5 somewhat controversial positions that Palin holds, & their standing in the American electorate

[tannybogus]

The essential appeal of Sarah Palin can be summarized in two words: compassionate conservative. She is perhaps as socially conservative as any politician ever placed onto a major-party ticket -- something which the right very much notices, and appreciates. But she does not necessarily come across that way to voters who might be turned off by such positions. Perhaps it is her unassuming style, and perhaps it is her strong biography; people see Palin as a compassionate person, and therefore they probably see her as a compassionate politician.
<snip>
But is wanting to teach creation in public schools (in addition to evolution) really that far outside of the mainstream? How about something like swapping sex-education programs with abstinence-only initiatives? Below are five somewhat controversial positions that Palin holds, and their standing in the American electorate at large.
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The Issue: Evolution
Palin’s Position: Although Palin’s personal views on evolution are ambiguous, she favors teaching creationism along with evolution in public schools (source).

America’s Position: A USA Today/Gallup poll in June 2007 reported that 53 percent of Americans believe that evolution is definitely or probably true, as opposed to 44 percent who think it’s definitely or probably false. More relevant to Palin’s position, however, a Pew Research poll in July 2006 showed that Americans favor teaching creationism along with evolution in schools by a 58-35 margin (source).

Conclusion: Although this fact will annoy many liberals – including yours truly – Palin’s views are squarely within the American mainstream.

The Issue: Global Warming
Palin’s Position: She does not believe that global warming is manmade (source). In addition, in an interview in May with Fox’s Neil Cavuto, Palin expressed skepticism that climate change is occurring at all:

We don`t believe that this speculation, again unprecedented, on computer modeling could forecast the effects of climate change, to the degree that leaves us in a comfortable position. It`s just too far out into the future, this speculative modeling (source).

America’s Position: An ABC News study in July showed that an 80-18 majority of Americans believe that global temperatures have been rising. A CNN poll in June broke responses down into three categories: 54 percent believe that global warming is real and manmade, 22 percent believe it is real but not manmade, and 23 percent describe global warming as a “theory that has not yet been proven” (source).

Conclusion: If Palin believes in global warming but does not attribute it to manmade causes, her views are at most somewhat out of the mainstream. If she does not believe in global warming at all, her views are strongly out of the mainstream.

The Issue: Hate Crimes
Palin’s Position: Opposes proposals to expand hate-crimes statutes to cover sexual orientation, and seems to imply that hate-crimes statutes are superfluous, period (“No , as I believe all heinous crime is based on hate”). (source).

America’s Position: In a May 2007 Gallup poll, Americans favor hate crimes statutes by a 78-18 margin. When the definition of hate crimes is expanded to include sexual orientation, support diminishes slightly, but such statues are still favored by a 68-27 majority (source).

Conclusion: Palin’s position is well outside of the mainstream. Note: McCain also opposes expanding hate-crimes statutes to cover sexual orientation.

The Issue: Abortion
Palin’s Position: Believes abortion should be illegal “With the exception of a doctor’s determination that the mother’s life would end if the pregnancy continued” (source). Palin also said that she’d be opposed to abortion even if her daughter had been sexually assaulted (source).

America’s Position: Although most polling shows that Americans are pro-choice by only narrow pluralities or majorities, tolerance for abortion increases substantially in cases where there are mitigating factors. In particular, an October 2007 FOX/Opinion Dynamics poll says that by a 70-21 margin, Americans believe that abortion should be legal if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. A CBS News poll, also conducted in October 2007, revealed similar numbers: just 16 percent of Americans share Palin’s position that abortion should be legal only in order to save the mother’s life, while another 4 percent believed that abortion should be illegal in all cases (source).

Conclusion: Palin’s position is far outside of the mainstream.

The Issue: Sex Education
Palin’s Position: Would replace sex-ed programs with abstinence-only programs (source).

America’s Position: A broad consensus around the teaching of sex education has existed for decades, with 85 percent of Americans favoring sex-ed in schools as early as 1985 (source). The numbers appear to have increased since, as a 2004 poll conducted by NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Kennedy School of Government showed that 90 percent of Americans believe that sex education is a “very important” or “somewhat important” part of the school curriculum, whereas only 7 percent believe that sex education should not be taught at all. In the same survey, just 15 percent of Americans supported abstinence-only programs (source).

