Are You a Fan of Sarah?

Which Sarah am I talking about?

Sara Bareilles? The musical one from MY COUNTY that wrote and performed Love Song?  Nope...not that one, even though I am a fan.

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and the original Fergie? Nope...I like her and I think she got a raw deal from the Royal Family, but it's not her I am referring to either.

How about Sarah Jessica Parker?  Definitely not...I liked her when she was in Square Pegs, but since then, nope.

Have you figured out which Sarah I'm referring to?  If you haven't guessed Sarah Palin by now, I just don't know what to say.

You say the name "Sarah Palin" and you get some really strong reactions.  Some people think she is a total nut job and they just wish she would go away.  Others adore her and think she is the next best thing since sliced bread.  Me?  I lean towards the next-best-thing thing, but let me explain.

Here are the reasons I like her;

1. She is a strong Christian woman.
2. She speaks her mind.
3. She is intelligent and knows what she is talking about.
4. She exposed the crooks in both parties.
5. She put the people of Wasilla (as mayor) and Alaska (as governor) first.
6. She is not afraid to be honest and mingle with the "common" folk.
7. She admits that she makes mistakes.

Now, those are some pretty general reasons.  However, I wasn't so sure about her the first time I heard her name.  I was driving home from work and I heard on the radio that John McCain had chosen a woman as his running mate.  The first thought I had was, "He just sealed his fate.  There is no way he can win now."  And I truly believed this.  Even though we have come a long way since Geraldine Ferraro ran as the Vice Presidential candidate with Walter Mondale, I still believe that our country doesn't value the strengths some women have.  But I went home, and began listening to Sarah Palin give speeches.  I was impressed.  I watched the interviews and the way the liberal media bashed her; mostly because she didn't play ball with the good ol' boys and because she was normal.  I mean, seriously, as a middle America, stay-at-home soccer mom, who would you rather have in the White House? Someone like Sarah Palin or a career politician like Joe Biden?

And the more I watched how Sarah Palin handled herself and I read and heard the things she was saying, I began to believe that she was really the person she was portraying.  She wasn't faking to get elected.  She wasn't playing the political game.  I was really disappointed when the election results came in.  I truly supported John McCain and Sarah Palin and I was saddened to see our country elect someone who didn't have as much experience as Sarah Palin (as the V.P. candidate) did as the actual Presidential candidate. 

I just finished Sarah Palin's book Going Rogue.  I don't know if I have ever read another autobiography.  If I have, it must not have left a very big impression on me.  I learned more about the political process.  I learned more about Alaska and the fiercely independent spirit of the people that live there.  I learned that when it comes down to it, Sarah is just a regular mom who is committed to doing her best and raising her children to be good citizens. 

Even if you don't particularly like Sarah Palin or the world of politics bore you, try her book.  You might just be surprised.  Oh...and in case you are wondering; yes, I'm a fan of Sarah.