The Kill Floor

In the first important decision as the Republican Nominee for President, Sen. John McCain announced Friday that Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska would be his Vice President. My initial reaction was that this changes the whole Presidential race and Hillary and her supporters must be pissed! We have 65 days to find out who is Sarah Palin, what experience she brings to the table and where does she stand on the issues facing our nation?

So, my research begins on Sarah Palin. She is a first-term Governor of Alaska since 2006 and has a job approval rating of 80% and falling. She was the Mayor of Wasilla from 1996-2002 est. population 7,000. YES 7,000!! She was almost recalled too. She is 44 years old, mother of five children and has been married to her high school sweetheart for 20 years. Sarah Palin loves to run so much that she named her first son Track. She is an avid hunter, loves fishing and she was a beauty queen. The word on the street is that her and McCain only met once or twice (depending on what sources you believe) for a top secret visit at his home in Sedona, AZ. Oh, and she is a really good public speaker. Hint Hint.

Where does she stand on the issues? According to the non-partisan website OnTheIssues.org this is the deal in her own words with the source date:
ABORTION: Praised by pro-life groups for keeping Down syndrome baby. (Aug 2008) Pro-life. (Nov 2006) Pro-contraception, pro-woman, pro-life. (Aug 2006)
BUDGET & ECONOMY: Reduced general fund spending by $124 million. (Mar 2007) Aim to reduce general fund spending by $150 million. (Jan 2007)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Vetoed bill denying benefits to gays, as unconstitutional. (Aug 2008) Marriage only be between and man and a woman. (Nov 2006) Ok to deny benefits to homosexual couples. (Aug 2006)
CORPORATIONS: No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
CRIME: We are tough on crime and beefing up law enforcement. (Jan 2008) If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it. (Nov 2006)
DRUGS: Highway fatalities down because of strict drunk driving laws. Opposes legalizing marijuana, but meth is greater threat. Smoked marijuana when it was legal under Alaska law. (Aug 2006)
EDUCATION: Supports teaching intelligent design in public schools. (Aug 2008) 294 Alaska public schools progressed under NCLB. (Aug 2008) School debate should focus on accountability. (Jan 2008)
Committed to providing strong education, including morals. (Jan 2008) Budget funds education, but will to work is also critical. (Jan 2008) Fully fund K-12 and support early funding of education. (Jan 2007)
ENERGY & OIL: Claimed major triumph: $500 million subsidy for gas pipeline. Resource rebate: suspend AK 8-cent fuel tax for one year. Gasline Inducement Act: 1,715-mile natural gas pipeline. Commercialize Alaska’s North Slope natural gas. Appointed an Alaska oil and gas commissioner. To win, GOP must push energy independence. Agrees with Obama on more Alaska oil & gas production. Windfall oil profits tax prevents investment. (Aug 2008) Lift moratorium on offshore drilling. Convinced McCain to drill offshore; not yet on drilling ANWR. Unlock ANWR; we’re ready, willing and able to contribute. (Jun 2008) Fully fund for the Petroleum Systems Integrity Office. (Feb 2008) $250M for proven alternative energy, including wind & hydro. Gas pipelines are approved if they meet Alaska’s needs. (Jan 2008) National energy policy not an either/or proposition. (Nov 2007) Fund cellulosic biofuel research in Farm Bill. (Oct 2007) Submitted legislation to build natural AGIA gas pipeline. (Mar 2007) Stranded Gas Development Act no longer applies. (Nov 2006) Get ANWR open. (Nov 2006)
ENVIRONMENT: Opposed protections for salmon from mining contamination. Sue US government to stop listing polar bear as endangered. (Aug 2008) We must encourage timber, mining, drilling, & fishing. (Jan 2008) Provide stability in regulations for developers. (Jan 2007) Convince the rest of the nation to open ANWR. (Jan 2007)
FAMILIES & CHILDREN: No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
FOREIGN POLICY: No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
FREE TRADE: No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
GOVERNMENT REFORM: Supported infamous “Bridge to Nowhere”; now criticizes it. Individuals make better decisions than government. (Aug 2008) Fight “bridge to nowhere” and all earmarks. VECO scandal & Stevens indictment shows need for GOP cleanup. (Jul 2008) Presented comprehensive ethics bill in early 2007. (Mar 2007)
GUN CONTROL: Hunts and fishes, as did her father. (Aug 2008) Supports ending D.C.’s 32-year-old ban on handguns. (Jun 2008) Lifelong NRA member & champion of right to bear arms. (Feb 2008) Supports Constitutional right to bear arms. (Nov 2006)
HEALTHCARE: Health care must be market-and business-driven. Take personal responsibility for personal health & all areas. Doctors should manage health care, not bureaucracies. Personal responsibility & choices key to good health. (Jan 2008) Flexibility in government regulations to allow competition. (Nov 2006)
HOMELAND SECURITY: Armed forces, including my son, give us security and freedom. (Jan 2008)
Visits Kuwait; encourages Alaska big game hunting to troops. (Sep 2007) Promote from within, in Alaska’s National Guard. (Nov 2006)
IMMIGRATION: No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
JOBS: Alaska Construction Academy: 2,520 students learn skills. (Aug 2008)
PRINCIPLES & VALUES: Trounced incumbent governor in 2006 on platform of reform. Fired controversial state trooper for threatening family. Voted “Miss Wasilla” in local beauty contest; eloped at 24. Husband left oil job to avoid conflict; now works for BP. Husband is part Eskimo; won Iron Dog snowmobile races. Studied journalism; ran for office to make a difference. (Aug 2008) Independent prosecutor probing Cabinet firing. Replaced Public Safety commissioner based on lack of results. Denies all allegations in Department of Public Safety affair. (Jul 2008) Leadership is a responsibility to prepare for tomorrow. (Jan 2008) Top priorities for AK include ethics & balanced budget. (Mar 2007)
SOCIAL SECURITY: Fund the Seniors Longevity Bonus Program. (Nov 2006)
TAX REFORM: As mayor, cut property taxes & increased sales tax. (Aug 2008) $60M annually for municipal revenue sharing. (Mar 2008) Eliminate taxes that inhibit business. (Jan 2008) Repeal “nuisance taxes” including the tire tax. (Jan 2007)
TECHNOLOGY: No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.
WAR & PEACE: We don’t know what the plan is to ever end the war. (Aug 2008) Wants exit plan; also assurances to keep our troops safe. (Mar 2007)
WELFARE & POVERTY: No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

