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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
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Palin Politics, Family Inseparable

Alaska Gov. defends, depends on her family in all aspects of her career

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(Newser) – Sarah Palin slides seamlessly from perfectly coiffed GOP attack dog to doting hockey mom —so just what is life in the Palin clan like? “Sarah Barracuda” has always intertwined her family and her political life, the Washington Post reports, from her working-mom, Wal-Mart-shopper image to her husband’s "First Dude" hands-on role in the governor’s office.

Palin’s children rarely miss a photo op, and Todd Palin’s championship-snowmobiler status gave the family plenty of down-home cred. But those who land on the wrong side of her values can expect quick vengeance: she once fired an aide who had an affair with the wife of her husband’s friend. "When you fall out of favor with Palin, it's a pretty quick off-with-your-head," the former aide says.

Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, right, is joined by her family on stage after her speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, right, is joined by her family on stage after her speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, file)
This undated photo provided by the Heath family shows Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin crossing a steam in a vehicle with her daughter Piper in Alaska.
This undated photo provided by the Heath family shows Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin crossing a steam in a vehicle with her daughter Piper in Alaska.   (AP Photo/Heath Family)
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, left, holds her son Trig as she is joined by the rest of her family after her speech at the RNC in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008.
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, left, holds her son Trig as she is joined by the rest of her family after her speech at the RNC in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008.   (AP Photo)
John McCain greets Trig Palin, held by Willow Palin as Piper Palin looks on at left, in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. At right is Bristol Palin, boyfriend Levi Johnston and Todd Palin.
John McCain greets Trig Palin, held by Willow Palin as Piper Palin looks on at left, in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. At right is Bristol Palin, boyfriend Levi Johnston and Todd Palin.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
This undated photo provided by the Heath family shows Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, than Sarah Heath, right, with her sister Molly in Alaska.
This undated photo provided by the Heath family shows Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, than Sarah Heath, right, with her sister Molly in Alaska.   (AP Photo/Heath Family)
This undated photo provided by the Heath family shows Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin with her daughter Piper in Wasilla, Alaska.
This undated photo provided by the Heath family shows Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin with her daughter Piper in Wasilla, Alaska.   (AP Photo/Heath Family)
Todd Palin, left, husband of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, signs a photo of his wife in a magazine at a snowmobile autograph event in Forest Lake, Minn. Saturday Sept. 6, 2008.
Todd Palin, left, husband of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, signs a photo of his wife in a magazine at a snowmobile autograph event in Forest Lake, Minn. Saturday Sept. 6, 2008.   (AP Photo/Andy King)
This Sept. 3, 2008 file photo shows Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin waving to the crowd as she prepares to address the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
This Sept. 3, 2008 file photo shows Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin waving to the crowd as she prepares to address the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, FILE)
Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, left, signs autographs as she greets supporters on Sept. 6, 2008 in Albuquerque, NM. Palin's husband Todd looks on.
Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, left, signs autographs as she greets supporters on Sept. 6, 2008 in Albuquerque, NM. Palin's husband Todd looks on.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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