For a local Alaskan perspective on Palin

[Blue_In_AK]

I invite you all to peruse one of my favorite blogs, ProgressiveAlaska.com. Phil Munger, the blogger, is a long-time Matanuska Valley resident, former Republican, now progressive Democrat, who has a unique view of Alaskan issues, especially in the Valley. I volunteered with him on Diane Benson's congressional campaign, both this year and in 2006, and he's a real hoot.

http://www.progressivealaska.blogspot.com/

[FrenchieCat]

1. Ooh Boy!

[MikeNearMcChord]

2. Thanks B in A!

A clear eyed look, and all I can say is "WOW!!

[grannie4peace]

3. that's a nice site--thanks

[Roland99]

4. I didn't realize TPMuckraker had been on the Palin trail before she was picked

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/09/saradise-lost-chapter-six-josh.html

[BrklynLiberal]

5. WOW! Looks like the true Sarah coming thru in this pic!! Scary....

[thoughtcrime1984]

6. Very in-depth on "Trooper-Gate" too! A must read! nt

[valerief]

7. So what would Sean Parnell as gov of Alaska mean? nt

[Blue_In_AK]

10. It would be horrible.

He's at least as fundie as Sarah, but without her charm. Basically, he puts the "milque" in milquetoast. Speculation is that the Palinistas may concede the congressional nomination to Don Young, even though after Tuesday's primary the two are within a couple hundred votes of each other, with absentee and questioned ballots still being counted. Don's going to be indicted soon anyway, I'm sure, which will open the door for a special election. (Governors no longer appoint replacements here after Murkowski put his daughter in his senate seat.)

The politics is in such flux up here, it would make your head spin.

[valerief]

13. So Young will get rep slot and will be indicted so there'll be a

special election to replace him. If the unthinkable happens and there's a McCain/Palin theft, I mean win, Parnell is promoted to gov or else there'd be a special election for gov, too, right?

I'm just trying to figure out how much the oilmen really treasure Palin.

Thanks.

[Blue_In_AK]

14. Parnell would be promoted to governor

to serve out the rest of Sarah's term (until 2010). He's been riding on her popularity all along, especially in this primary. I can't even imagine how he would be as a governor OR a representative. As was posted on another blog I read, Sean Parnell puts the "lack" in "lackluster." If Don Young wasn't under investigation and due to be indicted any day now, Parnell wouldn't have had a prayer.

[roguevalley]

18. I agree, Blue. He talks with a smile on his face no matter the topic.

reminds me of Pat Robinson. :)

[Blue_In_AK]

21. Yep -- good comparison.

Hey, did you ever in your wildest dreams imagine that our fair state would be the subject of so much media attention? Isn't this just the craziest thing you've ever heard of? Sarah Palin for VP??!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :pfft:

[roguevalley]

24. I know what you mean! LOL! This is so ... odd and awkward, to see us

pilloried all over the place. Heh-heh-heh. What a way to get your moment in the sun. I don't think she even guessed that her high school stuff would be sifted. :)

[Blue_In_AK]

25. Ha! And they thought "Northern Exposure" wasn't for real.

:rofl:

[roguevalley]

26. these are the outtakes that didn't make it into the show because no

one would have believed them. :evilgrin:

[MarjorieG]

8. Real regret and sorrow at Diane's loss, and thought it would be closer...

[Blue_In_AK]

9. Marjorie, did you see my post last night

re Ethan Berkowitz being asked by Sarah to co-author her ethics "white paper"? Diane's supporters are livid. What are we supposed to think when the Democratic nominee for the House is basically assisting with John McCain's campaign in this way? It's appalling. If you missed it, here's his press release.

ANCHORAGE, AK, AUGUST 29, 2008: Alaska Democratic Congressional nominee Ethan Berkowitz joins fellow Alaskans in congratulating Gov. Sarah Palin on having been selected as the Republican nominee for Vice President.

“This is an exciting day for Alaska,” said Berkowitz. “Governor Palin has made her name fighting corruption within her own party, and I was honored when she stepped across party lines and asked me to co-author her Ethics White Paper. I wish Governor Palin, her husband Todd, and their children, the best of luck as they embark on this journey.”



It makes me gag.

[MarjorieG]

11. I understand the public civility part, but ethics have not been her trademark. Been reading...

about the petty abuses of power, beyond troopergate. No one upends the GOP and gets elected GOP, unless supported by the party. Ted Stevens as her supporter.

If all that Dominionism and Independece party stuff is true, Alaska separate from the US, that is scary.

I know when I was there, even the most reasonable did not like their resources and decisions in any way overly accommodating the US. Lower 48 and DC telling them what to do. Drill all the time, anywhere.

I just find her strange and scary, but found the state wonderfully quirky in the most positive of ways. We went to minor league ball, talked and talked with people, and put the RW influences out of mind. Living in Colorado during the 80s and James Dobson's beginnings the same. Now I'm feeling very assaulted.

Wondering how this will all play out, as I don't think Sarah can be pulled out. Will the media talk of her naivete, abuses of power and connections to Dominionism.

Best to you, Blue

[Blue_In_AK]

12. I don't know what Ethan's thinking

giving her any help at all, other that just pure brown-nosing, which he's rather famous for. As far as Alaska separating from the US, we've had those people around here forever, as long as I've been here (33 years), at least. Very true that we don't like people from Outside telling us how to run things, but I wouldn't think that would play well with the folks in the Lower 48. McCain must be losing his mind more than we even suspected.

[WeDidIt]

15. What is the perspective in Alaska of the AIP?

How does the average Alaskan view these whack jobs?

[Blue_In_AK]

16. As whack jobs.

:rofl: They're entertaining, though.

[WeDidIt]

17. How would Alaskans react if they knew overall Palin is supportive of the AIP

and used to be a member.

[Blue_In_AK]

20. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise anyone,

and a lot of people probably knew it already. Many current and former Alaskan politicians have flirted with the AIP in one way or another. I myself have even said occasionally -- even here at DU -- that it would be nice if Alaska was its own country, or at least a part of Canada. :rofl:

[WeDidIt]

22. Luckily, it won't play well with the lower 48

and Hawaii.

[Blue_In_AK]

23. There is so much about Sarah Palin

that won't play well in the Lower 48. McCain had to be drunk when he made this decision.

[roguevalley]

19. their leader, Joe Vogler, was murdered. tin hat time. they are an

interesting old trapper line, sniff snuff and hang out at the hardware store in the winter kind of anachronism.