Over the last 3 days so much as been written about Sarah Palin, the good, bad and the ugly. I am convinced that John McCain picked her to inject some life into his campaign and hopes to win over the conservative right along with any women that still feel scorned by Hillary Clinton’s defeat. His choice is risky since he only met her once or twice, and do we really want to elect a President who likes to gamble? Does this choice of Sarah Palin as VP call into question John McCain’s judgement now? He effectively took the experience debate off the table with Barack Obama by picking Sarah. God forbid if John McCain is elected, chokes on a pretzel the first day in office and Sarah needs to step in . . . Do we give her the same on-the-job training as G.W. received? Look how well that turned out.

After another long slow dance with retirement, Brett Favre wants to play another year. Maybe he just loves the game so much, but I would be pressed to believe he’s nervous about Peyton Manning. If Manning continues along the same pace he has been going, he’ll shatter every Favre record with the exception of career interceptions. Maybe it’s Brett’s love for the game or maybe it’s his ego taking over in the sunset of his hall of fame career. Either way, Green Bay doesn’t want him back and something’s gotta give.

Brett has stated that he wants to come back and start. The Packers accepted Favre’s resignation in March and have been re-forming their offense around Favre comes to Tampa to scoop up the starting position? On the other hand, the fans sure would have a lot of crow to eat when the nemesis comes to play for them.

4. Carolina Panthers: Is Favre Interested in the Panthers? Carolina doesn’t have a very strong set of receivers or a dependable and versatile running back. I think he’ll get sacked a lot in Carolina and end up injured or having a dismal year.

3. Baltimore Ravens: Brett could immediately start with the Ravens and I could see him turning some of those ho-hum receivers into diamonds in the rough. He’s a good cold weather QB and it gets rough in Baltimore. It’d be interesting to say the least.

2. Minnesota Vikings: Ick. I was born and raised a mile away from Minnesota and can’t stand the Vikings. If Favre becomes a Purple People Eater, I would throw up and cry myself to sleep. It was bad enough when Randy Moss embarassed us during his rookie year at a Monday night game in Green Bay. I was at a bar in Minneapolis watching that game and was one of two Packer fans. It was one of the worst experiences of my life. Favre isn’t a good indoor quarterback either, so I think they’d get less than they bargained for.

1. Miami Dolphins: I think this is the perfect option. They are an offense in need of a quarterback, and they don’t have anyone capable of filling that role. This would give the Dolphins a year or two to figure out their next QB move and greatly increase their chances of competing during the transition. Favre brings out the best in every player, and his leadership will raise the stats and the stock for players that could be traded to acquire higher draft picks or a proven quarterback after Favre really retires. The Packers would likely be able to get something at least decent out of Miami in a trade, and they wouldn’t really have to worry about Favre’s performance unless it was in the Superbowl. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me.

Wherever Favre goes, he’ll continue to be a guy I love to watch, and will always respect. Sure he’s got an ego and he doesn’t know when to quit, but that’s Brett. Love him or hate him, or love him AND hate him.