Todd Palin Has Expansive Role In Alaska

Washington Post: "First Dude" Illustrates State's Blend Of Private And Public

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Alec MacGillis and Karl Vick.

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Todd Palin grew up as the archetypal Alaskan -- salmon fisherman, champion snowmobiler, North Slope oil worker. But since his wife became governor 20 months ago, his portfolio has broadened: househusband, babysitter, senior adviser, legislative liaison, and -- when the occasion warrants -- enforcer and protector.

He has supervised renovations to the governor's mansion and hopscotched by plane back and forth to Juneau to juggle duties as father and "First Dude," as he has come to be known. And to a degree that has surprised many state government observers, Todd Palin also has become involved in policy, sitting in on his wife's meetings, traveling on state business and weighing in on some legislative issues.

John Harris, the Republican speaker of the Alaska House, said he had never been called by the spouse of a governor before the two calls he got from Todd Palin. One was to argue for moving the state capital to Anchorage. The other was to ask Harris to "keep an eye" on a key aide who had an affair with the wife of one of Todd's best friends.

Political hands in both parties say the Palins are often referred to as a team -- "Sarah and Todd" -- and one Democratic lawmaker said Todd Palin has become her "de facto chief of staff."

Meghan Stapleton, a McCain spokeswoman who used to serve as Palin's press secretary, said the presence of Todd Palin has generated unwarranted criticism and that his role is in keeping with that of gubernatorial spouses in other states. "Every bit of his participating is appropriate and pertinent to his role as a spouse and as a father," she said.

"There are definitely critics out there who will blow up his level of involvement because he happens to be a stay-at-home dad when he's off from the slope, and he happens to be an active dad who wants to be with his kids and with his wife when he's not on the slope," Stapleton said.

In many ways, Todd Palin's high profile simply underscores the fine line between the personal and public in Alaska -- a huge swath of land with barely more people than Baltimore, where it can seem as if everyone knows everyone else.

Nationally, even before his wife began campaigning as John McCain's running mate, Todd Palin stood out among the country's few sitting first husbands. In Kansas, Gary Sebelius is a federal magistrate who stays away from wife Kathleen's partisan events and says he does not have time to adopt a favorite issue. Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm appointed her husband, management consultant Daniel Mulhern, to a state volunteerism board and gave him a small paid staff, drawing some criticism.

But Todd Palin, 44, the ruggedly handsome four-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race, was already an Alaska star before his wife's election in 2006. Along with his family duties, he held two jobs, working occasional 85-hour weeks as an oil production operator for BP and, for a month each summer, as a commercial salmon fisherman in Bristol Bay. He belongs to the steelworkers union, an alliance that may partly explain his wife's strong labor support. His Yup'ik ancestry, which traces back to his maternal grandmother, gave Sarah Palin special standing with Native Alaskans.

Since Sarah Palin's rousing speech at the Republican National Convention, Todd Palin has filled a supporting role on the campaign trail, wearing a genial expression but saying little. He gave one interview to Fox News from the family's lakeside home in Wasilla, showing off his snowmobiles and 1958 Piper PA-18 Super Cub plane.

Those who know Todd Palin say he understands the steely determination that has defined his wife's rapid climb to political prominence; he shows the same quality in the Iron Dog races, maintaining his focus at 110 mph over days of competition as Sarah and the children wait at the finish line. Once, recalled racing partner Scott Davis, Todd Palin rode the final 500 miles of a race with a broken arm. "He wouldn't let me take him to the doctor," Davis said. "It said a lot about his character, not giving up."

Though he played a low-key role during Sarah Palin's six years as Wasilla mayor (his name was occasionally invoked in her proclamations congratulating him for his Iron Dog victories), Todd Palin has backed his wife's ambitions, if not always her politics, friends say.

From 1994 to 2002, records show, he was a registered member of the Alaskan Independence Party, whose primary aim is to seek a vote on whether Alaska should remain a state.

AIP officials say Palin's involvement was limited to attendance at the party's 1994 convention in Wasilla. Doyle Holmes, a hardware store owner who co-chaired the party in 1994, said the convention featured the usual debate over how explicitly to present the independence plank, but he could not recall Palin taking a strong stand. "There's one group that wants [secession] left in the platform and another that wants to tone it down a bit," he said. "Things can get pretty hot."

