Alaska Politics Blog : Excerpts from Palin speech

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Excerpts from Palin speech

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: September 3, 2008 - 4:47 pm

From Republican National Convention:

Excerpts: Remarks by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
Vice Presidential Nominee to Address the 2008 Republican National Convention

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - This evening Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican Party’s vice presidential nominee, will address the 2008 Republican National Convention. Excerpts from the governor’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

On her experience as a public servant:

"I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town. I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids’ public education better. When I ran for city council, I didn’t need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too. Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities."

On why she is going to Washington, D.C.:

"I’m not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I’ve learned quickly, these past few days, that if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. 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."

On energy policies that the McCain-Palin administration will implement:

"Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems - as if we all didn’t know that already. But the fact that drilling won’t solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all. Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we’re going to lay more pipelines...build more nuclear plants...create jobs with clean coal...and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources. We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers."

On John McCain:

"Here’s how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

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13 November 20, 2008 - 1:05pm | abidiks

A great read, very

A great read, very informative
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12 September 4, 2008 - 2:29pm | lubaskid

She was snarky at best

ANYONE can be snarky; sarcastic and a**y. Did she tell me how they were going to govern differently? No. She attacked. That tells me she has everything. Please Sarah. Tell me how you going to make life better for me and my country. But even then Sarah, I won't believe you because your word isn't taken at face value here. You stil haven't gained my support as a governor and sure haven't proven to me that you deserve my vote. Just because we are the same gender doesn't make me vote for you, and I am insulted that McBush thinks I am that blind.

11 September 3, 2008 - 11:46pm | MeganLarson

Awesome speech

Wow. You know, many people always underestimate Sarah. They didn't think she could win the primary. They didn't think she could beat Tony. They didn't think she could get things done for our state. With this, people said she would not be able to speak well. That she would somehow back down from the nomination.

She proved them wrong.

And what was really telling was the interviews with the usual talking heads, especially those who are pulling for Obama, who begrudgingly admitted how strong the speech was and how great her poise was and that Biden should be fearful! Sarah is tough, and people saw that tonight. Go, Sarah Barracuda!!

September 4, 2008 - 12:39am | Emperor

Megan

There was nothing remarkable about the speech. With all of the resources and the time she took rehearsing, speaking to a home crowd, she should have been much more dynamic and on point. It all seemed so contrived and trite, much like her selection as a VP candidate by McCain.

10 September 3, 2008 - 8:34pm | ginger_winfree

Why

bring the baby to such a loud event, no ear protection. Did Gov Palin think it would make her look good?

September 3, 2008 - 9:55pm | jdw

what, a loud event?

If you are worried about the infant's hearing loss or ability to nap with the cheering you must not be a parent. I have a son who had colic, screaming at up to 102 Db nightly, for around 2 1/2 hours. I don't think permanent hearing loss should be any real concern in this situation.

September 3, 2008 - 8:35pm | rfn

Perhaps because

it would give the critics something to groan about to make up for their lack of anything important? Think of it as a kindness.

9 September 3, 2008 - 7:58pm | stumpy01

The Verdict: A great performance

Sarah was poised, confident, and delivered her speech nearly flawlessly.

Is Sarah the female version of Ronald Reagan?

All Alaskans should be very proud of what one of our own has accomplished tonight.

The talking heads/pundits were nearly speechless. THEY, and THEY alone, are supposed to determine who our national leaders should be. Who IS this woman from Alaska? How dare this interloper interfere.

They aint seen nothing yet.

GRIN

Lots of long faces in the Obama camp tonight. They know that they are NOT going to the White House.

September 3, 2008 - 10:43pm | Emperor

Yeah...

...as long as she has the speech writers and rehearsal time she'll come out looking great. We'll see how she does impromptu. We'll see how she does in a debate format. Palin is way out of her league, tonight is her high water mark.

September 3, 2008 - 8:51pm | TheSdog

Colonel

As usual you are about as objective as a Chinese Olympics judge.

The over/under for EV for Obama is about 330 right now.

September 3, 2008 - 10:02pm | stumpy01

Dog

Maybe you should have watched the speech.

Boy, when you are wrong, you are REALLY wrong.

September 3, 2008 - 10:14pm | TheSdog

Colonel

I watched it.

She was stiff. She was insincere. when she finally got past the long line of irrelevant family stuff which opens the door for the attacks to continue she was seriously lacking in substance.

