If You Were to Caucus for Sarah Palin, What Would You Say?

                      "Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you,
                              so take courage and do it." - Ezra 10:4 NIV

To face-off with your politically passionate neighbors is nerve-racking enough - and if your preferred candidate is not even on the ballot, your task is even harder. But if you were to caucus for Sarah Palin, what would you say? Here are a few suggestions:

1. She is a fighter, she wins her battles and she delivers results. Sarah Palin fought the Corrupt Bastards's Club in Alaska, exposed their ethics violations and conflicts of interest. The guilty parties actually paid huge fines and served time. Sarah Palin took on Big Oil in Alaska. She took ExxonMobil to court for sitting on their leases for over two decades without developing the oil reserves and won the case for Alaskans. ExxonMobil finally honored their contract and started drilling on Point Thompson. Sarah Palin exposed the death panel provision in Obamacare. Congress begrudgingly removed it from the healthcare bill.  She will fight corruption and crony capitalism in government and she will start at Congress.

2. She is a fiscal conservative. Her FY2010 budget ($10.57B) was over a billion dollars less compared to former Gov. Murkowski's 2007 budget ($11.7B). She vetoed half a billion dollars in spending. She put $5 billion savings  in the state's rainy day fund. Sarah Palin is prudent with taxpayers' money. Send her to Washington and she will rein in spending, cut taxes and ensure our long-term fiscal stability.

3. Honesty and Integrity. You can trust her words. The media and the left have for three years manufactured lies about her. They fought to have  her e-mails released to public, hoping to find troves of scandalous materials. Instead, they revealed what she had been saying all along; that she fought corruption, stared down Big Oil, vetoed unnecessary spending, slashed the budget . What the emails revealed was a hands-on executive, who listened to her constituents' concerns, who worked on shrinking the role of government, who understood how to balance energy development and environment protection, a loving mother who puts her trust in God. It revealed a governor very much worthy of an 80% + approval rating from the people she served.

4. The GOP field is hopelessly weak and flawed. We have right now a candidate who owns Romneycare and is a serial flipflopper that makes him untrustworthy. A former speaker who's been in politics since 1978 that he is the embodiment of a permanent political class. A candidate who's foreign policy is so off-the-chart we might as well throw Israel under the bus. A candidate who thinks you are heartless if you do not believe in subsidizing college education for illegal immigrants. A candidate who constantly gets her facts wrong. Sarah Palin has the experience, the track record and the guts to fight, a conservative who shares your values, understands that energy independence is key to economic and national security, and respects the Constitution. She will make government smaller and smarter. She will energize the base. Only she can beat Barack Obama.

5. But she said "no". We do respect her decision to put family first. But the country is in rapid decline. We need a proven leader in the White House who will bring about the "sudden and relentless reform" needed in Washington. She has maintained that it isn't too late for another candidate to jump in. Perhaps, in a few weeks or months, some circumstances in her life would change and she'd then reconsider and run. By doing this write-in campaign now, we're making it easier for her to jump in without putting any stress on her family.

On the other hand, this is politics! Politicians get in and out of races all the time. Declining then reconsidering to run in the end is no different than getting in then ending  a campaign before the first vote is even cast. Tim Pawlenty, Donald Trump, Herman Cain. They all got in and now they're out.

Our nation's history is filled with reluctant leaders. True leaders are CALLED to serve. George Washington just wanted to retire in Mount Vernon but people called on him to serve. He answered the call. Dwight Eisenhower refused repeatedly to run but Americans liked Ike so much that they drafted him. He answered the call and became our 34th President. It happened in 1952. It could happen again in 2012.

(If someone raises the issue that "she quit", here are some counterpoints you could use: Sarah Palin was   barraged with frivolous ethics complaints by the Democrats and their media friends. Is it abuse of power for granting interview in her office? Pres. Obama months ago promoted a $5 raffle dinner for his reelection campaign at the White House. Where is the outrage? Troopergate? Governor or not, if a trooper brother-in-law is verbally abusing and threatening your sister and your family and tasered your nephew, what would you do? The fact is all these complaints, dismissed in the end,  were political witchhunt to bring her political career to end and had  cost Alaska taxpayers $1.9 millions to investigate them. Sarah Palin resigned to spare Alaska further expense and distraction so that Alaska could continue to progress. And progress it did. One year after she left office, Moody's upgraded Alaska's credit rating to Triple A. Proof that her sound economic and fiscal policies rolled on successfully without anymore politically-tainted interruptions.

Lastly, as an Iowan and an American, if you are a farmer, who do you want working in the fields with you? If you are a fisherman, who do you want casting the nets with you? If you are a gun owner, who do you want protecting your rights? If you are a small business owner, who do you want managing the finances for you? If you have to take care of someone with special needs, at home or at work, who do you want advocating for them? If you have a military family member whose life was touched by war, who do you want praying with you?  Romney? Gingrich? Paul? Perry? Bachmann? Santorum?

I believe you'd pick Sarah Palin because SARAH PALIN IS YOU.

An Open Letter to Christian Voters

Dear Christian Voter,

        

        "Test all things; hold fast that which is good."

                                               - 1 Thessalonians 5:21 

Americans, in general, respect the line that separates the state and church. But the state of our nation's affairs are in such dire disarray that in 2012 we all have to act together and put in the White House someone who will bring about a "sudden and relentless reform" in our government.

Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, warned us of false prophets who are wolves in sheep's clothings (Matthew 7:15). "As a tree is known by its fruits, so is a man known by his acts. And the false teachers will unmask themselves by their deeds." *

Indeed, we have a president who promised us Hope and Change but instead brought us division and uncertainty, whose political manueverings contribute to lost jobs, lost homes and financial hardships to average Americans, who is quietly circumventing our Constitution and his responsibilities to pander to his political base and reward his political donors.

It is election season again when politicians say everything that the voters want to hear and give us promises that, they either have no way of delivering or will deliver half-heartedly, or just have no intention of fulfilling.

We have a frustratingly weak and deeply flawed field of GOP presidential candidates to challenge President Obama and none of them is breaking out decisively ahead of the pack nor earning the complete trust of the voters. It is understandable why most Republicans struggle to commit  to one particular candidate. There is the greatest possibility that the eventual winner of the primary elections would not be able to garner 50% of the delegates , which could lead to a brokered convention, paving the way for a drafted candidate whose name is not even on the ballot - Sarah Palin.

Last October, Sarah Palin announced that she would not be seeking the GOP nomination in 2012 for the Presidency but vowed to keep fighting the fight to restore a government that is truly representative of We the People. Indeed, great leaders do not seek power nor a title to make a difference. They are CALLED to serve. General Dwight Eisenhower  repeatedly said no to demands for him run for President but the "I like Ike" draft movement marched on. In 1952, he went on to become our 34th President.

Please write in Sarah Palin.

