Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com

Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining. Those words, used as the title of a book authored by Judith Sheindlin of "Judge Judy" fame, seem particularly appropriate of late. Some leftists must think the rest of us are crazy, stupid, or both.

Let's begin first with their continued and beefed up efforts to convince the American public that they are hoping and praying for Governor Palin to become the 2012 presidential nominee because, they say, it'll guarantee President Obama's re-election. They say this, mind you, all while doing everything in their power to destroy her chances, to run her off before she even declares her intentions. But we're to believe she sparks no fear in them, for they know she could not destroy the President in an election?

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times: as a coach, I never spent one moment focusing on a nonessential opposing player, I've never devised a game plan around a bench warmer, and I've never run a box-and-one defense against an offensive non-threat. It would have been a waste of time, energy, and resources, allowing the real threat to wipe the floor with us as we messed around with a garbage-time player. The PDS sufferers, however, have coordinated a full-blown strategy to take down Governor Palin--to assault her character, distort her record, and attack her family. But they want us to believe she's a non-factor. Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.

Second, President Obama has stated, as have members of his administration, that he doesn't ever think about Governor Palin. However, he makes a speech to the nation on energy this week and alludes to her drill, baby, drill mantra. If he can do so without thinking about her, he surely is the Messiah the left has made him out to be--and we know that's not true. The truth is the Governor's name is almost synonymous with energy expertise. President Obama would have us believe, it seems, that her outspoken advocacy for energy independence and her energy credentials have gone unnoticed by the White House--even while he quotes her during his speech to the nation. Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.

Furthermore, what about those looking to portray Governor Palin as a hypocrite because of recent talks about a tax credit for film production in Alaska? Notice how some are gloating over this non-story set straight by the Governor herself. These are some of the self-same people who insist she lacks the intelligence to be leader of the free world, yet they expect her to be smart--and clairvoyant--enough to have known years ago that a show called "Sarah Palin's Alaska" would hit TLC/Discovery Channel. She addressed this herself:

The accusation hinges on the notion that I signed the legislation into law knowing that it would personally benefit me. That’s totally absurd. It wasn’t even my bill, and obviously I had no intention of benefiting from it when I signed it into law in 2008 because I had no idea I would be involved in a documentary series years later.

So one moment she knows nothing, and the next she's a prophetic genius. And they want us to believe both scenerios, apparently? Not to mention, they disingenuously twist the facts to suggest that the law proves Governor Palin, the obvious common sense conservative that she is, really is some kind of big government proponent. Again, don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.

The vast majority of Americans are neither stupid nor crazy. We know that the ceaseless efforts to stop Governor Palin exist because she's fully capable of stopping President Obama. There's a reason they're so viciously targeting her rather than Tim Pawlenty, for example, who has already made it clear he's running. They insist, however, that they'd quickly join us in a sign-waving "Run, Sarah, Run" rally because it would be like Christmas morning for Democrats if she did. She's the bench warmer, the weakest link, the insignificant other, they say. And every time they say it, something smells funny, and it sure ain't rain.

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Why Taxing The Hell Out Of The Rich Won't Get It Done

Is America really broke? Michael Moore (and others) tells us that there are oceans of cash being hoarded by the wealthy. But Iowahawk (iowahawk.typepad.com) did a little addition, and armed with these statistics Bill and the 'Hawk blow a hole in the "hoarding" lie big enough to fit a documentary filmmaker through.

By Gary P Jackson

Bill Whittle teamed up with writer, and hot rodder extraordinaire, David Burge [Iowahawk] to explain why the left's quaint little idea of taxing the hell out of the rich, in order to fix our budget woes, is a fool's errand.

Burge is a national treasure, and his website is a must read! Check his Iowahawk blog here.

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O4P Los Angeles; Boots on the Ground

In Washington DC Barack Hussein Obama seems to be confused as to whether or not America has boots on the ground in Libya. Here in Los Angeles I am not confused...at all. Let me be clear: Organize4Palin (O4P) has boots on the ground in Los Angeles, CA. We don't quite know what to make of a president who assures Americans that we are not in a third war in a muslim country in one breathe; yet signs a secret order to help kill their leader in another. We tend to prefer presidents who say what they mean...mean what they say; and govern with a servant's heart. Not a rulers thumb. California is still Reagan Country after all. Last saturday night I sent out the first O4P CA Newsletter. I introduced myself and talked a little bit about the role O4P CA will play in the coming days, weeks, months, and next two years. One of the first tasks I gave our volunteers was to let me know what kind of special skills or talents they have that would help O4P. Immediately I was contacted by volunteers eager to step up to the bat and donate their skills. We can't just hope our way to change. Real change, positive change, and effective change will require the help of those who understand who and what America is. All hands on deck. The Newsletter went out late saturday night (technically early sunday morning). By the time I woke up I had dozens of emails. Emails from concerned citizens ready, willing, and able to do whatever it takes to get America back on the right track. One email in particular was from a graphic artist. In less than 72 hours my request for a much needed logo was complete. Boots on the ground indeed. She/He would like to remain anonymous so I will not be crediting her/his artwork like I normally would. Check it out. Here is the new O4P CA Logo: This logo did not cost money. This logo did not require a political operative to hire a focus group to determine what color and font to use. This logo did not cost thousands of dollars. The color and font was determined by a concerned citizen working for love of country. Not money. When Sarah Palin won the Governorship of Alaska in 2006, she did not have the support of the Alaska GOP. The good old boys knew their money could not buy the young reformer. So they spent their money elsewhere. They spent their money to attack her, rather than to help her. A few professional looking campaign posters were made and donated by local small business mom and pop print shops and grass roots organizations. But the majority of the campaign signs were made by the hands of volunteer patriots out of plywood, cardboard, and poster paint duct taped to the kitchen yard stick. Home Depot. Anyone? If you want to get a politician in office who is responsible to nobody but the people, this is the only way to go. America is calling upon you. America is calling upon the informed and faithful citizenry to do the right thing. To get involved. Make posters. Make signs. Print out literature. Make You-Tube videos. Governor Sarah Palin is changing the rules of politics. Let's give her a hand. Let's Go Rogue for Sarah Palin. Let's get behind the one person who dares to hold Obama accountable and send Washington DC a message: Change with us or get the hell our of our way! C'mon guys. I think we can all agree: The best man for the job is Sarah Palin!...Obvi! Get involved with your local O4P group: TEXT 4PALIN to 74679 Sign up for O4P Updates HERE. To Donate to O4P CLICK HERE Thomas S Schmitz Organize4Palin Follow me on Twitter: @ThomasSSchmitz

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President Obama Knocks "Drill, Baby, Drill" in Energy Policy Speech

As the Hill points out, in an uncharacteristic move, President Obama went off teleprompter to get in a dig at Governor Palin during his speech on energy this morning.

As shown in the clip above, President Obama stated:

But here’s the thing – we’ve been down this road before. Remember, it was just three years ago that gas prices topped $4 a gallon. I remember because I was in the middle of a Presidential campaign. Working folks haven’t forgotten that. It hit a lot of people pretty hard. But it was also the height of political season, so you had a lot of slogans and gimmicks and outraged politicians waving three-point-plans for two-dollar gas – you remember that-'drill, baby,drill'-we were going through all that. And none of it would really do anything to solve the problem. There was a lot of hue and cry, a lot of fulminating and hand wringing, but nothing actually happened. Imagine that in Washington.

However, in his prepared remarks released to the press, this portion of his speech reads (emphasis mine):

But here’s the thing – we’ve been down this road before. Remember, it was just three years ago that gas prices topped $4 a gallon. Working folks haven’t forgotten that. It hit a lot of people pretty hard. But it was also the height of political season, so you had a lot of slogans and gimmicks and outraged politicians waving three-point-plans for two-dollar gas – when none of it would really do anything to solve the problem. Imagine that in Washington.

