Sarah Palin: The Female Teddy Roosevelt?

OK, nice pics. But when is she going to offer an interview for the national press?

She’s been sealed off tighter than a tupperware container.

Those wishing to contribute are advised to write in “Sarah Palin” in the box on the contribution form just to let Senator McCain know

D’oh! Now you tell me…

Oh, well. I’m sure he realizes this bump in contributions is no accident to the VP announcement.

I add our contribution this morning too.

Thanks for the great pictures.

WOW!! I can not tell you enough how greatly impressed I am by this incredible, honorable, inteligent woman.. John McCain had my vote before she was placed on the ticket but now I am even more excited because of Sarah.. By the way.. Did you know Sarah means Princess in Hebrew.. So we will have a living Princess in the white house.. Who knew?? 🙂
Anxiously awaiting to cast my vote in Maine..
Joy

I would like to comment on John McCain’s speech at the convention on Thursday. His was a MOVING, sincere and humble speech by a man of GIANT STATURE in impeccable integrity.
It takes a great man to be willing to let others take some of the credit for his hard work. I noticed the proud gleam of a father’s eye when he introduced us all to Sarah Palin as his Vice President and protege.
Within a very short time of sitting under his leadership and tutelage, Sarah Palin will be well prepared for any duty she may be required to assume, including the presidency. THIS IS HONOR. From looking at her family photos, it is obvious that her family brought her up in the true AMERICAN FRONTIER TRADITION. Who knew it was still possible in the 21st Century?
For a long time, this country has been HUNGRY FOR LEADERS, NOT BUREAUCRATS.
John McCain and Sarah Palin are true LEADERS.
I pray for them every day – especially that God will help them weather the brutal abuse of the main stream media and the wiles of George Soros’s “Chosen One.”
Perhaps America has not forgotten about the millions of our forbears who have paid for our freedom with their very lives. I know John McCain hasn’t forgotten.
Thank you for sharing these pictures with us.

No Ms. Bell. The joke here is the sneering contempt you lefties have for anything and anyone who doesn’t come from one of your elites or the approved group of victims you abuse in order to achieve political power.

Sarah Palin is so like the rough and ready Teddy Roosevelt whose image has been ingrained on history and coincidences in comparison with Obama are nothing more.

Something tells me Obama wouldn’t be much use out in the wilderness living off the land like both T.R. and S. P.

“the destructive policies of George W. Bush”

You mean like keeping us safe from terrorist attacks on the homeland since 9/11? You mean like drawing all the poison out of the Middle East and into Iraq where Al Queda could be destroyed and is now seen as defeated and rejected by fellow Muslims?

And Economic collapse? The unemployment rate is still lower than it was during the Clinton years and I bet you called that a boomtime.

The last eight years have been filled with nothing more from you lefties but a stream of hate and abuse directed at Bush, conservatives and Republicans.

And it appears you are ready to continue that divisive, angry hate filled campaign for another 8 years.

McCain ” will go wherever the conservative social base tells him to go. ”

What planet are you on Doug? Do you know NOTHING about McCain’s repeated efforts to buck the conservative base?

I confronted McCain personally on several of those points in November last year. It’s one of the reasons so many conservatives were squeamish about supporting McCain.

This choice of Sarah Palin is the only reason so many of us can support him enthusiastically now.

And to you that’s a bad thing.

Well too bad!

You’re stuck with Obama and Biden.

Or as I like to call them: Dumb and Dumber!

You won’t find me complaining Doug. And I am not surprised YOU are.

But I think you better look to your own party before you come pointing fingers at mine.

You nominated one of the weakest general election candidates in modern history.

I would urge all to read the rest of the source “doug” just posted. His post kind of reminds me of what Gibson just did to Palin.

Doug is just trying to manipulate McCain-Palin voters with the same disinformation tactics we have all become so accustomed to seeing from his side.

It’s undeniable that social conservatives, fiscal conservatives, reform conservatives and even neocon foreign policy conservatives are pretty darned pleased with Palin.