It is time for Americans to elect a President who will not give false hope and empty promises but puts in front of voters  a whole slate of her actual accomplishments as a councilwoman, a mayor and governor:

• prudent budgets that eliminated waste and unnecessary earmarks by using her veto power
• a tax system that is fair both to private sector and the taxpayers
• forward-funded education and increased funding for education of special needs students
• reformed the public employees pension system to make it solvent
• first-hand experience in balancing the need to development energy resources to secure energy independence and protecting the environment
• exposed and fought corruption in her state that actually landed the offenders jail times
• smart and prudent  economic and fiscal policies that led to a Triple A Moody's credit rating upgrade because of Alaska's $14billion in reserves - enough to cover almost three years of operating expenses. (In contrast, the current Democratic Senate has not produced a budget since April 29, 2009 – and not a single reprimand from President Obama.)

If elected president , she has the track record that assures us that she will serve all Americans with a “servant’s heart.”

Equally important, she will protect the unborn, not with empty slogans but with clarity in her mind. When faced with the reality that she will bear a child with Down's syndrome (who will be challenged in most aspects of his life as he grows up), she accepted her fate in sincere faith that "God only wants the best for us."

We are the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We either go down together or we lift each other up.

On January 3rd, 2012, you have the power to bring back Morning in America. Please urge your membership to vote for Sarah Palin whose words match her deeds and has the record to prove it.

PLEASE WRITE IN SARAH PALIN.

God Bless America,
Your Fellow American

Author: Nancy Labonete

* The Greatest Story Ever Told, by Fulton Oursler, 1975 ed., p. 174

 

(Note: This post is a slight variation of "An Open Letter to GOP Voters".

Merry Christmas to All!

                     "Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace,
                        and good will toward men."  - Luke 2:14 KJV


Over two thousand years ago,  a baby was born in a humble stable, in the company of animals, his manger warmed by straws of hay. Angels heralded his birth but announced it to lowly shepherds. Three wise kings came and put gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh at his feet, the same feet which, as a grown man, will be nailed to the cross to take away all of our sins.

As a grown man, he taught us to have an understanding and forgiving heart; to do unto others what we would want them to do unto us; to be tolerant of each other because all human beings are lovable not "because of the absence of defects but because of the presence of merits"; to exercise our moral freedoms wisely; to be responsible for own words, thoughts and deeds; to seek strength through prayer; to lead a purposeful life; and do things in glory of His Name because our true rewards will not be found here on earth but in His Kingdom in Heaven.

I once read somewhere, "Whenever I look at a newborn baby's eyes, I am charmed by its innocence and I feel respect for what it might become." Truly, every time a baby is born, it brings with it a symbol of  a new beginning, a new chapter for renewal and rebirth of dreams and all that is possible , of real change and hope, a chance to live LIFE as God meant it to be lived. Let us welcome LIFE. Let us protect LIFE.

As we celebrate this season, may we find or rediscover in ourselves the true meaning of His birth - love. That we may love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and may the New Year bring all of us peace and prosperity and new hope and a new beginning!

An Open Letter to GOP Voters

Dear  GOP Voter,

                             "Test all things; hold fast that which is good."
                                                                - 1 Thessalonians 5:21 

In a few weeks or months, you will be heading to your state caucus or primary. By then you probably have picked a candidate to vote for - or not. 2012  is probably the most consequential election of our time and  in your hand rests the direction our country will be going in the next four years and beyond.

President Obama in 2008 promised to usher in an era of hope and change. He vowed to fundamentally transform  America so we could be a more perfect union.

Transform America he did but not for the better.  Obamacare.  $15 trillion in debt ($4T of which was added by his administration).  A  98%  debt-to-GDP ratio. High unemployment  rate. Unresolved housing crisis. Solyndra. Fast and Furious. These are his legacies. President Obama proved himself to be a master at class warfare, dividing Americans and pitting them against each other, oblivious to his own inconsistencies and clueless in addressing the problems our country is facing.

We see in Washington right now a broken system, with lawmakers unabashedly pandering to special interests, squandering opportunities and the taxpayers' money without accountability, where only the connected wins. The problem is not just the policies coming out of the nation's capital but also the pervasive and deep-seated culture of political deals and paybacks that are ruining all that America stands for.

We need a new leadership, beginning at the White House and "the challenge is not simply to replace Obama in 2012 but the real challenge is who and what we will replace him with."

Among the GOP presidential candidates, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich displays an authoritative grasp of the issues and policies. But it is also his commanding  knowledge of the ins-and-outs of D.C. politics that he used to enrich himself. A politician since 1978, he is the very embodiment of crony capitalism and permanent political class. The pundits are now scrutinizing his Freddie Mac connection . We can soon expect Team Obama and the media to join in in picking apart the activities surrounding the  American Solutions for Winning the Future  and  other companies he founded since he left the Congress. 

The other frontrunner, former Governor Mitt Romney, whose shifting convictions and positions on issues so repulse some voters that the conservatives in Iowa secretly met up to blunt his campaign and his ” inevitable” status.  A famous flip-flopper, he’s run as a moderate, a liberal and  a conservative depending on who his opponent was.  He may be the establishment’s  favorite  but the rich, stiff, uncharismatic Mr. Romney simply cannot connect with average Joe-six-pack. Polling at low- to mid-20’s  in spite of  five years of campaigning for the Presidency, voters simply aren’t lining up behind his candidacy.

Congressman Ron Paul, whether you agree with his positions or not, is a principled man but his base is a tiny sliver of the general voting population. He' ll never be able to compete with the billion-dollar war chest of President Obama. The other candidates, whose place in polls have fallen like a rock or as static as a boulder, simply have no plausible path to the nomination.

Given the high disapproval ratings of  Pres. Obama, unseating him is supposed to be a walk in the park. We have a frustratingly lame field of GOP candidates and none of them is breaking out decisively ahead of the pack. It  is understandable why most Republican voters still have not committed  to one particular candidate. There is the greatest possibility that the eventual winner of the primary elections would not be able to garner 50%   of the delegates , which could pave the way for a drafted candidate.

At this point in the primary season when the filing dates for candidacy for 2012 have all but passed, is it a useless endeavor to talk about or even consider a write-in/draft candidate? The short answer is NO and the short explanation is: BROKERED CONVENTION.

By definition, a brokered convention  is a " situation in the presidential primary and caucus process where there are not enough delegates obtained for a single candidate to obtain a majority for the presidential nominating convention. Since no candidates receive enough votes on the first ballot to win the nomination, the convention is brokered through political horse-trading and multiple ballots. "

Two articles have explored this topic, "A Rogue Convention: How GOP Convention May Surprise in 2012"  and  " The GOP Needs a Brokered Convention" .  For a fair and balance reading,   here is another article that suggested a brokered convention is not likely to happen. Then you can decide for yourself , given the weak and flawed GOP field and the gravity of our  challenges, if these times call for an uncoventional Convention, an unconventional election and, yes,  an unconventional candidate whose name is not even on the ballot: SARAH PALIN.

