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

[blueshield]

Palin reacts to the political IQ test:

Select National Energy Policy

a) Give away more oil leases; increase tax subsidies to hyperprofitable oil companies; grant $40 a year gas tax holiday; ridicule tire inflation;

b) Comprehensive detailed program to reduce consumption, support alternatives, reduce public benefits to oil corps, obtain concessions for trading public resources, etc, etc, etc.

[barkingcat]

Slightly off topic regarding Palin, did anyone hear that in the last day she's filed suit against the Feds for putting the polar bear on the endangered species watchlist?

(Because this would hinder oil exploration/development.)

[RememberTheAlamo]

Hi Barkingcat,

And it makes sense . . . how many other states have polar bear populations?

Alaska has been taking care of bears (and seals) for a long time . . . the bear population is up . . . (poor seals!)

What would somebody, in Washington, have to add to that success story?

You should be proud of her . . . she is sharing a very clear "Not-in-my-back-yard" message . . . which is the same message CA is giving relative to offshore drilling.

[DallasMike]

C) Put 1 million hybrid-plug in ELECRTICITY DEPENDENT cars on the road.

D) Cut ELECTRICITY usage by 15%

E) explain how that is feesable

[kappa08]

I didn't know Tina Fhey ran Alaska too!

[CindyM2008]

Uh oh, somebody forgot to send her the O bama Tire Gauge, along with the 6th grade mocking talking point memo.

[loax]

Oh well, Sarah, kiss your chance good byre.

[amazinggrace]

What? Say that again...........................hmmmmmmmmmmmm, an "honest" Republican? What is the world coming to........................................

[bdl0715]

An honest Republican? She is being investigated by her state legislature for firing the director of the state police because he refused to fire a state trooper who committed the crime of divorcing her sister.

[tdpubs]

She's an honest Republican but she's still a sister. C'mon. You want too much from a politician. I hear Pat Buchanan thinks that she's hot.

[LostinAlaska]

The investigation is a retaliatory action. Sarah Palin blew the whistle on Oil & Gas Commission chair (also state chair of the Alaska republican party) Randy Ruederich, which caused a snowball effect in the republican party. She was elected by democrats and republicans alike. I have voted democrat all my life, but Sarah Palin got my vote because she is ethical and bucked her own party. The entire state liked her for that.

[DaOne]

This just in, Sarah Palin found alongside Phil Gramm, Eric Cantor, Pastors Hagee and Parsley under the Double Talk Express......film at 11!

[neesy08]

Touche!

[ATL78]

His list keeps getting shorter and shorter...

[bosshogg]

ouch............

[Mayoyo]

This proves one thing: Samart people will know when they see something that makes sense regardless of party .
If only the whole congress thaught like that.

[mesut]

Amen!!

[ChristianEcon.com]

If that was the case she couldn't be a Republican.

[shel3364]

and REALLY smart people don't mock those things with childish ads and moronic gadgets.

[ibsteve2u]

If only the whole Congress were smart people - unfortunately, you can go an awful long way on simple greed and lust for power.

[DennyCrane]

She's saying this because she knows she won't get the VP spot and therefore has nothing to lose by being candid.

[poco767b]

At this point the GOP is far more concerned about survival than winning the white house.
Not to say that there are not progressive Republicans, but I think we will see more and more moving to the center and the left in order to hold their jobs. The balance of power is shifting back to the center.

[TGCNY]

well For a second day another Repug uses there brain what is the world coming to

[LiberalSwede]

Agreed JJI. She can come over to my state and be my governor any time. LOL!

[Softnsweet]

lol LiberalSwede

[obamanation31]

She's off the list. :)

[axt113]

I think she's been off the list for a while, she's under investigation for abuse of her power

[marylandtravelinman]

And this way she can say, "See, I am not a typical Republican." EVERYONE is running away from that brand.

[LostinAlaska]

that investigation has not taken her off the list. Behind the scenes, it was prompted by Uncle Ted. Her ETHICAL actions eventually led to his indictment.