Palin, polar bears and the presidency
By Jimmy Orr | 08.31.08
They’re soft and they’re cuddly and they’re cute. And to quote Bill Murray from Ghostbusters, they’ll “bite your head off, man.”
Not talking about Gozer or Zuul (with apologies for more Ghostbusters references), but polar bears. John McCain running mate Sarah Palin has been outspoken on the topic. She’s not anti-polar bear, but thinks listing the omnivore under the Endangered Species Act was a mistake.
Before the Interior Department listed the world’s largest predator as a threatened species back in May, Palin wrote an op-ed in the New York Times expressing opposition to federal action.
“There is insufficient evidence that polar bears are in danger of becoming extinct within the foreseeable future — the trigger for protection under the ESA,” she wrote. “And there is no evidence that polar bears are being mismanaged through existing international agreements and the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.”
Palin argued that the State of Alaska - with federal cooperation - had done a good job in protecting the species stating that “polar bears are more numerous now than they were 40 years ago.”
“The state takes very seriously its job of protecting polar bears and their habitat and is well aware of the problems caused by climate change,” she wrote.
Palin lost the argument. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne won. Palin appealed.
In suing the Bush administration earlier this month, Palin argued the listing will have a detrimental impact on Alaska’s economy noting oil and gas exploration, transportation, and tourism could all be affected.
While this issue did generate some media attention, it is now front-page and Sunday talk show fodder.
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry called her a member of the “flat-earth caucus” this morning on ABC News’ “This Week.”
“With the choice of Gov. Palin, it’s the third term of Dick Cheney,” he said. “He’s chosen somebody who doesn’t believe climate change is man-made.”
Kerry seems to be accurate describing her opinion on climate change. She did tell Newsmax she wasn’t convinced.
“A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location,” Palin said. “I’m not one though who would attribute it to being man-made.”
This position stands in contrast to the Republican platform:
“The same human activity that has brought freedom and opportunity to billions has also increased the amount of carbon in the atmosphere,” it reads. “Increased atmospheric carbon has a warming effect on the Earth. While the scope and long-term consequences of this warming effect are the subject of ongoing research, we believe the United States should take measured and reasonable steps today.”
Will McCain veer over to Palin? Will Palin have a change of heart? Or will they be at loggerheads?
If the Ketchikan Daily News is right, she’s every bit as ‘maverick’ as John McCain.
<< Obama’s speech is TV ratings home run | Main“Selecting Palin is a maverick move for McCain who isn’t known for lockstep marching with his own party. But Palin herself doesn’t march to the drum of anyone but Palin. She is a servant to what she believes in.”
Comments
2. David | 08.31.08
Senator John (Pandering with Palin Pick) McCain should be ashamed! He has squarely placed his personal aspirations above those of the country he professes to honor. He has set womanhood back at least 20 years by pretending that this lightweight is actually qualified to be Vice President, let alone President. Somebody sold him on her because they seem to be in the same flat earth caucus. He is such an old fool that he bought into it.
3. AWBilinski | 09.01.08
Why does the name Ayn Rand keep jumping to mind when I read about Ms. Palin? By the way, has she hunted polar bears too and perhaps had a chance to notice the polar ice where they live is kind of melting away?
What a choice we have been handed! An obviously intelligent and capable senator with a too short track record to judge and his senior “Obi Wan” to assure us an older head is near the helm vs an experienced old warhorse who promises rock ribbed (and rock headed) conservatism and who wows us with a much younger (and prettier) version of himself with no national track record.
Still, the debates have the potential to be entertaining. 
4. deb dassow | 09.01.08
I do not understand how a person who claims to promote family values, would return to work three days after delivering a child with special needs and then agree to run for Vice President. Her baby will not have the attachment and nurturing is it will need if his mother is campaigning 24/7 across the US.I have three sons and worked as a high school teacher through their entire childhoods, it was challenging. I cannot imagine giving birth and three days later being back in the classroom. Doesn’t fit the family values, medical, or common sense picture.
5. Gabe Palmer | 09.01.08
John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin boggles the imagination. With so many other qualified women to choose from, he presents us with a no-experience lightweight who is to the right of Atilla the Hun. Can you imagine her running the country, should the worst happen? He has placed his lust for the highest office way, way ahead of what’s good for the USA. Think about it - who would you rather take that famous 3am call? Joe, or Sarah.
7. Betty from New Jersey | 09.01.08
So let the polar bears go extinct? That is McCain’s and the GOP’s America; and not the one we need for the four years.
8. Al | 09.01.08
It’s the same old garbage that comes from sick liberal minds. Just because someone does not agree with you 100 percent of the time, they are wrong and demonized by you.
All you liberals do is complain about ideas and issues that you disagree with. You solution to everything is tax, tax, tax and government, government, government. For some strange reason, you’re sick mind really believes that if you throw enough money at a problem it will disappear and that he government always has the best solution to all our problems and it can do it better than anyone else.
You claim that you love America but the truth is that you hate America. You liberals would rather have our American way of life be replaced with a clone image of socialist Europe. Europe all places, now that is a joke.
Again, I do not blame you for thinking this way. That’s because liberalism is a mental disorder which somehow destroys the ability of victims to comprehend and think reasonably. Come on and face the truth. You guys hate America. That is why you are trying to change it to look more like socialist Europe. Well, if you like Europe so much, I suggest you move there.
When you liberals cannot win in the voting booth you resort to going to the courts, which you have successfully filled with other minded sick liberals, and hope those activist judge will try to sweep away the vote of the people by a single judgment form the bench. Again, I do not blame you for acting in this manner. It’s a mental disease, liberalism. .
