Update: McCain's VP not in Constitution party. Husband was.

[SirNitram]

Link

Members of 'Fringe' Alaskan Independence Party Say Palin Was a Member in 90s

September 01, 2008 6:52 PM

The campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., likes to herald the independence of its new running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Officials of the Alaskan Independence Party say that Palin was once so independent, she was once a member of their party, which, since the 1970s, has been pushing for a legal vote for Alaskans to decide whether or not residents of the 49th state can secede from the United States.

And while McCain's motto -- as seen in a new TV ad -- is "Country First," the AIP's motto is the exact opposite -- "Alaska First -- Alaska Always."

Lynette Clark, the chairman of the AIP, tells ABC News that Palin and her husband Todd were members in 1994, even attending the 1994 statewide convention in Wasilla. Clark was AIP secretary at the time.

"We are a state's rights party," says Clark, a self-employed goldminer. The AIP has "a plank that challenges the legality of the Alaskan statehood vote as illegal and in violation of United Nations charter and international law."

She says it's not accurate to describe the party as secessionist -- they just want a vote, she says, adding that the members of the AIP hold different opinions on what Alaska should be.

"My own separate opinion as an individual is that we should be an independent nation," Clark says. Others in the AIP "believe that being a commonwealth would be a good avenue to follow." Some advocate statehood -- but a fuller statehood than exists now.

She doesn't know what Palin's position was.

"It never came up in conversation," Clark recalls. "But when she joined the party, our platform was right under her nose."

Clark says that Palin left the party and became a Republican in 1996, when she first ran for mayor of Wasilla.

The McCain-Palin campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The AIP platform states that the purpose of the party is to "seek the complete repatriation of the public lands, held by the federal government, to the state and people of Alaska in conformance with Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17, of the federal constitution ... To prohibit all bureaucratic regulations and judicial rulings purporting to have the effect of law, except that which shall be approved by the elected legislature ... To support the privatization of government services ...”

Walter Hickel, a former Republican governor, was elected to the governorship in 1990 as an AIP member -- the third-largest party in Alaska -- with a plurality vote of 38.8%. A Seattle Post-Intelligencer story that year said that "Hickel is running with the Alaska Independence Party, a fringe group advocating that the 49th state declare itself a sovereign nation. But he's not a separatist; he's an opportunist: the Independence Party was the only 11th-hour ticket to the general election."

Hickel returned to the Republican Party in 1994; he endorsed Palin in her gubernatorial run in 2006. Subsequent AIP gubernatorial candidates did not fare as well as did Hickel, garnering less than 2 percent of the vote.

Earlier this year, Palin sent a video message to the AIP for its annual convention, where AIP vice chair George Clark told the small crowd that Palin "was an AIP member before she got the job as a mayor of a small town –- that was a non-partisan job. But you get along to go along -– she eventually joined the Republican Party, where she had all kinds of problems with their ethics, and well, I won’t go into that. She also had about an 80 percent approval rating, and is pretty well sympathetic to her former membership."

Lynette Clark says that Palin is "a fine individual. She's forthright and she puts Alaska first."

She is not a fan of McCain.

"I can't understand why in God's name she has aligned herself with a candidate who opposes the development of our republic and Alaska's resource wealth," Clark says.

Since it's confirmed and.. Fairly important, I've posted this seperate from the general discussion thread on Palin.

[Gandalf]

At least this should help her popularity in the south.

It seems that every day or two, something bizarre comes out about Palin. I wonder how long this can keep going?

[Aratech]

At least this should help her popularity in the south.

Whiel I cannot speak for all scenarios, let me say that from my own experience it would resound only among the most die hard, beer swilling NASCAR watching hick. Of all the rednecks I've grown up around, none of them believe that the South was in the right regarding the civil war, and are far more concerned with what's going on now (like sending their kids to college and keep a decent job) than a scrap that occurred a hundred and fifty years ago.

It seems that every day or two, something bizarre comes out about Palin. I wonder how long this can keep going?

Well, we've got something of a betting pool going. My money's still on 'till election day, followed by a crushing defeat that will make Hoover's reelection debacle in 1932 look like a mildly unpleasant time in GOP history.'

