Sarah Palin: Difference between revisions
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Palin attended [[Wasilla High School]] in [[Wasilla, Alaska]], where she was the head of the [[Fellowship of Christian Athletes]] chapter at the school, and the [[point guard]] and captain of the school's [[basketball]] team. She helped the team win the Alaska small-school basketball championship in 1982, hitting a critical [[free throw]] in the last seconds of the game, despite having an ankle stress fracture. She earned the nickname "Sarah [[Barracuda]]" because of her intense play, and was the leader of the team prayer before games.<ref name="Sarah">(Johnson 2008, pp. 27-31)</ref> |
Palin attended [[Wasilla High School]] in [[Wasilla, Alaska]], where she was the head of the [[Fellowship of Christian Athletes]] chapter at the school, and the [[point guard]] and captain of the school's [[basketball]] team. She helped the team win the Alaska small-school basketball championship in 1982, hitting a critical [[free throw]] in the last seconds of the game, despite having an ankle stress fracture. She earned the nickname "Sarah [[Barracuda]]" because of her intense play, and was the leader of the team prayer before games.<ref name="Sarah">(Johnson 2008, pp. 27-31)</ref> |
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In 1984, Palin won the Miss Wasilla Pageant,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/mccain-surprises-palin-pick/story.aspx?guid={BA5FEDF2-42BA-496B-A3ED-511268BD02A1} |title=McCain surprises with Palin pick |accessdate=2008-08-29 |date=2008-08-29 |publisher=[[MarketWatch]]}}</ref><ref>Peterson, Deb. "Palin was a high school star, says schoolmate," ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch'', 30 Aug 2008. [http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/debpeterson/story/23D7A0CF8A2E3A61862574B50011DB30?OpenDocument Available online.] [http://www.webcitation.org/5aWTqJxmb Archived 01 Sept 2008.]</ref> then finished second in the [[Miss Alaska]] pageant,<ref name="usweekly">{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/news/sarah-palin-was-runner-up-in-1984-beauty-contest|title=Gov. Sarah Palin Was Second Choice in '84 Beauty Contest|publisher=[[US Magazine]]|accessdate=2008-08-30}}</ref> at which she won a college scholarship and the "[[Miss Congeniality]]" award.<ref>(Johnson 2008, p. 21)</ref> Palin admits to smoking [[marijuana]] as a youth, during the time Alaska had decriminalized possession, though she says she did not enjoy it.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lisa |last=Lerer |title=Palin: She Inhaled |url=http://www. |
In 1984, Palin won the Miss Wasilla Pageant,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/mccain-surprises-palin-pick/story.aspx?guid={BA5FEDF2-42BA-496B-A3ED-511268BD02A1} |title=McCain surprises with Palin pick |accessdate=2008-08-29 |date=2008-08-29 |publisher=[[MarketWatch]]}}</ref><ref>Peterson, Deb. "Palin was a high school star, says schoolmate," ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch'', 30 Aug 2008. [http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/debpeterson/story/23D7A0CF8A2E3A61862574B50011DB30?OpenDocument Available online.] [http://www.webcitation.org/5aWTqJxmb Archived 01 Sept 2008.]</ref> then finished second in the [[Miss Alaska]] pageant,<ref name="usweekly">{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/news/sarah-palin-was-runner-up-in-1984-beauty-contest|title=Gov. Sarah Palin Was Second Choice in '84 Beauty Contest|publisher=[[US Magazine]]|accessdate=2008-08-30}}</ref> at which she won a college scholarship and the "[[Miss Congeniality]]" award.<ref>(Johnson 2008, p. 21)</ref> Palin admits to smoking [[marijuana]] as a youth,<ref>{{cite web|author=Stefanie Balogh|title=Is Sarah Palin a real vice-president contender?|year=2008|publisher=Courier Mail|accessdate=2008-09-08|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24298760-27197,00.html}}</ref> during the time Alaska had decriminalized possession, though she says she did not enjoy it.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lisa |last=Lerer |title=Palin: She Inhaled |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/29/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4397109.shtml |work=The Crypt |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=2008-08-29 |accessdate=2008-09-05 }}</ref> |
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Palin spent her first college semester at [[Hawaii Pacific University|Hawaii Pacific College]], transferring in 1983 to [[North Idaho College]] and then to the [[University of Idaho]]. She attended [[Matanuska-Susitna College]] in Alaska for one term, returning to the University of Idaho to complete her [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[communication studies|communications]]-[[journalism]], graduating in 1987.<ref name="AP College">{{cite news|url=http://www.adn.com/palin/story/516085.html | title=Palin education took her to five colleges | publisher=Associated Press via Anchorage Daily News | date-2008-09-04 | accessdate=2008-09-04}}</ref><ref name="BooneSeattlePI">{{cite news | accessdate=2008-08-30 |date=2008-08-29 | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_id_veepstakes_palin_idaho.html?source=mypi|title= McCain's veep pick, Palin, has ties to Idaho|author=Boone, Rebecca|work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]}}</ref> |
