Palin's Speech and How to Act like a Vice President

During George W. Bush's first White House run, my husband and I often lamented, "Why couldn't it be McCain?" For years after that, we bemoaned the fact that the Republicans had selected the wrong candidate. Before we moved the Lower 48 from Anchorage, we were enthusiastic about Palin and couldn't wait to see how her career moved forward. Admittedly, we were stunned when she won the governorship, but all of our Alaskan relatives and friends are very pleased with work she has done there. There's no doubt that her speech during the Republican National Convention was excellent, and fully captured this populist candidate. But hopefully she can grow into the job for which she is now proposed.

It sounded good to the listeners that she got rid of the governor's Alaska luxury jet, on E-bay, nonetheless. Will she put Air Force One up for sale, too? I would hope she would have better sense than to risk our nation's security by hopping on Northwest to get around. And what about the White House chefs? I would bet all of them are wondering who will have a job after she walks in the door. Can you picture the family scurrying to provide a seven course meal for the diplomats or visiting dignitaries? Or perhaps visiting dignitaries could all stand in line to make their own sandwiches! How about late night peanut butter and jelly on crackers around the big White House kitchen table with the leader of France or some other high ranking guest?

The United States is expected to show its class and elegance to foreign visitors. We as Americans feel the pride in our hearts when we walk into the White House and realize that this is where those people from around the world will come to see our better nature. We expect us to be a class act. It is the place that helps us put on the best face possible and be taken seriously throughout the world. Visiting dignitaries would be shocked if they were not treated well for dinner at least. I would imagine that the Secret Service will have a great deal to say to Palin about security procedures if she simply wants to fire the chef just to save money. Can you imagine if functions were to be catered and the sheer time consuming background checks required to admit the food staff? There is a reason why most of the White House staff is there and although she and McCain may be able to get rid of a few staff members, I doubt that they should all be fired just to save money.

I disagree strongly with the Republican delegate who said that since Palin's daughter was pregnant that Palin was needed at home. Working men and women deal with these kinds of issues every day of their lives and still keep working. Instead, my concern is whether Palin's zeal for cost-cutting and her humble roots will be a challenge in this new job.

Palin's speech reminds me of the spontaneous and boisterous party that broke out in the White House after Andrew Jackson was elected. Common people from all over poured in to celebrate the election of the man that was the first candidate to be considered "one of their own." The damage to the some of the White House furnishings was devastating, and it took forever to clean or repair it. Palin's dismissal of the Alaskan household chef makes me wonder how dignitaries to Alaska were treated afterward. Let us hope that her budget cutting still leaves the United States government with the dignity it deserves and the security it needs, or the next President will have a real mess to clean up.

While the Jackson incident will never happen again, Palin's simple roots dictate that she grow into this job gracefully if she wishes to be effective. It's obvious from her speech last night that she is a go getter, a wonderful populist. Now let's hope her demeanor is one of class and dignity, one that can be admired worldwide.