Palin's VP Selection Speech

August 29, 2008- realclearpolitics.com

Palin's VP Selection Speech

By Sarah Palin

Dayton, Ohio

PALIN: Thank you so much.

And I thank you, Senator McCain and Mrs. McCain, for the confidence that you have placed in me. Senator, I am honored to be chosen as your running mate.

(APPLAUSE)

I will be honored to serve next to the next president of the United States.

(APPLAUSE)

I know that when Senator McCain gave me this opportunity, he had a short list of highly qualified men and women. And to have made that list at all, it was a privilege. And to have been chosen brings a great challenge.

I know that it will demand the best that I have to give, and I promise nothing less.

(APPLAUSE)

First -- first, there are a few people whom I would like you to meet. I want to start with my husband, Todd.

(APPLAUSE)

And Todd and I are actually celebrating our 20th anniversary today. And I promised him...

(APPLAUSE)

I had promised Todd a little surprise for the anniversary present, and hopefully he knows that I did deliver.

And then we have as -- after my husband, who is a lifelong commercial fisherman, lifetime Alaskan. He's a production operator.

(APPLAUSE)

Todd is a production operator in the oil fields up on Alaska's North Slope. And he's a proud member of the United Steelworkers union. And he's a world-champion snow machine racer. (APPLAUSE)

Todd and I met way back in high school. And I can tell you that he is still the man that I admire most in this world.

(APPLAUSE)

Along the way, Todd and I have shared many blessings. And four out of five of them are here with us today.

Our oldest son, Track, though, he'll be following the presidential campaign from afar. On September 11th of last year, our son enlisted in the United States Army.

(APPLAUSE)

Track now serves in an infantry brigade. And on September 11th, Track will deploy to Iraq in the service of his country. And Todd and I are so proud of him and of all the fine men and women serving this country (inaudible)

(APPLAUSE)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

PALIN: Next to Todd is our daughter, Bristol, another daughter, Willow, our youngest daughter, Piper, and over in their arms is our son, Trig, a beautiful baby boy. He was born just in April.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: His name is Trig Paxson Van Palin.

Some of life's greatest opportunities come unexpectedly. And this is certainly the case today.

I never really set out to be involved in public affairs, much less to run for this office. My mom and dad both worked at the local elementary school. And my husband and I, we both grew up working with our hands. I was just your average hockey mom in Alaska, raising...

(APPLAUSE)

We're busy raising our kids. I was serving as the team mom and coaching some basketball on the side. I got involved in the PTA and then was elected to the city council, and then elected mayor of my hometown, where my agenda was to stop wasteful spending, and cut property taxes, and put the people first.

(APPLAUSE)

I was then appointed ethics commissioner and chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. And when I found corruption there, I fought it hard, and I held the offenders to account.

(APPLAUSE)

Along with fellow reformers in the great state of Alaska, as governor, I've stood up to the old politics as usual, to the special interests, to the lobbyists, the big oil companies, and the good-old- boy network.

(APPLAUSE)

When oil and gas prices went up so dramatically and the state revenues followed with that increase, I sent a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska. And we are now -- we're now embarking on a $40 billion natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.

(APPLAUSE)

I signed major ethics reform. And I appointed both Democrats and independents to serve in my administration. And I championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. In fact, I told Congress -- I told Congress, "Thanks, but no thanks," on that bridge to nowhere.

(APPLAUSE)

If our state wanted a bridge, I said we'd build it ourselves. Well, it's always, though, safer in politics to avoid risk, to just kind of go along with the status quo. But I didn't get into government to do the safe and easy things. A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not why the ship is built.

Politics isn't just a game of competing interests and clashing parties. The people of America expect us to seek public office and to serve for the right reasons.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: And the right reason is to challenge the status quo and to serve the common good.

Now, no one expects us to agree on everything, whether in Juneau or in Washington. But we are expected to govern with integrity, and goodwill, and clear convictions, and a servant's heart.

