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August 30, 2008
Sarah Palin at Camp Buehring, Kuwait and More Of Her History
(Gov. Palin is the one behind the gun)
CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (center) arms a simulated roadside bomb on the IED defeat course at the training village on Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (July 2007)
Maybe it's the frontier heritage or maybe it's the state's rugged landscape, but whatever the reason, Alaskan women seem to have more cajones than most of the men in Illinois politics.
Republican Sarah Palin was elected Alaska's first woman Governor in 2006. Now 43, she's also the youngest in state history.
Palin is something of a Renaissance Woman. She once competed in the Miss Alaska contest and she played on her high school's state championship girls basketball team. She's been a television sports reporter, a city council member and mayor. She's helped run the family's commercial fishing business and she remains married to her high school sweetheart. Earlier this month she announced she was seven months pregnant with the couple's fifth child.
Palin has one of the highest approval ratings of any Governor in America and she continues to build a reputation as one of the greatest crusaders for ethical government anywhere. She also believes in reducing the size of government. Last year she introduced a budget that cut state spending by $124 million.
While once favored by the old guard of Alaska's GOP, Palin split with the good old boys over corruption issues. Palin was elected Governor in 2006 as a maverick reformer, without the help of the entrenched party players.
Two weeks ago the Alaska Republican Party held their State Convention in Juneau and Palin rose to the occasion yet again. Under Palin's leadership, their convention was all about reforming and cleaning-up the State GOP.
Around 400 delegates registered for the 3-day event, reportedly a record. (By comparison, that's about the same size crowd that attended the Illinois GOP's State Convention in 2004, and Alaska's population is barely 5% of ours, 670 thousand vs. 12.8 million.)
Alaska is a very Red State with vastly fewer people, but on some other levels there are startling similarities to Illinois. For one thing, there seem to be a lot of ongoing federal investigations involving bigwig politicos. And just like the Illinois GOP, the Alaska GOP has been devastated by corruption.
The state's Republican National Committeeman has been under an ethical cloud, just like ours. Alaska's is Ben Stevens, the son of the longest serving Republican in the U.S. Senate, Ted Stevens.
While Ben has not been charged with any crime, it's been reported that he's under federal scrutiny. Two former executives (now convicted) of the oilfield service firm VECO Corp. have already testified they made certain payments to Stevens and others.
Last fall Palin called on Ben Stevens to resign as Republican National Committeeman. Stevens ignored those calls for early resignation, but a new National Committeeman was just selected at their State Convention. Stevens reportedly hadn't been to an RNC meeting since 2005, and he didn't show up to the State Convention.
Ben's father Ted (the GOP U.S. Senator) is also the subject of a federal probe, and in July of 2007 federal agents raided his home. Palin has called on the Senator to explain why to Alaskans. He's refused.
Then there is Republican Don Young who has been Alaska's lone U.S. Representative for 35 years. Young is probably best known outside of Alaska for securing $223 million in federal earmarks for the "Bridge to Nowhere" - a bridge nearly as long as the Golden Gate which connects Gravina Island (population less than 50) with Ketchikan (population 8,000). Last year Young's campaign spent nearly $850,000 on legal fees, but he also won't explain why.
At the start of the Convention, Palin's Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell stunned delegates by announcing he would be making an August GOP Primary challenge against Young for the Congressional seat. Parnell, with Governor Palin at his side, then left the Convention floor to file the official paperwork. That move was reportedly very well received by the delegation.
But the Alaska State Convention probably saw the most excitement when Palin and her allies fought to remove State Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich (like our Chairman Andy McKenna, Ruedrich's regular term isn't up until 2010).
Palin parted ways with Ruedrich back in 2003 when both served on the state's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Palin exposed Ruedrich for ethical violations and he ended up paying a $12,000 penalty, the state's largest civil fine for an ethics case.
From media coverage it's clear Alaska's GOP Convention provided a lot of positive energy and exciting political theatre. It's also clear Alaska has some real leaders who get it.
Quotes from Palin from the convention podium and floor:
"I think we need to call on all of you assembled delegates to rise and literally even stand with me if you desire change in our party's leadership. If you believe in that change please be bold." --Governor Sarah Palin.
"We can't kid ourselves, there has not yet been restoration of the public's confidence in the Republican Party and we have got to do better." - Governor Sarah Palin.
Right before the Convention's adjournment, the delegates voted 167 to 133 to table the resolution calling for State Chairman Ruedrich's early resignation. Ruedrich told the assembled just prior to that vote that he would ignore such a resolution anyway (that also sounds familiar).
Still, the Alaska GOP had a very successful convention. They had real leaders standing-up for positive change. They elected a new and better National Committeeman. And they found out their popular Lieutenant Governor would be challenging their stayed-to-long King of Pork, GOP Congressman Don Young.
Reform minded Republicans maybe didn't get everything they wanted, but they seriously advanced the ball. The Alaska GOP is truly rebuilding. Our State GOP can't say that yet.
The only question left is why in a state with nearly 20 times the population of Alaska can't we seem to find a Republican for statewide office like Sarah Palin?
