Asked For Policy Specifics, Palin Offers Generalities  – From The Road

Palin Spokesperson Tracey Schmitt offered the following experiences that Palin would bring to the table on foreign policy:

“As the Governor of one of our largest energy producing states, Governor Sarah Palin is uniquely qualified to speak to one of the most pressing foreign policy issues of our time; achieving independence from foreign oil.

Hmm.  Did Tracey mean “largest energy producing” states, or largest “energy producing states”?  While Alaska does supply 3.5% (not 20% claimed by Johnah McPalin) of America’s energy, according to the website for the official energy statistics for the US government:

Texas and Alaska each account for large shares of U.S. crude oil production, but even they are surpassed by the Federal offshore areas in the Gulf of Mexico and California, which produces roughly one-fourth of the U.S. total.

Texas has vast proved reserves of natural gas – about one-fourth of the Nation’s total and roughly twice as much as the proved reserves found in Wyoming, the State with the next highest amount.

Wyoming leads the Nation in coal production; it typically produces more coal than the combined production of the next four top coal-producers – West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Montana.

California generates more electricity from geothermal, solar, and wind energy sources than any other State, and Washington leads the Nation in hydroelectric power generation and in generation from all renewables (including hydroelectric) combined.

Illinois and Pennsylvania rely to a great extent on nuclear power for electricity generation and, together, they account for approximately one-fifth of the Nation’s nuclear power generation.

But hey, Alaska does have a lot of energy production.  So what?  How does that help her understand the Palestinian conflict?  What does that do for her grasp of Pakistan and India’s fight over Kashmir (hint, Sarah: they’re not arguing over their favorite Led Zeppelin song)?  What’s her plan to deal with the growing international trade deficit and continued drop in value of the dollar?

Oh, wait, I know, she lives next door to Russia!

She is Governor of the only state with two international borders – a land border with Canada and a maritime border with Russia.

“I can see Russia and Canada from my house!”

She has executive experience, has promoted trade of Alaskan products to over 100 foreign destinations and met with dozens of international trade delegations.

So has Mrs. Paul.  Are we going to elect a vice president or a fish sticks entrepreneur?

Last year she traveled to the Middle East to visit members of the deployed Alaska National Guard troops and she has also visited wounded US troops in Germany.”

So has Kellie Pickler.  Are we going to elect a vice president or a Carrie Underwood wannabe?

Earlier at the town hall meeting, a woman rose to speak and said was a Democrat who previously supported Hillary Clinton but now backed the Republican ticket.

“Give us some details and examples of your strategies and plan for economic empowerment for women,” she said.

McCain signaled for Palin to answer the question.

“Well first let me take a shot at that, and I’ll tell ya, I’m a product of Title IX in our schools, where equal education and equal opportunities in sports really helped propel me into the-I guess into the position that I’m in today where,” Palin said.

McCain then interjected, “Could I mention she was a point guard on a state championship basketball team.”

See ladies?  If you’re looking for economic empowerment, join the WNBA!  (Even there, you won’t get paid the same as a man… just like John W. McCain likes it.)

“…a woman rose to speak and said was a Democrat who previously supported Hillary Clinton but now backed the Republican ticket…”  Lady, do you even know what “Democrat” means?  Have you been borrowing Joe Lieberman’s dictionary?  What do you call these women?  They’re not PUMAs anymore.  My wife calls them the “any vagina will do” voters, but that doesn’t make a snarky acronym.