President Obama characterizes Governor Palin as an "outraged politician". However, the Obama administration has repeatedly claimed they don't think about Governor Palin. This is not the first time that President Obama has taken a political shot at Governor Palin's comment during a policy speech. In his speech in September of 2009 where he tried to sell his form of health care reform, he stated that the claim that Obamacare include "death panels" was "a lie, plain, and simple". Of course, it has been shown again and again that "death panels", rationing via bureaucratic decision making, are present in Obamacare. We have addressed this numerous times, here, here, here, and here to name a few.

Beyond the political shot at Governor Palin during what was supposed to be a policy speech, it is clear that President Obama sees every speech as a campaign speech. In 2008, Republicans, namely Governor Palin, saw "drill,baby, drill" as a mantra representing a solution to make America energy independent. However, when the America people bought the "hope and change" mantra over the "drill,baby,drill" mantra, there's little wonder that " nothing actually happened", as President Obama said. Hope and change is little more than a platitude, yet in many ways, it is indicative of the energy policy that President Obama has implemented since he was elected.

Governor Palin has highlighted many of the wrong-headed energy initiatives that President Obama has touted are unproven and can only be pushed because liberals hope that they work. In her Facebook post earlier today, Governor Palin highlighted the "boondoggle" of President Obama's support of electric cars:

It’s a lot more viable than subsidizing boondoggles like these inefficient electric cars that no one wants. I’m all for electric cars if you can develop one I can actually use in Alaska, where you can drive hundreds of miles without seeing many people, let alone many electrical sockets. But these electric and hybrid cars are not a quick fix because we still need an energy source to power them.

The promotion of electric cars as a means of reducing Americans dependence on energy is laughable, as the majority of the time these electric cars will be charged using electricity generated from fossil fuels, and like Governor Palin said electric cars are horribly impractical in many areas like Alaska.

Beyond this "hope and change" energy policy idea, President Obama is right to say that "nothing has happened", because despite his claims that his administration has increased drilling, the opposite has happened. Yes, he has advocated for drilling, but his biggest recent push for drilling has been in Brazil, not America. He has been slow to issue deep water drilling permits, and a few of these have been for projects that started prior to last year's oil spill, not new projects. Additionally, the EPA redtape has held up Arctic drilling for Shell until 2012. If he has promoted drilling, it's akin to someone tying a runner's shoes together, then telling them to go run a mile.

President Obama continues to also falsely claim that America has only 2% of the world's oil resources. American Solutions highlights the fact that this number is taken from only taking into account the reserves where we are already drilling--not the billions and billions of untapped barrels of oil that we are currently not accessing, due in large part to what Governor Palin has characterized as a "moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico as well as the de-facto moratorium in the Arctic". The 2% of worldwide oil resources is only in light of the fact that we are not drilling for oil where we do have it. In fact, a recent Congressional study showed that America has recoverable more fossil fuel--oil, natural gas, and coal--resources than any other country in the world. Governor Palin has often said that we have the resources, the workers, and the ingenuity for energy independence, all we need is the political will:

Cars and businesses cannot be fueled and homes cannot be heated by an energy policy of "hope and change". However, when "drill, baby drill" is implemented bringing economic, monetary, energy, and national security, it not only contributes to an "all-of-the-above approach" to energy independence, but also addressing many problems we face in America.

As Governor Palin says, "2012 can't come soon enough".

Thank you to Sheya for providing both video clips.

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FLASHBACK: What We Were Saying One Year Ago About Obama’s...

Governor Palin today posted on Facebook:

It’s unbelievable (literally) the rhetoric coming from President Obama today. This is coming from he who is manipulating the U.S. energy supply. President Obama is once again giving lip service to a “new energy proposal”; but let’s remember the last time he trotted out a “new energy proposal” – nearly a year ago to the day. The main difference is today we have $4 a gallon gas in some places in the country. This is no accident. This administration is not a passive observer to the trends that have inflated oil prices to dangerous levels. His war on domestic oil and gas exploration and production has caused us pain at the pump, endangered our already sluggish economic recovery, and threatened our national security. Through a process of what candidate Obama once called “gradual adjustment,” American consumers have seen prices at the pump rise 67 percent since he took office. Meanwhile, the vast undeveloped reserves that could help to keep prices at the pump affordable remain locked up because of President Obama’s deliberate unwillingness to drill here and drill now. We’re subsidizing offshore drilling in Brazil and purchasing energy from them, instead of drilling ourselves and keeping those dollars circulating in our own economy to generate jobs here. The President said today, “There are no quick fixes.” He’s been in office for nearly three years now, and he’s about to launch his $1 billion re-election campaign. When can we expect any “fixes” from him? How high does the price of energy have to go?

So, here’s a little flashback to what I wrote on March 31, 2010, at National Review Online’s The Corner:

Many Americans fear that President Obama’s new energy proposal is once again “all talk and no real action,” this time in an effort to shore up fading support for the Democrats’ job-killing cap-and-trade (a.k.a. cap-and-tax) proposals. Behind the rhetoric lie new drilling bans and leasing delays; soon to follow are burdensome new environmental regulations. Instead of “drill, baby, drill,” the more you look into this the more you realize it’s “stall, baby, stall.”

Today the president said he’ll “consider potential areas for development in the mid and south Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, while studying and protecting sensitive areas in the Arctic.” As the former governor of one of America’s largest energy-producing states, a state oil and gas commissioner, and chair of the nation’s Interstate Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, I’ve seen plenty of such studies. What we need is action — action that results in the job growth and revenue that a robust drilling policy could provide. And let’s not forget that while Interior Department bureaucrats continue to hold up actual offshore drilling from taking place, Russia is moving full steam ahead on Arctic drilling, and China, Russia, and Venezuela are buying leases off the coast of Cuba.

As an Alaskan, I’m especially disheartened by the new ban on drilling in parts of the 49th state and the cancellation of lease sales in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. These areas contain rich oil and gas reserves whose development is key to our country’s energy security. As I told Secretary Salazar last April, “Arctic exploration and development is a slow, demanding process. Delays or major restrictions in accessing these resources for environmentally responsible development are not in the national interest or the interests of the State of Alaska.”

Since I wrote the above, we have even more evidence of the President’s anti-drilling agenda. We have the moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico as well as the de-facto moratorium in the Arctic. We have his 2012 budget that proposes to eliminate several vital oil and natural gas production tax incentives. We have his anti-drilling regulatory policies that have stymied responsible development. And the list goes on. The President says that we can’t “drill” our way out of the problem. But we can’t drive our cars on solar shingles either. We have to live in the real world where we must continue to develop the conventional resources that we actually use right now to fuel our economy as we continue to look for a renewable source of energy. If we are looking for an affordable, environmentally friendly, and abundant domestic source of energy, why not turn to our own domestic supply of natural gas? Whether we use it to power natural-gas cars or to run natural-gas power plants that charge electric cars, natural gas is an ideal “bridge fuel” to a future when more renewable sources are available, affordable, and economically viable on their own. It’s a lot more viable than subsidizing boondoggles like these inefficient electric cars that no one wants. I’m all for electric cars if you can develop one I can actually use in Alaska, where you can drive hundreds of miles without seeing many people, let alone many electrical sockets. But these electric and hybrid cars are not a quick fix because we still need an energy source to power them. That’s why I like natural gas, but we still have to drill for natural gas, and this administration doesn’t like drilling or apparently the jobs that come with responsible oil and natural gas development. They don't have a coherent energy policy. They have piecemeal ideas for subsidizing impractical pet “green” projects.

I have always been in favor of an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy independence, but "all-of-the-above" means conventional resource development too. It means a coherent, practical, and forward-looking energy policy. I wish the President would understand this. The good news is there is nothing wrong with America’s energy policy that another good old-fashion election can’t solve. 2012 is just around the corner.

- Sarah Palin

Retrieved from: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150142243663435.



- Posted using BlogPress from my Palin-Powered iPhone

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Setting the Record Straight on State’s Film Production Tax...

