The Wright Times

Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: News

Photo Courtesy of www.gov.ak.us

Sarah Palin, a mother-of-five, made history in 2006 when she became the youngest and first female Governor of Alaska. Now, making history again, she runs as the first female on a Republican presidential ticket.

Born February 11, 1964, Palin grew up partaking in outdoor sports. According to the New York Times, she often got up before dawn to go moose hunting with her father. She still strongly believes in gun ownership and remains a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

Palin, of English, German, and Irish ancestry, had a frenetic college path, switching colleges five times before graduating. She first enrolled at Hawaii Pacific College but then left after her first semester. From there she transferred to North Idaho College, where she spent two semesters and then transferred to the University of Idaho for two semesters. Next she attended Matanuska-Susitna College in Alaska for one term. She took a brief break in 1984 and placed second runner-up in the Miss Alaska beauty contest. During the same competition she was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants.

Finally, the next year she returned to the University of Idaho where she spent three semesters there, completing her Bachelor of Science degree in communications-journalism and graduating in 1987.

Before entering politics Palin worked some out-of-the ordinary jobs, including working as a sports reporter. She also toiled alongside her husband Ted as a commercial fisherman. According to CNN Palin, a non-denominational Christian, leans strongly pro-life - her fifth child, born in April, has Down's Syndrome. She and her husband also parent a teenage son, Track, and three young daughters, Bristol, Willow, and Piper. She opposes same-sex marriage, but listens to the concerns of the gay community and helped put thru legislation enabling benefits for same-sex couples.

A self-proclaimed soccer mom, Palin's appeal seems widespread. The McCain campaign's polling numbers jumped when she joined the ticket. She previously gained statewide attention as an Alaskan maverick. Unafraid to speak the truth, she brought attention to ethical violations by state Republican Party leaders after joining the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

During the Republican National Convention, Governor Palin said about the press, "But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators. I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people."

Palin emerged in Alaskan politics in 1992, when she won a seat on the Wasilla, Alaska city council. In 1996 she ran for mayor and won, holding the office until 2002. After winning her Alaskan gubernatorial campaign, Palin successfully pushed through an ethics bill and stopped unnecessary spending, going against some of her fellow Republicans. According to an article in the New York Times, she also slashed the state's construction budget by $237 million - the most significant cut in Alaskan history.

In her role as Senator McCain's running mate, Palin said, "If character is the measure in this election ... and hope the theme ... and change the goal we share, then I ask you to join our cause. Join our cause and help America elect a great man as the next president of the United States."

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