Sarah Palin On the Issues

http://www.ontheissues.org/Sarah_Palin.htm, 09/04/08

Sarah Palin on Abortion
Rejected sympathy for Down’s Syndrome son, as gift from God. (Aug 2008)
Opposes stem cell research. (Aug 2008)
Every baby is created with a future and potential. (Aug 2008)
Pro-life. (Nov 2006)
Pro-contraception, pro-woman, pro-life. (Aug 2006)
Only exception for abortion is if mother’s life would end. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Budget & Economy
Reduced general fund spending by $124 million. (Mar 2007)
Aim to reduce general fund spending by $150 million. (Jan 2007)
Firm believer in free market capitalism. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
Vetoed bill denying benefits to gays, as unconstitutional. (Aug 2008)
Marriage only be between and man and a woman. (Nov 2006)
Value our cultural diversity. (Nov 2006)
Ok to deny benefits to homosexual couples. (Aug 2006)
No spousal benefits for same-sex couples. (Jul 2006)
Top priorities include preserving definition of “marriage”. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Corporations
Governor must act as effective CEO on behalf of Alaskans. (Nov 2006)
Encourage small business growth by reducing business taxes. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Crime
We are tough on crime and beefing up law enforcement. (Jan 2008)
If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it. (Nov 2006)
Strong public safety presence, via police, courts & prisons. (Nov 2006)
No special hate-crime laws; all heinous crime is hate-based. (Jul 2006)
No expansion of gambling in Alaska. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Drugs
Highway fatalities down because of strict drunk driving laws. (Aug 2008)
Opposes legalizing marijuana, but meth is greater threat. (Aug 2006)
Smoked marijuana when it was legal under Alaska law. (Aug 2006)
Top priorities include gangs & drugs; they harm family life. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Education
Teach creationism alongside evolution in schools. (Aug 2008)
Supports teaching intelligent design in public schools. (Aug 2008)
294 Alaska public schools progressed under NCLB. (Aug 2008)
School debate should focus on accountability. (Jan 2008)
Committed to providing strong education, including morals. (Jan 2008)
Budget funds education, but will to work is also critical. (Jan 2008)
Fully fund K-12 and support early funding of education. (Jan 2007)
Supports $20 million needs-based aid for U. Alaska. (Nov 2006)
Forward-fund K-12 schools to allow better planning. (Nov 2006)
Supports charter schools, home schools, & other alternatives. (Nov 2006)
Target early education programs to at-risk groups. (Nov 2006)
Alignment between parents, teachers, schools, & business. (Nov 2006)
Faith-based materials ok in homeschooling. (Nov 2006)
ABC method: back to basics, plus patriotism & ethics. (Nov 2006)
Supports parental choice for what is best for their children. (Nov 2006)
Let parents opt out of schoolbooks they find offensive. (Jul 2006)
Parents know best, about school spending & school age. (Jul 2006)
Pledge of Allegiance with ‘Under God’ is good enough. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Energy & Oil
Claimed major triumph: $500 million subsidy for gas pipeline. (Aug 2008)
Global warming affects Alaska, but is not man-made. (Aug 2008)
Resource rebate: suspend AK 8-cent fuel tax for one year. (Aug 2008)
Gasline Inducement Act: 1,715-mile natural gas pipeline. (Aug 2008)
Commercialize Alaska’s North Slope natural gas. (Aug 2008)
Appointed an Alaska oil and gas commissioner. (Aug 2008)
To win, GOP must push energy independence. (Aug 2008)
Agrees with Obama on more Alaska oil & gas production. (Aug 2008)
Windfall oil profits tax prevents investment. (Aug 2008)
Lift moratorium on offshore drilling. (Jul 2008)
Convinced McCain to drill offshore; not yet on drilling ANWR. (Jul 2008)
Unlock ANWR; we’re ready, willing and able to contribute. (Jun 2008)
Fully fund for the Petroleum Systems Integrity Office. (Feb 2008)
$250M for proven alternative energy, including wind & hydro. (Jan 2008)
Gas pipelines are approved if they meet Alaska’s needs. (Jan 2008)
National energy policy not an either/or proposition. (Nov 2007)
Fund cellulosic biofuel research in Farm Bill. (Oct 2007)
Submitted legislation to build natural AGIA gas pipeline. (Mar 2007)
Stranded Gas Development Act no longer applies. (Nov 2006)
Get ANWR open. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Environment
Opposed protections for salmon from mining contamination. (Aug 2008)
Sue US government to stop listing polar bear as endangered. (Aug 2008)
We must encourage timber, mining, drilling, & fishing. (Jan 2008)
Provide stability in regulations for developers. (Jan 2007)
Convince the rest of the nation to open ANWR. (Jan 2007)
Fish platform: “Resource First” philosophy. (Nov 2006)
Rail provides critical link for business development. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Families & Children
17-year-old unmarried daughter is 5 months pregnant. (Sep 2008)
Praised by pro-life groups for keeping Down syndrome baby. (Aug 2008)
Opposes explicit sex-education programs. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Foreign Policy
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org. 

