Homecoming: Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, her office adorned with banners and balloons, went to work in Anchorage Nov. 7 for the first time since joining the GOP presidential ticket. (Al Grillo/AP)
Palin returns to a changed Alaska
Its oil-driven economy is less flush, for one. The governor’s harsh rhetoric while on the national stump, too, has eroded her support at home.
By Yereth Rosen | Correspondent/ November 9, 2008 edition
Anchorage, Alaska
When she left Alaska in August to run as the Republican vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin was a much-loved governor with approval ratings near 90 percent; a record for pursuing centrist, bipartisan policies; and a reputation as a corruption-fighter.
Her home state was awash in money, thanks to record oil prices, and residents were set to get big checks in the form of dividends from the Alaska Permanent Fund and a state tax rebate. The economic future seemed secure, with Governor Palin advancing the case for a big, new, natural-gas pipeline.
What a difference a couple of months make.
Upon her return to Alaska Nov. 5, Palin’s nonpartisan reputation is in shreds, a side effect of her role as chief attacker of Democratic rival Barack Obama. Damaged, too, is her image as ethics reformer, with questions lingering over an abuse-of-power scandal involving a feud against her sister’s ex-husband, alleged circumvention of public-records laws, concerns about state payments for her children’s travel and nights spent in her own home, and even how she acquired the haute-couture wardrobe she sported on the campaign trail.
Palin, in her first moments back as full-time governor, urged opponents to let bygones be bygones.
“Nobody should have hurt feelings,” she said at the Anchorage airport the night she returned to Alaska. “My goodness, this is politics. Politics is rough and tumble, and people need to get thick skins, just like I’ve gotten.”
That goes for the incoming president, she added. “The voters have chosen their leader. Now it’s our opportunity to reach out to President-elect Obama, get him to see the light in terms of what Alaska has to contribute, to offer. I can’t wait to get to work with him.”
Mending fences may not be that easy. The governor’s old bipartisan coalition is gone, says state Rep. Les Gara, a Democrat who was a Palin ally on key oil and gas issues.
“You probably now have a lot of Republicans who like our governor and a lot of Democrats who are offended about the things she said about President-elect Obama. I’m offended that she said he was a terrorist sympathizer,” says Mr. Gara, an Obama supporter.
Alaska is not the same now, either. Oil prices have tumbled back to earth from the record levels that had padded the state treasury, meaning budget deficits may lie ahead. The global financial crisis is worsening prospects for the $30 billion North Slope natural-gas pipeline that Alaskans have sought to build since the 1970s. And it’s not yet certain that Sen. Ted Stevens, who has represented Alaska in the US Senate almost as long as Palin has been alive, will prevail in his reelection bid.
Senator Stevens, the longest serving Republican in the Senate, was clinging to a 3,257-vote lead as of Nov. 5. Vote counting will resume Nov. 12, according to the Alaska Division of Elections.
The vote results, in the face of the guilty verdict returned against Stevens two weeks ago in his federal corruption trial, showed an unshakable reservoir of loyalty to the senator, says Andrew Halcro, a former Republican state legislator who publishes an Alaska political blog and hosts a radio talk show. “I don’t know if it should make you proud or make you a little uncomfortable,” Mr. Halcro said as the results rolled in on election night.
Palin’s approval ratings are now in the 60 percent range, lower than she previously enjoyed but still in positive territory. Her job at home has just been made harder, though, by global oil markets.
The current budget assumes that North Slope crude prices will average $83 a barrel. Because prices were so high earlier this year, they would have to fall below $60 a barrel for the rest of the year to put the state into a budget hole, says Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin. “It’s been way up, so that gave us a cushion,” he says. (Oil on the global market closed Friday at $61 a barrel.)
Prospects have dimmed, too, for continued federal largess.
Stevens, famous for the billions of federal dollars he has steered to Alaska, campaigned on the message that Alaska needs his continued representation in the Senate.
“We’re about ready to enter a recession, maybe even a depression, and this state is supported to a great extent by federal activities. Almost 40 percent of the jobs in this state are directly related to annual appropriations. Now why would you want to send a new person down to try to enter into that field, a person with no experience at all?” Stevens said Oct. 30 in his only face-to-face debate against his rival, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.
Stevens vowed he will continue to get that money for Alaska despite his Oct. 27 conviction on seven felony corruption counts – a problem he has dismissed as a technicality, along with Senate colleagues’ pledges to eject him from the Senate. “This business about not seating me is wrong. They’re not going to reject me in the Senate. I have great standing across the aisle…. I don’t think there’s any senator who’s sitting right now who has the friendships that I do across the aisle,” Stevens said during the debate.