Governor Palin today posted on Facebook:

Goodness, cleaning up the sloppiness of reporters could be a full time job. In response to The Daily Caller's online inquiry, I gave them a statement that the writer buried on his story’s second page (which most people won’t even notice – I didn’t even notice it) after he spent the first page completely spinning a situation to give the impression that Alaska’s film production tax credit legislation was somehow solely my idea hatched up to benefit the Palins years before I was ever involved in a documentary series on TLC/Discovery Channel. Here’s setting the record straight: As Governor, I signed into law a popular bipartisan bill that was crafted and passed by others and has resulted in numerous Alaska-based productions that are airing today. The only alternative to signing the legislature’s work product would have been for me to veto their legislation, which would have been useless. Besides all that, their legislation worked.

This bill was not some secret big government agenda. These Alaskan legislators just wanted Alaska to be able to compete with the many other states that offer similar incentives. As I noted in my statement (which was curiously buried by The Daily Caller – whose editor-in-chief was recently called on the carpet for publicly using a degrading term to describe women), I can’t speak for the film tax credit programs in other states, but the program in Alaska has been effective. The bipartisan legislation I signed into law in 2008 was borne out of elected lawmakers’ frustration with the fact that shows and films about Alaska were mostly filmed elsewhere. They wanted to incentivize production companies to film in Alaska instead of Canada, Washington state, or Maine. Their bill worked, and as the legislation’s supporters will testify, the state’s economy enjoys the benefits of having this production money circulating right here at home. It was so successful that state lawmakers now want to renew the film production tax credits for another ten years. Keep in mind that we don’t have a state income tax, state sales tax, or state property tax in Alaska. Our state government is predominately funded by oil and gas revenue. Essentially we are using revenue generated from the development of Alaska’s natural resources in order to diversify our economy and create jobs beyond just resource development. Not only does this help promote a new film industry in Alaska, it obviously also has the added benefit of encouraging our tourism industry. These shows and films about Alaska act as perfect tourist advertisements for our state. People come here to experience what they see on the shows filmed here. The dramatic increase in Alaska-based television shows and films are testament to the fact that this legislation worked, and it’s exciting to see our state showcased and appreciated. There has been more film productions here than ever before, and the economic benefit of filming here exceeds the tax credit.

And another point missed by this reporter: apparently The Daily Caller’s conspiracy theory must be that I did all of this not even to benefit myself but Mark Burnett Productions. As I tried to explain to the writer at The Daily Caller, if you believe in this bizarre scenario then why not ask the sponsors, drafters, and supporters of this legislation that would boost job creation if they crafted this bill years ago in order to benefit Sarah Palin. Any suggestion that I somehow did something wrong by signing this legislation is ridiculous. The accusation hinges on the notion that I signed the legislation into law knowing that it would personally benefit me. That’s totally absurd. It wasn’t even my bill, and obviously I had no intention of benefiting from it when I signed it into law in 2008 because I had no idea I would be involved in a documentary series years later. If you’re going to accuse me of benefiting from legislation I signed into law, why stop there? Go ahead and accuse me of “benefiting” from the legislation my administration actually did craft – like for example, our oil and gas evaluation legislation (ACES). You could say I “benefited” from it in the sense that due to ACES the state where I live (Alaska) now enjoys a $12 billion surplus. In fact, you could say that as an Alaskan, I benefited from all of the legislation I championed or signed as governor – just as every Alaskan benefited.

As I also tried to tell the reporter, it’s also a false accusation to suggest that signing this bipartisan bill somehow goes against my position on the proper role of government. I’ve said many times that government can play an appropriate role in incentivizing business, creating infrastructure, and leveling the playing field to foster competition so the market picks winners and losers, instead of bureaucrats burdening businesses and picking winners and losers. Again, I can’t speak for what other states do, but Alaska’s film production tax credit program was an effective way to incentivize a new industry that would diversify our economy. It worked. The lawmakers’ successful legislation fit Alaska’s economy, as our economy is quite unique from other states’ due to our oil and gas revenue. Perhaps it would behoove people to learn much more about the 49th state’s young economy before making broad accusations about the efficacy of business programs. People who live in ivory towers don’t understand the real world where governors and lawmakers actually have to fight to attract business and jobs to their states.

One final thought: having to set the record straight on my Facebook page yet again is further proof that the media can’t be trusted even to print a statement in a manner that people can read.

- Sarah Palin

Retrieved from: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150142191023435.

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Gov. Palin on the Bob & Mark Show Friday? (Updated)

- by Josh Painter
*
When entertainment site Hollywood Life reported that Sarah Palin would be on Bob & Mark in the Morning Friday "to make a major announcement," we were skeptical, because for one thing, gossip reporters are notoriously unreliable sources of information. So we emailed Bob Lester with a request for confirmation, and he replied Wednesday morning:

No word on what Palin will be talking about on Friday. We can only hope she announces something "Big" on Friday?

www.kwhl.com

Listen in. 7:30 a.m. our time.

So Hollywood Life at least got the scheduling part right, if Bob is to be believed. However, whether the guv will make a "Big" announcement, as HL touted, is still up in the air. The reason for HL's great expectations, of course, is that Gov. Palin had promised Bob & Mark that if she announces for president, their program would get to break the news. But we have our doubts that she will make that particular announcement if she even appears on the show Friday for two reasons. One, she has also hinted not to expect any such announcement for months, and two, Friday is April 1.

Given how the media left and the elitist right attack her for every little thing she says and does, we can't see her making her presidential announcement on April Fools Day. But we wouldn't be at all surprised if she, with the complicity of the two Anchorage radio hosts, has a little fun at the expense of her critics. It's not like they don't have it coming.

Update: Fox News has shot down the rumors, as Dan Springer reports. As we expected, there will be no major announcement by Gov. Palin on the Bob & Mark show Friday:

The word comes from the person closest to Palin, her husband, Todd, who set the record straight that rumors she may announce a 2012 presidential run where just that -- rumors. Fox News also spoke with Meg Stapleton, Palin’s former spokeswoman, who says that there would be no major announcement of any kind on Friday. Stapleton has remained in contact with the Palin family and also spoke with Tim Crawford, Palin’s chief fundraiser, about the rumor.

But that's not the half of it:

Todd says that Sarah Palin is not even going to be a guest on the show.

That last one is a bit of a surprise, as Bob and Mark seem, to us at least, to be taking advantage of their friendship with the governor. Why risk damaging that relationship with a cheap publicity stunt?

- JP

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Attacks on Conservative Women

Well done interview by Penny Nance on FoxNews. Nance is CEO of Concerned Women for America (CWA). She calls the left out for not having anyhing substantial to say on the issues, so have to resort to personal attacks on the likes of Palin, Bachmann and more.

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WSJ: Gov. Palin is a Stateswoman

"Sarah Palin did a fine job bolstering her foreign-policy credentials in a speech in New Delhi this month," Wall Street Journal Political Diary column Abheek Bhattacharya wrote in today's article headlined "Sarah Stateswoman," as he synopsized her speech and question answer session delivered at the India Today 2011 Conclave, March 19.

In his synopsis, Bhattacharya touched upon Gov. Palin's positions on domestic energy development and free markets, and how India faces similar problems to the United States in developing its energy sources.

"The past 20 years may have seen some of the country's entrepreneurial energies getting tapped, but a web of regulations keeps its natural resources untapped. Besides hindering expansion in a number of infrastructure sectors, these regulations -- many in the name of environmentalism -- enable cronyism, as rent-seeking bureaucrats skew the playing field to favor a few businesses. They also leave India at the mercy of foreign energy sources."

H/T Josh Painter, Texas 4 Sarah Palin

Complete Prior Coverage:

India Today Releases Text of Palin’s “My Vision of America”


Gov. Palin: “My Vision of America” Sights and Sounds


Gov. Palin Carries Reagan’s Torch to India

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Fact Checking President Obama's Lack of Leadership on Libya

As Conservatives4Palin shared on Mediaite's poor "attempt" at semantics checking of Governor Palin's appearance with Greta van Susteren , surprisingly the Associated Press provided a pretty scathing fact check of President Obama's speech on Libya. Using 18% of the number of staff that the AP used to fact check Governor Palin's book Going Rogue, they addressed President Obama's misrepresentation of America's role in NATO, the unclear statement of America's military mission, a lack of a clear communication of America's interests in Libya, his false claim that Gadhafi's advances have been stopped, and the false claim that America intervenes in all unjust and tyrannical situations that it verbal condemns. Beyond these fact-checked claims, as Governor Palin put it last night, "the Obama doctrine is still full of chaos and questions". He did not make himself clear. Additionally, as usual, he pointed back at the Bush administration for what he perceived as failures, and for praising supposed successes that haven't shown . However, the overarching false claim is that President Obama stated that "real leadership" has taken place.

