SARAH PALIN: HAVING "A SERVANT'S HEART"

I'M SKIPPING THE DEBATES TONIGHT, BECAUSE I'VE SPENT THE DAY FIGHTING OVER POLITICS (AND MORE) WITH LAURA, A WOMAN I LIKE A LOT BUT WHO STRIKES ME AS A WOMAN SUFFOCATING IN POLITICAL QUICKSAND. I LOVE THE COMMENTS BY SARAH PALIN BELOW -- THE ONES ABOUT "HAVING A SERVANT'S HEART." I BELIEVE CERTAIN STRICT CONSTITUTIONALISTS FORGET TWO THINGS: (1) THIS IS A GOVERNMENT "OF, BY, AND FOR THE PEOPLE"; (2) "THE CONSTITUTION IS NOT A SUICIDE PACT." (JUSTICE ARTHUR GOLDBERG). AS A CHRISTIAN, I HAVE SIX BILLION NEIGHBORS, AND THAT'S FINE WITH ME. THE MORE THE MERRIER.

We have another Blogger who's a Palin Fan, Brent. An Alaskan, he actually voted for Sarah in the last election. He posts at: http://americasbraveheart.blogspot.com/.

Another Palinite, John Tamburo, says it makes sense for his favorite candidate, Fred Thompson, to name Sarah Palin as his running mate. The article is named: "The Ideal Presidential Candidate," and you can find it at: http://conservativity.com/show.asp?A=424. Thanks John.


Yes, Sarah Palin has the support of people who are deeply conservative, as well as those who are libertarians, moderate-centrists, and even that endangered species known as liberal Republicans. But take a closer look at her ridiculously low disapproval rating in Alaska of 5%. If GWB had a disapproval rating of 5%, they'd be chipping away on Mt. Rushmore.

Five percent disapproval means Republicans adore her. Oh, it also means Independents and Democrats love her. On the matter of building public support, Sarah has done the political equivalent of squaring the circle. If her favorabiity rating continues as it is, Alaskans may start fitting her for a crown.

How does she do it? Perhaps the best answer I've seen recently comes from an Alaska blogger who goes by the in-your-face handle of "Theimmoralmajority." He's one of those people conservatives and libertarians love to hate: a no-holds-barred LIBERAL.

His September 2 column reprints Sarah's interview with the Anchorage Daily News (ADN), one that emphasized ethics in government. Of course, aside from Sarah and a few other intrepid souls, Alaska's relationship to political corruption is something like Typhoid Mary's to . . . typhoid.

Please take a look at TIM's column asking "Is Alaska's New Governor the Republican Savior?" http://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2007/09/is-alaskas-new-governor-republican.html

As a self-respecting liberal, TIM can't bring himself -- yet -- to utter a resounding "Yes." However, he does everything but get a tattoo of Sarah on his chest. He even suggests that Sarah's honesty may also make her the Democrats' savior.

IF YOU READ ONLY ONE COLUMN BY A LIBERAL THIS YEAR, LET TIM's BE THE ONE. He may picket my home -- hey, Ambridge is a long way from Alaska -- but I'm listing him as a Palin Fan.

The following is a question by the ADN followed by Sarah's answer:

ADN: "But I think you are also talking about the activities in the gray area -- the business relationships with, you know, a senator or congressman or a state legislator. Between someone with interests in the public process and the people running the public process." [Note: The ADN is asking if it isn't somehow okay to cut moral corners]

SARAH PALIN: "Right. Well, that's why I think we need more real and normal and hardworking and blue-collar Alaskans to want to run for office and serve in these positions that are making decisions. Again, I will personalize this. I am not from that other world. My dad as a school teacher wasn't a mover and shaker developer making big bucks in the state of Alaska off of property development. My husband [a commercial fisherman and oil field worker] isn't that way. I am not raising my kids to be that way.... If you want to be in public service, it is being willing to serve Alaskans for the right reasons. It is having to have a servant's heart when you come into these positions. It's not to get rich."

Gee, why are so many of us completely devoted to the cause of getting Sarah on the Republican ticket -- and ultimately helping (around 2012 or 2016) her get elected President of these United States? I've used a slogan for Sarah that says, "She is fresh, and everyone else is tired." Let me add that "She is honest while (almost) everybody everybody else is . . . well, something less."

Yes, my fellow traditional Catholics and evangelical Protestants, that "servant's heart" term is a verbal arrow -- one suffused with love -- directed right at OUR hearts. This a woman totally free of religious blather. Instead, she is totally committed to living a Christian life. AMDG as we say in the Latin tradition; "To the Greater Glory of God."

If this remarkable woman keeps up her stellar record, then someday the American people may elect her by acclamation. She exudes humility -- and foreshadows greatness.

Stephen R. Maloney
Ambridge, PA
National Coordination Team, Palin 4 VP

Note: There are great pictures of Sarah, her husband Todd, and her youngest daughter Piper on Adam's site at: http://palinforvp.blogspot.com/