At a “welcome home” rally two days after the verdict – held at the Anchorage airport that is named for Stevens – the tone was defiant. Several Stevens supporters wore T-shirts with an unprintable slur against “the Feds.” National politicians who have called for Stevens to resign “can kiss my Alaska moose-hunting behind, because I know Ted and I’m sticking with him,” Rick Rydell, an Anchorage radio talk-show host and the emcee at the rally, told the crowd. “Twelve jurors in D.C. don’t know Ted. I know Ted.”
No matter what happens to Stevens, the US government can no longer afford the generous budget earmarks he used to secure for Alaska, says state Rep. Beth Kerttula (D), minority leader in the Alaska House of Representatives. “We could reelect Ted Stevens all day long, but that’s not going to change the fact that the earmarks are gone,” she says.
The Stevens quandary may ultimately create an opening for Palin to return to the national stage. She has called for him to resign. If he ekes out a victory but then resigns or is ejected from the Senate, Alaska will have to hold a special election within 90 days to fill the seat.
Though she has denied interest – “I tell you, this is the best job in the world, being the governor of the state,” Palin said on her first day back at work in her Anchorage office – the governor is a likely Republican candidate.
Palin’s supporters here have their eyes on a bigger prize.
“Two thousand twelve! Two thousand twelve!” chanted fans who met the governor at the Anchorage airport when she returned from the campaign trail. Arianne Herglotz and Starr Bynum, longtime Palin friends from the Beehive Beauty Shop in Wasilla, were among those wearing buttons displaying a lipstick imprint of a kiss and the slogan: “Palin for President 2012.”
“She’ll go further now that this has happened,” Ms. Bynum says. “I think it just energized her more to do a better job here, the best she can and keep on going.”
Some Alaska leaders expect Palin’s national ambitions to affect actions at home.
“I believe that Sarah Palin, Governor Palin, will make a run for president in four years. I’m trying to just determine how long it’s going to be before she begins a campaign,” says House Speaker John Harris, a Republican. “Does it start with our next gubernatorial election, or does it start before then?”
Comments
3. sagm | 11.09.08
Alaska should be proud of Sarah instead of trying to make this article sound so dreary. Your articel seems to be more about Stevens than Palin. She’s well liked. I do not NOT believe McCain would have done as well as he did if not for Palin. She’s great! Look at the polls and web-sites! The Democrats dumped tons of mud on this candidate, yet she took it and went forth!!!…We believe Palin’s much stronger than McCain could ever hope to be. Perhaps she’ll be Senator Palin in the future. People need to be accountable for their actions. You also seem to forget she was cleared in the “trooper gate” ordeal that was blown up and put in the news.She is a person of honor and conviction, and you people appear to have a difficult time with that concept. Run for President? I don’t think so. Obama is in for 8 years…
4. lanette | 11.09.08
I pledge to do what i can to keep this women out of the white house. I do not have much but i will donate to who runs against her even if i have to get a 2nd job to do it.
5. Vic Winkler | 11.09.08
If Senator Stevens, President Bush and Senator McCain represent the present for the Republican party, and if Gov Palin represents the future — then what would former republican Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon and Reagan think of this situation?
I think they would not recognize the Republican party and they would fear for it’s future.
6. carol from Minnesota | 11.09.08
I am dismayed that Governor Palin is possibly still interested in enlarging her sphere of influence. She is apparently a well liked governor of 300,000 voters in Alaska which is where she should stay. I would like to enter into a period of working across the political lines with centerist elected officials down here in the lower 48 where we have different problems than they have in Alaska. Her glee in attacking her opponent with deliberate falsehoods and incitements to mayhem is something we do not need down here with our much greater diversified population. I do not look forward to a rebirth of her methods of campaigning. We need to work together and get the “religious right” back where they belong: in their churches and out of our bedrooms and Dr’s offices.
7. Katie | 11.09.08
Go, Sarah Go!!!!! Sarah Palin would make a great president. I’m sure the United States will be ready for a change after four long years with Obama!!! Everyone one of the fools that voted for this guy, you just wait and see how bad things get in this country. We will need Sarah Palin as president more than ever! I just love her! Go, Sarah Go!!!!
9. Petra | 11.09.08
A state in which the residents do not tax themselves, but pay out oil dividends to themselves. Then they get back around $1.80 for every dollar they send to Washington. But they consider themselves rugged individualists. When will someone call Alaskan’s what they are - a bunch of “welfare queens” living off the federal government.
Isn’t it strange that blue states as a rule get back less than a $1.00 for very dollar they send to Washington, but the red states back more than they pay in. When will someone point this out.
