Palin speaks at son's deployment ceremony
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/11/art.palinbase.gi.jpg caption="Palin made an appearance at an Army base for her son Track’s deployment."]FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska (CNN) - Sarah Palin left the campaign trail and stepped back into her role as Alaska governor on Thursday when she spoke at a ceremony honoring 4,000 Alaska-based troops who will deploy from Fort Wainwright to Iraq in the coming weeks.
Standing in formation among members of the 1st Stryker Brigade’s 25th Infantry Division was Palin’s eldest son, Track, who went unmentioned by the governor in her brief remarks. Palin had agreed to speak at the deployment ceremony several months ago, before she was tapped as John McCain’s running mate.
Though the speech wasn’t a political event – press credentials were issued by the military base - that didn’t stop dozens of national reporters and photographers from descending on this military base in Fairbanks, home to between nearly 12,000 soldiers and their families.
“As you depart today,” Palin told the infantrymen, “don’t mind us - your parents, your friends, your family - if we allow for a few tears, or if we hold you just a little close once more before you’re gone. Because were going to miss you. We can’t help it. We are going to miss you.”
Palin said victory in Iraq is “within sight.”
“You and others like you will be there to see the mission through,” she said. “You will be there to win. You will see victory.
Track Palin signed up to join the army on Sept. 11, 2007. During his 12-month deployment, Palin’s unit will provide protection to reconstruction teams participating in the rebuilding of the country, according to Major Chris Hyde, the public affairs officer for the brigade.
Hyde, who called Track Palin “a low profile individual,” said he had not heard any securty concerns about having the son of a prominent political figure in the brigade.
“The decision to put him in that role was made before Gov. Palin was picked by McCain,” he said. “If anything comes down from headquarters we will comply, but I wouldn't even want to speculate. I wouldn’t say yes or no. That’s just my opinion. We will do well with Track Palin whether he's there or he's not.”
So, now the enemy know when he's deploying, where he's deploying and what he looks like. That's a heck of a political stunt to pull.
I'm not impressed
The worm has turned....The Republican party is starting to turn on their own. They can't distance themselves from McCain/Palin fast enough. The party's over....literally!
When asked of Palin regarding George Bush’s policy she looked like she was squirming in her shoes because she didn’t know the answer. What a joke and she thinks she can run as VP? She is no more equipped to be commander in chief let alone VP. I know “it was God” who told her to run for VP! Thats it! Seems this lady lacks ehtics in her stay at home stint she charged the office that she claims she “cleaned up ethics” on. Not only did she do the unethical thing but she also interfered with her dealings with the firing of officals in her way I call that darn right conflict of interests and unethical. Maybe “God” told her to send troops to war and 4,000 or so soldiers never came home. Palin go back to Alaska and forget about it your the worst pick yet! Why is religion in politics here in the first place. OH I forgot it was the “Christian conservatists" that they were all trying to please. What a “big” mistake McCain. Oh I forgotshe considers herself a "maverick or was God calling "top gun" shooting all those animals that's fun for her.What a real joke we have on out hands!
Obama won todays debate thats a fact.
Mc Cain didn't even look presidential.
And Sarah Pail is a joke. She has no ideeas about security or foreighn politics.
And how McCain jumped around in his chair hahaha.
Man what a shame these 2 represent.
Obama / Biden 08
I've heard a report that said Palin's son was busted for vandalism in Michigan or maybe Alaska and the court ordered him to join the military or face punsihment. If this is true (or even not) it shows that the Palin family is no different than any other dysfunctional family. The only difference is that the Palin's have the right wing machine to create a bunch of noise loud enough to cause voters to go deaf when it comes down to REAL ISSUES!
Obama and Biden all the way in 2008, 2012!!!!
God bless you, Track! I hope that no violence befalls you.
On a side note, I hope mother Sarah and uncle John don't scheme to keep you there the rest of your life!
Every parent who sees their child off to war should have the opportunity to address the nation, but they do not. Is this patriotic or using your son as a campaign ad?
Ok, so how long until these images show up in a McCain/Palin ad?
