Anchorage Daily News

Sarah's smile gives her the win

Who won? Sarah -- by a smile.

-- Elyce Santerre

Chugiak

Governor needs to practice here

Palin may have been the younger of the two debating last night, but her debate style was indicative of that old TV show "Leave it to Beaver." She proved that down-home, folksy chit chat sounds cute but it does not cut it when it comes to being the president, nor the vice president. She repeated her convention talking points ad nauseum, which sounded a lot like George Bush. She called leaving Iraq the "white flag of surrender": wrong!

Worst yet she AGREED with Cheney's expansive, unconstitutional view of the vice president's powers (with which Biden flatly disagreed), and she promoted economic policies that would shower tax cuts on corporations and the super-wealthy while leaving the middle class behind. We must make her return to the office she is barely fulfilling, governor of Alaska. She is not of the calibre needed to sit in the VP's office!

-- Eric Breiby

Wasilla

Broaden the mantras, please

Yeah, the phrase is "Drill, Baby, Drill," and it's pathetic. This is the narrow-minded, non-forward-thinking leadership that got us into the situation we find ourselves in today. Why not "Shine, Baby, Shine" for solar energy or "Blow, Baby, Blow" for wind energy?

-- Lalenya Wulff

Anchorage

Palin's stance direct, impressive

Sarah, plain and tall -- thank you, Sarah.

-- Raymie L. Hamann

Anchorage

Cuteness can't hide scary words

What debate did you watch? For those who support McCain/Palin, wake up! Open your ears and eyes. Sarah Palin rarely answered any direct question. She tried to steer or jump to topics that she was pre-programmed for. Direct evidence was her closing speech. How practiced and rehearsed she sounded. There was no folksy tone or accent during her unimpressive delivery.

Palin has no experience that qualifies her to lead any nation. She wants more power for the VP. Anyone else catch that? I did. Pair that with McCain, who is one heartbeat away from the grave. She wants power at any cost to others. Ask her enemies. Then there was her inability to rebut any of Joe Biden's direct statements about the war in Iraq, alternative energy, the economy or even McCain's voting record. She simply spewed the usual Republican rhetoric that has cost you and me dearly for the last eight years. No reforming there.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden will support the true middle class. John McCain and Sarah Palin will put their own interests before anything else. Since when does a net worth of over a million dollars make you middle class?

-- Terrisa Mellon

Anchorage

Palin did Alaska proud Thursday

Sarah proved to the world tonight what she is really made of.

She was strong, confident, very informed and personable.

She really connected and made all of us here in Alaska (and the U.S.A.) very, very proud.

I am impressed with how she stayed focused and was modest in her attacks against Obama versus how Biden brutally attacked McCain over and over.

Biden needed to be more focused in his answers instead of attacking McCain. We need someone in Washington who will work with the president, and all the delegates, to actually get something done and I believe Sarah Palin can and will do that job.

-- Stella Webb

Anchorage

State's future belongs to Begich

As I watch and read the political ads for Ted Stevens, I can't help but sense that voters are being led away from the current issues. No one should deny that in 40 years Senator Stevens has accomplished good things for Alaskans. For that time and effort he deserves a "thank you," but not in the form of voting him back into office. Our votes need to be cast based on the future and understanding the problems we face now.

Our current economy, health care, and education statistics show a need for change. That change is Mark Begich. We need a forward-thinking Alaskan who is currently in touch with the people here. We need someone who understands Alaska from within the state. We need someone who understands firsthand what our issues are. As the mayor of Anchorage, Mark Begich has a proven history of great leadership skills, as well as care and concern for the Alaskan people.

Senator Stevens, we thank you for your time served. However, this election is not about the past. It is about the future.

-- Linda Unsicker

Fairbanks

Trial seems more of a witch hunt

I have always been a big fan of Sen. Ted Stevens. I believe that he has always had Alaska's best interests at heart. I have been watching his trial for corruption with keen interest, as most Alaskans have.

When the prosecution was admonished for not providing the defense with crucial information that could possibly clear Sen. Stevens' name it made me think that this is more about railroading a very powerful Alaska senator than actually finding the truth. Sen. Stevens has been very good for Alaska.

I look forward to his clearing his good name and serving Alaska in the way we have all grown accustomed to.

-- Mitch Kilborn

Kodiak

Pointing out truths isn't 'hating'

With regard to people who don't agree with Sarah Palin's policies or politics or feel like she's in over her head -- we're not "Sarah Palin Haters." We're just asserting our common sense here. When John McCain chose Sarah Palin to be his VP running mate it was like the time J. Bruce Ismay chose to outfit the Titanic with only half the necessary life boats.

We absolutely have to have a vice president who is 100 percent capable of performing the most important job in our country, if not the world. It's not hating her to point out that she so obviously falls short of that requirement on so many levels. You wouldn't jump out of an airplane with the back-up parachute strung together with wet noodles! What if you needed it? Use your common sense on Nov. 4.

-- Alison Annis

Eagle River

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