The Pink Flamingo :: The Sarah Palin Story (sort of)

UPDATED: I have a new Blog Critics piece about Sarah Palin.

Early last August I received an email from Steve Maloney, who blogs at Campaign2008VictoryA Steve Maloney GOP. Steve wanted to know if I'd heard of Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska. I had not. Steve was working with Adam Brickley of the now "world famous" Draft Sarah Palin for VP. They needed someone to do an article or two and help promote Sarah Palin as VP. Would I be interested.

At that time Adam and Steve were THE ONLY people who were promoting Sarah Palin. Don't fall for any of the bandwagon now. They were the first. They also prove, Praise the Lord, my life-long philosophy that one person can make a difference. (or two in this case)

My first article, on Blog Critics, appeared on August 17, 2007. At that time there were a half dozen local profile pieces on our new VP nominee, but that's about it. At the Pink Flamingo I have been following her and have written a number of pieces about her. I've also been writing about the growing "bandwagon" effect, and how her original supporters are being steam-rolled as more and more "important" entities come aboard the wagon.

My most recent piece was on August 8.
An Honest Alaskan Politician
Birth of Tig
The birth of Tig - the attacks on Palin
Answering the attack that a new mommy would not be a good VP
The fired trooper story (and my theory that the Dems were using it to prevent her from being VP)
The natural gas pipeline and international diplomacy

In March I wrote a piece for Blog Critics answering the critics who felt she would not be a good choice for VP because she would be a "new mommy".

The Obama Campaign is criticizing Governor Palin for having no foreign policy experience. I remember the same comments back in 2000 when the "inexperienced" governor of Texas was running against the "experienced" Vice President. One of the major Democratic talking points against this inexperienced governor was that he knew nothing about foreign policy. I rest my case for Sarah Palin.

Earlier today I received another email from Stephen Maloney. He has more information about Adam Brickley's role in this entire endeavor. Do not underestimate the work Stephen has done.

"...My political buddy Sharon Caliendo of Norman, OK, broke the Palin Story last night shortly before 3 a.m., and I took a chance on put it on my blogs. Much more will be on there today and tomorrow about a thoroughly remarkable human being, Sarah Heath Palin. If you want to have fun, go over to a truly ecstatic web site, Adam Brickley's at Draft Palin. Adam has been in total managerial charge of the national Draft Palin for VP effort. Adam just turned 21... "

This is the "true" story about how Sarah Palin rose to national attention. Never under estimate the role Adam Brickley and Stephen Maloney played. The one national pundit who has been following her career from day one is Fred Barnes. Barnes points out that Palin was defeated in her quest for lieutenant governor in 2002. If she had won, we would not be talking about "inexperience", which basically makes that issue a mote point. In this article, Barnes fails to mention that Palin also interviewed to be considered as a successor to Frank Murkowski in the US Senate. If she had not been passed over due to internal Alaskan politics, she would have twice the Senate experience as Barack Obama.

"...At 32, she was elected mayor of Wasilla, a burgeoning bedroom community outside Anchorage. Though Alaskans tend to be ferociously anti-tax, she persuaded Wasilla voters to increase the local sales tax to pay for an indoor arena and convention center. The tax referendum won by 20 votes. In 2002, Palin entered statewide politics, running for lieutenant governor. She finished a strong second in the Republican primary. That fall, she dutifully campaigned for Murkowski, who'd given up his Senate seat to run for governor. Afterwards, she turned down several job offers from Murkowski, finally accepting the oil and gas post. When she quit 11 months later, "that was her defining moment" in politics, says Fagan...."

Now the great pile-on begins. It is going to be fun to watch. Those of us who were with her from day one (or nearly day one in my case) have already been passed over by the likes of Memeorandum, etc. The "big blogs" are going to get all the hits and take all the glory, telling how much they like her "conservative" credentials. That's okay. They're supporting her.

I've been involved in politics since I was a little kid with my "If I were 21 I'd vote for Barry" button. This is the most excited I've been (aside from the election of GWB) since that fateful night years ago when Ronald Reagan chose my pick, Bush - #41 for VP. I don't mind admitting I was not supporting Reagan in those primaries, but George H. W. Bush. I realized, last August, that Sarah Palin would be the perfect choice for VP. It is fun and quite rewarding to know my political instincts were correct.

So turn on Fox and watch Carl Cameron get "credit" for "breaking" the Sarah Palin story. Adam Brickley at Draft Palin had the 'scoop' last night. He will get all the glory. Fox is taking credit for the leg-work a number of bloggers did last night and the early hours this AM. Sharon Caliendo broke the story. It was her work that did it. She emailed Stephen Maloney who was the first to have it on his blog. I would love to say The Pink Flamingo was first, but it wasn't. The Pink Flamingo was the 2nd blog to break the story about Sarah Palin. I think the beautiful irony of the whole thing is the order of things. Adam was 1st on line with the news. After Sharon broke the news Steve was 2nd, and I was 3rd. We've been in that order for a year.

The battle now begins over the whole "experience" thing. In 2000 it was throw in the face of then Governor Bush. Vice President Al Gore was seasoned with experience. George W. Bush had just come off a re-election victory and had been an owner of the Texas Rangers. That was it. He has proven to be a great leader. Barack Obama was a community organizer before strong-arming his way into the Illinois State House. His other experience was associating with individuals of questionable reputation. These are the people Sarah Palin has helped run out of politics. When did life experience become less important than political experience. Until Sarah Palin was nominated, life experience was just as important as political experience. Strange how these things work within the Democratic mind.

If you link over to my March 6 Blog Critics piece about Sarah Palin and start reading the comments, it is fascinating. Palin is being hammered by what are obviously Barack Obama supporters because she is not staying at home to take care of her children. Neither does Michelle Obama. I find the whole argument rather amusing, considering the previously held Democratic position that women could both work and take care of their children. They fail to mention that hubby Todd Palin helps with the the care of their children. They also fail to note that Governor Palin (soon to be VP Palin) lugs baby Tig around with her, everywhere, including national conferences. She is a very hand's on mother. As I've noted many times, what better job for a "new mommy" or any "mommy" than elected office? The very thougth that liberal Democrats are complaining about this is absolutely laughable and very transparant.

Democrats are also hammering Palin on the fact that she is not 'staying at home' to take care of special needs child Tig. Tig is still only a few months old. She keeps him with her, constantly. There is nothing wrong with this. It is time someone with some courage breaks the mold in 'government' and re-invents the way things are done. I'm sure Tig is not going to suffer from want of attention. Like I said a few months ago, if Sarah Palin were to be chosen for VP, Tig would be one of the most photographed babies since Prince Harry.

Way to go John McCain.

Dime con quien andas y te digo quien eres.

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