Party Favorites

Author: Stefan Claypool

Why are liberals, previously riding high on Hopenchange, suddenly quivering in fear? Because Sarah Palin is coming to Washington, and Washington is not ready. And if John McCain was rendered incapable of performing his duties, this young "rough n tumble" reformer is ready to take over in the Oval Office, no matter what her opponents say.

Why? Because this country's greatest leaders are those that possess vision, valor and integrity, three qualities Sarah Palin has in abundance.

Palin entered politics because she believed that there were problems that needed fixing, and that no one else was fixing them. As governor she asserted her independence and her ability to lead by slashing wasteful spending, eliminating government excess (including the famously-auctioned governor's jet) and spearheading the largest private-sector project in the state's history - the construction of the Alaska Gas Pipeline.

Hers is a successful record by any measure, but what distinguishes Palin is how she achieved her goals by standing up to the culture of corruption than plagued her own Republican Party. In Alaska, Ted Stevens and his cronies had been running the show for decades until Sarah Palin came along. She challenged them. She beat them. And then she got things done for the people. She transformed the Alaskan political landscape, and she soon will do the same for the rest of the country.

Over a century ago, another young, rough 'n tumble reformer with two years experience as a governor found himself elected vice president. Less than a year later, Theodore Roosevelt became president when William McKinley was killed. Sarah Palin is a leader in the Roosevelt mold. Hopefully circumstances will not demand such an unexpected ascent, but if they do, her experience, her accomplishments and her character should leave no doubt: Sarah Palin is ready.