Palin spent her first college semester at [[Hawaii Pacific University|Hawaii Pacific College]], transferring in 1983 to [[North Idaho College]] and then to the [[University of Idaho]]. She attended [[Matanuska-Susitna College]] in Alaska for one term, returning to the University of Idaho to complete her [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[communication studies|communications]]-[[journalism]], graduating in 1987.<ref name="AP College">{{cite news|url=http://www.adn.com/palin/story/516085.html | title=Palin education took her to five colleges | publisher=Associated Press via Anchorage Daily News | date-2008-09-04 | accessdate=2008-09-04}}</ref><ref name="BooneSeattlePI">{{cite news | accessdate=2008-08-30 |date=2008-08-29 | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_id_veepstakes_palin_idaho.html?source=mypi|title= McCain's veep pick, Palin, has ties to Idaho|author=Boone, Rebecca|work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]}}</ref> |
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Palin ran for re-election against Stein in 1999<ref>(Johnson 2008, p. 65)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://election.nationaljournal.com/2006/governor/ak.htm|title=2006 Campaign Tip Sheets: Alaska Governor|publisher=[[National Journal]]|accessdate=2008-08-30}}</ref> and was returned to office by a margin of 909 to 292 votes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cityofwasilla.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=41 |title=October 5, 1999 Regular Election; Official Results |accessdate=2008-09-01 |work=cityofwasilla.com |publisher=City of Wasilla |date=2005-10-11 |format=PDF }}</ref> Palin was also elected president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adn.com/politics/v-printer/story/510153.html |title=From Wasilla's basketball court to the national stage : Sarah Palin timeline |accessdate=2008-09-01 |work=adn.com |publisher=Anchorage Daily News |date=2008-08-29 }}</ref> |
Palin ran for re-election against Stein in 1999<ref>(Johnson 2008, p. 65)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://election.nationaljournal.com/2006/governor/ak.htm|title=2006 Campaign Tip Sheets: Alaska Governor|publisher=[[National Journal]]|accessdate=2008-08-30}}</ref> and was returned to office by a margin of 909 to 292 votes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cityofwasilla.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=41 |title=October 5, 1999 Regular Election; Official Results |accessdate=2008-09-01 |work=cityofwasilla.com |publisher=City of Wasilla |date=2005-10-11 |format=PDF }}</ref> Palin was also elected president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adn.com/politics/v-printer/story/510153.html |title=From Wasilla's basketball court to the national stage : Sarah Palin timeline |accessdate=2008-09-01 |work=adn.com |publisher=Anchorage Daily News |date=2008-08-29 }}</ref> |
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During her second term as mayor, Palin |
During her second term as mayor, Palin put a measure on the ballot to increase sales tax to finance the construction of a municipal [[Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex|sports center]].<ref name="wsjhockeyrink">{{cite web | last = Phillips | first = Michael M. | title = Palin's Hockey Rink Leads To Legal Trouble in Town She Led | publisher = [[Wall Street Journal]] | date = 2008-09-06 | url = http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122065537792905483.html | accessdate = 2008-09-08 }}</ref> Though the center was built on time and under budget, the total cost escalated after she left office due to an [[eminent domain]] lawsuit that was necessitated by mistakes made during her term.<ref name="wsjhockeyrink"/> She also hired the Anchorage-based lobbying firm of Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh to lobby for [[Earmark (politics)|earmarks]] for Wasilla. The effort was led by Steven Silver, a former chief of staff for Senator [[Ted Stevens]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-08-31-palin-bridge_N.htm| last = Dilanian| first = Ken | title=Palin backed 'bridge to nowhere' in 2006|publisher=[[USA Today]]|accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref> and it secured nearly $27 million in earmarked funds. The earmarks included $500,000 for a youth shelter, $1.9 million for a transportation hub, $900,000 for sewer repairs, and $15 million for a rail project linking Wasilla and the ski resort community of [[Girdwood]].<ref name="wpearmarks090208">{{cite web | last = Krane | first = Paul | title = Palin's Small Alaska Town Secured Big Federal Funds | publisher = [[The Washington Post]] | date = 2008-09-02 | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/01/AR2008090103148.html?hpid=topnews | accessdate = 2008-09-02 }}</ref> Some of the earmarks were criticized by Senator McCain.<ref>{{cite news |
