Thursday, September 4, 2008

Palin: Demystified.

For more on the history behind these assessments, look into Palin's record as mayor.

CLAIM vs. FACT
• "Hockey mom": True for a few years
• "PTA mom": True years ago when her first-born was in elementary
school, not since
• "NRA supporter": Absolutely true
• Social conservative: Mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill
that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships
(said she did this because it was unconstitutional).
• pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to
promote it.
• "Pro-life": mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby
BUT declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life
legislation
• "Experienced": Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has
residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska.
No legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on
supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city
administrator to run town of about 5,000.
• Political maverick: Not at all
• Gutsy: Absolutely!
• Open and transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at
explaining actions.
• Has a developed philosophy of public policy: no
• A "Greenie": no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores
and disconnected parking lots. Is pro-drilling offshore and in ANWR.
• Fiscal conservative: Not by my definition!
• Pro infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city
without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system