Alaska Politics Blog : "Palin's selection shocked numerous Republican officials."

Alaska Politics Blog

This is the place to talk about Alaska politics -- state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has probably never been more interesting than right now -- the governor as candidate for vice president, the broad and still-evolving corruption investigation, a big election, powerful members of Congress under scrutiny, and the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. Keep your comments civil and on point. Avoid personal attacks. Do not use profanity. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be banned.

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 spent three years based in Juneau for the ADN before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune to write about Washington state politics. He went to Iraq twice for the News Tribune, and previously wrote about Alaska government and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers politics and other stories 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 was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com

Features

SECTION

Alaska political corruption

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

"Palin's selection shocked numerous Republican officials."

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: August 29, 2008 - 7:41 am

BC-CVN--McCain-Veepstakes, 16th Ld-Writethru,650
URGENT
McCain chooses Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as running mate, campaign officials say
By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press Writer

DENVER (AP) _ John McCain tapped little-known Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate on Friday in a startling selection on the eve of the Republican National Convention.

Two senior campaign officials disclosed McCain's decision a few hours before the Republican presidential nominee-to-be and his newly-minted running mate appeared at a rally in swing-state Ohio.

Palin, like McCain, is a conservative with a maverick streak who has shown a willingness to clash with others in her own party. A self-styled hockey mom and political reformer, she has been governor of her state less than two years.

Palin's selection shocked numerous Republican officials.

At 44, Palin is a generation younger that Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, who is Barack Obama's running mate on the Democratic ticket.

She is three years Obama's junior, as well _ and McCain has made much in recent weeks of Obama's relative lack of experience in foreign policy and defense matters.

In making his pick, McCain passed over several more prominent prospects who had figured in speculation for months _ Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge among them.

Palin flew overnight to an airport in Ohio near Dayton, and even as she awaited her formal introduction, some aides said they had believed she was at home in Alaska.

She is a former mayor of Wasilla who became governor of her state in December, 2006 after ousting a governor of her own party in a primary and then dispatching a former governor in the general election.

More recently, she has come under the scrutiny of an investigation by the Republican-controlled legislature into the possibility that she ordered the dismissal of Alaska's public safety commissioner because he would not fire her former brother-in-law as a state trooper.

The timing of McCain's selection appeared designed to limit any political gain Obama yields from his own convention, which ended Thursday night with his nominating acceptance speech before an estimated 84,000 in Invesco Field in Colorado.

Public opinion polls show a close race between Obama and McCain, and with scarcely two months remaining until the election, neither contender can allow the other to jump out to a big post-convention lead.

McCain has had months to consider his choice, and has made it clear to reporters that one of his overriding goals was to avoid a situation like the one in 1988, when Dan Quayle was thrown into a national campaign with little preparation.

Palin has a long history of run-ins with the Alaska GOP hierarchy, giving her genuine maverick status and reformer credentials that could complement McCain's image.

Two years ago, she ousted the state's Republican incumbent governor, Frank Murkowski in the primary, despite having little money and little establishment backing.

She has also distanced herself from two senior Republican office-holders, sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don young. Both men are under federal corruption investigations.

She had earned stripes _ and enmity _ after Murkowski made her head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. From that post, she exposed ethical violations by the state GOP chairman, also a fellow commissioner.

She and her husband Todd Palin, have five children. The latest, a baby, was born with Down syndrome. ¶

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34 August 29, 2008 - 6:58pm | n0se

Ted Don Lisa and Randy....

All Your Base Belong To Sara Palin.

33 August 29, 2008 - 2:47pm | onadime

Wonder what.............

Rude Randy down at the Republican Headquarters thinks about all of this??????????

32 August 29, 2008 - 2:32pm | jkilvik

Not quite ready for prime time..

With all respect, the Gov looked like a deer caught in the headlights while speaking this morning plus she really needs to work on that quiver in her voice. I understand she's a bit nervous and may have bitten off more than she's ready to chew, but the ability to project confidence is pretty basic to the process.