The first area that the AP addressed was President Obama's discussion of America's role within NATO. While President Obama stated that as a coalition, NATO would be taking a leading role and the US would be be supporting, the AP points out that America provides 22% of NATO's budget, and much of its personnel leadership. Essentially, there is some inconsistency in the state role of America in Libya. However, beyond his words, President Obama's action lacked proper leadership. The NATO leader of military operations in Libya is a Canadian,yet when he spoke with world leaders in a secure conference call, he included France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Canadian leadership was not included. As America is very much a leader in NATO, it shows a lack of leadership when key players aren't included in important discussions.

The AP also addressed that President Obama stated America's military mission was saving lives, but at the same time, the efforts also seemed to allow the rebels to advance. Additionally, President Obama's military mission was understated and his diplomatic and political missions were overstated. Beyond this inconsistency, President Obama tried to tie America's efforts in hastening the ousting of Gadhafi to America's interest in the world. Governor Palin addressed both the mission's effect on the Libyans and on Americans last night:

It's very disappointing that we didn't hear that commitment from our president, that America's interests lie in Qaddafi being ousted. And without that being met, you know, I have to again ask why in the world will our military might be used according to the U.N. and Arab League desires and NATO's leadership in this skirmish or this war or whatever it is that Obama calls it or doesn't want to call it.

[...]

Well, if we were going to protect civilians, doesn't that mean, then, getting rid of the bad guy? And hasn't the president already said that Qaddafi's the bad guy? He said that some weeks ago, when those of us who supported the no-fly zone said, yes, get in there and act. Get rid of him then. And then the tune changed coming from the White House and...

This presents another aspect of President Obama's failed leadership--choosing his own channels of approval for his chosen mission. The AP addressed that it is disingenuous for President Obama to say America is handing over the reins to NATO when America funds and leads NATO to a great degree. At the same time, this pseudo change in optics does not show America's leadership, but rather a willingness to allow others to lead in areas where President Obama has placed American troops. Beyond this, President Obama even admitted that he went to NATO, the UN, and the Arab League before consulting with Congress. A lot of questions have been raised about the Constitutionality of President Obama's actions, the rhetorical and substantive differences between "intervention" and " declaring war", and a whole host of other issues. Suffice it to say, President Obama sought the input and approval of worldwide governing bodies prior to " consulting" with Congress, in essence pruning off one branch of government and grafting in three others when it comes to the "kinetic military action" in Libya.

The AP also addressed the problem with President Obama's assertion that America always intervenes when there is a foreign atrocity and human rights are being violated, when reality shows the Obama administration is selective, as Governor Palin addressed last night herself:

Well, he did not articulate really what our purpose was, except some inconsistent humanitarian effort there in Libya. And yet the inconsistency lies with the questions now being asked, well, why not Darfur, why not North Korea? What are we going to do about Syria? All these other areas where I guess America could intervene with our power and resources to help humanity.

Governor Palin has highlighted President Obama's inconsistency on humanitarian efforts and human rights violations in Iran and elsewhere in the past as well. The focus here is not to say where America should or shouldn't intervene or where we should devote resources, but instead to highlight President Obama's inconsistency and false claims.

As is his trademark, President Obama pointed back to the Bush administration and what he sees as failures with the war in Iraq and mentions the success of uprisings in Egypt when there is more concern about Egypt's current trajectory of leadership. President Obama can't seem to make up his mind. While the war and Iraq has cost a lot of money and sadly a lot of American lives, President Obama tends to blame President Bush for these costs, yet tends to take credit for the successes in Iraq, referencing in his speech that Iraq is now "left to its people" and combat troops are gone. The Obama administration wants to point fingers to the Bush administration to apportion blame in the costs and time devoted to Iraq, but want to take credit for the success, even as far as Vice President stating a little over a year ago that Iraq (the war that Obama opposed as a Senator) was one of the President's greatest achievements. In his speech, President Obama praised what has happened in Egypt saying it had inspired and changed our hopes and was inspired by how young people were involced. However, as Governor Palin warned in January, with Mubarak out of power in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood with their lack of regard for Israel, women's rights,and other things, has taken a greater role in creating a new government and the young people of Egypt are not a political driving force.

President Obama's most laughable claim is that what he has done has shown "real leadership in Libya". President Obama's speech did not clarify what America's true interests were in Libya. He did not give a picture of an endgame, nor a clear idea of what role our military will take in these NATO led efforts. He rose more questions than answers in his speech. Governor Palin characterized the Obama doctrine as "full of chaos and questions" and his leadership as "intervention by ad hoc policy". In essence, Governor Palin highlighted the biggest false "fact" of President Obama's speech--real leadership has not been shown.

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The Right Scoop: Palin slams Obama doctrine as some post-American theory of intervention

The Right Scoop has the take on tonight's analysis of Obama's speech by Sarah Palin on Greta Van Susteren's On the Record.

Palin took it to Obama in analyzing his Libya speech tonight, saying that the speech was ‘profoundly disappointing’ and that the Obama doctrine is still full of ‘chaos and questions’, and is ‘dodgy’ and ‘dubious’. She makes it very clear that U.S. interests should be to take Qaddafi out or to capture him and goes on to say this:

He did not make the case for this intervention. U.S. interests have got to be met if we are going to intervene. And U.S. interests can’t just mean validating some kind of post-American theory of intervention wherein we wait for the Arab League and the United Nations to tell us ‘thumbs up America, you can go now, you can act’, and then we get in the back of the bus and we wait for NATO, we wait for the French to lead us. That’s not inspirational.

Now that’s the strength of Sarah Palin that we all fell in love with in 2008! And there’s much more.

Watch the video here.

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Gov. Palin on Greta: Obama Doctrine Full of Chaos, Confusion

"The Obama Doctrine is full of chaos and questions. It's dodgy, and dubious," Governor Palin said about Obama's speech on Libya in an interview with Greta Van Susteren tonight. Gov. Palin said Obama's address was "profoundly disappointing."
"If we do not capture or kill Gaddafi, there is no acceptable endgame."

Gov. Palin questioned why we would use our military under UN, NATO or Arab League leadership. "[Obama] did not articulate what our purpose was except some inconsistent humanitarian effort...why not Darfur? Why not North Korea?...He did not make the case for this intervention. U.S. interests have got to be met if were are going to intervene," Gov. Palin said. "U.S. interests cannot mean validating some post-American theory of intervention wherein we wait for the United Nations or the Arab League to tell us 'thumbs up! You can act now' and then we get in the back of the bus and we wait for NATO. We wait for the French to lead us. That's not inspirational," Gov. Palin said.

Enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya costs $600 million per day, again begging the question of why this humanitarian issue is a priority over skirmishes where more lives are being lost.

"Disappointing speech, because we did not get the answers. We want to know what is the end-game," Gov. Palin said. She reiterated her point that "Gaddafi has to go." He must be killed or captured, else he will take revenge on the U.S. and her interests, and sponsor terrorism, Gov. Palin said. If we're going to protect civilians, "getting rid of the bad guy" is necessary to that end. "In these 42 years, there's been atrocities conducted by Gaddafi," Gov. Palin said.

She quoted a senior national security adviser who stated that "we don't make decisions on intervention based on consistency or precedent," meaning that our policy is ad-hoc, a situation Gov. Palin said was appalling. She said his speech which left open the question of how we will proceed with a long string of unstable nations only made the situation worse.

Elected officials from both parties questioned all the aspects of our involvement in Libya. Gov. Palin asked, "Are we at war?" Is this a skirmish, an intervention? She repeated her point that our national interests are not being served by taking a backseat to the UN, NATO and the Arab League, "while we put our finger up in the air and decide what the political winds are around the world, not necessarily knowing and believing that the U.S.' interests must come first in this."