Last October, Sarah Palin announced that she would not be seeking the GOP nomination in 2012 for the Presidency yet also vowed to keep fighting the fight to restore a government that is truly representative of the people. Indeed, great leaders do not seek power nor a title to make a difference. They are CALLED to serve. General Dwight Eisenhower  repeatedly said no to demands for him run for President but the "I like Ike" draft movement marched on. In 1952, he went on to become our 34th President.

As things stand right now, it does not matter much whether Romney, Gingrich or Obama wins the election. Candidates will say whatever the voters would like to hear but once in the Oval Office, it'll be Party/Politics over People on Day One. It is better to take a once-in-a-lifetime chance for "sudden and relentless reform" than settle for the status quo.

PLEASE WRITE-IN SARAH PALIN.

• Writing-in Sarah Palin sends the message how dissatisfied we are at the current weak and flawed GOP presidential candidates .
• Writing-in Sarah Palin now takes votes away from the GOP candidates which ensures that in the end not one of them goes to the Convention in Tampa with the majority of delegates.
• Writing-in Sarah Palin sends a message to the Republican National Committee and the GOP establishment that they cannot “anoint” a nominee for us.
• Writing-in Sarah Palin sends the message that we will not settle for a nominee who is an entrenched fixture in good ol’ boys’ network, swam in the same Washington swamp and willingly participated and profited from his political connections.
• Writing-in Sarah Palin does not conflict with her decision to not seek the GOP nomination because we are the ones seeking it for her without exposing her family to more malicious attacks.
• Writing-in Sarah Palin gives us a one-shot chance  to send to the White House a true commonsense conservative who shares our values and vision for America, a proven reformer with  solid record of serving the interest of the people, who respects and abides by the Constitution instead of circumventing it to fit what is politically popular.  

HER WORDS MATCH HER ACTIONS and she has the record to prove it. That cannot be said of the GOP candidates and President Obama , and indeed most, if not all, politicians of our time.

She knows how to take on the corrupt system and signed the most sweeping ethics reform in Alaska.She went line-by-line to veto half a billion dollars of unnecessary spending, the largest in the state's history. Her strong and sound economic and fiscal policies resulted in a Triple A credit rating upgrade. She exposed and fought the collusion of the mainstream media, the Democrats and the GOP establishment. She protects the unborn. She ran a prudent, ethical and truly transparent government. She knows how to revive the economy and secure our national security through energy independence. She  understands the complexities of the oil industries . In Alaska she brought together all the elements that created private sector jobs, maximized the benefits of these natural resources to her constituents without choking the oil companies with unreasonable regulations and tax system yet protects the God-given pristine beauty of the environment.  Only she possesses that expertise.

A government of the people, by the people and for the people. She did that in Alaska. She will do that for all of United States.

Your vote has the power to lift this cloud of malaise and pessimism brought  about by Pres. Obama . America is the original Comeback Kid. We can bring back Morning in America. We get one chance in 2012.  Make your vote count.

 PLEASE WRITE-IN SARAH PALIN.

God Bless America,
Your Fellow American

Author: Nancy Labonete

(Note: If you agree with this letter, please share this link , or copy and paste the whole piece then share with your family and friends via e-mail or Facebook, post it in your blog, share it on Twitter or with radio show hosts or whatever means available to help spread the word. Thank you very much.)

UPDATE: Here is a compelling article from Larry Sabato, a political analyst, suggesting that the Republican presidential field may not at all be settled yet.

Who's Killing Social Security?

                     "Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly
                       your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness."
                                                                                   - Matthew 23:28


President Obama, in the swing state of Pennsylvania, again pitched his proposal to extend the payroll tax holiday. The Republicans have steadfastly refused to give in to the president who wanted to offset the cost of the payroll tax suspension with additional taxes on those earning $1 million.

By proposing a short-term relief to the working class, Pres. Obama gives all the appearances that he is fighting for the little guy. What he is not saying a word of to his audience is that the Payroll Taxes  pay for the Social Security and Medicare taxes (otherwise known as Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Most American workers are not aware of this fact. Payroll taxes also cover the federal and state unemployment insurance  taxes. Employers are required by law to withhold/pay for these state and federal taxes in behalf of their employees.

Last year, President Obama created the Simpson/Bowles Commission, more formally known as the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, to identify and propose policies "to improve the fiscal situation in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run." When the Commission released its report, it proposed to cut government services, defense and entitlement - including Social Security (which eats up 20% of our 2010 budget) , Medicare and Medicaid (which combined with CHIP take up 21% of our 2010 budget) and raise revenues by eliminating tax loopholes that depress the nation's tax collection. The Congress voted it down and the president hardly lifted a finger to implement a single proposal from the Commission's report, which was released in December 1, 2010. The president simply did not have the appetite anymore to address the ballooning budget deficit. After all, the mid-term elections were over. The Commisssion was just a ruse for him to avoid talking about our fiscal problems and making the hard choices. There was no way that he would touch the entitlement programs, especially with his own reelection coming up in 2012.

This year, a six-member Super Committee was created by Congress to identify spending cuts and put together a deficit-reduction package. Bipartisan in membership but hyperpartisan in their positions, the committee was a super failure. The Republican offered to increase revenues by closing the tax loopholes but the Democrats would not budged on their demand that entitlements be left alone.  Even in the face of  94.3% debt-to-GDP ratio, the two parties could not come together to put our financial house in order. Politics always rules in Washington.

The Democrats are also proposing to extend the unemployment insurance benefits which are set to expire this year. The Congress has already pushed it to an unprecented length of time of 99 weeks. The unemployment insurance is also funded by the payroll tax, which an employer pays for.

Things just do not make sense in this White House. On the one hand, we have this Payroll Tax that keeps Social Security, Medicare and the Unemployment Insurance afloat. Social Security alone is projected to go bankrupt in 2036. On the other hand, we have President Obama on a campaign trail pushing for the suspension of the very source that funds these costly, unsustainable programs yet he is stubbornly unwilling to do anything to reform or fix them. At the same time, he continues to demonize the "millionaires" (the employers and job-creators, in reality) for not doing their "fair share".

Talk about killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

E-Books for Kids

                          " ... It is more blessed to give than to receive."
                                                                      - Acts 20:35 NIV

This has nothing to do with politics nor the elections, just kids and books.

I recently joined a MeeGenius Children's Book Writing contest for young readers ages 2 - 8. My entry is entitled "Let's All Go to the End of the Rainbow." Please help push me to the finish line and if my story wins, a local school in my neighborhood will also win a library of Meegenius books.

Please click on the link below and "Like" my story.
http://www.meegenius.com/challenge/lets-all-go-to-the-end-of-the-rainbow-by-nancy-labonete

Thank you very much for your support.

