Alaska Gov. And Longshot McCain VP Praises Obama's Energy Plan

The Obama campaign is trotting out a gubernatorial endorsement for his energy policy today... from Republican Alaska Governor and long-shot VP candidate Sarah Palin.

An aide to the presumptive Democratic nominee sent over a link to a Palin press release Tuesday morning in which the governor praised Obama for, among other things, calling for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline and proposing $1,000 rebates for families struggling with energy costs.

"We in Alaska feel that crunch and are taking steps to address it right here at home," Palin's press release read. "This is a tool that must be on the table to buy us time until our long-term energy plans can be put into place. We have already enjoyed the support of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and it is gratifying to see Senator Obama get on board."

(Stevens and Obama in one press release!)

Palin did take exception to other aspects of Obama's energy proposals, specifically a windfall profits tax on oil. And on Tuesday morning, the Republican National Committee shot around a series of newspaper headlines focused primarily on Obama's "shift" on tapping oil reserves. The articles themselves were more complimentary than the RNC's email headline -- "Does Obama's energy message need another tune-up?" -- suggested.

But for Palin to offer up praise is, within the context of the general election, of some significance. For starters, the governor is occasionally hinted at as a possible vice president (most prominently by conservative columnist Bill Kristol). In addition, unlike Democratic candidates past, Obama actually plans to compete in Alaska. A nod from the state's governor could prove a long-term benefit.

Comments

[Berynice]

All the comments about her looks are an embarrassment. What's up with that?

[neumann]

It's true. We should be commenting on more substantial things. Like, 5 children???? Man she must really like doin' the nasty. "Oh, baby impeach me! Make me feel like a Governor. I want to be checked and balanced on your legislative branch."

There. Much better.

[Berynice]

Great! A Republican signing on to Obama's plan. Must be a great plan. Arghhhhhh

[loki]

Thats Alaska's Gov? Wow. From this picture, she looks good.

[olivia]

Is it true she is a Mormon?

[smilodon1]

I truly fail to understand why a woman would be a republican. On the other hand, they put up with polygamy in Utah.

[olivia]

Needs a makeover bad.

Get rid of the bangs and the funny lipstick. The fake glasses have got to go too. That look went out in the eighties.

[BrettnCalgary]

Hey, she isn't bad for a republican female, she makes that Florida hag (whose label escapes me) and Ann Coulter look like.... errr... hrm. What do they look like? I don't seem to have an appropriate adjective.

[olivia]

Let me help. Coulter looks like an Afghan hound. And the Florida hag looks like ten miles of bad road and too much cigarette smoking and gin.

Of course other qualities are more important than looks. And they get F in that department too.

[Bluejay00234]

guess this means she really wont be VP.

[neumann]

mmmm i love that hot librarian look

[NeoStar9]

Same here. :)

I've always loved that look on women.

[RRonin]

I think she's cute. For a politician. And a Republican.

[Heavy]

At the risk of appearing shallow, she is VERY easy on the eyes (and definitely wins points for her economic stance). I can just hear old Mc Same now, " Er Cindy, I'm going to be late for dinner again. I've got some more PDBs to review"

[Daniboy]

Small families are good-we'll have more room for illegal immigrants.

[steamboat]

good one

[RockySoldier]

She looks like a stripper. But is she ready to lead?

[Egalitare]

I'm no fan of Palin's politics, but by most accounts she is competent executive - aside from that business about her brother-in-law.

I think she was McCain's best choice as a running mate. Everyone else has even more baggage.

[steamboat]

YES SHE CAN.......­especially if she gets contacts instead of the glasses. She's hot !

[Daniboy]

She supports drilling in Anwhar-I didn't know Barack did. When did he change his mind?

[nonconformist2]

O doesn't support drilling in Anwar.

[Zhonni]

He didn't.

[Daniboy]

A working mother of five-a normal American family. Of course us elites would look down on her!!

[nonconformist2]

Like Senator Ted Stevens (who has recently been indicted), she is totally in the tank for the oil companies. Like D.ick C.heney, she would be another vice president who will put oil interests ahead of other interests.

[inmyopinion]

Totally in the tank for the oil companies? That would certainly come as a surprise to BP, ConocoPhilips and Exxon.
I didn't vote for Palin and I disagree with her on many, many, many issues, but no objective and informed observer can say she's a pushover when it comes to the state's dealings with the oil companies. Think of her ACES tax system, for example. And that's precisely why so much of the Republican establishment hates her, and likens her to Hugo Chavez.

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

Photograph totally a studio set up........­..........­......Ligh­ting; Pose; Clothing; Make Up; Props.....­........ju­st another McFake Clone in a tight race.

[PackyJ]

As an Alaska, I'm not a big Sara fan. But the picture isn't a studio setup. It's really just a candid shot. She really is pretty damn good looking.

[mexamerican]

yummy governor, even if she's a repug.

[Ajegunle]

Hear, hear.

[NoBiasJustTellTheTruth]

Umm, no offense, but...

Wow, she's cute!

[riley85]

As a Hillary supporter turned McCain supporter I pray he picks her. It would be a bold choice but one that would hopefully excite JMac's campaign. Risky but worth it.

[PleaseSaveAmerica]

I am not sure this is really praise. It more seems like "Oh, I am glad to see you finally got on board to what I have been thinking all along". Patronizing, more than praise, I think.

[mamacat]

And yet it is Obama, and not McCain, with whom she is in agreement.

[biglover]

Me too. I don't see it as praise. More misleading headlines from Huffpo. Shame, shame.

[inmyopinion]

Wrong.
Palin and Obama see pretty much eye-to-eye on how to approach the natural gas pipeline. It's one area where Palin and the Dems are on the same side -- AGIA. Also, on the Alaska oil tax rewrite, or ACES. Check the legislative record. Palin's opponents were her fellow Republicans. Her supporters have been the Democrats.
I have a lot of disagreements with Palin, but I like and appreciate her tough stances in dealing with the major oil producers (ACES, AGIA and Point Thomson, to name a few subjects). If you don't know what I'm talking about, or know what AGIA or ACES or Point Thomson are, what are you doing commenting on these issues? I can guarantee you, Obama knows what they are.
Palin is pretty honest, too. Her firing of Walt Monegan was poorly handled, at the very least, but it's small potatoes compared to real Alaska corruption. Remember, this is the governor who's not even on speaking terms with the chairman of the state Republican party.