The presidential campaign to this point has been a long, tough battle between two major parties. With less than 60 days left to tack on more bruises and fractures from both sides of the aisle let’s take a step back. Take a much needed deep breath.
The media’s obsession on vetting an unknown VP candidate is spreading into an all out blizzard. The world has zeroed in on a tiny strip mall town in Alaska. The blogosphere has turned its voracious appetite on the tasty bits that are immediately spread to the masses. The beauty of such real time tracking is its speed and breadth. The danger is when an unsubstantiated allegation goes viral and tarnishes a target unfairly. It is important to view both sides of an issue with as open a mind as possible. This is easier said than done.
Imagine yourself as a candidate or of a family member and one begins to see things differently. Sure, you can say that they are fair game because of their choice to run for such a high stakes office. But every person deserves a fair examination. One might argue that the unknown GOP VP pick is making it impossible to get to know her. Other than a couple of short public appearances and one major speech viewed by over 40 million or so Americans, most non-Alaskans know nothing about her.
In many people’s view, a person, particularly a public servant, is defined by their past, by their friends, by their family and by their actions. Please read the links below with an open mind, a grain of salt and decide for yourself:
Past:
A Letter About Sarah Palin from Anne Kilkenny…
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/130537
Palin pressured Wasilla librarian…
http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/515512.html
Troopergate…
Todd Palin subpoenaed in firing probe
http://www.newsweek.com/id/158140
http://www.adn.com/monegan/story/517072.html
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/516746.html
http://www.adn.com/troopergate/story/515508.html
Former political ally: Lyda Green
http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2008/09/15/080915ta_talk_lizza
Good friend: Bob Lester
http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/story/295464.html
Family:
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/512560.html
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/516787.html
http://frontiersman.com/articles/2005/12/06/news/news2.txt
Policy:
As Wasilla Mayor…
Palin got zoning aid, gifts in Wasilla
Sarah Palin’s record on environment is abysmal…
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/377955_palinenvir07.html
http://firedoglake.com/2008/08/29/sarah-palin-maverick-for-mining-interests/
http://tspey.wordpress.com/2008/08/27/down-but-not-out/
http://tspey.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/troubling-news/
Experience…. or lack thereof…