CNN...why does the WaPo have a story about how Palin linked 9/11 with Iraq. You don't believe that is relevant information for the people of the country to know...that a VP candidate doesn't have the basic understanding that the Al Qaeda that attacked us is in Afghanistan and Pakistan? How in the hell is she qualified to protect this nation if she doesn't know who we are fighting and why?
Like that kid will ever see any combat, thanks to his loud mouth Mommy the entire unit is at risk by bragging about her son's deployement, congrats you've made him a liability. What about the Families of those who have been on multiple deployments Mrs Palin? Now that your son is deploying you have a sudden interest in the Iraq war? Your so called task from god? Sounds a little extremist to me. I've been there I saw no god in war, just war, and now all the All I see is a Political cyborg using her own child for personal gain. As a military member and parent myself it's sickening. I love my country and I am proud to wear the uniform, But Sen. Obama is right we need to get back to the real War on Terror and find Bin Laden and ensure Afghanistan and Pakistan are secure and remain that way.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08
Sarah Palin cannot judge victory in Iraq. It's obvious she knows nothing about this war we shouldn't be in. McCain and her both agree with the Bush agenda...and now she's talking about war with Russia. Her and McCain evidently like the idea of being at war.
NO WAY, NO HOW, NO McCAIN/PALIN!!!!
Please, please...if you think of anyone other than yourself this november, let it be the poor children with special needs! They desperately need a strong, sympathetic advocate like SARAH PALIN working on their behalf in Washington...Have a heart, and vote McCain/Palin!!! 🙂
(And don't believe the fabricated lies about how Palin cut funding for special needs in Alaska...I googled ANNENBERG PALIN, and learned the TRUTH!)
This is a freaking joke!
Palin's son has a reputation of partying hard in Alaska. He was addicted on oxycodin for two years. They are sending him to the military for some discipline and to help him mature. It has nothing to do with patriotism.
The 17 year old pregnant daughter has the same reputation. What is so incredible is that her now "fiance" had his myspace deleted by Palin's handlers, wherein he professed to not wanting children. The GOP moved in. They jerked the poor boy out of his trailer park, dressed him in preppy clothes, stripped tie, navy blue blazer, khaki pants and slapped an engagement ring on the gitl's finger. Now, they are "engaged."
Politicians think that we are stupid. They never tell you the real truth.
Charles Gibson, you sexist pig! Looking down your nose at Palin and trying to tell her she doesn't have enough experience to be VP. She does, and you know it.
The choice is getting more clear.
McCain/Palin = further isolation from the world.
This doesn't help our economy or security.
Did she tell her son that he is going to fight a war that was illegally declared? Fellow Repubs,when are going to capture/kill Osama and his command post? I can see Mcain/Palin are targeting Russia.How about Osama or he is the holy shrine ! Why did Mcain/Bush push to attack Iraq before dismantling the real Enemy who attacked us?
Wonderful speech and public presence. America being a world leader, is Palin ready – may be alright being the second in command. However, I think this is the democratic chance. Media like CNN should not destroy that chance by hunting down/ going after Palin. Also comments from Obama like "you can't make stuff up, you can not recreate yourself, you can not reinvent yourself smacks hypocracy. If it is alright for Clintons to change within a shorter span of time on a bigger issue – 'whether Obama is ready to be the commander in chief ,'or Byden to say that after stating earlier that he was not ready, why Ms. Palin can not change her position. That much is support on an issue. But I do think Ms. Palin will have to wait before she gets a go at the National politics, Right now she is not ready.
The outgoing commander of US troops in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has said that he will never declare victory there.
He said he did not know that he would ever use the word "victory": "This is not the sort of struggle where you take a hill, plant the flag and go home to a victory parade... it's not war with a simple slogan."
Gen Petraeus is a great commander , who knows history and has made history. So is Gen Shinseky who was belittled by Paul Wolfowitz and the Bush administration. McCain as a Senator, former Navel academy and war college , didn't contest the Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld agenda to go to war , and to have so few personnel on the ground. McCain did act a year later, after much loss.
I certainly wish Mrs Palin would do a little more research in using the term Victory. And be a little more restraining in regards to a war with Russia . She is definitely lacking in foreign policy experience as well as understanding the rest of the world.
She should read more then just the projections on oil revenues.
DRILL DRILL DRILL,
you can't drill your way out of this one.
All the best,
Hambone Pickins