The Case Against Sarah Palin (2012)

Even though the U.S. Presidential elections are long over (no I did not vote for and do not support Barrack Obama) there is a lot of talk about Sarah Palin running for President in 2012. I find this absolutely ridiculous as she was not and will not be the most qualified person the Republican party has to run. John McCain chose her for no other reason then with the hopes to pick up disgruntled Hillary Clinton supporters. Picking someone for their race or gender is identity politics and I am firmly against affirmative action. Contrary to delusional social conservatives, Sarah Palin is not only unqualified with irrelevant education for political office but she is on the wrong side of important issues. Social conservatives only care about a handful of issues, mainly abortion and religion. So if a candidate passes this litmus test everything else can be excused, which is ridiculous. No matter how many times I factually proved people wrong about her I am continuously censored and banned by the same people who cry that the left censors them. Which only proves they are hypocrites. I personally was never a Republican but a Libertarian. The Republican party is going down a dangerous path appealing to the right-wing extremists if it seriously considers running Sarah Palin again. You would think that losing badly would teach people a lesson but it appears some people wish to ignore reality and want to pretend people are really "scared" of Sarah Palin's religion, family values, being a strong women or some other nonsense. These same people have obviously never spoken to a liberal of any sort as liberals are only in fear of having an idiot as president. As I will prove here, the case against Sarah Palin is overwhelming.

Sarah Palin Can't Name a Newspaper She Reads


Sarah Palin Can't Name a Supreme Court Case


Sarah Palin - Bailout is about Healthcare


Sarah Palin Doesn't Know What The Bush Doctrine Is


Sarah Palin's Foreign Policy Experience


Sarah Palin Gets Pranked


Fox News: Palin didn't know Africa was a continent


O'Reilly: Palin didn't know Africa was a continent


Palin: Founding Fathers Wrote Pledge of Allegiance (Drudge Report)


Resume

Age: 46

Religion:
- Pentecostal

Education:
- Attended, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 1982
- Attended, Hawaii Pacific University, 1982
- Attended, North Idaho Community College, 1983
- Attended, University of Idaho, 1984-1985
- Attended, Matanuska-Susitna Community College, 1985
- B.A. Journalism, University of Idaho, 1987

Political Experience:
- Former Council Member, Wasilla City Council, Alaska, 1992-1996
- Former Mayor, Wasilla City, Alaska, 1996-2002 (pop: 7,028) (Votes: 909)
- Failed Candidate, Lieutenant Governor, Alaska, 2002
- Resigned, Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, 2003-2004
- Resigned, Governor, Alaska, 2006-present (2.5 years) (pop: 670,053) (4th Smallest State) (0.002% of the U.S. population)
- Failed Republican Vice Presidential Candidate, 2008

Professional Experience:
- First Place, Miss Wasilla Beauty Contest, 1984
- Second Place, Miss Alaska Pageant, 1984
- Television Sports Reporter, 1987-1989
- Director, Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service, Inc., 2003-2007
- Facebook Blogger, 2008-Present

Accomplishments:
- Spent more than $50,000 in city funds to redecorate her office as Mayor of Wasilla
- Increased Spending by 55% as Mayor of Wasilla
- Secured $27 million in Federal Earmarks as Mayor of Wasilla
- Raised the Sales Tax by 25% as Mayor of Wasilla
- Racked up $20 Million in Long Term Debt as Mayor of Wasilla
- Supported building the 'Bridge to Nowhere' as Governor of Alaska
- Kept $223 Million in Federal Earmarks for the 'Bridge to Nowhere' as Governor of Alaska
- Increased Spending by 31% as Governor of Alaska
- Requested $456 Million in Federal Earmarks as Governor of Alaska
- Alaska's State Economic Freedom Ranking Dropped from 33 to 45 as Governor of Alaska
- Alaska Ranked 48 out of 50 as one of The Worst States for Business as Governor of Alaska
- Raised Taxes on Oil Profits to 25% as Governor of Alaska
- Requested $642 Million of Federal Stimulus Money as Governor of Alaska


Qualified?

