December 2, 2008 7:28:49 PM CST
(Newser) – The latest surprise from Sarah Palin's past is her membership in the fringe Alaskan Independence Party, ABC News reports. A party leader says the governor and her husband were members in the 1990s. Though not strictly secessionist, the AIP is a "states' right party" that wants a vote on leaving the US. Its motto is "Alaska First, Alaska Always"—a far cry from the McCain slogan "Country First."
Atlantic Monthly blogger Marc Ambinder notes that the AIP is "a marginally accepted part of the political culture there." For its most recent convention, Palin recorded a video message praising the separatist party, and a leader praised Palin's governance and called on members to "infiltrate" the two main parties to push for independence. The McCain campaign has not responded to requests for comment.
Sources ABC News, Atlantic Monthly
Nov 7, 08 4:14 PM CST Fox News host Greta Van Susteren beat out a slew of prominent journalists for the first post-election interview with Sarah Palin, the Los Angeles Times reports. Van Susteren has defended the Alaska governor against a recent storm of criticism from unnamed McCain aides, and will allow the former candidate to respond to recent charges in chats taped Sunday and Monday for Monday broadcast. More »
Oct 31, 08 1:05 PM CDT Lawrence Eagleburger, one of five former secretaries of state whose endorsement John McCain often touts, sharply criticized Sarah Palin yesterday, saying she is not ready to handle the presidency if needed and would at best be an “adequate” commander in chief, the Huffington Post reports. Asked if Palin would be ready to assume the top spot, Eagleburger replied, “Of course not.” More »
Oct 28, 08 2:09 PM CDT John McCain and Sarah Palin delivered Ted Stevens a synchronized shooing toward the Senate door today, Politico reports. McCain said the 84-year-old Republican senator, convicted yesterday of corruption, “should now step down,” while Palin—who stopped short last night of urging her fellow Alaskan to resign—said today “he needs to step aside,” ABC News adds. More »
Oct 26, 08 2:48 PM CDT Sarah Palin has accomplished a lot and has brought unexpected recognition to Alaska, but for the presidency, Barack Obama is "a clear choice" for the Anchorage Daily News. John McCain has abandoned his maverick positions to curry conservative favor, and the demands of the White House would "stretch the governor beyond her range," the paper says. More »
Oct 16, 08 12:40 PM CDT It’s been a fun time for liberals, writes Rosa Brooks in the LA Times. Though initially worried about the boost Sarah Palin gave to John McCain’s polling numbers, Dems were then treated to the defections of some of the GOP’s brightest thinkers. Columnists David Brooks, Charles Krauthammer, and former Bush speechwriter David Frum all backed away from McCain, charging that the Alaska governor was out of her league. More »
Election 2008 • John McCain • Sarah Palin • Alaska • Republican candidate • separatists • secession • Alaskan Independence Party
