By Iacchos Deru
What happens when you are a governor from a sparsely populated state with a reputation as a clean politician which leads to your nomination for Vice President of the United States?
Sarah Palin can give you that answer. It seems that Ms. Palin's support amongst her own state's citizenship is waning. She was immensely popular amongst Alaskans before her nomination for Vice President on the GOP ticket with Senator John McCain (R-AZ). She was known for her tough willingness to clean out the "good old boys network" which dominated Alaskan politics. Changing the Alaskan political scene was only part of the reason her constituents loved her. For all intents and purposes, Sarah Palin was considered by most to be a down to earth Alaskan with small town values. This served to start her political career by securing the Mayor's seat in the town of Wasilla. Her popularity increased allowing her to succeed in obtaining the Governorship of Alaska. Just two short years into her first gubernatorial term, her popularity and reputation as a political outsider gained her the nod from the Republican Party for the Vice Presidential candidate.
To be sure, this small town mayor turned Governor, certainly lacked the political savvy to seriously compete with the "big boys" on the National political scene. But Palin is a quick study and McCain provided her with great coaches. She was soon making quite a scene politically.
It is viewed by most political pundits as a brilliant strategic move by McCain to recruit a relatively unknown outsider (and woman) to be his running mate. He could not have chosen more wisely. With his poll numbers lagging behind then Senator Obama, his choice for running mate jumped his popularity to almost equal with the junior Senator from Illinois. Unfortunately, the McCain/Palin ticket was never able to quite match the momentum and charisma of the Obama/Biden ticket.
During her campaign stint for the GOP, Palin was subjected to considerable scrutiny by the mainstream media who could find very little to ridicule. Her obvious lack of experience could not be focused upon as they were busy trying to exploit Obama's same lack of experience. Obviously, this worked to Obama's advantage as McCain could not focus much on Obama's inexperience without being hypocritical.
It wasn't until one of Palin's political enemies in Alaska stepped forward with a ridiculous lawsuit that the media had anything worthwhile to ridicule. Unfortunately for Palin's rival, this backfired as once the facts became known, most people just considered the lawsuit to be from a disgruntled former employee and few gave it any credibility.
Palin, in the meantime, was living the lifestyle of the ridiculously famous. She was frequently seen exhibiting an expensive wardrobe she could never have afforded on her Governor's salary. She hobnobbed with the wealthy power elite and Hollywood stars. She met with foreign dignitaries and earned a reputation as a simple but bright and quick person. Perhaps a bit naïve to the realities of Washington politics. But, of course, that was exactly what McCain was hoping to achieve. Ultimately, though, her naivety proved to be the downfall of the McCain/Palin ticket.
Returning home to Alaska shortly after the election, Palin realized that she enjoyed her brief exposure to "real" politics. Alaskan politics is not the same as in the lower 48 states. Most Alaskans don't really care what happens to the rest of the country. The climate and geography of the nation's largest state dictates a very different lifestyle and attitude than is found in the rest of the country. Alaskans tend to be self-reliant, responsible, neighborly and plain-spoken folk.
Except in the lower portions of the state (Ketchikan, Juneau, etc.) the climate is harsh. The population of the largest city in Alaska tops out around a half million. The rest of the state's population is spread out over a land area roughly equivalent to two-thirds the area of the continental U.S. Fiercely independent with a strong belief in personal responsibility, Alaskans have little use for the selfish and materialistic nature of the rest of the country. Americans in the lower 48 are looked down upon by Alaskans as barely worth noticing only because our politics tends to have adverse effects on their state.
This attitude is not unwarranted. With the governments constant attempts to take control of Alaska's Perma-fund (the revenues from it would balance our budget), its incessant efforts to irresponsibly exploit its natural resources, and never ending endeavor to undermine Alaskan laws and culture, Alaskans are, quite frankly, ready to secede from the Union. In fact, the secession movement has gained quite a membership in the past decade.
The political climate in Alaska did not change while Governor Palin was away. However, Palin did change. Politics and fame became her addiction. Armed with the professional coaching she had received on the campaign trail, Palin returned to Alaska more of a politician than when she left. This new attitude did not sit well with her people. They were expecting the old Sarah to return and continue on her original course. Perhaps political naivety is common amongst all Alaskans.
Palin began playing politics like a pro. She took what she needed for herself and for her hometown of Wasilla and was content to let the rest of the state fend for themselves. Many political pundits are currently hailing her as a possible Presidential nominee for the GOP in 2012. They point to the fact that she refused 30% of the stimulus money offered Alaska from the Federal government. What those pundits did not see was that in doing so, Palin has alienated Alaskans.
The money she refused would have been for programs that Alaska would actually welcome Federal involvement. Programs like vocational rehabilitation, education and special needs citizens (like Palin's own child). Rather than accept money for these programs, Palin accepted some of the money and then promptly assigned it to her hometown of Wasilla for the construction of a new bridge. One that Wasilla doesn't need. One that goes nowhere.
The people of Alaska are also enraged that Palin did not defend the controversial "bridges to nowhere" which were actually necessary projects. One of the bridges connected the island of Ketchikan to its airport and one connected another small town to a hospital. But Palin saw no need to defend these endeavors. Rather, she succumbed to political pressure to remain silent.
In the next general election cycle, the GOP is going to need a very strong candidate to overcome the popularity and brilliant campaign strategy of President Obama. Palin is certainly one who can achieve that goal now that America has overcome its reluctance to only elect white males to that office. All Governor Palin has to do is survive her current political crisis long enough to be re-elected. If she can manage that, she just may make it through the primaries.
Iacchos Deru is a political observer dedicated to pointing out the truth about the issues driving Americans crazy. He is universally hated by both left and right because he exposes their rhetoric for exactly what it is: lies. Often confused with conspiracy theorists, Iacchos is a truth seeker who refuses to let petty name calling squelch his voice. Iacchos has been placed on the Department of Homeland Security's Watch List because of the fact that he loves the Constitution, is a Veteran and is not afraid to stand up for Liberty and Freedom. To read more articles by Iacchos, please visit http://iacchosderu.webs.com
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