CBS News: "Palin's association with the AIP might be the most politically detrimental."

[jefferson_dem]

The Alaska Independence Party
By Steve Benen
Sep 2, 2008

(Political Animal) THE ALASKA INDEPENDENCE PARTY.... What may prove to be the single most damaging angle to Sarah Palin's role on the Republican Party ticket? There are quite a few contenders (ethics scandal, earmarks, inexperience, outside-the-mainstream views), but following up on Hilzoy's item from last night, Palin's association with the Alaska Independence Party might be the most politically detrimental.

It's practically impossible to make a "Country First" argument when your running mate is affiliated with a political party that puts country second.

Officials of the Alaskan Independence Party say that Palin was once so independent, she was once a member of their party, which since the 1970s has been pushing for a legal vote for Alaskans to decide whether or not residents of the 49th state can secede from the United States.And while McCain's motto -- as seen in a new TV ad -- is "Country First," the AIP's motto is the exact opposite -- "Alaska First -- Alaska Always."

Lynette Clark, the chairman of the AIP, tells ABC News that Palin and her husband Todd were members in 1994, even attending the 1994 statewide convention in Wasilla. Clark was AIP secretary at the time.

"We are a state's rights party," Clark -- a self-employed goldminer -- tells ABC News. The AIP has "a plank that challenges the legality of the Alaskan statehood vote as illegal and in violation of United Nations charter and international law."

For all the talk about Barack and Michelle Obama's patriotism, John McCain's running mate was a member of a political party that liked the idea of seceding from the United States altogether. It's the kind of idea that would have been more common in the 1850s.

Advocating secession is, practically by definition, un-American. How does the right go after Obama's patriotism while supporting a ticket with a candidate who joined a secessionist party?

<SNIP>

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/02/politics/animal/main4407224.shtml

[Quixote1818]

1. I was over ar FR and there were dozens of them that were ready to sign up

Guess they don't love their country and would rather live in the country of Alaska.

[vaberella]

9. United States of Alaska...*snort*...I'd sooner sleep with a freeper. n/t

[PCIntern]

14. I have a whole bunch of them in my dental practice...

Call me...

:rofl:

[WCGreen]

21. Wouldn't that be United State of Alaska.

[roguevalley]

40. fuck them. They can stay right where they are. The AIP is very small

and noisy but insignificant.

[LanternWaste]

42. I imagine the AIP movement is as ineffectual...

I imagine the AIP movement is as ineffectual as the Reconquista in the Texas and the Greater Southwest; that is, a mere joke with a lot of heated talk over beers and then back home to enjoy the infrastructure they'd never have should their fantasies come to fruition.

[Botany]

2. It is now in the mainstream

No way Palin even gives her speech tomorow night.

Sarah "Beauregard" Palin

[tandot]

3. K & R. n/t

[C_U_L8R]

4. So much for being a Patriot

[WeDidIt]

5. Party Of Lincoln Nominates First Secessionist Since Reconstructioin

Sarah Palin is so much of a flag desecrator that she wants to REMOVE A STAR from the flag!

[DangerousRhythm]

29. Secessionist Sarah Says Country Second, Spits On Flag!

ALASKA FIRST -- ALASKA ALWAYS!

:rofl:

[vaberella]

6. Repub response: That's a loaded question. McCain is a POW & Palin is reformist. Or

No Comment.

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. Would Lincoln have voted for Palin??

I think not.

[Quixote1818]

8. Obama will be able to attack McCain directly as giving the VP to someone

who would rather live in the country of Alaska than the U.S.

[TheKentuckian]

11. McCain about has to either dump her or run on a platform

of reform that includes succession.

Country music and flag waiving is all the sudden a nice counter to the Republicans. There maybe nuts that are in favor but I'm certain most Americans want no part of anything like this.

[riverwalker]

10. a gold mine of quotes

http://uaf-db.uaf.edu/jukebox/yuch/htm/jvog.htm

AUDIO interviews with AIP founder Joe Vogel, Sarah Palin's political hero and mentor

"America is destined to the trashbin of history...."take our star out of the US flag"...."there is nothing America can do to win my allegiance"

[Quixote1818]

20. Can give this its own thread? It really needs more attention.

Imagine if this was flipped around how Hannity would use this! He would go NUTS with something this juicy.

[everything-bolt-up]

12. You mean Sarah Palin is a secessionist?!!!!!!!!!!

No wonder she has to think about what the VP position offers to Alaskans!

