Palin

(my friend Tom at a Palin rally in Fairbanks)

Having Palin on the republican ticket is exciting for Alaska. I must say her first speech, I thought was polished, well delivered and well received. Unfortunately, in recent weeks she is proving to be more and more of a political fiasco.

I admit to a mild liberal bias. However, I like McCain as he's been the senator for my home state as long as I remember. I thought Palin seemed a good bold choice at first. She has done okay as a governor. She did come in as a bit a of reformer after a very despised and corrupt predecessor. Before her vault to the national stage, I think most Alaskans would say she was doing a good job.

We in Alaska find it strange she talks so much about the bridge to nowhere, since she campaigned actively for it for quite a while. She even told the people of Ketchican that it was insulting that its expansion area was being referred to as "nowhere" The Troopergate is also a bit of an issue, although not much as much as the media makes it out. Despite what the author of your forwarded email states, the issue isn't that Trooper Wooten was problematic - everyone agrees the guy was an ass. That was known, reported and the department was taking what they felt to be appropriate action. The concern is that she used her political position to push for his firing and then later fired his boss for (allegedly) not complying. His boss was a very popular commissioner with the troopers. Additionally, Palin promised to fully cooperate with the investigation and even said she welcomed it. So to claim there is a liberal bias to the probe now seems like a bit of late complaint. Funny enough, I actually always expected the investigation to clear her. It has become more controversial now that she won't participate.

And to be clear, let's not pretend that Republicans in Alaska are above the corruption fray and it's just the corrupt democrats trying to bring her down. Republicans here just overwhelming put Ted Stevens through the primaries again despite the fact that is on trial for bribery and corruption as we speak. "Uncle Ted" as he is known here, has such a reputation for pork projects for Alaska he might still get re-elected if he killed someone

To get back to Palin though, the worst is the interviews. I don't think she's a terrible person; she just isn't ready for this level of politics. I feel bad for her. I think she will be a great asset to the Republicans in time, but her inability to perform without the teleprompter is rather alarming. Her answer to Couric on the financial bailout wasn't even coherent, and her response about Russians invading alaskan airspace was simply ridiculous. The governor has nothing to do with the USA response to Russia. Even the NORAD commanders are saying that. She would do so much better for herself if she would just be honest. "no i don't have much foreign policy experience. I'm working with some great advisors, I'm learning quickly and I plan to get involved immediate." That would go over so much better than what she's done.

So I suppose I'm not a fan. She has promise, but I think in the end will be a bigger liability than an asset. However, if McCain loses, I'm sure we'll see Palin again.

Oh and I'm hosting a vice presidential debate party thursday. I'll let you know if my sentiments change.