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| url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-earmarks3-2008sep03,0,6851593.story |
| url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-earmarks3-2008sep03,0,6851593.story |
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| title=McCain had criticized earmarks from Palin |
| title=McCain had criticized earmarks from Palin |
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In 2007, the Alaska Creamery Board recommended closing Matanuska Maid Dairy, an unprofitable state-owned business. Palin objected, citing concern for dairy farmers and a recent infusion of $600,000 in state money. Palin subsequently replaced the entire membership of the Board of Agriculture and Conservation.<ref name="Komarnitsky-replace">{{cite news | first = S. J. | last = Komarnitsky | url = http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/matsu/story/9099429p-9015627c.html | title = State board votes to replace Mat Maid CEO | publisher = [[Anchorage Daily News]] | date = 2007-07-04 | accessdate = 2008-09-01}}</ref> The new board reversed the decision to close the dairy. Later in 2007, the unprofitable business was put up for sale. No offers met the minimum bid of $3.35 million,<ref name="Komarnitsky-sale">{{cite news | first = S. J. | last = Komarnitsky | url = http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/matsu/mat_maid/story/9261530p-9176496c.html | title = State to put Mat Maid dairy up for sale | publisher = [[Anchorage Daily News]] | date = 2007-08-30 | accessdate = 2008-09-01}}</ref><ref name="ADN-nobids">{{cite news | url = http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/matsu/story/9504797p-9415550c.html | title = State gets no bids for Matanuska Maid | publisher = [[Anchorage Daily News]] | date = 2007-12-08 | accessdate = 2008-09-01}}</ref> and the dairy was closed. In August 2008, it was purchased for $1.5 million, the new minimum bid.<ref>{{cite news |first=S.J. |last=Komarnitsky |title=Mat Maid's Anchorage plant brings $1.5 million |url=http://www.adn.com/matmaid/story/502721.html |work=[[Anchorage Daily News]] |publisher= |date=2008-08-23 |accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> |
In 2007, the Alaska Creamery Board recommended closing Matanuska Maid Dairy, an unprofitable state-owned business. Palin objected, citing concern for dairy farmers and a recent infusion of $600,000 in state money. Palin subsequently replaced the entire membership of the Board of Agriculture and Conservation.<ref name="Komarnitsky-replace">{{cite news | first = S. J. | last = Komarnitsky | url = http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/matsu/story/9099429p-9015627c.html | title = State board votes to replace Mat Maid CEO | publisher = [[Anchorage Daily News]] | date = 2007-07-04 | accessdate = 2008-09-01}}</ref> The new board reversed the decision to close the dairy. Later in 2007, the unprofitable business was put up for sale. No offers met the minimum bid of $3.35 million,<ref name="Komarnitsky-sale">{{cite news | first = S. J. | last = Komarnitsky | url = http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/matsu/mat_maid/story/9261530p-9176496c.html | title = State to put Mat Maid dairy up for sale | publisher = [[Anchorage Daily News]] | date = 2007-08-30 | accessdate = 2008-09-01}}</ref><ref name="ADN-nobids">{{cite news | url = http://dwb.adn.com/news/alaska/matsu/story/9504797p-9415550c.html | title = State gets no bids for Matanuska Maid | publisher = [[Anchorage Daily News]] | date = 2007-12-08 | accessdate = 2008-09-01}}</ref> and the dairy was closed. In August 2008, it was purchased for $1.5 million, the new minimum bid.<ref>{{cite news |first=S.J. |last=Komarnitsky |title=Mat Maid's Anchorage plant brings $1.5 million |url=http://www.adn.com/matmaid/story/502721.html |work=[[Anchorage Daily News]] |publisher= |date=2008-08-23 |accessdate=2008-09-05}}</ref> |
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==="Bridge to Nowhere"=== |
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In Palin's 2006 gubernatorial campaign, she supported the building of a [[Gravina Island Bridge]] from [[Ketchikan]] to [[Gravina Island]] (population 50), better known outside the state as the "Bridge to Nowhere."<ref>http://www.gannettnewsservice.com/?p=2448</ref> Palin ran on a "build-the-bridge" platform, arguing that it was essential for local prosperity.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/03/palin.track.record/?iref=hpmostpop| publisher = [[CNN]]| title = Palin's maverick trail goes from city hall to gov's mansion| date = 2008-09-02| accessdate = 2008-09-02}}</ref> As Palin said in August 2006, according to the Ketchikan (Alaska) Daily News: |
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:“We need to come to the defense of Southeast Alaska when proposals are on the table like the bridge, and not allow the spinmeisters to turn this project or any other into something that’s so negative.”<ref>http://www.gannettnewsservice.com/?p=2448</ref> |
