2008 SelectSmart.com Presidential Candidate Selector Candidate Positions Sarah Palin - A Democrat until March 26, 2008 when he announced that he is a Libertarian candidate for president. (Born May 13, 1930) Real estate developer

War: Palin said the United States' involvement in Iraq is "a task that is from God." Source

Security/liberties: Source

Social Security: Fund the Seniors Longevity Bonus Program. (Nov 2006) Home-based assistance more cost-effective than institutions. (Nov 2006) Source In an ABC News interview with Charlie Gibson, the topic turned to the economy, the budget and spending. GIBSON: Do you talk about entitlement reform? Is there money you can save in Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid? PALIN: I am sure that there are efficiencies that are going to be found in all of these agencies. I’m confident in that. GIBSON: The agencies are not involved in entitlements. Basically, discretionary spending is 18 percent of the budget. Source

Stem cell research: [H]ere again, with a Pro-life position, and its interesting that so many questions revolve around this centeredness I have of respecting life and the potential of every human life, but no, stem-cell research would ultimately end in destruction of life. I couldn’t support (it).'" Source

Same sex issues: In January 2007, Palin spoke out against a state supreme court ruling granting domestic partnership benefits to same-sex partners of state employees. She later vetoed a bill passed by the legislature to overturn the ruling; while she agreed with the bill's intent, she argued that it violated separation of powers (as it represented an attempt by the legislature to overturn a supreme court ruling by simple majority). She has stated firm opposition to same-sex marriage, and supported a 1998 constitutional amendment banning it in Alaska. Source

Trade issues: Source

Budget issues: Source

Abortion issues: Palin, a member of Feminists for Life, supports overturning Roe v. Wade (1973), and the enactment of a full federal ban on the procedure with no exceptions for rape, incest, or a woman's health. Source

Capital punishment: Palin has regularly asked for the reinstatement of the death penalty in Alaska, which abolished capital punishment in 1957. Source

Marijuana: Palin has said she smoked marijuana but didn't enjoy it and doesn't smoke anymore. At the time, marijuana was legal under Alaska's liberal drug laws. Palin has said she doesn't support legalizing the drug, fearing the message it would send to her five children. Source

Gun control: Palin received an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) when she ran for governor in 2006. Source

Minimum wage: Palin has been criticized for remaining silent on a proposal to raise the state’s minimum wage. Source

Health care: Does not support any universal health care plans. Favors affordable health care via private enterprise competition. Source

Prescription drugs: Source

Environmental issues: She consistently opposes the views of mainstream environmentalists. "Our main concern with Sarah Palin's positions are that they are based on doing what is best for the oil industry, and not what is best for Americans," says David Willett, national press secretary for the Sierra Club. Source

Immigration issues: According to About.com: U.S. Conservative Politics guide Justin Quinn, Sarah Palin told right-wing talk radio host Laura Ingraham that she opposes comprehensive immigration reform proposals, including McCain's. "{S}he’s not for comprehensive reform, I can tell you that right now," Ingraham said. "She’s sick to death of this immigration nonsense in the United States." Source

Education issues: Support charters & home schools; not private school vouchers. (Oct 2006) Teach creationism alongside evolution in schools. (Aug 2008) Source

Link to voting records and special interest group ratings. (If available).

Campaign website