[Ichingcarpenter]

13. Notice; everytime we get something- someone kicks "leave her kids alone threads"

And fail to comment on threads that don't but destroy the ticket?

[glitch]

31. k & R nt

[demo dutch]

15. Palin is suggesting to USE the VP slot to push for Alaskan Independence - see links

Palin's comment on the VP duties,

Quote
But as for that VP talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does everyday? I’m used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. "WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VP SLOT IS A FRUITFUL POSITION FOR ALASKA, ESPECIALLY FOR ALASKANS AND FOR THE THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE...

She's going to use her VP slot to push for Alaskan independence after she's fulfilled her list of earmarks?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loUHRv3ipLE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvPNXYrIyI

[progressoid]

16. State right's party or secessionist. Which is it?

If you support a state's rights platform, then you have to accept the legal existance of the state. But if you challange the legality of Alaskan statehood, then state's rights are a moot point.

[lumberjack_jeff]

17. "practically by definition, un-American"

Uh... yeah.

[grantcart]

18. Houston we have lift off

[NotThisTime]

19. ABC & CBS now following up - very NICE!

[demo dutch]

23. So that's what she meant w/" WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VP SLOT IS A FRUITFUL POSITION FOR ALASKA

", ESPECIALLY FOR ALASKANS AND FOR THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJpYI2AoIGw&feature=related

[vaberella]

27. That's the impression I was given. n/t

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

22. I hope this story fully breaks in all the news outlets on the eve of Palin's RNC speech

I'd like to see the crazy song and dance the spinmeisters in the Republican Party can come up with.

[ej510]

25. Email it to Ed Schultz!

[gemlake]

24. I love how the Repugs set themselves up for this

They're the ones who made "patriotism" an issue with their petty jabs at Michelle Obama and the "Country First" slogan. Now they have to deal with the AIP issue.

Palin, the gift that keeps on giving.

[AzDar]

26. Sarah Palin : The Gift That Keeps On Giving.....

;)

[holiday]

28. this is great article

I sent it to the view and I posted on a website that was loving palin yesterday

[AlinPA]

30. The problem is that most 'muricans won't pay attention to that story. It's

all about babies, flag pins, God, and impressions on Tee Vee.

[WeDidIt]

33. Sarah Wants To Steal a Star From Your Flag Pin.

Succinct enough for ya?

[AspenRose]

36. Exactly

Where's Sarah's Flag Pin? Why does she hate America?

[AlinPA]

38. Hey, good response! nt

[flamingdem]

32. The "traitor" angle is good to use with conservative voters, they hate anyone like that nt

[MindMatter]

34. Nothing that can't be fixed with a little lapel button

[Bernardo de La Paz]

35. As Governor, Failin' made video praising AIP: "Keep up the good work." . . . nt

[ProgressiveEconomist]

37. K&R

[demokatgurrl]

39. FINALLY the MSM is waking up?

[LanternWaste]

41. I'm beginning to think these guys are as looney-tunes as

I'm beginning to think these guys are as looney-tunes as some of my poor deluded co-stater saps who think that Texas has the legal authority to secede from the U.S.

"...a plank that challenges the legality of the Alaskan statehood vote as illegal and in violation of United Nations charter and international law." Change AK to TX, and it sounds like something I'd hear at a Burleson meth-lab/white-pride meeting.

[ErinBerin84]

43. kick!

[D23MIURG23]

44. Solid gold. First ABC, now CBS.

This story is moving. Just wait till it makes it into cable.

[dickthegrouch]

45. Faux News said only her husband was a member

I was watching Channel 2 news in SF last night and they only mentioned that her husband had been a member of AIP, trying to distance her involvement.
I'm glad the others are providing accurate info for once.

D

[Chan790]

47. Um...

that's nearly as damaging...if he was a member, it'll come up on her security clearance check. Really. Membership in a watched organization isn't the only disqualifier, so is non-incidental association with known members of subversive groups.

So if the McCain campaign is willing to concede that Todd Palin was an AIP member, is it now fair to say that "Sarah Palin is in bed with treasoners and subversives."???

[jenmito]

49. Even if it IS "only" her husband, it was "only" Obama's WIFE whose statement they

took out of context and played over and over-"For the first time in my adult life, I'm really proud of my country." Palin's husband is enough.

[Douglas Carpenter]

46. at the very, very least, she was close to them, attended their convention in 1994 and 2006

And addressed their convention in 2008 and her husband Todd was registered AIP until 2002

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/alaska-party-official-says-palin-was-not-a-member/

[Douglas Carpenter]

48. Kick and recommended - !!!!!