Wild Thing's comment.........
The article is interesting and gives a glimpse of some history about Palin. Good stuff!!!
Posted by Wild Thing at August 30, 2008 04:55 AM
Comments
Man, I get to see a woman behind a .50, and my old Tropic Lighting patch at the same time. This is a good day.
Posted by: Rhod at August 30, 2008 07:16 AM
This is a most wonderful day! The stairway to a brighter tomorrow for our kids has come down to us. A normal, everyday girl (like the red haired girl in Mr. Holland's Opus who couldn't play the clarinet, but became the state's governor later) is going to be our nation's vice president! That must really burn Nazi Peeloser's butt! She must be steaming mad by now! (hee-hee! I can just see the steam coming out of her ears!).
I am so looking forward to this election! Wow! What else could anyone ask for but Sarah Palin?
Posted by: Lynn at August 30, 2008 08:21 AM
Sarah Palin acts and looks more like a Commander-in-Chief than the Democrat's anointed patriot-lite CIC wannabe. She has brought about change in government while Obama just talks about it.
Forget attack dog Joe Biden, Sarah Palin trumps Barack Obama on experience to be President. Attacks on Palin focus the microscope on just who and what Obama really is -- an empty suit.
Posted by: Les at August 30, 2008 10:48 AM
Rhod - that picture must have cuchieddie going bonkers, bananas and beserk!!
Excellent article about political corruption. Why can't every state have a Sarah Palin? In reality I am sure there are more people with her ethics at work fighting the political hierarchies. These honest folks probably just don't have her ambition. Maybe Sarah's example will set their goals a bit higher and they will offer their services for office
Posted by: TomR at August 30, 2008 10:54 AM
Tom, anyone who spent any time in and around Cu Chi, except maybe a few REMF's, is permanently on the edge.
Posted by: Rhod at August 30, 2008 12:37 PM
Things are definitely better on the North Slope since the VECO and state government shake-up. Working for VECO's competitor, we dubbed them 'Violation Exempt, Clean-up Optional'.
Posted by: jim warren at August 30, 2008 01:39 PM
Isn't jim warren from Alaska, I remember the last time her name came up, he wanted no part of or the chance of losing Alaska's Govenor, I don't blame him for that.
I am sorry for Alaskas' loss but greatful for her contribution to our country. And also Thank God she accepted. She has already energized the ticket and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel and the finish line and its not another train.
It has been like the Niners without a quarterback then suddenly Joe Montana appears and everything comes together...hot damn. I can't wait for the convention.
Posted by: Mark at August 30, 2008 03:03 PM
I'll tell you why Illinois can't find somebody like that--the Illinois Republican't party doesn't want somebody like that. There isn't a backbone in the bunch.
Posted by: Trish at August 30, 2008 03:34 PM
Sarah Palin clinched my vote for McCain. She is a wonderful person. As a father of a Down Syndrtome son I applaud her on her and her husbands choice. Chrissie, you can share some of what you know of me.
Posted by: Bob at August 30, 2008 07:20 PM
Rhod, big smile, I am so glad.
There is such a good feeling now for our country. deep happy sigh
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 30, 2008 07:40 PM
Lynn, so beautiful how you said this......
"The stairway to a brighter tomorrow for our kids has come down to us."
Yes I ican just imagine how upset Pelosi must be hahaha Pelosi can't even understand someone that is a nice person. That is foreign to her.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 30, 2008 07:44 PM
Les, yes I think so too. Any attacks from the left will be shallow since there really isn't anything to dig up. There are no hidden things with Palin. She has been out in the open about everything from what I have read about her.
This is very exciting.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 30, 2008 07:51 PM
Tom, giggle yes I hope cuchieddie see's it.
I agree ......."Maybe Sarah's example will set their goals a bit higher and they will offer their services for office".......I hope so and I can see that happening.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 30, 2008 08:21 PM
Jim,thanks for the information.
God bless Alaska and those that live there we are lucky that Sarah said yes to VP.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 30, 2008 08:24 PM
Mark, I agree and yessss thank God.
"I am sorry for Alaskas' loss but greatful for her contribution to our country."
Me too i finally excited about our convention. I smile inside and out about all of this that is happening now.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 30, 2008 08:28 PM
Trish that's right and not only Illinois but a lot of other States too. But I know what you mean Obama's State of Illinois and what they came up with was the America hating Obama.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 30, 2008 08:41 PM
Bob, I agree I think a lot of people will vote now since she has been selected. People that gave up for this election becauase of the choices.
Posted by: Wild Thing at August 30, 2008 08:44 PM
Wild Thing, you know I wasn't so thrilled about McCain...but he really hit it right with Palin, I'm fully committed to the GOP ticket now. Look out Biden!
Posted by: ER at August 30, 2008 09:17 PM
The only bad thing about a Republican victory in November is that I'll still be stuck with Obama for a senator.
Oh, well. *sigh* nobody said life was perfiect.
Posted by: Trish at August 31, 2008 12:54 AM