Gov. Palin found Obama's reference to the North Star in his speech to be dubious at best.



Palin on Obama's 'War' retrieved from Fox News

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Gov. Palin's Tribute to a True Trailblazer

Governor Palin last night paid tribute to Geraldine Ferraro paving the way for women during an interview with Greta Van Susteren.

Gov. Palin's Tribute to a True Trailblazer retrieved from Fox News.

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Governor Palin and the Politics of Competition

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com

A key to Governor Palin's success is her diverse experience. As a champion athlete, women's pioneer, and a national leader, she knows the value of hard work, perseverance, and yes, a competitive spirit.

Anyone close to me can tell you how competitive I am. I love to compete, and I hate to lose. This doesn't mean I act like a brat if, on the rare occasion, I do happen to lose! It means I do everything in my power never to lose at all. Whether it's sports, a board game, or an argument, I expect to win. One of my favorite sayings, which in past years I've made my students repeat everyday, is "Failure is not an option." Combine that with another favorite saying, "The best is yet to come," and one has a recipe for achievement.

Part of winning is mindset. Another part is action. When I coached high school girls' basketball, I taught my team that anytime they stepped onto the court, they must be convinced they would win, and that the only way they could fully have that conviction is if two things were true: 1) they'd personally done everything to prepare to win, and 2) they knew that each of their teammates had done everything to prepare to win. If either of these two things were lacking, they simply would not have that confidence. It takes more than one person's work, I wanted them to see, to lead to confidence and victory. I must be just as confident in the person to whom I'm passing the ball--that she'll finish the play--as I am in my ability to deliver the pass on target, which necessitates my knowing that the player prepared well. If I doubt that, I might not pass the ball--and that might be the difference between winning and losing.

Never underestimate the power of conditioning in a winning strategy, either. My team ran stairs, sprinted, did defensive slides, and in my last two years as coach--the championship years--practiced six days a week. While players from other schools were asleep at 8:00 Saturday mornings, my players were dragging their hopes and dreams into the gym for another day of drills, suicides, and plays. Believe me, they wanted to sleep, but they wanted to win more. This meant less time hanging out with friends on Friday nights because Saturday morning was coming. It was a sacrifice, but it was worth it to those who hated to lose, who had something worth winning.

We're in the midst of March Madness, and even as a spectator, there's something I cannot stand to see: weak, namby pamby teams who lay down and roll over without so much as a fight. Yesterday, I was excited watching women's basketball because I thought Georgetown was going to put out UCONN's fire--and as a Tennessee Lady Vols fan, I always cheer on anyone rival UCONN is playing. No one would have given Georgetown a chance against the defending champs, but they fought hard and almost pulled off the upset of the tournament. But as much as I hate to admit it, UCONN is a great team, and great teams always fight back. They never just bow down to the beating. They never go running and hiding because someone is throwing some heavy punches. They compete, and most often they win.

The far left and the Republican establishment could learn a thing or two about Governor Palin simply by paying attention to these lessons we find in sports. They always seem to be shaking their heads, groping in the dark, and suffering utter frustration at their inability to stop or slow down her momentum. The truth is nothing can stop the Governor but the Governor. She possesses all the qualities of a winner.

First, she's a competitor. She's stated that if she decides to run for the presidency, she's in with one outcome in mind:

You run the race to win the race. That's for sure.

Some had the nerve to be offended when she told Barbara Walters that she believed she could beat President Obama if she ran in 2012. What did they expect her to say? Of course, she believes she can win. Who better to take him on? Who else has opposed his destructive policies at every turn? As I wrote last night:

I agree that staying on the periphery to support a better candidate--when there is one--is admirable. However, of all the names being tossed around as possible 2012 contenders, she is the better candidate. She's the one with the record, the patriotism, the principles, the servant's heart, and the sheer guts to get the job done. So in the words of the army of voices praying for a promising future for themselves, their children, and their nation: "Run, Sarah, Run."

Surely, no true competitor puts in the time and energy simply to say she's done something unique. A true competitor, especially one who knows that the future may be riding on the outcome of the race, never runs half-heartedly. As we recall, part of Governor Palin's reputation as a "rogue" came from her outcry when the McCain camp threw in the Michigan towel, insisting it was out of reach. Governor Palin's response?

I want to get back to Michigan, and I want to try.

The Republican establishment, in all its obvious fear of Governor Palin, would like to get in the way of the will of the people, to extinguish the fight before it blazes, pick the winners and losers. But we don't roll that way. No, bring on the competition. As she has said repeatedly, there's nothing better than contested primaries. She's up to the challenge, and so are we.

Those who have waged war on all things Palin are providing her with the conditioning that they may soon regret. There's nothing she hasn't been through. Much weaker vessels would have packed it in, but not she. What else can be said? What else can be done? What other accusation can they hurl? It's all been tried. Their fight against her is like trying on the basketball court to defend against an offense that doesn't seem the least bit frazzled by anything you do. Her opponents already came with the full-court press--and failed. The pressure she's endured has only made her stronger. Of all the potential 2012 candidates, she is the best conditioned because she's been through the most. Many a game is lost in the fourth quarter because a team just isn't prepared to last till the horn, and they run out of steam at the most crucial time. They can't endure. Does anyone doubt Governor Palin's stamina? Her self-professed enemies are frustrated because they can't get her to sit down and shut up, because she doesn't run to the sidelines and beg to be taken out. She continues to fight, and they have helped her build those necessary muscles, much to their own chagrin.

It's amazing, isn't it, though, that those who seek to stop her in her tracks can dish it, but they cannot take it? They never expect her to do what UCONN did yesterday: fight back. They want her to be that weak opponent who will sit idly by and lose with grace. But there ain't no grace in surrender! And competitors surely don't just duck the dirt that's being slung. They don't allow their good name to be besmirched, their families attacked, and their record sullied--and say nothing. Yes, they pick their spots, but you better believe they've got the fight in them to take a stand and defend against the bullies on the playground--and they win with grace.

Success has been a reality for Governor Palin throughout her 20 years in public service. She knows how to get the job done, and it's no wonder she always steps up with an expectation of victory. After all, she possesses the two requirements that I taught my team. She has prepared herself, and she has a team around her who have prepared themselves. The Governor's experience offering herself in service to her children's public school, energizing business in her city, fighting corruption in her state, negotiating energy in the field of big oil, personifying common sense conservatism in her country, and conversing with dignitaries in foreign nations are preparation for success at whatever next step she decides to take. Her teammates are the family members loving her, her staff assisting her, and her supporters backing her. Each has prepared for whatever battle is ahead, thereby allowing the Governor to proceed with confidence.

True competitors frustrate their opponents because their will cannot be conquered. Even in weariness and in the heat of battle, they find the strength to continue because for them the thought of losing is greater than the pain of persevering--and what they're fighting for, to put it simply, is worth the effort.

Governor Palin is the strongest example of unapologetic patriotism and leadership we have seen in some time, many say since the days of President Reagan. She is driven by a faith in God, a love of country, and a commitment to service. Combine that with her competitor's spirit, and we've got ourselves a winner.

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Tony Lee to Gov. Palin: Run

- by Josh Painter
*
Political advice is a most curious commodity. Some politicians pay prodigious sums of money for it, yet there's no shortage of pundits who offer it freely. For those who would argue that the advice of professional political consultants is worth far more than whatever wisdom the run of the mill pundit may have to offer, we have two words: Bob Shrum. With his 0-8 record in major campaigns and his prediction that the Democrats would keep control of the U.S. House in 2010 in mind, how much worse could free advice be?

Human Events contributor Tony Lee is one of those dispensing no-cost advice, and his recommendation to Sarah Palin is to jump in the race:

Of course, some in the GOP establishment are baiting her with the prospect of becoming “kingmaker for life” because they desperately want her to sit out the nominating process.

And though Palin can jump in the race the latest of any candidate and freeze the whole field until she makes a formal decision, my suggestion would be for her to jump straight into the race on the 4th of July without first forming an exploratory committee, which she can say is done only by those in the Washington establishment.

