Local Reaction to the Palin Bombshell.

 

I, like all Alaskans, have been glued to the news media today, watching with amazement as Sarah Palin was tagged as McCain’s vice presidential running mate.  Local radio talk shows are all a-buzz.  The progressive station has a mixture of callers who are amused, horrified, and bewildered.  The conservative station has a mixture of callers who are amused, enthusiastic, horrified and bewildered.  No one is really sure how this happened, or what to make of it.  Citing the fact that she was the mayor of Wasilla 2 years ago in her list of “executive experience” doesn’t even pass the giggle test in Alaska.  Palin does have many supporters here in the state, but even many of them are doubting whether she can cut it in the Veep slot.  A few callers have said they feel sorry for her, because they like her but she’s obviously being “used” and is way over her head.  Local politicians are fiercely divided.  Those who like her are generally appointees who are locally referred to as “Palin-bots” and have drawn comparisons to George Bush’s idealogical croneys.  Many, Democrats and Republicans, are fierce opponents.

Here’s a smattering of reactions:

Alaska State Senate President Lyda Green (R): “She’s not prepared to be governor. How can she be prepared to be vice president or president? Look at what she’s done to this state. What would she do to the nation?”  (Green is from Palin’s home town of Wasilla.)

Alaska House Speaker John Harris (R): “She’s old enough. She’s a U.S. citizen.” 

Alaska Democratic Party Chair Patti Higgins:  “In this very competitive election for them to go pick somebody who is … under a cloud of suspicion, who is under investigation for abuse of power. It just sounds like a pretty slow start to me.  We need a vice president who can step in if, God forbid, something happened to John McCain.  I don’t think she’s someone who is ready for that 3 a.m. phone call.”

Randy Ruedrich, Alaska Republican Party Chair:  Not giving interviews.

Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg: “a mixed set of emotions, kind of an odd sense of Alaska nationalism or pride. This is like watching a moon landing or something. It’s just something you don’t expect to see very often. It’s wonderful. It was an emotional thing to see the governor walk out with her family and I say, wow, I work for her.”

McHugh Pierre, Alaska Republican Party Spokesman: “She brings her voice of new energy and change. And she knows Alaska.”

Indicted Alaska Sr. Senator Ted Stevens (R):  “it’s a great day for the nation and Alaskans.”

Andrew Halcro, local blogger who ran against Palin for governor:  “This shocking choice says more about McCain’s desperation than it does about Palin’s qualifications”.

and my favorite…

Alaska State Representative Mike Doogan (D): “Either Sarah Palin has talents and skills we were not aware of”, or “John McCain fell down and hit his head”.  He also called the prospect of Palin potentially needing to take over as President”pretty scary.”

Other local bloggers talking about this:

Progressive Alaska

Andrew Halcro

The Immoral Minority

and I’ve written extensively on Palin issues.  Just click on the Sarah Palin category and dig in.