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Sarah Palin (born February 11, 1964) Former governor of of Alaska. 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate

The St. Petersburg Times' Politifact researched and rated the truthfulness of this politician's statements. On average, the Truth-O-Meter determined that her statements are "Half True".

Foreign policy and war issues: Statements on a two-state solution to Israeli/Palestinian conflict not found. However the GOP platform "support the vision of two democratic states". Source
GIBSON: But, Governor, I'm asking you: We have the right, in your mind, to go across the border with or without the approval of the Pakistani government. PALIN: In order to stop Islamic extremists, those terrorists who would seek to destroy America and our allies, we must do whatever it takes and we must not blink, Charlie, in making those tough decisions of where we go and even who we target. GIBSON: And let me finish with this. I got lost in a blizzard of words there. Is that a yes? That you think we have the right to go across the border with or without the approval of the Pakistani government, to go after terrorists who are in the Waziristan area? PALIN: I believe that America has to exercise all options in order to stop the terrorists who are hell bent on destroying America and our allies. We have got to have all options out there on the table. Source

Palin said the United States' involvement in Iraq is "a task that is from God." Source Obama's plan is a white flag of surrender in Iraq and that is not what our troops need to hear today, that’s for sure. Source

Security/liberties: Terrorists in Iraq are the biggest threat to Americans today. (Oct 2008) Pakistani people & leaders want to get rid of terrorists. (Sep 2008) Fight terrorism to spread democratic ideals in world. (Sep 2008) Source

Social Security: Supported her running mate McCain's plan to allow people younger than age 58 to put some money into personal accounts. Source 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: "I am a conservative Republican, a firm believer in free market capitalism. A free market system allows all parties to compete, which ensures the best and most competitive project emerges, and ensures a fair, democratic process." Source Asked if she had ever been involved in any negotiations with the Russians, she said: "We have trade missions back and forth, we do." Source

Budget issues: Gov. Sarah Palin is opposing the federal economic stimulus package pushed by her former campaign adversary, President Barack Obama. "I agree with the decision of Senator (Lisa) Murkowski and Congressman (Don) Young to vote NO on the package," Palin said in a written statement. Source
"Taxes are too high. He wants to raise them. His tax increases are the fine print in his economic plan, and let me be specific," Palin said on Sept. 3, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes ... raise payroll taxes ... raise investment income taxes ... raise the death tax ... raise business taxes ... and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars." Source In 2008 budget year, Palin sought $256 million in earmarks. Alaska State revenues doubled to $10 Billion in 2008, there is no sales tax or income tax, and for the 2009 budget Palin gave a list of 31 proposed earmarks, totaling $197 million, to Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens. Source

Business & labor issues: Palin shares pro-business views, typical of Republicans. Source Executive president of the Alaska AFL-CIO, Vince Beltrami said that organized labor has had a generally good relationship with Palin, but that doesn’t change the fact that labor has to support the candidate who best supports working families. 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: Views not known at this time.

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 Palin has been on the wrong side of every important environmental issue, whatever well rehearsed half truths she's spouting on the campaign trail. 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
She expressed full support for Arizona's controversial immigration law. She even encouraged other states to adopt similar laws. "I think every other state on the border should emulate what Arizona has done," she said on FOX News Wednesday night. 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).

SarahPac.com