Sarah Palin on Free Trade
Trade important to Alaska, but keep Alaska residents first. (Sep 2008)

Sarah Palin on Government Reform
Supported infamous “Bridge to Nowhere”; now criticizes it. (Aug 2008)
Individuals make better decisions than government. (Aug 2008)
Fight “bridge to nowhere” and all earmarks. (Jul 2008)
VECO scandal & Stevens indictment shows need for GOP cleanup. (Jul 2008)
Presented comprehensive ethics bill in early 2007. (Mar 2007)

Sarah Palin on Gun Control
Hunts and fishes, as did her father. (Aug 2008)
Hunts as much as she can; freezer-full of wild game. (Aug 2008)
Supports ending D.C.’s 32-year-old ban on handguns. (Jun 2008)
Lifelong NRA member & champion of right to bear arms. (Feb 2008)
Supports Constitutional right to bear arms. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Health Care
Health care must be market-and business-driven. (Jan 2008)
Take personal responsibility for personal health & all areas. (Jan 2008)
Doctors should manage health care, not bureaucracies. (Jan 2008)
Personal responsibility & choices key to good health. (Jan 2008)
Flexibility in government regulations to allow competition. (Nov 2006)
More affordable health care via competition. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Homeland Security
Strong military and sound energy. (Aug 2008)
Armed forces, including my son, give us security and freedom. (Jan 2008)
Ask all candidates “Are you doing all you can for security?”. (Oct 2007)
Visits Kuwait; encourages Alaska big game hunting to troops. (Sep 2007)
Promote from within, in Alaska’s National Guard. (Nov 2006)
Let military personnel know how much we support them. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Immigration
No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org. 

Sarah Palin on Jobs
Alaska Construction Academy: 2,520 students learn skills. (Aug 2008)
Leverage job-training dollars thru voc-tech curriculum. (Nov 2006)
Focus Workforce Investment Board on vocational careers. (Nov 2006)
Unions should get member permission for political donations. (Jul 2006)

Sarah Palin on Principles & Values
OpEd: shores up McCain as a conservative AND as a maverick. (Sep 2008)
Before selection, questioned role of vice president. (Sep 2008)
Miss Congeniality in statewide beauty pageant in 1984. (Aug 2008)
Star high school athlete in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. (Aug 2008)
Gained political prominence as a whistleblower. (Aug 2008)
Trounced incumbent governor in 2006 on platform of reform. (Aug 2008)
Fired controversial state trooper for threatening family. (Aug 2008)
Voted “Miss Wasilla” in local beauty contest; eloped at 24. (Aug 2008)
Husband left oil job to avoid conflict; now works for BP. (Aug 2008)
Husband is part Eskimo; won Iron Dog snowmobile races. (Aug 2008)
Investigated for firing ex-brother-in-law in custody battle. (Aug 2008)
Studied journalism; ran for office to make a difference. (Aug 2008)
Religion: non-denominational Bible-believing Christian. (Aug 2008)
Independent prosecutor probing Cabinet firing. (Jul 2008)
Replaced Public Safety commissioner based on lack of results. (Jul 2008)
Denies all allegations in Department of Public Safety affair. (Jul 2008)
Leadership is a responsibility to prepare for tomorrow. (Jan 2008)
Top priorities for AK include ethics & balanced budget. (Mar 2007)

