Interesting Facts About Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin was the first woman to be nominated for vice president of the United States by the Republican Party. On August 29, 2008, John McCain, the Republican nominee for president, had chosen her to be his running mate. At the time, Palin was serving her first term as governor of Alaska.

But in the November 4 presidential election, the McCain-Palin ticket was defeated by Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential nominees. McCain's choice of Palin as his running mate surprised many Republicans, as well as Democrats. She was little known outside of Alaska. And she lacked experience on the national scene and with major issues. This caused many people to question the wisdom of McCain's choice. Nevertheless, with her energetic style and folksy appeal, Palin helped solidify the support of the Republican Party's conservative base.

Born in Idaho, Palin moved with her family to Alaska when she was three months old. Her family settled first in Skagway and then in Wasilla, a small town northeast of Anchorage. Growing up, Palin actively participated in the outdoor activities afforded by the Alaskan wilderness. She was an excellent basketball player in high school. And she placed second in the Miss Alaska beauty pageant. In 1987, Palin earned a bachelor's degree in communications and journalism at the University of Idaho.

Palin entered politics in 1992, winning a seat on the Wasilla City Council. She was reelected in 1994. In 1996, Palin was elected mayor of Wasilla, which had a population of about 5,000. She ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2002.

In 2006, Palin ran for governor. Her campaign emphasized ethics and clean government. She also stressed her evangelical faith, opposition to abortion, and membership in and support of the National Rifle Association (NRA). Palin beat Tony Knowles, a former Democratic governor, to become Alaska's first female governor. She was sworn in on December 4.

While governor, Palin backed a bill to build a natural-gas pipeline from Alaska's North Slope through Canada to the lower 48 states. Her top priorities were development of the state's infrastructure and the development of natural resources. Other priorities included education and public health and safety.
In July 2009, Palin unexpectedly announced her resignation as governor of Alaska. She indicated that various ethics complaints against her had hindered her ability to govern. Her autobiography, Going Rogue: An American Life, was published later that year. It became an immediate best-seller. In 2010, the former governor became a commentator for Fox News.

Palin campaigned extensively for Republicans, especially Tea Party candidates, during the 2010 primaries and the weeks leading up to midterm elections. Some candidates she supported won; others were defeated, including Tea Party Senate candidates Christine O'Donnell (Delaware) and Sharron Angle (Nevada). Also in November, the television reality show Sarah Palin's Alaska premiered, and her second book, America by Heart, was published.

Meanwhile, there was much speculation over whether Palin would enter the 2012 presidential race. But in October 2011, Palin announced that she would not run. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd have five children.

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