There's No Conflict in Respecting Palin's Decision to Not Run and in Asking Her to Reconsider

                      "But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.”
                       Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show
                       you my faith by my works."  - James 2:18 ESV


To many of Sarah Palin's supporters who agonize between respecting her decision to not seek the 2012 GOP nomination for the Presidency of the United States and wanting her to reconsider given the very weak and flawed GOP field right now: take heart. There is NO CONFLICT between the two, if we do the right things and do them right.

Let us go back to her October 5th announcement (emphasis mine):

          "After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking the 2012 GOP nomination for President of the United States. As always, my family comes first and obviously Todd and I put great consideration into family life before making this decision. When we serve, we devote ourselves to God, family and country. My decision maintains this order. My decision is based upon a review of what common sense Conservatives and Independents have accomplished, especially over the last year. I believe that at this time I can be more effective in a decisive role to help elect other true public servants to office - from the nation's governors to Congressional seats and the Presidency. We need to continue to actively and aggressively help those who will stop the "fundamental transformation" of our nation and instead seek the restoration of our greatness, our goodness and our constitutional republic based on the rule of law. ..."

         
We can break her announcement down into two components: (1) family concerns, and (2) she will be out there helping commonsense conservative candidates be elected to office.

Component #1. Any parent would understand her decision to put family first. It would be nice to be a fly on the wall and listen in on all the nitty gritty of their conversations but  we must respect that what was discussed within the Palin family, as with any other family, must stay within the Palin family.

Component #2. Gov. Palin will still be out there travelling around the country, helping and maybe even stumping for commonsense conservative candidates. She'll still be actively talking about the issues confronting us and the solutions to get America back on track. As she hops from state to state, along the way she will be meeting and building relationships with potential future allies who will help shape the policies and bring about the much-needed reforms in Washington.

Now how do we bridge these two components so that we are respecting Gov. Palin's decision and still convince her to change her mind and run in 2012?

We can do it if we act now to show that we have her back. We need to mobilize now for her and do the groundwork for her, without exposing her family to the usual rigors and demands of a full-blown campaign.

The Sarah Palin Earthquake and the various DraftPalin movements are doing an excellent job on beating the reconsider drum. The billboard ad and op-ed suggestions are also great ideas but I believe that we must couple all these efforts with vigorous actions on the ground. (Please see some of my suggestions here .) We need to do a write-in campaign for these simple reasons:

(1) with the filing dates of some early primary states already passed, write-in is her only realistic and viable path to be able to compete for nomination,
(2) write-in  is the only way that voters can legally cast their votes for her and have their votes counted and reported,
(3) if she does reconsider today, she cannot be expected to be able to establish ground organizations the next day. She does not have the luxury of time to do that so we must prepare the campaign path now to make things less complicated for her. A write-in campaign will help do that, and:
(4) it reminds voters that there is an alternative to the insufficient GOP field we have right now. Sarah Palin is still the best person to challenge President Obama in 2012.

I will not pretend to know all the rules and deadlines of all 50 states but we should look ahead to the convention in August in Florida as the biggest and final battleground where we make the last stand in fight for the delegates. With the widespread discontent with the estalishment-ordained nominee Mitt Romney and conservatives launching groups specifically to oppose him, it does not matter very much whether Sarah Palin wins or not as a write-in candidate in any primary/caucus. We just need to make sure that she garners a strong showing, enough to cast a big doubt on Romney's inevitability.

As a non-candidate right now, Gov. Palin is free to speak anywhere in America without exposing or requiring her family to be by her side.  She will still be a big presence in the national stage so we can still expect the media to always spin out of thin air some malicious stories about her. But since she isn't so much a threat anymore to the Obama presidency and the left's agenda, they are more likely to aim their dirty Allinsky tactics on the declared GOP candidates. Thus, sparing Sarah Palin and her family the kind of relentless and ridiculous attacks that followed them for the last three years.

By not being in the race, Gov. Palin can speak truth to power louder than ever and hit the Obama administration as hard as she can but it would look so foolish of Team Obama to hit back at a non-candidate. It would be like throwing punches in the air when they should be spending their time and energy pouncing on Romney and company.

Back in 1869, America celebrated the completion of the country's greatest transcontinental railroad project where two different railroad companies, working separately conjoined their tracks in the end . The "Last Spike" was driven at Promontory, Utah where the Union Pacific tracks joined those of Central Pacific Railroad's.

The "Palin Reconsider" movement is kind of like the transcontinental railroad project. Two forces joining together in the end to ensure that we have a fighting chance in 2012. As we mobilize those boots on the ground in her behalf, Sarah Palin travels around the country and speaks to voters about smaller and smarter government that is truly representative of We The People, all the while her children are tucked safely in Alaska. It'll all work out in the end. The first day she faces off with Barack Obama will be the beginning of restoration, renewal and rebuilding of America.

Palin 2012. It's not too late. We can do this.

Making a Case for Sarah Palin's Earthquake Part 2: It's Time to Shake Things Up!

                       " Do you not know that in a race all the runners run
                          but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as
                          to get the prize."  -   1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV



One month after Governor Sarah Palin announced that she would not be seeking the GOP nomination for President of the United States in 2012, her supporters still have not coalesced behind one declared Republican candidate.

Torn between wanting to respect her decision  and  a group of GOP candidates who are either lacking in experience, not ready for prime time,  with too much baggage or with ever-shifting positions on issues,  Palin supporters keep going back to one leader who has the right experience, resolve and character to restore America’s greatness - Sarah Palin.

There is a compelling parallel to be drawn here between her staying out of the 2012 election and the times that she resigned her posts as chairwoman of the Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) and as governor of her home state.

During her tenure at the AOGCC, she brought to the forefront the ethical lapses and conflict of interests of, among others, her fellow Commissioner Rudy Ruedrich who was also serving at the same time as chairman of Alaska Republican Party. Unwilling to be part of the "Corrupt Bastards' Club", she resigned from AOGCC and blew the whistle on the corruptions of her colleagues, knowing fully well that she was going against the deeply entrenched GOP establishment. In the end, the FBI investigations resulted in arrests and jail times for some public officials and with Mr. Ruedrich paying the state's largest fine for ethics violation.

Sarah Palin sacrificed her political career, took a stand and Alaska won.

After the 2008 election, the Democrats and their allies deluged the Palin administration with one frivolous ethics complaint after another, which were just as quickly dismissed and found without merit by the state Personnel Board. An article by John Fund, Death by a Thousand FOIAs, deftly described her critics' zeal in holding her office hostage to their political dirty game. By the time she resigned, fighting off these complaints had cost the Alaskan taxpayers $1.9 million, not counting the lost time and opportunities that could have been used in taking up the state affairs and business. She gave up her governorship, as she said, so that Alaska could continue to progress. One year after she left office, Moody's upgraded the state's credit rating to Triple-A  on the account of Alaska's $14 billion in reserves - "enough to pay for almost three years of operating expenses". Proof  positive that by stepping aside, the wheels of her economic and fiscal policies kept on rolling successfully to the benefit of her constituents.

