Being totally amazed at the totally repugnant spin that "Sarah Palin has more executive experience than Barack Obama..." which is now the un-interruptible monologue given by any repugnant talking head as their "answer" to any VP question this week, I wanted to do some comparisons myself.
So, below the fold is my attempt at comparison. All from reliable (as best I can tell) internet sources. Perhaps others can objectively add to this comparison.
- I think WE need to be on the same page when combating the repugnant truth-stretching, and we all need of solid talking points. (As weak as their message is, the Repugs ARE on-message for this one.)
- I just see things better when they are laid-out side-by-side.
- I've learned a lot trying to gather this stuff up in one place.
This probably needs to be edited for accuracy and clarity, so I welcome comments.
Barack Obama | Sarah Palin |
Education: | Education: |
Graduate of Columbia University in 1983.
Law Degree from Harvard Law School in 1991. |
Graduate of University of Idaho with a BS in Journalism, minor in political science in 1987. |
Life Experience: | Life Experience: |
Worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney from 1985 through 1997.
Married, wife Michelle. Two daughters, Sasha and Malia. |
Briefly worked as a sports reporter for Anchorage television stations. Also worked in commercial fishing with her husband.
Married, husband Todd. Five children, Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig. |
Elected Experience: | Elected Experience: |
Elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996.
Unsuccessful bid for U.S. House of Representatives in 2000.
Elected to the United States Senate from Illinois in November 2004 with 70% of the vote. (3,597,456 total votes)
Elected as Democratic Candidate for President of the United States with over 18,000,000 primary votes. |
Elected to the Wasilla, AK City Council in 1992.
Elected Mayor of Wasilla in 1996.
Unsuccessful primary bid for lieutenant governor in 2002.
Elected Governor of Alaska in 2006 with 48.3% of the vote. (114,697 total votes) |
Accomplishments: | Accomplishments: |
President of Harvard Law Review.
Was a chief co-sponsor of the bill to create the state of Illinois' Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
Third African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the United States Senate.
In November of 2005 Obama called for a Phased Withdrawal from Iraq, a commitment to having No U.S. Bases in Iraq within a decade.
First Federal law was a bipartisan measure to rebuild trust in government by allowing every American to go online and see how and where every dime of their tax dollars is spent.
Obama passed the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Database Act of 2005.
Obama co-sponsored a bill to improve the national program to register and monitor individuals who commit crimes against children or sex offenses.
Obama passed law to authorize The Violence Against Women Act Of 2005.
In 2006, Obama was an original co-sponsor of legislation, later signed into law by the president, to expand U.S. cooperation to destroy conventional weapons which also expands the State Department's ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction.
Lead voice in US Senate ethics reform that would root out corruption in Congress.
Created and led a 50-state Presidential Campaign and managed this more than $200,000,000 business while recruiting over 2,000,000 contributors.
Thanks to Droogie's Diary, there are dozens more Legislative Accomplishments here. |
In 1984, Palin won the Miss Wasilla beauty contest, then finished second in the Miss Alaska pageant, at which she won a college scholarship. In the Wasilla pageant, she played the flute and won "Miss Congeniality."
Introduced economy to Alaska's government by selling state jet on E-Bay.
Signed a controversial agreement with a Canadian company, TransCanada, allowing for Canadian construction of a Trans-Alaska pipeline.
Won legislative approval for a special $1,200 payment to every Alaskan to help pay for high energy prices. |
Known Negatives: | Known Negatives: |
Multiple allegations of wrong-doing in purchase of the Obama home. (debunked in 2006 and again in 2008 by major media outlets) |
Currently under state investigation in Alaska for alleged abuse of power as Governor in firing the state's public safety director after he refused to dismiss the governor's former brother-in-law. |