Lee likes July 4 for the obvious patriotic connection, but also because it marks the anniversary of the weekend that she resigned as Alaska's governor, a move for which she has received no shortage of criticism. Choosing the 4th of July weekend, Lee points out, gives her a symbolic "do-over."

While there's no compelling reason for Gov. Palin to announce sooner rather than later, holding off until the first week in July may be playing the waiting game a bit too long, if she hasn't already signed up most of her campaign staff by then. As former Thompson supporters, we recall that one of the many missteps Fred made in 2008 was to jump in the race too late, after all the better worker bee had been snatched up by rival campaigns. May or early June seems to us to be a more prudent time to announce, but what do we know? Our advice, like Lee's, comes with no price tag attached.

BTW, Lee's advice to Huckabee is also worth noting: the former Arkansas governor, says Lee, needs to convince the GOP establishment that he can take Sarah Palin out of the race. No simple task that, and it's one that could easily be assigned to any of Gov. Palin's would-be rivals for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.

Cross-posted from Texas for Sarah Palin

- JP

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Presidential Palin

By Adrienne Ross - www.motivationtruth.com

Michael Hauschild of American Thinker pens a piece in which he further discusses what we already know about Governor Palin: her commitment is to America's greatness, not her own. This, above all, speaks to her "presidential" credentials.

He writes:

Sarah Palin represents what a president should be in these very troubled times; she's made choices in the last several years which many misinterpret in the framework of their own shortcoming. The slings and arrows launched at Palin vibrate with bias, chauvinism, elitism, and partisan politics and a sense of superior intellect from the howling scornful classes

[...]

I offer one man's simple observation -- a view from a citizen born and raised in the heartland of the rugged Great Plains: Sarah Palin has done more for the sanctity of life, for the preservation of American values, for the American traditions of integrity and honesty in political discourse than all the wannabe pundits across the country beating their chests and voicing "expert" proclamations of disdain since the name Sarah Palin became a household word.

We know Sarah Palin well enough now to know that she would take the burden of president if she felt it would be best for her country. She would step aside and put her credentials and principles behind another leader if she felt it would be best for her country. She has, is, and will continue to do what is best for our country with no focus on personal gain other than the security of America.

From the perch of a humble patriot citizen in the heartland of America, I believe that Sarah Palin wants what I want -- our American life as our forefathers intended: a Constitutional Republic, with checks and balances in place. If she can deliver this, she'll likely seek office; if she can contribute or support a candidate, she'll do that, too. If she can serve best on the periphery, that'll be the role she takes. She'll seek to save the country with her actions, not risk its destruction because of a lust for power.

Read the full article here.

Hauschild offers a fair assessment of Governor Palin in this article. I would simply add that it is my hope, and the hope of many, that the Governor will indeed seek office herself. I agree that staying on the periphery to support a better candidate--when there is one--is admirable. However, of all the names being tossed around as possible 2012 contenders, she is the better candidate. She's the one with the record, the patriotism, the principles, the servant's heart, and the sheer guts to get the job done. So in the words of the army of voices praying for a promising future for themselves, their children, and their nation: "Run, Sarah, Run."

(h/t Josh Painter)

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More Providential: Dr. Seuss Predicts Gov. Palin's Career?

On September 4, 2009 - a year and a day after Gov. Palin gave her Vice Presidential Acceptance Speech - I wrote Providential: Dr. Seuss Predicts Gov. Palin's Career?. I wrote that in Oh, The Places You'll Go, Theodor Seuss Giesel - Dr. Seuss - appears to have predicted Gov. Palin's life with 100% accuracy. I noted then that Dr. Seuss did not know Gov. Palin and wrote Places for all of humanity.
Since Gov. Palin just concluded a whirlwind tour that took her to India, Israel, and Naples, Florida last week, now is a good time to take a little stock of where Gov. Palin was versus where she is now, and where she is heading. Perhaps, everyone whose lives Gov. Palin touched might also do well to take some introspective on the changes in our own lives brought about by the changes in her own.


Oh, the Places Gov. Palin Went!
When Providential: Dr. Seuss Predicts Gov. Palin's Career? was written, Gov. Palin had resigned from office only 35 days prior. She had just crossed the Rubicon. She made a leap of faith into a brave new world. She asked us - her supporters to trust in her, and assured us it would all be good. She had not even delivered her first speech for the Washington Speakers Bureau. So much has changed since that September day over 18 months ago. Oh, the Places Gov. Palin Went!

Seeing Great Sights, Soaring to High Heights
Since the time I wrote about Dr. Suess predicting Gov. Palin's career, she went on to author two best-sellers accompanied by major book tours. She is a Fox News Contributor. She produced an eight-part documentary series for the Learning Channel - Sarah Palin's Alaska. She has spoken to audiences all over the United States and in Hong Kong, Canada, and India. She was one of few private citizens anywhere in the world to meet with a country's prime minister to discuss foreign affairs. She held this meeting during the Jewish holiday of Purim, which celebrates Esther, a figure in the Old Testament, Gov. Palin most closely resembles. She endorsed candidates with an overall success rate of over 67% and a success rate of 90% for a sub-group in 20 targeted districts. She conducted interviews not just in the comfort zone of Fox colleagues, but with enemy hosts.

“You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights” (Giesel, 1990, p. 12). Dr. Seuss continued, “You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest” (Giesel, 1990, p. 14).

The Lurch and the Slump
Gov. Palin's life during this time was not all supersonic flights and broken glass ceilings left in her wake. She has been savaged in the media. Death threats to Gov. Palin and her family are routine. She's the butt of sexist and misogynist comments from both the left and the establishment right. She was blood-libeled. A stalker moved next door to her and spent last summer penning a hit book on her. Though he's gone, another more dangerous stalker is the subject of a restraining order. She was knifed in the back by supposedly loyal supporters over endorsements they did not agree with, interviews with talk show hosts that did not meet with their approval or jobs they felt were due them as a reward for their prior work. Several times daily, we're treated to Alinsky-esque "reports" on slipping poll numbers, or how "the GOP will use Gov. Palin then discard her with the trash as they nominate some dark horse candidate."

"I'm sorry to say so but sadly it's true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You'll be left in a Lurch. You'll come down from the Lurch with an unpleasant bump. and the chance are, then that you'll be in a Slump. And when you're in a Slump, you're not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done" (Giesel, 1990, pp. 16-18)

The Waiting Place and Moving Mountains
In a certain sense, even as she flies high, Gov. Palin is now in the Waiting Place - that hybrid of purgatory and limbo - as she considers answering her summons to Revive, Renew, and Restore Reagan Conservatism by running for President in 2012. But, I believe her time in the Waiting Place ultimately will lead to Dr. Suess's final prediction, and his final words in the book that was his final gift to humanity:

Kid, You'll Move Mountains!

In many Gov. Palin already has moved mountains in her lifetime of accomplishments, and yes this prediction has been fulfilled in terms of those. But, her biggest mountains yet await. There are more mountains for Gov. Palin to move, that will make her prior ones seem like mere foothills - these new mountains are why she is now in the Waiting Place.

When she moves her next mountain, Gov. Palin will also build a new one. What used to be a glass ceiling will be a mountain of broken glass when the biggest sonic boom and roar ever heard causes the world to shake and tremble as she flies high overhead and shows the world what a woman can do.



Supersonic Sarah: The Last Glass Ceiling

References

Giesel, S. T. and Giesel, A. S. (1990). Oh, the Places You'll Go! (New York: Random House).

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Gov. Palin on Fox News: Ferraro a Pioneer, Paved Way for Women

"The open doors [Geraldine Ferraro] has provided all women [is] pretty profound and outstanding. [I am] so proud to have known her," Governor Palin said in a telephone interview with Fox News today following the death of Geraldine Ferraro to blood cancer. Gov. Palin and Ferraro were together on Election night discussing the direction the country should go in. Though they disagreed on politics, they "agreed on the rights that women have and that everyone here is to be treated equally, and you progress and accomplish based on your own merits," Gov. Palin said. Geraldine Ferraro was a pioneer, accepting the Democratic Vice Presidential nomination in 1984. "I can't say enough good things about what it is she accomplished." Ferraro had class, wisdom, and grace, Gov. Palin said.