Not to worry, Obama had the same problem in his speech with substance. The thing is he is the eqivilant of U2 while Palin is like Kansas stuck playing the state fair.

McCain was going down anyway. The "hail mary" is going to fall incomplete but not before your hero and her entire family are dragged through the mud. Make no mistake, there will be some valid issues raised as well but the myth of The Palin is giving way to reality with every passing moment.

The Rs are trying hard to spin her into things she is not but the fatigue of covering it will give away to a collapse within a few weeks.

McCain will pull even, maybe even go up by 3-5 points next week just to fall back to down by 5-6 where its now 3-4 weeks out.

September 3, 2008 - 10:26pm | stumpy01

SDOG- you, objective??

You really think you have ANY credibility judging Sarah?

Please.

Most of the country is learning about Sarah. They have not heard her story and fallen in love with her like most Alaskans. Tonight was the perfect opportunity for her to introduce her family. That was perfectly normal.

Obama was not properly vetted by the liberal media- and if there is even a prayer that he will win the election the attack groups will come out full force and swift boat him. Look what they did to Kerry, a decorated combat veteran... think Obama will withstand hard hits? Nope.

September 3, 2008 - 10:43pm | TheSdog

Stumps

More credibility than you do when it comes to her. You once defended her by posting about the body odor of a member of the Alaska Senate.

The country is learning and it has been ugly the past few days. It is only going to get uglier if you have been surfing around the Internet.

McCain stormed away from reporter when asked about the vetting of The Palin today. He is praying his "gang of 12" he sent up here does not find out anything new.

Obama has issues without a doubt. He has already weathered Ayres, Rezko, Wright, etc. After all of that he was still up an average of 4-5 points today. some of those issues could still come back to haunt.

VP picks do not decide the presidential race.

The base was coming out anyway. It is a myth to think otherwise.

The difference here is the Dem base is not only coming out this time but it has grown. You only need to look at the sheer numbers voting in D primaries compared to R ones to realize that.

McCain was hoping to pander to Hillary voters with The Palin. Do you think that she went over well with them tonight? Keep wishing.

One other thing before you discount all the storm around the personal issues. Consistently, polls have shown that these kind of things do hurt. Again, it is only the VP candidate but the lack of judgement shown by McCain is appalling.

September 3, 2008 - 10:56pm | stumpy01

Dog

Body odor? Huh? Have you also heard that a certain Senate President farts likes an old sea cook?

Amazing how word gets around.

Funny stuff.

On to serious business... (Sure). McCain is the problem with the ticket. It was John McCain who was being flown around the country by pal Chuck Keating on a fancy jet to vacation resorts. John has No problem accepting gifts, just like Ted Stevens.

Problem is, John did not disclose those gifts until the Keating Five scandal.

Hey, isn't that what Ted Stevens is going to jail for doing? Not disclosing gifts?

Interesting, isn't it, that one guy faces a trial and prison and another is running for President.

When will the MEDIA connect these dots?

September 3, 2008 - 11:12pm | TheSdog

stumps

Are you paying attention?

How about that lobbyist your her hired while Mayor of Wasilla? You may want to go take a look at his "credentials."

You have been silent on "Troopergate" but as a former military officer you must understand the importance of keeping distance in such a situation. Do you not?

The media is getting all kinds of things wrong. That goes for both sides trying to spin The Palin. It really goes to show you how screwed up the news is we see every day.

The most relevant thing in your post is that this election remains about McCain and Obama. A VP rarely helps much and the safe thing is to pick someone who will not hurt you. Obama played that game, McCain did not.

The reasom McCain did not is because he knows what you likely know. he is in trouble if you look at an electoral map. The only states from last time that were blue that he might turn red are PA and NH.

Obama has him on the run in far more states that were red 4 years ago and still has a bigger war chest even with the bible thumpers pouring money in to him.

That is where Palin helped McCain. he may get more money but that will likel not be enough.

Vote for Bob Barr.

September 3, 2008 - 10:17pm | jacekones

Depends

When will she start giving interviews? Are they going to keep her in hiding forever? It's been 5 days and there's only been one interview with People.