Lets just call it “socialist Alaska”, since it truly is.
10. Sean Larabee | 11.09.08
The idea that there is any political future for Sarah Palin outside of Alaska is pure fantasy.
She is now political kryptonite. No one that has any real chance of success will align themselves with Palin. This is evidenced by the McCain campaign staffers now ridiculing her.
She gambled that divisive low road politics would be enough to overcome the momentum that had been built up by the Obama campaign’s call for change and she lost.
Instead of rallying the hardcore right wing republican base she ended up making the campaign look as ignorant and backwards as the people that chanted “terrorist” and “kill him” at McCain/Palin rallies.
Any sympathy for Sarah is also misplaced. She is an adult and such should be held responsible for the statements she makes.
If there is any good news for the republicans out of all this it is that there is a valuable lesson to be learned here albeit at Sarah Palin’s expense. As they say; a fool learns from their own mistakes, a wise man learns from the mistakes made by others.
11. F. R. Cook, Richland Washington | 11.09.08
The Huffington Post of November 9 carried an item by a progressive broadcaster based in Anchorage, Shannyn Moore, describing a number of unlikely election results in Alaska and suggesting irregularities in the election process. One statistic indicated that Obama has thus far received fewer votes (80,505) than Kerry did in 2004 (111,025) even though the Democratic Caucas was a record turnout, Demoncratic Rallies were the biggest the State has ever had, and the newly registered voters totaled 20,991. Other issues including ballots being left unmarked for Senator and Representative seem suspicious. Hopefully the final returns will be more consistent with the election polls and pre-election political initiatives and show that the Democratic Party actions actually brought out more voters than Kerry managed in 2004. About 50,000 votes are still uncounted in the the State’s official returns.
12. Steve from Alaska | 11.09.08
Folks keep saying that we received a “tax rebate” up here this year. The fact is, we don’t pay income taxes in Alaska, so how could it be a rebate/refund? We just got an extra $1200 each to spend however we please. (This $1200 was on top of the $2000 dividend check each Alaskan received as well.)
Why do people keep referring it to it was a rebate or as “giving Alaskans their money back” when it was really just a government handout? I’m not saying I’m opposed to free money (I used the $13,000 my family of four received to pay bills), but let’s start calling it what it is…
13. David Yates | 11.09.08
I will be pulling for you in 2012!You’re comments about playing nice with the incoming party are expected and I supose necessary;But I see this past election as a disgrase and a slap in the face to every man and woman who cares anything about sevility self reliance and Christian morals!it is a sign of where this country is heading and it is not pretty; I did my part and I promis I will again in 2012 if i’m still allive?
14. D Mangels | 11.09.08
Sarah would make a mistake to run in 4 years, unless these next years are a distinct failure. History has the incumbent getting reelected , except of Bush #1 and Carter. She would be better off building her base and support for 2016.
15. Tamara Underwood | 11.09.08
I love this lady. I am truly dissapointed in the “Alaskan” cronies. Get over it my gosh, this lady did the dirty work for McCain. We need more like her. Now if your sisters husband maced his kids and made threats would you NOT do something??? give me a break. She did what she had the power to do. that is the least she should be able to do in her position. If it was the right thing then “get over it” .
I hope she continues to speak her mind and stay simple. WE DO NOT NEED MORE OF THE SAME.
16. Mauricio Martinez | 11.09.08
I’m was a lifelong Democrat who became a Republican and voted for McCain thanks, and only thanks, to Governor Sarah Palin.
From San Jose, California, you have my vote for president Governor Palin!
17. Sonia Kermaz | 11.09.08
Governor Sarah Palin, the pork barrel socialist doesn’t seem to know the difference between states that create jobs and states like Alaska that take handouts. It’ll be interesting to see how well she governs Alaska without millions in federal aid and slipping oil/gas revenues. She’ll have to put her thinking cap on and advise her subjects to go moose hunting.
19. marilyn wetmore | 11.09.08
Dear Gov. Palin,
I want to express my appreciation for your outstanding campaign along with Sen. McCain. Whatever the critics say, many, many Americans support your questioning during the campaign, and your enthusiasm, which was lacking before you arrived.
Be assured the media will continue their efforts, but most of us don’t buy their left-leaning slant on all matters! May the Lord bless you and yours.
20. Gerald Ell | 11.09.08
What an optimistic outlook. Why have any opinion that is not directed from the Democratic Party. Just keep emphasizing the demise of our economy. Surely the press and Elites will be exempt from hard times. Where are the optimists, and American spirit to get this country back in gear? Both parties have plenty of blame. Stop all the blame and do something positive .
