Sarah "Barracuda" Palin

On February 11, 1964, Sarah Sheeran Heath and Charles R. Heath welcomed into the world a baby girl whom they would name Sarah Louise Heath. As she grew, she would come to be known as 'Sarah Barracuda' at Wasilla High School in Wasilla, Alaska. Her intensity in the school's basketball program earned her that nickname. In 1982, despite an ankle injury, she scored a free throw in the last seconds of a game, helping secure the championship title. Some mornings, as early as 3a.m., Sarah would accompany her father on hunting trips for moose. Later, she would return to the state she was born in and attend the University of Idaho where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications-journalism and minored in political science.

Sarah married her high school sweetheart, Todd Palin, in 1988. Together they have had 5 children, three girls and two boys. Her most recent birth, in 2007, was to a child diagnosed with Down's Syndrome before birth. She received accolades from pro-life groups for choosing to carry the child. After three days, she returned to the Alaskan Governor's office to continue her duties, still exhibiting the 'Barracuda' intensity she demonstrated in high school.

Her life has been filled with high-intensity moments. From riding snowmobiles to ice fishing to running a marathon, Sarah portrays a woman of high energy both physically, emotionally and mentally. After college, while employed as a sports reporter for local television stations in Anchorage, she worked with her husband, a 4-time champion of the Iron Dog, in the commercial fishing industry. Later she would upset the then-Governor of Alaska in the 2006 primary and defeat her Democratic opponent, former Governor Tony Knowles. Sarah Louise Heath Palin would become the 11th Governor of Alaska, the first woman, and the youngest person, to hold that office.

Governor Palin is known for her straight-forward thinking and clear-cut ideas. She is a proponent of the following:
*Oil Resource Development in Alaska
*National Rifle Association
*Reduction Alaska's Construction Budget to $1.6 Million in 2007
*Feminists for Life

Governor Palin opposes:
*Same Sex Marriages
*Abortion
*Legalization of Marijuana
*Gun Control

Republican Presidential nominee John McCain made a wise choice in Sarah Palin. Not only will she appeal to the more conservative party members, she'll also appeal to those women who were undecided or disillusioned when Hillary Clinton was defeated by Barack Obama in the Democratic primary and also when she was passed over as the Vice Presidential nominee of that party. Not only will Sarah Palin be a strong candidate, she has the potential of support from people and politicians that spans across party lines. According to Adam Brickley, "The last candidate to assemble such a broad coalition of support was a gentleman by the name of Ronald Wilson Reagan. He not only won the presidency in two successive landslides, but went on to become one of the most beloved and effective presidents in recent history...I personally have no doubt that Sarah Palin has the capability to become the next Reagan."

Clearly, despite her 'Barracuda' attitude to get things accomplished, Sarah Palin has the support of the people which is just what her Republican party, her running mate, John McCain, and the American people need.