First it was Hillary Rodham who was the next Queen Esther, now we have Sarah Palin...
September 10, 2008
Reading about Queen Esther helped guide Palin
Governor Linda Lingle (R-Hawaii)
If there was any doubt that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will shake up Washington and institute real change, the selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential nominee has put that question to rest. Few people can match McCain's maverick spirit and bipartisan nature like Palin.
I've known Sarah Palin since her election as governor in 2006. I am confident she will be a great friend of the Jewish community and Israel, as well as a terrific leader and great vice president.
It is not surprising that her historic nomination has brought enthusiasm and excitement to the nation.
In my speech at the Republican National Convention, I shared a few reasons for that excitement.
"As a fellow Republican governor, I have had the chance to get to know Gov. Sarah Palin," I said in that speech. "She is a terrific individual and an outstanding governor. Sarah is a person with proven leadership skills and strong moral character."
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the only Jewish Republican in the House of Representatives, wrote that he was "excited" by the choice.
"Sarah brings a wealth of experience to the campaign and will pose a formidable challenge to the Democratic nominees," Cantor said. "Sarah Palin is a smart woman who represents change."
Gov. Palin brings numerous strengths and qualities to the position of vice president. She has been a mayor, a governor and the head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. While serving in these positions, she has built a reputation as a leader willing to work across party lines to bring about real reform and to better the lives of her constituents.
Gov. Palin has cut taxes and curtailed budgetary spending. Rooting out corruption and establishing ethics reform have been hallmarks of her career.
Gov. Palin has also shown that she is not wedded to party politics nor does she play politics as usual. She has said that the function of a politician is not to serve one's self-interest but rather to serve with a "servant's heart."
Perhaps one of Gov. Palin's greatest assets is her firm grasp on one of our country's greatest security issues -- how to tackle our dependence on foreign oil and our growing need for energy independence. On this critical issue, she has a depth of experience and firsthand knowledge that will prove invaluable to a McCain-Palin administration.
As governor, she challenged the influence of big oil companies and fought for the development of new energy resources in her state. And as an outdoorswoman and naturalist, she understands and cares deeply about the impact of climate change.
Gov. Palin has advocated that environmental issues be weighed against economic and social needs and that meaningful discussion take place in order for policymakers to make the best decisions for our country.
During her tenure as commander-in-chief of Alaska's National Guard, she made it a priority to visit the troops from her state deployed to Kuwait and Germany.
Finally, on Iran -- an issue that is critically important to readers of this publication -- Gov. Palin gets it. She recognizes the importance of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while advocating for strengthening the strategic U.S.-Israel relationship.
It is also clear that Gov. Palin is a woman of deep personal faith. She has established a good relationship with the Jewish communities of Alaska, supported the residents' desire to create the Alaska Jewish Historical Museum and was present at the reading of Alaska's resolution commemorating Israel's 60th anniversary.
In her office in Juneau, Gov. Palin has hung an Israeli flag. She displays the flag because Israel is in her heart.
One of the finest qualities Gov. Palin has demonstrated recently is her tremendous grace under fire. Since the announcement of her selection as our vice presidential nominee, she has faced an onslaught of rumor, smear and innuendo. Yet Gov. Palin has remained strong and resolute. She has let the truth speak for itself.
Shortly after coming into office, Gov. Palin asked her former pastor for examples of biblical people who were great leaders and what was the secret of their leadership. The pastor suggested she re-read the story of Queen Esther, the Jewish woman who rose to help her people and became queen of Persia.
Like Queen Esther, Gov. Palin has faced tremendous adversity, and time and again she has risen to overcome obstacles. This is the sign of a true leader.
As Americans get to know Gov. Palin, I think they will see all the wonderful things about her I have seen over the years. She will be a great friend and advocate for the issues important to us. For that she deserves our respect, friendship and, most importantly, our support.
Linda Lingle, a Jewish Republican, currently serves as the governor of Hawaii.
Courtesy of Jewish Telegraphic Agency
1841 Théodore Chassériau - Esther. Esther se parant pour être présentée au roi Assuérus, dit La toilette d'Esther, 1841. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Esther
Sarah Palin: Strong on Israel; Strong Enough to Prevent a Nuclear Iran - A Friend to the Jewish Community
Tuesday, September 09, 2008 By: RJC Press Office
Palin: Complements McCain, A Strong Choice for the Jewish Community: By choosing Gov. Sarah Palin as the vice-presidential candidate, John McCain once again demonstrated a commitment to challenging politics-as-usual. As governor of Alaska, Palin has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Alaska's Jewish community. She has shown sensitivity to the concerns of the community and has been accessible and responsive. Palin has a proven track record of experienced and principled leadership. Palin has been a leader on the critical issue of energy independence and lessening our dependence on foreign oil.
Palin is Strongly Pro-Israel: Gov. Palin is strongly pro-Israel and recognizes the strategic importance of the U.S. - Israel relationship. As governor, she has established a solid relationship with the Jewish community of Alaska. Palin's record includes her support of the community's desire to create the Alaska Jewish Historical Museum and attending the reading of Alaska's historic resolution commemorating Israel's 60th anniversary. In her office in Juneau, she hung an Israeli flag to show her commitment to the Jewish community.
Palin is Committed to Stopping a Nuclear Iran: Like Sen. McCain, Gov. Palin opposes Barack Obama's pledge to meet with Iranian President Ahmadenijad without pre-conditions, in the first year of the next president's term. Gov. Palin understands the threat of a nuclear Iran and is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. During Palin's convention speech accepting the vice-presidential nomination, she clearly stated:
"Terrorist states are seeking nuclear weapons without delay; he [Obama] wants to meet them without preconditions. Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America; [Obama]'s worried that someone won't read them their rights." -- Gov. Sarah Palin, 9/3/08.
http://www.rjchq.org/Newsroom/newsdetail.aspx?id=49855b53-13f7-4153-a87a...