Too bad Doug’s Dem friends can’t say the same about Biden.

The FACT is we really have little real choice as the MACHINE has CHOSEN the two candidates long ago. Yes Ms. Palin has a uterus, breasts, shoots animals, has offered a $150 bounty for left front leg of wolves, knows how to dress a moose, and a degree (Idaho Univ) in journalism after 5-6 years of education. This is NOT American Idol – the ONLY reason Plain was put in this slot ala KARL ROVE – is to once again, zero in on the utility building tambourine ( I was raised in Bible Belt country and once belonged to one of these ‘churches’) playing – gun toting ( I believe in gun ownership) – etc crowd. These are the same folks that Senator McCain told ( West Virginia – Ohio – Pennsylvania) that with the steel mills shuttered ( sent to China with his vote on treaties/ also Democrat votes) and their homes in foreclosure that they could make a living ‘by selling their stuff on Ebay’. Talk about out of touch. He owns (couldn’t remember) 9 homes, sent his children to the top private schools, owns a corporate jet (no searching – pawing – being bumped from airlines for him) – and has voted consistently against veteran issues. John’s buddy former Senator Gramm / whom he called his ‘economic adviser’ –(now hiding out) is the AUTHOR of the two lawless bills ( 1999 – 2000) signed by Clinton no less, that have brought us to this real estate implosion and financial ruination —namely the Financial Modernization Act and the Commodities Futures Modernization Act —-which effectively REPEALED the Banking Act of 1933 and allowed the pigs into the trough. Issues —I attended some of the POW/MIA ’91-92 Hearings that McCain held where he insulted and rabidly attacked the mothers – wives of MIAs —calling them ‘craven – liars etc’ (on line you have the responsibility to KNOW whom you’re voting for). The result of these pathetic hearings was that JOHN’S records are SEALED ( why if he’s a hero) and the records of other veterans have been made a bureaucratic maze to access. John is lost back in the 60s. I have a FEELING that dear Sarah (chosen by ROVE) is a filler —–She’ll be lauded and praised / made center stage with all the BS PR that people buy into –until AFTER the election at which time a crisis will arise at home and darn she’ll have to attend to her FAMILY –then Joe Lieberman will get his spot in the SUN —the guy that Sen. McCain really wants. WATCH. PS John crashed five planes – four in training/ if his father hadn’t been head of the Pacific fleet he’d have been booted out/ no John wasn’t tortured. Please he was called the Crown Prince —they were thrilled to have such an important prisoner. He had the best of medical care. Can you name our longest held prisoner of war —and relate how he suffered?

Although never called more Bile than Brains I have certainly been called acerbic and bitter by Mike before. And Doug, you have never, ever been more wrong about anything that you are about McCain.

For years (It feels like) I have come to this site and read as seemingly everyone on this site complained bitterly about McCain and his RINO ways. Over and over again the fact that he stood up against his (IMO MISGUIDED) party being run by idealouges who have changed many of the GOP platform ideals, or simply forgotten them once elected, McCain worked across the aisle and has legislation with his name and such extremists as Fiengold and Kennedy. He created the gang of 16 that got his excoriated on this site and many like it. He initially believed that the Bush tax cuts were the right idea but favored the rich inordinately. He believes that Global Warming is a man made event and that we should attempt to reverse its causes. He is a picture of credibility when it comes to pork barrel spending even when the GOP became drunk with power and allowed Stevens to become the most fiscally abusive Senator in 50 years and the sitting president lost his veto pen for six years.

You can chide John McCain for shifting slightly during an election if you are really that unimaginably naive to think that he is the only one ever to do so. You can turn the other way while Obama shifts his positions on gun control and Iraq policy and so many other positions if you really believe that other politicians do not do as McCain has done.