One Republican from the Mat-Su Valley, who has known the Palins for years but did not want to be identified for fear of repercussions, said Todd Palin's politics over the years have amounted to advancing his wife's career. The Republican recalled that when Willis Lyford, an Anchorage media consultant, told Palin she wasn't ready to run for governor -- a scene recounted in Kaylene Johnson's biography of Sarah Palin -- Todd Palin "blew up."

"He's not political. He's Sarah-oriented, and believes she can do anything -- more than she does," the Republican said.

After Sarah's election as governor, Todd Palin took a leave from his job with BP to avoid a conflict of interest. That gave him more time to help her settle in. Travel records show that he made frequent trips from Wasilla to Juneau and, in total, has run up about $19,000 in travel costs. Among the listed purposes for his trips were meetings about mansion renovations; the Palins wanted to make the house suitable for family visits, although they opted not to live there full time.

Todd Palin took an interest in vocational education and job creation, and he went with Labor Commissioner Click Bishop to tour the Red Dog and Donlin Creek mines, courtesy of the mine owners. Hard-rock mining is a booming industry in Alaska, but it is controversial because of concerns that tailings from the mining could pollute local waters.

[dnsallday]

Todd Palin is the Stage Manager for Sarah Palin.

[cold70]

The sad and laughable thing is that some people are in awe of Todd Palin and his wife for no reason other than that they are "cool"....kind of pathetic really.

[peter776-2009]

It is obvious that our country cannot tolerate having a man like Todd Palin as the VP''s husband in Washington. His behavior as the First Dude of Alaska is far worse than any of the shenanigans pulled by Hillary Clinton as First Lady. Todd Palin, and sadly Sarah Plain, just don''t understand how government is supposed to work, and where the boundaries between personal and government lie. The American electorate must reject the unique Alaska-style corruption the Palins represent. This is too bad, because I was ready to vote for McCain until the scope of Palin''s stupidity, inartfulness and inappropriate arm-twisting as governor of Alaska recently became apparent. The American public will not tolerate perpetuating the lawlessness of the Bush Administration in a McCain/Palin administration.

[usapride70]

It features moderator George Stephanopolous saying to Sen. Biden:

You were asked if he [Obama] was ready. You said, %u201CI think he can be ready but right now I don%u2019t believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training.%u201D

Cut to Biden who says:

I think that I stand by that statement.


The headless announcer steps in to ask, %u201CAnd what does he [Biden] say of John McCain?%u201D

Cut to a clip from Jon Stewart%u2019s %u201CThe Daily Show%u201D back in 2005 where Biden said:

I would be honored to run with or against John McCain because I think the country would be better off.

[dnsallday]

Why isn''t Todd Palin in jail? Where do you think you would be if you ignored a Government Subpoena to testify?

Is this what we want to allow our country to become? Where Government officials have total control over the people and no accountability for themselves?

[tonyd_31]

I think the polls are reflecting how badly the American people want these two in DC. McSame numbers are dropping as fast as a rock in the lake.

[fedupvoter]

It would be nice to read something that is not dripping with spin. Ok, you don''t like Palin, we get it. Now can you give us some news reports that don''t shade the facts? Thank you.

[kissamaarse]

This is disgusting the way the media fawns over this guy. He was a member of the ANTI-AMERICAN secessionist AIP for several years. If this is OK with you, please lave my country that I love and have served for today!

[akhajawall]

Dear concerned citizens of America and Mass Media of the U.S.A.

As a concerned registered independent voter, forensic psychiatrist, disabled American I made my decision to vote after taking into consideration following joint tickets attributes and characteristics.

1. Has the ticket shown adequate calmness, coolness, and connectedness''s under pressure to lead our nation [Presidential Temperament]?

2. Has the ticket shown sustained sound "Judgment and Caliber"?

3. Has the ticket shown adequate understanding of depth and degree to address the crucial challenges in their their purpose, policies, and positions [ Honesty, integrity and sincerity]?

4. Has the ticket sufficient "understanding and knowledge" of inside Washington workings [Experience]"?

5. Has the ticket reservoir resilience, wisdom, and vigor to address the present and future f our beloved "Great-grand Nation"?

6. Has the ticket enough joint foreign policy experience and exposure based on " Values, Virtues, Vastness, and " [American moral soul]"?

7. Has their campaign talk, slogans, ads, plans, and programs based on facts and are they free of fear, fiction, frivolous labels, unfair attacks, negativity, and impulsively? [No "imminent danger to national
security and safety"].


I have personally and professionally concluded that OBAMA-BIDEN ticket will lift and inspire our nation.

PS: Protect U.S.A from McCain-palin''s reactive and knee-jerk reactions.

