The myth about Sarah Palin is that she's a 44-year-old mystery woman. The truth is, the information about where she stands on major issues is out there -- you just have to look for it. Recent revelations about Palin's mentally-challenged son and her daughter's pregnancy has sent the media into a frenzy regarding her views on abortion (she's pro-life) and teen pregnancy (she opposes federal funding of sex-education in high school) and by now, they're very well known. Here's a compilation of information on her positions about other major issues that are important to conservatives and voters at large.
1. Iraq
Palin is generally supportive of America’s presence in Iraq, and wants to develop an "exit strategy" for combat troops, especially since her 18-year-old son, Track Palin, is in the Army and slotted to go to Iraq in September. Nevertheless, Palin has never expressed a desire to develop a "timeline for withdrawal." Palin has also visited members of the Alaska National Guard in Kuwait to witness their conditions in their base camps. “I respect our military personnel and understand the importance of Alaska's National Guard. As I watched our military men and women being deployed, I recognized how important it is for their families to know how much Alaska and America support them.”2. Health Care
According to her gubernatorial campaign web site, Palin was supportive of flexibility in government regulations that allow competition in health care. She expressed her belief that flexibility will drive down health care costs and reduce the need for government subsidies. Nevertheless, Palin said she believes health care reforms are necessary, beginning with patients having full access to their own medical billing information.3. Immigration
Talk show host Laura Ingraham stated on her radio show that she spoke with Palin, who told her she was against "comprehensive immigration" reform. This view is in contrats to not only Obama and Biden, but McCain, as well. This means that she might help the GOP pick up votes from those who oppose "open borders" legislation. Ingraham: "That sells a lot more than 'my friends' and comprehensive immigration reform. And she’s not for comprehensive reform, I can tell you that right now. She’s sick to death of this immigration nonsense in the United States."4. Climate Change & Energy
Upon being elected governor of Alaska, she created a sub-cabinet on climate change. However, she has been a vocal critic of scientists who suggest that climate change is leading to the decrease in polar bears in Alaska. She has also threatened to sue to have polar bears not listed as a threatened species.5. Second Amendment
On her Web site, Palin wrote that she supports “our Constitutional right to bear arms" and that she is "a proponent of gun safety programs for Alaska's youth." In her own words: “I am a lifetime member of the NRA, I support our Constitutional right to bear arms and am a proponent of gun safety programs for Alaska's youth. I grew up hunting and fishing in Alaska, and I am proud to raise my children with this same uniquely Alaskan heritage. Anti-hunting groups who oppose hunting and fishing rights will be the winners if we allow them to pit us against ourselves. As an Alaskan with strong beliefs on this issue, I am confident in my ability to build consensus among diverse user groups and reconcile the many competing interests ...”6. Environment
From her former website, PalinForGovernor.com: “I believe in protecting Alaska's environment through fair enforcement of our environmental laws. Having a clean record on environmental regulation is critical to getting ANWR open and maintaining our fisheries mining, timber, and tourism industries. We can be good partners with out-of-state companies, yet still make sure that what we do is best for Alaska. I believe that we can balance the needs of the environment and the subsistence way of life while fulfilling this mandate. Alaska's environment has provided me with many opportunities, and I want to perpetuate those opportunities for others."7. Gay Rights & Gay Marriage
On vetoing a ban on extending benefits to partners of gay state employees: "We just followed the constitution and did what was legally necessary. I believe that this issue should return to the Legislature, and we will work with them to find a solution. This could be an advisory vote, put before Alaska voters in April, which asks voters whether they want to see a constitutional amendment to more fully define what marriage is ... If there is a future challenge in court, an advisory vote might allow the Legislature to have the confidence to put the constitutional amendment question to voters in 2008." Palin has, however, expressed her support for a 1998 vote, in which marriage was defined in a traditional way, as between a man and a woman.8. Israel
During Pat Buchanan's presidential campaign stop in Alaska in 1996, Palin didn't express support or repudiation for his controversial comments about America's commitment to Israel and Israel's role in American policy. According to the Associated Press, she was a backer of Steve Forbes during that election cycle. As governor, Palin signed a resolution supporting Israel and confirming Alaska's ties to the Jewish state (Alaska has approximately 6,000 Jews). David Gottstein, of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, said Palin demonstrated an admiration for Israel and had planned a visit sponsored by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. It was ultimately canceled due to important developments regarding the Alaska oil pipeline.9. Education
From Alaska Business Monthly (2006): "I think we have to get kids excited about school, which means refocusing some of our priorities. Right now, we cater, if you will, to about 30 percent of the kids who graduate, go on to get a liberal arts degree in college, and then come back here to work. I think we also have to cater to the other 70 percent by providing them with educational opportunities that will get them ready for the work force. I'd like to see public schools teach skills and provide job-training opportunities in a broader sense -- to see a vo-tech curriculum in high schools."10. Foreign Policy
From The Center for Global Engagement: As governor, Palin worked to expand partnerships with Alaska companies overseas. During her first year in office, Alaska exported to 100 foreign destinations exports, reaching $3.9 billion worth of exports, the second highest export level in Alaskan history. Palin has also hosted delegations from all over the world, including a delegation of Chinese officials to observe the delivery of rural health care in Alaska and a delegation of Canadian officials to promote economic cooperation and trade. “We live in an increasingly interconnected world and improving global literacy among our citizens contributes significantly to our nation's foreign policy economic competitiveness and national security.”