I write this with the giant Mike’s America “BUT” coming – But – I am no fan of the Palin pick either. I think she is a fine woman but there are literally hundreds, perhaps one thousand people more prepared to fill the role of President than her. She is a total trophy pick or we would not be looking at pictures of her in High School or the zoo or other such ridiculous poses for a candidate for high office. If she helps John get elected and he stays healthy she will do. But really, no more pictorials please. It deminishes all of us in my Holier Than Thou way of thinking. (I put that in there for you too MikeA)

I closing of this stupid rant (and thank you for sticking with me dear reader) I think that if you really believe that SP and TR have anything in common other than killing animals you are insane.

Teddy was a Soldier – Sarah is a hockey Mom
Teddy believed in Universal Health Care – Sarah not so much
Teddy traveled over seas extensively decades before becoming elected President – Sarah can see Russia from her back yard
Teddy prevented forestry using federal lands – Sarah wants to drill ANWR
Ted did more for conservation than any president before or since – Sarah, well see above

Sarah Palin has little in common with Teddy Roosevelt.

Centfla: Does your wife approve of you posting her photo on the internet?

As for the giant “But:”

The problem with McCain and conservatives was an issue of trust. That was what was behind my questions to him last November.

With the pick of Palin he showed conservatives we could trust him with the most important decision he would make prior to the election.

As for Teddy Roosevelt: He was only Governor for two years when selected to run as VP.

And I doubt very much he had anything in mind that was nearly as excessive as the federal land grabs that now prevent the exploitation of 2,000 acres of wasteland in ANWR out of 20 million.

funny you guys…

it is unquestionably my wit that ranks very high on Joan’s list of things to love about me. Oh, I am somewhat well off too, I understand that helps…

I never belittled her, on the contrary I said she was a fine woman who was just not ready to be president. I do not think that is belittling.

And although Joan does not mind the pics, she does not allow me to talk about her politics.

“But the reality is that he doesn’t at all care about social policy, doesn’t give a rat’s ass about it.”

How high are you Doug?

You might recall Senator McCain’s answer to Pastor Rick Warren’s question regarding the moment human rights are confered on babies: “At conception” or words to that effect was his answer.

Hardly the words of someone with no care about social policy.

I would expect someone with little care for social policy to respond: “that’s above my pay grade.”

“Doug, during her time as governor of Alaska, has she ever pushed any pro-life legislation?”

Irrelevant. Her being pro-life, and not having ‘pushed any legislation’, doesn’t impact my claim.

“Is there anything in McCain’s record to look to, that indicates he won’t appoint and support justices that conservatives will be happy with?”

According the social conservative evangelicals there is.

Brian: No one ever said Palin and TR were identical twins.

You cite all the differences but failed to cite the big theme similarities.

Here’s some help to better inform your perspective:

Sunday, September 14, 2008
Palin, Roosevelt, and American Originals
by David R. Stokes

The rollout of Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential nominee appears to be morphing into a full-fledged juggernaut. Democratic strategists, not to mention their nominees, continue to scratch their heads while trying to play the familiar political games of catch-up and gotcha.

Governor Palin is a breath of fresh air to some, and a dangerous tornado to others. But all agree that she has changed the dynamics of a campaign that was beginning to appear inevitable. She has been compared to leaders of the past. During her now famous acceptance speech, she brought up the name of Harry S. Truman and talked about sharing a lot in common with the man from Missouri.

Some, though, have allowed their reach to exceed their grasp in trying to suggest that Sarah Palin could be the second coming of Theodore Roosevelt. The lady from Alaska may very well prove to be the real deal and continue to demonstrate that she is a natural on the national political stage. She may, in fact, be a unique politician who can make an indelible mark on the times. But we must be careful about rushing to see her as the reincarnation of anyone.

She may be something much more rare and valuable.

To say that Sarah Palin is no Teddy Roosevelt is not an insult – far from it. And Joe Biden would be wise to resist the temptation to use a flippant Lloyd Bentsen-like line during their debate next month. She may well prove to transcend Roosevelt and other usual-suspect names brought up to try to define her. Sometimes people are just themselves and grow to become the kind of leaders others want to emulate. This was certainly the case with TR.

