In Defense of Palin Pt 2

To Continue ...

2. Sarah Palin's persona is a boon to the office. She unites a party that has been looking for a leader they can support. The more experience she acquires, the more tether she will be gathering up for her own run for President. She is charming, relate-able, and more than all of that...she exhibits the values that Conservative Republicans such as myself have been waiting to see up for election to the highest offices in the land.

We need a communicator in the driver's seat. McCain is able to talk to the American people...but everyone knows that Obama gives the better speach (which is not to say, "is the better speaker" because, as everyone who is not drinking Obama-aid will acknowledge, he's down-right bad when he's off the cuff. He's dangerous and gaffe prone...because his unfiltered thoughts are dangerous and offensive to many; think about the way he talked about "punishing" his daughter by holding her responsible for her poor choices). McCain's tenure will not be the golden age of rhetoric in American politics. But Palin might be that ray of sunshine...and that's exciting. I want a leader I don't have to translate for, and I believe she offers us that...which makes her an exciting pick.

Republicans who never enjoyed the era of Reagan, but were raised hearing nearly mythic tales of his abilities to navigate politics, the press, communists and stand for articulate morality (inotherwords...Republicans like me...roughly in their early to mid 20's) have been waiting for someone we could be excited about. When George W Bush first ran for President, I knew essentially nothing about politics. I didn't vote, because I was a Freshman in college and didn't care enough to wait in line; not something I am proud of, but its where I was at. Four years later, a lot changed, and though I argued long and hard for the reasons to keep the Republicans in office, I had learned something that my civics class never managed to communicate effectively: the President is the communicator if chief, and we need the President to be able to lead, not just in action, but in word (that sounds backwards, I realize, but its true nonetheless; I believe, firmly, that President Bush has led in action with regard to many important issues...but at a critical time, when communication was desperately needed, he failed miserably). It is exciting, in a way that nearly defies explanation, to see leaders in the wings of my party that will offer an alternative to this problem; leadership that can ignite passion throughout the party and, more importantly, in the nation as a whole, through the force and power of their words, married to the testament of their own example. Its inspiring and challenges us all to reconsider the low bar we are willing to tolerate from our leaders. It is much needed.

The truly unfortunate reality is that the counter-balance to the Religious-Right Republicans in our society has been a really unbalanced Progressive Left. That the Democratic party has nominated one of the most Liberal Senators to run for President speaks of the alarming power this portion of the party holds over the party as a whole. I feel for my Democrat Christian friends...I don't understand why they are supporters of Obama, but I do feel for them. Their party is, seemingly, married to supporting unlimited Abortion; they will negotiate, unreservedly, with known terrorists; they will withdraw troops from an ever more successful project for Liberty in the middle of the Middle East, ignoring the advice of the commanders on the ground in favor of their own opinions.

In otherwords, they have given control of the party to the far-Left wing...and middle ground is difficult to discover. The sad result of this truth is that it is not acceptable to promote the success of the Democrats, even when the Republicans have gross failures of leadership...because the alternative is both immoral and unsound for our continued security. Those issues come before the question of the morality of social programs (or lack thereof) or the issues of national spending, debt, education, healthcare, etc. Life and Security trump all other rights (not by a lot, because Life and Secuirty are not EVERYTHING...but by enough to make the difference in an election that offers me only one clear choice in support of those values). I can tolerate a well defined, reasonable argument on many topics...suggesting that a woman's right to choose comes before the right to life for the unborn is so wickedly perverted that I cannot come to table with Pelosi, Obama, Reid, Clinton, Biden, etc.

I believe Palin might offer an opportunity to rediscover the vast middle ground that unites us, instead of continuing the dissent on the issues that divide us. Her appeal crosses long established lines...there are women in both parties, moms in both parties - should she be elected as VP and then go on to race again for the top spot, I believe "With malice towards none and forgiveness towards all..." We have come a long way from the War of the States, yet our nation is deeply divided. On both sides seeds of disdain and emnity are sown; perhaps it is because I am of the Right, but my perception is that the hateful, dismissive manners of the Left make a reunion more and more unlikely. Individuals of the social upper-crust speak in terms that are not acceptable in general society about the leaders of our society...which lowers the debate and weakens our general powers of debate and thought as a result. Politics is a contact sport...but for it to remain halthy, we need politicians that can remind us of our commoninity, rather than divide us in a war for power. I believe that the Gov. of Alaska, with home-town charm, and wit-with-a-smile, can offer that.