Sarah Palin on Social Security
Fund the Seniors Longevity Bonus Program. (Nov 2006)
Home-based assistance more cost-effective than institutions. (Nov 2006)

Sarah Palin on Tax Reform
Elected mayor based on tax cut promise. (Aug 2008)
As mayor, cut property taxes & increased sales tax. (Aug 2008)
$60M annually for municipal revenue sharing. (Mar 2008)
Eliminate taxes that inhibit business. (Jan 2008)
Repeal “nuisance taxes” including the tire tax. (Jan 2007)

Sarah Palin on Technology
Supports $130M in research investment in U. Alaska. (Nov 2006)
Efficient transportation system is vital to our economy. (Nov 2006)
Alaska needs a state funded highway program. (Nov 2006)

VoteMatch Responses
Based on these stances:

Strongly Opposes topic 1: Abortion is a woman’s right
(-5 points on Social scale) Rejected sympathy for Down’s Syndrome son, as gift from God: Opposes topic 1
Opposes stem cell research: Opposes topic 1
Every baby is created with a future and potential: Strongly Opposes topic 1
Praised by pro-life groups for keeping Down syndrome baby: Opposes topic 1
Pro-life: Strongly Opposes topic 1
Pro-contraception, pro-woman, pro-life: Opposes topic 1
Only exception for abortion is if mother’s life would end: Opposes topic 1

No opinion on topic 2: Require hiring more women & minorities
(0 points on Economic scale) Value our cultural diversity: Favors topic 2
No special hate-crime laws; all heinous crime is hate-based: Opposes topic 2

Strongly Opposes topic 3: Same-sex domestic partnership benefits
(-5 points on Social scale) Vetoed bill denying benefits to gays, as unconstitutional: Favors topic 3
Marriage only be between and man and a woman: Strongly Opposes topic 3
Ok to deny benefits to homosexual couples: Strongly Opposes topic 3
No spousal benefits for same-sex couples: Strongly Opposes topic 3
Top priorities include preserving definition of “marriage”: Strongly Opposes topic 3

Strongly Favors topic 4: Teacher-led prayer in public schools
(-5 points on Social scale) Teach creationism alongside evolution in schools: Strongly Favors topic 4
Supports teaching intelligent design in public schools: Strongly Favors topic 4
Committed to providing strong education, including morals: Strongly Favors topic 4
ABC method: back to basics, plus patriotism & ethics: Favors topic 4
Let parents opt out of schoolbooks they find offensive: Favors topic 4
Pledge of Allegiance with ‘Under God’ is good enough: Favors topic 4
Opposes explicit sex-education programs: Favors topic 4

Strongly Favors topic 8: Death Penalty
(-5 points on Social scale) If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it: Strongly Favors topic 8

Strongly Favors topic 9: Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws
(-5 points on Social scale) We are tough on crime and beefing up law enforcement: Favors topic 9
Strong public safety presence, via police, courts & prisons: Strongly Favors topic 9

Strongly Favors topic 10: Absolute right to gun ownership
(+5 points on Economic scale) Hunts as much as she can; freezer-full of wild game: Strongly Favors topic 10
Supports ending D.C.’s 32-year-old ban on handguns: Strongly Favors topic 10
Lifelong NRA member & champion of right to bear arms: Strongly Favors topic 10
Supports Constitutional right to bear arms: Strongly Favors topic 10

Opposes topic 5: More federal funding for health coverage
(+2 points on Economic scale) Health care must be market-and business-driven: Strongly Favors topic 5
Take personal responsibility for personal health & all areas: Strongly Opposes topic 5
Doctors should manage health care, not bureaucracies: Strongly Opposes topic 5
Personal responsibility & choices key to good health: Strongly Opposes topic 5
Flexibility in government regulations to allow competition: Opposes topic 5
More affordable health care via competition: Strongly Favors topic 5