21. Bev Owens | 11.09.08
Go Sarah, go Sarah, go, go, go! We’re behind you all the way!
Colorado women for Sarah
Aurora, Co 80111
22. Cathy C. | 11.09.08
The other 49 states have learned a lot about our distant state of Alaska over the last two months. Some are things I wouldn’t brag about, especially when those of us who paid such high prices for gasoline at the pump, have learned that we have subsidized Alaskans. While Alaskans may say that it’s their land, I’m sure that they don’t object to eating the foods grown in other states, on which residents of those states do not receive tax rebates for the use of their land. The method of paying Alaskans sounds rather like “socialism” doesn’t it? Earmarks are another story we heard about in this past campaign. Sorry if Alaskans (through Ted Stevens work) don’t get as many earmarks under the new administration. Looks like we’ll be tightening belts all across our nation. And we’ll all be working together to make this country right again.
23. Mike Coleman | 11.09.08
I certainly hope the Republican Party is smart enough to never allow Gov. Palin anywhere near the Pesidency again. She should go on the speaking circuit make some money and go back to Alaska never to be heard from again. If this is the best the Republican Party has to offer, I need to change my registration to independent.
24. Paulette Altmaier | 11.09.08
As a republican woman who was offended by Palin’s divisive rhetoric and appalled by her lack of substance, I hope she stays in Alaska. No doubt the so-called ‘republican base’ will continue to cheer her on, but since she can’t win the respect and hence the votes of even moderate Republicans, not to mention Independents and Democrats, her tenure as a national politician will, I hope, be limited to the primaries.
25. Gerry | 11.09.08
Please, please, keep Sarah Palin in Alaska.
I am sorry for you but please do not let her loose again.
26. Sofie | 11.10.08
I think Mrs. Sarah Palin would make a great Senator. I like her a lot and she seems very likable but tough lady. Wish her all the luck in her future plan in politics. Great campaign you had, Governor Palin. Keep up the good work.
28. popseal | 11.10.08
Unreported in any American paper that I visit on line, is the celebratory outpurings around the jihadist world for our new pres-elect. I find that curious and at the same time confirms the msm as a gaggle of mere propagandists.
29. pam butler | 11.10.08
You make no mention in this article about the highly suspect nature of the election results in Alaska. You might want to check out the local coverage - say the local Ancourage paper - to see how fishy many are saying the results in Alaska at the least “appear” to be. When stories about problems with our system of voting get so systematically ignored by most of the main stream press our democracy as a whole is done a huge disservice and it’s very integrity becomes shaky.
30. Steve | 11.10.08
If Governor Palin continues in the public eye, it will become clearer that she is ill equipped to run for national office. She might have the intellectual horsepower to manage a state, when there is a wealth of oil money and the budget is not too complex. But in the national election she demonstrated herself to be very naive, intellectually challenged and showed little restraint by her mis-use of her authority as governor and her propensity to make slanderous, hateful remarks about another cnadidate.
But of course, I could be wrong, after all the American electorate did vote in George W. Bush for a 2nd term after seeing him operate for four years.
31. Chuckjones | 11.10.08
If the Obamists and the country club Republicans - not to mention the corporate sponsors of both parties - have one thing in common, it’s that they want Sarah Palin off the national stage. The Obamists attacked her in every way possible way except challenging her history as a reformer in Alaska who took on oil interests and Republican Party corruption. The McCain campaign picked her to energize it’s base, but when they saw they were going to lose, along came their own leaks and attacks on Palin, which included McCain himself going on SNL and doing a skit with Tina Fey while she made fun of Palin for “going rogue.” Now there are even claims (MSM and liberal blogs) that she was responsible for death threats against Obama by linking him to the domestic bomber (terrorist if you will) Bill Ayers. Truth is a casualty on this one too. On October 4th, the Washington Post reported that the Republican Party was going to go negative and bring up Obama’s associations. It did, and Palin fulfilled the traditional role of VP candidate attack dog, while McCain linked Ayers and Obama in the last debate and his campaign came out with the negative ads. And, all the while, talk and Foxnews’s Sean Hannity were going nuts over the Ayers link, but somehow it was Sarah Palin’s fault. The rest of it is fluff, like the wardrobe flap (clothes were brought to her by the campaign, she didn’t have time to shop, says McCain campaign manager Rick Davis). So, it’s trash Sarah time, so the Republicans can bring forth candidates more to the liking of the investment banks, defense contractors and oil companies. Business as usual. A genuine reformer is not welcome in Washington, DC.