"So, Sarah Palin. The man who would be the oldest to embark on a first presidential term has chosen as his possible successor a person of negligible experience." - George Will, Conservative Columnist (The Washington Post)

"The vice president's only constitutional duty of any significance is to become president at a moment's notice. Palin is not ready. Nor is Obama. But with Palin, the case against Obama evaporates." - Charles Krauthammer, Conservative Columnist (The Washington Post)

"Can anyone say with a straight face that Palin would have gotten picked if she were a man?" - Ramesh Ponnuru, Conservative Columnist (National Review)

"The Palin pick shows a low opinion of the vice presidency, and it shows conservatives in a bad light." - Rick Brookhiser, Conservative Columnist (National Review)

"Obama, for all his far-left socialism, picked a running mate who is perceived as giving the ticket more experience. McCain, in defiance of all logic, undermined his strong suit by selecting a political neophyte who waters down his key advantage over Obama." - Michael Savage, Conservative Talk Radio Host (Michael Savage)

"Ms. Palin's experience in government makes Barack Obama look like George C. Marshall. She has zero foreign policy experience, and no record on national security issues. Mr. McCain's supporters argue that he is more serious about national security than Barack Obama. But the selection of Sarah Palin invites the question: How serious can he be if he would place such a neophyte second in line to the presidency?" - David Frum, Former Speechwriter for President George W. Bush (National Post)

"She's not qualified, she doesn't have the judgment, to be next in line to the president of the United States," - Larry Persily, Former Congressional Liaison, Alaska Governor's Washington DC Office (Bloomberg)

"I think it's a stretch to, in any way, to say that she's got the experience to be president of the United States." - Chuck Hagel, Republican Senator from Nebraska (Omaha World Herald)

"I do not think that Barack Obama or her are experienced enough to be President of the United States - neither one of them, ...certainly Joe Biden is much more qualified than Sarah Palin" - John Ensign, Republican Senator from Nevada (Las Vegas Sun)

"I don't think at the moment she is prepared to take over the reins of the presidency" - Lawrence Eagleburger, Former Secretary of State for President George H.W. Bush (The Washington Post)

"I think it has very much undermined the whole question of John McCain’s judgment. You know what most Americans I think realized is that you don’t offer a job, let alone the vice presidency, to a person after one job interview. Even at McDonald’s, you’re interviewed three times before you get a job." - Ken Duberstein, Former Chief of Staff for President Ronald Reagan (Politico)

"I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Sen. McCain made." - Colin Powell, Former Secretary of State for President George W. Bush (L.A. Times)

"Palin is in no way qualified to take over the presidency should, God forbid, McCain die in office." - Diane McCarty, Former Mayor of Tenakee Springs, Alaska (Juneau Empire)

"Her interviews with ABC's Charles Gibson and CBS's Katie Couric were downright embarrassing. Her knowledge of American political history and international issues was disgraceful. Is she spunky? Is she ambitious? Is she attractive? Can she sometimes deliver a powerful speech? Yes to all. Is she dumb? Well, let's put it this way: She's clearly no intellect." - Bonnie Erbe (U.S. News & World Report)

"As we’ve seen and heard more from John McCain’s running mate, it is increasingly clear that Palin is a problem. Quick study or not, she doesn’t know enough about economics and foreign policy to make Americans comfortable with a President Palin should conditions warrant her promotion." - Kathleen Parker, Conservative Columnist (National Review)

"The most qualified? No. I think they went for this - excuse me - political bullshit about narratives," - Peggy Noonan, Conservative Columnist (Politico)