There are some similarities between the Barracuda and the Bull Moose – and these have led to obvious comparisons. She is young – so was Teddy when he became the vice presidential nominee in 1900 at the age of forty-one. She has served as a governor for only a couple of years. It was the same with TR – less than 2 years as chief executive of New York. She likes to hunt, so did Mr. Roosevelt. She has a passion for reform. Again, ditto Teddy. Mr. Roosevelt had a large family – so does Sarah. And there is a compelling similarity between the two in the idea of taking on their own party, if need be – the so-called maverick factor.

There are, however, some very clear differences between our twenty-sixth president and the woman who would be vice president next January 20th.

Garret A. Hobart died on November 21, 1899. That name may not ring the proverbial bell with many, but he was the vice president of the United States at the time, serving under President William McKinley. They had soundly defeated William Jennings Bryan in 1896, and it was looking like the next election would be a rematch with the great orator.

With the political playing field suddenly wide open, Theodore Roosevelt found himself the subject of relentless speculation and discussion about the number two spot on the ticket in 1900. He was, at the time, completing his first year as governor of New York.

However, unlike Sarah Palin this year, Mr. Roosevelt was a well-known hero and household name by the time of his nomination to run with McKinley. This meteoric fame was driven by his exploits during the recent Spanish-American War. The country was enamored of the man who led a ragamuffin regiment known as the Rough Riders to success in the Battle of Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill (the latter eventually describing both actions).

When war broke out in 1898, TR was serving as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (a post his distant cousin, Franklin, would hold during World War One). He used his time there to prepare for the coming conflict, one he welcomed and advocated. Then he resigned to serve as a cavalry officer. He thrived on strenuous action.

His new found status as a hero-celebrity paved the way for his move to the governor’s mansion in Albany, just months after the famous July 1898 battle. And he hit the ground running there, as well – though he did find time to complete the writing of his thirteenth book. As governor, he was passionate about reform. In fact, one of the reasons so many New York Republicans liked the idea of Roosevelt running for vice president is that they would not have to deal with his annoying reform agenda.

William Allen White, a newspaper editor from Kansas who would later be known as the Sage of Emporia and spokesman for America’s middle class, wrote in 1899:

“There is no man in America today whose personality is rooted deeper in the hearts of the people than Theodore Roosevelt. He is more than a presidential possibility in 1904; he is a presidential probability. He is the coming American of the twentieth century.”

But Theodore Roosevelt wondered if his fame would endure long enough to be a viable candidate in 1904. He told one supporter, “I have never known a hurrah to last for five years.” Not known for patience or passivity, TR no doubt felt a sense of urgency to strike while the iron was hot.

He had his fans. But he had also made more than a few enemies over the years during his career climb from New York State Assemblyman, to service on the United States Civil Service Commission, to the presidency of the New York City Police Commissioners. Though he liked the idea of speaking softly and carrying a big stick, he was not actually known for a tempered-tongue. So it should not surprise us that some powerful people were less-than-impressed with Roosevelt and actually feared the idea of him anywhere near the White House.

Republican big-wig, Mark Hanna – U.S. Senator from Ohio and one of the most powerful politicians in the nation – famously remarked about Teddy’s nomination for the vice presidency: “Don’t you realize that there’s only one life between that madman and the White House?” He later told President McKinley, “your duty to the country is to live for four years from next March.” History, of course, tells us that Mr. McKinley did not live that long. He was shot while visiting the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He died eight days later.

On September 14, 1901 Theodore Roosevelt, at forty-two years of age, became the youngest man ever to become president of the United States.

People do not compare Theodore Roosevelt to his predecessors. Similarly, you never hear it suggested that Ronald Reagan was like someone before him, or that Franklin Roosevelt reminded the nation of an earlier president. They were not wannabes or hero-worshippers. The nation had not seen their likes before. And they have been used ever since as benchmarks for great executive leadership.

They were, in fact, American originals.

It is, of course, way too soon to predict such greatness for Sarah Palin, but searching for historical reference points to help us accept or understand any of the current candidates may actually miss the point.

We might just be seeing someone who does not need to remind us of “so and so.” Maybe there is a fresh American original on the political stage right now.