Nov. 4 a date with history

In 16 days, we’ll have an opportunity here in Alaska to do something we’ve never had the privilege to so before — vote on a presidential ticket that includes one of our own.

Gov. Sarah Palin’s sudden and meteoric rise to the Republican vice presidential nomination has been historic. We’ve seen the best and worst of big-time politics and journalism. While we continue to cover the Mat-Su Valley, it’s been disappointing to see how many have presented this presidential campaign in Jerry Springer-like fashion.

We remain proud supporters of McCain-Palin, and not because we’re Palin’s hometown newspaper. We appreciate strong leadership and trust those who aren’t afraid to do what they think is right, no matter how that would play out with their party’s leanings. Sen. John McCain has shown he’s willing to stick to his guns and risk alienating his base Republican support to do what’s right for Americans. We believe that, ultimately, this is what attracted him to Palin as his running mate.

In less than two years as governor, Palin has wasted no time in supporting federal efforts to ferret out corruption in the state Legislature. The numerous indictments and convictions resulting from the government’s continuing probe into influence peddling by oil services company VECO have publicly targeted Republicans.

It’s easy to toe the party line, something Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama knows well. His track record of voting the Democrat party line speaks volumes. It says that, if elected, Obama lacks the intestinal fortitude to resist the pressure from his own party when the chips are down.

For voters, the chips will be down in a little more than two weeks, and judging by many national pollsters, McCain-Palin have some ground to make up. Newsweek projects Obama has a “solid” hold on 249 electoral votes with 37 others “leaning” in his favor. It takes 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. Conversely, McCain-Palin have 140 “solid” votes and 18 “leaning,” with seven other states considered too close to call.

The numbers are a little closer according to The New York Times, which says Obama has 196 “solid” electoral votes and 81 “leaning,” to McCain’s 155 and 30. Another 76 are considered a tossup between the candidates.

History tells us that when it comes to electing our president, every vote really can count (even in Florida), and we remain optimistic American voters are capable of making this important decision based on leadership and values. Should this hold true, Alaska may lose a trail-blazing governor, but gain an important and proud place in American history.