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In 2006, [[Ketchikan]]'s [[Gravina Island Bridge]], better known outside the state as the "Bridge to Nowhere", became an issue in the gubernatorial campaign. Palin initially expressed support for the bridge and ran on a "build-the-bridge" platform, arguing that it was essential for local prosperity.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/03/palin.track.record/?iref=hpmostpop| publisher = [[CNN]]| title = Palin's maverick trail goes from city hall to gov's mansion| date = 2008-09-02| accessdate = 2008-09-02}}</ref> After the bridge became a political issue Congress replaced the [[Earmark (politics)| earmark]] for the bridge with an infrastructure grant to Alaska to use at its discretion; Palin's subsequent policy was to continue construction on the road originally intended to link to the bridge while exploring less-expensive transportation between Ketchikan and Gravina Island.<ref name="bridge-nowhere">{{cite news| url = http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/511471.html| publisher = [[Anchorage Daily News]]| last = Kizzia| first = Tom| title = Palin touts stance on 'Bridge to Nowhere,' does not note flip-flop| date = 2008-08-31| accessdate = 2008-08-31}}</ref><ref name="where-they-stand">{{cite news| url = http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/510378.html| publisher = [[Anchorage Daily News]]| title = Where they stand| date = 2006-10-22| accessdate = 2008-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080901/pl_nm/usa_politics_palin1_dc_1| publisher=[[Reuters]]| title=Palin "bridge to nowhere" line angers many Alaskans| last=Rosen| first=Yereth| date=September 1, 2008| accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref> |
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After Palin was elected governor, the newly-christened Bridge to Nowhere became a symbol for wildly excessive and wasteful federal spending nationwide.<ref>http://www.newsweek.com/id/157696/page/3</ref> Bowing to criticism, Congress replaced the $223 million [[Earmark (politics)| earmark]] for the bridge with a $223 million infrastructure grant to Alaska to use at its discretion.<ref> http://www.adn.com/politics/story/511471.html</ref> One month after [[John McCain]] attacked the bridge, Palin switched her position too.<ref> http://www.adn.com/politics/story/511471.html</ref> According to ''[[Newsweek]]'': |
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:In an astonishing pivot, she began using the rhetoric of the projects' opponents. Now she talks as if she always opposed the funding. She used one of her stock lines in her nomination acceptance speech: "I told the Congress, 'Thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."<ref>http://www.newsweek.com/id/157696/page/3</ref> |
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(Ketchikan's Mayor Bob Weinstein criticized Palin for using the very term 'Bridge to Nowhere' in her vice-presidential nomination acceptance speech because Palin had termed that name for the bridge "insulting" during her 2006 gubernatorial campaign, when she campaigned on her original "build the bridge" platform.<ref>{{cite web| last = Rosen| first = Yereth| title = Palin "bridge to nowhere" line angers many Alaskans| publisher = Reuters| date = 2008-09-01| url = http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed7/idUSN3125537020080901|accessdate =2008-09-05}}</ref>) |
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| ⚫ | According to [[Reuters]], Palin's decision to cancel the bridge "earn[ed] her admirers from earmark critics and budget hawks from around the nation. The move also thrust her into the spotlight as a reform-minded newcomer." In an article titled, "Bridge leads McCain to running mate Palin", the [[Associated Press]] said canceling the bridge was "the first identifiable link connecting Palin and McCain," soon followed by "whispers of Palin being an ideal GOP running mate."<ref name="bridge-mccain-palin">{{cite news |
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| url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080829-1718-wst-bridgetonowhere.html |
| url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080829-1718-wst-bridgetonowhere.html |
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| publisher=[[Associated Press]] |
| publisher=[[Associated Press]] |
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| accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref> |
