Palin Problems

Personally, I think Sarah Palin is a terrible choice for McCain's running mate. But the general public seems to disagree. Palin embodies the conservative myth of small-town America. And McCain is now leading among white women 52% to Obama's 41%, when they were basically tied a month ago. (Some of this is probably attributed to a post-convention bounce, so don't worry too much, but worry a little.) And she's received 10% more press attention than Obama last week, and nine times more than Biden. (Who's the real celebrity?) So, for all of you enamored by the Palin story/myth, here are the facts.

THE TOP TEN REASONS TO DISLIKE SARAH PALIN:

10. She may have odd political affiliations. Her husband Todd was a registered member of the Alaskan Independence Party from 1995 to 2002. The AIP advocates greater state sovereignty for Alaska, and some members, including its founder Joe Vogler, have advocated secession. (Rumors have circulated that she supported Pat Buchanan in 1996 and 2000. These appear to be untrue.)
9. She taxes your oil. Sarah Palin is the most popular governor in the U.S. Perhaps because Alaska makes 89% of its revenue on four different taxes on oil. Enough for every Alaskan to get a $3200 check from the state government last year.
8. She was for the "Bridge to Nowhere" before she was against it. Thanks, then no thanks. When running for governor, she was asked if she supported the bridge. She answered, "Yes...The window is now — while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist.” Congress stripped the appropriations bill of language saying the $233 million had to be used for the bridge, so Alaska still received the money.
7. She supports shooting wolves from helicopters. I'm not making this up. She even offered a $150 bounty per wolf.
6. She charges the state more than a "crusader for fiscal rectitude" should. Governor Palin received per diem allowances, intended to cover travel costs, when she stayed at home, which is perfectly legal if not exactly in accordance with her principles.
5. She supports teaching creationism in public schools. Of the three candidates running for governor of Alaska in 2006, she was the only one to support it.
4. She believes humans are not responsible for climate change. She even sued the Bush Administration for listing the polar bear as an endangered species because it would hamper drilling for oil and gas in Alaska.
3. She is inexperienced, making her an especially odd choice for McCain, seeing how his best attack against Obama was Obama's inexperience. (For those keeping score, Obama has spent four years in the Senate, and Palin has been Alaska's governor for two.) And it's telling that she thinks Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are taxpayer-funded, especially when they hold 80% of the country's mortgages and are being bailed out by the Treasury Department.
2. She tried to ban books from the Wasilla library. She asked the librarian how one would ban books from the library, particularly Go Ask Alice (about drug use) and Pastor, I Am Gay. When the librarian refused to answer the question, she was fired then reinstated after a public outcry.
1. She does not support abortion, even in cases of rape or incest.