Residents of Palin's Alaska hometown hail choice
Published Friday, August 29, 2008
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Sarah Palin
Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., announced that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was his choice as vice presidential running mate on Friday, Aug. 29, 2008.
WASILLA — Residents in Sarah Palin’s hometown on Friday were surprised by her selection as John McCain’s running mate, but at the same time say the straight-talking Alaskan and could give Washington a dose of what it needs.
Besides growing up here, she served as mayor to the growing suburban community — now with about 7,000 residents — about 40 north of Anchorage.
Lee Sherriff, 83, said when Palin was mayor, he walked into her office 50 times or more with a question or just to talk, and she always had time and more importantly, she always got back to him if she didn’t have an answer.
On one occasion, he wanted to know how photo radar was being used to ticket motorists, and she said she didn’t know. But several weeks later, the police chief made a visit to his home and handed him a brochure with information about the program.
“I felt that we were good friends. I could go in there and chat 15, 20 minutes, no problem.”
Sherriff said Palin is not afraid to shake things up, as evidenced by what she did by firing the police chief of Wasilla when she became mayor. He said Palin knew the police chief and the councilmen were going to give her a hard time.
“She upset the apple cart,” he said. “She straightened things out here ... she’s not afraid a bit. What she thinks is right, she is going to do.”
Andy Mitchell, a 34-year-old Anchorage businessman, said Palin is what Washington needs because she’s a straight shooter.
“She is the best non-political politician that we have seen in a long time,” he said. “What you see is what you get. She doesn’t hide anything.”
“I feel like she always puts the people first instead of the political process,” he said as he ate a breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast at the Trout House Cafe.
Waitress Lisa Cameron, 28, who got her start at the cafe when she was 14 years old busing tables, said she hears a lot of political talk in her job.
“We’re ecstatic,” she said of the news. “The state, like, loves Sarah Palin.
Cameron said too much is being made of Palin’s good looks. What’s important to her is the $1,200 that Palin got for each Alaskan to help them pay fuel and heating costs this winter. The money is coming from the state’s oil rich state treasury. Palin said Alaskans should share the bounty of the state’s resources, especially when they pay some of the highest heating costs in the nation.
Palin pushed for the energy rebates, which will start going out Sept. 12, even when legislators tried to scale it back or stop it, she said.
“Actually, she has that presence of greatness about her. she has that aura. I think she will be McCain’s ace in the hole.”
Dan Sanderlin, a 56-year-old builder of log homes who has lived in Wasilla since 1978, said he had concerns about Palin’s qualifications for the job, even though he admires her and loves her family, knowing both her husband, Todd, and her father, Chuck Heath.
What Palin can bring to McCain is the women’s vote, Sanderlin said.
“She’s a beautiful woman, for one thing, so that will bring votes.”
However, he said her rise from small-town mayor to the vice presidential pick was “awful quick and fast,” said Sanderlin, who coached football in the late 1980s where Palin’s father was the track coach.
He knew Todd Palin through snowmobile racing, and didn’t think that Todd would get “wrapped up in all the hoopla.”
McCain and his choice of Palin is doing what Obama did in his choice of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, bringing to their tickets what’s needed.
In Obama’s case, it was experience, Sanderlin said. And in McCain’s case, it’s youth, vitality and the women’s vote.
“I think they’re both looking for votes. It is what they need to do.”
When asked how the forthright governor would do as vice president in Washington, Sanderlin said it could be a problem.
“She seems to speak her mind, which could get a person in trouble in that position,” he said.
Community Discussion
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I AM FROM LONG ISLAND NEW YORK AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT
GOV PALIN. FROM AN ALASKANS POINT OF VEIW. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR BOTH GOOD AND BAD COMMENTS
Please don't SHOUT at us.
I have one opinion. I am pro-choice, but I very much appreciate that she walked the walk with her anti-abortion stance and carried her Downs baby to term. It shows some real integrity and commitment.
Hi, Alaska, from the opposite corner - I'm from Florida. I'm excited about Mrs. Palin being picked as the next VP, but understand that you may be disappointed to lose your Governor.
I, too, would like to know more about her - is she everything the media is saying about her? Is she really as popular in Alaska as they say? What should the rest of the US know about her?
Thanks in advance,
Tooz
For out of Staters, please remember that this is a woman who took on the old time good old boys, better know as the corrupt bast--- club in Alaska. You will read comments by supporters of this group who are still angry. Sad part about it is, they are mostly Republicans. Hopefully you will take the negative with a grain salt.
Hopefully you will read about our State and Governor. You will learn that the people of this State for the most part are a rugged, speak their mind, independent group of people who live by the beat of a different drummer then you may be use to. Understand you people in Florida like sub zero freezers. We live in one most of the year.
I've lived in Alaska since 1989 and I'm thrilled that she has been chosen as VP for the upcoming election.
I feel she has done a wonderful job up here in Alaska and although I'm sad that she won't be our govenor anymore if she makes VP I'm proud of her.:)
If she were to make it into presidency in the future (she has my vote) she certainly can't possibly do any worse than past presidents and infact I believe would do a MUCH better job at representing the country and its people.:)
Thanks! We do like freezers :o)
Thanks, too, for your contribution to the cause - I think she'll make a terrific VP (and eventual President, too!)
Good luck with your new Governor,
Tooz
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