Despite having cancer, Ferraro continued her work opening doors of opportunity for women. She refused to be a victim. And she advocated for cancer victims. "She wasn't self-focused. She was always trying to help others and trying to make the world a better place," Gov. Palin said.

"Across the political spectrum, all of us have the utmost respect for Geraldine Ferraro. She understood what she had to bust through to get to where she was....she was under great scrutiny...and was attacked as she rose. She handled it all with grace and dignity," Gov. Palin said.

When asked if Gov. Palin considered Ferraro a role model for young women to follow, she said, "absolutely." Gov. Palin had called her daughter Bristol to discuss Ferraro. Ferraro believed in work ethic and Gov. Palin noted that Ferraro was Providentially born on Women's Equality Day.

"Does it make you even more committed in your desire personally to serve the public good when you look at her life on a day like today that is sad, at the same time you say inspiring," the Fox News reporter asked Gov. Palin. "It does, because it is inspiring and it all about the pioneering spirit that built America - taking bold steps to accomplish great things despite the hardships that you know you're going to be anticipating - they're out there....every step of Geraldine's life she faced hardship, yet she plowed through and she was able to pave a way for others. She went before. She prepared the way," Gov. Palin said.



Sarah Palin Talks About Geraldine Ferraro retrieved from Fox News

H/T Whitney Pitcher, Conservatives4Palin for story lead

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UPDATE: Geraldine Ferraro: A Tribute (A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice)

As many of you have heard, Geraldine Ferraro passed away this morning at the age of 75 from blood cancer. As a young woman, I have always admired Mrs. Ferraro because she did so much for women and helped to shatter a glass ceiling that at one time seemed unbreakable. Unlike many other Democrats, Mrs. Ferraro was unafraid to stand up and speak out against her own party, which made me respect her even more. I will never forget watching her on Fox News shortly after Sarah Palin was announced as John McCain's running mate. As a woman, she was so proud at the possibility of a woman holding the second-highest office in the land. Although she and Sarah disagreed on many, many issues, and Ferraro supported President Obama during the 2008 election, she looked past these differences, which speaks to her integrity, wisdom and strength of character.

As a young woman, I always will be grateful for Mrs. Ferraro's service and the sacrifice she made for her country. She forever will be a role model to me for everything she represented. Although she is no longer physically with us, her fight for women and her love of country will live on! Thank you, Geraldine, for everything you did for women like me! Thank you for defending women, regardless of party, and for never foundering in your mission for the advancement of women in politics and beyond! Thank you for your sacrifice and your steadfast, unwavering love for America!!! You will forever be missed!!!

I leave you with one of my favorite television clips of Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin together for the first time on Fox News. Click here to watch.

UPDATE: Make sure to click here to visit The Other McCain and read more about Sarah Palin's tribute to Geraldine Ferraro.

(Click here to visit Conservative Girl with a Voice and become a follower. Follow me on Twitter @RachelleFriberg.)

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On the Passing of Geraldine Ferraro

Governor Palin today posted on Facebook:

My family and I would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Geraldine Ferraro. When I had the honor of working alongside Geraldine on election night last year, we both discussed the role of women in politics and our excited expectation that someday that final glass ceiling would be shattered by the election of a woman president. She was an amazing woman who dedicated her life to public service as a teacher, prosecutor, Congresswoman, and Vice Presidential candidate. She broke one huge barrier and then went on to break many more. The world will miss her. May she rest in peace and may her example of hard work and dedication to America continue to inspire all women.

- Sarah Palin

Retrieved from: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150120959438435.



- Posted using BlogPress from my Palin-Powered iPhone

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Gov. Palin Discusses 2012 and Family Life with India's Koël Rinchet

Governor Palin last week gave a wide-ranging interview to Koël Purie Rinchet following her speech at the India Today Conclave 2011. Rinchet, the host of On the Couch with Koël began the interview by stating that Gov. Palin could become the most powerful person in the world in 2012.

India's Fascinating Diversity
Gov. Palin said she found India's geographic, religious and cultural diversity fascinating, and praised India for "leading by example...in terms of tolerance and embracing that diversity."

Gov. Palin lauded India's decisions pertaining to individual liberties, free markets, and small government.

She described her trip to the hotel from the airport as an "adrenaline rush," as she took in the New Delhi scenery. Gov. Palin said she wanted to see more of India, specifically the mountains and the Taj Mahal, sentiments she also expressed in her speech that day.


On Time Management
When asked how she manages a family of five children, a grandchild and her political life, Gov. Palin said her husband Todd is a great partner and helpmate. Both Sarah and Todd Palin have large families spanning five generations, and "all pitch in and help, making the logistics work," Gov. Palin said. When asked if something had to be sacrificed, Gov. Palin responded that she "does not spend a lot of time lazing around," and is usually multi-tasking. Downtime would be sacrificed. Gov. Palin said that both Todd and herself are wired to "go, go, go!"

Sarah and Todd Palin: Life Partners and a Team
Rinchet observed that Todd is a "such a caring man, checking your face before you went on." She noted that India tends to be a more macho culture and asked Gov. Palin if Todd ever felt like he was the lesser partner. Gov. Palin said no, adding that Todd is a successful businessman, four-time Iron Dog champion, and athlete. She said that they were very lucky to have met at an early age and though each does their own thing, they work as a team and as partners.

Rinchet asked Gov. Palin how she advised her daughter Bristol regarding her pregnancy with Tripp. Gov. Palin said at first it looked like an insurmountable challenge for Bristol, but she came to see what a joy and blessing Tripp was.

Recreation and Ordinary Tasks
When asked what she does for recreation, Gov. Palin said she goes running, snow-machining, and "anything else in the great outdoors."

Rinchet asked Gov. Palin what was the last ordinary thing she did. Gov. Palin had done many loads of laundry prior to her 19-hour flight to India. Gov. Palin and her family do a lot of life's ordinary tasks themselves. "It keeps me grounded," she said.

Did Pakistan's Prime Minister Flirt?
In 2008, Pakistan's Prime Minister Zardari asked Gov. Palin for permission to hug her. Rinchet asked Gov. Palin if she felt the Prime Minister was flirting. She said she did not know but wanted the meeting to get to politics and policy, which it did in short order.

People from India Gov. Palin has Met
Rinchet asked Gov. Palin who she would like to meet in India. Gov. Palin had already met Mother Theresa's biographer, and India's Prime Minister. She said there are so many dynamic, interesting people in India and "I'd like to meet more of you."

Frustration vs. Anger
Rinchet said that Gov. Palin was reputed to "have a temper" and asked her what things made her angry. Gov. Palin said reports of her "having a temper" were "ginned up" and "made up." She added that as a mom, she has to stay calm, cool, and collected in front of her children. Gov. Palin said she does not get angry, but sometimes gets frustrated at media lies about her record, accomplishments, and family.

Family, Todd, and God
"What is the most satisfying thing about being Sarah Palin," Rinchet asked. Gov. Palin said family, her relationship with Todd and her relationship with God were the most important things in her life, superseding all else.

2012
Rinchet's final question was, "What do you make of President Obama?" Gov. Palin said, that she would not criticize him on foreign soil, that he is still our president, "but I look forward to 2012. I think we're going to see a change, and I think it's going to be a change for the better."

Gov. Palin On the Couch with Koel Purie Rinchet, Part I retrieved from: Headlines Today

Gov. Palin On the Couch with Koel Purie Rinchet, Part II retrieved from: Headlines Today

H/T Ian Lazaran, Conservatives4Palin for video source lead.

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Governor Palin's Role--Point Guard or Cheerleader?