(APPLAUSE)

Now, no leader in America has shown these qualities so clearly or present so clear a threat to business as usual in Washington as Senator John S. McCain.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: This -- this is a moment when principles and political independence matter a lot more than just the party line. And this is a man who has always been there to serve his country, not just his party.

(APPLAUSE)

And this is a moment that requires resolve and toughness, and strength of heart in the American president. And my running mate is a man who has shown those qualities in the darkest of places, and in the service of his country.

(APPLAUSE)

A colleague once said about Senator McCain, "That man did things for this country that few people could go through. Never forget that." And that speaker was former Senator John Glenn of Ohio.

(APPLAUSE)

And John Glenn knows something about heroism. And I'm going to make sure nobody does forget that in this campaign. There is only one candidate who has truly fought for America, and that man is John McCain.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: This is a moment -- this is a moment when great causes can be won and great threats overcome, depending on the judgment of our next president.

In a dangerous world, it is John McCain who will lead America's friends and allies in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

(APPLAUSE)

It was John McCain who cautioned long ago about the harm that Russian aggression could do to Georgia and to other small democratic neighbors and to the world oil markets.

It was Senator McCain who refused to hedge his support for our troops in Iraq, regardless of the political costs.

(APPLAUSE)

And you know what? As the mother of one of those troops, and as the commander of Alaska's National Guard, that's the kind of man I want as our commander in chief.

(APPLAUSE)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

PALIN: Profiles in courage: They can be hard to come by these days. You know, so often we just find them in books. But next week when we nominate John McCain for president, we're putting one on the ballot.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: To serve as vice president beside such a man would be the privilege of a lifetime. And it's fitting that this trust has been given to me 88 years almost to the day after the women of America first gained the right to vote.

(APPLAUSE)

I think -- I think as well today of two other women who came before me in national elections.

I can't begin this great effort without honoring the achievements of Geraldine Ferraro in 1984...

(APPLAUSE)

... and of course Senator Hillary Clinton, who showed such determination and grace in her presidential campaign.

(APPLAUSE)

It was rightly noted in Denver this week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America...

(APPLAUSE)

... but it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.

(APPLAUSE)

So for my part, the mission is clear: The next 67 days I'm going to take our campaign to every part of our country and our message of reform to every voter of every background in every political party, or no party at all.

PALIN: If you want change in Washington, if you hope for a better America, then we're asking for your vote on the 4th of November.

My fellow Americans, come join our cause.

(APPLAUSE)

Join our cause and help our country to elect a great man the next president of the United States.

And I thank you, and I -- God bless you, I say, and God bless America. Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska, is the presumptive Republican vice presidential nominee.

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$20 million police brutality settlement advances in Chicago City Hall

Daley dismisses Sharpton's threat

By Mickey Ciokajlo and Gary Washburn |Tribune staff reporters

December 11, 2007

The Chicago City Council's Finance Committee on Monday advanced a $19.8 million legal settlement with four men allegedly tortured by former police Cmdr. Jon Burge, setting the stage for final approval on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Mayor Richard Daley shrugged off a threat by Rev. Al Sharpton to lobby international Olympics officials not to choose Chicago for the 2016 Games unless Daley agrees to adopt Sharpton's suggestions to curb police brutality.

"People can do anything," Daley said. "They can oppose anything."

The mayor's comments at an unrelated media event on the South Side came as aldermen at City Hall met to approve the settlements with former Death Row inmates Stanley Howard, Madison Hobley, Leroy Orange and Aaron Patterson.

Former Gov. George Ryan in 2003 pardoned and released the men from Death Row. All claimed to have been tortured into confessions by Burge and his men, allegations that included beatings and being subjected to electric shocks.

"This case has really haunted the African-American community for a long time. I believe at this point we can start the healing process in order to move forward," said Ald. Anthony Beale (9th). "There's absolutely no dollar amount that we can put on the pain and suffering that these individuals have been through, as well as their families."

Aldermen who have criticized the Daley administration for not settling the Burge-related cases praised Corporation Counsel Mara Georges for finally bringing them to a conclusion.

"These cases have been a blemish on all of us," Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) said.