32. Chris | 11.10.08
I think Palin will run for the Senate when Ted Stevens gets booted. I don’t think Palin will run for President - she’ll never get the nomination of what becomes of the Republican party. People in Alaska may support her, but just over 50% of them support Ted Stevens too - he or she won’t fly in the lower 48. And I don’t think the hockey mom pitbull can convince anyone she changed her colors - she’s not a schoolgirl on a learning curve - she has shown her true self and that won’t be forgotten.
33. norml | 11.10.08
get a grip on reality…felons cannot even vote in most states, let alone serve in congress. your right wing stooge is done!
34. Nelson Robison | 11.10.08
If for some misbegotten reason, Gov. Sarah Palin decides to run for the seat now held by Sen. Ted Stevens, there will certainly be a heyday rush for the polls by Democrats and Independent voters so that she does not get elected. In the rough and tumble world of politics, Sarah Palin is about the dumbest bunny on the planet and cannot string two sentences together without the help of a teleprompter and of course she cannot read or learn.
I, for one would hope that the voters of Alaska, would see through the smoke screen of personal gain, and make sure that Sarah Palin does not serve in the Senate.
She is one of the most polarizing figures in today’s political scene and should
she be elected it will be to the chagrin of the people of Alaska. There is one thing and one thing only that Sarah Palin is out for, POWER and herself.
She cares not one whit for the people and even less for those whom she disdains, people not like her.
As a Senator, men and women, not only represent the state from which they came but they conduct the “people’s” business, all of the people of the U.S.
Given the complexity and seriousness of the position of senator, one would hope that Sarah Palin would see the light of day and decline to run for that vaunted position and stay in Alaska where she belongs, hunting Moose and trying to feed her family and take care of her husband, like a “good Christian wife” should.
35. Jim Bastian | 11.10.08
Please, keep her in alaska. I don’t think we could tolerate another devisive figure like this, and such ugly lying partisanship. Do we have to listen to the kindergarten rantings about Cindy the Citizen and Cynthia the Florist? It is mind-numbing that she got so far…her interviews, her lack of basic civics knowledge..she is a fluke. There is no way the Republican party could survive longer if they tolerated thehigh-level return of this dull-witted, brash, extremist. Is she honestly the best the republicans can come up with?
36. Bd | 11.10.08
For those who still think that Obama doesn’t have ties with Bill Ayers a former Terrorist, follow this link: http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/obama_ayers_acorn/2008/10/09/139114.html. To Mr. Gara who is offended by that, sometimes the Truth hurts. I am sure you don’t have any remorse making rude comments about Palin.
37. chris | 11.10.08
The more I read about Governor Palin’s ignorance and lack of knowledge about foreign policy, the more I shudder to think that she is the governor of Alaska and that she almost became the next vice president. We need competent, smart, educated people running this country- not divas. Looks will not help us as a nation as we face the greatest economic crisis since the great depression.
38. Mindy Seaman | 11.10.08
Palin is a horrible example of how crude, corrupt and out of touch many Republicans are. She is an embarrassment to the US, with all the hate speech, scandals, and greedy ambition that has nothing to do with helping ordinary Americans.
39. Elaine | 11.10.08
I am a firm beleiver that in order to avoid criticism you must say nothing, do nothing and be nothing and she is something and that something is a very big threat to her opponents.
I admire her ambition and determiniation. She is an intelligent, authentic, and most importantly, self made woman who sticks to her beliefs and doesn’t see which way the wind is blowing to make a decision.
I am truly inspired by her and wish her and her family the very best. God Bless her.
40. Ethelyn | 11.10.08
Looking at the history of Obama. I would ask that Gov. Palin write an autobiography about her life through running for Council, follow that book with a sequel on the run to be governor. Then a third book on the campaign months and settling back into her life with children (human interest). That would put her face in the book stores and keep it there till the run in 2012. Interest is high, keep it going.
Obama is a classic case for history - in name and face recognition. Kinda like movie stars - Hollywood machine production - keep the name out there, give them good writers and speech lessons. Don’t say anything substantial or can be traced, just play the part.
Thanks for running. You will be great, if you could just get Condi Rice to run with you. Talk about woman power - clear thinking, down to business, no glory hunting, basically clean house and do the dishes of the world.
41. Madeline Havrilla | 11.10.08
My hope is that Gov. Palin will fade into the Alaskan wildenrness and leave the lower 48 to the less rabid politiicans. She made no effort to be “bi-partisan” in her bulldong attacks on Senators Obama and Biden and really does not have the national “status” to expect that one and all should let “bygones be bygones”. I do hope she is a bygone becuase she did not elevate the national conversation at all.
