英语名人堂：萨拉·路易丝·希思·佩林
Sarah Palin (born 1964) is the first woman to be selected by America’s Republican Party as vice-presidential nominee. She is also governor of Alaska. Although she was little-known by most Americans, those in her party have taken her to their hearts. Her simple hockey mom image,humble background and Christian values are very popular with the Republican faithful.
Palin was born in Idaho to a school secretary mother and a science teacher father. Her family moved to Alaska when she was a baby. She loved the outdoor Alaskan life and got into moose hunting, fishing and long-distance running. She went to school in a small town called Wasilla, where she later became mayor. In 1984, she won her town’s beauty contest.
Palin graduated from university in 1987 with a degree in journalism and got a job as a sports reporter for an Alaskan TV channel. She entered politics as a member of the Wasilla city council in 1992 and became mayor in 1996. Her no-nonsense approach to politics saw her rise further. In 2006, she was elected the first ever female governor of Alaska.
In August 2008, Senator John McCain announced Palin as his running mate. She gave her 40-minute acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. Republicans hope she will help win the votes of Christian conservatives, women and those in favour of firearms. Little is known of her views. The McCain team is restricting press access to Palin so she rarely gives interviews or engages in debates.
