A New Day Has Dawned

Is it a great day or what?  I can see the future of my beloved Republican Party this morning and not since the days of Ronald Reagan have I been more proud.  Last night, America and the world was introduced to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.  Gov. Palin stood tall in the face of her critics, high heels and all, proudly proclaiming the mantra of what the conservative movement in America is all about.  She was poised and confident, while feminine and ladylike; tough and forthright, while at ease and comfortable.  Gov. Palin showed that you don't have to wear pant suits and act like a man to be taken seriously as a woman candidate in this country; you can dress and speak as a lady, while stating your case and doing your business. 

As I watched in awe of the history that was indeed being made within my party, hoping and praying that Gov. Palin lived up to the hype surrounding her, I couldn't help but grin and cheer like I was watching a Pascagoula Panther football game as she methodically and strategically picked apart every piece of a do-nothing liberal attack machine propagated both by the Democratic Party and the left-wing national media.  Gov. Palin plainly said that she did not care what the media made of her; she wasn't trying to please them - as Vice President she will be working for you and me, not the special interests, not the liberal, socialist, left-wing, drive-by media, and not the entrenched Washington bureaucrats who have forgotten what matters to the everyday Joe.  She spoke of being energy independent by drilling now, not later, but also pursuing alternative energy sources built by Americans for Americans.  Gov. Palin, who by the way knows how to fire an AK-47, was strong on national security and rightly criticized the liberals for wanting us to read terrorists their rights.  This lady had me on my feet, my friends.

As a city councilman, I sympathize with and relate to Gov. Palin in many ways, her having served on a local city council, then as mayor and then as governor.  To those out there who think that this lady doesn't have the experience to lead our nation, I would beg to differ on the basis of what I know I do everyday here in Pascagoula and what I've seen our Governor here in Mississippi do day in and day out.  Being a local elected official is probably the toughest elected office you can hold in terms of public contact and public awareness.  Everyday you see your constituents, in the stores, the churches, the schools, the restaurants, at the park, all over town.  You do not get a break from dealing with local issues.  Fortunately, I, like Gov. Palin, thrive off of helping my fellow man achieve more.  Public service isn't for the faint of heart, my friends.  Don't be fooled.  All politics is local.  When a disaster strikes or a street drain needs cleaned or a tax increase is proposed, it's not the state and federal officials who do the work - it's the local officials who are on the ground.  A local elected official's perspective leading our country would serve us well if we are ever going to turn our country around and stop relying on the federal government to rescue us from all of our problems.  Gov. Palin is exactly right - she has more executive experience in one finger than does the entire Democratic ticket.  And when that 3:00am call does come, should Gov. Palin have to answer it, I know she'll be ready because she, like you and I who have had babies, will probably be up with hers taking care of her young one while looking out for us.

I, for one, can see a bright future for my party with Gov. Palin helping to lead us into a new day.  I have long been a proponent of cultivating local individuals, young people, who show promise and interest in public and community service, helping them to step up and step in to local elected positions that we as Republicans must maintain and secure for the betterment of our cities, counties, states, and nation.  Our opponents work hard to paint the GOP as old, gray-haired white guys who are out of touch and out of reach from Main Street America.  The local, state, and national Republican Party must take this opportunity and seize the day.  We must expand our party and reach out to the next generation, pass the baton, and cultivate leaders who can do exactly what Gov. Palin has done both in Alaska and now in America - energize our base, expose the truth about the liberal's socialist plans, and reach out to those independent and undecided voters in a way that makes sense and is genuine. 

I know a few of you reading this may be surprised that I would be quite so vocal about a national race.  But if you know me at all, you know that I feel strongly about my city, my county, my state, and my country.  And since all politics is local, and party ideals and platforms do matter, I want to do all I can to help shape my country for the better.  Because you see, what we as local elected officials have to enforce to a large extent is mandated by those in Washington D.C., so having Gov. Palin in arms length to the White House, her knowing local issues, local gripes, local problems and frustrations, sure does help put me at ease. 

A new day has dawned in the Republican Party and I am proud to say that Gov. Palin is my choice for Vice President of the United States of America.  I hope she is yours too.

Frank Corder

Pascagoula City Councilman - Ward 4