42. kathy wilson | 11.10.08
I predict that Ms Palin will not be heard from much anymore…the republicans have got to regroup and her style of politics will not be in the mix…along with most evangelical extremists…good-bye and good riddins…kathy
43. Bob K | 11.10.08
My biggest hope regarding Sarah Palin is that she simply goes away. She may be popular in some quarters, but is too much a polarizing figure to be successful on a national basis. Don’t waste our time…please stay in Alaska.
44. marta kaye | 11.10.08
Governor Palin has an obscession to win whatever, no matter who gets hurt in the process, because it’s her way, or no way, which leads up to a dictatorship of the United States,– in 2012.
45. annetta | 11.10.08
I hope Governor Palin will give herself, and insist that others give her, the time to get back to her core values and reflect on what is important to her. There is time before the next campaign. If it’s a national race, I hope she uses this time to broaden her policy knowledge and figure out how to be effective in situations that were a problem for her in the election.
She may have criticized Obama in the election, but the Obama campaign has perfected slash and burn electioneering against anyone who dares to run against their candidate; all the while keeping a low profile and enlisting the media as their messengers. They have done quite a job on Palin and now will walk away with no apparent responsibility. If Palin is held accountable for her words and deeds, so should the Obama campaign be.
46. Ron Yarger | 11.10.08
Mrs. Palin is a class act. She would probably be headed for the White House if she had a conservative to run with and a campain staff that wasn’t a joke.
47. elissa pearlman | 11.10.08
She is not national political material ; I think she has a better future in Hollywood
48. Maria Knapp | 11.10.08
Well, she also said she loved being the Governor before she took the VP candidacy position. Sarah Palin is a conflict of her own insterests and that makes her unstable at best to hold any office. She’s always looking ahead at the expense of those who elect her to do the job at present.
49. Julie | 11.10.08
I hope that Americans have recognized Sarah’s egocentric intentions and will seriously reconsider whether someone with no foreign experience (or even travel), and a divisive personal agenda has a place in the new order of unity that Obama has inspired.
50. Cindy | 11.10.08
Your story excluded the fact that as many as 80,000 votes have been lost in Alaska. That might have a bearing on the Stevens race as well as other state races.
51. michael vecsey | 11.10.08
She should be removed from office and jailed for her abuse of power. She is a socipath who bore false witness as a hobby and job and her spending spree shows her lack of moral character.
52. Teas Aggie | 11.10.08
I notice with some amusement that the decorations in her office at the welcome back party are blue. Is she planning to change her political allegiance?:)
Also, there is an article in the UK Telegraph about the relation between Sarah’s campaign speeches and rhetoric and the death threats on the Obama’s. Thank you, Sarah. You sure have energized your base. There are people in Minneapolis facing incitement to riot charges for less.
53. Adrian Sheely | 11.10.08
If Sarah Palin is to run for president, she must change her image. Many voters, both male and female, currently view her(rightly or wrongly)as a superficial “airhead” with an irritating voice.
54. xbcoldfingers | 11.10.08
The sign saying “Welcome Back Governor” and most of the balloons were blue, Democrat Blue.
55. Davido Hermoso | 11.10.08
Senator Stevens is getting reelected? That shows that half of Alaska are crazy.
And why do I have to pay for a positive income tax for Alaskans? They are on the dole from every other American. And they say that they are so independent and don’t want government assistance!!! Ha! They are at the trough lapping up the free money like everyone else, but just more so.
56. Maureen | 11.10.08
Apparently, Palin still doesn’t “get it” — although politics may be “rough & tumble” (as it’s been famously said before: “politics ain’t beanbag”), Americans still expect a reasonable level of civility and integrity. I am one of those Americans who was grossly offended — and will reamain so for years to come — by Palin’s insistence that Obama was “palling around with terrorists” or a “socialist.” Much has been made about Palin’s ignorance of the world (she obviously can’t pass a 3rd grade geography class) but I am willing to believe that she was misquoted (believing she is really that stupid is not an option; it is just too terrifying). BUT she always had an opportunity to be truthful, which she was not. Honesty does not require the brains of a rocket scientist. Palin certainly knew that Obama was not a terrorist (or hung around with terrorists), just as she certainly must have known he’s no socialist — yet she unabashedly repeated those charges ad nauseum. President-elect Obama was (and still is) a United States Senator from the great state of Illinois and we in Illinois do not elect terrorists. Further, her absurd statements about how people in small towns are real Americans while those in large cities are not was also repugnant. My fervent hope is that Palin will recede into the political background and never emerge again.
57. Palin for President 2012 | 11.10.08
Republicans, please keep plugging for good old Sarah in 2012. This will give her four more years to prove she has little or no intellectual curiosity beyond a desire to perfect the runway strut. Please keep her in the news. The entertainment value is priceless.