[nextgenman]

So Princess Moose Whisperer gets "hands laid on" by a witch hunting pastor from Kenya to get elected and her Hubby runs the Office by proxy!

Hilarious!

[lemonskink]

Palin''s husband reminds me of the saloon owner in Deadwood. And you don''t want to know who Sarah reminds me of, but there''s quite of few of them on Deadwood too.

[nextgenman]

there''''s a guy to respect.
loves his family and pitches in to do his part.
his kids obviousy respect him with the way he got them all in the plane and made them give up their cell phones, etc.

he''''s an avid sportsman with friends that think hes cool. i like the guy.

Posted by fenner at 10:46 AM : Sep 22, 2008
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Maybe he could get Sarah''s witch hunter Pastor to "lay hands" on him?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[nextgenman]

I wonder if Todd thinks the Iraq War was God''s Plan too? Sarah does. So does Bin Laden.

HAHAHAHAHA!

[nextgenman]

I don''t see how Todd can live with a daughter that sins right in Jesus Face by having doink out of wedlock. What ever happened to teaching your kids good christian morals and values?

[nextgenman]

Maybe he could get Sarah''''''''s witch hunter Pastor to "lay hands" on him?

Posted by nextGenMan at 10:48 AM : Sep 22, 2008
=================
id your post surprise me? no.
we have become accustomed to the obama-brand.
yr post diminishes YOU not me.

Posted by fenner at 10:52 AM : Sep 22, 2008
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Yawn. You think I care about you?! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[nextgenman]

Wouldn''t the proposed Alaska secession be illegal?

Posted by jh6379 at 10:55 AM : Sep 22, 2008
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WWJD?

[beader59]

He should be held in contempt of court and jailed just like you or I would if we had refused a subpoena. It seems like Hillary and Bill got blasted for this type of thinking of being a team.

[armydog2]

fenner
this guy is a jerk no respectable woman would dig him.

[stevex47]

Um, why is he not in jail?

Refuses a subpeona? = jail.

[nextgenman]

THE PALINS IS JUST WHAT AMERICAN NEEDS - THAT LOVE AND FAMILY IS ALIVE AND CAN BE WONDERFUL.

Posted by fenner at 10:56 AM : Sep 22, 2008
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Yeah, liars, takers of earmark money, flip-floppers, speakers in tongues, witch hunter pastor worshippers, abusers of state funding at taxpayer expense....I''m sure they''re just what Jesus wants...

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

[nextgenman]

no matter what slander you try Todd will go right on being a proud dad and husband... God''''s got his back.

how''''s Satan doing for you?


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Posted by fenner at 10:57 AM : Sep 22, 2008
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So now YOU know what God wants too, eh?

Like Bin Laden, Sarah thinks the Iraq War was God''s Plan.

What Pharisees the evangelicals are....

[mbourn2]

Todd Palin may yet end up in jail..... Or baring that he could run for president as a democrat I guess....

On June 21, 1996, as part of its investigation, the OIC directed to the White House a grand jury subpoena that required production of %u201C[a]ll documents created during meetings attended by any attorney from the Office of Counsel to the President and Hillary Rodham Clinton (regardless whether any other person was present)%u201D pertaining to several Whitewater-related subjects. Subpoena Rider at 1. The White House identified nine sets of notes responsive to the subpoena but refused to produce them, citing executive *914 privilege, attorney-client privilege, and the attorney work product doctrine.


In re Grand Jury Subpoena Duces Tecum 112 F.3d 910, 913 -914 (C.A.8 (Ark.),1997)

[akhajawall]

Dear concerned citizens of America and Mass Media of the U.S.A.
Has the ticket thoughtful, real non-partisan, & non-impulsive plans to address our current economic crisis or political tactics and temperamental statements.

I have personally and professionally concluded that OBAMA-BIDEN ticket will lift and inspire our greatgrand nation back to its greatness within and restore our global standing with the use of maximum, firm
international diplomacy and minimal force if and when indicated {" Peace thru Strenght "}.


Yours sincerely,

COL. A.M.Khajawall [Ret] MD.
Forensic psychiatrist, Disabled American Veteran and Iraq
Freedom team. Grass roots California leader per Senator McCain''s mailings.

PS: Protect U.S.A from McCain-palin''s reactive and knee-jerk reactions.