[Lonestar]

Whiel I cannot speak for all scenarios, let me say that from my own experience it would resound only among the most die hard, beer swilling NASCAR watching hick. Of all the rednecks I've grown up around, none of them believe that the South was in the right regarding the civil war, and are far more concerned with what's going on now (like sending their kids to college and keep a decent job) than a scrap that occurred a hundred and fifty years ago.

And as someone who has spent most of his life in the South, allow me to say, "Bullshit". You can't go 5 feet(even in Northern Virginia, which is very liberal) without finding some asshole with the Battle Flag of the ANV on their car.

Hell, we got states that refuse to change their state flag from one that celebrates treason and racism, to something else.

[Stormbringer]

Not quite sure I'd take these guys word at face value, the quote seem to have more of their propaganda in it than anything. But at this point, not exactly giving her the benefit of the doubt either. At this point she seems like she's trying to live down to every negative cliche about the reactionary right.

At least this should help her popularity in the south.

And with more than a few of the right wing nutjobs else where. I suspect at least some of the states rights fanatics all across the Midwest and South won't be broken up about this.

She seems picked directly to mollify the reactionary base of the Republicans that are still worried about McCain not always toeing their line.

It seems that every day or two, something bizarre comes out about Palin. I wonder how long this can keep going?

Well, we've got something of a betting pool going. My money's still on 'till election day, followed by a crushing defeat that will make Hoover's reelection debacle in 1932 look like a mildly unpleasant time in GOP history.'

Depends on what sort of stuff is still left. She's picked solely to shore up the most reactionary elements of the base and so far it seems like none of the problems will hurt her there. They'll hurt McCain badly among undecided I think but he's been something of a failure by consensus candidate.

It really comes down to what sort of traction these gain in the days to come. McCain may be forced to cut her loose depending on what's lurking.

[Aratech]

And as someone who has spent most of his life in the South, allow me to say, "Bullshit". You can't go 5 feet(even in Northern Virginia, which is very liberal) without finding some asshole with the Battle Flag of the ANV on their car.

Hell, we got states that refuse to change their state flag from one that celebrates treason and racism, to something else.

Curious. Can't say I've ever seen more than a handful of the 'South will Rise Again' stickers in my whole life. Perhaps the area where I live is something of an anomaly.

[Aratech]

Ghetto addendum: in the event that she is dropped like a proverbial bad habit, what happens next? Who would they pick, and what effect would this have upon the campaign trail?

[Stormbringer]

And as someone who has spent most of his life in the South, allow me to say, "Bullshit". You can't go 5 feet(even in Northern Virginia, which is very liberal) without finding some asshole with the Battle Flag of the ANV on their car.

Hell, we got states that refuse to change their state flag from one that celebrates treason and racism, to something else.

Curious. Can't say I've ever seen more than a handful of the 'South will Rise Again' stickers in my whole life. Perhaps the area where I live is something of an anomaly.

I've seen "South shall rise again" bumper stickers. And I lived all my life in Union State.

[Aratech]

Huh. Can't say I understand these individuals. From a logical point of view, the two parts are much better off unified than as two separate, divided entities. Surely, one would think that they would realize that their agricultural/industrial system at the time of the war was also hopelessly outdated, hence why the union had about ten times its manufacturing capacity.

But I'm straying from the topic, and for that, I apologize.

In regards to Palin, and this secessionist party, what benefit could possibly be obtained by trying to break off from the union?

[Ender]

Ghetto addendum: in the event that she is dropped like a proverbial bad habit, what happens next? Who would they pick, and what effect would this have upon the campaign trail?

We have a thread in the HOS for entertaining that discussion.

[Aratech]

Ghetto addendum: in the event that she is dropped like a proverbial bad habit, what happens next? Who would they pick, and what effect would this have upon the campaign trail?

We have a thread in the HOS for entertaining that discussion.

Whoops, apologies, Sir. Sorry.

[Glocksman]

And as someone who has spent most of his life in the South, allow me to say, "Bullshit". You can't go 5 feet(even in Northern Virginia, which is very liberal) without finding some asshole with the Battle Flag of the ANV on their car.

Hell, we got states that refuse to change their state flag from one that celebrates treason and racism, to something else.

