It’s embarrassing to see how wrong the media and leftwing liberals have been in their comments about Sarah Palin. In fact, a National Review article by Byron York (October 20, 2008) scolded the media for the many unfair attacks on Palin. He stated: “Watching press coverage of the Republican candidate for vice president, it’s sometimes hard to decide whether Sarah Palin is incompetent, stupid, unqualified, corrupt, backward, or-or, well, all of the above.” Ironically, CNN took that sentence out of context,to report that even conservatives found her unqualified for national office.

I originally thought that they realized that she was far more qualified to be president than the current holder of that office. At that time I pointed out that her years as the first female mayor-manager of Wasilla gave her daily administrative and decision making experience. In contrast, Barack Obama had none.

As an Illinois state senator, Obama was a member of Daley’s Chicago political machine. At least twice he had the opportunity to support reform candidates, but instead threw his support to the machine candidates. On the other hand, after an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor, Palin was appointed chair of Alaska’s Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Unhappy with the favoritism and political alliance between members of the commission and the oil companies, she took on the Republican “old boy network” and won. This further established and burnished her reputation as an honest, “can-do,” no-nonsense, reform-minded leader.

Recognized as such, she ran for governor against an entrenched Republican and won. As governor, she earned an enviable record. Working with a sometimes recalcitrant legislature she was able to push through ethics reform, an outstanding pipeline project, fairer payments from oil companies, a 50 percent cut in the state’s small business license fee and a share of oil revenues for every Alaskan. Butch King, Alaska pilot, guide and co-proprietor of the Wildman Lake Lodge, said, “Palin is a straight-shooting, hard-charging, get-it-done gal. She knows when to listen, how to analyze the facts and how to make a decision, and then implement the plan.” It’s no wonder that she achieved a more than 80 percent approval rating from her constituents. What were Obama’s accomplishments in both the Illinois State Senate and in the United States Senate? None.

I previously stated that Palin’s weakness in foreign policy would not be a problem because she surrounds herself with highly qualified advisers and then relies on her intelligence and common sense to arrive at the best solution.

Before last year’s election, I stated that Palin outshines Barack Obama in every way. She also trumps him on “hope and change.” She has walked the walk while he only talks the talk. I believed then and still believe that she is far more qualified to be president.

Apparently, the continuing battle between those who denigrate and hate her and those who admire and love her results from her unwavering support for individual freedom and small government. Also, some of the elite Northeast U.S. crowd disdain her because she didn’t attend an Ivy League university. I find that a plus because she didn’t have to undergo the unrelenting barrage of liberal propaganda as part of her education. The fact that she is an attractive, intelligent, female spokesperson for Ronald Reagan conservatism unnerves many liberals. These are the same reasons that a large number of conservatives support her.

The next time someone says that they dislike Sarah Palin because she is dumb and incompetent, ask them if they have ever reviewed her fabulous record of achievements. To drive this idea home, I will end with a quote from one of her Alaska constituents, mentioned above. Butch King says, “I guarantee that if Sarah Palin gets a chance to dig her spurs into the flanks of the liberal Washington types, they will know that she is in the saddle.”