[sleepyric]

I never really gave any thought to what I thought about Alaska. Now, well, the first images that come to mind are: hillbillies; trailer trash; militant crazies; lack of class; ignorance of the rule of law; ugly accents; slaughtered animals for "sport"; lack of progress; no understanding of political taste; old buddy systems; wink and nod when law is broken; pettiness; snow; in general, I don''t think I''d want to visit or live there now. Especially since it''s citizens have elected this shrewish, nutty, religiously nuts woman as governor. Good ahead and succeed from the union...no problem with me.

[flalady41]

GO MCCAIN/PALIN!!! How can anyone in their right mind even think about voting for Obama? I have read what he believes and stands for! He is evil! And MIchelle, well she scares me! McCain may have his faults, but come on people...a man that has proven his love for this country or a man that has appeared out of no where?!?! A vote for McCain/Palin is a true vote for the good of our country!

[homespunlady]

I see there is a HUGE MANIPULATION of the money situation while the FLUFF is out there trying to make a CLUELESS decision based on PERSONALITY.

Folks WE''RE CONNED!!!
I''m not sure beyond knowing that a TINY MINORITY that have GRABBED UP the National TREASURY through MANIPULATION of regulations and WAR are NOW FINALIZING the "GREAT REDISTRIBUTION" that will result in the NEODEPRESSION.

FEUDALISM here we come!

[rudy654-2009]

It''s interesting that these people are touted as being great parents and yet, niether one of them appears to be a parent that has enough time for their five children.

[homespunlady]

BARRACUDA? PITT BULL? ...

So, which animal is "the beast" Palin CLAIMING TO BE today?

[flalady41]

60,000 people rallied to see Sarah Palin (no rock concerts either), and she''''s the vice presidential candidate !.....but of course, no mention of this by CBS, not a peep, you libs are lucky the media is on your side


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Posted by JoeCoolSwat1


AMEN!!! I rarely watch CBS, once in a while I like to come on here and read what is going on, get a good laugh and gives me even more to pray for! God is in control!

[rudy654-2009]

I never really gave any thought to what I thought about Alaska. Now, well, the first images that come to mind are: hillbillies; trailer trash; militant crazies; lack of class; ignorance of the rule of law; ugly accents; slaughtered animals for "sport"; lack of progress; no understanding of political taste; old buddy systems; wink and nod when law is broken; pettiness; snow; in general, I don''''t think I''''d want to visit or live there now. Especially since it''''s citizens have elected this shrewish, nutty, religiously nuts woman as governor. Good ahead and succeed from the union...no problem with me.


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Posted by sleepyric at 11:06 AM

As was explained, the state has been taken over by Oklahomans and Texans seeking work in the oil fields. That explains a lot of what you just described, as well as the evangelical takeover of the state.

[old300d]

I bet he shoots mooses too !

What kind of people are those people in Alaska !

Don''t they know about Super Wal-Mart ! They have food there !

[pga39120]

Fenner:
Palin might have had 60,000 but I can guarantee you that after listening to her speak on the same scripted speech along with the fact she did not, repeat NOT answer questions people will change their mind.
People want to hear about HER thoughts and IDEAS, not whats on paper. The truth is, she is a puppet and we are all seeing through the faux that is being portrayed.

[rudy654-2009]

I never really gave any thought to what I thought about Alaska. Now, well, the first images that come to mind are: hillbillies; trailer trash; militant crazies; lack of class; ignorance of the rule of law; ugly accents; slaughtered animals for "sport"; lack of progress; no understanding of political taste; old buddy systems; wink and nod when law is broken; pettiness; snow; in general, I don''''t think I''''d want to visit or live there now. Especially since it''''s citizens have elected this shrewish, nutty, religiously nuts woman as governor. Good ahead and succeed from the union...no problem with me.


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Posted by sleepyric at 11:06 AM

I don''t think you know what it''s like to have both of your parents everywhere but home most of the time. How can a father have two full time jobs and the mother be a full time governor and have enough time for their five kids, not to mention one with a disability? They are not examples for parents.

[strangeworld]

Why would Palin''s husband think that he should be involved in making policy...nobody elected him. Palin''s a very poor choice for any public office if she can''t separate her family from her job.

[minnick8-2009]

You and me and the DEVIL makes three.

Posted by gun_tower

Are you sure it isn''t you who are the devil? Ya''ll on the left are just p i s s e d off that Sarah hasn''t had an abortion, or taken her daughter for an abortion. Ah, too bad.

[rudy654-2009]

My last comment wasn''t for you sleepyric. Sorry.

