Here we go again. Governor Palin endorses a conservative who shares her American values, her vision, and her record of a strong work ethic--and people complain. So what else is new? This has become the norm for those who simply don't know as much as they think they know. Today's episode involves the governor's endorsement of Carly Fiorina.
I have a simple question for those who are whining over this recent endorsement. Which candidate did you actually expect her to endorse for this California Senate seat? Three people are running: Chuck DeVore, Tom Campbell, and Carly Fiorina. Let's take a look at each. Then answer that question.
Chuck DeVore is a conservative, but is that all it takes to secure an endorsement? Problem number one is that DeVore has allegedly run his campaign with tax-payer dollars. This controversy itself raises eyebrows, and such unethical behavior would surely rule out an endorsement by Governor Palin, who is nothing if not ethical. After all, she's the reformer who blew the whistle on corrupt behavior in her home state of Alaska.
In addition, DeVore simply has no chance of winning. Instead, he's simply splitting the vote, giving the edge to Campbell, and Campbell is the antithesis of the values needed to get this nation back on the right track. We need someone who can defeat Barbara Boxer, who just has to go, and that someone is Carly Fiorini. We cannot afford a Campbell win.
Tom Campbell is a mess--plain and simple. Let's look at his track record.
First of all, Daniel Halper pointed out in an article for the Weekly Standard called "Tom Campbell's Israel Problem," that "Campbell has a long troubling record as an anti-Israel public official." That article went on to quote from a Jennifer Rubin article that points out his anti-Israel efforts. Some of those measures were:
In 1999, Rep. Tom Campbell introduced an amendment to cut foreign aid to Israel. This amendment, titled the “Campbell Amendment,” was defeated overwhelmingly on the House floor by a vote of 13-413.
In 1999, Campbell was one of just 24 House members to vote against a resolution expressing Congressional opposition to the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state.
In 1997, Rep. Tom Campbell authored an amendment (again, titled the “Campbell Amendment”) to cut foreign aid to Israel. The resolution failed 9-32 in committee. This amendment was particularly offensive to the pro-Israel community because it came at the same time that Israel had agreed to a complete phase out of economic aid over a 8-year period. This was not sufficient for Campbell and his amendment called for an additional cut beyond what had been agreed to.
In 1990, Campbell was one of just 34 House members to vote against a resolution expressing support for Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The resolution passed the House 378-34.
Rubin came to the following tell-tale conclusion:
If Campbell wins the Republican primary, a huge window will open for the incumbent, Barbara Boxer, who will be able to point to her record of supporting Israel in contrast to Campbell's hostility toward one of America's closest allies.
President Obama gives us enough reasons to be concerned over our support of Israel. We don't need anyone adding to that.
His Israel stance is just the beginning of Campbell's troubles. Added to that are other problematic issues. He received donations from a terrorist. He is pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, and opposes off-shore drilling. He also appears to have a problem with our Second Amendment, which might explain his F rating from the NRA.
The bottom line: Campbell's got a frightening downside, and he's no conservative. We certainly cannot send him to D.C., and we cannot afford a candidate who will pave the way for another Boxer term. Campbell will do just that, and again, career politician DeVore and his controversial campaign cannot defeat anybody.
This brings us to Carly Fiorina. She is a true common sense conservative. She boasts a record to warrant a Governor Palin endorsement--and she's the only candidate in this race who deserves it.
She is pro-life, which has earned her endorsements from the Susan B. Anthony List and the National Right to Life. She is a Second Amendment supporter, which is crucial as gun rights are under fire. She is also a voice for clamping down on illegal immigration. In fact, she has not failed to speak about the recent law in Arizona, showing support for Arizona coupled with an understanding that this is a national security issue and should be treated as such, something Governor Palin has also noted. CNN reported:
Specifically regarding Arizona's controversial immigration law, the candidate, who is vying in a Republican primary for her party's nomination, said that, "The people of Arizona did what they felt they had to do."
"I support their need to protect their citizens," Fiorina told Wolf Blitzer in an interview that aired on CNN's The Situation Room. "But what we ought to be talking about is the federal government needs to secure the border."
Carly Fiorina is a conservative, one who has much in common with Governor Palin--and she has what it takes to win. It should be no surprise that the governor would throw her support behind Fiorina. Taking a good look at the three candidates, who else would Governor Palin endorse? Carly Fiorina is the right--and only--common sense choice.
Governor Palin has spoken herself about her support of Fiorina. Below read her Facebook endorsement, which she entitled "Let’s shake it up in California! (Updated)"
I’d like to tell you about a Commonsense Conservative running for office in California this year. She grew up in a modest home with a school teacher dad, worked her way through several colleges, and then entered an arena where few women had tread. Through a combination of hard work, perseverance, and common sense, she proved the naysayers wrong to reach the top of her field, where she led with distinction – facing hard truths, making tough decisions, and showing real leadership through a rocky transition period. Where others had failed, her company had weathered the storm and settled on a stronger new foundation.
Her name is Carly Fiorina, and I’m proud to endorse her for U.S. Senate.
Carly is the Commonsense Conservative that California needs and our country could sure use in these trying times. Most importantly, she’s running for the right reasons. She has an understanding that is sorely lacking in D.C. She’s not a career politician. She’s a businesswoman who has run a major corporation. She knows how to really incentivize job creation. Her fiscal conservatism is rooted in real life experience. She knows that when government grows, the private sector shrinks under the burden of debt and deficits. We can trust Carly to do the right thing for America’s economy and to make the principled decisions she has throughout her professional career.
Please consider that Carly is the conservative who has the potential to beat California’s liberal senator, Barbara Boxer, in November. I’m a huge proponent of contested primaries, so I’m glad to see the contest in California’s GOP, but I support Carly as she fights through a tough primary against a liberal member of the GOP who seems to bear almost no difference to Boxer, one of the most leftwing members of the Senate. Carly needs our support in this crucial election year when we have a real chance of putting an end to the Pelosi/Reid “Big Government” agenda.
I hope you’ll join me in supporting Carly. Visit her website here, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter. Read up on her positions and plans to help get us on the right track.
California is still Reagan Country, and Carly promises her “Reagan Conservative” values will be put to good use for her state and for our great nation. Shaking it up in California is long overdue. Let’s help Carly do it!
- Sarah Palin
Update: I’d like to add a few things about my Carly endorsement because some reaction right out of the chute calls for more information:
Carly has been endorsed by the National Right to Life, the California Pro-Life Council, and the Susan B. Anthony List. She is pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, pro-military, and pro-strict border security and against amnesty. She is against Obamacare and will vote to repeal it and prevent the government takeover of private companies and industries. Carly is also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Like me, she is a member of the NRA, has a 100% NRA rating, and she and her husband are gun owners. She is pro-energy development and believes as I do in an all-of-the-above approach to energy independence. She is against cap and tax. And most importantly, Carly is the only conservative in the race who can beat Barbara Boxer. That’s no RINO. That’s a winner.
- Sarah Palin
(H/T C4P)