Sarah Palin sacrificed her political career, took a stand and Alaska won.

Now that she has declined a run for the 2012 election,  Gov. Palin has once again decided to put her political advancement on hold – at a time when America needs to win.

This may turn out to be the biggest blessing in disguise and/or the most unconventional  campaign strategy yet.

Whatever and however family concerns factored in  in  her decision, in my opinion, should be left within the walls of her home. What we can fairly discuss in the public arena are the statements she gave in her announcement release: that she will "help elect other true public servants, from the nation’s governors to Congressional seats and the Presidency , … who will stop the “fundamental transformation” of our nation and instead seek the restoration of our greatness, our goodness and our constitutional republic based on the rule of law.”

 Rest assured, she will not be hibernating in Alaska.

By not being a candidate, she is indeed unshackled to go around the country to talk about what is at stake in this election without a big target on her back. At the same time, she is meeting, supporting and endorsing like-minded commonsense conservative candidates, building alliances along the way. Alliances that would be necessary in implementing  the much-needed reforms so we can get our economy growing again and get the country back on the right track.

For three years she has endured attacks, darts and arrows from the LSM and the left. Now that she isn't a "threat" to Barack Obama, the issues facing our country can finally take center stage. As the GOP rivals busy themselves taking each other down  and Team Obama already defining Mitt Romney as "Mitt the Empty Suit ... without a core", she will be blazing the trail, talking to voters about the urgent need for smaller government, less spending, less regulated free market and the solutions to fix our country’s problems. She is building the support system and the path to retaking the Senate, strengthening the GOP-controlled House and, with God's blessing, winning the White House.

Her supporters would like nothing else but to see that it is she who would win the White House. It is just too soon to concede.

Pro-Palin movements, like the Sarah Palin's Earthquake  and DraftPalin  among others, have been leading the efforts in urging her to change her mind and in pushing for a write-in/draft drive. They're doing a tremendous job. It is now time to shake things up and take our actions to the next level!

Right now, the group that benefits the most from our work is probably the US Postal Service. The thousands upon thousands of postcards we're sending the former governor and the state RNCs have probably "saved or created" more jobs than Pres. Obama could ever hope for with his stimulus bill. But our postcards and personal letters may not be enough to convince her to jump into the race.

Why?

The voters, especially the non-supporters and those on the sidelines, do not see the volume of the personal letters and postcards that are mailed to her private residence and to the RNC's private offices. Nor do they feel the intensity of her supporters' desire to get her to reconsider. The general public, and the media, need to see vigorous actions on the ground, boots on the ground kicking things up in her behalf, their curiosity piqued by ordinary folks' sincere activism in wanting to shape this election, so dynamic and unseen before that it'll shake American politics at its core.

Absent these, Sarah Palin would only be opening herself  to unnecessary attacks from the LSM and the left. If she simply comes out and suddenly announces in the Bob & Mark show that she has changed her mind and would run for the presidency in 2012 after all, her critics would just as quickly pummel her as wishy-washy, a spoiler, or worse, be slapped with that most dreadful label - a flipflopper.  But if everyone, including the media, could see  the earth-shattering grassroots efforts by We The People to put her name on the ballot, it gives her all the ammunition she needs to pick up the torch and carry the fight to the finish line.

It's time to reset our "reconsider" strategy and take it out to the campaign trail. It's time to reload. Here are some suggestions on the things we can do:

 - Let's work on the official write-in/draft petition now, gather the signatures and file. Contact your state's O4P (if your local O4P is not on the "reconsider camp", you'll have twice the task to convince them to "reconsider" as well). We have to make sure that the gathered signatures are all legit and valid. We knew that Barack Obama knocked off his opponents in his first Senate run in Chicago by challenging his opponents' petition signatures. I don't see how the Democrats or the GOP nominee would not employ the same tactic. There are also filing fees to consider which vary from state to state. We may be asked to contribute.

- Keep her out there. Let’s encourage the  O4Ps and the Tea Parties to work together in requesting speeches and appearances by the governor to keep her visibility high. While the other candidates are floundering at the weight of their own gaffes and flaps, with Sarah Palin being out there, voters are reminded that, yes, there is one living alternative to these flawed candidates and we have paved the legal way for them to vote for her and make their write-in votes count.

- Attend all and any political events to distribute "Write-in Sarah Palin" leaflets. We have to coordinate with our local O4Ps on what to write on the leaflets. We can't have 3 million Palinistas (and that's just her Facebook followers)  going rogue on messaging. We will have to print these materials from our home computer to help defray costs. Suggested items to write on the handouts: list of accomplishments, link to her FB page, brief bio, promote the movie "The Undefeated".

- Be her minesweeper. For the past years the Democrats, the left and the media have littered Sarah Palin's way with spikes and mines in hope that that would end her political career. By sheer wit, gut and determination, she is still on top but she cannot fight the smears alone by herself. Let us do locally what Conservatives4Palin has done for her nationally: defend her record and correct any lies and misinformations that her detractors are throwing out there. Write to your local papers, call radio shows, do robocalls . Let us all remember to be respectful and sensible in language and in tone because we represent her.

With the O4Ps, the Tea Party, her supporters and pro-Palin groups working together, more and better strategies will surely come up. Let us all help in whatever capacity we can.

After deciding that she'd pass up on 2012, why should we go to great lengths to convince her to reconsider and run?

Some critics say that if Sarah Palin wanted to be president, then she should be out there fighting for each and every vote. Under ordinary times I would agree. But the country right now is standing at a precipice of history. We could all go down together without a fight  or pull each other up to a stable and solid ground. For three years, she has been fighting the powerful troika of the LSM, the left and the GOP's good ol' boys' club who would unleash all dirty tricks on the book to take down an honest and an incorruptible public servant. Their false and malicious attacks  have been universally on her character because they knew that they could not compare with the substance and solidness of her  record. They will never play it fair with her.

She is just one person and if we care about the direction America is going, we need to fight with and for her.

Her record in public office is marked with one consistent theme: doing the right things for the people she serves.  That means making the hard choices that elected politicians before her have refused to make. No kicking the can down the road . No accounting gimmicks in balancing the budget.  No pandering to special interests. If it meant risking her  own political career, so be it. In her book, what needed to be done shall be done.

This is exactly the kind of leader we need at the White House. We have a president right now who is chipping away at everything that America stands for, whose politics guide every policy he makes, who seems oblivious to the hardships  that he’s creating for the American people.

As I have said here  before, when it comes to Sarah Palin as a leader and her crusade for a government truly representative of the people, it is impossible to separate the message from the messenger. By paving the campaign trail for her, we are allowing her to carry her message all across the country without being knocked off by constant attacks from the protectors of the status quo.

Keeping in mind 1 Corinthians 9:24,  2012 is the race that could either completely "transform" or restore America . Many are in the race but only one wins the prize. For our children and the future generation's sake, Sarah Palin has got to be the one to win this race.

