So far in the 2008 election, both the Republican and Democratic Parties have made a few mistakes. One of the Republican’s largest mistakes was their decision to go with Sarah Palin as the vice-presidential running mate.

Palin, who is the governor of Alaska, is the mother of four. She describes herself as an “average hockey mom,” when in actuality, she is a fierce and unjust politician. When she ran for mayor of Wasilla, she used outside endorsements and hot-button politics in order to succeed. Although she beat John Stein in this race, she displayed her overly-fierce ambition in politics for the first time. Also, when giving her speech at the Republican convention, Palin accentuated the fact that she was just like everyone else-- a normal “hockey mom.” This claim, besides being untrue, also has potential to cause some to turn away from supporting the Republican Party. Do you want a person that is an average individual running for vice president? Would you elect, for example, your friend’s mom to be the vice president of the United States of America? Not many people would. Therefore, the stance that Palin has taken was a very unwise choice.

Governor Palin has also said certain words and done certain things that negatively affect her image. For example, she has claimed that, because Alaska is located near Russia, she has experience in foreign policy. This statement is absolutely ridiculous. Just because one’s home is located near another area does not mean that one has experience and extensive knowledge of that area. The fact that she just got her passport last year also proves that she has little experience in foreign policy at all.

Palin has also claimed that she said no to the “Bridge to Nowhere,” a proposed bridge to replace the ferry that currently connects Ketchikan, Alaska, to the Gravina Island's fifty residents, and the Ketchikan International Airport. However, she has previously supported the “Bridge to Nowhere.” She later changed her mind and diverted the bridge funds to be used on other projects. Although many politicians lie, one can see right through this blatant lie of Palin’s -- a lie so obvious that anyone could spot it.

In addition, during her time as mayor, Palin fired Irl Stambaugh, the Wasilla police chief. In response, he filed a failed complaint against her for wrongful termination. Stambaugh said that she fired him because he opposed a concealed gun law that the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Palin supported. The complaint only failed because of the judge, who ruled that a mayor can fire anyone under his or her command.

Although some people may say that Palin may have some hidden merit that will come out when put on the spot to make up for the experience, one can use this idea to support Barack Obama. Like Palin, many people consider Obama to be inexperienced. Also, some people may say, “Why put so much pressure on Palin? She is just becoming vice-president, after all.” If McCain and Palin do get elected into the White House, Palin may be a heartbeat away from becoming president, because of McCain’s age and health. Thus, she will need experience and large amounts of knowledge in order to fight off the threats of foreign attack, another Great Depression, and the problems handed down from President George W. Bush‘s presidency. Although she may have brought some benefits to Alaska, she was still only governor of small-town Alaska. Being a fierce Alaskan she-devil does not qualify Palin to be vice-president, and, potentially, the Commander-in-Chief of the United States.