Alaska Politics Blog : "How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment Upside Down."

Alaska Politics Blog

This is the place to talk about Alaska politics, state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has never been more interesting -- Sarah Palin, a new governor, a new Anchorage mayor, the political corruption investigation, the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. We encourage lively debate, but please keep it civil and stay on point. Don't use profanity, make crude comments or attack other posters. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will lose their ability to post comments.

Contributors

Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau in 2007, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He's worked for the ADN in Anchorage and Juneau, covered the legislature for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, and covered Washington state politics for the Tacoma News Tribune. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers rural affairs, general assignments and politics for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously wrote for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com and also find him on our rural Alaska blog, The Village.

David Hulen

David Hulen, the ADN's state and local news editor, is responsible for political coverage. He has been an editor and reporter at the ADN for more than 20 years. E-mail David at dhulen@adn.com

Features

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Sarah Palin

Follow the former Alaska governor's actions as she embarks on life outside of office.

SECTION

Alaska political corruption

The FBI raided state legislature offices in Aug. 2006, and the fallout since has been epic in Alaska's political world.

"How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment Upside Down."

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: April 3, 2008 - 9:05 pm

From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage --

Check out this new Sarah Palin book from Epicenter Press. Looks like it’s being published in May.

It’s called “Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment Upside Down.”

Want a sense of the tone?

The first chapter is called, “Growing Up Sarah.” It starts by saying that honesty became a non-negotiable standard in her family and that there was an expectation that if you wanted something, you earned it.

The chapter ends by saying people kept criticizing Sarah as she made her mark on politics, saying she was too young, inexperienced and naïve.

“Yet, time after time over the years, underestimating Sarah always turned out to be a big mistake,” it concludes.

You can read the first chapter with a pdf download here.

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April 4, 2008 - 4:05pm |

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This post was deleted for being off topic or violating the ADN user agreement. We encourage readers to "flag" offensive or off-topic comments for review by ADN staff.

April 4, 2008 - 11:42am | batman2

best thing since sliced bread and proccessed cheese!!

April 4, 2008 - 10:37am | Emperor

Up until now...

...I respected you, even though I don't agree with you much when it comes to Palin. But this post is way over the top. You should be embarrassed to write such an erroneous characterization of Palin and her critics.

April 4, 2008 - 10:57am | TheSdog

For a while

it was hard to tell the difference between Shea and stumpy and there was some suspicion they were the same person.

They are not the same person but they both have the same unhealthy habit of writing glowing posts about The Palin regardless of issue.

April 4, 2008 - 10:44am | AK_Lady

I keep wondering

what does he want from her?

April 4, 2008 - 1:13pm | Syrin

humility integrity and character

I have asked the very question to the Sheaster several times in posts. He said, just to be close to Sarah's humility, integrity and character is all he wants and needs to be fulfilled..I have tried to tell him, he's not gonna find anything there.

April 4, 2008 - 1:31pm | Diogenes_lamp

ok..here we go again

What is a sheaster? Is that Albanian for I still can't spell? Is that Syrin-speak for Shyster?

April 4, 2008 - 2:59pm | Syrin

change your bulb

Wev Sheaster is a shyster.....you're as bright as a black hole

April 4, 2008 - 2:20pm | wws

Wev's High Respect for Todd and Sarah Palin

Dear Madam/Sir Lamp:

Sadly, very personal attacks are expected when you take a stand.

You and I know some of these folks are very bitter and jealous.

They need not be bitter nor jealous.

Todd and Sarah Palin are great folks and wonderful Alaskans!

It is my privilege to be their friend, very simple.

I am sure you understand.

With Respect,

Wev Shea

April 4, 2008 - 4:04pm | Syrin

just curious

How long have you known these great folk and wonderful Alaskans? It is my privilege to be their friend, very simple. Hellllloooooo, it is not that simple, retard, they do not keep friends unless you can provide a service for them. I hear they are looking for a babysitter. Are you allowed to be around the young, Wev Sheaster?

April 4, 2008 - 7:00pm | Cartman3_16

"Retard"?

Are you kidding? Again?? Your children must be so proud.

April 4, 2008 - 3:00pm | Diogenes_lamp

Thanks for all you do too...Wev

We are lucky that the old guard is falling from power. They are being arrested and un-elected, right and left. I fully expect that the new minority will be loud and obnoxious on their way out of power. Un-doing all the damage that Ruedrich and his cronies has done to the Republican Party and Alaska politics may take a bit more time.

April 4, 2008 - 2:26pm | AK_Lady

Ha!

Haaahahahaaaa! Funny stuff.

April 4, 2008 - 2:08pm | Emperor

Is that all you got?

