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December 2, 2008 7:51:30 PM CST

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Palin Used Wedge Issues to Win Mayor's Race

Posted Sep 3, 08 11:32 AM CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – Running for mayor in Wasilla, Alaska, Sarah Palin brought ideological politics to a small-town race that had been focused on roads and sewers, the New York Times reports. The 32-year-old candidate defeated a three-term incumbent by highlighting her anti-abortion stance, her NRA membership, and her religious work —while the state Republican Party, never before involved in mayoral elections, endorsed her.

“Abortion, gun rights, term limits, and the religious born-again thing” got Palin into office, said her opponent, a pro-choice lapsed Lutheran who had been Palin's aerobics-class buddy. As mayor, she considered banning some books in the library, to the chagrin of an "aghast" librarian, and fired the police chief (also a former workout buddy) for not being pro-gun enough. Some upset with her leadership talked about a recall, Time reports, but by the end of her first term, she was re-elected by a large majority.

Sources New York Times, Time

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Vehicles drive on through Wasilla, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Al Grillo)
This undated photo provided by Faye Palin shows Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, right, being sworn in as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.   (AP Photo/Faye Palin)
In an Aug. 29, 2008 file photo, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin greets the crowd after appearing on stage at a rally in Dayton, Ohio.   (AP Photo)
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Her years in Wasilla reveal a mix of successes and stumbles, with Ms. Palin gaining support for her drive, her faith and her accessibility, but alienating others with what they said could be a polarizing single-mindedness.

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Election 2008 • John McCain • Sarah Palin • Alaska • mayor • governor • Wasilla


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