Face the State

By Rep. Ellen Roberts

John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was just what the Republican presidential ticket needed. I say this not as a partisan Republican--because as a first term state representative--I’ve shown, as has Sen. McCain in his much lengthier legislative career, that I don't just toe the party line.

Yes, Palin's foreign policy experience is slim to none, but, if she were to become President, she would have a cabinet handpicked by McCain. However, as the CEO for Alaska, she has significant experience in dealing with the federal government when you consider the vast amount of federal lands in her state, the role of the feds in the lives of the many Native Americans in Alaska’s population, and the array of federal regulations and controls placed on Alaska’s natural resources and waters. It’s hard to imagine another governor who has had to interact more frequently with the federal government than Palin.

Shortly after the VP announcement was made, I watched an interview of Gov. Palin before her selection. It was a serious interview on a complex topic, energy development in Alaska. In that interview, she demonstrated that she's bright and a quick learner. Keeping in mind that she’s running for vice president rather than president, I’m comfortable that with proper briefings and guidance, she will rise to the occasion on other national topics as well.

As to her character and demeanor, Palin is authentic, something dramatically missing from national politics these days. She has tremendous appeal to me because she's in touch with everyday issues, she's forthright and not afraid to speak her mind, and has demonstrated in Alaska that her loyalties lie with the people of her state and not to economic or political interests.

She clearly loves her family and is proud of all of them. I differ with her on outlawing abortion as I think government should stay out of that area, but I’m not a single issue Republican.

I bet Cindy McCain had some input on this choice. Senator McCain has been surrounded by strong, smart women throughout his life, (e.g. his mother and Cindy McCain come to mind immediately), he clearly isn’t intimidated by them and I believe he accepted responsibility to expand his VP's abilities when he chose to nominate her. As a woman, and particularly as one elected to a political office, I’ve been angered by the dismissive tone from both sides of the gender aisle that she was only picked for being a woman. As a Western state legislator, I'm also angered at the dismissive tone about the ability of the people of Alaska to pick a qualified and competent governor who enjoys very high approval ratings.

Wouldn’t it be more enlightened to look into Gov. Palin’s character and background before making the shallow assertions I’ve heard already, blatantly more sexist than anything we heard during Sen. Hillary Clinton’s shortlived presidential bid?

Gov. Palin, (and, at least equally, John McCain) has shown that a woman can rise in the Republican Party at a time when many women have left the party because it seemed hopeless in recognizing the leadership available in its female members.

The unaffiliated voters who hate the elite Beltway mentality (and, in my mind, are much more the consideration in this selection than the discontented Hillary supporters), at last have a reformer joining another leader who has forcefully voiced his opposition to the D.C. status quo.

The mainstream media seems angry and embarrassed for not even noticing her ahead of time. Their chagrin appears to be playing out through blatant disrespect and incredibly sexist coverage. For example, is it appropriate for commentators to second guess her flight home to deliver her fifth child?

I challenge all, but especially my Democratic friends, to be equally vigilant and vocal about calling out the stupid comments and attitudes I've heard since the Republican VP announcement. Prove your seriousness about women in political leadership by reminding people to use the title which she has earned. It's Governor. Demand that she be judged on her merits, as a leader and a person. Show that giving a woman fair consideration as a candidate isn’t tied solely to the political party that she belongs to. Only then will we really know how far we have come since the days of the suffragettes.

Rep. Ellen Roberts, a Republican, represents Durango in the Colorado House of Representatives.