On August 29, 2008, presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain announced that his running mate will be Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska (R-AK). As part of the Center’s Impact ’08 initiative to educate and inspire support for elevating global development and diplomacy as central to our national security and foreign policy, we have compiled relevant information on Governor Palin. As the Governor is introduced on the national stage in the coming we look forward to hearing in more detail about her views on global development and diplomacy. A very brief snapshot is available below.

Background
After serving as mayor of Wasilla, for 10 years, Sarah Palin took office as Alaska’s first female Governor on December 4, 2006.

As Governor, Palin traveled overseas in July 2007, to visit the Alaska National Guard in Kuwait and wounded soldiers in Germany. Her son, Track has enlisted in the U.S. Army and deploys to Iraq in September.

Governor Palin has established a number of awards programs designed to highlight and encourage Alaska’s international activity. In March 2007, Palin announced an Exporter of the Year Award to recognize how trade promotes economic growth. In March 2007, Palin renewed the Alaska, Yukon Intergovernmental Accord providing a framework for tourism and trade. In April 2008, Palin announced the establishment of a Governor’s North Star Awards for International Excellence to honor Alaska’s businesses, school, and other organizations that improved life in Alaska through international activity. Additionally, Governor Palin has acknowledged the importance of cross-cultural exchanges by recognizing “International Education” week in Alaska.

Palin has worked to expand partnerships with Alaska companies overseas. During her first year in office, Alaska exported to 100 foreign destinations exports, reaching $3.9 billion worth of exports, an annual increase of roughly 3 percent. This marked the second highest export level in Alaskan history.

Governor Palin has also hosted delegations from all over the world including a delegation of Chinese officials to observe the delivery of rural health care in Alaska and Canadian officials to promote economic cooperation and trade.

Quotes

National Security
Palin, Interview with Charlie Gibson, ABC News, September 11, 2008 - Link(On the prospect of attacking insurgents in Pakistan without the approval of the Pakistani government)     “I believe that America has to exercise all options in order to stop the terrorists who are hell bent on destroying America and our allies. We have got to have all options out there on the table.”

Palin, Interview with Charlie Gibson, ABC News, September 11, 2008 - Link
“When you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help. But NATO, I think, should include Ukraine…we have got to make sure that we strengthen our allies, our ties with each one of those NATO members. We have got to make sure that that is the group that can be counted upon to defend one another in a very dangerous world today.”

Palin, Statements in Washington, D.C.: March 3, 2008
“Don’t tell me that we should ever be on our knees to any dictator because of our desperation for energy, not when we have supplied here at home.”

Palin, Interview with Charlie Rose: October 12, 2007 - Link
“National security issues. I think, you know, candidates are going to be asked, are you doing…and are your intentions to do all that you can to help secure these United States? And I think every elected official needs to ask themselves that. And I say that, Charlie, even personally. My one and only son, my 18-year- old, he just signed up for the United States Army. He is at boot camp right now and I`m thinking, you know, this kid is doing all that he can within his power to help secure and defend the United States. Every elected official had better be asking themselves, are you doing as much also? Are you doing all that you can?”

Global Vision
Palin, Proclamation Declaring International Education Week: October 17, 2007
“we live in an increasingly interconnected world and improving global literacy among our citizens contributes significantly to our nation's foreign policy economic competitiveness and national security”

Palin, Statement to Announce the North Star Awards: April 2, 2008 - Link
“International markets and companies trust Alaska’s stable, transparent business climate. They appreciate the creativity and friendliness they find in our state…I want to honor Alaskans who connect us all to the world. The North Star Awards are a good way to celebrate the international know-how of Alaskans.”

Palin, Statement to Launch Exporter Awards: April 5, 2007 - Link
“These awards illustrate how international activity is succeeding across our state in all kinds of businesses.”

International Trade
Palin, Statement on 2006 Alaska Trade Statistics: February 23, 2007 - Link
“Alaskans have been first-rate at international trade for decades…I applaud the hard-working Alaskans who help our economy at home, and other economies around the world, through trade.”

Palin, Statement to Launch Exporter Awards: April 5, 2007 - Link
“We want to honor the companies which help the state’s economies through their hard work and persistence in international markets.”

Palin, Announcing Second Best Year for Exports: March 20, 2008
“I commend all of the Alaskans whose hard work benefits our state and its trade and foreign investment”

Palin, Statement on 2006 Alaska Trade Statistics: February 23, 2007 - Link
“We not only have abundant and diverse natural resources, Alaskans also have the expertise needed to develop resources…When we think about exports and international relations, we also need to thank the Alaskans who work to promote the visitor industry and who work at the state’s international ports and airports.”

