The Annointing

John McCain's surprise announcement of unknown Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as his Republican VP pick excited and energized his otherwise lackluster campaign. Pubic attention moved away from McCain's embarrassing gaffes, poorly delivered speeches, age and health, and questions about how many houses he owns. Palin's life story, her outdoorswoman interests, and her model as the ideal, modern, conservative woman skyrocketed her to overnight celebrity status. Thrilled by the first Repubican woman nominee, women flocked to Palin, as a candidate with whom they could identify. Palin's fundamentalist Christian stands on social issues, strong pro-life stand, abstinence-only sex education, pro-gun, and creationist theory, whipped the neo-conservative party base into a frenzy. Conventioneers were thrilled to hear savy Sarah Barracuda's "maverick"voice roar. Oilmen salivated over Alaskan resource possibilities. James Dobson and the evangelicals threw their support behind the ticket. The phoenix of the fundamentalist religious right rose from the ashes.

Immediately, questions began to arise about Sarah Palin. Who is Sarah Palin? What was her record as mayor of Wasilla and governor of Alaska? What kind of leader is she? What does she stand for? As McCain's handlers kept Palin out of the reach and denied media access, the country hungered to learn more about the attractive woman from small town Alaska. The more Palin was shielded from questioning, the more determined and speculative the bloggers and reporters became. Soon, campaign spokespersons accused the "liberal media" of personal attacks, and lack of respect and deference for their candidate. The conservative media rushed to their candidate's defense. Meanwhile, Palin continued to draw large, enthusiastic crowds. Her speeches touted her record as a political reformer and her attack dog sarcasm worked to bring down her Democratic opponents.

A relentless drip, drip, drip of information began to seep out of Alaska. Questions about Palin's credibility, knowledge, and readiness arose. Soon, Palin's claims of fiscal conservativism, foreign travel, energy expertise, and military decisions were disproved. Americans learned that Palin had not refused federal funding for the infamous bridge to nowhere, rather she had kept hundreds of millions of dollars for Alaskan infrastructure. Nor had she actually sold that corporate jet on ebay. Reports showed that Palin had chosen to construct a sports complex rather than a much-needed sewage plant, a decision that left the town of Wasilla deep in debt (and doodoo). She had staffed Wasilla's administrative offices with unqualified friends from high school and church. Contrary to her claim to rout out government lobbyists, Palin had hired a high-powered lobbyist to successfully secure earmarks from Washington. In line with her personal and religious beliefs, Palin had threatened to ban books at the local library and pressured the librarian. Palin had managed to oust the board from a hospital where abortions were performed.

As governor, Palin cut funds for counseling and adoption, substance abuse, children's healthcare, teen pregnancy services, daycare facilities, the homeless, the disabled, and education for youth in northwest Alaska. Involved in the Troopergate scandal, Palin had silenced employees and had forced the firing of state employees to settle a family score. She attempted to cut state funding for rape kits. Reports of an aggressive, vindictive, defiant, and petty Palin were revealed. Interviewed former employees reported that Palin demanded loyalty. Many claimed that the public is being kept from knowing the real Sarah Palin, saying that in Alaska, "it's Sarah's way or the highway." Despite revelations of her lies and distortions, Palin continued to tout her reforms and accomplishments in stump speeches across the country. The McCain campaign took over her office in Ankorage and directed all inquiries and calls to Washington.

The scrutiny of Sarah Palin continues. Despite questionable ethics and integrity, Palin continues to repeat her exaggerated claims. Although Palin has agreed to controlled and pre-planned TV interviews, her answers reveak a worrisome lack of knowledge, experience, and preparedness for the office of VP. Secretiveness continues as Palin claims executive priviledge in refusing to release professional emails and correspondence. Just this week, Palin and First Dude defy subpeonas for their testimony. Additional roadblocks have been set up to stall the investigation into the Troopergate scandal.

As American voters continue to learn the truth about Sarah Palin, her support decreases. Stories about tanning beds, personal chefs, aerial wolf hunting, earmarks to study seals and crabs, and dual email accounts continue to cast further doubts. Palin's cedibility on energy, foreign policy credentials, wildlife and environmental issues, and fiscal policies continues to erode. Her regressive positions on women's rights and religion turn away all but the most conservative voters. As the luster fades, Palin's unfavorables climb. Palin has become the butt of late night jokes and SNL parodies. Recent polls show that in less than three week's time, 50% of registered voters agree that Palin is not prepared for the office of vice president. Women continue to attend McCain-Palin rallies to hear Palin's speeches, but they aren't waiting around to listen to John McCain.

This week, an email is being circulated in the evangelical community by the Christian Broadcasting Network. It begins, "Sarah is the standard God has raised up to stop the flood. She has the annointing."

As I see it, Sarah's halo has lost its sheen, and the thought of Sarah Palin being a heartbeat away from the office of the leader of the free world is as scary as Hell.