As a lifelong Alaskan, I wanted to let you know what I think of John McCain's choice for his vice president in the upcoming election. Sarah "Barracuda" Palin is a straight-shooting, hard-charging, get-it-done gal. She knows when to listen, how to analyze the facts and how to make a decision, then implement the plan. She has little legislative experience because she has always held the executive position—in private life, as mayor of Anchorage's largest bedroom community or more recently as governor of our state. She is a smart, attractive homegrown Alaska girl with excellent moral and family values. She can see what needs to be done and does not hesitate to do it.
When Sarah moved to our state capitol, Juneau, so did accountability and responsibility. Alaska government was nothing but a good-old-boys club riding the perpetual wave of prosperity. This filtered down from the Legislature, through the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Labor and even spilled into Public Safety.
When Sarah walked into the governor's mansion, she promptly dismissed the state trooper detachment assigned to the governor. Then she got rid of the former governor's state jet (advertised on eBay) and told legislators that there were no more free rides—they would fly Alaska Airlines, just like her and her family. Sarah Palin has saved the people of Alaska millions and has not yet slowed down.
She has truly brought change to Juneau. Sarah has an 80 percent approval rating with Alaskan voters. She surrounds herself with smart people. She listens to them but makes her own decisions. It's refreshing to find a politician who works for the people. Change? You should see a before and after picture of the state government in Alaska. That's change.
We need what Sarah will bring to Washington, D.C. McCain has been advised well. We can just hope the American people can get the straight scoop on her in the weeks ahead. This is just the opinion of one Alaskan who is deathly afraid of the direction our nation has been heading with a do-nothing Congress.
Gary King
Ketchum