In recent weeks, it seems that the chorus of voices telling Governor Palin what she should or should not do has grown louder and louder. Earlier this week, Bill Kristol asserted that Governor Palin should not and could not be the GOP nominee for President in 2012. Andrew Breitbart and Ann Coulter have also weighed in recently on Governor Palin's presidential possibilities, both of them stating that it would be a "step down" for her to run for the presidency or that the presidency is "beneath her". Breitbart and others have asserted that Governor Palin's best place in politics would be as Kingmaker or Queenmaker--cheering on from the sidelines those who are in the game. All of these assertions begs the question--can you really ask a point guard to take the role of a cheerleader?

In Kristol's assertion about Governor Palin's potential for a 2012 run and nomination, he first disrespects both Governor Palin and the American electorate. Kristol stated that Governor Palin was " unlikely to be the Republican nominee, and to be honest I think she probably shouldn't be the Republican nominee for president". In response to Kristol's ridiculous statement, Mark Levin tweeted on Wednesday:

Thanks Bill but, frankly, who asked? We believe in the real democracy project here, and the people will decide. http://fb.me/UJLwfH2d

Levin is right. To be sure, pundits' and talking heads' jobs involve discussing political campaigns, polls, and the viability and potential of possible candidates. However, Kristol said Governor Palin shouldn't be the Republican nominee, which is not his call to make. That judgement is left to the American people through their vote, not the pundocracy through their megaphone. Kristol is entitled to his opinion, but he's not entitled to shape the opinion of the entire electorate.

Kristol also laughably stated that Governor Palin hadn't taken the lead on the issues since stepping aide from the Governor's office:

I thought she had a real chance to take the lead on a few policy issues, do a little more in terms of framing the policy agenda. I don't think she's done that.

Governor Palin has taken the lead on several issues since stepping aside from the Governor's office. Dare I say, she's effectively been running point for the conservative offense since she was announced as Senator McCain's running mate. Governor Palin has both taken the lead on many issues and has even influenced the Obama administration to take action on a few occasions. Governor Palin made a strong statement on the war an Afghanistan in Augusts of 2009 signing on to a letter to President Obama with Bill Kristol himself--something he seemingly forgot. Governor Palin's famous "death panel" Facebook post laid out the problems of rationing, bioethical concerns, and the improper role of government in the health care reform proposal of Democrats. She framed the debate by framing both the rhetoric and the policy. She has taken a lead on the issues by warning of the problems of quantitative easing and the resulting rise in commodity prices that would follow. She is the only potential Presidential candidate to endorse Congressman Ryan's roadmap-- a serious and effective way to address entitlement reform and our massive national debt. Of course, no one can call plays on the issue of energy independence better than Governor Palin, recognizing both the problems with the inhibitory policies of the current administration and the solutions needed to make America energy independent. When President Obama showed a complete lack of leadership and total ineptness following the oil spill in the Gulf last Spring, Governor Palin encouraged him to meet with the head of BP to appropriately address the spill, and eight days later, President Obama did. During the uprisings in Egypt, Governor Palin called for President Obama to also ensure that the people of Iran were equally supported in their struggle for freedom, and the next day President Obama made a statement to call for the Iranian people to be allowed freedom. In short, Governor Palin has taken indeed taken the lead.

In spite of the fact that Governor Palin has indeed led on the issues, people like Andrew Breitbart assert that she would be better suited to be a cheerleader for other conservatives:

“I think the presidency is beneath her,” the conservative media activist told GQ. “There's more power in being Oprah Winfrey than in being Barack Obama. It would be my goal for Palin to become Oprah and be the ultimate kingmaker for 20-odd years.”

There's a lot to say about the influence over culture that a figure like Oprah has. In recent years with the increase in the use of social media and a 24/7 news cycle, people have the opportunity to influence the political landscape without taking a definitive lead on the policy. This is how Governor Palin has the potential to be what Breitbart characterizes as the "ultimate kingmaker", or essentially a cheerleader. In this role of cheerleader, Governor Palin would be a voice of support for the ideas and policies being in acted on the "court" and for those who seek to play the game. However, there's no room for leadership when you're relegated to the role of cheerleader, and as mentioned earlier Governor Palin has lead on so many issues both in her firm stances on issues and in her stellar gubernatorial achievements ranging from energy independence to frugal budgeting to ethics reform. Governor Palin uses social media and traditional media effectively, but she uses media as a tool, not as a her operational framework.Her ability to influence is enhanced by the media, but not driven by it.

In Breitbart's comments he indicates that he thinks that greater power lies in being an "Oprah" figure than in being a president, and Ann Coulter's comments indicate that she thinks Governor Palin would lose influence and power by running for President. These two individuals are missing two critical points in their argument--the political shift in leadership that would occur if Governor Palin is elected president and the unique perspective held by Governor Palin regarding elected office.

In their comments, Breitbart and Coulter must be conceding that if Governor Palin doesn't run for the presidency in 2012 that President Obama will be re-elected. How else can they assert that Governor Palin maintains her "power" only if she does not run? Governor Palin's current political "power and influence" lie in the fact that she provides the most stark contrast of President Obama and his policies. Through her ability to community effectively, Governor Palin has been able to frame the debate rhetorically as well. Governor Palin replacing President Obama in the Oval Office, in a sense, changes her level of influence. Being placed in presidential leadership mean that she no longer provides the stark contrast in policy because she becomes both the new point of comparison and the President. Governor Palin's new level of influence now lies not in the contrast between herself and President Obama, but in her ability to clean up the mess that she has been exposing in her previous unelected level of influence. In their assertions, both Coulter and Breitbart have created a false argument.

Influential in their own right, Breitbart's and Coulter's influence differs from Governor Palin's. They need to understand that Governor Palin does not view the Presidency as a position of power, but as a position of service. In choosing to run for president, Governor Palin is seeking how to serve, not how to obtain power. In her interview with Greta van Susteren on Wednesday night, Governor Palin laid out what characteristics she would desire in a President and why she might choose to run (emphasis mine):

I'm tempted [to run], because I'm still wondering who the heck is going to be out there willing to serve the American people for the right reasons. Not for ego, not for special interests. Not with partisanship that will get in the way to do what is right to get the economy back on the right track and strengthen national security. Who else is out there who wants to do this?

If Governor Palin chooses to run, it will be because she's motivated by how she can best serve, not how she can gain greater power. This is servant leadership--a term perhaps not too often used outside of evangelical circles--but indicative of a point guard seeking to assist, not to score. The decision to serve as "America's point guard" lies with Governor Palin and the American electorate, not with pundits who want push the narrative of the Establishment or project their own ideals of power and influence on Governor Palin.

UPDATED: Jim Nolte, editor of Big Hollywood, has a piece up today where he speaks about Andrew Breitbart's comments. Here is what he says in part:

Anyone who knows me or who has followed me on Twitter knows that all Sarah Palin has to do is point to the broken glass she wants me to crawl over. I’ve never seen anyone put through such a cruel, mean-spirited, public meat grinder where their family, womb, faith, gender, dialect, looks and culture are all fair game for the worst kinds of smears. And because she has survived this unprecedented evil with such grace and dignity – Sarah Palin is my hero. And of course I want her to be president. But when Andrew says that he sees her as the Oprah of the right; once again, he’s seeing the bigger picture — the pop culture landscape that shapes and defines our politics in ways not enough people on our side understand (you better believe the Left gets it).

There ’s only one Sarah Palin and she would make for one outstanding president, and like Andrew I will vote for her in a heartbeat and fight for her every step of the way. But it’s just a fact that the price of a President Sarah Palin is a hole in the crucial pop culture war that only she can fill. And only a wicked, journOlisting MSM would attempt to spin into a negative a man publicly declaring that he would like to see this one person lead the charge in a battle that has defined his life more than any other.

Andrew Breitbart has been nothing if not supportive of Governor Palin, but the role that he feel she should fill is more of one that is solely cultural, whereas many other Palin supporters would like to see her fill a role that is more political, and thus would transcend political and cultural lines. I agree with Nolte in the fact that, yes, perhaps a President Palin would leave a hole in the "pop culture war". However, isn't it more important that a gap in presidential leadership be filled? Governor Palin and her family will make the decision as to whether or not she will seek the presidency or whether she will continue to fight the battle on a different plane. No matter what that decision is, she has my unequivocal support.

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