[janeyre-2009]

Since he doesn''t have a real job... He should have stayed home and reared the children properly. Somebody should have. The daughter is an under age drinker, pregnant, unwed. The oldest son has a drug problem. When are these people going to take care of their family/home? They seem to be more interested in Sarah''s ambition and Todd, is along for the ride. Did he also need 6 years to graduate from college?

[rudy654-2009]

Why would Palin''''s husband think that he should be involved in making policy...nobody elected him. Palin''''s a very poor choice for any public office if she can''''t separate her family from her job.


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Posted by Strangeworld at 11:17 AM

It''s to the point that he feels he can push to get someone fired and then when his involvement is questioned he suddenly is privileged enough to snub the subpoena.

[old300d]

Why is no one mad they shoot mooses ?

Mooses never hurt anyone !

When did the libs loose care for the mooses ?

Save the Mooses ! ! !

[rudy654-2009]

God is in control!
-- Posted by flalady41


I wouldn''t insult God in such a way, as you just did.

[usapride70]

Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has chosen for his running mate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., a man who once proposed the bottom half of the Democratic presidential ticket would best be filled with an unusual selection: Republican John McCain.

In two separate television interviews in the spring of 2004, Biden suggested the best way to bring unity to a divided nation was for the then-Democratic presidential candidate, John Kerry, to select McCain as his running mate.

%u201CI think John McCain would be a great candidate for vice president. I mean it. I know John doesn%u2019t like me saying it, but the truth of the matter is, it is,%u201D Biden told Tim Russert of NBC%u2019s %u201CMeet the Press.%u201D

%u201CI think that this is time for unity in this country, and maybe it is time to have a guy like John McCain %u2013 a Republican %u2013 on the ticket with a guy he does like.

[minnick8-2009]

Palin''''s a very poor choice for any public office if she can''''t separate her family from her job.

Posted by Strangeworld

I remember when Clinton was elected and Hillary uttered those words that caused me to choke, "We are the President."

I recall ol Billy appointing Hillary to overhaul health care. I also recall it didn''t happen. I also recall Hillary getting as involved in her husband''s administration as she could get away with. In fact, it was that "experience," which caused her to proclaim all the way through the primaries that she had the most, "experience."

So, it is all right if it''s Hillary? But not if it is Todd Palin?

[old300d]

Then they should have used that bridge to nowhere money to buy a Super Walmart !

Then they would not have to shoot mooses !

[homespunlady]

Let''s see the "END TIMERS" and "LEFT BEHINDERS" must LOVE this situation.

Heck they''ve Collected up everything they can from researching history so THEY can REBUILD SOLOMON''S TEMPLE and have it stored in some warehouse waiting for the Dome of the Rock to go bye-bye.

NOW, there seems to be a series of "interesting" weather events, wars and monetary manipulations that are aimed directly at causing international strife.

Georgia was ENCOURAGED by WHO? Evidence points at the Bush administration.

Between the FUNDAMENTALISTS of the Christian and the Moslem religions I''m starting to think BOTH are being manipulated to ENRICH a CRAZY set or POWER HUNGRY BILLIONAIRES.

[flalady41]

gun_tower...you are right, I don''t know who will win this election, but I do know that God is in control and no matter what it will be okay. Even if the devil does make it to the white house. God will allow things to happen then He will return for His children, you say you are His child but you don''t bare the fruit. Not judging you but you can tell a tree by the fruit that it bares. God Bless.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by JoeCoolSwat1 at 11:20 AM

Wishful thinking on your part. If the witch hasn''t done anything wrong, then why is she and hubby snubbing the subpoenas????? That alone tells me she isn''t fit for office.

[bald25]

flalady at 1106 hours

"How can anyone in their right mind even think about voting for Obama? I have read what he believes and stands for! He is evil!"

You have read what Senator Obama believes, but we have experience what Bush, Cheney, and McCain believe and stand for, and indeed they are evil. You see the difference between reading and living it flalady 41?

[rudy654-2009]

Well, since you are an Atheist punk, what do you care, you don''''t even believe in anything, anyway


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Posted by JoeCoolSwat1 at 11:22 AM

LOL! Loving evangelicals are so funny!

[minnick8-2009]

Did he also need 6 years to graduate from college?

Posted by janeyre

I don''t know, but it took me twenty.

[pga39120]

rudy 654.
I guess thats why it explains her daughter getting pregnant and the picts of her partying and drinking and her son being hooked on drugs and joining the military to get out of trouble.
Nothing or NONE will or shall come before my family''s well being, especially after being thrown in the spot light.
I would have said thanks but no thanks to being VP..