一个冰球妈妈如何搅得阿拉斯加证坛天翻地覆

萨拉佩林，不到39岁的冰球妈妈和前Wasilla市长，在2004年曾经认为她改变阿拉斯加政治男性垄断的梦想结束了，当时她就政府透明度和伦理相关议题抨击了所属共和党州党魁，失去了州长Frank Murkowski的支持。

然而前高中女篮明星和一度的电视记者不会动摇她注定要干某些更大事情的感觉。2年后，作为长线目标的州长候选人，她承诺更高的伦理标准和开放度。然而，时来运转，当阿拉斯加政治遭受一桩重大丑闻打击时，她的那些民粹主义改革信息突然变成了头条新闻。阿拉斯加人开始倾听她，而且他们喜欢他们所听见。

How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down

Sarah Palin, then 39, a hockey mom and former mayor of Wasilla, thought her dream of making a difference in the male-dominated realm of Alaska politics was over in 2004 when she clashed with the state chairman of her Republican party and fell out of favor with Gov. Frank Murkowski over issues related to ethics and openness in government. Yet, the former high school basketball star and one-time TV journalist could not shake the feeling that she was destined for something bigger. Two years later, she became a long-shot candidate for governor, promising openness and a higher ethical standard. Then, fate intervened. Her populist reform message suddenly became front-page news when a major political scandal rocked Alaska politics. Alaskans began listening to her. And they liked what they heard.

"Sarah Palin is a politician of eye-popping integrity."

--Fox News Network

"Wildly Popular, she's more than just a pretty face."

--Alaska magazine

"There's an undeniable national buzz surrounding the first-term governor, seen by many Republicans as a fresh, new face to represent the party's future."

--Chicago Tribune