Political Blog #1

Recently, the public’s attention has shifted toward the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. In an effort to learn more about her policies, ABC’s Charlie Gibson conducted a series of three interviews. The first interview, conducted on September 11^th, was a reflection of presidential nominee John McCain’s policies on national security and foreign policy through the mouth of Palin. Later in the day, during the second interview, she stated that she and McCain “agreed to disagree” on the concern over global warming and energy policies. She emphasized her belief that global warming is not ENTIRELY man-made. (Goldman 2008). The word “entirely” was emphasized as a means of clarifying a previous statement that read, "I'm not one though who would attribute [global warming] to being man-made" (Goldman 2008). Throughout the blog, author Russell Goldman followed the interviews closely and provided a decent analysis of the candidate from a relatively impartial point of view. The main point that lacked objectivity would be the emphasis placed on one single word, and the way it seemed to apparently alter Palin’s position.

I find it interesting that such a position is held by the governor of Alaska. Scientists have proven that due to human activity, climatic temperatures have risen. There are few areas that are affected as severely as Alaska. In 2006, USA TODAY referred to Alaska as the “poster state for climate concerns.” There are many factors that are contributing to drastic changes in the environment. According to the article, the primary cause is the rising concentration of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide, which is released through the burning of fossil fuels (Weise 2006).

Essentially, the Drudge Report focused on Palin’s change in position throughout the campaign. To say that global warming is not man-made is completely ridiculous. It would mean that human activity has not had an effect on the temperature change, despite all scientific research proving otherwise. The claim that global warming is not ENTIRELY man made attempts to suggest that humans have had a part in this phenomenon. So which is it? Have we or have we not effected global warming? Palin has made statements supporting both, therefore it is necessary to surpass her statements and examine her actions. She has proposed drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR.) (Goldman 2008). If the burning of fossil fuels were responsible for global warming, shouldn’t she be trying to lesson our dependence on this resource and find new sources for power? Instead she is attempting to make oil more abundant. Sarah Palin and John McCain have conflicting views on a very important issue. I think this will have negative consequences on Election Day.

Goldman, Russell. 2008. Palin Takes Hard Line on National Security, Softens Stance on Global Warming. The Drudge Report. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5778018&page=1 (accessed September 13, 2008).

Weise, Elizabeth. 2006. Alaska the ‘poster state’ for climate concerns. USA TODAY. http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/2006-05-29-alaska-globalwarming_x.htm (accessed September 13, 2008).