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Although she canceled the bridge, Palin continued to spend $25 million from the $223 million[[Earmark (politics)| earmark]] to build the road on Gravina Island to an empty beach where the bridge would have gone. State officials said "they were going ahead with the $25 million road because the money would otherwise have to be returned to the federal government."<ref>http://www.newsweek.com/id/157696/page/3</ref><ref name="bridge-nowhere">{{cite news| url = http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/511471.html| publisher = [[Anchorage Daily News]]| last = Kizzia| first = Tom| title = Palin touts stance on 'Bridge to Nowhere,' does not note flip-flop| date = 2008-08-31| accessdate = 2008-08-31}}</ref><ref name="where-they-stand">{{cite news| url = http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/510378.html| publisher = [[Anchorage Daily News]]| title = Where they stand| date = 2006-10-22| accessdate = 2008-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080901/pl_nm/usa_politics_palin1_dc_1| publisher=[[Reuters]]| title=Palin "bridge to nowhere" line angers many Alaskans| last=Rosen| first=Yereth| date=September 1, 2008| accessdate=2008-09-02}}</ref> The cancellation of the bridge did not lead Palin to return any of the remaining $197 million in the earmark to the Federal Government. Palin's campaign coordinator in Ketchikan, Republican Mike Elerding, says, "She said 'thanks but no thanks,' but they kept the money."<ref>{{cite web| last = Rosen| first = Yereth| title = Palin "bridge to nowhere" line angers many Alaskans| publisher = Reuters| date = 2008-09-01| url = http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed7/idUSN3125537020080901| accessdate =2008-09-05}}</ref> According to Palin’s communications director Bill McAlister, the bridge "isn’t necessarily dead"; it may still be built with "a less costly design.” Palin changed her mind on the bridge, he said, when “she saw that Alaska was being perceived as taking from the country and not giving, and that impression bothered her and she wants to change it. … I think that Sarah Palin is someone who has the courage to re-evaluate situations as they developed.”<ref>http://www.gannettnewsservice.com/?p=2448</ref> |
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In 2008, when introduced as McCain's running mate, Palin told the crowd, "I told Congress, thanks but no thanks on that bridge to nowhere" — a line that garnered big applause but upset political leaders in Ketchikan. Palin's campaign coordinator in the city, Republican Mike Elerding, remarked, "She said 'thanks but no thanks,' but they kept the money." Democratic Mayor Bob Weinstein also criticized Palin for using the very term 'bridge to nowhere' that she had said was insulting when she was in favor of the bridge.<ref>{{cite web| last = Rosen| first = Yereth| title = Palin "bridge to nowhere" line angers many Alaskans| publisher = Reuters| date = 2008-09-01| url = http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed7/idUSN3125537020080901| accessdate =2008-09-05}}</ref> |
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=== Public Safety Commissioner dismissal === |
=== Public Safety Commissioner dismissal === |
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[[Image:Sarah Palin Time cover.jpg|thumb|upright|The ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' September 15 edition discussed the Palin pick, one of several newsmagazines to place her on their cover in the days following her selection.]] |
[[Image:Sarah Palin Time cover.jpg|thumb|upright|The ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' September 15 edition discussed the Palin pick, one of several newsmagazines to place her on their cover in the days following her selection.]] |
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After announcing Palin as the presumptive vice-presidential nominee, the McCain campaign received US$7 million in contributions in a single day.<ref> {{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Mosk |title=McCain Gets $7 Million Bounce from Palin Pick |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/08/30/mccain_gets_7_million_bounce_f.html?hpid=topnews |publisher=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2008-08-30 |accessdate=2008-08-31 }}</ref> In the days following the decision, the choice of Palin had mixed results |
After announcing Palin as the presumptive vice-presidential nominee, the McCain campaign received US$7 million in contributions in a single day.<ref> {{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Mosk |title=McCain Gets $7 Million Bounce from Palin Pick |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/08/30/mccain_gets_7_million_bounce_f.html?hpid=topnews |publisher=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2008-08-30 |accessdate=2008-08-31 }}</ref> In the days following the decision, the choice of Palin had mixed results. Undecided women that support Palin's pro-life views moved towards McCain and the independents McCain was trying to attract were pushed to Obama due to Palin's views on abortion, the Iraq War, and the environment.<ref>{{cite news | author= Jackie Calmes | url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/31/america/31women.php | title=Palin drawing women's attention, maybe not allegiance | work = International Herald Tribune | date=2008-08-31 | accessdate=2008-08-31}}</ref> According to pollster John Zogby the effects of Palin's selection were helping the McCain ticket since "She has high favorability numbers, and has unified the [[Republican Party]].", Palin was also a draw with Catholic voters. The poll found that 54% favour Palin and 42% find her unfavourable, a 12% difference, while [[Joe Biden]] was viewed favourable by 49% to 47% unfavourable. <ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1548 | title=Zogby Poll: Republicans Hold Small Post-Convention Edge | publisher=Zogby | date=2008-09-06 | accessdate=2008-09-07}}</ref> |
