America's finest - our men and women in uniform, are a force for good throughout the world, and that is nothing to apologize for.

We need a foreign policy that distinguishes America's friends from her enemies, and recognizes the true threats that we face.

I'm just one of many moms who will say an extra prayer each night for our sons and daughters going into harm's way.

Politics isn't just a game of clashing parties and competing interests. The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it.

When I took my oath of office to serve as your Governor, remember, I swore to steadfastly and doggedly guard the interests of this great state like a grizzly with cubs, as a mother naturally guards her own. Alaska, as a statewide family, we've got to fight for each other, not against and not let external, sensationalized distractions draw us off course. As an exciting year of unpredictable change begins, we, too, have our work cut out for us. And we're all in this together. Just like our musk ox, they circle up to protect their future when they are challenged. We've got to do the same.

My fellow citizens, the American Presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery.

Stand up, speak out, and be bold. Screw political correctness. Never let them tell you to sit down and shut up.