Added: Sep 4, 2008

From: reportergary

Duration: 7:25

ST. PAUL - Day three of the Republican National Convention was Sarah Palin's first opportunity to convince the American people she's ready to assume the duties of vice-president of the United States. And while she came across both as a nice person with family and community values as well as a pit bull willing to attack her political opponents, Palin failed to deliver what was most needed. The impression that she has a grasp of the issues that face the nation. Not to say that her speech was totally devoid of substance. It's just that so many problems that will face the next administration just weren't addressed. There was no mention, for example of what she'd do about health care, immigration or the high number of house foreclosures. Nor did Palin wow with any previously unrecognized grasp of foreign affairs. Of course, if this was just her introduction to her fellow Americans and a pep rally for the party faithful, she accomplished her goal. But as callers to News Talk Online on Paltalk.com suggested following her speech, there was no beef. The most touching moment of Palin's speech came at the beginning when she introduced her family. She then painted a verbal picture of the America she knows. The imagery reminds one of a Norman Rockwell painting. Palin compared her executive experience as a two-time mayor of a town of 75-hundred and her 20-month-long tenure as Alaska's governor to that of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. "I guess a small town mayor is like a community organizer," she said, "except you have actual responsibilities." Before entering politics, Obama was a community organizer in Chicago. Palin touted her record as governor. Alaska, she said, is operating under a surplus. She said she vetoed nearly half-a-billion dollars in excess spending. And she reiterated her standing up to the largest pork barrell program in the nation. "I said thanks but no thanks to the Bridge To Nowhere," Palin declared. That's not exactly true. She supported the $200 million plus bridge when campaigning for governor. Then opposed it when cost overruns skyrocketed. One area that Palin showed a grasp of was energy. She says there are enough oil resources to pick up production to make the United States less energy dependent on Russia, Iran and Venezuela. "Take it," she said, "from a gal who knows the north slope of Alaska." Palin said a McCain-Palin administration would diversify the nation's energy sources with more pipelines, nuclear power plants, clean coal generators, solar, wind and geo thermal. The Republican vice-presidential nominee also struck out at Obama for his stance on terrorism and taxes. Instead of concentrating on defeating terrorists, Palin said of Obama, "he's worried that someone won't read them their rights." Palin also argued that if elected president, Obama would raise taxes.

Channel: News

Tags: baumgarten  gary  news  online  paltalk  talk 

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