Wow!!!
Given that (i) McCain has picked Palin as his V-P candidate and (ii) that McCain’s health isn’t 100%, the USA has a more than nominal chance of having a female President within the next four years.
By the way, here is where she stands on social issues (from the Wikipedia article above):
Palin is pro-life.[37] While running for Governor of Alaska, Palin supported the teaching of creationism alongside evolution in schools;[38] however, she noted she would not use "religion as a litmus test, or anybody’s personal opinion on evolution or creationism" as criteria for selection to the school board.[38]
She opposes same-sex marriage, but she has stated that she has gay friends and is receptive to gay and lesbian concerns about discrimination.[16] Palin complied with an Alaskan state Supreme Court order and signed an implementation of same-sex benefits into law under protest, stating that legal options to avoid doing so had run out.[39] [40] She supported a non-binding referendum on whether there should be a constitutional amendment on the matter.[41] Alaska was one of the first U.S. states to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage, in 1998, along with Hawaii.[42] Palin has stated that she supported the 1998 constitutional amendment.[16]
Palin’s first veto was used to block legislation that would have barred the state from granting benefits to the partners of gay state employees. In effect, her veto granted State of Alaska benefits to same-sex couples. The veto occurred after Palin consulted with Alaska’s attorney general on the constitutionality of the legislation.[40]
Not so sure about the final paragraph, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that everything else pretty well ticks my boxes.
It would be really ironic if, after the Democrats have narrowly decided not to field a woman candidate, the USA ended up with a Republican as its first woman president!
What’s wrong with the final paragraph? That’s part of the reason I support her, because I think it’s a good compromise. Sarah Palin has said she has several gay friends and always listens to their concerns about discrimination, even though she sticks to her guns about traditional marraige. Do you think that same-sex couples don’t deserve any benefits at all? I don’t think there are many in the US that would agree with you there. Not even Republicans.
Actually, I misread the last paragraph. You’re absolutely right – she was correct to prevent the removal of those benefits.