Polls

82% believed Sarah Palin caused John McCain to lose the election (CNN)
81% of independent voters said they were less likely to vote for McCain because of Palin (Los Angeles Times / Bloomberg)
80% of women voters believe McCain picked Palin for Political Reasons not Qualifications (Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group)
79% of uncommitted voters did not believe Palin won the VP Debate (CBS News / Knowledge Networks)
75% of likely voters did not believe Palin has the right experience to be president (AP / GfK)
72% of registered independent voters were not very comfortable with Palin as President (FOX News / Opinion Dynamics)
72% of voters say that McCain's choice of Palin did not make them inclined to vote Republican (San Francisco Chronicle)
70% of voters do not believe Sarah Palin is qualified to step in as President (FOX News / Edison/Mitofsky)
68% of voters were not very comfortable with Palin as President (FOX News / Opinion Dynamics)
66% of likely voters were not very comfortable with Palin as Vice President (FOX News / Opinion Dynamics)
61% of voters did not believe Sarah Palin is ready to serve as President (USA Today / Gallup)
60% of voters do not believe Palin is Qualified to be President if Necessary (CNN Exit Polls)
60% of women under 50 have an unfavorable opinion of Sarah Palin (The Pew Research Center)
60% of Americans do not think Sarah Palin has enough experience to be President (ABC News)
59% of voters said Sarah Palin is not qualified (New York Times / CBS News)
58% of Americans do not think Palin is qualified to assume the presidency (CNN / Opinion Research)
58% of likely women voters do not have a positive opinion of Palin (Time Magazine)
57% of likely voters said Palin does not have the personal qualities a president should have (CNN / Opinion Research)
56% of registered women voters trust Hillary Clinton more than Sarah Palin (Blum & Weprin Associates)
55% of registered voters did not believe Palin is qualified to step in as president (Newsweek / Princeton Survey Research Associates)
55% of voters said Sarah Palin is unqualified (NBC News / Wall Street Journal)
52% of women voters said Sarah Palin is not qualified (Quinnipiac University / Wall Street Journal)
51% of likely voters view Sarah Palin unfavorably (ABC News / Washington Post)

2012 Presidential Poll: Obama blows out Palin 55-35 (Public Policy Polling)


Issues

Bailout:

Sarah Palin: Bailout or Great Depression. Choose (U.S. News and World Report)


Bridge to Nowhere:

Palin's Bridge Claim Sinks (Video) (CBS News)
Palin backed 'bridge to nowhere' in 2006 (USA Today)
Palin "bridge to nowhere" line angers many Alaskans (Reuters)
Palin touts stance on 'Bridge to Nowhere,' doesn't note flip-flop (Anchorage Daily News)
Record Contradicts Palin's 'Bridge' Claims (The Wall Street Journal)

ADN: "Would you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges?"
PALIN: "Yes." - (Anchorage Daily News, 2006)

Palin hung on to 'bridge to nowhere' funds (United Press International)
Palin Administration Still Pursuing ‘Nowhere’ Project (Pro Publica)


Budget Surplus:

Alaska sees $1.25 billion budget gap on oil price drop (Reuters)

"Sliding oil prices and production have prompted Alaska officials to forecast a state budget shortfall of $1.25 billion in the next fiscal year instead of the surplus they predicted just two months ago." - Reuters

Drug Use:

She Smoked Pot! (The Atlantic)
Sarah inhaled (Salon)


Earmarks:

Alaska 1st, Ariz. last in pork spending (USA Today)
Palin Admits Backing Earmarks (The Washington Post)
Palin used system she now opposes (Los Angeles Times)
Palin's earmark requests: more per person than any other state (The Seattle Times)
Palin's Project List Totals $453 Million (The Wall Street Journal)
Palin's Small Alaska Town Secured Big Federal Funds (The Washington Post)
Setting The Record: Palin's Earmarks (CBS News)


Economy:

Alaska Ranks 48 of 50 as one of The Worst States for Business (Forbes)
Alaska Ranks 45 of 50 States in Economic Freedom (PDF) (Pacific Research Institute)

