Secessionist Palin Story: McCain Camp Pushes Back

Last night, ABC's Jake Tapper reported that officials of a fringe Alaska party once counted Sarah Palin as a member:

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."

John McCain's campaign reports of her membership in AIP "smears," blaming them on Barack Obama's campaign and Daily Kos. They also sent around Palin's voter registration document, showing her to have been a registered Republican since 1982.

However, TPMmuckraker reports that Palin's husband's affiliation with the group can't be disputed:

This afternoon, the director of Division of Elections in Alaska, Gail Fenumiai, told TPMmuckraker that Todd Palin registered in October 1995 to the Alaska Independence Party, a radical group that advocates for Alaskan secession from the United States.

Besides a short period of a few months in 2000 when he changed his registration to undeclared, Todd Palin remained a registered member of AIP until July 2002 when he registered again as an undeclared voter.

And today, ABC reports that Sarah Palin did attend the 1994 Alaska Independence Party convention:

As part of their pushback against the charges of Lynette and Dexter Clark of the AIP, the McCain campaign says that Palin did not even attend the AIP convention in Wasilla in 1994.

But another former AIP official -- Mark Chryson, chairman of the AIP from 1995 to 2002 -- tells ABC News that "Palin was at the convention in 1994. She was there."

And AIP's Lynette Clark still insists that the governor was a member. "This is like a cat covering up crap in its litter box," she said.

Comments

[SurrealPumpkin]

According to AIP article I read Palin switched her registration to Republican when she ran for City Council. That can be checked. If she did switch to Republican at that time what was she before, or, was she not registered to vote?

[Viper]

She can be a member of a party.. donate to it, attend its meeting and yet be registered as a Repug on the state voting Rolls. Pls note they never said her Husband was a life long repug and he has turned out to have never been a registered repug. Not even now. My, Oh My.. but was an AIP and Independen­t.!

Regards

[arthur2008]

The only thing that is clear about Sarah Palin is that her vaunted integrity is a fiction. For your party, if not for your country, for yourself, if not for your party, put an end to this Sen. McCain.

[cbates]

No one hates women in the dems and republicans. Just think this is a divide and conquer in the end. The two most underrepresented minorities (AA and women ) are being pitted against each other. Who wins if we are fighting? Kudos to McMock for setting this up. We are not stupid, at least I like to think we are not. Obama is in support of focusing on the issues and Palin's support of McMocks' agenda/platform. Obama is smarter. We will have a VP and possible P that wants Alaska to be it own country so they can rwap its resources for personal gain. Sound a lot like white separatist vs black nationalist.

[SurrealPumpkin]

Cute Polar Bear.

[huffyISaHottie]

focus...it takes a bit of work..but it's worth it

[ShamusNYC]

What would have been the response if Michelle was even suspected of being a member of such a group?

Also, hey PUMAs! How you like your new boyfriend now?

LMMA - Liberal Media My A****

[1PALady]

There's more to this story than what we know. I'm sure Mccain wants to shush everything. Keep diggin!

[CocteausTwin]

Since McCain didn't think it necessary to truly vet this pick, I sure hope the media will do its job and do so for the good of the country.

[Richard22]

Finally, McCain has a winning argument to justify the Palin selection: She knows how to handle crackpot regimes -- because she's been running one in Alaska for nearly two years!

[MissDaphne]

hmmmm. that last line sounds a little bit sexist to me.

[MountainTime]

I'm not sure if big O is too supportive of 527's....I­'m not sure if it's just where I am (Montana) but i havent seen a political advertisement on T.V. in weeks. C'maon! Now is the time to strike Obama!

[CocteausTwin]

He doesn't really support the 527's. But I believe the day after the convention is when the campaign will go into much greater exposure.

[revhillbilly]

No, now is the time to sit by and watch the Republican base eat itself. Once they are in shambles then bring out the broom.

[Nyland8]

That's because the entire population of Montana can fit into one middle-income housing project in the Bronx.

8

[Irisdavenport]

Just imagine what the Republican attack machine would do it, Obama went anywhere near a group that wanted to seced from the Union. OMG, Hanity would go wild. This is something for a 527 group. Are there in demo. 527 groups out there, please take this one please.

[speedingpullet]

Daily Kos has cached video and a transcript of the Vice President of the AIP, this year (2008) confirming that Palin was a member before she ran for mayor.

He admits she went Republican, but still refers to her as 'our gal' and 'one of us' - not surprising as the AIP is an 'entryist' party that often works by 'infiltrating' other political organisiations to futher the cause of the AIP.
Its not some sinister organisiation, but it makes you think, do you really want a VP of the United States that may or may not mean 'Country First' when dealing with the other 49 entities in the Union?

I know this,because I actually watched the clip last night.

Yes, DK got pretty wiggy with the whole 'baby-gate' thing - but they've done a good job in throwing up some interesting things about Palin's record and actions in AK - the AIP connection being one of them.

[LemonMeringue]

This seems really unpatriotic to me.

I mean I've seen her huge flag pin but...

[AllenD]

And AIP's Lynette Clark still insists that the governor was a member. "This is like a cat covering up crap in its litter box," she said.

I hope McCain is taking notes. That is some real straight talk!

[SeanHannity4Obama]

indeed, real talk

[renatam]

Todd Palin, employee of British Petroleum (or, a "fisherman?"), is copied on his wife's Official State emails. His emails and communications are also under investigation at present.

Imagine the implications for him also being a seccessionist?