In Tempe, reactions mixed to Palin’s experience
By Richard D. Romero II · September 7, 2008 · Print This Article
TEMPE — Alaska governor Sarah Palin accepted the Republican party’s nomination for vice president this week, using more barbs than her running mate and earning a grudging respect and guarded optimism from some locals.
Palin’s acceptance speech was a culmination of her tightly knit family life, cutting out the doubts her opponents brought to the surface, while showing her enthusiastic support for Arizona Senator John McCain.
And with that came the inevitable mudslinging towards the opposing Democratic Party and candidates Barack Obama and his vice presidential nominee, Joe Biden.
“But listening to him speak, it’s easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform – not even in the state senate,” Palin said, referring to Obama.
She went on to say that Obama’s goals were to increase government size, take more money away from the people and generally reduce the strength of America on a global scale.
If elected on Nov. 4, Palin said she and McCain would lay down more pipelines, build more nuclear plants, create clean-coal jobs, and pursue other alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind power.
The speech garnered a mixed reaction around Tempe and the second largest university in the nation.
“It might be difficult to pass some of the bills that she’s proposing,” says Nedda Reghabi, an Arizona State University economics senior. “I do however think it’s a good idea to start looking into alternative energy sources.”
Palin used her past experiences as mayor and governor in Alaska as examples of her tenacity as a leading official.
She discussed how while seated as Governor she promised an immense ethics reform which eventually became the current law. She also mentioned her success in bringing revenue back to Alaskans when gas and oil prices skyrocketed, vetoing nearly $500 million in wasteful spending, and fostering Alaska’s state budget surplus that could reach up to $9 billion next year, according to the Los Angeles Times .
Tempe Vice Mayor Shana Ellis said that although Palin was a dark horse candidate, she has held an elected office and is qualified to be vice president.
But others say Palin’s experience places her somewhere in between rookie and veteran status. Longtime Valley pundit Richard Herrera, an associate professor of political science at ASU, said that in the event where Palin would have to take over as President, her background suggests she doesn’t have the same experience level as most vice presidential candidates although she is not the least experienced candidate to be chosen.
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What bothers me as a woman in her child-bearing years is Ms. palin’s stand on abortion and women’s right in general. I am also dissapointed in her stance on the environment. I feel that Leiberman would have been a much better chioce. It is much easier and more comforting to picture him taking over as President if the need arose.
I am also disappointed in her views on women’s rights. I do like her style but I have serious reservations about her running the White House.
I, too, like Palin’s style, however she has much more to prove to the nation in the next few weeks. I would like to hear more from her and her party with regard to healthcare. I believe she may be an integral part to our answer in healthcare reform, as she mentioned her concern and dedication towards the disabled and challenged, like her son with Down Syndrome. This concern means healthcare to me! Continue to keep us posted on Palin/McCain and healthcare and all else she may stand for, like her stand on women’s rights.
I really enjoyed the articles perspective on Palin.
Regarding “Herrera’s” comment, I do agree that Palin is NOT the least experienced candidate. I do believe she DOES have a refreshing delivery. I also agree with Vice Mayor Ellis that Palin is qualified to be vice president however…MAY THE BEST PERSON WIN!!!
I started this blog because I have a lot of faith in Sarah Palin. People forget that women with children have been some of the greatest rulers in the past in history. And Elizabeth I came to power at age 25, not having been taught statescraft as she was not expected to to ever be queen.
http://www.sarah-palin-2008.blogspot.com