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Tom W. says:

Alaska is the first line of defense in our missile interceptor defense system.  The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska National Guard is the unit that protects the entire nation from ballistic missile attacks. It’s on permanent active duty, 24 hours a day, unlike other Guard units, which means that Palin has unique experience among governors.

Palin is regularly briefed on highly classified military issues, homeland security, and counterterrorism.  

She’s also the commander in chief of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF), a federally recognized militia incorporated into Homeland Security’s counterterrorism plans.

Palin is privy to military and intelligence secrets that are vital to the entire country’s defense. Given Alaska’s proximity to Russia and the presence of Fort Greely, the home base of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion, there’s no doubt she has security clearances we don’t even know about.

In August of 2007, Russia resumed its bomber patrols off the Alaskan coast. Fighters of the Alaska Air National Guard have intercepted Russian bombers on several occasions. Each incursion has to be treated as a potentially hostile act, and the governor must be informed and ready. Sometimes the interceptions are coordinated with Canadian fighters, too.

Then there’s the oil and gas infrastructure that must be protected for reasons of national security. Al Qaeda has called specifically for attacks on the Trans-Alaska pipeline, and at least one American terrorist was arrested for such plans.

Sarah Palin has dealt with issues no other governor has. She can be entrusted with our national security, because she already is.

jerocat says:

Two things here:

1. I just watched Maria Bartaromo’s recent in depth one on one interview with Sara Palin in Alaska before McCain brought her out. In case you don’t know Maria B. is a senior business news correspondent for CNBC who has held like interviews with a long list of world business and political leaders. (Maria is known as the money honey. CNBC is the cable news network with the ticker tape, stocks, bonds, commodities and all things business full time all day long.) In the interview Sara Palin revealed not an once of Christian Fundamentalism. She unfolded as a no nonsense, common sense, down to Earth American woman who has a direct connection to and handle on the core issues affecting this country. Those issues are energy and war. We shed blood to secure energy. So do the other people of the world. She’s also an environmentalist, as is Newt Gingrich, as am I. She appreciates and respects and works with Capitalists. She knows whose money the government is spending, yours and mine and that of all working Americans, not the money of “some rich and greedy” enemy of the Left. I believe she’s a woman of balance and a model citizen who can articulate and effect a path of economic growth and national security. She’s a successful ethics crusader. I think John McCain sees in her a protegee, a fresh and clear voice for the sentiments of an old senator. He is after all a politician and, has too often suffered from “senate group think” that consensus building tradition which causes so much distortion. There a saying, “if you hang long enough you get used to it.” With his selection of Gov. Palin I see joy in McCain’s heart, the same as is in mine.

2. TOM W., all you say sounds very strong to the plus side. I have no basis to weigh the veracity of your statements. If everything you say is true it is my shortcoming which prevents me from immediately recognizing them as such. I and probably most have no working knowledge of these national security relationships between state and federal governments. They should obviously be brought forward if possible as they would strengthen S.P.’s credentials. The rest, about the old Soviets and now the Russian, is in the news.

Talkin Horse says:

McCain handles this very well. His quick use of the word “change” is clever; he effectively steals Obama’s thunder, since that word is half of Obama’s vocabulary. And since Obama has no substance, if you take away his wordplay, there’s nothing left.

I’m flashing back to when Chris Wallace apologetically asked Bill Clinton a mildly tough question about whether 9/11 might have been prevented, and Clinton turned purple and kicked Wallace in the balls and stalked angrily out of the room. I think McCain’s approach was more effective, at least as far as the audience was concerned.

I’m concerned about Palin’s lack of experience. But I’d much rather have an inexperienced VP with a good instinct than an inexperienced president whose idealism is dangerously naïve.

Pathman says:

PS:

I was very impressed by McCain answers to the exact same attacks that the Dems are raising against her.

Idiot#3 says:

Listen, Sarah Palin isn’t going to steal from us, help others steal from us, or assist foreign interests as they try to undermine us. Her past record vouches for it. Conversely, there’s very little proof much less a guarantee, that Obama even likes America. He Badmouths America overseas, shows disdain for our flag, and confuses the number of states in our country with some equivalent in islam. Remember this, for twenty years, a thousand Sundays, Obama took his family to hear a racist, America-hating nutjob preach hatred and damnation of America.

But ooooh, 17 year-old Bristol Palin is preggers and getting married. Her mom’s reaction? “We love and support her and look forward to a grandchild”. BTW, dopes, McCain knew about all this before you did, and before asking her to join him on the ticket.

jerocat says:

There is intense fear on the Left of Palin. I’ve heard her coming out speech in Dayton last week. I’ve seen her in depth Pan Alaskan interview with heavy hitter Maria Bartaramo of CNBC who asks well researched hard ball questions everywhere she goes and, she gets to go just about anywhere she wants. Sarah is a woman who climbed to the top using her integrity, wits, high ethical standards and raw nerve. McCain is trained as a fighter pilot able to make billion dollar life or death decisions in a snap. I believe he sees clearly qualities in her which make her an exceptionally compelling candidate. Everything she has said and done makes me believe that she is of the people and for the people and, against the entrenched tax enriched ruling class. She gets people and, she gets and handles the core strategic issues of our time, energy and the enrichment of our national enemies. She has been very effective in elected office. If she were a Marxist instead I’d try to tar and feather her like the Left is trying to do now. Is what you are witnessing is shear horror in the Left. Sara Palin is a brilliant star.