There seems to be a need to run Obama against Palin rather than McCain.
Much has been made of Obama's judgment to lead in spite of his youth and relative inexperience. Likewise, much has been made of Palin's unfitness to be first in line to the presidency because of her youth and relative inexperience. Therefore, it might be helpful for voters to take a look at their qualifications on key issues side by side in order to make a more informed choice at the polls in November.
Sarah Palin, 44
Current Job: Governor of Alaska
Other Jobs: Chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission; Chair of the National Governors Association Natural Resources Committee; Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; Mayor of Wasilla, AK; President of Alaska Conference of Mayors; Wasilla City Council member
Barak Obama, 48
Current Job: Jr. Senator from Illisnois
Other Jobs: Illinois state senator; senior law lecturer at University of Chicago Law School; ACORN community organizer
Palin's Executive Experience
Governor for two years; mayor for 10 years
Obama's Executive Experience
None
Palin's Foreign Relations Experience
Governor of a state that borders a forgein nation and shares waters with another nation.
Obama's Foreign Relations Experience
Chair of Senate subcommittee on Europe but never called it into session; took a trip to the Middle East and Europe during the campaign and made a speech in Germany; took a trip to Pakistan while in college; multicultural background: living in Indonesia for four years as a child; absentee father from Kenya
Palin's Military Affairs Experience
Commander-in-Chief of the Alaska National Guard
Obama's Military Affairs Experience
None
Palin's Private Sector Experience
Sportscaster; worked in her husband's family's commercial fishing business
Obama's Private Sector Experience
Associate at a civil rights law firm
Palin's Troop Support
Visited wounded troops in Germany; visited AK National Guard soldiers deployed to Kuwait; son deployed to Iraq on 9/11/08 as Army infantryman
Obama's Troop Support
Visited troops in Afghanistan and Iraq; cancelled a visit to wounded troops in Germany
Palin's "Maverick" Credentials
Married to a non-Republican; exposed corruption within own party; endorsed Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell in his run against pork-friendly GOP congressman Don Young; called on Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) to "come clean" about financial dealings that are under federal investigation
Obama's "Maverick" Credentials
Most liberal member of the Senate in 2007, according to National Journal
Palin's Legislative accomplishments
Supported and signed a landmark ethics reform bill; used line-item veto to cut millions from state spending; prevented "bridge to nowhere" that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars
Obama's Legislative accomplishments
Major legislation sponsored is the Global Poverty Act, which would cost the American taxpayers $845 billion; voted "present" over 100 times as Illinois state senator
Palin's History of Dealing with Corruption
Exposed legal violations and conflicts of interest of Alaska Republican leaders; campaigned against corrupt GOP Representative; ran against and defeated corrupt incumbent governor in GOP primary
Obama's History of Dealing with Corruption
Launched political career in home of unrepentant domestic terrorist Bill Ayers (and still refers to him as a part of "mainstream Democratic Chicago"); purchased home with help of convicted felon Tony Rezko
Palin's Energy Views
Believes energy independence is a matter of national security; for drilling in ANWR, which is in her state; brokered a multi-billion dollar pipeline deal with a Canadian company
Obama's Energy Views
Says Americans should "get tune-ups" and "check tire pressure"; says "we can't expect the world to be okay with" our use of heating and air conditioning; believes Americans would have gotten used to a "gradual adjustment"
