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Book Review
What Does Sarah Palin Believe?
On the eve of what is arguably the most important political debate since Lincoln vs. Douglas, all political pundits agree on one thing. In the history of American politics there has never been a more explosive, history-making decision than the naming of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican ticket’s choice for Vice President. This single decision has forever changed the landscape of the American political system and its importance cannot be understated.
On the eve of what is arguably the most important political debate since Lincoln vs. Douglas, all political pundits agree on one thing. In the history of American politics there has never been a more explosive, history-making decision than the naming of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican ticket’s choice for Vice President. This single decision has forever changed the landscape of the American political system and its importance cannot be understated.
Although well-known and beloved in her native state, Palin’s whirlwind introduction to the rest of the country has set the American political process spinning and moved the mainstream media into a hyper-driven feeding frenzy. Everyone wants to know: Who is Sarah Palin? What is her background and what does she believe?
From a front-row seat as a delegate at the Republican National Convention, Michael Patrick Leahy, a Harvard graduate with an MBA from Stanford University who had recently written What Does Barack Obama Believe, had unprecedented access not only to the convention delegates from Palin’s home state, but to family members and friends of Sarah Palin. He, like the rest of America, was stunned at McCain’s choice and was there to witness with them her electrifying, country-unifying acceptance speech. He was a participant in the most historic political convention in American history and has recorded for readers the events of those history-making days and all he learned from her friends, parents, other family members, and constituents about the woman John McCain has chosen as his running mate.
In What Does Sarah Palin Believe? (Harpeth River Press 2008), Leahy uses his well-known style of meticulous research that includes exclusive interviews with Palin’s parents, aunts, other relatives, high school teammates, high school coaches, teachers, and those in her home state to weave a multi-faceted tapestry that reveals her rich family history, American-spirit background, and the elements that formed her belief system. Readers learn who Sarah Palin really is, what she represents, and why.
Having also completed extensive research on Barack Obama, Leahy offers important comparisons and insights regarding these two vastly different candidates.
“The contrast between their formative years is stunning,†Leahy says. “Sarah grew up in small town Alaska, in a stable family that participated in church, school, and community. Obama grew up in exotic locations around the world, raised largely by his grandparents with an unknown absent father and a well intentioned but sometimes overwhelmed single mother. One thing the two had in common was basketball—but their different approaches to that sport exemplified their contrasting backgrounds. “Sarah Barracuda†was the captain of a cohesive state champion basketball team where her role was to play defense and feed the ball to the top scorers. “Barry O’Bomber†was a disgruntled second stringer who saw little action on a state championship basketball team where his individualistic, free flowing style didn’t fit.â€
What Does Sarah Palin Believe?, being released today, also includes commentary and reaction to Palin’s controversial first public interview with Charles Gibson and historical background information related to Abraham Lincoln’s quote used by Palin in that interview.