Conclusion: Palin’s position is far outside of the mainstream.

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

[d_b]

1. the abortion one is the winner.

I'd love to see hillary do a campaign commercial with that little nugget in there.

[mwb970]

2. A good analysis, and needed now. It's so sad about the evolution polls.

44% of Americans believe that evolution is "definitely or probably false". OMG. That is so deeply pathetic and sad that I don't have words to express it. No wonder America is falling further and further behind the rest of the world!

I simply can't believe the sheer number of simple-minded, benighted right-wing religious wackos we have in this country. When the final history of America is written, toxic religiosity will be identified as the principal reason for our decline and fall. Jesus is killing us.

[fasttense]

3. Well, from what I was able to find out about her, "Anti" seems to be a good

description of her political position. She is Anti-choice, Anti-science, Anti-gay, Anti-immigrant, Anti-separation of church and state, Anti-ecology, and Anti-women's rights. Can you get anymore Anti than this?

[izquierdista]

9. Anti Sarah

Not an auntie you would want to visit. Probably serves unsweetened lemonade because sugar is the tool of the devil. Sour old biddie.

[Solly Mack]

4. Point 1: then - evidently - mainstream America is ignorant on this score

and you don't pander to the ignorant if your goal is to improve the country. If your goal is just to get votes - then don't cry to me about how ignorant some Americans are or the consequences of that ignorance....because evidence would suggest that ignorance is desirable since you're pandering to it instead of rectifying it.


Conclusion: If you pander to the ignorant then you're not good for the country - you are very, very dangerous for the country.

Point 2: What's not included is her statement about the need for sound science in regard to global warming... and this coming from someone who thinks the bible should be used as a science textbook

Conclusion: See above conclusion


Point 3: Because it's OK to hate - the - gays and to hurt them. Just give her that old time religion - it's good enough for her. As for all heinous crimes being about hate - that is beyond simplistic and denies the very violent history that racism, sexism , and other forms of bigotry/prejudice have played in America.


Conclusion: Refer back to conclusion for point 1


Point 4: So she's willing to save her own life - she values that. Go figure. Yet she's cruel enough to force someone who has been raped by their father/brother/uncle/cousin/neighbor, etc. to deliver a baby - no matter the damage caused. And she insults other women by deciding she knows what is best for them.


Conclusion: Refer back to conclusion for point 1 - but do add a hearty - Fuck Palin - and everyone else that thinks like her.



Point 5: Skip to the conclusion. No need to comment on the sheer stupidity of that stance.

Conclusion: refer back to conclusion for point 1

[tannybogus]

5. You have 60 days to campaign.

Do you spend your time getting bogged down in the creationism debate or do you hit points that are gutchecks for Americans?

I know they have ignorant stances on some things. However, you can preach and teach to them until the cows come home about creationism and global
warming and it won't change their minds in time. They can't rectify that ignorance in 60 days.

Now, do I want to get votes or improve the country?
I want to get votes so I can improve the country.

Use the effective arguments. Teach later.

[Solly Mack]

6. I seriously doubt Palin's goal is to improve the country

assuming she's merely pandering and not just as ignorant

on the other score...

As some of the exact same things continue to remain issues year after year after year after year after year (such as human rights for all - that religion isn't science and never will be)....pandering hasn't lead to much, if any, improvement teaching....nice hopeful thought though

[tannybogus]

7. Eyes on the prize

If we lose this election, we won't be able to improve or teach much of anything.

We'll probably be fighting McCain tooth and nail to save the country.

The Rethugs would love for us to ignore the economy and teach evolution.:hi:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. I've read here that she's a member of a group that

is in favor of banning all forms of birth control, even for married couples. Does anyone have a quote from her directly that states this position? I know that has to be far far far out of the mainstream.

[tannybogus]

10. Here are 2 links about birth control.

Palin+Feminists for Life = NO birth control?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/29/185637/985/259/579425

http://www.feministsforlife.org/

It's harder to pin down that birth control stance. It is waaaaaay

out of the mainstream. Apparently, it is being attacked in stealthy

ways such as denying insurance coverage. Keep looking!