Oh, and keep wearing those lipstick-kiss imprint buttons. So inspiring! *wink*
58. Ada Lou Ross | 11.10.08
I’m so grateful that Palin did NOT win the VP position! Here’s hoping she stays in Alaska where she can continue her hunting of wolves, moose, etc. We need more environmentally-sensitive politicians in Washington D.C. as well as those who seek the nation’s good more than their own self-interests!
59. Sherri Johnson | 11.10.08
I pesonally would like to thank Mrs. Palin and her family for all the hard work (and had comments) they have endured during these last few months. It will please me to see her name on the ticket in 2012 ! Until then i will be checking for jobs in Alaska.
60. walter wesley | 11.10.08
I believe Sarah should run for 2012 as the presidential nominee or the vice presidential nominee. There is a young governor from Louisiana which could be her running mate. As far as the change in Alaska, I have lived there and the people of alaska are not quitters. They will raise up from the plains of ignorance and stand for their families. The attacks against Sarah are false and the fact that she now has people disagreeing with her VP stand is typical Alaskan. If she could hold on and improve her standings then all I have seen about her are justified. Thank you Sarah for a well run campaign with truth, dignity and freshness which is a credit to the Alaskan people.
61. Larry Linn | 11.10.08
DEMOCRATS FOR PALIN! The fundraisers for the Democratic Party should start immediately provide funding for the Palin Presidential campaign for 2012. If she becomes the next Repugnican nominee, there will be four more years of her ignorant statements from her that can be used to re-elect Obama.
62. Terry Snider | 11.10.08
You’re kidding me?? Sarah is the essence of what’s wrong with the Republican party — worried about themselves only, worried about insignificant issues ie. gay marriage, abortion, etc, worried about getting “it all” while in office and eliminating the middle class, - STUPID SHEEP following self absorbed people like Jim Dobson, Rush Limbaugh, Orielly, Hannity, etc.
64. Steve Mix | 11.10.08
Personally, I thought Gov. Palin pulled the bus. As a republican I felt Senator McCain wasn’t hard enough on President Elect Obama. During their debates he left him off the hook many times when he had a chance to jump on him for numerous things. Gov. Palin’s debate was mich better, I felt she knew the topics and was able to express them so everyone could understand.
Since Russia is probably going to be a problem in the next four years,I would rather have someone who can see Russia than someone who thinks jobs is a three letter word. As Sarah said “Say it ain’t so Joe”. I felt she ran a great campaign and should not be punished for that. The people of Alaska should be proud of her and show show her all the respect she deserves.
A note to Gov. Palin - take the Senators job.
65. Melissa | 11.10.08
Does Palin now know the difference between a continent and a country? This may affect her 2012 campaign.
66. Dr.Dorree Lynn | 11.10.08
I remain a supporter of the CSM. You are a great paper-oops,on line newsletter.
I continue to look for your points of view.
DL
67. Ken Snyder | 11.10.08
I hope Sarah Palin will be foolish enough to seek the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination, and as a dedicated Democrat, I hope and pray the Republicans will be stupid enough to nominate her. Palin’s opinions,values, and beliefs are in strong conflict with those of 70% of the American people. Any Democrat could win 400 Electoral votes with Palin leading the Republican ticket. Run Sarah Run!
69. Brian Williams | 11.10.08
In your photograph of Governor Palin back in Anchorage I note that the balloons, placed by her staff to welcome her back to her office are almost all blue balloons . . . is there a subliminal karmic message here? One has to hope so.
70. GiveMeABreak | 11.10.08
Oh for cryin out loud. Please tell me these people aren’t for real. Did they fall and hit their collective heads?? Palin for President in 2012??
Don’t they get it? She’s one big reason McCain didn’t win the election! Not that people really needed help deciding to elect Obama - but the very idea of Palin potentially being President IF something happened to John was enough to turn many votes away. She really IS the dimmest of bulbs.
If she is, as they are starting to claim, the new face of the Republican party - that party certainly is in deep, DEEP trouble indeed.
Time for Caribou Barbie to get a reality check - people aren’t buying your fake folksy-charm lady. Do us all a favor, and just stay in Alaska.
Your 15 minutes of fame are over. Actually, it was about 14 minutes too long.
71. Vonnie Gross | 11.10.08
This very ambitious woman is still not at all Presidential.Certainly not of the Hillary Clinton caliber.She still is unqualified in my opinion, and many others agree.She just has had a taste of fame…which with all of the “Beauty pageant and local TV anchor aspirations ,show she is an egotistic determined woman out for some kind of glory and adulation. She is smart and very full of herself!
