| The leader of presidential race of Republicans senator John McCain named the governor of State of Alaska Sarah Palin as his running mate as candidate for vice-president of United States.
Sarah Louise Heath Palin was born on February 11, 1964, in Sandpoint (State of Idaho, USA) in a rather modest family. Immediately after the birth of Sarah, her family moved to Alaska.
In school, Sarah headed Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was the captain of school’s basketball team. In 1984, she won beauty competition in the city of Wasilla (Miss Wasilla) and later on occupied second place in competition “Miss Alaska” and got scholarship for education as prize. Sarah Palin graduated from University of Idaho with Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and communications.
In 1988, Sarah married employee of Alaskan Branch of company BP (former British Petroleum) Todd Palin and lead life of a housewife.
Sarah Palin started her political career in 1992 – she was elected to the post of member of Wasilla city council. Palin joined Republican Party and supported introduction of new tax (VAT), promising “safer, more progressive city of Wasilla” to the voters. She won the elections and served two terms on this post from 1992 to 1996.
In 1996, Palin ran for the Mayor’ post. Palin criticised the city administration for squandering of finances and high taxes. She appeared to be more popular than Mayor John Stein, who was seeking a second term.
In January 1997, Palin dismissed police chief and library head. In reply to it, group of 60 townsmen calling themselves “Concerned citizens of Wasilla” stated that it is considering the possibility of removing Sarah Palin from the post but at the end, decided not to do so.
Dismissed police chief filed a case against Palin in the court, confirming that he was dismissed due to his support to Sarah Palin’s opponent in pre-election campaign. Suit was rejected by the judge claiming that according to laws of state, Palin had the right to dismiss employees of municipal administration even though on political motives.
As mayor, Sarah Palin fulfilled her pre-election pledges by lowering the salary of mayor and tax on immovable property by 40 %. She increased the city VAT to pay for the construction of roofed ice arena and sports complex. Since then, Republican Party of the state started preparing her for higher designations.
Palin proposed her candidature against Stein and was once again re-elected to the post of mayor in 1999, having won elections with even bigger majority. She was also elected as President of Alaska Conference of Mayors, which took place in 2000.
In 2006, Palin proposed her candidature for the post of governor of State of Alaska and won the elections. On December 4, 2006, Palin took charges as Governor.
On August 29, 2008, John McCain, candidate from Republican Party for the US presidential elections declared Palin as his running mate.
Palin is second woman in the history of US, who was proposed for the post of vice-president from one of the two largest parties (after Geraldine Ferraro, who ran for the post of vice-president with Walter Mondale in 1984).
According to beliefs, Palin is a conservative and practices Christianity. She has five children: elder son Track, daughters Bristol, Willow, Piper and younger son Trig Paxson Van, born on April 18, 2008. The child was born with Down syndrome. |
Sarah Palin is quickly becoming celebrity #1, at least in the United States. It's no surprise that many women want to look like her. Palin even set the new fashion trend with her eyeglasses - so many people want to have them to look a bit like Palin.