Let the Earthquake begin. It’s time to shake things up!

We can do this.

(Note: Please know that I am not speaking for any O4P, Draft Palin or any particular group. All the opinions expressed in this article are mine alone.)

Making A Case For Sarah Palin's Earthquake

                     "But as for you, be strong and do not give up,
                      for your work will be rewarded."  - 2 Chronicles 15:7



The GOP presidential candidates just recently held their 8th debate of the year. The field is all but set.  Yet, most of Sarah Palin's supporters are still finding it hard to rally behind one Republican candidate. It's because not one comes close to being a total package that she is.

We see a tug-of-war in the polls between Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and Herman Cain. Michelle Bachmann has lost the magic and all the rest has simply no clear and practical path to the nomination.

Mitt Romney is the presumptive nominee but the Republicans' embrace of him has been lukewarm at best. I, for one, cannot in good conscience vote for Mr. Romney whose convictions are as solid as a JELL-O. A man of his word he is not. He's been a liberal, a moderate and a conservative depending on who he is running against. A famous flip-flopper, he's even changed his position that one should make a stand on issues and not flip-flop.  His 10th amendment defense of individual mandate in Romneycare is also highly debatable. Technically, the federal government cannot  mandate people to eat broccoli, but a state can. Should a governor order everybody in his state to eat broccoli? As Sarah Palin once said, "just because you can, doesn't mean you should." His defense, if anything, shows lack of restraint in exercising the vast powers of his office, though guaranteed by the States' Rights. Just ask Rick Perry.

Rick Perry came under fire for his policy of providing in-state tuition assistance to illegal immigrants in Texas. He defended this as a states' rights issue. It wasn't enough that it showed utter unfairness to other students (who are legal residents and US citizens) who probably have to work two jobs or have to incur students' loans to afford their college educations. It was also quite a sight to watch on national TV a governor, entrusted to enforce the laws of his state,  to openly embrace and publicly ignore the meaning of the word "illegal." If that wasn't trouble enough for him, he suggested that those who play by the rules who disagree with him "do not have a heart." Mr. Perry has had several gaffes (the Gardasil flap, "Ponzi scheme" remark that scared off seniors dependent on Social Security checks, "treasonous" Ben Bernake)  that sent his poll standing tumbling down. He is, however, a formidable fundraiser so he remains a viable contender. Nearly 60%, though, of his contributions came from Texas which suggests that his base of support elsewhere is soft. Moneywise, he could endure a long and expensive campaign and probably win easily ... in Texas.

Herman Cain has surged in the polls lately. But as affable and charismatic as he is , his 9%  national sales tax would be a hard sell, especially to states with no sales tax like New Hampshire or states with the highest combined state and local sales taxes like Tennessee and California. His propensity to misspeak is a treasure trove for his opponents to twist and misquote every word he has uttered. He is not quite ready for prime time and his inexperience on national stage is showing through his gaffes, during interviews and on the campaign trail. With his paltry fundraising and a ragtag team, he'd be easily creamed by the more seasoned, aggressive, $1 billion-richer Team Obama.

With the general election likely to be Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney, it's hard to tell which lesser evil America is going to get: a President Romney or a reelected President Obama. A President Romney is a win for the establishment and business-as-usual. A President Obama means another four years of more-of-the-same. Mitt Romney is a man of ever-shifting positions on issues. Barack Obama is a man of no-principle-at-all, voting present and too careful to stick his neck out for anything. What difference does it make? Either way, America loses.

That's why Palin supporters keep looking back at Wasilla, Alaska, hoping that their last remaining fighting chance would reconsider her decision and run for President of the United States in 2012.

There is a movement on Facebook right now called "Sarah Palin's Earthquake" whose main purpose is "to round up all of the Sarah Palin supporters to see if we can create the "Earthquake" that she said it would take to get her to reconsider running for President."

(Disclaimer: I am a member but I do NOT speak for the group. The opinions expressed in this post are all mine and are not endorsed by the group.)

In her conversation with Bob & Mark Levin, radio show hosts in Alaska, she said that absent  a 10.3 earthquake, she would not change her mind. We all know that the earthquake reference is all but a metaphor. What isn't a metaphor is her clear plan  going forward to help elect common sense conservatives who will get this country back on track. Indeed, we must join her in this effort 100%. We are one election away from turning into Greece. Our enormous debt is the biggest threat to our national security. It is only the specter of 2012 that makes some Democrats in Congress vote against Pres. Obama's bills and proposals. A GOP-controlled Congress is our only firewall against his destructive policies. We hear her message loud and clear.

But how do you separate the message from the messenger?

Such is the dilemna facing the voters. The current GOP presidential candidates are preaching the same message of smaller government, less spending, less regulations on the free market. Yet, not one comes across quite as authentic. With Sarah Palin, the message and the messenger are one and the same.There is no candidate right now from both parties whose policies and governing style are marked with clarity, consistency and constancy. She calls it like it is and says the same things whether she's speaking in Iowa or Florida or Arizona because she has no need to brown-nose to special interests. Rare is a politician whose words quite match her actions and she has the record to prove it.

Will we be able to convince her to change her mind?

Only she can answer that but I do know that our children's and grandchildren's future is at stake here so it's worth a try. I also know that if, after her much prayerful deliberations, we are going to ask her to put her family through heck again, we must show her that we have her back. We should be in it to win it.

I am not much of a political junkie to know the details of the write-in/draft rules and filing deadlines for primaries and general elections of all 50 states. But I know enough that there are Organize4Palin groups all around the country that have already laid out a campaign path for the governor before her announcement came out. They could gather the required signatures and file the necessary paperwork in her behalf so that, if in God's grace she reconsiders, all the legalities are already taken care of and we could all hit the ground running.

If we are ever to change her mind, I believe IOWA is key. I hope that Mr. Stephen Bannon would stick with his plan of releasing his "bombshell" a month before the Iowa caucuses as he had initially planned. I also hope that Mr. Peter Singleton could quickly mobilize those boots on the ground and do whatever is necessary to convince voters to caucus for her.  A win in Iowa would be a strong enough earthquake to meet the bar she has set. If we could deliver Iowa for her, it would make a huge statement for her viability and her supporters' sincere grassroots efforts to help get her into the race.

Speaking as a former Democrat, only the closed-minded would dismiss the substance and successes of her political life. I see Sarah Palin through her record of public service as a council member, mayor and governor. She has provided us with a blueprint of what great things America could achieve under a true and honest leadership  that operates under the context of a limited government. A leader who looks conscientiously to the Constitution in fulfilling her duties instead of trying to creatively circumvent it. A leader who is prudent with taxpayers' money and governs with the interests of her citizens instead of political donors and allies.  A leader who could not wait to shed the perks of her office, like the governor's jet, in stark contrast to the current First Couple who had no qualms about  travelling on  two separate taxpayer-funded planes on the same day on their way to the same vacation destination - four hours apart!

