[My 9/10/08 update to this post can be found here.]
I was puzzled last week when two of my bosses and one of my friends — all very conservative, intelligent, and successful people — chastised me for doubting Sarah Palin. They said I was not giving her credit for her administrative talents and accomplishments.
I was open-minded. I gave their arguments due consideration. But the more I studied, the more I became convinced that — for all their intelligence and success — my bosses and friend were simply, terribly wrong. Consider …
1. One of Palin’s primary accomplishments as a “Republican” governor was to take a page from the Democrats’ playbook and push through a massive tax hike, with little in the way of off-setting tax cuts.
2. In her time as a mayor, she loaded up her city with stifling debt.
3. When it was convenient to favor earmarks, she most certainly did — and though she may have since changed her tune, being from Missouri, I’d like some proof that her altered views are more than merely a matter of political convenience.
The original version of this post had a fourth point re: Palin as an “agent of intolerance.” After challenges raised by commenters, I softened that point. And, after further research, I deleted it entirely. Until proven otherwise, my apologies to Gov. Palin for the charge.