8 September 3, 2008 - 7:08pm | raingod

7 September 3, 2008 - 7:07pm | raingod

I'm not her biggest fan -

I'm not her biggest fan - but I have always been very impressed by her speeches. And while she said the lines just fine - they didn't have the "Sarah" imprint on them that I was expecting. She was just spouting GOP party lines. They put a few of her lines from her previous speech - but it just seemed not to be her speech at all. I come away happily unimpressed. I thought (feared) that she would knock their socks off. Everything she said was stale and predictable.

September 3, 2008 - 8:37pm | blue_in_AK

Exactly.

I left the room after a while because she just didn't sound like herself. Looks like they gave her a crash course in Karl Rove 101.

September 3, 2008 - 7:23pm | jacekones

I agree. It was lacking heart most of the time.

September 3, 2008 - 8:27pm | ginger_winfree

Yes

I felt the same way, that it was rehearsed. But, she did memorize her lines very well, along with the pauses and the little snickers. Definately not her words. I want to see her in a debate.

September 3, 2008 - 8:29pm | jacekones

Yup.

If this speech took 4 days, they better cloister her tomorrow to get ready for the debate in 29 days.

September 3, 2008 - 8:34pm | rfn

Somehow I had come to believe

that Mr. Obama had copyrighted the term "bitter". Perhaps he'll allow "fair use" to deseribe Mr. Biden when he launches into an arrogrant, abusive diatribe laces with his patent plagiarism!

Ms. Palin's coach is going to have a major job getting her to react with simple facial movements....or to carefully choose words to goad the aging political hack into behaving naturally.

6 September 3, 2008 - 6:50pm | jacekones

I'm a little underwhelmed.

I thought she was going to be the second coming.

Isn't she coming across as a bit disingenuous?

September 3, 2008 - 7:04pm | jacekones

the problem is

This isn't how she normally speaks. That's why it comes off as disingenous.

September 3, 2008 - 7:07pm | Emperor

When people hear...

...her speak unscripted, unprepared, unrehearsed, they will find out how totally ill-equipped she is for the office.

September 3, 2008 - 7:29pm | Cartman3_15

Move those goalposts!

Now that Palin has knocked another one out of the park -- in direct contradiction of endless predictions of doom, gloom and embarrassment from the usual sources -- it's time, again, to recalibrate the timeline for failure.

September 3, 2008 - 10:56pm | Emperor

Come on now.

Just because she read one script half ass well we're supposed to suddenly become her loyal subjects?

Anyone should be able to knock it out of the park when they are in their home stadium, with their home crowd, and getting pitched underhand.

September 3, 2008 - 8:55pm | Talkradio

Cartman good job

Sometimes I just think its U and me telling the truth in these Blogs. Maybe were dummies for venturing in here to blog with these morons. They hate Palin; nothing will change their minds, so why do we do this?

You told me once, "Because it's fun." You're right; it is fun messing with folks who think they are pure. What's funny about it is: 85% of Alaskans agree with you and me, they think she’s doing a great job.

Eddie Burke

September 4, 2008 - 12:39pm | desaerica

I saw Governor Palin's speech.

I cried when she first walked out. An Alaskan in the big leagues. I was proud of the way her family conducted themselves. They were perfect representatives. I prayed that she wouldn't trip when she first came on stage. I felt good about what an Alaskan can do. Then she opened her mouth. The longer she talked, the worse I felt. She was mean spirited. She made fun of Obama's work. The people who Obama organized were poor and out of work. They had kids who were going hungry. How could she minimize them and diminish what Obama's work did to empower them? When the speech was over, I was as mad as a little, wet hen. She ain't getting my vote.

September 3, 2008 - 11:05pm | Emperor

Truth?

The truth (my opinion) is that Palin did ok tonight. People saw and heard what they wanted to see and hear. In the coming days people will hear and see more, revealing the Queen you love within her.

September 3, 2008 - 7:49pm | jacekones

Nope

I posted earlier that I expected her to be outstanding tonight, based on the 4 days of top notch prep.

Delivery was fine. At times the words resonated. Most of the time it seemed she was reciting well crafted statements.

CNN says the second half of the speech was written in advance. That's why it didn't resonate with her, or me.

September 3, 2008 - 7:16pm | HD

And...?

have you seen and heard the unscripted, unprepared, unrehearsed Obama? McCain speaks very well off the cuff, and you'll no doubt agree that Biden is a most competent blowhard.

September 3, 2008 - 11:18pm | Emperor

Yes...