Spelling and grammar smack? Is lack of substance a pre-requisite to becoming a member of the Queens court?

April 4, 2008 - 7:00pm | Cartman3_16

Surely, Emperor,

you don't hold up Syrin's inane and redundant posts as evidence of substance for your team?

April 4, 2008 - 8:13pm | Emperor

I'm sure...

...there are more than a few that consider my posts "inane and redundant" as well.

Making cracks about spelling and grammar isn't even close to being on topic. What it is, is evidence of somebody desperate to be one of the cool kids.

April 4, 2008 - 9:02pm | haut_monde_ak

Emperor...

I for one will hone in on someone's poor verbiage, syntax, and grammar when it is consistently bad and they makes claims to be very intelligent people. Let's face it, some posts are intolerable to read, and most are off topic.

I have no interest in looking cool or to be a kid again. I just don't like to see the English language butchered so badly.

April 5, 2008 - 11:11pm | Syrin

English language butchered so badly?

Some posts are intolerable to read? Step back from the blog, you sound arrogant.. I suggest you read something that has been edited several times, so the English language would appear it hasn't been butchered so badly.

April 4, 2008 - 10:40pm | Emperor

We're not...

...writing term papers here.

I get what your saying though. The worst for me is "texting shorthand". I mean seriously are we really so busy we can't type "you're" that all we can manage is "ur"?

I think we spend much too much time on how people say things and not nearly enough time on what they are saying.

My belief is being educated doesn't necessarily mean being smart. I've known a bunch of educated idiots in my life.

April 5, 2008 - 7:34am | haut_monde_ak

Agreed!

What happens when one has to spend so much time converting text shorthand is that the message gets lost, and it takes too much brain energy to decipher it. Guess that's the advantage young folks have since they are so accustomed to it.

Yes, education and intellect don't necessary go hand-in-hand. But people who fake being smart bothers me more than whether or not they are educated. I've unfortunately have known more uneducated idiots who might not have been idiots had they been educated.

April 4, 2008 - 2:37pm | Diogenes_lamp

is that all you have...

Is lack of spelling and substance a prerequisite to becoming a member of the Palin-haters? The world works like this...if you dish it out, you had better be able to take it.

April 4, 2008 - 2:54pm | Emperor

Oh, now you've done it.

Take THIS

"I'm rubber you're glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you!"

Having a battle of wits with an unarmed blogger like you is never fulfilling, but it's always fun. Thanks for playing.

April 4, 2008 - 2:07pm | AK_Lady

It's just a forum, Lamp

relaaaaax.

April 4, 2008 - 8:05am | black33

Hallelujah....It's the second coming

Wev: Get thee to the Red Sea- it's about to part.

13 April 4, 2008 - 7:17am | juno

It's all a bit presumptuous isn't it?

Not into fairy tales or myths waiting to be happen. Best to read true and unadulterated stories about the real friggin' Palin. www.voiceofthetimes.net 4/4/08
Palin venom- An astonishing display of arrogance at top
In ALL OF Alaska's nearly 50 years of statehood there has never been such a display of venom dished up — or maybe hissed up......

12 April 4, 2008 - 4:14am | Stags_Leap

shameless self-promotion

I would be interested in knowing how much Palin is making off the book -directly and indirectly.

11 April 4, 2008 - 1:04am | SAILOR2007

Awesome!

Can't wait to get a copy for myself. Boy oh boy, we sure are lucky to have a Governor like her. I hope that when she finishes her next term here as governor, she runs for president. Then, you miserable bloggers will really have something to moan about.
Go Sarah... the more they complain about you, the better you're doing.

10 April 3, 2008 - 11:13pm | black33

First we had the cult of Mao...now it's the cult of Sarah

Pretty soon we'll all be carrying a little red book with the sayings of Sarah (like oh baby, holy moly). You'll have to correctly identify 3 quotes each time you apply for a PFD.

9 April 3, 2008 - 9:40pm | mt99501

Shouldn't it be

SARAH
How a hockey mom turned Alaska's strong economy upside down?

April 4, 2008 - 6:31am | JoeBagadonuts

are you high?

this state's economy is as strong as ever. have you been paying any attention to what your "leaders" in Juneau have been doing? they're having a hissy fit over how to spend all of the money we're getting from $100 oil?

If you don't like Sarah Palin's book, how about some of these: "Ralph: how a bad haircut almost torpedoed Alaska's last best hope for a pipeline" or "Jay: how a Funny Looking Kid grew up to give a lot of goofy soundbites, sponsor no meaningful legislation, and act like a tempestuous pederast" or "Andrew: The financial genius that allowed a (man?) to inherit the family business - subtitled 'the smartest guy in my shoes'"

check local booksellers for these much anticipated titles, SOON!

