Anchorage Daily News cartoonist Peter Dunlap-Shohl weighs in on a local controversy surrounding Alaska's governor.: Adn.comAs the nation struggled with the question, "Who is Sarah Palin?," Alaskan editorial cartoonists were already sharpening their pencils, trying to respond to the news that their popular female Governor was now a candidate for the second most powerful position in the country.
"It was a gutsy move for McCain, and I think it gives a boost to a party that has had conservatives shaking their heads in disappointment." said Roger Maynard, a self-syndicated editorial cartoonist that leans conservative.
Jamie Smith on Sarah Palin's selection by John McCain."The bad part is she gets plucked away," said Peter Dunlap-Shohl, Alaska's only staff cartoonist, who works for the Anchorage Daily News. "She showed real character as she took on the corruption in the Republican party. It was admirable"
When Palin ran for the state's highest office, not only did she defeat incumbent Republican governor Frank Murkowski, she also took on a party that had been under scrutiny due to a Federal Bureau of Investigation corruption probe.
"She was the great white hope of the Republican party," Dunlap-Shohl said.
One of the criticisms leveled against Palin is her relative inexperience, having only governed the 4th least populated state for less than 2 years. Bull Burton, campaign spokesman for Democratic nominee Barack Obama, echoed these criticisms by saying, "Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency."
Dan Darrow on the surprise announcement of Palin's pregnancy.: Monkeytoons.blogspot.com"Personally, I don't think she's up to it, " Dunlap-Shohl said, referring to Palin being in a position to having the potential responsibility of stepping in as commander-in-chief. "I have a high opinion of her character, but John McCain isn't exactly a spring chicken, and Palin just doesn't have the experience to draw upon to lead this country if need be."
Maynard disagrees, saying that, "her limited executive experience favorably contrasts to the legislative experience of her opponents."
"Even opponents have to respect the fact that she has shown leadership and direction; she is no lame-duck governor."
Self-syndicated cartoonist Roger Maynard comments on the potential scandal surrounding Sarah Palin.: RogerMaynard.netDespite the McCain campaign's attempts to court Hillary Clinton supporters, critics wonder how the selection of Palin, a strongly pro-ife hunter who opposes restrictions on gun ownership and the teaching of evolution in the classroom, will play nationally among moderates.
"I don't know how the rest of the country will find her ultra-conservative mantra," said Dan Darrow, a freelancer who draws cartoons for the local periodical the Ester Republic. "Alaska is a blood red state."
One nagging story that nips at Palin's heels is a controversy about her dismissal of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan. According to the administration, Monegan was dismissed for not adequately filling state trooper vacancies, and because he, "did not turn out to be a team player on budgeting issues."
But Palin's opponents claim the dismissal was due to Monegan's reluctance to fire Palin's former brother-in-law, Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten, who had been involved in a divorce and child custody battle with Palin's sister, Molly McCann.
"Wooten deserved to be fired, after making threatening remarks to Palin's sister, driving drunk and even tasering his 11-year-old child, "Dunlap-Shohl said. "But I don't know if that gave her the right to fire someone because they wouldn't do what she wanted."
Eric Troyer's cartoon on Palin winning governor's race back in 2006.: Newsminer.com/photos/galleries/editoons/Eric Troyer, a freelance cartooist for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, thinks the situation, regardless of the outcome, is a negative for Palin.
"If the investigation points to her, that's really bad for a reformer," Troyer said. "If it points to someone else, and she didn't know, then she doesn't seem like a strong, in-control leader. I'm sure the Dems will make hay with that story, no matter how it breaks."
For the most part, Palin is well liked in Alaska, and Maynard for one thinks she'll make a fine addition to the Republican platform for president.
"There used to be a popular bumper sticker in Alaska that saw a resurgence after her election as governor, 'Alaska Girls Kick Ass.' I just wish I had the copyright."
------------------------------------------
More from Politicker.com editorial cartoonist Rob Tornoe:
Best one is the "Don't
Best one is the "Don't think, just look at the Boobs" Toon
Post new comment