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Palin's positions and policies became the focus of "intense media attention"<ref>{{cite news | url=http://newsminer.com/news/2008/sep/03/alaska-delegates-see-more-republican-convention-at/ | title=Alaska delegates see more Republican convention attention | work=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner | author=Delbridge, Rena | date=2008-09-03 | accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref> and "scrutiny"<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5980470.html | title=From Last Frontier to center stage, pressure on Palin | work=Houston Chronicle | author=Dunham, Richard S. | date=2008-09-03 | accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref> following her selection. Expectations from her speech at the Republican National Convention was heavily covered by the media.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/09/05/mccain_takes_stage_turns_down_heat/ | title=McCain takes stage, turns down heat | work=The Boston Globe | author=Weiss, Joanna | date=2008-09-05 | accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref> Some Republicans argued that Palin was subjected to unreasonable media coverage,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/09/05/republicans_point_fingers_at_media_over_palin_coverage/ | title=Republicans point fingers at media over Palin coverage | work=The Boston Globe | author= Wangsness, Lisa | date=2008-09-05 | accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref> and a Rasmussen survey showed that slightly more than half of Americans believed that the press was "trying to hurt" Palin with negative coverage<ref>{{cite news | author= Carney, Brian M. | url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122073072955107155.html?mod=googlenews_wsj | title=What Sarah Knows | work = The Wall Street Journal | date=2008-09-07 | accessdate=2008-09-07}}</ref>, a sentiment referenced by Palin in her acceptance speech. A poll taken just after the speech found that Palin was then slightly more popular than either [[Barack Obama]] or [[John McCain]] with 58% favourabilty rating.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/palin_power_fresh_face_now_more_popular_than_obama_mccain | title=Palin Power: Fresh Face Now More Popular Than Obama, McCain | publisher=Rasmussen Reports | date=2008-09-05 | accessdate=2008-09-07}}</ref> |
Palin's positions and policies became the focus of "intense media attention"<ref>{{cite news | url=http://newsminer.com/news/2008/sep/03/alaska-delegates-see-more-republican-convention-at/ | title=Alaska delegates see more Republican convention attention | work=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner | author=Delbridge, Rena | date=2008-09-03 | accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref> and "scrutiny"<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5980470.html | title=From Last Frontier to center stage, pressure on Palin | work=Houston Chronicle | author=Dunham, Richard S. | date=2008-09-03 | accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref> following her selection. Expectations from her speech at the Republican National Convention was heavily covered by the media.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/09/05/mccain_takes_stage_turns_down_heat/ | title=McCain takes stage, turns down heat | work=The Boston Globe | author=Weiss, Joanna | date=2008-09-05 | accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref> Some Republicans argued that Palin was subjected to unreasonable media coverage,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/09/05/republicans_point_fingers_at_media_over_palin_coverage/ | title=Republicans point fingers at media over Palin coverage | work=The Boston Globe | author= Wangsness, Lisa | date=2008-09-05 | accessdate=2008-09-08}}</ref> and a Rasmussen survey showed that slightly more than half of Americans believed that the press was "trying to hurt" Palin with negative coverage<ref>{{cite news | author= Carney, Brian M. | url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122073072955107155.html?mod=googlenews_wsj | title=What Sarah Knows | work = The Wall Street Journal | date=2008-09-07 | accessdate=2008-09-07}}</ref>, a sentiment referenced by Palin in her acceptance speech. A poll taken just after the speech found that Palin was then slightly more popular than either [[Barack Obama]] or [[John McCain]] with 58% favourabilty rating.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/palin_power_fresh_face_now_more_popular_than_obama_mccain | title=Palin Power: Fresh Face Now More Popular Than Obama, McCain | publisher=Rasmussen Reports | date=2008-09-05 | accessdate=2008-09-07}}</ref> |
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