ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 29, 2008

Who Really Is Sarah Palin?

CBS Evening News: The Mother Of Five Now Catapulted To The National Stage

  • Play CBS Video Video America: Meet Sarah Palin

    "In Full": Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, speaks at a GOP rally in Dayton, Ohio following her introduction by John McCain as his pick for vice president.

  • Video Sarah Palin Addresses America

    In GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin's acceptance speech in Dayton, Ohio, she discussed her background; praised John McCain's ability to lead and recognized Hilary Clinton's historical campaign.

  • Video The Woman Making History

    Sarah Palin's career started in the PTA. She is a mother of five and on the day of her 20th wedding anniversary she was selected as the first female GOP VP candidate. Katie Couric reports.

  •  (AP Photo/Chris Miller)

  • Photo Essay Sarah Palin

    Alaska's youngest and first female governor tabbed to be McCain's running mate.

  • Photo Essay John McCain

    Some call him a hero, some a maverick. Will Americans call him Mr. President?

(CBS)  As she was being catapulted from national obscurity onto the national stage, Sarah Palin had something else to celebrate today - her 20th wedding anniversary, CBS News anchor Katie Couric reports.

She married her high school sweetheart, Todd, a commercial fisherman, oil field worker, and snowmobile racer on August 29, 1988.

The youngest of Palin's five children, four-month-old Trig, was born with Down Syndrome. It was discovered during pre-natal testing, but the fierce opponent of abortion says she sees only perfection when she looks at her son.

Her oldest son, 19-year-old Track, enlisted in the Army a year ago, and will be deployed to Iraq next month.

Palin herself has been there - she visited the Alaskan National Guard in Iraq and Kuwait last summer.

A lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, Palin seems utterly Alaskan - she hunts, she fishes, she eats moose-burgers.

Her parents, Sally and Chuck Heath, were out hunting caribou when they got the news.

Palin played basketball in high school, but she's also a former beauty queen - Miss Wasilla, her hometown. And she's had her own spread in Vogue.


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Add a Comment See all 78 Comments
by beverlyadewo September 1, 2008 11:41 AM EDT
Sarah Palin resembles George Bush.
She loves rifles. Supports "anti choice", claims
"christian right",Oil woman, age contrasts with McCain,
conservative, never been out of U.S., governor.
SHE IS GEORGE BUSH IN A DRESS!!! (8 more years NO)
Reply to this comment
by beverlyadewo September 1, 2008 11:41 AM EDT
Sarah Palin resembles George Bush.
She loves rifles. Supports "anti choice", claims
"christian right",Oil woman, age contrasts with McCain,
conservative, never been out of U.S., governor.
SHE IS GEORGE BUSH IN A DRESS!!! (8 more years NO)
Reply to this comment
by beverlyadewo September 1, 2008 11:39 AM EDT
Sarah Palin resembles George Bush.
She loves rifles. Supports "anti choice", claims
"christian right",Oil woman, age contrasts with McCain,
conservative, never been out of U.S., governor.
SHE IS GEORGE BUSH IN A DRESS!!! (8 more years NO)
Reply to this comment
by beverlyadewo September 1, 2008 11:39 AM EDT
Sarah Palin resembles George Bush.
She loves rifles. Supports "anti choice", claims
"christian right",Oil woman, age contrasts with McCain,
conservative, never been out of U.S., governor.
SHE IS GEORGE BUSH IN A DRESS!!! (8 more years NO)
Reply to this comment
by beverlyadewo September 1, 2008 11:38 AM EDT
Sarah Palin resembles George Bush.
She loves rifles. Supports "anti choice", claims
"christian right",Oil woman, age contrasts with McCain,
conservative, never been out of U.S., governor.
SHE IS GEORGE BUSH IN A DRESS!!!
Reply to this comment
by sn0wboard33 September 1, 2008 5:21 AM EDT
"Sad to see that a Mom can not stay near her kids anymore and be a Mom, that is one reason why america goes down hill. GO OBAMA."
I didn''t realize woman was incapable to have kids and work outside the home tinameier? Thanks for the Obama perspective on Palin, once again showing his sexism.