Opposes topic 6: Privatize Social Security
(-3 points on Economic scale) Fund the Seniors Longevity Bonus Program: Opposes topic 6

Strongly Favors topic 7: Parents choose schools via vouchers
(+5 points on Economic scale) 294 Alaska public schools progressed under NCLB: Favors topic 7
Supports charter schools, home schools, & other alternatives: Strongly Favors topic 7
Supports parental choice for what is best for their children: Favors topic 7
Parents know best, about school spending & school age: Favors topic 7

Strongly Opposes topic 18: Replace coal & oil with alternatives
(+5 points on Economic scale) Global warming affects Alaska, but is not man-made: Strongly Opposes topic 18
Resource rebate: suspend AK 8-cent fuel tax for one year: Opposes topic 18
Commercialize Alaska’s North Slope natural gas: Strongly Opposes topic 18
Agrees with Obama on more Alaska oil & gas production: Strongly Opposes topic 18
Lift moratorium on offshore drilling: Strongly Opposes topic 18
Unlock ANWR; we’re ready, willing and able to contribute: Strongly Opposes topic 18
$250M for proven alternative energy, including wind & hydro: Strongly Favors topic 18
Fund cellulosic biofuel research in Farm Bill: Strongly Favors topic 18
Convince the rest of the nation to open ANWR: Strongly Opposes topic 18
Stranded Gas Development Act no longer applies: Opposes topic 18
Get ANWR open: Strongly Opposes topic 18

Favors topic 19: Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it
(-3 points on Social scale) Highway fatalities down because of strict drunk driving laws: Favors topic 19
Opposes legalizing marijuana, but meth is greater threat: Strongly Favors topic 19
Smoked marijuana when it was legal under Alaska law: Opposes topic 19
Top priorities include gangs & drugs; they harm family life: Strongly Favors topic 19

Favors topic 20: Allow churches to provide welfare services
(+2 points on Economic scale) Faith-based materials ok in homeschooling: Favors topic 20

Opposes topic 11: Make taxes more progressive
(+2 points on Economic scale) Elected mayor based on tax cut promise: Strongly Opposes topic 11
As mayor, cut property taxes & increased sales tax: Favors topic 11
Windfall oil profits tax prevents investment: Opposes topic 11
$60M annually for municipal revenue sharing: Opposes topic 11
Eliminate taxes that inhibit business: Strongly Opposes topic 11
Repeal “nuisance taxes” including the tire tax: Favors topic 11
Encourage small business growth by reducing business taxes: Strongly Opposes topic 11

No opinion on topic 12: Illegal immigrants earn citizenship
(0 points on Social scale) (No votes on which to base response)

Favors topic 13: Support & expand free trade
(+2 points on Economic scale) Trade important to Alaska, but keep Alaska residents first: Favors topic 13
Firm believer in free market capitalism: Favors topic 13

Strongly Favors topic 15: Expand the armed forces
(-5 points on Social scale) Strong military and sound energy: Strongly Favors topic 15
Ask all candidates “Are you doing all you can for security?”: Favors topic 15
Promote from within, in Alaska’s National Guard: Favors topic 15
Let military personnel know how much we support them: Favors topic 15

Favors topic 16: Stricter limits on political campaign funds
(-3 points on Economic scale) VECO scandal & Stevens indictment shows need for GOP cleanup: Favors topic 16
Presented comprehensive ethics bill in early 2007: Favors topic 16
Unions should get member permission for political donations: Favors topic 16

No opinion on topic 14: The Patriot Act harms civil liberties
(0 points on Social scale) (No votes on which to base response)

Favors topic 17: US out of Iraq
(+2 points on Social scale) We don’t know what the plan is to ever end the war: Favors topic 17
Armed forces, including my son, give us security and freedom: Opposes topic 17
Wants exit plan; also assurances to keep our troops safe: Favors topic 17