31 August 29, 2008 - 1:53pm | desaerica

Sarah's Palin comparison to Joe Biden

on national security, foreign policy and experience. This is quite the nomination though. It does Alaska good and gives us bragging rights. Here we have a beautiful, smart, articulate, ballsy woman, nick-named "Sarah Baracuda'" who hunts, fishes, eats moose meat, raises kids, has a husband, governs and threw Frank The Bank into the Tank. Plus this gives us a chance to stick it to Oil Can Dan Fagan and Rick-defender-of-the-corrupt-Rydell, who can't stand the thought of Sarah as a rising star. Who'll run the state during all this? Speaker Harris? Yuk!

30 August 29, 2008 - 1:44pm | watchman

Partisan Politics Aside

For this Labor Day weekend, I intend to be proud of Gov Palin and her accomplishment. It is nice to have good news about our state for a change.

August 30, 2008 - 7:34pm | desaerica

I totally agree!

I'm proud of her and her family. It's good to see two good parents with nice kids. It's a break from those two bozo kids of Little w's. I feel good about Sarah just in bragging rights alone. I"m still voting for Obama though.

29 August 29, 2008 - 12:05pm | platypusak

Hillary's voters

It's interesing to see the opinion that just because Palin is a woman, she'll get Hillary's votes. Most of us will shout back "not in a million years". Her stand on abortion rights for one are absolutely light years away from those who supported Clinton, as are many of her other positions.
I am thrilled to see Sarah in the national spotlight. But I'm a Hillary supporter who could never, never vote for her. I'm going with Obama.

August 29, 2008 - 12:52pm | Rockin_Mel_Slurrup

Absolutely correct

In addition, I'd like to point out that there is no mass of "disgruntled Clinton supporters" who are flocking to McCain in any way, shape, or form. It was a made-up storyline that gave the media something to talk about.

The pick of Palin gives McCain Alaska, and does nothing for him in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nevada, Michigan, etc.

28 August 29, 2008 - 11:54am | Imaghast

Home Fires

With the Lt Gov stumping votes and $ and the Gov posing in the shadow of the ancient elephant who runs the state?

August 29, 2008 - 12:14pm | rfn

Auto pilot

seems to be working very well for the boy mayor of the city formerly known as "Anchorage".

In fact, it works very well. Property taxes have not risen all the while he's been off playing candidate!

27 August 29, 2008 - 11:34am | alaskadiva

Palin's deceitfulness finally emerges....

she swore up and down she wasn't leaving the guv's mansion. Huh. Short term memory loss?

How's she going to square McC's deceitfulness with his first wife while filing a marriage cert. with Cindy and still married? Or the Keeting Five debacle?

Will she and Todd celebrate victory by having another baby? How will she handle Putin and Kim Jong Il? Show them her baby photos?

She's a decent gov., but, I want someone a heartbeat away from the Presidency with much more national and foreign experience. As a woman, I am not swayed to vote by gender. I see the whole thing as a cheap shot by the GOP. I hope the gov. can survive this mess. Biden's a gentleman, but, he'll clobber her in a debate.

If Parnell edges out Don who will govern? If he doesn't how will Parnell govern? Can he or will he stand up to the oil suits?

I feel less proud about this than betrayed by Palin. We have some very serious issues to be addressed here at home on energy needs, high cost of living, the gas line and such. Who will govern while the bush shivers in the dark?

August 29, 2008 - 6:18pm | counterpoint

experience

Gee, isn't it interesting that the GOP VP choice has more experience governing than the Demos number one pick? The D's will get nowhere trying to make experience an issue when their annointed one doesn't have any. A brilliant masterstoke that took O right off the front pages.

August 29, 2008 - 1:01pm | LilysDaddy

Wow, sounds like another Democrat

with "buyer's remorse," deeply disappointed that Sen. Obama (D-"Who Needs Women?") is once again driving the party into the ditch.

"Identity politics" is hell, isn't it?

26 August 29, 2008 - 11:24am | ddkeen

Excellent choice, McCain!

McCain made an excellent choice when he selected Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate!

August 29, 2008 - 2:56pm | yours_truly

reckless choice

Mccain lost my vote for picking such an airhead

August 29, 2008 - 3:11pm | rfn

Nelson Riddle

did a song: "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries" in which occurs a wonderful line. "So how can you lose what you have never owned......"