...I've seen and heard Obama in impromptu situations responding to reporters and others. I think he does fine, he is articulate and genuine.

McCain has bushitis and will say stupid things like "Americans Fine With Troops In Iraq For 10,000 Years".

September 3, 2008 - 6:53pm | jacekones

She's acting a little too pleased with herself

A bit wide-eyed, if you will, kind of surprised that she thinks she is doing so well.

5 September 3, 2008 - 6:47pm | Syntax

God save us from Palin

This is insane.

4 September 3, 2008 - 6:23pm | TheSdog

We'll see what happens

but Rudy G is giving a great speech right now.

The real question will be if the McCain people have improved Palin's delivery. Her State of the State address was abysmal.

September 3, 2008 - 7:57pm | oldjack

Did Rudy say

"This is a right to work party" ?.
During the state primarys, Palin stated that she would absolutely not introduce right to work legislation during a Dan Fagan show. She introduced her husband as a union worker tonight. Palin depends on union support in Alaska. This will be interesting during her VP campaign.

September 3, 2008 - 6:28pm | TheSdog

Well it was effective

until he got to talking about Palin then it lost steam in terms of substance.

3 September 3, 2008 - 6:08pm | rfn

Just visited the chaos website!

Poor kids are desperate. They're already conceding that Governor Palin's address will rock the nation. They're fearing it'll be so incredibly good that it'll change the game even more dramatically than they originally understood.

The amusing part is they're guessing at content and trying to attack content they aren't even sure will be forthcoming.

Will Rogers once said he was a member of no organized political party; he was a Democrat. Today he is proven even more! Disorganized; in disarray!

2 September 3, 2008 - 5:21pm | watchman

Truthfulness

had better be one of the topics Palin addresses. The Washington Post has just released parts of the content of emails sent by her directly to Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan on her private Yahoo email account. In the emails, she applies pressure to fire State Trooper Doug Wooten, pressure she previously denied. Looks like Palin lied.

September 3, 2008 - 5:25pm | bobbyc

It bothers me

that she is doing state business on a Yahoo account. You would think that it would be against the rules.

September 3, 2008 - 10:05pm | jdw

Have you seen these e-mails

Have you seen these e-mails from her yahoo account? Me neither. Does being a Gov. make it so on your personal e-mail account you can not contact public officials as a concerned citizen?

September 3, 2008 - 5:37pm | watchman

She learned from Reudrich

Palin was not going to make the same mistake Randy Reudrich made, by leaving his email on his office computer. I imagine she did not count on Walt Monegan keeping copies.

1 September 3, 2008 - 4:51pm | A_L

It looks like..

It is going to be a very strong speech.

September 3, 2008 - 5:46pm | Rockin_Mel_Slurrup

And by "strong"

you mean embellished, right?

I'm particularly looking forward to her using the Alaska National Guard as part of her foreign policy resume. Saying that will, of course, be a lie for her, as the Governor of any state lacks such power over the Guard when they're nationalized.

So yeah, her speech will be full of lies an exaggerations and superficiality. Lots of words that form sentences and actually mean nothing in the end. Governor Yup Yup has no business being a heartbeat away from the Presidency. None. McCain's decision to pick her shows just how poor his judgment is, and judgment is what the Presidency is all about.

September 3, 2008 - 5:13pm | Emperor

Of course.

They have the best writers available and she has been in hiding to prepare for it. She'll have a teleprompter so she should be ok. She'll repeat the same tired lies and talking points of the Grand Ol' Party.

At least looking at the crowd today, it appears they imported a few more people of color. Wonder what it cost them?

September 3, 2008 - 5:16pm | rfn

Look who's playing the race card!

".....it appears they imported a few more people of color. Wonder what it cost them?"

Of course Ms. Palin will use a TelePrompTer; it works for the leadership-impaired Mr. Obama, why should it not for her?

Will be fun to see Mr. Biden in debate. Will he use a TelePromptTer or just hold the book from which he plagiarizes? Or perhaps he has reformed!

September 3, 2008 - 5:24pm | Emperor

We're you watching yesterday?

A friend of mine were watching looking for people of color in the crowd, they were very hard to find. Even the commentators afterward were commenting on the lack of people of color in the crowd. Today has a little more color.

And yes, Race is an issue. Gender is an issue. Religion is an issue. We can either talk about it or ignore it, but it's there regardless.

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