Nice talking point dump allurfears, perhaps but I''d be interested to read your listing Obama''s foreign policy experience... and No, campaigning in all "57" states does not count as foreign policy experience.

She supported Intelligent Design being taught in school, not creationism, a subtle difference I''m sure lost on most Obots, but still, if you are going to dump talking points, at least try to be more accurate.

I actually like her idea of a natural gas pipeline, while I also like Obama''s (vague) push for BioDiesel in theory, I think utilizing Alaska''s vast resources is a more responsible perspective for America''s "future" then your party has come up with to date.
Reply to this comment
by sn0wboard33 September 1, 2008 5:19 AM EDT
"Sad to see that a Mom can not stay near her kids anymore and be a Mom, that is one reason why america goes down hill. GO OBAMA."
I didn''t realize woman was incapable to have kids and work outside the home tinameier? Thanks for the Obama perspective on Palin, once again showing his sexism.

Nice talking point dump allurfears, perhaps but I''d be interested to read your listing Obama''s foreign policy experience... and No, campaigning in all "57" states does not count as foreign policy experience.

She supported Intelligent Design being taught in school, not creationism, a subtle difference I''m sure lost on most Obots, but still, if you are going to dump talking points, at least try to be more accurate.

I actually like her idea of a natural gas pipeline, while I also like Obama''s (vague) push for BioDiesel in theory, I think utilizing Alaska''s vast resources is a more responsible perspective for America''s "future" then your party has come up with to date.
Reply to this comment
by sn0wboard33 September 1, 2008 5:04 AM EDT
"Sad to see that a Mom can not stay near her kids anymore and be a Mom, that is one reason why america goes down hill. GO OBAMA."
I didn''t realize woman was incapable to have kids and work outside the home tinameier? Thanks for the Obama perspective on Palin, once again showing his sexism.

Nice talking point dump allurfears, perhaps but I''d be interested to read your listing Obama''s foreign policy experience... and No, campaigning in all "57" states does not count as foreign policy experience.

She supported Intelligent Design being taught in school, not creationism, a subtle difference I''m sure lost on most Obots, but still, if you are going to dump talking points, at least try to be more accurate.

I actually like her idea of a natural gas pipeline, while I also like Obama''s (vague) push for BioDiesel in theory, I think utilizing Alaska''s vast resources is a more responsible perspective for America''s "future" then your party has come up with to date.
Reply to this comment
by sn0wboard33 September 1, 2008 5:02 AM EDT
"Sad to see that a Mom can not stay near her kids anymore and be a Mom, that is one reason why america goes down hill. GO OBAMA."
I didn''t realize woman was incapable to have kids and work outside the home tinameier? Thanks for the Obama perspective on Palin, once again showing his sexism.

Nice talking point dump allurfears, perhaps but I''d be interested to read your listing Obama''s foreign policy experience... and No, campaigning in all "57" states does not count as foreign policy experience.

She supported Intelligent Design being taught in school, not creationism, a subtle difference I''m sure lost on most Obots, but still, if you are going to dump talking points, at least try to be more accurate.

I actually like her idea of a natural gas pipeline, while I also like Obama''s (vague) push for BioDiesel in theory, I think utilizing Alaska''s vast resources is a more responsible perspective for America''s "future" then your party has come up with to date.
Reply to this comment
by sn0wboard33 September 1, 2008 5:00 AM EDT
"Sad to see that a Mom can not stay near her kids anymore and be a Mom, that is one reason why america goes down hill. GO OBAMA."
I didn''t realize woman was incapable to have kids and work outside the home tinameier? Thanks for the Obama perspective on Palin, once again showing his sexism.

Nice talking point dump allurfears, perhaps but I''d be interested to read your listing Obama''s foreign policy experience... and No, campaigning in all "57" states does not count as foreign policy experience.