The settlements, which together make up one of the largest payouts in city history, are scheduled to go before the full City Council Wednesday for approval. Georges told the aldermen that Howard has yet to sign a required release form, but she said she has been assured by his lawyers that will be done in time.

Georges also explained to aldermen that the city's excess insurance carrier will pay the portion of the settlement above $15 million. The cases were put together for insurance purposes.

The insurance may never be triggered, however, because of the deal struck with one of the four defendants.

The federal government has opened a new investigation into Hobley, who had been convicted of murder in the 1987 arson deaths of seven people.

Under the settlement, the city will initially pay Hobley $1 million. The remaining $6.5 million would only be paid if he is not indicted by Jan. 3, 2009 -- and later convicted -- or if the federal government announces before that date that he will not be indicted, Georges said.

"I'm glad that this is over," Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) said. "It's definitely a black eye on Chicago and on our history. But it's also an opportunity for us to get a chance to turn the page."

Daley, who was Cook County state's attorney at the time of the alleged torture, had little to say when asked about the settlements following a news conference to honor public school teachers.

The cases were "very, very complicated," involving torture allegations over a number of years, Daley said.

When a lawsuit is filed, "you settle it," Daley said. He added that he hopes it's "an end of that type of error we had."

Sharpton, who spoke at a City Hall news conference earlier, contended that Chicago should not have the privilege of hosting the Olympics if Daley and other officials do not implement police-related reforms, including changes to prevent brutality.

Informed of the lengthy list of recommendations that Sharpton delivered, Daley quipped, "Is that all?"

He said that Sharpton "can get in line" with all the others who criticize him.

And the mayor shot a barb at the activist, asking why no one raised questions when his hometown was vying for the 2012 Olympics.

"It's interesting, nobody opposed New York -- very, very interesting," the mayor said. "Why all of a sudden is it opposed here?"

New York has had its own police brutality problems, including the high-profile case of a Haitian immigrant who won an $8.75 million settlement in 2001 after officers sodomized him with a stick.

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mciokajlo@tribune.com

gwashburn@tribune.com

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State to explore employment barriers of ex-offenders

State to explore employment barriers of ex-offendersby Mema Ayi, Chicago Defender December 4, 2006

State lawmakers plan to take a look at the factors that make it difficult for ex-offenders to become productive members of society after their release.

The General Assembly last week passed a joint resolution to allow a task force to study how well prisoners are prepared before they re-emerge into society, as well as other factors that may impede them from obtaining stable jobs after they are released.

The task force, which is expected to produce a report on its findings in January, will identify the specific obstacles ex-offenders are confronted with when trying to find employment, State Sen.Kimberly Lightford (D-Westchester) said in a statement.

"It is well-known that ex-offenders have a difficult time finding jobs when they come back into society. There are too many people, especially young, Black men, who make a mistake, serve their time and are continuing to pay for the rest of their lives because employers won't hire them," she said. "People who have been incarcerated are less likely to re-offend if they are able to successfully re-enter the community by finding a job and supporting themselves. It benefits everyone to help them get back on their feet."

Chicago Ald. Ed Smith (28th) agreed that it's not fair that those with past convictions are often passed over for jobs, though they have paid their debt to society.

In September, Smith introduced and ordinance in the City Council that would include ex-offenders in the Civil Rights Act.

Smith told the Defender Friday that he did not know of the state's resolution, but said he wanted to see more action than talk.

Smith called it a form of discrimination that keeps ex-offenders from finding gainful employment once they are released. Once they mark the box that asks if they have a criminal record, ex-offenders cannot expect to be hired, he said.

"They have paid their debt to society, but in a sense, they're kept incarcerated because people won't give them a job,' Smith said.

The City Council's Human Relations committee twice has heard the issue, but Smith said he hopes to hold a series of meetings in communities to discuss the issue of ex-offenders who cannot find stable employment.

Ultimately, Smith said, he will ask Mayor Richard Daley to take control of the proposal since he has the power to get the ordinance through the council and the clout to influence state lawmakers to take a serious look at including ex-offenders in the Civil Rights Act.

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