I am so proud of my chosen political party today. John McCain, who I will admit I was not thrilled with initially, has done a wonderful thing by choosing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential Nominee. He has not only catapulted her political career, he has done America a great service by introducing us to this remarkable woman who, unlike most of our current examples of femininity in the political and cultural landscape, is truly a class act.
 
Governor Palin started out in a small town and has never forgotten her roots. She and her husband are both from middle class/working class families and have had to RECENTLY worry about the problems facing common Americans. Her life story sounds strikingly similar to the “everyman’s”.

Palin hunts, fishes, and plays sports. She entered and won a beauty contest in order to use the accompanying scholarship to help her get through college. She married her high school sweetheart (a fisherman and oil rig worker), with whom she has 5-count them!- children, one of whom was diagnosed before birth as having Down’s syndrome, and whom she chose to love and cherish regardless of his disability. She pays a mortgage and is not a bazillionaire or a lifetime politician. She’s simply a concerned citizen trying to help others; which is what politicians are SUPPOSED to be.

Her political career began not in some egotistical desire for power, fame, or fortune, but in recognition that her government was not working for the people it was supposed to be representing. In the spirit of TRUE change, Palin went from PTA mom to City Council member. Then on to Mayor and ultimately, after being displeased at the shady dealings of the political establishment in Alaska, she moved on to the office of Governor where she has huge bipartisan support and an over 80% approval rating, both of which are virtually unheard of, and has been a champion of reform.

Unlike the parade of feminist radicals that have shown open scorn for the occupation of housewives and stay at home mothers and contempt at the idea of participating in any form of domesticity-such as Hillary Clinton’s remarks about the demeaning nature of baking cookies- Sarah Palin is a wife, mother, and stateswoman. For Sarah, the latter does not negate the former. For her, being a feminine and a mother-even to those with special needs-is a blessing, not a burden. And she’s working hard not only at home but also in our government for the future of our children.
 
Governor Palin is living proof that the American Dream is still alive and well for those who work hard and live honestly. She is a woman that we should be proud for our daughters AND our sons to see on a national stage. I will proudly pull the lever for McCain/Palin in 2008. And hopefully one day I will have the privilege of voting for Palin for President in 2012 or 2016.