So, go ahead and send your “hate responses.” I hope that one day you will be able to get the mental help you need. By the way, global warming is a hoax, the polar bears are doing just fine, Elvis is dead, here is no Big Foot and yes, we did land on the moon.
9. realchristian | 09.01.08
This is so unbelievable! I was leaning toward McCain, but after what I just heard about Palin’s daughter, I am backing Obama. How can this woman with less than 2 years experience as Mayor and no experience at the national level, with a 4-month old Down Syndrome baby, AND a 5-month pregnant 17-year old run the country, if something happens to McCain? The country would be AT RISK! This is sooooo sad…..
10. Jonah | 09.01.08
Al,
Might I suggest that if you really think all of us “liberals” are “sick” and “mentally ill” that you begin by looking for common ground as opposed to your intellectually questionable attempt at a skewering? If you are trying to convince someone of your point of view it is important that you seek to understand, then to be understood. Your ardent generalizations are intellectually bankrupt. Please educate yourself before you poison the conversation.
11. aiko | 09.01.08
I am so scared that one day if McCain has fooled enough people and is elected that Palin has the chance to become President. It will be a sad day for the US when someone like Palin can be the leader of a great nation. I am sure there is a trail of corruption hidden in her closet and it is just such a scary thought.
12. Gary H. | 09.02.08
Take a deep breath Al. We are not out to get you. Whenever I read conservative Republican rants like Al’s above, I am reminded why us liberals want a change this fall. I want a better future for our country and only the Democrats have the vision and determination to guide us there.
13. Lorraine | 09.02.08
Al, I’m so glad when people like you exit the shadows of your reality-deprived bunkers to grunt your opinions. You’re a moron, but I find you refreshing. Everytime I hear politicians say “we’re underestimating the American people”, someone like you comes along and once again lends credence to my argument that policitians are wrong. Al…politicans overestimate you and your kind.
14. david | 09.02.08
@ Al #8
“All you liberals do is complain about ideas and issues that you disagree with.”
I’m sorry what was that whole rant you just went on? A lot of blustery wind without any intelligent thought and wonderfully hypocritcal. Bravo.
15. sharon | 09.02.08
Having our country be more like europe WOULD BE horrible we could have:
A better economy
More vacations
shorter work weeks
paid maternity leave
affordable health care
superior schools
lower stress levels
a strong middle class
Just to name a few things. There are some in this country who just need to get a clue and quit spouting off on things they obviously know very little about.
16. Cuddly white bear | 09.02.08
I can see the ad now. A cuddly polar bear cub with the caption: “she doesn’t believe climate change is destroying my environment, and wants to shoot me as well.”
Are the Republicans serious in choosing a woman who is suing the Bush administration for the right to shoot polar bears?
Oh dear. And she calls herself ‘pro-life’.
17. ThinkingMan | 09.03.08
They told McCain to pick a running mate and he just heard mate so he picked Cindy’s replacement. He does love those beauty queens! His first major presidential decision is a blooper! Go George Bush the Third! Why couldn’t he pick Ron Paul? That would have been a maverick of a choice.
18. ThinkingMan | 09.03.08
PS Jesus was and is a liberal … feed the poor, heal the sick, visit the prisoners. He was anti-greed and against the money hungry. Not exactly pro-business. He was more of a share the wealth type dude.
19. Kenny Hott | 09.03.08
Sarah Palin was raised up by God to be nominated as the next vice president.
Surely if God could take a shepherd boy named David and make him king of Israel, He can surely can give her the wisdom and the ability to be vice president. People forget that a president has a cabinet with people to help rule that are given wisdom to them by God. Furthermore she was also was raised up by God to speak out against abortion which is one of the greatest sins of the US. Many men in office had the opportunity to speak out against abortion but did not. A baby is made in the image of God and abortion is destroying that one made in the image of God. Just because the US laws says abortion is legal does not make it legal in the sight of God. The US is being judged by God for this sin of murdering innocent babies. I wonder how many people who are pro-choice would have wanted their mother to have aborted them. I would think not many yes to that question. Faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope for all people in regards to the judgment of sin that must be dealt with to be able to enter into Heaven. Aborted babies are issued directly into Heaven for they are not able to hear the gospel of the Jesus Christ but are covered by His shed blood on the cross. Because of God’s mercy, grace and love for those created in His image, helpless aborted babies are saved into Heaven.
21. PA Atheist | 09.03.08
@ Kenny Hott
Wow, by your post I can’t tell if we are electing John McCain, Sara Palin, or God. You mention John 0 Times, Sara 1 and God a whopping 9 times! (not including the 2 jesus references…I never got that trinity thing so I didn’t know whether to count these)
23. Mel | 09.05.08
Wow Al, I think you are the poster boy for hypocrite….nothing like someone complaining about people who oppose other’s views and demonizing, only to go into a rant complaining about those who disagree with you and demonizing them.
Oh poor Kenny, I always love you republicans who are against government involvement and then you want to use government to shove your religion down people’s throats. Also, if you are so anti-abortion why are republicans always against teen sex and birth control education? Are you not aware that these programs would actually prevent pregnancies and thus abortions? Palin cut funding for teen sex education and McCain is against it as well…..Oh, I forgot, in the “proper church upbringing”, teens won’t engage in sexual activities…..right, like that actually works.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Clark | 08.31.08
It’s not her polar bear policy that worries me. Rather, it’s her ANWR drilling policy that gets me. Given the ideologies of many in Washington, I think it is evermore important for us, as consumers, to support ‘green business.’ For example, http://www.simplestop.net stops your postal junk mail and benefits the environment.