Another Reason Why Palin Won’t Run for Veep

Sat   15 Mar 2008   11:37 by Kevin McGehee 64° and cloudy in Coweta County, GA 7 comments [Alaska] [Get Offa My Lawn!] [SARAH!]

If I’m not mistaken, the primary election in Alaska, which occurs in August, normally happens after the presidential nominating conventions. Alaska Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell upstaged his boss at the Republican state convention Friday, moments after she renewed her call for new party leaders. Parnell called for an even bigger change. He announced he would seek Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House, held for most of Alaska’s statehood by Don Young. “The days of unquestioning loyalty are gone,“ Parnell said a few hours later after filing candidacy paperwork. “It’s time for principled leadership.“ Gov. Sarah Palin escorted Parnell into the Division of Elections office and immediately endorsed him over Young, who has held the office for 35 years. She gave no thought to the protocol of an endorsement months before the August primary, she said. “When something’s right, it’s right,“ she said. “There’s no time like the present to state your case and speak candidly about what you believe in. And I believe in his candidacy.“ » Parnell to run against Young for Congress I’m not sure what happens to the lieutenant-governorship if Parnell goes to Congress—there’s almost certainly a nomination-confirmation process involving the Legislature but I don’t know details. The president of the state senate, if I’m not mistaken, becomes next in line, temporarily; and I suppose the chief deputy at the Division of Elections gets to run the place while his or her boss’ office is vacant—but I’m pretty sure they want the vacancy filled before the next regular election in 2010. And given that Palin is not happy with the current GOP leadership it’s unlikely she’d go for letting the Senate President step into the governorship if she became vice-president. Too bad they didn’t have someone to put up against Stevens. He’s the one who really needs to go. Update: In comments at Wizbang, “John F Not Kerry” reminds us of yet another reason why Gov. Palin will be staying in Alaska this year: as noted here, she’s expecting. I knew it, and yet it didn’t actually factor into my thinking. Men!

 

Palin for VP! said: Actually, the Lt. Gov. sppointment will not be an issue in the event that both Palin and Parnell move to national office. In Alaska, the governor must pre-appoint a Lt. Governor-designate just in case such a situation every arises. Palin’s Lt. Governor-designate is her Attorney General, Talis Colberg. Mr. Colberg will automatically take over the Lt. Governorship when Parnell leaves office, and hence there would be a Palinite in line to take the Governor’s office when she bcomes Vice President. » Sat   15 Mar 2008   15:03 Old Grouch said: You folks doin’ OK? » Sat   15 Mar 2008   16:18 Kevin McGehee said: Elephantman, thanks for the info. Sounds like Alaska has been thinking ahead. Grouch, we got grazed by a severe thunderstorm a few minutes ago but all we got at Castle McGehee was a few seconds of pea-sized hail—it wasn’t even enough to make our storm-phobic dog go inside. However I heard a fellow ham over in Peachtree City describe larger-than-quarter-sized hail falling on his car, and there was a report of large hail and 60-mph winds on the west side of Newnan (we’re NE of Newnan). The way these storms are forming and moving we may get another warning but it’s late enough in the day that the tornado danger ought to be subsiding. » Sat   15 Mar 2008   16:56 Kevin McGehee said: The Echolink connection to the storm net I was listening to, seems to be down so I can’t hear it at the computer but the radio downstairs still has it. » Sat   15 Mar 2008   16:58 Old Grouch said: Glad you dodged it.  My dad, in SC, got quarter-sized hail (NOT quarter-inch!), probably from the same storm system. » Mon   17 Mar 2008   9:45 fHayek said: With regards to your comments on Stevens I think he isn’t gettinganother term. Dave Cuddy is definitely in the running.  About a quarter of the convention delegates were wearing Cuddy buttons.  Also the extremely organised Paul supporters are strongly trending to Cuddy. This gives Cuddy instant grassroots in every district.  I don’t think Stevens can survive.  Either Cuddy, the FBI or the Democrats are going to defeat Stevens. » Tue   18 Mar 2008   4:30 Kevin McGehee said: I hope you’re right that Stevens won’t be re-elected. It’s worth bearing in mind though that convention delegates are a more committed and better informed segment of the population than primary voters. I have no doubt Ron Paul has more support in Alaska than in most other states but I don’t think that would be enough for Cuddy to do better in the primary than he did 12 years ago. A Palin endorsement would carry a lot more weight with the wishy-washy moderates who dominate Republican ranks in Anchorage and in parts of the Fairbanks area. As a matter of background: I supported Cuddy against Stevens in 1996, even to the point of casting a write-in vote for him in November rather than choose between Stevens or the Dem nominee. » Tue   18 Mar 2008   10:24 You must be registered and logged in to comment.