As this is my first diary here I should introduce myself. I am an Alaska Native, 30 year military veteran, and I am active in progressive politics in the Mat-Su Valley. This is supposed to be the reddest part of the state, Palin country.
My wife and I spent yesterday afternoon and evening working the Democratic booth at the Alaska State Fair. What a hoot this was. Alaska is a place where men are men, women win the Iditarod and the politicians are bought cheap.When we heard about Palin getting chosen for VP I had to laugh. The stories about Palin abound, out here in the valley. The obvious ones are being covered quite well around here. She is the ultimate small town politician. You don't want to cross her. Join me after the jump
I don't know how they did it this fast, but someone had printed up McCain/Palin t-shirts to sell at the state fair. We saw quite a few of them. The Dem booth had run out of Obama stuff before we got there at four, so we spent all afternoon sending people to the Obama booth. There were lots of them. We signed up voters and sent volunteer names to the Obama people all afternoon. If anything this has energized people against McCain. Remember that Alaska has the highest percentage of veterans in the US. They understand what is is to have competent leadership. There is going to be a honeymoon period for Palin but like any good party there is the day after. When the Republican leader of the state Senate is awakened out of her slumber and told about the VP selection, and comments she(Palin) isn't qualified to be Governor let alone Vice President, you can see that not all is right in happyland.
Sarah might just have participated in taking down a sitting senator, a congressman and a presidential candidate. Here is what is happening. Ted Stevens is having his trial in Washington DC next month and what is hitting the papers there? Corrupt Alaska politicians opposed by the crusading Alaska governor. Can't really be good for the jury pool. Palin supported her Lt. Gov for Don Young's congressional seat in the primary. It's a tossup right now, less than 200 votes separating them. The rumor is that the head of the Alaska Republican party had to fly back from the convention to meet a team that is here to check out Palin's background. He is the one Palin ratted out for doing Republican business on State time. I'm sure he is interested in showing her in the best light. We are waiting with bated breath for the next shoe to fall.