August 29, 2008 - 2:56pm | yours_truly

reckless choice

Mccain lost my vote for picking such an airhead

August 29, 2008 - 3:11pm | rfn

Both

of those votes?

25 August 29, 2008 - 11:24am | jhpowers

I think sara has done a

I think sara has done a pretty good job as guv, and even though I'm on the other side of the aisle I kinda' like her. That said, I sincerely hope she gets her butt kicked in this election. Maybe that will remind her what an awesome privilige it is to be an Alaskan and to work for Alaskans and for the good of our beautiful and unique state. Sarah, you have really given something up by making this move, and win or lose you will never regain it. I truly feel sorry for you.

24 August 29, 2008 - 11:04am | yujump

Congratulations

I hope you will join me in congratulating Sarah and all Alaskans on this historic day. Notwithstanding all the negative criticism that come as part of the campaign, and the regular "Palin haters" on this blog, her nomination says that many people believe, experinced pundits included, she has done some very fantastic things and can be a positive factor.

23 August 29, 2008 - 10:43am | mm382802

Palin

I already regret voting for Palin for governor,i certainly wouldn't vote for her again in any capacity.It's sad McCain has no other way to garner votes except to hope the"puma "radicals crawl over to the republicans.

22 August 29, 2008 - 10:25am | editorial_views

We want letters on Palin as VP

ADN editorial writer Rosemary Shinohara here --
Will Sarah Palin rise to the occasion? Would she be a terrible vice president, or could she help pull the country together?
We want your opinion. Send letters to letters@adn.com.
Since we want to publish them, we'll need your full name and hometown. And send your thoughts today, please.
Thanks.

21 August 29, 2008 - 9:38am | akaurora

McCain Blew It!

I've been laughing and headshaking since I found out. One of McCain's biggest points was just vanquished by himself. Palin completely lacks national government experience. And no Alaskan Republican can distance him or herself far enough from the corruption of Vic, Ted, and Don when viewed outside, let alone a rash beginner such as Sarah. If this is the BEST that McCain can do with a VP nod, it gives a good idea of his overall thinking: "I'll put a woman on the ticket, that'll bring all the Hillary people over." Ha!

August 29, 2008 - 12:00pm | Emperor

I just have to wonder...

...how many refused the offer before he scraped the bottom of the barrel to find Palin.

20 August 29, 2008 - 9:34am | Happy_AK

You watch . . . .

Perfect. Now if Palin or her friends and family don't like somebody they can sic the IRS, FBI, or CIA on them -- or even send them to Guantanamo Bay without a trial.

19 August 29, 2008 - 9:27am | HD

VP candidate Sarah Palin

Who'd a' thunk it? You could knock me over with a feather. Our popular and effective (some would say lucky) governor is a bold choice, astonishing the nation.

We Alaskans may well wonder how McCain's gamble will play out in the next two months. This morning, though, her performance was impressive. My 85-year-old mother phoned immediately after her televised introductory speech, gushing with enthusiasm for Sarah Palin.

Note to McCain: put your policy briefs into her hands, and assign a debate coach. Let's hope she'll beat the arrogant pants off of Joe Biden.

18 August 29, 2008 - 9:24am | hey_georgie_girl_98

Senator John McCain's choice for his veep

Governor Sarah Palin is a maverick, too. Sen. McCain's choice of a young Governor who happens to be Alaska's first female governor speaks to the other half of the voters in presidential elections--the women voters, the disappointed Hillary Clinton supporters now have a place to come home to in this presidential election.

I was planning to vote for Ralph Nader/Matt Gonzalez but now I'm solid McCain/Palin! Where can I get my yard signs and buttons?

17 August 29, 2008 - 9:20am | sillygirl

Wasilly

Mayor of a podunk city in the middle of nowhere and gov. of a small time state get's you to the big dance? Smart play McCain.

August 29, 2008 - 9:54am | LilysDaddy

Sure thing, sillygirl,

Sen. Obama's (D-"Where's Alaska?") campaign will certainly win *lots* of votes with their dismissive comment about Gov. Palin being "the former mayor of a city of 9,000."

That should go over real well with small town middle America, won't it?

August 29, 2008 - 11:56am | Emperor

Do you really...

...think that people in small towns would want their Mayor to be VP? Not a chance.