She supported Intelligent Design being taught in school, not creationism, a subtle difference I''m sure lost on most Obots, but still, if you are going to dump talking points, at least try to be more accurate.

I actually like her idea of a natural gas pipeline, while I also like Obama''s (vague) push for BioDiesel in theory, I think utilizing Alaska''s vast resources is a more responsible perspective for America''s "future" then your party has come up with to date.
Reply to this comment
by tinameier September 1, 2008 4:03 AM EDT
who is Sarah Palin??? A Mom with 5 kids who should not be VP for a WAR Lover. Sad to see that a Mom can not stay near her kids anymore and be a Mom, that is one reason why america goes down hill. GO OBAMA.
Reply to this comment
by sandmc August 31, 2008 10:28 PM EDT
SO what if McCain met PALIN for the very first time. We American voters haven''t met any of the Presidential candidate in person, yet we can make a good judgement for ourselves. Why is it necessary to for McCain to meet her in person. COME ON DEMOCRATS. This is all you have against this pair. Its senseless. All of you who hasn''t met Obama should vote for him then? Duh!
Reply to this comment
by allurfears August 31, 2008 8:57 PM EDT
Who is Sarah Palin? Here''s some basic background:
- She was elected Alaska''s governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage.
- She has no foreign policy experience.
- Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.
- She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.
- Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.
- She''s doesn''t think humans are the cause of climate change.
- She''s solidly in line with John McCain''s "Big Oil first" energy policy. She''s pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won''t be ready for years. So she says, "...don''t worry about the future"
- How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.
Reply to this comment
by luvienne August 31, 2008 7:31 PM EDT
For people making comments about beauty, what does your mirror show you when you scare it to death?
Reply to this comment
by sandmc August 31, 2008 7:30 PM EDT
Who needs Hillary Clinton if WE HAVE SARAH PALIN!!!!

GO SARAH PALIN!!!!! A woman, mom and future VP. How exciting!!!
Reply to this comment
by sandmc August 31, 2008 7:26 PM EDT
Who needs Hillary Clinton if WE HAVE SARAH PALIN!!!!

GO SARAH PALIN!!!!! A woman, mom and future VP. How exciting!!!
Reply to this comment
by sandmc August 31, 2008 7:16 PM EDT
Who needs Hillary Clinton if WE HAVE SARAH PALIN!!!!

GO SARAH PALIN!!!!! A woman, mom and future VP. How exciting!!!
Reply to this comment
by philly18765 August 31, 2008 5:21 PM EDT
GOVERNOR PALIN HAS MORE EXPERIENCE THAN OBAMA...WHO HAS NEVER RUN A STATE OR CITY OR EVEN A BUSINESS.

OBAMA IS THE LEAST EXPERIENCED PRESIDENT CANDIDATE IN HISTORY.
Reply to this comment
by raoul32-2009 August 31, 2008 5:18 PM EDT
Hillary Clinton is a friend of mine, and Sarah, you''re not Hillary Clinton.
Reply to this comment
by misha128-2009 August 31, 2008 4:33 PM EDT

Palin 0 years federal experience, 2 years state level experience, 14 years local experience and a degree in Journalism.

MAVERICK OR OPPORTUNIST?

From Anchorage Daily News on October 22, 2006
5. %u201CWould you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges?%u201D

%u201CYes. I would like to see Alaska''s infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now--while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist.%u201D

From Anchorage Daily News on August 31, 2008

The Alaska governor campaigned in 2006 on a build-the-bridge platform, telling Ketchikan residents she felt their pain when politicians called them "nowhere." They''re still feeling pain today in Ketchikan, over Palin''s subsequent decision to use the bridge funds for other projects -- and over the timing of her announcement, which they say came in a pre-dawn press release that seemed aimed at national news deadlines.

"I think that''s when the campaign for national office began," said Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Weinstein noted, the state is continuing to build a road on Gravina Island to an empty beach where the bridge would have gone -- because federal money for the access road, unlike the bridge money, would have otherwise been returned to the federal government.
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