15:46|| Front Page Top

#29 close contest on prettiest hair. Maybe if she spent as much time on hers as he does?

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-08-31 15:48|| 2008-08-31 15:48|| Front Page Top

#30 "not certain, but possible - she uses as much hairspray as he does"

Doubtful now, but maybe in her beauty queen days? ;-p

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2008-08-31 16:04|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com/] 2008-08-31 16:04|| Front Page Top

#31 One thing that's missing in all the comments here is the fact that Alaska is a state half as big as the lower 48 combined. With so much area, so little population, and such varying climactic conditions, it's a harder state to govern, not an easier one. The fact that the fastest - and sometimes only - way to get from one place to another is by small plane says a lot about the "conditions on the ground".

Sarah Palin is a staunch, determined individual who grows into any job she takes on. Being a commercial fisherman is one of the most dangerous jobs in Alaska. It's also one that's the most difficult to make a substantial living at. One bad season, and you're in the hole for YEARS. I'm sure that Sarah had considerable input on running that business with her husband. People in Alaska tend to involve family in all matters, much as the rest of America used to do.

Sarah Palin has some negatives, but I believe from all that I've read and my 60+ years of experience that she's a better candidate for ANY elected office than 99% of the dreck from DC.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2008-08-31 17:53|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2008-08-31 17:53|| Front Page Top

#32 I apologize I have not read all the comments but I did see the point about population.

Yes, Alaska is a state, America is a super power, the experience isn't the same. She's relative unknown and untested outside of Alaska for a lackluster McCain.

I wish she was in the game earlier so she could have prepared, but now we are less than 60 days from electing.

It's not apples and apples. And Vermont is closer than Alaska.

If McCain dies, this charming lady (she is) is running the country and much of the world. There were other female choices he could have made who I'd feel safer with.

She already likes Obama's energy policy so that's no advantage, especially if McCain overrides her.

If she praises Obama's energy policy, then it not going to be much of a debating point with Biden about opening up Alaska for more oil.

In the end, I'm done with this subject for today but I think she's a swell gal who's out of her league. Too bad she's tied to McCain.

Posted by Pliny Sleash8027 2008-08-31 18:02|| 2008-08-31 18:02|| Front Page Top

#33 Pliny,

Yes, Alaska is a state? Were you born in 1932? Of course it's a state, moron.

And Vermont is closer than Alaska? To what the Roadkill Grill?

Dood Americans don't think their President runs the country, only the government. He's not Putin, fer Lenin's sake.

I'm glad you signed off for today 'cause you're due for reassignment tomorrow.

Posted by Your supervisor 2008-08-31 18:08|| 2008-08-31 18:08|| Front Page Top

#34 If McCain dies, this charming lady (she is) is running the country and much of the world.

a possibility, if the GOP wins, agreed. If the Donks win, a certainty would be that Obama is running the country and much of the world.

I find that a scarier scenario

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-08-31 18:12|| 2008-08-31 18:12|| Front Page Top

#35 I apologize I have not read all the comments....
YOUR LOSS.
so we're just to read your comments? Selective with your reading huh? Very telling of your mindset. A troll not worth my time.

Posted by Jan 2008-08-31 18:57|| 2008-08-31 18:57|| Front Page Top

#36 And if Kerry fell off his bicycle again, Edwards would have been leader of the free world.

I'll take Palin. Some think foreign affairs is some wicked complicated thing. I doubt it, look at the turkeys involved. Too much experience is a disadvantage; leads to hand wringing. It's a matter of quick reaction and good judgement. Joe Biden? Are you kidding me? I'll take Palin any day.

Posted by KBK 2008-08-31 20:05|| 2008-08-31 20:05|| Front Page Top

#37 The problem is for you Slimy, that you have not been paying attention, and according to your comments here are suffing from self-selective ignorance.

Sarah Palin has been talked about as a running mate a long time ago, notably by the Fred Thompson backers last year. Jindal as well.

And it turns out that McCain has been considering her since February. The press missed it - they are wrong, as usual. There have been a lot more communications than the press knew about. McCain kept those under his hat, so as to provide maximum impact for the announcment, unlike the mush-headed way Obama handled his appointment of 30+ year DC insider Biden at 3am like a drunktexting old girlfriend.

So maybe you should take some time to learn, and be back it down a notch, lest you compound your ignorance with stupidity.

And the topic here is her letter to Harry, not your parroting of unfounded and unhinged commentary from the left. Try to stay on topic.

Regarding energy policy, (back on topic) she is an "All of the Above" liek most sensible peopel, and liek the GOP house memebers have been tryign to push over Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reids obstructianism. Read the letter- she points out the paramount issue, namely that national security implications of the Democrat Congress' failure to act.

UNliek Dingy HArry, SEH has done something - getting a natural gas pipeline going from the Alaska fields to the US markets, without needing to trans-ship via oil/gas tanker. That required negotiation with Canada, and involvment of US State Dept and Interior as well.

I;d say that speaks pretty well for her "foreign policy" experience - she knows the energy market and how it affects the nation, especially an energy critical state like Alaska. Going without power in Delware for a day is no big deal. Going without power in Alaska for a day can kill you.

One of these candidates has had to face that scenario as a "Buck Stops Here" executive. One of them has had to face life and death decisions as a military unit commander. The others have nver done so. Obama was busy voting "Present" while Palin was running corrupt politicians out of office. Biden was busy taking a senate seat that he still holds after 3 decades while John McCain was still a POW.

Call that a "McCain/Palin 2 OBama/Biden 0".

Posted by OldSpook 2008-08-31 21:00|| 2008-08-31 21:00|| Front Page Top

#38 Gee, I wonder which Obama worker we'll have tomorrow?

Posted by Pappy 2008-08-31 23:53|| 2008-08-31 23:53|| Front Page Top

23:53 Pappy
23:52 Barbara Skolaut
23:47 bigjim-ky
23:36 Pappy
23:20 Betty Grating2215
23:17 Betty Grating2215
23:10 trailing wife
22:56 tipper
22:20 OldSpook
22:15 lotp
22:06 OldSpook
22:05 Nimble Spemble
22:04 Nimble Spemble
22:03 Angie Schultz
22:03 john frum
21:48 Frank G
21:45 Nimble Spemble
21:30 Procopius2k
21:26 Slats Creack aka Broadhead6
21:25 CrazyFool
21:18 Slats Creack aka Broadhead6
21:01 49 Pan
21:00 OldSpook
20:53 SteveS