August 29, 2008 - 1:03pm | LilysDaddy

Let's see, emperor,

what *Democratic* candidate has "zero" foreign policy experience?

(Didn't realize you were a Democrat, emperor.)

August 29, 2008 - 9:59am | predictable

Forgot...

You also forgot that McCain paints here as a "strong" union woman married to a union man.
This is going to be good, who else can we appease to.

"We've got it all", along with the carnival barker.

16 August 29, 2008 - 9:13am | tommcgrath

Congratulations, Governor Palin

A person like Sarah Palin in office is what the intent of our countries founding fathers was.
Congratulations, Governor Sara Palin.

August 29, 2008 - 12:55pm | Rockin_Mel_Slurrup

Yet, you bash her on on the radio almost daily

Tom McGrath - you've made it well known that you are not a supporter of Palin. How does Palin help McSame anywhere but Alaska? Two years ago, she was the Mayor of a town of a few thousand people. Why do you now want her to be a heartbeat away from being President? Seems like a real risky move.

Maybe you'll support Bob Barr? I would, if I were you.

August 29, 2008 - 11:57am | Emperor

No they didn't.

The intent was to have intelligent people in office.

August 29, 2008 - 12:44pm | tommcgrath

Intelligent in what way

Who defines intelligence? I remember the word "citizen" when reading the different documents from the 1700's. I don't recall anyone saying only the "intelligent" need apply.

15 August 29, 2008 - 9:12am | Emperor

McCain is a senial...

...old fool who could endanger the country - make that the world - by putting that idiot Queen P one bad fall away from the Oval Office.

Totally irresponsible which fits Queen P to a T.

August 29, 2008 - 2:16pm | onadime

Democrats never

learned how to spill, did they(?)

August 29, 2008 - 9:27am | LilysDaddy

Shorts in a bunch, emperor?

Or are you just "senile?"

August 29, 2008 - 11:30am | Emperor

Actually I'm laughing so hard...

...I didn't spell check myself.

Given your irrational support of Queen P I would expect nothing less from you. She's going to make Dan Quayle seem like a genius.

August 29, 2008 - 1:04pm | LilysDaddy

Mark your ballot for Obama, emperor,

and sleep well.

August 29, 2008 - 11:36am | TheSdog

Emp

The entertainment value will be priceless and we will get to watch all for free until at least The Obama Nation get in there and raises taxes.

August 29, 2008 - 10:17pm | gnoodles

You do know that...

You do know that Obama's tax plan will result in lower taxes for more Americans than McCain's will, right? You do know that in spite of McCain's promise not to raise your taxes, he plans on removing the tax exemption on health insurance premiums, right?

Never mind... Can't let the facts get in the way of your ideology.

August 29, 2008 - 10:31pm | TheSdog

noodles

I have a great bridge I'd like to sell you. It connects Anchorage to Port Mackenzie. You can have it for a mere $100.

You clearly like the left wing sites and believe his 95% number from his speech. You do realize that nearly 50% of people do not pay taxes. Somehow, Barak is going to cut the taxes of people who do not even pay them.

I bet you think magicians saw people in half too, don'y you?

August 31, 2008 - 1:01pm | deinandra

Obama Tax Cuts

Use this handy page to find out how much tax you will save under an Obama admin:

http://alchemytoday.com/obamataxcut/

August 29, 2008 - 2:37pm | onadime

hey S Dog.................

Whatsamatter? Reality checks too difficult on your peabrain? Palin will limit blood flow to Biden's brain. Its called the "hard-on" factor, something you miserable Democrats know all about.

14 August 29, 2008 - 9:12am | BlueHillLobsterman

Obama has won.

McCain gets three electoral votes from Alaska and loses the presidency. Hooray for his most desperate choice! This is laughable!

August 29, 2008 - 9:26am | LilysDaddy

Or, looked at another way,

Sen. McCain gets 18,000,000 votes from those who supported Sen. Clinton.

Don't underestimate Sarah Palin.

August 29, 2008 - 11:33am | Emperor

He's trying...

...to pacify the right wing religious wacko's that supported that nut case Romney and other mentally challenged Christian fundamentalists.

The fact she's "cute" is just bonus points for those with their brains in their groin.

It's hard to underestimate Palin.