"Between 2004-2008 Alaska dropped 12 spots from 33 to 45 out of 50 states in Economic Freedom. It ranks 49 in welfare spending, 31 in Government Size and 30 in fiscal policy." - Pacific Research Institute

Energy Expert:

Palin's Nonsensical Answer On Domestic Energy




Family Values:

Palin says daughter, 17, is pregnant (Reuters)
Levi Johnston reveals that Sarah Palin knew he and Bristol were having sex (The New York Daily News)
Levi Johnston: Palin is lying (Politico)


Fiscal Policy:

Sarah Palin's wasteful ways (Salon)
Spending rose in Palin's Alaska administrations (USA Today)


Global Warming:

Palin acknowledges global-warming threat (The Seattle Times)
Biden, Palin in complete agreement: Carbon caps are coming (The Industry Standard)
MODERATOR: "...do you support capping carbon emissions?"
PALIN: "I do. I do." (Transcript)

STATE OF ALASKA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR: ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 238

"I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the State of Alaska, under the authority of art. III, secs. 1 and 24 of the Alaska Constitution establish the Alaska Climate Change Sub-Cabinet to advise the Office of the Governor on the preparation and implementation of an Alaska climate change strategy.

10. the opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Alaska sources.

12. the opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the operations of Alaska state government;

13. the opportunities for Alaska to participate in carbon-trading markets, including the offering of carbon sequestration."

Illegal Immigration:

Palin: "I support a path to citizenship for illegals" (Hot Air)


Military Experience:

'Commander' Palin and the Alaska National Guard' (Anchorage Daily News)

"Palin has never personally ordered the state guard to do anything." - ADN

Pipeline:

Alaska lawmakers question gas line's economics (USA Today)

"The Canadian company won an exclusive state license to build the pipeline under the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, and with it up to $500 million in state incentives. Another company, formed by ConocoPhillips and BP PLC, is proposing its own pipeline without the incentives.

The global recession, combined with the new sources of natural gas, are creating surpluses in the Lower 48 that could depress prices for years to come, and possibly stall the Alaska project. Natural gas was trading around $7 per 1,000 cubic feet when the Legislature passed the inducement act in 2007 and briefly soared to more than $10 in 2008, making the project more enticing. But on Wednesday, prices settled at $3.68 per 1,000 cubic feet, and that’s not the only thing dropping. The state budget is facing $1.3 billion shortfalls this year and next.

Still, the gas pipeline will not be in service until 2019 at best and state officials say lawmakers need to focus on a long-term prize that could be the state’s next economic lifeline.

Natural gas is plentiful in the Lower 48 and becoming ever more so thanks to new sources like shale to bolster dwindling supplies of conventional gas. In just the last 10 years, more than 20,000 miles of new natural gas pipeline have been built and brought online and another 10,100 miles are planned by 2010, according to the Energy Information Administration. If completed, the nation’s natural gas capacity would jump by more than 38 percent, the EIA said.

Still, no matter how rosy a picture the energy analysts and state officials paint, it’s the big oil companies that hold the leases to Alaska’s gas. And while the two pipeline competitors said they are moving toward a 2010 open season — where it’s hoped that producers will bid on space in the line to ship the gas — it’s not at all certain that will happen. The oil and gas companies have complained that the state’s tax structure and fiscal terms are too uncertain for them to make that 25- to 30-year bet." - USA Today

AP: Palin pipeline terms curbed bids (USA Today)
No guarantee gas pipeline will be built (USA Today)
Palin's Pipeline Is Years From Being a Reality (The New York Times)


Private Sector Experience:

Sarah the CEO? (Inc.com)

"Both returns name Todd Palin as proprietor and the couple's Wasilla home as a main office. On her public financial disclosure form, Palin describes the business as a sole proprietorship owned by her husband" - Inc.com

Pro-Life:

Palin picks former Planned Parenthood board member for Alaska Supreme Court (Associated Press)
Sarah Palin considered aborting Down's syndrome son 'for a fleeting moment' (The Guardian, UK)


Reformer:

Mean Girl (Salon)

"Palin's reputation as a reformer stems primarily from her headline-grabbing ouster of state GOP chairman Randy Ruedrich from the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for flagrant conflict-of-interest abuses. At the time, Palin was heralded in the press as a whistle-blower, but it was later revealed that she was guilty of the same charge that she had brought against Ruedrich -- using state office equipment for partisan political business. (While still mayor of Wasilla, she sent out campaign fundraising appeals from her office during her race for lieutenant governor.)

