Palin's Hometown Down After Election Loss

Wasilla, Alaska Dejected, But Still Proud Of Governor And Vice Presidential Nominee

(AP)  It wasn't the party they hoped for when several hundred people gathered for an Election Night rally in Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's hometown.

A pall was cast over the crowd when running mate John McCain, with the Alaska governor by his side, conceded the race to Democrat Barack Obama. The concession was broadcast on large-screen TVs inside the city's sports center.

"I think America made a big mistake," said Phil Straka, a photographer from Wasilla who was selling buttons with the words "McCain-Palin" superimposed over Alaska scenes. "If there was another month before the election, I think they would have won."

Residents of the Anchorage suburb were ready to cheer Palin from Wasilla to the White House.

Their former mayor provided a much-needed boost to McCain's popularity in Alaska, where he finished fourth in the Republican caucuses. Her appeal helped McCain easily win the state and its three electoral votes.

Arin Denison cast her first presidential vote for the McCain-Palin ticket.

"I thought they would win," the 18-year-old Wasilla resident said. "I'm very upset about it."

At the Mug-Shot Saloon, where moose stew made from Palin's own recipe was served, a military couple was divided on Obama's victory.

Jeremy Jonas, 22, who served in Iraq with the Army, said the Democrat's pledge to withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months resonated with him.

"His wanting to get out of Iraq is a big thing with me," he said.

But that pledge upset his girlfriend, 23-year-old Danielle Tichenor, who has joined the Army Reserves for an eight-year stint.

"If Obama pulls the troops out, everyone who has been there will have died in vain," she said. "I supported McCain because he was a POW and he knows everything that is going on overseas."

Back at the sports complex, several people expressed hope for whatever future role Palin may play in politics.

"It's just the beginning for Sarah. She'll be on the ticket in 2012," predicted Beryl Kring of Anchorage.

Straka, the photographer with the McCain-Palin buttons, was willing to give them away after McCain's concession speech. He said he'd make more buttons if she runs again.

One booth at the rally featured "Palin 2012" T-shirts for sale.

[yongamerica]

I was in McCain''s camp until Palin came on board. America has no room for another IDIOT in the White House, especially in these trying times. I know it''d have been fun to have Saturday Night Live everyday in the White House, and listening to the newest joke every night on late night television, but the cost was far too great.

[yongamerica]

Proud???? The should feel deceived. To find out Sarah is a liar (I can see Russia from my back Window) to feeling embarrassed (Sarah didn''t know Africa was a continent). The Wasilla hillbilly isn''t even a amateur politician. Just a pretty redneck and I guess people for people in Alaska that''s all the qualification needed to be governor.

[ggm1957]

I am so glad she is back in Alaska. Sorry Alaskans, but she is yours and you get to keep her. I imagine that is why Wasilla townspeople were so down. Supposedly she is a religious idiot but that sure didn''t keep her from spreading lies. I am just glad that her lies came back to bite her. Good luck Alaskans. You will need it.

[rm1588kway]

McCain lost votes when he chose Palin as a running mate. I chose not to vote for him for that reason.

[blackyowe]

Keep her up there in Alaska on ice, please! What an idiot. She thought Africa was a country and couldn''t name the countries of North America. Caribou Barbie needs to stay up there where people have low expectations. Maybe there was too much lead in the venison and blubber she was eating in her formative years. She thought Africa was a country and couldn''t name the countries of North America!

[blackyowe]

Keep her up there in Alaska on ice, please! What a idiot. She thought Africa was a country and couldn''t name the countries of North America. Caribou Barbie should stay up there where people have low expectations. Maybe there was too much lead in the venison and blubber she was keep her up there in Alaska on ice! What a idiot. She thought Africa was a country and couldn''t name the countries of North America. Caribou Barbie should stay up there where people have low expectations. Any State with a fool like that for a governor I will stay clear of. Maybe there was too much lead in the venison and blubber she was eating all those years eating all those years.

[babooph]

They should be happy to get their Beverly Hillbillies back-no loss to the rest of the nation .

[ljld]

Oh, by the way I have more morals than Carters got liver pills. But then again those living in glass houses should not be thowing rocks and that goes for you patriotic9.

[ljld]

Ask the new ruler of the free er maybe not so free world how many states there are. I think he said 57.

[treknutz]

Sarge 281,

I indeed owe you an apology. There is another sarge on the blogisphere that on another article commented that Obama was and supported terrorists. His comments were echoed by many of the far right wing lunatics that want to push hate and fear as a means to their own end.

I usually do my homework and ensure who ever I counter comment is factual and I made a BIG ERROR here.

I don''t deny anyone their right to disagree as so many of my friends and co-workers do with me. It is the extreme hate, lies, and violence provokers that I detest.

I will not make this error in the future and I sincerely hope you can forgive this terrible accusation.

[patriotic9]

Obama won so why all the hate for Gov. Palin?

Posted by ljld at 11:40 AM : Nov 06, 2008

When she didn''t know whether Africa is a continent or a country, she should have moral courage to tell the public that she wasn''t fit for the VP race.

Based on what Larry Craig, Mark Foley, Bill Oreilly and now Sarah Palin did, I would like to ask why Republicans lack moral values?

[cheetah-man7]

Posted by fehar----------Dear Wasilla-Do you all realize that the lower 48 thought that "moose barbie" was a bimbo??


------------------------------------------------------

Hey, wait a sec.... I have been calling her "Caribou Barbie" Are there two versions? (God forbid!), or perhaps one is pre-Saks and Neiman Marcus shopping sprees. Could this be the case? I looked for either in my local toy store to give to the dogs to chew, but neither could be found. Apparently even Mattel has more sophistication than to create a trashy Barbie.

[ljld]

By the comments most of you have made here, you really need to broaden your horizons and check a thesaurus for language that might show some attempt at intelligence. Obama won so why all the hate for Gov. Palin?

[madeupnews]

Why doesn''t she just pose nude for Playboy and get it over with already!

[ljld]

Just get over it. The Messiah will take care of all of you. It may not be the first 100 days...maybe not the first 4 years, but believe you me he will take care of you with the money of hard working Americans. So don''t worry your handouts will be there.

[fharlass]

Dear Wasilla-Do you all realize that the lower 48 thought that "moose barbie" was a bimbo??

[robert2237]

Well I see why liberalism will fail in the end with Arrogance and disdain for someone who does not agree with the liberal ideals is to be hated and destoryed. I can see some major issues over the next 4 years well lets make that 2 years. In 2 years people will have had about enough of this hate and start moving more to the center again. Only 52% wanted this far left gang. They have it now but I expect in 2 years they will be fed up with it. The hate the lib. put out will destory this country if it is not stopped. And to think I use to be a dem.

[robert2237]

Okay now Sarah Palin is gone..who is next George W. Bush, *** Cheney, Condi Rice and too bad we can''''t get ride of the entire republican party! They can go up to Alaska with Palin

Posted by nishaboston at 06:36 AM : Nov 06, 2008

I think you and the rest of the left had better hope that this obama guy comes to the center in his policies or the Dems. will be gone in 2010 and obama gone in 2012 if he doesn''t. Palin is and will be a major driving force in the conservitive base and that base will be growing. Me as a ex-dem. see them much closer to JFK type policies than obama and the speaker of the house and Reid ever will be. Palin Jindal, are going to be the main leaders of the party so get ready or make sure obama moves to the center where most Americans are.

[godseyesore-2009]

Must be some real dolts in that town.

[babooph]

If Palin & the other whacos are so sure they are not evolved from animals,why do they act like they do in church ??