Palin, Statement Regarding Canadian Trade Delegation: January 19, 2007 - Link
“Alaska’s new administration needs to start early and energetically with expanding our strong, cooperative relationship with Canada…We have many common issues. Our meetings this week will promote continued trade.”

Palin, Fish Platform - Link
“The Governor should be the chief marketer of all of Alaska’s commercial resources—fish in particular—by leading high-level trade missions promoting our products, by directing the Office of International Trade and the Department of Commerce Community and Economic Development to work with industry to access the world’s markets and by working with the Legislature to make sure we have the funding necessary to support an aggressive seafood marketing campaign.”

Diplomacy
Palin, Statement on International Education Week: October 17, 2007
“international education and exchange including thousands of programs, public and private, campus-based and national, that promote the sharing of ideas and experiences across borders. These include study abroad programs, citizen and scholarly exchanges, foreign students on U.S. campuses, area and foreign language studies, and global approaches to U.S. education.”

Palin, Statements on Ice Alaska’s 2007 World Ice Art Competition: March 10, 2007
“I’m looking forward to welcoming our international friends in such a beautiful winter setting…Alaska’s international relations and trade are important to us.”

Palin, on Yukon Accord: March 3, 2008 - Link
“This accord provides a framework for the governments of Alaska and Yukon to continue working cooperatively on tourism, transportation and trade and commerce initiatives…We have to also included climate change, wildlife management, economic development and infrastructure in the accord as additional key areas of opportunity.”

Global Health
Palin, Statement Regarding: May 16, 2007 - Link
“I’m pleased to welcome Minister Gao and this important delegation to Alaska…We are honored to have these high-ranking health officials in our state for this visit. I thank all of Alaska’s healthcare professionals and officials with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who have worked hard to coordinate this visit. Alaskans have the opportunity to be part of an important dialogue between the U.S. and China about rural health care, a topic with global ramifications.”

Selected Countries
Palin, Interview with Charlie Gibson, ABC News, September 11, 2008 - Link
“We will be committed to Georgia. And we've got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable… I think it was unfortunate. That manifestation that we saw with that invasion of Georgia shows us some steps backwards that Russia has recently taken away from the race toward a more democratic nation with democratic ideals.”

Palin, Interview with Charlie Gibson, ABC News, September 11, 2008 - Link
“We have got to be cognizant of what the consequences are if a larger power is able to take over smaller democratic countries…We have got to show the support, in this case, for Georgia. The support that we can show is economic sanctions perhaps against Russia... It doesn't have to lead to war and it doesn't have to lead, as I said, to a Cold War, but economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, again, counting on our allies to help us do that in this mission of keeping our eye on Russia and Putin… We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it's in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.”

Palin, Interview with Charlie Gibson, ABC News, September 11, 2008 - Link
“I believe that under the leadership of [Iran President] Ahmadinejad, nuclear weapons in the hands of his government are extremely dangerous to everyone on this globe… I agree… that nuclear weapons in the hands of those who would seek to destroy our allies, in this case, we're talking about Israel… that’s unacceptable.”

Palin, Interview with Charlie Gibson, ABC News, September 11, 2008 - Link
“We are friends with Israel and I don't think that we should second guess the measures that Israel has to take to defend themselves and for their security.”

Palin, Interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, September 25, 2008 - Link
“We can't afford to lose in Afghanistan, as we cannot afford to lose in Iraq, either, these central fronts on the war on terror. And I asked President Karzai, "Is that what you are seeking, also? That strategy that has worked in Iraq that John McCain had pushed for, more troops? A counterinsurgency strategy?" And he said, "yes." And he also showed great appreciation for what America and American troops are providing in his country.”

Palin, Interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, September 25, 2008 - Link
“The Pakistani people…want freedom. They want democratic values to be allowed in their country, also. They understand the dangers of terrorists having a stronghold in regions of their country, also. And I believe that they, too, want to rid not only their country, but the world, of violent Islamic terrorists.”

 Palin, Speech at the Republican National Convention, September 3, 2008 - Link
“With Russia wanting to control a vital pipeline in the Caucasus, and to divide and intimidate our European allies by using energy as a weapon, we cannot leave ourselves at the mercy of foreign suppliers. To confront the threat that Iran might seek to cut off nearly a fifth of world energy supplies ... or that terrorists might strike again at the Abqaiq facility in Saudi Arabia ... or that Venezuela might shut off its oil deliveries ... we Americans need to produce more of our own oil and gas.”