America deserves better.

One cautionary point to ponder for the ABO (Anybody But Obama) crowd. Mr. Obama might be a weak incumbent but an intense disapproval of the current president is not enough to unseat him if we field an even weaker challenger. Just ask any ABB (Anybody But Bush) Democrat. At the height of two unpopular wars and with the budget surplus that had all but turned into a $413 billion deficit , a polarizing George W. Bush could not be knocked off by a weak, flip-flopping, rich, can't-connect-with-a-Joe-six-pack, stiff guy  from Massachussetts. No, I'm talking about John Kerry, not Mitt Romney.

The political ground in DC needs a major shake-up. The electorate has the power - their votes- to crack open the fault line so that the old landscape can change and a new direction for our country could emerge. A government that is truly representative of the American people. Let us bring it forth. One vote at a time.

In Kaylene Johnsons's book, "Sarah: How A Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down" (2008 edition, pp. 96 -97), she wrote that Sarah Palin often turned down generous checks from big corporations or from supporters whom she knew did not really have much  money to spare, saying that "Really, all I need from you is your vote." That's what it will come down to when all is said and done.

Your vote. For Sarah Palin. In 2012.

We can do this.

Please go to http://www.facebook.com/PalinQuake;    OR
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/SarahPalinsEarthQuakeMovement/   (this is a CLOSED group and the administrators are asking its members to switch over to the newer site at the top.)

America's Greatest Story Yet To Be Told

                "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,
                 since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
                                                                                       - 2 Corinthians 4:18


Just like most of Sarah Palin's supporters, I was saddened and deeply disappointed that she would not be a presidential candidate in 2012. As much as I support her decision to put family first, it is a struggle to rally behind a challenger to President Obama because there really  is no one among the GOP candidates who could ever come close to a total package that Sarah Palin is.

As in the past, whenever I felt down and at a loss, I find myself picking up one old familiar source of comfort: the book,  "The Greatest Story Ever Told" by Fulton Oursler. It is the story of Jesus, from His birth to His ministry and finally, to His crucifixion at Calvary. The book was already stained and its covers tattered when I found it at a book sale a long time ago. I have read it a number of times but opening its pages yet again warmed my heart just like the first time. It is an enduring story of love, hope and faith, a comforting validation that for every struggle there is a reason, of gathering strength when you are at your weakest, of finding peace by trusting that in the end good always prevails because God only wants the best for us.

What a parallel it was that Jesus was turned in by His own people because he was a threat to Rome and the religious authorities and Sarah Palin was and is being taken down by the media and the left because she is a threat to the presidency of Barack Obama. Yet, both their messages endure.

I am not, by any means, comparing Jesus to Sarah Palin. Just the thought of it sends chill down my spine. Jesus's life on earth was in fulfillment of the prophecies in the Holy Book to save mankind while Gov. Palin is a mere mortal answering a call of public service. A devout Christian herself, she would be the first to shoot down such a comparison, or even a suggestion of it. It would be wrong to even try.

Even as a former Democrat, I found it rather rich for Barack Obama's supporters to call him the "Messiah", the "Black Jesus" or "God", and outright blaphemous for Mr. Obama and his team to allow and even encourage such adulation. There is only one Messiah and His name is not Barack Obama. 

As bad as the state of affairs in our country right now, I believe that the Obama presidency had to happen because for a long time, our elected officials have forgotten that their duty is to serve their constituents, not their cronies and their own interests. President Obama, through his actions and policies,  has magnified in such a short time all that is wrong in Washington!

These politicians have been twisting and trampling on our laws while they hand out favors and create tax exemptions and loopholes for their friends and political allies.

These politicians have been promising to fight for the middle class, the poor, the elderly and the children as they introduce endless unfunded, unsustainable programs that end up hurting the very people that they professed to help.

These politicians have been raiding the Social Security Trust Fund bankrupt year after year and now we're supposed to applaud the President for his proposal of a payroll tax holiday that would rob funding of the Social Security program?

These politicians have become masters of creating problems so they could propose solutions to problems that we didn't have in the first place. It sure sounded nice to hear that every one has a right to the American Dream and we could all buy and own houses, with low-to-zero downpayment, that we cannot afford in the first place.

These politicians have been preaching political correctness to dictate our national conversations and distract us from the real issues, leaving the electorate more divided and more partisan and the real problems unresolved.

TARP. Stimulus. Cash for Clunkers. Cash for Caulkers. Higher debt ceiling. All made possible by borrowed money from China.  These politicians have been patting their backs for saving the country from Depression while the bills are piled-on high on the backs of the taxpayers.

These politicians have been using the mainstream media as their mouthpieces to demonize those honest public servants who truly want to put our country bak on the right track.

Enough is enough. It is time to make them accountable. As Sarah Palin once said, "There is nothing wrong in America that a good old-fashioned election can't fix!"

The Tea Party has jolted the 2010 elections, forced the issues to the forefront and helped elect representatives who believe in smaller and smarter government. We need to do more in 2012.

We need a government that will allow businesses and the free market to thrive so we could put Americans back to work. We need a government that believes and encourages American's ingenuity and innovation. We need an educational system that is student-centered, teacher-powered, not union-controlled so we could develop a new generation of engineers and doctors and scientists who will be ready to face the modern challenges of the 21st century. We need a government that is fiscally responsible and prudent with the taxpayers' money. We need a government that will lead us to be energy independence so we are beholden to other countries that want to see America reduced from being a superpower.

We need a government that is of the people, by the people, and for the people.

There is an old saying, "We do not know what the future holds. But we do know who holds the future." We do not know how God's plan for us will unfold but we do know that in 2012, We The People will be in charge.

America's greatest story is yet to be told, you'll see.

Sarah Palin Not Running for President in 2012

                       "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the
                        LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
                        plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11


In Madison, Wisconsin with her pronouncement, "Mr. President, Game on!", Sarah Palin put down the marker that she intended to challenge Barack Obama in 2012.  In Indianola, Iowa, she laid out her five-point plan on how to revive our bankrupt economy. Her interviews, writings and speeches were heavy on details. Supporters were simply waiting for her to officially throw her hat in the ring but  her proposals and positions on issues, her vision and the direction to where she would take the country were already all laid out in the open...

The much-awaited announcement came in October 5, but it wasn't the light that would ignite the absolute fire in the bellies of her supporters ready to go blaze the campaign trail for and with her. She wasn't running for the presidency in 2012.

My blog has always been supportive of the former Alaska governor. Without a doubt, this was a sad news that was hard to take. The very first reason she gave in her SarahPAC statement read, "As always, my family comes first ...". Politicians always use the same personal reason for not running for election/reelection - the family.

But truth be told, when I heard her say that her family came first, I SINCERELY believed her. As sad and disappointed as I was, I respected her decision.