Curious. Can't say I've ever seen more than a handful of the 'South will Rise Again' stickers in my whole life. Perhaps the area where I live is something of an anomaly.

I've seen "South shall rise again" bumper stickers. And I lived all my life in Union State.

I see those all of the time, and I live in Indiana.
Granted, it's southwestern Indiana, so there is a significant part of the population whose roots (myself included) come from Kentucky and places deeper south.

That said, I have engaged some of those people in a serious discussion of the issues surrounding the War of Northern Agression as they like to call it, and they've failed spectacularly.

[Stormbringer]

In regards to Palin, and this secessionist party, what benefit could possibly be obtained by trying to break off from the union?

Virtually nothing.

I can't say as I've had any experience with the Alaskan version but if it's anything like the Michigan version, it's mostly willful ignorance and a healthy dose of below average intelligence. They're not looking at this rationally or for any benefits. Usually it's just a desire to see themselves at the head of a feifdom based on some sort of half baked ideology.

[Thanas]

Whiel I cannot speak for all scenarios, let me say that from my own experience it would resound only among the most die hard, beer swilling NASCAR watching hick. Of all the rednecks I've grown up around, none of them believe that the South was in the right regarding the civil war, and are far more concerned with what's going on now (like sending their kids to college and keep a decent job) than a scrap that occurred a hundred and fifty years ago.

And as someone who has spent most of his life in the South, allow me to say, "Bullshit". You can't go 5 feet(even in Northern Virginia, which is very liberal) without finding some asshole with the Battle Flag of the ANV on their car.

Hell, we got states that refuse to change their state flag from one that celebrates treason and racism, to something else.

In his defence, I have lived where he lives now and it is a very liberal part of the south. I didn't see any CSA flags or others either.

[Aratech]

In regards to Palin, and this secessionist party, what benefit could possibly be obtained by trying to break off from the union?

Virtually nothing.

I can't say as I've had any experience with the Alaskan version but if it's anything like the Michigan version, it's mostly willful ignorance and a healthy dose of below average intelligence. They're not looking at this rationally or for any benefits. Usually it's just a desire to see themselves at the head of a feifdom based on some sort of half baked ideology.

I thought as much. I'm not overly familiar with Alaska myself, aside form the basics (really cold most of the year, day and nighttime hours can get a little funky in the more northern regions, lots of oil in the wildlife parks, and home to some insanely fertile soil, if the cabbage heads I've seen are any indication). But nothing I've seen indicates that its terribly self sufficient enough for a break off to be anything short of an economic disaster.

[Big Phil]

Granted, it's southwestern Indiana, so there is a significant part of the population whose roots (myself included) come from Kentucky and places deeper south.

Isn't that the same Kentucky that didn't (officially) secede from the Union? Isn't there a certain irony is supporting secession when you're from a state that didn't secede?

[Broomstick]

Curious. Can't say I've ever seen more than a handful of the 'South will Rise Again' stickers in my whole life. Perhaps the area where I live is something of an anomaly.

I've seen "South shall rise again" bumper stickers. And I lived all my life in Union State.

I see those all of the time, and I live in Indiana.
Granted, it's southwestern Indiana, so there is a significant part of the population whose roots (myself included) come from Kentucky and places deeper south.

I live in northern Indiana and we have 'em here, too. Sure, we have former southerners, but quite a few of the nutjobs were born up here. Must be something in the water (which might also explain weird shit like Michael Jackson, who is also from around where I live)

[Duckie]

Alaska has about the same GDP as Belarus, or Serbia, so they'd be able to survive as a 2.5th world country (not quite third world).

States that actually could secede and might actually benefit from it are California (especially), New York (perhaps even NYC itself), and Texas. Assuming that it wouldn't get the US mad and cut off their trade, put sanctions, or stuff. If it was just an instant, clean separation.

[Mr Bean]

I was born in Florida, raised in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, California, Connecticut and Indiana(Gotta love a military family). I can tell you, aside from California I knew at least one to six hundred Confederate loving nutjobs in all those states.