Others suspect that Palin had self-serving reasons for taking on Ruedrich and resigning her seat on the commission. The state energy panel had ignited a public firestorm in Palin's home base, Mat-Su Valley, by secretly leasing sub-surface drilling rights on thousands of residential lots to a Colorado-based gas producer. Outraged farmers and homeowners, who woke up one morning to find drilling equipment being hauled onto their land, were in open revolt against the commission. While Palin initially supported the leasing plan, she was shrewd enough to realize it was political suicide to alienate conservative property owners in her own district. According to some accounts, she was also growing tired of commuting to state offices in Anchorage and poring over dry, tedious technical manuals for her job. All in all, it seemed like the right move to jump ship -- and going out a hero was an added plus.

"Sarah quit the commission to make political hay," Halcro asserted.

In the end, Ruedrich admitted wrongdoing and settled the ethics case by paying $12,000 in civil fines. But Palin did not drive the well-connected Republican operative into exile. In fact, he remains the party's state chairman and he could be seen on the floor of the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn., hugging the newly crowned vice-presidential candidate and cheering her feisty speech against greedy old boys like, well, him.

"The idea that Sarah shook up the state's old-boy network is one big fantasy, it's complete bullshit," Halcro said. "She got all this public acclaim for throwing people who backed her under the bus -- but she only did it after they became expendable, when she no longer needed them.

"The good old boys in Alaska are still the good old boys -- they're alive and kicking. Randy is still running the Republican Party -- he wasn't happy about being turned into a national poster boy for corruption, but he went along with the program." - Salon

Religion:

Palin once blessed to be free from 'witchcraft' (USA Today)



Does Sarah Palin Have a Pentecostal Problem? (Time Magazine)


Where she was saved (Salon)

"When she's in the state capital, Palin attends the Juneau Christian Center, an Assemblies of God (Pentecostal) Church" - Salon

Palin's preacher problem (The Guardian, UK)


Jewish voters may be wary of Palin (Politico)

McCain’s VP Wants Creationism Taught in School (Wired)


Renewable Energy:

- Alaska Generates Only 0.1% of it's Electricity from Renewable Energy (Not Hydroelectric) (EIA)


Socialism:

Fact Check: Palin's Alaska spreads its wealth (FOX News)

"We're set up, unlike other states in the union, where it's collectively Alaskans own the resources. So we share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs." - Sarah Palin, 2008

Palin enthusiastically practices socialism, Alaska-style (Anchorage Daily News)
Palin: Government Can Fix Social Ills (CBS News)


Taxes:

Alaska Raises Tax On Oil Profits To 25% (CBS News, November 17, 2007)
Alaska Gov. Palin signs bill to hike oil tax (Reuters, December 19, 2007)
Palin owes thousands in Back Taxes (Anchorage Daily News)
Palin Now Owes Taxes on Payments for Nights at Home, State Rules (The Washington Post)


The case against Sarah Palin is overwhelming to any rational human being. I have nothing against her personally only the disinformation campaign launched by her cult like supporters. 'Palintologists' as I like to call them obsessively spread lies and propaganda about her and try to silence all opposing arguments. They have successfully moved to have all dissenters banned and censored from conservative web sites. Dissent will not be tolerated in the new Palin collective. Apparently when they cannot win the argument through debate they will have you silenced. The problem with that is the more you try to silence me, the louder I get - Palintologists be warned.