CaffeinatedThoughts.com’s 2009 Caffeinated Conservative: Sarah Palin

By Shane Vander Hart, editor of Caffeinated Thoughts

I apologize that the formal announcement of our 2009 Caffeinated Conservative Award was put on the back burner after our 2009 recipient was informally announced.  Life circumstances, work and timely blog subjects prevented me from posting this sooner.  We had several nominated by Caffeinated Thoughts contributors for this most coveted prize: Glenn Beck, Congressman Ron Paul (*cough, cough*, thanks Emily), Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Edwin Feulner (of The Heritage Foundation), but one came in on top after Caffeinated Thoughts readers, had the chance to vote on the nominees.  Former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, was selected by you with 45% of the vote.

Why is she is a worthy recipient?  Let’s consider the following:

• She has been an effective voice against the take of health care.  Most notably with her first salvo on Facebook coining the term “death panels.”  Then continuing on here and here.  She challenged the lack of tort reform and the bureaucratization of health care.  Regarding health care she’s so *irrelevant* that the White House responded to her as a private citizen writing a Facebook note.  To which she responded.  She defined the debate.
• She has been a constant champion of energy independence by better utilizing our natural resources.
• She is an outspoken critic of the Cap and Tax bill.
• She has been a champion for the troops participating in several charity auctions to benefit wounded soldiers and their families.
• She knocked her first first public appearance after her resignation out of the part by bolstering her foreign policy cred by giving a fabulous speech in Hong Kong which demonstrated a better understanding of China than what President Obama has.
• She put principles before party and personal ambition.
• Her advocacy for the sanctity of life.
• Her pushback against the climate change crowd.
• Her rejection of stimulus funds, criticism of it, and the preparation she accomplished as Governor that positioned her state well for the recession we are in.
• All while still battling (and beating) baseless, politicized ethics charges that were abuse of what was a needed law.
• Oh, and yes she wrote a little book called Going Rogue: An American Life which has been a #1 Best Seller since before it was even released.  Which I give a thumbs up.  She saw her popularity and likeability rise with the numerous interviews she did as a part of her cross-country book tour.
• And she’s still a favorite target of the left which has to resort to cheap shots since they don’t have anything of substance.

She has further defined what it means to be a “common sense conservative,” and has positioned herself to be a voice of the people.  She has proven that she doesn’t need a title to do so.  I don’t know what her future entails, but 2010 is off to a great start with her new role with Fox News, giving some terrific interviews, and plans for further speeches and stumping for candidates.

Well she isn’t retreating after all, just reloading.

Shane Vander Hart is editor of Caffeinated Thoughts which shares stimulating musings on the news, politics, culture, life and theology.  Shane loves connecting with fellow rogues, so feel free to follow him on Twitter or friend him on Facebook.