As widely covered as she was by the media, people do not really know, and perhaps will never know, half of what she and her family have gone through the past three years with all the lies and ridiculous stories spread about her. She said that she and her husband have put great consideration into family life when she made her final decision. That was good enough for me. She did not need to apologize.

Tonight, as in the night when the leftwing media and blogosphere threw at her baseless, hideous accusations about the Tucson tragedy and put the blame squarely on her shoulders, I found myself at the same place, in the same position: in my bedroom and on my knees, hands clasped together in prayer.

I was on my knees again praying to God, for her and her family's health and safety. I again recalled Deuteronomy 33:25 in my prayer: "... As thy day, so shall thy strength be." Criticisms would abound as she passed up 2012. I prayed to God that whatever her day throws at her, to keep her faith unshakeable, to make her body healthier, her character stronger and her mind and focus, clearer than ever.

Lastly, I thanked God for introducing Gov. Palin to America, who provided us the vision and, through her record of accomplishments in Alaska, for showing us the possibilities of what America could achieve with the right kind of leadership. She restored hope for our country and for the American Dream.

Gov. Palin is a woman of faith and I know God and prayers are central to her decision-making process. She would have been a very formidable candidate and would have made a great president. But she decided the way she did. Amidst all the hyperpartisanships, corruption and mud-slinging in Washington, I believe with all my heart that America's best days are yet to come. We cannot read God's plans for us but right things happen at the right time, at the right place, for the right reasons because GOD ONLY WANTS THE BEST FOR US.

A Third Party Run By Sarah Palin May Not Be Too Far-Fetched

                     " ... This is the way, walk ye in it ..." -  Isaiah 30:21 KJV


Former Governor Sarah Palin created a speculation frenzy when, in an interview with the host of "On the Record" Greta Van Susteren, she raised some very telling questions, " Is a title worth it?" and "is a title and a campaign too shackling?" She has always said in the past that one does not need a title to make a difference. Indeed, she is a true example of that and the 2010 elections were proof positive of how one person could influence our national discourse. But when she said that a "title could be shackling", many took it that she would pass up the 2012 presidential contest altogether.

In a blog post "Which Title Doesn't Gov. Palin Need?", C4P's Adrienne Ross questioned whether the title Sarah Palin was referring to was that of "President" or simply the "GOP nominee." She then presented an interesting theory that perhaps the governor was considering a third party run? Ms. Ross'  article created as much of commenters' reactions as the governor's remarks. Given her prominent role in politics, her public writings on national policies heavy on details, quick missives on pertinent issues on the social media, her high-profile bus tours and speeches, a much prolonged decision-making process on whether she'd run or not may seem like a sign of hesitancy. But the possibility of an independent run does make sense and to delay the anouncement of her candidacy may simply be part of a bigger plan. Sarah Palin promised this to be a very unconventional election cycle. Creating a third party or running as independent fits that narrative.

Sarah Palin isn't exactly the Republican Party's most favorite daughter. Her political career is rife with her fights in exposing corruption, even of his own colleagues. The party has strayed too far from its original platform so there really is no use, or need, for her to ask for the establishment's blessing.

Political parties always fear a rogue third party challenge for one big reason - it splits the votes. In the case of 2012, it is almost like handing President Obama a second term by default. This would certainly be the case if Sarah Palin left  the Republican tent and ran as an independent. But if she makes the "right choice" , she could split the votes to HER advantage.

With Sarah Palin competing as an Independent, the GOP nominee will most possibly be Mitt Romney, who with Romneycare and his flip-flopping and authenticity problems, infuriates the conservatives to their wits' ends. The former Massachussetts governor is a favorite of the establishment, the elites  and Wall Street so he'll clinch the nomination but will lose in the general election (because Sarah Palin will split the votes, remember?), thus giving Mr. Obama another four years in the White House. But the president has a lot of problems of his own. An AP-Gfak analysis of polls show him losing support from key groups of voters that propelled him to office in 2008 (whites, women, younger voters, and some liberals) but come November 6, 2012, the biggest bloc of his base, the African-Americans, will be there and pull the lever for him. That is, unless, Gov. Palin decides to make a bold move that will split the votes - to pick a VP running mate who can take away votes from both Obama and Romney. Someone who is BOTH pro-business and black. Someone like Herman Cain (or any other black man or woman with private sector background whom Sarah Palin would  choose to pick). A pro-business running mate bring down votes for a corporate guy that is Mr. Romney. The black community will not abandon the first black president on election day unless the alternative is another brother in the ticket who knows - really knows - how to create jobs.

(Personally, Mr. Cain is not my preferred VP candidate but his positions on issues like the economy, energy independence, abortion, education, among others, mirror those of Sarah Palin's. My personal choice would be a Hispanic running mate with strong and solid background on immigration because of its impact on the economy and national security. But the important thing is to help elect Gov. Palin to the Presidency and as I have no doubt, once she's seated at the Oval Office, she would tackle the issue head-on. Also, not to take anything away from the Hispanic population but by simply going by the numbers, the African-American votes carry more weight when it comes to effecting the result of the election. The Hispanics and Latinos are the larger of the two minority groups but the black community has a bigger percentage of people who are of voting age and are more politically-involved. If Gov. Palin would aim to take as much votes away from Pres. Obama, numbers should be a big factor in her considerations.)

Campaigning for the most powerful job in the free world demands tremendous toughness, mentally and physically. Gov. Palin will not be alone in her quest to the White House. Millions of fed up Americans, tired of same old business-as-usual in Washington, ready for common sense approach to our problems, will be there with her and for her. She already has name recognition and organizations on the ground nationwide and legions of passionate supporters. As soon as she gives the word, those boots on the ground will start marching.

In spite of some of the confusion that her "shackling" remarks created and the delay in announcement, I have never lost, for one moment, confidence that she will make a run for the Presidency, because she knows that she has to be at the top of leadership to bring about meaningful and tangible changes. After two years as a council member in Wasilla, witnessing the good old boys network's  inner workings, she knew there had to be a major shake-up at the City hall if her small town was to progress.  She earned the ire of   Councilman Nick Carney, the same man who convinced her to run for a council seat, when she voted no to a proposed garbage pick-up ordinance - a potential boon to the town's only garbage-removal company which was, incidentally, owned by Mr.Carney. That's why she ran - and won- for mayor. She did clean up the Wasilla city hall, then Juneau as governor of Alaska. Now there's a lot more than just garbage to clean up in Washington. Crony capitalism. Irresponsible debt. Unsustainable spending. Anemic job growth. Obamacare. Class warfare.  Poverty. Immigration. Sarah Palin has to lead. She has the experience, smarts, substance and fortitude to fight for and effect real change. She wouldn't like to see America "shackled" to a fundamental transformation to decline, would she?

Note: Thanks to a reader who has reminded  me that a third party run does not necessarily mean an independent run and vice-versa. The text above has been updated. - NaLa