73. Alex Ashland | 11.11.08
I think any human being projected into the limelight (with little warning) like Sarah Palin was, would have been in a similar position. Sure, there are others more experienced, but Ms. Palin put everything on the back burner, for a shot at the #2 job in the free world - - com’on, who wouldn’t have done the same? No one is knocking on your door, asking you to run for VP. What is she going to do now? I am not sure; perhaps she doesn’t know. She is coming down from an emotional high - - likley the largest in her life.
Eyes are on Barak Obama, but they should also be on her, too.
74. Alleyne | 11.11.08
If Palen was so upset about the clothes, she should have left them in Washington after doing an inventory with the lawwyers of the RNC. Then she would not have to defend her greed.
75. Renee Hilpertshauser | 11.11.08
It would appear the governor and the fine state of Alaska is well immersed in a “socialistic” economy.
76. Fran Barrineau | 11.11.08
If Governor Palin runs for president as a Republican in 2012 we can expect another loss for them. She is a polarizing figure like Hillary Clinton is on the Democratic side. They would be much better poised to win if they nominated a more center right person rather than Gov. Palin, whose appeal is almost exclusively to the far right wing. Unless she can remake herself completely, her nomination would herald another defeat for her party.
77. Sasha | 11.11.08
More liberal rhetoric. Sara Palin was villified by the liberal press who continue to hound this woman of courage and tenacity and blame her for everything from shopping and having a hair on her face to handing the election over to Obama. She has more guts and grit in one finger than Obama has in his whole body. The media treats women horribly especially when they are conservative. I love Sara Palin. She was the reason I voted for McCain. Had Palin had a different running mate, they would have won. She deserved better than McCain. Go Palin!
79. AR | 11.11.08
I think I’ll take a long vacation from TV, Newspaper and Radio if Palin enters the national foray again. There’s got to be at least one intelligent Republican female who can run for President in 2012. Please.
80. Diane | 11.11.08
I find it stretches the imagination to think that Sarah Palin, who has pretty clearly shown herself to be far below the standard required to be a national congressperson, is so ego driven that she is unwilling to sit quietly in Alaska for a while. Maybe she would change some minds if she furthered her education, indicated even a little interest in spending the infancy years with the “special needs” child she waved around during the campaign or the two dropout, substance abusing older children, or even the pregnant teen or younger child, and paid some attention to the jobs she has chosen or been elected to instead of showing her intense need to push herself to the forefront of a party that desperately needs to put forth a much different image. Most studies I have seen show that huge numbers of voters abandoned the Republican party because of Sarah Palin. Her interest is clearly only on her own ambition and has nothing to do with the good of her family, her party or her country. Go home Sarah. Spend some time reflecting on your negative impact on this election. Instead of hiring a publicist to try to advance your career, maybe you should have made time to visit with a therapist to learn how to be a better parent. You chose to have the children, now choose to be a mother to them. I am all for women having careers and families, but if you have an infant and at-risk teens, your duties lie with them, not on the campaign trail.
82. Beth | 11.13.08
How special that “she can’t wait to work with President Obama.” The Secret Service a few days ago announced that death threats against Obama rose dramatically after the Palin rallies in which she smeared him as a “terrorist” and did nothing to discourage the shouts of “Kill him.” Why does a certain type of Republican think that owning up to personal responsibility is for everyone except them? Hate talk is not just “blowing off steam.” Violent language engenders violent actions. This article makes me respect Palin even less than I did before. She should offer a public apology, and then keep her mouth shut till she learns to use her voice wisely.
83. M. Parker | 11.19.08
Alaska is a place where many go that can’t make it anywhere else. Such is the case with Sarah. Most of them are all wrapped up in themselves and think the world revolves around them. Stay there Sarah we don’t need your lynch mob rhetoric in the real world here in the lower 48. Maybe you could sell it (Alaska) back to the Russians. In fact if I had my way I would give it to them. Alaska Sucks
84. Robert Riley from Chicago, Illinois | 03.21.09
Sarah Palin just did discriminate against disabled in violation of American with Disabilites Act of 1990, Title II. I hope a Democratic challenger will check that and use it against her and she will be forced out of office for abuse of power. God will punish anyone who discriminate against disabled.
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1. JEB | 11.09.08
Well I guess God really didn’t mean for her to become vice president. Like most others, I think blind pride and a sense of entitlement because they beat the bible isn’t enough to get them into power.
Well this Joe Six Pack doesn’t drink bud, I drink anything that is cultured and not mass produced therefore I take the time to actually research her baseless claims.