April 4, 2008 - 8:51am | AK_Lady

EddieBagadonuts

mt is right... wait and see. It won't happen overnight. It's more complicated than your alcohol stunted mind can comprehend.

I'm not interested in reading about Sarah Palin. But here's a book I'd buy: "How Alaska Got A Gasline".

April 5, 2008 - 10:40pm | Syrin

I thought this guy was Hayworth

Hayworth disappeared, and this guy showed up and reply back with more of the same palin platitudes..
I can't keep up....

April 6, 2008 - 6:37pm | JoeBagadonuts

nobody ever expected you to keep up

nothing in any of your posts indicated you could keep up.

and his (not my) name is Heyworth.

April 5, 2008 - 12:46am | drdrmann

More like, "Frank and Ben the ultimite racketeers for Big Oil"

Frank & Ben's PPT stole Billions of dollars from Alaska's future, until Sarah stepped into the picture . We'll get a gasline, and it should run through AK. We should use it in all state vehicles, to heat all the homes, make electricity, and ship out the rest to the highest bidder.

April 4, 2008 - 9:21am | akhalfwit

"How Alaska Got a Gasline" is being written right now Andy

By Sarah! I'm sure you'll want her to autograph your copy. Too bad she turned you down when you begged for a job in her administration, you may have been able to get a credit. It must really bug you Palinaters (that's Palin-haters) that this strong women is achieveing such great political success. Now go get some of daddy's rent a crap car money and put it in the jar so you can buy this and the next book.

April 4, 2008 - 9:43am | AK_Lady

1/2 wit

I'm not Andrew Halcro, but I visit his site daily.

Like Sarah said, he's the smartest guy in the room!

Here's a link for ya www.AndrewHalcro.com.

April 4, 2008 - 10:27am | akhalfwit

Smartest guy in the room? Sarah should have clarified....

The room is the outhouse down at the RR museum on the Old Seward, and the time is midnight, and the date is New Years Eve any year. That's Andy in there alright. I can see his car from my spacious home up on the hill. I went to the website you linked but all I saw was him wearing lipstick and a red robe, andyhalcro.com . Is that the site you want me to look at, andyhalcro.com? Thanks Andy.

April 4, 2008 - 9:59am | rfn

I'm quite grateful to Sean for his starting this thread.

Without it I'd never have discovered the abundance of information that's available
to complement this book on our Governor. There's an amazing amount of reading about Alaska out there; far beyond what you'll find in most bookstores and all of it more informative than anything one might find on a comedic website.

April 4, 2008 - 10:05am | AK_Lady

You'd be better off ordering this one. Less fluff and exaggeration... more facts.

8 April 3, 2008 - 9:35pm | yours_truly

Low budget

The cover looks like a home-made book. Sort of like the family history book that my uncle self-published.

7 April 3, 2008 - 9:28pm | Cartman3_16

Yup

All the usual suspects. All the usual crap comments.

I knew I'd get a good laugh in here.

April 4, 2008 - 1:20pm | Diogenes_lamp

It's like...

A pack of stray mutts that come running to be the first to pee on a post. Then they just keep coming back to make sure their scent on top.

April 4, 2008 - 10:44am | jacekones

Good laugh?

Just wait til you read the book.

April 3, 2008 - 10:23pm | Emperor

What else would...

...you expect in reaction to such a display of audacious ego from a humble servant of the State?

6 April 3, 2008 - 8:55pm | wasillagirlz

I know I'll be thrashed for saying this

but she already looks older! or this is an old photo...this past year has already started taking its toll on her. just compare to her picture now.

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April 4, 2008 - 1:08am | SAILOR2007

Your getting trashed.

She's pregnant wasillagirlz. She also is working a very stressful job pregnant. But no matter how pregnant and how stressed, she's still hot. Smoking hot actually, and she's doing a great job.

April 4, 2008 - 10:57am | Emperor

Yeah..

...we should only elect "hot" candidates. You could play Billy Crystal's character Fernando ("You look mahvelous") from Saturday Night Live. Who cares if she is fiddling away any chance of a gas line in our lifetimes as long as she is "hot".

April 5, 2008 - 11:24pm | SAILOR2007

That sums it up.

I would venture to say that she'll get the gas pipeline done. But at least she's still hot. As for voting in hot candidates, I like that idea alot. Let's start by finding a replacement for Elvi Gray Jackson.

April 3, 2008 - 9:01pm | rfn

An honest observation.

How could this year of contention not accelerate the normal aging process?

Would be a pretty unfair person to "trash" you over this....