Now I only heard "War of Northern Aggression" in Kentucky and and North Carolina. But I knew someone with a rebel bumper sticker or flag everywhere, We are still two generations from that crap dieing off sad to say since Reconstruction was so badly done. To much of an US vs THEM mentality it lasted until the 30's and you saw a massive resurgence of it in the 50's. So we still have people second hand teaching that nonsense. Once they are dead it's down to third-hand, and once it's fourth hand it's hard to maintain that hatred because you start talking great-great-great grandfathers.

Keep in mind Jim Crow was still legal(And the south shall rise again nonsense was only reinforced by such laws) it was thought up(By the public at large) until the 60's that it was quite all right to think those thoughts.

And it's not until now that it's become unacceptable again. Obama will be looked on in history as the line when no one was racist anymore, despite it not being true it's a easy one to put in a High school text book forty years from now.

[Glocksman]

Granted, it's southwestern Indiana, so there is a significant part of the population whose roots (myself included) come from Kentucky and places deeper south.

Isn't that the same Kentucky that didn't (officially) secede from the Union? Isn't there a certain irony is supporting secession when you're from a state that didn't secede?

They didn't officially secede, but my understanding is that it was a close call and that there was a significant pro-Confederate bloc in the state.

I could be wrong though, as I haven't been a civil war buff.

[Glocksman]

Now I only heard "War of Northern Aggression" in Kentucky and and North Carolina

Damn..
The people here who call it that are originally from Henderson, KY (directly across the Ohio river from Evansville) or other southwestern KY areas.

They're a minority of Kentuckians I've crossed paths with, but they do exist.

[Big Phil]

Granted, it's southwestern Indiana, so there is a significant part of the population whose roots (myself included) come from Kentucky and places deeper south.

Isn't that the same Kentucky that didn't (officially) secede from the Union? Isn't there a certain irony is supporting secession when you're from a state that didn't secede?

They didn't officially secede, but my understanding is that it was a close call and that there was a significant pro-Confederate bloc in the state.

I could be wrong though, as I haven't been a civil war buff.

You're correct - Kentucky officially attempted to maintain neutrality and did not secede, but the North and the South more or less ignored it after a while and Kentucky itself had divided loyalties. It just strikes me as ridiculous; about as ridiculous as white trash in rural Washington, Oregon, or Idaho waving confederate flags around and pretending to be good ol' boys, but whatever...

[Master of Cards]

They didn't officially secede, but my understanding is that it was a close call and that there was a significant pro-Confederate bloc in the state.

I could be wrong though, as I haven't been a civil war buff.

Most Southern States had Union Regiments fighting in their name by the end of the year. Many of the Border states (mostly the slave holding Unionists) were battlegrounds where pro Confed and Pro Union fought neigbor on neigbhor and brother on brother.

[Alyrium Denryle]

Alaska has about the same GDP as Belarus, or Serbia, so they'd be able to survive as a 2.5th world country (not quite third world).

States that actually could secede and might actually benefit from it are California (especially), New York (perhaps even NYC itself), and Texas. Assuming that it wouldn't get the US mad and cut off their trade, put sanctions, or stuff. If it was just an instant, clean separation.

The population is also much much much smaller than serbia or belarus. Serbia has a population of 10 million, alaska, 670 thousand. So no. It can be rather comfy.

The population is very disbursed, many people actually are self sufficient enough that they dont really benefit much from the federal government. This is not a large chunk of the population, but it is large enough to support a secessionist movement. My nearest neighbor growing up was a 40 year old wilderness lesbian. SHe owned a bookstore in town (the only one with an erotica section) and built her house out of river rock and mortar by herself. She even built a cute little octagonal cottage for her girlfriend...

A lot of people grow their own food and hunt for a good chunk of their meat or keep their own livestock (especially poultry, my family had over 40 chickens...)

The population itself is largely comprised of a combination of left and right wingnuts, more the right wingnuts.

[CmdrWilkens]

Regardless of how much it helps (or hurts) amongst unreformed Confederates what this is very likely to do is completely undercut what was left of the "country first" meme that McCain had going for him. When the person you pick opnely aligned themselves with folks advocating a partial disintigration of the union (and oddly enough Biden could get a shitload of Lincoln quotes out of this one) it kills a lot of the love my country more than the other guy theme.